Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Andhra Pradesh temple attack: BJP leaders call for statewide protest today India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Amaravati, Jan 06: Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed the arrest of its party president Somu Veerraju in Vizianagaram district as "illegal" and has given a call for statewide protest on Wednesday (today). According to reports, Veerraju and some other leaders were arrested by Vizianagaram Police on Tuesday in Ramatheertham village to prevent them from undertaking 'Dharma Yatra' to Ramateertham temple to protest against the desecration of Lord Rama idol by some unknown miscreants last week. India faces aggressive Chinese activity on its border on a sustained basis In a video statement, Reddy called for a statewide protest on Wednesday and condemning the "illegal arrest of Veerraju and party workers." He demanded the police to allow party leaders and workers into Ramateertham temple unconditionally. "The protest will be held at RDO offices and collector offices in all districts. Party's main demand is to allow BJP leaders to visit Ramateertham temple. The protests will continue till then," he said. Veerraju and other leaders were able to enter Ramateertham village but were later arrested with the police citing prohibitory orders. Meanwhile, several BJP and Jana Sena Party leaders were put under house arrest on Tuesday to prevent them from taking part in Ramateertham Dharma Yatra. Coronavirus cases: India-UK flights to resume from today amid new COVID strain fears The BJP and JSP had announced the Ramateertham Dharma Yatra protesting against the vandalisation at Ramatheertham temple. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered a probe by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police into the incidents of alleged vandalization of temples and desecration of idols of various deities. He has asked the police authorities not to spare anybody found guilty. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 9:06 [IST] Thousands of Britons fear being trapped around the globe by the looming threat of a 72-hour test-to-fly rule coming in - as those jetting in today spoke of their disbelief at no regulations yet being in place. Boris Johnson and his government were accused of 'dithering in a crisis' after announcing the regulations, but then failing to bring them in. Instead passengers from Indonesia, Dubai, Egypt and Africa were allowed in at Heathrow today with no tests - the same day a record-high 62,322 new cases and 1,041 deaths were announced. The PM has been accused of leaving a 'substantial gap in the nation's defences' by delaying rules on people needing a negative Covid result before entering the UK. And families trying to fly home to the country have been left in stressful limbo as the clock counts down on their plane times - but not clue whether they need a 72-hour test to embark. Thousands of passengers have arrived at Heathrow over the past few days, with full data not yet available but sources at the airport saying the figure would not be in the tens of thousands. One mother, who is currently in Tenerife, is due back and said people needed to be given notice of new regulations. Nada Hanafi, 23, PhD student at University of Greenwich who flew back today from Egypt Laura Kelly, 19, University student of Wolverhampton flying back from Belfast today Hilary Bush, 60, flying from Phoenix, USA to UK to visit her 99 year old father in Birmingham She told MailOnline: 'I was due to fly back to Manchester however they have cancelled that flight so I am going on Saturday. 'I would more than welcome a system whereby ALL passengers into the UK are PCR tested. However, obviously people need sufficient notice - I think a week to 10 days is sufficient. I wish the government would stop dithering we are in a crisis. To talk only of foreigners requiring a PCR test is ludicrous since the UK has the worst cases and if everyone coming in has had a test then hopefully there is less chance of yet another variant entering the UK.' The case was the same further afield in Barbados where thousands of British holidaymakers traveled when the Tier system had allowed it. One worried passenger said: 'They would risk getting stuck here if the Government suddenly introduces a testing before departure requirement 'The sole laboratory on the island is Government operated. They were struggling already when we arrived, at a time when there was no local transmission on the island and when they were only testing inbound arrivals. 'We had a turnaround time of 48 hours on our test, but I heard of a number of cases where results took 3-4 days to obtain at that time already Edwin Tokpa, 45, who flew back from Libya, Africa, thought there should have been tests A healthcare worker takes a nasal swab sample of a man at a testing site at Brussels Airport Zahawi says Covid tests at airports 'pointless' in clashes with Piers Morgan on ITV Nadhim Zahawi engaged in brutal clashes with Piers Morgan today over the government's Covid border controls. The vaccines minister was slammed on ITV's Good Morning Britain as he insisted it would be 'pointless' to test people at UK airports. In a vicious rebuke, Morgan said: 'We have, for inexplicable reasons, to anyone with a brain throughout this pandemic resolutely refused to test people when they arrive at our border, nor have we required anybody to have a test to be negative when they get here. 'Do you know how many people we have tested at our border?' Mr Zahawi said: 'The answer is you don't take a test on the border because it's pointless.' Morgan added: 'So the answer is zero we don't test people, any of our borders when they come in. 'Secondly, we have never required anybody to have a test, and to test negative before they get on a plane to our country, unlike almost every other country in the world.' Mr Zahawi said: 'If you ask the scientists Chris Whitty and Jonathan Van-Tam that test at the border is near pointless because that person may be showing no symptoms, may test negative and two days later be positive.' Advertisement 'Now the island is doing increased testing of its local population as a result of the prison outbreak. I don't know what the current average test turnaround times are, but I am pretty sure they are at or above 72 hours. And Barbados is arguably one of the best equipped Caribbean islands when it comes to testing with their one state-of-the-art lab.' At Heathrow Airport there was disbelief as passengers from around the world were allowed through without any tests despite the high cases. Masters student Stephen Pheo - who travelled from Indonesia to the UK to continue studying - explained how he was 'very concerned' today that passengers were not encouraged to take a Covid test before international flights. The 25-year-old Central Saint Martins College student said: 'They didn't ask me to have a test, it wasn't mandatory in order to travel but I had one myself just to be safe. I landed today from Dubai but I have travelled from Indonesia. 'In Indonesia we have to have a test, it's really odd that you don't have that here in the UK. I think it's very concerning, crazy in fact.' Similarly, Derry girl Laura Kelly thought it was 'weird' that she was not required to have a test before flying back to study. The paramedic science student at the University of Wolverhampton said: 'I have to get a test when I return to university because I am a student, but I didn't have to get a test to fly back from Belfast today. 'Our uni is providing tests for us but I thought it was weird that you didn't have to get one before taking a flight as I heard the Government had made it mandatory. There's no checks or anything even coming through arrivals.' Accountant Gigi O had spent six days basking in the Dubai sun with her sister after a drizzly Christmas in the UK, and described the lack of testing as 'mad.' The 28-year-old from Kent said: 'We haven't had to have a test to come back into the UK, no-one even checked if we had completed the form, it's just so lax compared with Dubai - it's quite bad. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer took aim at the PM (both pictured above) in the Commons today as politicians returned to vote on the new lockdown rules. 'We had to do a private test to get to Dubai. It cost 160 because you needed a certificate, they actually checked you're doing the right thing. 'I wasn't worried about being able to get back into the country as airports haven't shut since the first national lockdown started the first time. It's just a bit mad over here to be honest.' Studying a PhD at the University of Greenwich, Nada Hanafi similarly did not have a coronavirus test before travelling back from her home country of Egypt. The 23-year-old said: 'I've just arrived in the UK, I spent about 20 days in Egypt over the Christmas break visiting my family. 'I didn't have to have a test to come back into the UK, I did a test before travelling to Egypt and I am planning to do a test near to my university accommodation so that I am exempt from 14 days quarantine. 'I wasn't worried about getting back to England with the lockdown, I was here when there was a previous lockdown and I am familiar with the situation. Flights still come and go.' Hilary Bush had travelled from Phoenix, Arizona, USA to Britain for a three week stay to visit her sickly 99-year-old father in Birmingham and was not required to take a test for the long haul flight. The 60-year-old homemaker said: 'I live in the USA and I didn't have to have a test to get across the border but it doesn't worry me because the test is only as good as the time you get it, you could be infectious the next day. 'I'm coming back to see my father who is in hospital, but he's almost 100 so he's doing well really. I have to have a test to get back into America, and Amsterdam has introduced it so my flight was changed to go through Los Angeles instead.' Businessman Edwin Tokpa had travelled from Liberia, Africa to Heathrow but explained he did not have a coronavirus test. The 45-year-old said: 'I landed this morning from Africa, it is very strange that we don't have to get tested. I am sure that most countries are enforcing the tests.' Also on the Belfast flight to Heathrow was 20-year-old Ross Stew who was not tested. The Army man said: 'We've just landed and we didn't have to have a test to come back. It doesn't really concern me. We're getting tested once we get back to work just outside London at our Army base.' An American man sporting a flat cap - who wanted to remain anonymous - explained that he didn't have to have a test to get into the UK from Los Angeles. Labour analysis suggested three in every 100 UK arrivals are checked to ensure they are complying with quarantine measures Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to Priti Patel to demand urgent improvement to the travel quarantine programme 'They took our temperature in LA and we were separated on the plane so I'm not worried that we weren't made to have a coronavirus test before flying. I am relocating to Potters Bar, England as my ex-wife is due to give birth at the end of January so I had to move here, I'm keeping my job selling tools. 'I heard we were supposed to have tests but nobody has enforced it,' the younger man added. The PM confirmed last night that the move is coming, days after claims started to circulate that it was planned to prevent the alarming South African variant creeping into the country. But it is understood it could still be a 'couple of days' before the system - likely to mean people must test negative within 72 hours of travelling - is ready to be unveiled, with the implementation date unclear. Government sources told MailOnline they are still 'firming up' the details of the policy. Mr Johnson came under fire in the Commons today over when the requirement will be brought in, and how much notice people will get. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there were 'real concerns' about importing mutant strains from places like South Africa and Denmark. 'Why are those measures not introduced already? They have been briefed to the media for days but nothing has happened,' he said. Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds urged the government to stop 'dragging its heels' and 'get a grip'. 'We are leaving a substantial gap in the nation's defences against this terrible virus,' he said. 'They must act now without further unacceptable delay.' SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford urged Mr Johnson to close the UK's borders to all-but essential travel. He told the Commons: 'Nobody would say that this Prime Minister is one step ahead of tomorrow or acts and shows leadership in dealing with this health pandemic. 'The PM was slow to act in the spring of 2020, slow in the autumn and here again, reacts after the events to the threats that we all face.' Nadhim Zahawi engaged in brutal clashes with Piers Morgan today over the government's Covid border controls However, Mr Johnson gave no details and only offered a bland statement, saying: 'I think it is vital we protect our borders and protect this country from the readmission of the virus from overseas and that is why we took tough action in respect of South Africa when the new variant became apparent there and we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect this country from the readmission of the virus.' Mr Johnson said last night that the Government will be bringing in measures to ensure people arriving in the UK have been tested. But the imposition of a third national lockdown has prompted growing calls for immediate action and questions over why a requirement for a negative test before arrival in the UK has not already been introduced. A spokesman for the PM said this afternoon: 'We are working at pace to develop appropriate measures.' The spokesman said measures had already been introduced to try and stop cases being imported such as the quarantine requirement. But 'the global and domestic situation that we are seeing has changed, with increasing levels of coronavirus, so it is important that we take the action we need to ensure that we try and reduce the risk even further,' they added. The principle of pre-departure testing 'will provide for an extra layer of protection against the virus', the spokesman said. It came as new figures from Labour showed that just three in every 100 people arriving in the UK are being checked to see if they are complying with quarantine requirements. Mr Thomas-Symonds has written to Priti Patel to demand 'an urgent review and improvement plan of quarantine arrangements'. Sir Keir took aim at the PM in the Commons today as politicians returned to vote on the new lockdown rules. 'The Prime Minister knows there is real concern about the rapid transmission of this disease. There are new strains being detected in South Africa, Denmark and elsewhere. The quarantine system isn't working,' Sir Keir said. 'The Prime Minister said yesterday that we will be bringing in extra measures at the border. I have to ask, why are those measures not introduced already? They have been briefed to the media for days but nothing has happened.' Mr Thomas-Symonds said Labour analysis of Government data suggested just three per cent of arrivals expected to quarantine in England and Northern Ireland were successfully contacted by compliance checkers in the summer. He said the Government's Isolation Assurance Service, tasked with ensuring quarantine compliance, did not contact more than 1.9 million of the two million passengers spot checked by Border Force between June and September. In a letter to the Home Secretary, Mr Thomas-Symonds said the numbers were 'deeply concerning' and demonstrate that 'efforts to track, trace and isolate cases coming into the UK have been completely undermined'. He said: 'The lack of a robust quarantine system as a result of shortcomings from the Government mean that it is virtually impossible to keep a grip on this spread or other variants that may come from overseas, leaving the UK defenceless, and completely exposed, with the nation's doors unlocked to further COVID mutations. The Labour frontbencher said there must be 'an urgent review and improvement plan of quarantine arrangements' rolled out as soon as possible. The calls for action come amid growing concerns over a variant of the disease discovered in South Africa. The Home Office defended its 'stringent measures', and pointed to its move to stop direct flights from South Africa to the UK. A Government spokesman said: 'The figures in this letter are inaccurate. Border Force have conducted more than three million spot checks and PHE (Public Health England) have been contacting a further 1,500 people each day. 'We are determined to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Our stringent measures, such as compulsory Passenger Locator Forms and spot checks both at the border and during quarantine periods, have seen a high level of compliance.' Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference last night that the Government will be 'bringing in measures to ensure that we test people coming into this country and prevent the virus from being readmitted'. Ministers are understood to be considering introducing a requirement for international arrivals to have a negative coronavirus test before travelling to Britain in order to tackle surging cases. Hauliers would be exempt. Currently arrivals into England from nations that are not exempted under the travel corridor programme must isolate for 10 days. But under the test and release scheme introduced in December, this can be shortened if they have a private test five days after their departure and it comes back negative. During the first lockdown, the Government argued against introducing border restrictions while the prevalence was so high in the UK, with experts arguing it would do little to bring down infection rates. However, a quarantine period was introduced in June after the first peak and when cases were more under control. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Hong Kong health officials bared on Tuesday they detected the new United Kingdom COVID-19 variant in a passenger who arrived from Manila last month. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Hong Kong Health Departments communicable disease branch, said in a virtual briefing that they found the new variant in a 30-year-old female resident who arrived from Manila on Dec. 22 via a Philippine Airlines flight. Hong Kong's health authorities said the woman is a Filipino domestic worker, according to the reports at least two local newspapers, Hong Kong News and The SUN Hong Kong. The health officials tagged the Manila-outbound Hong Kong resident as case 9003. "(Case) 9003 took PR 300 and arrived in Hong Kong on the 22nd of December from (the) Philippines," said Chuang. The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Wednesday the passenger is a 30-year-old woman from Cagayan Valley. Citing a report from the Hong Kong International Health Regulations National Focal Point and local Centers for Health Development, Philippine health authorities stated the passenger left the province on Dec. 17. The woman arrived in Metro Manila on Dec. 18 and underwent quarantine as mandated by government protocols, they added. DOH officials said the passenger took the swab test on Dec. 19, which yielded a negative result. Philippine Airlines said the passenger presented a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the flight. She left the country on Dec. 22 and was subjected to another quarantine procedures upon arrival in Hong Kong. The Filipina passenger then took another swab test on Jan. 2, where she tested positive for the UK COVID-19 variant. She remains in isolation and in stable condition, authorities said. The DOH assured contact tracing efforts are underway to identify other passengers who boarded the same flight with the woman, including her close contacts in Cagayan Valley and Metro Manila. The airline has also shared passenger manifest information with the Philippines' Bureau of Quarantine so they could conduct contact tracing. "They have been instructed to ensure strict quarantine of identified close contacts and for samples collected from said contacts to be sent for confirmatory testing and, if samples test positive, subsequent whole genome sequencing," the DOH said in a statement. Aside from the passenger who returned from Manila, Hong Kong health authorities also detected three additional cases of the new COVID-19 variant in their country. Two of them arrived from London and the other one came from France. The new COVID-19 variant was first reported in UK on Dec. 14 and believed to be more contagious, according to initial scientific studies. Based on 305 samples collected in November and December, the UK variant is not yet in the Philippines. Governor Bill Lee announced today the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide direct assistance to Metro Nashville-Davidson County under the federal Public Assistance program for the emergency response to the Christmas day bombing in downtown Nashville.We are grateful for the support from President Trump and our federal delegation, Governor Lee said. These federal resources will help the Nashville community recover from this tragic event.The emergency declaration authorizes FEMA, under the Robert T.Stafford Act, to provide Metro Nashville-Davidson County government with direct assistance for emergency protective measures to lessen the impact to lives and property.The protective measures eligible for assistance under FEMAs PA program include, but are not limited to, costs to Metro Nashville-Davidson County for firefighting, search and rescue operations, emergency operations center activation, medical care and transport, evacuation and sheltering, safety inspections and area security.Information about FEMA's Public Assistance program is at: https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency continues to work with FEMA on recovery assistance, and with the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic assistance that may be available through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.Around 6:30 a.m., Central, on Dec. 25, 2020, a recreational vehicle exploded in the area of 2nd Ave. N. and Commerce St. in downtown Nashville.The explosion affected 41 residential and commercial structures over multiple city blocks and directly impacted AT&Ts communications system across Tennessee, Kentucky and northern Alabama. A man from the Republic of Moldova, who has been wanted by the Italian authorities since 2018, was found at the border between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, Minodora Racnea, the spokeswoman for the Territorial Border Police informed on Wednesday, according to AGERPRES. According to her, the 38-year-old man was caught when he showed up at the Stanca Border Checkpoint driving a car with the intention of entering Romania. "At the border control, our colleagues found that on the man's name was issued, on October 4, 2018, an alert for the implementation of an arrest warrant and extradition or extradition, by the Italian authorities, the man being investigated for committing theft crimes on the territory of Italy," said Racnea. The Italian citizen was handed over to an operative team within the Criminal Investigation Service of the Botosani County Police Inspectorate. Mural attributed to Banksy that appeared by Marble Arch, in London, during the Extinction Rebellion protests in April 2019. Credit: (Andrew Davidson/Wikimedia), CC BY-SA Climate disasters started early in 2020and kept on coming. The catastrophic fires in Australia in early 2020 were actually a holdover from 2019, but they were soon followed by flooding in Indonesia, a super-cyclone hitting the coast of India and Bangladesh and then more flooding, this time in Kenya and wide swaths of Central and West Africa. Next came the record-breaking fires in the Brazilian Amazon, South America's pantanal wetlands, California and Colorado, followed by a historic hurricane season in the Atlantic, including two apocalyptic hurricanes in Nicaragua and Honduras. With terrible symmetry, 2020 ended with bushfires consuming more than half of K'gari, a World Heritage site and island off the coast of Queensland, Australia. A popular refrain on social media notes that while 2020 was among the hottest on record and one of the worst years for climate disasters, it is also likely to be among the coolest and calmest for years to come. During a speech at Columbia University in December, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres put it bluntly: "The state of the planet is broken." But now is not the time for despair. Hope is found in uncertainty All this bad climate news has the potential to generate climate despair, numbing those watching the next tragedy unfold. Climate despair is a growing phenomena, noted in the popular media and in academic research in public health, education, ethics and philosophy. Psychologists even coined the term "solastalgia" to denote distress caused by environmental damage and loss. Climate despair is feeling with certainty that "we're screwed," that the worst impacts of climate change are inevitable and can no longer be stopped. Despair feels reasonable given what we're learning about climate change and seeing in the news. But it is a temptation that should be resisted. Rebecca Solnit argues that hope is found in uncertaintythat the future is not set. Even given torrents of bad news, there are a number of reasons for hope. And 2020 could indeed be the turning point. It has to be. Science, politics and hope To be clear, climate despair does not square with current scientific understandings. We are in trouble, not screwed. Actions taken now and in the next decade, individually and collectively, can make a difference. The news on climate impacts and climate science may feel like a march of doom, but climate scientists argue that it's not too late to act and there is uncertainty in the extent of climate impacts we have guaranteed ourselves. We have not reached the point of no return. In some ways, climate despair is the new climate denial, dulling the sense of urgency and blunting the momentum for action. It is a discourse that paralyzes when paralysis is what we can least afford. The discourse of despair strengthens the grip of the status quo and can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. So hope is good science, and that's good for politics. Opportunities to expand the space of uncertainty at the root of hope are right in front of us. While the climate impacts have been terrible in 2020, there has never been as much momentum for political action on climate change as there is now: The first truly global social movement dedicated to climate action and climate justice has gained in size and strength, beginning with Greta Thunberg's Fridays for the Future and spreading to the Sunrise movement in the U.S. and climate justice movements around the world. Large-scale capital continues to flee from fossil fuel investments, which are rapidly losing value. According to a recent study by political scientists Jeff Colgan, Jessica Green and Thomas Hale, this shifting financial ground promises to upend the politics of climate change in important ways, as vested interests lose political power. The initial pandemic response demonstrated how societies and economies can pivot very quickly in response to an emergency. The longer-term plans for post-pandemic recovery provide an enormous window of opportunity to "build back better," although this idea does not have universal uptake. The Paris Agreement survived the withdrawal of the U.S., which is poised to rejoin after Joe Biden is sworn in as president. Momentum around the agreement was clear at the Climate Ambition Summit where 75 countries announced new national commitments. The ranks of countries that have made net-zero commitments is swelling and a new report suggests that the cumulative effect of countries' recent pledges (if fully achieved) could keep warming to 2.1 C by 2100, putting a key Paris Agreement goal within reach. These trends aren't a guarantee that we have turned the political corner. The forces arrayed against the kind of changes we need are vast and powerful. It will take an enormous amount of energy, resources and action for these promising trends to fulfil their potential and turn the tide of climate change. But they can disrupt the status quo. They can create space for catalytic action. They can enhance the uncertainty that keeps despair at bay. They provide hope. Reject despair This motivating hope, or what political scientist Thomas Homer-Dixon calls commanding hope, is not just scientifically valid and politically astute, it is the only viable moral choice. The iron law of climate change is that those least responsible for causing the problem face the worst consequences. The opposite is true as wellthose most responsible for causing climate change tend to be the safest from it. According to Oxfam, the richest one percent of the population globally "are responsible for more than twice as much carbon pollution as the 3.1 billion people who made up the poorest half of humanity." Too many people and communities do not have the luxury of saying "isn't that a shame, too bad we can't do anything" about climate change. They aren't safe, and it's not their fault. Rejecting despair, embracing the uncertainty of hope, is the least that individuals, communities and societies that are relatively safe from climate change owe vulnerable communities. With 2020 left behind, there is hope in facing the climate crisis, for movement toward a just transition to an equitable low-carbon world. Seeing that hope fulfilled in 2021 and beyond means summoning courage, joy and sometimes even rage, fiercely clinging to and expanding the uncertainty of the future. Most importantly, 2021 needs to be the year known for acting, individually and collectively, with the urgency and scale the climate crisis demands. Explore further Climate change bigger threat than COVID: Red Cross This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Oil pared gains late in the session as protests in Washington overtook the U.S. Capitol, overshadowing a draw in U.S. crude inventories and Saudi Arabias surprise pledge to unilaterally cut output in the next two months. Futures eased off 10-month highs in choppy trading after the market settled Wednesday. Earlier, oil rose after a U.S. government report showed domestic crude stockpiles declined last week by the most since August and oil exports from Saudi Arabia plunged to zero for the first time in 35 years. This is as unsettling as it gets for capital markets and crude is right there with that, said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC. When you have big gains in crude oil like youve had in the past couple weeks, thats going to be one of the first things to go. Further limiting gains, the EIA report also showed increases in both gasoline and distillate stockpiles and declining fuel consumption. West Texas Intermediate crude advanced 0.9% to $50.39 a barrel. Still, prices earlier got a lift when Saudi Arabia raised pricing for oil customers in Asia and the U.S. after its shock move on Tuesday to cut an extra 1 million barrels a day of oil production in February and March. The reduction, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said in a Bloomberg TV interview, was a wonderful present and a wonderful surprise for the oil industry. The cut will affect both domestic sales and exports, he said. While the kingdoms decision prompted a sharp rally across various areas of the oil market, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. cautioned that the choice reflects expectations for weaker oil demand. Still, the move has spurred others to reevaluate their price outlook for this year and next, with Standard Chartered Plc raising its 2021 and 2022 average Brent forecasts by $7 a barrel each as Saudi Arabias actions have significantly strengthened the floor for prices. PREVIOUSLY: Oil surges past $50 after Saudi Arabia agrees to output cut Saudi Arabia is returning to the swing producer role in order to keep the price of crude up, which means they are going to cede market share across the board to both OPEC and non-OPEC members, said Bill OGrady, executive vice president at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis. Thats very bullish until they stop. Beyond the tighter supply picture, oil and other petroleum products are expected to see outsized inflows when commodity indexes start their annual rebalancing later this week. Losses in crude prices last year have left the current weight of oil markets in the main commodity indexes much lower than target levels, Citi analysts including Aakash Doshi wrote in a report. But keeping the reins on any further breakout higher, tighter measures to curb the spread of coronavirus remain a headwind to a recovery in fuel consumption. The EIA report showed gasoline demand on a pure week-over-week basis falling to its lowest since late May, spelling trouble for refining margins as a tighter global crude balance and straggling demand crimp profits for processing a barrel of oil. There were big builds to offset on the gasoline and distillate side, and implied demand was pretty weak, said Matt Sallee, portfolio manager at Tortoise, a firm that manages roughly $8 billion in energy-related assets. But further out, demands going to look significantly different in the back half of 2021. Maybe not back to normal, but not too far off 2019 levels. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong (Photo: VGP) The latest results showed that the Ministry of Health had negotiated and signed with the British company AstraZeneca, ensuring to inject 15 million people with 30 million doses. Particularly with the Russian vaccine, the Ministry of Health is negotiating to be able to produce the vaccine under Russian technology transfer at a company affiliated to the Ministry of Health. "Currently, the negotiation of vaccine purchase depends on many factors such as availability, price, storage conditions, payment conditions and delivery conditions, Deputy Minister Cuong said. Another condition is clinical work, especially the present vaccines protection efficiency which ranges from 65% - 94.5%. Therefore, the Deputy Minister of Health said that the ministry was collecting consultancy from ministries and branches to report to the Government, and if necessary, it would seek the opinion of the Politburo. Apart from the commercial vaccines, the leader of the Ministry of Health also said that Vietnam, as one of the 90 members of the COVAX Facility, will buy vaccines from some companies for distribution to 90 countries, including Vietnam. At that time, the country will be allocated an amount of vaccines for some 16% of the population at the cheapest price possible, Deputy Minister Cuong went on to say. Talking about domestic COVID-19 vaccines, Deputy Minister Cuong said that Vietnams NanoCovax vaccines are under the process of clinical trials with 3 doses of 25 mcg, 50 mcg and 75 mcg. Currently, volunteers for the vaccine are in normal and stable health condition. The vaccines immunity is expected to be assessed by the end of this year./. WASHINGTON - Twitter late Wednesday locked President Donald Trump out of his account for the first time, the most punitive step the social media giant has taken against the president on a day of social unrest and violence in Washington. The lockout, which will last for 12 hours, also included the removal of three tweets and a warning that Trump could be subject to a permanent suspension if he continues tweeting baseless conspiracy theories about the election and inciting violence. Facebook followed, blocking the president's account for the first time for 24 hours for what it said was two policy violations, although it didn't threaten permanent suspension. It also said it was blocking his Facebook-owned Instagram account. The social media giants' actions were the strongest volleys after a year of heightened tension between Silicon Valley and Trump. They came after months of struggling to combat baseless allegations of a stolen election long stoked by Trump and his allies. Trump belatedly called for calm on Twitter as the riot at the Capitol earlier Wednesday halted a process to certify Joe Biden as the next president. But his plea came in a now-removed video that was itself laced with disinformation, and he shared the message only after most of the mob had been pushed outside the building - leaving a trail of online and offline discord in his wake. As the mob of Trump supporters stormed the House and Senate, their compatriots online celebrated the chaos, cheering the violence across a wide array of social media sites and calling for bloodshed in the days ahead. The real-world violence forced lawmakers into a lockdown and raised new questions about whether social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter, have acted swiftly and aggressively enough to rein in the dangerous rhetoric from Trump and his allies at a critical juncture for the future of U.S. democracy. Amid the onslaught of criticism, Facebook took the rare step of removing Trump's video after hours of internal debate about the president's actions, before blocking his account entirely. YouTube also removed the video, while Twitter similarly took aim at Trump throughout the day, flagging tweets that sent mixed messages about the events that had unfolded. "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long," Trump said in a tweet since removed. "Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!" The saga began in the morning, when Trump urged his followers to march to the Capitol at a rally during which his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, earlier called for a "trial by combat." Trump later took to social media to attack his own vice president, Mike Pence, for failing to overturn the results of the election on Trump's behalf. The president's online and offline rhetoric ultimately emboldened a supportive mob later to breach the building, halting the House and Senate's work and forcing Pence's evacuation. The president soon returned to Twitter to encourage his supporters to stay "peaceful" - but he did not ask them to leave until he did so in a video uploaded to the site later in the afternoon. "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement," he tweeted. "They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!" The president's words also reverberated far beyond Twitter, where he boasts more than 88 million followers, and other more traditional social media platforms. Trump supporters on lesser-known sites have spent months egging on what they've called a "second civil war" against Democrats and the "deep state." Many have boosted QAnon and other conspiracy theories suggesting that an uprising of covert military forces or civilian militias could help secure Trump's presidency. The storming of the Capitol on Wednesday led many of those accounts to celebrate - and call for further violence. As the jarring images of the rioting appeared on television, the pro-Trump forum TheDonald.win hosted an online "watch party," with thousands of commenters providing commentary and sharing live-stream video links of the blitz. "THIS IS WHY TRUMP CALLED US TO DC TODAY! STORM THE [expletive] CAPITOL!!!" said the top-voted comment from user RedWhiteBlue15. "You fight now or get thrown into a camp later. . . . They are going to take EVERYTHING FROM YOU INCLUDING YOUR HUMANITY!" On Parler, a social media site popular with Trump supporters, some posters encouraged more violence. "Disappointing. Pelosi, Schiff, Nadler, Schumer, Romney all got away," wrote one poster. "DC is a target rich environment. Hope to see some of the DemonRat residences getting torched. Antifa knows how to do it. Learn from them." The episode marked Trump's latest attempt to weaponize Twitter in the days after his defeat. Since Election Day, the president has attacked Biden, rejected his victory, floated widely disproved allegations about voter fraud and stirred his supporters to act. The antagonism - much of it meted out with few repercussions from social media companies - culminated in the dramatic confrontation Wednesday at the Capitol, which forced the District of Columbia to mandate a curfew and summon the National Guard. It's not the first time Trump's social media activity has threatened to incite real-world violence. Seven months ago, for example, the president responded to racial justice demonstrations in Minneapolis by attacking those in attendance as "thugs" and predicting that looting might lead to "shooting." That tweet prompted Twitter to discipline the president by blocking the tweet from view, believing he essentially glorified conflict. In the run-up to the election and its aftermath, the company covered up hundreds of tweets from high-profile accounts, including dozens from Trump. Critics including Democratic lawmakers soon called on the company to suspend the president's account, repeating their long-held belief that Silicon Valley should stop Trump from spreading harmful misinformation at viral scale. But Twitter at the time said its policies allow world leaders to share their views unfettered, a view the company has maintained even as Trump has intensified his rhetoric. The company's refusal to remove Trump on Wednesday prompted Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, to blast Trump for having "promoted sedition and incited violence." He also called on Twitter and other social media companies to "suspend his accounts ASAP as they would do for anyone else advocating disinformation and promoting violence." On Wednesday alone, Twitter labeled eight of Trump's tweets as in "dispute." In the face of growing pressure, it escalated its response by blocking retweeting and liking of the labeled tweets, as well as the ability to reply to them. Twitter then outright blocked two of Trump's tweets. At Facebook, meanwhile, employees earlier in the day began pressuring company leaders to take action. They tagged Facebook executives in posts on the company's internal chat system, asking for a statement from leadership and for the video to be taken down. "Do we really want Facebook to be a platform that enabled the second civil war," an employee asked, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. Several pro-Trump accounts on Twitter sought to blame the chaos on "antifa," sharing baseless theories that followers of the far-left protest movement were "dressed as Trump supporters and causing havoc everywhere." One message retweeted more than 3,000 times said, "Now who ACTUALLY wears all black and attacks law enforcement?? ANTIFA ACTORS!!! These are NOT Trump supporters attacking Capitol Police!!" Other Twitter accounts that promote Trump and QAnon voiced glee over the Capitol breach. "Wow, this movie is getting better and better. My popcorn is running out already! I need more!" said one QAnon-backing account. Joan Donovan, the research director at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, said the breach at the Capitol followed weeks of online agitating from Trump's supporters who peddled the idea that they needed to "Stop the Steal" - and disrupt vote-tallying efforts nationwide. "This is the consequence of calling for a very wild protest," as Trump had tweeted last month, and "it's going to lead to some serious harm," she said. Much of the online fury Wednesday centered on Vice President Pence, who some Trump supporters had hoped would deliver an implausible saving grace by refusing to certify Biden's victory. After Pence said he would not intervene, Lin Wood, the Trump-allied attorney who has pushed to overturn the election, tweeted a baseless allegation that Pence "is a TRAITOR, a Communist Sympathizer & a Child Molester. Lock him up." The tweet, which has not been flagged by Twitter, has been retweeted 15,000 times. QAnon believers also shared images and video clips of Trump supporters smashing glass and storming the police surrounding the Capitol. One well-known QAnon figure, a shirtless man known as the Q Shaman, could be seen in photos of the crowd inside the building after it had been breached. On Parler, a site that prides itself for its lack of content moderation, the extremist group known as the Proud Boys celebrated the mayhem in Washington. "Doesn't look like they're destroying the capital," one user affiliated with the group wrote. "Looks like they're liberating it. God bless America and all her patriots." Users on 4chan, another online message board popular among Trump supporters, similarly cheered the mobs that overtook the Capitol. Users there described the mayhem as the "American Revolution 2.0 and threatened what they described as "tyrannical" Democrats and "traitors." "[I hope] they are all dragged outside and executed one by one in front of the camera, after being forced to admit their [sic] wrong doing for the world to see. Hanging is too good for demons," read one post, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks right-wing extremism. - - - The Washington Post's Craig Timberg contributed to this report. South Korea is providing 2 million face masks to veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War in 22 countries in an expression of gratitude for their sacrifice, the veterans affairs ministry said Wednesday. Of the total, 1 million masks will go to the United States whose nationals account for 90 percent of the total foreign veterans who took part in the three-year conflict, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Their shipments, which began in mid-December, will be completed later this month. It marks the second major mask provision of masks to the foreign war veterans following another 1 million masks provided to the countries in May. At that time, 500,000, or half of the total masks, were sent to the U.S. Around 1.95 million people from 22 countries, including the U.S., Britain, Canada and Turkey, took part in the Korean War. Of them, 37,902 were killed and 103,460 wounded. The ministry said it will also send 30,000 face masks to 550 independence fighters and their family members living overseas to thank them for their sacrifice to liberate the country from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule. (Yonhap) Trump Protesters Occupy Capitol for Several Hours By The Associated Press WASHINGTON - A group of protesters showing loyalty to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, interrupting a joint session of Congress which was scheduled to accept the Electoral College vote that would formally declare Joe Biden as the next president.The nations elected representatives scrambled to crouch under desks and donned gas masks, while police tried to barricade the building. A woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and Washingtons mayor instituted an evening curfew in an attempt to contain the situation.Trump spoke to peaceful protesters earlier, urging his supporters to march to the Capitol to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens victory.Some Republican lawmakers were in the midst of raising objections to the results on his behalf when the proceedings were abruptly stopped.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers were resuming the counting of electoral votes Wednesday evening after the Capitol was cleared of the intruders.The president issued a pair of tweets and a taped video Wednesday afternoon, telling his supporters it was time to go home in peace, although he didn't back down from his claims about the Electoral vote.President-elect Biden, two weeks away from his scheduled inauguration, said American democracy was under unprecedented assault, a sentiment echoed by many in Congress, including some Republicans. Former President George W. Bush said he watched the events in disbelief and dismay.Tensions were already running high when lawmakers gathered early Wednesday afternoon for the constitutionally mandated counting of the Electoral College results, in which Biden defeated Trump, 306-232. Despite pleas from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, more than 150 GOP lawmakers planned to support objections to some of the results.Shortly after the first GOP objections, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls. Lawmakers were told to duck under their seats for cover and put on gas masks after tear gas was used in the Capitol Rotunda. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices.Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., told reporters he was in the House chamber when rioters began storming it. Security officers made us all get down, you could see that they were fending off some sort of assault, it looked like. They had a piece of furniture up against the door, the entry to the floor from the Rotunda, and they had guns pulled, Peters said.And they just told us to take our pins off, he added, referring to lapel pins members wear so Capitol Police can quickly identify them. Then the lawmakers were evacuated.Staff members grabbed the boxes of Electoral College votes as the evacuation took place. Otherwise, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon said, the ballots could have been destroyed by the protesters.The Pentagon said about 1,100 District of Columbia National Guard members were being mobilized to help support law enforcement at the Capitol. More than a dozen people were arrested.As darkness began to set in, law enforcement officials worked their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to try to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible and police in riot gear moved down the steps, pushing demonstrators back. A man has been jailed for the assault of two gardai during a drugs search in September 2019, following his appearance at Longford District Court before Christmas. Fabrice Nguegoue, with an address at Richmond Court Hostel, Richmond Street, Longford, was also charged with obstructing gardai and possession of cannabis. On September 11, Gda Noelle Fahy and Gda John Hanley were on duty and observed Mr Nguegoue on Richmond Street. They informed him that he would be searched but Mr Nguegoue resisted and became violent. The court had previously heard from the arresting gardai who explained that Gda Fahy had been struck in the neck, throat and chest, while Gda Hanley suffered an injury to his thumb and knuckles. The court heard that, while both gardai made a full recovery, it was a violent struggle. He is pleading. He has been in custody since December 14, 2020. He was picked up in Dublin. Hes going to go back to the asylum centre in Richmond Court, said solicitor for the defence, Brid Mimnagh. The charges against him are two counts of assault against gardai. Hes going no place, Judge Hughes disagreed. The court heard that Mr Nguegoue has six previous convictions, the most recent of which was for public order on September 2, 2019, when he was fined 105. You injured two gardai. What have you to say about that? Judge Hughes asked the accused. I never took my medication. Im sorry, said Mr Nguegoue who, the court heard, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Why did you do it? You were possibly trying to hide the fact that you had drugs on you. Do you like smoking cannabis? Judge Hughes asked. Mr Nguegoue replied that he did not. You had cannabis on you on September 11, 2019, in the Garda Station when they searched you. And a month earlier on August 12, 2019, you also had cannabis when you were searched on the Ballinalee Road. So you do like cannabis, said Judge Hughes. The court also heard that on August 17, gardai received reports of a male trying to gain entry to a huse on the Convent Road. Turning to sentencing, Judge Hughes gave the accused two months imprisonment for the attempted break-in, backdated to December 14, 2020, when he went into custody. For the section 3 assault of Garda Fahy, Im giving him four months concurrent, said Judge Hughes. For the assault on the other guard, four months concurrent. For the section 19 obstruction of gardai, one month concurrent. For the second drugs charge, two months concurrent. The first drugs charge, taken into consideration. I also direct he be psychiatrically assessed and receive treatment, he concluded. Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021 9:46 am Rainier resident Veronica Brauer probably said it best: The store makes me feel welcome, like Im back home in Mexico. Brauer, 50, a real estate agent born and raised in Sonora, Mexico, was standing last week near the meat counter at Yelms new Mexican store and meat market, El Portal Tienda Mexicana & Carniceria, embracing the memories the store exuded. Shed come to the market this day to buy carne asada, a popular Mexican slice of beef usually skirt or flank steak and a bag of Maseca corn flour to make tortillas. The carne asada takes me back to Mexico, she said. The flavor is very sentimental to me. So, too, are the sweet breads the store sells, though nabbing those takes effort. The pastries go real fast, and I have to get here early to get the ones I like the most, she said. I enjoy them with a cup of coffee oh, my goodness. El Portal owner Lucero Oseguera, 23, a 2015 Yelm High School graduate, opened the 1,700-square-foot market on Nov. 1 and is still filling the stores shelves and expecting to add more. Right now its a bit bare, though customers will find many Mexican food staples such as Maseca at the ready. Meeting Thurston County Health Department regulations and then coping with COVID-19-related business sanctions forced Oseguera to postpone her opening from spring to fall and the resulting complications have hindered her initial plans. But little by little weve been filling the store, so its not so empty, she said. Oseguera expects a big push in January. We will restock the whole, entire store with more of what we have now and other items that are in other Hispanic stores, she said. That will include fruit, produce and more meat. Ill add amenities to the store that will delight our customers. And if shes fortunate, the meat shes adding will include a few exotic items. Im going to try and get my hands on some python, rabbit, alligator and deer or elk, she said. The meat case is already pretty well stocked: In addition to the ever-favorite carne asada, it typically offers meat cuts for chicken fajita mix beef, pork carnitas and chicken chorizo sausage, among other offerings. El Portal meat manager Rudolfo Mendez, 41, lauds the merit and flavor of El Portals meat. We are hoping that the quality of our meats and the time as well as care that is taken to season and marinate will speak for itself, he said. We offer simple authenticity. The longtime Yelm resident decided to open El Portal located in the Frontier Village shopping mall at the corner of Mossman Avenue Southeast and First Street South because she foresaw a profitable business and thought Yelm-area residents would embrace it. We were always having to drive 30 to 40 minutes out of town to the nearest Mexican store, and Yelm definitely needed one, said Oseguera, who also resells houses as a side business. Ive been thinking about opening a store like this since I was about 13 years old, and for the past two years Ive saved up as much money as I could to do it. Oseguera gained some business and culinary experience recently when she worked a few months helping open a restaurant at Southcenter Mall in Tukwila. I got experience from that about sanitation, processing food, managing employees, and scheduling and hiring, she said. I also learned a lot from my dad who is a general contractor in Yelm about how to run a business. El Portals customers which number from 15 to 25 a day so far included Roy resident Vincent Constantino, who visited the market for the first time last week to buy carne asada for a New Years meal. I think its great that Yelm has a Mexican market because its convenient and close, said the 38-year-old. Otherwise Id have to go to Lacey or Tacoma. Constantinos and Brauers reactions to El Portal gratify Oseguera. I really enjoy seeing how happy the customers are when they discover that a Mexican store is here, she said. And its uplifting to see the customers get excited when they find items here they couldnt find somewhere else. For Mendez who has worked in restaurants since age 18 and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland El Portal is simply a slice of Mexico. Everybody has said this reminds them of home, he said. Its bringing a part of our culture to Yelm, and it reminds you of happiness when youre eating. And its helping residents cope with COVID-19 in a special kind of way, Mendez suggested. During this time, its good to embrace people, and this atmosphere here doesnt feel like any other place Ive ever worked, he said. Weve set out to make this not just a store, but an experience. Store manager Maria Carrillo, 21 who does everything from purchasing merchandise to overseeing payroll and taxes agrees: I like talking to people and making sure they leave happy. When people come in here we want to make relationships with them, not just in and out. And Oseguera who estimates shes either related to, or acquainted with, about 80 percent of Yelms Hispanic population wants to get the word out about her friendly, intimate store. In 2021, I really need to work on more marketing to make sure people know Im here, she said. And people come to Yelm from other towns to buy items, so I want them to know were open, too. El Portal Tienda Mexicana & Carniceria is located at 404 First St. S. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may reach the market at 360-960-8405, or visit the stores Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/El-Portal-LLC-471790003564930. The flight was made in the Southern Cross Junior the Avro-Avian machine in which Air Commodore Kingsford Smith broke Hinklers England Australia record. Arrangements to leave Mascot were not completed until 5.45 pm on Tuesday when the Atlantic Union Oil Co Ltd. was asked to furnish fuel for a flight to Perth for which young Menzies was understood to have been preparing. He reached the Mascot aerodrome at 8.15 pm and decided that he would leave between midnight and 1am yesterday. Meanwhile the plane was supplied with 110 gallons of spirit, and five gallons of oil. Menzies made a most methodical ground preparation. Accompanies by Captain Chateau Mr Norman (Wizzard) Smith and Mr. W. W. Ryan, he went over the run-away in a motor car, with headlights switched off at 40 miles an hour to test the visibility. He decided that everything was well. The party then adjourned for supper bacon, eggs and coffee. Menzies took no stimulants of any kind before embarking on his flight. He showed no signs of nervousness, but chatted gaily with his companions, who were still in complete ignorance of his real design. At 12:30 am the young aviator glanced at his watch. I think we will make a start now, he said. Aviator Guy Menzies back in Sydney, after his successful solo crossing of the Tasman. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald Archives A little less than ten minutes later, in the headlights of four motor cars, the plane moved to the extreme take-off position. After a cheery farewell to Messrs W. W. Ryan Norman Smith, J. James, Ian Menzies (the aviators brother), Captain Chateau, and Mrs Neil Stewart, the only woman present, Menzies stepped into the cockpit and opened up the throttle his secret still his own preparatory to taking off. Leaning outward he beckoned his brother Ian close to the plane and handed him several letters addressed to his parents, relatives and friends. The envelopes were endorsed with instructions that the letters were not to be opened until he had taken off. When the authorities in New Zealand had been informed, thorough preparations were made to assist the young aviator when he should arrive. Excitement quickly spread in New Zealand when it became known that an aeroplane was on its way from Sydney. This excitement was made more intense by the mystery of the pilots identity. Nothing definite could be learned there and a rumour spread that the pilot was Kingsford Smith, making a second flight across. In UP villagers get cocktail vaccine dose: Covishield first, Covaxin next Health Ministry all set to roll out COVID-19 vaccine India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 06: The Union Health Ministry has said it is all set to roll out vaccine for COVID-19 within about a week. According to report, the inoculation could begin from January 13. However, a final decision on the launch date is yet to be taken. According to Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, the ministry is ready to introduce vaccine within 10 days from the date of emergency use authorisation. On Sunday, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country. Coronavirus cases: India records 18,088 new COVID-19 cases, 264 deaths in last 24 hours While registration has been made mandatory, healthcare and frontline workers need not register themselves for the vaccination drive as their database has been uploaded on the Co-WIN vaccine delivery management system in a bulk. The provision of registration and editing of data would arise while immunising the population priority group. "There is no need for beneficiary registration of healthcare and frontline workers as their information will be taken from a bulk database that has been populated onto the CO-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System," Union health secretary Bhushan said. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News On the two vaccines that have been granted approval for restricted emergency use by the DCGI, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul reiterated that all scientific and statutory requirements have been met and regulatory norms followed while granting permission and authorisation. The Health ministry said that vaccines will be transported under refrigerated condition and digitally tracked during transit. The government has set a target to have enough vaccines by July to cover at least 30 crore prioritised people. Deep in the Flat Tops Wiiderness in northwest Colorado, there's a hike that leads to a terrain feature dubbed 'The Devil's Causeway.' The 'causeway' is a narrow land bridge, no wider than four feet in some areas. Crossing it can be extremely dangerous depending on the weather and the experience level of a hiker, with state tourism board writers warning those adventurous enough to seek it out that it's 'not for those prone to vertigo.' A giant vulva sculpture on a hillside in northeastern Brazil has caused a fueled war between leftists and conservatives, including the close allies of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. According to an NBC News report, the 108-foot concrete and resin sculpture called "Diva" by artist Juliana Notari is standing on the site of a previous sugar mill turned into an open-air museum in Pernambuco state. The sculpture was revealed last week, which Notari said it depicted both a vagina and a wound. It took 20 artists and 11 months to create. Notari noted that the vulva sculpture questioned the relationship between nature and culture in a phallocentric and anthropocentric society. She wrote on a Facebook post that these issues have become growingly urgent today. Related story: Brazil Indigenous Community Pose Problems to Bolsonaro's Mining Projects Controversy on the Vulva Sculpture Aside from the cultural war that it caused between leftists and conservatives in the country, the vulva sculpture also becomes a hot trend in social media, with more than 25,000 people commenting on Notari's Facebook post. One commenter wrote that he did not like it, citing reasons of what he would tell his young daughters if they see it in the park. One female commenter replied: "With all due respect, you can teach your daughters not to be ashamed of their own genitals." Many looked at the giant vulva sculpture positively, saying that there is a lot to think about the work. Trans cartoonist Laerte Coutinho echoed the same sentiment. One fan said that they loved it, which is an intimate part of women exposed with such beauty, according to The Guardian report. A film director from Pernambuco state, Kleber Mendonca Filho, praised Notari. He told Notari that the reactions to the vulva sculpture are a mirror of society, adding that it was a success. But some Facebook users dubbed the giant vulva sculpture as leftist propaganda, obscene, and reprehensible. Bolsonaro's political guru, Olavo Carvalho, slammed Notari's work and tweeted that the vulva sculpture should be dealt with by a 33m-long penis, according to The Art Newspaper report. Since taking office in 2019, Bolsonaro has maligned culture and painting artists and criticized art he deems to be left-wing. Brazil a Conservative Country Meanwhile, Camila Oliveira, a researcher at the Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning, said that people have started to boast about being conservative. Oliveira noted that Bolsonaro's arrival made people and groups with more radical positions feel more comfortable to express themselves. Angela Alonso, a sociologist at the University of Sao Paulo, said that the election of Bolsonaro to the presidential seat was a reflection of the growing conservatism of Brazilian society over many years in response to corruption and cronyism of previous administrations, as reported by the Financial Times. Brazil was governed by the left for more than 15 years. Past Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who seated to power in 2002, is the first leftist leader in Brazil in nearly half a century, according to a BBC report. Bolsonaro brands himself as someone different from the rest, saying that he is a clean candidate in the middle of a sea of corrupt politicians in Brazil during the past years. Related story: President Bolsonaro Sends National Troops to Control Nationwide Police Strikes CoWIN (COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network) is a repurposed version of eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on January 6 warned people against downloading fake CoWIN (COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) app from app stores. Some apps named "#CoWIN" apparently created by unscrupulous elements to sound similar to upcoming official platform of Government, are on Appstores. DO NOT download or share personal information on these. #MoHFW Official platform will be adequately publicised on its launch. January 6, 2021 "Some apps named '#CoWIN' apparently created by unscrupulous elements to sound similar to upcoming official platform of Government, are on App stores. DO NOT download or share personal information on these. #MoHFW Official platform will be adequately publicised on its launch," it said in a tweet. CoWIN (COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network) is a repurposed version of eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network), an indigenously developed platform in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The app introduced by the central government is currently in its pre-production stage and hasn't gone live on Google Play store or any other App store. Once officially launched, the application will be reportedly available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and may also be available for devises running on KaiOS. New Delhi, Jan 6 : A 23-year-old man was beaten to death on suspicion of theft after he allegedly entered the house of a priest near a crematorium in South Delhi's Mehrauli area, the police said on Wednesday. During initial enquiry, it has been found that the deceased was allegedly a drug addict and had entered the house of the house of the priest in Chhatarpur at night. He was allegedly caught and beaten by the priest, Gaurav Mishra. Later, the body of the deceased was found in a jungle area adjacent to the crematorium. Sunil, 23, was taken to the hospital where he was declared brought dead. The family of the deceased has alleged foul play. "There were bruises on the victim's thigh, hands, back, head and some minor injuries on face. The post-mortem will be conducted on Thursday. After confirming the cause of death, further action will be initiated," said Atul Thakur, DCP, South Delhi. The programmable infusion pumps market is poised to grow by USD 487.81 mn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 8% during the forecast period. Worried about the impact of COVID-19 on your Business? Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios, Estimates, the impact of lockdown, and Customer Behaviour. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005669/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Programmable Infusion Pumps Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Get FREE Sample Report in Minutes! The report on the programmable infusion pumps market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by growing Internet connectivity in programmable infusion pumps. The programmable infusion pumps market analysis includes type segment and geography landscape. This study identifies the growing number of acquisitions as one of the prime reasons driving the programmable infusion pumps market growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The programmable infusion pumps market covers the following areas: Programmable Infusion Pumps Market Sizing Programmable Infusion Pumps Market Forecast Programmable Infusion Pumps Market Analysis Companies Mentioned B. Braun Melsungen AG Baxter International Inc. Becton Dickinson and Co. Fresenius SE Co. KGaA ICU Medical Inc. Johnson Johnson Medtronic Plc Smiths Group Plc Terumo Corp. and Ypsomed Holding AG. Related Reports on Health Care Include: General Laboratory Equipment Market by Product, End-user, and Geography Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The general laboratory equipment market size has the potential to grow by USD 6.30 billion during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.88%. To get extensive research insights: Click and get FREE sample report in minutes The general laboratory equipment market size has the potential to grow by USD 6.30 billion during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.88%. To get extensive research insights: Homecare Oxygen Concentrators Market by Product and Geography Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The homecare oxygen concentrators market size has the potential to grow by USD 1.07 billion during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 15.21%. To get extensive research insights: Click and get FREE sample report in minutes Key Topics Covered: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Value chain analysis Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market outlook PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE Market segmentation by type Comparison by type Large-volume infusion pumps Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Small-volume infusion pumps Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by type PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Asia Market size and forecast 2019-2024 ROW Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Technological advances Growing number of acquisitions Growing Internet connectivity in programmable infusion pumps PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors B. Braun Melsungen AG Baxter International Inc. Becton, Dickinson and Co. Fresenius SE Co. KGaA ICU Medical Inc. Johnson Johnson Medtronic Plc Smiths Group Plc Terumo Corp. Ypsomed Holding AG PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005669/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Vietnam issued Circular 96 on information disclosure activities for businesses in the securities market, which took effect in January 2021. The circular is broader in scope compared to previous norms and applies to a wide range of entities. Clarity surrounding information disclosure norms is a positive step towards attracting foreign investment in Vietnams securities industry. Vietnams Ministry of Finance recently issued Circular 96/2020/TT-BTC (Circular 96), which regulates information disclosure activities of certain business entity categories in the securities industry. The new regulation replaces Circular 155/2015/TT-BTC, which was released in 2015. Circular 96 took effect in January 2021. The circular provides guidance on the content, medium, periodicity, and principles of information disclosure on Vietnams stock market. In 2019, the State Securities Commission (SSC) noted that several foreign-owned firms had expressed their intent to list on the domestic stock market. For instance, Taiwan based Fortress Tools had planned on going public in 2019. However, there was a lack of regulatory clarity surrounding this activity. The new information disclosure norms, given their central role in listing and regulating firms, could be a positive step towards expanding the regulatory infrastructure in Vietnams financial markets. Scope and content: Circular 96 Compared to the 2015 circular, the scope of disclosure has been broadened. According to Article 2 of the circular, the rules apply to: Public companies; Entities that list corporate bonds; Securities companies and branches of foreign securities companies or foreign fund management companies in Vietnam; Public securities investment companies; and IPO issuers. Mandatory disclosures of personal information include identity cards, passport details, contact address, permanent residence address, phone number, email, bank account numbers, and trading account numbers. Foreign businesses in which investors own more than half of the charter capital can only disclose information after obtaining approval from the investors. For business entities they are responsible for disclosing transaction codes of overseas investors, minutes of annual general meetings, audited financial information, securities, and other disclosures, which vary by category of business entity. Legal representatives are exclusively responsible for executing information disclosure compliance. The circular lists multiple mediums through which disclosures can be executed. This includes information disclosure systems of SSC and stock exchanges, local media as prescribed by the law, and the website of the organization itself. Under Article 7 (2), organizations subject to this disclosure must set up websites in compliance with the guidelines mentioned in the circular. Periodic and extraordinary information are required to be stored on these websites for a minimum of five years. The responsibility for storing and securing disclosure related information rests with the organization receiving the disclosure. Organizations in which foreign investors own more than 50 percent of the charter capital are required to disclose information under the investors approval. Bank accounts of overseas investors, transaction codes of foreign investors, are also subject to mandatory disclosure. The disclosures also cover extraordinary events. An example of such an event is when foreign bank accounts of the disclosure subject are frozen and subsequently unblocked. Extraordinary information must be disclosed within 24 hours of the occurrence of an event. Foreign investment in Vietnams securities industry Since 2007, owing to Vietnams compliance with the WTO Protocol on Accession, the number of foreign firms in the securities markets has risen. In the same year, Morgan Stanley announced a joint venture (JV) securities firm with Vietnams State Capital Investment Corporation. A recent report surveyed 81 securities firms and found that 40 of these had ownership structures dominated by foreign capital. Foreign investors in the securities trading business include Citibank, Nikko Cordial, and SMB Securities. In particular, South Korean securities firms have dominated the market since 2019 when a series of mergers and acquisitions were undertaken. Firms such as KB Securities Vietnam, Mirae Asset Securities Vietnam and KIS Vietnam Securities have South Korean parent companies, which provides them the ability to scale and increase their charter capital. As the regulatory structure surrounding the securities industry takes shape, it is likely that foreign interest in Vietnam rises over the medium term. GOTTINGEN, Germany, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The life science company Sartorius today announced it has entered into an agreement through its subgroup Sartorius Stedim Biotech to acquire the chromatography process equipment division of Novasep. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price until the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained. Novasep's division expects to generate sales revenue of approximately 37 million euros in 2020 at double-digit profit margins and employs approximately 100 people, the majority of whom work at its Pompey site in northern France and some in the USA, China and India. The proposed transaction is subject to antitrust approvals and the information and consultation of Novasep's works council and is expected to close during the first half of 2021. Novasep's chromatography unit comprises resin-based batch and intensified chromatography systems, and primarily focuses on high-pressure, multi-use applications for smaller molecules, such as oligonucleotides, peptides and insulin. Since 2018, Novasep and Sartorius have been collaborating in the joint development of an optimized system for a membrane-based, low-pressure chromatography that processes larger molecules more productively and that will be launched soon. "I am pleased that we will intensify our successful collaboration with the Novasep team, soon to be under the Sartorius roof," said Dr. Rene Faber, Head of the Sartorius Bioprocess Solutions Division and Executive Board member. "The Novasep portfolio will perfectly complement our existing chromatography offering and allow us to provide customers with more options for their manufacturing processes. Efficient DSP has remained a challenge in our industry for years, and Sartorius is committed to helping accelerate and simplify this crucial step so that new drugs can be manufactured much more efficiently. " "This deal marks one of the first steps in our Rise-2 strategic program to focus the group towards our core business" said Dr. Michel Spagnol, President & CEO of Novasep. "We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Sartorius team and believe it will be a great opportunity for the chromatography equipment business to fully deliver its potential and accelerate its growth under this new ownership. " This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future development of the Sartorius Group. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sartorius assumes no liability for updating such statements in light of new information or future events. This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. About Sartorius The Sartorius Group is a leading international partner of life science research and the biopharmaceutical industry. With innovative laboratory instruments and consumables, the Group's Lab Products & Services Division concentrates on serving the needs of laboratories performing research and quality control at pharma and biopharma companies and those of academic research institutes. The Bioprocess Solutions Division with its broad product portfolio focusing on single-use solutions helps customers to manufacture biotech medications and vaccines safely and efficiently. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In fiscal 2019, the company earned sales revenue of some 1.83 billion euros. At the end of 2019, more than 9,000 people were employed at the Group's approximately 60 manufacturing and sales sites, serving customers around the globe. About Novasep Novasep is a global provider of cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing solutions for life sciences molecules and fine chemicals. Novasep's unique offering includes process development services, purification equipment and turnkey processes, contract manufacturing services and complex active molecules to serve pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, fine chemical, food and functional ingredients, as well as fermentation and chemical commodities industries. http://www.novasep.com Sartorius contact Petra Kirchhoff Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations +49 (0)551.308.1686 [email protected] www.sartorius.com Novasep contacts Brice Roquet / Laure Saloin Communication Project Managers +33 7 77 94 37 55 / +33 7 77 94 37 52 [email protected] / [email protected] Follow Sartorius on Twitter @Sartorius_Group and on LinkedIn. SOURCE Sartorius AG Motorists are embracing utes and big four-wheel drives as Covid restrictions boost demand for cars with higher ground clearance. The Toyota HiLux ute was Australia's top-selling new vehicle in 2020 for the fifth straight year, with 45,176 sold last year as December sales climbed 42.3 per cent. During the year of coronavirus, seven out of Australia's ten bestsellers were either a ute or an SUV, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed. The Toyota HiLux ute was Australia's top-selling new vehicle in 2020 for the fifth straight year, with 45,176 sold last year as December sales climbed 42.3 per cent Large Toyota four-wheel drives dominated the league of mammoth sales increases. The LandCruiser was the big beast of choice with 45,176 sold last year, making it Australia's fifth most popular machine on four wheels. Australia's top selling cars in 2020 1. Toyota HiLux: 45,176 2. Ford Ranger: 40,973 3. Toyota RAV4: 38,537 4. Toyota Corolla: 25,882 5. Toyota LandCruiser: 25,142 6. Mazda CX-5: 21,979 7. Hyundai i30: 20,734 8. Mitsubishi Triton: 18,136 9. Toyota Prado: 18,034 10. Kia Cerato: 17,559 Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries VFacts sales data for 2020 Advertisement The December sales tally of 3,562 was more than double the 1,618 pace for the same month in 2019. Annual sales of these large four-wheel drives was only a shade below the Toyota Corolla's 25,882 sales count - as December sales for the small hatchback and sedan plunged by 9.4 per cent compared with a year earlier. The Toyota RAV4 in July made history as the first-ever SUV and hybrid car to top the monthly sales chart. The medium SUV finished in third place in 2020, with 38,537 sales, behind the Ford Ranger ute's 40,973 sales. December sales of the RAV4 surged by 60.1 per cent. The larger Toyota Prado experienced a December sales surge of 79.9 per cent to finish the year with 18,034 sales or ninth place. After a horror year, there were signs of hope for the car industry with the December sales tally of 95,652 showing a 13.5 per cent increase on December 2019 when bushfires instead of Covid state border closures dominated the news. 'It is therefore with great relief that the industry, along with the general economy, is finally noting some positive signs within the market,' Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said. The used car market did well too with vehicle prices in December surging by a record 35.2 per cent compared with a year earlier, marking the strongest result in Datium Insights-Moody's Analytics data going back to 1999. Used car prices climbed by 31.4 per cent, while truck prices increased by 46.2 per cent, during a year that saw Australians banned from holidaying overseas. Ukraine's trade deficit more than halves in 2020 envoy It is estimated at US$4.9 billion. Reporting by UNIAN If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter [January 06, 2021] Wipro Limited to Announce Results for the Third Quarter Ended December 31, 2020 on January 13, 2021 Wipro (News - Alert) Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, will announce results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020 on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 after stock market trading hours in India. The results will be available in the Investors section of the company's website at www.wipro.com/investors/ At 7:45 PM IST* (9:15 AM US Eastern time) following the results announcement, the senior management will discuss the company's performance for the quarter and answer questions sent by 7:00 PM IST* (8:30 AM US Eastern time) to: iyer.aparna@wipro.com or abhishekkumar.jain@wipro.com The audio from the conference call will be available online through a webcast and can be accessed at https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=WIPRO30121 Dial in details for the conference call are as below: Time 7.45 PM - IST* (9:15 AM-ET#) Click here for the diamond pass link Diamond Pass is a Premium Service that enables you to connect to your conference call without having to wait for an operator. If you have a Diamond Pass click the above link to associate your pin and receive the access details for this conference, if you do not have a Diamond Pass please register through the link and you will receive your Diamond Pass for this conference. Primary Access Toll Number +91 22 6280 1120 +91 22 7115 8021 Local Access Available all over India +91-7045671221 US Toll Free Number US Standby Toll Number 1 866 746 2133 1 323 386 8721 UK Toll Free Number UK Standby Toll Number 0 808 101 1573 44 203 478 5524 No passcode Required * Indian Standard Time, # US Eastern Time Please dial any of the above numbers five to ten minutes ahead of schedule. The operator will provide instructions on asking questions before and during the call. The replay of the call will be available two hours after the end of the call on following numbers: Call Playback Numbers: Phone (News - Alert) Number Passcode / Conference ID Replay Dates India Toll +91 22 71945757 +91 22 66635757 Access Code: 947765# 13-Jan-21 to 12-Feb-21 International Toll +1 8332898317 Access Code: 947765# 13-Jan-21 to 12-Feb-21 About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 180,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005520/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] This article was updated at 1:45 p.m. on Jan. 6. Mike Pence is a man of God. He is also a practiced politician of intense discipline who answers every question, no matter how aggressive or personal, with carefully prepared talking points delivered in a reassuringly measured Midwestern cadence. He is always on message. He has hardly ever, as vice president, strayed from the MAGA line. When asked about his prayers during the pandemic, Pence explained in one breath how he offers prayers of intercession (that the suffering would be comforted), prayers of petition (that leaders would be given wisdom), and prayers of thanksgiving (that Donald Trump is his boss). I have to tell you, he told RealClearPolitics aboard Air Force Two shortly after accepting the nomination for vice president in August, I really could not be more proud of this president's leadership through this global pandemic. That Pence would turn a question about faith into an answer about Trump is not surprising. He has been nothing but dedicated to the president, and no controversy -- not the Ukraine scandal, not the St. Johns church photo op, not even the Access Hollywood tape -- has ever caused Pence to abandon his post. Disciplined. On message. Loyal. Pence is all of that: A vice president straight out of central casting, who has backed up Trump at all costs but who will now risk four years of earned goodwill in one afternoon. He has to count votes. As vice president, Pence serves also as president of the Senate, meaning that on Wednesday he will preside over a pro forma certification of the Electoral College vote. The duty is normally procedural. But by clinging to power and alleging widespread voter fraud, Donald Trump has foisted an uncomfortable decision on his loyal lieutenant: ratify the victory of President-elect Joe Biden or back his boss. There is a famous verse coming out of the Book of Esther, David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth and a longtime friend of Pence, told RCP. I think that applies to Mike right now. Pence knows the scriptural passage McIntosh is talking about. It is the story where the queen in Babylonian exile must decide whether to denounce a plot to slaughter the Jewish people or to say nothing and ensure her own safety. The Word of the Lord: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for a time such as this? The parallel is obvious. The choice, less so. Pence is faced with a difficult decision that will affect not only the nation but his entire legacy. The vice president, no doubt, is seeking divine wisdom. And for a time such as this, he has reportedly sought guidance from political advisers and legal experts and the Senate parliamentarian. McIntosh, for his part, didnt say who the Babylonians are in this case. Trump has made his thoughts known. I hope that Mike Pence comes through for us. Hes a great guy, the president said Monday night at a rally in Georgia. The hopes of Trump World rest on playing the so-called Pence Card, the idea being that the vice president would unilaterally reject the election results. Of course, if he doesnt come through, Trump added, I wont like him quite as much. This would be a bitter pill for Pence, who is widely believed to harbor Oval Office ambitions of his own. Being a party to a quixotic attempt to overturn the election results, however, could very well make him a pariah in any future general election. But close friends as well as current and former colleagues stress that the vice president has a higher allegiance. Hes very loyal to President Trump, who obviously is very interested in the outcome, but the most important feature about Mike is that he really is a constitutionalist, McIntosh said. As for the gaggle of Senate Republicans who plan to challenge some state results, McIntosh predicted that Pence would limit himself simply to using the chair to give them an appropriate hearing for their motion. Nothing more. The task before Pence was simple, at least on paper. The vice president is to open envelopes that contain the Electoral College votes reported from the individual states and then, in the presence of both chambers of Congress, hand them to the tellers of the House and Senate. Trump adviser Peter Navarro argued that Pence has broader authority, that he could delay the process and grant a 10-day audit of the results. Pence is apparently unmoved by this curious theory. Peter Navarro is many things, the VPs chief of staff, Marc Short, told the Wall Street Journal. He is not a constitutional scholar. While Pence has signaled that he is open to GOP efforts to overturn the election result, he hasnt tipped his hand. It still isnt clear what he will do, other than serve his constitutionally mandated clerical role. The vice president, his office said in a statement, welcomes the efforts of members of the House and Senate to use the authority they have under the law to raise objections and bring forward evidence before the Congress and the American people on January 6th. The Trump campaign and its allies have filed no fewer than 60 legal challenges alleging widespread fraud. None have been successful in court. Meanwhile, there has been whispering among White House staff that the vice president is not a true believer when it comes to election conspiracies. The New York Times reported that Pence even told the president that he didnt believe he has the power to block congressional certification of a Biden victory. This, Trump said late Tuesday night, was fake news. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act, Trump said in statement, later adding that the election was corrupt in contested states and therefore was illegal. Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution, Trumps statement added. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation. If Pence doesnt exercise those oddball options as Trump prescribes, he could alienate the presidents base. But what good is a base that isnt large enough to win national elections? That is the question of GOP strategists surveying the wreckage of 2020. Trump couldnt secure his own reelection, let alone keep Republican Senate majority which, as of Wednesday morning, appears lost. There may be an opportunity in all of the chaos, a chance for Pence to place a steady hand on the wheel of government as the peaceful transition of power begins. It only helps his future ambitions, said Rep. Jim Banks, the chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee that Pence once helmed. Only the wacky fringe elements of the Republican Party believe that Mike Pence should stand up before the nation, on the floor of the House, and not perform his constitutional duties of counting the electors from the States, added Banks, who predicted, Pence will be president one day. Those ambitions were evident to former Rep. Mark Souder from early on. The two Hoosiers served in Congress together, and Souder watched as Pence moved steadily through House leadership to the Indiana governors mansion and finally to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across a parking lot from the White House. He is gonna have to choose, Souder said of the vice presidents last, and most consequential, decision. Pence respects the institution too much; hes signaled it, and he is not going to overturn the vote, court cases, and state election officials because he built his career on states rights. I can't see him selling out, Souder added. Not for this guy. The president spoke Wednesday on the National Mall behind bulletproof glass, promising never to concede, warning "weak Republicans" that their day of retribution was imminent, and repeatedly pleading with his vice president to refuse to certify the Electoral College vote. I hope Mike is going to do the right thing, Trump said. If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election. He has the absolute right to do it," the president added. Pence did not listen, and as Trump spoke, he released a three-page "Dear Colleague" letter. The vice president wrote, It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not." Win McNamee/Getty Images Pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in D.C. Wednesday, and engaged with riot police as Congress met to certify the 2020 election results. Because of the mayhem, the Senate recessed its Electoral College debate after rioters forced their way into the building. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. B acklash after GCSE and A-level exams cancelled but Btecs allowed to continue The government is facing a backlash as it continues to allow vocational and technical exams to continue, but cancelled GCSE and A-level exams in England in the summer. Exams regulator Ofqual and the Department for Education (DfE) will work together to consider how to grade GCSE and A-Level pupils in a way that reflects their hard work, the department said as it announced the move. Despite facing calls to cancel this month's Btec exams in light of the lockdown, the Government has left it to school and college leaders to decide whether they want to go ahead with the vocational exam series. MPs set to vote on Englands lockdown measures MPs are set to vote on England's national lockdown restrictions as the stringent rules came into force overnight amid spiralling Covid cases. The Commons has been recalled from its Christmas recess for the second time, to debate and retrospectively vote on the measures announced by the Prime Minister on Monday. Boris Johnson will update MPs on the new controls - which include the closure of schools to most pupils and a return to the stay at home order - before a vote due in the evening. The measures are expected to pass with ease, with Labour set to support the motion. WHO team investigating origins of Covid denied entry to China A World Health Organisation (WHO) team due to investigate the origins of Covid in the Chinese city of Wuhan has been denied entry to the country. The WHO said the problem was a lack of visa clearances. The long-awaited probe was agreed upon by Beijing in December after many months of negotiations with the WHO. Bond Girl Tanya Roberts death confirmed hours after confusion Actress Tanya Roberts has died at the age of 65, several hours after her publicist incorrectly announced her death. The James Bond star who played Stacey Sutton opposite Sir Roger Moore in his final 007 film, A View To A Kill, was at the centre of a bizarre turn of events this week. On Monday, her representative announced she was still alive, not long after being quoted as saying she was dead. But Mike Pingel, Roberts publicist, confirmed last night she had died on Monday evening at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles. Dr Dre doing great after being rushed to hospital suffering brain aneursym Dr Dre said he is "doing great and getting excellent care" following reports he had been taken ill and was in hospital. The 55-year-old rapper, producer and record label executive suffered a possible brain aneurysm and is receiving treatment at Cedars Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, according to US showbiz website TMZ. Dr Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, shared an update on Instagram, thanking fans for their support and promising to be home "soon". On this day 1066: Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. He ruled to October 14, 1066, when he was killed at the Battle of Hastings. 1540: King Henry VIII married his fourth wife Anne of Cleves. 1838: Samuel Morse first successfully tested the electrical telegraph. 1907: Maria Montessori opened her first school and daycare centre for working-class children in Rome. 1912: New Mexico was admitted as the 47th US state. 1929: Mother Teresa arrived in Calcutta and started her legacy of work among the poorest people of India. 1977: Music publisher EMI ended its contract with the Sex Pistols because of their notorious behaviour in public. 1992: The United States government advised doctors to suspend the use of silicone breast implants pending an investigation into their safety. 1994: US ice skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed and injured on the right leg by associates of skating rival Tonya Harding. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Election bloc format must be workable in some logical sense Attorney: Political persecution against Robert Kocharyan is becoming more noticeable during election campaign Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: We must do everything so that our domestic politics is not dictated by Azerbaijan Armenian acting defense minister meets Russian peacekeeping mission chief Congress predicts US nuclear spending to reach $ 634 billion by 2030 Russian MP: The effectiveness of military cooperation with Armenia depends on Yerevan as well Delimitation now may create some problems in Karabakh negotiation process, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on relations with 3rd President Sargsyan: We go our own way they go their own Judge adjourns hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM for 3 weeks Court hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM 2nd President Kocharyan: Armenia must show that it will not be subjected to such pressures Kocharyan: You may find yourself in stupid situations if you come to negotiations without any baggage Armenia Investigative Committee: Criminal case opened into soldiers death 157 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia EU helps UN World Food Programme provide humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected people in Armenia Yerevan municipal council convenes regular session Tehran should release ship, crew immediately The Moon Jae-in administration should make all-out diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to release a South Korean oil tanker and its crew seized by the Islamic republic's military near the Strait of Hormuz, Monday. It also needs to strengthen cooperation with the international community to solve the hostage situation as soon as possible. Iran, however, denied Tuesday that it was holding the tanker and 20 crewmembers, including five Koreans and 11 Burmese, as hostage. It said that the seizure was made as the tanker, the MT Hankuk Chemi, had caused maritime environmental pollution. Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabier criticized South Korea for having taken $7 billion in Iranian funds hostage on baseless grounds. Iran said the seizure was a "technical problem" related to sea pollution. The government is ready to take legal steps against the seizure as there is no evidence of the ship leaking any harmful chemicals into the sea. "We will look into the authenticity of Iran's allegations regarding environmental pollution in accordance with related international law," the foreign ministry said in a report to the National Assembly, Wednesday. Yet Iran maintained that the tanker carrying 7,200 tons of ethanol had repeatedly violated environment rules and that the crew will be subject to judicial measures. The spokesman said the tanker issue was totally a technical one, urging the Korean government to approach the matter rationally and responsibly. Iran's stance could bode ill for possible negotiations between Seoul and Tehran over the issue. But the tanker's operator, Taikun Shipping Co., refuted Iran's claims. "If it really was marine pollution, as they say, the coastguard was supposed to approach the ship first. Instead armed soldiers approached the crew and said they needed to be questioned," the operator was quoted as saying. Some experts said the seizure was linked to Iran's demand for the release of its funds held by two Korean banks the Industrial Bank of Korea and Woori Bank which have been frozen under the U.S.-led economic sanctions on Iran. The two banks opened the accounts in 2010 in the name of Iran's central bank to facilitate imports of Iranian oil and exports of Korean products to Iran. But the accounts were frozen in 2018 after the U.S. re-imposed sanctions on Iranian banks. Iran has been repeatedly demanding the release of its frozen funds. South Korea and Iran have been discussing ways for Iran to use the funds to purchase vaccines for COVID-19. Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun is scheduled to visit Tehran, Sunday, to discuss the issue. In this vein, it is improper for Iran to blame Korea. Against this backdrop, Iran's seizure of the tanker caught the foreign ministry off guard. We urge the Iranian government to release the ship and its crew immediately in accordance with humanitarian principles. Seoul conveyed its firm stance by calling in Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Badamchi Shabestari. The government should take all possible measures to secure the safety of the crew and find an appropriate solution as soon as possible. ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A major labour leader has resigned from a government task force created to map out a recovery plan for Newfoundland and Labrador's struggling economy. Andrew Furey addresses the audience following the swearing-in ceremony on the grounds of Government House in St. John's on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A major labour leader has resigned from a government task force created to map out a recovery plan for Newfoundland and Labrador's struggling economy. Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour president Mary Shortall said today in a news release she is quitting the team, claiming it lacks transparency and has a top-down approach. Shortall, whose federation represents nearly 30 unions and more than 70,000 workers, says she couldn't participate on the team and continue in good faith to represent workers in the province. The task force, created by Premier Andrew Furey, has been controversial since he appointed Moya Greene as its chair, who is known for privatizing the United Kingdom's Royal Mail service while she was chief executive officer. A spokeswoman for Furey said in an email today the premier was disappointed about Shortall's decision to leave the team, but did not address her allegations. Shortall says a non-disclosure agreement prevents her from commenting on the specifics of the committee's deliberations. "The recommendations that will be made by (Greene) may very well shape the next several decades of the type of economy and society we will live in, Shortall said in the release, adding it is "imperative" the voices of workers and marginalized groups are considered in any recovery plan. "Most importantly, it must be real collaboration and consultation, not simply window dressing," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2021. There have been 33 new reported outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes across the country in the last two weeks, according to figures by the HSE. A spokesperson said that HSE cannot comment on individual outbreaks, but stated that they are offering support to nursing homes which have been impacted. Outbreaks are defined as having two or more cases of laboratory-confirmed Covid-19, regardless of symptom status, or one laboratory-confirmed case and at least one additional case of illness with Covid-19 symptoms. Tadhg Daly, chief executive at Nursing Homes Ireland, said the threat to nursing homes is very real and very alive. It is in direct proportion to the levels of high community transmission. So, as long as there are high levels of transmission in the community, it does pose a significant threat to nursing homes, said Mr Daly, describing the figures as "very worrying". But, I'm assured, that while it is challenging they are under control, he added. Read More Covid-19 outbreak infects 40 residents of Laois nursing home On Monday, the Irish Examiner reported that eight people have died with Covid-19 in Killeline Care Centre in Newcastle West, Co Limerick. Windmill Healthcare, which manages the centre, confirmed that a number of members of staff and residents had tested positive shortly before Christmas. The majority of the staff have since tested positive for Covid-19, however, most have since recovered and returned to work. The group also confirmed there are 12 active cases in its 63-bed facility. It comes as the West Limerick region battles particularly high numbers of positive cases. Between December 15, and December 28, the Newcastle West area had an incidence rate of 499.7 per 100,000. St Catherines Nursing Home, also in Newcastle West, confirmed that three staff had tested positive prior to Christmas. However, as of 5pm on Tuesday, no residents at the centre had tested positive. The home has also brought on a full-time family liaison officer, to help deal with family members who may have concerns. It is understood that as of Monday, St Itas Community Hospital, in the same town, currently has zero cases of Covid-19, after the hospital successfully overcame an outbreak in November. St Luke's Home, Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane Meanwhile, in Cork, St Lukes Home in Blackrock, confirmed that five residents have tested positive for Covid-19. These were the first cases of the virus at the home since the pandemic began. Nursing home residents at Mitchell-Hollingsworth in Florence got the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday from Walgreens. Walgreens officials came with on-site vaccinations, and 96% of Mitchell-Hollingsworth residents got the vaccine. Staff members got it, too, and said this is a huge step forward for the most vulnerable population. "Today, the folks from Walgreens are going to administer about 180 vaccinations to a combination of staff and residents," said Scheri. WAAY 31 was there when Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing Home Director, Brian Scheri, got his vaccination. "Didn't feel a thing, actually," said Scheri. We couldn't shoot video of the vaccine being given to residents for privacy concerns, but Scheri said this is a huge day for his nursing home residents. "How we've had to operate since last March, family members not being able to visit their loved ones. Staff members who can contract it as well and not knowing from day to day what nurse might be here and what staff member might be sick, this is finally a step," said Scheri. Walgreens will be back here in a few weeks to give the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 86F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Berlin is still considering Nord Stream 2 as an economic project, deputy official representative of the German Cabinet of Ministers Ulrike Demmer said at a briefing in the German capital. She stressed that neither the attitude of the FRG authorities to the construction of the gas pipeline, nor their position on the US extraterritorial sanctions have undergone changes: Berlin still considers them contrary to the international law, TASS informs. WASHINGTON - A violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn Americas presidential election, undercut the nations democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. WASHINGTON - A violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn Americas presidential election, undercut the nations democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. The nations elected representatives scrambled to crouch under desks and don gas masks, while police futilely tried to barricade the building, one of the most jarring scenes ever to unfold in a seat of American political power. A woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and Washingtons mayor instituted an evening curfew in an attempt to contain the violence. The rioters were egged on by Trump, who has spent weeks falsely attacking the integrity of the election and had urged his supporters to descend on Washington to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens victory. Some Republican lawmakers were in the midst of raising objections to the results on his behalf when the proceedings were abruptly halted by the mob. Together, the protests and the GOP election objections amounted to an almost unthinkable challenge to American democracy and exposed the depths of the divisions that have coursed through the country during Trumps four years in office. Though the efforts to block Biden from being sworn in on Jan. 20 were sure to fail, the support Trump has received for his efforts to overturn the election results have badly strained the nations democratic guardrails. Congress reconvened in the evening, lawmakers decrying the protests that defaced the Capitol and vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College vote for Bidens election, even if it took all night. Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Before dawn Thursday, lawmakers completed their work, confirming Biden won the presidential election. Vice-President Mike Pence, presiding over the joint session, announced the tally, 306-232. Trump, who had steadfastly refused to concede the election, said in a statement immediately after the vote there will be an orderly transition" of power on inauguration day. Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th, Trump said in a statement posted to twitter by an aide. Pence had reopened the Senate after the harrowing day and directly addressed the demonstrators: You did not win. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the failed insurrection underscored lawmakers duty to finish the count. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would show the world what America is made of" with the outcome. Protesters walk as U.S. Capitol Police officers watch in a hallway near the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near the Ohio Clock. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) The president gave his supporters a boost into action Wednesday morning at a rally outside the White House, where he urged them to march to the Capitol. He spent much of the afternoon in his private dining room off the Oval Office watching scenes of the violence on television. At the urging of his staff, he reluctantly issued a pair of tweets and a taped video telling his supporters it was time to go home in peace yet he still said he backed their cause. Hours later, Twitter for the first time time locked Trumps account, demanded that he remove tweets excusing violence and threatened permanent suspension. A sombre President-elect Biden, two weeks away from being inaugurated, said American democracy was under unprecedented assault, a sentiment echoed by many in Congress, including some Republicans. Former President George W. Bush said he watched the events in disbelief and dismay. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally for Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., and David Perdue, at Dalton Regional Airport, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Dalton, Ga. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) The domed Capitol building has for centuries been the scene of protests and occasional violence. But Wednesdays events were particularly astounding both because they unfolded at least initially with the implicit blessing of the president and because of the underlying goal of overturning the results of a free and fair presidential election. Tensions were already running high when lawmakers gathered early Wednesday afternoon for the constitutionally mandated counting of the Electoral College results, in which Biden defeated Trump, 306-232. Despite pleas from McConnell, more than 150 GOP lawmakers planned to support objections to some of the results, though lacking evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Trump spent the lead-up to the proceedings publicly hectoring Pence, who had a largely ceremonial role, to aid the effort to throw out the results. He tweeted: Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! The Peace Monument, also known as the Naval Monument or Civil War Sailors Monument, is framed by the Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Wednesdays congressional joint session to count electoral votes could drag late into the night as some Republicans plan to challenge Democrat Joe Bidens victory in at least six states. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) But Pence, in a statement shortly before presiding, defied Trump, saying he could not claim unilateral authority to reject the electoral votes that make Biden president. In the aftermath, several Republicans announced they would drop their objections to the election, including Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. Earlier, protesters had fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls, many without masks during the COVID-19 crisis. Lawmakers were told to duck under their seats for cover and put on gas masks after tear gas was used in the Capitol Rotunda. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. A U.S. Capitol Police officer stands watch on Independence Avenue before dawn as the House and Senate prepare to convene a joint session to count the electoral votes cast in November's election, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., told reporters he was in the House chamber when rioters began storming it. Security officers made us all get down, you could see that they were fending off some sort of assault." He said they had a piece of furniture up against the door. "And they had guns pulled, Peters said. Glass panes to a House door were shattered. The woman who was killed was part of a crowd that was breaking down the doors to a barricaded room where armed officers stood on the other side, police said. She was shot in the chest by Capitol Police and taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. City police said three other people died from medical emergencies during the long protest on and around the Capitol grounds. Trump supporters walk past the Dome of the Capitol Building in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Staff members grabbed boxes of Electoral College votes as the evacuation took place. Otherwise, said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., the ballots likely would have been destroyed by the protesters. The mobs storming of Congress prompted outrage, mostly from Democrats but from Republicans as well, as lawmakers accused Trump of fomenting the violence with his relentless falsehoods about election fraud. Count me out, said Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Enough is enough. Supporters of President Donald Trump cary flags and banners on Capitol Hill during a rally, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Several suggested that Trump be prosecuted for a crime or even removed under the Constitution's 25th Amendment, which seemed unlikely two weeks from when his term expires. I think Donald Trump probably should be brought up on treason for something like this, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., told reporters. This is how a coup is started. And this is how democracy dies. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., whos at times clashed with Trump, issued a statement saying, Lies have consequences. This violence was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the Presidents addiction to constantly stoking division. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., walks into the House chamber before a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to count the electoral votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Despite Trumps repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. Punctuating their resolve, both the House and Senate soundly rejected an objection to election results from Arizona, which had been raised by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and another from Pennsylvania brought by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. Still, most House Republicans supported the objections. Other objections to results from Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin fizzled. The Pentagon said about 1,100 District of Columbia National Guard members were being mobilized to help support law enforcement at the Capitol. More than a dozen people were arrested. As darkness fell, law enforcement officers worked their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible. Police in full riot gear moved down the steps, clashing with demonstrators. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Kevin Freking, Alan Fram, Matthew Daly, Ben Fox and Ashraf Khalil in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report. Bharti Airtel has moved the Supreme Court against "arithmetical errors" made by the Department of Telecommunication in calculating AGR (adjusted gross revenues), indicating another round of legal battle between telcos and the DoT. The telco has demanded that its AGR dues payable to the government should be reduced, saying the DoT has miscomputed by including spectrum usage charges (SUC) into total dues of Rs 43,959 crore. The telco says the issue before the SC on account of AGR dues was limited to licence fee only and not the SUC. "Airtel has moved the Supreme Court and Vi is expected to file a petition as well, highlighting calculation errors in AGR dues," The Economic Times citing a person aware of the development. Also read: SC allows telcos 10 years for payment of AGR dues Notably, the DoT has sought Rs 44,000 crore from the telco in AGR dues. Airtel has already paid Rs 18,004 crore and its estimate says it owes Rs 26,000 crore to the government. It is yet to pay Rs 25,976 crore. Vodafone Idea has paid just Rs 7,854 crore to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) out of the total AGR liabilities of Rs 58,254 crore. The issue of alleged "miscomputation" was also reported during the previous SC hearings. Both Airtel and Vi (then Vodafone Idea) had submitted their self-assessments on the payable AGR dues after the SC's 2019 order, which widened the AGR definition to include non-core revenues. After many hearings in September 2020, the SC ruled that telcos will have to shell out 10 per cent of the pending AGR dues by March 31, 2021. The remaining amount can be paid via equal yearly instalments till March 31, 2031. Also Read: Supreme Court puts onus of AGR dues of ailing telcos on spectrum users Also Read: AGR case: Supreme Court fears telco dues will be wiped out in IBC process Also Read: AGR case: Why shouldn't Jio pay RCom dues, SC asks Also taking place on the first day of the virtual exhibition is a show on how to become an Astronaut by Irish astronaut Norah Patton and Mark Langtry the Science Guy, the Institute of Physics Lightening Show and a Connecting Women in Technology Event called Tech Starter at 7pm. Speaking ahead of the Connecting Women In Technology (CWIT) Tech Starter event Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science commented We are more aware than ever of the central role of science in our lives. Todays event is designed to support and encourage students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The new and emerging technologies of the 21st century have developed at unprecedented pace and have transformed the way that we all live and work. Digitalisation is here to stay and will be a key influence on our economy and our society. That is why we need young people like the students at this event to develop the skills for a more digitised future and to reach for the great possibility it presents. We need lots of different role models to be visible and to show the next generation that they can also follow their dreams in science. We have to deal with the gender gap that persists in the sector. Currently just over a third of STEM academic staff members in Irish universities are women. I am determined we need to do better here, and believe strongly in the maxim - if you cant see it, you cant be it. Keep your eyes peeled for our picture of the day in this evenings round-up! Whats On - Day 1 @ BTYSTE Wednesday 6th January 2021 9am: Our Amazing Universe: A journey of discovery - Travel through space and time to learn about some of the amazing discoveries we have made about our own Solar System and out into interstellar space and the universe beyond 10am: Irish astronaut Norah Patton and Mark Langtry the Science Guy will take to the stage for Spaced Out at Explorium 11:30am: Interview Series: John Monahan Tune in for a discussion with the first ever winner of the Young Scientist 12pm: Institute of Physics Lightening Show - Explore the wonders of Electricity with the in this electrifying display of one of natures most exciting phenomenon 1pm: President Michael D Higgins to give Opening Address at BTYSTE 2021 Opening Ceremony live on BTYSTE website and on Facebook Live 2pm: Winner of Irish Scientists Have Talent, Danielle Wilcox and Telescopic show 3pm: Science of Sport with Mark Langtry 4pm: Molecules to Medicine: Making medicines in a global pandemic Join Professor Luke ONeill as he chairs a panel discussion on making medicines in a global pandemic 7pm: Tech Starter event opened by Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Indonesia has issued new guidelines on a controversial law which allows convicted paedophiles to be chemically castrated. Experts will now have the power to asses whether convicted child sex offenders should undergo the operation on top of their jail time. Offenders will also have electronic chips implanted after their release and their identity will be publicly revealed. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has issued new guidelines on a controversial law which allows convicted paedophiles to be chemically castrated President Joko Widodo signed the new measures into law after castration was first approved by parliament in 2016. Chemical castration, which is legal in the US and parts of Europe, uses injections to lower levels of testosterone and sexual arousal. The effects can wear off unless the injection is administered every three months. Some say it helps stop the illegal urges of sex offenders but others say it is an inhumane punishment. Indonesia approved the controversial law in 2016 after outcry over a child rape case and in 2019 it was first used on a man convicted of raping multiple children. He was sentenced to the injection by a local court in East Java but authorities struggled to find a hospital that could carry it out. Doctors also refused to administer the jab because of ethical reasons and a lack of evidence to support the punishment. Some medical experts also believe the procedure can cause side effects such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and anaemia. Under the new guidelines signed off by Widodo, convicted sex offenders will only undergo the treatment for a maximum of two years. Chemical castration, which is legal in the US and parts of Europe, uses injections to lower levels of testosterone and sexual arousal It will only be carried out after the completion of a prison sentence after the offender has undergone medical and psychological assessments. Experts will then decide if the castration is appropriate. The new guidelines state that sex offenders will qualify for castration if their victims have died, they assaulted multiple children, they spread sexually transmitted diseases or caused mental disorders, severe injuries or reproductive problems in the victims. Nurina Savitri, Indonesia's media and campaign manager for Amnesty International said chemical castration was ineffective in stopping attacks against children. She told The Star: 'The sexual abuse of children is indescribably horrific, but subjecting offenders to chemical castration or execution is not justice; it is adding one cruelty to another. 'It violates the International Human Rights Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.' She added that since castration was approved in 2016 in Indonesia, sexual violence against children has gone up. The procedure was recently approved in Pakistan and is also in use in Ukraine, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland and some US states. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. U.S. Charge d'Affaires Kristina Kvien during an online meeting with Acting Energy Minister Yuriy Vitrenko confirmed the U.S. intentions to help reform the energy sector in Ukraine, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said. "Constructive meeting with acting Minister of Energy Vitrenko yesterday, where CDA Kvien reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to helping Ukraine succeed in transforming and modernizing its energy sector," the embassy said on Facebook on Wednesday. As reported, at the end of December 2020, acting Energy Minister Yuriy Vitrenko met with Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar. The key issues of the meeting were reforms in the energy sector, financial stability of energy markets and further development of energy industries. According to government sources, the mission's interest in the energy sector is caused by the sharp increase in the energy market deficit in recent years, which is proposed to be covered, in particular, by the budget or government guarantees. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... The month of January has been declared Glaucoma Awareness Month by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The governors proclamation encourages New Mexicans to be aware that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States, and to know that the best way to fight glaucoma is to obtain regular comprehensive eye exams. During the midst of a global pandemic that has resulted in the deaths of over 350,000 Americans and caused the highest rates of unemployment since the Great Depression, it is understandable that some Americans might defer routine medical exams and instead prioritize putting food on the table. Now that the vaccine has started to become available and the end of the pandemic is in sight, the time is right to be aware of the devastating consequences of glaucoma and the benefit of comprehensive eye exams. Glaucoma is often called the sneak thief of sight because the loss of vision is gradual and initially without symptoms. Persons with glaucoma have an increased intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve. The most common form of glaucoma is estimated to affect 2% to 3% of persons who are 40 and older, and is significantly more prevalent in persons who are Hispanic, African American, Asian or Native American. Persons who have a family history of glaucoma, have diabetes, or are over 60 are also at greater risk of glaucoma. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ There are also studies that show that persons who are obese are at higher risk for glaucoma. Persons who fall into one or more of these categories should be concerned about their potential for having glaucoma. Fortunately, glaucoma can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, and once detected can be successfully treated. Such an eye exam can also detect other conditions that can cause vision loss or blindness, such as diabetes or age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists and optometrists have also implemented extensive safety protocols designed to avoid transmission of the virus during medical exams. The potential that cases of glaucoma are going undetected is but one consequence of COVID-19 that impacts vision and eye health. COVID-19 has been associated with a rare eye infection that can cause blindness called endophthalmitis. COVID-19 is also causing new cases of diabetes that could lead to diabetic retinopathy, and persons with diabetic retinopathy have been shown to have a five times greater risk of being intubated due to severe illness from COVID-19. Now that we are nearing what will hopefully be the closing months of the pandemic, it is all the more important to continue to carefully observe all public health orders, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and obtain needed medical exams. The Commission for the Blind stands ready to serve persons who are blind or visually impaired, but it is much better to prevent vision loss in the first place. BETHEL The town plans to open a clinic for the coronavirus vaccine to eligible residents by the end of the month, even as challenges to distribution remain across the state and country. But Bethel police, volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians started getting vaccinated through Danbury Hospital this week, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said. The response is very good, he said. The acceptance rate is very high. Thirty of the 39 sworn police officers have signed up, while about 50 percent of volunteer firefighters and EMTs have registered, he said. He is not sure how many have actually gotten the first dose so far. Those shots just started this week, so Im pretty sure those numbers will both rise, Knickerbocker said. These are higher rates than similar departments in the state, said U.S. Sen Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who visited the municipal center Tuesday afternoon to discuss the challenges of vaccine distribution. Theyre ready here in Bethel, Murphy said. Bethel is partnering with Redding on distribution, while its close proximity to Danbury Hospital will help with the volume of vaccines, he said. In addition to the towns clinic, residents are expected to be able to get the vaccine at locations like pharmacies, he said. This partnership with Redding is expected to help the towns share costs, Knickerbocker said. Bethel plans to soon order refrigeration equipment to store the vaccine, he said. Knickerbocker did not know the cost of that, but anticipates that the town would be reimbursed by the federal government. The latest federal coronavirus relief provided $8 billion for vaccine distribution, a number based on the estimated cost from state and local public health directors, Murphy said. The expectation is that any expenses that local governments are undertaking to distribute the vaccine should be covered by that number, he said. The town has not received any doses and does not yet know how many it will get, Knickerbocker said. Officials are working through the complicated authorization process to set up a clinic in the municipal center gym, he said. He expects it to be open by the end of January. We wont really know what the inbound vaccines are until that is fully permitted and up and running, he said. Vaccine providers are given little information about delivery, while not enough doses are being produced, Murphy said. Right now vaccine providers in Connecticut find out on Friday how much vaccine theyre going to get on Monday, he said. You cant run a system that way. Its a problem he said the incoming Biden administration will need to fix, he said. Its not a nightmare today because were only vaccinating front line health care workers and first responders, Murphy said. But in a few weeks were going to be vaccinating the public and we need to have better certainty, better long-range planning on vaccine numbers. Connecticut has done better than other states, distributing the vaccine to more than 2 percent of its population. The first dose has gone to at least 75,180 people, with health care workers beginning to receive their second dose on Monday. But we still are not operating at an optimal level even in Connecticut, Murphy said. We have a ways to go to maximize efficiency of delivery, even in our state. GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT), a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers, today announced that Stephen Yalof, Chief Executive Officer and President, will participate in a fireside chat at the 23rd Annual ICR Conference on Monday, January 11, 2021. The fireside chat is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am EST. A link to the live webcast of the discussion will be available through Tanger's Investor Relations website, investors.tangeroutlets.com. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the event. About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) is a leading operator of open-air upscale outlet shopping centers that owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 38 centers. Tanger's operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 14.1 million square feet, leased to over 2,700 stores operated by more than 500 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 40 years of experience in the outlet industry and is a publicly-traded REIT. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at www.tangeroutlets.com. Investor Contact Information Cyndi Holt Jim Williams VP, Investor Relations EVP & CFO 336-834-6892 336-834-6800 [email protected] [email protected] Media Contact Information Quentin Pell VP, Corporate Communications and Enterprise Risk Management 336-834-6827 [email protected] SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Related Links www.tangeroutlet.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Lobe Sciences Ltd. (CSE: LOBE) (OTC Pink: GTSIF) ("Lobe" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, that due to strong investor demand, it has further upsized its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units (the "Units") from $2,700,000 to $3,445,847 (the "Offering") and has completed a second and final tranche closing, raising gross proceeds of $1,118,747 (the "Second Tranche Closing"). The Second Tranche Closing consisted of the issuance of an aggregate of 11,187,475 Units at a price of $0.10 per Unit. Together with the first closing, which was announced on December 24, 2020, the Company has raised total gross proceeds of $3,445,847 pursuant to the Offering, through the issuance of an aggregate of 34,458,475 Units. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Share") and one share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the subscriber to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.25 per Share for a period of two years from the applicable closing date, subject to an accelerated expiry if, on any 10 consecutive trading days occurring after four months and one day has elapsed following the final closing date of the Offering, the closing price of the Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported on a trading day) as quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") is greater than $0.35 per Share, in which case Lobe may provide notice to the holders of the Warrants by issuance of a news release that the expiry date of the Warrants will be accelerated to the 30th day after the date on which Lobe issues such news release. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Offering. Jonathan Gilbert, Executive Chairman of Lobe, said, "We are extremely pleased with the support we have seen for the Company and the Offering, from both existing and new strategic shareholders, which resulted in upsizing our original offering by over $1.44 million. Our industry is seeing tremendous growth and we intend to build upon this momentum and showcase the Company as a leader by achieving key milestones, including development of our nasal mist device, furthering our pre-clinical studies, closing the Cowlitz sale transaction, and achieving other Company growth initiatives." Proceeds from the Offering are expected to be used to fund the Company's existing business operations, pre-clinical studies with N-Acetylcysteine and psilocybin, device development/engineering, general working capital, marketing and costs of the Offering. Although the Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering as described above, the actual allocation of proceeds may vary from the uses set out above depending on future operations, events or opportunities. The Shares and Warrants comprising the Units issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period from the date of issue in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. None of the Units will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and none may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Lobe Sciences Ltd. Lobe is a growth-oriented research, technology & services company that provides financial, management, IP and branding support to businesses. The Company operates a portfolio of companies focused on developing transformational medicines and applies refined strategies to help partner companies reach their full potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Lobe Sciences creates value through acquisitions and development of assets, products and technologies by leveraging its scientific, engineering, branding and operational expertise supported by strong capital markets acumen. For further information please contact: Lobe Sciences Ltd. Jonathan Gilbert, Executive Chairman info@lobesciences.com Tel: (949) 505-5623 THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. Disclaimer for Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. Certain statements included in this release, including statements regarding the Company's proposed use of proceeds of the Offering, and the key milestones the Company is seeking to achieve, including development of its nasal mist device, furthering pre-clinical studies, completion of the Cowlitz sale transaction and achieving other growth initiatives, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including that the Company may determine to use the proceeds in a manner different than that currently expected; changes to the regulatory environment; and that the current Board and management may not be able to attain the Company's corporate goals, milestones and objectives. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and the Company does not intend to update any of the included forward-looking statements except as expressly required by applicable Canadian securities laws. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71427 La prorroga de la suspension de vuelos comerciales que conectan al Peru con Europa tiene como objetivo reducir los riesgos de contagio con la nueva variante del Covid-19 descubierta en Reino Unido. ???Conoce mas en nuestra nota de prensa: https://t.co/xNP8t9LV4u. pic.twitter.com/ghva2pJYqU The current situation on the electricity market does not work for the majority of its participants: both producers and consumers, although there are certain positive achievements for them, Energy Minister Yuriy Vitrenko said. "The price of electricity for domestic consumers [the population] is much lower than the market one, but people are still dissatisfied because they have little money to pay for electricity even at such prices," he wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. According to him, large industrial consumers are dissatisfied with the lack of stability, flexibility and predictability; although the price of electricity in Ukraine is on average lower than that of its European neighbors, and tariffs for transmission and distribution are much lower on average as well. "Producers of 'green' energy have a high tariff, according to which the state has undertaken to buy out electricity, but they are dissatisfied because the state owes them," Vitrenko said in a message. He said that the largest electricity producer with a relatively low production cost, National Nuclear Generating Company Energoatom, is experiencing a catastrophic shortage of funds, "since it is a 'cash cow', and even in a cage with 'predators'." "Thermal generation has a powerful lobby, low taxes on emissions, but producers are still dissatisfied, in particular, because of how the wholesale market works," the minister said. According to him, there is also a problem with imports from Belarus and the Russian Federation, which, in particular, "are carried out by the U.S. company." "I found out long ago that for some reason they never call me where it is easy," Vitrenko said. When he was asked in the comments what to do in such a situation, the minister answered shortly "work." A woman who recently moved to Bayonne from Tennessee was arrested for a racist rant Monday that the victim shared on social media while it was occurring, police said. Claudia Emanuele, 60, was charged with bias intimidation and harassment after following Tameka Bordeaux, who is Black, throughout her neighborhood while repeatedly taunting her with racial slurs and daring her to call the police. The onslaught of slurs ended when Bordeaux reached a convenience store, where two women demanded that Emanuele stop her tirade. Bayonne police arrested Emanuele at her home Monday afternoon, said Capt. Eric Amato. The West 17th Street resident had moved from Tennessee in September, he added. The Bayonne Police Department would like to extend thanks to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office for their guidance and cooperation, Amato said. A special thanks is also extended to the concerned citizens that aided the victim during this horrible ordeal. Bordeaux livestreamed the incident on Facebook as she was being harassed. It began after she stepped out of her home, where she saw Emanuele discussing late mail delivery with a mail carrier, Amato said. As the victim approached the female to offer neighborly advice, Emanuele immediately shouted racially charged expletives at the victim, he said. As the victim attempted to calm Emanuele, Emanuele continued to shout racial slurs at the victim, causing the victim to walk away feeling traumatized. Emanuele followed Bordeaux for blocks while yelling the N-word. I watched the social media live video posted by Tameka Bordeaux of her being racially harassed as she walked down a street in complete outrage and disgust, said Assemblywoman Angela McKnight. The white woman shown in the video trailed her and hurled the worst racial epithets imaginable to a Black woman who was calmly walking down a Bayonne street on the way to a store. At the end of the day what she did was totally wrong, disrespectful and unacceptable, she added. We have to make people accountable for themselves. If people are sick, then we have to get them help. But we cannot excuse racism, ever. ATLANTA - Control of the U.S. Senate hung in the balance Tuesday night as Georgia election officials counted the results of two closely contested runoff races that will determine whether Democrats can enact a sweeping legislative agenda during the first years of Joe Biden's presidency. After swapping leads over the course of the night, Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff benefited from late counts in Democratic areas of the state, which gave Warnock a narrow lead over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler with nearly all precincts reporting. Ossoff was essentially tied with David Perdue, a Republican, whose Senate term lapsed Sunday. A win by either Democrat would represent a historic upset in a longtime Republican bastion, signaling a clear shift in the political makeup of the state that Biden won nine weeks ago. Warnock would be the first African American Democratic senator from a former Confederate state, and Ossoff, 33, would be the youngest newly elected Democratic senator since Biden in 1973. At stake was the governing coalition Biden will enjoy in his first years in office. If both Democrats win, they would flip control of the Senate, with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, opening the door for potential passage of legislation Democrats campaigned on over the past two years, including an expansion of federal health-care subsidies, a tax increase on the wealthy and a comprehensive immigration overhaul. President Donald Trump had supported both Republicans in the race, most recently on Monday, calling Loeffler and Perdue close allies who were essential to holding back Democratic priorities. But his efforts were complicated by his simultaneous decision to attack Republican officials in the state, his proposal to increase stimulus payments to $2,000, which was opposed by GOP Senate leadership and embraced by Democrats, and his false allegations that the 2020 elections in the state were rigged. Loeffler and Perdue closed out the campaign warning that unified Democratic control of the House, Senate and presidency would be catastrophic for the nation. Because of possible exposure to the coronavirus, Perdue had to finish the campaign with remote appearances. "We have to STOP socialism. We have to PROTECT the American Dream," Loeffler tweeted after polling places opened. "We have to SAVE our country!" Ossoff and Warnock, who reject the "socialist" label, closed the campaign promising dramatic changes in Washington, including a $1,400 increase to the $600 stimulus checks Congress approved last month, a surge in vaccine distribution, new civil rights legislation and an ambitious jobs and infrastructure bill. The Republican Senate had tabled the larger stimulus checks, holding to the lower level despite pressure from Democrats and President Trump. "This is history unfolding in Georgia right now," Ossoff said in a Tuesday morning appearance at a polling site in Atlanta. "Georgia voters have never had more power than you have today. That is the reason the whole world is watching us." Republicans have a historical advantage in the traditionally lower-turnout runoffs in the state, and the Democratic Senate candidates ran behind both the victorious Biden and the combined votes of their Republican opponents in the first round of voting in November. They were given another chance because multicandidate fields prevented anyone from breaching the 50% threshold. Both parties immediately repurposed their presidential campaign ground operations and flooded resources to the state, embracing the all-or-nothing stakes of the final two contests of the election season. The four candidates and their supportive outside groups spent nearly $500 million on television and radio advertising on the runoff races, with the Republicans attacking their opponents as radical liberals with untested biographies and the Democrats labeling the incumbents as representatives of the status quo who profited from private stock trades after receiving official briefings about covid-19. To win their race, Democratic strategists said, they needed to repeat the strong November turnout among Black, Asian and Hispanic voters in the state while maintaining the anti-Trump margins they had received in college-educated suburban Atlanta communities. Republicans were counting on winning back some of the White, college-educated vote, with Trump off the ballot, while maintaining the high turnout that Trump had attracted in more rural parts of the state. That effort has been complicated by the president, who offered passionate endorsements for both Republicans in the runoffs, while pursuing his own sometimes contradictory agenda to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere, prompting concerns among Republican strategists that he would dissuade their voters from casting ballots. He also told Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a call Saturday that if Biden's win in the state was not overturned, Republicans might stay home from the polls this week. Trump's focus on the last election was an animating force for Republicans who traveled to campaign events in the closing weeks, with voters frequently repeating disproved conspiracy theories of a rigged November contest. Concerned that the misinformation would reduce turnout, Raffensperger's office staged a news conference Monday to plead with Georgians to disregard Trump's false arguments and vote in the runoff elections. In a final Georgia rally Monday night, Trump showed no sign of giving up on his crusade against state Republicans, whom he blamed for not overturning Biden's win. "I'm going to be here in a year and a half, and I'm going to be campaigning against your governor and your crazy secretary of state," Trump said in Dalton, where he endorsed Loeffler and Perdue as the "last line of defense" against Democratic control. Trump's efforts to overturn the last election also became a rallying cry for Democrats, who hoped the president's continued involvement would drive their own turnout higher. When Biden traveled to the state Monday to campaign for the Democrats, he argued that Trump's effort to reverse the election result was a reason for voters to go to the polls. "Politicians cannot assert, seize or take power," Biden said. "Power is granted by the American people, and we cannot give that up." Preliminary exit polls found roughly 7 in 10 Georgia voters were confident that votes in Tuesday's runoff elections would be accurately counted. But there were sharp partisan differences, with about 3 in 4 Republican voters saying the presidential election in the state was not conducted fairly, compared with more than 9 in 10 Democrats who said the election was fair. The Republican skepticism of the vote count marked a shift since Biden narrowly won the state in November. Then, network exit polling found that 92% of Republicans believed votes would be counted accurately, slightly higher than 79% of Democrats. Before election sites opened Tuesday, Democrats had racked up a significant lead among absentee votes that gave hope to party strategists that they could win the state if GOP Election Day turnout disappointed. Polls in the state since the last election have consistently shown a tight race in both contests. If Warnock and Ossoff are victorious, it will be just the second time in nearly three decades that two Democrats represent Georgia in the Senate. Strategists and experts have attributed part of the escalating success of Georgia Democrats to a foundation of political organization powered by Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 gubernatorial race to now-Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and the legion of activists who have since joined her cause. In 2016, Trump won Georgia by five points. Two years later, Kemp beat Abrams by about a point and a half. Biden won the state in November by fewer than 12,000 votes, or about 0.2 percentage points, becoming the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to carry Georgia. In the case of a close contest, extended litigation could also delay a final result. Republicans filed a lawsuit this week requesting greater transparency in the counting of absentee ballots in Fulton County, a Democratic bastion that includes much of the Atlanta metropolitan area. A victory for the Republicans would cement the third consecutive cycle, with Donald Trump leading the party, when Democrats have been unable to take back control of the upper legislative chamber despite high initial hopes. It would also underscore the challenges that Democrats had in state legislative and U.S. House races, in which they struggled to overcome Republican attacks about socialism and defunding the police, positions that most in the party do not support. The result will also give an early clue about the staying power of Trump, who has indicated that he will attempt to continue to be a major force in American politics after his long-shot bid to overturn November's presidential election results is over. "The one thing I know, if they win, I'll get no credit, and if they lose, they're going to blame Trump," he said Monday about his role in the race. Long lines formed early at polling places across the state Tuesday but dwindled throughout the day, and the secretary of state's office reported average wait times of just a couple of minutes by the afternoon. Officials said it was unclear whether short wait times reflected low turnout or an efficient process. Bobby Caro, a 25-year-old first-time voter in Kennesaw, an Atlanta suburb, cast his ballot for Warnock and Ossoff on Tuesday morning. He described himself as "very new to politics" and said the drumbeat of advertisements about the runoffs convinced him he needed to register - that and the razor-thin margin in November. "In the presidential election, I didn't vote; it got close, and I said, 'I almost didn't get what I want,' so I decided to do something now," Caro said. This time around, he saw more enthusiasm from young people like him, and he voted for Democrats because he felt they had a more positive outlook on the country and its future. At the same precinct, Jim Earwood, a 67-year-old retiree, said he appreciated Trump's ceaseless commentary on the Georgia election, from his early and uncorroborated claims of fraud to his weekend call to the secretary of state. "I'm glad he's involved," Earwood said. "Everybody says he's not presidential, and that's what I like about him." As he left the Christian church that served as a polling place, Earwood said he voted all Republican. "I wouldn't vote for a Dem here lately unless they let Jesus on the ticket," he said. Republican concerns about turnout were evident up to the final hours of voting, with Perdue and Loeffler releasing a joint statement Tuesday afternoon asking people to keep going to the polls, saying the election "could come down to the difference of just a few votes in a few precincts across the state." - - - The Washington Post's Scott Clement contributed to this report. [January 05, 2021] Lui Franciosi Assessing How Technology Could Be Helping Seniors During this COVID-19 Pandemic VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lui Franciosi is pleased to announce that Franciosi Consulting Ltd. will be assessing how technology could be helping seniors deal with the loneliness and boredom during this COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, online media reports and survey portals from various countries will be reviewed to determine how technologies are currently being used to help seniors at home as well as in designated senior housing such as long term care, assisted living and independent living. Lui Franciosi states, Seniors and their families have been struggling to connect physically due to social distancing and social visitation restrictions at home and many facilities. There is a need to better understand how technology such as iPads and social media software has affected their periods of isolation. This information can help administrators plan formal clinical studies and plan more effective policies for future pandemics. The aim is to also publish these results in the form of a white paper for seniors, families and the general publicto consider. For more information about Lui Franciosi and his company Franciosi Consulting Ltd., please visit https://franciosiconsulting.com/ or his YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7PSoeH8yN-HuLg5xFi5Qxw/. Dr. Franciosi advises on the operational and research needs of the pharmaceutical and senior care industries. He also discusses topics online such as running your own business, chronic pain, the importance of senior care, Lyme Disease, as well as COVID-19 & the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. About Lui Franciosi Lui Franciosi is a consultant with over 20 years of executive experience collected in the pharmaceutical and senior care industries. He holds a Masters degree and a Doctorate from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He also studied business at the University of Warwick in the U.K. Lui Franciosi founded Franciosi Consulting Ltd. in 2015 and is the president and CEO. Contact lui@franciosiconsulting.com +1.778.998.6260 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Chennai-born Raksha Muthukumar fancied internet giant Google as a student and that's why grabbed the first opportunity to work there after finishing off her engineering from Atlanta. However once an employee, she realised that the organisation wasn't as rosy as it looked from outside with multiple unethical practices and no strong redressal mechanism. In an exclusive interaction over a call from New York with Moneycontrol, she talks about the discriminations her fellow employees faced from the top management of the company and why it was necessary to form a union against tech giants like Google. Muthukumar is one of the 400 odd Google employees who have formed a union to promote workplace equity and ethical business practices. Born to Indian parents, Muthukumar lived in North America for most of her life. She moved to NYC after college to begin her job at Google. Edited excerpts. Q. What triggered this movement? Can you please share a few recent anecdotes? We've seen an increase in Google decisions that don't resonate with us workers. The firing of Thanksgiving four, Dr. Gebru and the unwillingness to respond to employee concerns about unethical projects, the retaliation against women who spoke out against sexual assault, the general culture of silencing diversity complaints. We have also long felt that contractors and blue-collar workers in the office don't get the same treatment and want to advocate for them together. We want a forum for worker voices and representation. We want everyone to be able to speak up against injustice without fear of retaliation. Q. You spoke about cases of sexual harassment. Are you privy to any such incident wherein either you or any of your colleagues were ever impacted and the company did not take action despite complaints? No, I don't have a personal story. It was mostly the March walkout where a lot of women spoke about retaliation. Q At what point did you realise that the action that the company took was not sufficient? Especially in those cases, a few years ago they paid out a lot of those executives. So they got nice severance packages even though they had committed such wrongful behaviour. A lot of the women who spoke left the company either because of the retaliation or they just didn't feel comfortable anymore. Q. How can tech giants implement ethical AI standards in their operations and why is it necessary? By listening to the ethicists who lead in these fields instead of just (focussing on) their profit margin. Firing Dr. Gebru was shocking since her role was exactly to make sure Google AI stays on an ethical track. Q. What are the expectations of the union as we speak? We are trying to make a plan for the workers to tell us what those things are. At this point, we have seen a lot of hierarchy around full-time workers and then contractors and blue-collared workers of the office. We really want to bridge that gap and have solitary conversations. Q.How much of back staging went behind setting up this institution? Approximately six months, but the work had been happening for a year and a half. Recruitments and formalising towards coming public as an entity took maybe like six months. Q. So the work was on peak during the Covid era? Yeah, we did most of this during Covid. We did Zoom calls, we had like an email list... Q. You have been mentioning different treatments given to contractual workers. Can you elaborate on how they were treated differently as compared to those who were on payrolls? There is this weird distinction between contractors and full-time employees even though we do similar work. So people sitting next to me might be technically employed by a different contracting firm but we are working on the exact same projects. So it becomes sort of a hierarchy there because they do not have access to a lot of our perks. Google on one hand says that they cannot impact these people because it is not their employer. On the other hand, Google does take retaliatory actions against people. So Google contractors in the Pittsburgh office unionised last year and kind of in response to that (Google) hired consultants, locked the internal Google groups interface from contractors accessing it without exclusive permissions. It feels like they took action that felt punitive and difficult but they can't take positive action. They can't advocate for these people if the companies are treating them poorly but they can punish them. Q. How was your personal experience at Google as compared to the stories that you had heard before? My expectations did change because I really came to Google because the company sets the reputation of doing good for the world and being a more ethical, new type of company, and I've seen a lot of things that disappoint that expectation in the last few years. Things are a little less rosy than expected. I think that was the norm of non-unionised companies. We really get to speak up for ourselves in a certain way like you are given your decisions and when Google does something that you do not agree with then you are just expected to go along with the flow because the executives decided that. Over a period of time that was really frustrating. We are all working towards .. contributing towards these projects ... we are making the profits that go into those projects and I think that is super frustrating just not having an avenue for a conversation. Q. So now that there is a union, do you have plans to stage your demands in a specific manner? Would there be regular feedback sessions that you would like to communicate to Google? How will this institution work? I really hope so. I am not really sure because part of that communication channel is what Google opens to us. If they are going to recognise us as an entity that can advocate and we will listen to you or if we will just have to keep communicating with them through the press or through collective action it is hard to say how Google is going to recognise us. Q. What has been the immediate reaction of Google? Before going public, did you inform Google about this? We don't have that yet. We actually didn't tell Google. They heard that yesterday along with the press. We haven't got any formal response yet. I expect we will get one today. It is like 10 am here. Q. Are you guys apprehensive of any punitive action by Google against select few employees for secretly working on this for the last many months? I think it is possible that there is retaliation but we have quite a strong union protection in the United States. Once we have signed a union directly retaliating against us for that is illegal. So I do not think there will be direct retaliation in terms of firing a bunch of people who are public about if or something but we might expect different changes in communication or things may come up more subtly and we will be keeping an eye up for that. Q. Do you think that the tech world across the globe needs more such unions? Absolutely and I am super excited to see that conversation starting. I think in 2021 we are going to see a lot more tech unionising. You are here: China East China's Shandong province reported its first imported coronavirus variant case on Tuesday, according to the provincial health commission. The center for disease prevention and control of Shandong on Monday conducted the genetic sequencing of the sample of a recent imported case from Britain. It detected a sequence with a high resemblance to the new, more contagious strain, known as B.1.1.7. The case, reported from the coastal city Qingdao, tested positive for coronavirus while in quarantine, said local health authorities. The patient has been under closed-loop management and is undergoing treatment at a designated hospital. Joseph V. Micallef is a best-selling military history and world affairs author, and keynote speaker. Follow him on Twitter @JosephVMicallef. Geopolitics is the study of how a nation's geography and geology shape its domestic and international politics. Thus, the U.S., which is shielded by oceans on both its east and west coasts, evolved differently from, say, Germany, which was surrounded by potential enemies. Geopolitics helps explain why Switzerland, a largely mountainous country, could opt for a strategy of neutrality, while a country such as Poland, which is relatively flat and subject to invasion, could not. Natural resources are another factor that can profoundly shape a nation's geopolitical posture. For example, many nations in the Persian Gulf -- blessed, although some would call it cursed, by a cornucopia of oil and natural gas -- found that their hydrocarbon wealth shaped not just their own geopolitical posture but that of other countries that were dependent on continued access to those resources. Technology isn't typically thought of as an element of geopolitics. Technology and the people who develop it are highly mobile and can easily be transferred around the world. Consider that Apple's iPhone is designed in California but assembled in the People's Republic of China, utilizing components that are mostly drawn from the U.S., Taiwan and South Korea. This phenomenon is particularly true of semiconductors. Considered the building blocks of the modern electronic age, many are designed in one country, assembled by contract manufacturers elsewhere and end up in electronic goods produced all over the world. The high value to weight ratio of semiconductors means that they can be shipped economically across the globe. There are instances, however, when a nation's or region's technological infrastructure and capabilities can have geopolitical significance. During the Cold War, for example, the U.S. committed itself to the defense of Europe from Soviet aggression, in part because Washington recognized that if Western Europe fell under Moscow's control, the region's economic and technological capabilities would tip the U.S.-Soviet balance of power dramatically to the latter. Today, the U.S. finds itself in a far-ranging economic, political, military and technological competition with China. Surprisingly, Taiwan may well play a role in the growing Sino-American rivalry similar to Europe's during the Soviet-American Cold War. The U.S. and Semiconductors From the development of the transistor in the mid-20th century, the U.S. has dominated the semiconductor industry. American companies have usually been on the cutting edge of new designs and historically dominated their manufacture. During the Cold War, the U.S. restricted the export of advanced semiconductors to the Soviet bloc. It even went as far as restricting the export of consumer goods that incorporated those chips. That strategy has not changed. The Trump administration, for example, sought to curb the growth of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei by banning its access to semiconductors that were based, in whole or in part, on American intellectual property. Given the wide-ranging role that U.S. companies have played in the semiconductor industry, that prohibition effectively cut Huawei off from chips that were critical to its telecommunications equipment. Beijing has targeted the semiconductor industry as one of the industrial pillars that it wants China to dominate to fulfill the long-term economic, political and cultural transformation that it calls the "China Dream." New, advanced semiconductors will be at the heart of emerging technologies such as quantum computing, remote driving vehicles and artificial intelligence, and will drive the post-5G advances in telecommunications. Significantly, in 2020, the global market capitalization of the semiconductor industry exceeded that of the energy sector for the first time. That fact may just be an interesting coincidence or it may be that financial markets are signaling that semiconductors have supplanted oil as the key commodity of the 21st century. If so, this development will have far-reaching geopolitical ramifications. Given the historic American domination of the semiconductor industry, the fact that semiconductors will be one of the battlefields of Sino-American competition would augur well for the U.S. There is a significant catch, however. While the U.S. remains a key player and an important source of innovation in the semiconductor industry, it no longer has the overwhelming dominance it once did. Several months ago, Intel, a U.S. company that has dominated the semiconductor industry for the last half century, announced that it would not be able to mass produce 7 nanometer (nm) chips until 2023. That put Intel 18 months behind its previously announced schedule. More significantly, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, or TSM, Taiwan's largest semiconductor manufacturer, is not only already producing 7 nm chips but announced that it would begin manufacturing 3 nm chips by 2022. Samsung, the South Korean conglomerate, is not far behind. That puts Intel several years behind TSM. In 2020, roughly one-third of TSM's revenues will come from its 7 nm chips; 7 nm chips are at the heart of the next 5G-enabled generation of cellphones and figure prominently in the Apple iPhone 12. Recognizing the importance of that development, the Trump administration has urged TSM to set up a fabrication plant in the U.S. In May, TSM announced that it planned to build a $12 billion manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. In the space of several months, Intel's market capitalization fell by a third, while that of TSM doubled. TSM's market capitalization is now more than double that of Intel's. Historically, the opposite was true. China, the U.S. and Taiwan Beijing has been clear that it considers Taiwan an integral part of China and that the island will eventually be reintegrated politically. The tone of its pronouncements on unification have varied from relatively mild and conciliatory statements that unification will be peaceful and that Beijing is prepared to wait a long time until this is achieved to more aggressive threats that China is prepared to use military force to accomplish its aim. Over the course of the last year, Beijing's statements on eventual unification have become increasingly belligerent. The Davis line, the median line that divides Chinese and Taiwanese territorial waters and airspace in the Taiwan Strait, was demarcated in the 1954 U.S.-Taiwan Mutual Defense Treaty. It's named after Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr., the first head of U.S. Air Force's Air Task Force 13 in Taiwan. Davis was the commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. From 1959 to 1999, there were no incursions of People's Liberation Army Air Force planes into Taiwan's air defense zone. Between July 1999 and August 2020, there were four such incursions across the Davis line. Since Sept. 1, 2020, there have been more than 40 incursions by 19 combat aircraft. The U.S.-Taiwan relationship is particularly complex. The U.S. ended its formal diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as the legitimate government of China in 1979. Since then, the relationship, as set out in the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, has been unofficial and informal. Although the U.S. and Taiwan formalized existing consular relations on Sept. 13, 2019, neither country maintains an official embassy in the other or appoints an ambassador. In the U.S., Taiwan is represented by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, D.C., while the U.S. is represented in Taipei by the American Institute in Taiwan. The two offices function as de facto embassies, even though they lack any official diplomatic designation. Washington's ambiguity toward Taiwan is in part in deference to Beijing's insistence that Taiwan is legally part of China. It also leaves unclear, purposely for deterrence reasons, how the U.S. would respond in the event of a Chinese invasion of the island. The U.S. no longer has a formal defense treaty with Taiwan. It is under no obligation to come to Taiwan's defense in the event it is invaded. Nonetheless, it is widely assumed that the U.S. would intervene militarily in the event the island was attacked, and its willingness to do so is seen as proof of its intent to uphold its treaty obligations to defend Japan or South Korea should they ever be threatened by a belligerent state. Per the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the legal framework for U.S.-Taiwan relations since Washington recognized Beijing as the legitimate government of China, in Washington's view: "Any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means" would be considered "a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States." Additionally, the U.S. has continued to be Taiwan's principal arms supplier; a role that creates ongoing frictions with the Chinese government. Taiwan's emergence as a semiconductor manufacturing and development powerhouse magnifies the significance of Taiwan in the Sino-American relationship. The continued development of the island's semiconductor industry could, potentially, erode the ability of the U.S. to use its historic dominance of semiconductor design and manufacturing to slow down and constrain China's technological development. Unfettered Chinese access to Taiwan's semiconductor industry would be a major impetus to Chinese aims to dominate the global semiconductor industry. That possibility also makes the issue of reunification with Taiwan even more important to Beijing. China may also try to link U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to other, broader issues of Sino-American relations. Beijing, for example, may offer to increase its imports of American goods or to cut, or at least slow down the growth, of its greenhouse gas emissions in return for an American moratorium on arms sales to Taiwan or a ban on the sale of advanced weaponry such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multirole combat aircraft. Conversely, as Taiwan grows in importance to the U.S., so too will Washington's willingness to supply Taipei with state-of-the-art weaponry and possibly even expand, if not formalize, its present informal military cooperation. Those developments will further antagonize Sino-American relations and further stoke Beijing's public belligerence toward the island. -- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. Find more information on how to submit your own commentary. Researchers investigating attitudes towards vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among the UK population have found that, overall, most people were willing to accept a vaccine. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that continues to pose a significant threat to global public health and the worldwide economy. The study also found that certain subgroups of the population were unlikely to accept a vaccine (vaccine-hesitant), which has important implications for public health policy, says the team. The analysis of nationally representative survey data found that 82% of participants were likely to accept a vaccine. However, women, younger individuals, and those with lower education levels were more likely to be vaccine-hesitant. Certain ethnic groups, particularly Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi individuals, were also more likely to be vaccine-hesitant. The team from the University of Glasgow, University of Essex, Public Health Scotland, and Ipsos MORI UK Ltd says the main reason for vaccine hesitancy was concerns over unknown future effects. Given that the UK is now rolling out a vaccination program, these findings have important implications regarding the steps that need to be taken to increase uptake, say the researchers. Herd immunity may be achievable through vaccination in the UK, but a focus on specific ethnic minority and socioeconomic groups is needed to ensure an equitable vaccination program, writes Michaela Benzeval (University of Essex) and colleagues. A pre-print version of the paper is available on the medRxiv* server while the article undergoes peer review. A safe and effective vaccine is crucial to controlling COVID-19 The wide-scale administration of an effective and safe vaccine against SARS-COV-2 is crucial to bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control, but vaccine hesitancy could undermine such efforts. Ideally, the proportion of the population vaccinated would be large enough for those who remain unvaccinated to also be protected (referred to as herd immunity). Understanding whether some subgroups may be more likely to accept or refuse a vaccine is critical to designing successful vaccination strategies for achieving herd immunity. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy, willingness to take vaccines and factors that would persuade people to take a vaccine (weighted proportions with 95% CI bars) What did the researchers do? Nationally representative data available for 12,035 individuals participating in wave 6 of the Understanding Society COVID-19 web survey were collected from 24th November to 1st December 2020. Participants were asked how likely or unlikely they would be to receive a vaccine and the reasons why. The four countries of the UK are now rolling out a vaccination program commencing with those most at risk of mortality from COVID-19, writes the team. The findings reported here provide evidence on the groups who need targeting and arguments that may be most persuasive for them. Hesitancy varied significantly between subgroups Overall, the intention to be vaccinated was high, with 82% of respondents reporting that they were likely (28.5%) or very likely (53.5%) to have a vaccine. However, 18% reported that they were unlikely or very unlikely to have the vaccine. The intention to be vaccinated varied significantly between population subgroups. A higher proportion of women indicated vaccine hesitancy than men, at 21.0% versus 14.7%, and a higher proportion of younger age groups indicated vaccine hesitancy, compared with older age groups. Among those aged 16 to 24 years and those aged 25 to 24 years, vaccine hesitancy was 26.5% and 28.3%, respectively. This compared with 14.3% among those aged 55 to 64 years, 8.1% among those aged 65 to 74 years and just 4.5% in those aged 75 years or older. Older age and being male are strongest drivers of the risk of COVID-19 death, they are less likely to be vaccine-hesitant, suggesting the vaccination program could yield large health benefits within the UK, says Benzeval and the team. Vaccine hesitancy also significantly varied by ethnicity, with Black (71.8%) and Pakistani/Bangladeshi (42.3%) groups being the most hesitant, followed by those of mixed ethnicity (32.4%) and non-UK/Irish White individuals (26.4%). People with lower education levels were also more likely to be vaccine-hesitant. Among degree-qualified individuals, 13.2% reported being vaccine-hesitant, compared with 24.6% of those with GCSEs and 18% of those with no qualifications. Overall, the main reason reported for hesitancy was concerns over unknown future adverse effects of a vaccine, with 42.7% citing this as the reason. The main reasons for being willing to have a vaccine were to avoid catching the virus or becoming very ill (54.6%) and to allow social and family life to return to normal (12.5%). The study also found that knowing a vaccine is effective and safe were the main factors that would encourage vaccine uptake. What are the implications of the study? Our study has important practical implications for public health policy, writes the team. The risk of vaccine hesitancy varies significantly across minority ethnic groups in the UK, with Black, Pakistan and Bangladeshi groups particularly likely to be vaccine-hesitant, say the researchers. People with lower education levels were also more likely to be vaccine-hesitant, they add. Benzeval and colleagues say vaccine hesitancy is a complex problem and that a range of practical steps need to be taken to increase uptake. The subgroups we have identified as being vaccine-hesitant should be included in the planning and development of any engagement programs, they conclude. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Over 30 industrial tribunals have been taken against the Northern Ireland Prison Service by its employees since 2015, official figures have revealed. Cases against the Department of Finance (DoF), which is responsible for personnel employment, ranged from victimisation, to sex, religious and disability discrimination, among others. Out of the 33 cases, the DoF lost just one and paid out 21,632 after the tribunal found there was failure to make a reasonable judgment. Industrial tribunals are independent judicial bodies in Northern Ireland that hear and determine claims to do with employment matters. The figures were released by the department following a Freedom of Information request. Two tribunals were taken up by Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) staff in 2015, six in 2016 and 2017, 10 in 2018 and nine in 2019. Ivor Dunne, chair of the NI Prison Officers' Association, said he was "shocked" to see the tribunal case figures. He added that the statistics failed to show how many cases were settled outside of the courtroom. "Each of these costs so much money between solicitors and everything else that comes with it," added Mr Dunne. "We would help quite a few of the prison officers who take up the cases and the Prison Officers' Association would be funding most of those. "Just because one case was lost, that doesn't mean to say that they hadn't paid outside the court. Those figures don't tell you that." Reflecting on the difficult circumstances prison officers have been working under during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Dunne said their professionalism has come to the fore. "Prison officers are committed to their job and it shows as the prisons are functioning basically as normal within Public Health Agency recommendations," he added. "To be able to function within those recommendations and constraints, it shows you the professionalism of the prison officers. We are frontline workers and because we don't drive a vehicle with a blue light on it, it's almost as if we're the forgotten workforce." A spokesperson for the NIPS stated that it employs over 1,500 people - meaning 2% of the workforce took employment tribunal cases and only 0.06% were successful. It added that as part of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), the NIPS is committed to providing equality of opportunity to its staff. "It is NIPS policy that all eligible persons shall have equal opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability and aptitude for the work," said the NIPS. In order to provide high quality service, the NIPS said it continues to recruit, develop and promote based on qualifications and ability. "Equal opportunities is central to this," they continued. "We aim to foster a culture which encourages every member of staff to develop his or her full potential by creating a working environment where diversity is valued and respected. "As part of the NICS, the Prison Service will continue to promote equality of opportunity and fair participation within the framework of the law and will strive to achieve a workforce that is representative of the society which it serves." Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph The Covid-19 pandemic forced the Indian judiciary to adopt digital processes at an unprecedented speed and scale. With a lockdown being imposed on March 25 and the enforcement of physical distancing, courts across India started using video-conferencing to hear cases, accompanied by facilities for e-filing and e-payment, wherever possible. Although there has been media coverage of online hearings in the Supreme Court and a few high courts, the experiences of district court lawyers remain at the margins of public awareness. Given that the district courts are the first port of call for litigants, it is critical to understand the circumstances under which lawyers in these courts worked during this period. DAKSH undertook a rapid review of the experiences of 124 lawyers in nine districts across Delhi (Shahdara and Central Delhi), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal, Barwani, Morena, and Sidhi) and Karnataka (Bengaluru Urban, Dakshina Kannada, and Kalaburagi) of accessing courts during the pandemic between July 1, 2020 and September 20, 2020. Since this is Indias first large-scale implementation of online hearings, e-filing and e-payment, the findings will help shape the way forward for virtual courts. Any move towards the online functioning of courts must account for the digital divide in India. While mobile phones are used widely, access to the internet and advanced digital equipment remains limited to some urban users. Lawyers in semi-urban and rural districts found online hearings challenging because of internet connectivity issues and unfamiliarity with this mode of working. In MP, a majority of the respondents opted to attend online hearings from designated booths on the court premises because of poor connectivity and the lack of smartphones and/or computers in their homes and offices. Although having booths within the court premises addressed the technological barrier, it raised a fresh set of challenges in the context of the pandemic because it became difficult for court staff to enforce physical distancing. Another drawback of implementing online hearings was that the public did not have access to these hearings in all nine districts. This is a significant departure from the open justice principle followed by Indian courts. In physical hearings, judicial proceedings are conducted and decisions pronounced in open court, the evidence is communicated publicly to those present in the court, and there are no impediments to fair and accurate reporting of judicial proceedings. Online hearings should try to replicate this openness as far as possible, by allowing for litigants and the general public to watch the hearings. Opacity reduces the confidence of citizens that even in an online hearing their case will be heard on merits, while giving a fair hearing to all parties, leading to enforceable remedies, utilising procedures that are conspicuously fair and perceived to be so. Across the three states, the production of undertrial prisoners remotely was not considered mandatory and seemed to depend on the judge hearing the case. The production of an accused person before a magistrate is an important fair-trial requirement because it allows the magistrate to enquire whether the accused has legal representation, to determine the age of the accused, enquire about their health, and make a reasoned decision on the need for further confinement. This should not be dispensed with for the sake of expediency. Along with connectivity, the choice of digital platforms also affected experiences of online hearings. None of the platforms used for webinars and meetings is customised for court hearings. So, hearings on these platforms take place in the same manner as a virtual meeting and do not emulate the experience of a physical court. To illustrate this point in the context of criminal trials, defendants may feel comfortable telling a judge before whom they are physically present about custodial violence, but cannot do so on video conference from prison because the prison staff are present in the same room. Therefore, the architecture of the platform must allow the defendant to speak to a judge without the prison staff being present. Additionally, there must be a provision for undertrial prisoners to confer in private with the lawyers virtually. The experience of several respondents with e-filing has not been agreeable and they have reverted to physical filing as soon as it was permitted. In several places, e-filing had to be followed by the physical filing of the same documents, making the process of e-filing redundant. Respondents also found e-filing inconvenient because of the restrictions on file sizes and formats, and technical issues with the websites. They stressed on the need for support in the form of training videos and helplines for lawyers to help them navigate online hearings. The shutdown of courts across India provided an opportunity to adapt to digital modes of working. The large strides made in this regard need to be evaluated and improved upon. It is important to not lose this momentum and institutionalise a hybrid model of working along with systems such as e-filing, e-payment while safeguarding due process and ensuring access to justice to people on both sides of the digital divide. Leah Verghese works at DAKSH, Bengaluru and is a graduate of Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs The views expressed are personal Bjoern Wylezich / TNS A 64-year-old man from Queens, N.Y., has pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge after prosecutors said he conspired to sell thousands of Oxycodone pills throughout the region including at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Joseph Anthony Carbone pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, according to the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Connecticut. New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out at the Adityanath government on Wednesday over the gang rape and murder in Budaun district, alleging that there was something wrong in the intentions of the Uttar Pradesh administration on the issue of women's security. The 50-year-old woman was gang-raped and brutally murdered allegedly by a priest and two others on Sunday when she had gone to a temple. The three suspects have been booked and two of them arrested on Tuesday, police said. Tagging a media report, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted: "In Hathras, the government administration did not listen to the voice of those pleading. The government saved officials and suppressed the victim's voice." "In Budaun, the police station officer did not listen to the one pleading and did not even examine the place of the incident. There is something wrong in the UP government's intentions on women's security," she added. Rape Priyanka Gandhi, who is the Congress' general secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh, and party leaders has been attacking the Adityanath government over law and order, alleging that criminal activities were rampant, a claim denied by the state government. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A North Ridgeville couple sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in the mid-2000s while the man worked as a youth pastor at churches in Cleveland and North Olmsted, according to police. David Walker, 46, and Anna Walker, 39, of North Ridgveville, each pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of third-degree felony sexual battery at their Monday arraignments in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. A judge set a $10,000 personal bond for David Walker and a $5,000 personal bond for Anna Walker, and both were released. A grand jury indicted the couple in December following a year-long investigation by police in North Olmsted and North Rideville, according to a Tuesday news release from North Olmsted police. The release said the sexual abuse occurred between May 2005 and December 2007, while David Walker was a youth pastor first at Church Alive International in Cleveland and then at The Dwelling Place Family Worship Center in North Olmsted. The girl was a member of youth groups at both churches, the release said. One of the incidents occurred during a church sleepover, according to the indictment. The indictment says the abuse took place between December 2004 and December 2006. Spokespeople for North Olmsted police and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office were not immediately able on Tuesday to explain the discrepancy in the dates. Aaron Schwartz, an attorney with the Strongsville-based Pattituce and Associates law firm defending the husband and wife in the case, called the charges outrageous and surprising. Our clients deny these accusations completely, Schwartz said. My clients look forward to their day in court. Schwartz would not say whether David Walker remains a pastor. Read more stories Federal prosecutors in northern Ohio collect more than $40 million in criminal, civil cases last fiscal year Former MMA fighter-turned-Cleveland police officer gets probation for breaking girlfriends nose Federal appeals court in Ohio overturns decision to close private schools in Toledo because of COVID pandemic U.S. Marshals in northern Ohio close in on milestone as task force nears 50,000 arrests of fugitives Documents offer rare view of pressure Larry Householder exerted in House Bill 6 scandal Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Mumbai, Jan 6 : Actor Kartik Aaryan feels the airport look in the post-Covid era is similar to the biker look. The actor took to social media to share a picture to underline the similarity. In a selfie he posted on Instagram, the actor is seen sitting on a plane with mask and face shield on. "Biker look = Airport look #TravelAfterOneYear #NewNormal," he wrote late on Tuesday night. Kartik, known for his comic and romantic roles, will soon be seen in an intense role in "Dhamaka". He will be seen playing the role of a journalist who covers the live broadcast of a terror attack in Mumbai. It is directed by Ram Madhvani. He will also be seen in "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2", which also stars Kiara Advani. It takes on from the title of the 2007 horror comedy "Bhool Bhulaiyaa", which starred Akshay Kumar, Shiney Ahuja, Vidya Balan and Ameesha Patel. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Advertisement The Surgeon General is urging states to ramp up vaccinations by moving quickly through priority lists as the White House COVID-19 task force debates telling governors to abandon their rollout plans and hand out shots to anyone in a bid to vaccinate as many as possible. The US has now vaccinated just 5 million Americans despite having distributed 17 million doses across the country in the last three weeks. Only one third of initial vaccine supplies have been used up nationwide and 1.5 percent of the population has been vaccinated. The sluggish pace is frustrating both health officials and desperate Americans as states scramble to hand out vaccinations amid widespread rollout failures that have been blamed on governors setting complex priorities, chaos in distribution given the freezing temperatures of the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the lack of staff to administer jabs in overwhelmed healthcare systems. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has partly blamed states for the slower than expected rollout, telling ABC's Good Morning America on Wednesday that governors - who are in charge of prioritizing who gets the shots first - should 'quickly move from priority 1A to 1B to 1C... move that supply so it can match up with demand'. West Virginia, who is among the states to have vaccinated the most of its population so far, avoided the federal program and worked directly with local pharmacies to vaccinate all of its nursing home residents. Louisiana is now encouraging hospitals to give out extra doses to those aged over 70, Washington DC is urging providers to hand out vaccines that are nearing expiration to anyone who wants it and thousands of senior citizens, many who are snowbirds, have been camping out overnight at various sites across Florida in order to get vaccinated. In comparison, New York's Gov Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday bemoaned that his state needed an additional 1.1 million doses from the federal government to vaccinate all nursing home residents and healthcare workers - despite having only used up 32 percent of its allocation so far. FLORIDA: People with appointments are pictured above in Florida's Hillsborough County lining up in their cars to be vaccinated at one of the county's four vaccine distribution sites FLORIDA: Thousands of senior citizens, many who are snowbirds, have been camping out overnight or lining up at various sites across Florida in order to get vaccinated. A security guard questions people in line waiting to receive the vaccine outside of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Wednesday In other COVID vaccine news: West Virginia managed to give its all of its 28,000 nursing home residents and staff the vaccine by the end of December after partnering with local pharmacies instead of relying on the federal program NY's Gov Cuomo bemoaned his state only receiving 950,000 doses from the federal government so far given it needs 2.1 million shots for nursing homes and hospital staff - despite having only up used 32% so far Gov Henry McMaster of South Carolina said hospitals and health workers have until January 15 to get a shot or they will have to 'move to the back of the line' In North Carolina, Gov Roy Cooper has called in the National Guard to help speed things up Thousands of senior citizens have been camping out overnight at various sites across Florida in order to get vaccinated. Some locals are angry that 'snowbirds' are able to receive vaccines in the state CVS and Walgreens say they expect to complete administering the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines at nursing homes across the country by January 25 Currently, South Dakota is the leading state in terms of vaccinations per population and the number of doses actually administered. The state has so far vaccinated 3.2 percent of residents and has used up 64 percent of its 44,000 doses. West Virginia has vaccinated 3 percent of its population and has used 45 percent of its 126,000 doses. On the other end of the scale, Kansas and Georgia continue to be the worst performing having only used up less than 20 percent of their allocated doses, according to a state-by-state breakdown. Kansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia have vaccinated less than 0.9 percent of their populations so far. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has partly blamed states for the slower than expected rollout and called on governors - who are in charge of prioritizing who gets the shots first - to move on to the next priority groups to keep up with demand. He is pictured in a GMA interview on Wednesday Based on guidelines issued by the federal government, most states are currently prioritizing frontline healthworkers and nursing home residents in the first phase, before moving on to the elderly and other essential workers. The Surgeon General is now urging states to concentrate on getting the vaccinations out as quickly as possible while trying to stick to the guidelines, saying: 'We're going to make sure we're putting vaccines and supplies where the demand actually is'. Sources involved in the vaccine effort told the Daily Beast that White House COVID-19 task force members are debating whether to tell states to abandon their rollout plans to speed up the process and make sure none of the doses are wasted. Senior officials now believe states should begin handing out some of their excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to whoever wants it, ignoring the supposed order of priority. 'We need to make sure that the critically ill and most vulnerable people are getting this vaccine first,' one senior administration official said. 'But after that if there are doses that are just sitting in fridges expiring, we got to get them out there.' Another added: 'If we have a big surge in cases and deaths after the December holidays and we don't have the vaccine distribution plan back on course we're in big trouble.' There has so far been no formal decision to draft recommendations but the officials said they are not against states pursuing this course of action. Israel has already leapt ahead in the global vaccine race by squeezing every last dose out of its vaccine supplies and using its efficient health system to launch a 24/7 immunization drive with military help. The country has already vaccinated some 15 percent of its population. Amid mounting frustration over the slow vaccine rollout in the US, it has emerged that West Virginia managed to give its all of its 28,000 nursing home residents and staff their first dose of the vaccine by the end of December. The state opted out of the federal nursing home program, which would ensure doses delivered directly to those care facilities via CVS and Walgreens. Instead, the state and West Virginia Board of Pharmacy partnered with local independent pharmacies to vaccinate nursing home residents. CVS and Walgreens said on Wednesday they expect to complete administering the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines at nursing homes across the country by January 25. CVS, Walgreens say nursing home vaccines will be administered by Jan 25 CVS and Walgreens said on Wednesday they expect to complete administering the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines at US nursing homes by January 25. CVS and Walgreens are currently administering the vaccine in long-term care facilities in 49 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Around 35,000 long-term care facilities have partnered with Walgreens, and nearly 8,000 with CVS. The companies, which run the nation's largest pharmacy chains but also offer other offsite pharmacy services, have an agreement with the federal government to vaccinate nursing home residents through a voluntary program. CVS said most of the residents and staff will be fully vaccinated within three to four weeks of the first visit, depending on the vaccine they receive. In addition to nursing homes, CVS said it will vaccinate residents and staff at assisted-living facilities, with nearly 31,000 such centers partnering with the company. Advertisement Elsewhere, governors and other politicians are talking tough and in some cases proposing to bend the rules to get people vaccinated more quickly. New York Gov Andrew Cuomo has threatened to fine hospitals that don't use their vaccine allotments fast enough. He had previously threatened health care providers with a $1 million fine if they are caught fraudulently obtaining and giving out the vaccine. Cuomo on Wednesday said his state had only received 950,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government but needed more than 2.1 million shots to inoculate those in nursing homes and hospital staff. New York has so far only used up about 300,000 doses of its 934,000 allocation. Just 1.5 percent of New Yorkers have been vaccinated to date. In New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo have sparred over slow vaccine distribution, officials said on Wednesday the city was ramping up its "vaccine hubs", which would include 15 locations by January 16, five "mega sites" among them. The sites will have the capacity to vaccinate 100,000 New Yorkers a week. De Blasio said at a press briefing that home health aides and some members of the New York Police Department could receive the vaccine for the first time on Wednesday. Cuomo later clarified that it was only officers that work in 'medical'. Gov Henry McMaster of South Carolina said hospitals and health workers have until January 15 to get a shot or they will have to 'move to the back of the line'. The state has given out less than half its initial allotment of the Pfizer vaccine to about 61,000 people. In North Carolina, Gov Roy Cooper has called in the National Guard to 'provide support to local health providers' to more quickly distribute vaccines. North Carolina has used just 24 percent of its 498,000 allocation. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan also announced that, beginning on Wednesday, the emergency support teams from the state's National Guard will lend a hand to local health departments in their vaccination efforts. 'At the current pace of allocation,' Hogan said, the state expects to be able to start vaccinating the 1b priority group - people age 75 and older and frontline essential workers - by late January. In California, where just over 1 percent of the population has been vaccinated, Gov Gavin Newsom said he wants to give providers the flexibility to dispense shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste. In Florida, where officials have put senior citizens ahead of many essential workers for getting the vaccine, the elderly have been lining up by the thousands this week in order to get vaccinated. Florida has used up 25 percent of its vaccine doses with 1.3 percent of residents having received the shots. Currently, there is no statewide residency requirements in Florida in order to receive the vaccination. It has prompted outrage from some locals who claim snowbirds - those who migrate from the North during winter - are taking up their allocations. Alice Proffer, who lives across the street from one distribution site in Manatee County and has tried to get her 72-year-old husband a vaccine appointment, told WFLA they have seen dozens of people driving up with out-of-state license plates. 'We sat over there and watched the cars that are coming out of the park. They've got Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, New York and we're like 'oh, there goes our vaccine, there goes our vaccine, there goes our vaccine,' and there's nothing we can do about it but sit and watch,' she said. 'I hate to say that we deserve that priority, but we do. We are the ones paying the taxes, we are here when it is 120 degrees in the summertime, we don't go anywhere. So the state should kind of think of us as their family and try to get us in there.' CALIFORNIA: Healthcare workers who scheduled appointments online wait to receive the vaccine at the LA Fire Department in Los Angeles on Tuesday NEW YORK: People line up at Nassau County's first COVID-19 vaccination distribution site, set up by Northwell Health and Nassau County on Tuesday FLORIDA: Simon Simkovic, 90, and his wife Phyllis, 85, leave Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday Despite the sluggish start, Adams said the US was ramping up its rollout and is now approaching 500,000 vaccinations per day. 'It is, by no means, as good as we would want it to be. We always knew this was going to be difficult,' Adams said of the rollout. 'I want the American people to keep this in perspective: (It's) the most difficult vaccine rollout in history, it's ramping up and you'll see things rapidly increase over the next couple of weeks.' Dr Anthony Fauci was more optimistic about the sluggish start, saying the US could soon be giving at least a million vaccinations a day. 'Any time you start a big program, theres always glitches. I think the glitches have been worked out,' Fauci told The Associated Press. He noted that vaccinations have already begun speeding up, reaching roughly half a million injections a day, in the wake of the holidays. 'Once you get rolling and get some momentum, I think we can achieve 1 million a day or even more,' he said. He called President-elect Joe Biden's goal of 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days 'a very realistic, important, achievable goal.' The race to vaccinate Americans quickly comes as a super-contagious mutant strain of COVID-19 that has forced the UK into its third lockdown has already been detected in the US. Dozens of people, who are spread across New York, California, Colorado, Georgia and Florida, have been confirmed to have the variant of the virus. In addition, scientists are warily watching a different variant found in South Africa but not yet reported in the US. The race to vaccinate Americans quickly comes as a super-contagious mutant strain of COVID-19 that has forced the UK into its third lockdown has already been detected in the US. Dozens of people, who are spread across New York, California, Colorado, Georgia and Florida, have been confirmed to have the variant of the virus Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry signed the al-Ula agreement for Arab reconciliation with Qatar, which was signed by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states during the 41st GCC summit held on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. This comes within the framework of Egypts constant keenness to [achieve] solidarity among the Arab quartet states and in their orientation towards consolidating ranks, and removing any disagreements among brotherly Arab nations, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Saudi Arabia led a coalition of an Arab quartet including the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt that cut ties and transport links with Qatar in June 2017, charging that it was too close to Iran and backed terrorist groups -- allegations Doha has always denied. Egypt signed the agreement also to enhance Arab joint work in the face of the significant challenges the region is witnessing, the ministry said. The statement affirmed the need to build on this step to enhance joint Arab work and enhance relations between Arab nations, based on goodwill and non-interference in the Arab countries domestic affairs. Egypt values all honest efforts made over the past years, especially by Kuwait, to achieve reconciliation between the countries of the Arab Quartet and Qatar. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced on Tuesday at the GCC summit that the Gulf states had signed an agreement on regional "solidarity and stability" aimed at resolving a three-year embargo against Qatar. Leaders of the six-member GCC signed two documents, the Al-Ula declaration, named after the Saudi city where the summit was held, and a final communique. The contents of the declaration and the communique were expected to be released to the press later. "An agreement has been reached to open airspace and land and sea borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar as of this evening," Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah said Monday on Kuwait TV ahead of the summit. Short link: Ranchi, Jan 6 : Jharkhand Director General of Police M.V. Rao on Wednesday suspended two police officials following the attack on Chief Minister Hemant Soren's convoy. The officers in-charge of Kotwalai and Sukhdeonagar police stations - Brij Kumar and Sunil Tiwary - have been suspended. Kishoreganj where the convoy was attacked on Monday falls under both police station areas. The Jharkhand government has constituted a two-member committee to probe the incident. The state government has issued a show cause notice to Deputy Commissioner (DC) and SSP of Ranchi regarding the attack. The committee includes an IAS and an IPS official. Rao on Wednesday held a meeting regarding law and order here. Senior police officials at police headquarters were also present during the meeting. Rao said that any one found guilty of the incident would be punished. On Monday evening, a group of people tried to stop the Chief Minister's convoy and attack it. The convoy was diverted when the mob attacked. When the convoy passed, some other vehicles were also attacked by the mob. DGP Rao has termed the attack on the CM's convoy as a "conspiracy". Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government over the Badaun gangrape and murder case stating that it has failed to provide security to women. Speaking to ANI, BSP national spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria said that the Badaun case reminds people of the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case. We have been again reminded of the kind of heinous crime which was committed in 2012. The Yogi government has not able to give protection to the women of the Uttar Pradesh, he said. Slamming the BJP government, Bhadoria said: It has happened time and again in Hathras to Balrampur. Rape cases are being reported from different parts of the state but the government has failed to provide security to the women, Dalits, and poor. I think Yogi ji must tell the nation and the people of the Uttar Pradesh about his failure and pull up the police for failing to provide security to women, he added. A 50-year-old Anganwadi worker was allegedly raped and murdered in the Ughaiti area of Uttar Pradeshs Badaun district. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW) said that cognizance of the matter has been taken and an NCW member will go to Badaun to investigate the case. We have taken cognizance of the matter. One NCW member is going to the spot to investigate the matter to meet the family and the police and take an exact stock of the situation, Sharma said. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. "Coming from big beauty, we understand what goes into making great products," said Jayme Jenkins, Chief Brand Officer at Everist. "We also know and care about the impact that the beauty industry is having on the planet. To make eco for the masses we had to do things differently. Our approach is not to solely focus on the 'desire' to be conscious, but to have formulas that are best in class and maintain sustainability throughout their entire product lifecycle. Our haircare concentrates will change the way people look at eco beauty." Jayme Jenkins started her career at Procter & Gamble before spending nearly a decade at L'Oreal and The Body Shop where she worked in Europe launching global beauty innovations across multiple categories. Co-Founder Jessica Stevenson began her career at General Mills before leading marketing for Revlon's professional division, and ultimately serving as General Manager for Australian clean beauty brand Nude by Nature. Having met in University and reconnecting over a similar ethos about what is missing in the market, Jenkins and Stevenson teamed up with a singular goal in mind - to create category-defining, revolutionary beauty essentials that deliver on performance while being kind to the planet. The Everist business model is to thoughtfully create new products that are modern and sustainable in performance and design. Driving the concept for their first launch in haircare was the insight that most shampoos and conditioners are more than 70% water, rife with synthetic chemicals and packaged in single-use plastic. They could do better. From the ultra-clean formulas (safety free of preservatives, another benefit of going waterless) to the infinitely-recyclable aluminum packaging and closed-loop CapBack program, to the light shipping footprint and carbon-neutral supply chain, all elements of the business were put under the microscope in order to be free of plastic-waste and have as little impact on the environment as possible. Priced at $24 USD / $28 CAD per tube, Everist cream-pastes are 3x concentrated, meaning now a whole bottle of shampoo or conditioner can fit in a 100ml travel-friendly aluminum tube, a first of its kind in the industry. Containing coconut-derived cleansers, aloe vera and peppermint, amla, and rosemary oils among other clean ingredients, the formulas are completely waterless and activated with the water in the shower. Unlike current waterless bar options there is no messy build up on the side of the bathtub. After sharing the concept with an esteemed group of investors, Everist's co-founders were pleased to gain early support from a forward-thinking group of influentials including Wonderment Ventures, social impact firm Good & Well, and the female-founders of Canadian brands Knix and SMYTHE among others. "We were fortunate early on to have people who saw the potential of our big ideas," said Jessica Stevenson, CEO of Everist. "In a world of misinformation and greenwashing, zero-waste and clean beauty requires a great amount of thoughtfulness to ensure it is done right. We are committed to discovering new ways of doing things across the entire supply chain and creating better, higher performing products as the result. We are lucky to have partners that believe in us and understand the rigor that it takes to bring this to life." Everist believes in the power of small changes that add up to big impact and making the transition to more sustainable choices easy and better in every way. With this in mind, they kept the experience of the new haircare concentrates as close to traditional shampoo as possible - simply wet hair and hands, gently twist the key to squeeze a 1-inch strip of product onto palm (for medium length hair), rub wet hands to activate and build up lather in the hair as normal and focused on performance that will keep customers coming back. Developed to be 'super clean', these plant-based formulas are free-from parabens, sulfates, silicones, dyes, synthetic fragrances and preservatives, as well as being proudly vegan and cruelty-free. The result is hair that is gently cleansed but not stripped, and feels light, soft and healthy. Everist has committed to 1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral certification - important affiliations and actions that further root back to its sustainability values. Everist's assortment in haircare is slated to expand and there is a roadmap for new innovations with additional SKUs in body care and skincare expected later in 2021. Everist products will always be based on the transparent principles of being high-performance, but at the same time clean, biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free and zero-waste. For More Information on Everist: Website: helloeverist.com Instagram: @helloeverist Facebook: @helloeverist SOURCE Everist Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday called for introspection within the UN Security Council over the lack of representation of African countries among its permanent members at a time when more than half of the issues on the agenda of the UNs powerful decision making body related to the continent. Speaking at the UN Security Councils Open Debate on Challenges of maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts" especially in the African context Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said sought to place in context the instability faced by many African countries and underlined the importance of the role of national governments in ensuring peace and stability in their countries. While democracy was gaining stronger roots -- through peaceful transfers of power -- in some regions there were still challenges, caused by weak governance structures, ethnic divisions, the presence of terrorist and armed groups and over-exploitation of diminishing resources, he said. Climate change, water scarcity and resource wars are adding new dimensions to the existing complexity," Shringla said adding that the existing challenges were compounded by the covid-19 pandemic. These in turn were triggering other problems like refugee flows, safe havens for terrorists, organized crime, epidemics and weapons trafficking, he said. The speech comes just days after India assumed a non permanent seat the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021, for a two year term. India has said that it will push for reformed multilateralism" or seeking changes in the structure of the UNs most powerful decision making body during its term in the UNSC, aimed at making it more representative and effective to deal with current day challenges and crises. India also has a history of ties with Africa. New Delhi supported the freedom struggles of African countries for decades. In recent years, New Delhi has been recasting its ties with Africa, evolving into a development partner of choice as well as positioning itself as a net security provider in the case of countries along the eastern coast of Africa. In his speech, Shringla pointed a pointed a finger at the legacy of colonialism" on the African continent, describing it as the foundational basis of the current instabilities that plague the African continent." He also urged full respect" for national ownership" of efforts to bring and sustain peace in an unstable environment. Besides this, the UNSC should also give space to regional efforts to manage or resolve problems, Shringla said. The African Union supported by other regional groupings had managed to resolve crises, he said. African leadership had already put in place mechanisms like the High Level Panel on Fragile States" to respond to developing crises in a flexible and rapid manner," he pointed out. Warning against focusing on all fragility issues in Africa, the UN Security Council should, Shringla said, focus on those situations directly affecting the maintenance of international peace and security." Other suggestions made by Shringla included ensuring that UN peacekeepers and Special Political Missions were sufficiently mandated and resourced to implement peace. They should also have a clear and well thought out exit strategy," he said. On a larger note, the Council needs to introspect that while more than half of the country issues on the Councils agenda pertain to Africa, the African continent does not even have a single voice amongst the permanent membership to defend its own interests. We need to correct this historical anomaly, and collectively support the Ezulwini consensus," he said. The reference was to the position evolved by representatives of African countries on the expansion of the UN Security Council. The representatives who met in Ezulwini in the kingdom of Eswatini in 2005 had agreed that they would seek two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats in any revamped UN Security Council. Elaborating on Indias current links with Africa, Shringla said Indias development partnership with Africa covers 43 African countries with India executing 189 developmental projects in 37 of them. There were around 77 projects are under execution and the total outlay of projects executed and being completed totaled $ 12.86 billion, he said. We are actively engaged with capacity building of the security forces in several countries in Africa. Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training is one of the significant areas of our defence training programmes," he said. India welcomes the evolution and rise of Africa as a key factor in the contemporary world. We are committed to supporting African countries in this endeavour, as per African priorities and without conditionalities," he added. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressively debilitating disease representing the fifth-leading cause of death among those 65 and older in the United States. ii Worldwide, at least 50 million people are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. iii Alzheimer's disease is without an identified way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. Designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DBS of the fornix (DBS-f) for patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, the company's ADvance II pivotal study is currently enrolling up to 210 patients in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial at leading universities in the U.S., Canada and Germany. "There is an urgent need for new ways to treat Alzheimer's. Pharmacological therapies have shown very limited benefit, and some have considerable side effects. DBS is a promising alternative with a safe and successful track record in other neurological disorders. For Alzheimer's, DBS-f delivers stimulation to a critical location in the brain's memory circuit that seems to enhance activity in the circuit and drive neuronal activity in other brain regions impacted by the disease. We are encouraged to receive Breakthrough Device Designation," said Todd Langevin, Functional Neuromodulation CEO. Under the designation, the Vercise DBS Systems are indicated for unilateral or bilateral stimulation of the post-commissural fornix in the treatment of patients 65 years and older with mild probable Alzheimer's disease as an adjunctive therapy for patients who are not adequately controlled with medications. About the ADvance II Study The study is co-chaired by Constantine Lyketsos, M.D., chair of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Andres Lozano, M.D., Ph.D., chair of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. For more information about the ADvance II Study, visit www.fxneuromod.com or www.advancestudy4ad.com. The clinical trial is currently enrolling subjects at 20 study sites within the United States, Canada and Germany. Cities include Phoenix, Los Angeles, Gainesville, Tampa, Austin, Stanford, Baltimore, Providence, Omaha, Wake Forest and Milwaukee in the United States; and Toronto in Canada. As well as Cologne, Kiel, Wurzburg, Magdeburg, Munich, Mannheim, Hannover and Heidelberg in Germany. About Deep Brain Stimulation Deep brain stimulation uses a surgically implanted medical device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, to deliver mild electrical pulses to precisely targeted areas of the brain. DBS therapy has been commercially available in the United States since 1997. The therapy is currently approved for use in the United States, Canada and the European Union for the treatment of the disabling symptoms of essential tremor, advanced Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. More than 150,000 people worldwide have received DBS therapy. The data from Advance II study is intended to support a U.S. regulatory application. In Europe, the Boston Scientific Vercise Directional System is CE marked for adjunctive treatment of patients 65 years and older with mild probable Alzheimer's disease. About Functional Neuromodulation Ltd. Founded in 2010, Functional Neuromodulation is dedicated to advancing the application of deep brain stimulation therapies to help improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's and other memory and cognitive disorders. The company has received funding from Genesys Capital, Foundation Medical Partners and Boston Scientific. Contact person: Robyn Moxon, [email protected], 1-866-296-4040 i https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/how-study-and-market-your-device/breakthrough-devices-program ii https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures iii Patterson C. World Alzheimer Report 2018. The state of the art of dementia research: New frontiers. London: Alzheimer's Disease International. https://www.alz.co.uk/research/WorldAlzheimerReport2018.pdf SOURCE Functional Neuromodulation Ltd. Four people died due to skirmishes inside and outside the US Capitol building after dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police, news agency Associated Press reported on Thursday. The US Congress formally certified US president-elect Joe Biden and US-vice president elect Kamala Harris win on Thursday and outgoing US president Donald Trump said that the transition to the next administration will be conducted smoothly. The shooting came as dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the US Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. Trump lost the November election to Democrat Joe Biden. He has refused to concede and has worked over the last two months to convince his supporters that widespread voter fraud prevented his own victory. Also Read | 1 shot dead in violence at US Capitol: All you need to know In a raucous, out-of-control scene, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls. Also Read | Disorder not dissent, borders on sedition: Joe Biden condemns violence at US Capitol Here are the major highlights: 10:06 pm: Facebook, Instagram place indefinite ban on Trump Facebook and Instagram have placed a ban on Trump on posts by US president Donald Trump. Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump on Wednesday for a day -- its first-ever block on the president -- on both Facebook and Instagram, for encouraging violent rioters who had mobbed the US Capitol. 3:20 pm: Donald Trump says transition to next government will be orderly US President Donald Trump in a statement assured that the transition to the Biden administration will be conducted in a timely manner. 2:35 pm: US Congress formally certifies Biden-Harris win in 2020 US elections The United States Congress formally certified Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win in the 2020 US elections. The certification faced challenges as pro-Trump supporters mobbed the US Capitol building. The inauguration is set to be held on January 20. 1:15 pm: UK minister calls on Trump to condemn violence at US Capitol Britains interior minister Priti Patel said on Thursday that the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump was terrible beyond words and called on Trump to condemn the violence. His comments directly led to the violence, and so far, he has failed to condemn that violence and that is completely wrong, she said. 12:45 pm: Top United Nations leadership express concern over Capitol violence The Secretary-General is saddened by the events at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said in a note to correspondents. In such circumstances, it is important that political leaders impress on their followers the need to refrain from violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law, the UN chief said. President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, tweeted that as president of the 193-member UN body, Im saddened & concerned by todays developments at the Capitol in #WashingtonDC. The US is one of the worlds major democracies. I believe that peace & respect for democratic processes will prevail in our host country at this critical time. 11:24 am: Senate rejects objections to Pennsylvanias electoral votes The Senate has quickly knocked down Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight Thursday morning to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. 10:00 am: Four people including woman died during Capitol violence Four people died during the Capitol violence including the woman was shot by police. Three others lost their lives to medical emergencies, police of Washington DC said. 9:45 am: Woman shot dead in US Capitol was veteran According to media reports, the woman who was shot earlier at the Capitol violence was a veteran name Ashli Babbitt who has served in the United States Air Force. She was also a strong supporter of the president Trump. 9:30 am: Public emergency in Washington DC extended for 15 days The public emergency, imposed in Washingon DC in wake of the Capitol violence, was extended for another 15 days, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced. 9:25 am : Violence triggers calls for ousting Trump The storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday has prompted calls by some lawmakers to remove him from office before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20. 8:54 am: Senate rejects challenge to Joe Bidens Arizona win The Senate rejected a challenge to Arizonas Electoral College votes for Biden.There were 93 senators voting against the objection and six voting for it. The House must still complete its debate, though it is all but certain to turn aside the objection as well. 7:45 am: America wont back down, says Nancy Pelosi Congress certification of President-elect Joe Bidens election win will show the world it wont back down, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said as the house reconvened to resume certification process of Joe Bidens victory in the presidential elections. Despite the shameful actions of today, we will still do so, we will be part of a history that shows the world what America is made of, she said. 7:38 am: Instagram to lock Trumps account for 24 hours Instagram will also block Trumps account for 24 hours over policy violations. Before this Twitter and Facebook have already restricted US Presidents account. 7: 27 am: Facebook blocks Trump from posting for 24 hours Facebook says it will block President Trumps page from posting for 24 hours due to policy violations. 7: 25 am: Republican Senator certifies Electoral College votes for Biden Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler certified Electoral College votes for President-elect Biden,. She was earlier planning to raise objections to Bidens formal victory. 7: 21 am: Chief of Staff for US First Lady Melania Trump resigns Stephanie Grisham, Chief of Staff for US First Lady Melania Trump, resigned in wake of the violent breach at US Capitol. 7: 18 am: Will not be deterred, says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Congress will not be deterred in confirming the results of the presidential election hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol. The Republican leader reopened the Senate late Wednesday vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College for President-elect Joe Biden. 7:14 am: Donald Trump bears a great deal of the blame, says Democrats Chuck Schumer Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump bears a great deal of the blame for the violence at the US Capitol. As the Senate reconvened to count electoral votes, Schumer said that January 6, 2021, will live forever in infamy and will be a stain on the democracy. Schumer said the events did not happen spontaneously. The president, who promoted conspiracy theories that motivated these thugs, the president, who exhorted them to come to our nations capital, egged them on, he also said. He also demanded that the protesters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 7:10 am: To those who wreaked havoc today, you did not win, says Pence We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms, said vice-president Mike Pence as as the Senate reopened after the building was secure. To those who wreaked havoc in our capitol today, you did not win, he added. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the peoples House. 6:58 am: Deeply disturbed by the attack on democracy, tweets Canada PM Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld - and it will be, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote in a tweet. 6: 47am: Congress resumes debating process The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee. 6:42 am: Disgraceful scenes in US Congress, says UK PM Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021 6:36 am: Violence at US capitol incited by Trump, says Obama In an official statement on Twitter, former President Barack Obama said that violence at the US Capitol was incited by Trump, who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation. But wed be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise, he also said in the statement. Heres my statement on todays violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021 6:30 am: Republican National Committee condemns Capitol violence The Republican National Committee says it strongly condemns the violence at the Capitol, adding that the violent scenes do not represent acts of patriotism, but an attack on our country and its founding principles. 5: 58 am: Twitter locks Trumps account for 12 hours This means that the account of @realDonaldTrump will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of these Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked. Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) January 7, 2021 5: 50 am: A West Virginia lawmaker was among rioters in Capitol Republican Del. Derrick Evans, a lawmaker from West Virginia, was among the rioters at Capitol. He took a video of himself with other supporters of Donald Trump and posted it on social video, AP reported. As per report, the video has now been deleted. Evans can be seen rushing into the US Capitol after they breached the security perimeter. Were in! Keep it moving, baby! he said in a packed doorway of the building while wearing a helmet. 5: 15 am: Counting to validate Bidens victory to continue, confirms Nancy Pelosi House and Senate will to resume a debate to validate Joe Bidens victory in the presidential election, House speaker Nancy Pelosi confimed in a letter to Justice Departement, the Pentagon and vice president Mike Pence. The attack could not deter us from our responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden, she said. We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night, Pelosi wrote in a letter. We also knew that we would be a part of history in a positive way, today, despite ill-founded objections to the Electoral College vote. We now will be part of history, as such a shameful picture of our country was put out to the world, instigated at the highest level, she also said 3:10 am: UK, Ireland slam Capitol unrest by Trump supporters British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday condemned the disgraceful scenes at the US Congress by Donald Trump supporters, as Irelands government attacked the outgoing president for his assault on democracy. Disgraceful scenes in US Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power, Johnson said on Twitter. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab added in his own tweet: The US rightly takes great pride in its democracy, and there can be no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power. Irish premier Micheal Martin, who has invited the Irish-American Biden to visit his ancestral homeland early in his presidency, tweeted his condemnation. 3:09 am: Explosive device found near Capitol amid protest At least one explosive device has been found near the US Capitol amid a violent occupation of the building by supporters of President Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials said the device was no longer a threat Wednesday afternoon. Thousands of supporters of the president occupied the Capitol complex as lawmakers were beginning to tally the electoral votes that will formalize President-elect Joe Bidens victory. 2:57 am: Trump tells We love you to supporters who stormed US Capitol President Donald Trump, in a video message, has urged supporters to go home but also kept up with false attacks about the presidential election. The video was issued more than two hours after protesters began storming the Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers convened for an extraordinary joint session to confirm the Electoral College results and President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Trump opened his video, saying, I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now. He also went on to call the supporters very special. He also said, we cant play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. Youre very special. 2:56 am: US business lobby calls on Trump to put an end to the chaos An influential US business lobbying group on Wednesday called on President Donald Trump and other politicians to act to end the occupation of the US Capitol by protesters angry at his election loss. The chaos unfolding in the nations capital is the result of unlawful efforts to overturn the legitimate results of a democratic election. The country deserves better, the Business Roundtable said in a statement. 2:49 am: Trump tells supporters to go home after storming of US Capitol 2:40 am: Biden urges Trump to go on TV to call for end to Capitol siege Biden calls on Trump to immediately deliver speech to demand an end to this siege at US Capitol. 2:33 am: 1,100 DC National Guard members being mobilized The Pentagon says about 1,100 DC National Guard members are being mobilized to help support law enforcement as violent supporters of President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol. 2:30 am: Stop trampling democracy, German FM tells US protesters German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday called on supporters of President Donald Trump to stop trampling on democracy after they smashed into the US Congress and shut down legislative sessions. Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of American voters and stop trampling on democracy, he tweeted. The enemies of democracy will be pleased to see these incredible images from Washington DC, he added. Inflammatory words turn into violent actions. 2:27 am: Pelosi, Schumer call on Trump to demand all protesters leave Capitol grounds immediately Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement on Wednesday after violent protesters stormed the Capitol. They said, We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the US Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately. 2:25 am: NATO chief labels Washington protests shocking Shocking scenes in Washington, DC, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg tweeted on Wednesday, as images of protesters supporting US President Donald Trump storming the US Capitol sped around the world. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected, he said, referring to the US presidential election that saw Joe Biden beat Trump. 2:23 am: VP Pence calls for violence at US Capitol to stop now 2:17 am: White House says National Guard going to Capitol The White House says National Guard troops along with other federal protective services are en route to the Capitol to help end an violent occupation by President Donald Trumps supporters who are seeking to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election. 2:08 am: One person shot, wounded inside US Capitol: Reports 2:07 am: Guns and teargas in US Capitol as Trump supporters attempt to overturn his loss Police in the US Capitol on Wednesday responded with drawn guns and tear gas on Wednesday as swarms of protesters stormed in and sought to force Congress to undo President Donald Trumps election loss shortly after some of Trumps fellow Republicans launched a last-ditch effort to throw out the results. Police evacuated the House of Representatives and the Senate after pro-Trump protesters marched through the halls of Congress, forcing both chambers to suspend deliberations as they were meeting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the November 3 election. 2:01 am: Trump says Stay Peaceful after urging supporters to protest President Donald Trump said, Stay peaceful, as protesters who support him stormed the U.S. Capitol, streaming past police barricades and forcing lawmakers into a lockdown. Trump made the comments in a tweet Wednesday after the protesters had breached the Capitol building. Trump was watching the protests on television from the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter. 1:46 am: Lawmakers evacuated from the US Capitol Lawmakers are being evacuated from the US Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators were led out, escorted by staff and police on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the Electoral College. The skirmishes came shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. 1:23 am: Washington DC Mayor orders curfew The mayor of Washington, DC, has ordered a curfew in the nations capital beginning at 6 pm Wednesday after protestors seeking to overturn the election results stormed the US Capitol building. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the order as protestors supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to formally count the electors that will make Joe Biden president on January 20. Pakistan finding very little success in terror infiltration bids India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: The Border Security Force is on high alert following intelligence inputs about the large presence of terrorists near the Line of Control. Ahead of the DDC polls, the ISI had sent a large number of terrorists close to border and was making attempts to aide their infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir. Their specific brief was to disrupt the elections and target the local leaders. However the Indian security forces who were on very high alert managed to foil these attempts being made by the ISI backed terrorists. Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that the ISI continues to make attempts to help infiltrate the large number of terrorists. As per estimates, there are nearly 150 terrorists near the LoC who are trying to infiltrate into India. India responded firmly, in a non-escalatory manner against Chinese aggression along LAC The IB officer also said that the Pakistan Rangers and the Border Action Team are trying to help the terrorists infiltrate into India. Last year there were an unprecedented number of cease fire violations by Pakistan. The Pakistan Army had been providing cover fire in a bid to help the terrorists enter India. However, the infiltration attempts were largely foiled by the Indian security agencies. In November, the BSF intensified patrolling along the International Border with Pakistan in the Samba and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. Following an order by the Director General of the BSF, Rakesh Asthana, the forces began patrolling the above mentioned areas with an objective of unearthing more cross-border tunnels like the one used by the four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, who were killed on November 19. The Border Security Force had said that it detected a 150 metre long tunnel that could have been used by the four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists for infiltration from Pakistan. The tunnel was detected by the BSF at the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district. Chinese medias reporting on supply of armed drones to Pakistan is just psy ops Officials said that the tunnel could not have been made without the help of the Pakistan establishment. The tunnel which is 150 metres long is 40 metres long on the Pakistan side. It is a newly dug tunnel and was used for the first time by the JeM terrorists. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News This well-engineered tunnel was constructed with the help of the Pakistan establishment to aide terrorists in infiltration. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 8:18 [IST] The GCF beekeeping component is assisting with training as well as higher-quality honey The six-member family of Vu Tan Suu has been engaging in keeping honey bees for a few years, with just enough income to make ends meet. Each bee colony could produce only 2-3kg of honey, with low quality. We could earn about VND100,000-200,000 ($4.35-8.70) per kg, while input costs were high, so profits were meagre, Suu told VIR. It was because we did the trade based on experience shared by neighbours and friends. Suu, 68, lives in Da Loc commune in Hau Loc district of Thanh Hoa where residents are largely living on agricultural and fishery activities, with a low average per capita income of about VND20 million ($870) a year. However, last February, Suus family was provided five colonies of breeding honey bees for free, along with feed within the first two months of raising, through a component backed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This component is part of a wider project to improve the resilience of coastal communities to climate change in Vietnam, funded jointly by the GCF, the Vietnamese government, and the United Nations Development Programme. The scheme has also provided beneficiaries with professional technical training including modern techniques in keeping bees, improving honey quality without using chemicals, and enabling beekeepers to increase their product sales. The component in Thanh Hoa was implemented from late 2019 and over the first six months of 2020 benefited 54 households, with 40 in Da Loc commune and 14 in Nga Thuy commune of Nga Son district. Previously, the amount of such honey breeds was put out to tender by the GCF Project Management Unit of Thanh Hoa to select a reputable contractor with experience in high quality breeding. Cam Thuy Honey Bee One Member Co., Ltd. won the bidding. Through inspection, the quantity and quality are met, ensuring the conditions for rearing. From the first five colonies given by the component, we have been able to develop the number of colonies to 11 so far, Suu said. The quality of honey has improved significantly. Each colony can produce 7-9kg of honey, and we can earn as much as VND200,000-300,000 ($8.70-13) per kg. Our life has gradually been changing. Stronger means of subsistence In Da Loc, there is a mangrove forest with high-quality blossoms for bees to seek feed. Among the 40 households benefiting from the GCF component, 11 are headed by women. Under the component, all of the beneficiary households are carefully selected by localities panels, and they are all poor and vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. These 40 households, including Suus, were provided with a total 84 colonies of breeding honey bees last February. However, in just seven months the number of the colonies increased to 420. Before the GCF component was implemented in Da Loc, each household raked in an average of 3kg of honey per colony, with total sales revenue of VND600,000 ($26), and profit of VND400,000 ($17). However, thanks to the component, the volume of honey has increased to 7kg per colony, with total sale revenue of VND1.4 million ($60) or VND200,000 ($8.70) per kg. Along with Da Loc, the 14 households benefiting from the GCF component in Nga Thuy commune of Nga Son district where there is also a mangrove forest have also seen their livelihoods improved thanks to the honey bees. These households have established a beekeeping cooperative members cooperate with one another voluntarily, with the motto of mutual help for shared development. They frequently exchange ideas, techniques, and experiences, materials, and breeds. Nguyen Van Tai, 67, is one such member. Previously he only did the empirical trade shared by other households who also raised the animal with experiences handed down from unprofessional farmers. However, the income of Tais family has multiplied since last January when he, like Suus family in Da Loc, was provided free-of-charge breeding honey bees, feed within the first two months, and technical training. From the first five colonies given by the component, we have been able to develop the number to 30 so far, Tai told VIR. Keeping honey bees has brought about good income for locals. With experience learned from the GCFs component, all the 14 household beneficiaries have been able to expand trade. Like Tais family, Dao Trong Cu, 61, has raised honey bees for many years. Currently his family keeps 34 colonies, including five provided by the GCF initiative. This beekeeping model has been warmly welcomed in the commune as locals see long-term potential from it, which can produce high profits and ensure environmental sustainability, Cu said. Our familys income has also increased significantly, while investment costs have decreased. Also thanks to the training and technical support, beekeepers have limited the loss of herds, and farmers have self-developed the herds, he added. According to a report on the component results by the GCF Project Management Unit of Thanh Hoa, the volume of honey reached 8-10kg per colony per year, with products ensuring high standards for sales in the market. In Thanh Hoa, mangrove forest-based bees produced in Da Loc and Nga Thuy communes are much known by customers though it has yet to develop its own brand name. These communes face the sea, with mangrove forests where bees can seek feed. Mangrove forest-based bee honey is said by experts to have better quality than that produced by bees living in other locations, as the mangrove blossoms are free from chemicals and pesticides. Need of expansion Vu Tan Suu from Da Loc commune told VIR, In my locality, about 200-300 poor households are in need of such support. They also want to raise bees to increase their income. Nguyen Van Tai from Nga Thuy commune also sees a big future for his family thanks to the bees. Hundreds of other families in the commune also wish to be supported by the GCF scheme after seeing how it can increase incomes and provide new knowledge of beekeeping. Besides, they also want to create a veritable brand name for bee honey in Nga Thuy. According to the GCF Project Management Unit of Thanh Hoa, it is suggested that the beekeeping model can be expanded to more farmer households in the province on a larger scale. This will help residents improve their awareness of protecting the mangrove forests, which are aimed to shield villages from disasters and provide a good habitat for bees to seek feed, then help locals improve their livelihoods. Previously, the majority of beekeepers lacked experience and technique in beekeeping for honey. In addition, beekeepers have no links, sharing, or support to develop bee colonies, so bees often fly by themselves and lose their groupings, while producers have achieved low honey outputs. Over the past few years, in addition to implementing the honey bee raising model in Da Loc and Nga Thuy, Thanh Hoas management unit has also been implementing another six livelihood models adapted to climate change in the coastal districts of the province, with more than 140 beneficiary households. Such models include raising duck mea in Da Loc commune; raising broiler chickens to ensure biosafety in Hung Loc commune in Hau Loc district; raising black tiger shrimp intercropped with green crabs in Nga Thuy commune; black tiger shrimp farming intercropped with tilapia; commercial green crab farming; and beekeeping for honey in Nga Tan commune of Nga Son district. Most of the models are highly appreciated, suitable for localities, and capable of coping well with epidemics and unusual changes of weather. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has suggested cancelling the Republic Day festivities after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his India visit due to the coronavirus situation in the UK, saying getting crowds to cheer the parade as usual would be "irresponsible". Johnson, who was scheduled to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as chief guest, has cancelled his visit to India later this month due to the growing health crisis created by the new coronavirus variant in the UK. "Now that @BorisJohnson's visit to India this month has been cancelled due to the COVID Second Wave, & we don't have a Chief Guest on Republic Day, why not go one step farther & cancel the festivities altogether?" Tharoor asked Twitter on Tuesday night. Now that @BorisJohnsons visit to India this month has been cancelled due to the #COVIDSecondWave, & we dont have a Chief Guest on #RepublicDay, why not go one step farther & cancel the festivities altogether? Getting crowds to cheer the parade as usual would be irresponsible. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 5, 2021 "Getting crowds to cheer the parade as usual would be irresponsible," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Johnson on Tuesday, during which the British leader reiterated his thanks for India's invitation for him as the chief guest of the Republic Day celebrations, but regretted his inability to attend. Johnson's call with Modi came a day after he addressed the nation to announce a new stay-at-home lockdown in the UK as his medical chiefs warned that the National Health Service was under threat of being overwhelmed by the rising infection rates. Also read: Mike Pompeo applauds Jaishankar for making Indo-US ties stronger Also read: Boris Johnson cancels Republic Day visit to India, citing need to oversee COVID-19 response in UK (L) An apartment building entrance is sealed off in Jinzhou district of Dalian, China on January 2021. (Provided by an interviewee) (R) A woman attempts to leave a locked down area but is stopped by police in Shenyang, China on January 2021. (Screenshot of a Twitter video) Chinese Citizens Decry Extreme Lockdown Measures in Northeastern China The Chinese communist regimes extreme lockdown measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic has caused tragedy for one family in northeastern China where several outbreaks recently occurred. Locals in Dalian and Shenyang, the two largest cities in the province of Liaoning, waited in long lines for COVID-19 nucleic acid tests during the severe cold on New Years Day. Residents who live in the same apartment building as confirmed patients were taken away by authorities for quarantine. Residential compounds are sealed off and the entrance gates of some houses are welded shut. People are not allowed to leave the premises, and some were unable to attend funeral services of their loved ones. Liu Fang (alias), a local from Jinzhou district, Dalian, told The Epoch Times that her mother suffered a heart attack on Jan. 1, and died en route to the hospital. Her parents live in Zhuanghe, an hour-and-half drive from Dalian. Jinzhou is under lockdown due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases. Liu was unable to see her mother for the last time because she couldnt get permission from local authorities in her community to travel. Liu said that after calling 110 (Chinas emergency call number) and 12345 municipal hotline, the response she got was still negative. Im in an epidemic area. Even if I return to Zhuanghe, where my parents live, I wont be able to see my mother. I will be taken away directly to a hotel or guesthouse for quarantine for 14 days, she said. Liu claimed, There are no confirmed cases in the community, and no close contacts [of the infected]. As of today, we have been sealed in for 15 days. I dont know if it will take a few more days, and no one has given us a clear answer. She described the situation to The Epoch Times, My building entrance is sealed, so we are not allowed to go outside. Our community is now under martial law and we are not allowed to enter or leave. The tragic situation that Liu and her family experienced has changed her perspective on the Chinese regimes measures to deal with the pandemic. When the outbreak occurred in Jinzhou a few weeks ago, Liu posted on Chinese social media Weibo: Dont go out, and resolutely do not cause trouble to the country. On Dec. 26, she saw some elderly people outdoors, which prompted her to call them out. She posted a critical comment on Weibo, accusing the group of causing trouble. However, Liu had a change of heart when her mother passed away. She shared her story about being unable to attend her mothers funeral on Weibo. Then Liu revealed what happened afterwards. Someone in our community office actually called me and asked what I posted on Weibo. I replied, What I posted has nothing to do with you. I can post whatever I want on my own Weibo [account]. Who are you to question me!? I was so mad at that time. She sighed, My mother raised me and I couldnt be by her side before she passed away. The main problem is that the policy is too rigid. They all say sacrifice your own little family for the good of the whole country. But when families are gone, whats left for the country? A video showing Chinese police roughly handling a woman who attempted to sneak out of a neighborhood that appeared to be under lockdown, got a lot of attention after it was posted on Twitter on Jan. 4. The incident took place at the Yangtze River Farmers Market in Huanggu district of Shenyang city. A woman was seen walking away from a closed-off area and a policeman ran after her. Then he dragged her back to the checkpoint that was set up in front of the farmers market. Another policeman joined him, and both men dragged the woman with force. The woman cried loudly, and the police warned her, If you try to pass the gate again, you will be arrested. The video has caused heated discussion on social media. Some netizens chided the woman for breaking the rules, while others felt bad for her and criticized the Chinese police. Gu Xiaohua and Hu Yuanzhen contributed to this report. British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward and Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Tran Ngoc An signed the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in London on December 29, photo VNA The United Kingdoms post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union delivers a historic resolution that ensures the nation remains a friendly neighbour to the continent, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs last week as they voted to approve the agreement. In a speech to parliament, PM Johnson insisted that the deal sealed on Christmas Eve represents how Britain can be at once European and sovereign, as well as praising negotiators for securing it at such speed despite the ordeals caused by the pandemic. A trade deal of this size is typically thrashed out over many years, but the strict timetable the UK placed on itself to leave the EU meant some sort of agreement had to be negotiated in just 11 months months hampered by travel restrictions, self-isolating negotiators, and even the prime minister being hospitalised with the coronavirus. A report by a multi-party Brexit committee said that the deals compressed timetable, not just for negotiating but also the meagre 5-hour debate over the details in parliament last week, was unavoidable but concerning. One concerning consequence of it being reached so late is that members of parliament have been left with very little time in which to read it, the report said. It was not subject to detailed scrutiny before a vote in the House of Commons, which is an unsatisfactory but unavoidable outcome. Major gaps to fill Indeed, the final deal omits a raft of measures previously covered with the UKs membership, and will have to be negotiated at length in the future. Main agreements that were reached include tariff-free and quota-free access for the UK to one of the worlds biggest markets; leaving the common fisheries policy; setting up its own state aid regime; and creating a minimum level of environmental, social, and labour standards below which neither the UK nor the EU must go. The latter point will be reviewed by the EU after four years to ensure a level playing field continues. Despite many anti-EU campaigners insisting before and even after the 2016 vote that the UK would not have to leave the EUs single market which lets people, goods, services, and money move around freely the British government in the end aimed for a so-called hard Brexit, meaning Brits can no longer travel, live, study, or work in the remaining 27 EU countries without jumping through as-yet-unspecified hoops. The new deal also draws a blank in many other areas. It offers little clarity for financial firms, with no decision on so-called equivalence which would allow firms to sell their services into the EUs single market from the City of London, according to Bloomberg. PM Johnson admitted to the UKs Sunday Telegraph that the deal perhaps does not go as far as we would like on financial services. Elsewhere, both sides only agreed a temporary fix to keep data flowing between them; the deal contains a long five-and-a-half year transition period for fisheries; and there remains a sticking point over Gibraltar, the British territory connected to mainland Spain about 15,000 workers cross that border every day. Of more concern for many in Britain is security. While the UKs Home Secretary Priti Patel claimed that the Brexit deal actually made the UK safer, many security analysts disagreed. The Schengen Information System, for example, is a database that offers real-time alerts to track down terrorists and other criminals. British police previously accessed the system more than 1.65 million times every day but now the country has severed use of the tool. Despite the shortcomings of the deal, Europeans greeted the Christmas Eve achievement with some relief. Italys Corriere della Sera described it as a Christmas present for everyone, adding that in difficult times there is no room for hatred between friends. Spains El Mundo noted that criticism was certain to follow closer scrutiny of the deals terms, and called the entire situation as damaging, but welcomed the result. The small print remains to be seen surely it will not satisfy anyone entirely but the divorce will be consummated amicably after countless disagreements, it said. Germanys business daily Handelsblatt meanwhile argued that the 11th-hour agreement would mark the end of the Brexit movement in the UK. With Britains departure complete, the practical realities of life on the blocs doorstep would lead to an organic strengthening of ties. From now, the pendulum will begin to swing back the other way, wrote its London correspondent, Carsten Volkery. New horizons, new issues Thanks to this severing of ties, the UK government has been rushing to sign new trade agreements with nations beyond the EU. On December 29, the country officially signed such deals with both Vietnam and Turkey. Trade between Turkey and Britain was worth 18.6 billion ($25.18 billion) in 2019, and the UK is Turkeys second-biggest export market, mostly for precious metals, vehicles, textiles, and electrical equipment. Although Turkey is not an EU member, it does have a customs union with the EU. The deal with Turkey is the fifth-biggest free trade agreement the UK has negotiated after deals with Japan, Canada, Switzerland, and Norway. Trade agreements with 62 countries have now been signed in preparation for the UKs formal exit from the EU single market. The bilateral deal between the UK and Vietnam, meanwhile, took effect from 11pm on December 31, 2020. It locks in the benefits of both countries existing trading relationship under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement that took effect August 1, eliminating 99 per cent of import duties for both parties after seven years. Due to pandemic restrictions, Vietnamese government representatives and Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh were not present to sign the deal, with the two governments authorising their ambassadors to fulfil the duty. The UK is currently Vietnams third-largest trading partner in Europe after Germany and the Netherlands. Export industries expected to benefit most from the deal include rice, textiles, wood, vegetables, seafood, and footwear. Minister Tuan Anh and UK Trade Secretary Liz Truss had previously signed a joint ministerial statement on the conclusion of the free trade pact negotiations on December 11. Data from the Vietnamese General Department of Customs showed that the total import-export turnover of the two countries reached $6.6 billion last year, of which exports stood at $5.8 billion and imports $857 million. In the 2011-2019 period, the growth rate of bilateral export-import turnover increased by an average of 12.1 per cent each year. Recently-made deals with the likes of Vietnam, Turkey, and also Singapore and Japan not only lock in billions of pounds worth of trade, they also pave the way for new digital partnerships and joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Truss said last month. This will play to the UKs strengths, as we become a hub for tech and digital trade with influence far beyond our shores, defining our role in the world for decades to come. Evidently, the British government steadfastly believes it can make a huge mark on the globe without the EUs backing. Even those opposed to leaving in the first place now want to concentrate on future challenges. Keir Starmer, leader of the UK governments opposition, the Labour Party, said he wanted to become a future prime minister focused on looking forward and not back, saying it was unlikely Europe would even feature in any election campaign. He instead wanted Britain to look to improve the economy and protect the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS is currently under strain thanks to a new variant of the coronavirus ripping through England, with more staff forced to self-isolate and hospital beds becoming scarcer. Political commentators believe that if and when the pandemic is finally eradicated, the countrys next major issue could be the existence of the UK itself, as an increasing number of voters and politicians in Scotland clamour for a new referendum on Scottish independence, after narrowing rejecting the idea in 2014. Two-thirds of Scots under the age of 45 now say they back independence, and a dozen opinion polls in recent months have each reported a majority in favour of it. The trend is clear, wrote Alex Massie for The Spectator magazine last month. It is not difficult to find ardent unionists who whisper that they think the UK has run its course. The precise timing of its formal dissolution may as yet be unknown, but the direction of travel is impossible to ignore. Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Wednesday that he too wants schools to reopen, but stressed that this is conditional on the COVID-19 pandemic. "I had a discussion with Mr. Kelemen Hunor (leader of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania - UDMR, ed. n.), and with Mr. Barna (leader of the Save Romania Union - USR, ed. n.) and I too want schools to reopen, to have restaurants opened, I said that last year too. As far as I'm concerned, if it wasn't for the health problem, I'd like them to be reopened. Yet we have this pandemic conditionality. (...) Personally, I believe that we must do everything we need to be able to reopen schools as early as possible, which is why it is important that in addition to the vaccination campaign we also have this campaign to reduce the effects of the pandemic, to keep up the pace. So far we've seen that numbers have dropped, we've reached a comfortable level, there are cities, municipalities that have come out of quarantine. If we keep this trend, we can reopen schools on February 8th," said Citu at the Victoria Palace after the meeting of the Government. South Carolina's Washington, D.C., lawmakers immediately reported being safe after thousands of pro-Donald Trump protesters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday upending the procedural vote to certify the Electoral College results for President-elect Joe Biden. As soon as the Palmetto State's delegation was accounted for and out of harm's way, several took to Twitter to decry the violence and vandalism. From secure positions around the complex, the nine members lambasted the takeover, with some asking Trump to take control and issue a strong statement for the occupying crowd to disperse. "This will accomplish nothing," U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, said during the seizure. "Where is the President!? He must ask people to disperse and restore calm now." Trump later issued a message telling the crowd to go home. Charleston's new Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is less than a week into the beginning of her term, was among the many lawmakers evacuated Wednesday afternoon as lawmakers began the process of certifying the results. Mace and her staff were taken from the Cannon Office Building after Capitol police located a suspicious package half a block from them. She told The Post and Courier she's appalled at the chaos. "This isn't who we are," Mace said. "We're better than this. Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because we've seen the fringe left riot doesn't mean we have to." Others took to Twitter to get their message out while their movements were restricted. Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott reported: "The violence occurring at the United States Capitol right now is simply unacceptable, and I fully condemn it. Team Scott is safe. God bless the U.S. Capitol Police and U.S. Secret Service for protecting us." Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the violent occupation "a national embarrassment." "Those who made this attack on our government need to be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he tweeted. "Their actions are repugnant to democracy." Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol's steps and were met by officers in riot gear, The Associated Press reported, disrupting the certification of the Electoral College vote that is destined to confirm Biden as president. Some tried to push past the officers who held riot shields. Police could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting "traitors" as officers formed a defensive line. Lawmakers were meeting in Washington to affirm Biden's victory, but some GOP politicians planned to object. As the mob broke through doors, the process was then cut short due to an "external security threat" and no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex. Both chambers abruptly went into recess. A photograph showed one protester sitting in a chair at the Senate's main desk, his armed raised in a pumped fist. Over the course of several minutes, early on in the event, the offices of South Carolina lawmakers chimed in with all-safe announcements as many were taken away to undisclosed locations. U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncans spokeswoman Addie Patterson reported: "All safe." Duncan also tweeted: "Please protest peacefully and obey all police demands!" U.S. Rep. Joe Wilsons spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover confirmed: The Congressman and staff are safe and the Congressman still intends to speak on the House floor later today. Staff is also very limited due to the pandemic. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of Columbia, the House majority whip and the only Democrat in the nine-member S.C. delegation, is safe and secure, his spokeswoman said. The occupation, by Trump supporters who had just heard the president speak from the Ellipse in front of the White House, interrupted the Electoral College certification minutes into the debate and before any South Carolina lawmakers were able to speak. Mace and Scott are the only two members of South Carolina's delegation who have said they'll support the Electoral College's results. Graham and Rice said they would listen to the debate and then make their decision. The four remaining Republicans in South Carolinas delegation Duncan of Laurens, Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, William Timmons of Greenville and Wilson of Springdale joined dozens of House members in planning to object, citing unfounded claims of fraud or changes to election procedures in several key states. Some of the politicians from the Palmetto State decried the protests. Timmons told The Post and Courier that he and his staff were barricaded in his office. He was disappointed in what was happening. "We can accomplish our objectives without resorting to violence," Timmons tweeted. "If you have friends or family here in Washington, please encourage them to back away from the complex and resume their peaceful demonstrations at a safe distance. We are better than this." Mace said the rhetoric and protests related to Wednesday's vote were damaging to the American spirit. "This vote today is not about the Electoral College, it's about our Republic," Mace said. "We've got to find a solution but tearing apart our Constitution and our Capitol isn't the answer." Reporter Jamie Lovegrove and Politics Editor Schuyler Kropf contributed to this report. New Delhi said Tuesday evening that in a phone conversation with Mr Modi, Mr Johnson regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed Covid-19 context prevailing in UK, but said he was keen to visit India in the near future. New Delhi: British PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his planned India visit later this month to be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations due to the grim Covid-19 situation in Britain and the speed at which the new coronavirus variant is spreading that led to a fresh national lockdown, the British government said Tuesday, adding Mr Johnson had already spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his regret. Mr Johnson hopes to visit India by June this year. India is now expected to invite another foreign leader as chief guest for the January 26 parade. New Delhi said Tuesday evening that in a phone conversation with Mr Modi, Mr Johnson regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed Covid-19 context prevailing in UK, but said he was keen to visit India in the near future. New Delhi said Prime Minister (Modi) expressed his understanding of the exceptional situation in the UK, and conveyed his best wishes for the quick control of the pandemic spread, adding he looked forward to receiving Prime Minister Johnson in India at the earliest opportunity after normalisation of the situation. The invitation to Mr Johnson was announced during British foreign secretary Dominic Raabs visit to New Delhi last month. India has one of the highest incidences of bird flu outbreaks globally because it lies underneath three transnational flight paths of migratory birds, officials have said. An outbreak of avian influenza has gripped four states, but it poses little risk to humans at this stage, the officials said, as the Union government put all states on alert to stop its spread and economic impact. The current outbreak has been caused H5N8 strain, but there are other strains circulating globally, said Dr C Tosh, principal scientist of the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD). In Kerala, mostly poultry have been affected, a federal official said, while in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan,thousands of crows have been impacted. In Himachal Pradesh, mostly migratory birds have taken ill. Several hundreds have died. Reports show that the pathways of infection are mostly through migratory birds, although cross-contamination cant be ruled out, Tosh said. After confirmation of positive samples from NIHSAD, bird flu has been reported from the following epicentres: Baran, Kota and Jhalawar (Rajasthan), Mandsaur, Indore and Malwa (Madhya Pradesh ), Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), and Kottayam and Allapuzha (Kerala). Several streams of flight paths of migratory birds crisscross the countrys skies. India is also a terminal destination for many such streams, making it a biological hot spot for bird disease, according to Sobhit Pal of the Bombay Natural History Society. For instance, Amur falcons take off from Nagaland, racing southwards and flying over three oceans to South Africa and onwards to Mongolia. The feathered flier clocks 22,000km, outstripping the air distance between Delhi and San Francisco, the worlds longest commercial flight way, by nearly 8,000km. It takes the bird roughly two months to make the journey. Nearly 370 species of birds, from the northern wheatear to yellow-rumped flycatcher crisscross India from Europe, Russia and Mongolia each year, according to Pal. This brings joy to birders, but also makes the country vulnerable to bird flu, which has occurred 24 times across states since the first outbreak 2004. The last outbreak happened in 2016, infecting poultry in Delhi, Kerala, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. Data from states show that back then, nearly 400,000 poultry was culled due to the outbreak. Bird flu also has serious economic impacts. Government records show nearly Rs 400 crore have been paid to poultry farmers from 2004 till 2016 as compensation for mass killing of birds. When the poultry business gets hit, prices of maize, used as feed, tend to crash, hurting farm incomes, said Abhishek Agrawal of Comtrade, a commodities trading firm. Most cases in 2016 too were determined to be of the H5N8 type. H5N8 type is highly pathogenic but it isnt known to easily transmit to humans, a government official said on condition of anonymity, citing a World Health Organization (WHO) update on India. All states, particularly those already infected and their neighbours, have been asked to follow bio-security measures for implementing the National Action Plan for Control and Containment of the Avian Influenza guidelines, which prescribe proper sanitisation, separation, use of PPE kits, surveillance and culling, among other measures. The agriculture ministry has said the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases, which functions in coordination with the World Organisation for Animal Health, along with four specialised regional labs, is coordinating efforts to contain the outbreak. The government hasnt banned poultry for human consumption. All bird sanctuaries with lakes have been advised to keep a close watch. WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is now administering COVID-19 vaccines in skilled nursing facilities in 49 states, with the rollout beginning in 36 states and Washington, D.C. last week. Start dates were as follows: December 21 : Connecticut, Florida , Kentucky , Maine , Nevada , New Hampshire , New York , Ohio , Oklahoma , Oregon , Vermont Connecticut, , , , , , , , , , December 23 : Maryland Maryland December 28 : Alabama, Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Delaware , Georgia , Hawaii , Idaho , Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Louisiana , Massachusetts , Michigan , Minnesota , Mississippi , Missouri , Montana , Nebraska , New Jersey , New Mexico , North Carolina , North Dakota , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Carolina , South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas , Utah , Virginia , Washington , Washington, D.C , Wisconsin Alabama, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , January 4 : Wyoming Start dates were chosen by each state, in addition to which types of long-term care facilities to activate first. The most at-risk patients were prioritized; of the approximately 15,000 skilled nursing facilities nationwide, nearly 8,000 chose to partner with CVS Health. The company expects to complete administration of first doses in skilled nursing facilities by January 25, consistent with timelines originally shared with states and provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). States will have activated nearly 31,000 assisted living facilities partnering with CVS Health by next week, with first doses administered in all facilities within three to four weeks of start dates. Activation dates at the remaining nearly 8,000 CVS Health partner facilities have yet to be determined by states. "Our work with long-term care facilities isn't a mass vaccination effort quite the opposite," said Larry J. Merlo, President and Chief Executive Officer, CVS Health. "We're dealing with a vulnerable population that requires onsite and, in some cases, in-room visits at facilities with fewer than 100 residents on average. Despite these challenges we remain on schedule, and the number of vaccines we administer will continue to rise as more facilities are activated by the states." CVS Pharmacy teams will make three visits to each long-term care facility to ensure residents and staff receive their initial shot and critical booster. Most residents and staff will be fully vaccinated three to four weeks after the first visit, depending on which vaccine they receive. CVS Health has been following COVID-19 vaccination reporting protocols to state immunization registries and the CDC, but what is shared publicly is typically outdated by 48 72 hours. The company will now make national and state-level figures available here, with weekday updates at approximately 4 p.m. ET. While uptake among residents remains encouragingly high, the actual number of residents is approximately 20 30 percent lower than facility projections that were based on bed count. Initial uptake among staff is low, part of which is likely due to facilities wanting to stagger vaccinations between visits. Per an agreement with the Department of Health and Human Resources, COVID-19 vaccines will eventually be available at all CVS Pharmacy locations throughout the country subject to product availability and prioritization of populations, which will be determined by states. No vaccines are currently available at CVS Pharmacy locations, but the company is in discussions with several states to make a limited number of doses available in the coming weeks in advance of the broader rollout. Vaccines in a retail setting will be offered on an appointment-only basis via CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app, and there will be a dedicated 800 number for people without online access. CVS Pharmacy has the capacity to administer 20 25 million shots per month. Multimedia assets, including b-roll and still photography, are available here. More information on steps CVS Health has taken to address the pandemic is available at the company's frequently updated COVID-19 resource center. About CVS Health CVS Health is a different kind of health care company. We are a diversified health services company with nearly 300,000 employees united around a common purpose of helping people on their path to better health. In an increasingly connected and digital world, we are meeting people wherever they are and changing health care to meet their needs. Built on a foundation of unmatched community presence, our diversified model engages one in three Americans each year. From our innovative new services at HealthHUB locations, to transformative programs that help manage chronic conditions, we are making health care more accessible, more affordable and simply better. Learn more about how we're transforming health at www.cvshealth.com. Media contact T.J. Crawford 212-457-0583 [email protected] SOURCE CVS Health Related Links https://www.cvshealth.com/ But eventually it all comes back in a rush of clarity. You might be pushing your toddler through the park on a glorious sunny day off when suddenly you ask yourself: Did I say Dallas was the capital of Texas last week? Yes. Yes, you did. You idiot. My job, simply speaking, is to get things right. So there is no worse feeling than the realization that you have entered a correctable error into print and that a correction will appear a day or two later to proclaim, Because of an editing error The Times has strict policies on corrections: If its wrong, even if just for a few minutes online or in one edition of the print newspaper, it is supposed to get a correction. It is this dedication to accuracy that earns the trust of our readers. Reading through New York Times corrections is like taking a guided tour of journalisms pitfalls. Its where you discover the Ginsberg-Ginsburg Vortex, a black hole that has devoured many a journalist who has confused the names of the poet and the justice. If theres one thing Ive learned, its that you have to shake off your mistakes and move on. And someday, by God, I will learn how to do that. Thats it for this briefing. See you next time. Andrea Thank you To Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. P.S. Were listening to The Daily. Our latest episode is Part 2 of a series on the Senate runoff races in Georgia. Heres todays Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Rubberneck (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here. An internal Times email this week reminded reporters not to use strain as a synonym for variant. A virus strain is less than 94 percent genetically identical to a known virus, as the email explained. The new coronavirus variant is more than 99.99 percent identical. PMC Bank Scam: ED summons Sanjay Raut's wife again India oi-Deepika S Mumbai, Jan 06: The ED has issued fresh summons against Varsha Raut, wife of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, for a second round of questioning on January 11 in connection with the Rs 4,300 crore PMC Bank money laundering case, official sources said. Varsha Raut was grilled and her statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the central probe agency for the first time on January 4 at its office here. The agency wants to question her further and hence she has been summoned to appear on January 11, the sources said. The agency is probing her role in the alleged bank loan scam with regard to transfer of Rs 55 lakh funds by the wife of an accused in the case, Pravin Raut, apart from some other transactions. Pravin Raut has been a director in a infrastructure company called Guruashish constructions and is stated to be a subsidiary of the HDIL (Housing Development Infrastructure Limited), an accused firm in this case. Harassing those against BJP seems to be ED's national duty': Sanjay Raut Pravin Raut was arrested in the past by the state police economic offences wing. The ED had recently attached Pravin Raut''s assets worth Rs 72 crore in this case and has questioned him and his wife Madhuri Raut in the past. The agency had alleged that Pravin Raut had "siphoned off" Rs 95 crore worth funds from the scam-hit bank in the garb of loan, out of which he paid Rs 1.6 crore to his wife Madhuri Raut who subsequently transferred Rs 55 lakh in two tranches to Varsha Raut, wife of Sanjay Raut, as "interest free loan." "The amount was further utilised for purchase of flat in Dadar East, Mumbai," the ED had said. Probe found that Varsha Raut and Pravin Raut "are partners in Avani Construction and Varsha Raut has received Rs 12 lakh from this entity (as overdrawn capital converted to loan) on a contribution of mere Rs 5,625." "The loan amount of Rs 12 lakh still remains outstanding," it had said. Sanjay Raut, 59, is a Rajya Sabha MP and also a spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, which is in power in Maharashtra and is a former ally of the BJP. The MP, while holding a press conference here sometime back, had denied any wrongdoing on the part of his wife and said they have been in correspondence with the ED in connection with the case for about one-and-a-half months. Official sources said the agency is also probing the role of a former Shiv Sena legislator with regard to a Rs 1 crore transaction between the PMC Bank and an association linked to him. The ED had filed a criminal case of money laundering to probe the alleged loan fraud in the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank in October last year against Housing Development Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL), its promoters Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, his son Sarang Wadhawan, its former chairman Waryam Singh and ex-managing director Joy Thomas. It took cognisance of a Mumbai Police economic offences wing FIR against them that charged them for causing "wrongful loss, prima facie to the tune of Rs 4,355 crore to the PMC Bank, and corresponding gains to themselves". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 16:46 [IST] The AES Corporation has signed an agreement to sell its entire equity interest in the 1,242 MW Mong Duong 2 coal-fired power plant in Vietnam to a consortium led by a U.S. investor. The transaction is expected to close in late 2021 or early 2022, subject to customary approvals, including from the Vietnamese government and the minority partners in Mong Duong 2. The company has not disclosed financial details of the deal. The U.S.-based AES owns a 51-percent equity interest in Mong Duong 2, Posco Energy Company Limited owns 30 percent, and Stable Investment Corporation, a subsidiary of China Investment Corporation, holds the remaining 19 percent. The construction of Mong Duong 2 was completed in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh in 2015 under a build-own-transfer (BOT) contract, and was put into commercial operation with an average annual electricity output of 7.6 billion kWh under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), a state-owned utility. We have had a very positive experience in developing, building, and owning Mong Duong 2 and Vietnam remains an important growth market for AES, where we look forward to contributing to the countrys transition to a more sustainable energy future, Andres Gluski, AES president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. In line with our global strategy to invest in renewables and LNG infrastructure, in Vietnam, we continue to make good progress on the development of the 450 TBTU Son My LNG terminal with PetroVietnam and the 2,250MW Son My 2 combined cycle gas power plant." Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Mining (GNASSM) has described as refreshing and welcoming, President Akufo Addos admission of politicisation in the fight against illegal mining in the country. It said the Presidents call for a united approach in the fight against galamsey was a vindication of the Associations earlier position that depoliticization was the only remedy to sanitize the sector to enable it contribute meaningfully to national development. A statement signed by Mr Godwin Armah, General Secretary of GNASSM and issued in Kumasi, said the call by the President in his last State of the Nation Address that we, who are the leaders, own it to the country to take the subject out of the party political arena and have an honest conversation about this menace in the future was very appropriate. He said the admission by the President alone, provided the opportunity to make amends and ensure that small scale mining was done responsibly and sustainably in Ghana. Mr Armah said the Association had learnt many lessons following the NPP governments ban on small scale mining in its first term and would not support any attempt to ban licensed Small-Scale Mining again. The Association, he said, had positioned itself well to collaborate with the government and provide all the needed assistance and direction to fight illegal small-scale mining menace popularly known as Galamsey in the country. Mr. Armah hinted that the leadership of the Association was planning to meet the President after the swearing-in of his second term for possible dialogue to inform his next line of action. He said the Presidents admonishment and posture was the reopening of a new chapter in the nations quest to secure mining and derive the maximum benefit in the areas of revenue, employment and development. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A medical report for Napoleon which reveals he spent his final years living in agony while in exile on the island of St Helena has come to light 203 years later. Notes from his Irish surgeon Barry O'Meara describe the French Emperor as being 'tormented' by toothache on the South Atlantic outpost. It discloses that he was also struck down by a severe fever, a headache, hot skin and a racing pulse. A medical report for Napoleon (pictured) which reveals he spent his final years living in agony while in exile on the island of St Helena has come to light 203 years later The medical report discloses that Napoleon was also struck down by a severe fever, a headache, hot skin and a racing pulse O'Meara was concerned enough about Napoleon Bonaparte's symptoms to label them 'a crisis of serious natures'. Napoleon blamed his deteriorating health on ill-treatment at the hands of the Governor of St Helena, Sir Hudson Lowe. He was described as a 'physical wreck' by the time of his death in 1821 following six years incarcerated on the island after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Notes from his Irish surgeon Barry O'Meara (pictured) describe the French Emperor as being 'tormented' by toothache on the South Atlantic outpost. Napoleon had his wisdom tooth removed by O'Meara after getting scurvy but this did not appear to remedy his ailment. 'The patient has been very ill during Wednesday and Thursday nights,' O'Meara wrote in his report. 'When called to see him I found him laboring under a considerable degree of fever.' He continued: His countenance (facial expression) displaying anxiety and being evidently that of a man who was experiencing severe corporeal (body) sufferings, great increase of pain in the right side, rending headache, general anxiety and oppression, skin hot and dry, pulse quickened and everything portending a crisis of a serious natures. 'Being tormented in the afternoon with toothache I was obliged to extract the Dens Sapientiae of the left upper jaw.' The one page hand-written bulletin, which dates from June 4, 1818, was sold with Heritage Auctions, of Dallas, Texas, fetching 1,500. Napoleon was described as a 'physical wreck' by the time of his death in 1821 following six years incarcerated on the island of St Helena (pictured) after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 Napoleon spent six years on the heavily-guarded island, in the refurbished Longwood mansion (pictured), where visitors were thoroughly questioned and searched, before dying in May 1821 O'Meara was concerned enough about Napoleon Bonaparte's (pictured) symptoms to label them 'a crisis of serious natures' Napoleon: The French emperor in exile Napoleon Bonaparte was first exiled to Elba in Italy after defeat in 1814 but he escaped and returned to France before being beaten again at Waterloo and imprisoned by the British on St Helena. The island is set entirely on its own, practically mid-point in the South Atlantic, 1,200 miles from Africa and 1,800 miles from South America. Napoleon was supported by South America after he backed the country when it was trying to gain independence from Spain. But Napoleon was one on the most closely guarded prisoners of all time, with a strong Royal Navy squadron of 11 ships patrolling the South Atlantic island where he was kept 1,200 miles from the nearest land. Plots to rescue him included those using yachts, steamboats and balloons - and one was said to have even involved a submarine. The escape plans were hatched despite Napoleon being confined to an astonishingly secure prison for the era, which was guarded by 2,800 men and 500 cannon on its handful of possible landing ports. He spent six years on the heavily-guarded island, in the refurbished Longwood mansion, where visitors were thoroughly questioned and searched, before dying in May 1821, apparently of cancer. Advertisement A Heritage spokesperson said: 'Barry O'Meara was an Irish surgeon who became Napoleon's physician at St Helena, having been surgeon on board the Bellerophon when the emperor surrendered himself. 'Napoleon was placed in Longwood House in December 1815, and he suffered from the poor conditions and treatment there. 'The removal of Napoleon's wisdom tooth was done in the autumn of 1817, and the surgery was supposedly the first medical operation performed on Napoleon during his lifetime. 'This medical bulletin by O'Meara reports on his ill health in exile.' Napoleon was first exiled to Elba in Italy after defeat in 1814 but he escaped and returned to France before being beaten again at Waterloo and imprisoned by the British on St Helena. The island is set entirely on its own, practically mid-point in the South Atlantic, 1,200 miles from Africa and 1,800 miles from South America. Napoleon was supported by South America after he backed the country when it was trying to gain independence from Spain. But Napoleon was one on the most closely guarded prisoners of all time, with a strong Royal Navy squadron of 11 ships patrolling the South Atlantic island where he was kept 1,200 miles from the nearest land. Plots to rescue him included those using yachts, steamboats and balloons - and one was said to have even involved a submarine. The escape plans were hatched despite Napoleon being confined to an astonishingly secure prison for the era, which was guarded by 2,800 men and 500 cannon on its handful of possible landing ports. He spent six years on the heavily-guarded island, in the refurbished Longwood mansion, where visitors were thoroughly questioned and searched, before dying in May 1821, apparently of cancer. In 2005, Napoleon's wisdom tooth, which was collected by O'Meara following the operation, sold with a British auction house for over 11,000. More recently in 2013, a cast of Napoleon's death mask sold for almost 170,000 at a London auction house. The mask was made for a British chaplain shortly after his death. AirCARE1's Learjet Air Ambulance Having a Learjet 35 located on the Eastern seaboard will allow AirCARE1 to provide quick and easy access for patients in the Eastern part of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. AirCARE1, a long range, fixed wing jet air ambulance company, has just announced the opening of its third base of operations in Melbourne, Florida. Melbourne is strategically located in the middle of the Space Coast on the Eastern seaboard. Having a Learjet 35 located on the Eastern seaboard will allow AirCARE1 to provide quick and easy access for patients in the Eastern part of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. AirCARE1 is the only provider on the East Coast to be dually accredited by both CAMTS and EURAMI; two of the leading accreditation organizations in the air ambulance industry. Dual accreditations are a rarity in the air ambulance industry and demonstrate AirCARE1s commitment to the highest standards of patient care. The highly knowledgeable and skilled medical teams at AirCARE1 can provide life-saving interventions in an airborne intensive care unit. Along with excellent care, medical teams utilize a Holistic approach to patient care that decreases the stressors of flight that starts the healing process. AirCARE1s unique approach utilizes a variety of holistic methods, combining exemplary medical services with the calming influence of music, aromatherapy, and gentle human touch that provide a pleasant, restorative experience for patients in their care. About AirCARE1 AirCARE1 is an air ambulance and medical transportation service headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. AirCARE1 also has additional bases in the Phoenix, AZ. and Melbourne, FL areas. Their company vision takes a different approach to medical air transport. This approach is founded on the belief that providing the highest level of medical attention, combined with compassion and a holistic approach to care will transform the flight experience for their patients. The vision and approach taken by AirCARE1 provides an important sense of comfort and well-being for patients and their family members throughout the medical transportation process. Gettyimagesbank South Korea's benchmark stock index topped the historic 3,000-point milestone Wednesday on hopes of an economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic, with major brokerages betting for a further rise down the road. The main Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) stood at 2,994.63 points as of 9:59 a.m., up 0.14 percent from the previous session's close, after rising as high as 3,027.16 points after the opening bell. The KOSPI mounted the 3,000-point plateau, after landing in the 2,000-point range in 2007, ushering a fresh chapter in the country's 38-year-old benchmark index. Officially launched on Jan. 4, 1983, the KOSPI, the country's benchmark index, thrived in the mid-80s, skyrocketing more than 670 percent on the back of low market rates, low oil prices and weak U.S. dollar. The index surpassed the 1,000-point mark for the first time in March 31, 1989. The KOSPI saw its worst crash on June 16, 1998, when the country was battered by the unprecedented financial crisis. The index dipped to as low as 280 points at one point. At the turn of the millennium, the KOSPI rebounded on the back of the country's economic recovery and a steep growth of the Chinese economy. The popularity of investment funds also helped the index continue its upward march. On July 25, 2007, the KOSPI exceeded the 2,000-point mark for the first time. But heavy dependence on foreign stock holding kept the KOSPI vulnerable to external shocks, such as global financial crises. The U.S. mortgage crisis dragged down the KOSPI to as low as 938.75 points on Oct. 24, 2008. It was not until Dec. 14, 2010, that the KOSPI recovered to the 2,000-point threshold. After stabilizing in the 1,800-2,200-point range for several years, the KOSPI broke the 2,500-point mark on Oct. 30, 2017, thanks to brisk chip exports. The KOSPI remained lackluster in the following two years amid the U.S.-led protectionism and the U.S.-China trade tussle. But a tougher challenge occurred last year, marked by the first confirmed virus case here on Jan. 20, 2020. The year 2020, however, turned out to be phenomenal for many financial market observers. The KOSPI dipped to as low as 1,457.64 points on March 19 amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic but rebounded and closed the year at 2,873.47 points, with a stellar 31 percent on-year gain. The index's gain last year was the highest advance among the G-20 member countries' key stock indices. Such a dramatic rebound would not have been possible had it not been for retail investors, according to the financial experts. In the period from March 1 to Dec. 30, individual investors bought a net 38.1 trillion won (US$35.1 billion) worth of local stocks on the main bourse, while foreigners dumped a net 21.5 trillion won and institutions offloaded a net 8.2 trillion won. Analysts said individuals helped accelerate the reevaluation of South Korean stocks, which have been undervalued in the eyes of foreigners for many years compared with their Asian peers. Market optimism remained high with the turn of the year, thanks to hopes of an economic rebound and ample liquidity. Major brokerages predicted the KOSPI's further gains this year, raising their target forecast to peak as high as 3,300 points in 2021. Shinhan Investment Corp. raised its 2021 KOSPI outlook to the 2,500-3,300 point range, up from the 2,100-2,700 point band set in late October, citing signs of an economic rebound and the KOSPI's revaluation on a global scale. "The KOSPI's valuation may seem high compared with the past (years), but its value is still discounted to merely 66 percent of its global peers," said Shinhan Investment researcher Kang Song-cheol. Samsung Securities suggested a band of 2,700-3,300 points in 2021, a far cry from its previous 2,100-2,850-point forecast. The revision is largely based on "increasing signs of a corporate earnings rebound at home and aggressive fiscal policies globally," Samsung Securities analyst Kim Yong-goo said. (Yonhap) Theaters in the Moldovan capital are allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity provided that all other COVID-19 restrictions are also met, Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban said on Wednesday CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th January, 2021) Theaters in the Moldovan capital are allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity provided that all other COVID-19 restrictions are also met, Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban said on Wednesday. "Today, the Chisinau emergency commission on public health has concluded that theaters can operate on condition that sanitary safety measures are observed in the context of the pandemic," Ceban wrote on Facebook, noting that the decision comes into force upon its publication on the mayor's office website. Under the new rules, an auditorium should cap its capacity at 50 percent. Visitors will have their temperature checked and will be required to wear face masks. A play itself should last no longer than two hours. Concerts are allowed to resume under the same conditions. Since November 30, Moldova has been in a state of public health emergency. Theaters, concert halls, movie theaters and night clubs are closed. atering businesses are banned from operating during night hours. People must wear masks in indoor public places, as well as in public transport. Chisinau residents are required to wear masks even outdoors. The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has released model question papers for students of Class 10, who would be appearing for board examination this year, while the same for students of Class 12 will be released in a day or two, officials said on Tuesday. JAC secretary Mahip Kumar Singh said, Model question papers for students of Class 12, who will appear for examinations this year, are also ready. It will be released in a day or two. He said, The marking pattern shown in the model question papers would be the same in the board examinations. It would help students to prepare accordingly. As per the first set of model question papers for Class 10, which was also uploaded on JACs website, written examinations of all subjects, excluding science, will be of 90 marks. The rest 10 marks will comprise internal assessment, which is to be given by schools. The written examinations for Science subject will be of 80 marks, while 10 marks will be for practical and 10 marks for internal assessment. Thirty percent marks will be for multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blanks-type questions, while 20% for very short answers type questions. Twenty percent each will be for short and long answer type questions, according to the first set of model question paper. JAC officials said earlier the internal assessment used to be of 20 marks but it was reduced to 10, as schools remained closed since March last year. Even though the model question papers for intermediate are yet to be released, JAC has declared the marking pattern for their examination. As per the pattern, written examination of non-practical subjects--Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Mathematics, History, Political Science, Economics and Social Science--would be of 100 marks. These papers will have 30 multiple-choice answer type questions, while there will be 10 fill in the blanks type questions of one mark each. There would be 10 very short answer type questions of two marks each, five short-answer type question of four marks each and four long-answer type questions of five marks each, JAC officials said. Similarly, written examinations of practical subjects would be of 70 marks, while practicals would be marked out of 30. In such a paper, there would 20 multiple-choice answer type questions, seven very short answer type questions of one mark each, seven very short answer type questions of two marks each, five short answer type questions of three marks each and two long answer type questions of seven marks each. Earlier on Monday, JAC declared the dates for board examinations of both matriculation and intermediate sections. The examinations for both classes will commence from March 9 and conclude on March 26. The hunt for the SoHo Karen has gone cross-country. Two New York City police detectives are traveling to California in pursuit of Miya Ponsetto, the woman who was recorded on Dec. 26 allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old Black child after she falsely accused him of stealing her iPhone at the Arlo Hotel in lower Manhattan. A quick refresher on the saga: After she was filmed attacking the boy, Keyon Harrold Jr., the son of Grammy-winning trumpeter and Beyonce and Jay-Z collaborator Keyon Harrold, it was revealed that Ponsetto had left her phone behind in an Uber. Harrold alleged in an Instagram post that a hotel manager emboldened the woman and attempted to use his managerial authority to force my son to show his phone to this random lady. (He added that he and his son were staying at the hotel, but Ponsetto was not.) The hotel issued an apology soon after the assault caught traction online: More could have been done to deescalate the dispute. The attack ignited outrage nationwide. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident racism and prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump demanded the Manhattan District Attorney bring charges of assault and battery against this woman. KGO reports that activists have also called for the Los Angeles Police Department to file assault charges against Ponsetto. They allege that the woman lives in the Southern California area; however, that information has not been confirmed by SFGATE. Representatives from NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ponsetto told CNN in an anonymous interview, where she disputed the telling of events: I actually try very hard to make sure that I am always doing the right thing. The cable news outlet received flak on Twitter for not identifying her during the interview. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. T he headaches WeWork is facing in Britain due to the Covid-19 crisis have been outlined in a new report, with the offices giant warning of lower occupancy levels and delayed new openings. WeWork International, a holding company that provides services to WeWork's international subsidiaries and is also the parent company of WeWork's UK properties, gave the update in accounts just filed for 2019. The report said parent WeWork Inc as a whole, including its operations in the UK, is facing a period of uncertainty and expects there will be a material impact on global demand for our space-as-a-service offering in the short term, which may adversely affect the 2020 results. The co-working office giant has 70 sites in London, and has been hit by less people being in town since last March when the first Covid-19 lockdown started. Scores of people continue to work from home, in line with government guidance. The firms report said that amid the virus crisis, the company has experienced lower than historic occupancy levels on average in the UK, and a reduction in new sales volumes across new and existing locations. It said actions have been taken to mitigate the operational and financial impact from the pandemic. Among a number of measures has been temporarily delaying certain new openings, and reducing spend on things such as marketing. The company said it has sufficient liquidity to mitigate the near-term uncertainty associated with Covid-19. Rusten Sheskey will not face charges in the shooting of Jacob Blake, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced Tuesday. Sheskey, a White officer, shot Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, seven times while responding to a domestic incident on August 23, 2020. Blake survived the shooting but was left paralyzed from the waist down. 'It is my decision now that no Kenosha law enforcement officer will be charged with any criminal offense based on the facts and laws,' Graveley said Tuesday. Tuesday's announcement comes as anger continues to mount across the country at the repeated deaths of Black people at the hands of police. The summer of 2020 saw protests -- some of which turned violent -- calling for police reform and an end to police brutality, sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others. Graveley announced there will be no charges for the other two officers involved in the incident. They were identified by the Wisconsin Justice Department in September as Officers Vincent Arenas and Brittany Meronek. All officers involved in Blake's shooting are still on administrative leave, the Kenosha Police Department tweeted late Tuesday. Blake will also not face charges, Graveley said. Sheskey told investigators that he used deadly force during the chaotic encounter because he was afraid Blake, while attempting to flee the scene, was trying to kidnap a child in the back seat of the vehicle. The Wisconsin Department of Justice had said Blake had a knife in his possession and the weapon was found on the floorboard of his vehicle. Blake himself told authorities he possessed a knife, Graveley said. 'Jacob Blake, while actively resisting, arms himself with a knife,' Graveley said, adding that he's heard supporters of Blake say he was unarmed. 'It's absolutely incontrovertible that Jacob Blake was armed with a knife during this encounter. ... All the discussion that he's unarmed contradicts even what he himself has said multiple times.' An attorney for Blake's family disputed that Blake posed a threat. 'There was no point in the video that is articulable for an officer to say that he was under harm at that particular point. I think that's completely bogus and I think that is just a rationalization to try to show what is really, essentially, an intentional act,' attorney B'Ivory LaMarr said in a news conference shortly after Graveley's announcement Tuesday. 'It's not against the law to have a knife, people have knives for a variety of different reasons. Jacob Blake is privy to having a knife.' Graveley said he called on the US Attorney's Office to do a parallel civil rights investigation that would be a separate investigation with its own conclusion. Blake's lawyers express disappointment in decision Blake family attorney Ben Crump, along with LaMarr and co-counsel Patrick A. Salvi II, released a statement shortly after the announcement expressing their disappointment in the decision. 'We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community that protested and demanded justice,' the statement read. 'Officer Sheskey's actions sparked outrage and advocacy throughout the country, but the District Attorney's decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob in the back multiple times, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys trust in our justice system. This sends the wrong message to police officers throughout the country.' Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., on Monday called for charges against the officer while urging Kenosha to 'stand up and make some noise.' He added, 'Let's be heard around the world. We're not going to stop in Kenosha. We're headed to DC. We're headed to Nancy Pelosi's office. We're headed to whoever is going to be in charge of the Senate. Because this has got to be federally heard, for not just my son, but for everybody who has suffered police brutality -- everyone.' Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, said his nephew has been working to recover from the incident and has become 'our new hero.' 'The way he is taking this mental approach, the way he puts all his effort into his therapy, and the passion, if anybody could walk again one day, it would be my nephew,' Justin Blake said. Gov. Evers: 'I hope for peace and justice for Jacob' Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement Tuesday saying Blake's life has been forever changed, and that his children experienced trauma 'no kid should ever endure.' 'Today's decision is further evidence that our work is not done -- we must work each day in earnest toward a more just, more fair, and more equitable state and country, and to combat the racism experienced by Black Wisconsinites,' he said. 'I hope for peace and justice for Jacob, his family, and the entire Kenosha community.' Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said there's a 'pressing need' for criminal justice reform. 'Wisconsin should adopt a statewide use-of-force standard providing that officers' primary duty is to preserve life and that officers must use de-escalation techniques to avoid force whenever possible,' Kaul said in a statement. 'And law enforcement officers conducting patrol activities should have body-worn cameras.' Kaul's statement comes two months after the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors approved funding for body cameras. Carl Takei, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union's Trone Center for Justice and Equality, said the decision Tuesday 'emphasizes how the criminal legal system, from police to prosecutors, have functioned to oppress and harm Black people.' 'While accountability for the officer might have led to some semblance of justice, real justice would have been Jacob Blake never being shot in the first place,' Takei said. National Guard mobilized in Wisconsin Ahead of the decision, Kenosha officials prepared for potential unrest, with the City Council granting Mayor John Antaramian emergency powers once the announcement is made. Evers also announced Monday he is mobilizing 500 National Guard troops ahead of the decision at the request of local officials. 'Our members of the National Guard will be on hand to support local first responders, ensure Kenoshans are able to assemble safely, and to protect critical infrastructure as necessary,' Evers said in the statement. Terry Rose is an attorney whose office is downtown Kenosha. As he watched crews board up businesses near the courthouse, he told CNN he thinks it represents 'a community in fear.' 'I guess it's necessary, but I don't like the feeling that this is necessary,' Rose said. 'I mean, they have 500 troops here. They have the police department and the sheriff's department, they have other agencies. But the assumption that we're going to be firebombed is the wrong assumption.' Activist Vaun Mayes said the precautionary steps Kenosha has taken are hurtful. 'We've seen these tactics a number of times in Milwaukee and across the state where they call themselves preparing for unrest. The unrest happens when there has been an action and there is a reaction to it,' he said. 'For instance, if there's a protest and people start to get tear gas. ... So when you start to posture up like that without having anything going on, then it becomes inciteful within itself.' In an op-ed published in the Kenosha News on December 27, Antaramian and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said they did not know what the decision would be or when it would arrive, but they said they would be prepared. 'What we do know is that regardless of the decision, people will have differing opinions and strong emotions about it. That is everyone's right. Whether you agree or disagree, we ask that you express your opinions peacefully and lawfully,' the officials wrote. The officials touched on the violence that erupted at protests in the aftermath of Blake's shooting, during which two people were killed and a third was seriously wounded in a shooting during a protest. 'We will not -- we cannot -- tolerate the kind of violence we saw on our streets earlier this year and we will take definitive steps to protect our residents and businesses,' Antaramian and Miskinis wrote. Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, faces charges of fatally shooting two men, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, and wounding another, Gaige Grosskreutz, in protests following the police shooting of Blake. In a virtual arraignment Tuesday, Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Rittenhouse also is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, a misdemeanor, according to court records. An attorney for Rittenhouse, Mark Richards, argued that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense in a preliminary hearing last month. Rittenhouse is due back in court March 10 for a judicial pre-trial hearing. Attorneys for Grosskreutz and Huber's family announced Sunday they intend to file claims against the city and county of Kenosha, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department, Miskinis, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and other employees, according to the notice sent to Kenosha city and county clerks. They are each requesting $10 million in compensation due to 'intentional acts and negligence,' Grosskreutz's attorney Kimberly Motley said. This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Michael Graveley's last name. Now Open 6 January 2021 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital and the second Hyatt hotel operating in Cambodia. The 247-room property is the largest hotel from a global brand in the city and is located in the heart of the cultural and business district of Doun Penh, which is a 30-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum and the riverside. Design and Guestrooms Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects and leading Thailand-based PIA Interior, the hotel's stylish interiors reflect Cambodia's unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents with French colonial influences alongside specially commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi. As guests pull into the hotel's driveway, they are greeted with a welcoming centerpiece, a beautiful French heritage building flanked by frangipani trees. Originally built as a Colonial villa in the early 20th century, the carefully restored lemon-colored Colonial House with wooden shutters, arched doorways and terracotta-tiled roof now serves as the hotel's entrance, providing guests with a nostalgic arrival experience. Behind the Colonial House stands the newly-constructed, 14-story main building, featuring 247 guestrooms, including 43 residential-style suites, all with hardwood floors and marble bathrooms. Starting at 328 square feet (30.5 square meters), the guestrooms offer modern comforts, including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 65" TVs, a walk-in rain shower, Staycast systems, and Hyatt Mobile Entry technology for keyless entry. Distinct Khmer touches are found throughout the rooms, including an intricately carved headboard depicting Bayon Temple, one of the most celebrated temples at Angkor. The 1,087-square-foot (101-square-meter) Royal Suite features two ensuite bedrooms, a walk-in closet, separate living and dining areas and floor-to-ceiling views of the city. Guests staying on the 10th floor can access the Regency Club Lounge where they can enjoy dedicated check-in and check-out services, daily breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, and complimentary drinks alongside panoramic city views with indoor or outdoor seating. Drinking and Dining Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is home to four dining venues, including Market Cafe Restaurant & Lounge, an all-day dining venue inside a light-filled atrium serving breakfast, afternoon tea and a-la-carte options, Metropole Underground, an early 20th century metro-themed bar offering live music and local beers and an old-world speakeasy-style bar tucked away in the Colonial House called The Attic, which specializes in handcrafted cocktails and grand cru wines. Spanning the rooftop, FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is set to become the city's social hotspot where guests will be treated to locally sourced meats and sustainable seafood, an array of signature cocktails, energetic DJ performances. and an open-air dining setting whilst soaking up breathtaking views of the Royal Palace, the Mekong River and the city skyline. Meetings and Events Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh features 15,069 square feet (1,400 square meters) of meeting and event space to host conferences and social gatherings. Featuring the city's only built-in full-color LED screen in a ballroom and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Regency Ballroom can accommodate up to 490 guests. Nine meeting suites provide flexible arrangements from a business boardroom meeting for 14 guests to a social gathering for 200 guests. Additionally, The Poolhouse, an outdoor gathering space, features an outdoor barbecue area and an open terrace, accommodating up to 70 guests. All venues offer natural sunlight, the latest audio-visual equipment such as smart LED televisions, high-definition video conferencing suites, wireless Internet, and the assurance of on-site expert planners who help anticipate every detail. Wellbeing and Recreation A wide range of recreational facilities are located on the third floor, including the 72-foot (22-meter) outdoor infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery, a poolside bar, a Himalayan salt room and a steam room. The 24-hour gym is equipped with a cardio zone, strength zone, and free weights. Personal trainers are on hand to offer one-on-one sessions for guests. The hotel's spa, Jivapita, which means 'restored to life' in Sanskrit, offers a range of body and facial treatments including a signature signature 60 or 90-minute 'Khmer Indigenous Therapy' massage where traditional Khmer massage techniques are used for restoration. For a pampering treatment, guests may opt for a 90-minute 'Lumafirm Lift & Glow' facial by skincare brand Pevonia Botanica that uses the latest in freeze-dried technology. For more information and to make a reservation, please visit: hyattregencyphnompenh.com. Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt's multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind. More information on Hyatt's commitment can be found here: hyatt.com/care-and-cleanliness. The Covid-19 death toll has crossed 400 with the deaths of 18 more people yesterday. The death toll now stands at 408, with 96 of those occurring in the last seven days alone. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. LONDON - A British judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, ordering him to remain in a high-security prison while U.K. courts decide whether he will be sent to the United States to face espionage charges. This is a court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Julian Assange appearing at the Old Bailey in London for the ruling in his extradition case, in London, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. A British judge has rejected the United States request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be oppressive because of his mental health. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said Assange was likely to kill himself if sent to the U.S. The U.S. government said it would appeal the decision. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP) LONDON - A British judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, ordering him to remain in a high-security prison while U.K. courts decide whether he will be sent to the United States to face espionage charges. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said Assange must remain in prison while the courts consider an appeal by U.S. authorities against her decision not to extradite him. Stella Moris girlfriend of Julian Assange, left, with Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson, leave Westminster Magistrates Court after Assange was denied bail at a hearing in the court, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. On Monday Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the US. because of concerns about his mental health. Assange had been charged under the US's 1917 Espionage Act for "unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national defence". Assange is still in custody. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The judge said Assange has an incentive to abscond and there is a good chance he would fail to return to court if freed. On Monday, Baraitser rejected an American request to send Assange to the U.S. to face spying charges over WikiLeaks publication of secret military documents a decade ago. She denied extradition on health grounds, saying the 49-year-old Australian was likely to kill himself if held under harsh U.S. prison conditions. Wednesday's bail ruling means Assange must remain in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison where he has been held since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail during a separate legal battle seven years earlier. Assange's partner, Stella Moris, said the decision was a huge disappointment. WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said "it is inhumane. It is illogical. Several dozen Assange supporters gathered outside London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, shouting Free Assange. Police said seven people were arrested for breaching coronavirus lockdown rules. Lawyers for the U.S. government have appealed the decision not to extradite Assange, and the case will be heard by Britain's Hugh Court at an unspecified date. Clair Dobbin, a British lawyer acting for the U.S., said Assange had shown he would go to almost any length to avoid extradition, and it was likely he would flee if granted bail. She noted that Assange had spent seven years inside Ecuadorian Embassy in London after seeking refuge there from a Swedish extradition request in 2012. Dobbin said Assange had the resources, abilities and sheer wherewithal to evade justice once again, and noted that Mexico has said it will offer him asylum. But Assange's lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said the judge's decision to refuse extradition massively reduces any motivation to abscond. "Mr. Assange has every reason to stay in this jurisdiction where he has the protection of the rule of law and this courts decision," he said. Fitzgerald said it's also unclear whether the incoming Joe Biden administration will pursue the prosecution, initiated under President Donald Trump. Fitzgerald said Assange would be safer awaiting the outcome of the judicial process at home with Moris and their two young sons fathered while he was in the embassy than in prison, where there is a very grave crisis of COVID. But the judge ruled that Assange still had a strong motive to flee. As far as Mr. Assange is concerned this case has not yet been won, she said. Mr. Assange still has an incentive to abscond from these as yet unresolved proceedings. U.S. prosecutors have indicted Assange on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison. American prosecutors say Assange unlawfully helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that were later published by WikiLeaks. Lawyers for Assange argue that he was acting as a journalist and is entitled to First Amendment protections of freedom of speech for publishing documents that exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The judge rejected that argument in her extradition ruling, saying Assanges actions, if proven, would amount to offences that would not be protected by his right to freedom of speech. She also said the U.S. judicial system would give him a fair trial. But the judge agreed that U.S. prison conditions would be oppressive, saying there was a real risk he would be sent to the Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado. It is the highest security prison in the U.S., also holding Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski and Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. I am satisfied that, in these harsh conditions, Mr. Assanges mental health would deteriorate, causing him to commit suicide," she said in her ruling. Assanges legal troubles began in 2010, when he was arrested in London at the request of Sweden, which wanted to question him about allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two women. In 2012, Assange jumped bail and sought refuge inside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where he was beyond the reach of U.K. and Swedish authorities but also effectively was a prisoner in the tiny diplomatic mission. The relationship between Assange and his hosts eventually soured, and he was evicted from the embassy in April 2019. British police immediately arrested him for breaching bail in 2012. Sweden dropped the sex crimes investigations in November 2019 because so much time had elapsed, but Assange has remained in prison throughout his extradition hearing. UNODC Supports HIV/AIDS Prevention Efforts in Egypt Getty Images / Jannoon028 Cairo (Egypt), 6 January 2021 The ongoing pandemic has overburdened health systems worldwide, and people whose immune systems have already been compromised by health conditions are increasingly vulnerable. Among the latter segment, are people who live with HIV and need access to ongoing care. In 2019, 62 per cent of all new HIV infections worldwide were among at-risk populations, including people who use drugs and people who are in prison. Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasizes that "COVID-19 is threatening the progress that the world has made in health and development over the past 20 years, including the gains we have made against HIV. Ms. Albertin also highlighted that only global solidarity and shared responsibility will help us beat the coronavirus, end the AIDS epidemic and guarantee the right to health for all. We can only reach our target of ending AIDS if we put all people at the center of our efforts and leave no one behind." UNODC, in partnership with Egypts Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the National AIDS Programme (NAP) of the nations Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), provided additional training to 40 medical staff from seven key prisons in Egypt; to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the services provided. UNODC experts and participants held active discussions, addressing the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV in closed settings. As well, UNODC and other experts highlighted the latest research on HIV transmission and prevention, while emphasizing upon the international standards for HIV counseling and testing. The United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok rules) were at the core of this capacity-building opportunity, as was their relevance to the prevention, treatment and care of both communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Common mental health conditions were also part of the curriculum, as were the prevention, treatment, and care of mental health disorders including substance use disorders. The training is part of the UNODC-led project, HIV and AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support in Prison Settings, targeting the Middle East and North Africa. This UNODC initiative continues to provide prison staff with relevant knowledge on human rights-based, gender-responsive and public health-centered approaches. The efforts aim to enhance capacity in delivering a comprehensive package of HIV services within prisons and other closed settings. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Canada-based Trieu dai Viet (Viet Dynasty) is a terrorist organisation, the Ministry of Public Security affirmed on January 5. Leaders of terrorist organisation "Trieu dai Viet" (Viet Dynasty) (Photo: Ministry of Public Security) Therefore, anyone who participate in the organisation, lure others to join it, sponsor and receive sponsorship from it, take part in its training courses, and follow its instructions have committed the crime of terrorism and sponsoring terrorism and will be handled pursuant to Vietnams law, the ministry said in an announcement. According to the ministry, the Trieu dai Viet was established by former members of a terrorist organisation called Provisional National Government of Vietnam in January 2018. Headquartered in Canada, the organisation is operating many websites and media channels. Its leaders are Ngo Van Hoang Hung who has Canadian citizenship, Tran Thanh Dinh with German citizenship, Ngo Manh Cuong with French citizenship and Huynh Thanh Hoang with US citizenship. The organisation operates in the forms of conducting armed rebellions, providing finance and instructing its units in Vietnam to carry out terrorist and destruction activities; and inciting people to stage demonstrations and engage in riots to overthrow the administration. It has sent tens of thousands of USD and hundreds of millions of VND to its members in Vietnam to purchase weapons, make bombs, mines and flags, and print reactionary leaflets and slogans./.VNA Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Rizzle creators are landing opportunities to star in series produced by popular media houses, making Rizzle an even more attractive platform for ambitious creators. Rizzle is Indias leading short series app - a genre that is defining the next evolution in short videos. Rizzle recently partnered with RVCJ, a popular media house, for the production of bite-sized vertical series on the platform which will cast Rizzle creators. The partnership is focused on curating talent on Rizzle and propelling them to stardom via viral and entertaining short series. Rizzle Studios launched a few months ago and provides free acting and dancing classes to aspiring creators, elevating their content game. These creators then make next-level content on Rizzle, making it a great talent pool for production companies to find their stars. The very first series, Love with Shayar, starring popular Rizzle creator Khyati Sharma, was released on December 22nd and is available for viewing on Rizzle. Speaking about the partnership with RVCJ Media, Ms. Vidya Narayanan from Rizzle shares, Rizzle is a creator-first platform bringing the best in class tools to creators. With free classes and casting opportunities, Rizzle is proud to be making creator development its top priority. This association with RVCJ is a big step forward in creator opportunities and combined with the talent discovery that Rizzle provides, it is a win-win for all parties. Power creator and lead actress of the Love with Shayar an RVCJ produced Rizzle series, @pyaarinari aka Khyati Sharma states: I'm really happy to be a part of the Rizzle app and I extremely blessed with the opportunity they have provided me to work with RVCJ. Ive always wanted to work with production teams and I am grateful for Rizzle for helping build my personality and connecting me to industry professionals. I am the lead actress in my own Rizzle series and not a cringe-worthy internet personality. Throughout my journey on Rizzle, I have learned many different things as well as gained industry exposure. It was an honor to work with the RVCJ team and I cannot thank the Rizzle team enough for all they have done to make this possible. Aziz Khan of RVCJ says, RVCJ is extremely proud to partner with Rizzle, India's best short videos platform. This association is extremely creator-centric and will pave the way for talent to receive the stardom they deserve. With Khyati Sharma's casting in 10 short series, including Love with Shayar, we hope to kickstart a whole new era for Rizzle creators to star in several entertaining and viral mini-series. RVCJ has also released several exclusive popular series on Rizzle including Ludo Champion, Film Industry Audition, Acting Guru and Delhi- Mumbai Couples, all of which have generated a lot of buzz on the platform. Rizzle Series has been revolutionizing the short videos space with its signature vertical series that span for approximately 12 mins. These snackable series demonstrate the power and scale of user-generated series that are quickly becoming a revolution. This is the other side to the professionally produced series on Netflix and other OTT platforms. Along with that, Rizzle Studios brings free dancing and acting lessons to interested creators to upskill themselves online during the pandemic. Download Rizzle for more updates. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. Capitol locked down Wednesday with lawmakers inside as violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump and police. An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens victory. Due to an external security threat, no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. Both chambers abruptly went into recess. The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said. The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress vote. We will not let them silence your voices, Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president. WATCH: @krisvancleave reports as U.S. Capitol Police and pro-Trump protesters clash, while some office buildings in the Capitol Complex are evacuated https://t.co/wTKxzqAo9U pic.twitter.com/BObYpoYufy CBS News (@CBSNews) January 6, 2021 Earlier, Mitch McConnell, the Senates top Republican, told his colleagues that Congress should not override the voters verdict in electing Biden president, saying, If we overrule them we will damage our republic forever. The Kentucky Republican made his remarks as the Senate weighed a challenge by a handful of GOP lawmakers to the 11 electoral votes Arizona cast for Biden. It was the first of several states electoral votes that some Republicans are challenging, encouraged by Donald Trumps groundless charges that the election was riddled with fraud. Congress seems certain to reject all those challenges on Wednesday and formally certify Bidens victory. McConnell says while all elections have irregularities, they werent anywhere near the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election. He says Congress should not declare itself a national board of elections on steroids, and says reversing the election results would push the countrys democratic institutions toward a death spiral. Shares of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) fell about 2% on Wednesday. The company released its pre-results December quarter update on Tuesday after market hours. Overall, on a consolidated basis, GCPL expects close to low double-digit sales growth. While this is not bad, its not fabulous either. In a report on 5 January, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltds analysts said, Although close to double-digit topline performance in 3QFY21 is encouraging, it is on a soft base of 2% sales growth in 3QFY20." The analysts added, We need to watch out for management commentary to determine the sustainability of its performance." Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online In the India business, for the December quarter, GCPL expects close to low double-digit sales growth, driven by higher than mid-single digit volume growth. Here, the soaps segment is expected to deliver strong mid-teen growth. The hair colours segment that was hurt owing to its discretionary nature in the initial phases of the covid-19 pandemic is now recovering well. The segment is expected to deliver mid-teen growth for the December quarter. In the September quarter, hair colours sales had declined by 5%. Further, GCPLs household insecticides segment is expected to deliver close to high single-digit growth for the December quarter; September quarter growth was at 4%. Note that GCPLs India business accounts for about 55% of its consolidated revenues. The international business contributes the remaining revenues. On the international business front, GCPLs expects a very marginal decline in constant currency sales in Indonesia. In Godrej Africa, USA and Middle East, growth momentum continued across most of our key countries of operations. We expect to deliver high teen constant currency sales growth," said the company. Further, sales growth in Latin America is expected to remain strong in constant currency terms. Commenting on GCPLs pre-quarter update, Dolat Capital Market Pvt. Ltd said, We believe that the household insecticides business has witnessed competitive pressure post reopening of the market. Hence, we expect margins to remain flat year-on-year." Meanwhile, shares of GCPL are around 2% lower versus its pre-covid highs seen in January 2020. Given the uncertain outlook and inferior RoCE versus peers, valuations at 40 times December 2022 estimated earnings per share appears fair," said Motilal Oswal analysts. RoCE is short for return on capital employed. In general, a sustained turnaround in Africa on both revenue and margin would be helpful in improving sentiments for the stock. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. US President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Crowd Reacts to Trumps Rally Speech, Calls for Fair Election Process WASHINGTONTens of thousands of people gathered at a rally near the White House on Jan. 6 to hear from the president at a pivotal moment and to voice their concerns about what they see as a fraudulent election. Supporters of President Donald Trump lined the entire area surrounding The Ellipse, a 52-acre park located just south of the White House fence, with many traveling by car or plane from around the country. Jan. 6 marks the day when the electoral votes are formally counted. We are here because we want to pressure Congress. We are feeling hopeful about today, Tomoka Jones, who traveled with her daughter from Texas, told The Epoch Times. I want a fair election. Joness daughter said, It was encouraging, I would say, and invigorating to be in a crowd full of people that support what you stand for. Tomoka Jones and her daughter near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021. (Bowen Xiao/The Epoch Times) Dave Adams (R) and his son near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021. (Bowen Xiao/The Epoch Times) There were multiple security checkpoints at the park. Trump supporters started coming in from the early hours of the morning despite the cold weather. Trumps remarks came about an hour before the joint session of Congress convened to count the electoral votes. At around 2:30 p.m., the House and Senate went into recess due to a lockdown over protests surrounding Capitol Hill. Dozens of Republican House and Senate lawmakers had pledged to object to the certification of key states votes, which will likely drag out the process for many hours before a simple majority vote can be conducted. During his speech, Trump said he would never concede, and accused Democrats and the fake news media of stealing the election. Its a historical speech in a historical time for Trump, said Dave Adams, who came to Washington from Utah. Its great to see a president who will stand up and fight. We will not take whats being thrown against our country. Adams said the crowds were huge and extended past the lawn of the Washington Monument. The feeling he had today was indescribable, he said. To be able to stand here in this epochal time and witness this its just great to see the amount of patriotism, he said. Washington Metropolitan Police warned local residents ahead of time about the rallies from Jan. 5 through Jan. 7 in a Dec. 31 statement, announcing that many streets will potentially be closed and parking restricted. Alejandra Montes near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021. (Bowen Xiao/The Epoch Times) Gerald Harris near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021. (Bowen Xiao/The Epoch Times) Alejandra Montes traveled with her friends from Texas to attend the rally. She said it was a good thing to see all these patriots together. I see people from different backgroundsHispanics, Asians, Europeans, Caucasianswe are one, she told The Epoch Times. Trumps speech was very encouraging, especially when he called on us to walk to the Capitol. I was surprised by that. Others were happy to attend but felt less optimistic that the results of the election would change. Trump was pretty fired up about getting ripped off in this election, Gerald Harris, from Wisconsin, told The Epoch Times. But its just too bad its not going to do any good. I dont care what political side youre on, you should be looking at whats been going on with this election. Trump had told the crowd, I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. Today, we will see whether Republicans stand strong for the integrity of our elections. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. NEW HAVEN While more than 16,500 of Yale New Haven Healths front-line workers have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the health care system is receiving only half the amount of vaccine requested, officials said Wednesday. Otherwise, where we are right now is relatively positive and hopeful for us, CEO Marna Borgstrom said during an online news conference, because the second wave of the pandemic so far does not appear to be spiking as high as in the spring, she said. Dr. Thomas Balcezak, chief clinical officer for Yale New Haven, gave credit to our communities who are helping us flatten that curve. Unlike the first surge in March and April, this wave has got a smaller total number and is spread out in a flatter way, indicating that in fact the efforts to slow the spread of the virus are working, he said. Borgstrom said there were 440 COVID-19 patients in the systems five hospitals a month ago, but on Wednesday that number was 332, with 76 in intensive care and 45 of those on ventilators. Yale New Haven Hospital had 160 inpatients, while there were 87 at Bridgeport Hospital, 36 at Greenwich Hospital, 40 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London and nine at Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island. Yale New Haven has requested 10,000 doses of vaccine each week, according to spokesman Vincent Petrini. Balcezak said the state allocates about half of that order and, while the first shipments were the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the health system is receiving the Moderna vaccine now. He said Yale New Haven received 6,000 does this week, but wed like to see more like 10,000 to 12,000 total doses. On Tuesday, the first 280 employees who received the Pfizer vaccine received their second dose, 21 days later. The Moderna vaccine requires a second dose 28 days after the first. Weve sent invitations to more than 33,000 individuals, Balcezak said. Weve scheduled more than half of those folks to receive their first vaccine. Its really encouraging to see the excitement, the enthusiasm and the emotions that have run so high among our employees and medical staff when theyre getting this vaccine. It really represents for us a light at the end of the tunnel. Balcezak said about 1,000 staff members per day have received vaccinations, and our goal is to use up all of our doses right up to the moment that we receive our next allocation. He said some employees have not responded to the invitation to get their shots, but said, I dont think weve seen significant resistance. I think there are pockets of individuals that are waiting to see how others do with regard to getting the vaccine. Balcezak said staff have been surveyed to determine their reasons for not scheduling themselves, and were debunking those reasons. They include fears that the vaccine could affect fertility or that it is not safe. A lot of that initial concern is starting to break down and were getting to a tipping point, he said. The new variant of the virus that has appeared as close as New York state is thought to be more infectious, not any more lethal, but given its infectivity and its increased infectiousness, it represents a risk for us because, as you increase the infectiousness of a virus you can increase its spread and create a logarithmic growth in the number of cases that you may see. He said hospitals in Connecticut have been working together with the state Department of Public Health and unlike the rest of the country, I think youve seen in Connecticut, we have been vaccinating using all of our supply as soon as we get it. Balcezak said the health systems scheduling system has prevented vaccine doses from going unused. One of the logistical challenges of both Moderna and Pfizer is that they both require special handling, he said. Neither can be kept in a syringe for more than six hours. There are 10 doses of vaccine in each vial, he said, and at the end of the day, if there are doses left, an on-call list is used to find people to give the vaccine to. Balcezak labeled as speculation or modeling theories of how to administer the vaccine in different ways than have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration: using two different vaccines on the same patient, forgoing the second dose in order to vaccinate more people or cutting each dose in half. All three of those things have not been scientifically studied. They have not been part of any clinical trial, Balcezak said. He said the FDA has stated it will not approve any variation in how the vaccines are given. Borgstrom said the health system, which ended its fiscal year Sept. 30 with a $121 million loss, down from $430 million because of federal assistance, has received an additional $123 million in December but is still operating at a loss. Balcezak said the health system is testing 4,000 employees per day, and we have a goal to get to 10,000, but that the ability to increase the number of tests is limited by supplies. However, he said, we are seeing less exposure to our employees and less testing demand on our employees. edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382 "We just ended a weird court bail proceeding, the regime is scared and doing everything to keep us detained and hurt, but these acts wont delay our liberation as a people, rather it will hasten it! A magistrate just ruled that we should be remanded in @PoliceNG instead of bail. " Omoyele Sowore on Twitter. The magistrate adjourns the case to January 8. A magistrate court in Abuja has again adjourned the case filed against publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and others without granting or denying them bail. The magistrate adjourned the case to January 8. Mr Sowore was arrested alongside four protesters during a #CrossOverProtest held on the eve of new year in Abuja. After spending four days in police detention, the protesters were arraigned before the Wuse Zone 2 court by police on Monday on charges of unlawful assembly, criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbance. Taye Maibel, in her judgement on Monday, ordered that the accused be transferred to Kuje Correctional Prison detention till Tuesday when the court will hear the bail application. However, Ms Maibel, in a fresh judgement on Tuesday evening, after listening to the counsels of the parties involved, again ordered that Mr Sowore and other protesters be transferred to Force CIID in Area 10, in Abuja. The judge adjourned the case on the grounds of technicalities raised by the police legal team on the submission of a joint affidavit for the five accused persons in the case. In a counter argument, Mr Sowore's lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, from Femi Falana Chambers, argued that his colleague's point was not relevant as "there have been cases where defendants filed joint affidavits." To drive home his argument before the magistrate who nodded in agreement, Mr Abubakar, cited Sambo Dasuki and James Ibori among the popular cases where defendants filed joint affidavits without legal backlash from court. However, against the defendants' argument, the judge ruled that Mr Sowore should be returned to detention to afford parties involved time to study the case. Taking into consideration defendants' complaint of unfair treatment and denied access to clothing and medical care by officials of Kuje prison service, the court thereby gave Mr Sowore options of being taken to the Police Force CIID in Area 10 and SARS Headquarters in Abbatoir, Abuja. Ms Maibel also ordered that Damilare Adenola, a law student at the University of Abuja, arrested alongside Mr Sowore, be to granted access to gadgets and writing materials so as to catch up with other students cleared to receive lectures online. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. DecisionDatabases added the latest report with a global perspective on the Clear Polyimide Film Market studied under different segments, including type, application, and regions. The report is treated with size, trends, growth, share, and forecast till 2025. Besides, the research report studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall growth at the global level. This report also offers a lucrative area of the industry at the regional and country level. The final report will cover the impact of COVID-19 on this industry. The global Clear Polyimide Film market report presents a complete research-based study of the industry including details such as company shares, forecast data, in-depth analysis and an outlook of the market on a worldwide platform. The report further highlights the market drivers, restraints and the top manufacturers at the global and regional levels. For a thorough understanding, the report also offers market segmentation and regional analysis for the forecast period from 2020 to 2025. Click here to get a Sample PDF Copy of the Clear Polyimide Film Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-28876 According to this study, over the next five years, the Clear Polyimide Film market will register an xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach $ xx million by 2025, from $ xx million in 2020. In particular, this report presents the global market share (sales and revenue) of key companies in the Clear Polyimide Film business, shared in Chapter 3. This Clear Polyimide Film market report also splits the market by regions: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries). This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of the Clear Polyimide Film market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. DuPont Kaneka Corporation SK Innovation Wuhan Imide New Materials Technology Kolon Industries Wuxi Shunxuan New Materials Industrial Summit Technology Taimide Tech NeXolve Holding Company Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-28876 This study considers the Clear Polyimide Film value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments: Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.7. Pizarro Biphenyl Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Electronics Solar Medical Aviation and Space Research Others In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, challenges and the risks faced by key manufacturers and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development. Purchase the Complete Global Clear Polyimide Film Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-28876 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Clear Polyimide Film consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, type and application, history data from 2015 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of the Clear Polyimide Film market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Clear Polyimide Film manufacturers, to define, describe, and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years. To analyze the Clear Polyimide Film with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Clear Polyimide Film submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://www.topnewscorner.com/clear-polyimide-film-market-research-report-analysis-by-vendors-types-applications-and-global-forecast-by-2020-2025/ North Koreas Kim Jong-un has said that his five-year economic plan failed tremendously in meeting the development goals that were set on almost every sector. He spoke candidly about the five-year economic strategy unveiled in 2016, and noted that the strategy was due last year but it tremendously fell short of goals on almost every sector while urging the hermit kingdom to strive for yet greater self-reliance. The North Korean leader, in his opening speech at the eighth congress of the ruling Workers Party of Korea, lauded party workers for ensuring stable situations against the coronavirus from beginning to end. Mr Kim said: They had resolutely overcome difficulties in the face of an unprecedentedly prolonged, unparalleled global health crisis, according to the state-run KCNA news agency. According to the World Health Organisation, North Korea has not confirmed a single Covid-19 infection since the pandemic began, though experts believe confirmed cases cant be ruled out as it shared active trade and the movement of people movement with China before it closed their long shared land border in January 2020. The party congress, a rare public event that was last held in 2016, is being attended by hundreds of party executives, delegates and spectators. It comes just two weeks before Joe Biden is scheduled to assume office, expected to herald a new era of US-North Korea relations. The event is being closely monitored as it is expected that a new five-year economic plan will be unveiled, as well as potential insights into future relations with South Korea and the partys wider foreign policy objectives for the years ahead. In his address, Mr Kim said the country had achieved a miraculous victory, referring to the 2017 test of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the US mainland, and his meetings with the outgoing US president Donald Trump. According to KCNA, Mr Kim will suggest strategic and tactical policies aimed at promoting reunification during the congress. And after the event, the North Korean leader is also expected to give an address that outlines his diplomatic, military and economic policies. Additional reporting by agencies American politicians tend to paint themselves as being powerful, influential and never vulnerable and such ideas about masculinity could explain people's love for President Donald Trump, study reveals. A team from Penn State University found that Americans who support 'hegemonic masculinity the notion that men should be strong, tough and dominant were more likely to have voted for and feel positively about Trump. Researchers believe this stems from US politics being largely dominated by men who push traditional masculinity while campaigning to prove they are competent and skilled. Nathaniel Schermerhorn, who is involved in the study, says that although the American society may be ready for a female president, 'a rejection of hegemonic masculinity may need to happen first.' Scroll down for video American politicians tend to paint themselves as being powerful, influential and never vulnerable and such ideas about masculinity could explain people's love for President Donald Trump, study reveals Seven different studies were conducted with a total of 2,007 participants. For the first six studies, participants were asked questions about feelings toward hegemonic masculinity, trust in the government, sexism, racism, homophobia and xenophobia. Each person also identified their political party affiliation, if they voted for Trump or Hillary Clinton in 2016 and their stand on both candidates individually. In the final study, subjects answered similar questions but also gave information about how they planned to vote in the 2020 presidential election, along with evaluations of Trump and President-elect Joe Biden. A team from Penn State University found that Americans who support 'hegemonic masculinity the notion that men should be strong, tough and dominant were more likely to have voted for and feel positively about Trump. These findings included men and woman Seven different studies were conducted with a total of 2,007 participants. For the first six studies, participants were asked questions about feelings toward hegemonic masculinity, trust in the government, sexism, racism, homophobia and xenophobia. They also shared their feelings of Trump, Hillary Clinton and President-elect Joe Biden (pictured) After the studies were completed, the team compiled all the data and found participants who endorsed hegemonic masculinity were more likely to vote for Trump and to evaluate him positively. This was true for women and men, white and non-white participants, Democrats and Republicans and across level of education. Theresa Vescio, professor of psychology and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, said: 'Additionally, we found that stronger endorsement of hegemonic masculinity was related to greater sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and Islamophobia.' 'But, hegemonic masculinity continued to predict support for Trump even when controlling for these prejudices.' Vescio said that while Trump's success with voters has been attributed to many different possible factors, she and the other researchers were specifically interested in to what extent hegemonic masculinity played a role with constituents. After the studies were completed, the team compiled all the data and found participants who endorsed hegemonic masculinity were more likely to vote for Trump and to evaluate him positively. This was true for women and men, white and non-white participants, Democrats and Republicans and across level of education 'In contemporary America, idealized forms of masculinity suggest that men should be high in power, status and dominance, while being physically, mentally and emotionally tough,' Vescio said. 'But this is an incredibly high standard that few can achieve or maintain. Therefore, this is an idea that many men strive to achieve, but few men actually exhibit.' Schermerhorn notes that American politics has, historically, been carried out like a masculinity contest in when proving which candidate should be crowned the winner. 'Since the 1980s, the Republican party has used this to their rhetorical advantage by presenting the Republican candidate as masculine and feminizing the entire Democratic party, for example by calling them 'snowflakes,' he said. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Sports lie at the margins of our culture, different from how it is elsewhere in the world, and from how it used to be. This is one of the reasons why criminality among youth proceeds unchecked. There is no youth labour market, and the school system ruthlessly triages youth. Money managers started 2021 with optimism that oil prices will benefit from a rise in economic activity as vaccines are being rolled out. Hedge funds and other portfolio managers held at the end of December 2020 the most bullish overall position in the most traded oil futures and options contracts since the beginning of 2020. Fund managers held an overall net long positionthe difference between bullish and bearish betsof as much as 741 million barrels equivalent of oil in the six most important petroleum contracts as of December 29, according to data from exchanges compiled by Reuters columnist John Kemp. This net long position was the highest net bullish bet on oil since January 2020, just before prices started crashing as the pandemic roiled oil and all other markets in February, March, and April. The bullish positioning of the hedge funds at the start of 2021 was not without reason. The market overall, as well as many analysts, believe that oil will rise this year as global oil demand recoups most (but not all) losses from 2020. Vaccine rollouts are expected to support economic activity and travel later this year, while stimulus packages are set to boost major economies to rebound from last years recessions. Hedge funds, therefore, started 2021 with a record net long position in all commodities, according to Saxo Bank. Related: U.S. Oil Executives Cautiously Optimistic About 2021 Overall, the biggest bets are held in crude oil with the combined 614k lots long in WTI and Brent representing a nominal value of $30 billion, Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said in an analysis of the latest commitment of traders report with data for the week to December 29. The net long position in crude oilone of the two biggest commodity contracts in terms of exposure, together with goldis still well below its peak at 1.1 million lots held in March 2018, says Hansen. Nevertheless, the bullish bets on oil have dramatically increased from the lows in March and April, with most of the long positioning and short-covering taking place at the back end of 2020. Pharmaceutical companies started announcing vaccine candidates in Novembervaccine candidates that obtained regulatory approvals within weeks. Vaccinations of front-line workers and vulnerable people began in many countries in weeks as well. The vaccine-led rally in oil had the market and speculators hopeful that with vaccines available in 2021, economies will recover faster, and demand for oil will increase. The ratio of bullish to bearish bets on oil, however, has become the highest since January of last year, setting the stage for a pullback in bullish bets in the near term, from a positioning perspective. Short-term demand-side prospects for oil are not bullish at all. The UK went this week into its third nationwide lockdown since the pandemic started, with people under stay-at-home order until mid-February except for work that cannot be done from home, essential shopping, or an hour of outdoor exercise. Germany and Italy, two other major economies in Europe, also extended their respective lockdowns. However, the supply side of the oil market received on Tuesday a major shot in the arm from Saudi Arabias unilateral pledge to cut an additional 1 million bpd from its production in February and March, while Russia was allowed to boost its production by 65,000 bpd in each of the next two months. As a result, oil prices shot up early on Wednesday to their highest level since February 2020, with WTI Crude trading above $50 a barrel and Brent Crude above $54. The Russian insistence on lifting its production, which it got from the OPEC+ talks even in compromise lower volumes, and the major cut from Saudi Arabia to support prices show how far apart the positions of the two leaders of the OPEC+ alliance have grown. While this growing divergence on supply-fixing policies could mean deeper fractures within the group, it helped to support the oil market. The surprise cut from Saudi Arabia is constructive for oil, as it should ensure that the market continues to draw down inventories over 1Q20, despite worries over demand with a number of new lockdowns or the extension of existing lockdowns announced, ING strategists Warren Patterson and Wenyu Yao said on Wednesday. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: [January 06, 2021] CGI Further Expands Its Footprint in Columbus, a High-Growth U.S. Metro Market, with Acquisition of HMB's Professional Services Division CGI (News - Alert) (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) today announced the acquisition of Harris, Mackessy & Brennan, Inc.'s (HMB) Professional Services Division, a division focused on high-end technology consulting and services for commercial and government clients. This merger further expands CGI's footprint in the region and its end to end services for clients. The transaction closed on December 31, 2020. HMB's Professional Services Division brings 165 highly-skilled consultants as well as robust consulting capabilities, a deep commercial client portfolio, expertise in the utilities market, and additional relationships with the State of Ohio to further expand CGI's footprint in Central Ohio and particularly within the Columbus metro market. "We continue to implement an established build-and-buy strategy that adds to our strength in the U.S.," said David L. Henderson, CGI President of U.S. Commercial and State Government Operations. "In turn, for HMB's Professional Services Division and the clients they serve, CGI brings a robust intellectual property portfolio, a global delivery network with managed IT and business process services options, and added digital insights and consulting capabilities." In the U.S., CGI has nearly 13,000 consultants and professionals across 80 offices that are organized through a client proximity model, supported by the depth of our international presence, range of services, and insights to deliver value locally. "HMB's Professional Services Division is highly regarded as a regional innovator with strong leadership and long-term client relationships," added Bernie Mongilio, CGI Senior Vice-President and U.S. Great Lakes Business Unit Leader. "By merging with the global reach and resources of CGI, the result for clients is a powerful combination that is expected to accelerate profitable growth." About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com. Forward-looking information and statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbors. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic conditions, and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to develop and expand our services, to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws, our ability to negotiate favorable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, and the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled "Risk Environment" of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005139/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Brand: Apple Product: iPhone 12 Pro Max Key specs: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, 5G capable, Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto lens, A14 Bionic chip, LiDAR scanner, Sensor-shift OIS, Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60 fps Price: Starts from 1,29,900 for base model Rating: 4.5/5 1,29,900. Yes. Thats it. Right there. If you think spending this much on a smartphone today doesnt make much of a difference to your life - then dont even think twice. I wish smartphones came with tax exemptions. Apples iPhone 12 Pro Max is a device where the company pulls no punches. They have always been serious about their Pro moniker and the legacy carries on for this device as well. Like the MacBook Pro, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is meant for the creators, the movie makers. In other words, its meant for heavy-duty work. Essentially, there are two kinds of people who buy Apples devices. One lot knows exactly what the device can do and therefore invests in its prowess. The other lot buys it because its the latest Apple device on the market, and of course because it just works. With an incredible camera array, a sleek new design and probably the best display amongst all smartphones right now, the iPhone 12 Pro Max can do anything. Try it. If you look at the spec sheet, the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Pro (you can read our review here), have the same cameras - a telephoto, a wide and an ultrawide lens, all of them 12MP. The primary camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a wider aperture than the iPhone 11 Pro Max and a larger sensor - in lay terms, this translates to better photos in low light. The camera module on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. (Jhinuk Sen/HT Tech) Plus this time, there is the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, like on the iPhone 12 Pro. But coupled with a larger sensor, the iPhone 12 Pro Max can produce better photos in Night Mode, without blurs. Things like these do not matter much for users who shoot photos or videos just for basic day-to-day usage like Instagram or Facebook, at least the tech of it does not. You get good, detailed images that you can edit some, post and call it a day. For creators, this is a whole new playground. Apple's magnum opus for 2020 is legit the best smartphone you can buy right now. (Jhinuk Sen/HT Tech) Two months plus with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and a certified Google Pixel loyalist like me hasnt bothered pulling that out to shoot a single photo unless it was to test the results. Ive been using iPhones for videos for a while now so without a moments hesitation for me, the iPhone 12 Pro Max was the obvious go-t0. The videos from the iPhone 12 Pro Max produced better details in low-light, again thanks to the larger sensor and LiDAR. However, I am no creator and my use of the cameras on Apples magnum opus for 2020 on the smartphone front still remains sadly basic. But given the results witnessed over the time we let a pro photographer try out the smartphone and how impressed he was - it is understandable why Apple pitches its Pros for, well, the pros. The iPhone 12 Pro Max feels like a powder keg and most of us are just scratching the surface because we honestly do not know how to use it best. But mind you, thats a 1,29,900 (minimum) of an itch to scratch. Like Ive said before, even if you do not know how to optimise this powerhouse, you will have nothing to complain about. The cameras are awesome (works well across all light conditions), a bigger phone means bigger battery (we managed a full work day and more with regular use - social media, a little gaming, photos, some videos and also some editing and browsing), a crisp 6.7-inch OLED screen (we all know how incredible Apples screens are with their true-to-life colours)... you get the drift. But. Its a massive phone. All that metal and glass makes the iPhone 12 Pro Max unwieldy and difficult to grasp. Which means, there is always a danger of this sliding out of your hand and believe you me, you DO NOT want that. The iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Pro. (Jhinuk Sen/HT Tech) Between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the only sweet spot is the iPhone 12 Pro (or even the iPhone 12 if you are willing to compromise on some specs) when it comes to being conveniently handy. It will barely even fit into mens pockets, women, you can all carry a whole extra bag for this one. Pick your size: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. (Jhinuk Sen/HT Tech) However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with a 60Hz refresh rate. Thats lesser than the 120Hz or the 90Hz refresh rates you get on other Android flagships right now. Now, if you were using one of those Android devices, the iPhone 12 Pro Max will seem slow, but moving from Apple to Apple - it doesnt mean a thing. So, should you buy it? Your bank balance should answer that question. You could be ok paying 1,30,000 for a smartphone for two reasons. One, you know exactly what it can do and you want THAT. And two, you know it does a good job, obviously, and you must have it. If you really want to max it out and can afford it - what are you waiting for? This is literally the best smartphone in the market right now. Theres got to be some recognition that the Republicans have a voice in this. It has to stop being so partisan and has to be governing for your constituents, and for the people, and whats in the best interest of the country, Wieser said. (A) 50/50 (split) almost warrants that youve got to try to work together. You cant just keep putting through important matters on executive orders. Youve got to reflect the will of the people. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government to restore the Shri Paramhans Ji Maharajs Samadhi along with the Krishna Dwara Mandir in Teri village of Karak district in two weeks time. The Hindu temple was vandalised and set ablaze by a mob of hundreds on December 30, sparking an outcry. Pakistans chief justice Gulzar Ahmed, who had taken suo motu notice of the attack, gave the ruling after minority lawmaker Ramesh Kumar briefed him about the temple being vandalised during their meeting in Karachi last week. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Auqaf department have been directed to start the work immediately and submit a progress report in two weeks. The chief justice also observed that the people who vandalised the temple should pay for its restoration. The court has also asked for reports on the number of temples in Pakistan, encroachment on land belonging to the Auqaf department, and the steps taken by the authorities against land grab. All temples in Pakistan come under the Auqaf department. Earlier, Muhammad Shoaib Suddle, a former police chief and one-man commission on the rights of minorities at the Supreme Court, submitted a report on the vandalism. The commission recommended a comprehensive investigation into the vandalism of the temple. Maulvi Sharif, the main suspect in the case, is believed to have incited people to carry out violence, the report said. It added that the record of the temple land at the time of Partition should be looked into. The report also recommended that the home department should take steps to stop the entry of suspicious people inside the temple. Exemplary punishment should be handed out to suspects to prevent such incidents in the future, the report recommended. The temple was first attacked and demolished in 1997. After intervention by the Supreme Court in 2015, the local community had agreed to its reconstruction. Eskom today announced that it will implement stage 2 load-shedding between 22:00 and 05:00 on Wednesday 6 January and Thursday 7 January. Eskom said the load-shedding is necessary to recover and preserve its emergency generation reserves. These reserves have been used to support the system during the week following the earlier-than-planned shutdown of Koeberg Unit 1 and other units whose return to service has been delayed. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha told ENCA that Eskom had breakdowns which resulted in a loss of 12,073MW. This is in addition to 6,672MW of generation capacity which is offline because of planned maintenance. Mantshantsha highlighted that Koeberg Unit 1, which generates 900MW, was taken out of service to repair a steam generator leak. The other breakdowns are in much older coal-fired power stations, like Letaba, Tutuka, Matimba, and Camden. This has pushed Eskoms generation capacity which is unavailable to nearly 20,000MW, which has necessitated load-shedding. Mantshantsha said Eskom remains focussed on increasing planned maintenance to improve the reliability of the power stations. This included increased maintenance during the festive season when electricity demand is lower than usual. We are able to restrict load-shedding to the evenings because of the units which returned from maintenance after the festive season, he said. What to expect in 2021 Mantshantsha said South Africans should expect load-shedding to be a reality for the better part of the year. We will start seeing some improvements later in the year around September but load-shedding will not be completely eliminated, he said. The only thing which will eliminate load-shedding for good, he said, is new power stations coming online. Eskom is currently operating with very unreliable machines which have to be run very hard, as we have done for the past three years, he said. While renewable energy provides additional power to South Africa, it has shortcomings in terms of availability. You cannot just switch on and off renewable energy as you please, as is the case with base load, he said. Wind, for example, has the best generation performance in the early hours of the morning in coastal areas. In terms of solar, Eskom has 2,000MW of installed capacity from which it gets around 30% on a daily basis. It is really not something you can rely on to power a growing economy as you have no control over when the sun will shine or the wind will blow, he said. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha interview Coastal communities in Perth, Australia, under threat by bushfires January 06,2021 | Source: AAP A number on coastal communities north of Perth are under threat from a fast-moving bushfire, with homes and lives at risk. The blaze has already burnt through more than 7200 hectares and is proving difficult for firefighters to contain as it burns out of control, fanned by strong easterly winds. Authorities have particular concerns for people in the areas of Ocean Farms, Seaview, Wedge Island and Lancelin. On Tuesday evening people in the Ocean Farms and Seaview residential areas were told to enact their bushfire plans and leave immediately. Your life will be in danger if you stay, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned. Other communities in the area have been told to heed the latest advice and take the appropriate action with an emergency warning message still in place. Incident controller Andy Duckworth said the blaze was running at up to 3.5 kilometres an hour in challenging conditions, with high temperatures and strong, shifting winds across the fire ground. The fire perimeter has stretched to 50km with 200 firefighters on the ground supported by up to 13 aircraft, including a large air tanker. Tuesdays emergency followed an easing of the danger on Monday after a string of fires threatened various areas to the north and south of Perth, on the states southwest coast and in the Goldfields. With very hot weather forecast until at least Sunday, Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said the risk of more fires was high. Whenever you come into a period of really hot weather coupled with extremely high easterly winds, were always going to be in for a world of hurt, he said. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived to applause on Wednesday as the nations first full ruling party congress in five years continued. In an opening speech at the congress that began on Tuesday, Kim admitted that his economic development plans had failed and that the developmental goals set at a 2016 congress were not met in almost all areas to a great extent, according to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency. The Workers' Party Congress, one of the Norths biggest propaganda spectacles, is meant to help Kim show a worried nation that hes firmly in control and to boost unity behind his leadership in the face of COVID-19 and other growing economic challenges. But some observers are skeptical that the stage-managed congress will find any fundamental solutions to North Koreas difficulties, many of which stem from decades of economic mismanagement and Kims headlong pursuit of expensive nuclear weapons, Kim, 36, is holding the congress, which is expected to last a few days, amid what may be the toughest challenge of his nine-year rule and what he has called multiple crises. North Korea is one of the poorest countries in Asia, and the already besieged economy is being hammered by pandemic-related border closures with China, the Norths major economic lifeline, the fallout from a series of natural disasters last summer and persistent U.S.-led sanctions over the nuclear program. U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who takes office later in January, will likely maintain the sanctions and avoid any direct meeting with Kim until North Korea takes significant steps toward denuclearization. (Image Credits: AP) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Stella Morris, partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Editor in Chief of WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsson and WikiLeaks Ambassador Joseph Farrell arrive at the Westminster Magistrates Court ahead of a hearing as lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange seek bail for their client in London, Britain on Jan. 6, 2021. (Hannah McKay/Reuters) WikiLeaks Assange Denied Bail by London Court Over Risk He Might Abscond Again LONDONWikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was denied bail on Jan. 6 by a British judge who said there was a risk he might flee justice while the United States tries again to secure his extradition. Assange, who has spent more than eight years either holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London or in jail, had asked to be freed on bail after the court ruled on Jan. 4 that he shouldnt be extradited because he would be at risk of suicide. I am satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr. Assange is released today he would fail to surrender to court to face the appeal proceedings, Judge Vanessa Baraitser told Londons Westminster Magistrates Court. As far as Mr. Assange is concerned this case has not yet been won the outcome of this appeal is not yet known. The U.S. Department of Justice says it will continue to seek Assanges extradition to face 18 criminal charges of breaking an espionage law and conspiring to hack government computers. Assanges partner, Stella Moris, said the judges decision to deny him bail was a huge disappointment and urged the United States to pardon him. WikiLeaks said it would appeal against the denial of bail. Stella Morris, partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Ambassador Joseph Farrell arrive at the Westminster Magistrates Court ahead of a hearing as lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange seek bail for their client in London, Britain on Jan. 6, 2021. (Matthew Childs/Reuters) Admirers hail Australian-born Assange, 49, as a hero for exposing what they describe as abuses of power by the United States. But detractors cast him as a dangerous figure who has undermined the security of the West, and dispute that he is a journalist. WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables that laid bare often critical U.S. appraisals of world leaders, from Russian President Vladimir Putin to members of the Saudi royal family. Assange made international headlines in early 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified U.S. military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters that killed a dozen people in Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. Clair Dobbin, a lawyer representing the United States at the hearing, said Assange had gone to extraordinary lengths to avoid extradition and that he could try to leave the United Kingdom to flee justice. This court should be in no doubt as to Mr. Assanges resources, abilities, and sheer wherewithal to arrange flight to another country, Dobbin said. This court should be under no illusion either as to the readiness of other states to offer Mr. Assange protection. She said that the extradition request had been denied on a single ground, that of his mental health. It is a decision that hangs on a single thread. By Michael Holden and Andrew MacAskill NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Siris, a leading private equity firm focused on investing and driving value creation in technology and telecommunications companies, today announced that Michael Chia has joined the firm as Principal Investor Relations. As a member of Siris' Investor Relations team, Mr. Chia will help manage the firm's relationships with its limited partners and prospective investors. Mr. Chia most recently served as Principal at Adams Street Partners. Mr. Chia brings more than a decade of experience helping investment firms develop and execute investor relations and business development strategies. He will leverage his experience building relationships to help optimize Siris' investor relations strategy. At Adams Street Partners, Mr. Chia supported capital raising activities for the firm across private equity, venture capital, and private credit strategies. Frank Baker, Co-Founder of Siris, commented, "Michael brings significant experience to Siris. He is an accomplished professional with a proven track record of developing and maintaining strong investor relationships and enhancing investor relations strategies, and he will be a valuable addition to our Investor Relations team." Mr. Chia said, "I am excited to join Siris as the firm continues to enhance its operations and deepen investor relationships. I look forward to collaborating with the rest of the Siris team to further build out the firm's investor relations capabilities, as well as working closely with the firm's limited partners as Siris pursues investment opportunities in the technology and telecommunications sectors." Prior to joining Adams Street Partners in 2014, Mr. Chia served as a Manager at Casey, Quirk & Associates, developing growth and business development strategies for investment managers. Earlier in his career, Mr. Chia was a consultant at Deloitte, where he worked with clients to develop and implement operational and technological transformations. Mr. Chia has been a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder since 2017 and is a member of CFA Society San Francisco. He is also a member of the Professional Council of Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Mr. Chia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan. About Siris Siris is a leading private equity firm that invests primarily in mature technology and telecommunications companies with mission-critical products and services, facing industry changes or other significant transitions. Siris' development of proprietary research to identify opportunities and its extensive collaboration with its Executive Partners are integral to its approach. Siris' Executive Partners are experienced senior operating executives that actively participate in key aspects of the transaction lifecycle to help identify opportunities and drive strategic and operational value. Siris is based in New York and Silicon Valley and has raised nearly $6 billion in cumulative capital commitments. www.siris.com. SOURCE Siris Capital Group, LLC Related Links https://www.siris.com/ Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. PHOENIX, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc., a top 10 national homebuilder, has announced that its namesake brand, Century Communities, is entering the Phoenix metro area, breaking ground in 2021 on over 1,400 homesites in the region. The builder will also be joining planned communities such as North Copper Canyon and The Trails at Maricopa. The move greatly diversifies the company's offerings in the red-hot Phoenix market, where the fastest-growing public builderfor the past three yearsalready offers new homes through its Century Complete brand. A national leader in online home sales, Century Complete currently offers affordable new homes in Casa Grande, Coolidge and Maricopa. Look for new community updates at www.CenturyCommunities.com. "This is an exciting move for Century into one of the nation's most sought-after metro areas," said Liesel Cooper, President of Century Communities' Western and Mountain Regions. "With exceptional new homes, great community locations, and the addition of industry veteran Eric Montgomerywho brings over two decades of Arizona homebuilding experienceto lead our new Phoenix division, we're confident we'll see substantial growth in this market for years to come." "We know the demand for quality new homes in the Phoenix market is at an all-time high, so we're thrilled to provide area homebuyers with an even greater range of inspired floor plans and desirable amenities in sought-after locations," said Eric Montgomery, Phoenix Division President. "We're also proud to make it easier than ever for buyers to purchase their new home, from on-site appointments to virtual tours, to the ability to reserve select homes online." About Century Communities Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is a top 10 national homebuilder. Offering new homes under the Century Communities and Century Complete brands, Century is engaged in all aspects of homebuildingincluding the acquisition, entitlement and development of land, along with the construction, innovative marketing and sale of quality homes designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The Colorado-based company operates in 17 states across the U.S., and offers title, insurance and lending services in select markets through its Parkway Title, IHL Insurance Agency, and Inspire Home Loan subsidiaries. To learn more about Century Communities, please visit www.centurycommunities.com. SOURCE Century Communities, Inc. Related Links https://www.centurycommunities.com The halting rollout of COVID-19 vaccines isnt just an Oregon story. Across the country, states have struggled to administer the doses theyve received from drug manufacturers, thanks in part to a lack of federal help or resources. The slow rollout reflects once again the costs this country bears due to weak national leadership in addressing a once-in-a-century pandemic. But dont let Oregons leaders off the hook for their roles in fumbling the vaccine rollout. Less than a quarter of the 226,700 doses received by Oregon have been administered to Oregonians a lower percentage than in every other state in the country except for three, according to a Bloomberg tally. (The state points to a CDC tally that ranks Oregon 36th). Hospitals, not the Oregon Health Authority, have been driving key decisions about days and times to administer vaccines, even being permitted to immunize medical students and employees who are working from home in this first round of top-priority vaccinations. Meanwhile, doctors in county health clinics with high rates of positive COVID tests say they have yet to be scheduled for shots and the number of deaths of older Oregonians from COVID climbs every day. Acknowledging public outrage, Gov. Kate Brown on Monday directed the Oregon Health Authority to ramp up vaccinations and ensure that the state is vaccinating at least 12,000 Oregonians daily by Jan. 17. But even if health officials are able to meet that modest goal, there are other concerning signs that the state will continue to lag in the planning, communication and execution of a sound vaccine rollout. There must be no greater priority for Brown and Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen than getting every available dose out to every willing Oregonian. In the near term, Allen laid out a number of actions the state will take to speed up vaccinations, including expanding its partnership with pharmacies providing shots and eventually setting up vaccination hubs outside of hospitals solutions that other states have already added to increase distribution. He also plans to treat the remaining groups in the top category of vaccine recipients Phase 1a as one large group to remove one unnecessarily complicating factor that has slowed down vaccine delivery. Those are welcome changes, but vaccine delivery in Oregon faces another significant threat ahead. Oregon is only just now convening a new vaccine advisory committee to recommend who will receive shots next among the essential workers and older Oregonians collectively dubbed Phase 1b recipients. Its beyond frustrating that the state would wait as long as it has to assemble the committee, considering the state has long known it would need to prioritize vaccine distribution. Other states, including California, Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Florida and Massachusetts, convened their committees months ago. Most have already determined and published their prioritization schedules, including on their websites timelines, web-based tools and apps to help residents determine when they are eligible. Unfortunately, Oregons new vaccine committee isnt expected to develop its prioritization list until mid-February. Theoretically, the work will be completed before the state is ready to begin immunizing Phase 1b recipients, according to Allen. But thats an assumption the state never should have made. Not only does it assumes this 27-member committee can meet such an optimistic timeline, but it gives vaccine manufacturers a reason to put Oregon at the back of the line and send shipments to other states that are prepared to move forward. The lack of communication about what to expect also keeps Oregonians on edge. There is no excuse that Oregon waited as long as it did to convene this committee. The ultimate success of Oregons vaccination program doesnt rest on how well or poorly the state handled these first few weeks. But it will hinge on whether Oregon officials bring the urgency, attention and resources that this massive operation needs. If we want to escape physical, mental, economic, educational, social and civic meltdown this pandemic has brought, we need our leaders to show that now. - The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: BROOKLYN, Ohio -- Brooklyn City Schools began this week in remote learning before pivoting to its unique hybrid schedule beginning Thursday (Jan. 7). Before winter break, we were actually looking at coming back on Jan. 4, but when the governor came out with his recommendation to delay school a week outside of the New Years Eve holiday, that moved our decision to come back exactly a week later, Superintendent/CEO Theodore Caleris said. While a quarter of the districts 1,350 enrolled students committed to distance learning for the first semester, the remaining pupils are in hybrid learning. Brooklyn City Schools provides four days of in-person instruction, with students attending classes from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is a remote day for everyone. Compared to other districts employing a divided student body attending in-person classes two or three days a week, the Brooklyn City Schools hybrid model is as close as a district can get to full-time in-person learning during the pandemic. Were a firm believer that families wanted their kids in person at school, but we also needed to be realistic with some of the safety considerations that were presented to us back in August, Caleris said. That four-day week allowed (us) to kind of accomplish both things. Also, were hopeful that the four-day hybrid week will allow us to transition to five days very easily down the road. Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced that he no longer recommends that students who are in close contact -- within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more -- to quarantine, as long as all students were wearing masks and exposure took place in a classroom setting. The districts COVID-19 dashboard reveals that since August, 25 students and 14 staff members had tested positive and quarantined. Currently, Brooklyn City Schools is committed to hybrid learning through the week of Jan. 18, which is the end of the first semester. As we get closer to that date, well make a decision as to what that looks like based on the data we have going forward, Caleris said. Our goal is as much in-person learning as possible for our students that have selected that option. Starting the second semester, were still giving families the option of remote-only for their kids. Right now, were trending to about 20 percent selecting remote learning. The one unknown variable is when the COVID-19 vaccine will allow for full five-day, in-person instruction. DeWine announced yesterday (Jan. 5) that teachers statewide are going to start receiving vaccinations in two weeks or so. Right now, we dont have the information as to when vaccinations will be available, Caleris said. While its kind of in the back of my mind in terms of what impact that could have, ultimately its somebodys personal preference, personal choice as to whether or not theyll get a vaccination. Were hopeful that vaccinations become available to the educators that want to get vaccinated. We hope that makes a positive impact on our staff, but right now were just going to use our current student data to drive those decisions. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post. WASHINGTON In a video posted to his social media, Vermont U.S. Rep. Peter Welch said that members of the U.S. House of Representatives have been told to get the gas masks normally stowed under their seats. We arent taking any chances, the Democrat said. Hundreds of insurrectionists angered over President Donald Trumps election loss swarmed the Capitol Building. 42 US Capitol lockdown: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol 33 Lawmakers are evacuated from capitol building Vice President Michael Pence, who has been criticized by Trump for not attempting to overturn the Electoral College vote, was rushed out of the Senate chambers. Congressional staffers reached Wednesday said they are in lockdown in offices and that the floor of the U.S. House of representatives is being evacuated . No one would say where members of Congress are being taken for safekeeping. Update: gas masks are being prepared pic.twitter.com/6TYWImnoK3 Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) January 6, 2021 U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester had earlier tweeted out that he was presiding in the chair. YEREVAN -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian -- facing criticism from the countrys dominant Christian church over his handling of Armenia's recent war against Azerbaijan -- has stayed away from a Christmas service he was expected to attend in Yerevan on January 6. Parliamentary speaker Ararat Mirzoyan and other key members of Pashinians political team were also conspicuously absent from the mass that was held at St. Gregory the Illuminator's Cathedral in Yerevan. Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian was the only senior state official present at the service. According to Pashinian's spokeswoman Mane Gevorgian, the Armenian prime minister didn't attend because he was self-isolating due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pashinian announced in June that he and members of his family had tested positive for COVID-19. He claimed a week later that he had recovered from the disease. It was not immediately clear on January 6 whether he had been reinfected. Gevorgian did not specify whether Pashinian has recently taken another coronavirus test. Pashinian has been criticized by his opponents in Armenia for signing a November cease-fire agreement in the war over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Under the cease-fire deal, Baku reasserted its control over parts of the breakaway region along with all seven surrounding districts of Azerbaijan that had been occupied by ethnic Armenian forces since the early 1990s. Catholicos Garegin II, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has been among Pashinian's critics and is increasingly at loggerheads with the Armenian government. The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6. Pashinian marked the day by quoting a biblical excerpt on his Facebook page. During the January 6 Christmas service attended by hundreds in Yerevan, Garegin spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh war and its "disastrous consequences" for Armenians. He lamented what he said were destructive mistakes made by Yerevan before the long-frozen conflict reignited in late September. "Necessary vigilance was not shown in the face of the threats of an unstable peace and war," Garegin told worshippers at the Christmas mass. "The interests of the homeland and the people were subordinated to individual aspirations and goals." Garegin also prayed for Armenians to "stand strong in the face of the lethal test of our nation." A day before the Christmas mass, a group of Armenian opposition supporters declared they would try to block Pashinian from entering the Yerevan cathedral on January 6. Virtually all major opposition groups blame Pashinian for Armenias defeat in the war. They want him to resign and hand over power to an interim government that would hold fresh parliamentary elections within a year. Pashinian has refused. Garegin and other senior clergymen in Armenia and its worldwide diaspora have publicly backed the opposition demands. Some priests from the Armenian Apostolic Church have also attended anti-government demonstrations in Yerevan calling for Pashinian's resignation. One priest based in Armenia's southeastern town of Sisian publicly refused to shake Pashinians hand when the prime minister visited a local church there in December. Garegins office declined to criticize the priest's behavior -- despite condemnation from Pashinians supporters. With additional reporting by AP America's enemies have taunted Donald Trump today, with Russia stating US democracy is 'limping on both feet', while Iran and China have reveled at the sight of a mob storming the Capitol. While the world is yet to hear from Putin or the Kremlin about yesterday's events in Washington DC, senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachyov made a strong statement about American democracy today. In a Facebook post, the chair of the Russian upper house's foreign affairs committee said: 'The losing side has more than enough grounds to accuse the winner of falsifications - it is clear that American democracy is limping on both feet.' 'I say this without a shadow of gloating. America no longer charts a course and therefore has lost all rights to set it - and even more so to impose it on others,' he added. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivered a speech this morning broadcast by state television in which he said: 'What we saw in the United States yesterday evening and today shows above all how fragile and vulnerable Western democracy is.' In China, the internet erupted in mirth at America's troubled democracy after Trump supporters caused carnage in Washington DC, comparing the chaos to the Hong Kong anti-government protests of 2019. On Thursday morning, state media tabloid Global Times tweeted side-by-side photo comparisons of Hong Kong protesters occupying the city's Legislative Council Complex in July 2019 with Wednesday's Washington riots. The latter saw hardcore Trump fans invade the US Capitol to protest the election defeat, taking selfies, scuffling with security and ransacking parts of the building. Both Russia and Iran have spoken out about the events in Washington DC yesterday. Putin (left) and the Kremlin is yet to comment but a Russian lawmaker has said US democracy is 'limping on both feet' while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) gave a televised speech about the latest chaos in which he stated the latest events show 'how fragile and vulnerable Western democracy is' Around the world various newspapers reported on the violent scenes which took place in Washington DC yesterday. Pictured: Dutch paper The Alegemeen Dagblad's headline read 'Trump's legacy' (left) and German paper The Hamburger Morgenpost (right) Russia's state-run RT outlet also covered the events in Washington as they unfolded, publishing an op-ed with the headline: 'Do you realize now what you have done? US gets the kind of 'democracy' it championed overseas' China's Global Times poked fun at Nancy Pelosi for previous remarks she has made about riots in Hong Kong. '@SpeakerPelosi once referred to the Hong Kong riots as 'a beautiful sight to behold', it said in the tweet, referring to Pelosi's June 2019 comment about Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy demonstrations, which were mostly peaceful at that time. 'It remains yet to be seen whether she will say the same about the recent developments in Capitol Hill.' China's Communist Youth League also described the unrest as a 'beautiful sight' on the Twitter-like Weibo platform. Russia's state-run news outlet RT published an op-ed implying the US was getting what it deserves as a result of its foreign policy. 'Do you realize now what you have done? US gets the kind of 'democracy' it championed overseas,' the op-ed's headline read, adding 'the US denounced as illegitimate the presidential elections in Belarus, Bolivia and Venezuela.' Wednesday's siege of the US Capitol building by supporters of President Trump forced politicians to rush from the building and interrupted challenges to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory and as Electoral College votes were counted. While Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured on Thursday on Lipno Island) is yet to make a statement about the clashes, Russian state controlled news organization RT also covered the story extensively Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud Meanwhile, senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachyov said American democracy is 'limping on both feet'. His counterpart in the lower house, Leonid Slutsky, said 'the United States certainly cannot now impose electoral standards on other countries and claim to be the world's "beacon of democracy".' Also speaking on the matter, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: 'This is an internal affair of the United States. At the same time, we draw attention to the fact that the electoral system in the United States is archaic; it does not meet modern democratic standards, creating opportunities for numerous violations, and the American media have become an instrument of political struggle. 'This largely was the reason for the split in society which is now observed in the United States.' The Kremlin has itself been accused of fostering US divisions with a campaign of interference and disinformation, including alleged attempts to disrupt the 2016 election in Trump's favour that prompted an FBI investigation. With Russia celebrating the Orthodox Christmas holiday there was no reaction to the events in Washington from the Kremlin. Supporters of US President Donald Trump stand by the door to the Senate chambers after they breached the US Capitol security in Washington DC Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police during the rally in Washington DC yesterday Venezuela's socialist regime trolled Washington on Wednesday, expressing regret over the Trump mob storming the Capitol building and hope that the 'American people can blaze a new path toward stability'. The country's minister for foreign affairs, Jorge Arreaza, released a statement on Wednesday saying Venezuela 'expresses its concern over the acts of violence that are taking place in the city of Washington' He added that the country 'condemns political polarization and aspires that the American people can blaze a new path toward stability and social justice.' Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's president, has been at odds with Trump and his administration during its time in office, with the US backing attempts to install opposition leader Juan Guaido as president. 'With this regrettable episode, the United States suffers from the same that it has generated in other countries which its policies of aggression,' Venezuela's statement read. The country said it hoped 'the American people can blaze a new path toward stability and social justice.' Venezuela's socialist regime headed by president Nicolas Maduro (pictured) has been at odds with Trump and his administration during its time in office, with the US backing attempts to install opposition leader Juan Guaido as president Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pictured on Wednesday. Turkey's foreign ministry called the events in the US 'worrying', saying 'we believe that the US will overcome this domestic crisis calmly' 'We follow the events in the USA with concern and invite the parties to calmness. We believe that problems will always be solved within law and democracy,' Turkey's Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop said on Twitter (pictured) Turkey's foreign ministry also condemned Wednesday's siege of the US Capitol building, calling for calm and urging for 'common sense' to resolve the 'political crisis'. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign ministry called the events 'worrying'. He said that in Turkey 'we believe that the US will overcome this domestic crisis calmly'. Turkish citizens in the US were urged to stay away from crowded places where demonstrations are held. 'We follow the events in the USA with concern and invite the parties to calmness. We believe that problems will always be solved within law and democracy,' Turkey's Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop said on Twitter. 'As Turkey, we have always been in favour of the law and democracy and we recommend it to everyone,' he added. US allies were left shocked by the scenes in America's capital. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was 'furious and saddened' by the storming of the US Capitol and said the president shared blame for the unrest. 'I deeply regret that President Trump has not conceded his defeat, since November and again yesterday,' she said. 'Doubts about the election outcome were stoked and created the atmosphere that made the events of last night possible.' Papers from across the world lead with impressive images of the disruption in Washington as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence by supporters of his staunch ally President Donald Trump at the US Capitol building as 'disgraceful'. 'The rampage at the Capitol yesterday was a disgraceful act and it must be vigorously condemned,' he said at the start of a meeting in Jerusalem with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the scenes were 'disgraceful' and called for the peaceful transition of power, with Biden's inauguration set to take place on January 20. 'Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress,' Johnson tweeted. 'The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.' Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour - the country's opposition party - also reacted to the events, saying: 'Horrendous scenes from the US. These are not 'protesters' - this a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people.' In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the scenes were 'disgraceful' and called for the peaceful transition of power on Twitter (pictured) Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: 'Horrendous scenes from the US. These are not 'protesters' - this a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people.' German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: 'Enemies of democracy will be happy to see these unbelievable pictures from #WashingtonDC,' he wrote. 'Riotous words turn into violent acts on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol. The disdain for democratic institutions is devastating' The first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, described the scenes as 'utterly horrifying' and called for 'solidarity with those on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power.' Speaking to Canada's News 1130 radio station in Vancouver, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he was concerned and 'following the situation minute by minute.' 'I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly,' he added. Trudeau later tweeted that 'Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld - and it will be.' In France, President Emmanuel Macron shared a video on his Twitter account in the early hours addressing the chaotic scenes in the US. He delivered an impassioned message about the French relationship with America and detailed how the two countries had found for democracy together for many centuries - including the American War of Independence and the World Wars. Closing his message he said: 'Today France stands strongly, fervently and resolutely with the American people and with all people who want to choose their leaders, determine their own destinies and their own lives through free and democratic elections. 'And we will not yield to the violence of a few individuals who want to challenge that.' Protesters made it into US Senate Chamber as Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump Copies of the French newspapers Le Monde and Le Figaro headline on the Capitol storming, in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris, this morning He added: 'I just wanted to express our friendship and our faith in the United States. What happened today in Washington DC is not America, definitely. 'We believe in the strength of our democracies. We believe in the strength of American democracy. French Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian tweeted: 'Violence against American institutions is a serious attack on democracy. I condemn them. The will and vote of the American people must be respected.' Spanish President Pedro Sanchez tweeted last night: 'I am following with concern the news that are coming from Capitol Hill in Washington. 'I trust in the strength of America's democracy. The new Presidency of @JoeBiden will overcome this time of tension, uniting the American people.' Irish premier Micheal Martin, who has invited the Irish-American Biden to visit his ancestral homeland early in his presidency, tweeted his condemnation. 'The Irish people have a deep connection with the United States of America, built up over many generations. I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay,' Martin said. Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney tweeted this morning: 'Shocking & deeply sad scenes in Washington DC - we must call this out for what it is: a deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election! The world is watching! We hope for restoration of calm.' World leaders have begun releasing statements about the events in Washington DC yesterday, including French President Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: 'Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.' As disruptions continued in the Capitol continued, Dutch Prime Minister appealed to Trump to 'recognize Joe Biden as the next president today'. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tweeted: 'Democracy - the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully should never be undone by a mob.' The PM added her country's thoughts were with everyone 'devastated' by the events in Washington, adding: 'what is happening is wrong.' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Trump ally who has heaped praise on the outgoing US president in the past, said he was 'distressed to see news about rioting and violence' in Washington. 'Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests,' the Hindu nationalist leader tweeted. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a tweet: 'Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C. American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.' Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said in a tweet that 'this is an unacceptable assault on democracy. A peaceful and orderly transfer of power must be ensured.' In the Czech Republic, foreign minister Tomas Petricek tweeted: 'The looting and violence at the US Senate are not a good example for countries where democracy is fighting hard for a place in the sun. Politicians around the world have delivered televised statements about the storming of the Capitol building and others, including Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and German Ambassador to the UK Andreas Michaelis, took to Twitter to share their thoughts 'Given the emotions sparked by the US presidential election, we could expect today's session to be far from ordinary. Where were the police and the Senate bodyguards...?' Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Facebook: 'Extremism, violence, polarisation and violence is never the way forward. Terrible pictures from Washington. May democracy be brought back to working again.' Slovenia's right-wing Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who backed Trump and who has yet to congratulate Biden on his victory, tweeted: 'All should be very troubled by the violence taking place in Washington D.C. 'We hope American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis. Democracy presupposes peaceful protest, but violence and death threats -from Left or Right- are ALWAYS wrong.' Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said: 'In a democracy, the losing party must actually acknowledge its electoral defeat, admit it and contribute to a peaceful transfer of power to others.' In Slovakia, President Zuzana Caputova said the scenes from the Capitol 'show how dangerous the rhetoric of hatred is'. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump attend a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day in 2018 'Contempt for democratic institutions erodes citizens rights and can undermine political order,' she added. Former Afghan government adviser Torek Farhadi said: 'Presidents who don't do much good and are unwilling to leave, we know that in Afghanistan.' In a statement about the storming of the Capitol Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke of the 'painful economic sanctions' Trump placed on Zimbabwe. He noted that Trump extended the sanctions 'citing concerns about Zimbabwes democracy'. He added: 'Yesterdays events showed that the U.S. has no moral right to punish another nation under the guise of upholding democracy. These sanctions must end.' Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama - who led a coup in 2006 and was accused of assaulting an opposition lawmaker in 2019 - added his condemnation. 'The violent scenes we saw in Washington today are an affront to democracies around the globe. True and genuine democracy is a precious treasure that no nation should ever take for granted,' he tweeted. People watch a TV screen showing the news on a violent mob that loyal to U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, this morning A sign is exposed on Sisto bridge in Rome reading in Italian: 'Donald Tramp you are the shame of democracy' Neighbors Mexico said conflicts in the US should be resolved peacefully but President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stressed his government adhered to the principle of non-intervention in the affairs of other countries. 'We're not going to intervene in these matters, which are up to the Americans to resolve, to deal with. That's our policy, that's what I can say,' he said, after being asked to comment on yesterday's events. Obrador led massive, peaceful protests in Mexico in 2006 claiming that he had been robbed of the presidency. He expressed regret that lives had been lost during the events in Washington on Wednesday, noting that he had always believed that conflicts, whether they were in Mexico or abroad, should be resolved 'via dialog and peaceful means.' Asked by a supporter for his views on the chaotic scenes in Washington, Brazilian leader President Jair Bolsonaro said: 'I followed everything today. You know I'm connected to Trump, right? So you already know my answer.' 'There were lot of reports of fraud, a lot of reports of fraud,' he added, in a video posted on social media, without providing evidence. Bolsonaro also took the opportunity to repeat a baseless complaint that his own 2018 election victory was tainted by fraud and he should have won without a runoff. Similarly, Polish President Andrzej Duda, a close Trump ally who did not congratulate Biden on his victory until more than a month after the election, described the events as 'an internal issue for the United States'. Merkel said Thursday she was 'furious and saddened' by the events at the US Capitol A waiter gestures in front a TV screen broadcasting news reports on U.S. President Donald Trump, in Rivas Vaciamadrid, Spain 'Poland believes in the power of American democracy,' he added on Twitter. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg wrote: 'Shocking scenes in Washington, DC. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected,' Stoltenberg tweeted on Wednesday.' German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: 'Enemies of democracy will be happy to see these unbelievable pictures from #WashingtonDC. Riotous words turn into violent acts on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol. The disdain for democratic institutions is devastating.' Protesters in Germany attempted to storm the Reichstag government building in Berlin during a mass rally against coronavirus restrictions. The German Ambassador to the UK echoed Mass's sentiment. Andreas Michaelis tweeted: 'After our catastrophic failure in the 20th Century we Germans were taught by the US to develop strong democratic institutions. We also learnt that democracy is not just about institutions. It is about political culture, too. All democratic nations need to constantly defend it.' 'The United States Congress has been the symbol of freedom and democracy around the world for centuries,' wrote Armin Laschet, the leader of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous federal state. 'The attacks on the Capitol by fanatical Trump supporters hurt every friend of the United States,' he said. A man reads a newspaper reacting to the news of the assault on U.S Congress, on a street in Lagos, Nigeria High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell Fontelles said: 'In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight appears under siege. This is an unseen assault on US democracy, its institutions and the rule of law. This is not America. The election results of 3 November must be fully respected.' Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, said: I believe in the strength of US institutions and democracy. Peaceful transition of power is at the core. Joe Biden won the election. I look forward to working with him as the next President of the USA.' David Sassoli, the President of the European Parliament, said: 'Deeply concerning scenes from the US Capitol tonight. Democratic votes must be respected. We are certain the US will ensure that the rules of democracy are protected.' New outlets in countries and regions more sympathetic to the US also covered the events extensively, including the BBC as well as Middle East-based Aljazeera. Both ran live rolling coverage of the storming of the Capitol building and the fallout from the event. 'Violent pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol' the BBC's live coverage headline read, before changing to: 'Violence engulfs Capitol as Trump supporters run riot'. Al Jazeera's headline read: 'US Capitol secured after stormed by pro-Trump protesters,' along with its live coverage of the chaotic events. Pictured: The front page of BBC's website as the events in Washington unfolded on Wednesday Al Jazeera's page on the story reported that the US Capitol had been secured after being stormed earlier in the day on Wednesday The chaos also dominated front pages across the world today, with headlines such as 'Trump sets fire to Washington', 'Democracy under siege', and 'The Coup of Madness'. For the most part the international press laid the blame squarely at the outgoing president's feet, accusing him of having encouraged the violence. Die Welt led an editorial by its correspondent Clemens Wergin with 'Day of shame for American democracy'. 'The US has experienced its first tentative violent coup d'etat', he wrote, adding that 'the president, his lies, and a spineless Republican party are politically responsible'. Suddeutsche Zeitung, under the headline 'The coup of madness', also talked of 'Washington's shame', while in Spain, El Pais wrote that Trump had 'encouraged the chaos'. The Italian daily La Repubblica went even further, drawing a parallel with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's ascension to power in the 1920s. 'Trump: a strategy of chaos' was the front page of French daily Liberation, reinforcing the point in its inside pages with the title 'Trump sets fire to Washington.' 'The United States has fallen to the level of Latin-American countries"# was the self-deprecating observation from the Brazilian O Globo. 'The target was the Capitol, not the Twin Towers, but this was also terrorism,' Eliane Cantanhede wrote in O Estado de S. Paulo, another Brazilian paper. Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC Supporters of Donald Trump are seen inside the US Capitol after rioters breached security and entered the Capitol Wednesday's ordinarily mundane procedure of Congress certifying a new president was always going to be extraordinary, with Trump supporters vowing to protest over the results of an election that they have baselessly insisted was reversed by fraud. But even the unusual deliberations, which included the Republican vice president and Senate majority leader defying Trump's demands, were quickly overtaken. In a raucous, out-of-control scene, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls. The attack forced politicians to rush from the building and interrupted challenges to Biden's Electoral College victory. Trump issued a restrained call for peace well after the protests were under way but did not urge supporters to disperse. Earlier he had seemingly egged them on to march to Capitol Hill. Senators were evacuated. Some House politicians tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. Demonstrators fought with Capitol Police and then forced their way into the building, not long after a huge rally near the White House during which Trump egged them on to march to Capitol Hill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought to lower tensions and argued against contesting the result. Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021 He warned the country 'cannot keep drifting apart into two separate tribes' with 'separate facts.' McConnell declared: 'The voters, the courts and the states all have spoken.' But other Republicans, including House GOP leaders among Trump's allies were acting out the pleas of supporters at his huge Wednesday rally up Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House to 'fight for Trump.' 'We have to fix this,' said Rep Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the GOP whip. The last-gasp effort failed. Still, Trump vowed to he would 'never concede' and urged the massive crowd to march to the Capitol where hundreds had already gathered under tight security. 'We will never give up,' Trump told his noontime rally. Vice President Mike Pence was closely watched as he stepped onto the dais to preside over the joint session in the House chamber. Pence has a largely ceremonial role, opening the sealed envelopes from the states after they are carried in mahogany boxes used for the occasion, and reading the results aloud. A woman was shot inside the US Capitol on Wednesday afternoon shortly after President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building and violently clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's victory being certified Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress But he was under growing pressure from Trump to overturn the will of the voters and tip the results in the president's favour, despite having no legal power to affect the outcome. 'Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Trump tweeted. But Pence, in a statement shortly before presiding, defied Trump, saying he could not claim 'unilateral authority' to reject the electoral votes that make Biden president. The Washington, D.C., police chief said at least five weapons have been recovered and at least 13 people have been arrested so far in the pro-Trump protests. As darkness began to set in, law enforcement officials were working their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to try to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible. Police were in full riot gear. They moved down the West steps, clashing with demonstrators. Mayor Muriel Bowser earlier declared a 6 p.m. curfew. Members of congress ran from the floor as police ordered them to evacuate to their offices for their own safety after a mob smashed through police barricades Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber The chaos caused the Capitol to go on lock down and disrupted the certification of the electoral college vote that would cement Biden's victory. The session of Congress comes one day after voters in Georgia apparently handed a pair of stunning victories to the Democratic Senate candidates over Republican incumbents. The projected Democratic sweep means a 50-50 split in the Senate with Democrats holding the tie-breaking vote in Vice President Kamala Harris - giving Biden much freer rein to carry out priorities, starting with accelerating COVID relief. Raphael Warnock, the pastor at the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King once preached, was projected to defeat Republican Kelly Loeffler, a 50-year-old businesswoman appointed to the Senate in December 2019. Warnock, 51, would be just the third African-American to win a Senate seat from the South. In the other Georgia race, Democrat Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old video producer, was projected to defeat Republican David Perdue. Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration. It marks the first time the couple, 96 and 93, will have missed the ceremonies since Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977. A spokeswoman at The Carter Center in Atlanta said the Carters have sent Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris their best wishes and look forward to a successful administration. Biden was a young Delaware senator and Carter ally during the Georgians term in the White House. The Carters have spent the coronavirus pandemic mostly at their home in Plains, Georgia, where both were raised and where they returned after leaving the White House in 1981. Carter, a Democrat, became the longest-lived American president in March 2019, surpassing former President George H.W. Bush, who died the previous November. Carter survived a melanoma diagnosis that spread to his brain in 2015. He has since had several falls and hip replacement surgery. He no longer teaches Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, as he had for decades, but still participates in church activities via video amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter was the first former president to confirm his plans to attend President Donald Trumps inauguration in 2017. The Carters were seated on the aisle, next to former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush. The elder Bush was the lone former president at the time who did not attend Trumps inauguration. The Carters did travel to Washington for the elder Bushs funeral. National Guard troops from Washington, D.C., and Virginia have been ordered to the U.S. Capitol amid a siege from pro-Trump protesters that overwhelmed federal police and forced lawmakers and staff to shelter in place. Shortly before 5 p.m., Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said that he and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley were consulting with Vice President Mike Pence and House and Senate leaders on how to respond to the situation. "We have fully activated the D.C. National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement as they work to peacefully address the situation," Miller said in a statement. "We are prepared to provide additional support as necessary and appropriate as requested by local authorities." In a Wednesday evening press conference with Washington, D.C. officials, Army Secretary McCarthy said requests had come from U.S. Capitol police to send in more Guard troops. There was a brief delay of about 30 minutes, he said, as Pentagon officials asked questions about what capabilities were needed before approving the request. "Around 3 o'clock this afternoon, we mobilized the D.C. National Guard at 100% strength," McCarthy said. "We have 1,100 personnel that are convening at the armory as we speak." He added that the Guard members will support D.C. police and secure "the safety and the confines of the U.S. Capitol." They will also work with other federal agencies in a support role, he said. Rioters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Read Next: National Guard Will Wear Black ID Vests to Stand Out from Police During DC Protests Protests are expected to continue into the night, despite a 6 p.m. curfew announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed the Guard activations, calling for peace in a statement. "At President @realDonaldTrump's direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services," she tweeted. "We reiterate President Trump's call against violence and to remain peaceful." Guard troops are also en route from Virginia, according to Gov. Ralph Northam. "Per [Bowser's] request, I am sending members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers," Northam, a Democrat, said in a tweet. Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said later in the evening that he was mobilizing 500 Maryland National Guard members to "help restore law and order." He'll also send 200 Maryland State Police troopers, he said. Hogan called Wednesday's events and threats against the vice president and members of Congress, who he said were upholding the Constitution by affirming the voters' choice for president, a "heinous and violent assault on the heart of our democracy." "I never thought I'd see a day like this in America," Hogan said in a Wednesday evening video address. "All Americans should be outraged by this attack on our nation's capital. ... I am not going to stand for this, and neither should any American." Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Supporters of President Donald Trump invaded the Capitol earlier Wednesday afternoon to interrupt certification of the vote to confirm Joe Biden as the next president. One woman is now in critical condition after getting shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, CNN reported. At one point, a protester with fist raised stood at the dais in the evacuated House chamber to shout, "Trump won that election!" Vice President Mike Pence was rushed to a secure location from the House chamber where he was presiding over what was to have been a debate over the certification of the Electoral College vote reported by the states. Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) In remarks from Wilmington, Delaware, Biden charged that Trump had "stirred the flames of hate and chaos" with baseless claims that the election was stolen from him. He said that Trump should go on national TV "and demand an end to this siege." Shortly after Biden spoke, Trump, in taped remarks released by the White House, told his supporters, "You have to go home now," but reiterated his claims that the election was fraudulent. "We have to have peace. ... I know you feel," he said to his supporters, who earlier chanted "stop the steal." However, as he spoke, hundreds of protesters remained in a tense standoff with law enforcement and Capitol Police guarding the West and East Fronts of the Capitol. In the chaos at the Capitol, it was not immediately clear when Congress will reconvene to certify the Electoral College results. The sound of flashbang grenades echoed down the Capitol's corridors as protesters strolled unimpeded through the building's statuary hall, several members of Congress from both parties reported via Twitter. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican who's been outspoken about members of his party planning to dispute election results, called Wednesday's actions "a coup attempt." Rep. Elaine Luria, a retired Navy commander and Virginia Democrat, said she had to evacuate her office because a pipe bomb was reported outside. "Supporters of the President are trying to force their way into the Capitol and I can hear what sounds like multiple gunshots," she tweeted. "I don't recognize our country today and the members of Congress who have supported this anarchy do not deserve to represent their fellow Americans." About 340 Guard members were already on city streets in Washington to support police after several pro-Trump groups, such as the Proud Boys, pledged to protest Wednesday. -- Matthew Cox contributed to this report. This story will be updated. Related: After Stonewalling Claims, Biden Team to Consult with Top Generals Overseas By John W. Whitehead Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.- George Orwell, Animal Farm January 05, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - What should we expect in 2021? So far, it looks like this year is going to be plagued by more of the same brand of madness, mayhem, manipulation and tyranny that dominated 2020. Frankly, Im sick of it: the hypocrisy, the double standards, the delusional belief by Americans at every point along the political spectrum that politics and politicians are the answer to what ails the country, when for most of our nations history, politics and politicians have been the cause of our woes. Consider: for years now, Americans, with sheeplike placidity, have tolerated all manner of injustices and abuses meted out upon them by the government (police shootings of unarmed individuals, brutality, corruption, graft, outright theft, occupations and invasions of their homes by militarized police, roadside strip searches, profit-driven incarcerations, profit-driven wars, egregious surveillance, taxation without any real representation, a nanny state that dictates every aspect of their lives, lockdowns, overcriminalization, etc.) without ever saying enough is enough. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Only now do Americans seem righteously indignant enough to mobilize and get active, and for what purpose? Politics. Theyre ready to go to the mat over which corporate puppet will get the honor to serve as the smiling face on the pig for the next four years. Talk about delusion. Its so ludicrous as to be Kafkaesque. A perfect example of how farcical, topsy-turvy, and downright perverse life has become in the America: while President Trump doles out medals of commendation and presidential pardons to political cronies who have done little to nothing to advance the cause of freedom, Julian Assange rots in prison for daring to blow the whistle on the U.S. governments war crimes Youd think that Americans would be outraged over such abject pandering to the very swamp that Trump pledged to drain, but thats not what has the Right and the Left so worked up. No, theyre still arguing over whether dead men voted in the last presidential election. Either way, no matter which candidate lost to the other, it was always going to be the Deep State that won. And so you have it: reduced to technicalities, distracted by magicians con games, and caught up in the manufactured, highly scripted contest over which beauty contestant wears the crown, we have failed to do anything about the world falling apart around us. Literally. Our economyat least as it impacts the vast majority of Americans as opposed to the economic eliteis in a shambles. Our infrastructure is falling apart. Our government has been overtaken by power-hungry predators and parasites. And our abilityand fundamental rightto govern our own lives is being usurped by greedy government operatives who care nothing for our lives or our freedoms. Our ship of state is being transformed into a ship of fools. We stand utterly defenseless in the face of a technological revolution brought about by artificial intelligence and wall-to-wall surveillance that is re-orienting the world as we know it. Despite the mounting high-tech encroachments on our rights, we have been afforded a paltry amount of legislative and judicial protections. Indeed, Corporate America has more rights than we do. We stand utterly powerless in the face of government bureaucrats and elected officials who dance to the tune of corporate overlords and do what they want, when they want, with whomever they want at taxpayer expense, with no thought or concern for the plight of those they are supposed to represent. To this power elite, we the people are good for only two things: our tax dollars and our votes. In other words, they just want our money. We stand utterly helpless in the face of government violence that is meted out, both at home and abroad. Indeed, the systemic violence being perpetrated by agents of the governmentinflicted on unarmed individuals by battlefield-trained SWAT teams, militarized police, and bureaucratic government agents trained to shoot first and ask questions laterhas done more collective harm to the American people and their liberties than any single act of terror or mass shooting. We stand utterly silenced in the face of government and corporate censors and a cancel culture that, in their quest to not offend certain viewpoints, are all too willing to eradicate views that do not conform. In this way, political correctness has given way to a more insidious form of group think and mob rule. We stand utterly locked down in the face of COVID-19 mandates, restrictions, travel bans and penalties that are acclimating the populace to unquestioningly accede to the governments dictates, whatever they might be (as long as they are issued in the name of national security), no matter how extreme or unreasonable. We stand utterly intimidated in the face of red flag laws, terrorism watch lists, contact tracing programs, zero tolerance policies, and all other manner of police state tactics that aim to keep us fearful and compliant. We stand utterly indoctrinated in the collective belief that the governmentdespite its longstanding pattern and practice of corruption, collusion, dysfunction, immorality and incompetencesomehow represents we the people. Despite all of this, despite how evident it is that we are mere tools to be used and abused and manipulated for the power elites own diabolical purposes, we somehow fail to see their machinations for what they truly are: thinly veiled attempts to overthrow our republic and enslave the citizenry in order to expand their power and wealth. It is a grim outlook for a new year, but it is not completely hopeless. If hope is to be found, it will be found with those of us who do not rely on politicians that promise to fix what is wrong but instead do their part, at their local levels, to right the wrongs and fix what is broken. I am referring to the builders, the thinkers, the helpers, the healers, the educators, the creators, the artists, the activists, the technicians, the food gatherers and distributors, and every other person who does their part to build up rather than destroy. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, we the people are the hope for a better year. Not Trump. Not Biden. And not the architects and enablers of the American Police State. Until we can own that truth, until we can forge our own path back to a world in which freedom means something again, were going to be stuck in this wormhole of populist anger, petty politics and destruction that is pitting us one against the other. In that scenario, no one wins. Theres a meme circulating on social media that goes like this: If you catch 100 red fire ants as well as 100 large black ants, and put them in a jar, at first, nothing will happen. However, if you violently shake the jar and dump them back on the ground the ants will fight until they eventually kill each other. The thing is, the red ants think the black ants are the enemy and vice versa, when in reality, the real enemy is the person who shook the jar. This is exactly whats happening in society today. Liberal vs. Conservative. Black vs. White. Pro Mask vs. Anti Mask. The real question we need to be asking ourselves is whos shaking the jar ... and why? Whether red ants will really fight black ants to the death is a question for the biologists, but its an apt analogy of whats playing out before us on the political scene and a chilling lesson in social engineering. So before you get too caught up in the circus politics and conveniently timed spectacles that keep us distracted from focusing too closely on the governments power grabs, first ask yourself: whos really shaking the jar? The Shows Must Go On YouTube channel will present a free stream of Heroes Live, a recording of a 2011 concert by beloved West End actor Michael Ball. Heroes features Ball performing hits by some of his musical heroes, including Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, and Tony Bennett. Songs include "New York State of Mind," "For Once In My Life," "Summer Wind," and more. The concert will air on Friday, January 7, beginning at 2pm ET in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan, and will stream for 48 hours. Ball was meant to be appearing in the West End concert production of Les Miserables right now, but the run was derailed by the most recent pandemic restrictions in England. He is also set to return to his Olivier Award-winning role as Edna in Hairspray at the London Coliseum later this year. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Citizens give thumbs up to old Shanghai style food market By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-01-06 11:04 Without the general impression of dirtiness and mess, Gaoling Market in Shanghais Putuo district, a food market hosting not only vegetable stalls but also traditional Shanghai snack shops, has gone viral due to its tidiness and old Shanghai style decoration. Covering an area of 5000 square meters, the market has more than 130 stalls and a snacks section. (Photos by Zhang Hengwei) In November, Lowcountry residents bestowed the honor of my life to serve as their representative in Congress. This Sunday, I flew to Washington with my children to raise my right hand and swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. I promised the Lowcountry I would be fiscally conservative and offer an independent voice. I said you will always know where I stand, and why. I said my vote will always be based on the Constitution and the rule of law, absent pressure from any party, politics or any desired result. I supported President Trump in a large primary field. I worked for him. I proudly voted for him. And Im grateful for his support in my own election. I supported Trumps reelection and believe he should have won. Today, I will solemnly cast my vote to certify the results of the Electoral College. Why would I do this if I support Trump? The Constitution enumerates the power of selecting electors to the states, not to Congress. Article II, Section I, Clause 2, the 12th Amendment and Title 3 of the U.S. Code make this abundantly clear. Is there evidence of voting irregularities and voter fraud in multiple states? Yes. We saw ballot harvesting; we saw states mass mail ballots to every name on their voter rolls, even to those who were dead or moved to another state and were registered to vote elsewhere. It appears many states also ignored their own election laws. So why arent these objections being leveled against every state that broke their laws and not just the ones Republicans lost? Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! We have serious election integrity problems, even cases of voter fraud, which must be investigated, not just in the states we lost, but everywhere. However, how and why states contest their elections and select their electors to the Electoral College is not for me or any other member of Congress to decide. Federalism and the Constitution explicitly state this power rests solely with the states. If any state sends a second set of electors to Congress, then Congress would be required, per the Constitution, to choose between two slates of electors. I am still open to this evidence being presented, but so far not one state has done this. So Congress role here is narrowly defined and limited. If Congress ever had the power to singularly throw out the Electoral College, we would set a dangerous precedent that the ruling class can disenfranchise millions of voters across the country. Does anyone really want to give Nancy Pelosi this kind of power? Certifying the results is the only way to preserve our republic and our Constitution. We must follow this course, even when we dont like the outcome. Even when we hate the outcome. The preservation of the Electoral College depends on this. South Carolina depends on this. The future of our nation depends on this. I swore an oath on the Constitution on Sunday. I made a promise to my constituents that I would always uphold this solemn oath, and cast my vote accordingly. Some of you will like this vote, some wont. This will be the case with many votes. But know this: I will always vote according to our Constitution. Democrat Raphael Warnock looked poised to knock Sen. Kelly Loeffler out of the Senate, while Jon Ossoff closed in on Republican Sen. David Perdue as counting of the Georgia Senate run-off races went into Wednesday. Late reporting from DeKalb County put the Democrats in a more formidable position, with Ossoff less than 2,000 votes behind Perdue. Warnock had a lead of about 35,000. Around 10:30 p.m., President Donald Trump had cried voter fraud as the two GOP senators looked in danger of losing. 'Looks like they are setting up a big "voter dump" against the Republican candidates,' Trump wrote. 'Waiting to see how many votes they need?' the president tweeted. 'Just happened to have found another 4000 ballots from Fulton County. Here we go!' Trump tweeted a little later. The polls in Georgia had closed at 7 p.m. and early returns showed Warnock and Ossoff ahead. But then, Loeffler pulled ahead of Warnock and Perdue took the lead over Ossoff. But as the night wore on, the biggest outstanding vote came from the Democrat-friendly Dekalb County. The television networks talked about needing to see those numbers before the races were called. The Drudge Report and other secondary outlets called the race for Warnock. The New York Times said it was 'very likely' Warnock and 'pretty likely' for Ossoff. By midnight, the Cook Political Report's Dave Wasserman predicted both Democrats would win. Former Georgia House of Representatives minority leader and failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams tweeted her congratulations to Warnock before his win was called by the networks. 'Congratulations to our next U.S. Senator, @ReverendWarnock. Last January, I endorsed my dear friend in his quest to serve. Soon, he will walk those august halls & cast votes as a leader with courage, justice and integrity. God bless you and keep you in your service to us all,' she wrote. If both Democrats are successful, President-elect Joe Biden will have control of both houses of Congress when he gets sworn-in on January 20. If Warnock wins he would be the state's first black senator, while the 33-year-old Ossoff would be Georgia's first Jewish senator. Earlier Tuesday, Trump was already claiming voter fraud, floating a theory that Dominion voting machines were malfunctioning. Stacey Abrams tweeted her congratulations to Rev. Raphael Warnock before the race was called for him by the networks And as midnight neared, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted out a conspiracy theory that Democrats were up to something in Chatham County, where the stronghold of Savannah is. 'Why are they stopping the vote count in Democrat Chatham county, Georgia?' McEnany wrote. 'This sounds familiar!' Earlier Tuesday Trump posted to his Twitter, 'Reports are coming out of the 12th Congressional District of Georgia that Dominion Machines are not working in certain Republican Strongholds for over an hour.' 'Ballots are being left in lock boxes, hopefully they count them. Thank you Congressman @RickAllen!' he continued, directing his gratitude to Georgia's 12th district Rep. Rick Allen. As returns were coming in Tuesday night, Trump sent out a fundraising text to supporters trying to raise money off the allegations. 'Pres Trump: Is it true that voting machines "stopped working" earlier in Georgia today? Are Dems trying to STEAL this Election? FIGHT BACK! Act,' the text said, linking to page asking for donations. The claim from Trump of voter fraud appears to have come from Perdue, who is running for reelection in the runoff, and John Fredericks, who appeared on former Trump White House strategist Steven Bannon's podcast Tuesday. As the Democratic Senate hopefuls looked poised to jump ahead, President Donald Trump again alleged fraud, suggesting that there would be a 'voter dump' against the GOP candidates, which is why Dekalb County was taking so long to report After midnight, Trump continued to push a conspiracy that election officials were finding votes to benefit the Democrats President Donald Trump's campaign sent out a fundraising tweet on behalf of the president around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night as returns were coming in, repeating his unfounded claims of voter fraud Fulton County, Georgia election workers process absentee ballots Tuesday in the nail-biter race Georgia Republicans await election results on Tuesday night at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia Georiga Gov. Brian Kemp addresses an audience of Republican supporters of Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue Tuesday night in Georgia. President Donald Trump turned on Kemp after losing Georgia in the November general election 'We've got another problem with Dominion machines,' Fredericks told Bannon on his podcast War Room. 'I know this is going to shock your viewers today. But Dominion machines in several get this, not one or two I heard, three of the largest Republican precincts at 10:00 a.m. are down.' 'People have been told that they cannot scan their ballots... because the machines don't work,' he continued. 'In the meantime, they have to make their ballot out and put it in an envelope and the pole workers are saying 'When it's fixed we'll scan it for you.' 'So there's all kinds of red flags right there,' Fredericks said. 'Of course, these are happening in Republican areas. You can extrapolate that, it could be happenstance.' Also on Tuesday, Perdue told the Todd Starnes Show there were voting 'anomalies' involving Dominion machines in three different counties in Georgia. The president's tweet about the claims of irregularities and malfunctions comes as reports emerge of small lines at polling places and low in-person Election Day turnout a bad sign for Republican incumbents Loeffler and Perdue. Karl Rove, who served as George W. Bush's deputy chief of staff and now is financial chair of the Georgia Battleground Fund, said in a private conference call Monday that the two campaigns' models show at least 1 million Georgians need to show up on Election Day for Republicans to win. Lines in Georgia have been much shorter than expected all day Tuesday as voters turn out on Election Day to cast their ballots in the two Senate runoff elections Incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler (left) waves at supporters going to vote in Sandy Springs, Georgia as her Democratic opponent Reverend Raphael Warnock (right) speaks at a canvassing kick off event in Marietta, Georgia on Election Day Immediately after news of smaller-than-expected Election Day turnout emerged, Trump sent an inevitable claim via tweet that Dominion voting machines were malfunctioning the same claim he uses to assert he actually won Georgia in the presidential contest in November Republican Georgia Senator David Perdue who is running for reelection is still quarantining after being diagnosed with coroanvirus. His Democratic opponent Jon Ossoff (pictured) visited Dunbar Neighborhood Center on Election Day in Acworth, Georgia Voters started lining up at the crack of dawn to cast their ballots in the two consequential runoff races. The lines, however, are quite short, with some claiming it took them a total of 5 minutes between showing up and leaving their polling places Vice President-elect Kamala Harris urged Democrats to start turning out more on Tuesday, as well despite a larger Election Day turnout usually favoring Republicans. 'I know @ReverendWarnock and @Ossoff,' the California senator said of the two Democratic candidates. 'We've talked about the promise of our country. How we must help Americans with $2,000 stimulus checks, ensure our children have clean air to breathe, and our small businesses can thrive. That's who they areand who they'll be as U.S. Senators.' On the other hand, Donald Trump Jr. was pushing for more Republicans to turn out. 'Get out and vote Georgia you have 2 1/2 hours to get in line to save America as you know it from the communists,' the president's eldest son and one of his closest campaign advisers said. 'She's worth fighting for!' All eyes turned to the Peach State on Tuesday as thousands across Georgia headed to the polls to cast their ballots in the two consequential runoff races that will decide Senate control. A record-shattering 3 million Georgians cast their votes early, whether in-person or by mail. That early voting figure alone is more than the previous record in overall turnout in a Georgia runoff. Voters began lining up in the Peach State at the crack of dawn Tuesday and polls closed at 7 p.m. setting up Washington for a day of speculation and nail biting as the two races will not only determine which party controls the Senate, but also the trajectory of Joe Biden's presidency. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is urging Democrats in Georgia to start turning out more on Tuesday despite a larger Election Day turnout usually favoring Republicans Donald Trump Jr., the president eldest son and closest campaign adviser, is also pushing for Republicans to turn out with just a few hours left to cast their votes So far, lines have not been as bad as expected leading to speculation that Warnock and Ossoff could both emerge victorious. 'I am hearing of virtually no lines across the state,' Georgia's Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs said Tuesday. Abrams tweeted Tuesday that voters are getting in and out of polling places in minutes thanks to early voting. 'MSNBC is reporting that voters at many Atlanta Metro polling places are in and out in 5 minutes today because so many Georgians voted early!' Abrams posted. 'So if you haven't voted, get out and vote by 7PM today. I'm counting on you.' This is nothing compared to the very long lines seen for in-person early voting in Georgia this year or those lines experienced in the pre-pandemic era in the 2018 runoff. Similar issues that delayed results of the presidential election in Georgia could unfold after Tuesday's runoff contests if the race turnouts are as close as they are expected to be. Voters in Georgia started casting their ballots Tuesday morning in the two runoff elections in the state, which will determine which party controls the Senate Georgians began arriving to vote before polling places even opened. Here a line forms at Cobb County Community Center in Atlanta, Georgia Hundreds of thousands of Georgians are expected to vote on Tuesday before the polls close at 7:00 p.m. after a record-shattering 3 million already voted in the runoff elections early by mail or in-person Republicans expect to win both Senate races. But there are concerns the GOP senators will only win if at least 1 million more voters show up on Election Day to the 3 million who voted early Masked-up and Socially Distanced: Georgia voters stood feet away from each other and donned face masks as they waited outside to be let into their respective polling places to vote Trump pleaded with Georgians to vote for Loeffler and Perdue in a tweet Tuesday morning: 'So important to do so!' he urged Volunteers at a voting center in Austell, Georgia hand out food and drinks to voters lined up waiting to cast their ballots The southern state swung blue for Joe Biden by less than 12,000 votes on November 3, neither Senate race was decided because no candidate earned the 50 per cent needed to avoid a runoff Georgia voters alone will decided the fate of the Senate in the two runoffs A sign outside a voting center reminds candidates and their surrogates, as well as anyone else, that campaigning within 150 feet of a polling place is prohibited by law Georgia runoff winners might not be know for days Similar issues that delayed results of the presidential election in Georgia could unfold after Tuesday's runoff contests if the races are close. Walter Jones, a spokesman for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, said: 'We may be looking at several days.' He claimed the delay would mostly likely come from mail ballots received on Tuesday. Election officials are not able to start counting ballots until 7 p.m. on Tuesday after the polling places close. While the more than 3 million ballots cast in early voting will be processed by then, hundreds of thousands of votes will be flooding in throughout the day Tuesday. The ballots already being processed will likely be counted quickly Tuesday when the polls close, but the others could take some time. Election officials will need to open envelopes, check signatures and load ballots into counting machines for all votes received by mail on Election Day and they will need to process the hundreds of thousands of votes cast in person that day, too. Slow counting held up the results of the presidential election results in Georgia, with President Donald Trump holding a solid lead before mail-in ballots received on November 3 were fully processed and counted. Joe Biden ended up pulling ahead by less than 12,000 votes once all were counted. The tiny margin of victory led to two separate recounts in the Peach State, further delaying the final results. The election Tuesday will decide control of the Senate as incumbent Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue face off against Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, respectively. Advertisement If either Loeffler or Perdue hold onto their seat, Republican will maintain a majority in the upper chamber and more than likely block all legislative actions pushed by Biden. But if both Warnock and Ossoff emerge victorious after Tuesday's election, Democrats will have successfully split the Senate 50-50 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote. 'Georgia, get out and VOTE for two great Senators, @KLoeffler and @sendavidperdue. So important to do so!' Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. The runoffs were triggered after none of the four candidates were able to reach the 50 per cent threshold needed in Georgia to outright win their Senate race on November 3. The state does not hold primary elections, but rather has all candidates on the primary ballot with a requirement that they earn at least half the vote to win. Trump and Biden held dueling events in Georgia Monday to try and use their coattails to increase enthusiasm for their respective parties' candidates. The rallies, however, could be too little, too late. Before Monday, more than 3 million Georgians already voted early in the Senate races whether by mail or in person. This early voting figure far surpasses the previous record of 2.137 million votes cast overall in a runoff election before this year. With around 5.5 million registered voters in Georgia, more than half of those who can vote have already done so before runoff election day on Tuesday. Data from Georgia Secretary of State's office indicates much more people showed up to vote early in person rather than absentee by mail even in the midst of the pandemic. Walter Jones, a spokesman for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the highest ranking Georgia election official, said: 'We may be looking at several days' before results are known. He claimed the delay would most likely come from mail ballots received on Tuesday. Election officials are not able to start counting ballots until 7 p.m. on Tuesday after the polling places close. Hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots will continue flooding in throughout the day Tuesday, and that, combined with tabulating in-person voting could delay the counting process. Slow counting held up the results of the presidential election results in Georgia, with Trump holding a solid lead before mail-in ballots received on November 3 were fully processed and counted in the days after. Joe Biden won by less than 12,000 votes in the days after Election Day and the minuscule margin of victory led to two separate recounts in the Peach State, further delaying the final results. Historically, Democrats do better in mail-in and early voting and Republicans perform better on Election Day. Trump, while pushing for Loeffler and Perdue's reelections, also used his Monday night rally in Dalton County, Georgia to complain of his claimed widespread voter fraud and push his repeated and largely unproven allegations that the presidency was 'stolen' by Democrats. President Donald Trump held a rally Monday night in Dalton County, Georgia for Republican incumbent Senators Kelly Loeffler (pictured) and David Perdue Perdue joined the rally remotely to address the crowd at one point. He is still quarantining at his home after contracting coroanvirus Earlier in the day, President-elect Joe Biden held an event campaigning for Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff (left) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (center) Loeffler told Fox News on Monday night that she would join a dozen other Republican senators in a plot to challenge at least one state's Electoral College results when Congress moves to certify the election for Joe Biden on Wednesday. Trump announced on his Twitter Tuesday morning that Perdue was also joining the effort to challenge the results. 'Pleased to announce that @KLoeffler & @sendavidperdue have just joined our great #StopTheSteal group of Senators,' the president posted. 'They will fight the ridiculous Electoral College Certification of Biden. How do you certify numbers that have now proven to be wrong and, in many cases, fraudulent!' Biden won 306 Electoral College votes to Trump's 232. A group of House Republicans, led by Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, started pushing the plan last month and have gained a lot of traction since then after the group of senators joined the effort. Loeffler attended the rally Monday night, but Perdue is still quarantining after being in contact with a staffer who tested positive for COVID-19. He joined the rally by video for a short time to address the crowd gathered on the tarmac for one of Trump's last rallies of his presidency. Trump lauded Loeffler and Perdue on Tuesday for joining a GOP effort in the Senate to challenge the Electoral College results in the joint session certifying the election for Joe Biden on January 6 During the rally, Trump demanded that Vice President Mike Pence 'come through' as he presides over Congress certifying the election on January 6 and Republicans carry out their plan to challenge the results. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told an audience Monday night. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' While the president's biggest Capitol Hill allies challenge some of the states' Electoral College counts, which could elongate the Congressional session for hours or even days, Pence will just announce the results. Even though there is little to nothing Pence can do to change the outcome, Trump is suggesting he has the power to do so. Thousands of the president's most staunch supporters are descending on Washington D.C. on Wednesday to protest the election results, demanding Democrats 'stop the steal' and Trump be declared the true winner. The GOP has been tearing itself apart from the inside out in the midst of the Georgia runoff as Republicans pick sides on standing with the president on his claims of widespread voter fraud or not. Specifically, Georgia Republicans are publicly split on the matter. In a call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Saturday, Trump pressured him to find 11,780 votes for him in the Peach State to overturn Biden's win there. Audio of the call was leaked by Raffensperger himself on Sunday, and revealed a desperate Trump who, at times, begged, flattered and threatened the Georgia official, who is a Republican. Trump has also attacked Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp for not doing enough to try and overturn the results after the state went blue in the presidential elections. Kemp appeared at an election night party with Republican supporters of the two Senate candidates Tuesday in Atlanta. Loeffler and Perdue, however, have stayed on the president's side not wanting to upset him and his supporters before their runoff elections. Senator Kelly Loeffler Republican Kelly Loeffler was appointed to her seat over the objections of President Trump, and spent her tenure trying to put as little daylight as possible between her and the president. The richest senator, Loeffler, 50, was never Trump's favorite. The president preferred conservative loyalist Rep. Doug Collins for the vacancy that came up with the retirement of Sen. Johnny Isaakson in 2019. She opposed Trump's impeachment, and bragged about her '100 percent Trump voting record' on the campaign trail. But the former exec who co-owns the Atlanta Dream WNBA team made political stumbles throughout her tenure, which made her an endangered incumbent heading into November and then again in January even in a Republican-leaning state. On Monday night, at a rally where Trump campaigned for her, she announced that she would back the challenge to the election that Trump is demanding when Congress meets Wednesday to count the Electoral College votes. When she appeared with Trump Monday at the nighttime rally, she pointed awkwardly in the air and spoke for just seconds. Two weeks ago, at another rally with Ivanka Trump, crowd members chanted over her while she was trying to tout the case for her own reeelction. 'Fight for Trump! ... Stop the steal!' audience members chanted. After the killing of George Floyd, she clashed with the WNBA after teams promoted a Black Lives Matter message. Players responded on her own team responded by wearing matching 'Vote Warnock' t-shirts. She was appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in December 2019 after then-Senator Johnny Isakson announced he was resigning for health reasons. Kemp was a Trump ally, although the president has of late blasted him as a RINO for failing to support his effort to overturn the election results in his state. Loeffler considers herself the most conservative Republican in the Senate and has aligned herself fully with Trump touting her '100 per cent Trump voting record' while campaigning. Before ascending to Congress, Loeffler served as CEO of Bakkt, a digital asset conversion company, a subsidiary of her husband Jeffrey Sprecher's financial service provider Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange. She also co-owns WNBA team the Atlanta Dream. She faced a bitter primary against Collins, a Trump loyalist and defender in the House. She also had to stand for her first election on the ballot at a time when Georgia became a presidential battleground. Democrat Joe Biden would end up defeating Trump by 11,779 votes. She also had to contend with accusations of insider trading even as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the nation. She and her husband traded millions worth of stocks between January and mid-February. This included stocks where the pandemic had an effect. The Daily Beast reported on the trade, which took place after Loeffler attended a closed Jan. 24 Senate briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, in March. Under growing pressure, she announced that she and her husband were liquidating stocks they held in individual companies. The Justice Department closed an investigation into her stock trades, and the Senate Ethics Committee determined she did not break rules or laws. Senate rules allow members to trade stocks, but require their disclosure. After she was forced into a runoff against Warnock, Loeffler's path was complicated by Trump's efforts to overturn the results certified in her state -including after a hand recount. She would call for the resignation of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who pushed back on Trump's unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. But she dodged questions on whether she would back Trump's election challenges when Congress meets to count the Electoral College votes. It was only on Monday that she announced she would back Trump's effort. Loeffler and Sprecher, 65, were married in 2004 and have no children. Their net worth is $800 million, making Loeffler the richest member of Congress, by far. The two reside in Tuxedo Park a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia in a $10.5 million estate. Advertisement Reverend Raphael Warnock Baptist pastor Raphael Warnock, 51, is looking to take Senator Kelly Loeffler's Senate seat in his first run for public office. The reverend rose to prominence in Georgia politics in 2014 when he emerged a leader in the effort to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Warnock chaired the New Georgia Project, a nonpartisan organization focused on voter registration, from June 2017 to January 2020. He has also served as senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia since 2005 the same church where Marin Luther King Jr. preached alongside his father from 1959 until his death in 1968. In 2013, Warnock delivered the benediction at the public prayer service for Barack Obama's second inauguration. As Warnock geared up for his 2020 Senate run, he hosted in March 2019 an interfaith meeting on climate change at his church, featuring Al Gore. The reverend grew up in public housing in Savannah, Georgia as the eleventh of twelve children of two Pentecostal pastors. From 2016 to 2020, Warnock was married to Ouleye Ndoye, with whom he shares two children. His now-ex-wife accused Warnock of running over her foot with a car while trying to get out of an argument. Body camera footage of Warnock's interview with police during the incident was made public before the runoff election. Advertisement Senator David Perdue David Perdue, 71, first became a U.S. senator for Georgia in 2015, replacing retiring Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. This year is his first reelection campaign, and he didn't earn the 50 per cent needed to avoid a runoff. Perdue is a cousin of President Donald Trump's Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Before seeking public office, Perdue served as senior vice president for Reebok and later joined PillowTex, a North Carolina textile company. Following that, he was CEO of Dollar General. In the list of most rich members of Congress, Perdue falls at No. 21 with a net worth of 15.8 million. Perdue, like his Georgia colleague Kelly Loeffler, was linked to a congressional insider trading scandal in 2020 for selling stocks before the market crashed in a fallout from the coroanvirus pandemic. They both allegedly used knowledge from a closed Senate meeting to make stock decision. Perdue resides in Sea Island, Georgia with his wife Bonnie Dunn, who he married in 1972. The couple has two sons and three grandchildren. They had a daughter who died in infancy. Advertisement Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Chaos descended on Washington, D.C., Wednesday when a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, forcing Congress to suspend its certification of the electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. As the violence escalated, leaders around the world reacted to what they were witnessing. United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the mob violence disgraceful. Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power, Johnson said on Twitter. Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a Vancouver, B.C., radio station that he was following the news minute by minute. I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly, Trudeau said. Later, Trudeau tweeted that Democracy must be upheld. Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld - and it will be. Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 6, 2021 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the mob attack distressing. Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 6, 2021 Irelands Prime Minister Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that he was watching the insurrection with great concern and dismay. The Irish people have a deep connection with the United States of America, built up over many generations. I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 6, 2021 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the scenes shocking. Shocking scenes in Washington DC. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected, Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter. Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected. Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 6, 2021 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted that he hoped Biden would help unite Americans. I am following with concern the news that are coming from Capitol Hill in Washington. I trust in the strength of America's democracy. The new Presidency of @JoeBiden will overcome this time of tension, uniting the American people. Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) January 6, 2021 On the home front, former President Barack Obama called for Republicans in Congress to choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. Heres my statement on todays violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021 Former President George W. Bush issued a statement, expressing disbelief and dismay. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic not our democratic republic, Bushs statement said. BREAKING: Former President Bush: "Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nations government in disbelief and dismay ... This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic not our democratic republic." pic.twitter.com/odbI0n21Zt NBC News (@NBCNews) January 6, 2021 Former President Bill Clinton blamed the mob action on four years of poison politics. Today we faced an unprecedented assault on our Capitol, our Constitution, and our country. The assault was fueled by more than four years of poison politics spreading deliberate misinformation, sowing distrust in our system, and pitting Americans against one another. Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 7, 2021 And Jimmy Carter, the oldest living former president, issued the following statement late Wednesday: Rosalynn and I are troubled by the violence at the U.S. Capitol today. This is a national tragedy and is not who we are as a nation. Having observed elections in troubled democracies worldwide, I know that we the people can unite to walk back from this precipice to peacefully uphold the laws of our nation, and we must. We join our fellow citizens in praying for a peaceful resolution so our nation can heal and complete the transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries. -- Grant Butler gbutler@oregonian.com The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. CHICOPEE Protesters gathered in front of City Hall Tuesday to call for the resignation of a city councilor who said women wearing provocative clothing at sketchy nightclubs are at fault if they are sexually harassed. About 20 residents held signs and chanted in a demonstration before a City Council meeting. The demonstrators called for Lucjan Galecki, who has served as the Ward 3 councilor for a year, to resign immediately. The demonstration was organized by Our Revolution Chicopee. The group is calling for a recall provision to be added into the city charter and wants more information about sexual harassment training that will be offered to the council, said organizer Jeannette Rivera. We want to have a community conversation since (Galecki) has really opened a lot of wounds and created a lot of hurt, Rivera said. If he is not willing to resign, what is he willing to do to heal this? Galecki was escorted into City Hall by police and did not engage the protesters, who yelled resign as he walked by. He later said he does not plan to resign and is planning to run for reelection in November. If I get a lot of negative feedback from voters I may not, Galecki said. Although protesters have been vocal, he said he is getting plenty of support from other people he represents in Ward 3. I did apologize, he said. I wasnt commenting about anyone. It was my opinion about a certain topic. ... What I said came out wrong. Galecki made the comments in mid-December in a public Facebook exchange with Kaween Fernando, his opponent in the 2019 election. Galecki essentially said women who dress provocatively and go to bars with questionable reputations should not be surprised if they are sexually harassed or assaulted. If they knew it was likely that it would happen and they were warned to stay away from those areas but they went instead, its completely their fault, Galecki wrote in one comment. He later deleted the comments. Fernando, who filmed the rally on Facebook Live, said he will not run again. Continuing the feud will not benefit the constituents of Ward 3, he said. Among the protesters was Darlene Reina, who said she wants to run against Galecki in November. A University of Massachusetts graduate and information technology analyst at Greenfield Community College, she said she has lived in Chicopee for about four years and started considering a run for City Council before the hoopla happened. Mainly there are no women or people of color on the city council, its all white men, said Reina, who is Latina. We have a 20% Latino population in the city and there is no representation on the council. Nomination papers for the November election will be available Feb. 1, City Clerk Keith Rattell said. Other protesters called Galeckis comments despicable and disgusting. They chanted: Hey Galecki go climb a tree, you dont belong in Chicopee, referring to the councilors tree service business. Tuesdays City Council meeting was the first since Galecki made the comments on Facebook. The general public and some councilors were not allowed to attend the meeting in person due to state COVID-19 restrictions. Council President Shane Brooks allowed public input remotely, but just one resident asked to speak. She accused Galecki of violating the city code of conduct and called for his immediate resignation. Councilor Joel McAuliffe said he will file a motion to begin the process add a recall procedure to the city charter and make other modifications to bring it into the 21st century. The events of the last few weeks are an absolute embarrassment to our city. It left a stain on this body and has painted ourselves and our residents in a negative light, he said. McAuliffe said he joins with fellow councilors in denouncing the comments. They are is disgusting and inhumane. Victims are just that, victims, and they should never be blamed, he said. Brooks said he asked Police Chief William Jebb before the rally for an officer to ensure protesters were safe from traffic. The sidewalk in front of City Hall is partially blocked due to construction and the road curves around the building, so motorists have a limited line of sight in that location. There is no reason for anyone to be hurt for airing their beliefs, he said. Brooks previously asked Galecki to resign and stripped him of all his committee assignments. Mayor John L. Vieau also condemned Galeckis comments. But both said they had no way to remove Galecki from the council. There is no mechanism as mayor or as president of the council to have a councilor removed from office, Vieau said previously. I encourage Councilor Galecki to work with a Sexual Abuse Prevention Advocate and I have offered their contact information to him. If you are a victim of sexual assault or rape, help is available. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Recently, Kansai Halifax Holdings Released the research report on 'Teledyne Acquiring Flir in $7.36 Billion Deal'. Senior finance managers at Kansai Halifax Holdings have today commented on Teledyne Technologies Inc. as it agrees to acquire thermal imaging camera supplier Flir Systems Inc. for $7.36 billion, bolstering its portfolio of imaging sensor technology which is used for aerospace and defense initiatives. "The merged companies will have a combined revenue for 2020 of around $5 billion on a pro forma basis," commented Jonathan Scott, Director of EMEA Wealth Management at Kansai Halifax Holdings. "Flir's imaging products for the battlefield and commercial markets will contribute to Teledyne's space and aircraft system portfolio," he added. With industry demand increasing, Teledyne has been pursuing several acquisitions. In October, the company, which as of December 31 was valued at $14.5 billion, said it had a solid balance sheet and a healthy pipeline of buyout plans that will help boost its cash flow over the coming years. According to analysts at Kansai Halifax Holdings, FLIR shareholders will receive $28 in cash and 0.0718 shares of Teledyne common stock for each share held. That indicates a purchase price of $56.14 based on Teledyne's last close, which represents a 28.1% premium for FLIR shareholders to the stock's closing price on Thursday. "At 12:56 p.m. in New York, Flir surged 19% to $52.06 after climbing as much as 24%. On Monday, Teledyne sank 8.6% to $358.38," commented Michael Taylor, Director of Capital Markets at Kansai Halifax Holdings. Teledyne said the Flir deal, which it valued at around $8 billion, will contribute to earnings immediately after excluding acquisition expenses and intangible asset amortization. A spokesperson for the California-based company said the deal is Teledyne's biggest ever. Evercore acted as financial adviser to Teledyne and Goldman Sachs & Co LLC advised FLIR. The companies expect the purchase to complete in the middle of this year, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals and other customary conditions. About Kansai Halifax Holdings Headquartered in Japan, Kansai Halifax Holdings is one of Asia's leading wealth management companies, entrusted to manage over $6.45 billion in client investment capital. Media contact Company: Kansai Halifax Holdings Contact: Mr. Moto Saionji, Chief Market Analyst E-mail: moto.saionji@khhfinancial.com Website: https://khhfinancial.com/ Telephone: +1 647 945 9502 Address: Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 2500, Toronto, Canada SOURCE: Kansai Halifax Holdings View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623266/Kansai-Halifax-Holdings-Releases-Research-Report-on-Teledyne-Acquiring-Flir-in-736-Billion-Deal Businessman Ratan Tata has won the hearts of netizens after he was spotted visiting a former employee in Pune. The heart-warming gesture shown by the 83-year-old Tata scion came to light after Yogesh Desai, CEO at Primaverse, shared a post on LinkedIn earlier this week. Tata was photographed by Desai at Punes Friends Society where he is seen with the family of one of the former employees at Tata. In his LinkedIn Post, Desai said that the entrepreneur had travelled from Mumbai to Pune to visit a former employee who has been keeping unwell for two years. Desai praised the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons and called him a living legend, and the greatest businessman alive in India'' for visiting his former employee all the way from Mumbai. Desai further said that this is how legends are made, with no media, no bouncers but only commitment towards loyal employees. He also said that this gesture of Tata should come as a lesson for all entrepreneurs and businessmen that money is not everything and all that matters is being a great human being. The post has garnered 1,70,752 reactions since it was shared two days ago. Netizens are showering their words of praise and love for the businessman on Desais post. One user commented that his empathy and compassion for his employees is truly an inspiration for everyone and those who have worked or are working with him, while another user commented, We Indians love him and are proud of him. He is our hero!!! Another fan of Tata said, Hi this is called personality which never dies, and Ratan Tataji will be always alive by his personality. Let Great God bless him all the way.(sic) Those who have met him quite a few times shared their experience as well, He is a legend, met him several times and you will never meet a more genuine, grounded individual. Last year, Tata shared a personal story for a post for Humans of Bombay. The post went viral for showing a never-before-seen side of an otherwise public figure. Ratan opened up about his parents divorce which affected him and his elder brothers childhood. He also shared how his grandmother was a guiding light in his life who taught him the importance of maintaining dignity especially when the times were hard. He also opened up about the time when he was almost going to get married but could not. For fourth day, snow disrupts life in Kashmir; Highway shut India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Srinagar, Jan 06: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for the fourth day on Wednesday as new landslides were reported along the only road that connects the Valley with the rest of the country. According to reports, the stranded vehicles along the highway have been taken to safer places amid continuous rain and snowfall. Taking to Twitter, Jammu and Kashmir traffic police said, "Jammu Srinagar NHW [national highway] blocked due to snow accumulation at Jawahar Tunnel and Landslides/mudslides/shooting stones at Samroli, Magarkot, Panthyal, Marog, Cafeteria mor, Dhalwas, Nashri @JmuKmrPolice." Coronavirus cases: India records 18,088 new COVID-19 cases, 264 deaths in last 24 hours MEanwhile, a group of tourists from Rajasthan made a narrow escape along the highway near Panthal when a landslide hit the vehicle they were travelling in. Police said the tourists were rescued and were safe. Since the weekend, heavy snowfall has disrupted life across Kashmir, especially in South Kashmir and the upper reaches of North and Central Kashmir. Kulgam district in South Kashmir have received up to six feet of snow. Coronavirus: India becomes third country to record more than 1.5 lakh deaths The heavy snowfall has prompted authorities to order rationing of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders as well as establish helplines at district headquarters. Residents have complained that snow has not been cleared at many places and hampered the public movement. The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority separately issued an avalanche alert. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News "Medium level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Jawahar Tunnel, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Tanghdar. Similarly, low-level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Gulmarg, Gurez, Kanzalwan, and Sonmarg," an official of the authority said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the weather was expected to improve from Thursday. "Present weather conditions are likely to continue till late tonight [Wednesday] or early tomorrow [Thursday]. We expect a significant improvement in weather from tomorrow...[Thursday] in Jammu and Kashmir. With that cold wave will return from January 7th [Thursday] onwards with warmer days and colder nights," IMD said in a bulletin. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 11:21 [IST] The countdown to the Union Budget will kick off in the next two weeks once the printing of the budget document begins. The budget holds greater significance this years because the economy is in recession due to coronavirus and the fiscal deficit has soared to Rs 10.76 lakh crore. So far, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has concluded pre-Budget consultations with the captains of industry, services, and trade in connection with Budget 2021. The Finance Minister will present the Budget on February 1 at 11 am in the Lok Sabha. Here are important events related to Budget: 1. HALWA CEREMONY Every year the Ministry of Finance organises the 'Halwa ceremony' which marks the process of printing documents of the Budget. The Indian dessert is prepared in a big kadhai and served to the entire staff involved in budget preparation. The significance of serving Halwa to the officials is to mark the secrecy of the whole project. 2. SECRECY OF BUDGET Soon after the halwa ceremony, the officials who are involved in making the Union Budget have to stay at the North Block, cut off from their families till the presentation of the Budget in the Lok Sabha. They are not allowed to contact their families through phone or any other form of communication, such as e-mail, texts. Only very senior officials in the finance ministry are permitted to go home. Even mobile phone jammers are installed to block phone calls. Internet connections of staff and senior officials are cut. Phone calls made through landlines installed are closely monitored. 3. ECONOMIC SURVEY The Economic Survey is the annual flagship document of the Ministry of Finance. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance presents the Survey in the Parliament every year, just before the Union Budget. It is prepared under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser of India. The survey is a detailed report of the country's economic performance during the past year. It is basically an assessment of the progress of the economy over the 12-month period. 4. BUDGET PRESENTATION The Finance Minister presents the Budget on February 1 during the Budget session. However, due to coronavirus outbreak, it is likely that the budget session will be held with safety measures, including strict physical distancing norms. For the first time ever, the Members of Parliament might be seated in three different places - the Rajya Sabha chamber, the Lok Sabha chamber, and the central hall - for President Ram Nath Kovind's address at the beginning of the session. 5. MEN BEHIND BUDGET 2021 Finance Secretary A B Pandey; Economic Affairs Secretary, Tarun Bajaj; DIPAM Secretary, Tuhin Kanta Pandey; Financial Services Secretary, Debasish Panda; Expenditure Secretary, T V Somanathan, and Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian will assist FM Sitharaman in making the Budget. Also read: As China intensifies crackdown, Jack Ma's Alibaba starts scaling down businesses Also read: WhatsApp forces users to take accept new terms of service, privacy policy Syria and close ally Russia clashed with the US and other nations Tuesday over a Western initiative to suspend Syrias voting rights in the global chemical weapons watchdog for failing to provide details of three chemical attacks in 2017 that investigators blamed on President Bashar Assads government. The confrontation in the UN Security Council foreshadowed a showdown when the 193 member states of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons meet in The Hague, Netherlands, in April to consider a French-drafted measure, on behalf of 46 countries, to suspend Syrias rights and privileges in the body. The French proposal was a response to Syrias failure to meet a 90-day deadline set in July by the OPCWs executive council for Damascus to declare the nerve agent sarin and chlorine, which OPCW investigators said last April were dropped by the Syrian air force on the central town of Latamneh in late March 2017. The Western effort reflects a much broader effort to obtain accountability for Syrian chemical attacks and highlight claims that Assads government is secretly continuing its chemical weapons program. Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in September 2013, pressed by Russia after a deadly chemical weapons attack that the West blamed on Damascus. By August 2014, the Assad government declared that the destruction of its chemical weapons was completed. But Syrias initial declaration of its chemical stockpiles and chemical weapons production sites has remained in dispute. Irelands UN ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason, a new council member, said it was deeply disturbing that the OPCW still cannot determine whether the initial declaration was accurate or complete because of gaps and inconsistencies. She said the problems are not minor as some would portray, alluding to Russia. Over those seven years, the number of issues that need to be addressed has expanded from five to 19, Byrne Nason said. There have been 17 amendments to Syrias declaration including the addition of a production facility, four research and development centers, and doubling of the amount of declared agents and chemicals. In addition, she said, there are issues related to hundreds of tons of missing agents and munitions reported destroyed before Syria joined the chemical convention as well as recent reports of a production facility that Damascus declared as never having been used, where there is clear evidence to the contrary. Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul, another new council member, also expressed concern at Syrias failure to explain an unnamed chemical that can be used in chemical weapons but also has non-weapons uses. It was detected at the Barzah facilities of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center. Russias deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, again accused OPCW investigators of being unscrupulous and alleged they used forgeries and manipulations to blame Syria. He called the chemical watchdog seriously ill with politicization. And he accused a number of unnamed countries of playing this `chemical card to step up pressure on the Syrian government that they failed to overthrow in the wake of the so-called Arab Spring. As for the initial Syrian declaration, Polyansky said Damascus was not an extraordinary case, pointing to amended declarations by Western countries including France and Germany as well as Libya. He accused Western delegations of trying to inflate agitation around Syria. French Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere expressed regret at the false accusations of those who seek to discredit OPCW and its findings about Syrias attacks. There is simply the reality of the facts, he said. We all know them: the regime used weapons of war prohibited by international law against its own population, and since then we have seem chemical weapons re-emerge and become commonplace in Syria and elsewhere. British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said OPCW investigators, alone and initially with a UN team, determined Syria used chemical weapons on at least six occasions. These are not hypothetical issues for the thousands of Syrian civilians who have suffered the horrifying effects on the body of nerve agents and chlorine, she said. Syrias deputy foreign minister and former UN ambassador, Bashar Jaafari, accused some unnamed Western nations of using the OPCW as a platform to fabricate allegations and then justify an assault and aggression on Syria. The aim, he said, is to frame the Syrian government for the use of chemical weapons and exonerate the terrorists and the sponsors ... and give them the necessary means to escape through the occupied Golan area through Israel to the capitals of Western states where they can live. Russias Polyansky said Syria could not meet the OPCWs anti-Syria demands on Latamneh because it simply doesnt have the chemical weapons and facilities the organization is seeking. Hopefully, the majority of delegations at the member states conference in April will reject this provocation, and the West-initiated decision, which is `punitive by nature, will not pass, he said. US deputy ambassador Richard Mills said neither the Security Council nor the world is fooled by Russias accelerated campaign to discredit the OPCW. He urged council members to call on all countries to support the French draft against Syria in April aimed at promoting accountability for the Assad regimes actions. It is time that the Syrian people, and indeed all the globes people, be allowed to live in a world free of the threat of chemical weapons, he said. 1. One more election day. Georgia voters are choosing two senators in races that will decide which party controls the Senate and how far President-elect Joe Biden can take his agenda. If both the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeat the Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, Democrats would control the chamber. Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern. The results of Tuesdays race are expected to come much more quickly than the presidential tally, which included two recounts in Georgia. Its possible but certainly not guaranteed that well know who won on Tuesday night, or very early on Wednesday. Above, voting in Marietta. Webber Returns to Cheshire Next Week as Interim Administrator CHESHIRE, Mass. The Board of Selectmen unanimously appointed Mark Webber as the interim town administrator on Tuesday. Chairwoman Michelle Francesconi said he will likely be at their next meeting. "He was here earlier this week just to get the lay of the land, and hopefully he will be here next Tuesday night," she said. "I am excited." Webber, who retired in 2018 after a decade with the town, will step in to replace Edmund St. John IV, who resigned last month. Although the Selectmen plan to do a full-scale search for a new administrator, which could take upwards of a year, board members decided that someone needed to be brought on to run the town's day-to-day operations in the interim. The board briefly considered a search but then reached out to Webber, who agreed to cover the post in a part-time capacity. Tuesday's vote made it official. Selectman Mark Biagini said he thought the board made the right decision and felt it would take too long to get a new person up to speed. "It is good to have him back because he knows the town, he knows the departments, and I think it would be rough getting someone acclimated," he said. Francesconi said Webber will put in 12 hours a week and prefers to work in town. Instead of working these 12 hours in one day as he had done in the past, Webber will split the time in half. Francesconi said she was in contact with the Massachusetts Municipal Association about possible consultants to help with the search process for a new town administrator. She said they listed Municipal Resources Inc, Community Paradigm Associates, and the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. She said she would prefer to avoid the Collins Center, which worked with Adams and Cheshire in the past. When the Hoosac Valley Regional School District was looking to close an elementary school, the Collins Center was hired to prepare a report to help the School Committee in its decision. The decision was to close Cheshire Elementary School; this is still a point of contention in Cheshire. "I think to bring them back would be problematic," Francesconi said. "Not that their services aren't valuable, but I think their name alone would dredge up feelings we don't need to dredge up." The Selectmen asked Francesconi to reach out to the two remaining firms and request scope of work and cost estimates. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Ayatollah Mahmoud Amjad member of the seminary in Qom, , warned on his Instagram page on Monday, January 4, that he intends to rise against the "corrupt" seminary and "the ungodly turbaned heads who have no conscience." In a copy of his handwritten text published on Instagram, Ayatollah Amjad shared, "Backed by God's blessing and divine power, and following Prophet Muhammad's footsteps; I have decided to launch a 'great jihad' to seek justice and reject illegitimacy, in a crystal-clear and transparent manner." The note also states that he would persevere regardless of the consequences of his "rebellion." A student of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Amjad reiterated that "I will revolt against this corrupt seminary and ungodly turbaned heads, come what may." Amjad previously supported Ruhollah Zam, the managing director of dissident website AMAD News, calling him a victim of oppression in an unprecedented video message. Iranian intelligence agents lured Zam, the Paris-based AMAD News administrator, to Iraq, where they abducted him, took him back to Iran and hanged him on December 12, 2020. Amjad insisted in his video message that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is personally responsible for "all killings" in Iran since 2009. "Mr. Khamenei must give up on his tyranny. All the blood that has been spilled and all the people who have been killed since [widespread uprising against the official outcome of the presidential election in] 2009 Mr. Khamenei, you are responsible! I hope that it is God's plan for you to repent. You know that we do not wish ill upon anyone rather, we want what is best for all," Amjad said in his video message. Amjad went further, calling for a change in the Iranian Constitution and blaming the clergy for their silence. "This country is full of crimes, and those who remain silent have no excuse. What are you afraid of? Nobody can kill you, be sure. And if they kill you, so they kill you is your blood worth more than the blood of Imam Hussein?" Firing back at Amjad's vitriolic message, the managing-director of the state-controlled Twelver-Shi'ite seminaries, mid-ranking white-turbaned clergy, Alireza A'rafi, accused him of "stupidity," naivete," and being "ostentatious." Amjad, formerly the Friday Prayer Imam in Nahavand and Khomeini's representative in Iran's district seven, is a renowned cleric whose sermons at Tehran's Imamzadeh Saleh attracted hundreds of audiences. Following Iranian security forces' attack on the University of Tehran's dormitory in July 1999, and especially after the controversial 2009 presidential election and the bloody repression of protesters, Amjad's critical views became more apparent. Amjad was also one of the prominent candidates disqualified in the Assembly of Experts elections in 2015. BlackArch Partners LLC (BlackArch) is pleased to announce the sale of National Carwash Solutions (NCS or the Company), a portfolio company of AEA Investors (AEA), to Berkshire Partners (Berkshire). National Carwash Solutions is a leading provider of car wash equipment, services and solutions to customers in North America. NCS offers its customers a fully integrated suite of offerings to meet all their operational needs, including car wash systems, aftermarket parts, cleaning fluids, and vacuums all supported through its industry-leading distribution and services footprint. The company goes to market with an integrated portfolio of reputable brands, including MacNeil Wash Systems, Ryko Solutions, CleanTouch Cleaning Solutions, Cleaning Systems Inc., TSS Car Wash Services and Vacutech Vacuums. By providing a comprehensive range of offerings, NCS serves a critical role in enabling the success of a diverse set of customers, including convenience store and retail car wash operators. Berkshire has acquired NCS with the expectation of furthering managements vision for long-term growth. Through an aggressive growth strategy executed during AEAs ownership, NCS meaningfully expanded its product and service offerings, customer base, and North American footprint becoming the first and only platform to offer a vertically-integrated, comprehensive end-to-end suite of products and solutions for the vehicle-care market. The leadership team will remain active and an integral part of the shareholder group during the Company's next chapter of growth. BlackArch was retained by AEA and management to serve as the Companys exclusive financial advisor. The transaction continues BlackArchs industry-leading presence in the car wash, vehicle care and field services sectors and is representative of the firms focus on providing unique M&A advisory services to market-leading businesses. "I place an immense amount of trust in the BlackArch team this was my second experience working with BlackArch, and they once again showed relentless drive and leadership in support of our next chapter," said Michael Gillen, Chief Executive Officer of National Carwash Solutions. BlackArchs intimate knowledge of NCS history and our vision for the future of the company was crucial in articulating the opportunity to potential partners, and we could not be happier with the outcome. The NCS team is extremely appreciative of BlackArchs deep commitment, constant professionalism and trusted counsel throughout the process they truly served as an invaluable extension of the NCS team. About National Carwash Solutions NCS is a leading full-service fluids and systems provider to the vehicle-care industry, serving customers in North America for more than 45 years, and supporting car wash operators who wash millions of vehicles every year. The company provides comprehensive systems and aftermarket support, including service, parts, and environmentally friendly cleaning fluids. NCS operates a family of brands that provide systems, nationwide support, and a complete chemical line, including MacNeil Wash Systems, Ryko Solutions, Cleaning Systems, Inc. (CSI), CleanTouch Cleaning Solutions, NCS College of Clean, and Vacutech. The company also has strategic partnerships with many top car wash distributors in North America, including Arizona Car Wash Systems, Auto-Clean, Badger Land, Complete Car Wash, Hi-Performance Wash Systems, and NuLook. Its offerings are backed by the largest service network in North America, with more than 280 dedicated service technicians. To learn more, visit http://www.ncswash.com. About AEA Investors AEA Investors LP was founded in 1968 by the Rockefeller, Mellon and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co. as a private investment vehicle for a select group of industrial family offices with substantial assets. AEA has an extraordinary global network built over many years which includes leading industrial families, business executives and leaders; many of whom invest with AEA as active individual investors (Participants) and/or join its portfolio company boards or act in other advisory roles. Today, AEAs approximately 90 investment professionals operate globally with offices in New York, Connecticut, London, Munich and Shanghai. The firm manages funds that have approximately $15 billion of invested and committed capital including the leveraged buyouts of middle market companies and small business companies and mezzanine and senior debt investments. AEA Private Equity invests across three sectors: value added industrials, consumer and services. AEA SBF is a strategy within AEA that currently manages over $1.8 billion of invested and committed capital. The team seeks to help grow and transform companies at the lower end of the middle market by sponsoring growing companies with proven management teams and superior business models. For additional information, visit http://www.aeainvestors.com. About Berkshire Partners Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, has made more than 130 private equity investments since its founding over 30 years ago. Berkshire Private Equity has developed sector experience in multiple areas including business services & technology, communications, consumer, healthcare and industrials. The firm has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. For additional information, and to see a full list of the firms investments, visit http://www.berkshirepartners.com. About BlackArch Partners BlackArch Partners is a leading middle-market investment bank offering a full spectrum of advisory services to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations. BlackArch addresses the needs of owner-operators, founders and shareholders of private companies with specialized services that include M&A advisory, strategic advisory and private capital solutions. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, BlackArch features a total of 12 industry-focused practices that cover all sectors of interest to middle-market investors; BlackArch professionals have closed more than 350 transactions in 16 countries on four continents. Please visit our website, http://www.blackarchpartners.com, for more details. Securities offered through BlackArch Securities LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of all clients. Testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success. More than 2,200 people reserved a slot on the Midland Health Departments COVID-19 vaccine waitlist after it was opened for individuals age 65 and older or with chronic health conditions, according to a city spokeswoman. The health department received its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine on Dec. 29. By the next day, appointments for all 200 doses had already been booked. A city spokeswoman said 2,211 people had added their names to the health departments waitlist as of Tuesday morning. Health department officials dont yet know when theyll receive another shipment, she said. Whitney Craig with the health department previously said in an interview that they expect the next shipment will also include 200 doses. Vaccine rollouts have moved slowly and been met with confusion throughout the state and nation. Gov. Greg Abbott said on Dec. 22 that 1.4 million health-care workers and at-risk Texans would be vaccinated by the end of 2020, but that didnt happen. Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 dashboard on Tuesday showed that just 439,000 Texans have received the vaccine, meaning more than half of the 1.3 million doses shipped to the state have yet to be administered. Midland Memorial Hospital received 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 17 and immediately began administering it to staff. Any remaining doses, because of workers who declined the vaccine, were given to other health-care providers in the community, according to hospital officials. Just more than 1,000 Midland County residents or 0.8 percent of the population had received an initial dose of the vaccine as of Tuesday, according to the states dashboard. No one in the county or state has yet received the second dose of the vaccine required for full immunization. The state has guaranteed a second dose of the vaccine will arrive within a few weeks of the first shipment for those who received initial doses, according to city and hospital officials. It would be at least 11 months before just those on the waiting list receive initial doses if the number of doses and frequency of shipments stays the same. In December, The Department of Health and Human Services reported that the Trump Administration -- through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Defense -- will purchase an additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer. Texas DSHS stated in a memo that theyre expecting a vaccine to be available to the general population by spring of this year, but that could change depending on vaccine production and how quickly other vaccines become available. The form to join the health departments waitlist is available at midlandtexas.gov/forms.aspx?FID=159. Dust left deep beneath the oceans three to five million years ago has confirmed that climate change is pushing westerly winds towards the poles, say scientists. The winds, commonly known as the westerlies, play an important role in shaping the world's weather by influencing rainfall, ocean currents and tropical cyclone paths. They typically blow from west to east across the planet's middle latitudes, but over the past few decades, have shifted towards the poles. Until now, it wasn't clear whether this was the result of global warming or some other cause. However, researchers from Columbia University have examined core samples from the North Pacific and compared them to dust samples from elsewhere in the world. These samples, deposited over millions of years, confirm that the westerlies move towards the poles during warmer periods. Image of a dust plume leaving China and crossing the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Researchers studied the dust deposited in ancient ocean sediments in order to understand how wind patterns in this area have shifted in the past Prior to this study there was very little knowledge about the westerlies during past periods of global warming, so confirming a link between the polar shift of the winds and global warming proved difficult. To solve this mystery, scientists from Columbia University came up with a new method of tracking the ancient history of the westerly winds. Senior author Dr Gisela Winckler said tracking movements of wind and how they've changed has been elusive as there was no tracer, adding that they now have one. They examined core samples from the North Pacific Ocean, as they knew the winds transport dust from desert regions to faraway places. The North Pacific Ocean is downwind from Eastern Asia, which has been one of the largest sources of dust for millions of years. Comparing the amount of desert dust in cores collected from sites thousands of miles apart allowed them to map changes in the dust and by proxy the westerlies. Co-author, graduate student Jordan Abell said, a pattern was immediately visible - adding that the data was so clear. 'Our work is consistent with modern observations, and suggests that wind patterns will change with climate warming,' said Abell. The westerlies moved closer to the poles during warmer periods such as the Pliocene three to five million years ago, the researchers found. During this time, the earth was 3.6 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2-4C) warmer than today with roughly the same amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Sediment cores like the one shown here, drilled from the bottom of the ocean, contain records of past climate conditions within their layers This suggests as global temperatures rise, atmospheric circulation patterns are likely to change in the same way, the researchers say. The UN Paris climate agreement commits governments around the world to take measures to keep global average temperatures from increasing by more than 3.6F over pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. This study suggests that if temperatures rise by the maximum agreed by the UN, then the winds will continue their shift towards the polar regions of the Earth. Land and ocean temperatures have risen by 1.26F (0.7C) every decade since 1880, although the rate of increase has doubled since 1981. The researchers found that during the warm parts of the Pliocene (3-5 million years ago), the westerlies were located closer to the poles. The image on the right shows how the westerlies moved toward the equator during colder intervals afterwar Dr Winckler said: 'By using the Pliocene as an analogue for modern global warming, it seems likely that the movement of the westerlies towards the poles observed in the modern era will continue with further human-induced warming.' The movement of wind caused by climate change will have 'huge implications' for storm systems and weather patterns across the globe, the researchers say. While they are unable to predict exactly where it will rain, the results confirm rainfall will change as CO2 levels and temperatures continue to rise. The findings were published in the journal Nature. (HealthDay)A prominent U.S. doctors' group reaffirmed its recommendation this week that having kids physically in school should be the goal, while also outlining safety protocols needed to allow schools to be open. In its COVID-19 guidance for safe schools, the American Academy of Pediatrics listed measures communities need to address. These include controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the community, protecting staff and students in schools and coordinating closely with local and state health experts. "New information tells us that opening schools does not significantly increase community transmission of the virus. However, it is critical for schools to closely follow guidance provided by public health officials," said Dr. Lee Beers, new president of the AAP. "Children absolutely need to return to in-school learning for their healthy development and well-being, and so safety in schools and in the community must be a priority," Beers said in an academy news release. She added that some children are really suffering without the support of in-person classroom experiences or adequate technology at home. "We need governments at the state and federal levels to prioritize funding the needed safety accommodations, such as improving ventilation systems and providing personal protective equipment for teachers and staff," Beers noted. School transmission mirrors but doesn't drive community spread, the AAP said. The group strongly recommended cloth face coverings for adults and students over age 2 plus physically distancing; adequate and timely COVID testing resources, and letting science and data guide decisions. The current widespread circulation of the virus will require school officials to review local data and the latest evidence on transmission to determine the feasibility of in-person learning, the statement said. School policies should be appropriate for children's and teenagers' developmental stages while also addressing teacher and staff safety, as well as behavioral and mental health needs, the group said. Special considerations should account for those who are medically fragile or complex, have developmental challenges, or have disabilities. The group also weighed in on COVID-19 vaccination. Schools should collaborate with public health officials to ensure that staff have access to a vaccine, and pediatricians should promote the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to young people. Younger children appear to be less likely to spread the virus in a class or childcare setting, and they generally show milder or moderate illness, according to the AAP. This suggests in-person instruction for primary and elementary grades is appropriate with proper safety accommodations that are detailed in guidance provided by AAP and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the group said. "While the new vaccines offer hope for a return to a 'new normal,' schools must continue to take a multi-layered approach to protect students and staff," Beers said. "Many are already taking precautions, and it is important to not let down our guard to protect ourselves and others." Federal, state and local funding should be provided for safety strategies for all schools, as well as funding to support virtual learning in under-resourced schools, the AAP said. The CDC estimates costs for safety strategies are between $55 and $442 per student, depending on the strategy. "No single action or plan will eliminate the risk of virus spread at a school, but we have seen how face masks, physical distancing and other measures when combined can significantly lessen the risks," Beers said. "By working together, we can get through this pandemic, as we must. Our kids are counting on us." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: The Brookings Institute talks about how COVID-19 is The Brookings Institute talks about how COVID-19 is affecting student learning. Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. CATSKILL Bridge Street Theatre, like much of the arts world on pause for the past 10 months, has begun hosting two-week residencies for small dance companies to develop new work that will go on to premieres in large markets. Each of the six residencies will result in a free online video, shown at the end of the company's stay, documenting the work done at Bridge Street. The first video, premiering at 7 p.m. Jan. 16, will feature the multimedia solo work "BABYLIFT" by movement and video artist Anh Vo. It is named after a 1975 mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam to the U.S. and other countries over three weeks in April 1975; one of the flights crashed, killed 138 people, including 78 Vietnamese children. According to promotional material. "'BABYLIFT' attempts to conjure the ghosts of the Vietnam War and confronts the afterlives of the Vietnam War (a.k.a. the Resistance War Against Imperialist America)." Vo is in residency at Bridge Street Theatre through Jan. 17. Earlier they appeared in the City Court and were charged with murder and with having escaped from goal. Melbourne prison escapee Ronald Ryan being taken to police headquarters in Sydney after his recapture on January 5, 1966. Credit:Warren Croser Ronald Ryan and Peter Walker were back in Pentridge Goal last night, 19 days after their escape. First published in The Age on January 8, 1966 This followed a day of drama and official secrecy which began with their extradition by a two-hour flight to Laverton RAAF base, and ended when the door of H division, the maximum security division, at Pentridge clanged shut behind them. At the City Court, specially convened before Mr Thompson, SM, at 7.24 pm, Ryan and Walker were remanded in custody to a date to be fixed. Ryan faced two charges that being a male person lawfully imprisoned for a crime by a court of competent jurisdiction he did escape from custody and on December 19 at Coburg he did murder George Henry Hodson. Walker faced three charges: That being a male person lawfully imprisoned for a crime by a court of competent jurisdiction he did escape from custody. As President Donald Trumps supporters gathered in D.C. on Wednesday morning for the Save America March, the mood was largely upbeatexcept on one subject. The two Republican candidates were way ahead last night, and then in the middle of the night, more Democrat votes come in. So the same crap that went on in the presidential election, said Frank from Pennsylvania, sounding deflated from behind his Keep America Great mask. Democrat Raphael Warnock had been declared the winner in his Georgia Senate race against Republican Kelly Loeffler, and Democrat Jon Ossoff had pulled ahead of Republican David Perdue, with votes mostly left to be counted in Democratic-leaning areas. This was not the news rallygoers wanted. Advertisement They should not even have had the election, Frank told me. Once youve gone through the evidence and seen what goes on with these machines they use, you cant validate em. It should have been pushed back and done by hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason from Washington state, who spoke both of his love for Trump and his belief that we need to friggin say, No more government, was glad the Senate election went ahead. Warnock, and the other guy, had a spike of 100,000, 200,000 votes all at once, a big bounce upthey were way behind, just like the presidential election, he said. Im hoping that they allowed them to do that, and that they have more evidence that they did the presidential election, and they can arrest them all. I knew they were going to do it. Advertisement If those machines can be hacked into, we should hack into them, and empty all the data that happened, find out all the added vote, he added. I believe Donald Trump won. I believe Warnock lost. I believe all the Republicans won. Weve all got to demand that these voting machines be destroyed. Theyre evil. Advertisement Jeanie from Illinois also mentioned a conspiracy theory about Dominion voting machines and called the results in Georgia terrible. But she said her real concern was the presidential election. I think its going to be overturned, and Trump is going to win, she said. I think its biblical. I think hes destined to have a second term. As Celine Dions My Heart Will Go On blared in the background, David from South Carolina said that while he believed Democrats pushed for broadening access to absentee ballots to enable fraud, he was mostly worried about the future.* Im concerned, without any limits on the Democrats, them holding all three parts of government, theyre going to go for radical changes that are going to be very destructive for the country, and very divisive to the country, he said. (Should Ossoff win, Democrats will control two branches of government.) Advertisement Advertisement Frank agreed. Im disappointed, he said, because I want divided government. I dont want anybody to be in total charge. Not everyone agreed that something suspicious was afoot in Georgiaor even in the presidential election. I wouldnt want to hurt the faith in our electoral process by going in all of that, Abraham from Utah told me about fraud claims in the Georgia Senate race. I think it was fair. Asked if he felt the same about the presidential election, he paused for several seconds. Yeah, I do. I do. I absolutely do. Advertisement Advertisement It will be all right. If we play our cards right, we will be able to regain the executive branch and the legislative branch, Abraham said he wanted to tell fellow rallygoers. Tom, from nearby Silver Spring, Maryland, agreed. On whether he believed the presidential election was stolen, he said, I dont. A lot of people do. I think this round, hell be out. But he wasnt pleased. I believe in the police. I dont like the defunding of the police. I dont like the racism I see on the Democratic side. I dont like open borders. I am not a happy man today, he said. Still, he thought left-wing jubilation was premature. Two years, were coming back. Just wait. In four years, you just wait. Trumpism is here to stay. Whether its Trump or somebody elsethe ideas of America First are going to stay. Correction, Jan. 6, 2021: This post originally misspelled Celine Dions last name. A few further venues have cancelled upcoming runs given the new national restrictions, set to last for at least six weeks. Chichester Festival Theatre has postponed its production of Benefactors, which was set to open in February and star Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner. After its Chichester run the piece was scheduled to head to Bath, Cambridge, Canterbury, Salford and Cheltenham. Executive and artistic directors Kathy Bourne and Daniel Evans said: "We are bitterly disappointed by the postponement of Benefactors, which promised to be an outstanding revival of a play which would have been a real tonic for audiences around England. With the new lockdown, it's become clear that it's simply not possible to mount a touring theatre show over the next few months." "We are now focusing all our energies on planning for Festival 2021, which will open in April, and we look forward to sharing what's in store for our audiences this Spring in due course." Elsewhere, Hampstead Theatre has completely pulled remaining performances of The Dumb Waiter on similar grounds. The National Theatre has also cancelled all remaining live performances of its in-the-round pantomime Dick Whittington. The venue says it is "devastated" by the news. We're incredibly sad to be cancelling all remaining live performances of Dick Whittington. Huge thanks to everyone involved in creating and staging our panto. You can stream Dick Whittington worldwide on National Theatre at Home from Mon 11 Jan for 6 weeks only. pic.twitter.com/jlLjntTqPX National Theatre (@NationalTheatre) January 6, 2021 For anyone missing a panto fix, the venue is still preparing to present the show via its brand new streaming service National Theatre At Home. San Franciscos rental housing market is starting the new year much as it ended the old one: Rents are dropping, vacancies are climbing, and landlords and tenants alike are muddling through the pandemics 10th month without knowing when or whether life and work will return to normal. An Apartment List report released Tuesday shows that rents in San Francisco, the countrys most expensive market, dipped 2.7% in December and have dropped 26.7% since March, pushing the median two-bedroom monthly rent from over $3,000 to to $2,305. A report from another group, Zumper, had rents down 24% year over year. Economists from both apartment-listing companies say rents have likely bottomed out but are unlikely to start rebounding until employers determine whether workers can continue to work remotely or will be expected back at their work stations. Everyone is waiting for the employers to figure out what they are going to do, said Igor Popov, chief economist with Apartment List. Most companies are not even close to figuring that out yet. Meanwhile, with much of the workforce in limbo waiting to see how quickly the new vaccines can slow the coronavirus spread, landlords are stuck with empty apartments that just a year ago would have been flooded with applicants, said Charley Goss of the San Francisco Apartment Association. A December survey of 172 landlords the respondents collectively own 4,741 units found that 24.7% of tenants have vacated their units, or gave a notice to vacate, since the start of the pandemic in March. The vacancy rate for those property owners stands at 16.3%, although some landlords have more than 25% of their portfolio vacant. Tenants are kicking the tires right now but not actively applying for apartments, Goss said. And if they are, they have a lot to choose from. There are a ton of vacancies and a lot of competition. Some landlords are going to unusual lengths to attract or hold on to tenants offering eight or 10 weeks of free rent, free parking or flexible month-to-month leases. Of the association members who responded to the survey, 56% have received requests to lower rents since the pandemic started and 54% have granted those requests. Median rents in San Francisco stand at $1,992 for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,305 for a two-bedroom, according to Apartment List. Tenants leaving tend to be younger, well-paid professionals who leased their unit at the top of the market, while those staying behind are more likely to be long-term, rent-controlled tenants with lower rents, Goss said. But the number of tenants unable to pay their rent is on the rise in December 5.1% paid no rent and 6.6% paid partial rent. That is double the number of tenants who didnt pay in the spring and summer. In December total unpaid rent for the 4,741 units was about $3.6 million. Tenants who have lost income because of the pandemic are barely holding on borrowing money, depleting savings, dipping into retirement accounts, using credit cards to pay rent, said Brad Hirn, an organizer with the San Francisco Housing Rights Committee. Many of those tenants now owe more than $10,000 in back rent and dont know when that money will be due or how they will come up with it. Under state law tenants must start paying 25% of their rent that was deferred because of the pandemic at the end of January or landlords may start pursuing the debt in small claims court. In March landlords will be able to go after the remaining 75% although its likely those deadlines will be extended. Working-class tenants are scared, Hirn said. The debt is the overwhelming issue. Anyone who has lost work is pulling money from every possible source. We are hearing of monolingual tenants who are suffering harassment and intimidation to pay back rent sooner than the law requires them to. While a lot of Bay Area renters are still looking to escape the expensive region, some workers who left early in the pandemic are plotting a return. Zumper analyst Neil Gerstein, 27, gave up his Sunset District apartment and relocated to his hometown of Ames, Iowa, in the spring. Now he says he misses the California sunshine, Golden Gate Park and his San Francisco social life. He is planning to sign a new lease in the next few months at a rent that will be well below what he was paying before. Im excited to come back and get a new place, he said. And many of his friends are also seeking to return something reflected in the Zumpers search data. Starting in the summer and throughout the end of the year we have seen a considerable rebound of interest in new renters looking to come to the Bay Area, Gerstein said. We see migration inflow people coming back to the city at a considerable discount. Apartment List data shows that a significant number of tenants relinquishing their San Francisco pads for cities like Salt Lake City, Sacramento or Austin are not committing to those places long term, instead looking for temporary deals that keep their options open. Everybody is hedging their bets, Popov said. They are looking for short-term solutions. They are moving away, but not that far. Developer Oz Erickson whose company, Emerald Fund, owns 1,600 units in the city, said that he sees rents slowly rebounding once the vaccines have been widely distributed. We think there will be a large rate of return to office work in June or July and that will spark a return to residential living in the city, he said. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen The University of California, San Diego has added some on-campus vending machines that might be even more attractive to students that the ones with candy in them. Thats because these machines dispense free COVID-19 tests.There are 11 of these machines installed throughout the university campus, which reopened on Jan. 4. All students and staff on campus are encouraged to use them once a week. The tests are self-administered, and results can be expected within two days of when the test is returned to the drop boxes beside the machines. For accurate results, the tests must be returned within 72 hours after theyve been administered.These vending machines are just one of many measures implemented by the university to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Previous measures implemented in the fall proved effective, with positivity rates reported as far below average. Since widespread testing is one of the easiest ways to monitor and prevent the spread of the disease, these vending machines should help to keep those numbers low. David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter. His work has been honored nationally by Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Scripps foundation and others. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com A bipartisan package of bills that included more self-distributing options for craft beer, wine and spirits producers were left unsigned by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week, leaving many Michigan distillers concerned at the prospect of surviving a pandemic winter without in-person business. Taken together, Senate Bills 934, 1138, 1139 and 1140 would have made several changes to the states liquor laws, including letting small distilleries self-distribute their products and letting retailers ship alcohol directly to Michigan consumers. The bills passed with wide bipartisan support in both the House and Senate in December, but Whitmer opted not to sign the legislation before the two-week review period expired in whats known as a pocket veto. A separate bill that would have expanded options for a person to hold both on- and off-premises tasting room licenses at the same location was signed by Whitmer, but it wont go into effect because it was tie-barred to three of the bills that were pocket vetoed. Industry insiders say the main concern from the governors office was with a bill that would have changed how certain canned alcoholic beverages are taxed. Currently, low-calorie hard seltzers like Whiteclaw and Truly have lower tax rates than other canned mixed drinks because they are classified as malt beverages. If signed into law, the Senate package would have reclassified mixed spirit drinks as wine, lowering the tax rate on the products from 48 cents a liter to 20 cents a liter. The short-term budget hit the change would have caused was the main point of concern from the governors office, said Jon OConnor, president of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association. He said the association is working closely with the governors office and lawmakers to get similar proposed policy changes reintroduced in the next session. Our argument has been that we understand that theres a revenue hit, but if theres going to be an industry and Michigan businesses are going to be competitive in it, then we need to realign that right now, OConnor said. Read more: Michigan craft distillers say more options to deliver products to customers would be massive lifesaver Supporters of the changes have pointed to the struggles Michigan distillers are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing recalibrating Michigans liquor distribution laws to make it easier for craft distillers to sell their products is necessary to keep them afloat. Without indoor seating, Nicolas Lefebre, co-owner of the Elk Rapids distillery Ethanology, said his business has been weathering the Northern Michigan winter by offering pickup options and investing in several outdoor yurts with the help of a grant. But the self-distribution bill would have given Ethanology the option to work with local retailers and bars and get their products out to people who still arent comfortable visiting the tasting room in person, or are unable to do so due to weather conditions, Lefebre said. For a small entity like us thats not in distribution, it would literally mean the world to us - it would open up markets that weve never had access to, he said. The timing of the pocket veto was really detrimental, its been devastating, actually. We had high hopes for the bill. In a statement, Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association President Spencer Nevins said the legislation mirrored past efforts to help grow the states craft beer and wine industries, calling the pocket vetoes disappointing. By failing to sign these bills into law, the governor and Michigan Liquor Control Commission missed a golden opportunity to provide a shot in the arm for a distilled spirits industry reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevins said. The package is among several bills passed by both chambers that Whitmer pocket vetoed without much or any public explanation. Her other major vetoes from the Legislatures lame-duck session included line-item nixes of parts of the COVID-19 supplemental relief bill including a $220 million appropriation into the employer-funded Unemployment Trust Fund as well as legislation that would have exempted Meijer from sales taxes on the purchase of automated material handling systems and another bill that would have allowed first-time DUI offenses to be expunged. Read more: Whitmer veto means some Michiganders could lose extra 6 weeks of unemployment benefits ADVERTISEMENT Qatar has donated $50,000 (about N25 million) for the construction of an education learning centre at Wassa Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Abuja. The Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Nigeria, Mubarak AlMuhannadi, made the donation on Tuesday in Abuja when Basheer Mohammed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), paid him a visit. Mr AlMuhannadi said the donation was to support the activities of the commission in providing succour to people of concern in Nigeria. According to him, the State of Qatar will continue to support the commission in all its endeavours toward giving succour to displaced people, as well as making them self-reliant that would make them to live a dignified life. We will partner with the commission in the areas of resettling displaced persons, setting up education learning centres, making them self-reliant or giving them back their lives of dignity, AlMuhannadi added. Mr Mohammed expressed appreciation for the generous donation that would be used to construct a learning centre at the IDPs camp. He pledged that the commission would ensure transparency in the use of the donated fund. The learning centre will provide a comprehensive learning programme, including numeracy, literacy, as well as vocational and life skills training to displaced children, adolescents and young people. The centre will also be used to provide an integrated health education and psychosocial support service, he said. He further thanked Qatar and the embassy for their continuous interest and support toward the work of the commission and its pledge to support the construction of housing units in four states. Mr Mohammed listed the benefiting states as Katsina, Zamfara, Borno and Cross River under the commissions Resettlement Cities Project. He recalled that the commission was allocated 50 hectares in each of the four states for the construction of 600 housing units of two-bedrooms in each state. Primary health care centres, schools, security outposts, worship houses, skills acquisition centres, markets and adjoining farmlands would also be put up for the use of the displaced people. (NAN) The national poll, which was conducted from November 4-10, 2020, also found that the amounts people withdrew or borrowed were significant. Thirty-two percent (32%) of respondents said they withdrew $75,000 or more from a retirement account, while 58% of those who took loans borrowed between $50,000 and $100,000. Additionally, more than a third (35%) said they now plan to work longer due to the financial impact the pandemic has had on their plans for retirement. View detailed survey findings here . 35% of respondents now plan to work longer due to the financial impact the pandemic has had on their retirement plans. "The past year rocked the confidence of most Americans saving for retirement," said Mark Solheim, Editor of Kiplinger Personal Finance. "With many people dipping into their retirement savings or planning to work longer, 2020 will have a lasting impact for years to come." "Last year presented many challenges," said Jay Shah, President of Personal Capital. "The pandemic not only created a global health crisis, it impacted the financial outlooks and retirement plans of many. To support people today and beyond, we continue to invest in our free financial tools and publish educational content about a vast array of financial topics. We believe financial empowerment is one key that will help enable people and families to be more confident about their financial futures." In addition to covering everyday living expenses, forty-one percent (41%) of those polled said they used their distribution, or loan, to pay medical expenses, while: 32% said the money was used for home repairs, 26% used the money for auto repairs, 23% paid tuition, and 21% helped family members. A provision in the CARES Act allowed people under the age of 59 affected by the coronavirus to take a distribution of up to $100,000 from an IRA, 401(k), or similar account without penalty. It also permitted loans of up to $100,000. Pandemic-induced market volatility also left nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) somewhat to very worried about their investments. Nearly half (48%) said they check their portfolio or retirement account balances either daily or weekly. Men were more than three times as likely as women to say they check their balances daily: 35% of men versus 11% of women. A few investors (19%) responded to the bear market early in 2020 by shifting to a more conservative portfolio 9% of respondents sold investments to boost their cash cushions and 6% sold all of their stocks. As of the survey date, current asset allocations for investment portfolios or retirement accounts remained conservative, with investors typically holding just 36% in stocks and a remarkable percentage in cash (24%). Indeed, the global pandemic and its impact on the market and economy was a learning moment for investors, who reported these top five takeaways: My portfolio strategy was able to weather the bad times. I need to have more cash reserves. I need to diversify more. I took on more risk than necessary. I need to rebalance my portfolio more often. The survey also asked respondents to weigh in on working from home, the impact of remote work on their spending, and plans for relocation. Respondents indicated that two-thirds (66%) of workers LOVE working from home, with only 6% expressing dislike of the home office experience. For additional insight on workers' sentiment about the work-from-home experience and its impact, please see the following fact sheet here. Methodology: The Kiplinger-Personal Capital national poll about Retirement Planning in the Age of COVID-19 was conducted on November 4-10, 2020, with 744 respondents. The online survey has a +/- 3.6% margin of error and a 95% confidence level. Respondents were screened for age (40 to 74), retirement savings of at least $50,000, and employment status (not fully retired). About Kiplinger's Personal Finance For a century, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation's first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Today, The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dennis Publishing, Ltd. Become a fan of Kiplinger on Facebook or Kiplinger.com and follow Kiplinger on Twitter and LinkedIn . About Personal Capital Personal Capital, an Empower Company is a remote-delivery, industry-leading digital wealth management company that helps people transform their financial lives through technology and advisory services. The company's state-of-the-art tools and technology provide investors with a complete financial picture, utilized by millions of users and tens of thousands of clients. Its registered investment advisors provide expert guidance, and customized strategies, based on a personal understanding of an investor's financial picture and goals. Personal Capital currently manages more than $16 billion in assets (as of 12/17/20), virtually delivered from offices across the United States. For more information, please visit www.personalcapital.com or connect with us on Facebook , Twitter or LinkedIn . Advisory services are offered for a fee by Personal Capital Advisors Corporation ("PCAC"), a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. PCAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Personal Capital Corporation ("PCC"), an Empower company. PCC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Empower Holdings, LLC. Contact for Kiplinger: Alissa Neil [email protected] (917) 328-4889 Contact for Personal Capital: [email protected] SOURCE The Kiplinger Washington Editors Inc. Related Links https://www.kiplinger.com/ President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described the Seventh Parliament of Ghana as "arguably the most productive" in the history of the country. He said this is because the Parliament had demonstrated dedication and rigour in passing over 50 Legislative Instruments. "I speak as someone who has served three terms in this House, and I can safely say that this Seventh Parliament has been the busiest ever, and, arguably the most productive, in the history of our country," he said. You have passed almost fifty (50) pieces of legislative instruments. The Acts have been wide ranging in scope and reach". "We finally have the Right to Information Act, we have a Special Prosecutor Act, the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation Act, the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Act, the Witness Protection Act, the Lands Act, the historic Private Members Bill, and lots more. In many ways you have helped transform Ghana, and you have every right, collectively, to be proud of the work you have done, he said. State of the Nation Address President Akufo-Addo said this while delivering the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Tuesday January 5, 2021 before the dissolution of the Seventh Parliament on January 6, 2021. The State of the Nation Address was to give an account of his tenure in office from Jan 7, 2017 to Jan 6, 2021. President Akufo-Addo thanked the people of Ghana for giving him the mandate to serve another four years. I am thankful to the Ghanaian people and to the Almighty that I have been given a clear mandate to govern the country for four more years, and, thereby, given the opportunity to complete tasks, consolidate some of the far-reaching measures we have introduced, and initiate further changes and adjustments to policies and practices, he said. "The Constitution demands that we go to the people after four years to ask for a mandate, and we must listen to the voice of the people. "I said during the election campaign, and it is my firm and passionate view, that I should only be President in a fairly conducted election, which I believe, in all sincerity, the election of 7th December was, he added. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. DecisionDatabases added the latest report with a global perspective on the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors Market studied under different segments, including type, application, and regions. The report is treated with size, trends, growth, share, and forecast till 2025. Besides, the research report studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall growth at the global level. This report also offers a lucrative area of the industry at the regional and country level. The final report will cover the impact of COVID-19 on this industry. The global Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors market report presents a complete research-based study of the industry including details such as company shares, forecast data, in-depth analysis and an outlook of the market on a worldwide platform. The report further highlights the market drivers, restraints and the top manufacturers at the global and regional levels. For a thorough understanding, the report also offers market segmentation and regional analysis for the forecast period from 2020 to 2025. Click here to get a Sample PDF Copy of the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-28879 According to this study, over the next five years, the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors market will register an xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach $ xx million by 2025, from $ xx million in 2020. In particular, this report presents the global market share (sales and revenue) of key companies in the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors business, shared in Chapter 3. This Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors market report also splits the market by regions: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries). This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. Schott Shandong Beaconergy Viessmann Group Cangzhou Four Stars Glass Lanzhou Dacheng Technology Royal Tech CSP Shandong Yaoguo Solar Thermal Technology Beijing Tianruixing Nanjing Amoshine Donghai Feiya Electric Light Source Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-28879 This study considers the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments: Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.7. Thermal Oil Type Molten Salt Type Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Solar Steam Solar Power Generation Others In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, challenges and the risks faced by key manufacturers and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development. Purchase the Complete Global Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-28879 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, type and application, history data from 2015 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors manufacturers, to define, describe, and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years. To analyze the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://www.topnewscorner.com/global-vacuum-tube-solar-collectors-market-report-analysis-by-types-applications-regional-outlook-and-forecast-to-2025/ ADVERTISEMENT An inmate of Edo State correctional centre, Obehi Ogbeh, who escaped during the #EndSARS protest, has been rearrested on Tuesday in Ogun State, an official has said. The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, made this known in a release on Wednesday. He said the prisoner was arrested following an information received by policemen at Agbado divisional headquarters that a middle aged man was seen around Angulis area of Agbado and that his looks and conduct is suspicious. Upon the information, the DPO Agbado division, CSP Kehinde Kuranga, detailed his detectives to the area where the man was apprehended. He was properly interrogated and confessed to the detectives that he was an inmate of white house prison in Edo State and that he was set free by hoodlums who attacked the prison yard during the Endsars protest. Mr Oyeyemi said the escapee confessed that he relocated to the Agbado area in order to avoid being re-arrested. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further profiling. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the recent protests against police brutality was hijacked by hoodlums who freed hundreds of prisoners from two jails in Edo State. Majority of them are yet to be rearrested. Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh on Tuesday said that outcome-based curriculum of conventional undergraduate programs was revised through subject expert committees under National Education Policy (NEP). Suresh said that four years honors program with BA, BSc, BCom etc with life skill courses, skill development courses, skill enhancement courses, research and ten months mandatory internship has been introduced from 2020-21 academic year. He addressed the media about the achievements of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) in the academic year 2020-21. Suresh further said that the engineering programs curriculum is also revised. B Tech Honors degree with 10 months of mandatory internship is introduced with minor degrees. Different tracks for Minor are planned with Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) and National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) also. Efforts are on to set up Quality Assessment Cell to conduct academic audit in colleges and to further setup Internal Quality Assessment Cells in all universities and colleges, he added. The minister further said that proposals are made for four new universities - Skill Development University at Tirupati, Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam University at Ongole, Sri Gurajada Apparao University at Vizianagaram and Tribal University. YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University established at Kadapa. Tribal Engineering College at Kurupam will function from 2021-22. One cluster university is established at Kadapa under RUSA. Suresh said that APSCHE has entered into an MoU with the Confederation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Bangalore to develop incubation centers and technology laboratories for novel, innovative and value-added products, process or service particularly in the areas of advancement in Technology, Management and Applied Engineering and associated areas of applications across all universities and affiliated institutions. Another MoU has been entered into with National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) New Delhi to promote research quality in universities and colleges. The education minister said that universities are identified for transformation into Multi-Discipline Education and Research Universities (MERU). In the first phase, five universities - namely Andhra University, Sri Venkateswara University, JNTU Kakinada, JNTU Anantapuram and RGUKT will be transformed. Three more universities will be transformed to MERU in the second phase, namely - Acharya Nagarjuna University, Sri Krishnadevaraya University and Padmavati Mahila University. The minister said that show-cause notices were issued to 247 colleges that have not obtained affiliation from respective universities, or made less than 25 per cent of admissions for the last three years. He said that an enquiry committee was constituted and it has submitted its report. Based on the report, permissions to 48 private unaided degree colleges and programs in respect of 61 private unaided degree colleges were withdrawn from 2020-21. As all eyes are cast on the run-off Senate elections in Georgia, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker in the thick of the fight. He spent Monday evening at get-out-the-vote rally over Zoom with Pete Buttigieg, and the afternoon making phone calls. That was after he spent part of the weekend seeking donations. Booker is spending his free time in the middle of an election 850 miles away from his Newark home, working to elect fellow Democrats Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock to the U.S. Senate. Not that hes actually in Georgia. Hes working from Washington. On Tuesday, as Georgians went to the polls in the election that will determine which party controls the Senate, Booker was telling those of his 4.8 million Twitter followers who live in the Peach State to get to polls. In the tweet, Booker cited President Donald Trumps weekend telephone conversation with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, when he asked him to find enough votes to overturn the election that Joe Biden won. Donald Trumps unhinged effort to overturn the Georgia election results is an attempt to disenfranchise millions of Georgia voters. Today, Georgians can fight back against this lawlessness by electing @ossoff & @ReverendWarnock. Make a plan to vote. https://t.co/aB9sydumi8 Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 5, 2021 This isnt unusual for Booker, who has put his celebrity status and fundraising ability behind other Democratic candidates. In fact, even as he successfully ran for re-election last November, he spent a couple of weekends helping Joe Biden in battleground states North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Biden won Pennsylvania but lost North Carolina en route to the presidency. Booker isnt the only Democratic senator working to help elect two more. In one fundraising effort at the end of last year, he teamed up with Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Chris Murphy of Connecticut. I'm in @brianschatz and @ChrisMurphyCT - I talked to the campaign. They are up against a serious surge in donations and their own drop off. We have to finish strong. Let's see what we can all do. https://t.co/NQLgGbxsoF Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 28, 2020 And he was a special guest at a fundraiser featuring the cast of Hamilton. I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Hamilton tomorrow night for a special fundraising event to help @Ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win the Georgia runoffs. I hope you'll be tuning in tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET. Please chip in now to RSVP! https://t.co/ghLJZVIeUB pic.twitter.com/uIAzFNPR6I Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 12, 2020 The stakes are high for Booker as well. If the Democrats win both seats and capture the Senate majority, he will be line for a subcommittee chairmanship and be able to advance legislation, and his party will have the power to fulfill some of Bidens campaign promises. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Washington, DC, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, a practicing surgeon and person living with sickle cell disease, has a message for Black America: When the time comes, please get vaccinated! As an essential health care worker, educator, father and person at high risk, Dr. Frederick decided to lead by example by producing a public service announcement (PSA) on the importance of getting the coronavirus vaccine. He was among the first to get a vaccine shot at Howard University Hospital, and he hopes his message will encourage others to do the same. Watch the PSA here. The coronavirus pandemic is having a significant impact on communities of color, and that narrative wont change until we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from exposure, said Dr. Frederick. The vaccines that are coming to market are safe and have been proven to be more than 90% effective. However, we cant get to the other side of this pandemic without you. Wear a mask, keep your social distance, wash your hands and, when the time comes, get vaccinated. Dr. Frederick has been on the frontlines of the pandemic in a variety of ways, including making the tough decision to close the University in March, spearheading efforts to set up COVID-19 testing sites in urban communities, co-chairing the Mayor Muriel Bowsers ReOpen DC subcommittee to address equity and vulnerable populations, and actively speaking out to encourage more vaccine trial participation and, now, vaccination participation. Nationally, African-Americans are almost three times as likely to die of COVID-19 as whites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Washington, D.C., African-Americans have comprised 75% of the COVID-19-related deaths in Washington, D.C., while making up only 46% of the citys population. Public health officials and academics are pointing to underlying health conditions for the severity of the virus in vulnerable populations. The PSA, produced in partnership with Howard Universitys television station, WHUT-TV; Howard University Hospital; and the Office of University Communications, features several essential health care workers sharing their personal reasons for getting the vaccine. As each person steps up to be vaccinated, they express their why: for family, to protect fellow co-workers and in honor of those whove lost their lives. I understand there is a lot of hesitancy in minority communities across the country when it comes to healthcare, but this is not an American experiment on Black people. The vaccine is a worldwide cure to end a global pandemic and set us on a path back to normalcy, said Howard University Hospital CEO Anita Jenkins, who is featured in the PSA getting her shot.We want the public to know that we trust the science, were leading by example and taking the vaccine will help us end this pandemic and the tragic loss of life. # # # About Howard University Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu. Attachments The latest coronavirus data show suburban parishes have markedly higher test positivity rates than Orleans, but none is following the lead of New Orleans public schools in reverting to all-virtual instruction. Some private schools said they were considering remote instruction after NOLA Public Schools on Monday announced it was moving all classes online amid "concerning" COVID-19 trends. Yet officials with Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist schools said they planned to stick with their current plans, which involve hybrid learning for at least some high schools and in-person learning for younger grades. And St. Tammany public schools were on track to stay in-person for all students who hadn't opted for the all-virtual system. Increased coronavirus cases forcing New Orleans public schools back to online-only model Citing the rising number of coronavirus cases, public school officials in New Orleans said Monday that all schools will revert to online-only Jefferson and St. Tammany officials, among others, vowed to continue monitoring local COVID-19 data. But they said infection rates had risen because of activities in the surrounding communities -- not schools. "We have long known that children learn best from in-person instruction," said Vicki Bristol, communications director for Jefferson public schools. Bristol and others would not disclose specific thresholds that might trigger all-remote learning, such as a certain number of new COVID-19 cases per day over a sustained period of time, or a specific percent positivity level from testing for COVID-19. By comparison, NOLA Public Schools publicly shared certain benchmarks that Superintendent Henderson Lewis Jr. and city officials considered in their decisions. Officials in Jefferson and other school systems said they were working with the Louisiana Department of Health to determine whether the number of COVID-19 positive cases at any school required shutdown. Bristol also cited statements from Ochsner Hospital for Children and a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in saying students are more protected from COVID-19 in school than in the community. "These sources also found that students are more likely to contract COVID-19 from a contact outside of school," Bristol said. Not everyone was happy with the schools' plans. Teachers' union members, especially, cited local coronavirus trends in bolstering arguments for at-home learning. In announcing their move to online instruction, New Orleans public school officials pointed to evidence of a "worsening trend" in coronavirus cases, which included the city's increase in the rate of positive cases. Over the seven-day period ending Monday, Orleans Parish's positivity number had risen to 8.9%, up substantially from just a month earlier - but still the lowest positivity rate in the region: Jefferson - 14.7% 14.7% St. Bernard - 14.6% 14.6% St. Tammany - 14.5% 14.5% St. Charles - 13.7% 13.7% Plaquemines - 13.1% 13.1% St. John the Baptist - 11.6% 11.6% Orleans - 8.9% Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up New Orleans parents generally happy with how schools handled coronavirus, new survey shows In the past nine months, New Orleans parents have had to cope with sudden classroom shutdowns, frustrating virtual learning curves, and changi On Monday night, the group Louisiana Educators United urged teachers to "plan action" at a Jefferson School Board meeting scheduled Wednesday. Organizers cited a CDC chart, first published last year, that said parishes with a positivity rate higher than 10% had the highest risk of coronavirus transmission in schools. Before the winter holiday break, the Jefferson teachers union asked local Superintendent James Gray to revert to virtual learning. Union leaders cited "deeply concerning" comments from teachers about COVID-19 protocols. In an internal letter shared with reporters, Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Kesler Camese-Jones cited a recent survey among teachers about school safety. The union said it heard complaints ranging from communication breakdowns about coronavirus outbreaks to staff shortages because of COVID-19 related quarantines. The letter said 82% of the school staff who were surveyed preferred distance learning. In the meantime, private schools continued to take an ad hoc approach to COVID-19 responses. Sarah McDonald, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, said there was "no uniform plan for area Catholic schools to go virtual or remain face to face," but that local leaders "have been encouraged to reach out to their school families and respond to their unique needs." At least one Catholic school, St. Mary's Dominican High, began the first week back at school virtually because of the COVID-19 trends and "out of an abundance of caution," according to an email sent to school families. It was unclear how many other schools made similar decisions. Jefferson, St. Tammany schools quarantine thousands of students, teachers as cases rise Just days ahead of the holiday break, the Jefferson and St. Tammany public school systems are reporting hundreds of new coronavirus cases and Amy Marquis, communications director for the Waldorf School New Orleans, said on Tuesday afternoon officials there would be closely examining metrics at a board meeting that night to determine if a learning shift was warranted. (The school said in an update Wednesday morning it planned to continue the school's current in-person schedule.) Most other institutions belonging to the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, the agency that accredits many area private schools other than Catholic schools, would not respond to requests for comment. Editor's note: This story was updated after publication to inform readers of Waldorf's Tuesday night decision to keep the school open for in-person class. Staff writer Jeff Adelson contributed to this report. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. WEST HAVEN The Veterans Affairs medical center on Campbell Avenue began administering doses of the coronavirus vaccine to veterans Tuesday, with plans to give the shots to thousands within a month. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Alfred Montoya, director of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and hospital officials spoke with the media after two veterans over the age of 90 received the vaccine. America should know our veterans believe in this vaccine, and our VA staff is stepping up and rolling up its sleeves, said Blumenthal. We should be very proud of these veterans who are over 90 years old, Blumenthal said. Theyre part of the greatest generation; theyre among the first to step forward and theyre role models for all of us. ... Theyre showing that this vaccine is safe and effective. Montoya said the hospital was beginning by vaccinating veterans over the age of 90 with several co-morbidities, transplant patients, and all people undergoing dialysis. Approximately 23 people were scheduled to get a dose Tuesday, he said. Comorbidities are other diseases or conditions present in a patient, often long-term or chronic ailments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The hospital is selecting those veterans served by the hospital deemed to be the most vulnerable and contacting them to set up an appointment, Montoya said. Calling to ask for the vaccine, he said, does not speed access to it. Dr. Chris Ruser, chief of primary care at the hospital, said their goal was to administer the first round of shots to the roughly 2,000 to 2,500 people in the initial category within a month. The hospital has a sufficient supply of the vaccine to get that done, he said. But staffing limitations and social distancing requirements, as well as a mandatory questionnaire and 15-minute waiting period for those vaccinated, to check for adverse reactions, will limit the speed of the process. Theres that throughput part, said Ruser. So even if youre doing two shifts a day or three shifts a day plus weekends theres some limitations to the numbers of vaccines we can give in the setting that we have. I think that will be one of the factors that we will have to deal with, more than supply at this point. As the process moves forward, the vaccine largely will be administered based on age, but other risk factors also will dictate who is chosen, Ruser said. Age is probably the easiest and most important predictor of risk for severe COVID, said Ruser. However, Ruser said, veterans undergoing chemotherapy could also be considered vulnerable enough to receive the vaccine, even if theyre younger than the age bracket thats the main focus of the rollout. Blumenthal said about 75 percent of the VA staff had been vaccinated so far. Blumenthal said he had gotten the vaccine after the National Security Council suggested that Congress be inoculated as a national security measure, and his doctor had recommended it. He hasnt had any adverse effects. Blumenthal said the VA staffers were working as hard as they can, with every resource at their disposal, to provide the vaccine to veterans. He said that the medication has not been rolled out quickly enough to the American public, including veterans, and called for the process to be expedited through the Defense Production Act. The president, he said, could in effect, commandeer the resources of United States manufacturers to to create a Marshall Plan for the vaccine in America. He also suggested that National Guard members could be put to work administering vaccines to people. The rollout has to be expanded, said Blumenthal. We need these vaccines to go in the arms of our veterans, and into the arms of all Americans. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Advertisement A GP on the frontline of Britain's great coronavirus vaccine push has revealed doctors have still not received doses that were supposed to arrive last month, amid fears Boris Johnson has over-promised with his pledge to jab 13million Brits and end lockdown by March. Dr Rosemary Leonard, an NHS family doctor who works in South London, said her practices were 'raring to go' and had been waiting on their first batch of vaccinations since December 28. But she claimed the delivery date has been pushed back three times already, with the first doses now not due to arrive until January 15, more than a fortnight late. Dr Leonard, who also writes a column for the Daily Express newspaper, warned the vaccine roll out was becoming a 'postcode lottery for patients', and believes the delay is the result of 'central supply issues'. Despite being just days into the rollout of the Oxford vaccine, there has already been finger-pointing between the Government, regulators and the jab's manufacturer AstraZeneca over who is to blame for the delays. Matt Hancock and NHS bosses have suggested manufacturing has been too slow, while the Prime Minister has blamed the UK's hold-up on stringent batch testing rules which mean every deliver of vaccine needs to be quality checked. It comes as independent pharmacists begged the Government to let small chains dish out vaccinations to help Number 10 fulfill its ambitious vaccine promises, which will require jabbing a mammoth 3million Brits a week. MailOnline has spoken to at least half a dozen membership bodies which claim there are 11,000 pharmacies 'ready, willing and able' to assist in the rollout of the programme. They say they are being held back by more Government red tape. Meanwhile, the high street has also thrown its weight behind the rollout of the mass vaccination scheme to get life back to normal by spring. Bensons for Beds today revealed it has written to the Government, offering all 250 of its stores across the UK to serve as temporary vaccination centres. And the owner of the London nightclub G-A-Y claimed this morning he'd written to Westminster Council putting forward one of his venues. So far only 1.3million people in the UK have been vaccinated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech jabs since the programme launched a month ago. There is a growing clamour today for the process to be ramped up dramatically - with concerns that local chemists and other facilities are not being used enough. Dr Rosemary Leonard (left), an NHS family doctor who works in South London, said her practices were 'raring to go' and had been waiting on their first batch of vaccinations since December 28. But she claimed the delivery date has been pushed back three times already, with the first doses now not due to arrive until January 15, more than a fortnight late Above are the locations of the seven mass vaccination centres that will begin operating from next week. They were revealed today by the Prime Minister The seven mass vaccination centres to start administering jabs next week The seven mass vaccination centres set to open next week have been outlined with venues in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Stevenage. The Prime Minister's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing that the centres would include: Robertson House in Stevenage ExCel Centre in London Centre for Life in Newcastle Etihad Tennis Centre in Manchester Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol Millennium Point in Birmingham Advertisement UK needs to vaccinate 5MILLION people a week to get pandemic under control, Tony Blair claims Britain needs to inoculate a staggering 5million Brits a week to get a grip on the pandemic, Tony Blair claimed today. The former Prime Minister said if 'every single available bit of capacity' is utilised then the NHS should be able to vaccinate up to 3million a week by the end of January, 4million a week by the end of February and 5million a week in March. He claimed the new, highly-transmissible strain of Covid meant most of the previously effective lockdown measures were now useless. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Mr Blair said: 'You've got two vaccines that are available, we've got several million of the Pfizer vaccine, that's more difficult to administer its true and the settings in which you administer need a different level of expertise, I believe the AstraZeneca vaccine will be up to 2million by the end of January, they should get it above that in February and then as I say you've got several million of the Pfizer vaccines, if you position yourself properly to be able to use these vaccines, you should be able to get to 3mil a week by the end of january and then in february you can increase that further. 'If you really throw absolutely everything at this, I think you could get to the stage where by roughly the third week or maybe the last week of March you've got over half the population vaccinated. 'The crucial thing they're not doing is they're not using every available possibilty for vaccinators. We should have all the GPs surgeries organised to do this, I think you'll find that not all the GP practices have signed up to this yet. 'Occupational health workers, several thousand of those, are perfectly qualified to give what are essentially a flu jab i would have mobile facilities as well going round place by place you could use polling stations we manage on election day to get 30million people through the doors voting.' Advertisement In other vaccine news: Boris Johnson said he is is 'blasting away bureaucratic obstructions' that prevented people from administering jabs until they had taken anti-terrorism training; The Prime Minister admitted the rollout of coronavirus vaccines to care homes 'needs to be stepped up', as he revealed just one in 10 residents and 14 per cent of staff have received a jab; British patients due to receive the second dose of their Covid vaccine have had their appointments pushed back by three months after the Government switched up its strategy to giving as many people as possible a single dose initially; The seven mass vaccination centres set to open next week have been outlined with venues in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Stevenage; Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned Britain needs to be vaccinating 5million people a week by March to get the pandemic under control this year because the highly-infectious strain of Covid has made most lockdown measures useless; The EU has beaten the UK to approving the Moderna vaccine, with the bloc to start dishing out doses next week - while Britain won't get any until spring; The World Health Organization has refused to back the UK's move to space the Pfizer Covid vaccine doses by 12 weeks because there is no proof it will work. In a series of tweets, Dr Rosemary Leonard said: 'Covid vaccination from the front line. My group of practices was initially told we would get our first delivery on 28th december. Then 4th jan. Then 11th jan. Now we are '6th wave' and it will be 13th, 14th or 15th jan. We are raring to go, but have no vaccines. WHY? 'And from replies loads of practices across the country are in same position, is real postcode lottery for patients. There must be central supply issues- would be good to be given a truthful explanation.' It is unclear what is causing the hold-up of the vaccines. Boris Johnson has blamed the batch testing process that Britain's medical regulator made mandatory when it approved both the Pfizer and Oxford vaccines last month. The bulk vaccine has to undergo a 'sterility test' when it goes to the 'fill and finish' operation to make it ready for use. Asked about whether batch testing was stalling the roll out, the Government's vaccines tsar Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News this morning: 'The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) are doing everything in their capability to do it properly without cutting corners and safety to test every batch,' Mr Zahawi said. 'The worst thing we can do in a national vaccination programme that is the biggest in this nation's history, is to get this wrong.' Mr Zahawi admitted this morning that the 13million vaccine goal was 'very stretching' but can be delivered. Challenged that given the speed of the rollout so far the weekly figure will need to be more like three million than two million by February to hit the PM's target, Mr Zahawi nodded and said: 'You're going to see that increase the NHS have got a very clear plan. We've got a fantastic team working, seven days a week, all hours to deliver this. No doubt, it is a stretching target. But I think it's one that we should absolutely look to deliver.' Mr Zahawi added: 'I'm confident that as we begin to deploy and get more sites operational I talked about the hospitals, the GPs, the community pharmacies and the national vaccination centres so we will be at over 1,000 sites vaccinating.' As the Government struggles to get the vaccines into arms at speed, independent pharmacists have offered to deliver doses from local chemists to bolster the vaccination drive. However, they have complained of 'bureaucratic barriers' preventing them from getting approval to do so. The Government has approved several larger pharmacies to begin dishing out doses from next week, but the sites were only chosen if they were able to guarantee they could deliver at least 950 doses per day and had two trained pharmacists administering them at all times, sources say. Boris vows to 'blast away bureaucratic obstructions' as he ditches anti-terror training for Covid jabbers Boris Johnson has promised to 'blast away bureaucratic obstructions' as he ditched a rule that forced vaccine volunteers to have anti-terror training before being able to administer the jabs. Retired doctors and nurses who've signed up to help with the programme have complained of unnecessary red tape, including being ordered to show 21 documents proving they'd been on various ethical courses. In the Commons today, former trade secretary Dr Liam Fox demanded the Government ditched the rules as he revealed his own experience of being required to fill out an excessive number of forms. He told MPs: 'As a qualified but non-practising doctor, I volunteered to help with the scheme and would urge others to do the same. 'But, can I ask the Prime Minister why I've been required to complete courses on conflict resolution, equality, diversity and human rights, moving and handling loads and preventing radicalisation in order to give a simple Covid jab? 'Can I urge him to get the NHS and the Department of Health to drop the bureaucracy, drop the political correctness and do all they can to actually get the vaccine programme moving.' The Prime Minister replied that he has been 'assured by the Health Secretary that all such obstacles, all such pointless pettifoggery has been removed'. He added: 'And there should be absolutely nothing to stop him from volunteering to be a vaccinator.' Advertisement This was necessary for the Pfizer vaccine which was complicated to store and handle but the arrival of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab opens the door for much smaller sites to help. However smaller pharmacies say the red tape in place for Pfizer vaccine was stalling them from being able to deliver the Oxford jab. The Royal College of GPs warned Number 10 must ditch its bureaucracy and start recruiting pharmacists if it wants the roll out to be a success, while the National Pharmacy Association claimed it was a 'no-brainer' that local chemists are brought on board because the nation was 'crying out for convenient access to the vaccine'. Sandra Gidley, president of the RPS, said small high street pharmacies could help administer an extra 1million doses a week and bolster the lagging rollout. She told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'We are already used to delivering the flu vaccine. You have got an army of trained vaccinators who are ready, willing and able to play and part. 'With the AstraZeneca vaccine there is no reason why that could not be delivered through community pharmacies. There are over 11,000 pharmacies. If each of those does 20-a-day that is 1.3 million-a-week extra vaccines that can be provided, very often to those who are hardest to reach. Why would any government not want to do that?' Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth piled pressure on NHS England to use local pharmacies to get the jab into as many Britons as possible, and bring the pandemic to a swift end. 'Community Pharmacy already deliver flu jabs, are respected and trusted by local people,' he said. 'As well as GPs, community pharmacy should be mobilised everywhere to meet the vaccine challenge. 'We need to go further and faster on vaccination. There isn't a moment to lose.' Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, today called on the NHS to make use of the 'invisible army' of local pharmacies to roll out the vaccine. 'We can do millions of jabs through pharmacies,' she told MailOnline. 'I've been banging on the doors of NHS England about this. 'We know the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine isn't as challenging to give out as the Pfizer one because it can be stored at a lower temperature, so it could be treated like the flu vaccine. 'I know some of my members, they can just get in there and do thousands. So please just get in touch with pharmacies and we can get millions done in weeks.' Smaller pharmacies have begged to help with Britain's vaccine rollout but say red tape is preventing them. Pictured: Rish Shah aged 35 from C.W Pharmacy in East Finchley, North London and Mojgun Behkar and Alnoor Thobani from Cootes Pharmacy in Finchley Why HASN'T Britain approved Moderna's Covid jab? EU gives jab the green light - but UK regulators haven't because No10 can't get ANY doses until March Europe's drug regulator today approved Moderna's coronavirus vaccine and could get supplies within weeks because of a deal it struck in summer last year. But Britain will miss out on early access to the vaccine because it officially left the EU last week and did not place its own order early enough to get an exclusive supply. UK regulators didn't rush to approve the vaccine when phase three trials finished at the end of last year because it couldn't get any delivered until the spring. They will now have to do their own assessment of the jab because the automatic carry-over for licences granted by the EU ended with Brexit. Moderna's jab, which appears to be just as good as Pfizer/BioNTech's and works in the same way, is already being used on members of the public in the US. The US got first dibs on supplies of the jab in exchange for funding its research and development, and other countries were offered deliveries early in 2021. Experts on the European Medicines Agency gave the vaccine their seal of approval today, and the European Commission is expected to give it the final sign-off within hours so it can start to be used. Europe pencilled in a deal in August and could get supplies within weeks, MailOnline understands. Scientists in the UK said not ordering Moderna's vaccine earlier was not an error because it would have been a gamble to order another vaccine the same as Pfizer's, both of which use the same technology that had never been tried before Covid-19. But as Britain is now scrambling to vaccinate millions of people every week and fears being hamstrung by supply shortages, an extra jab could have been a blessing. Advertisement WHO refuses to back UK's move to space Pfizer Covid vaccine doses by 12 weeks because there is no proof it will work The World Health Organization has refused to give its blessing to Britain's plan to space the two doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by more than a month. Officials in the UK have decided to use all available doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, which was the first to be approved, to get a single dose to as many people as possible. In the process they will leave people waiting up to 12 weeks for their second jab. Covid cases started to fall around 12 days after people got their first dose in studies but, because everyone got a second shot just 10 days later, scientists don't know how long immunity from the initial jab would last. The WHO yesterday said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. But it did not attack Britain's decision not to do this, admitting the Government had been forced to make a difficult decision because of spiralling infections and deaths in recent weeks. One of the experts said they 'totally acknowledge that countries may see needs to be even more flexible in terms of the administration of the second dose'. It comes after England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, defended the controversial move again last night, saying the benefits of it outweigh the risks. He admitted there was a chance it could increase the risk of the virus developing vaccine resistance in the future but that the need to vaccinate people now was overwhelming. Advertisement Petition to get teachers vaccinated passes 300,000 More than 300,000 people have signed a petition calling for teachers to be prioritised for a coronavirus vaccine. The petitioned - which has gained 307,000 signatures in three weeks - urges all childcare staff to be put on the vaccine priority list in order to get schools back faster. All pupils - except children of key workers and vulnerable youngsters - have moved to remote education until February half-term amid the national lockdown after data showed schools were driving transmission of the new strain of coronavirus and helping the disease spread into the wider community. Exams have also been thrown into disarray for the second year in a row, with GCSE and A-level exams cancelled over summer. The petition says: 'Advice from the JCVI on the priority groups for a Covid-19 vaccine does not include school/childcare workers. 'This petition calls for these workers, who cannot distance or use PPE, to be kept safe at work by being put on the vaccine priority list when such a list is adopted into government policy.' The vaccine priority list drawn up by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is based on how likely a person is to die from Covid. It puts care home residents, frontline health and social care staff, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions at the front of the queue. The group does not currently offer any advice to vaccinate people based on their occupation or how likely they are to drive transmission. Advertisement She said NHS England had invited pharmacies to sign up to deliver the vaccine in late November, but that this was only for the Pfizer/BioNTech jab. This meant many pharmacies did not apply, because they didn't have the right equipment to store the jab at -78C (-94F) required. Andrew Lane, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, added: 'Pharmacies can play a significant role in the Covid vaccination programme, and we're well equipped to get started immediately. We have been on the health service frontline throughout the pandemic and now we want to join this latest, decisive, battle against this deadly virus. 'The vast majority of pharmacies provide flu vaccinations, so there are thousands of potential local pharmacy sites for vaccinating against COVID, capable of protecting millions of people within weeks. We are bound to ask, what on earth is stopping the NHS from mobilising more pharmacies for this vital task? 'Pharmacists want to help, they are already trained for giving vaccines, and people are crying out for convenient local access to the vaccine. It's surely a no-brainer that pharmacies should be supported to take part in this urgent national effort. 'The process for signing-up to give vaccines needs to be as agile as the workforce and should allow pharmacy teams to come on board rapidly. Approval of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine, for which storage is easier, means that many more pharmacies are now capable of offering vaccinations.' Rish Shah, 35, from West Hampstead, is a pharmacist at C. W Andrew Pharmacy, which has been serving the local community for over 100 years. Mr Shah said: 'So what's happened is, the government has asked us to apply for a contract for 1,000 vaccines a week. But obviously you can't have 1,000 people walking in here every day, so we had to find a location, like a hall or a school. 'That was the deal. We didn't apply because for one, we didn't have the staff to go off site. We are willing to do it because we do flu jabs and travel vaccines here. But we can't have a target of 1,000 a week, that's impossible. 'If they tell us 200 a week then that's do-able. When we're doing flu vaccines this year, we're probably doing 30 a day, so that's do-able. 'I think it's because the Pfizer vaccine comes in a fridge in a batch of 900 vaccines so you have to finish those in the five day period. I think we're ready because you know when we did flu jabs, doctor surgeries were closed, so we're easier access for patients, because they come here anyway and they know us. And most of our customers have asked when we are going to start them, but we have to be given permission first.' Herman, 50, and his wife Simone Benjamin, 47, who own Oakdale Pharmacy further up the street, have had the same problem. Mr Benjamin said: 'You apply to administer the vaccine but you know the criteria for the Pfizer vaccine. They wanted 1,000 a week and there are so many different logistics involved in that, it ruled myself out certainly. 'All you got to do is ask the government and NHS England what difference pharmacies made to flu vaccinations. I think it's been another record year. So we can certainly make an impact because you know, it all adds up. 'We are very willing because you know, it's a big task involved, but obviously the first application to do 1,000 was just impossible. 'I have no idea why, but the only thing I can see is at the time it was the only vaccine that was out. And there's a time limit on how long it can be kept and certain storage. 'Now there's the second one which can be just stored in the refrigerator and I don't see why we can't play a part because as I say we're doing flu vaccinations and the numbers speak for themselves. 'Hopefully we will play a part sooner rather than later. You know all you need is a little bit here, a little bit there, if each pharmacy does it, before you know it we're there. 'The thing is you're reaching out to people that wouldn't go to a centre, that I feel is our main part, you know, we're accessible, we're on the high street.' Ms Benjamin added: 'It's a logistical issue as well, where are we going to do it in the pharmacy, how can we ensure privacy and the patient's dignity. As well as the speed, we've got pressure on us to immunise a certain number of people within a certain amount of time. 'We don't know if that's still the case but certainly they handed out a directive saying you have to immunise a certain number of people within a week, which was unrealistic for a small independent pharmacy with a limited amount of staff and one pharmacist.' Mojgun Behkar, 26, from Kilburn, a pharmacist at Cootes Pharmacy said: 'No we didn't apply for the vaccine license because of the temperature they told us, it was a bit unrealistic. 'They told us we had to keep at least 1,000 vaccines and we had to be open from 8:00AM to 8:00PM, but obviously we open from 9:00AM to 6:30PM. 'And we need to have at least two pharmacists working on the same day, one to vaccinate, one to do the dispensary. If they changed the criteria I would 100 per cent consider applying for it because I want to help the country. 'This is why I chose this career. In terms of challenges, I would presume there will be a lot of pressure with people queuing up. We need to have more staff to cover other stuff, but more staff means more money, especially as we are independent. 'I think pharmacies should 100 per cent be playing a role in this. They can take pressure off the GPs, allowing them to spend more time in more critical roles like diagnosing and stuff like that. 'We would be able to help in terms of vaccinating more people, maybe half or a third of what the GPs have to do. In this area there's no Boots so if we are able to do it, or more pharmacies are able to do it, not just the chains, it means more vaccinations and in less time. Earlier than what Boris Johnson expects. 'The COVID vaccine is similar to the flu vaccine, it goes in the same part, you do the same thing, it takes around five minutes per patient.' The Royal College of GPs has warned the Government it must ditch its red tape and start recruiting pharmacists immediately because achieving the vaccine targets will require a 'all hands on deck' approach. Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the RCGP, said: 'GPs and our teams are working incredibly hard to vaccinate as many people as possible, starting with our most vulnerable, to protect them from this dreadful virus. This is alongside delivering the expanded flu vaccination programme, and the usual care and services our patients rely on us for. We need to vaccinate 2m patients a week that's a challenging but necessary target, and we can't do it alone. 'Pharmacists are hugely experienced in delivering the flu jab and play a key role in the delivery of the flu vaccination programme every year. They are ready and willing to help and it makes absolute sense for them to be able to and it was encouraging to hear the Vaccine Minister say pharmacists will be involved in the CVP this morning. The situation is urgent. We need all hands-on deck and we'd like to see any healthcare professionals who are willing and appropriately trained to be able to join the effort do so with minimal bureaucratic barriers.' Meanwhile, the high street has also offered to chip in with the country's inoculation programme. Superdrug and Boots are poised to start dishing out thousands of jabs next week after getting the green-light from Number 10 and are just waiting on delivery of doses, while car parks at supermarket Morrisons will be converted to drive-through vaccination centres from Monday. Tesco has offered up its warehouses and lorries to help move doses quickly around the country and craft brewer BrewDog has claimed it's in talks with ministers about turning its closed bars into temporary jab hubs. Pub chains are also offering to help, with firms such as Young's, Marston's and Loungers putting forward their venues as potential sites. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Technology is providing educators with unimaginable tools that are rapidly coming to the fore especially because of restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Writing in an editorial in the International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning, Charles Xiaoxue Wang and Michele Garabedian of the Stork College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, U.S., discuss the potential of virtual reality in education and prelude a special issue of the journal on this topic. They define virtual reality (VR) as "any technology that provides its users an interactive computer-generated experience through text, audio, visual, spatial and/or speed messages within a simulated environment that engages its users in multi-sensory interactions and reactions." By this definition, augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and hybrid reality (HR) are also included in the purview of this issue. They point out that with current technology it is possible to seamlessly integrate VR in learning, training, and instruction in many different contexts. Broadly, VR can offer different communication methods, immersive and reproducible learning environments adaptable for special needs, a unique perspective that promotes interaction and is low-risk. VR also opens up new perspectives that an educator might offer and gives learners novel opportunities for their response. The number of research papers discussing VR had already begun to increase dramatically in engineering and medicine and more recently the number in educational research has surged too. "Each article in this special issue offers a unique and significant perspective in exploration of VR and VR related issues," the authors write. Explore further Virtual reality makes empathy easier More information: Editorial: virtual reality through the lens of educators. International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning. www.inderscience.com/info/dl.p 0/ijsmarttl-7050.pdf Editorial: virtual reality through the lens of educators. Students attending education facilities in Hanoi will be entitled to a consecutive nine-day break, from February 8 to 16, on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. The plan was stated in an official document published by the Hanoi Peoples Committee and the Hanoi Department of Education and Training on December 30. More specifically, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle and high schools, vocational schools, and regular education centers are directed to implement a nine-day Lunar New Year break from February 8 to 16. Officials of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, as well as ward-, provincial- and township-level educational bureaus are entitled to seven consecutive days of leave from February 10 to February 16. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training also asked agencies and schools to strictly comply with Directive 44/CT-TTg from December 21, which emphasized safety, proper and economical Lunar New Year celebration, the strengthening of public order and traffic safety monitoring, as well as the augmentation of COVID-19 prevention measures during the holiday. Mentioned agencies must schedule personnel to undertake patrol duty at the premise and cooperate with local law enforcement to ensure asset safety and fire prevention. The department also guided agencies to take care of the material and mental health needs of staffers and students, arranging visits to cases of special needs to ensure an ample Tet celebration for all. Agencies are also advised to educate students, promoting a civilized lifestyle which upholds social order, traffic safety and condemns street racing, gambling, the transport and possession of explosives or other dangerous activities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! One major metropolis in Australia that didn't perform particularly well in 2020 is expected to be the strongest capital city housing market in 2021. Perth was last year the second worst state or territory capital and house prices are still well below the peak of 2014. Despite that, SQM Research is expecting the West Australian capital's property prices to surge by up to 15 per cent this year. That is based on a sunny scenario where the Covid vaccine roll-out in the first half of 2021 went better than expected, employment boomed as JobKeeper wage subsidies were phased out and state border closures ended. One major metropolis in Australia that didn't perform particularly well in 2020 is expected to be the strongest capital city housing market in 2021. Perth was last year the second worst state or territory capital market and house prices are still well below the peak of 2014. Pictured are houses at Cottesloe SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher said stronger prices for iron ore, the commodity used to make steel, meant Perth would benefit economically more than any other capital city market this year. 'Arguably, Perth's economy overall is more coronavirus-proof than other capital cities,' his report said. Perth also has a tight rental vacancy rate of just 0.9 per cent which Mr Christopher forecast would feed into house price increases, even if that didn't happen in 2020. 'It has been a little surprising to see such a surge in rents and yet it has not yet properly transferred into a new housing boom,' SQM Research said. 'Given the no vacancy sign is now out, it is likely we will see an accelerated rise in housing prices as frustrated renters turn to buyers.' In 2020, Perth property prices rose by just two per cent with median house prices edging up to $490,810, CoreLogic data showed, but a 15 per cent increase would take values to $564,431. Only Melbourne did worse with home values there falling by 1.3 per cent, taking mid-point house price back to $799,980, as Sydney prices rose by 2.7 per cent to $1.015million, even though both markets suffered consecutive monthly falls. The story was very different outside of Australia's big cities with property prices last year hitting record highs in 39 out of Australia's 88 regions despite the worst economic downturn since the 1930s Great Depression. Despite that, SQM Research is expecting the West Australian capital's property prices to surge by up to 15 per cent this year. Pictured is Perth's Swan River While regional centres from the Gold Coast to Geelong and Newcastle did well, small capital city markets also thrived with suburbs in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart hitting all-time highs. SQM Research expected Brisbane home prices to climb by nine per cent, in a best case economic scenario, as Sydney and Canberra prices went up seven per cent. Melbourne was only expected to enjoy a four per cent increase, with price falls tipped should there be more lockdowns. Mr Christopher said Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews's mishandling of hotel quarantining, leading to a strict, Stage Four lockdown from early August until late October, would be devastating for the housing market for years to come. SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher said stronger prices for iron ore, the commodity used to make steel, meant Perth would benefit economically more than any other capital city market this year. Pictured is a house at Peppermint Grove He predicted the fallout and population exodus would be worse than the State Bank collapse of the early 1990s that happened under the watch of earlier Labor premiers John Cain and Joan Kirner. 'Do not underestimate the destruction of the Melbourne economy due to the complete mismanagement of COVID-19 from the Victorian government,' Mr Christopher said. 'The damage will take years to repair. The end result will be ongoing high unemployment. 'Melbourne has had a real taste of hardcore, Orwellian socialism and many people don't like it.' Darwin was last year Australia's strongest performing capital city housing market with home prices skyrocketing by 11.9 per cent but in 2021, SQM Research was forecasting a more modest six per cent increase should the economy recover strongly. Heres hoping 2021 is a brighter year for restaurants. Across the nation, thousands of closings have been reported over the past 10 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Pennsylvania, an estimated 7,500 establishments could close, while 88% of owners say sales will continue to decrease in the coming months, according to the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. Despite the uncertainties, there is a glimmer of hope. Several restaurants are forging ahead with plans to open in the new year. Heres a breakdown of whats on the horizon in the Harrisburg area: The Chocolatetown sign at Hersheypark on June 30, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com The Chocolatier They say good things are worth the wait. That could be said of The Chocolatier, held up from opening last summer at Hersheypark due to the pandemic. Now, the restaurant is projected to open late spring or early summer as part of the park expansion that includes the new roller coaster, Candymonium. The full-service restaurant and bar will feature innovative fare with hints of chocolate served in an open kitchen. Cocktails will be crafted behind a carrousel-themed bar while a signature dessert menu will be crated by executive pastry chef Cher Harris. In addition, visitors will find The Sweeterie Confectionary Kitchen with more than 50 confections such as chocolate-dipped treats, artisanal baked goods, signature hand-crafted fudge and more. And if ice cream is something you crave, Miltons Ice Cream Parlor, a vintage-style ice cream parlor, will scoop sundaes and shakes using Hersheys products. Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grills continue to pop up in central Pennsylvania. One is opening at the former Sonic Drive-In along Linglestown Road in Susquehanna Township. The 2,325-square-foot pad site sits at the Blue Mountain Commons in the same complex as Giant. No word yet on an opening date. Not far away in Derry Township, a Chipotle will open a 2,325 square-foot pad site at Hershey Square Shopping Center. Redds Smokehouse BBQ It wont be long until Redds Smokehouse BBQ will turn on the smokers on the West Shore. Redds is bringing its southern barbecue to the former Jukebox Diner at 4890 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township in mid-February. For a decade, Redds at 109 N. Hanover St. in Carlisle has built a following for smoked meats, family-recipe side dishes and homemade sauces. But as demand has grown, owner Nick Mauldin said space constraints inside the shoe-box size restaurant have made it overwhelming to operate in the space. Redds also caters and bottles a line of homemade sauces. The new restaurant will essentially act as a commissary for Redds. Preparation of sauces and dry rubs, as well as smoking of some meats, will be shifted to the new location, he said. The new restaurant will have a large kitchen and room for a mammoth Southern Pride smoker capable of smoking 1,400 pounds of pork at a time, Mauldin said. The dining room will seat about 160 guests with additional space outdoors and serve lunch and dinner. READ MORE: Sushi in Harrisburg It doesnt have a name yet, but restauranteur Judd Goodman, best known for the Federal Taphouse brand, is bringing a new concept to Harrisburg. Hes opening a takeout/delivery sushi and bento box spot at 1100 N. Third St. Its going to be as hands-free as possible. We are really going to take advantage of the technology, Goodman said. People will just order and come in and pick it up. The restaurant is targeted to open as early as mid-February. The menu will cover a variety of traditional and specialty raw and cooked rolls. Goodman said the to-go concept fits with the times. Hes teaming up with chef Alex Coenen. I think this is going to be the new way, these smaller footprint restaurants that are going to be catering to takeout and delivery, Goodman said. The restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Tequila Willies Southwest American Grille The casual restaurant will open as early as March at the former Rock Bass Grill at 461 S. Front St. in Wormleysburg, which closed in September. Owner Don Carter Jr. said Tequila Willies aligns more with what diners are looking for as interest in fine dining fades. He said he had been contemplating switching gears at the upscale Rock Bass for a long time as dining trends shift toward more casual concepts. Over the past several months, he said business had dropped off at Rock Bass, especially over lunch as more professionals work from home. The restaurant is being used to accommodate overflow seating through January from Carters neighboring Dockside Willies restaurant. Urban Creamery Plans for the Urban Creamery in Paxtang fell through several years ago, but owner Vincent Ortega is resurrecting the concept in a new location. He has secured a building at 118 E. Main St. in Hummelstown to house the creamery and retail shop. In addition, he has acquired a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The European style creamery will produce and sell artisan cheeses and homemade yogurt. Most of the cheese will be organic and made with milk sourced from grass-fed cows so it will contain no bovine somatotropin (bST) or hormones, he said. The creamery will contain a retail store and the cheeses will be sold outside of the area to restaurants and cheese shops in places such as New York. Ortega is bringing in equipment and working with a consulting company from Holland specializing in cheese production to guide him through the start-up process. Eventually, the shop will expand to include a cafe. Wolf Brewing Co. owners Elaine and Derek Wolf plan to open a brewery in Mechanicsburg. Wolf Brewing Co. Construction is underway at this new brewpub in Mechanicsburg, which could open as early as February or March. Brewery owners Derek and Elaine Wolf, who are active on the brewing circuit and have the hardware to prove it, will open an 8,000-square foot facility in the Market Square portion of Landmark Legacy Park in the borough. It will encompass a brewery, taproom, lounge and kitchen with indoor seating for between 100 and 120 guests. In addition, guests can sit on an outdoor patio during warmer weather for special events and yard games. The Wolfs are partnering with Chef David T. Mills III, owner of Smoke & Pickles Artisan Butcher Shop in Mechanicsburg to manage the brewpubs culinary program. ZeroDay Brewing Co. Its a big year for ZeroDay Brewing Company in Harrisburg. On the heels of opening the new Midtown Cinema Outpost, ZeroDay has turned its attention to a new taproom at 925 N. Third St. in Harrisburg. Its scheduled to open in the coming weeks. The 150-capacity taproom will have various indoor seating options and an outdoor courtyard, as well as an event room that holds up to 60 people. A small-batch brewery will pump out options including the dedicated barrel room for wood-aged and sour beers. Expect top notch food, as well. ZeroDay is partnering with neighboring Cork & Fork to create a Mexican and tapas-inspired menu. DECATUR - An Alabama woman convicted of killing her husband in front of one of their children was sentenced to 40 years in prison after a court rejected defense claims she was mentally ill. A Morgan County judge handed down the sentence Tuesday to 48-year-old Michelle Owens of Decatur. A jury convicted Owens of murder in October in the killing of 44-year-old Lawrence Edward Eddie Owens, rejecting her claims of mental illness. Evidence showed the man was shot to death at the couples home with a pistol in June 2016 as one of their young sons watched. Nigeria and the government of the Peoples Republic of China on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to establish an inter-governmental committee that will coordinate the cooperation and relations between both countries. The Committee which will be co-chaired by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries will also strive to deepen the cooperation between both countries, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffery Onyeama said in Abuja. Onyeama disclosed this while briefing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi who is visiting Nigeria as first of five countries in Africa to be visited. Nigeria's foreign minister while lauding the establishment of the committee, noted that the decision by his Chinese counterpart to visit Nigeria first was a reflection of the importance which China attached to her relationship with Nigeria. He pointed out that China had contributed greatly to the successes recorded in the priority areas of the current administration as declared by President Muhammadu Buhari, which include infrastructure development, economic diversification and job creation. "He is on a five-country tour of Africa and has selected Nigeria to be the first country that he visits, this is not a coincidence, it is a deliberate decision that reflects the importance that they attach to the relationship between both countries. "This visit by the State Councillor is a very important one, we have held discussions and we agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on establishing an inter-governmental Committee that will be in charge of coordinating all aspects of cooperation between the two countries in many areas in many sectors in which we are cooperating with the Chinese. "In our meeting today we talked about transportation, our railways, defense system, political matters and how to structure political cooperation. At the end of the talks the Chinese government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced a donation to Nigeria of 100 million Renminbis, the Chinese local currency which we reckon to be roughly 50 million dollars or 6 billion Naira," he said. Some of the Minister on the Nigerian delegation included: Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu and the Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Asia, Australia, and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Also giving an account of the closed door meeting, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi who spoke through an interpreter, said that the traditional friendships between Nigeria and China neded to be advanced. He corroborated that both countries had agreed to set up intergovernmental committee that will synergize Chinese new developments, deepen cooperation, and advance key projects to support more rapid industrialisation in Nigeria. "We will expand cooperation into new areas of digital and green economy to make development more diversified. "Our two countries will continue to work closely on COVID-19 response and strongly support each other to a final victory which is a cure. "We will further engage in military and security cooperation to contribute to Nigeria's national security capacity building, we will also coordinate in regional and international affairs. "We have every confidence that China-Nigeria strategic partnership will embrace an even brighter future, together we will make a great contribution to Africa's peace and development for the stability and prosperity of the World," he said. (NAN) Vanguard News Nigeria (Photo: 9 Vacations for People Who Love to Drive) There are people who love to drive on their vacations. They're not crazy about planes or trains, but they're absolutely in love with automobiles. Perhaps you are one of them, and you may be wondering where to go on your next one! It's fun to drive across the country, see different people, and look at different places. Enjoy taking your foot off the accelerator and take a detour. Here are some suggestions: Columbia Scenic Highway This was built almost 100 years ago. It was designed for those who admire the scenery, and it gives drivers plenty of that. It's a winding, 75-mile trip that starts just to the East of Portland. It lets you absorb the beauty of the Columbia Gorge. It features lots of waterfalls. It's full of gorgeous mountain views. It also has pull-offs so that drivers can enjoy the ride as well. The "Timberline Lodge" is a nice side-trip because it's a wonderful mountain hotel. Route 66 Bobby Troup made it a hit song. This road is as much a part of Americana as apple pie. In addition to being a hit song, this highway was also a hit television series. This road runs from Chicago to Los Angeles. It features some wonderful scenery. Hill Country Highways The highways of the beautiful area known as the Hill Country area are located outside of Austin, Texas. It's a scenic route partly because it boasts deep canyons, roaring rivers that race quickly past you, and plains that are filled with sagebrush. While you're on this route, you'll see the Sabinal River near the town of Utopia. Great River Road This route runs from Minnesota to Louisiana. You'll appreciate the Mississippi River on this road. It features some nice hills in Wisconsin. You can also travel this byway to see the Mississippi Delta anywhere between Memphis and New Orleans. This highway also takes drivers through St. Louis. Pacific Coast Highway The Pacific Coast Highway offers the wonderful sights of Big Sur. That's where the road winds its way through gorgeous seaside cliffs. This route also takes you to the wonderful town of Carmel. The scenery on this highway includes mountains and the ocean. Don't miss the Hearst Castle in San Simeon; it is a must-see. Overseas Highway This is a 120-mile highway that links the Florida Keys and has many picturesque bridges and causeways. The "Florida East Coast Railway" initially built it as a train route, but it was wiped out in 1935 by a hurricane and later converted to a highway. This road is full of seafood restaurants all along the way, so you can enjoy almost any kind of seafood that you like along this route. Of course, Key West also has plenty of places to eat. It also offers its own historical attractions. Ernest Hemingway may be the most famous of the celebrities who have lived there. And Islamorada offers a 70-year-old attraction called the "Theater Of The Sea" where you can swim with dolphins. Million Dollar Highway This is a part of Highway 550 that runs from Silverton to Ouray in Colorado, two old, historic gold mining towns. On the Million Dollar Highway, you will climb more than two miles above sea level. This road takes drivers along a scenic part of Colorado. While you're exploring this highway, take a trip on the "Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad." It goes through the Animas River Gorge. It takes you far above the roaring waters of that gorge. Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway Just two hours to the west of Washington, D.C. is the start of this road. It twists and turns through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has low speed limits, so you'll have to watch that speedometer. The slow trip will allow you to take in the wonders of the scenery. The Skyline Drive and the Parkway connect drivers to the wonderful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And while you're driving on this highway, see the Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering marvel that goes in and around the trees at the highest point of the road. Stop at Charlottesville because it boasts Monticello, which is the home of Thomas Jefferson. It's also the home of the University Of Virginia and has a charming progressive-small-town vibe. Black River Scenic Byway It's easy to overlook the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This byway, however, might make you think twice about doing that. It features wonderful forests and waterfalls. You can also enjoy the many wide, expansive vistas that allow you to see Lake Superior. Be sure to stop at Mackinac Island. It is the home of the Grand Hotel. Cars aren't allowed on the island, so you can enjoy an island that's lost in time. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 January 06, 2021 Ideally, there are many ways to get financial freedom when one faces financial challenges like debts. One of the best and most preferred is the filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which in essence works to liquidate non-exempt assets and to use them to pay off creditors. In such cases, the debtor will not be obligated to clear the debt since the creditors discharge leftover debts. Many at times, someone may feel like filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is embarrassing. But the truth is that it is not, and often, it comes with loads of benefits. One of the reasons someone may feel pulled off from going this route is the fear of losing their home and other financial incapacities. Chapter 7 bankruptcy, by all means, is only there to help people solve their financial problems by getting a fresh financial start when under debts. Actually, during these unprecedented times of Covid-19, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy, and no one should feel embarrassed to do so. Usually, people can either choose to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy by themselves or use lawyers. Someone who decides to do this will definitely face challenges because, essentially, the whole process is marred with complex demands, which can be hard to tackle individually. Usually, if not all the time, the recommended step to take is to hire expert lawyers in the field of bankruptcy. Most importantly is hiring a lawyer with experience and a reputed track record of dealing with chapter 7 bankruptcy. Importance of Hiring a Lawyer As aforementioned, filing for chapter 7, bankruptcy is never an easy process. If deadlines are not posing a challenge to meet, then the paperwork is getting troublesome to handle. And the clauses guiding the process can be hard bones to chew for someone with no experience in this field. Hiring a lawyer with experience handling such cases is an assured way to maneuver some of these obstacles while benefiting in the following ways. Expert Assistance A lawyer with experience in chapter 7 bankruptcy has the expert knowledge to help clients in many ways. When it comes to litigation, lawyers can guide the debtor filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy on the right steps to file for their case and everything to include for consideration. Plus, not every time is an excellent moment to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. At some point, other people have lost more than they gain from going this route, and hiring a lawyer can help someone decide whether they should file for chapter 7 bankruptcy or not. Lawyers Handle Everything The process of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be a challenge to anyone, especially someone with no experience. From the paperwork to the documentation, the whole process will need expert knowledge on filling in the forms and filing the papers. When someone hires a lawyer, they can rest easy knowing professionals are handling the process. One of the crucial areas where a lawyer will come a long way to be of significant help is in Chapter 7 means test in Arizona. The means test determines whether or not a debtor is entitled to a chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge. Understanding the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Means Test By comparing a debtor's household income to the median household income, chapter 7 bankruptcy means the test in Arizona is what will determine whether one is eligible to file or not. This process usually involves many ifs, and if not, for example, if the debtor makes less, he or she will qualify for chapter 7. If the income is higher than that, the process will use means test calculation to determine if one qualifies based on how much money is left after paying for mortgage, child support payment, car payments, and other living expenses. Failing the means test means someone is better off financially, and filing for Chapter 7, bankruptcy is not the best option for them. Even still, there is the need to follow the following process for a successful chapter 7 filing process through a lawyer's help. Collect Bankruptcy Documents Whether someone is working with an attorney or going this route by himself, the first step to pursue is to collect certain documents before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Arizona. Getting a free credit report from each of the available credit reporting agencies is one of the important documentation to have. After that, there is a need to check the collection letters and add them to the credit report. That is not enough; some other documents to include are the federal income tax returns for the last two years, a copy of a divorce decree if any, and bank statements for all accounts. Take Credit Counseling The federal law requires all filers for chapter 7 bankruptcy to have credit counseling before submitting the suit to the court. People can take the courses online, in person, or through a phone, and one should do so from an approved provider. Complete the Bankruptcy Form Before starting the bankruptcy case, it is a requirement that the filer files with the bankruptcy court. Ideally, there are many forms, including national and local forms, to fill in as required. Someone can download them online or get one at the court, use chapter 7 assistance agencies, or get help from their lawyers to prepare the bankruptcy forms on their behalf. Get Ready with the Filing Fee Generally, the amount for filing for chapter 7 is $338, and the filer can pay through his or her money order, cashier check but not with a credit card. Usually, the Arizona bankruptcy court accepts down-payment to people who cannot pay the full fee at the time of filing for bankruptcy. Also important to note is the need to file the required attorney fee disclosure to those with a lawyer. Filing the Forms When someone decides to file himself, they will have to bring the documents to the court. Otherwise, in cases where someone uses a lawyer, the attorney will take care of everything and file using the court's electronic filing system. In Arizona, people can file in Phoenix, Tucson, or Yuma. Getting the assistance of a lawyer when someone doesnt know where to go will be of great value. What You Get after Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Ideally, passing the chapter 7 means test in Arizona is one of the challenges to this process. Fortunately, upon this step's success, someone can follow the above process to file while getting the assurance of gaining in the following ways. Debt Forgiveness Chapter 7 bankruptcy helps people pay off creditors or discharge some of their debt. The debtor will not have any obligation to repay qualifying debts, which are usually wiped off completely. This way, the debtor will not have to worry about settling any debt through any compelling means from collectors. Relief from Credit Collectors Harassment Another important and beneficial attribute of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is that it keeps the debt collectors off the debtors' back. Through the judge's automatic stay on creditors, the debtor will rest easy knowing they have no worry about the agency's many phone calls and emails. Get Home and Property Exemptions Through chapter 7, homeowners do not have the stress of losing their belongings. The exemption law will allow such a person to keep things that matter to them, such as cars, household goods, and many other items. Indeed, this is one of the most important gains of filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy to just anyone outside there. ALBERT LEA, Minn. - Since then Matson returned home in October after multiple surgeries and a lenghy recovery at a Nebraska rehab center. Earlier on Wednesday the Waseca Police Department released a statement recounting on how the incident changed the department's world. The full statement reads: No one has been impacted more than Officer Arik Matson. Arik continues to recuperate and address his injuries. We think of him every single day. We miss Arik and feel incomplete without him. Honestly, it has been a year filled with mixed emotions. Anger, disbelief, heartache, gratitude and hope are just a few of the many emotions we have felt when thinking of what happened to Arik. We have tried our best to cope and some days have been better than others. We are still here and so is Arik and that is what is most important to remember. We have talked with and heard from so many kind and wonderful people throughout the entire United States. There simply are not enough words to express our gratitude to everyone who helped him, his family and our department. A simple thank you just doesnt seem enough but we do sincerely thank each and every one of you for what you have done for Arik, his family and for us. So today we honor and recognize Arik and we are thankful. The Waseca Police Department #MatsonStrong The department is not alone in continuing to remember and be inspired by Matson's journey. KIMT News 3 spoke with his family's pastor Kaleb Hurely with Hope Church in Albert Lea. Hurley says it's been inspiring to watch the family keep fighting as Matson recovers saying Matson is currently able to have solid conversations with him, he's walking around and Hurley enjoys hearing him crack jokes. "He's just a battler and God has had grace on him that's the only explanation for it because it doesn't make sense how he's walking, talking cracking jokes," said Hurley. "I mean he's different, he's not the same Arik everyone knew, but he's still definitely Arik all at the same time so he's definitely a walking miracle." He went on to say the community is lifted by Matson's attitude and his wife Megan's desire to continue to move forward and not give up. "We're all lifted up to watch him to continue to fight and to see him doing better and better and better all the time. "I think it just helps everybody know even with great opposition with God on our side and people in our corner we can defy the odds and that's exactly what Arik has done." In July, Tyler Janovsky, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder for shooting Matson. He was sentenced in November to 35 years in prison. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19), first reported in the United Kingdom has spread to multiple countries, including the United States. Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed the states first case of what many believe is a more transmissible strain of the coronavirus, a Saratoga Springs man in his 60s whose condition has since improved from when he first contracted the virus. While the new strain of the coronavirus is not expected to be any more deadly than the original, it does appear to be more contagious, spreading more quickly to those in contact with it. Health experts continue to analyze the emerging strain to identify any incongruences with the original that may necessitate a change in public health guidance. Heres what we know so far. WHAT IS THE NEW STRAIN? The new variant strain of coronavirus, referred to as B.1.1.7, emerged in the United Kingdom in fall 2020 and has quickly spread through southeast England, accounting for approximately 60% of recent COVID cases in London, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). IS IT MORE CONTAGIOUS? Early research indicates that the B.1.1.7 strain is more contagious than its predecessor. Preliminary epidemiologic indicators suggest that this variant is associated with increased transmissibility (i.e., more efficient and rapid transmission), according to the CDC. CNN reported that scientist Neil Ferguson, a member of the United Kingdoms New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, believes the variant also may be more infectious for children. There is a hint is that (the variant) ... has a higher propensity to infect children, Ferguson said at a news briefing last week, though he cautioned that more data was needed. Severe illness due to COVID-19 is still relatively rare for children. IS IT MORE DEADLY? There has been no indication to this point that B.1.1.7 is any more deadly than the initial strain of the coronavirus. There is no evidence that these recently identified SARS-CoV-2 variants cause more severe disease than earlier ones, according to the CDC. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? The symptoms of the new variant so far have been identical to those of the initial strain, doctors say, but the CDC is monitoring the situation closely. People with the new strain of COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Those symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after exposure, and include: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Some symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure or difficulty staying awake, are signs of serious illness and require immediate medical care. WILL COVID TESTS IDENTIFY THE NEW STRAIN? The majority of COVID-19 diagnostic tests should be capable of detecting the B.1.1.7 strain despite the genetic mutations. Most commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have multiple targets to detect the virus, such that even if a mutation impacts one of the targets, the other PCR targets will still work, according to the CDC. WILL THE VACCINE WORK ON THE NEW STRAIN? Early evidence indicates that vaccination or prior natural exposure to the coronavirus should provide immunity to the new strain. Both vaccination against and natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 produce a polyclonal response that targets several parts of the spike protein. The virus would likely need to accumulate multiple mutations in the spike protein to evade immunity induced by vaccines or by natural infection, according to the CDC. ARE THERE OTHER NEW STRAINS? Other new strains of the coronavirus have begun to emerge around the world, most notably the B.1.351 strain, first identified in South Africa in October. The strain has multiple mutations in the spike protein, similar to B.1.1.7, but does not contain the deletion at 69/70, according to the CDC. Like the United Kingdom variant, this strain is thought to be more easily transmissible, but not any more deadly or resistant to vaccination. Most of Michigans representatives have pledged not to challenge Electoral College votes as Congress meets Wednesday afternoon to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Only two members of the congressional delegation -- U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, and Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet -- said they plan to challenge electors based on irregularities and allegations of fraud that brings into question the results of the 2020 election and puts faith in future elections in jeopardy. Other representatives cited a constitutional duty to certify certificates of the electoral vote, arguing Congress has no right to overturn results or undermine the Electoral College. Related: What happens if Michigans Electoral College votes for Biden are challenged? The U.S. House and Senate will convene a joint session at 1 p.m. Wednesday to certify the Electoral College vote. At least one lawmaker from the House and Senate must formally object to a specific states electoral votes in writing, then each chamber will have two hours to debate objections before voting. Biden earned 306 electoral votes when states gathered their electors on Dec. 14 to cast votes, while Trump earned 232. Michigans 16 Democratic electors cast their votes for Biden based on certified results that found Biden ahead by 153,000 votes. Its unclear whether members of Congress will object to Michigans 16 electoral votes, though the state is among a handful of swing states where Trump sought to stop electors from casting votes for Biden. Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia are expected to face challenges. None of Michigans seven Democratic representatives will vote to object any states electoral votes. However, Michigans seven Republican representatives expressed varying opinions in public statements published ahead of Wednesdays vote. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, said objecting to electoral votes would essentially allow Congress to supersede the will of the people. Upton also said there were no cases of fraud that would overturn Bidens victory in Michigan. Newly sworn-in U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, said shes open to opposing the Electoral College vote and will base her decision on Wednesdays proceedings. McClain said irregularities in the election process gave her grave concerns that our process was not faithfully upheld, but did not provide specific details about what state she was referring to. Another new member, U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, expressed concern about election abuses but said Congress doesnt have authority to disqualify electors based on its own findings about fraud. Congress has only a narrow role in the presidential election process, Meijer said in a statement. Its job is to count the electors submitted by the states, not to determine which electors the states should have sent. Several Republicans noted that no state Legislatures replaced the electors Biden was awarded or submitted an alternate slate of Republican electors. In Michigan, state law requires all 16 electoral votes go to the winner of the popular vote. Our state legislature has not contested Michigans Electoral College results, and none of the other state legislatures have called for their own results to be contested, said U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland. I have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution. I will uphold that oath and accept the electoral results sent to Congress by the states of our republic. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, told constituents Tuesday night that he will not challenge the results in Michigan but could vote in favor of objections in other states. Huizenga said hes specifically waiting to hear the evidence from Pennsylvania and Arizona. At the end of the day, not seeing system-wide fraud, not seeing a path that indicates 154,000 votes of fraud that could be assigned to the Secretary of States actions and others, I do not feel that I can object to Michigans electors, Huizenga said. Especially when the State House and the State Senate have no plans to object or to offer a second slate of electors. Meijer also said rejecting certified electoral votes undermines the same system which has benefitted Republicans who lost the popular vote in all but one election in the last 32 years. Disregarding electoral votes would delegitimize the system that could provide the only path to victory in 2024, he said. Huizenga raised the same concerns during a Tuesday town hall. There isnt a Republican president that has been elected with both the popular vote and the Electoral College since Ronald Reagan in 1984, Huizenga said. Donald Trump won because of the Electoral College, not because of the popular vote and Democrats are trying to undermine the Electoral College every single opportunity that they possibly can, because then it guarantees their win. READ MORE ON MLIVE: What happens if Michigans Electoral College votes for Biden are challenged? Dont trust everything on Facebook, says Michigan native after Trump mistakenly shared phone number Two Michigan Republicans will object to Electoral College vote Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. While the Orthodox church claims the title of the world's first Christians, the birth of Christ is celebrated on different days. The Greeks celebrate Christmas on December 25, but celebrate the baptism of Christ, known as the epiphany, on January 6, Wednesday, with the Armenians. Other Orthodox communities including the Russian, Ukrainian and Serbian will celebrate Christmas and the epiphany on Thursday, January 7. His Eminence Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian leads clergy members during the Armenian Christmas celebration Feast of the Nativity and Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection in Chatswood. Credit:Steven Saphore Taleen Marcarian, who has been attending the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection in Chatswood since the age of five, found the Christmas service on Wednesday "beautiful", even though it lacked the usual full choir. "We could only have about five ... so it made a big difference to the sound. But they all sounded beautiful still," she said. Apicorp, a leading multilateral development financial institution, said it has signed a $125 million shariah-compliant corporate facility with Acwa Power, a major Saudi developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants worldwide, to support its future growth pipeline. Announcing the deal, Apicorp said it is aligned with Apicorp and Acwa Powers shared mission of accelerating the energy transition in the Mena region and globally through green technologies, which currently comprise over 15% of Apicorps financing portfolio. The facility has been earmarked for funding Acwa Powers investments in renewable projects in the countries it operates in, as well as future high-growth markets. The five-year tenor is well suited for financing a typical renewable projects initial life cycle, enabling greater financial strength during the early development phase. Moreover, the Apicorp facility can also be utilized as a revolver loan during the initial 3-year period, whereby it could be settled and redrawn as per Acwa Powers liquidity needs, enabling the company to recycle capital and increase financial capacity for further portfolio development and growth. Nicolas Thevenot, Managing Director of Corporate Banking at Apicorp, said: "Backing the sustainable development of the Arab energy sector through innovative financing solutions continues to be a strategic priority for Apicorp." "Worldwide and across the Mena region, we are witnessing a concerted drive to accelerate the share of renewables in the energy mix through the adoption of innovative, low-carbon technologies and solutions. This agreement further cements our longstanding and fruitful partnership with Acwa Power to build a renewable, more sustainable energy future," he stated. Rajit Nanda, Chief Portfolio Management Officer and Acting Chief Investment Officer of Acwa Power, said: "Pursuing renewable energy development is the cornerstone of Acwa Powers growth strategy, and we are focused on enabling transformative solutions to help reduce carbon footprint and increase the share of renewable energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and globally." "The timely closing of this facility has also further strengthened Acwa Powers relationship with Apicorp, a long-term financial partner," he added. Kashif Rana, Chief Financial Officer, said: "Apicorps $125 million facility will serve as an important funding source to support the agile and robust expansion of Acwa Powers green portfolio across markets. The revolving feature of this facility offers Acwa Power the flexibility to reallocate and thus optimize its utilization." "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Apicorp as we actively seek to unlock renewable energy potential and deliver long-term, sustainable value to nations, backed by our strong ESG framework," he added. This past October, Apicorp provided a $70.5 million commitment to support Acwa Power and other co-sponsors to develop Phase V of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, UAE, the worlds largest single-site solar park. A rapidly emerging sector within the regional energy mix, Apicorp forecasts that renewables will comprise just under one-third (32%) of the total value of planned and committed power projects in the Mena region for the period 2020-2024, the largest such share of any power generation source. Baker & McKenzie, Bahrain, acted as legal advisors for Apicorp on this transaction while Ashursts Riyadh office advised Acwa Power.-TradeArabia News Service Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The Philippines is targeting to secure 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from around seven companies this year, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said Wednesday. "Based on our current negotiations, we will be able to purchase at least 148 million doses from more or less seven manufacturers," Galvez told a briefing. If this goes as planned, around 50 to 70 million Filipinos could be vaccinated by the end of 2021, he added. Galvez said the actual number of doses that will be bought depends on the availability of vaccines, as he noted that rich countries have already procured 80% of the global supply. The official said they are in "advanced stages of negotiations" with American pharmaceutical companies Novavax, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson, Chinese drugmaker Sinovac, and Russian medical research institute Gamaleya. "We hope to close the deals with these companies this month," he said. Aside from the doses that will be secured through bilateral agreements, the country also stands to receive "fully subsidized" COVID-19 vaccines for 22 million Filipinos through the COVAX facility, the vaccine czar said. COVAX is a global initiative to ensure countries' "equitable access" to safe and effective coronavirus vaccines. Through a private sector donation, the national government has signed a deal with British firm AstraZeneca for 2.6 million doses, which officials hoped could be delivered in June. Half of the purchase will go to the government, while the other half will be administered to employees of businesses that pitched in. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion also said there will be a second batch of orders for over 3 million shots. In the 2021 national budget, 72.5 billion was set aside for COVID-19 vaccines, but only 2.5B is funded by available cash. The rest can only be accessed once a vaccine is ready for purchase in the country, to be sourced through loans. The Federal Government says it has opened talks with the Peoples Republic of China to have access to COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria. Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen shortly after a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Yi is in Nigeria on a working visit. Onyeama recalled that China was of immense assistance to Nigeria at the advent of the pandemic, noting that the donation of protective equipment greatly affected the nation in the fight against COVID-19. The minister said that at this point when countries were discovering vaccines and China being one of them, Nigeria was engaging the country in the area of access to the vaccine. "We have received a lot of support from China in the area of personal protective equipment that they were very quick to provide us with and of course, with the vaccine discoveries now, "China is also one of those countries that have been able to discover vaccines for COVID-19, so we are also engaging with China to also help with regards to access to vaccines for our people," he said. According to Onyeama, the relationship between both countries has dated 50 years, adding that both countries have many areas of cooperation to celebrate. "We also realised that in 2021, we would be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Peoples Republic of China," he said. Giving insights into some of the deliberations during the closed-door meeting, Onyeama said that he and his counterpart looked at the trade relations between the two countries and areas that could be improved. He said that they also discussed health issues and global pandemics. "In the area of fostering relations, both countries are now considering having a direct flight from Nigeria to China. "We want to establish a direct air link with China. We hope that very soon, a Nigerian carrier would be carrying out scheduled flights to China in the not too distant future," he said. Vanguard News Nigeria DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa has surpassed 4,000 coronavirus-related deaths, marking another grim milestone with its infection rate rising again and most people still months from being able to get vaccinated. State health officials reported 61 additional deaths on Wednesday, pushing the states COVID-19 death toll to 4,060. Iowa had the 16th highest per capita coronavirus death rate, at nearly 127 deaths per 100,000 people, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, officials in Polk County, home to Des Moines, released a tentative timeline this week warning that the general public likely wont be able to get vaccinated until mid to late 2021. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan is warning that Ireland may face a wait for the first delivery of supplies of the new Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Around 880,000 doses of the vaccine are due here over the coming months and it is unclear how large the first shipment will be. Dr Holohan said he does not expect the first delivery here to be as quick as with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, supplies of which arrived from Belgium within days of approval by EU medicines regulators. I dont know if it will be as quick as with the Pfizer vaccine where the supply followed in short order, he said. The European Medicines Agency held an early meeting on Monday to discuss the Moderna vaccine against Covid-19 and may recommend approval today. Its human medicines committee (CHMP) could issue an opinion on the vaccine from the US company approving the vaccine later after todays scheduled meeting. Read More Taoiseach Micheal Martin yesterday said around 75,000 people in long-term care and a further 60,000 healthcare workers should have received two doses of the vaccine by the end of next month. He said there are high level assurances from Pfizer to supply the vaccine here for the next two months. There was good news yesterday that Pfizer and BioNTech could reach a deal with the European Commission to double the supply of their vaccine. This would provide more jabs to Ireland and other member states. The bloc, with a population of 450 million, has already ordered 200 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and has taken up an option to buy another 100 million under a contract signed with the two companies in November. Ireland is due to get 2.3 million doses over the course of the year. Everyone who is given the vaccine needs two doses. The sources said the EU is seeking to buy 50 million or 100 million additional doses from the makers. The new doses could be delivered between July and September, two sources said. But one of the sources added deliveries could also be made in the final three months of the year and would be at the same price per dose as agreed in the existing contract. The EU agreed to pay 15.50 per dose in that contract, according to an EU document seen by Reuters. A European Commission spokesman declined to comment on numbers of possible orders. But on Monday he told a news conference the EU was trying to secure more doses from Pfizer and BioNTech in addition to the 300 million shots already booked A Pfizer spokesman said he could not comment as discussions with governments are confidential. BioNTech did not want to comment. Expand Close Professor Karina Butler of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. Photo: Colin Keegan / Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Professor Karina Butler of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. Photo: Colin Keegan / Collins Meanwhile Professor Karina Butler, chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee here, yesterday said the rate of vaccinations in the first week of vaccination here was deliberately slow as they wanted to ensure there were no technical issues. Around 23 nursing homes are earmarked to share 3,000 vaccinations this week. Dr Eavan Muldoon, a breast-feeding mother and infectious diseases consultant in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, was the first person to receive the vaccine among its staff yesterday. I wanted to demonstrate to mothers across Ireland that there is no reason to have concerns about receiving the vaccine while breastfeeding, said Dr Muldoon. Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland Online Editors These systems learn the vagaries of language by analyzing enormous amounts of text, including thousands of books, Wikipedia entries and other online documents. Because this text includes biased and sometimes hateful language, the technology may end up generating biased and hateful language. After she and the other researchers submitted the paper to an academic conference, Dr. Gebru said, a Google manager demanded that she either retract the paper from the conference or remove her name and the names of the other Google employees. She refused to do so without further discussion and, in the email sent Tuesday evening, said she would resign after an appropriate amount of time if the company could not explain why it wanted her to retract the paper and answer other concerns. The company responded to her email, she said, by saying it could not meet her demands and that her resignation was accepted immediately. Her access to company email and other services was immediately revoked. In his note to employees, Mr. Dean said Google respected her decision to resign. Mr. Dean also said that the paper did not acknowledge recent research showing ways of mitigating bias in such systems. It was dehumanizing, Dr. Gebru said. They may have reasons for shutting down our research. But what is most upsetting is that they refuse to have a discussion about why. Dr. Gebrus departure from Google comes at a time when A.I. technology is playing a bigger role in nearly every facet of Googles business. The company has hitched its future to artificial intelligence whether with its voice-enabled digital assistant or its automated placement of advertising for marketers as the breakthrough technology to make the next generation of services and devices smarter and more capable. Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Alphabet, Googles parent company, has compared the advent of artificial intelligence to that of electricity or fire, and has said that it is essential to the future of the company and computing. Earlier this year, Mr. Pichai called for greater regulation and responsible handling of artificial intelligence, arguing that society needs to balance potential harms with new opportunities. Britain has vaccinated 1.3million people in just under a month... but the target is two million a week. That's the rate needed to protect the four most vulnerable groups by February 15 including everyone over 70. Boris Johnson has blamed regulators for the sluggish start, warning that their strict protocols have limited how quickly the vaccine programme can be accelerated. The Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, had promised in May that 30million doses of the vaccine from Oxford and AstraZeneca would be ready by September. Now, four months on from that deadline, our stocks are still falling short of the target two million a week. The Prime Minister said of the inoculation drive: 'The rate limiting the factor at the moment is making sure that we can get enough vaccine where we want it fast enough. One of the problems as you know is that the AstraZeneca vaccine needs to be properly batch-tested, properly approved before it can be put into people's arms and this is just a process that takes time to do... but we will be ratcheting it up over the next days and weeks ahead.' People queue outside a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Guy's hopsital in London on Tuesday Other serious difficulties include worldwide demand for glass vials. In addition, those hoping to join an army of volunteers to boost the national effort have been tangled up in reams of red tape. Ministers insist that the NHS has the capacity to deliver two million doses a week once it receives supplies from manufacturers which have been checked by regulators. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) insists it is capable of batch testing but has been waiting to receive more doses from manufacturers. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty told yesterday's Downing Street press conference that the six-week target was 'realistic but not easy'. So, as Britain embarks upon the biggest vaccination drive in its history, what are the main hurdles? Is batch testing too slow? Use London Nightingale? What an ExCellent idea! London's Nightingale hospital is to double up as a mass vaccination hub, providing jabs seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Work continued last night at the ExCel, Europe's biggest conference centre. With cases soaring in the capital, the Docklands site has already been 'reactivated' to ensure it can relieve pressure on the NHS if necessary. Epsom racecourse is among several other landmarks set to offer jabs as Britain's vaccination programme gathers pace. Vaccination drive: Moving barriers at the ExCel Centre Groundwork: Tents on the west side of the Docklands site Advertisement Each batch must be tested for quality by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), part of the MHRA. The process can take up to 20 days. A sample from each vaccine batch which can contain hundreds of thousands of doses is biologically tested for quality and safety. Manufacturers must also carry out their own tests on each batch before submitting results as evidence to the NIBSC. Delays in providing these details or any failure to meet standards can slow the whole process down. Only once both sets of tests have been completed and the manufacturer's results deemed acceptable is a batch released by regulators for use by the NHS. More doses are now being produced, which increases the workload for laboratories handling quality control. An MHRA spokesperson said: 'We are working closely with the [Oxford vaccine] manufacturer, AstraZeneca, to ensure that batches of the vaccine are released as quickly as possible. 'NIBSC has scaled-up its capacity to ensure that multiple batches can be tested simultaneously, and that this can be done as quickly as possible, without compromising quality and safety.' Some observers have pointed out that the MHRA managed to speed up the process which saw Covid vaccines cleared for use. Critics might wonder why the same can't be done at this stage, too. Are there enough vials? Drugs firms warned about a potential shortage of vials as far back as May, given the massive worldwide demand for vaccines. The tubes are made from borosilicate glass, which keeps vaccines in the requisite stable state during storage and transportation. The glass is chemically inert, meaning there is no interaction between the container and the liquid inside it. This is crucial, as any chemical interference could affect the vaccine. Only a handful of companies make the vials, with Schott in Germany one of the leading producers. Industry insiders have suggested that the UK needs to ramp up production itself to stop its reliance on overseas companies. Dave Dalton, chief executive of the trade body British Glass, said the supply chain 'needs to be strengthened and improved', adding that the supply of medical glass and vials was something that the industry had raised itself and is ready to help sort out. Advanced nurse practitioner Justine Williams (left) prepares to administer a dose of the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine to 82-year-old James Shaw, the first person in Scotland to receive the vaccination Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, suggested issues with so-called 'fill and finish' materials, including glass vials, could hinder the vaccine's rollout. 'The only thing that is going to slow us down is batches of vaccines becoming available,' he said during a Downing Street briefing. 'Many of you know already that it's not just about vaccine manufacture. It's about fill and finish, which is a critically short resource across the globe.' The Department of Health denies there are any vial shortages. The UK has manufactured around 15million doses of the Oxford-Astra-Zeneca vaccine so far, with plants in Germany and the Netherlands providing more of the early batches. However, only four million doses have been through the fill and finish process and are still awaiting MHRA clearance. Do we have enough people to give jabs? Retired doctors have complained that red tape has stopped them from returning to the frontline to deliver Covid vaccines. Health Secretary Matt Hancock vowed to tackle the problem, with some would-be volunteers asked for 21 documents proving they are trained in areas such as counter- terrorism and racial equality. NHS England says it has 'tens of thousands' of vaccinators ready to be called upon when more doses are ready to be administered. The army includes healthcare workers such as physiotherapists, nurse practitioners and paramedics who were given the green light to administer jabs after a rule change this summer. An NHS spokesman said there were 'thousands more' in training, but added that the Health Service was confident it has enough people to staff the vaccination programme as it expands. Medics from the Armed Forces are also set to be deployed. Practice Sister Tina Sutton (left) administers a dose of the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine to Derek Davies Games at the Pontcae Medical Practice in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales Are checks too long? BUREAUCRACY has been blamed for slowing down the actual act of vaccination, too, with patients facing lengthy quizzes about their medical history. Some say they underwent a 15-minute medical questionnaire over the phone before being asked for many of the same details when they arrived for their jab. Once vaccinated, patients should be monitored for 15 minutes to ensure they have no adverse reactions meaning the whole process can take around 45 minutes. Doctors have suggested that this should be streamlined, as it severely limits how many vaccines can be delivered at any given site in one day. What about the manufacturers? Pharmaceutical companies have hit back at any suggestion that they are to blame for delays. Pfizer and BioNTech producers of the first vaccine approved by the MHRA said they have now sent 'millions' of doses to the UK, with up to 40million expected in the coming months. AstraZeneca has confirmed it expects to be able to supply two million doses of the Oxford vaccine to the NHS every week by the second half of this month, with at least 20million due by the end of March. The jab has only been available at hospital hubs so far but GP surgeries will join the rollout tomorrow. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. A man in his 40s armed with a gun is accused of threatening to shoot the employee of a Boston auto parts store Tuesday afternoon before fleeing the scene on a scooter, crashing into a police cruiser and running away from officers, according to authorities. Antonio Cartegena, a 44-year-old South Boston resident, was arrested on numerous charges after the wild series of events unfolded, the Boston Police Department said in a statement. Officers responded around 4:10 p.m. to a call about a person with a gun near 1432 Dorchester Avenue, the statement said. Police met with the auto parts workers, who told officers a customer confronted him while attempting to leave the store without paying for several items, according to the statement. Authorities said the customer, upon being stopped by the employee, threatened to shoot him and flashed what appeared to be a gun in the waistband of his pants before driving away from the area on a red scooter. While canvassing the neighborhood, officers noticed a man who allegedly matched the description of the suspect driving a scooter around Church and East streets, according to the police department. As the suspect attempted to negotiate a left turn onto East Street, he struck and damaged a Boston police marked cruiser, before abandoning the scooter and fleeing on foot, the department said in its statement. After a brief pursuit, the man was placed in custody without further incident. A firearm was not immediately found, according to police. Cartegena was expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of armed robbery, failure to stop for police and leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage, officials said. He was also found to be wanted on two straight warrants issued out of Dedham District Court and Middlesex Superior Court on numerous charges, including home invasion, burglary, breaking and entering and assault and battery, according to authorities. HAMILTON, N.J., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesis Biotechnology Group (GBG) and its Contract Research Organization (CRO) arm Genesis Drug Discovery & Development (GD3) announced today that it has acquired the Cincinnati-based CRO STATKING Clinical Services. Established in 1989, STATKING provides clinical trial services, including clinical trial management, protocol development, biostatistics, clinical data management, clinical study monitoring, medical writing, medical monitoring, safety reporting, and project management for the regulatory approval of novel drug and medical device products. Genesis Biotechnology Group STATKING Clinical Services "We are very pleased to have STATKING join GBG, and this acquisition demonstrates our commitment to making GD3 a fully integrated concept to commercialization CRO," said Eli Mordechai, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GBG. "STATKING's acquisition strengthens our services and strategic presence throughout the life cycle of the drug development process. STATKING has achieved significant milestones in its 30 years of service, and I look forward to an exciting future together." "The way pharma companies work with CROs is changing. CROs are taking more of a strategic planning role, in addition to execution, in the drug discovery and development process. This model of engagement results in sponsors and CROs becoming end-to-end partners, and M&A is helping CRO's extend their service portfolio to partner with their customers in providing greater efficiency in service and delivery across R&D continuum. The acquisition of STATKING would bring GD3 one more step closer to becoming a full service CRO," said Ben Bandaru, Ph.D., Director of Corporate Development for GBG. "STATKING and GD3 share a common vision that delivering better therapies to patients faster requires an integration of drug discovery and clinical trial services," said Rod Lashley. The addition of STATKING's clinical services to GD3's integrated, early-late stage drug discovery solutions will create a unique platform for clients to work with one scientific partner to enhance the speed and efficiency with which they can advance their therapies into the clinics. About GBG Genesis Biotechnology Group (GBG) is a consortium of vertically-integrated companies with a mission of improving patient care through cross-linking their expertise, dedication, and vision in the fields of drug discovery, personalized and tailored clinical diagnostics, and through the development, manufacturing, and distribution of unique biotechnology-based products. About Genesis Drug Discovery & Development GD3 is a fully integrated CRO focused on providing services to support preclinical drug discovery programs from target discovery through IND enabling studies. GD3's portfolio covers all areas of preclinical drug discovery/development, including "Discovery Biology," "Synthetic Organic and Medicinal Chemistry," DMPK/in-vivo pharmacology, and Safety Toxicology. The company currently has six sites within the US including Comparative Biosciences, Invivotek, New England Discovery Partners, NexusPharma, PharmOptima and Venenum. About STATKING Clinical Services STATKING Clinical Services provides clinical trial services (clinical trial management, protocol development, biostatistics, clinical data management, clinical study monitoring, medical writing, medical monitoring, safety reporting, and project management) for clinical trials for the regulatory approval of novel drug and medical device products. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. The company has provided support on 15 NDAs, 14 PMAs, 2 BLAs, 3 NADAs, and numerous 510Ks over the past 30 years of service to the pharmaceutical, medical device, and animal health industries. For more information, visit www.statkingclinical.com. To find out more, please visit https://gd3services.com/. Contact: Prabal Banerjee, Ph.D., Director of Business Development [email protected] 609-570-1096 SOURCE Genesis Biotechnology Group Subscriber content preview SEATTLE An apartment building at 1013 Aurora Ave N. sold for a little under $3.6 million, according to King County records. The seller was Emerald Hill Apartments LLC, which acquired the property in 2013 for almost $2.8 million. . . . NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO David Harris just issued the following statement via Twitter: "Pres. Trump, You've incited rioters. You've undermined democratic values by a refusal to accept the election results. You've encouraged folks to reject a peaceful transfer of power. I represent a nonpartisan org., but never when it comes to acts of violence & insurrection." SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org Two weeks after India had suspended all flight operations to the UK, in the wake of the outbreak of a new COVID strain, the first flight for the UK left Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport on Wednesday with 252 passengers. Another flight left for London on Wednesday evening, from Mumbai. The first flight from London, will land at the Delhi airport on Friday, officials said. December 23 onwards, India had suspended all flights to and from the United Kingdom (UK) up to December 31 in order to stop the arrival of a new strain of Sars-CoV-2 that spreads faster. The ban was later extended till January 7. The two Air India flights that left India on Wednesday, from Delhi and Mumbai international airports will land at Heathrow airport in London on Thursday. The two flights carried a total of 491 passengers. On Friday, both the Air India flights are expected to return to their base in Delhi and in Mumbai. These will be the first flights coming to India from the UK since the flight suspension. Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri had also said on Tuesday that the number of flights to the UK from India have been reduced by 50 per cent. The government has laid down stringent procedures that the incoming passengers are required to go through upon their arrival. In a set of standard operating procedures (SOP), the ministry of health and family welfare said all the incoming passengers from UK will require declaring their travel history of past 14 days. The passengers also need to fill up a self-declaration form and upload it on the online portal at www.newdelhiairport.in at least 72 hours before their scheduled departure. The SOP says, All passengers arriving from the UK should be carrying negative RT-PCR test report for which test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey. The same shall also be uploaded on the online portal at www.newdelhiairport.in. The order also asks the airlines to check the negative RT-PCR test reports before allowing the passengers onboard. Asking the airport authorities to ensure adequate arrangements, the SOP mandates an RT-PCR test for all the passengers arriving from the UK upon their arrival in India. Passengers testing positive shall be isolated in an institutional isolation facility coordinated by respective state health authorities. Those who are found negative on testing at the airport would be advised quarantine at home for 14 days, it said. The order further said that all the contacts of the passengers arriving at various ports from the UK between January 8 and 30, who have test positive, would be subject to institutional quarantine in separate quarantine centers and would be tested as per the ICMR guidelines. For this, the bureau of immigration has also been asked to share the state-wise passenger manifest of the flights landing in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, for the said period, with the state governments. Meanwhile, arrangements have been made at the Delhi airport for passengers scheduled to arrive from the UK on Friday. Dr. Gauri Agarwal, founder and director of Genestrings diagnostics that is conducting the RT-PCR tests at the Delhi airport, said her team is ready to receive the passengers. It takes 4-6 hours to get the reports, however as a mandate the entire flight will have to be halted till the time all results are declared. All arrangements have been made to ensure that the RT-PCR tests for all the passengers and the crew arriving from the UK are conducted smoothly, she said. Delhi airport operator and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that guards the airport have also together set up a dedicated corridor to escort the arriving passengers up to the testing facility so that they do not mix with other passengers at the airport. Deputy commissioner of police (IGIA) Rajeev Ranjan said they have also made arrangements to make sure all the passengers arriving from the UK are tested and no one skips the test or attempts to escape. Two passengers had escaped on their way to quarantine facility in Delhi on December 22 after they had tested positive at the Delhi airport. While one had reached Punjab, another managed to reach Andhra Pradesh. As many as 11 passengers had tested positive for the Coronavirus at Delhi airport last month upon their arrival from the UK and 50 others who had come in direct contact had to be quarantined. These passengers were among 950 passengers who had arrived in four flights on December 21 and 22, right before the suspensions of flights between the two countries. Mumbai, Jan 6 : Actress Bhumi Pednekar, who is a climate warrior too, says she is dedicated to highlighting the seriousness of the climate crisis and its repercussions. "Climate change is upon us and it is real. Through my initiative of Climate Warrior, I diligently try to highlight the seriousness of the crisis and its repercussions," Bhumi said. Now, the actress will call upon the young generation as part of Sony BBC Earth's Young Earth Champions initiative. The nationwide contest aims at inspiring young minds of India to think about a better and a more sustainable future. Bhumi along with an expert will judge this initiative. "Young Earth Champions is offering a great platform to trigger exchange of creative ideas among kids, who have the power to bring about change. I am looking forward to an encouraging participation from incredible, young talents and a stimulating discussion about a sustainable future," she added. Meanwhile, the actress has started shooting for comedy drama "Badhaai Do" along with Rajkummar Rao. The film is the second instalment in the "Badhaai Ho" franchise. While the first film starred Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya Malhotra, the new film will see Rajkummar and Bhumi taking the franchise forward. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. President Donald Trump's supporters have descended on the nation's capital to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud ahead of a congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden's election victory. The president is expected to personally address his supporters during a Wednesday morning rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. Just blocks from the White House, protesters many without masks gathered in Freedom Plaza on Tuesday to decry the vote in the Electoral College. As temperatures dropped to the low 40s and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. I'm just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who travelled from Memphis, Tennessee. Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the president's legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and didn't know what options Trump had left. I am not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say," Wideman said. Trump tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who don't want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The speakers included former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom the president pardoned after he was twice convicted of lying to the FBI in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. We stand at a crucible moment in history, Flynn told the mostly maskless crowd. This country is awake now. The protests coincide with Wednesday's congressional vote expected to certify the Electoral College results, which Trump continues to dispute. In a Tuesday evening tweet, Trump called on Democrats and fellow Republicans to look at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. In another tweet, he warned that antifa, the umbrella term for leftist militant groups that Trump has said he wants to declare a terrorist organisation, should stay out of Washington. The rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalised. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the city's police force. She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is looking for a fight. But, she warned, we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city. Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Trump's former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. On Monday, police arrested the leader of the Proud Boys, Henry Enrique Tarrio, 36, after he arrived in Washington ahead of this week's protests. Tarrio was accused of burning one of the Black Lives Matter banners in December and was found with two high-capacity firearm magazines, police said. A judge signed an order Tuesday banning Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions related to his criminal case. In addition to the National Guard, federal agents were on standby, in case they were quickly needed in the city this week. The federal Bureau of Prisons said about 100 specially trained officers were sent to the Justice Department headquarters to assist other security personnel but would remain in a reserve capacity unless needed. The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, said that unlike during the unrest in May and June in Washington, it did not plan to deploy agents from Customs and Border Protection to the demonstration Wednesday. Right now, we have not been asked to deploy. However, we have a modest quick reaction force that will be on standby just in case our assistance is requested, the agency's acting commissioner, Mark Morgan, said. Organisers planned to rally into the night on Tuesday and again all day on Wednesday on the Ellipse. An afternoon march was also planned to the US Capitol, where Congress will be voting to affirm the election results. A number of prominent Trump supporters were expected to attend, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, the recipient of a pardon by the president. Stone was convicted of lying to Congress during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and sentenced to three years in prison. Trump commuted the sentence as Stone pursued an appeal and later issued a full pardon. A November pro-Trump rally drew about 15,000 participants. The December 12 rally drew smaller numbers, but a larger contingent of Proud Boys. During previous pro-Trump protests, police sealed off Black Lives Matter Plaza itself, but the confrontations spilled out to the surrounding streets. Black Lives Matter Plaza was sealed off Tuesday. We know that historically over the last few demonstrations that BLM Plaza has been a focal point, Contee said a day earlier. We want to make sure that that is not an issue. New Delhi: Tata Motors on Wednesday (January 6) said it is bringing back its iconic brand 'Safari' with its upcoming flagship SUV, which is code-named as the Gravitas. Tata Safari introduced India to the SUV lifestyle, and glamorised the segment in the country for other players to follow, the auto major said in a statement. For over two decades, the SUV represented prestige and performance, and in its new avatar, the Safari will carry forward this rich idea and its strong legacy, it added. "In its new avatar, the Safari will appeal to the socially active, fun-loving customers who seek out unique experiences and adventure... We are confident that the launch of the Safari will once again re-energise the market, amplifying its cult status," Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU) Shailesh Chandra said. The new Safari has evolved to satisfy the new age SUV customers, who demand design, versatility, plush and comfortable interiors, performance for a modern, multifaceted lifestyle, the company said. It is based on the D8 platform from Land Rover. This adaptive architecture allows for further drive train enhancements including all-wheel drive and possibilities of electrification in future, Tata Motors said. The company's Harrier SUV is also based on the same platform. Arriving in showrooms this January, booking for the new Safari will begin shortly, the Mumbai-based automaker stated. Chancellor Angela Merkels government pleaded for patience as it pushed back against criticism that Germany bungled the rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine. A shortage of doses at the start of the campaign was expected and stems from production bottlenecks rather than insufficient procurement, Health Minister Jens Spahn said Wednesday in Berlin. We have to ask large parts of the population for patience, Spahn said. Weve ordered enough, more than enough vaccines. Like other European Union countries, Germany started its program with a shot jointly developed with Mainz-based BioNTech SE on December 27. The shortage will be eased by additional production capacity, including the start of a facility in Marburg in February that will lead to a massive gain in output, he said. A similar vaccine from US biotech Moderna Inc., which won backing from the European Medicines Agency on Wednesday, could further ease supplies. Distribution of the shot could start as soon as next week, Spahn said. The EU has locked up as many as 160 million doses, with Germany to get more than 50 million. A day after Merkel tightened and extended lockdown measures, she gathered top cabinet ministers in an effort to quell tensions within her government over claims the rollout has been too slow. Senior members of her Social Democrat partners, including Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, questioned Merkels strategy of ceding responsibility for procuring vaccines to the European Union. With a national election slated for September, the tension threatens to inject party politics into the countrys pandemic fight. At an ill-tempered meeting on Tuesday, Merkel and state leaders agreed to controversial limits on movement, sharpened restrictions on private gatherings and prolonged hard lockdown measures until at least Jan. 31. She also defended the vaccination strategy, saying more supply is coming soon. In the second quarter, based on all that we know from the manufacturers, we will already have significantly more vaccine doses, Merkel said Tuesday in Berlin. The EU has ordered significantly more vaccine than is necessary to inoculate everyone in the bloc. Underscoring the pressure facing Merkels government, Germany on Wednesday registered more than 1,000 Covid-related deaths for only the second time since the pandemic began. Contagion rates remain more than double a government target despite weeks of strict curbs. Scholz, the SPDs chancellor candidate who attended the meeting, denied that his criticism was a campaign ploy. This is about a very serious issue, whether we can properly protect the citizens of this country, Scholz said in an interview with ARD television on Wednesday. The most important thing, not just for today but in the future, is that we do everything to make sure as much vaccine as possible is made in Germany and Europe. After a relatively mild outbreak in the spring, infections in Germany have doubled since the end of November to more than 1.8 million and deaths have surged above 36,000. Scholz said Germany, which is supporting businesses affected by the lockdown, has the financial resources to weather the crisis for a long time. Thanks to years of prudent budget policy, Germanys debt as a percentage of gross domestic product wont rise much above 70% and will quickly shrink again once the pandemic has receded, he told ARD. With hospitals filling up and concerns about a spike from the holidays still coming, authorities are worried about the pace of inoculations. But Germany is ahead of most other European countries. According to the latest data from the RKI public health institute, over 367,000 people have been immunized in Germany through 11 a.m. on Wednesday, about 0.4% of the population. That compares with around 1.5% in the US and nearly 2% in Britain, which both began vaccinating several weeks earlier, and about 0.3% in Italy. Spahn, a leading figure in Merkels Christian Democrats, has said he is hopeful everyone who wants a shot in Germany can get one by the summer. If you look at some of our neighbors in the European Union, then the structures weve put in place are working pretty well, he said. Im not saying everything is perfect, Im not saying there isnt room for improvement, but all in all its working well. Democrats have won both Georgia Senate seats and with them, the US Senate majority as the final votes were counted in the state. The result serves President Donald Trump a stunning defeat in his last days in office while dramatically improving the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens progressive agenda. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, Democratic challengers who represented the diversity of their partys evolving coalition, defeated Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler two months after Mr Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Expand Close Raphael Warnock (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Raphael Warnock (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP) Mr Warnock, who served as pastor for the same Atlanta church where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr preached, becomes the first African American from Georgia elected to the Senate. And Mr Ossoff becomes the states first Jewish senator and, at 33 years old, the Senates youngest member. Their success is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgias politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. This weeks elections mark the formal finale to the turbulent 2020 election season. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds for the final days of Mr Trumps presidency and likely beyond. In an emotional address early on Wednesday, Mr Warnock vowed to work for all Georgians whether they voted for him or not, citing his personal experience with the American dream. His mother, he said, used to pick somebody elses cotton as a teenager. The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator, he said. Tonight, we proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. PA Media Congress passed a new spending bill with pandemic relief just before the end of 2020, and buried within it was the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act , a bipartisan attempt to make it easier for government agencies to set up official websites with a .gov domain, as opposed to other options such as .com or .org. If the bill works as intended, it could help combat fraud and add credibility to government websites, and proponents of the measure consider it a step in the right direction for cybersecurity.Introduced in 2019 by two Democratic and two Republican senators, the DOTGOV Act shifts responsibility for administering official Web domains from the General Services Administration to the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). It also requires CISA to come up with an outreach strategy and offer resources to local governments looking to migrate to .gov domains.One of the bills main proponents, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), applauded the new legislation in a news release today as a cybersecurity measure for state and local government websites. NASCIO Director of Government Affairs Matt Pincus toldthat a .gov domain is advantageous mainly because it signals to users that theyre dealing with a secure, legitimate website or email address one thats harder for scammers to co-opt and use to rip people off. The other benefit is for CIOs and CISOs, who have ever-increasing responsibilities for the security of their networks, as this is one small measure that could make their jobs easier.Pincus was adamant that a .gov domain isnt fraud-proof, but its an improvement over a .com address, and less than 10 percent of eligible governments have one.Its definitely not an accident that DHS CISA felt this was an important thing to have under their purview, he said. Its showing that website domain registration isnt an IT issue, it is a cybersecurity issue.While all 50 states use .gov domains, local governments have been slow to adopt them. A review of available data in 2020 byfound that 22 percent of counties use a .gov domain, most of them larger counties. Pincus said some smaller jurisdictions dont have the expertise for handling the transition process of password resets, changing points of contact for domains, two-step authentication, domain name system updates and other technical services, but GSA offered support for them, and CISA will do the same.One thing that weve heard a lot about is the 24/7 help desk that the .gov program office ran. Anything from technical assistance to patching, the GSA office did a great job of this, he said. These are all things that, at the state level, state IT agencies are more than equipped to do this, but when youre talking about smaller local and municipals who dont have a dedicated IT person, this is a game changer for them. They dont have to worry about this. Everything is essentially automatic. They have a contact in the .gov office if they need someone or theres an issue with their website.Another hurdle for .gov domain adoption has been a financial one. Pincus said it comes with an annual $400 registration fee, which some small jurisdictions find hard to justify when they can pay GoDaddy or another website registration service $10 for a .com address. The new bill aims to answer that with two changes: One is outreach, as GSA wasnt mandated to proactively work with local governments on registering them for these domains. The other is by giving the CISA director whom President-elect Joe Biden has yet to name broad latitude to waive the registration fee.One of our goals, and the goals of the government associations that we partner with, is to make sure that CISA has an appropriations plus-up so that they can provide all funding to local governments that want to be on .gov, Pincus said.He said the fee will likely stay in place for state and federal agencies, but some hope to see the federal government fund registration cost for local governments. At least 100 civilians were killed and around 20 others wounded on Saturday by attackers in two villages in western Tillabery region in Niger, close to the border with Mali, Nigerien Prime Minister, Brigi Rafini announced. "We lost 70 people in Tchombangou, while around 30 people were murdered in the village Zaroumdareye," said Brigi Rafini, who travelled to the two villages a day after the attack. "The attackers has not yet been identified," he said, "investigations will be carried out so that these crimes are not left unpunished." Brigi Rafini announced precautionary measures adopted by the government, including the installation of a military company to secure the population of this area, and reassuring the survivors of this double attack who are in the process of leaving. The attackers, who came in large numbers on motorcycles, carried out this massacre in retaliation after two members of their group were killed by villagers while committing an attack earlier in the day. According to an official statement published on Sunday morning by Nigerien Ministry of Interior, at least 70 civilians were killed and 20 others wounded. This part of Niger has in recent years been suffering from deadly attacks. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Restrictions set to be imposed under Japans state of emergency could last months, with both government advisers and critics of its strategy calling for broader steps than current proposals. Japan is set to declare an emergency as early as Thursday in Tokyo and three surrounding areas, with relatively narrow restrictions focused on reducing infections at bars and restaurants. But as in spring, the declaration may drag on if those moves fail to change peoples behavior, experts contend. Tokyos new virus cases are set to top 1,500 in a new record Wednesday, raising further doubts over the effectiveness of the expected measures. Lifting the state of emergency in less than a month would be next to impossible, Shigeru Omi, the head of the panel of experts advising the government, said on Tuesday. Itll need a little longer -- March or April, Im not sure. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has called for a more focused state of emergency than that which devastated the economy last spring. Hes seeking to tackle the spread of coronavirus infections at restaurants that have been a primary source of the current surge, while limiting the scope of the restrictions to reduce the economic harm. Despite saying that a rerun of the spring emergency wasnt necessary, Omi called for moves that would boost the effectiveness of restrictions on eateries, including encouraging remote work. Suga has at times given short shrift to the panels recommendations, particularly over a travel subsidy program that continued to run even as the current wave surged. While restrictions are envisioned to last for a month, the government plans to set in advance the specific conditions for lifting the emergency, with areas needing to return to Stage 3 on a tiered system that measures criteria such as infection numbers and hospital conditions, the Nikkei reported. Omis calls were echoed by Hiroshi Nishiura, an expert in mathematical modeling of infectious diseases at Kyoto University who was instrumental in defining the Three Cs strategy to avoid the places infections were most likely to spread. At a minimum it will take close to two months to bring things under control, he told public broadcaster NHK. Nishiura published a model predicting that limiting steps to bars and restaurants would not sufficiently reduce the transmission number and would instead keep cases at their current level. Steps similar to the first state of emergency would cut cases in Tokyo to fewer than 100 by the end of February, according to the model. Kentaro Iwata, a Japanese infectious disease expert who has clashed heads with policy makers before, also said broader steps were required. The layers of infections have already spread too much, and intervening in restaurants isnt an effective policy, he wrote on Twitter. The worst thing to do would be to have a watered-down state of emergency. Iwata drew headlines in February for suggesting Tokyo may become a second Wuhan and called for a full lockdown to control the virus in spring, a step which ultimately proved unnecessary. Higher Caseload While the government is keen to avoid those broader steps, in doing so it runs the same risk that countries in Europe found when attempting to impose a lockdown lite in autumn. Japan is entering the current state of emergency with infections in Tokyo averaging nearly 1,000 over the past seven days, though cases per capita are still less than a 10th of those seen in the UK, which has also returned to its strictest lockdown. Japan won praise for its early tackling of the virus, relying on public cooperation as its constitution makes European-style enforced lockdowns impossible. While critics at the time contended the steps were too light, the country ultimately exited the state of emergency in just six weeks, and avoided a second one during a summer surge. Many factors this time are different. Japan left the first emergency just as the summer was beginning. But January and February are the coldest months of the year in the Tokyo region, making ventilation more difficult and providing a more preferable environment for the disease -- something other nations such as South Korea have also had to contend with. The country may also struggle to enlist public cooperation the same way it did in spring. Officials have fretted that public concern over the virus was dropping, while many bars and restaurants, already pushed to the edge over the past year, may be reluctant to cooperate with requests to close. Australia's vaccine rollout has been brought forward by a few weeks, as the government expects the drugs watchdog to approve the country's first jab later this month. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Wednesday that Australia's vaccine rollout had been brought forward slightly and was now expected to begin in early March. Brian Pinker, 82, receives the Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Oxford on January 4. Credit:Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images Pfizer's mRNA vaccine will be available first, followed by AstraZeneca's vaccine later that month. Australia has purchased 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 53.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's jab. Both are designed as two-dose vaccines. The federal government has come under increasing pressure to defend its decision to roll out vaccinations in March, as the rest of the world starts rolling up its sleeves and a new, more transmissible strain gathers pace. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong talks about measures to promote modern agricultural development. Farmers in northern Bac Giang Province sort lychees into big bundles. What measures will be prioritised this year to fulfil the target of developing a modern, integrated, proactive and efficient agriculture? In 2021, the agriculture sector will continue to focus on two main programmes. First, the sector will continue restructuring the agricultural economy with the aim of creating modern agriculture with a closed value chain from developing raw materials to processing and trading organisation. This value chain must be formed on the basis of three groups of products which are key national products, including 10 products that have export value exceeding US$1 billion; products of local strengths such as longan in northern Hung Yen Province and lychees in northern Bac Giang Province; and key local-level products which have been developed under the programme known as One Commune, One Product (OCOP). In order to develop these three groups of key products at the same time, we need to focus on directing the development towards efficient commodities on the basis of promoting the application of the 4.0 technology. Second, the sector will focus on renewing the administration task based on digital platforms and 4.0 technology in order to have proper administration methods, particularly ways of organising production following a smart agriculture. The agricultural sector will also have to pay attention to integration by focusing more on product quality by developing organic agriculture and safe agriculture to make them become more popular. It is also necessary to develop measures to mobilise the participation of more businesses, making them a core factor in the linkage chain together with setting up more new-style cooperatives. In order to fulfil the set targets, it requires professional farmers. What plans are in place to train farmers to reach the goals? Training human resources must be a key measure among solutions to develop a high-quality labour force for the agriculture sector in line with agricultural restructuring towards a modern agriculture. The sector has built a plan to promote training centres in both the agricultural sector and of other sectors as well. Vocational institutes and schools should focus on training, including programmes for workers, management and administration staff for businesses and cooperatives. Only when we train human resources that meet agricultural restructure requirements, can we fulfil the 'mission' to change from traditional production-based agriculture to a modern, integrated and proactive agriculture with high efficiency. How will the ministry attract businesses to invest in agriculture this year? Reviewing the success of agricultural restructure and rural development tasks in recent years, we found that one of key reasons behind the success is the close connection between businesses and cooperatives becoming the core factor in the linkage with famers. This is one of key important solutions and decisive factors for the quality of agricultural restructure. In 2021, the ministry will continue to carry out solutions to encourage more businesses to invest in agriculture and in rural areas. The ministry will also consult with the Government to continue completing related mechanisms, policies and administrative procedures. It will coordinate with localities to create favourable conditions for businesses to invest in the sector. VNS Increasing agricultural quality through new EU deal The historic EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has been in force for nearly two months now. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Skokie, IL - The ISSCR's VISION2030 is bringing together biotech CEOs who have successfully transformed scientific breakthroughs into thriving businesses that are improving human health. Join us for in-depth executive interviews that explore the next decade for the field on 7-8 January 2021. The event comes at a pivotal moment in regenerative medicine and stem cell science as discovery, translation, and investment intersect. Register and see the full program. Thursday, 7 January 12:00 to 17:30 EST 12:00 EST Welcome Remarks Christine L. Mummery, ISSCR President / Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands Deepak Srivastava, Gladstone Institute/UCSF, USA l ISSCR Immediate Past President Leonard I. Zon, Boston Children's Hospital, USA l ISSCR Founder 12:15 EST BlueRock Therapeutics Executive Interview Emile Nuwaysir, President and Chief Executive Officer, BlueRock Therapeutics, USA Lorenz Studer, Founding Scientist, BlueRock Therapeutics l Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, USA Viviane Tabar, Founding Scientist, BlueRock Therapeutics l Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, USA Interviewed by ISSCR Board Member Arnold R. Kriegstein, University of California, San Francisco, USA BlueRock Therapeutics is advancing their novel cell+gene platform to develop, manufacture, and deliver an entirely new generation of authentic and engineered cell therapies across three therapeutic areas: neurology, cardiology, and immunology. 12:45 EST Surrozen Executive Interview Craig Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Surrozen, USA Claudia Janda, Princes Maxima Centrum, Netherlands l Surrozen Founder Interviewed by ISSCR Past President Hans C. Clevers, Hubrecht Institute, Netherlands l Surrozen Founder Surrozen is pioneering a new class of targeted regenerative antibodies to repair a broad range of tissues and restore organs damaged by serious disease. 13:25 EST ElevateBio Executive Interview Mitchell H. Finer, Scientific Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ElevateBio, USA Melissa K. Carpenter, Chief Scientific Officer, ElevateBio, USA Interviewed by ISSCR Board Member Martin F. Pera, The Jackson Laboratories, USA l Stem Cell Reports Editor-in-Chief ElevateBio is accelerating the rate of innovation in cell and gene therapy with a disruptive capital-efficient model. 13:55 EST STEMCELL Technologies Executive Interview Allen C. Eaves, Scientific Founder l Chief Executive Officer, STEMCELL Technologies, Canada Interviewed by ISSCR Board Member Valentina Greco, Yale University School of Medicine, USA STEMCELL Technologies' mission is to advance the pursuit of scientific knowledge by supplying high quality, innovative reagents, tools, and services that enable life science research. 14:40 EST Vertex Pharmaceuticals Executive Interview Jeffrey Leiden, Executive Chairman, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, USA Bastiano Sanna, Executive Vice President, Chief of Cell & Genetic Therapies & VCGT Site Head, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, USA Interviewed by ISSCR Past President Douglas A. Melton, Scientific Founder, Semma Therapeutics, now Vertex Pharmaceuticals l Harvard University, USA Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. 15:15 EST FUTURECAST--STEMCELL Technologies, Inc. Andrew Gaffney, Associate Director, iPSC and Differentiated Cells Sponsored content 15:20 EST Tenaya Therapeutics Executive Interview Faraz Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Tenaya Therapeutics, USA Deepak Srivastava, Scientific Founder, Tenaya Therapeutics l Gladstone Institute/UCSF, USA l ISSCR Immediate Past President Interviewed by ISSCR Board Member Charles E. Murry, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington/Sana Biotechnologies, USA Tenaya Therapeutics is a company with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver curative therapies that target the underlying causes of heart disease. ? 16:00 EST Fate Therapeutics Executive Interview Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fate Therapeutics, USA Leonard I. Zon, Scientific Founder, Fate Therapeutics l Boston Children's Hospital, USA l ISSCR Founder Interviewed by ISSCR Board Member Takanori Takebe, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA/Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Yokohama City University, Japan Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of next-generation cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders. 16:30 EST Thought Leaders--Pivoting to the Future Margaret A. Hamburg, Co-Chair, WHO Expert Advisory Group on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing and Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing l Former FDA Commissioner, USA Rajiv Kaul, Sector Manager, Fidelity Select Biotechnology Portfolio and Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund, USA Andrew Plump, President, Research & Development, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Member of the Board of Directors, USA Jim Tananbaum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Foresite Capital, USA Interviewed by ISSCR Immediate Past President Deepak Srivastava, Gladstone Institute/UCSF, USA 17:20 EST Concluding Remarks Christine Mummery, ISSCR President / Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands Friday, 8 January Sponsored Industry Career Talks 12:00 -13:30 EST Join us as participating companies discuss how the future of the stem cell field will shape the future of our careers - new opportunities, paths, and challenges. Attendees will hear from talent recruitment leaders and scientists who will discuss the transition from academia to industry, how to make it, and what to expect. 12:00 EST Welcome Keith Alm, ISSCR Chief Operating Officer, USA Julia Tischler, ISSCR Membership Committee l Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, EPFL, Switzerland 12:05 EST STEMCELL Technologies, Inc. Christine Genge, Manager, Recruitment Nina Quiskamp, Scientist Question and Answer moderated by Julia Tischler, ISSCR Membership Committee l Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, EPFL, Switzerland 12:35 EST BlueRock Therapeutics > Timsi Rao, Genome Sciences, Immunology Stephany Sakharny, Senior Human Resources Manager Question and Answer moderated by Julia Tischler, ISSCR Membership Committee l Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, EPFL, Switzerland 13:05 EST ElevateBio Cherylene Plewa, Vice President, Cellular Engineering Austin Thiel, Director Stem Cell Biology Question and Answer moderated by Julia Tischler, ISSCR Membership Committee l Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, EPFL, Switzerland 13:30 EST Concluding Remarks Keith Alm, ISSCR Chief Operating Officer, USA ### Media are welcome to attend. Contact Kym Kilbourne at kkilbourne@isscr.org for access. VISION2030 is sponsored by STEMCELL Technologies, BlueRock Therapeutics, ElevateBio, Agilent, Catalent, BioLamina and Third Rock Ventures. About the International Society for Stem Cell Research With nearly 4,000 members from more than 60 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to stem cell research and its translation to the clinic. The ISSCR mission is to promote excellence in stem cell science and applications to human health. Additional information about stem cell science is available at A Closer Look at Stem Cells, an initiative of the Society to inform the public about stem cell research and its potential to improve human health. [January 06, 2021] The Childcare Crisis, and How Companies Like 1CoreSolution Can Help Menlo Park, California, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Not many people will look back and remember 2020 as being a good year. Right from its start, this year has thrown one curveball right after another, with no industry, business, or family spared. And the predominant impact has been tragic. However, for all of this upheaval, chaos, and frustration, some bright spots must emerge. No one can come out of this ordeal without being changed, and now, everyone must decide how that change will affect them now and in the future. For the field of Early Childhood Education, there is a glimmer of hope that an economy teetering at the mercy of childcare closures is enough impetus to redirect our nations focus and priorities. Addressing the global impact of the pandemic on ECE. Simon Ho, CEO and co-founder of 1Core Solution, says, Childcare, as an industry, is the backbone of our economy. The pandemic has proven that the economy cannot function without reliable childcare. And statistics support these claims. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in June, 75-percent of families chose to keep their children home. Additionally, the number of parents with children at childcare centers dropped to 10-percent from 25-percent. Unfortunately, as time passes, the negative trend continues, and dropping enrollment means more childcare centers will be forced to close their doors. Equally disturbing, information gathered by 1Core Solution says that 40-percent of childcare programs do not expect to survive without public assistance. Understandably, many parents dont feel comfortable sending their children back to preschools, and centers are struggling to keep enrollments and finances high. Some centers remain operational, but limited capacity and increased costs brought about by new safety measures have been crippling, adds Swami Venkat, co-founder of 1Core Solution. The folks at 1Core Solution are concerned about the global impact caused by a whole generation of children whose early childhood education has been either interrupted or, worse yet, ceased due to pandemic-induced childcare complications. And the global impact has the potential to be devastating when calculating the value of the early childhood period from birth to age five. The following statistics from the article The Importance of Early Childhood Education highlight just how critical these years are to brain development. Brain development is most rapid in the early stages of a childs life. When the quality of stimulation, support, and nurture is lacking or absent, there can be irreversible effects on overall development. Children who did not participate in an Early Childhood Education program lag behind their peers who have attended an ECE program. Children who are enrolled in an Early Childhood Education program achieve more success at school. As adults, people who had an early childhood education have better career opportunities, improved health, and lower levels of dependence and crime rates than those who do not attend an ECE program. Efforts to improve early child development are an investment, not a cost. Investing in ECE helps promote economic growth while also helping to target the development of character and cognitive skills necessary for future success. A problem with funding. Its this final bullet point that is so significant to the developers at 1Core Solution. Investing in the future should be a priority, especially with so much at stake. Ho, Venkat, and Yane Diaz, who serves as 1Core Solution Brand Ambassador and Peace of Mind Advocate, are committed to finding solutions to the early childhood education problem. And they say part of the problem is that childcare facilities and their services have never been prioritized through funding like K-12 schools. Yet, as weve witnessed the past several months, the entire economy is at risk when parents cannot go to work due to childcare closures. The whole structure of the way childcare centers are funded puts a burden on parents who pay tuition as funding. The concept of childcare being a business sets the responsibility on them to make ends meet. The ones that do receive some funding have the amount based on attendance. Amid a pandemic when children cannot be in attendance, this revenue is a moot point. Ho says, Childcare has not been treated as essential, and now, we are paying the price. We must change the way business is done. Working out solutions. One solution is childcare centers need an additional way to keep children engaged and generate income that does not rely solely on the child being physically present at a facility. Our solution is Learn@Home: an all-in-one virtual learning platform that allows childcare centers to manage their entire remote learning offerings in a simple way that children, families, staff, and providers will enjoy, states Diaz. And virtual learning opportunities for childcare will pandemic-proof this industry going forward, adds Ho. Learn@Home works for full-time, part-time, or hybrid, remote schedules and helps childcare facilities and preschools stay open to provide a virtual learning solution designed specifically for early childhood education. And it is easy to implement because Learn@Home can work in conjunction with any core curriculum management system facilities might already be using. Ending on a high note. The crew at 1Core Solution understands that the funding issues and the lack of priority status ECE receives are complicated, structural flaws in the system. While they cannot solve these issues with their software, they can raise awareness, so more people understand educations value in the birth-to-five-year timespan. And more importantly, they can raise awareness concerning all it may cost us as a society if we continue to refuse to deem childcare an essential part of our economy. In addition to raising awareness, 1Core Solution is doing its part to ensure that childcare providers will be successful going virtual. Therefore, 1Core Solution launched the #IAmVirtual Accelerator Program. This unique program, in addition to the Learn@Home software solution, offers several business resources, training, and community support. Ho, Venkat, and Diaz are quick to add that virtual learning is not optimal, and nothing can completely replace face-to-face education. However, they see their virtual learning system as a way to get ECE facilities through instructional problems as they occur, starting now and continuing through other circumstances such as providing instruction on snow days and helping families receive educational opportunities for homebound children. True, 2020 will not be remembered as a good year for many, but it will be remembered as a year that dictated change and as a time when companies like 1Core Solution stepped up to provide what was needed. More information about Learn@Home is on the www.1corelearnathome.com. T: 650-854-4545 This news has been published for the above source. 1corelearnathome [ID=16285] Disclaimer: The PR is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, express or implied: The content publisher provides the information without warranty of any kind. We also do not accept any responsibility or liability for the legal facts, content accuracy, photos, videos. if you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above. Attachment 1corelearnathome [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] One of Australia's leading medical professionals was once a wide-eyed high school student with her dreams set on becoming a doctor. A class photo from 1980 shows a teenage Kerry Chant smiling for the camera alongside fellow pupils at Danebank Anglican School for Girls in Hurstville, Sydney's south. The Year 12 student would go on to become NSW's Chief Health Officer, leading the state through the coronavirus pandemic. A class photo from 1980 shows a teenage Kerry Chant smiling for the camera alongside fellow pupils at Danebank Anglican School for Girls in Hurstville, Sydney's south Dr Chant has been described as a 'sweet and always friendly' student who was 'seriously focused on the academic side' of her schooling. 'She was pretty committed to becoming a doctor,' a school source said. The teenager - who is the second student from the right in the second row - wore her hair in a short bob for the school photo, which is strikingly similarity to her daily press conference look. Danebank Anglican School for Girls congratulated the alumna in November, when Dr Chant named NSW Public Servant of the Year as part of the 2020 NSW Premier's Awards. The teenager - who is the second student from the right in the second row - wore her hair in a short bob for the school photo The Year 12 student would go on to become NSW's Chief Health Officer, leading the state through the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Chant is pictured during one of her daily press conferences Dr Chant has worked for NSW Health since 1991 'Our sincere congratulations to Dr Chant, whose dedication to serve her community under the extreme pressures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, was on display in the media since February,' the school said. 'Dr Chant's almost daily TV appearances to report on the pandemic became a source of truth, and her knowledge and confidence in responding to questions built confidence in the community on how the state was handling the pandemic. 'Along with the rest of NSW, we thank Dr Chant for her dedication and congratulate her on this well-deserved acknowledgement.' After completing high school, Dr Chant enrolled at University of New South Wales where she studied medicine. She has worked for NSW Health since 1991. As any fule kno, the biggest enemy of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and other forms of financial crime is transparency, while their best friend is secrecy. That's why the unprecedented mass sealing of cases that's taking place at the Financial Services Division of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands is repugnant to anyone with a genuine concern for financial crime. With the number of cases rising dramatically in recent days, residents in Longfords six nursing homes can expect to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the coming weeks. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is currently being rolled out across Ireland, starting with residents of the countrys 600 nursing homes. A dedicated HSE team is expected to commence the vaccinatoin process in Longford from January 21, administering the jab to nearly 800 residents of an eight day period. The second dose will be administered three weeks later. Local care homes have already received a draft date for their first vaccinations later this month and the second dose 21 days later. Costellos Vale View Nursing Home in Lanesboro will be the first port of call for the HSE team with vaccinations scheduled to take place on January 21. Thomond Lodge Nursing Home in Ballymahon is next on the agenda, with the jab scheduled to be administered on January 22. This will be followed by St Josephs Nursing Home in Longford town on Monday, January 25, Our Ladys Manor Nursing Home, Edgeworthstown, on Wednesday, January 27, and Laurel Lodge Nursing Home, Longford, on January 28. Residents of Inishfree Nursing Home in Lanesboro will receive their first vaccine on Friday, January 29. Local TD Joe Flaherty has welcomed the vaccination schedule in Longford care homes, but said there is still a responsibility on each and every citizen to be cautions. Its good to see the start of the rollout of the vaccine but this is a very difficult time, he said. Were in a national crisis and, while the vaccine is important, there is a personal responsibility on all of us to do the right thing and minimise our contacts. Nursing Homes Ireland has welcomed the commitment of the Minister for Health and HSE CEO Paul Reid that rollout of the vaccine will move to 35,000 doses this week - up from 20,000 doses - and will move to seven days a week, incorporating all healthcare settings. It is right that a priority within the vaccination rollout programme should be the 600 nursing homes across the country, said Tadhg Daly of NHI. There is great willingness within our sector to support efficiency and flexibility in enabling the rollout of the vaccine be achieved in as short a timeframe as possible. Andy Ko and Tera Hurst Ko is executive director of Partnership for Safety and Justice, a nonprofit advocating for public safety and criminal justice reform. He lives in Portland. Tera Hurst is the executive director of Oregon Health Justice Recovery Alliance, the organization overseeing the implementation of Measure 110. She lives in Portland. Oregon voters were clear: Jail beds and arrests dont solve substance use disorders, treatment and recovery services do. With nearly 60 percent of voters approving Ballot Measure 110, Oregon was given a clear directive to put an end to the years of irreparable harm created by our racist drug policies and invest in life-saving public health solutions. But Gov. Kate Brown recently proposed an 18-month delay in directing marijuana tax revenue to fund the urgent treatment services voters approved a key component of Measure 110. While we appreciate Gov. Browns support for decriminalizing drug possession as the measure also calls for, halting arrests is simply not enough. A 2019 Oregon Criminal Justice Commission analysis of Oregons substance abuse treatment system found that the gap between people who need treatment and system capacity is as wide as 90 percent particularly for adolescents and young adults. Oregon is in a deadly overdose crisis, and COVID-19 has only made things worse. Oregon Health Authority recently reported a 70% increase in drug overdose deaths in April and May 2020 compared to the year before. Disruptions in support systems including in-person counseling, support groups and treatment have left many people struggling. We urgently need a comprehensive public health solution that reduces stigma, is culturally specific and addresses access barriers. The Oregon Legislature now has an opportunity to center racial equity as it starts to build the next biennial budget. The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission predicted that Measure 110, also known as the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, could reduce racial disparities in drug arrests by 95%. But racial disparities dont end with our public safety system they extend to our health care system and beyond. A recent study of nearly 6,500 patients who received emergency care for an opioid overdose across the nation found that even with private insurance, Black patients were half as likely as white patients to gain access to substance use disorder treatment within three months of their emergency department visit. The devastation our nation has caused our Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities in the name of controlling a substance abuse problem is undeniable. We can now begin to repair these harms by reinvesting in the community-based solutions people need to lead whole and healthy lives keeping families together, revitalizing neighborhoods and opening pathways to recovery and healing. Every life is worth saving. Each one of the individuals we lost to overdose this year is a loved one a neighbor, a friend, a parent, a child, a colleague. Our state leaders undoubtedly face many difficult challenges and decisions as we enter the new year. But Oregon voters gave us a clear mandate and opportunity to choose hope, recovery and justice. Were calling on our elected officials to honor voters wishes and fully fund Measure 110. Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Hundreds of thousands of birds are being culled across the country as India grapples with a growing outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has led to the deaths of lakhs of birds in the last 10 days. Cases have so far been reported from five states and the central government has issued an alert, and has launched a drive to identify those with suspected flu symptoms in the affected areas. The highly contagious viral disease, caused by Influenza Type A viruses, poses the risk of becoming the next global scare as widespread cases have also been reported from Europe and Eastern Asia. There are many strains of the virus and the one spreading is said to affect only birds, for now. Heres Everything You Need to Know: Which Indian States Have Been Affected So far? On Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh became the fifth state in the country to have confirmed bird flu cases in the last one week. This comes after the same virus was detected in Rajasthan, Kerala, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Lakhs of poultry were reported dead from Haryana, migratory birds were found dead in Himachal Pradesh and hundreds of cows died in Madhya Pradesh. As per an order issued on Monday, the district magistrate of Kangra has declared a ban on sale or culling of poultry in the alert zone and asked shops selling poultry or fish to remain closed. Movement of tourists or locals was also prohibited within 1 km radius of the Pong Dam lake. In Rajasthan, Section 144 was imposed in a 1km radius of the Balaji area of Jhalawar district as a precaution and in Kerala, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts have been put on high alert. Culling of ducks, hens and other domestic birds in and around a one km radius of the affected areas was carried out. Also Read: Avian Flu in Kerala - Bird Culling Begins in Alappuzha; See Pics Which Other Countries Have Reported Cases of Bird Flu? In the last few weeks, avian influenza has hit at least 10 European countries - Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, and Ukraine, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Cases have also been reported in South Korea and Japan, where this has been the worst bird flu outbreak on record, having reached over 20 per cent of its 47 prefectures. The UK has seen disturbing scenes of swans spinning in circles and bleeding from their nostrils, a phenomena being investigated for its possible link to the bird flu. France: In a bid to control avian influenza, France would cull around 6,00,000 poultry birds. France is among European countries to have reported highly contagious strains of bird flu late last year, leading to mass culls as authorities try to limit transmission from wild birds to farm flocks. The country has already slaughtered around 200,000 poultry and plans to cull a further 400,000 birds, a farm ministry official told Reuters. Germany: About 62,000 turkeys and ducks will be slaughtered after bird flu was found on more poultry farms in Germany, Reuters reported. Type H5N8 bird flu was confirmed in two farms in the Cloppenburg region in the northern state of Lower Saxony. A series of outbreaks of bird flu have been reported in Europe in past weeks, with wild birds suspected to be spreading the disease. South Korea: The country reported its first highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in wild birds in October, and South Korea's agriculture ministry issued a temporary nationwide standstill order for poultry farms and related transport in a bid to contain a wider spread of bird flu. The movement control order has been put in place for 48 hours for all poultry farms and livestock production facilities. Japan: Japan's government has also called for disinfections of poultry farms across the country to contain an outbreak. Infections have been detected in six regional prefectures since last month in Japan's worst outbreak in more than four years. How Severe is the Scare? While people to people transmission is not easy, H5N1 is severe and deadly around 6 out of 10 confirmed cases in humans have led to deaths. The actual mortality rate, however, may be lower due to under-reporting of asymptomatic cases. According to the WHO, people coming in close contact with infected alive or dead birds can contract the H5N1 bird flu, but it usually does not spread from person to person. There is also no evidence, that the disease can be spread to people through properly prepared and cooked poultry food. The virus is sensitive to heat, and dies in cooking temperatures, the WHO says. If the virus mutates and becomes easily transmissible from person to person, say by altering its shape to grab human cells much more effectively, it can potentially cause a pandemic. Independent TD, Denis Naughten has urged the Government to utilise as many retired doctors and other health staff as possible during the Covid-19 vaccine programme, rather than pulling existing health staff away from treating those with virus. We are now experiencing record numbers of Covid positive cases, which is putting huge pressure on all frontline healthcare workers both in our hospitals and in community healthcare, and the last thing we need is front line staff being taken away from this vital work, stated Denis Naughten. Last month I called on Government to utilise retired healthcare staff, as well as the thousands of offers from people who stepped up to the Be on call for Ireland request, but disappointingly it seems that to date this has not been acted upon. I previously exposed the fact that thousands of nurses and care staff who signed up for the Be on call for Ireland campaign were not used by the HSE, while front line staff from our hospitals had to be called in at short notice to help with nursing home Covid outbreaks. This posed a risk of infection in our hospitals and the postponement of surgery for those on waiting lists. For some reason the HSE has failed to utilise retired staff, those who responded to the Be on call for Ireland campaign and the Defence Forces capability until the very last moment and in this instance it seems that frontline public health staff will be pulled away from management of the upsurge in Covid infection unless the Government directs the HSE to take up offers of assistance to deliver this vital vaccination programme. As well as staff being needed to administer the vaccine, clearly there are also delays in securing consent from nursing home residents due to the fact that a paper-based system is being used. Peoples lives will be put in jeopardy if Government fails to act decisively and ensure that front line staff are left to focus on their responsibilities to those with Covid, concluded Deputy Naughten. The Bihar government will now bear the expense of treating infants suffering from congenital heart defect or a hole in heart, clinically known as atrial septal defect (ASD). This was one of the nine policy decisions to be approved by the state cabinet, in a meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday. A senior officer of the information and public relations department said the state government has decided to bear the cost of treatment of ASD as part of Nischaya (resolve) part-2 of the Aatmanirbhar Bihar programme. Around two-three newborns per 1000 suffer from the ASD in the state, where private hospitals charge around Rs 1-1.50 lakh for its treatment. In another important decision, the cabinet cleared the transport departments proposal to waive road tax for almost three months (from July 6 to September 2) as part of Covid-19 relief measures for commercial passenger vehicles registered in Bihar. Besides, it also decided to waive off the fine for defaulting on the payment of road tax between March 21, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Also Read: After horror tales, Bihar child care homes focus on making girls self-reliant The state cabinet also modified the procedure to appoint the chairman of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) companies, set up to develop Patna, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Bihar Sharif as smart cities using Central government funds under the smart city mission. Doing away with the tradition of nominating the divisional commissioner as ex-officio chairman of the SPVs, now the secretary of urban development department will function as the head of the companies. Home guard jawans, who are on a regular salary, will also be given the benefits of grade pay structure just like their Bihar police counterparts. Officials said that home guard jawans salaries will increase substantially since the grade pay system will be enforced with retrospective effect from January 2006. However, financial benefits would be doled out to home guard jawans with effect from January 21, 2010. NEW DELHI : One should expect the unexpected from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the late former President Pranab Mukherjee has written in a tell-all book about his days in the top office. The memoir titled The Presidential Years 2012-2017 talks in detail about Modis leadership style. It also contrasts it with that of his predecessor Manmohan Singh, and underlines that the moral authority to govern rests with the prime minister, even as he highlights how both the treasury benches and opposition were responsible for Parliament not running smoothly during 2014-19. Mukherjee points out that when Modi took over as PM, he had no experience in foreign affairs as his visits to some countries as chief minister of Gujarat were limited to engaging for the good of the state. Modis out-of-the-box initiative to invite heads of state of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations for the oath-taking ceremony in 2014 had taken foreign policy veterans by surprise, Mukherjee says. He did what no PM had attempted before: invite the heads of government/state of SAARC nations to his oath-taking ceremony in 2014It was evident that one could expect the unexpected from Modi, because he had come with no ideological foreign policy baggage. He was to continue with these surprises," Mukherjee, writes in the chapter Foreign Policy: Maintaining balance; Using Leverage of the recently published book. The late leader writes that Modi continued with surprises when he made a sudden and unscheduled stop at Lahore in December 2015 to greet the then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday and initiated an annual summit with China, which was held in Wuhan in 2018 and Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu in 2019. However, Mukherjee notes Modis stopover in Lahore was unnecessary and uncalled for" given the prevailing India-Pakistan relations. Modis working style is again highlighted in the chapter Path-Breaking Decisions: Story of Demonetisation and GST, where he says he was not surprised when Modi made the public announcement on demonetization without discussion, as it was in sync with his style. He clarifies that he was unaware of the move prior to 8 November, 2016 and adds that demonetization could not have been done with prior consultations with opposition parties and lawmakers as suddenness and surprise were must for such a move. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Moscow, Jan 6 : The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the US is responsible for Iran's recent decision of enriching uranium to 20 per cent. The Iranian move was "a deviation" from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, but the "root cause" of such deviations is the "systematic gross violations" of international obligations by the US, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The US, contrary to Article 25 of the UN Charter, does not comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and deliberately creates obstacles to its implementation for other countries, the ministry said. According to Moscow, enriching uranium to 20 per cent has nothing to do with Iran's compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Xinhua news agency reported. All material enriched up to 20 per cent is under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which does not record its switch to the use for undeclared purposes that go against the NPT, the statement read. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced late on Monday that the 20-per cent enriched uranium had started at its Fordow facility and had reached the stability level. In May 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed harsh sanctions against Iran. In response, Tehran has gradually dropped some of its JCPOA commitments since May 2019. The devastated parents of a teenage surfer who suddenly passed away have issued a heartbreaking tribute to their 'darling boy.' Finn Hocking, 17, a popular teenager from North Bondi in Sydney's east, sparked a massive missing persons search after he was last seen on Saturday night at his family home on O'Donnell St around 11.30pm. On Monday, his body was located in water near the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, roughly 40km from where he was last seen alive. Finn's heartbroken parents Nick and Jen Hocking as well as his sister Polly fondly remembered their son and brother at a candlelit vigil on the beach at North Bondi on Tuesday night. North Bondi teenager Finn Hocking (pictured above) was a popular member of the Bondi surfing and wider community A number of missing person posters were issued around Bondi and online following his disappearance on Saturday night 'We are devastated at the loss of our darling Finn,' the family told the Wentworth Courier. 'We can't thank the Bondi community enough for their love and support. 'In recent days we have realised just how many lives Finn has touched. 'He was a kind, sensitive and creative soul who we are very proud of and will forever be in our hearts.' Finn's death also rocked the local surfing community, with the Bondi Boardriders club posting on social media that they would miss the 'polite and helpful' young man. 'Finn was a big part of BBR and a member since he was able to surf,' a Facebook post from the club said. 'He has provided the club with extraordinary footage of each and every comp and presentation nights over the last two to three years through his passion Hocking Images. 'We are all heartbroken at the moment.' Another club member described Finn as a 'gentle and kind' and that it was vital everyone looks to 'be there for each other now more than ever.' Following his disappearance, Finn's image was widely circulated on social media and across the streets of Bondi in a desperate bid to locate him. Lifeline 13 11 14 Finn was a popular member of Bondi Boardriders (pictured above) who paid tribute to the young surfer and budding cabinet maker Donald Trump has told thousands of supporters gathered in Washington DC that we will never concede the presidential election. Mr Trump addressed a Save America rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House, following speeches by his sons Eric and Donald Jr. He urged Vice President Mike Pence to help overturn Joe Bidens victory in the November election when Congress sits later to certify the Electoral College votes. Expand Close President Donald Trump made more baseless claims of fraud (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump made more baseless claims of fraud (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) If Mike Pence does the right thing we win the election, Mr Trump said. All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to recertify and we become president and you are the happiest people, Mr Trump said, repeating a falsehood he has been promoting leading up to the congressional session. But Mr Pence later defied the presidents call, saying he does not have the power to discard electoral votes. The vice-president issued a statement saying it was my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not. Lou Murray, a life insurance salesman from Boston, said he and many others still hoped Congress and Vice President Mike Pence would not certify the vote. I hope Vice President Pence has courage today, and I hope any politician who thinks he has a future shows courage to stand up and do whats right, Mr Murray said. Expand Close Donald Trump Jr speaksat the rally (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump Jr speaksat the rally (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) At the Lincoln Memorial, dozens of Trump supporters stood on the steps with large Trump flags. Nirav Peterson, who flew in from Seattle to attend the rally, said there would be a groundswell of anger and activism if Mr Trump does not serve another term and said Republicans who do not back him should face primary challenges. People are angry. This isnt going to go away, Ms Peterson said as she took video of the large crowd gathered beyond the steel barriers at the foot of the Washington Monument. You have a huge, huge portion of the people who arent going to take it any more. Like many others, Peterson was not wearing a mask. She said she opposes the shutdowns prompted by the pandemic and does not believe anyone has died from Covid-19. More than 350,000 people have died from the virus in the US. Expand Close With the White House in the background, Eric Trump addresses supporters (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp With the White House in the background, Eric Trump addresses supporters (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Organisers planned an afternoon march to the Capitol, where Congress will be voting to affirm the Electoral College results, which Mr Trump continues to dispute. A number of prominent Trump supporters were expected to attend the protest events, which began on Tuesday with a rally at Freedom Plaza near the White House. As temperatures dropped and a steady rain swept on to the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. Im just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who travelled from Memphis, Tennessee. Mr Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the presidents legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and did not know what options Mr Trump had left. Im not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say, Mr Wideman said. The president tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The speakers included Mr Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom the president pardoned after he was twice convicted of lying to the FBI in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. We stand at a crucible moment in United States history, Mr Flynn told the mostly maskless crowd. This country is awake now. PA Media Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Northern Irelands chief scientific officer has said shielding should resume immediately. In a dramatic development at todays Stormont health committee, Professor Ian Young said clinically extremely vulnerable people should begin shielding again. Responding to a question from vice-chair of the committee, Pam Cameron, Prof Young said he believes shielding should resume until the virus is brought back under control. He also revealed that letters are due to be sent out imminently to update people who were shielding of the latest position. Prof Young also revealed he does not believe the spike in cases in Northern Ireland is due to the variant strain of the virus. Current numbers can be explained by increased contact patterns and mixing before Christmas, he said. The impact of the new variant is likely to be relatively small. Read More He also stressed that he does not believe that the new variant will impact on the ongoing vaccination programme. However, he warned that it is not impossible that new variants develop and that they will be resistant to the current vaccines. Prof Young has appeared in front of the health committee as Northern Ireland is plunged into another strict lockdown. He was challenged by the chair of the committee, Colm Gildernew, over the row relating to the delay of the second dose of the vaccine for thousands of frontline healthcare workers. On a personal levelI absolutely recognise that its something that can be debated either way, he said. Different views may be taken on the strength of the evidence, but Im convinced that the approach which has been taken and recommended in the UK is the best approach for the largest number of individuals and will bring the greatest public health benefit. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph (@FahadShabbir) Addis Ababa, Jan 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jan, 2021 ) :A top-ranking member of Ethiopia's army confirmed that troops from neighbouring Eritrea entered the northern Tigray region during the conflict there, in a video seen by AFP on Wednesday. Ethiopia's Federal government has long denied persistent claims that Eritrean troops were in Tigray, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military offensive against dissident regional leaders in November that left thousands dead. But Major General Belay Seyoum, the head of the Ethiopian army's northern division, went against those denials in a video dated from the end of December which emerged on social media Wednesday. "An unwanted foreign force entered into our territory" during the fighting in Tigray, he said in the video, in which he spoke with residents of the regional capital Mekele. Eritrea's army "entered our territory by itself, this has to be made clear," he added, without specifying when the soldiers crossed the border, where they went, or whether they were still in Ethiopia. "The main mission of the Ethiopia Defense Force is safeguarding the territorial integrity of Ethiopia," he said. "My conscience doesn't allow me to ask the Eritrean army to help us. We can solve our problem by ourselves." In December the US State Department said it was "aware of credible reports of Eritrean military involvement in Tigray," and called for the troops to be withdrawn. Ethiopia's ambassador to the US Fitsum Arega denied the claim, tweeting: "Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth!" Tigray residents also told AFP that Eritrean troops were in the region, accusing them of various abuses and looting. Prime Minister Abiy reached a historic peace agreement with Eritrea shortly after taking office in 2018, winning him the 2019 Nobel Peace price. Abiy's ascension ended decades of federal political dominance by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) -- sworn enemies of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki after a 1998-2000 war between the two countries. The premier launched the military operation against Tigray's TPLF leaders on November 4, claiming victory when federal forces captured Mekele later that month. Before the conflict began, Tigray was home to 96,000 Eritrean refugees who fled Afwerki's regime in one of the world's most authoritarian states. The UN is among those to have expressed fear the Eritrean refugees in Tigray could face reprisals from Eritrean troops -- or even be forced to return to the country. - Mosque damaged - Also on Wednesday, the council representing Ethiopia's Muslims condemned the partial destruction of one of Africa's oldest mosques in the Tigray fighting. Qassim Mohammed Tajuddin, the secretary of the Ethiopia Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, said the al-Nejashi Mosque had been hit by artillery fire and its materials had been looted. He called on the government "to bring to justice speedily those entities that committed these shameful acts". Built in the 7th century, the mosque is considered one of the oldest Muslim burial sites. Muslims believe it houses the tomb of several of Prophet Mohammed's disciples. He lied, Gaudagni said. Muriel Fagiani, became a local legend as the watchdog of Napa government. She died in 2010, but by then the Napa team was able to tell her that they were sure they had got the man who had murdered her sister. With this resolution, she sold the building that had remained locked for so many years to a local man, Steve Hasty, who renovated the historic building. Today it is Avow, a restaurant on Main Street. WATCH NOW: How to read more books even when you're busy Photos: The city of Napa as it looked 100 years ago You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Ukraine continues to demand that Bosnia and Herzegovina return the Ukrainian icon, donated earlier by representative of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, presiding in the presidium of the country, to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. "The Ukrainian icon burned the hands of even experienced Russian diplomats, who disowned it. But Mr. Dodik continues to lie, surpassing his older friends. Ukraine continues to demand the return of the icon," Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. As reported, during the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was presented with a 300-year-old Ukrainian icon that was previously kept in Luhansk. According to media reports, the Ukrainian icon returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina for examination. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Massachusetts progressives whove joined fundraising and get-out-the-vote efforts in a pair of Georgia Senate races argue that overcoming public health and economic crises sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic hinges on flipping control of the Senate from Republicans. Everything is at stake in Georgia, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said on social media Monday, urging followers in Georgia to make calls, texts and knock on doors in support of Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. If Georgia voters elect Warnock and Ossoff over Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, theyd hand President-elect Joe Biden a Congress with both houses controlled by his party, giving Massachusetts officials and Biden the ability to advance more progressive policies, including another bold COVID-19 stimulus package, potentially with $2,000 direct payments to Americans. (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue are standing between your family and a $2,000 survival check, Georgia, Rep. Ayanna Pressley said last week. This past weekend, Warren, a former presidential candidate, joined a phone bank for the Georgia Democrats and urged supporters to help Georgia flip the Senate and give Mitch McConnell a demotion. The future of our country and our democracy is on the line in tomorrows election in Georgia, Sen. Ed Markey, who galvanized young progressives in a September primary against Rep. Joe Kennedy III before defeating Republican attorney Kevin OConnor in November, tweeted on Monday. We cannot afford to leave anything on the table. Volunteers for the Sunrise Movement, the Markey-aligned youth-led environmental advocacy group, have made more than 1 million calls to Georgia residents over the last six weeks. Both President Donald Trump and Biden campaigned in Georgia on Monday night, though Trump focused extensively on his false claims of voter fraud and ongoing efforts to overturn Bidens decisive 306-232 Electoral College victory. The runoff elections come a day before Congress is set to certify the electoral vote. More than 100 Republican members of Congress, yielding to Trump and his supporters, plan to object to the certification, an effort that dozens of Democrats and Republicans alike recently described as an attack on democracy. Georgia election officials on Monday stood firm against pressure from Trump, whom they accused of relying on wild claims of corruption and fraud when he pressured Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Saturday to find just enough votes to top Biden. A handful of Massachusetts lawmakers said Trumps brazen attempt to urge Raffensperger to recalculate the certified Georgia results likely violated state and federal election laws. Related Content: Hospitals in Los Angeles are so overloaded with coronavirus patients that ambulance crews have been instructed not to transport people to medical facilities if they're unlikely to survive. But a Navy ship that could offer a reprieve is stuck in an Oregon shipyard. Los Angeles Board of Supervisors member Janice Hahn said last week that she had asked California's governor to request the hospital ship Mercy return to Los Angeles as the city deals with a troubling surge of COVID-19 cases. "Our health care workers are exhausted and our hospitals are overwhelmed," Hahn said Dec. 30. "They need backup. This surge is the crisis we dreaded all along. Our health care workers need as much support as we can get them, and we need the USNS Mercy back at our port." Read Next: National Guard Will Wear Black ID Vests to Stand Out from Police During DC Protests But the Mercy is undergoing a major maintenance overhaul at Portland's Vigor Industrial shipyard, where it has been since July, said Tom Van Leunen, a Military Sealift Command spokesman. "The current maintenance period is scheduled to complete in the spring of 2021, followed by a month of sea trials and other post-maintenance testing and training, at which time the ship will return to its normal readiness level," Van Leunen said. At that point, he said, the ship will be ready to deploy within five days of tasking. USNI News first reported on the Mercy's maintenance status Tuesday. The Navy's two hospital ships were dispatched to the East and West Coasts last spring after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency toward the start of the global pandemic. The Mercy, which is based out of Naval Station San Diego, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on March 27. The Virginia-based hospital ship Comfort arrived in New York three days later. Overall weekly hospitalization rates reached their highest point Dec. 5, according to a Jan. 4 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and remain elevated. Hard-hit areas, including Los Angeles, are running out of beds in intensive-care units. The Defense Department referred questions about whether any states have requested a hospital ship to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Janet Montesi, FEMA's press secretary, told Military.com that no states have formally asked for medical ships to be dispatched to their ports. "FEMA and our federal partners continue to work closely with states, territories and tribes to fulfill their requests for support in the fight against COVID-19," she said. The Comfort is currently at Naval Station Norfolk, Van Leunen said. The hospital ships didn't end up treating many patients when they were deployed last year. The Comfort left New York in late April after treating about 180 patients. The Mercy left Los Angeles a couple of weeks later after treating a few dozen non-COVID-19 patients there, KNBC reported. The overhaul work the Mercy is undergoing in Portland is significant, Van Leunen said, to extend the hospital ship's life to 2036. That includes work on the flight deck to support the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, lifeboat and boat davit upgrades, and substantial propulsion and structural work, he said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Underused Comfort to Leave NYC, Prepare for Another Pandemic Mission if Needed Agreement with NextEra for millions to fix county roads seems likely Codington County and NextEra Energy appear to be headed for an agreement on the repair of county roads damaged during wind tower installation. Health officials were left red-faced on Tuesday after Covid vaccine boxes were transported on a bicycle to Varanasis District Womens Hospital at Kabir Chaura from the vaccine storage centre at the Government Hospital, Chauka Ghat during the dry run of the vaccine that began at six centres at 10 am. Chief medical officer (CMO) Dr VB Singh has sought a written explanation on the issue from the cold chain handler looking after the arrangement of vaccine transportation to the hospital from the storage centre. The dry run was completed at district women hospital, Kabir Chaura successfully. A vaccine porter transported the vaccine carrier (boxes) on a bicycle to the District Women Hospital from Urban CHC, Chauka Ghat. As the matter came to light, the porter was asked to go back to the Urban CHC, Chauka Ghat. In this regard, an explanation has been sought from the cold chain handler working at Chauka Ghat based Town hall Vaccine Distribution Center as to why he sent the porter while the vaccine carriers were already kept for the Corona Vaccination to be done in the coming days, he said. During the actual transportation of vaccines, the cold chain will have to be maintained and all vaccines would be transported in an AC van from storage centres to hospitals, officials said. Dr Singh said the dry run was completed successfully. Dry run (mock drill) of Covid-19 vaccination at pre-determined six sites, including District Womens Hospital, Kabir Chaura, Urban Community Health Center, Shivpur, Community Health Centre (CHC) Haathi, CHC Misirpur , PHC Pindra and Heritage Hospital in the district was completed successfully. Dry run means the rehearsal of vaccination was done without applying Covid-19 vaccine, he said in a statement. District magistrate Kaushalraj Sharma said that there was no real vaccine in the dry run. Dry run was done using empty boxes, he said. The vaccine storage point is already established at the Women Hospital. During the dry run, vaccine was not to be sent to the Women Hospital from Chauka Ghat. Therefore, a vehicle was not planned for the same, Sharma said. The DM also said that a show cause notice has been issued to the cold chain handler at Chauka Ghat for sending the vaccine boxes by bicycle. He said a real vaccination round will be organised on the basis of feedback received in the dry run. Health department officials conceded that although it was merely a dry run, the transportation of the vaccine boxes in a bicycle was considered a lapse. Thats because the dry run was held to ensure that such a lapse doesnt occur during actual transportation, an official said. Twenty-five people in each of the 6 centres were present during the vaccines dry run, he said. Other elections were challenged without intervention by Congress. Some Republicans suspected that John F. Kennedys victory in 1960 was based on fraud and filed lawsuits, but Richard M. Nixon disavowed the effort. George W. Bush won the presidency over Al Gore in 2000 only after a five-week recount battle was decided by the Supreme Court. Four years later, some Democrats objected to electors for Mr. Bushs re-election when Congress tallied the votes, but the move was fruitless and disclaimed by the losing candidate, John F. Kerry. The fireworks of 1876, however, were like none other and not just because it was the countrys centennial. Then as now, the election dispute had its roots in a major cleavage in American society. Barely a decade after the end of the Civil War, the country remained fractured by geography, economics, class and especially race. The party that ended slavery won the presidency in the short term that year, but the white supremacists got what they wanted in the long term by agreeing to accept defeat in exchange for the end of Reconstruction, ultimately ushering in 90 years of legalized segregation and oppression of newly freed Blacks in the south. The contest pitted two northern governors whose fate would be decided by southern states. Hayes, the Republican, had served as a Union general in the Civil War. He fought at Antietam and was wounded four times over the course of the conflict. A two-term congressman and three-term governor of Ohio, he was a restrained figure, a magic lantern image without even a surface to be displayed upon, in the biting words of Ambrose Bierce, the famed soldier-turned-writer of the era. Tilden, the Democrat, was a lawyer and crusading reformer in New York who helped bring down Tammany Halls Boss Tweed and parlayed that into the governorship. With a drooping left eyelid, he looked like a man in desperate need of a good nights sleep, as Roy Morris Jr. put it in Fraud of the Century, his 2003 account of the election dispute. The election was replete with intimidation, fraud and efforts to suppress the Black vote. In South Carolina, white rifle clubs massacred scores of Black residents to frighten others not to vote. In Florida, Democrats strong-armed Black voters and others by having landlords, shopkeepers, doctors and lawyers charge a 25 percent surtax on anyone suspected of voting Republican. On the other side, the state-owned railroad fired employees who attended Democratic rallies. And votes were said to be for sale at $5 each. The recent attack by the Islamic State, which left dozens of regime soldiers dead, has shown the strength of the Islamic State and reaffirmed the need to confront them militarily writes Syria TV. The Islamic State (ISIS) has returned in force to the Syrian scene through a series of operations targeting all parties in the Syrian Badia and east of the Euphrates. The most recent operation took place last Wednesday, in the Badia, between the countryside of Deir ez-Zor and Homs, and was the culmination of the operations that had begun to escalate gradually since the middle of last year. The result of the operation came as a heavy burden on the Syrian regime, which canceled the New Years celebrations on state television, in solidarity with the families of the victims, some of whom denounced the regimes negligence in providing security to soldiers going on vacation. The ISIS statement, in which it claimed responsibility for the operation, stated that the death toll reached 40 among the soldiers belonging to the Fourth Division led by Maher al-Assad, which is taking part in Iranian militia operations in the eastern Euphrates region, especially in Abu Kamal, which has turned into an Iranian base called the Imam Ali Base, and is controlled by the Afghan Fatemiyoun militia and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) under the supervision of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Several observations can be made about the operations carried out by ISIS. The first is that they extend over a wide geographical area stretching from Hassakeh Governorate, and including Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates in the direction of the Badia. The second observation is that these operations have been targeting all the parties controlling this geography on an almost daily basis. Security and military leaders from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Russians, the regime, and the Iranian militias fell as a result of them. Perhaps the most prominent of the dead was the Russian Maj. Gen. Vyacheslav Gladkikh, who was killed along with a leader of the National Defense Militia, on Aug. 18, 2020, as a result of an explosive device in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate. The third observation is that the operations are gradually escalating and their scope is expanding, intensifying remarkably as of late, despite the military counter-reinforcements. As for the fourth observation, there has been a clear failure to stop or limit these operations, and this failure is the responsibility of the parties on the ground in these areas, namely Russia, the regime, SDF, and the Iranian militias. It is known that, last summer, Russia announced a massive military campaign, under the name of the White Desert, with the aim of eliminating ISIS cells in the Badia, which led to the liquidation of 327 militants and the destruction of 134 shelters, 17 observation points, seven stores of ammunition, and five underground stores of weapons and ammunition, according to the official Russian statement about the outcome of the operation. Experts from the region, where the operations are taking place, chalked up the escalation of ISIS activity to several reasons. The first is the full control of the SDF over the region, except for the Badia which is controlled by the regime and Russia. Undoubtedly, the SDFs political project in the region meets a general rejection from the Arab majority, especially in the governorates of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, which have a 95 percent Arab majority. Since ISIS was eliminated, the two cities fell under the rule of the SDF, which has generated popular resentment fueled by accusations of discrimination, the seizing of wealth from the people of the region, as well as imposing academic curricula by the Kurdish Autonomous Administration. The second reason is the Iranian militias control over large areas in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, bordering Iraq, and their practices against the people of the region, including the widespread Shiite campaigns that have been met with popular opposition by many. Defeating ISIS would require a different kind of project; one that is based on addressing the major pain points that are due to the practices of the controlling parties. The third reason is Russian attempts at rehabilitating the regime in the region, within the framework of the policy pursued by Moscow in all areas that it has controlled since its military intervention in September 2015. Those attempts have proven completely unsuccessful, as is the case in the south, where Russia has not even been able to, until this very day, to implement the 2018 agreements. As a result, the region is witnessing a state of total rejection of the regime as well as security chaos, despite Russias establishment of military formations, such as the Fifth Corps, which it is working to deploy in Deir ez-Zor. Defeating ISIS requires handing over the administration of the region to its people and confronting ISIS militarily. An important observation must be made, which is that ISIS is not popular in the region or with the population. However, no one in the region finds themselves interested in confronting ISIS, knowing that it would probably be in the interest of Russia, the regime and Iran. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. In a confusing move for everybody, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has scrapped plans to delist three Chinese companies it announced just four days earlier. Just last week, the NYSE had said it had determined that the three companies--China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom Hong Kong-- were "no longer suitable for listing," and cited President Trump executive order from last November when declared a national emergency due to a threat posed by China's military-industrial complex. According to the order, starting in November this year, U.S. investors are banned from buying shares of companies that Washington alleges are owned or controlled by the Chinese military. Yet, after "further consultation with relevant regulatory authorities," the exchange said in the statement late Monday it would no longer go ahead with plans to remove three companies from its index, scheduled for January 11th. In a brief statement announcing its reversal, the exchange said that the companies would continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE "at this time." Even though no official reason was provided for the decision, some media reported that the exchange was influenced by the U.S. Treasurys desire to reverse the ruling. Such speculation roiled hardliners who have been targeting China. The current U.S. Treasury blacklist names 35 companies, including the parent organizations of the three listed telecom companies, as well as Huawei, chipmaker SMIC, chemical Sinochem Group that the Trump administration has sought to cut off from U.S. investors, citing their lack of transparency. After the delisting announcement on December 31st, Chinas foreign ministry said that it would take necessary countermeasures and had slammed what it described as random, arbitrary and uncertain rules. The ministry did not offer details on what the measures might be. China opposes the Americans from abusing national security by listing Chinese companies into the so-called Communist China Military Companies list, the statement said. The initial move to delist the companies followed an executive order signed by Trump blocking American investment in firms deemed to be owned or controlled by the Chinese military and those that failed to comply with U.S. auditing oversight rules. The bill, entitled the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, requires the companies to disclose more information about any ties to foreign governments and the Chinese Communist Party. The U.S. authorities will remove those companies from U.S. exchanges after three years if they fail to provide access to their audit information during that time period. The bill was passed by the Senate in May and the U.S. House of Representatives in December. Currently, 217 Chinese firms with a combined market capitalization of $2.2 trillion are listed on major US stock exchanges. Yet, many major Chinese companies, such as Alibaba, China Mobile, PetroChina do not comply with U.S. regulatory standards. By Michael Kern for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Spain is on a weather alert for cold temperatures, ice, rain and snow due to Storm Filomena, which is expected to batter much of the Iberian peninsula over the coming days. LATEST NEWS Parts of Spain on red alert for what could be record-setting snowfall The low pressure system is moving northeast from Madeira in the Atlantic, bringing a mass of very cold air over Spain, which will feel the effects between Wednesday and Sunday. On Thursday, the weather agency Aemet is expecting to see one of the most intense days of snowfall in recent years. In a Wednesday statement, Aemet said that the Canary Islands were already feeling the impact of Filomena through gusting winds, rough seas and intense rainfall. Conditions in the archipelago are expected to get worse on Thursday and Friday, and improve on Saturday. Calvos de Randin, in Ourense province, was already experiencing wintry conditions on Wednesday. Brais Lorenzo / EFE Central regions could see heavy snowfall between Wednesday and Saturday, at elevations of no more than 200 meters above sea level in the northern half of the country and at around 800 meters in Andalusia. The eastern area of Castilla-La Mancha, the Madrid region, inner areas of the Valencia region, southern Aragon and the eastern mountains of Andalusia could see accumulated snow totals of anywhere between 20 and 50 centimeters. Parts of northern Spain have already been experiencing wintry conditions for several days, with subzero temperatures and snowfall in cities like Vitoria in the Basque Country. Coastal areas are expecting heavy rain, especially in southern Andalusia. Conditions are expected to improve by Sunday as the storm moves away from Spain, but there could still be significant rainfall on Monday in Andalusia and the North African exclave city of Ceuta due to a new storm, the Aemet warned. People enjoying the snow on Wednesday, a national holiday, in O Cebreiro, in Lugo province. Eliseo trigo / EFE Authorities are advising citizens to avoid road travel in areas with alerts for severe weather conditions. The Transportation Ministry is rolling out 488 snowplows and the Emergency Military Unit has deployed 38 soldiers and 21 vehicles in Boca de Huergano (Leon) to clear the snow in the area. In Madrid, the Civil Guard on Wednesday morning cut off access to the mountains north of the capital on the M-601 road to prevent crowds from forming. The popular mountain destinations of Cotos and Navacerrada have been packed with day trippers in recent days despite warnings from the traffic authorities. Lows of -10C and -11C are expected in mountainous areas of Leon, Huesca, Teruel, Burgos, Segovia, Avila, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Zamora, Girona and Lleida. As COVID-19 hospitalizations soar in San Antonio with no end in sight, hospitals are making moves to conserve beds for the sickest patients and stretch beyond their normal capacities. Health care systems across the city have activated their surge plans. University Hospital is limiting the number of trauma patients it receives, instead directing them to Brooke Army Medical Center. Hospitals are curtailing nonessential surgeries and converting specialty care areas into COVID units. More medical staff are headed to San Antonio to assist with the emergency. As one of the areas two Level 1 trauma centers, University typically works in tandem with BAMC, accepting an equal share of people hurt in car crashes, shootings and accidents. But as it works to maintain enough intensive care beds, the public hospital has requested that all transfers from other hospitals in the region be directed to the military medical center. University is still accepting patients who are directly transported from the site of their injuries, as well as pediatric trauma and burn cases. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios coronavirus positivity rate spikes to 23.2 percent as COVID-19 hospitalizations near summer peak In a statement, BAMC said the move will help ensure that the regional trauma system remains intact in the face of the pandemic. We are grateful for the leadership at BAMC who readily assumed this extra number of civilian patients, University said in a statement. This allows for load-balancing to optimize the regional COVID surge response while also maintaining high quality trauma care and access. The arrangement also was used for about two months over the summer to lessen the burden on the public hospital during the citys first major coronavirus surge. This is a well-documented, proven process to help us with surge capacity at University, said Eric Epley, executive director of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, which coordinates emergency services for Bexar County and 21 surrounding counties. City in crisis The temporary change to how the county handles trauma patients comes as San Antonio faces its most extensive coronavirus crisis yet. Across San Antonio, a record 1,318 people were hospitalized with COVID as of Tuesday. The city blew past the previous high of 1,267 patients who were treated in July, during the citys first major surge. Patients infected with the virus accounted for 33.6 percent of all hospital patients. The city continues to average more than 1,000 new infections and 100-plus COVID admissions a day, outstripping the number of patients hospitals have discharged. To free up beds, hospitals are discharging patients to long-term acute care and specialized nursing facilities whenever possible. Last month, transports by San Antonio Fire Department paramedics returned to levels commensurate with the summer surge, said Woody Woodward, a department spokesman. In the past month, there have been more than 1,000 emergency transports suspected of being related to COVID, according to city data. The situation in local hospitals is expected to get worse before it improves. Hospitalizations could reach or surpass 1,700 coronavirus patients before the surge relents, Epley said. Fewer than 500 staffed beds were available across the citys hospitals as of Tuesday. The situation right now is pretty heavy with respect to our demand, but its manageable, he said. I think that the numbers will continue to increase incrementally, as they have done for the last three to four weeks. Better off in a hospital Over the past eight weeks, the number of staff brought in to work in San Antonios hospitals under state contracts has increased five-fold, totaling more than 1,000 nurses and respiratory therapists. Another 300 health care workers are expected to arrive by Monday, and STRAC may submit additional requests for staff as needed, Epley said. The additional medical personnel are helping to staff beds in pediatric and surgical areas to accommodate the influx of COVID patients. San Antonios hospitals are so busy that they are going on diversion with greater frequency temporarily routing ambulances elsewhere as they contend with overcrowded emergency rooms. While ambulances are still able to drop off patients, Epley said there could be delays at times in bringing them into hospitals during the surge. On ExpressNews.com: A dark winter: San Antonio health experts warn of tough months ahead for coronavirus transmission At times, patients may be held in ERs for longer periods of time until a bed becomes available, a practice called boarding that can happen during busy periods, such as the height of flu season. Beds have been set up at Freeman Coliseum, but its not yet staffed. Epley said all measures will be taken to expand traditional hospital capacity before officials resort to opening the facility, which lacks laboratory, imaging and pharmacy services. Im still a full believer that youre better off in a hospital, he said. Should Freeman be opened to patients, Epley added, it would likely serve less ill coronavirus patients who are almost well enough to be released. With more than 450 patients, Methodist Healthcare is caring for more than a third of all coronavirus patients in San Antonio. The system has assembled advisory committees to help determine which surgeries can proceed during the crisis. Like University, it is limiting some elective procedures, as is Baptist Health System. On ExpressNews.com: Burnout. Trauma. Disillusionment: The toll of COVID-19 on San Antonio hospital workers Dr. C.J. Winckler, an assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine with UT Health San Antonio and deputy medical director of SAFD, said paramedics have been relying on a new telemedicine program to free up emergency responders for the most urgent calls. Instead of always sending an ambulance, callers who may have COVID but dont appear to be in distress are transferred to a clinical dispatcher, who assesses their symptoms and helps connect them with testing. Winckler has also been overseeing the operations of an infusion center at Freeman, where monoclonal antibody treatments are being administrated to COVID patients at a higher risk of developing severe complications. Since it opened Nov. 30, more than 500 patients have received infusions, including 56 on Tuesday. One way to decrease the strain on the hospitals is to try to keep people out of the hospital, Winckler said. A slow-burning surge In some ways, this surge has been less challenging, Epley said. Over the course of June, area hospitals scrambled to open units and bring on extra staff as COVID hospitalizations rose by nearly 1,000 percent. The latest round of hospitalizations has risen more gradually, doubling over the course of a month instead of a week. That has allowed hospitals to more effectively bolster their capacities, Epley said. Doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists are now well acquainted with the progression of COVID and have more options for treating it. Far more residents are able to access testing and receive a COVID diagnosis before theyre sick enough to need medical care. Fewer patients are being admitted to ICUs and placed on ventilators to breathe. All those things combined make this a little bit easier to deal with this time, although the numbers are going to be higher than the summer, Epley said. On ExpressNews.com: 18 hours inside a COVID-19 ICU Even so, nearly a year into the pandemic, health care workers are weary. Hospital staff are confronting a new flood of patients as they try to cope with exhaustion, burnout and trauma exposure. They have grown frustrated with residents who ignore public health advice and act as if the pandemic is over. Through STRAC, San Antonio has benefited from a unique level of coordination and communication among its hospitals and emergency services providers, Winckler said. But having deployed to overwhelmed hospitals in Eagle Pass, where facilities were in danger of running out of supplemental oxygen, he is acutely aware that every system has its breaking point. If you just have too many sick patients, then youre going to be overrun, he said. Theres no amount of planning that can help in certain circumstances. You mitigate, but you cant exactly fix it. lcaruba@express-news.net The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing accusations of bargaining with China on the extradition of Uighur dissidents in return for a COVID-19 vaccine this on top of criticism that political and economic motives swayed his decision to go for a Chinese vaccine. The accusations were fueled by delays in the delivery of the first batch of vaccines, which coincided with Chinas ratification of a 2017 bilateral extradition treaty in late December. The Turkish parliament, currently in recess, is reportedly likely to follow suit in February. Opposition lawmakers have drawn a link between the vaccine delay and the ratification of the extradition treaty, with some charging that Ankara is under pressure to extradite certain Uighurs in return for the vaccine. The Uighurs have ethnic, linguistic and religious bonds with Turkey, where about 23,000 of them are estimated to have taken refuge. Ankara had announced that gradual inoculation would start Dec. 11, but the vaccine was not delivered as scheduled. The first shipment arrived Dec. 30 after no less than three postponements, which fanned the controversy over the extradition treaty. The Uighur diaspora launched a vocal campaign against the Turkish parliaments ratification of the accord, generating support from diverse political quarters. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu denied any link between the vaccine and the Uighurs, stressing that Ankara had rejected Chinese extradition requests thus far and the treaty did not mean that Turkey will hand the Uighurs over to China down the road. According to two Turkish sources in contact with Chinese officials, Turkeys vaccine order does provide a convenient ground for Beijing to press for the ratification of the accord, but Chinas strategic thinking goes well beyond the Uighurs. Since China is trying to take advantage of the vaccine to win over countries, it is unlikely to hamper the process by throwing in the Uighur issue, the sources believe. Hence, before moving to ratify the deal, China is likely to have received a positive signal from Turkey that it would follow suit. For Turkish journalist Gokhun Gocmen, who works for state-owned China Radio International, no evidence exists that the vaccine cooperation had acquired a political aspect or that the Uighur issue had become a precondition for such cooperation. On the contrary, Chinas efforts against the pandemic and its vaccine policy show that it is not seeking to politicize the issue and is compartmentalizing its relations, he told Al-Monitor, pointing to Chinas investment agreement with the European Union despite EU criticism of the crackdown in Hong Kong and its involvement in a major free trade agreement with Australia despite bilateral tensions. Coronavirus cases at Beijing customs were cited as the reason for the vaccine delivery delay to Turkey, Gocmen recalled, adding, The delivery took place several days later. In the meantime, there was no development in Turkey regarding the extradition accord, which creates the impression that the allegations [about a link] are groundless. According to Gocmen, Turkey is closely interested in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and places importance on Beijings policy of not interfering in its domestic affairs. He opined that no coercive factor seems to exist in the background as bilateral cooperation was already expanding into the security realm. The extradition accord draws a definitive framework on terrorism, and Turkey has shared its sensitivity on the Uighurs with China, Gocmen said. Turkey has drawn a red line against the manipulation of its sensitivities in big-power rivalries, he added. The pro-government Turkish media has similarly argued that the accord should be of no worry for the Uighurs as it contains provisions allowing Ankara to reject Beijings extradition requests. The tone of the coverage could well be an effort to prepare the Turkish public for upcoming ratification. The accord allows for the rejection of extradition requests if the individual in question is a political dissident or prosecuted on ethnic or religious grounds, holds Turkish citizenship or is in the process of seeking asylum. Amid the international outcry over Chinas detention camps for Uighurs, Erdogan had put the accord on the backburner. But the Chinese ratification whether or not it is linked to the vaccine could turn up pressure on Ankara to reciprocate. At home, the government is under counter-pressure from Islamist and nationalist quarters, but also the main opposition Republican Peoples Party, to raise its voice in defense of the Uighurs. Erdogan is accused of selling off the Uighurs, despite his claim to be the defender of oppressed peoples across the world. Erdogan would hardly care what the opposition says, but he needs to stay on good terms with his de facto coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), whose ideology prioritizes bonds with Turkic communities across the world. Prior to his four-year partnership with Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP), MHP leader Devlet Bahceli often blasted the government for being meek on the Uighur issue. He has kept rather quiet in recent years as Erdogan put the extradition accord in the freezer while adopting a low-key approach to the Uighur problem. During a landmark visit to Beijing in July 2019, Erdogan admitted that Turkeys Foreign Ministry had erred by prematurely issuing a condemnation of China earlier that year over the alleged death of a renowned Uighur musician in an internment camp, which the Chinese sought to debunk with footage of the man. Erdogan went even further, denouncing the political abuse of the Uighur issue apparently by Uighur activists in the diaspora. Such abuses affect negatively Turkish-Chinese ties. Those engaging in such abuse are making both their compatriots and Turkey pay the price, he said. In an earlier embarrassment for Ankara, China had arrested several Turkish nationals for providing illegal passports to Uighurs to flee China. Since then, Erdogan has shifted to a more cautious approach vis-a-vis Beijing and sought to suppress the Uighur issue as a disruptive factor in bilateral ties. Now, there are reasons to expect he might go further by giving the nod to the ratification of the extradition accord. First, China is emerging as an alternative financier of costly infrastructure projects in Turkey. Ahmet Davutoglu, a former Erdogan confidant who now leads an opposition party, denounced last month a special, unquestioning favoritism toward China in recent times. Referring to speculation that Turkey might seek Chinese funding to build an artificial waterway as an alternative to the Bosporus, he warned that such a step would flout both national sovereignty and economic profitability. Second, the Ankara-Beijing rapprochement could gain further impetus should tensions escalate in Turkish-US ties under the upcoming Joe Biden administration. Third, much to Erdogans relief, Ankaras ties with Beijing unlike those with the West are free from thorny issues such as the deteriorating state of democracy, freedoms and the rule of law in Turkey. Fourth, Ankara is suspicious of the motives behind the Wests criticism of Chinas treatment of the Uighurs. The opposition has only fueled those suspicions by riding the same wave. Bahceli probably caught his supporters off guard in October, when he drew a link between Western-backed color revolutions in former Soviet republics and the Uighur issue. The MHP will not be carried away by the venomous current of dirty scenarios hatched up in dark chambers, he said. His approach shows that the antagonistic, conspiratorial view of the West the glue of the AKP-MHP alliance since the failed coup attempt in 2016 has now extended to the Uighur problem. Finally, the essential problem in the Uighur dossier is the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, whose armed militants, mainly Uighurs, hold sway in Syrias rebel-controlled province of Idlib. Under deals between Turkey and Russia, the group is among radical factions slated for elimination. Group members and their families could have hardly crossed to Syria from Turkey and established themselves in Jisr al-Shughur without the involvement of Turkish security forces. Yet the group, along with other al-Qaeda-inspired factions, has been growing into a serious threat to Turkish-Russian deals in the region. Heeding UN Security Council resolutions, Ankara has designated the group as a terrorist organization, while Washington removed the group from its terror list in November on grounds it no longer exists. Although Washingtons move could be seen as relieving for Turkey, other dynamics are also bearing on Ankaras calculus. In May, for instance, Russia said the East Turkestan Islamic Movement was behind an attack in Idlib that claimed the life of a Turkish officer. Concerns are on the rise in Ankara that the group, which has links with the Uighur diaspora, could grow into a security threat for Turkey. In light of all those factors, a decision by Erdogan to have the extradition treaty finalized might not come as a surprise. Given Ankaras record of not treating designated terrorist groups as such, Erdogan might well soften objections at home by tacitly promising that nothing will change on the ground. Nintendo's Physical Rewards system is one of the most player gratifying feature of the company, especially after playing one's best and after long hours to collect My Nintendo points to compensate one's self. However, sometimes, most of the My Nintendo rewards are out of stock, pushing gamers to frustration, which is why a Redditor aims to answer that problem. The initiative is like the existing PlayStation 5 stock tracker that enforce bots and codes in various websites to monitor any changes regarding the availability and nonexistence of the item in the online shop. The Japanese gaming company sure gives gamers rightful compensation but the stocks immediately disappear as players choose from the shop. According to Reddit's r/MyNintendo and u/RootBearr, a new system is up and available for Nintendo gamers to use and utilize, particularly in tracking stocks and monitoring the physical rewards that are up for grabs. Some of the items included are collectibles and limited-edition merchandise from popular Nintendo franchises and titles without costing so much. Read Also: 'Cyberpunk 2077' Johnny Silverhand Relationship: How to Raise Friendship to 70 Percent and Chippin' In Side Job Secret Ending! My Nintendo Physical Rewards Tracker: How to Use Stock Availability Checker The Redditor says that a website-based application is available to be used by any My Nintendo user to track the availability of any items they wish to purchase or get once availability is live on Nintendo's online shops. The website is named "My Nintendo Rewards," which can even allow users to subscribe and receive notifications via the web browser. To use the website, go to the My Nintendo Rewards link (https://my-nintendo-rewards.web.app) and check the different in-stock products, along with their Gold Points cost and availability status. Cross-reference the list to the official website of Nintendo's reward systems. It is worth noting that the Redditor's initial stock tracker is available for the United States region only, but is trying to create a Europe region checker as of now. However, the Europe region tracker is already available on the website but notes that it is still in "experimental" mode. The Redditor promised to add more regions to the tracker. My Nintendo Physical Rewards Tracker: What Could It Do? The rewards system from My Nintendo is divided into point categories which are namely, the Platinum points and the Gold points. Each color point corresponds to different rewards and compensation for players but can not be used in the other's prize system. The Platinum Points are the lower tier of the My Nintendo point system which can be easily collected when doing missions in different games that support the rewards structure of Nintendo. These points are more inclined to use for entering tournaments or special events, along with certain promotions in-game. On the other hand, the Gold Points are the more premium version of the My Nintendo point system as it introduces players to better compensation and pricing scheme. Nintendo's Switch system and eShop are eligible under the Gold Points, meaning that games can be bought and DLCs are up for purchase. Related Article: SUP3R5PS5 Preorder: 300 Black Limited Edition PlayStation 5 Takes on Classic PS2 Themes-Here's How to Get One! This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Stacey Abrams lost a gubernatorial race to Republican Brian Kemp in 2018 by a narrow margin of 50,000 votes, in an election that was marred by widespread allegations of voter suppression. In her campaign closing speech, Abrams announced the creation of Fair Fight Action, a grassroots organisation to bolster voter registration efforts and counter the unfair voter suppression tactics which Abrams said led to her loss. In November last year, when Joe Biden flipped Georgia, a state which hadnt elected a Democrat president in more than two decades, credit went to Stacey Abrams and many other women of colour like her, who have been organising their community since Abrams was a minority leader in Georgias House of Representatives. Although Abrams alone cannot be credited for the record number of voter registration through years of political canvassing, she has become the most popular face of a movement propelled by scores of Black women. These same women successfully delivered another resounding victory on Wednesday in the Georgia senate runoffs. Lawyer, voting rights activist Stacey Abrams is a native of Mississippi, which much like Georgia was one of the seven Confederate states that fought against the United States of America in the civil war, resisting abolition of slavery. Abrams, who is a lawyer, Democrat politician, and a voting rights activist, was elected as the minority leader in Georgias lower chamber in 2011, and thus began her work of strengthening the Democratic partys base in the state. The most pivotal moment in Abrams political career was the infamous 2018 gubernatorial race, where Brian Kemp a staunch Trump ally, who was serving as the secretary of state of Georgia at that time, deregistered more than 1.4 million voters between 2012 and 2018, with some 700,000 voters being deregistered in 2017 alone. Since then Abrams has repeatedly emphasised that Kemps tenure as the secretary of state, whose office has access to voter registration data, conflicted with this campaign for governor, and has refused to acknowledge Kemp as the rightful winner. Abrams role in turning Georgia blue Joe Biden was able to flip Georgia by a razor-thin margin of 0.24% votes in the state which had voted for Donald Trump in the last election. Abrams along with the women who worked with her in her grassroots campaign have registered close to 800,000 voters from the Latino, Black, and Asian communities, all minority groups, and have been able to successfully turn the registration into votes. Abrams told the New York Times that before her 2018 bid for governor she drove to 150 of Georgias 159 counties, trying to figure out where the party needs to become more viable. But when I got into those places, there was always someone there to meet me who had been waiting for someone to come to help connect and help them build this network, Abrams told NYT. So whether it was finding Black voters in South Georgia, and working with Black immigrants in Gwinnett, or working with the Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders community, or going to North Georgia and meeting with more and more Latino voters, she said. The network Abrams talked about is the one which delivered a Democratic victory in a deep south state. Abrams and her grassroots organisers were not just able to encourage Black voters, they even turned many college-educated suburban White women into Biden voters, even though they had traditionally voted for Republicans. Abrams commitment to making every vote count is visible on her Twitter account. In the race up to the Georgia runoffs, Abrams not only encouraged people to show up to the polls, but she also educated and continuously reminded them to check in with voter helplines to make sure their ballots were counted. Abrams is reportedly planning to run for governor in 2022. She is undoubtedly one of the most influential politicians in America today who is not in office. Donald Trump in his recently leaked infamous phone call to Georgias secretary of state, asking him to overturn the election results, can be heard saying Stacey Abrams is laughing about you. Shes going around saying, These guys are dumber than a rock. New Delhi: India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla has made a pitch for New Delhi's support to Africa at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), not only backing an African seat at the council but also how India's partnership for the continent. FS Shringla said, "India welcomes the evolution and rise of Africa as a key factor in the contemporary world. We are committed to supporting African countries in this endeavour, as per African priorities and without conditionalities." He added, "India will continue to support Africas aspirations and work towards empowering Africa for a future that is found on the principles of inclusivity, sustainability, transparency, and socio-economic development with dignity and respect." India's partnership with Africa is driven by Africas priorities & promotes transparency, sustainability, capacity building & job creation, FS @harshvshringla stated in UNSC debate on 'Challenges of maintaining peace & security in fragile contexts' chaired by President of Tunisia pic.twitter.com/opg3qHnjr0 Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) January 6, 2021 This is to be noted that India has executed 189 developmental projects in 37 African countries and around 77 projects are currently under execution. New Delhi has also committed US$ 1.7 billion as soft loans for solar projects in the continent and has offered 50,000 scholarships to African students. Shringla also commented on no African representation at the UNSC and said, "The African continent does not even have a single voice amongst the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council to defend its own interests. This historical anomaly needs to be corrected by supporting the Ezulwini consensus." African Union's Ezulwini Consensus calls for African seats at the top UN body which is 5 permanent members, none from Africa. India's top diplomat also pointed out how India reached out to the continent amid the pandemic. He said, "India has supplied critical medicines to several countries in Africa to help them fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Indian institutions and hospitals have been linked to 16 African countries to offer tele-education and tele-medicine services through the e-Vidya Bharati and e-Arogya Bharati portals." In addition to India's FS, other world leaders present at the UNSC meeting were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat along with several other world leaders. The Irish Government has agreed to close schools from Monday to curb the spread of Covid-19, it has been confirmed. Leaving Cert students, however will still attend three days a week. The Cabinet has agreed a raft of new tight restrictions as the virus spreads throughout communities across the country. Minister agreed to the measures at a meeting on Wednesday to bring spiralling Covid-19 case numbers under control. Expand Close Taoiseach Micheal Martin addressing the nation at Government Buildings (Julien Behal Photography) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Micheal Martin addressing the nation at Government Buildings (Julien Behal Photography) Schools are to remain open five days a week, with final-year students alternating their attendance for three out of five days. Other measures approved by Cabinet include closing non-essential construction from 6pm on Friday, and the end of click-and-collect services for retail outlets. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: People have been asked to give up so much for so long that we risk losing sight of why we are doing this. So, I want to talk for a moment about the why. As of now, 3,679 people across our island have died after having contracted Covid. As I stand here, hospitals across the country, across these islands and across Europe are under siege from the disease with already exhausted healthcare workers now facing a tsunami of infection, even greater than the first wave. Already we have more Covid patients in our hospitals than ever before. In addition, we have an even more infectious strain of the virus in our midst. The study by Londons Imperial College suggests that the new strain increases the number by between 0.4 and 0.7, which can rapidly lead to growth well beyond previous worst-case scenarios. That is why we are doing this. That is why we must dig deep within ourselves and faced the coming month with steely determination and resolve. We simply have to suppress this surge and flatten the curve. Once again, the personal decisions that each and every one of us makes over the coming month will directly affect how many more people get sick and how many more people die. On Wednesday, Minister for justice Helen McEntee revealed she has tested positive for Covid-19. Ms McEntee, who is pregnant with her first child, confirmed the news on Twitter. She posted: I was recently tested and have received a positive result for #Covid19. In line with our HSE guidance I am isolating. I am continuing to carry out my duties by working remotely including attending Cabinet. The information the HSE has shows that pregnant women or their babies are not at a higher risk if we get Covid-19. I was recently tested and have received a positive result for #Covid19. In line with our HSE guidance I am isolating. I am continuing to carry out my duties by working remotely including attending Cabinet. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 6, 2021 At the same time I urge everyone to follow public health advice and stay at home. If you think youre developing symptoms no matter how small, act as though you have Covid. We all know the seriousness of the situation. We must protect our health system and our most vulnerable. The minister announced last month she is pregnant and is due her baby in May. She is the second Government minister to test positive for the virus. Last month, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue confirmed he had contracted coronavirus. He was due to end his 14-day isolation period this week. On Wednesday, the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 surpassed the peak of the first wave, the head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) said. The previous highest number of patients with the virus in hospital was 881 on April 15. Paul Reid, HSE chief executive, tweeted: With 921 people in hospital, weve now exceeded the peak level of the 1st wave (881). 75 in ICU. Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Lets all do whats needed, turn this around, save lives whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to. With 921people in hospital, we've now exceeded the peak level of the 1st wave (881).75 in ICU. Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Let's all do what's needed, turn this around, save lives, whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to. @HSELive Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 6, 2021 The number of coronavirus patients in hospital jumped from 817 on Tuesday to 921 by Wednesday morning. Health officials have been sounding warnings over the sharp rise in people needing hospital treatment for the virus. A National Public Health Emergency Team briefing on Monday heard that the number of people in intensive care units could rise to between 200 and 400 by the middle of January if people failed to take action. Speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the UK variant of the virus was far more contagious than anything else Ireland had dealt with so far. The situation now to my mind is as serious as its been since the start of this, he said. We got more evidence last night. Its still early evidence but more evidence of the prevalence and the rapid spread of the UK variant. This UK variant is unlike anything we have dealt with in this country so far. Were seeing what its doing in the UK and what it is doing in countries across Europe. We know its here; the only question is to what level it is here. It is far more contagious than anything we have dealt with so far. So regardless with what Cabinet decides today, everything is focused around one message which is stay at home. Mr Donnelly urged anyone who was in the vulnerable category to take extra care and behave as they did in the first lockdown in March. PA Media Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Keke Palmer rang in the New Year in style. The 27-year-old Hustlers bombshell shared an Instagram album this week of her partying with claque of pals in Turks And Caicos. However she made sure to use her caption to alert her more than 10 million followers to the coronavirus testing guidelines in place at the British Overseas Territory. Looking fab: Keke Palmer shared an Instagram album this week of her partying with claque of pals in Turks And Caicos 'For anyone wondering no one can get into Turks without taking several COVID tests. We all took them and were under strict confinement,' she wrote. American travelers to Turks And Ciacos must get tested five days or less before going there, according to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas website. The site notes: 'All travelers will be subject to screening and temperature checks upon arrival which may result in further clinical examination.' During her Instagram album Keke posed up a storm at her holiday digs wearing a sizzling floral maxi dress that emphasized her hourglass figure. Making it happen: The 27-year-old rang in the New Year in style However: She made sure to use her caption to alert her more than 10 million followers to the coronavirus testing guidelines in place at the British Overseas Territory Telling the fans: 'For anyone wondering no one can get into Turks without taking several COVID tests. We all took them and were under strict confinement,' she wrote The rules: American travelers to Turks And Ciacos must get tested five days or less before going there, according to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas website Precautions: The site notes: 'All travelers will be subject to screening and temperature checks upon arrival which may result in further clinical examination' Terrific: During her Instagram album Keke posed up a storm at her holiday digs wearing a sizzling floral maxi dress that emphasized her hourglass figure She also did a little dance while lounging by the pool in a multicolored striped bikini that showed off her enviably toned frame. Keke also filmed a selfie clip in which she enjoyed some music with a couple of gal pals while a dashing shirtless male friend could be seen in the background. The Illinois native, who shot to fame in the film Akeelah And The Bee, documented a yachting trip she took with her friends during the island excursion. At one point during her sizzling trip she also partied on a mobile bar as it headed down a dimly lit street at night, she revealed on Instagram. Such fun: She also did a little dance while lounging by the pool in a multicolored striped bikini that showed off her enviably toned frame Time of her life: Keke also filmed a selfie clip in which she enjoyed some music with a couple of gal pals while a dashing shirtless male friend could be seen in the background At sea: The Illinois native, who shot to fame in the film Akeelah And The Bee, documented a yachting trip she took with her friends during the island excursion Rolling along: At one point during her sizzling trip she also partied on a mobile bar as it headed down a dimly lit street at night, she revealed on Instagram During an Instagram selfie video apparently taken on New Year's Eve, she and a female pal could be seen discussing their outlook on life. Keke explained that 'we wanna let yall know that were living our lives like were slaves. I know youre thinking to yourselves: "What the f*** are they on?"' She stated: 'Because guess what, there was a time when people like me and her could not live they lives to the fullest.' The actress continued: 'We had health conditions, mental conditions, every type of condition and could not help ourselves, could not have the resources to go and look for help for ourselves. But guess what, today we can!' Side by side: During an Instagram selfie video apparently taken on New Year's Eve, she and a female pal could be seen discussing their outlook on life 'I know youre thinking to yourselves: "What the f*** are they on?"': Keke explained that 'we wanna let yall know that were living our lives like were slaves' Looking ahead: She argued: 'So the fact that I have s***, anything in my life that I wanna heal, if I need to heal it, Im doing it for my ancestors' She argued: 'So the fact that I have s***, anything in my life that I wanna heal, if I need to heal it, Im doing it for my ancestors.' Keke declared: 'Im not taking any small short-changes of s*** ever! Im living my life to the fullest because there was people that couldnt yall! We can!' She crowed: 'We can go out there and get what we want! We can have anything we need! We can have happiness! We can have freedom!' For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine celebrated 10 years of innovation, world-renowned research and scientific breakthroughs. On Dec. 8, 2010, the Duncan NRI opened and was the first facility of its kind in the United States with a multidisciplinary research approach dedicated to pediatric brain disorders. Since then, NRI researchers have published more than 1,000 scientific studies in top-tier journals, discovered 72 disease-causing genetic mutations, completed one successful clinical trial for an intractable epilepsy, and have six additional clinical trials in development. The reach of these discoveries extends beyond the pediatric world, impacting critical understanding of a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, bipolar, eating disorders, and addiction. The Duncan NRI is the child of two great institutions; Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. The NRI physicians and scientists are appointed through Baylor College of Medicine, the academic partner, and many see patients at Texas Children's. Those patients inspire the NRI's research. Discoveries are translated into practice at Texas Children's through clinical trials of promising treatments and therapeutics. Children are not just the motivation; they are also a key to solving neurological diseases. By focusing on rare pediatric conditions, researchers can unlock answers for countless more common adult diseases as well. At the helm of it all is Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, founding director of the Duncan NRI, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator and Baylor College of Medicine faculty member, a renowned neurogeneticist, and a central figure in the Rett syndrome research field. She focuses on genetic and cell biology approaches to explore neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. "Millions of people suffer from neurological and psychiatric diseases. Our goal is to discover the underlying causes of as many of these disorders as possible and develop effective treatments, improving the lives of patients and their families," Dr. Zoghbi said. "This is the reason we built the NRI 10 years ago, and what continues to inspire us every day." In the early 80s and late 90s, as Zoghbi was near the end of her training as a pediatric neurologist, she met a young patient who changed her life. The girl had developed normally until she was 18 months old, when she began to develop seizures and balance problems, was constantly wringing her hands, and could not communicate. Unable to offer her parents anything more than an eventual diagnosis, Zoghbi set out to find answers for this family and many others, dedicating her career to research. She went on to discover the connection between the MEPC2 gene and Rett syndrome in 1999, which paved the way for the development of a diagnostic genetic test for the disease. Her accolades are many, but Zoghbi remains focused on accelerating life-saving discoveries at the Duncan NRI, as well as advancing and elevating young, up-and-coming investigators, all with the goal of finding treatments that may be used in patients' lifetimes. The NRI fosters a one-of-a-kind research environment uniquely designed to impact the future of neurological disease. About 30 investigators from around the world and their research teams, all experts in diverse disciplines such as genetics, neurobiology, physics, mathematics, bioinformatics and engineering work in specially designed "collaboratories." These open labs facilitate the free exchange of ideas, information and resources. "Witnessing Dr. Zoghbi and her team revolutionize the field of scientific research with their collaborative culture is nothing short of miraculous," Mark A. Wallace, president and CEO at Texas Children's Hospital, said. "And then to watch these incredible scientists work seamlessly to transition those discoveries from the lab to the bedside truly convinces me we are headed toward a golden age of effective treatments for neurological disorders." Everything the Duncan NRI has accomplished in the last decade would not have been possible without a generous philanthropic community, starting with Cynthia and Anthony Petrello and then Jan Ellis Duncan, who, with her late husband, Dan, made a $50 million transformational gift in 2007. Ten years later, Jan Ellis Duncan and the Petrellos remain committed to the Duncan NRI's mission in honor of the 300+ million children around the world with neurological diseases. "A decade ago, we all made a pledge," Anthony Petrello, who is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nabors Industries, and a Texas Children's Hospital Trustee and Duncan NRI donor, said. "The scientists, the physicians, the hospital leaders, and the donors all set out to change the landscape of neurological research, and while there is more work to be done, I am immensely proud of the first decade of discoveries." The Duncan NRI was founded on the bold mission of solving devastating brain diseases, developing effective treatments. Building on the tremendous success of the first 10 years, the Duncan NRI looks to the future identifying the causes of previously undiagnosed disorders and developing promising new treatments for all those suffering from devastating neurological and psychiatric disorders. About Texas Children's Hospital Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation's first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that's channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens. Jenn Jacome 832-824-2679 [email protected] SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital Related Links http://www.texaschildrens.org TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrains effective management of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has caught the attention and won the admiration of some of the most prestigious media institutions in the world, most recently the prestigious American magazine Foreign Policy. The new issue of the magazine narrates how countries are facing the pandemic with special mention of Bahrains positive response to the still-growing problem. It highlights the Kingdoms life moving at a normal pace amid the pandemic and how health authorities are implementing preventive and precautionary measures such as wearing of face masks, social distancing, among others to contain the spread of the virus. On June 11, 2020, Bayan School of Bahrain organised a ceremony for the graduation of a new batch of its students in the arena of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), in the presence of parents and guests in their cars to witness the graduation of 26 students while following strictly the precautionary and preventive measures. The magazine carries an eloquent picture that expresses the students joy at their graduation ceremony in the presence of parents in their cars. It reflects the vitality of Bahrain, at a time when growing infection rates are becoming a daily problem for most countries around the world. And in many countries, they had no choice but to cancel graduation ceremonies due to the outbreak of the virus. The ceremony has received wide adulation in foreign media as it highlights Bahrains ability to face the health crisis with more creativity and innovation. The Foreign Policy magazine, founded in 1970, is producing journalistic content concerned with current global affairs, as well as domestic and international politics. An armed police officer was sent to a 15-year-old Missouri's girl home to discuss how she was failing a class, sparking outrage against the school district for using 'scare tactics' and 'unecessary escalation.' Around 8.30am on Monday a school resource officer along with a counselor arrived without any prior notice to the home of Porscha Outen in St. Louis, to address how her daughter Paris, 15, was failing a class. Paris, a student at Ritenour High School, is attending classes virtually for her sophomore year due to the pandemic. 'It was unimaginable, I cant even really describe how I felt in the moment,' Outen said to KSDK. 'I was shaking my voice was cracking, I was emotional because I did not understand. I couldnt keep my eyes off his firearm,' she added. When Outen asked the officer why he was armed, the cop said: 'Its just a precaution. We are here because your daughter has an F in one class and we are letting all parents and students know that they have until Friday to complete any missing work.' An armed school resource officer and counselor visited the home of Porscha Outen and her daughter Paris, 15, on Monday to discuss how Paris was failing a class. Porscha says the experience was traumatic because the officer came in without any prior notice and was armed Paris, a student at Ritenour High School, is attending classes virtually for her sophomore year due to the pandemic. The schools says it sends out officers along with counselors part of a 'wellness team' to the homes of students who have been flagged for being chronically absent, academic issues or behavioral problems 'Why is it necessary for you to have a gun to talk to my daughter about grades?' Outen recalled asking the officer to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 'A failing grade in a class is not an emergency to warrant police presence,' she added. The school district sends out school resource officers from the St. Ann, St. John and Breckenridge Hills police departments who serve on 'wellness teams' that include social workers and counselors. They work in pairs to visit the homes of students who have been flagged for being chronically absent, academic issues or behavioral problems. Since switching to virtual learning, the number of home increased dramatically to 1,500 since August. Due to the pandemic and adjustments to virtual and hybrid learning, school districts across the country have reported the number of students failing classes has doubled or even triplied in some areas. 'We have seen a decline in student performance, and were using this wellness team as a strategy to try to connect kids to school,' Ritenour Superintendent Chris Kilbride said. Outraged: Outen shared this post after the incident slamming the use of armed cops as 'Unacceptable' 'COVID is really hard. The kids are doing the best that they can, parents are doing the best that they can. Sending a resource officer with a weapon on his hip to a familys home is not the best way to communicate how to be successful in the Ritenour School District,' Outen said What started out as an academic visit, turned into a traumatic situation for the Outen family. When the officer left, Outen cried and hugged her daughter 'Especially as an African American child in St. Louis County, my goal is to protect her from these sorts of threatening situations. I dont want my daughter to equate education with fear, and unfortunately thats what happened,' Outen said. Ritenour School District Superintendent Dr. Chris Kilbride acknowledged the house visit to the Outen residence was 'traumatic' and the school announced Tuesday it will no longer send officers on academic-related home visits She said that not only was the experience terrifying, but it came amid a pandemic when communities are already on edge. 'COVID is really hard. The kids are doing the best that they can, parents are doing the best that they can. Sending a resource officer with a weapon on his hip to a familys home is not the best way to communicate how to be successful in the Ritenour School District,' Outen said. Parent Christine Troupe says she also got a police knock on her door on Tuesday for one of her children. 'If the intention is to help our kids or hold them accountable then to me that's not conducive to them learning. Basically it's a scare tactic, it's something you do for something you're serving a warrant on, not for a child that may need a tutor for a ceramics art class,' Troupe said. Outen revealed after the incident she contacted the district and school to voice her outrage. Kilbride said on the incident: 'Clearly this was a traumatic experience. The question is how to do the investigation of what happened and how to do this differently moving forward.' Outen and her daughter together above On Tuesday Kilbride announced the district will no longer send officers on academic-related home visits. John Bowman, the president of the NAACP St. Louis County, where Outen works in public relations, slammed the practice of sending police officers to students homes as an unnecessary escalation. 'It appears in the black community, theres an extra need to show intimidation or act as if you fear being in our presence. I am unwilling to accept the intimidation and over-policing of a child on a minor issue such as a grade,' he added. Outen, Bowman and other district officials will meet later in the week to discuss other changes to the program. DailyMail.com has reached out to the school for further information. [Heres what you need to know about President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.s Inauguration Day.] President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. plans to nominate Judge Merrick B. Garland, whose Supreme Court nomination Republicans blocked in 2016, to be attorney general, placing the task of repairing a beleaguered Justice Department in the hands of a centrist judge, according to a person familiar with the matter. Strong Republican support for Judge Garland helped secure his place in the incoming Biden administration, which greatly values bipartisan support for cabinet choices even as Democrats secured the necessary seats in the Senate to confirm all of Mr. Bidens nominees. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said last month that he would support Judge Garlands nomination for attorney general. Three other Republican senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have said in the past that they would support him to run the F.B.I., citing his integrity and independence. If confirmed, Judge Garland would inherit a department that grew more politicized under President Trump than at any point since Watergate. He would decide whether to pursue investigations into Mr. Trump, his associates and his former and current cabinet members, a topic that has divided Democrats and even employees inside the department. Mr. Biden himself has said that he is not eager to prosecute the past. But it is unclear whether the extraordinary events that unfolded in Washington on Wednesday as Mr. Trump said he would never concede the election and his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol would affect that the issue. The video footage showing the burning of the body of an Azerbaijani serviceman by soldiers of the Armenian Armed Forces and one civilian was disseminated in some media and on webpages on social networks, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office. A criminal case was initiated on the abovementioned fact upon the relevant articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code as during the analysis carried out by the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office and Military Prosecutor's Office, it was revealed that the video footage reflects reality, Trend informs. For 25 years, Deborah L. Crabbe has driven up Broad Street to Temple University, where she is a cardiologist, attending physician, and professor of medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. One day, her commute took her near a school where there had been a shooting the day before. To Crabbe, it drove home a reality she knew all too well: What good was it for her to tell people to go outdoors and exercise when their neighborhoods were not safe? Crabbe specializes in womens cardiovascular health and has worked her whole career to address disparities in health care particularly racial and ethnic disparities. The American Heart Association recently announced that, because of her dedication, she will be honored at the 2021 Philadelphia Heart Ball, receiving the Edward S. Cooper Award. We spoke to her recently about her work. Tell us about the North Philadelphia community you treat. The population is underserved and what we call an under-resourced community. The community that Temple Hospital serves has a significant percentage of its residents who live in poverty, ranging from 30% to 55%, depending on their zip code. Most of the patients we see are African American and Latino. They have a high number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They have hypertension, diabetes, obesity. Most of them have a sedentary lifestyle, and they have poor access to healthy foods. They are unlikely to walk and get exercise because the neighborhoods are sometimes questionable. In the Temple Hospital catchment area, about 41% of the residents have high blood pressure. Thats a lot of people. Especially for African Americans, hypertension is a big determinant of their future risk for cardiovascular disease. You use the term cardiovascular health equity. What is that? Cardiovascular health equity has to do with eliminating the disparity between populations, so there really is no difference between the health outcomes people have based on where they live, their income, etc. It is tied very closely to the concept of social justice. One of the things that became apparent when I started to work at Temple is that there are huge challenges in the ability for me to execute the care Im giving because of the patients social circumstances. So you might ask, is there cardiovascular health equity in North Philadelphia? In my opinion, no. For example, the premature cardiovascular disease death rate is higher there compared with the remainder of the city. To illustrate the impact of social circumstance on health, let me describe two patients. Patient One lives in Rittenhouse Square. Chances are, they had a good education. And because of that education, chances are theyre going to have a job that pays well. Theyre going to have health insurance, so theyll have access to health-care resources. When they have a good education, these folks tend to have better health literacy; they are able to reach out and find information. They might also have a better experience in the health-care enterprise, so they might have more faith in the health-care system. With all of that, their life expectancy might be 76 or 77 years. Patient Two lives in North Philadelphia. Chances are theyre going to have issues from the get-go with having access to healthy foods. Theyre not going to be buying high-quality food. Of the residents who live in my hospitals immediate service area, only 36% have education beyond high school. In todays world, that limits their opportunities to have a good-paying job, so they might not have health insurance. They might have some distrust for the health-care system. And they certainly dont have the health literacy to understand how to live a healthy lifestyle. Their life expectancy will be less than the Rittenhouse patient. All of these things create an inequity. We write on peoples medical charts, eat less fat, eat more fiber, get more exercise. But how does the North Philadelphia patient do it? When it comes to the importance of making a living wage, studies have shown a relationship between increasing family income and a reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Before anyone ever comes to see me, as a cardiologist, these particular living circumstances have been going on for years. So when you look at the health of a community, were learning that its not as simple as we used to think it was. The zip code you live in can impact your health greatly. How can cardiovascular health equity be achieved in North Philadelphia? We have to have a complete focus on creating a culture of health for the residents of North Philadelphia. We provide acute-care services for these residents. Thats not the problem. But it turns out that providing good medical care for a community only accounts for 20% of all the things that contribute to the overall health of the people in the community. These other factors how you live, what your circumstances are, your ability to care for yourself and be educated all are a prerequisite for which way you go in life. In 25 years of driving up Broad Street, Ive seen plenty of fast-food restaurants and not a lot of health messages. Every once in a while, theyll have an anti-smoking campaign, and theyll put up a sign. And recently there has been a push to increase access to farmers markets. Thats a step in the right direction. But we need to do much more. We need to be vigilant. We really need to start thinking about how we can create a culture of health. The state has resources, but I would challenge them to utilize them better. I would love to see a much more coordinated use of these resources and improved integration with the hospitals. We need much more collaboration. What is the special plight of women with heart disease in North Philadelphia? My passion is womens health, and heart disease is the number-one killer of women. Women, as a group, regardless of age, tend to be considered a disparity group because of the way they have been treated historically, in society, and also because of disparities in cardiovascular disease outcomes. African American and Latino women tend to be the least-educated among women about cardiovascular disease risk factors. African American women have poorer outcomes and higher death rates from cardiovascular disease. I see this play out in one particular medical condition: heart failure. The women I care for tend to be in their mid-50s. These women, like most women, are the center of the family. They may still be taking care of teenagers or helping with the grandchildren. So, when Mom gets sick, its a problem for the rest of the family. Things deteriorate. Heart failure is a condition where you need to be able to do things for yourself, in addition to taking the medication. If you dont have health literacy, its problematic. I was able to get a grant to help bring heart health education to the community through WomenHeart, a national organization that supports women living with heart disease. They recognize that African American and Latino women are underserved when it comes to receiving heart health education. I would like to see it be sustainable in North Philadelphia. The residents deserve it. It would help us address the disparity of health literacy in this population. Is there a hopeful note here? I do think that there is hope. Since COVID-19, we are all more aware of these disparities. They are no longer an abstraction for the general population. COVID-19 has shined a light on them. I think there is a greater will to tackle the problem. And I think there will be more receptiveness toward being innovative in trying to solve this particular problem, which we are more than capable of doing. sandybauers10@gmail.com Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In a significant development, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is likely to take over the operations of the Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RIL)-led Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), which runs the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro-1 corridor. The authority is looking at appointing a consultant for strategic acquisition of Mumbais first Metro corridor. In August 2020, HT had reported that MMOPL, which has been facing losses since its inception, has written to the Maharashtra government proposing transfer of its shareholding to MMRDA. According to the tender document accessed by HT, Reliance is ready to consider a fair offer from MMRDA for transferring its stakes. The document states that the consultant will have to carry out a valuation exercise and also look at the commercial and legal aspects involved in acquisition. In the event MMRDA decides to proceed with the transaction, (it) would require assistance in negotiation with RIL, as well as execution and delivery of the transaction documents. A senior official from MMRDA said, Reliance has expressed its interest in selling its stakes and we are giving it a due consideration. While the MMRDA was earlier looking at appointing a consultant for undertaking a performance review of Metro-1, it had not stated that it was planning to take over Metro-1. MMRDA did not receive any response for the first tender. MMOPL is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that was constituted to develop and run the 11.5-km Metro-1 on a public-private-partnership model. RIL owns 69% stake in MMOPL, MMRDA owns 26% and Transdev (formerly Veolia Transport) owns 5%. According to MMRDA, the total cost of the project is 2,356 crore, which includes 650 crore granted by the authority as a viability gap funding (VGF), of which 471 crore was released by the government of India between 2009 and 2014. The corridor has been operational since 2014, with a daily ridership of around 4.5 lakh, before it was shut owing to the pandemic. MMRDA is executing a 337-km Metro network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The state government has also formed the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (M3OCL) for the operation and maintenance of all upcoming metro corridors in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. In March 2019, HT had reported that MMOPL was in talks with lenders for a resolution plan for its mounting debt of 1,928 crore. MMRDA had then given a go-ahead for its proposal provided the authoritys equity does not get diluted. Anil Ambani led-RIL has been in the news for its mounting losses. Sources said that the pandemic-ensued lockdown wherein services were shut for seven months made it worse for the company. The companys plans to increase fares to meet its cost overruns have also been facing roadblocks. In 2019, the second fare fixation committee appointed by the Central government rejected MMOPLs claims on increasing fares and asked the company to re-look at innovative non-fare revenue methods to sustain. The head of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday he was "very disappointed" that China has still not authorised the entry of a team of international experts to examine the origins of the coronavirus. The 10-strong team had been due to set off in early January as part of a long-awaited mission to probe early cases of the coronavirus, first reported over a year ago in China's Wuhan. "Today we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in China," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an online news conference in Geneva. "I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials and I have once again made it clear the mission is a priority for the WHO," he said of the trip he said was developed with Beijing. The mission was due to be led by Peter Ben Embarek, WHO's top expert on animal diseases that cross the species barrier, who went to China on a preliminary mission last July. Two members of the international team had already set out on their journey to China. One has now turned back and the other is in transit in a third country, emergencies chief Mike Ryan said. However, he added: "We trust and hope that is just a logistic and bureaucratic issue that can be resolved very quickly." Ahead of the trip, Beijing has been seeking to shape the narrative about when and where the pandemic began, with senior diplomat Wang Yi saying "more and more studies" showed that it emerged in multiple regions. Ryan has previously called this "highly speculative". China has dismissed criticism of its handling of early cases that emerged in late 2019, although some including U.S. President Donald Trump have questioned Beijing's actions during the outbreak. Washington, which has announced plans to leave the WHO, has called for a "transparent" investigation and criticised its terms under which Chinese experts conducted the first phase of research. The following is from a Miami Herald editorial: What to do about Cuba could quickly become an uncomfortable political question for President-elect Joe Biden. Hell soon arrive at a fork on the road. Should he veer right or left? As Biden crafts his foreign policy, one of his administrations most prickly dilemmas is wrapped in this simple question: Should the United States return to its 2014 efforts when Barack Obama was president and Biden his VP to reestablish relations and diplomatic ties with the Cuban government, wiping away the 60-year U.S. embargo against the communist island? And if he has any intention of doing so, hell have to wrangle concessions from the regime before any resumption of relations. The Obama administrations failure to do so doomed the historic rapprochement. Biden may have backed himself into a corner. On the campaign trail, he promised to reverse Trumps restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba. But hell now be dealing with a different Cuba, one that in recent months has cracked down hard on a group of artists, nicknamed the San Isidro Movement. Old, repressive Cuba is the same as ever, as it was even under pre-Trump renewed relations. Obamas policies promoted an exchange of people, ideas and goods between the United States and the island. Obama said it wouldnt cost our country much to try a new approach because the island was a tiny little country. But after numerous high-level diplomatic meetings in Cuba and the United States, the result was that the Obama administration received nothing in exchange for his unilateral concessions. Today, Biden would be making a serious mistake to resume more-cordial relations with Cuba. His support would all but destroy the work of those San Isidro artists, the Ladies in White and so many others fighting from within to change the regime. Cuba would use that support from the United States to quash the demands of the opposition thats the Cuban government for you. This is why our new president should not reward the regime in advance of real reform. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Corrupt Bargain of 2020 Commentary Today, the U.S. Congress will vote to certify the Electoral College vote for the 2020 presidential election, certifying Joe Biden as the next president or not. However unlikely, its constitutionally possible for Congress to nullify the Electoral College vote and to force the decision onto the members of the House of Representatives, voting en bloc state by state, in a contingent election. Weve been told that such a move is manifest nonsense and even a threat to the republic, as if 2020 were any normal election year, and more importantly as if a contingent election were unprecedented and contrary to American principles of government. Likewise, a growing number of Republican election dissenters hold that the general election was befouled with sufficient illegal skulduggery to reject outright, and that that fraud is in fact the real threat to the republic. Both sides of this disagreement believe they are defending the will of the American people, and each is right to some degree. We may never know. But this disagreement obfuscates another problem, one more insidious, one that, unlike the above disagreement, will remain with us long after inauguration day. That problem is the gaslighting and mass censorship accomplished by mainstream media and big tech social media in combination with the Democratic Party. The original corrupt bargain emerged from the fraught presidential election of 1824. The cooperation of the media and the Democratic Party we witnessed this year is the corrupt bargain of 2020. If this bargain isnt broken up, then every election hereafter could be stolen legally. I say stolen, not necessarily because of kraken-level computer hacks, but because of something worse: a hack of the American public mind. This hack subverts the sovereign peoples will and makes them believe the candidate put forward by a small cadre of self-appointed experts is the peoples own choice. Such a hack is an actual threat to the republic because, in effect, it replaces the (small r) republican form of government with a kind of oligarchic or technocratic one. James Madison defined republican government as a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people; and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior. He then specified that It is essential to such a government, that it be derived from the great body of the society, not from an inconsiderable proportion, or a favored class of it (original emphasis). In truth, both those who oppose a contingent election and those who favor it today have republican reasons for doing so. History is a great aid to weighing these concerns justly against the danger of the new corrupt bargain. The Corrupt Bargain of 1824 In January 1823, John Taylor of Caroline, an aged senator from Virginia, proposed an amendment to the Constitution respecting the election of president and vice president. Taylor was convinced by circumstances surrounding the rise of party politics that the work he and others had done in passing the 12th Amendment 20 years earlier was yet incomplete. The exceptional process of allowing the House of Representatives to elect the president in a contingent election in such circumstances, he feared, was insufficiently republican and too easily susceptible to the accidents and force inherent in the petty divisions within the House. The Senate debated Taylors proposed amendment for over a year. In the end, though, it died in the Senate, and then, just four months later, Taylor did too. Just six months after that, in the presidential election of 1824, Taylors exact fear was realized. Of the four candidatesAndrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William Crawfordnot one garnered 50 percent of the Electoral College vote, and so the election fell to the House. In spite of Jackson winning more electoral votes, the House elected Adams. Shortly after the election, though, a plausible rumor emerged that Adams had offered Clay the position of Secretary of State in his cabinet if Clays supporters in the House backed Adams. Jackson was furious and dubbed the backroom dealing the corrupt bargain. He beat Adams over the head with that label for four years, and in 1828 won more than double Adamss votes in the Electoral College, leaving Adams, like his father before him, a one-term president. That corrupt bargain was exactly the kind of shenanigans that Taylor was hoping to prevent. The contingent election in 1824 allowed an inconsiderable proportion of the American people to decide who would be president. Taylors proposed constitutional amendment would have required a run-off election within the Electoral College if no candidate won 50 percent, thereby requiring a contingent election only if there was an exact tie after the run-off, a highly unlikely situation. At all costs, Taylor wanted to avoid the peoples choice being supplanted by that of members of the House. He agreed with the logic of Federalist 68 that, in order to avoid cabal, intrigue, and corruptionthese most deadly adversaries of republican governmentno one who from situation might be suspected of too great devotion to the president in office should be an elector for the president. The American framers of the Constitution always intended the contingent election option to be exceptional. In 1823, however, Taylor could foresee that what was expected to be exceptional was becoming more probable. From this historical context, todays opponents of the contingent election, then, appear right in their condemnation of it as anti-republican. They are wrong, though, to conclude that its necessarily so, for the framers intended this exception to protect, not subvert, the peoples choice. If five candidates all split the Electoral College vote and four received 19 percent of the vote and one received 24 percent, could it really be said that the people had chosen the winner? In such a case, it seems at least more republican for the peoples representatives, voting by state, to choose the best candidate. Those Republicans who favor a contingent election for our recent election do so because they believe that the general election was illegitimate due to various kinds and degrees of voter fraud. That claim, however, has been shown to be difficult if not impossible to prove in the court of public opinion and hence politically moot, at least for now. The Corrupt Bargain of 2020 A more forceful argument, based on undeniable evidence, against a more insidious and more dangerous threat is that of the corrupt bargain of 2020. The guardians of political speech in the United Statesmainstream and big tech social media giantshave demonstrated no shame about being the servants of the Democratic Party ever since Donald Trump became a serious political force in 2016. In fact, they have considered it their duty to resist Trump in every way possible. The Democrats have naturally tried to turn every event, policy, tweet, press conference, international affair, ad infinitum into the scandal of the century, but they would never have been successful without the all-powerful help of the media, both mainstream and social. The most egregious example of this corrupt bargain must be the two-year Russian collusion con on the American people, for which, rather than apologize, the media congratulated and praised itself in a Swiftian parody of professional journalisms former self. Another exampleone that had a definite effect on the outcome of the electionwas the censoring of the New York Posts story on Hunter Bidens laptop and his substantiated ties to foreign governments. Only after the electionwhen it was thought safe to do sothe media started to get interested in the story. These outrages against the American people are not limited to sins of commission but of omission too: The media has simply ignored stories that would hurt the Democratic Party such as California Rep. Eric Swalwells revealed relationship with a suspected Chinese spy. There are many such cases. The pundits and talking heads this week will all focus on the dramatic debate between those members of Congress who oppose and those who favor rejecting the results of the Electoral College in several key states. Just remember, this is all largely a distraction of the corrupt bargain of 1824 variety. A contingent election is not as dangerous to the republican form of government as we will hear. In fact, the larger, more dangerous threat is the 2020-style corrupt bargain, that between the main levers of mass communication in this country and a single political party. That latter form of corruption will still be with us in two weeks, while the former will likely be only a distant memory by then. John Taylor could see the constitutional danger that was coming in his day, but his efforts to prevent it failed. In our own day, we have already experienced the ill effects of the corrupt bargain of 2020. Will we continue to do nothing, or will Republicans somehow follow Andrew Jacksons example and use the revealing of this corruption to their advantage in 2024? Clifford Humphrey is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America and the director of admissions for Thales College. He holds a Ph.D. in politics from Hillsdale College, and he resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. According to Georgian Deputy Minister of Health Tamar Gabunia, the country is developing Covid-19 vaccination plan. She clarified that no one in Georgia has yet been vaccinated, since, in order for at least one dose of the drug to be delivered to the country, a number of difficult procedures is required. The deputy minister explained that the authorities are considering the purchase of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. In todays Situation Update for January 6th, 2021, we cover breaking bombshell news that Barack Obama funded a vote rigging scheme involving the Italian government (and most likely the Vatican as well). Here are the highlights of todays podcast: ( Natural News ) With Americas day of reckoning having now arrived, President Trump must now play his full hand to defend the republic against domestic and foreign enemies. Later today, we anticipate VP Mike Pence will betray America, although there is a chance that Sen. Grassley might step in and help save the nation by rejecting the fraudulent electoral votes and sending them back to the states for adjudication. About the author: Mike Adams (aka the Health Ranger) is a best selling author (#1 best selling science book on Amazon.com called Food Forensics), an environmental scientist, a patent holder for a cesium radioactive isotope elimination invention, a multiple award winner for outstanding journalism, a science news publisher and influential commentator on topics ranging from science and medicine to culture and politics. Follow his videos, podcasts, websites and science projects at the links below. Mike Adams serves as the founding editor of NaturalNews.com and the lab science director of an internationally accredited (ISO 17025) analytical laboratory known as CWC Labs. There, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for achieving extremely high accuracy in the analysis of toxic elements in unknown water samples using ICP-MS instrumentation. Adams is also highly proficient in running liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and mass spectrometry time-of-flight analytical instrumentation. He has also achieved numerous laboratory breakthroughs in the programming of automated liquid handling robots for sample preparation and external standards prep. The U.S. patent office has awarded Mike Adams patent NO. US 9526751 B2 for the invention of Cesium Eliminator, a lifesaving invention that removes up to 95% of radioactive cesium from the human digestive tract. Adams has pledged to donate full patent licensing rights to any state or national government that needs to manufacture the product to save human lives in the aftermath of a nuclear accident, disaster, act of war or act of terrorism. He has also stockpiled 10,000 kg of raw material to manufacture Cesium Eliminator in a Texas warehouse, and plans to donate the finished product to help save lives in Texas when the next nuclear event occurs. No independent scientist in the world has done more research on the removal of radioactive elements from the human digestive tract. Adams is a person of color whose ancestors include Africans and American Indians. He is of Native American heritage, which he credits as inspiring his Health Ranger passion for protecting life and nature against the destruction caused by chemicals, heavy metals and other forms of pollution. Adams is the author of the worlds first book that published ICP-MS heavy metals analysis results for foods, dietary supplements, pet food, spices and fast food. The book is entitled Food Forensics and is published by BenBella Books. In his laboratory research, Adams has made numerous food safety breakthroughs such as revealing rice protein products imported from Asia to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and tungsten. Adams was the first food science researcher to document high levels of tungsten in superfoods. He also discovered over 11 ppm lead in imported mangosteen powder, and led an industry-wide voluntary agreement to limit heavy metals in rice protein products. In addition to his lab work, Adams is also the (non-paid) executive director of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), an organization that redirects 100% of its donations receipts to grant programs that teach children and women how to grow their own food or vastly improve their nutrition. Through the non-profit CWC, Adams also launched Nutrition Rescue, a program that donates essential vitamins to people in need. Click here to see some of the CWC success stories. With a background in science and software technology, Adams is the original founder of the email newsletter technology company known as Arial Software. Using his technical experience combined with his love for natural health, Adams developed and deployed the content management system currently driving NaturalNews.com. He also engineered the high-level statistical algorithms that power SCIENCE.naturalnews.com, a massive research resource featuring over 10 million scientific studies. Adams is well known for his incredibly popular consumer activism video blowing the lid on fake blueberries used throughout the food supply. He has also exposed strange fibers found in Chicken McNuggets, fake academic credentials of so-called health gurus, dangerous detox products imported as battery acid and sold for oral consumption, fake acai berry scams, the California raw milk raids, the vaccine research fraud revealed by industry whistleblowers and many other topics. Adams has also helped defend the rights of home gardeners and protect the medical freedom rights of parents. Adams is widely recognized to have made a remarkable global impact on issues like GMOs, vaccines, nutrition therapies, human consciousness. In addition to his activism, Adams is an accomplished musician who has released over fifteen popular songs covering a variety of activism topics. Click here to read a more detailed bio on Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, at HealthRanger.com. Find more science, news, commentary and inventions from the Health Ranger at: Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channel/hrreport Diaspora: (uncensored social network) Share.NaturalNews.com GAB: GAB.com/healthranger Podcasts: HealthRangerReport.com Online store: HealthRangerStore.com #1 Bestselling Science Book Food Forensics: FoodForensics.com iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-ranger-report/id1063165791 SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/healthranger Health Rangers science lab CWClabs.com Health Ranger bio HealthRanger.com TruthWiki.org Search engine: Webseed.com New research from University College London suggests that how we learn about the world around us can be more important for how we feel than rewards we receive directly. Many people believe they would be happier if only they had more money. And events such as winning the lottery or receiving a large pay rise do make people happy, at least temporarily. But recent studies suggest that the main factor driving happiness on such occasions is not the size of the reward received. Instead, it is how well that reward matches up with expectations. Receiving a 10% pay rise when you were expecting 1% will make you feel happier than receiving 10% when you had been expecting 20%. This difference between an expected and an actual reward is referred to as a reward prediction error. Reward prediction errors have a key role in learning. They motivate people to repeat behaviors that led to unexpectedly large rewards. But they also enable people to update their beliefs about the world, which is rewarding in itself. Could it be that reward prediction errors are associated with happiness mainly because they help us understand the world a little better than before? To test this idea, University College London researchers Robb Rutledge and Bastien Blain designed a task in which the likelihood of receiving a reward was unrelated to the size of the reward. Many people think they would be happier if they had more money, Dr. Rutledge said. However, we previously developed an equation for happiness showing that happiness depends not on how much reward you get, but whether you are doing better than expected. In the study, the scientists conducted two experiments with human volunteers, where they had to pick which car would win a race. If their chosen car won, they got a reward. They knew what the potential prize was before they decided which car to bet on, but they could only learn from experience which car was more likely to win the race. In one scenario, one of the cars was consistently more likely to win, so the participants could learn after a few races that they should pick that car to win, and increase their chance of winning. They should only bet on the slower car when the prize was really large. The other scenario was more volatile, as which car was best would change up unexpectedly every so often. The authors found that reward size did not impact happiness; rather, participants were happier when they were able to learn which car was better, even when the reward size was low. Being in an environment that changes a lot reduced their overall happiness, particularly among people with depressive symptoms. We found that happiness depends on learning, but surprisingly, it doesnt depend on reward, Dr. Blain said. Whether study participants got small or large rewards didnt matter for their happiness. The teams results were published online in the journal eLife. _____ Bastien Blain & Robb B. Rutledge. 2020. Momentary subjective well-being depends on learning and not reward. eLife 9: e57977; doi: 10.7554/eLife.57977 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Switzerland on Wednesday planned to extend the closure of bars, restaurants and leisure facilities until the end of February in a bid to control stubbornly high COVID-19 case numbers. "The situation is not good; frankly, it's bad," Health Minister Alain Berset told a press conference in the capital Bern. The pandemic "is not decreasing and remains at a very high level". The restrictions, which had been due to last until January 22, are set to be extended for a further five weeks. The government will consult the regional cantons on the proposals before a final decision on January 13. Switzerland's pandemic restrictions have not been as strict as in other European countries. However, "the epidemiological situation remains tense: the number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths, as well as the burden on health workers, remains very high," the government said in a statement. Switzerland, population 8.6 million, recorded nearly 4,800 new cases and 65 new deaths on Wednesday, taking its totals to 468,427 cases and 7,400 fatalities. The Federal Council said it could not see case numbers decreasing significantly in coming weeks and therefore envisaged extending the measures first imposed in late December. Furthermore, the discovery of "new, more contagious" coronavirus variants in Britain and South Africa "increases the likelihood of an upsurge". The government said it would take steps to mitigate the economic consequences of extending the restrictions. From Saturday it was ending exemptions from the existing rules for cantons where the virus was less prevalent. "The Federal Council thus wants to prevent shopping tourism and gastronomic tourism between cantons and strengthen acceptance of the measures," it said. Switzerland has found the new coronavirus mutation in 28 samplesall people who arrived from Britain, or people with whom they had been in contact. "This new variant could behave like a new pandemic within the pandemic," Virginie Masserey, head of the health ministry's infection control department, said Tuesday. Switzerland was the first continental western European country to start its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, doing so on December 23 with the Pfizer-BioNTech jab. With the doses already received from manufacturers, Switzerland can vaccinate the most vulnerable 2.7 percent of the population, said Berset. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP Fischmann will provide strategic guidance to better serve Operative's customers and contribute to further scaling AOS in the MVPD market. AOS, a technology platform for advertising, is built with a modern cloud-based architecture that simplifies the buying and selling process by uniting traditional linear TV with digital assets. Most recently Fischmann was VP of Product Management at Xandr and brings to Operative extensive experience commercializing advanced advertising, across linear, OTT, and addressable, for media sales organizations such as Xandr, DirecTV, and Spectrum Cable. Reporting directly to Andrew Sullivan, SVP of Product Strategy at Operative, Fischmann will provide product strategy related to optimizing premium video advertising's buy and sell-side operational processes. Lorne Brown, CEO of Operative said of Fischmann's hire, "With over 15 years of experience developing products that provide optimization and efficiency across the MVPD market, Hans will be an integral part in further advancing Operative's ability to continue to build out AOS to support our customers. Having crossed paths with him several times over the course of our careers, I can truly say he will be a tremendous asset for our organization." "Operative has a unique vantage on the industry and brings efficiencies to the premium video eco-system through workflow automation, converged inventory solutions, and deal flexibility," said Fischmann. "AOS helps our customers to unlock business models, improve packaging, and integrate new direct-to-consumer supply with existing inventory. Having stood up book-to-bill DDL, Addressable, and Converged platforms, I know firsthand that Operative is the partner of choice for efficient tools, operational extensibility, and fewer touchpoints to help automate every stage from proposal to execution." About Operative Operative is the preferred broadcast management for linear and digital, and a software partner for over 300 of the world's top media brands, including NBCU, CBS, ABC, AT&T, STARZ, Star India, Seven Australia and Sky. No other software company brings a comparable depth of experience to create truly innovative software that performs across all platforms, revenue models, and business units. Since 2000, Operative has grown to over 1200+ employees in 12 offices around the world and processes more than $40 billion in linear and digital advertising revenue for the best-known companies in the industry. For more information, visit www.operative.com SOURCE Operative Media Related Links https://www.operative.com City approves first reading of temporary medical marijuana ordinance With state officials still putting together the oversight rules for medical marijuana establishments, local governments need temporary ordinances. The Grammys have become the latest awards show to be pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic. CBS and the Recording Academy released a joint statement Tuesday night saying that the event would be postponed from Sunday, Jan. 31 to Sunday, March 14, 2021. The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do, the statement said. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show. The statement came from Harvey Mason Jr., chair and interim president of the Recording Academy; Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music, live events and alternative programming at CBS; and Ben Winston, executive producer of the Grammys. Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, was set to host the Grammys this month on CBS. The nominations were announced in November. Grammy nominees with local ties include New MIlfords Jack Antonoff, Wiillingboro and Pennsaukens Ant Clemons, Unions Nija Charles, Pleasantville native Rodney Darkchild Jerkins and Body Count, the metal band fronted by Ice-T, the gangsta rap pioneer and Newark native who grew up in Summit and lives in Edgewater. After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd #GRAMMYs to be broadcast Sunday, March 14, 2021. More details: https://t.co/JyrHZ7JpQi pic.twitter.com/MoZLLoEEgx Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) January 5, 2021 Halsey, the pop star who grew up in Washington, Warren County, criticized the Grammys after she was left out of the nominations this year alongside other artists including The Weeknd, who called the Grammys corrupt after his No. 1 song Blinding Lights, a standout hit in 2020, didnt receive any recognition. (The song, released in 2019, just made history by charting in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in three consecutive years.) Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? he tweeted. In my opinion zero nominations = youre not invited! The Grammys are an elusive process, Halsey said on Instagram in November. It can often be about behind the scenes private performances, knowing the right people, campaigning through the grapevine, with the right handshakes and bribes that can be just ambiguous enough to pass as not-bribes. And if you get that far, its about committing to exclusive TV performances and making sure you help the Academy make their millions in advertising on the night of the show. The Grammys news follows a series of COVID-19 postponements for major awards shows. In June, the 2021 Oscars, originally planned for Feb. 28, were rescheduled for Sunday, April 25 on ABC. This extended the eligibility period for films to Feb. 28, accommodating postponed movies like The Many Saints of Newark, the Sopranos prequel movie set in and filmed in New Jersey, which is set to be released March 12 in theaters and on HBO Max (the original release date was Sept. 25, 2020). The Golden Globes, which traditionally precede the Oscars and take place in January, are now taking place Feb. 28, the original date of the Oscars. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host on NBC. The Emmys went virtual with host Jimmy Kimmel in September, sending people in full-body hazmat suits to stand outside nominees homes with statuettes in case they won. The 2020 Tony Awards, meanwhile, were postponed from June 7 and have still not transpired after the Broadway shutdown shrunk the pool of nominees to shows that premiered by February 19, 2020. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) -- First responders are now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine in Indiana. Here locally, several law enforcement officers have taken their first dose. West Lafayette Police Chief Troy Harris, Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly, and Tippecanoe County Sheriff Bob Goldsmith are among those now vaccinated against the virus. These leaders are each approaching the process differently when it comes to enforcing their staff and officers get the shot. Some are making it a priority to be taken while others say it's a choice. "This is the first step to a new normal," said Harris. As the battle against coronavirus continues globally, he believes this vaccine is a strong way to win the fight. "I've encouraged all of our staff, all our officers to get it and I thought it was important that I go first to show how important I thought it was," said Harris. Sheriff Goldsmith joins Harris in getting his first dose of the vaccine this week. He also agrees getting the vaccine should be a personal choice for officers. "At first I was on the fence, and then I was like absolutely not and then I thought about it more, and if there's anything I can do to protect myself and my family that's what I want to do," said Goldsmith. Chief Harris said it's ultimately their choice, but he is encouraging his officers to take this opportunity to get vaccinated. Sheriff Goldsmith is taking a different approach with not wanting to persuade his deputies one way or the other. "It's a choice, that they need to make on their own and I'm not going to do anything to persuade them and either way, it's a decision they need to make," said Goldsmith. Chief Flannelly is taking the opposite approach from Goldsmith. Although none of these agencies can legally force their officers to take the vaccine, Flannelly said he's expecting his officers to take it and those with underlying health issues or religious restrictions are the only exception. "They're running from call to call every day they're going from one home to another," said Flannelly. "For them, there's no way to avoid this. There's no working from home, there's no way to isolate yourself." He said they're required to get their shots against hepatitis and other viral infections they could come in contact with on the job and the Covid-19 vaccine shouldn't be seen any differently. "The FDA has approved these vaccines," said Flannelly. "There's been no information or no evidence to suggest that there's any more danger from these vaccines than any other vaccine and the expectation is our personnel would have to take those other vaccines as well so this really is no different." For officers getting vaccinated this week, second doses will be administered in four to six weeks. First responders are among the Phase One group of eligible people to be vaccinated. There are a total of three phases according to the CDC. Our Lady of the Lake hospital began distributing doses of coronavirus vaccines at its north Baton Rouge campus Wednesday to regular elderly patients and has plans to expand those efforts to other sites in the coming days. Hospital officials said they started those injections at the Airline Highway complex one day after the state Department of Health informed hospitals statewide they could start giving their unused allocations of vaccine doses to inoculate those 70 and older and those in other eligible groups. Baton Rouge General plans to be begin vaccinating on Friday people who are among the 80,000 existing patients within the hospital's system and are also now eligible for the vaccine. Scheduling began Wednesday and vaccinations will start at the Mid City and Bluebonnet campuses and expand to the new Ascension campus in Prairieville soon, hospital officials said. Those first steps at wider vaccination among those and other regional hospitals came as medical leaders described on Wednesday surging patient numbers even before the full effect of Christmas and New Year's has taken hold. Dr. Catherine O'Neal, chief medical officer of Our Lady of the Lake, said the hospitals in the Baton Rouge market admitted 24 COVID-19 patients in 24 hours on Monday, the second highest one-day admission during the pandemic. The highest was 25 patients in one day over the summer but cases quickly dropped off after that high. This time, cases have building for weeks, she said. "It seems to be our most sustained peak yet and doesn't look like it's stopping today," O'Neal said. +3 As coronavirus vaccinations lag, Louisiana hospitals to expand shots to elderly, health workers With vaccinations lagging three weeks into the states effort, Louisianas health agency this week directed hospitals to start inoculating the The OLOL's hospitals in the Baton Rouge market had 101 COVID-19 patients Wednesday, nearly one-seventh of the 676 total patients. All those COVID-19 patients have an impact on patients with other ailments and are holding the hospital's ability to get patients beds. Baton Rouge General had 71 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday. Previously hospitals' share of the vaccine doses had been limited to frontline health-care workers, but state officials said Tuesday they would open up access to the hospitals' unused allocations of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as uptake from hospital staff statewide has been slower than expected. Pharmacies did receive 10,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week for the those 70 and older and for a broader category of health workers in the general public, but, spread across 107 outlets, the supply has quickly been outstripped by demand and waiting lists have already developed. About 7,000 of the 17,000 employees in Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System -- the Louisiana system that encompasses Our Lady of the Lake -- have been inoculated so far. The system has received about 10,000 doses so far. Baton Rouge General has vaccinated about 1,600 of its 3,500 employees so far, said Meghan Parrish, hospital spokeswoman. In the Ochsner Health System, about 16,000 of 32,000 employees statewide have been vaccinated, officials said Wednesday. Officials with Ochsner and Our Lady of the Lake said some of their employees were waiting until after the holiday break or wanted to see how those who took the first doses had fared. At Our Lady of the Lake, O'Neal added, she was constantly battling false rumors about the vaccine that were leading to some hesitancy among employees during the early stages of staff vaccination in mid-December. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "The wariness of this vaccine, especially from social media myths, has been difficult, and it's hard to argue against something that has no scientific basis," O'Neal said. But employees' seeing the first few hundred workers get the vaccine and not have problems has helped break that initial hesitancy as people have also returned from the holidays. Still, O'Neal said she was unable to say how long it would take to fully vaccinate all the system's employees. +9 Elderly people receive first doses of coronavirus vaccine at pharmacies around Baton Rouge Rougly 100 pharmacies across Louisiana, including 23 in the Baton Rouge area, began administering doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to elderly and particularly vulnerable members of the public on Tuesday. Officials with Ochsner and OLOL said they were limiting doses for those 70 and older at first to patients who are already in their medical records systems in a move aimed at efficiently getting out as many doses as possible and for follow-up. Both vaccines require two doses administered weeks apart. "I think we all understand time ... needs to be considered in all of this. 'Cause the more people we get vaccinated, the sooner we get out of this pandemic and can go back to a more normal life," said Dr. Robert Hart, chief medical officer for Ochsner Health. Ochsner officials said around 205,000 people 70 and older were in their health records system and that they were informing them about the available doses with the email messages. Those message were going out in batches. About 1,000 of those patients had been given doses already as of Wednesday. Ochsner's pharmacies, however, are offering vaccines to anyone 70 and older or in the other eligible categories. Baton Rouge General officials weren't strictly limiting their doses to patients in their system but also were only initially calling and emailing those 80,000 established patients. Parrish said the effort to reach out to those patients was being done in batches, so she urged patience. "Demand far outpaces supply at this point," Parrish, Baton Rogue General's spokeswoman, said. "Were very happy so many people are interested in the vaccine, but we urge them to be patient as we work through vaccinating thousands of people." Our Lady of the Lake officials said the system's physician group alone has 59,000 people who are 70 or older and they used that list, which has available contact information, to start reaching out to patients about the vaccines. O'Neal said people would be in Our Lady of the Lake's records system if they had previously seen one of the hospital's physicians and specialists. Our Lady of the Lake officials didn't immediately say how many had been vaccinated on the first day at the north Baton Rouge campus, a combined primary and urgent care clinic and emergency room run in cooperation with LSU. Uncertainty in the national vaccine distribution continues to leave hospital officials grappling with how to plan out inoculations. Scott Wester, president and chief executive officer of Our Lady of the Lake, said he could not provide a percentage of what share of vaccines would be set aside for the elderly and others. Hospitals aren't finding out what the next allocations of new doses will be until a few days before they arrive. "It's extremely fluid, as you can imagine," Wester said. He said he expected to have a better idea next week about how many doses Our Lady of the Lake will be able to deliver outside the main hospital. The Netflix series "Cobra Kai" is the hottest show on television. The third season of the series, which premiered on Jan. 1, is drawing rave reviews and is one of the streaming services most popular shows. While an incredible success, in an interview that ran on June 13, 2016 in The Gazette before an appearance at Denver Comic Con, series star Ralph Macchio seemed less than enthusiastic about reprising one of his most famous roles. He also discussed why he would eventually embrace his most endearing characters after being initially reluctant. Gazette: Have you been to Denver or Colorado before? Macchio: Yes, I did a few weeks in 1996 in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the musical, at the Buell Theater. It was great. Except it took me about three performances for me to be able to breathe through it because of the altitude. It was a major adjustment. I went up to Vail for a bit on my day off but haven't been back since so Im excited to get there. Gazette: I noticed you were in Orlando and Phoenix for conventions in May and a Karate Kid screening in April. What do you enjoy about these pop culture events? Macchio: The screenings are fun because its like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, everyone knows the lines to these movies. They yell out lines and dress like the characters and then when I come out for some Q&A, I cannot explain the enthusiasm. The same thing goes for these events (cons), you make people happy in a world where thats not always the case. It affords that opportunity for fans to connect. For me its an opportunity to hear stories about characters Ive played that have effected people in a positive way. Its a win-win for both sides. The fans are so excited. Theres a nostalgia to it because some of these films have molded peoples childhood in some way and that doesnt happen too often. Gazette: It used to be that actors hated being associated with a career defining character. Youve had a great career and there are two particular characters from two distinctly different movies who seem to resonant with everyone. You seem to embrace this. Was it always that way for you? Macchio: I think about 15 years ago I would have been like, I dont want to talk about this again. Youre constantly trying to reinvent yourself on every level, whether as an actor, writer or director. Its part of the process but its not so easy to do and sometimes its not achieved. How I look at it at this point is that Id cut out a number of opportunities if I didn't talk about The Karate Kid. Thats just kind of foolish. And it would send a message to the people who were inspired by that film. Its a slap in the face to the people that took that role to heart. So to me, I take it as a responsibility and a privilege that I got to play a role that did this much for so many people. Outside of all the fun pop culture stuff, the wax on, wax off, the sweep the leg the get him a body bag or the silly stuff that goes along with it, its still a movie where you cheer the protagonist at the end because you feel you relate to that guy. But 15 years ago, yeah, Id of dragged my feet a bit more. And the truth is, yes, it does get wearing after a while but you try to balance it with other things and other work and you try and promote new stuff that you have going. But to turn your back on what got you there is silly. Gazette: The cultural impact of the films youve been in has touched generations of audiences. For example, I was telling to my 16-year old daughter that I was going to interview you and the first words out of her mouth were, Stay gold, Ponyboy. Whats it like being associated with something so deeply embedded in pop culture? Macchio: Its wonderful. That book has been around way before my career ever started, it was written in 1967 and I read it when I was 12 years old and I was just lucky enough to get one of the best parts in it. It was a heck of a cast and I love talking about The Outsiders. Gazette: Im sure youve heard stories like this before but I have to share this with you. Just so you know, my wife and her friends, as freshmen in high school, loved The Outsiders. A film full of a bunch of good-looking guys appealed to teenage girls. Who knew? Anyway, they had this Outsiders Club and in order to get into it, you had to answer questions about the film to prove that you really knew your stuff. Want to see how well youd do? Macchio: I havent watched it in a while and havent read the book in years but lets see how I do. This sounds fun. Gazette: They have eight or ten questions but Ill only give you three. Macchio (laughing): That sounds about right. Gazette: Okay, lets get started. Are you tuff? Macchio: Am I tough? Is Johnny tough? I remember saying Mustangs are tough. That was my line in the movie. I would think he says hes not tough. Am I wrong? Gazette: No, he does say he's tough. Macchio: Shows you what I know. I was overanalyzing it. Give me another one. This is going to be an epic fail. Lets go again. (Editors note: I owe Ralph an apology. Dallas says hes tough, NOT Macchios Johnny Cade. And I had just watched the movie the weekend before I talked to him.) Gazette: The quiz continues. Question two - Have you seen The Outsiders at least twice? Macchio: Yes. From the first screening back in 1983, I dont know how many times Ive seen it. There was a directors cut complete novel version. Ive seen that twice. But Ive seen the original film, in the 33 years since it came out, Ive probably seen it about 8 times. It could be more than that. Gazette: Last Outsiders quiz question. Keep in mind this last question was written by my wife when she was 14, not by me. Do you think Matt has a hot bod? Macchio: Do I think Matt Dillon has a hot bod? In 2016 or in The Outsiders? Gazette: Either one. Macchio (laughing): Since hes a friend of mine Id have to say yes. I mean come on. He was like a young Paul Newman or Marlon Brando. He just had that charisma. He was a matinee idol that could deliver great performances and hes been Oscar nominated at least once. Ive known him a long time and he was Dallas Winston. He just killed it. Gazette: Reboots and revisiting successful films from the past has never been more popular. Has anyone talked to you about doing a reboot of the Karate Kid franchise with you reprising your role as Daniel LaRusso in a mentor role, training a young protege? Macchio: Thats been pitched to me for years from the guy who delivers my mail to the guy at the hardware store to the butcher. It all comes down to the script. Fifteen years ago Id want to shoot myself but now, with Sylvester Stallone playing Rocky in Creed and theyre doing Fuller House and bringing back stuff from that time thats attractive to audiences, but the script really would have to be great. And if it isnt it just taints the legacy of what youve done to begin with. Thats precisely why I didnt want to be involved in the 2010 remake. I just said, Let them make their own movie. Theres too much risk for the reward of doing something, even a cameo, if it doesnt turn out to be great. But if someone ever wrote the script, if Robert Kamen who wrote the original films and created these characters, wanted to back and figure out a way, sure wed all look at it and embrace that. But I dont know. Sometimes things are better left in the past. Why hasn't there been a sequel to E.T.? Because Spielberg just feels that those kids and that story were the faces of that time. We dont have Pat Morita so we cant harken back to that. And no one necessarily wants to see Daniel LaRusso as a man. You dont mind seeing me in other roles but how I looked with the headband and the whole thing is pop culture now. I would say unless the script is great, I would stay away from it, as I have. Gazette: Lets get back to the present. What are you up to now and what projects do you have on the horizon? Macchio: I just finished a play entitled A Room of My Own in New York. It was a sold-out run and were looking to move it uptown and discussing it as a half-hour comedy for cable television. So Im excited about the potential of that. I was just offered something, a recurring role on an HBO series. Ill have more information on that very soon. I have a film called Lost Cat Corona coming out later this year (Ed. note - You can check out the trailer for that here.). And I have a couple of other things in my back pocket that Im hoping will materialize. Gazette: DCC occurs on Fathers Day weekend. Any messages for all the dads out there? Macchio: I realized that after I committed. Im away for Fathers Day! This year Im getting a barbecue although it means more work for me (laughing). Ive always been a hands-on dad. Ironically for me my career slowed down a bit at the point where I had my kids so the good part about that is I got to be around. Its a very fleeting time that your kids are in the house. Im a quasi-empty nester so make sure you take those moments and enjoy them. Another thing about parenthood is that its not seasonal. Youre a parent forever. It only keeps going. Its the greatest reward but also challenges you as well. Its the toughest job in the world but as long as they keep coming back to the nest and know where home is, we can say we did a pretty good job. I have great relationships with both my kids and Im blessed with that. And they are too. Gazette media columnist Terry Terrones is a member of the Television Critics Association. You can follow him on Twitter at @terryterrones. Help India! By Md Asif Khan, TwoCircles.net Finally, the year 2020 is over and the world is now welcoming the new year and hoping the new year will bring a sigh of relief for the people of the world. The year 2020 will be remembered for the coronavirus pandemic, which impacted the whole world. Covid-19 pandemic broke out in the early part of 2020 and quickly spread across the world. Support TwoCircles India recorded its first case of Covid-19 on 30 January in Kerala. Like the rest of the world, India also got affected by this deadly virus. While 1.3 billion people of India were facing the virus, however, the Indian Muslims were facing much more than just the coronavirus they were facing the ordeal of a communal virus as well. In the early part of 2020, when the entire world was celebrating the new year, Indian Muslims were protesting against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across the country and were mourning the death of more than 25 Muslims who were killed during the riots and violence against the anti-CAA protesters. At that time some parts of the world were facing a virus, which possibly came from bats, but Indian Muslims were facing a more deadly virus which was unleashed by the elite mainstream Indian media and right-wingers. That virus was the communal virus. The section of elite Indian Media and BJP leaders were constantly targeting Indian Muslim protesters, accusing them of being anti-national, they were being called traitors and pro-Pakistan for exercising their democratic rights. In February, when American President Donald Trump was visiting India, the capital city of Delhi was burning. Muslims, who were protesting against CAA, were attacked in North East Delhi. New Delhi was burning for 4 days and Muslims were facing carnage, their houses and properties were attacked by rioters. More than 50 people lost their lives, and several mosques were attacked in anti-Muslim violence. Following this violence, the elite Indian Media and right-wing groups started blaming Muslim protesters for the violence. Delhi Police and BJP govt started targeting Muslim students, activists and many Muslim were framed and incarcerated by Delhi Police. They are still languishing in jail. The elite Indian media made them villains through extensive propaganda. In March 2020, the deadly coronavirus started spreading in India. The Modi government failed to take appropriate steps to control the virus. Prime Minister Modi announced a nation-wide lockdown on 24th March to tackle the spread of the virus. Due to the lockdown, everyone got stuck at whichever place they were at. Soon, news surfaced that out 1000 people were trapped in Nizamuddin Markaz, Delhi. Nizamuddin Markaz is the headquarters of Tablighi Jamat, a Muslim missionary group. As this episode unfolded, the sections of elite India Media started injecting a communal virus into peoples mind. They blamed Muslims for the pandemic and accused Muslims of deliberately spreading the virus in the country to demean Modi government. The elite Indian Media declared it an international conspiracy against India, dangerously naming it Corona Jihad. Muslims were called Corona Bomb by sections of this elite Indian Media. It was a difficult time for the Indian Muslims and the entire community was systematically targeted and blamed for the pandemic. Common Muslims were attacked on the streets, they faced abuses and physical violence. One member of Tablighi Jamaat committed suicide because of taunts and harassment he had faced. People refused to buy anything from Muslims. Hospitals refused to admit Muslim patients because of the medias propaganda. The elite Indian Media was trying their best to blame Muslims for every problem in the country for example, when migrant labourers gathered outside Bandra Railway Station in Mumbai and started demanding transportation for their native places, this elite media blamed Muslims and falsely accused them of deliberately creating chaos and violating physical distancing norms. Police filed cases against many Muslims including foreigners who came to India to attend a congregation of Tablighi Jamaat. Later on, all of them were acquitted by High Courts in India. But no action was taken against journalists who were spreading the communal virus in the country. Indian Govt started the unlock process after May and soon people started forgetting about the pandemic and Tablighi Jamaat episode. But after a few months, a new strain of communal virus attacked Indian Muslims in the form of Love Jihad Law. BJP ruled states passed an anti-conversion law to target interfaith marriage and couples. This was another tool to target Muslim men as within just one month after passing of this law, 51 people were arrested in Uttar Pradesh alone. By the end of the year 2020, Muslims faced yet another episode of violence from Hindutva groups as mosques were attacked, Muslims properties were damaged in Madhya Pradesh. The year 2020 started with violence and ended with violence against Indian Muslims. By the end of 2020, many countries had come up with a vaccine against coronavirus but Indian Muslims are still waiting for a vaccine which will protect them from the deadly communal virus. Chandigarh, Jan 6 : Owing to his 'anti-farmer' stand by bringing three farm laws that the farmers have been demanding to revoke, the highest religious body of the Sikh community, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has decided that Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't be extended the special invite for the Sikh centenary events. Normally, the SGPC extends special invites to the Prime Minister and the President on historical occasions. "We have decided not to extend any special invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming centenary events, including the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur," SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur said. The reason, she cited, was the Prime Minister's reluctance to revoke the three laws that the farmers fear will affect their livelihoods. At the same time, the SGPC chief said, "Anyone can come to attend any religious function of the Sikhs." Earlier, Modi was the chief guest at the event to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak in November 2019. Now, the SGPC is going to start year-long celebrations for the 400th birth anniversary of the ninth Sikh master, Guru Teg Bahadur, from April. Bibi Jagir Kaur also demanded the reopening of the Kartarpur corridor that links Dera Baba Nanak town in Gurdaspur district with Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Shakargarh tehsil in Narowal district of Pakistan. "Keeping in mind the sentiments of the sangat (community), the government of India should reopen the corridor that was temporarily shut due to the coronavirus pandemic," she added. In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, travel for Kartarpur Sahib was suspended on March 16, 2020, by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Modi on November 9, 2019, had opened the Kartarpur corridor by flagging off the first lot of pilgrims to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, believed to have been built on the site where Guru Nanak died in the 16th century, located some 4 km inside Pakistan. Press Release January 6, 2021 Drilon: PHL should build Covid-19 vaccine confidence Senate Minority Franklin M. Drilon underscored the urgency to build Covid-19 vaccine confidence following the findings of OCTA Research that only 25% of respondents in Metro Manila are willing to be inoculated with an anti-coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available in the country. "It shows the urgency to strengthen the people's confidence in vaccines and the need for the government to adhere to a science-based process in deciding which vaccines to bring in. Public confidence is critical to the successful inoculation of our people," Drilon said on Wednesday. "The government must address this high vaccine hesitancy. The reluctance to participate in Covid-19 immunization program, if not immediately addressed, will spell trouble in the future and can jeopardize efforts to contain the pandemic," he stressed. Based on the survey, 28% of the 600 respondents from Metro Manila aged 18 and up have said that they would not get the vaccine and 47% have answered they have not decided whether they want to get inoculated with an anti-Covid-19 vaccine. For the immunization against Covid-19 virus to succeed, it is critical to maintain a high level of vaccination rate or at least 60 million Filipinos, Drilon said. The government aims to vaccinate at least 60 million Filipinos in the next three to five years. Out of the many stumbling blocks that the government has yet to hurdle when it comes to the worldwide Covid-19 immunization efforts, Drilon said addressing vaccine hesitancy can be the most challenging. He added the controversy on the illegal entry and use of unauthorized vaccines in the country by some members of the Presidential Security Group and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators employees only exacerbated confusion and distrust among Filipinos. Drilon said the people are wary about the safety of the vaccines, especially that there are issues pertaining to the efficacy of some of the vaccines that the government is eyeing to bring in the country. "We must overcome this growing distrust and hesitancy. We can achieve this by being transparent and by providing Filipinos proper information on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines that we will use in the country," Drilon said. "We must get the best vaccines. Buy substandard vaccines, people will refuse vaccination and we will never be able to get out of this pandemic," he said. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the recovery of the loss to the state exchequer and the government compensation, paid to the families bereaved in Muradnagar crematorium roof collapse that killed at least 25 persons on January 3, from the persons responsible for the tragedy including the engineers and the contractor. This is the first time that such a step has been taken, said a state government statement. Till Tuesday, five suspects including the prime suspect were arrested. The Ghaziabad police have arrested Niharika Singh, executive officer of Muradnagar Nagar Palika, besides CP Singh, a junior engineer and Ashish Kumar, a supervisor, as well as the prime suspect, contractor Ajay Tyagi. His alleged accomplice Sanjay Garg, who is a contractor of another private firm, was also arrested. Yogi also warned that in case the construction quality of any government project was found to be sub-standard anywhere in the state, the district magistrate and divisional commissioner will face the music along with contractors and engineers. Yogi also said that a task force had already been constituted to check the quality of construction works carried out by the government departments in every district. It would conduct surprise checks of all construction works in projects with costs exceeding Rs 50 lakh. The chief minister also instructed officers to conduct surprise quality checks on every major project thrice at three different stages and document it. He also cautioned officials against any laxity and said the most stringent punishment will be handed out to those failing to meet quality standards in construction. Also Read: Muradnagar roof collapse: NHRC issues notice to Uttar Pradesh govt The chief minister asked officials of the urban development department to stick to quality norms and guidelines. He said if quality of work was found to be sub-standard, then the contractors, engineers as well as the responsible administrative officers should be prepared to face action taken by the state government. The CM ordered action under NSA against those responsible for the Muradnagar incident. He said the strictest action should be taken in the case to make an example for the rest of Uttar Pradesh. The CM also sought an explanation from the commissioner and the district magistrate in the matter. Yogi instructed officials to provide an assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased in the Muradnagar tragedy. The CM also asked officers to provide houses to homeless dependents of the victims. Edtech platform Kyt on Wednesday said it has raised USD 5 million (about Rs 36.5 crore) in funding led by Alpha Wave Incubation (AWI), a venture fund managed by Falcon Edge Capital. The series A round also saw participation from Sequoia Capital India's Surge, January Capital, Titan Capital and other angel investors, a statement said. ''The funds raised will be used for deeper investment in technology and product, to enhance the overall experience of the students and to accelerate global expansion. Kyt already has students from India, UAE and Singapore and is looking to scale its footprint to the US, Canada, UK and Australia,'' it added. As part of this investment from AWI, Kyt will expand its operations to Abu Dhabi and use the Emirate as its regional headquarters for targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and other global markets, the statement said. Kyt is also working on building a team of data scientists, product managers and engineers located in Abu Dhabi. Founded in June 2020, Kyt runs online-only extracurricular courses by combining live classes with video-based revision materials for children from ages 5-15 years, in a full-stack model. It offers one-on-one and small group sessions for courses such as yoga, dance, music, chess and others. The company is backed by prominent angel investors including Allen Penn, Kunal Bahl, Rohit Bansal, Amrish Rau, Kunal Shah, Jitendra Gupta, Martin Li, Apremeya Radhakrishna, Anand Chandrasekaran and Akhil Paul. ''With Kyt, we are going beyond the conventional academic learning by building an academy that nurtures holistic and all-round development of children. It is essential to foster children's interests and encourage learning that equips them with creative and real-world skills; thereby molding their individual strengths and making them more confident,'' Kyt co-founder and CEO Bhavik Rathod said. This new investment will help boost the company's efforts in providing a well-structured curriculum, designed by pedagogy experts and education consultants to help each child realise their potential, he added. The platform has more than 20 teachers onboard and plans to increase this to 500, over the next 12 months. It has secured exclusive partnerships with top educators and artists, including Indian Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, Mumbai-based vocalists Kamakshi and Vishala, Philippines' hip-hop legend Ruel Varindani, and celebrity yoga instructor Sabrina Merchant. Kyt plans to add more courses, including speech and debate, spelling bees, guitar and keyboard among others, the statement said. Cabinet extends list of goods allowed for sale amid upcoming lockdown Over the next days, the government is expected to brief citizens on more details of scheduled restrictions. Reporting by UNIAN If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter (@FahadShabbir) The United Nations has welcomed the decision by Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic relations and reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in a press briefing on Tuesday UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th January, 2021) The United Nations has welcomed the decision by Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic relations and reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in a press briefing on Tuesday. On Monday, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah said that Saudi Arabia would lift its sea, air and land blockade of Qatar ahead of Tuesday's summit of Persian Gulf leaders. "We welcome the announcement to open the airspace, land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar," Haq said. "We hope that all countries involved in the dispute will act positively to continue to resolve their differences and stress the importance of Gulf unity for regional peace and development. " Final arrangements on the travel resumption are expected to be made at the ongoing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is attending the event for the first time since 2017. Qatar has been under a diplomatic and economic blockade since June 2017, when Saudi Arabia and other monarchies accused it of meddling and sponsoring terrorism. Doha has consistently denied the accusations, insisting that the neighbors' discontent with its economic successes was behind their hostile policies. The reconciliation has been brokered by the United States over the past few months, especially by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, who will be among attendees at the GCC summit. The agriculture ministry said Wednesday it has completed culling 13.6 million poultry as a preventive measure against the rising number of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases at local farms. Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' quarantine guidelines, all birds within a 3-kilometer radius of infected farms should be culled. They included 10.8 million chickens. The ministry confirmed an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N8 strain of bird flu at a duck farm in Eumseong, 131 kilometers south of Seoul. It has so far found 47 cases of the bird flu strain on local farms since late November. The government said it has issued a seven-day standstill order for all poultry farms in the county on top of culling the birds. Of the total reported cases at farms so far, Gyeonggi Province, surrounding Seoul, has accounted for 12, trailed by South Jeolla Province with 10. The number of cases reported among wild birds, meanwhile, has reached 58. (Yonhap) Michigan's election was secure and fair, and the results are accurate Michigan's election was secure and fair, and the results are accurate JANUARY 5, 2021 Members of Congress are expected to make false claims in partisan attempt to discredit election Michigans election was conducted fairly and securely, and the results accurately reflect the will of Michigan voters, the majority of whom cast ballots for President-elect Joe Biden. This was the most successful election in our states history, in which a record-setting 5.5 million citizens cast ballots, and clerks and election workers processed every vote meticulously, fairly and efficiently, despite the challenges of the pandemic, said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. There is no evidence of widespread election misconduct, as has been confirmed by President Trumps former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, as well as numerous election officials of both political parties, and state and federal judges and justices. Additionally, state and local election officials have conducted more than 100 post-election audits, all of which have demonstrated the integrity of Michigans election. Yet members of Congress are expected to parrot previously debunked false claims of election fraud on Wednesday in a partisan attempt to discredit Michigans election. By making false claims that undermine voters faith in our election, these elected officials demonstrate their shameless willingness to prioritize personal and partisan politics over the good of our country, said Benson. They dishonor every citizen who voted and the thousands of public servant election clerks and volunteer election workers who carried out this successful election. Voters should be wary of the disinformation that is shared on Wednesday. They can find accurate election information at Michigan.gov/SOSFactCheck, on Michigan Department of State social media accounts, and with their local and county election clerks. # # # For media questions, contact Tracy Wimmer at 517-281-1876. We welcome questions and comments at the Contact the Secretary of State page. Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424). Antifa terrorists threatened Senator Josh Hawley at his residence, uttered grave threats to his family as well. The Left is going on a rampage intimidating even senators, but the Democrats are not calling them out. The Left has continued their attack on the Republicans, even threatening a senator at his home. A group of leftists who support the Democrat party, according to Sen. Hawley, went to his residence in Washington. They threaten him and his family on a Monday night, but the Republican said the Leftist Antifa members would not scare him, reported The Epoch Times. He was very enraged when he was in Missouri; the hoodlums went by his home in D.C. Adding that they threatened his wife and baby daughter, who cannot leave their home. These individuals threatened, vandalized, even attempted to break open the door of their residence. Hawley stated that he would not be cowed by the Leftists' violence, posted on Twitter late Monday. One of the first senators said he would object to the fraudulent votes in several Democrat-led states. Part of his plan is to contest the counting of votes on January 6. Sources say the group called ShutDownDC that has links to the far-left Antifa network posted a video showing a group of people unlawfully harassing the Senator's family. They were in the northern suburbs of Virginia bordering D.C., spending an hour protesting and breaking the peace in typical leftist fashion. The post on Twitter by the misguided leftist Antifa terrorists threatening Senator Josh Hawley made their sentiments clear that no one can question them. Also read: VP Mike Pence Electoral College Count: The Last Stand on January 6 for Democracy On their website, the leftists stated that the Senator had no right to practice his prerogative in the upcoming Joint Sessions. This group wants no to question the legitimacy of votes that weren't Bidens on January 6. ShutDownDC was intimidating the Senator's decision to object at the electoral college votes, with 12 other Republican senators and an anticipated 140 Republican House members to stop Biden's move to win the oval office on January 6. Activist Patrick Young does not consider Hawley's Democratic exercise as his right and accused trying to silence them. Going a tirade using the race card and other inane reasons, he and his gang can harass the Senator's family. More than often, he and others make senseless statements. The group was not better than leftist protesters who loot and destroy property. Now, they are encouraged to terrorize the homes of the opposed to them, like fascists. When D.C. Police Department was asked to report the disturbance caused by these leftists; no answer has been received. The ShutDownDC group demands that hotels and lodging be closed when Trump supporters come on January 6. They are saying Trump supporters will cause violence if they are there. Contrary to what the group says, this is not true. Instead, Trump supporters are attacked first. During the Joint Session, the GOP has a right to contest the results in a process that Democrats want to curtail. If a House member and Senator agree, a process is started, but Mike Pence can invoke a special set of powers to break the tie. Antifa Terrorists Threaten Senator Josh Hawley at his home for exercising his right to contest the electoral college. Leftists will try everything to scare and intimidate those who against them. Related article: January 6: Congress to Convene on Rules in Regards to the Disputed Electoral College Count @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This years Kennedy Centre Honors will be a slimmed-down affair as the nation emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. The 43rd class of honorees includes country music legend Garth Brooks, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen, actor Dick Van Dyke, singer-songwriter Joan Baez and violinist Midori. They were being honoured Friday night at a medallion ceremony that had been delayed from December 2020. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin arrived in Sudan Wednesday, the first visit by a senior American official since President Donald Trump's administration removed the African country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Mnuchin landed in Khartoum's international airport, where he received by acting Finance Minister Heba Mohammed Ali, and U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Sudan Brian Shukan, the prime minister's office said in a statement. It is the first visit by a sitting U.S. treasury chief to Sudan, the statement said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in August became the first top American diplomat to visit Sudan since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited. Pompeo was also the most senior U.S. official to visit the African country since last year's ouster of Omar al-Bashir. Mnuchin arrived in Khartoum coming from a one-day-visit to Cairo, where he met with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. The visits were part of a flurry of activity during the final days of the Trump administration. Democrat Joe Biden becomes president on Jan. 20. The U.S. treasury secretary met with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and is scheduled to meet with other Sudanese leaders including Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council. The visit came ``at a time when our bilateral relations are taking historical leaps towards a better future. We're planning to make tangible strides today as our relations enter a (hash)NewEra,'' Hamdok tweeted. Mnuchin's one-day visit was focusing on the country's struggling economy and possible U.S. economic assistance, including potential debt relief, the statement said. Sudan today has more than $60 billion in foreign debt, and debt relief and access to foreign loans are widely seen as its gateway to economic recovery. Al-Bashir was ousted in April 2019 following a popular uprising, and Sudan is now ruled by a joint military and civilian government that seeks better ties with Washington and the West. Last month, Trump's administration finalized the removal of Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The move was a key incentive for the government in Khartoum to normalize relations with Israel. The two countries, Sudan and Israel, have agreed to have full diplomatic ties, making Sudan the third Arab state _ after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain _ to move to normalize relations with Israel late last year. Morocco also established diplomatic ties with Israel. Sudan's economy has suffered from decades of U.S. sanctions and mismanagement under al-Bashir, who had ruled the country since a 1989 Islamist-backed military coup. The designation dates back to the 1990s, when Sudan briefly hosted al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Short link: A blind man on a galloping horse could have foreseen problems with the NI Protocol, DUP MP Ian Paisley claimed as a Westminster committee discussed delays during the first few days of the regime. But freight boss Seamus Leheny of Logistics UK dismissed a call by the North Antrim MP that the protocol, which came into force last Thursday night, should be dropped. Mr Leheny gave evidence to Westminsters NI Affairs Committee about problems brought about the new checks and documentation rules under the protocol, which keeps NI in the EU single market for goods, with EU customs rules to be enforced at our ports. There have been hold-ups at ports in Great Britain - and some retailers have told their customers that they are no longer delivering to NI, or that deliveries are delayed. Read More Mr Leheny told the committee that a breakdown in communications between government agencies and the industry in Great Britain has helped create delays. He said that hold-ups at ports in Great Britain were partly because companies there had wrongly believed the grace periods to help the flow of supermarket goods into NI had meant no documentation is required. However, pre-notifications to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) are still required to be filed from GB ports. There is a yawning gap in the knowledge of those in Great Britain exporting to NI, Mr Leheny said. However, he praised staff at the department: Daera staff have been a credit to their organisation and have worked with companies and there has been leniency. In response to Mr Paisleys call that the scheme should be jettisoned and article 16 of the protocol invoked, Mr Leheny said that doing so would not be practical. Mr Paisley quoted Article 16, which permits the UK to act where application of the protocol leads to serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist, or to diversion of trade. It allows the UK to unilaterally take appropriate safeguard measures limited to whats strictly necessary to remedy the situation. Priority is given to measures which will least disturb the functioning of this protocol. Mr Paisley said he had heard from one freight boss in Antrim about problems with the scheme. He said the businessman told him in an email: The way the protocol is set up is a disaster for drivers, theyre parked up all over the UK with mountains of form-filling hindering trade, big time. This is costing us a clean fortune. Mr Paisley said to Mr Leheny: Surely you should be asking us today to invoke article 16. This isnt working. He added: A blind man on a galloping horse could have told you this would be a nightmare. We have to recognise that those who advocated the protocol have some responsibility for that. The protocol is now an impediment to trade. Youre in front of us today telling us the protocol is bad, but we told you so. The DUP was in favour of Brexit but voted against the trade deal concluded by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the EU, and last year voted against the withdrawal agreement which enshrined the protocol as a means to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. But Mr Leheny said in response: Whats the alternative? Before you invoke article 16 you need a realistic alternative. You cant just walk away and think something else will be better." "Industry here did support the backstop but the protocol is where we ended up because every alternative was rejected. The view of our industry is, lets make it work," he added. Mr Paisley said the protocol was "an unmitigated disaster". However Mr Leheny said: "No-one has said to me, lets invoke article 16, lets remove the protocol." "If you do that, you create another new set of problems and any benefit the protocol can deliver to NI is thrown away." Simon Hoare, the North Dorset MP who chairs the NI affairs committee, then intervened to move discussions on, lest we have the Mr Paisley and Mr Leheny show, though Im sure the ratings would be very good. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph Advertisement Luxury vehicles worth up to 150,000 were today spotted in a Cornish town popular with wealthy second home owners - but their numberplates reveal they were registered hundreds of miles away. Motors including a 40,000 BMW X3 and a 30,000 Land Rover Discovery Sport were also seen in car parks in the village of Rock, which is home to celebrities including chef Gordon Ramsay and comedian Harry Enfield. Numberplate records revealed the vehicles pictured were registered up to 400 miles away in places like London, East Anglia and Shrewsbury, suggesting they could be owned by motorists not from the area. Among the most expensive motors photographed in the coastal fishing village was a Bentley Bentayga V8 Auto costing upwards of 146,700 new and had been registered in Norwich in September 2019. The location of numberplate registration does not necessarily mean the car's owner is from the same area, and some of the vehicles could also be leased from companies based outside the region. However the range of locations seen on vehicles in Rock today suggest that a number of motorists there are not from Cornwall. It came as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall said high-profile figures have the chance to positively influence the nation by not travelling to the South West after the third national lockdown began. A Bentley Bentayga worth at least 146,700 is seen today in Rock, Cornwall. It was registered in Norwich in September 2019 This Mercededs ML 320 CDI Sport A pictured in the Cornish village of Rock today was registered in London in March 2009 This BMW X3 pictured in Rock this morning was registered in Exeter, Devon, just four months ago in September 2020 This Land Rover Discovery Sport R-DYN SE was registered in Shewsbury in July 2020 and pictured in Rock this morning Alison Hernandez said: 'We know Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are absolutely beautiful and it's totally understandable that people would want to spend time here. 'However, at a time when stopping the spread of this terrible virus is more important than ever, I must urge people not to make unnecessary journeys to the region. I would particularly like to appeal to celebrities and high-profile social media stars. 'By not conducting unnecessary trips to the region, you will be setting a fantastic example to the wider public and, in doing so, encouraging more people to stick to the rules. 'I would urge you to lead by example and together we will come through this. There will, of course, come a time when Devon and Cornwall can welcome back visitors with open arms. 'And while that time isn't now, I would urge you all to #ComeBackLater. This new strain of Covid-19 is spreading much faster and we must do everything we can to protect our residents and the NHS.' This BMW X4 M Competition Auto seen in Rock today has a personalised numberplate and was registered in December 2019 This Porsche Macan S was registered in Manchester in late 2019 and pictured at a car park in Rock this morning This BMW X5 XDrive 30D SE AUTO pictured in the Cornish village of Rock this morning was registered in London in April 2015 A BMW M440I XDrive MHEV Auto was registered in Exeter in October 2020 and pictured on a road in Rock this morning There have been cases of people journeying to the region to visit second homes, including one recent high profile incident which resulted in officers turning away five people from tier four areas on the Isles of Scilly. ** Are people travelling to second homes in your area? Please email: tips@dailymail.com ** Advertisement Princes William and Harry, actor Hugh Grant and producer Jemima Khan have been previously known to visit the exclusive resort of Rock which has been dubbed 'Britain's St Tropez' and the 'Kensington of Cornwall'. Ramsay was criticised during spring last year for moving to a 4.4million second home at Trebetherick in Cornwall in mid-March, shortly before the coronavirus crisis prompted the first nationwide lockdown. The Government has said people must not stay away overnight during the latest lockdown without a reasonable excuse, adding that visits to second homes are banned. Holidays in the UK and abroad are also not allowed, including staying in a second home or caravan. People must also not stay overnight with anyone they do not live with unless they are in a support bubble. An Audi Q3 S LINE was registered in Bournemouth in July 2015 and pictured in the Cornish village of Rock this morning A BMW 530I registered in Nottingham in May 2020 was also seen in a car park in Rock, Cornwall, this morning A Land Rover Freelander HSE TD4 registered in Exeter in July 2013 was also seen in a car park in Rock this morning The Cornish village of Rock (file picture) is home to celebrities including chef Gordon Ramsay and comedian Harry Enfield Some exceptions do apply such as if people are unable to return to their main residence, need accommodation while moving house or for work, or need accommodation to attend a funeral. Guest accommodation providers such as hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks may remain open for the specific reasons set out in law, including where guests need accommodation while moving house. This afternoon in London, Boris Johnson warned it would take time to ease lockdown restrictions in England which could be in place until the end of March. The Prime Minister said there was 'no choice' but to issue the stay-at-home order and close schools given the spread of coronavirus, particularly the more infectious new variant. Addressing MPs after the recall of the Commons from its Christmas break, Mr Johnson said there was now a race between the spread of the virus and the delivery of vaccines to the most vulnerable. ** Are people travelling to second homes in your area? Please email: tips@dailymail.com ** Until May 2020, the Indian food-delivery startup Zomatos fortunes seemed firmly tied to the purse strings of Chinas Alibaba Group Holding its largest investor owning nearly a third of the company via investment arm Ant Financial. Alibaba also had the required heft to lead the unicorns future funding rounds. No other single large influential investor was seen on the horizon. But what a difference a few months can make! Since May, Zomato has raised $660 million from non-Alibaba investors, including Tiger Global Management, sovereign wealth fund Temasek, Fidelity and Mirae. As Zomatos fortunes have delinked from that of Alibaba, so have the rest of Indias. The governments ban on Chinese investments in April last year after the border conflict was expected to jolt the startup ecosystem because of the perceived dependence on Chinese investments by Indian startups. Eight months on, the reality is starkly - and pleasantly - different. Since the ban, Indian startups have raised $6.6 billion across 438 rounds - from Seed to Series F and beyond; and from early stage ventures to established unicorns, according to data from Venture Intelligence. This is something that was really not expected - and certainly no one thought it would all go so smoothly. The earlier buzz created around Chinese investments was a bit unnecessary. China has been overplayed in India from a financial standpoint, said an investment banker who works on large internet deals, requesting anonymity. The dent has not been felt because Japanese, Korean and other investors have filled in. Tencent is perhaps the only dent felt because they were consistently writing cheques of $50 million and more, the person added. Even before the ban, the startup investment landscape in India was dominated by Japans SoftBank, South Africas Prosus (Naspers), Tiger Global and others, but Chinese investors did have a distinct place. Alibaba for instance held (and holds) serious stakes in Snapdeal, Paytm, Zomato and BigBasket; Tencent in Dream11, Byjus, Udaan and Swiggy- all among the countrys biggest startups, and most influential at some point. But these and other large firms have easily found other sources of capital the result of global liquidity where public and private market investors are more exuberant than ever. The funding gap from China has been filled by other investors - private equity, hedge funds and strategies. There is a flood of global liquidity and all asset classes are benefitting, said Ashish Sharma, CEO of Temasek-owned InnoVen Capital India, which provides debt to startups. Chinese investors such as Shunwei, CDH and Morningside Ventures, were active in Series A and B rounds as well. Newer non-Chinese investors including Koreas KB Global and Korea Investment Partners (KIP), Alpha Wave Incubation and many others have filled this void. From May, investors poured $613 million into 265 seed and Series A deals with both deal volume and value similar to previous years -- significant given the Covid-19 pandemic and the Chinese investments ban. Some Chinese investors invest $5-10 million in a startup, but neither do they lead the round - convince other investors or put the largest amount, nor do they decide the valuation. These investors have been the easiest to replace because there is a lot of capital available, said the banker cited above. With more than a dozen dedicated early-stage funds in India, and overseas firms cutting cheques now and then, there is arguably a glut in early-stage funding. In the early stage there is $5-6 billion of dry powder (uninvested capital), so I dont expect any meaningful impact from the absence of Chinese investors. In some oversubscribed funding rounds, Chinese investors are also being given an option to reduce their stake through secondaries, particularly in companies where they have a large stake, Sharma said. Even for large deals of $100 million and more, and in pre-IPO rounds at some firms, new investors have shown interest. T Rowe Price, Blackrock, DST Global and Fidelity have all either started selectively looking at Indian startups, or increased their presence in the last few months. Immediately after the ban, many startups had to reconfigure funding plans and look at different options overnight, but founders acknowledge that the transition has been far smoother than expected. It (having a Chinese investor) is something you mention in passing, not even a key topic anymore at board meetings, said a founder who has a Chinese investor, and did not want to be named. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has revealed almost none of the nation's developmental goals have been met since they were set in 2016. Mr Kim opened the first Workers' Party Congress in five years as the ruling party met in Pyongyang yesterday. Thousands of delegates and observers sat closely together - amid continuing claims the country has yet to see a single coronavirus case. Mr Kim gave an opening speech where he said the developmental goals set at the 2016 congress 'were not met in almost all areas to a great extent', according to the Korean Central News Agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (pictured) gave an opening speech where he said the developmental goals set at the 2016 congress 'were not met in almost all areas to a great extent' The Workers' Party Congress met in Pyongyang yesterday as thousands of delegates and observers sat closely together - amid continuing claims the country has yet to see a single coronavirus case He added: 'We should further promote and expand the successes and victories that we've achieved through our painstaking efforts but prevent us from having the painful lessons again.' He underlined the need for a new five-year plan to develop the economy and reviewed the state of North Korea's metal, chemical, electric and other key industries - setting unspecified tasks for future development. This year's congress comes as Mr Kim faces the toughest challenge of his nine-year rule because of what he has called 'multiple crises' - an economy hammered by pandemic-caused border closings, a series of natural disasters last summer and persistent US-led sanctions. The Workers' Party congress was revived by Kim in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus. Officially, the congress is the party's top decision-making body, though key day-to-day decisions are made by Mr Kim and his inner circle North Korea's year-long closure of its border with China, its biggest trading partner, to guard against Covid-19 is taking a heavy toll on its already-troubled economy During Tuesday's speech, Mr Kim described the difficulties as 'the worst of all' and 'unprecedented'. He is also likely to see US policy change under President-elect Joe Biden, who unlike President Donald Trump is expected to avoid top-down summit diplomacy with him and maintain punishing sanctions on the North, unless Mr Kim takes significant steps toward denuclearisation. Officially, the congress is the party's top decision-making body, though key day-to-day decisions are made by Mr Kim and his inner circle. The congress would still provide Mr Kim with a chance to solidify his authority by announcing new goals, naming loyal lieutenants to top posts and calling for stronger unity behind his leadership. Many experts say North Korea has no other option but to maintain its border closure as the pandemic continues worldwide, because its public health care system remains broken and a major outbreak could cause a dire consequence During Tuesday's speech, Mr Kim (pictured) described the difficulties as 'the worst of all' and 'unprecedented' North Korea's year-long closure of its border with China, its biggest trading partner, to guard against Covid-19 is taking a heavy toll on its already-troubled economy. Bilateral trade volume plummeted by about 79 per cent in the first 11 months of last year from the corresponding period in 2019, according to analyst Song Jaeguk at Seoul's IBK Economic Research Institute. North Korea's GDP was estimated to have contracted by 9.3 per cent in 2020, he said. Following the sharp drop in external trade, North Korea experienced a fourfold increase of imported foodstuffs like sugar and seasonings at markets while its factory operation rate dropped to its lowest level since Mr Kim took power because of a shortage of raw materials, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers in late November. North Korea's GDP was estimated to have contracted by 9.3 per cent in 2020, he said 'I can't think about any words to describe how difficult the situation is the North Koreans are going through now, rather than saying they're suffering tremendously,' Mr Song said. 'If the coronavirus pandemic continues, they'll suffer harder.' Many experts say North Korea has no other option but to maintain its border closure as the pandemic continues worldwide, because its public health care system remains broken and a major outbreak could cause a dire consequence. Despite taking draconian anti-virus measures, North Korea has steadfastly argued it has not found a single virus case on its soil, a claim widely disputed by foreign experts. During his speech, Mr Kim said the surest and fastest way to resolve the ongoing difficulties is to further bolster internal strength. Despite taking draconian anti-virus measures, North Korea has steadfastly argued it has not found a single virus case on its soil, a claim widely disputed by foreign experts Observers predicted Mr Kim would use the congress to call for building a stronger self-reliant economy and launching new productivity campaigns to squeeze his people for more labour. During the congress, the North may issue conciliatory messages in consideration of ties with the incoming Biden administration while underscoring its traditional ties with China and Russia, Seoul's Unification Ministry said in a report on the outlook for the congress. Mr Kim did not mention the United States in his speech. Some experts say Mr Kim is not likely to launch a major provocation anytime soon because that would further dim the prospect for early talks with Mr Biden's government, which faces many urgent domestic issues. But they say Mr Kim may resume high-profile missile tests when the US and South Korea militaries conduct their annual springtime military drills. As violence escalated Wednesday and a mob invaded the U.S. Capitol, with one person shot and killed by law enforcement and others injured, Texans have condemned the actions of those involved as well as those they say incited it. Peaceful protest is a core tenet of the United States Constitution; violence and mayhem are not, Gov. Greg Abbott Abbott said in a statement. The violence and mayhem must stop. America is founded on the rule of law, and the law enforcement officers working to restore order at the United States Capitol must be heeded. Paxton, who was a headliner at a Save America rally earlier that morning, similarly called for an end to the chaos. BACKLASH: Ted Cruz, Texas Republicans face backlash after mob storms Capitol I call on protesters in our state and our nations Capital to practice their constitutional right in a peaceful manner, he wrote on the offices official Twitter account. I stand for election integrity and the democratic process. I will not tolerate violence and civil disorder. Later Wednesday, Paxton retweeted an unsubstantiated, anonymously sourced tweet from a former FBI agent that claimed that at least one busload of the protesters were not Trump supporters but rather members of the left-wing group Antifa in disguise. Heres how other Texans reacted: House Speaker Dennis Bonnen If you approve of, applaud, or encourage the grotesque demonstrations of hate and destruction being inflicted upon the Capitol of the United States America, you dont deserve to carry the flag and call yourself a patriot, Bonnen said. It is a sad day in our history. Incoming Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan The actions today at our US Capitol is not the act of patriots, he said in a statement. Its disgraceful. The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to assemble peacefully. It does not condone violence, destruction of property, or trespassing to disrupt proceedings outlined in the Constitution. Houston Rep. Dan Crenshaw Stop this right now, punctuated by a curse word. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin The violence and destruction we are witnessing in the Capitol is an assault on our democracy, McCaul said in a tweet along with a recorded video taken while he was in lockdown in his office, from which he said hed heard gunshots. Let me be clear, anyone who breached the Capitol today, or participated in the violence, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Sen. Ted Cruz Cruz was among the lawmakers leading an effort to object to the certification of Joe Bidens Electoral College win. Anyone engaged in violenceespecially against law enforcementshould be fully prosecuted, Cruz said. Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violencefrom Left or Right is ALWAYS wrong. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo Shame on you @tedcruz, @GOPLeader, and all who fed the false narrative about our election, which has led to what we are witnessing in our Nations Capitol, he tweeted. You fanned the flames of mistrust and history will hold you accountable for the ensuing chaos. Outrageous! Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner Where is the law and order with these protesters? And what about the US Constitution? It doesnt mean anything to these protesters? Turner tweeted. And Texans should hold Sen. Ted Cruz accountable for this fiasco. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio After confirming his safety, Castro put the blame on Trump and Cruz, who he said should resign immediately from the Senate. The President of the United States incited a coup attempt, Castro wrote on Twitter. Its a dark day in America but peace, democracy, and the rule of law will prevail. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo Cuellar told C-SPAN on Wednesday that he thought Trump made a mistake in joining the rally Wednesday morning. That sent a very strong message to a lot of the folks here, Cuellar said. I dont know if the president, he was very quick to call the National Guard and Homeland and other folks to certain other places when the left was protesting, but I dont think he moved as fast on the people that he supports. The economic reforms that began slowly in 1980s and got turbo-charged in 1991 did bring high growth, but this growth is perhaps unlike what was anticipated. The Lewisian structural transformation - resources shifting from low productive agriculture to high productive manufacturing (industrialisation) that brought prosperity to developed economies in the West (the US and parts of Europe) and the East (Japan, Korea and China's Taipei) - did not occur. Instead, India witnessed a growth led by the services sector, like some of the African countries (Tanzania and Ethiopia), the long-term implications of which are not known yet. Surplus labour in agriculture did shift (census results show a fall of 9 million cultivators between 2001 and 2011) from rural to urban areas but the massive reverse migration (from urban to rural areas) witnessed during the lockdown has changed the dynamics of labour market about which nothing can be said with any certainty because the Indian government didn't bother to track the development nor collected relevant data. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 55: Farmer producer organisations best bet for small, marginal farmers The following graph uses GDP series (constant prices) of 2004-05 (from 1980-81 to 2012-13) and 2011-12 (from 2004-05 to 2019-20) to map the sectoral contributions since 1980-81. Key noticeable features of this growth are: Share of industry, which was 11% in 1950-51, touched 20% for the first time in 1987-88, peaked at 24% in FY10 and FY11 and then fell to 22% in FY20. Services, which surpassed agriculture in its contribution in the mid-1960s, zoomed past 50% in 1991-92, crossed 60% mark in FY05 and maintains its overwhelming lead since then. Agriculture has declined sharply from 52% in 1950-51 to 14.6% in FY20. The sudden surge noticed during FY05 and FY09 is due to a significant rise in minimum support price (MSP), says eminent economist and statistician Pronab Sen, underlying the significance of MSP. The 2011-12 series increased the share of agriculture and industry but lowered that of services since 2011-12 as some of its components were added to the industry. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 54: Will bypassing APMC-based procurement improve farmers' income, ensure food security? Despite a sharp fall in its share of national income (GDP), agriculture remains a disproportionately large employer, reflecting that a large part of the population is surviving on meagre incomes. The government no longer provides employment share of different sectors. The following graph uses data from the erstwhile Planning Commission of India and the ILO estimate for 2019 - closest match to the fiscal year 2019-20 - to show the sectoral share of employment. The graph shows agriculture provided employment to 43.2% of India's total workforce; industry's share is stagnant (from 11.9% to 13.16%) while the services' share-44.2%-risen to surpass that of agriculture in FY20. This combination of low income and high employment in agriculture is what makes India's growth unsustainable. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 53: Why crop insurance is losing traction in India Gap in farm and non-farm incomes The government has not made any attempt to map farm and non-farm incomes in the past six years despite promising to double farmers' income. The only estimate that exists post-2014 is that of Prof. Ramesh Chand and his colleagues in their 2015 paper "Estimates and Analysis of Farm Income in India, 1983-84 to 2011-12" published in the Economic and Political Weekly. The Niti Aayog used this estimate in its March 2017 policy paper "Doubling Farmers' Income". Prof. Chand wrote another paper in 2017, "Doubling Farmers' Income: Strategy and Prospects", in which he said: "It is ironic that estimates of farmers' income are not published by the CSO, though time series and year-wise estimates of sectoral income for agriculture are available in National Accounts Statistics." He became a member of the Niti Aayog, apex government think tank that replaced the Planning Commission, in 2015 and holds the rank of Minister of State in the Government of India. Six years down the line, there is no sign of such estimates from the CSO (Central Statistical Office), the Niti Aayog or from Prof. Chand himself. He did not respond to a mail (that his office insisted on) requesting to share his latest estimates. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 52: The unfinished agenda of land reforms nobody talks about Prof. Chand had further said in his 2017 paper that "low level of absolute income as well as large and deteriorating disparity between income of a farmer and non-agricultural worker constitutes an important reason for the emergence of agrarian distress in the country since 1990s" and also for "a sharp increase in the number of farmers' suicides during 1995 to 2004". Why India's growth model is skewed against agriculture? It is not difficult to understand why India's structural transformation in the reform (post-liberalised) era took an unusual trajectory. In 2013, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) published a report "Agriculture and Structural Transformation in Developing Asia: Review and Outlook" analysing the growth stories of Asian countries. It said the most stylised factor in modern development was a secular decline in the share of agriculture in the economy with consequent rise in the combined shares of industry and services. Asia was no exception but, in its case, the share of agriculture in output was declining faster than that of employment. Also read: Rebooting Economy 51: Where is India's vision, plan for sustained agriculture growth and farmers' welfare? Even here, India is an outlier. The report said "the most successful Asian economies" pursued "agricultural development-led industrialisation pathway" and gave examples: "The newly industrialised economies in East Asia (Japan; the Republic of Korea; and Taipei, China), followed an agriculture development-led industrialisation pathway. The fast-growing transition economies (the People's Republic of China and Vietnam) seem to be traversing a similar one. Agricultural growth has also been a prominent feature in the rest of developing Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand." It kept India outside the group of "successful transition economies" with this observation: "However, growth in agriculture has lagged in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines; in these countries, theperiod of rapid sustainable growth came late or has yet to materialise." It singled out India where "the absolute number of people employed in agriculture is still rising" even among countries with more than 50% employed in agriculture. The study underlined that "growth in agriculture supports the subsequent growth of industry", not the other way round that India pursued. In the reform era, India ignored agriculture and promoted industry (manufacturing included) which has neither provided jobs nor added much to the GDP. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of 1991 liberalisation, tried a course correction following a long spell of agrarian distress and farmers' suicide by setting up the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) in 2004, under MS Swaminathan who had played a key role in the Green Revolution. (Singh made several course corrections, to know more read, " Rebooting Economy 50: Economic reforms for whom and for what? ") The commission produced five volumes of analysis and recommendations. Prof. Chand wrote (2017) that the expected shift in focus of policy and development strategy from increasing agricultural production to increasing farmers' welfare and income, or both, did not happen. What did China do when it began reforms? India has long competed with China for growth and failed and yet never learnt from its experience in agriculture. Two agricultural economists, Prof. Shenggen Fan of the US's International Food Policy Research and his counterpart in India, Prof. Ashok Gulati, wrote a paper in EPW in 2018-"The Dragon and the Elephant: Learning from Agricultural and Rural Reforms in China and India", in 2008. Three of the key points they highlighted were: China made agriculture the starting point of its market-oriented reforms. This led to development of rural non-farm (RNF) sector and strengthened domestic production base for industrial growth. In contrast, India's reforms were non-agricultural. China's first phase of agricultural reforms of 1978-84 reduced rural poverty from 33% to 15%. In contrast, India saw "the most rapid poverty reduction occurred from late 1960s and the late 1980s", a period "called Green Revolution". Agriculture was "not a major factor behind poverty reduction during the era of reforms". China carried outland reform and distribution, as a result of which "landlessness is virtually absent" there. India failed and "left a relatively larger number of landless agricultural labourers exposed to the harsh impact of unemployment and underemployment". As per the 2011 Census, 55% of India's total agricultural workforce is landless. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 49: Who needs corporates to run banks and how will it help Indian economy? There are other lessons from China's growth story too. China ensures its farmers get good price for their produce and got into trouble for this in 2019 when the WTO ruled against its high agricultural subsidy. Yes, China heavily subsidies its agriculture, far more than India. Here is an eye-opener from a Washington Post report on the WTO development, which was written by Prof. Kristen Hopewell of the University of Edinburgh (March 4, 2019). She wrote China was now the world's largest subsidiser of agriculture, providing $212 billion in farm subsidies in 2016, which was significantly more than the European Union ($100 billion) and the US ($33 billion). Its subsidies included "government purchases at above-market prices, as well as market price support programme, where farmers receive a direct payment from the government if market prices fall below a minimum set price". Also Read: Rebooting Economy 48: Do tax numbers show a healthier economy? The complaint against China was lodged by the US in 2016. Interestingly, in 2013, the US Department of Agriculture report "Growth and Evolution in China's Agricultural Support Policies" wrote how the US benefitted from high farm subsidies of China. It said: "In recent years, Chinese price supports and subsidies have risen at an accelerating pace after they were linked to rising production costs. Per-acre subsidy payments to grain producers now equal 7 to 15 percent of those producers' gross income... Chinese authorities began raising price supports annually to bolster incentives, and Chinese prices for major farm commodities are rising above world prices, helping to attract a surge of agricultural imports. US agricultural exports to China tripled in value during the period when China's agricultural support was accelerating." In India, farmers are fighting for legal rights for MSP (price support) in trading with private companies and traders outside the regulated APMC mandis but the central government and a large number of agricultural economists are strongly opposing it, leading to a prolonged (more than 40 days) protest in the cold winter of Delhi, which has claimed at least 50 lives (some by suicide) so far. Experts in India blame the MSP for rise in prices of agricultural produce over world price for harming trade, while the government's trade policies for farm produce are so whimsical that onion export was banned a day before the new farm law Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance of 2020 was passed by the Parliament in September 2020, in gross violation of the conditions laid out in it for such intervention. (For more read "Rebooting Economy 51: Where is India's vision, plan for sustained agriculture growth and farmers' welfare?") Also Read: Rebooting Economy 47: Do India's fiscal numbers suggest a quick turn-around? There is yet another key lesson from China. India invests very little in agriculture research and education (R&E), which Prof. Gulati claimed to have the "highest impact" on agri-GDP growth and poverty alleviation. He wrote, in 2019, that China spent $7.8 billion on agriculture knowledge, innovation, including agri-R&D, in 2018-19 - which was 5.6 times more than India's $1.4 billion. Further, India's investment in agriculture has seen a fall. Agriculture's share of gross capital formation (GCF) fell from 8.5% of the total GCF of economy in FY12 to 6.5% in FY19, mainly due to a fall in private investment - according to the Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2019. What does all this tell about India's growth model and its neglect of agriculture? Also Read: Rebooting Economy 46: Who is designing India's growth path? Visakhapatnam: The Chalo Ramateertham car rally jointly organised by the BJP and the Jana Sena protesting against desecretation the idol of Lord Rama led to tense moments in Ramateertham in Nellimerla mandal of Vizianagaram district on Tuesday. State BJP president Somu Veerraju and other party leaders were taken into custody when they tried to break the cordon and tried to reach the temple. The Visakhapatnam police closed the BJP office on beach road to prevent leaders from gathering while many were put under house arrest. Earlier, the BJP president had heated arguments with the police for not allowing them to reach the temple atop Bodikonda. In the melee, Veerraju fell to the ground. Strongly condemning the destruction of Lord Rama idol in Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple located atop (Bodikonda) the hill at Ramateertham under Nellimarla Mandal in Vizianagaram district, BJP-JSP planned the Chalo Ramateertham Rally from Vizag city to Ramateertham of Vizianagaram district on Tuesday. The BJP chief Veerraju strongly condemned police curbs all along Vizag-Vizianagaram-Ramateertham route, where BJP and JSP planned the rally to deplore the inordinate delay in identifying the culprits involved in the vandalism of Lord Rama's idol. Despite the huge deployment of police and restrictions, Veerraju along with BJPs MLC P.V.N. Madhav and few others reached Ramateertham junction on Tuesday morning but were denied permission to climb the hill. After heated arguments and tussle with police personnel at Ramateertham junction, Veerraju and others were arrested. BJP president Veerraju said that TD chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu and YSRC leader V. Vijaya Sai Reddy and few other YSRCs ministers visited the Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple, but the AP government prevented their visit to the temple. The AP government is adopting double standards he said and sought the immediate resignation of minister for endowment Vellampalli Srinivasa Rao for his failure to protect the temples, he added. The sentiments of Hindus is badly affected as the head of the Lord Rama idol was broken but no concrete steps were taken so far in apprehending the culprits, he pointed out. The Vizianagaram police said that in view of the prevailing situation at Ramateertham, it has imposed Section 30 of the Police Act to prevent public meetings and protests. Another BJP leader P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, who was placed under house arrest in Vizag city, said that AP government cant obstruct their Chalo Ramateertham Rally and their party will organise the rally on some other day. The police in Vizag city also didnt allow the BJP leaders and activists from their homes and thwarted activists' efforts to join in the rally. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered a ban on Alipay, WeChat Pay and other apps linked to Chinese companies, saying they could route user information to the government in Beijing. The executive order is to take effect in 45 days, just weeks after Trump is replaced in the White House by President-elect Joe Biden. A senior administration official said the order and its implementation has not been discussed with the potential incoming Biden administration. The move by Trump comes after previous executive orders aimed at banning TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, were derailed by court rulings indicating Trump overstepped his legal authority. The apps targeted by the new ban were chosen because of the extremely high number of downloads, which meant tens of millions of users could be at risk of having their data harnessed, according to the administration official. We are trying to articulate to the world and take steps to stop the encroachment of Chinas big data strategy -- photos, text messages, phone calls to parents -- from being fed into this mass tool for global oppression, the official said. Trumps order calls for the secretary of commerce to review and assess what further apps should be included in the ban. It specifically named Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay and WPS Office. CBI has widened its probe ambit in two cases of coal and cattle smuggling in Bengal and Bangladesh as the former Hooghly SP has been summoned in alleged coal smuggling case for January 8 and two IPS officers who were posted in Murshidabad District have been summoned for January 12 in the alleged cattle smuggling case. Two inspectors from Murshidabad range have also been summoned for January 6 and 11. READ | CBI Arrests 3 More In Pollachi Sexual Assault Case; One Alleged AIADMK Member CBI on Tuesday summoned six West Bengal police officials The CBI on Tuesday summoned six West Bengal police officials in the ongoing investigation of the cattle smuggling and illegal coal mining cases. The summoned DGP and inspectors have been asked to appear before the CBI in Kolkata. It was reported earlier that the CBI was speculating the role of government officials in an alleged organised racket behind the cattle-smuggling case and coal-mining scam. The CBI had earlier done an enquiry and found out that cattle smuggling was unrestrained along the India-Bangladesh border which is allegedly aided by some corrupt officers of the BSF and Customs receiving illegal gratification from smugglers, they said. READ | CBI Summons 6 West Bengal Police Officers In Cattle-smuggling & Illegal Coal Mining Cases On December 15, the central probe agency had summoned two officials of the West Bengal Police in connection with the cattle smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. READ | Absconding TMC Leader Vinay Mishra Summoned By CBI In Cattle Smuggling Case On December 31, the CBI had issued summons to TMC leader Vinay Mishra in connection with the cattle smuggling case. The Trinamool Youth Congress general secretary had been asked to appear before the CBI on January 4. A lookout notice had also been issued for the leader was absconding at that point. The TMC leader had come under the scanner in the multi-crore cattle-smuggling scam along with illegal coal mining cases. The case is being probed by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Income Tax department together. Mishra is also said to be a close aid of TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee. READ | CBI Books Surana Corporation, Its Directors In Alleged Rs 2,930 Cr Bank Fraud Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid [January 05, 2021] Lumen and J-Stream to deliver secure, reliable CDN services to organizations in Japan Collaboration to help meet transformational needs of customers who require large-scale, high performing global content distribution for the 4th Industrial Revolution SINGAPORE, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) announced today a newly established relationship with J-Stream Inc. (J-Stream) to deliver secure, scalable and high performing Content Delivery Network (CDN) services to customers in Japan. The collaboration allows both companies to better meet the requirements of major corporations, broadcasters, and video game and over-the-top (OTT) operators in the country that require large-scale, global distribution of content. The Asia Pacific CDN market is experiencing disruptive growth due to the rapidly increasing number of Internet subscribers and consumption of content over smartphones and other portable devices. The CDN market in Asia Pacific and Japan is projected to record the highest growth rate in 2020, increasing 31.7% year over year, according to IDC Worldwide Content Delivery Network Forecast, 20202024 (#US45289220, May 2020). To support this demand, Lumen recently doubled its CDN footprint in key APAC markets, strengthening its capacity in 11 major cities across the region. In Japan, local points of presence in Osaka and Tokyo promote high-performance delivery of video and web applications, while an in-country network operations center (NOC) and Japanese customer success teams offer tailored support cross the Lumen portfolio. Additionally, Lumen offers a comprehensive application delivery platform encompassing video and web delivery, mesh delivery technology, multi-CDN orchestration, digital download optimization, high-performance object-based storage, as well as edge computing. The Lumen CDN is trusted by 9 of the world's 10 largest media companies. Melissa Margolius, Senior Director, Wholesale Sales, Lumen Technologies Asia Pacific, commented: "Together with J-Stream, we aim to help customers in Japan deliver their rich content to audiences and users globally, reliably and successfully. Customers will be able to tap into Lumen's high-performance, extensive global delivery network and benefit from our edge-based service offerings and key features like our object storage capabilities. In recent months, we have also expanded our global delivery models, especially across Asia Pacific and Latin America, to enable our customers to deliver their content in some of the hardest to reach locations in the world." J-Stream, the first company to offer streaming services to Japan since its inception in 1997, brings unparalleled experiences, local market knowledge and a strong track record in the online video spectrum to the collaboration. Mayumi Hayasaka, Corporate Officer, CDN & Video Platform Business Unit, J-Stream said: "Today, we are seeing tremendous demand for large-scale distribution of content amongst Japanese and international companies based here. This stems from the large-scale events we have in Japan that is of interest internationally, as well as video games with a huge global following, and video and audio content that is popular all over the world. In addition, Internet traffic is on a significant upward trend, and is expected to continue to increase in the future considering recent world events, the spread of telework, and an exponential increase in online events. The scale and strength of Lumen's network will allow us to expand our services and we also look forward to leveraging a multi-CDN configuration including Lumen CDN to further ensure the reliability and stability of our content delivery services to customers." Additional Resources: More information about the Lumen CDN platform can be found here. Explore the Lumen global network here. About Lumen Technologies: Lumen is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With approximately 450,000 route fiber miles and serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences. Learn more about the Lumen network, edge cloud, security, communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks of Lumen Technologies LLC in the United States. Lumen Technologies LLC is a wholly owned affiliate of CenturyLink Inc. * The Lumen brand was launched on Sept. 14, 2020. As a result, CenturyLink Inc. is referred to as Lumen Technologies, or simply Lumen. The legal name CenturyLink, Inc. is expected to be formally changed to Lumen Technologies, Inc. upon the completion of all applicable requirements. About J-Stream: J-Stream Inc. is synonymous with streaming services in Japan since its foundation in 1997 as the first company to offer streaming services. With J-Stream's own CDN as the core, the company offers end-to-end video business solutions from content distribution to creative services and video ad services. Besides having an unparalleled track record and vast experiences on many important projects in the online video spectrum, J-Stream has the largest market share in Japanese online video platform market today. SOURCE Lumen Technologies [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Contributed / Getty Images BRIDGEPORT Police are investigating after a robbery was reported at an address off the Boston Post Road in the citys Boston Avenue-Mill Hill neighborhood Tuesday. Officers were called to the 2100th block of Boston Post Road on a report of an armed robbery, police said in a tweet at 8:38 p.m. Updated at 11:02 ET on 01-06-2021 National security police in Hong Kong on Wednesday arrested more than 50 opposition politicians and activists in a city-wide crackdown on dissent under a draconian law imposed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Around 1,000 national security police officers were dispatched to arrest 53 people who took part in or helped to organize a primary election in July aimed at selecting pro-democracy candidates for Legislative Council (LegCo) elections that were then postponed by the authorities. Former Hong Kong University law professor Benny Tai and founder of the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement and former Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai were among those arrested. Several former opposition lawmakers were also among Wednesday's arrestees, including Eddie Chu, Kwok Ka-ki, Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Au Nok-hin, and Alvin Yeung, along with Yuen Long District Councillor and primary candidate Ng Kin-wai and District Councillor Tiffany Yuen. "I am arresting you on suspicion of subversion of state power," the police told Ng, reading from a prepared statement, according to a post on his Facebook page. "There is reason to believe that you participated in the implementation of a primary election campaign called the '35+ Referendum' in 2020 with the aim of electing 35 or more primary election winners to the Legislative Council with the aim of vetoing any budget or motion of the government, thereby forcing the Chief Executive to resign," the police said. The plan was outlined by an article by Benny Tai in the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper and was intended to "seriously interfere with, obstruct, and undermine the lawful operations of the [Hong Kong] political authorities," the police said. Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham, who helped to organize mass marches of a million and more against the erosion of Hong Kong's promised freedoms, former pro-democracy camp convenor Claudia Mo, and veteran rights activist Leung Kwok-hung were also on the list of arrestees. Exiled activists Nathan Law and Sunny Hui, and exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui were also named on the list of those wanted for arrest. Former commercial airline pilot Jeremy Tam, who has also previously served as an opposition member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo), was also arrested. Police also searched the office of the Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion in Wong Chuk Hang, prompting the office to physically destroy the personal details of some 600,000 people who voted in the primaries, PORI chief executive Chung Kim-wah told reporters. Senior superintendent Steve Li from the national security department of the Hong Kong police force said 45 men and eight women aged between 23 and 64 had been arrested on suspicion of "subversion" under the law. Six were accused of having organized the primaries, which saw some 600,000 people turn out to vote. The rest had stood as "so-called candidates," Li told reporters. He said the primaries were considered "subversive" because their stated aim was to secure at least 35 seats in LegCo for opposition candidates, so the pro-democracy camp could veto the government's budgets. Such an action is regarded as "subversion of state power" under Article 22 of the national security law. "We are finding some people have been seriously interfering, and disrupting and undermining the operating of the Hong Kong government by means of having a plan, the so-called 35-plus," Li told a new conference on Wednesday. "Starting in March last year, they have some ideas of how to use advantage of the seats in the Legco, to eventually object to the budgets and then after that, the chief executive will resign, leading to stopping the operations of the Hong Kong government," he said. 'Normal activities' National security police have also ordered four media organizations to release information relevant to the investigation, Li said. Hong Kong security secretary John Lee said the city's government "would no longer tolerate subversion." "The 35-plus plan and [Benny Tai's article] involve a vicious plot which seeks to undermine the performance of government duties and functions and paralyze the [Hong Kong] government in an organized, planned, reckless and willful manner," Lee said in a statement. Tai's article, "10 steps to burn with us," set out an opposition-camp strategy to force chief executive Carrie Lam's resignation by using 35 or more LegCo seats to repeatedly block her proposals in the council. Alan Au of the Democratic Party told RFA that the primary election candidates were only exercising their rights under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. "These were normal activities," Au said. "Even filibustering or voting down the budget in LegCo are permitted under the Basic Law." "This is clearly a liquidation operation [targeting opposition politicians]," he said. Among those arrested on Wednesday was John Clancey, a U.S. citizen and human rights lawyer living in Hong Kong. "I will continue to work for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong," Clancey, treasurer of the campaign group Democracy Power, told reporters as he was led away from his law firm by national security police. Clancey is also chair of the Asian Human Rights Commission and secretary of international affairs for the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group. The arrests come after the primaries were criticized in state-run Chinese media as an attempt to foment a "color revolution." Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam moved soon after the primaries to postpone LegCo elections scheduled for early September, citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The entire pro-democracy camp then resigned from LegCo en masse in November 2020, in protest at the ouster of four opposition lawmakers following a decree from the National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee in Beijing. Reported by Lu Xi, Man Hoi Yan and Gigi Lee for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Letters to the editor should be limited to 400 words, be signed and include a town of residence and a telephone number for verification. Letters are due by noon Monday. No thank yous or political endorsement letters. Guest Shot columns are limited to 800 words. Email editor@jhnewsandguide.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Former Bachelor star Tim Robards has announced he is returning to acting after quitting Neighbours last year. The chiropractor, 38, revealed on Tuesday he was shooting scenes for the short film Sherbrooke Down: The Road to Cataract. He offered fans a glimpse of the country town location on Instagram Stories. His big comeback! Former Neighbours star Tim Robards revealed on Tuesday he was shooting scenes for the short film Sherbrooke Down: The Road to Cataract Sherbrooke Down is set in 1901, and Tim's footage showed several extras walking around the location in period costume. He took fans for a stroll down the set's main street, which he was very impressed by. He then showed the inside of a bar, and said: 'This is the scene of the crime tomorrow. I'm going to have a fight. I'm going to throw Patty out that door.' Set: He offered fans a glimpse of the country town location on Instagram Stories. Sherbrooke Down is set in 1901, and several extras were seen walking around in period costume Detailed: Tim took fans for a stroll down the main street, which he was very impressed by Fight club: He then showed the inside of a bar, and said, 'This is the scene of the crime tomorrow. I'm going to have a fight. I'm going to throw Patty out that door' His mention of Patty was likely in reference to his co-star Patrick O'Connor, who is known for playing Dean Thompson on Home and Away. The cast also includes Patrick's girlfriend and fellow actor Sophie Dillman. Tim captioned the footage of his on-set tour: 'Tomorrow I have a massive fight scene. I... can... not... wait!' Co-stars: His mention of Patty was likely in reference to his co-star Patrick O'Connor (right), who is known for playing Dean Thompson on Home and Away. Pictured with Sophie Dillman Tim's return to acting comes after he announced his departure from Neighbours in August, after playing Pierce Greyson on the soap for two years. He made the decision to leave so he could be with his wife, Anna Heinrich, as she prepared to give birth to their daughter, Elle. Tim joined the cast of Neighbours in July 2018, and his filming requirements forced him and the Bondi-based lawyer into a long-distance relationship. Career: Tim's return to acting comes after he announced his departure from Neighbours in August, after playing Pierce Greyson on the soap for two years For two years, he spent his weeks in Melbourne and returned to Sydney on weekends to be with his wife. However, last year's Covid travel restrictions made this commute impossible and he found himself with no choice but to move back to NSW permanently. Tim and Anna announced the birth of their daughter on November 14. There's only one story that really matters this morning because, like it or not, it's the dawn of a new era in American politics. At least for the next 24 months. To wit . . . DEMOCRATIC PARTY DECLARES GEORGIA VICTORY AND SEYZ THEY FLIPPED THE SENATE!!! SO DOES THIS MEAN TKC GETS THAT $2,000 CHECK IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY LOVING?!?! Forgive me, I'm sure there are far more eloquent missives about social justice and historic change throughout the Internets . . . But here at this blog's basement headquarters, we're mostly interested in giving cash to women with big butts & breasts voluptuous feminine qualities clad in cheap meretricious lingerie. And so we'll direct readers to a local declaration of victory from Kansas City Democratic Party leader Jason Kander along with some terse words of encouragement from Mayor Quinton Lucas. On second thought, Mr. Kander's words seem to sum up local progressive sentiment more accurately . . . "Its over, folks. Its been a long 4 years, but it has ended in the closest thing we have to total victory in American politics. We won. They lost. The fight continues. There is no finish line But its gonna be a fun and productive couple years." More importantly, because this blog seeks alternative perspectives that other local media is too scared to consider, we share these morning headlines to start the conversation . . . Georgia Fight Overnight Live Updates: Warnock projected to win Georgia Senate runoff, other race neck-and-neck Democrat Raphael Warnock is projected to defeat Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., in one of the two crucial Senate runoffs in Georgia, according to Fox News' Decision Desk. Loeffler encouraged her supporters early Wednesday to "keep fighting," refusing to concede her Senate runoff election despite her opponent, Democrat Raphael Warnock, claiming victory. Progressives Call It Jon Ossoff beats Sen. David Perdue, handing Democrats control of the Senate Democrat Jon Ossoff has won a Georgia Senate seat, beating Republican David Perdue in one of the state's pivotal runoffs on Tuesday. The race was called by Vox's elections partner Decision Desk at 2:14 am ET. Decision Desk HQ projects @ossoff (D) has won the Georgia Regular Senate Runoff Election, giving Democrats control of the Senate on January 20th. One But Not Done Raphael Warnock wins Georgia runoff, CNN projects, as control of US Senate down to Perdue-Ossoff race Rev. Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, was elected on Tuesday to be the first black senator from Georgia, CNN projected early Wednesday morning, a repudiation of Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her adherence to President Donald Trump. African-American Vote Lifts Democratic Party Black voters accounted for 32% of electorate in Georgia Senate runoffs According to the early AP vote survey, Black voters accounted for 32 percent of the electorate in the Georgia runoff races, a slight increase of 3 percent from the general election in November. The white share of the electorate declined by 4 percent. Georgia Drill Down Joe Biden was 'legitimately' elected, majority of Georgia voters say Sixty one percent of Georgians say that Biden was "legitimately" elected president, according to preliminary data from the Fox News Voter Analysis, a survey of more than 4,000 Georgia voters. Georgia's Senate election will dictate which party takes majority control of the upper chamber in the U.S. D.C. D-DAY!!! DC Police make several arrests ahead of major pro-Trump election protest The main draw will take place Wednesday morning ahead of the congressional gathering, where the president himself will address a protest outside the White House dubbed the "March for Trump/Save America" rally. Thousands are expected to attend that event, which was organized by the pro-Trump group Women for America First. American Brinkmanship Democrats on brink of U.S. Senate control, winning one Georgia race and leading in second ATLANTA (Reuters) - Democrats won one U.S. Senate race in Georgia and surged ahead in another on Wednesday, moving closer to a stunning sweep that would give them control of the chamber and the power to advance President-elect Joe Biden's policy goals. INVESTORS CASH OUT AMID DEMOCRATIC CONTROL!!! US stock futures and the dollar fall as Democrats take control of the Senate in tight Georgia runoff elections US stock futures fell along with the dollarn as investors reacted to two crucial Democrat victories in the Senate in tight Georgia runoff elections Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff were projected to win their respective Georgia elections for Senate seats, handing their party majority control. You decide . . . Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 : Kerala Minister for Culture, Law and SC/ST departments and CPM leader A.K. Balan has tested positive for Covid-19. He has been admitted to Palakkad district hospital. A health bulletin from the Palakkad district hospital said the minister's condition is stable and he is undergoing medication. Balan is the sixth Kerala minister to test Covid positive. The state health department has already warned of a surge in Covid cases in the state and state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja had called upon people to be extra cautious and to impose a self lockdown. 6 people who had landed in the state from the UK had tested positive for the new Covid strain. After the recent local body elections, the state government is expecting a surge in Covid positive cases which can touch upto 9,000 cases per day. With 10 and 12 classes already open along with colleges and universities, any laxity can lead to an increase in cases. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vangard Concept Offices ("VCO") (www.vcoffices.com ) recently announced a rebranding of its business, aligning its four U.S. locations with three additional Canadian locations which it has acquired over the past five years under a common brand - The Collective (www.collective.space). This new furniture titan will become the largest Teknion furniture dealer in North America, positioning itself to manage furniture standards for its extensive portfolio of clients in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The Collective will offer innovative product solutions for organizations looking to reimagine their work environments, providing a single foundation for furnishings, space planning, and project management. The Collective "Our new brand reflects how we approach delivering a dynamic experience for our customers," explains Nick Tuttle, President of The Collective - USA. "It's together, it's collaborative, it's collective. The logo is a direct translation of coming together to form a stronger whole. The experience, culture, and alignment of values in our markets will allow us to continue to build and strengthen our service and offerings to our customers." Chris Rayner, President of The Collective - Canada adds, "We represent furniture dealerships each having over 30 years of experience in our respective markets supported by more than 300 supplier partners, and we're excited to be officially joining forces under a unified brand. The Collective has the experience, creativity, and relationships with regional and national design firms to help elevate the workspaces of our mutual clients." The Collective: Foundational Members VCO: Established in the California Bay Area in 1987, VCO is a full-service dealership for commercial furniture, design, and project management. VCO acquired the foundational members of The Collective in an exciting venture to grow and expand. Established in the California Bay Area in 1987, VCO is a full-service dealership for commercial furniture, design, and project management. VCO acquired the foundational members of The Collective in an exciting venture to grow and expand. Office Source: Located in Toronto, Canada , Office Source has specialized in corporate, government, and healthcare furniture for offices and workspaces since 1991, creating environments that are as functional as they are comfortable. Located in , Office Source has specialized in corporate, government, and healthcare furniture for offices and workspaces since 1991, creating environments that are as functional as they are comfortable. SCI Interiors: Situated in Toronto, Canada , SCI is one of Canada's longest-standing contract furniture dealers with roots in two of Canada's oldest retailers; Simpsons and The Hudson's Bay Company. For over 60 years, SCI has maintained a leadership position in the industry by consistently providing high-quality products and excellent customer service. Throughout 2021, The Collective will expand its investment in a number of strategic initiatives, including expanding its online capabilities to offer "work from home" furniture curated to comfortably outfit professionals who are now working remotely. For the latest information, follow The Collective on social media: https://www.instagram.com/collectivespaces_/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/collective-spaces/ https://www.facebook.com/TheCollectiveFurnish Media Contact: Matt Carvell, Marketing 415.644.5963 [email protected] SOURCE The Collective Wisconsin prosecutors will not file charges against the white police officers involved in the shooting of African-American Jacob Black in the city of Kenosha, District Attorney Michael Gravely said in a news conference. "No Kenosha law enforcement officer, in this case, will be charged with any criminal offense based on the fast and the laws as I will describe them to you now. So it is our decision that no charge will be filed," Gravely said on Tuesday. Gravely added that no charge will be filed against Blake, who was left paralyzed after the shooting. In August, violent protests erupted in Kenosha after a police officer shot 29-year-old African American man Jacob Blake Jr. in the back seven times. The protests turned into riots complete with violence against police and civilians as well as acts of arson and destruction. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GREENWICH The big question with the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination is who will get it next. Distribution began last month with hospitals administering the vaccine to medical care workers as part of Phase 1A of the states rollout. Since then, patients and staff at nursing homes received vaccines, along with public safety workers and first responders. For Phase 1B, state Rep. Harry Arora, a Republican from Greenwich, is pushing for all adults ages 65 and up in Connecticut to be vaccinated next, saying it would save lives because the mortality rate is much higher for seniors. Our driving factor is to reduce mortality, Arora said in an interview Tuesday. Im not suggesting that front-line workers shouldnt get it. Were talking about the prioritization of the first eight weeks of the next phases. If you are below 50, your probability of getting hurt is low. You wont be in as much harms way of being hurt by the virus as those who are 65 and older. For them, the probability is much, much higher. The next steps are still uncertain, as the the Allocations Subcommittee of the states Vaccine Advisory Committee met Tuesday to discuss who would be vaccinated next. Its recommendation, which will go to the full committee, called for vaccinating front-line essential workers, residents of congregate settings and adults ages 75 and older. That would include teachers, grocery store workers, food service workers and sanitation workers, as well as residents of homeless shelters, prisons, psychiatric facilities and group homes. That largely follows the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gov. Ned Lamont is to announce next steps by Thursday, with his decisions based on the recommendations of the subcommittee, said Lora Rae Anderson, director of communications for the states chief operating officer. Seniors first? But all adults age 65 and older, even those who are living independently and especially those who are working, should get the vaccine immediately, said Arora, R-151, who published an op-ed and sent an e-blast to constituents outlining his plan. By first vaccinating everyone over the age of 65 in Connecticut, it would end most of the harm, Arora said. He estimated it would take five weeks and would use 90 percent of the available vaccine. The remaining 10 percent of the vaccine would go to health care workers directly exposed to COVID-19 patients as well as younger people with high vulnerability, he said. If we go ahead with the CDC plan, the assumption is it would delay seniors getting the vaccine by two months for those above 75 and four months for those above 65, Arora said. If you take the mortality rate we as a country have had and use those assumptions, it shows how many lives could be lost by delay. His plan could save as many as 200,000 lives nationwide, Arora said. The number is based on data from the state, the CDC and Florida, which has already opened its vaccination program to seniors. State-by-state decisions Distribution of the vaccine has been left to each state to decide. Florida and Texas opened it already to residents ages 65 and up, which has created long waits in some areas and which bucks the CDCs recommendation that front-line essential workers such as teachers and people older than 75 should be vaccinated next. Greenwich resident Joe Kaliko, who has been a member of Connecticuts Medical Advisory Board, has also endorsed making all seniors a priority for the vaccine. Making it be available in Phase 1B for seniors 65 and up would be more effective than vaccinating those who are deemed an essential worker, he said. That would make distribution so much easier, Kaliko said. You could just go to a place that has the vaccine, show them your ID that youre 65 or older and then get the shot. And while thats being done, the state can come up with a better defined distribution model for others. Kaliko said he agreed with Arora that vaccinating seniors would save lives, pointing to the high morbidity rate for seniors who get the coronavirus. Clinics planned in Greenwich The town of Greenwichs Health Department, which holds vaccination clinics for flu and pneumonia, is expected to hold vaccination clinics against COVID-19 in the coming weeks. Town Director of Health Caroline Baisley said the clinics would likely come at the end of January. Baisley said residents can find more information on vaccines from the state by visiting portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccination-Phases and portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccinations-FAQs. The Department of Health is expecting to set up vaccination clinics by appointment to vaccinate the Phase 1A subgroup population in a few weeks and will be ready to begin vaccination by appointment for those in Phase 1B when vaccine becomes available in the state for that phase of vaccination, Baisley said. Local first responders Greenwich Hospital has been providing vaccines since Dec. 16 to staffers involved with direct patient care, and many will be getting their second shots this week. Vaccines continue to be deployed across the (Yale New Haven) health system, including Greenwich Hospital, where the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being used, Greenwich Hospitals coordinator of public relations Magaly Olivero said Monday. As of this morning, the health system had administered 14,078 vaccines to employees, including 1,247 Greenwich Hospital employees. Greenwich police Capt. Mark Zuccerella said department members were in the process of getting the vaccine. The decision on who got the vaccine depended on where the officers live, as they head to local hospitals, health departments and medical centers for their shots. There isnt one location we are all going, Zuccerella said. The vaccinations are going well with the staff at GEMS, Executive Director Tracy Schietinger said Monday. She said there have been no adverse reactions in the two weeks they have been receiving vaccines. The Greenwich Fire Department is in the preliminary phases of getting the vaccine to firefighters, Fire Chief Joseph McHugh said. Vaccinations have begun for some of the career staff, he said, and others, including volunteer firefighters, will follow in the coming weeks, he said. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday. Biden is expected to announce Garlands appointment on Thursday, along with other senior leaders of the department, including former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former Justice Department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. In picking Garland, Biden is turning to an experienced judge who held senior positions at the Justice Department decades ago, including as a supervisor of the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The pick will force Senate Republicans to contend with the nomination of someone they spurned in 2016 refusing even to hold hearings when a Supreme Court vacancy arose but Biden may be banking on Garlands credentials and reputation for moderation to ensure confirmation. Garland was selected over other finalists including Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. The people familiar with the process spoke on condition of anonymity. If confirmed, Garland would confront immediate challenges, including an ongoing criminal tax investigation into Bidens son, Hunter, as well as calls from many Democrats to pursue inquiries into Trump after he leaves office. A special counsel investigation into the origins of the Russia probe also remains open, forcing a new attorney general to decide how to handle it and what to make public. Garland would also inherit a Justice Department that has endured a tumultuous four years and would likely need to focus on not only civil rights issues and an overhaul of national policing policies after months of mass protests over the deaths of Black Americans at the hand of law enforcement. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Nutritional High International Inc. (CSE: EAT) ("Nutritional High" or the "Company") is pleased to announce certain advances in our efforts to reorganize and refocus our business in Colorado, Oregon and California. In this regard, we have agreed to terminate the Company's previously announced expansion into Nevada through the purchase of Green Therapeutics ("GT"). This decision was mutually agreed upon and allows GT to move forward with a sale of its business to Australis Capital Inc., the letter of intent announced January 5, 2021. As part of the sale of GT to Australis, the indebtedness due to Nutritional High will be repaid which includes full repayment of the US$1,240,000 previously advanced plus accrued interest and a premium. In accordance with an agreement signed today, repayment will be made in the form of shares of Australis Capital as part of that company's purchase of GT. "While we have great respect for Duke Fu and his Green Therapeutics team, we have decided that we need to focus all of our efforts and resources on Colorado, Oregon and California," stated John Durfy, CEO of Nutritional High. "While we have decided not to proceed with the acquisition of GT, we have agreed to a contract manufacturing relationship with GT when we are ready to expand to Nevada." About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing and manufacturing branded products in the cannabis industry, with a specific focus on edibles and oil extracts for medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. Nutritional High has brought its flagship FLI edibles and vape product lines from production to market in various markets including Colorado where its award winning FLI products are manufactured by Palo Verde, LLC. The Company signed a purchase agreement for Palo Verde and is awaiting regulatory approval. The Company also owns Psychedelic Science which is working with Rangsit University in Thailand to consider the medical benefits of various psychedelic cacti. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.nutritionalhigh.com. For further information, please contact: Robert Wilson Chief Financial Officer Nutritional High International Inc. 416-666-4005 Email: rwilson@nutritionalhigh.com Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information: NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Risks that may have an impact on the ability for these events to be achieved include completion of the 2020 Filings. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking information expressed in this press release include, but are not limited to: obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals including acquiring and renewing U.S. state, local or other licenses, the uncertainty of existing protection from U.S. federal or other prosecution, regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. state-law legalization, market and general economic conditions of the cannabis sector or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71466 A couple of stranded students successfully used the international call for help after getting lost in a remote part of Australia. The international students, from France and Hong Kong, encountered problems last weekend when their Toyota RAV4 was suddenly bogged on Cordillo Downs Road, about an hour north of Innamincka, in South Australia's north-east. The situation in the Australian outback quickly became dire, but the pair were eventually located by a field worker on Tuesday morning. In a desperate bid to be located, the students dropped a number of handwritten notes onto the ground and also wrote 'SOS' in nearby dirt so the distress sign could potentially be viewed aerially by passing planes. The stranded students etched SOS (pictured above) into the dirt in an attempt to be rescued The students bogged their car about an hour north of Innamincka, in South Australia's north-east (pictured above) on Sunday Their savvy approach paid off, with the field worker from Santos soon locating the men, who had spent two days without food or water. After being medically treated by representatives from the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the Innamincka Trading Post, the men were given a lift from a ranger back to their car on Wednesday. 'We are pleased our folk were able to find the pair, locate their car and following a medical check up by our on-site medical team, they continued on their journey,' a Santos spokesman told The Advertiser. 'The tourists had been walking for two days after their car had become bogged. 'First aid was immediately provided by the Santos operators and company emergency response processes were initiated.' Just last week, two other visitors were equally lucky after enduring a similar scenario in the same remote area in South Australia. The manager from Innamincka Station happened to be out flying and spotted the pair, who were in distress. After landing his plane, he rescued the relieved tourists, who had run out of essentials. Innamincka (pictured above) is a remote area in South Australia, where conditions are harsh all year round Hazleton, PA (18201) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. A special stuffed animal was stolen from a New Hampshire boy while he was in California to take part in a clinical trial for a rare disease. On Jan. 1, sister station WMUR-TV met Aidan Carter, 12, as he and his family headed to California to take part in a trial for Hunter Syndrome. While visiting the San Francisco Zoo, someone smashed a car window and stole Carters backpack. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Britain has vaccinated more people against COVID-19 than the 27-nation European Union put together, according to an AFP tally on Wednesday. Since Britain approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in early December, more than 1.3 million people have received a first jab, nearly two percent of the population. In contrast, EU countries, which mostly launched their vaccination drives between December 26 and 29, have altogether inoculated 1.1 million peoplea mere 0.2 percent of their total population. On Monday Britain also began rolling out the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Of the bloc's member states, Germany has carried out the most injections with 367,331, ahead of Italy (260,948), Poland (140,226), Spain (139,339) and Denmark (63,312). The EU has been using doses of the jab produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. A second vaccine, by US pharma company Moderna, was given the green light on Wednesday by the EU authorities. Britain has yet to approve the jab and has been criticised for not ordering shipments of it early enough. In contrast to Europe, the USwhich has the world's biggest death tollhas vaccinated 4.84 million people, or 1.5 percent of the population with both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech shots. And trailblazing Israel is getting close to injecting a fifth of its people. China had given shots to more than 4.5 million (or 0.3 percent of the population) by December 31. All these countries started injecting well before the EU. The Netherlands only started vaccinating Wednesday, the last EU member to do so. France too is lagging, having only given over 7,000 doses, while Austria (8,360), Bulgaria (5,448) and Ireland (4,000), have inoculated less than 0.1 percent of their populations. When it comes to a proportion of the population, Denmark has vaccinated the most in the EU, inoculating 1.1 percent of its population, nearly three times higher than Germany and Italy. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla's younger daughter Anjali Birla has been selected for civil services by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Birla qualified one of the most difficult exams in India in her first attempt. After clearing 12th in Arts stream from Sophia school in Kota, she studied political science (honours) from Delhi University's Ramjas College. "I am very happy to get selected in the exam. I wanted to join the civil services to do something for the society as I always saw my father's commitment towards the people of the country," she was quoted by PTI as saying. She also thanked her elder sister Akansha saying that she guided and motivated her all the time. The 2019 civil services examination result was announced on August 4, 2020. As many as 829 candidates were recommended in order of merit for appointment to IAS, IFS, IPS and other group 'A' and group 'B' central services against 927 vacancies. The Department of Personnel and Training has released a reserve list of 89 candidates-- 73 General, 14 OBC, 1 EWS and 1 SC including Anjali, for different branches of civil services to fill up remaining posts. The DoPT said in a statement, "The commission , in accordance with the Rule 16 (4) and (5) of the Civil Services Examination Rules, was also maintaining a Consolidated Reserve List in order of merit below the last recommended candidate under the respective categories." With PTI inputs Also read: Ratan Tata visits ailing former employee; Twitterati applaud industrialist's compassion San Antonians will have to forgo their free tacos from the Cowboy Breakfast this year. The annual tradition that also serves as an unofficial kickoff to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo will be a private event this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a representative from the Cowboy Breakfast Foundation said Wednesday. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Danville, WV (25053) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. The world economy will be exiting the pandemic weighed down by much bigger debts and increased inequality that could hobble growth in the longer term. That was one of the memes making the rounds at the annual meeting of the American Economic Association that winds up on Tuesday. While global growth is widely expected to strengthen as more people are vaccinated, top economists at the virtual three-day conference focused on the glaring inequities that the pandemic had exposed and the fall-out from the efforts to cope with and combat Covid-19. We have met every crisis in the recent past with yet more aggressive central bank accommodation and yet more leverage, both public as well as private," said former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan. The real question is: Is this a doom loop? Does it keep going until it is forced to stop?" Global debt rose by more than $15 trillion last year to a record $277 trillion, equivalent to 365% of world output, according to the Institute of International Finance. Debt from all sectors -- ranging from household to government to corporate bonds -- surged, based on data from the Washington-based IIF, which is comprised of the worlds leading financial institutions. Inequality has also increased -- both within and across countries -- as the pandemic has hit the poor particularly hard. In the U.S., Blacks and Hispanics have suffered proportionately more fatalities than whites, while low-wage workers in such industries as leisure and hospitality have borne the brunt of the layoffs as those better off continue to work from home. The pandemic has exposed the depth of inequality and in many ways has exacerbated those inequalities," said Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize-winning economist. While rich countries like the U.S. have cushioned the blow to their citizens with massive amounts of government aid, poorer nations have been unable to do that. Stiglitz, a Columbia University professor, said the worlds 46 least developed nations accounted for just 0.002% of the $12.7 trillion in public stimulus spending laid out in the fight against the virus. In many ways we could see after this pandemic an unwinding of decades of progress toward reducing global inequality," certainly for the poorest nations, said Harvard University professor and former International Monetary Fund chief economist Kenneth Rogoff. Not everything coming out of the pandemic will be bad news, of course. The speed at which vaccines were developed and the rapid growth of telemedicine are developments worth celebrating. Economist Nicholas Bloom of Stanford University has also pointed to the potential productivity gains that can be reaped from more time spent working at home -- a trend he expects to persist post pandemic. Rajan, now a professor at the University of Chicago, said lagging rural America could also benefit as the well-off decamp from cramped cities for bigger homes elsewhere. Debt Burden Even before the pandemic, the U.S., China and many other countries were experiencing rising inequality and increasing debt. As the coronavirus crisis eases, those two tendencies could combine to present problems for the global economy. Covid-19 has exacerbated inequality markedly which also raises the issue of financial fragility," said World Bank chief economist Carmen Reinhart. Many lower-income U.S. households, for example, hold a lot of debt and could find themselves squeezed as temporary moratoriums on mortgage and rent payments end, she said. Rajan said small businesses could also suffer after many were kept afloat in the U.S. by the Paycheck Protection Program and other government measures. There is a large wave of potential bankruptcies," he said. Global Consequences The problem is even more acute for some emerging market economies and poorer nations. Indeed, Stiglitz sees the risk of a debt crisis with global consequences." Many countries were over-indebted before the pandemic and the marked declines in their incomes mean theyre going to have difficulties servicing the debt," he said. The U.S. and other wealthier nations though will not be immune to having to take action to rein in surging government debt once the coronavirus crisis has passed, according to former White House chief economist Christina Romer. The U.S. budget deficit will hit $2.3 trillion in the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30 -- equivalent to more than 10% of gross domestic product -- following a $3.1 trillion shortfall in fiscal 2020, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. When we are through the pandemic we are going to need to get our fiscal houses in order," said Romer, who is now at the University of California, Berkeley. Were going to need to get our debt loads down mainly so well be in a position to deal with the next crisis, pandemic, or whatever when it comes." This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The explosion severely damaged the apartment. Chief of the so-called "people's militia" of the "LPR" (Luhansk People's Republic) terrorist organization Yan Leshchenko has been injured in an explosion at a residential building in the city of Luhansk in Russia-occupied Donbas, eastern Ukraine. That is according to the Ukrainian online newspaper Novyny Donbasa (News of Donbas), referring to a TV channel controlled by the occupying authorities. Read alsoUkraine's SBU reveals scheme for financing by Russia of "LPR" occupation authorities The explosion severely damaged the apartment, as the windows were broken, while fragments of glass and things scattered tens of meters around the five-story building. Telegram channels loyal to the occupying authorities report that Leshchenko, who resides in that apartment, allegedly controls supplies of cheap alcohol and smuggled cigarettes to the so-called "people's militia units." They did not rule out a turf war with an attempt to present it as a household blast. Leshchenko was hospitalized, the media reported, referring to Russia's news agency Interfax. Other related news reports Reporting by UNIAN Getty Preceded by the likes of Elon Musk and Joe Rogan, to name a few, Chris Harrison is the latest A-list celebrity to make the move to Texas in the past year. AUSTIN GAINS ANOTHER STAR: If Elon Musk wants to be a Texan, it's time he embrace our ways A court in Madhya Pradeshs Indore on Tuesday rejected bail applications of Munawar Faruqui and four other stand-up comedians arrested on January 1 for allegedly insulting Hindu Gods and violating Covid-19 protocol at a New Year event. Government lawyer Vimal Kumar Mishra said the state told the court that a similar case was lodged against Faruqui in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj. The court rejected the bail applications of the comedians given the seriousness of the case. Faruqui, Nalin Yadav, Edvin Anthony, Prakhar Vyas, and Priyam Vyas were arrested after a Hindu group created a ruckus during the event alleging they made insulting remarks against Hindu Gods and Union home minister Amit Shah. They were later sent in judicial custody until January 13. The five have been booked under Indian Penal Codes Sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 298 (deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings), 269 (negligent act likely to spread disease), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 34 (common intention). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Thousands of President Trumps supporters are expected to gather in Washington on Wednesday to hear him rehash false claims of voter fraud in the November election, just as Congress begins formally counting the Electoral College vote. Local officials have urged residents to avoid potentially violent agitators who are expected to gather at the rally, steps from the White House. Some Trump supporters clashed with police near Black Lives Matter Plaza on Tuesday night, hours after some of the presidents allies including the conspiracy theorist and conservative radio host Alex Jones spoke to hundreds of people in a nearby plaza. More Trump supporters are expected to arrive on Wednesday. One such group, of more than 200 people, left a Detroit suburb on Tuesday night for an overnight bus journey to Washington. They carried Trump flags, hats and signs, along with pillows, blankets, snacks to get them through the 10-hour trip. Michelle Allen, 59, of Swartz Creek, Mich., said she was on a mission to save democracy. We have to be there to stand up to the fraud in this election because if we dont do it now, well never get another chance to make a difference, she said, referring to Mr. Trumps baseless claims of widespread voter fraud. And this is more than just him staying in the White House, although I pray that he does. SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IQ-Analog Corporation today announced that its Full-Spectrum Conversion wideband transceiver F1000 Antenna Processor Unit (APU) has been successfully integrated into Lockheed Martin Corporation's next generation digital prototype active electronically scanned phased array (AESA) sensor. The F1000 is a monolithic application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that was developed by IQ-Analog to address next generation radar, communications and electronic warfare systems that are transitioning from legacy analog to all-digital antenna processing. The new inflection point in converged AESA systems is the ability to dynamically reconfigure the array architecture through cognitive software control. This drives a digital processing paradigm that demands elemental digital beamforming which requires ultra-wide conversion bandwidth with digital frequency translation at every array element. These next generation sensor systems offer concurrent spatial beams and the ability to perform simultaneous radar, communications, and electronic warfare converged functions. Lockheed Martin, together with IQ-Analog, have developed a highly reconfigurable multi-function wideband sensor capability as part of Lockheed Martin's Broadband Electromagnetic Aperture (BEMA) program. The key to BEMA's success is the IQ-Analog F1000 APU which offers unprecedented Full-Spectrum Conversion capability with over 30-GHz of instantaneous bandwidth provided by 64 Giga-sample per second data converters. IQ-Analog's F1000 APU offers over 180 Tera-OPS of digital signal processing capability in a 10mm x 20mm package. The ASIC is manufactured domestically in a 12nm FinFET CMOS process node and leverages a fundamentally unique approach to high-speed data conversion known as Traveling Pulse Wave Quantization or TPWQ. TPWQ was shown to offer fundamental power, size and cost advantages over universally adopted successive approximation register (SAR)-architecture converters. Furthermore, the F1000 is capable of performing fast frequency hopping and agile band selection entirely in the digital domain and leverages dual RISC-V control processors. "IQ-Analog's F1000 Antenna Processor is a key component of Lockheed Martin's software defined phased array sensor electronics enabling Lockheed Martin to demonstrate broadband multi-function multi-mission capabilities including radar, EW, and Communications. The F1000 offers a high level of improvement in size, weight and power (SWaP) through monolithic integration of high speed data conversion and digital signal processing in a FinFET chip. Lockheed Martin's three-year partnership with IQ-Analog has paved the way for the maturation of the next generation of Lockheed Martin's extremely broadband multi-function multi-mission sensors. We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our objectives," said Mirwais Zeweri, Lockheed Martin Technical Lead, RMS division. "IQ-Analog is proud to work with Lockheed Martin to develop the next generation of military radar, communications, and electronic warfare systems that demand an all-digital approach. IQ-Analog has matured the core research and development we began with DARPA in 2016. The F1000's initial capabilities, as demonstrated in Lockheed Martin's next generation prototype AESA, have paved the way for a new state of the art in high speed data conversion," said Michael Kappes, CEO of IQ-Analog Corporation. IQ-Analog has engaged with Lockheed Martin Corporation as a lead customer in the $16.4B radar systems market and with Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) as a direct government customer in the $11.4B military radio market. The F1000 is expected to catalyze a technology refresh of virtually all radar, communications and electronic warfare systems in the U.S. military. IQ-Analog's TPWQ technology has dual-use in both military sensors as well as commercial 5G equipment demanding multi-beam frequency-agile antenna systems. The company is developing a family of APUs to accelerate the rollout of 5G networks, addressing both sub-6 GHz and mmWave deployments. IQ-Analog has proven over several generations of products that with TPWQ, it can build the lowest power and smallest form factor APUs. IQ-Analog thus commands a patent-protected integration advantage over potential competition and is anticipated to obtain a significant share of this high-volume emerging market segment. One example of the Company's 5G commercial market solutions was exemplified in a previously announced partnership with NXP Semiconductors' Layerscape Access family of fully programmable baseband products for 5G Access Edge systems. TPWQ technology enabled cost effective monolithic integration of high-speed data conversion with NXP's versatile digital signal processors. This builds on IQ-Analog's rich history of integrated solutions that are in high volume production in mainstream consumer products and communications infrastructure equipment with world-class customers. For more information: George Chrisikos, Ph.D., COO IQ-Analog Tel: +1-858-200-0388 E-mail: [email protected] IQ-Analog Corporation is a leading developer of wideband transceiver products servicing markets for advanced wireless communications and radar systems. With over a decade of research and development, IQ-Analog's novel approach to high speed data conversion, using temporal-domain signal processing, is at the core of a new class of integrated circuits performing digital antenna processing with unprecedented performance and power efficiency. IQ-Analog is headquartered in San Diego, California. Learn more at http://iqanalog.com. SOURCE IQ-Analog Corp. Related Links https://www.iqanalog.com Opinion Article 6 January 2021 The next 30 years begins with COVID-19 recovery. What does that look like? We pick up the pieces that were cracked, torn apart and ravished one by one. We will review demand, those elusive customers who are either mandated to stay at home, are afraid to travel or were planning to attend an event that was postponed or cancelled. We'll discuss challenges we see on the horizon and review the economy, what guests are looking for, what hotel recovery may look like and the future. Advertisements Short-Term Outlook Good times are ahead for those with about six months of patience. We will have a very soft Q1 despite the PPP dollars that will be coming in, followed by an improved Q2, a robust Q3 and strong growth in Q4. It will not be because our political climate is favorable - it is not. Governor Newsom in California and Governor Cuomo in New York have fooled the public into thinking they are doing a good job on both the health of residents and the economy. They are not doing us any favors on the economy and have not protected us much better than states that are open. We must balance the health and economic needs and provide better testing, protect the vulnerable and open the economy. The Biden Administration must continue good programs and adjust in areas where they want to improve. The economy was not the problem, the virus was and remains the primary obstacle to economic recovery. What Are Guests Looking For? Guests will continue to want a contactless environment going forward. Digital check-in and keys, increased cleaning protocols that provide a commitment to cleanliness, fitness center and pool sign-in, in-room amenities and housekeeping service provided on request only and limited capacities are here for a while. Room to breathe, safety-first policies, a renewed focus on the customer and on sustainability will go a long way in pleasing guests. Using hotels as short-term rentals/apartments, offices and families staying with kids who are learning remotely will continue for another few months or more. They will be replaced by corporate and group travelers beginning in the second half of 2021. Competition From Short-Term Rentals AirDNA, the leading provider of short-term rental data and analytics, analyzed room nights to show that occupancy and average rate declined much more severely among hotels than Airbnb hotel comparables (studio and 1-bedroom). As an example, looking specifically at the San Diego market, one that has a strong short-term rental market (STR), here were the results for July, 2020: Data sourced by AirDNA and STR Short-term rentals reported higher occupancy, ADR and RevPAR compared to hotels for the month of July. Hotel occupancy declined from 90% to 50% while rates dropped from $180 to $130. That RevPAR decline is $162 to $62, a 62% decline. During that period, RevPAR declines at hotel comparables (short-term rental units that are studio or 1-bedroom) was only 14%. The bottom line is that we have lost market share to STRs in a big way. Still not a believer? Let's look at November performance below. Data sourced by AirDNA and STR Hotel RevPAR declines were 50% while STRs were up 16%. The addition of new supply, coupled with loss of market share from STRs will put pressure on hotel performance going forward. Challenges Facing the Industry in 2021 and beyond Short-Term Rentals are not the only challenges on the horizon. We need a strong hotel recovery from COVID-19, a return of the business traveler, a return of meetings and a return of the international traveler. Further, new supply that was in the pipeline will continue to open and for at least another year, large convention hotels will be competing with smaller properties every single day, keeping rate growth down. The customer will be calling the shots unless we can differentiate ourselves. This will require both some top-notch digital marketing and new operational service levels that wow the guests with sanitization, cleanliness, creativity, value and more. Yes, we can face these challenges head-on. Enhanced hygiene tools can differentiate one hotel from another and the hotels from vacation rentals. Vaccine delivery will have an enormous impact on travel. First, travelers will feel comfortable making trips they would not even consider before taking the vaccine. Second, corporations will allow their team members to travel to events, conventions and on sales calls. Third, consumer confidence will jump to new heights due to pent-up travel demand. To much better 2021! Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Serbias Parliament Speaker Ivica Dacic and Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin have received Russias Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine at the Belgrade-based Torlak Institute of Virology. After the vaccination, Vulin and Dacic addressed the media. "The issue of vaccination always gets a political dimension. Currently, some 100 vaccines are undergoing testing around the world. Now the world needs billions of vaccines and there are problems with production. It is necessary to make sure that the use of a certain vaccine does not turn into political pressure," Dacic said, noting that Serbia offered the opportunity to take vaccines from various countries, including from Russia. According to Dacic, Serbias authorities seek to demonstrate confidence in vaccination. "We wanted to show that we trust vaccination and so offer people to do the same," the parliament speaker said. In his turn, Vulin said he had taken the vaccine because he trusted doctors, TASS reported. In reply to a question of whether restrictions could be imposed on travel over the Western countries refusal to recognize that vaccines unregistered by them were effective, Vulin said he did not rule out this. Meanwhile, he said it would be inhuman to make peoples travel dependent on the vaccines choice. Serbia launched vaccination with the vaccine developed by the U.S .company Pfizer on December 24. Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia had paid the EU nearly 7 mln euro but it received twice as few doses than it had ordered: 4,800 instead of 10,000. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The Al-Ula Declaration signed on Tuesday at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, held in the Saudi city Al-Ula, ended the dispute of the Saudi-led Arab camp with Qatar, the Saudi top diplomat was quoted by Al Arabiya TV as saying. Riyadh, Jan 6 (IANS) Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan hailed end of the Gulf crisis with Qatar as a "new chapter" for the Gulf's security and stability. He said that the accomplishment was "a new chapter" to promote security and stability in the region, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. The foreign minister made the remarks while addressing a press conference after the summit, highlighting the commitment of concerned countries to tackle all topics of the declaration through negotiations. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud stressed, while chairing the summit, the importance of the Al-Ula Declaration for the solidarity and stability in the Gulf. He said that the declaration would strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among GCC member countries and peoples to serve their aspirations. Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praised the historic achievement by signing the Al-Ula Declaration, which he called as "the Solidarity Agreement" that reflects keenness on the unity of the Arab nation. A Saudi-led Arab quartet, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 and imposed a full embargo on the Gulf state, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied all the charges. The end of the crisis started on Monday with the decision by Saudi Arabia to reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar. The 41st GCC Supreme Council session was attended by Gulf leaders, and senior officials from the US, Arab and Islamic organisations, including Senior Advisor to US President Jared Kushner, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen, and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Egypt also took part in the meeting, represented by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. --IANS int/ Supplier News 6 January 2021 Markham, Ontario -- In a post pandemic world, only the most service-oriented businesses will survive. Putting customers first, nurturing empathy, being proactive, prioritizing communications, boosting training, and practicing patience must be the fundamental ingredients of a customer service culture in the new normal. It is those components that Umit Uyghur, director of rooms and regional director of revenue and optimization at the Hotel Henry Urban Resort and Conference Center, said he values from Maestro. The national historic landmark is leveraging Maestro's cloud-based property-management system to support guests enjoying the popular lodging and convention destination. "Maestro PMS is one of the BEST property-management systems I have ever used and throughout my hotel career, there have been many," Uyghur said. "What I especially appreciate is the Diamond Plus service provided by their entire team. Whenever I call the support line (for instance when a special rate does not pop up on an OTA site) they greet me by name as if I were a friend or family member and help me with the fix instantly. As director of rooms and regional director of revenue and optimization, I cannot afford to wait 24 hours to get the data I need. With Maestro, there's simply no waiting; they are available 24/7 even during a pandemic. It's amazing. "Also, in my role I touch every aspect of the Maestro PMS, from front-desk and revenue-management to accounting, yield and rate-management," he said. "The system is not complicated like other PMS solutions; it's user friendly and so easy to learn by just following the online training tools and watching the tutorials. As COVID-19 continues to linger on, we have to do more with less, and that includes requiring staff to assume new roles. Thanks to Maestro's simplified training, things like building a custom promotional package, facilitating curbside check-in (that many of our guests prefer to put some distance between themselves and staff or other guests), and curbside pick-up for our 100 Acres restaurant, has been a breeze to implement." Maestro's cloud-hosted PMS features browser-only access deployed in a client dedicated environment. Software is deployed over the Internet and is managed by Maestro, along with system upgrades, backups and maintenance. In December 2020, Hotel Henry upgraded to Maestro PMS Version 5.5 that offers a curbside check-in tool utilizing mobile tablet devices to streamline registration and socially distance staff from guests and guests from each other; a web/mobile/kiosk/iPad self-check-in module with mobile key integration; express mobile check-out; electronic registration card with signature capture; mobile spa provider schedule; mobile intake and waiver forms; and eSignature document management to limit staff interaction with guests and remove high-touch physical documents. Staff also benefit from a mobile housekeeping app that protects staff by controlling the availability of rooms and optionally setting a 48-hour time gap between the time a guest departs and the next guest arrives. Version 5.5 also includes mobile payment integration; mobile task management; and a Guest Engagement Measurement (GEM) tool that provides access to relevant guest feedback, intelligence and insights to encourage operational excellence, meaningful differentiation, and a sustainable competitive advantage. "Maestro's cloud solution is great," Uyghur said. "I can manage revenues and access reports remotely without having to be on property. Whether I am at our sister hotel, Mansion on Delaware Avenue, or traveling to Europe, I have full control over my operation. It's a truly modern solution that meets my rapidly changing demands. Now that both these properties have the latest version upgrade of Maestro, we can begin adding more of the contactless features to meet the safety demands of our guests." In April 2021, the Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center will be rebranded as the Hotel Henry Buffalo, a Curio Collection by Hilton brand, and will automatically switch to the Hilton mandated PMS. Mansion on Delaware Avenue will remain with Maestro. "Before we transition, I feel it's important to share with my peers especially those independent hotels looking to migrate to a new PMS provider in 2021 the widespread success that we've had with the Maestro PMS; it's a great system that I recommend highly," Uyghur said. Maestro President Warren Dehan had this to say: "We are delighted that Umit and management of both Hotel Henry and Mansion on Delaware Avenue are so pleased with the service and support provided by Maestro. It has been said that customer service should not be confined to a single department; rather it should transcend throughout the company culture. That's how we operate here at Maestro. No matter the task, we will do whatever it takes to deliver Diamond Plus service in a functional, appropriate, useful, and reliable way. Our customers are family, and as such, we have their backs. As we navigate the new normal in this new year, Maestro is committed to maximizing operational efficiency and staff productivity backed by a 24/7 call center. We will continue to offer free version upgrades; on demand live one-on-one refresher training; in application live chat, online user guides, tutorials and direct email support; complimentary live learning webinars; an e-Learning user website; and professional productivity audits. Yes, we have great software, but our service culture is the real key to our success and the success of our customers." About Maestro Maestro is the preferred cloud hosted and on-premises PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups. Maestro's PCI certified and EMV ready enterprise system offers 20+ integrated modules on a single database including touchless and mobile apps to increase profitability, drive direct bookings, centralize operations, and enable operators to engage guests with a safe and personalized experience. For over 43 years Maestro's Diamond Plus Service has provided unparalleled 24/7 North American based support and education services to keep hospitality groups operational and productive. Click here for more information on Maestro. Click here to get your free PMS Buying guide. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York Citys Health + Hospitals Vanderbilt clinic will be the boroughs first COVID-19 vaccination hub and will begin taking appointments as soon as Wednesday. The news of the city-run vaccination site was announced by Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island) Tuesday, just a day after Mayor Bill de Blasio said the first three hubs would be located in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. No further details about the Vanderbilt hub, such as hours of operation, have been announced. Borough President James Oddo, who had a conversation with the city on Tuesday, said his understanding is the Vanderbilt hub will be for frontline medical staff who are not a part of a hospital system and see patients daily, such as dentists, physical therapists and urgent care workers. In addition to the hubs targeting specialized populations, each borough will eventually have what the city is calling mass vaccination sites; the first three will be The Bronx at Bathgate Industrial Park, Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Army Terminal Annex Building, and at Manhattans La Marqueta. City Hall did not return a request for comment when asked about a timeline for when a Staten Island site will open and what city or community-based organizations the city is looking at for potential vaccination sites. De Blasio said the city-run mass vaccination sites will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Oddo said he believes, based on his conversation with the city, that the mass vaccination sites will be for the general public. We were told that the Staten Island site will be identified shortly. I cant explain to you why the need to announce three of the five sites that will address vaccinating the general public, why someone thought that was a smart thing to do, Oddo said, referencing the mayors announcement of the Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan sites on Tuesday. Although the timeline is unclear, establishing city-run mass vaccination sites is likely to take some time, particularly because New York is still in Phase 1a of vaccination, targeting medical workers and long-term care facilities. Best estimate that we got from the city is a ways away, Oddo said. BOROUGH OFFICIALS CALL FOR MORE STATEN ISLAND SITES When he made the announcement about the Vanderbilt hub, Matteo also said hes pushing for additional sites on Staten Island. Assemblyman Michael Reilly said he, too, hopes additional vaccination sites will be announced on Staten Island in short order. He says sites using already existing infrastructure should be prioritized, like the drive-thru COVID-19 test site on the grounds of South Beach Psychiatric Center and the Mt. Loretto location, but he believes the lack of a public hospital may make the borough the last thought when sites are being developed. I think one of the shortfalls, and this is always the case whenever were talking about healthcare, the lack of a New York City public hospital here. If you think about it, when Health + Hospitals is talking about the delivery of the vaccines and potential storage theyre going to consider their own capabilities and their own storage facilities and dispensing facilities. So, if you dont have a specific location in an area why are you going to think about that area? I think that might be the missing connection, Reilly said. Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) also said existing infrastructure on Staten Island should be utilized. Why we havent decided to use existing H+H testing facilities as vaccine hubs is beyond me, Borelli said. For example, in my district Mt. Loretto is being used as a testing site -- theres ample parking, ample space to expand services, why cant they say were going to say theyre going to use the other half of the gym to do vaccines? Borelli said. BORELLI SIDES WITH DE BLASIO, SAYS CUOMO NEEDS TO EXPAND PRIORITY LIST Even though Borelli questioned several of the citys decisions, or lack thereof, regarding vaccine distribution hubs, he said his larger issue is with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the states priority list, which largely dictates who can get vaccinated first. Only one person in New York state put his big ugly face in front of a box of vaccines to let us know who is boss and now, and when things are going poorly hes trying to abscond his responsibility and blame everybody else from the mayor, to the president, to the hospitals, he said. I think the mayor is correct; if you enlarge the pool of people like Florida is doing, youll get people queued up at a vaccine site. Its better to get people queued up that are ready, willing and able to get vaccinated than having vaccines sitting in the freezer. The mayor has been asking the state to expand its list of priority individuals so that more people citywide can get vaccinated quicker. Expand the categories to we can reach all of the people who need the vaccine as quick as possible. We want to get the folks who want to get the vaccine, de Blasio said. Hes also asking that private pharmacies and providers be offered an incentive to be able vaccinate patients the way testing was incentivized. FOLLOW KRISTIN F. DALTON ON TWITTER. Editors note: This story has been updated from a previous version that said the citys goal is to vaccinate 100,000 people combined at pop-up sites. The citys goal is to vaccinate 100,000 people this week. "Our faith in God has been restored for some of us. We believe He's the reason she's still here," says Amanda Stocks from North Carolina, describing her family's response after her sister, Ginny Gardner, was hospitalized in October. Gardner tested positive for coronavirus, followed by labored breathing, the Christian Post reported. For weeks, she was hooked to a ventilator at the Vidant Medical Center of Pitt County. Stocks took care of Gardner while the rest of the family had to settle with Zoom calls in agreement with the standard health protocols. They would also make an effort to dine in restaurants near the hospital where Gardner is admitted. They may not physically see her, but the proximity of their presence suffices as support to Gardner as she battles the virus. Not all days were smooth sailing, though. Stocks confessed that there were times when the family gets high on emotions to the point that they get on each other's nerves. Stocks couldn't help but ask God why he allowed this to happen to her sister in frustration. Nonetheless, they were able to come through the ordeal and were comforted upon learning Gardner's discharged from the hospital a few days before Christmas. Though still in oxygen therapy, Gardner is doing great, says Stocks on her Jan 3 update on Facebook. "We all got our Christmas miracle, and we will never forget all the kind words and prayers you all have said and given to and for our family," she added. Having survived the crisis brought to them by COVID, Stocks encouraged people to take precautions. In an interview with local news outlet WNCT, she admitted her initial thought about the virus' threat was just an exaggeration. "If you don't believe, you need to start believing... If you don't want to wear a mask, that's on you. But, stay at home. Don't carry out what could be deadly to someone else." The North Carolina COVID dashboard revealed that as of Monday, the positive test rate for COVID-19 in the state spiked at an alarming 16.5%. New cases reported were at 5,187, while 3,635 were already in hospitals for monitoring and treatment. Statewide, there were already 6,941 deaths from the reported 570,111 COVID-19 cases. To add light to all the confusion about the virus's fatality, the Pew Research Center shared their analysis in December. As per the Pew's analysis, COVID related deaths in rural areas are now on par with those in the urban. Between September and November, an average of three deaths daily occurs in less dense areas than the more concentrated neighborhoods, with 1.5 deaths each day. Senior scholar Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security speculated that the disparity may be due to rural residents opting to still gather despite warnings and counsels from medical specialists, The Hill reported. This shows that it won't hurt to apply safety measures like the imposed limited social gatherings and observe social distancing. While people of faith should not fear death, they still have to act as responsible citizens by being considerate of others, particularly their loved ones who may have weak immune systems. As for Amanda Stocks and her family, God turned what could have been a devastating season in their lives into a testimony of faith. A view from Clwyd Souths Member of the Senedd This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 6th, 2021 Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here). Clwyd South MS Ken Skates writes I would like to start my first column of 2021 by wishing Wrexham.com readers a happy new year. I think we are all glad to put 2020 behind us, and as ever a new year brings optimism even under the circumstances we find ourselves in. There is no doubt that 2020 was one of the most difficult many of us have ever experienced, and Im sure we have all felt like this awful pandemic will never end. The approval of a second vaccine just a few days ago offers real hope of a better future and a brighter year ahead. But, in the here and now, the situation remains extremely serious and we are not out of the woods yet. The latest figures show that while case numbers have fallen back from pre-Christmas levels in every other part of Wales, they are rising here in the North. However, the new Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is a hugely significant step forward. Its approval will considerably speed up the vaccination programme here in Wales and allow health boards to run more clinics closer to peoples homes from this week. The immediate priority will be to vaccinate the over-80s and care home residents. Many of you will be aware that, in Wales, we have already been using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to vaccinate more than 35,000 people. The focus has been on frontline health and care staff at the 14 mass vaccination centres set up by health boards around Wales to help protect our most vulnerable and save lives. Care home residents have also had the Pfizer jab over the last few weeks, with vaccinations in North Wales starting before Christmas. Wales will receive its population share of more than 100m doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine secured for the UK. We will continue to focus on the first priority groups identified by the UKs Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and working to the JCVI priority schedule the same schedule England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. More information on the vaccine, including eligibility, is available here through the Public Health Wales website. The exact timescale for when each priority group gets the vaccine will depend on when we receive supplies of the vaccine, but manufacturers such as Wockhardt UK Ltd in Wrexham, are working round-the-clock to produce it. The NHS will be contacting people directly to arrange for them to come to one of the special vaccine clinics in their local area. We will also take the vaccine into every care home to complete the protection of care home residents and staff. Over the next couple of weeks, we will increase the number of mass vaccination centres to 22 and more than 60 GP surgeries will offer the Oxford vaccine. Mobile units will also be set up throughout Wales. We are training a range of healthcare workers to give the vaccine and we have plans to work with local pharmacists, dentists and optometrists to provide vaccination clinics. We will also continue to provide the Pfizer vaccine. I have received a number of emails over the Christmas period from constituents who are concerned that they have not yet been contacted about receiving their first jab. The Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, was clear on Monday that everyone in our priority groups will be invited to attend a clinic for an appointment, and health boards and local authorities will be writing to everyone in Wales with more information about the vaccine in the coming days. These two vaccines offer us a clear path out of this pandemic., but it is a huge operation to vaccinate everyone and it cannot be done overnight. While the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer, we must all continue to play our part particularly in our area where we are still seeing a worrying rise in infections. Although I am unable to hold public surgeries at present, my team and I are still here to help and are continuing to deal with casework as normal. If you need advice or support, please email ken.skates@senedd.wales and include your full home address and contact number. You can also find useful information about coronavirus support on my website www.kenskates.co.uk and Facebook page @KenSkatesMS. I also put out regular e-newsletters with the latest Welsh Government coronavirus updates and local news, which you can subscribe to here. The Welsh Government continues to publish a wide range of advice and guidance on its coronavirus portal. x Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here). STOCKHOLM, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZandCell, a biotech company with fast and effective COVID-19 diagnostic tests offers its mutant sensitive tests in different variations to the UK government and population. The entire world has been shocked by the news of the new mutant variants of the COVID-19 virus enabling the virus to enter the host cells more easily resulting in a higher infectious rate. The latest developments have forced UK government to announce total national lockdowns which affect the entire country. "ZandCell has been working towards the UK government since September. We know that mass testing is one of the key points to defeat this virus. I offer my company's help and test devices to the people and the country of UK. We can produce 70Million tests in 30 days for the UK," said Michael Zand, CEO of ZandCell. Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are to be expected. Specifically, the mutated versions have an altered receptor binding domain, which is situated on the virus' spike protein and which allows easier access to the ACE2 receptor in human cells. The messenger RNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna trick the body into reproducing the virus's spike protein - the precise part of the pathogen that has mutated in the new versions. "We have to wait and see how effective these vaccines are and how long their effect lasts. Only certain existing PCR models can detect the new mutated variants. But all ZandCell tests can detect coronavirus with high accuracy within minutes. All our tests use a triple molecular detection method and are sensitive against variants B117 and 501.V2 as these mutations have changed spike protein which we don't detect in our test devices. "We have the world's largest production capacity of rapid tests and lately, we have started to use nano-sized molecules in all our tests to increase sensitivity. Our test is 20 times cheaper and requires no specialist to handle. You get visual results within minutes. Our saliva antigen test is really a DIY (do it yourself) test. Very suitable for school children and elderly people. Most people can handle spitting in a funnel which is the only thing you need to do. "The saliva tests should be allowed to be used in homes and sold on the internet to have the best effect and availability. Decentralized testing is the key. "We offer a whole arsenal of weapons against this virus. The tests can also be produced in UK in the future for easier and faster access." ZandCell COVID-19 diagnostic devices: Antigen (saliva) Antigen (nasal swab) Antigen Flu/COVID-19 combo (nasal swab) Antibody IgG/IgM (blood) The saliva test is available to order for professional users today at: https://zandcell.com/zandcell-covid-19-rapid-antigen-test/ About ZandCell ZandCell is a privately held, biotechnology company committed to bringing to market life-transforming therapeutics and diagnostic devices for patients. The overall objective of ZandCell and its operations is to develop medical treatments in the fields of regenerative medicine, gene editing, and immunotherapy worldwide. Michael Zand +46-736779970 info@zandcell.com NORTHAMPTON The state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs told interested parties Tuesday that its pulling back plans for a traffic roundabout on North King and Hatfield streets on property where Native American artifacts dating back 8,000 to 10,000 years have been found. Citing extensive public comments already received on the project, environmental regulators prematurely closed off a comment period that was to have lasted until Jan. 14 and it canceled a visit to the site that was also set for Tuesday. In an email the agency said the project is being pulled from Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review at this time, but without prejudice meaning that the project could be refiled. MassDOT indicates that it intends to conduct public outreach on their own accord which will afford additional time to address the extensive public comments that have been received on the project through the MEPA process, the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs wrote Tuesday to those who had already made a public comment on the project. The email from the Office of Energy and Environmental goes on to say: It is MassDOTs intent to re-file the ENF once the public involvement plan (to be developed) has been implemented, the letter said. MassDOT spokespeople said they were researching the topic Tuesday night. But the email represents only the most recent delay in a project where construction was to have begun July 1 and the artifacts in question are older than the Pyramids along the Nile. Archaeologists in 2019 found crescent-shaped stones used on spears or darts to increase damage while hunting animals or fish. Also found at the site likely on what was the shore of a huge prehistoric lake were the remains of hearths or fireplaces, evidence that fire was used to make stone tools and hammerstones fashioned from the quartzite rock found at the site. A state report released this summer says the site is rare and to date the only one of its exact type found. The artifacts were found and removed by Archaeological and Historical Services Inc. of Storrs, Connecticut, a company hired by the state of Massachusetts to investigate the site prior to construction. Much more common are the projectile points that date the site, said Richard M. Gramly, an archaeologist hired by property owner John F. Skibiski Jr., speaking back in July. This image, taken from a report by a state-hired archaelogist, shows crescent-shaped stone blade recovered from the site off King Street in Northampton. The objects are thought to be 8,000 to 10,000 years old. (Photo provided) Its literally a once-in-a-lifetime discovery, he said. You could grow old looking for another one. Skibiski sued the state not only to stop construction on his land but to retain control over the artifacts. His lawyer didnt return a call for comment Tuesday. Proponents say the roundabout project will improve traffic flow on the busy north side of Northampton and provide pedestrian access to properties nearby. Various Native American groups thought to have been possibly descended from the inhabitants of Northampton 10 centuries ago have weighed in. But none claim final jurisdiction. A petition signed by 55,000 people opposed the project. Related Content: The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Ukraine was unable to contract vaccines against coronavirus (COVID-19) disease from the leading manufacturers in 2020 due to the fact that the Health Ministry focused all negotiations on the purchase of vaccines, state-owned enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine said. "Our country has and still has all the tools and opportunities to compile a portfolio and contract vaccines from leading manufacturers back in 2020. Unfortunately, these negotiations were concentrated within the Health Ministry. Therefore, they did not have a significant result," the Health Ministry told Interfax-Ukraine. The Health Ministry called manipulation of the minister's statement that the Health Ministry has been negotiating with vaccine manufacturers since May 2020. "Those countries and associations that started negotiations on the purchase of vaccines in the summer, already at the end of December 2020 to early January 2021, started to vaccinate their citizens. If Ukraine starts negotiations in May, now we should have already had vaccines. In most countries, the contracting period for vaccine manufacturers is from several weeks to two months," the ministry said. The state-owned enterprise said that as of the middle of December 2020, contracts were signed in the EU with six manufacturers for 2 billion doses of vaccines and negotiations are underway for an additional 200 million doses; in early December 2020, Poland contracted 45 million doses from three world manufacturers; Germany, Hungary and Slovakia started to vaccinate the population before the New Year. In addition, the Health Ministry said one of the manufacturers, with whom the state-owned enterprise was negotiating on the purchase of vaccines, "warned of a possible withdrawal from the negotiations, since it had been waiting for a decision of the Health Ministry on the purchase for too long." "Negotiations have been conducted since September, the finalization of documents took place in the third decade of December, since then the manufacturer has not received any information from the Health Ministry. The key negotiating position in the procurement of vaccines is speed and clarity when concluding contracts. Unfortunately, this is definitely not what our team can influence when it comes to the actions of the Health Ministry," the ministry said. "The Health Ministry can in the shortest period of time contract vaccines from key global manufacturers so that Ukraine has a portfolio of vaccines. And for this we need exactly less than nine months. For this we need to be able to carry out work without pressure from the Health Ministry and additional unreasonable barriers," the state-owned enterprise said. MBABANE Copper theft remains a thorn in the flesh of the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) as it incurred losses amounting to E3 093 257 as a result of this criminal act. In the 2019/2020 financial year, the company received reports of a total number of 44 theft cases (mostly copper theft), five attempted theft cases, four house break-ins and theft cases and one house break-in with intent to steal. This is contained in the companys annual performance report, where the parastatal committed to improving its security management system by continuing with implementing preventative strategies to safeguard all its assets and resources from danger, theft and damage. Suspects It was stated in the report that 10 suspects were arrested by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and they all appeared before the different magistrate courts in the country. Some cases were concluded and the suspects were prosecuted while some cases are still pending in the courts. This financial year the company has incurred a total loss of E3 093 257 as a result of these criminal cases. Overhead and underground copper cables were still the main targets for the criminals due to its demand in the ever increasing market. Vandalism of HT fuse elements continued to be experienced on the outskirts of Mbabane City during this financial year, read the report in part. The company revealed that the REPS formed a task team to patrol and monitor the high risk areas. The parastatal continued to implement strategies to combat copper theft by attending National Anti-Copper Theft and Non-Ferrous Metals meeting with other stakeholders such as the REPS, Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) and others. The company has representatives in all the various National Anti-Copper Theft and Non-Ferrous Metals Committees, which were formed by the relevant stakeholders. EEC continued to partner with other stakeholders to fight crime in the country by being part of the Southern African Regional Police Chief Corporation Organisation (SARPCCO) operation conducted by the REPS around the country. EEC played a vital role financially in ensuring that the National Anti-Copper Theft and Non-Ferrous Metals Campaign launched by the Honourable Prime Minister (the late Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini) on June 21, 2019 at Mavuso Trade Centre became a success, the report stated. EEC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the REPS for copper theft related cases. Awareness It was stated that the company continued raising copper theft awareness with other stakeholders such as EPTC and the REPS by engaging the communities through roadshows and community meetings. EEC has also used media houses such as Eswatini Television, Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) and Voice of the Church (VOC) as part of raising awareness to the public. The company continued to safeguard its property through physical security and technological solutions. It revealed that it outsourced physical security to six security service providers to man its sites. It has continued with constructing guard houses for the security guards to have a proper and healthy shelter in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Installations of CCTV cameras and alarm systems are an ongoing project implemented in phases which will cover all EEC sites. The company is a member of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and one of the sub-committees is the Crime Prevention Working Group (CPWG), where all vandalism of network infrastructure issues are deliberated and preventative strategies are outlined for all the utilities, read the report. EEC stated that once all the strategies were in place and good partnership with the relevant stakeholders was maintained, the company envisaged a minimised crime rate from all aspects of business in the near future. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel is ready to assist in attracting technologies to Rivne City The Ambassador of Ukraine in the State of Israel Yevgen Korniychuk assured the Mayor of Rivne, Olexander Tretyak, of his readiness to assist in the search for partners in attracting technologies to various areas of the city. The Embassy of Ukraine reported this at Facebook On January 5, Ambassador Korniychuk held an online meeting with the Rivne mayor. During the conversation, the sides discussed the state and prospects of cooperation in the economic and investment spheres. In particular, an agreement was reached to work out the issue of exporting products to Israel from enterprises of the light and agricultural industries of Rivne. The Embassy expressed its readiness to assist the city authorities and business in finding and selecting relevant Israeli partners in the field of attracting technologies to various sectors (municipal administration, agro-processing, logistics), - the message says. The parties also discussed the possibilities of Ukrainian-Israeli cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, in particular, they talked about the restoration of places of cultural and religious heritage of the Jewish people in Rivne. Establishment of twinning relations between Rivne and one of the Israeli cities were identified as a promising area of bilateral cooperation, - the message underlines. The Embassy also notes that a dialogue at this level will facilitate the organization of the visit of the delegation of the Rivne City Council to Israel to get acquainted with the Israeli economic potential. 2020 has ended but the threats that came with it are still here. This time, it's from the outer space. Asteroid heading towards Earth day after day may not be the most surprising fact to hear but it does manage to send shivers down the spine. If that wasn't enough, this time the asteroids are reported to be 0.83 times the height of the Eiffel Tower. Also Read - NASA's New Project Can Help To Estimate What A Supernova Sounds Like; Read More Out of the five asteroids mentioned below, three will supposedly pose a lower threat due to their small sizes, while the other two are said to be nearly half a kilometre wide. An asteroid can be perceived as a threat depending on its size and the speed at which it's approaching. In this case, 2021AJ is the smallest in size yet because of the speed that it's zooming in, the asteroid can manage to destroy an entire city. On the 3rd of January, a similar occurrence was observed where a gigantic 220-meter asteroid the size of a Golden Gate Bridge passed by Earth at a whopping speed of 6.9 million kilometres per hour. According to NASA, several incidences with similar-sized asteroids in the frame pass by Earth a few times every year. However, they are not always noticeable unless they're directly heading towards the planet. The famous French Astrologer, Nostradamus had also predicted the same as many of his other accurate predictions. Asteroids heading towards Earth on January 6, 2020 Asteroid Time (GMT) Average diameter Speed (kilometres per hour) 2021 AC 03:27 73.5 metres 50,652 kmph 2016 CO247 04:09 340 metres 60,228 kmph 2021 AJ 11:38 19.5 metres 45,648 kmph 2018 KP1 13:21 41 metres 15,948 kmph 332446 (2008 AF4) 21:52 495 metres 39,564 kmph Source: CNEOS Also Read - NASA Astronauts Recreate Times Square's Ball Drop In Zero Gravity NASA is actively monitoring the situation Fortunately, these asteroids are said to be passing at a significant distance, about nine times wider than the distance between the Earth and the Moon, and not directly towards our planet. However, NASA calls it potentially hazardous because these objects swing at 0.02019 astronomical units. They may not affect us now but if they continue to orbit along the same plane as Earth, they can pose a danger in the future. NASA is constantly monitoring its trajectory because of its proximity to the Earth. Also Read - NASA Says Golden Gate Bridge-sized Asteroid Will Pass By Earth In Early Jan Not to be confused with the Fairlane line of vehicles for the Australian market, the full-size car for North America replaced the Crestline series in 1955. The Victoria hardtop coupe in the gallery is one of the best-preserved examples from the first generation of the Fairlane, and believe it or not, this blast from the past still features the original invoice. Yola A former Education minister and presidential aspirant of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Congress (ANPP), Dauda Birma, has died at the age of 81. Birma, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Gabas Adamawa, died on Tuesday at the Yola Specialists Hospital after brief illness. His eldest son and managing director of the Birma family business, South Chad Limited, Abubakar Dauda Birma, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust. The deceased left behind 12 children, two wives and 28 grand children. Until his death, Birma was a member, Board of Trust of the North East Development Commission. He had served the country in various capacities including a member of the National Dialogue Committee. Twice a presidential aspirant, Dauda led a group of aspirants to step down for Muhammadu Buhari at the 2003 convention. Services at Portlaoise hospital have had to be substantially reduced due to the surge in Covid-19 cases. The HSE's Dublin Midland Hospital Group has issued a statement as case numbers rose in to double figures at the Laois hospital. It said that given the rising numbers of community transmission of Covid-19, the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise have taken the decision this week to cease all non-time dependent work including inpatient, day case and outpatient services. While essential services and urgent time-sensitive procedures will continue to be provided, management asks that the public not to attend the hospital if you had received a planned appointment. The statement said the hospital will be in contact with you. Management says this decision will be reviewed weekly depending upon the level of Covid-19 in the community and the impact on hospital services. Patients will be advised if their care is proceeding. Michael Knowles is the General Manager of Portlaoise hospital. We regret the impact that these deferrals will have on our patients but it is a really important part of maintaining critical and emergency services. Patients will be notified directly if their appointment or procedure is being deferred. Visiting restrictions remain in place at the hospital. "Members of the public should not visit the hospital except on compassionate grounds and these visits should be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward. Please stay at home and support us to protect our frontline staff and services, he said. There were 11 Covid-19 patients at the Portlaoise hospital on Tuesday evening, January 5 with two critically ill. The hospital has no ICU capacity. The first frontline staff at the Laois hospital are set to be vaccinated this week. There have been 418 cases in Laois in the past 14 days. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Beginning his work in marine biology, Randy Wells thought he was a shark guy. But the teenager whose family had just moved from Peoria to Florida's Gulf Coast volunteered to help a local researcher study the migration patterns of the bottlenose dolphins off of Sarasota. And now it's 50 years later and Wellsa staff scientist at Brookfield Zoo in suburban Chicago since 1989heads the world's longest running study of a marine mammal population in the wild, tracking the lives, loves and losses of some 170 Sarasota Bay dolphins and delivering globally significant insight into these creatures that have long fascinated humans. In the process Wells has become one of the best-known dolphin guys on the planetand helped make Brookfield more than just a landlocked zoo in a sleepy western suburb. But the essence of what he has learned, Wells says, is not that different from life in a Chicago 'burb. He explained: "So when we started, we had no idea what we were going to find back in 1970. It was completely exploratory, with a pilot tagging study back then, and it could have gone a variety of directions. But the idea that we could find the same identifiable individual dolphins time and time again within a fairly limited area set the stage for everything we've been able to do since then. "So we can recognize 95 percent of the dolphins in Sarasota waters just from looking at their dorsal fin, looking for patterns of nicks and notches on their fins. Within that 170-dolphin community, we have been monitoring them through six generations. At any given time, we can have up to five concurrent generations within a lineage. "So it's very much like a suburban neighborhood outside of Chicago. For example, I lived in LaGrange Park for a few years and in the neighborhood that I lived in, there were multiple generations of the same family on back-to-back streets. And that's kind of how I envision what's going on in Sarasota." That explanation is true enough, but it doesn't capture the breadth of work that Wells and scores of colleagues and visiting scientists have been able to do over the years from their headquarters on Sarasota Bay. After first establishing the crucial fact that the wild dolphin population was resident, rather than transitory, Wells and what is now called the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program have helped prove the damage to dolphins and the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, spotlighted the impact of red tide events, pioneered techniques in health assessment of dolphins and established that dolphins can live to age 67 and give birth up to age 48. "Scotchgard, which we used to put on couches?" said Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of Chicago Zoological Society, the parent organization of Brookfield Zoo. "One of the reasons that's off the shelves now, it's a bioaccumulator like DDT." The original formulation of the 3M product, "that's off the shelves because of Randy's research, because of what he found in the dolphins." The list of SDRP impacts Brookfield has compiled to mark the 50th anniversary, which happened officially in October, is remarkable for their length and detail, but it would be wrong to think of the program as all white lab coats and clipboards. "Randy and his crew, they're the most prolific scientists I've ever met," said Strahl, who has a research background himself. "They are some of the most remarkable humans I've seen in the field, and the enthusiasm they have when they see a dolphin they haven't seen in a while is terrific. 'That must be so and so!' It's infectious when you're around them." And the reason for Brookfeild to continue supporting the programto the tune of almost $1 million annually, primarily through grants and philanthropy, the zoo saysis because it complements the work done on the zoo campus. "We have an obligation to engage people in not just the animals that we have on display but also to learn their stories and learn the stories of what things they face in the wild and how those issues can be mitigated," said Strahl. "It's two halves of a solution for wildlife." Brookfield support is crucial to the project, pointed out Peter Tyack, a professor at University of St Andrews in Scotland who studies cetacean vocalizing and has done research on the Sarasota dolphins. "Having reliable continuous support is what's essential for this kind of long-term study," Tyack said. And having so much data over so long a time is essential to understanding the big problems of today, including the effects of climate change, Tyack said. "What I say about Randy's project is the older the data, the more valuable it gets to us today in terms of tracking long-term trends." Another profound impact of the program has been in the development of scientists. Trevor Spradlin, who is now deputy chief of the marine mammal and sea turtle conservation division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the leading federal marine conservation agency, first experienced scientific field work as a volunteer with Wells in 1989, he recalled. "Randy has been such a nurturer to so many different generations of marine mammal biologists," Spradlin said, noting that SDRP's work is "the blueprint for what we know about coastal dolphins around the world." "He's done so much not just for dolphins but also for the whole field of marine mammal science," Spradlin said. "He's provided platforms of opportunity for so many scientists around the world to learn about dolphins and wildlife conservation techniques and procedures." More than 80 doctoral dissertations and masters theses have involved work done at SDRP, the zoo says, and just since 1991 more than 400 interns have trained there. And the work has been a backbone of NOAA's efforts "to get people to respectfully view animals in the wild," Spradlin said. "All these efforts to promote safe and reasonable dolphin viewing really have their genesis with Randy. It's more than just cool scienceand it is cool sciencebut it's also very important data to help preserve and protect these animals." Even growing up in Peoria, Wells was fascinated by water, he said, the result of family spring breaks: "I justI was taken by the ocean. For years my parents led a delegation that eventually grew to over 500 Peorians that would come down and take over multiple hotels on Panama City Beach." The family moved when he was in high school to Siesta Key, just off Sarasota, and "I was so ready for the move," Wells said. He was able to take marine biology classes in high school, and when his dad's company sold a house to researcher moving from California to study sharks and dolphins, Wells's father asked the man if he needed an assistant. Wells began working with that researcher, Blair Irvine (who now sits on the SDRP board), and it was an unfunded offshoot program tagging coastal dolphins, Wells said, that led to the pioneering work that established the animals were residents of the area rather than mere passers by. He has seen remarkable changes in the field. A 1977 marine mammal conference drew fewer than 200 scientists, he said, while one held recently in Barcelona attracted more than 2500. Technology has dramatically aided in the work researchers are able to do, from unobtrusive tracking devices to the dolphin identifying and age-estimating work pioneered by Wells's team. But it all comes back to that baseline work his project has done. "We know the individuals," he said. "We know how old they are. We know where they are, who they're related to on the maternal side. And in many cases, with analyses that have just been completed, we know who their fathers are. We have a good sense of their condition in terms of their health and their contaminant load. We know where they spend their time. We know with whom they spend their time. And so with that background knowledge, it just makes all kinds of research possible. "And it's just gotten more interesting as time as gone on and we've gotten to know these individuals." Wells turned 67 in November, but he said he doesn't see himself retiring anytime soon. "It is both my job and my hobby," he said. "I love being around the water. I love being on the water. And even if I'm just out kayaking, it just adds that much more when there's a dolphin around, So I don't envision myself stopping completely being interested in the lives of these animals and what I can do to help them." 2020 the Chicago Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Another 'Beast from the East' as seen in 2018 is on the cards thanks to a sudden stratospheric warming event around the North Pole, a study reported. During such episodes, the stratosphere the layer 631 miles (1050 km) above the Earth's surface can increase in temperature by up to 90F (50C) over mere days. This disturbance can travel down through the atmosphere and if it reaches the ground can cause shifts in the jet stream that cool Europe and northern Asia. UK experts studied 40 stratospheric warming episodes from the last six decades and learnt to track their signals that they travel down to the Earth's surface. They said the current warming could bring snowfall within weeks a prediction that appears to have come true with London dusted white this morning. The Met Office predicted the stratospheric warming episode back in late December and forecast, as a result, increased changes of cold weather across January. Another 'Beast from the East' could be on the cards thanks to a sudden stratospheric warming event around the North Pole, a study has warned. Pictured, the cold weather seen in 2018 The current warming event may bring snowfall within weeks, they said yesterday a prediction that appears to have come true with London and Birmingham (pictured) waking up to a dusting of white this morning 'While an extreme cold weather event is not a certainty, around two thirds of sudden stratospheric warmings have a significant impact on surface weather,' said paper author and climate dynamics expert Richard Hall of the University of Bristol. There is an increased chance of extreme cold temperatures and potentially snow, also over the next week of two, he continued. 'Whats more, [the current] sudden stratospheric warming is potentially the most dangerous kind, where the polar vortex splits into two smaller "child" vortices.' 'Our study quantifies for the first time the probabilities of when we might expect extreme surface weather following a sudden stratospheric warming event,' said paper author and mathematician William Seviour of the University of Exeter. 'These vary widely, but importantly the impacts appear faster and stronger following events in which the stratospheric polar vortex splits in two as is predicted in the currently unfolding event.' Such splitting, the team found, tends to be associated with colder weather over both Siberia and north-west Europe and occurred during the 2018 'Beast from the East'. 'Despite this advance many questions remain as to the mechanisms causing these dramatic events, and how they can influence the surface, and so this is an exciting and important area for future research.' During sudden warming events, the stratosphere the layer 631 miles (1050 km) above the Earth's surface can increase in temperature by up to 90F (50C) over mere days. This disturbance can travel down the atmosphere and if it reaches the ground can cause shifts in the jet stream that cool Europe, leading to the kind of snow seen in the UK in 2018 'Our study quantifies for the first time the probabilities of when we might expect extreme surface weather following a sudden stratospheric warming event,' said paper author and mathematician William Seviour of the University of Exeter. 'These vary widely, but importantly the impacts appear faster and stronger following events in which the stratospheric polar vortex splits in two.' Pictured, the stratospheric potential vorticity field on February 10, 2018 during the Beast from the East, showing the vortex about to split into two 'The extreme cold weather that these polar vortex breakdowns bring is a stark reminder of how suddenly our weather can flip,' said atmospheric scientist Dann Mitchell of Bristol University 'The extreme cold weather that these polar vortex breakdowns bring is a stark reminder of how suddenly our weather can flip,' said paper author and atmospheric scientist Dann Mitchell, also of the University of Bristol. 'Even with climate change warming our planet, these events will still occur, meaning we must be adaptable to an ever more extreme range of temperatures.' The full findings of the study were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. The enemy media have again jumped on a phone call with Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger to claim that the president's trying to come up with new votes to overturn the election. What President Trump was actually asking Raffensperger is to audit Georgia's votes, officially expose the fraudulent votes, then have those votes removed from Biden's current total. In Georgia, just taking out the dead vote, 10,315, and felons, 2,560, overturns that state's election results. This same applies in other states Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin where removing clearly identified illegal votes changes the election results. Yet none of these states has adjusted its total. The president's team is reiterating the same numbers of stolen votes again and again in an attempt to expose the fraud, but that wears thin sounds like they're just juggling statistics to make their case. As a result, the numbers lose their significance. The president's team should show the impact of every single provable batch of illegal votes. Subtract that number from Biden's totals and show what should be the official total once illegal votes are removed. As it stands, exposing the fraud versus actually addressing the fraud has become just another political exercise. But it's not a political game. These governors, secretaries of state, judges, and congressmen need to go home at night and look into their children's eyes. How will their actions in this election affect those kids? Are these people standing down because of threats, blackmail, or bribes? Mob tactics are very real in this election, and for those who never got to watch The Godfather, those persuasion methods do work. Every official who's passed on his sworn duty to uphold the Constitution or failed to uphold justice needs to take a minute and think of someone besides himself. Maybe, just maybe, these people could think of their own children, their grandchildren, of the millions of American children who will suffer the consequences of their accepting an illegal election. Those kids will never again have free elections. To think the 2020 election wouldn't be our last free election if Democrats are allowed to steal this one is folly. These thugs are pulling off the greatest heist in history, stealing the most powerful nation on earth. Who really believes they will ever again stop cheating and hold free and fair elections? "When annual elections end, there slavery begins." John Adams If we allow them to end free elections, it's over, because tyrants never give power back once they've seized it. Look at Xi Jinping. China, now the world's largest economy, wasn't enough for him. He had to have Hong Kong, had to force his oppressive rule on a democratic jurisdiction, crush Hong Kong citizens to quell resistance, take their businesses, seize their wealth. And he plans to keep taking until he rules the world. So we know from history where illegal leaders will take our country. They'll tighten restrictions on speech, guns, and assembly to make sure no group can rise up to take their country back. They'll finish off small businesses to make their state stores Walmart, Costco, Target undisputed king. They'll crack down on churches because religion is a threat to totalitarianism. And they'll "spread the wealth around" take people's hard earned money and redistribute it to favored groups. Don't take my word for it. Look at every country that lost free elections, whose people lost their right to choose their own leaders. We all say we don't want to be another Venezuela, but maybe we already are, just at a different stage. Venezuela was once the richest, most stable democracy in Latin America. Maybe these officials, governors, secretaries of state, judges, and congressmen should take just a second to ponder the horrors they're inflicting on their own children, on their country, on the American people. Maybe, in a rare act of courage, they should risk their safety, refuse a bribe, or let the blackmailer tell all if it will save millions of Americans from a totalitarian takeover. This is their moment to fight for liberty or surrender to tyranny. "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done." Ronald Reagan How many of these officials will be able to tell their children that they "did all that could be done"? Or how many will have to confess, too late, that they did nothing to "preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth"? Our rendezvous with destiny is here. Image via Pxhere. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A massive Journal Square development project cleared its final hurdle Tuesday night and construction is expected to begin in June. The Kushner Companies 1 Journal Square project, which includes two 52-story residential towers over a 12-story base of retail, commercial and parking, gained final approval from the Jersey City Planning Board in a unanimous vote. Kushner is excited to reach this milestone needed to get this pivotal project off the ground and make 1 Journal Square a reality, said Jenny Bernell, executive vice president of development for Kushner. We look forward to continuing a great collaboration with Jersey City. 20 YEARS OF PROMISES The final approval came after the developer and the city ended years of litigation in October with the settlement of a federal lawsuit filed by Kushner Companies over the denial of a tax abatement. The plan was initially approved in 2017, and minor amendments to the plan were approved Tuesday night. A spokeswoman for the company said the a ground-breaking is expected to take place in June, 16 years after the crumbling buildings on the site were condemned and demolished in 2005. The lot, bordered by the Journal Square PATH Station, Kennedy Boulevard and Sip Avenue, has been vacant ever since. The towers will rise 710 feet and include 1,723 units between the two towers and the base. The project also calls for nearly 900 parking spaces. Representatives the the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the PATH system, voiced their concerns over the impact of the project on the Journal Square PATH Station, the bus depot there and the increased vehicular traffic the project will bring to the area. Port Authority said the increase in ridership will create a strain on the system and Mary K. Murphy, a planner for the agency, noted that in many states impact fees are awarded to neighbors affected by development. A study provided by the developer estimated 759 additional PATH riders in the morning rush hour and 449 in the evening rush hour. Also at Tuesday nights meeting, a 26-story development at the corner of Sip and Summit avenues, across the street from the State Building, was also approved. In a statement, the Fulop administration said it continues to promote progress amid one of the greatest renaissances this city has ever seen and is doing so in a thoughtful and community-centric way, from creating new schools and libraries to expanding transit, to increasing affordable housing, to eliminating tax abatements, and 1 Journal Square is a prime example of how the mayor fought for the taxpayers best interest. We are grateful to be moving forward with the project, which will further the revitalization of Journal Square and the city as a whole. ADVERTISEMENT The Osun State Police Command Tuesday paraded a 24-year-old housewife, Mariam Musa, who poisoned her stepson because her husband cared more for the boys mother. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the killing occurred in Ede area of the state on December 29, 2020. During the parade, the suspect confessed that she poured insecticide into the three-year-old boy, Rokeebs mouth and he eventually died as a result. Asked why she poisoned the boy, Ms Musa said the mother of the victim is her husbands favourite and she was not comfortable with that. I killed the son of my husbands second wife because of jealousy and greed. Our husband was taking care of her mother because she has a male child. I eventually felt remorse after killing the boy. She confirmed that she confessed the crime to her husband. The woman was paraded alongside 11 other suspects arrested for crimes across the state. The state commissioner of police, Wale Olokode, said two people were also arrested for kidnapping 12 passengers of a bus on December 30, 2020 The 12 passengers in a Sharon Volkswagen were coming from Ekiti State, and heading for Offa in Kwara State. On getting to Asi along Oyan Road, in the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, they were attacked by gunmen and kidnapped. The intensive combing of the bush led to the arrest of two members of the gang, and the kidnappers were forced to release the remaining six victims on Friday. The victims have since reunited with their families. The EU's medicines watchdog approved a coronavirus jab by US firm Moderna on Wednesday, giving a shot in the arm for Europe's slow-moving vaccine roll-out. The vaccine is the second to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the 27-nation bloc after Pfizer-BioNTech's got the green light in late December. The Moderna approval comes as criticism mounts of the EU's sluggish start to its vaccination campaign, which is lagging behind the United States, Britain and Israel. "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency, EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said in a statement. "It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO," she added. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said it was "good news for our efforts to bring more Covid-19 vaccines to Europeans!" National capitals have been piling pressure on the Amsterdam-based EMA to authorise the Moderna vaccine as coronavirus cases soar across Europe. The regulator failed to decide on approval at a meeting on Monday, which had been brought forward from January 12, and experts had to meet again on Wednesday. The EMA said it had in the intervening time been "working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company". The EU began vaccinations on December 27 but the pace has been slow, with the Netherlands on Wednesday becoming the final country in the bloc to start. - 'Gigantic challenge' - European Council chief Charles Michel said late on Tuesday that he hoped for Moderna approval in "coming hours" and that leaders would hold a virtual summit on the health crisis later this month. Michel said that delivering vaccines to the EU's almost 450 million people was a "gigantic challenge". But he insisted that "alongside member states, the European Commission is working night and day to make sure we can increase the number of vaccines available" -- while "respecting the independence of the medicines agency". The Pfizer-BioNTech product -- developed in Germany -- is the only vaccine currently authorised for use in the European Union since its fast-track authorisation by the EMA on December 21. The United States uses it alongside the Moderna vaccine, while Britain as of Monday also started using one by UK pharmaceuticals giant, AstraZeneca. Moderna's jab was found to be 94.1 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 compared to a placebo in a clinical trial of 30,400 people, performing slightly better in younger adults compared to the elderly. The EMA said last week that the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University is unlikely to get a green light in the EU in the next month. The fact that the watchdog moved from London to Amsterdam after Brexit has itself fuelled commentary about how Britain had been able to move faster after leaving the EU. (CNN) A cluster of islands in the Pacific Ocean that's one of the few places on Earth entirely free from Covid-19 could become one of the first countries vaccinated against the disease. The Republic of Palau, an archipelago home to about 18,000 people, received its first shipment of the vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical company Moderna on Saturday. Vaccinations started the next day, Palau's Ministry of Health announced on Twitter. The first shipment included 2,800 doses of the vaccine, which will be administered in two shots, 28 days apart. Health care workers, key officials and vulnerable groups will be among the first to receive the vaccine, according to the ministry's statement. To date, Palau has not recorded a single coronavirus case or virus-related death, according to the World Health Organization. In January, as the virus began to spread across Asia and the Pacific, Palau was among the first to implement stricter border controls. Its borders were entirely locked by March, and it began testing citizens for the virus by April. These measures were key to keeping Covid-19 out, Palau's ambassador to the UN said in May. An independent nation in free association with Washington, Palau has access to the United States' mass Covid-19 vaccination program, known as Operation Warp Speed (OWS). The archipelago covers an area of just 177 square miles (459 square kilometers) -- about a sixth of the size of Rhode Island, the smallest US state. That small size puts Palau in prime position to be among the first nations to be inoculated against Covid-19, according to the country's incident commander of the Ministry of Health, Ritter Udui. "We are lucky to be in a position where we have access to vaccines through OWS, and our small size makes it easier for us to roll out the program," Udui said. "It's not compulsory to receive the vaccine, so our goal is to vaccinate about 80% of the population. We hope to achieve herd immunity (through the vaccination program)." Palau initially planned to have the vaccinations completed by May, but Udui said this deadline would "probably be extended" due to a slowdown in distribution from the US. Sylvia Osarch, 60, a doctor of geriatric medicine, was the first person in Palau to receive the vaccine on Sunday. "I felt excited to set an example for my community," she said. "I want to tell the community that I took the vaccine to protect them. So when it is their turn to take it, please take it to protect us, the health care providers." Palau chose the Moderna vaccine because it can be stored in a standard refrigerator, Udui said. At first, the island didn't have the facilities to store the Pfizer vaccine at its required minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). However, Udui confirmed that Palau received at least one cold storage unit in late December, which can store up to 5,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. This story was first published on CNN.com "Already free of coronavirus, this Pacific islands country could become the first in the world to be vaccinated." Bohdan Petrenko The leaked tapes from the former Belarus KGB chief Vadim Zaitsev's office suggest that the Lukashenko regime may have been involved in the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet in Ukraine. Lukashenko has for 20 years already been accused of the alleged involvement in the killing of Sheremet's colleague Dmitriy Zavadsky (he had been abducted just before he was supposed to meet with Sheremet). Rumors about the so-called "death squads" in Belarus first span in the late 1990s, when Lukashenko's main opponents at the time Zakharenko, Gonchar, and Krasovsky went missing one after another. Under Lukashenko's rule, other politicians died as well, under strange circumstances. Among them was Gennady Karpenko (known, among other things, for the attempt to initiate Lukashenko's impeachment in Parliament). It is only indirectly that the leaked records show the secret services of Belarus discussing the possibility of physical elimination of the acclaimed journalist Some might ask why Ukrainian law enforcement didn't immediately follow the Belarus trace in the Sheremet case? But who says they didn't? Initially, this was one of the versions in the works. This could easily be verified in older news reports. The question is that the relations between Ukraine and Belarus at that time were much better than now, so perhaps leaders probably decided not to spoil them. That is, the investigation of this version could be politically slowed down. Moreover, Belarus is a country hosting the negotiations of the Trilateral Contact Group. Some ask, whether the leaked tapes are direct evidence of Lukashenko or his death squads' involvement in the murder of Pavel Sheremet? No, they aren't even without a logical doubt that's traditional in such cases: whether the records are authentic in the first place, or rather whether it is possible to prove their authenticity in court. It is only indirectly that the leaked records show the secret services of Belarus discussing the possibility of physical elimination of the acclaimed journalist. Such discussions took place four years before his actual assassination. So for now, it's worth verifying authenticity of the tapes. And then to revisit the investigation and search for other evidence of the "Belarusian trace." The emergence of such records as such though may exacerbate the existing confrontation between the government and the patriotic opposition in Ukraine Some ask, why the leak was published precisely now? After all, it will certainly not lead to the charges being dropped any time soon off main suspect Antonenko and others accused of organizing the car blast that killed Sheremet. First, there is a legal component that is still dubious. And, secondly, there is a political factor. That is, admitting a mistake. The police are unlikely to go for it too soon as it will certainly affect the image of state leaders who attended a high-profile conference where suspects were named. The emergence of such records as such though could exacerbate the existing confrontation between the government and the patriotic opposition in Ukraine. But it is unlikely that the main purpose of the leak is only about affecting Ukrainian politics. It is possible that in this way international political actors are trying to play with opposition sentiments in Belarus. This includes stimulating new protest rallies after the New Year holidays. Given that the West has been too inert to respond to the Belarusian issue, the only player who might be interested in continuing the Belarusian protests is the Kremlin. After all, Moscow understands that Lukashenko will once again start shifting away from it and "forget" about his agreements with Russia once protests subside and die out. Besides, Moscow needs protracted, albeit unsuccessful, opposition rallies in Belarus to impose on the Russians a feeling of despair as regards any protest efforts. Bohdan Petrenko is a Deputy Director at the Ukrainian Institute for Extremism Studies Win McNamee/Getty Images Pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in D.C. Wednesday, and engaged with riot police as Congress met to certify the 2020 election results. Because of the mayhem, the Senate recessed its Electoral College debate after rioters forced their way into the building. Contrary to expectations, marriage in Iran increased amid pandemic 01/06/21 Source: Tehran Times Contrary to expectations, the marriage rate in Iran has been increasing over the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-December 20, 2020), amid the coronavirus pandemic. It was expected that the outbreak would affect the marriage rate leading to a downward trend, but studies have shown that the policies and cooperation of the related organizations increased the marriage rate by 0.3 percent over the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year, Mohammad-Mehdi Tondgooyan, deputy minister of sport and youth stated. "Also, the number of divorces decreased by 0.1 percent," he highlighted, Mehr reported on Monday. Marriage threefold of divorce in Iran Some 307,349 marriages and 99,679 divorces have been registered in the country during the first seven months of the current [Iranian calendar] year (March 21-October 21), according to the statistics of the National Organization for Civil Registration. In December 2020, Seifollah Aboutorabi, the National Organization for Civil Registration spokesman said that during the first 9 months of the current [Iranian calendar] year, some 853,084 births were registered across the country, as well as 397,501 deaths during the same period. Population growth policies Official statistics of the country and the forecast of demographic experts indicate that if the trend of decreasing fertility rate, increasing single-child families, and decreasing marriage rate continues for the next 30 years, old age will prevail in the country and one in three people will be over 60-years-old, which will be the beginning of a crisis. Some 14 policies to support childbearing and the family were announced by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in [the Iranian calendar year] 1393 (March 2014-March 2015) when he stressed that social, cultural and economic development should be done in accordance with these general policies to support families. The policies address the need to increase the population and the various dimensions of it, including childbearing, facilitating marriage and strengthening the family, reproductive health, promoting the Iranian-Islamic lifestyle, empowering young people, honoring the elderly, and the environment, which can lead to an increase in the quantity and quality of the population if it is timely and continuous implemented. Kimia Mohammadzadeh, a member of the working group for women's and family at the independent association of the University of Tehran, told Mehr news agency that thus, instead of considering family support and youth marriage, policymakers adopt policies that lead to delays in marriage and family formation. Childbearing, which should be a public issue, became an inefficient policy due to lack of follow-up, she said. Most recently, the Majlis (Iranian parliament) has developed a support plan to encourage families to increase childbearing. The plan stipulates health insurance for infertile couples, providing services and facilities to working women, providing health and nutrition support packages to mothers and children, educational opportunities for student mothers, providing livelihood support to families, and ongoing medical services to pregnant women. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fetch, the first and only off-site package solution for apartment communities, today announced the hiring of George Schultz as Chief Operating Officer. Schultz joins Fetch following a nine-year stint with Amazon, where he was most recently responsible for leading the overall operational execution and strategy for the Eastern Region. Schultz began his Amazon career as a senior operations manager and was quickly promoted to general manager of a fulfillment center. He advanced to run the emerging Sort Center network for the Central Region and led the company's Standard Work adoption. Prior to Amazon, Schultz was a regional director with Central Transport, leading sales and operations for a 12-state market. He also spent 17 years with FedEx, where he held numerous roles in operations, human resources, and training and development. As COO, a new position within Fetch, Schultz will oversee day-to-day facility and people operations, and help to guide the company's continued growth. "We're honored to add George, as well as his years of industry experience and expertise, to the Fetch team," said Fetch Founder and CEO Michael Patton. "His leadership and knowledge of package delivery operations will be invaluable as Fetch continues to extend its reach in current markets as well as expanding into new markets. We're excited that George is joining us amid this period of incredible growth for our company." Schultz is familiar with rapidly growing last-mile logistics and operations. During his time with Amazon, Schultz worked to optimize fulfillment centers to better position Amazon for explosive growth. He also introduced Amazon Air in three new markets during the COVID-19 pandemic and launched the network's first Amazon Robotics Regional Air Hub, featuring the latest generation of robotic technology. "Fetch is the future of package management in multifamily and is surrounded by a leadership team passionate about putting the customer first and who have built a positive, take-action culture," Schultz said. "I'm excited and privileged to be joining a company at the forefront of package operations during this critical stage of expansion. In addition to his work in package management and delivery, Schultz also served as a Board Member for Harvest Hope Food Bank, where he was able to support their mission of eliminating hunger and food insecurity in the communities they serve. About Fetch Fetch was founded in 2016 in Dallas, Texas, and has since expanded across the country to scale with current and new clients. The last-mile package delivery company currently operates in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville and Portland. Fetch accepts deliveries at local Fetch-operated facilities and works directly with residents to schedule door-to-door delivery. The proven system solves the package problem for multifamily properties and provides residents with a convenient and time-saving amenity. With e-commerce growing rapidly, Fetch is a scalable solution for apartment owners and managers struggling to deal with the exponential growth of resident deliveries. Contact: Marlena DeFalco [email protected] SOURCE Fetch Package Related Links http://fetchpackage.com Spot on Regarding Someday, well laugh at the sensitivity sweepstakes of 2020, (A14, Jan. 3): George Wills column in the Sunday Houston Chronicle is spot on. We have become the new Home of the Sensitive, Land of the Offended. Lloyd Sanders, Tomball Firearms Regarding Pastor killed after discovering man in church, (A2, Jan. 4): My heart goes out to the family of Pastor Mark Allen McWilliams and the people of Starrville Methodist Church. This story totally explodes the myth of the good guy with a gun. Far too often, well-intentioned people end up arming the bad guys rather than defending themselves and their property. It is a sad comment on our fact-resistant society that Second Amendment advocates are already using this story as justification to buy more firearms. Susan M Jackson, Houston Vaccine Regarding City officials planning more vaccine sites, (A3, Jan. 4): What is Sylvester Turner thinking? Was he not informed about the free vaccine clinic that has left innumerable people, mostly seniors, trying to get through jammed phone lines to make an appointment? This is an absolute outrage. They have had months to figure out how to distribute these precious vaccines and this is how they go about it? Free clinics should be set up in multiple areas to serve the public who have no access to a private physician. There should be a press conference, by our mayor, every single day, to give information regarding vaccines, including which group is prioritized at the current time and to inform the general public where we are exactly on vaccinating the citizens of Houston and its surrounding areas. Anything short of this is a dereliction of duty and should be treated as such. Julie Rothermund, Magnolia Why has Texas not sought the help of thousands of retired nurses to volunteer to administer vaccine at vaccination centers? Massachusetts has already put out this cry for help. These volunteers would have to be fully vaccinated first, but giving an injection is a skill set that even at the age of 77 I have not forgotten. Patricia Timpanaro, Kingwood With all of the negative comments concerning vaccinations, Id like to report a very positive experience with Physicians at Sugar Creek. My wife and I made appointments in response to a Memorial Hermann invitation. We were inoculated on time, given very clear instructions and scheduled for the second dose in 28 days. Everyone at Physicians at Sugar Creek was very efficient and professional. Michael Schoenberger, Houston Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Hong Kong health officials bared on Tuesday they detected the new United Kingdom COVID-19 variant in a passenger who arrived from Manila last month. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Hong Kong Health Departments communicable disease branch, said in a virtual briefing that they found the new variant in a 30-year-old female resident who arrived from Manila on Dec. 22 via a Philippine Airlines flight. Hong Kong's health authorities said the woman is a Filipino domestic worker, according to the reports at least two local newspapers, Hong Kong News and The SUN Hong Kong. The health officials tagged the Manila-outbound Hong Kong resident as case 9003. "(Case) 9003 took PR 300 and arrived in Hong Kong on the 22nd of December from (the) Philippines," said Chuang. The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Wednesday the passenger is a 30-year-old woman from Cagayan Valley. Citing a report from the Hong Kong International Health Regulations National Focal Point and local Centers for Health Development, Philippine health authorities stated the passenger left the province on Dec. 17. The woman arrived in Metro Manila on Dec. 18 and underwent quarantine as mandated by government protocols, they added. DOH officials said the passenger took the swab test on Dec. 19, which yielded a negative result. Philippine Airlines said the passenger presented a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the flight. She left the country on Dec. 22 and was subjected to another quarantine procedures upon arrival in Hong Kong. The Filipina passenger then took another swab test on Jan. 2, where she tested positive for the UK COVID-19 variant. She remains in isolation and in stable condition, authorities said. The DOH assured contact tracing efforts are underway to identify other passengers who boarded the same flight with the woman, including her close contacts in Cagayan Valley and Metro Manila. The airline has also shared passenger manifest information with the Philippines' Bureau of Quarantine so they could conduct contact tracing. "They have been instructed to ensure strict quarantine of identified close contacts and for samples collected from said contacts to be sent for confirmatory testing and, if samples test positive, subsequent whole genome sequencing," the DOH said in a statement. Aside from the passenger who returned from Manila, Hong Kong health authorities also detected three additional cases of the new COVID-19 variant in their country. Two of them arrived from London and the other one came from France. The new COVID-19 variant was first reported in UK on Dec. 14 and believed to be more contagious, according to initial scientific studies. Based on 305 samples collected in November and December, the UK variant is not yet in the Philippines. Walgreens Boots Alliance will sell its pharmaceutical wholesale business to AmerisourceBergen in $6.5 billion cash and stock deal. Pharmaceutical wholesalers essentially act as middlemen, purchasing drugs from manufacturers and then distributing them to customers like drugstore chains. Walgreens says it will now have the flexibility to invest in and focus on its retail business which, like others, has been rattled by the COVID-19 pandemic. AmerisourceBergen will pay nearly $6.3 billion in cash and two million shares of its common stock for Walgreens Alliance Healthcare business, the companies said Wednesday. The companies will also extend their U.S. distribution agreement by three years, until 2029. Shares of AmerisourceBergen Corp., based in Chesterbrook, Pa., jumped more than 6% in early trading. Shares of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., based in Deerfield, Illinois, climbed more than 2%. By TOM MURPHY, AP Health Writer More: Parent company of Capital City Mall emerges from bankruptcy Maryland company purchases central Pa. ice skating arena To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Abu Dhabi and the UAE are working to pioneer breakthroughs in post quantum cryptography and neuromorphic computing. They have fashioned an international partnership between Technology Innovation Institutes (TII) Cryptography Research Centre (CRC), and Yale University, an Ivy League research university in Connecticut, United States. The two institutions will first join forces on Post-Quantum Lightweight Crypto Hardware Accelerators and Trusted Execution Environment Designs, a project at the intersection of emerging technologies that focuses on developing quantum-resistant crypto schemes within the context of emerging quantum algorithms that can be run on a sufficiently large quantum computer. By leveraging post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms, the project aims to guarantee the necessary measures of security even as todays public cryptographic standards, such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), become ineffective when a powerful quantum computer is built and can run Shors quantum algorithm. The project is also exploring post quantum lightweight cryptography with a focus on highly constrained devices. The neuromorphic computing project, Energy-based Probing for Robust and Explainable Spiking Neural Networks, takes inspiration from the brain to create energy-efficient hardware for information processing and is capable of highly sophisticated tasks. The project examines Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs), which have become popular as an energy-efficient alternative for implementing standard artificial intelligence tasks. Spikes or binary events drive communication and computation in SNNs that are close to biological neuronal processing and offer the benefit of event-driven hardware operations. The central focus of the collaboration is to explore the design space of the energy-accuracy-robustness-explainability trade-off and to design the hardware/software necessary to create truly functional intelligent systems. To ensure there is no overlap, both entities have been tasked with managing specific areas of the research in both projects. Speaking on the partnership, Dr Najwa Aaraj, Chief Researcher at Cryptography Research Centre, said: We are excited to work with peers from Yale University in carrying out groundbreaking research in these two vital fields. At the Cryptography Research Centre, we are creating a knowledge-driven ecosystem powered by like-minded scientists and researchers all focused on designing breakthrough solutions in different areas of cryptography. Jakub Szefer, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Priya Panda, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, from Yale University, said: By working collaboratively with Cryptography Research Centre, we have an opportunity to apply shared expertise across post-quantum cryptography and neuromorphic computing research. We are optimistic that this partnership will yield effective research outcomes for greater impact. Technology Innovation Institute, the applied research pillar of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), is a pioneering global research and development centre that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities. The institute has seven initial dedicated research centres in quantum, autonomous robotics, cryptography, advanced materials, digital security, directed energy and secure systems. By working with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions and industry partners from all over the world, the Institute connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The Institute reinforces Abu Dhabi and the UAEs status as a global hub for innovation and contributes to the broader development of the knowledge- based economy. -- Tradearabia News Service WASHINGTON Both Rep. Lisa McClain and Sen. Gary Peters, who represent the Upper Thumb, said they were safe Wednesday afternoon after a mob led by supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in protest of the election results. Both spoke out on Twitter, condemning the protests. "I am safe, sheltering in a secure location and will continue to follow the guidance of the Capitol Police," Peters tweeted amid the chaos. "Todays attacks on the Capitol are dangerous, unacceptable and an attack on our democracy and must stop." Earlier in the day, Peters tweeted that protesting the results was "dangerous." "These efforts to challenge the election results certified by EVERY state & the Electoral College are dangerous, destructive and irresponsible," Peters tweeted. "These challenges will fail but can still do tremendous damage." "Democracy is not guaranteed," he continued. "We must fight to protect it along with the integrity of our elections. We must stand up against efforts that seek to disenfranchise voters in Michigan & across the country and ensure we do not weaken our standing around the world." McClain, who was expected to vote against certifying the results Wednesday, tweeted that the Capitol police will work to keep all Americans safe. "Attacks on these patriots are never justified," McClain tweeted. "I will continue to listen to law enforcement that are protecting those in the Capitol and thank all who have reached out with concerns." She then called for the attacks to cease. "To be clear, patriots is another word for law enforcement those who risk their safety for the greater good," she tweeted. "These attacks on our nations Capitol must stop. This is beneath America." Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. A bicyclist was hit and killed Tuesday by a driver who fled the scene in west Houston, according to authorities. The collision occurred at the intersection of Fondren and Westheimer. London: A British judge has denied WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange bail, saying there was a risk he might flee justice while the US tries again to secure his extradition. It comes just two days after Judge Vanessa Baraister ordered his discharge from extradition to the US to face spying charges. The US government is appealing the ruling and on Wednesday evening (AEDT) successfully argued that the Australian be kept in Belmarsh Prison while the High Court challenge take place. Julian Assange's fiancee Stella Moris has urged the US President to pardon him. Credit:Getty images "Mr Assange still has an incentive to abscond from these, as yet, unresolved proceedings," she said. WASHINGTON - The world watched with dismay as a surreal scene at the U.S. Capitol, like little else seen in its history, unfolded Wednesday. Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump burst through police barricades and mobbed the building, disrupting at the 11th hour a vote to formalize Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Shortly before the breach, Vice President Mike Pence had announced he would not reject the election results, as Trump had urged. Many foreign observers, already glued to news of the final chapters of the election saga, reacted with alarm and grief, especially in allied countries that have looked to U.S. democracy for inspiration. "The United States Congress has been the symbol of freedom and democracy around the world for centuries," tweeted Armin Laschet, the leader of Germany's most populous federal state. "The attacks on the Capitol by fanatical Trump supporters hurt every friend of the United States." Across much of Europe, top officials echoed these sentiments. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the scenes of chaos "disgraceful." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canada's News 1130 radio station in Vancouver that his government is concerned and "following the situation minute by minute." "I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly," he said. The surge of reactions from allies and foreign observers illustrated one of the Trump era's key consequences, which has become more apparent as it winds to a chaotic close: The beleaguered but persistent role of the United States as a model for democratic norms and institutions - in its own self-conception and in the eyes of friends - has been severely tarnished. In the view of the world, the Trump era has provided no shortage of captivating spectacle, sometimes grim. Wednesday's events went beyond that, into disconcerting territory: far-right attacks on democracy made literal. The turmoil also gave an opening to countries with poor track records on human rights and democracy to lecture a superpower. Turkey, a U.S. NATO ally that has been widely condemned for jailing thousands of critics, academics, journalists and artists and has seen its partnership with the United States deteriorate in recent years, called on "all parties in the U.S.A. to show restraint and common sense," in a statement released by its foreign ministry. In Venezuela - which has been embroiled in its own political and social crisis for years - Jorge Arreaza, foreign minister of authoritarian leader President Nicolas Maduro, issued a statement condemning "the political polarization and the spiral of violence that reflects the profound political and social crisis the United States is currently experiencing." One senior European diplomat compared the images to events in Kyrgyzstan, where protesters stormed the nation's parliament in Bishkek in October. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about violence in an allied country. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, described the situation as "utterly horrifying" and called for "solidarity with those . . . on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin tweeted that the people of Ireland have a "deep connection with the United States" and that "many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay." "Enemies of democracy will be happy to see these unbelievable pictures from #WashingtonDC. Riotous words turn into violent acts - on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted, referring to far-right protesters who rushed the historic Parliament building in August. "The disdain for democratic institutions is devastating." Some foreign outlets, including the BBC and the Sydney Morning Herald, maintained live coverage of Wednesday's developments in Washington as they unfolded. Many eyes were already turned on the United States as foreign observers tracked the closely contested runoff Senate race in Georgia. By Wednesday afternoon, both Democratic candidates, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, had been declared winners - tipping the Senate to the Democrats and granting the party control of the White House and Congress. "How I would like to be a voter of the #DekalbCounty in #Georgia! And vote #Ossoff," former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta tweeted earlier in the day, referring to a Georgia county with a large number of Democratic voters. "U. S. and international politics over the next few years will depend on his victory," he wrote. "Those votes will affect us too." Letta has been a critic of Trump's handling of the election. When Trump tweeted "STOP THE COUNT" the day after polls closed in November, Letta responded, "IT'S CALLED DEMOCRACY!" - - - The Washington Post's Steve Hendrix in Jerusalem, Chico Harlan in Rome, Rick Noack in Paris, Michael Birnbaum in Riga, Latvia, and Adam Taylor in Washington contributed to this report. (Newser) President-elect Joe Biden has announced Merrick Garland as his pick for attorney general, saying the federal appeals court judge and three others he has selected for senior Justice Department positions will "restore the independence of the department so it serves the interests of the people not a presidency" and faith in the rule of law. The four lawyers are to be introduced by Biden at an event Thursday afternoon in Wilmington, Del. In picking Garland, Biden is turning to an experienced judge who held senior positions at the Justice Department decades ago, including as a supervisor of the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Garland's nomination will force Senate Republicans to contend with someone they spurned four years agorefusing even to hold hearings when then-President Obama nominated Garland for the Supreme Court. More: story continues below Others being named Thursday to the Justice Department's senior leadership team include Obama administration homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former Justice Department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general, the No. 3 official. He will also name an assistant attorney general for civil rights, Kristen Clarke, now the president of Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, reports the AP. It is rare but not unprecedented for attorneys general to have previously served as judges. It happened in 2007 when President George W. Bush picked Michael Mukasey, a former federal judge in Manhattan, for the job. Obamas first attorney general, Eric Holder, had also previously been a Superior Court judge in the District of Columbia. Black and Latino advocates had wanted a Black attorney general or someone with a background in civil rights causes and criminal justice reform. Though Garland is a white man, the selection of Gupta and Clarke, two women with significant experience in civil rights, appeared designed to blunt any concerns about his selection and served as a signal that progressive causes would be prioritized in the new administration. Garland would confront immediate challenges on the job, including an ongoing criminal tax investigation into Bidens son Hunter as well as calls from many Democrats to pursue inquiries into President Trump after he leaves office. A special counsel investigation into the origins of the Russia probe also remains open, forcing a new attorney general to decide how to handle it and what to make public. (Read more Merrick Garland stories.) Intensive care availability sank in the Bay Area again on Tuesday and there were virtually no vacant ICU beds across much of the state for the 19th straight day, as California groped for a way out of the long winter surge. The intensive care situation statewide has become so dire that the state Tuesday night issued a new health order that requires counties with reasonable ICU availability, which would include several in the Bay Area, to accept transfer patients from hospitals that are in crisis and can no longer provide adequate care. Hospitals in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley have been inundated with COVID-19 patients for weeks and may be forced to ration care soon. The new health order also requires most counties in those regions to cancel almost all elective surgeries. The order is effective immediately. This order helps ensure that patients continue to receive appropriate medical services by better distributing available resources across the state to prevent overwhelming specific hospitals, counties and regions, said Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health and the state health officer, in a statement. The order was Aragons first since he assumed the state post this month; he was previously the San Francisco health officer. When hospitals are overwhelmed and overflowing, they are no longer able to provide the traditional standards of care we expect, he said, but if health care resources are available elsewhere, we should ensure Californians can receive appropriate care. The state has struggled with its current surge for more than two months, and though there are signs it may level off, the next few weeks are still looking grim, public health officials said. At the same time, vaccines have rolled out much slower than hoped for or expected. Further exacerbating a bad situation, a new, more infectious strain of the coronavirus is circulating 28 more cases were announced in San Diego County on Tuesday, for a total of 34 statewide which could complicate attempts to slow the spread of disease. December was really hard, and January is not going to be any easier, said San Francisco Mayor London Breed during a Tuesday news conference. Its too soon to say how much more pressure will be placed on hospitals from an anticipated increase in cases due to the end-of-year holidays. Several Bay Area counties are reporting the first hints of a post-Christmas spike. But public health officials say they cant yet tell if they are facing a small bump or the start of a new surge on top of a surge. On Monday, the state reported 74,135 cases, a one-day record by a significant margin, though it included a backlog of cases from the long holiday weekend for some counties. Intensive care availability dropped to 5.9% for the Bay Area on Tuesday, but that number ranged dramatically across counties. San Francisco reported that 35% of its ICU beds were available and four patients had been transferred to city hospitals from other counties. ICU availability has been at 0% in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley, the two hardest-hit regions, since mid-December. San Francisco public health officials could not immediately say Tuesday what impact the new health order would have on local hospitals. But in a news briefing earlier in the day, Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, noted that the enormous ICU stress in other parts of the state could affect the Bay Area, too. While we have care available and people need care, its the moral and ethical and right thing to do to provide that care when asked, Colfax said, referring to the transfer patients currently hospitalized in the city. We are watching our capacity very carefully, because as the central and southern part of the state continue to experience a catastrophic situation, and as the region has fewer ICU beds, we would expect our local ICU bed capacity to start going down as well. Cases and deaths The seven-day average in daily cases has ticked up in some Bay Area counties and remains flat for the region as a whole. A few counties are reporting drops in cases, though its hard to say if thats due to holiday lags in testing and reporting or an actual decrease in disease spread. I would hesitate to make any radical policy changes based on holiday data so far, this early on. A lot of things in COVID play out over weeks, and were still only 10 days out from Christmas, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer. He said an increase in cases after Christmas and New Years will surely arrive. The question is: Will it be the worst-case scenario where well have a resumption in day-over-day increases? Moss said. Or is it a blip? Things go up but they go down again, and the dynamics just arent there to drive a surge. The state reported 503 deaths on Tuesday, higher than the previous weeks daily average. The Bay Area reported 73 deaths, also marked increase from the past several days. Both those talleys were the second highest for the state and region since the pandemic began. Hospitals and intensive care Cases have picked up in Contra Costa County since Christmas, but officials said they dont yet know how big the post-holiday surge will be, and theyre concerned about the extra strain on hospitals. Intensive care availability has been in the single digits in the county in recent days. So, were already at the highest weve ever been, and having those cases down the pike is worrisome, said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, the deputy health officer. Were sort of holding our breath and hoping our peak will not be as big as Southern Californias, because theyre really, really struggling down there. As of Monday, 269 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Contra Costa County, including 69 in intensive care both peaks for the pandemic. For the Bay Area, intensive care counts dropped slightly from a weekend high, with 495 people in the ICU as of Monday; 2,134 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in the region. Statewide, 21,597 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 and 4,623 were in the ICU both new peaks for the pandemic. Ordinarily, counties will provide backup to one another if a hospital is overwhelmed with patients, as can happen during a bad flu season. But Tzvieli said thats not as viable an option now, with hospitals strained all over California. The state has opened six alternative care sites to help handle the overflows. Tzvieli said hospitals in his county are handling their current patient load, but he worries that one large outbreak at a nursing home or from a superspreading event, for example could be disastrous. Right now theyre close to the edge, Tzvieli said. Virus variant San Diego County officials said Tuesday that they have identified 28 more cases of people likely infected with the new coronavirus variant thats been raising alarm around the world. The county has reported a total of 32 confirmed or probable cases, and two other cases were identified in San Bernardino County over the weekend. The San Diego County cases include 28 that have been confirmed with genomic sequencing, and four cases that were linked directly to one of the confirmed infections. The specimens were collected Dec. 27 to Dec. 31. One of the 32 patients was temporarily hospitalized but the others have remained at home. None of the patients had traveled recently so they did not pick up the strain in the United Kingdom, where the variant was first identified, or any other place outside California. The patients are from 19 different households in four cities. The fact that these cases have been identified in multiple parts of the region shows that this strain of the virus could be rapidly spreading, said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the San Diego County health officer, in a statement. People should be extra cautious to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19, especially this variant, which research has shown is more contagious. The variant has been identified in at least four other states. Bay Area public health officials said they suspect it is circulating in this region too, though they have not identified any cases yet. Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday In yet another setback to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, the Karnataka High Court has refused to quash an FIR filed against him in the illegal land denotification case. The court also imposed Rs 25,000 cost on the Chief Minister. When the plea by Yediyurappa came up on Tuesday, Justice John Michael Cunha dismissed it and directed the Lokayukta police to continue the investigation in the matter. This is the second time within a span of a fortnight that the court has dismissed his second plea. Earlier on December 23, the court had rejected his plea to quash criminal proceedings in another land denotification case. The case relates to the denotification of 1.11 acre land at Gangenahalli, which is part of the Matadahalli layout in RT Nagar in the city in which former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and others are also accused. Based on a complaint by social activist Jayakumar Hiremath, the Lokayukta police had registered a case under section 420 of the IPC against the accused in 2015. The expiration of federal coronavirus relief funding has prompted the closure of a Washington County program that provided access to resources for people living in recreational vehicles during the pandemic. In early October, Washington County created the Sleep Safe RV program to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among homeless individuals, who are considered vulnerable to the disease due to their lack of consistent access to preventative resources. The program came after the county this summer created Sleep Safe Village, which was a managed camping facility for homeless people at the Wingspan Event & Conference Center, formerly the Washington County Fair Complex. Sleep Safe Village closed in late November due to several days of harsh weather after serving more than 100 people. Sleep Safe Village guests were transitioned into the countys winter shelter network, which is providing up to 150 beds at five shelters across the county, the county said. On county-owned property also near the Wingspan Event & Conference Center, the county later provided a space for people to park RVs, security services and access to hygiene supplies, including handwashing stations and portable restrooms. Sleep Safe RV hosted more than 60 people while it was open. The program was made available using funds distributed to the county through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which expires on Wednesday, Dec. 30. This program has been extremely successful and were sorry to see it close for lack of a continuing, sustainable funding source, said Josh Crites, assistant director of housing services for the county. Were incredibly grateful to our partners at the city of Hillsboro for their assistance throughout the permitting process and other invaluable support to ensure the safety and security of the residents and surrounding community. A housing outreach navigator with the countys Department of Housing Services plans to meet with Sleep Safe RV guests to assess their current needs and help connect them with resources and supportive services, the county said in a statement announcing the closure Dec. 18. Its too early to say whether or not additional funding for state and local governments through new federal coronavirus relief legislation would be able to support another RV program in the future, a county spokeswoman said. President Donald Trump signed the new legislation into law Sunday, Dec. 27. About 1,000 people are estimated to be living in Washington County without a permanent address, according to a fall 2019 report by the county. The report stated about 5,300 were considered at imminent risk of becoming homeless based on economic factors. The impacts of the pandemic are expected to increase the number of people who are homeless and those who are at risk of homelessness. Housing experts expect homelessness to increase when eviction moratoriums expire, as previous months rent will come due even as many tenants continue to deal with losses of income. On Dec. 21, the Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 4401, which extends an eviction moratorium until June 30, 2021. The bill also provides $150 million to a landlord relief fund and $50 million for rental assistance. RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy is awarding $500,000 in scholarships in 2021 to assist African American and other underrepresented minority students who reside in the company's service area. The scholarships will be the first made under the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program, a six-year, $10 million initiative to provide assistance with higher education expenses. "As we witness our country's evolving conversation on racial equity and social justice, we want to do our part to help historically underserved students," said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy's president and chief executive officer. "We know that education can serve as a springboard for social and economic mobility." "We have partnered with historically black colleges and universities for nearly 40 years, offering volunteer and financial support," said Thomas F. Farrell, II, Dominion Energy's executive chairman. "This scholarship program is another way for us to support the students who will one day lead our nation." The scholarship application period is open until Jan. 25, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. To be eligible, students must: self-identify as Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander with higher education expenses; and be high school seniors or graduates, or current college undergraduates residing in Connecticut , Ohio , West Virginia , Virginia , Maryland , North Carolina , South Carolina , Idaho , Wyoming or Utah , with plans to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year. In all, 60 scholarships totaling $500,000 will be awarded in 2021. Of those, 20 scholarships of $5,000 each will be made available for students enrolled in two-year schools, while 40 scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded to students enrolled in four-year schools. Scholarship recipients will be able to renew scholarships as they progress in school, provided they meet certain criteria, such as GPA requirements and residence in an eligible state. The program is administered by Scholarship America, a nonprofit that specializes in management of scholarship and tuition assistance programs. Scholarship America will support Dominion Energy in the selection of finalists. Students can learn more and apply at DominionEnergy.com/EquityScholarships. The company also has committed $25 million to 11 historically black colleges and universities in Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. The six-year "HBCU Promise" program will support endowments, capital projects, operating expenses and educational programs in clean energy. About Dominion Energy More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more. SOURCE Dominion Energy Related Links http://www.dominionenergy.com From all corners of the globe the Powley people answered the call to make the 41st Castlecomer Wellie Race a virtual resounding success. Over the past four decades approximately 1 million has been raised for local charities by the annual fundraising event which is an annual tradition enjoyed by many. This year with the ongoing pandemic the organisers decided that the event would of course go ahead, albeit virtually. Organiser Chubby Brennan told The Kilkenny People that there was fantastic participation. It was enjoyed by people in all the different counties of Ireland and countries around the world, he said. As a committee the virtual event united people even though we were all apart. It lifted peoples spirits and it encouraged people to help others. Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick also commended all those involved on a trojan effort and thanked people for getting behind the event and making it a success. It was great to see the virtual wellie race take off and the wonderful support it received both locally and from further afield, he said. From Conahy to Ballyragget to Muckalee to Castlecomer people went out and did the five kilometres for local charities. A lovely ceremony was held on New Years Day when committee members lit candles at the Wellington grotto at Cloghogue in Castlecomer. Some big names backed this years event. Among those who encouraged people to take part were An Taoiseach Michael Martin, broadcaster Mary Kennedy and Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Andrew McGuinness. The Taoiseach took time out of his busy schedule and congratulated all of those involved in the Castlecomer Wellie Race for 41 years of work that has benefitted many local charities. Jim Bollard lit candle in memory of all we have lost in 41 years of Wellington race and especially those we have lost during covid pandemic worldwide and Michael Walsh lit a candle to bring light to a new year to rid the darkness and uncertainty that prevails. Members agreed that all were looking forward to 'a bigger brighter more normal Wellington race 2022' Originally started in 1978 the Powley (an area in the hills surrounding Castlecomer) men decided, while playing cards, on St Stephens Day to run off the Christmas excess by having a race over a cross country circuit. Many did not have a pair of runners so they decided to opt for the next best thing - wellingtons! The event is now one of the highlights on the social calendar in North Kilkenny and normally sees hundreds of people participating in the novelty run on New Years Day. This year the virtual event took place from St Stephens Day to January 6 with people doing their own walk or run and posting pictures of themselves on social media. Donations can still be made on www.wellierace.com Or cheques / postal orders ( Wellington race company Ltd) to PRO 10 Chatsworth Castlecomer Co Kilkenny R95F2W7 An insurrection incited by a lawless president of the United States halted one of the sacred rituals of American democracy Wednesday: Congress certification of the result of a free and fair presidential election. The act of domestic terrorism unfolded on Capitol Hill after President Trump whipped a crowd into a frenzy, spewing falsehoods about the election he lost decisively. Youll never take back our country with weakness, Trump said. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong. As he reiterated weeks of rants about a rigged system, they chanted, Stop the steal! As the House and Senate began the normally routine and ceremonial recording of electoral votes state by state, Trump urged them to head to the Capitol. And so they did. In a scene at once heartbreaking, infuriating and unprecedented in American history, Trumps rabble invaded the Capitol, overwhelming law enforcement officers and breaking into its hallowed halls. The vandalism and violence, reminiscent of the kind of instability we once thought possible only in other countries, prompted foreign leaders to weigh in with calls for calm on one of the darker days in this nations 244-year history. Trumps supporters breached the House chambers, the Senate and the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Vice President Mike Pence, excoriated by the president for refusing to attempt to invalidate the election, was evacuated from the building. Lawmakers, some of them plotting a groundless procedural protest of the election results that barely got under way, were forced to shelter in place. A woman was fatally shot inside the building. Trump presided over this attack on his country in silence in the critical first hours of mayhem. Then he issued a few belated and half-hearted tweets urging his supporters to remain peaceful statements dwarfed by the preceding stream of lies and vitriol declaring the election illegitimate. He followed with an equally inadequate recorded statement in which he told his supporters to go home even as he repeatedly and incongruously declared the election stolen and fraudulent. It fell to President-elect Joe Biden to play the role he wont officially assume for two weeks by calling for the violence to end in no uncertain terms while appealing for calm and comity. Trumps encouragement and toleration of a violent coup in his name, by contrast, was nothing less than an act of sedition by an American president. Since he took office doubting the results of his first election the one he won and refusing to condemn a foreign adversarys interference with it, Trump has conducted a relentless assault on the factual and legal underpinnings of our government and society. With few exceptions, his fellow Republicans in Congress have tolerated and embraced this reckless project, culminating with their counterfeit objections to the certification of Bidens victory. Its no wonder many of their supporters believe the election was stolen. By the time Pence refused Trumps most outrageous order, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged his caucus to abandon this last corrosive quest, and the lawmakers championing the lost cause pleaded with rioters to refrain from violence, it was far too late. Whats left after we strip away facts, norms, ethics, laws, institutions and the Constitution? After four years of chiseling away at all of them, Trump and his enablers have arrived at the answer: chaos and violence. In his final tweet before his account was suspended, Trump rationalized the insurrection: These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. He offered the ominous salutation, Remember this day forever! History will remember the day Donald J. Trump erased any remaining doubt that he is not just a delusional demagogue but a clear and present danger to the nations security. He should be removed from office immediately, whether through resignation, impeachment or the 25th Amendments prescription for dealing with a president unfit to serve. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. Council Leader calls for common sense and introduction of funding floor on Welsh Government settlement This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 6th, 2021 The Leader of Wrexham Council has called on Welsh Government to introduce a funding floor to the settlement package, to help Wrexham and other councils in Wales. Last month we reported that Wrexham Council were set to be allocated second lowest funding settlement increase in Wales at 2.3% as part of the provisional funding proposals from Welsh Government. The annual settlement grant allocates money on an individual council basis, with the total grant divided among councils on the basis of a complex formula that seeks to take into account the relative needs and available resources of different councils, and other factors such as population changes, with more details in this PDF. Wrexham Council had been hoping for an uplift around 4 per cent, with one council insider saying at the time that they were gutted by the draft settlement figure. The overall Wales figure is a 3.8% uplift in funding, slightly below the 4% figure the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) had hoped for. Yesterday we asked Leader of Wrexham Council, councillor Mark Pritchard for his thoughts on the draft settlement, and if there had been any discussions with the Welsh Government since the figure was announced, and if there had been any feedback. Cllr Pritchard pointed to the introduction of a floor, a minimum level of funding for all councils to be brought in, As the leader of Wrexham Council, I am extremely disappointed the announcements of the settlement. Theres ongoing discussions and negotiations through the WLGA with the ministers and the Welsh Government to improve our settlement to introduce the floor. Last year, they didnt introduce the floor and this year, theyve announced it without a floor. Lets hope that we can work together with the Welsh Government to improve the settlement through a floor. We will know by the 22nd of February, if theres going to be a floor. If theres a floor that will help us dramatically. Were looking for a minimum floor of 3.6%, that will affect five councils at the lower end of the 22. What I cant understand is that in the past there was a floor put in place to protect and support the local authorities who had a poor settlement through the formula. Thats why it was there. This will be the second year if they dont incorporate a floor that Wrexham has been affected. If the floor isnt introduced, it will have implications and have knock on effects to us as a council with regards to our services and our budget proposals. The Council Leader added that any such uplift would be used to fund education, childrens services, adult social care and resurfacing of Wrexhams roads by the council. Deputy Leader Cllr David A Bithell echoed the comments, adding : Obviously, we would have liked a better settlement but clearly, weve got to work through the difficulties of the provisional settlements. Were doing that as best we can, but also dealing with the global pandemic at the same time. There are tremendous pressures across the council at this current time in every department due to the pandemic. I think when we produce our budget, we need to make sure that we try and identify the highest risks weve got across the council. Were trying to do that. Hopefully, if we can get more money from Welsh Government, and we get the floor, that will help the council going forward. Cllr Pritchard added, To introduce a floor of 3% it would cost around 2 million, to introduce a floor of 3.6% I think it is around 4 million. Its not a lot of money thats in the scheme of it. But, that amount of money would help us out dramatically. Im hoping there will be common sense, a coming together, an understanding and support from the Welsh Government on the settlement. LOS ANGELES and MARSEILLE, France, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PAPER COSMETICS, the hip Los Angeles based brand for sustainable deodorants, completed their initial funding round lead by OBRATORI, alongside Cristina Carlino, remarkable founder of Philosophy skincare. The brand will use the funds to support growth of their DTC business, to speed up marketing and to grow the brand's reach. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8836751-obratori-supports-californian-startup-paper-cosmetics/ Paper Cosmetics is a sustainable, sleek designed brand, ready for mass market adoption and DTC growth. The US start-up led by Daniel Roescheisen offers a range of zero waste deodorants targeted at customers who value clean, environmentally friendly and above all effective products! OBRATORI works alongside young entrepreneurs to create responsible products that have the wellbeing of humankind as a goal. Cristina Carlino states that the strong brand message, product efficacy, sleek design and growth potential are the main reasons for her investment decision. Amaury Godron, co-Managing Director of OBRATORI: "We support innovative projects, which demonstrates our strong belief in sustainable and innovative solutions. OBRATORI supports entrepreneurship with the same values as put forward by L'OCCITANE Group. Creators of innovative products forge a bond of trust between cosmetics manufacturers and end consumers." Daniel Roescheisen says: "We are excited and humbled to become partners with such a strong investment team. It means a lot that OBRATORI and Cristina Carlino believe in us and the future of the brand. It also clearly shows the direction our bathrooms of the future will go where single-use plastics have no future. We are pushing for change in a fun way with products that work for us and our future." Headquartered in Marseille, OBRATORI will join the strategic development committee of Paper Cosmetics. "We help young companies with proven effectiveness and viability for their solutions," says Ingo Dauer, co-Managing Director of OBRATORI. "For OBRATORI, this is the first foreign startup investment. Pushing for more sustainable consumption and ensuring products of quality are obvious to us. PAPER COSMETICS is answering a clear customer demand". About OBRATORI - L'OCCITANE Innovation Lab OBRATORI is the VC fund and accelerator of L'OCCITANE Group. The fund supports ambitious projects with a mission to invest in a minority stake, in early-stage startups and to support them in their creation of value. About Paper Cosmetics Paper Cosmetics is the new sustainable Deodorant brand that leads the charge to clean up your bathroom. Developed over two years, each deodorant is made from all natural, safe and clean ingredients in eco-friendly paper packing. Contact: Julie Geret, julie.geret@obratori.com. Kim Eberle, kim@papercosmetics.com Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395615/PAPR.mp4 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394840/PAPR_Paper_Cosmetics_Natural_Deodorant.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394841/PAPR_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394847/OBRATORI_Logo.jpg Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 : The Kerala High Court on Wednesday quashed the Palakkad Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) special court order acquitting three people in the unnatural deaths case of two Dalit minor sisters in Walayar ,Palakkad on January 13 and March 4, 2017. The division bench judgment was pronounced following a petition filed by the girls' mother and the Kerala government. The mother of the two girls pointed out lapses in the police investigation and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter. The Kerala government, too, admitted lapses in the police investigation and called for a retrial. The Special Prosecutor of the Kerala government has informed the court that the state government is ready for a retrial or even a reinvestigation in the case. The prosecution's case is that the two Dalit sisters, aged 13 and nine, had allegedly committed suicide after the sexual assault by the accused. In October 2019, a Special POCSO Court in Palakkad had acquitted the four accused in the case, citing lack of evidence leading to outrage among civil society. In a scathing attack on the Kerala police, the division bench of the High Court had ordered an immediate retrial in the case and if necessary a reinvestigation. The court had ordered accused K. Madhu, V. Madhu and Shiju to appear before the trial court on January 21. The division bench also said the POCSO case judges must be imparted more training on the social impact of such cases and should be more careful in pronouncing a judgment acquitting the culprits. The High Court also directed the prosecution to either cancel the bail of the accused or to conduct the trial or reinvestigation, keeping the accused out on bail. The High Court observed that the trial court did not take into account Section 29 of the POCSO Act. However, M. Mansar, who has been heading the civil society movement "Justice for Walayar Children", said a retrial in the matter is unacceptable and they want a fool-proof reinvestigation in the case. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A drink-driver was warned by a friend that he should not be behind the wheel of his car just minutes before he hit and killed a pedestrian, court documents reveal. Stephen Papagelou drank three shots, three mixed drinks and a glass of wine in the three hours before he sped through a red light in Chapel Street, South Yarra and hit Henry Ekselman as the 73-year-old crossed the road. Henry Ekselman ran a clock-making and repair business. Credit:Andrew De La Rue Mr Ekselman, a father of five and grandfather who lived nearby, suffered critical injuries when hit at 8.52pm on November 18, 2018. He died about an hour later in hospital. In the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Papagelou, 29, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death as members of Mr Ekselman's family watched the hearing on video links. Massachusetts congressional lawmakers sheltered in place Wednesday afternoon as armed protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. Supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump, protesting President-Elect Joe Bidens victory being certified, broke through the barriers of the building and breached the Senate chamber. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Fox News on Wednesday he heard from police that shots were fired, mirroring reports of gunshots in the chamber. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is safe, according to her staff. Before the breach, she tweeted, Change is finally coming to the United States Senate. Democrats need to deliver on this mandate with bold policies to improve the lives of the American people. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey also tweeted he was safe. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, chairman of the House Committee on Rules, tweeted at 2:35 p.m. that the chamber doors were locked because protesters breached security. We will not be intimidated, he said. He called the breach a terrorist attack on our democracy and tweeted again to let people know he was in a safe and secure location. The House plans to resume proceedings after the situation is resolved. I am safe in a secure location. When the situation is under control, we will resume proceedings on the House Floor. America's democracy will never be deterred. Not today. Not ever. Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 6, 2021 U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, tweeted that he is sheltering in place and following police orders. Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Lori Trahan and Bill Keating tweeted that they were safe. A staffer confirmed to MassLive that Rep. Seth Moulton is safe. Moulton, an Iraq War veteran, said the breach was something he expected as a U.S marine, not a congressman in Washington, D.C. We are being told to shelter in place not because of a foreign terrorist attack but because of a domestic coup attempt. I expected this as a US Marine in Iraq. I never imagined it as a US Congressman in America. Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 6, 2021 Assistant Speaker Catherine Clark is safe, according to her staff. She described the breach as an attack on America in a tweet. This is an attack on America. Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) January 6, 2021 Rep. Stephen Lynchs staff says he is safe. Rep. Jake Auchincloss told MassLive he is safe. He hadnt been called to the House floor yet when the chamber had been breached. The incident comes barely two days after his swearing in ceremony after winning the 4th Congressional district. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Indian government and the Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday signed a loan agreements of up to $323 million each with the New Development Bank (NDB) for two road sector projects. The first project - the Andhra Pradesh Roads and Bridges Reconstruction Project - comprises widening 1,600 km of state highways to double lane and reconstructing dilapidated bridges on the state highway network. The second project - the Andhra Pradesh Mandal Connectivity and Rural Connectivity Improvement Project - comprises widening 1,400 km of district roads to double lane and reconstructing dilapidated bridges on the district road network. The Andhra Pradesh government will implement the projects through the Roads and Buildings Department. The two projects are expected to improve mobility and connectivity to the socio-economic centres, enhance transport efficiency, improve road safety and riding quality, and provide all-weather accessibility for the state's road users. The projects would increase the roads' daily traffic capacity to 15,000 passenger car units, which is expected to meet the projected traffic growth over the next 20 years. "NDB funding shall help to bridge the funding gap for road infrastructure development and will support the Government of Andhra Pradesh in its goal to enhance connectivity between socioeconomic centres" said Xian Zhu, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the NDB. The NDB was established based on the Inter-Governmental agreement among the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) signed on July 15, 2014. The Bank's purpose is to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries. The tenor of each loan is 32 years, including a moratorium period of 5 years. kali9/iStockBy LUKE BARR, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- As law enforcement in Washington, D.C., braced for protests at the Capitol and around the nation's capital Wednesday when Congress meets to ratify Joe Biden as winner of the presidential election, the leader of the alt-right group, the Proud Boys, urged members to show up in support of President Donald Trump. Enrique Tarrio, made the comments after being arraigned Tuesday on charges of destruction of property stemming from a "Stop the Steal" protest in December and for possessing two high-powered magazine clips. Tarrio himself, while released on his own recognizance, was barred from staying in the city except to make court appearances. Members of the Proud Boys clashed violently with counter-protesters after a previous pro-Trump rally last month. The new chief of the city's Metropolitan Police Department, which will be the lead agency responding to protests, has said there is no room for guns in the nation's capital where firearms are banned. We have received some information that there are individuals intent on bringing firearms into our city and thats just just will not be tolerated, Chief Robert Contee said. U.S Park Police arrested a man for allegedly carrying a concealed firearm during a pro-Trump rally Tuesday at Freedom Plaza. Other protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court where longtime Trump political adviser Roger Stone, recently pardoned, spoke to the crowd. On Wednesday, the president is expected to attend and speak at an 11 a.m. "Save America" rally on the Ellipse near the White House and authorities anticipated protesters gathering at the Capitol and other symbolic locations around the city. On Tuesday evening, he tweeted, "Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" In another tweet saying Republicans should take "notice" of the people "pouring into DC," Trump tagged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other GOP leaders who oppose other Senate Republicans challenging Biden's Electoral College win. At the same time, in a tweet proclaiming, "Antifa is a terrorist organization, stay out of Washington" and "Law enforcement is watching you very closely," he tagged several government agencies, including the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the FBI and Justice Department and the Department of the Interior. According to the arrest warrant, Tarrio and other members of the Proud Boys group allegedly defaced a Black Lives Matter sign attached to the AME Metropolitan Church, a historically black church in the city, and authorities said police presence will increase at churches and special attention will be given to Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House where police were preparing to close off access to the plaza if necessary. A law enforcement official told ABC News that there are no known threats over the next few days, but a separate law enforcement source said that the police presence is "all hands on deck." The National Guard also will have a presence in D.C. at the request of Mayor Muriel Bowser. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy has activated about 340 unarmed D.C. National Guardsmen to assist local law enforcement. Working day and night shifts there will be about be about 115 National Guardsmen at a given time assisting D.C. police at more than 30 traffic-control checkpoints. Our main mission is augmenting select traffic control points and Metro stations identified by MPD, Gen. William J. Walker, Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard said in a press release Monday. The orders for them say that they will be unarmed and wont have body armor or riot gear. Theyre providing three Guard police officers to accompany a city police officer at 30 checkpoints in town, freeing up an equal number of police to be closer to demonstrations and respond quickly to any violence that might break out. At the same time, Bowser has sent a letter to leaders of the Justice Department and the Pentagon discouraging them from deploying additional federal law enforcement personnel to handle potential unrest at Wednesday's protests without "immediate" notification and consultation with the D.C. police department. Bowser's letter, addressed to acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, says that the MPD is fully prepared to handle the protests in coordination with partners in the Park Police, Capitol Police, Secret Service and D.C. National Guard, and urges against federal deployments of unidentifiable armed personnel which she says previously caused confusion for local law enforcement during several protests in 2020. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson tells ABC News that the agency has established a virtual operations center. Additionally, Customs and Border Protection, a DHS asset, is on stand-by to protect federal buildings. As a law enforcement component under the DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force (PACT), CBP will provide support, as requested, to the Federal Protective Service to protect Federal facilities and property if needed, a CBP spokesperson said in a statement. At the U.S. Capitol, members and staff were being urged to use the underground tunnel system on Wednesday when the joint session of Congress meets, according to a message sent to staff by the Senate Sergeant at Arms. "When moving to and from the House Office Buildings and the Capitol, the Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police continue to encourage Members and staff to use the underground access points and the Cannon and Rayburn tunnels in lieu of walking outdoors or driving to the Capitol plaza," the notice said. A Capitol Police spokesperson said that the agency has "comprehensive security plans in place and we continuously monitor and assess new and emerging threats, with the overall goal of keeping those within the Capitol Complex safe and secure." ABC News' Quinn Owen, Luis Martinez, Benjamin Siegel, Alex Mallin and John Parkinson contributed to this report. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Exxon Mobil Corp. disclosed emissions data on customers use of its fuels and other products for the first time after coming under pressure from investors. The oil giants so-called Scope 3 emissions from petroleum-product sales were equivalent to 730 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019, according to the companys Energy and Carbon Summary released Tuesday. Thats about the same as the entire country of Canada and is the highest of all major Western oil companies. Most Western supermajors already publish the information and Exxon is doing so because stakeholders have expressed growing interest in it, the company said in the report. However, the data do not provide meaningful insight into the companys emission-reduction performance and could be misleading in some respects. CLIMATE: Exxon sets new emissions goals after investor criticism Exxon prefers to focus on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are within its direct control, rather than the use of its products, which depends on demand from customers. However, rivals such as Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc are targeting emissions cuts that cover Scope 3 figures. Exxon has come under pressure from activist investors in recent weeks for its poor shareholder returns and environmental record. Last month, Bloomberg News reported that major investors such as AllianceBernstein, Wellington Management and California State Teachers Retirement System have called on Exxon and the industry to increase transparency and publish more forward-looking emissions data, like the kind it routinely uses internally. The company said in December that it would set new, more ambitious targets to reduce emissions per barrel of crude. But it didnt make any pledges related to reducing its absolute level of pollution. FUEL FIX: Get our energy news in your inbox. In October, Bloomberg News reported that internal documents showed the companys 2018 plan to boost oil and gas production was projected to cause a surge in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the entire output of Greece. But the plan was derailed by Covid-19, forcing Exxon to cut capital spending and scale back its growth ambitions. Exxon said the story was misleading because the documents didnt include additional emissions mitigation efforts that would have been implemented over time. The companys Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell 3.2% in 2019 to 120 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, the lowest since at least 2010, according to Tuesdays report. Despite energy-transition scenarios that show fossil fuel usage decreasing over time, Exxons oil and gas reserves face little risk from declining demand, the company said in the report. This is because the substantial majority of its proved resources will be produced over the next 20 years, when they are supported by ample demand, it said. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Update: The woman shot has died, per media reports -------------- A person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday after armed insurrectionists entered the building. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III confirmed that a person was shot inside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon. Further details on injuries were not available. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy previously said on Fox News that he heard from Capitol police that shots were fired inside the building. The Associated Press reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. that one person was shot. Their condition wasnt immediately known. Supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, prompting the building to go on lockdown. Videos and photos show insurrectionists clashing with police, including the use of pepper spray on both sides. CNN reported that a woman was in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon after being shot in the chest. Reporter Matt Fuller for HuffPost also reported he saw the glass blow out of the chambers front door, and I heard an officer say shots fired. But everything is unconfirmed at this moment, the tweet said. I heard an officer say shots fired. Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) January 6, 2021 Reports of shots fired on Capitol Hill. Police on their way. pic.twitter.com/ixHbQBQxth Charlotte Cuthbertson (@charlottecuthbo) January 6, 2021 Congressmen were also told to get gas masks from under chairs as the insurrectionists stormed the Capitol. We arent taking any chances, Vermont U.S. Rep. Peter Welch said. A citywide curfew has been issued for Washington D.C. starting at 6 p.m. . Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SuperOrdinary, a leading partner for rising star beauty companies entering the Chinese market, and Alliance Consumer Growth ("ACG"), a leading consumer-focused growth equity firm, today announced today that ACG has completed a minority equity investment in SuperOrdinary. ACG was joined by SuperOrdinary's existing investor, the Puig family, in this round of financing. Founded in 2018, SuperOrdinary is a fast-growing brand management and distribution company, working with best-in-class global beauty brands to establish and scale their businesses in China via cross-border and domestic channels. SuperOrdinary is creating a global brand family of Millennial and Gen Z lifestyle, beauty, and wellness brands, today including names like Farmacy, Supergoop, Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, OUAI Haircare, and Milk Makeup. China is already the world's largest beauty market and is expected to double over the next 5 years. For a non-Chinese brand to enter the market, a variety of challenges are present: from logistical complexities like product registrations and supply chain management, to cultural nuances when brands attempt to translate their brand messaging for a local consumer. SuperOrdinary's founder, Julian Reis, a beauty industry veteran and founder of Skin Laundry, has built a team of 185 employees native to China with years of experience working with beauty companies in the Chinese market. "When brands look to select a partner for the Chinese market, it's critical to find a group that understands the market intricately, and that has strong brand-building DNA," said Julian Steinberg, Managing Partner at ACG. "Julian Reis and the SuperOrdinary team have established themselves as the leading partner high-growth beauty brands can trust to adapt their brand for success in the Chinese market." This investment will enable SuperOrdinary to further accelerate the growth of its portfolio of global beauty brands in the Chinese market, and explore additional adjacencies where the Company can provide stewardship for brands to succeed outside of their domestic markets. "We are thrilled to partner with the ACG team, whose expertise in the beauty market and point of view on rising star beauty brands will be instrumental in our continued success," said SuperOrdinary founder Julian Reis. About SuperOrdinary SuperOrdinary works with best-in-class global beauty brands to establish and scale their influence and sales in China. As brand guardians, we take pride in building brands according to your global vision and spirit. Fusing technology with creativity, we are shaping the brands that inspire a new generation of consumers using our in-house brand management team and local expertise to adapt brands for success in the Chinese market. Founded in 2018 by Julian Reis, our portfolio today includes 20 brands including Farmacy, Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, Ouai Haircare, Milk Makeup, Dr. Dennis Gross, Supergoop, and more. For more information, please visit www.superordinary.co. About ACG ACG is a leading growth equity fund providing capital and value-added partnership to the most promising emerging consumer product and retail brands. Notable brands that ACG successfully partnered with as an early investor include Shake Shack (later completed an IPO asNYSE: SHAK), Babyganics (later acquired by SC Johnson), barkTHINS (later acquired by Hershey's), Krave Jerky (later acquired by Hershey's), Suja Juice (later acquired by CocaCola), Harry's, Tata Harper, Milk Makeup, Good American, Pacifica Beauty, Herschel Supply Co., Nudestix, Lola, OUAI Haircare, SKIMS, Blaze Pizza, and The Honest Kitchen, among others. ACG has offices in New York City and Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.acgpartners.com. SOURCE Alliance Consumer Growth Related Links https://www.acgpartners.com One of the country's largest car makers chartered three flights in the last 2-3 months to airlift raw materials and parts from the South East Asian countries to its Chennai plant as sea transportation continued to be a challenge due to the non-availability of containers to and from India. A company official, requesting anonymity, said over 150 metric tonnes of raw materials and components were brought into the country by air in three months. These would have, otherwise, come through sea. His company expects to do a few more charter trips in the coming months considering the container shortage is not expected to ease in the near future. We don't have a choice, but to airlift, so that our production here will not be impacted, said the official, adding that logistics cost had gone up nearly 8-10 times. The company was also forced to increase the inventory levels to address the uncertainity when it comes to shipping lines' schedule. The company and its suppliers used to import around 400-500 containers every month through 20 ships. A present only half of the ships are in operation, while demand from the has increased. The transit time, which earlier used to be around two weeks, has now increased to around 30-45 days. Satish Sharma, president, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa at Apollo Tyres, added that container shortage had impacted around 10% of the company's export volumes. "Freight rates have shot up, and are at 2-3X of the levels we were at, before the shortage started. In addition, the time to place an order for a container has also gone up from 2 days in the past, to almost 7 days now. Zen Linen International, one of leading textile exporters, was forced to halt manufacturing at the company's unit in MEPZ SEZ, Chennai for nearly 10 days since the company could not move the products from the manufacturing units due to shortage of containers. The company's Managing Director, Milind Mungikar, said that his factory used to send around 7-8 fully loaded containers every day, but for 2-3 weeks not even one container was moved resulting in a stock pile up. He has now hired a warehouse for Rs 4 lakh a month to stock the goods. He alleges that shipping lines are taking bookings one or two month in advance, but they are charging Rs 4,000 as halting charges per day for a container. This is over and above the 2-3 times increase in ocean freight rates. The non-availability of containers has increased ocean freight rates by 2-3 times to the US and European ports. While freight rates to US ports increased to around $3500-4000 from $1800-2000 last year, the freight rates to Europe rose to $1600-1700 from $800. For imports, especially from South East Asian countries, rates rose by 2-3 times. Raja Shanmugham, president, Tirupur Exporters Association, added that last year on an average it would cost around $3,000 to move a container from a factory at Tirupur to a warehouse or retail store of a customer. Today it costs around $5000-6000. He alleges that there is an artificial demand being created by the shipping lines. Customers are not only ready to pay extra, they are also cancelling orders or going back to China. Our customers have started moving to China (which is also the world's largest container producer) stating that deliveries from India are getting delayed and prices are also high, said Mungikar. Shipping lines agree that container shortage is a challenge and they expect it will ease by the second half of the year. Spokesperson of Maersk, one of the largest shipping lines, said exports out of India have recovered strongly, while imports remain subdued at levels well below pre-Covid volumes. This has created a sustained imbalance between exports and imports, which caused a shortage of containers in certain parts of India. In the last few weeks, Maersk tripled the repositioning of empty containers from the Middle East and within the country. "We are expecting the balance to return sometime during the first half of 2021," he said. Hapag-Lloyd said, container shortage is not India specific, but a result of the global supply and demand situation. While there is ample equipment, it is not always there at locations where it is needed while the surge in volumes has reduced the number of containers being repositioned. Besides, Exim imbalances in the US or other countries, port congestion in destination harbours, chassis availability or rail capacity for inland transports or shortages of labour and marine warehouses also adds to the issue. "Due to the pandemic, volumes dropped in double-digits in Q2 of 2020 compared to last year. We had to prepare for this by reducing costs, such as by having blanked sailings and rigorous capacity management. In the third quarter, consumption and the demand for capacity significantly went up again, said the company. The company claims it has deployed all services and ships back to pre Covid-19 schedules in Q3 2020 already and is optimising vessel capacity and reducing container turn-times wherever possible. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Gemma Chan has discussed how 2018 romantic comedy film Crazy Rich Asians has impacted her career. In the February issue of ELLE UK, the actress, 38, revealed she was once unable to walk through an airport in Singapore following her portrayal as Astrid Leong-Teo, and credited the hit movie for introducing her to lead roles. The screen star also discussed increasing representation as a British Asian in the industry, working with Meryl Streep and being hopeful about the future as she starred in a high-fashion cover shoot by photographer Marcin Kempski. 'I couldn't walk through an airport': Gemma Chan has discussed how 2018 romantic comedy film Crazy Rich Asians has impacted her career as she starred in the February issue of ELLE UK Despite becoming a thespian in 2009, the media personality received worldwide recognition as socialite Astrid nine years later. On how Crazy Rich Asians has widened her opportunities, the film star said: 'Before Crazy Rich Asians, I was not being considered for lead roles in feature films. 'There is a very select group of actors and actresses who are in that pool and I wouldn't even get an audition, I was just not even in that conversation. 'Whereas now Well, I've been told I am being talked about for certain things and then you may meet the director, or you at least get to have your shot. So that does feel a bit different. 'I was just not even in that conversation': The actress, 38, credited her role as Astrid Leong-Teo for introducing her to lead roles in feature films Avant-garde: The screen star took part in a high-fashion cover shoot by photographer Marcin Kempski 'Because Crazy Rich Asians did so well internationally, I definitely felt a shift at that time. Like, on the Captain Marvel press tour, not being able to walk through an airport [in Singapore]. 'But then again, I feel like things have settled a bit more now and the slight craziness of that time has gone away. I do feel like I can touch wood go about my life normally now.' The Fresh Meat star went on to confess she finds it 'ridiculous' that the topic of representation is still brought up as a 'talking point'. Gemma insisted: 'I do get moments where I think, ''Oh gosh, I wish we didn't have to talk about race anymore.'' In the same way I wish we didn't have to talk about why it's unusual to have a female lead. Breakthrough: Despite becoming a thespian in 2009, the media personality received worldwide recognition as socialite Astrid nine years later (pictured in the film) 'Why is that still the exception? Why is it still so unusual to have half of the human race being centred in these stories? It seems ridiculous that we're still flagging that up as a talking point.' Elsewhere in the interview, the Transformers star touched on joining forces with Meryl in new drama Let Them All Talk, in which she plays her character Alice Hughes' literary agent Karen. The Oxford alum enthused: 'Obviously I jumped at the chance. It was just such a dream project. A lot of the dialogue was improvised. There's a scene, a lunch in New York with Meryl, which was actually the first scene that I shot. 'So I arrived on set and the whole restaurant was full of 200 extras, you could hear a pin drop, I went in and sat down, then Meryl came in and sat down, and we just had to improvise a scene. ''I don't think I've ever had such a clenched bum!' Elsewhere in the interview, the Transformers star touched on joining forces with Meryl Streep in Let Them All Talk (pictured) 'I don't think I've ever had such a clenched bum! I was petrified. There I am, with possibly the greatest actress of all time, and ''Action!''' In the romance department, Gemma has been dating Mamma Mia! star Dominic Cooper, 42, since 2018. On maintaining a private personal life, the London native said: 'Over 10 years, you learn the importance of privacy, what you choose to share and what you don't. 'When you start out, you don't even know what is important to keep for yourself I didn't anyway, at the beginning, whereas now I think there are certain things that I absolutely know, ''That's mine and it's private.'' Out soon: The February issue of ELLE UK is on sale from January 7 'For me, my comfort level is to have a clear distinction between what is for me and what I'm happy to talk about.' The Mary Queen of Scots actress also spoke about holding faith for the next generation after feeling 'powerless' about the 'governing of our country' amid the coronavirus pandemic. She added: 'I've definitely struggled. I've had times where I've felt quite hopeless about things. I think for most of us, we've realised how powerless we are as a whole in terms of the day-to-day governing of our [country]. 'There seems to no longer be any accountability for anyone. A complete lack of shame. So things that a minister or an advisor would have resigned for five, 10 years ago, there are now no repercussions, therefore no accountability. 'But, at the same time, I have hope mainly because of the next generation. I think the generation below mine are much more politically aware than I was at that age, much more involved and active.' The February issue of ELLE UK is on sale from January 7. Findings demonstrate how factors such as poverty further reduce access to pharmacies Irvine, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021-- In the United States, Black, Latino and low-income communities have historically lacked nearby access to pharmacy services. To provide the first record of these "pharmacy deserts" in Los Angeles County, a University of California, Irvine study identified communities where the nearest pharmacy was at least one mile away. Unlike previous studies, this one describes pharmacy deserts in terms of social determinants of health - such as owning a vehicle, crime rates and poverty - to determine which communities have the greatest need for pharmacy access. Published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, it is the first study to look at pharmacy deserts in the state of California. "My goal is to bring these concepts together at the intersection of pharmacy practice, public health and social justice to reduce health disparities," said Cheryl Wisseh, a health sciences assistant clinical professor of clinical pharmacy practice at UCI and the study's first author. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. They found that some Los Angeles County areas lacking pharmacy access are characterized by denser populations, larger numbers of Latino and Black residents, less vehicle and home ownership, higher crime rates, and greater poverty. "These social determinants of health compound the negative effects of pharmacy shortage through competing needs," Wisseh said. "For example, some residents living below the poverty line may choose to forgo picking up their medications so that they can pay for food, rent and other necessities." A pharmacy shortage likely equates to fewer clinical pharmacy services, such as health screenings, vaccines and medication management, Wisseh added. Since pharmacies are a large distributor of vaccines across the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic makes access to pharmacists even more pressing. "As the COVID-19 vaccines start rolling out, pharmacists will be key to the rapid and equitable distribution and administration of doses, just as they have been with COVID-19 testing," said Jan D. Hirsch, founding dean of the UCI's School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. Wisseh added that the communities within pharmacy deserts are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. "The same forces of structural inequity and systemic racism that contribute to the formation of Los Angeles pharmacy deserts contribute to the disproportionate test positivity, incidence and mortality rates of COVID-19 in racial and ethnic minorities," she said. "Residents in Los Angeles County pharmacy deserts might benefit greatly from equitable, innovative, community-based interventions that increase access to medications, pharmacy services and pharmacists," the researchers wrote in the study. For instance, the county could add pharmacists to local clinics and other primary care settings to provide clinical services. In her own clinical practice, Wisseh works with county-led programs in South Los Angeles to improve pharmacy access for patients. Wisseh plans to conduct a similar study on a larger scale - perhaps across California - to examine how pharmacy deserts contribute to whether minority communities take medications as prescribed and investigate disparities in available medications within pharmacies. ### About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit http://www. uci. edu . Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists. NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTO AND IMAGE AVAILABLE AT https:/ / news. uci. edu/ 2021/ 01/ 06/ uci-study-first-to-link-disparities-and-pharmacy-deserts-in-california/ Contact: Nicole Feldman 949-501-9192 nefeldma@uci.edu It is not a particularly festive Christmas that the Copts of Egypt are celebrating today, notably because of the restrictions resulting from the winter surge in Covid-19. However, Christmas this year has been marked, as has been the case over the past five years, with an announcement of the restoration of several churches and the registration of others under construction nationwide. For Egypts Coptic Church, and perhaps for the overwhelming majority of Copts, this is no small thing. It is a gesture that is as celebrated as the tradition of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to attend Christmas Mass in Cairo, started in January 2015 only six months after he became president. These two things have been as celebrated as the decision that former president Hosni Mubarak made in December 2009 to add Christmas Day to the list of national holidays that had never previously included any Christian feasts. Unlike the date of Jesus crucifixion, his birth date is not contested by the Islamic authorities, whose green light is a constitutional sine qua non for any decision on official holidays. However, over the past five years, Easter Sunday has been a de facto day off as it comes between the Friday-Saturday weekend and the Monday of Sham Al-Nessim, an official holiday that all Egyptians celebrate with the advent of spring. Mohamed Afifi, a professor of modern and contemporary history at Cairo University and a researcher on the history of the Copts, said it was a matter of time and of incremental civil-society pressure. In a sense, Afifi said, it had been in the interest of Mubarak to make Christmas an official holiday in 2009, as it was perhaps in the interest of the current political dispensation to court the Coptic Church. However, he argued that none of these gestures would have been possible had it not been for societal consent, the latter being the outcome of lobbying by societal and political figures. Speaking in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly on the occasion of Coptic Christmas, Afifi said that intellectuals in Egypt, believing deeply in the principle of equal citizenship, had worked hard to support and welcome such decisions. But there had also been moments of disarray, he said. There have been ups and downs. However, these were not always reflected in the daily life of Egyptians who would not all be swayed by moments of political difficulty, Afifi argued. DIFFICULTIES: Over the past 11 decades, Egypt has sometimes come close to Coptic-Muslim confrontation and then seen a U-turn, Afifi said. I dont like to use the term civil strife because I dont think it applies in the case of Egypt as Egyptians do not have different ethnicities, he said. In 1910, Ibrahim Al-Wardani assassinated then Coptic prime minister Boutros Ghali Pasha. This sad and lamentable assassination was not designed to manifest anti-Coptic sentiments on the part of Al-Wardani, however. It was a political assassination designed to protest against widely contested positions, Afifi said. But it coincided with a debate over Egypts association with the declining Ottoman Empire, and there was a moment of polarisation, with angry calls being made for a Coptic Conference and an Islamic Conference and so on, however. Yet, it is difficult to separate Egyptians in a faith-based manner because what all Egyptians share starts from their common historic association with the Valley of the Nile and includes their otherwise almost identical social norms. It is very difficult to think of long-term civil strife in Egypt, Afifi said. Whenever there is an issue of national concern, Egyptians, with or without sentiments of religion, will inevitably tend to come together, he said. In the run-up and during the demonstrations of the 1919 Revolution, there was a moment of civil unity, for example, he added. Public debate, at least in Cairo and other big cities, over Al-Wardanis action was quickly silenced. Sheikh Mustafa Al-Qayati and Archbishop Sergious for months exchanged places at Al-Azhar and in downtown Cairo churches to express their support for the calls of freedom made in the 1919 Revolution. From then on, Afifi said, there was a significant political movement, which came with the growing role of the Wafd Party, that allowed for a wide and visible political role for the Copts and for Muslims. This lasted for a few decades, and there were the parallel political roles of Mustafa Al-Nahhas and Makram Ebeid, he added. During the rise of the Free Officers before the 1952 Revolution, Afifi said, there was an inevitable decline in the role of Copts, as they have more often than not opted not to join clandestine movements, Afifi said. Any movements that the Copts opted for were very few and strictly religious, unlike the case of the Free Officers who were predominantly Muslims and certainly were opposed to the state as it then existed. Around that time, there were Coptic members of other clandestine movements of Communist or even Fascist inclinations, but these were mostly Copts from wealthy families, and they were an exception, he argued. It would also be untrue to disconnect the Free Officers from any association with the Muslim Brotherhood. It is not just former president Gamal Abdel-Nasser who had an association with the Muslim Brotherhood at that time, as others did too, Afifi said, including Hussein Al-Shafei, Kamaleddin Hussein, Anwar Al-Sadat, and others. This made it unlikely that there would be the inclusion of the Copts in the Free Officers. Later, Nassers enormous popularity as president made up for this, Afifi said, adding that Nasser had worked on securing a close rapport with head of the Coptic Church Pope Kyrollos. During these years, it was less common to see Copts in top state positions compared to under the monarchy. However, he added, the Copts were a lot more inclined to pursue successful professional careers, which also made them perhaps less interested in abandoning those careers in favour of state jobs. The nationalisations hurt a lot of wealthy Copts, and there was perhaps a lot more interest in rebuilding lost financial capacity, either in or outside Egypt, rather than in pursuing an association with the state, he added. Moreover, Afifi said, with the elimination of what could be called a public political sphere as a result of the abolition of political parties under Nasser, there was no room for anyone, Copts or Muslims, to have a prominent role if it was not with the consent of the state at the time. The military defeat of 1967 then broke national dreams and prompted a sudden rise in Islamist feeling. As a result, the Copts were left with defeated faith in the present and growing fears over the future. It was a moment of considerable Coptic migration, Afifi said. This was a moment when some Egyptian Copts decided to give their children English Christian names. So instead of Boutros there were lots of Peters, along with Johns and Carolines and so on, he added. DECISIVE MOMENTS: Subsequent years leading up to the October War in 1973 were a time for healing wounds and not for creating more wounds over differences.However, Afifi said, with the rise of Islamist sentiments in the second half of the 1970s, it was definitely an alarming moment for many Copts, made worse by the falling out between the head of the Coptic Church at the time Pope Shenouda and Sadat.We started to see dividing lines of faith, especially in the more economically challenged quarters, manifested in the choice of the names of children. We saw a lot of Coptic names and a lot of names from the Arab Gulf. Instead of names that carry no religious identification like Dalia, Sherine, Wael and Tarek, we got into the Boutros, Kyrollos, Girgis, Hozaifa, and Rouqaiya phase, he stated.This was effectively the moment that many Copts chose to exit the stage, not just politically but also socially, Afifi said. He added that given the isolation imposed by Sadat on Pope Shenouda in the early 1980s, this was a moment like no other in the contemporary history of Copts, who feared for themselves in a way that might have been worse than following the election of Muslim Brotherhood member Mohamed Morsi as president in 2012.When Pope Shenouda came out of isolation during Hosni Mubaraks rule, he made the decision to keep up a peaceful and distant relation with the state. This was always the case even during the worst attacks against the Copts in 1990s, Afifi argued. He said that the generally little influence that the political parties had during these years had made the Coptic interest in playing a role in those parties limited, whether in the New Wafd Party or the leftist Tagammua.However, for the most part, the Copts were almost all beyond the walls of the Church, physically and not metaphorically, because even when they wanted to gather to express themselves it was outside the walls of the Church, Afifi said.The 25 January Revolution in 2011, Afifi said, was another decisive moment for at least the younger generation of Copts.It is important to note that for Copts and for Muslims, the January Revolution was first and foremost an act of the younger generation. In 2011, the younger generation of Egyptians was perfectly capable, due to the IT revolution and social media, to connect beyond the walls without religious apprehensions, he argued.It was a curious moment of history in many ways. It was almost a moment of turning the page. Mubarak had been ousted, and not long afterwards Pope Shenouda passed away, and there was the younger generation hoping for a new future, Afifi said.Some Copts say that they opted for a U-turn as early as October 2011 after the Maspero incidents, when some young Copts, including Mina Daniel, a prominent figure in the January Revolution, got into a violent confrontation with the then law-enforcing agencies that left close to 30 Copts dead.Some say the wish for a U-Turn occurred on the day Morsi was elected. Others say it was in April 2012 when the Coptic Cathedral in Abbasiya came under attack. For Afifi, these were all moments of Coptic and Muslim fear and agony.Those were moments when the positions of the radical Islamists were being threaded into Egyptian society, he argued. This was manifested during the 30 June demonstrations, when there was a very visible Coptic presence side by side with the Muslim presence, he said.Unlike the Coptic presence in the January Revolution, which was mostly of younger men and women, on 30 June there was a very strong presence of older Copts, including housewives and grandparents, he added.Afifi argued that 30 June brought together those who opposed the January Revolution with those who wished for an early ouster of Morsi, whether or not they supported the January Revolution. It was a moment of an affirmative Coptic presence for the obvious and perfectly legitimate reason that the Copts feared more than anyone else the continued rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, he said.He said that the rule of Morsi had brought back fears relating to the 1970s to the 1990s and the worst incidents of attacks against Copts and open calls for anti-Coptic discrimination. It had also brought back memories of the Middle Ages, when Copts were said to be forced by Muslims into humiliating acts like walking strictly on the left side of the road or being forced to ride their donkeys backwards. But it was never Muslims who forced Copts into these practices, but rather the soldiers of the rulers who would also force Muslim citizens to perform such practices, he said.It is also important to note that 30 June was never a Coptic moment but was rather an Egyptian moment with a pronounced Coptic presence, he added.After the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood, many Egyptians opted out of politics, like some Muslim Egyptians did, including some who were at the forefront of the January Revolution, Afifi said. And with political space being effectively suspended, he added, there has been no particular Coptic activism outside the walls of the Church that Pope Tawadros has seemed happy to gather the Copts behind.During the Mubarak years, the state was happy to deal with the Copts through the head of the Coptic Church. This was regained in a way after 2013, but with a lot more gestures from the state towards the Copts, like the renovation and registration of churches and the presence of the head of state at the Coptic Christmas Mass, which really brings joy to the Copts, Afifi argued. CULTURE AND CURRICULA: While the history of Copts over the past century has never been on a path of its own, a grievance remains in questions of Coptic representation in the wider culture and school curricula.I am not talking about political representation because clearly this too has improved significantly during the past five years. I am rather talking about cultural and media representation and the representation of the history of the Copts, and for that matter of all Christians, in Egyptian school curricula, Afifi said. In general, he said, there had been little space in literary production for Coptic content.Egyptian Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz includes a prominent Coptic character, Riad Kaldas, in his novel Al-Sokariya (Sugar Street), presenting him as engaging in conversation with Kamal Abdel-Gawwad, the protagonist. Other references in contemporary literature include the works of Ibrahim Abdel-Meguid and Alaa Al-Aswany, in addition to the works of Coptic Alexandrian writer Edward Kharrat and Naim Sabri, who was born to a Coptic family in the predominantly Coptic Cairo neighbourhood of Shobra, just like Afifi himself.The TV dramas of writers Osama Anwar Okasha and Wahid Hamed also have some Coptic representation; but in general this does not seem to be very vocal and it tends to present some stereotypes, Afifi said.The Tales of Youssef Tadros by author Adel Esmat is perhaps one of the more pronounced texts dealing with Coptic representation in literature. Again, it is an incremental effort, on two sides really, the side of society to encourage full Coptic engagement and the side of the Copts to come forward without misgivings.Afifi believes there is room to include a lot more on the history of the Christians of Egypt in the school history curriculum.I would not subscribe to the idea of teaching students about the Coptic Era in Egyptian history, which is basically a reductionist reference to the six centuries before the arrival of Islam in Egypt. It is reductionist because it assumes that after the arrival of Islam the Copts, or for that matter the Christians, of Egypt were on the margins, which is absolutely not true, Afifi said.Some of the most important Coptic volumes, including those by the Awlad Al-Assal, which defends the Christian faith and establishes Church regulations, were written in the 13th century, for example. The Coptic Synaxarium, a compilation of saints, starts in the fourth and continues through at least the seventh century.While I think we should allow children to read more and learn more about the role of Christians, especially Copts, who always were the majority of Egyptian Christians, in the making of collective Egyptian history, I dont think we need to label eras by religious association, either as Christian or Muslim. I think it makes more sense to talk of the Byzantine era and Fatimid rule rather than of the Coptic era or of Islamic rule, he said.There is also a need to re-engage the Coptic language, based on ancient Egyptian, and not see it only as an element of the Coptic Orthodox faith. It is such a pity that we give it so little attention, he argued.Teaching religion in schools Afifi believes deserves an alternative approach. It is one thing to teach history and another to teach religion in the way it is done now, he said. There is already some confusion between teaching religion and teaching the history of the followers of a certain faith. I think there should be another way to teach children about their religion without making it part of the school curriculum. School should be about the things that we all share and we can all discuss, Afifi said.I remember Pope Shenouda used to say that the ultimate moment of equal citizenship was the one when graduates of secondary schools apply to university. At that moment, only their grades should get them in or deny them the discipline they wish to study. This should be the spirit around which education should be based, he added.Afifi is convinced that the history of Christianity merits more attention, especially in university departments and not just at undergraduate level. When Afifi started a PhD in the mid-1980s about the Christians of Egypt under Ottoman rule, he was one of very few graduate students to approach this theme.Today, he is proud to say, there are many graduate students, both Muslims and Christians, who are interested to learn more about the story of Egypts Christians, especially the Coptic majority. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: A bold REPUBLICAN Sunflower State declaration offers a stern rebuke MAGA talking points. Read more for those who haven't seen it already . . . TOPEKA, Kan. - Kansas Senator Jerry Moran has announced that he will not reject the Electoral College results and will vote to certify President-elect Joe Biden as the winner. His decision comes days after Missouri Senator Josh Hawley became the first U.S. Stratovolcano 4835 m (15,863 ft)Kamchatka, 56.06N / 160.64E(1 out of 5)1697-98, 1720-21, 1727-31, 1737, 1740, 1762, 1767, 1770, 1772, 1785, 1787, 1788, 1789-90, 1791, 1807, 1812, 1813, 1819-22, 1829, 1840, 1848, 1852, 1853-54, 1865, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1882, 1883, 1890, 1896-97, 1890, 1896-97, 1898, 1904, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1935-36, 1937-39, 1944-1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960-63, 1963-64, 1965-1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1971-73, 1974, 1977-80, 1981, 1982, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1986, 1986-90, 1991, 1992, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2002-04, 2005 - ongoingDominantly explosive, strombolian and vulcanian activity, sometimes lava flows from fissure vents. At present in a phase of near-persistant activity.(volcano expedition to Kamchatka) If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: Kliuchevskoi is Kamchatka's highest and most active volcano. Since its origin about 6000 years ago, the beautifully symmetrical, 4835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity. Kliuchevskoi rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif. More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred at Kliuchevskoi during the past roughly 3000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3600 m elevation. The morphology of its 700-m-wide summit crater has been frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since the late-17th century. Historical eruptions have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters. NASA photo of the eruption of Klyuchevsky volcano on 30 September, 1994, the volcano's largest explosion in 40 years. The large Yury Demianchuk from the volcanological observatory in Klyuchi (volkstat.ru) mentioned that on 2 January at about 17:20 local time a landslide occurred along the Apakhonchich chute. Athat rose 1 km above the the flanks and drifted SE. ... One of the most active and most dangerous volcanoes of Indonesia: Merapi meaning "the one who makes fire", is a feared but also venerated holy mountain looming over the city of Yogyakarta, capital of Central Java. Impressions from our Tour to Kamchakta during Sep 2018: northern group of volcanoes, Karymsky, and the southern plateau with Mutnovsky and Gorely. Many volcanoes can be observed in real-time using webcams. Look at the latest images collected from our volcano webcam viewer tool Ambrym (Vanuatu) is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its vast caldera has an amazing moonscape and several active vents that contain boiling lava lakes, most famous Marum and Benbow. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Weather reports Tsunami alerts Design upgrades Faster responsiveness Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards Additional seismic data sources Improved content in English Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has begun looking into the sources of funds for app-based instant loan companies accused of harassing vulnerable borrowers, said a person aware of the matter. Strong arm tactics to recover dues, including naming borrowers, have led to at least two suicides, according to media reports. According to this person, RBI is likely to launch an investigation into whether some banks allowed funds to flow into these apps without conducting mandatory due diligence. The RBI scrutiny follows a probe by the Enforcement Directorate, which has filed a money laundering case on the basis of first information reports registered by police against instant loan apps connected to overseas jurisdictions. The onus of verifying the end use of funds lies with the banks and RBI, in this case, wants to be certain whether the banks followed proper procedure before lending to some of these apps, said the person cited above. If the banks have implemented proper know your customer guidelines, then its worth probing whether it was limited to just the customer or customers clients, said a former RBI official who requested anonymity. Mint reported in September that the government was investigating several fintech apps with Chinese links to check for data and privacy breaches. On June 24, 2020, RBI said that banks and non-bank financiers, irrespective of whether they lend through their own digital lending platform or through an outsourced entity must adhere to fair practices guidelines in letter and spirit. These apps are circumventing the law by opening current account with banks without the NBFCs involved. The loan disbursement and the entire collection process is, therefore, happening through these current accounts. It is, therefore, important to understand whether banks are monitoring any instances of high volume transactions happening through these accounts. Since the transaction is going through a current account mechanism, these apps are circumventing the entire gamut of regulations, including KYC, and not reporting to credit bureaus, said Yogi Sadana, founder, fintech association for consumer empowerment. Preliminary investigations by the Hyderabad police has revealed that close to 14 million transactions, worth nearly 21,000 crore, were made through payment gateways and bank accounts linked to these companies. Most of the transactions have happened in the past six months. The money was routed through shell companies, multiple bank accounts, payment gateways and digital wallets to avoid detection. A citizen collective named Cashless Consumer, engaged in raising awareness around digital payments, has released a list of 1,000 lending apps which showed that the majority of them did not have any payment gateway integration. Typically, digital lending apps have a payout account, usually IMPS service provided by a bank, through which they disburse the loan, and a collection interface Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Burma Myanmar Villagers Flee Warring Ethnic Armies in Northern Shan State Villagers displaced by clashes arrive in urban Kyaukme. / Ohm Tamang Social Organization Yangon Fresh military tensions in Namtu and Kyaukme in northern Shan State between two ethnic armed groups the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have forced thousands of villagers from their homes since late December. In Namtu, over 800 people have fled their homes. A community representative, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, told The Irrawaddy that a man died and a house was flattened in Nyaung Swe village on Tuesday. Pan Chin villagers were not allowed to flee by one of the armed groups, he said. Lower House lawmaker Daw Nan Kham Aye of Namtu Township said the numbers displaced are rising. A total of 246 people from three villagers have arrived in Mansan village and 605 people from five other villages are now at Nar Sai village, the lawmaker told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. The displaced people in Nar Sai need bedding, she said. In 2018 the fiercest fighting occurred between the RCSS and TNLA in Namtu Township with tensions running high between Shan and Taang communities in the town. The RCSS said it has taken control of Lwel En Tin village-tract and Tow San village in Kyaukme, where Taang or Palaung ethnic people make up the majority of the population following a weeks fighting. It was not that we attacked and occupied their outpost. As the TNLA attacked us, we defended ourselves and carried out counter-attacks. They fled and we chased them, RCSS spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sai Ohm Khur told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. The spokesman said the armed group would continue to hold the villages to protect residents, warning that clashes may erupt if TNLA troops return. When clashes broke out in Lwel En Tin village-tract on Dec. 25, the TNLA claimed the RCSS launched attacks on them first, but the RCSS said the opposite. Over 1,100 residents were forced from their homes to take shelter in urban Kyaukme. According to Kyaukme Township General Administration Department, the village-tract consists of six villages with a population of over 1,400. Clashes ceased earlier this month, but villagers dare not return home for fear of more fighting if TNLA troops return. A villager from Lwel En Tin, who is taking shelter at a relatives house in Kyaukme, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday: We dare not go back home while the situation remains unstable. Our lives will be at risk if we are trapped in the fighting. Meanwhile, 109 Tow San villagers in Kyaukme Township fled to a nearby village following the clashes in the first week of January. The TNLA accused the RCSS of attacking its outpost in Tow San on Monday morning. U Tin Maung Thein, chairman of a Kyaukme-based committee to help the displaced, said on Tuesday: There was a clash yesterday. We heard that the RCSS attacked a TNLA outpost and 109 villagers from Tow San have fled to Ohm Ngan. The Irrawaddy was unable to contact the TNLA about the fighting. The TNLAs Monday statement said there were 10 clashes in the first week of January as the RCSS attacked its outposts in Kyaukme and Namtu. The two armed groups have engaged in clashes since early 2016 in Kyaukme, Namhsan, Namtu and Hsipaw townships in northern Shan State over territorial disputes. The TNLAs ally, the Shan State Progress Party, has also accused the RCSS of trespassing. The RCSS and TNLA held talks in 2018 but negotiations have since stalled. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: NLD Sends First Delegation to Discuss Federal Union with Myanmars Ethnic Parties Myanmar Government Eyes Town Status for Controversial China-Backed Project Fugitive Former Myanmar Army Officer on Sedition Charge Turns Himself in NEWSALERT-ITALY-ACCIDENT-ARRESTS Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP)Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP) IND Relatives and colleagues of those killed when a Ukrainian plane was downed by Iran almost a year ago gathered on Tuesday to watch an investigation film into the incident. Ukraine International Airlines UIA Flight 752 was shot down on 8 January 2020 near the Iranian capital of Tehran killing 176 people. Iran initially denied downing the aircraft but changed course days later, after Western nations presented extensive evidence that it had shot down the plane. Iran's initial claims that engine failure brought down the plane angered Ukrainians, who also say Iran should pay compensation and should be more forthcoming about the circumstances. Director Leonid Kanfer held a private screening of the film, titled Romeo's Fatality Mystery, for families and colleagues of the victims. He said it aimed to answer the questions of the tragedy. Following the screening head of UIA trade union Oleksandr Polianskiy, who also trained the pilots who died onboard the aircraft, called on Iran to take full responsibility for the incident and admit why they targeted the plane. The crash occurred just hours after Iran fired missiles at a base in Iraq where US troops are stationed, in retaliation for US drones killing Iran's most powerful general. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo "Danny" Lim passed away on Wednesday, over a week after contracting COVID-19. The MMDA said Lim, 65, died of cardiac arrest. The head of MMDA, one of the government agencies working in the frontlines amid the pandemic, tested positive for the coronavirus on December 29. He said his symptoms were mild. Malacanang extended its deep condolences to Lim's loved ones and colleagues at the MMDA. "MMDA Chair Lim served the Duterte Administration with professionalism, competence and integrity. He would be dearly missed," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. Lim was a retired military brigadier general who led the failed coup d'etat against former President Corazon Aquino in 1989. He was detained for two years until he was granted amnesty by Aquino's successor, Fidel V. Ramos. He was also accused in 2006 of plotting the ouster of ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He, along other Magdalo soldiers including Antonio Trillanes IV then a Navy lieutenant who was later elected senator were involved in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. This was the infamous incident where rebel troops stormed out of a court hearing and holed up in The Peninsula Manila hotel to call for Arroyo's resignation. Lim was detained from 2006 to 2010 on charges of rebellion and attempted coup d'etat. Before his appointment to the MMDA in 2017, he was named by former President Benigno Aquino III as Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner. He resigned in July 2013 due to alleged corruption in the bureau. Lim lost when he ran for a Senate seat in 2010. Seguin, Texas (78155) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Emily Mieure covers criminal justice and emergency news. She also leads the News&Guides investigative efforts. She has reported for WDRB TV in Louisville, Ky., WFIE TV in Evansville, Ind., and WEIU TV in Charleston, Ill. Schools may not be back on schedule but completing the CAO form ahead of the February 1 deadline remains a must. Applicants have the option of applying for up to 20 courses, 10 at Level 8 and 10 at level 7/6, but filling all slots can be a struggle and research is key. Hopefully, students have done a lot of groundwork already, but there is still time to explore options and to finalise choices. Remember that courses entered before February 1 can be changed during the May-July Change of Mind period. With the inability to hold open day and information events as they would have in the past, higher education institutions have become creative in how they might promote their courses and answer questions. They have increased their use of social media and may have introduced an ask feature to their website, allowing applicants to ask questions of staff or students in real time. Most importantly, however, applicants are no longer restricted by time commitments or geography when choosing which events to attend. Many institutions are holding weekly online events with a different course taking centre stage each week. For many students it was unrealistic to travel to attend events in an institution. Now, however it is possible to log into a college event when it suits. Most institutions made the very helpful decision to keep all open day content online and available to applicants for a period after the actual event. This includes access to talks, chat rooms tours videos etc. Websites such as careersportal.ie continue to be an important tool for research. This website allows researchers to enter keywords, course titles, codes or colleges to find all relevant courses. They also allow researchers to introduce a variety of filters to assist in their search, eg only courses that accept Foundation Maths or only courses in Dublin or Munster etc. Results appear in a standardised format and include entry requirements, modules, links to the college websites etc. Beyond the course search function, there is also ample content on careers and job descriptions. Students can view videos describing the work of a variety of professionals as well as the skills and aptitudes relevant to each role. College prospectuses are also an invaluable tool, particularly when trying to distinguish between similarly sounding courses, and all have been published online this year. When researching for the CAO the aim is to find as many maybe courses as possible rather than the one perfect course. Once you have found a decent list of courses you might be interested in, you should go back and review them in more detail. The final step is to compare each of the courses and then create an order of preference list for the CAO form. Aoife Walsh is a guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin Online Editors Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Houstons internal vaccination program for city employees, much like the public system that has been overwhelmed by demand, is working to conform to sometimes vague state guidelines as health officials prioritize who they poke first. Meanwhile, a handful of agencies still are coordinating their plans for offering vaccines to workers who are not police or firefighters but still staff critical functions for local and state government. Frontline workers in Houston including police, firefighters, health officials and street maintenance crews are receiving vaccines through the citys internal program, which began administering the Moderna vaccine earlier this week. Officials said more than 260 workers were included in that first phase, though thousands of city workers received notice via email on how to register to receive the vaccine. While some jobs obviously qualify, such as police officers, firefighters and EMTs who interact with the public regularly, the limits of exactly what that means can be applied subjectively. No specific breakdown details exactly what jobs are and are not eligible. COVID CLIMBING: Hospitalizations trigger new restrictions in Houston area Houston is following state guidelines from the Texas Department of State Health Services which used a panel of health officials to prioritize allocation, said Porfirio Villareal, spokesman for the city health department. He noted the panel said priority is given to front-line workers who are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the nature of their work providing critical services and preserving the economy. Under that criteria, workers in some departments would be among the first to receive a dose while others may be among the last in line. Houston Health Department staff vaccinating or testing people who may have COVID-19 qualify but not the food inspector supervisors administrative assistant who has no interactions with the public, Villareal said. Staff from various departments lined up for shots Monday, including Houston Public Works and the citys Solid Waste Department. Officials received vaccines on Monday, including Public Works Director Carol Haddock. Public Works spokeswoman Erin Jones said officials and scores of employees in the department are first responders because of the crucial role they play in city operations: Road crews often work with police to maintain traffic, and are among those out during major storms responding to crises. Trash removal is a crucial part of the city continuing to provide services. Leaders of the police, fire and other departments were among those who received doses in keeping with their roles as critical workers and to encourage staff and the public to get the vaccine, officials said. The vaccinations, however, rankled some Houston residents who questioned how city staffers and department directors were getting doses before elderly nursing home residents. I have not seen my mother except through a window a handful of times and perfectly healthy people are getting the vaccine? It doesnt seem right, said Sheryl Graves, 52, who lives two miles from her mothers Westchase-area nursing home. Firefighters I understand, and nurses. Police You should not get ahead in line because you work for the city. Villareal said the city only has included people in groups 1A and 1B of the states criteria, with 1A being the first responders. Those vaccinated as part of 1B include employees 65 or older and any adult with at least one chronic medical condition putting them at increased risk of severe illness or death. LIVE UPDATES: Car sales may slow if telework continues As the city proceeds with vaccinating some of its staffers, workers at other agencies with frequent public contact still are waiting. Metropolitan Transit Authority, which has seen more than 300 of its 4,200 workers test positive over the past 10 months, still is determining how it might deliver vaccines, spokesman Jerome Gray said. We are looking at various options to provide the vaccines which could include through health care vendors, much like we do with the flu vaccine, Gray said. Bus drivers, fare inspectors and police, in particular, come in frequent contact with the general public. Metro continues to require masks be worn on buses and trains, though some riders say the rule often is ignored and enforcement sometimes is lax. Because of the risks, Gray said drivers have expressed a great deal of interest in the vaccine, and some already have received it unrelated to their work at Metro. Receiving a shot, he said, would be encouraged by Metro but probably not mandatory. While we could require it, our approach would be to encourage operators and other employees to get the vaccine, much like we do with the flu vaccine, Gray said. dug.begley@chron.com A Muslim body moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking it be made a party in the batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of controversial new laws of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand regulating religious conversions in inter-faith marriages. The top court earlier in the day, issued notice to the two states, while agreeing to examine the validity of their laws. Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind in its application said that similar legislations are also being enacted or planned by various other states which also need to be declared unconstitutional. It has said that the ordinance passed by the Uttar Pradesh government was promulgated in the backdrop of statements issued by the Chief Minister claiming that his government was working to bring a strict law to curb incidents of love jihad. That as is evident by the statements made by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the impugned ordinance was promulgated to curb incidents of love jihad which is a terminology used to describe inter-religious marriages, which they allege involves the conversion of the woman - either by force or guile - to marry a Muslim man, it said. The NGO, in the application filed through advocate Ejaj Maqbool, said that in such circumstances, it wishes to raise the issue of fundamental rights of the Muslim youth, who are being targeted and demonised by using the ordinance which itself is unconstitutional, being violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25. It said that the ordinance attempts to regulate a personal decision of each human being by encroaching upon an individual's choice to convert to a religion of his/ her choice and scrutiny by the state of such a personal decision is a grave assault on personal liberty of an individual and is violative of Article 21. The ordinance makes it a criminal offence to convert a person by offering him/her an allurement, it added. Though the impugned ordinance seeks to address the mischief of forcible conversion, however it provides that reconversion to a person's previous religion is not illegal, even if it is vitiated by fraud, force, allurement, misrepresentation and so on, the application said. It added the impugned ordinance reverses the rule of burden of proof in criminal law and proceeds on the presumption that each religious conversion is illegal. Further, the Impugned Ordinance puts the burden on the person carrying out the conversion to prove that it is not illegal. The offence of illegal conversion is also cognizable and non-bailable, which means that a police officer can arrest an accused without a warrant and the accused, may or may not be released on bail, at the discretion of the court, it said. The application said that apart from the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018, state of Himachal Pradesh (Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019) has also enacted a similar legislation, while a similar legislation is in the pipeline in Madhya Pradesh where the cabinet cleared the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill 2020. The NGO sought impleadment into the pleas filed by advocate Vishal Thakre and others and an NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace'. The pleas challenged the constitutional validity of the UP ordinance, and the Uttarakhand Act which regulate religious conversions of inter-faith marriages. The UP ordinance was cleared by the state Cabinet in November and ascent was given by Governor Anandiben Patel on November 28. It relates not only to inter-faith marriages but all religious conversions and lays down elaborate procedures for those who wish to convert to another religion. The Uttarakhand Act entails two year jail term for those found guilty of religious conversion through force or allurement, which can be in cash or in kind -employment or material benefit. Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes a lower bone mass that results in weakening and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissues. Osteoporosis makes bones so brittle that a minor injury or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis drugs are useful in the treatment of low bone density, slowing down bone resorption. These medications reduce the likelihood of having fragility fractures. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2479 The global osteoporosis drugs market is well-established, and there are various effective medicines available to treat the disorder which is invariably driving the growth of the market. Moreover, a growing number of drug manufacturers are escalating the market on the global platform, bringing novel medications in the market. Recognizing the colossal traction and gauging the potential of the market to grow in forthcoming years; Market Research Future (MRFR), in its newly published study analysis asserts that the global osteoporosis drugs market will reach a valuation of USD 14,300 MN by 2022, growing at7.2% CAGR over the review period (2017 2022). Additional factors helping the market to grow further include the rise in the geriatric population, gene mutations, changing lifestyle, and addictions such as alcoholism and smoking. Also, drug-induced osteoporosis and rising prevalence of diseases and medical procedures that may cause bone loss such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, thalassemia, and hormonal disorders, are some of the key factors propelling the growth of the market. Conversely, factors such as the patent expiries of blockbuster medicines, side effects of these drugs, and the availability of generics are impeding the growth of the market. Also, in some cases, osteoporosis shows very low or poor symptoms which obstructs the market growth. Nevertheless, factors such as substantial technological strides that have made the osteoporosis drugs more effective, increasing the demand for the treatment measures for osteoporosis are expected to fuel the growth of the market. Besides, substantial investments transpired into R&D activities, and improving economic conditions would provide impetus to the growth of the market, increasing the healthcare expenditures and access to excellent health care. Global Osteoporosis Drugs Market Segments For ease of understanding, the analysis has been segmented into four key dynamics: By Drug Class : Bisphosphonates, Calcitonins, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs), and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) among others. By Route Of Administration : Oral and Injectable among others. By Gender : Male and Female By Regions : North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest-of-the-World. Global Osteoporosis Drugs Market Regional Analysis The North American region, heading with the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis is estimated to retain its dominance over the global osteoporosis drugs market. Additional factors such as the presence of a well-developed healthcare sector, high per capita healthcare expenditures, and well-spread awareness drives the regional market. Furthermore, growing markets in the U.S. and Canada backed by the presence of prominent market players impacts the growth of the regional market, positively. The region is expected to create a significant revenue pocket registering a robust CAGR throughout the forecast period (2017-2022). The osteoporosis market in the European region accounts for the second-largest market, globally. Factors such as favorable government support and initiatives and the proliferating healthcare sector backed by the resurging economy are radiantly fostering the growth of the market in the region. The U.K., backed by its sizeable osteoporosis drugs market and Germany with its vast medical technology and pharmaceutical industry, significantly contributes to the growth of the regional market, is expected to drive the market growth in the region. The Asia Pacific osteoporosis drugs market is rapidly emerging as a promising market, globally. Factors such as the spreading awareness towards the disorder and women healthcare alongside the availability of many novel drugs influence the growth of the market, positively. Moreover, the rising prevalence of osteoporosis in women after menopause, gene mutations, changing lifestyle, and the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry support the growth of the regional market. Furthermore, continually rising healthcare expenditures and favorable government policies, especially in the developing countries like China and India substantiate the market growth in the APAC region. Global Osteoporosis Drugs Market Competitive Analysis Fiercely competitive, the osteoporosis drugs market appears fragmented with many large and small players churning the competition. Through the strategic initiatives such as partnership, expansion, acquisition, collaboration, and product & technology launch these players try to gain an edge over their competitors. Major Players: Key players leading the global osteoporosis drugs market include Merck & Co., Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis International AG, F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Amgen Inc., Pfizer Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Novo Nordisk among others. Industry, Innovation & Related News April 16, 2019 Two leading global biopharmaceutical companies UCB (Belgium) and Amgen Inc. (the US) announced the receiving of the US FDA approval for the osteoporosis drug Evenity that they have developed, collaboratively. This drug is approved to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of bone fracture. Evenity represents the first new treatment approach after nearly two decades, restoring bone without breaking it down. Based on a rare gene mutation in people with bones so dense that they never break, Evenity, can increase bone formation and decrease bone loss. Browse Premium Research Report with Tables of Contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/osteoporosis-drugs-market-2479 About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Alihan Usullu / Getty Images/iStockphoto The U.S. is expected to bring in close to $3.26 trillion in tax revenue in 2021, according to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections. About half of that comes from individual income taxes and one-third comes from payroll taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes. Find Out: How To Itemize Deductions Like a Tax Pro Thats right the federal government relies heavily on your tax dollars. So you might be wondering, Where does tax money go? To find out, GOBankingRates looked over CBO projections for 2021. The results show an astonishing break from past trends in 2020, as the government borrowed record amounts of cash to dole out in the form of the CARES Act and other coronavirus relief programs. Just as spending soared, revenue plummeted as jobs dried up and tax bases collapsed. 2020, however, is now in the past and the designers of the coming years budget had a lot of abnormalities to consider. Click through to find out which items your tax dollars are funding. Last updated: Jan. 5, 2021 Shutterstock.com / Shutterstock.com The Federal Budget Federal spending is projected to be close to $5.07 trillion for fiscal year 2021, according to the CBO. With tax revenue expected to be less than $3.3 trillion, that means there will be a deficit of $1.81 trillion. In a rarity that reveals just how consequential 2020 was, something that almost never happens will happen this year: the government will actually spend less than it did the year before. Whoa: The Wildest Things Your Taxes Are Paying For Tetra Images / Getty Images/Tetra images RF Social Security Gobbling up nearly one dollar in four, Social Security benefits are the biggest single expenditure in the federal budget. The U.S. is expected to pay out more than $1.14 trillion to the program in 2021 in the form of old-age, survivors, and disability benefits. Social Security is funded through a 6.2 percent payroll tax that workers pay and another 6.2 percent that employers pay. Self-employed people have to pay the full 12.4 percent. However, because the number of adults 65 and older is expected to increase dramatically by 2035, Social Security tax revenues will cover only about 75 percent of benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. Story continues Find Out: What Social Security Will Look Like in 2035 didesign021 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Medicare The second-biggest mandatory spending outlay and the No. 2 budget expenditure in general is Medicare, which is expected to cost $810 billion in 2021. This federal program provides health insurance coverage for adults 65 and older. Medicare is funded by a payroll tax of 2.9 percent paid by employees and employers. Each pays 1.45 percent of an employees income. Its also funded by general revenues and premiums paid by Medicare recipients. Ouch: Why the Bonus Tax Rate Is Bad News for Your Tax Refund Staff Sgt. Marc I. Lane / U.S. Air Force Defense CBO data show that the federal government is projected to spend $752 billion on defense in 2021. Thats a little more than half of the combined $1.42 trillion set aside for federal discretionary spending, which is normal for a normal year. Discretionary spending data from 2020, however, show just how abnormal last year was. In 2020, defense spending was $757 billionabout the same as this yearbut thanks to virus relief costs, non-defense discretionary spending last year totaled a whopping $1.14 trillion. Wow: What $1 Trillion Really Looks Like, Plus More Fascinating Money Facts FatCamera / Getty Images Medicaid About 10 percent of the federal budget goes toward Medicaid. In 2021, spending on this joint federal and state health insurance program for low-income people is expected to be $537 billion. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid form the bedrock of Americas social safety net, but the federal government also funds the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for children of low-income families and health insurance premium subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. Combined, funding for these two health programs will be $72 billion in 2021. Dont Throw Them Away: These Are the Receipts To Keep for Doing Your Taxes WillSelarep / Getty Images Income Security Programs In 2021, about $499 billion will be spent on income security programs like unemployment compensation, earned income tax credits, child nutrition programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Thats an enormous increase over the $303 billion that was spent in 2019 and even the $386 billion budgeted for next yearand its all because of the coronavirus. Even $500 billion, however, is nothing compared to what the federal government was forced to spend on income security programs in 2020more than $1.13 trillion. Learn More: Heres How Much You Need To Earn To Be Rich in Every State Shutterstock.com / Shutterstock.com Federal Civilian and Military Retirement Funding for retirement benefits for federal civilian workers and military members makes up less than 5 percent of the budget. The CBO projects that the federal government will spend $179 billion on these retirement benefits in 2021. Tax Help: Take Advantage of These 16 Commonly Missed Tax Deductions Mie Ahmt / Getty Images Veterans Programs Veterans programs account for just 2 percent of the federal budget. The government is expected to spend $132 billion in 2021 on compensation, pension, life insurance, and other programs for veterans. Surprise: Money Can Buy Happiness So It Seems George Thomas / Flickr.com Agriculture and Other Programs Less than 2 percent of the budget$100 billion in 2021goes to agriculture programs, mortgage service providers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, deposit insurance, higher education, and other government services. In 2020, this family of other programs got a new addition: the Coronavirus Relief Fund. That, along with a huge increase in Small Business Administration (SBA) funding, caused this kind of spending to balloon nearly tenfold last year to $969 billion. Find Out: How Much Debt Americans Have at Every Age Winslow Productions / Getty Images/Tetra images RF Interest on Debt Last but not least, the U.S. has a lot of debt, and, yes, your tax dollars are going toward the repayment of this debt. At the end of 2019, the U.S. held about $16.8 trillion in debt, a number that had been slowly and steadily creeping up for years. By the end of 2020, however, slow and steady were things of the past. Americas COVID-related borrowing and spending frenzy bumped that number up to $20.27 trillion, which is the amount of debt taxpayers are grappling with today. More From GOBankingRates: Cameron Huddleston contributed to the reporting for this article. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This Is Where Your Tax Dollars Actually Go "Through this new hospital and our joint venture with UnityPoint Health Trinity, we look forward to providing even more access to highquality care for Quad Cities area residents in need of rehabilitative services," said Barb Jacobsmeyer, executive vice president and president of inpatient hospitals for Encompass Health. "UnityPoint Health is a strong healthcare organization well known for its dedication to the communities it serves and its preeminent healthcare services including its existing rehabilitative services. By leveraging the strengths of both organizations, we will help patients regain their independence through our coordinated and connected care." "We are excited to announce our partnership to bring The Quad Cities Rehabilitation Institute to Moline. This new hospital will be an important, significant new development which will provide long term benefits for many in our community," said Robert J. Erickson, president and chief executive officer for UnityPoint Health Trinity. "Our goals are to enhance acute rehabilitative care in the Quad Cities, increase access to highquality inpatient rehabilitation services, and keep patients close to home and family." Complementing local acute care services like those provided by UnityPoint Health Trinity, the new inpatient rehabilitation hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. It will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as 24-hour nursing care that aim to restore functional ability and quality of life. The medical staff will be comprised of physicians experienced in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as other specialties such as internal medicine, cardiology, infectious disease and nephrology to assist in the medical management of a complex patient population. The hospital will feature all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, cafeteria, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard. Once the new hospital is operational, UnityPoint Health's existing 22bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at UnityPoint Health Trinity Rock Island will be consolidated into the new joint venture hospital. The formation of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions, and the joint venture's operation of the hospital is subject to regulatory approvals. About UnityPoint Health UnityPoint Health is the nation's 13th largest nonprofit health system and the fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, providing care throughout Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. As an industry leader in the Midwest, we put people first they're our sweet spot, what we care about most, and why we do what we do. Our 30,000 team members are committed to giving each person the type of experience we'd want for our own loved ones. We believe everyday moments are worth celebrating, and as your partner in health care, we're dedicated to making it easier to live well. UnityPoint Health, UnityPoint Clinic and UnityPoint at HomeSM provide easier, more personal care to patients and families. Because people are amazing, and we're here to help keep them that way. About Encompass Health As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facilitybased and homebased patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 137 hospitals, 242 home health locations, and 83 hospice locations in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides highquality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this joint venture, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. This hospital's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against this hospital; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays, including in connection with the regulatory review and approval process; the continued spread of COVID-19, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health and this hospital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the ability to successfully complete and integrate this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues, cost savings, and productivity improvements arising from the related operations and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; this hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's or its partners' information systems; this hospital's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on this hospital's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020. Encompass Health contacts: UnityPoint Health contact: Media: Hillary Carnel | 205 970-5912 Media: Ashe Simpson | 309 373-3839 [email protected] [email protected] Investor Relations: Crissy Carlisle | 205 970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. Related Links http://www.encompasshealth.com Calling the arrest of Bharatiya Janata Party unit president Somu Veerraju in Vizianagaram district as "illegal", party's general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy has given a call for statewide protest on Wednesday (today). Veerraju and some other leaders were arrested by Vizianagaram Police on Tuesday in Ramatheertham village to prevent them from undertaking 'Dharma Yatra' to Ramateertham temple to protest against the desecration of Lord Rama idol by some unknown miscreants last week. In a video statement, Reddy called for a statewide protest on Wednesday and condemning the "illegal arrest of Veerraju and party workers." He demanded the police to allow party leaders and workers into Ramateertham temple unconditionally. "The protest will be held at RDO offices and collector offices in all districts. Party's main demand is to allow leaders to visit Ramateertham temple. The protests will continue till then," he said. Veerraju and other leaders were able to enter Ramateertham village but were later arrested with the police citing prohibitory orders. Several and Jana Sena Party leaders were put under house arrest on Tuesday to prevent them from taking part in Ramateertham Dharma Yatra. The and JSP had announced the Ramateertham Dharma Yatra protesting against the vandalisation at Ramatheertham temple. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered a probe by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police into the incidents of alleged vandalization of temples and desecration of idols of various deities. He has asked the police authorities not to spare anybody found guilty. The idol of Lord Rama was allegedly desecrated at Ramateertham in Vizianagaram district here on December 29 following which a group of BJP workers staged a protest on the temple premises. On December 31, Police DGP Gautam Sawang had said that investigation is going on in the incident of desecration of Lord Rama idol at Ramateertham. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This week, Louisiana's governor announced that 10,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine would be available at 107 pharmacies around the state to persons 70 years and older. More than 600,000 were eligible. Most pharmacies reported running out of vaccine on the first day, some in an hour or less. Ive never seen demand like this for anything, said one pharmacist, who stopped his list at 500 despite having only 100 doses No one knows when the next round will be available. Information about vaccine allocations is dribbling out weekly. The vaccination program bids fair to become the biggest government cock-up since the 2013 rollout of Obamacare and a textbook case of the worst offense in marketing: Creating demand that you arent prepared to meet. Remember the much-ballyhooed, built-from-the-ground-up, no-haggle Saturn automobile? General Motors, with the help of Hal Riney & Partners, created a story for Saturns introduction that couldnt be beat. The only problem was that it took more than six years to bring the Saturn to market. According to Wharton management professor John Paul MacDuffie, ... there was some ground lost right there, as GM raised such high expectations for the company and the car, and then took so long to deliver. When the delays were made public, GM attributed them to its effort to get everything right. So we have this absolute genius vaccine development effort in record time, but at this writing, only 15 million people have gotten the jab. As one public health expert put it we had a wonderful vaccine program, but no vaccination program. If the vaccine were a free app, there would be tens of thousands available at thousands of locations. Why cant we do at least a fraction of that with a life-saving vaccine? The 45th president, of course, takes no interest at all, because theres nothing in the task of getting vaccines into arms that he can use politically. All of his energies are being poured into trying to overturn the election, punish his enemies, reward his friends with pardons or appointments, and generally pour fresh concrete into the engine and gears of government and the political party he hijacked in 2016. Fingers are pointing in every direction, but everything points to lack of a national rollout plan that included a robust communication program about vaccine availability, vaccination locations, special restrictions or requirements, and progress toward the goal of vaccinating 70-80 percent of the population. This is left largely to the states, and many of them arent up to it. I wish that some institution like Johns Hopkins would take that on with government funding, as a follow-on to its excellent Coronavirus Resource Center. *** Bill Huey is founder and president of Strategic Communications, a corporate and marketing communication consultancy. He is the author of two novels and a new one-act play dealing with the #Me Too Movement, The Tiger of the Flesh. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack that destroyed ten oil tankers and killed a number Qatiriji militia members writes Enab Baladi. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted Qatirji oil tankers, during an ambush in the Hama desert at midnight on Monday. On Tuesday, ISIS said through its Amaq News agency, that its fighters, destroyed ten oil tankers and killed and wounded 10 militia members loyal to the Syrian army, in an ambush in the desert of Hama. According to ISISs statement, and as per Enab Baladis reporting, ISIS fighters ambushed a convoy of tankers transporting oil from the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to the areas controlled by the Syrian regime forces, as well as the accompanying members of the Qatirji militia in the east Salamiyah city. ISIS added that its fighters attacked the convoy with various weapons, and were able to destroy 10 tankers and, kill seven militia members accompanying the convoy and wound three others, before withdrawing to their initial positions, unharmed. The tankers, belonging to the Syrian businessman Hussam al-Qatirji, transport oil from northeastern Syria to the Syrian regime. Last Sunday, SANA reported that nine civilians were killed as a result of a terrorist attack on a bus near the Wadi al-Atheeb area in Salamiyah in the Hama countryside, and said that their bodies were transferred to the National Hospital of Salamiyah. The Syrian News Channel quoted the Governor of Hama, Muhammad Tariq Kreshati, as saying that three vehicles were targeted. Local networks, including the Homs al-Zahra network, published a video recording of the attack on the bus. It is noticeable that the Islamic State has expanded deep into the areas under SDF control in northeastern Syria, with SDF leaders and members of the regime forces were targeted. ISIS has also claimed responsibility for several operations in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor. ISISs operations had previously been concentrated in the eastern countryside of the governorate, which is connected to the Syrian desert. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now. 2020 was a year many of us would like to forget, but its effects are likely to be felt well into the new year. From the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, to a string of horrifying incidents involving racism and police violence that have fueled a massive new social justice movement and calls for anti-racist reform, to the historic wildfire season that seems to signal our ever-changing climate, to a turbulent presidential election that reflected our deeply divided nation, there are plenty of stories still playing out -- or waiting to happen -- as the new year unfolds. Here are some of the stories we'll be following closely: HEALTH CARE COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: The ongoing coronavirus vaccine distribution will be a huge focus in 2021. This is the largest vaccine effort in history, and how well state and local authorities handle it will set the tone for the next pandemic -- and for the incoming Biden administration, as well. The ongoing coronavirus vaccine distribution will be a huge focus in 2021. This is the largest vaccine effort in history, and how well state and local authorities handle it will set the tone for the next pandemic -- and for the incoming Biden administration, as well. Prioritizing Vulnerable Communities: As I continue to report on the rollout, I'll focus on vulnerable communities. We know that Latinos and Black Californians are much more likely to contract the virus and die. There have been pledges from elected leaders, from the federal government down to the county level, that these vaccines will be given to the people who need it most first, and vulnerable communities will be weighted. I'll be watching to see how that plays out in L.A. County. -- Jackie Fortier CRIMINAL JUSTICE Last year saw numerous reforms in L.A. County's criminal justice system. That happened in part because of the movement that sprang up in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, but also because of years of local activism and advocacy that laid the groundwork. L.A. is now in the process of reimagining not only how much to invest in law enforcement, but what law enforcement should be responsible for in the first place. Mental Health Calls: We're particularly interested in the push to remove law enforcement from mental health crisis calls. Experts say it's too easy for an encounter between cops and people living with mental illness to turn violent, or even deadly. For their part, police say they'd gladly give up their role as mental health first responders. Models that use clinicians and social workers instead of police are gaining steam. I'll follow those trends closely -- at the city and county level. One of the things we'll track is an effort by L.A. County to adopt a no-police approach to mental health emergencies. We're particularly interested in the push to remove law enforcement from mental health crisis calls. Experts say it's too easy for an encounter between cops and people living with mental illness to turn violent, or even deadly. For their part, police say they'd gladly give up their role as mental health first responders. Models that use clinicians and social workers instead of police are gaining steam. I'll follow those trends closely -- at the city and county level. One of the things we'll track is an effort by L.A. County to adopt a no-police approach to mental health emergencies. DA George Gascon's Reform Campaign: Immediately upon taking office in December, Gascon unveiled a sweeping set of significant reforms, including an end to the use of most sentencing enhancements (which could lead to the early release of thousands of state prison inmates), an end to many misdemeanor charges, and a vow to end cash bail, among others. His effort has sent shockwaves through the criminal justice system, and he has encountered strong early resistance from some within his own office. Immediately upon taking office in December, Gascon unveiled a sweeping set of significant reforms, including an end to the use of most sentencing enhancements (which could lead to the early release of thousands of state prison inmates), an end to many misdemeanor charges, and a vow to end cash bail, among others. His effort has sent shockwaves through the criminal justice system, and he has encountered strong early resistance from some within his own office. Sheriff Oversight: Will the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission overcome resistance from Sheriff Alex Villanueva and use its new subpoena power to dig deep into alleged problems inside his department? Will the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission overcome resistance from Sheriff Alex Villanueva and use its new subpoena power to dig deep into alleged problems inside his department? Police Funding And Recidivism? How will shifts in funding from law enforcement to social and racial reconciliation programs ("defund the police" efforts) affect recidivism rates and public safety? -- Robert Garrova and Frank Stoltze EDUCATION Reopening Schools: Next year, many California school districts are likely to face mounting pressure to resume at least some in-person instruction. A group of prominent Democrats in the state legislature have proposed Assembly Bill 10, which, beginning in March, would require districts to reopen campuses if their county is not in the "purple tier," the most restrictive level on the state's coronavirus rating scale. EdSource reports the measure would need a two-thirds majority to pass. Still, recent surveys of Los Angeles parents show families are sharply divided over whether they'd want to send their kids back to campus. Next year, many California school districts are likely to face mounting pressure to resume at least some in-person instruction. A group of prominent Democrats in the state legislature have proposed Assembly Bill 10, which, beginning in March, would require districts to reopen campuses if their county is not in the "purple tier," the most restrictive level on the state's coronavirus rating scale. reports the measure would need a two-thirds majority to pass. Still, recent surveys of Los Angeles parents show families are sharply divided over whether they'd want to send their kids back to campus. College Funding: The fallout from the drop in state tax revenue caused by the pandemic is expected to hit public universities hard in 2021. There were relatively small budget cuts in 2020 -- about 6% for the California State University system, 7% for the University of California, and 8% for the state's community colleges -- and the systems managed to get by without tuition hikes. But in 2021, the college systems' governing boards may have to resort to layoffs, furloughs and/or tuition increases to balance their budgets. The fallout from the drop in state tax revenue caused by the pandemic is expected to hit public universities hard in 2021. There were relatively small budget cuts in 2020 -- about 6% for the California State University system, 7% for the University of California, and 8% for the state's community colleges -- and the systems managed to get by without tuition hikes. But in 2021, the college systems' governing boards may have to resort to layoffs, furloughs and/or tuition increases to balance their budgets. Diversity Classes: Also expect to hear more about efforts to diversify campuses in 2021. Cal State has mandated that all students take a three-unit ethnic studies course starting in 2023, and we'll hear more debate in the new year over what those courses will look like. Also expect to hear more about efforts to diversify campuses in 2021. Cal State has mandated that all students take a three-unit ethnic studies course starting in 2023, and we'll hear more debate in the new year over what those courses will look like. College Enrollment: After devastating declines in college enrollment during the pandemic, especially among low-income high school students and students of color, higher education advocates are looking hopefully for signs of recovery. After devastating declines in college enrollment during the pandemic, especially among low-income high school students and students of color, higher education advocates are looking hopefully for signs of recovery. Back To School? Furthermore, the pandemic has exposed the extreme vulnerability of non-college-educated workers. Thus far, laid-off workers have not returned to school as they did during the Great Recession. That could change in 2021 and raise questions of whether institutes of higher education can adapt to the needs of these potential new students. -- Kyle Stokes, Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, and Jill Replogle EARLY CHILDHOOD Child Care Affordability: More than 2,400 California child care centers and homes have already permanently closed since the start of the pandemic, and some school districts have laid off early education staff. That means the already difficult task of finding affordable child care is likely to get even harder in 2021. More than 2,400 California child care centers and homes have already permanently closed since the start of the pandemic, and some school districts have laid off early education staff. That means the already difficult task of finding affordable child care is likely to get even harder in 2021. Developing Brains: Critical brain development happens in the first five years of life, and quality early childhood education can set children up for success in school and beyond. I'll be tracking what we learn about how the pandemic has impacted children's growth and development -- including mental health -- and how parents and providers can support children. Critical brain development happens in the first five years of life, and quality early childhood education can set children up for success in school and beyond. I'll be tracking what we learn about how the pandemic has impacted children's growth and development -- including mental health -- and how parents and providers can support children. Free Preschool? Just as 2020 came to a close, California unveiled a long-awaited Master Plan for Early Learning and Care. It lays out ambitious goals for offering free preschool to all four-year-olds in the state, and expanding paid family leave, but some advocates question how the state will pay for all of this. I'll be watching Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget and the coming legislative session for answers. P.S. I want to hear what you think we should be covering on the early childhood beat. This short survey will help shape our reporting in 2021! -- Mariana Dale SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT Drought: Drought conditions have come roaring back and over the next few months we'll find out if they're here to stay. We got a bit of rain at the end of December, but not enough to catch us up to where we should be at this time of year. Drought conditions have come roaring back and over the next few months we'll find out if they're here to stay. We got a bit of rain at the end of December, but not enough to catch us up to where we should be at this time of year. Wildfires: In that same vein, if precipitation doesn't show up, our landscapes will be drier earlier in the year, meaning fire season could show up sooner as well. In that same vein, if precipitation doesn't show up, our landscapes will be drier earlier in the year, meaning fire season could show up sooner as well. Adapting To Climate Change: Given that escalating disasters make swaths of California unlivable for months at a time, there are big questions around what sorts of proactive measures the state and local governments are taking to adapt. And whether as a society we'll move to ensure that it's not just the wealthy who'll manage to cope with the crisis, but everyone else as well. -- Jacob Margolis HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS Project HomeKey Rollout: Municipalities are buying hotels and converting them into permanent supportive housing for homeless people as part of an $800-million state grant program called Project HomeKey. More than 40 sites in Southern California are in the works, expected to provide 2,000 homeless beds in just a few months. Municipalities are buying hotels and converting them into permanent supportive housing for homeless people as part of an $800-million state grant program called Project HomeKey. More than 40 sites in Southern California are in the works, expected to provide 2,000 homeless beds in just a few months. Looming Eviction Tsunami: 365,000 households could end up evicted and homeless in L.A. County because of the pandemic, according to a UCLA study. State eviction protections have been in place since March, basically barring evictions if renters have financial hardships due to Covid-19, or at least delaying those evictions to Feb. 1. L.A. County's own eviction ban is set to expire on Feb. 28. 365,000 households could end up evicted and homeless in L.A. County because of the pandemic, according to a UCLA study. State eviction protections have been in place since March, basically barring evictions if renters have financial hardships due to Covid-19, or at least delaying those evictions to Feb. 1. L.A. County's own eviction ban is set to expire on Feb. 28. Anti-Camping Law Revisited: While the city of L.A. has an anti-camping law, courts have found it unconstitutional. Recently a group of city council members introduced a motion to rewrite the law, banning camping in specific areas. Opponents argued it would further criminalize homelessness and the vote was tabled. The debate is sure to heat up again in 2021, especially since new councilmember Nithya Raman won her seat campaigning against punitive enforcement measures such as encampment sweeps. -- Aaron Schrank TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY Public Transit: Like many sectors, L.A. County's public transit system took a major hit due to the pandemic. Ridership tanked, but the major blow has been plummeting sales tax revenue, which typically makes up about half of the agency's operating budget each year. L.A. Metro has received some federal aid, but we'll get a better sense in the coming year just how serious the long-term impacts will be. The agency is also exploring some changes aimed at addressing inequity on its system, spurred by the national uprising over police brutality and systemic racism. That includes exploring a plan to replace armed police on its system with unarmed "transit ambassadors," as well as studying how Metro's trains and buses could go fare-free as soon as next year. In 2021, I'm expecting to see those two plans take shape, and I'll be here to report on what that means for you. Like many sectors, L.A. County's public transit system took a major hit due to the pandemic. Ridership tanked, but the major blow has been plummeting sales tax revenue, which typically makes up about half of the agency's operating budget each year. L.A. Metro has received some federal aid, but we'll get a better sense in the coming year just how serious the long-term impacts will be. The agency is also exploring some changes aimed at addressing inequity on its system, spurred by the national uprising over police brutality and systemic racism. That includes exploring a plan to replace armed police on its system with unarmed "transit ambassadors," as well as studying how Metro's trains and buses could go fare-free as soon as next year. In 2021, I'm expecting to see those two plans take shape, and I'll be here to report on what that means for you. Police And Street Safety: The most common interaction people have with police is in traffic stops. Over the summer, I examined how other cities have reduced crashes and saved lives not through enforcement by armed police, but with substantial investments in better street design and lower speed limits. The L.A. City Council is currently exploring similar alternatives here, and I'll be keeping an eye on this issue to see what -- if anything -- changes. The most common interaction people have with police is in traffic stops. Over the summer, I examined how other cities have reduced crashes and saved lives not through enforcement by armed police, but with substantial investments in better street design and lower speed limits. The L.A. City Council is currently exploring similar alternatives here, and I'll be keeping an eye on this issue to see what -- if anything -- changes. Slow Streets: The pandemic also reshaped how Angelenos saw their neighborhoods. With so many people stuck in their homes, unable or unwilling to drive to a movie theater, restaurant or gym, fresh air and exercise on residential streets became a vital escape. And to help create safe space for people to walk, run, bike, skateboard and such, the city launched a program to get drivers to slow down and share the road. That program, Slow Streets, has spread to 30 neighborhoods and city leaders are considering making it a permanent fixture. I'll be following this story for developments. -- Ryan Fonseca ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES 2020 brought a host of challenges for Asian American communities, ranging from bias incidents fanned by racist rhetoric from President Trump to the pandemic's economic fallout on Asian-owned businesses -- not to mention the impact of the virus itself, especially on certain ethnic communities. We'll be documenting efforts this year to respond to those setbacks. Also, how will immigration policies change under the new Biden Administration and how will that affect the Asian American population? Nearly 60% are foreign-born, and among that group, there are those lacking legal status who could have their futures decided by how the new president handles programs such as DACA. -- Josie Huang 2020 CENSUS A Possible Undercount? This year, we'll see the final count from the 2020 Census, which will be used to determine how many seats states have in Congress and how much federal funding local agencies can get. The census faced many challenges, including a pandemic that delayed the start and made outreach more difficult, plus a decision by the Trump Administration to put the U.S. Census Bureau on a tighter schedule. Experts fear these challenges could result in an undercount. I'll be watching to see how the numbers break down in L.A. County, the hardest-to-count region in the country. This year, we'll see the final count from the 2020 Census, which will be used to determine how many seats states have in Congress and how much federal funding local agencies can get. The census faced many challenges, including a pandemic that delayed the start and made outreach more difficult, plus a decision by the Trump Administration to put the U.S. Census Bureau on a tighter schedule. Experts fear these challenges could result in an undercount. I'll be watching to see how the numbers break down in L.A. County, the hardest-to-count region in the country. Counting Immigrants: The Trump Administration also proposed a policy to subtract immigrants without legal status from the final numbers. The Census Bureau will reveal population tallies with some immigrants lacking legal status removed -- though it's not clear how that will be done. The whole issue might go to the Supreme Court again. (The justices heard arguments recently, but put off a direct ruling.) The Trump Administration also proposed a policy to subtract immigrants without legal status from the final numbers. The Census Bureau will reveal population tallies with some immigrants lacking legal status removed -- though it's not clear how that will be done. The whole issue might go to the Supreme Court again. (The justices heard arguments recently, but put off a direct ruling.) Political Representation: We'll also find out soon if California -- or L.A. more specifically -- loses any seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. That would be a first in history. -- Caroline Champlin LOCAL POLITICS City Hall Corruption: Federal authorities have filed charges against multiple political operatives and current or former city officials associated with now-former City Councilman Jose Huizar. They allege Huizar and company solicited gifts of cash and casino vacations in exchange for greasing the skids on major development projects in downtown L.A. Huizar pleaded not guilty and his trial is scheduled for June. Federal authorities have filed charges against multiple political operatives and current or former city officials associated with now-former City Councilman Jose Huizar. They allege Huizar and company solicited gifts of cash and casino vacations in exchange for greasing the skids on major development projects in downtown L.A. Huizar pleaded not guilty and his trial is scheduled for June. City Budget: The pandemic has gouged a massive hole in the city's budget -- $675 million and widening. My reporting in 2021 will focus on several angles: How will the plan to fill the budget gap affect city leaders' promises to heed activists' calls to re-imagine public safety? And how will cuts to programs and personnel costs -- including furloughs or layoffs -- impact the most vulnerable Angelenos? -- Libby Denkmann ECONOMY Post-Pandemic Recovery: COVID brought on the greatest wave of job loss since the Great Depression. Millions of Californians who were already struggling to pay rent have lost income and are facing a job market that may be forever changed. L.A.'s low-income workers in restaurants, hotels and other hospitality fields have been hit hardest. What will it take for those workers -- and the industries that employ them -- to recover Unemployment Breakdowns: Last year tested the limits of California's system for delivering unemployment benefits. For many jobless Angelenos, the system failed. Will the state's plans to overhaul its Employment Development Department help in getting payments to people in desperate financial straits? What will happen to those who've been shut out of the system for months on end? -- David Wagner YOUR STORIES Of course, we can't predict all the big stories we'll cover in 2021. For one thing, our coverage will depend partly on what we learn from you along the way. As KPCC/LAist's new engagement reporter, my job will be to try to make sense of this complicated place we call home by sharing your stories, answering your questions, and keeping folks accountable with fact-checking and reporting. If you don't see yourself or your community reflected in coverage of L.A., I especially want to hear from you. (Seriously, email me!) I'll be reading the questions you send us here at LAist and asking you some of my own. -- Carla Javier Denton, TX (76205) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. "After long, complex, and tough negotiations that seemed frustrating at times, I can announce that we have completed the purchase of the first batch of the long-awaited vaccines against the pandemic," he said in a televised address to the nation from the Government Palace. Sinopharm Within the framework of the purchase agreement for 38 million doses, the Head of State reported that a purchase agreement and commitment letter have been signed to receive a first shipment (one million doses) this January. According to the statesman, between 14 and 15 million Peruvian citizens are expected to be vaccinated before the winter season starts in the country (in June). AstraZeneca Likewise, the President said that a purchase agreement with AstraZeneca has been signed today. It will serve to deliver 14 million doses of the vaccine starting September this year, although steps are being taken to advance the shipments. "We will leave the way clear for the next government that we will elect in a few months (April 11, 2021) to continue with the vaccination (process) until our entire population is protected," he noted. COVAX Facility deliver 13.2 million doses on a date yet to be set, because this depends on an international agreement between COVAX and the suppliers. Moreover, the top official mentioned that there is a preliminary agreement with the COVAX Facility , which will, because this depends on an international agreement between COVAX and the suppliers. "These vaccines are scheduled to arrive in the third quarter (of 2021)," he forecast. The Peruvian leader also mentioned that active negotiations are being conducted with laboratories in the United States, Germany, Russia, and India, in order to ensure that all Peruvians are protected before the end of the current year. In addition, the Peruvian vaccine developed by Cayetano Heredia University and pharmaceutical company Farvet is being closely monitored by the Government, he concluded. As is known, Mr. Sagasti became President of the Republic on November 17, 2020, to lead a transitional government. His term in office is set to end on July 28, 2021. Mensaje a la Nacion del presidente de la Republica, Francisco Sagasti. Video: https://t.co/z5RNW78ucC pic.twitter.com/bifNrigYo1 Presidencia Peru (@presidenciaperu) January 6, 2021 (END) VVS/MVB The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti on Wednesday announced that the purchase of the first batch of vaccines against coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Chinese laboratory Sinopharm has been completed, adding that the first shipment will arrive this January.Published: 1/6/2021 A limping man has been filmed chasing Jewish worshippers down a north London street armed with a huge stick. The horrifying scenes were caught on camera and show the alleged attacker hobbling after the crowd shouting: 'You're lucky my legs don't work.' The disturbing incident was filmed on Dunsmure Road in Stamford Hill, north London, on Saturday. According to the Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim the crowd were on their way to the local synagogue for prayers. In the footage, the man can be heard at one point screaming 'call the f***ing police' before trying to catch up with crowd - including children - just ahead of him. Shomrim are now appealing for witnesses on social media, while it is understood the Met has also been informed. The group was set up in the Stamford Hill area in 2008 to carry out reassuring patrols to fight anti-semitism in large Jewish communities in the city. It has dozens of volunteers and also runs a crime hotline. A man has been seen chasing a group of Jewish worshippers down a north London street armed with a huge stick The group tweeted: 'Dunmore (sic) Road N16 Sat 9am, Deranged male armed with a stick chased Jewish families on the way to #Synagogue '@Shomrim are appealing for victims & witnesses to contact us cad 5521 Tuesday, 05 January 2021.' Shockingly those who filmed the crime were initially heard laughing as the scene unfolded in front of them, with children among those running across the road to get away from the attacker. One person behind the camera is heard saying: 'He's chasing little Jewish girls. What are you going to do? Nothing? He's hitting your people.' In the footage, the man can be heard at one point screaming 'call the f***ing police' before trying to catch up with crowd - including children - just ahead of him The man armed with the stick then shouts 'You are going to die' at the group. Scotland Yard has been contacted for comment. Figures from the Community Security Trust reveal there was 1,805 antisemitic incidents recorded across the UK in 2019, a rise of over 1,000 since 2010. People have responded with shock and anger to the footage. According to the Jewish neighbourhood watch group Shomrim the crowd were on their way to the local synagogue for prayers. Jason Green said: 'This is awful, I wish someone had been there to help. Those poor people.' Darren Flatt wrote: 'What is wrong with some people, this is utterly ridiculous and disgusting behaviour, the individual's involved must be so proud of themselves, we live in a very divided nation these days sadly!' Tracie Bere added: 'Truly sickening. Im appalled. The people filming and laughing must be equally liable. I feel gut wrenched to see this blatant hate crime unfolding and no one helps.' ST. LOUIS, MO / ACCESSWIRE / January 5, 2021 / PohlmanUSA, which is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, and nationally renowned for court reporting and litigation services for complex multi-party litigation, is pleased to announce their expansion into the Dallas/Fort Worth market. The company's flagship service is court reporting although they also provide additional services including remote depositions, trial support, legal videography, national accounts, and records retrieval. For their court reporting services, the company has over 5,000 experienced professionals including certified merit reporters, certified real-time reporters, and registered professional reporters. These court reporters have in-depth experience in a wide range of litigation issues, including pharmaceutical, scientific, asbestos, medical device, odor nuisance, and more. Deborah Walters, President and CEO at PohlmanUSA, says, "We're very pleased to announce our Texas team of reporters, videographers, and staff that will provide court reporting and litigation services in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We pride ourselves in providing accurate, reliable, and technologically advanced court reporting, trial support, records retrieval, and litigation services locally and nationwide." PohlmanUSA court reporters are highly skilled and experienced in various types of complex litigation including trials, hearings, remote court reporting, legal and audio transcriptions, real-time reporting, arbitrations, and exhibit management. PohlmanUSA also has a network of legal videographers, who play an important role in depositions, arbitrations, trials, and hearings. These are professionals who truly understand the technology, have experience, as well as the integrity to capture the video with neither bias nor slant. Their internal team guides clients on the best video technology available to help in presenting their case. These videographers have been ascertained to be knowledgeable in using equipment like HD cameras, tablets, ELMO cameras, projectors, screens, and laptops. They can provide day-in-the-life videos; settlement documentary; remote videography; experienced CLVS videographers; video archiving in perpetuity; building and site inspections; centralized production; multi-camera recording; trial-ready video synchronization; and more. Those who would like to learn more about the company you can view the company LinkedIn page. The records retrieval team collects various kinds of records from billing, medical, unions, Social Security earnings, tax (IRS), disability, and more. They will not only ensure that the right information will be gathered, but also that the information will be well-protected via HIPAA security measures. PohlmanUSA has developed a rapid record order form that enables clients to quickly and easily request record retrieval. The company can collect records both nationally and internationally, which means that even if the client requires records from outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area, they can still retrieve the records in a timely manner. The legal record retrieval services that they provide include: collection, indexing and organization, and subpoena preparation. They also offer an option to integrate via a custom API. Their remote deposition service is for the purpose of taking a deposition from anywhere across the world at any time. These remote video depositions can be held on a computer, smartphone, or tablet, and the client is able to share videos, documents, pictures, and more. It enables the parties to interact with all participants of the video call regarding the evidence that they are presenting. The company offers teleconferencing, Adobe Connect, Lifesize, and Zoom platforms and has a Remote Deposition Logistics Team who will guide clients on the best fit for their remote video requirements. For trial litigation support services, they offer a knowledgeable and experienced trial technician to enable clients to focus on the litigation component of the trial. The trial technician will take care of the technology to be used in the courtroom. Trial support services include hot seat assistance, exhibit optimization and prep, war room setup, post-production picture-in-picture, animation, video editing, interactive video presentation, trial playback, and more. Those interested in learning more information regarding court reporting, record retrieval, and other litigation services, can contact PohlmanUSA. For more information about PohlmanUSA, contact the company here: PohlmanUSA Kim Powell - National Director of Litigation 817.946.9842 kim.powell@pohlmanusa.com 10 South Broadway, Suite 1400 St. Louis, MO 63102 SOURCE: PohlmanUSA View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623217/Court-Reporting-Services-Now-Available-in-DallasFort-Worth-Area-from-PohlmanUSA CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to market research report on "Smart Buildings Market by Component (Solution (Safety and Security Management, Energy Management, Building Infrastructure Management, Network Management, IWMS), Services), Building Type (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Smart Buildings Market size is expected to grow from USD 66.3 billion in 2020 to USD 108.9 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.5% during the forecast period. The major drivers for the Smart building include the rising adoption of IoT-enabled building management system, rising awareness of space utilization, increased industry standards and regulations, and increase demand for energy-efficient system. Browse in-depth TOC on "Smart Buildings Market" 235 - Tables 60 - Figures 249 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1169 The safety and security management solution in the solution type segment is expected to lead the Smart Buildings Market in 2020. The safety and security the prime concern for most of the buildings be they residential or commercial. Access control and video surveillance systems help to track every activity across a facility. This helps to detect intruders and keep the environment safe. Rising deployment of advanced access control systems, video surveillance systems, and fire and life safety systems to safeguard the occupant and assets is contributing to the high market share if this segment. Industrial building segment is expected to grow with the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Industrial buildings are often large and have many moving parts. Smart industrial building solutions automate building temperature control, security, and maintenance for more efficient property management through various mobile computing devices, such as mobile devices and computers. Get Special Pricing on Bundle Reports: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/RequestBundleReport.asp?id=1169 North America to lead the Smart Buildings Market during the forecast period. The growth of the market in North America can be attributed to the region has witnessed the emergence of latest smart building solutions that leverage new technologies, such as IoT, big data, cloud computing, data analytics, deep learning, and artificial intelligence, for saving energy, reducing operational expenditures, increasing occupancy comfort, and meeting increasingly stringent global regulations and sustainability standards. Moreover, North America is a technologically advanced region in the world due to the rapid adoption of emerging technologies by the organizations in the region. Furthermore, the US and Canada are prominent countries contributing to technological development in this region; for instance, US organizations are heavily investing into smart building measures, such as building controls and building systems integration, to leverage energy efficiency and energy storage and deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable buildings while the Canadian government is taking initiatives to support Canada's commitment to protecting the environment and its resources by making federal buildings more energy-efficient and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, driving the growth of smart buildings. Market Players The major vendors covered in the Smart Buildings Market include 75F (US), ABB (Switzerland), Aquicore (US), Bosch (US), BuildingIQ (US), Cisco (US), CopperTree Analytics (Canada), ENTOUCH (US), Hitachi (Japan), Honeywell (US), Huawei (China), IBM (US), Igor (US), Intel (US), Johnson Controls (Ireland), KMC Controls (US), Legrand (France), Mode: Green (US), PTC (US), Schneider Electric (Germany), Siemens (Germany), Softdel (US), Spaceti (Czechia), Telit (UK), and Verdigris Technologies (US). Get 10% Customization on this Research Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=1169 Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Smart Cities Market by Smart Transportation (Type, Solutions and Services), Smart Buildings (Type, Solutions and Services), Smart Utilities (Public Safety, Smart Healthcare, Smart Education, Smart Street Lighting, e-Governance), Smart Citizen Services, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-cities-market-542.html Facility Management Market by Offering (Solutions (IWMS, BIM, Facility Operations and Security Management, Facility Property Management) and Services), Deployment Type, Organization Size, Vertical (BFSI, Retail), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/facilities-management-market-1030.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/smart-building-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/smart-building.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg The U.S. government on Tuesday formally pointed fingers at the Russian government for orchestrating the massive SolarWinds supply chain attack that came to light early last month. "This work indicates that an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor, likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks," the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the National Security Agency (NSA) said in a joint statement. Russia, however, denied any involvement in the operation on December 13, stating it "does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain." The FBI, CISA, ODNI, and NSA are members of the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG), a newly-formed task force put in place by the White House National Security Council to investigate and lead the response efforts to remediate the SolarWinds breach. A Much Smaller Number Compromised Calling the campaign an "intelligence gathering effort," the intelligence bureaus said they are currently working to understand the full scope of the hack while noting that fewer than 10 U.S. government agencies were impacted by the compromise. The names of the affected agencies were not disclosed, although previous reports have singled out the U.S. Treasury, Commerce, State, and the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security among those that have detected tainted SolarWinds' network management software installations, not to mention a number of private entities across the world. An estimated 18,000 SolarWinds customers are said to have downloaded the backdoored software update, but the UCG said only a smaller number had been subjected to "follow-on" intrusive activity on their internal networks. Microsoft's analysis of the Solorigate modus operandi last month found that the second-stage malware, dubbed Teardrop, has been selectively deployed against targets based on intel amassed during an initial reconnaissance of the victim environment for high-value accounts and assets. The joint statement also confirms previous speculations that linked the espionage operation to APT29 (or Cozy Bear), a group of state-sponsored hackers associated with the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). The hacking campaign was notable for its scale and stealth, with the attackers leveraging the trust associated with SolarWinds Orion software to spy on government agencies and other companies for at least nine months, including viewing source code and stealing security tools, by the time it was discovered. SolarWinds Faces Class Action Lawsuit Meanwhile, SolarWinds is facing further fallout after a shareholder of the IT infrastructure management software company filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on Monday against its president, Kevin Thompson, and chief financial officer, J. Barton Kalsu, claiming the executives violated federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint states that SolarWinds failed to disclose that "since mid-2020, SolarWinds Orion monitoring products had a vulnerability that allowed hackers to compromise the server upon which the products ran," and that "SolarWinds' update server had an easily accessible password of 'solarwinds123'," as a result of which the company "would suffer significant reputational harm." Congressional Republicans have formally objected to the 11 Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden from the state of Arizona, kicking off a series of five such challenges to the 2020 election results to be heard throughout the day. I rise up for myself and 60 of my colleagues to object to the counting of the electoral ballots from Arizona, GOP Congressman Paul Gosar said at a joint session of Congress to certify the election results on Wednesday. Republicans citing voting irregularities widespread allegations of fraud which have either been disproven or unsubstantiated in the courts countless times over the last nine weeks are challenging the Electoral College submissions from Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. If successful, those challenges would wipe out Mr Bidens victory and pave the way for Donald Trump to win four more years of the presidency. That will not happen. The GOP objections will fail in both the Senate and in the Democratic-controlled House. Each chamber needs a majority of members to vote in favour of the objections to throw out the results. Just 24 GOP senators (less than a quarter of the chamber) and roughly 150 House Republicans (out of 435 total House members) have pledged to support the objections. Vice President Mike Pence, who is presiding over Wednesdays joint session of Congress, suspended it so each chamber could debate Mr Gosars objection and vote on it separately. Senators and House members will have up to five minutes each but not more than two hours in total to address their colleagues before putting each objection to a vote. The joint session commenced at 1pm on Wednesday with Congress unanimously affirming Donald Trumps electoral victories in Alabama and Alaska, netting him 14 votes so far. But by the time Congress has heard each GOP objection, Mr Biden will have won with 306 electoral votes to Mr Trumps 232. Wednesdays joint session has made for a highly anticipated day of theatrics in Washington. As Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota read Arizonas submission giving Mr Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the states 11 electoral votes, hundreds of Trump supporters congregated outside the Capitol to protest Congress ongoing certification. Several videos have already been circulating on the internet of pro-Trump protesters clashing with US Capitol Police just steps away from the Capitol entrance. The president and his campaign team have been encouraging the massive gathering of his supporters in Washington. Earlier Wednesday, Mr Trump made a final desperate plea to Mr Pence to block the certification of Mr Bidens victory. States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval, the president tweeted on Wednesday, repeating his false assertions of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! Mr Trump wrote. Mr Pence does not have the constitutional authority to unilaterally block the electoral results, and he will accept Congress certification of the election, he affirmed in a statement on Wednesday, putting him squarely at odds with his boss for the last four years. It is my considered judgment than my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrained me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not, the vice president wrote to members of Congress in a letter released minutes before gaveling in Wednesdays joint session to certify the electoral tally. Before the joint session kicked off, Mr Trump was headlining one of a few rallies in DC protesting his loss and pressuring his VP to try overturning the states certifications of their presidential votes. Mr Trump said he would be disappointed if Mr Pence did not try sending some vote results back to the states," arguing without evidence that some states Electoral College delegates were "defrauded" because they were alleged given data to vote on that contained illegal ballots. As he and his legal team have done for weeks, however, the outgoing president did not provide any specific data to support his claims. Nevertheless, Mr Trump called on Mr Pence to do the right thing. But that means very different things for the two men, as Mr Pence will move forward on Wednesday certifying Mr Bidens wins in Arizona and the other four states facing challenges. The vice president has been Mr Trumps most loyal ally for four years, rarely objecting in public or private to Mr Trumps most bombastic statements or threats. Sources have said he hoped to follow Mr Trump as president with his own 2024 run following a second term as VP. He has echoed his bosss concerns about alleged voter fraud and irregularities at rallies, but has stopped short of saying he thinks Democrats cheated. New Delhi, Jan 6 : Even as many in the Congress still seem to be in denial about Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity and the fact that he has earned his victories, former President late Pranab Mukherjee in his memoir clearly says that Modi earned and achieved his success. Recently, excerpts from 'The Presidential Years', the fourth and concluding volume of Mukherjee's memoirs, have started doing the rounds. There are many interesting excerpts that show the cordial relationship of the former head of the state with Prime Minister Modi. Mukherjee and Modi come from completely different ideological backgrounds, but it is clear that Mukherjee had immense respect for Modi and his passion for the country. Mukherjee is a politician who gave Narendra Modi his due respect for the victory in the 2014 general elections. Even as many in the Congress still seem to be in denial about Modi's popularity and the fact that he has earned his victories, Mukherjee clearly says that Modi earned and achieved his success. "Modi, on the other hand, became PM through popular choice after leading the BJP to a historic victory in 2014. He is a politician to the core and had been named the BJP's prime ministerial candidate as the party went into campaign mode. He was then Gujarat's CM and had built an image that seemed to click with the masses. He has earned and achieved the prime ministership," Mukherjee writes. The former President reiterates that he appreciated the counsel and advice which was offered to him by PM Modi in his quest to uphold the Constitution, clearly shining a light upon Modi's own commitment to upholding the Constitution. He also singles our Modi's passion and energy for driving transformational changes across the country. "As I had said on oath, I strived to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution, not just in word but also in spirit. In this task, I greatly benefited from the advice and cooperation extended to me by Prime Minister Modi at every step. With passion and energy, he is driving transformational changes in the country. I will carry with me fond memories of our association and his warm and courteous behaviour," Mukherjee says in the book. One of the first meetings between Modi and Mukherjee mentions how closely the Prime Minister followed the statements and articles by Mukherjee and maintained that he too was following the sentiments and wishes of the Indian President without caring for their political affiliations. The same passage also reflects how there was no hurry with Modi to assume a position of power and that he wanted to discharge his existing duties in an appropriate manner. "I congratulated Modi, who requested for some time to speak with me. Using a newspaper clipping that had reported on my earlier speech hoping for a politically stable mandate, he asserted that he had achieved the objective of a clear majority that I had envisaged. Thereafter, he requested for a week's time before the swearing-in ceremony. I was surprised at his request. He insisted that he needed time to address the issue of his successor in his home state, Gujarat," as per the book. In the beginning parts of the book itself, the former President notes Modi's pragmatism and enthusiasm to build relations within the South East Asian region and also his zeal for continuous on-the-job learning. It is clear that Modi on several occasions took the advice of the erstwhile President and initiated a process to factor in his insights into policy decisions as well. "Modi then sought my advice on his intent to invite all the heads of state/government of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries for the swearing-in ceremony. I complimented him on the idea and advised him to discuss the same with the head of the Intelligence Bureau, owing to the enormous security risks facing leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. I have had very cordial relations with PM Modi during my tenure. However, I did not hesitate to give my advice on matters of policy during our meetings. There were several occasions when he echoed concerns that I had voiced. I also believe that he has managed to grasp the nuances of foreign policy quickly," Mukherjee says in the book. Mukherjee also noted the successful efforts for inclusive growth. It is clear that political differences did not come in the way of rightful appreciation of the inclusive growth measures taken by the Modi government. He also mentions that there was optimism in the air. He writes about how he appreciated the steps taken for inclusive growth as part of his speech at the beginning of the Budget Session in 2015. "My speech in Parliament at the start of the Budget Session in 2015 reflected the promises the Modi government had made to the people and the steps it had taken in the direction of inclusive growth. The government had taken charge barely a year ago and there was optimism and trust in the air. "Underlining the new slogan of the regime, I said that 'the fundamental tenet of my government is sabka saath, sabka vikas (support from all, development for all).' The session was especially important because it was then that the Modi government presented its first full-year Union Budget," he says in the book. Mukherjee, as a career politician, also recognised the mandate that is wielded through India's electorate. He understood the high level of hard work and dedication that Modi brought to his electioneering. In his book, he noted that a popular mandate is never something that can be achieved just by chance -- it is something that has to be earned. He writes that he was initially skeptical about Piyush Goyal's optimism that the BJP would win over 265 seats in the 2014 elections. However, he took this optimism seriously when he saw Narendra Modi's gruelling electioneering schedule. "However, I took him seriously when he gave me Modi's detailed electioneering schedule, which was not only gruelling but also painstaking. It covered the entire length and breadth of the country," Mukherjee says. Further, in 2019, Mukherjee appears surprised that Modi formed a government with his pre-poll allies despite winning a comfortable majority and coming back with bigger numbers. In a way, this also shows appreciation for the way Modi keeps his commitments. Through the various mentions of strengthened bilateral and multinational relations, Mukherjee noted that these visits actually helped to achieve a better global image for India. He also notes that even when PM Modi did not have much experience when it came to international relations, he found his own out-of-the-box niche. "It was evident that one could expect the unexpected from Modi, because he had come with no ideological foreign policy baggage. He was to continue with these surprises. PM Modi has desired to improve the strained relations of the past. India also wants to see that the Indian Ocean Region does not become a playground for big powers," as per the book excerpts. The book details what Modi told Mukherjee about why he should be present at the joint session of the Parliament at midnight, especially to address the occasion. This is a glimpse of Modi's personal touch, something which made Mukherjee agree. "Coming back to my residence, I had a telephonic conversation with him, during which he insisted that as an individual, I had done my best for three-and-a-half years to get the bill passed, and as President of the Republic, the deal would be approved with my signature of assent. It would be a historic coincidence if I addressed the joint session of Parliament assembled at midnight at the Central Hall on 30 June. I agreed," Mukherjee says in the book. Consumer Advisory: Several Sportmix Pet Food Products Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin For immediate release: January 5, 2021 Program contact: Tim Lyons, 517-719-1696 FDA media contact: FDAOMA@fda.hhs.gov Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724 LANSING, Mich. On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of several varieties of Sportmix pet food products after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted to reports of at least 28 dogs having died and eight more having fallen ill after consuming the recalled Sportmix pet food. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is partnering with the FDA to investigate cases reported in Michigan. Aflatoxin is a serious threat to animals when consumed, said Tim Lyons, the departments Animal Feed Safety & Ag Products Section Manager. MDARDs Animal Feed Program is committed to ensuring the safety of feed ingredients sold in Michigan and protecting animal health. Pet owners with potentially contaminated products should save any remaining pet food and original containers or packaging materials for product tracing and possible testing by the department. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. Pets experiencing aflatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage), and/or diarrhea. In severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal. In some cases, pets may suffer liver damage but not show symptoms. There is no evidence to suggest pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxin are at risk; however, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food. Pet owners should stop feeding their pets the recalled products listed below: Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag Exp 03/02/22/05/L2 Exp 03/02/22/05/L3 Exp 03/03/22/05/L2 Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag Exp 03/02/22/05/L3 Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. bag Exp 03/03/22/05/L3 Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb. bag Exp 03/03/22/05/L3 Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag Exp 03/03/22/05/L3 Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag Exp 03/03/22/05/L2 Exp 03/03/22/05/L3 Retailers and distributors should immediately pull recalled lots from their inventory and shelves and contact Midwestern Pet Foods Consumer Affairs at 800-474-4163, ext. 455 from 7AM to 4PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, or email info@midwesternpetfoods.com for additional information. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. If possible, contact consumers who have purchased the recalled products. If you believe your pet is sick from a foodborne illness or your pet is experiencing a health-related issue that could be associated with pet food, consult your veterinarian, and report the issue to MDARDs Animal Feed Safety Program at 1-800-292-3939. More information, including pictures of the affected product can be found on the FDA website. ### Photo: Sportmix pet food product lot code Amazon .com NV Investment Holdings LLC and Kishore Biyani-led Future Group are gearing up for the last leg of the proceedings at Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) over Future Groups sale of its retail assets to Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) for 25,000 crore. The SIAC formed its panel on Tuesday to pass the final judgment on the case between Amazon and Future. Two people with direct knowledge of the proceedings at SIAC confirmed the development. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online On 25 October, SIAC had passed an interim order in favour of Amazon, and restrained Future Group from proceeding with the deal. Amazon has also asked Indias market regulator to direct Future Group from merging six Future Group companies, which are a key part of the deal with RIL. The SIAC arbitration panel will pass the final verdict on whether Future Group can go ahead with its 25,000 crore deal or not. The SIAC registry has informed parties that the arbitral tribunal has been constituted," said Alexander Kwiatkowski, the Amazon spokesperson for Asia Pacific. On 5 October, Amazon had filed an arbitration case against Future Group for deciding to forge an alliance with RIL to sell Future Groups retail, wholesale and logistics business without Amazons consent. The e-commerce major said that under an agreement between Future and Amazon in August 2019, the former was required to take its consent. Veteran barrister Michael Hwang has been appointed as the judge for the tribunal in the Amazon-Future case," said one of the two people, seeking anonymity. There will be two members in the arbitration panel when the case comes up for hearing in the next few weeks, he added. Albert Jan van den Berg, the founding partner of law firm Hanotiau & van den Berg and Jan Paulsson, a Swedish arbitration veteran and founding partner of Three Crowns Llp., are the two members of the SIAC arbitration panel. Albert Jan van den Berg has been appointed by Amazon, while Paulsson has been shortlisted by the Future Group as the members of the tribunal," he said. Hwang is a former judicial commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore. SIACs final verdict will be key to the RIL-Future deal since the Delhi high court recently judged that Future Group and Amazon should approach competent regulators or authorities, and go by their judgment. While an interim order by SIAC had restrained Future Group from taking the proposed deal with RIL forward, the SIAC tribunal may dismiss the interim order and rule in favour of Future Group since the Delhi high court has mentioned in its order that Amazon will be in breach of Indias foreign direct investment (FDI) norms if it intervenes in the deal between Future Retail and RIL since Amazon does not own control of Future Retail and has not taken the governments approval to control the company. Indias FDI norms allow 51% holding by a foreign entity in a multi-brand retail firm, such as Future Retail, but Amazon did not take the governments permission for acquiring control over it. However, the agreement between Amazon and Future Group says that Future Group cannot forge an alliance in the retail space with RIL without Amazons prior consent. Amazon and Future Group have been entangled in the bitter legal battle, which has intensified amid the increasing competition among some of the worlds largest retailers to capture Indias thriving retail and e-commerce market share. Therefore, SIACs final ruling will be crucial for Amazon. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Murray Business Donates Ramp To Sheriff's Office By West Kentucky Star Staff CALLOWAY COUNTY - England Contracting recently donated time and materials to install a handicap accessibility ramp at the Calloway County Sheriff's Office.The Calloway County Sheriff's Office thanked Scott England and England Contracting for the donation, saying the addition of the ramp will help the public by providing increased accessibility.The ramped entrance is used by the sheriff's office for after-hours public access. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Budget carrier SpiceJet, on January 6, announced the launch of 21 new domestic and international flights. Bookings for all new routes are now for all the new routes. It includes four new flights which will run connecting Jharsuguda in Odisha with Mumbai and Bengaluru which will commence from January 12. SpiceJet is the first and only airline to connect this route as it aims at enhancing connectivity between metro and non-metro cities. Besides, the airline will now operate a Boeing 737 on the Delhi-Jharsuguda route instead of a Bombardier Q400 thereby offering additional capacity. SpiceJet also connects Jharsuguda with Hyderabad and Kolkata. On its international routes, the airline said that it will increase frequency on the Delhi-Ras Al-Khaimah route to four weekly flights. "The airline will also introduce two weekly flights from Mumbai to Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE which will be effective from January 15," the statement said. "In its bid to enhance connectivity between the metros and key non-metro cities, the airline has also launched new daily non-stop flights connecting Hyderabad with Vishakhapatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada. The airline has also launched new flights on the Bengaluru-Belagavi-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Porbandar-Mumbai sectors," it added. It said that it would also launch new flights on the Kolkata-Kochi and the Kochi-Delhi sectors. Additionally, the airline has augmented its operations by upgrading frequency to daily on the Delhi-Jalandhar-Delhi sector and will add a third frequency on Delhi-Dharamshala-Delhi sector. The airline will deploy a mix of its Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400 aircraft on these routes. India on Wednesday welcomed the restoration of diplomatic ties between Qatar and four other Arab countries that had imposed an embargo on it in 2017, saying such a move would give a boost to peace and stability in the region. Saudi Arabias foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhad said on Tuesday that Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had agreed to fully set our differences aside with Qatar at a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit at Al-Ula. The four countries had cut ties with Qatar in 2017 and imposed a partial blockade, accusing the gas and oil-rich state of backing acts of terrorism. Qatar, which had angered the other states because of its close ties with Iran and the broadcasts of the Al-Jazeera news channel, had dismissed these allegations. Following the restoration of full ties between the five countries, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: We were pleased to note the positive developments at the recently concluded GCC Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. We welcome the reconciliation and rapprochement between countries in the region. India shares [an] excellent relationship with all the countries in the GCC, which is in our extended neighbourhood and we hope that such encouraging developments will further promote peace, progress and stability in the region. Srivastava added: We will continue to work with GCC countries for the strengthening of our bilateral cooperation. We also look forward to enhance our institutional dialogue and partnership with the GCC. The GCC states are home to some nine million Indian expatriates, with a majority based in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Indian government has worked hard to boost its relations with the Arab states, particularly in defence cooperation and energy security, and it has also welcomed the recent normalisation of ties between Israel and key Arab states such as the UAE. The air transport industry was one of the hardest hit in 2020 with traffic and revenues falling off a cliff at the end of last March following the imposition of worldwide Covid-19 containment restrictions on travel. Muhammad Ali Albakri Although Africa represented about 2% of the pre-pandemic global market, its five biggest markets, i.e. South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia and Algeria, experienced a more than 90% fall in traffic compared with 2019. In socio-economic terms, the pandemic and recession have jeopardised 3.9 million African jobs supported by air transport and US$32bn in contributions to Africas combined GDP.1. Providing emergency short-term financial relief to all components of the industry, regardless of public or private ownership2. Cutting the red tape to let the UD$30bn in pledged industry aid from international finance bodies flow to Africas air transport and tourism industry3. Implementing a single global set of Covid-19 testing measures and standards for travellers before departure instead of arbitrary, confusing and unnecessary quarantines or other measures that are deterrents to travel4. Establish a reliable cold-chain distribution network for Covid-19 vaccines and then secure it against physical and cyber-attacks, theft, corruption or other interference.5. Adopting the African Unions Single Africa Air Transport Market framework to ignite connectivity throughout the continent. This will stimulate sustainable economic growth, create jobs and support livelihoodsWhile Covid-19 has temporarily redefined the market, the drivers for air transport in Africa remain intact and undiminished. The continents population is still the fastest growing worldwide with urbanisation is continuing at a rapid clip. Governments have to feed, house, service, educate, provide health care to and create meaningful employment opportunities for the continents inhabitants.The best way to meet this challenge is by opening up and safely re-connecting markets and stimulating trade, travel and tourism. Fortunately, the framework for this already exists in the form of the African Unions Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). It just needs to be implemented. So far 34 of Africas 54 countries have signed up, but only 10 have put any of its concrete measures in place.All of this remains moot without traveller confidence being restored. Vaccines offer hope, but more immediately people need assurances that air travel is clean and safe and that they will not have their journeys disrupted or inconvenienced by quarantines and other arbitrary restrictions and measures. Covid-19 testing of travellers before departure is the only sensible solution. Rapid tests have been developed and are being rolled out at various airports and by several airlines around the globe and will become the norm, just as x-rays and liquids and gels restrictions have.The pandemic has also been a catalyst for two rival phenomena. First was the broad embracing of work-from-home and virtual meetings solutions. Although probably not intended as a permanent substitute to face-to-face meetings, Zoom, MS-Teams and similar platforms have wiped out (hopefully temporarily) a large portion of the business travel market and with it, what had for many airlines been their most dependable source of profit.In parallel, Covid-19 sparked the accelerated development of contactless and smart technology to facilitate air travel, even though much of it had its genesis in work that began several years ago. Just as IATA was able to eliminate paper air tickets and migrate travellers to e-tickets and self-service check-in during the mid-2000s, going forward we can expect to see paper inoculation certificates, passports and touch-screen check-in kiosks being rapidly replaced by initiatives such as IATAs Travel Pass, biometric chips and point-and-scan personal hand-held devices.Elements of the technology are already in use or in final testing and their convergence is inevitable. Governments will be compelled to move with the technology if they have any aspirations of their countries being competitive destinations for business and leisure tourism.The convergence of Covid-19 testing and smart technology is being driven by the need for a global information infrastructure to securely manage, share and verify coronavirus test data matched with traveller identities in a standardised format that complies with border control requirements. Thats the job of the IATA Travel Pass, that will be rolled out in the coming weeks.It will incorporate four open-sourced interoperable modules to provide users with a global registry of health requirements and testing/vaccination centres, an app to let laboratories share test results and vaccination certificates with passengers and a contactless travel app that functions as a digital passport, verifies travel itineraries, Covid-19 tests and vaccination certificates. Governments with the means to verify the authenticity of tests and the identity of those presenting the test certificates. Airlines with the ability to provide accurate information to their passengers on test requirements and verify that a passenger meets the requirements for travel. Laboratories with the means to issue digital certificates to passengers that will be recognised by governments, and; Travelers with accurate information on test requirements, where they can get tested or vaccinated, and the means to securely convey test information to airlines and border authorities. City approves first reading of temporary medical marijuana ordinance With state officials still putting together the oversight rules for medical marijuana establishments, local governments need temporary ordinances. On Twitter on Wednesday, users called for the companys chief executive, Jack Dorsey, to take down President Trumps account. Civil rights groups said action by social media companies against calls for political violence was long overdue. Even venture capitalists who had reaped riches from investing in social media urged Twitter and Facebook to do more. For four years youve rationalized this terror. Inciting violent treason is not a free speech exercise, Chris Sacca, a tech investor who had invested in Twitter, wrote to Mr. Dorsey and Facebooks chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg. If you work at those companies, its on you too. Shut it down. Twitter, Facebook and others had previously resisted cracking down on Mr. Trumps posts and other toxic content, saying that the posts were in the publics interest. While the platforms had started taking more steps against political misinformation in the months before the election, they declined to remove Mr. Trumps messages and instead took half measures, such as labeling his posts. So when violence broke out in Washington on Wednesday, it was, in the minds of longtime critics, the day the chickens came home to roost for the social media companies. After the onslaught of criticism began, Twitter and Facebook started removing several of Mr. Trumps posts from their sites, including one where the president falsely said that a sacred landslide election victory had been unceremoniously & viciously stripped away. We know the social media companies have been lackadaisical at best at stopping extremism from growing on their platforms, said Jonathan Greenblatt, director of the Anti-Defamation League. Freedom of expression is not the freedom to incite violence. That is not protected speech. Renee DiResta, a researcher at the Stanford Internet Observatory who studies online movements, added that the violence was the result of people operating in closed social media networks where they believed the claims of voter fraud and of the election being stolen from Mr. Trump. This is a demonstration of the very real-world impact of echo chambers, she said. This has been a striking repudiation of the idea that there is an online and an offline world, and that what is said online is in some way kept online. I hope that this eliminates the conception from peoples minds. With drawn guns and teargas, police sought to clear the U.S. Capitol building of hundreds of protesters who stormed the building and sought to force Congress to undo President Donald Trumps election loss on Wednesday as lawmakers convened to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate were evacuated after pro-Trump protesters surged through the halls of Congress, forcing both chambers to suspend deliberations. One protester occupied the Senate dais and yelled, Trump won that election. Protesters overturned barricades and clashed with police as thousands descended on the Capitol grounds. Biden, a Democrat who defeated the Republican president in the Nov. 3 election and is due to take office on Jan. 20, said the activity of the protesters borders on sedition. The former vice president said that for demonstrators to storm the Capitol, smash windows, occupy offices, invade the halls of Congress and threaten the safety of duly elected officials: Its not a protest, its insurrection. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward, Biden added, urging Trump to go on national television to demand an end to this siege. In a video posted to Twitter, Trump repeated his false claims about election fraud but urged the protesters to leave. You have to go home now, we have to have peace, he said. Video showed protesters breaking windows and police deploying teargas inside the building. Local media reported that one person had been shot and video showed a person being wheeled from the building on a stretcher. Vice President Mike Pence, who had presided over the joint session of Congress, had already been escorted from the Senate. The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, who before the election refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost, addressed thousands of protesters, repeating unfounded claims that the contest was stolen from him due to widespread election fraud and irregularities. Lawmakers had been debating a last-ditch effort by pro-Trump lawmakers to challenge the results, an effort that was unlikely to succeed. Critics had called the effort by the Republican lawmakers an attack on American democracy and the rule of law and an attempted legislative coup. The top two Democrats in Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, called on Trump to demand that all the protesters leave the Capitol and its grounds immediately. Capitol Police told lawmakers in the House chamber to take gas masks from beneath their seats and prepare to put them on. Officers at the front door of the House chamber had their guns drawn as someone attempted to enter the chamber. Officers ordered people in the chamber to drop to the floor for their safety. Several hundred House members, staff and press were evacuated to an undisclosed location and were told not to leave. Election officials of both parties and independent observers have said there was no significant fraud in the Nov. 3 contest, which Biden won by more than 7 million votes in the national popular vote. Weeks have passed since the states completed certifying that Biden, a Democrat, won the election by 306 Electoral College votes to Trumps 232. Trumps extraordinary challenges to Bidens victory have been rejected by courts across the country. WE WILL NOT TAKE IT Trump had pressed Pence to throw out election results in states the president narrowly lost, though Pence has no authority to do so. Our country has had enough and we will not take it any more, Trump said at the rally. The certification in Congress, normally a formality, had been expected to stretch for several hours as some Republican lawmakers mounted an effort to reject some state tallies, starting with Arizona. Republicans and Democrats, who had been bitterly divided over that effort, both called on protesters to stand down. This is un-American and this has to stop, said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Trump ally who supported the Republican effort to challenge the results. That attempt was unlikely to succeed, as even many Republicans opposed it. If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who helped give Trump some of his biggest accomplishments. Schumer called the challenges in Congress by Trump allies an attempted coup and said, The Congress does not determine the outcome of an election. The people do. Outside the Capitol, members of militia groups and far-right groups, some in body armor, mingled with the crowds. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew starting at 6 p.m. (2300 GMT). Pence rebuffed Trumps demand that he reject state electoral votes on the same day Trumps fellow Republicans were poised to lose their majority in the Senate. We will never give up, Trump earlier told thousands of cheering supporters on a grassy expanse near the White House called the Ellipse. We will never concede. It doesnt happen. You dont concede when theres theft involved. Mike Pence, I hope youre going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and the good of our country. And if youre not, Im going to be very disappointed in you, Trump said. In a statement, Pence said he shares the concerns about the integrity of the election but that is not correct that he should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally. The U.S. Constitution does not give Pence the power to unilaterally overturn the results of the election. The protests drew international condemnation, with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said democracys enemies would be cheered by scenes of violence at the U.S. Capitol. Trump and his supporters must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy, Maas said. Search Keywords: Short link: Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Senators on Tuesday urged the United Nations and international community to give right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir promised by them on that day ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jan, 2021 ) :The Senators on Tuesday urged the United Nations and international community to give right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir promised by them on that day. Debating on Kashmir's Right to Self Determination Day, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq said that the whole nation was united on the Kashmir issue. He said that India cannot declare Kashmir as integral part as there were 22 to 23 resolutions which were unanimously passed at UN Security Council. He said that Indian illegal occupation of Kashmir was also against the UN resolutions. Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq condemning Indian illegal occupation said that there should be unified approach on Kashmir issue. She said that India was involved in killing of innocent people of Kashmir. She said that there was no room for political scoring on Kashmir issue. Senator Musadiq Malik also strongly condemned the illegal occupation and human rights violations in IIOJK adding that Kashmiri people were facing brutalities and atrocities of Indian forces. Senator Mian Muhammad Attique Sheikh said that India is violating all international laws by killing innocent people of Kashmir. Senator Sherry Rehman said the upper house always supported Kashmir cause and passed unanimous resolution to highlight the plight of innocent Kashmiri people. She said the Modi regime has brought colonial rule to the valley in order to cripple the young people. The Modi regime had turned the occupied Kashmir into valley of graves and death, she added. She said hundreds of thousands innocent Kashmiris were under the illegal siege of Indian occupied forces. Kashmiri people were being exploited, she said. Rana Maqbool Ahmed said that Kashmir committee should be activated to highlight the Kashmir issue. Sirajul Haq said that Kashmir was a jugular vein of Pakistan and without Kashmir Pakistan was incomplete. He suggested that International conference on Kashmir issue should be organized in Islamabad to highlight the cause. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Like the UFO-crash sighting in Hawaii in late December, UFO crashes have been reported in Pennsylvania over the years. The Pennsylvania reports were not nearly as recent as just a few days ago, but they did involve multiple witnesses. On the night of December 9, 1965, a large fireball was seen by thousands of people in at least 6 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. Reported as a meteor by the media, witnesses claimed something crashed into the woods at Kecksburg, a tiny village 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Kecksburg area witnesses reported finding an acorn-shaped object, about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, before the U.S. Army arrived, closed the area to civilians and eventually removed something on a flatbed truck. A replica of the object that witnesses said fell from the sky near Kecksburg stands across the street from the fire company in the small southwestern Pennsylvania town. (Marcus Schneck photo) The Kecksburg UFO has remained one of the most famous UFO sightings in Pennsylvania, most recently popularized by an annual festival and a UFO store maintained by the local volunteer fire company. The morning after the Kecksburg incident, The Greensburg Tribune-Review, which had a reporter on the scene, carried the headline Unidentified Flying Object Falls near Kecksburg. Army Ropes off Area. Although the official explanation for the Kecksburg incident was a crashed meteor, speculation has included everything from an alien spacecraft to a Soviet space probe. With many similarities to the Kecksburg incident, some believe a UFO crashed into a pond at Carbondale in Lackawanna County on the weekend of November 8-9, 1974. The official explanation for light seen in the pond at Carbondale soon after the possible UFO crash attributed it to a miners lantern. A few days after the incident, the Associate Press reported that an object was seen by several persons as it fell from the sky and into a silt pond at an abandoned coal breaker. A UFO researcher at Northwestern University was quoted as speculating that the object likely was not a meteorite because its glow was not extinguished when it hit the water, but it could have been part of a communications satellite. A miner's lamp like these was the official explanation for a light in a water-filled pit in Carbondale that some witnesses described as falling from the sky. (Marcus Schneck photo) In a later report AP attributed the light in the pond to an old railroad lantern glowing underwater and noted, A diver retrieved the 12inch lantern today after the pond was drained. Three teenage boys told the Carbondale police Saturday they had seen a brightly shining object flash across the sky, and seconds later saw a light shining in the pond. One patrolman, dispatched to the scene, fired at least four shots at the object. The police tried to retrieve the object, but it fell to the bottom. Multiple witness accounts at the time contradicted the official conclusions, telling of a greenish glow that illuminated the entire pond for 9 hours and seemed to come from something more than an old railroad lantern. If youve seen something you believe to be a UFO and would like to share it, contact Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. For longer than anyone can remember, Carolyn Oliver-Fair fought for those who could not fight for themselves. Even while battling the cancer that would take her life Monday, Oliver-Fair put others first, said community activist Frank Educational Gilmore, who called Oliver-Fair a mentor and an inspiration. Even with her own battle, we were going down to Trenton to make sure our voices were being heard by the state Legislature, Gilmore said Tuesday. She was fighting for the people and had her own personal fight going on and she would not let that deter or derail the mission. That takes a certain type of individual. As the executive director of the North Jersey chapter of the National Action Network, Oliver-Fair was instrumental in the prosecution of Jersey City Sgt. John Ransom, who struck a Jersey City man with his patrol car in Audubon Park in 2017, and she was a constant presence as anti-violence demonstrations over the years. Carolyn was a natural organizer and a natural advocate, state Sen. Sandra Cunningham said. Her mother was very active and Carolyn grew up seeing how it is to advocate for other people, putting their thoughts and need before her own, thats basically what she did all her life. Oliver-Fair, 69, was a graduate of Snyder High School in the city, said Chris Gadsden, the Lincoln High School principal who is also Oliver- Fairs nephew. She said Dont ever stop being the voice and dont ever stop walking in truth. Thats what its going to take. You are fighting for people who dont have that platform, so utilize it effectively. You have to mobilize and strategize, Gadsden said. She was a servant of the people, she sacrificed her life for others. In her work with the National Action Network, Oliver-Fair was in integral part of the annual Hudson County Fannie Lou Hamer awards event, which honored Black women of achievement in a variety of fields. Oliver-Fair was also known for her musical talents and she performed at church services throughout Jersey City and Bayonne over the years. Im thankful for Carolyns commitment to the betterment of our community and her love of our city, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said. I send my sincere condolences to her family and friends as this is a great loss for Jersey City and all who knew her. While many events that took place in the Northern, North East and Savannah regions would be considered significant given the diverse nature of the three regions, once together as one, it was the sad events, such as the killing of a 90-year-old woman and the incessant cases of armed robbery, that dominated the headlines. And who will forget the floodings that displaced hundreds of people and also destroyed farmlands that robbed farmers of their livelihoods that occurred in the three regions? Despite these unfortunate incidents, some events such as the cutting of sod for works to begin on the Tamale project, a significant move to solve the perennial water challenges in the region, cannot be overlooked. "Tikusagi' demo The year 2020 in the Northern Region began with a demonstration against the compilation of a new voter register by the Electoral Commission (EC) on January 12, in the Tamale Metropolis. Dubbed "Tikusagi" to wit "we won't agree" in Dagbani, the nationwide protest that began in Tamale, the Northern regional capital by the Inter-Party resistance group did not stop the EC from compiling a new register that was used for the December 7, 2020, presidential and parliamentary elections. The political parties that took part in that demonstration in Tamale were the Progressive People's Party (PPP), the Convention People's Party (CPP), the People's National Convention (PNC), Eagle Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The 400 missing tricycle saga Another topical issue that came up during the year under review was the saga of the cannot be found 400 tricycles on the premises of the Northern Development Authority (NDA) office in Tamale in the latter part of January and early February 2020. According to findings on the investigation that were submitted to the Police Administration, the tricycles were not forcefully taken or stolen from the NDA yard and that the top echelon of the NDA management had sufficient knowledge of the people they issued the tricycles to. Also, the report indicated that due process was followed by those who went for the tricycles as the 10 containers carrying the 400 tricycles were issued with waybills and inspected by the NDA security before they left the yard. The police recommended that the management of NDA should be held responsible for the missing 400 tricycles. COVID-19 The region was not insulated from the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection as it recorded its first cases on March 24, 2020, which involved 10 West African nationals who arrived in Tamale who tested positive for the virus. They were eight Guinean ladies, a Burkinabe couple, who visited the dialysis unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) for treatment. The 10 West African nationals who tested positive were quarantined at a hotel in Tamale but one out of the eight Guinean ladies managed to escape from quarantine and she was never found, at least, there was no official information to that effect. The issue of the Guinean lady who escaped from quarantine became a topical issue in the region and the country as a whole in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The government, in the surge of the pandemic, established a COVID-19 testing centre using the Public Health Reference Laboratory at the TTH as the testing site for the five regions of the north (Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and North East). The COVID-19 testing centre has the capacity to test over 200 samples a day, thereby reducing the time and cost of transportation of samples to the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) in Kumasi for testing. Water On July 28, 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during his three-day working visit to the region, also cut sod for the $223million Tamale water supply project. The project seeks to expand the supply capacity of the Tamale Metropolitan area and also improve upon the flexibility of water supply system which will rely on the White Volta at Yapei, with a 29.7 million per day capacity water treatment plant. President Akufo-Addo also cut the sod for the construction of the $30million Yendi water supply project. The Yendi water supply project which is being financed by a $30 million facility from the India Exim Bank is aimed at providing the people of the Yendi Municipality and its environs with 15,000 cubic metres of water daily to meet the water demand from now till the year 2040. Nalerigu, the North East regional capital for the year under review also benefited from a water supply project which was inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo on July 28, 2020, to further improve access to potable water in the area. President Akufo-Addo also, on July 30, 2020, cut the sod for construction work to begin on the $49million Damongo Water Project, the capital of the Savannah Region to improve the water situation in the area. Road infrastructure A number of road infrastructure was also begun in the year 2020 and notable among them is the first interchange in Northern Ghana in Tamale after President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for construction work to begin on the project in 2019. The project as of July 2020 was about 47 per cent complete. Security The region also in the year under review witnessed the snatching of a number of 44 luxurious vehicles, notable among them was a pickup belonging to the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council which was allegedly snatched by some armed men in Tamale after the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Adam Braimah handed it over to a friend in Tamale for safekeeping while he travelled to Accra. Floods The Northern Region was also not spared the annual floods caused by continuous rainfall at the latter part of August to the first week in October coupled with the spillage of water from the Bagre Dam in neighbouring Burkina Faso that caused massive flooding in some communities along the White Volta in the Kumbungu Tolon and Saboba districts and the Savelugu Municipality. The flood displaced about 500 residents in Nawuni in the Kumbungu districts where several people had their houses collapsed and had to put up at the local Roman Catholic Primary School in the community. Management and Staff of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) was one of the corporate entities that extended a hand of support to the flood victims in Nawuni with both food items and other essentials to lessen their plight. North East & Savannah regions The two newly created regions, the North East and Savannah out of the Northern Region were also hit by the flood. In the North East Region, the floods destroyed farmlands and food crops and claimed at least 10 lives according to the Regional National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). Flooding was also experienced in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region to be specific, Daboya/ Mankarigu located along the White Volta. Murder of 90-year-old woman One chilling incident that occurred in the Savannah Region at Kafaba, a farming/fishing community, near Salaga, the capital of the East Gonja Municipality was the murder of a 90-year-old woman who was lynched for alleged witchcraft that received nationwide condemnation. The key suspects in the murder of Madam Mariama Akua Denteh are currently standing trial at the Tamale High Court. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In brief: Bad news for the few people who still watch Netflix on a 3DS or Wii U. Nintendo has announced it is discontinuing the service on these devices from June 30, with the app having already been removed from its eShop. Despite the removal of the app, anyone who downloaded Netflix onto one of the aging devices can still use and re-download it until June 30. After that point, it will cease to function. "Starting Dec 31st, 2020, the Netflix app will no longer be available for new users to download from Nintendo eShop on the Wii U console or Nintendo 3DS family of systems," Nintendo wrote on its website (via Nintendo Life). "During that time, it will be possible for existing users to re-download these applications. Service for existing users will continue until June 30th, 2021. Thank you to everyone who enjoyed Netflix on these platforms over the years." After June 30, no Nintendo device will support the streaming service. Even the incredibly popular Nintendo Switch, which analysts expect will be the best-selling console of 2021, lacks Netflix. There are other streaming options on the hybrid console, of course, including a Hulu app in the US and video-sharing app NicoNico in Japan. Back when the Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime said Netflix "would come in time." Fils-Aime a year later said that talks between the two companies were "on-going," but we've heard nothing since then. Could Nintendo be holding off until a 4K-capable Switch Pro arrives, possibly this year? We'll have to wait and see. Crime is up. Prices are up. Border crossings in the southwest are up. Unemployment is still up. Our national debt is up. Gas is hard to find. Civil unrest surrounds us. And the Middle East is in turmoil. Sounds a lot like the 70s to me. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Former Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos last State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the most charitable terms. Mr Anyidoho has described the speech as commendable for certain specific features. Mr Anyidoho who was himself a presidential speechwriter for late President Atta-Mills said he used to keep his speeches crisp and straight-to-the-point. He said he saw all the above elements in the SONA as delivered by the President at Parliament. He wrote: The brevity of President Akufo-Addos SONA speech yesterday, is commendable. No need for a long winding speech. As the speech writer of President Atta-Mills, I used keep his speeches crisp and straight-to-the-point. Brevity is a strong mark of a focused person. Mr Anyidoho who is the founder of the Atta Mills Institute made the comment in reaction to President Akufo-Addos last SONA to the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic, as demanded by Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution. The Seventh Parliament dissolves on midnight of January 6, 2021. Read post below: The brevity of President Akufo-Addo's SONA speech yesterday, is commendable. No need for a long winding speech. As the speech writer of President Atta-Mills, I used keep his speeches crisp and straight-to-the-point. Brevity is a strong mark of persons who are focused. Samuel Koku Anyidoho (@KokuAnyidoho) January 6, 2021 Source: twitter/adomonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video There is growing concern among public health experts that highly contagious variants of the coronavirus could upend efforts to control the surge of new COVID-19 cases hammering California. Twenty-four new cases of a mutated SARS-CoV-2 strain, known as B117 and first identified in the United Kingdom in December, were discovered in San Diego County on Tuesday, bringing the total to 32 in the state. We anticipate there will be others identified, Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press briefing Monday. The variant of the virus which is less detectable by current testing methods but up to 80% more transmissible from person to person than previous mutations could push the current COVID-19 crisis in California to the breaking point and threaten efforts to reopen the economy and schools. If the new variant manages to acquire a mutation which hides it from PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, we would be headed for the worst possible perfect storm, said Fyodor Urnov, the director of UC Berkeleys Innovative Genomics Institute, whose laboratory tracks changes in the genetic material of viruses. The new variant has acquired mutations much more rapidly than scientists expected. It has gone through 23 separate variations so far, 17 of which are linked to the building blocks of proteins that form the virus. Newsom said California plans to ramp up its contact tracing and disease investigation efforts to track the new strain, which has also been identified in New York, Georgia, Colorado and Florida. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle We have not yet detected the new strain in San Francisco, said Dr. Grant Colfax, the citys top health adviser. It would certainly not be surprising if and when it gets detected. California has a partnership with UCSF to conduct aggressive genomics testing running roughly 5,000 to 10,000 tests a week to identify the different mutations of the virus circulating in the state. Charles Chiu, director of viral diagnostics at UCSF, said it is likely that the U.K. strain is already in circulation across the United States but has so far been identified in the states with robust genomic sequencing test programs. The current data suggest that this is a variant that is not currently prevalent in the U.S., Chiu said. Its in the minority of the strains circulating in the U.S. That being said, it could change very quickly. In the U.K., it went from accounting for 5% to 60% of the cases in three weeks. Thats why its really important for us to remain vigilant. More contagious The U.K. variant, believed to have first surfaced in September, is more contagious but not more severe in terms of its impact on your condition, Newsom said. Public health officials believe that the mutations, including some changes to the crucial spike proteins, allow the virus to bind more strongly and enter human cells more easily. Its a little bit more sticky than the COVID virus weve been seeing, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Californias top health official. More cases could mean fewer people have access to urgent medical care, especially as hospitals in California run critically low on intensive care unit beds. On top of an existing pandemic, this may make things worse, said Chiu. Health officials in Britain have also suggested that the B117 variant carries mutations that make children as susceptible to becoming infected with it as adults. We havent established any sort of causality on that, but we can see it in the data, said Neil Ferguson, a professor and infectious disease epidemiologist at Imperial College London. We will need to gather more data to see how it behaves going forward. Britain has closed its schools for the next six weeks as the country deals with a record number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Harder to detect Because the virus is harder to detect due to a mutation in part of the spike protein gene that requires more stringent testing to become identifiable it could hinder the ability for schools in the Bay Area to depend on rapid antigen tests to reliably screen asymptomatic students and staff. The virus has more or less erased its fingerprints, said Urnov. One change in the viruss genetic code, in particular, called 69-70del, has helped it evade detection by the immune system in some people, according to studies conducted in the U.K. Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer, said hes concerned about the new variants, but not overly so. Variants have emerged over time, its part of the way these organisms work, he said. The data from England that Ive seen suggest that this one spreads a little better. How much better is still an area for exploration. The circumstantial evidence is pretty concerning, the direct evidence is still limited. He said it is also unclear how widespread the variant is in the United States, though it has infected more people than the cases reported so far. And he said its too early to say whether the U.K. variant, or some other mutation, has helped fuel the current West Coast surge in cases. I dont have anything to suggest that its driving a surge in any part of the U.S., he said. Maybe well find that something similar has driven what we see here on the West Coast in recent weeks, whether its the U.K. variant or another variant. Variants versus vaccines Another variant discovered in South Africa known as 501Y.V2, which has rapidly become the dominant strain in the countrys coastal areas, is also raising concerns. Health experts worry that the vaccines currently in development may not be effective against it. This is the most pressing question facing us right now, Dr. Richard Lessells, an infectious disease expert who is working on the countrys genomic studies of the variant, told The Associated Press Monday. We are urgently doing experiments in the laboratory to test the variant. The strain has so far been identified in the U.K., Finland, Switzerland, Japan and Australia. The way you fight something that tends to change is you have more than one weapon, said Urnov. We have more than one test. We have more than one vaccine. For now, given there is a broad range of vaccines being developed, we have good hope it will not be globally resistant. Neither variant has been detected in the Bay Area, but Chiu said his lab is actively analyzing data from the region. In the meantime, he said the best way to curb the spread of the new strains is to continue to follow the old mitigation measures: masking, physical distancing and good hand hygiene. If its here there may still be a window of time to get it under control, he said. Chronicle reporter Erin Allday contributed to this article. Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) issued an infograph with the title Stability of the financial system contributed to confronting the economic repercussions of COVID-19, which included a presentation of the most prominent points in the Financial Stability 2019 report, issued by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The report said that the stability of the financial system and the improvement in economic performance helped the Egyptian economy withstand the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CBE has taken several proactive measures, including slashing key rates by four percent (400 bps) and launching several initiatives aimed at maintaining domestic production, keeping unemployment rates low, and preserving the gains of the economic reform programme. This was evident in the decline in the unemployment rate in Egypt to 7.3 percent in the third quarter of 2020, which is the lowest recorded rate, down from 9.6 percent in the the second quarter of 2020, according to the IDSC. The CBE also launched the industrial private sector initiative, with EGP 100 billion, and the real estate financing initiative for middle-income people, with EGP 50 billion, in addition to a number of initiatives targeting the tourism sector and its workers. Egypt offered international bonds worth $5 billion in May 2020. The CBEs financial stability report, issued in December, revealed that Egypt is targeting a two percent initial surplus to GDP ratio in FY 2020/2021 and attaining a 6.3 percent total budget deficit. The CBE said the government offered international bonds worth $5 million in May 2020 despite the decrease in investments in emerging markets in the first quarter of the year. It also said that the fiscal stability index witnessed a notable improvement in 2019, before declining by the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19. Concerning the initiatives that the CBE launched in 2020 to support the construction, agricultural and industrial private sector, the report revealed that the total allocation reached EGP 68.8 billion through the end of June 2020. Moreover, the total amount of loans and facilities portfolio under the initiative of supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) recorded EGP 201.8 billion from the end of December 2015 through the end of June 2020. The report also showed that the banking sector represented 89.6 percent of the financial system by the end of FY 2018/2019, which enjoyed good fiscal safety indices through June 2020 despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, the report disclosed that the total assets of the banking sector reached EGP 5.3 trillion in FY 2018/2019 (5.8 percent growth rate compared to the previous fiscal year), which continued to grow to reach EGP 6.4 trillion in June 2020. On the other hand, domestic and hard currency liquidity in the domestic market reached 44.4 percent and 67.7 percent, respectively, in FY 2018/2019, which increased to 54.3 percent and 70.3 percent in June 2020, according to the report. Egypt's net foreign assets rose to EGP 77.2 billion in December 2019, driven by the increase in foreign cash inflows in 2019 that contributed to the significant increase that the net international reserves (NIR) witnessed in December 2019 at $45.5 billion, according to the report. On the non-banking sector, the report said that the total assets of the sector reached EGP 615 billion in FY 2018/2019, representing 10.4 percent of the total assets of the countrys fiscal system. Short link: Superintendents from the states six largest school districts pushed back on Gov. Gavin Newsoms plan to give a cash bonus to schools that reopen in February, saying the idea will reward wealthy communities and ignore the needs of urban areas. The districts, including Oakland and San Francisco, called on the governor to amend his Safe Schools for All proposal, with specific health and safety measures needed to reopen and a requirement that schools reopen when those measures are met. They also asked for a commitment that all districts would receive funding even if they dont meet the deadline to reopen. The letter questions whether the $2 billion incentive plan which gave hope to families desperate for schools to reopen will actually make much of a difference. Newsoms proposal, announced last week, would give $450 to $750 per elementary student and those with disabilities, as well as homeless and foster youth, if districts reopen by mid-February. But the current health conditions make it nearly impossible for many districts to reopen in time to get the incentive cash. In some counties, including Alameda, health officials have paused the reopening of schools given the ongoing surge in cases and hospitalizations, and they will not resume until county COVID-19 case rates drop into the red tier for two weeks straight. In San Francisco, schools stand to lose more than $13 million if they cant reopen in just over a month a timeline that requires labor agreements as well as county health department authorization. The plan does not address the disproportionate impact the virus is having on low-income communities of color, the superintendents said in the letter. It leaves the definition of a safe school environment and the standard for reopening classrooms up to the individual discretion of 1,037 school districts, creating a patchwork of safety standards in the face of a statewide health crisis. Each school district is setting its own health and safety criteria for reopening, guided by health officials, and that requires agreements with teacher and staff unions. In many districts, unions have requested virus mitigation efforts that exceed county health guidelines, and some have demanded raises to return to in-person learning. In San Francisco, for example, the teachers union requested that schools not reopen until all communities where students, teachers and staff live have been in the states low-risk orange tier for two weeks. The union is also demanding COVID-19 testing of students and staff every two weeks as well as the installation of lids on every toilet, which is not required or recommended by county, state or federal health officials. Other communities, including most districts in Marin County, have already reopened following county guidelines and remain open even though the region is currently in the high-risk purple tier, with lower rates of transmission based at schools than in the community as a whole. Manteca Unified, which reopened all schools for in-person learning in the fall, does not provide coronavirus testing to teachers, staff or students and had no known school transmission after months of in-person learning. The states lack of guidance has led to chaos and contention, officials said. The state must set clear standards and require schools to reopen when the conditions are met, the superintendents said. The district officials also requested a timetable for vaccinations of school staff as well as a state plan for addressing learning loss, including funding for summer school. The $2 billion incentive pot is part of the states unexpected revenue this year that would have gone to education anyway, but not until July. The plan, which needs approval from the state Legislature, would send funds to districts by February. The six superintendents called on the governor to use state health funds, rather than education funds, to help schools address the pandemic. Since March, our districts have fed the hungry, provided the technology necessary for students to participate in online instruction, trained educators, cleaned and reconfigured school facilities and adopted new health practices to reduce the risk from the virus at schools, the superintendents said. Despite heroic efforts by students, teachers and families, it will take a coordinated effort by all in state and local government to reopen classrooms. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 14:26:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday welcomed the declaration on "solidarity and stability" announced at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit held in Saudi Arabia, said his deputy spokesman. The declaration recognizes the importance of unity among the GCC states and aims to strengthen regional security, peace, stability and prosperity, Farhan Haq said in a statement. Guterres also welcomed Monday's announcement on the re-opening of the airspace, land and sea borders between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, said the statement. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a land, air and sea blockade on Qatar against its alleged support for terrorism, which Qatar had denied. Guterres expressed his gratitude to those from the region and beyond, including the late emir of Kuwait and the late sultan of Oman, who worked tirelessly toward resolving the Gulf rift. He called on all countries concerned to continue to act in a positive spirit to strengthen their relations, said the statement. Enditem Prime Minister Scott Morrison has recalled national cabinet a month early to decide whether to tighten precautions on international arrivals over fears travellers from the United Kingdom will spread a more infectious mutant coronavirus strain. The nation's leaders will meet on Friday rather than in February to consider the health advice from Australia's top medical officers, who will meet on Thursday ahead of Friday's leaders' phone hookup. National cabinet will meet to discuss whether to tighten precautions on international arrivals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Authorities in Victoria and Western Australia want people flying from the UK to be tested before they board an aeroplane and to be banned from travel if they return positive results. Mr Morrison said national cabinet will consider a proposal that he requested Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly review through the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which advises governments on policy decisions. Sorry! This content is not available in your region A record-breaking 131,000 coronavirus hospitalizations were recorded in the United States on Tuesday. In hard-hit Los Angeles County, hospitals began running out of oxygen and paramedics were told not to bring patients to a hospital if they showed little hope of survival. "We're no longer a wave or surge, or surge upon a surge. We really are in the middle of a viral tsunami," Robert Kim-Farley, a medical epidemiologist at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles, told the Washington Post. In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a multi-pronged plan to replenish the state's oxygen supply that includes having the Army Corps of Engineers send crews to update oxygen-delivery systems at several aging hospitalsfive in downtown Los Angeles and two in San Bernardino. Meanwhile, state emergency teams are refilling oxygen tanks at 42 medical support units across the state and mobile oxygen systems and several hundred oxygen concentrator units have been ordered, the Post reported. Things aren't much better in Arizona, which now has the nation's highest rate of coronavirus hospitalizations, the Post reported. Sixty-nine of every 100,000 residents are now hospitalized with the virus. "Our state is doing very little to slow transmission of the virus. We have a very lax policy environment. Our businesses are open," Joe Gerald, a University of Arizona researcher who has been tracking the spread of the virus, told the Post. "The virus is just basically transmitting almost uninhibited through our population." The optimism that came with new coronavirus vaccines is being tempered by the fact that the United States has reached the most dangerous stage of the pandemic so far, with the deadly results of December holiday gatherings yet to arrive, the newspaper said. The U.S. vaccine rollout is also off to a stumbling start, with only 4.5 million Americans having received the first dose of a two-shot regimen. That number falls far short of the 20 million promised by the Trump administration by the end of 2020, although the first round of second doses of coronavirus vaccines did begin on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. "We have so many crises happening simultaneously on multiple fronts," said Saskia Popescu, an epidemiologist with George Mason University in Virginia. "And all signs point to things getting a whole lot worse before they get better." New daily deaths and cases have increased by more than 20 percent over the past week. States with the largest shares of their populations hospitalized are largely concentrated in the South and West: Arizona, Nevada, Alabama, California, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas and Delaware, the Post reported. New coronavirus variant now spotted in 5 U.S. States Just how dire things might get in the United States may depend on how widely a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus is circulating in this country. The variant, which is not more deadly than its predecessor, has been reported in five states including Georgia, which reported its first case on Tuesday. Almost every major hospital in the Atlanta area is now full, prompting state officials to reopen a field hospital at the World Congress Center, one of the nation's largest convention centers, the Post reported. Northeast Georgia Health System says its four hospitals are setting up cots in gyms, creating temporary spaces in hallways and, in some cases, treating patients while they are still inside an ambulance. "We are holding our breath and waiting to see what the next two or three weeks might bring post-holiday, and hopefully we don't see a massive spike," said Sean Couch, a spokesman for the system. Experts believe the new variant is probably already spreading elsewhere in the United States. "The virus is becoming more fit, and we're like a deer in the headlights," Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute, told the Associated Press. Topol said that the United States does less genetic sequencing of virus to discover variants than other nations, and thus was probably slow to detect this new mutation. Other states are analyzing suspicious virus samples for the variant, Dr. Greg Armstrong, who directs genetic sequencing at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the AP. No evidence has been found that this variant is more deadly or causes more severe illness, and scientists are saying that the vaccines will be effective against it. But a faster-spreading virus could swamp hospitals with seriously ill patients. Researchers estimate the variant is 50% to 70% more contagious, Dr. Eric France, Colorado's chief medical officer, told the AP. "Instead of only making two or three other people sick, you might actually spread it to four or five people," France said. "That means we'll have more cases in our communities. Those number of cases will rise quickly and, of course, with more cases come more hospitalizations." The rapid spread of the new variant within Britain has triggered a third national lockdown there, with many countries banning or restricting flights from the United Kingdom. A global scourge By Wednesday, the U.S. coronavirus case count passed 21.1 million while the death toll passed 357,300, according to a Times tally. On Wednesday, the top five states for coronavirus infections were: California with over 2.5 million cases; Texas with more than 1.8 million cases; Florida with nearly 1.4 million cases; New York with over 1 million cases; and Illinois with more than 994,500 cases. Curbing the spread of the coronavirus in the rest of the world remains challenging. In India, the coronavirus case count was over 10.3 million on Wednesday, a Johns Hopkins University tally showed. Brazil had over 7.8 million cases and more than 197,700 deaths as of Wednesday, the Hopkins tally showed. Worldwide, the number of reported infections passed 86.5 million on Wednesday, with nearly 1.9 million deaths recorded, according to the Hopkins tally. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new coronavirus Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. [January 06, 2021] Booz Allen Helps U.S. Air Force Give Flight to AI Copilot in the U-2 Dragon Lady Booz Allen Hamilton (News - Alert) (NYSE: BAH) announced today that it demonstrated the use of an in-flight artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm in support of the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command's 9th Reconnaissance Wing U-2 Federal Laboratory. This flight is the first time AI has teamed with a pilot to successfully complete a complex mission. "The threats facing our national security are increasingly sophisticated and it will be critical to move new innovations from the lab to the real world to combat them," said Dick Johnson, senior vice president at Booz Allen and leader in the firm's national security business. "This U-2 flight is an important step, demonstrating the ability of AI to work in coordination with highly skilled operators to propel complex missions forward." The Booz Allen team delivered on several key milestones, moving AI from the lab to the skies in fewer than 40 days and acclerating the process by: Modifying an open source reinforcement learning algorithm. Developing two sensor-sharing and control games for the algorithm to interact with and learn from and training it to execute in-flight tasks. Developing a web-based User Interface available to pilots in flight. Arranging for Program Office approvals. Successfully flying the AI capability on the U-2 aircraft. "Together, our Air Force and Booz Allen U-2 Federal Lab teams successfully operationalized artificial intelligence, enabling the AI to emulate control of sensor systems on a U-2 Dragon Lady in a training flight, marking one of the first known uses of AI on board a U.S. military aircraft," said Dr. Jesse I. Angle, a senior lead technologist with Booz Allen. The Federal Lab's "Edge Processing" containerized microservices solutions improve system performance and allow for quick, dynamic prototype results inside normal acquisition timelines. Booz Allen used cutting-edge industry practices to deploy AI capability and speed the software-delivery process through automation of management and execution of containerized applications. This approach can help aircraft crews adapt to sudden needs by leveraging DevSecOps, a security-focused software-development-pipeline approach. To learn more about how Booz Allen brings innovative technology to defense and national security missions visit BoozAllen.com/Defense. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005294/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain CytoDel, Inc., a privately-held corporation, today announces the publication of preclinical data on the company's lead product, Cyto-111, in the peer-reviewed journal, Science Translational Medicine. Cyto-111 was conceived, expressed and purified in the laboratory of Konstantin Ichtchenko, Ph.D., NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, who was a principal investigator in the study, which was supported by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Based on Dr. Ichtchenko's hypothesis that the C1ad delivery vehicle previously reported could be used to transport therapeutic proteins into the neuronal cytosol, researchers led by Dr. Ichtchenko developed and tested a potential treatment for botulism based on intracellular inhibition of the BoNT subtype A1 light chain metalloprotease (LC/A1). The main objective of the study was to develop and test a post-symptomatic botulism antidote that could rescue symptomatic animals challenged with a lethal dose of BoNT. Following in vitro validation of therapeutic mechanisms, efficacy studies were conducted in mice, guinea pigs and rhesus macaque monkeys. The study showed that a precision biotherapeutic consisting of a function-blocking single domain antibody (sdAb; B8) cargo fused to the C1ad delivery vehicle (forming B8C1ad or Cyto-111) can enter neurons and protect SNARE proteins by inhibiting LC/A1 catalytic activity in situ. Post-symptomatic administration of B8C1ad produced antidotal rescue in mice, guinea pigs, and non-human primates following a lethal botulism challenge. According to the study's authors, "The flexibility of the C1ad molecular delivery platform offers several advantages for the rapid generation of new treatments for neurological disorders. In particular, the presynaptic localization of LC suggests this therapeutic approach will be particularly effective in treating synaptopathies involving active zone proteins. Indeed, the platform can be efficiently redirected towards other protein targets by replacing or adding single domain antibodies or other protein moieties." The study concluded that, "These data demonstrate that atoxic BoNT derivatives can be harnessed to deliver therapeutic protein moieties to the neuronal cytoplasm where they bind and neutralize intracellular targets in experimental models. The generalizability of this platform might enable delivery of antibodies and other protein-based therapeutics to previously inaccessible intraneuronal targets." "This is a landmark study in converting the power of lethal botulinum neurotoxins into therapies. The approach used to turn botulinum toxin into a kind of Trojan horse that delivers a cargo into neurons has enormous potential for future drug development," noted Thomas C. Sudhof, M.D., Professor in the School of Medicine in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and in Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, a 2013 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology/ Medicine, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, and Chair of CytoDel's Scientific Advisory Board. "We are delighted to have these data published in a well-respected peer-reviewed journal as they represent the culmination of many years of research with the intent of finding a solution to effectively treat weaponized botulinum toxins. Importantly, these groundbreaking data are the result of the efforts of researchers from a number of renowned institutions including NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Tufts University Center for Translational Medicine, and the US Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, without whose hard work and dedication this achievement would not have been possible," commented Phillip A. Band, Ph.D., Research Professor in the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and co-inventor, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CytoDel. "Not only did these studies show that Cyto-111 can be an antidote to botulinum toxins, but they demonstrate the generalizability of the molecular vehicle in three different species to safely and effectively deliver functional antibodies to the inside of neurons via a non-viral mechanism. This is a particularly exciting breakthrough as no other labs have previously inactivated a pathogen inside of neurons, which are inaccessible to standard antibodies. This achievement opens the door for the development of new approaches to treat multiple neurological diseases," added Dr. Band. Explore further Bifunctional nanobodies protect against botulinum neurotoxins including Botox More information: Patrick M. McNutt et al, Neuronal delivery of antibodies has therapeutic effects in animal models of botulism Science Translational Medicine 06 Jan 2021: Vol. 13, Issue 575, eabd7789. Journal information: Science Translational Medicine Patrick M. McNutt et al, Neuronal delivery of antibodies has therapeutic effects in animal models of botulism06 Jan 2021: Vol. 13, Issue 575, eabd7789. stm.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/ scitranslmed.abd7789 Provided by CytoDel Inc The characters of Bridgerton never seem to forget their blackness but instead understand it as one of the many facets of their identity, while still thriving in Regency society. We were two separate societies divided by colour until a king fell in love with one of us, the quick-witted Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) tells her protege, the Duke of Hastings. Look at everything it is doing for us, allowing us to become. She insists, Love, Your Grace, conquers all. Appearing in the fourth episode of Bridgerton, the first series produced by Shonda Rhimes as part of her powerhouse Netflix deal, this conversation between the shows main Black characters is the first explicit mention of race in a story that revolves around the duke, a Black man named Simon Basset (Rege-Jean Page), and his passionate courtship of Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the wealthy, white and titled Bridgerton family. The shows casting diversity is its most immediately striking quality, not just in Black aristocratic characters like the duke and Lady Danbury, but also in the entrepreneurial Madame Genevieve Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale) and the working-class couple Will and Alice Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe and Emma Naomi). All of them are central to the complicated social caste system in the shows version of early 1800s London. Bridgerton is not Rhimes first dalliance with a multiracial cast in a British period drama. In 2017, she produced Still Star-Crossed on ABC, a story that began after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet and focused on their cousins Benvolio Montague and Rosaline Capulet, who were forced to marry in order to heal the family rift. Although Benvolio and Rosaline are intentionally cast as an interracial couple, the race was neither a point of contention nor grist for social commentary. Instead, viewers were asked to suspend our contemporary racial perceptions in order to accept the colourblind Verona of the past. (This strategy, among others, was largely unsuccessful Still Star-Crossed was cancelled after only one season.) In contrast, the characters of Bridgerton never seem to forget their blackness but instead understand it as one of the many facets of their identity, while still thriving in Regency society. The shows success proves that people of colour do not have to be erased or exist solely as victims of racism in order for a British costume drama to flourish. Chris Van Dusen, the Bridgerton showrunner, was a writer on Rhimes Greys Anatomy before going on to be a co-executive producer of Scandal, a show that recognised but did not entirely revolve around the interracial tensions of Olivia Popes romantic relationships. Applying that same approach to his adaptations of Julia Quinns Bridgerton novels, Van Dusen places us in an early 19th century Britain ruled by a Black woman, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). It made me wonder what that could have looked like, Van Dusen told The New York Times in a recent feature about the show. Could she have used her power to elevate other people of colour in society? Could she have given them titles and lands and dukedoms? Such a move pushes back against the racial homogeneity of hit period dramas like Downton Abbey, which that shows executive producer, Gareth Neame, insisted was necessary for historical accuracy. Its not a multicultural time, he said in a 2014 interview with Vulture. We cant suddenly start populating the show with people from all sorts of ethnicities. It wouldnt be correct. Bridgerton provides a blueprint for British period shows in which Black characters can thrive within the melodramatic storylines, extravagant costumes and bucolic beauty that make such series so appealing, without having to be servants or enslaved. This could in turn create openings for gifted performers who have avoided them in the past. I cant do Downton Abbey, cant be in Victoria, cant be in Call the Midwife, actress Thandie Newton told the Sunday Times of London in 2017. Well, I could, but I dont want to play someone whos being racially abused. She went on, There just seems to be a desire for stuff about the royal family, stuff from the past, which is understandable, but it just makes it slim pickings for people of colour. For all its innovations, Bridgerton has its own blind spots. I found it strange that only the Black characters speak about race, a creative decision that risks reinforcing the very white privilege it seeks to undercut by enabling its white characters to be free of racial identity. When Lady Danbury expresses her optimistic belief in the power of love, the duke is more circumspect, countering that Black progress is fragile and dependent on the whims of whichever white king is in charge. But to actually see narrative evidence of this precariousness, you have to turn to other recent British period dramas that featured integral Black characters, like The Spanish Princess and Sanditon. Taking place in Tudor England, The Spanish Princess on Starz features Stephanie Levi-John as a Black woman named Lina who came to England as Catherine of Aragons lady-in-waiting. Based on an actual historical figure, the show thoughtfully fictionalises her struggle between her loyalty to Catherine and her love for her Moorish husband, Oviedo, and their twin boys as xenophobia rises throughout the kingdom, and Catherines marriage to King Henry VIII unravels. The series is set in the 16th century during a historical epoch in which slavery and race were not inextricably linked. Here, Linas brown skin merely indicates her foreignness rather than marks her oppression, giving us insight into how such differences were interpreted and experienced before anti-Black racism was codified in Europe (and the Americas) as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. By the time we reach the early 19th-century world of PBS Sanditon, however, the long arm of the slave trade has reached the British seaside resort of the title. Adapted by Andrew Davies from an unfinished novel by Jane Austen, Sanditon expands the story of Miss Georgiana Lambe, Austens first Black character. Described briefly (and offensively) in the manuscript as a mulatto born to a white slaveholding father and enslaved Black mother in the British colony of Antigua, Georgiana in the series is an heiress, played by Crystal Clarke, whose wealth and exotic beauty make her the most sought after a young woman in Englands south coast. Ultimately, I found Georgianas rarefied status to be the shows biggest representational challenge: As I revelled in her splendour, I also found myself forgetting the enslaved labour that created it. But racial trauma remains. Despite the attention she receives, Georgiana is ultimately alienated in England because of her race, an experience that I found more realistic than Marina Thompsons (Ruby Barker), another biracial debutante who also finds herself alone at court in Bridgerton. By avoiding both slavery and the fervent British abolition movement that flourished in London in the early 19th century, Bridgerton ultimately opts for Downton escapism over a nuanced exploration of real-time racial dynamics, mostly relegating such aspects to the storys past. In flashbacks, we learn that the first Duke of Hastings was ruinously consumed by his newfound status, demanding, to the point of verbal abuse, absolute perfection from his wife, who dies in childbirth, and his son, who stutters as a child. (Shades of Papa Pope of Scandal, who once admonished his daughter, You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what they have.) With more seasons presumably to come, given the shows popularity, Im curious how far Bridgerton is willing to depart from Quinns novels in order to fill in the worlds of its other Black characters, especially Black women like Lady Danbury, Queen Charlotte and Madame Delacroix. They are the shows most intriguing characters, and they remain mostly unexplored will they eventually be afforded as much complexity as the duke? As Daphnes entire family? In a society in which gender and sexual mores dominate the actions and attitudes of all its characters, I want to see how these women learned to navigate those same structures differently shaped than everyone else. Because despite Lady Danburys beliefs that love conquers everything, I could not help but think that history ends up validating the dukes scepticism and his sense that Black progress is always a fragile thing. But who knows? Maybe if I knew how Lady Danbury or Queen Charlotte came to be, Id be so convinced that Id finally be able to revel in a past that I havent quite seen myself in before. Salamishah Tillet c.2021 The New York Times Company STORY LINK GBP to USD Exchange Rate Begins Recovery as US Democratic Party Could Control Senate GBP Exchange Rates Attempt Recovery as Markets Digest UK Coronavirus Outlook With a third national lockdown underway, service providers will be braced for a sustained period of subdued UK economic conditions and deferred client spending in the first quarter of this year. However, business optimism on a 12-month horizon was relatively upbeat in December and reached its highest level for almost six years, underpinned by hopes that a successful vaccine rollout will help to deliver a strong economic rebound in the second half of 2021. USD Exchange Rates Sold as Markets Bet Democrats Will Take the US Senate The sharp rise in upside from FTSE banking stocks does highlight the feeling that the more expansive Biden will provide as much support as necessary to avoid major economic suffering, thus lowering the potential losses that come from job losses and defaults. There are clear winners and losers here, with the US likely to provide significant demand for raw materials as Biden pushes for a huge expansion in green infrastructure projects. GBP/USD Exchange Rate Forecast: Could Best Levels Be in Sight? Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: After plunging at the beginning of the week, the British Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate is making a recovery attempt today. Investors are buying the Pound again as the US Dollar is sold on higher market risk-sentiment. While coronavirus jitters are weighing on Sterling, the US Dollar is being sold today as investors react to speculation that there could be more government stimulus in the US depending on how US Senate elections in Georgia conclude.Following last weeks fairly bullish movement, GBP/USD has seen more mixed movement this week. Since opening the week at the interbank level of 1.3676, GBP/USD has been trending with a largely downside bias.However, since last night GBP/USD has been recovering Mondays losses as the US Dollar weakens once again. At the time of writing, GBP/USD trends in the region of 1.3653.This leaves GBP/USD quite close to Mondays high of 1.3697 - which was the best GBP/USD level in two and a half years.Concerns that Britains economy will continue to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic knocked the Pound lower at the beginning of the week.Britain will be in another national lockdown for at least another month. Investors sold the Pound amid fears that the pandemic will be hurting Britains economy more than other major economies have been hurt.However, the third lockdown was widely expected. As a result, while Sterling has been tumbling, it could have fallen further.The Pound is recovering thanks to weakness in the US Dollar today. Sterlings gains are limited by concerns about UK data though.Today also saw the publication of Britains December services PMI report. Britains services sector is its most vital economic sector, so the PMI falling short of expectations did weigh on the Pounds appeal a little.On the other hand, rising business optimism has helped the Pound a little today. According to Tim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit which compiles the PMI report:While the US Democratic Party was unable to take control of the US Senate during the 2020 Presidential Election, a special runoff election in Georgia took place yesterday.It had two Senate seats up for grabs, and the Democrat Party has already won one of them. If both seats go to the Democrats, the Party will win enough seats to get a majority vote in the Senate.This would be key in delivering the policies of US President-Elect Joe Biden when he enters office later this month.Rising expectations that the Senate will flip to blue have boosted market risk-sentiment. This is because a Democrat-controlled Senate is expected to be more likely to pass fiscal stimulus that would protect US jobs and boost economic activity amid the coronavirus pandemic.According to Joshua Mahoney, Senior Market Analyst at IG:At the beginning of the week, the Pound to US Dollar exchange touched its best levels in two and a half years. As GBP/USD recovers this weeks losses, those best levels are once again coming into view.If the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate continues to recover and advances higher, the pair may strike new multi-year highs going forward.However, the US Dollars reactions to a shift in US Senate power could be mixed.If the US Democratic Party takes control of the Senate as markets are betting, it could boost hopes for more fiscal stimulus from the US government. This would boost market sentiment and weigh on the safe haven US Dollar.On the other hand though, safe haven demand could rise instead if markets become uncertain over the possibility of more business and bank regulation under the Biden administration.The Pounds own movement is likely to be influenced by Britains domestic coronavirus outlook. Investors may become more willing to buy the Pound again if coronavirus panic softens at all.Upcoming US data will be closely watched as well. Tonights Federal Reserve meeting minutes and tomorrows US trade balance data could also influence the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Dollar Forecasts Employees of the three municipalities of Delhi have decided to go on an indefinite strike from January 7 against non-payment of their salaries and pensions. The decision was taken after a meeting with senior civic officials failed on Tuesday break the deadlock on pending payments. According to office bearers of Confederation of MCD Employees Union an umbrella body of employees unions thousands of employees from the various department in the three civic body will observe indefinite pen-down strike from 10 am January 7. The employees union said the strike will include teachers, engineers, the staff of horticulture department, clerical staff, Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) workers, and class-4 employees such as beldars and labourers. Representatives of the confederation said that employees in various departments of the north civic body have not been paid salaries for the last 4-5 months, while in East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) salaries are pending for the last three months. AP Khan, convener of the Confederation of MCD Employees Union, said that it was time that authorities realised that their employees are working without money for 4-5 months and are unable to look after their families. The pendency of pensions in the north corporation is beyond six months, he sid. After many reminders about the payment of dues, we were called for a meeting with the additional commissioner in the north civic body. The meeting was not fruitful. So we decided to go ahead with our plan to go on an indefinite strike from January 7. We want our pending salaries and pensions to be cleared as soon as possible, he said. Khan added that civic workers had withdrawn their strike twice in the past after they were given assurances for payment of pending salaries, dues and pensions by November-end. But nothing was done in this regard. Ramniwas Solanki, general secretary of the Confederation of MCD Employees Union said that salaries of teachers and engineers are pending for the months August, September, October, November and December. He said that employees of all other departments were suffering similarly. It has been five months since teachers were paid in the north corporation. The east corporation teachers have not been paid for the last three months. We cant keep working without salaries and are compelled to go on a strike, he said. Jai Prakash, mayor North Delhi Municipal Corporation, said that salaries are being released as and when funds are available with the civic body. We are going through a financial crisis and still salaries of sanitation workers have been cleared till the month of September, DBC employees till October, doctors and nurses till September. Efforts are being made to clear maximum dues in a phased manner, he said. Nirmal Jain, mayor EDMC, said, Efforts are being made to clear pending salaries. I understand their pain but they should also cooperate with us. CARACAS:Venezuelas ruling Socialist Party on Tuesday inaugurated a parliament controlled by allies of President Nicolas Maduro, while the opposition seated a rival committee of legislators in a virtual session, following disputed elections on Dec. 6. The opposition, led by speaker Juan Guaido, had boycotted the vote, widely considered fraudulent by Maduro adversaries and many Western nations. On Dec. 26, the opposition-controlled parliament approved a statute extending its term into 2021. But it was Socialist Party lawmakers and allies who physically occupied the legislative palace on Tuesday, walking towards it from a nearby plaza, carrying photos of late President Hugo Chavez and founding father Simon Bolivar. The shift marks a formal consolidation of power for Maduro, who in early 2019 looked vulnerable as the United States and dozens of other countries recognized Guaido as Venezuelas rightful leader. You are examples for the world of how democracy should be exercised," said Jorge Rodriguez, former information minister, who was named president of the new Socialist Party-run National Assembly and swore in 227 lawmakers. We are here by constitutional mandate." Nearby roads were blocked off by security forces. The ceremony marked the symbolic end of the oppositions five-year struggle to weaken Maduro after it won a 2015 landslide victory in parliamentary elections. But control of parliament will give Maduros allies little capacity to improve a crippled economy hemmed in by U.S. sanctions. And the pro-government supreme court had in any case for years hamstrung opposition legislators by shooting down every one of their measures. I am not aware of the assembly, I am working to solve my problems," said Maria Rojas, 49, who works in the Caracas mayors office. God is the only one who can solve the situation." INTERNATIONAL REACTION The outgoing administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has recognized the Venezuelan oppositions extension of its own term. President Guaido and the National Assembly are the only democratic representatives of the Venezuelan people as recognized by the international community," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Tuesday. They should be freed from Maduros harassment, threats, persecution, and other abuses." Other international supporters of Guaido, including the European Union, have yet to say if they agree if the opposition still rightfully controls parliament. The move has generated rifts within Guaidos coalition, with one major opposition party abstaining from the vote on the extension and several individual lawmakers announcing they would stop serving as legislators after Jan. 5. Over the past year, public approval for Guaido has fallen, while Maduro retains some popular support. The looming inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20, after years of escalating U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Maduro under Trump, represents another uncertainty for Guaido. Biden has repeatedly labeled Maduro a dictator and has said he would work with other countries to seek free and fair elections in Venezuela but has not laid out details of policies he plans to implement toward the oil-rich nation. A representative of Bidens team did not immediately reply on Monday when asked if his administration would continue recognizing Guaido as the head of parliament. Maduro calls Guaido a U.S.-backed puppet seeking to oust him in a coup. He has said the Dec. 6 elections had the same electoral conditions as the 2015 vote won by the opposition. Maduro, who retains the support of the armed forces and allies like Cuba, Russia and Iran, helped push opposition lawmakers out of the congressional headquarters and forced dozens of legislators into exile. Guaido has vowed a diplomatic offensive" to ensure as many countries as possible refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the socialist-held congress, and called on supporters to take to the streets. The dictatorship bet that we were going to leave the country and the answer is simple, here we are, here is the National Assembly defending the constitution," Guaido said in Tuesdays virtual session. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 15:48:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GABORONE, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Botswana will forever cherish and appreciate the cooperation that has existed between the southern African country and China in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said Tuesday. Botswana has benefitted immensely from the Chinese government and individuals in fighting the disease, Hon. Sethomo Lelatisitswe, Botswana's assistant minister of health and wellness, told Xinhua. When the pandemic was first reported in China at the tail end of 2019, Lelatisitswe said Botswana donated 5,000 U.S. dollars to assist China's fight against COVID-19. Botswana made the donation "because of the true 45-year-old friendship that exists between the two nations," and the gesture was aimed at ensuring that "our friends are safe from the disease," said Lelatisitswe. Little did Botswana know that it was going to receive more donations from China when the disease became a global pandemic affecting almost every country on Earth, he said. After the first confirmed case in Botswana was recorded in March last year, China provided a lot of support to "our relatively weak health systems when it came to dealing with the pandemic," he said. China donated personal protective equipment (PPEs), ventilators, surgical masks, medical gloves, isolation shoes, extraction kits, sanitizers as well as technical assistance to health authorities to implement protocols aimed at curbing the spread of the disease, he said. "Botswana will forever cherish the assistance from China. PPEs are crucial in the prevention of the spread of the disease, we really appreciate the good gesture," he said. Enditem The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. A peeping Tom took pictures of a young women lying topless on a beach before posting them on social media and leaving her a creepy note. The woman, who was sunbathing at Lilli Pilli Point in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney's south, found the disturbing posts after the photographer explained what he did. 'I took photos of your tits, this is my Instagram,' the note weighed down with rocks read. A young woman has been left distraught after a stranger took pictures of her lying topless on a beach before posting them on social media (stock image pictured) The woman, who was sunbathing at Lilli Pilli Point in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney's south, discovered the disturbing posts after the photographer left a creepy note for her explaining what he had done When the woman, who did not wish to be identified, searched the Instagram page, she found pictures of herself sunbathing. 'On the story was me laying on my side with the gals out,' she told 7news. There was also a picture of her bottom posted on the page, she said. She said she was sunbathing topless as she wanted to avoid tan lines and had no idea anyone was watching her. The young woman shared the disturbing incident on Facebook as a warning to others. The peeping Tom's account has reportedly since been taken down. Authorities are searching for a 51-year-old who shot and injured another man at a boat dealership in Little Egg Harbor on Tuesday. Donald Rutter of Tuckerton is being sought on a charge of attempted murder after shooting a 55-year-old Little Egg Harbor man in the midsection around 7:30 p.m. at Jarvis Marine on Radio Road, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said in a statement. The victim was brought to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center where he is in stable condition. Rutter couldnt be found after an exhaustive search of the area involving Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton police as well as New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, the United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriffs Office, and the prosecutors office. A spokesman for the prosecutors office declined to answer additional questions about the shooting. No one answered the phone at Jarvis Marine on Wednesday morning. The business closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays, according to its website. Anyone with information about Rutters whereabouts is asked to call Det. Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office at 732-929-2027. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Drugmakers worldwide defied predictions by finalising not just one SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in record time, but half a dozen The spread of more infectious coronavirus strains in Britain and South Africa, with isolated cases of the UK variant appearing in dozens of countries, has made inoculating a maximum number of people as quickly as possible more urgent than ever, experts say. Here's a rundown on how the vaccination story is unfolding: How many vaccines? Drugmakers worldwide defied predictions by finalising not just one vaccine in record time, but half a dozen. "To have multiple vaccines authorised before the end of 2020 is truly remarkable," said Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Wednesday approved the US-made Moderna vaccine, having already given a green light December 27 to one made by Pfizer/BioNTech for use in the European Union. Both are so-called mRNA vaccines, based on a new technology previously untested in a real-world situation, and have been approved in the United States as well. A third, more conventional vaccine made jointly by researchers at the University of Oxford and the biotech firm AstraZeneca got a green light last week from Britain, followed by India and Argentina. Russia began inoculating its population with its own Sputnik V vaccine even before the completion of last-stage Phase 3 trials. State-run companies in Chinawhere the pandemic began more than a year agohave also seen their vaccines administered months before trials had finished. A jab produced by Sinopharm jab got "conditional" approval only last week. All five of these vaccines were designed to be given in two doses, separated by 21 or 28 days, but many countries are poised to extend that period so as to increase the number of people given a first jab. Another half-a-dozen vaccines are in Phase 3 trials, the last step before authorisation, including a single-dose one from Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). How do they work? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use an inert snippet of genetic code from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus to trigger a immune response in the body that can repel the active virus. Covid-19 vaccines in development being tracked by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine The other vaccines are variants of the same method used for flu jabs, based on virus that has been killed and rendered harmless. "The Pfizer vaccine provides a mRNA blueprint to educate the immune system as to what it needs to fight against," explained James Gill, a clinical lecturer at Warwick Medical School. "By contrast the AstraZeneca vaccine shows the immune system a deactivated version of the common cold dressed up to look like COVID-19, as far as our immune system is concerned." Who's getting vaccinated? China and Russia began inoculating people within their borders months ago, before any of their vaccines had been approved by national health authorities. As of the start of 2021, 4.8 million people in China have been vaccinated, and 800,000 in Russia, according to official figures compiled by AFP. Britain was the first western nation to initiate a vaccination programme, with nearly a million people having received a first jab by the end of 2020. Its government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and aims to inoculate 10 million people in four priority groups by mid-February. Rollout in the rest of Europe has been uneven, with more than 300,000 vaccinated in Germany, 140,000 in Spain, 92,000 in Poland, and 52,000 in Denmark, but only a few hundred in France and Belgium as of January 1. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines approved in the United States have been given to nearly five million people so far. The US has reported 21 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 357,000 deaths, more than any other country. The global tally stands as 86 million confirmed infections, and nearly 1.87 million fatalities. Indiawith more than 10 million cases and 150,000 dead, second only to the USapproved the Oxford vaccine and another from a domestic drugmaker, Bharat Biotech, only this week. Argentina and Algeria are the only nations to have lined up for Russia's Sputnik V jab, while Brazil has contracted to buy five million doses of the Bharat Biotech vaccine. The Chinese Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines have been approved or distributed in Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab nations. Turkey, Brazil and Chile have also signed deals to secure doses. Comparing of the effectiveness of commonly used vaccines with those used for Covid-19 Israel leads the world in per capita vaccination, with 1.37 million of its inhabitants17 percent of the populationinjected with a first dose as of January 4, according to the Oxford Martin Programme on Global Development. So far, some 15 million people worldwide have been vaccinated. The global population is 7.8 billion. "There is no value in just vaccinating one country or one population," said Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome. "Vaccines must be available to the whole world at the same time." Which ones are best? Different vaccines have different strong points. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both reported efficacy rates above 90 percent, and were the first to meet approval by health authorities in the US and Europe. The two-dose Oxford jab provided a similar level of protection in trials, but only if the first jab was a half-dose, the manufacturers said. The Russian vaccine was also claimed to be 90-percent effective, but the underlying data has yet to be published. The mRNA-based vaccines, however, are expensive and must be stored and transported at ultra-cold temperaturesminus 20C for Moderna, and minus 70C for Pfizer. By contrast, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be kept in an ordinary fridge and costs only 3 euros ($4) a dose. "It is extremely attractive in that it is inexpensive, scalable, and can be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius," said Hatchett. It is also the only one made on a not-for-profit basis, putting it more easily in reach for developing and poor nations. What about transmission and the new strain? It is still unclear whether the vaccines being snapped up around the world only protect against symptoms, or prevent infection of others as well. Leading Covid-19 vaccines and the different approaches they take "We remain uncertain about the impact the vaccines have on transmission," said Gail Carson, deputy chair of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. Until that becomes clear, even people who have received a jab should continue to take measures to prevent the virus from spreading. "Recipients of the vaccine will still have to follow distancing, hand-washing and other non-medical interventions to protect themselves and those around them," said Stephen Evans, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. "No vaccine is 100-percent effective and behaving as if it were will serve to prolong the pandemic." As for the more contagious strain that has swept across Britain, there is no evidence so far that vaccines will prove less effective against it, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Two doses or one? With the virus still raging across much of the world, and the threat of a strain that could be up to 70 percent more contagious, experts differ on whether it is best to respect the two-dose protocols of the clinical trials or to postpone the second jab so more people can get the first one quickly. "The trials did not compare different dose spacings or compare one versus two doses, so we simply do not know what is 'optimal'," said Stephen Evans, a professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the LSHTM. "But we know that vaccinating only half of a vulnerable population will lead to a notable increase in cases of COVID-19," he added. "When resources of doses and people to vaccinate are limited, then vaccinating more people with potentially less efficacy is demonstrably better than a fuller efficacy in only half." At the end of the day, experts say, the objective must be to vaccinate as many people worldwide as possible to pass the "herd immunity" threshold that will see the virus retreat for lack of hosts to infect. Most scientists put that threshold at around 70 percent. If one assumesas do many epidemiologiststhat there are about 10 times as many infections as confirmed cases, that would mean less than a billion people have gotten the virus so far. "At a time when we see the pandemic accelerating beyond our control, a rapid and efficient vaccination programme with good population coverage is our only way out," said Daniel Altman, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A new fibre optic deployment in Bolivia has brought broadband connectivity to residents of the highest city in the world. Iskratel, a European provider of sustainable broadband access solutions, has said that thousands of residents of Potosi more than 4,000 metres above sea level are to receive a fibre broadband connection thanks to the deployment of a GPON broadband network. In collaboration with its Latin-American partner Teleserv Group Bolivia, Iskratel is implementing the new, high-speed optical broadband network for Potosi service provider Cotap Ltda. The deployment will see the implementation of Iskratel's SI3000 Lumia GPON optical line terminals, along with Innbox G85 and Innbox G74 optical network terminals, at customer premises. The deployment is complemented, says Iskratel, by the companys virtual IMS and unified communications solutions. Potosi, 4,090 metres above sea level and situated at the foot of the Cerro Rico mountain, has an extraordinary history. Once one of the richest cities in the world, with a population exceeding cities such as London, Seville, Madrid, Rome or Paris, its economy was strongly driven by silver from Cerro Rico. Today, Potosi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Iskratel is a leading European ICT provider for the digital transformation of the telecommunications, transport, public safety and energy industries. It has its own R&D and manufacturing centres, over 900 employees and a global footprint in more than 50 countries, Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips delivers the provincial budget in the Ontario legislature in Toronto on Nov. 5, 2020. Phillips resigned on Dec. 31, after travelling to the Caribbean during the holidays. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn) Politicians Holiday Trips Provoke Backlash Federal and provincial politicians have faced backlash and consequences following trips abroad over the holidays, while a large Christmas gathering by an independent MPP has prompted a police investigation. Jacqueline Biollo, a principal with Aurora Strategy Group, said the politicians actions are regrettable, even if their political careers survive. Im embarrassed for each and every one of them, she said in an interview. They should know better for more than one reason. Being in the publics eye youre scrutinized more severely and held to greater standards, but you are also looked at as a leader. So regrettably, these do as I say and not as I do senses of entitlement by some elected officials is simply a shame. Rod Phillips resigned as Ontarios finance minister on Dec. 31, having been at Saint Barthelemy in the Caribbean since Dec. 13. Phillips apologized for what he called a significant error in judgment. But Nelson Wiseman, political science professor at the University of Toronto, says the minister had to go, particularly in light of the pre-recorded videos of himself in Canada that were posted to social media while he was in Saint Barts. Whats really reprehensible here with Rod Phillips is tweeting that, there he is, in front of this fire on Christmas Eve wishing everyone a merry Christmas and thanking them for the sacrifices theyre making. And meanwhile hes down in the Caribbean and lying about it [by using] a photo of Queens Park behind him, Wiseman told The Epoch Times. He also criticized Premier Doug Ford for how he handled the situation. Its also very dishonest of Ford because he knew that Phillips was away and he didnt order him back. In fact, he sat on it. The only reason he got high and mighty about it is because it got broken out into the public. Independent MPP Randy Hillier, ousted from the Progressive Conservative caucus early in 2019, suspects many of his former colleagues flew south. Thats what people do during the extended winter break in politics, Hillier told The Epoch Times. As they impose onerous hardships on everybody that theyre supposed to be representing, theyre living the life of Riley and not living by what they impose on others. The level of disdain I have for [their] hypocrisy and deceit has no limits. Hillier has been vocal about his opposition to lockdown restrictions, saying they do more harm than good, and as an act of civil disobedience, he had 15 people gathered at his home for Christmas. I wanted to demonstrate by my actions that Im truthful to my words. At the rally in Ottawa, I said one of the things that we need to do is start taking pictures of us getting together and sharing them publicly, and to give people encouragement to do the same, he said, referring to an anti-lockdown rally in Ottawa on Dec. 12 at which he was one of the speakers. Saskatchewan MLA Joe Hargrave gets sworn in as the minister of highways in Regina on Nov. 9, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Michael Bell) As of Jan. 4, Hilliers Facebook post of a photo of his Christmas gathering had over 8,300 likes and over 3,100 loves, but less than 250 people angry. The Ontario Provincial Police is looking into the incident. Hillier will be in court on Jan. 7 over an anti-COVID measures rally held at Queens Park in November that had more than 10 people, contrary to the Reopening Ontario Act. On Jan. 1, NDP MP Niki Ashton announced on Twitter that she had flown to Greece to see her ailing grandmother. In response, one person tweeted, My grandmother died in July. She battled cancer for the last three years and we couldnt see her for her last six months. Sure must be nice to be a Cdn politician! The NDP promptly issued a statement saying: Canadians, rightfully, expect their elected representatives to lead by example. While this is no family vacation, Ms. Ashton will be removed from her shadow critic roles. Conservative MP David Sweet resigned as chair of the House of Commons ethics committee on Jan. 4 over travelling to the United States to take care of a property issue and then staying on for leisure without informing the partys whip. Sweet and MP Ron Liepert had been given approval by the whip to undertake essential travel to the United States. Liepert has travelled to Palm Desert, California, twice since March to address essential house maintenance issues, according to his office, including one trip made during the current parliamentary break. Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi, who was in Delaware to visit his wifes sick grandfather between Dec. 18 and Dec. 31, has stepped down from his roles on parliamentary committees. Liberal MP Kamal Khera stepped down as parliamentary secretary to International Development Minister Karina Gould after travelling to Seattle during the holidays to attend a private memorial for her father and uncle, even though her trip was deemed essential. Saskatchewan Party cabinet minister Joe Hargrave visited Palm Springs, California, over the holidays to finalize the sale of a home, something he called an error in judgment and apologized for. On Jan. 4, he resigned as highways minister. Some United Conservative Party MLAs also left Alberta on flights. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted on Jan. 4 that he had accepted the resignation of Tracy Allard from her cabinet minister position. He had also accepted the resignations of Jeremy Nixon from his parliamentary secretary position and Jason Stephan from the Treasury Board. Nixon and Stephan, along with Tanya Fir, Pat Rehn, and Tany Yao, have lost their legislature committee responsibilities, he added. Kenney said he had also requested his chief of staff, Jamie Huckabay, to step down and that Huckabay has done so. Quebec Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand went to Barbados and has been stripped of his shadow cabinet role. Coalition Avenir Quebec MNA Youri Chassin visited his spouse in Peru, whom he said he had not seen for almost a year. Biollo says that although many of the politicians who travelled over the holidays will survive the scrutiny and go on to receive support in the next election, that doesnt make it any less unacceptable. Apologies do wear thin. Instead of asking for forgiveness, elected officials should consider being more forthcoming and transparent, or at best do their own morality or ethics test. These latest actions [are] pushing and defying the health recommendations that we are all trying to adhere to. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has sent an indictment to Boryspilsky City District Court of Kyiv region against two organized crime members involved in the abduction of the activists of the Revolution of Dignity Ihor Lutsenko and Yuriy Verbytsky, as well as the murder of the latter, the PGO press service said on Wednesday. "The pretrial investigation established that these persons, by prior agreement, on January 21, 2014, illegally kidnapped protesters Ihor Lutsenko and Yuriy Verbytsky from the premises of the Oleksandrivska Clinical Hospital in Kyiv, tortured them and killed Yuriy Verbytsky," the Prosecutor General's Office said on Wednesday. The PGO also said that the suspects are now in custody. They are accused of creating a criminal organization, premeditated murder, torture, illegal imprisonment or kidnapping, as well as illegal obstruction of assemblies and rallies. The PGO also said that 15 persons have already been brought to criminal responsibility for committing the same crimes, with respect to two of them cases are being considered by the courts; some 11 people were put on the wanted list, in respect of two, a special pretrial investigation in absentia was completed. [January 06, 2021] New Senior Vice President of Gateway First Bank Announced Gateway (News - Alert) First Bank has announced Charlie Crouse as the new Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending, overseeing commercial banking activities in Gateway's core markets. With over 21 years of experience in the Oklahoma financial industry, Crouse will play a major role in supporting the expansion of Gateway's banking services. "When Gateway transformed into a full-service bank in 2019, we made a commitment to our communities and customers to offer top-notch services and products," said Scott Gesell, CEO of Gateway First Bank. "Charlie brings extensive experience and a best-in-class customer service mindset to the Gateway team as we continue working to build out our commercial and digital banking processes, increase our product offerings and enhance the customer experience." Prior to joining Gateway, Crouse has worked in both the Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets. Having been through two bank mergers, Crouse brings a unique perspective on how to effectively create a new, more robust commercial lending program. During his career, he formed a new bank division from the ground up, spanning eight states. His expertise in developed sales and marketing strategies for business development led the bank to exceed sales and profitability goals. Crouse was also instrumental in revising loan and risk management policies governing energy lending. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of Energy Lending at Bank SNB in Oklahoma City, which would later undergo a merger to become Simmons Bank. Following the merger, Crouse served as Managing Directo of Energy Lending at Simmons Bank. He has also held leadership positions with Commerce Bank in Oklahoma City and Summit Bank in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. "As Gateway continues to expand its banking business we will rely more heavily on available technology and implementing the latest innovations," said Charlie. "I look forward to supporting that growth by creating and maintaining relationships with commercial banking clients through a full array of products and services." Crouse graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, where he later earned his MBA in finance. About Gateway First Bank Gateway First Bank is a leading financial institution that provides banking and mortgage services for consumers and commercial customers. Headquartered in Jenks, Oklahoma, Gateway is a $1.8 billion asset sized bank with a strong mortgage operation. Gateway is one of the largest banking and mortgage operations in the United States with six bank branches in Oklahoma, over 150 mortgage centers in 42 states, and almost 1,600 employees. Learn more at www.GatewayFirst.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender (NMLS 7233) Follow Gateway First on Facebook (News - Alert) (https://www.facebook.com/GatewayFirstBank/), LinkedIn (News - Alert) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gatewayfirst/) and Twitter (News - Alert) (https://twitter.com/Gateway1st). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005562/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] President Trump on Tuesday escalated his efforts to force Vice President Mike Pence to overturn President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.s victory, falsely asserting that Pence had the power to unilaterally throw out electoral votes on Wednesday when Congress meets to certify the election results. But there is nothing in the Constitution or the law that explicitly gives a vice president that power, and aides close to Pence, who concede that he is facing a politically perilous moment, are convinced he will follow the normal procedures and confirm Bidens election. Still, ... This is the amazing moment a skydiver's iPhone plunges to the earth moments after he leaps from an aircraft high above the Arizona desert. Kody Madro, 31, who is from Illinois, had just jumped from around 12,000ft in January 2020 when his mobile phone flew from his pocket. The daredevil, who is also a snowboarder, was being filmed by a friend who saw the object flying away from Mr Madro. This is the moment skydiver Kody Madro, 31, pictured, loses his iPhone after leaping from a plane some 12,000 feet above the Arizona desert Mr Madro, pictured, was unaware he had lost his mobile phone until he reached the ground Mr Madro used an app to track down the phone which suffered a smashed screen, though it was still operational for a couple of weeks after the incident in January 2020 The friend initially feared a vital part of Mr Madro's rig had failed and was facing grave peril. Fortunately, Mr Madro was not in any danger and was completely oblivious to what had happened. After landing he was able to find the mobile in the desert using the Find my iPhone app Pictures show the badly damaged handset with a shattered screen - which remarkably still worked for two weeks after the incident. He said: 'It was filmed about a year ago in Eloy, Arizona. I usually dont take my cell phone and if I do its never been an issue in my pocket except those pants had ripped earlier in the day. 'So when my cell phone flew out, my buddy actually thought a piece of my skydive rig flew off. 'His face was priceless as I was looking back at him, I didnt realize my phone was gone until I landed. 'I used find my iPhone to locate it In the desert. 'I used the phone for another couple weeks before it eventually conked out.' In a briefing Tuesday evening, a senior official with the Trump administration said that it still expected to prevail in those court cases, and that legal challenges to the TikTok and WeChat orders had centered on First Amendment rights, which would most likely not be a significant concern with the payment platforms and other apps affected by the latest order. The senior official also said the Trump administration had not been in contact with the Biden administration about the order. The Biden administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tencent declined to comment. The other Chinese tech companies affected by the order did not immediately have a comment. The orders reach may be limited, given that the vast majority of users of the affected apps reside in China. Users of Alipay, for example, are generally required to possess a bank account in China and a Chinese cellphone number. Samm Sacks, a cybersecurity policy and China digital economy fellow at the New America think tank, said it was unlikely that many of the apps included in the executive order handled much data belonging to American citizens. Still, the restrictions could fall heavily on Chinese-Americans who travel between the countries or use the services to stay in touch or carry out business with contacts in China. The measure may also box in President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., who has indicated that he wants to recalibrate Americas policies toward China while continuing to pressure the country on some issues. The executive order will take effect on Bidens watch, said Ms. Sacks. Even if his team doesnt buy the national security risk, politically the order will be tough to unwind without looking like a concession to Beijing. I see the order as a last-minute flailing to try to tie Bidens hands. Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency which was launched in 2009, is making headlines as its value hit a record high of $34,792 at the beginning of the year. Bitcoin, and more broadly cryptocurrencies, is seen by many as the future of the financial world because they are operated by a decentralized authority. Unlike government-issued currencies, Bitcoin is created, distributed, traded, and stored using a decentralized ledger system called a blockchain. While many Bitcoin enthusiasts are supporters of the technology, others see it as a store of value and investment opportunity. The Winklevoss twins, for example, are so bullish on Bitcoin that they predict it will be the best performing asset of the current decade and will disrupt gold as a value store. With a market cap of just over $500 billion, it has a long way to go to challenge gold, and many well-known investors remain sceptical about Bitcoins future. Billionaire Mark Cuban said Bitcoin has no chance of becoming a reliable currency and that it its a store of value like gold that is more religion than solution to any problem. Warren Buffett is also a sceptic, saying Bitcoin basically has no value and you cant do anything with it except sell it to somebody else. Bitcoin bulls like Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, investor Peter Thiel, and Fidelity Investments CEO Abigail Johnson are not swayed by the sceptics and believe it offers an alternative to the current financial system. With the price of Bitcoin increasing by nearly 300% in 2020, interest in cryptocurrencies is increasing and the list of bulls are growing. South Africans lost millions in Bitcoin investment schemes The hype around Bitcoin has created the impression of easy financial returns, and many scammers have used this perception to steal peoples money. The latest example is Mirror Trading International (MTI), where its CEO Johann Steynberg disappeared and left thousands of investors out of pocket. MTI promised members returns of up to 10% a month, but many observers warned that it was a pyramid scheme and that people will lose money. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), for example, said the returns on the investments of 10% per month claimed by MTI seem far-fetched and unrealistic. Despite these warnings, millions continued to flow into MTI until pay-outs started to dwindle and Steynberg disappeared. Some investors were successful in obtaining a provisional liquidation order against the company, but many people believe MTI members Bitcoin is gone. This is not the first time South Africans have lost money through schemes which promise great returns through Bitcoin investments. BTC Global, which promised 14% weekly returns if you sent them your Bitcoin, collapsed in early 2018. Just like with MTI, BTC Globals alleged founder, Steven Twain, disappeared when the scheme collapsed. He was blamed for the downfall. The Hawkss serious commercial crimes unit has launched an investigation into BTC global, but to date not much has come of this. Vaultage Solutions, a company which was run by CEO Willie Breedt, is accused of stealing millions from investors through a cryptocurrency scam. According to media reports, Vaultage Solutions received R227 million from an estimated 2,000 investors. Irate investors were successful in getting Breedts bank accounts frozen and having him declared bankrupt, but to date, they have not been able to recover their losses. Warning from the FSCA Bitcoin and cryptocurrency scams have become so widespread that the FSCAs head of investigations and enforcement Brandon Topham issued a warning to South Africans. Every crook is using cryptocurrency, so people must be very careful when dealing with anything crypto-related, said Topham. He said there are good developments and technologies coming from the crypto world, but because it has limited traceability it is the method of choice for crooks to get away. He told Business Insider anything to do with a crypto is highly suspect and nobody should be invested in anything form of cryptocurrency or any of the products that go with it. Last month the FSCA published a draft declaration of crypto assets as a financial product under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS). What this means is that cryptocurrency exchanges, advisors, and brokers will have to become registered financial services providers (FSPs) when the declaration comes into effect. Not all players in the field are crooks, hence the need to regulate the advisors and intermediary players in this field, said Topham. Then if people are going to choose to invest, at least they are using legitimate suppliers. It is envisaged that the implementation of the draft declaration will result in improved disclosures about the high risks involved in investing in crypto assets. It should also ensure that a more robust advice process is adopted when intermediaries decide to advise customers to purchase crypto assets. Statement in support of the draft declaration of crypto assets as a financial product under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. FSCAs investigation on Mirror Trading International statement Now read: Warning to Mirror Trading International members The aged care industry wants any COVID-19 vaccine to be made mandatory for their staff to protect older Australians in their care in a move endorsed by two federal Coalition MPs with medical backgrounds. Nursing homes in Sydney and Melbourne were ravaged by the pandemic in earlier waves, prompting concerns in the sector that any further outbreaks could have a devastating effect. The aged care industry wants the government to force its staff to get a COVID-10 vaccine. Credit:Louise Kennerley But business groups in other sectors and former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth lined up behind the government, backing its March timetable and plans not to make the vaccine mandatory across the community. Sean Rooney, chief executive of industry association Leading Aged Services Australia, said aged care homes were still at risk from the coronavirus despite protective measures. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured German Chancellor Angela Merkel of Indias commitment to deploy its vaccine development and manufacturing capacities for the benefit of the world. The matter figured in a video-teleconference between the two leaders, who discussed key issues such as the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral relations, and regional and global issues, particularly India-European Union (EU) ties. Modi appreciated Merkels long-standing role in providing stable and strong leadership on the European and global stages, and thanked her for guiding the growth of the India-Germany strategic partnership, according to readout from the external affairs ministry. The Prime Minister briefed Chancellor Merkel on the developments in India with regard to vaccine development and assured Chancellor Merkel of Indias commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world, the readout said. Modi also conveyed his best wishes for the early containment of a new wave of infections in Germany and other European countries. He also welcomed Germanys decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation on the platform of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of relations between India and Germany and 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership, the two leaders agreed to hold the sixth inter-governmental consultations at an early date and to set an ambitious agenda for the discussions. Without giving details, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert tweeted that the two leaders discussed the pandemic, advances in vaccine development and production and the Indo-Pacific region. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt at a press conference in the Main Committee Room at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on April 8, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images) Australia Vaccine Rollout Brought Forward to Early March Australia will roll out one of its COVID-19 vaccines earlier than expected, after the Pfizer/BioNTech inoculation looks set to be granted early approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The federal government had previously quoted the end of March as their expected roll-out date depending on the therapeutic approval. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Pfizers provision of data for the safety and efficacy of its vaccine as part of the approval process has allowed them to move the schedule forward. As data and regulatory guidance have been provided we have progressively been able to bring forward our provisional rollout from mid-year to the second quarter to late March and now early March, Hunt said. It is one of four vaccines that the Morrison government had purchased for a total supply of 134.8 million units. Distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna jab have been given emergency approval in response to high numbers of associated COVID-19 deaths, in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States and Israel. Vials of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are seen during a vaccination clinic at the Sir Ludwig Guttmann Health and Wellbeing Centre in Stratford, England, on Dec. 15, 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) Australias other vaccine agreements with Novavax and AstraZeneca/Oxford are also progressing well Hunt told the Daily Telegraph. The Oxford vaccine. Were expecting 3.8 million units in Australia before the end of February, with production of the first batch in Australia already completed, he said. But Hunt noted that one of the final stages of approving the vaccine is batch testing and plans on-route for the Oxford vaccine; it is a 14-day process. He added that testing the physical batch is not something the Morrison government would ever want to bypass. The Morrison government has been criticised for its cautious approach to the CCP virus vaccine rollout. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has noted that Australia is not in a state of emergency like other countries and can afford to wait. So we cant cut corners on the vaccine. It has to be rolled out properly, in an orderly way, and thats what were working hard to achieve, he told 2GB radio. Hunt concurred in his remarks on Wednesday saying that Australia will continue to follow the medical advice. Not to do so would be utterly irresponsible and would risk the health of Australians. Labor Leader Anthony Albanese, who has one of the leading critics over the Morrison government adherence to the medical processes, has said he was glad about the change in the vaccine timetable. Once the TGA approves the vaccine, it should be available and should be rolled out, Albanese said. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Macnica Americas, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Macnica, Inc., a $5.2B global leader in technology product distribution, and Innolux Corporation, a world leading TFT-LCD manufacture offers comprehensive and top quality display technology, announced today that Macnica Americas has been appointed an official distributor of Innolux products throughout North Amercia. Macnica Americas offers the full range of Innolux G3.5, G4, G4.5, G5, G5.5,G6, G7.5, and G8.5/G8.6 products as well as customization services. Macnica looks forward to expanding our display portfolio with Innolux products, said Jeremy Nightingale, President of Macnica Americas. Innoluxs quality and product longevity enables us to offer our medical, industrial and automotive customers a broader range of display solutions. Innovative technologies make us competitive. Innoluxs technology and manufacturing capability provide our customers higher added values aiming toward the ultimate visual experience with top quality displays, said Howard Wu, President of Innolux USA. We are pleased to be working with the Macnica Americas sales team, who brings the knowledge and customer-first mindset to help achieve this goal together. Innolux offers a broad range of TFT LCD Panels ranging from 1.5 inches to 100 inches, as well as Shelf Display Modules, HMI (human-machine interface) for the industrial market, Wide Viewing Angle Panels, and Narrow Bezel Technology. Innolux products pass the American Standards Association S20.20 and the European IEC-61340-5-1 standard in panel industries. Comprehensive standardized quality system certification for different products includes ISO 9001 for technical products, IATF 16949 for automotive products and ISO13485 system certification for medical and X-Ray products. Beyond that, Innolux takes the lead in obtaining IECQ QC 080000 certification for green products. Innolux is also listed DJSI World Index and Emerging Markets Index membership for 3 years in a row and scored the best among global panel makers in social dimension. Innoluxs products are available immediately through Macnica Americas. For more details, please contact Macnica Americas at info.mai@macnica.com or visit http://www.macnicadisplays.com About Innolux Corporation Innolux Corporation is one of the world leading TFT-LCD total solution manufacturers, having strong presence in both large-size panels and small & medium size products. The company offers a comprehensive range of products including LCD panels with touch function (Desktop monitor, notebook, tablet PC and smartphone), special-application panels (industrial applications, automotive, avionics, and medical applications), and LCD TV. As a worlds top panel supplier, Innolux provides the most complete and flexible production lines: fourteen TFT-LCD fabs and three touch sensor fabs located in Jhunan and Tainan in Taiwan; along with extensive assembly facilities in China, including in Ningbo, Nanjing, Foshan, and Shanghai. Innolux Corporation (3481 TT) is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE). The companys 2019 consolidated revenue reached NT$ 252 billion. For more information, please visit http://www.innolux.com About Macnica Americas Macnica Americas is the North American Division of Macnica, Inc. a $5.2B global leader in technology product distribution, high-touch support and complex design services, with global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. Macnica Americas serves OEM companies, particularly those specializing in creating innovative video, imaging, networking and storage products. Macnica Americas headquarters are located in San Diego, with offices in San Jose, Dallas, and Chicago, and representatives throughout the United States and Canada. New Delhi, Jan 6 : With states coming on board over GST compensation issue, the Centre is gearing up to get their consent over inclusion of petroleum products under the new indirect tax fold. Sources privy to the development said that based on Petroleum Ministry's suggestion, the Centre may take up with GST Council the issue of bringing natural gas under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime to begin with before entire oil and gas sector is brought under it. Though the dates for next GST Council meeting is yet to be finalised, finmin sources said its due and may take place anytime after the budget presentation. With revenue position already strained due to Covid-19 outbreak, states have been reluctant to consider bringing high revenue generating petroleum products under GST fold. But the dual tax treatment is affecting the sector and hampering government's plan to develop a gas-based economy in the country. Sources said that with this in mind, a phased approach to inclusion of petroleum products under GST may be adopted with natural gas falling first in the queue. Inclusion of gas would not pose a challenge for the GST Council as it is largely an industrial product where a switchover to the new taxation would not be difficult. The revenue implication for the states is also low in the case of this switchover. "States are in fairly better position now with GST revenue hitting over Rs 1 lakh crore mark for past few months and Centre has also improved their liquidity position through additional borrowing schemes under Aatmnirbhar Bharat package. This should make phased inclusion of petroleum products under GST easier for the council," said an official source in the oil ministry. The gross GST collections touched a record high of over Rs 1.15 lakh crore in December - the highest since the implementation of the regime. As part of its efforts to build concensus with the states on GST launch, the previous Narendra Modi government had decided to exclude five petroleum products -- crude oil, petrol, diesel, ATF and natural gas -- from the list of items placed under GST, but included products such as cooking gas, kerosene and naphtha in the new regime. This created a messy situation for the companies, as they were required to comply with both the old and new tax regimes. Moreover, tax credits are not transferable between the two systems. GST levy on natural gas would help state-run oil companies such as ONGC, IOCL, BPCL and HPCL to save tax burden to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore as they would get credit on taxes paid for inputs and services. Tax credits are not transferable between the two different taxation systems. Last year, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also made a strong case for the inclusion of natural gas in GST, saying that if polluting coal can be included, the environment-friendly fuel certainly deserves a place in the new tax regime. He also favoured bringing other petro products under the GST gradually. Gas sales, including CNG and piped gas supplies, attract VAT ranging from 5-12 per cent. (Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in) The last year was difficult for Ecuadors beaten-down hydrocarbon sector. Aside from the severe fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and sharply weaker oil prices, the industry was rocked by yet another corruption scandal and a series of environmental disasters. Those events sharply impacted oil production, will deter urgently required investment and spark greater dissent among Ecuadors indigenous communities. Like southern neighbor Peru, most of the equatorial countrys operational oilfields and infrastructure is in Ecuadors portion of the Amazon basin. The region is inhabited by many indigenous communities who have become increasingly frustrated by the policies of Ecuadors national government and the conduct of the petroleum industry. In Peru, growing dissatisfaction among many Amazonian communities with central government policies and the conduct of that countrys oil industry spilled over into violent protests. That, along with earlier community blockades, not only caused operations at oilfields to cease but saw Perus National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy release a November 2020 statement (Spanish) claiming the countrys oil industry was in crisis. Recent events indicate Ecuador is heading down a similar path. Ongoing environmental damage related to oil spills, flaring and other industry operations, deficient government spending on infrastructure, and rising inequality are all fueling considerable discord in Ecuadors Amazon. Most of the Andean countrys producing oilfields are situated in the Oriente Basin, part of the upper Amazon River drainage basin, located in Ecuadors northern Sucumbios and Orellana provinces. Ecuador Map of Petroleum Blocks Source: Ecuador Secretary of Hydrocarbons. Ecuadors northern Amazon region contains what is believed to be one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet, the Yasuni National Park, and extensive indigenous communities. Many of the issues in the region are like those that have sparked violent protests against the petroleum industry operating in Perus Amazon. These include deep-seated grievances over the conduct of the petroleum industry and state-owned upstream oil company PetroAmazonas. There is a long history of the central government failing to invest in local infrastructure, notably hospitals and schools, and provide access to resources despite petroleum production being responsible for generating around a third of fiscal income. Escalating discontent means there is considerable potential for community blockades and protests against the oil industry if community grievances are not appropriately managed. During 2019 Quito was rocked by violent protests sparked by President Lenin Morenos decision to end government fuel subsidies, causing diesel and gasoline prices to almost double overnight. The protests escalated to the point where Morenos government was forced to flee the capital, Quito, for the safety of Guayaquil, Ecuadors largest city. Many of the issues which caused the protests to intensify are like those afflicting communities in Ecuadors Amazon. The COVID-19 pandemic is magnifying societal fissures while disproportionately impacting indigenous communities throughout South America. The pandemic revealed the deep social and economic fault lines that exist in Ecuador, which initially was one of the worst affected countries in Latin America. This includes the wide chasm between rich and poor as well as a lack of infrastructure and resources in impoverished rural regions, including the Andean countrys Amazon. Deep distrust of Ecuadors central government and economically vital oil industry already exists, and some indigenous communities in the Amazon are blaming oil workers for spreading the virus. Related: How To Play The Oil Price Rebound In 2021 Accidents and mishaps, which have plagued Ecuadors oil industry for decades, are eroding what little trust remains among Amazonian communities in the countrys petroleum-producing regions. This is causing what is left of the oil industrys social license to rapidly deteriorate and could eventually trigger protests. Earlier this year Ecuador experienced what was described as its worst oil spill in at least a decade. Mudslides during April 2020 ruptured the 450,000 barrel a day Oleoducto de Crudos Pesados (OCP) pipeline and PetroEcuador's 360,000 barrel a day Sistema de Oleoducto Transecuatoriano (Sote) pipeline, which link Ecuadors Amazonian oilfields to the Pacific coast port city of Esmeraldas. The incident caused an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 barrels of crude oil to be discharged into the Coca river which flows into the Napo, a tributary of the Amazon. The spill was so serious that crude oil was seen downstream in the Napo river and threatened the city of Cocas water supply. Geologists and hydrologists had warned months earlier that geological events in Ecuadors Amazon would trigger actions that could damage local oil infrastructure. It appears that the national government in Quito, which was still reeling from the violent 2019 protests and ongoing fiscal crisis, ignored those warnings. A lack of investment inadequately maintaining and overhauling Ecuadors aging energy infrastructure was also believed to have contributed to the pipeline ruptures. Of considerable concern are claims from September and October 2020, six months after the oil spills occurred, that they have yet to be adequately mopped up with petroleum residue severely impacting communities along the Coca and Napo rivers. Aside from the extensive environmental damage inflaming hostility from local communities toward the oil industry, the pipeline ruptures had a severe impact on Ecuadors oil production. During April 2020, the Andean countrys oil output averaged a mere 208,062 barrels of oil daily, while for May it increased 60% to 333,369 barrels per day, well below the 532,648 barrels a day pumped during 2019. While November 2020 production had returned to normal with Ecuador pumping an average of 510,652 barrels daily, more than double the April low, Quito failed to meet its 2020 production target of 600,000 barrels daily. For the first 11 months of 2020, Ecuador only pumped 476,000 barrels daily, significantly less than the 600,000 barrels daily originally targeted. This stresses that, unless the central government boosts investment in Ecuadors deteriorating energy infrastructure, it will be unable to benefit from the Andean countrys vast petroleum wealth. Related: U.S. Oil Executives Cautiously Optimistic About 2021 Environmental mishaps related to the oil industry operations are occurring at an alarming frequency. Ecuadors indigenous Waorani filed a lawsuit in December 2020 alleging PetroOriental, the operator of blocks 14 and 17 in the Amazonian Orellana province, has been flaring and venting natural gas in a manner damaging the local environment. The Waorani assert PetroOrientals activities are contaminating the surrounding land, rainfall, and water sources. PetroOriental is a subsidiary of Chinese state-controlled China National Petroleum Corporation and China Petrochemical Corporation and produces around 10,000 barrels of crude oil daily from those operations. A June 2020 research paper investigating the impact of petroleum production in Ecuadors Amazon identified that the region was subject to considerable contamination from oil industry operations. The authors claim are responsible for a higher incidence of health problems among the local population. The authors went on to assert that provinces in those petroleum-producing areas had inadequate environmental and other regulatory controls, which is responsible for higher than acceptable levels of pollution. If those issues, including further oil spills, persist in Ecuadors oil producing provinces they will not only further impact the health of the local population but effectively destroy what remains of the domestic oil industrys social license. There is the potential for these issues to manifest as community blockades, protests, and violent seizures of industry infrastructure, as has happened in Perus Amazon. That would make it exceptionally difficult for energy companies to continue operating in those areas without disruption. The severe impact of the pandemic on Ecuadors economy, which sees the IMF predicting GDP contracted by 11% during 2020, and the ongoing fiscal crisis gripping Quito, means any disruption to petroleum production would severely impact Ecuadors petroleum-dependent economy. If opposition to the oil industry increases further, blockades and protests could become regular incidents that disrupt oil industry operations and production. Such events will clearly deter urgently required investment by foreign energy companies to develop Ecuadors considerable oil reserves totaling 8 billion barrels. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff has won his Senate run-off election, one of the two Democrats needed to ensure control of the US Senate, serving US President Donald Trump a stunning defeat in his last days in office while dramatically improving the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens progressive agenda. The 33-year-old Ossoff defeated 71-year-old Republican David Perdue, who held the seat for the past six years and had the strong support of President Donald Trump. The success of Ossoff and his fellow Democrat challenger Raphael Warnock is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgia's politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. This week's elections mark the formal end of the turbulent 2020 election season. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nation's premier battlegrounds during the final days of Trump's presidency and likely beyond. The Trump administration is auctioning off Arctic drilling rights just two weeks before a new president is inaugurated, giving oil companies a once-in-decades shot at potentially crude-rich territory in northeast Alaska that environmentalists say imperils a fragile wilderness. The Bureau of Land Management was set to begin opening sealed bids for 10-year leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuges coastal plain Wednesday afternoon, less than a day after a federal judge rejected environmental groups pleas to halt the auction. The biggest mystery around the sale has been who will participate, given the current economic environment, regulatory uncertainty and steep public opposition to Arctic drilling. Companies once viewed as potential bidders for Arctic acreage have slashed spending this year as the coronavirus pandemic eroded crude demand and prices. Participants must pony up hundreds of thousands of dollars to nab leases they may never get to use, given President-elect Joe Bidens vow to permanently protect the refuge. Though the Biden administration has little power to revoke leases once they are issued, it can block permits essential to mounting any activity on the tracts. TOMLINSON: Oil companies should boycott Arctic drilling auction Even so, conservationists have identified a handful of little-known oil explorers they say could vie for coastal plain drilling rights. Speculators could seek leases with plans of selling them later. And the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state-owned economic development corporation, last month approved spending $20 million on coastal plain leases. Colorado-based Armstrong Oil and Gas Inc. also could seek to expand its foothold in Alaska. The company, founded by wildcatter Bill Armstrong, has a history of costly, successful bets on Alaskas North Slope -- even netting a 3-billion-barrel discovery there in 2017. Bidders in Wednesdays sale are required to offer at least $25 per acre. With tracts ranging in size from 23,446 to 59,410 acres (9,488 to 24,042 hectares), the smallest possible winning bid is $586,150. Environmentalists and Native Alaskans, including Gwichin people who consider the area sacred, say industrial oil development would threaten one of Americas last truly wild places as well as the calving caribou, migratory birds and Arctic foxes that rely on it. Congress mandated two coastal plain oil auctions by Dec. 22, 2024, as a way to pay for the 2017 tax cuts, based on expectations that the lease sales and oil development would yield more than $2 billion in revenues over a decade. Results wont be final immediately. Winning bids must be vetted in a government review process that typically takes months, though Trump administration officials are racing to formally issue the leases before Biden is sworn in Jan. 20. In 2020, the CFD responded to 17,666 calls, including 238 structure fires, 5,234 EMS calls and 1,844 Assist a Citizen calls. Firefighters also responded to 1,611 motor vehicle accidents. Crews saved $155,494,274 in property from fire damage. "This year has been one of the most challenging years for the Chattanooga Fire Department and its extended family that I can recall," said Fire Chief Phil Hyman. "All of those challenges, however, remind me of how great our firefighters are and the excellent service they provide. Sacrifices have been made with grace, and challenges have been met with perseverance, character and integrity. I cannot express enough how proud I am of our entire department and all that our members have done for the community we serve. Crews adapted during the pandemic, taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and members of the public with extra safety precautions, wearing personal protective equipment and sanitizing fire halls and fire trucks continuously. All of the fire stations have remained open and in service over the past year with firefighters bravely responding to every emergency call. That included the Easter tornadoes. CFD units were on the ground in the hardest hit areas immediately after the deadly storms struck the area, making daring rescues and coordinating a massive effort to get personnel and resources where they needed to be. They worked tirelessly, even as dozens of firefighters had to deal with their own homes being destroyed, or the residences of their loved ones being badly damaged. Lives were saved thanks to their actions, said officials. In 2021, the Chattanooga Fire Department marks its 150th anniversary, a storied journey of service and dedication to the city. A history book is being compiled to capture the departments past as staff continues laying the groundwork for the agencys next chapters. I am confident that our firefighters will keep pushing forward in the year ahead and make our department successful through whatever the future holds, Chief Hyman added. I have to reflect on the fact that our department is 150 years old and has provided outstanding service since its inception. I know each member of our department will pave the way for the next 150 years. Not even the royal family, his own Spanish one, has remembered that today Juan Carlos I has turned 83 years old. Complete silence from his son Felipe VI. In fact, the monarchy seems to have gone on holiday and has not updated its Twitter account or even the Highlights section of its website since December 24th, with the Christmas Eve message of the current king (in itself, an exercise in omission) still the main story. From within the family, the only warmth he has left is from his eldest daughter, the Infanta Elena. She has decided, according to celebrity column La Otra Cronica, to blow out the candles with her father in Abu Dhabi, where she has been on holiday since last Sunday. The other surprise is that of Spanish politicians. Until the day ends, the congratulations could still roll in, but we are deep into the second half of this January 5th and the silence is almost total. Even one of his last and most fervent defenders, the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, seems to have forgotten to congratulate the king emeritus. Not so much as a tweet. Not even the political parties: not those in government - PSOE and Podemos - nor the more conservative opposition PP, Vox, and Ciudadanos. They've all disappeared. Yet, in spite of everything, Juan Carlos I has received one birthday salutation from an ex-politician, Rosa Diez. The former MP and founder of the deeply Spanish-nationalist UPyD party had some kind words for the abdicated monarch: "King Juan Carlos I is 83 years old today. It is just to recognize that in his service to Spain the positive balance far exceeds what is owing". With a karaoke version of the famous tune Amigos para siempre in the background, Diez accompanies her text with a montage of pictures of the former king. Smiling images from his life and recent Spanish history, captioned with messages - such as "Our best ambassador" and "Always with the Spanish people" - which some may well read with a hint of irony, given the financial investigations focusing on the now-exiled king. Hoy cumple 83 anos el Rey Juan Carlos I. Justo es reconocerle que en su servicio a Espana su saldo en el haber supera, con creces, al debe. pic.twitter.com/RBtKGXnNbg Rosa Diez (@rosadiezglez) January 5, 2021 More scandals The shortage of birthday greetings hasn't kept Juan Carlos out of the media on his birthday, though. The latest affair involving the Bourbon patriarch is that, as El Confidencial published on Monday, he helped his nephew Bruno Gomez-Acebo to open a venture capital fund for Spanish investments in the United Arab Emirates, an operation that had not come to light until now. The matter is clear thanks to a letter sent by Gomez-Acebo, son of Juan Carlos's late sister, Pilar de Borbo, in 2010 to thank his uncle for his interest in the operation and ask for some new favours. One of those favours, according to the letter, was to be able to have access to the top authorities in the Emirates. January 06, 2021 A virtual private network allows you to securely access any sites you need, even when using a public internet connection. VPN works by encrypting your data and sending it through an indirect pathway that goes past the unsafe places of the internet. The data could be from unwanted malware to ads, sending it straight to the required destination. Top websites such as Privacy Sharks agree that VPN is one of the most crucial cybersecurity tools in today's world, especially for businesses whose staff work from home and depend on home internet connections. Some of the most vital benefits offered by VPN include: A.Heightened security Getting targeted by a hacker is not a rare occurrence, as you can see on the Privacy Sharks website. With a rise in cyberattacks, VPN keeps your business and employees safe. VPN minimizes the likelihood of your business being an insecurity target. Passwords, location, address, and any other personal data are safe from potential hackers. B. VPNs encourage productivity If your staff are wary of internet vulnerabilities, they are cautious of logging in on public and unknown networks. If they travel a lot on business, they experience peace of mind, which is crucial for their productivity. Your employees do not have to worry about the company's data being exposed or stolen. C. VPNs make your client feel secure. If you gather data from customers, clients, or even patients, you can relieve their worries by utilizing a VPN. Many of these clients may not understand matters VPN, but some of them do. Wouldn't you opt for a company that makes an effort to ensure that your data is kept secure? D. Improved performance Aside from improved security, a stable VPN improves efficiency and bandwidth. Better performance is not anything any employer would overlook. E. VPNs are affordable The price of VPNs varies, but most are budget-friendly. Do not shy away from using considerable amounts on getting VPNs for your business, as it with be worth the while in the short and long run. Go for the VPN you can comfortably afford as seen on Privacy Sharks. F. Remote access Since VPN is a network per se, you can access it remotely. VPN is a superb resource for your business, as it will allow your staff to work from anywhere. Even outside of the office. No matter where you choose to work from, your information and data stay protected. However, it is critical to note that VPNs offer ranging services since they possess different features. When choosing the right VPN for your business, it is essential that you take the below features into consideration: 1. Speed The VPN you choose has to be efficient. The best VPN will enhance internet speeds, especially for your staff who perform heavy data tasks such as image and video processing, image processing, and activities such as 3D animation. One of the best ways to evaluate the service speeds is to look at the server's location. The farther the servers are located; the more time your data will need to travel from point A to point B. 2. Logs You should check the service's privacy policy to evaluate how they handle your data. Ensure that your data gets deleted once the session comes to an end. Also, take note that none of your business' data gets stored on the VPNs servers. 3. Security features Some essential security features you can look for include: DNS leak protection DNS leak protection prevents the domain name system that occurs when your DNS requests remain seen to your internet service provider. Even when you are using VPN, DNS leak protection comes in handy. Split-tunneling The split-tunneling security feature allows you to channel some of your apps through your VPN while keeping other apps connected directly to the internet. For example, you may retain business apps within the tunnel to utilize security and keep entertaining applications such as Netflix out for smoother streaming. Kill switch The kill switch internet feature prevents you from the risk of exposure to unprotected traffic. The security feature comes to play when by chance you get unceremoniously disconnected from the VPN. 4. Network size A VPN with a large network of a server is most appropriate. If a connection to a single server is inefficient, this feature lets you connect to a server near your location. It shortens the long-distance data has to travel from and to your end. It speeds up your internet connection. Moreover, a VPN allows users to connect to the internet in areas other than where they work. The larger the server network a VPN has, the more options in terms of location it can offer to users. It allows them to effectively bypass geoblocks for specific content and comes in handy, especially if you have staff in varying parts of the world. 5. Covered devices People no longer depend on laptops and desktop computers for performing their tasks these days. Go for a VPN that can cover multiple devices. Such devices could include smartphones and IPads and, even tablets. 6. Money-back guarantee You may sign up for a VPN service and then later discover that it does not match your business' needs. You need to choose a service that you can easily switch up if needs be, after a mutual agreement with the service provider. Connecting to a suitable VPN service should not be daunting. You only need to go for the VPN service provider who offers a guarantee, efficiency, and uses quality VPN hardware and software. Conclusion The best VPN: Should your business pay for it? The answer is yes! VPNs that get offered for free or extremely low prices are an excellent starting point. But their capabilities, strength, and features do not match up to those of their paid counterparts. Free VPNs run on fewer servers, are vulnerable to breaches, and use older hardware and software. With such tendencies, they run slow and may fail to offer much-needed security. Paid (News - Alert) VPN services often have servers in numerous cities and get powered by top-rate components that get updated for efficient performance. If you desire speed for your business, security, and efficiency, choosing the best VPN is an investment and should never be an option. Sites such as Privacy Sharks will offer you with the best knowledge regarding the best VPN for your business. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Binghamton, N.Y. -- State police are seeking the publics help to solve the murder of a Binghamton man who was found drowned to death after being beaten more than 40 years ago, according to New York State Police. On Nov. 9, 1980, the father of Barry G. Marquart, then 30, called state police to report his son, who was living in Binghamton, had been missing for two days. Marquarts roommate had told his father that Marquart hadnt been at their apartment since Nov. 7, police said. Marquarts car was found parked at the Exit 5 rest area on Interstate 81 northbound in the town of Dickinson, according to police. When troopers checked the surrounding area, they found Marquarts body submerged in the shallow water of the Chenango River, about 500 feet behind the rest area, police said. Marquarts wallet was found in Otsiningo Park, south of the rest area, and Marquarts watch was missing, according to police. An autopsy found Marquart had been drowned and had been hit in the face and head, police said. The rest area where Marquart was killed no longer exists. The rest area was closed and the building and paved walking area along the river became part of Otsiningo Park. Police ask that anyone with information about the case call the New York State Police at 607-561-7400. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. By Walter W. Cohen Articles on the recent passing of former Gov. Dick Thornburgh have sought to highlight his achievements and capture his character. We all know he was governor of our state and a U.S. attorney general. And he was universally recognized as an honest, intelligent and empathetic leader. But whats been missing in these remembrances is discussion of perhaps his most significant and lasting achievement leading the movement toward community living and treatment for people who are mentally ill and those who have intellectual disabilities. As a young father near the beginning of his career, Thornburgh suffered a painful personal loss very similar to that of President-Elect Joe Biden. His first wife was killed in an auto accident, which also left their infant son with serious brain damage. After he was elected governor, Thornburgh and his second wife, Ginny, decided to focus on the need to develop better options for the care of people like his son Peter. In 1979, soon after Thornburgh took office, the issue would arise in a class-action lawsuit launched in federal court to close Pennhurst State School and Hospital and move its residents into community living arrangements. Following an extensive trial, Federal District Court Judge Raymond J. Broderick ordered Pennhursts closure early in 1981. The ruling would spark a rash of appeals for years to follow. During the first round of litigation, the governor attempted to secure funding from the General Assembly for community-based living and treatment programs. That effort met with little success. After the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Brodericks closure order, Thornburgh increased pressure on the Legislature to redirect funding from institutions to community living facilities. He directed me, as state public welfare secretary at the time, to facilitate this goal. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice was pursuing a lawsuit to protest unprecedented federal involvement in what should have remained a state decision over Pennhurst. Thornburgh knew that the secretary of public welfare has the authority to close state mental retardation facilities, and thats what he ordered me to do. The U.S. Supreme Court subsequently overruled Brodericks closure order. By then, however, we were already moving forward to close Pennhurst and other similar state facilities, having successfully pressured the Legislature to fund our efforts. I believe the development of community-based living and treatment facilities was the major and most lasting accomplishment of the Thornburgh administration. Certainly it was the most important effort for Ginny Thornburgh. It had a huge impact on thousands of families in Pennsylvania who were given greater access to see their loved ones and a stronger belief that compassionate and rehabilitative care was being offered. Pennsylvania came to lead the nation in the improved care and treatment of people with intellectual disabilities and those who suffer from mental illness. As U.S. Attorney General, Dick Thornburgh would go on to champion the development and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was an accomplishment on the national level of what he and Ginny had spearheaded in Pennsylvania. This empathy for those less fortunate than himself was a sign of Dicks extraordinary strength of character. Would that we might find more political leaders today like Dick Thornburgh. Walter W. Cohen is a former Secretary of Public Welfare and state Attorney General. He lives in Harrisburg. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Ghaziabad: Farmers protesting at the UP Gate on Wednesday said they will carry out a dress rehearsal of their Republic Day Dilli Chalo tractor march on the 135-km Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) on Thursday morning. The march is likely to affect commuters on the EPE and the national highway-9 (NH-9). The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which maintains both highways, said that tractors were not allowed to ply on the EPE under even normal circumstances. The district administration said they had appealed to the protesters to desist from breaking rules. The protesters have been camping at the site since November 28 and have also blocked the Ghaziabad-Delhi carriageway of NH-9 since December 3. They, along with other protesters at various borders of Delhi, are demanding repeal of the three new farm laws and a new law on minimum support price. During the last round of their talks with the government, there was no decision on repeal of laws while the government has clarified that they were ready to discuss amendments. The next round of talks is scheduled on January 8. As a dress rehearsal of our Dilli Chalo call on January 26, our farmers will drive tractors and will enter the EPE from the Dasna interchange on Thursday around 10 am. The tractors will be lined up properly and no trolleys will be part of the march. Thereafter, the tractors will move to Palwal and come back to Dasna, said Rajbir Singh, state vice-president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). They said they would move in such a way that the effect on traffic would be minimal. Each of the tractors will bear the national flag and also the flag of the BKU. It is estimated that about 500-600 tractors will participate. Our leaders have already said that if our demands are not met, we will proceed to Delhi on January 26. So, in a way, we are conducting a rehearsal on Thursday, he added. The NHAI officials said that the march will affect traffic on both the major road stretches. On normal days, the EPE has traffic of about 50000 passenger car unit (PCU) per day, while the UP Gate stretch has daily PCU of about 80000 vehicles per day. Tractors are not allowed at the EPE and there will be traffic disruption if they carry out a march. We will speak to the district officials about the issue. Already, the farmers have made two major tolls at Palwal and Sonipat free and it is also affecting revenue. It is estimated that the tolls fetch us about 90 lakh per day but we are getting only about 25 lakh per day since December 25, said Mudit Garg, project director of NHAI. District magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey said that he has spoken to farmers and have asked them to abide by rules and regulations. Also, our committee of officials is already in constant touch with farmers leaders. We will also ask the police to make more deployment to ensure that commuters do not face issues, Pandey, added. A local mayor has had to dip into his charitable fund after councillors were unable to find consensus on a request for a 300 charitable donation at Tuesday night's council meeting. Some councillors on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council objected to a Department for Communities (DfC) request for a donation to help distribute aid for Syrian refugees. In correspondence, DfC said they were keen to ensure the charity, the Kiltonga Christian Centre Storehouse in County Down, was not left out of pocket. As your council has VPRS (Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme) families I am seeking your agreement to pay a voluntary donation of 300 per annum, they said. We believe this small amount represents good value for money, especially when compared to the cost of each council having to provide a similar service. However, PUP councillor, Russell Watton, disagreed with Alderman Yvonne Boyle's proposal to donate the money, suggesting the council look closer to home for charitable causes. There have six Protestant families intimidated out of the Heights in Killowen in the last 18-20 months. I've yet to hear anyone mention it apart from myself, he said. It's alright talking about reaching out and doing your best for them, that's all very nice, but I think you need to look round your own door first. DUP councillor, Alan McQuillan, said he believed rate payers should not have to support the charity. Just today, I had a family from the Heights who are living in fear onto me to try and get moved out, he said. Go out on the ground and hear what's going on, instead of living in the clouds. I support charity all year round, I put my hand in my own pocket. PUP councillor Russell Watton said councillors should 'look around your own door first'. Anybody that wants to support this if you're that keen on it, put your hand in your pocket and support it, and us that don't want to support it won't have to. It's not fair to put this onto our rate-payers. We're always talking about money, and this is something we don't have to spend. The exchange promoted a passionate response from his DUP colleague, Alderman Joan Baird, who asked members to be mindful of the charity given to Irish and Scottish emigrants in America. It's a paltry sum of money, but might be enough to help those estranged in our country, she said. We are talking about people who have been driven from their homes with nothing and many have come here under personal threat and fear. It's not so many years ago that we, whether we think of ourselves as Scottish or Irish, were very glad to go and seek refuge in the USA, where we found a charitable people to help us on our way. Sinn Fein councillor, Sean Bateson, claimed some of the comments objecting to the donation highlighted the 'xenophobia at large with certain representatives in this area', while SDLP councillor Helena Dallat O'Driscoll expressed disappointment at the 'lack of compassion' shown by some members. DUP leader on the council, Cllr Aaron Callan, then requested a recess to discuss the issue, prompting Mayor Mark Fielding to take some unusual action to draw the 32-minute debate to a close. Alderman Mark Fielding intervened to bring the debate to an end. If it's a way round this, I'd be happy enough for this to come out of my Mayor's fund. I couldn't have voted against it, that's for sure, he said. Adlerman Fielding's intervention prevented the need for a vote on the issue, to the relief of a number of members in the chamber. I want to commend you for your kind offer, said fellow DUP councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to vote against this either. On this occasion, this year, I think it's the right thing to do. Don't try telling Patricia Quinn and Jonny Dobson that 2020 was a terrible year. It started with the pair, both chronic alcoholics, vowing to get sober and finally sort out their lives before it was too late. It ended with the west Belfast mother of six and the Crossgar man getting married and looking forward to a bright new future together. And it all took place during one of the most challenging years imaginable, a year when a person could have been forgiven for seeking some sort of crutch. But while sales of alcohol during the Covid-19 pandemic reached record levels, this remarkable couple did not allow a single drop to pass their lips. That isn't to say it has all been plain sailing - there were bumps along what was always going to be a rocky road, and times when they genuinely didn't think they could stay the course. Now, however, they are looking forward to a happy new year and, God willing, the first full 365 days of sobriety that either can remember. Patricia (46), known as 'Tricia', met her new husband Jonny (37) in May 2017. Both were at Stella Maris, a wet hostel for homeless people with alcohol and drug addictions run by the DePaul charity in north Belfast. Their individual journeys were different but they ended up at the same destination and in a similar condition - destitute, homeless and helpless. With Tricia listening beside him, Jonny revealed that he had been "on and off the streets since he was 14" - often for years at a time. "I started drinking when I was 13," he told me. "There had been a family break-up, and my relationship with alcohol quickly spiralled out of control. "By the time I'd reached 18, I was taking other drugs too and had developed a full-blown alcohol addiction." Jonny admitted he stole alcohol "from shops, the back of bars and from people" to feed his habit, which intensified when he moved to Belfast aged 18 and began sleeping on the streets. "By the time I was 21 I had developed mental health issues", he said. "I spent the next 10 years battling to quit the drugs - ecstasy, cocaine, speed - and of course the alcohol. My dependency on it was getting worse, if that was possible." Expand Close Patricia Quinn and Jonny Dobson confirm their marriage / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patricia Quinn and Jonny Dobson confirm their marriage Things finally began to turn around when, as Jonny puts it, he "grew a conscience". "I was stealing from people and I really didn't want to be that sort of person so I stopped doing it," he said. "I also wanted to quit drugs because of how they were making me feel. Gradually, I managed to wean myself off them." Alcohol, however, was a tougher nut to crack. "I'd been trying to quit since I turned 30", he said. "I was bingeing, getting sober for two weeks, then bingeing again... the vicious cycle just went on and on." To complicate matters, Jonny started self-harming. He began by "scraping" himself, but that soon morphed into something more sinister. "I'd been using broken bottles and ended up cutting a vein open in my leg," said Jonny who, by March 2017 - just before he met Tricia - had "pretty much given up on life". "I'd cut my wrist, severing my median nerve. I was really on a downward spiral and couldn't see a way out of it," he said. By then, he had been sleeping rough outside an off licence on the Ormeau Road. Someone who works with homeless people finally intervened, taking him to the Stella Maris hostel, where his life would, not immediately but ultimately, turn around. Having met and fell in love with Tricia there, the pair left Stella Maris together in June, moved to a property in Co Down. But although there was emotional salvation, neither party could defeat the demon drink and within a year both of them were back living in the hostel. "We had really tried to make an effort but it fell apart," said Jonny. "We were also on the streets for a while. Tricia broke her ankle and I had to stay sober because she was in a wheelchair." The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic coincided with Tricia going into rehab - for a third, and what she is adamant will be the last, time in her troubled life. "After Tricia took that big step, Housing First [a service provided by DePaul Charity] found us temporary accommodation in north Belfast because we were both sober at that stage," he said. They spent a year there; until their landlord sold the property and they ended up sleeping in a tent in different campsites, before then finding another bricks-and-mortar home but it was on the third floor which was a concern for Tricia, who has epilepsy. Through sheer, collective determination, however, they were able to save some money and acquire a one-bedroom apartment last August - their marital, dry home. "I haven't had a drink in eight months and Tricia hasn't touched it for nine and half," said Jonny. "That might not sound like much but that's massive for us. Previously, I'd never stopped for more than six weeks in my entire life." Jonny is now halfway through an Open University course in planetary science and astronomy and, while he spends the day studying, his new wife devotes her time to attending AA meetings and helping others who want to quit. "I'm from an alcoholic family," said Tricia, who spent six years "on the streets". "I was in a children's home from the age of 10. I left at 15, had four kids by the time I was 21. "I didn't actually drink back then; I only started when I was 30." Unlike her husband, Tricia has never taken drugs but "didn't have any friends". "I had some traumatic experiences when I was in my twenties," she admitted. "I'd been having problems sleeping until I tried red wine. I didn't actually like the taste of it but it helped me get over." Tricia told of how she tried to get sober back then but, after a spell in rehab got wine "to celebrate coming out". She said she lost virtually everything. Friendless and aged 35, she ended up on the streets. "Drink cost me so much," she said. Expand Close Patricia Quinn and Jonny Dobson / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patricia Quinn and Jonny Dobson She is still in touch with some, but not all, of her children. Tricia was "in and out of Stella Maris for years", trying, and failing, to turn her life around. "I was institutionalised, I didn't know how to be on my own or live on my own," she said. "I was drinking straight vodka, and most of my life was a blackout." Some memories she does retain, however, still haunt her every waking moment. "I remember sleeping outside McDonald's with a girl called Catherine Kenny, but she's dead now. She died on the streets. Catherine called an ambulance for me once, after I'd had a serious epileptic fit. "I ended up on a life support machine. When I woke up in the Ulster Hospital I didn't know where I was or how I'd got there... but all I could think about was drink. I signed myself out of hospital and went straight to the off licence. Then I went back to Stella Maris..." Another more pleasant memory: meeting Jonny - although she spent that first night in jail. "I thought he was gorgeous," she recalled. "I was sitting beside him while he was watching a film, and I got arrested! I'd been arguing with a girl - a friend, actually - and ended up in the cells overnight. "When I got out of the police station the next day, I went looking for Jonny. "He told me he slept rough on the Ormeau Road so I went up there and found him. That's where it started." Tricia puts her sobriety purely down to rehab - specifically a spell in Cuan Mhuire, Newry, that began at the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown. "I desperately wanted to get sober," she said. "Jonny had a small relapse when I was in there. He phoned me drunk. I told him he had to get sober for both our sakes, and he did." After signing up to AA and finding a sponsor, Tricia now attends two virtual meetings a day. She is also helping other alcoholics by giving "talks about my journey". She added: "If you told me this time last year I'd be sober nine and a half months and married - there's no way I would've believed it." The couple tied the knot at City Hall on December 8. "It was just me and him. My brother was the only guest. It was perfect," said Tricia. "The boss of Housing First got us a car, made me a posy and baked me a cake." Tricia - who has one granddaughter aged seven, and two grandsons, aged eight months and five months - said 2020 has easily been the best year of her life. They hope to honeymoon in Poland, when the lockdown restrictions permit. "Getting married is the third best thing I've ever done," she said. "The first was getting sober. The second was getting myself a sponsor in AA and doing the steps, and the third was getting married. I couldn't have done the third one without the first two." She added: "It was so hard to get sober but I think the hardest part is staying there." Christmas was very different for Tricia who said last year she was "in blackout". "Jonny was sober but I was wandering the streets before we went to my dad's for Christmas dinner," she recalled. This year, Mr and Mrs Dobson had Christmas dinner at Tricia's dad - only this time they both remember it. "The worst part of living on the streets was not knowing who might end up dead beside you the next morning," said Tricia. Jonny added: "For me, it was not having access to any facilities. You're just constantly dirty and broke and you have no options." He added: "It's the first time we can say we're happy. We've got money in the bank, we've got options, a bit of security; it's a whole different life." In her virtual presentation before Congress' Special COVID-19 Commission, the minister pointed out that in recent weeks a greater number of patients has been observed requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and mechanical ventilation in many cases because they were looking for medical help late. "I understand that the population is overwhelmed by everything and that there are economic needs, but there must be an economic reactivation while protecting the health. The new variant is a real danger, and this particular outbreak that we are witnessing in our country may be announcing that we could experience a second wave ," she specified. This article is part of the Free Speech Project, a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech. Even before Donald Trump took the office of president, we knew that his social media presence would be chaotic and undisciplined. Once inaugurated, Trump quickly outdid himself, doubling down on all of his destructive tendencies. Ever since, he has fomented a toxic brew of poisonous disinformation, harassment, and calls for vengeance. He has used his Twitter accounts to target individuals who questioned his decisions (from union leaders to state officials), bringing the full force of his cybermob to target them with on- and offline violence. The governor of Michigan and the Georgia secretary of state have faced death plots and threats, to name recent examples. Trump has also spread lies that corroded our already frayed trust in institutions, polarized the electorate, and risked lives. Tweets questioning the value of wearing masks during COVIDbecause its not manly or some such absurdityno doubt led to reckless behavior and deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his presidency, Twitter and other social media companies have taken the position that public officials are different. In their view, and in the view of many who counseled them (including meI have been a member of Twitters Trust and Safety board since its inception in 2015 and an adviser since 2009), the public had a legitimate interest in the activity of the president and others in public office. That did not mean that no rules applied to their online activity, but the publics legitimate interest in knowing what public officials were up to had to factor into decisions about content moderation, including banning. That made sense in 2017. In theory, it makes sense today. But its practical application deserves some rethinking. That policy, as applied, has worked to protect, even indulge, public officials who repeatedly violate a companys speech policy. There were no strikes too many for Trump. From what any of us can tell, Twitter made decisions in isolation, so no one tweet ever went too far. A tweet might constitute hate speech, threats, bullying, and health disinformation in violation of the companys policies. But the public still might want to know about it. This was true even if the tweet would be understood as deeply destructive to public health and safety (as well as our democracy) if viewed in its broader context. Advertisement Advertisement Over the past year or so, Twitter has stepped forward to deal with some of the destruction. It has slapped labels on destructive lies about COVID-19 and election results in the hope that countermessaging might mute some of their force. Twitter says that it has been working to slow down the spread of destructive disinformation, including cheapfakesmanipulated media that doesnt involve artificial intelligence. But the president should not be permitted to continue tweeting. His presence on the site is no longer tenable. I would have suspended his account long ago, given how harmful he has been to public health and our democracy. But Wednesday showed that he needs a serious timeout, perhaps a permanent one. For weeks, he has made unfounded accusations of election fraud and targeted state officials. Making good on his debate-stage suggestion that the Proud Boys should stand down and stand by, he called upon his followers to come to Washington to prevent Congress from certifying the vote. And they heeded his tweets, with assault weapons in tow. In a speech to his followers Wednesday, Trump lit the flame, saying that they should never give up because the election was stolen. He disparaged Democratic federal lawmakers who were stealing the election from him and said, Were not going to take it anymore. He urged them to show strength and be strong. Twice he said, Were going to walk down to the Capitol. Shortly thereafter, Trumps followers stormed the U.S. Capitol, harming police officers. One woman was shot (though its not clear by whom). Looking at all of this activity as a whole, its clear that the president incited violence. Even if he cant be criminally prosecuted while he is in office and will surely pardon himself, there is a strong case to be made that he committed a crime in inciting violence, which would not enjoy First Amendment protection. Advertisement Advertisement When OneZero reporter Will Oremus asked Twitter on Wednesday if it intended to do anything about Trumps account, it said it will take action on any content that violates the Twitter Rules. Let us be clear: Threats of and calls to violence have no place on Twitter, and we will enforce our policies accordingly. There may not be any individual tweets that violate Twitters policies. But if Twitter is going to treat public officials differently, that should mean looking at all of their activity, on and off the site, to assess their real impact. The president is a force multiplier upon a force multiplier; the platforms algorithms are designed to amplify content that will be clicked on, as the presidents negative and outrageous tweets are. His tweetsdisinformation, hate speech, and incitement of violence and harassmenttravel far faster and to a far wider audience than most tweets. His words, on and offline, have led to mob violence and abuse. He has violated Twitters speech policies over and over again, and collectively the disinformation and incitement have led to a public health disaster and incited mob violence. He needs to go. Advertisement On Wednesday afternoon, Trump tweeted a video statement in which he repeated lies about the stolen election before calling on his supporters to leave the Capitol. Twitter responded by limiting the tweets spread and added a label saying, This claim of election fraud is disputed, and this Tweet cant be replied to, Retweeted, or liked due to a risk of violence. But limiting the tweets reach wont address the far greater problem of Trumps Twitter account. [Update, Jan. 6, 2021, at 7:10 p.m.: Twitter says that we have required the removal of three @realDonaldTrumps Tweets that were posted earlier today for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy, including the video statement. Twitter continues, This means that the account of @realDonaldTrump will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of these Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked. Furthermore, Future violations of the Twitter Rules, including our Civic Integrity or Violent Threats policies, will result in permanent suspension.] Jack Dorsey has suggested in interviews that he is game to fix problems as they arise. I and countless others who have called for Twitter to kick Trump off would like to take you up on that offer and the epistemic humility it reveals. Time to change how you apply the rules to public officials so that you see their destructive activity as a whole. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. lham Ahmed has blamed Moscow for the actions of the regime in reconciliation area, while hailing the recent visits of European delegations reports North Press. On Monday, Ilham Ahmed, the chair of the Executive Board of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) held Moscow responsible for Damascus faults and said that Russia must to support the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria to correct this. On the SDCs official website, Ahmed talked about the ties between the Autonomous Administration and Russia, and held it responsible for the Syrian governments mistakes. Areas that Russian troops entered as guarantor, according to understandings with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) following a Turkish military operation in northeast Syria, have been witnessing shelling and violations by the Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition groups. In former statements, the SDC accused Russian troops of pressuring the Autonomous Administration to surrender the town of Ayn Issa, north of Raqqa, to the Syrian government. Ahmed mentioned the recent visits of European delegations to the Autonomous Administration and said, They are of great political and diplomatic meaning that will lead over time to the recognition of the Autonomous Administration. In recent months, several European delegations paid visits to the Autonomous Administration and discussed Turkish threats, detained Islamic State militants, and provision of aid for IDPs from the Turkish-held Syrian areas in camps in northeast Syria. The Autonomous Administration project, went through several difficult and dangerous phases, including the Turkish aggressions in northeastern Syria and the occupation of several safe cities and towns, Ahmed added. She added that they were about to enhance the Administration by implementing decisions from the SDCs last conference by re-structuring it, fighting corruption, and limiting the difficulties and problems that it had witnessed. Ahmed said that this year, they aim to conduct a joint project with the Syrian opposition and with all parties of the Syrian solution, without revealing other details. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. To the Editor: This letter is addressed to the retirees of Central New York. My husband and I receive monthly Social Security deposits to our bank account. We donated our 2020 Covid relief check to charity, like David Pasinski suggests in his letter, but we should not receive these Covid relief checks at all. We Social Security recipients have not lost that monthly income, unlike people who are unemployed due to Covid. We Social Security recipients also have Medicare to cover most health costs. The U.S. government could do more to help the unemployed if Social Security recipients, who consistently receive our checks, are eliminated from the additional Covid relief. I understand that some people struggle to live on their benefits, but Covid did not cause that issue which should be addressed with separate future legislation. I have asked our Honorable Members of Congress Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and John Katko to remove Social Security benefit recipients from the Covid relief list because the help should go directly to those who are unemployed due to Covid. If you agree, write to Congress and to AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) to express your thoughts. Nancy A. Shepard Fayetteville Related: 2nd stimulus check: How to track your money through IRS Get My Payment site Ukrainians should contact family doctors with any symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections for collection of material or rapid testing for the COVID-19 antigen, and in case of refusal to contact the hotline of the Ministry of Health, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday, January 5. He also said that Ukraine is conducting little testing compared to existing capabilities. "Now we conduct few tests in comparison with our capabilities, which allow us to conduct more than 55,000 PCR tests per day in the laboratories of the Ministry of Health. There are also private laboratories and laboratories of medical institutions. Together, this is about 70,000-75,000 tests per day. In addition to PCR testing, we have introduced rapid antigen testing, which needs to be provided for people with any symptoms of ARVI, as well as for contact persons," the minister said. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Most of the media and other Democrats were not outraged when: Hillary Clinton and the DNC paid over $10 million to a foreign person to create a fictitious dossier to destroy Donald Trump and then lied to the FEC that the cost of it was for legal fees. The corrupt Obama/Biden Justice department continually used the false dossier to mislead the FISA court to spy on Trump associates. The biased Mueller investigation continued its witch hunt against Trump associates even though they knew the Russian collusion story was a hoax. They destroyed people like Gen. Michael Flynn even though they knew he committed no crime. The media and other Democrats not only werent outraged that they targeted innocent people, they feigned outrage when Trump pardoned Flynn and others destroyed by the corrupted Justice department. The biased Muller team didnt go after any of the criminals in the Obama/Biden administration who perpetuated the fraud of the Russian collusion. Rep. Adam Schiff, former intelligence chief James Clapper, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and others continually lied about having evidence of Russian collusion. The media still uses these congenital liars as sources. The media not only didnt get outraged by the false Russian collusion stories, they participated for years in spreading the lies and then gave themselves journalism awards for intentionally misleading the public. The corrupt Obama Justice department was used to target political opponents and obstructed justice by destroying computers and lying to Congress. The corrupted Justice department under wingman Attorney General Eric Holder let them off. They were all above the law. Hillary Clinton and her aides repeatedly violated the nation's security laws and were allowed by the corrupt Justice department to destroy computers and documents. They were also above the law. That the corrupt Obama/Biden administration continually lied through the compliant media to get the Iran deal done, gave cash kickbacks to Iran's tyrants, and let off terrorist drug runners, all to appease Iran. Most of the media still support the deal with the biggest terrorist-sponsoring state that still pledges death to America. The Bidens and Clintons used their powerful government positions to enrich themselves and their families with huge kickbacks from foreign parties. Biden blackmailed Ukraine with one billion of taxpayer money if they didnt fire a prosecutor. Biden continually lied that he had no idea what his son was doing. The media covered up the Hunter Biden story including the laptop while they were campaigning for him. Schiff and fifty former intelligence officials willingly lied that the Hunter Biden laptop story in the New York Post looked like Russian disinformation. The media used that as a cover story to bury the information from the public. Antifa and other leftist groups looted, committed arson, destroyed communities, and intentionally harmed police. The compliant media called these violent groups "mostly peaceful" to mislead the public. The Washington Post, CNN and others sought to destroy white Christian boys by calling them racists for the crime of wearing MAGA hats. The Washington Post and others sought to destroy Judge Brett Kavanaugh without evidence, just because they didnt like his Constitutional views. Politicians keep schools and other businesses closed despite no scientific evidence supporting the closures. Democrats refuse to support giving health care to babies born alive. Election officials in several states violated the Constitution and their state laws in the 2020 election. To the media and other Democrats, it is baseless to question this lawlessness. Election officials in some states stopped counting, for no apparent reason, stopped counting on election night for a while and poll watchers were kicked out. We are told that any questions are baseless. Signatures on voting records arent matched against the ballots. Voting machines switch votes. We are told that is not a problem. And now we see the same thing again, this time in Georgia, with its last-ditch Senate runoff. Of course, most of the media and other Democrats baselessly say that photo IDs to vote are racist because they really dont care about election integrity. But there is absolute outrage by the media, Democrats, and some Republicans that Trump dares call the secretary of state in Georgia to ask for a signature audit in Fulton County, to ask why poll watchers were sent away, and why counting occurred while they were gone, as well as to ask why there was a fake water main break to stop the counting. There has also been fake outrage for years about Trump supposedly not denouncing white supremacists and allowing the lies about what Trump said in Charlottesville by Biden and others to continue. They also spread the Atlanta Journal-Constitution story, with much evidence that it didnt happen, that Trump disparaged the military, before the election to help Biden. There are many threats to our freedom, democracy, and prosperity and none of them have to do with Trump challenging the election results when there was so much intentional malfeasance. What's a real threat are the thought police and the cancel culture. When Pelosi and Democrats in the House say you cant use terms like mother, father, sister, and brother, we have powerful swamp creatures who are lacking common sense and at odds with what Americans value. When the media blocks information that contradicts Dr. Anthony Fauci and the World Health Organization (WHO), no matter how much they have gotten wrong, that is dangerous. When people disagree with the indoctrination about climate change, they are stifled. No matter how wrong the previous dire predictions have been, the public is told that the science is settled, and we must stop using oil. The climate change pushers never have to give evidence to support their policies. But the biggest threat of all to our freedom, democracy, prosperity, and survival as a great country is a media that almost exclusively campaigns for one party and seeks to destroy the other. They do not care how corrupt or radical the Democrats are if they have that D behind their name. Just repeating talking points is worthless and non-essential. It is a shame that most of them have remained on payrolls while they support lockdowns that are greatly harming the poor, the middle class, women, children, minorities, and small businesses, whom they only pretend to care about. All they care about is power for Democrats and the government. Image credit: Pixabay public domain Teacher unions are angry over plans for partial reopening of schools from next Monday to cater for students with special needs and Leaving Cert candidates. Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) general secretary John Boyle described the move to open special schools, special classed in mainstream schools and high risk units as rushed and reckless. He said the Department of Education did not consult with the INTO on the decision to provide face to face education for children with special educational needs. Read More The union expressed serious concern about the expectation that these specialised settings could reopen fully from next Monday without necessary preparation time and protections required for staff and students when virtually everyone else in the country was being forced to stay at home in a frantic effort to flatten the curve. There are 1,836 special classes in 964 schools, catering mainly for children with Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD), 124 special schools as well as other units for children requiring high levels of care and protection. Mr Boyle said special schools, students and staff did not exist in a bubble separate from wider society. The sustainable and safe reopening of these schools and classes should be based on specific health advice, with adequate preparation and a staged reopening. The rushed plan as laid out today is reckless and takes unnecessary risks which could easily be avoided. In light of public health advice, it is questionable whether attendance at such premises will be other than minimal. He said it was ironic that building sites were being closed on public health grounds just as pupils and staff are sent to work together with little evidence of additional safety assessments, specific public health review of risk and clear additional supports". INTO was also told that teachers were authorised to go to school to support remote learning as needed and the 5km travel restriction would not apply to them or for education staff who would be facilitating face to face learning in specialised settings. However, we urge that schools would ensure that as far as possible, teachers are able to comply with public health guidance and remain at home. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said it had not been provided with a credible level of assurance by the Government that schools would be safe places next week. The union said it was concerned that todays Government decision had been made without full consideration of potential consequences to current public health objectives. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said it was gravely concerned around both the health and safety risks and logistical problems posed by the move. The union said it was completely unacceptable that it was not consulted by the Department, adding that engagement on the matter with other education stakeholders and public health representatives was urgently required. TUI President Martin Marjoram described it as a premature decision that was deeply damaging to the trust and confidence that has allowed us to keep schools open since September, despite the various problems. Our members do not have trust and confidence that opening schools to Leaving Certificate students as is proposed can be safely achieved under the current circumstances. We are seriously concerned by both the health and safety risks and logistical problems posed by this move at this time. Read More Online Editors The state has designated Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak a Level III advanced trauma center making it one of 17 trauma facilities in San Antonio. As a Level III facility, the hospital on Sonterra Boulevard is among four in the city equipped with cutting-edge technology, dedicated resources and 24/7 trauma surgeon coverage required to care for critically injured patients. Our physicians and staff have vigorously trained for this purpose, said Dr. Jason West, a surgeon and trauma medical director. The state designates a hospital based on its ability to care for trauma patients ranging from the most advanced Level I, a distinction held only by University Hospital and Brook Army Medical Center in Bexar County down to Level IV, essentially the basic hospital emergency room. There are 11 Level IV facilities in San Antonio. Three years ago, the San Antonio City Council passed a resolution making it clear they wouldnt support the opening of new trauma centers that would jeopardize Brook Army Medical Centers mission. On ExpressNews.com: Army, council agree: new area trauma centers would threaten BAMCs mission At the time, Methodist Hospital officials were considering opening a Level II trauma center San Antonio doesnt have any of those. The resolution came as a result of concerns expressed by then-commander, Brig. Gen Jeffrey Johnson, who said adding trauma facilities could cause the loss of BAMC if there were another round of base-closure hearings. Even a 1 percent reduction in the military centers emergency department patient volume could threaten the hospitals mission in training thousands of military health professionals for combat, Johnson warned. But Tuesday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Methodists new trauma center doesnt go against the December 2017 resolution. Our partners at Joint Base San Antonio have assured us that Methodists Level III designation is in no way a threat to BAMCs Level I trauma center or any of its missions that serve military communities and the public throughout the region, he said. Methodist communications manager Emily McLoughlin said hospitals seeking trauma designation must obtain support from the organization that coordinates the trauma care system, which in this part of the state is the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council. Both BAMC and University Health are members of STRAC. On ExpressNews.com: Editorial Board says new trauma centers could spell trouble BAMC spokesman Robert Whetstone said Johnson left command in 2018 and has since retired from the military. Whetstone said the medical centers trauma mission and community partnerships are unique within the Department of Defense. BAMC receives traumatically injured patients through a written agreement with the Bexar County Hospital District, which runs University Hospital, while STRAC ensures patients are transported to a health facility that will best meet their treatment needs. BAMC also works closely and proudly with its local Level I trauma partner, University Hospital, to provide optimal treatment of traumatic injuries and to sustain the regional trauma system in times of crisis, Whetstone said. Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak received its designation letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services around Christmas Day. The North Side hospital opened in March 2009 as part of the Methodist Healthcare System, jointly owned by HCA and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Childrens Hospital of San Antonio, Methodist Hospital and North Central Baptist Hospital are also designated as Level III facilities. Methodist officials say it is the states first hospital to rise from a previously undesignated trauma program to a Level III Trauma Center and receive a perfect score on its first mandatory review. laura.garcia@express-news.net (Alliance News) - Carnival PLC on Wednesday said P&O Cruises Australia has extended its New Zealand operations pause to April 25, while it works with public health authorities and the government. Having originally been scheduled to begin sailing from February 6, Pacific Explorer's operations were put on pause until March 4 and are now on hold until April 25. The company said it is working with both the government and public health authorities to determined "the appropriate time to restart sailing". The cruise line said it plans a return to New Zealand for a dedicated 150-day season in July 2022. In Australia, Pacific Adventure is to begin sailing from Sydney on April 30, while the Pacific Encounter will call Brisbane home from May 7, though with possible additional voyages added earlier based on the timing of the return of cruising in Australia. P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said: "We know that much better days lie ahead, and we remain positive about the resumption of cruising. While we've paused operations, P&O Cruises together with the wider industry has been using the time wisely to plan for cruising's return." Shares in Carnival were up 2.7% at 1,323.86 pence in London on Wednesday morning. By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor City approves first reading of temporary medical marijuana ordinance With state officials still putting together the oversight rules for medical marijuana establishments, local governments need temporary ordinances. JKSA establish helpline, offer free accommodation for tourists Srinagar, Jan 5 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has established helpline and online platforms to address the issues of tourists who got stranded in the Kashmir valley due to closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway and cancellation of all air traffic since Sunday due to heavy snowfall. The Tourism Department, Kashmir, and Houseboat owners have already announced to provide free accommodation to stranded tourists. ''We have also decided to offer free accommodation and other help to tourists stranded in the valley'', JKSA spokesman Nasir Khuehami said on Wednesday. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 As the rioters on Capitol Hill continue to overwhelm authorities, this photo will be one for the history books. The images from today's riots will be burned into the brains of Americans for years to come. Party flags flying on Capitol Hill from rioters supporting outgoing President Donald Trump as they storm the building and halt proceedings that would certify Joe Biden as the president-elect. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. HONG KONG - Before dawn, Facebook news feeds here began filling up, post upon post detailing arrest after arrest. A crackdown on the city's democracy movement was unfolding. By late Wednesday morning, at least 53 Hong Kong residents - former lawmakers, activists and an American lawyer among them - had been detained under Beijing's new national security law, and their offices and homes raided. Accused of subversion, they face up to life in prison for holding a primary vote last year ahead of legislative elections that were ultimately postponed and which many of them were barred from contesting. The raids, which involved more than 1,000 officers, marked the most dramatic onslaught in Chinese President Xi Jinping's transformation of once-freewheeling Hong Kong into a city gripped by fear under authoritarian rule. China has moved in recent months to reshape Hong Kong institutions, including schools, the media and the legislature, and observers warned that the sweep signaled more to come. Far from preserving Hong Kong's way of life in the post-colonial era, as it promised, Beijing is deploying a variation of tactics honed in its repressive campaigns in Tibet and Xinjiang to crush Hong Kong civil society and political opposition, rights groups and activists say. "The idea of 'political opposition,' a common phenomenon in democratic systems, is seen by Beijing as inherently illegitimate," said Jude Blanchette, the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It is tragic yet predictable that the Xi administration will continue to squeeze [Hong Kong] until there's total submission." Carl Minzner, an expert on Chinese law and governance at Fordham University, added that Beijing's control in Hong Kong, as in China's other restive peripheral regions, involves "a particular emphasis on remodeling communities viewed as insufficiently patriotic and loyal" through ideological education and mass arrests, and efforts to co-opt "institutions that Beijing feels it does not fully control." John Lee, Hong Kong's secretary for security, lauded the police operation as "necessary" and accused those involved in the primary of attempting to paralyze the government by seeking to win a majority in the legislature. Police said more could be arrested and that the investigation was "ongoing." "The government will not tolerate subversion of state power," Lee said. "This is severe, and we will prosecute accordingly." A spokesperson for the Chinese central government's liaison office in Hong Kong said in a statement Wednesday that the office "firmly supported" the Hong Kong police and government in the detentions. The statement called the Hong Kong national security law a turning point from chaos to rule of law. Hong Kong has emerged as a major point of tension in the U.S.-China relationship, posing a challenge to the incoming Biden administration. Under President Donald Trump, Washington imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for undermining freedoms in the city and ceased special trade privileges for Hong Kong. Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of state, said in a tweet that the arrests were "an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights" and that the new administration will "stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijing's crackdown on democracy." A statement from British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called the mass arrests "a grievous attack on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms" and said Chinese authorities "deliberately misled the world about the true purpose of the National Security Law, which is being used to crush dissent and opposing political views." - - - The dozens of people arrested Wednesday were either candidates in or had helped facilitate a primary in July designed to select pro-democracy candidates who would run in legislative elections. Held days after Beijing enacted the new security law that sharply curtailed freedoms in Hong Kong, the primary elections symbolized defiance and a way for residents to express their will. Street protests against Beijing's tightening grip by that point had fizzled out because of the pandemic and the new law, which imposes heavy prison sentences for broadly worded crimes like "secession" and "foreign interference." Shops and restaurants that support the democracy movement transformed into polling stations. Far exceeding expectations, over 600,000 people participated, choosing candidates who were more resistant to cooperation with Beijing than some of the more moderate stalwarts of the pro-democracy camp. They included activists Joshua Wong, Lester Shum and Gwyneth Ho. Benny Tai, a legal scholar and activist who launched protests in 2014 that spiraled into a 79-day occupation of city streets, said the election represented a new form of civil disobedience, and that if the democratic camp had a majority in the legislature, it could stymie the Hong Kong government's efforts to achieve anything, even passing a budget. The primary was lauded by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who praised voters for making "their voices heard in the face of the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to suffocate the territory's freedoms." Beijing's liaison office declared the exercise illegal, saying that the goal of the opposition camp was to "seize the ruling power" of Hong Kong and that the candidates intended to carry out a "color revolution." Lee on Wednesday added that "the plan is to create mutual destruction, so that society jumps off the cliff." Only half of Hong Kong's legislature is elected. Its chief executive, meanwhile, is selected from a field of candidates picked by Beijing, and then voted on by a committee of about 1,200 members. The will of the people, however, was quashed by Hong Kong authorities, who disqualified many of the winning candidates and then postponed the election. The sweep Wednesday also took aim at the media. Police served three independent Hong Kong news organizations with search warrants, demanding information related to the candidates and the poll, according to journalists working there. Lau Siu-kai, a senior adviser to Beijing on Hong Kong policy, said the government had warned the pro-democracy camp not to go ahead with the primary. "The warning was defied and ignored," he said. The priority, he added, should be to safeguard national security. - - - Several others, including billionaire media tycoon Jimmy Lai and a man who rode a motorcycle that rammed into police in unclear circumstances, had previously been arrested and charged under the national security law. Only Lai was briefly granted bail, a decision criticized by Chinese state media as contrary to the provisions in the security law, by a lower court. Hong Kong's top court subsequently revoked Lai's bail, sending him back to jail on New Year's Eve. This precedent, legal experts and associates of those arrested Wednesday say, raises concern that they would not be granted bail if charged under the security law - leaving dozens in detention until formal hearings begin. Of the more than 50 arrested, many were losers in the poll and have continued their work in the community and civil society, including Jeffrey Andrews, Hong Kong's first ethnic minority candidate to run in legislative elections and a longtime advocate of minority and refugee rights. Others arrested included John Clancey, an American lawyer who represented one of the pro-democracy groups that organized the primary. A video shared widely Wednesday showed Clancey hobbling away from his office building on a single forearm crutch before police escorted him into a black van. The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong did not respond to a request for comment. Democracy activists from Hong Kong, a growing number of whom have fled to Western countries to avoid arrest and continue their advocacy, are lobbying the incoming Biden administration to impose tougher penalties against Beijing and for the European Union to call off an investment deal with China. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, along with Western politicians, condemned the arrests as a blatant violation of peaceful expression and the right to association. "Beijing once again has failed to learn from its mistakes in Hong Kong: that repression generates resistance, and that millions of Hong Kong people will persist in their struggle," said Maya Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. Other experts on China, however, struck a more somber tone, pointing to the Chinese Communist Party's record. "The iron lesson Beijing has taken away from dealing with political disturbances, both large and small, over its 100-year history is that violence and a tarnished global reputation are always preferred over the possible success of democratic movements," said CSIS's Blanchette. - - - The Washington Post's Lyric Li in Beijing contributed to this report. The total number of cases infected with the United Kingdom strain of the coronavirus now stands at 73 after 15 more tested positive for the new variant, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. The results are based on the genome sequencing of positive samples released by the Indian Sars-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) labs that the Central Government has specifically created for the purpose of monitoring any kind of mutations in Covid-19. The positive samples are being tested at a consortium of 10 government labs -- One in NIBMG Kolkata, ILS Bhubaneswar, 30 in NIV Pune, NCCS Pune, CCMB Hyderabad, three in CDFD Hyderabad, eleven in NIMHANS Bengaluru, 20 in IGIB Delhi, eight in NCDC Delhi -- for genome sequencing. All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated Health Care facilities by respective State Governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts, and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on. Earlier today, Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Biotechnology secretary Renu Swarup has stated in a media briefing, "71 people have been identified as carrying the UK variant strain (of coronavirus) till today in India". The health officials have started comprehensive contact tracing for co-travellers, family contacts and others in order to curb the spread of the mutated variant of Sars-CoV-2. The Union health ministry had earlier said: "The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs." Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. He described the village as a place where its the hardest to buy and the easiest to sell there is always low inventory and a lot of demand. As the pandemic surged last spring, the demand escalated, said Melissa Palley, an agent with Compasss Francie Malina Team. We had bidding wars and people buying houses sight unseen. Then, once things started opening up, we saw less panic-buying and more pushback on pricing. Now we have some people looking and some saying they are going to wait till spring. Inventory is still low, but the market is returning to a more normal pace. Data provided by the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service showed that as of Dec. 23, there were 10 single-family homes on the market, from a 1,550-square-foot, two-bedroom colonial, built in 1928 on 0.47 acres and listed at $310,000, to a 4,642-square-foot, four-bedroom house, built in 1989 on 0.45 acres, for $2.15 million. There were no multifamily homes for sale. There were three condominiums listed: a 694-square-foot one-bedroom for $260,000, a 2,500-square-foot two-bedroom for $719,000 and a 1,443-square-foot two-bedroom for $930,000. There were seven co-op apartments on the market, from a 750-square-foot one-bedroom for $189,000 to a 1,001-square-foot two-bedroom for $329,000. As for rentals, there were nine homes available, from a 750-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment for $1,700 a month to a 1,149-square-foot, three-bedroom single-family home for $4,400. The median sales price for a single-family home during the 12-month period ending Dec. 23 was $827,500, up from $755,000 during the previous 12 months. The median for a multifamily home was $712,000, down from $750,000 in the previous 12 months; for condominiums, the median was $672,500, down from $700,000; and for co-ops, the median was $235,000, down from $387,500. The median monthly rental was $2,650, up from $2,575. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The police on Wednesday were unable to arraign seven suspects arrested over the alleged sexual abuse of 11-year-old student of the Deeper Life High School, Uyo, as the magistrate was not available to listen to the case. The suspects include two minors, who are senior students of the school, accused of sexually abusing the victim in the school dormitory. The others are staffers of the school, including a vice principal and a housemaster. The police prosecutor refused to address the press as the suspects were put inside a bus and taken back to the police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia. Fidelis Igwe, a lawyer to the Deeper Life School, told PREMIUM TIMES he was surprised at the attitude and actions of the police in the case. It is disgusting. There are proper ways things should be done, Mr Igwe said. They have not told us anything, we dont know their offence, we dont know the charges. Nobody has shown us anything. They told us they were doing investigations, whats the result of the investigations, what have you got? They have not shown us anything. The lawyer said the persons arrested and detained by the police have the constitutional rights to know what offence they are accused of. Even the petition written against the Deeper Life High School has not been shown to them (the school authorities) up till now, the lawyer said. David Okokon, a lawyer to the victims parents, attributed the inability to arraign the suspects to lack of adequate coordination between the police and the judiciary. Mr Okokon, however, said the police should be commended for swift response, for bringing the suspects to court without delay. Allegations The victims mother, Deborah Archibong, said some senior students of the Deeper Life High School sexually abused her son when the school authorities switched him from his dormitory to another dormitory filled with senior students. They will remove his boxer and push their legs and hands into his anus, Mrs Archibong said in a video which has gone viral on Facebook and Twitter. Look at a child I sent to school, he came back with a broken anus, she added. Mrs Archibong said her son was frequently starved and beaten up by the senior students. The Deeper Life High School is owned by a Pentecostal church, The Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The school trended on Twitter a few days ago over the case, with several Nigerians calling on William Kumuyi, a pastor and founder of The Deeper Christian Life Ministry, to ensure that the victim gets justice. We will like to state that Deeper Life High School stands on the core values of integrity and uprightness and will not attempt to cover up any immoral act under any guise, Thelma Malaka, the schools education secretary, who spoke through a video uploaded on Twitter, said of the sexual abuse allegation. ADVERTISEMENT We have unflinching confidence in our God to resolve the issue such that at the end the truth will ultimately prevail, she said. The school suspended the principal of the embattled Uyo campus and launched an investigation. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the markets and an announcement of another national lockdown has thrown yet more uncertainty into the mix. The spread of coronavirus early last year wiped trillions of dollars off global stocks and March saw the FTSE plunge more than 10 per cent in its worst day since 1987. And as the virus crisis is still not yet under control, we could be in for another year of uncertainty for stock markets and investors. Here, we address the questions on every investor's mind... More to come? The spread of coronavirus early last year wiped trillions of dollars off global stocks and March saw the FTSE plunge more than 10 per cent in its worst day since 1987 What will a third lockdown mean? In the grand scheme of things, the latest lockdown will probably not mean that much for investments. 'Shares in London have been largely resilient amid fears that the third lockdown will cause another aftershock,' says Susannah Streeter from broker Hargreaves Lansdown. She says tighter restrictions had already been expected, with any change in value already 'priced in' for most companies. While sudden announcements can affect certain sectors - airline stocks dipped more than 5 per cent on news of tougher travel restrictions - the usual advice for investors is to ignore short-term noise. Even if you hold the likes of easyJet or IAG (the owner of British Airways), there's a tendency for these short-term movements to cancel themselves out. Will the FTSE dive again this year? As with all things investing, it's impossible to know for sure. But there are reasonably solid grounds to expect this year to be better than last. With Brexit done and the great vaccination effort under way, the FTSE has been freed from its two biggest uncertainties. The FTSE All Share, for example, has now recovered two-thirds of the losses it made during the big Covid crash of March 2020, suggesting most investors expect a brighter future. But savers should be careful about assuming the FTSE's performance is necessarily representative of the wider economy, or their portfolios. Rather than a measurement of Britain's economic muscle, the FTSE 100 is an index of the biggest companies listed in London - many of whom do much of their business abroad. How it performs will almost certainly have some impact on your portfolio. The FTSE All Share has now recovered two-thirds of the losses it made during the big Covid crash of March 2020, suggesting most investors expect a brighter future Should I invest worldwide? Tom Bailey, from the online platform Interactive Investor, says that British investors sometimes suffer from a 'home bias' - putting too much of their money into UK companies. While it can be tricky to buy foreign shares directly, it's easy for UK investors to opt for dedicated investment funds. The most popular fund bought by Hargreaves Lansdown's clients last year was Baillie Gifford's American Fund, which invests heavily in U.S. tech stocks. Other choices, such as Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund, look to spread investors' money across stock-markets worldwide. A sum of 10,000 invested five years ago would now be worth 23,600 (before fees). Is it time to snap up a bargain? Almost certainly, yes. But, of course, it's spotting them that's the difficult part. First, it's worth noting by some respected measures (which compare a company's profits to its share price), much of the UK stock-market is undervalued. Most investors expect that, if UK stocks do enjoy a Brexit bounce, or a post-Covid spending splurge, it will be the smaller companies of the FTSE 250 that benefit. The best thing is likely to look to a designated 'growth' fund. Franklin Templeton's UK Mid Cap fund picks smaller FTSE firms which it believes have potential. Holdings include housebuilder Redrow and kitchen supplier Howdens Joinery. How can I spot the best bets? Investors often have a tendency to beat themselves up about missing out on the last big thing. The shock of the coronavirus, and the rise of lockdowns, led to all sorts of companies rocketing in value in 2020. Shares in delivery champion Ocado, for example, doubled in value. While gambling company Flutter (owner of Paddy Power) gained 60 per cent. However, shares in video conferencing giant Zoom rocketed last year, but have since fallen sharply on vaccine news. An investment in Zoom at the October peak would now be worth 40 per cent less. A cautionary tale for speculators looking for quick wins. The man who was shot and killed by a Newark police officer on New Years Day was identified Tuesday as a South Orange resident. Officers were called to the area of Woodland Avenue and South 11th Street at 12:03 a.m. for a reason not specified in a statement released Tuesday by the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office, which was investigating the shooting. During their response, an unnamed officer fired his 9mm service weapon and struck Carl Dorsey III, 39, the office said. Officers provided medical aid to Dorsey and he was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead at 1:37 a.m., authorities said. No other information was released Tuesday as the investigation into the incident remained under investigation. The attorney generals office is investigating the incident under a law enacted in 2019 that requires an investigation any time someone dies during an encounter with New Jersey law enforcement officers, state officials said. The week prior to the shooting, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said that not one shot had been fired by a Newark police officer in all of 2020. This is proof-positive that our de-escalation training is highly effective, Ambrose said in a statement at the time. Our officers have embraced de-escalation training and are actively employing this resource when engaging with the community. Our training also played a huge role in Newark having zero violence during this years protests of the murder of George Floyd, Ambrose continued. The community and police worked together to ensure that non-Newark residents, who came here to protest, didnt initiate any violence in our city. The last time a Newark police officer shot and killed a person was in 2019, when Officer Jovanny Crespo fired into a fleeing car, fatally wounding one man and critically injuring another. Crespo was indicted for manslaughter. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. But anyone panicking about the onset of socialism should switch to decaf. The Senate will be dealing with a president who represents the moderate wing of the Democratic Party and who has made it clear that his agenda will not be plagiarized from progressives. In striving for bipartisan cooperation, Biden will be looking for solutions that stand a chance of winning over at least a few Republicans. For two months, New York Republicans have lied to the American people: Without evidence that would hold up in any court of law, not even one with a partisan GOP judge, they claimed that some sort of fraud had been perpetrated in the recent election that President-elect Joe Biden won by more than 7 million votes. And then, Wednesday, when their misinformed followers stormed the U.S. Capitol building, shattering windows, firing weapons and attempting to take control of the federal government by force, they acted surprised. Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, Elise Stefanik, Chris Jacobs and Lee Zeldin said they would object to certifying electors in key states Trump lost, but then issued statements opposing the riot. Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino was too cowardly even to say how he would vote. Reps. Tom Reed and John Katko were the only Republicans in the state who said they would vote to certify the election without any objection. President Donald Trump, who has been attempting to get the election result overturned by every other means at his disposal, posted a video simultaneously saying that the election result was fraudulent and that the protesters should go home. These are somewhat contradictory claims, and no one who encouraged this attempted coup should be allowed to pretend that they didnt. If the election really were stolen, armed insurrection might actually be an appropriate response a defense of democracy, rather than its downfall. So why arent Jacobs, Malliotakis, Zeldin, Stefanik, Trump and his henchman-lawyer, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani defending the violent coup attempt? Because they know the election wasnt really stolen. They have stoked their bases anger, its resentment at being outvoted by a more diverse America, for their own political advantage and, in some cases, personal profit. They did so on the assumption that no one would actually be so foolish as to act on the clear implication of their own words. Well, some people did, and its the responsibility of those who led them to this point. Truth be told, its the responsibility of every Republican who indulged Trump all along. Those who voted against impeachment sent the message to Trump that there would never be any consequences for his unpatriotic and antidemocratic behavior. Stefanik rose to national prominence as a manager of Trumps impeachment defense. What sort of American defends the president for attempting to extort foreign interference in an election on his behalf? That too was an assault on American democracy, even if it took place without chaos at the Capitol. As disturbing as Wednesdays events are, they are really no different from what Trump and his supporters already have done. Trying to retain power after losing an election through nonviolent means, whether its frivolous lawsuits or bullying state officials to alter the result through the threat of extortion, is also an attempted coup. When Reps. Stefanik and Zeldin signed onto Texas suit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out the votes in decisive swing states even ones in which local Republican officials affirmed there was no fraud they were attacking their fellow citizens voting rights. Trump lost 61 of 62 lawsuits, winning only one to limit the number of days after the election that an absentee ballot could be counted in Pennsylvania. He lost every recount. Every independent authority that assessed his claims of election irregularities found them to be baseless. And yet he and his minions kept refusing to admit the truth. If you tell your supporters that Trump really got more votes, why wouldnt you expect them to act accordingly? Wednesday morning, at a rally in Washington, D.C., Giuliani endorsed trial by combat and Manhattan native Donald Trump, Jr. told members of Congress who didnt sign on to his fathers attempt to seize power "We're coming for you." These people are as guilty of sedition as the marks for their con; as guilty as the mob boss who orders the hit and as much a threat to the republic as any since the Confederacy. With reporting by Rebecca C. Lewis. Iran on Tuesday denied taking a Korean tanker and its 20-strong crew hostage to free billions of dollars frozen in Korean bank accounts. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the MT Hankuk Chemi and its Korean, Indonesian, Myanmarese and Vietnamese crew in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, accusing it of "polluting the Persian Gulf with chemicals." But Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei denied the ship is being held hostage. "We've become used to such allegations but if there is any hostage-taking, it is Korea's government that is holding $7 billion which belongs to us hostage on baseless grounds." The Korean government has been negotiating with Tehran what to do with US$7-8 billion of Iranian oil export earnings that have been sitting in a won-denominated account the Central Bank of Iran opened here. The New York Stock Exchange says it will no longer go ahead with plans to remove three Chinese telecommunication companies from the index in compliance with an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. The exchange said Monday on its website that it reversed its previous decision after "further consultation" with regulators. The NYSE said last Thursday it was removing state-owned China Telecom Corp Limited, China Mobile Limited and China Unicom Hong Kong Limited under Trump's order issued in November that bars American companies and individuals from investing in at least 31 firms believed to be linked to the Chinese military. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga County officials say they are working with the state to trace all potential exposures that a jewelry store employee had with others, after it was revealed Monday that he had the state's first case of a more contagious coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom. The state swabbed and tested five more people associated with the N. Fox Jewelers store in Saratoga Springs on Monday. Four of them tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, but further testing was underway Tuesday to determine whether they were infected with the new B117 variant, the county said. Of the four who tested positive, three were previously known to be positive, and one had been ill and isolating before learning of their test result, the county said. No additional people had tested positive for the variant as of Tuesday evening, the county said. "It concerns us, in a sense," said Mike McEvoy, EMS coordinator for the county, during a Facebook Live event Tuesday. "If there is a widespread outbreak of (the variant) we would have more people ill in a community faster and our capacity to take care of those people in public health and in the hospitals could potentially be compromised." The variant was first detected in the UK last fall, and has since been identified in California, Colorado, Florida and 37 countries. While scientists estimate the variant is anywhere from 40 to 70 percent more infectious than the last one, they say it does not appear to be more lethal and is unlikely to change the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines currently being rolled out. A 'game changer' The variant's arrival comes at a perilous time for the region, state and nation, though. The Capital Region is already dealing with record-breaking infections and hospitalizations that show no signs of slowing, hospital capacity nationwide is dwindling, and vaccine rollout to much of the general public is still months away. In the Capital Region, ICU capacity remains the lowest in the state at 16 percent Tuesday. Area hospital officials say they have begun drawing on non-clinical and agency staff to increase their bed capacity. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Tuesday the variant's arrival in New York constitutes a new, serious danger and could be a "game changer." "The numbers are frightening on the increase of the transmittal of the virus," he said. "This is something we have to watch and we have to pay careful attention to." The new variant upsets the dynamic between vaccinations versus infection rate that Cuomo has compared to a "footrace" and "the light at the end of the tunnel" meaning it could lead to extra deaths as New Yorkers await their turn to receive the inoculations that will bring an end to this pandemic. Eli Rosenberg, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University at Albany, said a more contagious virus may mean that governments need to raise their bar for vaccine coverage. Experts have said anywhere from 75 to 85 percent of the population will need to be vaccinated against coronavirus for any meaningful level of herd immunity to be achieved. "Theres this classic mathematical relationship between transmissibility and herd immunity," Rosenberg said. "And basically as something spreads more easily you need to have higher coverage for herd immunity... if this becomes the (dominant) strain, then the bar is moved on vaccine coverage." On Tuesday, Cuomo encouraged anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the variant while visiting the Saratoga Springs jewelry store, located at 404 Broadway, between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24 to schedule a test. The state set up a free test site just for patrons of the store in the Saratoga Spa State Park, located at 99 E. West Road in Saratoga Springs. Patrons can register here. The site will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Friday. Anyone who was exposed, anyone who was exposed to someone who was exposed, please contact us," Cuomo said, speaking directly to people who live in the Capital Region. "Theres nothing to be ashamed of, this is a virus. It travels, but we have to know. Containment is vitally important here. Not just a Capital Region problem While the new variant was first identified in Saratoga Springs, it's unlikely the problem is confined to the Saratoga or even broader Capital Region, said Rosenberg. "All of this with the Saratoga case, with the UK cases you have to remember that theyre all based on small samples," he said. "So for every one were detecting, theres a whole lot were not." Detecting specific strains of coronavirus is an involved and time-consuming process that involves sequencing an entire genome. The U.S. has been criticized for not sequencing enough samples throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said it hopes to more than double the number of samples being sequenced each week from about 3,000 to 6,500. In New York, the state's Wadsworth Laboratory and private laboratories have sequenced nearly 5,000 random coronavirus samples since March, said Jonah Bruno, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health. The pace of sequencing picked up in December, as the transmissibility of the UK variant was making headlines. Of the more than 1,600 samples Wadsworth has sequenced so far, 870 have occurred since Dec. 23, Bruno said. "As part of an expanded effort to determine to what extent the variant from the UK is present in New York state, hospitals and clinical laboratories from across the state are submitting COVID-19 specimens to the Wadsworth Center, and Wadsworth has dramatically increased the number of samples it is sequencing," he said. The increase is not nearly dramatic enough for the number of positive COVID-19 tests that turn up every day in New York, however. That number has crossed 10,000 for 21 of the last 30 days, according to the state's COVID-19 tracker. "Were testing a fraction of what is coming up positive every day in New York," said Rosenberg, referring to the sequencing efforts. "So I think its unlikely that its restricted to Saratoga or the Capital Region or what have you," he added. State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker on Tuesday said that the state's Wadsworth Lab is able to detect the UK variant in about 44 hours, which is much quicker than other labs. "I will note that we do this a lot quicker, a lot more efficiently than the federal government," he said. "The CDC takes a lot longer than that, and other states have reported it takes several weeks to get results back from the federal government. So were moving very quickly on this, regarding the samples that have come, to see whether the other individuals had the UK strain or have the UK strain." Edward McKinley and Lauren Stanforth contributed to this report. The first families of Midland County was a project of the genealogy society, and in 1996, Maxine McCullen and Patricia Worden spearheaded the project. The response was immediate by Midlanders who had ancestors in Midland County before 1894. This month, Midland Remembers is featuring Robbyn Groves Durance and her great-great-grandfather Henry White in Part I and Leona Clark Seamster and her great-grandfather Samuel Hubbell in Part II. Both men came to Midland County from Chemung County, New York State the same year, 1869. Henry White, Robbyn Durances great-great-grandfather, was of English descent, born in 1822 in the state of New York. He married a woman named Elmira, and they had three children, Emma, George and John. On Sept. 4, 1862, he enlisted in the 5th Cavalry Regiment of New York and served briefly in the Civil War, suffering a wound resulting in an honorable discharge. In 1865, his daughter Emma White married George Covert, a lumber scaler in the Village of Midland City, and Emma left New York State to make her home here. George Covert also shared ownership in the Covert & Haley Lumber Camp, located on Hope Road near Sturgeon Road. In 1869, Henry and Elmira with their two sons followed Emma to the Village of Midland City. Details are sketchy, but Henry met and fell in love with a young woman named Catherine (Katie) Cotey, and they were married in 1870, making Katie Robbyns great-great-grandmother. Katie was born in 1840 in Canada and had two sisters Mary and Julia. Their father was French. Their mother was Irish. All three sisters emigrated from Canada to Michigan. Julia married a man from Gagetown, Michigan, (in the Thumb) and moved there. Katie married Henry White and Mary married Alex Findlator and both spent the rest of their lives in the small town of Midland. Henry White married Katie Cotey in 1870, and in 1872, their only child, a daughter they named Minnie, was born. Alex Findlator, a Scotsman, came to the Village of Midland City in 1864. On March 27, 1865, Mary Cotey became the bride of Alexander Findlator, who owned a hotel with John McGregor on the corner of Benson and Main streets. William Thomkins officiated at the wedding and Ansel Seeley and Charlotte Toley were witnesses. Alexander Findlator is the great-great-great uncle of Robbyn Durance. In 1876, a girl working at the Findlator Hotel was putting clean straw in the mattresses and threw the old straw in the pigpen at the back of the hotel. Railroad tracks ran behind the hotel and sparks from a trains engine ignited the straw. Fifty-two homes and businesses were burned in the fire, including the Findlator Hotel. Alexander Findlator recovered financially and in 1880, he purchased 40 acres of wooded land in what later became the Monroe Subdivision, which today encompasses Birchfield, Fairlane, Fernside, Lambros and Deutsch (Dawn). The census of 1880 listed Henry White as age 58, Katie was 38 and their daughter Minnie was 5. Minnie is Robbyns great-grandmother. In 1876, Minnie married Charles LaRue. On the marriage license, Minnie was listed as 16 and Charles as 28. In 1890, their first child was born, a daughter they named Margaret (Maggie). In 1891 a son Hiram was born. In 1895, a second son George was born, but he died in 1896. And in 1897, a still born son was born to Charlie and Minnie who were living with Henry and Katie at 311 Hubbard St. in Midland. (The house is still standing.) Still mourning the loss of two babies, Minnie lost her father and her husband three weeks apart in 1897. On Oct. 31, 1897, Henry came in the house after milking the cow and said that he was tired, went in the bedroom and laid down. When Katie went to call her husband for supper, he had passed away. Heart attack. Three weeks later on Nov. 22, Charlie LaRue passed away. Cause of death, Tuberculosis. At the age of 25, Minnie was a widow with two small children to raise. In June of 1898, Minnie LaRue married the young man who had been a good friend of her husband, Frederick Leroy Letts. Their first child born in 1905 was a son they named Leonard. In 1907, a baby girl was born and named Glatise. In 1909, a baby girl named Gladys Marie was born, but she died in 1910. In 1911, Hiram LaRue died at the age of 19 at the Mare Island Naval Base. (He had enlisted when he was 15.) The next year (1912) Minnie gave birth to a blue baby. A little girl who only lived three days. In 1913, a son Harold was born and survived. In 1919, Minnies daughter Maggie, the last child of her marriage to Charlie LaRue, died of Tuberculosis, the same disease that had claimed her father. One-year-old George LaRue and the still born baby were buried in the Larkin Cemetery. Maggie and Hi are buried in the Midland Cemetery. Henry White is buried with the Civil War veterans in the Midland Cemetery. Katie is buried on the Gould-Covert lot. Out of nine children, only three lived to reach the age of 30. Glatise, the first daughter born to Fred and Minnie, is Robbyns grandmother. Glatise grew up in Midland, attending the Post Street School as a child. In 1928, she married Gilbert Merritt. In 1929, they had a daughter. In 1931, a second daughter was born and in 1934, they welcomed twins, Dean and Delores. Delores would grow up to become Robbyns mother. Dean and Delores both graduated from Midland Senior High in 1952, with Dean leaving for college and Delores transferring to The Dow Chemical Companys Los Angeles sales office. Returning to Midland after a year in Los Angeles, Delores went on a blind date with Kay Reid and a young man named Ken Groves who was working at Dow for the summer before returning to Michigan State where he was in graduate school. Delores never remembered the name of her blind date, but she did remember that Ken Groves called her the next day and asked if she would like to go out with him. Love at first sight ended in their marrying on June 22, 1956, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Midland. Their first daughter, Tammy, was born in East Lansing where Ken was in graduate school. Their second daughter was Robbyn, and in 1966, a son (Kenny) was born, completing the Groves family. Their marriage lasted until Kens death in 2003. Robbyn Groves met her future husband Stephen Durance in high school, and they were married on Aug. 3, 1985, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Sanford. Both attended college before marrying. Robbyn attended Albion College, receiving a teaching degree. Stephen graduated from Valparaiso University, and then earned his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. They have three sons. Matthew is a Lutheran minister in Greenleaf, Kansas. Daniel is a dentist in Clarkston, Michigan. Peter is a lawyer in Midland and a specialist in the U. S. Army Reserves. Steve and Robbyn have four grandchildren, Hudson, Tatum and Ezra in Greenleaf, Kansas and Crosby in Clarkston. Each life has its own story to tell. And Elizabeth Hunter said it best, We are all immortal, as long as our stories are told. Midland Remembers is penned by Midland writer Virginia Florey and publishes on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The fast-attack submarine named after the City of Cheyenne has returned to its home base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii after a six-month deployment, the US Navy said this week. The Cheyenne will continue to serve the fleet, even though other Los Angeles-class submarines are being decommissioned. The boat is the last Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine built, and it will be the first of the class selected to go through a service life-extension program, a senior Navy admiral said. The Navy is planning to refuel six Los Angeles-class SSNs, said Adm. Frank Caldwell, director of the Navys Nuclear Power Program. The Navy is undertaking the effort to shore up the numbers of attack submarines in the fleet as other boats in the Loc Angeles class are decommissioned in order to partially fill in the trough in the mid-2020s when the inventory of SSNs declines to 41 boats. We will extend these boats for another operating cycle, Caldwell said. To get after this, over the last two years, weve been making the required investments in cranes, equipment and facilities to support these refuelings at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. This is a big effort, and there is a lot of work going on. Rear Adm. Ed Anderson, commander, Undersea Warfare, said the Navy is hoping to squeeze more than a 10-year nominal operational cycle out of each of the six submarines in the life-extension program. Were gathering the data to give the fleet as much time as possible, he said. Refueling of the Cheyenne will begin in February 2022, Caldwell said. The USS Cheyenne is the third US Navy vessel to be named for the City of Cheyenne. A number of good-will missions to visit and interact with the boat have been made by residents and city officials, including a visit to the boat by then-Mayor of Cheyenne, Marian Orr, when the boat returned from deployment to Pearl Harbor in 2019. Sea Power contributed to his report. A Roscommon towns idea to keep their Christmas lights on throughout January to give people a bit of hope amid a third lockdown has got a great reaction online. Today, is traditionally the day many people across the country take down their festive lights and decorations, as January 6 marks the end of the Christmas season. But Roscommon Councillor Valerie Byrne says leaving the lights up in Elphin is one small way of giving people a lift this month. She says so many people had commented positively about the lights since they were switched on in December that she asked the local committee if they could be left on for the next numbers of weeks. The Independent councillor says that with so many businesses closed again under the latest Covid restrictions, many villages and smaller towns are darker than usual. She told Newstalk Breakfast: This Christmas we were saying were going into a new year, and the vaccines are on the way. Then after Christmas there was a slump because the numbers have gone up so high. If pubs are closed, if restaurants are closed all the towns and villages will be very dark. If we left the lights on until the end of January, at least wed have the days getting longer and nights getting shorter. People have reacted favourably on Facebook with one person writing: Its a great idea hope other towns do the same. Another added: Fantastic idea especially this year with all the doom and gloom. I have decided to keep my tree up too. One person added: Great idea, wish Roscommon town would do it too. One added: Could be a good idea for Carrigallen to brighten the place up in January, just an idea, obviously more expensive with esb. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors US President Trump vetoes bill to outlaw drift gillnets off California by Jim Hendricks January 06,2021 | Source: Sport Fishing President Donald Trump rang in the New Year by exercising his veto powers to sink Senate Bill 906, the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, which would have outlawed destructive drift gillnets from the last region of the country that still allows themthe federal ocean waters off California. A letter signed by Trump that accompanied the veto sought to explain the reasons behind his action. I am returning, without my approval, S. 906, the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, it read. Americas fishermen have made great sacrifices to ensure that our Nations marine fisheries are a sustainable economic engine for coastal communities. Under my Administration, the number of United States fish stocks subject to overfishing is at a historic low. This achievement is the result of a transparent and collaborative regulatory process that is supported by regional fishery management councils. At council meetings, fishermen work with Federal Government and State government representatives to meet their statutory obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Coastal Conservation Association of California had helped lead the final push for congressional passage of S. 906, which was introduced more than two years ago in the upper house by senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), now vice president-elect. It was approved by the Senate in July 2020, and it passed the lower house last month. We are obviously deeply disappointed by this veto, said Wayne Kotow, executive director for CCA Cal. We will continue our efforts to get this legislation passed and get this gear type removed from our waters. We are not against commercial fishing and in fact understand how important it is to our supply chain and economics. What we are concerned with is a gear type that is harmful to the overall resource. We all need to fish cleaner and with less expired bycatch. We are trying to use more modern methods that have proven to fish cleaner. To help commercial fishermen replace lost income, the state of California has been actively developing an alternative method for catching swordfish with deep-set buoy gear that results in far less bycatch of marine mammals and non-target fish species. However, the Trump administration is not convinced that deep-set buoy gear is an economically viable alternative. 2021 Sport Fishing Magazine. A Bonnier Corporation Company. All rights reserved. Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. A merger of budget airline AirAsia India with full-service carrier Vistara is among options considered by the Tata group as it gears up for a wider play in the aviation business. The salt-to-software conglomerate has set up a strategy team headed by Tata Sons Pvt. Ltds chief financial officer Saurabh Agrawal to explore options, including mergers, consolidation and rebranding of its airline ventures, two people aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity. Tata group, which placed an expression of interest for Air India, recently announced its decision to raise its stake in AirAsia India to 84% by buying out a part of its Malaysian partner AirAsia Bhds shares. A decision on the way forward with AirAsia India is expected to be taken by March-end by when there will likely be more clarity on Tatas bid for Air India, the people cited above said. A final decision in this regard depends on whether AirAsia continues as a minority investor in the airline or not, one of the two people cited above said. In the event of AirAsia Bhd continuing to stay invested in AirAsia India, the Tata group may not be required to pay a royalty for the use of the brand name, which is a key factor, the person added. Tata group also owns 51% of Vistara, with the rest held by Singapore Airlines (SIA). Meanwhile, under the share-purchase pact with AirAsia Bhd, Tata Sons has the option to raise its stake to 100% in AirAsia India. The pact, may however, be terminated if Tata Sons doesnt close the deal to first buy the 32.67% additional stake in AirAsia India by March-end. A potential merger of AirAsia India with Vistara to operate a single airline under the Vistara brand would require the consent of SIA, the people cited above said. A merger (of AirAsia India) with Vistara depends on many factors, including improvement in load factor, cash flows, vaccination, global lockdown and travel restrictions, the proposed deal with Air India, consent of Singapore Airlines, completion of pending aircraft orders and competition from other airlines in India, the first person said. If this works, several sectors will open up for flying, thus, improving cash flows for AirAsia India, the person added. The person said Tata group is also examining the option of merging AirAsia India, Vistara and Air India, if it wins the bid for the national carrier, and run them under a new brand provided it is agreeable to SIA. The Air India deal will depend on the government as it may absorb a large part of the airlines debt. If the government keeps conditions, which includes keeping the Air India brand name intact for a time period, a different strategy will be required, the person said. If the airline businesses are not merged, Tata group may either continue to run Air India separately or merge AirAsia India with Air India. It may also run Air India separately and merge Vistara and AirAsia India under one entity, with the consent of SIA, the first person said. The first will depend on the conditionality kept by the government and the price at which the proposed deal is formalised. The second will depend a lot on how the balance sheet of AirAsia India improves, how the Covid-19 situation subsides, air routes open up and whether Singapore Airlines agrees for a merger or not at a future date after March 31, the person said. All the different scenarios are being assessed by a dedicated team, the person added. A spokesperson for Tata Sons declined to comment. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid I felt a growing sadness as I listened to a recording of Donald Trump begging, bullying, cajoling, and threatening Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in an attempt to make him do something he cant overturn Trumps loss in the presidential race, via the state now poised to send a historic rebuke to the GOPs exclusionary politics. Others, including former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and former federal prosecutor Elie Honig, have said the presidents roughly hour-long call to Raffensperger, published by the Washington Post, could expose the president to state and federal charges of election fraud. In listening to what Trump said, I thought Bharara and others were right. But they are shredding ballots, in my opinion, based on what Ive heard, Trump told Raffensperger as lawyers and staffers listened in. And they are removing machinery, and theyre moving it as fast as they can, both of which are criminal finds. And you cant let it happen, and you are letting it happen. You know, I mean, Im notifying you that youre letting it happen. So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have because we won the state. Finding almost 12,000 votes sounded like something out of a mob movie. For me, though, it was about much more than the seemingly illegal nature of Trumps actions. It was the fact that otherwise rational people would entertain the kind of foolishness that Trump has put forth concerning an election he lost by more than seven million votes. But, as I listened to Trump bombard Raffensperger with a series of debunked and bizarre conspiracy theories, it struck me that Trumps followers are holding onto the one American thing Trump has sought to uphold: white supremacy. READ MORE: In extraordinary hour-long call, Trump pressures Georgia secretary of state to recalculate the vote in his favor In Trumps America, where the goal is to take the country back to a time when it was great, whiteness has tremendous value. When white supremacy is the order of the day, there is no need for any white person to prepare themselves to compete with nonwhites. There is no need to work harder or reach higher. For those who might not be as talented or driven as others, that is an attractive proposition. And in Trumps America, where South American children are caged and unarmed Black men are shot, where African countries are sholes and Asians are to blame for a pandemic, white supremacy seems to be the goal. That brings me back to Trumps call with Brad Raffensperger. At first, I focused on the sheer lunacy of Trump saying that he mustve won the election because big crowds show up at his rallies. I homed in on the incredible hubris of a man who would actually claim after recounts, no less that everybody is wrong except him. I chuckled as Trump peppered Raffensperger with claims that dead people and non-Georgia residents somehow rigged the election. READ MORE: Tale of two tapes traces Americas downfall | Will Bunch Newsletter Then, as I listened more closely, I realized that Trump was naming the same place over and over again: Fulton County. That was where he said the cheating took place, and that was the place Raffensperger would need to check. Fulton County is home to Atlanta, and Atlanta is the urban center that is home to a significant number of Black voters. We have at least two or three anywhere from 250 to 300,000 ballots were dropped mysteriously into the rolls, Trump said. Much of that had to do with Fulton County, which hasnt been checked. We think that if you check the signatures a real check of the signatures going back in Fulton County youll find at least a couple of hundred thousand of forged signatures of people who have been forged. As I listened to Raffensperger push back against those ridiculous assertions, I realized this was the same tactic Trumps team had used in many of the states he lost. He claimed that Black people in Milwaukee and Philadelphia and Detroit had somehow cheated him out of the election when, in reality, we simply voted for the other candidate in larger numbers. READ MORE: The U.S. cant afford to just look forward after Trumps criminal behavior | Helen Ubinas If white supremacy were the order of the day, truth wouldnt matter, because in times past, all it took was the word of a white person to doom an African American. Trump, in his quest to steal an election he lost handily, is trying to return us to that time. Trumps followers are hungry for that kind of power. The power to say that right is wrong, that up is down, that left is right. The power to dare nonwhites to challenge their view of the world. Those who see Trump as the man who will lead them to that power will never seek to hold him accountable. But even if Trump never pays for his all-out assault on American democracy, the rest of us will be paying for generations to come. Gordon Ramsay has revealed his wife Tana is keen to have a sixth child - and wants to start trying during the current lockdown. The couple are already parents to Megan, 22, twins Holly and Jack, 21, Matilda, 19, and Oscar, 19 months. But celeb chef Gordon, 54, spoke to Jimmy Fallon via video link on Monday, claiming Tana, 46, 'is asking for a sixth across the lockdown'. Baby number 6? Gordon Ramsay has revealed his wife Tana is keen to have a sixth child - and wants to start trying during the current lockdown 'Lterally two hours ago our prime minister has announced we are in lockdown now until the frigging 15th of February,' Gordon said, speaking to Jimmy shortly after Boris Johnson plunged the UK into a third national lockdown. 'So [Tana] said we have good news. You are up late talking to Jimmy. Tomorrow night we go for number six!' Gordon didn't seem particularly enthused by the idea, explaining that the family's new pet French bulldog proves to be enough of a handful without a newborn being thrown into the mix. 'Oh my goodness he has been a mess, and he is still going through that period of being house trained,' he said of the dog. 'You can always tell when the dog s***s because the smell rises and even before you open the bedroom door in the morning you think oh my God. It used to be gravy. Now it is dog s**t.' More more more: Celeb chef Gordon, 54, spoke to Jimmy Fallon via video link on Monday, claiming Tana, 46, 'is asking for a sixth across the lockdown' [Tana is pictured with youngest, Oscar] Family: The couple are already parents to Megan, 22, twins Holly and Jack, 21, Matilda, 19, and Oscar, 19 months He explained that of their children, youngest Oscar is most likely to take after his father in the cooking world. 'Oscar is my last hope of getting anyone into the industry. Everyone has left the nest and nobody wants to cook,' he said. Gordon and Tana tragically lost a baby boy, Rocky, when Tana was five months pregnant in 2016. Just last week they celebrated their twins 21st birthday, vowing to give them a 'monumental celebration' in the summer. The doting parents took to Instagram on Thursday to share sweet snaps of the twins as they gushed over their children and how 'proud' they are of their 'passion and respect for others'. Big birthday! Gordon and Tana wished their twins Jack and Holly a happy 21st and vowed to give them a 'monumental birthday celebration' in the summer Gordon revealed the family will be waiting to celebrate their big day until the summer when hopefully the Covid pandemic will be more under control. He shared a snap of Jack and Holly in front of a large chocolate cake, as they beamed while posing in a restaurant. The normally sharp-tongued TV star captioned the post: 'Happy 21st Birthday to our twins Jack & Holly, what a year it's been, proud of your passion and respect for others ,we will celebrate this monumental birthday in the summer love dad X'. Tana shared a series of snaps, including their decorated dining room with large gold foil balloons, which read 'J21 H21', with a series of hearts and stars in the middle. 'Proud of your passion and respect for others': The doting parents took to Instagram on Thursday to share sweet snaps of the twins as they gushed over their children Sweet: The celebrity chef revealed the family will be waiting to celebrate their big day until the summer when hopefully the Covid pandemic will be more under control Off on holiday: Tana also shared a pic of the pair with WHSmith carrier bags as they sat in the airport waiting area. Jack scowled at the camera while Holly held her fingers in a 'peace' sign In the second pic, Jack wore a grey Mickey Mouse t-shirt with a black shirt open over the top while Holly wore a black dress and a necklace with a heart pendant. Tana also shared a pic of the pair with WHSmith carrier bags as they sat in the airport waiting area. Jack scowled at the camera while Holly held her fingers in a 'peace' sign. She wrote: 'Happy Happy 21st Birthday Jack and Holly x just being with you two today is the very best thing x.' Earlier this month, Gordon got reminiscent as he marked he and Tana's 24th wedding anniversary, by dedicating a throwback post to her. Yay: Holly posed in a patterned co-ord as she celebrated her milestone birthday Decorate: Tana shared a series of snaps, including their decorated dining room with large gold foil balloons, which read 'J21 H21', with a series of hearts and stars in the middle Happy birthday! Tana said 'just being with you two today is the very best thing' as she shared a sweet message Reminiscent: Gordon got reminiscent as he marked he and Tana's 24th wedding anniversary earlier this month, by dedicating a throwback post to her The chef took to Instagram to share the post, which showed the then-newlyweds beaming as they stood beside one another after exchanging nuptials. Captioning the heart-warming image, Gordon gushed: 'Happy anniversary to this gorgeous lady 24yrs today @tanaramsay love you X.' Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Celebrity chefs and longtime friends Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentiis team up to explore Italian cuisine in the new Discovery Plus series Bobby and Giada in Italy. The four-episode series debuted on the Discovery Plus streaming service on Monday, with People getting an early sneak peek at the show. The 56-year-old Beat Bobby Flay star and the 50-year-old Giada at Home star revealed how the show came together. Bobby and Giada: Celebrity chefs and longtime friends Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentiis team up to explore Italian cuisine in the new Discovery Plus series Bobby and Giada in Italy Flay revealed that he came up with the concept with the show, and knew immediately that he wanted de Laurentiis to be a part of it. 'We're friends, we obviously both love Italy and we're both on the same network, so it made perfect sense,' Flay revealed. 'So that's what we did. And I have to say, I think it's probably the most beautiful thing that I've ever shot, for sure,' he added. Concept: Flay revealed that he came up with the concept with the show, and knew immediately that he wanted de Laurentiis to be a part of it The friends spent a month traveling throughout Italy, with stops in Rome and Tuscany for the new series, which Flay said was a joy to film. 'I think you're going to see an inherent happiness in both of us just being there,' Flay said. 'You know when you go to a place that you really love being, your whole demeanor is different. We were just so much more relaxed and just smiling a lot and just enjoying our surroundings,' he added. Joy: The friends spent a month traveling throughout Italy, with stops in Rome and Tuscany for the new series, which Flay said was a joy to film Flay also raved about one of his favorite dishes from their time in Tuscany, from his time on the show. 'One of the most classic dishes in Tuscany is a wild boar ragu with pasta, so I love doing things that are classic to a place," he said. 'The fact that I was making wild boar ragu and fresh fettuccine in Tuscany that for me is one of my aha moments. To me, that's a win,' he added. Raved: Flay also raved about one of his favorite dishes from their time in Tuscany, from his time on the show The show will also showcase Giada's mother, actress Veronica De Laurentiis, as they dined at Armando Al Pantheon in Rome. They were served antipasto dishes: bruscetta, crostoni with anchovies, zucchini flower and mozzarella cheese, and coratella (lamb). Flay revealed that, 'The lamb is spicy,' though the zucchini,' might be my favorite.' Giada added, 'I like the beans a lot,' while her 70-year-old mother added, 'It's not spicy and heavy. It's very light.' Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Health & Wellness By Long Island Published: January 06 2021 Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was joined by Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling on Monday to announce a partnership between the County, Northwell Health and New York State to open a COVID-19 vaccine distribution center ... The vaccines will be distributed by Nassau County Department of Health staff, Members of Nassau Countys Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) with assistance from Northwell Health, which has been designated by New York State as Long Islands vaccination HUB. The center will operate in NCCs CCB building and will begin vaccinations on Tuesday, January 5, for residents who meet the criteria set forth by New York State. Appointments are required. We are ready, set, go with the Countys first vaccination center. This is the beginning of our local effort to join New York State and Nassaus hospital networks to roll out the vaccine, said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. Our go-to team at the center will be led by Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Larry Eisenstein, Department of Health staff, the Medical Reserve Corps and Northwell Health. We have the first one hundred medical personnel signed up for Tuesday and we have opened registration for Wednesday. I am calling on all emergency and first responders who qualify to sign up immediately. This is how Nassau County can lead the way to a healthy New Year with our schools and businesses open. We can do it, Nassau! As coordinator of the Long Island hub of the states Regional Vaccine Network, Northwell Health is working closely with Nassau County to set up vaccination sites at various locations throughout the county, said Northwell Health President & CEO Michael Dowling. Our goal is to distribute the vaccine safely, equitably and as quickly as possible, but because supply is limited, we encourage everyone to be patient. As part of this effort and at Governor Cuomos request, we have also convened a Health Equity Task that will be working with local clinicians and community leaders to ensure the vaccine is reaching people in areas where there is a history of health disparities and a high prevalence of chronic diseases that have made them more vulnerable to COVID-19. The Majority looks forward to the ramp up of vaccine distribution to help Nassau residents continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, said Presiding Officer of Nassau County Legislature Richard Nicolello. Todays announcement represents an important milestone in our efforts to efficiently administer the COVID-19 vaccine. I stand behind County Executive Curran, the Department of Health, and Northwell Health in their efforts to ensure this vaccine is available for all residents as soon as possible, said Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, ranking member of the Legislatures Health & Social Services Committee. In the meantime, I urge residents to wear their masks, practice social distancing, avoid crowds and frequently wash their hands so that we can persevere through the winter and win this battle once and for all. We are honored to host Nassau Countys first Vaccination Distribution Center at Nassau Community College. From the onset of the pandemic we have been focused on maintaining the health and safety of our community, instituting mandatory safety protocols and procedures including daily screenings, surveillance testing, mask wearing, and social distancing. As the State University of New Yorks (SUNY) largest single campus community college, we are focused on supporting the needs of our students, faculty, and staff as well as our community residents. We are grateful for our NCC employees, the County, Northwell Health, and all involved in establishing this distribution center, said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, President, Nassau Community College. County Executive Laura Curran called on me to be prepared for vaccine distribution. I am proud to say we are ready to roll out our program. I want to thank New York State, Northwell, Nassau Community College, my dedicated staff and the Medical Reserve Corps for making this effort possible, said Commissioner of Health Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. Residents can check their eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the list below. Those who are eligible must make an appointment. Only those who meet the criteria can make an appointment at this time. Appointments must be made online at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/vaccine. The vaccine will be provided for free regardless of insurance or immigration status. As of this week, the following residents meet the criteria to the vaccine as per the New York State prioritization guidance: High-risk hospital staff, affiliates, volunteers and contract staff including State-operated Office of Mental Health (OMH) psychiatric centers Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel Medical Examiners and Coroners Funeral workers who have direct contact with infectious material and bodily fluids. Health care, other high-risk direct care essential staff and agency staff working in Long Term Care Facilities and long-term, congregate settings overseen by Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). Residents living in Long Term Care Facilities and in long-term congregate settings overseen by OPWDD, OMH and OASAS FQHC staff Urgent Care providers Any staff administering COVID-19 vaccinations All Outpatient/Ambulatory front line, high risk health care providers who provide direct in-person patient care or other staff in a position where they have direct contact with patients, such as receptionists, of any age. New York State continues to expand the criteria for who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For regular updates on who is currently eligible for the vaccine under New York States guidance, residents can visit the Countys vaccine website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/vaccine. To the average person, Apple Airpods can be quite expensive. They typically cost anywhere from $100 to $200, so the thought of losing one pair can be devastating. However, it seems there is one BTS member who does not have seem to mind constantly misplacing his AirPods. In fact, this member went through over 30 pairs in less than a year. BTS | Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage BTSs RM once admitted he lost over 30 of his Airpods During a live stream in December 2019, a fan shared with BTSs leader RM that they lost their AirPods after they had just received. In response, RM said he could sympathize. I think you and I can be really good friends, RM admitted. I lose my AirPods all the time. On my Bluetooth application, there is a list of all the AirPods I lost. He, then, revealed that, at the time of the live stream, he was on his 34th pair of AirPods. RM also added, Since this is my 34th pair, I guess I bought them 33 times? Naturally, a lot of fans on the stream were shocked at this confession from RM. Some even suggested for him to buy wired earbuds, which might not be as easily lost as AirPods. RM is known for constantly losing things RELATED: BTS: The Unique Way the Group Helps Young People Deal With Harsh Economic Realities However, based on what fans know about RM, it seems wired earbuds might not make much of a difference. He is known for constantly losing things. For example, RM often loses his passport. As seen on several episodes of BTSs reality shows, he has lost his passport on the plane, in hotels, and in random places in the countries he visited. Because BTS travels a lot, this has caused problems for the group. In some instances, RM even had to return to South Korea while the other members went on with the trip. On the Korean show Problematic Menin which RM was a cast memberhe even once revealed that he was carrying around an empty wallet because that he lost his original one. What is RMs net worth? RELATED: BTS: These 2 Members Fight the Most in the Group Things like AirPods, passports, and wallets can be difficult to replace for a lot of people because of how much money is involved. However, for RM, money might not be much of an issue. BTS is one of the biggest groups in the world at the moment, which means the members have earned a lot of money throughout the years. They have sold out concerts in stadiums, landed lucrative advertisement deals, and even received shares from their hugely successful company. According to Celebrity Net Worth, RM is worth an estimated $20 million. This number is likely to increase as BTSs popularity does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. RM and the rest of the BTS members share an apartment in Hannam THE HILL, an exclusive community in Seoul. The apartment was bought for $6.53 million and comes with a lot of security for the world-famous band. Additionally, in early 2020, RM used his own money to buy another apartment in Hannam THE HILL for $4 million. ADVERTISEMENT The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, on Wednesday morning lost another prominent professor, Duro Ajeyalemi, to coronavirus disease. The late Mr Ajeyalemi, who retired at the age of 70 from the university in November, in 2020, was a former dean of the institutions faculty of education and the pioneer registrar of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB). Confirming the development to PREMIUM TIMES, the universitys deputy vice-chancellor in charge of development services, Folasade Ogunsola, said the institutions management was again shocked to receive the news of the death of another great scholar. It is true Professor Ajeyalemi is dead. We are still in shock. Nigerians should know that COVID-19 is real and they should please use masks appropriately, Mrs Ogunsola told our reporter on the phone. Finding by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the late don died at the isolation centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, in Lagos. Mr Ajeyalemi, a professor of education, is the third prominent indigene of Ijesha land in Osun East Senatorial District that had died of the deadly disease in the recent time. The late professors Femi Odekunle and Oye Ibidapo-Obe had earlier died recently. Meanwhile, Mrs Ogunsola, a professor of medical microbiology, urged Nigerians to desist from partying, saying the violation of COVID-19 rules through social gathering, has increased the cases nationwide. Nigerians should know that social parties can wait. We must wear our masks and avoid crowded spaces. We must also sanitise properly. COVID-19 is real and we must be properly guided, Mrs Ogunsola added. Bill Clark/Getty The Trump show was canceled by the American people, but you wouldnt know that from talking to many Republican lawmakers or the diehard fangirlsand the Proud Boysdescending on the nations capital at the behest of the sorest of all losers, the outgoing president himself. On Tuesday members of the House of Representatives will conduct one of their most solemnand usually boringduties: simply counting votes from the Electoral College. This quadrennial dance has been predictably mundane and mechanical for decades. And it will be this time, even though rank-and-file Republicans in the House and Senate are pouting and may protest the results from several states, a move that could drag the inevitable out for six hours or even into Thursday. The open secret here in Washington, D.C.even amongst those Republicans carrying the presidents latest jugs of swamp-wateris that everyone knows how this ends: President-elect Biden will have his win codified. Just because everyone knows the outcome doesnt mean the president doesnt want to throw one last, made-for-TV carnival (albeit a warped one accompanied by angry protesters, countless police officers, security gates, the National Guard and the threat of violence, like the last time many of Trumps fan club came to town). The Republicans coddling his obese ego are doing so for a number of reasonspolitical ambitions, a fear of Trump voters which is closely tied to fear of Trump himself, and possibly a few who actually dont think local officialswhether Democratic or Republicancan count. But unlike the lemming-like ass-kissing the GOP has exhibited for the past four years, whats notable this time around is that many Republicans are openly opposing the most powerful thumbs and loudest cry-baby on the planet. Predictably, thats putting them in an impossible position with their own GOP voters who are being asked to believe a rank-and-file Republican over the President of the United States of America. Story continues Its getting awkward for many, because theyre having to do what Democrats, Independents, public health officials, foreign leaders, doctors, scholars, intelligence officers, senior cabinet members, junior government employees, and the press corps have tried to do since Trump sauntered into the White House: Theyre trying to simply point out that the sky is blue. That was evidenced outside the Capitol Tuesday where Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) was surrounded by more than 25 of his constituents. As the sporadic sound of car horns from a pro-Trump, anti-China caravan rang out nearby, Cramer fielded questions from his voters who both trekked to Washington to support the presidents latest Trump-sized myth and also to personally pressure lawmakers like Cramer to put personality, party, and power above all else. After Cramer left the outdoor town hall meeting, The Daily Beast asked him how the conversation with his voters who disagree with him went. He was unfazed. They're trying to pull me that way, but, as I say, you know, there's two things: my conscience and the Constitution. And my reading of the Constitution and my reading of the Holy Spirit is, do the right thing and then explain yourself, Cramer told The Daily Beast as he walked across the Capitol grounds. I don't have to persuade anybody. I just have to be able to sleep well at night. Cramer knows his audience, but hes still opposed to the presidents latest gambit, despite his constituents boisterous support for the anti-democratic ploy. The easiest vote in the world would be to do what the vast majority of my constituents want me to do. That'd be easy, but when I, you know, read that Constitutionand the clarity of itand think about my oath to it. I just couldn't with a clear conscience, Cramer said. For the past few weeks, hes spent time poring over the 12th Amendment, talked to some lawyers, and discussed the issue with colleagues. Hes firmly convinced hes right, and that the president hes supported the vast majority of the time is wrong. There's nowhere in there that says you do anything other than count them. Unless there's less than 270 or there's a tie, Cramer said There's nothing in there relating to objections I think it's up to the courts to decide whether a slate of electors was fraudulently elected or not and shouldn't have been certified. It's certainly not our job to do that. These Deluded GOP Senators Plan to Join Hawley in Rejecting Electoral College Vote Still, he wont be ripping on his party or the president, because the Trump era has turned him and most of his Republican colleagues into the subjective relativists conservatives have decried for decades. No. I'm not disappointed in it. I guess, I understand people have different views. You know people have different opinions. People have different reads of certain things and have different motives that motivate them. All I can worry about is me, Cramer said. Across the Capitol, during a House vote series on Monday, The Daily Beast caught up with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyflanked by his security detailas he left the House floor and headed towards his Capitol suite. When asked if he supports the effort to challenge the election, he smirked and audibly chuckled. Whats that laugh? The Daily Beast asked. Because you guys always try to get me walking, McCarthynow no longer smirkingreplied. I think its very healthy we have debate. I think its right we have the debate. Other Republicans know there will be repercussions for getting on this last wild Trump-ride. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY)the No. 3 House Republican leaderand even her father, former Vice-President Dick Cheney, have vocally opposed what many are calling an attempted coup. Others in the party are drunk on knock-off Trump Kool-Aid; theyre not alone. There are people on the left here who would love to ignore the Constitutionedit it or amend itand get rid of the electoral college, and Im advocating that we shouldnt, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) told The Daily Beast. If it would be successful it would undermine the Electoral College. For those Republicans braving the inevitable backlash, theyre now feeling the withering, unforgiving, relentless, and largely unthinking power of todays conservative misinformation machine. One thing that does surprise and disappoint me is the degree of disinformation, Massie said. Some of the outside agitatorsnot my colleagues, but outside agitatorsare giving the public the impression that if they come to D.C., that they could cause enough people in that chamber to reject enough Biden votes that Trump has a path to re-election, which is absolutely false. For Democrats, its not even an I told you so moment. Its a WTF moment. And theyre sick of fueling the perpetually raging Trumpster fire. The thing that makes this country special is the peaceful transition of power. We had an election, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), who was tapped as a senior adviser to the Biden-Harris administration, told The Daily Beast. This thing is over. [It] should be a formality, but some people will choose to make it a spectacle. And its unfortunate, but well get through it. Even though hes the incoming presidents eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, Richmond told The Daily Beast he hasnt even discussed this latest GOP charade with Biden. Thats because he seems to be seeing clearly, like some Republicans are finally doing. So we don't win under any circumstance, Massie said. That's not being disclosed to a lot of folks. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Hundreds of supporters of President descended on the nation's capital Tuesday to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud a day before a congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden's victory. Just blocks from the White House, protesters many without masks gathered in Freedom Plaza to decry the vote in the Electoral College. As temperatures dropped to the low 40s and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. I'm just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who traveled from Memphis, Tennessee. Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the president's legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and didn't know what options Trump had left. I not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say," Wideman said. Trump tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who don't want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The president was expected to personally address his supporters in Washington on Wednesday during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. The protests coincide with Wednesday's congressional vote expected to certify the Electoral College results, which Trump continues to dispute. The rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalised. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the city's police force. She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is looking for a fight. But, she warned, we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city. Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Trump's former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. A pro-Trump rally Dec 12 ended in violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, wearing the signature black and yellow of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, sought out confrontations with a collective of local activists attempting to bar them from Black Lives Matter Plaza, an area near the White House. At least two local Black churches had Black Lives Matter banners torn down and set ablaze. On Monday, police arrested the leader of the Proud Boys, Henry Enrique Tarrio, 36, after he arrived in Washington ahead of this week's protests. Tarrio was accused of burning one of the Black Lives Matter banners in December and was found with two high-capacity firearm magazines, police said. A judge signed an order Tuesday banning Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions related to his criminal case. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MORRISTOWN (dpa-AFX) - Honeywell International Inc. (HON) said Wednesday that China-based Sichuan Airlines has selected the company's 131-9A auxiliary power units or APUs for its A320 fleet of aircraft. Under a five-year agreement, Honeywell will provide the 131-9A APU for Sichuan Airline's 93 new A320 aircraft that will enter service by 2025. In addition, Sichuan Airlines will replace the APUs on its 141 existing A320 aircraft with the same Honeywell APU. Honeywell noted that this is the largest APU retrofit deal in the company's history. The 131-9A APU will help Sichuan Airlines reduce flight delays and cancellations, creating a more pleasant flying experience for passengers. An APU is a critical piece of aircraft equipment that provides electrical power and air conditioning while the plane is on the ground. It helps ensure passenger comfort and supplies the air source before a pilot is ready to start the main engines. Honeywell noted that it has shipped more than 15,000 131-9A APUs since introducing this model in 1995. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A war hero who was knocked unconscious while trying to stop a young girl from being bashed by 15 gang members now suffers debilitating headaches that leave him thrashing around in agony. Ben Woolley was unloading shopping from his car outside the family home in Pakenham, east of Melbourne, at 7.30pm on January 2 when his partner Jessica Davies noticed a girl being attacked in a park opposite their home. Without thinking, the father dashed over to stop the assault and shouted at the group to 'stop fighting' more than 100 times. While the group of Sudanese nationals stopped attacking the helpless girl, who the 44-year-old described as a Caucasian teenager, the gang diverted their attention to him. Pictured: Ben Woolley and Jessica Davies, who were both attacked by a Sudanese gang Pictured: The horrific attack on Mr Woolley, 44, who tried to save an innocent girl from being beaten 'At that point they started to circle around me,' Mr Woolley told Daily Mail Australia. 'One smashed me over the back of the head with the hard end of the umbrella, but I thought that was just one person, so I kept trying to split the crowd and stop them from attacking.' Shocking footage captured by Ms Davies showed the moment the gang pounced and began their attack, beating him over the head and coming from every direction. 'F*** him up, b***h,' the female gang members could be heard screaming. Mr Woolley tried to fight back, but every time he regained consciousness after being punched he was knocked out again. 'Two men then came over while I was unconscious and the women were shouting to the men "kill him",' he said. Mr Woolley served in the Australian Army for 10 years. He is pictured with two of his three biological children, Elijah and Amaya when they were younger Pictured: Mr Woolley after the attack. He suffered multiple cuts and bruises, broken ribs and a broken nose Ms Davies (pictured with Mr Wolley after the attack) was sure her loving partner would die 'I'm certain they were trying do to that because they kept stomping on my head and repeatedly punched in the face. I thought I was going to die.' One woman approached Ms Davies and asked her to put the camera down, claiming the stoush was a 'family matter'. Ms Davies had to stop filming when she was punched in the back of the head. When she looked over towards their family home, she realised Xavier, 7, Zariah, 6, and Aaliyah, 3, were watching their mother and step-father getting mauled by the gang. Pictured: Mr Woolley with Xavier, 7, Zariah (left), 6, and Aaliyah (centre), 3 Mr Woolley tried to fight back (left) but he was severely outnumbered. Police soon attended the scene (right) Ms Davies said emergency workers had to convince him that he wasn't serving the army anymore, before he started asking for her Zariah later said: 'Is Ben going to be dead forever?' because all she could see was her loving father figure lying motionless in the park. When he awoke in an ambulance, Mr Woolley, whose three biological children are stuck in Canada with their mother during the pandemic, was convinced he was on the battle ground and started asking paramedics for his old military friends. Ms Davies said emergency workers had to convince him that he wasn't serving the army anymore, before he started asking for her. She explained that her partner was initially unresponsive as he lay beaten and bruised in the dirt, before he started making gurgling sounds. 'It was so traumatic. I thought that he was going to die and I just prayed.' Pictured: Mr Woolley with his step-daughter Aaliyah, 3, before the attack that almost rendered him incapacitated Mr Woolley (pictured with Zariah, right, and Aaliyah, left )has been unable to spend any quality time with the children during the school holidays and has missed countless family events Despite the cracked ribs, a broken nose, partial vision loss in the left eye, pressure behind his now black eyes, and a body riddled with cuts, Mr Woolley said the worst side-effect has been the debilitating cluster headaches. Though he began suffering from cluster headaches, which he described as 'like a hot poker is stabbing me in the eye', when he was too close to a bomb blast during his 10 years in the army, the attack has made them much worse. 'They're not like normal headaches where you sit and hold your head - they're much worse. I thrash around in pain,' he said. 'I used to get them a couple of times a week, but now they're happening a few times a day.' As a result, Mr Woolley has been unable to spend any quality time with the children during the school holidays and has missed countless family events. The couple have not been able to hug because of Mr Woolley's cracked ribs or kiss because of his swollen lips Pictured: The children playing in a park before Mr Woolley was attacked in January Ms Davies said the couple can't hug due to the cracked ribs, or kiss because the father's lips are so swollen. 'It's taken a huge toll, and we keep getting flashbacks and keep having nightmares,' she said. The couple are also frightened that he will develop pneumonia due to the cracked ribs. 'He has a history of pneumonia and was once hospitalised for it. Because it's so painful for him to cough at the moment, we're worried it will come back.' Ms Davies' children are also now too scared to go to the park opposite their home, and will often run to their parents screaming 'there are Sudanese people in the park'. 'We've had to explain to them that the problem isn't Sudanese people, but some people of all nationalities aren't always nice,' Ms Davies said. To help support the family during Mr Woolley's recovery, Ms Davies set up a Go Fund Me page. Mr Wooley has three biological children who he 'misses dearly' because two are stuck in Canada with their mother due to the pandemic The couple agreed that the community has 'had enough' of rough gangs in the area and have called for police intervention. Pcitured: Mr Woolley with Ms Davies' children The couple agreed that the community has 'had enough' of gangs in the area and have called for police intervention. Mr Woolley said crime was an increasing issue in the south-east Melbourne suburb and he regularly witnessed groups loitering in the area - yelling and smashing bottles. An 18-year-old woman has been charged with intentionally and recklessly cause serious injury, affray and commit indictable offence while on bail. She faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 January and was remanded until 19 January. Others allegedly involved remain at large with Victoria Police asking the public for assistance to locate them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers via the website or 1800 333 000. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Clearly, the year 2020 had been a challenging year for China with a difficult start. Facing the once-in-a-century pandemic that began in late December 2019, China has all along put its respect for people's lives and health embracing humanity above everything else in its COVID-19 response. "We have overcome the blow of the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing epidemic prevention work and economic development, which gained significant achievements," President Xi said in his annual New Year's address on December 31, 2020. China's science-based fight against the brutal pandemic which leads to a significant win in the "People's War" and its people-centered policy leading to its recovery from the pandemic-torn economy in every way have offered significant lessons for the world on curbing the ravages of the new contagion. China enters new development stage The year 2020 was also a "year of milestone significance" for China's national rejuvenation. The country has completed building "moderately prosperous society in all respects", known as "Xiaokang" in Chinese and realized its first centenary goal in 2020. China lifted 100 million people out of poverty for the last eight years, eliminated extreme poverty for the first time and met the poverty eradication target ten years ahead set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This historic feat shows China's extraordinary journey and may shed some light on global poverty reduction cause. The 2021 is undoubtedly a significant year for China' great rejuvenation as the Communist Party of China (CPC) will celebrate its centenary in July. The Chinese people have now entered a new stage of development with new goals, new hopes as mapped out in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in the post-2020 era and "the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035" (2021-2035). According to the plans and proposals of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China will speed up fostering a new development pattern where domestic and foreign markets can boost each other with the domestic market as the mainstay, which focuses on China's centenary goal of "national rejuvenation while building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by 2049". On the other hand, the 15-year "Vision 2035" underscores the country's resolve of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way by 2035. The roles of innovation, real economy, a strong domestic market, high-level opening-up, rural vitalization and green development have been pronounced for China's future economic and social development. These two plans not only unveiled a multi-faceted roadmap for China's greater glory in the next stage, but will also be beneficial for the rest of the world. Reviewing the outstanding achievements of the 13th Five-Year Plan, it can be said that China's new development plan with the long-range objectives through the year 2035 will provide more development opportunities and bring shared prosperity to the world. More significantly, the Chinese experience of development over years gives developing countries to take lessons from China's successful model of modernization while providing a chance to solidify their economic ties with the world's second-largest economy. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China has scripted many shining examples in social and economic development. China has eliminated poverty in the last nine poorest counties, all in southwest China's Guizhou province, in November last year, marking a landmark victory in the country's fight towards lifting all the people out of the poverty line. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been changing the life of the whole world and continuing to crumble the world economy, China is likely the only major country to grow in a pandemic-hit year. China in the first quarter GDP contracted by 6.8 percent, but has since recovered strongly, 3.2 percent growth in the second quarter and 4.9 percent in the third. China's full-year GDP for 2020 will cross the 100-trillion-yuan mark ($15.3 trillion), and per capita GDP has already surpassed $10,000. China's development is beneficial for the world Economists at Goldman Sachs said in a research note that the Chinese economy will be more resilient against external uncertainties in the upcoming 14th Five-Year Plan period with the country's supply-side structural reform. China has become the world's manufacturing superpower, accounting for nearly 30 percent of global manufacturing output for 10 consecutive years. According to a Xinhua report, China's domestic consumption exceeded $6 trillion in 2019. Despite facing trade conflict with the United States, "China will continue to open its vast consumer market to the world", as President Xi reaffirmed in his keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 4, 2020. Needless to say, the extraordinary sales performance during this year's Singles' Day shopping spree on November 11 is a vibrant indication of China's potential in consumption. On the other hand, China's Double Development Dynamic (DDD), also known as "dual circulation" since May has significantly turned its huge consumer market into "a market for the world, a market shared by all, and a market accessible to all". What's more gratifying is that China, which only 40 years ago was considered backward, has now emerged in pole position in science and technology, eroding the superpower status of the United States. China's 5G network, cybercrime prevention, Beidou Navigation Satellite System, lunar exploration and Mars mission bear the stamp of the country's march towards "rejuvenating the nation by relying on science and education". On December 17, the return of the Chang'e-5 moon probe with lunar samples illustrated the prowess of the Chinese scientists and the determination of 1.4 billion Chinese people to scale new frontiers of science. In 2020, President Xi attended several major online multilateral events such as the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the 20th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Moscow, 12th BRICS summit in Moscow, the 2020 APEC Economic Leader's Meeting in Malaysia and the G20 Riyadh summit, to name a few and delivered a series of important speeches which demonstrate China's global vision and a firm commitment to the world. As he said in his address at the UNGA: "What we need to do is to replace conflict with dialogue, coercion with consultation and zero-sum with win-win. We need to expand the converging interests of all and build a big global family of harmony and cooperation." It's a matter of great pride that today more and more countries have turned their attention to China as a new model of development and self-reliance. Despite often being misunderstood or even misinformed by some Western media, China has always been committed to build a community with a shared future for mankind. It's really encouraging that as a responsible major country China in its new five-year development plan has also put forward measures to enhance international exchange and cooperation in the post-pandemic era. 2021 is not the year the pandemic ends. The pandemic has raised the importance of the interconnectedness of people across the world. As such, an optimistic message has come from the Chinese President on the eve of the New Year which is peaceful and encouraging to the rest of the world. People from all over the world should join hands and support each other to early dispel the gloom of the pandemic and strive for a better "Earth home", President Xi said. Xi's New Year speech is a clear sign that China is truly showing the world that it stands for fairness, cooperation and development with other countries for a harmonious world. Undoubtedly, in these uncertain times, the world needs a more developed China for a more fair and equal community. Check out the news you should not miss today: Society -- Vietnam on Tuesday evening reported seven new imported cases of COVID-19, increasing the countrys tally to 1,504 with 1,339 in treatment and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. -- The deputy director of Chuong My Districts medical center in Hanoi has been temporarily suspended after he signed a decision allowing a Vietnamese student returning from the U.S. on December 20, who was later reported as a COVID-19 patient, to leave a quarantine zone before his second tests result was announced. -- Doctors from the Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital on Tuesday said they have successfully treated and are going to discharge a three-year-old boy from the southern province of Vinh Long who was hospitalized a month ago for hemorrhagic stroke, one of the most common fatal causes among elderly people. -- Enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City will seek between 270,000 and 300,000 employees in 2021, according to the municipal Center of Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labor Market Information, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday. -- Police in the central province of Quang Ngai are investigating a case where a woman was captured driving a motorbike hands-free at a high speed on Thach Bich Bridge in Le Hong Phong District in a recent viral video. Business -- Vietnams total revenue from retail trade and services reached over VND5 quadrillion (US$219.5 billion) in 2020, representing a modest yearly rise of 2.6 percent, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday, quoting the General Statistics Office. Lifestyle -- A video has recently caused a stir over Vietnamese social media as it captures local authorities in the northern mountainous tourism town of Sa Pa calling on tourists not to buy souvenirs from local children to protect childrens rights, as the kids are forced to become beggars and street vendors. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! DUBLIN, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hydroxychloroquine Market by Product type, Distribution Channel, and Disease: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global hydroxychloroquine market size was valued at $1.9 billion in 2019, and is anticipated to generate $4.6 billion by 2027. The market is projected to experience growth at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2020 to 2027. Hydroxychloroquine, and anti-malarial drug, when combined with chloroquine has the potential to be the major game-changer in the medical history. In certain small and vitro, uncontrolled or poorly controlled clinical studies, it demonstrated antiviral activity against (SARS-CoV-2) severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2. Such researches are considered as hypothesis. However, followed by the tweet of President Trump, it completely changed the scenario of the market, with reports of shortages of the medicine in pharmacies within 24 hours. Amidst the outbreak, certain nations such as the U.S. and India are endorsing its use as preventive measures for COVID-19. The growth of the global hydroxychloroquine market is drive by surge in demand for the medication, which led to hike in production of the drug by the Indian Government. IPCA Laboratories, which have approximately 70% of the market share in this sector in India, has increased its production tenfold. However, the nationwide lockdown acted as a hindrance for growth of the global market. In addition, disruption in logistic chains and less availability of raw materials, which are mostly scoured from China have restrained the market growth. With the initiation of normal operation in China after the lockdown and backward integration of some industry players have helped the market to cope up to a certain extent. In April 2019, IPCA Laboratories signed a contract to acquire Maharashtra-based Ramdev Chemical Pvt. Ltd. According to the contract, IPCA Laboratories is supposed to buy the company, which is associated with the marketing and manufacturing of advanced drug intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), custom synthesis molecules, and fine chemicals. Thus, this initiative by IPCA Laboratories will help the company in increasing the production capacity of the drug and contribute in meeting the present demand. On March 25 2020, the Indian Government imposed a ban on export of the drug to ensure that the nation had adequate stock of the medication to meet domestic needs. However, later the government decided to lift the ban partially. The SAARC nations along with other 30 nations and the U.S. and West Asia proposed India to lift the ban on export. Considering the high demand for the medication, pharmaceutical companies in the nation have planned to increase the production by 5 to 6 times to over 70 metric tons by May 2020. Apart from IPCA Laboratories Ltd., Zydus Cadila and Wallace Pharmaceuticals are some of the other leading manufacturers of hydroxychloroquine. The global hydroxychloroquine market is segmented into product type, distribution channel, disease, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is bifurcated into tablet and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Depending on distribution channel, the market is fragmented into hospital pharmacy, online pharmacy, specialty drug store, and retail pharmacy. The diseases covered in the study include malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, coronavirus, and others. Region wise, the hydroxychloroquine market analysis is done across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa). The key players operating in the hydroxychloroquine market are Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, Ipca Laboratories Ltd., Mylan N.V., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi S.A., Taj Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and Zydus Cadila. The companies have focused on various strategies such as new product launches, partnerships, acquisitions, and mergers for retaining their existing customer base and further increase their market share. Key Benefits The report provides extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the current trends and future estimations of the hydroxychloroquine market from 2019 to 2027 to determine the prevailing opportunities. Comprehensive analysis of factors that drive and restrict hydroxychloroquine market growth is provided. The hydroxychloroquine market forecast and estimations are based on factors impacting the market growth, in terms of value. Profiles of leading players operating in the hydroxychloroquine market are provided to understand the global competitive scenario. The report provides extensive qualitative insights on the significant segments and regions exhibiting favorable market share. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1. Report Description 1.2. Key Benefits for Stakeholders 1.3. Key Market Segments 1.4. Research Methodology 1.4.1. Primary Research 1.4.2. Secondary Research 1.4.3. Analyst Tools and Models Chapter 2: Executive Summary 2.1. Key Findings of the Study 2.2. CXO Perspective Chapter 3: Market Landscape 3.1. Market Definition and Scope 3.2. Key Findings 3.2.1. Top Investment Pockets 3.2.2. Top Player Positioning 3.2.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 3.3. Patent Analysis 3.4. Value Chain Analysis 3.5. Market Dynamics 3.5.1. Drivers 3.5.1.1. Increase in Demand for Hcq as Potential Treatment Source Amidst Pandemic 3.5.1.2. Increase in Cases of Malaria 3.5.2. Restraint 3.5.2.1. Several Side-Effects of the Medicine 3.5.2.2. Ban from Several Countries Owing to Lacking Study Data 3.5.2.3. Ongoing Research and Positive Results of Other Drugs for Potential Cure 3.5.3. Opportunity 3.5.3.1. Repurposing Hydroxychloroquine as Anti-Cancer Drug 3.6. Impact of Corona (Covid 19) Outbreak on Global Hydroxychloroquine Market Chapter 4: Hydroxychloroquine Market, by Product Type 4.1. Overview 4.1.1. Market Size and Forecast 4.2. Tablet 4.2.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 4.2.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 4.3. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient 4.3.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 4.3.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region Chapter 5: Hydroxychloroquine Market, by Distribution Channel 5.1. Overview 5.1.1. Market Size and Forecast 5.2. Hospital Pharmacy 5.2.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 5.2.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 5.3. Retail Pharmacy 5.3.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 5.3.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 5.4. Online Pharmacy 5.4.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 5.4.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 5.5. Specialty DrU.S.ore 5.5.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 5.5.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region Chapter 6: Hydroxychloroquine Market, by Diseases 6.1. Overview 6.1.1. Market Size and Forecast 6.2. Malaria 6.2.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 6.2.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 6.3. Rheumatoid Arthritis 6.3.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 6.3.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 6.4. Lupus Erythematosus 6.4.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 6.4.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 6.5. Coronavirus 6.5.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 6.5.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region 6.6. Others 6.6.1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors, and Opportunities 6.6.2. Market Size and Forecast, by Region Chapter 7: Hydroxychloroquine Market, by Region 7.1. Overview 7.2. North America 7.3. Europe 7.4. Asia-Pacific 7.5. LAMEA Chapter 8: Company Profiles: 8.1. Cadila Healthcare Limited 8.1.1. Company Overview 8.1.2. Company Snapshot 8.1.3. Product Portfolio 8.1.4. Business Performance 8.2. Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc 8.2.1. Company Overview 8.2.2. Company Snapshot 8.2.3. Product Portfolio 8.2.4. Business Performance 8.3. Ipca Laboratories Ltd. 8.3.1. Company Overview 8.3.2. Company Snapshot 8.3.3. Product Portfolio 8.3.4. Business Performance 8.3.5. Key Developmental Strategies 8.4. Mylan N. V. 8.4.1. Company Overview 8.4.2. Company Snapshot 8.4.3. Product Portfolio 8.4.4. Business Performance 8.4.5. Key Developmental Strategies 8.5. Novartis International AG 8.5.1. Company Overview 8.5.2. Company Snapshot 8.5.3. Operating Business Segments 8.5.4. Product Portfolio 8.5.5. Business Performance 8.6. Pfizer Inc. 8.6.1. Company Overview 8.6.2. Company Snapshot 8.6.3. Product Portfolio 8.6.4. Business Performance 8.7. Sanofi S. A. 8.7.1. Company Overview 8.7.2. Company Snapshot 8.7.3. Product Portfolio 8.7.4. Business Performance 8.8. Taj Pharma Group 8.8.1. Company Overview 8.8.2. Company Snapshot 8.8.3. Product Portfolio 8.9. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. 8.9.1. Company Overview 8.9.2. Company Snapshot 8.9.3. Product Portfolio 8.9.4. Business Performance 8.10. Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited 8.10.1. Company Overview 8.10.2. Company Snapshot 8.10.3. Product Portfolio 8.10.4. Business Performance For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nkxnz2 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Nearly 80 blood samples from poultry farms across the district tested negative for any strains of avian influenza or its antibodies, officials in the animal husbandry department said. However, they also said that an outbreak of bird flu cannot be ruled out given an unusually high number of poultry deaths recently reported from Panchkula districts Barwala tehsil. The samples were tested this week at a lab in Sonepat, as part of routine zoonotic serosurveillance. A district-level meeting of veterinarians and poultry farmers has been convened in Gurugram on Thursday to review existing protocols for controlling the spread of bird flu. Guidelines for the same were first drawn up in 2005, and then implemented and revised during bird flu outbreaks in 2006, 2012 and 2015. There are presently 48 veterinarians enrolled with the animal husbandry department in the district, who regularly visit poultry farms to inspect chicken and take samples for routine surveillance. An official with the district animal husbandry department, who requested anonymity, as they are not authorised to spread to the media, said, There is no reason to believe that poultry in Gurugram has been affected by either strain of the influenza virus, H1N5 or H5N8, confirmed be to be circulating in India. We have directly reached out to at least 100 poultry farms in the district and as of today (Wednesday), none are reporting any unusual activity. Visits will be made by vets to check on the health of the birds. They will also be on the lookout to see if the farm owners are hiding any deaths from authorities. Dr Punita Gahlot, deputy director, animal husbandry, Gururgam, declined comment. However, when asked whether it was safe to continue consumption of poultry, Gahlot responded, No directions have been issued by the government yet to stop eating chicken. The district wildlife department, too, has been conducting daily visits to Sultanpur national park, Basai, Najafgarh and Tau Devi Lal biodiversity park to check for excess deaths among migratory and local birds. We found two pigeon carcasses in Tau Devi Lal Park today, but thats quite common. We will be making daily trips to these places for the next few days. If we retrieve any bird carcasses, we will hand them over to the animal husbandry department, who will dispatch it to a lab in Jalandhar for testing, said Rajesh Chahal, district wildlife inspector. After recent reports that nearly 400,000 poultry chicken died under suspicious circumstances in Panchkula, the state animal husbandry department has sounded the alarm across all districts to ramp up surveillance. Four states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh have already confirmed outbreaks of at least one of two influenza strains (H1N5 and H5N8) which cause bird flu. However, despite this spate of poultry deaths which began in mid-December, Haryana has not yet detected a single lab confirmed case of avian influenza. We will only know more in a few days if deaths start increasing on poultry farms in places other than Barwala, said a senior official in the state department of animal husbandry, seeking anonymity. The official added that the cause of poultry deaths in Barwala has not yet been determined, saying, We just dont know yet. The report from the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) in Jalandhar is awaited. Dr Sukhdev Rathee, deputy director, department of animal husbandry, shared the same view. There is no evidence of either influenza strain being present in Haryana, but we need to be careful. As far as poultry is concerned, we cannot say for sure that the deaths in Barwala were due to bird flu. We have send additional samples to Jalandhar yesterday after the first inquiry came up inconclusive. The report will come in another two days. Till then we are monitoring for any spike in deaths on poultry farms, he said. ML Rajvanshi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Haryana, said that all sensitive wetlands and bird habitats are being put on surveillance for the time being. I have personally visited Bhindawas in Jhajjar two days ago. There is nothing untoward to report. But since there is evidence of a bird flu outbreak in nearby states, we will have to be very vigilant. Migratory bird populations will be monitored closely. 'The worker picked up Pakhom's spade, dug a grave, and buried him - six feet from head to heel, exactly the amount of land a man needs.' The above is from Leo Tolstoy's 'How Much Land Does a Man Need', a tale capturing the greed of craving more land than is needed. The same meter was used over 70 years later by the late John B Keane in one of his seminal works, 'The Field', based on a murder in Raemore townland in 1958 when neighbours fell out over a patch of land no better than a landing pad for snipe and pheasant. But whether it's Tolstoy's Russia or Keane's Kerry, the vice of coveting land is a universal one. Listowel publican Billy Keane recently explored the backdrop to his father's play in the RTE documentary - The Real Field - which saw him disturb the lightly sleeping story of Moss Moore's murder near his home on the night of November 6, 1958. Many blamed his neighbour, Dan Foley, due to a dispute over land with Moore. Moore's body was found 10 days later, concealed under rushes in a stream just 50 meters from his home. Whether Foley was guilty or not has never been established. But Foley's sentence was, perhaps, even worse than jail itself - ostracisation from his community. Foley died from a heart attack, alone in a field of cattle, in 1963. Reviving the story of a murder that would have been all but forgotten but for the pen of John B Keane was not easy for Billy to take on. Community and memory are perpetually in motion in North Kerry; stirring old enmity can be risky. Expand Close The scene at Raemore in November 1958 when they discovered the dead body of Moss Moore / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene at Raemore in November 1958 when they discovered the dead body of Moss Moore The documentary features Dan Foley's nephew, John, who insists on his uncle's innocence, saying he was framed for Moore's murder. There is a scene where John talks with Billy about buying back the disputed piece of land, land that is today totally covered in briers and scrub. "Land is, in my opinion, something that you can't just acquire, or get. It doesn't grow," John explained. "Land is land...Ownership of land is, in my opinion, everything. I hope those who follow me would have the same sentiment and pride in owning Raemore," he added. In many ways, the scene underscores the age-old tussle between owning land for practical purposes versus the emotional need to acquire it. The documentary also reveals that John Foley thinks he knows who murdered Moss Moore on that night in '58, but he is reluctant to go further. "My family are of the opinion that maybe I should call it a day, say no more about it," he says. Billy admits to initially having mixed feelings about doing the documentary. "I said to myself 'Am I only dragging up old sores?' But I kind of felt it could be viewed as a warning to people over land," Billy said. "It's not totally a rural message either, I got that message from a few people in Dublin. People need to be careful of how these obsessions can grow on you, and how they get caught up in your life. "These [disputes] can also be passed on to your family. Sometimes if you were left something in a will, it might be seen as an advantage when, in fact, it could be seen as a terrible disadvantage, as you're left with a legacy of trouble and hate. "I suppose there is a bit of trying to change Ireland for the better about the programme," said Billy. The Kerryman newspaper covered the story in great detail at the time, which caused a sensation in the quiet and conservative enclaves of rural Kerry. The Kerryman of November 29, 1958, asks: "Who murdered Moss Moore? Police may find the answer in the scores of statements taken from neighbours of the 46-year-old farmer during the last two weeks since his body was found." In the same article, it touches on the murderer's motive: "If Moore's murderer was an acquaintance, it is thought unlikely that he was killed for his money. He would have known that the quiet man, who liked to be known as a farmer, could have had little riches." Billy says one of the driving forces behind the documentary is to inform a new Ireland of old Ireland's failings. Behind the acquisition of land, property, wills and inherited fortune lie the unseen perils of rancour and violence. Theatrical tales of savage brutality running counter to the quaint perception of Irish family and community life extend back to John Millington Synge's 'The Playboy of the Western World' (1907). When 'The Field' first hit the stage in the Gaiety Theatre in 1965, it produced similar shock-waves, themes that were amplified even more in Jim Sheridan's 1990 hit movie - The Field - with Richard Harris as the 'Bull' McCabe. It is easy to see why some people may have felt unhappy that the portrayal of 'Bull' inadvertently depicted Dan Foley as cold and stubborn. "It was never my dad's intention to hurt the Foley family. The real story and the play are quite different in many ways," said Billy. "I still don't know who did it [the murder], but the big thing is that the Foley family's side of the story is known. The Foleys are a lovely family, John is a great community man. It is a tragedy all round; it's a warning to all of us, there is a time to prioritise. "Even though the story was kind of known, a lot of people didn't know the story behind it. The biggest reaction I got from it [the documentary] is people telling me about an experience in their own family. "This isn't just a Raemore phenomenon, it is everywhere. It just happened to be made more famous because of the play. The reaction to the programme has been very good. I think people felt we were fair, especially to the Foley family." Lastly, Moyvane poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice features in the documentary. He captures the never-ending saga of the murder: "That murder still resonates to this day, here especially in this area," said Gabriel. "It resonates among the older generation because of the genius of John B Keane, who brought the murder to us...It takes over 100 years for these things to be forgotten. You can forgive, but maybe you can't forget. John B Keane has made the murder unforgettable." Waiting on your property tax bill in New Orleans? So is the rest of the city. Blame paperwork problems and overly optimistic city officials for holding up the annual notices telling property owners how much they need to pay. Property tax proposals, French Quarter sales tax voted down in New Orleans New Orleans voters solidly rejected all three parts of Mayor LaToya Cantrell's tax reshuffling Saturday night, voting down a plan that would h Tax bills typically go out during the last weeks of December. But because of problems that prevented the certification of the tax rolls, the earliest they could now be sent is this week. None of the issues will change the taxes owed by residents. But City Hall said it will adjust the deadline for payments once the bills are sent out. Cantrells administration referred questions about the tax bills to the assessors office and Louisiana Tax Commission. The delays are, at least in part, due to misplaced optimism on the part of the Cantrell administration. When the Orleans Parish assessors office sent the citys tax rates to the state for approval Nov. 17, they included numbers that were submitted by the administration and that assumed voters two weeks later would approve a package reconfiguring several taxes, said Devin Johnson, a spokesperson for the office. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up But voters roundly rejected those plans following a campaign objecting to deep revenue cuts proposed for the public library system. While that vote left the overall amount property owners will pay the same, it changed how the taxes would be divvied up among different agencies. Another issue essentially amounted to a paperwork error: City Hall failed to submit a notice that it had wrapped up efforts to collect taxes for last year. Johnson said the assessors office was notified of the problems Dec. 28. One potentially more substantive issue also is holding up the process: a disagreement between the assessors office and the Tax Commission about the value of public service property in the city, a category that largely encompasses property owned by utilities. Under state law, those property values are set by the Tax Commission and passed along to local assessors, commission Chairman Lawrence Chehardy said. But in the final version of the tax rolls, the assessed value that the commission put on the total value of those properties is about $65,300 higher than what the assessors office estimated, Chehardy said. A meeting is set Wednesday to discuss the discrepancy and try to correct the problem, he said. We want to get the roll approved. Theres no upside to the Tax Commission to not be approving the tax roll but we cant do it unless and until the tax roll balances and all the numbers match up, Chehardy said. Im hoping all this will get straightened out and well be able to approve the roll tomorrow. VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bold Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing BOLD-100, is pleased to announce that it is one of only four companies selected to receive advisory services and research and development funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support the company's development of its antiviral asset, BOLD-100, as a novel antiviral therapy for SARS-CoV-2 (aka COVID-19). The funding from NRC IRAP will be utilized by Bold Therapeutics to support preparations for clinical trials including completion of nonclinical studies and manufacturing process development. Bold Therapeutics, Inc. Logo COVID-19 cases continue to escalate worldwide The original announcement by the National Research Council of Canada is available at bit.ly/2JRa4fQ. BOLD-100 is a first-in-class ruthenium-based small molecule drug which selectively inhibits stress-induced upregulation of the chaperone protein GRP78. Currently, the investigational treatment is in a Phase 1b clinical trial in gastrointestinal cancer. In cancer, GRP78 plays a critical role in resistance, survival and proliferation, whereas in viral infections, GRP78 plays a critical role in host recognition, viral entry and viral replication. Preclinical studies have repeatedly demonstrated BOLD-100 has a robust antiviral response against COVID-19. "We are thankful to have this support from NRC IRAP to continue developing BOLD-100 as an antiviral" stated Mark Bazett, PhD, Director of Preclinical Development of Bold Therapeutics. "We look forward to completing the next required set of nonclinical and manufacturing studies so that we can rapidly proceed into clinical trials." In June, Bold Therapeutics announced that it is working with five researchers as part of its COVID-19 Consortium: Stephen Barr, PhD (Western University); Francois Jean, PhD and Ted Steiner, MD (University of British Columbia); Marc-Andre Langlois, PhD, (University of Ottawa); and Len Seymour, PhD, (University of Oxford). These researchers continue to successfully demonstrate positive preclinical data that supports the continued development of BOLD-100 as an antiviral. "Despite the increasing availability of vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, and the grim reality is that as it is not feasible to inoculate everyone, everywhere simultaneously, there is a significant ongoing risk that SARS-CoV-2 mutates to a degree that renders existing vaccines ineffective," added E. Russell McAllister, CEO of Bold Therapeutics. "As a case-in-point, we are just now seeing the emergence of highly contagious mutant strains in the U.K. and South Africa which, despite our best efforts, will inevitably travel to Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere. Against this backdrop, effective antiviral therapeutics that reduce the duration and/or severity of infections is an increasingly critical part of Canada's future pandemic response. Importantly, early data suggests that BOLD-100's potentially broad antiviral mechanism-of-action will be effective against not just SARS-CoV-2, but other novel pandemic viruses including mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2, arming our beleaguered physicians with a potent therapeutic weapon in the war against COVID-19." For more information, please visit the COVID-19 section on Company's website at www.bold-therapeutics.com/COVID-19. Contact: E. Russell McAllister, CEO (604) 262-9899 [email protected] SOURCE Bold Therapeutics, Inc. Related Links http://www.bold-therapeutics.com Ravi Zacharias' former business partner recounts misconduct; stations drop apologist's broadcasts Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment New details have emerged related to the now-acknowledged sexual misconduct of the late Ravi Zacharias as recordings of a former business partner have surfaced describing Zacharias' misdeeds. According to Anurag Sharma, a man who co-owned two spas with the late apologist, Zacharias repeatedly engaged in exposing himself to massage therapists and masturbating in front of them over the course of several years. In recently recorded audio footage that was shared exclusively with The Roys Report Monday, the website of independent investigative journalist Julie Roys, Sharma told investigators that he confronted Zacharias about his actions, which he discovered sometime between 2007 and 2010. Sharma also maintained that Zacharias told him to erase all information about his appointments at the spa from the company computer system. It was around this time when the two men owned Jivan Wellness, which reportedly offered massage therapy as well as a form of ancient Indian medicine rooted in Hinduism, among other wellness services. It started actually, the lady therapist who had come and who talked about that hed been misbehavingexactly the pattern that was there..., Sharma told an attorney hired by the Christian Missionary Alliance denomination, the denomination that had ordained Zacharias, in December 2020. And this was exactly the pattern, which was, I saw it plenty of time. He described the pattern of sexual misconduct as the apologist saying he was tired after traveling and working, and thinking that he was entitled to misbehave at the spa. In July 2010, after he was informed about another massage therapist who had refused to take an appointment with Zacharias because of his misconduct and Zacharias' request that he delete information from their electronic records, Sharma wanted to get out of the spa business as the experience had devastated him on several fronts, claiming to have invested $300,000 to $400,000 or more in the business with little return. The Jivan Wellness spa was officially dissolved in September of that year, according to Georgia state records. Sharma stated in interviews with multiple investigators that the apologist was his close friend and that he became a Christian through Zacharias. Zacharias died in May 2020 after a battle with cancer. Following reports of sexual misconduct after his death, his ministry subsequently set in motion an independent investigation and confirmed in a Dec. 23 interim report that he had indeed engaged in sexual misconduct, some of which was "serious." A full report is expected in the coming weeks. We are heartbroken at learning this but feel it necessary to be transparent and to inform our staff, donors, and supporters at this time, even while the investigation continues, the ministry said last month. The admission of misconduct came after the leadership of the ministry had previously expressed that it believed the claims were false and that the allegations do not in any way comport with the man we knew for decades." As a result of the scandal, several Christian radio networks that carried Zacharias' teachings have removed him from their affiliate stations. Moody Radio announced over the Christmas holiday weekend that it was immediately canceling Zacharias' broadcasts from its lineups. We are deeply saddened after reading the preliminary report provided to us by Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), Doug Hastings, vice president of Moody Radio, said in a statement. The picture that is becoming clear about Ravi Zacharias through the work of an independent investigator is very much inconsistent with his public ministry, he said, adding that the network believes that those they partner with must be above reproach. American Family Radio, which has over 180 radio stations, also dropped Zacharias from its regular programming. It had aired Zacharias' "Let My People Think" broadcasts on its Sunday programming for approximately 20 years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Harness Horsemens Association (OHHA) will not hold its annual awards banquet and membership meeting but will instead present a virtual awards show on the OHHA YouTube channel on Saturday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m. The awards show will feature Ohios top equine athletes of 2020. Other Ohio award winners honoured will be the Terry Holton Youth Award, Maynard and Stella Hagemeyer Significant Contribution Award, Ohio Outstanding Groom Award and the Special-Service to Harness Racing Award. In addition, the United States Harness Writers Association Ohio Chapter annual awards will also be presented as will the Ohio State Racing Commissions Kaltenbach Awards. Unfortunately, due to pandemic infection numbers and health mandates on social gatherings, the OHHA Board decided the best course of action would be to honour the 2020 award winners with a virtual banquet, said OHHA Executive Director Renee Mancino. The stallion auction to benefit P.A.C.E.R. (Political Action Committee for Equine Racing) will take place online and will include phone bidding on the final day. Bidding for the services of 22 stallions will go live on January 9. (OHHA) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021 8:22 am On Tuesday, Marc Denny, the Chief of Police for the city of La Center announced he is retiring from his position Friday, Jan. 29. Denny is relocating to Iowa where he is set to serve as the Chief of Police for the city of Burlington, according to a press release from La Center. Denny has served as the Chief of Police for the City of La Center since 2013. In a news release, Mayor Greg Thornton and the La Center City Council thanked Denny for his service and wished the chief success in his new role. The city plans to hire a police professional from Washington State to serve an interim term while a new police chief is found. Health restrictions surrounding COVID-19 restrict the citys ability to host a large gathering to acknowledge Dennys retirement. However, La Center Mayor Greg Thornton anticipates a formal demonstration of appreciation for Chief Denny during an upcoming virtual City Council meeting. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. London: Prime Minister Scott Morrison has wrongly claimed that the United Kingdom is not conducting basic safety tests on coronavirus vaccines before they are given to the public, prompting a rebuke from Britain's drug regulator. Defending Australia's plan to not roll out vaccines until March, Morrison on Tuesday repeated his previous view that jabs developed by AstraZeneca and Pfizer had only been approved for use in the UK on an emergency basis because the country was battling a major outbreak. But he went further, telling Melbourne radio station 3AW: "They're not testing batches of vaccines before they're disseminated across the population, is my understanding. "But Australia is not in an emergency situation like the United Kingdom. So we don't have to cut corners. We don't have to take unnecessary risks." A leading COVID-19 model cited by the New York Times, FiveThirtyEight and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects that roughly 1 in 17 people in Los Angeles County are currently infected with the virus. Youyang Gu's covid19-projections.com works off the assumption that county-reported case counts are an undercount of actual infections, and estimates the current number of individuals infected in each county by calculating the base reproduction number (R0), using data from Johns Hopkins University and the COVID Tracking Project. According to the model's projections, roughly 5.9% of the population of Los Angeles County which translates to one in 17 people has an active COVID-19 infection, which is tied for the second-highest rate among all counties in the United States with a population greater than 500,000. The first-place county is neighboring San Bernardino County, where 7.2% of the population is infected (1 in 14). Riverside County is tied with Los Angeles County at 5.9%, or 1 in 17. The fourth-place county is Fresno (4.9%) and the fifth-place county is Kern (4.6%), meaning that, according to the model, the country's five worst-hit populous counties are all in Southern California or the Central Valley. When looking at all counties regardless of population, Nevada's tiny Pershing County (population of 6,725) has the worst infection rate, with 1 in 4 estimated to be infected. Northern California's Lassen County (population of 30,573) is in fourth place with 1 in 10 infected. Los Angeles County officials have warned that the region's surge is stretching hospital staff thin, and could soon prevent non-COVID patients from receiving necessary care. "Hospitals are declaring internal disasters and having to open church gyms to serve as hospital units," supervisor Hilda Solis said. "Our health care workers are physically and mentally exhausted and sick." Southern California has been under a strict stay-at-home order since December, but compliance is low. AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The most awarded SUV ever continues to expand into new territory. The Jeep brand will unveil the all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee at noon EST on Thursday, January 7, 2021. The all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee breaks new ground in exceptional performance, comfort and functionality while continuing its legacy as the most awarded and celebrated SUV ever with legendary 4x4 capability, improved on-road refinement, and premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out. The reveal will be streamed online and available for public viewing on the Jeep YouTube page at www.youtube.com/Jeep. Jeep Brand Built on 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands offered by global automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. For more information regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com. Follow Jeep and FCA news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com Jeep brand: www.jeep.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep or https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep or www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep or www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica SOURCE FCA Related Links http://www.fcanorthamerica.com The U.S. Capitol Building was stormed on Wednesday, less than five months after President Donald Trump authorized up to a decade in prison for willful injury of federal property. Supporters of Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, prompting the building to go on lockdown. Videos and photos show protesters clashing with police, including the use of pepper spray on both sides. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Fox News Wednesday afternoon that he heard from Capitol police that shots were fired inside the building. The Associated Press reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. that one person was shot. Protesters can be seen hanging from balconies, carrying podiums, and glass doors and windows are broken. These actions could have serious consequences. Trump signed an order on June 26, 2020 that calls for law enforcement to prosecute to the fullest extent anyone who participates in efforts to incite violence or other illegal activity in connection with the riots and acts of vandalism. For willful injury of federal property, someone could now get up to a decade in prison, according to CBS News. I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues - and combatting recent Criminal Violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country! Trump tweeted this past summer. I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues - and combatting recent Criminal Violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2020 The order came weeks after there were protests across the country against police violence and racial injustice. During this time, monuments and statues of Confederate officials and other controversial historical figures were targeted and vandalized. And earlier this month, in Boston, a memorial commemorating an African-American regiment that fought in the Civil War was defaced with graffiti, the order specifically states. In the midst of these attacks, many state and local governments appear to have lost the ability to distinguish between the lawful exercise of rights to free speech and assembly and unvarnished vandalism. They have surrendered to mob rule, it continues. It is unclear how this order will impact Wednesdays incident. The president has called for peace, asking for people to go home. We have to have peace, Trump said in a video. So, go home. We love you. Youre very special. Related Content: Paris, TX (75460) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. It would take a year and a half to vaccinate all of Chicago at the current rate, Lightfoot said. The city already has distributed 95% of the vaccine its received, she said, but doesnt have enough and wants more. So far, Chicago has administered at least 33,607 doses of vaccine, according to the citys website. Hyatt is blazing new ground in Southeast Asia with the opening of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, marking the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital and the debut of the Hyatt Regency brand in the Kingdom of Wonder. With 247 guestrooms including 43 residential-style suites, the new Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is set to become the largest internationally branded hotel in the city. Located in the heart of Phnom Penhs cultural and business district of Doun Penh a 30-minute drive from the airport and within a short walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum and the riverside the latest addition from Hyatt provides business travellers and leisure guests with modern comfort and convenience alongside warm Cambodian hospitality in one of Asias most captivating cities. We are excited to open our doors and introduce the Hyatt Regency brand to Cambodia, supporting the countrys hospitality industry as well as reinforcing Hyatts steady and thoughtful growth in Southeast Asia, said Herman Kemp, general manager, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. We look forward to welcoming business and leisure guests to an energising new space where they can recharge, discover locally inspired culinary experiences and stay connected during a stress-free travel experience, all delivered with the warm comfort of Cambodian hospitality. Design and Guestrooms Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects and leading Thailand-based PIA Interior, the contemporary-meets-colonial interiors of the hotel reflect Cambodias unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents, French colonial influences, and specially-commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi. As guests pull into the hotels driveway, they are greeted with a welcoming centerpiece: a beautiful French heritage building flanked by sweet-smelling frangipani trees. Originally built as a colonial villa in the early 20th century, the carefully restored lemon-colored Colonial House with its wooden shutters, arched doorways and terracotta-tiled roof now serves as the hotels entrance, providing guests with a nostalgic arrival experience. Behind the Colonial House sits the newly-constructed 14-story main building, featuring 247 guestrooms, including 43 suites, all with hardwood floors and marble bathrooms. Starting from 328-sq-ft (30.5-sq-m) for a standard room, the guestrooms balance modern comforts, such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 65-inch TVs, Staycast powered by Google Chromecast systems and walk-in rainshowers, with distinct Khmer touches including an intricately carved headboard depicting Bayon Temple, one of the most celebrated temples at Angkor. Each room is also equipped with the Hyatt Mobile Entry technology, enabling guests to use their smartphone in lieu of a room key card. The 1087-sq-ft Royal Suite features two ensuite bedrooms, a walk-in closet, a powder room, separate living and dining areas, a pantry, and floor-to-ceiling views to take in the city views. Guests staying on level 10 and above can access the Regency Club Lounge. Privileges include exclusive check-in and check-out services as well as daily breakfast, evening canapes and complimentary drinks alongside panoramic city views with the choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Drinking and Dining Guests will have a choice of five dining venues, including Market Cafe Restaurant & Lounge, an inviting all-day dining concept inside a light-filled atrium serving buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and a la carte options; Metropole Underground, an early 20th century metro-themed bar offering live music and local beers; and an old-world speakeasy-style bar tucked away in the eaves of the Colonial House called The Attic, specialising in handcrafted cocktails and grand cru wines. The hotels social hotspot, however, is FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, an open-plan dining setting spanning the rooftop on level 14 that boasts live DJ performances. From here, guests will be treated to fresh sustainable seafood, locally-sourced meats and produce, as well as refreshing cocktails whilst soaking up breathtaking views of the Royal Palace, the Mekong River and the city skyline. Meetings and Events Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh will feature 1,400-sq-m of meeting and event space to host business conferences and social gatherings. The Regency Ballroom can accommodate up to 490 guests and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows as well as the only built-in full-color LED screen in the city. Meanwhile, nine meeting suites and social spaces provide flexible arrangements from a boardroom for 14 people to a reception space for 200 guests. Additionally, The Poolhouse features an outdoor barbecue area and an open terrace, accommodating up to 70 guests. Most venues offer natural sunlight and come with the latest audio-visual facilities such as smart LED televisions, high-definition video conferencing suites and wireless internet. Wellbeing and Recreation A wide range of recreational facilities are located on level 3, including the hotels 22-meter outdoor infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery, a poolside bar, a Himalayan salt room and a steam room. The 24-hour gym is equipped with a cardio zone, strength zone, and free weights. Personal trainers are also on hand to offer one-on-one sessions at the request of guests. The hotels spa, Jivapita which in Sanskrit means restored to life, offers a range of body and facial treatments including a signature 60 or 90-minute Khmer Indigenous Therapy massage where skilled therapists employ traditional Khmer massage techniques to soothe aching limbs, improve circulation and restore vitality. For a pampering treatment, guests may opt for a 90-minute Lumafirm Lift & Glow facial by skincare brand Pevonia Botanica that uses the latest in freeze-dried technology. Health and Hygiene Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatts multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around staff and guest safety and peace of mind. This includes: Mandatory temperature checks for all guests and associates entering the hotel All staff are required to wear a face mask as a part of their uniform All hotel guests are required to wear face coverings when moving throughout the hotel and in common, shared spaces Complimentary alcohol spray and alcohol pads in all guestrooms and communal areas Low contact check in and check out procedures including e-check out by emailing the bill and cashless payments when possible Socially-distanced seating arrangements in all meeting and functions rooms, F&B outlets as well as recreational facilities including the pool, locker rooms and fitness center Keyless elevator and guestrooms access Digital menus, newspapers and magazines All check-in guests will be given complimentary personal protective equipment kits containing premium masks, alcohol wipes and other comfort supplies upon arrival Updated training protocols for all associates Additions to cleaning regimen designed to set an even higher standard of cleanliness Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh opens on January 6, 2021, with rates starting at $180 per night for an entry-level 1 King Bed room category. - TradeArabia News Service Humans star Gemma Chan has said she could not even get an audition for a leading role before she appeared in Crazy Rich Asians. The actress, 38, who has since appeared in superhero blockbuster Captain Marvel and will soon be seen in Marvels Eternals, said starring in the hit romantic comedy marked a turning point in her career. She told Elle UK magazine: Because Crazy Rich Asians did so well internationally, I definitely felt a shift at that time. Expand Close (ELLE UK/ Marcin Kempski) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (ELLE UK/ Marcin Kempski) Like, on the Captain Marvel press tour, not being able to walk through an airport [in Singapore]. But then again, I feel like things have settled a bit more now and the slight craziness of that time has gone away. I do feel like I can touch wood go about my life normally now. Before Crazy Rich Asians, I was not being considered for lead roles in feature films. There is a very select group of actors and actresses who are in that pool and I wouldnt even get an audition, I was just not even in that conversation. Whereas now Well, Ive been told I am being talked about for certain things and then you may meet the director, or you at least get to have your shot. So that does feel a bit different. Chan, who will next be seen starring opposite Meryl Streep in Steven Soderberghs latest film Let Them All Talk, said she is doing her best to be optimistic about the future. She said: Ive definitely struggled. Ive had times where Ive felt quite hopeless about things. I think for most of us, weve realised how powerless we are as a whole in terms of the day-to-day governing of our [country]. Expand Close Gemma Chan ELLE UK/ Marcin Kempski) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gemma Chan ELLE UK/ Marcin Kempski) There seems to no longer be any accountability for anyone. A complete lack of shame. So things that a minister or an adviser would have resigned for five, 10 years ago, there are now no repercussions, therefore no accountability. But, at the same time, I have hope mainly because of the next generation. I think the generation below mine are much more politically aware than I was at that age, much more involved and active. The February issue of Elle UK is on sale from January 7. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. PA The way liability claims are litigated in Florida will dramatically change, possibly shifting the balance of power in pre-trial negotiations closer to favoring defendants and their insurance companies after the Florida Supreme Court opted to adopt the federal summary judgment standard, effective May 1, 2021. The impending rule change ordered by six of the seven justices in a Dec. 31, 2020 motion was prompted by a request for the court to answer a certified question from the Fifth District Court of Appeal in the case Wilsonart, LLC v. Lopez. At issue in the Wilsonart v. Lopez case was whether a trial court can grant a partys motion for summary judgment based on video evidence that contradicts conflicting evidence from the nonmoving party. If not, a court must let a jury decide by weighing the video against other evidence, such as eyewitness testimony. Wilsonart involved a fatal motor vehicle accident after which the decedents estate sued the front car driver and the drivers employer. The trial court granted summary judgment for the defendants in reliance on video evidence from the front cars dashboard camera. The trial court held the video refuted the plaintiffs position and demonstrated the defendants were not negligent. On appeal, the Fifth District reversed the trial courts decision to grant summary judgment finding the trial court improperly weighed competing evidence on material facts. On review by the Florida Supreme Court, the parties were asked to file briefs on the issue of whether Florida should adopt the federal summary judgment standard. Businesses and others filed amicus briefs on the issue as well. Federal Summary Judgment Standard The current federal summary judgment standard dates back to a trilogy of United States Supreme Court cases from 1986 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp. The Celotex case involved a widow who had argued that her late husband had been injured by exposure to a companys products. The company denied it was at fault and convinced a federal district court to grant summary judgment in its favor. A federal circuit court of appeals reversed the decision, saying that the company must first refute the allegation that the husband had been exposed. The company then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court held that a party moving for summary judgment need only show that the opposing party lacks evidence sufficient to support its case. This ruling is still creating confusion in the federal courts today, but a broader version of the trilogy of cases was formally added to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56, making it much easier to resolve cases in federal court. In federal court, the party seeking summary judgment need only show that the other party has not presented sufficient evidence to support an essential element of its case. The standard is similar to the standard for a directed verdict. While federal courts have continued to sort out the details, insurance companies and their defense counsel have used the standard favorably to obtain dismissal of claims in federal courts on summary judgment. Currently, at least 38 states utilize the federal standard. Florida was an outlier in that regard, as its current summary judgment standard stems from the 1966 decision of Holl v. Talcott. Impact of New Standard Now that the Florida Supreme Court has adopted the federal standard, as of May 2021, the impact on Florida courts will be significant. It is likely fewer cases may be filed and other cases could be resolved faster and at lower cost to defendants and insurance companies. This may help the backlog that Florida trial courts have been experiencing due to the suspension of jury trials during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Legitimate claims and lawsuits would still reach juries or be settled out of court. However, meritless and weaker claims will be far less likely to be filed or they will be resolved quicker. Florida judges would have to be convinced that the underpinnings of the allegations lack critical strength. If it is easier to refute an injured partys claim at the outset, defendants and their insurance companies have a better chance of settling claims faster and for less money. Lower litigation expenses and lower anticipated settlement values mean that an insurer could set lower reserves and offer premiums that are more competitive. At present, plaintiff attorneys have financial reasons to pursue a trial or at least to cause defendants to incur significant litigation costs. For multi-party litigation, plaintiffs often lack evidence to implicate a particular defendant, such as in a multi-car collision or a products liability case with multiple component manufacturers and links in the chain of distribution. The threat of dispositive relief for that defendant can provide significant leverage to prevent them from being dragged through the full litigation process up to and possibly through trial that plaintiffs often use to extract settlements. In addition, depending on where the plaintiffs sue, they can win bigger jury awards and more attorneys fees. Those incentives go down significantly if the defense has an improved chance of getting a case dismissed at an earlier stage and possibly getting the plaintiffs to pay for defense legal expenses. More importantly, the defense teams in Florida cases will have a much stronger hand to play when negotiating a settlement. They could signal to the other side plans to move for summary judgment and offer to settle for a nominal sum. Claims professionals should meet with their defense attorneys to discuss the implications and implementation of new legal strategies and be ready to argue this new standard to trial courts in Florida, come May 1, 2021. Topics Carriers Florida TSSC19 Grant Topics - Auditing Auditing Teacher and Support Staff COVID-19 Excel Template Data The Michigan Department of Treasury Department is auditing the TSSC19 Excel Template Data submitted by the schools for eligibility and to determine whether individuals have been assigned the correct teacher or support staff grant type. The state Treasury Department will be reviewing school submissions and contacting school districts and nonprofit nonpublic schools to address eligibility questions that need clarification. Please promptly reply to requests so the state Treasury Department can issue the grants timely. Items that the state Treasury Department will be reviewing include: Verification of a sample of individuals certification of Form 5734, Teacher and Support Staff COVID-19 Grants Certification Clarification on the eligibility for both grant programs Review of foreign addresses Data trend: Individuals A ssigned to I ncorrect G rant P rogram After an initial review of the submitted TSSC19 Grant Excel Templates, the state Treasury Department has noticed that some school districts and nonprofit public schools have assigned individuals to the incorrect grant program. Specifically, there are some records where individuals have been assigned to receive a support staff grant when eligible for a teacher grant, as well as vice versa. For those records in question, the state Treasury Department is using the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) Registry of Educational Personnel (REP) codes to verify and determine which grant program teacher or support staff will be assigned to individuals for the February payments. At this time, no action is needed by school districts and nonprofit nonpublic schools. The state Treasury Departments Audit Team will review these codes and contact school personnel directly if clarification is needed. Please do not contact the state Treasury Department or CEPI with any TSSC19 Excel Template amendments. Additionally, school districts and nonprofit public schools are not to submit any TSSC19 Excel Templates with CEPI REP code changes. Examples of REP Code Issues and Actions Below is a summary of those REP codes and their associated grant program the state Treasury Department is using in for TSSC19 grant determination: An advert that shows a man eating a bat sandwich is being investigated by Australia's advertising watchdog. Australian camping retailer Boating Camping Fishing store (BCF) released an advert designed to encourage people to explore their own backyard while there remain several travel restrictions around the world. In the video, an Australian family can bee seen fishing and camping when a man jokes that the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic was caused by someone eating a bat. Ad The joke refers to the belief that the coronavirus pandemic originated from China due to the consumption of bats as a delicacy, and jumping to humans in a wet market at Wuhan in late 2019. While early cases emerged from a live animal market in Wuhan, China, there has been no definitive proof it was how the virus originated and spread. A spokesperson for the Advertising Standards Bureau told the BBC that the ad watchdog has received several complaints about the BCFs commercial. The spokesperson added that Ad Standards is in the process of assessing these complaints to see if they raise an issue. Ad Ad encourages all to explore their backyard A BCF spokesman had earlier told Australian media that the light-hearted marketing campaign recognises that many Australians will be staying home this summer and encourages them to explore their own backyard. The ad has been viewed more than 2,50,000 times on YouTube. "Of course we understand the severity of the pandemic and spread of COVID-19 but it is clear that this ad is framed in the same spirit." BCF is no stranger to Australia's advertising watchdog, making the list of most complained about ads in both 2016 and 2018. "Over the years BCF has established a tradition of irreverent campaigns in the spirit of good-natured fun," the spokesman added. "They will have their detractors and we recognise that," the spokesperson said. Wikimedia Australia-China relations Relations between Australia and China deteriorated last year to their lowest point in decades, experts say. The advert could see tensions becoming further strained. Australia backed a global inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus in April, which a top Chinese diplomat alleged effectively singled out China. Since then, Australian imports have been under the spotlight while Chinese students and tourists were warned against travelling to Australia citing fears of racism. In November, China imposed taxes on Australian wine of up to 212%, saying these were temporary anti-dumping measures to stop subsidised imports of Australian wine. A blood-chilling home surveillance video captured two men shooting a gun at a motorist they were trying to carjack while the driver pulled out of his driveway in Lakeview on Tuesday. No one was hurt during the confrontation in the 6100 block of Bellaire Drive about 6 a.m., the victim told WWL-TV. New Orleans police said they are investigating the case as an attempted carjacking, adding that officers believe the attackers were in a blue or silver Honda. In an interview with WWL, the victim who declined to be named said he was backing out of his driveway when he realized two men wielding guns were approaching. The driver said his reaction was to hit the gas. I totally floored it, he told the station. I didnt know what else to do. At least one of the assailants fired a gun at the driver. The driver said one bullet hit his van, but he counted two more shots which apparently missed. No telling where they hit, he said. Thank God it wasnt me. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The driver said his van stalled out as he tried to get away, and he feared he was a sitting duck. But the robbers in masks, hoods and gloves fled without firing again. The victim said his home security system recorded the men staking out his house for about an hour before they ambushed him. The video footage captured a muzzle flash. New Orleans experienced a more than 120% increase in the number of carjackings reported in 2020. Homicides and nonfatal shootings also spiked amid a nationwide rise in violent crimes. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Tuesday that the outgoing administration of President Donald Trump is playing a dangerous game with Iran. One gift Trump could give the country and the world is not to start a war with Iran in his final 15 days in office, Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 US presidential race, wrote on Twitter. The comment by Clinton, who served as the top US diplomat under the Barack Obama administration, comes after Trump reportedly ordered a US Navy supercarrier, the USS Nimitz, back to the Middle East, reversing a decision by Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller three days prior in a de-escalatory gesture toward Iran. The US has toured heavy military assets in the Middle East in recent weeks, including the Nimitz, three sorties of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers and a guided-missile submarine, the USS Georgia, which was escorted into the Persian Gulf by two cruisers. Israel also sent at least one submarine through the Suez Canal. The show of force is ostensibly meant to dissuade Iran and its proxy forces in the region from promised retaliation around the one-year anniversary of the Trump administrations assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Clintons statement follows criticism by the former senior defense official for international security, Kathryn Wheelbarger, who argued in The Wall Street Journal last month that extending the Navys deployments to the region strains the ships and crews and is not guaranteed to prevent retaliation by Iran or its regional proxies. US defense officials have also offered conflicting interpretations of intelligence, which some have said suggests Iran may be preparing to strike US forces or partners in the Middle East using local pro-Tehran militias, according to CNN. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused the Trump administration of building a pretext for war. Irans government Tuesday requested an Interpol notice for Trump and dozens of other US government officials it said were complicit in Soleimanis assassination. An Iranian government spokesman announced Monday that his government would return to 20% uranium enrichment at the Fordow facility, in direct violation of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The level is still far from that required for weapons-grade material. Irans government has said it is willing to rejoin the 2015 agreement if the incoming Biden administration does so, but has said the topic of its regional influence and ballistic missile program will not be a part of the nuclear deal discussions. The Trump administration unilaterally walked out of the deal in 2018, replacing it with a campaign of stifling economic sanctions in hope of forcing a rollback of the Islamic Republics support for regional militias and weapons program. Engaging Iran will be a top priority for the Biden administration, which takes office Jan. 20. On Tuesday, Politico reported that Biden had chosen Wendy Sherman, a former lead negotiator in the JCPOA talks, as deputy secretary of state. Jake Sullivan, Biden's pick for national security adviser, told CNN on Sunday that the incoming administration would insist that talks over Iran's ballistic missile program follow negotiations over the nuclear agreement. Sometimes, someone writes an article that is more than just an article. It is an urgent warning bell telling us something very profound about ourselves and the path that were on. Dennis Pragers most recent article sees him come to terms with the fact that even Americans can become the functional equivalent of good Germans; that is, we are on the verge of becoming the type of people who, while not actively complicit in evil, just go along with it. Many years ago, when Obama was consolidating his changes in America, an Irish friend of mine told me that it was inconceivable to him that Americans would give up their liberty. He felt that liberty was in Americans DNA and that nothing would cause them to abandon that core principle. My friend never imagined the Wuhan virus, an infectious disease with a 99% survival rate for people under 70. In a matter of months, in most American states, millions of Americans meekly abandoned liberty. They allowed themselves to be imprisoned in their own homes, they gave up their businesses, they stopped educating their children, and they treated religious worship as something akin to a satanic death ritual. Our politicians not our legislatures but just our politicians issued arguably unconstitutional edicts, our police enforced them, and we backed down. We also allowed all the Karens in the world the officious, hectoring strangers -- to cow us into abandoning our liberties. We whisper about them, but we let them have their way. Now, theres a vaccination in play and we listen meekly as Herr Doktor Fauci keeps ruminating about making these vaccinations the long-term effects of which are a mystery mandatory for work or travel. In New York, the legislature is seriously contemplating a law that would empower it to imprison anyone with a communicable disease that the state, in its unquestioned wisdom, doesnt want to have around. If youre accused, even your right to a lawyer is constrained by the state. Dont think New York state wont use that power for it has done so before. When Mary Mallon, an asymptomatic and unquestionably dangerous typhoid carrier, refused to starve to death rather than work as a cook, New York City didnt give her a stipend to keep her off the street. Instead, it quarantined her, keeping her a prisoner until the day she died. Its in this environment that Dennis Prager has written I Now Better Understand the Good German. The Good German is not the fanatic Nazi or the anti-Semite happy to see the Nazis appear. The good German is the person who simply acquiesced to the Nazis ever-increasing cruelty and madness. (Remember that Hitler never won more than 38% of the popular vote. He consolidated power because good Germans, afraid of his violence and not wanting to make waves, and perhaps in agreement with his saner political goals, acquiesced.) These past few years have taught me not to so quickly judge the quiet German, Russian, etc. Of course, I still judge Germans who helped the Nazis and Germans who in any way hurt Jews. But the Germans who did nothing? Not so fast. What has changed my thinking has been watching what is happening in America (and Canada and Australia and elsewhere, for that matter). The ease with which tens of millions of Americans have accepted irrational, unconstitutional and unprecedented police state-type restrictions on their freedoms, including even the freedom to make a living, has been, to understate the case, sobering. Just as sobering as the willingness to abandon liberty is the American peoples willingness to abandon free speech. Rather than fight back against cancel culture, good Americans fall silent or, when BLM threatens, good Americans raise their fists too. Prager understands that many Americans have simply been brainwashed. Our media, our educational system, and our corporations (filled with people pumped out by our education system) hate America and Americans. Were marinated in that hatred. Weve been primed for decades. The lockdown was the spark. And instead of an explosion of freedom from that spark, we had an implosion of fear and self-loathing. Please read Pragers article. After you read it, youll know how we got here but, if you still value freedom, youll also be asking yourself how we back out of this existential dead end. IMAGE: The image is a screenshot from a video showing German citizens forced to visit Buchenwald Concentration Camp after the war. Advertisement President Donald Trump continued his series of mixed messages as the law enforcement officials cleared the Capitol building of his mob of supporters who disrupted the congressional certification of Joe Biden's victory. Trump issued his fourth tweet on the matter Wednesday evening after telling supporters he 'loves' them in a video message that also urged them to go home. That message came after the president's earlier tweets didn't tell the mob to leave Capitol Hill only to be peaceful. In a rally before the insurrection began, Trump told his MAGA crowd to march on the Capitol and had suggested he would join them. He threw more fuel on the fire Wednesday night with a tweet that said of the attack on the Capitol, these things 'happen' when an election is stolen. 'These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!,' he wrote. The election wasn't stolen or fraudulent. Biden won the electoral college vote and the popular vote. Congress was set to certify his win before their session was interrupted by the Trump supporting mob, who broke into the Capitol building waving Trump flags and touting a Trump victory. Twitter flagged Trump's claim, as it has flagged his previous false claims on the election outcome, before deleting Trump's tweet entirely that essentially excused the behavior of the insurgents and the president's video message that in addition to telling the mob to go home repeated his false claim he won the election. Twitter locked President Donald Trump's account for 12 hours, meaning he will be unable to tweet until Thursday morning. In a shocking tweet, Donald Trump sent mixed messaged Wednesday regarding the anarchy in Washington, saying 'Remember this day forever!' and calling the rioters 'great patriots' Donald Trump finally addressed his mob of supporters in a video Wednesday where he continued to claim the 'election was stolen' 'I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!' he said Trump tweeted as the chaos ensued inside the U.S. Capitol for his supporters to 'stay peaceful!' Images emerged of hundreds of protesters descending on the steps of the Capitol after rallying near the White House for President Donald Trump Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress Trump addressed his thousands of his supporters near the White House Wednesday at his 'Save America' rally and declared war on his own party, calling Republicans who opposed him 'weak' A female protestor lies wounded after being shot by police inside the US Capitol, Washington DC 'The account of @realDonaldTrump will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of these Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked,' the company said in a tweet, citing 'repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy' particularly in regards to the situation at the Capitol building. The company blocked two of his tweets and said 'If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked.' Twitter also threatened the president, who is a frequent user of its platform, with permanent suspension. 'Future violations of the Twitter Rules, including our Civic Integrity or Violent Threats policies, will result in permanent suspension of the @realDonaldTrump account,' it wrote. Trump loses certain protections when he becomes a former president, making his tweets subject to the same standards most Twitter users must follow as part of its user agreement. It came after some Republicans said the president's video message wasn't strong enough and should have more strongly condemned the insurrection. As the president faced criticism, Vice President Mike Pence was being praised. Trump's own National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien tweeted at 6 p.m.: 'I just spoke with Vice President Pence. He is a genuinely fine and decent man. He exhibited courage today as he did at the Capitol on 9/11 as a Congressman. I am proud to serve with him.' Pence, who presides over the joint session that certifies the election, said earlier in the day he would not heed to Trump's demand he declare the election invalid. Trump ordered National Guard and federal forces to deploy to the Capitol after his supporters overran U.S. Capitol Police and gained illegal entry into the building Wednesday. The building had been overrun for more than an hour Wednesday when White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany made the announcement on Twitter. 'At President @realDonaldTrump's direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services. We reiterate President Trump's call against violence and to remain peaceful,' she wrote. A mob of his angry supporters had breached the building and even entered the House and Senate chambers. The Senate was evacuated at 2.30pm. There are more than 2,000 Capitol Police officers with special jurisdiction on Capitol Grounds. But they were overrun as protesters smashed through a window and penetrated the building. Capitol Police were seen absorbing violent lunges by Trump supporters on the first floor of the Capitol building. Police from neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland were also rushed to the Capitol vicinity, CNN reported. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had already mobilized National Guard troops in advance of the pro-Trump rally billed as a 'stop the steal event' although it coincided with the effort proscribed in law for Congress to count the votes of the Electoral College. The entire D.C. National Guard was to be activated within hours, the Washington Post reported, after Bowser asked on duty guard to be sent to the Capitol. Bowser also imposed a 6 pm curfew for Washington. An army of Donald Trump's supporters stormed Congress Wednesday after he told them to march on the Capitol with Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and lawmakers rushed to safety as thousands threatened to break through police barricades A person is removed on a stretcher as President Trump delivers remarks to supporters gathered to protest Congress' upcoming certification of Joe Biden as the next president on the Ellipse in Washington Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with Donald Trump on Wednesday A stand was being erected at the base of the US Capitol as a pro-Trump supporter holds a flag, hours before Congress meets to certify the electoral college vote for Biden Hours after a humiliating defeat in one Georgia Senate race and the prospect of losing another, Team Trump showed no sign of conceding President Donald Trump threatened Vice President Mike Pence telling him to overturn the general election results shortly before Congress s was to begin counting the electoral votes that will make Joe Biden the next president The president still has not conceded the election and earlier Wednesday addressed a crowd at the ellipse spouting conspiracy theories that he still had a path to win - if Vice President Mike Pence did his bidding, as well as if GOP lawmakers revolted. Pence did no such thing. When Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger was asked on CNN if Trump's tweet was enough to quell the attack he answered with a succinct 'no.' Trump fanned the flames of his supporters, bashing 'weak' Republicans and demanding fealty from Vice President Mike Pence to a rally crowd near the White House Wednesday where he demanded Pence and Congress overturn the election results that lead to his defeat. In an extraordinary speech, Trump once again called his election 'rigged' just minutes before a joint meeting of Congress was to begin counting the certified electoral votes that have him losing to Democrat Joe Biden. He referred to votes that came in after 10pm election night which consisted of in-person and mail-in ballots and denied him the lead he said he and his pollsters anticipated as 'these explosions of bullsh*t.' Members of the crowd immediately chanted 'Bullshi*t!' in response. 'Our election was over at 10:00 in the evening,' Trump said. Trump mocked his party's 2012 Republican presidential nominee, now-Sen. Mitt Romney, for conceded his own race back then. 'We will never concede. It doesn't happen,' he said although losing candidates have conceded for generations. 'There's never been anything like this. It's a pure theft.' Trump's comments amounted to a declaration of war on elements of his party, after his lawyer Rudy Giuliani demanded 'trial by combat' against opponents of his claims of election fraud. Trump spoke to a crowd of several thousand but referred to them as consisting of 'hundreds of thousands' of supporters fathered on a lawn south of the White House that doesn't hold that many. He said his election was 'stolen by the fake news media. That's what they've done and that's what they're doing.' He urged his supporters to march down to the Congress, which was to commence the count at 1 pm. 'We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women,' he said, speaking from behind a pane of bullet-proof material. He turned up the heat on Pence, a potential 2024 contender who will preside over the count. His role is set in the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act, and is largely ceremonial. 'Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country because you're sworn to uphold our Constitution,' he said. Trump acknowledged that he has tried to pressure Pence into rejecting votes from states he lost, quoting from a conversation he has denied happened. 'All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to re-certify and we become president and you are the happiest people,' he told his fans, who cheered 'Stop the Steal!' at times. 'I said Mike, that doesn't take courage. What takes courage is to do nothing. That takes courage. And then we're stuck with a president who lost the election by a lot and we have to live with that,' he said of Biden. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani once again raised allegations of widespread election fraud which he said also occurred in the Georgia Senate runoff elections 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, demanded that Republican Party lawmakers in Congress 'be the hero, not the zero' and refuse to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory Thousands of supporters of President Trump are seen above near the Washington Monument for the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday Trump touted his own vote total, but denied Biden's was real. 'And by the way, does anybody believe that Joe had 80 million votes?' Trump asked rhetorically. 'Does anybody believe that? He had 80 million computer votes. It's a disgrace,' Trump said. His mention of the pandemic came in terms of his own race, where millions voted by mail as thousands battled infections in a year more than 300,000 Americans died of COVID-19. 'They've used the pandemic as a way of defrauding the people in a proper election,' Trump said. 'Eight weeks. I want to go back eight weeks. Let's go back eight weeks,' he mused at one point, as he described a conversation with an unnamed official who told him that he would be lock to win in 2024. Trump repeatedly couched his demands not as an effort to overturn the votes of the people, but as a legal effort. 'Somebody says: Well we have to obey the Constitution,' Trump said. 'And you are, because you're protecting our country and you're protecting the Constitution so you are,' he said. He said it would protect the country from having what he called 'an illegitimate president.' 'The states were defrauded. They were given false information,' Trump claimed. During various tangents, he complained about how he is treated on social media, such as when 'I get a flag' on his tweets. 'I don't care about Twitter, Twitter's bad news, he said afterward. He went after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell several times, including for not going along with his proposal to change communications laws. 'I helped Mitch get elected,' he said of the longtime incumbent. 'And then all of a sudden you have something like this,' he said, going after 'weak Republicans' and 'pathetic Republicans' despite a top official in Georgia blaming him for the likely defeats of two Senate Republican incumbents. He also called out Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) after her comment that failing to accept the electors certified by states would violate the Constitution. 'The Liz Cheneys of the world, we've got to get rid of them,' Trump said. 'Brian Kemp vote him the hell out of office please,' Trump said of the Georgia governor. He said Georgia's secretary of state Brad Raffensperger had 'no clue' what was going on, but then said 'maybe' he was with the other side the Democrats. 'I can't believe this guy was a Republican,' said Trump. 'He loves recording telephone conversations,' Trump said mentioning a leaked call where Trump can be heard asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes to make him the winner. 'People love that conversation, because it says what's going on,' Trump said. Donald Trump Jr (left), the president's eldest son, kisses his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle (right), before addressing the rally on Wednesday Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer and he bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of frau Trump also complained about the Supreme Court, which failed to take up a Texas lawsuit he sought to join, and even his former attorney general Bill Barr, who said before leaving his post there wasn't sufficient fraud to change the outcome. 'I'm not happy with the Supreme Court. They look to rule against me. I picked three people. I fought like hell for one in particular,' Trump inveighed. 'You know I read a story in one of the newspapers recently, how I control the three Supreme Court Justices. I control them. They're puppets. I read it about Bill Barr - that he's my personal attorney, that he'll do anything for me.' But he denied pulling Barr's strings'And I said, you know, it really is genius, because what they do is that, and it makes it really impossible for them to ever give you a victory, because all of a sudden Bill Barr changed if you hadn't noticed. I like Bill Barr but he changed because he didn't want to be considered my personal attorney, and the Supreme Court. They ruled against me so much you know why? Because the story is, I haven't spoken to any of them. Any since virtually they got in, but the story is that they're my puppet, right, that they're puppets. And now that the only way they can get out of that - because they hate that it's not good on the social circuit. And the only way they get out is to rule against Trump. So let's rule against Trump and they do.' Giuliani said, 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat. 'I'm willing to stake my reputation, the president is willing to stake his reputation on the fact that we're going to find criminality there,' said the former New York mayor. Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of losses in state and federal courts with suits charging election fraud. He spoke to thousands of cheering supporters on the Ellipse south of the White House. A permit was for 30,000 people. The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer. He bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of fraud. 'The people who did nothing to stop the steal -- this gathering should send a message to them. This isn't their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump's Republican Party. This is the Republican Party that will put America first,' he said. His girlfriend, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, also spoke. After claiming fraud in Trump's election, John Eastman claimed fraud in the count Tuesday night, which allowed Rev. Raphael Warnock to be called as the winner in one runoff and has Democrat Jon Ossoff leading in another. Explaining how the fraud he claims occurred happened, Eastman said: 'You know the old way was to have a bunch of ballots sitting in a box under the floor They put those ballots in a secret folder in the machines, sitting there waiting until they know how many they need I can now in that machine match those unvoted ballots with an unvoted voter and put them together in the machine. How do we know that happened last night in real time? You saw when it went to 99 per cent of the vote total, and it stopped.' He pointed to a point late in the vote count while counties were still tabulating votes a version of Trump's complaint that he led in early returns on election night in November. Last night, Republicans led until addition in-person votes came in in populous Democratic-leaning counties. 'That means they were unloading the ballots from that secret folder,' he claimed. Eric Trump (right), the president's son, and his wife, Lara Trump, raise their fists in front of thousands of supporters near the White House on Wednesday A militia-like group is seen making their way to Trump's rally on Wednesday morning Trump supporters gather near the White House and watch the rally on a big screen set up nearby A woman is seen holding a sign that reads 'Trump is the party' as the president's supporters gather on the Washington Monument grounds Trump supporters braved cold temperatures in Washington, DC, on Wednesday hours before the start of planned demonstrations At least 10 people were arrested for gun possession crimes and other violations and others were seen clashing with counter-demonstrators. One man from North Carolina was detained after he was caught carrying a gun without a license. The man rode into the capital on a bus which was stopped by police near Ninth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Police boarded the bus and confiscated a rifle and a handgun as well as a drum magazine that holds additional ammunition. Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse. Many in the crowd were photographed not wearing masks and gathered in tight quarters, shoulder to shoulder, despite the raging pandemic and the nationwide surge in the number of coronavirus cases. A Trump supporter is seen with a protective vest decorated with Trump badges at Wednesday's rally Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House 'Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Donald Trump turns on Pence telling him to ignore the constitution and refuse to certify Joe Biden's victory in Congress - which even a White House aide calls 'shameful' Donald Trump tweeted furiously at his own vice president Mike Pence Wednesday to demand he refuse to certify Joe Biden's election victory. Trump demanded Pence ignore the constitution and instead 'return' swing states' slates of electors for Joe Biden to Republican-controlled legislatures who would then submit their own Trump electors. Pence has no such power to do so - and told Trump that over lunch on Tuesday, the New York Times reported - but Trump doubled down on his demands as thousands of his supporters, some in camouflage, gathered close to the White House. 'States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Trump tweeted. At the White House there was shock that Trump would turn so publicly on his ultra-loyal VP. CNN reported that one aide called attacking the VP 'shameful,' amid fears from Pence's camp that worse was to come. The tweet was hours before Pence was due to preside over the joint session of Congress which will formally declare Biden the election victor - and as the Republican party adsorbed the shock of being on the brink of losing the Senate. Trump appeared to concede that the Senate was lost in an all-capitals tweet claiming that Republicans need to keep 'the power of the veto.' 'THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!' Trump tweeted. A move to turn on Pence had been growing in inevitability for days. Axios reported that Trump had no idea that Pence oversaw the certification of the election results - until he learned about it from a television ad by the Lincoln Project, the never-Trump Republican group led by Kellyanne Conway's husband George. Tweetstorm turning on Pence: Donald Trump went after his own VP in a tweetstorm On Tuesday night ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. That was after Trump slammed as 'fake news' the revelation that Pence had told him he was powerless to stop Biden's win in a statement which was signed only by Trump - and not by his deputy. 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power to reject slates of electors 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the Electoral College votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to how Pennsylvania's voting was run - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. Truth to power: Donald Trump demanded publicly Monday night at his rally in Georgia and then on Twitter that the vice president aid his campaign to overturn the election. Pence told him Tuesday he could not Desperation move: Trump's extraordinary plan to overturn the election through Mike Pence is a final attempt to stop Joe Biden's victory being confirmed If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden - at least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Ted Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Josh Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' And for Pence, who has walked the tight rope of Trump's presidency for four years without faltering, what he does Wednesday will be the ultimate loyalty test, at least in the eyes of the president, who is publicly putting on the pressure. Trump has made it clear he expects his second-in-command to keep him in the White House even if Pence does not legally or constitutionally have the power to do so. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Advertisement Ultimately, Biden is expected to be certified as the winner of the election on Wednesday, which Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, is expected to announce after the certification is complete. The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. When all is said and done, Biden will be inaugurated the 46th president on January 20th. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' The low down on how Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times Advertisement 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleagues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Jan, 2021) "I welcome you to your second country," with these words, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened yesterdays Gulf Co-operation Council summit and welcomed the six member countries' leaders to Al Ula in Saudi Arabia, pointed out a UAE English daily. In an editorial on Wednesday, The National observed, "Starting a new chapter in intra-Gulf dialogue, with the presence of Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim, yesterdays meeting of the GCC will be one of the most significant in the Arabian Peninsulas recent history. The session was already historic, marking the 41st anniversary of the signing of the organisation's Charter in Abu Dhabi." Now, while time to rebuild confidence is still necessary, yesterdays public signing of the Al Ula statement will go down as the moment the rebuilding of trust began, the newspaper noted. Strong historic ties and a shared, prosperous future bind the people of the Gulf together. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, expressed "our renewal of faith in the progress of countries of the GCC and we renew our optimism that the coming years will bring stability and security and achievements that serve our people . .. and contributes to the stability of those around us." With a renewed commitment to "solidarity" at the summit, the countries of the region can start the important task of pursuing common strategic interests. The daily continued to say, "Yesterdays summit and the start of a new phase of co-operation among GCC countries was the culmination of patient and responsible diplomacy, particularly on the part of Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf, with encouragement from the US and other Gulf allies. "It is also a demonstration of the diplomatic heft of the GCC, which has, in mere decades, transformed the Gulf region into one of the wealthiest and most successful corners of the world." The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper concluded by saying, "There will still be those outside the Gulf who would seek to undermine the unity that has made the region so prosperous, and they must not be allowed to succeed. Yesterday showed such opponents that the Gulf can continue to advance with a sense of kinship and fraternity. The gates to this bright future are now open." VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Divurgent, an international IT consulting company, announced today that it hired Sam Hanna, PhD as the new Executive Vice President of Innovation and Consulting, and Chief Strategy Officer. Sam joins the firm as a respected leader in the healthcare transformation space and brings cross-industry best practices to complement and further grow Divurgent's solution portfolio. Sam's experience includes leading a healthcare practice and an incubator at PwC and serving as an executive advisor to several innovative companies in the healthcare, technology, and consulting space such as Alphabet, Amazon, and several innovative startups in the medical device and artificial intelligence space. Sam Hanna, Ph.D., has joined the Divurgent Team as the new Executive Vice President of Innovation and Consulting, and Chief Strategy Officer In the first three months of his tenure with the firm, Dr. Hanna has brought on three strategic Executive Delivery hires to strengthen the firm's position as a leading consultative and advisory firm. Adam Tallinger, Vice President Provider Solutions, Chris Brownlee, Principal, and Bob Farrar, Payer Principal, join the firm's other delivery executives, Emily Carlson, Vice President Technology, and Brent Girardeau, Principal, to double down on the firm's reputation for innovation, flexibility, and value in the industry. Dr. Hanna, at the helm of a uniquely positioned consulting team, is a technology visionary and has developed a unique approach to bringing key industry best practices together to lead organizations into the future. He will be a key player as Divurgent continues to drive innovation through their solutions across the highly complex healthcare sectors and other industries. His deep experience in academics, consulting, and entrepreneurship paired with his expertise in project management, business intelligence/analytics, business continuity, and system implementations align with Divurgent's existing and future goals. "Having Sam join our team has inspired and energized our team," said Shane Danaher, Chief Operating Officer. "Whenever you have someone with Sam's level of expertise and forward-thinking approach to the industry, it propels us as an organization to think even further outside the box to deliver value to our clients through our solutions and products." As part of his strategic role with the firm, Dr. Hanna will not only lead the design and development of Divurgent's solutions and enhance the experience of both consultants and clients, but he will also, as Chief Strategy Officer, play an important role in the firm's future direction and investment decisions. Additionally, Hanna's enthusiasm for business intelligence and analytics bolster's Divurgent's unique approach to delivering data driven decision making for our clients. This holistic approach to client service creates measurable value and delivers customized solutions that differentiate Divurgent from other management consulting firms. About Divurgent Divurgent is a solutions provider focused on what matters most to our client partners. We disrupt the typical value equation by using data-infused, flexible, and scalable solutions that demonstrate and quantify value for our partners. We are committed to IT evolution, deploying tailored solutions that help our client partners achieve improved operational effectiveness, financial performance, and quality of customer experience. Throughout Divurgent's 13-year history, we have experienced year-over-year growth measured in both revenue and employee headcount. Excellence, Learning, Innovation, Trust, Enthusiasmthese are the ELITE Values that drive us to be more and do moreto redefine consulting and transform healthcare for our clients and the communities they serve. We are passionate about providing innovative solutions that offer our clients the opportunity to improve customer experiences and enhance operational efficiencies. Staying true to our values, mission, and our vision of a passionate Team has given us the tools to be a successful firm both externally and internally, growing both as a company and as a Team. www.divurgent.com Media Contact: Megan Ailsworth [email protected] (757) 213-6875 SOURCE Divurgent Related Links http://www.divurgent.com/ Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Socialist party allies of President Nicolas Maduro have officially taken control of the nations Congress, following a widely-boycotted election in early December. By James Blears The National Assembly podium was adorned with a portrait of Revolutionary hero Simon Bolivar alongside photos of late President Hugo Chavez, as the Socialist Alliance took up possession and residence. On 6 December, they won 256 of the 277 seats in a very low turnout election, which has been condemned by Washington and the European Union. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that opposition leader Juan Guido and his followers are the only legitimate and democratic representatives. But the new Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez is pledging to take firm control, claiming hell cleanse the building with holy water. Rival assemblies Meanwhile, Guido has held his own inauguration, and says his team will continue business and to draft legislation. He declared himself the legitimate interim-President of Venezuela back in January 2019, and more than fifty nations recognize him. But the Venezuelan armed forces, which hold the key to power, have remained loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, and do not. So change hasnt come to pass. Rodriguez is calling for national dialogue, but this is unlikely because the opposition are demanding that Nicolas Maduro step down and a presidential election be announced, as a pre-condition for any meaningful discussions. Hobbled economy More biting sanctions, especially from the United States are likely to be announced soon. The attitude of the incoming Biden Administration is likely to be tough, unbending, and uncompromising. Further misery for economically-crippled Venezuela is on the way. More than five and a half million people have already fled. By Andrew Seidman, The Philadelphia Inquirer Raberta Hans, a 50-year-old teacher from Carbon County in Northeastern Pennsylvania, says she wants to make a stand for election integrity: Its too dangerous to not go back and count every ballot. Jackie Kulback, the local GOP chair in Cambria County, is looking forward to what may be our last chance to get together as a group to show the president how much we support him. And Ben Philips, a 50-year-old computer programmer from Bloomsburg, is eager to see what President Donald Trump will do next: It seems like he called us there for a reason, I think something bigs about to go down that no ones talking about yet. I think he has an ace up his sleeve. Theyre among the busloads of Pennsylvania Trump supporters heading to Washington on Wednesday as the nations capital braces for potentially tens of thousands of people to march in the streets during a chaotic day in Congress. Under normal circumstances, it would be a quiet day in Washington, as Congress convenes to count the Electoral College votes usually a formality. But Trump and his allies have transformed this perfunctory gathering into a national spectacle, as the president continues his push to overturn his loss to President-elect Joe Biden. An unprecedented number of congressional Republicans have said they will object to the results in Pennsylvania and other swing states Biden won despite Bidens decisive 306-232 Electoral College victory and a popular-vote margin of seven million. Elections officials and dozens of state and federal courts across the country have rejected the Trump campaigns lawsuits, and there is no evidence to support Trumps claims of widespread fraud. In Harrisburg on Tuesday, a smaller group of protesters held a Hear Us Roar rally on the steps of the state capitol building. Democrats and even some Republicans, including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, have called the sure-to-fail gambit an attack on democratic self-governance by attempting to overrule the will of the people and hand Trump a second term. Trump has encouraged supporters to show up to Stop the Steal. Right-wing extremist groups like the Proud Boys are expected to join the protests the groups leader was arrested Monday in Washington on property-destruction and weapons charges prompting fears among local authorities that there could be violence. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help monitor protests. In interviews, Trump supporters said they wanted to show support for the president and were frustrated by what they saw as an unfair election. Some stopped short of saying they believed the election was stolen, but expressed concern over how it was run. Many fervent Trump backers said they considered their trip a pilgrimage, an opportunity to publicly object to the election and show pride in a president who in many cases brought them into politics and whom they desperately want to stay in office. Youre trying to right a wrong, is what youre trying to do. The people going down to D.C., everyone believes Trump won, and not only did he win, he won in a landslide, said Kevin Fischer, a retired mill worker from Yardley. We feel like for the first time in the history of my lifetime Ive got a president who actually cares about what the American people think and feel, he said. There is no evidence of any widespread voter fraud in Pennsylvanias presidential election. Trumps campaign itself hasnt presented any such evidence in its numerous legal challenges contesting the result. Rather, its legal efforts have been aimed at disqualifying votes that all evidence shows were legitimately cast under rules they disagree with. The postelection controversy has been stirred almost entirely by unfounded claims of fraud. But Fischer thinks it is suspicious that Trumps election night lead melted away as mail ballots were counted. (Mail ballots, which overwhelmingly favored Biden, were counted later than in-person votes, because under state law counties werent authorized to start processing them until Election Day.) He rejects the mainstream media as covering up for Democrats and refers to posts on far-right websites like Project Veritas. Philips, the programmer from Bloomsburg, organized a 55-seat charter van stopping in Harrisburg and York en route to Washington. He started a pro-Trump website, Trumparoo (named for a stuffed kangaroo he sells that looks like the president). There was a time when he thought a fighting kangaroo would be a fun mascot for the election. But people arent really in the stuffed-animal spirit anymore, Philips said. Philips had voted only once in a presidential election before Trump. He now feels as if he has a family of Trump supporters that extends nationwide. Well just find other ways to fight, Philips said. Get other people elected, try to help more patriotic Republicans get elected as opposed to the Mitch McConnells and the Chris Christies. ... It seems like theres going to be a whole other movement that will overtake the Republican Party as being the Trump party. That GOP divide will also be on display Wednesday as eight of Pennsylvanias nine Republican House members have said they will object to the states electors, effectively moving to invalidate millions of votes. Val Biancaniello, a respiratory therapist from Delaware County who plans to rally in Washington, said shes mainly focused on pushing state lawmakers to change election rules. Republican leaders in Harrisburg have said election reform will be a priority this year. But on Jan. 20, when Biden is inaugurated, Biancaniello said, shell consider him her president. I will hardly agree with his policies for certain, but if he can strive for a more prosperous and peaceful America, thats the hope, she said. Kulback, the GOP chair from Cambria County in Southwestern Pennsylvania, said shed be making the trip with about 100 people on two buses. Trump supporters in nearby Bedford, Somerset, and Blair Counties have also chartered two buses a piece, she said. It was ridiculous, the assaults that the president went through since 2016, Kulback said. And I think what were seeing now is just a lot of pent-up frustration because of that. She said that going forward, Republican voters are clamoring for elected officials to tighten voting laws. I hope all of our elected officials look at everything that went wrong with this election, and really step up to the plate to fix it, Kulback said. And that means, buttoning down the mail-in ballots, validating whos voting. Democrats are confident theres little chance of Wednesday changing anything, though they are perturbed by the historic challenge to a free and fair election. Electoral votes will be received, there will be some very unfortunate speeches made, and it will be another step toward us moving this country back to sanity, said State Sen. Sharif Street, who is vice chair of the state Democratic Party. But some Trump voters are holding out hope and watching Vice President Mike Pence, who as president of the Senate presides over the joint session of Congress. The Constitutionprescribes him a ceremonial role of counting the Electoral College votes, despite Trumps false claim Tuesday that Pence has the power to reject electors. Kim Smetanka, 41, of Uniontown, in Fayette County, started organizing a trip a couple of days ago. As word spread on social media, she decided to book a second bus to meet demand. Some people who live in Ohio and West Virginia are driving to her town in Southwestern Pennsylvania to meet up, she said, because all the buses in their hometowns were full. Our president, No. 1, he called for us to be there, said Smetanka, who owns a pizza business with her husband. I expect for this election to be overturned. I expect for Mike Pence to do what he can do, according to the Constitution. And I expect for a celebration on the ride home. WASHINGTON (AP) Top national security agencies in a rare joint statement Tuesday confirmed that Russia was likely responsible for a massive hack of U.S. government departments and corporations, rejecting President Donald Trumps claim that China might be to blame. The statement represented the U.S. governments first formal attempt to assign responsibility for the breaches at multiple agencies and to assign a possible motive for the operation. It said the hacks appeared to be part of an intelligence-gathering, suggesting the evidence so far pointed to a Russian spying effort rather than an attempt to damage or disrupt U.S. government operations. This is a serious compromise that will require a sustained and dedicated effort to remediate, said the statement, distributed by a cyber working group comprised of the FBI and other investigative agencies. U.S. officials, including Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and cybersecurity experts have previously said Russia was to blame. But Trump, in a series of tweets late last month, sought to downplay the severity of the hack and raised the unsubstantiated idea that China could be responsible. Tuesdays statement makes clear that that is not the case, saying the intrusions are likely Russian in origin. Russia has denied involvement in the hack. Infographic: Chinas 2020 Election Interference How the Chinese Communist Party sought to interfere with the US presidential election For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the 2020 presidential election in the United States was always a life and death struggle. For the first time in decades, a U.S. administration had confronted the CCPs subversion and infiltration of the United States, curtailing its expanding global influence. The CCP made clear through its state-run media that it favored a presidency under Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden, because he would be smoother to deal with than President Donald Trump. Beijing interfered in the 2020 election in multiple ways, and the regime was able to do this because it has, for decades, studied our society and form of government. It has systematically exploited all weaknesses in our system. Click on infographic to enlarge. Here we provide an overview of some key methods the CCP used to influence the election: Using the Virus to Weaken America The CCP covered up the spread of the CCP virus in Wuhan, allowing it to spread throughout China and the rest of the world. Trump defied early WHO recommendations and, on Jan. 31 last year, banned all travel from China. Chinese state media, as well as U.S. media and politicians, portrayed Trumps move as racist and xenophobic. State-media Xinhua wrote on Twitter on March 16, Racism is not the right tool to cover your own incompetence. As the pandemic progressed, both Chinese state media and U.S. media continuously attacked Trump and his administration, accusing them of being incapable. Meanwhile, left-leaning politicians and governors in the United States adopted Chinese-style lockdowns of cities, which brought local economies to a halt. Mail-In Ballots as a Result of CCP Virus As a result of the CCP covering up the initial outbreak, the virus spread around the world and sparked a global pandemic. Due to pandemic-related precautions, many states expanded the use of mail-in ballots. This type of voting, which is prone to fraud, would become the focal point of voter fraud allegations in the fallout of the 2020 election. Voter Registration Drives The Chinese Progressive Association has close ties to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. Many of its former executives, as well as other pro-Beijing leftists, are now involved with the Seed the Vote initiative. The goal of the group was to defeat Trump and win more Democratic seats in the U.S. Senate. Their activities specifically targeted seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Pro-Beijing Groups Involved in Riots Pro-CCP group Chinese Progressive Association funds the Black Futures Lab, which shares a principal organizer with the Black Lives Matter movement. Many of the protests and riots that swept across U.S. cities in 2020 had the involvement of pro-CCP groups, such as the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Liberation Road, as well as Antifa and the BLM movement. One of the effects of the riots was a weakening of the presidents authority in the country as well as intimidation of his supporters. After the Nov. 3 election, amid challenges raised to the election results, the threat of similar riots resulted in the intimidation of state legislatures, lawmakers, and judges. After Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that he would oppose the Electoral College vote in Congress, Antifa members threatened his family at their Washington home. Chinese Influence Over US Politicians For decades, the CCP has sought to subvert and control politicians, policymakers, and influencers in academia. One such case came to the surface when it was revealed that Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) had close ties to an alleged Chinese spy. The CCP uses a wide variety of incentives and disincentives to persuade U.S. policymakers to do its bidding, and it ranks all U.S. governors according to how friendly or hostile they are to the CCP. In Georgia, a key battleground state, the governor has maintained friendly ties with Chinese dignitaries. In April last year, Li Qiangmin, then Chinese consul general in Houston, was invited to an event hosted by the governor, where Li praised him for proactively pushing for cooperation with China, according to a press release by Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China has been Georgias largest trading partner for the past five years. CCP Virus Propaganda Campaign In February 2020, as the CCP virus spread around the world, Beijing started a large-scale propaganda campaign that sought to portray the CCP as a global leader in fighting the pandemic. Authorities simultaneously bought up protective equipment from the United States and other countries, and halted exports of Chinese-manufactured medical goods. As COVID-19 cases increased in the United States, the CCP actively portrayed the United States as a disaster zone with large numbers of deaths, while simultaneously covering up Chinas own death toll. Beijings propaganda sought to portray the CCP as a savior of humanity, while casting doubt on Americans confidence in Trumps leadership. This narrative was amplified by Chinese state media, as well as paid articles in U.S. media. Chinese Parts in US Voting Machines Voting system manufacturers use Chinese-manufactured parts. Using Chinese parts makes the machines vulnerable to hacking, exemplified by past examples of Chinese-made electronics containing backdoors in either the hardware or firmware. Due to a lack of forensic audits of voting systems, it remains unclear at this point whether any potential backdoors were used by China to access U.S. voting machines. Voting machine companies have denied that their systems are vulnerable to hacking. Also, any device connected to the internet on the same WiFi system as voting equipment poses a hacking risk. In Georgia, Jovan Hutton Pulitzer, an inventor and IT expert, raised concerns about devices such as a cheap Chinese smart TV with WiFi or a thermostat connected to the internet that creates vulnerabilities in the entire system. Use of Social Media to Influence Election Facebook in September shut down more than 180 fake Facebook accounts, groups, and pages, and Instagram accounts, that the company determined to be run in China. These accounts had posted content on the U.S. presidential election and spread Beijings talking points on a range of topics, from the South China Sea to the Hong Kong democracy protests. The U.S. social media giant announced the takedown in a blog post published on Sept. 22, saying that these accounts were in violation of its rule against coordinated inauthentic behavior on behalf of a foreign or government entity. Use of Political Warfare The CCP has deployed political warfare to covertly influence free societies around the world, as a top U.S. State Department official warned less than a week before the Nov. 3 election. The regime wants control, or at least veto power, over public discourse and political decisions the world over, David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said. The CCP accomplishes this through a wide array of malign activities that are covert, coercive, and corrupting. These activities are dubbed by the CCP as United Front work but better understood in the West as political warfare, Stilwell said. Spread of Propaganda Chinese state-controlled media, including those operating in the United States, spread the regimes propaganda on its behalf. These media made it explicit that they supported a Biden presidency over Trump. State-run outlet Global Times, for example, published an article on Aug. 19 that suggested that Biden would be smoother for the regime to deal with than Trump. And when the U.S. vice presidential debate was broadcast in China on Oct. 7, state-run media censored the discussion of sensitive topics related to China, in an effort to manipulate public opinion and push Beijings narrative. Meanwhile, China Daily, in many English-language articles, such as one headlined Virus Surge Sharpens Choice for US Voters, sought to amplify Bidens platform on containing the pandemic, while portraying Trumps CCP virus policies as incompetent. Fake IDs During the first six months of 2020, Customs and Border Protection agents seized nearly 20,000 fake drivers licenses, most of them from China. It is unclear how many fake IDs may have been sent to the United States from China and gone undetected. Fake IDs can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including voter fraud. Influencing the Vote of Chinese-Americans Part of the focus of Chinas United Front Work Department is on developing ties with Chinese fraternal organizations, which work as unofficial representative bodies of overseas Chinese communities. The CCP maintains close relations or direct control over many such groups. These groups influence who their members, which in some cases amount to tens of thousands, vote for. Influence Over US Media The CCP has worked for years to increase its influence over U.S. media organizations. Each year, Chinese state-owned media spend millions of dollars to insert their propaganda into publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. A recent list published by the National Pulse based on FARA filings shows most major U.S. media organizations received familiarization trips and private dinners from a group that is part of the CCPs United Work Front. [January 06, 2021] Best's Special Report: U.S. Commercial Health Insurance Premium Flattens, Enrollment Continues to Slide The U.S. commercial health segment's share of overall medical premium has declined steadily in the past decade, to under 40% in 2019 from 56% in 2009; however, earnings remain favorable, according to a new AM Best report. The Best's Special Report, "U.S. Commercial Health Premium Flattens, Enrollment Continues to Slide," states that net premiums written (NPW) for commercial products have grown by more than 40% since 2009, to $385 billion in 2019, although premium trends have flattened in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the report, most health insurers indicated that individuals and groups were sticking with their existing carriers during the crisis, which has dampened new sales but has had a positive impact on overall persistency. Given the rapid growth in government programs, AM Best expected the drop in the commercial market's share of overall total medical premium, which includes Managed Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Enrollment attrition due to the pandemic has been less than expected in 2020, but is likely to accelerate as the pandemic continues, especially if some of the temporary furloughs become permanent layoffs. Additionally, eligibility for ACA marketplace subsidies is based on annual income, not current income, which makes those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic ineligible for a subsidy. An unsubsidized policy may be unaffordable for many, especially for individuals facing significant declines in income. Earnings have been consistently profitable for the commercial health segment in recent years. For the fully insured employer group, AM Best expects increased demand for administrative services only and stop-loss products to lead to contracted margins, but large group premium still has risen consistently the last five years. Premiums will be affected when companies report full-year 2020 results, as many of them have been offering premium credits during the pandemic. Additionally, AM Best has been hearing from its rated companies that rate increases for individual and small groups are likely to be in the single digits, further dampening premiums. Deferred utilization, elective surgeries and the cost of COVID-19 testing and treatment are all factors affecting renewal rates and are being monitored closely by insurers. To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=304877. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005501/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close SPRINGFIELD - Police arrested two boys, ages 14 and 16, Tuesday afternoon on Leyfred Terrace after finding them each with illegal, high-capacity firearms, police said. A third suspect ran and eluded police, but police on Wednesday morning found a third firearm around the corner on Woodside Terrace that they believe was tossed during the chase, said police spokesman Ryan Walsh. Name of the two boys were not released to the press because of their ages. Walsh said Narcotics detectives conducting an investigation in the area of 200 Leyfred Terrace spotted some boys on the street. They appeared to be adjusting their waistbands in such as way as to indicate they could be hiding weapons. When police approached them, the 16-year old ran off. He was apprehended a short distance away and found to have a gun in his pants. The 14-year old was taken into custody when a gun fell out of his pants in front of police, Walsh said. The two handguns were described as ghost guns, or illegal firearms made of components that have no serial number and are untraceable. Each was fitted with a loaded 30-round magazine, which are also illegal in Massachusetts. The 16-year-old was also found to have 4 bags of crack cocaine in his possession. Leyfred Terrace is located in lower Forest Park and runs between Belmont Avenue and Dickinson Street. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Guwahati/Agartala, Jan 6 : Industry body Automotive Tyre Manufactures Association (ATMA) will invest Rs 1,100 crore to undertake rubber plantation in additional 2,00,000 hectares of land in northeast India in the next five years, officials said on Wednesday. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, while participating in a virtual seminar, thanked ATMA for agreeing to invest Rs 1,100 crore for developing a plantation in 2,00,000 hectares of land within a span of five years in the northeastern states. Acknowledging the good quality of natural rubber produced in the mountainous northeast region, Goyal said that the region is an ideal natural rubber producing zone. "Natural rubber sells at better prices in the market," Goyal said and urged the eight northeastern states to work out schemes and coordinate with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for loan assistance to the farmers. Tripura is the second largest natural rubber producing state in the country after Kerala with over 85,038 hectares of land under plantation, producing 74,139 tonnes of rubber annually. Over 1.50 lakh families are directly and indirectly associated with natural rubber cultivation in Tripura. According to the officials of Tripura Industries and Commerce Department, 90 per cent of the total produced rubber is sent outside the state, earning around Rs 600 crore annually as the state has no rubber based industries.. Natural rubber is cultivated in 16 states in India. With over 600,000 hectares, Kerala tops rubber cultivation, followed by Tripura with over 85,038 hectares under plantation. Other major natural rubber producers are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam and other northeastern states. Participating in the discussion, Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that currently 60,000 hectares of land in the state are under natural rubber cultivation with 26,658.58 hectares under tapping, producing 31,590 metric tonnes of rubber annually and generating revenues of Rs 427 crore. "The rubber sector in Assam is providing employment to two lakh people. The Assam government plans to increase rubber cultivation from the potential 1.3 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares," Patowary said. The minister said that 'Advantage Assam' has brought in investments worth Rs 65,000 crore in the past few years and with the simplified MSME Act, 2020 and creation of land bank and industrial corridor, Assam will be the next destination for rubber industries. Requesting JK Tyre, Apollo Tyre, CEAT and MRF to come and invest in Assam, he said that the state enjoys the geographical advantage of accessibility to ASEAN and South East Asian countries. "The ongoing project of Multi-Modal Logistic Park at Jogighopa (on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Bongaigaon district) would boost trade and commerce. It will take only three hours to reach Assam From Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries," Patowary added. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges SolarWinds Corporation (NYSE: SWI) investors with significant losses to submit your losses now. A securities fraud class action has been filed and certain investors may have valuable claims. Class Period: Feb. 24, 2020 Dec. 15, 2020 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: March 5, 2021 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/SWI Contact An Attorney Now: SWI@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 SolarWinds Corporation (SWI) Securities Fraud Class Action: The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants misrepresented and concealed that: (1) since mid-2020, SolarWinds Orion monitoring products had a vulnerability that allowed hackers to compromise the server upon which the products ran; (2) SolarWinds' update server had an easily accessible password; and (3) consequently, SolarWinds' customers, including the Federal Government, Microsoft, Cisco, and Nvidia, were vulnerable to hacks. Investors allegedly began to learn the truth on Dec. 13, 2020 when Reuters reported Russian hackers had infiltrated the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments systems by tampering with SolarWinds updates. Then, on Dec. 14, 2020 SolarWinds confirmed the vulnerability was inserted in its Orion monitoring products and existed in updates released between March and June 2020. On Dec. 15, 2020, Reuters reported that (1) a security researcher alerted SolarWinds last year that anyone could access the companys update server by using the password solarwinds123, and (2) a cyber security expert noticed that even days after SolarWinds knew their software was compromised the malicious updates were still available for download. Significantly, shortly before these events unfolded and caused SolarWinds shares to crater, two investors controlling a majority of SolarWinds board of directors sold $285 million of SolarWinds shares. Were focused on proving that SolarWinds knew about the security vulnerabilities before disclosing them, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you are a SolarWinds investor and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman. Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding SolarWinds Corporation should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SWI@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw . (Newser) The leader of the Proud Boys has been ordered out of Washington, DC, a day before members of the far-right group plan to attend pro-President Trump demonstrations. Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, who was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing and burning a historic Black church's Black Lives Matter banner during a previous protest, was released from jail Tuesday and told to stay out of the capital until his next court appearance in June, NPR reports. Tarrio, who lives in Miami, also faces a weapons charge over two high-capacity firearm magazines officers found when he was arrested, the AP reports. story continues below Tarrio pleaded not guilty to both offenses before DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond ordered him released on his own recognizance, WTOP reports. The judge rejected Tarrio's lawyer's request to ban him from the Black Lives Matter Plaza area instead of the entire District of Columbia. citing social media posts in which Tarrio said he had burned the banner and vowed to do it again. According to court papers, police said Tarrio told them he had the high-capacity magazines, which are banned in DC, because he sells them online and had planned to deliver them to a customer. "I can give you, like my invoices and stuff like that from it, and, like, the USPS shipping label," he told officers. (Tarrio says Proud Boys members might attend DC rallies "incognito.") Charleston, WV (25301) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Medical director of the intensive care unit Dr. Thomas Yadegar works at night at his personal office in Tarzana, Calif., after finishing his 12-hour shift at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, on January 3, 2021. - (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images) Health Officials Brace for Next COVID-19 Surge As emergency rooms throughout Orange County, California, struggle with a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, some medical professionals worry that the worst is yet to come. There is typically a two-week lag between spreader events and hospitalizations, so we are still seeing the impact from the Thanksgiving holiday, Adam Blackstone, spokesperson for the Hospital Association of Southern California, told The Epoch Times by email. Our greatest fears may be realized if traveling and gatherings that took place during the December holidays result in a surge upon a surge. This will mean capacity will be further impacted with little respite for weary health care workers and all other hospital staff. Dr. James Keany of Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo told The Epoch Times that its hard for him to imagine other surges while the current wave continues moving in an upward direction. Its just a question of when will we hit the other end of the curve? Keany said Jan. 5. This is different from normal business operations. You really look at [the hospitals] past patterns, and you try and address the situation in an almost wartime mentality. You have to be proactive and have a lot of contingency plans at your fingertips. Keany said his hospital takes a serious look at any new ideas to find solutions to combat limited space and stressed staff. Those ideas that come into fruition are all pro-active maneuvers to try and stay out of a crisis mode, he said. Nurses at a hospital in Orange County recently told The Epoch Times they feel overwhelmed and have seen other nurses suffering from burnout. I get emails and phone calls every day that Im off, to work extra shifts, and sometimes to even work at other hospitals in our network, one nurse told the paper. The hospitals are full and bursting at the seams and dont have enough staff to care for all these patients. Orange County recorded 1,376 cases of the Chinese Communist Party virus on Jan. 5, and no new deaths. Intensive care units remained at zero percent capacity. The pandemics latest surge is occurring at a critical time when hospital workers are physically and mentally drained, Blackstone told The Epoch Times. Our hospitals and frontline health care workers are stretched to the limit, working tirelessly and selflessly for nearly a year to care for those battling COVID-19, he said. There is no more precious resource in this battle against COVID-19 than our health care workersthose critical care nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists that are needed at the bedside, Blackstone said. Our hospitals are doing all that they can to provide much-needed relief to their teams, but the reality is that our hospitals are in all hands on deck mode given that were experiencing a nationwide shortage of nurses during the most critical time of the pandemic. HASC has created a Care for the Caregiver program to provide information and resources to help hospitals and their employees stay safe, healthy, and feel connected. In addition, HASC has hosted webinars to offer solutions to combat burnout, both on a personal and organizational level, he said. Blackstone echoes what many health care professionals have been saying recently: Its critical that all residents adhere to the safety guidance of our public health officials. We know this is hard for everyone. Its hard for businesses; its hard for their employees; its hard for nurses and doctors and hospital support staff, he said. Our hospitals implore all of us to do our part: social distancing, limiting our gatherings, wearing masks, and respecting the guidance of our public health leaders. By doing so, you are saving lives, and from the perspective of hospitals, you are helping our teams be there for their families as well. Advertisement Jeffrey Epstein's Upper East Side New York City townhouse has just had its sale price slashed by $23 million after six fruitless months on the market. The sprawling East 71st home is now listed for $65 million, a decrease of 26 percent from its original asking price of $88 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. First put up for sale in July, along with another of his mansions in Palm Beach, Florida, the listing was posted just under a year after Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on a slew of sex trafficking charges. The millionaire financier reportedly abused dozens of girls as young as 14 at the opulent property, before his arrest in July 2019. He reportedly installed hundreds of pinhole cameras throughout the home to spy on his victims in 'private moments' in bathrooms and bedrooms. The house was also said to feature an array of bizarre decor, from an oil painting of Bill Clinton in heels and a blue dress, to a large taxidermy tiger. In it's listing for the property, Modlin Group writes: 'This Mansion presents a once in a life-time opportunity to own the largest single-family home in New York City. 'This historic landmark could easily present itself as a palatial consulate, embassy, foundation, or a museum to once again house some of the worlds greatest works of art.' Scroll down for video The sprawling East 71st home is now listed for $65 million, a decrease of 26 percent since it was first listed in July The 50-foot-wide, 100 feet deep property is considered one of the citys most prestigious homes, with a vast 28,000 square feet of space spread over seven stories (Image shared by Modlin Group, who are representing the property) The listing was posted just under a year after Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on a slew of sex trafficking charges. The 50-foot-wide, 100 feet deep property is considered one of the citys most prestigious homes, with a vast 28,000 square feet of space spread over seven stories. Its new asking prices works out to be about $2,300 per square foot. It features an impressive neoclassical stone facade made of French limestone that is decorated with ornate carvings and picturesque balconies. The mansion also has an imposing 15-foot tall front door, which once featured the letters J.E in raised brass but they've since been removed. Modlin's listing makes no mention of Epstein and features only one photograph inside the home, one external image, and one picture of the home's balcony. Its impressive exterior facade made of imported French limestone is decorated with ornate carvings and picturesque balconies (Image shared by Modlin Group, who are representing the property) In recent years , the property has gained infamy as a house of horrors, where, for years, Epstein reportedly sexually abused dozens of underage girls The home has an imposing 15-foot front door, which once featured the letters J.E in raised brass (seen above after the July 2019 raid) Built in the early 1930s, the home was originally commissioned by Herbery N. Straus, an heir to the Macys department store fortune, whose father had perished on the Titanic 18 years earlier. More recently it was owned by Leslie Wexner, chairman of L Brands, which owns retailers including Victorias Secret, who was also a mentor of Epsteins. Epstein reportedly purchased the home from Wexner back in 1998 for $20 million - just under $7 million more than Wexner had bought it for in 1989. In the years since, the property has gained infamy as a house of horrors, where, for years, Epstein reportedly sexually abused dozens of underage girls. The shamed financier reportedly had hundreds of pinhole surveillance cameras installed throughout the home so he could monitor his victims private moments in bedrooms and bathrooms. He allegedly had a media room behind a hidden door where he kept stacks of TVs playing the surveillance feeds. Esteemed guests who've stayed at the home include Prince Andrew, who is shown in the above image peering around the front door in December 2010 Epstein also reportedly hung a bizarre oil paining of Bill Clinton in a blue dress inside his seven story mansion The home also featured an array of bizarre decor, including a large taxidermy tiger that was placed in an office Near to the tiger, a strange painting showing a woman with an exposed breast hung on a bookshelf above a desk Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide When his home was raided in July 2019 as part of a sex trafficking sting, authorities reportedly found lurid images of young girls locked in a safe. They also found 'piles of cash', diamonds and an expired foreign passport listing Epstein's residence as Saudi Arabia. Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 aged 66, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. Most of his belongings were removed from the home following his death, though people who have viewed the listing previously claimed that some of his relics mainly furniture remain. He was believed to have at one time hung a bizarre oil painting of Bill Clinton wearing a blue dress on one of his walls. Other quirks inside the mansion included a huge taxidermy tiger and a stuffed poodle. Esteemed guests at the home include Prince Andrew, who was pictured in December 2010 peering around the front door, as he reportedly waived goodbye to a brunette female he'd led out. The reason behind the homes dramatic price cut is not yet known. However, the New York real-estate market has reportedly been hard hit by the pandemic, with townhouse sales down 50 percent on 2019. Where luxury townhouses are considered, there has been just 22 sales over $10 million in the first three quarters of 2020, compared to 64 during the same times frame last year, according to WSJ. Epsteins beachfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, also hit the marked in July of last year for $21.995 million However, that home was sold in November to spec home developer Todd Michael Glaser who says he intends to replace the existing home with a 14,000-square-foot Art Moderne mansion Epstein owned multiple luxury properties around the world, including an island dubbed Little St. James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was known to locals as Pedophile Island. A month before Epsteins death, he estimated his properties were collectively valued at over $180 million. Epsteins beachfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, also hit the marked in July of last year for $21.995 million. However, that home was sold in November to spec home developer Todd Michael Glaser, who says he intends to replace the existing home with a 14,000-square-foot Art Moderne mansion. Sale proceeds from the Epstein estate will go towards a compensation fund for the dozens of alleged victims who have filed civil suits in the wake of his death. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Police are today hunting brazen thieves who stole three bronze statues of dancing women wearing rabbit masks worth more than 140,000 from a driveway in Kent. The statues, by sculptress Sophie Ryder, vanished from a property near Tenterden at around 8.45pm on Sunday. The three sculptures were on display in the victim's driveway. They weigh up to 300 kilos and are said to be worth around 144,000. Two of the statues were later discovered in a nearby ditch, but one is still missing. A vehicle and the front gate of the property were also damaged during the incident. Police are today hunting brazen thieves who stole three bronze statues of dancing women wearing rabbit masks worth more than 140,000 from a driveway in Kent. Pictured: The statues The statues, by sculptress Sophie Ryder, vanished from a property near Tenterden at around 8.45pm on Sunday Sculptress Sophie Ryder: Who created the stolen statues? Sculptress Sophie Ryder was born in London in 1963. She studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in the 1980s, where she was encouraged by Sir Hugh Casson to develop her skills in sculpting. According to her website, Ms Ryder's world 'is one of mystical creatures, animals and hybrid beings made from sawdust, wet plaster and old machine parts.' She notably developed the Lady Hare as a counterpart to the Minotaur, which appears in Greek mythology. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and open spaces across the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and the US. Source: SophieRyder.com Advertisement The three statues were created by Ms Ryder, 58, who is best known for her impressive sculptures of mythical creatures made out of bronze, resin and wire. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and open spaces across the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and the US. Lady Hare, a woman with the head of a hare, is one of the artist's most famous pieces, along with the Minotaur. A statue resembling the one stolen, called Dancing Ladies, was displayed outside Salisbury Cathedral in 2016. Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who might have seen a Land Rover Discovery in the area at the time of the incident on January 3. Kent Police said: 'Three bronze statues have been stolen from a property near Tenterden. 'It was reported that at around 8.45pm on Sunday the large statues weighing around 200 to 300 kilos were stolen from the grounds of a property in Wittersham. 'Damage was also caused to the gate. 'Patrols attended the area where two of the statues were recovered from a ditch near the victim's property. 'A vehicle was also reported damaged nearby.' Ms Ryder's works can sell for anywhere between a few thousand pounds and 150,000 depending on their size. In 1994, her statue showing five minotaurs was banned from an exhibition at Winchester Cathedral because of the prominence of their genitalia. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Their vehicle is said to have plunged into the water. Ukrainian businessman Hennadiy Korban's 16-year-old son, Lev Korban, died in a road accident in Dnipropetrovsk region on January 5, 2021, when a car with the teenager and his classmate, Yulia Vasyk, reportedly crashed into a river. This was reported by the media outlet Detective-Info with reference to sources that provided photos from the site of the incident. Read alsoAbout 400 new traffic light systems to be installed in Kyiv The Kartochny Ofis ("Office of Cards") Telegram channel, in turn, reported that Korban's son went missing on the afternoon of January 5, 2021, after he had gone for a four-wheeler ride with his classmate. Police were said to have found the vehicle at the bottom of the river with two dead bodies in it. They were identified as Lev Hennadiyovych Korban and Yulia Mykolayivna Vasyk. The media outlet Dnepr.Express reported, in turn, that the incident had happened on the Mokra Sura River near the village of Novo-Oleksandrivka. It said that the teenager had arrived at his classmate's house from the city of Dnipro and they had jointly gone for the ride. The girl's mother was concerned by her long absence and reported to the police about the two missing teenagers. According to preliminary reports, the two wanted to ride over the bridge, but lost control of the vehicle and plunged into the water. Despite the shallow depth, they were unable to escape the car because they were wearing seatbelts. The publication also released relevant footage. Reporting by UNIAN Fugitive jeweler and the prime accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam has been delivered an unexpected setback, from his own family this time. Purvi Mehta, the younger sister of Modi who is currently lodged in a UK jail, along with her husband has agreed to testify against him in the case as approvers or prosecution witnesses. Reuters Mehta, a Belgian national along with her husband Maiank Mehta, a British national had filed applications before the court stating that they wanted to distance themselves from Nirav Modi and could provide substantial and important evidence relevant to him and his dealings. The special court in Mumbai allowed the duo to become "approvers" in the case. Judge accepted plea Special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) VC Barde on Monday accepted their plea for turning approvers. The "position of the accused (Purvi Modi) in this case after tender of pardon is that she shall be marked as approver", the court said. AFP Purvi is an accused in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate. "The accused staying abroad presently shall be directed to present herself before the court, for which purpose the prosecution shall take necessary steps," the court order said. Sister says she was not a prime accused In her application for a pardon, Purvi said that she was not a prime accused and has been attributed only a limited role by the investigating agency. As per the investigators, Purvi was a director in companies that received funds obtained by Modi through fraudulent means, however, she maintained that she had no knowledge of these transactions. FILE IMAGE The husband-wife duo who claimed that their personal and professional lives have been affected due to alleged crimes by Modi stated that they are in a unique position to provide "substantial and important evidence, information, proof, and documents and access to bank accounts, assets, companies and entities that are relevant to Nirav Modi and his actions/dealings. Nirav Modi fled India in 2018 49-year-old Nirav Modi who had fled India in 2018 with most of his family just before the PNB scam surfaced was arrested by the authorities in the UK in March 2019. After fleeing India, Nirav Modi was reportedly living in Hong Kong and the US before moving to the UK where he was hoping to get asylum. Reuters The former billionaire jeweller who had his Indian Passport revoked was reportedly using Belgian travel documents as he holds citizenship there also. Nirav Modi who is currently lodged in Londons Wandsworth jail is fighting two separate extradition please to India by the CBI and the ED. Spicejet interest cost for FY20 was Rs 546 crore, while the operating profit for the same fiscal was Rs 514 crore. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More With preparations almost on a far footing, including over a dozen MoUs signed in less than two months, SpiceJet may have readied the most extensive network to deliver vaccines for any airline in India. It is also a calculative risk, that some observers call opportunistic. If successful, delivering vaccines across the country may also keep Ajay Singh's core aviation business, which like its peers is yet to reach anywhere close to pre-COVID-19 levels, afloat. The low-cost airline is driving the initiative through its cargo unit SpiceXpress, which has already proved its usefulness by limiting losses for the airline by clocking revenues of about Rs 550 crore in the first six months of the financial year. The cargo vertical, which had floated a new unit Spice Pharma Pro to drive the vaccine business, is also working in tandem with SpiceHealth, the private initiative of the Singh family that will be the last stop in the whole supply chain to administer the doses. Timing has been crucial. India is possibly just over a week away from getting its vaccines, after the government gave nod to Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech. The target is to vaccinate 30 crore Indians by July, translating to about 60 crore doses. It is a market that SpiceJet wants to corner. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show The MoUs and the network The several agreements that the airlines has signed up, give a peek into the network it intended to create. Its partners include those who have fleets of specially enabled trucks, those with expertise in cold storage, marketing and specialists in packaging. SpiceJet also has brought on board a company, MyLogistics Gurukul, which specialises in training people on vaccine handling. "The biggest task for the airline was to create the cold chain facility for transferring the vaccines safely. This has been done," said a senior executive from the industry, who is closely following SpiceJet's initiatives in vaccine distribution. For instance, one of its partners is Celsius Logistics Solutions, which will give re- conditioning and packaging services for the vaccine consignments. Crystal Logistics Cool Chain Limited will enable warehouses, where the vaccines will be stored, with a temperature control facility. Pluss Advances Technology will supply 'precise temperature control boxes' that will be used to move vaccines on dedicated trucks. Some agreements are to cover a specific market. Like the one with Global Entrade that will help SpiceXpress with first-mile and last-mile connectivity, specifically in all the North-East states. "The next priority was training the staff of SpiceXpress and this, to a large extent, is done," said the executive quoted above. MyLogistics Gurukul is giving online training to more than 500 employees of SpiceXpress on cold chain vaccine handling. "The company, based in Delhi, is training in batches of 25, for four hours a day, over two days," a SpiceJet spokesperson told Moneycontrol. Another executive added that SpiceJet, which already has signed an MoU with the Hyderabad airport's cargo division - GHAC - is in talks with other airports in India and overseas, to enable movement of vaccines. "Hyderabad was the key as it is home for many pharma companies," said the executive. Bharat Biotech is headquartered in Hyderabad, which is also home to Dr Reddy's Lab, the pharma major who will be manufacturing the Russian Sputnik vaccine. Serum Institute is based in Pune. SpiceXpress network Set up in 2018, SpiceXpress is the first instance of an Indian airline launching a separate cargo vertical. According to its website, SpiceXpress has reached over 12,000 postal codes in India, averaging 17,900 flights a month. It has a total of 126 warehouses. The cargo vertical has a fleet of 17 planes, including Boeing B737 freighters and Airbus A340. It is yet unclear how much of this network will be used to deliver vaccines. "It depends on the contracts the airline is able to sign with the government or pharmaceutical companies," said the second executive quoted above. Singh's network in the corridors of power will come in handy, here. Investment has been minimal. Much of the warehouse network was already established when the business was launched in 2018. And it didn't cost much to convert a commercial passenger aircraft to a cargo plane by removing seats. SpiceHealth, headed by Singh's daughter Avani Singh, is also banking on a low-cost model to build a network of over 100 clinics by February. This will be part of the last-mile connections that will be used to administer vaccines. Critical financial push Little is known, as of now, how much this aggressive push on cargo and building capability for vaccine distribution, will commercially help SpiceJet. But it could make critical difference, as the cargo business has shown till now. The airline's net worth, which has been in negative territory for a while, has been eroding fast. And it doesn't help that despite the push from festival and year-end travel, air traffic may not get back to pre-COVID-19 levels for another three to six months, as experts point out. In a recent report, aviation consultancy CAPA India estimated domestic traffic in FY2022 is expected to reach 70-80 percent of FY2020 levels. CAPA has also predicted consolidation in the industry. "Without very significant recapitalisation, one or more other carriers may head to the National Company Law Tribunal once the suspension of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is lifted after 31-Mar-2021," it said. SpiceJet will not want to be part of that list. And SpiceXpress may just make that difference. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit A mystery case of coronavirus reported in New South Wales on Wednesday still hasn't been linked to a cluster. The mystery case was man in his 30s from western Sydney who had no known links to a cluster at Berala. 'We are being very cautious about finding any of those missing chains of transmission,' NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said on Wednesday. Acting Premier John Barilaro revealed on Thursday morning that the case remains a mystery. He told ABC News: 'We're still mindful of that under investigation from yesterday's numbers there is an individual that we're just following through their tracks and of course, you know, we're always alarmed when we're not 100 per cent sure about an individual case.' Acting Premier John Barilaro said the source of a mystery case had not been found Masks have been made mandatory for the Australia-India Test match which will go ahead at the SCG on Thursday after a fan who attended the Melbourne Test on 27 December tested positive. Fans must wear a face-covering at all times unless they are eating or drinking, said Health Minister Brad Hazzard. The Test will go ahead with 12,000 fans filling 25 per cent of the stadium - but people from Berala, Auburn, Lidcombe North, Regents Park, Rookwood, Wentworthville and Belmore are banned. 'If you do attend, if someone else has brought you a ticket, you may be stopped by the very large police presence. If you cannot prove you're living outside those areas, you'll be exposed to a $1,000 fine,' Minister Hazzard said. Mr Barilaro shut down calls to cancel the Test, saying: 'There is risk every day with everything that we do. 'It is about balancing that risk against the benefits to tourism, the benefits to holding such a significant event on the calendar in New South Wales which is the Test in relation to the psychology and the health of the citizens of New South Wales.' ADVERTISEMENT The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 53 teenagers over alleged involvement in immoral acts in Kano City. Lawal Ibrahim, the boards Public Relations Officer, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Kano, said they were arrested on a tip-off. According to him, the suspects were apprehended on Tuesday night at Lamido Crescent in Nassarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, for selling hard drugs and intoxicant. The suspects comprise 27 males and 26 females, all of whom are between the ages of 17 and 19. Our men went there around 10:00 p.m. and arrested 53 suspects, he said. Mr Ibrahim, who added that the suspects were properly screened, said, we found out that all of them were first time offenders. They were counselled and handed over to their parents. He said the Commander-General of the board, Harun Ibn-Sina, had warned youth in the state to desist from wayward life and be good citizens. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that immoral acts are prohibited under Sharia Law operating in Kano state. (NAN) If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Go to form [January 06, 2021] Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, is Committed to Transparency! ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (" MTI " or the " Company "), a publicly traded company (OTC Pink: MKTY) headquartered in Albany, New York, continues their philosophy of transparency as they enter 2021. The management team at MTI took the opportunity to accept a request for an investor phone call. In the interest of fairness and transparency they have adopted a process of recording and posting investor inquiry meetings to their website as well as filing a Form 8-K. The discussion mainly focused on management strategy and opportunity around both the Instruments division and the EcoChain division. See the Form 8-k filing on the SEC EDGAR website and the audio posting on the Company's website, https://www.mechtech.com/investors/. About MTI MTI is the parent company of MTI Instruments, Inc. and EcoChain, Inc. Through MTI Instruments, MTI is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of test and measurement instruments and systems that use a comprehensive array of technologis to solve complex, real world applications in numerous industries, including manufacturing, electronics, semiconductor, solar, commercial and military aviation, automotive and data storage. Through EcoChain, MTI is developing a cryptocurrency mining facilities powered by renewable energy that integrate with the bitcoin blockchain network. For more information about MTI, please visit https://www.mechtech.com. Forward-Looking Statements for Mechanical Technology, Incorporated: This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this communication, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business strategy. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our ability to establish and maintain the proprietary nature of our technology through the patent process, as well as our ability to possibly license from others patents and patent applications necessary to develop products; the availability of financing; the Company's ability to implement its long range business plan for various applications of its technology; the Company's ability to enter into agreements with any necessary partners; the impact of competition, the obtaining and maintenance of any necessary regulatory clearances applicable to applications of the Company's technology; and management of growth and other risks and uncertainties that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ______________________________________________________________________________ Please visit https://www.mechtech.com under News & Events. Contact Information: Lisa Brennan 518-218-2592 lbrennan@mtiinstruments.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mechanical-technology-incorporated-is-committed-to-transparency-301202312.html SOURCE Mechanical Technology, Incorporated [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Portland City Council unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to pump millions of dollars into affordable housing and economic redevelopment that proponents hope will benefit families displaced from Portlands historic Black neighborhoods. Despite some concerns that the measure will fail to fully remedy decades of racist anti-Black policies, the mayor and the citys four commissioners two of whom are Black said it was a significant step toward righting those wrongs. We all know that displacement has a long history in Portland. That painful history has left our community scarred, said Commissioner Mingus Mapps, who this week became the fourth Black person in the citys history to serve on the council. Displacement will reach into Portlands future unless we make different decisions about how we invest in neighborhoods today, he said. The $67 million initiative will fund the construction of 40 to 50 new single-family homes to own and at least another 300 apartments to rent, according to city officials. People whose families were pushed out of the historic North and Northeast Portland Albina neighborhood by the city nearly 50 years ago would have first rights to live there. The initiative would also create a hub for emerging small businesses owned by Black people and other people of color along a 1.7-acre block along North Williams Avenue and Russell Street. The site, once the heart of Portlands African American community, was among those areas demolished in the 1970s through eminent domain to make way for an expansion of Emanuel Hospital, now called Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. The expansion never occurred. The money will come from extending by two years the diversion of some property taxes from a district stretching along Interstate 5 in North and Northeast Portland that would otherwise fund general city operations, public schools citywide, Portland Community College and other beneficiaries of local property taxes. Both the housing and redevelopment projects approved Wednesday emerged out of Black-led planning groups that included community leaders as well as representatives from the Urban League, Imagine Black formerly known as the Portland African American Leadership Forum and Soul District Business Association. But some of the descendants of the areas displaced families and their supporters organized under a group called Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 called on the city to pay restitution to a specific set of descendants of families who were forced to sell their homes and businesses to the city under eminent domain. They objected to any measure that did not include such a provision. The Council conceded that the prosect of new housing and economic opportunities alone would only begin to make up for Portlands prior treatment of Black residents. I agree that the reparations conversation is long, long overdue, said Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, adding that the issue is a priority among the citys federal legislative agenda for the coming year. We have a lot of work to do to create a city that is equitable and fair for us all. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Stuve Gold Corp. ("Stuve Gold" or the "Corporation") (TSXV:STUV) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") providing Stuve Gold the ability to earn up to a 90% interest in the Santa Gracia property. Details of the Property The property encompasses 11,500 hectares covering the southern half of the Higuera - Santa Gracia high-grade IOCG mining districts in the Chilean Coastal Lower Cretaceous IOCG and Copper - Gold Porphyry Belt and is home to past producing copper-gold-silver-cobalt mines. The Higuera mining district was one of the highest grade copper and gold producers in Chile for a number of decades during the late 18th to early 19th centuries. During 1903 for example, district production is reported to have averaged grades of 15 g/t gold and 10% copper. Its production came principally from the Veta Casas and the Santa Gertrudis mines, both of which had their own smelters. The veins in these mines varied from 1 to 5m in thickness and were mined to depths of up to 300m over strike lengths of 1.5 - 2 km. The minerology of the ore produced from those mines below the oxide zone consisted of chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite, specularite and native gold. In the oxide zone, within approximately 100m of surface, mineralization consisted of pseudomalachite, chrysocolla, chalcocite, covellite, erythrite and black cobalt (asbolane). The Santa Gracia mining district was also a large gold and copper producer during the early 1900s from similar vein types, reported gold and copper grades, alteration and mineralogy. Production came principally from 3 mines - the Santa Gracia/Santa Laura, the La Gitanilla and the La Chepa mines, which appear to be extensions of the Veta Casas, Santa Gertrudis and Veta Transito vein systems located in the adjacent Higuera mining district. Each of the historic mines referred to above are located on the Santa Gracia property. The acquisition includes expanded boundaries such that Stuve Gold has been afforded the potential for significant strike extension of the historically mined veins which also remain open at depth. Production grades referred to herein are from historic data which Stuve Gold has not independently verified. Stuve Gold intends to carry out a check sampling program designed to substantiate the reliability of those historic production grades. Commenting on the property, Terence Walker, Stuve Gold's VP of Exploration, remarked: "The Santa Gracia property lies south of our Coba SW property in the same Chilean Coastal Lower Cretaceous IOCG and Copper - Gold Porphyry Belt that is also home to the Candelaria mine complex to the north. Having conducted preliminary investigations at Santa Gracia during the 1990s, I am excited about its potential. Unfortunately, given the fact that my sampling program was conducted so long ago, we are not able to report information in compliance with National Instrument 43-101". "I very much look forward to completing a check sampling program so that we can report the new results and confirm the historical information on the Santa Gracia property in the near future". Details of the MOU and Option Agreement The Corporation's ability to earn an interest in the Santa Gracia property is contained in the formal option agreement ("Option Agreement") that is appended to the MOU. Further details are as follows: $100,000 USD was payable to the Optionor in connection with entering into the MOU; The Corporation will commit to incur no less than US $500,000 of expenditures (the "Initial Exploration Expenditures") on the property, within 24 months of signing the Option Agreement; Upon having incurred the Initial Exploration Expenditures, the Corporation will have earned a 50% interest in the property; The Corporation may elect to expend an additional US $500,000 on the property during the following 24 months to earn an additional 25% interest - bringing the Corporation's interest in the property to 75%; The Corporation may elect to expend an additional US $1,000,000 on the property within 12 months of its having earned the 75% interest to earn an additional 15% interest such that the Corporation's ownership in the property would then total 90%. Qualified Person The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Terence Walker, P. Geo, a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. About Stuve Gold Stuve Gold is engaged in advancing mineral exploration on properties in Chile that exhibit promising potential for gold, copper, silver and cobalt as a result of historical mining activities on, or associated with, such properties. Stuve Gold is advancing its "Coba SW" property which is located in the historic high grade gold and copper Carrizal Alto mining district which, together with the Santa Gracia property, are located within the Chilean Coastal Lower Cretaceous IOCG and Copper - Gold Porphyry Belt. Stuve Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX-V under the symbol "STUV". More information on Stuve Gold may be viewed on Sedar.com or the Corporation's website www.stuvegoldcorp.com. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to historical details concerning the Santa Gracia property including historical information and exploration plans. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the price of metals including gold, silver copper and cobalt; and the results of exploration programs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Stuve Gold disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For further information, please contact: Alliance Capital Partners Gordon Aldcorn Phone: (403) 618 6507 Email: galdcorn@gmail.com Stuve Gold Corp. Al J. Kroontje Phone: 403-607-4009 Email: al@kasten.ca SOURCE: Stuve Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623285/Stuve-Gold-Corp-Enters-into-Agreement-Pertaining-to-the-Santa-Gracia-Gold-Copper-Exploration-Property ATLANTA - Control of the U.S. Senate hung in the balance Tuesday night as Georgia election officials counted the results of two closely contested runoff races that will determine whether Democrats can enact a sweeping legislative agenda during the first years of Joe Biden's presidency. After swapping leads over the course of the night, Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff benefited from late counts in Democratic areas of the state, which gave Warnock a narrow lead over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler with nearly all precincts reporting. Ossoff was essentially tied with David Perdue, a Republican, whose Senate term lapsed Sunday. A win by either Democrat would represent a historic upset in a longtime Republican bastion, signaling a clear shift in the political makeup of the state that Biden won nine weeks ago. Warnock would be the first African American Democratic senator from a former Confederate state, and Ossoff, 33, would be the youngest newly elected Democratic senator since Biden in 1973. At stake was the governing coalition Biden will enjoy in his first years in office. If both Democrats win, they would flip control of the Senate, with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, opening the door for potential passage of legislation Democrats campaigned on over the past two years, including an expansion of federal health-care subsidies, a tax increase on the wealthy and a comprehensive immigration overhaul. President Donald Trump had supported both Republicans in the race, most recently on Monday, calling Loeffler and Perdue close allies who were essential to holding back Democratic priorities. But his efforts were complicated by his simultaneous decision to attack Republican officials in the state, his proposal to increase stimulus payments to $2,000, which was opposed by GOP Senate leadership and embraced by Democrats, and his false allegations that the 2020 elections in the state were rigged. Loeffler and Perdue closed out the campaign warning that unified Democratic control of the House, Senate and presidency would be catastrophic for the nation. Because of possible exposure to the coronavirus, Perdue had to finish the campaign with remote appearances. "We have to STOP socialism. We have to PROTECT the American Dream," Loeffler tweeted after polling places opened. "We have to SAVE our country!" Ossoff and Warnock, who reject the "socialist" label, closed the campaign promising dramatic changes in Washington, including a $1,400 increase to the $600 stimulus checks Congress approved last month, a surge in vaccine distribution, new civil rights legislation and an ambitious jobs and infrastructure bill. The Republican Senate had tabled the larger stimulus checks, holding to the lower level despite pressure from Democrats and President Trump. "This is history unfolding in Georgia right now," Ossoff said in a Tuesday morning appearance at a polling site in Atlanta. "Georgia voters have never had more power than you have today. That is the reason the whole world is watching us." Republicans have a historical advantage in the traditionally lower-turnout runoffs in the state, and the Democratic Senate candidates ran behind both the victorious Biden and the combined votes of their Republican opponents in the first round of voting in November. They were given another chance because multicandidate fields prevented anyone from breaching the 50% threshold. Both parties immediately repurposed their presidential campaign ground operations and flooded resources to the state, embracing the all-or-nothing stakes of the final two contests of the election season. The four candidates and their supportive outside groups spent nearly $500 million on television and radio advertising on the runoff races, with the Republicans attacking their opponents as radical liberals with untested biographies and the Democrats labeling the incumbents as representatives of the status quo who profited from private stock trades after receiving official briefings about covid-19. To win their race, Democratic strategists said, they needed to repeat the strong November turnout among Black, Asian and Hispanic voters in the state while maintaining the anti-Trump margins they had received in college-educated suburban Atlanta communities. Republicans were counting on winning back some of the White, college-educated vote, with Trump off the ballot, while maintaining the high turnout that Trump had attracted in more rural parts of the state. That effort has been complicated by the president, who offered passionate endorsements for both Republicans in the runoffs, while pursuing his own sometimes contradictory agenda to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere, prompting concerns among Republican strategists that he would dissuade their voters from casting ballots. He also told Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a call Saturday that if Biden's win in the state was not overturned, Republicans might stay home from the polls this week. Trump's focus on the last election was an animating force for Republicans who traveled to campaign events in the closing weeks, with voters frequently repeating disproved conspiracy theories of a rigged November contest. Concerned that the misinformation would reduce turnout, Raffensperger's office staged a news conference Monday to plead with Georgians to disregard Trump's false arguments and vote in the runoff elections. In a final Georgia rally Monday night, Trump showed no sign of giving up on his crusade against state Republicans, whom he blamed for not overturning Biden's win. "I'm going to be here in a year and a half, and I'm going to be campaigning against your governor and your crazy secretary of state," Trump said in Dalton, where he endorsed Loeffler and Perdue as the "last line of defense" against Democratic control. Trump's efforts to overturn the last election also became a rallying cry for Democrats, who hoped the president's continued involvement would drive their own turnout higher. When Biden traveled to the state Monday to campaign for the Democrats, he argued that Trump's effort to reverse the election result was a reason for voters to go to the polls. "Politicians cannot assert, seize or take power," Biden said. "Power is granted by the American people, and we cannot give that up." Preliminary exit polls found roughly 7 in 10 Georgia voters were confident that votes in Tuesday's runoff elections would be accurately counted. But there were sharp partisan differences, with about 3 in 4 Republican voters saying the presidential election in the state was not conducted fairly, compared with more than 9 in 10 Democrats who said the election was fair. The Republican skepticism of the vote count marked a shift since Biden narrowly won the state in November. Then, network exit polling found that 92% of Republicans believed votes would be counted accurately, slightly higher than 79% of Democrats. Before election sites opened Tuesday, Democrats had racked up a significant lead among absentee votes that gave hope to party strategists that they could win the state if GOP Election Day turnout disappointed. Polls in the state since the last election have consistently shown a tight race in both contests. If Warnock and Ossoff are victorious, it will be just the second time in nearly three decades that two Democrats represent Georgia in the Senate. Strategists and experts have attributed part of the escalating success of Georgia Democrats to a foundation of political organization powered by Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 gubernatorial race to now-Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and the legion of activists who have since joined her cause. In 2016, Trump won Georgia by five points. Two years later, Kemp beat Abrams by about a point and a half. Biden won the state in November by fewer than 12,000 votes, or about 0.2 percentage points, becoming the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to carry Georgia. In the case of a close contest, extended litigation could also delay a final result. Republicans filed a lawsuit this week requesting greater transparency in the counting of absentee ballots in Fulton County, a Democratic bastion that includes much of the Atlanta metropolitan area. A victory for the Republicans would cement the third consecutive cycle, with Donald Trump leading the party, when Democrats have been unable to take back control of the upper legislative chamber despite high initial hopes. It would also underscore the challenges that Democrats had in state legislative and U.S. House races, in which they struggled to overcome Republican attacks about socialism and defunding the police, positions that most in the party do not support. The result will also give an early clue about the staying power of Trump, who has indicated that he will attempt to continue to be a major force in American politics after his long-shot bid to overturn November's presidential election results is over. "The one thing I know, if they win, I'll get no credit, and if they lose, they're going to blame Trump," he said Monday about his role in the race. Long lines formed early at polling places across the state Tuesday but dwindled throughout the day, and the secretary of state's office reported average wait times of just a couple of minutes by the afternoon. Officials said it was unclear whether short wait times reflected low turnout or an efficient process. Bobby Caro, a 25-year-old first-time voter in Kennesaw, an Atlanta suburb, cast his ballot for Warnock and Ossoff on Tuesday morning. He described himself as "very new to politics" and said the drumbeat of advertisements about the runoffs convinced him he needed to register - that and the razor-thin margin in November. "In the presidential election, I didn't vote; it got close, and I said, 'I almost didn't get what I want,' so I decided to do something now," Caro said. This time around, he saw more enthusiasm from young people like him, and he voted for Democrats because he felt they had a more positive outlook on the country and its future. At the same precinct, Jim Earwood, a 67-year-old retiree, said he appreciated Trump's ceaseless commentary on the Georgia election, from his early and uncorroborated claims of fraud to his weekend call to the secretary of state. "I'm glad he's involved," Earwood said. "Everybody says he's not presidential, and that's what I like about him." As he left the Christian church that served as a polling place, Earwood said he voted all Republican. "I wouldn't vote for a Dem here lately unless they let Jesus on the ticket," he said. Republican concerns about turnout were evident up to the final hours of voting, with Perdue and Loeffler releasing a joint statement Tuesday afternoon asking people to keep going to the polls, saying the election "could come down to the difference of just a few votes in a few precincts across the state." - - - The Washington Post's Scott Clement contributed to this report. BEND, Ore., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seran Bioscience today announced that healthcare investment firm Vivo Capital has made a majority investment in Seran alongside Seran's founders who will continue to lead the Company. Founded in 2016, Seran is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization providing a comprehensive suite of development, analytical and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Seran's deep experience and expertise in materials science, formulation development, engineering, and pharmaceutical manufacturing enables optimum solutions for their customers most difficult drug development challenges. Seran currently has over 50 employeesof which more than half are scientistsat its facilities in Bend, Oregon. Mahendra Shah, a Managing Director at Vivo, said, "We are excited to embark upon this partnership with the Seran management team. Seran has built an exceptional organization that is predicated on technical excellence, science-driven decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer service. Seran's specialized expertise in enhanced solubility and engineered particle formulations enables solutions to some of the most difficult challenges in drug development. We look forward to supporting founders Dan and John in the journey ahead." "We are excited to partner with Vivo as we initiate our next phase of growth," said Dan Smithey, Co-Founder and CEO of Seran. "We chose to partner with Vivo because of its successful track record of investing in science-driven healthcare businesses, its deep expertise in the pharma and pharma services, and its reputation for partnering with founder-owned businesses. We are extremely pleased to team up with Vivo as they share our vision for expanding Seran's capabilities to better serve our customers while maintaining our focus on science and employee empowerment." John Melvin, Co-Founder and President of Seran, added, "Vivo's strategic and financial support enhances Seran's ability to pursue key growth objectives. These objectives include growth of our employee base, service line expansion, doubling of our clean room capacity by the end of 2021, and the development and construction of a new 50,000 ft2 commercial-scale cGMP manufacturing facility by the end of 2022. These initiatives will allow Seran to serve our customers from pre-clinical development through full-scale commercialization." William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Vivo on the transaction and Latham & Watkins acted as legal advisor. Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt served as legal counsel to Seran. About Seran Bioscience Seran is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization providing a comprehensive suite of development, analytical and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Seran utilizes a foundation of physical and chemical science and engineering to design robust formulations and engineered solutions. The Company's personnel have decades of experience in process engineering and scaleup activities, including product launches and commercial manufacturing. Seran's experience and expertise covers a wide range of pharmaceutical manufacturing concepts, including spray drying, fluid bed processing, granulation, solid dosage forms, and many other enabling approaches. For more information, visit www.seranbio.com. About Vivo Capital Founded in 1996, Vivo Capital is a global healthcare investment firm. Vivo has approximately $4.3 billion in assets under management, invested in over 260 public and private companies worldwide. The firm is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in Asia. The Vivo team consists of more than 50 multi-disciplinary professionals, including scientists, entrepreneurs, physicians, operating executives, and industry experts. Vivo is currently actively investing from its $1.4B Vivo Capital Fund IX, which focuses on private companies, its $635M Vivo Opportunity Fund, which focuses on public equities, and its $100M Vivo Innovation (PANDA) Fund, which focuses on early-stage investments. Across all fund strategies, Vivo invests broadly in the healthcare sector including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. Media Contacts Suzanne Brady, Director of Business Development - [email protected] Related Images image1.png Related Links Seran Bioscience Website SOURCE Seran Bioscience U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that the current U.S. administration has not made much progress in resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine and he regrets that. He said this in an interview with Bloomberg, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Weve done all of those things, and yet in southeast Ukraine there is still a conflict that hasnt made we havent made much progress nor have the Europeans made much progress in their diplomatic efforts as well. I regret that. I wish I wish we would have made more progress during our time, Pompeo said. He has noted that "the conflict in Ukraine has been pretty frozen". The Russians have twice made agreements that they have failed to live up to. I regret that. We have continued to do the things that are right by the Ukrainian people, whether that was our effort to stop Nordstream 2 from being built, whether it was the Presidents decision to provide lethal defensive materials for the Ukrainians something the previous administration refused repeatedly to do, he said. According to Pompeo, the United States has tried to build up the capacity for the Ukrainian Government to defend itself from the threats that come from Russia, both the military threats, the information threats, the threats inside of Ukraine, the energy threats. iy The Sunshine pleasure ship will wait at least another month before it resumes sailing from the Port of Charleston, with Carnival Cruise Line announcing Wednesday it will extend its coronavirus-related cruising hiatus through March 31 at all U.S. ports. The Miami-based company has pushed back its restart several times and recently offered cruises from Union Pier Terminal on the peninsula as early as March 2. Now, the earliest cruise from Charleston is a Bahamas voyage scheduled for April 3, according to Carnival's website. Carnival has also canceled cruises from Charleston that had been scheduled between Oct. 11 and Nov. 13 to accommodate rescheduled dry dock work on the Sunshine. "We are sorry to disappoint our guests, as we can see from our booking activity that there is clearly a pent-up demand for cruising on Carnival," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival, said in a statement. "We appreciate their patience and support as we continue to work on our plans to resume operations in 2021 with a gradual, phased in approach." Carnival said it is notifying guests of the additional cruise cancellations and will be offering options for a future cruise credit and onboard credit package or a full refund. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its ban on cruises from U.S. ports on Oct. 31, but said lines must follow strict guidelines before returning to the seas. That includes adherence to testing, quarantine and social distancing requirements, as well as building the laboratory capacity to test crew and future passengers for the coronavirus. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! The CDC also wants cruise lines to conduct test voyages that would include volunteers serving as passengers so crew members can practice for potential outbreaks. Carnival is still putting together a plan for how those test cruises would work, and its not clear if the public or crew members would play the role of passengers on those voyages. Carnival halted all cruises from U.S. ports in mid-March as the coronavirus swept the nation. And its finances have taken a hit, with the cruise lines parent reporting a $2.86 billion loss for the third quarter and losses totaling more than $7 billion so far this year. The company said it will be able to generate enough liquidity to fund operations for at least the next year and Carnivals stock price has rebounded on recent reports of successful COVID-19 vaccine testing, but still trades well below its 52-week high. Charlestons cruise business accounted for 217,673 passengers on the Sunshine and other vacation ships making ports of call in fiscal 2020, which ended June 30. The cruise line's parent company has said the months-long interruption in service led to financial losses of $7 billion through the first three months of 2020. Carnival is scheduled to provide analysts with an update about its business Monday. Charlestons cruise business accounted for 217,673 passengers on the Sunshine and other vacation ships making ports of call in fiscal 2020, which ended June 30. Hear the call: A woman begs a 911 dispatcher to tell police officers not to kill a man carrying a gun in a Hartford, Conn., neighborhood, according to audio recordings released Tuesday. HARTFORD A woman begged a 911 dispatcher to tell police officers not to kill the man who was described by witnesses as acting very deranged while carrying a gun in the neighborhood the night after Christmas, according to audio recordings released Tuesday. The Ansonia-Milford states attorneys office has released audio from a 911 call and police dispatches that shed new light on the police shooting death of Shamar Ogman, a 30-year-old Black man on Dec. 26. Police said they were called to an address on Gilman Street shortly before 9 p.m. that evening after a 911 caller reported there was a man in the street carrying a gun. In the 26 minutes of audio released by Ansonia-Milford States Attorney Margaret E. Kelley, the woman who called 911 can be heard giving a description of Ogman. Hes acting very deranged, the woman told the dispatcher. The dispatcher asked the woman if shes ever seen Ogman with a gun before, but she said she was just visiting a friend. A second woman who spoke to the dispatcher said Ogman was upset and that she had never seen him with a gun before. You dont know what set him off, what was stressing him out? the dispatcher asked. No I dont, the woman replied. Through tears, she later pleaded for the dispatcher to tell the police not to kill Ogman. Please dont kill ... please tell the officers dont kill [him], she said. A man later can be heard telling the callers police were taping off an area where someone had been shot. Police arrived around three minutes after the 911 call was made and found Ogman carrying a handgun and a rifle, according to an initial report from Kelleys office. Yeah, hes got a scoped rifle and a black handgun in his hand, an officer can be heard saying over the radio in the dispatch audio released Tuesday. What follows is a chaotic scene as police pursued Ogman through backyards and over a fence, and warning each other to avoid being caught in crossfire. Partys walking eastbound, hes upset about a girlfriend, an officer can be heard saying. Body camera footage from three officers released days after the incident shows police cornering Ogman behind a dumpster and ordering him to throw down his rifle. Mr. Ogman failed to comply with additional requests to drop the weapons and appears to point the rifle in the direction of the police, the report from Kelleys office said. Officer Ashley Martinez fired a single shot from her rifle striking Ogman, the report said. As police approached him while he was slumped over the dumpster, the video appears to show a tan-colored rifle police said he was carrying. It is unclear whether the rifle Ogman was carrying was loaded. An officer recorded in the body camera footage can be heard saying he is unsure if the weapon had a magazine in it. Hartford Police Department / Contributed photo An officer also reported over the radio before the shooting that Ogman had discarded the handgun, but the report from the states attorneys office does not specify whether he was in possession of that gun when he was shot. Court filings show Ogman was arrested twice in the weeks leading up to his death. On Dec. 15, Meriden police pulled him over for tinted windows and driving erratically. As police removed him from the car, they saw the butt of a gun under the passenger seat, according to a copy of the incident report obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media. A search of the vehicle turned up a Glock 17 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, a facsimile H&K .45 caliber handgun, a 10-round magazine, several spent shell casings and a component of a magazine to another handgun, the report said. Ogman, a Hartford resident, was charged with multiple firearm and motor vehicle violations, including criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of ammunition. A search of police systems showed Ogman was on probation for first-degree robbery, and had a case pending after Hartford police charged him with four counts of weapons in a motor vehicle, the warrant said. Two days before Ogman was killed, Bloomfield police charged him with third-degree assault and breach of peace. A woman told police Ogman struck her on the face after an argument at their work, according to his arrest warrant in the Dec. 9 incident. When police contacted him by phone, Ogman denied striking the woman and claimed he had a history of mental issues but they are under control, according to the warrant. He suggested it causes him to inappropriately manage his anger sometimes. A release from the states attorneys office that accompanied the audio released Tuesday said the police-involved shooting investigation remains ongoing. While we will strive to complete the investigation as quickly as possible, our primary goal is to ensure that the investigation is thorough and complete, Kelley said in a statement. Its been just over four months since the riots and civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin prompted by the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officer Rusten Sheskey. Two days after after Blake was shot and seriously injured, two protesters, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber were fatally injured shortly before midnight on 25 August. A 17-year-old, Kyle Rittenhouse, was later arrested in conjunction with both deaths and seriously wounding a third, Gaige Grosskreutz. Seven charges against Rittenhouse Illinois resident Rittenhouse is charged with five felonies - first degree intentional homicide (for the death Rosenbaum); first degree homicide of Anthony Huber; attempted first degree intentional homicide of Grosskreutz and two counts of recklessly endangering safety, for shots fired at others. He also charged with two other offenses - being a minor in possession of a firearm and with violating a curfew in effect. Rittenhouse, who turned 18 on Sunday, appeared virtually before Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating on Tuesday. He is free after posting $2 million bail and was released from custody on Friday 20 November. The $2 million bail was raised by donations with My Pillow, Inc. CEO Mike Lindell, CEO and actor/film director Ricky Schroder making significant contributions by raising funds for the teenager. In Tuesdays arraignment, Rittenhouse, who appeared via video link from the office of his attorney Mark Richards in Racine, was formally advised of the charges against him. He pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. The hearing lasted just a few minutes. Rittenhouse's legal team claim that there is evidence that he acted in self-defense. His lawyers also argue that the curfew enforced by authorities from 24-27 August, which urged the public to avoid all protest sites and maintain heightened vigilance was too vague to be lawfully enforced. Wisconsin police arrested about 150 people for being in the streets in breach of the order. A pre-trial conference for Rittenhouse is scheduled for 10 March and a trial date has been set for 29 March but the defence has requested more time, claiming that to complete such a case in five weeks would be ridiculous. Rittenhouse faces "a mandatory life sentence or at least significant amounts of time, likely decades of time period of incarceration" if he is convicted. Fianna Fail TD for Cavan/Monaghan Brendan Smith has welcomed confirmation that there will be no imposition of mobile phone roaming charges on the island of Ireland. Deputy Brendan Smith had asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an agreement was in place with the UK authorities post-Brexit. Deputy Smith commented, I am relieved to hear that telecoms operators have no plans to change current mobile phone roaming arrangements. This will be a major positive for all those businesses and communities living and working along the border. Ensuring the EUs current Roam Like at Home agreement remained in place, regardless of a deal or no deal post-Brexit, is very welcome news. Deputy Smith added: It is vital, now more than ever, that this remains so and that there are no extra financial costs passed on to customers. Also read: Funding secure for Cuilcagh Mountain and West Cavan attractions Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A major criminal who was had close links to notorious crimelord Cyril Dublin Jimmy McGuinness has been sentenced to five years in jail in his absence in Belgium over a million-euro-series of crane, excavator and trailer thefts. Machinery racketeer Damien McPhillips (55) from Co Monaghan was convicted of being part of a four person gang involved in the theft of the high value equipment across West Flanders between September 30, 2016 and February 28, 2018. Various types of cranes, excavators and trailers were stolen during the thefts before being shipped across the Channel to the UK for resale. McPhillips was alleged by prosecutors to have been one of the pivotal figures in the business and being involved in forming a criminal gang. A very close associate of his was jailed for five years and a woman known to him was handed a three year sentence by the court in the city of Veurne. Belgian authorities are expected to issue European Arrest Warrants for the three Irish people who are understood to be currently based in the UK. A 34-year-old Irishman, Patrick Duffy, who was arrested in Sweden and extradited back to Belgium was jailed for three years for his role in the plot. McPhillips, was previously jailed for two years in 2014 for possession of a stolen truck. During the trial he was described as a machinery racketeer. He was also one of a number of people sentenced in connection with a multi million machinery theft racket run by Cyril McGuinness in the noughties. Police in Bruges launched Operation Secund with gardai in 2007 after receiving a tip-off that Irish smugglers, led by McGuinness, were stealing machinery from farms across Belgium. Expand Close Cyril McGuinness aka "Dublin Jimmy" was a close associate of Damien McPhillips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cyril McGuinness aka "Dublin Jimmy" was a close associate of Damien McPhillips The haul included a 480,000 cement pumping truck, a 109,000 bulk tanker, 54,000 worth of trailers and 72,000 in tractors. They were later resprayed and shipped to Rosslare before being sold to unsuspecting farmers across Ireland, the north and the UK. Proceeds from the sale of the heavy plant machinery were later placed in bogus bank accounts. McPhillips was jailed for four years for his role in the racket while McGuiness was extradited by military helicopter to Belgium to serve a seven year sentence in 2009 for running the 3.4million scam. McGuinness was, however, freed just two years later after his legal team successfully appealed his sentence after establishing a loop-hole in his warrant in Belgium. Police believe it was after he returned to Fermanagh from his prison stint in Belgium that McGuiness was recruited by a pay master to wage a campaign of intimidation against the Quinn group. His litany of terror included fire bombings, death threats and arson attacks culminating in the abduction and kidnapping of Lunney on September 17 2019. The 50-year-old was abducted outside his home near Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, and taken to a horsebox across the border, where he was savagely beaten. His attackers broke his leg, sliced his fingernails and face with a Stanley knife, carved QIH on his chest, and doused the father-of-six in bleach. The attack was the most serious in a five-year campaign of intimidation targeting the companies and directors that now control the business portfolio built up by fallen tycoon Sean Quinn, once Irelands richest man. In the wake of the Lunney abduction McGuiness fled to Derbyshire, England. But he died suddenly following a police raid on the Derbyshire bolthole on November 8th of last year. Police said McGuiness smoked three cigarettes and drank a cup of tea while sitting on a sofa following his arrest at around 7am before collapsing 90 minutes later. Police called an ambulance and attempted resuscitation immediately, but the 54-year-old died almost three hours after his arrest. The raid was part of a co-ordinated series of search operations, mainly focused on the Irish border area, linked to the brutal attack on Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney in September. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors A mother-to-be who was diagnosed with breast cancer 31 weeks into her pregnancy will give birth to her baby prematurely at the end of this month as she undergoes treatment. Claire Hilton-Ellison, 30, from Huyton, Merseyside, first spotted a pea-sized lump on her right breast back in November and went to the GP to get it checked. The expectant mother was initially referred to the breast clinic at Aintree Hospital to undergo an ultra sound followed by a fine needle biopsy, but the results came back inconclusive. On December 11, Ms Hilton-Ellison was diagnosed with grade 3 HER2-positive invasive breast cancer, while 31 weeks pregnant with her first child. Claire Hilton-Ellison, 30, from Huyton, Merseyside, was diagnosed with grade 3 HER2-positive invasive breast cancer 31 weeks into her pregnancy Due to the diagnosis the mother-to-be, who is now 34 weeks pregnant, has already received her first round of chemotherapy and will have to give birth to her baby boy prematurely at the end of this month. But Ms Hilton-Ellison is determined to stay positive and use her story to raise awareness of breast cancer in both young and pregnant women. She is documenting her journey on Instagram @ grablifebytheboobz and raising money for cancer charities through a fundraising page. Ms Hilton-Ellison told the Liverpool Echo: 'When I first found the lump every man and his dog were saying it would be pregnancy related and 80 per cent of lumps come back benign. 'I was trying to remain positive but there was something in my gut that told me it's going to be more serious than this. 'I went back for the results the first time and they said it was inconclusive and did a mammogram and a core needle biopsy. The doctor sat down with me and Macmillian nurse. 'At that point they didn't have a complete diagnosis but they really prepared me for the fact they believed it could be cancer just to try and get my head around it - that actually really helped. I had a week to process it.' The mother-to-be (pictured with her husband Keith) will have fifteen rounds of chemotherapy in total and has already undergone one round, with another planned for next week= Ms Hilton-Ellison was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 11 but she is yet to find out what stage her cancer is. She will receive confirmation of this after she has undergone treatment and surgery in the coming months. Due to being pregnant, Ms Hilton-Ellison is unable to have a CT scan or MRI scan as this could cause harm to the baby but she has received ultra sounds at Aintree Hospital where she is receiving treatment. She will have fifteen rounds of chemotherapy in total and has already undergone one round, with another planned for next week. Ms Hilton-Ellison said: 'I was angry at first. I thought this isn't fair, this should be the happiest time of my life. 'I should be able to look forward to being a new mum, not worried about whether I will be able to look after my baby boy in the same way as if I didn't have cancer and didn't have to have treatment. 'I was angry in that first week and then I boxed that off. 'As soon the doctors told me what my treatment plan would be it was like a weight completely lighted off my shoulders. I trust in that plan that they know exactly what's best for me. 'It just made me feel like I'm going to get this under control and stop it in its tracks. 'I don't know in the long term how it will affect my fertility. I'm not going to let it take away from my pregnancy and the first years of my son's life.' Ms Hilton-Ellison, who is expecting a baby boy with her partner Keith, is due to be induced and will give birth naturally at Liverpool Women's Hospital at the end of this month. She is determined to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage other women to check their breasts for any lumps or unusual signs. She said: 'If something this rubbish can happen how can I flip it on its head and make sure something good happens? 'Before I found a lump and was actually diagnosed, you just don't think it's going to happen to you. 'You hear the word cancer all the time, it's on TV everyday and everyone you speak to will have been affected by it but you take it for granted that it's not going to be you. Especially being thirty and being pregnant with my first child.' 'The first step to diagnosis is through self examination. Get to know your boobs and if something in your gut is telling you something's not right don't be deterred by anyone,' Claire added. 'I just want any other woman to know if they are pregnant and diagnosed with breast cancer that there's no right or wrong way to deal with it. 'Every single emotion is valid and I've been through every single emotion on earth.' With the help of her best friend Rachael and family Claire's Army has been set up to raise money to support cancer charities. They will be holding a range of events including a boot camp at the end of January as well as yoga and a silent disco in the coming months. Best friend Rachael said: 'The way Claire responded to this was with utter strength. It doesn't surprise me because that's just the sort of person she is. 'I'm so proud of her. I just think we have to all be behind her.' DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover (NYSE: DOV) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. ("ICS"), a leading provider of car wash controllers, payment terminals, point-of-sale and wash site management software solutions. ICS is now part of Dover's Fueling Solutions segment. Headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and employing more than 150 people, ICS has served the carwash industry for over 30 years. ICS is recognized in the marketplace for its strong engineering and reliability, high levels of customer service, and innovative solutions. The addition of ICS expands Dover's participation in the secularly-growing vehicle wash market and enhances Dover's offerings, business mix and recurring revenue stream with high-value hardware and software solutions critical to vehicle wash workflows and operations. A scaled-up vehicle wash platform within Dover is expected to drive growth and efficiencies by cross-leveraging Dover's and ICS' go-to-market channels in vehicle wash and convenience retail markets, as well as aftermarket support infrastructure. "This acquisition is fully aligned with the growth strategy we outlined during our analyst and investor meeting focused on Dover's Fueling Solutions segment in November 2020. With the increasing popularity of automatic car washes among convenience retailers and independent operators, we continue to view the broader vehicle wash solutions market as an attractive and logical adjacency for our Fueling Solutions segment," said Richard J. Tobin, Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to bring together ICS' innovative solutions, brand recognition and vertical software capabilities, and Dover's scale, global reach and customer support capability in the convenience retail and vehicle wash markets. We look forward to welcoming the talented team from ICS," said Kevin Long, President of OPW, one of Fueling Solutions' business units, which operates Dover's vehicle wash business platform. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale, operational agility, world-class engineering capability and customer intimacy to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of over 23,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at www.dovercorporation.com. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. All statements in this document other than statements of historical fact are statements that are, or could be deemed, "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the impacts of COVID-19, or other future pandemics, on the global economy and on our customers, suppliers, employees, business and cash flows, other general economic conditions and conditions in the particular markets in which we operate, changes in customer demand and capital spending, competitive factors and pricing pressures, our ability to develop and launch new products in a cost-effective manner, and our ability to realize synergies from newly acquired businesses. For details on the risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that may be contained herein, we refer you to the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. These documents are available from the SEC, and on our website, www.dovercorporation.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Contact: Media Contact: Andrey Galiuk Adrian Sakowicz Vice President Corporate Development Vice President Communications and Investor Relations (630) 743-5039 (630) 743-5131 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Dover Related Links http://www.dovercorporation.com A temple priest and two accomplices allegedly gang-raped a 50-year-old anganwadi worker, fractured her leg and ribcage, before leaving her bleeding to die in Uttar Pradeshs Badaun district, state police said on Wednesday. Police arrested the two accomplices, Jai Pal alias Jaspal and Vedram Pal, under charges of gang rape and murder on Tuesday but the main accused, Satyaveer alias Satya Narayan , is still on the run, said Badaun special superintendent of police Sankalp Sharma. The crime was allegedly committed on Sunday when the woman went to the local temple, said the victims family members in the police complaint. The post-mortem report confirms rape, and there are injuries in her private parts and a fracture in a leg, Sharma said, adding that the report confirmed a rib fracture too, he said, citing the post-mortem report. The left lung was also damaged because of heavy force, the post-mortem report said. Chief medical officer of Badaun, Dr Yashpal Singh, said the woman died of trauma and excessive bleeding. As per the post-mortem report, the woman got injuries on her private parts and she also got fractures. There were tears and she had a fracture on one of her legs. There was excessive bleeding and the bleeding led to shock and that led to the patients death. Prima facie, it is rape as she got injuries on her private parts. Her viscera has been sent to the lab for testing, Singh added. The FIR said the woman went to a temple located on the outskirts of her village on Sunday afternoon and did not return. That night, the priest of the temple and his two aides allegedly brought her body to the house in a car and told the family that she fell into a dry well inside the temple premises. The priest and his accomplices left the house hurriedly. We were shocked to see the condition of the body. The clothes on the lower part of the body were drenched in blood and a leg appeared fractured, said a close relative of the family on condition of anonymity. The family alleged some laxity in the local police, who sent the body for post-mortem only Monday afternoon. Sharma said based on the familys complaint, local inspector Raghvendra Pratap Singh was suspended for delay in informing higher authorities, laxity in taking action, dereliction of duty and failure in taking speedy action. If any more police officials are found involved in dereliction of duties, action will be taken against them, he said. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath ordered strict action against the accused and directed the special task force (STF) to assist in the investigation. The CM has directed ADG [additional director general] Bareilly zone to prepare a detailed report about the Badaun incident and also directed STF to assist in the investigations, a government spokesman said. There is a reward of Rs 25,000 for the main accused. Sharma, Badaun district magistrate Kumar Prashant, and other senior officials met the victims family on Wednesday. Prashant announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh for the family. Whatever help can be given from the department, it will be given. She was an anganwadi sahayika (helper). We are also paying attention towards the security of the family, said the district magistrate. He also announced that the National Security Act (NSA) would be invoked against the accused. We believe that this incident is a fit case of NSA and we will take action against the accused under the NSA. The case will be tried in fast track court, he added. The National Commission for Women (NCW) sought immediate intervention of the police and said it will send its member to probe the incident. In a statement, the commission said it is deeply perturbed by the incident and the alleged police apathy. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the incident horrific and shameful for humanity. Samajwadi Party demanded that the guilty should be punished at the earliest. Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati termed the incident extremely saddening and highly condemnable. (with agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON There's a sense of snarling menace implicit in "The White Tiger," a subversive, sharp-toothed dramedy of upward social mobility by writer-director Ramin Bahrani ("99 Homes"), based on Aravind Adiga's best-selling 2008 novel, which won the Man Booker Prize. It's not just in the title, a metaphorical moniker for uniqueness slapped on the film's ambitious protagonist, a canny but impoverished low-caste Indian named Balram (Adarsh Gourav), as a child. It's there, lurking in every shadow of this dark rags-to-riches tale itself: a coiled threat to the traditional world order of haves and have-nots, just waiting to pounce. After the opening scene, set in a car careening through the streets of Delhi at night - a short, alarming prologue that is quickly interrupted by Balram's narration, framed somewhat preposterously as an email he's composing to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the eve of his 2010 visit to India - the film gets down to business. Told mostly in flashback, "Tiger" follows Balram's rise from poverty to become the No. 2 chauffeur for a rich, corrupt landlord known as the Stork (Mahesh Manjrekar) and his son Ashok (Rajkummar Rao). It isn't long that he's No. 2. Balram soon supplants the Stork's top driver (Girish Pal) when he reveals that the longtime employee - or servant, in the parlance of the film - is a Muslim. (The Stork hates Muslims.) Soon Balram is making money in side hustles that involve submitting fake invoices to his boss for unnecessary repairs, and siphoning gas to sell on the streets, all the while ingratiating himself with the Western-educated Ashok and his American-raised wife, a chiropractor named Pinky (Priyanka Chopra Jonas). Both of them are progressive enough to treat Balram not as their servant but their pal - until it no longer serves them, that is. The subservient relationship between Balram and this wealthy couple - around which the rising action of the film revolves, turning on that pivotal car ride that opens the movie, and that will change everything for the main character - is premised on privilege. Not the privilege of skin color but social status. To be sure, India is unlike many other places, with its numerous, rigidly defined castes. But as Balram configures it, there are really only two castes that matter: people with big bellies, and people with small bellies. That's true everywhere, even in the socially fluid, presumably classless America. In that sense - although set, very specifically, in India - "The White Tiger" is an allegory that could take place anywhere, and that feels uncomfortably familiar. Balram comes to resent the systemic oppression that keeps him down. (He uses another animal metaphor to describe it, referring to the millions of members of the vast Indian underclass as "roosters in a coop" who are too docile - or too stupid - to escape, when they can see their comrades being slaughtered for dinner just outside the cage.) Such polarization and inequality - Balram casts it as another dichotomy: an India of darkness, and an India of light - isn't unique to his country. And as the blithely clueless cheerfulness of film's antihero gradually curdles to cunning connivance, so does the narrative's black comedy congeal, taking on a tone that is less jokey than sickening. (Balram cracks wise throughout the film, saying at one point, about the world's largest democracy: "If I were in charge of India, I'd get the sewage pipes first, then the democracy.") As he demonstrated with the recession-themed "99 Homes," Bahrani is a cynical observer of the forces underling cultural upheaval; the story of "Tiger," at times, feels more schematic and archetypal than wholly lived by real people. But its ominous message - watch out for the person whose back you're stepping on - has never been more timely. - - - Three stars. Rated R. At area theaters on Wednesday; available Jan. 22 on Netflix. Contains coarse language, violence and sexuality. 125 minutes. Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time. Danny Healy-Rae has no time for the trolls who remorselessly attack him online. Nor does he read antagonistic posts but he has launched an attack on other politicians for pandering to social media. I am too busy working for the people of Kerry but if theyre so great and have better things to say let them stand for election and see how they get on, he said. Mr Healy-Rae said he didnt understand why he would be a hate-figure to anyone because of his views as he was not brought up to hate. I have my opinions and my supporters. They support my opinions, along with my work, because I get thousands of votes, he said. And I am too busy working for those people to bother what people in Dublin are saying about me. I dont follow it at all. Im absolutely baffled when I see TDs getting into trouble on Twitter or whatever it is. Im not going to be on it, telling people I have just gone to the toilet or that Im going to Kenmare. I cant understand people who send out every little thing or who say things like that. I have things in my head that I wouldnt send out. We all have things in our heads that we wouldnt be putting out there. Those people who do cant be working very hard for the people who elected them, because I certainly havent the time to do it. Read More Mr Healy-Rae (66) said he is not anti-science as he is often portrayed but has genuine conviction that claims of climate change have been overblown. Im not against science at all, but I would have my own views, he said. People have said to me who know about it that a lot of the ice melting is not from the atmosphere at all, but because it is being warmed from below. There was a cardinal came up the (River) Roughty to Ardtully in 1690 and you couldnt do that now because the river is so low. They built embankments against the river breaking its banks centuries ago and they are still there to see. And despite the floods weve had in recent years they havent come anywhere near those old banks that you can still see. He said one of the subjects he was very interested in while in school was history. When you talk about climate change you must also talk about history, and history shows there has been a lot of change and different things over the centuries, he said. We heard it in national school, and big changes can happen, and for decades, as part of the overall. I wont say some scientists are dishonest. I am sure they are honest. But they are getting wrong results because of whatever they put in. "And unfortunately it has led to the Government telling us all to buy very expensive electric cars that are no good for anyone in rural Ireland. "They are not economic and they are not as good as fuel cars, ones that use the ordinary fuel. Mr Healy-Rae said most TDs follow the fashion in all of this". He added: If they think for themselves at all, they wont speak against their leaders because they are afraid of demotion or not getting a promotion. They are not saying what is in their hearts so you have the likes of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens all going into government and they are very different. He also did not see a very bright future for the current administration. I dont think this Government will last as long as the commentators say. It may not be 2021 when it all falls apart, but there is a lot of unhappiness in Fianna Fail at their leader already. I see a lot of unrest there. And Micheal Martin also seems to me to be very anti-rural, saying people should live in villages and towns instead of building houses in their own place. There was a senior civil servant who described rural Ireland as a cost to the State. It is not that at all. Dublin is a cost to rural Ireland because of the gangland and the crime, which there isnt in rural Ireland at all. I dont like Fridays, adds Mr Healy-Rae, the Dails arguably most colourful Independent, as he insists he ignores criticism and mockery of his style and beliefs on social media. He said finds Fridays his least productive day of the week because girls in offices say it is Friday and they are looking forward to the weekend and I suppose getting to see their families. Im not, I want to keep going, but sometimes Im blocked. Sunday is the same as Monday to me, if theres work there to be done for the people who elected me then it is still going to be there if I dont do it on any day. Hours after a violent mob of President Trumps supporters breached the U.S. Capitol Building, forcing a lockdown and leaving four people dead, Congress reconvened to certify Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election. Vice President Mike Pence, who presided over the vote count, formally announced the results of Bidens 306-232 win over Trump in the Electoral College. The confirmation came nearly 12 hours after hundreds of pro-Trump demonstrators stormed the Capitol while lawmakers were counting the electoral votes inside. Four people, including a woman who was shot by police, died during the chaos. For a recap of the days events, see the blog below. For the latest on the fallout, visit the Yahoo News homepage. NEW MILFORD In a town-wide effort, more than $22,000 was raised for the Community Fuel Bank over the Christmas holiday. The funds were raised as a result of a live seven-minute play on the 1980s comedy National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Several residents, including Tim Clark Griswold and John Cousin Eddie Wilkinson, dressed up in character and put on a show the Saturday before Christmas raising $22,537 in about 10 days. This was the first time the show was turned into a fundraiser. The show can be viewed by searching the New Milford Lampoons Christmas Vacation Facebook page. The link to the show was shared about 100 times. Both businesses and residents contributed to the fundraiser. The Community Fuel Bank is run by the towns social services and senior center teams. The goal of the fundraiser is to make sure residents arent cold this winter. Clark said the need for assistance is especially true this year, during the coronavirus pandemic. The fund is 100 percent directly from the pockets of the donors, right to the people who need it, Clark said. Its a simple fundraiser with a simple message neighbors helping neighbors. He added he was confident the show would be well received. I knew this was going to be a good vehicle to do an off-the-wall fundraiser that is pretty unique, Clark said. The mayor had no clue that we were even doing this. New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said hes pleased so many people can be helped through the effort. If someone has had a job loss, or an income loss, and they cant pay for fuel, we have the ability to help them so they can get some heat into their home especially in the dead of winter, Bass said. To donate, visit newmilford.org and search Community Fuel Bank of New Milford. Or, mail a check to The Mayors Office, 10 Main St., New Milford, Connecticut, 06776. Bass said he hopes to make the fund-raiser an annual initiative. I cant thank Tim and John and the whole team enough for really spearheading this and providing all these additional funds that are going to be very useful to our community, he said. Its how New Milford is, the community gets involved and wonderful things happen. sfox@milfordmirror.com EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 Whither America? Jan. 5 , 2021 (EIRNS)The U.S. Congress will be meeting in joint session on Wednesday, Jan. 6 to determine who is to be inaugurated as President on Jan. 20. Much more than the presidency is at stake. The official program of the would-be Biden Administration is the Great Green Reset, the implementation of a financial dictatorship by the City of London and Wall Street banks, a dictatorship based on fake news, fake science, fake votes, and fake money. Should the intended Great Reset dictatorship be consolidated, it would: continue the flow of fake money to sustain their bankrupt institutions; cut off all credit to carbon emittersi.e., industry, agriculture, infrastructure, transportation, etc.based on the scientific fraud of anthropogenic climate change; grant the Big Tech companies the role of Big Brother, censoring any truthful reports about the crimes of the bankers dictatorship; and sustain the mass vote fraud as standard practice, by (as the Washington Post demanded this week) tearing up the Constitutions legal electoral process, turning the Republic into a pure democracyprecisely what the Founding Fathers fought to prevent, identifying the tyranny of the majority as the greatest danger to peace and freedom. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has announced that he will challenge the Pennsylvania electors in Wednesdays session, calling on Vice President Mike Pence (who will chair the session) to reject the Biden electors on the basis of the overwhelming fraud. Hawleys house was attacked Monday night by antifa anarchists, who, according to Hawley, screamed through bullhorns, shouted down my wife when she asked [them] to leave, vandalized property, pounded on our door, and terrorized neighbors. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is reported to be planning to challenge the Arizona electors, although some Republicans are concerned that he and other Senators may call for a commission to investigate the fraud, which could be useful, but that he will do that instead of challenging the electors. Not surprisingly, the Wall Street Journal issued a letter from 200 of Wall Streets finest, headed by BlackRocks Larry Fink, demanding that the Republicans stop all efforts to counter the vote fraud, saying that such challenges run counter to the essential tenets of our democracy. This is no wonder, as these are the leaders in the Great Green Reset, who know they will have full control of government policy under a Biden Administrationthe centuries-long dream of the British Empire. President Donald Trump spoke to a huge crowd in Georgia Monday night, Jan. 4, mobilizing support for the crucial two remaining Senate elections taking place Tuesday, which will determine the control of the Senate. If the Democrats were to win both, they would have control of both houses and the White House. Trump took note of the fact that Biden also held a rally in Georgiafor 14 people. The LaRouche Organization has taken out a half-page ad in the Washington Times for Wednesday, to greet the throngs expected to descend on the nations capital to demand that the Congress challenge the fraudulent election. The ad calls for President Trump to kick over the strategic chessboard. Under full-color pictures of President Trump, Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Lyndon LaRouche, it states: To win the war, the entire game-plan of the British financial oligarchy must be overturned, calling for two immediate actions: 1) President Trump should defy the vicious, lying anti-Russia and anti-China campaign, and help arrange an emergency summit with Putin and Xi; 2) President Trump should immediately move to exonerate the American statesman Lyndon LaRouche, and pardon Julian Assange and Edward Snowden as well. Why LaRouche, the statement asks? It posts the famous quotation from former Attorney General of the United States Ramsey Clark: The LaRouche case involves a broader range of deliberate and systematic misconduct and abuse of power over a longer period of time in an effort to destroy a political movement and leader, than any other federal prosecution in my time or to my knowledge. The ad continues: Trump was slammed by the same apparatus that railroaded the innocent LaRouche into prison, naming in particular Robert Mueller and William Weld. Help circulate this statement everywhere, internationally. Half-measures will not succeed in this moment of global existential crisis, not for the pandemic, nor for the financial crisis, nor for the economic breakdown and the famine threatening hundreds of millions of souls. Let 2021 not be the year in which the Republic is lost, but let it be the year of Beethoven, of Dante, of Cusa, of Leibniz, of Franklin, of FDR, and of LaRouche. SPRING LAKE, MI The Lilley Mansion Bed & Breakfast, a once abandoned Victorian home, is officially welcoming guests. Its been a journey for the Spring Lake historical structure. The 1875 mansion was rolled through town, underwent extensive renovations and opened during a pandemic. I have to pinch myself, co-owner Patrick Roggenbau said about the project. Related: Historic mansion treks through West Michigan town After sitting vacant for years, the fully restored Lilley now has four suites named after Spring Lake lumber barons. Each accompanied with a spacious bathroom, the suites were designed by the owners to give guests a sense of luxury while being on vacation. Details like peacock wallpaper from England, an antique stair newel and an eclectic mix of furniture give the bed and breakfast a personal touch. I want when people come here to come into our home, said Roggenbau, the in-house chef and host. Two years ago, Roggenbau and his business partner Robert Lopez saw the Lilley in a dilapidated state, and within 30 minutes they created a plan to restore the Victorian home. The interior design reflects the splendor of the era with a modern touch, Roggenbau said. In August of 2019, the mansion made the slow journey from the east side of Spring Lakes downtown to the west side, where it now sits on the corner of Division and Exchange streets. Its a part of co-owner and developer Kim VamKampens plan to turn Division Street into an antique row, she previously told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. The Lilley Mansion was slowly moved through Spring Lake on Aug. 6, 2019. Kayla Renie | MLive.com Renovations slowed down when COVID-19 hit, and plans to open in May were pushed back to Dec. 28. Despite the delay, Roggenbau said theyre already seeing reservations fill up for the month of January. People that stay in B&Bs, they want less of an anonymous atmosphere than a hotel, he said. Theyre interested in getting to know you, as much as Im interested in getting to know my guests. Suites range from $199 to $319 a night, and reservations can be made online. Christine Burns, Spring Lake village manager, called the Lilley one more piece of the puzzle for the villages downtown redevelopment. They have accomplished this huge, almost insurmountable task of moving it across town, completely renovating it, and opening it as a bed and breakfast, she said. Not many people would take that challenge on. Related: Construction begins on catalyst $6M development in West Michigan town The Lilley is located near the Epicurean Village, 110 W. Savidge St., a new three-story building with apartments, restaurants and retail space. Both projects were backed by VanKampen, the developer who is also behind Brooklyn Bagels, 411 W. Savidge St., and the Windermere House, 304 W. Savidge St. The developments and the bed and breakfast help make Spring Lake more of a destination than a drive-through town, Burns said. Look what we received today! This is a photo of the previously unknown Main family.The Great grandson of Mr Main called... Posted by The Lilley Mansion Bed and Breakfast on Friday, December 20, 2019 The Lilley was built by one of Spring Lakes pioneers, and over the decades many residents have forged connections to it. Roggenbau said the mission to restore the mansion and pay homage to its history has resonated with the community. Were not here to change the place Spring Lake into something it doesnt want to be, but something that it could be, he said. Lopez also runs a non-profit connected to the house called Lilley Cares, which supports projects in the community like raising funds for Spring Lake Sparkle, a Christmas light show that brings people to the village. All we really want to do is say: Step out of your car, walk around, get to know us, enjoy it, see Spring Lake, Roggenbau said. More on MLive: High schoolers raise money to house Grand Rapids-area homeless family, buy gifts Residents accounted for, but most lost everything in Muskegon fire Whos new in the Michigan House of Representatives Opposition parties attacked Yogi govt and termed the incident 'horrific' and 'shameful', with the Congress comparing it to the 2012 Delhi gangrape case A 50-year-old anganwadi worker was gang-raped and brutally murdered allegedly by a priest and his two aides in Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Wednesday. Two of the accused were arrested on Tuesday, while the priest is on the run, they said, adding that the woman's leg was fractured and there were injuries in her private parts. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has taken cognizance of the matter. One NCW member is going to the spot to investigate the matter and meet the family and the police and take an exact stock of the situation, Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW was quoted as saying by DNA. Opposition parties have also attacked the BJP government in the state and termed the incident "horrific" and "shameful", with the Congress comparing it to the 2012 Delhi gangrape incident. "The post-mortem report confirms rape, and there are injuries in her private parts and a fracture in the leg," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sankalp Sharma said. He added that the station house officer of Ughaiti police station has been suspended for laxity in the case. "On Sunday, the 50-year-old woman, who had gone to a temple, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Family members of the woman have accused the temple mahant (priest) and his aides of raping and murdering her. Based on this, a case was registered against the accused. Two of the accused persons were arrested on Tuesday night, while the mahant is still absconding," he said. Four teams have been formed to nab the priest, the SSP said. The victim's son said his mother had gone to offer prayers at the temple on Sunday but she did not return. However, around 11 pm, the temple priest and two of his aides came to his house and handed over his mother's body, he said. Before family members could ask how she died, the accused left the house saying that she had fallen in a dry well, and her body was pulled out and brought to her home, the son added. He said police was informed on Monday. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government, alleging that there was something wrong in the intentions of the Uttar Pradesh administration on the issue of women's security. Tagging a media report, Gandhi tweeted: "In Hathras, the government administration did not listen to the voice of those pleading. The government saved officials and suppressed the victim's voice." "In Budaun, the police station officer did not listen to the one pleading and did not even examine the place of the incident. There is something wrong in the UP government's intentions on women's security," she added. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the incident "horrific" and "shameful for humanity". "How many more Nirbhayas? How much more of this monstrosity (haivaaniyat)? When will the Adityanath government wake up? Where are our awakened journalists," he said in a tweet in a hindi. Taking to Twitter, Samajwadi Party said, "Fifty-year-old anganwadi assistant, who had gone to offer prayers at a temple in Budaun, gang-raped and subsequently murdered. Those in power who only make false claims of women security should drown themselves. The guilty should be punished at the earliest, and justice should prevail." With inputs from PTI The Humane Society of Midland County is keeping steady with animals this winter season as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. It is Midlands first and only no-kill shelter. According to a Facebook post on Dec. 31, Midland's Humane Society adopted out 1,719 animals, returned 194 lost pets to their owners, and brought in 603 animals from other shelters in 2020. Currently, all the shelters available dogs have been adopted out while 12 cats remain. Last week, shelter workers picked up 15 dogs from a shelter in Detroit. Transferring (these animals) to areas with shelters is going to make sure that no animal has to die just because there wasnt enough cage space available, said Beth Wellman, shelter director. Were going to try to help someone else out this week. Although the Humane Society of Midland County also takes in some cats from other shelters, that number is lower, as Midland has more stray cats that come in than dogs; this past year, the humane society took in approximately 1,000 local cats. Wellman explained that cats typically go into heat once the days start to get longer and can have up to three litters a year. This is the calm between the storm, Wellman said, adding its important to have felines spayed and neutered before the breeding season starts. To help with adoptions, the Humane Society of Midland County participated in Bissell Pet Foundations Empty the Shelters events, offering reduced adoption rates as well as hosted a 10th anniversary Adoption Celebration on Jan. 1. Adoptions remained consistent throughout the year. For the few cases where animals remained in the shelter for months, the Humane Society of Midland County tries to network and highlight them on social media to find them a forever home. Strays are also a constant subject. Families tend to lose pets when they travel or host loved ones for the holidays and the stress becomes too much for animals. However, the number of strays being brought in has been lower this year as pet owners remain at home and gathering sizes are limited. This holiday season, it didnt seem to happen, Wellman said. If a stray animal is spotted, the first priority is safety. A person can call Midland County Animal Control at 989-832-6856 or HSoMC at 989-835-1877. If the animal seems approachable, Wellman recommends offering it food, observing its general condition, checking with neighbors to see if the animal is theirs, and then calling the shelter to arrange an appointment to bring the animal in to check for a microchip. The Humane Society of Midland County can typically take same-day appointments. We dont want to steal someones pet, but we do want to ensure its being taken care of, Wellman said. Be sure to check back later this week for a story of how one local woman rescued and returned a cat that went missing during the flooding from May's mid-Michigan dam failures. Were a few days into 2021, and it looks like Kim Kardashian, bless her, plans to follow her compass in a new direction this year: away from West. According to a new Page Six report, which hasnt yet been confirmed elsewhere (TMZ disagrees, for example), Kardashian and her husband of seven years, rapper and sorta former presidential candidate Kanye West, will be divorcing in the near future. Sources in the article said the two have grown apart, and that Kim in particular has had enough of Kanyes antics, political and otherwise, in recent years (to which it seems very fair to say: Who could blame her?). Advertisement Our tabloid infrastructure hasnt seen a potential divorce so monumental since the heady days of Brangelexit. The money involved, the houses, the children, the gold-plated toilets in the end, Im not sure it would be less complicated for the government to break up Facebook than it will ultimately be for Kim and Kanye to legally dissolve their union. Advertisement Advertisement It is precisely the kind of situation, in other words, that calls for an epic Page Six article. What other literary form exists that can convey such splendor and such squalor? Especially for a couple that remains oddly thirsty for print media. And on this day, the gossip sheet deserves praise for rising to the occasion. Its nice to know you can still count on some institutionseven if the thing you can count on in Page Sixs case is some good celebrity divorce goss alongside a steady agenda of evil. Advertisement The entire piece is a joy of the genre. High up, it deploys that Laura Wasser is Kardashians lawyer. This is a bat call for a certain kind of reader: Wasser, who did Kims previous divorce, and repped Angelina Jolie too, is the Simone Biles of divorce lawyers, the Michael Jordan of marital dissolutionthere simply is no other. Just ask Laura Dern, whose character in Marriage Story was based on Wasser. Is it possible that Wasser is even something of a role model for Kim? Lest we forgetPage Six certainly didntKim wants to become one of the first lawyers without a law degree since Abraham Lincoln, and its yet another thing that has come between her and Kanye. (As a source notes, approvingly, This divorce is happening because Kim has grown up a lot.) Advertisement Kanyes bad behavior doesnt need Page Six to sensationalize it, but the article also expertly charts a few particularly galling examples, such as the time West tweeted that he wanted to divorce Kardashian for, uh, some reason involving Meek Mill and criminal justice, as well as the time he referred to Kims mother Kris Jenner as Kris Jong-Un. (Well, that one was sorta funny. But still.) A Kim-sympathetic source and American hero even manages to disparage Kanyes over-the-top 40th birthday gift to Kim: The person told Page Six that West was reluctant to attend Kims COVID-era party in the first place, showing up late. All he did was bring over the hologram of her father Robert Kardashian, then got out of there as fast as he could, the person said. All he did?? I really hope this quote makes it into the official court filing. All in all, just the platonic ideal of a Page Six exclusive about a celebrity divorce. I have only one criticism: If the image of a New York Post cover that goes along with the article is indeed Wednesdays front page, its headline is: Kim & Kanye Go Bust. We all know the end of Kimye deserves better than that. Kimyend? Whatever, workshop it; I want a world-class pun the next time theres a break in this story. Bridgerton has proven to be a huge hit for Netflix, with millions of subscribers finding themselves gripped by the glossy new period drama. Based on Julia Quinns series of historical romance novels, the series is set in Regency-era England and follows the young men and women of Londons high society as they enter the marriage market for the first time. Netflix subscribers have flocked to the series this winter, with the show having been streamed by 63 million households since it was released on Christmas Day and widely praised for its impressive costumes, racially diverse casting and sex-positive world view. But if youve finished the show and are already desperate for a more episodes heres everything we know about Bridgerton season two Netflix has plenty more swoon-worthy period dramas for you to enjoy right now Lady Chatterleys Lover A novel so saucy it took more than 30 years for an uncensored version to be published in the UK, Lady Chatterleys Lover shocked audiences for its frank portrayal of sexuality and class dynamics in the 1900s. It was adapted for a BBC series by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, with Holliday Grainger playing the titular aristocratic Lady Chatterley and Richard Madden the brooding gamekeeper on her estate. James Norton and Jodie Comer also star. Reign The CWs take on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, Reign may not be historically accurate, but its definitely heaps of fun. Set in the 16th century, Mary (Adelaide Kane) is sent to marry Prince Francis (Toby Regbo) who shes naturally been engaged to from the age of six but finds herself contending with her growing feelings for both the prince and his bastard brother. Weve all been there, right? Pride and Prejudice When it comes to period dramas, its hard to beat the classics and this 1995 BBC mini-series is adored by everyone from teenagers to English teachers for every good reason. Bringing Jane Austens story to life, we have Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr Darcy, although its hard to love anyone in this adaptation as much as Alison Stedman and her inspired portrayal of matriarch Mrs Bennet. Poldark Aidan Turner in Poldark, which ran for five series from 2015 to 2019 (BBC) Marking Aidan Turner out as one of the cultural hunks of the 2010s, the BBCs recent adaptation of Poldark is loved by audiences around the world. Turner stars as Ross Poldark, an army captain who returns home from war to Cornwall to find that his childhood sweetheart (Heida Reed) is engaged to his cousin. Young Victoria Starring Emily Blunt as the, well, young Queen Victoria, this 2009 film centres on the 19th century figure as she becomes the countrys reigning monarch at the age of just 18. Rupert Friend joins her as the Queens spouse Prince Albert, while Julian Fellowes script is a wonderful display of his talent for historical fiction, coming just one year before Downton Abbey first hit our screens in 2010. Anne with an E Anne with an E is a more family friendly choice (Ken Woroner/Netflix) Based on Lucy Maud Montgomerys classic childrens novel Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an E is set in the early 20th century and stars Amybeth McNulty as the titular red-headed orphan. Sweet and charming, this is a great choice for anyone looking for a show thats more family friendly than bodice ripper. The Last Czars Another steamy royal romp, The Last Czars follows the reign of Nicholas II (Robert Jack), the last Romanov emperor of Russia on the eve of revolution from the public. The show only ran for one series, but theres still six episodes for you to sink your teeth into. Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. This article will be updated throughout the week with coronavirus case counts and other need-to-know information about the pandemic in San Antonio. Shattering records: San Antonio officials reported 3,002 new cases Sunday by far the most in one day. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Sunday that 234 vaccine providers across the state, including 28 vaccination hubs including San Antonio, will receive thousands of coronavirus vaccine doses this week, as local officials and providers have pleaded for additional doses to keep up with high demand. January 9 COVID-19 updates: The 1,399 hospitalized coronavirus patients reported Saturday set the record for the most coronavirus hospitalizations in Bexar County for the seventh day in a row, accounting for 34.4 percent of total patients Saturday. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported one death and 1,301 new coronavirus cases Saturday 222 more than Friday bringing the citys cumulative case count to 130,447. January 8 COVID-19 updates: Metro Health reported 1,079 new coronavirus cases and five new deaths Friday. The seven-day average of new cases is at 1,550 per day, only slightly lower than Wednesdays record of 1,568. Almost 1,400 COVID patients are being treated in San Antonio hospitals, including 388 in intensive care units and 216 patients on ventilators. January 7 COVID-19 updates: For the third day in a row Thursday, San Antonio set new records for the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and for the number of people newly admitted to city hospitals to be treated for the disease caused by the coronavirus. City and county officials for weeks have been warning that local hospitals will soon become overwhelmed if hospitalizations continue to increase at the current rate. Officials reported 1,170 new local cases Thursday and nine new deaths. Contagious strain in Texas: The first case of the second strain of COVID-19 was confirmed in Harris County on Thursday, the first in the state of Texas.A man in his 30s tested positive for the B.1.1.7 variant of the strain, which originated in the United Kingdom. The variant is said to be more contagious than the original strain. January 6 COVID-19 updates: A day after San Antonio reported a record number of COVID-19 cases, the city again surpassed another troubling milestone: the number of hospital beds filled with COVID-19 patients. Mayor Ron Nirenberg also reported 2,097 cases, a grim sign that the virus rampant spread shows no sign of slowing. There have now been 126,867 cases reported in Bexar County since the start of the pandemic. Its very dangerous out there with regard to the transmission of COVID-19, Nirenberg said. January 5 COVID-19 updates: The number of COVID-19 patients in local hospitals grew to 1,318 Tuesday surpassing the peak reached in mid-July amid the summer surge of the virus. At the time, hospitalizations peaked at 1,267 on July 13. The San Antonio region added a record 2,152 new cases of the virus shattering a record set only two days previous on Sunday when 1,997 new cases were reported. Five more people have died of the virus, officials reported Tuesday. COVID-19 delayed abortions in Texas: When Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a ban on elective surgeries that also included abortions affecting stats in the state. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that during the ban, the number of abortions in Texas declined 38 percent in April 2020 from 4,608 to 2,856 compared to the same time the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of Texas residents receiving care at out-of-state facilities reviewed in the study increased from 157 in February 2020 to 947 in April 2020. The study also examined second-trimester abortions and found a 61 percent jump after the order expired. COVID-19 variant spread in U.S.: Experts say the COVID-19 variant that makes the illness more contagious has reached at least three states in the U.S. and they are unsure how far it has spread. January 4 COVID-19 updates: The positivity rate, which measures the portion of tests that identify active infections, rose sharply Monday to 23.2 percent, up 4 percentage points since last week and nearly 9 points in the past two weeks. Officials reported 1,057 new cases on Monday, and the city has averaged 1,259 new cases a day in the past week. Texas experiences troubling number of COVID-19 cases: For the second time in the new year, the number of Texans hospitalized with COVID-19 is higher than it has ever been. Texas reported 12,563 people in hospitals with the disease, 82 more than the previous high mark set on New Year's Day. January 3 A new, grim record: Sundays 1,997 new cases shattered the previous record of 1,717, set Dec. 22, and helped raise San Antonios case total since March to 121,591. Officials also added 239 backlogged cases from more than two weeks ago.Texas has hit a new record high for COVID-19 hospitalizations as a surge in the disease caused by the coronavirus continued to strain state medical resources following holiday travel and gatherings. The Lafayette Democrat, serving his second term representing Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, is one of four lawmakers tapped by House Democratic leadership to manage the response to efforts by at least a dozen GOP senators and more than 100 House Republicans to block certification of Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Courtney Love isn't holding back on speaking her truth about the shames in her life. The 56-year-old had a famous two-week fling with actor Steve Coogan in 2005 but has now claimed that it was one of her life's "great shames." Courtney Love took to her Instagram to share a picture of herself in her car and writing in the caption, "A happy Australian cruising around Australia. Is America's Sweetheart having her revenge on Melbourne? AMAZING!" She added, "Maybe one day I won't hate that record. It has some good songs. But like Steve Coogan or crack, it's one of my life's great shames." "Just the period, sloppiness, men, money, drugs, nightmare.... although Chateau Miraval (where we made it) doesn't suck." In a previous interview, Courtney, who was previously married to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, knew that her relationship with the actor was never meant to be long-term. She said, "That was a two-week fling, and we didn't even exchange numbers at the end of it. That was my last dance with cocaine." During the time of their fling, Courtney Love, whose hit songs include "Mono," "Hold On To Me," "Miss Narcissist," and "Doll Parts," revealed that she had no idea Steve was famous for playing Alan Patridge. She was then drawn to him after starring in the 2002 movie "24 Hour Party People" because he's "somebody I'd always had a daddy thing for." In an interview with The Sunday Times in 2014, Courtney Love also revealed that she and Steve didn't exchange numbers during her two-week fling. When their fling ended, it was later then reported that she was expecting his baby, telling a news outlet at the time, "Yes, I am pregnant with Steve's baby, but I'd rather not talk about our relationship." But when Courtney entered rehab to stop her addiction, her camp statement said that she denies the recent stories that suggest she was pregnant or had a relationship with Steve. It also stated that she and Steve were just good friends who met up in Los Angeles a couple of times. Meanwhile, Steve Coogan's reps revealed that he is astonished by Courtney Love's claims. "It is ridiculous." In a 2005 interview with Piers Morgan, Steve told his truths by saying that some of it were true. Steve said, "It was 20% c--- and 80% bull." Meanwhile, Courtney Love, who has a daughter from Kurt named Frances Bean Cobain, declared that she has been sober for almost a year. READ MORE: Ayesha Curry Celebrates Husband Stephen Curry's New Career Milestone See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles With two vaccines against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) already getting emergency use authorisation (EUA) in India, recruiting trial subjects is likely to become difficult for the companies next in line. Indias apex drug regulator approved Serum Institute of Indias Covishield vaccine and Bharat Biotechs Covaxin at the beginning of the year. The companies have said just the news that a vaccine will be available soon has had an adverse impact on recruitment . Even without the emergency use authorisation, there were many press releases that the vaccine is soon going to be available. And, that has hurt us badly in terms of recruitment because a lot of people asked us whether they should still be participating in the clinical trial if a vaccine was going to be out soon, said Dr V Krishna Mohan, executive director at Bharat Biotech, in a webinar held just before the approvals. He said, unlike in the United States and United Kingdom, the clinical trials in India are happening at the same time as vaccines are transitioning to EUA. Also read | India crosses 150,000 Covid-19 deaths: Heres where other worst-hit countries stand He said that the challenge was bigger for Bharat Biotech as they were focussing on people in the older age groups. The oldest person to enrol for the Covaxin trial was 97, he said. Hospitals have also asked us whether it is ethical to continue a clinical trial when you have an EUA. These questions need to be answered, said Dr Mohan. There are at least six other vaccines under human clinical trial in India. These are: the indigenously developed ZydCov-D by Zydus Cadila that is to start the phase III trial, the Russian Sputnik V vaccine whose phase II and III trial is being conducted by Dr Reddys, Serum Institute of Indias second vaccine NovaVax that is being considered for a phase III trial, vaccine candidates by Biological E and Gennova that are to begin phase I trials, and Bharat Biotechs second nasal vaccine candidate. For Dr Pankaj Patel, chairperson of Cadila healthcare, the challenge would be the time taken for recruitment. He said, The number of vaccines that are being developed or have been developed in the past in India there are already vaccines available still companies were able to conduct clinical studies and get volunteers and approval. The challenge would be in terms of the speed of recruitment and not in getting the volunteers to come in. The major concern, however, is regarding subgroup analyses as those who are the most vulnerable will likely start getting the vaccine soon. If we think about Covid-19 vaccines, the first goal is to protect the vulnerable and we are working towards the vaccine being efficacious. We have seen results from Pfizer, Moderna, and Oxford/AstraZeneca, these are based on overall efficacy. But is overall efficacy what we really measure in the most vulnerable? said Dr Gagandeep Kang, leading vaccine expert and professor at the Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory at Christian Medical College-Vellore. We have some indicators that the elderly are protected, but we do not know with sufficient confidence that the vaccines are working in these vulnerable groups. Similarly for children, the trials have only just started. Now, if you have an efficacious product developed in the middle of a pandemic, there is an ethical imperative to start to use it for vulnerable populations which only increases the challenge for our ability to assess efficacy in those sub groups, she said. The real challenge would be three to four months down the line, said Drug Controller General of India VG Somani at the webinar. There is definitely a little bit of challenge once something is available. But they will have to wait till their turn comes and it is not very clear to the common public at present when that turn will come. So probably it will not be that big challenge for the coming three to four months, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The parents of a woman struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in San Francisco on New Years Eve say they have feelings of hatred toward the perpetrator but that such emotions wont bring our daughter back. Hiroko and Tsueno Abe, the parents of 27-year-old Hanako Abe, said in a statement that they never expected this kind of sadness in our lives. The death of their daughter, one of two pedestrians killed by a suspect on parole for robbery, should be, they said, a critical lesson to create a system to prevent such disastrous incidents from happening. In a statement released on social media, the Abes, of Fukushima, Japan, said their daughter worked hard to be able to study and get a job in America and that living abroad was her dream. The accident was disastrous, they wrote. Did the justice system correctly prove that the (suspect) was ready before letting him back into society? Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt, 60, were killed at Second and Mission streets after being hit by a stolen car driven by Troy McAlister, 45, who was believed to be intoxicated, police said. After his parole for burglary in April, McAlister was arrested several times on suspicion of car theft, possession of burglary tools and parole violation, but was not charged and remained free. Critics of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin have accused him of failing to hold McAlister accountable. Abe, a computer data and real estate analyst who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas before coming to San Francisco in 2018, died in a local hospital shortly after being struck. Her friends organized an online fundraising drive to raise $60,000 to send her body back to Japan and cover funeral costs. By Tuesday, the campaign had collected nearly twice that amount. Sari Nakaya, one of Abes friends who organized the drive, said the extra funds would be given to her family, who had been receiving financial support from their daughter and her employment in the U.S. Hanako embodied resilience, bravery, and hope, Nakaya said. Throughout the past year, in the midst of COVID-19, Hana never stopped smiling and was the most resilient and optimistic person we knew. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF "Through this new hospital and our joint venture with UnityPoint Health Trinity, we look forward to providing even more access to highquality care for Quad Cities area residents in need of rehabilitative services," said Barb Jacobsmeyer, executive vice president and president of inpatient hospitals for Encompass Health. "UnityPoint Health is a strong healthcare organization well known for its dedication to the communities it serves and its preeminent healthcare services including its existing rehabilitative services. By leveraging the strengths of both organizations, we will help patients regain their independence through our coordinated and connected care." "We are excited to announce our partnership to bring The Quad Cities Rehabilitation Institute to Moline. This new hospital will be an important, significant new development which will provide long term benefits for many in our community," said Robert J. Erickson, president and chief executive officer for UnityPoint Health Trinity. "Our goals are to enhance acute rehabilitative care in the Quad Cities, increase access to highquality inpatient rehabilitation services, and keep patients close to home and family." Complementing local acute care services like those provided by UnityPoint Health Trinity, the new inpatient rehabilitation hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. It will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as 24-hour nursing care that aim to restore functional ability and quality of life. The medical staff will be comprised of physicians experienced in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as other specialties such as internal medicine, cardiology, infectious disease and nephrology to assist in the medical management of a complex patient population. The hospital will feature all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, cafeteria, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard. Once the new hospital is operational, UnityPoint Health's existing 22bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at UnityPoint Health Trinity Rock Island will be consolidated into the new joint venture hospital. The formation of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions, and the joint venture's operation of the hospital is subject to regulatory approvals. About UnityPoint Health UnityPoint Health is the nation's 13th largest nonprofit health system and the fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, providing care throughout Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin. As an industry leader in the Midwest, we put people first they're our sweet spot, what we care about most, and why we do what we do. Our 30,000 team members are committed to giving each person the type of experience we'd want for our own loved ones. We believe everyday moments are worth celebrating, and as your partner in health care, we're dedicated to making it easier to live well. UnityPoint Health, UnityPoint Clinic and UnityPoint at HomeSM provide easier, more personal care to patients and families. Because people are amazing, and we're here to help keep them that way. About Encompass Health As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facilitybased and homebased patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 137 hospitals, 242 home health locations, and 83 hospice locations in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides highquality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this joint venture, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. This hospital's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against this hospital; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays, including in connection with the regulatory review and approval process; the continued spread of COVID-19, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health and this hospital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the ability to successfully complete and integrate this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues, cost savings, and productivity improvements arising from the related operations and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; this hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's or its partners' information systems; this hospital's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on this hospital's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020. Encompass Health contacts: UnityPoint Health contact: Media: Hillary Carnel | 205 970-5912 Media: Ashe Simpson | 309 373-3839 [email protected] [email protected] Investor Relations: Crissy Carlisle | 205 970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. Related Links http://www.encompasshealth.com .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... New Yorks governor threatened to fine hospitals if they dont use their allotment of COVID-19 vaccine fast enough. His South Carolina counterpart warned health care workers they have until Jan. 15 to get a shot or move to the back of the line. Californias governor wants to use dentists to vaccinate people. With frustration rising over the sluggish rollout of the vaccine, state leaders and other politicians around the U.S. are turning up the pressure, improvising and seeking to bend the rules to get shots in arms more quickly. Meanwhile, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that the government will allow more drugstores to start giving vaccinations to speed up the process. If health workers arent lining up fast enough, he said, it is OK to expand eligibility to lower-priority groups. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ We need to not be overly prescriptive in that, especially as we see governors who are leaving vaccines sitting in freezers rather than getting it out into peoples arms, he said. As of Wednesday, more than three weeks into the U.S. vaccination campaign, 5.3 million people had gotten their first shot out of the 17 million doses distributed so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While that is believed to an undercount because of a lag in reporting, health officials are still well behind where they wanted to be. The slow rollout has been blamed on a multitude of problems, including a lack of funding and direction from Washington, mismatches between supply and demand, a patchwork of approaches by state and local governments, distrust of the vaccine, and disarray created by the holidays. Across much of the nation, health care workers and nursing home residents are being given priority for the initial, limited supplies of the vaccine at this stage. But pressure is building to let other groups step up. Louisiana began vaccinating older people Monday, while Alaska and Mississippi have given the OK for the elderly to start receiving shots over the next few days. Michigan will begin giving vaccines to seniors and front-line workers such as teachers and police next week, The U.S. has an estimated 21 million health care workers and 3 million residents of nursing homes and other long-term care centers. The CDC said about 512,000 people in such centers have been vaccinated through a partnership between the government and the CVS and Walgreens drugstore chains. Government officials over the past few days reported that the number of people receiving shots has accelerated to about a half-million a day, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, said the pace could soon reach 1 million or more. Fauci estimated that between 70% and 85% of the U.S. population will ultimately need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, a goal he said could be achieved by the start of next fall. That translates to as many as 280 million people. Azar announced that in addition to the nursing home program, pharmacies from 19 chains will be allowed to help now with dispensing shots to ease pressure on hospitals, which have been the main vaccine providers so far. More than 40,000 drugstores will eventually be involved, he said. The pharmacies will still have to follow state guidelines for who gets in line first. The U.S. death toll, meanwhile, climbed to around 360,000. COVID-19 deaths set another one-day record at 3,775 on Tuesday, though authorities have cautioned that the numbers around holidays can fluctuate dramatically because some health agencies fall behind in reporting cases, then catch up. Concerns also grew about a new, more contagious variant of the virus. In Southern California, San Diego County health authorities confirmed 24 cases, the biggest known concentration so far in the United States. Cases have also been reported in Colorado, Florida, Georgia and New York. With cases and hospitalizations also soaring, politicians are getting aggressive in trying to accelerate the vaccination drive. The governors of California, Maryland and North Carolina said they will use the National Guard. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan warned, too, that any facility that has not administered at least 75% of its first doses may have future allocations reduced until they can speed up vaccinations. While about 270,000 doses have been put directly in the hands of front-line vaccinators in the state over the last three weeks, Hogan said that only about 77,000 people had been inoculated as of Tuesday, or about 1.3% of the states population. Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina warned that health care workers will lose their place in line if they dont move quickly to get their shots. As of Monday, the state had given out less than half its initial allotment of the Pfizer vaccine to about 43,000 people. In California, where just 1% of the population was reported vaccinated, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wants to give providers the flexibility to give shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste. He also wants to expand the pool of professionals dispensing shots. The pace had been so slow in New York that Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday threatened to fine hospitals up to $100,000 if they dont finish their first round of inoculations by the end of the week. He also threatened to stop sending the vaccine to hospitals that dont use their share promptly. Move it quickly. Were serious, Cuomo warned. If you dont want to be fined, just dont participate in the program. Its not a mandatory program. The delays prompted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to call for eligibility to be expanded, and on Wednesday he announced a plan to provide shots to 10,000 of the citys police officers by Sunday. But Cuomo immediately shot down that idea, saying, We need to get the health care population done first because they are the front line. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Bajaj Finance Ltd. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Bajaj Finance share price slipped intraday on January 6 after RBI imposed penalty on the company for breach of risk management and outsourcing norms. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 5 imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 2.50 crore on Bajaj Finance Limited for violation of rules pertaining to recovery and collection methods. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, taking into account the failure of the company to ensure that its recovery agents did not resort to harassment or intimidation of customers as part of its debt collection efforts and thereby failing to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI. There were also persistent/repeat complaints about recovery and collection methods adopted by the company, the RBI said. A notice was issued to the company by the RBI, advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for such non-compliance. After considering the companys reply to the notice, oral submissions made during the personal hearing and examination of additional submissions made by it, the RBI concluded that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty, the RBI said. This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers, RBI added. At 10:14 hrs Bajaj Finance was quoting at Rs 5,077.70, down Rs 41.30, or 0.81 percent on the BSE. The share touched its 52-week high Rs 5,372.75 and 52-week low Rs 1,783.10 on 31 December, 2020 and 27 May, 2020, respectively. Currently, it is trading 5.49 percent below its 52-week high and 184.77 percent above its 52-week low. In September 2020, state-run RT (formerly Russia Today) published an article that appears to reveal a program for cheating with regard to the limit in the New START Treaty on deployed warheads by means of covert deployment of mobile ICBMs. Since RT published the article in Russian but not in English, it was not intended for Western consumption. It was translated by the Teller Report, which does many original translations from Russian language media. The article stated, Russian troops operate new ICBMs in mine and mobile versions. Different types of ICBMs have their own advantages. For example, mines are certainly better protected from being hit by cruise missiles or other air attacks. The rocket is located at a considerable depth and is protected by reinforced concrete caps, said Alexei Podberezkin, director of the Center for Military-Political Research at MGIMO, in a conversation with RT. "Mines" is not a reference to silo launchers, which are referred to in the article as "stationary launchers." Mines with reinforce[d] concrete caps are apparently a hard and deeply buried facility, which we call tunnel facilities with blast doors. The Soviet Union had a history of cheating on arms control agreements, including by means of covertly deployed mobile missiles. In January 1984, the first Reagan Administrations report to the Congress on Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements concluded that Russian activities regarding the SS-16 ICBM at Plesetsk are a probable violation of their legal obligation not to defeat the object and purpose of SALT II prior to 1981 during the period when the Treaty was pending ratification and a probable violation of a political commitment subsequent to 1981. The October 1984 report of the General Advisory Committee of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) concluded that "the SS-16 apparently has been maintained at Plesetsk since the signing of the Treaty, in violation of Soviet commitments relative to that [the SALT II] treaty. Starting in 1999, senior Russian Generals from the Strategic Missile Force and the manufacturer of the SS-16 listed this missile (using the Russian name for it) as one of the ICBMs that had been deployed by the Strategic Missile Force. On February 15, 1991, the White House released the Presidents (George H.W. Bush) report on "Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements," which announced the discovery of covert deployment of SS-23 short-range mobile ballistic missiles in three former Warsaw Pact Eastern European states.[1] This was deemed in the report to be The most serious concern related to the implementation of the INF Treaty[2] The SS-23 was one of the Soviet missiles that should have been destroyed under the 1988 INF Treaty. The report concluded that there was strong concern that the Soviets has or had SS-23 missiles that were not declared and dismantled in accordance with Treaty provisions.[3] According to the Department of State, we found out about the covert SS-23 deployment because, In January [1992], the government of East Germany announced it was closing a missile base and that it would begin to scrap the missiles deployed there. There is nothing in the New START Treaty that deals with basing mobile ICBMs in underground tunnel facilities. There have been no subsequent agreements relating to tunnel facilities; if they are not declared, they are not inspectable, and certainly there are no procedures in the New START Treaty for inspecting tunnel facilities. Basing mobile ICBMs in tunnel facilities would have been banned by the original START Treaty since the START Treaty prohibited the basing of ground-mobile ICBMs outside of restrictive areas. The concept of basing limitations to restricted areas does not appear in New START. Under New START, the concept is "basing area," which "means an area within an ICBM base for mobile launchers of ICBMs, in which deployed mobile launchers of ICBMs are based and in which fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs are located. This concept does not capture a tunnel facility. Even so, the covert deployment of covertly produced mobile ICBMs (possible in light of the elimination of the START Treatys monitoring regime) in underground tunnel facilities would be a violation of New START. The problem would be detection and proof of the function of the facility. If the Russians are going to base mobile ICBMs in tunnel facilities or are already covertly doing so, they will obviously deny it and refuse to extend the New START verification regime to these facilities. While most hard and deeply buried facilities are very resistant to nuclear attack, tunnel facilities are a partial exception to this. The large entrances that are required for the mobile ICBMs allow accurate nuclear strikes to collapse these tunnels. The facilities may very well survive, but the missiles in them may be unable to leave the facilities. The reference to air attack and cruise missiles in the RT article is apparently a reference to conventional air attacks and conventional cruise missiles. Conventional weapons have very little capability against deep underground facilities. During Operation Allied Force in the former Yugoslavia, a large scale conventional attack on Pristinas underground airfield failed to knock it out of action. The situation is different with regard to nuclear attack. Unlike very hard and very deeply buried nuclear command and control facilities, which are very difficult to destroy, tunnel facilities are substantially more vulnerable to nuclear attack. An accurate nuclear hit on an entrance of the tunnel could collapse it. The main part of the facility itself could survive, but it could be impossible to get the missiles out on a timely basis. Thus, declared tunnel facilities for the legal basing of mobile ICBMs, as distinct from covert, underground tunnel facilities, do not make sense if a party is in an arms control regime, which would make them subject to inspection. Assuming that they are minuscule in scope compared to China's underground great wall, the survivability of these facilities would be degraded by inspections. Also, while under New START limits, the Russians can legally deploy more mobile ICBMs than they currently have, this would not significantly increase the number of their deployed warheads without cheating because Russia is close to the New START limit on deployed warheads. Russia is also close to completion of the deployment of Yars ICBMs in declared units. Thus, tunnel facilities could be a means of hiding extra missiles, which would allow for a larger number of deployed warheads than the 1,550 allowed under the New START Treaty. Repeated statements between 2011 and 2018 by the commander of Russias Strategic Missile Force, Colonel General Sergei Karakayev, have indicated Russia has 400 ICBMs, about a hundred more than is possible under the declared Russian numbers for their total strategic nuclear force.[4] In December 2019, Russian state media again reported that "Spread around the country in silos and on truck-mountable containers are about 400 ICBMs, each with multiple nuclear warheads as their payload. Based on Russian declarations of their total force of strategic nuclear delivery systems under the New START Treaty, Russia cannot have more than about 300 ICBMs. Thus, cheating may already be going on. Russian falsification of arms control data is not new. The 1984 Report of the ACDA General Advisory Committee quoted above noted that the Soviets deliberately falsified the SALT II database concerning the number of ICBM launchers. The motive was to cover up the covert deployment of mobile SS-16 ICBMs at Plesetsk. There is other evidence that Russia has more ICBMs than is possible under Russian data declarations under the New START Treaty. In December 2018, Colonel General Karakayev said that the nuclear potentials of the sides have [been] reduced more than 66% since the signing of START I.[5] This is a major departure from the normal Russian position. At the United Nations in April 2018, First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the U.N Dmitry Polyanskiy declared that "Russia cut its nuclear arsenal by over 85 percent as compared to its stockpiles at the height of the Cold War. If one uses the late Soviet reported number of over 10,000 deployed strategic nuclear warheads for the calculation,[6] the difference between an 85% reduction and a 66% reduction is almost 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads above the supposed New START Treaty allowed level of 1,550. This is much higher than any recent open source estimate of deployed Russian strategic nuclear warheads. For example, in 2018, Hans M. Kristensen and Robert S. Norris of the Federation of American Scientists estimated that Russia had 2,522 deployed strategic nuclear warheads. This could only be possible if there is a covert force of Russian mobile ICBMs. This is possible because we have not monitored Russian production of mobile MIRVed ICBMs since the expiration of the START Treaty in 2009 because such monitoring is not allowed under the New START Treaty. Why does Russia believe that it needs more nuclear warheads that are possible under the very permissive New START Treaty provisions? As Putin said in November 2020, I want to emphasize that, despite the constantly changing nature of military threats, the nuclear triad remains the primary, key guarantee of Russias military security." His assertion that Russian strategic nuclear capability "neutralizes the threat of a large-scale military conflict is another way of saying that he plans to initiate the use of nuclear weapons in any major conflict. In June 2020, Putin signed a decree adopting a very low threshold of nuclear weapons first use. As noted Russian journalist Pavel Felgenhauer has pointed out, Russian rulers are, indeed, quite convinced that only by deploying superior conventional and nuclear military forces, can Russia deter or at least survive a looming all-out war with the US and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. The extra warheads that can be obtained through cheating can have a significant impact on warfighting. Contrary to popular wisdom, there are a very large number of targets that have military significance. Dr. Mark B. Schneider is a Senior Analyst with the National Institute for Public Policy. Before his retirement from the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, Dr. Schneider served in a number of senior positions within the Office of Secretary of Defense for Policy including Principal Director for Forces Policy, Principal Director for Strategic Defense, Space and Verification Policy, Director for Strategic Arms Control Policy and Representative of the Secretary of Defense to the Nuclear Arms Control Implementation Commissions. He also served in the senior Foreign Service as a Member of the State Department Policy Planning Staff. Notes: [1] Soviet Noncompliance with Arms Control Agreements, (Washington D.C. White House February 6, 1991), p. 3. [2] Ibid. [3] Ibid. [4] Some 400 ICBMs are on combat duty in Russia RVSN commander, Interfax, December 16, 2014, available at https://dialog.proquest.com/professional/professionalnewsstand/docview/1636603843/fulltext/175BE460BC1503EBBBD/1?accountid=155509&site=professionalnewsstand&t:ac=175BE460BC1503EBBBD/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcitationblocksbrief&t:zoneid=transactionalZone_17658c4db59: Russian Strategic Missile Troops have about 400 ICBM launchers commander, BBC Monitoring Former Soviet Union, December 17, 2013, available at https:// dialog.proquest.com/professional/professionalnewsstand/docview/1468597532/fulltext/175BE4928382DC49ABF/1?accountid=155509&site=professionalnewsstand&t:ac=175BE4928382DC49ABF/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcitationblocksbrief&t:zoneid=transactionalZone_17658c7fccc; Russias RVSN has some 400 ICBMs on duty commander, Interfax, December 15, 2016, available at https://dialog.proquest.com/professional/professional newsstand/docview/1849162981/fulltext/175BE4E574127DACD70/1?accountid=155509&site=professionalnewsstand&t:ac=175BE4E574127DACD70/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcitationblocksbrief&t:zoneid=transactionalZone17658cd274e.; Ordnance; Russian Strategic Missile Forces comprise approx. 400 ICBMs commander. Interfax, December 17, 2017, available at https://dialog.proquest.com/ professional/professionalnewsstand/docview/ 1963335174/fulltext/17078CBBA9F16F6BAD1/1?Accountid =155509&site=professionalnewsstand&t:ac =17078CBBA9F16F6BAD1/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcitationblocksbrief&t:zoneid=transactionalZone_171134a8a8a.; Russian Strategic Missile Force armed with about 400 ballistic missiles Defense Ministry, TASS, December 15, 2016, available at http://tass.com/defense/919518.; Army; Russian Strategic Missile Forces comprise approx. 400 ICBMs commander, Interfax, November 13, 2017, available at https://dialog.proquest.com/professional/ professionalnewsstand/docview/1963796939/fulltext/17078CBBA9F16F6BAD1/2?Accountid =155509&site =professional newsstand&t:ac=17078C BBA9F16F6BAD1/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcitationblocks brief&t: zoneid=transactional Zone_1711354130f.; U.S. to seek ways of leveling capacities of Russian strategic nuclear forces-Gen. Karakayev, Interfax, December 17, 2018, available at https://dialog.proquest.com/ professional/ professionalnewsstand/docview/2157833980/fulltext/170A12F3A8169524B30/1?accountid=155509&site= professionalnewsstand&t:ac=170A12F3A8169524B30/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcitationblocksbrief&t:zoneid=transactionalZone1713bae0b2d [5] U.S. to seek ways of leveling capacities of Russian strategic nuclear forces - Gen. Karakayev, op. cit. [6] FACTBOX Strategic Missile Forces Day in Russia, Sputnik, December 17, 2018, available at https://dialog .proquest.com/professional/professionalnewsstand/docview/2157472585/fulltext/170A13075F1754EEEB6/1? accountid=155509&site=professionalnewsstand&t:ac=170A1307 5F1754EEEB6/1&t:cp=maintain/resultcit ationblocksbrief&t:zoneid=transactionalZone_1713baf472d Surface samples of 86.0 g/t and 61.0 g/t gold Drilling permitting underway for planned 2021 drilling VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Searchlight Resources Inc. ("Searchlight" or the "Company") (TSXV:SCLT)(OTC:CNYCF) is pleased to announce the results of samples collected during site visits to the Henning-Maloney past-producing gold mine located in Saskatchewan, approximately 7 kilometres southwest of the Flin Flon Mining camp. During site visits to the Henning-Maloney mine area, a total of 13 grab and chip samples were collected and submitted for analysis (Table 1). The chip samples were collected from existing trenches and surface showings, including exposed quartz veins around the historic mining area. "These excellent results indicate high grade gold on surface, particularly from outcrop and historic trenches, as Searchlight prepares to drill this area to verify the Henning-Maloney deposit, and to test the extension of the gold mineralization at depth", stated Stephen Wallace, CEO. Permitting application for a near-term drilling program at Henning-Maloney is underway. Drilling will commence when permits are granted on the Henning-Maloney and Beatty South VMS targets. Table 1: Gold fire assay results for Henning-Maloney grab and chip samples Sample # Au g/t Sample Type Comments 029143 6.58 Grab sample Trench area, heavily rusted 029144 0.02 Grab sample Qtz vein, pyrite in diorite - 50m west of Mine site 029145 0.38 Grab sample Deeply rusted pyrite - 50 m west of Mine site 029146 0.04 Grab sample Mine site area, large quartz crystals, pyrite 029147 0.05 O/C chip Surface quartz vein, pyrite 029148 61.00 O/C chip Surface sample 2m from trench -Quartz vein 029149 0.07 Trench chip Historic trench quartz vein with pyrite 029150 86.00 O/C chip Fractured quartz, semi massive pyrite, rusted O/C 426551 0.97 Trench chip Historic trench chip - pyrite, po 426552 8.12 Grab sample Massive Quartz float, iron staining, pyrite 426553 0.02 Grab sample Massive Quartz float, minor iron staining 37474 4.10 Grab sample Massive quartz, sulphides throughout 37475 0.31 O/C sample Massive quartz, iron staining The Henning-Maloney Gold target is located approximately one kilometre south of the Company's flagship project, the Rio Gold Mine, and within the 49.9 sq. km Bootleg Lake claims. These claims host 4 past-producing gold mines, three of which - Henning-Maloney, Rio and Wekach - are all connected by the Rio Fault system. Additional gold and base metal targets are also present along this fault system. Sample Analysis Samples 029143 to 029150 and samples 426551 to 426553 were collected and shipped to Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) in Ancaster, Ontario by Stephen Wallace, P.Geo of Searchlight Resources. The samples were first analysed with Fire Assay Package 1A1 - Au Fire Assay - INAA - 30 gram sample and Multi Element Package ICP-MS Ultra trace 1. Subsequently, samples with Au greater than 5.0 g/t (above Au detection limit), were analysed with Fire Assay Package 1A3 - AA-Au (Au- Fire Assay Gravimetric) - 30 gram sample. Samples 37474 and 37475 were collected by a geologist from the Axiom Exploration Group, and transported directly to TSL Laboratories Inc. in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The samples were first analysed with Fire Assay Package FA/AA- Au Fire Assay - 30 gram sample and Multi Element Package ICP-AES Aqua Regia. Sample 37474 was above Au detection limit and subsequently analysed with Fire Assay Package FA/ Gravimetric - 30 gram sample. Qualified Person Stephen Wallace, P.Geo., is Searchlight's Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Searchlight Resources Inc. Searchlight Resources Inc. (TSX.V:SCLT; US:CYNCF) is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on Saskatchewan, Canada, which has been ranked as the top location for mining investment in Canada by the Fraser Institute. Exploration focus is on gold and battery minerals throughout the Province, concentrating on projects with road access. Searchlight holds a 427.6 square kilometre land position within the gold and base metal rich Flin Flon - Snow Lake Greenstone Belt. The Company is currently advancing its Bootleg Lake Gold Project located in Saskatchewan, less than 10 km from Flin Flon, Manitoba, and which hosts four past producing high-grade gold mines. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Stephen Wallace" Stephen Wallace, President, CEO and Director SEARCHLIGHT RESOURCES INC. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.searchlightresources.com or contact: Searchlight Resources Inc. Alf Stewart, VP Corporate Development (604) 331-9326 info@searchlightresources.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE: Searchlight Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623248/Searchlight-Resources-Samples-up-to-86-gt-Gold-at-Henning-Maloney-Gold-Target-in-Saskatchewan LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Greggs Plc (GRG.L), a bakery food-on-the-go retailer, reported Wednesday that its fourth-quarter total sales were 293 million pounds, down from 344 million pounds a year ago. The company recorded variable trading conditions across the UK as restrictions were enacted to manage the incidence of COVID-19. Company-managed shop like-for-like sales averaged 81.1 percent of the 2019 level. In the five weeks to January 2, like-for-like sales in company-managed shops averaged 85.7 percent of the 2019 level. Fourth-quarter delivery sales were 5.5 percent of company-managed shop sales Trading in December was initially more robust, supported by the reopening of non-essential retail shops, although this fell back with the introduction of tighter restrictions later in the month. Looking ahead, the company said it expects full-year loss before tax to be up to 15 million pounds. The significant uncertainty over the duration of social restrictions, along with the impact of higher unemployment levels, makes it difficult to predict performance. However, the company does not expect that profits will return to pre-COVID levels until 2022 at the earliest. In the year 2020, the company opened 28 net new shops. The company operates 2,078 shops as of January 2, 2021. The company expects to open around 100 net new stores in the year ahead, subject to prevailing market conditions. The employee consultation programme in the quarter, in order to reflect below-normal activity levels, minimised the number of job losses but, still resulted in 820 redundancies. Chief Executive Roger Whiteside said, 'In light of the recent Government announcements significant uncertainties remain in the near-term. We have taken action to position Greggs to withstand further short-term shocks and are optimistic about our prospects for growth once social restrictions are lifted.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX GREGGS-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de In picking Garland, Biden is turning to an experienced judge who held senior positions at the justice department decades ago, including as a supervisor of the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing Washington: President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday. Biden is expected to announce Garland's appointment on Thursday, along with other senior leaders of the department, including former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former justice department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. In picking Garland, Biden is turning to an experienced judge who held senior positions at the justice department decades ago, including as a supervisor of the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The pick will force Senate Republicans to contend with the nomination of someone they spurned in 2016 refusing even to hold hearings when a Supreme Court vacancy arose but Biden may be banking on Garland's credentials and reputation for moderation to ensure confirmation. Garland was selected over other finalists including Alabama Senator Doug Jones and former deputy attorney-general Sally Yates. The people familiar with the process spoke on condition of anonymity. If confirmed, Garland would confront immediate challenges, including an ongoing criminal tax investigation into Bidens son, Hunter, as well as calls from many Democrats to pursue inquiries into Trump after he leaves office. A special counsel investigation into the origins of the Russia probe also remains open, forcing a new attorney general to decide how to handle it and what to make public. Garland would also inherit a justice department that has endured a tumultuous four years and would likely need to focus on not only civil rights issues and an overhaul of national policing policies after months of mass protests over the deaths of Black Americans at the hand of law enforcement. Attorney Franklyn M. Gimbel I am most proud that like my biological family, my GRGB family has grown and prospered, Gimbel stated. GRGB is always aware of our mission to better the lives of those who seek counsel. Franklyn M. Gimbel was born on March 18, 1936, and began his career as an Assistant United States Attorney. Frank founded Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in 1968. He has proudly served the citizens of Milwaukee as the Vice Chairman of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission from 1977-1982 and was appointed to the Wisconsin Center District Board of Directors in 1994. He served as Chairperson until 2015 and aided in the construction, renovation, and financing of a multitude of Milwaukee businesses. Frank also has served as President of the Milwaukee Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin Bar Association. In addition, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquette University in 2015. The City of Milwaukee commends Franklyn M. Gimbel and Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, L.L.P for their many years of dedicated service and leadership recognizing their outstanding contributions to the community and wishes them many more years of success! I am most proud that like my biological family, my GRGB family has grown and prospered, Frank stated. GRGB is always aware of our mission to better the lives of those who seek counsel. About Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP Celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2018 and serving Wisconsin since 1968, Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP has earned the respect of the public and the legal community. The firm is known for their tradition of honesty and integrity as well as the ability to achieve positive results in cases ranging from complex civil litigation, white-collar crime investigations, serious accidents and injury cases, and federal and state criminal matters. The firms attorneys are recognized for their passion for the Constitution, the law and the rights of their clients. The firm and many of its attorneys have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, by Law & Politics, and are AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Firm attorneys have served as Presidents of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Bar Association, as well as chaired State Bar sections and divisions, serve on section boards and on the State Bar Board of Governors. Additionally, several firm attorneys have Fellowships in the American College of Trial Lawyers. For more information on Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP, visit the law firms website at http://www.grgblaw.com/. KEYPORT, N.J., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Insurers should be concerned about the growth of aftermarket companies that conduct calibrations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in poorly controlled environments, writes Jason Bigelow, founder of Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers, in the December issue of Body Shop Business magazine. Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers serves insurers, body shops, auto dealers and consumers from its shops in Keyport (pictured here) and Old Bridge, N.J. Bigelow: "I have chosen to stick with OEM targeting in a tightly controlled environment staffed by committed, highly trained technicians. Having conducted more than 1,500 calibrations at this point, I am convinced that this is the only way for the industry to keep moving forward amid the tech-driven transformation of modern vehicles." Specifically, the veteran automotive technician cites the growth of so-called "mobile" ADAS companies that rely on portable, aftermarket equipment. "At our shop, we are being asked more and more frequently to redo ADAS calibrations that were conducted improperly by aftermarket, 'mobile' operators," Bigelow writes in the opinion piece. Bigelow's business serves the ADAS needs of insurers, body shops, auto dealers and consumers from its facilities in Keyport and Old Bridge To be sure, some manufacturers include roadway testing as part of their recommended calibration protocols. However, that's a far cry from operators using aftermarket equipment to run static tests in poorly controlled locations, he argues. "What we're seeing in New Jersey looks something like this: The operator finds a random parking lot, pulls a targeting system out of the back of his or her vehicle and conducts the calibration," Bigelow writes. Advanced's Keyport location sets aside about 900 square feet just to store OEM targets. By contrast, "in the aftermarket space, operators use and reuse supposedly 'universal' targets for multiple manufacturers," Bigelow notes, " ADAS requires far more precision than that." The right approach is to protect calibration areas from exterior light sources such as sunlight streaming in through windows. On one wall at Bigelow's shop, for instance, eight different light switches are used just to control shadows. "You'll even see two light fixtures installed right next to each otherone LED, the other fluorescentso that we can use the right light source, per the manufacturer's specifications," Bigelow notes. The shop also has perfectly level floors, with nonreflective paint on many surfaces, and technicians are trained to maintain cleanroom-like conditions to avoid interference that could cause miscalibrations. As Bigelow sees it, a key point for insurers is to understand the consequences of poorly conducted calibrations. "To use a simplified example, let's say the system sees 50 feet down the roadway," he writes. "When you multiply even a tiny miscalibration by that total distance, you end up with a significant chance of that system failing to perform as intended." Quite literally, the car could fail to brake in time as a direct result of that faulty calibration. "Doing it right the first time needs to be the top priority, because the only way to calibrate a misaligned system is to do a teardown," Bigelow adds. "You take the bumper off of that car or disassemble that camera to inspect the mounting surfaceand do the calibration all over again." The best way to control severity, in other words, is to control the testing and calibration environment, he contends. Otherwise, what should have been a $300 calibration can turn into a $600 total costthe $300 miscalibration, plus another $300 recalibration needed to true-up the system. In the conclusion to the piece, Bigelow concedes that running "mobile ADAS" crews on New Jersey roads could be profitable, even for his business. "But I have chosen to stick with OEM targeting in a tightly controlled environment staffed by committed, highly trained technicians," he writes. "Having conducted more than 1,500 calibrations at this point, I am convinced that this is the only way for the industry to keep moving forward amid the tech-driven transformation of modern vehicles." The full article is available at: https://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/mobile-adas-calibration-understanding-the-downside/ Press contacts: At Jaffe Communications, Bill Parness, [email protected], 908-789-0700 At Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers, Jason and Janet Bigelow, [email protected], 146 Hwy. 35 North, Keyport, NJ 07735, (732) 290-7300. Note to media : Jason and Janet Bigelow are available as resources for your coverage of ADAS technology. SOURCE Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. By Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump faced the threat on Thursday of a second impeachment, a day after his supporters breached the U.S. Capitol in a stunning assault on American democracy as Congress was certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory. As Democratic leaders demanded his ouster, Trump came closer than he ever has to a formal concession, acknowledging a new administration would be sworn in on Jan. 20 and vowing to ensure a "smooth transition" in a video released on Thursday evening. The president condemned Wednesday's violence, saying rioters had defiled the seat of American democracy and must be held accountable. Just a day earlier, Trump had told supporters: "We love you. You're very special," as he urged them to go home after they broke into the Capitol. In his remarks on Thursday, the president said: "We have just been through an intense election, and the emotions are high, but now tempers must be cooled and calm restored. "We must get on with the business of America," Trump, a Republican, added, adopting a conciliatory tone seldom seen from the mercurial president. The statement was a stark reversal for Trump, who has spent months insisting he prevailed in the Nov. 3 election, alleging widespread fraud despite no evidence. As recently as Thursday morning, when he issued a statement via an aide, Trump was still claiming the election had been stolen. In the video, he defended his efforts to challenge the election in court, saying his goal was to "ensure the integrity of the vote." But his exhortation on Wednesday to thousands of supporters that they march to the Capitol to protest the election results whipped up a mob that overran police officers and invaded the Capitol building, forcing members of Congress into hiding for their own safety. The violence claimed four lives, including a woman among the demonstrators who was shot by authorities. After reports that a Capitol Police officer had died, the agency issued a statement saying they were inaccurate. Story continues The top Democrats in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, called on Vice President Mike Pence and Trump's Cabinet to use the U.S. Constitution to remove Trump for "his incitement of insurrection." The 25th Amendment allows a majority of the Cabinet to remove a president from power if he is unable to discharge the duties of the office. But a Pence adviser said the vice president, who would have to lead any such effort, was opposed to using the amendment to oust Trump from the White House. NEW IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS? If Pence fails to act, Pelosi signaled she would likely reconvene the House to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump for his role in Wednesday's violence. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, whose committee would likely draft any articles of impeachment, voiced his support earlier on Thursday. It was not clear whether House Democrats would have enough time to initiate and complete impeachment proceedings, with less than two weeks remaining in Trump's term. Aides to Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, did not comment on the statement by Pelosi and Schumer. The Democratic-led House impeached Trump in December 2019 after he pressured the president of Ukraine to investigate Biden, but the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of charges of abusing his power and obstructing Congress. A handful of Republicans joined calls for Trump's removal. The Wall Street Journal editorial page, seen as a leading voice of the Republican establishment, called on Trump to resign on Thursday evening. Several members of Trump's administration, including Elaine Chao, the transportation secretary and McConnell's wife, resigned as a symbolic gesture against the violence. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also submitted her resignation, citing Trump's rhetoric before the assault on the Capitol, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday night. Congress formally certified Biden's election victory early on Thursday, after authorities cleared the Capitol. More than half of House Republicans and eight Republican senators voted to challenge the election results, backing Trump. Biden blamed Trump for the attack but stopped short of calling for his ouster. "He unleashed an all-out assault on the institutions of our democracy from the outset. And yesterday was but the culmination of that unrelenting attack," Biden said at a news conference to announce his selection for U.S. attorney general, federal appeals Judge Merrick Garland. After Trump posted several messages about the demonstrations on Wednesday, Facebook Inc said it would ban Trump posts until Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration. Twitter Inc suspended Trump's account for 12 hours. The president has increasingly isolated himself in the White House, relying on a small group of diehard loyalists and lashing out at Pence and others who dare to cross him, four sources said. A source familiar with the situation said Trump in recent weeks had discussed the possibility of pardoning himself. The White House declined comment. Constitutional scholars have said it is unclear whether the presidential pardon power can be used in that way. Trump faces potential state legal actions when he leaves office, including a criminal probe in New York, that would not be covered by a federal pardon. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan, Trevor Hunnicutt and Andy Sullivan; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Will Dunham, Howard Goller and Peter Cooney) The chronicle of a life split between urban Manhattan and rural Montana. This weeks warning by all 10 living former U.S. defense secretaries that the military must not be used to determine an election is a stunning pushback against President Donald Trumps drive to retain power. The fact that this disparate group of Democrats and Republicans, including Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, and ex-Trump Pentagon chiefs James Mattis and Mark Esper, felt the need to speak out together illustrates the danger of this moment. As the 10 made clear in an op-ed for the Washington Post, the threats to the constitution by Trump and his GOP allies in Congress are so grave that no one knows whether hell try to drag the armed forces into overturning the election. READ MORE: Trump's pardons to war criminals undermine rule of law | Trudy Rubin As former secretaries of defense each of us swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, the group wrote. We did not swear it to an individual or party Efforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in resolving election disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory. Indeed. I asked Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defense in the George W. Bush administration, what exactly prompted the statement. It began with a conversation between him and Dick Cheney, he said, and then it just snowballed. We got all 10 within 48 hours over New Years Eve and Day. Though they may not agree politically on anything, when it comes to the norms and institutions of democracy, they all agree. Their agreement was based on concern over what once seemed unthinkable. We were all concerned about Trumps unpredictability, afraid he might do something that would drag the military in. We wanted to reinforce [Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark] Milleys position that the military has no part in elections. This was especially true, Edelman said, after Trumps disgraced (and pardoned) ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn visited the Oval Office. The visit came right after his outrageous Dec. 17 interview with the pro-Trump Newsmax media, in which Flynn said the president could take military capabilities and place them in those [swing] states and basically rerun an election. The president no doubt loved the interview. It was a whole pattern of behavior that worried the 10 men, Edelman continued including rash moves by the new partisan Trump appointees to top Pentagon posts. Everyone was concerned Trump might invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to mobilize active duty military, using the excuse of street violence by pro-Trump groups that the president is urging to protest the election. There was also concern the president might provoke an international crisis perhaps with Iran to try to retain power. We didnt know about the tape at the time of the statement, Edelman said, referring to the tape of Trumps outrageous call to Georgias secretary of state, demanding that he find enough votes to turn the presidents defeat into victory. But it shows how he thinks. He is willing to do anything to stay in office. That justifies concern. Whats so stunning about this group statement is that it takes seriously a possibility that most Americans, myself included, dismissed until now that Trump might actually try to pull a military coup. The idea still appears highly dubious. The president only has two weeks left in office, and even his cowardly GOP claque in Congress might desert him. Moreover, the military would no doubt slow walk any such unconstitutional effort until Jan. 20. READ MORE: A peaceful transfer of power: we didn't know how normal that was until it was almost gone | Trudy Rubin Yet, the presidents patsies at the Pentagon, including Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, might be willing to issue his orders. You have a situation where DOD has been pressed by the president to politicize itself, says former Undersecretary of Defense Dov Zakheim. Trump seems to think DOD is an arm of the Oval Office to defend anything he does. And nobody knows what he might do. What also inspired this extraordinary statement was the presidents unconstitutional attack on the elections and the spinelessness of GOP legislators who abet him. Even more dangerous, the endless stream of lies about election fraud Trump pours forth on Twitter and at rallies, amplified by pro-Trump media (Newsmax, OAN, Fox commentators), has convinced a large part of the country that elections cant be trusted. Even if he has to be carried out of the White House and can no longer command troops, Trump will no doubt keep spreading his poison, agitating for civil war. But until hes gone and even after the number and heft of serious political leaders who challenge his lies is critical. And that number will be vital to helping President-elect Joe Biden get any business done. So the defense secretaries statement is truly significant. It is a historical document, completely unprecedented, says the Brookings Institutions Thomas Wright. Its a shot across the bow. People will look back and say this is what was necessary. If Trump doesnt succeed, it will be because there was pushback. That is probably why the former secretaries thought they shouldnt wait, should act now. And should continue to speak out. GENEVA, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cotecna is pleased to announce the acquisition of Fitosoil Laboratorios SL, a leading Spanish laboratory in the agriculture and food safety market. Founded and managed by Don Antonio Abellan, Fitosoil employs 70 highly qualified technicians in its laboratory based in Murcia. Fitosoil provides its clients with a complete range of services from agronomy to chemical testing on a wide range of products, with a focus on fruits and vegetables and fertilizers. Fitosoil holds a leading position in the fertilizer sector, for which they have developed advanced analytical techniques at international level and enjoy one of the largest accreditation scopes in Europe. The acquisition of Fitosoil, following the ones of NOFA in the Netherlands and NEOTRON in Italy, allows Cotecna to further expand its European laboratory network and expertise in the food safety sector. With more than 5000 employees and a network of over 100 offices and laboratories around the world, Cotecna is a leading provider of Testing, Inspection and Certification services (TIC) in the agriculture and food supply chains. "This acquisition is part of our strategy to expand our presence in the food testing market and increases our service portfolio in the broader agri-food segment. Fitosoil unique reputation and analytical skills in the fertilizer, agronomy and fruit and vegetable sectors strengthens Cotecna's offering and capabilities to support the trend for more organic and sustainable farming. Fitosoil also reinforces our position in Spain which is a key growth area for the Group," said Sebastien Dannaud, CEO of Cotecna. Don Antonio Abellan, Managing Director of Fitosoil Laboratorios SL, and his team will continue leading Fitosoil on its new journey within the Cotecna group. "I am pleased to join the Cotecna family. I saw in Cotecna the same spirit and founding principles that have shaped the development of Fitosoil: entrepreneurship, family business approach, technical predominance. The international network of Cotecna will certainly provide growth opportunities for Fitosoil and the complementarities with its current inspection, certification and testing activities are very strong". Cotecna Press Corporate Communications +41 22 849 78 21 communication@cotecna.com Guido DORI Chief Development Officer Cotecna Inspection SA M +41 79 123 50 69 Direct Line: +41 22 849 69 33 Julie ENGELEN Corporate Communication Director T. +41 22 849 78 21 M +41 79 123 44 24 www.cotecna.com About Cotecna Cotecna is a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services. We offer solutions to facilitate trade and make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. Our trusted network of professionals and certified laboratories provide expertise across five key sectors: government & trade solutions, agriculture, food safety, minerals & metals, and consumer goods & retail. Founded in Switzerland in 1974, Cotecna started off as a family business and has now grown to become a world-class international player with over 5,000 employees in more than 100 offices across approximately 50 countries. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395067/Cotecna_Logo.jpg The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Detroits white mayor recently acknowledged the federal government has tricked Black Americans before. He then propped up the left sleeve of his yellow shirt and was pricked in the upper arm with a needle that injected the emergency coronavirus vaccine. This is different, Mayor Mike Duggan said. Its the right thing. Systemic racism, subpar education, poverty, lack of quality medical access and pervading historical distrust with Americas health care system are not good ingredients for dealing with a worldwide pandemic or mass vaccination plan. Michigan leaders are looking for ways to convince Black residents to trust the government and health care providers, hoping to buck historical trends that show Black residents are less likely to accept vaccines. An October Centers for Disease Control analysis of nationwide flue vaccinations by race through the 2019-2020 season found that Black Americans were about 12% less likely to receive an influenza vaccine, despite being almost 45% more likely to be hospitalized than white Americans. We cant have a conversation about whether to take the vaccine from the federal government without acknowledging the history of racism that we have had in the health care system, Duggan said. The Tuskegee Experiment wasnt done by some private lab, it was conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service and the (Centers for Disease Control). The Tuskegee Experiment, or the Tuskegee Study as it was officially known, was consistently among the first things several Black Michigan residents mentioned when speaking to MLive about vaccine reluctance. The 40-year experiment was essentially a government lie devised to study syphilis effects on impoverished Black men. In 1932, when the CDC-supported Tuskegee Experiment began, syphilis was an incurable sexually transmitted disease considered a major health concern. Black participants were told theyd be treated for the bacterial infection; instead, they were unwittingly given placebos so doctors could study the diseases untreated progression. News media eventually exposed the unethical experiment in 1972 and it ended later that year. Herman Shaw, 94, a Tuskegee Syphilis Study victim, smiles after receiving an official apology from President Clinton on Friday, May 16, 1997, in Washington. Making amends for a shameful U.S. experiment, Clinton apologized to black men whose syphilis went untreated by government doctors. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson)ASSOCIATED PRESS Duggan, who leads the U.S. city with the largest proportion of Black residents, nearly 80%, said he got to a point where actions speak louder than words, which is why he and Black Detroit health leaders, including Henry Ford Health System CEO Wright Lassiter III and Detroit Chief Public Heath Officer Denise Fair, received the vaccine publicly last week. Detroit Medical Center CEO Dr. Audrey Gregory, a Black woman who was also in attendance and received her vaccine the week prior, said the skepticism that exists among Black communities is deeply rooted in reality. My ask is that we simply trust the science and realize that this another tool in our tool kit, she said. A Dec. 3 Pew Research Center survey found a majority of Americans, about 60%, up about 9% since a similar survey was conducted in September, intend to take the vaccine. But among Black Americans, most still didnt plan to get inoculated. Black Americans continue to stand out as less inclined to get vaccinated than other racial and ethnic groups: 42% would do so, compared with 63% of Hispanic and 61% of white adults, the Pew Research Center said. English-speaking Asian Americans are even more likely to say they would definitely or probably get vaccinated (83%). Michigan health officials have set a goal of vaccinating 70% of the states residents. Despite vaccine trepidation, Black residents have been receptive to wearing masks, according to a week-long Michigan Department of Health and Human Services survey in July that found 81% of Black residents said they always wear a mask in indoor public places or crowded outdoor public places, versus 69% of all other groups who said the same. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan addresses reporters during a press conference regarding COVID-19 at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters in Detroit, on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com Duggan said the inherent suspicion within the Black community sometimes makes them more susceptible to false information. So when they see the CDC and federal government saying, we have a vaccine, there is a higher level of distrust than you would expect, Duggan said. While many of the concerns are longstanding and deep-seeded, others are far more recent. It seems like every day on the internet theres a new theory that, theyre injecting us with nannobots so the government can track us and the like. Nakia Wallace, a 24-year-old Black Detroit woman and organizer with the Black Lives Matter movement, said her grandmother is among an elderly segment of the Black community whose distrust of the health system runs deep. Wallace said there is no way her grandmother will ever take the vaccine, despite being among the over-65 population most at risk. Wallace said that distrust was born around the time of the Tuskegee Experiment and Civil Rights Movement. Black and brown people dont trust the government. Newsflash, Wallace said, laughing. Duggan also notes the unavoidable reality that the coronavirus has killed Black Michigan residents at a faster pace than other races. He remembers a gut-checking drive around Detroits Belle Isle in late August when enlarged photos of nearly 1,500 people whod died of the virus lined the island parks roads in memorial. Most of the victims were Black and from Detroit. Once supply is no longer an issue, the mayor said health officials in Detroit plan to administer up to 5,000 vaccinations a day using convention centers and parking garages as clinic sites with the hope of protecting the citys nearly 700,000 residents. Demali Beard, a registered nurse, is given the COVID-19 vaccine by syringe, administered by Leslie Rush, department manager at 10-West at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, on Thursday, December 17, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com In Lansing, Sparrow Hospital last week began administering coronavirus vaccines to priority front-line health workers, including Damili Beard, a Black ER nurse in green hospital scrubs who hates shots and winced when the needle pierced the flesh on her arm. I dont think we should be fearful of this vaccine, she said. Its quick to come out, but theyve done a lot of research, a lot of trials. And from the research that Ive done, personally, Im happy to have this so we can get back to normal. Historically there is a distrust of just medicine in general in the African-American community. So a lot of education needs to happen. Race has been a central issue throughout the pandemic. Black Americans are 1.4 times as likely to contract the coronavirus, 3.7 times more likely to be hospitalized and 2.8 times more likely to die, according to nationwide CDC data tracked through Nov. 20. In Michigan, Black residents are more that twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than white residents, accounting for nearly a quarter of Michigans total coronavirus deaths while representing less than 14% of the states population. Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist wears an Everybody vs. COVID-19 T-shirt on the state Senate floor Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at the Capitol in Lansing.J. Scott Park | MLive.com The disproportionate impact on the Black community led Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to create the COVID-19 Task Force on Racial Disparities, which is led by Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a Black Detroit native. The task force is looking for ways to overcome the socioeconomic factors that led to the disparity, such as greater unemployment and poverty and less access to insurance and health care. The group is developing tactics to ensure Black residents are receiving equitable treatment by increasing access through free mobile coronavirus testing in vulnerable neighborhoods, telehealth consulting and eventually vaccination clinics; designing information blitzes to address concerns and dispel rumors; and beginning to address environmental concerns that contribute to sickness. Trust in the vaccine is also a topic of discussion. Develop messaging that directly addresses the fears, myths, and distrust in government and any potential COVID-19 vaccination, especially regarding the speed at which vaccinations are being researched and developed, reads a bullet point from a task force report on vaccination support. Develop protocols for vaccine delivery that alleviate fears. For example, use trusted sources like community health workers to deliver the vaccines, and show patients the vial before it is administered to overcome fears about what people are being injected with. Gilchrist said engaging the public through trusted social organizations is important to assuage fears. So that when people are comfortable going to these places, theyll be able to ask questions and have these honest conversations, he said. Theyll be able to ask about the efficacy and safety and effectiveness and I think thats going to be important critical infrastructure in our response. Weve been able to do things to things to convince people to help slow the spread of the virus and prevent themselves from getting sick. Taking the virus is the next step in that response and the groundwork weve laid out will pay dividends. More on MLive: Daily life grinds to halt in Detroit Coronavirus tailor-made to devastate Black communities Detroit releases map of coronavirus cases Detroit to administer 5,000 vaccines a day B oris Johnson has condemned "disgraceful scenes" in the US as supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington DC. The Prime Minister called for the peaceful and orderly transfer of power following Joe Bidens election win as he condemned the violence on Wednesday. His comments came after British politicians from all parties described the scenes in Washington as "profoundly shocking" and "utterly horrifying". Amid clashes with police, protesters breached barricades and were able to enter the building on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, disrupting politicians' formal approval of Joe Biden's election win. Mr Johnson tweeted: "Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power." Other politicians including Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Emily Thornberry spoke out against the scenes at the Capitol. Pro-Trump supporters storm US Capitol 1 /43 Pro-Trump supporters storm US Capitol U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Police officers use pepper spray on pro-Trump protesters during the clashes REUTERS U.S. Capitol Police hold protesters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol AP An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington REUTERS A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber Getty Images Smoke fills the walkway outside the Senate Chamber as supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers inside the Capitol AP A supporter of US President Donald Trump struggles with a riot policeman after the protester pushed a line of police outside the Capitol building AFP via Getty Images People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier AP Supporters of President Donald Trump puts water in his eyes after U.S. Capitol Police deployed a chemical agent outside of the U.S. Capitol AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, AP Police keep a watch on demonstrators who tried to break through a police barrier AP Donald Trump President Donald Trump speaks at a rally AP With the Washington Monument in the background, people attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump near the White House AP Demonstrators break TV equipment outside the the U.S. Capitol AP Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, REUTERS Police confront supporters of President Donald Trump as they demonstrate on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate after breaching security defenses, in Washington REUTERS Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington REUTERS Law enforcement officers push back against supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump attempting to enter U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress REUTERS Protesters clash with Capitol police during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress REUTERS Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol AP U.S. President-elect Joe Biden clasps his hands in prayer as he speaks about the violent protests in and around the U.S. Capitol in Washington REUTERS A supporter of President Donald Trump carries a Confederate battle flag on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate after breaching security defences in Washington, REUTERS Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump cover their faces to protect from tear gas during a clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington REUTERS Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they push barricades to storm the US Capitol AFP via Getty Images A supporter of US President Donald Trump wears a gas mask as he protests after storming the US Capitol AFP via Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol AFP via Getty Images Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Vice President Mike Pence talk before a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington AP The House Chamber is empty after a hasty evacuation as protesters tried to break into the chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours after protesters stormed the Capitol in Washington AP Damage is visible in the hallways in the early morning hours after protesters stormed the Capitol in Washington AP Congress staffers barricade themselves after Trump supporters stormed inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC AFP via Getty Images Tear gas is released into a crowd of protesters during clashes with Capitol police at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol Building REUTERS Congress staffers hold up their hands while Capitol Police Swat teams check everyone in the room as they secure the floor of Trump suporters in Washington, DC AFP via Getty Images A supporter of US President Donald Trump wears a gas mask and holds a bust of him after he and hundreds of others stormed stormed the Capitol building AFP via Getty Images Congress staffers barricade themselves after Trump supporters stormed inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC AFP via Getty Images A pro-Trump protester carries the lectern of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the Roturnda of the U.S. Capitol Building after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol Rotunda AFP via Getty Images A pro-Trump mob gathers inside the Senate chamber in the U.S. Capitol after groups stormed the building Getty Images Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Members of the Oath Keepers are seen among supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress REUTERS Getty Images The First Minister tweeted that the scenes from the Capitol were utterly horrifying. She added: Solidarity with those in (the United States) on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power. Shame on those who have incited this attack on democracy. Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Emily Thornberry described the scenes in Washington as profoundly shocking. While Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, said: The US rightly takes great pride in its democracy, and there can be no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power. The clashes occurred outside in the very spot where President-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks time. How long is it going to take for the New Castle supervisors to clean all the rock and glass at the bottom of Broad Street? The storm has been over for at least a week. Thank you. Arnots Addition Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. Operation Warp Speed. Donald Trump talks a big game, but now that the vaccine is here, who is the one person that you have not seen on TV with his sleeve rolled up getting the vaccine to set a good example for his followers? Yep. You guessed it. Donald Trump is good for setting a bad example for young children. Schuylkill Haven It amazes me that the politicians can give tax breaks to the rich and the wealthy but they cant give the poor struggling American families the $2,000 checks. Frackville This is to the callers from Minersville and Tremont about the election being rigged and dead people voting. If you have proof why dont you print it instead of taking up space with nothing but your mouth to back you up? Every law enforcement agency in the country investigated the election over and over and no proof was found. Please, print yours. I would be very interested. Frackville Shame, shame on Mitch McConnell to allow millions and millions of dollars to go to foreign countries and not want to give the American people $2,000. He needs to go. That bill could be easily cut in half. Dont send any money to foreign countries. There is no reason for them to have it. This is supposed to be for COVID relief, for people that really need it. Mahanoy City Frackville, all those giveaways you are complaining about have been easily solved with a line-item veto. Trump had to go on TV and make himself seem to be a hero again instead of silently doing his job. Youve been conned. Mahanoy City Hey, Schuylkill Haven, I dont know where you got your information from but the transmission rate in restaurants, bars and places like that is less than 2%. It has been all over the TV for weeks and weeks. Even in New York, its less than 2%. You better do some more searching because you have it all wrong. New Philadelphia Hey, Pine Grove, just who do you think is behind Fact Check? It is not our President Trump. Schaeffers Hill Hooray, cancer and heart disease, the flu, everything is cured. No one dies from anything anymore, not even an accident because everyone is dying from COVID. Port Carbon To the caller from Frackville, please call in again and list the things that Trump has done to destroy the country in the last four years. Cressona Dont all you Trump supporters realize that he got all his cronies to keep their mouths shut connected with Russia? He made a promise that he would pardon them and guess what? He pardoned all of them. Open up your eyes to what a con man Trump is. Girardville President Trump, I will never forget the statement you made about COVID-19: At the most 50 will die. President Trump, 340,000 have died so far. Pottsville The country was so worried about travel over Thanksgiving and so worried about travel over Christmas with the increase in the coronavirus so why didnt the airlines ban flights for those holidays? Seems simple to me. Frackville Twenty states raised their minimum wage on Jan. 1. Thanks to the Republicans in the Pennsylvania Legislature we will not be one of them. All of Schuylkill County reps are Republicans and they feel $7.25 an hour is sufficient. They should be ashamed. I cant understand how any working person can be a Republican. Palo Alto To the caller from Schuylkill Haven who said the United States is the greatest nation on Earth and wonders if it will stay that way under Biden, I have some news for you. The United States is a complete laughing stock to every foreign country because of Trumps antics. According to all respectable news reporters, it will take decades to restore what Trump tore apart. Frackville Two days ago, Joe Biden referred to president-elect Harris. This is a request to Tom Noonan. Why dont you call the Democratic Party up and tell them they have a problem because the president-elect doesnt even know that he is the president-elect. What kind of shape is this country going to be in with that man in charge? Frackville On New Years Day, I read the letter to the editor: Questions for legislators posed more than week ago unanswered. I fully agree and also am seeking the answers to the same questions. Our representatives need to be transparent. This is their turn to answer. Mahanoy City June 25, 2020: County receives $12,765,970 to fight COVID. County commissioners got this money. Is there any way to know how this money was distributed or where did it go to? Put something in the paper. Frackville This is to each and every one of the employees of our local newspaper. Maybe we dont say thank you and you might think we dont appreciate you but for the job all of you did this past year we thank you. We wish you a healthy and happy new year. Thanks again. God bless you all. Pottsville Google workers have taken a major step toward unionizing this week, with help from the Communications Workers of America. A group of more than 400 workers from Alphabet, Google's parent company, launched an unconventional union with limited powers that will also support third-party contractors. The "Alphabet Workers Union" is a minority union that will not be ratified through any federal agency and will not have collective bargaining rights. The group aims to better protect members from firing or other retaliation for speaking out against the company. It plans to collect dues to hire support staff to more aggressively pursue its agenda of protesting company policies. The union will be part of the Communications Workers of America labor group, which counts employees from Verizon and AT&T among its members. Google has been criticized in the past for unlawfully questioning and terminating workers who protested its policies and attempted to organize a union. According to Chewy Shaw, vice chair of the new Alphabet union, small fractions of Google's workforce have successfully protested about workplace inequality and ethical business practices. That resulted in the introduction of new policies surrounding workplace investigations, and the company also dropped a drone software project with the U.S. military. Shaw said the union will pursue similar campaigns. Google supports its employees' protected labor rights, according to Kara Silverstein, director of people operations. She said the company will "continue engaging directly with all our employees" in response to the union formation. Alphabet can basically ignore the union's demands until a majority of employees join. The company is also entitled to ignore the demands of third-party contractors. Silicon Valley tech companies have long resisted unions, relying on high pay and cozy work environments with perks like free food and gyms to keep employees happy. But employee activism has been on the rise, and the Alphabet Workers Union may signal the beginning of unionization throughout the U.S. tech industry. Edited by Maurice Nagle The pandemic has exacerbated isolation and fears for one very vulnerable group of Americans: the 4.3 million older adults with cognitive impairment who live alone. As the coronavirus continues to claim more lives and upend others, researchers led by UC San Francisco are calling for tailored services and support for older adults living alone with memory issues, who are experiencing extreme isolation, and are exposed to misinformation about the virus and barriers to accessing medical care. In their qualitative study, researchers interviewed 24 San Francisco Bay Area residents whose average age was 82. Of these, 17 were women, and 13 were either monolingual Spanish-speakers or Cantonese speakers; 18 were widowed or divorced; 10 depended only on the in-person care of their family, eight only on in-person home care aides and six on both family and aides. Findings appear in The Gerontologist on Jan. 6, 2021. Among the most extreme emotions expressed was a desire by a few participants for the coronavirus to take their own lives "so that they could finally end their struggles." One participant said they were "fed up with the life that I have been given" and a second, who was struggling with an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, said that they would welcome the virus as "an escape plan." "One-third of those with cognitive impairment live alone. This is a demographic at high risk for loneliness and distress, as well as negative health outcomes, even before the pandemic," said first author Elena Portacolone, PhD, MBA, MPH, of the UCSF Institute for Health & Aging. "Public health recommendations that mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including shelter-in-place and physical distancing, reduce access to those amenities that had offered support to isolated older adults." Some of the study participants lived in cramped or inhospitable accommodation and reported that they felt "trapped in their own homes." Most participants were no longer able to seek companionship at church services, senior centers, restaurants or to interact with neighbors. "I was most concerned by participants' extreme isolation," said Portacolone. "Some participants were particularly distressed, two of them had had suicidal ideation before the pandemic, yet they received little or no support for their mental health." For Some, Long Lines Trigger Memories of War, Famine Because the participants lived alone, they faced their fears alone. Some were afraid of dying of the virus, despite limited contact with the outside world, and some shared that long lines outside grocery stores reminded them of past experiences of war or famine. Others worried about racial attacks and rioting that had followed the death of George Floyd. Misinformation about the virus was apparent in many interviews. One participant learned from WhatsApp, the messaging app, that gargling with salt water would treat the virus; another said that a doctor on TV had dissuaded them from getting the vaccine. Other participants claimed that going out without a face covering would result in a $400 fine or jail time. Many participants struggled with gaining access to their medical provider. Some were concerned that entering a clinic would put them at risk for COVID-19, while one participant with diabetes expressed frustration with the phone appointment that was offered, since "I don't even answer my phone ... (and) I have a poor mind." Another participant said that it had taken them three or four months to make an appointment with their eye doctor after they were told that services were not available. While the participants who had family support reported less distress, home care aides were recognized as providing companionship, as well as assistance with meal preparation and chores. But unlike other Western countries, the United States only covers the cost of home care aides for those with medical needs on very low incomes, Portacolone noted. "Well-trained and state-subsidized home care aides are the life blood in the support system for older adults with cognitive impairment living alone. The regular presence of someone reliable to ask questions, receive nudges and instrumental support, as well as company, is invaluable." The home care aides should be integral to a "therapeutic alliance" that offers tailored services and support from social workers, case managers and mental health services if required, she said. "These services are critical for maintaining the health and wellbeing of older adults living alone with cognitive impairment," said senior author Julene K. Johnson, PhD, of the UCSF Institute for Health & Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities. "More robust financial support of home care aides is needed." ### Co-Authors: Kenneth Covinsky, MD, MPH, Sahru Keiser, MPH, Jennifer Fung, Elizabeth Rivera, Thi Tran and Camilla Bykhovsky of UCSF; Anna Chodos, MD, MPH, of UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital; Jodi Halpern, MD, PhD, of University of California Berkeley. Funding: National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's Association and Pepper Center at UCSF. About UCSF: The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. UCSF Health, which serves as UCSF's primary academic medical center, includes top-ranked specialty hospitals and other clinical programs, and has affiliations throughout the Bay Area. Learn more at ucsf.edu, or see our Fact Sheet. Follow UCSF ucsf.edu | Facebook.com/ucsf | YouTube.com/ucsf Asserting that the coronavirus pandemic has not dented the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister said on Wednesday that the two countries are now looking at post-COVID cooperation. Speaking at a joint media briefing with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, Jaishankar said the COVID pandemic has given the two sides an opportunity to work even more closely together. "It hasn't dented our bilateral cooperation but the virtual summit between our prime ministers was the watermark of our relationship last year," he said, referring to the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa in September. "We are now looking at post-COVID cooperation and I carry back with me Sri Lanka's interest in accessing vaccines from India," he said. Sri Lankan leadership formally requested Indian assistance to obtain the COVID vaccine during meetings with Jaishankar in Colombo. Jaishankar is visiting Colombo over three months after the two prime ministers held the virtual summit during which the two sides agreed to further expand ties in a range of areas such as anti-terror cooperation, maritime security and trade and investment. He also spoke on the need to ensure aspirations of the minority Tamils are addressed within a united Sri Lanka. "India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long standing as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony, he said. He also emphasised on the importance of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Jaishankar, who had met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his counterpart Gunawardena before the press conference and was expected to meet with the minister of fisheries Douglas Devananda, said he was looking forward to the early return of Indian fishermen detained in Lanka. "We look forward to the early return of our fishermen from Sri Lanka, Jaishankar said. Indian fishermen, apprehended in Sri Lanka for allegedly poaching in its territorial waters, were provided consular assistance by the Consulate General of India in Jaffna last week. The high commission said it was in touch with the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate the early release of the detained fishermen. India and Sri Lanka last week held through video conferencing a meeting of the joint working group on fisheries and discussed the issues related to fishermen and the ways to overcome challenges posed by the COVI-19 pandemic. Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. On his part, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister conveyed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government for the tremendous support India extended in the past several months to mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID pandemic. "India's Neighbourhood First Policy has made a positive impact on the health sector and economy during this period of unprecedented crisis, Gunawardena said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dry run for the Covid vaccine will be conducted at 8 sites in the national capital on Wednesday, officials said. The dry run will be held at two hospitals under the North Municipal Corporation while six sites under the South Municipal Corporation (SDMC) including Maternity Mother and Child Welfare (MCW) Centre, Maternity Home (MH) and polyclinics would take part in it. MCW Hari Nagar, Poly Clinic Madipur, MCW Bijwasan, MH Sriniwas Puri, MCW Fatehpur Beri, MCW Defence Colony (all SDMC), Bara Hindu Rao Hospital and Kasturba Hospital (both North MCD) are among the centres which would participate in the drive. The officials also informed that around 100-200 health care workers will participate in the mock drill for the vaccine roll-out across the centres. North MCD Mayor Jai Prakash told IANS that around 60 healthcare workers from both the MCD-run hospitals are ready for the drive. "The hospitals (Hindu Rao and Kasturba) have converted their swine flu wards into a vaccination point. Besides, two ICU beds are also provisioned by each hospital, in case a vaccine receiver witnesses any severe adverse event during inoculation of the Covid vaccine," he said. "Our hospitals are fully prepared for the Corona vaccine. The North DMC will follow all the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health for the vaccine in the dry run process. Same procedure would also be adopted in the dry run of vaccination to the people, whose process is fixed for the actual vaccination," he added. The dry-run in began last week starting with the three sites. Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Shahdara, the Urban Primary Health Centre, Daryaganj, and Venkateshwar Hospital, Dwarka, were the first in the national capital to conduct the dry-run on Saturday. 25 healthcare workers from each centre had undergone the mock drive. --IANS str/vd (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Radon may not be on anyones health radar, but its still a major risk for some people, according the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Experts said the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantines have made testing homes for radon especially crucial. January is National Radon Action Month, and the state is urging residents to test their homes for the gas, which is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths. According to a news release, health officials estimate that radon is responsible for more than 21,100 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Testing homes for radon is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, health authorities said, as people are spending more time at home particularly in the lower floors of their houses, where radon levels can be higher. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium and is found in rock, soil,and water. While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings. Many people are unaware of the harmful health risk of radon in their homes, because it is not a gas you can see, smell or taste, said Acting Connecticut DPH Commissioner Dr. Deidre S. Gifford in a news release. The only way to detect this silent killer is through testing, and that is why the DPH Radon Program works together with local health departments across the state to make sure residents are well informed about these risks. The DPH Radon Program recommends that the lowest occupied levels of all Connecticut homes be tested for radon in the winter months. The health department reports that 33 local health department/district partners were provided 2,075 free test kits for distribution in their local communities to support radon awareness. Those interested in learning whether they are eligible for one of the free kits can visit the DPH Radon Program website at ct.gov/radon to view a map of these local health partners and contact them directly. Test kits can also be purchased from hardware stores or the American Lung Association, by calling 1-800-LUNGUSA or visiting lung.org. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be fixed. Homeowners should consider fixing homes with radon levels between 2pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. Smokers exposed to radon have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer. To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of radon mitigation contractors, visit ct.gov/radon. EDWARDSVILLE The Madison County Health Department is taking the next step in preparing for the wider distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, the health department released its COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Survey on its website, https://www.co.madison.il.us/departments/health/index.php, and its social media pages. We launched it Monday afternoon around 4:30 and by noon (Tuesday), we had over 11,000 surveys returned to us, so Im really pleased with the initial results, said Toni Corona, director of public health for Madison County. The population of Madison County is 263,000 people and Im not expecting that many survey responses, but the intent of the survey is to get a gauge for interest in the vaccine and well use this information to assist in our planning efforts as far as how we get the vaccine administered and distributed to the people that want it. The instructions for the survey notify participants that when the vaccine is available and appropriate based on IDPH guidelines, they will be contacted to schedule a vaccination appointment. This survey is for Madison County residents only, though responses can technically be submitted by non-residents. Vaccine distribution currently is still in Phase 1A, which is limited mostly to healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities. Corona said the Madison County Health Department is still waiting for the state of Illinois to release the Phase 1B and 1C categories but expects to have that information in the next few days. I think it will be very much structured to ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, Corona said. We want to make sure the vaccine is allocated based on the greatest risk and that it will do the greatest good. I suspect the state may tweak some of those categories, for example, where the federal guidance talks about Phase 1B being individuals 75 years of age or older and 1C being 65 or older, I think the state is looking at making it 65 across the board. But that guidance is yet to come, and we are waiting to receive that final information. When the vaccine does become more widely available, Corona is confident that Madison County will be able to meet the demand. For now, though, both the number of doses and the number of eligible recipients is limited. Well see how this evolves, but keep in mind that its not going to be just the Madison Health Department setting up vaccinations throughout the county, Corona said. Were going to rely on our healthcare partnerships and try to make this as widely available and accessible as possible. There are so many logistical issues that we have to plan for, including people needing two doses of the vaccine. We are still not getting a lot of the vaccine. Its trickling in and flowing in at this point, but Im confident that it will continue to get better. Corona also addressed the topic of potential online scams involving sign-ups for COVID vaccinations, where people may be asked to submit personal information in order to obtain a spot on the vaccine participant listing. She warns people to be cautious if they are not sure about the legitimacy of such notifications. We put the link to our survey on our social media pages, but we also have it posted on our website, Corona said. We did legitimately release a survey and were asking a few questions, but basic things like a name, a contact number and an email address. The rest of the survey is pretty much based on your population category. You should never give information to anybody that you dont want just anybody to get. Were not asking for Social Security numbers or license numbers or anything like that. If people have any questions, they can always contact us. While Corona is encouraged by the initial response to the survey, she wants to remind people that the pandemic is far from over and that it may be several months before some people can receive the vaccine. This is a tool we are using for planning, but its going to take some time for us to roll this out, Corona said. Were continuing to ask people to have patience and we ask them to continue to be diligent as far as preventing COVID transmission amongst themselves. Wear your mask, wash your hands and watch your distance. We still have a lot of COVID around. The survey is not a placeholder in line for the vaccine. Weve got a lot of different ways were trying to collect information and detail on how we can best plan. Its a matter of how we can distribute the vaccine the most efficiently and successfully to everyone who needs it. Cyber White House task force says Russia likely to blame for SolarWinds hack The White House task force investigating the widespread hack of U.S. networks said today that Russia is the likely culprit. Analysts and some administration officials have suggested a Russian intelligence service is behind the hack of SolarWinds' Orion product, but the statement from the Cyber Unified Coordination Group, which includes the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the National Security Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is the first time the federal government has explicitly attributed the attack to Russia. "This work indicates that an Advanced Persistent Threat actor, likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks," the statement reads. The group also said that it has identified fewer than 10 government agencies that were explicitly targeted by hackers with follow-on activity using the access provided by the SolarWinds breach. The group's statement references an initial estimate by SolarWinds that said 18,000 "public and private sector customers" downloaded the malicious code implanted within the companys update server for its Orion IT management software. But officials believe "a much smaller number have been compromised by follow-on activity on their systems" and these include fewer than 10 government agencies. The group is also "working to identify and notify the nongovernment entities who also may be impacted." Microsoft and cybersecurity firm FireEye last month estimated several dozen organizations were victimized by hackers beyond merely downloading the backdoor vulnerability discovered in SolarWinds Orion. The New York Times over the weekend the reported that intelligence officials now believes that 250 organizations may have been "affected." In the wake of the ongoing breach, some lawmakers have suggested the hack was an act of war. Other lawmakers and analysts have pointed out merely breaching the government's systems is espionage, but does not constitute an act of war. The government assessment is that the hack falls under the category of espionage. "At this time, we believe this was, and continues to be, an intelligence gathering effort," the statement reads. The statement also details the roles and responsibilities of the task force agencies, and notes that NSA is working with defense industrial base system owners to assess "the scale and scope of the incident" and provide mitigation assistance. No defense contractors have yet been identified as targets of the SolarWinds breach. Officials at the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Commerce and Homeland Security have confirmed that they were affected by the breach. Press reports have named other agencies including the State Department and the National Institutes of Health as targets. President Donald Trump has previously suggested China was behind the hack. That claim was not mentioned in the task force statement. This article first appeared on FCW, a Defense Systems partner. The brain atrophies with Alzheimers disease. Credit: National Institute On Aging Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It slowly destroys memory, thinking and behaviors, and eventually the ability to carry out daily tasks. As scientists search for a cure, we have been learning more about the genetic and environmental factors that can increase a person's risks of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. In particular, my colleagues and I in preventive medicine, neurology and gerontology have been looking at the role of outdoor air pollution. Our early research in 2017 became the first study in the U.S. using both human and animal data to show that brain aging processes worsened by air pollution may increase dementia risk. Our latest studies show how older women who lived in locations with high levels of PM2.5the fine particulate matter produced by vehicles and power plantssuffered memory loss and Alzheimer's-like brain shrinkage not seen in women living with cleaner air. Together these findings suggest a way to avoid one risk factor for Alzheimer's diseasereduce human exposure to PM2.5. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. Silent risk for dementia PM2.5, also known as soot, consists of microscopic particles of chemicals, car exhaust, smoke, dust and other pollutants suspended in the air. An estimated one in six Americans lives in counties with unhealthy levels of particle pollution. We have been investigating whether PM2.5 may accelerate the brain's aging processes at the preclinical stagethe "silent" phase of the disease before any symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias appear. In the first U.S.-based nationwide study to link PM2.5 exposure and cognitive impairment, published in 2017, we found older women were almost twice as likely to develop clinically significant cognitive impairment if they had lived in places with outdoor PM2.5 levels exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standard than if they hadn't. Because we worked with the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, which followed the participants closely, we were able to account for other dementia risk factors, such as smoking, lack of exercise and hormone therapy. In a new study, we wanted to see how the brains of older people were changing if they had experienced different levels of PM2.5 in the years before Alzheimer's symptoms began. We followed the progress of 712 women with an average age of 78 who did not have dementia at the start of the study and who underwent MRI brain scans five years apart. By combining EPA monitoring data and air quality simulations, we were able to estimate the everyday outdoor PM2.5 level around where the participants lived before their first MRI scan. How Alzheimers changes the brain. National Institute On Aging. We found older women were more likely to have brain shrinkage similar to what is observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease. When we compared the brain scans of older women from locations with high levels of PM2.5 to those with low levels, we found dementia risk increased by 24% over the five years. Perhaps more alarming is that these Alzheimer's-like brain changes were present in older women with no memory problems. The shrinkage in their brains was greater if they lived in locations with higher levels of outdoor PM2.5, even when those levels were within the current EPA standard. Researchers in Spain recently examined brain MRI scans of healthy individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease and also found associations between air pollution exposure and reduced volume and thickness in specific brain areas known to be affected in Alzheimer's disease. Pollution and brain shrinkage We also looked at episodic memory, which involves memories of specific events and is affected early by Alzheimer's disease. If episodic memory decline was associated with living in locations with increasing PM2.5, could we see any evidence that such specific cognitive decline came as a consequence of the Alzheimer's-like brain shrinkage? Data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study and past MRIs allowed us to look for changes across time for nearly 1,000 women. We found that as outdoor PM2.5 increased in locations where these older women lived, episodic memory declined. Approximately 10%-20% of the greater memory decline could be explained by Alzheimer's-like brain shrinkage. Because the silent phase of dementia is thought to start decades before the manifestation of symptoms, findings from our recent studies raise concerns that air pollution exposures during mid to early life may be equally or even more important than late-life exposure. Genes also appear to play a role. Our research has shown that a critical Alzheimer's risk gene, APOE4, interacts with air particles to accelerate brain aging. We found the environmental risk raised by long-term PM2.5 exposure was two to three times higher among older women with two copies of the APOE4 gene than among women without the gene. Other researchers have subsequently investigated the possible interplay of that gene and environment. A Swedish study in 2019 did not find strong evidence for gene and environment interaction. But a 2020 study using data collected from elderly residents of two New York City neighborhoods found an association between long-term air pollution exposure and cognitive decline, with steeper rates of decline found in APOE4 carriers. An avoidable risk In the U.S., the Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency to develop air quality standards that provide an adequate margin of safety to protect sensitive populations, such as children and the elderly. The U.S. government had an opportunity to strengthen those standards in 2020, a move that EPA scientists explained could prevent thousands of premature deaths from health risks such as heart disease. Scientists advocated tougher standards, citing other health problems linked to PM2.5. However, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler declined, announcing on Dec. 7 that the standards would remain unchanged. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Apple's new massive 2021 Movie Sale offers new exciting discounts for its 4K resolution films! Some of them even cost only $1 and $5. As of the moment, Apple's fresh batch of movie deals is available on Apple's iTunes storefront last night. Also Read: Apple's 2020 Is One of The Best Years for the Company-Cupertino Giant's Best 5 Tech Releases! These are a large selection of 4K movies on sale from $5. 9to5toys's latest report stated that they also have additional discounts that will surely excite many fans. The current event is a great way to start the year 2021 since the global COVID-19 pandemic is still happening. These films will really be helpful to spend your family bonding and can also serve as a stress reliever. You can load up on various movies as of the moment. What's great about Apple's new deal is that it allows many people to get this week's $1 HD rental films. To help you further here's the complete list for all the available HD movies right now. Apple's complete 4K movie list This great batch is a part of the latest iTunes promotion from Apple. They will also be a permanent part of users' library content. VFW: $10 (Reg. $20) Holes: $8 (Reg. $15) Ice Age: $8 (Reg. $15) Shark Tale: $10 (Reg. $20) The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie: $10 (Reg. $20) Dazed and Confused: $10 (Reg. $20) Cooties: $4 (Reg. $10) Stir of Echoes: $4 (Reg. $10) The Grey: $10 (Reg. $15) Shark Tale: $10 (Reg. $20) Mamma Mia!: $10 (Reg. $15) Forgetting Sarah Marshall: $10 (Reg. $20) Puppet Masters The Littlest Reich: $5 (Reg. $10) The LEGO Ninjago Movie: $10 (Reg. $20) Tropic Thunder: $10 (Reg. $20) Storks: $10 (Reg. $20) Jaws: $10 (Reg. $20) Mortal Kombat Legends Scorpion's Revenge: $10 (Reg. $15) Everest: $10 (Reg. $20) Baywatch: $10 (Reg. $20) Sing: $10 (Reg. $20) Smurfs: $10 (Reg. $20) Mulan 2020: $10 (Reg. $20) The Revenant: $8 (Reg. $20) Available games in Apple Arcade According to CNET's latest report, Apple Arcade will also release a new batch of games. The tech giant manufacturer's subscription mobile game service has released more than 140 games ever since it was launched in 2019. These titles are all available on the iPad, MacBook, Apple TV, and iPhone. "The Pathless," developed by Annapurna Interactive and Giant squid, is one of the most-awaited games last year of 2020. It joined a $5-a-month service last November 2020. And now, the company is planning to release new titles, including "Spire Blast," "Nuts," "Fantasian," "Populus Run," "Enter the Construct," "The Artful Escape," and more! For more news updates about Apple's upcoming sales, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Apple 2021 Releases: Kuo Predicts AirTags, New Airpods, and AR Glasses to Push Through! This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Covid-19 death toll has crossed 400 with the deaths of 18 more people yesterday. The death toll now stands at 408, with 96 of those occurring in the last seven days alone. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. The apex court's decision came in response to a bunch of petitions which challenged the validity of the laws which regulate religious conversions due to inter-faith marriages New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to examine controversial new laws of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand regulating religious conversions due to inter-faith marriages. A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde refused, however, to stay the controversial provisions of the laws and issued notices to both state governments on two different petitions. The pleas, filed by advocate Vishal Thakre and others and an NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace', have challenged the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020 and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018 which regulate religious conversions of inter-faith marriages. At the outset, the top court asked the petitioners to approach the Allahabad High Court after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it was already seized of the matter. The bench said that this was not the transfer petition where it could transfer to itself all the cases on the law after one of the petitioners said that the issue should be examined by the top court. Senior advocate C U Singh, appearing for the NGO, referred to the judgement of Justice (retd) Deepak Gupta and said that similar laws were being made in various states. He sought a stay on the provisions of the law and said that people were being "lifted" by authorities in the middle of wedding ceremonies. Some provisions of these laws are "oppressive and horrible" in nature and require the prior consent of the government to marry which is "absolutely obnoxious", Singh added. The bench said that it was issuing notice and sought a response from both the state governments within four weeks. When Singh insisted on the stay of the provisions, CJI Bobde said it was being sought without the states being heard. How can it be done? The Uttar Pradesh Ordinance was cleared by the state Cabinet in November and ascent was given by Governor Anandiben Patel on November 28. It relates not only to inter-faith marriages but all religious conversions and lays down elaborate procedures for those who wish to convert to another religion. The Uttarakhand Act entails two-year jail term for those found guilty of religious conversion through force or allurement, which can be in cash or in-kind, employment or material benefit. Thakre and others said they are aggrieved by the ordinance which curtails the fundamental rights of the citizens provided in the Constitution. Their plea said the laws passed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand against Love Jihad' and punishments thereof may be declared ultra vires and null and void because it disturbs the basic structure of the Constitution as laid down by the Law. It said the ordinance passed by Uttar Pradesh and the law passed by Uttarakhand is against the public policy and society at large. Besides seeking to declare the laws as null and void, the plea sought a direction to the two states not to give effect to impugned provisions/ordinance and withdraw the same. The plea Citizen for Justice and Peace' said that both the legislations violate Articles 21 and 25, as it empowers the State to suppress an individual's personal liberty and the freedom to practice the religion of one's choice. It mandates that a series of complicated procedures to be followed before and after conversion, taking the State into confidence to ensure that the act was an informed and voluntary decision by the individual, the plea said. The Mumbai-based NGO further said that the UP ordinance casts the burden of proof on the accused against the established criminal jurisprudence. The plea by the NGO also sought a direction to declare both the laws of the states as ultra vires of the constitution. UNICEF has said it finds the attacks on villages in Niger deeply troubling. The Nigerien Government has declared three days of mourning. Vatican News English Africa Service. I am deeply troubled by the horrific attacks this past Saturday perpetrated by non-state armed groups against civilians in the Nigerien villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye, close to the border with Mali. According to unofficial sources, at least 100 people were killed, including 17 children, said United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director, Henrietta Fore. Disturbing deaths of children UNICEF said it deplored the attacks and was disturbed by the deaths of the seventeen children. Unconfirmed reports indicate that all of the children who lost their lives 10 boys and seven girls were under the age of 16. Some were apparently burnt to death, said Fore. She added, An unknown number of surviving children sustained serious injuries in the violence, while many more have now been displaced from their communities. At least 11 children have been separated from their families, she said. National mourning AP reports that the attacks were reportedly perpetrated by a group of armed men aboard 100 motorcycles. There were 70 people killed in Tchiomabangou and 30 deaths in Zaroumadareye. Niger will hold three days of national mourning in solidarity with those killed in the attacks, the government said. Apart from the deaths, more than twenty-five persons were wounded and had been evacuated to Niamey and Ouallam for treatment. A toxic mixture of Jihadist and Inter-communal violence The National Human Rights Commission has called for an independent investigation to locate those responsible for the criminal and cowardly attacks. Apart from declaring a period of national mourning, the Government of Niger said that in addition to supporting residents who lost food supplies in fires from the attacks, it would also plan a forum to prevent the risk of further inter-community conflicts. In December 2020, a Jihadist attack in Nigers Diffa region left 45 people dead, including ten children. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Hyderabad, Jan 6 : Telangana's tower density is 0.71 per thousand population against the national average of 0.42 per cent, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said on Wednesday while presiding over the second meeting of the State Broadband Committee. The National Broadband mission has set the tower density target of 1.7 by 2024. Kumar informed that the government is committed for the fiberisation of Base Station Towers (BTS) and extend necessary support for the better communicational coverage in the state. The state is having 35 per cent of fiberisation of BTS at present and will reach the target of 70 per cent set by National Broadband Mission. The chief secretary assured representations from electricity and Panchayat Raj departments to sort out the issues. Telangana currently has 24,961 towers and the balance target is 34,902 towers. Necessary approvals will be given for 109 sites pending for the erection of towers. The government will pay special focus on 140 uncovered gram panchayats, Kumar said. Sunil Sharma, principal secretary, transport and buildings department, Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, information technology, electronics and communication department, J.V.Raja Reddy, advisor, DOT-LSA Unit, Hyderabad, G.Suresh Reddy, Director (Rural), DOT-LSA Unit, Sujay Karampuri, Director(Electronics) ITE&C Dept., Cmdr Dr.J.Jena, DDG, Cellular Operators Association of India, T.R. Dua, DDG, Tower & Infrastructure Provider Association attended the meeting. Fort Lauderdale, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (OTCQB: SBEV) (https://www.SplashBeverageGroup.com) ("The Company", "SBEV"), a holding company of leading portfolio of beverage brands, is pleased to announce it has acquired Copa Di Vino (www.copadivino.com) from its founder James Martin who is known for his two time turndown of multiple offers on NBC's popular 'Shark Tank' a decade ago. Since then, the Company has generated tens of millions of dollars in revenues and SBEV execs are confident the brand and its unique packaging hold tremendous potential for growth and expansion. Copa Di Vino To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7319/71454_8460e350e491bbf3_002full.jpg Copa Di Vino is the leading producer of premium wine by the glass in the United States. Founder James Martin comes from a family of Oregon farmers that have lived and worked on their farm for seven generations. James took his passion for wine and a background in technology to create Copa Di Vino, which means, "a glass of wine." With this, he developed a new technology that would allow winemakers to package wine in a revolutionary manner, and consumption of wine easier and more accessible for wine lovers. Copa Di Vino - Leading Producer of Premium Wine To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7319/71454_8460e350e491bbf3_003full.jpg SBEV CEO Robert Nistico comments, "The acquisition adds a remarkable revenue stream to Splash's bottom line and includes Copa Di Vino's proprietary packaging technology, an innovation suitable for a number of applications across the Company's growing portfolio of beverage brands and industry solutions." Copa Di Vino - Our Glass To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7319/71454_8460e350e491bbf3_004full.jpg The acquisition notably includes additional distribution within the Anheuser-Busch Network and 13,000 retail locations across various chains, in addition to e-commerce outlets. Dubbed by NBC as "probably the most infamous entrepreneur ever to enter 'The Tank", noting the product was a hit with the sharks, but Martin held strong on his potential valuation and turned the 'Sharks' down twice. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZiKXort_Ew SBEV CEO Robert Nistico stated, "We are extremely excited and proud to add Copa di Vino to the SBG portfolio of brands. In addition to numerous retail/off premise opportunities, Copa is perfectly suited for today's on premise/restaurant & hotel environment of curbside pickup. Copa Di Vino offers an outstanding quality product not normally found in the single serve wine segment." Nistico adds, "As the large venue segment reopens for sports, concerts and other live audience events, we expect to capture meaningful sales volume as this packaging is a perfect fit for stadiums, theaters and other large venues, and the patented packaging technology is not limited to wine. We anticipate making use of the versatile utility here in a very big way as market opportunities continue to emerge and resurface." INDUSTRY NEWS & TRENDS Brandy Rand, COO of the Americas at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, sees the small-getting-bigger trend as a reflection of several general consumer trends, including "convenience, experience, portion control, sustainability and quality for value." It is also a sign that wine is joining America's mainstream beverage consumption habits. Consumers today are more relaxed about wine in general, which extends to greater openness to 'unfussy' eco-friendly packaging. Rand notes, "Single-serve has been the primary package size for beer, malt-beverage, soft drinks and water, but over the past few years, spirits and wine have also seen growth in small sizes. For wine, new product innovation and wider availability has spurred consumer interest in alternative packaging." According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, wines packaged in sizes 500ml and below are all growing faster than table wine. The single-serve adult beverage category - cans, boxes and plastic bottles - had been gaining traction in recent years, as its portable, non-breakable nature made it suited for outdoor events and public gatherings. With such drinking occasions on hold for pandemic safety, retailers have started dedicating more space to the products. In municipalities that have relaxed their alcohol sales laws, the products may now be delivered and are available for curbside pickup. "In wake of COVID-19, many consumers are unable to experience premium cocktails at bars and restaurants," said Holly McHugh, marketing associate, Imbibe, Inc., Niles, Ill. "There's a lot of growth potential for premium RTD cocktails that offer a similar premium drinking experience at home." Follow Splash Beverage Group on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SplashBev Learn more about COPA DI VINO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CopaDiVino/ Splash Beverage Group, Inc. To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7319/71454_8460e350e491bbf3_005full.jpg About Splash Beverage Group, Inc.: Splash Beverage Group specializes in manufacturing, distribution, sales & marketing of various beverages across multiple channels. SBEV operates in both the non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage segments which they believe leverages efficiencies and dilutes risk. SBEV believes its business model is unique as it ONLY develops/accelerates brands it perceives to have highly visible pre-existing brand awareness or pure category innovation. About Copa Di Vino: Copa Di Vino is the leading producer of premium wine by the glass in the United States. Founder and owner, James Martin discovered the concept on a bullet train adventure through the south of France. A year later he brought the technology to his hometown of The Dalles, Oregon located in the majestic Columbia River Gorge. His passion for wine led to Copa Di Vino - wine in a glass - a ready to drink wine glass that could go anywhere without the need for a bottle, corkscrew or glass. Just open and enjoy! Wine is no longer trapped in the bottle! Forward-Looking Statement This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation inability to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to the proposed transaction or to complete the transactions contemplated by the non-binding term sheet, matters discovered by the parties as they complete their respective due diligence investigation of the other. Other factors include the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close, including due to the failure to receive required security holder approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Contact Information: Splashbeveragegroup.com info@splashbeveragegroup.com 954-745-5815 SOURCE: Splash Beverage Group, Inc. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71454 Newly-inducted Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville will contest the Electoral College results from Arizona, joining an effort led by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas as part of a growing Republican effort to overturn the election results and deliver President Donald Trump a second term. In announcing plans to join Cruz, Tuberville who on Monday was sworn into office -- said Tuesday that I am carefully considering additional states that may require my objection. Arizona is the third state senators have announced they are challenging along with Pennsylvania and Georgia when Congress meets Wednesday. In our country, elections are generally governed by the individual states, but there are serious questions about whether, for example, Arizonas electors were selected in accordance with the duly enacted laws of the State of Arizona, which is a requirement of the United States Constitution, Tuberville said in a statement. Elections are too important to allow significant deviations from state law, and I am hopeful that the process tomorrow will at least shine a bright light on the need to investigate potential wrongdoing and to propose reforms. Related: Mo Brooks embraces controversy as he leads longshot fight for Trump Related: Alabama GOP juggles mixed bag of constituent reaction to Electoral College challenge, Trumps anger Republican Mo Brooks of Huntsville is leading an effort in the House of Representatives to contest election results. Brooks said Tuesday on Twitter that he would be objecting to election results in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all swing states won by President-elect Joe Biden. Update: So far, 36+ patriotic Congressmen signing ALL six objections to AZ GA MI NV PA WI electoral college votes. YET, only 3 Senators (Cruz-AZ, Hawley-PA, Loeffler-GA) signing ONE objection apiece. GOP House Members are FIGHTING for honest & accurate elections! Senate: HELP! pic.twitter.com/i8SFnN5b6l Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 5, 2021 In his tweet prior to Tubervilles statement, Brooks also expressed concern that only Cruz, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley and Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler who is in a runoff election Tuesday had announced plans to object to one state each. Hawley is contesting Pennsylvania while Loeffler is contesting her home state of Georgia. Tuberville would be at least the fourth senator to join that effort. Congress will meet in a joint session Wednesday to receive the results of the Electoral College. Typically, Congress approves those results without fanfare but with objections in both the House and the Senate, lawmakers will debate accepting those results in whats considered a last-ditch effort for Trump to win a second term. Both chambers would have to vote to not accept the election results and the Democrat-controlled House is not expected to undo the election victory for Biden. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Trump ally, has also discouraged senators from seeking to overturn the results. Alabamas senior senator, Richard Shelby, has said it is time to move on from disputing the results of the election. Tuberville said in his statement that he supported a commission to further investigate the election. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud or election theft. I believe the appointment of a commission to study this issue ad propose reforms, either at the state or federal level, would be a positive step toward ensuring the integrity of future elections, Tuberville said. Tuberville also praised Trump, who endorsed him in Alabamas Senate race. Under President Trumps leadership, weve seen unprecedented efforts to protect our southern border, cut taxes for Americans, and confirm a record number of conservative judges to the federal bench, Tuberville said in the statement. It is critical to ensure the voices of the millions of Americans who voted for President Trump are heard and not diminished by voter fraud or election irregularities. WASHINGTON After 1,448 days of trench warfare with friends and foes alike, 1,448 days of Twitter blasts and busted norms and shock-jock governing, 1,448 days of dominating the national conversation and rewriting reality to suit his needs, President Donald Trump arrived Wednesday at a moment of reckoning. All that was left was the shouting. Barring an unforeseen surprise, Congress was poised to ratify Trumps election defeat with bipartisan majorities despite a furious effort to persuade Republicans to block the count. At the same time, Democrats appeared on the cusp of winning the second of two runoff elections in Georgia to seize control of the Senate and complete their takeover of the executive and legislative branches. The wreckage of the Trump presidency and its collateral damage on the Republican Party were on display at one end of Pennsylvania Avenue while his denialism was on display on the other. As lawmakers headed to the Capitol to receive electoral votes sealing President-elect Joe Bidens victory, Trump was left to rage futilely before supporters gathered on a cold, gusty day on the Ellipse just south of the White House he will have to vacate in 14 days. We will never give up, he declared at the Save America rally, his last-gasp effort to justify his failing bid to overturn the democratic election with false claims of fraud that have been debunked by elections, judges and even his own attorney general. We will never concede. It doesnt happen. You dont concede when theres theft involved. Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore, and thats what this is all about. The convulsions of the day in Washington presaged the coming conclusion to four turbulent years that upended convention and challenged the institutions of a capital built up over more than two centuries. Democrats and Republicans alike never quite knew how to handle a reality television show star who defied expectation, tradition, rules and truth. Some fought him, others sought to manage him, and many in his own party bowed down to him until now, as the toll became clear. But they never fully accepted him. As the crowd on the Ellipse chanted, Fight for Trump! Fight for Trump! the president lashed out at members of his own party for not doing more to help him cling to power over the will of the people. There are so many weak Republicans, he growled and then vowed to take revenge against those he deemed insufficiently loyal. You primary them, he said. He singled out Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, a Republican who has angered him by not intervening in the election, calling him one of the dumbest governors in the United States. And he went after William Barr, the attorney general who would not validate his election complaints. All of a sudden, Bill Barr changed, he groused. Other speakers, including his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, excoriated Republican lawmakers for not standing up for the president. The people who did nothing to stop the steal this gathering should send a message to them, Donald Trump Jr. said. This isnt their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trumps Republican Party. To many Republicans, that was the problem. Even as Trumps presidency was slipping away from him, Republicans increasingly turned on him, stewing over the lost Georgia races they blamed on his erratic behavior since the Nov. 3 election and the votes he was forcing lawmakers to take for or against the results of a democratic election. Gabriel Sterling, a senior Georgia election official and longtime Republican who has vigorously refuted the presidents false claims of wrongdoing in his states elections, said Trump was 100%, four-square responsible for the partys apparent losses there in Tuesdays Senate runoff elections. Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, one of the presidents sharpest Republican critics, went on CNN to say the election results were a kind of fitting coda, I think, to the end of the Trump administration. The headlines on some conservative media websites were unforgiving: Trump and His Enablers Stole the Georgia Elections From Republicans, declared one column in The Washington Examiner. Blame Everything, but Especially Trump, said another in National Review. DEMS TAKE CONTROL! SWEEP GEORGIA. NEW DAWN OF LIBERALISM. THANKS, DONALD, read a banner headline on The Drudge Report, which broke with Trump in recent months. As for Democrats, they were jubilant over the declared victory of the Rev. Raphael Warnock and the possible victory of Jon Ossoff in Georgia, which if finalized would result in a 50-50 Senate with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris tiebreaking vote giving Democrats a majority. It feels like a brand-new day, exulted Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who was poised to become the majority leader. Trump was hardly ready to concede that and was still pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to do what even the presidents longtime lawyer Jay Sekulow said the vice president did not have the power to do: reject the electors of swing states Republicans lost. I hope Mike is going to do the right thing, Trump said. I hope so. I hope so because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election. Just minutes later, Pence released a letter saying he did not have the power to do what the president wanted him to do. It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not, Pence wrote. It was a city on edge, bracing for possible violence and unrest, with downtown businesses boarding up their storefronts and windows. Trump supporters planned to march to the Capitol to protest his defeat as hundreds of police officers and National Guard troops kept watch. At one point, the president about to lose his office even seemed to suggest he would join them in the trek to Capitol Hill, but instead he kept speaking, even as Congress convened at 1 p.m. to cement his defeat. Trump faced the end of his reign much as he began it: without the support of most Americans even as he has presented himself as a self-proclaimed billionaire champion of everyday people. He won through the Electoral College in 2016 with 3 million fewer votes in the popular tally than his opponent and lost by 7 million in November. He did not earn the approval of a majority of Americans in major surveys for a single day of his tenure, unlike any of his predecessors in the history of polling. As he confronted the finale of his one-term presidency, Trump comforted himself in the company of rallygoers, always his favorite venue for affirmation. He rattled off one debunked conspiracy theory after another to explain away his loss. As the hour for the counting in Congress approached, he kept talking almost as if the talking would change the outcome somehow. Lets go back eight weeks, he said at one point, seeking metaphorically to return to before the loss that will define him at least in part in the history books. But it was too late. None of the yelling would change anything. The show was drawing to a close. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. President Trump is right in saying that the 2020 election was rife with voter fraud. I think he is quite likely right, although no one knows for sure, in alleging that absent fraud he would have been re-elected. But his conduct has nevertheless become indefensible. I dont have a problem with senators like Ted Cruz voting against accepting the report of the Electoral College, which will lead to debates among Senators and Representatives about voter fraud. Still, for the reasons articulated by Tom Cotton, were I a senator I would vote to accept the certified tallies. And the ultimate result is a foregone conclusion: Joe Biden will be our next president. Some of the theories now floating around, e.g. that Mike Pence magically has the right to declare the next presidenta superpower hidden somewhere in the Constitution, until noware delusional. At this point, it is blindingly obvious that Trump has no pathway to victory. To the extent that Democrats committed or enabled voter fraud, they have done so successfully. There never was a plausible way to challenge the certified results in any state in the 60+ days between the election and the inauguration. Whether fraud occurred, sufficient to reverse an apparent result in any state, is a complicated question of fact that would require months, if not years, to litigate fairly. Battles in support of election integrity needed to be fought in advance of the election, not afterward, when it is too late. But the Trump campaign, for some unfathomable reason, was seemingly unprepared for the foreseeable prevalence of voter fraud. Even when the election was over, Trump scrambled to put together a legal team. To the embarrassment of us all, his legal effort was apparently led by Rudy Giuliani, Sydney Powell and the evidently non compos mentis Lin Wood, although in truth the campaign couldnt even keep straight who its lawyers were. The result was a fiasco. Trumps post-election comments have become increasingly unhinged. I wont cite chapter and versethe tweets are too numerousbut will just note this one, issued an hour or so ago: I hope the Democrats, and even more importantly, the weak and ineffective RINO section of the Republican Party, are looking at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. They wont stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen. @senatemajldr @JohnCornyn @SenJohnThune Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2021 To say that Trumps comments are incoherent is to be too deferential. What on Gods green Earth is his point? His backers wont stand for the election to be stolen? (As has been alleged, but not proved.) So what are they going to do about it? Start a revolution? Fight in the streets? This is insanity, lending credence to the Democrats most bizarre fantasies about having to drag Trump out of the White Housefantasies that I, for one, am almost beginning to take seriously. In Donald Trumps dwindling world, canny conservatives like Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn, and staunch conservatives like John Thune and Tom CottonI am not sure how Cotton escaped being hashtagged on Trumps tweetare RINOs. I dislike that term in general, but applying it to the senators in question means that Trump is in a boat by himself, or with a handful like Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley who are willing to fight a futile rear-guard action on his behalf before bailing out. In my opinion, Donald Trump has been an excellent president, easily the best since Ronald Reagan. I have voted for him twice and supported him, once he got the nomination in 2016, through thick and thin. But his recent irrational conduct has undermined his legacy and, sadly, has given credence to the attacks that Democrats have levied against him, almost always unfairly, since he announced for the Republican nomination. The sad reality is that our president has gone off the rails. The best thing he can do from now until January 20 is nothing. No speeches, no tweets. Fights over election integrity are critically important and will continue for years to come, but for now, Trumps irrationality is making those fights harder to win, not easier. Mr. President: Give it up. Please. The team is comprised of multidisciplinary students; Nick Clawson (B.A.Sc, Applied Physics), Emily Haines (B.S.E Industrial Systems Engineering), David Manguiat (B.S.B.A Finance), Isabelle Rea (B.S Industrial Design), and Nina Tavernier (B.S.E Industrial Systems Engineering). The student team represents diversity in educational study and in background and expertise. Their collaboration is a result of a newly implemented course called "Rapid Innovation for Public Impact" an OSU senior design option inspired by the well-established "Hacking for Defense (H4D)" course. The team explored a long-standing issue regarding the process for producing an unknown circuit board's schematic. Circuit boards are often presented to government contractors for further investigation. Their end goal is to draw the board's schematic in order to reveal capabilities and functions of the board. Circuit boards are initially examined for malicious hardware before their multiple layers are imaged using X-Ray or Terahertz technology. Images are then used in manual production of a schematic depicting all components and traces. This production alone contributes to a process cost of tens of thousands of dollars. The student team investigated the integration of artificial intelligence into this manually intensive processa solution that requires a hefty amount of data collection. The student team was able to generate an extensive amount of data needed to explore AI integration in the data sourcing phase by "crowdsourcing" the image editing process. Crowdsourcing refers to the practice of enlisting a large group of individuals to perform tasks that a computer cannot yet perform. Their solution for using established crowdsourcing platforms to generate substantial amounts of unclassified annotated images provides sufficient data for AI training to support automating schematic generation. Riverside Research encourages and supports scientific research using internal and external resources to solve critical problemsa mission statement that the student team has remained in touch with throughout solution development. "We are thankful to have this opportunity to provide students with real-world AI applications," said Riverside Research President & CEO Dr. Steve Omick. "We believe this experience has bolstered student confidence in their upcoming professional environment and look forward to continue partnerships like these." SOURCE Riverside Research Related Links http://www.riversideresearch.org GRANNY rapist Joseph Cummins has been arrested this evening in Nenagh just days after returning to the town following his release from prison for the rape of a 75-year-old woman. Pictures obtained by Sundayworld.com show Cummins being arrested by gardai outside a property in the Melrose estate in Nenagh at 8.30 pm. Cummins (33) was surrounded by protesters shouting rapists out and dirtbag as officers led him into the back of a waiting garda van. The sex-beasts arrest comes just days after his release from the Midlands Prison. His arrival home to Nenagh was made with nightly protests from residents in the town. Expand Close Rapist Joseph Cummins leaving Midlands Prison / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rapist Joseph Cummins leaving Midlands Prison The family of the 75-year-old grandmother, raped by the twisted predator, had backed the protests calling for him to be tagged or moved away from Nenagh. The Sunday World confronted Cummins on New Years Eve as he exited the Midlands prison a free man after doing just 13 years inside for the rape of the 75-year-old. Asked whether he would like to express remorse to the family of his pensioner victim, who passed away four years ago, the Nenagh native angrily declined. Why the f**k would I say sorry to you about it? He asked. I didnt do nothing to you. Ive nothing to say to you about it. Twisted Cummins (33) then turned his back on our reporter before making his way on foot to a bus stop and then on to Tipperary. A grand-daughter of Cummins victim told the Sunday World she wasnt surprised at the rapists apparent lack of remorse. My grandmother survived what he did to her that night when he broke into her house and did what he did. She was a strong woman who somehow managed to go on with things. She passed away four years ago. I dont think she wanted to be here on earth the day he got released. Details of the savage ordeal Cummins inflicted on his 75-year-old victim, when they emerged during his trial in January of 2007, marked him out as one of Irelands most depraved sex offenders. Cummins, then 20-years-of age, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of raping and anally raping the pensioner in May 2005. He was also convicted of burglary of her home but was found not guilty by direction of the court of threatening to kill her on the same occasion. In her victim impact statement, the pensioner spoke of the horrific ordeal Cummins subjected her to and the degradation she felt in the aftermath of his crimes. "The reason my life suddenly changed completely was that on May 22nd, 2005 in the early hours of the morning a man broke into my house where he raped me and robbed me in my living room. "It was a vicious attack which has completely changed my life. I never felt afraid in my own house and I never thought anything like this would ever happen to me. "Something like this should never happen to me or to anybody else. I was in poor health at the time. This incident seriously affected me in many ways. "During this attack I was terrified for my safety. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I never even had a reason to call the gardai." The woman recounted how she had been brought to Waterford hospital after the attack and examined there by a doctor. "This was all very embarrassing and humiliating for me. I was in a total state of shock and fear. I have been going for counselling on a regular basis since this happened. My family also have to go for counselling. "Not only has this affected me, it has affected my whole family. All our lives have been turned upside down." The victim said that after the attack she never returned to her old house, even to visit it, and moved home. "Shortly after the attack we brought the armchair that I was raped in to [one of] my daughter's house. My daughters made up a life-size dummy and put it in the armchair. They then set fire to the armchair. I kept wishing that it was the man that did this to me was in the chair going up in flames. I can't sleep at night and I am having terrible nightmares that he is going to come back again. The night this attack happened to me I had a box of sleeping tablets in my hand which I picked up from somewhere. I sat there thinking to myself would I be better off taking them and for my family to find me dead rather than me having to tell them what had happened to me and for them having to go through all this. "I never told my family exactly what had happened to me on the night of the attack and they only heard the full details on the day I gave my evidence in court. That was very hard for both me and my family. "All I want to do now is to put all this behind me, if I can, and put my life back together and live out the rest of my life as best I can. Sentencing judge Mr. Justice Paul Carney was told by the victim's daughter and granddaughter that when he was being led out of court in Limerick after his conviction, Cummins turned to them saying: "This is not over yet." They said he then thumped the jury box as he passed it while prison officers used an envelope to shield his eyes to stop him from staring at the victim and her family Timothy O'Leary, defending, said Cummins came from a disadvantaged background and was diagnosed in childhood as suffering from attention deficit hyperactive disorder. He had come to the attention of the Garda at an early stage and most of his previous convictions involved cars, but he had none before this for crimes of a sexual nature. Mr. O'Leary said Cummins was 18 at the time of the offence and while the court might take "a dim and serious view" of the crimes, he asked that he be left with some light at the end of the tunnel. Mr. Justice Carney said the threat by Cummins to his victims family led him to consider imposing a life sentence and he noted that the Court of Criminal Appeal had recently shown a greater inclination to uphold a discretionary life sentence. He said that he would not impose a life sentence in view of Cummins's age as that could mean he could find himself serving 55 years or more. He was reluctant to expose Cummins to the risk of having to serve 55 years but by coupling his sentence with post-release supervision, it would keep him under control for 25 years. Mr. Justice Carney imposed two concurrent terms of 15 years each for rape and anal rape, and five years for burglary. He declared Cummins a sex offender and ordered that he undergo 10 years of post-release supervision. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors Hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump descended on Washington DC on Tuesday to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud a day before a congressional vote to affirm Joe Bidens victory. Just blocks from the White House, protesters many without masks gathered in Freedom Plaza to decry the vote in the Electoral College. As temperatures dropped and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. Im just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who travelled from Memphis, Tennessee. Mr Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the presidents legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and did not know what options Mr Trump had left. Im not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say, Mr Wideman said. The president tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The speakers included Mr Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom the president pardoned after he was twice convicted of lying to the FBI in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. We stand at a crucible moment in United States history, Mr Flynn told the mostly maskless crowd. This country is awake now. The president was expected to personally address his supporters in Washington on Wednesday during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. The protests coincide with Wednesdays congressional vote expected to certify the Electoral College results, which Mr Trump continues to dispute. In a Tuesday evening tweet, Mr Trump called on Democrats and fellow Republicans to look at the thousands of people pouring into DC. In another tweet, he warned that antifa, the umbrella term for leftist militant groups that Mr Trump has said he wants to declare a terrorist organisation, should stay out of Washington. The rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalised. Officials said there were six arrests by Tuesday night for a variety of offences including weapons and ammunition possession, assaulting a police officer, simple assault and possessing a stun gun. Expand Close People hold signs at the rally at Freedom Plaza (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People hold signs at the rally at Freedom Plaza (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) District of Columbia mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the citys police force. She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is looking for a fight. But, she warned, we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city. Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Mr Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Mr Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. A pro-Trump rally on December 12 ended in violence as hundreds of the presidents supporters, wearing the signature black and yellow of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, sought out confrontations with a collective of local activists attempting to bar them from Black Lives Matter Plaza, an area near the White House. At least two local black churches had Black Lives Matter banners torn down and set ablaze. Expand Close Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio (Allison Dinner/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio (Allison Dinner/AP) On Monday, police arrested the leader of the Proud Boys, Henry Enrique Tarrio, 36, after he arrived in Washington ahead of this weeks protests. Mr Tarrio was accused of burning one of the Black Lives Matter banners in December and was found with two high-capacity firearm magazines, police said. A judge signed an order on Tuesday banning Mr Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions related to his criminal case. Organisers planned to rally into the night on Tuesday and again all day on Wednesday on the Ellipse. An afternoon march was also planned to the US Capitol, where Congress will be voting to affirm the election results. PA Media The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine the two contentious state laws passed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, prohibiting conversion from one religion to another by marriage. Issuing notice on two separate petitions challenging the laws, a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde, refused to order stay. Soon after the Court order, the Muslim organization Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind filed an application for intervention raising serious concerns over the two laws being aimed to target Muslim youth. This application will come up along with the two petitions after four weeks. At first, the top court hesitated to issue notice as it was aware about the pendency of separate petitions before the Allahabad High Court and the Uttarakhand High Court challenging the Uttar Pradesh ordinance titled Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act. Only the society in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be affected by this law. Why should the petitioners not approach the respective High Courts, observed CJI Bobde. Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a NGO run by social activist Teesta Setalvad, which filed one of the petitions challenging the two laws, informed the top court through senior advocate CU Singh that the issue is arising in other states as well. The state of Himachal Pradesh has re-enacted a similar law (HP Freedom of Religion Act) in 2019 after its earlier law prohibiting conversion from one faith to another was struck down by the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2012. Now the new law has roped in marriage by conversion as a ground to prosecute persons. We have multiple states, it said. The other petition, filed by two lawyers Vishal Thakre and Abhay Singh Yadav and a law researcher Pranvesh, also asserted that the problem needs to be addressed by the top court as the UP Ordinance and Uttarakhand Act are against the public policy and society at large and violates basic structure of the Constitution. Similar laws were being contemplated by state governments of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and Assam, the petition added. The bench agreed to issue notice on the two petitions seeking responses from the Centre on whether the laws in question violated fundamental right to practise ones religion, guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution among other rights protected under Article 14 (right to equality), 15 (right against discrimination) and 21 (right to dignity). The CJP petition said, The Ordinance and the Act impinge upon this right (under Article 25) by imposing unreasonable and discriminatory restrictions on it by mandating that the administration be informed of such intention and a probe be launched in such a personal and intimate exercise of ones right. The CJP lawyer urged for a stay as Singh said, Rampaging mobs are moving around lifting people from marriage ceremonies. Before marrying, individuals have to register their names and the burden is on them to prove that the conversion is not for marriage. If someone does convert for marriage, he faces punishment up to 10 years. He was referring to the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 that outlaws religious conversions by marriage, coercion, deceit or enticement. The law in force since November 24 last year prescribes a jail term varying between one to five years, in addition to fines of up to Rs 15,000 for those convicted under the law. The jail term goes up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 25,000 for conversions of women belonging to scheduled caste or scheduled tribe communities or who are minors. The law was promulgated about a month after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath vowed to end love jihad, a term used by right-wing activists to describe marital relationships between Muslim men and Hindu women. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind cited this statement given by the UP chief minister to raise the issue of fundamental rights of the Muslim youth, who are being targeted and demonised by using the Impugned Ordinance in its application. The practice of converting religion just for the sake of marriage might at worst be termed as ethically objectionable or immoral, however, the same cannot be criminalised, Jamiat stated through its lawyer Ejaz Maqbool. Both petitions too voiced concerns that the ordinance can become a potent tool in the hands of bad elements of the society to falsely implicate anyone. Daily there are reports of people being picked up by force. These provisions are obnoxious particularly when the SC in 2018 held that the state cannot interfere with an individuals right to marry as held in Shafin Jahan case, Singh argued. Asking individuals to validate their conversion for the purpose of marriage or otherwise violates their right to privacy, he added. The bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, was not convinced to order stay. It said, Can a law be stayed if prosecution is oppressive or false. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 21:06:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Beijing is experiencing a strong cold wave that started early Wednesday, with the lowest temperature forecast to reach minus 19 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature recorded in the city since 2000 was minus 17 degrees Celsius, according to the Beijing meteorological station. The first cold wave in 2021 features a "dramatic temperature drop," "significant wind-chill effect" and "prolonged period of low temperature," said Lei Lei, chief forecaster of the station. Liu Tong, a deliveryman in Beijing's Daxing District, said he began his day on a startling note as strong winds hit against the window creating horrible grating noise. The 23-year-old put on a thick cotton-padded jacket, a hat and a pair of cotton leg warmers before heading out to deliver packages. "No matter how thick I wear, my hands and feet feel like freezing," said Liu, while sorting and scanning packages with his cellphone. Traffic policeman Li Ning, who was stationed at a road intersection in Xicheng District, said he could not feel his face in the biting cold, although he wore a thick motorcycle jacket and a helmet. He blamed it on the tiny gap he had left in the helmet to prevent the visor from fogging. Explaining his ordeal, he said the cold wind felt like a knife piercing his face. Because of the cold weather, their shifts are being rotated every two hours, instead of three on usual days, Li said, adding that his body would freeze after a one-hour patrol. Beijing meteorological authorities on Tuesday issued yellow alerts for continuous low temperatures and gales, forecasting the daily low in the city's plains to be lower than minus 12 degrees Celsius from Tuesday to Thursday. Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Center renewed a blue alert for a cold wave on Tuesday as most parts of northern and southern China will experience a temperature drop by 10 degrees Celsius. The center advised the public to take precautions against the cold weather and strong winds. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Enditem Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist, Tapan Mishra has claimed he was poisoned more than three years ago with deadly arsenic trioxide on May 23, 2017, during a promotion interview at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru. In a Facebook post titled Long Kept Secret, Senior Advisor ISRO, Mishra on Tuesday claimed that in July 2017, Home Affairs security personnel met him and alerted him of arsenic poisoning and helped doctors to focus on the exact remedy. Mishra said he later suffered from health issues including severe breathing difficulty, unusual skin eruptions, skin shedding and fungal infections. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Mishra said, Someone definitely wanted to do some harm to ISRO. The only solution is to catch the culprit and punish them. Its not possible to provide security to 2,000 scientists. I have posted everything on Facebook regarding the incident. I do not know the reason behind this but I can only guess that it might be a consequence of working on a critical technology. There might be other reasons as well, he added. Mishra further said, it was important to bring this in public domain in order to save other scientists in future. People take advantage of the silence. Agencies are looking into it. Surely it was no work of a street thug but some sophisticated espionage agency inside our organisation, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MARE ISLAND, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- When the entrepreneurs behind Freshie, the first certified organic silver tequila seltzer sought an indelible identity for their new beverage, they turned to Affinity Creative Group. The founders, Paige and Ryne Iseminger, aimed to quickly convey the fun, lively, and adventurous feeling of a south of the border vacation, while also communicating the use of genuine, unadulterated, and pure ingredients. The challenge: get all of that messaging to fit on a slim, 12 oz. aluminum can. Freshie Canned Tequila Seltzer Freshie Canned Tequila Seltzer Four Pack The Affinity team quickly went to work exploring a range of design solutions to visually communicate the distinctive set of attributes that sets this product apart from a growing field of competitors. Ultimately, after exploring a range of options, the branding and packaging design solution emerged in a simple yet brilliant form. The name itself, Freshie, embodies fun lively energyso the Affinity design experts unlocked that dynamism through the use of bold typography, vibrant color, and a memorable design layout. Now, the brand name in itself personifies and projects the vibe of Mexicoa south of the border holiday state of mind. The expressive, colorful, overlapping translucent letterforms, combined with graphically depicted ingredients and a scattering of effervescent bubbles completes the total package. Paige commented on the outcome, "As a designer myself, I knew it was no easy task to get the look and feel we wanted on that little can. The Affinity team made it happen though, much to our delightful surprise. Ryne and I are so pleased with the outcome the branding screams fun while projecting a high degree of credibility, particularly with regard to our use of all-natural and organic ingredients. Affinity Creative truly helped us say adventure, fun, and outstanding quality, all on the smallest of packaging formats." This new premium sparkling tequila seltzer, with only 99 calories, all certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, sustainable farmed and distilled ingredients, has been launched in Chicago and other Illinois markets, with plans to expand distribution from coast to coast by early 2021. Look for it at your favorite retailer soon. It's hard to miss. And that's a good thing! Photos: Click Here About Freshie: Freshie is more than a drink; it's a lifestyle. Crafted on a family trip to Mexico, the light and refreshing tequila seltzer combines great taste with all Organic ingredients. Let the fiesta begin, and visit www.getfreshie.com for more information! About Affinity Creative Group: From our unique creative campus, (two mansions and a bungalow), along historic officer's row on Mare Island, California, Affinity Creative Group provides brand design, digital media, and retail activation marketing services, particularly for wine, spirits and other luxury categories. The most experienced team in the business, staffed with knowledgeable industry professionals, provide strategic, creative and effective solutions that attract attention, spark interest and win customer loyalty in tasting rooms, on premise and at retail venues across the country and around the globe. Affinity helps clients of all sizes connect with consumers at the early, essential moments of contact, or points of 'brand touch' through the intelligent use of creativity, captivating storytelling, and flawless implementation. For more information about Affinity Creative Group, please visit: AffinityCreative.com or call 707.562.2787. Media Contact: Carolyn Schwartz, Marketing Manager, [email protected] SOURCE Affinity Creative Group Related Links https://affinitycreative.com/ LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE: GBX) ("Greenbrier"), a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets, today reported financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2020. First Quarter Highlights Liquidity of $810 million , including $725 million in cash and $85 million of available borrowing capacity. Combined with $150 million of additional initiatives in progress totals $960 million . , including in cash and of available borrowing capacity. Combined with of additional initiatives in progress totals . Diversified new railcar backlog as of November 30, 2020 was 23,900 units with an estimated value of $2.35 billion , including orders for 2,900 railcars valued at approximately $260 million received during the quarter. Deliveries in the quarter were 3,100 units, representing a nearly 1.0x book-to-bill. was 23,900 units with an estimated value of , including orders for 2,900 railcars valued at approximately received during the quarter. Deliveries in the quarter were 3,100 units, representing a nearly 1.0x book-to-bill. Net loss attributable to Greenbrier for the quarter was $10 million , or $0.30 per diluted share, on revenue of $403 million . , or per diluted share, on revenue of . Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $23 million , or 5.8% of revenue. , or 5.8% of revenue. Board declares a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on February 16, 2021 to shareholders as of January 26, 2021 representing Greenbrier's 27 th consecutive dividend. per share, payable on to shareholders as of representing Greenbrier's 27 consecutive dividend. Board extends $100 million share repurchase program through January 2023 . William A. Furman, Chairman & CEO commented, "Greenbrier remains focused on sustaining a high level of liquidity and carefully managing our manufacturing footprint in order to continue to generate operating cash flow. Consistent with these goals, we ended the quarter with a strong cash position while meaningfully lowering our debt during the quarter. Our prior cost reduction initiatives, combined with inventory and syndication activity, produced solid cash flow in the quarter. Although a challenging operating environment persists at least through the first half of fiscal 2021, our $2.35 billion backlog provides a baseload for our manufacturing operations and visibility into forward production requirements. We will continue to adjust our manufacturing footprint based on our outlook, while also ensuring we do not constrain our ability to scale capacity as demand increases. New order inquiries continue as rail traffic increases and velocity declines. This positions us well for the market improvements we expect later in calendar 2021. Finally, our strategic actions over the past two years, particularly the acquisition of ARI in the U.S., have delivered results. We have reduced our costs and secured our positon as a market leader on three continents, especially in our core North American market." Business Update & Outlook Greenbrier continues to operate safely and efficiently as we execute our COVID-19 response plan. Protecting employees within the work environment remains our top priority. Community spread is increasing in many areas requiring continued vigilance. Greenbrier maintains a low incident rate of COVID-19 among our employees by adhering to CDC-recommended preventative and remedial actions across the company. We also take instant action to prevent spread at the first signs of any infection. In light of the consequences of the pandemic and an associated economic downturn, preserving the financial health of Greenbrier is imperative. Maintaining cash flow and liquidity are essential components of Greenbrier's current operating strategy. We have been very successful in this regard. Our diversified $2.35 billion backlog provides a baseload of activity as we gain greater visibility into customer needs as the year unfolds. Greenbrier's scale and capabilities have significantly broadened since the Great Recession, a little more than a decade ago. Our backlog today is more than five times larger than it was as of the end of 2010. Our stronger market position is reflected in our share of North American industry railcar orders in the first nine months of calendar year 2020 and in the diverse types of railcars we are building. In Europe, broad macroeconomic reforms to address climate change are ushering in an era of modal shift for freight as the continent moves from polluting and congested road travel to clean and efficient rail service. This should generate significant market growth in the years to come. Regulatory-driven freight wagon demand in Europe supplements the increase in commodity-driven and replacement freight wagon demand that typically gathers momentum in a recovering economy. On three continents, Greenbrier is well-positioned for both the present and the future with a strong balance sheet and a streamlined manufacturing footprint that we can scale as our markets return to higher demand levels. Financial Summary Q1 FY21 Q4 FY20 Sequential Comparison Main Drivers Revenue $403.0M $636.4M 45% fewer deliveries due to weak demand environment Gross margin 10.1% 10.5% Fewer deliveries partially offset by operating efficiencies in NA Manufacturing Selling and administrative $43.7M $46.3M Continuing cost reduction initiatives result in lower employee-related and discretionary expenses Adjusted EBITDA $23.2M $55.7M Lower operating earnings Effective tax rate (55.5%) 21.3% Tax benefit from favorable discrete items related to foreign currency fluctuations Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest ($3.3M) ($7.8M) Lower profitability because of fewer deliveries at GIMSA joint venture Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier ($10.0M) $5.5M(1) Lower gross margin reflecting fewer deliveries partially offset by income tax benefit and lower selling & administrative expense Adjusted diluted EPS ($0.30) $0.16(1) (1) Excludes expense of $5.6 million ($0.16 per share), net of tax and noncontrolling interest, associated with ARI integration related expenses and severance expenses. Segment Summary Q1 FY21 Q4 FY20 Sequential Comparison Main Drivers Manufacturing Revenue $308.7M $549.7M Fewer deliveries reflecting weak demand environment Gross margin 9.0% 9.4% Operating efficiencies from cost reduction initiatives partially mitigate lower production rates Operating margin (1) 3.1% 5.4% Lower gross margin partially offset by lower selling & administrative expense Deliveries (2) 2,700 4,900 Wheels, Repair & Parts Revenue $65.6M $64.8M Increased scrap pricing partially offset by continued volume pressure Gross margin 3.9% 6.0% Volume pressure and operating inefficiencies from weak demand environment Operating margin (1) (0.3)% 1.3% Leasing & Services Revenue $28.7M $22.0M Higher externally sourced syndication activity and lease income Gross margin 35.8% 53.2% Externally sourced syndication activity reduces gross margin % although generating positive gross margin dollars; Excluding this activity, gross margin % was 47.5% Operating margin (1) (3) 20.5% 29.7% Lower gross margin partially offset by lower selling & administrative expense Fleet utilization 93.3% 90.4% (1) See supplemental segment information on page 10 for additional information. (2) Excludes Brazil deliveries which are not consolidated into manufacturing revenue and margins. (3) Includes Net gain on disposition of equipment, which is excluded from gross margin. Conference Call Greenbrier will host a teleconference to discuss its first quarter 2021 results. In conjunction with this news release, Greenbrier has posted a supplemental earnings presentation to our website. Teleconference details are as follows: January 6, 2021 8:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time Phone: 1-630-395-0143, Password: "Greenbrier" Real-time Audio Access: ("Newsroom" at http://www.gbrx.com) Please access the site 10 minutes prior to the start time. About Greenbrier Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America. Greenbrier Europe is an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business with operations in Poland, Romania and Turkey that serves customers across Europe and in the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Greenbrier builds freight railcars and rail castings in Brazil through two separate strategic partnerships. We are a leading provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, repair, refurbishment and retrofitting services in North America through our wheels, repair & parts business unit. Greenbrier offers railcar management, regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and related transportation industries in North America. Through unconsolidated joint ventures, we produce industrial and rail castings, and other components. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of 8,400 railcars and performs management services for 407,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com. THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, unaudited) November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 May 31, 2020 February 29, 2020 November 30, 2019 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 724,547 $ 833,745 $ 735,258 $ 169,899 $ 253,602 Restricted cash 8,547 8,342 8,704 8,569 8,648 Accounts receivable, net 240,668 239,597 261,629 326,229 313,786 Inventories 490,282 529,529 675,442 709,115 733,806 Leased railcars for syndication 51,087 107,671 136,144 255,073 135,319 Equipment on operating leases, net 445,542 350,442 355,841 385,974 396,187 Property, plant and equipment, net 696,333 711,524 719,155 723,326 730,730 Investment in unconsolidated affiliates 72,254 72,354 75,508 79,082 85,141 Intangibles and other assets, net 186,509 190,322 181,315 160,709 162,089 Goodwill 130,315 130,308 130,035 129,684 129,468 $ 3,046,084 $ 3,173,834 $ 3,279,031 $ 2,974,660 $ 2,948,776 Liabilities and Equity Revolving notes $ 276,248 $ 351,526 $ 416,535 $ 37,196 $ 29,502 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 434,138 463,880 488,969 499,898 527,789 Deferred income taxes 10,120 7,701 4,354 9,173 9,417 Deferred revenue 36,916 42,467 63,536 70,869 59,657 Notes payable, net 797,089 804,088 806,919 811,860 817,830 Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest 30,711 31,117 30,611 30,782 31,723 Total equity Greenbrier 1,280,407 1,293,043 1,291,221 1,286,472 1,281,808 Noncontrolling interest 180,455 180,012 176,886 201,410 191,050 Total equity 1,460,862 1,473,055 1,468,107 1,487,882 1,472,858 $ 3,046,084 $ 3,173,834 $ 3,279,031 $ 2,947,660 $ 2,948,776 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 2019 Revenue Manufacturing $ 308,722 $ 657,367 Wheels, Repair & Parts 65,556 86,608 Leasing & Services 28,711 25,384 402,989 769,359 Cost of revenue Manufacturing 280,890 581,912 Wheels, Repair & Parts 62,984 81,892 Leasing & Services 18,444 13,366 362,318 677,170 Margin 40,671 92,189 Selling and administrative 43,707 54,364 Net gain on disposition of equipment (922) (3,959) Earnings (loss) from operations (2,114) 41,784 Other costs Interest and foreign exchange 11,103 12,852 Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (13,217) 28,932 Income tax benefit (expense) 7,332 (5,994) Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (5,885) 22,938 Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (744) 1,073 Net earnings (loss) (6,629) 24,011 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (3,343) (16,342) Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ (9,972) $ 7,669 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.30) $ 0.24 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.30) $ 0.23 Weighted average common shares Basic 32,723 32,629 Diluted 32,723 33,284 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.27 $ 0.25 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 2019 Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings (loss) $ (6,629) $ 24,011 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Deferred income taxes 2,338 (6,515) Depreciation and amortization 26,046 29,335 Net gain on disposition of equipment (922) (3,959) Accretion of debt discount 1,419 1,350 Stock based compensation expense 4,435 3,157 Noncontrolling interest adjustments (1,271) 1,736 Other 560 (391) Decrease (increase) in assets: Accounts receivable, net (6,377) 58,488 Inventories 13,404 (69,662) Leased railcars for syndication 6,222 (13,132) Other assets 2,224 (37,304) Increase (decrease) in liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (27,257) (47,421) Deferred revenue (5,521) (10,012) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 8,671 (70,319) Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sales of assets 8,691 27,463 Capital expenditures (38,604) (23,216) Investment in and advances to/repayments from unconsolidated affiliates 4,526 (1,500) Cash distribution from unconsolidated affiliates and other 488 4,452 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (24,899) 7,199 Cash flows from financing activities: Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less (9,738) 2,399 Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days 110,000 - Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days (175,000) - Repayments of notes payable (8,908) (9,749) Debt issuance costs - (4) Dividends (9,180) (343) Cash distribution to joint venture partner (2,810) (4,531) Tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock (2,337) (1,870) Net cash used in financing activities (97,973) (14,098) Effect of exchange rate changes 5,208 981 Decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (108,993) (76,237) Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Beginning of period 842,087 338,487 End of period $ 733,094 $ 262,250 Balance Sheet Reconciliation: Cash and cash equivalents $ 724,547 $ 253,602 Restricted cash 8,547 8,648 Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as presented above $ 733,094 $ 262,250 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, excluding backlog and delivery units, unaudited) Reconciliation of Net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Net earnings (loss) $ (6,629) $ 7,691 Interest and foreign exchange 11,103 10,596 Income tax expense (benefit) (7,332) 2,306 Depreciation and amortization 26,046 27,398 Severance expense - 5,919 ARI integration related costs - 1,750 Adjusted EBITDA $ 23,188 $ 55,660 Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 Backlog Activity (units) (1) Beginning backlog 24,600 Orders received 2,900 Production held as Leased railcars for syndication (700) Production sold directly to third parties (2,900) Ending backlog 23,900 Delivery Information (units) (1) Production sold directly to third parties 2,900 Sales of Leased railcars for syndication 200 Total deliveries 3,100 (1) Includes Greenbrier-Maxion, our Brazilian railcar manufacturer, which is accounted for under the equity method THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) Operating Results by Quarter for 2020 are as follows: First Second Third Fourth Total Revenue Manufacturing $ 657,367 $ 489,943 $ 653,007 $ 549,654 $ 2,349,971 Wheels, Repair & Parts 86,608 91,225 82,024 64,813 324,670 Leasing & Services 25,384 42,680 27,526 21,958 117,548 769,359 623,848 762,557 636,425 2,792,189 Cost of revenue Manufacturing 581,912 422,309 562,793 498,155 2,065,169 Wheels, Repair & Parts 81,892 84,373 75,001 60,923 302,189 Leasing & Services 13,366 30,830 17,232 10,272 71,700 677,170 537,512 655,026 569,350 2,439,058 Margin 92,189 86,336 107,531 67,075 353,131 Selling and administrative expense 54,364 54,597 49,494 46,251 204,706 Net gain on disposition of equipment (3,959) (6,697) (8,775) (573) (20,004) Earnings from operations 41,784 38,436 66,812 21,397 168,429 Other costs Interest and foreign exchange 12,852 12,609 7,562 10,596 43,619 Earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates 28,932 25,827 59,250 10,801 124,810 Income tax expense (5,994) (7,463) (24,421) (2,306) (40,184) Earnings before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates 22,938 18,364 34,829 8,495 84,626 Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates 1,073 1,651 1,040 (804) 2,960 Net earnings 24,011 20,015 35,869 7,691 87,586 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (16,342) (6,386) (8,097) (7,794) (38,619) Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ 7,669 $ 13,629 $ 27,772 $ (103) $ 48,967 Basic earnings per common share (1) $ 0.24 $ 0.42 $ 0.85 $ (0.00) $ 1.50 Diluted earnings per common share (1) $ 0.23 $ 0.41 $ 0.83 $ (0.00) $ 1.46 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.25 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 1.06 (1) Quarterly amounts may not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Diluted EPS is calculated by including the dilutive effect, using the treasury stock method, associated with shares underlying the 2.875% Convertible notes, 2.25% Convertible notes, restricted stock units that are not considered participating securities and performance based restricted stock units subject to performance criteria, for which actual levels of performance above target have been achieved. THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, unaudited) Segment Information Three months ended November 30, 2020: Revenue Earnings (loss) from operations External Intersegment Total External Intersegment Total Manufacturing $ 308,722 $ 20,591 $ 329,313 $ 9,686 $ 2,505 $ 12,191 Wheels, Repair & Parts 65,556 301 65,857 (200) (9) (209) Leasing & Services 28,711 4,665 33,376 5,890 4,285 10,175 Eliminations - (25,557) (25,557) - (6,781) (6,781) Corporate - - - (17,490) - (17,490) $ 402,989 $ - $ 402,989 $ (2,114) $ - $ (2,114) Three months ended August 31, 2020: Revenue Earnings (loss) from operations External Intersegment Total External Intersegment Total Manufacturing $ 549,654 $ 1,683 $ 551,337 $ 29,695 $ (19) $ 29,676 Wheels, Repair & Parts 64,813 95 64,908 813 3 816 Leasing & Services 21,958 10,898 32,856 6,520 10,528 17,048 Eliminations - (12,676) (12,676) - (10,512) (10,512) Corporate - - - (15,631) - (15,631) $ 636,425 $ - $ 636,425 $ 21,397 $ - $ 21,397 Total assets November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Manufacturing $ 1,264,616 $ 1,301,715 Wheels, Repair & Parts 274,534 271,862 Leasing & Services 758,820 739,025 Unallocated 748,114 861,232 $ 3,046,084 $ 3,173,834 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) Reconciliation of common shares outstanding The shares used in the computation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share are reconciled as follows: Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding (1) 32,723 32,658 Dilutive effect of convertible notes (2) - - Dilutive effect of restricted stock units (3) - - Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 32,723 32,658 (1) Restricted stock grants and restricted stock units that are considered participating securities, including some grants subject to certain performance criteria, are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. (2) The dilutive effect of the 2.875% Convertible notes issued in February 2017 and the 2.25% Convertible notes issued in July 2019 were excluded from the share calculations due to a net loss in each period. (3) Restricted stock units that are not considered participating securities and restricted stock units subject to performance criteria, for which actual levels of performance above target have been achieved, are included in weighted average diluted common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. Reconciliation of Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier to Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ (9,972) $ (103) ARI integration related costs, net of tax (1) - 1,936 Severance expense, net of tax & noncontrolling interest (2) - 3,636 Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ (9,972) $ 5,469 (1) Net of tax of $620. (2) Net of tax and noncontrolling interest of $2,283. Reconciliation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share to Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.00 ARI integration related costs, net of tax - 0.06 Severance expense, net of tax & noncontrolling interest - 0.10 Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.16 Weighted average diluted shares used to calculate Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share 32,723 33,519 "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including any statements that are not purely statements of historical fact. Greenbrier uses words, and variations of words, such as "adjust," "align," "believe," "continue," "ensure," "focus," "maintain," "managing," "target," "will," "working," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about backlog, and future liquidity and cash flow as well as other information regarding future performance and strategies and appear throughout this press release including in the headlines and the section "Business Update & Outlook." These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the following. (1) We are unable to predict when, how, or with what magnitude COVID-19 governmental reaction to the pandemic, and related economic disruptions will negatively impact our business: we may be prevented from operating our facilities; the operations of our customers may be disrupted increasing the likelihood that our customers may attempt to delay, defer or cancel orders, or cease to operate as going concerns; the operations of our suppliers may be disrupted; our indebtedness may increase; we may breach the covenants in our credit agreement; the market price of our common stock may drop or remain volatile; we may incur significant employee health care costs under our self-insurance programs. The longer the pandemic continues, the more likely that negative impacts on our business will occur, some of which we cannot now foresee. (2) Our backlog of railcar units and marine vessels is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations. Certain orders in backlog are subject to customary documentation which may not occur. Customers may attempt to cancel or modify orders or refuse to accept and pay for products. The likelihood of cancellations, modifications, rejection and non-payment for our products generally increases during periods of market weakness. The timing of converting backlog to revenue is also materially impacted by our decision whether to lease railcars, sell railcars, or syndicate railcars with a lease attached to an investor. More information on potential factors that could cause our results to differ from our forward-looking statements is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recently filed periodic report on Form 10-K and subsequent report on 10-Q. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof. Adjusted Financial Metric Definitions Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier and Adjusted diluted EPS are not financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These metrics are performance measurement tools used by rail supply companies and Greenbrier. You should not consider these metrics in isolation or as a substitute for other financial statement data determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because these metrics are not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, the measures presented may differ from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net earnings (loss) before Interest and foreign exchange, Income tax benefit (expense), Depreciation and amortization and excluding the impact associated with items we do not believe are indicative of our core business or which affect comparability. We believe the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information as it excludes the impact of financing, foreign exchange, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital spending. These items may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to the overall operating performance of a company's core business. We believe this assists in comparing our performance across reporting periods. Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier and Adjusted diluted EPS excludes the impact associated with items we do not believe are indicative of our core business or which affect comparability. We believe this assists in comparing our performance across reporting periods. SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. Related Links http://www.gbrx.com A dry run to assess the readiness for the COVID-19 vaccination drive will be held in 21 districts of Chhattisgarh over the next two days, a senior state health official said on Wednesday. Last week, a similar mock drill was held in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur and six other districts out of the total 28 districts in the state. Now, it will be held in the remaining 21 districts for the assessment of preparation for the imminent coronavirus vaccination drive, mission director for National Health Mission in Chhattisgarh, Priyanka Shukla, told PTI. The dry run will be conducted in Balrampur, Bijapur, Dantewada, Jashpur, Kanker, Kondagaon, Korea, Narayanpur, Sukma and Surajpur districts on Thursday, and in Balod, Raigarh, Balodabazar, Bemetara, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Janjgir- Champa, Kawardha, Korba, Mahasamund and Mungeli on Friday, the official said. The chief medical and health officers (CMHOs) of these districts have been directed to make necessary arrangements for the drill that will be held in one urban and one rural centre of each district from 10 am to 2 pm, she said. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show After 5 pm, the district task force concerned will review the entire process and submit its report by January 9, the official said. All necessary preparations like the selection of place, sending and receiving of mock vaccines, preparation of session in the Co-WIN app, and appointment of invigilator at the centre will be completed before the drill, she added. Prior to the dry run, a state-level monitoring team will inspect the vaccination centres, she added. Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 caseload reached 2,84,536 on Tuesday. Of these, 2,71,988 people have so far recovered, while 3,437 patients have till now died due to the disease, as per official figures. The Drugs Controller General of India on Sunday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. Election more than symbols Many Americans believe that burning the American flag or an athlete kneeling during the national anthem is un-American and is disrespectful. However, the American flag and the Star-Spangled Banner, while important, are merely symbols. Our electoral process, democracy and federalism are not just symbols. They form the foundations of our country. And yet President Donald Trump, several dozen members of the House (including from South Carolina) and a dozen senators are attacking these core values, even after state election auditors, the Supreme Court and the Justice Department have confirmed the accuracy of the election. Where is the outrage among the Republican establishment and the Federalist Society? These false attacks on the fair and free election process and our state election officials do much more harm to our country and our system of federalism than a burned flag or a kneeling athlete. President Trump and these congressmen and senators have betrayed our system of democracy and federalism. President Trump has lost and should never be elected again, and those pushing his bogus voter fraud theories should be forced to resign. The voters have spoken. If you cannot accept it, get out of Congress. DAVID SCHAEFFER Governors Drive Kiawah Island Congress must intervene In the Jan. 1 issue of The Post and Courier, Rep.-elect Nancy Mace said, I am not going to vote to overturn the results of the Electoral College because I do not believe that Congress knows better than voters or better than the states. It is not a matter of trusting the voters. They vote however they want to in our system. So what is there to trust? The states are another matter. Congress has the final authority in counting Electoral College votes, according to our Constitution. There are so many claims about questionable state actions in counting ballots in the presidential election that Congress has no choice but to intervene because the judicial system appears to be afraid of its own shadow. Unless an authoritative body such as the Supreme Court or Congress provides an evidentiary hearing that includes testimony under oath, we will again be subjected to at least four more years of claims that our president-elect is not a legitimate president. We can avoid that, but only if Congress asks the questions and hears the answers. FORREST BONNER Madison Court Mount Pleasant Vaccinate teachers It is extremely important that teachers who are responsible for in-class instruction be among those in the first wave of people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Many school systems are demanding that they spend hours with students, most of whom have close ties with multiple family members. As a person in the high-risk age group, I know that I can continue to limit my exposure until I am able to get the vaccine. Not every classroom teacher, however, has that option. If we continue to believe children should be in school, we should be insisting that front-line teachers in that effort should have the vaccine as soon as possible. ELIZABETH MARTIN Smith Street Charleston Partisan attack Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! I take issue with the Jan. 3 letter by Sen. Tom Davis. He has chosen to take comments by Dr. Anthony Fauci out of context with regard to mask-wearing recommendations early in the pandemic. In those early days, public health officials were learning about the characteristics of the virus and its ability to be aerosolized and transmitted. N95 masks were in dangerously short supply. In the early days, it was not known that masks were essential and it certainly was not known that simple cloth face coverings had any efficacy in reducing transmission. The online headline that characterized Dr. Faucis remarks as a lie was damaging and misleading. Dr. Fauci has been the countrys top authority on infectious disease for almost 40 years. His leadership has been stalwart and his credibility unimpeachable. It is dangerous for Sen. Davis to try to undermine Dr. Faucis credibility and honesty when he should be doing whatever he can to encourage his constituents to follow Dr. Faucis scientific-based guidance that the vaccine is safe and that the road to economic and social recovery relies on a high vaccination rate. And once we did know the value of masks, was Sen. Davis leading the effort to pass a mask mandate? Please stop the partisan attacks that damage our recovery. Dr. DAVID ELLISON Henry Tecklenburg Drive Charleston Vaccine rollout I recently read that South Carolina, with a population of about 5 million, had received about 197,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but had managed to administer only 31% or a little more than 61,000 of the available supply to its citizens. Contrast this with Israel, with a population of about 8.7 million, which has been able to inoculate 685,000 of its citizenry including a third of those over the age of 60. Heres a suggestion to DHEC: Contact your counterparts in Israel to find out how they are doing it. JEFF WEINER Pier View Street Daniel Island A bad call Like many Americans, I was appalled by President Donald Trumps comments in a recent phone conversation with Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Secretary of State. During the conversation, Trump asked Raffensperger to change Georgias certified election results so that Trump could be declared the winner. Trumps possibly illegal request reminded me of a quote from the movie Gangs of New York, where Boss Tweed said, Remember the first rule of politics. The ballots dont make the results, the counters make the results. I am thankful that Mr. Raffensperger had enough moral courage to stand up to the president and protect the integrity of the election results. JOHN I. MOORE JR. Egret Lane Charleston Uptown deal flaws Reading between the lines in the North Charleston Uptown project article in the Jan. 1 Post and Courier, it seems that we could be getting a much better deal. The deal will provide tax reimbursements to developers. The developers will be required to acquire property in Dorchester and Berkeley counties as offsets and put them under easement. Why doesnt the deal use the tax money to buy the easement properties outright and turn it into parkland? Why are the developers retaining the rights to the easement properties when we are paying the developers tax money? This is a flaw in the deal and should be amended. DAN P. JONES Holton Place Charleston A Republican representative lashed out at President Donald Trump Wednesday for not calling off the protesters who descended on the Capitol building Wednesday, claiming it's some 'banana republic crap.' Congressman Mike Gallagher posted a video to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon saying: 'Right now I am sheltered in place in my office because we have protesters who have stormed the Capitol clashing with Capitol Police, forcing their way into Statutory Hall. The Vice President of the United States was just rushed off the floor of the House by Secret Service.' 'This is Banana Republic crap that we're watching happen right now,' The Wisconsin representative continued. Gallagher is a retired Marine Captain who voted 93.8 per cent of the time in line with Trump during his first term and 84.2 per cent in his second. Several other Republicans started demanding Trump to 'call off' the siege thousands of his supporters carried out on the Capitol and demand Americans be encouraged voice their protests in other ways. 'This is what the president has caused today, this insurrection,' Republican Utah Senator Mitt Romney said of the chaotic scene at the Capitol. Republican Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin released a nearly two-minute video on Wednesday while sheltering in his office demanding President Donald Trump call off the siege his supporters carried out on the Capitol 'This is Banana Republic crap that we're watching happen right now,' he said, adding: 'Mr. President, you have got to stop this. You are the only person who can call this off. Call if off. The election is over. Call it off!' Thousands of Trump supporters descended on Capitol Hill Wednesday as Congress was in session inside moving to certify the Electoral College results, the next step in launching Joe Biden to the White House Protesters were able to breach the Capitol and gain access inside, wandering the halls, sitting in desks and looting some offices. One woman Trump supporter was shot in the chest and is in critical condition Gallagher said in his nearly two-minute video as he sheltered in his office on Capitol Hill that his Republican colleagues assured him objecting to the Electoral College votes would start a debate, but not result in anything bigger. The representative said they were sorely mistaken, as is evident by the attack on the Capitol. 'The objectors over the last few days have told me there is no problem with just having a debate. 'We know we're not going to succeed, so we're just going to object. We're going to have a debate, we'll voice people's concerns and then we won't actually overturn our entire system of representative government. So nothing bad will happen. They'll be no cost to this effort.',' Gallagher said. 'This is the cost of this effort,' he continued. 'This is the cost of countenancing an effort by Congress to overturn the election and telling thousands of people that there is a legitimate shot of overturning the election today. Even though you know that is not true.' Gallagher demanded: 'We have got to stop this. Mr. President, you have got to stop this. You are the only person who can call this off. Call if off. The election is over. Call it off! This is bigger than you. It's bigger than any member of Congress. It's about the United States of America, which is more important than any politician. Call it off. This is over.' About an hour after Gallagher's video and other Republicans called for an end to the assault on the Capitol Trump released a video doing just that. He told his supporters to 'go home' in a video posted to Twitter hours after he addressed and stoked the crowd gathered on the Ellipse who traveled to Washington D.C. to protest the results of the presidential election. Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy told Fox News before the video was released that he called Trump about the situation at the Capitol. 'I think we need to make a statement, make sure that we can calm individuals down,' the minority leader said he told Trump. 'This is un-American what's going on, and it has to stop,' he added. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's former close adviser, who also served as George W. Bush's special assistant, blasted Trump, claiming he should have addressed the country sooner. 'The fact that Donald Trump hasn't appeared on TV to condemn this mob and these terrorists - who are committing INSURRECTION - is a dereliction of his oath to preserve, protect, and defense the Constitution of the United States of America,' Scott Jennings wrote on Twitter before the video of the president's remarks was released. Other Republicans bluntly blamed the president. Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger told CNN that President Trump was a 'coward' and that the insurrection in the Capitol is a 'coup.' 'Anywhere around the globe we would call this a coup attempt,' he said, adding that Trump should publicly concede the election to Biden to help end the divisiveness. After Trump's remarks to a massive crowd of his most staunch supporters, a large section broke off to parch to the Capitol and storm the steps. Hundreds were able to get inside the building, interrupting Congress certifying the election for Joe Biden. Trump released a video later in the day urging his supporters to 'go home' after first addressing them on the Ellipse earlier in the day, stoking claims of a 'stolen' election Vice President Mike Pence was evacuated from the Senate chamber shortly after 2 p.m., along with Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the president pro temp who is in the line of succession for the presidency. Protesters could be heard banging on the doors as senators attempted to continue their debate on the electoral college count. One protester waved the Confederate flag as they tried to get inside. An officer with an orange POLICE badge across his chest appeared on the floor with what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon, standing between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, the top party leaders. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., the entire chamber was evacuated before the breach occurred. As they rushed away, Senate parliamentary staff grabbed hold of the boxes containing the electoral college certificates and took them with them. There is simply no equivalence now between our two major parties. In the primaries, an overwhelming majority of Democrats, led by moderate African-Americans, chose to go with the center-left Biden, not the far-left defund-the-police-democratic-socialist wing. Across the aisle, Trumps G.O.P. became such a cult that it decided at its convention that it would offer no party platform. Its platform would be whatever its Dear Leader wanted on any given day. When any party stops thinking and stops drawing any redlines around a leader as unethical as Trump hell keep taking it deeper and deeper into the abyss, right up to the gates of Hell. Where its now arrived. We saw that this weekend with Trumps Mafia-like effort to squeeze Georgias secretary of state to just find him 11,780 votes and declare him the states winner by one vote over Biden. And we will see it in an even uglier version in Wednesdays session in Congress. The Trump cultists will try to transform a ceremony designed exclusively to count the Electoral College votes submitted by each state Biden 306 and Trump 232 into an attempt to get Congress to nullify the electoral votes of swing states that Trump lost. If I were the editor of this newspaper, Id print all of their pictures on a full page, under the headline: Never Forget These Faces: These Lawmakers Had a Choice Between Loyalty to Our Constitution and to Trump, and They Chose Trump. If you have any doubts that these people are engaged in seditious behavior, their more principled Republican colleagues do not. Speaking of Hawleys plan to challenge the vote count, Lisa Murkowski, the Republican senator from Alaska, said: I am going to support my oath to the Constitution. Thats the loyalty test here. Added Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Adults dont point a loaded gun at the heart of legitimate self-government. Said Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, I cannot support allowing Congress to thwart the will of the voters. So, the coup-plotter caucus will fail. But ask yourself this: What if Trumps allies controlled the House, the Senate and the Supreme Court and got their way actually used some 11th-hour legislative maneuver and nullified Bidens victory? New Delhi: Former president Pranab Mukherjee said in his memoir that Narendra Modi became prime minister "through popular choice" unlike Manmohan Singh "who was offered the post by Sonia Gandhi". In his memoir "The Presidential Years, 2012-2017" which he completed before his death last year, Mukherjee wrote Narendra Modi "earned and achieved" the prime ministership. The 197-page book, which was released on Tuesday (January 5), contains 11 CHAPTERS, elucidating many big decisions and events in the country in five years. The DNA report will tell you about Pranab Mukherjee's key observations. The book on pages 20 and 21 raises questions on the leadership of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who Pranab Mukherjee believes failed to handle the party affairs properly. Since Dr Manmohan Singh stayed away from the House for a long time, the MPs lost contact with the party. Pranab further writes that the party leadership could not show its skill in difficult times, and Sonia Gandhi also failed to tackle Maharashtra's leadership crisis. The former president writes how did Manmohan Singh get the Prime Minister's chair in the year 2004, and how did Narendra Modi earn the PM position in 2014. Pranab Mukherjee, who spent two years as President with Dr Manmohan Singh and the rest of three years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About the 2014 general elections, Pranab Mukherjee writes that people expressed their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi but it cannot be denied that Congress could not meet the people's expectations. He further writes about the feedback given by Congress and BJP leaders. "There is no escaping the fact that the Congress had failed miserably to fulfill people's expectations and aspirations. In fact, after the campaign, when all the formalities were complete, several important Congress leaders and ministers met me at Rashtrapati Bhavan for various reasons. Interestingly, none of them expected a clear majority for either the Congress or the UPA combine." Congress leaders predicted no coalition to get a majority. Leaders of the opposition were also not convinced about the BJP's victory. Only Piyush Goyal was the only leader who said that the BJP would get an absolute majority. He also wrote that he wasn't sure of the numbers and massive mandate of the BJP before the 2014 elections but was impressed seeing the planning and hard work of Modi. "Only Piyush Goyal, the then national treasurer of the party and now a cabinet minister, was confident that the BJP would get no less than 265 seats, and that the number could go up to 280. I didn't and still don't know the reasons for his optimism. However, I took him seriously when he gave me Modi's detailed electioneering schedule, which was not only grueling but also painstaking," Pranab said. Pranab Mukherjee also appreciated Narendra Modi for the quick grasp of the nuances of foreign policy. He writes, "When Narendra Modi took over as PM, he had absolutely no experience in foreign affairs. As the CM of Gujarat, he had visited some countries, but those visits were limited to engaging for the good of his state and had little to do with domestic or global foreign policies. Foreign policy was, therefore, truly uncharted territory for him." "But he did what no PM had attempted before: invite the heads of government/state of SAARC nations to his oath-taking ceremony in 2014 - and this included Pakistan's then PM, Nawaz Sharif. His out-of-the-box initiative took several foreign policy veterans by surprise," he adds. Pranab, however, termed Modi's visit to Lahore to Nawaz Sharif as unnecessary. "Modi then sought my advice on his intent to invite all the heads of state/government of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries for the swearing-in ceremony. I complimented him on the idea and advised him to discuss the same with the head of the Intelligence Bureau, owing to the enormous security risks facing leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. I have had very cordial relations with PM Modi during my tenure. However, I did not hesitate to give my advice on matters of the policy during our meetings. There were several occasions when he echoed concerns that I had voiced. I also believe that he has managed to grasp the nuances of foreign policy quickly," Mukherjee says in the book. About demonetization, Pranab writes on page number 156 that on November 8, 2016 demonetization was implemented in the country, and Prime Minister Modi was criticized for not consulting the President, and also not informing leaders of the opposition parties. In the book, however, Pranab Mukherjee appreciated the secrecy observed in this matter. The book has interesting information on page number 157. In the 1970s, he writes to have advised the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for demonetization, but she did not accept his suggestion. After the Congress' defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the party started losing elections in the states as well. The Congress held EVMs responsible for the continuous defeat. He also writes that when the opposition parties submitted a memorandum about the rigging in EVMs, he dismissed such allegations. Former president Pranab Mukherjee has also advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on page number 9 of the book. He writes that PM Modi should learn from the former prime ministers, and spend more time in Parliament for its proper functioning. The Prime Minister is also advised that the voice of dissent must be heard. The World Health Organization has refused to give its blessing to Britain's plan to space the two doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by more than a month. Officials in the UK have decided to use all available doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, which was the first to be approved, to get a single dose to as many people as possible. In the process they will leave people waiting up to 12 weeks for their second jab. Covid cases started to fall around 12 days after people got their first dose in studies but, because everyone got a second shot just 10 days later, scientists don't know how long immunity from the initial jab would last. The WHO yesterday said governments should be giving people their second dose within 21 to 28 days of having the first, to make sure the vaccine works long-term. But it did not attack Britain's decision not to do this, admitting the Government had been forced to make a difficult decision because of spiralling infections and deaths in recent weeks. One of the experts said they 'totally acknowledge that countries may see needs to be even more flexible in terms of the administration of the second dose'. It comes after England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, defended the controversial move again last night, saying the benefits of it outweigh the risks. He admitted there was a chance it could increase the risk of the virus developing vaccine resistance in the future but that the need to vaccinate people now was overwhelming. Britain was the first country to start vaccinating members of the public against Covid-19 and has now given jabs to more than 1.3million people, but has had to begin a controversial strategy of stretching the gaps between doses in a bid to protect the elderly from an out-of-control second wave (Pictured: Joan Barnes, 88, gets a vaccine at a drive-through in Manchester) Cars are pictured queuing at a drive-in vaccination centre in Hyde, East Manchester today In a meeting to discuss how doses are spaced out yesterday, WHO experts concluded that, with the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, people should get their second dose 21 to 28 days after the first, with an 'outer limit' of six weeks. This maximum limit is still only half as long as the UK plans to leave it, with hundreds of thousands of people being told they could have to wait three months. UK's vaccine strategy could raise risk of yet ANOTHER mutant strain Britain's coronavirus vaccination strategy could increase the risk of yet another mutant strain of the virus evolving by giving it more time to mutate. Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, admitted at a Downing Street briefing today that extending the time between doses could let the virus evolve. The Government last week unveiled its controversial policy which will see people given a single dose of a Covid jab without a second one lined up. Both the vaccines approved so far one made by Pfizer and the other by Oxford University rely on two doses to be most effective, with them ideally spaced three weeks apart. But in a scramble to stop the devastating second wave of Covid-19, Britain has abandoned this rule and decided it will extend the gap to 12 weeks so it can give more people a single dose as soon as possible. The benefit will be that millions more people end up being vaccinated in the coming weeks. But it's possible the vaccines won't work as well in the long run. Officials switched to this schedule because they want to vaccinate around 13million people by mid-February so that lockdowns can start to gradually be lifted. And Professor Whitty said this afternoon it may also raise the risk that an 'escaped mutant' version of the virus evolves to resist immunity produced by the jabs. Advertisement Stockpiles are not big enough for the NHS to proceed with its plan of two doses within a month for every patient, so they're being stretched to go further until more vaccines are delivered in the spring. The decision was made by the government's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and endorsed by all of the UK's chief medical officers. Dr Alejandro Cravioto, chairman of WHO's vaccination advisory group, said yesterday: 'We deliberated and came out with the following recommendation: two doses of this vaccine within 21-28 days.' His colleague Dr Kate O'Brien said the data being used to justify the 12-week regime being used in the UK was 'imperfect'. This meant the WHO was not comfortable officially giving it the seal of approval. Dr O'Brien said: 'I think we have to emphasise the need for additional evidence.' Doctors and scientists were cagey about the UK moving to the spaced-out regimen because of this lack of evidence from clinical trials. The Pfizer jab was found to prevent 95 per cent of Covid-19 infections in trials when given in two doses three weeks apart, but other schedules weren't tested. This means the vaccine could be less effective if it is used differently, and scientists have no way of knowing how much less effective. It is extremely unlikely that spacing the doses would make the jab any less safe. One GP working in Oxford, Dr Helen Salisbury, said on BBC Radio 4 last week: 'We really don't have any data, as far as I've been able to ascertain, maybe there's data they haven't released but we don't have data about immunity after the first dose beyond 21 days when people got their booster in their trial, so we don't know what happens.' Although the WHO refused to give its approval to the UK's 12-week plan, it also did not criticise it. It said there was a need for flexibility, particularly in countries with bad outbreaks, and that it was up to governments to make their own decision on the balance of risks. Dr Joachim Hombach said: 'The [JCVI], the recommending body of the UK, has given more flexibility up to 12 weeks in consideration of the specific circumstances that the country is currently facing. 'We feel that we need to be grounded in evidence in relation to our recommendations but totally acknowledge that countries may see needs to be even more flexible in terms of administration of the second dose. 'But it is important to note that there is very little empirical data from the trials that underpin this type of recommendation.' The Government wants to vaccinate around 13million of the country's most vulnerable people by mid-February so it can start to lift lockdown rules The UK Government has big ambitions for its vaccination programme, with hopes of getting jabs to some 13million people by mid-February so it can start to lift lockdowns. A total national lockdown that began yesterday, January 5, is now not expected to end until officials are satisfied that all of the most vulnerable people have had a vaccine. But Tory MPs have accused Matt Hancock of playing down the Government's ambitions amid claims that his department has snubbed an offer by pharmacists to help and that doses of the vaccine will not be delivered to GPs on a Sunday. The Health Secretary described the prospect of getting the roll-out fixed by mid-February as a 'best-case scenario' despite it being the only way the country will get out of lockdown, with the livelihoods and mental well-being of millions riding on it. Many of his parliamentary colleagues were not reassured by his comments to them over Zoom yesterday morning, as fears grow that the government will not be able to move fast enough to hit the target. One MP who referred to the call as 'Hancock's half-hour' said: 'He emphasised that the prospect of the vulnerable being vaccinated by mid-February was a best-case scenario. It was heavily caveated. 'He set out plenty of reasons why it might not happen by then. He left himself plenty of wriggle room. It was very much an aspiration and there were no guarantees. I fear that they have not got the vaccine in sufficient quantities. 'He said two million doses of the Oxford vaccine would arrive this week for use next week. They should have been stockpiling. The rollout needs to happen as fast as possible. It's the only chance we've got.' Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while the world is rocked with two new variants that are causing a surge in cases, predictions of Disease X have also emerged where X stands for unexpected and has been labelled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as hypothetical as of now. The first case of the Disease X is believed to be the woman in a remote town, Ingende in the Democratic Republic of Congo who has been tested for many diseases including Ebola but doctors fear it could be a case of a mysterious disease, previously unknown. As per the CNN report, the woman is showcasing symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, which according to the scientists can be an indication of a new and potentially deadly virus which is as contagious as the novel coronavirus but with a fatality rate of Ebolas 50-90%. Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, the scientist who helped discover the Ebola virus in 1976, told the media outlet We are now in a world where new pathogens will come out. And that is what constitutes a threat for humanity. Read - UP, W Bengal Have Achieved Elimination Target Of Deadly Kala-azar Disease: Health Minister Read - Germany's Disease Control Agency Warned People To Avoid Contact Over Christmas What is Disease X? The unique case from Ingende, DRC is reportedly the Patient Zero of the Disease X. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Disease X is the possibility of an international epidemic that can spread from a pathogen that still remains novel to the humankind. The disease has also been included in the list of priority disease by the medical experts while saying that it is essential for them to remain vigilant and fear a breakout of yet another pathogen. While the baffled doctors are still trying to identify the disease witnessed by the woman in DRC, she is allowed to meet her relatives reportedly through a clear plastic observation window. Her two toddlers have also been tested but as of now, how no symptoms. The media outlet quoted the patients physician, Dr. Dadin Bonkole saying Weve all got to be frightened. He further reportedly said that Ebola was unknown, so was COVID-19, and hence, the medical professionals have to be afraid of new diseases. Read - 'Disease X': Scientist Who Discovered Ebola Warns Against More 'deadly' Viruses In Future Read - 'Black' Fungal Disease That Causes Blindness Infects 44 In Ahmedabad, 9 Killed ADVERTISEMENT The conflicts involving farmers and herders in Nigeria remain one of the countrys top security challenges and a direct threat to national stability and unity. This is because the actors usually belong to different ethno-religious sections. These sections are the dominant pattern of public mobilisation and political loyalties in the country. The conflicts remain seemingly intractable as the core drivers of the conflict are not well understood. PREMIUM TIMES took pictures of the environmental situation in Nigerias far North, the originating zone of the Fulani herders, to explain a root factor that pushes the herdsmen southwards to the sub-humid Middle Belt, the main theatre of the conflicts and the South. The environmental situation becomes even more severe during the dry season and when the herders migrate southwards, they compete for scarce resources with settled farmers. The result, in the context of far-removed governance and years of mistrust, is conflict, which usually snowball into violence. Many times, the violence is interpreted as ethno-religious in the media and public discourses. However, the reality is that the farmers and herders are not concerned about any religion or ethnicity but resources to plant crops and graze cattle, respectively. The environmental problem also threatens food security. Reality of desert encroachment: Desert-like conditions affecting vast swathes of land in Jibia, the town in Katsina State, sitting on the Nigerian border with Niger Republic. Locals, including farmers, herders and local journalists, said the desertification is expanding by the year, causing losses of fertile land for agriculture and pasture for cattle grazing. The effects are threat to food security, and national security, following scarcity of resources required to sustain life and migration of the herders for pasture in the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria. A child-herder, Mohammed, is frustrated as the dry season takes effect, exacerbating the environmental situation. He struggles to graze the cattle and says his family would soon move southwards for pasture. The farmland behind him is failing. This is the dry season of 2020 in Jibia, Katsina State. Dryland in Goronyo, Sokoto State, semi-arid northwestern Nigeria: The grazing field barely offers adequate resources to feed cattle. The herder told PREMIUM TIMES he would be moving to Benue State, Middle Belt Nigeria, for pasture. While Benue promises greater resources for grazing, the reality there is that its population is expanding, with consequent needs for land to build houses and firms, and for more resources for crop farming by settled indigenous farmers. Then, competition for scarce resources ensue, usually leading to violence in rural communities where governance is far removed. Dryland in Goronyo, Sokoto State: Aridity expanding to previously fertile land, threatening food security Numbers of protesters holding signs for President Donald Trump, American flags, Gadsden flags, outside the building. (NTD Live) House, Senate Recessed Due to Lockdown Amid Protests The House and Senate went into recess due to a lockdown over protests outside Capitol Hill on Wednesday during the Joint Session of Congress as lawmakers hear arguments and challenges over states electoral votes. The House is in Recess subject to the call of the Chair, the House Press Gallery wrote at around 2:30 p.m. ET. Video footage showed large numbers of protesters holding signs for President Donald Trump, American flags, and Gadsden flags, outside the building. Reporters and lawmakers on the scene said the Capitol building was placed on lockdown, adding that protesters are believed to have entered the building. The House is in recess subject to the call of the Chair, the House Press Gallery wrote. Im safe. The Capitol building is on lockdown and the House and Senate are in recess, said Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.). On the floor of the House, a disturbance could be heard. A number of people were seen rushing from the chamber. In the Senate, the upper chamber went into recess until the call of the chair as Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) was speaking. Earlier, buildings near the U.S. Capitol were evacuated on Wednesday as the Joint Session of Congress met to debate on electoral votes amid protests and rallies. Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat, wrote Rep. Nancy Mace (R-N.C.) in confirming evacuations were taking place at the Cannon building. Now were seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong. This is not who we are. Im heartbroken for our nation today. Added Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.): Im sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I cant believe I have to write this. Im in Cannon and have been evacuated, wrote Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.). But it doesnt matter. In less than two hours I will cast my vote rejecting attempts by GOP lawmakers to challenge the Nov. 3 election results in battleground states. Thank you to Capitol Police for protecting the Peoples House. Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful, said House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Twitter. The Epoch Times Jan Jekielek confirmed that some members of the media were also evacuated, adding that as of 1:55 p.m., the evacuation order appeared to be over. Actor Deepika Padukone turned a year older and celebrated her special day in the company of her close friends. In the pictures from her birthday bash, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar among others made an appearance. Deepika and Ranveer played gracious hosts and even cut a cake with the paparazzi waiting outside. In one of the pictures, Deepika is seen cutting a cake while another showed her feeding a piece of the cake to one of the photographers. The star couple was dressed in black outfits. Deepika wore leather pants and a large black sweater, while Ranveer kept things modest in a pair of blue jeans, white shirt and black sweater. He also had a cap on. Deepika cut a cake with the paparazzi. Deepika and Ranveer with the paps. The internet is flooded with pictures of stars arriving at the venue. Alia and Ranbir walked in with her sister Shaheen giving them company. Alia was stylishly dressed in a pair of black jeans with a tiny top, while Ranbir was seen in a pair of black jeans paired with a simple white shirt. Also Watch | Deepika Padukone celebrates birthday with Ranveer Singh; Ranbeer-Alia & others attend Karan Johar walked in with Student of the Year 2 actor Ananya Panday. She was dressed an off shoulder jump suit. Also spotted at the party was her Khaali Peeli co-star Ishaan Khatter. Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Shaheen Bhatt at the bash. Ananya Panday, Karan Johar and Ishaan Khatter at the bash. Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ayan Mukerji at the bash. Also spotted at the event were Brahmastra director Ayan Mukerji and Deepikas co-star in the Shakun Batra film, Siddhant Chaturvedi. Deepika turned 35 and on the occasion Ranveer had shared a rather cute childhood picture of the actor and had written: My jaan, my life, my gudiya Happy birthday!!! @deepikapadukone. He also shared a picture from the party and wrote: Biwi No.1 @deepikapadukone #happybirthday (All pictures by Varinder Chawla) Follow @htshowbiz on Twitter ott:10 Source: Reuters A joint session of the US Congress, presided over by Vice President Mike Pence, on Wednesday is scheduled to count the result of the November 3 presidential election and officially confirm the Electoral College votes won by President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. However, a large number of Republican lawmakers, including more than 100 members of the House of Representatives and over a dozen Senators, are expected to raise their opposition to the counting of votes and election results. When the Congress meets tomorrow, this resounding victory will be recognised, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in her "Dear Colleague letter" on Tuesday. Observing that the Joint Session should be a solemn occasion, Pelosi said there are no speaking roles during the session, except for announcing the votes of the states. "If Republicans bring a challenge to a state, we then break into separate House and Senate sessions to debate. The state delegations and our leaders Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Jamie Raskin, Adam Schiff and Joe Neguse have been working on our Democratic presentation of the Constitutional, historical and thematic justification for respecting the will of the people, Pelosi said. On the Floor of the House, we will have a civics lesson about protecting the integrity of our democracy. Priority to speak has been given to state delegation Members from states that are expected to face a challenge, she said. Pelosi, in her letter, wrote that during the Joint Session, access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during House debate where there is an objection. Unless participating in the House debate, members are encouraged to remain in their offices unless called to vote. In the event of a challenge, we may only have 54 Members in the House Gallery, which we hope to accommodate on a rotating basis, she said. Tomorrow is about guaranteeing trust in our democratic system. As Members of Congress, we all have a responsibility to uphold the principle: the people are sovereign and that they hold the power to choose their leaders through the ballot box. I am confident that Democrats will honour this responsibility, with unity, patriotism and dignity For The People, Pelosi wrote. Despite objections from a group of lawmakers and a potential debate, the Joint Session of the Congress is likely to certify Biden''s victory. Incumbent President Donald Trump, a Republican, has not conceded the election, reiterating unverified claims that the presidential polls were rigged. Dozens of lawsuits by his campaign challenging election results have failed in US courts. According to The New York Times, the entire process is likely to go on for many hours. Pence will preside on Wednesday over a roll call of the states. If at least one senator and one House member object to the results from a state, they can force a debate of up to two hours about those results. Each chamber will then vote separately on whether to certify that state''s results," the daily reported. As per the Constitution, the vice president opens each state''s sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hands them to one of four "tellers" a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber who review the certificates and announce the state''s votes, CQ Roll Call reported. The counting is typically procedural and efficient, by congressional standards. But objections to states'' votes, which Republicans have promised, will extend the process, it said. For results to be overturned, both the House and the Senate would have to agree to do so. Because the House is controlled by the Democrats, there is no realistic possibility of any state''s outcome being rejected. In addition, many if not most Senate Republicans appear likely to join all Democrats in rejecting challenges to the results," The New York Times said. The House and Senate are expected to debate objections to the results in at least three states Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania, all of which went to Biden but ultimately to certify Biden''s 306-to-232 Electoral College victory over President Trump, the daily reported. Meanwhile, members of Pennsylvania state have written a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, saying they believe that state results should not have been certified by the Secretary of State. A copy of the letter was tweeted by Trump. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Seeds, the early stage investment and company creation team of Novo Holdings, announced today that its portfolio company CorWave, a medtech company developing an implantable heart pump based on a breakthrough technology, has raised EUR 35 million in a Series C financing. The EIC Fund, a VC fund set up by the European Commission, served as anchor investor and made its first investment in becoming a shareholder of a private company for the first time since the governmental organization was founded in 1957. Novo Seeds participated in the round alongside other existing investors Bpifrance, Seventure, Sofinnova Partners and Ysios Capital. The new funds will enable CorWave to complete the development of its wave membrane pump LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). The company plans to use its latest funding to expand its manufacturing infrastructure as well as complete the regulatory testing required to conduct human implants and start clinical trials for advanced heart failure. Emmanuelle Coutanceau, Partner at Novo Seeds and CorWave Board Member said: "Our mission is to support science and entrepreneurs that are developing innovative technologies that offer improved options for patients. As long-standing supporters of the company, we're proud of CorWave's achievements to date in developing a truly innovative new form of heart failure therapy, a multi-billion-euro market opportunity. We are pleased to be working with this talented team and our syndicate partners, including the European Commission's venture capital fund, in supporting CorWave's evolution into a successful international business." Louis de Lillers, CEO Chief Executive Officer of CorWave, said: "This financing gives us the means to achieve our ambitions. We've already taken important steps in building our manufacturing and clinical teams. This is the result of the perseverance of the "CorWavers" who are working tirelessly to change the lives of heart failure patients. They have developed the most advanced circulatory support system in the world. We are very pleased with the renewed support of leading healthcare funds such as Novo Seeds. With the recognition of its shareholders, CorWave carries on its work to improve the daily lives of tens of thousands of people suffering from heart failure." CorWave has achieved two critical technical milestones required to proceed to the clinical phase: a successful 60-day in vivo implant, with excellent hemocompatibility results, and the completion of 6-month real-time durability tests of the pump. About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: http://www.novoholdings.dk About CorWave CorWave is a French company developing innovative cardiac assist devices. Its technology stands out from other LVADs (left ventricular assist devices) currently on the market due to its physiologic design, which is enabled by its disruptive wave membrane. The membrane is able to generate a natural pulse, replicating the blood flow and pressure characteristics of the patient's native heart. CorWave's novel membrane pump technology is being developed to reduce complications associated with current devices and improve the care of patients with heart failure. CorWave was incorporated in 2012 by the startup studio MD Start and is funded by well-known investors, including Bpifrance, Novo Holdings, Seventure, Sofinnova Partners, and Ysios. The company had secured over 45 million euros of equity and non-dilutive funding prior to its Series C round and employs more than 50 people. www.corwave.com Announcement video: https://youtu.be/Lu8oFgciWz0 About Heart Failure About 60 million people suffer from heart failure worldwide according to the Global Burden of Disease Study, an international research effort funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The prognosis for heart failure patients is poor, with lower survival rates than most cancers. Heart failure corresponds to the loss of contractility of the heart. The heart muscle is too weak and cannot eject enough blood to the needs of the body. It does not pump sufficient blood flow through the body to meet the physiological needs of the body and in particular other vital organs such as the kidneys and the liver. This pathology is progressive and worsens over time, as the heart weakens further while trying to compensate for its loss of activity. Although the risk of developing heart failure differs from person to person, they are some known risk factors. Other cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of heart failure, especially myocardial infarction. Hypertension, diabetes, genetic defects and lifestyle choices, such as excessive consumption of tobacco, drugs or alcohol can also lead to the decreased pumping capacity of the heart and development of the disease. SOURCE Novo Holdings US President-elect Joe Biden's memoir titled Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics will be first published in Russia in April 2021. The Russian publishing house Eksmo on January 5 said that in May it is also planning to publish a book by Bidens wife, Dr. Jill Biden, titled Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself. Joe Bidens memoir was first published in 2007 when he was a member of the US Senate. His book sheds light on his life, family, and political career. It gives details about the 1972 car accident that killed his first wife Neilia and their one-year-old daughter Naomi, and the struggles he faced in its aftermath. In the book, Biden also speaks about the second chance he was given upon meeting Jill Jacobs in 1975, as he began his career representing Delaware in the US Senate. Additionally, the Russian bookshops will also start selling US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' book titled The Truths We Hold: An American Journey in March. Harris book tells about her experience as California Attorney General and her confrontation with the administration of outgoing US President Donald Trump. Her book was first published in 2019 and it also details her life as the daughter of immigrants. In the book, Harris has even described herself as a progressive prosecutor. READ: Congress Set To Confirm Biden's Electoral Win Over Trump READ: GOP's Biden Vote Revolt Is Atypical Challenge For McConnell Swearing-in ceremony on Jan 20 Meanwhile, Biden was confirmed the winner of the November presidential election by the Electoral College on December 14. He collected 306 electoral college votes as opposed to 232 votes cast for Trump. Biden and Harris would be sworn in as the 46th President and Vice President of the United States in Washington on January 20. Outgoing President, Trump, however, has refused to concede, alleging voter fraud despite his campaign losing nearly all of some 60 legal challenges filed within the past months. On Tuesday he also said that he will "fight like hell" to hold on to the presidency. Trump not only urged the Republican lawmakers to reverse the loss in US Election 2020 when they convene this week to confirm the Electoral College vote but also said that electoral voters won by Biden are "not gonna take this White House". (Inputs from ANI) READ: Biden And Harris Meet US COVID-19 Team, Plan To Accelerate Vaccinations After Swearing-in READ: George W Bush To Attend Inaugural Ceremony Of Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Things arent looking too good for Kim Kardashian West and Kanye Wests marriage. After having a rocky 2020, reports have come out that the two are headed for divorce. To make matters worse, Kim has been seen and pictured without her wedding ring. So, what is really going on in the West household? Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West | Pierre Suu/Getty Images The Kim Kardashian West/Kanye West public drama Turmoil started publicly for the Wests when Kanye went on a Twitter rant following his admission that he and Kim had considered aborting their oldest daughter, North. Kim tried to bring a doctor to lock me up with a doctor, he tweeted before deleting the post. If I get locked up like Mandela Yall will know why. He also attacked Kris Jenner. Kriss dont play with me, he continued. You and that Calmye are not allowed around my children. Yall tried to lock me up. Kim was trying to fly to Wyoming with a doctor to lock me up like on the movie Get Out because I cried about saving my daughters life yesterday, he said. Kanye even revealed that he had been trying to divorce Kim for a while. I been trying to get divorced since Kim met with Meek at the [Waldorf] for prison reform, he wrote in a now-deleted tweet. Kim later gave a statement, attributing Kanyes outburst to his bipolar disorder and asking fans to show him empathy and allow them to handle the matter privately. Kim Kardashian West spends Christmas alone and ringless Kim loves social media, maybe a little too much. Through her recent social media posts, fans can gain a lot of insight into her life. First, the star seems to have spent Christmas and New Years Eve without her husband. She and her kids spent the holidays at her sister Kourtney Kardashians house. JUST DROPPED: @SKIMS Body Basics. Give new life to your top drawer with breathable, crisp cotton foundations. Shop Body Basics now in 7 styles, 5 colors, and sizes XXS 4X at https://t.co/Qsy51Sl2Sd and enjoy free shipping on domestic orders over $75. pic.twitter.com/mYrZ0laL7o Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 5, 2021 RELATED: KUWTK Never Would Have Lasted Had It Not Been for Kris Humphries But even more telling, was a post for her company SKIMS in which Kims ring finger was absolutely bare. Kim and Kanye are in couples counseling Though they are largely living separately, Kim and Kanye are reportedly in couples counseling. Kim and Kanye are in counseling and exploring their options, a source recently told People. They have been working on their marriage for a long time, but no decision has been made. Though it has been reported otherwise, the source says the marriage is not over yet. They are still trying to see if the marriage can be saved. But either way, the Kardashians are supportive of whatever Kim decides. It was perfect to dress up and celebrate w just the fam this year. I hope everyone had a healthy and happy holiday pic.twitter.com/uzbpbOK5Kr Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 26, 2020 Kris Jenner and Kims sisters are being as supportive as possible, another source said. Theyve seen Kim struggle over the last year and ultimately just want both her and Kanye to be happy, however that may look. Kim Kardashian West is filing for divorce Despite the couples counseling, Kim is still preparing for divorce, according to muliple sources. He knows that shes done, a source told the outlet of Kanye. She has had enough, and she told him that she wants some space to figure out her future. Though Kim has not yet filed, Kanye is preparing himself for it. Hes OK, the source said. Hes sad, but OK. He knows the inevitable will happen, and he knows that its coming soon. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Laurence Fox has slammed the BBC's education offering, saying he will 'actively shield' his children from it. The actor, 42, said he would not allow his offspring to watch the broadcaster's new school programmes, which were launched yesterday in the wake of the new national lockdown. Fox tweeted: 'At no point during the remainder of this current lockdown will my kids be watching the BBC. In fact, I will be actively shielding them from it.' The BBC yesterday unveiled its 'biggest education offer in history' as schools across the country lock down. But Fox tweeted: '#Defundthe BBC and it's statist propagandist rubbish. You're on borrowed time Bojo.' CBBC will broadcast a three-hour block of primary school programming from 9am each weekday, starting on January 11, the corporation announced. These will include BBC Live Lessons and BBC Bitesize Daily, along with other educational programming such as Our School and Celebrity Supply Teacher, Horrible Histories, Art Ninja and Operation Ouch. Fox tweeted: 'At no point during the remainder of this current lockdown will my kids be watching the BBC. In fact, I will be actively shielding them from it.' The actor, pictured enjoying a boozy Christmas dinner 'business meeting' with Reclaim party colleagues at an upmarket London restaurant on last day of Tier 2, said he would not allow his offspring to watch the broadcaster's new school programmes The BBC launched its 'biggest education offer in history' as schools across the country lock down It comes as England enters its third lockdown in less than a year, with Boris Johnson cancelling A Level and GCSE exams and closing all primary and secondary schools. Tim Davie, BBC Director General, said: 'Ensuring children across the UK have the opportunity to continue to follow the appropriate core parts of their nation's school curriculum has been a key priority for the BBC throughout this past year. 'Education is absolutely vital - the BBC is here to play its part and I'm delighted that we have been able to bring this to audiences so swiftly.' BBC Two will offer content for secondary students with programming to support the GCSE curriculum, with a least two hours of content each weekday. This will be built around Bitesize Daily secondary shows, along with Shakespeare and classic drama adaptations, science, history and other factual programming. Bitesize Daily primary and secondary will air every day on BBC Red Button with episodes available on demand on BBC iPlayer. CBBC will broadcast a three-hour block of primary school programming from 9am each weekday, starting on January 11, the corporation has announced Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: 'The BBC has helped the nation through some of the toughest moments of the last century, and for the next few weeks it will help our children learn whilst we stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. 'This will be a lifeline to parents and I welcome the BBC playing its part.' Educational content for all nations will also be available. The corporation's move comes after the Prime Minister plunged the country into a national lockdown even more brutal than last March in a desperate bid to keep the mutant coronavirus strain at bay while vaccines are rolled out. Just a day after he urged parents to send their children back, the PM declared that schools will be shut until at least February half-term, with only the vulnerable and offspring of key workers allowed to go in. Mr Johnson also said 'alternative arrangements' will have to be made for this summer's exams as it will not be 'possible or fair' for them to go ahead as normal. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSX:FURY)(NYSE American:FURY) ("Fury" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Salisha Ilyas to the newly formed role of Vice President, Investor Relations, effective immediately. Ms. Ilyas was formerly the founder and principal consultant at Target IR & Communications, a full-service investor relations ("IR") firm focused on providing IR advisory and communications support to junior mining companies. Ms. Ilyas has over 10 years of experience in the mining industry, working for Canadian and internationally based mining companies, such as Petra Diamonds, Desert Lion Energy, Aura Minerals and Champion Iron Mines. She also previously served as director of professional development at the Canadian Investor Relations Institute, where she researched and identified IR best practices and oversaw the planning and execution of the organization's annual conference. Ms. Ilyas began her IR career in the pharmaceutical industry holding roles at Biovail Corporation and Patheon Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Schulich School of Business (York University). "It is my pleasure to introduce and welcome Salisha. Her experience and acumen will be a great compliment to the Fury team," commented Mike Timmins, President and CEO of Fury Gold Mines Limited. "Salisha's main focus will be to broaden our market outreach and to execute our ongoing investor programs, which support the Company's aggressive growth strategies. With an enhanced communications platform, we will improve connections to existing and new shareholder groups, ensure easy and open communications with neighbouring communities and provide the market with greater ease of access to management." Upcoming Investment Conference The Company is also pleased to announce that Mike Timmins, President and CEO, will be participating in the BMO Capital Markets Global Metals & Mining Conference to be held virtually from March 1st to March 5th, 2021. The conference presentation will be posted to the Fury website at www.furygoldmines.com. The BMO Capital Markets Global Metals & Mining Conference connects mining companies with institutional funds, private equity groups, family offices and sector analysts. For more information on this conference visit https://capitalmarkets.bmo.com/en/industries/global-metals-mining/ . About Fury Fury Gold Mines is a Canadian-focused exploration and development company strategically positioned in three prolific mining regions: James Bay, Quebec; the Golden Triangle, British Columbia; and the Kitikmeot region, Nunavut. The Company is committed to aggressively growing its 3.5Moz gold platform of scalable, high-quality mining assets, offering investors low-risk development growth and potential new discoveries. For more information on Fury Gold Mines, visit www.furygoldmines.com. For further information on Fury Gold Mines Limited, please contact: Salisha Ilyas, VP, Investor Relations Tel: (778) 729-0600 Email: info@furygoldmines.com Website: www.furygoldmines.com Forward Looking Information and Additional Cautionary Language This release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information in this release reflects management's current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Specific forward-looking information contained in this release, includes, but is not limited to: the Company's investor relation activities, market outreach, and growth strategies; the BMO Capital Markets Global Metals & Mining Conference; and our development, exploration and growth plans for the Company's material properties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information reflects the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date such statements are made and are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable at the time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, include: general economic and industry growth rates; the Company's budget, including expected costs and the assumptions regarding market conditions; the Company's ability to raise additional capital to proceed with its exploration, development and operations plans; the Company's ability to obtain or renew the licenses and permits necessary for its current and future operations; and the Company's assumptions around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements were reasonable at the time such statements were made, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including risks relating, but not limited, to: the COVID-19 pandemic; the future price of minerals, including gold and other metals; and the success of the Company's exploration and development activities. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019 and subsequent continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and the Company's registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this press release or the date indicated. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities law. SOURCE: Fury Gold Mines View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623360/Fury-Appoints-VP-Investor-Relations-Announces-Participation-in-Upcoming-BMO-Global-Metals-Mining-Conference CLEVELAND, Ohio A coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa appears to obviate some treatment measures, increasing the urgency to vaccinate Americans against COVID-19, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner said Tuesday. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who served as FDA commissioner under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019, told CNBC that evidence suggests antibody drugs might be less effective at treating the variant discovered in South Africa. Experts have said the variant spreads more quickly, but does not appear to cause more serious symptoms. The variant, which is also known as 501.V2, may be prevalent in South Africa and Brazil, Gottlieb told CNBC. The variant is the second rapidly spreading COVID-19 mutation discovered in recent weeks. Another found last month in the United Kingdom has since been detected in various U.S. states. Experts say it is common for a virus like COVID-19 to mutate over time. Vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna appear to be effective against the variant discovered in the U.K., but the one found in South Africa is still being studied. The new developments come as the U.S. has struggled to quickly administer the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Americans. Of the 17 million doses distributed throughout the U.S., only 4.8 million had been administered by Tuesday, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Experts previously told cleveland.com that its critical to get the vaccine distributed as quickly as possible, regardless of the new mutations found in the U.K. and South Africa. Ohio has also struggled to quickly distribute the vaccine. Data compiled by The Washington Post shows Ohio received 360,000 doses of the two vaccines by Tuesday afternoon and has administered at least 163,000 doses, or roughly 45% of its supply. The Ohio Department of Healths vaccine dashboard showed 175,000 doses administered by Tuesday afternoon, but the ODH has not provided a total number of doses allocated to the state. Gov. Mike DeWine has defended the states progress in distributing the vaccine to health care workers and nursing homes at news conferences. But he has not provided details of a plan to distribute the vaccine to members of the public, even though he said Tuesday that older Ohio residents, teachers and people with qualifying medical or developmental disorders could begin getting vaccinated in two weeks. ATLANTA - Democrats won both Georgia Senate seats and with them, the U.S. Senate majority as final votes were counted Wednesday, serving President Donald Trump a stunning defeat in his turbulent final days in office while dramatically improving the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens progressive agenda. FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2020, file photo, Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., leaves Capitol Hill in Washington. Perdue has taken down a digital campaign ad featuring a manipulated picture of his Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, with an enlarged nose. A spokeswoman for Perdue said in a statement Monday, July 27, 2020, that the image has been removed from Facebook, calling it an Auunintentional errorAu by an outside vendor, without naming the vendor. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) ATLANTA - Democrats won both Georgia Senate seats and with them, the U.S. Senate majority as final votes were counted Wednesday, serving President Donald Trump a stunning defeat in his turbulent final days in office while dramatically improving the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens progressive agenda. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, Democratic challengers who represented the diversity of their partys evolving coalition, defeated Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler two months after Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Warnock, who served as pastor for the same Atlanta church where civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, becomes the first African American from Georgia elected to the Senate. And Ossoff becomes the states first Jewish senator and, at 33 years old, the Senates youngest member. This weeks elections were expected to mark the formal finale to the tempestuous 2020 election season, although the Democrats' resounding success was overshadowed by chaos and violence in Washington, where angry Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying Biden's victory. Wednesday's unprecedented siege drew fierce criticism of Trump's leadership from within his own party, and combined with the bad day in Georgia, marked one of the darkest days of his divisive presidency. Still, the Democrats' twin victories in Georgia represented a striking shift in the state's politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. They also cemented the transformation of Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds for the foreseeable future. In an emotional address early Wednesday, Warnock vowed to work for all Georgians whether they voted for him or not, citing his personal experience with the American dream. His mother, he said, used to pick somebody elses cotton as a teenager. The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator, he said. Tonight, we proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. Voters register before casting their vote during Georgia's Senate runoff elections on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Loeffler, who remains a senator until the results of Tuesday's election are finalized, returned to Washington on Wednesday morning to join a small group of senators planning to challenge Congress vote to certify Bidens victory. She didn't get a chance to vocalize her objection before the violent protesters stormed the Capitol. Georgias other runoff election pitted Perdue, a 71-year-old former business executive who held his Senate seat until his term expired Sunday, against Ossoff, a former congressional aide and journalist. This campaign has been about health and jobs and justice for the people of this state for all the people of this state, Ossoff said in a speech broadcast on social media Wednesday morning. Whether you were for me, or against me, Ill be for you in the U.S. Senate. I will serve all the people of the state. Trumps false claims of voter fraud cast a dark shadow over the runoff elections, which were held only because no candidate hit the 50% threshold in the general election. He raised the prospect of voter fraud as votes were being cast and likened the Republicans who run Georgias election system to chickens with their heads cut off during a Wednesday rally in Washington. Gabriel Sterling, a top official with the Georgia secretary of states office and a Republican, said there was no evidence of any irregularities. The biggest thing weve seen is from the presidents fertile mind of finding fraud where none exists, he said. Both contests tested whether the political coalition that fueled Bidens November victory was an anti-Trump anomaly or part of a new electoral landscape. To win in Tuesdays elections and in the future Democrats needed strong African American support. AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 3,700 voters in Tuesdays contests, found that Black voters made up roughly 30% of the electorate, and almost all of them 94% backed Ossoff and Warnock. The Democrats also relied on the backing of younger voters, people earning less than $50,000 annually and newcomers to the state. The Republican coalition backing Loeffler and Perdue was the mirror opposite: white, older, wealthier and longtime Georgia residents. The coalition closely resembles the one that narrowly handed Georgias Electoral College votes to Biden in November, making him the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state in almost three decades. Trumps claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election, while meritless, resonated with Republican voters in Georgia. About 7 in 10 agreed with his false assertion that Biden was not the legitimately elected president, AP VoteCast found. Election officials across the country, including the Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, as well as Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed that there was no widespread fraud in the November election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, where three Trump-nominated justices preside. Publicly and privately, some Republicans acknowledged that Trumps monthslong push to undermine the integrity of the nations electoral system may have contributed to the GOPs losses in Georgia. It turns out that telling the voters that the election was rigged is not a great way to turn out your voters, said Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican and a frequent Trump critic. Even with Trumps claims, voters in both parties were drawn to the polls because of the high stakes. AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 Georgia voters say Senate party control was the most important factor in their vote. Turnout exceeded both sides expectations. Ultimately, more people cast ballots in the runoffs than voted in Georgias 2016 presidential election. Former President Barack Obama, the nations first Black president, issued a statement praising the election of Georgias first African American senator and his ability to improve divisions in Washington. Georgias first Black senator will make the (Senate) chamber more reflective of our country as a whole and open the door for a Congress that can forego gridlock for gridlocks sake to focus instead on the many crises facing our nation, Obama said. Peoples reported from New York. Bynum reported from Savannah, Ga. Associated Press writers Haleluya Hadero, Angie Wang, Sophia Tulp, Ben Nadler and Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed to this report. LOS ANGELES and LONDON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kharon, the research and data analytics company focused on security threats and other controversies that impact global commerce and finance, and Accuity, the leading global provider of financial crime screening, payment services and Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions, today announced a partnership that aims to allow organizations to better manage sanctions-related risk in their customer and transaction screening operations. With this partnership, Kharon sanctions-related risk data can now be used with the Firco suite of financial crime screening solutions from Accuity. Firco users can leverage Kharon data to add greater depth to sanctions-related risk coverage, including majority-owned subsidiaries of sanctioned actors (Kharon 50 Plus), minority-owned subsidiaries of sanctioned actors, entities controlled or led by sanctioned actors, and other risk typologies. This combination seeks to improve screening accuracy and easily adjust to specific risk policies. According to the recently released Accuity Sanctions Pulse , the global economic sanctions landscape was especially active during the third quarter of 2020 as regulators continued to impose sanctions across a number of issues. Screening against majority-owned subsidiaries of Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), European Union, and United Nations sanctioned firms has increasingly become industry standard, but the steady expansion of companies and individuals placed on sanctions lists has made it increasingly important to keep pace with the changes and make the necessary adjustments to data and systems. Victoria Lumb, SVP of Sales, Kharon said: "The ability to efficiently and effectively screen customers, commercial partners and transactions for sanctions-related risk is critical in any control framework. We are extremely pleased that by collaborating with Accuity customers can better manage operational and risk management challenges that will deliver cost savings and regulatory assurance." Franck Lanher, Vice President, Partnerships, Accuity, said: "Sanctions compliance practitioners need fast access to accurate data and sophisticated screening technology to help manage their compliance programs. Our partnership with Kharon aims to help organizations address the expanding scope of sanctions requirements, while tempering compliance costs, preparing for regulatory scrutiny and avoiding unnecessary penalties." About Kharon Kharon is a leading provider of research and data analytics, focused on global security threats and other controversies that impact global commerce and finance. Kharon's clients include first tier international financial institutions, global corporates, public sector entities and professional services firms. Kharon is headed by former senior officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and experienced professionals in software development and data science. For more information or to join the Kharon team, visit www.kharon.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Accuity Accuity powers compliant and assured client transactions to help build an interconnected and trusted financial ecosystem. Our financial crime screening, payment services, and benefits compliance solutions help enable financial inclusion while identifying criminal activity and fraudulent players. With deep expertise and industry-leading data and analytics solutions from the Firco and Bankers Almanac brands, Accuity provides unmatched confidence, efficiency and compliance for customers around the world. Part of RELX, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries, Accuity has been delivering solutions to banks and businesses worldwide for 180 years. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1283302/Kharon_logo_Logo.jpg Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. STR, a national security focused technology company, was awarded a new contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the Phorcys program to provide automated mission planning in emerging Navy operational needs using sealift assets. STR will incorporate artificial intelligence and advanced planning and decision systems providing operational and logistical missions using modern commercial e-commerce and on-demand delivery concepts. Advanced AI techniques are required manage the significant complexity involved with fasted-paced but irregular e-commerce scheduling, enormous numbers of assets and oceanic distances involved. To increase the flexibility and agility of global operations, the US Navy requires innovative sealift solutions, including just-in-time delivery of assets to supplement military transport with more widely available commercial options. While the Navy has utilized commercial sealift for many years, the planning process remains largely manual. Under the Phorcys program, STR will support DARPAs goals of advanced user-centric planning that automatically generates scheduling options and provides real-time monitoring of Naval materiel on commercial vessels. Phorcys provides a tremendous opportunity to apply the latest innovations in mathematical optimization to enable new options and opportunities for US Navy operations around the world. STR is excited to support DARPAs Strategic Technologies Office on this effort, said Dr. Gary Condon, STRs Senior Vice President for Analytics. This problem is uniquely challenging because our supply chains need to meet the tight timing constraints of Naval missions subject to the constraints imposed by commercial shipping schedules. Unlike the delivery of a container of sneakers on the vessel, there are critical consequences if Navy assets on that same vessel are not available on time to support their missions, said Dr. Hillary Holloway, Principal Investigator for STRs Phorcys effort. STR will extend and refine modeling and optimization approaches developed on previous efforts to quickly generate robust commercial shipping options, support users in evaluating and selecting the options to execute, and monitoring the assets in motion to trigger contingency plans as needed. The STR team includes Aptima, Inc., a leader in the development and sustainment of human-centered solutions; J.F. Taylor, Inc. developers of large-scale simulation systems for the US Navy; and Crowley Government Solutions, which will provide subject matter expertise in military logistics and sealift operation at the United States Transportation Command. DARPAs Phorcys program will also tap Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory for a supporting innovation study. While Phorcys will address a US Navy requirement, DARPA anticipates interest from services to include the United States Marine Corps, United States Special Operations Command, and United States Transportation Command. About STR STR is a rapidly growing technology company focused on achieving impact in national security applications for the era ahead, with offices in Arlington, VA, Dayton, OH, and Woburn, MA. STR applies advanced analytics and artificial intelligence toolsets to challenging problems in decision systems and complex datasets. STR also provides software-defined and distributed sensing solutions, including radiofrequency and sonar systems, and delivers automated solutions for cyber security. STR strives for nimble execution even within high security environments. For more information, visit http://www.str.us. About Aptima, Inc. For 25 years, Aptimas mission has been to improve and optimize performance in mission-critical, technology-intensive settings. We apply deep expertise in how humans think, learn, and perform to todays challenges. Whether for fighter pilots functioning in the cockpit, medical staff in the ICU, or teams collaborating across distributed networks, our solutions help measure, assess, inform, and augment human performance in defense, intel, aviation, law enforcement, and healthcare. For more information, visit http://www.Aptima.com. About J.F Taylor J.F. Taylor, Inc. is a privately-owned company in Southern Maryland, founded in 1983, with expertise in systems engineering, software development, electrical and mechanical design, fabrication, and program management support. They specialize in avionics systems, flight testing, simulation training devices, unmanned systems, and aircraft modifications. For more information, visit http://www.jfti.com. About Crowley Government Solutions For over 100 years, Crowley has provided transportation, logistics, and fuel services to U.S. government operations domestically and abroad in peace time and during nation-wide mobilization in times of conflict or natural disasters. Crowley customers are served by industry specialists and military veterans who leverage the expertise, scale, and scope of our commercial business to solve governments toughest challenges. For more information, visit http://www.crowley.com/. The chiefs of both firms asserted their intent to jointly develop, manufacture and supply Covid vaccines in India and other nations too The most important task before them, they said, was to save the lives and livelihood of the people. (PTI) Hyderabad: The Serum Institute of India and the Bharat Biotech have jointly released a pledge on Tuesday for a smooth roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines for India and the wider world. This after some confusion arose in public mind about the efficacy of their vaccines. Bharat Biotechs Dr Krishna Ella had, in an emotional outburst, created a stir just as the clinical trials of Covaxin were going on. Social media played around with this and added to the confusion in peoples minds. To clear the air, Adar Poonawala, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India and Dr Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech, have issued a joint statement asserting their intent to jointly develop, manufacture and supply Covid 19 vaccines both in India and for other nations too. The most important task before them, they said, was to save the lives and livelihood of the people. Vaccines are a good public health material and they have the power to save lives and accelerate economic growth. With Emergency Use Authorization having come for India, the focus now is to manufacture, supply and distribute the vaccines among populations that needed them the most. High-quality, safe and efficacious vaccines need to be rolled out. The joint statement said both companies respected the great work being carried out individually between them, and they will work together to provide global access to Covid 19 vaccines. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) has announced its full suite of technology partners as it begins the first stages of the Dakar Rally 2021 one of the toughest sporting events in the world. BRX Official Technical Partners include Sparco, Akrapovic, MakerBot and DSM, each partner playing a vital role in ensuring the BRX cars, drivers and team are ready to compete in one of sports biggest tests of endurance. Together, BRX and its Technical Partners will negotiate the extreme conditions of the Saudi Arabian desert over a 7,646km (4,751mile) race. BRXs driver line-up includes nine-time World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb, from France, and two-time Dakar Rally winner, Nani Roma, from Spain. Sparco, like Prodrive-led BRX, have strong experience in motorsport and have been partnering with elite motorsport teams for over 40 years. The Italian auto part and accessory company specialise in producing technical racing items and will provide BRX with all race-ready equipment to be worn by drivers and mechanics, including; seats, belts, driver suits and the brand new shoes X-light+ with carbon fibre inner sole. Akrapovic is a market-leading manufacturer of premium exhaust systems for motorcycles and performance cars. It is a pioneer in the innovative use of super-alloys and at the forefront of carbon components. As a BRX Technical Partner, Akrapovic have developed a bespoke exhaust in collaboration with Prodrive to support Hunter as it embarks on unprecedented terrain in the Dakar. MakerBot, a Stratasys company, is a global leader in the 3D printing industry. As a BRX Technical Partner, MakerBot will provide crucial parts for Hunter both during races, as well as at BRX headquarters in Banbury UK. Royal DSM is a global, purpose-led, science-based company active in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living. As a BRX Technical Partner, DSM will support with high performance engineering 3D printing materials and applications consultancy. During the Dakar, they will offer expert advice as to which components should be printed and what material is best suited for each scenario. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Perspecta, a leading healthcare technology company, has completed its most successful year in its history. Joseph Kennedy joins the Perspecta team as the new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), to continue to build upon Perspecta's market leadership position solutions. In 2020, Perspecta successfully navigated the stormy waters of COVID-19. Despite the challenge to meet with customers and prospects, Perspecta was able to achieve double-digit revenue growth in 2020, and sign agreements with 14 new customers, while deepening engagements with 10 existing Perspecta customers for additional projects due to prior successful deployments. In order to build upon its position as market leader in the Health Care and Workers' Compensation solutions space, Perspecta invited Joseph Kennedy to join the team as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Kennedy has over 15 years of experience as an individual contributor and manager in enterprise health solutions. Most recently, Kennedy was Chief Commercial Officer at January.ai, a privately held Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning company focused on providing personalized recommendations to individuals managing diabetes. Previously, he was a Regional Vice President at Vlocity (recently acquired by Salesforce). Kennedy played a key role in driving growth within Vlocity's Health Insurance vertical. Kennedy's experience also includes executive positions at Syapse, a precision-medicine cancer research SaaS company, and Remedy Informatics, a health registries company. "I am very excited to be a part of the Perspecta leadership team," said Kennedy. "I look forward to building upon the company's current successes and focusing on growing revenue rapidly to better enable healthcare, government, and workers' compensation organizations to gain sustainable competitive advantages." Kennedy will also manage business development and partnerships. In 2021, Perspecta will continue to partner with its customers to develop products that meet the needs of the market. Perspecta is partnering with multiple organizations to launch a plug-and-play provider directory API ("Perspecta TransmitAPI") that exceeds CMS' interoperability and Patient Access final rule requirements and deadlines. Perspecta's TransmitAPI will be launched in February of 2021, giving customers ample time to meet the July 1 deadline set by CMS. Perspecta's deep subject matter and technology-enabled solutions in provider data, provider directories, engagement portals, provider network management, and master data management have resulted in record growth, revenues, and client wins in 2020. April Stiles, COO said, "We are excited to have Joseph Kennedy join our team, to increase our ability to seek out and converse with organizations that want to elevate their organizations to achieve greater efficiencies. Joseph is a perfect fit for the CRO role at Perspecta. His experience and relationships will help our Company achieve our aggressive growth trajectory." About Perspecta Perspecta is a healthcare solutions company that elevates provider data to be intelligent and more efficient. Through their SaaS solutions and data insights, they enable healthcare, government, and workers' compensation organizations to deliver better provider directories, improve provider data accuracy, and manage provider networks. Perspecta's solutions enable clients to meet compliance standards as well as facilitate access to care. Clients include the 5 largest health insurance companies and 10 largest TPAs in the United States. For more information, visit www.goperspecta.com. For additional information contact: Joseph Kennedy CRO, Perspecta 703-963-0511 [email protected] Related Files Perspecta logo blue preferred.jpg SOURCE Perspecta Melbourne's shocking tradition of bloodshed continued throughout 2020 despite its residents being locked up for most of the year. It was New Year's Day when Melburnians woke to the news that yet another woman's life had been needlessly claimed. Lindita Musai had been trying to start a new life away from her father when she was cut down in a hail of bullets alongside her new husband Veton. Lindita Musai and new husband Veton were killed on New Year's Eve. Melburnians woke to a New Year of horror that continued throughout 2020 Maud Steenbeek had been on a Skype call with her brother inside her Heidelberg West home when she was attacked The scene on Coppin Grove where a woman was murdered as she pulled up at her home in January It would be the catalyst for a nightmare year that began with catastrophic bushfires and ended with the death of hundreds from the COVID-19 pandemic. And before January was even over, another woman was dead. Maud Steenbeek had been on a Skype call with her brother inside her Heidelberg West home when she was attacked. The 61-year old had been seriously ill from a bout of Chemotherapy to battle a recently diagnosed cancer. Only weeks earlier she had spent precious time with her family back in the Netherlands, from where she left to migrate to Australia some 35 years earlier. Her alleged killer, Xochil O'Neill, had been brutally bashed at the scene by Ms Steenbeek's son, who had rushed to her aid. Footage of the distraught son running towards a television camera at the scene was aired across the country. In July, O'Neill would plead not guilty to Ms Steenbeek's murder and today continues to await trial. Melburnians only had days to come to grips with Ms Steenbeek's death when another woman was butchered in Melbourne's south-east. It is a murder now almost forgotten by the general public due to a series of court-imposed gag orders that forbid the name of the woman or her alleged killer from being named. The mother of three had been murdered in the driveway of her own home after trying to protect children in her care from a man accused of stabbing her to death. It was a crime that shocked the entire nation. A source told Daily Mail Australia at the time that her alleged killer had isolated the children in the home from his alleged victim before turning on her. Witnesses claimed the woman was seen and heard running for her life from the home before collapsing in a driveway in front of the children. Ellie Price was found dead in her South Melbourne apartment Leading Senior Constable Lynnette Taylor and her colleagues, Kevin King, Glen Humphris, and Josh Prestney all died while they were on duty Carol Clay went missing in March and is believed to have been murdered A prosecutor acting on behalf of Victorian director of the Office of Public Prosecutions, Kerri Judd, QC, had attempted to suppress any information on the alleged murder being reported at all, including the fact it was a matter of alleged domestic violence. By the end of February, Melburnians were still coming to grips with a tragic train derailment, which claimed the lives of two people, when all hell broke loose. Hawthorn's Coppin Grove is a world away from the ordinary Australian reality. But in March, it became a crime scene when a crazed knifeman stabbed to death a woman outside her home. He critically injured another woman who had been with her. A 59-year-old man was also killed by Mohammed Ibrahim that day. Police believed it was a completely random attack. The victim on Coppin Grove was a 30 year old woman. She was never named by the media and became yet another faceless woman killed on the streets of Melbourne. In the coming weeks the tragedy would become yet another faded memory as Australians went into hard lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic. Another good woman would be killed the following month. This time it was a police officer. Leading Senior Constable Lynnette Taylor and her colleagues, Kevin King, Glen Humphris, and Josh Prestney all died while they were on duty. While it wasn't murder, truck driver Mohinder Singh Bajwa faces up to 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to culpable driving. Melburnians endured a week of funerals in a year that appeared to be going from bad to worse. The burnt vehicle Carol Clay had gone bush in with her lover Russell Hill. Both have never been seen alive again The body of Elaine Pandilovski, 44, was discovered in July underneath her Mill Park home, on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. They didn't need to wait long before the blood of another young woman was spilt. Detectives launched a nationwide manhunt for Ricardo 'Rick' Barbaro over the suspected murder of Ellie Price. Ms Price had shared a chilling Facebook post urging her friends not to 'take life for granted' in the weeks before her death inside her South Melbourne apartment. 'Covid-19 ... Taken me by surprise, Im so sorry for all the lives Lost RIP. May this make us stronger, kinder to people more grateful for the little things in life and most of all, our loved ones. 'Dont take life for granted,' she wrote. Her neighbours reported hearing a commotion hours before her body was found, but police believed she may have already have been dead for several days. Barbaro is expected to contest the murder charge and will return to court next year. That same month the nation would be captivated by another mystery involving the disappearance and suspected murder of Carol Clay. Ms Clay, 73, had been missing since March, but had been largely overlooked by the public during the pandemic. She had been camping with her lover Russell Hill, 74, in the remote Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's Gippsland region and both have never been heard from since. Mr Hill's Toyota four-wheel-drive had been found by local police next to his burnt-out tent, but the pair were gone without a trace. Police suspect the pair have likely been murdered, but as to how and why remains a mystery to this day. Melburnians were enduring a cold winter in lockdown when the body of Elaine Pandilovski, 44, was discovered in July underneath her Mill Park home, on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. Her estranged husband, Zoran Pandilovski, 45, was later charged with her murder and is set to go to trial next year. Celeste Manno was only 23 when her life was snatched away from her in the supposed safety of her own home Gabriel Messo was shot dead by police as he stabbed his doting mum Lilla (pictured) in a Melbourne park just across the road from where he lived. Pandilovski was arrested after slamming his car head-on into a random motorist in what detectives suspect may have been a deliberate act to kill himself. Family of the special needs school teacher, who also cared for her 10-year-old son with autism, had described Ms Pandilovski as a 'beautiful angel'. The very next day, another woman was brutally stabbed half to death by her own son in an attack that was caught on video. Gabriel Messo was shot dead by police as he stabbed his doting mum Lilla in a Melbourne park just across the road from where he lived. His housemate, Sylvester, said he had lived in fear of Messo and said it was only a matter of time before he killed someone. The terrified housemate described Mrs Messo as a kindly woman who had doted over her son. Police arrived to find Mrs Messo being brutally assaulted by her knife-wielding son in what they described as a 'frenzied attack'. Her son refused to comply with police orders to stop assaulting the woman and officers opened fire within 30 seconds of arriving. Ms Messo survived. It would be several months before Melbourne was back on the map again for all of the wrong reasons. Celeste Manno was only 23 when her life was snatched away from her in the supposed safety of her own home. Police allege Luay Sako, 35, had been stalking Ms Manno for sometime when he broke into her Mernda home in November and stabbed her to death. He had been a former co-worker of Ms Manno's. Her shocking killing stunned Melburnians who had only recently come out of months of hard lockdown. Ms Manno's brother Jayden bravely took a stance against the violence and angrily said what every Melburnian was already thinking. 'No-one should be scared - man, woman, child. No-one,' he said. 'This evil should not exist. Things need to change. This evil cannot be allowed to continue.' But continue it did. Abbey Forrest, 19, Inda Sohal, 28, and their baby daughter Ivy were killed in a blaze at Point Cook Just weeks later a teenager was charged with the murder of his own mother and serious injury of his three-year old sibling and grandmother in Narre Warren. Then weeks before Christmas, the unthinkable happened. Abbey Forrest, 19, Inda Sohal, 28, and their baby daughter Ivy were killed in a blaze at Point Cook. Their alleged killer had no disagreement whatsoever with the young parents - who were innocent victims of an alleged revenge attack on their housemate. Jenny Hayes, 46, was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and arson causing death after allegedly deliberately starting the fire. Grandfather Alan Forrest - Abbey's father - bravely paid tribute to the pair at their funeral in Geelong. Mr Forrest said his family would not get a chance to gather at his daughter's 21st birthday and he would not be able to provide a speech as father of the bride. She wont make it to her 21st birthday speech, or her father of the bride speech. So this is one speech that I must take the honour of Abbey, Ivy and Indi, he said. Emily Forrest said words could not explain what her sister meant to her and her family. 'She was a sister, an in-law, a daughter and an auntie, partner, a mother a friend and an absolute blessing to this earth. May she hold her baby Ivy and they never be apart. ' In a year where Australians were told to stick together, the blood of Melbourne women again soaked its streets. A surge on top of a surge The holidays were not kind to California. New infections in the state have skyrocketed driven by Thanksgiving gatherings and then Christmas festivities despite weekslong lockdowns in December throughout much of the state. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom is warning of a surge on top of a surge linked to the holidays that will only get worse in the coming weeks. The situation is perhaps most dire in Los Angeles County, where its estimated that one person becomes infected every six seconds, and one person dies every 10 minutes. The latest crisis has stretched the health care system there so thin that incoming patients at one hospital were told to wait in an outdoor tent. The region is running out of oxygen, and ambulance crews have been instructed to stop transporting people who have little chance of survival. California has the second highest rate of new cases per 100,000 people after Arizona. Over the past month, the number of Covid-19 patients in California hospitals has doubled, and many intensive care units are overflowing. In Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley, intensive care units are at zero percent capacity. More inoculations would help ease Californias burden, but as with the rest of the country, the vaccine rollout in California has been sluggish, with only about a third of the states 1.3 million doses reaching the arms of patients. Worryingly, at least six people in the state have been found to have been infected with the new, more transmissible variant of the virus. Photo taken on Jan. 5, 2021 shows a general view of the Tower Bridge in London, Britain, on Jan. 5, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday that England will enter a national lockdown from midnight, the third of its kind since the coronavirus pandemic began in the country. (Xinhua/Han Yan) LONDON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Millions of Britons woke up Tuesday to face new strict lockdown measures requiring them to stay indoors as COVID-19 infections continue to spiral upwards. Announcing the lockdown, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the nation Monday in a televised address that new tough measures were needed to control the coronavirus, protect the National Health Service (NHS) and save lives. He said a drastic jump in cases has been attributed to a new variant of coronavirus, which is said to be about 70 percent more transmissible. With no specific end-date for tougher restrictions set by Johnson, controls across England might last up to several months. The coming weeks will be the hardest yet since the virus struck, Johnson warned. The gloomy start to the new year also saw restriction rules imposed across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, British ministers are considering introducing a requirement for international arrivals to have a negative COVID test before travelling to Britain in a bid to tackle the rising tide of infections, the Evening Standard newspaper reported Tuesday. Chief medical officers across all regions of Britain advised politicians that the COVID-19 threat level should move from Tier Four to Tier Five, indicating that if action is not taken, the NHS may be soon overwhelmed. Johnson confirmed that hospitals are now under more pressure than at any other point throughout the pandemic. Lawmakers are being recalled to the House of Commons, lower house of the British Parliament, for a special sitting Wednesday to give retrospective approval to the new controls in England. Earlier on Tuesday, British Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove indicated that the new lockdown in England is likely to remain in place into March at least. "I think it is right to say that as we enter March we should be able to lift some of these restrictions but not necessarily all," Gove said. Also on Tuesday, Professor Andrew Hayward from the University College London (UCL) told the BBC that while the new lockdown would clearly save tens of thousands of lives, it was not clear the restrictions would be sufficient to stop its spread. "We need to learn from the last lockdown and particularly some of the things we saw," he said. In England, people are only allowed to go to work if it's impossible to work from home, such as construction workers. They are allowed to go out to shop for necessities including food and medicines, and to exercise, ideally once a day and locally. Meanwhile, all schools and colleges will close from Tuesday (except for vulnerable children and those of key workers), and switch to remote learning until the middle of February. On Monday, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that Scotland would enter a new lockdown from midnight on Monday, as well as a shutdown of schools until Feb. 1. Alongside the gloomy message, Johnson offered a message of hope that the virus will be defeated as the country continues to roll out the vaccines. Urging people to pull together, Johnson said: "With every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against COVID and in favour of the British people." On Tuesday, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a support package worth 4.6 billion pounds (about 6.25 billion U.S. dollars) to help support businesses impacted by the new lockdown. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, criticized Johnson's handling of the pandemic, but said his party would on Wednesday back the new measures in the House of Commons. "It's going to be a struggle and we need to make this work," said Starmer in a television interview Tuesday. Tony Danker, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: "It is absolutely essential that we all put the health of our citizens first, and businesses will continue to step up in the national interest to support the NHS, employees and customers in the weeks ahead." "In tandem we need to acknowledge that the economic impact of these new restrictions is significant," Danker added. The lockdown came as another 58,784 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, marking the highest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, according to official figures released Monday. It was the seventh day in a row that new cases have topped 50,000 in Britain. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 2,713,563, the data showed. Another 407 have died within 28 days of a positive test, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 75,431, the data showed. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines. The US Capitol was put on lockdown on Wednesday as crowds protesting President-elect Joe Biden's victory breached security barricades while Congress was debating the certification of his electoral win over President Donald Trump. The Senate and the House, which were weighing objections to Biden's victory, abruptly and unexpectedly recessed. Hundreds of Pro-Trump protestors breached security on Capitol Hill in Washington DC as the US Senate heard objections to President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Read More One female that received a gunshot wound at the scene has died from her injuries, NBC have reported, providing updates from law enforcement officials. There have been multiple injuries to law enforcement officers and the entire of the National Guard of Washington DC and others from Virginia have been deployed to Capitol Hill to dissolve the ensuing standoff. In a second tweet, President Trump said: "I am asking for everyone at the US Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" Vice President Mike Pence was ushered out of the Senate as hundreds of protestors breached the secure perimeter and with loud bangs and flash bang grenades were seen exploding as the crowds filtered into the Capitol Building. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Protesters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A supporter of President Donald Trump carries a Conferderate battle on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate after breaching security defenses, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Theiler A protester holds a sign saying "Trump won" at a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester Protesters hold a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis Police officers stand guard as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis A security officer gestures after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump breached security defenses at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Theiler Congresman David Trone @RepDavidTrone on Twitter: 'I am safe. We have been evacuated. Let me be clear: we will not be stopped by this lawless intimidation.' Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith A protester wears a mask bearing a slogan in opposition to Oregon Governor Kate Brown at a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Images of an armed standoff emerged as security officials barricaded the door of the House floor and had weapons drawn and pointed towards the door as protestors stormed the building. Expand Close An armed standoff took place in the chamber of the House of Representatives this evening. There have been reports of one person being shot by law enforcement. Photo: PA. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An armed standoff took place in the chamber of the House of Representatives this evening. There have been reports of one person being shot by law enforcement. Photo: PA. The Mayor of Washington DC has ordered a 6pm curfew for the city as thousands of pro-Trump supporters have gathered in the US capital to protest Joe Bidens election victory. Police in charge of securing the US congress buildings called for additional back up to deal with the breach, CNN have reported. In a tweet after his supporters stormed the Capitol Building, President Donald Trump said: Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! An announcement was played inside the Capitol Building as politicians were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens victory. Due to an external security threat, no-one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. Many House representatives have now been evacuated with one House member Gerry Connolly telling CNN that all representatives were given gas masks upon their evacuation. Shocking & deeply sad scenes in Washington DC - we must call this out for what it is: a deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election! The world is watching! We hope for restoration of calm. pic.twitter.com/1OdQYEB35K Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 6, 2021 Members of Congress that could not be evacuated were told to shelter in place. The New York Times are reporting that a pipe bomb was found and safely detonated at Republican National Committee headquarters in downtown DC this afternoon. The headquarters of Democratic National Committee were evacuated as a precaution. In a public address, President-elect Joe Biden said: At this hour, our democracy is under unprecendented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times. This is an assault on the citadel of liberty. The Capitol itself. An assault on the people's representatives and the Capitol's security that is sworn to protect them." Mr Biden said the "scenes of chaos" at the Capitol "do not reflect the true America and do not represent who we are." The Present-elect branded the scenes as extremism and said, "this is not dissent, this is disorder." "It's chaos, it borders on sedition and it must end now. The words of a President matter, no matter who that President is," Mr Biden said. Joe Biden called on President Trump to go on national TV "immediately and demand an end to this siege". "The world is watching and like so many other Americans, I'm shocked and saddened at what I'm seeing," Mr Biden said. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar this evening announced that she is drawing up articles of impeachment for President Donald Trump in an effort to have him removed from office. Ms Omar said on Twitter: I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment. Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate. We cant allow him to remain in office, its a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath, Congresswoman Omar said. Twitter has restricted users from retweeting or replying to a video address President Donald Trump issued on Wednesday, citing a risk of violence. In the video, Trump urged his supporters that had stormed Capitol Hill to be peaceful but said he understood why people were so angry, again peddling fraudulent claims of a rigged election. Trump called the demonstrators on Capitol Hill special and said the election had been stolen from them all. The social media company said it would take action against threats of and calls for violence and that it had been "significantly restricting engagement" with tweets labeled under its civic integrity policy due to the risk of violence. It said these tweets would not be able to be replied to, retweeted or liked. With additional reporting from Reuters Read More Online Editors Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The Saudi Arabia-led air war in Yemen was responsible for nearly 100 civilian deaths in 2020, according to a new report released amid an 11th-hour effort from the Trump administration to sell more arms to the kingdom. Coalition airstrikes in Yemen killed at least 99 civilians, including 44 children and 15 women, said a 2020 analysis released Tuesday from the independent Yemeni monitoring group Mwatana. At least 81 civilians were injured in air attacks last year, a majority of them also women and children. Since intervening on behalf of Yemens internationally recognized government in 2015, the Western-backed Arab coalition has launched thousands of airstrikes targeting the Iran-aligned Houthis, who wrested control of the capital and are now the de facto authorities throughout much of the country. Over half a decade of civil war has killed more than 100,000 people and created what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Another deadly year in Yemen ended with a rocket attack that killed and injured dozens at an airport in the southern city of Aden on Dec. 30, which the Saudi-backed government blamed on the Houthi rebels. The report, which is based on nearly 2,000 interviews with victims, eyewitnesses and on-the-ground health care and nongovernmental organization workers, documented human rights violations committed by all parties to the conflict, including the Houthis, forces loyal to Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council. Violations and attacks have continued for the past six years, each time causing new and more profound damage and reinforcing the urgent need to immediately move ahead towards accountability and redress, said Mwatana chairperson Radhya Almutawakel. Yemeni men and women desperately need states to stand with justice, and activate real pathways towards accountability for perpetrators and redress for victims. The new report comes as the outgoing Trump administration presses ahead with arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns from lawmakers over the Gulf monarchys human rights record, the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the country's conduct in Yemen. Last week, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale of 3,000 Boeing-made small-diameter GBU-39 bombs to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at $290 million. The department described the potential sale as one that supports US foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country. In addition, Bloomberg reported in December that the State Department informed lawmakers that it planned to issue a license for Raytheon to directly sell Saudi Arabia 7,500 precision-guided, air-to-ground munitions worth $478 million. Critics say American-supplied weapons have fueled Yemens grueling conflict, but President Donald Trump has defended continued arms sales as necessary for confronting Irans malign activities in the region. In May 2019, the administration cited the threat posed by Tehran when circumventing Congress to push through an $8.1 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The president also vetoed a measure aimed at ending support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which includes logistical assistance and intelligence sharing. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to end US involvement in Yemen's war, as well as reassess the longstanding Saudi relationship. His administration is also expected to restore humanitarian assistance to Houthi-held northern Yemen, which the White House slashed last year over concerns the rebels were interfering with aid distribution. INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Martin assumed the role as President of CAI on 1 November 2020 and will succeed Bob Chew as CEO on 1 January 2022. Reporting to Mike Martin as of 1 January 2021 are: Rich Tree Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer Alice Redmond Chief Strategy Officer Chief Strategy Officer Phil Pursifull Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer Jackie Karceski Chief Technology Officer Chief Technology Officer Tim Howard Chief Human Resources Officer Robert Chew, CEO: "CAI has delivered on our promise to meet a higher standard for our clients the past 25 years. This year clients have called on us to help them respond to the most urgent global health crisis in the past 100 years. I am proud of the work our team is doing and am as confident as ever that under Mike's leadership CAI will continue thrive and earn each client's trust every day. Our team will be driving more value for our clients by focusing on: Delivering projects faster, with higher quality, and reduced costs while solving problems for our clients. Strategic focus for growth in new geographies and service / product offerings to meet the future needs of the industries we serve. World-class accounting for accuracy and integrity. Digital transformation to enhance the value of our people and teams. Hiring, developing, and retaining the best talent to provide the high performing teams and technical experts our clients need." Mike Martin, President: "I am excited about leading CAI and look forward to working with the leadership team to drive our business in areas critical to our mission while serving our global clients. We are investing heavily in IT systems and applications to drive efficiency throughout our organization and expand our technology enabled services. Likewise, we continue our geographic expansion to better serve our global clients, delivering operational readiness and operational excellence solutions all around the world." ABOUT CAI Since CAI was founded in 1996, we have delivered nearly a billion dollars in services for hundreds of clients across thousands of projects globally. With offices in the US, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Korea, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, China, Singapore, and Malaysia, we have built an international team of over 600 professionals providing local support from a global company. Our engineering, technical, and consulting services are fashioned to deliver mission critical facilities with a high level of performance and reliability. When operational readiness and startup are critical, CAI delivers to a higher standard. CONTACT: David Shenberger +1 317-721-9847 [email protected] SOURCE CAI Related Links cagents.com New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday (January 6) took cognizance of the Badaun gangrape case and has directed to take strict action against the accused in the case. He also sought a report from the Additional Director General of Police, Bareilly zone and directed the UP Special Task Force to cooperate in the investigation of the case. The UP Chief Minister expressed the same in his social media post, and tweeted in Hindi, "The Badaun incident is extremely condemnable. Stringent legal action will be taken against the accused. @adgzonebareilly has been directed to submit a report regarding the incident and directed the UP-STF to assist in the probe. The culprits will not be spared at any cost." @adgzonebareilly UP-STF Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 6, 2021 In the alleged gangrape and murder case of a 50-year-old woman in Badaun, the family of the victim will be given an assistance of Rs 10 lakh and also the benefit under the government scheme of Rani Laxmibai Yojana. Two people have been arrested in the alleged gangrape and murder case. Sankalp Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, Badaun said that a reward of Rs 25,000 was also announced on the absconding accused. "An FIR was registered at Ughaiti police station under 376 (d) and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Three persons were named in the FIR. Two of them have been arrested. One accused is absconding and four teams have been constituted to nab him. A cash reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced on the accused. He will also be arrested soon. I have inspected the incident site as well," Sharma told reporters in Badaun today. Sharma also said the Ughaiti police station in-charge has been suspended for negligence of duty, adding "The station in-charge has been suspended for negligence after a probe ordered by me found him guilty. If any more police officials are found involved in dereliction of duties, action will be taken against them." Badaun District Magistrate Prashant Kumar said the National Security Act (NSA) will be invoked against the accused, adding "We have suspended station in-charge with immediate effect for the negligence of duty. We have tried to give a message that any negligence related to law and order will not be forgiven. Two people have been arrested in the matter and a team has been constituted to look into the arrest of the absconding accused person." The Badaun DM further said, "We believe that this incident is a fit case of NSA and we will take action against the accused under the NSA. The administration will also provide financial assistance to the deceased`s family. The case will be tried in fast track court." Dr Yashpal Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Badaun said the woman suffered injuries on her private parts, which clearly indicates it is a rape case. "As per the post-mortem report, the woman got injuries on her private parts and she also got fractures. There were tears and she had a fracture on one of her legs," he said, adding "There was excessive bleeding and the bleeding led to shock and that led to the patient`s death. Prima facie, it is rape as she got injuries on her private parts. Her viscera has been sent to the lab for testing." The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the alleged gangrape and murder case and written to state Director General of Police (DGP) Hitesh C Awasthy seeking his intervention in the case. The 50-year-old Anganwadi worker was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in the Ughaiti area of Badaun district on Sunday night. WASHINGTON - The world watched with dismay as a surreal scene at the U.S. Capitol, like little else seen in its history, unfolded Wednesday. Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump burst through police barricades and mobbed the building, disrupting at the 11th hour a vote to formalize Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Shortly before the breach, Vice President Mike Pence had announced he would not reject the election results, as Trump had urged. Many foreign observers, already glued to news of the final chapters of the election saga, reacted with alarm and grief, especially in allied countries that have looked to U.S. democracy for inspiration. "The United States Congress has been the symbol of freedom and democracy around the world for centuries," tweeted Armin Laschet, the leader of Germany's most populous federal state. "The attacks on the Capitol by fanatical Trump supporters hurt every friend of the United States." Across much of Europe, top officials echoed these sentiments. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the scenes of chaos "disgraceful." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canada's News 1130 radio station in Vancouver that his government is concerned and "following the situation minute by minute." "I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly," he said. The surge of reactions from allies and foreign observers illustrated one of the Trump era's key consequences, which has become more apparent as it winds to a chaotic close: The beleaguered but persistent role of the United States as a model for democratic norms and institutions - in its own self-conception and in the eyes of friends - has been severely tarnished. In the view of the world, the Trump era has provided no shortage of captivating spectacle, sometimes grim. Wednesday's events went beyond that, into disconcerting territory: far-right attacks on democracy made literal. The turmoil also gave an opening to countries with poor track records on human rights and democracy to lecture a superpower. Turkey, a U.S. NATO ally that has been widely condemned for jailing thousands of critics, academics, journalists and artists and has seen its partnership with the United States deteriorate in recent years, called on "all parties in the U.S.A. to show restraint and common sense," in a statement released by its foreign ministry. In Venezuela - which has been embroiled in its own political and social crisis for years - Jorge Arreaza, foreign minister of authoritarian leader President Nicolas Maduro, issued a statement condemning "the political polarization and the spiral of violence that reflects the profound political and social crisis the United States is currently experiencing." One senior European diplomat compared the images to events in Kyrgyzstan, where protesters stormed the nation's parliament in Bishkek in October. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about violence in an allied country. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, described the situation as "utterly horrifying" and called for "solidarity with those . . . on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin tweeted that the people of Ireland have a "deep connection with the United States" and that "many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay." "Enemies of democracy will be happy to see these unbelievable pictures from #WashingtonDC. Riotous words turn into violent acts - on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted, referring to far-right protesters who rushed the historic Parliament building in August. "The disdain for democratic institutions is devastating." Some foreign outlets, including the BBC and the Sydney Morning Herald, maintained live coverage of Wednesday's developments in Washington as they unfolded. Many eyes were already turned on the United States as foreign observers tracked the closely contested runoff Senate race in Georgia. By Wednesday afternoon, both Democratic candidates, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, had been declared winners - tipping the Senate to the Democrats and granting the party control of the White House and Congress. "How I would like to be a voter of the #DekalbCounty in #Georgia! And vote #Ossoff," former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta tweeted earlier in the day, referring to a Georgia county with a large number of Democratic voters. "U. S. and international politics over the next few years will depend on his victory," he wrote. "Those votes will affect us too." Letta has been a critic of Trump's handling of the election. When Trump tweeted "STOP THE COUNT" the day after polls closed in November, Letta responded, "IT'S CALLED DEMOCRACY!" - - - The Washington Post's Steve Hendrix in Jerusalem, Chico Harlan in Rome, Rick Noack in Paris, Michael Birnbaum in Riga, Latvia, and Adam Taylor in Washington contributed to this report. In a noble gesture, former chairman of Tata Sons and industrialist Ratan Tata travelled from Mumbai to Pune on Monday to meet a former employee has not been keeping well for the last two years. The story was posted by Yogesh Desai, an acquaintance of the employee in question, on LinkedIn. The post has now gone viral on social media. The 83-year-old Ratan Tata went to the former employee's residence in the Friends Society in Pune to meet him. In his post, Yogesh also shared a picture in which Ratan Tata can be seen interacting with the employee in Pune. "Sir Ratan Tata (83) living legend, greatest businessman alive in India, visited the Friends Society in Pune to meet his ex-employee all the way from Mumbai who is ailing for last 2 years. This is how legends are made of. No media, no bouncers only commitment towards loyal employees. There is a lot to learn for all entrepreneurs and businessmen that money is not everything. All that matters is being a great human being. Hats off, Sir!! I bow my head in respect," Yogesh Desai said in his post on LinkedIn. Internet erupts in applaud for Ratan Tata The social media is elated with Ratan Tata's gesture with many taking to Twitter to post their thoughts and opinions. "Humility personified. So much respect sir," a user said. Ratan Tata,83, living legend, greatest businessman alive in India visited the friends society in Pune to meet his Ex Emoloyee all the way from Mumbai who is ailing for last 2 years. This is how legends are made of. No media, no bouncers only commitment towards loyal employees. pic.twitter.com/5xktAH2CUX No Robert Elekes - AnKuVa (@SuspendedAkount) January 4, 2021 Ratan Tata makes a visit to friends society in Pune to meet his Ex Employee all the way from Mumbai who is ailing for last 2 years. What a gesture n last mile connect ! Humility personified. So much respect sir! Source - Yogesh Desai , Primaverse pic.twitter.com/oxNifJ4KBQ Gurmeet Chadha (@connectgurmeet) January 4, 2021 Rata Tata was the Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 till he decided t retire on December 28, 2012. He is the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. Biden demanded Trump go on national television to call for an end to the "insurrection". "At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we've seen in modern times," Biden said in a national address. "An assault on the citadel of liberty - the Capitol itself. An assault on the people's representatives and the Capitol Hill Police who protect them. "Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America and do not reflect who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists. This is not dissent. It is disorder. It borders on sedition and it must end now." Trump had posted a video on Twitter telling the protesters to go home, but also repeated the false assertions that the election had been stolen which had inspired his supporters to storm the Capitol. Hours later, Twitter for the first time time locked Trumps account, demanded that he remove tweets excusing violence and threatened permanent suspension. Loading Kevin McCarthy, the most senior Republican in the House of Representatives, said that shots had been fired inside the building. No further details are so far available about the woman who was shot dead. "I could not be sadder and more disappointed by the way our country looks at this very moment," McCarthy said. Dozens of Trump supporters were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside, with one making it as far of the dais of the chamber, where he shouted, "Trump won this election." As police battled with protesters, the Department of Homeland Security said they were sending additional federal agents to the Capitol to help quell the violence while Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that his state's National Guard and 200 State Troopers were being sent to respond to the situation. One Republican called the invasion of the building a coup attempt while other members of the party pleaded with President Donald Trump to accept the election result and finally end his baseless claims of widespread fraud. Earlier, tens of thousands of protesters had gathered near the White House to hear Trump speak at a "Save America Rally" before making their way towards the Capitol Building, where Congress was meeting to certify the election results. At the rally, Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud, telling the crowd: "We will never give up, we will never concede. "You dont concede when theres theft involved." Loading Only minutes before protesters entered the Capitol, Trump lambasted Pence on Twitter for failing to reject the Electoral College votes from several key states. "Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify," he said. After protesters stormed the Capitol, Trump tweeted: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue." Former president Barack Obama released a statement calling the occupation "a moment of great dishonour and shame for our nation. But we'd be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise." Loading Disgraceful scenes in US Congress," tweeted Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, a staunch ally of the United States over generations. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Other allies were similarly appalled at what they described as an attack on American democracy, though some said they believed US democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil. Some leaders singled out Trump for harsh criticism. Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wrote on Twitter. "From inflammatory words come violent deeds. He added that contempt for democratic institutions has disastrous effects. Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger said simply: "This is a coup attempt." Loading Republican congressman Michael Waltz told Fox News: "This is despicable. This is not who we are as a country." Republican congressman Mike Gallagher, a military veteran, said he had not seen anything like it since he was deployed to Iraq. "The President needs to call it off," he said. "Call it off, Mr President." Washington, DC, mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a curfew starting at 6pm local time and lasting until 6am the following day. The New York Times has reported that a pipe bomb was discovered at the Republican headquarters in DC and a suspicious package at the Democrats' headquarters. Democratic congressman Dan Kildee said on Twitter that the Congress members were instructed to lie on the floor and put on gas masks. "This is not a protest," he said. "This is an attack on America." with AP All quarantine workers will soon undergo daily COVID testing as health authorities ramp up surveillance protocols across NSWs massive quarantine operations. From January 21, NSW Health will conduct rapid testing (saliva PCR tests) every day and weekly nasopharyngeal swabs on all patient transport workers and staff in Sydneys special health accommodation where COVID-positive patients and other travellers with serious health conditions stay. A nasal swab COVID-19 test at a drive through clinic at Bondi Beach. Credit:Sam Mooy By the end of February, all staff working across the quarantine program will be screened daily, NSW Health said. Its the same testing regimen security guards in Sydneys police-managed quarantine hotels have been subjected to since December 14. In attendance are Kevin Sneader (Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Co.) , Right Honourable Abhisit Vejjajiva (former Prime Minister of Thailand) , Dr.Tedros Adhanom (Director-General of the World Health Organization) , Lan Yang (Chairperson of Sun Media Group, colloquially "The Oprah of China") , Lesly Goh (former Chief Technology Officer of The World Bank) , Andre Hoffmann (Vice-Chairman of Roche Pharmaceuticals) , Tim Draper (renowned venture capitalist) , and Adam Cheyer (inventor of Siri) among 35 other global leaders. "The Davos of Harvard": A Group of Harvard Students Hosts One of the Largest Virtual Conferences with World Leaders "The mission of HPAIR is to democratize information by connecting the world leaders of today with the future leaders of tomorrow," said Zeel Patel, Co-President of HPAIR and Harvard junior. "In these peculiar times, we believe that mission is more important than ever," Patel added. "HPAIR is unique and showcases the special spirit, motivation and culture of the impressive students at Harvard University, and their deep care for the global society. It is emerging as 'The Davos of Harvard for young global talents,'" said Martin Roll, HPAIR Board Member, and renowned global strategy and Asia expert. The virtual conference will host 1400+ delegates hailing from 61 different countries around the world over January 15th 18th, with programming available across 24 hours to ensure equal access from all time zones. "The theme of the conference Embracing Change is about remaining resilient in the face of adversity, and it has been delightful to work closely with Zeel and the rest of his team as they're making a difference for young leaders globally," said Lesly Goh, HPAIR Board Member and former Chief Technology Officer of The World Bank. Focusing on Accessibility to Create Equal Opportunity "Since the beginning, our focus has been on ensuring people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to attend HPAIR and this year we've been able to leverage the virtual format to drive that vision forward," described Eric Lin, fellow Co-President of HPAIR and Harvard junior. "With our generous financial aid program, which provides scholarships to hundreds of low-income delegates, and our commitment to publishing session recordings afterwards, we hope to share the insights of our speakers to as many people as possible," Lin added. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in private executive masterclasses led by speakers in small groups. Students Organizing a High Impact Conference While Scattered Across Time Zones The leadership team of HPAIR organized the conference fully remotely as Harvard College shifted to virtual instruction all while balancing full-time studies. "This is a testament to the hard work of our 40 Harvard undergraduates and the 30 members of our Asia-based team in Taipei. It has been a pleasure to lead them, and we couldn't be more proud," added Patel. Applications for HPAIR will close on January 10th. https://hpair.org About The Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations The Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) is a 30 year old organization founded to create a forum of exchange for young professionals and world leaders to discuss and learn about the most important economic, political, and social issues facing the globe. The mission is to connect the top leaders of today with the future leaders of tomorrow in a dynamic forum of exchange. Since 1991, HPAIR has organized 43 conferences in 15 different host countries, touching the lives of more than 10,000 students and young professionals. HPAIR hosts two student-led conferences a year one on Harvard's campus and one in the Asia-Pacific. Prospective host cities in Asia must undergo an intensive, six-month bidding process. The Harvard Conference in January 2021 will be held virtually, and the Asia Conference in 2021 will be held in Taipei. MEDIA CONTACTS Divya Amirtharaj (Americas) Public Relations Director [email protected] +1 (857) 997-2778 MEDIA RELEASE PUBLISHED BY The Harvard College Project for Asian & International Relations 59 Shepard Street, Harvard University Cambridge, MA, USA 02138 HIGH-RESOLUTION PICTURES https://hpair.org/press/ SOURCE Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) Related Links https://hpair.org/ Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday he sees the ongoing talks with the farmers protesting against the three farm laws as an opportunity to explain the benefits of the reforms to them. Goyals comments came ahead of the eighth round of discussion between the Centre and the farmers groups on Friday after the previous round of meeting held on January 4 did not yield any solution. Goyal said there were different viewpoints to look at things and cited the example of discussions with farmer groups, which he said could be viewed as either as a problem or as an opportunity. When I go along with agriculture minister Tomar for discussions with farmer unions, should I see that as a problem for myself or as an opportunity that I am getting, Goyal said while addressing the 74th foundation day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Goyal, along with Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union minister of state for commerce and industry Som Parkash, has been representing the government over the negotiations regarding the new farm reforms. Also Read| Sure farmers leaders will actively arrive at a solution: Union minister Tomar The minister reiterated the Centres point that the reforms were in the interest of the farmers and the entire country and that India would benefit if their income increased. I tell them that the entire country will benefit if farmers income increases and their lives, as well as the lives of their children, will get better, he said. Ahead of Fridays meeting, agriculture minister Tomar said that the farmers unions and the government would be able to settle differences regarding the reforms adding that the government has met the supporters and opposers of the reforms. We are committed to the welfare of farmers. We meet those who are supporting the laws and those opposing it. I am sure that farmers unions, who are agitating, will think about the welfare of farmers and actively arrive at a solution, the minister told news agency ANI. Also Read| Centre politicising farmers protests, alleges Shiv Sena On the other hand, several farmer groups, who have been camping at border points near Delhi, asserted that they will intensify their agitation. Representatives of the farmer groups added that the protesters would take out a tractor march from the following protest sites- Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur, Shahjahanpur (Haryana-Rajasthan border) and the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway (KMP) on Thursday. (With agency inputs) The Chief Minister said some people under political influence were intentionally vandalising temples with no fear or devotion towards God. DC Image VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered through investigations to expose culprits behind temple attacks and issued directions to take stringent action against those responsible without sparing anyone. While addressing collectors, SPs and joint collectors during the Spandana programme here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that AP was experiencing a new political guerrilla warfare under which temples are being vandalised with a political malice. The Chief Minister said 36,000 CCTVs were installed in temples for surveillance and directed officials to expose the conspiracy. He told them to be vigilant and fight this conspiracy to hamper religious harmony and expose the perpetrators. He said some people under political influence were intentionally vandalising temples with no fear or devotion towards God while a section of media is constantly publicising and propagating them on social media. Jagan said that those who were unable to counter the government directly as it was gaining popularity due to welfare schemes are carrying out these attacks out of jealousy to defame the government and instructed the police to carefully assess the situation. He said that even after new CCTVs were installed in temples, the incidents were continuing in remote places at late hours, especially in private temples owned by political leaders. There has never been a situation like this before. Under these circumstances, the police must take stern action, get into the details without sparing anyone, the Chief Minister said stressing that no one will dare to repeat such incidents in future. On Wednesday night, Colin Fassnidge became the latest intruder to enter the jungle on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! And on Thursday, the 45-year-old celebrity chef addressed his friendship with Pete Evans, who he replaced on the Channel 10 series. The Plate of Origin judge told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential Pete wished him well, prior to entering the show. 'I don't have to agree with everything to be someone's friend': On Thursday, Colin Fassnidge talked about his friendship with disgraced chef Pete Evans after taking his place on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Both pictured 'He wished me well with this. I have known Pete for 10 years, we are friends, we used to live near each other,' he said. 'We don't have to agree with each other's views, that is what a friendship with someone is. But as a person, I think he is a nice guy.' Colin was contacted by Channel Ten to appear on the latest season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! after Pete shared a cartoon on social media, which had an image of the Black Sun symbol from Nazi Germany on it. The 48-year-old also sparked outrage last year for his conspiracy theories surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and vaccines. 'I have known Pete for 10 years, we are friends, we used to live near each other': The Plate of Origin judge told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential the disgraced chef wished him well, prior to entering the show Despite this, Colin was adamant the pair were friends and told the publication he did not have to agree with somebody to be friends with them. 'I don't have to agree with everything to be someone's friend. You are not going to work with a guy for 10 years and not like them,' he said. On Wednesday night's episode, Colin entered the camp in a strange clown challenge, which proved to be difficult for campmates Abbie Chatfield and Toni Pearen, who had to free him from being handcuffed to a clown car. Team effort: On Wednesday night's episode, Colin entered the camp in a strange clown challenge, which proved to be difficult for campmates Abbie Chatfield (right) and Toni Pearen (left), who had to free him from being handcuffed to a clown car The pair had to chase a scary looking clown into a room full of balloons - and pop their way through with a knitting needle to find the joker, who had the key to free Colin. After being taunted by two other terrifying clowns, Abbie and Toni managed to retrieve the key and successfully free him, and he later joined the green team. I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 By Tina Bellon NEW YORK (Reuters) - As millions of people await their turn to get a COVID-19 vaccine that could be months away, scammers online, in emails and on messaging apps are luring victims with claims they can deliver shots within days for as little as $150. COVID-19 vaccine scams are on the rise, according to European and U.S. government officials who are warning the public of fraudsters out for money and personal data. A Reuters search online, in dark web forums and on messaging app Telegram found seven different offers for alleged COVID-19 vaccines. Scams include emails promising entry to supposedly secret lists for early vaccine access and robocallers impersonating government agencies. Message boards on the so-called dark web have added COVID-19 vaccines to more traditional illicit goods for sale. The U.S. FBI and Interpol, among others, have warned of emerging pandemic-related fraud schemes, saying false cures and vaccines advertised on fake websites could pose cyber threats and a significant risk to peoples' health, or even lives. Website domains containing the word vaccine in combination with COVID-19 or coronavirus more than doubled since October to roughly 2,500 in November, when the first legitimate vaccines were nearing regulatory approval, according to cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, which is tracking COVID-19 fraud online. "So far a lot of these domains just appear to be opportunistic registrations, but some are going to be used for phishing attempts to have people click on (malicious) links," said Lindsay Kaye, director of operational outcomes at Recorded Future. Kaye said her team, which also scours the dark web, so far has not come across any legitimate vaccine diverted from healthcare facilities or national stockpiles. The scams are preying on concerns about the far slower-than-promised rollout of vaccines to protect against the virus that has claimed more than 1.8 million lives worldwide so far. Most people will likely have to wait well into the spring, or even summer, to get their shot. In the United States, only about 4.5 million people had received their first shot as of Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. That is a fraction of the 20 million who were supposed to have been vaccinated by the end of 2020, according to earlier government forecasts. VACCINES, GUNS AND MONEY On dark web forum Agartha, fake COVID-19 vaccines were offered next to cocaine, opioid medication, "super high quality fake money," hand guns and gift cards. Posts showed stock photos of vaccines and offered vials for $500 and $1,000, or the equivalent in Bitcoin. On another dark web site, a seller claiming to be from the "Wuhan Institute of Science" offered COVID-19 vaccines in exchange for a donation, and asked buyers to provide their medical history. On Telegram, several channels claimed to offer COVID-19 vaccines, accompanied by stock images. One user offered supposed Moderna Inc vaccines for $180, and claimed the vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE could be had for $150 and AstraZeneca's for $110 per vial. Asked how the vaccines would be shipped, the account creator said they were transported in "regulated temperature packs" and ice packs within a few days, or overnight for an additional charge. Actual COVID-19 vaccines, particularly the Pfizer/BioNTech offering, must be temperature controlled to remain effective, with drugmakers equipping shipments with temperature trackers to ensure the cold chain. Vaccine shipments and distribution are also tightly controlled by officials and will be administered at no cost. The United States has so far authorized two COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use - the ones from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. The European Union to date has authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and is expected to clear the Moderna vaccine this week. The UK has already authorized those two and just added the vaccine developed by Oxford University with AstraZeneca. Asked about vaccine scams, Pfizer said it had taken meticulous steps to reduce the risk of counterfeiting and tracked trends very carefully. "Patients should never try to secure a vaccine online - no legitimate vaccine is sold online - and only get vaccinated at certified vaccination centers or by certified healthcare providers," a Pfizer spokesman said in a statement. Moderna referred a request for comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which did not respond. AstraZeneca did not respond to a request for comment. The HHS, FBI and U.S. Department of Justice have urged the public to report any COVID-19 vaccine scams, including people asking for out-of-pocket payments for the vaccine and online vaccine advertisements. (Reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Whenever I write a news story or a column on HoustonChronicle.com, you have the opportunity to respond to it. At the bottom of most of our online content we have a module that lets you leave comments. We've offered this capability since the mid-2000s, available first when we introduced blogs on our site, and later added to the bottom of stories themselves. But if President Donald Trump and some Republican members of Congress had their way, those comments could vanish. A faction of the GOP wants to do away with the legal protection that allows folks to say what they want - within reason and within the law - in forums made available on the internet. They largely are unhappy with the way big players such as Facebook and Twitter moderate posts, but the remedy being sought would have unintended consequences. The president went so far as to veto a defense spending bill because an outright repeal of Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which protects publishers from being sued over what users post on their sites, was not shoehorned into the legislation. Fortunately, there were enough votes in both houses of Congress to override the veto, and the Department of Defense will get its money. BIG TECH: States make bold legal claims in Google lawsuits If legislators had capitulated, publishers ranging from giants like Facebook to newspaper sites like the Chronicle even individuals with blogs would suddenly be exposed to litigation for what their readers might post. For the household-name social media companies, it's a direct blow at their business model, which is built around massive amounts of content submitted and shared by their users. For others, like news sites and blogs, it could mean that avenue for reader response would simply go away. Now, I am not speaking for the Chronicle here. Any such decision would be made only after careful consideration by the management team in Houston and our owners at Hearst. But its safe to say that if Section 230 is repealed, major changes to the site's commenting rules and processes are inevitable, and the removal of comments altogether is a possibility. The other option in the wake of a Section 230 repeal would be to pre-moderate comments, approving them before they appear online after making sure they don't violate our terms of use and/or expose us to liability. This is extremely expensive to do, usually requiring a dedicated staff. While The New York Times, which has a lot of editorial resources, pre-moderates comments, most online publishers don't have the resources to do this. CYBERSECURITY: Hack against US is 'grave' threat, cybersecurity agency says At the Chronicle, we rely on members of our digital staff to moderate reader comments, which are flagged for possible terms-of-use violations by readers. Our commenting software also does some automated moderating, but humans look over this and ultimately approve or reject. As someone who at one time oversaw our moderation process, I can tell you that what gets removed can be pretty ugly - hate speech, harassment, threats, profanity, racism, sexism, disinformation - and some of it could become the source of legal challenges. While I am not going to get into the debate about whether Facebook, Twitter and other social networks are treating one political ideology more gently than another, I will say that moderating speech is not easy. A decade ago I taught a University of Houston course on social media and journalism, and to make the point that moderation is tough, I spent a day giving my students the opportunity to approve or reject comments on our website. I projected onto a classroom screen the software we used for examining, accepting and rejecting flagged comments. As we went through the queue, we discussed each comment and whether it should stay or go. Most comments flagged by readers are done simply because they dont agree with them, and theyre easy to clear. Others are blatantly offensive, and can be easily rejected - and in some extreme cases, the user can be banned. Release Notes: Get Dwight Silvermans weekly tech newsletter in your inbox each Monday But quite a few straddle a line. Watching the debates in class as students argued whether a borderline comment violated our terms of use was fascinating, and by the end of the session, they had a much greater appreciation for the difficulty of the task. If its a struggle on a news site of our size, imagine what its like to moderate Facebooks 2.7 billion-plus users. Anyone interested in understanding the struggle faced by Facebooks moderation team - largely made up contract workers - I would point you to former Verge staffer Casey Newtons reporting on the plight of those folks. This may be the roughest, most disturbing job in all of tech. The system we have in the United States that allows everyday folks to have their say is far from perfect, but one of the reasons it works is because of Section 230 protections. So long as publishers remove objectionable content once it's pointed out, we are covered. If that safe harbor were to be removed, then you could bet that your opportunity to have your say online would be removed at many venues. Section 230 probably could be reformed and improved, but an outright repeal would result in less speech, not more. dwight.silverman@chron.com twitter.com/dsilverman houstonchronicle.com/techburger ADVERTISEMENT The Secretary of the American Air Force, Barbara Barrett, has expressed the readiness of her nation to deliver 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to Nigerian military as scheduled in 2021. Mrs Barrett disclosed this when she visited Abuja on Monday and Tuesday where she met members of the National Assembly and senior military officials at the Ministry of Defence. According to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria on Tuesday, Mrs Barretts visit highlighted the positive trajectory of the military cooperation between the United States and Nigeria. Her discussions covered a range of defence and security matters of mutual interest, including the 2021 delivery of the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. Secretary Barrett also toured the Defence Space Administration and initiated the first-ever collaboration between the U.S. and Nigerian defense space institutions. Secretary Barrett expressed the U.S. readiness to deliver twelve A-29 Super Tucano aircraft as scheduled in 2021. Along with the delivery, the U.S. will train 60 Nigerian military pilots, instructors, and aircraft maintenance specialists over the span of 24 months. The Nigerian pilots will train on the same aircraft that they will fly in combat operations against insurgent groups and terrorist organisations. Secretary Barrett also was briefed by the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Armed Forces on their continuing efforts to strengthen military professionalism through programs such as Air Ground Integration (AGI). Through AGI, the Nigerian Air Force plans to increase both its tactical and operational competencies. The training that enhances these competencies will also address the laws that govern armed conflict and respect for international human rights in ways aimed at reducing the risk of civilian harm. The statement noted that the secretary also paid the first-ever visit by a senior U.S. official to the Defence Space Administration where she conveyed the importance of being ready to address the novel security challenges in space. Noting that the U.S. Space Force recently marked its first anniversary following its establishment last year, Secretary Barrett discussed with her Nigerian counterparts the opportunities for bilateral engagement as well as the necessity of developing a long-term vision for security cooperation in space. Secretary Barrett began her tenure as 25th Secretary of the Air Force on October 18, 2019. She leads the Department of the Air Force, comprised of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. She is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Air and Space Forces and for the welfare of 695,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and Space Professionals and their families. The Delhi University (DU) on Wednesday said it may allow final year undergraduate and postgraduate students to return to the campus in February for laboratory work and practical classes, but in small groups. Classes, however, will continue to be held online. In-person classes at the university has remained suspended since last March in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement issued on Wednesday, DU dean of students (DSW) Rajeev Gupta said, DSW office organised the meetings with the college principals on Tuesday and with the heads of the departments on Wednesday regarding the graded entry of final year students to their respective colleges and departments. DU will slowly and carefully start allowing only final year students to return to their respective colleges and departments for lab work and practical classes in small groups. Their theory classes shall remain in the online mode. However, students return to the campus will be absolutely voluntary, he said. Gupta said DU will first work to implement the UGC guidelines and those of the ministry of health for reopening of campuses. We will try to allow students to return to campuses for practicals and laboratory classes from February, he said. Earlier in the day, DU students union (DUSU) submitted a memorandum to the administration requesting that it starts reopening the campus and libraries in a phased manner. Akshit Dahiya, DUSU president, said the student community welcomes the decision to reopen campuses. We had been demanding a phased re-entry of students, specifically final year students of science courses, because they were losing their credit points as their practical classes were not being held. Now, we request the administration to allow the return of the remaining final year students as soon as possible. An elderly couple suffered horrific injuries when they were allegedly bashed by three men who stormed their home in the middle of the night. The couple, both aged 90, woke to find the men in hooded jumpers inside their Perth home at 1.30 am on Wednesday. The group of men allegedly attacked the frail pair, leaving the great-grandparents covered in blood and bruises. An elderly couple have been left with horrific injuries after three men allegedly stormed their home in the middle of the night The woman was punched in the face and suffered bruising to her face, foot, arms and hands. The home invaders threw items at the elderly man, one of which struck him in the left side of his head, causing a deep cut. The group fled the house on foot shortly after. Both victims were taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital by St John Ambulance. Police appealed for information from the public and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the group of men. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Scientists look to stretch vaccine supply by halving doses Rushing to tame an "out of control" pandemic through vaccinations, scientists in the United States are looking at the possibility of increasing the supply by actually halving the dosage of vaccines. The worst-affected nation in the world is struggling to contain the outbreak with more than 355,000 Covid-19 fatalities, and nearly 21 million cases. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! 58.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : It was short duration. But it was quite strong. I was quite scared 'cause I still have trauma from 6.4 magnitude earthquake. But this one was a lot weaker and shorter. | 8 users found this interesting. Weak shaking / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s 43.7 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s By far, 2nd strongest after Tuesday 29.12. The whole house danced for a long while. Absolutely freaked out | 4 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s Pecs, Hungary (172.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Just my computer monitor and my table were vibrating slightly without apparent reason. It was the same the last time. I'm in Pecs, Hungary, so if I felt this, it must have been quite a thing in Croatia. | 4 users found this interesting. Graz, Austria / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s : Felt it very slightly in our apartment in the 11th floor while sitting down. My boyfriend, who was moving around at the time, did not notice it. The Christmas ornaments on the tree were slightly moving as well. | 4 users found this interesting. 9800 Spittal Drau / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Ich wohne in einem Hochhaus im 8.Stock mein Schreibtischstuhl hat sich bewegt, bzw ist leicht geschwungen und bei meinen Terrarien haben die Scheiben gezittert und geklirrt. in meiner Teetasse haben sich leichte kreise gebildet. Gott sei Dank war es diesmal nicht so schlimm wie am 29.12. 20120! | 3 users found this interesting. Zagreb, Trnje, Sigecica / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : In Zagreb, Trnje the "introduction" was a loud and deep rumbling sound followed by one hard, swing, and then a moderate one. then it stopped. I could hear cracking in the walls. | 3 users found this interesting. Zagreb / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Concentrated swinging from left to right, lasted quite a while | 4 users found this interesting. Krapinske Toplice / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : When will it stop | 4 users found this interesting. Nedelisce (108.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : I was working in a downstairs room. Didn't feel the earthquake, but saw the local newspaper publishing that there was one and people from the region responding they felt it. | One user found this interesting. 41.6 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 20-30 s : All unstable objects were shaking for quite some time. I usually don't feel any earthquake under 4.7 in my apartment. | One user found this interesting. Zagreb (46.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Sitting at my desk and then I felt shaking. Chandelier started rocking side to side. Squeaking from windows and cabinets | One user found this interesting. Graz / Weak shaking (MMI III) : felt indoor: Christmas tree decoration was shaking, sitting at the computer the vibrations were clearly noticable but not as strong as atr the last earth quake near Zagreb Croatia some days ago, that we noticed as more shaking as tonight. | 2 users found this interesting. 45.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : It was a decently strong quake, lasted about 15 seconds, personal estimate is around 4.5 | 2 users found this interesting. Zagreb (46.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Zagreb | 2 users found this interesting. Lendava, Slovenia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : feel the shake seating on my seat, also the furniture "bounced". Hard to explaing, but there was this sound, when the wood has these weird cracking sound. | One user found this interesting. Zagreb / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Usually I feel small but steady ground shake beneath my PC chair but this 1 I felt strongly and in longitudal wave formation. This is the technique I practice to seperate imaginary and real quakes. | One user found this interesting. Petrinja, Pigik camp (0.4 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s : Just came home from the base in Petrinja, I feel obligated to report, even now. Was located in camp on Pigik area, near the epicentre. Deep rumble 5 seconds, one bump cca 10 cm up, one 5 cm, then lateral movement for cca 10 sec. Had to reposition myself standing to keep balance. Tent was swinging sideways +/- 20ish centimeters. Hanging clothes swinging, army beds rattling. Things were falling in the camp on the ground level.Heard roof tiles fall and break in the distance for the next 15 seconds. Zabok (69.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : We were driving in a car on fast road, not highway, and didn't felt or see anything. Just heard on the radio speaker live commenting it's experience 49 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : cleaning my sons shoes and my eyes look up (don't know why) and I see the house keys start swinging in the locket sideways up to 45left then 45right. Then I feel in my feet something blew up in the ground and slight slight vibration. In the mean-time I tell my wife: grab the kid and sit down underneath a strong table next to the most strongest walls in our house, 1st floor. And I see the bathroom the bathroom door (was fully open) is also moving cca 2cm left then right. 49 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Was cleaning my sons shoes since we have been in park Maksimir during day time for a couple of hours...and then all of a sudden my eyes look up (don't know why) and I see that the house keys start swinging in the locket sideways up to 45 left then 45 right and so on... Then I feel in my feet something blew up in the ground and slight slight vibration then again something blew up in the ground and again vibration...in the mean-time I tell my wife: grab the kid and sit down underneath a strong Zagreb (Novi Zagreb) (42.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s : Before the main impact approx. 5-8s of light vibration, and then quite a strong shake of approx. 3-5s and after that approx. 5-10s of light vibration. Budapest, HU (311.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : I felt a shaking movement, side to side, that woke me up. It lasted about 10 to 15 seconds after I woke up, long enough that I could decide that it was an earthquake as it occurred. I am on the sixth floor. Csurgo (61.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s : I was home alone, doing my homework in my bed. Then suddenly I felt the shaking and immadiately jumped out of my bed and wanted to go outside, but it was so short that I didn't need to. My friends in Babocsa also felt it. Somogyharsagy, Hungary (141.7 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : I felt a distinctive movement of the house from left to right and back; and knew instantly that is was an earthquake 90.3 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Barely noticeable vibration at first, then stronger, obvious swinging left to right. Lasted quite a while, I was at the first floor. 11.6 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s : Very strong shaking, but shorter then the strongest earthquake last week. It was like a strong kick from downside. Dunaujvaros (265.3 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : I'm in Dunaujvaros, Hungary. Just my lamps and my bed were vibrating slightly without apparent reason. 163.8 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s The bed started moving sideways a little bit under me and suddenly I got messages from several people in my city that they felt it. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Ljubljana (149 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : I live on the 8th floor of the building, felt continuous shaking, windows rattling - lamps suspended from the ceiling vibrating. Feeling dizziness few minutes after Velenje, Slovenia (135.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : Napping on couch, woke up no wonder why, but saw curtains shaking and christmas balls shaking in the tree. Varazdin (97.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Felt slight horizontal movement in approx North to South direction. Repeated maybe 4-5 times in aprox 3 sec duration. I was lying in bed. Felt it again 5-10 min later sitting on a wooden chair. Virovitica (103.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was on my bed, my bed slowly started shaking, then a more powerful shaking occured on my home for about 6 seconds, then it stopped. Prijedor, BiH, ground floor (63.1 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Osjetilo se u prizemlju kuce horizontalno ljuljanje u trajanju od 10+ sekundi. Lusteri se zaljuljali, kristal i staklo klepetali. Pecs, Hungary / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Finally i felt one | 3 users found this interesting. Celje / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Smreka se je zibala, obcutek je bil kot, da si na ladji na manjsih valovih. | 2 users found this interesting. 44.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Long, but not strong! | One user found this interesting. Zagreb (47.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : It lasted rather long, with equal force during the whole quake. | One user found this interesting. 45.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : The entire room was shaking, but objects didn't rattle, it was pretty long | One user found this interesting. Bjelovar / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : I woke up and the shaking was weak, then all of a sudden the ground shook strongly and after that, it was weaker and weaker then it ended Topusko, Greani 5 / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s : Started low, bit intensified after about 2 seconds.... Did feel stronger than reported, but we are all thin with nerves... There are earthquakes everz day for the last 8-9 days... This one today was among 5 strongest ones in that time period. Whole house jumped and shook. Zagreb, Dubrava / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : I felt 2 big waves. First one was strong and then when it got a bit better and we wanted to run out, it started again and even stronger. It was scarry! Bjelovar / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : U stambenoj zgradi na 3. katu zanjihalo se jednom jace lijevo-desno, a jelka s ukrasima jos se njihala nakon toga bar 15 sekundi. Slavonski Brod / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Relatively weak but noticeable shaking for several, maybe some 3-5 seconds!Our Christmas tree and chandelier were swaying lightly. We live in apartment building's third floor. zagreb city / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : woke me up from a nap could feel my bed shaking side to side quite long and strong. One of the big ones in the last few days, scary Zagreb / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : It started with a, by now, familiar sounds and after them I felt house shaking for few seconds.Everything in the house echoing, chattering, ground shaking...It's been almost a year of constant earthquakes in Croatia. A lot of buildings in shoken areas are inhabitable and dangerous. Firemans helping securing areas and tering down damaged chimneys and roofs, police tring to secure areas for passengers not to injure themselves.People running in fields with masks on like stuntmen in bad apocalypse m Dubrava, 50 km distance of epicenter / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : U pocetku lagano podrhtavanje, a onda jedan jaki horizontalni udar, potom lagano podrhtavanje do smirivanja. Ljubljana / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : I'm generally quick to feel them since I'm sensitive to feeling dizzy. Parents didn't feel anything, but out Christmas tree shook quite visibly. Cazin Bosnia and Herzegovina / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : I was poring water in glass, glass and the water was shaking, bookshelfs, floor. I grabbed my mobile and ran outside the house. Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was sitting on my bed and having video call, when I felt light shaking and maybe even sound of windows. I looked at it and saw window shade swinging. Zeinci, Luka 10296 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : A slight shake to begin with followed by a constant shaking to and fro for about 5 seconds ending with the shaking disappearing after about 10 seconds Cakovec, Savska Ves / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was sitting on a couch and I felt a slight shake, its like someone was shaking my couch, but very lightly Zagreb (central) / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Lasted about 5 seconds, on second story building could hear loud rattling and ended abruptly | One user found this interesting. Zagreb / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : longer than the usual ones | One user found this interesting. Koprivnica / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Felt shaking inside house | One user found this interesting. 49.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Kaposvar (156.4 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s 113.1 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 46 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) at home (166.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 46 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 823.6 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 46.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 126 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 152.7 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Zagreb (45.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 50.1 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 131.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 86 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s 487.6 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s Donji Martijanec (93.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s 43.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Zagreb (45.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s 213.4 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 50.8 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 40.9 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 127.5 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short Vocnjak 15, Zagreb (46.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 15-20 s 46.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s 117.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s 141.6 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 130.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 347.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt Not felt in Linz (reported through (reported through our app / not felt Maribor (131.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 6th floor (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 347.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Voloder (33.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s 54.6 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Ludbreg (81.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 552 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 27 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s Zalaegerszeg (161.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 47.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s 49.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Pozega (111.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 33.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 505.1 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Zagreb (46.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s Strongly shaken once..loud noise (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s Slatina (115.5 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s 122.1 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : The Charles, table and hangings were shaking and moving left to right and back. 186.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 911.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 87.9 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 316.9 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 75.3 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s 194.9 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 152.7 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 39.7 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 133.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Zagreb (46.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Draga (112.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Szakadat, Hungary (210.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Cazma, Croatia (42.2 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 148.6 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 47.2 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Klagenfurt (199.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short 44.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 629.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Novska (56.4 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s 195.6 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s 11.6 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) (reported through our app / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) Zagreb, Bedeniki 14 (53.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s I swayed in my chair and the door to the room slammed until everything swayed (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Merenye, Hungary (132 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : My wooden ceiling was moving in the form of a wave... 172.3 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 399.9 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 42.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 73.4 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 38.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) Savska Ves (104 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Maribor, Slovenija (131.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : Rahel val, trajajoc 2 sekundi. 244.8 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 44.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s 172.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 42.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 155.1 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 524.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 81.5 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 39.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 15-20 s : Kind of felt it after I saw chandelier shaking. 537.7 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 193.6 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 53.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 69.4 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 189.1 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 44.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s 156.4 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt / very short Zvuk krckanja (reported through (reported through our app / not felt / very short 79.4 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s 348.8 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 10.6 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s 23.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 32.2 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Popovaca. 10-20 seconds of shaking. 51.8 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 200.1 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 73.5 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Karlovac (55.2 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Krk (139.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt 98.1 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) 346.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 50.9 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s 68.4 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 106.2 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 596 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 50 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 48.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 104.1 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Zurich (633.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 12.2 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s 364.7 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 43.1 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Trieste, Italy (195.3 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 894.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 193.7 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) 311.7 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 210.4 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 9.1 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) (reported through our app / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) Daruvar (76.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Nova Gradiska (90.2 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 64.7 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s 53.1 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Kaposvar (160.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s 57.8 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s 118.3 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 152.3 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s 10.8 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 27.5 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 44.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Sveta Nedelja (53.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s Slovenska Bistrica (115.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s 43 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 43.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Bosanska Krupa (63 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 47.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 867 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 43.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Udine. (246 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s Pecs (163.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) Daruvar (76.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Zagreb (59.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short 9.3 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s felt like there was first impact strongest followed by second weeker one (reported through (reported through our app / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s 118.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 33.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 40.9 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 52.3 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 78.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Brestanica (82 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 1.1 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) (reported through our app / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) 46.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 184.6 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt 18.4 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Grize Slovenia (130.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Kljuc, Bosnia and Herzegowina (110.3 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Zagre (48.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s 169.4 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 10.8 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 46.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s Zagreb (51.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s 44.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s 114.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Zagreb (50.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 49.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Zagreb (51.8 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 3 vala slabiji jaci pa slabiji (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s Szekszard (214.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating Villany (177.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 612.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) 44.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 48.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Molve (94.7 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : Smatram da je jace od 5.0 al slabije od 6.2, najvjerojatnije da je bilo od 5.4 do 5.7 34.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 23.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 43.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Nagykanizsa, Hungary (127.5 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s 44.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s Short, strong, loud, with boom (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s 27.5 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 993.4 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 244.2 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short Sentito leggero movimento in laterale... (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short Bestovje, Croatia (51.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 153.9 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Slunj (66.7 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 47.9 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s 47.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Pecs, Hungary (167.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s 27.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 59.9 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 55.4 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 153.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe 47.5 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s 94.6 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 152.6 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : In 8th floor my bed and the door were swinging 38 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s 156.1 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Sveta Nedelja (53.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 104.4 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 49.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Vugrovec Zagreb (45.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Quite strong and long. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 373.6 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 91.4 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 2-5 s 44.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 31.3 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Cazin BiH (54.7 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short Bestovje, Sveta Nedelja, Croatia (53.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s 45.1 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Scary Turcin (91.5 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s Desno Trebarjevo (18.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 46.7 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s 41.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Shaking for 20 seconds. Christmas tree shaked even longer. Nothing broken. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Deutsch-Minihof (169.5 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 106.7 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s 186.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Zagreb (44.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) zagreb gornji bukovac (59 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 42.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 33.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Sisak (12.1 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Krsko, Slovenija (80.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Chions (275.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 40.6 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Pecs (167.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) Ljubljana (152 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 47.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) SLAVONSKI BROD (140.2 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 51.5 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Sesvete (43.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 155.9 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s Budapest (310.3 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 122.2 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Zagreb (49.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s 104.2 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 282.3 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Bukosek (73.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : shaking like in a baby cradle or when the swing chair shakes fast... 50 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 33.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 143.8 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 74.5 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s Pecs, Hungary (166.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s Raka (87 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 33.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 140.4 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) H-8700 Marcali (205.6 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s 2.8 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s Bedenica (63.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Zagreb (50.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 169.5 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) Varazdin (95.3 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 44.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 139.1 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 156.7 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s Ljubljana (166.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s Pula (198.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s 33 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Pecs (166.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 444.1 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 62.2 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Ljubljana (145.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) 105.3 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 45.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 20-30 s Odranski Obrez (40.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s 98.8 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 129.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s 977.8 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 76.8 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 46.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 318.4 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt Krizevci (68.5 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 45.2 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 123.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 668 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Sarajevo (244.2 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Klagenfurt (199.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short Mala Buna (43.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Zagreb Ribnjak (47.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 35.9 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s 308.6 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 51.8 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 44.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 44.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 136.9 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 58.2 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 45.7 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Vienna, 1st district (306.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s : chandlier was chaking 103.8 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Petrinja (1.2 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) 36.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Dioskal (147.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Garesnica (55.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 62.9 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 66.9 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s Dovze (141.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging 46.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 645.2 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt 27.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 141.2 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short ljubljana (153.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s Velika Gorica (33.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating 197.4 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt : Did not felt.. some of citizens of Pula felt earthquake. Gradici (34.4 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s 40.1 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Kutina (42.2 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s 149.5 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 33.4 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s First light shaking and second came really strong shaking. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s 10.7 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 129.7 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s 43.1 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 8645 (603.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Ludbreg (89.6 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 55.3 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 166.2 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s 206.7 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt 186.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Graz, Austria (190 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Trieste (194.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s Cazin (54.8 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s 50.9 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 81.3 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 104.5 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s Banja Luka (101.9 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s Ljubljana (151.8 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 41.3 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Bihac (75.9 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s 163.2 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s 61.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : Dobar udarac. Probudilo me. 85 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Zagreb (45.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short 47.7 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s Zagreb (47.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s 47.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Banja Luka (103.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Novo Cice (31.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Our church bells started to ring. So it was pretty strong. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 319.1 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s 192.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short : The windows of my apartment rattled 58 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Neugodno,jako streslo. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 117.4 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 117.6 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s 81.1 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s 189.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 178.1 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) 155 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Pecs (166.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 51.2 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 111.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 38 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s 186.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Egerag (169.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 96.4 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 458.5 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 193.2 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 262.1 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s Slavonski Brod (140.9 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 56.5 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Live in building, flat on the 5th floor. Gospic (121.5 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short 44 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 10-15 s : When will the shaking stop. Eight days no peace.. 41 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s 230.6 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Pecs (165.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s 49.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 34.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 116.9 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s Zagreb, Ferencica (44 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s It was long, but no so strong as the last one of M5. (reported through (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s 44.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Paks (237.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s BJELOVAR (68.4 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 58.9 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 42.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 130.2 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s Dunaujvaros (265.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 43.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 46.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s 120.2 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 49.2 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 54.3 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 151.4 km WNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s 111.7 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s trieste (194.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s 47 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short 129.6 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 59.1 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Bjelovar (67.8 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging koprivnica (91 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 108.4 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) Zagreb (46 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 125.9 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 474.9 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 54 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s Pozega (112.8 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 127.1 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Varazdinbreg (89.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Felt light shaking, chandelier was swinging a bit. 168.2 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt Pakrac (73 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Budapest, Ungarn (312.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s 309.8 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging Mali Zdrnci (73.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 8910 (633.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Dolenjske Toplice, Slovenia (101.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The bed started shaking but after two seconds or so it stopped. Prague (533 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 165.9 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 40.7 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s KOPRIVNICA (94.4 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s Trieste (193.2 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 315.2 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 1.9 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s 85.3 km NE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) 49.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Nedelisce (104 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) Belgrade (337.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Graz (191.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 29.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 45.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 51.7 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 46.7 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Voloder (33.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 2-5 s 46.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 62.2 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s 42.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s Varazdin (91.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s 47.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s 48.5 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) Velika Gorica (34.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Very desturbing 91.4 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Ljubljana (152.3 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s 44.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s 62.3 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 196 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 47.3 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s Zagreb (44 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) ljubljana (150 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s 46.7 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s 42.2 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 160.1 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s Pula (199.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s 42.4 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 40.8 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) (reported through our app / Very strong shaking (MMI VII) 90.8 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Mureck (146 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Bistra (60.7 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s Barbaric Kravarski (23.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s 67.6 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) 54.3 km NW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Ivanjska (49.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) 43.9 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short Banja Luka (103.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Bjelovar (68.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) 45.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 191.6 km NNW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Authorities are attempting to locate Brandon Jenkins, an 18-year-old reported missing in the Elm City since last month. Jenkins is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing black glasses, a black and gray jacket and black boots. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Muranga Senator Irungu Kangata continues to draw criticism and acclaim in equal measure for authoring a letter warning President Uhuru Kenyatta that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is unpopular in Central Kenya. Among the politicians who have jumped to the Senators defense is Machakos governor Alfred Mutua who says Kangata should be celebrated. Senator Irungu Kangatas letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta on his perspective of the support of BBI in Mt. Kenya region may be the best thing to happen to the Building Bridges Initiative. What the courageous Senate Majority Chief Whip has done is vocalized the whispers that have been going on around due to the propaganda by anti-BBI opposers, said the Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader. Governor Mutua added that he hopes the BBI letter will lead to action on a number of underlying concerns. By speaking about the challenges as he sees them, Kangata has issued a call to arms which has now made the BBI issue and its success, especially in Mt. Kenya area, an issue of debate and hopefully, action, he said. READ: Irungu Kangata Confirms Authoring BBI Letter, Denies Leaking it to the Press At the same time, the county boss also intimated that President Uhuru Kenyatta might be behind the letter as part of a political game. The letter also raises a few questions. For example, based on my previous experience working closely for President Kibaki, I am asking myself, is there a communication breakdown in President Uhuru Kenyattas political organization? Who are the gatekeepers to the President? I am also wondering, could this be a master political game initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta to give him a good reason to rejig a few things? Well, it is a technique I have seen used effectively. Time will tell. Mutua added: The president has many mechanisms to cause change and at times change doesnt have to come directly from him. It can be initiated from outside so when problems are exposed, a solution can be found. The governor concluded by offering to buy Irungu Kangata a drink. The good senator Kangatas phone is off. If anyone gets in touch with him, please tell him I want to buy him a drink. He has made me proud, he said. While the world waited breathlessly this fall for anything resembling definitive results from the Nov. 3 presidential election, one early winner seemed clear: drugs. New Jersey, Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota all voted to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults. Even more remarkable: Washington, D.C., decriminalized psychedelic drugs, while Oregon legalized psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, marking a historic statewide initiative. Indeed, the landscape around psychedelics which include psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and LSD, as well as farther-out compounds like 2-CB or DMT is changing. And since 2016, the researcher and documentarian Hamilton Morris, the son of Oscar-winning documentarian Errol Morris, has tracked those changes. His award-winning documentary series Hamiltons Pharmacopeia, has just begun its third season on VICE TV, where it airs Mondays at 10 p.m. Its also available on VICETV.com and through the VICE TV app. Hamilton Morris is also an associate producer on his fathers recent TV documentary movie, My Psychedelic Love Story. As host of Hamiltons Pharmacopeia, he has chased down elusive hallucinogenic toads in the Amazon jungle, traced the illegal abalone-poaching network supporting South Africas underground quaalude industry, and ingratiated himself among generations of so-called clandestine chemists who, until recently, constituted the core manufacturing base of these powerful drugs. In addition to hosting Pharmacopeia, Morris also conducts research with Jason Wallach at Philadelphias University of Sciences, contributing to the science on the nonmedical users of designer dissociative drugs. Pharmacopeia features scenes of Wallach and Morris in the USciences labs. This places him at a unique place in contemporary psychedelia. Hes both a researcher, soberly working to expand our knowledge of these compounds, and an immersive journalist, expanding the cultural conversations around them. Many people who are not psychedelically-inclined are extremely afraid of psychedelics, Morris, 33, said by phone from his home in New York recently. And what makes it really more unfortunate is that its often the people who could benefit the most from psychedelics who are most afraid of them. Morris says new medical frameworks for psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD can ease some of that existing fear and anxiety around their use. Large pharmaceutical concerns are beginning to view them as tools to treat mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Compass Pathways, a U.K.-based company exploring psychedelic solutions to treatment-resistant depression, hit a $1-billion-plus valuation following its September initial public offering. Johnson & Johnson has secured FDA approval for an antidepressant nasal spray chemically similar to the common club drug ketamine. Morris compares the new interest in psychedelics to what happened with cannabis: Medical science reveals the benefits of prohibited drugs, leading to a popular reappraisal, paving the way for decriminalization. For groups like Compass, the profit model is tied to patenting synthetic derivatives of common psychedelics like psilocybin, to be used in therapeutic treatments. With the new episodes of Hamiltons Pharmacopeia, Morris explores an emerging tension between natural medicines (like home-cultivated psychedelic mushroom spores) and their synthetic cousins. The new seasons first episode finds Morris in a hotel conference room, pitching hardened enthusiasts of psychoactive toad venom on the ecological benefits of synthetic alternatives, which leave vulnerable desert toad populations unharmed. Some of the true believers rebuff the suggestion, firmly believing that the hallucinogenic power of the venom derives from literally consuming the spirit of the toad. Its a big through-line for this season, he says, the natural/synthetic dichotomy and its illusory nature. I think the most mature attitude is one recognizing the potential for value in all things, and the continuity between the natural and synthetic world. Because everything is simultaneously natural and synthetic. Beyond exploring various mind-expanding compounds, Morris hopes that Pharmacopeia can also address a widespread problem he calls chemophobia. That is, the fear of chemistry, and chemicals. To many, chemistry connotes pesticides, Teflon, toxicity, mercury in your sushi, skulls-and-crossbones on Clorox bottles. But of course, pretty much everything the food we eat, the air we breathe, our friends and loved ones is comprised of chemicals. For the new season of Pharmacopeia, Morris visits far-flung communities to explore their relationship with psychedelics, from Argentinas indigenous Wichi tribes to West African communities using the hallucinogenic shrub iboga to treat tramadol addiction, along with other groups realizing that old promise of better living through chemistry. Most people think chemical is a bad word, Morris says. I think theres a lot of beautiful storytelling in the world of chemistry. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in support of Republican incumbent senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue ahead of Senate runoff in Dalton, Georgia on January 4, 2021. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Committed to Challenging Election Beyond Joint Session on Jan. 6 President Donald Trump intends to continue pursuing challenges to the outcome of the 2020 election in as many as eight states regardless of the result of the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, when lawmakers will vet and count Electoral College votes. During a Jan. 4 rally at an airfield in Dalton, Georgia, the president told a crowd of thousands of supporters to expect more news about the challenges to the election over the next two weeks. You watch what happens over the next couple of weeks. You watch whats going to come out. Watch whats going to be revealed, the president said. That was a rigged election, but were still fighting it and youll see whats going to happen. You can lose and thats acceptable. You lose, you lose but when you win in a landslide and they steal it and its rigged, its not acceptable. Trump later said hell be in Georgia to campaign against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in about a year and a half, which suggests that the president views the post-election challenge as a long-term battle. Kemp and Raffensperger, who certified former Vice President Joe Biden as the winner of the election in the Peach State, both have been largely uncooperative with Trumps requests to audit the election. Most recently, they objected to a signature audit in Fulton County, the states most populous county, according to Trump. The president was in Georgia to drum up support for Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Senate candidate David Perdue for the runoff election set to conclude on Jan. 5. While Loeffler and Perdue have both committed to objecting to slates of Biden electors from disputed states during the joint congressional session on Jan. 6, its unclear if either will participate, since the results of the runoff elections may not be known for days. The importance of the joint session has continued to grow as dozens of lawsuits by Trumps legal team and a handful of third parties have been dismissed by courts in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada. Only a handful of the cases featured evidentiary hearings, while the vast majority were dismissed on procedural grounds. Trump added a layer of significance to the events on Jan. 6 by issuing an unprecedented call for supporters to descend on Washington that day for a big and wild protest. Some of the organizers believe the event may turn into the biggest Trump rally in history. More than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have committed to objecting to slates of Biden electors on Jan. 6, according to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. At least 74 have done so publicly, according to a tally by The Epoch Times. A group of 13 senators has committed to adding their names to the objections. The objection plan appears to have split the GOP, with 27 Republicans in the Senate and at least 10 Republicans in the House opposing the idea. An objection to each slate of electors will trigger two hours of debate followed by a vote by each chamber on which slate should be counted. Republican electors in seven states have sent procedural electoral votes to Congress. Democrats have the majority in the House and enough Republican support in the Senate to certify the Biden electors. I Hope Mike Pence Comes Through for Us Vice President Mike Pence, in his capacity as the president of the Senate, will lead the joint session set to begin at 1 p.m. on Jan. 6. While the Electoral Count Act restricts Pences role to the opening of the envelopes containing the Electoral College votes, some experts argue Pence has more options because the act could be unconstitutional. Fellow Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) attempted to force a court to clarify Pences role by suing the vice president. The lawsuit was tossed, and Pences options remain unclear. The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors, Trump wrote on Twitter on Jan. 5. I hope Mike Pence comes through for us, Trump said at the rally in Georgia the night before. If he doesnt come through, I wont like him quite as much. No, Mike is a great guy. Hes a wonderful man and a smart man and a man that I like a lot. But hes going to have a lot to say about it. You know one thing with him: youre going to get straight shots. Hes going to call it straight. Pence has spent hours huddling with Trump, staff, and the Senate parliamentarian ahead of the Jan. 6 proceedings. People close to the vice president have stressed his respect for institutions and said they expect him to act in accordance with the law and follow the Constitution. David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth and a friend of Pence, told The Associated Press: I think he will approach this as a constitutionalist, basically, and say, Whats my role in the Constitution as president of the Senate? What hell do is allow anybody who is going to move to object to be heard, but then abide by what the majority of the Senate makes the outcome. Pence was in Georgia on Jan. 4 campaigning for Loeffler and Perdue. In a speech at Rock Springs Church in Milner, the vice president told the crowd that well have our day in Congress. The vice president subsequently made an extensive appeal to faith, suggesting that he doesnt view himself as being in a position to take an election-altering stand on Jan. 6. Even when things dont seem like theyre going the way we expected, theyre going the way He expected, Pence said, urging the audience to pray. Hes Just Such a Fighter Trump supporters who attended the rally in Dalton, Georgia, appreciated Trumps relentless push to challenge the election results. I think hes just such a fighter, Amy Hicks, a homemaker from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, told The Epoch Times. While most Republican candidates, if they lost they wouldnt fight for it, hes not the typical person or politician, and he never has been in his four years in office. If they certify [Biden] tomorrow, Trump, I dont think hell ever concede. Hell just move on. Thousands of supporters walked for half an hour on a pitch dark rural road from the police checkpoint to the rally on the airfield at the Dalton Municipal Airport. The crowd broke into chants of Four more years, Fight for Trump, and Stop the steal throughout the presidents speech, suggesting that his supporters view the election as a done deal. Its within his right to fight as long and hard as he can, based on our Constitution, Glen Ruggiero, of Canton, Georgia, told The Epoch Times. To just give up because you dont want to divide a country, were already divided. To give up because you want a smooth transition, they can make a transition anytime. As long as he is following whats been provided for him within the constitution from our founding fathers, I believe he should fight to the very end. (CNN) Facebook and Twitter took the extraordinary step on Wednesday of locking US President Donald Trump's account on their platforms after his supporters stormed the Capitol building to protest the election. Twitter said it has locked President Donald Trump's account for 12 hours, and warned for the first time that it may suspend him permanently. The temporary lock reflects Trump's violation of the Twitter rules, the company said. "We have required the removal of three @realDonaldTrump Tweets that were posted earlier today for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity Policy," Twitter said. "This means that the account of @realDonaldTrump will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of these Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked." Twitter added that "future violations... will result in permanent suspension of the @realDonaldTrump account." Facebook also blocked Trump from posting on its platform for 24 hours, the company said, after it removed a video he posted to his supporters who participated in the riot. "We've assessed two policy violations against President Trump's Page which will result in a 24-hour feature block, meaning he will lose the ability to post on the platform during that time," Facebook said in a tweet. Facebook spokesman Andy Stone didn't immediately respond to questions about whether Trump could face a permanent suspension if he continues to violate Facebook policies. The announcement marks a major escalation by both social media companies against Trump's account and responds to calls by civil rights groups for Trump to be banned from the platforms. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. New Jersey will open its coronavirus vaccine program up to police and fire personnel starting Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday. Until now, only health care workers and nursing home residents and staff have been able to get the vaccinations. These are folks who have been just as much in harms way on the front lines as many of our healthcare workers, and they have often been called upon for emergency medical support and theyve ben the ones who have needed to deal with the knuckleheads, Murphy said during his latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton. He said EMS teams are already in the 1a category. We will continue to ensure access for our 1a populations, Murphy said. But it also follows that the people they often work so closely with our police and fire _ also be allowed to get in line for the vaccines. Police and fire professionals are technically part of the 1b category, as stated in the states 182-page plan for vaccine distribution, includes frontline essential workers and people who are 75 and older. We are able to open up vaccines to (police and fire personnel) based on the available supply, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said. They are a priority group within 1b and will be the first group within 1b to have access. More people within 1b will be eligible as vaccine supply increases, she said, noting it is not necessary to vaccinate everyone in 1a before opening the vaccines to those in 1b based on demand, she said. In addition to police and fire workers, Phase 1b frontline workers other first responders, food service workers, educators, support staff and daycare workers, public transit workers and workers who support radio, print, internet and television news and media services, according to the states updated 188-page vaccination plan that was released in December. Other critical and essential workers are also included in 1b, the plan said. People ages 75 and older will also be part of Phase 1b, the Department of Health said Thursday. Phase 1c will follow. That would include those between the ages of 16 and 64 with high-risk conditions and other adults aged 65 to 75, according to the plan. It would also include people living or working in congregate or overcrowded settings such as colleges and universities, migrant workers and tribal populations, who were listed by an earlier version of the plan as in the 1b category, the plan said. Again, no timetable has been announced by the state. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. On Monday Sudan skipped the second day of tripartite talks intended to reactivate stalled negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). A day earlier, the six-party meeting, held after a nearly six-week impasse in the AU-brokered tripartite talks, had been attended by the irrigation and foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and observed by representatives from the EU, the US, the AU, and legal and technical experts. Although Khartoum attended on Sunday, it skipped the following days meeting after the other parties failed to respond to its request to grant AU experts participating in the negotiations a greater role. This weeks round of talks was meant to be merely procedural. It was a last-minute attempt to set the arena for reaching a deal before the conclusion of South Africas chairmanship of the African Union [AU] Council at the end of this month. Thus, Sudans withdrawal was not unexpected, said a diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity. Sudans position has sent a clear message that it rejects Ethiopias intransigence, and gives South Africa and other observers the incentive to come up with more ideas or visions to reactivate the negotiations, said Mahmoud Hegazi, a former deputy to Egypts foreign minister. At the end of the six-party meeting on Sunday, following Khartoums request, South African Minster of International Cooperation Naledi Pandor said the next few days would be devoted to bilateral meetings between each of the three countries and AU experts in order to pinpoint points of difference ahead of another six-party meeting scheduled for 10 January. After invitations were sent to the three countries to attend trilateral negotiations on Monday, Sudan expressed its reservation over holding a trilateral meeting without first holding a bilateral meeting with AU experts and observers on the same day, as a statement issued by the Sudanese Irrigation Ministry said. Based on the outcomes of the trilateral ministerial meeting held on Sunday, Sudan asked for a bilateral meeting with the AU experts as well as observers the evening of the same day. We did not receive a response to the request, the statement added. Sudan has repeatedly argued for a bigger role to be given to AU experts to facilitate negotiations. Negotiating is a long and arduous process that needs patience and perseverance. I expect that top-level communications will be conducted to return Sudan to the negotiating table before 10 January, Hegazi said. This is the second time Sudan has skipped an AU-mediated meeting. In November, Khartoum declared it would not take part in a scheduled tripartite meeting, saying that the way previous talks were held proved unproductive. It requested a change in the methodology of negotiations and for AU experts to be given a greater role. In a phone call with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi reaffirmed Egypts stance on the urgent need to reach a binding agreement with Sudan and Ethiopia that secures Egypts water rights during the filling of the dam. The scheduled talks came days after Egypt summoned Ethiopias charge d'affaires in Cairo following statements made by Ethiopias Foreign Ministry Spokesman Dina Mufti which Cairo described as interference in Egypts internal affairs. Mufti, a former ambassador to Cairo, claimed that Egypt has turned Ethiopia into a threat to deflect attention from the depth of the internal crisis in Egypt. AU-sponsored talks were launched in July last year after negotiations between the three countries reached deadlock in November 2019. The talks ground to a halt in August a month after they had started after Ethiopia proposed non-binding guidelines for the filling and operation of the dam when both Egypt and Sudan want a legally binding agreement. The dam, which is 15km from the Ethiopian border with Sudan, has been a source of contention between the three countries since its construction began in 2011. The first filling of the controversial dam took place last summer despite the absence of a binding agreement, a move that angered Cairo and Khartoum, both of whom saw it as a violation of the Declaration of Principles (DoP) signed in Sudan in March 2015. The DoP states that the three countries must first agree guidelines and rules for the operating processes of the dam before filling the reservoir can commence. Cairo reaffirmed this week the need to reach an agreement on the dam before the second filling of the reservoir this summer. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Short link: MILWAUKEE, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Circa announces a formal partnership with Washington DC-based DCI Consulting Group, a human resources risk management consulting firm specializing in OFCCP compliance, pay equity, and other workforce analytics. Circa is partnering with DCI to provide its customers and prospects access to high-quality affirmative action planning and other workforce analytic solutions from an industry leading organization. Patrick Sheahan This partnership aims to improve diversity outcomes across the shared customer base and support federal contractors with their affirmative action and HR consulting planning needs. DCI Consulting and Circa will work together on building resources and providing more options for their clients. Circa provides OFCCP compliance management and recruiting technology solutions to deliver qualified candidates on a level, equitable playing field that meet organizations' needs to build high-performing, diverse teams. Circa is expanding their offering through this partnership as customers are seeking a more robust solution from industry leaders. DCI is a recognized expert in systemic compensation discrimination analyses, affirmative action plan development and implementation, pay equity analyses, diversity metrics, employee selection and test validation, and OFCCP audit and litigation support. "Research, the rebrand of the company, and our new strategic vision support the driving demand for entities seeking diverse workforces," Patrick Sheahan, CEO, Circa said. "Launching these partnerships complements our core OFCCP and diversity solutions and helps customers with turn-key solutions that help them build high-performing teams and accelerate their success." With 20 years of experience, DCI Consulting Group is an industry leader in providing Affirmative Action Plan solutions, pay equity, and workforce analytic solutions. They form strategic partners with their clients to leverage data for meaningful analyses that drive organizational change. Their wide array of services can support clients in preparing audit-ready Affirmative Action Plans, actionable pay equity studies, and their industry-experts will assist in navigating audits. DCI clients have unparalleled access to analytic solutions. They also provide metrics for diversity, equity, and inclusion studies, personnel selection, and litigation support. "Thought leadership and continued growth are values at DCI. We are excited to partner with Circa for the opportunities to create additional resources and share knowledge with our clients as well as the opportunity to share our services with a broader market," David Cohen, President of DCI Consulting. To drive mutual success, Circa will showcase DCI Consulting products and services to customers and prospects, feature them in marketing events and on the company's website, and work with them on thought leadership content. About Circa Circa is a catalyst for 21st century companies to build high-performing diverse teams based on research that shows companies want to shift from diversity as a program to diversity as a business strategy. The companies' robust portfolio of software solutions and unparalleled industry expertise give employers the tools and knowledge they need to radically change how they approach talent acquisition and management. The company was founded in 1994, has 4500+ customers, 15,500 community partner relationships and in 2019 posted 5M+ jobs through its network of 600+ online employment websites. About DCI DCI Consulting Group is a human resources compliance, data analytics, and litigation support firm. DCI leverages its expertise in industrial and organizational psychology and labor economics to understand its client's organizational challenges and to identify strategic solutions. DCI Consulting is strategically located in Washington, D.C. Since 2001, DCI has provided expert solutions to hundreds of employers on the complex issues of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance. Members of their consulting staff are recognized experts in systemic compensation discrimination analyses, affirmative action plan development and implementation, pay equity analyses, employee selection and test validation, and OFCCP audit and litigation support. Media Contact Katie Saba Product Marketing Manager [email protected] 800.984.3775 Circaworks.com SOURCE Circa [January 06, 2021] Swift Navigation's Productive 2020 Paves the Way for a Promising 2021 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swift Navigation , a San Francisco-based tech firm redefining GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and precise positioning technology, reflects on an unprecedented, yet productive 2020 and looks ahead to the potential that 2021 holds. As the world braved the unknowns that came with 2020, Swift is proud of its teams accomplishments in the face of uncertainty. Some highlights from 2020 include Headquarters Move Swift moved into new headquarters in San Franciscos Financial District to accommodate its expanding team. The office awaits the teams return when it is safe to do so. Swift moved into new headquarters in San Franciscos Financial District to accommodate its expanding team. The office awaits the teams return when it is safe to do so. Skylark Expansion Swift announced its partnership with Deutsche Telekom enabling the expansion of Skylark across Germany. As 2020 came to an end, Skylark is now available across the U.S., Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Skylark is an ever-expanding precise positioning service and is scalable to support millions of users. Swift announced its partnership with Deutsche Telekom enabling the expansion of across Germany. As 2020 came to an end, Skylark is now available across the U.S., Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Skylark is an ever-expanding precise positioning service and is scalable to support millions of users. Cross-Country Drive Test Swift announced the results of its ambitious 6,614 mile (10,583 km) round-trip, cross-country drive test to demonstrate Skylarks consistent performance on a continental scale. Swift announced the of its ambitious 6,614 mile (10,583 km) round-trip, cross-country drive test to demonstrate Skylarks consistent performance on a continental scale. State Space Representation (SSR) Support As a contributing member of 3GPP, Swift announced its support of 3GPPs first-of-its-kind, truly-open and independently-governed SSR positioning standards. This continued with announcing the release of Skylark SSR corrections delivery across North America and Europe. As a contributing member of 3GPP, Swift its support of 3GPPs first-of-its-kind, truly-open and independently-governed SSR positioning standards. This continued with the release of Skylark SSR corrections delivery across North America and Europe. V2X Integration Savari integrated Swifts precise positioning solution into its V2X software stack to improve positioning accuracy and enhance the reliability of V2X content. integrated Swifts precise positioning solution into its V2X software stack to improve positioning accuracy and enhance the reliability of V2X content. Single-Frequency Receiver Support Swift announced that its precise positioning technology allows single-frequency receivers to achieve lane-level accuracy without requiring a change to existing hardware or antenna configurations. Swift that its precise positioning technology allows single-frequency receivers to achieve lane-level accuracy without requiring a change to existing hardware or antenna configurations. AutoTech Breakthrough Recognition Swifts precise positioning solution was awarded Navigation Technology Solution of the Year by AutoTech Breakthrough Awards. Swifts precise positioning solution was Navigation Technology Solution of the Year by AutoTech Breakthrough Awards. Webinar Series Swift conducted three webinars in 2020 that explored the benefits of precise positioning as it relates to autonomous applications, last-mile delivery and automotive. All are available to view on-demand . Swift conducted three webinars in 2020 that explored the benefits of precise positioning as it relates to autonomous applications, last-mile delivery and automotive. All are available to . Precision GNSS Module2020 concluded with the announcement of its Precision GNSS Module (PGM). PGM is a simple-to-use, industry-standard mPCIe format module that offers fast evaluation and a quick path for production for those requiring a precise positioning solution. We are proud of the 2020 accomplishments and look forward to where precise positioning will take Swift, its partners and its customers in the year ahead. To learn more about how the receiver-agnostic Starling positioning engine paired with cloud-based GNSS corrections from the Skylark precise positioning service can bring reliable, centimeter-level accuracy to your autonomous platforms and applications in 2021, visit www.swiftnav.com or contact swift at sales@swiftnav.com . ABOUT SWIFT NAVIGATION Swift Navigation provides precise positioning solutions for automotive, autonomous vehicle, mobile and mass-market applications. What began as the GNSS industrys first low-cost, high-accuracy, real-time kinematic (RTK) receiver has evolved into a Swift Navigation ecosystem of positioning solutions for autonomous applications. From the continental GNSS corrections delivered from the cloud by the Skylark precise positioning service, the hardware-independent, integrated software solution that is the Starling positioning engine to the centimeter-level accurate Piksi Multi and ruggedized Duro and Duro Inertial RTK receivers, Swift Navigation is enabling a future of autonomous vehicles to navigate and understand the world. Learn more online at swiftnav.com, follow Swift on Twitter @Swiftnav Press Contact: Swift Navigation press@swiftnav.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The United States Congress is meeting today to formally count the Electoral College votes in the 2020 presidential election. Under normal conditions, this process is a formality. Todays vote, however, takes place under conditions of an active and ongoing effort by President Donald Trump to stage a coup detat, nullify the results of the election and establish a presidential dictatorship. Trump, with the active support of a majority of Republican House members and a substantial number of Republican senators, is seeking to block the certification of the votes. He declared on Tuesday that Vice President Mike Pence, who acts as president of the US Senate, has the power to reject electors. Such an act would be blatantly unconstitutional. President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Speaking in Georgia on Monday, Trump declared, They are not taking this White House. We are going to fight like hell. Outside of Congress, tens of thousands of Trump supporters are gathering in Washington DC, led by neo-fascist and paramilitary organizations such as the Proud Boys. On Tuesday, Trump lent his full support to the demonstrations and said he would speak at a rally in front of the White House Wednesday morning. In the face of Trumps active effort to overthrow the Constitution, the Democratic Party and its defenders are doing everything possible to conceal and downplay the threat posed by Trumps actions. Their main concern is to avoid taking any action that might alarm the public and set into motion an oppositional movement that could get out of control. On Monday, Biden called Trumps efforts to overturn the election whining and complaining. He referred to a group of conspirators seeking to overthrow the constitutional order in the United States as our opposition friends, and he repeated his call for both sides to unite and put the divisive politics behind us. More than just spinelessness and prostration, Bidens remarks express a basic class reality. While they have differences, primarily centered on foreign policy, Trump and his Democratic opponents are, in the final analysis, representatives of the same capitalist class. As former president Barack Obama put it, the conflict is an intramural scrimmage. The Nation, the flagship publication of American left liberalism, with its historic association with Stalinism and Popular Front politics, exemplifies the Democratic Partys efforts to lull the population to sleep. Referring to Trumps actions as crazy, the Nation declares categorically that Trump will not succeed in his coup attempt. The good news is that Trump seems to have shot his bolt. He has enough juice left to create mayhem but not enough to subvert the election. Another article in the Nation calls Trumps actions a clown coup that is doomed to failure. It concludes, Trump is diminishing in political power with every passing day and there is no need to make unrealistic claims about his ability to overturn the election. The Nations unshakable belief that everything in American politics will return to normal on January 20 is an expression of its faith in the impregnable nature of American capitalism. Inasmuch as it believes capitalism is invincible and invulnerable, it seems inconceivable to the Nation that there is any need for the ruling class to even consider carrying out a coup detat. This is the voice of sclerotic American liberalism. Without a program, its only response to the crisis of capitalism is to stick its head in the sand and hope that everything goes back to the way it was. Speaking of the fascist street demonstrations that brought down the French government of Edouard Daladier in 1934, Leon Trotsky wrote: The French people for a long time thought that Fascism had nothing whatever to do with them. They had a republic in which all questions were dealt with by the sovereign people through the exercise of universal suffrage. But on February 6, 1934, several thousand Fascists and royalists, armed with revolvers, clubs and razors, imposed upon the country the reactionary government of Doumergue. Now too, fascist violence and extraconstitutional coup-plotting have become an objective factor in American politics. Let us be blunt: Trumps coup is not guaranteed to fail, and workers must take his threats with the utmost seriousness. He remains president for two weeks and is determined to use all the powers at his disposalenumerated and unenumeratedin his effort to cling to power. While the Democrats pull their punches, Trump is not afraid to draw blood. He speaks for sections of the ruling class arguing for a preemptive counterrevolution amid the greatest crisis of capitalism since the 1930s. He is warning the ruling class that time is running out: Either crush social opposition in the working class, or it will engulf you. Anyone who believes that it cant happen herethat the United States is immune from fascism and dictatorshipis blinding himself to the reality of the crisis of American capitalism. It not only can happen here, but it is happening here. The commentary within the official media and the likes of the Nation is marked above all by its superficiality, as though Trumps actions were caused by his mood swings. But Trump does not speak just for himself. The very fact that he has already gone so far means that a substantial section of the financial oligarchy is prepared to break with the trappings of democracy. Ultimately, January 20 is just a date. Even if Biden were to limp into office, Trump would remain a dominant political figure in the United States, and there are others waiting in the wings to take his place. It remains unclear whether Republican-controlled states will even recognize a Biden presidency. This crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of the expanding pandemic, which has already killed more than 350,000 people in the United States alone. Hospitals throughout the country are at capacity, and Los Angeles County has instructed paramedics to begin rationing care. In the face of this disaster, all sections of the ruling class have doubled down on their policy of herd immunity, demanding that businesses remain open in order to continue pumping out profits. Amidst mass death and social misery, Wall Street continues its relentless rise, along with the wealth of the financial oligarchy. These homicidal policies reflect a social order so unequal that the most basic interests of the oppressed classes cannot be taken into consideration in creating policy. The decay and putrefaction of American democracy is ultimately the expression of the crisis and death agony of American capitalism. And Trump is only the most visible symptom of the disease. In the fight to defend democratic rights, just like the fight to save lives in the pandemic, the remedy is the same: The power of the financial oligarchy must be crushed and overthrown by a mass movement of the working class fighting for the socialist transformation of society. The mass arrests of pro-democracy figures on Wednesday is the largest to date since the national security law was implemented in Hong Kong in June last year. In recent months, Hong Kong has already jailed several pro-democracy activists including Wong and Agnes Chow for their involvement in antigovernment protests, and others have been charged under the national security law including media tycoon and outspoken pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. The Afghanistan-US Democratic Peace and Prosperity Council has hired Bullpen Strategy Group for strategic communications and media monitoring services. The Arlington, VA-based firm will focus on US-Afghan relations and policies that improve governance, economic development and human rights in Afghanistan. BSGs three-month contract kicked off Dec. 21. The firm receives a $25K monthly retainer from the DC-headquartered Council. Joe Pounder, former research/deputy communications director of the Republican National Committee and aide to Florida Senator Marco Rubio, is CEO and co-founder of BSG. Under president Trumps troop drawdown plan, the US is slated to have 2,500 soldiers in Afghanistan on Jan. 15. [January 06, 2021] CNC Software, Inc. Appoints New Marketing Director TOLLAND, Conn., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CNC Software, Inc., the developers of Mastercam, announced that Paco Agrafojo has been hired in the role of Marketing Director. Mastercam is the world's most widely used CAM software in both domestic and international markets. Agrafojo will lead efforts in support of the brand's ongoing market dominance and to further develop the company's position as a global leader in manufacturing technology. Paco Agrafojo comes to CNC Software with a wealth of experience within the industrial and manufacturing industry, creating market and product strategies for several top brands in his 20+ years of experience. Based in Suffield, Connecticut, he joins CNC Software as the Marketing Director to continue to build on Mastercam's success. "I'm very proud to join the CNC Software family at such a critical time of growth," said Agrafojo. "I look forward to driving engagement with the Mastercam brand through partnerships with ey customers, influencers, and ultimately end-users. As a leader in the CNC industry, it is also important for Mastercam to focus on inspiring the next generation of machinists, programmers, and engineers." Sandy Moffat, Chief Market Officer, commented, "As we continue to grow our brand and presence, we are thrilled to have Paco join our ever-expanding team. He comes to us with a very solid background in creating market and product strategies, and with experience that will help benefit CNC Software worldwide." About CNC Software? Founded in 1983, CNC Software, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Tolland, Connecticut, with corporate offices in Switzerland and China. The company develops Mastercam, a suite of CAD/CAM software created to reduce production time and expense with efficient machining strategies and advanced toolpath technologies like Accelerated Finishing and Dynamic Motion. Mastercam is the world's #1 CAM software, with more than 274,000 installations in industries such as?moldmaking, automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer products, education, and prototyping. It is distributed through an international channel of authorized Mastercam Resellers in 75 countries, providing localized sales, training, and support for 2- through 5-axis routing, milling, and turning; 2- and 4-axis wire EDM; 2D and 3D design; surface and solid modeling; artistic relief cutting; and Swiss machining. For more information, visit? www.mastercam.com .?? Contact: Michelle Nemeth Phone: (860) 875-5006 Fax: (860) 872-1565 Michellen@mastercam.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cnc-software-inc-appoints-new-marketing-director-301202104.html SOURCE Mastercam [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body For Steven Brown, outreach has become a valued tool that has helped him develop as a leader among educators at Auburn University. The professor and a Morris Savage Endowed Chair of the Department of Political Science has become a faculty standout and beloved part of the Auburn community since arriving on the Plains in 1998. For his dedication to teaching students of all ages and walks of life in a variety of arenas, success as an author and status as an expert in his field, Brown recently was presented the Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach as part of Auburns annual Faculty Awards. The award "honors the engagement of exemplary faculty members and demonstrates the tremendous impact outreach has on our community, state, nation and beyond." Brownan expert on everything from constitutional law and church-and-state issues to the Supreme Court and American legal historywas flattered to receive such a prestigious award. It really is an honor, especially since there is a good bit of outreach that goes on here at Auburn, Brown said. There are a lot of great things happening, so it is a great honor. Browns teaching has been recognized regularly at the departmental, college and university level with numerous awards and nationally in 2006 when he received the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Faculty of the Year Award. He was an inaugural recipient of the Auburn University Parents Associations Faculty Award in 2018, has been awarded several grants, has conducted numerous workshops and spoken at dozens of conferences across the country, as well. His research topics have ranged from First Amendment church-and-state issues and Christian right litigation strategies to the U.S. Supreme Court and American legal history. After spending a few years working on Capitol Hill as a staff member in the U.S. Senate, Brown began his studies at the University of Virginia thinking he would concentrate his focus on Congress, but fate intervened. I really thought Id become the Congress guy because of my experience on Capitol Hill, said Brown, who would go on to earn his doctorate from the university in 1998. I had signed up for a constitutional law class, and the professor happened to be in Japan at the time for the first two or three weeks. I lived in Japan for two years when I was younger, and when he came back, we kind of made this connection about Japan. He took me under his wing, and I ended up becoming a teaching assistant for him. I gradually shifted my focus toward constitutional law, and I wrote my thesis and dissertation about it. Thats not how I thought grad school would end, but Im glad it worked out the way it did. Im having a lot more fun in this field than I think I would if I had specialized in Congress. Brownwho teaches courses in American Constitutional law, religion and politics, law and society and governmentis an award-winning writer who has been published regularly since 2002. He received the National Communication Associations Franklyn S. Haiman Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Freedom of Expression in 2005 for his book, Trumping Religion: The New Christian Right, The Free Speech Clause and the Courts. Browns article, The Girard Will and Twin Landmarks of Supreme Court History, received the Supreme Court Historical Societys 2017 Hughes-Gossett Senior Prize which was awarded by Chief Justice John Roberts. Earlier this year, Browns book, Alabama Justice: The Cases and Faces That Changed a Nation, the companion book to his award-winning traveling exhibition, was awarded the Anne B. and James B. McMillian Prize in Southern History, and the exhibit was named a finalist for the 2020 Silver Gavel Award for Media and the Arts by the American Bar Association. Brown has committed considerable effort to promoting outreach and providing instruction to a wide range of students through the years, regularly teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, where he has thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with older students who still have an innate desire for knowledge. In addition, Brown has served as an instructor for The National Association of Election Officials for more than two decades. As people learn new things or gain new perspectives about things, theyre like, Oh, wow, I never really thought about it that way, Brown said. That generates other questions, and thats where learning begins to take place. Somebody might hear about a constitutional law issue on the news, or maybe they remember something from high school or something from one of my classes. Thats when theyre on the verge of learning, because they then go and Google that issue or check out a book about it. Thats what every professor and educator wants. They want their students to keep learning on their own. It is empowering in that sense, because I think everyone has a thirst for knowledge. We just help facilitate that when we go out and help answer some of these questions. Outreach has long been a focus for Brown, who was trained of its importance from the start of his graduate studies. In graduate school, one of my professors at the University of Virginia told us that we were basically required to do outreach, Brown said. He said that, as research professors, we would have the skills and the time to devote to different questions and that there are a lot of people out there who have those same questions but didnt have the time or research ability to answer them. So, it was incumbent upon those going into academia to share that knowledge, not just with other scholars, but with non-academic audiences, too. So, thats where a lot of this has come from. There are a lot of people out there who may have really good questions, but they may not know how to find the answers. As professors, we have research skills and the time to be able to explore some of those questions, and its important for us to share what we have learned. Browns teaching philosophy is inclusionary and interactive, centered on establishing an atmosphere of open dialogue and collaboration. I like to ask questions of my students, and my teaching philosophy thrives on student participation, Brown said. Whats great about my area is that everybody already has an idea about con law, even if they dont realize it. They know how they feel about abortion, church-and-state issues, capital punishment or presidential authority. They may not know the case law behind all those quite yet, but they already have an opinion on them. So, Im already tapping into an existing body of knowledge thats based on what theyve heard. I tend to get a lot of participation in that sense, just because people already have a framework or a point of reference. Browns peers and supervisors effused praise for the veteran professor, submitting glowing letters of recommendation for him during the nomination process. In a college with over 300 tenure-track faculty, Steve is a standout as one of the most engaged faculty in the college with a lengthy and substantive track record in faculty outreach, College of Liberal Arts Dean Joseph Aistrup said of Brown in his recommendation letter. Steve connects his scholarly expertise to the wider world and in tum has brought a great deal of positive recognition to Auburn University. Of the many strengths which makes Steve such a deserving candidate for the Outreach A ward is his ability to connect with a broad audience outside the university and convey complex ideas and concepts. Steve has the ability to connect to his classes making his studentswhether in the Election Center courses, OLLI or as a guest lecturerfeel like they have joined Steve along this journey for knowledge. Steve has achieved a level of scholarly acclaim which has and continues to bring great credit upon the department, the College and Auburn University. Brownwho has raised seven children with his wife, Melaniesays the most fulfilling part of teaching is seeing students learn and grow while expanding their knowledge. Its when you see that light go on and can tell that students get it, because of their comments in class or their performance on exams, Brown said. Ill get e-mails long after class is over from students about certain cases or something thats going on at the Supreme Court. So, just watching them learn and have an interest is great. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Two days after Varsha Raut, wife of Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the PMC Bank fraud case, the agency again summoned her for questioning on January 11, officials said on Wednesday. A senior ED official related to the probe told IANS, "We have asked Varsha to appear before the agency on January 11." Varsha Raut has appeared before the ED on January 4 and recorded her statement with the agency in connection with the case. According to ED sources, she was questioned about the Rs 55 lakh-interest free loan transferred to her account in 2010 and 2011 by her business partner Madhuri Raut, the wife of Pravin Raut, who has been accused of money laundering in the HDIL case. The source further said that Varsha Raut will be questioned about her partnership with Madhuri Raut in Avani Construction and how she had received Rs 12 lakh from the entity (as overdrawn capital converted to loan) on a contribution of Rs 5,625. According to ED sources, the loan amount of Rs 12 lakh to Varsha Raut is still outstanding. The ED has registered a case of money laundering on the basis of FIR registered by Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing against Housing Development Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL), its promoter Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, Sarang Wadhawan, Waryam Singh, the then Chairman and Managing Director of the bank Joy Thomas and others for causing loss to the tune of Rs 4,355 crore to PMC Bank and corresponding gain to themselves. The ED has attached properties worth Rs 72 crore on January 1 of Pravin Raut under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as during investigation, it was revealed that Rs 95 crore had been allegedly siphoned off through HDIL by him in active conspiracy and connivance with various persons. Earlier, summons to Varsha had sparked a huge political row in the state with the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress trading verbal blows with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. Sanjay Raut had also accused the BJP at the Centre of misusing the Central probe agencies like the ED, the CBI and the IT to harass and silence political opponents. WASHINGTON Hours before Congress was set to certify President-elect Joe Bidens election victory, Attorney General Ken Paxton touted his failed effort to overturn those results at a rally for President Donald Trump. One of the great things about the state of Texas is, we did not quit, Paxton told a crowd gathered outside the White House. If you look at Georgia, they capitulated, they consented. We kept fighting in Texas. Paxton led a failed lawsuit last month to have the U.S. Supreme Court toss out the results from four battleground states, which the court refused to consider. They shouldve heard our case, Paxton said. NOT GIVING UP: Texans take center stage in Trump's election-defying fight The attorney general, who was joined on stage at the rally by his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, also touted 12 straight lawsuits related to mail-in ballots, related to signature verification that his office pushed in Texas leading up to the election. We fought, we won every single one of those cases and because of that, Donald Trump won Texas by over 600,000 votes, Paxton said. Paxtons short speech about a minute and a half at the podium where Trump is expected to speak later in the day came just hours before Congress is scheduled to certify the presidential election results. Several Texas Republicans, led by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in the Senate, are planning to object to the results, an effort that will do little more than stall the final outcome: A loss for Trump. But the message at the Trump rally throughout Wednesday morning was that the fight must go on. Multiple speakers urged the crowd to stay engaged, reminding supporters that the midterms are just around the corner. What we have in President Trump is a fighter. And I think thats why were all here, Paxton said. We will not quit fighting. Were Texans, were Americans, and the fight will go on. ben.wermund@chron.com News Bulletin (No.1, 2021) 2021/01/05 On January 4, 2021, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi started his five-day visits to five African countries, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles. Since 1991, Africa has been the destination of Chinese foreign ministers' first annual overseas visit for 31 years in a row. This unique tradition reflects the special bond between the two sides featuring lasting friendship through weal and woe. It also shows that developing friendly cooperative relations with African countries has always been a consistent basic policy and firm strategic choice in China's foreign affairs. H.E. Wang Yi's tour this year has taken greater significance than previous trips as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ravaging the world, with travel restrictions in force worldwide and global social and economic development hit badly. It firmly demonstrates that China stands a true friend of African countries and China-Africa friendship emerges still stronger in the face of COVID-19. In 2020, China-Africa friendship has been further elevated after going through the test of COVID-19. President Xi Jinping and African leaders successfully held an Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, setting an example for international anti-pandemic cooperation. When China was fighting against the pandemic, African countries including the Republic of Sierra Leone were firm in their support to Chinas efforts. To help African countries fight the pandemic, China has sent medical teams of 184 experts to 15 African countries, paired up Chinese and African hospitals, provided much-needed medical supplies to 53 African countries. Sierra Leone is one of the major recipients of such support. China is also conducting vaccine cooperation with Africa. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters as an assistance project by China has had its groundbreaking ceremony. China and Africa have scaled up the implementation of follow-ups to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, with the health care initiative as a top priority. China has signed debt service suspension agreements with 12 African countries including Sierra Leone and provided waivers of matured interest-free loan for 15 African countries, suspended more debt service than any other G20 member. In the meantime, over 1100 Chinese cooperation projects have maintained operation in Africa, and a large number of Chinese technicians and workers held on to their positions in Africa. The year 2020 also marked the 20th anniversary of FOCAC. Over the past two decades, China and Africa have formulated and implemented Ten Cooperation Plans and Eight Major Initiatives. With China's help, over 6,000 kilometers of railways, 6,000 kilometers of roads, nearly 20 ports and over 80 large power plants have been built in Africa. Two-way trade has grown by 20-fold and China's direct investment in Africa 100-fold. China has also expanded cooperation with Africa in new business forms like digital economy, smart city, clean energy and 5G, thus boosting high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation between the two sides. The year 2021 will witness wrapping up efforts to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit. During this visit, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold in-depth exchange and coordination with relevant authorities of the host countries, promote implementation of the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and African leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19. H.E. Wang Yi will discuss with the African side on how China will continue to support African countries in combating the virus and achieving economic recovery, advance Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation and build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More Online shoppers face myriad basic obstacles, including not being able to complete a purchase transaction. A survey by customer engagement firm goMoxie shows that consumers struggle to complete basic tasks on retail websites. Most are more likely to abandon the experience or switch to a competitor rather than seek assistance. The research, based on 1,063 adult consumers across all ages, genders, and regions in the United States, is especially concerning given the challenges many retailers already face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to eMarketer, e-commerce sales will climb by 18 percent in 2020 to reach $709.78 billion. That represents 14.5 percent of total U.S. retail sales. This increased volume suggests expanded opportunities for online retailers. But high levels of shopper-struggle and abandonment indicate that many of these businesses are failing to realize their full sales potential. Droves of retailers are not digitally prepped for holiday shoppers online and need to act fast to change course if they are to succeed. As a critical holiday shopping season approaches, the goMoxie survey signals a need for a more proactive approach for online sellers to ensure ease-of-use for customers and maximize revenue. GoMoxie researchers compiled an action plan based on the study, aimed to combat missteps retailers make with their e-commerce platforms. The study revealed that retailers need to do a better job of guiding customers with proactive and relevant information throughout the entire shopping journey, according to Tara Sporrer, senior vice president of marketing at goMoxie. "Findings showed that despite the effort companies have made to improve the customer experience, 40 percent of retail consumers still struggle to complete basic tasks when transacting online," she told the E-Commerce Times. Digital Basics Bring Failure Online merchants should not just wait out consumers' learning curve to catch up. Digital shoppers will learn their needed skills elsewhere. Taking that route, retailers would be waiting a long time -- and lose potential revenue by remaining stagnant to the innovations competitors are rapidly adopting, Sporrer retorted. "Smart retailers are meeting customer expectations and focusing on guiding customers through the shopping experience with interaction channels they prefer," she said. Instead, Internet retailers need to design their digital store experience to meet shoppers' deficiencies. Forcing them to adapt does not work. "Just like a helpful associate would in a store, online shoppers still need an element of expert guidance through checkout," noted Sporrer. The well-designed website provides the needed information at the point of struggle, without requiring the involvement of an agent. Consumer Confusion The appearance of a shopper's low "digital IQ" may be less a question of consumer ineptness and more an issue with newcomer confusion. Either way, retailers have little time to put together a quick fix in time for this holiday shopping season. Many shoppers, especially older adults, are looking at online shopping this year due to the pandemic. These people have traditionally been in-store shoppers, either due to familiarity or fondness of the so-called "shopping experience," according to Sridhar Jayaraman, vice president of engineering at Qentelli. "Now, they are faced with the challenge of navigating the digital world, which in many cases has been optimized for the millennial persona. Product search, size charts, color options, recommendation engines, loyalty usage, and even basic navigation can seem complex to those who do not always shop online," he told the E-Commerce Times. Retailers can do a few things to look more approachable to those who are new to online shopping, Jayaraman offered. One is to provide a simplified shopping experience site, sort of a "lite" version, on both Web and mobile channels. This also reduces the chance of unfamiliar shopper failing in the software ecosystem. Another quick fix is to implement web overlays based on shopping behaviors. For example, provide easy access for an agent to call them if they are spending too much time scrolling on a page, etc. Action Plan for Sellers Retailers have tried over the years to improve the customer experience while using company websites. Still, consumers struggle to complete basic tasks with online transactions, noted Sporrer. Consumers have seen little-to-no improvement. E-commerce conversion rates have stayed stubbornly low for the last 20-plus years as a result, she said. "Based on our findings, we recommend retailers guide customers throughout their entire purchasing journey -- as soon as they arrive on the site, all the way to when they check out, as well as when they return back for service and support," advised Sporrer. Companies can avoid the consumer struggles while improving the customer experience without compromising efficiency. How? By doing two basic things: meet customer expectations and focus on the action channels customers prefer. Doing these two things can help businesses recover some of the $18 billion in yearly sales revenue lost to shopping cart abandonment, added Sporrer. Watch for Warning Signs Start by focusing on the channels your customers prefer. Retailers who want to keep customers in the digital channel should focus on interacting via email and live chat. Text messaging and bots are the least preferred interaction channels, according to goMoxie's report on the customer survey. Online shoppers will have struggles with your website. That is guaranteed. Retailers need to anticipate and read customers' online behavior to reduce or fully avoid customer difficulties. Online customers tell you where they are and often what they need by their behavior. Do not expect them to ask for help. Most won't. Guide them instead, the goMoxie report urges retailers. All generations struggle with website shopping issues in varying degrees. Surprisingly, the generation totally raised with the Internet, Generation Z, had the highest percentage of respondents report that they have recently struggled to make a purchase from a retailer online at the rate of 46 percent. Make Strategic Reactions GoMoxie also recommends solving customers' online troubles by optimizing their interaction channels. Retailers need to be proactive when detecting customer struggles by offering live chat or email assistance based on website visitors' urgency and needs. Do not ignore their obstacles. Remove them. Before marketers invest in technology to support online customers, they should make sure those shoppers will use it. You might expect the solution is to beef up online help. Wrong thinking. GoMoxie's research shows that only one in four sought help online. When encountering struggles online, 62 percent of consumers abandoned the shopping experience. That drove 52 percent of digital consumers to complete their online shopping at a competitor's website. Sometimes Less Is More Quentelli's Jayaraman suggests offering online shoppers a guided experience based on questions. For example, before products are shown, display just one question to start. That could look like the question, "What can we help you with today?" Then offer a few response options such as, "Buying a gift," "Check for a specific product," etc. Based on the individual shopper's response, the retailer can ask additional questions. This process can lead to more narrow displays of products. The report concludes that the significant shift to online in such a short period of time presents an opportunity for many retailers. Jayaraman agrees. "This is an opportunity for retailers not only to sell more but also to increase stickiness of the new population of consumers who are going to be shopping online for the foreseeable future," he said. Merchants must realize that there are distinct personas who are buying online who do not want any human interactions. There are more online consumers now than the typical savvy shoppers, he added. Retailers also need to offer innovative shopping channels such as WhatsApp, live chat, and human-assisted chatbots. While there is pressure to reduce call center investments, retailers have to recognize that this season is fundamentally different from previous years, according to Jayaraman. For example, price matching, returns, and product questions are areas where customer support may see increased volume. Investments in resilience, modernization of legacy back-office systems, and a well-educated customer service team are critical for retail leaders, he explained. "In fact, customer service is one of the key battlegrounds in the near future," Jayaraman maintained. Proactive, Clear Communication Vital Sure, the information consumers need is no doubt somewhere on the website. Rattled shoppers finding what they need, when they need it, is the problem they face. That is especially true when shopping on mobile devices. Retailers need to guide consumers to complete basic tasks online. They can best do this by presenting snippets of contextual and relevant information. "A nudge may be all that is needed to keep the customer engaged in completing the purchase," noted goMoxie's Sporrer. For instance, tell website visitors how to enter a coupon or gift card before they receive an error. Guide customers to reset their password to avoid lockout. That will avoid frustration and difficulty that needs a call or email exchange. Aim for Frictionless Shopping Prime the convenience pump to keep a new online customer. Do not make them contact the retailer for basic information. Those two points are critical for retailers to achieve better online shopping success for both consumers and retailers. Guide them to the "Where Is My Order?" page or offer up the return policy before they contact the business. The goal is to save live agents for valuable interactions. More importantly, online retailers need to save their customers valuable time, according to the goMoxie report. "Many companies have built a service model around failure. Put up a website, offer a phone number, and assume that consumers will either figure it out or ask for help," said Sporrer. That model is flawed. Studies show that only reacting to consumer failure leads to low conversion rates and customer frustration, she explained. Instead, retailers need to shift the sales model to one based on guidance and ease. Removing friction and anticipating struggle will reap success for both businesses and consumers. Bottom Line Consumers should not have to struggle to do business online, urges Sporrer. Unfortunately, many do, and they end up leaving. "We have already seen retail customer interaction volumes more than double year-over-year leading into the holiday shopping season. Retailers should be taking steps now to guide every customer to success in order to increase transactions, strengthen satisfaction and make the most of the sales opportunities for the 2020 holiday season and beyond," she advised. Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Group's Alipay, the White House said, escalating tensions with Beijing before President-elect Joe Biden takes office this month. The order, first reported by Reuters, tasks the US Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive and targets Tencent Holdings' QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay as well. Alipay is one of the latest applications targeted by the White House. Credit:Bloomberg The move is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, a senior official told Reuters. A US Tencent spokeswoman did not immediately comment. After a decade of deliberation, Irans government approved a bill on Sunday that criminalizes violence and sexual misconduct against women and specifies punishments for perpetrators. The decision to move ahead with the bill which, if approved, will be the first law of its kind in Irans penal code comes in the aftermath of a groundbreaking #MeToo movement and shocking reports of so-called honor killings that have gripped the public over the past six months. The bill, which has been passed by the cabinet, must now be adopted by the countrys conservative Parliament to become law, but womens advocates are hopeful of success. The events of last year, both honor killings that got national attention and the #MeToo movement in Iran, have increased the pressure on the government to push this bill that was in the making for almost a decade, said Tara Sepehri Far, a researcher for Human Rights Watch based in New York, referring to the murders of women by male relatives for supposedly shaming their families, even if the women themselves were victims of sexual violence. (Natural News) Taxpayers are going to be hit from every side when Joe Biden walks into the White House and Democrats win control of all of Congress after they steal the two currently GOP-held Senate seats in Georgia next month. Thats because the Biden regime is going to pass out freebies to as many people as possible to secure Democrat rule into the foreseeable future or, at least, until they run out of other peoples money. Biden reminded us of this when he reaffirmed his commitment to free community college for anyone who wants to go in recent days. In the 21st century, twelve years of school isnt enough. Thats why under the Biden-Harris plan, community college will be freeand public colleges and universities will be tuition-free for families earning less than $125,000 a year, he wrote in a Twitter post. In the 21st century, twelve years of school isnt enough. Thats why under the Biden-Harris plan, community college will be free and public colleges and universities will be tuition-free for families earning less than $125,000 a year. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 24, 2020 And since most families do earn less than $125,000 a year, hes essentially talking about all young Americans. As for Biden, he or whoever is handling his Twitter account went on to post prose for his pick for secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, while addressing the reopening of schools safely during the pandemic, and that he wants to double the number of school psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers to address the students mental health and behavioral needs. Maybe he wouldnt need to do that if hed just allow schools to be reopened and families to live out from underneath senseless, contradictory, hypocritical lockdown restrictions. So what is all of this Democratic left-wing focus on free college? Thats really not too difficult to understand. Americas college and university campuses are nothing more than Marxist propaganda mills, where students are taught to hate America, hate traditional American values, and believe that our country is racist, evil, colonizing, unfair and unequal. These allegations are easy to refute, mind you; all one has to do is read our Constitution. Our founders may have been imperfect men, but they wrote and adopted a document that was unique among nations at the time (and still is today) in that it empowered citizens for the first time, not government representatives. Again, it was a perfect document that was imperfectly practiced, but over time we certainly got more things right than we got wrong. Minorities in America have more opportunities to do well and get ahead than in any other country in the world and thats because all Americans have those same opportunities. In many cases, people of different backgrounds and ethnicities who immigrated (legally) to our country live better, safer and more prosperous lives in America than they could ever live in their home countries. But todays academic left doesnt think so. They believe that America is so awful it must be destroyed and reimagined with new ideas they claim would be more equitable and fair to all. (Related: Health Ranger asks: What would really happen if college tuition were free?) What theyre really advocating, though, is Marxism and collectivism, whereby a few powerful elites at the top take from those who have and give it away to people who dont deserve it because they havent earned it until that money runs out. Then they become all powerful and they decide what you and I will get in the form of government hand-outs, which are never enough to subsist on. Meantime, these losers will have ruined the economy and the country as a whole, turning the U.S. into the worlds best-armed third-world hell hole. Because thats what happens every single time socialism and Marxism are practiced. As for Bidens idea, generally, of free college, realists like outgoing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos knows there is no such thing. During her confirmation hearing in 2017, the Senates sole communist, Bernie Sanders, asked her about free college, and she argued that nothing is truly free. Somebody, somewhere pays the bill, she said. And the bill is coming due. What we do next in education policyand in public policy writ largewill either break our already fragile economy, or it will unleash an age of achievement and prosperity the likes of which weve never seen. Trump unleashed prosperity. Biden wants to repeal that prosperity and send all our young people to reeducation camps disguised as free college in the meantime. See more reporting like this at Propaganda.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com We trust the non-partisanship and competence of the Australian Electoral Commission and venerate the so-called democracy sausage as a symbol of our peaceful federation. The blatant gerrymandering, queues of voters waiting up to 10 hours and exhausting court battles in the US political process seem to contrast with Australias convivial and largely uncontested elections. This year Aussies are paying closer attention than ever to politics across the Pacific as the Trump era shudders to a halt and Georgians return to the polls to decide their senators. Who among us has not felt grateful for the Australian electoral system when watching US politics? Or even a little smug? However, we should not be complacent. There is a push to make it harder to vote in Australia too. The truth is that voter suppression, not voter fraud, is the big scandal in US politics and this has been true for many years. It is arguably what decided the outcome of the 2000 presidential election, since thousands of voters were purged from the Florida rolls before polling day and then George W. Bush ultimately won the state and the presidency by only 537 votes of nearly 6 million cast. There is often a shortage of polling booths in areas where non-white voters are the majority, resulting in people in rural areas driving hours to vote and those in urban areas waiting in long queues. A study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology proved black voters had to wait longer than white voters on average in the 2016 election. Dont forget, too, that citizens are not necessarily guaranteed time off work to vote. Once you do make it to the front of the line, a number of states require you to show identification to prove who you are before casting your ballot. A handful of states including Georgia dont even allow you to make a statutory declaration or written affidavit attesting to your identity if you dont have ID with you. Despite there being no evidence of voter fraud in Australia, there are people pushing for voter ID requirements here too. Advertisement Approval of Covid vaccine batches is to be sped up drastically in a huge boost to the jab campaign. Amid growing concern over the slow pace of the rollout, sources told the Mail that testing would be cut from up to 20 days to just four. The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for the checks, is also to increase staffing in a bid to accelerate the mass vaccination programme. It has just approved a second consignment of 500,000 doses of the Oxford jab taking supplies beyond one million. It comes as the jab, produced together with AstraZeneca, starts to be rolled out from GP surgeries today. The expansion today comes amid hope that more than 700 sites will be delivering vaccines by the end of the week. Seven mass vaccination centres will open next week in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Stevenage. The vaccine is crucial because it is much easier to distribute than the Pfizer version, which needs storage at minus 70C. MPs have questioned why only half a million doses of Oxford's jab were available in the first week despite promises that 30million would be ready last September. Coronavirus deaths yesterday surged past 1,000 for the first time since April, while cases soared to another record high of 62,322. The Mail has highlighted a string of issues with the vaccine rollout, which is critical to reducing the toll of the pandemic and ultimately lifting coronavirus restrictions. A Government source acknowledged yesterday that the initial rollout of the Oxford jab had gone 'slowly', but promised a big acceleration toward the end of this week. Meanwhile vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said Public Health England was 'on a footing' to administer doses every day of the week. Further details will be revealed this evening when NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens appears at a Downing Street press briefing. The plan is expected to include: Hundreds of GP practices receiving their first Oxford vaccines today, which will speed up the rollout to care homes; Seven huge vaccination centres opening next week in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Hertfordshire; Community pharmacies joining the vaccination scheme within days, despite fears they would be excluded; Superdrug being used as part of the NHS vaccination effort; Drive-through vaccinations in the car parks of Morrisons stores from Monday; 1,000 vaccination centres including hospitals and GP centres being in operation by the end of the week; Doctors being told to prioritise jabs over other treatments, according to a report last night. The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for the checks, is also to increase staffing in a bid to accelerate the mass vaccination programme Doubts about the plan to inject 13million vulnerable people by the middle of February have been growing since Boris Johnson plunged the country into lockdown on Monday night A nurse administers the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to a patient at Pontcae Medical Practice on January 4 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was administered at a handful of hospitals before being rolled out to hundreds of GP-led sites across the country Jabs axed as GPs are hit by hold-ups to supplies Elderly people are having desperately needed Covid vaccination appointments cancelled because doctors have not received their stocks on time. Patients around the country who had been booked in to get their first jab have since been contacted to be told they must wait longer. Many GPs say they have still not got their first batch of the vaccine despite having been promised them before Christmas. Some say they have had several cancelled deliveries. Frontline NHS staff are also missing out on vaccinations. In one case, workers queued for hours outside a hospital only to have their appointments cancelled due to a scheduling blunder. It has prompted fresh fears that Boris Johnson will be unable to keep his promise of getting 13million of the most vulnerable Britons protected by the middle of next month. Last night Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'We need to be delivering upwards of two million vaccinations a week this is a challenging but necessary target. 'Last-minute changes to vaccine delivery schedules, as some GPs are reporting, only create confusion amongst patients and a lot of hard work for practices that need to swiftly adapt their plans, and must be minimised.' Advertisement Doubts about the plan to inject 13million vulnerable people by the middle of February have been growing since Boris Johnson plunged the country into lockdown on Monday night. Issues included the bureaucracy faced by volunteer vaccinators, supplies of jabs to care homes, the distribution network and the length of time it took for each batch to be approved. Until now the MHRA's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control has checked batches one at a time at its site in Hertfordshire. That time-consuming process has been blamed for slowing down the deployment. Only 530,000 of four million available doses of the Oxford jab had passed the assessments before last night. The process has been changed so that more than one batch can be assessed at a time, cutting the timescale from up to 20 days to as little as four or five. An MHRA spokesman said: 'We are working closely with the manufacturer, AstraZeneca, to ensure batches of the vaccine are released as quickly as possible. 'Biological medicines such as vaccines are very complex in nature and independent testing, as done by the National Institute, is vital to ensure quality and safety. 'The institute has scaled up its capacity to ensure that multiple batches can be tested simultaneously, and that this can be done as quickly as possible, without compromising quality and safety.' Delivery of the Oxford jab to 775 GP surgeries, which will take place from today, is another crucial step. It will allow a significant acceleration of vaccination within care homes, where only 10 per cent of residents have received the jab so far. The 25 per cent of deaths caused by Covid-19 (shown graph right) is the highest proportion so far during the second wave, and it means that the total number of people to have died in that week is significantly higher than at the same time in previous years (graph left) NHS statistics show that it is rare for people under the age of 40 to die of Covid-19, with 100 of the 17,572 fatalities in November and December in that age group Until now only hospitals have received the Oxford vaccine. In the Commons yesterday, Tory MPs urged Mr Johnson to accelerate the rollout of the vaccine so lockdown restrictions could be lifted as soon as possible. Huw Merriman, member for Bexhill and Battle, said: 'Every vaccination jab in the arm should be viewed as a pupil who can return to the classroom.' Mr Zahawi said Public Health England had agreed to distribute the vaccine seven days a week despite fears they would not work on Sundays. He told talkRadio: 'If they need to deliver on a Sunday, they will deliver on a Sunday. They've been delivering up until now six days a week as the NHS has requested the vaccines to go out. 'They are on a footing to go seven days a week as we get more vaccines. The head of PHE has said they have always been on a seven-day footing as they are requested to be, and they will continue to do that. 'That is absolutely the priority for them, and for the whole of the NHS.' Appointments for Covid-19 jabs are being AXED because GPs have not received supplies of the vaccine on time Elderly people are having desperately-needed Covid vaccination appointments cancelled because doctors have not received their stocks on time. Patients around the country who had been booked in to get their first jab have since been contacted to be told they must wait longer. Many GPs say they have still not got their first batch of the vaccine despite been promised them before Christmas. Some say they have had several cancelled deliveries. Frontline NHS staff are also missing out on vaccinations. In one case, workers queued for hours outside a hospital only to have their appointments cancelled due to a scheduling blunder. Patients around the country who had been booked in to get their first jab have since been contacted to be told they must wait longer Many GPs say they have still not got their first batch of the vaccine despite been promised them before Christmas It has prompted fresh fears that Boris Johnson will be unable to keep his promise of getting 13 million of the most vulnerable Britons protected by the middle of next month. Last night Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'We need to be delivering upwards of 2million vaccinations a week this is a challenging but necessary target. 'Last-minute changes to vaccine delivery schedules, as some GPs are reporting, only create confusion amongst patients and a lot of hard work for practices that need to swiftly adapt their plans, and must be minimised.' Pharmacies pledge Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi has insisted pharmacists will help give jabs, following criticism that they were being ignored. Pharmacy staff across the country administer flu jabs every winter, so should have the skills to deliver Covid injections. The president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Sandra Gidley, yesterday told Radio 4's Today programme: 'There are more than 11,000 pharmacies. You have got an army of trained vaccinators ready, willing and able.' Mr Zahawi said there would be a 'massive acceleration' in jabs and 'we will make sure community pharmacies and the independent sector are involved'. Advertisement Senior Labour MP Kevan Jones told how a group of doctors in his North Durham constituency were promised a delivery on December 16. The GPs in Chester-le-Street were then told the supplies would not arrive until January 4 and now expect them today 'at the earliest'. Even when the delivery does arrive, it will only include one 975-dose batch of the Pfizer vaccine and 'a possibility' of 400 doses of the AstraZeneca one. This is not sufficient for all local care home residents. Mr Jones warned vaccines minister Mr Zahawi in a letter last night: 'Local GPs have put in place extensive plans to administer the vaccine, but this is not being helped by vaccines that do not arrive, or by the Government's raising of expectations that cannot be met.' In Sussex, Meads Medical Centre had to cancel appointments booked for next week after a planned delivery of the Pfizer vaccine, due to provide second jabs to over-80s, was cancelled. Only a small amount of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now expected. Castle Medical Centre and Abbey Medical Centre in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, had to cancel appointments for over-80s last week because not enough doses arrived. A similar story was told by a GP in south London, Dr Rosemary Leonard. She wrote on Twitter: 'We are raring to go, but have no vaccines. WHY?' Meanwhile in Scotland, NHS staff were left standing for hours in the cold outside Glasgow Royal Infirmary to get jabs because no staff were on duty to administer them. Some left without being vaccinated amid the chaos on Tuesday. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has apologised. Last night a Government spokesman said: 'This is the largest vaccination programme in NHS history. 'It is being accelerated every day and vaccinations will be taking place at over 1,000 sites by the end of this week.' Routine appointments must go on hold in the battle to vaccinate against coronavirus, doctors are told by Ben Spencer and Victoria Allen for the Daily Mail GPs are being urged to 'stand down' routine appointments so they can prioritise Covid vaccinations, it was claimed last night. Guidance sent to doctors says the jabs should be their top priority with other 'non-essential' activities postponed, potentially for weeks. NHS England has already advised surgeries to focus on the delivery of the vaccine by prioritising jab appointments over anything else. The British Medical Association, the trade body for doctors, is also telling GPs to 're-prioritise and postpone other activities' in the coming weeks, The Daily Telegraph reported last night. Its guidance suggests health workers should 'stand down non-essential work' unless urgent to accelerate the pace of the rollout. Guidance sent to doctors says the jabs should be their top priority with other 'non-essential' activities postponed, potentially for weeks. Pictured, a patient is given the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at Pontcae Medical Practice on January 4 It follows mounting concern over the sluggish start to Britain's vaccination drive, with only 530,000 Oxford jabs cleared for use this week. This was a tiny fraction of the 30million doses the UK was promised would be ready in time for the vaccine to be approved. Use pubs, polling stations and offices, urges Blair Tony Blair urged Boris Johnson to open up thousands of polling stations and empty offices as coronavirus vaccination centres. The former prime minister (pictured below) said there was a need to dramatically accelerate the vaccine programme to 'save our economy'. He called for a shake-up at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and for the Government to step in to assist the production of glass vials which are needed for the vaccines. The former prime minister said there was a need to dramatically accelerate the vaccine programme Mr Blair demanded much greater transparency on who was due to get jabbed when to maintain public confidence. And he called for more pharmacists and GP surgeries to deliver jabs. Mr Blair said his plan would see 5million a week being delivered by the end of March meaning more than half of the population would have been vaccinated by then. 'No one doubts the monumental scale of the Covid-19 challenge, nor the specific task of rolling out mass vaccinations,' the former leader said in a foreword to a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. 'The NHS has done an extraordinary job to get this many people vaccinated so far. But the reality is we need to go on to an entirely new footing and accelerate this programme dramatically. 'Public confidence would also be greatly boosted by being fully transparent about the plan to achieve this.' Mr Blair said there were 50,000 polling stations which should be used, as well as empty offices and even pubs. He said surgeries should operate for longer hours and called for red tape to be cut to allow 5,500 pharmacists to provide the vaccine. Advertisement Testing of the initial doses has taken 20 days with only one batch tested until that number was doubled yesterday. Officials have now moved to tackle the problem, cutting the time taken to approve each batch to four days, with regulators now able to test more than one at once. But a rapid acceleration is needed if Britain is to vaccinate the vast numbers required to ease Covid restrictions. Eight months ago, when the nation was still in the grip of the first wave, Business Secretary Alok Sharma insisted sufficient doses would be ready. He announced that the Government had struck a deal with AstraZeneca to manufacture 100million doses of the Oxford vaccine, of which 30million would be ready by September. By the end of November the results were delivered the vaccine worked. And AstraZeneca insisted it could deliver enough vaccine to fill 20million injections by the end of 2020. While slightly down from the 30million Mr Sharma had promised, it would still be a strong start, although the firm admitted only 4million of those would be in vials and ready to go. It took another month for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to confirm that the vaccine was safe and effective. But when that authorisation was finally announced, just over a week ago, the four million doses had somehow shrunk to 530,000. With at least 25million people in the Government's priority groups for vaccination, such a figure was paltry. So why were so few vaccines available? AstraZeneca slightly overpromised it manufactured enough to give Britain an initial 15million doses down from the 20million it had previously promised. But it produced the four million vaccines in vials it had pledged. The main delay, rather, has been the MHRA batch testing programme. Quality control requirements mean every single batch has to be tested separately both by AstraZeneca and the MHRA. Quality control is run at the MHRA's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control lab in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The NIBSC receives samples from each batch of vaccines and does a number of tests. One of the most complex elements is ensuring that each vial contains the right dose. Scientists also need to make sure the jab does what it is meant to.AstraZeneca does one set of tests and the NIBSC, in parallel, performs its own tests.When the two are completed they ensure the results match and, if they align, a batch-test certificate is issued. But when that authorisation was finally announced, just over a week ago, the four million doses had somehow shrunk to 530,000. With at least 25million people in the Government's priority groups for vaccination, such a figure was paltry. So why were so few vaccines available? AstraZeneca slightly overpromised it manufactured enough to give Britain an initial 15million doses down from the 20million it had previously promised. But it produced the four million vaccines in vials it had pledged. The main delay, rather, has been the MHRA batch testing programme. Quality control requirements mean every single batch has to be tested separately both by AstraZeneca and the MHRA. Eight months ago, when the nation was still in the grip of the first wave, Business Secretary Alok Sharma insisted sufficient doses would be ready. Pictured, a dose is administered to Pat Hier at the Poncae Medical Practice in Merthyr Tydfil Quality control is run at the MHRA's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control lab in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The NIBSC receives samples from each batch of vaccines and does a number of tests. One of the most complex elements is ensuring that each vial contains the right dose. Scientists also need to make sure the jab does what it is meant to.AstraZeneca does one set of tests and the NIBSC, in parallel, performs its own tests.When the two are completed they ensure the results match and, if they align, a batch-test certificate is issued. Until yesterday that had happened only once on December 29 when the initial batch of 530,000 doses was approved. A second batch was certified yesterday, doubling the available doses. But if Britain is to vaccinate the 13million most vulnerable people in the top four tiers of its priority list by mid-February this process needs to accelerate rapidly. Changes have been made so the NIBSC can start assessing several batches simultaneously. Manpower at the lab which in normal times is staffed by 300 scientists has also been ramped up. Government officials believe that these changes will cut the time it takes to assess each batch from 20 days to four or five. If that is achieved, vaccines will start to flow. Show us the proof that just one dose does work, says BARRY JONES by Barry Jones, surgeon and covid vaccine volunteer, for the Daily Mail As a plastic surgeon who specialises in reconstructing the facial features of children affected by birth defects, I see daily the differences that hi-tech medicine can make to young lives. But since volunteering to help with the Covid-19 vaccination programme, I've been reminded of how something as simple and as quick as a jab can also be of huge benefit. At the centre set up at a London hospital where I gave up to 80 vaccinations in a day, I saw many elderly people who have not left their homes since last March. For them, the jab offers some hope that this may change and they are so grateful to the dedicated staff and volunteers who work from 8am to 7pm with a break of only half an hour. Barry Jones (pictured) is a consultant plastic surgeon and volunteered to help with the vaccination. Ever since the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at the beginning of December, we have been told that its 95 per cent efficacy rate depends on two doses being given, three weeks apart But I am concerned that their efforts may be undermined by the sudden about-turn in vaccination policy outlined by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, earlier this week. Ever since the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at the beginning of December, we have been told that its 95 per cent efficacy rate depends on two doses being given, three weeks apart. But now it has been decided that the priority will be to give as many people as possible a first dose, with the second dose not needed until as many as 12 weeks later. In explaining the strategy, Professor Van-Tam has asserted that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 89 per cent effective in the period from 15 to 21 days after the first dose. This rises to 95 per cent after the second dose. His argument, eloquently put as always, goes as follows: 'If a family has two elderly grandparents and there are two vaccines available, isn't it better to give both 89 per cent protection, rather than to give one 95 per cent protection with two quick doses and the other grandparent no protection at all?' I understand the wish to vaccinate as many people as soon as possible and if these figures are correct, you would have no argument from me. However, both Pfizer and BioNTech, the manufacturers, have stressed that the only trial to date of the new vaccine used a regime of two doses separated by 21 days. This clearly showed that maximum immunity (95 per cent) was not reached until seven days after the second dose. There is no data for any other regime and the only figure for interim immunity quoted in Pfizer/BioNTech's paper (published in the New England Journal of Medicine) was 52 per cent approximately 14 days after the first dose. There is a big difference between 52 per cent and 89 per cent. Although a subsequent analysis of the figures from the US Food and Drug Administration does quote an efficacy of 88.9 per cent after the first dose, it also states: 'This cannot support a conclusion on the efficacy of a single dose of the vaccine, because the time of observation is limited by the fact that most of the participants received a second dose after three weeks. 'The trial did not have a single-dose arm to make an adequate comparison.' With the greatest respect to everybody concerned, the 89 per cent figure is an assumption based on retrospective analysis of data and yet it is repeated in the paper published by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on December 31, the very document on which the new change in policy has been based. I am far from alone in questioning this. Indeed, the FDA itself has demanded that the vaccination protocol should not be changed without another clinical trial. 'Without appropriate data supporting such changes in vaccine administration, we run a significant risk of placing public health at risk,' FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn said last week. And the European Medicines Agency has also demanded more clinical data before such a change is made. As a clinician who has conducted many trials myself, I agree. The only way we can be sure that the change proposed by Professor Van-Tam is the right move is to commission a new study comparing the efficacy of a second dose given at 21 days to that delivered at 12 weeks. Until more is known, there is the possibility that the proposed variance from the stated dose will provide inadequate immunity to many patients and frontline workers and, worse, may potentially waste the first dose completely. In addition, patients who have already had a first dose gave their consent specifically for a two-dose regime separated by 21 days. It was emphasised to them how important it was that they returned for the second dose. Now it is proposed that the second appointment be cancelled. Informed consent is a cornerstone of medical practice and it would not usually be considered ethical or lawful to vary from it without very good reason. Yes, it is important that we roll out the vaccine programme as quickly as possible, but over the last nine months, we have been told time and time again that we should follow the science. And the science in relation to this vaccine says two doses separated by 21 days. It may be that Professor Van-Tam and his colleagues have access to data that the rest of us do not. If so, they should publish it. Until then, I remain concerned that we are in danger of doing all the wrong things for all the right reasons. Raise your hand if Georgias going deep blue was on your 2021 bingo card. Me neither. But it turns out the state really has evolved in part thanks to a decade-long push by voting-rights advocates and organizers like Stacey Abrams into a different kind of political animal than its Deep South cousins. The final tallies from its twin Senate runoffs are still to be determined, but the Democratic contenders, the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, are on track to unseat the Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. This is a welcome development for the health of American democracy. At the risk of sounding harsh, both incumbents needed to lose. Not because of their politics or how they served constituents though there was plenty to criticize in those departments. Rather, Ms. Loeffler and Mr. Perdue proved themselves unfit for office with their cynical, spineless embrace of MAGA nihilism, topped off by their support of President Trumps crackpot crusade to reverse the results of the presidential vote. Such rank betrayals of democracy should not go unpunished. There will, in fact, need to be more such reckonings if the Republican Party is to find its way out of Trumpism. Sweetening the victory, Mr. Warnock, the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, will be Georgias first Black senator. When he was born, in 1969, the state was represented in the Senate by two proud segregationist Democrats, Richard Russell Jr. and Herman Talmadge. Mr. Warnock smashed this barrier by besting an opponent who stooped to conspiracy-mongering and race-baiting in pursuit of a Republican base in thrall to Mr. Trump, whose political brand was built on such poisonous appeals. Having a Baptist minister join the ranks of Senate Democrats is also a valuable rejoinder to Republicans efforts to claim God for their team alone. Mr. Warnocks win is good for the nations soul. In terms of the more big-p political, the Georgia outcome is obviously great news for President-elect Joe Biden and his party. Having underperformed in Novembers congressional elections, the Democrats had been girding themselves to deal with a Senate still ruled by Republicans or more precisely, by their iron-fisted leader, Mitch McConnell. Georgia has upended that dynamic. Even with super-skinny margins, Democratic control of both chambers gives Mr. Biden a much better shot at addressing the nations tangle of crises. It also promises to make his job even more of a pressure cooker. Credit, ExxonMobil Beaumont ISD at their December board meeting received a donation from ExxonMobil for $29,500 to help support district programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math education, as well as a mentorship program for students at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. "ExxonMobils support for math and science education is driven by a desire to promote the critical thinking skills necessary for many of todays high-demand career options," Rozena Dendy, Beaumont refinery plant manager said in a statement. "While support for STEM education is critical, providing guidance to todays students to prepare them for successful careers is equally as important. Our support for the new mentorship program at King Middle School will help offer such guidance and initiatiate one-on-one connections for students interested in our industry." Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in Eleven men have been charged with rape and murder after a flight attendant was found dead in a hotel bathtub on New Years Day. Christine Angelica Dacera, who worked for Philippine Airlines, had spent the night prior celebrating the new year with friends at the City Garden Hotel in Makati, Phillipines. One of the 23-year-olds colleagues, Rommel Galida, woke up at around 10am and noticed her asleep in the bath. He covered her with a blanket before going back to sleep. Christine Angelica Dacera worked for Philippine Airlines. Source: Newsflash/Australscope When Galida woke up several hours later, he found she was still unconscious and starting to turn blue. Her friends and hotel staffers performed CPR before rushing her to the Makati Medical Clinic where doctors pronounced her dead. Police believe woman was gang raped and killed Although initial reports suggested the young flight attendant had died from an aneurysm, Makati police told the Philippine Daily Inquirer they believe she had been gang raped and killed. Makati City police chief Col. Harold Depositar told the publication Ms Dacera had lacerations and sperm in her genitalia. He also said contusions, bruising and scratches were found on her arms and legs. Makati police told the Philippine Daily Inquirer they believe she had been gang raped and killed. Source: Newsflash/Australscope Of the 11 suspects charged, three were the 23-year-olds friends, and all are believed to have attended a party with Ms Dacera, Col. Depositar told News Strait Times. Her three friends have been arrested, but the other eight men, who police stayed in the two rooms adjacent to Ms Dacera, have not been found. "The others were practically strangers to her, as they were only known to her three friends, Col. Depositar said. The rape and homicide charges are provisional depending on an official autopsy and toxicology results. Ms Daceras mum Sharon has called for Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes help in seeking justice for her daughter. Story continues Ms Daceras mum Sharon has called for Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes help in seeking justice for her daughter. Source: Newsflash/Australscope I am just an ordinary person. Maam Sara Duterte, you are also a mom. You have a daughter too, she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. That is why I want to come out in the open because I dont want that somebody will be a victim by this kind of brutality, barbaric. Sharon has vowed to keep fighting for the beloved 23-year-old. You treated her like a pig. I dont want this to happen to another woman who will be treated like that, she said. That is why I will fight for my daughters case. with Australscope Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. New York, Jan 7 : One person has been shot at the US Capitol as President Donald Trump's die hard supporters clashed violently with local police and law enforcement officers on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol campus into utter chaos and forcing evacuation of lawmakers from the building. Virginia and Maryland governors have now confirmed that they are both sending in state troopers and the national guard into D.C. By 4 p.m., some protesters started to leave their perches and generally dissipate while the core group remains on the grounds. Crowds waving "Trump" flags, "Stop the Steal!" signs with some of the members wearing capes who were gathering in the city over the last 24 hours broke through the security layers at the Capitol by early afternoon. Lawmakers inside the Chamber were told to wear gas masks and take the underground tunnels to safety. Pictures posted by Congressional beat reporters show Trump supporters in wild costumes taking pictures of each other inside the Senate chamber. Cellphone videos from those inside the Congress show glass being shattered and police trying to beat back protesters storming up and down the stairways of Congress. One of the protesters is seen sitting in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's chair and making what seems to be an obscene gesture. Both chambers are now in recess. The Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 p.m. "We will not let them silence your voices," Trump told protesters at a rally today. Trump lost the election to Joe Biden and has refused to accept the result, claiming, falsely, that the election was "stolen". Pressure is mounting on Trump to condemn supporters. Trump tweeted: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, We are the Party of Law & Order - respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" This is a developing story and will be updated. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. AESG, a specialist consultancy, engineering and advisory firm based in the region, has announced the appointment of global directors for each of lines of business, as well as the expansion of the role of company co-founder, Saeed Al Abbar, to group-wide CEO. The move follows the companys establishment of offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, and successful delivery of large-scale projects across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, said a statement from the company. The consolidation of service teams under unified global divisions will enable AESG to now deploy the best skills and resources from all its international offices on projects worldwide, it stated. Outlining how this strategy bolsters the companys ambitious plans for the upcoming year, Al Abbar, said: "2021 is set to be a significant growth year for AESG as we build on the momentum we have established. While the Middle East will remain a focal market for us, we are also seeing steady growth in our business in the UK and Europe, as well as a surge in opportunities in Asia." "Our reorganization perfectly positions us to capitalize on these opportunities as we draw on the brightest and most qualified talent from each market to drive our success across the vast geography of our operations," he stated. On the new global directors, AESG said two of them have been promoted from within the company, with Phillipa Grant and Nivine Issa now taking on the roles of Global Director of Sustainability and Global Director of Environment, respectively, while Peter Downer is the Global Director of Fire and Life Safety. Both Grant and Issa have also taken up equity partnership in the firm, demonstrating their long-term commitment to AESG and highlighting the companys leadership in gender equality in the field. With its appointment of Downer, AESG is also looking to draw from the experience and expertise of a business leader who has worked with large multinational construction consultancy firms. An industry veteran of over 35 years 15 of which have been in senior leadership positions Downer has worked extensively on projects across the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Prior to joining AESG, he served as the Senior VP at Jensen Hughes where he led the Asia region which included offices in China, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau. The company said all these global leaders will be tasked with leading teams, driving the growth of their service lines, and ensuring best practices are implemented across regions. Under the direction of its newly appointed global directors, AESG is looking to further grow its teams and the company has budgeted for a 45% increase in headcount, with the objective of scaling to 140 professionals through 2021. The company also revealed its intention to replicate in Asia the strategy that has proven highly successful in the Middle East and Europe by establishing a regional headquarters in Singapore. "AESG has successfully navigated the challenges of the current year, and as developers look to enhance and optimize the efficiency, sustainability, safety, and manageability of their investments, our comprehensive portfolio of specialist services is now more relevant than ever," remarked Al Abbar. "We maintain a highly optimistic outlook with confidence that our commitment to maintaining service excellence through our ongoing expansion will further validate our position as a leading global consultancy firm," he added.-TradeArabia News Service You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The State University of New York has awarded grants of up to $10,000 to three teams at Binghamton University to pursue research projects related to COVID-19. It is a great privilege for our students and faculty to have the opportunity to pursue these projects, which could help protect the people of New York state and beyond. That three of our projects were selected shows how innovative and big-thinking our students and faculty are, and we are excited to see what our teams can accomplish." Harvey Stenger, President, Binghamton University While COVID-19 vaccines are now being given to medical personnel fighting at the frontlines of the pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other healthcare protocols will continue to be necessary to contain the virus in the coming months and other infectious diseases in the future. As a way to develop state-of-the-art PPE and improve effective safety interventions, State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced awards from the SUNY Prepare Innovation and Internship Program. A total of 12 teams of SUNY students and faculty across seven campuses received up to $10,000 each in seed funding to conduct further research on their proposals. The program is designed to provide real-life, hands-on applied learning experiences for students, and actively involve them in the creation of pandemic-related solutions. The winning proposals range from developing new antiviral surface sanitizers for college campuses and other facilities to creating a low-cost surgical mask that has the filtration efficiency of an N95 respirator while maintaining airflow for individuals with respiratory issues. "From day one, SUNY has been leading the effort to combat COVID-19 with providing frontline healthcare workers PPE, like face shields using innovative 3D printing technology, developing world-leading testing and conducting vaccine trials -- in other words, SUNY has helped save lives," said Malatras. "We want to continue to harness the intellectual firepower of SUNY faculty, researchers, and students to develop the latest breakthroughs in the fight against COVID-19 or the next infectious disease. I applaud today's 12 award winners for their innovations because they will help slow the spread and make a difference. This is just another example of how the largest system of public higher education is making an important impact." The three winnings projects at Binghamton University are: The late presentation of COVID-19 patients at approved treatment centres has largely contributed to the increased deaths recorded from the virus, the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, has said. Mr Mamora while speaking at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday said caregivers are holding on to suspected cases for too long before presenting them for treatment. A major factor contributing to the mortality of cases is the late presentation at the approved treatment centres, he said. He noted that approved COVID-19 treatment centres have scaled up activities and are prepared to deliver quality care to patients. He, therefore, appeals to caregivers to refer persons with suspected cases as promptly as possible. This will greatly improve treatment outcomes and drive our case fatality rate further down, he said. With a recent spike in coronavirus cases across the world, most countries including Nigeria are already in the second wave of the pandemic. Since early December 2020, there has been an increase in coronavirus cases in Nigeria as the country continues to record relatively high daily infections. Nigeria on Monday registered its highest daily figure of 1,204, a record likely to be broken soon going by the way the virus is spreading Before Monday, the last highest figure was the 1,145 cases recorded on December 12, 2020. With the latest figure, the total number of cases across the country is 91,351. A total of 106 deaths have also been recorded in the past 17 days, raising the total death tally to 1,318. Health experts believe the lowering of guard on safety and the weak enforcement of protocols especially in the countrys major airports in Abuja and Lagos could be responsible for the development, warning that the situation could get worse if citizens keep violating safety protocols. Oxygen availability Mr Mamora said the federal government has been making spirited efforts at ensuring the availability of oxygen on a short term basis through collaboration with CACOVID. He said efforts are ongoing to ensure oxygen availability at federal tertiary hospitals as well as state-owned hospitals. He said the oxygen availability intervention plan is targeted at immediate, medium and long term plans with special attention to the COVID-19 high burden areas like Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna states. He also appealed to the general public to strictly adhere to the non-pharmaceutical interventions including wearing of face mask, physical and social distancing, handwashing with soap and water and use of hand sanitisers when necessary. He said the taskforce is liaising with state governments, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other relevant MDAs to intensify sensitization of the general public on the need to comply with the existing COVID-19 protocols. ADVERTISEMENT He noted that some states and the FCT have taken proactive measures to ensure compliance such as the introduction of fines for erring members of the public. This, he said, is a step in the right direction considering the ferocity of this second wave. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday said it has added models like S-Cross, Ignis and WagonR to its vehicle subscription offering for individual customers. The company had launched its Maruti Subscribe initiative in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, with its models Swift, Dzire, Vitara Brezza, Ertiga from its Arena network and Baleno, Ciaz, and XL6 from Nexa retail chain. "Subscription has become more affordable with the inclusion of WagonR in Maruti Suzuki ARENA and Ignis in NEXA," the company said in a statement. Customers will pay an all-inclusive monthly subscription charge starting Rs 12,722 for WagonR Lxi and Rs 13,772 for Ignis Sigma in Delhi (including taxes) for a tenure of 48 months, it added. The company said under this initiative a customer can use a brand-new car without actually owning it. The customer needs to pay an all-inclusive monthly fee that comprehensively covers maintenance, 24x7 roadside assistance and insurance for the complete tenure, it said. The plan comes with tenure options of 24, 36, and 48 months, as per the customer's choice, Maruti Suzuki India said. MIDDLETOWN For Mayor Ben Florsheim, the use of virtual platforms is a way to bring people together. To continue a practice of using such means that has become regular during the pandemic, Florsheim will be giving weekly updates on municipal matters on social media, as a way to connect with constituents as well as encourage more engagement surrounding city issues. Prior to each months Common Council meeting, Florsheim holds a Facebook Live session during which he talks about that evenings agenda. He announced the exciting development that these will now be done on a weekly basis to inform the public of topics of discussion, as well as field questions. Florsheim ran for office on a platform of making it easier for residents to be involved in governmental processes, he said, according to the Facebook video. Weve done things this year to try to move in that direction, including implementing SeeClickFix, and doing these Facebook town halls when it comes to the council, he said. Such efforts were interrupted by the pandemic, the mayor said, making it harder to gather for in-person conversations. One of the silver linings of these past year is that is it has introduced us to all the ways we werent utilizing this before to use these virtual platforms to bring people together, he said. The Common Council addressed a number of matters at this weeks hourlong session, in addition to passing along the draft of the 2030 Plan of Conservation and Development to zoning board members. A total of $328,072 in CARES Act Grant monies was approved for initiatives, such as to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus in order to meet the federal Housing Urban Developments objectives, according to video footage of Monday nights virtual meeting. Councilors voted on an appropriation of $2,500 to allow Recreation & Community Services staff to help the senior center serve older adults during the pandemic, to purchase supplies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, to prepare for safe reopening, and respond to COVID-related issues. In other business, the draft of the 2030 Plan of Conservation and Development was approved. After it is reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the final version is expected to be voted upon Jan. 13. During the discussion, Deputy Majority Leader Grady Faulkner talked about the history of such plans spelled out in the plan, specifically those addressing economic and social inequality. I impress upon [the Planning and Zoning Commission] to at least mention some sort of initiative in that area as part of the plan, he said, according to the video. What I think happens is, we identify things, and sometimes we talk about them, but, if we dont have them in front of us, we dont approach them. We forget about them, Faulkner said. He suggested the city could leverage resources such as the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Side Street to Main Street program, which teaches budding minority business owners all the skills necessary to operate their endeavors. He told participants hed also like to see the Middlesex County Historical Society, which last year held a Middle Passage ceremony at Harbor Park, to acknowledge Middletowns participation in the slave trade and Underground Railroad. In other business, city leaders approved six $5,000 in CARES Act Community Development Block Grants to Tropical Sun, 871 Newfield St.; Two Sabos (Conspiracy), 350 Main St.; Emanuels Salon, 573 Newfield St.; Tschudins Chocolates, Cigar Social (dba Man Cave), 386 Main St.; and Middletown Massage Therapy, 834 Newfield St. Council members also passed a $3,000 appropriation from the general fund to pay for relocation costs for displaced Middletown residents, as required by the Connecticut Uniform Relocation Act. That will be used for rehousing apartment residents temporarily in the case of housing code violations, Elak said Tuesday. He offered the example of an enforcement officer being called to a home for an emergency involving a broken heater. City statute requires his office pay for a hotel for residents until the property owner fixes the problem. The landlord is then billed for expenses. CARES Act grants, in the amount of $5,000, are still available. For information and to apply, visit middletownct.gov. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) will be holding a two-day offline senate meeting on January 9 and 10. It will be the first physical senate meeting by SPPU post-lockdown. Earlier, in the month of August, an online senate meeting was held. While the agenda for the forthcoming senate meeting has been released by SPPU, the senate members have given their points of demand and issues to be discussed in the senate. We are fully prepared for conducting the offline senate meeting on January 9 and 10. Various issues will be discussed in this meeting as we are now going towards opening up of colleges in a phase-wise manner. Also, demands and issues raised by the senate members will be discussed and accordingly further decisions on it will be taken. It is the first physical senate meeting we are holding post lockdown and senate members from all the three districts, Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar will be present for it, said SPPU vice-chancellor Dr Nitin Karmalkar. Sudhakar Jadhavar, SPPUs management council member and part of the senate meeting said, This senate meeting has a lot of importance looking at the Covid-19 pandemic. Several issues related to students, academics and faculty recruitment will be discussed in it. We will be taking extra precautions while conducting it, proper social distancing will be maintained and PPE kits will be given to members who will be attending it. John Pilger and Roger Waters - Freedom Denied By ICH & Agencies WikiLeaks founder Julian Assanges hopes for freedom have been dashed after a judge refused him bail. District judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected an application for Assanges release over concern he would abscond. This a huge disappointment. Julian should not be in Belmarsh prison in the first place, I urge the Department of Justice to drop the charges and the President of the United States to pardon Julian | @StellaMoris1 #AssangeCase #PardonAssange pic.twitter.com/enBlrCAp4u Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) January 6, 2021 It follows a decision that he should not be extradited to the US on mental health grounds due to the risk of suicide. Assange will have to remain in custody as the US government is appealing against Mondays extradition ruling. "They are not trying to extradite him. They are trying to kill him."@yanisvaroufakis explains why he thinks the US State Department wants Julian Assange dead.#Downstream pic.twitter.com/wPDeMyd9EW Novara Media (@novaramedia) January 6, 2021 Announcing her bail decision at Westminster Magistrates Court, Baraitser said: As a matter of fairness, the US must be allowed to challenge my decision and if Mr Assange absconds during this process they will lose the opportunity to do so. Mr Assange still has a huge support network available to him should he again choose to go to ground. Roger Waters and John Pilger and your hosts Elizabeth Vos and Joe Lauria discuss Wednesdays decision in Westminster Magistrate Court to deny Julian Assange bail. - " Source " - What's next for Julian Assange? (Waters, Eno, Loach, Varoufakis, Stefania Maurizi conversation). The Covid-19 death toll has crossed 400 with the deaths of 18 more people yesterday. The death toll now stands at 408, with 96 of those occurring in the last seven days alone. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who was found dead alongside a couple he was reportedly staying with over Christmas. Andrew Mark Smith, 39, was discovered unresponsive at a property in Failsworth, Greater Manchester on December 28. Zoe Hamilton, 28, and James Acton, 41, who are understood to have been living together for a number of months, were also found dead at the address. Ms Hamilton's family told the Manchester Evening News the couple had asked Mr Smith to stay with them during the Christmas period after getting to know him while he was sleeping rough in Failsworth. Zoe Hamilton (right), 28, and James Acton (left), 41, who are understood to have been living together for a number of months, were also found dead at the address. Ms Hamilton's family told the Manchester Evening News the couple had asked Mr Smith to stay with them during the Christmas period after getting to know him while he was sleeping rough in Failsworth Police say the cause of their deaths is still not known, with detectives awaiting the results of toxicology reports. Inquests into the three deaths will be opened at Rochdale Coroners' Court tomorrow. Mr Smith's girlfriend has now paid tribute to the 'best bloke you could ever meet', adding 'he would do anything for anyone'. He leaves behind two daughters, aged 19 and four. Michelle Fleming, the mother of Mr Smith's youngest daughter, said Mr Smith's death has left her devastated. The 38-year-old, who said she was with Mr Smith for 12 years, told the MEN: 'You couldn't meet a nicer person. 'He was just the best bloke you could ever meet. 'He was very well-known in Failsworth and everyone that knew him wouldn't have a bad word to say about him. 'He was always really polite and well mannered. 'He would also do anything for anyone. If you needed it he would give you his last penny. 'The last few months he had fallen on hard times but he was getting his life back on track. We're all just absolutely devastated.' Floral tributes have been left outside the property in Failsworth, Greater Manchester One message outside the Failsworth address states: 'Always in our thoughts Andy. RIP Now' She added: 'He will be forever loved and missed by his daughters and by me.' One of the numerous messages and floral tributes left outside the Failsworth address states: 'Always in our thoughts Andy. RIP Now.' Mother-of-three Ms Hamilton's sister T'Anna Green, 19, said last week: 'She had a heart of gold and would help anyone. 'She let Andrew stay on the sofa over Christmas. She had been on streets herself so I can imagine her doing that. It's the kind of thing she did. 'It's just sad how she's gone. I can't believe it. We're still in shock, especially because we're the ones that found her.' Mr Acton's sister said he was a 'dad, a brother, a son, a friend' and would be 'missed and loved eternally'. Buying a new moisturiser for acne-prone skin can be a complicated task. Not only does it need to be within budget, but it also needs to be light in texture, oil-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores). Enter La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+, which checks all these boxes and has been an industry favourite for years. Even better? It's now on sale on Amazon. The 11.33 moisturiser (usually 17) is an oil-free, cream-gel treatment for acne-prone skin that unclogs blocked pores and tackles spots in just a few uses. La Roche-Posay's bestselling moisturiser is packed with niacinamide to treat acne-prone skin, and it's now 11.33 on Amazon - that's 5.67 off The bestseller from French Pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay boasts over 1,700 five-star reviews on Amazon, with an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5. Customers have hailed it the 'best anti-acne moisturiser', claiming it 'helps control acne', 'inflammation' and 'redness'. 'The best anti-acne moisturiser I've ever had!' one reviewer wrote. 'I love everything about this moisturiser, it's light but keeps my oily skin in great condition. Key acne-fighting ingredients Niacinamide helps to visibly reduce the appearance of spots Lipo hydroxy acid and salicylic acid work to unclog blocked pores Zinc PCA controls sebum to mattify skin and control shine Procerad helps to reduce the appearance of coloured marks Glycerin keeps skin hydrated throughout the day Advertisement 'After testing many, many other products, I settled with this one five years ago, and my acne-prone skin improved enormously! 'Whenever I'm out of it and try something else, my skin deteriorated so quickly. I have been [using] the coloured version as my foundation and love it!' Another shopper added: 'My Holy Grail for acne-prone skin. Does a great job of helping with spots, redness and hyperpigmentation. 'Been using for five years and any time I try anything else I come straight back to this product.' La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+'s hardworking formulation includes all-star niacinamide (aka vitamin B3), which helps banish uneven skin tone and dullness, tighten enlarged pores, and increase the skin's ability to retain moisture. Speaking of which, the moisturiser also provides light hydration thanks to a hit of glycerin, which is essential as dryness can make breakouts worse. Better yet, Effaclar Duo+ also helps to maintain the skin's oil production for a mattified finish. Avoiding the eye area, apply post-cleanse, all over the face. And if you need an extra dose of hydration, slather an additional moisturiser over the top. MailOnline may earn commission on sales from the links on this page. Wilkes-Barre, PA (18701) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High around 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday expressed dismay over China blocking the entry of an international team of scientists to investigate the origin of the coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the UN health agency, told a news conference that two members had already left their home countries for Wuhan, the first epicentre of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, when they were informed that Chinese officials had not approved necessary permissions to enter the country. Im very disappointed with this news, given that two members have already begun their journeys, and others were not able to travel at the last minute, said Ghebreyesus. But I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials. And I have once again made it clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team, he added. Heres the timeline of events leading to China blocking WHOs team: December 2019: The WHO picked up a media report about a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause emerging in Chinas Wuhan. January 2020: The virus outbreak was identified as a novel coronavirus and China shared its genetic sequence with the UN health agency. Preliminary studies suggested that the bats could be the source since the coronavirus present in bats has a genome that is 96 per cent identical to the novel coronavirus. However, there has not been any concrete evidence to corroborate it. The United States declared a public health emergency after the country reported its first few cases of the novel coronavirus. US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to block the entry of foreign nationals travelling from China. February: The Coronavirus Study Group (CSG) of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) named the virus SARS-CoV-2, noting that it was a variant of the coronavirus that caused an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003. The WHO started referring to the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 as Covid-19 to avoid unintended consequences in terms of creating unnecessary fear for some population. The health agency also said that it followed the best practices in naming the disease to minimise unnecessary negative effects on nations, economies and people. Also Read | Impasse over WHO virus mission not just a visa issue says China March: The WHO declared Covid-19 as a pandemic, urging countries to take immediate and aggressive action. Trump launched a scathing attack on China and said the world is paying a very big price for covering-up the facts on coronavirus. Ignoring the appeal from the WHO, the US president kept calling Covid-19 as China virus or Chinese virus. April: The US, which was the biggest contributor to the WHO, threatened to withhold funds, accusing the UN body of being China-centric and giving faulty recommendation. Other top US officials, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo, alleged that China delayed in sharing accurate information on the novel coronavirus. The US and Australia were one of the first countries to demand an independent inquiry into the origin of the coronavirus outbreak. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the call for an inquiry was reasonable not meant to target any country. Australias demand triggered a sharp response from China, leading to a decline in their bilateral relations. May: Australias major push for an investigation into the origin of the virus outbreak and the response of the WHO gained huge traction and the European Union drafted a resolution seeking an independent probe. The WHO chief welcomed the proposed resolution and said that such evaluation must encompass the entirety of the response by all actors, in good faith. Member states of the WHO adopted the resolution by consensus at the World Health Assembly (WHA) calling for an impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation of the global response to the virus outbreak and an inquiry into the actions of the WHO and timelines pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic. China voiced strong objection to the resolution, saying it was premature to launch a probe into the origin of Covid-19. Speaking at the largely virtual WHA, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Beijing supports a comprehensive review of the global response to the pandemic, but only after Covid-19 is brought under control. He asserted that China has been open and transparent about the virus outbreak from the beginning and will support a probe if it is conducted in an objective and impartial manner. Also Read | Covid-19: WHO chief disappointed at delayed access for China investigation team June: China punished Australias beef producers and barley farmers in apparent retaliation and asked Chinese students to reconsider studying in that country. After Australias exports were hit following its strong criticism of Chinas handling of coronavirus, Morrison said that he would not cave to coercion by trading values. We are an open trading nation, mate, but Im never going to trade our values in response to coercion from wherever it comes, the Australian prime minister told the radio station 2GB. July: China agreed to allow a team of experts led by the WHO to visit the country to trace the origin of Covid-19. After consultation, the Chinese government has agreed that the World Health Organization will send a team of experts to Beijing to trace the origin of Covid-19, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijiantold told a press briefing. December: The WHO announced that a team of international experts, looking into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2, will travel to China in the first week of January. Dr Michael Ryan, the head of emergencies at the UN agency, said that there will be quarantine arrangements for the team and they will later visit the suspected site of the virus outbreak in Wuhan. The purpose of the mission is to go to the original point at which human cases were detected and that we fully expect to do that, he said, adding that the team will not be supervised by Chinese officials. January 2021: China denied necessary permission to the team of scientists to enter the country. After the WHO chief publicly expressed disappointment in a rare rebuke to Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told the BBC that there might be some misunderstanding and theres no need to read too much into it. Image: Reuters The US has welcomed the arrest of Mumbai attack mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in Pakistan, terming it an "important step" in holding him responsible for his role in supporting terrorism and its financing. Lakhvi was arrested on Saturday in Pakistan on terror financing charges, amidst growing international pressure on Islamabad to bring to justice terrorists roaming free in the country. UN proscribed terrorist Lakhvi, who was on bail since 2015 in the Mumbai attack case, was arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab province. "We welcome Pakistan's arrest of terrorist leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi as an important step in holding him responsible for his role in supporting terrorism and its financing," the South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department said in a tweet. "We will follow his prosecution and sentencing closely and urge that he be held accountable for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks," it said on Tuesday. Lakhvi was designated as a global terrorist by the UN in December 2008 for being associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and al-Qaeda and for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both the entities. Last month, the UN Security Council's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee allowed for a monthly payment of Pakistani Rupees 1.5 lakh for Lakhvi to meet his personal expenses. The LeT, led by Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. The global terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is instrumental in pushing Pakistan to take measures against terrorists roaming freely in Pakistan and using its territory to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere. The Paris-based FATF placed Pakistan on the Grey List in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic. ADVERTISEMENT The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, says western countries have shown more concern and support for the plight of Borno people than rich Arab nations. Mr Zulum stated this on Tuesday in Maiduguri when he received the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fheied Saleh, in Maiduguri. According to a statement released on the state government official Twitter page, Mr Zulum praised Palestine for being one of the few exceptions, within the Arab community. I am a practical person. I work with the realities I see on ground. In the face of our challenges over the years, we have received humanitarian support from the UK and other parts of Europe, the United States, Canada, from Japan and a host of others who have demonstrated concern and have made efforts to support our traumatized citizens in many ways especially on food, medicals and livelihoods. However, that level of concern never came from Arab countries with whom millions of Borno people share a similarity in religion and culture. We even have indigenous Shuwa Arabs in Borno and this shows how our histories are tied. We have made severe efforts, written and visited embassies of Arab countries, especially those that are rich and not dealing with crises, but obviously, majority of the Arabs do not care about our situation, neither do they support us. The Arabs have not shown concern to us. Your visit, however, has renewed our hope especially and we are very grateful for your visit, Mr Zulum said. Governor Zulum receives the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fheied Saleh, in Maiduguri. [ Source of Pictures: Borno State Government Twitter Page] Governor Zulum receives the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fheied Saleh, in Maiduguri. [ Source of Pictures: Borno State Government Twitter Page] Governor Zulum receives the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fheied Saleh, in Maiduguri. [ Source of Pictures: Borno State Government Twitter Page] The Palestinian ambassador had informed Mr Zulum of plans to support the Government of Borno State in some areas of need. There are a lot of Palestinian companies in Nigeria. They are willing to work with the Borno State Government. We are ready to cooperate with you, we are ready to help in anything you want us to do that we can do Mr Saleh said. The Ambassador also said many Nigerians are currently residing in Palestine, particularly Borno indigenes, some of whom have diligently served the government and people of Palestine. He cited that among Borno people in Palestine, a lady called Fatima Barnawi, was once a minister and a police chief. (Alliance News) - Vancouver-based copper producer Taseko Mines Ltd on Wednesday noted that the Florence Town Council will not appeal the Aquifer Protection Permit granted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The permit had first been granted for the Florence copper project in December. The project has a pretax net present value of USD920 million at a 7.5% discount rate, a 20-year mine life and reserves of 345 million tonnes containing 2.5 billion pounds of copper at a grade of 0.36%. "We believe that two years of operating the test facility within the strict environmental guidelines set out in our current permits, combined with the future economic benefits from the commercial production facility, certainly contributed to Council's decision," said President Stuart McDonald. "Transitioning Florence Copper to commercial production, which includes expanding the current wellfield and SX/EW plant, will mean an average of 85 million pounds of copper per year for 20 years beginning in late 2022," McDonald added. Shares in Taseko Mines were up 8.1% at 100.00 pence on Wednesday in London. By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. A ngry supporters of Donald Trump have stormed the US Capitol in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power. The attack forced politicians to rush from the iconic building and interrupted challenges to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. President Trump issued a restrained call for peace well after the protests were under way but did not urge supporters to disperse. In a raucous, out-of-control scene, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving American flags as they marched through the halls. Pro-Trump supporters storm US Capitol 1 /43 Pro-Trump supporters storm US Capitol U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Police officers use pepper spray on pro-Trump protesters during the clashes REUTERS U.S. Capitol Police hold protesters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol AP An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington REUTERS A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber Getty Images Smoke fills the walkway outside the Senate Chamber as supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers inside the Capitol AP A supporter of US President Donald Trump struggles with a riot policeman after the protester pushed a line of police outside the Capitol building AFP via Getty Images People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier AP Supporters of President Donald Trump puts water in his eyes after U.S. Capitol Police deployed a chemical agent outside of the U.S. Capitol AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, AP Police keep a watch on demonstrators who tried to break through a police barrier AP Donald Trump President Donald Trump speaks at a rally AP With the Washington Monument in the background, people attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump near the White House AP Demonstrators break TV equipment outside the the U.S. Capitol AP Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, REUTERS Police confront supporters of President Donald Trump as they demonstrate on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate after breaching security defenses, in Washington REUTERS Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington REUTERS Law enforcement officers push back against supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump attempting to enter U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress REUTERS Protesters clash with Capitol police during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress REUTERS Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol AP U.S. President-elect Joe Biden clasps his hands in prayer as he speaks about the violent protests in and around the U.S. Capitol in Washington REUTERS A supporter of President Donald Trump carries a Confederate battle flag on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate after breaching security defences in Washington, REUTERS Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump cover their faces to protect from tear gas during a clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington REUTERS Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they push barricades to storm the US Capitol AFP via Getty Images A supporter of US President Donald Trump wears a gas mask as he protests after storming the US Capitol AFP via Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol AFP via Getty Images Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Vice President Mike Pence talk before a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington AP The House Chamber is empty after a hasty evacuation as protesters tried to break into the chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours after protesters stormed the Capitol in Washington AP Damage is visible in the hallways in the early morning hours after protesters stormed the Capitol in Washington AP Congress staffers barricade themselves after Trump supporters stormed inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC AFP via Getty Images Tear gas is released into a crowd of protesters during clashes with Capitol police at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol Building REUTERS Congress staffers hold up their hands while Capitol Police Swat teams check everyone in the room as they secure the floor of Trump suporters in Washington, DC AFP via Getty Images A supporter of US President Donald Trump wears a gas mask and holds a bust of him after he and hundreds of others stormed stormed the Capitol building AFP via Getty Images Congress staffers barricade themselves after Trump supporters stormed inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC AFP via Getty Images A pro-Trump protester carries the lectern of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the Roturnda of the U.S. Capitol Building after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol Rotunda AFP via Getty Images A pro-Trump mob gathers inside the Senate chamber in the U.S. Capitol after groups stormed the building Getty Images Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol AP Members of the Oath Keepers are seen among supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress REUTERS Getty Images A woman who was shot inside the Capitol building during the protests later died. She has not yet been named by officials, but police earlier said she was a civilian. At least 13 people individuals were arrested during the riots on Washington DCs Capitol Hill, where dozens of protesters breached security perimeters. Washington DC Metropolitan Police said five guns, including handguns and long guns, have also been seized. Police Chief Robert Contee told reporters all of the arrests involved people who do not live in the DC area. He also said some officers are being treated for injuries. Police are currently moving protesters away from the Capitol after a citywide curfew began at 6pm (11pm UK time). Joe Biden urged Mr Trump to step up and call for an end to the chaos / AP Officials have announced that the Capitol Building is now secure after the dramatic scenes. The skirmishes occurred at the very spot where President-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks time. More than an hour after the violence first erupted, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said that the National Guard was being deployed to deal with the violence along with other federal protective services. Mr Biden had planned to deliver a speech from his native town of Delaware, focused on how to revive Americas economy in light of the coronavirus pandemic. But shortly before he was due to begin, the demonstrators broke into the Capitol, where members of the Senate and House of Representatives were tallying the Electoral College count. The session was swiftly suspended and lawmakers were rushed to safety. At least one explosive device was found near the scene, but authorities later confirmed that it was "no longer a threat". In a televised speech following the outbreak, Mr Biden described it as a dark moment for a nation that for so long had been a beacon of hope and light for democracy". He said: At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault. Unlike anything weve seen in modern times. An assault on the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself. Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capital do not reflect the true America do not represent who we are are. What we seeing are a small number of extremists, dedicated to lawlessness. "This is not dissent, this is disorder, this is lawlessness, it borders on sedition, and it must end now. I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfil his oath and defend the constitution and demand an end to this siege. Mr Trump responded by posting a video message just before 9.30pm UK time. In the clip, which Twitter flagged for featuring baseless claims about electoral fraud, Mr Trump told his emboldened followers: "I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We dont want anybody hurt. "Its a very tough period of time, theres never been a time like this where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us from me, from you, from our country. "This was a fraudulent election, but we cant play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you, youre very special," he continued: But go home and go home in peace. The video was viewed on Twitter more than 2.7million times in 15 minutes / @realDonaldTrump The heated confrontations came just shortly after Mr Trump addressed thousands of his supporters at a rally near the White House ahead of Congresss vote. "We will not let them silence your voices, the incumbent president told the protester who had lined up before sunrise to hear him speak. We will never give up. Trump urges supporters: Never concede Mr Biden, who won the Electoral College 306-232, is to be inaugurated on January 20. But Mr Trump has vowed to never concede and earlier urged the massive crowd to march on the Capitol. In response to the chaos later in the day, he tweeted: Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!" However, the situation swiftly became far from peaceful amid an armed standoff at the entrance to the House chamber, with lawmakers stuck inside. Members of Congress were instructed to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in a bid to quell the clashes. But after protesters stormed into the building, politicians, including Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were evacuated. Photos posted by journalists inside showed demonstrators wearing Make America Great Again caps squaring off with officers. One man who managed to get into the Senate chamber got up onto the speaking platform and yelled: "Trump won that election." Several dozen were said to be roaming through the halls yelling: "Where are they?", while others were spotted in the visitors' galleries. Journalist Michael Del Moro, of MSNBC, tweeted a photo of a person apparently being carried out of the building by ambulance workers with what appears to be a serious injury. CNN later reported that a woman had been left in a critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds. In response to the mayhem, the regions mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew from 6pm tonight until 6am tomorrow, local time. David Trone, a Democratic congressman from Maryland, said lawmakers will not be stopped by this lawless intimidation. Tweeting a picture of himself in a gas mask, he wrote: I am safe. We have been evacuated. Let me be clear: we will not be stopped by this lawless intimidation. Pressure soon mounted on Mr Trump to condemn his supporters actions, with his former Counselor Kellyanne Conway, tweeting: STOP. Just STOP. Peace. Law and Order. Safety for All. Among those urging the president to act was his former communications director, Alyssa Farah, who wrote that he should Condemn this now. She said: You are the only one they will listen to. For our country! Meanwhile, Ms Pelosi tweeted that she and New York senator Chuck Schumer were calling on the president to demand that all protesters leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol grounds immediately. Once he had reached safety, Vice-president Pence tweeted: Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In a now-deleted post, Mr Trumps daughter Ivanka addressed the protesters as American Patriots while urging them to be peaceful. American Patriots - any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable, she wrote. The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful. Mr Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, also addressed Trump supporters in a tweet, calling them the patriots challenging the fraudulent election. The situation has been met with shock across the world, with international leaders branding the actions of protesters appalling. Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the disgraceful scenes, tweeting: The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: Horrendous scenes from the US. These are not protesters this a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people. And former Tory MP and Winston Churchills grandson Sir Nicholas Soames shared a more personal attack, writing: Finally the World can see that Trump is a maniac. He continued: Never in a lifetime could one imagine such appalling scenes in the Capitol. A testament to the unspeakably vile behaviour of Pres Trump now confirmed to be a very very bad man. India has extended the temporary ban on flights to and from the UK till January 7, 2021, said a report. The ban, which was imposed following the detection of a new variant of the Coronavirus in the UK, was to expire on December 31, news agency WAM reported. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, which promptly accepted the recommendation and formally extended the ban, will permit "strictly regulated resumption of a limited number of flights originating from UK into India," when the flights resume, the report said. So far, 20 persons have been found in India with the mutant variant of the virus in, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. [January 06, 2021] Auburn University's application deadline for fall 2021 nears AUBURN, Ala., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Auburn University's application deadline for fall 2021 is fast approaching. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8679852-auburn-university-application-deadline-fall-2021/ While early action deadlines have now passed, the final date for submitting regular decision applications is Feb. 1. Since joining the Common App systema powerful, online college application platform that serves more than 3 million applicants, teachers, counselors and advisors throughout the nation and worldAuburn has already received nearly 16,000 applications for fall 2021, including a 16% increase in students from Alabama. Auburn joined the Common App earlier in the fall semester. "It is exciting to see how many students are demonstrating a strong interest in joining the Auburn Family," said Joffery Gaymon, Auburn's vice president for enrollment. "As we focus on efforts of greater access to underserved areas, we are working hard to buld connections and further grow our applicant numbers." To be considered for the Feb. 1 deadline, applicants must have a complete application file by that date. This year, Auburn's application process includes some modifications, with any valedictorian or salutatorian from an accredited Alabama school with 50 or more graduates qualifying for admission and being accepted into Auburn's Honors College. Also, amid COVID-19, any fall 2021 student applicant unable to secure a standardized test will receive a "holistic" review that will include leadership activities, high school performance, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores, short essay questions and other pertinent factors. Meanwhile, students who were able to take a standardized test can still use their score in Auburn's 2021 fall admissions process as in years past. For those interested in Auburn, the university offers a number of virtual opportunities at https://www.auburn.edu/admissions/virtual-opportunities/. To apply, go here: http://www.auburn.edu/admissions/attention-applicants.php. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/auburn-universitys-application-deadline-for-fall-2021-nears-301201795.html SOURCE Auburn University Delhi Deputy Chief Minister on Wednesday said that the government is brainstorming on how early schools can be reopened in the capital. "Brainstorming is on for how early schools can be reopened in Delhi, especially for board classes as the dates for exams have already been announced," he said while addressing a press conference. Sisodia also said that "our future strategy (on reopening schools) will depend on how early a COVID-19 vaccine is available for public after frontline workers are vaccinated". Schools in the capital are closed since March last year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a few states have partially reopened schools, the had announced that schools will not reopen till a vaccine is available. Sisodia announced that the is organising an international education conference from January 11 to 17 on how should the education sector be in a post-COVID world. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lankford: Millions of Americans Being Told to Sit Down and Shut Up Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) on Jan. 6 said he felt supporters of President Donald Trump were being told not to voice their concerns about the 2020 election. In America, we settle our differences in elections. What happens if you dont trust the election count or youre concerned so many courts denied or dismissed cases within hours after they were given thousands of pages of evidence? Lankford said on the Senate floor during a debate triggered by objections to Arizonas electoral votes. The reason we have a Congress to settle our nations divisions, and the rules of the Senate make sure that every opinion in the nation is heard, is so issues like this can be addressed. The constitutional crisis in our country right now is that millions of Americans are being told to sit down and shut up. Their opinions matter. Lankford was 1 of 13 senators who committed to objecting to votes during the joint session of Congress. He and a group of 10 others called for the establishment of an election commission to review allegations of irregularities. If such a commission wasnt established by congressional leaders, they said, they would object to votes from some states. The commission wasnt established. Lankford pushed back on colleagues, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who accused objectors of trying to overturn the election and flip it from Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to President Donald Trump. Lankford said: The United States Constitution does not allow me to assign different electors to a state, nor should it. The United States Constitution does not give the option to the vice president of the United States to unilaterally decide which states are in and out, and it should not. Each state decides its electors through its people. But a small group of senators, including myself, have demanded that we not ignore the questions that millions of people are asking in our nation. So we have proposed a constitutional solution, he said, referring to the commission. We need to do something, he said later. Lankfords five minutes to lay out his reasoning was interrupted by protestors storming the Capitol. Members of Congress were evacuated by law enforcement. Lankford spoke after a number of other senators, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.). Sinema said the election in Arizona was a success and that our system worked and our laws were upheld. I cannot and will not entertain a suggestion that we violate current law to change the outcome. Eight challenges contesting the Arizona election were brought to federal and state courts. All eight were withdrawn or dismissed, including a unanimous ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court, she said. The chief justice wrote, The challenge fails to present any evidence of misconduct or illegal votes let alone establish any degree of fraud or sufficient error rate that would undermine the certainty of the election results. Today we have serious significant work to do. Beating this pandemic and reviving our economy. I urge my colleagues to follow the example of Senator John McCain and so many others. Reject this meritless challenge and uphold the will of Arizona voters. The COVID-19 pandemic and specifically need for social distancing to slow the spread of the virus have continued to keep many of us away from the office. Now, increasingly, many organizations and people believe that it could usher in a more permanent shift to remote, distributed and virtual work. Today, a startup that has built a set of tools specifically to help salespeople with that change -- by way of digital sales -- has raised a substantial growth round to meet that demand. SalesLoft, a sales platform based out of Atlanta, Georgia that provides AI-based tools to help salespeople run their sales process virtually -- from finding and following up on leads, through to helping them sell with virtual coaching tools, and then assisting in the post-sales process -- has closed $100 million in funding. The company's co-founder and CEO Kyle Porter confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is now valued at $1.1 billion post-money, a substantial hike on its previous valuation. In April 2019, well before any global health pandemics, the company had raised a Series D of $70 million at around a $600 million valuation (a figure we confirmed at the time with sources close to the company). This latest round is being led by Owl Rock Capital, with previous investors Insight Partners, HarbourVest, and Emergence Capital -- a VC focused specifically on enterprise startups, which notably was an early backer of Zoom and many others -- also participating. SalesLoft has now raised some $245 million, an impressive sum for any startup, but also worth pointing out for the fact that it's not based out of the Valley but Atlanta, Georgia (a state in the news for other reasons at the moment, as the focus of a hotly contested U.S. Senate runoff election). The company has been on a growth tear for several years now, as one of the big players in the area of so-called sales engagement: tools to help salespeople sell better to clients (or would-be clients), which can include real-time monitoring of interactions to provide coaching to improve the process, suggestions for supplementary content to enhance the pitch and more basic software simply to manage records and communications. Story continues Even before the pandemic hit, this was a key growth area in enterprise software, with both in-person and online/digital salespeople relying on these kinds of products to help them get more of an edge with their work, but a lot of the focus had really been on inside sales (B2B sales focusing on bigger purchases). Porter described the effect of COVID-19 as a "tailwind" propelling that already strong trend. "The effects of COVID have been a tailwind due to the effects of digital selling," he said. "All sellers immediately became remote. But now the genie is out of the bottle and not going back in. It's meant that inside sales are now all sales. Whether the opportunities are mid-funnel or upgrades or renewals, we are establishing ourselves as the engagement platform of record because it's all becoming digital and all sellers are finding more success." He added that SalesLoft's own sales cycle has improved by 40% since the pandemic, a reflection, he said, of the "urgency and need" for tools like those that the startup develops. Another shift has been in terms of the kinds of customers SalesLoft works with. The company originally was focused on the mid-market, but that has changed with more larger enterprises also coming on board. Google, LinkedIn (which backs SalesLoft and is in a strategic partnership with it), Cisco, Dell and IBM are all customers, and Porter said that more "mainstream" businesses like Cargil, 3M and Standard & Poor are also increasingly becoming clients. That is leading the startup to building out bigger solutions, beyond the basic pitch of "sales engagement" that has been SalesLoft's mainstay up to now. The company competes against a plethora of others, including Clari, Chorus.ai, Gong, Conversica, Afiniti and Outreach, as well as biggies like Salesforce. Outreach, notably, had a big mid-COVID round of its own, raising at a $1.3 billion valuation in June last year, a mark of that wider market demand. Porter notes that SalesLoft's big selling point is that it offers an increasingly end-to-end sales solution to customers, meaning less shopping around. The original Lapidus procedure has been performed since the 1930s. It is a technically demanding operation that requires a surgeon to simultaneously hold small bones in three-dimensional alignment while inserting surgical hardware to maintain the positioning. Surgical assistants are frequently required to manage the procedure. "Our design surgeons mentioned the need for more hands during a Lapidus", says Chad Hollis, CrossRoads VP of Research & Development, "Our challenge was designing simple instrumentation to solve this multi-dimensional problem. Additionally, we recognized that Lapidus is actually a four-dimensional procedure. Not only should the bones be aligned, but they must be compressed together to ensure a solid fusion. Thankfully, we have a proven Staple Compression Plate technology that neatly addresses that fourth dimension." CrossRoads offers the proprietary DynaForce Staple Compression Plates that provide continuous compression to facilitate bone fusion. "One key to the success of the DynaBunion System was our acquisition of Surgical Frontiers in 2019," says Vernon Hartdegen, CrossRoads CEO, "That patent portfolio, in combination with our staple compression plate technology and engineering competencies, has enabled us to deliver what we believe is a breakthrough for faster bunion healing." CrossRoads also provides the MINIbunion minimally-invasive bunion correction system that can deliver a walking recovery for patients with less severe bunions. "Surgeons can now offer bunion sufferers two minimally-invasive surgical options," says Senior Product Manager Scott Renner, "To educate patients about these procedures, we host the website miniBunion.com. The website illustrates these complex surgical concepts to help patients understand the benefits of these procedures compared to traditional approaches." ABOUT CROSSROADS EXTREMITY SYSTEMS CrossRoads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Memphis, TN. It is the only foot and ankle company commercializing breakthrough technologies for faster healing. The company is driven to serve the foot and ankle community with innovative technologies that improve the operating room experience and patient outcomes through simplicity and accuracy for the surgeon, and sustainability and cost reduction for healthcare institutions. CrossRoads Staple Compression Plate (SCP) technology is the only bone plating system on the market today to simultaneously offer enhanced stability with continuous compression; optimizing conditions for bone healing in fusion procedures. The Company leverages this technology in a broad range of procedure-specific, sterile-packed implants and instrument systems cleared for both lower and upper extremity indications. The CrossRoads EcoSMART Instrument Service provides sterilized, reusable instruments for every surgical case; as well as post-surgery retrieval and reprocessing of those instruments. EcoSMART reduces the inefficiencies of traditional non-sterile instrument trays and eliminates the waste associated with typical disposable instruments. For more information please visit www.crextremity.com Media Contact: Scott Renner, [email protected] SOURCE CrossRoads Extremity Systems Related Links http://www.crextremity.com Donald Trump has urged his vice-president Mike Pence to intervene today to hand him a second term in the White House as he seeks to turn a procedural rubber-stamping of the election result into a last-minute power grab. The US president used a rally speech ahead of yesterdays crucial Georgia Senate vote, and then his Twitter feed to pile pressure on Mr Pence over his role in the proceedings, in which senators and congressmen gather in Washington to certify the result. Usually the meeting, a quirk of the US electoral system which has a series of confirmation stages in the weeks after November presidential elections, passes without incident as the incoming US leader is confirmed. However, this year, with Mr Trump continuing to deny Joe Bidens victory and claim without evidence that mass voter fraud somehow robbed him of victory, the gathering will be fraught. Thirteen Republican senators have vowed to object to signing off the election results. The rebellion is all but certain to fail in stopping Congress confirming the election results, given the small numbers involved. There is also no indication that Mr Pence will intervene to help Mr Trump or even whether doing so would be legal. Read More Meanwhile thousands of the presidents supporters, cheered on by Mr Trump himself, will march in Washington to back up his claims. Mr Trump has begun to focus intently on Mr Pences role. As vice-president he also presides over the US Senate, meaning he will publicly state when the body has confirmed Mr Bidens victory. But the president now is lobbying for another outcome, one widely criticised as deeply undemocratic for Mr Pence to set aside the votes of the electoral college in a way that makes Mr Trump, not Mr Biden, the victor. Mr Trump said at the rally in Georgia on Monday: I hope Mike Pence comes through for us, I have to tell you. I hope that our great vice-president comes through for us. Hes a great guy. Of course, if he doesnt come through I wont like him quite as much. He then tweeted the false statement yesterday: The vice-president has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors. The pressure leaves Mr Pence in an unenviable position having to choose between his boss and the US Constitution. He has been unflinchingly loyal during Mr Trumps four years in office but is expected not to intervene on the presidents behalf. Mr Trump was in Georgia to support two Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who are trying to hold off Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff, a documentary filmmaker, and the Reverend Raphael Warnock, a pastor at a historic black church in Atlanta, in a state President-elect Joe Biden narrowly carried on November 3. If both Republicans lose, the Democrats draw even with the Republicans on 50 seats each in the Senate and therefore have control because the vice-president soon to be Kamala Harris casts the deciding vote in ties. But if either of the two Republican candidates win, their party will retain the Senate majority and with it the ability to block any legislation proposed by Mr Biden. Both sides predicted a close race, with the result possibly not known for days. Mr Trumps rally at an airport near Dalton was ostensibly designed to boost turnout for the two Republican candidates. Yet for much of the chilly evening the president repeated false claims that he was the real victor in Novembers election. The fact is, we won the presidential election, we won it big, Mr Trump said, incorrectly, at the rally. At another point he said of the Democrats: Theyre not taking the White House. Were going to fight like hell. Mr Biden responded by criticising Mr Trumps lack of action on the Covid-19 pandemic in recent weeks, saying: The president spends more time whining and complaining than doing something about the problem. I dont know why he still wants the job he doesnt want to do the work. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. It added: At this time, we believe this was, and continues to be, an intelligence gathering effort. We are taking all necessary steps to understand the full scope of this campaign and respond accordingly. The characterization of the intrusion as an intelligence gathering effort is significant because it shows there is no indication yet that the Russians had planted malware in American systems that is intended to cause disruptions to power grids or alter data in government or private databases. But in interviews over the past two weeks, both government and private officials have said they are still discovering the scope of the intrusions, and it may take months to figure out whether Russia or others may make more malicious use of back doors they placed in the systems. The statement by the office of the director of national intelligence, the National Security Agency, the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security appeared very similar in wording to one the White House was preparing to release nearly two weeks ago. But it was pulled back after Mr. Trump erupted at his intelligence briefers and said they had no evidence to link the action to Russia. Mr. Trump has not addressed the hack, which happened on his watch, apart from one series of tweets that suggested any alarm was the work of the news media. Mr. Biden, in contrast, has suggested that Mr. Trump is ignoring a major threat to national security, and said that once in office he may seek in kind retaliation though that could be difficult, since the United States is far more vulnerable to network attacks than is Russia. Mr. Biden has acknowledged that the government he is inheriting in a little more than two weeks is riddled with so many intrusions in its systems that trusting the integrity of the systems on which the government runs will be next to impossible. I dont know what the state of them is, Mr. Biden said. Theyre clearly not safe right now. The joint statement on Tuesday announced the creation of a task force of officials from the F.B.I., Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and intelligence agencies, to be known as the Cyber Unified Coordination Group. Islamabad, Jan 6 : Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has invited the Opposition for talks to chalk out a comprehensive action plan aimed at resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute after the Senate saw the two sides engaging in a blame game over the issue. "Let us join hands on this issue. This is a continuous battle and we will have to fight it collectively," he said on Tuesday after criticising the lawmakers from three mainstream opposition parties -- the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) -- with a forceful retort to their remarks and accusations over the government's handling of the Kashmir issue, the Dawn reported on Wednesday. The foreign minister was winding up a discussion on Kashmir in the house to mark the Kashmiris' right to self-determination day. On January 5, 1949, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had passed a resolution supporting the Kashmiris' right to decide their future by themselves through a UN-sponsored plebiscite. PPP parliamentary leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman, while initiating the debate, noted that the Kashmir issue would have been in a different global dimension had Zulfikar Ali Bhutto been alive. Rana Maqbool of the PML-N accused the PTI-led government of putting the Kashmir issue on the backburner. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri of the JUI-F alleged that Narendra Modi and Imran Khan had been brought into power under a plan for held Kashmir's complete occupation by New Delhi. In his speech, Foreign Minister Qureshi criticised the opposition for using the Kashmir issue for political point-scoring and having the cheek to ask what the present government had done on the dispute. He said working for the Kashmir cause was an obligation of the Imran Khan-led government and it would do its best with honesty and sincerity. He agreed with Rehman's statement about Z.A. Bhutto, but regretted that his successors in the PPP turned their eyes away from Kashmir. The remarks prompted Sherry Rehman to stage a walkout from the house. "Sorry to see the govt playing politics even on Kashmir in Senate. This is the first time any sitting Govt has stirred poison into what we see as a non-divisive non-partisan issue," she tweeted shortly after the walkout. In her absence, the foreign minister continued firing salvos, saying he had invited Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Mushahid Hussain Sayed for a briefing on Kashmir. "I wish they had shown greatness, rising above political expediencies," he added. Connecticut prison inmates and residents of other congregate settings should be included in the next wave of COVID-19 vaccinations, a key subcommittee of the vaccine group advising Gov. Ned Lamont decided Tuesday. The subcommittee plans to recommend moving food service workers into the next phase including those who work in charitable services such as food banks or who deliver meals to older adults, as well as health inspectors. Wastewater and sanitation workers will also be in the next wave of vaccinations. Including inmates in the same wave of vaccinations as prison staff caps a long debate after the American Civil Liberties Union called for medically vulnerable inmates to be vaccinated in the first wave along with doctors, nurses and nursing homes. But it remained unclear Tuesday where those with intellectual or developmental disabilities will fall on the states vaccine distribution timeline. That came as the state recorded 2,332 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and the daily positivity rate bounced back up to 7.66 percent. There were 38 more hospitalizations, bringing the statewide total to 1,149. Another 24 fatalities attributed to the illness were also reported, pushing the Connecticut death toll to 6,192. The discussion over who gets the vaccine next follows broad guidelines released last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The guidelines are not binding states can adjust the vaccination order for their residents. In Connecticut, Lamont has said he will make the final decisions on how the vaccine is doled out to different groups. But the governor has also said he plans to follow the recommendations of his vaccine advisory group, which is working with the CDC guidelines. But on Tuesday, members of the advisory groups allocations subcommittee appeared to be less clear on whether and how to move up people with conditions that put them more at risk from the disease including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The part that we have been talking about that has been the most difficult to tease out is what to do with individuals between 16 and 75 with and without comorbidities, said Zita Lazzarini, the subcommittees co-chairwoman, who summarized the discussion at the end of the two-hour meeting. In other words how to define who is vulnerable within that group, and therefore, how we would address racial and ethnic equity better and address other underlying health disparities often involving people with disabilities, she said. The subcommittee plans to meet again soon to discuss those questions in greater depth before determining where those people would fall on the states vaccination plan. Connecticut has received about 170,000 first doses of vaccine, with 44,000 more doses expected this week, said Benjamin Bechtolsheim, director of the COVID-19 vaccination program for the state Department of Public Health. The guidelines divide those to be vaccinated into four phases. In Phase 1A, front-line health care workers, such as hospital staff, are vaccinated along with staff and residents of long-term care facilities, starting with nursing homes before moving to other settings, including assisted living facilities. First responders at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their response to medical emergencies are also included in the first phase, according to Connecticuts vaccine guidelines. The state expects Phase 1A to include some 320,000 people and up to about 260,000 of them willing to take the vaccine. Phase 1B includes essential workers like firefighters and police, corrections staff, food and agricultural workers, postal workers, those who work in manufacturing, grocery store workers, public transit employees, and those who work in education and child care, according to the CDCs recommendations. The group also includes people aged 75 and older, due to their high morbidity if they contract the disease. State health officials believe people in that group will begin to get the vaccine later this month. Were likely still going to have some folks in 1A who are receiving first doses either because theyve been waiting to see their peers go first or things of that sort, Bechtolsheim said. In Phase 1C, people between the ages of 65 and 74 would be offered the vaccine along with people between the ages of 16 and 64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19, according to the CDCs recommendations. The group also includes any other essential workers not included in the first two phases. But with some states reporting long lines and confusion as people get vaccinated, the Surgeon General Tuesday urged state leaders to not adhere too strictly to those guidelines if it means getting the vaccine out to those who want it. Your headline today really should be Surgeon General tells states and governors to move quickly to other priority groups, Dr. Jerome Adams said during an appearance on NBCs Today show. If the demand isnt there in 1A, go to 1B and continue on down. During Tuesdays subcommittee meeting, the acting head of the state Department of Public Health said the phases would be flexible if demand for the vaccine wanes in one group. We dont have a fixed period of time that Phase 1B will last 12 weeks, for example, Acting Commissioner Deidre Gifford said. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close LATEST 2:21 p.m. President Donald Trump did not authorize the mobilization of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., reporters from the Washington Post and the New York Times both confirmed. Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller, in a statement, said that he and Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other federal officials to activate the National Guard. Jan. 6 1:32 p.m. Politico reporter Lara Seligman clarified what led to the delay of the National Guard: Seligman reported the initial request filed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser required that National Guard forces would not collide with civilians to avoid politicizing the military." Since the situation has grown more dire, she said in a Wednesday tweet, the Pentagon has since decided to activate all members of the D.C. National Guard. Jan. 6 1:10 p.m. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan requested Wednesday afternoon that Maryland National Guard and state police troops be sent over to aid federal and local forces in Washington D.C. All Americans should be outraged by this attack on our nations Capitol, he said in a tweet. This is a heinous and violent assault on the heart of our democracy. --- Amid an escalating pro-Trump demonstration that has so far resulted in one person being shot and injured and a mob breaking into congressional chambers, one question lingered: What's taking the National Guard so long? A report by Washington Post journalist Aaron Davis early Wednesday afternoon said the Department of Defense, currently helmed by acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, denied a request by Washington officials to deploy the National Guard to the U.S. Capitol. That was shortly overturned: White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that at President [Donald Trumps] direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services." The federal troops will work with troops from neighboring Virginia sent at the approval of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. But why did D.C.s leading official have to defer to the president? Unlike in most states and territories, the District of Columbia's top official in this case, Mayor Muriel Bowser does not have control over the districts National Guard. That distinction goes to the president. This came to a head, most notably, last June, when National Guard troops tear-gassed anti-police brutality protesters in order to let Trump take a photo-op in front of St. Johns Church. Many anti-Trump critics pointed out that tear gas wasnt deployed for Wednesdays pro-Trump protest until later in the day. CNN reported Monday that Bowser solicited the assistance of D.C. National Guard troops to support local authorities. In the letter requesting support, however, she stated that no personnel shall be armed during this mission. Politico reporter Lara Seligman clarified what led to the delay of the National Guard via Twitter on Wednesday: The initial request filed by Bowser on Monday required that National Guard forces would not be in contact with civilians to avoid politicizing the military." Since the situation has grown more dire, Seligman said, the Pentagon has since decided to activate all members of the D.C. National Guard. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump gathered at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul to protest against the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election. The demonstration Wednesday was heavy on speeches and chants in opposition to both the outcome of the election and the emergency measures implemented in Minnesota to stop the spread of COVID-19. There were no arrests. But because of the protests, Minnesota state troopers have stepped up security at the state Capitol complex, which has been fenced off since last summers unrest after the death of George Floyd. Hurricane Iota was one of two major storms to strike Nicaragua in less than two weeks. Image: NASA Bigger Storms with More Rain, Wind Source: NOAA A Panama City Business gutted by Hurricane Michael. (Photo courtesy of Panama City) Housing Recovery in Hurricane Country City Manager Mark McQueen: We knew that if were going to get back on our feet, we had to work on getting housing - not just housing, but affordable housing - in play for our citizens." A house on stilts in coastal Louisiana. "People do not want to move," says architect Steven Bingler. (Photo courtesy of Steven Bingler.) Housing's Future Along the Coast The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season broke the record for the number of storms big enough to be given a name, exhausting the 2020 name list from the National Hurricane Center and requiring nine letters of the Greek alphabet.Six of the hurricanes in the 2020 season were Category 3 or greater; both a Category 4 and a Category 5 hurricane made landfall in Nicaragua within less than two weeks . Prior to this, only five storms of this magnitude had made landfall in the region since 1941.The number of storms is a concern, but what matters most for the future of coastal communities is their increasing strength and the speed at which new storms are intensifying, shortening the time available to prepare for their arrival.According to a new climate risk report from McKinsey and Company, by 2050 the risk of a one in 500 years hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast could be twice as great as it was between 1981 and 2000 if carbon emissions are not reduced. Even if progress is made, the authors say, the carbon already in the atmosphere will keep temperatures rising until 2030.Somehow, despite the record number of storms, coastal communities in the U.S. escaped a Katrina-scale disaster. Nonetheless, the destruction that occurred elsewhere is a warning to government leaders in these areas.Nicaragua really got pummeled, says Jim Kossin, a NOAA scientist who studies extreme storms and their relationship to climate and climate change. If that was in the contiguous United States it would have been huge news wed still be talking about it if New Orleans was hit multiple times this year.A long period of reduced hurricane activity in the 1970s and 80s led to complacency, says Kossin. The perception that there was no immediate risk, combined with the advent of air conditioning, spurred migration to coastal areas but storm frequency began to pick up after 1995.The fact that 2020 was a record-breaking season does not necessarily mean that 2021 will be the same, or worse, he says. But its safe to say that in the future there will be more, and stronger, storms on average.Weve raised the speed limit on these storms, says Kossin. We are seeing more and more category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes, and its just a matter of time before they are stronger than anything weve ever measured before.Warmer air makes storms more dangerous by increasing the amount of rain that comes from them and causing them to travel more slowly over land, says Kossin. A powerful storm parked over a heavily-populated area, with its strong winds and a torrent of rainfall, can cause enormous damage, as did Hurricane Harvey If Hurricane Dorian , a 2019 Category 5 storm, had stalled over Florida rather than the Bahamas, that would have been close to a worst-case scenario, he says, So it was really just a matter of miles.The possibility of such an event is heighted by the fact that warmer temperatures are increasing the amount of real estate for storms, creating a tropical climate in what have been considered subtropical and middle latitudes. When all the factors at play are considered together, says Kossin, the prospects for future hurricane seasons can be discouraging.A fair amount of adaptation will be required to deal with this, Kossin says, and the time scale for accomplishing it will vary according to sector. For emergency managers, it might be seasonal or multi-year. City planners will need to look much further into the future.We could still have a very quiet year any time, he says. The folks who are doing the long-term planning will need to recognize that this is a new normal that we have to adapt to. We dont expect this to get better, and if anything, it could get worse.Mark McQueen, a two-star general, was preparing to retire in 2018 from a 38-year career in the Army when he was asked to take on the role of city manager for Panama City, Fla. He had been on the job two weeks when Hurricane Michael, a category 5 storm, hit the Florida panhandle on October 10. The community's recovery efforts offer an example that could have applications in the aftermath of other kinds of disasters.Panama City is in Bay County, located in the middle of the panhandle, and the largest city between Tallahassee and Pensacola. In the wake of the hurricane, more than 80 percent of the residential and commercial properties in Panama City were damaged or destroyed. Hundred-year-old oak and pine trees that were even older had been felled, another blow to a city proud of its status as a Tree City USA We had to dig out of 40 years of debris, says McQueen.We knew that if were going to get back on our feet, we had to work on getting housing -- not just housing, but affordable housing -- in play for our citizens, he says. That was the long pole in the tent for our recovery.Funding from the states Hurricane Housing Recovery Program, a total of $28 million for the county and $8 million for the city, provided the necessary support. The challenge was to create a program that could work for residents at every income level, whether they were renters or homeowners.The program developed by the city, ReHouse Bay , incorporates five key strategies. Assistance was offered to offset the rising costs of rent and deposits in a market where demand far exceeded supply. Funds were made available to homeowners whose insurance settlements were insufficient to fully cover the costs of rebuilding to current, safer, code standards.ReHouse Bay also assists low to moderate income families, who might be tempted or forced to leave the community because of economic strains, to purchase homes. It guides residents living in homes passed on to them by family members through the process of title clearance, opening the door to insurance, credit or refinancing. The last strategy is foreclosure prevention, to create a buffer between a disaster-induced loss of income and the permanent loss of a home.To date, the program has had more than 2,000 applications for these services. We want our citizens to resume a stable life, says McQueen. In the first year after the storm, the school board was reporting that up to 5,000 students were technically homeless, couch surfing or nomadically living with friends or family.In addition to the initial funding from the state, ReHouse Bay received $600,000 from Floridas CARES Act funds. By the time this arrived, Panama City had a well-established program to help residents have a place to shelter.Were all dealing with a national hurricane, and it happens to be called coronavirus, says McQueen. We were fortunate to have strategies and mechanisms in place, and similar strategies could be applicable in any community.Such resilience is vital for coastal communities. Some are raising the possibility that eventually, survival for some may also require other, more disruptive forms of adaptation.Architect Steven Bingler, whose firm Concordia led the city of New Orleans post-Katrina planning process , knows what it takes to attempt to outsmart nature and envision what resilience might mean in a region with a high risk for severe climate impacts. Hes also willing to consider the possibility that some battles cant be won.Bingler and his colleague, the writer, editor and critic Martin Pedersen, are co-founders of Common Edge , a non-profit with the mission of reconnecting architecture and design with the public that its meant to serve. They argue that the time has come for resilience planning to include another concept: retreat.Our profession has been focused on resilience and everybody else is focused on denial, including our government, says Bingler. Martin and I have come to the conclusion that its time to ring the bell and call the alarm and say its not going to get any better.Torrential rain from a slow-moving hurricane can devastate coastal cities, but thats an acute climate impact. Bingler points to projections that rising sea levels could displace 300 million people by 2050. While the majority of the people affected live in Asia, its been estimated that 13 million coastal residents in the U.S. will be displaced by 2100.Planning for resilience has been based on an estimated two feet of sea level rise, says Bingler, but the new worst-case estimates are between six and eight and a half feet. Where are people going to go?, he asks. If you look at the East Coast, it is almost one city that starts in Miami and goes all the way to New York.Lost housing is not the only concern. Theres also the prospect of infrastructure buried underwater. For example, there are some predictions that the Atlantic Ocean could reach Richmond, Virginia, says Bingler.Imagine standing on the beach in Richmond, Virginia, and looking out at the remains of all of that infrastructure, he says. "Think about all of those underground utilities that are going to be submerged, think about the toxic soup that's left.Bingler has found that progress of any sort starts by engaging those who live in the communities that are at risk. People do not want to move, he says, as evidenced by houses in coastal Louisiana that are jacked up 30 feet in the air, whose owners would rather experience whatever comes than leave their homes.If I were the mayor of a coastal city, Id set up a planning commission, says Bingler. "Id pull in my planning department, universities, business leaders and do a worst-case scenario to at least envision what challenges might be ahead.Bingler acknowledges that many coastal cities are investing in resilience planning, developing sophisticated strategies. Hes convinced that this planning must include more conversations about retreat.Our take isnt fatalistic or defeatist, says Martin Pedersen. It really is about continuing to hope for the best, but plan for the worst, because not to do that just feels irresponsible. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel regional and international developments, said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi. In their meeting on Wednesday, Kamel reviewed the results of the recent foreign visits and efforts the state has made in terms of the latest regional and international developments. The meeting also addressed developments related to national security, especially concerning efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. El-Sisi urged continuous efforts and coordination between relevant state institutions to preserve the national security and safety and establish stability as a main factor to support the development process, the statement read. Kamel embarked on a number of visits recently,. In January, he travelled to Sudan to meet with head of the Sovereign Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in addition to Sudans Director of the General Intelligence Service Gamal Abdel-Majid. In December, Kamel conveyed during his visit to the Libyan city of Benghazi a message of support from El-Sisi to the Libyan people, as he met with commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar and head of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh. Short link: Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. She's been giving fans a glimpse into her 'business trip' to Dubai on social media since jetting out to the sun-soaked location last week. And Chloe Ferry was certainly living her best life on Wednesday as she happily flaunted her sensational curves while soaking up the rays on her balcony. The Geordie Shore star, 25, took to Instagram to showcase her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny turquoise bikini as she continued enjoy her festive break. Work it: Chloe Ferry was certainly living her best life on Wednesday as she happily flaunted her sensational curves while soaking up the rays on her balcony Chloe oozed confidence as she panned the camera up and down her body to give fans a close-up look of her washboard abs and recently reduced cleavage. Not content with showing off her figure from the front, Chloe then filmed herself in the glass door where she flaunted her peachy posterior. The beauty also showed off her holiday tan in the straight-cut bikini top and matching thong bottoms, accessorising her look with a pair of silver hoop earrings. Chloe wore her platinum tresses poker straight for the day, while she kept things glam with a generous helping of sleek make-up. Flaunt: The Geordie Shore star, 25, took to Instagram to showcase her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny turquoise bikini as she continued enjoy her festive break On Tuesday, Chloe appeared to be making the most of her getaway, as she shared snaps from a boat trip to her social media. The reality star showcased her hourglass frame as she posed up a storm in a red leopard-print bikini, complete with tiny thong-style bottoms. Following her breast reduction surgery to complement her new slimmer figure, Chloe showcased her assets in the straight-cut bikini top. If you've got it: Chloe oozed confidence as she panned the camera up and down her body to give fans a close-up look of her washboard abs and recently reduced cleavage Cheeky: Not content with showing off her figure from the front, Chloe then filmed herself in the glass door where she flaunted her peachy posterior Chloe's photoshoot took place on the luxury vessel in front of the iconic Atlantis, The Palm hotel, which sits on Dubai's waterfront. One snap highlighted the Ex On The Beach star's ample posterior in a tiny pair of bikini bottoms, as she faced away from the camera. The scantily clad snaps also showcased Chloe's range of tattoos. She captioned the images: 'Dirty little secret.' Loving life: Chloe appeared to be making the most of her getaway, as she shared snaps from a boat trip to her social media on Tuesday afternoon Peachy! The reality showcased her hourglass frame as she posed up a storm in a red leopard-print bikini, complete with tiny thong-style bottoms Living it up: Chloe's photoshoot took place on the luxury vessel in front of the iconic Atlantis, The Palm hotel, which sits on Dubai's waterfront Cheeky: The scantily clad snaps also showcased Chloe's range of tattoos. She captioned the images: 'Dirty little secret' Like much of the reality TV world, Chloe has escaped the UK coronavirus crisis and imposed herself upon the United Arab Emirates for a 'business trip'. Earlier in the day, she looked to be working hard as she took to Instagram to share a slew of sizzling holiday snaps. Chloe showed off her incredible figure in a hot pink one-piece swimsuit, which featured perilously high-rise hips. While indulging in a sweet treat, Chloe posed in the pink one-piece which risked showing her intimate areas due to the high-rise shape. Posing next to a Baskin-Robbins vendor, she penned: 'Scoop of joy'. On October 20, Minneapolis alt-weekly City Pages reported that the Minneapolis police deputy chief had been demoted for saying that the forces hiring tactics, left unchanged, would yield the same old white boys. Soon after, they reported that the ACLU was suing the city of Minneapolis for evicting unhoused people from local parks. The next week, the publication went dark, another victim of a pandemic year. City Pages wasnt alone. In February, the Waterbury Record reported on a municipal measure that would increase taxes in the Vermont town by fifty percent. In March, The Outline published Jennifer Schafers examination of self-aware voyeurism and strangers love stories. In April, Cleveland, Mississippis Bolivar Commercial reported that a local shortage in blood donations was growing in the wake of the coronavirus. In May, the Press & Journal offered its readers tips on dealing with unemployment claims. In June, CNNs Great Big World video startup reported on the man who wrote the catchy and illimitable KitKat jingle. By the end of 2020, all of these publications had closed. City Pages ceased publication in late Octoberjust shy of the presidential electionafter forty-one years of publishing art and activism (originally under the name Sweet Potato). Like many outlets of its kind, the alt-weekly was nimble and willing to push boundaries. Its staff comprised voicey and clever writers: able to cover a variety of topics, to fill in the gaps when other outlets shied away. Accustomed to getting by with thin marginsanother attribute common to alternative journalismCity Pages was stretched even thinner by the loss of local advertising and local events. In their farewell note, the staff highlighted their commitment to arts and culture reporting, in addition to deeply reported investigations. What else is there to say? Were sad as fuck. The outlets that closed last year varied in tone, audience and purpose, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Not every publication deserves survival: labeling something journalism doesnt guarantee its inexhaustible value, and the structural attrition that beleaguered the news model for a decade has worn some newsrooms beyond their value. But there are losses that sting. And with each individual loss comes the greater loss to a varied, diversiform media system. City Pages epitomizes that sort of loss: its closure is a detriment to its own readers and to the greater Minneapolis media ecosystem. Mike Mullen was a writer there for a brief stint in 2011, then the five years from 2015 until the publication shuttered. We were both allowed to and encouraged to approach things in a way that other places just couldnt or wouldnt, Mullen says. Mainstream outlets need to cover politics in a certain way, because they are beholden to a sort of old-fashioned and respectable way of reporting: both sides and stuff like that. We didnt have to do that. And our readers would have been disappointed if we did. Mullen and his colleagues played what has become an increasingly endangered role in local news markets: a particular voice and particular perspective openly committed to writing for a particular audience. Alt-weeklies traditionally play another important role in their local communities, too: the role of media criticism. I think where alt-weeklies really thrivecertainly where City Pages didis that we would tackle some of the outrageous things that a politician might say, or a Star Tribune editorial that was extremely tone deaf, and take it down from a place of irreverence, Emily Cassel, the publications former editor in chief, says. There arent too many places left anymore where that sort of joyful irreverence is allowed to thrive. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Increasing numbers of Americans report feeling that media outlets dont understand them; and they are right, particularly at the local level. Communities suffer when they dont have a single outlet to speak to them. They suffer when that single outlet doesnt speak for them. And they suffer when their community is only represented by a single voice, without the push and pull, the variation, and the contradictions that always accompany multiplicity. As more and more outlets close, shrink, and suffer, homogenous news markets become the norm. Its everyones loss. The Journalism Crisis Project aims to train our focus on the present crisis, tallying lost jobs and outlets and fostering a conversation about what comes next. We hope youll join us (click to subscribe). EXPLORE THE TOW CENTERS COVID-19 CUTBACK TRACKER: Over the past nine months, researchers at the Tow Center have collected reports of a wide range of cutbacks amid the pandemic. Now theres an interactive map and searchable database. You can find it here. CONTRIBUTE TO OUR DATABASE: If youre aware of a newsroom experiencing layoffs, cutbacks, furloughs, print reductions, or any fundamental change as a result of covid-19, let us know by submitting information here. (Personal information will be kept secure by the Tow Center and will not be shared.) Below, more on recent media trends and changes in newsrooms across the world: JOURNALISM JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES: MediaGazer has been maintaining a list of media companies that are currently hiring. You can find it here. The Deez Links newsletter, in partnership with Study Hall, offers media classifieds for both job seekers and job providers. The Successful Pitches database offers resources for freelancers. The International Journalists Network lists international job opportunities alongside opportunities for funding and further education. And an organization of fifty writers called the Periplus Collective recently announced a mentorship program to serve early-career writers who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites. The Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, has imposed draconian restrictions on freedoms of expression, religion or belief, association, and the right to peaceful assembly in China. The United States, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has been clear that perpetrators of human rights abuses like these are not welcome in our country. Toward that end, the United States has imposed additional restrictions under the Immigration and Nationality Act on the issuance of visas for Chinese officials who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, policies or actions aimed at repressing religious and spiritual practitioners, members of ethnic minority groups, dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, labor organizers, civil society organizers, and peaceful protestors. Family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. The new restrictions are applicable to all Chinese officials engaged in repressive policies or actions against these groups, no matter their location. This year, the United States has imposed visa restrictions and financial sanctions on CCP officials responsible for carrying out the horrific abuses taking place in Xinjiang, placing restrictions on U.S. diplomats access to Tibet, and contributing to the evisceration of Hong Kongs promised autonomy under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. These actions demonstrate the U.S. governments resolve to hold the CCP accountable for its increasing repression against the Chinese people. The United States stands with the many individuals persecuted by the CCP for trying to exercise their fundamental rights. They include lawyer Xu Zhiyong, house church pastor Wang Yi, civil society activist Huang Qi, Uighur academic Ilham Tohti, Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, and Tibetan linguist and businessman Tashi Wangchuk, among many others. Secretary Pompeo called for their immediate release and urge(d) CCP authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which the people of China are entitled under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Photo: The Canadian Press Trump supporters walk past the Dome of the Capitol Building in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) President Donald Trumps extraordinary effort to overturn the presidential election is going before Congress as lawmakers convene for a special joint session to confirm the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden. The typically routine proceeding Wednesday will be anything but that, as Trump mounts his desperate attempt to stay in office. The president's Republican allies in the House and Senate plan to object to the election results, heeding supporters' plea to fight for Trump as he stages a rally outside the White House. It's tearing the party apart. The last-gasp effort is all but certain to fail, defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress prepared to accept the November results. Biden, who won the Electoral College 306-232, is to be inaugurated Jan. 20. The most important part is that, in the end, democracy will prevail here, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, among those managing the proceedings, said in an interview. The joint session of Congress, required by law, will convene at 1 p.m. EST before a watchful, restless nation months after the election, two weeks before the inaugurations traditional peaceful transfer of power and against the backdrop of a surging COVID-19 pandemic. We will never give up, we will never concede, Trump told the massive crowd at noon outside the White House. Lawmakers were told by Capitol officials to arrive early, due to safety precautions with protesters in Washington. Hundreds of Trump supporters gathered around the Capitol, filling the plaza area and sidewalks, many bearing enormous flags and few wearing masks.. Visitors, who typically fill the galleries to watch landmark proceedings, will not be allowed under COVID-19 restrictions. The session also comes as overnight results from Georgia's runoff elections put Democrats within reach of a Senate majority. The current majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who tried to warn his Republican Party off this challenge, was expected to deliver early remarks. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a day of enormous historic significance, about guaranteeing trust in our democratic system." But it is Vice-President Mike Pence who will be most closely watched as he presides over the session. Despite Trumps repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. Pence has a largely ceremonial role, opening the sealed envelopes from the states after they are carried in mahogany boxes used for the occasion, and reading the results aloud. But he is under growing pressure from Trump to overturn the will of the voters and tip the results in the presidents favour, despite having no legal power to affect the outcome. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! Trump tweeted Wednesday. With the Senate results from Georgia streaming in and Democrats within reach of controlling the chamber, Trump amplified his pleas to stay in office as a veto check on the rival party. At the rally he said he had just talked to Pence and criticized Republicans who are not willing to fight for him as weak. While other vice-presidents, including Al Gore and Richard Nixon, also presided over their own defeats, Pence supports those Republican lawmakers mounting challenges to the 2020 outcome. It's not the first time lawmakers have challenged results. Democrats did in 2017 and 2005. But the intensity of Trump's challenge is like nothing in modern times, and an outpouring of current and elected GOP officials warn the showdown is sowing distrust in government and eroding Americans' faith in democracy. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters on Capitol Hill that Trumps election challenge has disgraced the office of the presidency." We'll proceed as the Constitution demands and tell our supporters the truth -- whether or not they want to hear it, Romney said. Still, more than a dozen Republican senators led by Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, along with as many as 100 House Republicans, are pressing ahead to raise objections to individual states' reports of Biden's wins. Under the rules of the joint session, any objection to a states electoral tally needs to be submitted in writing by at least one member of the House and one of the Senate to be considered. Each objection will force two hours of deliberations in the House and Senate, ensuring a long day. House Republican lawmakers are signing on to objections to the electoral votes in six states Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Arizona will likely be the first to be disputed as the state tallies are announced in alphabetical order. Cruz has said he will join House Republicans in objecting to that state, even as he acknowledged the effort will not have the votes to succeed. Extraordinarily uphill," he said late Tuesday on Fox News. Hawley has said he will object to the election results from Pennsylvania, almost ensuring a second two-hour debate despite resistance from the state's Republican senator, Pat Toomey, who said the tally of Biden's win is accurate. Sen. Kelly Loeffler may challenge the results in her state of Georgia. She was defeated in Georgia's runoff to Democrat Raphael Warnock, but can remain a senator until he is sworn into office. The other Senate runoff race between Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff remained too early to call Wednesday, though Ossoff declared he won. Perdue, who was seeking reelection, is ineligible to vote in the Senate because his term expired with the start of the new Congress Sunday. Democrats have the majority in the House, while the Republican-led Senate is divided over the issue. Bipartisan majorities in both chambers are expected to soundly reject the objections. The group led by Cruz is vowing to object unless Congress agrees to form a commission to investigate the election, but that seems unlikely. Those with Cruz are Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Steve Daines of Montana, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Braun of Indiana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Many of the Republicans challenging the results said they are trying to give voice to voters back home who don't trust the outcome of the election and want to see the lawmakers fighting for Trump. Hawley defended his role saying his constituents have been loud and clear about their distrust of the election. It is my responsibility as a senator to raise their concerns," he wrote to colleagues. As criticism mounted, Cruz insisted his aim was not to set aside the election but to investigate the claims of voting problems. He has produced no new evidence. Both Hawley and Cruz are potential 2024 presidential contenders, vying for Trump's base of supporters. Peets Coffee has added a tonic to its Golden beverage line and returned two favorites - Golden Latte and Ethiopian Super Natural. Not only are we thrilled to bring back our Golden Latte for winter, but we are also proud to introduce our Golden Tonic, said Patrick Main, Senior Beverage R&D Manager. Turmeric and ginger continue to grow in demand, particularly in beverages driven by their reputed functional benefits. These beverages highlight the flavorful and fragrant ingredients for a delicious and invigorating beverage to restore after the holidays. The Golden Tonic is available iced or hot and uses the Smooth Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical with turmeric, yuzu citrus, ginger and a touch of honey. The Golden Latte is available iced or hot and includes turmeric, honey and ginger steamed with milk and hand-pulled Espresso Forte. Both are available at Peets coffee bars until March 2 along with the new Egg White, Tomato and Feta Frittata and the Bacon, Spinach and Swiss Frittata. Peets Ethiopian Super Natural, an abundantly fruity dark roast known for its distinctive blueberry notes is available at coffee bars and online for $19.95 a pound through March 2. READ MORE Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Legislation to ease the financial burden of the Fair Deal scheme on farmers will be brought before the Dail within the next three months, the Junior Minister for Older People has pledged. Mary Butler said the long-promised reform of the scheme will put a cap on how much farmers and business owners have to contribute towards nursing-home costs. Ill be moving the legislation in the first quarter of this year its in the Programme for Government and it is a priority of mine and of the Taoiseach, she told the Irish Independent. Ms Butler, a Fianna Fail minister from Waterford, also said a similar scheme, which will allow people to grow old in their own homes through State supports, will be in place by 2022. Read More The minister said changes to the Fair Deal scheme are necessary as farmers are reluctant to sign up because they fear they will lose their farms. Currently theres no a cap on contributions for farming and business assets and this has proven to be traditionally problematic, she said. There would have been farmers who would be slow to take up nursing-home care because they were afraid they might lose their farm, she added. The change to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) is to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at three years where a family successor commits to continuing the operation when the owner is in care. The current system sees farm families and small business owners required to set aside 7.5pc of the value of their land annually to fund a place in a nursing home and there is no cap on contributions. In order to qualify for the new scheme the farmer/business owner, their partner or nominated family successor must have worked the farm or business for three out of the previous five years. A few details will have to be ironed out in terms of the successor because someone has to run the farm, Ms Butler said. Where it might prove problematic is if a bachelor farmer doesnt have a niece or a nephew who will have farmed the land for the last three of five years. Its far more straightforward for a father and son or father and daughter, she added. Ms Butler said she also wants to give people the option of choosing between nursing homes and their own home in their later years. The Waterford TD said she will be enacting a statutory home-care scheme which was commenced by her predecessor, Jim Daly. The scheme will see people contribute to the cost of being cared for in their own homes in the same way the Fair Deal scheme works. Details for how the scheme will work are still being examined and the minister said she does not expect it to be in operation for at least another year. Specialised assessment teams will determine what care package an older person requires based on their needs and abilities. They will then be asked to contribute some of their income and assets towards the cost of the care package which allow them remain in their home as they become older. It will work like Fair Deal and you will have to pay but you will have an option between a nursing home and your own home, she said. If you speak to older people, 99pc of them will say they would prefer to live in their home with the correct wraparound supports, Ms Butler added. She also received funding to set up a new IT system to track patients in their later years when they are availing of State services. If youre at home and youre getting home-care supports and then youre transferred to a hospital overnight, we dont have an IT system following you which is hugely important in order to make the system work, she said. I received 5m in funding in the Budget to get this element off the ground. Read More Irish Independent Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Humberto Lopez, a lawyer and journalist for Cuban television, closed out the year with some brazen lying, as on December 23, he invited the current Minister of Justice, Oscar Manuel Silvera Martinez, to his program "Hacemos Cuba." Silvera Martinez, a former Supreme Court magistrate, argued that at this time the approval of the Constitutional Protection Law, postponed until December 2021, is not necessary or prudent, since the Supreme Court issued Instruction 245 in June 2019, " that very quickly enabled (...) people to exercise those actions, those demands". He also stated, totally ignoring the intention of the Instruction in question, that "the constitutional rule is a directly applicable and invocable legal one," such that it should not hinder the courts from admitting claims presented under the aforementioned rules. Next, revealing that he had not even read Instruction 245, and does not understand the interpretative rules governing the legal provisions, and demonstrating utter subordination to Cuba's machinery of lies, the presenter stated that "the existence of this Instruction of the Supreme Court () allows () one to bring claims against possible violations of those [constitutional] rights in the courts because, I repeat, that Instruction is there." Instruction 245 does exist, and may be invoked as a basis of law, but only when one brings a complaint alleging that he has been deprived of his property in violation of the law or justice by means of an administrative resolution, as stated in its section ONE. This Instruction is not applicable to any other type of claim. Thus, the justifications cited by the minister and presenter are clearly false. What both are trying to do is hoodwink the people, in accord with State Security and the Communist Party leadership, which, on December 17, through the National Assembly, approved a new Legislative Schedule that puts off the Constitutional Rights Claim Law until 2022, and the Assembly and Demonstration Law until 2023. Both provisions were to be implemented no later than October 2020, but the crisis, exacerbated by the effects of Covid-19, MSI, 27N and a certain civic unrest, did not make this advisable. Apparently, for Cuba's ruling elite, it is imprudent to grant the people the right to file suits to exercise their rights, or offer them expeditious ways to bring about the change the country needs, even if this is in a civic manner. The leadership is clearly incapable of steering Cuba in a direction that guarantees its citizens freedom. In fact, the Minister of Justice himself, Oscar Manuel Silvera Martinez, is one more example of the failed course that has been charted. Whether as the head of the Office and Vice-president of the Supreme Court, or as the maximum adviser on criminal matters of a political nature, his internal discourse has consisted more of political rhetoric than legal principles. In addition, his ties to elites in Cuba's Intelligence bodies - especially Alejandro Castro Espin, former head of Department 24, the Control, Surveillance and Information body - allowed him to hold a high position. With such a background and experience, it is not difficult to believe that the minister has expressly agreed to publicly insult the intelligence of tens of thousands of lawyers, prosecutors, judges and academics bearing witness to his statements. Many must have been flabbergasted by the minister's remarks, including veteran magistrate Diaz Tenrreiro; the current Vice-president of the Supreme Court, Farah Saucedo; the respective presidents of provincial courts; the president of the Organization of Collective Law Firms, Ariel Mantecon Ramos; and constitutionalists at the University of Havana Law School, such as the renowned Andry Matilla Correa, and Yuri Perez Martinez, together with the prosecutor Juan Mendoza Diaz. What justice is there for Cuba's independent journalists, intellectuals, artists, activists, dissidents and dissenters who pay daily for their ideas with violations of their human rights, like threats, incarceration, unemployment, being prevented from entering or leaving the country, defamation and damage to their physical and mental health? Contrary to what the Minister of Justice alleges, there is no law protecting them. On January 31, 2020, seven months after instruction 245 was promulgated, journalist Iliana Hernandez received from the Second Civil and Administrative Chamber of the People's Provincial Court of Havana the bodys dismissal of a violation of her right to leave the country, as the judges ruled that "the charge should not be admitted, as the laws implementing the precept have not yet been promulgated in our country ..." Have these magistrates entirely dissociated themselves from legality, or are lies just now part of our everyday life? Hong Kong, Jan 6 : The district court of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday convicted three people arrested for assaulting Fu Guohao, a journalist from the Beijing-based Global Times newspaper, in August 2019. According to the court, Amy Pat was found guilty of three crimes including false imprisonment, assaulting and rioting, while Lai Yun-long and Ho Ka-lok were found guilty of two crimes, namely assaulting and rioting. The fourth defendant in the case, Wong Yat-ho, was acquitted on all charges, Xinhua news agency reported. The judge also encouraged the public to read the judgement to understand more about the ruling. Fu was tied up and beaten by the rioters during a violent incident at Hong Kong International Airport on August 13. A Lancaster County judge exceeded his authority when he ordered a chronic stalker to stay away from one of his victims, a state appeals court has ruled. County President Judge David L. Ashworth didnt have that power when he sent 22-year-old Carlos Olivio-Vazquez to state prison for a bizarre series of incidents involving two women, the Superior Court panel found. So, in an opinion by Judge Carolyn H. Nichols the state court voided Ashworths no contact order. It did, however, let stand Olivo-Vazquezs 5- to 12-year prison sentence. In sum, Nichols concluded that since he committed Olivio-Vazquez to the state correctional system, Ashworth had no further say on what restrictions state prison or parole officials would impose. Carlos Olivio-Vazquez Ashworth issued the now moot no contact provision at the request of one of the two women Olivio-Vazquez pleaded guilty to stalking. Olivio-Vazquez was charged not only for stalking that woman, in whom he had a romantic interest, but also with firing a gun in her back yard in May 2019. At the time, Olivio-Vazquez was on probation for other stalking convictions involving that same woman and another woman. His prison sentence includes time for the parole violations. When he imposed the no contact order, Ashworth noted that Olivio-Vazquez kept trying to call one of the women from prison after his arrest. He told Olivio-Vazquez not to come within a mile of that woman or her family and not to try to contact her by any means. Ashworth wrote that he issued the edict to provide immediate and lasting protection to her by preventing (Olivio-Vazquez) from making harassing contact with her during his incarceration. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Skeena Resources Limited (TSX:SKE)(OTCQX:SKREF) ("Skeena" or the "Company") is pleased to report additional diamond drill core results from the Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined campaigns of definition and exploration drilling at the Eskay Creek Project ("Eskay Creek" or the "Project") located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The Phase 2 infill program, focused upon resource category conversions for the Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") on open-pit constrained resources, is on-going with six drill rigs currently active. Reference images are presented at the end of this release as well as on the Company's website. Eskay Creek Infill Drilling Highlights 22 Zone 3.05 g/t Au, 221 g/t Ag (6.00 g/t AuEq), over 26.28 m (SK-20-481) 4.44 g/t Au, 228 g/t Ag (7.48 g/t AuEq), over 14.50 m (SK-20-500) 12.94 g/t Au, 503 g/t Ag (19.65 g/t AuEq), over 9.87 m (SK-20-507) 21 B & C Zone 3.65 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag (3.71 g/t AuEq), over 25.71 m (SK-20-494) 3.23 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag (3.35 g/t AuEq), over 29.35 m (SK-20-483) 2.82 g/t Au, 10 g/t Ag (2.95 g/t AuEq), over 31.10 m (SK-20-484) 5.34 g/t Au, 7 g/t Ag (5.44 g/t AuEq), over 28.65 m (SK-20-486) Gold Equivalent (AuEq) calculated via the formula: Au (g/t) + [Ag (g/t) / 75]. True widths range from 70-100% of reported core lengths. Apparent widths are reported for the 22 Zone due to the geometry of the mineralization and the orientation of the drill holes. Length weighted AuEq composites are constrained by geological considerations. Grade-capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length-weighted AuEq composites. Metallurgical processing recoveries have not been applied to the AuEq calculation and are taken at 100%. Samples below detection limit were nulled to a value of zero. Shallow High-Grade Mineralization Discovered in 22 Zone Inferred mineralization reported in the Company's 2019 Mineral Resource Estimate for the southeastern portion of the 22 Zone was informed by widely spaced historical drill holes. The recent infill drilling program in the 22 Zone has discovered Au-Ag mineralization at surface within the resource reporting pit. The new discovery is highlighted by the 2020 Phase 1 intercept of 3.05 g/t Au, 221 g/t Ag (6.00 g/t AuEq), over 26.28 m which includes high-tenor sub-intervals grading 7.82 g/t Au, 724 g/t Ag (17.47 g/t AuEq) over 1.35 m and 3.18 g/t Au, 2,210 g/t Ag (32.65 g/t AuEq) over 1.50 m (SK-20-481), starting at 1.22 m from surface. This mineralization is corroborated up-dip by SK-20-437 and SK-20-438 which intersected 2.45 g/t AuEq over 21.00 m and 3.16 g/t AuEq over 13.00 m respectively. Refer to vertical section 930-22N below. "This new discovery within the pit-constrained 22 Zone resource model was originally considered an area of unmineralized waste due to a lack of drilling and as such was not incorporated into Skeena's 2019 PEA," comments Paul Geddes, the Company's Vice President of Exploration and Resource Development. "The grade and location of these recent intersections are expected to translate into additional resources when the 2020 drilling data is incorporated into the new resource model during Q1 2021." Preliminary Tom MacKay Exploration Identifies Footwall Replacement Mineralization The Tom MacKay Zone is situated 2,500 m southwest of the main Eskay Creek deposits and represents a near surface, sparsely drilled historical Au-Ag occurrence hosted in footwall andesites, intermediate volcanics and the Even Lower Mudstone (ELM). The Company drilled a total of nine surface drill holes fanned from two drill pads in this area to confirm the historical data, gain geological understanding as well as test for additional mineralization. This initial program of exploratory drill testing by Skeena has yielded discordant replacement style Au-Ag mineralization including 4.99 g/t Au, 5 g/t Ag (5.05 g/t AuEq), over 10.50 metres, including 24.20 g/t Au, <5 g/t Ag (24.20 g/t AuEq), over 1.50 metres (SK-20-466), 2.02 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag (2.21 g/t AuEq), over 14.50 metres (SK-20-464) and 3.29 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag (3.41 g/t AuEq), over 9.40 metres, including 14.10 g/t Au, 19 g/t Ag (14.35 g/t AuEq), over 1.40 metres (SK-20-433). Exploration Update The Company currently has six drill rigs operating at Eskay Creek finalizing the Phase II program of category conversion drilling. This program will be complete in mid-January 2021 at which point the drills will be re-assigned to a 5,000 m exploratory program testing targets in the near mine environment. All drilling from the Phase 2 program will be incorporated into the updated 2021 Mineral Resource Estimate. About Skeena Skeena Resources Limited is a junior mining company focused on developing the past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment in late 2019 and is currently focused on infill and exploration drilling at Eskay Creek to advance the project to Prefeasibility. Skeena is also exploring the past-producing Snip gold mine. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited, Walter Coles Jr. President & CEO Contact Information Investor Inquiries: info@skeenaresources.com Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725 Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com Qualified Persons Exploration activities at the Eskay Creek Project are administered on site by the Company's Exploration Managers, Raegan Markel, P.Geo. and Adrian Newton, P.Geo. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo. Vice President Exploration and Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects. Quality Assurance - Quality Control Once received from the drill and processed, all drill core samples are sawn in half, labelled and bagged. The remaining drill core is subsequently securely stored on site. Numbered security tags are applied to lab shipments for chain of custody requirements. The Company inserts quality control (QC) samples at regular intervals in the sample stream, including blanks and reference materials with all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. The QAQC program was designed and approved by Lynda Bloom, P.Geo. of Analytical Solutions Ltd., and is overseen by the Company's Qualified Person, Paul Geddes, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and Resource Development. Drill core samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry's analytical facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. The ALS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is crushed and 1 kg is pulverized. Analysis for gold is by 50 g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.01 ppm and upper limit of 100 ppm. Samples with gold assays greater than 100 ppm are re-analyzed using a 50 g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish. Analysis for silver is by 50 g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish with a lower limit of 5ppm and upper limit of 10,000 ppm. Samples with silver assays greater than 10,000 ppm are re-analyzed using a gravimetric silver concentrate method. A selected number of samples are also analyzed using a 48 multi-element geochemical package by a 4-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and also for mercury using an aqua regia digest with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish. Samples with sulfur reporting greater than 10% from the multi-element analysis are re-analyzed for total sulfur by Leco furnace and infrared spectroscopy. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Table 1: Eskay Creek Project 2020 Length Weighted Drill Hole Gold and Silver Composites: Hole-ID From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq (g/t) Zone Phase SK-20-430 156.03 158.00 1.97 1.75 5 1.82 21C 2 SK-20-431 ABANDONED SK-20-432 60.48 67.00 6.52 1.59 5 1.66 TM 1 SK-20-432 141.00 150.00 9.00 1.40 12 1.56 TM 1 SK-20-432 173.70 176.00 2.30 0.84 50 1.51 TM 1 SK-20-433 10.00 15.50 5.50 1.04 5 1.10 TM 1 SK-20-433 74.10 83.50 9.40 3.29 9 3.41 TM 1 including 74.10 75.50 1.40 14.10 19 14.35 TM 1 SK-20-433 122.00 129.50 7.50 1.77 5 1.84 TM 1 SK-20-433 155.00 159.00 4.00 5.30 22 5.60 TM 1 including 155.00 156.58 1.58 11.60 21 11.88 TM 1 SK-20-433 186.00 187.50 1.50 1.33 15 1.53 TM 1 SK-20-433 216.00 219.50 3.50 1.06 29 1.44 TM 1 SK-20-433 245.00 249.00 4.00 0.68 26 1.03 TM 1 SK-20-433 272.50 275.00 2.50 0.76 29 1.14 TM 1 SK-20-434 2.00 12.00 10.00 0.95 5 1.02 TM 1 SK-20-434 15.00 16.50 1.50 18.95 5 19.02 TM 1 SK-20-434 64.25 65.50 1.25 1.67 5 1.74 TM 1 SK-20-434 128.00 136.50 8.50 2.11 6 2.20 TM 1 SK-20-434 155.00 159.10 4.10 1.02 8 1.12 TM 1 SK-20-434 164.00 171.50 7.50 1.39 6 1.47 TM 1 SK-20-434 177.50 185.00 7.50 3.40 7 3.49 TM 1 including 182.00 183.00 1.00 15.15 12 15.31 TM 1 SK-20-434 192.50 194.00 1.50 1.03 5 1.10 TM 1 SK-20-443 707.00 709.00 2.00 0.94 5 1.01 21C 1 SK-20-443 743.00 744.00 1.00 0.93 5 1.00 21C 1 SK-20-446 9.50 37.00 27.50 1.95 5 2.02 22 1 SK-20-449 294.00 295.43 1.43 3.41 5 3.48 21C 1 SK-20-449 337.00 338.50 1.50 5.11 7 5.20 21C 1 SK-20-449 352.61 354.00 1.39 2.10 5 2.17 21C 1 SK-20-449 356.96 377.00 20.04 1.09 6 1.17 21C 1 SK-20-449 449.73 467.50 17.77 1.68 14 1.86 21C 1 SK-20-449 486.50 488.00 1.50 1.22 5 1.29 21C 1 SK-20-449 509.00 518.50 9.50 2.24 8 2.35 21C 1 including 518.00 518.50 0.50 13.20 13 13.37 21C 1 SK-20-451 23.00 24.00 1.00 2.67 5 2.74 22 1 SK-20-451 30.50 33.50 3.00 1.91 11 2.05 22 1 SK-20-451 80.50 88.50 8.00 0.44 289 4.29 22 1 including 87.41 88.50 1.09 0.86 797 11.49 22 1 SK-20-451 91.24 123.50 32.26 1.02 6 1.10 22 1 SK-20-453 6.00 7.00 1.00 0.51 71 1.46 22 1 SK-20-453 46.00 101.50 55.50 1.15 43 1.72 22 1 SK-20-453 119.50 122.50 3.00 1.54 12 1.70 22 1 SK-20-453 125.50 128.50 3.00 2.03 10 2.16 22 1 SK-20-453 148.00 149.00 1.00 1.33 8 1.44 22 1 SK-20-457 NSA 22 1 SK-20-458 3.00 7.50 4.50 4.48 38 4.99 22 1 SK-20-458 33.00 42.00 9.00 1.82 209 4.60 22 1 including 37.50 39.00 1.50 5.71 978 18.75 22 1 SK-20-459 0.61 8.00 7.39 6.13 5 6.20 22 1 including 0.61 2.00 1.39 19.05 <5 19.05 22 1 SK-20-460 NSA 22 1 SK-20-461 NSA 22 1 SK-20-462 1.80 9.00 7.20 2.56 12 2.72 TM 1 SK-20-462 26.00 27.00 1.00 1.36 5 1.43 TM 1 SK-20-462 29.50 32.50 3.00 1.21 7 1.30 TM 1 SK-20-462 40.00 41.50 1.50 6.37 6 6.45 TM 1 SK-20-462 56.25 60.50 4.25 2.84 5 2.91 TM 1 SK-20-462 99.00 103.50 4.50 0.96 5 1.02 TM 1 SK-20-462 109.50 112.50 3.00 1.69 5 1.76 TM 1 SK-20-463 4.00 10.00 6.00 2.18 5 2.24 TM 1 SK-20-463 23.50 29.50 6.00 3.39 6 3.47 TM 1 SK-20-463 34.00 37.00 3.00 1.11 5 1.17 TM 1 SK-20-464 4.50 12.30 7.80 3.18 7 3.27 TM 1 SK-20-464 15.50 30.00 14.50 2.02 14 2.21 TM 1 SK-20-464 36.00 37.10 1.10 1.74 9 1.86 TM 1 SK-20-465 1.20 7.50 6.30 2.58 9 2.70 TM 1 SK-20-465 47.00 50.25 3.25 0.80 15 1.01 TM 1 SK-20-465 59.00 60.50 1.50 7.70 5 7.77 TM 1 SK-20-466 5.00 15.50 10.50 4.99 5 5.05 TM 1 including 6.50 8.00 1.50 24.20 <5 24.20 TM 1 SK-20-466 29.75 32.00 2.25 1.53 11 1.68 TM 1 SK-20-467 3.00 5.50 2.50 2.06 19 2.31 TM 1 SK-20-467 12.00 19.50 7.50 2.02 5 2.09 TM 1 SK-20-467 24.00 27.00 3.00 1.10 5 1.17 TM 1 SK-20-467 62.50 64.50 2.00 1.01 6 1.09 TM 1 SK-20-467 77.50 83.50 6.00 1.90 10 2.02 TM 1 SK-20-467 95.00 97.46 2.46 1.84 10 1.98 TM 1 SK-20-469 NSA 22 1 SK-20-470 17.50 19.00 1.50 2.52 51 3.20 22 2 SK-20-470 56.50 58.00 1.50 1.07 17 1.30 22 2 SK-20-470 60.50 70.00 9.50 2.57 33 3.00 22 2 SK-20-470 85.95 100.00 14.05 1.94 70 2.88 22 2 SK-20-471 11.00 15.50 4.50 0.81 23 1.12 22 2 SK-20-471 72.50 79.00 6.50 0.71 43 1.28 22 2 SK-20-471 84.50 92.00 7.50 1.36 98 2.67 22 2 including 87.50 88.50 1.00 2.82 611 10.97 22 2 SK-20-471 95.00 105.00 10.00 1.02 16 1.24 22 2 SK-20-472 17.00 21.50 4.50 1.20 26 1.55 22 2 SK-20-472 27.50 29.00 1.50 0.11 69 1.03 22 2 SK-20-472 35.00 36.50 1.50 1.02 5 1.09 22 2 SK-20-472 83.00 88.00 5.00 1.38 5 1.44 22 2 SK-20-473 6.79 13.00 6.21 1.35 44 1.93 22 2 SK-20-473 19.00 20.50 1.50 0.58 117 2.14 22 2 SK-20-473 55.00 60.67 5.67 0.41 51 1.09 22 2 SK-20-474 78.50 80.92 2.42 0.51 44 1.10 22 2 SK-20-474 108.50 116.00 7.50 0.74 22 1.03 22 2 SK-20-474 119.00 126.50 7.50 1.01 10 1.14 22 2 SK-20-474 128.60 140.00 11.40 0.53 200 3.19 22 2 including 132.50 134.00 1.50 0.60 719 10.19 22 2 SK-20-475 37.00 56.50 19.50 1.89 14 2.07 22 2 SK-20-475 59.50 71.00 11.50 3.78 7 3.87 22 2 including 61.00 62.50 1.50 11.75 5 11.82 22 2 SK-20-475 78.50 99.50 21.00 1.62 18 1.86 22 2 SK-20-475 113.00 123.50 10.50 1.60 38 2.10 22 2 including 118.75 119.39 0.64 11.10 204 13.82 22 2 SK-20-475 131.00 145.00 14.00 1.79 134 3.57 22 2 including 136.25 136.79 0.54 7.29 607 15.38 22 2 and 136.79 137.51 0.72 5.90 635 14.37 22 2 SK-20-477 30.38 32.31 1.93 1.27 80 2.34 22 2 SK-20-478 20.50 22.00 1.50 1.14 5 1.21 22 2 SK-20-480 2.50 31.00 28.50 0.99 61 1.80 22 2 including 10.80 12.00 1.20 2.74 639 11.26 22 2 SK-20-480 51.00 53.20 2.20 1.41 10 1.53 22 2 SK-20-480 76.43 80.50 4.07 1.78 13 1.96 22 2 SK-20-480 83.80 91.00 7.20 1.22 31 1.63 22 2 SK-20-480 113.50 115.00 1.50 1.21 12 1.37 22 2 SK-20-481 1.22 27.50 26.28 3.05 221 6.00 22 2 including 8.50 9.50 1.00 12.90 27 13.26 22 2 and 16.65 18.00 1.35 7.82 724 17.47 22 2 and 18.00 19.50 1.50 3.18 2,210 32.65 22 2 SK-20-481 38.00 40.00 2.00 0.19 81 1.26 22 2 SK-20-482 227.50 242.50 15.00 2.09 7 2.18 21C 2 SK-20-483 206.38 235.73 29.35 3.23 9 3.35 21C 2 including 226.00 227.00 1.00 19.40 19 19.65 21C 2 SK-20-484 202.45 233.55 31.10 2.82 10 2.95 21C 1 SK-20-484 218.50 219.50 1.00 8.69 155 10.76 21C 1 SK-20-485 168.83 174.50 5.67 1.28 16 1.49 21C 2 SK-20-485 212.00 236.50 24.50 2.84 26 3.20 21C 2 SK-20-486 200.85 229.50 28.65 5.34 7 5.44 21C 1 including 203.00 204.35 1.35 32.60 <5 32.60 21C 1 and 204.35 205.73 1.38 23.40 5 23.47 21C 1 and 222.00 223.50 1.50 11.45 19 11.70 21C 1 SK-20-487 152.00 169.45 17.45 2.01 29 2.40 21B 2 SK-20-487 174.42 188.00 13.58 1.58 5 1.65 21B 2 SK-20-488 146.00 166.00 20.00 2.98 40 3.51 21B 2 SK-20-488 179.00 180.71 1.71 5.40 5 5.46 21B 2 SK-20-489 144.50 163.00 18.50 2.31 31 2.72 21B 2 SK-20-489 170.50 183.00 12.50 2.63 7 2.72 21B 2 SK-20-489 186.00 188.25 2.25 0.67 35 1.13 21B 2 SK-20-490 149.50 162.97 13.47 2.15 12 2.31 21B 2 including 151.50 152.15 0.65 11.45 29 11.84 21B 2 SK-20-490 166.80 176.00 9.20 1.68 6 1.76 21B 2 SK-20-491 136.25 138.81 2.56 10.88 156 12.95 21B 2 including 138.00 138.81 0.81 23.70 291 27.58 21B 2 SK-20-491 142.88 163.55 20.67 3.66 35 4.13 21B 2 SK-20-491 172.50 177.00 4.50 2.43 42 2.99 21B 2 SK-20-491 181.50 184.50 3.00 1.26 5 1.32 21B 2 SK-20-494 134.00 135.17 1.17 0.02 96 1.30 21B 2 SK-20-494 143.12 144.80 1.68 0.75 38 1.26 21B 2 SK-20-494 151.00 152.76 1.76 11.25 38 11.76 21B 2 including 152.00 152.76 0.76 22.00 65 22.87 21B 2 SK-20-494 155.40 181.11 25.71 3.65 5 3.71 21B 2 SK-20-494 185.50 190.00 4.50 1.39 5 1.46 21B 2 SK-20-497 141.89 145.40 3.51 1.41 18 1.66 21C 1 SK-20-497 176.50 183.50 7.00 1.36 6 1.44 21C 1 SK-20-498 9.50 15.00 5.50 0.26 166 2.47 22 2 SK-20-498 18.50 24.50 6.00 4.78 96 6.06 22 2 SK-20-498 35.75 46.00 10.25 0.54 52 1.23 22 2 SK-20-499 20.00 23.00 3.00 0.73 278 4.43 22 2 SK-20-500 146.05 160.55 14.50 4.44 228 7.48 22 2 including 147.00 147.60 0.60 11.20 1,115 26.07 22 2 and 147.60 148.64 1.04 26.00 1,400 44.67 22 2 and 148.64 149.50 0.86 8.41 509 15.20 22 2 SK-20-500 222.50 231.50 9.00 2.66 6 2.74 22 2 SK-20-501 104.00 107.00 3.00 1.02 13 1.19 22 1 SK-20-501 151.95 159.60 7.65 3.14 263 6.64 22 1 including 151.95 153.00 1.05 13.35 454 19.40 22 1 and 153.00 154.00 1.00 3.72 1,215 19.92 22 1 SK-20-501 167.00 170.00 3.00 1.40 5 1.47 22 1 SK-20-502 108.00 109.00 1.00 1.04 19 1.29 22 1 SK-20-502 159.59 175.00 15.41 0.84 26 1.20 22 1 SK-20-503 145.95 165.50 19.55 1.45 31 1.87 22 2 SK-20-503 173.00 175.00 2.00 1.28 5 1.35 22 2 SK-20-504 ABANDONED 22 2 SK-20-505 143.62 147.58 3.96 1.59 99 2.92 22 2 SK-20-505 155.53 162.00 6.47 1.08 7 1.17 22 2 SK-20-505 167.00 170.00 3.00 1.23 5 1.29 22 2 SK-20-506 137.58 146.35 8.77 2.31 595 10.25 22 2 including 142.84 144.08 1.24 5.04 3,350 49.71 22 2 and 144.08 145.10 1.02 1.73 878 13.44 22 2 SK-20-506 150.00 162.50 12.50 1.05 6 1.12 22 2 SK-20-506 168.50 174.05 5.55 1.16 5 1.23 22 2 SK-20-507 93.66 103.55 9.89 1.82 56 2.57 22 2 including 97.22 98.00 0.78 8.48 297 12.44 22 2 SK-20-507 145.13 155.00 9.87 12.94 503 19.65 22 2 including 146.60 148.00 1.40 65.50 2,680 101.23 22 2 and 148.00 149.00 1.00 28.30 1,090 42.83 22 2 SK-20-507 188.00 192.50 4.50 0.90 42 1.47 22 2 SK-20-507 200.00 201.50 1.50 0.05 84 1.17 22 2 SK-20-507 222.50 230.00 7.50 3.66 8 3.77 22 2 including 228.00 229.00 1.00 11.60 11 11.75 22 2 Gold Equivalent (AuEq) calculated via the formula: Au (g/t) + [Ag (g/t) / 75]. True widths range from 70-100% of reported core lengths. Apparent widths are reported for the 22 Zone due to the geometry of the mineralization and the orientation of the drill holes. Length weighted AuEq composites are constrained by geological considerations. Grade-capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length-weighted AuEq composites. Metallurgical processing recoveries have not been applied to the AuEq calculation and are taken at 100%. Samples below detection limit were nulled to a value of zero. NSA - No Significant Assays. TM - Tom MacKay. Table 2: Mine Grid Drill Hole Locations and Orientations: Hole-ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Length (m) Azimuth () Dip () SK-20-430 9,754.1 10,252.5 1,015.2 158.0 100.0 -65.0 SK-20-431 9,443.4 10,637.7 883.1 53.0 117.6 -44.7 SK-20-432 9,180.2 6,612.9 1,139.5 176.0 269.9 -58.8 SK-20-433 9,180.2 6,612.9 1,139.4 275.0 330.0 -60.0 SK-20-434 9,180.2 6,612.9 1,139.3 260.0 300.0 -67.0 SK-20-443 9,443.4 10,637.7 882.8 779.0 81.2 -50.2 SK-20-446 9,530.1 8,961.0 1,144.3 80.0 281.3 -50.0 SK-20-449 9,756.5 11,068.3 821.1 674.0 89.1 -74.2 SK-20-451 9,632.6 8,796.4 1,089.6 125.0 250.1 -53.9 SK-20-453 9,634.4 8,850.4 1,102.3 150.0 245.1 -49.0 SK-20-457 9,629.9 9,083.9 1,132.2 15.0 232.1 -46.9 SK-20-458 9,631.0 9,066.8 1,127.4 45.0 225.0 -45.0 SK-20-459 9,593.5 9,099.2 1,124.3 13.0 50.0 -70.1 SK-20-460 9,575.0 9,098.8 1,129.6 30.0 270.0 -50.1 SK-20-461 9,580.9 9,084.3 1,128.4 30.0 270.0 -50.2 SK-20-462 9,110.8 6,611.7 1,106.9 131.0 23.5 -45.8 SK-20-463 9,110.8 6,611.7 1,106.9 101.0 110.2 -45.4 SK-20-464 9,110.8 6,611.7 1,106.4 116.0 65.8 -45.2 SK-20-465 9,110.8 6,611.7 1,108.1 78.0 200.5 -45.7 SK-20-466 9,110.8 6,611.7 1,108.1 80.0 149.8 -46.0 SK-20-467 9,110.8 6,611.7 1,106.3 110.0 150.0 -89.4 SK-20-469 9,629.9 9,083.9 1,132.1 50.0 231.9 -47.0 SK-20-470 9,634.4 8,850.4 1,102.4 100.0 236.2 -56.9 SK-20-471 9,634.4 8,850.4 1,102.6 105.0 267.0 -64.0 SK-20-472 9,634.4 8,850.4 1,102.2 88.0 285.2 -61.0 SK-20-473 9,632.6 8,796.4 1,089.6 145.0 64.2 -86.1 SK-20-474 9,632.6 8,796.4 1,089.9 140.0 250.1 -76.1 SK-20-475 9,632.6 8,796.4 1,089.7 145.0 248.0 -68.1 SK-20-477 9,648.6 8,743.5 1,080.2 120.0 124.9 -74.1 SK-20-478 9,648.6 8,743.5 1,081.9 110.0 177.0 -69.0 SK-20-480 9,632.8 8,768.6 1,084.0 115.0 150.1 -80.0 SK-20-481 9,632.8 8,768.6 1,084.4 107.0 320.1 -86.1 SK-20-482 9,838.5 10,514.2 993.9 248.0 202.0 -79.9 SK-20-483 9,838.5 10,514.2 993.9 242.0 202.2 -82.9 SK-20-484 9,838.5 10,514.2 994.7 238.0 202.3 -85.9 SK-20-485 9,838.5 10,514.2 994.3 245.0 257.9 -85.2 SK-20-486 9,838.5 10,514.2 997.5 240.0 257.9 -88.1 SK-20-487 9,877.6 10,535.5 986.7 195.0 43.1 -81.9 SK-20-488 9,877.6 10,535.5 985.1 195.0 61.4 -80.4 SK-20-489 9,877.6 10,535.5 985.6 195.0 80.3 -82.9 SK-20-490 9,877.6 10,535.5 985.1 191.0 80.0 -88.1 SK-20-491 9,877.6 10,535.5 985.6 205.0 85.0 -74.0 SK-20-494 9,877.6 10,535.5 985.6 200.0 134.7 -80.1 SK-20-497 9,757.3 10,703.6 910.6 195.0 78.9 -63.1 SK-20-498 9,636.1 8,835.1 1,100.2 85.0 230.1 -56.1 SK-20-499 9,636.1 8,835.1 1,100.3 80.0 230.2 -72.1 SK-20-500 9,738.1 10,633.7 923.9 237.0 2.2 -85.2 SK-20-501 9,738.1 10,633.7 923.8 175.0 1.9 -80.0 SK-20-502 9,738.1 10,633.7 923.4 175.0 2.1 -75.8 SK-20-503 9,738.1 10,633.7 922.6 175.0 28.7 -80.7 SK-20-504 9,738.1 10,633.7 925.2 18.5 50.1 -78.8 SK-20-505 9,738.1 10,633.7 922.9 170.0 50.0 -85.1 SK-20-506 9,738.1 10,633.7 922.7 175.0 74.1 -81.0 SK-20-507 9,738.1 10,633.7 923.0 233.0 248.3 -89.9 SOURCE: Skeena Resources Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623205/Skeena-Adds-Near-Surface-Mineralization-in-22-Zone-with-600-gt-AuEq-over-2628-metres New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has attributed its success in the gram panchayat elections in Karnataka to the policies of the Modi government. Amid the lies being spread on the agricultural reform laws during these local body polls, the people and farmers in the state have given a clear message that they completely trust the Modi government, the party said. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and National Spokesperson Rajeev Chandrasekhar told mediapersons at the party headquarters on Wednesday that "The country has faced two challenges in the last 10-11 months. One is due to the coronavirus pandemic and the other is the lies, hypocrisy and u-turn politics which had started before 2019. In May 2019, BJP won 25 seats out of 28 in Karnataka with 51.38 percent vote share. The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) managed to win merely one seat each." He said, "The gram panchayat elections in rural Karnataka have also given a decisive majority to the BJP, expressing confidence in the policies of the saffron party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These local body elections took place amid the lies spread about the agrarian reform laws. Of these, 55 per cent gram panchayats are backed by the BJP and 53 per cent members are backed by the BJP." The BJP MP said that this simply indicates that the farmers of Karnataka have given a direct and clear message that they have full faith in Modi ji's vision and the schemes run by the Central government for the benefit of the farmers in the last few years. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The University of Ibadan on Tuesday cleared Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State of certificate forgery allegation levelled against him by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Deputy Chief Registrar, Legal, of the university, Abayomi Ajayi, appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday on a subpoena and confirmed the authenticity of the copy of the first-degree certificate tendered by Mr Obaseki to back his qualification for the September 2020 governorship election in Edo State. The APC and one of its members, Williams Edobor, in their suit had accused Mr Obaseki of forging his Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies certificate which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission in support of his nomination as a candidate in the Edo State governorship election. The plaintiffs specifically prayed for the disqualification of Mr Obaseki as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s candidate in the election on the grounds of certificate forgery. The governor opened his defence in the case on Tuesday with his legal team led by Ken Mozia, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, having Mr Ajayi, a representative of UI, summoned to testify as the second defence witness. Mr Ajayi maintained that from the university records, Mr Obaseki was admitted as a student in 1976 through direct entry. He said the governor graduated in 1979 during the tenure of Professor Tekena Tamuno as Vice-Chancellor and S.J Okudu as the institutions registrar. He explained that the absence of the university registrars signature and date of issue of the certificate on the copy submitted to INEC by Mr Obaseki was because it was not properly photocopied. He maintained that it was possible to have the signature at the bottom of the original certificate containing the registrars signature, date of issue and part of the Vice Chancellors signature cut off if a photocopy was not properly done. I will not regard the photocopy as forged, but incomplete photocopy, because the certificate issued by the university is larger than the paper size on which the photocopy was done, and in the process the date of issue and the signature of the Registrar S. J. Okudu were cut off. Also, the last part of the signature of Prof Tekena Tamuno, the then VC, was cut off, the witness said while responding to a question from PDPs lawyer, Razak Isenalumhe He said, amid the controversies surrounding the authenticity of the certificate submitted by Mr Obaseki, the Minister of State for Education had in November 2020 sent a copy of the disputed document to the university authorities for verification. The witness said, I am not seeing these documents for the first time. The Minister of State for Education had sent the documents to the university in November for confirmation, we demonstrated it by making a photocopy with an A4 paper and the same result was what we got. He said the university was able to demonstrate the authenticity of Obasekis certificate by photocopying the A3 and A5 paper sizes, as well as a reduced format of a similar certificate in Classical Studies issued to Issac Adekeye Abiona. According to him, the university used Mr Abionas certificate to demonstrate the case at the time because it had no access to Mr Obasekis original certificate. Various documents, including relevant pages of the University of Ibadan calendar for 1976, admission brochure for degrees, award of diplomas and certificates and Mr Obasekis application for admission and another one for collection of his certificate from the university, were tendered by the witness and admitted as exhibits by the court. Earlier, Mr Obaskeis first witness, Charity Aiguobarueghian, who introduced himself as an advisor to the governor, testified that he was the one who made the photocopy of the original certificate being disputed by the APC. He noted that the photocopy attached to form EC9 submitted to INEC had some part of it cut off because the document was larger than the paper on which it was photocopied. He also tendered original copies of Mr Obasekis academic certificates, including the one being disputed by the APC. ADVERTISEMENT The documents, which comprised the primary school certificate obtained by Mr Obaseki in 1971, his School Certificate obtained in 1973, the Higher School Certificate obtained in 1971, the University of Ibadan degree certificate obtained in 1979 and his certificate of Masters degree from Pace University, were admitted by the court as exhibits. The judge, Ahmed Mohammed, fixed Wednesday for the continuation of hearing. We believe Turbo Tint will revolutionize the automotive window tinting industry and presents an outstanding franchise opportunity for those wanting a solid opportunity in a growing industry that is really different than the competition, said Peter Baldine, President of Moran Family of Brands. Moran Family of Brands, one of the nations leading franchises of general automotive repair, transmission repair, window tint and vehicle paint protection services, announced the addition of its newest company brand, Turbo Tint. Turbo Tint specializes in automotive window tint services. Under the brands concept, customers can purchase a tint package and schedule an appointment online. When they arrive for service, they will only need to select their desired shade of window film. The entire installation process is completed in one hour or less. In addition to automotive window tinting, Turbo Tint locations will also offer architectural window tinting solutions and paint protection services. Window tint options are available for residential or commercial buildings with the benefits of lower energy costs, excellent UV protection and increased comfort by preventing exposure to sunlight throughout the year. Paint protection services apply a thin protective film to maintain the condition of a vehicles exterior from damage due to scratches, chips, rust, fading and abrasion from rocks, pebbles and debris from the road. The first Turbo Tint location opened in Oklahoma City, OK in October. It is owned by longtime Moran Family of Brands franchisee Greg Goodman, along with his son, Chandler, who converted their Alta Mere store to Turbo Tint. The Goodmans created the quick-installation, online purchasing and scheduling concept and worked with Moran executives to develop a new franchise brand. The online ordering system was tested for a year and a half and proved to be extremely successful. When Goodmans Alta Mere store was forced to close for all but three days in April due to the early stages of the pandemic, it took orders exclusively online. The store sold 250 window tint orders and increased sales by more than $10,000 over the previous April despite being closed for nearly the entire month. We are extremely excited to launch our new Turbo Tint brand and we believe it will revolutionize the automotive window tinting industry, said Peter Baldine, President of Moran Family of Brands. Greg Goodman has been one of our most successful franchisees and it was a wonderful experience in collaborating with him on this new concept. His store has already been very successful, and we know the Turbo Tint system presents an outstanding franchise opportunity for those wanting a solid opportunity in a growing industry that is really different than the competition. All Turbo Tint locations will feature a modern and spacious customer waiting area featuring oversized leather chairs, flatscreen TVs and computer workstations with free Wi-Fi in front of a cozy fireplace setting. While waiting for their tint installation, customers can enjoy complimentary premium coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks. One of the primary goals of creating Turbo Tint was to enhance the customer experience and give them exactly what they want, said Goodman. We made the ordering and purchasing process seamless and convenient through our website. Customers will be able to wait for their vehicles and know they will get the tint installation completed within an hour. While they are waiting, they will enjoy all the comforts of home with our customer waiting experience. Weve had a great response so far and feel that this concept is a game-changer for the automotive window tinting industry. The Goodmans have plans to open their second Turbo Tint location in Oklahoma City in the first half of 2021. Moran Family of Brands has already awarded franchise agreements for up to 11 new locations in Florida. Goodman and his staff will provide training for new franchisees and installers at the Turbo Tint store in Oklahoma City. ### About Moran Family of Brands: Moran Family of Brands is one of the nations leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair, automotive accessories, and window tint and paint protection services. Based in Midlothian, Illinois, Moran Family of Brands provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket through four individual brands and a total of more than 120 franchise locations nationwide including: Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, Alta Mere The Automotive Outfitters, and SmartView Window Solutions. For more information on Moran Family of Brands visit http://www.moranfamilyofbrands.com. DANBURY U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal didnt drop by Mothership on Main for the avocado toast or the Red Hot Mama a breakfast wrap with short ribs, sweet potatoes, gruyere cheese and hot sauce. Blumenthal was interested how the downtown Danbury eatery was surviving the 11th month of the coronavirus pandemic, and whether a new round of federal COVID-19 relief for small businesses known as the Paycheck Protection Program would make a difference. Aerial photo shows a China-Europe freight train bound for Duisburg of Germany departing from Tuanjiecun Railway Station in southwest China's Chongqing, Jan. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Tang Yi) BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Since China made the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt a national strategy, the country has shown firm determination in enhancing the ecological protection of its "mother river" and facilitating green, sustainable and high-quality development. The sprawling economic belt covers 11 provinces and municipalities from west to east, with Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Chongqing in the upper reaches, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi at the center, and Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai in the lower reaches. TOP LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINT Five years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting on the Yangtze River Economic Belt in the Chongqing Municipality, which unveiled a new chapter for the ecological conservation and green development of the region. The status and role of the river and economic belt mean development must prioritize ecology and green development to respect natural, economic and social rules, said Xi. Two years later at a symposium held in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Xi stressed the importance of achieving high-quality economic growth through the development of the economic belt. "In developing the economic belt, the key lies in properly dealing with the relationships between pressing ahead on the whole and making breakthroughs in key areas, between ecological environment protection and economic development, between making an overall plan and making unremitting efforts, between getting rid of old growth engines and cultivating new engines, and between developing individually and developing in a coordinated way," he said. At a symposium he chaired last November in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Xi said that provinces and municipalities along the Yangtze River should find their respective positions in the new "dual circulation" development pattern and take the initiative to open up their markets to the world. UNREMITTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS Over the past five years, transitional changes have taken place in the ecological and environmental protection of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. A total of 8,091 chemical enterprises have been relocated, transformed or suspended along the economic belt in the past five years. In the first 10 months of last year, over 86.1 percent of the region's water met a level-three standard or above, rising 12.8 percentage points from 2016, official data shows. China classifies water quality into six levels, from level one, which is suitable for drinking after minimal treatment, to level six, which is severely polluted. The country's top legislature adopted a law at the end of last year on Yangtze River conservation, which will take effect on March 1, 2021. As China's first legislation for a specific river basin, the law was formulated to strengthen the protection and restoration of the ecological environment of the Yangtze River basin, facilitate the effective and rational use of resources, safeguard ecological security, ensure harmony between humans and nature, and achieve sustainable development. A 10-year fishing ban, effective from Jan. 1, covers all key waters of the Yangtze River. The move will help the country's longest waterway recover from dwindling aquatic resources and degrading biodiversity. A fishing ban in 332 conservation areas along the river has been in place since the beginning of 2020. Photo taken on Jan. 1, 2021 shows the Three Gorges Dam in central China's Hubei Province. (Photo by Xiang Hongmei/Xinhua) GREEN DEVELOPMENT Practices undertaken by China have shown that development and environmental protection are not contradictory but complementary. The Yangtze River Economic Belt generated 46.6 percent of the country's GDP in the first three quarters of 2020. In terms of innovation, the country has promoted the development of national strategic emerging industrial clusters and advanced manufacturing clusters, as well as the transformation and upgrading of heavy chemical industries along the Yangtze River, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). More support will be offered for Wuhan, the island of Chongming in Shanghai, and Guangyang Isle in Chongqing to demonstrate green development, said the NDRC. Three "poles of economic growth" have been formed along the river: the delta, city clusters along the central course, and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, located in the upper reaches. The Yangtze River is China's most vital domestic waterway, but it also has global importance. It is one of the busiest inland rivers for freight traffic worldwide, with the total goods trade of 11 provincial-level regions along the river hitting 12.7 trillion yuan (about 1.96 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first 11 months of last year, official data shows. Authorities have vowed to continue improving the river's traffic capacity, promote innovation and industrial upgrading, boost urbanization, advance opening up, and establish a modern market economy. Press Release January 6, 2021 NANCY TWEETS WISH FOR 2021: RESPECT LAWS, BRING BACK PINOY VALUES, VALUE LIFE On the second work day of the new year, Sen Nancy Binay took a moment to share on Twitter her three wishes for everyone to take to heart in 2021. Binay in explaining her tweet: "Tuwing pumapasok ang bagong taon, 'di ba mayroon tayong kani-kaniyang New Year's wish or resolution na kadalasa'y personal? Sana for 2021, and hopefully in the years to come, why not make a personal commitment that would bring meaningful change in the way we think, speak and act--as Filipinos." "Walang katiyakan na mas magiging magaan ang 2021, pero mas magiging makabuluhan ito kung sisikapin nating iwasto ang mga naging pagkakamali sa mga nagdaang taon, at muling ibalik ang pundasyon ng paniwala at tiwala ng tao sa lipunan." She noted that despite the politics that seemed to have polarized the people, Filipinos can still be united in a selfless patriotic act in the pursuit of a common good. "Sana all---ang first wish ko ay ibalik natin ang pagsunod sa tamang proseso at pagrespeto sa batas. As a nation, let's make a commitment in following the rules no matter how unusual they may seem. Yung pangalawa, let's help bring back time-honored Filipino values like palabra de honor and delicadeza. At ang pinaka-importante, bigyan natin ng pagpapahalaga ang buhay ng tao," Binay pointed out. She added that the new year gives us hope, and a time for recovery, healing and renewal. "As we strive to fully adjust to the new normal, I cannot stress enough how important it is to follow laws, policies, regulations--walang shortcut. Wag na nating gayahin yung ibang harap-harapang sinusuway ang batas, who are beyond reproach and reckoning, and who brags in a way saying that they are above the law. Sadly, there are those who openly display contempt, and justify a wrong as long as it suits their purpose. Diyan nagsisimula ang lahat ng problema pag binabaluktot ang tuwid na sistema," she noted. Binay said she hopes the year 2021 would also bring back and promote time-honored Filipino values like palabra de honor, delicadeza, and other Pinoy values such as bayanihan, pagka-makatao and pagka-maka-Diyos. "In school, we used to be concerned with character-centered virtues. But perhaps the first step of the journey to healing a pained nation is bringing back socially-centered values that used to be our foundation as a people," she added. More importantly, Binay wished that everyone be reminded of the value of human life. "Mahalaga ang bawat buhay. Itigil na ang patayan. How can you inspire change if our idea of change is eliminating life? The laws are there to protect people's lives--not endanger them. "This 2021, let's take some small steps towards bringing back our essential values as a nation of laws, and hopefully set the foundation for more meaningful change in the years ahead," she said. In an earlier statement, Binay said the new year is a chance to reset and refocus despite the uncertainties ahead. "As we start to face the challenges of the new normal, let us seek the Lord's guidance that we may be given the strength in the years to follow as we strive to come out better collectively -- as a family, as a nation," the senator said. A 43-year-old New Jersey man was drunk when he crashed a utility terrain vehicle into a lake at a private former mining site, killing another occupant of the UTV, authorities said. Stephen J. McGuire, of Howell, was charged with vehicular homicide Tuesday after a test showed he had a blood alcohol content of .127 on the night of the Dec. 12 crash at Heritage Minerals Mine in Manchester, according the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. The legal limit is .08. James Grover, 62, of Howell, was still attached to the UTV a larger version of an all-terrain vehicle that can hold multiple people by his safety harness when divers found it overturned and submerged in 25 feet of water. Grover was pronounced dead at the scene. McGuire and three minors in the UTV survived the crash, which took place around 8:30 p.m. None had to be hospitalized, though McGuire was brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River to have his blood drawn. McGuire was also charged Tuesday with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal trespass. In addition, he was issued two summonses for driving while intoxicated and one for reckless driving. He was arrested at his home Tuesday and brought to the Ocean County jail ahead of a detention hearing. It wasnt immediately clear if McGuire had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Mining ceased at the private 7,000-acre property in the early 1980s. It has multiple bodies of water referred to as lakes, though technically all are classified as groundwater aquifers. In warning about possible safety hazards, police previous said that the site was so deeply mined that that, unlike with naturally occurring lakes, the aquifers at the mining property lack stable bottoms and shore lines. There are drop-offs greater than 60 feet and the largest of the bodies of water is up to 300 feet deep. NJ Advance Media staff writer Rob Jennings contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Its factory is located in the Guangming District, ShenZhen, a city with a robust economy and convenient transportation. The factory covers an area of 8,548 square meters, employs more than 210 people and has obtained the ISO9001:2015 and ISO 13485 quality management system certificate. The adoption of the ERP management system further enhances the management of the company. The company develops more than 10 new items every year based on market trends and customer demands. As such, customer complaint rate is low. The products are exported to Europe, America, Australia, Middle East, Japan, South Korea and other countries. Hongwang Nicemay adheres to a people-oriented philosophy and strives to build long-term relationships with its customers, with the mission of producing products that provide practical value as well as a beautiful appearance. Any inquiries about Hongwang Nicemay, please contact: Lancy Wu Sales Manager Tel: 86-13923749005 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nicemay.com About Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week The first-ever edition of Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week has concluded successfully, creating copious business opportunities for the world's companies and operators looking for new business solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. 652 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions took part in the event. 8,953 visitors from 115 countries and regions registered on the platform in order to virtually network, learn about current and upcoming trends. Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week offered a vital virtual business arena for the whole beauty industry while we are all waiting to meet again in Hong Kong in November 2021 for Cosmoprof Asia. Stay tuned for updates. SOURCE Cosmoprof Asia The Union ministry of health and family welfare has deployed multi-disciplinary teams to states affected by the Avian Influenza as a precautionary measure, officials said on Wednesday. The Union health ministry said in a statement that the teams have been deployed in Haryanas Panchkula district and in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala. The two multi-disciplinary teams comprising experts from National Center for Disease Control, National Institute of Virology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, have been deployed to the affected districts by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 4th January 2021 to assist the State Health Departments in implementing Ministry of Health & Family Welfares Avian Influenza containment plan, the statement said. Directions have already been issued to states in this regard, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said. The steps taken by the ministry are precautionary as no cases of the flu have been detected in humans so far. So far, no human case of Avian Influenza has been reported. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare continues to keep a strict watch over the evolving scenario, the ministry statement read. The Additional Director General (Wildlife) at Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Soumitra Dasgupta said that the states have been asked to report to the centre any new cases of the flu. We have mainly received large number of positive H5N1 cases in Himachal Pradesh. Sporadic cases in poultry have been reported from parts of Kerala, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Reports are coming in everyday. In HP, the virus has been found in large number of bar-headed geese. All chief secretaries and chief wildlife wardens have been alerted and asked to send reports immediately, Dasgupta said. The department of animal husbandry on January 4 notified the detection of Avian Influenza (H5N8) in samples of ducks found dead in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala. A similar report of the bird flu was received from poultry samples from Haryanas Panchkula district, following which the health ministry called a meeting of experts to monitor the situation. First set of high level team was sent to the affected states on January 4. Other states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, have similarly reported incidence of the avian influenza, involving crows and migratory birds. According to protocol, the department of animal husbandry has issued alerts to further intensify surveillance to detect any cases in poultry birds. The environment ministry had written to chief secretaries of all states on Tuesday directing them to constitute state level monitoring committees for the outbreak. New Delhi, Jan 6 : As the news of Jack Ma, one of the most prominent billionaire business tycoons in China and co-founder of Alibaba Group going missing shocked the world, this action serves as a message to all its citizens and people around the world that it will have no tolerance for its critics. This incident took place within months of property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang being sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment. Experts said that this would lead to an environment of extreme uncertainty for the business community as well as citizens at large. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who took charge in 2013, brought in new laws facilitating arbitrary and secret detentions on grounds of national security. Ma, once the country's poster boy and a vociferous critic of the Chinese government, had come under the glare of the authorities. Subsequently, Ant Group, an affiliate company of the Alibaba Group was barred from launching its initial public offering (IPO) -- barely two days before it was slated to hit the market. "Ma had become too big and was getting more and more independent. Though China has created a conducive business environment, it essentially needs managers and not entrepreneurs. If this can happen to Ma, who is no ordinary person, then this can happen to anybody. The larger message for businesses is that they need to exercise extreme caution," Shakti Sinha, director, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International Studies, MS University told IndiaNarrative.com. The former bureaucrat added that this will lead to uncertainty among the people. Earlier, Chinese actor Fan Bingbing was detained by authorities over alleged tax evasion. The list of China's missing people is long. Even as "high-profile disappearances" have become common in China "countries are reluctant to call Beijing out because of potential consequences," the Australian news platform the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as ABC wrote. Michael Caster, human rights advocate and a China researcher also told the news platform that the actual numbers of missing people were difficult to ascertain due to the secrecy process but they could be several hundreds. According to Caster, as published in ABP, detention could be "for a few weeks, months or much longer. Occasionally they don't come back at all." "At home, the Chinese Communist Party, worried that permitting political freedom would jeopardize its grasp on power, has constructed an Orwellian high-tech surveillance state and a sophisticated internet censorship system to monitor and suppress public criticism. Abroad, it uses its growing economic clout to silence critics and to carry out the most intense attack on the global system for enforcing human rights since that system began to emerge in the mid-20th century," the Human Rights Watch noted. As a person, Ma - a former English language teacher - is the only true visionary China has produced in the technology sector, wrote the Nikkei Asia. "Driven, intense and aggressive, he is far more charismatic than the founders of other technology companies, with an ability to charm almost everyone he meets - including top bankers at Goldman Sachs, who were early backers of the young Alibaba," the article noted. But it also spotlighted some of Ma's enfeeblements. "...Ma is also more flawed than his counterparts, in ways that have sometimes created risks to Alibaba's progress. For Ma, competition is intensely personal. People who have dealt with him say he has often behaved in undiplomatic and provocative ways, and his relationship with the communist government is uneasy," Nikkei said. Eventually, for all his accomplishments, Ma paid the price of not overcoming the contradiction between his spontaneity and the colourless nothing-of-the -line culture of the CPC. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transactions with as many as eight Chinese applications, the White House said on Tuesday. The move could escalate tensions with Beijing just before President Trump vacates office. A senior official told Reuters that the move will likely curb the threat posed to Americans by Chinese software applications, which have a large user base and also have access to sensitive data. The order tasks the Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive and targets Tencent Holdings Ltd`s QQ Wallet, including Ant Group`s Alipay and WeChat Pay as well. The order reads: "By accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information." It further read, "would permit China to track the locations of federal employees and contractors, and build dossiers of personal information." The order says: "... The United States must take aggressive action against those who develop or control Chinese connected software applications to protect our national security." The order gives Commerce Department 45 days to identify prohibited transactions and take suitable action but the department plans to act before January 20 which is when Trump leaves office. The order signed by Trump also names CamScanner, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate and WPS Office. Last month, the Commerce Department added dozens of Chinese companies, including the countrys top chipmaker SMIC and Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. Also last month the administration published a list of Chinese and Russian companies with alleged military ties that restrict them from buying a range of US goods and technology. In November, the administration put on hold an effort to blacklist Ant Group, the Chinese financial technology company affiliated with e-commerce giant Alibaba. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... A major pipeline to transport natural gas out of the Permian Basin to market went into service at the start of 2021, as the fossil fuel markets continued to show gradual signs of recovery from an historic collapse last spring created by the COVID-19 health crisis. The Permian Highway Pipeline, owned by Kinder Morgan, went into full service on Jan. 1, delivering natural gas from the Waha Hub on the Texas side of the Permian to Katy, Texas near Houston with connections to the refinery and export markets on the Gulf Coast. The pipeline was in operation for several weeks ahead of full commercial service while capacity was being commissioned by shippers. More: Hearings begin on New Mexicos proposed oil and gas methane venting and flaring rules ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Fully subscribed, the Permian Highway Pipeline brought about 2.1 billion cubic feet per day of transport capacity for natural gas, which could improve takeaway in the region known as one the U.S. and the worlds most prolific shale plays and see a reduction in releasing excess gas through venting or flaring. Kinder Morga Natural Gas Midstream President Sital Mody said the projects completion would provide an economic boon for Texas and the Permian Basin region which straddles West Texas and southeast New Mexico, as the basin continues to provide vast fossil fuel resources in the coming decades. We are extremely pleased to have placed (the Permian Highway Pipeline) in service. We are very proud of our teams ability to execute and that we were able to complete this critical infrastructure project in the midst of a global pandemic, Mody said. (Permian Highway Pipeline) will continue to provide environmental benefits and economic value to the State of Texas for many years to come. More: New Mexico oil and gas industry condemns Deb Haaland nomination as secretary of interior He said once the COVID-19 health crisis subsides and the fossil fuel market stabilizes, the pipeline will allow the company and other operators to capitalize on any future booms in production. We believe that the Permian Basin will remain an important supply basin for decades, and our strong network of pipelines provides the ability to connect this supply to critical markets along the Gulf Coast, Mody said. Craig Stevens, spokesman for Grow Americas Infrastructure Now (GAIN), a national infrastructure development coalition including business leaders and trade associations, commended Kinder Morgan for completing the project and its ability to reduce the releases of natural gas. More: New Mexico tracking, reporting oil and gas pollution via mobile app on iPhone, Android The GAIN Coalition applauds Kinder Morgan for completing the Permian Highway Pipeline and investing in our nations energy future, he said. This pipeline will be instrumental in helping to meet Texass goals of reducing flaring and increasing consumer access to reliable, affordable domestically-produced natural gas, all while bolstering American national and economic security. But the project wasnt without controversy as 430-mile pipeline was built, running through Texas Hill Country and spilling 36,000 gallons of drilling fluid in the Blanco River. More: Environmental groups call for tougher state methane restrictions on oil and gas operations Local leaders and landowners in Hays County opposed the project and it was rerouted around the area. Music stars Willie Nelson and Paul Simon also voiced opposition to the project in a Houston Chronicle editorial. On Monday, the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA), a regional environmental group, announced it settled a lawsuit with Kinder Morgan to move the pipeline route about two miles to avoid crossing the Blanco River and that it would only use dry bore drilling methods were allowed along the line to avoid damage to porous limestone in the area. We decided to settle because we believed we had realized all the positive results we could obtain, read a statement from TESPA. As a result of the resolution of the TESPA lawsuit against Kinder Morgan/Permian Highway Pipeline, a number of notable accomplishments were obtained. More: Federal government looks to open up dunes sagebrush lizard habitat to oil and gas Concerns for the safety of the pipeline remained despite the reroute, as environmentalists worried Kinder Morgan had shown an inability to build and operate safely. After multiple accidents and spills, Kinder Morgan is picking up and trying to build along a new route, leaving an enormous amount of damage in its wake and putting a whole new group of landowners at risk, said Sierra Club Campaign Representative Roddy Hughes. Kinder Morgan has made it clear that, regardless of the route it takes, it cannot be trusted to safely build the Permian Highway Pipeline through Hill Country. More: Oil and gas market decimated by COVID-19 in 2020, production poised for recovery next year Meanwhile, Summit Midstream applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday for a permit to construct the Double E Pipeline, a 135 mile natural gas line starting in Eddy County and connecting to Waha in West Texas. Double E would have a capacity of about 1.4 billion cubic feet per day of gas transport and was intended to connect the Permian Basins natural gas supply with markets in Mexico and the Gulf Coast. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Permian Basin natural gas pipeline goes into service, connects to markets on Gulf Coast ___ (c)2021 the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) Visit the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) at www.currentargus.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Bill de Blasio on Wednesday clashed with Andrew Cuomo over the slow pace of vaccinations across New York state. The New York City mayor announced a plan earlier in the day to offer coronavirus vaccines to most NYPD police officers. An hour later the governor said many cops are not yet eligible for the shot. 'Police who are not health care workers are not yet eligible,' Cuomo said. 'We need to get the health care population done first because they are the front line, as I mentioned before.' Under state guidelines set by Cuomo, healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff were the first groups eligible to receive shots when the vaccination campaign started three weeks ago. De Blasio appeared to take a swipe at Cuomo earlier Wednesday, telling reporters the priority criteria needs to be urgently expanded so those aged over 75 and all essential workers can be vaccinated. Just 130,000 NYC residents have received vaccines across since the first vaccine was first approved for use. The mayor says the city hoped to offer the vaccines to 25,000 officers and to provide shots to 10,000 by Sunday. Revised guidelines released by the state Tuesday do not explicitly say that police officers can now be vaccinated, but a de Blasio spokesperson said city officials had been told they could include police, and also correction officers, as front-line workers who are eligible for the shots. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan Wednesday to offer COVID-19 vaccines to most city police officers, only to have Gov. Andrew Cuomo say an hour later that the officers arent yet eligible for them Cuomo said at his own briefing an hour later that most members of the New York Police Department dont qualify for vaccinations yet under the states guidelines De Blasio, who has repeatedly sparred with Cuomo over slow vaccine administration, said: 'The way out of this pandemic is to vaccinate and we need the freedom to vaccinate,' he said. 'Let's get to all essential workers - whether you work in a grocery store, food service or you're a police officer or a firefighter or an educator, we need to reach all those essential workers as quickly as possible. We are looking for that freedom. 'This city needs the freedom to vaccinate the highest number of people possible and the most high priority people possible - that's true in cities, towns and counties all over New York state.' Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Wednesday urged states to ramp up vaccinations by moving quickly through priority lists. The White House COVID-19 task force is debating telling governors to abandon their rollout plans and hand out shots to anyone in a bid to vaccinate as many as possible. The sluggish pace is frustrating both health officials and desperate Americans as states scramble to hand out vaccinations amid widespread rollout failures that have been blamed on governors setting complex priorities, chaos in distribution given the freezing temperatures of the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the lack of staff to administer jabs in overwhelmed healthcare systems. Dr. Scott Asnis, a dentist, receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination distribution center set up by Northwell Health and Nassau County at Nassau County Community College, Tuesday Revised guidelines released by the state Tuesday do not explicitly say that police officers can now be vaccinated, but a de Blasio spokesperson said city officials had been told they could include police, and also correction officers, as front-line workers who are eligible for the shots People line up at Nassau County's first COVID-19 vaccination distribution site Tuesday But Cuomo immediately shot de Blasio's idea, saying, 'We need to get the health care population done first because they are the front line.' Cuomo is trying to vaccinate health care workers in New York before moving onto the next round of vaccinations, which will be open to essential workers and individuals over age 75. The governor said Wednesday New York state has only received 950,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine - but needs more than 2.1 million shots to be able to innoculate everyone in nursing homes and hospital staff. Hes facing pushback against local officials calling for vaccines soon for teachers and first responders, including police and firefighters. The New York Police Department has about 35,000 uniformed members, but only about 25,000 hold public-facing jobs. A smaller number are emergency service officers who might be considered vaccine-eligible front-line workers under Cuomos rules. The pace of vaccinations had been so slow in New York that Cuomo on Monday threatened to fine hospitals up to $100,000 if they don't finish their first round of inoculations by the end of the week. He also threatened to stop sending the vaccine to hospitals that don't use their share promptly. 'Move it quickly. We're serious,' Cuomo warned. 'If you don't want to be fined, just don't participate in the program. It's not a mandatory program.' Cuomo said on Wednesday that the rate among hospital staff statewide has tripled to 30,000 inoculations per day since Monday. 'Give them the freedom to vaccinate and they will vaccinate thousands, then tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, then millions,' de Blasio said. 'What they don't need is to be shamed. What they don't need is more bureaucracy. What they don't need is a threat of fines.' De Blasio says the city is now ramping up its 'vaccine hubs' and will have 15 locations by January 16, including five 'mega sites'. The sites will have the capacity to vaccinate 100,000 New Yorkers a week. The ambitious goal comes as the city administered roughly 10,000 shots on Tuesday, according to the most recent data. As of Wednesday, more than three weeks into the U.S. vaccination campaign, 5.3 million people had gotten their first shot out of 17 million doses distributed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While that is believed to an undercount because of a lag in reporting, health officials are still well behind where they wanted to be. The slow rollout has been blamed on a multitude of problems, including a lack of funding and direction from Washington, mismatches between supply and demand, a patchwork of approaches by state and local governments, distrust of the vaccine, and disarray created by the holidays. The U.S. death toll, meanwhile, has climbed past 359,000. COVID-19 deaths set another one-day record at 3,775 on Tuesday. Superior technology used to trace COVID-19 in NSW has become redundant overnight in some businesses after the state government enforced its own QR code. The new requirement proved a waste of money for Fay Thompson from Lake Macquarie Tavern who earlier invested in one service which provided facial recognition technology among other advanced settings. She said the NSW QR code did not satisfy her business requirements. Superior technology used to trace COVID-19 in NSW has become redundant overnight in some businesses (pictured: Shopper scans QR code at The Corso in Manly on January 3) But from January 1 all similar venues must use the Service NSW QR code or be slugged with a $5000 fine (Pictured: Shopper and retail worker wearing face masks in Sydney) 'It's not real good for our customers, we do have an aging population and our hotel is in amongst a housing commission area so most people don't have smartphones and they can't save their details,' Ms Thompson told AAP. 'I don't believe the NSW government considered all businesses, it's OK if you're located within a good wifi area but we are in a pocket where there is not good reception and some people's phones can't log in.' Ms Thompson had previously invested thousands in a Coolgard system developed by Australian company Pulse, which also took customers' temperatures. But from January 1 all similar venues must use the Service NSW QR code or be slugged with a $5000 fine. Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the move in a bid to assist contact tracers who were 'working 24/7' after some inaccuracies were reported in the data. Melanie Williamson who thought up the Coolgard idea while in lockdown says the NSW government should urgently rethink its decision after failing to consult with tech businesses already in the market. 'NSW could easily access the data we collect, it takes just four hours for us to pack up the data port and give it all to them,' Ms Williamson told AAP. She said the government could effortlessly incorporate Coolgard's data and other companies by issuing them all a unique tracing code. Ms Williamson agreed the government needed to wipe out some contact tracing methods which proved useless. 'A whole lot of people made bad apps overnight and went around selling them to restaurants with no back-end support, and a lot of these have failed.' Businesses have called on the government to consult with them about QR codes and systems in place (Pictured: Woman scans code upon entering a restaurant in Sydney) Ben Richardson, who created Covid Comply which is used across 5000 Australian venues, said for 90 per cent of businesses the state-based tracing method made sense. But for larger venues with multiple entry points and numerous levels, the simple solution was not adequate. Covid Comply can trace people's movements within a building. 'I'm worried about places like hospitals and critical facilities that have much more stringent COVID-19 safety requirements, for them to be forced onto these very simplistic systems is a massive oversight.' While aged-care facilities are exempt from using the Service NSW QR code, Maroba Aged Care chief executive Viv Allanson is worried they may be swept up into the system. Before using the Coolgard system Ms Allanson and her staff had to print out the updated COVID-19 hotspots every day. Now she can simply input the targetted suburbs into one system which streamlines visitors into the facility. 'For us it's a superior product for aged care and we hope that it won't be interfered with so we can keep using it,' Ms Allanson told AAP. The government has not ruled out venues using both its own QR code and a private solution, but Ms Allanson could not envisage that working. 'If you are using both systems you get more irritated families who are busting their chops to get in and are already confident with the system we use now.' A New Year's Wish - Let's remove Israel from American politics By Philip Giraldi January 05, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - - There has been one good thing about the COVID-19 virus for the first time many among the general public are beginning to ask why a rich country like Israel should be getting billions of dollars from the United States taxpayer at a time when many Americans are struggling. Inevitably, of course, the press coverage of the questions being asked about the cash flow failed to discuss the real magnitude of the aid, trade concessions, co-production projects and dicey charitable contributions that our federal and many state governments shower on the Jewish state, which easily exceed $10 billion per year. During his 2016 campaign Donald Trump swore that he would be the best friend that Israel has ever had in the White House, a pledge that some of us viewed skeptically as Trump was also committed to bringing the troops home from useless wars in Asia, most of whom were in the Middle East supporting Israeli interests. More recently Trump admitted that America was in the Middle East to protect Israel and he has indeed proven to be the great benefactor he promised to be in responding fully to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus wish list. Trump has increased tension dramatically with Iran, moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, has recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Syrian Golan Heights, and has basically given Israel the green light to do whatever it wants on the Palestinian West Bank, including getting rid of the Palestinians. And as all that has played out the Israelis have attacked and killed thousands of civilians in Gaza, Syria and the West Bank with impunity, protected by the U.S. veto in the U.N. Security Council against any consequences for their actions while a subservient Congress gives Netanyahu twenty-eight standing ovations and bleats that Israel has a right to defend itself. Trump has made the United States completely complicit in Israeli war crimes and has committed a few of its own to include the widely condemned assassination of the senior Iranian official Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad one year ago. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Israel more-or-less openly admits that it controls the actions of the United States in its region, its leaders having boasted how the U.S. federal government is easily moved when it comes up against the Israeli Lobby. Nor is there any real secret to how the Lobby uses money to buy access and then exploits that access to obtain real power, which is then used to employ all the resources of the U.S. government in support of the Jewish state. The top donor to the Democratic Party, Israeli-American Haim Saban has stated that he is a one issue guy and that issue is Israel. This single-minded focus to promote Israels interests at the expense of those of the United States makes the Israel Lobby the most formidable foreign policy lobby in Washington and it recalls the warning once issued by George Washington in his Farewell Address, where he stated that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded, and that in place of them just and amicable feelings toward all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges toward another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. The complete contempt that the Israelis and Israeli supporters in the U.S. have for other Americans and their interests was on full display last week when convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard flew home, meeting Netanyahu as he disembarked from a private plane that had departed from Newark New Jersey before being given a heros welcome. Pollard is the most damaging spy in American history, having stolen the keys to accessing U.S. communications and information gathering systems. He was an unlikely candidate to become a U.S. Navy intelligence analyst, and one review board determined that he had been hired in the first place under pressure from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). A month after Pollards arrest in 1985, C.I.A director William Casey stated: The Israelis used Pollard to obtain our war plans against the USSR all of it: the co-ordinates, the firing locations, the sequences, and Israel sold that information to Moscow for more exit visas for Soviet Jews. According to a C.I.A. after-the fact-damage assessment Pollards operation has few parallels among known U.S. espionage cases. his first and possibly largest delivery occurred on 23 January [1984] and consisted of five suitcases-full of classified material. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger wrote a forty-six page review of the case that remains largely classified and redacted to this day, detailing what incredible damage Pollard had done. Part of the document states: In this case, the defendant has admitted passing to his Israeli contacts an incredibly large quantity of classified information. At the outset I must state that the defendants disclosures far exceed the limits of any official exchange of intelligence information with Israel. That being the case, the damage to national security was complete the moment the classified information was given over. Ideally, I would detailall the information passed by the defendant to his Israeli contacts: unfortunately, the volume of .data we know to have been passed is too great to permit that. Moreover, the defendant admits to having passed to his Israeli handlers a quantity of documents great enough to occupy a space six feet by ten feet The defendant has substantially harmed the United States, and in my view, his crimes demand severe punishment My foregoing comments will, I hope, dispel any presumption that disclosures to an ally are insignificant; to the contrary, substantial and irrevocable damage has been done to this nation. Punishment, of course, must be appropriate to the crime, and in my opinion, no crime is more deserving of severe punishment than conducting espionage activities against ones own country. The Pollard trip to his home occurred because Donald Trump had obligingly lifted the travel restrictions on him the week before, one more favor to Israel. At the airport, Pollard and his wife knelt to kiss the Israeli soil before Netanyahu handed him an Israeli citizen ID and welcomed him. The 737 luxury-fitted executive jet Pollard and his wife flew on belongs to Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, chief donor to the Republicans and to Donald Trump. Adelson is married to an Israeli and famously has said that he regrets having worn a U.S. Army uniform when he was drafted, much preferring instead that he might have done military service in the Israel Defense Force. I should point out that permitting dual nationals with singular loyalty to a foreign nation to have such significant influence over the two leading political parties in the U.S. by virtue of money alone is a recipe for disaster, and so it has proven. What were Trump and Hillary Clinton thinking when they tied themselves to Adelson and Saban? Or were they thinking at all? The Israeli boosters in the United States have flat out corrupted our political process to get where they are. They have bought or intimidated every politician that matters to include presidents, congressmen and even those in state and local governments. Anyone who criticizes Israel or Jewish collective behavior in support of the Israeli state is subject to character assassination and blacklisting a la Mel Gibson and Rick Sanchez. Those who persist are denounced as anti-Semites, a label that is used liberally by Zionist groups. Anyone who is bold enough to either criticize the Israelis or defend the Palestinians is targeted, and if they happen to be in Congress like Cynthia McKinney, Pete McCloskey, Paul Findlay, James Traficant, William Fulbright and Chuck Percy they are first vilified in the media and then set up against a very well-funded candidate to drive them from office. The end result is that when Israel kills civilians and rampaging armed settlers destroy their livelihoods the United States government chooses to look the other way and shower the rogue state with money so it can continue to do its dirty work. The corruption extends to the state level, where twenty-six governments have passed Israel lobby-promoted legislation that limits free speech rights if anyone seeks to criticize Israel. This sometimes includes forcing employees, under threat of dismissal, to sign a pro-Israel oath and promise not to support any boycott of the Jewish state. The massive interference in the internal governance of the United States by Israel and its U.S. born lackeys far exceeds that of any other country, including inappropriately vilified Russia or China. It is well past time to get rid of the Israel parasite that feeds on the American government and people. The special relationship with Israel, sanctified in the halls of Congress and by a Jewish dominated media, does nothing good for the United States and for the American people. Israels constant interference in the U.S. political system and economy comes at a huge cost, both in dollars and in terms of actual American interests. And then there are the hot buttons which, if the U.S. actually had a functional government that is responsive to the people, should have been pushed long ago. Israel is ranked by the FBI as the number one friendly country in terms of its spying against the United States. Pollard is an exception, but Israeli spies are routinely slapped on the wrist when caught and never face prosecution. The Mossad agents who were the Dancing Shlomos, celebrating while the twin towers went down on 9/11, were allowed to go home. And Israel has never truly paid any price for the horrific bombing and torpedoing of the U.S.S. Liberty fifty-three years ago, which killed 34 Americans and injured over one hundred more. The completely unprovoked attack took place in international waters and was later covered-up by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Congress. May they burn in hell. The surviving crew members are still waiting for justice. So, lets all resolve for 2021 to do whatever we can to pull the plug on Israel. Let Israel pay its own bills and take care of its own defense. American citizens who prefer the Jewish ethno-religious state to our constitutional republic should feel free to emigrate. Lacking Washingtons backing, Israel will also be free to commit atrocities and war crimes against all of its neighbors but without the U.S. United Nations veto it will have to begin facing the consequences for its actions. But most of all, as Americans, we will no longer have to continue to carry the burden of a country that manipulates and uses us and also has a certain contempt for us while doing so. And maybe just maybe freeing the United States from Israel could lead to an end to all the wars in the Middle East that Washington has been waging in spite of the fact that we Americans are threatened by no one in the region and have no real interest whatsoever in prolonging the agony of staying there. An image of the interior of one of the rooms in the planned Bartra Capital shared co-living 111-bed space proposal for Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin. The backers of a 25m plan to construct a co-living scheme in Dublin 4 have said there will be less demand for communal kitchens by residents as employers like Facebook provide meals in the workplace. That is according to a first party appeal by Bartra Capital against the Dublin City Council decision to omit 18 bed spaces from its 111 bed space plan for 98 Merrion Rd. The council ordered the omission of the 18 bed spaces in order to provide larger communal kitchens after deeming the allocated space for them inadequate. In the appeal, Bartra said the omission of the spaces will have a serious impact on the viability of the scheme". Read More The appeal said the development will serve employers in the area pointing out that Facebook is planning to employ 5,000 at its Ballsbridge HQ. It was drafted by Thornton O'Connor planning consultants and said the reduction of the 18 bedspaces "will not achieve the sustainable development of this core urban site". The quantum and quality of the communal living/kitchen/dining spaces "is entirely acceptable and will provide a high quality living environment for future residents" and thus the loss of 18 bedspaces is "unreasonable," it said. Five third-party appeals have been lodged against the decision to grant by Valerin OShea, Margaret Reid, Timothy ODonovan, Edward and Hazel OFlynn along with Fionan and Nuala Clifford. In his objection against the plan, Timothy ODonovan expressed concern the proposal "will lead to clusters of Covid-19. Mr ODonovan expressed his concerns due to what he believes is the inability to socially distance in the shared kitchen areas and the inability to self-isolate in the high density accommodation. In the objection lodged on behalf of Margaret Reid, it argued it is unsustainable to build a shared living scheme in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Reid objection argued that the accommodation typology poses a significant public health risk. The objection contended the proposed intensive nature of the development would create a high risk cluster for potential infection. In his objection, Edward OFlynn said in relation to Covid having 111 people living in close quarters cannot be in line with any guidelines from the health authorities in terms of social distances. Planning consultants for Bartra told the council assuming a grant of permission, it will be three years before the building is ready for occupation and at that juncture, we are very hopeful that Covid-19 will not be a relevant factor in the day to day operation of the building. Consultant Occupational & Environmental Physician, Dr Martin Hogan drew up a Covid-19 risk assessment on behalf of Bartra and said the degree of thought put into Covid-19 controls in the scheme is excellent and exceeds anything I have seen before in a residential setting. Read More Online Editors Texas Department of State Health Services Despite the slow and convoluted rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Houston and Texas, thousands of residents across the region have been partially vaccinated, with thousands more expected to receive their shot in the coming weeks. The vaccine is currently available only to individuals included in Phase 1A or 1B of the states distribution plan. Phase 1A includes frontline health care workers, first responders and nursing home residents and Phase 1B includes people 65 years and older and those with pre-existing conditions. Democrats were poised to take control of the US Senate on Wednesday after high turnout among Black voters boosted their candidates in two runoff elections in Georgia. Challenger Raphael Warnock beat incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler to take one of the two seats. The race between Jon Ossoff and one-term Senator David Perdue was still too close to call, but Ossoff was leading by more than 17,000 votes and claimed victory. Two Democratic wins from a once reliably Republican state would be a rebuke of President Donald Trumps incessant claims of voter fraud in the November election in Georgia, which he lost narrowly to President-elect Joe Biden. Republican turnout didnt keep up with Democratic enthusiasm, driven largely by coordinated efforts to get Black voters to the polls led by former Georgia lawmaker Stacey Abrams. Benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields rose past 1% for the first time since March as traders evaluated the implications of potential Democratic control of the Senate, such as additional fiscal stimulus and tax increases. US stocks were mixed. In a video statement, Ossoff, 33, spoke as if he were headed to Washington, though no one had called his race against Perdue, 71, a first-term Republican senator and former corporate executive. I want to thank the people of Georgia for participating in this election, he said. Whether you were for me or against me, I will be for you in the US Senate. To secure control of the chamber, Democrats need to win both seats, which would split the Senate 50-50 between Republicans and the Democratic caucus, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris casting tie-breaking votes. Warnock, 51, is the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the position once held by Martin Luther King Jr. He will become Georgias first Black US senator. This is a wonderful day here in Georgia and I believe in America. I am an iteration and an example of the American dream, Warnock told CNN on Wednesday. The AP VoteCast survey of more than 2,700 verified Georgia voters found that Black voters made up 32% of the electorate more than the 29% they were in November. And those voters opted overwhelmingly for the Democrats, by margins of 93% or more. Of the 115,000 voters who voted in the runoff but skipped the November election, 40% were African-American, according to the Democratic voter data firm TargetSmart. Perhaps no single person is more associated with Georgias shift to the Democrats than Abrams, who gained national attention with her unsuccessful run for governor in 2018. Abramss efforts date back a decade, when she was minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, working to challenge restrictive voter laws and energize minority voters. Being a battleground means you have to fight for victory, she told CNN Tuesday night. Republicans, for 20 years, took for granted their successes. Senate control, paired with the Democrats narrow majority in the House, would give Biden a unified U.S. government, smoothing the path for his nominees and allowing him to implement major pieces of his agenda. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who stands to replace Mitch McConnell as majority leader if Ossoffs race is called in his favor, issued a statement calling it a brand new day. For the first time in six years, Democrats will operate a majority in the United States Senate -- and that will be very good for the American people, Schumer said, noting that the country was enduring one of the greatest crises weve ever faced. It could take days to get a final tally for the outcome of the race between Perdue and Ossoff. State election official Gabriel Sterling told CNN there were around 65,000 ballots still to be counted but said they were mostly from Democratic areas. About 17,000 military and overseas ballots, and some domestic absentee ballots, can still be counted as late as Friday. Ossoffs margin is larger than the 11,779-vote lead that helped Biden ultimately flip the state. But the narrow results will almost certainly spark legal challenges or a recount that also could delay a final determination of Senate control. The current margin would allow Perdue to request a recount if Ossoff is declared the winner, and he has indicated he will do so. Georgia Republicans didnt turn out in high enough numbers to tamp down overwhelming Democratic participation, said Kerwin Swint, director of the school of government at Kennesaw State University. Republicans needed 65% of the election day vote. And some Republicans in the state pointed fingers at Trump for damaging their chances. When you tell people your vote doesnt count and has been stolen and people start to believe that and then you go to the two senators and tell them to ask the secretary of state to resign and trigger a civil war inside the Republican Party when you need Republicans to unite, all of that stems from his decision-making since the Nov. 3rd election, said Sterling, a Republican who has aggressively refuted Trumps unfounded claims of fraud. Loeffler showed no sign of conceding. There are a lot of votes out there, as yall know, she told supporters. And we have a path to victory and were staying on it. Trump Questions Results The uncertainty over the Senate comes as Congress meets in a joint session on Wednesday to count Electoral College votes that will ratify Bidens win, even as Trump urged Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers to overturn the results based on baseless claims of a rigged election. Warnock called the move a distraction that could have cost Republicans the Georgia Senate seats. Its a distraction. These senators know better, and the people that Im talking to all across Georgia are concerned about their lives, he said. We need to be passing the $2,000 relief checks. Instead, the politicians are focused on their concerns, whos winning and whos losing. Fraud Claims Fighting for party control of the Senate made the races important enough. But against the backdrop of Trumps baseless claims of vote fraud and corruption by Georgia elections officials -- topped by his extraordinary hour-long phone call demanding that officials find enough votes to overturn the presidential election -- the races also became a test of Trumps continued hold on the GOP. If Perdue manages to pull out a win, Biden would face a still-GOP-controlled Senate largely unwilling to back many of his plans to develop a federal response to controlling the coronavirus pandemic, deliver more economic stimulus, or raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy. Trump Allies In almost every way, Perdues and Loefflers calculations were to stick tightly to the president, or at least not alienate Trump voters and the partys base. The duo both called for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to resign after he dismissed Trumps allegations of voter fraud, and both have backed the effort in the Senate to challenge the election results when Congress certifies the November election on Wednesday. Both Republican senators described their foes as dangerously radical and warned Ossoff and Warnock would hand over power in Washington to socialists like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ossoff and Warnock depicted their wealthy Republican opponents as out-of-touch multimillionaires. Loefflers husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, recently became a billionaire and is the chief executive officer of Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. Loeffler co-owns the Atlanta Dreams WNBA team and some players have campaigned against her. Steam trains could stop running after plans for a new coal mine were blocked. The Heritage Railway Association has warned that the industry could be jeopardised by Newcastle City Councils refusal to grant planning permission for a new mine, as supplies of English steam coal are expected to run out early this year. It said the decision had dashed the hopes of Britains heritage railways, which need affordable coal to continue operating. The 'Mince Pie Special' steam train service pictured arriving into Oxenhope Station along the line of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in northern England on January 3 (file photo) The Flying Scotsman seen passing Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway in Dorset on March 19, 2019. Steam trains could stop running after plans for a new coal mine were blocked (file photo) Supplies of Welsh coal are expected to run out next year when the only remaining mine producing the right coal for the trains closes. Some heritage railway operators could go under if forced to rely on foreign imports, the association warned. Its chief executive Steve Oates said UK coal generates a fraction of the CO2 emissions of extracting and shipping coal from overseas, and costs less. The planned mine at Dewley Hill would have produced the bituminous lump coal burned by steam trains. The application was rejected on environmental grounds, despite this type of coal being relatively smokeless and clean. The Times of India, on January 4, published an article explaining why Vietnams upcoming 13th party congress plays an important role in determining East Asias future trends. (Source: The Times of India) The author, Rudroneel Ghosh, said the 13th national congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, slated for January 25 to February 2, comes at a crucial time. He said Vietnam has done a great job of tackling COVID-19 with just 1,494 cases and 35 deaths so far and attributed the results to the diligence of the party leadership and quick mobilisation of all state resources to nip the pandemic in the bud. According to the article, Vietnam has been able to cushion the economic blow of the pandemic and is slated to emerge as the fastest growing economy in 2020. The country also witnessed a record trade surplus, it said. It noted that Vietnam, as the Chair of ASEAN 2020, managed to get the 10-nation bloc to affirm that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea should be the basis of sovereign rights and entitlements in the East Sea. Also under the countrys chairmanship, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed, creating the worlds largest free trade agreement. The article highlighted that against such context, the countrys 13th Party Congress will take place to elect a new party central committee and assign the top leadership posts, including the four pillars the president, prime minister, party general secretary, and the national assembly chairperson. The author affirmed that current Vietnamese President and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has already determined concrete milestones for the future. By 2025, Vietnam is set to become a developing nation with modernity-oriented industry and surpass the low-middle-income level. By 2030, the country will strive to become a developing nation with modern industry and upper-middle-income level. And by 2045, it will aim to become a developed nation with high-income level. According to the article, the ambitious goals and their achievement would depend much on how Vietnam manages to balance post-pandemic reforms and stability. Thats why the upcoming 13th party congress is so vital to determine the future trajectory of Vietnam by putting in place the right leadership and structures. And that in turn will add momentum to the free and open Indo-Pacific construct that views East Asia as a rules-based, open, collaborative and prosperous region powering international growth. In other words, if Vietnam is on track, the free and open Indo-Pacific ideal is on track, the author concluded./.VNA Home Search ICH Question Everything! Purpose and Intent of this website: Will January 6 be the date the second US Civil War begins? By Robert Bridge January 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Up to a million Americans will descend on Washington this Wednesday, when Congress moves to formalize Novembers election. If misrepresented by the media, the event could be the spark for the mother of all national breakups. In the 1989 black comedy War of the Roses, Oliver and Barbara Rose, a young affluent couple, played by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, seem to have all the worldly possessions necessary for a successful marriage. Over time, however, they come to loathe each other, and their only shared passion is the palatial family home, which neither is willing to relinquish. Amid their efforts to kill each other in the bitterest divorce of all time, Oliver draws up plans to physically cut the mansion in half, which, of course, does nothing to resolve the issue. War of the Roses provides a nice analogy to the complicated relationship that now exists between the Democrats and the Republicans. In the past, the proponents of conservatism and liberalism were always able and more importantly, willing to find a way to salvage their strained relationship. Today, however, the honeymoon is over and the kids have moved out. The two sides barely speak to each other, and now, amid a fierce battle for the White House, the only solution seems to be two separate homelands for two strikingly different people. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter For estranged couples such a mutual parting of ways and possessions is possible; for sovereign states, however, such a decision essentially amounts to civil war. The real tragedy is that such a potentially explosive scenario was avoidable. At a time in US history when the political stage looks timed to blow, it was incumbent upon the US media to provide the most impartial account of the presidential contest between Trump and Biden as humanly possible. But, apparently, that was asking too much of the Fourth Estate, which leans so hard left it threatens to tip over the entire republic. Indeed, if the tumultuous presidency of Donald Trump has proven anything, it is how effective the media can be at destroying any individual even the POTUS whose political worldview is diametrically opposed to that of the establishment. From Russiagate through impeachment to the fight against coronavirus, the media industrial complex has glaringly failed to be an impartial observer. Instead, it has behaved as an actual player another radical activist group, albeit the most powerful of them all in the grand effort to topple Trump. Such intrigue, however, could very well backfire and lead the country to eventual ruin. And that is no hyperbole. Currently, hundreds of thousands of Americans from every walk of life are descending on Washington, DC for what may go down in the history books as one of those pivotal, watershed moments that changed the course of the country forever. Amid numerous accusations of fraud and irregularities in the November presidential election, an increasing number of Republicans, including Ted Cruz (Texas), Josh Hawley (Missouri) and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) have said they will not, in the absence of an emergency investigation, certify the Electoral College votes in favor of the Democrat Joe Biden. And how has the media responded to this disturbing news? Like any committed Democratic booster would, with histrionics and bombast, arguing that any effort to investigate the legitimacy of the election is undermining democracy. That is certainly rich coming from the same motley crew that, for four years, propagated the conspiracy theory that Trump colluded with the Kremlin to win the presidency. At least the claims being put forward by the Republicans have some basis in reality. Without detailing all of them, in five of the six battleground swing states (Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona), late changes to voting rules were made not by the state legislators, as mandated by the US Constitution, but rather by the courts and executive branch. At the same time, dozens of poll observers have provided sworn testimony on many of the voting irregularities they have witnessed. Instead of the media presenting these valid concerns to their viewers for a rational discussion, they portray any effort to investigate the accusations as somehow treasonous. Moreover, by dismissing the Republican claims of election tampering as baseless, the media is helping to light the fuse on a national conflagration should Donald Trump actually win re-election. To casually dismiss such a possibility, which is still very much on the cards, will only make the reaction from the Democratic camp all the harder to contain. American cities from coast to coast will predictably come under siege. The threat that comes from enraging the right is no less worrisome. Perhaps if the mainstream media were casually brushing aside the concerns from some fringe political movement, their unconcealed mockery and scorn would be more understandable. But that is not the case. We are talking about tens of millions of American voters who feel cheated by the political process and ignored by the media industrial complex. And judging by predictions for Wednesdays event, which could see over one million angry Trump supporters gathering in the capital, these people are no longer content to remain confined to the Twitter reservation. The reason it is so critical for the media to keep its audience adequately informed goes beyond mere respect for journalistic standards. The media serves as a pressure-release valve, so to speak, in that it provides people with the satisfaction of knowing their concerns are being addressed. Currently, however, not only is approximately a half of the US population being denied balanced news coverage on the most consequential election in recent memory, they are essentially being told they are conspiracy theorists and even anti-American. In other words, for four long years, the US media sold Americans the lie of Russian meddling, but now that evidence of real tampering has emerged, the idea of a rigged election is refuted as absurd. In short, it would be difficult to imagine a more dangerous situation than that now confronting America. While media personalities certainly have the right to hate Donald Trump, their main duty is to that of the American people and the US electoral process. Once Americans lose faith in the voting process, as they already have with the media process, it is game over for the United States. It will be considered no better than the banana republics it chastises on a regular basis. Robert Bridge is an American writer and journalist. He is the author of 'Midnight in the American Empire,' How Corporations and Their Political Servants are Destroying the American Dream. @Robert_Bridge - " Source " - Post your comment below Registration is necessary to post comments. We ask only that you do not use obscene or offensive language. Please be respectful of others. See also Search Information Clearing House The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Panasonic AI-driven cameras empower an expanding vision of new uses Imagine a world where video cameras are not just watching and reporting for security, but have an even wider positive impact on our lives. Imagine that cameras control street and building lights, as people come and go, that traffic jams are predicted and vehicles are automatically rerouted, and more tills are opened, just before a queue starts to form. Cameras with AI capabilities Cameras in stores can show us how we might look in the latest outfit as we browse. Thats the vision from Panasonic about current and future uses for their cameras that provide artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities at the edge. Panasonic feels that these types of intelligent camera applications are also the basis for automation and introduction of Industry 4.0, in which processes are automated, monitored and controlled by AI-driven systems. 4K network security cameras The companys i-PRO AI-capable camera line can install and run up to three AI-driven video analytic applications Panasonics 4K network security cameras have built-in AI capabilities suitable for this next generation of intelligent applications in business and society. The companys i-PRO AI-capable camera line can install and run up to three AI-driven video analytic applications. The AI engine is directly embedded into the camera, thus reducing costs and Panasonics image quality ensures the accuracy of the analytics outcome. FacePRO facial recognition technology Panasonic began advancing AI technology on the server side with FacePRO, the in-house facial recognition application, which uses AI deep learning capabilities. Moving ahead, they transitioned their knowledge of AI from the server side to the edge, introducing i-PRO security cameras with built-in AI capabilities last summer, alongside their own in-house analytics. Moreover, in line with the Panasonic approach to focus more on collaboration with specialist AI software developers, a partnership with Italian software company, A.I. Tech followed in September, with a range of intelligent applications, partially based on deep learning. Additional collaborations are already in place with more than 10 other developers, across the European Union, working on more future applications. i-PRO AI-capable security cameras Open systems are an important part of Panasonics current approach. The companys i-PRO AI-capable cameras are an open platform and designed for third-party application development, therefore, applications can be built or tailored to the needs of an individual customer. Panasonic use to be a company that developed everything in-house, including all the analytics and applications. However, now we have turned around our strategy by making our i-PRO security cameras open to integrate applications and analytics from third-party companies, says Gerard Figols, Head of Security Solutions at Panasonic Business Europe. Flexible and adapting to specific customer needs This new approach allows the company to be more flexible and adaptable to customers needs. At the same time, we can be quicker and much more tailored to the market trend, said Gerard Figols. He adds, For example, in the retail space, enabling retailers to enhance the customer experience, in smart cities for traffic monitoring and smart parking, and by event organisers and transport hubs to monitor and ensure safety. Edge-based analytics offer multiple benefits over server-based systems Edge-based analytics Edge-based analytics offer multiple benefits over server-based systems. On one hand, there are monetary benefits - a cost reduction results from the decreased amount of more powerful hardware required on the server side to process the data, on top of reduction in the infrastructure costs, as not all the full video stream needs to be sent for analysis, we can work solely with the metadata. On the other hand, there are also advantages of flexibility, as well as reliability. Each camera can have its own individual analytic setup and in case of any issue on the communication or server side, the camera can keep running the analysis at the edge, thereby making sure the CCTV system is still fully operational. Most importantly, systems can keep the same high level of accuracy. Explosion of AI camera applications We can compare the explosion of AI camera applications to the way we experienced it for smartphone applications" We can compare the explosion of AI camera applications to the way we experienced it for smartphone applications, said Gerard Figols, adding However, it doesnt mean the hardware is not important anymore, as I believe its more important than ever. Working with poor picture quality or if the hardware is not reliable, and works 24/7, software cannot run or deliver the outcome it has been designed for. As hardware specialists, Figols believes that Panasonic seeks to focus on what they do best - Building long-lasting, open network cameras, which are capable of capturing the highest quality images that are required for the latest AI applications, while software developers can concentrate on bringing specialist applications to the market. Same as for smartphones, AI applications will proliferate based on market demand and succeed or fail, based on the value that they deliver. Facial recognition, privacy protection and cross line technologies Panasonic has been in the forefront in developing essential AI applications for CCTV, such as facial recognition, privacy protection and cross line. However, with the market developing so rapidly and the potential applications of AI-driven camera systems being so varied and widespread, Panasonic quickly realised that the future of their network cameras was going to be in open systems, which allow specialist developers and their customers to use their sector expertise to develop their own applications for specific vertical market applications, while using i-PRO hardware. Metadata for detection and recognition Regarding privacy, consider that the use of AI in cameras is about generating metadata for the detection and recognition of patterns, rather than identifying individual identities. However, there are legitimate privacy concerns, but I firmly believe that attitudes will change quickly when people see the incredible benefits that this technology can deliver, said Gerard Figols, adding I hope that we will be able to redefine our view of cameras and AI, not just as insurance, but as life advancing and enhancing. i-PRO AI Privacy Guard One of the AI applications that Panasonic developed was i-PRO AI Privacy Guard Seeking to understand and appreciate privacy concerns, one of the AI applications that Panasonic developed was i-PRO AI Privacy Guard that generates data without capturing individual identities, following European privacy regulations that are among the strictest in the world. Gerard Fogils said, The combination of artificial intelligence and the latest generation open camera technology will change the worlds perceptions from Big Brother to Big Benefits. New applications will emerge as the existing generation of cameras is updated to the new open and intelligent next generation devices, and the existing role of the security camera will also continue. Future scope of AI and cameras He adds, Not just relying on the security cameras for evidence when things have gone wrong, end users will increasingly be able to use AI and the cameras with much higher accuracy to prevent false alarms and in a proactive way to prevent incidents." Gerard Figols concludes, That could be monitoring and alerting when health and safety guidelines are being breached or spotting and flagging patterns of suspicious behaviour before incidents occur. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The victim got out of his vehicle, and he and Cabrera yelled at each other before Cabrera grabbed him by the neck and the victim punched the off-duty officer in the head, Corda said. She said Cabrera grabbed his handgun, fired a shot toward the victims legs and missed. The victim and the woman ran toward her home. Watching Republicans react to the presidents refusal to step down, I get the sense that the party has now split into the Grand Old Party and the Brand New Cult. The GOP follows the law, and the BNC follows the leader. The leader can just dismiss evidence without giving any evidence, and the BNC members accept that as indisputable gospel. This has been in the making for the past five years. Despite the superior quantity and quality of evidence to the contrary, the cult members believe that Hillary Clinton should have been locked up, the 2016 presidential inauguration crowd was the largest ever, Russia doesnt hack or interfere, masks and social distancing do nothing significant to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the president won this presidential election all because the cult leader simply said so. So, when Congress finalizes the Electoral College results, well see which cult members decide to drink the Kool-Aid of tweets instead of the water of evidence. Mark Schack, San Mateo More for you Opinion California cases jump to over 70,000 in a day as state... Damage to the country I believe in our country and the democratic process, but this past year has tainted that process in so many ways. Its amazing the damage one person over the past four years has done to the United States. The list is too long to enumerate, but here are two of the things that really break my heart: We are going through one of the worst pandemics in our history. People are so frightened and anxious and dying, and the worst part of all that fear is that we know the leadership in the White House really doesnt care. We see no action that shows an ounce of caring about the people. If our president doesnt care, that feeds hopelessness and fear. Where is the reassurance that we will overcome? Not in this White House. The damage done to the United States image is a heartbreaker. I am so embarrassed that the world sees our nation represented by such an individual. What has happened to the truth, decency and compassion that we used to be known for? President Trump and so much of Congress seem to be all about power instead of the greater good. What happened to by the people, for the people? Phyllis Hunt, San Francisco Late to distribute Regarding Surge on top of surge arrives (Front Page, Jan. 5): To date, the people advocating for Gov. Gavin Newsoms recall appear to be the typical right-wing Republican, anti-government ignoramuses who are a permanent feature in California politics. However, todays admission by Newsom that there is work to do on our dismal performance on vaccine distribution has this lifelong Democrat leaning toward support of the effort. Weve had almost a year to prepare. If you asked any sane person what should have been the states priority over this time, the answer would be planning for vaccine distribution. Please investigate and report exactly what steps were taken, or not taken, by the governor. My signature on the recall petition is pending this information. Greg McVerry, Albany Incompetent leadership I am getting increasingly frustrated by the dearth of information coming from Sacramento regarding the vaccine rollout. Todays article regarding the present surge in infections cites plans by the governor to propose a budget plan to deal with the rollout. This apparently includes a vaccine management system, as well as a public information system. Our leaders knew the vaccine was coming months ago, and they propose a management system and information campaign just now, at this late date? Why this need wasnt anticipated and dealt with earlier is the question of the day. After all, California is the leader in technology. As a California citizen, it feels like we are alone in a wilderness of incompetence. Barbara Lelich, Mill Valley Expand the benefits Regarding Wave of evictions a looming crisis (Editorial, Dec. 9): It has been a year since the outbreak of coronavirus, putting children and families in danger of losing income, their home, as well as food consumption. Parents are either losing their jobs or receiving fewer hours of employment, which results in very little to no money for housing and food. With little unemployment assistance and a decrease in hours of employment or job loss, children and families are forced to be evicted from their homes. In your recent editorial to extend eviction reprieve, landlords are increasing rent because they need money, too, and families that cannot afford it must leave. Assemblyman David Chiu proposes an extension for tenants to pay 25% of their rent and owe the rest later. I urge Rep. Barbara Lee and my senators to continue the fight for this legislation at the federal level. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, is a program for low-income families to receive assistance for food. Some families still need the additional assistance because they have to feed their younger children and infants. As we begin the new year of 2021, the next step for Congress is to expand unemployment benefits, tenants protection and increase SNAP for families. Samantha Saechao, Oakland Embrace term limits To hold Congress accountable, we must press for term limits: The ability of a citizenry to hold its elected officials accountable is fundamental to a healthy democratic system of governance. Unfortunately, incumbent senators and congressmen have become immortal with lifetime positions in the legislature fueled by infinite financial resources and the power of special interest groups. This removes accountability, fosters polarization and creates a system where party loyalty comes first, and people and country come second. Allowing Senators to run for election for up to three terms (18 years) and the House of Representatives for up to nine terms (18 years) would provide plenty of time for an accomplished career if the incumbent continues to be re-elected. The current leaders of the House and Senate should have termed out two decades ago. It is not surprising that Congress favorability continues to plummet. Term limits are not a silver bullet, but they can strengthen the legislature and build a healthier democracy. They should not be used to weaken government, but rather to keep elected officials accountable, distribute power and make space for an active citizenry. We must bring this into public discourse and elect representatives who embrace term limits. Natasha Marwah, San Jose Build resilient housing Regarding UCSFs new, expanded plan for its Parnassus campus draws neighborhood opposition (sfchronicle.com, Jan. 5): Exciting as UCSFs plan is for 1,263 new housing units, modern California building codes will not guarantee those units stay usable after a major local earthquake. UCSF should write resilience goals into its construction bid requirements to assure that residents will be able to remain in their homes instead of needing emergency shelter. Investing in resilient housing avoids the kind of exodus and permanent affordable housing losses that followed other disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Casa Adelante, a new senior affordable housing development in San Franciscos Mission District, proves that resilient design in such projects is achievable, and at less than 0.25% extra cost. Resiliency standards should also be written into the billions of dollars in housing commitments made this year by the likes of Apple, Facebook and Google. Otherwise, we are just building Bay Area communities up for an even bigger collapse when the inevitable Big One hits. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New Wave Foods is disrupting the $9 billion dollar shrimp market with the introduction of a plant-based shrimp made of sustainable seaweed and plant proteins. The Company will initially focus on selling its product to restaurants and foodservice locations. The Company announced today that it has recently completed an $18 million Series A round of financing. Leading the investment round was New Enterprise Associates ("NEA") along with Evolution VC Partners, as well as other new and existing investors. Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, Inc., invested in the Company as previously announced in September 2019. Liza Landsman, General Partner at NEA, will join the New Wave Foods Board of Directors. The Series A financing enables New Wave Foods to scale up production, aggressively expand its sales and marketing efforts, accelerate the Company's plans for future products, and further build its strong team. "Plant-based protein is one of the most important consumer trends in decades, with explosive demand for healthy, sustainable products, and New Wave Foods is delivering a plant-based seafood alternative that is delicious, responsible, and humane," said Liza Landsman. "It's an uncompromising, category-defining approach to a fast-growing market, and we are thrilled to partner with the New Wave Foods team on what promises to be a remarkable journey." Americans eat an estimated 1.5 billion pounds of shrimp annually, making shrimp the most consumed seafood in the U.S., with consumption intake equal to twice as much as salmon or tuna. Notably, 80 percent of shrimp is consumed in foodservice. New Wave Foods' proprietary product is a result of years of close collaboration between top-tier chefs and renowned R&D experts. The result is a plant-based shrimp that is virtually indistinguishable from ocean shrimp in terms of taste and texture. "Our focus is on offering customers a new, innovative, plant-based shellfish, beginning with the introduction of our plant-based shrimp. Along with a delicious tasting product, we aim to address the environmental issues that come with shrimp farming and overfishing," said Mary McGovern, CEO, New Wave Foods. "We look forward to an exciting next chapter of growth for the Company and are honored to have an outstanding group of investors who share and support our vision." "We're launching a versatile plant-based shrimp that can be used in a wide range of shrimp dishes," said Michelle Wolf, Co-Founder and CTO, New Wave Foods. "We have developed a product that is delicious and easy to prepare; these are key factors for foodservice operators." The Company looks to expand its plant-based shellfish offering to lobster, scallops, and crab following the rollout of its plant-based shrimp product. "Consumers have rapidly embraced and adopted plant-based foods, and New Wave Foods represents a compelling opportunity in the protein alternatives space," said Gregg Smith, Founder and CEO, Evolution VC Partners, long-term New Wave Foods investor, and board member. "As a long-term investor in plant-based companies, I am extremely confident that New Wave Foods is poised to lead the shellfish category with its proprietary product." About New Wave Foods New Wave Foods is a disruptor in the seafood market with its 100 percent plant-based shellfish products. The Company's mission is to protect the oceans by creating delicious plant-based versions of popular over-fished or ecologically destructive shellfish and by bringing them to consumers through a wide array of foodservice locations. The Company's first offering, New Wave Shrimp, is interchangeable with ocean shrimp in any shrimp recipe and is made from seaweed and plant protein. New Wave Foods will soon share its passion for delicious, sustainable plant-based foods with foodservice operators and consumers by broadening its product offerings and expanding beyond its current geographic footprint. Company investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Evolution VC Partners, Sand Hill Angels, and Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, Inc. Visit us at www.newwavefoods.com and follow us @newwavefoods. SOURCE New Wave Foods Related Links http://www.newwavefoods.com SPRINGFIELD A Maine man accused of attempting to burn down a Black church in December was arraigned Wednesday on a slew of vandalism charges in Pittsfield. Dushko Vulchev, 44, was arraigned in Pittsfield District Court one day after his Springfield arraignment on three counts of attempted arson linked to a series of blazes that broke out at Martin Luther King Jr. Presbyterian church on Concord Terrace in December. He also was charged in Springfield with slashing the car tires of random strangers, according to court records. He was held on $25,000 cash bail in the Springfield case. In Pittsfield, District Judge Paul Smyth set an additional bail of $10,000. Vulchev is being held at the Berkshire County jail. Smyth hung his ruling on the fact that Vulchev, a native of Bulgaria who achieved U.S. citizenship in 2009, has lately been living out of his car and has no ties to the area. The Pittsfield charges are linked to an alleged tire slashing spree Vulchev embarked upon between late October and late December, according to police. Vulchev initially targeted an auto shop where his car had been towed, witnesses said, then went on to slash the tires of strangers cars in a Big Y parking lot, outside a Panera Bread and at a Mazda dealership in the Berkshires. Vulchev is next due in Springfield District Court on Feb. 5. He is charged with fires at the church on Dec. 13 and 15, but he has not been charged in a Dec. 28 fire that heavily damaged the building. Related Content: Two Portland hospital systems threw out more than three dozen coronavirus vaccine doses even as Oregons top health official said his agency knew of no wasted vaccines. Oregon Health & Science University lost 15 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses after one vial broke and two were mixed improperly, a hospital spokeswoman said. Legacy Health lost 27 doses when it couldnt find health care workers to take surplus vaccine in the short time before it expires, a Legacy spokesman said. And yet, the director of the Oregon Health Authority appeared unaware that any doses had been lost in Oregon. We have not received any reports of spoilage from sites that are administering the vaccine, and that is something that we keep track of, Director Patrick Allen said at a news conference Tuesday. Vaccines are being handled and administered in a proper and timely way. The agency said it learned of the wasted doses from The Oregonian/OregonLive and then confirmed them with OHSU and Legacy, despite Legacy saying it had previously reported the information to the state as required. We will follow up and make sure this wastage is properly documented, health authority spokesman Jonathan Modie said in an email. Its unclear if other doses in Oregon have been wasted. The wasted doses reflect just 0.07% of the 55,000 vaccines administered in Oregon so far. And the lost doses have been more than made up for by the unexpected extra doses health care workers have found in overfilled Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine vials. But the disconnect between hospitals reported data and health officials statements points to yet more evidence of growing pains as the state faces criticism for its slow vaccination pace and outlines plans to soon vaccinate 12,000 people a day. The Oregon Health Authority said it is to be expected that some vaccine will spoil in the process of such a massive vaccination project. Nothing yet points to vaccines being wasted due to negligence, the agency said. We believe that our health system partners are managing their vaccine responsibly and doing everything that they can to minimize waste, Modie said. We have seen no evidence that vaccine is being handled in anything less than a responsible manner. Legacy lost doses because Pfizer-BioNTechs vaccine sometimes has an extra one or two doses per vial, spokesman Brian Terrett said. That meant that Legacy workers would get through the list of people scheduled to get a shot before the vials they had unpacked ran out. But because the doses have an expiration date measured in hours, not days, doses are lost if someone cant be found to take a vaccine. Finding such a person can be a challenge, Terrett said, because people need to be able to take time off if they experience side effects. Having more doses than expected has impacted our ability to schedule staff for their vaccine effectively, Terrett said. The hospital system has reported its lost doses to a statewide vaccine tracking system, Terrett said. OHSU pharmacists lost 15 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, said spokeswoman Tamara Hargens-Bradley. One vial containing five doses broke, Hargens-Bradley said, and another two vials containing a combined 10 doses were mixed incorrectly. Hargens-Bradley did not say whether the hospital had reported the lost doses to the state. Its possible that OHSU and Legacy reported the wasted doses to a statewide vaccine tracking system, as required, but that the health authority wasnt aware of it. Well check (the states vaccine tracking system) and follow up as needed with these providers, and with any providers that have reported such losses, Modie said. Do you have a tip? Send me an email. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com| 503-294-7674 | @fedorzarkhin The water authorities have upgraded their emergency flood control response level for the Yangtze River basin after a continuous rise in water levels. In Wuhan, the water level rose to 24.78 meters (81 feet) on Tuesday, 4.01 meters higher than the same period in previous years, and not far from the warning level of 27.3 meters May 26, 2021 05:16 PM RTHK: UK judge denies bail to Julian Assange A British judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been jailed in Britain since 2019 as he fights extradition to the United States. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ordered Assange to remain in prison while the courts consider an appeal by US authorities against a decision not to extradite him. On Monday, the judge rejected an American request to send Assange to the US to face espionage charges over WikiLeaks publication of secret military documents a decade ago. She denied extradition on health grounds, saying the 49-year-old Australian was likely to kill himself if held under harsh American prison conditions. The judge said on Wednesday that Assange has an incentive to abscond and there is a good chance he would fail to return to court if freed. "I am satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr Assange is released today, he would fail to surrender to court to face the appeal proceedings," Baraitser said. (AP/Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. New York, Jan 6 : At least 29 people vaccinated with mRNA-based Covid-19 shots in the US developed anaphylaxis - a "life-threatening" allergic reaction that comes on within minutes of receiving the intramuscular injection. A report on the CDC website lists 21 such cases but CDC officials clarified in a call with reporters that the number has been updated to 29 as on Wednesday. The median interval from vaccine receipt to symptom onset was 13 minutes, according to an update by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, America's premier public health agency that is returning to its pre-eminent role in health communications after months of political interference from the Donald Trump White House. The CDC is recommending that vaccine locations must screen for contraindications before the shots are given and must have supplies of epinephrine ready to treat people experiencing anaphylaxis symptoms. Around 80 per cent of patients who reported anaphylaxis symptoms had a documented history of allergies or allergic reactions, including to drugs or medical products, foods, and insect stings. By December 23, 2020, the CDC reports there were a total of 4,393 (0.2 percent) "adverse events" among 1,893,360 first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19. Vaccinations in America began on December 14. So far, two vaccines have received emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration - Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. WASHINGTON - The world watched with dismay as a surreal scene at the U.S. Capitol, like little else seen in its history, unfolded Wednesday. Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump burst through police barricades and mobbed the building, disrupting at the 11th hour a vote to formalize Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Shortly before the breach, Vice President Mike Pence had announced he would not reject the election results, as Trump had urged. Many foreign observers, already glued to news of the final chapters of the election saga, reacted with alarm and grief, especially in allied countries that have looked to U.S. democracy for inspiration. "The United States Congress has been the symbol of freedom and democracy around the world for centuries," tweeted Armin Laschet, the leader of Germany's most populous federal state. "The attacks on the Capitol by fanatical Trump supporters hurt every friend of the United States." Across much of Europe, top officials echoed these sentiments. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the scenes of chaos "disgraceful." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canada's News 1130 radio station in Vancouver that his government is concerned and "following the situation minute by minute." "I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly," he said. The surge of reactions from allies and foreign observers illustrated one of the Trump era's key consequences, which has become more apparent as it winds to a chaotic close: The beleaguered but persistent role of the United States as a model for democratic norms and institutions - in its own self-conception and in the eyes of friends - has been severely tarnished. In the view of the world, the Trump era has provided no shortage of captivating spectacle, sometimes grim. Wednesday's events went beyond that, into disconcerting territory: far-right attacks on democracy made literal. The turmoil also gave an opening to countries with poor track records on human rights and democracy to lecture a superpower. Turkey, a U.S. NATO ally that has been widely condemned for jailing thousands of critics, academics, journalists and artists and has seen its partnership with the United States deteriorate in recent years, called on "all parties in the U.S.A. to show restraint and common sense," in a statement released by its foreign ministry. In Venezuela - which has been embroiled in its own political and social crisis for years - Jorge Arreaza, foreign minister of authoritarian leader President Nicolas Maduro, issued a statement condemning "the political polarization and the spiral of violence that reflects the profound political and social crisis the United States is currently experiencing." One senior European diplomat compared the images to events in Kyrgyzstan, where protesters stormed the nation's parliament in Bishkek in October. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about violence in an allied country. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, described the situation as "utterly horrifying" and called for "solidarity with those . . . on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin tweeted that the people of Ireland have a "deep connection with the United States" and that "many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay." "Enemies of democracy will be happy to see these unbelievable pictures from #WashingtonDC. Riotous words turn into violent acts - on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted, referring to far-right protesters who rushed the historic Parliament building in August. "The disdain for democratic institutions is devastating." Some foreign outlets, including the BBC and the Sydney Morning Herald, maintained live coverage of Wednesday's developments in Washington as they unfolded. Many eyes were already turned on the United States as foreign observers tracked the closely contested runoff Senate race in Georgia. By Wednesday afternoon, both Democratic candidates, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, had been declared winners - tipping the Senate to the Democrats and granting the party control of the White House and Congress. "How I would like to be a voter of the #DekalbCounty in #Georgia! And vote #Ossoff," former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta tweeted earlier in the day, referring to a Georgia county with a large number of Democratic voters. "U. S. and international politics over the next few years will depend on his victory," he wrote. "Those votes will affect us too." Letta has been a critic of Trump's handling of the election. When Trump tweeted "STOP THE COUNT" the day after polls closed in November, Letta responded, "IT'S CALLED DEMOCRACY!" - - - The Washington Post's Steve Hendrix in Jerusalem, Chico Harlan in Rome, Rick Noack in Paris, Michael Birnbaum in Riga, Latvia, and Adam Taylor in Washington contributed to this report. IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunwest Bank, a privately held, entrepreneurial business bank serving the Western United States, has announced today it will be participating in the most recent economic relief package, which includes an additional $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses, created under the original Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in March. Sunwest Bank provided over 2,000 PPP and MSLP loans across the Western United States during the first round of funding earlier this year and is gearing up for the next round of funding. If you have already received a PPP loan, below are the key details regarding program changes and eligibility for a second PPP loan. A second PPP loan will be available for businesses with fewer than 300 employees and that sustained a loss of revenue of 25% or greater during any quarter in 2020. Restaurants and hotels (NAICS code 72 will be eligible for 3.5x avg. monthly payroll) and all other business will be eligible for 2.5x. Loan size is capped at $2mm and the total of the two loans cannot exceed the initial $10mm cap. Expenses paid for with PPP loans will now be considered tax deductible. Expenses eligible for forgiveness have been expanded to include the following (if your loan has already been forgiven, you are excluded from this change): Operational expenditures: business software, payroll software, HR, billing functions, accounting, tracking of inventory Property damage: vandalism or lootings that is not covered by insurance (during 2020 only) Supplier costs: POs, perishable goods, or inventory Worker protection: screens, cough guards, or any structure to be in compliance with new health codes from the CDC or DHHS PPP Loans under $150,000 will have a one-page forgiveness application. will have a one-page forgiveness application. 501(c)(6) organizations that are not lobbying organizations such as chambers of commerce, trade associations, and boards of trade are now eligible if they have fewer than 150 employees. If you did not apply for or receive a PPP loan in the first round, you have another opportunity to apply for one now. The program guidelines are largely unchanged, except the maximum loan amount is now $2 million and eligible businesses must have 300 employees or less (excluding NAICS code 72 businesses). To apply for either your first or second PPP loan, please visit Sunwest's PPP page to apply. "The Sunwest team provided impeccable service to our PPP borrowers during a time of need and our team is ready to meet our clients' needs with this new round of PPP funding," said Carson Lappetito, President of Sunwest Bank. If you are interested in a PPP loan under the renewed program or have any questions about the program, please call us at (866) 920-2745 or visit our website at www.sunwestbank.com. About Sunwest Bank Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank is a privately held commercial bank with more than $2.0 Billion in assets. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, with operations in California, Arizona, Idaho and Utah; Sunwest is an entrepreneurial business bank with a long tradition of providing excellent service to entrepreneurs, privately held corporations, family offices, small-medium sized business and real estate developers throughout the Western United States. Sunwest Bank is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. More information about Sunwest Bank and its full line of products and services is available at www.sunwestbank.com. Media Contact: Heather Tidwell (949) 777-1333 [email protected] SOURCE Sunwest Bank Related Links https://www.sunwestbank.com WILLIAMSPORT Two women have filed a federal lawsuit accusing police of raiding and trashing their Williamsport home in September, then not charging them or giving them a reason. Libby Williams on behalf of herself and her 10-year-old son along with Rocellus Carter made the accusation in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court against Lycoming County detective Tyson Havens and 20 unnamed officers. The lawsuit says that at about 5:30 a.m. Sept. 29, police in fatigues kicked in the front door of their Linn Street home, threw a flash grenade and stormed into the house with weapons drawn and throwing more flash grenades. The women said they were forced to leave the house, handcuffed and told to sit on the grass in the rain. Williams said in the lawsuit that when she asked to see a search warrant, an officer replied it was sealed. A request by a neighbor to take her 10-year-old son was denied, she said. A judge sealed the search warrant so officers did not have to disclose its contents, District Attorney Ryan C. Gardner said. Items seized by police in the raid, including a cell phone and weapons, have not been returned because the investigation is ongoing and potential evidence has been sent to a lab for analysis, Gardner said. Carter claims when she asked why they were doing this, an officer placed a gun to her head and screamed shut up right now. Williams said in the complaint that when she asked Havens at city police headquarters why she was being questioned, he responded: You have been selling drugs for years. Come on. I have been watching you. During the four or five hours she was at police headquarters she said she was shown a video from her Facebook page in which she asserted her hatred for police. The suit accuses the officers of ransacking the home, tearing apart furniture, ripping a thermostat from a wall and breaking an oven and television. Williams said her son now lives in fear of police and is indelibly scarred. He was told to say goodbye to his mother because she was going to jail for a long time, according to the lawsuit. Williams, a former receptionist in Lycoming County family court, claimed ownership of one of the guns and told officers she had a license to carry it, according to the lawsuit. She does not have a criminal record. Carter pleaded guilty last March to a weapons charge and was sentenced to 80 to 162 days in prison, court records show. The women are seeking unspecified damages. Washington, Jan 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jan, 2021 ) :Should Covid-19 boosters be delayed? Could the dose levels be reduced by half, and would mixing and matching shots made by different makers work just as well. These are questions now facing governments around the world as vaccine rollout falters and the coronavirus continues to rage, spurred on by new variants that are believed to be more contagious. British health officials are setting the pace, announcing they will stretch out the second dose of vaccines authorized for use there up to three months, well beyond the three or four weeks recommended. The idea is to scale up the number of people who can be reached quickly, even if the level of individual protection falls short of what is reached with the booster. Authorities in England have also granted permission to give people a second shot from a different vaccine maker if the kind the got the first time has run out. The United States, meanwhile, has tacked a more cautious line. On Monday night, food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn said that while these are "reasonable questions to consider and evaluate," the moves are "premature and not rooted solidly in available evidence." Without this, "we run a significant risk of placing public health at risk, undermining the historic vaccination efforts to protect the population from COVID-19." The divide exposes a division among the experts, with respected scientists falling on opposing sides of the argument. Ideally, policy decisions should rest solely on the parameters in which clinical trials were conducted. But with the virus threatening to spiral out of control, some argue we're in far from an ideal situation. "We didn't pick three weeks for Pfizer or four weeks for Moderna because we knew it to be perfect," Howard Forman, a public health expert at Yale University told AFP. "It was the best guess for an optimal time for the booster dose to be given to augment immunity." Forman added that much of medicine is based on imperfect data -- such as how long a course of drugs should be taken, and physicians routinely prescribe medicine approved for one purpose for other conditions. "So modest changes to what we've already recommended may make all the difference in getting a lot more bang for the vaccines that we have," he added. Forman stressed that he's only suggesting delaying the second dose -- seen as vital to ensuring longer term protection -- and only in the case of under-65s and those who are at less medically vulnerable. - Sluggish rollout - The debate comes amid unexpected delays in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. The US had set 20 million people as its target for December but as of January 4, it had only reached 4.5 million. Both the US and UK have covered about 1.4 percent of their populations, Europe is far behind, while Israel is out front having covered some 13 percent. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, based on mRNA technology, reach about 95 percent efficacy on second dose, which is reserved in storage for a person after their first. The Moderna vaccine in particular has shown high levels of protection after the first shot -- in the region of 90 percent -- but the numbers should be treated cautiously as the sample size is small. Saad Omer, a vaccine researcher and director of Yale's Institute for Global Health, told AFP that he saw only a need for changing tactics in countries where supply itself is short. As it stands in the US, the rate at which vaccines are being sent to states is only a little behind schedule, and Omer believes addressing the bottleneck in administering them to people should be given priority. As for mixing vaccines, noted Yale immunologist Akiko Iwasaki has said it should work in theory, but experts are unanimous that it requires more study and should only be a last resort for now. - Confusing to public - Both Omer and Natalie Dean, a biostatistician at the University of Florida, argue that a path forward might lie in further data analysis to find biological markers, such as antibody levels, that correlate to protection against Covid-19. This could be determined by combing through the results of multiple trials to calculate a threshold value, then setting up small studies to determine what dose of vaccine gets you there. The advantage of this approach is it would eliminate the need to repeat months-long trials. This might be a promising avenue to pursue for injecting half-doses of the Modern vaccine, which data suggests might deliver the same level of protection, said Dean. She added she was worried that the discussion around changes could be confusing to the public, "and I'm concerned about anything that could jeopardize trust."People should therefore be assured that any changes in the US would go through the same transparent regulatory process that granted the vaccines their emergency authorization, she said A deadly animal attack in the Guatemalan rainforest is being blamed on climate change that is causing animals to compete for water. A camera trap set up at an isolated watering hole was triggered when a male jaguar attacked and killed an ocelot. Such predator-on-predator attacks are rare, researchers say, and could be caused by abnormally fierce competition for water. The attack happened in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in March 2019, when northern Guatemala was experiencing a severe drought. In fact the jaguar let a large tapir, potentially a tasty meal, pass by unmolested before pounding on the ocelot as soon as it stopped to drink. Scroll down for video A camera trap captured the first known evidence of a jaguar killing an ocelot. Scientists believe the savage attack was the result of 'over-competition' for water during a drought exacerbated by climate change Daniel Thornton, a professor at Washington State University's School of Environment, says 'over-competition' for water could easily make a jaguar attack another cat. 'People don't often think of tropical systems as being dry, but in many parts of the world, tropical rains are quite seasonal,' said Thornton, co-author of a report on the incident published in the journal Biotropica. 'With climate change, some of these tropical ecosystems are expected to become even more seasonal. The more isolated and rare water resources become, the more they're going to become hotspots of activity.' Jaguars, the largest cat species in the New World, can tip the scales at over 200 pounds. Typically loners, jaguars usually avoid places their peers habituate. But the camera trap recorded seven different jaguars at the same waterhole, including a fight between two cats Typically loners, jaguars stalk and ambush smaller prey like wild pigs, deer, tapir and even caiman biting through their skull with their powerful jaws to deliver a fatal blow. Ocelots are considerably smaller, about 20 to 40 pounds, and dine on rodents, birds, reptiles and insects. It's not uncommon for the two wild cats to bump into each other, especially at twilight, but such savage attacks are extremely unusual. Researchers placed cameras at more than 40 watering holes in the Maya Biosphere Reserve. During the 2019 dry season, only half had water and none were within six miles of the spot where the attack occurred In fact, while researchers have noted signs of ocelot in jaguar feces before, this is the first direct evidence of a jaguar killing an ocelot. 'These dramatic camera trap images clearly show the fierce competition wildlife face for precious resources like water,' said co-author Rony Garcia-Anleu of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Guatemala Program. 'Unfortunately, climate change and associated droughts are predicted to worsen, which means tough times are ahead for wildlife that depend on watering holes for their survival.' The kill was recorded as part of a larger project aimed at monitoring human impact on animals in northern Guatemala. Researchers placed cameras at more than 40 watering holes in the region. At more than 200 pounds, the jaguar is the largest cat species in the New World. Ocelots are considerably smaller, only 20 and 40 pounds. It's not uncommon for the two species to cross paths in the rainforest, but attacks are exceedingly rare During the 2019 dry season, only half the holes had water in them and none were within six miles of the spot where the attack occurred. Jaguars usually avoid places their peers habituate, but the camera trap recorded seven different jaguars at the location, including a fight between two cats. 'In these beautiful, green forests, we may not be aware that water flow is a serious issue,' said lead author Lucy Perera-Romero, a WSU doctoral student. 'It could be another source of mortality apart from deforestation, from hunting, and from everything else that we do.' Covering over 8,000 square miles, or a fifth of the country's total land mass, the Maya Biosphere Reserve in the Peten region of northern Guatemala is a critical haven for a diverse group of fauna including jaguars, Morelet's crocodiles and ocellated turkeys. Located in the Peten region of northern Guatemala, the Maya Biosphere Reserve is a critical haven for a diverse group of animals. But it's been negatively impacted by human activity, including poaching and illegal ranching, logging and farming It's been managed by Guatemala's National Council of Protected Areas since 1990, but the animals who live there are still under threat by human activities, including poaching and illegal ranching, logging and farming in restricted areas. The reserve's forest area has shrunk by 13 percent over the last two decades, according to the non-profit Rainforest Alliance, thanks in large part to illegal cattle ranches established by drug traffickers to launder money. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Good morning, Bay Area. Its Tuesday, Jan. 5, and Big Sur could be in for some big changes. Heres what you need to know to start your day. California reported on Monday that only about a third of all coronavirus vaccine doses sent to the state or about 450,000 doses of 1.3 million total have been used so far. This matches a slower-than-expected rollout of vaccines across the country, but the state is below average in percentage of available doses used. Meanwhile the surge thats swept over California for the past two months leveled off last week still near all-time highs of cases and hospitalizations. But Mondays report of 70,000 new coronavirus cases made officials realize that the predicted surge on top of a surge from post-Christmas and New Years cases had arrived. Read more on the latest from reporter Erin Allday. Why a Petaluma hospital is getting help from emergency workers elsewhere in California. Newsom to propose $300 million for coronavirus vaccine distribution in California budget. S.F. wants to cancel homeless count amid COVID-19 concerns. Silicon Valley pushback Noah Berger / Associated Press More than 200 employees at Google parent company Alphabet announced plans to form a union with both full-time and contract workers on Monday. Its a rare move in the tech industry that comes after public walkouts and controversies over employee dismissals at Google in recent years. Disputes over government contracts, particularly work on drone technology with military applications, also created cause for pushing back, members of the unionization push said. While only a small fraction of the more than 130,000 Alphabet employees worldwide are involved, Chase DiFeliciantonio reports, the union drive is less focused on striking a contract and more on creating a center of gravity for ongoing activism at the company. What does Georgia have to do with California? Stephen B. Morton / Associated Press The results of the Georgia Senate elections Tuesday will ripple through California especially if Democrats sweep the two races. If that happens, the Democrats gain a 50-50 split in the Senate, and Californias most prominent national figure, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, will become the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, gaining a lot more visibility than most veeps. Reporter Joe Garofoli looks at more ramifications from an election on the other side of the country. For this evening: Results from Georgia Senate elections. Around the Bay Policy changes promised: The San Francisco District Attorneys Office on Monday filed manslaughter charges against Troy McAlister, the parolee accused of fatally striking two pedestrians in downtown San Francisco on New Years Eve. The charges come as District Attorney Chesa Boudin and parole officials face intense scrutiny over the case. Sledgehammer instead of a scalpel: California freezes many peoples unemployment benefits to combat fraud, frustrating those in need. Q.R. Hand Jr.: Beloved Bay Area Black poet who blended verse and jazz dies at 83. Whos on short list? San Franciscos Board of Supervisors faces first task of 2021 choosing a president. Shell company? Mysterious $500,000 contribution to Newsom recall effort is focus of complaint. Holy internet, Batman! We found the winner of 1960s Chronicle Batmobile contest. More: Library director Bill van Niekerkens farewell column. A different look: The likely reality for the 49ers, Eric Branch writes, is that this core isnt coming back. Not all quarantinis: Pandemic drinking did not save the wine industry's slowing sales, new data shows. Much to do, no time to waste: In 2020, San Francisco accomplished a major feat: enduring the COVID-19 pandemic with the lowest death rate of any major American city. Now it must tackle crises caused and overshadowed by the pandemic, Heather Knight writes. In Case You Missed It Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Its a goat rodeo. Thats how Butch Kronlund, executive director of the Community Association of Big Sur, describes visitor behavior near Highway 1 at Bixby Creek Bridge over the past five years: parking in the narrow roadway, causing hours-long traffic delays and dangerously posing for pictures on the landmark bridge. Now the landscape is just a backdrop for peoples antics, Kronlund says and, as a result, residents of the region are now considering a huge change in how tourists experience the 70-mile stretch of coast around Big Sur. Read more. More stories from the holiday week you might have missed: With musical life on hiatus, a horn virtuoso tackles the COVID pandemic. How the As traveling secretary helped blow up MLBs barrier to women reporters. A year later, Beach Blanket Babylon actors reflect candidly on loss. How S.F.s Supergiant made Hades one of 2020s most acclaimed video games. Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com, and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com. COLOMBO : Asserting that the coronavirus pandemic has not dented the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the two countries are now looking at post-Covid cooperation. Speaking at a joint media briefing with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, Jaishankar said the Covid pandemic has given the two sides an opportunity to work even more closely together. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online "It hasn't dented our bilateral cooperation but the virtual summit between our prime ministers was the watermark of our relationship last year," he said, referring to the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa in September. "We are now looking at post-Covid cooperation and I carry back with me Sri Lankas interest in accessing vaccines from India," he said. Sri Lankan leadership formally requested Indian assistance to obtain the COVID vaccine during meetings with Jaishankar in Colombo. Jaishankar is visiting Colombo over three months after the two prime ministers held the virtual summit during which the two sides agreed to further expand ties in a range of areas such as anti-terror cooperation, maritime security and trade and investment. He also spoke on the need to ensure aspirations of the minority Tamils are addressed within a united Sri Lanka. "India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long standing as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony," he said. He also emphasised on the importance of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Jaishankar, who had met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his counterpart Gunawardena before the press conference and was expected to meet with the minister of fisheries Douglas Devananda, said he was looking forward to the early return of Indian fishermen detained in Lanka. "We look forward to the early return of our fishermen from Sri Lanka," Jaishankar said. Indian fishermen, apprehended in Sri Lanka for allegedly poaching in its territorial waters, were provided consular assistance by the Consulate General of India in Jaffna last week. The high commission said it was in touch with the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate the early release of the detained fishermen. India and Sri Lanka last week held through video conferencing a meeting of the joint working group on fisheries and discussed the issues related to fishermen and the ways to overcome challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. On his part, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister conveyed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government for the tremendous support India extended in the past several months to mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID pandemic. "India's Neighbourhood First Policy has made a positive impact on the health sector and economy during this period of unprecedented crisis," Gunawardena said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Vice President Mike Pence has told Donald Trump that he lacked the power to challenge Vice President-elect Joe Biden's electoral victory despite the US president's insistence that he did not, according to a media report. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Pence delivered the message to Trump during his weekly lunch with the president. Pence is set to preside over the US Senate on Wednesday as it receives the results of the state-by-state Electoral College that determines the winner of presidential elections. Biden, a Democrat, beat Trump 306-232 in the Electoral College and in the popular vote by more than 7 million ballots. Trump, a Republicna, has not conceded the election, reiterating unverified claims that the November 3 presidential polls were rigged. Dozens of lawsuits by his campaign challenging election results have failed in US courts. Vice President Mike Pence told President Trump on Tuesday that he did not believe he had the power to block congressional certification of Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s victory in the presidential election despite Mr Trump's baseless insistence that he did, the daily reported, citing unnamed people briefed on the conversation. Trump, however, has decried the report as fake news, asserting that Pence never told him what the report said. The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news. He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act, Trump said in a statement issued by his campaign. The November 3 election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal, Trump said. Our Vice President has several options under the US Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation, Trump said. The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors, Trump said in a tweet on Tuesday. Pence has not made any statement in the public so far. However, his staffers noted that the vice president supports the right of lawmakers to raise objections and debate. "Vice President Pence shares the concerns of millions of Americans about voter fraud and irregularities in the last election," Pence chief of staff Marc Short said in a statement. "The Vice President welcomes the efforts of members of the House and Senate to use the authority they have under the law to raise objections and bring forward evidence before the Congress and the American people on January 6th," Short said. According to The New York Times, Pence has spent the past several days in a delicate dance, seeking at once to convey to Trump that he does not have the authority to overturn the results of the election, while also placating the president to avoid a rift that could torpedo any hopes the Vice President has of running in 2024 as Trump's loyal heir. Even as he sought to make clear that he does not have the power Mr. Trump seems to think he has, Mr. Pence also indicated to the president that he would keep studying the issue up until the final hours before the joint session of Congress begins at 1 pm Wednesday, according to the people briefed on their conversation, the report said. One option being considered, according to a person close to Mr Trump, was having Mr Pence acknowledge the president's claims about election fraud in some form during one or more of the Senate debates about the results from particular states before the certification. Mr Pence will preside over those debates, it said. PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with leading economists and sectoral experts on Friday to deliberate on measures that may be included in the upcoming budget for promoting growth, amid uncertainty on multiple fronts caused by COVID-19. The meeting, being organised by the government think tank NITI Aayog will be held virtually and will also be attended by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and CEO Amitabh Kant. "The Prime Minister will meet economists on Friday to seek their inputs for the next budget, said a government official on condition of anonymity. The meeting assumes significance as according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indias economy is projected to contract 7.5 percent in the current fiscal ending March 31, 2021, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank estimates the contraction at 10.3 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. Indias economy recovered faster than expected in the September quarter as a pick-up in manufacturing helped GDP clock a lower contraction of 7.5 percent and held out hopes for further improvement on better consumer demand. Indias economic growth stood at an estimated 4.2 per cent in 2019-20. The upcoming Union Budget is likely to be presented on February 1, 2021. Houston-area Rep. Kevin Brady has tested positive for COVID-19, he tweeted Tuesday night. Tonite the Office of House Physician informed me that Ive tested positive for Covid 19 & am quarantined, wrote Brady, R-The Woodlands. As recommended, I received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Dec 18 & also recently tested negative for Covid on New Years Day. Brady, the ranking GOP member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he will begin treatment Wednesday and should be fine. TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday He is the latest case in a chamber that has seen dozens of positive coronavirus tests over the past 10 months. His diagnosis also follows that of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Fort Worth Republican who tested positive a day earlier. In Texas, coronavirus cases are again surging, with new daily diagnoses and hospitalizations reaching record numbers. As of Wednesday, more than 13,000 Texans were hospitalized with the illness. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) The president of North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo revealed Tuesday how much stress the hospital is under as Mississippi sees a surge in coronavirus cases. David Wilson said the hospital's emergency department in recent days "has housed as many as 30 patients for up to 20 hours because no inpatient beds were available in Tupelo." "These are a mix of patients," added Wilson in his five-paragraph statement. "Some are critically ill with COVID-19. Others have life-threatening illnesses." According to the hospital president, NMMC is limiting surgeries and determining "which items to continue or to discontinue to ensure we have the staffing and resources to care for this influx of patients." Wilson's statement echoes the concern expressed for weeks by state health leaders that Mississippi's hospitals are feeling the strain because of rising numbers of coronavirus cases. Haiti - FLASH : Shipwreck off the Colombian coast, 9 Haitian survivors, 2 dead, 5 missing... Search operations are continuing in the area of the island of Terron de Azucar in the municipality of Acandi (Dept. Choco) off the Colombian coast where 16 boat-people of Haitian origin on board a motor boat made sinking Monday. The death toll is 9 Haitians including a minor, 2 lifeless bodies have been found and 5 passengers have so far been missing. According to the captain of the Colombian navy, Oscar Ortiz, the Haitians would have taken to sea at Turbo (Dept. of Antioquia, last Sunday) in order to cross the Gulf of Uraba and continue their journey towards the countries of Central America and the United States. Recall that in 2020, the Colombian navy rescued 101 migrants of different nationalities who tried to cross the Gulf of Uraba irregularly. According to the Colombian navy, the search for the missing has intensified by sea and by air, but hopes of finding survivors are diminishing... Alexander Murillo Robledo, Municipal Mayor of Acandi, said two men who were driving the boat were arrested by police. S/ HaitiLibre Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. DecisionDatabases added the latest report with a global perspective on the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode Market studied under different segments, including type, application, and regions. The report is treated with size, trends, growth, share, and forecast till 2025. Besides, the research report studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall growth at the global level. This report also offers a lucrative area of the industry at the regional and country level. The final report will cover the impact of COVID-19 on this industry. The global Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode market report presents a complete research-based study of the industry including details such as company shares, forecast data, in-depth analysis and an outlook of the market on a worldwide platform. The report further highlights the market drivers, restraints and the top manufacturers at the global and regional levels. For a thorough understanding, the report also offers market segmentation and regional analysis for the forecast period from 2020 to 2025. Click here to get a Sample PDF Copy of the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-28869 According to this study, over the next five years, the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode market will register an xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach $ xx million by 2025, from $ xx million in 2020. In particular, this report presents the global market share (sales and revenue) of key companies in the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode business, shared in Chapter 3. This Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode market report also splits the market by regions: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries). This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. Thorlabs Hamamatsu KYOTO SEMICONDUCTOR Laser Components Discovery Semiconductors Ushio America Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-28869 This study considers the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments: Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.7. 120 m 300 m 400 m Others Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Laser Detection and Rangefinder (LIDAR) Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Free Space Optics (FSO) Others In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, challenges and the risks faced by key manufacturers and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development. Purchase the Complete Global Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-28869 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, type and application, history data from 2015 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode manufacturers, to define, describe, and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years. To analyze the Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Long Wavelength InGaAs Photodiode submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com Reference Source: https://www.topnewscorner.com/long-wavelength-ingaas-photodiode-market-2020-analysis-by-latest-trends-growth-opportunities-with-potential-impact-of-covid-19/ Former US Vice President Joseph Biden is worried about Georgia as Democrats launch a last-ditch effort to suppress votes for the re-election of Senator Kelly Leoffler, a report said. According to Politico, the Republicans winning in the Georgia runoff "would dramatically change" Biden's "legislative giving him 50 votes in the Senate and, with that, opening up a much wider array of opportunities to push a pricier agenda through Congress." The results of the said senatorial elections would affect Biden's "ambitious agenda" and have prompted him to tie "the success of his agenda to their candidacies" when he spoke about it in a campaign rally held for their Democrat senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, Politico said. Politico also revealed that Biden's advisers are not expecting a win for their senatorial bets but the Democrat team is banking on the stimulus checks and President Donald Trump's claims on voter fraud to push people away from voting for the Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. "By electing Jon and the Reverend, you can make an immediate difference in your own lives, the lives of people all across the country, because their election will put an end to the block in Washington on that $2,000 stimulus check," Politico quoted Biden in saying from the Georgia rally. "That money will go out the door immediately," Biden stressed, "If you send Perdue and Loeffler back to Washington, those checks won't get there." In his Twitter account, Biden said reinstated the effect of the Georgia elections to the national elections. "Georgia - If you elect @ReverendWarnock and @Ossoff, we can break the gridlock that has gripped Washington. We'll be able to make the progress we need to make on jobs, health care, justice, and more. It all comes down to today. Vote: http://iwillvote.com/GA," he said including a photo of himself with the two candidates in his post. The said tweet came after a post with a video inviting voters to practice their civic responsibility. "I'm asking you to give everything you've got for one more day - because that one day can change America," he urged in the said tweet. "Georgia - The nation is looking to you to lead us forward. The power is in your hands: http://iwillvote.com/GA," he added. Biden and the Democrats are desperate to win the Georgia run-offs that they launched a last-ditch attempt at suppressing votes for Loeffler and Perdue. According to Breitbart, the Democrats released an advertisement during the final hours of the campaign. The ad is meant to "split" Loeffler from U.S. President Donald Trump. The advertisement highlighted how GA Gov. Brian Kemp "appointed" Loeffler to the seat left vacant by retired former Senator Johnny Isakson. Interestingly, this ad about Loeffler contains an opening statement from her rival, Warnock: "I'm Raphael Warnock and I approved this message," the ad's opening remarks said. The opening remarks clearly indicate that this is a desperate attempt on the part of the Democrats to dissuade supporters from voting Loeffler. Politico also revealed that Biden's team has been preparing their plans for transition on the assumption of losing in Georgia, which mostly is a reserved plan but still includes an agenda for the next 100 days should Biden become the president of the United States. The said agenda includes focus on the "pandemic, the recession, climate change and racial inequality". Biden has actually already posted his COVID-19 plan and vaccination strategy in his Twitter account. He said he "plans to enhance and accelerate vaccinations after they are sworn in" and to "accelerate getting the US population vaccinated." Lhasa: Amid the ongoing border row with India, China has also been involved in a discourse with Tibet. The dispute and the protests by the Tibetans have now resulted in the Chinese perform a military air drill over the Tibet's capital of Lhasa. Several Chinese choppers and jets were seen performing air drill over Lhasa. The Chinese are rattled after the recently passed 'Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020' by the United States (US). The act states that sanctions should be put on Chinese officials who interfere in the selection of the successor of the exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama. According to a few experts, China is upset with the way the whole world has risen against the country. The Chinese are also scared of losing Tibet, which they have ruled with an iron fist for over 60 years now. The exclusive photographs held by Zee Media clearly show that the Chinese military has performed a joint military drilled, where dozens of Chinese military helicopters and fighter jets flew over Lhasa. It was probably done to send a message to the Tibetans that China can crush any opposition they have, as they did last time before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Tonight we finish the blog with a note sent our way that deserves consideration and spotlights Kansas City's screwed up priorities. Here's the word and something to think about tonight . . . "Im very disturbed that we can spend $26 million dollars to give dogs and cats first class protection from the elements but we can let homeless HUMANS die in frozen fields and buildings! Im all for being humane to animals, but its about time we in KCMO are humane to HUMANS! Its time to step up!!!!!" You decide . . . Louisville police have fired two detectives, one who shot Breonna Taylor and another who sought the warrant that led to the deadly raid. Det. Myles Cosgrove and Det. Joshua Jaynes were fired Tuesday after receiving notification last week from the departments interim chief that they would be dismissed. A letter informing them of their dismissal was released Wednesday. Taylor, a Black woman, was killed March 13 by police executing a narcotics search warrant. None of the three white officers who fired into Taylors home were charged by a grand jury in her death. Cosgrove and two other officers who fired into Taylors apartment were not charged in her death by a grand jury in September. Investigators said Cosgrove fired 16 rounds into the apartment after the front door was breached and Taylors boyfriend fired a shot at them. Federal ballistics experts said they believe the shot that killed Taylor came from Cosgrove. Gentry wrote that Cosgrove failed to properly identify a target when he fired, according to media reports of the letter, which has not been released. Jaynes was not at the scene the night of the shooting but sought the warrant that sent police to Taylors home. Gentry said Jaynes lied about how he obtained some information about Taylor in the warrant. An internal investigation by Louisville police found Jaynes violated department procedures for preparation of a search warrant and truthfulness. Jaynes acknowledged in a May interview with Louisville police investigators that he didnt personally verify that a drug trafficking suspect, Jamarcus Glover, was receiving mail at Taylors apartment, even though he had said in an earlier affidavit that he had. Jaynes said he relied instead on information from a fellow officer. Jaynes and Cosgrove have been on administrative reassignment, along with another officer who was at the raid, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. Mattingly was shot in the leg by Taylors boyfriend, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home. Another officer, Brett Hankison, was fired in June by then-interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder, who said Hankison wantonly and blindly shot 10 rounds of gunfire into Taylors apartment. His termination letter said Hankison violated the rule against using deadly force. Mattingly said in October that he intended to retire from the department. In September, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who took on the role of special prosecutor in the case, announced that a grand jury had indicted Hankison on wanton endangerment charges, saying he fired gunshots into a neighboring home during the raid. No one in the home was hit. Hankison has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Cosgrove and Mattingly were not charged with Taylors killing because they acted to protect themselves, Cameron said. The decision disappointed and angered those who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months, and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved were fired or someone was charged with her killing. Three grand jurors, speaking anonymously, have since come forward to say that Cameron did not allow the grand jury to consider homicide related charges against the officers for Taylors death. The three grand jurors said they believe they would have brought criminal charges against the officers if given the chance. For months, Taylors name has been a rallying cry for activists protesting the extrajudicial killing of Black men and women. Famed musicians, actors, athletes and politicians had called for the officers arrests. Related Content: The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. For two consecutive years, the strategic sustainable agenda and effective actions taken by Swiss Post Solutions Vietnam (SPS Vietnam) have enabled the company to be honored in the Top 10 Sustainable Businesses Trade and Service category by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD). Launched in 2016, Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam celebrated the first five years of its journey in a ceremony honorably attended by Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, leaders from the government, and nearly 300 representatives from local and international corporations and agencies. The evaluation of the Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam was based on the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) containing 127 indexes in four areas: sustainable achievements, corporate management, environment, and labor force. To be suitable for the future trends in Vietnams economy, CSI 2020 has been modified with new points to suit the requirements of such important free trade agreements (FTAs) as CPTPP Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and EVFTA Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, as well as the significant changes in environmental and labor management policies that have huge influences on business operations. In particular, issues related to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the activities in the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development have been simplified and integrated into the CSI 2020 indicators. SPS Vietnam, established in 2004, is a global document input processing and IT operational hub of Swiss Post Solutions Group. Its core services are complex business process outsourcing, document processing, and document management. Among more than 500 corporations which passed the preliminary round supervised by a board of judges comprising distinguished professors in different areas, SPS Vietnam was selected as one of the Top 10 Sustainable Businesses in the category of trade and service thanks to its best endeavor to contribute to the socio-economic development of Vietnam via three goals: No One Is Left Behind: 89 percent of people with disabilities of labor age in Vietnam do not have stable income and 65 percent of them are living in temporary accommodations. Thus, SPS Vietnam aims to provide jobs and improve the working and living skills of disabled people by collaborating with Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD) a reputable and trusted NGO to sponsor scholarships, set up a coworking space hub, and carry out training sessions. Under the framework of the sustainability agenda, the Walk For Charity Program has supported the lives of 15 disabled people so far with the funds raised from nearly 40,000km walked by SPS Vietnam staff. Among those who received such support, five were SPS Vietnam employees. More than that, SPS Vietnam also cares about the younger generation because children are the future seeds of the society. This belief has inspired the company to give back to the community by organizing annual Mid-Autumn Festival activities for children suffering brittle bone disease at Beautiful Diamond Center and for elementary school students in the poor areas of Ho Chi Minh City. We Save The Planet: SPS Vietnam is concerned about the impacts of global warming and the company puts a lot of effort in changing its employees awareness and habits to limit the consumption of paper, electricity, and water by 5 percent annually. We Promote Sustainable Economic Growth Stability is not only the guarantee of service level agreement to the companys customers but also a shield to protect its reputation in the eyes of its employees. Amid the challenges from COVID-19, SPS Vietnam managed to ensure 93.5 percent of risks were covered by the risk management and analysis process. Besides, SPS Vietnam has maintained smooth production, continued to operate 24/7, and especially upheld its commitment to customer service by maintaining virtually all quality and turnaround service level agreement thanks to the firms resilience and well-prepared business continuity plan. Although COVID-19 has caused stagnation in the global economy, it never weakens the spirit of continuous improvement in SPS Vietnam. Since 2015, the companys continuous improvement program has helped its clients save US$6 million and has been rolled out to other entities of SPS Group. Happily receiving the certificate of this regconition, Anatolijus Fouracre, CEO of SPS Vietnam, said, Being in the top 10 most sustainable companies in Vietnam for two consecutive years is a great honor to Swiss Post Solutions Vietnam. This achievement is a driving force for Swiss Post Solutions Vietnam to leverage our strengths and push the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals forward for more impressive results. A naturalized Kazakh citizen from China's northwestern region of Xinjiang says his activities as a self-exiled activist in Turkey helped five ethnic Kazakh Chinese citizens obtain refugee status in Kazakhstan in 2020. Serikzhan Bilash and his family moved from Kazakhstan to Turkey in September after he faced controversial charges of inciting ethnic hatred. In an interview with RFE/RL published on January 6, Bilash said Kazakh authorities have been reluctant to give refugee status to ethnic Kazakhs who've fled Xinjiang to avoid incarceration in China's so-called reeducation camps for Muslim indigenous ethnic groups. Bilash said that, after moving to Turkey, he met with Turkish rights activists about the cases of ethnic Kazakhs who've fled to Kazakhstan from China. With their assistance, Bilash said Turkish authorities were asked to to give Turkish citizenship to five ethnic Kazakhs from Xinjiang -- Qaisha Aqan, Qaster Musakhanuly, Murager Alimuly, Baghashar Malikuly, and Tilek Tabarikuly. All five were tried in Kazakhstan on charges of illegally crossing the border into Kazakhstan. Bilash claims the effort in Turkey contributed to a decision by Kazakh authorities to provide the five with a one-year refugee status in Kazakhstan. "After we publicly announced we were seeking Turkish citizenship for the five Kazakhs from Xinjiang, some people from Kazakhstan met with us in 2020 and asked us to withdraw the move, saying that Kazakhstan would soon solve the issue," Bilash said. Shortly after that, Bilash told RFE/RL, the five received temporary refugee status in Kazakhstan. 2019 Arrest Bilash himself was arrested in Kazakhstan in 2019 and charged with inciting ethnic hatred after he'd campaigned for the release of ethnic Kazakhs from the detention centers in China. He was held in pretrial detention and under house arrest for five months. Bilash led the Atazhurt Eriktileri (Volunteers of the Fatherland) group. The group staged a series of demonstrations during 2018 and 2019 that brought together ethnic Kazakhs from Xinjiang who've resettled in Kazakhstan. The group has asked for help from Kazakh authorities to secure the release of relatives and friends held at the notorious camps in Xinjiang. Bilash was also fined about $300 by Kazakh authorities in August 2019. In November, the United Nations' Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that the Kazakh government violated international human rights law when it detained Bilash. The U.S. State Department has said that as many as 2 million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and members of Xinjiang's other indigenous, mostly Muslim, ethnic groups have been taken to detention centers in China. Beijing says that the facilities are "vocational education centers" aimed at helping people steer clear of terrorism and allowing them to be reintegrated into society. Kazakhs are the second-largest Turkic-speaking indigenous community in Xinjiang after Uyghurs. The region is also home to ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Hui, also known as Dungans. Han, China's largest ethnicity, are the second-largest community in Xinjiang. By Ray McGovern January 05, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - Forget what Vice President Pence has suggested he might do this week regarding counting the votes for president and forget President Trumps ominous military buildup near Iran, the Sunday New York Times two-column, above-the-fold lede tells us what we should really be worried about: "Scope of Russian Hacking Far Exceeds Initial Fears." The on-line title was "As Understanding of Russian Hacking Grows, So Does Alarm." Forget, too, that this latest NYT indictment of Russia, does not substantially advance the story beyond the information available two weeks ago, when "neither the actor, nor the motive, nor the damage done [was] known for certain in this latest scare story." Although no evidence is adduced to show that Russia is behind this latest flurry of hacking Russia no doubt sits toward the top of a long list of suspects. The Times ominously quotes Suzanne Spaulding, a senior cyber official during the Obama administration, saying Russia is the foregone conclusion: "We still dont know what Russias strategic objectives were," she said "But we should be concerned that part of this may go beyond reconnaissance. Their goal may be to put themselves in a position to have leverage over the new administration, like holding a gun to our head to deter us from acting to counter Putin." The Sanger Sewing Machine NYT Chief Washington Correspondent David Sanger is listed first on the byline for Sundays story together with Nicole Perlroth and Julian Barnes. That should give us a clue, given Sangers record for sewing things out of whole cloth. In a word, Sanger enjoys an unenviably checkered record for reliability. Until we are shown more in the way of evidence attributing the recently discovered hacking to the Russians, we would do well to review his record. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Sangers reporting on Iraq before the war was as wrong as it was consequential. Those who were alert at the time may remember that Sanger was second only to Judith Miller in spreading the party line on the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Seldom do historians obtain documentary evidence of plans for a war of aggression, but on May 1, 2005 the London Times published a paper (now known as the "Downing Street Memos") that recorded what Sir Richard Dearlove, head of MI6 (the UK counterpart to the CIA) relayed to Prime Minister Tony Blair on July 23, 2002 about what he was told by George Tenet at CIA headquarters on July 20, 2002. (No one has challenged the authenticity of the minutes.) "C (Dearlove) reported on his recent talks in Washington. There was a perceptible shift in attitude. Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action." [Emphasis added.] With David Sanger and his colleague Judith Miller having cried wolf on WMD so many times over the prior two years, the Times decided it would be best to suppress the embarrassing revelation that the "intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy." So the Times ignored it for more than six weeks, when Sanger wrote an article to put the whole thing in perspective, so to speak. The title of Sangers June 13, 2005 article was "Postwar British Memo Says War Decision Wasnt Made." Those looking for a measure of Sangers credibility could do no better than read this masterpiece of deceptive circumlocution. Heres the lead paragraph: WASHINGTON, June 12 A memorandum written by Prime Minister Tony Blairs cabinet office in late July 2002 explicitly states that the Bush administration had made no political decisions to invade Iraq, but that American military planning for the possibility was advanced. " And those asking how Sanger could write that with a straight face need only to read the Downing Street Memos, which are quite succinct and clear. One could almost sympathize with Sanger, who had co-authored a piece with Thom Shanker, on July 29, 2002 in which WMD were flat-facted into Iraq no fewer than seven times. See: U.S. Exploring Baghdad Strike As Iraq Option of July 29, 2002. That was about a week after CIA Director Tenet had briefed Dearlove on the fixing of the intelligence and the facts. It is a safe bet that Sangers sources in the intelligence community briefed him on what line to take on those (non-existent) WMD. Years Later Still Drinking at the Government Trough On July 26, 2016, Candidate Clinton reportedly approved a "blame-Russia" plan. According to a letter from Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sept. 29, 2020, CIA Director John Brennan briefed President Obama on "Russian intelligence analysis" regarding "alleged approval by Hillary Clinton of a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisors to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by Russian security services." The Russian intelligence analysis report was deemed important enough that on Sept. 7, 2016, US intelligence officials forwarded an "investigative referral" to FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Peter Strzok regarding it. ( Such a referral usually indicates that a leak has occurred about a particularly sensitive issue or program. Thus, it is possible that the putative leaker wished to get the information out into the open.) But it is one thing to leak; quite another to get an Establishment journalist to write about it without checking beforehand with the intelligence community for a nihil obstat. There has been no additional reporting about the "investigative referral." But if it was about a leak, the information never saw the light of day at the time. July 26, 2016: The exact date timing may be coincidence, but on the same day Mrs. Clinton was alleged to have given the go-ahead for Russia-gate, Sanger co-authored an article with Eric Schmitt titled: Spy Agency Consensus Grows That Russia Hacked D.N.C.: WASHINGTON American intelligence agencies have told the White House they now have high confidence that the Russian government was behind the theft of emails and documents from the Democratic National Committee, according to federal officials who have been briefed on the evidence. There is much more that can be said about Sangers reporting on very consequential issues. On Iran, for example, taking Sangers reporting at face value, one would think he never read the National Intelligence Estimate that helped prevent a war planned by Cheney/Bush for 2008. I refer to the November 2007 NIE the unanimous, "high-confidence" key judgment of which was that Iran had stopped working on a nuclear weapon at the end of 2003 and had not resumed such work. That key judgment stands, but you would never know that from Sangers reporting. Beware chief Washington correspondents; or at least look at their record. Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. His 27-year career as a CIA analyst includes serving as Chief of the Soviet Foreign Policy Branch and preparer/briefer of the Presidents Daily Brief. He is co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS). https://raymcgovern.com/ Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. By Ted Barrett, Manu Raju and Peter Nickeas, CNN (CNN) -- The US Capitol is once again secured but a woman is dead after supporters of President Donald Trump breached one of the most iconic American buildings, engulfing the nation's capital in chaos after Trump urged his supporters to fight against the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes that will confirm President-elect Joe Biden's win. Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 Shortly after 1 p.m. ET Wednesday hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers set up along the perimeter of the Capitol, where they tussled with officers in full riot gear, some calling the officers "traitors" for doing their jobs. About 90 minutes later, police said demonstrators got into the building and the doors to the House and Senate were being locked. Shortly after, the House floor was evacuated by police. Vice President Mike Pence was also evacuated from Capitol, where he was to perform his role in the counting of electoral votes. An armed standoff took place at the House front door as of 3 p.m. ET, and police officers had their guns drawn at someone who was trying to breach it. A Trump supporter was also pictured standing at the Senate dais earlier in the afternoon. A woman is dead after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, DC police confirmed to CNN. More information on the shooting was not immediately available and a police spokesperson said additional details will come later. Multiple officers have been injured with at least one transported to the hospital, multiple sources tell CNN. Smoke grenades were used on the Senate side of the Capitol, as police work to clear the building of rioters. Windows on the west side of the Senate have been broken, and hundreds of officers are amassing on the first floor of the building. The Senate floor was cleared of rioters as of 3:30 p.m. ET, and an officer told CNN that they have successfully squeezed them away from the Senate wing of the building and towards the Rotunda, and they are removing them out of the East and West doors of the Capitol. It's not clear if any of the individuals have been taken into custody. The US Capitol Police worked to secure the second floor of the Capitol first, and were seen just before 5 p.m. pushing demonstrators off the steps on the east side of the building. With about 30 minutes to go before Washington, DC's 6 p.m. ET curfew, Washington police amassed in a long line to push the mob back from the Capitol grounds. It took until roughly 5:40 p.m. ET for the building to once again be secured, according to the sergeant-at-arms. The stunning display of insurrection was the first time the US Capitol had been overrun since the British attacked and burned the building in August of 1814, during the War of 1812, according to Samuel Holliday, director of scholarship and operations with the US Capitol Historical Society. An afternoon of chaos The protesters first breached exterior security barriers, and video footage showed protesters gathering and some clashing with police near the Capitol building. CNN's team on the ground saw a number of protesters trying to move up the side of the Capitol building. Several loud flash bangs were heard as well. Protesters could be seen pushing against metal fences and police using the fences to push protesters back, while other officers reached over the top to club people trying to cross their lines. Flash bangs could be heard near the steps of the Capitol as smoke filled the air. In some instances officers could be seen deploying pepper spray. Tear gas was deployed, but it's not clear whether by protesters or police, and people wiped tears from their eyes while coughing. After the building was breached, the Capitol police officer in the House chamber told lawmakers that they may need to duck under their chairs and informed lawmakers that protesters were in the building's Rotunda. Lots of House members were seen wearing gas masks as they move between Capitol buildings. Members were calling family to say they are OK. There are no clear answers yet on when the joint session will continue, multiple sources familiar told CNN. Congressional leadership wants the situation to be brought under control first. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat who is a member of leadership, told reporters: "The Capitol is being cleared. When it is safe, we will return to complete our constitutional responsibilities. This is the United States. We will not allow mob rule to undermine the rule of law." Congressional leaders were being evacuated from the Capitol complex just before 5 p.m. ET and were set to be taken to Fort McNair, a nearby Army base in Washington, according to a federal law enforcement official. Trump has directed the National Guard to Washington along with "other federal protective services," according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. The entire DC National Guard has been activated by the Department of Defense, according to the Pentagon. "The D.C. Guard has been mobilized to provide support to federal law enforcement in the District," said Jonathan Hoffman, the chief Pentagon spokesman. "Acting Secretary Miller has been in contact with Congressional leadership, and Secretary McCarthy has been working with the D.C. government. The law enforcement response will be led by the Department of Justice." The official said DC National Guard was not anticipating to be used to protect federal facilities, and the Trump administration had decided earlier this week that would be the task of civilian law enforcement, the official said. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser just announced a citywide curfew from 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday until 6 a.m. ET Thursday. The shocking scene was met with less police force than many of the Black Lives Matter protests that rolled across the country in the wake of George Floyd's killing at the hands of Minneapolis police officers last year. While federal police attacked peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square outside the White House over the summer, clearing the way for Trump to take a photo in front of a nearby church at the time, protesters on Wednesday were able to overrun Capitol police and infiltrate the country's legislative chambers. Trump tells supporters to go home, eventually Trump finally called on his supporters to "go home" hours after the riot started, but spent a large amount of time in the one-minute video lamenting and lying about his election loss. In one stunning line, Trump told the mob to "go home," but added, "We love you. You are very special." Trump struck a sympathetic tone to the rioters he himself unleashed saying, "I know your pain, I know you're hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it. Especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace." However, later on in the evening Trump justified the mob's actions and praised them. "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!" he said. Others inside the President's orbit tweeted their calls for calm as the mob repeatedly attempted to take over the building. Donald Trump Jr., the President's son, said that his supporters who mobbed the Capitol were "wrong and not who we are." "Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don't start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesn't help anyone," he tweeted. Multiple bombs detonated safely Federal and local law enforcement responded to reports of possible pipe bombs in multiple locations in Washington, DC, according to a federal law enforcement official. It's unclear if the devices are real or a hoax, but they're being treated as real. A pipe bomb was found at the Republican National Committee's headquarters earlier Wednesday, an RNC official told CNN. The device was found on the ground outside, along the wall of the headquarters. It was safely detonated by the police, the RNC official said. At least two suspected pipe bombs have been rendered safe by law enforcement, including the one at the building that houses RNC offices and one in the US Capitol complex, a federal law enforcement official told CNN. The official said these were real explosive devices and they were detonated safely. The Democratic National Committee was also evacuated after a suspicious package was being investigated nearby, a Democratic source familiar with the matter told CNN. The party had preemptively closed the building ahead of the protests, the source said, but a few security and essential personnel were evacuated. This is a breaking story and will be updated. Charles Elson, a professor of corporate governance at the University of Delaware, said the formation of a special committee and the recusal of the Alden board members is how most companies handle similar situations. At the same time, Elson said it might be prudent if the Alden directors exited the board entirely. 3 things to know about the Feast of Epiphany Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment What is known at the Feast of Epiphany is celebrated by many Christians worldwide each year on Jan. 6, marking the revealing of Jesus as the Incarnate God. Many Eastern Orthodox believers mark the feast on Jan. 19. Western Christians typically observe this day or closest weekend to remember when the Magi came to visit the Christ child, the revealing of Jesus to the Gentiles. As is recounted in Matthew 2, the men who had come from the East worshiped Jesus and presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Eastern Christianity, this day is known as Theophany and the day commemorates when John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and emphasizing Jesus as both fully human and fully God. As is recounted in Matthew 3, when Jesus emerges from the water, the Heavens open, the Spirit of God descends in the form of a dove, and a voice from Heaven said: "This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased." Here are three important things to know about the feast of Epiphany and how it's being celebrated. Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday fired an intense jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Member of Parliament, Abhishek Banerjee. Addressing a BJP event in the state, Thakur compared Abhishek with the "sheikhs" of the Gulf countries, hinting to the growing influence of CM's nephew in the TMC. 'Abhishek hi ab-sheikh ho gaya hai' "When you go to countries like UAE, you find sheikhs there. But here, Abhishek hi ab-sheikh ho gaya hai (Abhishek has now become a sheikh). There is no need to tell the people of Bengal, the entire world now knows how big a sheikh he has become," Thakur said. Responding to the CM Mamata Banerjee's "outsiders" remark, Anurag Thakur said those who are in power in West Bengal are talking of secluding the state and BJP will not allow this to happen. "On my arrival in Kolkata, I was asked 'what will an outsider do in Bengal?'. This is the land of Tagore, Vivekanand, Bose who belong to the nation. Only those in power here talking of secluding Bengal. We won't let this thinking develop in Bengal," the Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs said. Thakur responds to Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee has asserted that she will not let outsiders turn West Bengal into Gujarat and on November 26, while addressing a press conference had said, "There is no place for outsiders in Bengal who come only during elections to incite violence. I say this place is not for outsiders. They come here only to do politics during elections." READ | Trouble for TMC mounts as WB Minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla resigns; Mamata downplays exit "If a central minister has become an outsider then who is an insider? The one who infiltrates has become an insider and we become an outsider. It is unfortunate," Anurag Thakur said. READ | 'Cong doing doublespeak': SAD's stinging attack on Punjab govt as it implements farm laws Earlier on Monday, Thakur took a dig at the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and said the state government should answer why businessmen are hesitant to invest in the state. "It is time for West Bengal to take a decision so that the state realises its own potential," he said at an event organised by direct tax professionals in Kolkata. READ | EXCLUSIVE: Union Min Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress; calls Central Vista 'imperative' "Bengal should answer a few questions. Why it is that businessmen are hesitant to invest in the state? Will corporates be allowed to do hassle-free business here?" Thakur said. Election to the 294-member Bengal assembly is due in April-May this year. READ | Punjab BJP leaders mediating between farmers & govt meet PM Modi; assure breakthrough soon (With agency inputs) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th January, 2021) The Trump administration has awarded Puerto Rico $3.7 billion to rebuild its infrastructure damaged in Hurricane Maria in 2017, the White House said in a statement. "Under the leadership of President Trump, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will award $3. 7 billion to help rebuild Puerto Rico's water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, dams, and reservoirs," the release said on Tuesday evening. In September, the Trump administration announced it awarded Puerto Rico with $13 billion to help rebuild the territory's electrical grid and to support its education system following the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria. An independent study conducted by the George Washington University Milken Institute school of Public Health concluded that Hurricane Maria caused the deaths of 2,975 people in Puerto Rico between September 2017 and February 2018. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. The parent company of the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township has emerged from bankruptcy. Philadelphia-based PREIT has completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. PREIT, whose initials stand for Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November. Chapter 11 bankruptcy provides businesses or large investors with protection from creditors while they continue operating and develop a repayment plan. Both creditors and owners must agree on a reorganization plan, which ultimately must be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge. PREIT emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. PREIT said it now has access to up to $130 million of new capital to support its operations. Having quickly and efficiently completed our financial restructuring, PREIT is now a more resilient company with additional resources and financial flexibility to continue delivering terrific experiences for consumers and outstanding service for our retail partners, Heather Crowell, EVP of strategy and communications for PREIT said in a press release. PREIT owns 19 malls including seven malls in Pennsylvania, according to its website. The California-based Macerich Co., co-owner of the Fashion District Philadelphia has taken over control of the Fashion District as of Friday from PREIT, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. You can follow Daniel Urie on twitter @DanielUrie2018 and you can like him on Facebook. A San Antonio area representative was "on the front lines" as President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, according to a fellow Texas congressman's account of the chaos. Rep. Pat Fallon, a Republican in a district north of Dallas, told his Facebook followers that Capitol police entered the House chamber during a debate. The politicians were first told to stay in their seats, then an evacuation began. The pro-Trump mob soon reached the doors of the chamber. Fallon, along with Rep. Tony Gonzales and other Texas Republicans, "augmented the Police and stood our ground." The group was "literally on the front lines," he recalled. READ ALSO: Julian Castro calls Ted Cruz 'an embarrassment to the state of Texas' "We will never be intimated by any mob, regardless of their motivations," Fallon wrote. Fallon was elected in November. Gonzales won Texas' 23rd congressional district, which stretches from the San Antonio area to the outskirts of El Paso, on the same day. According to Fallon, the group broke off furniture to make clubs, then helped the police barricade the doors. They stepped to the side after placing a large piece of furniture against the doors, then pieces of glass shattered. People yelled that shots had been fired. "Those rounds, if thats what caused that broken glass would have struck us just seconds before," Fallon wrote. The representative said that he did not yet know who was responsible for the chaos, but condemned the violence and reported the congressmen were safe at an undisclosed location. After the incident, Gonzales tweeted that he "served our country because this does not happen here it happens in war zones." "America is resilient. We will overcome this divide. Violent protestors are NOT patriots," Gonzales wrote. President-elect Joe Biden had a blunt message for President Donald Trump on Wednesday: Step up. Biden addressed the nation after the U.S. Capitol building was placed on lockdown after Trump supporters stormed the building, overtaking barricades and breaking windows to try and confront lawmakers. On the streets of Washington, D.C. Wednesday, photos and videos showed thousands gathered in protest as Congress counted the electoral votes to confirm Bidens victory. Some engaged in violence with police, throwing punches and spraying pepper spray at officers. The crowd descended on the Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, overtaking the building. Some were armed with weapons, others carried American or Trump campaign flags. At least one person was injured and shots were fired, the Associated Press reported. The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America, Biden said Wednesday. This is not dissent, its disorder. Its chaos. It borders on sedition and it must end now. The former vice president said the words of a president matter. At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite. Biden said he was shocked and saddened and cautioned that the world is watching what is happening in the nations capital. 42 US Capitol lockdown: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol President Trump shared video of his Save America March early Wednesday before criticizing his vice president in a tweet. Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth! After protesters stormed the Capitol, he tweeted asking for support of local law enforcement. Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you! Shortly after Bidens televised remarks, Trump shared a pre-taped video via Twitter. The video opened with the president repeating his previously disputed claims that he won the election. He then called for peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order. We dont want anyone hurt. He called his supporters very special and asked them to go home and go home in peace. Twitter published a correction to the disputed claim of election fraud shortly after it was published along with a note that the video cant be replied to, retweeted, or liked due to risk of violence. The response from the president Wednesday was markedly different from his reaction to protests over the summer. When supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement took to the streets of the nations capitol, Trump tweeted that they would be met with serious force if they tried to create an autonomous zone. There will never be an Autonomous Zone in Washington, D.C., as long as Im your President, Trump tweeted in June. If they try they will be met with serious force! In another tweet, he called for federal charges if protesters tore down or vandalized statues. WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 31, U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed into law legislation that expands the reach of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, adding a justice of the Supreme Court, along with the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chairperson for National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The legislation also expands the geographic reach of the Commission's meetings outside Philadelphia, creating greater opportunities to convene across the country and connect with Americans in all fifty states. In addition, the Commission shall have the exclusive right to use, and allow others to use, the intellectual property of the commission, including logos and other official marks. "America 250 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage all Americans in a celebration of the American spirit as we reflect on our past and look with hope to the future," said Daniel M. DiLella, Chairman of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. "Today's legislation underscores the importance of this initiative, which will be the largest and most inclusive commemoration in American history with the opportunity to produce more than 100,000 national and grassroots programs, attract billions of dollars in resources, and promote tourism for cities and states across the country." "The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Semiquincentennial will serve to bring our nation together as we celebrate America's history while also looking forward towards a better future," said Senator Pat Toomey. "Pennsylvania plays an important part in America's origin story, but a celebration this historic must be a national event, a point this legislation highlights. With the signing of this bill, the Semiquincentennial is poised to become an epic celebration of America's history engaging Americans from all across the country." "I'm pleased we were able to work together on a bipartisan basis to get this bill passed," said Congressman Dwight Evans. "The America 250 celebration will be a unique opportunity to remind everyone of our history and hopefully to bring Americans together around shared ideals." In late December, the House and Senate reached an agreement on a $1.4 trillion omnibus budget bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The budget includes $8 million for the Commission, to help with preparation for the America 250 celebration culminating in 2026. The President signed the bill into law on December 29, 2020. More information about the Commission's vision and approach to programming can be found in Inspiring the American Spirit , its report submitted to the President on December 31, 2019. About the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress in 2016 as the official body tasked with planning and orchestrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Commission aims to inspire all Americans and each American to participate in the largest and most inclusive commemoration in our nation's history. For more information visit www.america250.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SOURCE America 250 Related Links http://www.america250.org Miami-Dade County wants to hire a firm to handle PR and media services for its cultural institutions and programs on an as-needed basis. The Countys Dept. of Cultural Affairs plans to award a five-year contract for work promoting the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Joseph Caleb Auditorium, African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Culture Shock Miami, All Kids Included, Golden Ticket Arts Guide and Art in Public Places. The PR effort is to be done on a work order basis. The selected firm will handle content development, media relations, community outreach, communications strategy, social media, influencer targeting, website management and crisis support. Proposals are due Jan. 15. They must be sent electronically to the BidSync procurement site. Download RFP (PDF) Yesterday Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple Wins Second Major Blood Pressure Monitoring Patent that's part of a larger Project." The report noted that Samsung had been trying to mirror the health features that the Apple Watch was offering for their Galaxy Watch 3 for the Android world. In an effort to try and get ahead of Apple, Samsung was granted a patent last week for an all-new wearable device having an exchangeable sensor that could detect a biomarker, such as lactic acid, body temperature, or blood pressure, as well as blood sugar level. In fact, Blood sugar is the main focus for the Samsung patent. With more than 34 million people in the US alone with diabetes, with 90-95% having Type 2, it's a huge market that tech companies like Apple and Samsung would like to address. In Samsung's patent background they note that various biomarkers, such as glucose, are present in the human blood. A biomarker is a body substance by which a symptom or phenomenon shown in the human body may be measured. Carbohydrates in food are dissolved into glucose via digestion. Glucose, which is referred to as blood sugar in the blood, is a basic energy source to the human body that is used in various tissues including brain, muscles, and fat and is delivered to various tissues through blood. Blood sugar levels increase after a meal, decrease on an empty stomach, and remain within a constant range with mutual actions by hormones including insulin or glucagon secreted from the pancreas. As blood sugar levels increase, insulin suppresses the new production of glucose from the liver while increasing the use of glucose in the muscles or fat tissues to reduce blood sugar. In contrast, as blood sugar levels decrease, more glucagon secretion occurs to allow the liver to produce more glucose, leading to an increased blood sugar level. The increase or departure of blood sugar levels from a normal range is called diabetes, a type of a metabolic disease. A diabetic patient may be vulnerable to polyuria, polydipsia infection, abnormal vision due to microvascular complications, abnormal kidney function, peripheral neuritis, foot ulcers, dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system and its relevant symptoms in the digestive system, urogenital system or cardiovascular system. To adjust the blood sugar of diabetic patients, an oral medication or shot including an insulin secretagogue may be used to inject insulin into the human body. The amount of the oral medication or insulin is adjusted according to the blood sugar level of the diabetic patient. For accurate verification of his blood sugar level, a diabetic patient periodically measures his blood sugar level using a glucometer. For easier measurement, the glucometer needs to be made compact, lightweight, and easily portable. In measuring the blood sugar level of a diabetic patient using a glucometer, referred to as self-blood sugar reading, a lancet is used to collect blood from the finger and a strip sensor and reader are used to measure the blood sugar level from the collected blood. This tends to subject the patient to substantial pain as it requires the patient to use the lancet for measurement several times per day. For minimized pain, blood sugar measurement patches have been introduced, which use micro needles with a diameter of a few tens of micrometers that are inserted into the skin and remain attached to the skin for a predetermined period of time to extract a body fluid. A blood sugar measurement patch using micro needles includes a circuit part for measuring the blood sugar level of the collected blood and a battery. Due to the limited durability of the micro needles, however, the entire patch including the circuit portion and battery are disposed of after the lifetime of the patch. As such, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus that promotes continuous use of components of the wearable patch. Samsung's patent is to address the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages, and to provide at least a number of advantages. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to provide a wearable electronic device having some replaceable parts, such as micro needles, and other parts that may be continuously used, such as a battery, detachably coupled with each other. Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a wearable electronic device having an exchangeable sensor detecting a biomarker, such as lactic acid, body temperature, or blood pressure, as well as blood sugar level. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device includes a main body wearable on a human body, a circuit unit mounted on the body unit, and a receiving unit provided in the main body and receiving a sensor unit contacting the human body to measure a bio signal, wherein the sensor unit is detachably coupled to the body unit. Samsung's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates a wearable device attached to a user's body. The wearable electronic device interworks with various electronic devices such as a smartphone, smart watch, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a workstation, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a mobile medical device, a camera, or a wearable device such as smart glasses, a head-mounted device (HMD), electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic accessory or electronic tattoo. Samsung's patent FIG. 2 below is a front perspective view illustrating a wearable electronic device; FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the device where you could see the micro needles (#155) at the bottom that pierce the user's skin to collect body fluids; In FIG. 7 the wearable electronic device includes a receiving unit for receiving the sensor unit #105 and a cover unit 103 for fastening the sensor unit 105. Samsung's patent is detailed and complex coupled with 78 patent figures. You could review their entire granted patent 10,874,335 here. Whether Samsung has decided to bring this to market is unknown at this time. At present there are a number of "needless" methods on the market to monitor blood sugar, so Samsung could have an uphill battle making their device appealing to consumers dealing with diabetes that despise having to use needles on a daily basis. A more innovative way to monitor blood sugar is being worked on by Google and Norvatis using a specialized contact lens with sensors that continually monitors tears for blood sugar levels. Google is the inventor of the concept. This is a far more practical device that probably could be designed to interwork with Android, iOS and future Windows devices. Geneva: The Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday (January 5, 2021) said that he's 'very disappointed' that China has delayed the entry of the team on COVID-19 virus origins. "Today we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the teams arrival in China. I am very disappointed with this news given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Notably, lastly, over the past 24 hours, members of the international scientific team on coronavirus origins began traveling from their home countries to China. Tedros said this was as per arrangements jointly developed between WHO, the Chinese government, and countries for which the team was meant to travel through on their way to Wuhan. In a media briefing on COVID-19, the WHO head also stated, "I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials and I have once again made clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team. I have been assured that China is speeding up the internal procedure for the earliest possible deployment." He added, "We are eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible." This is to be noted that the WHO has been blamed for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak. The United States President Donald Trump in April 2020, had stopped his country's funding for WHO and said the funding will remain halted till a review is being conducted in the WHO's 'role in severely mismanaging and covering up' the spread of coronavirus. "The WHO failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable," Donald Trump had said. "Had the WHO done its job to get medical experts into China to objectively assess the situation on the ground and to call out China's lack of transparency, the outbreak could have been contained at its source with very little death. This would have saved thousands of lives and avoided worldwide economic damage. Instead, the WHO willingly took China's assurances to face value and defended the actions of the Chinese government," remarked Trump. Meanwhile, the confirmed COVID-19 cases across the world have increased to 8,44,74,195, according to WHO. Over 222 countries, areas or territories with coronavirus cases have also reported 18,48,704 confirmed deaths. Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle 2020 Food delivery services can no longer list restaurants without consent in California since a law went into effect Jan. 1. The law follows months of frustration by restaurant owners whose businesses were listed without their approval or knowledge, sometimes with out-of-date prices or flat-out incorrect menus. The confusion led angry customers to blame restaurants for slow or canceled orders instead of the delivery apps, restaurant owners say. Troy Wayman , President and CEO of One Acadiana joined News 15 at 5 to discuss One Acadianas and the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy partnership. For more information visit www.OneAcadiana. org LAFAYETTE, La. One Acadiana (1A) and the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette (Blanco Center) have signed an agreement to form a strategic partnership to advance the two organizations shared missions. Both organizations are engaged on work to improve the policy environment at the local, regional, and state level, and this partnership will ensure alignment of staff and other resources to strengthen their collective impact. Initially, the partnership will focus on the continuation of ongoing projects to increase educational attainment, bridge the digital divide, and enhance economic opportunity for all. This includes the 55 by 25 initiative and Love Our Schools Link & Learn, in collaboration with other local foundations and partners. Going forward, the two organizations hope to expand the scope to other initiatives that use evidence-based public policy to make the Acadiana region and the state of Louisiana a better place to live and work. I am confident that the work produced through our partnership with the Blanco Center will have a meaningful impact on the future economic growth and competitiveness of our region, said 1A President and CEO Troy Wayman. We are very excited about our partnership, and the alignment it represents. One Acadiana is proud to join forces to create smart solutions that will continue to make Acadiana an attractive region for business investment and job creation. This partnership further strengthens our already fantastic relationship with UL and presents an important and critical opportunity to enhance our regions competitive position through the advancement of our shared policy goals. This new partnership with One Acadiana reflects the Blanco Centers commitment to bringing research to action said Stephen Barnes, Blanco Center Director. One Acadiana is known as a leader not only in the region, but across the state, in utilizing data to guide policy and drive change. With this new partnership, the Blanco Center will help push that further by offering expanded access to research and in-depth analysis to inform policy and the work of One Acadiana. CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crunchy Data the leading provider of trusted open source PostgreSQL is pleased to announce the release of the Crunchy Data PostgreSQL Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) by the United States Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). In 2017, Crunchy Data collaborated with DISA to publish the initial version of the PostgreSQL STIG , representing the first published STIG for an open source database. The Crunchy Data PostgreSQL STIG provides guidance for the secure deployment and configuration of Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL in adherence to the United States Department of Defense security requirements guidelines. Enterprises can refer to this comprehensive guide for PostgreSQL security best practices as they consider open source PostgreSQL as an alternative to proprietary database software. "We are proud to work in partnership with DISA to provide this updated security guidance for PostgreSQL and believe that it is yet another validation of the comprehensive security functionality of PostgreSQL," said Crunchy Data President Paul Laurence. "Crunchy Data is committed to continue bringing the extraordinary cost effectiveness of open source PostgreSQL technology to the U.S. Defense community and to all database users who need to manage their information reliably, securely and efficiently." This new PostgreSQL STIG includes updated guidance for PostgreSQL 9.6 through 12, including how to use SCRAM authentication, a new logging location for PostgreSQL 10+, and usage of built-in defined roles added in newer Postgres releases. The Crunchy Data PostgreSQL STIG also provides expanded information regarding the use of any Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) compliant operating systems. Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL , Crunchy Data's trusted 100% open source PostgreSQL distribution, enables Crunchy Data PostgreSQL STIG compliance by providing trusted PostgreSQL along with the requisite security enhancing audit logging extensions and Crunchy Data's enterprise support. To ensure that Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL represents the most trusted enterprise PostgreSQL distribution, Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL has received Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 2+ certification, an international standard for computer security certification, Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL is the first commercially available open source relational database management system to receive Common Criteria certification. About DISA STIG STIGs are the configuration standards for DoD Information Assurance (IA) and IA-enabled devices/systems. Since 1998, DISA has played a critical role enhancing the security posture of DoD's security systems by providing the STIGs. The STIGs contain technical guidance to "lock down" information systems/software that might otherwise be vulnerable to a malicious computer attack. About Crunchy Data Crunchy Data is the leading provider of trusted open source PostgreSQL and enterprise PostgreSQL technology, support and training. Crunchy Data offers Crunchy Certified PostgreSQL, the most advanced and true open source RDBMS on the market, Crunchy PostgreSQL for Kubernetes, the leading solution for deploying Kubernetes native Postgres, and recently launched Crunchy Bridge , a fully managed cloud Postgres service that gives enterprises the ultimate choice in Postgres management and provides the ability to modernize infrastructure as needed. Learn more at www.crunchydata.com. SOURCE Crunchy Data Related Links https://www.crunchydata.com Rusten Sheskey will not face charges in the shooting of Jacob Blake, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced Tuesday. Sheskey, a White officer, shot Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, seven times while responding to a domestic incident on August 23, 2020. Blake survived the shooting but was left paralyzed from the waist down. 'It is my decision now that no Kenosha law enforcement officer will be charged with any criminal offense based on the facts and laws,' Graveley said Tuesday. Tuesday's announcement comes as anger continues to mount across the country at the repeated deaths of Black people at the hands of police. The summer of 2020 saw protests -- some of which turned violent -- calling for police reform and an end to police brutality, sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others. Graveley announced there will be no charges for the other two officers involved in the incident. They were identified by the Wisconsin Justice Department in September as Officers Vincent Arenas and Brittany Meronek. All officers involved in Blake's shooting are still on administrative leave, the Kenosha Police Department tweeted late Tuesday. Blake will also not face charges, Graveley said. Sheskey told investigators that he used deadly force during the chaotic encounter because he was afraid Blake, while attempting to flee the scene, was trying to kidnap a child in the back seat of the vehicle. The Wisconsin Department of Justice had said Blake had a knife in his possession and the weapon was found on the floorboard of his vehicle. Blake himself told authorities he possessed a knife, Graveley said. 'Jacob Blake, while actively resisting, arms himself with a knife,' Graveley said, adding that he's heard supporters of Blake say he was unarmed. 'It's absolutely incontrovertible that Jacob Blake was armed with a knife during this encounter. ... All the discussion that he's unarmed contradicts even what he himself has said multiple times.' An attorney for Blake's family disputed that Blake posed a threat. 'There was no point in the video that is articulable for an officer to say that he was under harm at that particular point. I think that's completely bogus and I think that is just a rationalization to try to show what is really, essentially, an intentional act,' attorney B'Ivory LaMarr said in a news conference shortly after Graveley's announcement Tuesday. 'It's not against the law to have a knife, people have knives for a variety of different reasons. Jacob Blake is privy to having a knife.' Graveley said he called on the US Attorney's Office to do a parallel civil rights investigation that would be a separate investigation with its own conclusion. Blake's lawyers express disappointment in decision Blake family attorney Ben Crump, along with LaMarr and co-counsel Patrick A. Salvi II, released a statement shortly after the announcement expressing their disappointment in the decision. 'We feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family, but the community that protested and demanded justice,' the statement read. 'Officer Sheskey's actions sparked outrage and advocacy throughout the country, but the District Attorney's decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob in the back multiple times, leaving him paralyzed, further destroys trust in our justice system. This sends the wrong message to police officers throughout the country.' Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., on Monday called for charges against the officer while urging Kenosha to 'stand up and make some noise.' He added, 'Let's be heard around the world. We're not going to stop in Kenosha. We're headed to DC. We're headed to Nancy Pelosi's office. We're headed to whoever is going to be in charge of the Senate. Because this has got to be federally heard, for not just my son, but for everybody who has suffered police brutality -- everyone.' Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, said his nephew has been working to recover from the incident and has become 'our new hero.' 'The way he is taking this mental approach, the way he puts all his effort into his therapy, and the passion, if anybody could walk again one day, it would be my nephew,' Justin Blake said. Gov. Evers: 'I hope for peace and justice for Jacob' Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement Tuesday saying Blake's life has been forever changed, and that his children experienced trauma 'no kid should ever endure.' 'Today's decision is further evidence that our work is not done -- we must work each day in earnest toward a more just, more fair, and more equitable state and country, and to combat the racism experienced by Black Wisconsinites,' he said. 'I hope for peace and justice for Jacob, his family, and the entire Kenosha community.' Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said there's a 'pressing need' for criminal justice reform. 'Wisconsin should adopt a statewide use-of-force standard providing that officers' primary duty is to preserve life and that officers must use de-escalation techniques to avoid force whenever possible,' Kaul said in a statement. 'And law enforcement officers conducting patrol activities should have body-worn cameras.' Kaul's statement comes two months after the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors approved funding for body cameras. Carl Takei, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union's Trone Center for Justice and Equality, said the decision Tuesday 'emphasizes how the criminal legal system, from police to prosecutors, have functioned to oppress and harm Black people.' 'While accountability for the officer might have led to some semblance of justice, real justice would have been Jacob Blake never being shot in the first place,' Takei said. National Guard mobilized in Wisconsin Ahead of the decision, Kenosha officials prepared for potential unrest, with the City Council granting Mayor John Antaramian emergency powers once the announcement is made. Evers also announced Monday he is mobilizing 500 National Guard troops ahead of the decision at the request of local officials. 'Our members of the National Guard will be on hand to support local first responders, ensure Kenoshans are able to assemble safely, and to protect critical infrastructure as necessary,' Evers said in the statement. Terry Rose is an attorney whose office is downtown Kenosha. As he watched crews board up businesses near the courthouse, he told CNN he thinks it represents 'a community in fear.' 'I guess it's necessary, but I don't like the feeling that this is necessary,' Rose said. 'I mean, they have 500 troops here. They have the police department and the sheriff's department, they have other agencies. But the assumption that we're going to be firebombed is the wrong assumption.' Activist Vaun Mayes said the precautionary steps Kenosha has taken are hurtful. 'We've seen these tactics a number of times in Milwaukee and across the state where they call themselves preparing for unrest. The unrest happens when there has been an action and there is a reaction to it,' he said. 'For instance, if there's a protest and people start to get tear gas. ... So when you start to posture up like that without having anything going on, then it becomes inciteful within itself.' In an op-ed published in the Kenosha News on December 27, Antaramian and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said they did not know what the decision would be or when it would arrive, but they said they would be prepared. 'What we do know is that regardless of the decision, people will have differing opinions and strong emotions about it. That is everyone's right. Whether you agree or disagree, we ask that you express your opinions peacefully and lawfully,' the officials wrote. The officials touched on the violence that erupted at protests in the aftermath of Blake's shooting, during which two people were killed and a third was seriously wounded in a shooting during a protest. 'We will not -- we cannot -- tolerate the kind of violence we saw on our streets earlier this year and we will take definitive steps to protect our residents and businesses,' Antaramian and Miskinis wrote. Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, faces charges of fatally shooting two men, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, and wounding another, Gaige Grosskreutz, in protests following the police shooting of Blake. In a virtual arraignment Tuesday, Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. Rittenhouse also is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, a misdemeanor, according to court records. An attorney for Rittenhouse, Mark Richards, argued that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense in a preliminary hearing last month. Rittenhouse is due back in court March 10 for a judicial pre-trial hearing. Attorneys for Grosskreutz and Huber's family announced Sunday they intend to file claims against the city and county of Kenosha, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department, Miskinis, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and other employees, according to the notice sent to Kenosha city and county clerks. They are each requesting $10 million in compensation due to 'intentional acts and negligence,' Grosskreutz's attorney Kimberly Motley said. This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Michael Graveley's last name. After three weeks in jail, fallen fashion mogul Peter Nygard will fight for his freedom Wednesday morning as U.S. justice authorities seek his extradition to face charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. After three weeks in jail, fallen fashion mogul Peter Nygard will fight for his freedom Wednesday morning as U.S. justice authorities seek his extradition to face charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. His 50-year-old business empire in tatters amidst ongoing receivership proceedings, Nygard, 79, is facing prosecution in the U.S., accused of sexually abusing dozens of women and girls over a period of decades. A contested bail hearing is set for 10 a.m. Nygard will not be physically present in court and will appear by video link. Few will be able to watch the hearing, which will take place in the only available courtroom equipped for video appearances. Due to social-distancing requirements only one reporter, a sketch artist and two Nygard supporters will be allowed to take a spot in the tiny court gallery. Daniel Crump / Bloomberg Media. Lawyers will be making their arguments by teleconference. Lawyers will be making their arguments by teleconference. Nygard's lawyers are expected to request a ban prohibiting the publication of any hearing details other than its outcome. Under Canadian law, there are three grounds for opposing bail: that an accused will not appear in court when required; that an accused poses a danger to the community; or that an accused persons release on bail will bring the justice system into disrepute. Lawyers for the Attorney General of Canada, acting on behalf of U.S. justice officials, need only satisfy a judge of one ground to block Nygards release. Given Nygards financial resources and worldwide connections, the attorney general will likely argue he poses a very real flight risk. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "I believe Nygard presents a serious flight risk," Sgt. Stefane Nicolas, a member of the RCMP's Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, wrote in the affidavit. Phone records seized by justice authorities show as recently as this past June, Nygard "was considering the logistics of travelling under an alias," alleges an RCMP affidavit filed in support of extradition to the U.S. "I believe Nygard presents a serious flight risk," Sgt. Stefane Nicolas, a member of the force's Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, wrote in the affidavit. In an interview last month, lawyer Jay Prober dismissed speculation his client might flee the country if released. "Where would he go? If he wanted to go, he would have gone a long time ago," Prober said. According to a local legal expert, Nygard could spend years fighting extradition, something his lawyers could argue in support of his release on bail. Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard appears in front of a judge in court in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in this court sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Culleton "If he wants to avail himself of all the appeals and judicial reviews, he could easily take years," University of Manitoba law professor Gerard Kennedy told the Free Press following Nygards arrest. If Nygard is granted release, it will almost certainly include a condition he surrender his passport, and possibly a requirement he wear an ankle monitor. A nine-count indictment filed in the Southern District of New York spanning the years 1995 to 2020 alleges Nygard, business associates and co-conspirators engaged in a "pattern of criminal conduct involving at least dozens of victims in the United States, the Bahamas, and Canada, among other locations." Nygard is accused of raping and trafficking women and young girls for sex, targeting victims from "disadvantaged backgrounds" and with a "history of abuse." He is accused of silencing them with "threats, false promises of modelling opportunities" and "other coercive means." The allegations mirror those of more than 50 women included in a class-action lawsuit filed against Nygard in Manhattan last February. Two women who allege they were sexually assaulted by Nygard decades ago in Winnipeg say they have filed formal complaints with the Winnipeg Police Service. Neither Winnipeg police or Manitoba RCMP will confirm if he is under investigation here. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca Students in Blue Star Contemporarys Mosaic teen art program have had to work in their home studios because of the pandemic, but some of their creations are venturing out across the country. Pieces by the young artists make up Posterworks, an exhibit at the Axis Gallery in Sacramento, California, exploring such contemporary issues as mask-wearing, racism, inequity and the destruction of the environment. The exhibit opens Saturday and can be viewed online through Jan. 21 on the Blue Star Contemporary website, bluestarcontemporary.org, and on Axis site, axisgallery.org. The students were invited to show their work in the California gallery after they took a virtual tour of artist Beth Consetta Rubels studio last summer. Rubel has tremendous regard for the Mosaic program, which she got to know well during her 2012 internship at Blue Star Contemporary in 2012 while she was a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Im always blown away by that program, Rubel said. Theyre in high school, and by the time they leave that program, their resume usually looks more impressive than a college students theyre doing exhibits, theyre selling their work. Rubel is a member of Axis Gallery, an artist-run space, and had an exhibition slot to show her own work or the work of others in January. She decided that she wanted to showcase the Mosaic students work, an invitation that came at a particularly good time, said Alex Rubio, artist-in-residence for Mosaic. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio street artists celebrate the South Side with new mural It came at a time when our students needed that inspiration, they needed that challenge to motivate and to keep our students engaged in fine arts during a very difficult period of time in their lives, said Rubio, who curated the show with Rubel. They had to adapt to this new normal and adapt to a new situation in their home studios. This is the first time the students have shown their work so far from home, Rubio said. Its an amazing opportunity for our students to experience their first exhibit away from San Antonio, our first exhibit out of state, through Mosaic, he said. This exhibition serves to build their portfolios as well as introduce them to new communities. Works in the show include Savannah Plaza-Flores No Justice for All, which depicts a tattered, scorched American flag with the words No Justice for All written on the stripes in black and scrawled across the front in yellow; Aiden Hobbs Chatter in da Skull, a poster about mental illness depicting a distressed skeleton with the top of its skull open; and Angelica Kercado Mojicas Why Is it Different?, a look at differing expectations for men and women represented by side-by-side depictions of practical clothing for a school boy and a racier ensemble for a school girl. The pandemic factors into several pieces, including Rachel Kamatas Its Patriotic, in which an eagle holds a mask in its beak against words spoken by President Donald Trump about COVID-19; and Julian Morenos Wear or Beware, in which a bat-like creature shaped like the virus bearing fangs and a long, green tongue bursts from a blood-red background that includes the posters title. On ExpressNews.com: Mosaic student wraps downtown Whataburger in holiday colors Katalina Rodriguez, a senior at Brackenridge High School, also decided to focus on the pandemic. Her work places the word PROTECT in the center, with a mask standing in for the letter O. The text stretches across a green, bacteria-like spray of images, including the familiar, spiky coronavirus. It took a while for that idea to come to me, said Rodriguez, 18. Id been unsure of what I wanted to do at first, but then the more I thought about what were going through, the more I realized that I should do that because it is very important to bring awareness to it even though weve been going through the pandemic for almost a year now. Shes glad the work can be seen online, even though that isnt quite the same as seeing it in person. Its much more personal when you see it in person because you get to see the techniques used and the textures, if there are any, and you cant necessarily see all of that if its online it s just a picture of the artwork, she said. But Im glad that online people get to view the artwork. It helps us out a lot. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda will be visiting West Bengal for a day on January 9, a month after his convoy was stoned at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district on December 10. Nadda will attend political programmes in the Katwa area of East Burdwan district, located about 145 km to the south-west of Kolkata. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP from East Burdwan, Sunil Mandal, joined the BJP on December 19. Security arrangements for Nadda have been tightened manifold in view of the attack, BJP leaders said. Instead of driving down to Burdwan from Kolkata he will fly in a chopper. Nadda will attend a rally and have lunch at the home of a party supporter in the Dainhat area. He is also scheduled to visit the famous Sarbamangala temple in Burdwan town, said a state BJP leader. Rest of the schedule has not been finalized yet, he added. Union home minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to visit Bengal on January 30. Shah visited West Midnapore and Birbhum districts on December 19 and 20 respectively during a two-day trip. His visit was marked by the biggest defection from the TMC. Led by heavyweight leader Suvendu Adhikari, six sitting TMC legislators, three other MLAs from the Left and Congress and the Burdwan East Lok Sabha member joined the BJP in Shahs presence at a massive rally in Midnapore town. On the afternoon of December 10, the cavalcade of the BJP national president was stoned in South 24 Parganas, leaving several national and state leaders bleeding and bruised in the state for the first time. The incident took place at Shirakol in Diamond Harbour, the Lok Sabha constituency of Abhishek Banerjee, chief minister Mamata Banerjees nephew who has emerged as the BJPs main political target in recent weeks. Several BJP workers were allegedly assaulted as well in the attack. The incident was telecast live by several news channels. Vehicles of some media houses were also damaged. BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, national vice-president Mukul Roy and national secretary Anupam Hazra were hurt by pieces of stones and shards of glass from the shattered windshields of their cars. The Centre transferred three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to other states after the incident. They were in charge of the police arrangements made for Naddas trip. The state government, however, refused to comply. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fenergo, the leading provider of digital transformation, customer journey and client lifecycle management (CLM) solutions for financial institutions, today announces that Mizuho Americas has deployed Fenergo's software to automate Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory processes, digitalize workflows and accelerate client onboarding onto a single platform. The Fenergo implementation provides Mizuho Americas with a single, comprehensive view of customers across all business lines, improving efficiencies for internal stakeholders and enhancing the overall client onboarding experience. Mizuho Americas, an integral part of Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., is a leading financial institution comprising several legal entities, which together offer clients corporate and investment banking, financing, securities, treasury services, asset management, research and more. Fenergo's CLM solution allows the firm to replace manual processes and coordinate its CLM effort with a digital end-to-end solution that eliminates silos between business lines and increases collaboration and transparency. Connecting internal stakeholders and clients with third-party data, AML screening, and client relationship management (CRM) providers on a single platform while creating a centralized repository for data and documentation, Fenergo's solution digitally orchestrates client journeys end-to-end. The solution allows Mizuho to quickly and efficiently process low-to-medium risk clients while satisfying regulatory obligations. Mizuho Financial Group is also planning to implement Fenergo's CLM solution across its Global Securities division. This will allow Mizuho to service clients across business divisions and financial products seamlessly. Greg Eickbush, Head of Capital Markets Operations, Mizuho Americas said: "We partner closely with prospective clients to deliver a responsive and seamless approach to onboarding that sets the tone for the long-term client-bank relationship. Implementing Fenergo's solutions helps us improve our service further by streamlining the client lifecycle journey, significantly reduce onboarding times, ensure compliance, and expedite client due diligence. It helps free up resources to focus on the high-touch client service that differentiates Mizuho Americas." Marc Murphy, CEO, Fenergo said: "We're thrilled to be working with Mizuho Americas to transform customer experience across the business. Mizuho is ahead of the curve in that it is the first Japanese bank in the Americas to automate and digitalize CLM processes. In today's challenging business environment, it is vital that financial institutions can provide a service to clients that is seamless and frictionless and via the channel of their choice. We look forward to extending our solution beyond the Americas division to increase transparency, enhance customer experience and deliver true compliance by design." About Fenergo Fenergo is the leading provider of digital transformation, customer journey and client lifecycle management (CLM) solutions for financial institutions. Its software digitally transforms and streamlines end-to-end CLM processesfrom regulatory onboarding, data integration, client and counterparty data management, client lifecycle reviews and remediation, all the way to client offboarding. Fenergo is recognised for its in-depth financial services and regulatory expertise (from a team of over 30 global regulatory specialists), community-based approach to product development and out-of-the-box rules engine which ensures financial institutions are future-proofed against evolving Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money-Laundering (AML), tax and OTC derivatives-based regulations across 100 jurisdictions. Fenergo recently expanded into new markets including asset and wealth management, private, retail, business and commercial banking and has over 80 global clients. Media contact For further information, please contact: [email protected] SOURCE Fenergo The Cabinet has signed off on new lockdown measures which will see schools closed and construction halted until at least the end of the month. The new Covid-19 restrictions aimed at reducing the movement of people around the country include closing primary and secondary schools until January 31. However, Leaving Cert students will be asked to return to school next Monday for three days of classes a week. Non-essential construction will be stopped from Friday at 6pm. However, essential work on health projects, schools and social housing will continue. Childcare services will only be available to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. Essential workers will be permitted to form bubbles with other households to facilitate childcare. Non-essential retailers will be asked to suspend click and collect services. Education Minister Norma Foley recommended that Leaving Cert students return to school on Monday at the Cabinet meeting today. The recommendation is that Leaving Cert students will return to classes for three days per week from January 11. The majority of primary and secondary schools are to close until January 31. However, Ms Foley told Cabinet colleagues that Leaving Cert students should remain in school for the rest of the month. The Department of Education has invited the education partners, including teacher unions and school management bodies, to a briefing this afternoon. Ms Foley and Taoiseach Micheal Martin are determined to ensure the Leaving Cert goes ahead as normal this summer. Last year, exams were cancelled and teachers were forced to grade students on their past performances. There is also concern in government that Leaving Cert students missed out on a significant amount fifth year classes last year. The minister is strongly recommending Leaving Cert students are back in school on Monday, a Government source said. There are also discussions on going about ensuring special schools can remain open to ensure that students who attend these classes are not negatively impacted by the lockdown. Meanwhile, childcare services, including regulated childminders can continue for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children only. Other existing childcare arrangements for these groups can also continue. Essential workers can also form bubbles with another household for the purpose of minding children. Youth outreach services are also to remain open during the lockdown. In a statement this afternoon, the Taoiseach said that "already exhausted healthcare workers" are now facing a "tsunami of infections" worse than the first wave, and it is this reason why further restrictions must be rolled out. "As of now 3,679 people across our island have lost their lives to the disease. Hospitals across this island and continent are under siege from the disease," Mr Martin said. The Taoiseach says we now have an even more infectious variant of coronavirus in our midst, pointing out UK research indicates the new strain of Covid-19 increases the R number between 0.4 and 0.7. "This can lead to growth way beyond worst case scenarios." Mr Martin said Ireland is "in a battle with a deadly and ever-changing virus" and if the people of Ireland don't face the next few months with determination and a steely resolve, "unfortunately many more people will die". "The lockdown we are introducing today is due to this stark reality. Unless you are engaging in essential work, you have no reason to be away from your home and you simply must stay at home. The Taoiseach confirmed all schools must remain closed with teaching to move online, with two exemptions: special education schools should remain open and Leaving Cert students should attend school three days a week from January 11. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors The has confirmed infections of the Covid-19 variant in four states, as the vaccine rollout nationwide lags behind schedule. New York State reported on Monday its first case of the new, more contagious variant of the that was initially discovered in the UK, the Xinhua news agency reported. The case was identified in a 60-year-old man from Saratoga County who had no travel history, according to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. New York is the fourth state in the country that has confirmed infection of the new strain, which has also been found in California, Florida and Colorado. The variant is thought to be more transmissible but does not appear to make people more ill or increase the risk of death from Covid-19, experts have said. While the variant does not appear to cause more severe disease in people who are infected and current vaccines should still work against it, it could lead to more hospitalisations as a result of an increase in cases, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week. California has confirmed six cases of the variant, all in the southern part of the state. One person in San Diego County has been hospitalised, said Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday. He said state health officials are carrying out contact tracing efforts. The CDC implemented a new order in late December which requires air passengers arriving in the United States from the United Kingdom to test negative, no more than 72 hours before departure. More new strains of the are likely to make their way to the US, said Michael Osterholm, member of President-elect Joe Biden's Covid-19 advisory board, on Tuesday. "And it's the first of what will likely be a number of these strains that are emerging as we're at this point in the pandemic," he added. In the meantime, health experts and officials have blamed states for slow vaccine rollout. The country planned to inject 20 million Americans by the end of 2020. However, only about 4.56 million had received shots as of January 4, according to the CDC. Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, said that one way to speed up immunisations against Covid-19 was to give two half-volume doses of the Moderna vaccine to some individuals. However, the US Food and Drug Administration warned on Monday that people need both doses of vaccine and changes in vaccine administration would "run a significant risk of placing public health at risk." The US has recorded over 20.9 million cases with over 3,55,300 related deaths as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the real-time count kept by Johns Hopkins University. --IANS int/rs (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 A train carrying lumber derailed from its tracks along Oregon 99E and the Willamette River early Wednesday in Clackamas County, authorities say. The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office said it appears 15 train cars went off their tracks in the incident, which happened in the community of New Era between Canby and Oregon City. No hazardous materials were involved. An engineer complained of pain, deputies said, but no serious injuries were reported. Authorities initially responded to the derailment at 1:30 a.m. Oregon 99E was closed between Canby and Oregon City until about 3 a.m. One southbound lane remains closed near South End Road, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The closure may last up to two days, the agency said Wednesday morning. Flaggers will direct drivers around the closure, according to the transportation agency, and drivers should be cautious and expect delays. Video from the train derailment that occurred at 1:30 a.m. along Hwy 99 between Oregon City and Canby. Use caution driving in the area as heavy equipment and workers will be along the roadway. #alert #train #derail pic.twitter.com/SADcu5UNqS Clackamas Sheriff (@ClackCoSheriff) January 6, 2021 No information about what caused the train to derail was released early Wednesday. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Hong Kong police arrested 53 democracy activists Wednesday on charges related to a new national security law. The move appears to be the biggest crackdown yet using the law passed by the government in Beijing. Critics say it is meant to silence dissent in the former British territory. The raids largely targeted opposition candidates who took part last year in an independently organized, informal vote to be their partys candidates in the territorys legislative election. That election has been postponed. Police did not identify those arrested in the raid. Their identities, however, have been discovered through their social media accounts or have been reported by their organizations. Those arrested are former lawmakers, activists and people involved in organizing the 2020 primaries. They include James To, Lam Cheuk-ting, Benny Tai and Lester Shum. About 1,000 police took part in the raid on at least 72 places. The raids included searches of a public opinion research group and a law firm. Among those arrested was U.S. lawyer John Clancey, who works for Ho Tse Wai and Partners. The company was started by Albert Ho, who served as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong. The company also reported the raid on its offices on its website. Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, commented on the situation. He said, The Chinese Communist Party has further turned the screw in Hong Kong. Patten also said, Liberal democracies around the world must continue to speak out against the brutal destruction of a free society. Hong Kong Secretary of Security John Lee said those arrested had planned to cause serious damage to society. He said the arrests targeted people who are suspected to be involved in the crime of overthrowing or interfering seriously to destroy the Hong Kong governments legal execution of duties. Security law criticized The national security law passed in June 2020. Critics of the law say it seeks to crush freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it was passed to mainland China in 1997. Rights of the territorys citizens were to be guaranteed under its Basic Law for 50 years. However, the new national security law sharply limited speech and other freedoms in Hong Kong. The law permits punishments of up to life in prison for what it calls secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Last July, American President Donald Trump ended special treatment for Hong Kong as a result of the law. In an executive order, Trump said that the territory was no longer autonomous enough to be treated differently from mainland China. The U.S. also answered by placing restrictions on officials in Hong Kong and Beijing. Chinese police said those arrested were part of a campaign to win a majority in Hong Kongs 70-seat Legislative Council. They said the purpose was to block government proposals meant to increase pressure on democratic reforms. Hong Kong security official John Lee said the government would not permit what he called subversive acts. A legislative election planned for September 2020 was postponed because of the coronavirus crisis, officials said. However, it is now unclear who among the opposition could seek office in any future elections in the territory. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said of the police action: The mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong is a grievous attack on Hong Kongs rights and freedoms He said China purposefully misled the world about its security law. Taiwans government also released a statement. It said that Hong Kong had been changed from the pearl of the Orient to the purgatory of the Orient. Im Ashley Thompson. Yanni Chow and Yoyou Chow reported this story for Reuters. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional news reports. Bryan Lynn was the editor. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story crackdown n. a serious attempt to punish people for doing something that is not permitted firm n. a business organization turn the screw idiom something that makes a difficult situation worse brutal adj. extremely cruel and harsh autonomous adj. having the power and right to govern oneself grievous adj. causing severe pain, suffering, or sorrow purgatory n. a place or state of suffering We want to hear from you. Let us know what you think about what you have read. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ATLANTA - Control of the U.S. Senate hung in the balance Tuesday night as Georgia election officials counted the results of two closely contested runoff races that will determine whether Democrats can enact a sweeping legislative agenda during the first years of Joe Biden's presidency. After swapping leads over the course of the night, Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff benefited from late counts in Democratic areas of the state, which gave Warnock a narrow lead over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler with nearly all precincts reporting. Ossoff was essentially tied with David Perdue, a Republican, whose Senate term lapsed Sunday. A win by either Democrat would represent a historic upset in a longtime Republican bastion, signaling a clear shift in the political makeup of the state that Biden won nine weeks ago. Warnock would be the first African American Democratic senator from a former Confederate state, and Ossoff, 33, would be the youngest newly elected Democratic senator since Biden in 1973. At stake was the governing coalition Biden will enjoy in his first years in office. If both Democrats win, they would flip control of the Senate, with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, opening the door for potential passage of legislation Democrats campaigned on over the past two years, including an expansion of federal health-care subsidies, a tax increase on the wealthy and a comprehensive immigration overhaul. President Donald Trump had supported both Republicans in the race, most recently on Monday, calling Loeffler and Perdue close allies who were essential to holding back Democratic priorities. But his efforts were complicated by his simultaneous decision to attack Republican officials in the state, his proposal to increase stimulus payments to $2,000, which was opposed by GOP Senate leadership and embraced by Democrats, and his false allegations that the 2020 elections in the state were rigged. Loeffler and Perdue closed out the campaign warning that unified Democratic control of the House, Senate and presidency would be catastrophic for the nation. Because of possible exposure to the coronavirus, Perdue had to finish the campaign with remote appearances. "We have to STOP socialism. We have to PROTECT the American Dream," Loeffler tweeted after polling places opened. "We have to SAVE our country!" Ossoff and Warnock, who reject the "socialist" label, closed the campaign promising dramatic changes in Washington, including a $1,400 increase to the $600 stimulus checks Congress approved last month, a surge in vaccine distribution, new civil rights legislation and an ambitious jobs and infrastructure bill. The Republican Senate had tabled the larger stimulus checks, holding to the lower level despite pressure from Democrats and President Trump. "This is history unfolding in Georgia right now," Ossoff said in a Tuesday morning appearance at a polling site in Atlanta. "Georgia voters have never had more power than you have today. That is the reason the whole world is watching us." Republicans have a historical advantage in the traditionally lower-turnout runoffs in the state, and the Democratic Senate candidates ran behind both the victorious Biden and the combined votes of their Republican opponents in the first round of voting in November. They were given another chance because multicandidate fields prevented anyone from breaching the 50% threshold. Both parties immediately repurposed their presidential campaign ground operations and flooded resources to the state, embracing the all-or-nothing stakes of the final two contests of the election season. The four candidates and their supportive outside groups spent nearly $500 million on television and radio advertising on the runoff races, with the Republicans attacking their opponents as radical liberals with untested biographies and the Democrats labeling the incumbents as representatives of the status quo who profited from private stock trades after receiving official briefings about covid-19. To win their race, Democratic strategists said, they needed to repeat the strong November turnout among Black, Asian and Hispanic voters in the state while maintaining the anti-Trump margins they had received in college-educated suburban Atlanta communities. Republicans were counting on winning back some of the White, college-educated vote, with Trump off the ballot, while maintaining the high turnout that Trump had attracted in more rural parts of the state. That effort has been complicated by the president, who offered passionate endorsements for both Republicans in the runoffs, while pursuing his own sometimes contradictory agenda to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere, prompting concerns among Republican strategists that he would dissuade their voters from casting ballots. He also told Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a call Saturday that if Biden's win in the state was not overturned, Republicans might stay home from the polls this week. Trump's focus on the last election was an animating force for Republicans who traveled to campaign events in the closing weeks, with voters frequently repeating disproved conspiracy theories of a rigged November contest. Concerned that the misinformation would reduce turnout, Raffensperger's office staged a news conference Monday to plead with Georgians to disregard Trump's false arguments and vote in the runoff elections. In a final Georgia rally Monday night, Trump showed no sign of giving up on his crusade against state Republicans, whom he blamed for not overturning Biden's win. "I'm going to be here in a year and a half, and I'm going to be campaigning against your governor and your crazy secretary of state," Trump said in Dalton, where he endorsed Loeffler and Perdue as the "last line of defense" against Democratic control. Trump's efforts to overturn the last election also became a rallying cry for Democrats, who hoped the president's continued involvement would drive their own turnout higher. When Biden traveled to the state Monday to campaign for the Democrats, he argued that Trump's effort to reverse the election result was a reason for voters to go to the polls. "Politicians cannot assert, seize or take power," Biden said. "Power is granted by the American people, and we cannot give that up." Preliminary exit polls found roughly 7 in 10 Georgia voters were confident that votes in Tuesday's runoff elections would be accurately counted. But there were sharp partisan differences, with about 3 in 4 Republican voters saying the presidential election in the state was not conducted fairly, compared with more than 9 in 10 Democrats who said the election was fair. The Republican skepticism of the vote count marked a shift since Biden narrowly won the state in November. Then, network exit polling found that 92% of Republicans believed votes would be counted accurately, slightly higher than 79% of Democrats. Before election sites opened Tuesday, Democrats had racked up a significant lead among absentee votes that gave hope to party strategists that they could win the state if GOP Election Day turnout disappointed. Polls in the state since the last election have consistently shown a tight race in both contests. If Warnock and Ossoff are victorious, it will be just the second time in nearly three decades that two Democrats represent Georgia in the Senate. Strategists and experts have attributed part of the escalating success of Georgia Democrats to a foundation of political organization powered by Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the 2018 gubernatorial race to now-Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and the legion of activists who have since joined her cause. In 2016, Trump won Georgia by five points. Two years later, Kemp beat Abrams by about a point and a half. Biden won the state in November by fewer than 12,000 votes, or about 0.2 percentage points, becoming the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to carry Georgia. In the case of a close contest, extended litigation could also delay a final result. Republicans filed a lawsuit this week requesting greater transparency in the counting of absentee ballots in Fulton County, a Democratic bastion that includes much of the Atlanta metropolitan area. A victory for the Republicans would cement the third consecutive cycle, with Donald Trump leading the party, when Democrats have been unable to take back control of the upper legislative chamber despite high initial hopes. It would also underscore the challenges that Democrats had in state legislative and U.S. House races, in which they struggled to overcome Republican attacks about socialism and defunding the police, positions that most in the party do not support. The result will also give an early clue about the staying power of Trump, who has indicated that he will attempt to continue to be a major force in American politics after his long-shot bid to overturn November's presidential election results is over. "The one thing I know, if they win, I'll get no credit, and if they lose, they're going to blame Trump," he said Monday about his role in the race. Long lines formed early at polling places across the state Tuesday but dwindled throughout the day, and the secretary of state's office reported average wait times of just a couple of minutes by the afternoon. Officials said it was unclear whether short wait times reflected low turnout or an efficient process. Bobby Caro, a 25-year-old first-time voter in Kennesaw, an Atlanta suburb, cast his ballot for Warnock and Ossoff on Tuesday morning. He described himself as "very new to politics" and said the drumbeat of advertisements about the runoffs convinced him he needed to register - that and the razor-thin margin in November. "In the presidential election, I didn't vote; it got close, and I said, 'I almost didn't get what I want,' so I decided to do something now," Caro said. This time around, he saw more enthusiasm from young people like him, and he voted for Democrats because he felt they had a more positive outlook on the country and its future. At the same precinct, Jim Earwood, a 67-year-old retiree, said he appreciated Trump's ceaseless commentary on the Georgia election, from his early and uncorroborated claims of fraud to his weekend call to the secretary of state. "I'm glad he's involved," Earwood said. "Everybody says he's not presidential, and that's what I like about him." As he left the Christian church that served as a polling place, Earwood said he voted all Republican. "I wouldn't vote for a Dem here lately unless they let Jesus on the ticket," he said. Republican concerns about turnout were evident up to the final hours of voting, with Perdue and Loeffler releasing a joint statement Tuesday afternoon asking people to keep going to the polls, saying the election "could come down to the difference of just a few votes in a few precincts across the state." - - - The Washington Post's Scott Clement contributed to this report. Hyderabad, Jan 6 : Moved by the plight of a 75-year-old woman, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Wednesday hosted a lunch for her at Raj Bhavan. Bandipelli Rajamma, who hails from Laxminarayanapuram village in Palakurthi mandal of Jangaon district, has a dependent son, who is also a differently-abled person. The woman, who belongs to a poor Dalit family, was homeless and was living on the streets and sleeping under the trees. She has witnessed a series of tragedies in her life, including losing her daughter-in-law and granddaughter for want of medical help at the hour of need. The Governor was particularly anguished to know that the aged woman's granddaughter died of snakebite and she could not get any medical intervention like anti-venom injections or other necessary medical care at that time. Soundararajan gave a call to make all necessary medical facilities, anti venom injections, medical kits and trained personnel available in all rural primary health centres to prevent unfortunate deaths due to snakebite or other complications. "Especially, the poor and other economically and socially underprivileged sections should not be denied of the necessary medical facilities and care in rural areas. Their economic or social backwardness should not come in the way of them getting proper medical care when needed in rural areas," the Governor said. The aged woman moved to tears on being invited to lunch at Raj Bhavan by the Governor. Soundararjan also extended a financial help of Rs 50,000 to the needy woman and supplied provisions sufficient for two to three months. She instructed the district branch of the Indian Red Cross Society and the local administration to look after the woman and her dependent son's wellbeing. The Governor appreciated the initiative of Gundrathi Satish, Sub Inspector of 2014 batch working at Palakurthy, for constructing a house for the aged woman by raising an amount of Rs 1.6 lakh, including his personal contribution of Rs 80,000. He recently got the house warming ceremony performed by the aged woman and her son. On the occasion, the Governor felicitated the former sarpanch Manemma and appreciated the efforts of B. Krishna and an NGO activist Mahender, who also accompanied the aged woman to the Raj Bhavan. Burma Myanmar Supreme Court to Decide Whether to Accept Ex-Generals' Parties Challenges to President, UEC Chair Myanmars President U Win Myint casts an advance ballots ahead of the Nov. 8 election in Naypyitaw. / Thiha Lwin / The Irrawaddy YANGON Myanmars Supreme Court will hear applications of writs by two military-linked political parties which accuse the president and Union Election Commission (UEC) chairman of electoral misconduct in Novembers general election in which they suffered heavy defeats. Followed their humiliating defeats to the National League for Democracy (NLD) on Nov. 8, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and Democratic Party of National Politics (DNP) cried foul, claiming the election was unfair and marred by mass fraud, despite international and domestic election observers reporting no major irregularities. The USDP only won 71 seats (down from 117 in 2015) or 6.4 percent out of 1,117 contested seats in the Union, state and regional legislatures. The DNP did not win any seats. After the NLD won a supermajority with 920 seats (82.3 percent), the USDP central executive committee, a former military advocate general and chairman of the DNP U Soe Maung and his partys spokesman filed the applications of writs. The applications named President U Win Myint, three other government figures, UEC chairman U Hla Thein and 14 other election officials as defendants to the highest court. The election is not over, chairman of the DNP U Soe Maung, who served as a Presidents Office minister in U Thein Seins administration, told a press conference in Yangon on Tuesday. The ex-general added that their evidence is based on the findings of numerous voter-list irregularities by the military. The military conducted a review of the electoral process and reported numerous voter-list irregularities that could have led to vote rigging. It will become the most significant [writs] hearing in five decades. We hope the Supreme Court will decide freely, fairly and transparently, he said. The Supreme Court announced on Tuesday evening that the applicants will be heard through video conferencing on Jan. 29 to decide whether to proceed. If the applications are accepted, the final hearing board will hear from both sides before delivering a verdict. Legal observers have said the losing parties attempts will probably fail as the 2008 Constitution grants the UEC the final decision over the electoral process and no legal action can overrule the bodys functions. Legal adviser U Khin Maung Myint said the application to issue writs were likely to be rejected by the Supreme Court as the UECs complaints procedure was still taking place and there appeared to be a lack of evidence of electoral fraud. You may also like these stories: NLD Files Fraud Cases Against 17 Successful Candidates in Myanmars Election NLD Sues Chief of Myanmar Military Proxy Party for Using Inflammatory Rhetoric Ahead of Election Myanmar Military Claims to Find Over 70,000 Irregularities on Voter Lists Mobile will join the National Moment of Remembrance for the victims of COVID-19 one day before President-elect Joe Biden in inaugurated as the next president. The event will take place at Tricentennial Park at 4:30 p.m. on January 19. It is part of a national effort to honor the lives lost to the pandemic across the country. At that time, a light for each life lost will glow in memorial to them around the perimeter of Day Lake. This event offers a moment of healing and unity for our community which has been so ravaged by this deadly disease and continues to face many challenges, Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson said. Alabama state records show that Mobile County is the second deadliest county behind Jefferson County during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 500 people in Mobile County have died from the disease since the pandemic began. Here in Mobile, we have lost over 500 friends, family members and neighbors to this pandemic, said Richardson. This is an opportunity to honor them as well as the brave men and women who fought to save them. The event in Mobile will coincide with a national ceremony in Washington, D.C. that will feature a lighting around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. That event will be hosted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which is calling it the first-ever lighting around the Reflecting Pool to memorialize American lives lost. The committee is also inviting communities around the country to join Washington in lighting up buildings and ringing church bells during a national moment of unity and remembrance. In the midst of a pandemic when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends and neighbors it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the more challenging periods in the nations history, and renew our commitment to coming together to end the pandemic and rebuild our nation, Pili Tobar, a spokesman for the inauguration committee, told The Associated Press. In Mobile, friends and family of those who have lost are invited to share their names so they can be written on each bag holding a candle. They can offer up names by contacting the City Councils office at 251-208-7441. And given the number of bugs Android Auto is hitting these days, it goes without saying Samsungs devices are often involved in the struggle to make the experience behind the wheel more stable and reliable.Back in June 2020, someone reported an error that nobody knew exactly why was happening and therefore is still around today: Samsung devices are hit with a moisture detected error when launching Android Auto, so the app is blocked from running.Needless to say, the whole thing happens without the phone actually being exposed to liquids, and plugging it into a charger works just as expected.Google, at one point, said it was investigating, but here we are more than six months later with the problem still around and users still struggling to find a way to get rid of this error.My S20+ had issues with plugging things into the port (when it was just two weeks old). As per Samsung, I took it to an authorized shop and they cleaned it and I carried on. Two weeks later, I have the moisture detected. I am so frustrated. I've had the phone for 2 months and it has me wanting an iPhone, one user explains There are various workarounds for this problem, though they dont fix things for everyone. Someone says you should just wait for the head unit to boot up and only then connect the smartphone, while a different post claims you need to connect and disconnect the phone while the car is still running to be able to run Android Auto properly.In the meantime, Google is still investigating, apparently, so youd better not hold your breath for a fix. A new Android Auto update is coming later this month, so fingers crossed for some improvements in this regard. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Scientist and broadcaster Liz Bonnin has said she is "broken" after her losing her mother to the coronavirus. In a hard-hitting social media post, the wildlife expert and environmentalist praised medical staff for their care and compassion during her mother's final days over Christmas. However, she expressed her despair at the "mishandling" of the pandemic and her frustration that policymakers did not act on scientific advice. She also pleaded for an end to the fear and division caused by misinformation and conspiracy theories and urged wealthy nations to wake up to the "futil- ity of prioritising economic growth over environmental and human health". Ms Bonnin, who was born in France but raised in Ireland, is now based in the UK. Her mother was in the care of the National Health Service there. She said staff had shown her "how beautiful we humans can be - compassionate, dedicated, strong, selfless, brave, honest, empathetic - traits that as a society we seem to have forgotten we are all capable of as we continue to deepen the divides between us out of fear". "I don't know how to start healing from the way Mum had to die," she said. "What I do know is that she was a victim of the ongoing mishandling of the pandemic and the blatant misunderstanding of what it takes to contain the virus and, therefore, protect the economy. "We didn't listen to and act on the science. "My world crumbled as I watched her suffer the consequences of what we continue to prioritise in much of the global north at the cost of environmental and human health, in an age of blind partisanship, rampant misinformation and absurd conspiracy theories." Ms Bonnin, who has a degree in biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin and a masters in wild animal biology, first came to prominence as a member of the girlband Chill. She then moved to children's TV. However, she swapped the world of celebrity for science and has become one of the best-known faces in environmental programming, working for the BBC, RTE and Discovery Channel. She recently joined David Attenborough in programmes on the climate and biodiversity crises and is president of the UK's Wildlife Trusts. Despite her globetrotting career, she has retained close ties with Ireland and teamed up with Professor Luke O'Neill for a series of Science Week broadcasts on RTE last November. She is usually protective of her private life but felt driven to address the issues raised by Covid and her personal loss. "I dearly hope that in my lifetime we will wake up and reject our addiction to monetary gain and short-term political goals and recognise the true value of connectedness, community, well-being, kindness and caring for our planet and each other," she said. 'We didn't listen to and act on the science,' said grieving Liz Bonnin Herald COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: CETY), a clean energy company focusing on products and solutions in the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability market, announced today CETY has completed the establishment of its wholly owned subsidiary in Hainan Island, China, to take advantage of the tariff free trade zone, which sets the foundation of China Market expansion. On June 1, 2020, the Chinese government released a master plan for polices to build Hainan Island, on China's south coast, into a globally significant free-trade port by 2050. Policies will be rolled out to facilitate trade, liberalize investment, allow capital to flow freely cross-border, make transit more convenient for people, and ensure the secure flow of data. Improvements to the taxation and legal systems will be made to support the development of high-tech industries, tourism, and modern services. HAINAN Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. is currently in discussions with Shenzhen Natural Gas to provide pilot project in a waste to power application for hospital organic waste. The wholly owned subsidiary is planned to be used as a special purpose vehicle to support CETY's global clean energy projects including waste heat to power and waste to energy with energy services agreement to design, build, own and operate clean energy plants. "China is the biggest market for Clean Energy, and we expect substantial growth from Asia pacific region due to high industrialization. With the establishment of our wholly owned subsidiary and the recent agreements with two major partners we feel optimistic about our expansion and scaling up the business in the region," said Kam Mahdi, CEO of CETY. For more information, visit www.heatrecoverysolutions.com and www.corycos.com About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY) Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) delivers power from heat and biomass with zero emission and low cost. CETY designs, produces and markets clean energy products & solutions focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Company's principal product is the Clean Cycle magnetic bearing heat recovery generator, offered by CETY's subsidiary Clean Energy HRS, or Heat Recovery Solutions. The Clean Cycle system captures waste heat from a variety of sources and turns it into electricity that can be used or sold back to the grid. CETY's proven, reliable technology allows municipal, commercial, and industrial users with heat sources, such as from biomass, industrial processes or energy production, to boost their overall energy efficiency with no additional fuel, no pollutants, and little ongoing maintenance. CETY's common stock is currently traded on the OTC Market under the symbol CETY. For more information, visit www.cetyinc.com or www.heatrecoverysolutions.com. DISCLAIMER This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the company's analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Contact: Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. Kam Mahdi, CEO 949-273-4990 x814 [email protected] Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. 2990 Redhill Avenue Costa Mesa , CA 92626 949.273.4990 main 949.273.4990 fax www.cetyinc.com SOURCE Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. Related Links http://cetyinc.com A short argument between members of a construction crew ended when one man fatally punched the other in Portland, Maine in November, authorities say. Robert Clarke, 35, of Braintree, Massachusetts, is now facing a charge of manslaughter in the death of Elliott Fama, 44, of Wilmington, Massachusetts, the Portland Press Herald reported on Monday. Clarke and Fama traveled to Portland together with two other co-workers as part of a Massachusetts-based construction crew, according to police records. They had eaten dinner and were hanging out behind the Howard Johnson hotel in South Portland, where they were staying. Clarke and Fama exchanged pushes and punches allegedly after one refused to share a cigarette with the other. Clarke eventually reached around the crews foreman who was standing between the men and punched Fama in the head. Video footage of the fight shows Fama appeared to immediately lose consciousness and fall, the newspaper reported. After undergoing surgery and several days of treatment at a hospital, Fama died. Clarke was initially charged with assault, but a grand jury delivered a manslaughter charge on Dec. 11, the newspaper reported. An attorney for Clarke, Daniel Wentworth, said he did not intend to hurt or kill Fama. These were two friends, theyd known each other about a decade, Wentworth told the newspaper. This was all a very tragic event, and Robert absolutely did not intend this result in any way. An obituary for Fama says he is survived by his wife and three step-children among many family members and friends. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Thrissur: Dewang Subil, a 19-year old college student and drone pilot aided efforts in locating and rescuing four fishermen, who were adrift at sea off Thrissur in Kerala. Reaching the shore at the right time, Dewang Subil along with his drone joined the fishermen in the rescue efforts at the high seas and helped save four lives in the nick of time amid the adverse conditions. The boat carrying four fishermen is said to have sunk after it suffered damage in the wee hours of Tuesday (January 5, 2021), amid a high tide. Rescue attempts by over 80 local fishermen are said to have begun at 4 am, however all of it was in vain. As news about the incident spread in the Thalikulam village, Dewang Subil was alerted by his father. At about 11 am, the drone pilot reached the shore, only to find hundreds of people gathered there with hardly any hope of rescue. Thats when the BTech student suggested that he could join the efforts by getting on-board the fishing boats that were heading to sea. With the permission of the local authorities, he was allowed to get on the boat and use his drone for the search and rescue operation. (File Photo of Dewang Subil) While they were 15 kms into the sea, Subil was peering into his smartphone display, while also flying his drone looking for signs of the survivors. After a few misses owing to some trash that was floating on the water, Subil helped spot one fisherman and enabled his rescue. With information from the rescued fishermen, others were also located and rescued. However, one of them slipped into an unconscious state as he was pulled into the boat. I was just there at the right moment and this idea struck me as I am always thinking of drones. While I have used a commercially available drone today, I am also building my own drone to enable such rescue in the future, Subil told Zee Media. He added that it was quite a challenge to fly low and close to the water, in order to get a clear view in and around the area. "Flying too high would sound the better option, but one can only zoom and search to a certain extent" he stated. Overwhelmed by the emotions around him after the rescue, the young man was left speechless. He was not only lauded by the local authorities and public, but his effort was also appreciated by the State Agriculture Minister. VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - CRH Medical Corporation ("CRH", or the "Company") (TSX: CRH) (NYSE MKT: CRHM) today announced that Dr. Tushar Ramani, Chief Executive Officer, and Richard Bear, Chief Financial Officer, will attend the virtually held 2021 Annual ICR Conference from January 12th to the 14th. Management will participate in a fireside chat on Thursday, January 14th at 1:00 p.m. EST. A live audio webcast of the conference presentation will be accessible by visiting the "Events" section on the "Investors" page of CRH's website at https://investors.crhsystem.com. About CRH Medical Corporation: CRH Medical Corporation is a North American company focused on providing gastroenterologists throughout the United States with innovative services and products for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. In 2014, CRH became a full-service gastroenterology anesthesia company that provides anesthesia services for patients undergoing endoscopic procedures in ambulatory surgical centers. To date, CRH has completed 31 anesthesia acquisitions, and now serves 68 ambulatory surgical centers in 13 states. In addition, CRH owns the CRH O'Regan System, a single-use, disposable, hemorrhoid banding technology that is safe and highly effective in treating all grades of hemorrhoids. CRH distributes the O'Regan System, treatment protocols, operational and marketing expertise as a complete, turnkey package directly to gastroenterology practices, creating meaningful relationships with the gastroenterologists it serves. CRH's O'Regan System is currently used in all 48 lower US states. SOURCE CRH Medical Corporation Related Links www.crhmedcorp.com The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on the opening of its 8th Party Congress BEIJING (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jan, 2021 ) :The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on the opening of its 8th Party Congress. In the message, the CPC Central Committee called the WPK a firm organizer and leader of the revolution and construction of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying that the WPK has made historic achievements in the great course of propelling the socialist cause of the country for a long period of time by uniting and leading the DPRK people. In recent years, under the firm leadership of the WPK Central Committee led by Chairman Kim Jong Un, the party has attached great importance to strengthening its self-building, and made a series of important achievements in such fields as economic and social development, external environment improvement and effective response to the COVID-19 epidemic, about which the CPC expresses its sincere pleasure, said the message. The WPK's 8th Congress, a great event for the party and the political life of the people, will make strategic plans and arrangements for the party building and the national economic development in the coming period, which is of great significance, said the message. It expressed the belief that the WPK and the DPRK people will take the Congress as an opportunity to continuously achieve new victories in the cause of the DPRK's socialist construction. China and the DPRK are good neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and the two parties have maintained a long-standing good tradition of friendly exchanges, it noted. In recent years, under the strategic guidance and direct promotion of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, a new chapter has been opened in the history of the China-DPRK relations, said the message. Under the new situation, China is willing to work with the DPRK to preserve, consolidate and develop bilateral relations as guided by the important consensuses reached between the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples, and make new positive contributions to realizing regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, it said. [January 06, 2021] General Services Administration (GSA) Awards Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) to Quzara LLC VIENNA, Va., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quzara LLC, an SBA 8(a) certified and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) based in the Washington D.C Metropolitan area announces today that they have been awarded a five-year GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) with contract number 47QTCA21D003D, for the Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity Services (HACS) SIN. This allows Quzara LLC to bring their existing commercial expertise in Security Operations as-a-Service (SOCaaS) and other cybersecurity capabilities to the U.S. Federal Government. Services under the Government wide award include: High Value Assessments Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Cyber Hunt Incident Response Penetration Testing There are five (5) subcategories under GSA HACS SIN and Quzara passed the technical evaluation for each subcategory. GSA contracting officers determined Quzara met all requirements. Additional scope for services includes Security Architecture Review (SAR), Systems Security Engineering (SSE), services for Risk Management Framework (RMF), and Security Operations Center (SOC) services. "We're very excited at the GSA Award. It allows Quzara to bring Innovative Cloud, and Cyber Operations services to Federal Agencies to mitigate the enormous cyber risks facing the ation" - Qudsia Malik, Quzara LLC, President Through their Security Operations Center, Quzara Cybertorch, Quzara provides 24x7x365 monitoring and analysis, incident response, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments. Learn more by visiting https://cybertorch.com or contact us at sales@cybertorch.com. About Quzara: Quzara LLC is a WOSB, SBA 8(a) certified, and GSA HAC SINS approved Cybersecurity firm based in the Washington D.C Metropolitan area. Quzara provides compliance advisory, security engineering, and managed security services. Quzara also runs a 24x7x365 Managed Detection & Response (MDR) Platform on a FedRAMP Authorized service environment on Azure Government. Learn more by visiting https://www.quzara.com or emailing us at federal@quzara.com. Media contact: Heather Zapf 288510@email4pr.com 757-358-2403 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-services-administration-gsa-awards-multiple-award-schedule-mas-to-quzara-llc-301201346.html SOURCE Quzara LLC The first official visit by a high-level Egyptian delegation to Tripoli last week reflects Cairos openness to all Libyan stakeholders and its determination to handle the Libyan crisis comprehensively. Egypt has long made it clear that it has no bias in favour of one Libyan region or party over another. It signalled this once again on the eve of the delegations visit to western Libya by hosting another delegation including a broad range of tribal, political and academic figures from southern Libya. The Egyptian approach is to promote an intra-Libyan solution to the Libyan crisis, with its role being to bridge the differences between the Libyan parties and help them reach consensual solutions. The Cairo Declaration in June and the meetings Egypt has hosted to support the political, economic and military tracks of the Libyan process are milestones in this effort. The high-level delegations visit to Tripoli was an extension of this strategy. The agenda included meetings with most of the political and military leaders of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). Egypt has previously demonstrated its openness to the GNA, having hosted GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and GNA security and military delegations in Cairo. However, last weeks visit marks an important shift at this level, epitomised by the agreement on the reopening of the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli, a step that reflects Egypts confidence in the improvement in the security and political environment in the Libyan capital and the GNAs recognition of Cairos pivotal role in support of peace and stability in Libya. The timing of the visit was also significant given the current impasse in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) that has been convening in Tunisia. Cairo is eager to safeguard the achievements that this has made thus far, including the participants agreement to hold general elections by the end of 2021. It is working with the various parties to help them overcome obstacles and consider alternatives in the hope of reaching a breakthrough. Egypt is, perhaps, the outside stakeholder best positioned to do this as it is the only one that has demonstrated its willingness to hear out all the parties. The inclusion of meetings with GNA military leaders reflected another crucial aim of the visit, which was to ensure that the ceasefire agreement continues to hold. There has been a marked rise in tensions between the eastern and western camps over the question of the continued Turkish military presence in Libya despite the articles of the ceasefire agreement. Cairo has been closely monitoring developments on the ground in Libya and has formulated messages it has sought to convey to officials in Tripoli. One message would have expressed Egypts firm opposition to foreign military intervention in Libya, which can only serve to fuel the conflict and never to resolve it. Reactions to the visit reflect another important dimension of Egypts mediating efforts that have been welcomed locally and internationally. Egypt enjoys a credibility in Libya and abroad that other stakeholders lack since it has actively and tangibly demonstrated its commitment to building a climate conducive to the restoration of stability in Libya. This is why observers believe we are on the threshold of a new phase in turning Egypts comprehensive outreach to all the Libyan players into progress at all levels and why they predict further exchanges and coordination between Egyptian and GNA officials as part of Egypts larger network of relations with the Libyan people as a whole. The reopening of Egyptian airspace to Libyan Airlines is of symbolic importance in this regard, and Cairo is anticipating the visit of a large and diverse Libyan economic delegation next month. It is also looking into opening Egyptian consulates in different regions of Libya in order to facilitate movement between the two countries. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Short link: Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Education Minister Norma Foley is to recommend that Leaving Cert students return to school on Monday when she attends Cabinet today. The recommendation is that Leaving Cert students will return to classes for three days [per week from January 11. The majority of primary and secondary schools are to close until January 31. However, Ms Foley is expected to tell Cabinet colleagues that Leaving Cert students should remain in school for the rest of the month. The Department of Education has invited the education partners, including teacher unions and school management bodies, to a briefing at 1.30 pm today. Read More Ms Foley and Taoiseach Micheal Martin are determined to ensure the Leaving Cert goes ahead as normal this summer. Last year, exams were cancelled and teachers were forced to grade students on their past performances. There is also concern in government that Leaving Cert students missed out on a significant amount fifth year classes last year. The minister is strongly recommending Leaving Cert students are back in school on Monday, a Government source said. There are also discussions on going about ensuring special schools can remain open to ensure that students who attend these classes are not negatively impacted by the lockdown. Meanwhile, childcare services, including regulated childminders can continue for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children only. Other existing childcare arrangements for these groups can also continue. Essential workers can also form bubbles with another household for the purpose of minding children. Youth outreach services are also to remain open during the lockdown. Meanwhile, all non-essential construction will stop from 6pm on Friday. However, essential construction on health projects, schools and social housing will continue. Essential refurbishments and repairs will also be permitted as will some house completion work such as putting in windows. Read More Online Editors Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Thousands of farmers protesting on Delhis borders demanding repeal of three contentious farm laws will carry out a tractor march on Thursday, converging on the eastern and western peripheral expressways that form a ring around Delhi. However, they will not enter Delhi, farm leaders said on Wednesday. This will be a dress rehearsal for the tractor parade by farmers on Republic Day in the national capital, said Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India who is among the coordinators of the protest. Farmers, primarily from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping at several Delhi border points since November 28, demanding repeal of the laws, and a legal guarantee on minimum support prices for their crops, among other issues.The farmers announced last week that if their demands were not met, they will march in their tractors at Rajpath on Republic Day, where Indias annual military parade and cultural programme is held on January 26. Kulwant Singh Sandhu, general secretary of Jamhuri Kisan Sabha, said hundreds of tractors will march on Thursday from Singhu and Tikri borders to the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal or Western Expressway. Hundreds of tractors from both the protest points will leave around 11am and drive towards KMP Expressway. From there, we will return to our camps, said Sandhu. Joginder Singh Nain, a farm leader from Haryana, said:Women drivers will lead a part of the rally representing the Haryana contingent. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson, Rakesh Tikait said the tractor march will not enter Delhi, and culminate at the respective borders after travelling up to Dasna and Palwal. It will be a peaceful tractor march. The farmers protesting at Ghazipur-Ghaziabad (UP Gate) border will march towards Bulandshahr via Dasna on their tractors. The other groups of farmers coming from the different borders of Delhi will meet near Bulandshahr, where we will have langar. From there, the other group would move towards Palwal while we will return to UP Gate border by evening, said Tikait. Unlike the other BKU groups, the farmers associated with BKUs Bhanu group that has been protesting at the Chilla (Delhi-Noida link road) border will carry out a tractor march from Mahamaya flyover up to Chilla border. Our tractor march will be of nearly two kilometres. We will stop at the Chilla border, said BC Pradhan, spokesperson for BKUs Bhanu group. Shalini Singh, joint commissioner of police (western range), said that since the march is not scheduled to enter Delhi, the police arrangement would remain like before. But traffic on the outskirts is likely to be affected. Police in Gautam Buddh Nagar said they will enforce diversions on the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal or Eastern Peripheral Expressway. In view of this, vehicles will not be allowed to get on the eastern peripheral expressway from Beel Akbarpur and Sirsa cut towards Palwal from 12pm to 3pm. Similarly, vehicles wont be allowed on the expressway from Sirsa cut and Beel Akbarpur towards Sonipat from 2pm to 5pm and will be diverted, police said in a statement. GB Nagars police commissioner Alok Singh on Wednesday inspected the situation along the expressway. Singh, along with additional CP (law and order) Love Kumar and DCP, Greater Noida, Rajesh Kumar Singh, visited the Beel Akbarpur toll, Sirsa toll and Palwal border area. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials also said the tractor march will affect traffic on both eastern and western peripheral expressways. Tractors are not allowed on EPE and there will be traffic disruption if they carry out a march. We will speak to the district officials about the issue. Already, the farmers have made two major tolls at Palwal and Sonipat free and it is affecting our revenue. It is estimated that the tolls fetch us about Rs 90 lakh per day, but we are collecting only about Rs 25 lakh per day since December 25, said Mudit Garg, project director of NHAI. Sanjay Madhav, member of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the state convener of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee in Rajasthan, said farmers from several Rajasthan districts will march on their tractors up to the Shahjahanpur protest site on Thursday. A group of farmers from Maharashtra joined our agitation today. Tractors from other protest sites on the Delhi border will start their march in the morning, and we will have a huge cavalcade of farmers on the KMP stretch tomorrow, said Madhav. Deepak Lamba, member of Jai Kisan Andalon which is a part of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said that the march would start at 11am on Thursday and continue through the day. One batch of tractors will start from Singhu border and one from Tikri border. They will converge at KMP before returning back to their respective protest sites. Other segments of tractors from Palwal, Ghazipur and Mewat will also come together on the KMP stretch, said Lamba. Rampal Jat, president of the Kisan Mahapanchayat, which is protesting at the Haryana-Rajasthan border, said that around 100 tractors from Palwal will join the rally. Tractors from different regions will join the march tomorrow. Due to rain, our tents at the border have been uprooted or flooded, but we will participate in the rally as much as possible. Around 100 tractors from here will join the march from Palwal, he said. Last year Beijing blocked most of Australia's top exports such as coal and meat Leading researcher says Joe Biden taking charge of US changes the dynamic Biden is much more likely than Donald Trump to pressure China to back down Beijing also faces anger from citizens due to black outs caused by restrictions China will 'quietly' back down from its economic coercion of Australia in the face of increased pressure from the US and other allies this year, a leading academic has predicted. Dr Jeffrey Wilson, research director at the Perth USAsia Centre, said 2021 'will not look like' last year where Beijing progressively blocked most of Australia's top exports including coal, seafood, wine, barley, timber and meat after Scott Morrison called for an inquiry into the origins of coronavirus. ADVERTISEMENT The change of administration in the US shifts the dynamic of the dispute in Australia's favour because Joe Biden is more likely than Donald Trump to pressure China to back down, Dr Wilson told Daily Mail Australia. Joe Biden (pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2012) is more likely than Donald Trump to pressure China to back down, Dr Jeffrey Wilson told Daily Mail Australia On 3 December Biden's new national security advisor Jake Sullivan, who has argued for a competitive approach to China, tweeted 'America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia' 'The incoming Biden administration actually cares about containing China in a rules-based system. So when we get punched that's a problem for him. It didn't even occur to Trump that this was something the US should care about,' he said. Biden has vowed to end Trump's America First approach to foreign policy by restoring American global leadership, calling out human rights abuses and strengthening traditional alliances. On 3 December, Biden's new national security advisor Jake Sullivan, who has argued for a competitive approach to China, tweeted 'America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia.' The tweet did not mention China but was clearly a reference to the tensions between Canberra and Beijing. 'This shows how seriously the US takes the issue,' Dr Wilson said. 'It's OK for China to bash Australia when Trump doesn't care. But when the US says "if you're going to pick on my little brother then you're picking on me", that completely changes the story for China. 'Once the US gets involved that's a big escalation that they don't want. There's an argument to be made that this will be the thing that actually stops this.' Another factor that may force China to back down is fear of backlash from its 1.4billion citizens (pictured in Wuhan in December) who suffer from trade restrictions In January 2019, President Trump signed a 'phase one' trade deal with China to end an 18-month trade war between the world's two biggest economies. ADVERTISEMENT Dr Wilson said China wants to avoid more economic tension with the US and would feel threatened by the possibility of sanctions or tariffs implemented by Biden. 'China can't beat America in a trade war and they don't want to fight with a peer,' he said. 'They've just come out of a trade war with Trump which was terrible for their economy and cost them billions, the last thing they want is one with the Biden administration as well. 'If they are thinking clearly then this will really make them back off and my suspicion is this is what they will do over the next year. Chinese officials are probably going 'oh s***, how can we get out of this one?' Dr Jeffrey Wilson on Beijing's economic coercion of Australia '2021 is not going to look like 2020 where every two to three weeks another trade sanction is whacked on,' he added. 'I would be very surprised if they continue doing that once the Biden administration has got its hand back behind the wheel.' Officials in Canberra are also hopeful that a Biden White House will be better for Australia than a second term of Trump. 'I think that line of argument is correct,' a national security source told Daily Mail Australia. But it's not only pressure from the US that may force China to back down. In December Australia referred China to the World Trade Organisation over its 80 per cent tariff on barley imposed in May. Beijing claims the tariffs are needed because Australia has been selling barley below the cost of production in a practice known as dumping, which Canberra denies. ADVERTISEMENT Taking China to the WTO effectively brings 164 member nations into the dispute. Even though a ruling could take years, the move calls Australia's allies into action. 'The significance of the WTO case is not that we will get tariffs removed on barley - which we will when we win - but it's about making this is a global issue and not just about Australia any more,' Dr Wilson said. 'It takes the dispute out of that bilateral situation where China is about 13 times larger than Australia in economic terms and moves it into a multilateral forum. 'It moves from being an Australia-China political issue, in which China doesn't mind how much Australia hates them at the moment, to a multi-lateral one where the US, the EU, Japan, the rest of the world are involved.' Dr Jeffrey Wilson of the Perth USAsia Centre Dr Wilson said dealing with China in a global forum 'greatly raises the political cost' to Beijing of using economic coercion. 'That changes the political calculus for China dramatically. They'd be very happy to get in a trade dispute with Australia but probably not the US or Japan,' he said. A third factor that may force China to back down is fear of backlash from its 1.4billion citizens who suffer from trade restrictions. Apart from being denied Australian wine and lobster, millions have endured power blackouts due to a ban on Australian coal. Cities in the Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces turned off street lights and rationed electricity as power stations which had been specifically adapted to handle efficient Australian coal failed to generate enough energy. 'The trade war is also impacting Chinese people as cities where they haven't rationed power for 25 years are facing blackouts,' Dr Wilson said. 'If the government really stopped and thought about this before they had done it, they might have checked what would happen if they banned Australian coal. 'Someone's gone and done it at a very high level and not really bothered to check the consequences.' Dr Wilson said the blackouts are a 'serious problem' for the Chinese Communist Party which draws its legitimacy and popular support from providing economic development. 'If they can't keep the lights on over winter, it's a pretty damning indictment on their capability as a regime,' he said. 'For all the horrors of the Trump administration during Covid, the US never suffered rolling blackouts. 'China is a world super-power that can't keep its major cities with electricity.' Cities in the Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces were plunged into darkness in December as a result of the Chinese Communist Party's blockage of Australian coal But if Australia-China tensions are destined to improve this year, it remains to be seen how relations will be restored. In the past when China has used trade sanctions to coerce other countries, relations have been normalised by appeasing Beijing. This happened with Norway in 2016 when a six-year dispute was ended with a one-sided joint statement that said Norway 'fully respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity'. In November the Chinese embassy in Canberra issued a list of 14 grievances including Australia's free press and politicians being critical of Beijing - but Scott Morrison has insisted none of the points is negotiable. Click here to resize this module Furthermore, Dr Wilson said China knows its 14 demands are unrealistic and that it 'doesn't really' want Australia to do anything different. He believes Beijing is just 'making an example out of us' to warn to other countries in the region such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia not to speak out against China, whether over human rights abuses in Xinjiang province or illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea. 'They don't have any demands they just want us to get bashed so somebody else can watch,' he said. 'It's a mafia hit for the sake of scaring off the others.' A more likely scenario than Australia giving ground, therefore, might be that China simply decides to remove the bans it has placed on Australian exports. Beijing's blockade of Australian coal caused a dozen cities to ration their electricity use. Southern China's Hunan Province was awash with reports on social media platform Weibo of workers in Changsha (pictured) climbing dozens of flights of stairs after lifts were shut down 'I think they'll probably find a way to make it quietly go away, they might start bashing another country or there'll be some misdirection with a huge propaganda effort,' Dr Wilson said. 'Chinese officials are probably going "oh s***, how can we get out of this one? The Americans are coming back in, the Australians have stood firm, we're going to lose our trousers at the WTO when it gets there, we've massively over-reached here, how do we get out of this without looking weak?' But Dr Wilson said there may still be some twists and turns to come in the Canberra-Beijing relationship, not least because it's almost impossible to predict what the Chinese government will do next. He noted that Politburo members are communist party members for life who 'have been indoctrinated in nationalism and are working in what is increasingly becoming a totalitarian system'. ADVERTISEMENT 'Common sense and rationality aren't necessarily principles on which their decisions are being made,' he warned. The agency that owns and operates the Port of Charleston filed a federal complaint Wednesday against the International Longshoremen's Association over a dispute that threatens the scheduled March opening of a new container terminal in North Charleston. The State Ports Authority filed an unfair labor practices charge with the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C., alleging the union that represents dockworkers is improperly trying to take jobs from state employees at the Leatherman Terminal that's under construction at the former Navy base along the Cooper River. The complaint also names the United States Maritime Alliance Ltd., the group of container ship companies serving East and Gulf Coast ports, as a defendant. The alliance hires ILA workers through a local stevedoring firm to help load and unload its members' ships at Charleston's port terminals. The complaint alleges the ILA is improperly using a provision in its contract with the alliance to have union workers operate ship-to-shore cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes and other lift equipment at the Leatherman site. That equipment is currently operated by SPA employees at Charleston's existing port terminals. The union also wants its members to fill the industrial mechanic, electrician and other jobs that state workers now handle at the SPA's other terminals. Jim Newsome, the SPA's president and CEO, said the maritime alliance has told him its members, virtually all container shipping lines serving the Charleston port, will refuse to use the Leatherman Terminal until the dispute is resolved. The contract provision, which was added in 2013, applies to state-run ports in Charleston, Savannah and Wilmington, N.C. It calls for the alliance to "notify any port authority contemplating or intending to develop a new container handling facility that (alliance) members may be prohibited from using the new facility if the work at that facility is not performed by (ILA) bargaining unit employees." Newsome said the Leatherman Terminal should not be governed by that provision because permitting and construction of the terminal began in 2003 a decade before the clause was added. "It says 'intended to or contemplated'," Newsome said, referring to the contract. "We were already doing it. We were headlong into it by that time. So our point is it's not a new terminal relative to that contract clause." Newsome said the ILA's pressure on container shipping lines to avoid the Leatherman Terminal amounts to a secondary boycott an effort by a labor union to exert pressure on a company by targeting its business connections. Secondary boycotts are illegal under the National Labor Relations Act. Kenny Riley, head of ILA Local No. 1422 in Charleston, said he has not seen the complaint and will confer with union leaders and attorneys on how to respond. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! Riley said he isn't sure the NLRB would have jurisdiction since the contract is between the union and shipping lines, not the SPA. He added the dispute isn't limited to Charleston but impacts other ports along the East Coast, making it an issue the ILA's national office will likely address. "Even though we are the first ones that are going to be impacted by the language, it's not a specific Charleston issue," he said. "It's an issue for the entire union." Riley has long fought for all jobs at the new terminal to be held by ILA workers, and he told Ted Reed, author of a book about the local ILA, that having union members fill the Leatherman Terminal jobs "will be one of the last fights I ever fight." "The port can build whatever terminals it wants, and it can put in the most expensive cranes and infrastructure it wants at any terminal it wants, but if not ships call on that terminal, then it just got a brand new terminal with nothing there," he stated in the book "Kenny Riley and Black Union Power in the Port of Charleston." The ILA's contract with the maritime alliance also calls for a study to be done showing how the current process of SPA employees operating cranes and other equipment "could be altered" to let union workers do the jobs "in a more productive, efficient and competitive fashion." The union was to use the study to meet with port officials "in an effort to convince them to employ ILA-represented employees." Such a study has never been completed. Newsome said the current process which he terms a hybrid model of state and union employees working together but responsible for different duties "provides the best combination of productivity, efficiency and cost in the United States port industry," adding an ILA-only workforce at the Leatherman Terminal would raise costs for the container shipping lines. He said cargo growth at the port using the hybrid model has led to about 850,000 additional work hours for ILA members since 2009. It's not clear how many jobs ILA workers would gain if they were to handle all waterfront duties at the Leatherman Terminal. About 400 SPA employees operate and maintain cranes and other lift equipment, and the agency plans to move some of them to the new terminal once it opens. Now that a complaint has been filed, the NLRB's regional office in Atlanta will investigate the charges and determine whether they have merit. The board could ask a federal district court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop any unlawful boycotting while the case moves forward. The NLRB's website states a decision in most unfair labor practice cases takes between seven and 14 weeks, although some cases can take longer. "We think they will see this charge and say it's significant and we need to do something about it," Newsome said, adding he hopes the dispute won't delay the Leatherman Terminal's opening. "We didn't build infrastructure for it not to be used, but this is a fundamental principle point for the ports authority and the maritime industry here." A further 13 people have died in Northern Ireland after contracting coronavirus and another 1,985 new cases have been reported, the Department of Health has confirmed. Nine deaths occurred between 10am on January 5 and 10am on January 6, with four deaths taking place outside of this reporting period. The death toll, according to the department, has now risen to 1,397. Another 1,985 people tested positive, bringing the total number of infections to 83,236 since reporting began. There are 592 Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals, with 44 in intensive care. Thirty-seven people are currently ventilated. Hospital occupancy is 102% and there are 132 active outbreaks of the virus in care homes. Read More Meanwhile, all GCSE, AS and A-level exams in Northern Ireland have been cancelled. Education Minister Peter Weir tweeted: "I have just taken the decision to cancel all GCSE, AS & A2 exams this academic year. "In light of the extended remote learning now in place I cannot allow our students in NI to be disadvantaged in any way from their counterparts across the UK." Mr Weir told MLAs work will continue on the alternative awarding arrangements for pupils, with further details "to be brought forward as soon as possible". Exams scheduled for January, February, May and June will now not go ahead. However, it has not yet clear how grades will be awarded. It comes after transfer tests were cancelled in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. However later the Association for Quality (AQA) confirmed a single transfer test is still scheduled for February 27. SDLP Education spokesman, Daniel McCrossan welcomed the announcement. "But this is too little too late from Minister Weir who has caused needless stress to the hundreds of children set to sit GCSE exams next week," he said. Meanwhile, Stormont ministers are setting out details of new tougher coronavirus restrictions in a bid to halt the rapid spread of the disease throughout Northern Ireland. Schools have been closed until the February mid-term break for all but key workers and vulnerable children. Special schools will remain open. A stay at home order will be brought into force - with police to be given extra powers to prevent people leaving their home without a reasonable excuse. Gatherings have again been severely restricted. The new rules will be in place until at least February 6. Read More Here's how Wednesday unfolded: Belfast Telegraph Investigative actions in connection with possible 'Belarusian trace' in Sheremet murder case may be carried out in Europe in January Avakov Ukrainian law enforcement officers have a larger volume of materials indicating that until 2012 the Belarusian special services had been discussing the possibility of killing journalist Pavel Sheremet than the one that was made public in the media, said Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov. "In December, we received several more materials than were published yesterday [on January 4] in the media, which show us that in the circles of the Belarusian special services until 2012 - the last date, in my opinion, April 2012 - were discussed issues, related to the murder of Pavel Sheremet. These materials were then accepted by us. We have made a number of international legal orders since then," Avakov told reporters in Kharkiv on Tuesday. "It will be agreed on some investigative actions already now, in January, in Europe," the minister added. He noted that investigators are still continuing to analyze the documents received. "We have received a lot of documents, now they are being studied," Avakov said. As reported, on January 4, the Ukrayinska Pravda Internet edition with reference to the published audio recordings and the EUobserver Belgian edition said that the murder of Sheremet was prepared by the special services of Belarus. As follows from the recording of the conversations of head of the State Security Committee of Belarus in 2008-2012 Vadim Zaitsev, transferred to Ukrayinska Pravda by the Belarusian opposition, the secret services of Belarus in 2012, by order of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, discussed the possibility of detonating Sheremet with explosives, which was carried out four years later. "The recording contains the words of Zaitsev, recorded by a hidden device on April 11, 2012, during the briefing of officers of the KGB's Alpha Group, an elite counter-terrorist unit, in Zaitsev's office in Minsk. The KGB also discussed killing of Pavel Sheremet, who lived in Russia at the time. The task is to blow him up. And to do it so that this murder becomes a public message," Ukrayinska Pravda said. Ukrayinska Pravda cites Zaitsev's words published in EUobserver: "We have to work on Sheremet, which is a big headache [...] we will plant a bomb [...] the president [Lukashenko] is waiting for these operations." Later that day, the National Police of Ukraine announced that it had received information about possible masterminds of the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet - documents and audio recordings made no later than 2012. The department also said that the investigation received permission to conduct investigative actions in one of the European countries, and the disposer of the transmitted information was invited to conduct investigative actions. As reported, Sheremet was killed in a car explosion in central Kyiv on July 20, 2016. The explosion occurred when Sheremet was driving a vehicle that belonged to the Ukrayinska Pravda co-founder Olena Prytula, who was not in it at the time. The journalist died at the scene shortly following the bomb blast. On December 12, 2019, the police conducted a series of searches and reported suspicion to a number of defendants in the case. On the same day, a briefing was held with the participation of Avakov and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, at which the interim results of the investigation were partially disclosed and the names of the suspects in the murder of Sheremet were named. The suspicion was notified to military nurse Yana Duhar, volunteer and pediatric cardiac surgeon Yulia Kuzmenko, as well as musician and ATO veteran Andriy Antonenko, all of them were detained. The pretrial investigation against the suspects was completed on May 22. Kuzmenko is currently under round-the-clock house arrest, Duhar has personal obligations, and Antonenko is in custody. None of the accused admits his guilt in involvement in the murder of Sheremet. WASHINGTON - Where are they? a Trump supporter demanded in a crowd of dozens roaming the halls of the Capitol, bearing Trump flags and pounding on doors. Workers build the stage on the ellipse near the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, ahead of expected rallies on Jan. 6 in support of President Donald Trump. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial can be seen in the background. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON - Where are they? a Trump supporter demanded in a crowd of dozens roaming the halls of the Capitol, bearing Trump flags and pounding on doors. They lawmakers, staff members and more were hiding under tables, hunkered in lockdowns, saying prayers and seeing the fruits of the countrys divisions up close and violent. Guns were drawn. A woman was shot and killed by police, and three others died in apparent medical emergencies. A Trump flag hung on the Capitol. The graceful Rotunda reeked of tear gas. Glass shattered. On Wednesday, hallowed spaces of American democracy, one after another, yielded to the occupation of Congress. The pro-Trump mob took over the presiding officers chair in the Senate, the offices of the House speaker and the Senate dais, where one yelled, Trump won that election. Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) They mocked its leaders, posing for photos in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one with his feet propped on a desk in her office, another sitting in the same seat Vice-President Mike Pence had occupied only moments before during the proceedings to certify the Electoral College vote. This began as a day of reckoning for President Donald Trumps futile attempt to cling to power as Congress took up the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. It devolved into scenes of fear and agony that left a prime ritual of American democracy in tatters. Trump told his morning crowd at the Ellipse that he would go with them to the Capitol, but he didnt. Instead he sent them off with incendiary rhetoric. If you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore, he said. Let the weak ones get out, he went on. This is a time for strength. His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, told the crowd, Lets have trial by combat. What happened Wednesday was nothing less than an attempted coup, said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., a frequent Trump critic, said, Today, the United States Capitol the worlds greatest symbol of self-government was ransacked while the leader of the free world cowered behind his keyboard. Protesters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near the Ohio Clock. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Sasse went on: Lies have consequences. This violence was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the presidents addiction to constantly stoking division. Police said they recovered two pipe bombs, one outside the Democratic National Committee and one outside the Republican National Committee and a cooler from a vehicle that had a long gun and Molotov cocktail on Capitol grounds. Yet Trump, in a video posted 90 minutes after lawmakers were evacuated, told the insurrectionists We love you. Youre very special, while asking them to go home. Authorities eventually regained control as night fell. Heavily armed officers brought in as reinforcements started using tear gas in a co-ordinated effort to get people moving toward the door, then combed the halls for stragglers, pushing the mob farther out onto the plaza and lawn, in clouds of tear gas, flash-bangs and percussion grenades. Video footage also showed officers letting people calmly walk out the doors of the Capitol despite the rioting and vandalism. Only about a dozen arrests were made in the hours after authorities regained control. They said a woman was shot earlier as the mob tried to break through a barricaded door in the Capitol where police were armed on the other side. People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later died. Early on, some inside the Capitol saw the trouble coming outside the windows. Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota surveyed the growing crowd on the grounds not long after Trump had addressed his supporters by the Ellipse, fueling their grievances over an election that he and they say he won, against all evidence. I looked out the windows and could see how outmanned the Capitol Police were, Phillips said. Under the very risers set up for Bidens inauguration, Trump supporters clashed with police who blasted pepper spray in an attempt to hold them back. It didnt work. Throngs of maskless MAGA-hatted demonstrators tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. They broke into the building. Announcements blared: Due to an external security threat, no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. A loud bang sounded as officials detonated a suspicious package to make sure it was not dangerous. It was about 1:15 p.m. when New Hampshire Rep. Chris Pappas, a Democrat, said Capitol Police banged on his door and told us to drop everything, get out as quickly as we could. U.S. Capitol Police hold protesters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) It was breathtaking how quickly law enforcement got overwhelmed by these protesters, he told The Associated Press. Shortly after 2 p.m., Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Vice-President Mike Pence were evacuated from the Senate as protesters and police shouted outside the doors. Protesters are in the building, were the last words picked up by a microphone carrying a live feed of the Senate before it shut off. Police evacuated the chamber at 2:30 p.m., grabbing boxes of Electoral College certificates as they left. Phillips yelled at Republicans, This is because of you! Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., told reporters he was in the House chamber when protesters began storming it. He said security officers urged lawmakers to put gas masks on and herded them into a corner of the massive room. When we got over to other side of the gallery, the Republican side, they made us all get down, you could see that they were fending off some sort of assault, it looked like, he said. They had a piece of furniture up against the door, the door, the entry to the floor from the Rotunda, and they had guns pulled. The officers eventually escorted the lawmakers out of the chamber. Shortly after being told to put on gas masks, most members were quickly escorted out of the chamber. But some members remained in the upper gallery seats, where they had been seated due to distancing requirements. Along with a group of reporters who had been escorted from the press area and Capitol workers who act as ushers, the members ducked on the floor as police secured a door to the chamber down below with guns pointed. After making sure the hallways were clear, police swiftly escorted the members and others down a series of hallways and tunnels to a cafeteria in one of the House office buildings. Describing the scene, Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut said there was a point there where officers had their guns and weapons pointed at the door, they were obviously expecting a breach through the door. It was clear that there were pretty close to pulling the trigger so they asked us all to get down in the chamber. As he walked out of the Capitol, Himes said he had lived in Latin America and always assumed it could never happen here. Weve known for years that our democracy was in peril and this is hopefully the worst and final moment of it, Himes said. But with a president egging these people on, with the Republicans doing all they can to try to make people feel like their democracy has been taken away from them even though theyre the ones doing the taking, its really hard, really sad. I spent my entire political career reaching out to the other side. And its really hard to see this. Democratic Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley was also in the balcony. Its not good to be around terrified colleagues, with guns drawn toward people who have a barricade ... people crying. Not what you want to see, he said. This is how a coup is started, said Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif. This is how democracy dies. Associated Press writers Ben Fox, Ashraf Khalil, Alan Fram and Michael Balsamo in Washington and Michael Casey in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. Topps Tiles saw sales rise nearly 20 per cent in its latest quarter to 26 December, but the firm said sales will take a knock amid the latest lockdown. The retailer has benefited from a surge in activity in the DIY market, with scores of people up and down the country sprucing up their home. In England, Topps Tiles' aisles are closed for browsing, but open for click and collect and counter services. The group's stores in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are currently open as normal. Its 'boutique' stores are all currently closed. Sales: Topps Tiles saw sales rise nearly 20% in its latest quarter to 26 December Topps Tiles said that while it was exempt, it had decided to close its aisles in England in a bid to prevent transmission of Covid-19. The group expects the lack of browsing space available for customers to hit its sales and profit margins. The group hopes its online sales will continue to rise, but delivery charges means it will incur higher costs. Topps Tiles said the commercial market was recovering more slowly than the retail sector, but hopes a turnaround plan will drive a bounce-back this year. Rob Parker, chief executive of Topps Tiles , said: 'I am encouraged by our performance over the first quarter, with our retail business performing very strongly, with like-for-like sales up by 19.9 per cent, and our commercial business on track with our plans. 'While the latest lockdown restrictions will impact sales, at this stage it is very difficult to estimate the level of impact or how long this may last.' As of 26 December, adjusted net cash stood at 28.5million. Closed aisles: Topps Tiles has temporaily closed aisles across all its stores in England During the first quarter Topps Tiles repaid a 5million term loan drawn as part of the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and cancelled an unused 5million revolving credit facility under the same scheme. Topps Tiles has set itself a new market share goal to take 1 in every 5 spent on tiles and associated products in Britain by 2025, with aims to broaden its customer base. The group, which started life in 1963, has 343 retail stores across the country, as well as four commercial showrooms and three websites. Shares in Topps Tiles fell by 2 per cent early this morning and are currently down 0.42 per cent or 0.24p to 57.06p. A year ago the share price stood at 76.10p. Beijing, Jan 6 : OnePlus is reportedly planning to launch its new flagship series -- the OnePlus 9 series -- in March next year and now a new report has claimed that the OnePlus 9 Pro, the top variant in the series, will come with 45W wireless charging support. The OnePlus 9 Pro will also support reverse wireless charging. This feature can be used to charge accessories such as Bluetooth headphones, or a smartwatch, reports news portal Gizbot. The Huawei P40 Pro+ and the Oppo Reno Ace launched last year featured 40W wireless charging support. Xiaomi's Mi 10 Pro also offered 30W wireless charging functionality, whereas the Huawei P40 Pro and Mate 30 came with 27W wireless fast charging. OnePlus 9 Pro is tipped to come with 65W wired fast charging, which is found on the OnePlus 8T. The upcoming series will include the Oneplus 9 and 9 Pro, as usual along with a budget variant, possibly the OnePlus 9 Lite. OnePlus 9 Lite will borrow a lot from the recently launched OnePlus 8T. It may feature a 90Hz or 120Hz AMOLED display, and a quad-camera setup similar to the OnePlus 8T. It will even get super-fast 65W Warp Charge support, reports Android Central. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro will feature Qualcomm's latest 5nm chipset, the Snapdragon 888, but the OnePlus 9 Lite will be powered by the Snapdragon 865 instead. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way of Illinois is launching a '21 Week Equity Challenge' this week. Following a year of unrest and strife, this free, online learning program will provide lessons and resources for Illinoisians to learn about racial issues and systemic inequalities, together. "Our association, in partnership with local United Ways, is so excited to be taking this journey with our communities," said Eithne McMenamin, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for United Way of Illinois. "This is an excellent opportunity to learn -- personally and professionally -- have necessary conversations, and equip our communities to engage meaningfully in the work of racial understanding and healing." The United Way of Illinois 21 Week Equity Challenge encourages individuals, families, friends and co-workers to have racial equity conversations to gain a deeper understanding about the impact systemic racism and inequality have on our state and in our local communities. United, we can help create a stronger, more equitable Illinois economy and stronger, more inclusive Illinois communities. From Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/18) to Juneteenth (6/19), participants will complete weekly learning assignments about equity, racism, bias and more. The 15-minute assignments include readings, videos, and questions for participants to consider. Upon completion, they'll receive a digital certificate and tips and tools to help continue the conversation in their local community. The 21 Week Equity Challenge is supported by Healing Illinois, the State of Illinois, The Chicago Community Trust and United Way of Illinois. The weekly curriculum was designed by United Way of Champaign, using evolving content originally created by United Way of Washtenaw County in Michigan. New challenge content will be released on a weekly basis. United Way of Metro Chicago is proud to join United Way of Illinois and 43 other local United Ways across the state to embark on the 21 Week Equity Challenge. United Way staff and leadership will participate, as well as corporate partners, volunteers and donors. "Tackling inequality and racism isn't just about the work we do in communities, it's about the work we each do in our individual lives, too. Building an equitable region, and world, requires all of us to learn, expand our thinking and take action. The 21 Week Equity Challenge will help us begin building that foundational knowledge," said Sean Garrett, President and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago. "I, and our team here in Chicago, have accepted the Challenge. We invite our neighbors, partners and donors across the region to join, too." You can take the pledge today by visiting www.unitedwayillinois.org/equity-challenge . United Way of Illinois is an association of local United Ways representing communities across Illinois. The organization. We advance the common good through public policy. We monitor the activity of government, review legislation, and educate the general public and our public officials related to their impact on human services and on our local communities. To learn more, visit www.unitedwayillinois.org . United Way of Metro Chicago brings together businesses, government, nonprofits, and community leaders to deliver funding, resources, and expertise to nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We are working alongside our partners at the neighborhood level to tackle the systemic issues that have plagued our region, creating communities where children and families can thrive. United, we're building stronger neighborhoods for a stronger Chicago region. To learn more, visit www.liveunitedchicago.org . Contact: Marilyn Jackson 312.906.2387 [email protected] SOURCE United Way of Metro Chicago Related Links https://liveunitedchicago.org DETROIT - Youll soon be able to dine in new heated outdoor structures at various restaurants in Detroit. The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) just announced, what its calling, The Luminarias of Southwest Detroit. Constructed to look like traditional Mexican luminarias, the heated, outdoor enclosures will each hold up to six people. The five-sided, metal and plexiglass structures will be eight feet tall with an eight foot diameter and will be designed to be COVID-19 health and safety compliant. The luminarias will also light up in a variety of colors and can be customized for special occasions. The SDBA recognizes the need to provide support to our businesses and restaurant community during these challenging times, said SDBA VP of Programs and Compliance, Jennifer Gomez. This exciting program will provide a lifeline to area businesses, helping owners recover a portion of lost revenue while also creating a one-of-a-kind dining experience that can only be found in Southwest Detroit. RELATED: Igloos, shanties, huts and more: Where to dine outdoors in Michigan this winter A total of 15 luminarias will be built at various restaurants this and next month with the first one going up at Armandos Mexican Restaurant located at 4242 W. Vernor Hwy. Restaurants in Southwest Detroit are invited to apply for a structure via this link. Participating restaurants are required to make a $1,000 financial commitment for each luminaria. The majority of the costs will be covered by the SDBA thanks to at $50,000 grant from the Hudson Webber Foundation, along with architectural services valued at $15,000 from AptumBuild Solutions LLC. On top of that, Disenos Ornamental Iron reduced its fees to help make this program possible. Our roots run deep in Southwest Detroit, said Disenos Ornamental Iron President Nieves Longordo. In times of great difficulty and daunting uncertainty, we must extend a helping hand to our neighbors. Tumultuous and trying times demand generosity. What exactly is a Luminaria? They date back more than 300 years in Mexican culture. Traditionally, they are small lanterns that are handmade out of paper bags and line walkways, churches and homes during the holiday season. MORE FROM MLIVE: Dog stranded on ice saved in daring rescue in frigid Detroit River Bob Seger remembers longtime bandmate Alto Reed, dead at 72: He was funky, could scat Kid Rock donates $100K to small businesses impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns Its difficult to describe this home. Does it look like a mushroom? Perhaps it reminds you of the fabulous Flintstone House in the San Francisco Bay Area? Its completely unique. Ive never seen anything like it, says the listing agent, Jeffrey Connell. The roof is almost like the Opera House in Sydney. The house is closer to a dome shape than the iconic sail design in Australia, and it is now available for the reasonable price of $295,000. Built in 1972, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home on Longwood Drive in Forked River, NJ, measures about 1,400 square feet. Your first impression is that it defies your sense of a normal house, because it has a soaring two-story area where the main living space is, Connell explains. Exterior of home in Forked River, NJ Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Exterior Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Entry Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Interior Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Interior Susan Nice/ Pics Quik The top level of the cedarwood dome also houses a master bedroom loft area. A metal spiral staircase links the two floors. The only bathroom is on the main level, near the second bedroom. ___ Watch: Modernist 'Dune House' Duplex Is at One With the Sand and Sea ___ It might be too different for some folks, but in the overall scheme of things, its really kind of fun, Connell says. Youre essentially living in a tree fort, with that master bedroom on top. This getaway spot looks down on the rest of the house. Master bedroom Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Master bedroom Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Bathroom Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Kitchen Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Kitchen Susan Nice/ Pics Quik The kitchen is open, and Connell told us it could use an update. Alternatively, a buyer who enjoys a pop of color may find it perfect the way it is. The burnt-orange cabinetry would be difficult to replace today, Connell says, adding, I dont know anybody who makes anything like that anymore. Deck Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Hot tub Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Front deck Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Just off the kitchen is one of the houses two decks. You have plenty of room out there, Connell says. If you're making food outside or entertaining, he adds, It all kind of flows rather well. The back deck also boasts a hot tub. Exterior Susan Nice/ Pics Quik The other deck is in front, with a detached two-car garage nearby. There is also an unfinished basement, which Connell says could be good hobby space or used for storage. However, finishing it out might be difficult. A circular foundation was built under the house, he explains, to hold up the middle of the house. That means that in the basement, this support structure occupies the middle of the space. Bedroom Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Bedroom Susan Nice/ Pics Quik Exterior Susan Nice/ Pics Quik This part of South Jersey, near the shore, is close to several lakes, in what was chiefly a summer community back in the 1960s and '70s, Connell says. In the past few decades, it's become more of a year-round residential area. The current owner bought the property in 1995 and has lived there with his wife and child. Connell believes that the home, like an antique car, is most likely to attract a buyer looking for something eye-catching and unique. Some people gravitate toward that kind of a fun or different style, he says. Id like to see somebody come down here and say, This is really me, and kind of settle in." He feels that it's the kind of home that would be difficult to remodel without ruining its aesthetic. "I just hope that somebody is going to fall in love with it and keep it the way it is, he adds. Dining area Susan Nice/ Pics Quik The post This Wonderfully Shaped Mushroom House Simply Needs a Buyer To Take a Bite appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Taiwan's government said on Wednesday it was "shocked" at the latest arrests of democracy activists in Hong Kong and that the city has changed from the "pearl of the orient" to "purgatory of the orient". Read | Over 50 Hong Kong opposition, pro-democracy figures booked under national security law Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement that if Hong Kong's democracy and freedom continue to decline and it affects its status as an international financial centre, it will not benefit mainland China at all. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Ghaziabad: The Muradnagar roof collapse incident, which claimed 24 lives on January 3, will now be investigated by a special investigation team (SIT) of the UP Polices economic offences wing, state government officials said on Wednesday. The chief minister has taken cognisance of the incident at Muradnagar and has sought a detailed report from the additional director general (Meerut zone). The inquiry of the incident has been given to a special investigation team of the economic offences wing and assigned to find out lapses. The entire incident and lapses will be investigated by the special team formed for the purpose, said Navneet Sehgal, UPs additional chief secretary (information). The chief minister has directed for fast and strict action in the incident, he added. The incident took place at Ukhlarsi cremation ground in Muradnagar where roof of a shelter collapsed, leading to the death of 24 persons in age group of 22 to 60 years. The Ghaziabad police have arrested five persons in the case so far. Three officials of Muradnagar Nagar Palika -- executive officer Niharika Singh, CP Singh, a junior engineer, and supervisor Ashish Kumar -- were arrested on Monday. While contractor Ajay Tyagi was arrested on late Monday night, his accomplice Sanjay Garg was arrested on Tuesday morning. We will respond to the directions issued. Regarding the SIT, we are awaiting written directions and they will be fully implemented. The CM on way to Delhi also met us on Wednesday and directed that all help should be provided to the victim families, said Ajay Shankar Pandey, Ghaziabad district magistrate. Following arrest of contractor Tyagi, the Ghaziabad police on Tuesday had said that the suspect has told them that he allegedly bribed officials and also resorted to malpractices which finally led to the collapse of the structure at the cremation ground. Soon after the incident, the CM had sought a report from divisional commissioner (Meerut) and ADG (Meerut zone) about the incident. The police sources said that the confidential report was sent to the state administration and has highlighted the issues related to construction based on initial findings by a technical committee. During the initial inquiry, a committee of engineers found use of substandard material and issues with design which finally led to structural collapse. On Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to UP chief secretary and the director general of police calling for a detailed report in connection with the Muradnagar incident. Vishnu Kumar Gupta, a Ghaziabad-based social activist, has also approached NHRC, seeking the commissions intervention for payment of compensation to the family of the deceased and other injured victims. Issue notice to the district magistrate, Ghaziabad, calling for a report in the matter within two weeks, NHRC said in an order on Wednesday. The UP government has announced Rs 10 lakh each as compensation for victim families, besides other help through various government schemes. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. (Photo: Staycations: The Perfect Getaway During The Pandemic) If vacationing wasn't a priority on your list before, the pandemic likely caused you to change your tune. After months of dealing with chaos and uncertainty, who wouldn't want to regroup, unwind, and enjoy a change of scenery. Though the nation isn't out of the woods yet, a staycation could be just the pick-me-up you need. It's a chance to get out of the house and immerse yourself in some much-needed self-care. What's a Staycation? A staycation is a vacation in which a person stays at or close to home. Instead of traveling long-distance, they plan activities and day trips in their city or state. You spend a few days exploring what the area has to offer. When planned effectively, a staycation is just a physically and emotionally beneficial as a vacation. Why Opt For a Staycation? Why would planning a staycation be ideal during a pandemic? Believe it or not, there are several reasons. Safer - With the coronavirus still spreading rapidly throughout the country, traveling is not advised. There's a high possibility that you or someone you're traveling with could contract the virus and spread it to others. A staycation minimizes the need to travel as you'll be home or in a nearby hotel, vacation rental, or resort. Stimulate The Economy - The local economy has taken a hit amid the pandemic. By visiting local hotels, tourist attractions, and businesses on your staycation, you're helping to put the pieces back together. Your patronage will help to keep businesses afloat and generate new jobs in the community. Affordable - Speaking of economic hardships, many Americans are struggling financially. From being laid off to working fewer hours, many households are working with a limited budget. Staycations are an affordable option because they won't require you to pay for costly travel expenses like airfare and hotel accommodations. If you plan to book a hotel, you'll find that many local establishments are offering discounts to stimulate business. Therapeutic - Life amid a pandemic is emotionally draining. A staycation allows you to forget reality for a moment and just enjoy the experience. Getting away for a few days will lift your spirits, giving you the mental clarity you need to continue weathering the storm. Things To Do On a Staycation Has assessing the benefits of a staycation persuaded you to start planning? If so, you may be wondering what to do. Here are a few suggestions. Sleep In - When was the last time you stayed in bed without hopping up for an alarm or routine? With all that's been going on, chances are you haven't gotten much sleep. During your staycation, you may just decide to unplug, cast your cares, and rest. If you're in a hotel, you could always order room service in between naps and lounge around the room all day. Go For a Swim - If you've booked a hotel for your staycation, take this opportunity to use the amenities if there's a pool on the premises, a Brazilian bikini out the suitcase, and go for a swim. It's a great way to get some exercise in and just relax. Check Out Local Sites - On your staycation, try to look at your city through the eyes of a tourist. Do some research to find out some of the popular places to go. Whether you visit the museum, an art gallery, or a state park, you can have a fantastic time learning something new. Go To Community Events - Communities host events all the time as a way of bringing residents together. If you've never been to one, now is the time to get acquainted with others. Check your city, county, or state website for an events calendar. You'll find activities ranging from street fairs and food truck festivals to holiday lightings and outdoor concerts. If you've been overwhelmed with the pandemic this past year, a staycation is an efficient way to clear your mind. Whether you stay home and spend the weekend sleeping in and lounging around or you decide to stay in a hotel and take advantage of amenities like the swimming pool, restaurants, or recreational centers, it's a break your mind, body, and spirit will thank you for later. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 5 reactions to Rev. Raphael Warnocks historic election as Georgias first black senator Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Longtime civil rights activist the Rev. Raphael Warnock was elected as Georgias first black senator, defeating Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a closely contested runoff. The race was called for the man who currently leads the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. both served as pastors, at around 2 a.m. Wednesday by the Associated Press after he built a statewide lead of more than 40,000 votes. Warnock, who told The Christian Post last summer that he believes the U.S. Senate could benefit from having a pastor in its midst, thanked voters for placing their faith in him in a victory speech. I stand before you as a man who knows that the improbable journey that led me to this place in this historic moment in America could only happen here. We were told we couldnt win this election, but tonight we proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible, said Warnock, who also served as pastor of the late Democratic Congressman John Lewis. I am so honored by the faith that you have shown in me, and I promise you this: I am going to the Senate to work for Georgia, all of Georgia, no matter who you cast your vote for in this election. The Morehouse College graduate also touted his roots as the son of a pastor and a mother who used to pick somebody elses cotton in Waycross, Georgia. Because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States Senator, said Warnock, who will be the 11th black person to serve in the U.S. Senate. Warnocks election has since sparked a flurry of excitement and criticism around the country. Here are five reactions to his win. Tens of thousands of Trump supporters gathered in Washington, DC vowing revenge on Republican lawmakers who do not back the presidents claims of election fraud as Congress prepared to confirm the results of the electoral college vote. A roster of fired-up speakers continued to voice their claims that the election was stolen from Donald Trump, setting their sights on upcoming elections in 2022 and 2024. Congressman Mo Brooks of Alabama was first to speak, addressing the Save America Rally on the Ellipse near the White House. A larger crowd gathered nearby on the National Mall. He accused Republican members of Congress who do not reject electors certifying that Joe Biden won the election of helping to turn America into a godless, amoral, dictatorial, oppressed, and socialist nation on the decline. Donald Trump Jr made it even clearer: "This isn't their Republican Party any more. It's Donald Trump's Republican Party." Amy Kremer of Women for Trump warned GOP legislators: We are coming for you. New Republican representative Madison Cawthorn referred to his colleagues in Congress as cowards for not supporting the presidents baseless claims of fraud. Among the other speakers were the presidents younger son Eric, his wife Lara, and Mr Trump Jrs girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle. The message was that they were not planning on stepping off the political stage any time soon. While much of the rhetoric was directed towards resisting todays confirmation of the electoral college vote, it was overshadowed by a look forward to electoral battles in 2022 and 2024 both against Democrats and Republicans. This echoed Eric Trumps words the previous evening that GOP lawmakers would face primary challenges if they do not fight for the president. Said Mr Brooks: Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass." There is a plan for rally attendees to march up the Mall to the Capitol Building once the event is over, just as Congress will be voting to affirm the results of the electoral college vote. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. CONSTANTA, Romania: Thousands of Romanian Orthodox Christians crowded into the harbour of the Black Sea port of Constanta on Wednesday, breaking social distancing rules to celebrate an Epiphany service. Romanian authorities have banned public gatherings due to the coronavirus, but said they would allow up to 3,000 people with face masks to attend the open air service. The Orthodox Church wields considerable influence in the socially conservative state, and a Reuters reporter estimated up to 4,000 attended the event, some without masks and many joining a tightly-packed crowd being blessed by holy water. More than 20 swimmers dove into the cold sea to retrieve crosses thrown by Orthodox Archbishop Teodosie, a popular ritual. Its for the joy of being closer to God," said Mihail Fedul, one of the swimmers. Asked how he was protecting himself from getting infected, the 31-year-old lifeguard said: We continue to protect ourselves with the holy cross and with the imposed restrictions." In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Epiphany is one of the most important religious feasts, commemorating the baptism of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Trinity, and associated events took place in Athens and Kalofer, Bulgaria. While Romanias Orthodox Church has mostly respected curbs on religious services to limit the spread of COVID-19, Archbishop Teodosie has repeatedly violated restrictions, holding services indoors for unmasked crowds, and organised pilgrimages, which are mostly banned. We will hold our service the same as every year," he was quoted saying by state news agency Agerpres on Tuesday, because mass does not change in the pandemic, it stays the same. We must hold more services in the pandemic." The European Union state, which has extended a state of alert until mid-January, has reported 654,007 coronavirus cases and 16,299 deaths. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Vienna, Jan 6 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jan, 2021 ) :More than 4,000 people turned out for the latest demonstrations against coronavirus measures in several Austrian towns and cities on Wednesday, as the government considered measures to counter them. Police reported the presence of "extremists and radicals" elements at one such gathering, a feature of previous demonstrations that is increasingly worrying the authorities. Austria is currently in its third coronavirus lockdown, which is scheduled to end on January 24. The biggest demonstration on Wednesday saw 2,500 people gather in the town of Wiener Neustadt, according to police, who arrested several people for breaches of anti-coronavirus measures. Police also said they had to intervene because "a group of extremists and radicals were causing a disturbance". The group in question was of an "anti-democratic" tendency, they added. About a thousand protesters gathered in the town of Amstetten and 500 in the southern town of Judenburg. Smaller protests -- some billed as "walks" in order to evade virus-related curbs on gatherings -- were reported in several other cities and towns in different parts of the country. The presence of extremist elements in some of the protests has caused alarm and pushed authorities to announce tighter surveillance of such events. In the town of Braunau am Inn on Saturday, about 50 protesters stopped to pose for a photo in front of the house where Adolf Hitler was born. Local police say several of them are now being investigated for having allegedly raised their arms in Nazi salutes. The interior ministry said Tuesday it was preparing guidelines for tougher action against such events where necessary. "The far-right calls for the demonstrations, they push them and use the corona cloak to spread their ideologies," interior ministry spokesman Harald Soeroes told AFP on Tuesday. "That's no longer about freedom of expression, that's re-engagement" in National Socialist activities, a crime under Austrian law, Soeroes said. Local authorities would be advised to prohibit demonstrations "when there is evidence that radical elements known to authorities will participate, that banners with right-wing extremist messages will be shown," he added. The exact motivations and demands of the protestors are often difficult to pin down, but frustration at the repeated lockdowns as well as opposition to mask-wearing and vaccinations are common themes. On Sunday in the capital Vienna, about 2,000 protesters gathered for one protest rally. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The October ceasefire calls for all foreign troops to leave and there is little chance of that happening. Its estimated that there are over 20,000 armed foreigners in Libya. Over a third are Islamic terrorists. About half the others are Syrian Arab mercenaries working for Turkey and the rest are Syrian Arab mercenaries hired by Russia to assist the LNA (Libyan National Army). There are also several hundred Russian special operations troops, technicians, pilots and advisors. Matching that are nearly as many troops from Arab allies of the LNA. Lastly there are another hundred or so special operations troops from various nations who mainly act as observers for their governments. The GNA (Government of National Accord) is pushing two myths. One is that the GNA is the legitimate government of Libya and the second is that because they are the legitimate government the Turkish forces are foreign troops legally present in Libya because the GNA asked them in. A majority of Libyans, including most of the people ruled by the UN-backed GNA in Tripoli, want the Turks and their Syrian mercenaries out of the country. The Turks refuse, insisting that they signed a binding agreement with the GNA leader. That leader, GNA prime minister Faiez Serraj was appointed by the UN in 2016 to lead an unelected government that never controlled much besides the cities of Tripoli and Misrata to the east. Technically Serraj was supposed to be replaced, or reappointed, by the end of 2020 because his four-year term was up. The GNA was created by the UN to unite the entire country while getting a nationwide agreement for elections and a return to stable government. That has not happened, in large part because the Islamic militias that dominate Tripoli and Misrata cant agree with each other and are opposed to any national government that seeks to curb their power and privileges. Tripoli is the traditional capital and together with nearby Misrata, dominates western Libya. Tripoli is the largest city in the country of six million, containing 20 percent of all Libyans. Misrata has about six percent. Since the UN created the GNA in 2016 there have not been elections, although the HoR (Horse of Representatives) government in Tobruk was created by the last national elections in 2014 and refused to cede power to the GNA because most Libyans considered the GNA something foreigners were trying to impose on Libya. Although the HoR was created by an election the elected representatives could not agree on much and were not truly representative of the entire population. The GNA was supposed to solve that problem but couldnt and to this day the HoR is seen as a more legitimate government by most Libyans. Many senior GNA officials are fed up with four years of frustration and apparently regret supporting the deal with the Turks. A major problem is that Libya has never been a democracy, but rather a collection of powerful tribes and clans presided over by a king (until the 1960s) and then a military dictator until 2011. Since then, no one has been in charge. There have been some national agreements to keep the oil facilities operating and oil exported. Libya cannot feed or sustain its six million population without the oil income. Take away the oil and Libya reverts to being a relatively poor North African country that can only support a few million people at most. Until the 20th century the population of Libya never exceeded a million people and until the 19th century had never exceeded half a million. After 2017 GNA was preoccupied with dealing with Islamic militias from Tripoli and Misrata, which were the real power in those two cities and never really comfortable about taking orders from the GNA or anyone else. Meanwhile the HoR connected with the tribes in eastern Libya. These tribes had rallied around former exile Khalifa Hiftar, who had fled Libya in the 1980s after incurring the wrath of dictator Kaddafi. Now an American citizen, Hiftar, a former Libyan Army colonel, managed to revive some of the units of the Kaddafi era military and began taking control of military bases from militias or Islamic terrorists who had occupied them. The eastern tribes demonstrated that most Libyan tribes wanted the Islamic terror groups gone. Hiftar agreed and starting in 2014 began to do just that, as well as expanding the network of tribes that supported him. Hiftar acknowledged the HoR government and remained loyal to it even after it was forced to move to Tobruk by the new GNA. Hiftar was hostile to GNA from the start because of the Islamic militias dominating areas where GNA was supposed to be in charge. Hiftar sees the recent Turkish intervention as yet another obstacle to national unity. Turkey supports Islamic government which most Libyans oppose. People in Tripoli and Misrata have come to loathe Islamic government because the Islamic militias have not brought peace and prosperity, but instead perpetual violence and poverty. The Turks intervened because GNA prime minister Serraj signed an agreement with Turkey in November 2019 that gives to Turkey rights over large offshore areas that overlap with Greek claims. In return Turkey agreed to provide military assistance to prevent the LNA from seizing control of Tripoli and eliminating the GNA as a government that controlled any Libyan territory. This Turkey deal was declared illegal by most other Mediterranean nations and technically GNA did not have the authority to make such a deal. GNA is not a government but a UN created entity that was supposed to unite the country and hold elections. The only entity in Libya close to doing that is the HoR government and its LNA armed forces. So far, the UN refuses to abandon its failed GNA experiment and has so far done nothing to discourage Turkey from its expansion into Libya and central Mediterranean waters that other nations have existing rights to. The UN is backing yet another peace conference in an effort to get the HoR and GNA to agree to form a united government. The biggest obstacle to that is Turkey, which the UN refuses to take on. While Turkey is seen as an invader, Russian forces, which have been supporting the LNA for over three years, are seen as an ally in the fight against Islamic terrorism. Russia and Turkey are allies in Syria but are actually fighting each other in Libya. Well, not exactly fighting anymore but maintaining armed forces and confronting each other in anticipation of a peaceful settlement. In addition to Russia the LNA was backed by Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In Syria Russian airstrikes have killed Turkish troops while the Turks have killed Syrian troops. That has also stopped, for the moment. The Libya fighting resulted in NATO countries openly backing Greece in the maritime dispute with Turkey that led to the Libya invasion. Merc Muddle Turkey is having corruption problems with some of its Syrian mercenaries. The immediate problem is that many of the mercs are not receiving their monthly pay on time or in full. Thats because in many cases the Turks pay the leader of a group of mercs and that leader is supposed pass on the money. The problem is that some of these leaders are corrupt and keep the payroll for a few months so they can use the cash for currency speculation or to finance various business schemes, some of them illegal. Sometimes the borrowed payroll cash was lost in those speculative ventures and the Turks had to deal with a messy problem. Another problem is that some merc leaders deducted handling fees from their subordinates' pay. Some of these fees were quite high and seen as theft, not pay for any service. The leaders were paid more per month that the average merc and the corrupt leaders were seen as, well, corrupt. The Turks are having a hard time dealing with this problem. In the last year the demand for Syrian Arab mercenaries has been enormous and the Turks soon ran out of reliable sources. In response the Turks approached less-secular or reliable Syrian militias and hired them, usually as a group. The militia leaders insisted that the Turks deal with the leaders most of the time and have minimal contact with the militiamen. These militia leaders did not trust the Turks and the Turks had to accept that if they wanted to make their recruiting goals. The Turks have hired over 30,000 Syrian Arabs as mercenaries so far, most of them for operations in Syria as well as Libya and, in late 2020, Azerbaijan. The mercs demanded short-term contracts, especially for work outside of Syria. That meant the Turks needed a lot more mercs on the payroll than the number actually at the front lines. Thats because some were being processed into Turkish service, a process that verified the combat skills of each merch and provided additional training if needed. To make the merc shortage worse, the Russians began hiring them as well, most for service in Syria but at least 2,000 for use in Libya. The Russians had an edge in recruiting the best and most reliable Syrian Arabs because the Turks were detested as an old nemesis once more invading Arab territory. The Russians were seen as true allies because the Russians did not want to control any territory, just rent a few bases and sell military equipment to Arabs. The Russians had been doing this in Syria for over half a century. In contrast the Turks had occupied and ruled most Arab territory for centuries, and were often quite brutal about it. That imperial rule only a century ago and is still remembered. The Russian offer the same pay as the Turks, but not the incentive of a residency permit in Turkey. The Iranians are also hiring again, but they, like the Turks, are seen as foreign invaders and dont get the most reliable recruits. January 1, 2021: The UN announced that it was hiring ceasefire monitors to record violations of the October 23 ceasefire agreement. The main items in that agreement were; The withdrawal of all forces from fighting fronts The withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries and forces from Libya within 90 days from 23 October The suspension of all training of troops domestically and abroad The suspension of all international defense agreements The formation of a Joint Operations Room for a joint police and military force The identification and categorization of all militias and a mechanism for their reintegration (DDR). Confidence-building measures by resuming travel between west and east Libya Ending hate speech Exchanging prisoners Reorganizing the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) Monitoring of the ceasefire Referring the agreement to the UN Security Council to adopt in a Resolution. A crucial provision of the ceasefire was that foreign troops would leave. The Turks refuse to do so and the LNAs Russian and Arab troops wont leave until the Turks do. To date none of the ceasefire terms have been fully met although some progress has been made on a few of the less important items. The biggest problem is that none of the ceasefire participants is willing to meet the January 23rd deadline for foreign troops leaving the country. Even progress on something as basic as removing mines from the vital coast road has been impossible to achieve. Neighboring Arab nations are using what influence they have with the LNA and GNA to try and work out a useful peace deal. So far, the main obstacle is the Turks. December 30, 2020: The Finance Ministry announced that they had obtained the cash needed to pay over 62,000 civil servants. This money covered what was owed for December. Cash has been hard to come by because the LNA still controls most of the oil production and shipping facilities only recently allowed oil exports to resume. There are also disputes between the GNA and HoR governments over who gets what from the oil income. December 26, 2020: The Turkish Defense Minister flew into Tripoli for an official visit. The Turkish official called the LNA commander a criminal and a thug and threatened to go after LNA forces throughout Libya if the LNA attacked Turkish forces. To most Libyans they were the same old Turkish imperialism and disdain for Libyan patriots. December 24, 2020: Khalifa Hiftar, the commander of the LNA said force would be used, if necessary, to remove the Turkish invaders and colonists. The Turks later responded that they would defeat any efforts to force them out of Libya. December 22, 2020: In Turkey the parliament approved an 18-month extension of Turkish military forces in Libya. In response Egypt said it will continue its policy of not intervening militarily. December 20, 2020: The GNA and Turkey announced a six-week program in which Turkish trainers would turn GNA loyalists into sailors able to handle coastal patrol ships the Turks were providing. This would give the GNA a navy to challenge the one already in use by the HoR. The Turks are also training a police force for Tripoli, a move that is not popular with many of the Tripoli militias because many of those militias survive or thrive via illegal activities and some of the pro-GNA Tripoli militias are led by men who are accurately described as warlords. There is a similar situation in the other GNA controlled city, Misrata, to the east. December 18, 2020: Russia is returning to its oil and gas production and exploration projects after a decade-long suspension of operations because of the fighting. The return was negotiated with the Libyan NOC (National Oil Corporation0, which cooperates with the GNA and HoR governments so NOC can produce and sell oil, which is the mainstay of the national budget and economy. December 2, 2020: In Morocco the GNA and HoR are holding another round of UN-sponsored negotiations. This follows November 1 talks in Ghadames (465 kilometers south of Tripoli, where the Tunisian, Algerian and Libyan borders meet), October 23 talks in Switzerland and October 11 in Egypt. The October 23 discussions produced a permanent ceasefire and agreement to continue negotiations on a regular basis. The November meeting was the first time these talks were held in Libya. That previous two rounds of negotiations were outside of Libya. At the Morocco meeting it was agreed that the new parliament would be based in Benghazi, rather that Tripoli, the traditional capital. The problem with Tripoli is that it is still dominated, and often threatened by the many independent militias that often do what they want, not what any government wants them to do. The Morocco conference still has several unresolved issues to deal with, including the continued presence of Turkish troops. The UN-backed GNA (in Tripoli), is unwilling or unable to get the Turkish force to leave. November 30, 2020: The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency criticized the UAE (United Arab Emirates) for providing air and logistics support for Russian military contractors in Libya. The UAE and Russia have been supporting the LNA for years and have long cooperated in that effort. It is unclear why the U.S. government would now make an issue of that support. November 29, 2020: There are still problems with the NOC (National Oil Company), Central Bank and the UN over how to operate all these facilities and spend the oil income. Currently the NOC is refusing to turn over any oil revenue to the Central Bank until the bank installs an accounting system that is transparent and clearly specifies who gets the money and how the money is spent. There have been a growing number of complaints about corruption in the Central Bank, often in cooperation with GNA officials. In 2019 the HoR government complained that the GNA had sought, with some success, to deprive the LNA of much oil income it was entitled to. This was taking place at the time when the LNA that had upgraded oil facility security to the point where full production could be achieved. The GNA had never been able to do that. Even with full and sustained oil production there were also continuing problems with corruption in how oil income was spent. One thing the NOC and LNA can agree on is that the longer the fighting goes on the more risk is of oil production being disrupted once more. That could easily happen because NOC points out that at least $100 million must be spent, as soon as possible, to deal with long-delayed maintenance and repairs. Paying for that is easy but maintaining sufficient security for the equipment and additional tech personnel to get to the oil facilities is another matter. While the Central Bank has a history of corruption and mismanagement, the same cannot be said about NOC. Because the Libyan oil facilities are managed by foreign contractors and regularly deal with foreign banks and financial regulators, NOC is probably the most competent and corruption-free government agency in Libya. The foreign oil companies and suppliers will not do business with Libya unless there is sufficient financial and physical security for their operations. After 2012 oil facilities throughout Libya attracted local militias who demanded jobs as guards or simply cash to keep the facilities unharmed. In many cases there were two or more rival militias in play. The LNA sorted a lot of these situations out but the tensions between rival militias remain and occasionally get violent. The LNA has non-militia forces available as well as officers who can negotiate settlements. By 2019 the LNA had established reliable security for all oil facilities. In the last month o il production has risen from 800,000 to 1.2 million BPD (barrels per day). In August the LNA ordered preparations for oil exports to resume and that happened more rapidly than expected. At that time the NOC planned to have that up to a million BPD by the end of 2020 and 1.3 million BPD in early 2021 and 1.6 million by the end of 2021. Now the 2021 forecast is for two million BPD. The production level before the 2011 civil war began was 1.6 million BPD. Oil exports began in late October, despite threats from some militias near ports who threatened to shut that down if the militias did not receive more money for protecting the ports from other militias. The LNA was able to quickly deal with these threats. The key oil ports include Ras Lanuf (620 kilometers east of Tripoli) and Es Sider/Sidra (20-30 kilometers further east). In normal times Es Sider and Ras Lanuf can ship 600,000 barrels a day. Nearby is the oil port of Zueitina (220 kilometers west of Ras Lanuf and 180 kilometers southwest of Benghazi). In between Ras Lanuf and Zueitina is the oil port at Brega. Ras Lanuf , Zueitina and Brega can export 800,000 BPD. Max Libyan production is believed to be about two million BPD and NOC sees achieving that as possible if the ceasefire holds and the remaining unruly militias are brought under control. Another obstacle to two million BPD is OPEC quotas. These will apply to Libya once production hits 1.7 million BPD. Libya may be able to get a temporary exemption because of the need to make much-delayed (since 2011) maintenance, repairs and upgrades. The ceasefire agreement specified that the LNA controlled oil facilities would resume operation and oil revenue sent to bank accounts outside Libya that are monitored by foreign auditing firms. This auditing arrangement is part of anti-corruption effort to ensure that most of the oil revenue goes to purchase essential items for all Libyans. Most Libyans are dependent on oil income to avoid abject poverty. Currently the Libyan economy is not developed sufficiently to provide a comfortable standard-of-living for all six million Libyans, especially the five million still living in Libya. World oil prices are very low now ($40-$50 per barrel) because of the covid19 recession and a worldwide oversupply of oil and natural gas. Back in 2011 oil went for over a hundred dollars a barrel. November 27, 2020: Itamilradar, an Italy based website that uses data on the movement on military air craft in Italy and the Mediterranean, shows regular military cargo military aircraft flights between Turkey and Misrata airport, east of Tripoli. Turkey says this in support of a new military training center Turkey has set up in Misrata to train GNA forces. These cargo flights increased after an EU naval blockade of Libya turned back a Turkish cargo ship and searched it for any military equipment. Turkey complained and made threats and that prevented the EU boarding party from doing a thorough search of the cargo ship. The EU warships remained on duty to block any arms shipments by sea but the EU has to decide how much Turkish bullying they will put up with. It was later revealed that the Turkish cargo ship had been seen (via satellite photos) unloading armored vehicles in a Libyan port during an earlier visit. This particular ship has been making regular trips to Libya since the Turkish invasion of early 2020. It was later confirmed that Turkish air transports made at least 170 visits to Libya during 2020. November 25, 2020: The U.S. imposed sanctions on the leaders of the Kaniyat militia for recent atrocities committed i n Tarhuna (60 kilometers southeast of the capital Tripoli). Currently the Kaniyat militia is working for the LNA. In early 2019 the Kaniyat leaders agreed to join the LNA as the 9th infantry brigade. Before that the Kaniyat militia pledged allegiance to the GNA. The Kaniyat were from the town of Tarhuna and were the major anti-Kaddafi group during the 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed Kaddafi. Bu 2018 Kaniyat was angry at the GNA for the corruption and bad behavior in general. At that point Kaniyat allied with like-minded militias in Misrata and other pro-GNA towns and cities and demanded reforms. Those demands were still unmet and under negotiation when the LNA showed up near Tarhuna and offered an alliance with Kaniyat, which was a common and successful tactic of the LNA. At that point LNA controlled most of Libya and was on its way to take Tripoli and depose the GNA once and for all. Kaniyat agreed with that but by mid-2020 the Turks had entered the war as supporters of the GNA and were attacking Tarhuna. The Kaniyat deny the atrocity charges and insist that the hundreds of dead bodies unearthed after the Turks retook Tarhuna had died either when Kaniyat was still working for the GNA or during the fighting with the Turks in 2020. November 23, 2020: In Tripoli a local militia attacked and sought to seize control of the NOC (National Oil Company) headquarters. The NOC security force repulsed this attempt. Militias blame NOC for delaying promised payments. NOC is withholding oil revenue because the Central Bank will not reveal where all the money goes to and for what. Despite the presence of over 10,000 Syrian mercenaries brought in by the Turks, the militias that dominate GNA territory (mainly the cities of Tripoli and Misrata) are still a menace to public safety and the only solution the Turks can come up with is to begin training a force of professional troops that the GNA can depend on for providing security in general and protection from militia demands. Creating the new security force will take six months or more and the training process only began in November. It is unclear how large this reliable force will be and when it will be ready for action. The Turk mercenaries are preparing to resume fighting the LNA and the LNA is also making preparations, while also maintaining security in most of the country. The fighting between the Turks and LNA earlier in the year was a lot more costly for the Turks than expected. While he fighting was going on the Turks had to pay the Syrian (and some Tunisian) mercenaries $2,000 a month. Hundreds of these men were killed or badly wounded. As the fighting intensified many mercenaries found that they could desert and pay the local smugglers to get them into Europe. The Turks welcomed the August ceasefire because of these problems with their mercenaries. Since August the monthly pay for the mercenaries had been lowered to $600 and measures taken to reduce the desertion. The Turks are professionals and are not looking forward to a resumption of the fighting. The LNA knows what they are up against and their main foreign allies (Russia, UAE and Egypt) have been helping with preparations to deal with the Turks if there is more fighting. November 2, 2020: In neighboring Algeria a new constitution was approved. The new rules allow the president to order troops to serve in operations outside Algeria. Many Algerians want troops sent into Libya, at least to provide better border security along the thousand-kilometer-long Libyan border. Other Algerians fear that sending any troops across the border might lead to an escalation that would draw Algeria into the Libyan civil war. The new rules will most likely allow the army to participate in peacekeeping missions. Army leaders opposed that, especially since that could mean getting involved in the Libyan Civil War. Since independence from France in 1962, Algerian law has banned use of the army outside Algeria. Since 1962 every new long-term (more than a year or two) president, and there have only been five, changes to the constitution were attempted, usually to make the presidency more powerful. This time around the president got more power and the ability to order Algerian troops to operate outside Algeria. Afghanistans National Directorate of Security which had busted a Chinese spy ring last month but kept the case a closely-guarded secret has, for the first time, confirmed that the security agency did detain Chinese nationals for espionage. As first reported by Hindustan Times, the NDS had detained 10 Chinese nationals for espionage. At least 2 of the 10 spies were learnt to have been in touch with the Haqqani Network, the terrorist group backed by Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence that is blamed for many bloody attacks and doubles as the sword arm of the Taliban. The NDS had initially declined comment on the detentions to the media in Afghanistan. The official confirmation about the Chinese spy ring came on Tuesday after members of Wolesi Jirga, the Afghan House of Representatives, demanded answers on the Hindustan Times report from the National Directorate of Security boss Ahmad Zia Saraj. Ahmad Zia Saraj confirmed that a group of Chinese nationals had been arrested on charges of espionage in Kabul, according to Afghanistan private news channel Ariana News. But he declined to give any more details. Yes, a group of Chinese has been arrested but due to it being a sensitive issue, I cannot share details, the NDS chief told the lawmakers, according to the news channel. The official confirmation, however, comes after Afghanistan came under pressure from President Xi Jinpings government in Beijing and allowed the 10 Chinese nationals to leave the country. The 10 were flown out of Afghanistan on Saturday in a special aircraft arranged by the Chinese authorities. Diplomats and security officials in Afghanistan believe that the 10 were linked to the Chinese intelligence agency, Ministry of State Security. President Ashraf Ghani was briefed about the detentions right in the beginning in view of the sensitivities involved. First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, a former NDS chief who is credited with rebuilding the intelligence agency, was tasked to oversee the investigation and engage the Chinese. Amrullah Saleh, who met the Chinese envoy to Kabul, Wang Yu, in this context, had initially conditioned their release on an official apology from Beijing. The terms of the arrangement between the two countries are not known. A diplomat in Kabul said President Ashraf Ghani may have been keen to wrap up the case as soon as possible, before it lands in a position where Beijings adversaries such as the US use the case to fire at China from his shoulders. Also Read: How a suspected Chinese spy targeted California politicians for 5 years There was a view within the Afghan government that the 10-member Chinese module may have been attempting to create a fake East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) module in Afghanistan to entrap ETIM operatives in Afghanistan. ETIM is a small Islamic separatist group alleged to be active in Xinjiang province, home to Chinas ethnic minority Uighur Muslims. The United States last month revoked the terror tag slapped on ETIM although the group continues to be designated by the UN Security Council. Rights groups say China uses the ETIM threat as an excuse to impose restrictions on Uyghurs and discredit human rights activists outside China. Chinese officials, however, suggest that Beijing was concerned that Afghanistan, which shares borders with the volatile Xinjiang province, could become a breeding ground for Uyghur Muslim militants. NARAL president: We are preparing for the overturning of Roe Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment During a recent appearance on a podcast, the president of an abortion advocacy organization explained that the pro-abortion movement was preparing for the possibility that the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide could be overturned. Ilyse Hogue, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, appeared on The New Abnormal podcast co-hosted by The Daily Beasts Molly Jong-Fast and former Republican strategist and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump Rick Wilson. Jong-Fast expressed concern that we could really lose Roe following the appointment of pro-life Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. We absolutely could and we are certainly preparing, with our partners in the movement, for that, Hogue replied. A lot of our work over the last few years has been about making sure that we have what we call islands of access blue states that are codifying the right to abortion. According to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, 13 states and the District of Columbia have codified the 1973 Supreme Court decision into law. We have to make sure that we are advancing federal legislation that actually secures this right. That never happened because Roe was handed down from the Court, she added. President-elect Joe Biden vowed to codify Roe into law should he win the 2020 presidential election. Despite the fact that abortion is legal at some point in pregnancy in all 50 states and that all attempts to ban abortion completely have been met with resistance from the courts, Hogue asserted that Roe doesnt exist in many states as it is. Hogue repeatedly used her appearance on the podcast to impugn the motives of pro-life activists: Theyre not about life. This is absolutely about control. And the minute that they start marching in the streets with us for nutritional assistance and addressing maternal mortality and stop separating kids from their loving parents, thats when I am going to start to believe they have some moral or ethical approach but they dont do any of that. Additionally, Hogue shared her visions for a Joe Biden administration: Were looking at the first 100 days as a way to just restore normalcy and there are a number of things that the Biden administration can and should do, including rescinding the global and domestic gag rule, which literally strips money from clinics and health professionals that even talk about the word abortion. The Mexico City Policy was enacted and expanded by the Trump administration and bans foreign organizations that receive federal global health funding from promoting or performing abortions overseas. Jong-Fast asked Hogue why dont we have a ... womens health czar? In addition to expressing support for the idea of a womens health czar, Hogue proposed the creation of an office of gender equity. According to Hogue, the creation of those positions would send such a clear message that that terrible era that Trump ushered in is over. Hogue also expressed a desire to put in place someone who cares about science at the FDA; one of the big things that has been held up is the advancement of the very safe medication abortion that, especially during COVID, would allow people to terminate pregnancies without exposing further risk. She lamented that we have had ideologues at the FDA and not actually people who put public health through a lens of science ... and facts. The pro-life group Live Action put together an investigative report calling into question the idea that medication abortions are very safe. While she expressed optimism about the direction of the United States under a Biden administration, Hogue said she was absolutely worried about these crazy people in red states who took Trumps not just presidency but attitude as a green light to really just vilify women. She shared a particular concern about some of the things we were seeing in the state legislation that we hadnt seen previously is jail sentences for women who have abortions. I am really worried about the forces unleashed by Trump continuing to dominate in some of the states where, quite honestly, women and people of color simply already have less rights, less freedom and less pathways to justice, she said. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Stressing that there was nothing wrong with the demands of the farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday urged the Prime Minister to immediately repeal the farm laws in order to resolve the crisis. Categorically rejecting as "highly irresponsible" reports in a section of the media that Punjab had already implemented the new farm laws, the Chief Minister said Food Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu's statement had been mischievously twisted by one newspaper, with others picking it up. Punjab was the first state to have opposed the Central farm laws and, in fact, passed amendments Bills to negate their dangerous impact on agriculture, he pointed out, slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for spreading misinformation on the issue with their fake propaganda machinery. The Governor, he said, "should have forwarded our Bills to the President for assent, which he has not done". The Chief Minister made it clear that Punjab would not allow the lives of its farmers to be ruined by the new laws. "We will do whatever possible to help the farmers and their families, for whom the state government had already started two helplines on which they could reach out in case of any emergency," he said. Urging the Prime Minister to withdraw the controversial laws and talk to the farmers, Amarinder Singh said, "The farmers have made their stand very clear that the laws should be repealed. It is the job of the government of India to listen to them." The Centre can bring in new laws after due consultation with the farmers, he said, pointing out that the Constitution has been amended many times and can be done again for the revocation of the recently enacted farm legislations. Noting that farmers from across the country had joined the protests against the farm laws, Amarinder Singh said after six-seven meetings, it was time that the matter is resolved and the farmers, who are sitting out in the cold and rains, can go back and everyone else can get on with their lives. The Chief Minister lambasted those calling the protesting farmers Naxals and terrorists, terming it as wrong and irresponsible. Franklin Graham: Removal of 'gendered' language from House is 'shaking fist' in God's face Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Responding to the rule changes in the House of Representatives that eliminate the use of gendered terms like mother and father, the Rev. Franklin Graham has accused top House Democrats of trying to deny Gods authority. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Congressman James McGovern announced a set of changes to House rules to enshrine what they call gender-inclusive language and stop the use of so-called non-inclusive words, Graham said in a Facebook post Sunday. Can you believe that they actually propose to strike the use of words including father, mother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, husband, and wife? After noting that these proposed changes will be voted on soon after the House starts the new session, which starts today, Graham shared a Bible passage from the Book of Genesis declaring that God created them male and female. According to Graham, the push to eliminate gender-specific language is shaking a fist in the Creators face, trying to deny His authority. If those claiming the name progressive are allowed to have their way, we wont even recognize this nation in a very short time, he warned. Let your Representative in Congress know that you want them to vote no to this ridiculousness. The House of Representatives officially voted on the proposal Monday, which was part of a broader package outlining the rules for the chamber in the 117th Congress. The vote came down along party lines, with all Democrats voting in favor of the package and all Republicans voting against it. Because Democrats have a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, the rules package passed and will remain in effect for the duration of the 117th Congress. Grahams post also included a link to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthys response to the changes. This is stupid. Signed, --a father, son, & brother, McCarthy said. McCarthy shared a screenshot of the rules, which called for replacing the words father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, grandson, or granddaughter with parent, child, sibling, parents sibling, first cousin, siblings child, spouse, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, half sibling, or grandchild. This is stupid. Signed, - A father, son, and brother https://t.co/bG9SlRAy6N Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 2, 2021 Additionally, the rules package called for eliminating the use of the word Chairman to address the heads of committees in the House of Representatives and instead use the word Chair. The rules also amended a portion of the Houses Code of Conduct outlining how members charged with or indicted for crimes must resign from their committee assignments. The phrase submit his or her resignation is replaced with resign and all other references to he or she are replaced with such Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. While Speaker Pelosi has embraced the removal of gendered language in the House of Representatives, she refers to herself as a mother, grandmother (and) dark chocolate connoisseur on her Twitter profile. The removal of gendered language was not the only action taken by the newly sworn-in 117th Congress that made headlines across the U.S. On Sunday, Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., closed a prayer by saying Amen and a-woman instead of the traditional Amen. Graham weighed in on this as well. Democratic Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver from Missouri opened the 117th Congress in prayer yesterday, but he closed his prayer by saying Amen and a-woman, Graham explained in a separate Facebook post Monday. The word Amen simply means So be it, and thats why it is said at the end of prayers. It has nothing to do with gender. Regrettably, even prayer is no longer sacred to some in our halls of Congress, Graham concluded. One thing is obviouswe need more of it. Amen! Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. By Kwack Eun-kyoung The environment has already become a game changer in the economics of global trade with the Biden administration taking over in the United States. President-elect Biden has clearly stated his determination and promise to sign back into the Paris Agreement on his very first day of office. It is so easy to expect that the Biden administration will be a new monitor and pioneer in relating economics to environmental issues. Unlike the outgoing Donald Trump, Biden has emphasized "net zero" reducing carbon emissions by the U.S. economy to zero by 2050. In the course of removing coal and gas from the national economy along with cutting oil consumption heavily, Biden proposed a program to build a clean-energy economy by investing more than $200 billion in the fields of secondary batteries, electric cars and renewable energy over the next four years. What is set as a standard in the U.S. soon becomes that of the world. Such an eco-friendly spirit is rippling across the Atlantic and affecting the EU. The European Commission has announced the European Green New Deal, a blueprint encompassing matters of climate change and the environment. The EU not only aims to reduce carbon emissions by a large margin but also to become the world's first carbon-neutral continental area. The EU lifted up its emission reduction goal from 40 percent by 2030 to 55 percent. It also declared a plan to catalyze the development of renewable energy resources. Furthermore, decarbonization of energy-concentrated industries, through policies to kick diesel and gasoline cars out of the market through exhaust gas regulations, is being highlighted and expected to expand. A budget of more than $900 million is to be allocated and executed to ensure all these measures are put into action. This new paradigm of eco-friendliness in international trade is affecting almost every corner in the dynamics of the global economy. It is perfectly reasonable for countries pioneering the field to take such measures, as they are already equipped with advanced technologies and policies in the environment sector. With the upholding of righteousness in "environmental justice," they are able to create jobs and industries as practical benefits. The environment is an area where budgets are to be consumed to boost the economy and create jobs in the expected coming era of low economic growth around the globe. By demanding a similar standard of environmental regulations from trade partners, the EU and the U.S. can establish a brand-new concept of a trade wall, regardless of their goodwill. Despite all the fancy promises, such changes can hinder the very basic layout of trade and commerce in the world freedom of business and enterprise. A carbon adjustment tax in the U.S. and a carbon border tax in the EU imposed on corporations failing to meet environmental standards could be an example of expansion on the environmental "enlightenment" that could possibly be forced onto other countries trading with them. This will negatively impact underdeveloped countries whose main strength is in their manufacturing industries. Renewable energy demands high costs, resulting in the loss of price competitiveness. The U.S. and EU should be aware of this backfiring of their measures and introduce the concept to the world as it grows and learns to take it on board. Environmental issues are not only measures to the boost economy but also to let it down. Fortunately, many businesses are already making efforts to protect the environment by virtue of their own measures and capacities. The RE100 Declaration is a standard example of such. This is to attain 100 percent of electricity requirements of a corporation from renewable energy. For instance, 787 global enterprises including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Nike and Amazon are on board with this. It is commonly acknowledged in global economies that it is better for the market to respond actively to the demands made on matters of environment from the administration. It is important not to fail such readiness and eagerness of cooperation shown in the private sector by hastily imposing regulations and demands that cannot be met in an instant. Keeping the spirit of free trade is just as important as the issue of protecting the environment. The world should not risk another blockage in the flow of free trade and commerce. Eco-friendly management can only be possible under a thriving economy and the conditions at an individual company. Late concepts and issues in environmental regulation and administration are too fresh and sometimes progressive to be considered on a global scale. Unity in regulation may be powerful but often produces overkill. In particular, tossing the burden of environmental regulation onto the pile of damage done by COVID-19 could do critical damage to the private sector. Research shows that putting up with new environmental standards will impose a heavy load on many enterprises. The spirit of free trade must be highlighted and should be more effective in creating the change policies aim to bring. Kwack Eun-kyoung (rollypop55@gmail.com) is secretary general of the Center for Free Enterprise (CFE). Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The people of New Jersey did the hard part themselves, after timid politicians long failed to act: They went to the ballot in November and overwhelmingly voted for legal weed. The rest, at least in theory, was pretty straightforward. All the Legislature had to do was enact the will of the people. All the governor had to do was sign it into law. Yet after years of negotiations, the entire reform was still snagged on a single question: What do the cops do if they catch kids getting stoned? The whole point of this initiative, after all, is to try and move marijuana out of policing, where its led to racist enforcement, and impose restraints through parents and schools instead. But nobody wants to give a total green light to 13-year-olds smoking weed, least of all the governor. And apparently, we have a big conundrum. On the one hand, the Legislature passed a decriminalization bill that says its no longer a criminal offense to possess marijuana, even for a child. On the other, a separate bill to enact the ballot reform treats marijuana as a legal substance to be regulated, like alcohol, saying those under 21 can be arrested for a disorderly persons offense. The two policies conflict, clearly. So many of us are left wondering: Why did no one catch this until now? In short, its because Trenton screwed up yet another sign that Gov. Phil Murphy and the Legislature dont work well together. Even after years of hearings, this still didnt get the kind of vetting it should have. And the governor has refused to sign it into law without a fix, because of the potential for confusion. Under this reform, it would be illegal for anybody, of any age, to consume weed in public. But what should the cops do if they find kids smoking joints at a loud party? Start with this: It must be something short of an arrest. The goal is to remedy the unjust consequences of prohibition, without simply diverting those police resources toward children a continuation of the same gross injustices. Thats what happened after Colorado legalized marijuana, one study found. Police just went from arresting adults to arresting kids, who were also disproportionately Black. Yet while this should not be a police priority, the cops shouldnt be completely powerless either. They should be able to confiscate the weed, issue a summons to show up in court, or find some other way to disincentivize kids from using it. Their brains are still developing, and marijuana could even knock points off their IQs. It can be addictive, and the legal product will be much more potent than the weed youd find on the street decades ago. The governor and legislative leaders now say theyve reached a sensible middle ground: They want to make this a civil penalty that comes with a fine, rather than a criminal matter. Thats the right approach, as long as fines are used sparingly, only for juveniles age 18 and older. And if theres financial hardship, judges should assign community service instead. We dont want an unpaid fine to turn into a warrant for arrest a backdoor into the criminal justice system for children of low-income backgrounds. Younger kids could just do community service or get off with a warning. Police need to apply the same standard everywhere, whether its Short Hills or Newark, and we must make sure this doesnt linger on kids records. At most, the penalty should be a parking ticket. Maybe we should take a second look at underage drinking as a criminal penalty, too. Why should a possession charge from 15 years ago still haunt you, making it harder to find a job, whether it was a joint or a beer? Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share. Notwithstanding recent clamours of opposition from within the Sri Lankan Government, New Delhi on Wednesday once again nudged Colombo to fully implement the 13th amendment to the constitution of the island nation to ensure devolution of power to the local governments in its Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern Provinces. It is in Sri Lankas own interest that the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka are fulfilled, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Colombo. That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government on meaningful devolution, including the 13th amendment to the Constitution. The progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka will surely be advanced as a consequence. Jaishankar made the remarks during a joint news-conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo. As we promote peace and well-being in the region, India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, he said, subtly nudging the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to pursue an inclusive political outlook that would encourage ethnic harmony in the Indian Ocean nation. He reassured Sri Lanka of continuation of Indias long-standing support to the reconciliation process in the island nation, where a 26-year-old armed insurgency came to its end in 2009 with the government security forces defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that claimed to be fighting for political rights of the minority Tamils. The 13th amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka was an outcome of the July 29, 1987 accord between New Delhi and Colombo. It was passed by Sri Lankan parliament in November 1987 resulting in creation of the provincial councils. The process of devolution of power to the local governments as envisaged by it remained incomplete though. With the Rajapaksa Clan returning to power riding on a Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist wave, a section within the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party has been opposing full implementation of the 13th amendment of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankas Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara, a retired navy officer, last month said that the 1987 accord between India and Sri Lanka was no longer valid. He earlier publicly opposed implementation of the 13th amendment of the constitution in the island nation. Jaishankars visit to Sri Lanka came at a time when the government run by Rajpaksa Clan appear to be bucking under pressure from China, resulting in uncertainty over the role of India and Japan in developing and running the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port. The External Affairs Minister said that India would continue to support Sri Lankas economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. There are many proposals under discussion, including in infrastructure, energy, and connectivity. Their early implementation is obviously in our mutual interest and would definitely accelerate Sri Lankas economic recovery, he said. Yes, no matter what Yes, but it depends on variety No, for medical reasons, uncertainty No, principle Vote View Results U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Group's Alipay, a senior administration official said, escalating tensions with Beijing before President-elect Joe Biden takes office this month. The order, first reported by Reuters, tasks the Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive and targets Tencent Holdings Ltd's QQ Wallet and WeChat pay as well. The move is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, the official said. The order released by the White House names "Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay, and WPS Office " A U.S. official noted the order gave the Commerce Department 45 days to act but the department plans to act before Jan. 20 when Trump leaves office to identify prohibited transactions. Any transactions prohibited by the Trump administration are likely to face court challenges as the Commerce Department did when orders barring transactions with WeChat and TikTok were blocked by federal judges. Another official said the order mirrors earlier Trump actions against Chinese-owned apps WeChat and TikTok seeking to block some transactions that have been blocked by U.S. courts. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement he supports Trump's "commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party. (Reuters) A girl has been raped at knifepoint by 20 men on a busy street in Sudan after they surrounded the car she was in and dragged her out, sparking widespread anger and an online movement. The violent attack took place in broad daylight on a busy street in the city of Khartoum on New Year's Eve, but was only recently reported by local media, sparking widespread social media protest but little reaction from officials. The girl, whose exact age was not given, was dragged out of the car by 20 men who had been rampaging along Nile Street which has many of the city's most important buildings and runs alongside the River Nile. A girl has been raped at knifepoint by 20 men on a busy street in Sudan after they surrounded the car she was in and dragged her out, sparking widespread anger (File image) The victim was raped at knifepoint by the men and her male relative was beaten when he tried to rescue her, according to reports. When the story was published by local media, it caused widespread anger with several artists creating artwork that highlighted the issue. The hashtags 'it's not okay' and 'we are with you' were being widely used on Twitter in a show of solidarity. Netizens also claimed this was not the first time the victim was raped and encouraged women to report their abusers and force change in the country. One person wrote: 'I want to be safe in my own country, I don't want to go out with fear of getting sexually assaulted and blamed when it's never my fault. Please help share this! End rape apology culture. Stop blaming victims. #Wearewithyou #itsnotokay.' Another commented: 'Treat all girls like they are your sister/daughter.' One person replied: 'We're not your sisters, we're not your daughters, we're human beings with will and autonomy who demand our rights to be respected and our consent to be given.' Other users called for tougher penalties for those carrying out attacks. It is unclear if the local authorities are investigating the incident. The government will conduct auction for radiowaves worth 3.92 lakh crore on 1 March, the department of telecommunications (DoT) said in a notice on Wednesday. It will carry out single auction to assign spectrum blocks in the 700MHz (megahertz), 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz, 2,300MHz and 2,500MHz bands, the notice said. The telecom department also invited applications from prospective eligible bidders to participate in the upcoming auction. It said it will pre-qualify applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for the sale of the radio airwaves. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The government reserves the right to summarily disqualify any pre-qualified bidder at any stage of the auction or after the auction are completed on the grounds of non-compliance with eligibility conditions, misrepresentation, non-compliance with the relevant auction rules, or any matter that may, in the opinion of the government, be contrary to general public interest," the notice said. Through the auction, the government aims to obtain a market-determined price" of spectrum bands put up for sale in a transparent manner. It wants to ensure efficient use of spectrum and avoid hoarding. The auction will also stimulate competition in the telecom sector, it said. The government also wants to maximise revenue proceeds from the auction. However, experts feel that it may not achieve this objective as two of the three largest telcos in the country have expressed disinterest in the next auction due to high reserve prices. In December, the Union cabinet approved the modalities of the next spectrum auction, excluding the 3,300-3,400MHz bands that were recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for 5G (fifth-generation) wireless service. According to the official statement, buyers can either pay the entire bid amount upfront or may shell out 25% for spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz and 900MHz bands, and 50% for airwaves bought in the 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz and 2500MHz bands initially. The remaining amount can be paid in a maximum of up to 16 annual instalments, after a moratorium of two years. In addition to the bid amount, successful bidders will also have to pay 3% of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR), excluding wireline services as spectrum usage charges (SUC) for the spectrum won through this auction," the statement said. Analysts fear the next round of spectrum auction could be a repeat of the October 2016 fiasco when large chunks of airwaves remained unsold due to high reserve prices. Over four years ago, the government had raised just 65,789 crore through spectrum auction, a fraction of the 5.63 trillion worth of airwaves put up for sale. Spectrum in the 700MHz and 900MHz bands were completely unsold in 2016. On Wednesday, the government said the last day for submission of applications is 5 February. The DoT will notify the venue and date/time of a pre-bid meeting separately on its website. MSTC Ltd has been appointed as the governments advisor for this auction. Administration of the e-auction shall also be the responsibility of MSTC," the notice said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. President Donald Trump ridiculed Mitt Romney during the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday just hours after the Utah senator was heckled by MAGA supporters during a flight to Washington, DC. Romney is among the Republican senators who have rejected an effort to oppose the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's presidency today when Congress meets to officially count the electoral college votes. While speaking at the 'Save America' rally Trump told a cheering crowd: 'I wonder if he enjoyed his flight in last night.' The president was referring to a plane full of Trump supporters who called Romney a 'traitor' for not joining other GOP senators in a bid to object to Biden's win. Trump then mocked Romney for congratulating 'the victor' after losing against former President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election before looking at the 'facts'. 'But we look at the facts and our election was so corrupt that in the history of this country we've never seen anything like it,' Trump said. Scroll down for video President Donald Trump ridiculed Mitt Romney during the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday just hours after the Utah senator was heckled by MAGA supporters during a flight to Washington, DC While speaking at the 'Save America' rally Trump told a crowd: 'I wonder if he enjoyed his flight in last night.' The president was referring to a plane full of Trump supporters (above) who called Romney a 'traitor' for not joining other GOP senators in a bid to object to Biden's win The second video claims to show Trump fans chanting at Romney that he is a 'traitor,' but Romney cannot be seen in the clop Romney cannot be seen in the video, which went viral on Tuesday night. The video shared claims that it was taken on the plane as Romney flew to DC on Tuesday evening. 'Let him know what we think,' a woman screams before a group of Trump supporters with their masks pulled down chant 'traitor' and 'traitor Mitt' from their seats. Romney is believed to be sitting further ahead in the plane, but he cannot be seen as the Trump fans record the incident. It is not known if the same woman who approached him in the airport was on the flight. 'Resign Mitt. We want to know your connection to Burisma and Joe Biden, Mitt Romney,' one woman shouts. The senator was defended by another woman who shouted: 'We love you Mitt Romney you're great, you're doing awesome. I'm one of your constituents and I think you're doing wonderful.' 'You're one of maybe a million who think opposite of you,' a Trump fan tells her. One woman later tweeted about the incident alleging: 'Flew into DC with coward @MittRomney hiding with two masks, glasses and a bubble helmet. Don't worry- we let him know what we thought about him #TRAITOR.' In response to the heckling, Romney told reporters Wednesday: 'That's something I've gotten used to over the years. That's the nature of politics today. In a second video shared on Tuesday, a woman who says she is a Republican Utah voter, approaches 73-year-old Romney as he waits by the gate for his flight. She demands to know why Romney is not supporting Trump Romney eventually tries to walk away as the woman continuously questions him Thousands of Trump loyalists flew to DC to attend a massive 'Stop the Steal' rally scheduled for Wednesday. In a second video shared on Tuesday, a woman who says she is a Republican Utah voter, approaches 73-year-old Romney as he waits by the gate for his flight. She demands to know why Romney is not supporting Trump with the president's unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. He immediately asks her to put her mask on as it is required by law in the airport. 'Don't tell me what to do,' she answers back. 'I'm standing six feet away. You know what I'm going to go ahead and do it because I want to have a chat with you.' 'Why aren't you supporting President Trump? You're not supporting him,' the woman continues. Romney is among the Republican Senators who have rejected an effort to oppose certification of Biden's presidency this week 'I do support President Trump. I'm sorry, I do agree with many of the things he's for and I support him, Romney answers. The woman remains unhappy, however, and continues to push Romney on whether he will be supporting Trump regarding 'fraudulent votes'. 'No, I'm not,' the senator answers. 'It's a long story but it's a constitutional process and the constitution is clear. I will follow the constitution and I will explain all that when we meet in congress this week.' She continues to push Romney about not supporting Trump in the election and tells him: 'You were voted in as a conservative to represent the conservative constituents. Period.' 'Actually, that's not how the constitution works,' Romney fires back as he begins to pack up his laptop to try and walk away. 'It is you're voted in to represent us, you work for us. Am I wrong?' the woman then questions. 'I work for the people of Utah,' Romney says, to which she responds, 'Exactly and I am from Utah. There's a lot of people who didn't vote for you.' 'I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't even voted in legally,' the woman adds. 'You're a joke, an absolute joke, it's a disgusting shame.' Another video shared on Wednesday showed more Trump supporters traveling on a plane from Texas to Washington, DC. In the new footage, flight attendants struggle to control the plane full of pro-Trump passengers. At one point in the video, someone on the plane displays a 'Trump 2020' projection before the lights in the cockpit are turned on. Meanwhile, people are heard yelling at each other, with one saying: 'Shut the hell up!' Another video shared on Wednesday showed more Trump supporters traveling on a plane from Texas to Washington, DC. Images from the plane shows a 'Trump 2020' projection in the cockpit In the new footage, flight attendants struggle to control the plane full of pro-Trump passengers Others are heard claiming that someone on the flight 'threatened' them but it's unclear what happened. Romney on Saturday hit out at Trump and his claims that there was fraud in the presidential election as a 'false rumor'. He said attempts by some Republicans to stand against the election result and Joe Biden's win 'dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic.' Romney claimed that the 'egregious ploy to reject electors may enhance the political ambition of some,' adding, 'the congressional power to reject electors is reserved for the most extreme and unusual circumstances. These are far from it.' Romney was also among a bipartisan group of ten senators - including four Republicans who pushed back against planned GOP efforts to challenge President-elect Biden's win on Sunday. In a statement released on Saturday night, Romney described the move as an 'egregious ploy that 'dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic' He added his name to another bipartisan group of ten senators who pushed back against planned GOP efforts to challenge President-elect Biden's win on Sunday A group of Senate Republicans, led by Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, say they plan to object to the election results when Congress meets on Wednesday to tally Bidens 306-232 Electoral College victory over Trump. Both men have been touted as future leaders of the GOP, and may be eyeing a run for the White House in 2024. Romney said he believed the senators' 'ambition had eclipsed principle'. Authoring a statement urging Congress to certify the election results, Romney, as well as Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said, 'it is time to move forward.' 'The 2020 election is over. All challenges through recounts and appeals have been exhausted,' the group's letter read in part. 'At this point, further attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 Presidential election are contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people and only serve to undermine Americans' confidence in the already determined election results.' Trump allies Sen Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, both also spoke out Sunday, insisting attempts to stop the certification of the Electoral College 'will go nowhere'. The results from Wednesday will eventually be certified for Biden, who will be sworn in as the nations 46th president in two weeks. It is a shell of the ideal set up under the 1975 Family Law Act, which also introduced no-fault divorce and wrapped support services, such as mediation and counselling, around the legal business of disentangling couples. Litigation was discouraged, judges removed their wigs to signify a more informal approach and the aim was to make proceedings inexpensive and relatively painless. When the Sydney registry opened its doors in January 1976, unhappy couples were already waiting outside. Elizabeth Evatt was the founding chief justice of the Family Court of Australia when it opened in 1976. Credit:Steven Siewert But the concept was never fully realised because the Whitlam government was dismissed before the final pieces were put into play. The founding chief justice, Elizabeth Evatt, says the court was compromised from the start because a senior tier of judges had not been appointed by the time Malcolm Fraser came to power. "Fraser wasn't very enthusiastic about the court and wanted to have as few judges as possible," Justice Evatt said. "All the wonderful ideals that we had didn't come to fruition, not fully. It was installed up to a point, but it was always a bit over-burdened." By 1999, delays in the system had become endemic and the relationship between the government and the court was toxic. It was taking so long to replace retired judges that the waitlist had blown out. Meanwhile, the Family Court bombings of the 1980s and the advent of men's rights groups had raised concerns the Family Court was biased towards women. The personal animosity between the attorney-general, Daryl Williams, and chief justice, Alastair Nicholson, was well known. Loading Mr Williams' solution - both to the systemic delays and the perceived cultural issue - was to set up a separate magistrates court (which later became the Federal Circuit Court), to streamline the less complicated cases and also hear migration, industrial and bankruptcy matters. It was a fateful move. Two decades later, the two-court system is widely acknowledged to be confusing, complex and wasteful of time and money, with 1200 matters bumped between the two courts annually. Justice Nicholson - who Mr Williams said was only opposed to the move because he wanted his own magistrates to "boss around" - said the courts competed against each other from the first. "It was a very destructive, fraught system," Justice Nicholson said. "We had people shopping which court to go to. It should never have happened." In the intervening years, funding has not kept pace with demand as the number of parents separating has increased. The senate inquiry into the merger bill heard that some judges in the Federal Circuit Court have more than 600 cases on their dockets. Paul Doolan, the chair of the family law section of the Law Council of Australia, said some Federal Circuit judges were regularly faced with lists of 30 or more cases per day. "How can a judge who's trying their very best to do a good job for everyone keep up with that workload?" Mr Doolan said. "It's not the most satisfactory way of ensuring you get a just outcome for litigants, or a safe workplace for those judges." And while people wait for their cases to be heard, there are more interim hearings, more letters to be answered, more complications that require a lawyer, and as a result their legal costs increase. Mr Doolan encourages his own clients to go through mediation and avoid the courts altogether. "Even if they're spoiling for a fight, I say to them, 'By the end of two or three years in court you will hate your wife or you will hate your husband, you will hate the system, you will probably hate the judge, you will hate me and you will hate your barrister. It's not a happy system to be involved in. You need to try and find a reasonable compromise.' "Unfortunately for some people, especially those who have experienced family violence, there is no reasonable compromise available and a properly functioning, adequately resourced court system is needed." The perception among litigants is that justice in the Family Court is costly and arbitrary. It depends on the individual case and possibly the individual judge. They struggle to respect the process, especially if the case has not gone their way, and cases rarely do go all one person's way in the Family Court. Final orders are not necessarily final. And even when one party does "win", it seldom feels like a victory. Attorney-General Christian Porter says the merged Family Court will be more efficient and cheaper. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen There were times during the six years Rob fought for more time with Jackson that his parents urged him to walk away. It was not the cost they deplored (Rob stopped counting before his legal bill clocked $100,000), so much as the emotional toll that affected every other part of his life. There are times, now, when he considers the paltry four weeks of access that he has to show for all that litigation, that he wonders if they were right. "But there's always something that draws you to your own kid and I just couldn't do it," he said. "I had to keep going." Last month they spent their first Christmas together. Loading This is the stuff of the Federal Circuit Court. It hears 90 per cent of family law matters in Australia, with the most complicated cases reserved for the Family Court. Last year it finalised almost 16,000 matters. Attorney-General Christian Porter says providing a single entry point into the federal Family Courts will make the system quicker, efficient and less costly to use because it will eliminate the transfer of matters between courts. It is the least radical path to resolving a failed system, he says. "There are a lot of vested interests in the legal fraternity," Mr Porter said. "It is unfortunate that many of the contributions in the debate about much-needed reform in this area misrepresent both the current role of the FCC in resolving family law matters and effect of the bill, as well as reflecting a lack of real commitment to changes that would see more efficient processes for families and less fees for lawyers." There is little argument in the legal fraternity that creating a single entry point for Family Court matters will be more efficient than the existing split system. But there is greater support for a model proposed by the NSW Bar Association, which moves all family law work into the Family Court of Australia, leaving the remaining business of the Federal Circuit Court to stay where it is. Loading It is argued that folding a standalone specialist court into an already overburdened generalist court flies against advice that victims of domestic violence are better served by specialist services, and will not reduce backlogs. "I just can't see how it's going to help," said family law barrister Melissa Gillies, SC. "What does it actually mean to clients coming through the door? Will it mean their matters come on quicker? And it doesn't mean that. So why are we doing it?" Sorry! This content is not available in your region Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. At 21 years age, Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoors daughter Shanaya Kapoor is already setting the fashion police on alert with her ravishing looks and sizzling photoshoots, even as her big Bollywood break is awaited. Cutting a chic figure in her casual style, the Gunjan Saxena AD was seen setting fashion inspiration for those wanting to look cool with minimal efforts. In a recent flood of pictures surfacing the Internet, Shanaya has been featured in her sartorial best street style. Donning a black and white stripes co-ord set, Shanaya teamed it with a matching bucket hat. The upcycled chekered set came with a monochromic stripes shirt which Shanaya barely buttoned down to amp up the hotness quotient, a similar pair of unisex shorts and a hat. Accessorising her look with a simple gold chain for the bold rebel style and to balance out the monochromatic prints, Shanaya completed her attire with a pair of black socks and a pair of spotless white shoes. Leaving her silky tresses open down her back, Shanaya wore a dab of matte pink lipstick, neutral shades makeup and kohl-lined eyes to nail the minimalistic look. The pictures featured Shanaya striking a sultry pose in one frame and a cute one in another that set fans on frenzy and we dont blame them. The co-ord set is credited to Sanya V Jains hyper-modern fashion line Smoke Wear that boasts of gender neutrality and aligning contemporary luxe with consciousness. The unisex ensemble originally costs Rs 37,000 on the designer website. Shanaya Kapoors co-ord set from Smoke Wear (smokewear.in) The diva was styled by celebrity stylist Meagan Concessio who is known for the magic she spelled over Sonam Kapoor Ahujas Cannes look in Chopard and Bulgari. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Police in Nigerias Lagos state has raided several nightclubs, arresting 71 people for allegedly violating Covid-19 protocols. The police say the raids happened in the Lekki and Surulere areas of Lagos city and the suspects will be prosecuted for allegedly violating guidelines put in place in an attempt to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Lagos state police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi told the BBC that the club-goers had allegedly violated a ban on large gatherings and the reopening of clubs and had broken a midnight to 04:00 curfew in the state. The authorities say they will intensify such raids to ensure total compliance with Covid-19 protocols. The arrests come as Nigeria continues to record a surge in coronavirus infections amid fears of a second wave of the pandemic. On Monday, Nigerias Centre for Disease Control announced 1,204 new infections - the countrys highest confirmed daily cases so far. Nigeria has recorded 91,351 cases, with 75,699 recoveries and 1,318 deaths from the virus. Lagos State is the countrys epicentre of the disease. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The ground-breaking ceremony for Long Thanh International Airport takes place on January 5. (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the airport in the southern province of Dong Nai, the PM laid stress on the basic infrastructures vital roles to socio-economic development as well as the national defence and security, adding sound infrastructure facilities will help Vietnam attract large corporations who come to make long-term investments. He moved to state that Vietnam has been praised by the international community as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Last year, the country was listed among the 16 most thriving emerging economies the world, successfully performing the dual tasks of preventing the pandemic and maintaining growth of nearly 3 percent. A bright economic outlook is awaiting us ahead. There is strong confidence of both domestic and foreign investors in Vietnams post-pandemic economic recovery, PM Phuc said. He went on by underlining the strong growth of the Vietnamese aviation sector, adding Vietnam is among ten countries with the fastest expansion of the aviation market in the Asia-Pacific. Air travel demand in the southern key economic region is over 65 million passengers by 2025, and the figure is said to increase to more than 80 million by 2030. Current infrastructure fails to meet the rising demand, he said, describing it as a bottleneck for socio-economic development. According to the leader, Long Thanh is among the world's 16 most awaited airport projects. With the largest-ever capital investment, the project demonstrates the aspiration and will of Vietnam to move forward, and holds significance to the countrys socio-economic development, and national defence and security. Once operational, it is expected to contribute 3-5 percent of the national gross domestic products (GDP), he stressed. PM Phuc lauded relevant ministries and agencies, especially people in Dong Nai province, for their consensus in land clearance. He ordered the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) to direct the Airport Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to implement the projects three component projects in line with current regulations, keep its progress on schedule and ensure its quality without causing waste and losses. The Ministry of Transport as well as administrations of Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces in the southeast region must soon have plans for comprehensively enhancing local transport connectivity with the future Long Thanh International Airport, even taking into account the development of new urban areas, service system, and the North-South high-speed railway, the Government leader said. It is expected to increase the competitiveness of not only the southeast region but also the economy at large. He also urged local people affected by the construction of the airport to continue supporting the project and enabling it to be completed on schedule for the nations interests while asking Dong Nai to exert all-out efforts to ensure livelihoods of those displaced by the project. Located 40km to the east of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh airport is expected to relieve overloading at Tan Son Nhat international airport in the southern metropolis, now the countrys largest airport. (Photo: VNA) During its ninth session, the 13th National Assembly issued a resolution approving the investment plan of the three-phase project. The first phase sailed through the 14th legislature. In the first phase, one runway with a length of 4,000m, taxiways, an apron, and a passenger terminal with other auxiliary works sprawling 373,000 sq.m will be built to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo each year. The total funding for this phase is estimated at 109.11 trillion VND (4.37 billion USD). The third component project of the first stage, invested by the ACV and covering essential items of the airport, costs some 99.01 trillion VND. The airport is designed to have four runways, four passenger terminals, and other auxiliary facilities to ensure a capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo a year by 2040. Covering a total area of more than 5,580ha, the airport will straddle six communes in Long Thanh district. It is expected to cost 336.63 trillion VND (14.5 billion USD). Around 4,800 households and 26 organisations are expected to be relocated to make way for it. Located 40km to the east of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh airport is expected to relieve overloading at Tan Son Nhat international airport in the southern metropolis, now the countrys largest airport./. Education officials in Massachusetts say Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing is necessary during the pandemic to analyze learning loss and growing achievement gaps. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday announced that this years MCAS would have flexibilities for districts, including a shorter test for students in grades 3-8 and a modified competency determination for the class of 2021. Additionally, DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley will not name any new schools or districts as underperforming or chronically underperforming. Even though the results from this years tests will not be used to declare any school or district as underperforming, they will provide critical diagnostic information for educators, parents, schools and districts, Massachusetts Secretary of Education James Peyser said in a phone interview Tuesday. This school year has been inconsistent and districts across Massachusetts have varying education models. Some students have been learning through a hybrid model since September while others have not been in a classroom since March, when all schools shut down. For some schools, increasing COVID cases have led to a temporary halt of in-person learning and a few days or weeks of online class. The changes that weve announced today certainly reflect the unusual circumstances were in, but they also reflect a continuing commitment to measuring the educational progress of our students and schools, which is critical not just for purposes of transparency, but also to ensure that we identify and address issues of equity in our public education system, Peyser said. This is especially true really now more than ever when the school year has been so disrupted by COVID, with effects that have varied so much from community to community and from neighborhood to neighborhood. Throughout the pandemic, educators and officials have been concerned about the COVID slide, and the long-term effects of learning loss, particularly for students from low-income and disadvantaged families. Peyser said the department has been using federal funds to expand resources for districts to use at a local level to try and address learning loss, as well as other dollars to create online programs, which will hopefully be in-person at some point, to help students. One example is a $10 million grant program used to implement and expand early literacy programs for students, offering tutors and other supports for families to make sure young students dont fall behind on learning how to read. As new federal dollars come in, Peyser said the department plans to make announcements about plans to address learning loss and accelerate learning through the rest of the school year and into the summer. MCAS is planned for the spring. Peyser said the department hopes and expects that all students will be in classrooms at that time. However, there are students in Massachusetts who have opted to complete the school year fully remotely, and districts have changed from hybrid to remote models as needed through the year. The department is working on options, especially for grades 3-8, to try and find a way to have the test administered at home for students who are remote. Tenth and eleventh-graders will probably be required to be in school, Peyser said. This year, test-taking time will be reduced for students in grades 3-8 with a session sampling approach. MCAS is untimed so students can take as long as they need, but typically a half-day is blocked out for each of the sessions. A third-grader usually would take four half-day sessions for English language arts and math assessments. Now, Peyser said the test would be two half-day sessions instead of four. For 12th graders, the make-up MCAS administration window, which was scheduled to open on Jan. 14, will be postponed. Riley plans to recommend to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that the competency determination requirement be modified in English language arts and mathematics for students in the class of 2021 who have not yet earned their CD. That would allow students to receive their CD by passing an approved course and demonstrating competency in that subject in lieu of a qualifying MCAS score, though seniors who still want to take the tests may take them later this school year, according to officials. The department has also given districts flexibility on scheduling the high school biology MCAS test and now can offer the biology MCAS to first-time 9th graders in June, instead of or in addition to offering it in February, according to the memo. Previously, DESE announced that the window for ACCESS testing for English language proficiency, which normally concludes in February, has been extended until May 20. We really need to have our own dataset to understand where we are and what has happened educationally during the course of this year, Peyser said. Having said that, its pretty clear that the effects are going to be varied from place to place and from student to student and that is likely to have exacerbated some of the achievement gaps that existed before COVID. Peyser said its essential to have the data to understand what has changed and just how deep the crisis is. Members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association had reached out to DESE with petitions, emails and phone calls to cancel MCAS. The association says Tuesdays announcement shows that DESE met them partway. The commissioner heard from classroom educators, parents and local school committee members and has taken a step in the right direction with this plan, said MTA President Merrie Najimy. That said, we will continue to organize for a federal waiver to cancel testing altogether this year so that we can stay focused on our top priorities of tending to our students wellness and furthering our creative efforts to make pandemic education successful. Najimy said there are still unanswered questions about the logistics of administering tests during the pandemic. If a school is operating remotely for safety reasons, then students should not be brought into the building just to be tested, Najimy said. The pandemic has thrown our world into disarray. If the upheaval leads us to push pause on this destructive high-stakes testing system and consider new ways of lifting up and measuring school quality, then that will be one positive outcome. The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education said it strongly supports the decision to move forward with MCAS in a way that makes sense during the pandemic. The pandemic has impacted all students, buts its likely the greatest impacts have fallen on more vulnerable students. As we have consistently said, information from MCAS is necessary to understanding the extent to which pandemic-induced learning loss has disproportionately affected students by race, socio-economic status, and disability, said Ed Lambert, the executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education. Information from MCAS will be critical to parents as they work to support their childrens recovery from the pandemic. It will also help us determine resource needs for schools and districts as they work to address learning loss in the months and years to come, Lambert continued. Related Content: Harness racing fans at Freehold Raceway will hear a new voice starting Thursday, January 7, when Edison Hatter begins his tenure as the race caller. Hatter, 22, is from Annapolis Junction, Maryland, and is best-known as one of the announcers at Rosecroft Raceway. He'll announce at Freehold until March 13. A 2020 graduate of the University of Maryland, Hatter began announcing the Wednesday night cards at Rosecroft last fall, filling in for usual announcer Pete Medhurst. He's also served as on-air analyst, photo finish timer, and assistant chart caller. When not at Rosecroft or Freehold, Hatter works as an engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. He also writes for a local newspaper. "I am extremely thankful to Karen Fagliarone and the rest of the Freehold team for giving me this opportunity, and I am really looking forward to spending the next few months at Freehold, getting to know the horsemen and the fans," Hatter said. "Ken Warkentin and Larry Lederman are two of the best announcers, and it's an absolute honour to be in the same booth they have been in." Fans can follow Hatter on twitter at @edison_1999_ Live racing at Freehold will take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the month of January, then switch to Fridays and Saturdays the rest of the way. The first race is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. every race day. (Freehold) In this file photo dated Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, people gather in the Nvidia booth at the Mobile World Congress mobile phone trade show in Barcelona, Spain. U.K regulators said Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021, they are investigating graphics computer chip maker Nvidia's $40 billion purchase of chip designer Arm Holdings over concerns about its effect on competition. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, FILE) British regulators are investigating graphics chip maker Nvidia's $40 billion purchase of chip designer Arm over concerns about its effect on competition. The Competition and Markets Authority said Wednesday it will look into the deal's effect on how Arm treats Nvidia's rivals. The watchdog said it will examine whether the deal will give Arm "an incentive to withdraw, raise prices or reduce the quality" of its services to Nvidia's chipmaking competitors. Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, said the watchdog "will work closely with other competition authorities around the world to carefully consider the impact of the deal and ensure that it doesn't ultimately result in consumers facing more expensive or lower quality products." U.K.-based Arm Ltd., whose chip designs power the vast majority of the world's smartphones, declined to comment, as did Nvidia Corp., which is based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia said last year it was buying Arm Holdings from Japan's technology giant Softbank. The deal raised concerns that Arm would abandon its neutral business model of licensing its chip designs to hundreds of tech companies, including many of Nvidia's rivals. Nvidia pledged to maintain Arm's open licensing model and customer neutrality. It also agreed to keep Arm's headquarters in Cambridge, England and expand its British staff. The company has said the deal wouldn't be completed until early 2022 because it also faces regulatory scrutiny from the U.S., China and the European Union. Explore further Nvidia says it will build UK's most powerful supercomputer 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Gripes, anyone? About once a month, I ask my Facebook friends whats bugging them, and then, on KUHFs Houston Matters, we discuss Houstonians latest peeves the little things driving them crazy. Its fun. On the radio, I have to remember not to laugh too loud. Which, I know, can seem weird during a pandemic. With devastation all around, why joke about niggling irritations? Heres why: Big problems are tragic, but little ones are often funny. And right now, we can all use a laugh. So here, lightly edited and de-emojied, are some of this months best gripes. Lisa Gray: I didnt go anywhere for the holidays, and these days my commute is from my bedroom to my living room. So why was it so danged hard to go back to work on Monday? Evan Mintz: Because we cant go anywhere, vacations have only half their usual impact. Therefore we should all get Double Vacation. Mary Ann Smith: I have to figure out how to schedule Zoom calls between trips to the refrigerator. And also how to resist the urge to have bourbon-spiked eggnog as my after-lunch drink. Susan Conaty: Theres trash everywhere. Melissa E. Noble: Trash everywhere! William Dylan Powell: Porch pirates who dont pick up after themselves. Rude! Theft is obviously condoned by politicians, but nobody likes a litterbug. So please take the Amazon boxes and inflatable bubble wrap with you as you steal our cornucopia of Spanx, Twizzlers, Instant Pots, headphones, Birchboxes, sex toys, Nintendo Switch games, Kristin Hannah novels and groceries. If Houston's drive-by shooters can be courteous enough to pick up their shell casings, then you can pick up after yourselves too. Cmon, yall! We're all in this together! And by this, I mean the upcoming court case. Daniel Reyes: I hate having to take down Christmas decorations. Tex and I are keeping up the Christmas tree and lights and will repurpose them for a different theme each month: January: MLK. February: Presidents Day March: St. Patricks. Christina Barbara: Dont forget Mardi Gras! Beads look lovely on a tree. Joyce Bk Abbey: Crepe myrtle murder began in December. Robert Searcy: Celebratory gunfire tops my list this week. Not only is it dangerous and stupid, its trashy AF! Mike Gladu: Were never going to convince Houstonians in my neighborhood that what goes up, must go down. They blithely shoot fireworks and projectiles into the air, without a care for human life, animal health and fire danger. Dennis Nance : I dread looking on my roof for bullet holes. Dennis Cass: I bought a nice new winter jacket and havent had an occasion to wear it. The weather and social distancing have conspired against my wardrobe. Anne Hayden: I hate it when people use leaf blowers to blow leaves into the street. Molly Block: Leaf blowers in residential areas before 8 a.m. are super-awful. Babette Hale: Or actually, just leaf blowers. Brian Grant: Mosquitos. Still. In January. Im thinking about installing bat houses, a bug zapper and maybe even a misting system. Evan Mintz: January is supposed to be our mosquito detente. Reginald Charles Adams: With all the resources poured into Hermann Park, the childrens playground is more than 20 years out of date and literally falling to pieces. My 20-year old-son played on the exact same equipment that my 3-year-old is playing on today. Rick Hurt: There are 456 episodes of Law and Order showing on TV, and I have seen all of them. Cort McMurray: The new way of doing TV bugs me. We got rid of cable, except for local channels. Now we subscribe to Netflix and Hulu and Disney+ with the ESPN attachment and Apple TV plus and Peacock. I never know whats on, its impossible to find live sports, and my adult children have commandeered the controls. Its mostly YouTube clips these days. Nothing lasts longer than 11 seconds. Its kitties, cute babies or guys getting hit in the groin. I miss Guy Fieri, something I did not think possible. On HoustonChronicle.com: TV 2020: A year of Cobra Kai and Tiger King David Streusand: Lexus ads where one person gifts a $40,000 vehicle to another: With such high unemployment and so many people worried about their next meal, that feels wrong. Read the room Lexus. Read the room. Bela Adela: Newly purchased knee socks that slowwwly sink down to your ankles over the space of an hour. The nerve! Dennis Cass: I got an insanely good deal on gourmet cheese from Disco Krogers going-out-of-business sale. Now I feel obligated to put cheese on everything. It does not play well with Asian recipes. Ann A K Winkelink: Why does Houston still have those red light cameras up when we voted them down? Lisa Estes: Driving on Houstons freeways has become even more confusing. Can we have better signage so we know which exit leads where? Carolyn White: Crowds of people are walking in the streets, which I dont mind at all. But the majority are walking on the incorrect side! Please, walk so that you face traffic, not with the traffic. Marcus Twain : 13-year-olds riding dirtbikes and ATVs on city streets without helmets! Johanna Thompson Wolfe: How about 13-year-olds riding dirtbikes on the bike path at the park? Jake M. Walker: Junior high boys not doing exactly what theyre supposed to be doing? Perish the thought. Trish Cramblet: Since Memorial Park opened the beautiful new Eastern Glades , lots more cars park around the Rice Military neighborhood. There arent any no parking signs, but resident have started placing cones in the street around their homes to prevent parking. When will people learn the public streets are just that public? Taxpayers, rich and poor, collectively pay for our streets. Dont like park traffic? Dont live by a park. Paula Murphy: Delivery trucks stop wherever and whenever they want on residential streets or a busy main street. I understand they have a job to do and they have a license plate that allows them to make commercial stops, but do they have to stop in the middle of the lane? Can they not pull closer to the curb? Patrick Kopplin: If Operation Warp Speed had hired Amazon, we would all be vaccinated by now. Christina Barbara: People trying to game the COVID vaccines tiered prioritization schedule: No, your spring break ski trip plans are not more important than my 86-year-old mothers life. Wait. Your. Turn. On HoustonChronicle.com: Everything you need to know about Houston's COVID-19 vaccine rollout Kim Hogstrom: It chaps my arse that the residents of the Montebello highrise somehow procured their own concierge vendor for the vaccine. Liana M Silva: There was a mistake on the Harris County Public Health online form that said school staff could sign up to get vaccinated, and then...poof! No more. Antonio Tone Martinez: Clubs and bars at high capacity with no masks during a pandemic . Michael Brichford: Watching everyone on my timeline posting pictures from indoor New Years Eve parties knowing they will only prolong this disease. Cort McMurray: Those people who walk into the grocery store fully masked, then pull the thing down around their chin the second they get past the produce department, like they passed a checkpoint and now theyre in the clear. George Webb : Executive summary of all these gripes: Other people. If you missed this months Houston Peeves on KUHF-FM 88.7 FM, you can stream it on KUHFs website or find it on the Houston Matters podcast. To get in on next months griping, follow me on Facebook. lisa.gray@chron.com, twitter.com/LisaGray_HouTX The SIAC arbitration panel will pass the final verdict on whether Future Group can go ahead with its Rs 25,000 crore deal or not. The arbitration tussle between e-commerce giant Amazon and Kishore Biyani-led Future Group moved a step ahead with both the parties agreeing to the names of the three arbitrators required for the process, sources in the know of the development told The Indian Express. The arbitration will be held at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). The SIAC arbitration panel will pass the final verdict on whether Future Group can go ahead with its Rs 25,000 crore deal where Future Group will be selling its retail assets to Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). Veteran barrister Michael Hwang has been appointed as the judge for the tribunal in the Amazon-Future case," a source told Livemint, seeking anonymity. Albert Jan Van Den Berg has been appointed by Amazon, whereas Paulsson has been shortlisted by the Future Group because the members of the tribunal, told the primary particular person to News Daily. Albert Jan van den Berg is the founding partner of law firm Hanotiau & van den Berg and Jan Paulsson is a Swedish arbitration veteran and founding partner of Three Crowns Llp. Hwang is a former judicial commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore. Indias FDI norms allow 51 percent holding by a foreign entity in a multi-brand retail firm, such as Future Retail, but Amazon did not take the governments permission for acquiring control over it. However, the settlement between Amazon and Future Group, which was signed in August 2019, states that Future Group can not forge an alliance within the retail area with RIL without Amazons prior consent. Meccaniche Veloci Icon Damascus collection becomes a limited edition with a production of 10 pieces per year and limited serial number engraved on the case back. The initiative responds to the important request related to this timepiece and respects the production rhythms of Meccaniche Veloci. The unprecedented project, which involves this special model, is part of the new course of the Maison that for some years now has been offering exclusively limited-edition watches with proprietary movement, as well as certified for the Swiss origin of all their components. Particular attention is paid to the quality and craftsmanship of the watch, as per the tradition of Meccaniche Veloci. Icon Damascus Meccaniche Veloci The damascus steel used for Icon Damascus is forged by an Italian craftsman in the northern region of Milan and then the raw material is sent to Switzerland to be machined by Meccaniche Veloci. The timepiece explores a steel technique used for more than a thousand years. The allure of history turns into a very topical aesthetic and design concept. The steel is stretched and folded down on itself many times during forging. This process creates a unique pattern, that becomes the proud protagonist of the timepieces case. The decorative motif of the Damascus steel originates from the union of different types of metal, this aspect corresponds to an exceptional resistance and stability quality over time. Icon Damascus Meccaniche Veloci The metal of the 49 millimeter case and of the bezel shows a texture characterized by irregular waves that create shiny and opaque effects. In this unreleased background stand out the distinctive four matt black dials, each one indicating minutes and hours, while the date and the red seconds hand are located on the bottom right dial and top right dial. The functions of every single dial are regulated via their corresponding crowns. Icon Damascus Meccaniche Veloci The caseback, which is also embellished with the effects of metal processing, bears the inscription of the limited serial number, such as "2/10 in year 1" as well as the name of the watch and the serial number of the case. The metal effect is interrupted on the case middle by a black a-DLC titanium band that besides adding more audacity to the timepiece, emulates and celebrates the next-gen pistons with black Teflon anti-seize insert. Icon Damascus is driven by the calibre MV 8802 developed in-house, which is visible through the open caseback. The strap, directly attached to the case via a system that does not require lugs, is in black leather with red stitching and a black a-DLC steel folding clasp. Waymo, a unit of Google parent Alphabet Inc., is saying good-bye to 'self-driving'not the technology, just the term. In a blog post Wednesday, the company announced it would now be using the phrase 'autonomous driving' to avoid confusion that could lead a driver to take their hands off the wheel at a dangerous moment. 'It may seem like a small change, but it's an important one,' the company said in a blog post, 'because precision in language matters and could save lives.' But industry insiders believe the change is a jab at Elon Musk's Tesla, which began touting its 'full self-driving' (FSD) option last fall - but is only capable of assisting drivers. Scroll down for video Waymo announced it will no longer use the term 'self-driving' in favor of 'autonomous driving,' to avoid confusion. Some see the move as throwing shade on Tesla's fully self-driving (FSD) system, rolled out in October Waymo has also renamed its four-year-old public education campaign from 'Let's Talk Self Driving' to 'Let's Talk Autonomous Driving.' The point, the firm said, is to educate the public on the difference between its 'fully autonomous' system and driver-assist technology that still needs a human driver. 'Unfortunately, we see that some automakers use the term 'self-driving' in an inaccurate way, giving consumers and the general public a false impression of the capabilities of driver assist (not fully autonomous) technology,' the company said. The blog post didn't call out those automakers, but Tesla began offering a $10,000 'full self-driving' (FSD) upgrade for some models in October and some critics believe Musk's firm is the cause of Waymo's change. Waymo says 'some automakers' are using the phrase 'self-driving' when referring to advanced driver-assist technology. 'Precision in language matters and could save lives,' it said Industry insiders believe the change is a jab at Elon Musk's Tesla, which began touting its 'full self-driving' (FSD) option last fall - but is only capable of assisting drivers FSD is billed as an 'advanced driver assistance system' that uses external cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and an onboard computer to steer, change lanes, park, navigate on and off highways, and slow and stop at traffic lights. In a New Year's Day tweet, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised that in 2021, FSD 'work at a safety level well above that of the average driver this year.' Enthusiasts have already ridden a Model 3 from Los Angeles to Silicon Valley without touching the wheel. The system is still in beta, though, and critics complain Musk is overselling the system's capabilities. 'While no Tesla cars are fully autonomous today and require active driver supervision, the FSD Computer is capable of delivering intelligent performance and control to enable a new level of safety and autonomy, without impacting cost or range,' reads a message on the Tesla support website. A Tesla Model 3 Performance outfitted with the company's full self-driving FSD system made drove unassisted from Los Angeles to Silicon Valley. But critics complain Tesla CEO Elon Musk is overselling its capabilities The US Department of Transportation has no definition for 'self-driving,' instead using a five-point scale of vehicle automation that ranges from Level One a small amount of control, such as adaptive braking if a car gets too close to Level Five full automation, where the system can handle all weather, light and traffic conditions anywhere with no human intervention. By industry standards, Level Four where a car can drive itself in a predetermined zone, but not in all areas and conditions is where 'self-driving' begins, according to CNN. Though Musk has dismissed Waymo's autonomous-driving technology as a 'highly specialized solution,' the company is seen as the industry leader by many. In 2020, the company raised raised $3.2 billion and expanded its partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to add light commercial vehicles, including an autonomous delivery van. In October, it opened the first autonomous ride-hailing service to the public in Phoenix, Arizona. Last month, the company announced plans for a facility near Columbus, Ohio, that would simulate dense, urban areas and a variety of weather conditions. It will also allow Waymo to experiment with autonomous heavy-duty trucks. The new site will open some time this year at the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, a $45 million testing ground for self-driving vehicles that includes terrain and structures replicating rural roads, city streets and high-speed intersections. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Get updates on the voting results in Georgia, check out coronavirus news and see more stories trending online today. Top stories Warnock defeats Loeffler in Georgia Senate race; Ossoff-Perdue too close to call (AP) Congress to certify Bidens win on Wednesday: How to watch, what to watch for (AJC) Despite Trump pressure, Pence will not block Bidens election certification - advisers (Reuters) Rev. Al Sharpton demands justice at Andre Hill funeral: No more excuses (ABC News) Jacob Blakes family say their fight for justice is going to Congress after no charges are brought against officer who shot him (CNN) Grammy Awards Moved To March 14 Amid Covid-19 Surge In Los Angeles (Deadline) Coronavirus news Your stimulus check might be delayed if you filed your taxes with an online tax preparer (NBC News) How experts say the federal government can speed up COVID-19 vaccinations (ABC) UK coronavirus variant most likely to spread among this age group, study suggests (Fox News) Hospital Scrambles To Find Patients Before Freezer Failure Ruins 830 Vaccines (NPR) China says unspecified procedures delaying WHO teams visit to probe COVID-19 origins (CBS) Other trending headlines MUSIC Dr. Dre hospitalized with brain aneurysm, but says he expects to go home soon (NBC) Dozens of Hong Kong opposition figures arrested under national security law (CNN) Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith wins Heisman Trophy (ESPN) Australian fishermen rescue naked fugitive from swamp (NY Post) Albert Roux: Tributes paid to true titan as renowned chef and restaurateur dies aged 85 (Yahoo) > The Group commits to the ten principles of the UN initiative, in addition to its Roadmap for Positive Retail launched a year ago SES-imagotag, (Euronext: SESL, FR0010282822) the global leader in Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) and digital solutions for physical retail, today announces that it is joining the United Nations Global Compact initiative. The Group pledges to further extend its ambition to build a better and positive retail by committing to the ten universally accepted principles of the UN program in the areas of human rights, labor standards, environment and climate, as well as the prevention of corruption. This new commitment is perfectly aligned with the Group's Roadmap for Positive Retail, launched a year ago and presented in the 2019 Annual Report, which aims to 1) help technology adoption by democratizing retail IoT; 2) to enable a stronger collaboration across the entire CPG-Retail value chain to maximize synergies; 3) to ensure utmost data protection, integrity and privacy; 4) and finally to make retail's digital transformation wasteless, low carbon and sustainable. Thierry Gadou, Chairman and CEO of the SES-imagotag group comments: "This is a natural next step for us, which reflects our ambition to build a sustainable and futureproof technology for physical commerce. Retail is one the world's largest industries, with a tremendous impact on our societies. Today, consumers strongly express aspirations to a new and positive commerce that must be omnichannel, sustainable, transparent, safe, fair and respectful of personal data. As the global leading retail IoT technology company, SES-imagotag's core mission is to help physical retailers address these new trends and achieve their digital transformation. But our company's purpose also goes far beyond that and supporting the United Nations Global Compact's principles is perfectly aligned with our roadmap for Positive Retail, which lies at the heart of SES-imagotag's vision and strategy for the future. With this, we wish all our customers and partners a year of positive impact and sustainable innovation. In 2021 let's build together a Positive Retail!" Created in 2000, Global Compact counts over 12000 signatories and stakeholders based in over 160 countries. About SES-imagotag and the VUSION Retail IoT platform SES-imagotag is a fast-growing retail tech company, listed on Euronext Paris, with revenues of around 250 million. The company is the world leader in smart digital labels and IoT solutions for physical retail, serving over 300 large retailers around the world in Europe, Asia and America. SES-imagotag has developed the VUSION Retail IOT technology platform to help retailers transform their physical stores into high value digital assets, more automated, data-driven, and connected in real-time to suppliers and consumers. VUSION improves pricing agility, accuracy and integrity, enables omni channel synchronization of prices, product information and marketing content, increases the productivity of shelf replenishment and in-store picking for online orders. VUSION improves employee satisfaction by freeing up time from cumbersome low value-added tasks and allowing them to focus on customer service and merchandizing tasks. VUSION connects shelves to the cloud, providing real-time accurate information on products availability and location, allowing for reduced inventory, of-stock and waste, as well as improved on-shelf availability and merchandizing compliance. VUSION empowers consumers with better product, nutritional and traceability information at the shelf and enables a frictionless in-store shopping experience with features such as product search, pathfinding and cashier-less scan & pay features. www.ses-imagotag.com SES-imagotag is listed in compartment B of the Euronext Paris Ticker: SESL - ISIN code: FR0010282822 - Reuters: SESL.PA - Bloomberg: SESL Contact Shan - Investor Relations & Financial Communications Sarah Levy-Quentin: Tel: +33 (0)1 44 50 03 84 / sesimagotag@shan.fr ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xWpqZZiaZWqdnWmdZcuWZ5aUbG1qlmKabGecyWJwlMuab3CVm22XbcbIZm9nm25s - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-66696-ses-imagotag_pr_global_compact_def.pdf The Congress lost political focus, Sonia Gandhi was unable to handle the affairs of the party, Manmohan Singhs prolonged absence from Parliament eroded contact with other parliamentarians, and if he had still been in active politics, the party would not have faced the drubbing it received in 2014, according to former president Pranab Mukherjee in his posthumously published memoir, The Presidential Years 2012-2017. In a wide ranging autobiography, the late Mukherjee who passed away in 2020 has documented his years as President, weaving in the personal and the political. The 2014 mandate Mukherjee noted that he expected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to be the single largest party in the 2014 elections with 195-200 seats and while most political interlocutors had given him a similar sense, it was only Piyush Goyal then BJP treasurer who had said the party would get between 265-280 seats. When the final numbers came in, with BJP winning a comfortable majority on its own, Mukherjee writes, I was greatly relieved over the decisive mandate but also disappointed at my one-time partys performance. It was difficult to believe that the Congress had managed to win just 44 seats...I feel the party failed to recognise the end of its charismatic leadership. His two PMs In his assessment of the two Prime Ministers Mukherjee worked with, the late president noted that Manmohan Singh had determinationa strong sense of proprietysteely will power and documented his long relationship with the former PM. Mukherjee said he had a clear understanding of his role as President and had resolved not to cross the limits imposed on him, but on one occasion, asked Singh about an ordinance that his government was bringing. Sensing my disquiet, the PM spoke to his minister, who then informed me that the government had decided to withdraw the ordinance. On Modi, Mukherjee said that his approach to maintaining cordial ties came from his belief in the parliamentary form of government and that Modi had received a decisive mandate and that both knew how to manage those differences, without bringing them out in the public. Demonetisation The late president said PM Modi had not consulted him prior to the announcement of demonetisation in 2016, but believed that the criticism that the PM should have engaged in consultations was unwarranted. Demonetisation could not have been done with prior consultation because the suddenness and surprise, absolutely necessary for such announcements, would have been lost after such a process. But after addressing the nation, the PM visited Mukherjee and said he had three objectives tackling black money, fighting corruption, and containing terror financing. Mukherjee said that four years after demonetisation, one thing could be stated the multiple objectives of the decision have not been met. He then recounts how this was not new and Mukherjee had sent a note on demonetisation in the early 1970s to the Prime Ministers Office. Indira Gandhi then rejected the suggestion, pointing out that a large part of the economy was not yet fully monetised and a substantial part of it was in the informal sector. Foreign policy In his assessment of PM Modis handling of foreign policy, Mukherjee noted, One could expect the unexpected from Modi because he had come with no ideological foreign policy baggage. But the late president did not agree with all his steps in particular, the PMs 2015 stopover in Lahore, terming it unnecessary and uncalled for. On China, Mukherjee said on his visit to the country in 2016, at the formal banquet, he and President Xi Jinping had an hour-long discussion for most part without an interpreter though one was present with Xi asking questions about functioning of the Indian government, the constitutional framework and implementation of policies. The only time he sought an interpreter was when Mukherjee discussed the McMahon Line. After the discussion, (the then foreign secretary), S Jaishankar rushed to me and asked if anything important had been discussed. I told him the only important thing was that one had to revisit the story of Indias Constitution and its functioning since the 50s. Mercy petitions Mukherjee, who acquired a reputation for rejecting mercy petitions of convicts sentenced to death, also wrote of the pain and anguish while taking these decisions. The president is not the punishing authoritythe president is the last resort. He would take more than a week to read the case history and court judgments, but not take more than three weeks to dispose off a file. In an oblique criticism of his predecessors, Mukherjee noted that APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil left a large number of cases pending, with the former hardly disposing off any petition and the latter granting clemency to 34 convicts and rejecting just three petitions. I rejected 30 mercy pleas involving nearly 40 convicts...I saw no point in keeping such files pending. by Austin Bay January 5, 2021 Until the Trump administration began its experiment in 21st-century American transactional diplomacy, "intractable international problems" dismayed, vexed and bamboozled establishment diplomats, whether they hailed from Washington's Beltway morass, U.N. agencies or cachet townhouses in European capitals. I specify American transactional diplomacy -- meaning negotiating and then concluding two-way deals (bilateral agreements, in diplo-speak) that demonstrably benefit two antagonistic nations. The payoff of conflict and creating peace level: The deal diminishes their level of mutual antagonism, promotes kinder words and opens opportunities for wealth-creating interaction. Aside to open-minded readers: "American" indicates the two-way deal was brokered by the U.S. as a third party. American means U.S. power and prestige explicitly support the agreement. It means American DIME power -- American Diplomatic, Intelligence/Information, Military and Economic power -- adds steel to the deal. Note I translate common-sense terms into diplo-speak so elite media types will understand it. Another point in the same vein: Trump administration diplomats focused on obtaining incremental results that convinced the antagonists they could reach mutually beneficial deals. Trump administration diplomats did not seek headlines and CNN/BBC interviews designed to promote a narcissist's political career. Big accusation? For deep background on narcissistic diplomacy, here's a quote from a column I wrote in 2009: "We live in an age when the farce of history precedes the tragedy ... and even a few left-wing media and academic elites realize giving President Barack Obama a Nobel Peace Prize is utter, rollicking balderdash." Yes, 2009. That's the year then-President Barack Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize for doing absolutely nothing but raising the pulse rate of faculty-club poseurs who invent facts in their heads but utterly ignore the body count their false facts create. OK, Obama did something. He ignored Iran's Green Revolution for about 10 critical weeks, give or take. Sometime, I'd like to ask Obama why he did, in front of an honest camera that records everything I ask and everything he replies. 2009 bottom line: Obama dithered; Iranians died; and now victims of Iran's ayatollah regime continue to die. Obama's Nobel Prize was one of the more noxious results of the American left's "long march through the institutions," a phrase encapsulating the route '60s hard-left political radicals (i.e., communists) took to gain control of universities, media, religious organizations, arts and literary associations, and businesses in order to break the chains of "bourgeois" hegemony and bring about "true revolution." A current example of hard-left political radicals: Antifa thugs in Portland are their 21st century embodiment. For that matter, the alleged election corruption connects to the left's corruption of American politics, society, culture and education. Hard-left media radicals work in concert with their cronies. Utter factual example: the silencing of absolutely pertinent facts that say Hunter Biden engaged in likely corrupt activities in Ukraine and in deals with China. CNN's Christiane Amanpour swore these facts were Russian disinformation, her crooked outrage captured on video. Except that post-presidential election, Hunter Biden's suspect action is now acknowledged. Failing to confront Biden's corruption preelection puts a Joe Biden administration in long-term political and criminal peril. Corruption of the presidency puts America in peril and, in my opinion, puts freedom worldwide in peril. Which brings us back to intractable issues. The Palestinian "two-state" issue was supposedly an intractable problem. The Trump administration, an un-Beltway creature, didn't buy the narrative. Trump administration transactional diplomacy led the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco to publicly acknowledge peace with Israel. This was in each nation's individual interest because Iran was a regional and global threat to all. Jordan and Egypt had already made peace deals. The administration didn't create the Middle Eastern political momentum that led these Muslim Arab nations to publicly seek peace with Israel. "Normalized relations" is the diplomatic euphemism, but "get along" is the deep meaning. In comparison, the Obama-Biden administration gave Iran's religious dictators billions of dollars via the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which they spent on murderous wars in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan. JCPOA: The Obama-Biden faculty club administration's ridiculous name for appeasement of Iran's radical religious dictatorship. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Another Alabama Congressman joined the challenge to certifying Joe Bidens election victory today. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, announced he would join the other five Republican House members from Alabama in opposing the formal recognition of Bidens win today. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, Alabamas only Democrat in Congress, said voters spoke loud and clear in electing Biden and Kamala Harris and will vote to certify their victory. Palmer said in a news release this morning the objections was about protecting election integrity. Free, honest, and fair elections are foundational to our republic, and the general publics confidence in them must be restored, Palmer said. I have serious, well-founded concerns about the manner in which several states conducted the 2020 Presidential election. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, announced his plans to join the election challenge Tuesday on Twitter. Wednesday I plan to challenge the electoral votes of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The video below goes into more detail as to why I feel these states' votes should be objected to. pic.twitter.com/odi64JqEBK Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) January 5, 2021 Alabama Republican representatives Mo Brooks, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, and Mike Rogers have previously said they would support the call for a 10-day emergency audit of the election results. Brooks was the first member of Congress to commit to the challenge. Carl released a statement today saying he believed he had a duty to challenge the election results. Since November 3rd, I have had legitimate concerns about the integrity of our elections process because multiple states had significant issues with the way they conducted their elections, Carl said. Several of my colleagues and I have gone to great lengths investigating these issues, and we have been greatly troubled by the answers we have found. Americans deserve the right to participate in free and fair elections, but many voters feel they were robbed of this opportunity. As a member of Congress, I have a duty to challenge fraudulent elections and protect the integrity of future elections. This morning, Palmer also released a statement signed by 60 Republican members of Congress challenging the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging results in those states, but the statement said the justices did not address the merits of the claims. Officials in those states and courts have also rejected claims that fraud or voting irregularities determined the outcomes. Sen. Tommy Tuberville will also contest the election results. That leaves Sen. Richard Shelby as the only Republican member of Congress from Alabama who has not said he will oppose the certification of Bidens win. Sewell said the Republicans challenge was an effort to subvert the will of voters. I will vote against all efforts today to overturn the lawful election of our duly elected President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, Sewell said. President Trump and his Republican allies are working to subvert the will of the people and the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution. The American people deserve leaders who honor their oath of office and put their politics aside for the good of our nation. Congress convenes in a joint session at noon today to officially count the Electoral College votes. The challenge to block certification of Bidens win could only succeed if approved by both the House and Senate, and Democrats control the House. Related: Alabama GOP juggles mixed bag of constituent reaction to Electoral College challenge, Trumps anger Updated at 11:52 a.m. to add statement from Rep. Jerry Carl. Updated at 12:04 a.m. to add statement from Rep. Terri Sewell. Here is a list of stocks in the news today. JMT Auto | LTS Investment Fund sold 25.20 lakh equity shares in the company at Rs 3.4 per share on the NSE. Vikas EcoTech | LTS Investment Fund sold 50 lakh equity shares in the company at Rs 3.8 per share on the NSE. General Insurance Corporation of India | Jayashree Ranade is appointed as Chief Investment Officer and Jayashri Balkrishna as Chief Risk Officer of the company. International Combustion | The company has written down in its books, the entire investment of Rs 50 lakh made in the JV company Mozer Process Technology and also taken necessary measures for the complete closing down of the operations of the JV company. Hero MotoCorp | Life Insurance Corporation of India increased its stake in the company to 9.166 percent from 7.145 percent earlier. Container Corporation of India | The company is exploring the possibility of merger of its subsidiary company/ies - CONCOR AIR, SIDCUL CONCOR Infra Company, and Punjab Logistics Infrastructure with itself. JSW Energy | CARE reaffirmed its ratings on subsidiaries of the company - JSW Power Trading Company at 'A2+', and Jaigad PowerTransco at 'A+/Stable & 'A1+' Tips Industries | Board in-principally agreed to explore demerger of film business of Tips Industries into separate entity. BEML | The company bagged orders for supply of high mobility vehicles from Ministry of Defence, at an approximate value of Rs 758 crore. UTI AMC | Mirae Asset Mutual Fund raised stake in the company to 5.003 percent from 4.984 percent earlier. ACC | The company announced the commissioning of new cement production facility at the company's existing Sindri Grinding Unit in Jharkhand. Dai-Ichi Karkaria | The company received a closure direction from GPCB for PPD Plant at the Dahej factory following the fire incident, but the EO Plant continues to be functional. Asahi India Glass | Promoter Sanjay Labroo released a pledge on 6 lakh equity shares. Ircon International | Subsidiary Ircon Davanagere Haveri Highway has refunded the loan of Rs 326.72 crore to Ircon International. Sacheta Metals | The company has secured sales order of approximately Rs 1.5 crore for supply of aluminium utensils from Republic of Mozambique. Lloyds Metals and Energy | Maharashtra government has conferred the 'Mega Project' status to the proposed expansion project of the company with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore at Ghugus, Chandrapur. Bajaj Finance | RBI imposed Rs 2.5 crore penalty on the company for breach of risk management and outsourcing norms. HDFC Bank | In Q3 company's deposits stood at Rs 12,710 billon, up 19.1 percent, YoY and 3.4 percent, QoQ Yes, no matter what Yes, but it depends on variety No, for medical reasons, uncertainty No, principle Vote View Results UPDATE: AFTER THE GOVERNORS COMMENTS ABOUT NYPD VACCINATIONS, LATE ON WEDNESDAY THE CITY WALKED BACK ITS PLAN TO VACCINATE 25,000 NYPD STAFFERS. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In addition to the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham/Vanderbilt clinic, Staten Island will be getting three other vaccination hubs in the next week. The Beacon Christian Community Health Center, located at 2079 Forest Ave. in Mariners Harbor, will begin taking appointments immediately for those eligible for vaccinations. Appointments can be made by calling 718-815-6560 or on the centers online vaccination form, however, shortly after the site went live the website said it is no longer taking appointments at this time. By Friday, Jan. 15, Port Richmond High School, located at 85 St. Josephs Ave. in Port Richmond, and Staten Island Technical High School, located at 485 Clawson St. in New Dorp, will open as vaccination hubs, the mayor and city Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi announced Wednesday. No additional information about the Port Richmond High School and Staten Island Technical High School sites is currently available. On Tuesday, it was announced the first borough vaccination hub will be the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham/Vanderbilt clinic, located at 165 Vanderbilt Ave. in Clifton. No vaccination hubs have been announced on the South Shore. Assemblyman Michael Reilly, who made the announcement about the Mariners Harbor hub, also provided additional information about the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham/Vanderbilt hub; he said it will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be made here. >> UNDERSTANDING THE PHASES OF VACCINE ROLLOUT << Borough President James Oddo, who had a conversation with the city on Tuesday, said his understanding is the Vanderbilt hub will be for frontline medical staff who are not part of a hospital system and see patients daily, such as dentists, physical therapists and urgent care workers. The city and state are still in Phase 1a of the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) vaccination plan. Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press briefing on Wednesday that the state is now permitting all eligible persons in 1a, including home health care workers, to be vaccinated. De Blasio continues to say he wants to intensively speed up vaccinations and move to Phase 1b and 1c, with a special focus on seniors aged 75 and older, but cannot do so without further state expansion. My central concern is people over 75 -- theyre the most vulnerable in this crisis. We need the freedom and flexibility and that means reaching our seniors in need, de Blasio said. The city has also announced plans for mass vaccination sites in three of the five boroughs -- none yet on Staten Island -- and emphasized on Wednesday that all five boroughs would have a location identified. The mass vaccination sites differ from hubs because they will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be designed to handle the highest possible volume of people. De Blasio said two sites are on Staten Island are currently being considered for mass vaccination sites, Richmond County Bank Park or the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. 25K NYPD MEMBERS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION, MAYOR SAYS De Blasio said the city is now able to vaccinate 25,000 NYPD members due to the states expansion of Phase 1a vaccinations. He said the city is expecting to vaccinate 10,000 NYPD members by Sunday. He also said some Department of Corrections (DOC) workers are now eligible. Gov. Andrew Cuomo clarified during his press briefing that NYPD who have EMS and EMT responsibilities will be prioritized during this phase of vaccinating NYPD members. Patrolmens Benevolent Associations (PBA) President Patrick J. Lynch said in a statement, This is an important step towards clearing away the red tape and protecting both police officers and the New Yorkers we help every single day. This pandemic has only strengthened the bond between cops, EMTs, hospital staff, firefighters and all of the members of our frontline family. When we respond together to emergency scenes or hospital wards, we need to have the same vaccine protection. FOLLOW KRISTIN F. DALTON ON TWITTER. Indias covid-19 vaccination programme, the worlds largest, will be launched by 13 January, signalling an intended speedy start to the rollout as the number of cases shot past 10 million alongside a spike in the new strain of the virus. Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday said that the covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out within 10 days of receiving emergency-use authorization. We are prepared to roll out covid-19 vaccines within 10 days of granting emergency use authorization date, based on dry run feedback. But the government will only decide the exact date of the rollout of the vaccination programme," Bhushan told a press conference. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The drug regulator gave emergency use approval to two vaccines Covishield and Covaxinon 3 January. The health ministry last week conducted a nationwide mock drill of the vaccination programme at 285 sites in a test of end-to-end operations and the mechanism to ensure a smooth process. The government has said it will use the digital platform, Co-WIN, to provide real-time information of vaccine stocks, their storage temperatures and individual tracking of those who get the shot. The rollout plan was laid out before reporters as the tally of cases on Tuesday climbed to 10.36 million and deaths mounted to 151,057. India, the biggest hotspot after the US, reported 16,375 new cases and 201 deaths in last 24 hours. Worryingly, the number of people infected with the virulent new strain first reported in the UK now stands at 71 in India. Bhushan said the vaccine will be transported under refrigerated conditions and digitally tracked during transitfrom the manufacturer to the primary vaccine store, state vaccine store, district vaccine store and the primary health centre. There are four primary vaccine storesat Karnal, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennaifrom where they will be transported in bulk to 37 state stores. All primary, state and district stores will have temperature trackers, and information on temperature will be uploaded in real-time from the store to a central server, Bhushan added. Once the vaccine reaches the district store, beneficiaries will have to register, on the basis of which the district magistrate will allocate shots, Bhushan said. However, there is no need for healthcare and frontline workers to register as their details will be taken from a bulk database that has been loaded on to the vaccine delivery management system. This system will also give beneficiaries permission to create a unique health ID. After both doses, a QR code certificate will also be generated which can be stored on the governments DigiLocker app," he said. In case of any adverse effect, there is a provision for real-time reporting. Other features include text messages in 12 languages, 24x7 helpline and chatbot assistance. As of now, more than 90,000 users have been trained in more than 700 districts. Meanwhile, Dr Balram Bhargava, director general at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on Tuesday said safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data are required for approval of a vaccine only in a non-emergency situation. It is in our legal provision: in a pandemic situation, restricted use is considered based on safety and immunogenicity data. While phase 3 is still on, immunogenicity data generated through phase 2 clinical trial, serves as a surrogate for efficacy," said Bhargava. The clinical trial rule, 2019, of the Clinical Trial Registry (CTR) provides for considering phase 2 results to guide approval. The subject expert committee guides the Drug Controller General of India in the process of decision making for restricted use under an emergency situation," he said. The ICMR, which Bhargava heads, is a co-developer of Covaxin along with Bharat Biotech International Ltd. The regulator has been criticized for approving Covaxin for emergency use in spite of incomplete phase 3 data. Bhargava said Serum Institutes Covishield is safe and immunogenic and data shows it is not inferior to AstraZenecas version. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form January 05, 2021 Many new trends are paving the pathway to the new normal while the world economy attempts to adjust to the Coronavirus upheaval. And in this process of recovery, the private jet industry is not far behind. The industry is rapidly adapting to the demands of these difficult times. Let's see how the industry has changed while battling the impact of COVID-19. 1. New fliers Post COVID-19 pandemic, the private aviation industry is already on a path to recovery. Industry experts believe that new fliers are expected to get on board the private jets, since there are far more compelling reasons for flying privately than ever before. In fact, McKinsey had indicated that only 10% of the people who could actually afford private jets were choosing it as a mode of travel just before the pandemic. With commercial flights availability being hit adversely in the Coronavirus times, new fliers are turning to private jets to meet their travel requirements. 2. Biosecurity and sanitization Hygiene and safety have become the prime focus of every industry since the pandemic. The private aviation industry has also quickly adapted to the demands of the new normal. Private jet companies have evolved highly focused biosecurity protocols for dealing with the challenge. The new safety procedures include frequent COVID tests for the crew, sanitization of the aircraft interiors, and intensive cleaning protocols, to name a few. It is evident that customers prefer private jets over commercial aircrafts considering the advantage of fewer contacts and chances of contamination. 3. Last-minute bookings and availability The private aviation industry was associated with flexibility and ease of flight bookings. People considered booking their charter flights closer to their travel dates and got reservations comfortably. But the industry is witnessing a remarkable shift in terms of customer behavior in relation to last minute reservations. Since the pandemic, the demand for private jets is burgeoning. The traffic suggests that the availability of private flights may be affected and that's why customers seem to be more inclined towards making advance bookings for their dates. 4. Discounted offerings As soon as international and local travel restrictions were imposed in view of the rising number of Coronavirus cases worldwide, the whole travel industry experienced a nose dive. Needless to say, the private jet industry was brutally affected too and suffered heavy losses in the summer of 2020. In order to recoup from the setback and attract more fliers on board, the private jet companies are offering lower prices and enticing offers. Jet card members are being offered significant deals and rewards for their flight hours. While new fliers are actively giving more business to the private jet companies, the existing customers are also busy hoarding flight hours on their jet cards. 5. Business travelers The pandemic still shows no definite signs of settling down, but businesses are already targeting to regain their operations. In fact, most businesses appear to be resuming operations and actively seeking business travel options. There are many businesses that are including more employees in the list of qualifying members for private air travel for business meetings. As such there is a huge surge in the number of business travelers on private jet flights. 6. Customer experience focus Although the private jet companies have managed to acquire new customers during the Coronavirus pandemic, only time can tell how many of the new fliers will remain loyal to the industry when the COVID impact wears out. It's only likely that the private aviation companies are trying their best to win loyal customers by offering the best in class travel experience. The Delhi high court on Wednesday sought the response of the Delhi government and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) on a plea challenging the extension of tenure granted to IHBAS director NG Desai after he attained the age of 65 years. A bench of chief justice DN Patel and justice Jyoti Singh issued a notice to the Delhi government and IHBAS, seeking their stand on the petition by a former employee of the institute. It is unfortunate that individual or small vested interest gets masqueraded as public interest which is evident from the petitioners allegations. With full respect to the judicial process and the integrity of the administrative system, I would not like to say much except the fact that the claims in the plea are distorted and conveniently interpreted. All respondents, Including myself will clearly reply to the court as sought, Nimesh G Desai, Director, IHBAS said. The petitioner, Tej Bahadur Singh, has said the present director of the institute was appointed to the post in 2016 for five years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever came first. According to Singh, Desai turned 65 in October 2020 and, thus, he cannot continue as director without the lieutenant governor approving the extension of tenure. Singh claimed that when he had attained the age of 62 in 2012, and had sought an extension from IHBAS, he was told that no person can be permitted to remain in service beyond the superannuation age as fixed under the rules. Therefore, a different yardstick cannot be applied in case of the present director, he contended. The plea has sought the quashing of all decisions, including the appointment of joint director (administration), taken by Desai after he turned 65. The plea also sought an interim direction prohibiting Desai from taking any administrative decisions during pendency of the petition. However, the bench refused to pass any such order. It has further sought directions to the Delhi government to hand over post of director of IHBAS to the head of a government hospital till a new director is appointed. Appearing for IHBAS, advocate Tushar Sannu told the court that the petitioner was a former employee and, therefore, had a personal interest in the matter. The matter would be now heard on January 29. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Denton, TX (76205) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. La Mesa de Concertacion de Lucha contra la Pobreza nos ha ayudado en este proceso gradual y lento en el que llegamos al Bicentenario de la Independencia, con una serie de tareas pendientes de 200 anos, resalto el presidente Francisco Sagasti. pic.twitter.com/KBpVNMZy0t If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The country's outstanding debt hit 10.13 trillion as of end-November as the government borrows more to fund its coronavirus response. On Wednesday, the Treasury bureau reported the latest figure is 106 billion more from that in October. The November debt stock surged by 31.4 percent compared to the same period in 2019, wherein the country incurred over 7.7 trillion in outstanding loans. Higher domestic borrowing mainly drove the increase as loans to local sources reached 7.2 trillion with the net issuance of domestic government securities. Net Treasury bills reached 465.3 billion, Treasury Bonds at 631.7 billion and Retail Treasury Bonds at 738.5 billion. This includes the 540-billion short-term credit from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to augment funds for pandemic spending. In an online forum on Wednesday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno announced another 540-billion loan to the government to beef up the war chest against the contagious virus. Meanwhile, external debt, which made up the remaining 29 percent of debt stock, went down by 8.19 billion in November compared to October. The peso's stronger performance offset net loan availments from sources abroad worth 2.55 billion, with currency adjustments logging a net effect of 10.74 billion. External financing posted a 583.6 inflow within the period, with availments for project loans reaching 32.9 billion. Program loans, meanwhile, totaled 364.6 billion and offshore bond issuances hit 186.06 billion. Still, the government's payment guarantees went down by 5.02 billion as of November, the latest total at 442.8 billion. "The drop in the level of guarantees was due to the net repayment on both domestic and external guarantees amounting to 4.26 billion," said the bureau, adding the peso's appreciation versus the US dollar slashed its value of external guarantees by 1.4 billion. The government turned to borrowing as it struggles with revenues from taxes and duties, which suffered from the lockdowns. Data from the Budget Department earlier showed national debt would hit 10.16 trillion by the end of 2020. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. OTTAWA Manitoba NDP MP Niki Ashton travelled to Greece this summer, in addition to the Christmastime trip that caused the party to strip her of official critic roles. OTTAWA Manitoba NDP MP Niki Ashton travelled to Greece this summer, in addition to the Christmastime trip that caused the party to strip her of official critic roles. "In the summer, I went to Greece to be with my grandmother, my giagia, who had gone through a second life-and-death surgery," Ashton wrote in a Wednesday statement from Greece. Canadian officials have urged citizens to not leave the country since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March. Ashton lost her roles last week as NDP critic for transport and public ownership and as deputy critic for gender issues after travelling to Greece in December without informing party leadership. This week, the federal NDP said it was not aware of any of its three Manitoba MPs leaving the province in any other instance, other than trips to Ottawa for parliamentary sittings. However, NDP whip Rachel Blaney said in a Wednesday statement that Ashton had sought approval for a previous trip to Greece in the summer. "With the urgent situation with her grandmother and the low numbers of COVID-19, this travel was approved," Blaney wrote. Ashton stressed she followed the 14-day federal quarantine rule when she returned home this summer, and she will do the same when she returns from Greece this time. The MP for ChurchillKeewatinook Aski said she also visited Winnipeg to see a separate ailing relative during the time Manitoba banned non-essential travel to the northern part of the province. That travel ban started in April, but allowed people living in the North to return home. Ashton said she visited her other grandmother, the mother of former Manitoba MLA Steve Ashton, at Victoria General Hospital in June. Her grandmother was then transferred Misericordia Place personal care home, where she died shortly after. "I was the only direct family member that could be her caregiver because I was the only one in Manitoba," Ashton wrote. "Nobody else could be there for my nana because of COVID restrictions." dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Protesters supporting outgoing US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, virtually locking it down, as Vice President Mike Pence rejected the Presidents demand to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden, with reports confirming that one person was shot and wounded inside the building. US lawmakers were asked to shelter in place and made to wear gas masks for use in case law enforcement officials used tear gas to clear the protesters. Police later responded with drawn guns and tear gas in a bid to evacuate the House of Representatives and the Senate after pro-Trump protesters marched through the halls of congress. The protestors reached the congress building in Capitol Hill from a rally nearby, where they had heard Trump rail against his election defeat and air false, baseless allegations of election fraud that have been rejected by more than 60 courts, including three times by the US Supreme Court. The entire US congress complex was put in lockdown and Washington DC officials declared curfew to disperse the protesters, but it had no immediate impact on the crowds still swirling in and around the building. Trump called for peace but after the supporters had stormed the building, in a potentially dangerous situations for lawmakers inside. While Pence, who presided over the joint session of congress, had been escorted from the senate, visuals showed protesters sitting in his chair. The incoming vice-president Kamala Harris was also reportedly in the building. Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful, Trump tweeted, but said no more, despite calls from allies and former aides to issue a specific call for the protesters to stand down. Some protesters were armed, according to reports that also indicated armed standoffs between them and law enforcement personnel. A few of them had reached the well of the US senate in a major breach of security. The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on a petition questioning respective state legislations that outlaw and punish religious conversion by marriage, deceit, coercion or enticement. The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde issued the notices, but refused to stay the two laws despite arguments by petitioners that the law was being misused to harass individuals who married outside their faith. The court was hearing two petitions, one by a group of lawyers, and another by social activist Teesta Setalvads NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace. Also Read: SC to hear pleas against farm laws, issues related to farmers protest on January 11 The persons who filed the first PIL are advocates Vishal Thakre and Abhay Singh Yadav and law researcher Pranvesh, based in Prayagraj. The petition said, The Ordinance passed by the State of Uttar Pradesh and law passed by Uttarakhand are against the public policy and society at large and violates basic structure of the Constitution. It pointed out that a similar law is being contemplated Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and Assam. The Uttar Pradesh ordinance titled Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 outlaws religious conversions by marriage, coercion, deceit or enticement. It was promulgated on November 24. The law prescribes a jail term varying between one and five years, in addition to fines of up to Rs15,000 for those convicted under the law. The jail term goes up to 10 years and fine up to Rs25,000 for conversions of women belonging to scheduled caste or scheduled tribe communities or who are minors. The law was promulgated about a month after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath vowed to end love jihad, a term used by right-wing activists to describe marital relationships between Muslim men and Hindu women. This ordinance can become a potent tool in the hands of bad elements of the society to... falsely implicate anyone...there are probabilities to falsely implicate persons who are not involved in any such acts and it will be a grave injustice if this ordinance is passed, said the petition. Senior advocate CU Singh who appeared for Setalvads NGO sought a stay on the UP ordinance. Rampaging mobs are moving around lifting people from marriage ceremonies. This law requires prior reporting of marriages and burden of proof is on individual to show that he has not converted for marriage. These provisions are obnoxious particularly when the Supreme Court in 2018 held that state cannot interfere with individuals right to marry as held in Shafin Jahan case. The Uttarakhand law, called Freedom of Religion Act, was passed in 2018. The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, said, Can a law be stayed if prosecution is oppressive or false. This is the problem when you come directly to Supreme Court. While initially taking up the case, the bench was of view that the matter should go to the high court. A similar challenge is pending before the Allahabad and Uttarakhand high courts. But Singh told the Supreme Court that it was not just a matter concerning these states as a similar law had also been passed by Himachal Pradesh in 2019. Voters in Georgia, United States, are voting for two-high stakes runoff races to the US Senate that are crucial for president-elect Joe Biden and the Democratic party. Over 4 million voters are likely to cast their ballots in this high stakes election. As all eyes are on Georgia, the results for the elections are likely to come on Wednesday evening, India time. The results will determine the balance of power in the Senate, and could end up deciding the fate of a lot of Bidens legislative agenda. The election is being held only a few days after outgoing President Donald Trump made a phone call to the secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. During the phone call, Trump asked Raffensperger to find votes. Trump's actions were harshly criticised, with Democrats and political experts calling for Trump being impeached again so that he cannot run in any election in the future. Meanwhile, the president went on the campaign trail on Monday, a day ahead of the elections to show support for two Republican Senate candidates. Reuters reported that Trump warned of dire consequences if Democrats won the two contested seats and gained the majority in the US Senate. He told supporters "watch what happens" as he claimed victory. While Trump has repeatedly claimed that voting was rigged in Georgia, Raffensperger has publicly called Trumps statements to be untrue. According to Al Jazeera, pre-poll surveys have shown the both the races are too close to call. Why are these runoff elections being held? In the US, run off elections are held when neither candidate is able to get 50 per cent of the votes. Which is what happened when Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue failed to get a majority during the US Presidential Elections in November. While Loeffler is pitted against Raphael Warnock, Perdue is running against Jon Ossoff. A runoff is held between the top between the top two candidates with the most votes. Why is this particular election crucial? Biden winning the state, which usually leans towards Republicans, has given hopes for the Democratic candidates. If the Democrats manage to win both runoff elections, it will him and Kamala Harris more control over the US Senate. There will be a 50-50 division of the Senate between Democrats and Republicans with Harris serving as the tie-breaker for Democrats which means she can break a tie of votes favouring particular legislations. The Senate majority is crucial for Joe Bidens government, which could otherwise see its key appointments, policy decisions and attempts to fulfil campaign promises hobbled by Republicans. The current Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, takes pride in calling himself the Grim Reaper, and had strangled several pieces of legislation pushed by the Barack Obama administration. In late 2020 the Philippines ordered 28 VBTP-MR Guarani 6x6 wheeled APCs (armored personnel carriers) from Brazil. These cost $47 million. The supplier is actually Israel, which is obtaining them from Brazil and equipping them with Israeli electronics. These include a battle management system that is compatible with the one installed in 28 Israeli light tanks that are part of the same contract. The Israeli manufacturer of the electronics, Elbit, also supplies the electronics for the Brazilian VBTP-MR APC via an Elbit subsidiary in Brazil. Exporting high-tech weapons has become common in Brazil during the last two decades. Brazil already had the industrial infrastructure and knew how to partner with more experienced arms manufacturing nations, like Israel and European nations, to obtain the needed tech to produce the most modern gear. Brazil is the second largest nation in the Americas, after the United States and also the second in GDP with the second largest weapons manufacturing industry. Brazilian defense manufacturers exist because Brazil also has the second largest military in the Americas and that gave local firms an advantage over foreign suppliers. The Brazilian defense firms pay attention to what Brazilian forces need and often find a way to do it that is competitive with foreign suppliers and actually capable of competing with major arms exporters. That means few political restrictions on who they sell to as long as it brings more good jobs to Brazil. This process began in the 1980s and has grown to the point where Brazil has become a major manufacturer in some categories like armed trainer aircraft and, lately, wheeled armored vehicles. Two of the more recent vehicle designs, the LMV and VBTP-MR Guarani are good examples of how Brazil has come so far so fast in this area. These two vehicles were made with technology licensed from Iveco, a major Italian manufacturer. European defense firms have been doing this longer and successfully against the two majors; the United States and Russia, which together dominate the top end and bottom end of the export market. The European firms have competitive (to the U.S.) tech and are more willing to make all sorts of deals. Besides, in Brazil its considered more fashionable, and patriotic, to do business with the Europeans rather than the Colossus of the North. Brazil can export these vehicles because, although they use licensed tech, they are manufactured in Brazil and the licensing agreements European firms offer are much more flexible than what U.S. companies will tolerate. After 2000 Brazil found Iveco had the combat vehicle technology they were looking for and was willing to build in Brazil and allow Brazil to export the locally made vehicles. This was big business for Iveco, with two vehicles alone generating nearly $20 billion in business. The first deal with Iveco involved a replacement for older Brazilian armored vehicles. These were the EE-9 Cascavel and EE-11 Urutu, both wheeled APCs developed in the 1970s. The Iveco candidate to replace the EE-9 was a 17-ton 6x6 version of their 32-ton 8x8 SuperAV. The SuperAV was also one of the two finalists to replace the U.S. Marine Corps AAV7 amphibious vehicle. Brazil required a smaller vehicle and developed the 6x6 VBTP-MR Guarani. The first of these began arriving in 2012 and the Brazilian military in the process of buying about 2,000 of them by the 2030s. There are already export customers, the first two being Argentina and Lebanon. The 17-ton VBTP-MR is similar to the latest version of the American Stryker. The VBTP-MR has a V shaped hull and lots of composite armor and internal features to protect vehicle and passengers against mines and roadside bombs. The vehicle is also amphibious and can use a variety of turret mounted weapons including a RWS (Remote Weapons System) armed with autocannon, automatic grenade launcher or missiles. There are turretless versions for ambulances and other support roles as well as models armed with 120mm mortar or 105mm cannon. The most common version is the APC with a crew of two, nine passengers and an RWS with 30mm autocannon plus a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine-gun. The Filipino version will be armed with a 12.7mm machine-gun and 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Top speed is 110 kilometers an hour and road range on internal fuel is 600 kilometers. With the VBTP-MR already underway Brazil began looking for something similar to the American armored hummer (and similar vehicles) for its army. After holding a competition in 2016 the Italian LMV (Light Multipurpose Vehicles) M65 "Lynx" was selected. This would replace the EE-11 and several other light armored vehicles. Brazil eventually wants 1,674 LMVs but the initial order is for 186 so the vehicle can be tried out by troops in the many different climates and terrain types found in Brazil. Ultimately 23 percent of the LMVs will be armed with an Israeli RWS while the rest will have an armored manned turret equipped with a machine-gun. TEHRAN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran has started obtaining 20-percent enriched uranium, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced on Tuesday. The developments followed injecting uranium gas in Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant on Monday as part of Iran's Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions which was approved by the parliament in December 2020, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the AEOI was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. "Obtaining 20-percent enrichment (uranium) is underway in two cascades" in Fordow, Kamalvandi said, adding that the process of production "took more than 24 hours, but with new technologies this time has now been reduced to 12 hours." These measures, he noted, were taken after informing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and submitting a technical questionnaire to it, as established by Iran's safeguard commitments. Kamalvandi also said this action was taken in order to protect the rights of the Iranian people. "We have the ability to enrich uranium above 20 percent (purity) easily and we are considering it," he pointed out. Besides, the head of the AEOI, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Tuesday that Iran will produce up to nine kg of enriched uranium with the purity of 20 percent per month. "At present, we produce 17 to 20 grams of 20-percent (enriched) uranium every hour. We have a production capacity of eight to nine kg per month to reach the 120 kg limit provided by law," Salehi said, according to IRNA. "Extensive activities are underway in the AEOI, including the construction of two nuclear power plants in Bushehr (in south of Iran). These are the two largest industrial projects in the country with a cost of about 10 billion U.S. dollars," Salehi was quoted as saying. "Besides, until four years ago we produced an average of four to five tonnes of yellow cake (annually) ... and this year it will be increased to 35 to 40 tonnes," he noted. "Currently, two cascades of IR2M centrifuges, about 320 centrifuges, are operating, and according to the law, we have to install 1,000 more IR2M centrifuges within the next two or three months," Salehi added. In the meantime, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran's decision to restart enriching uranium to a purity level of 20 percent could be rolled back if all parties to the JCPOA honor the nuclear deal in full. "We resumed 20 percent enrichment, as legislated by our parliament. IAEA has been duly notified," Zarif tweeted. "Our remedial action conforms fully with Para 36 of JCPOA, after years of non-compliance by several other JCPOA participants," he said. "Our measures are fully reversible upon full compliance by all," he added. Iran and the the P5+1 group, namely Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany, signed the landmark JCPOA in 2015 which was aimed at restricting Iran's nuclear program in return for the ease of Western and international sanctions against the country. But Donald Trump, incumbent president of the United States, pulled Washington out of the deal in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran has gradually dropped some of its JCPOA commitments since May 2019. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Anne Barbour of Metcalf School in Exeter, RI and Paul Tarasevich of Martin Middle School in East Providence, RI to its 2021 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar teachers from around the country. Barbour and Tarasevich are among 44 teachers from 26 states and Washington, DC chosen for this honor that recognizes educators who exhibit best-in-class use of i-Ready and/or Ready, illustrate growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrate innovation and engagement practices for students, are evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and have been teaching for at least two years. "It goes without saying that this has been an unprecedented school year that has challenged educators, students, and families alike," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "However, this group of Extraordinary Educatorslike so many other educators across the countryhas more than risen to the occasion. We are proud to recognize Anne and Paul for their hard work, dedication, and innovative best practices that continue to positively impact the students they serve." This year's Extraordinary Educators, who were chosen from among hundreds of nominations, will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as receive unique professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit, as well as other professional learning events throughout the year. "Being part of the i-Ready family, as a member of the Extraordinary Educators Class of 2021, has been one the greatest highlights of an extremely challenging year!" said Barbour. "Being able to 'see' into other educators' classrooms via social media has encouraged me to share engaging, creative, and valuable experiences with my students as we travel on their learning paths together. The shared passion for letting data drive instruction and celebrating student growth guarantees that this group has become a new professional learning community that I am so proud to be a part of!" "I'm excited to be named an Extraordinary Educator because I want to learn from fellow educators and share successes that I've had in my classroom," said Tarasevich. "Teaching is a reflective practice in which we are constantly looking for ways to improve student outcomes. I'm eager to open up and share the accomplishments we have had at Martin Middle School over the past few years, as well as learn, network, and share with educators around the country." Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in almost half of Rhode Island's school districts. To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2021 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/2021-Class. About Curriculum Associates Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. Contact: Kati Elliott KEH Communications (410) 975-9638 [email protected] Charlotte Fixler Curriculum Associates (978) 901-6066 [email protected] SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC Related Links www.curriculumassociates.com More than two-thirds of the 15 million Covid-19 vaccines shipped within the US have gone unused, health officials said even as New York detected the first case of a new strain of coronavirus that was first found in the UK. New York hospitals must administer vaccines within a week of receiving them or face a fine and a reduction in future supplies, governor Andrew Cuomo said. I dont want the vaccine in a fridge or a freezer, I want it in somebodys arm. Cuomo announced that the more contagious mutant of the virus had been confirmed in a man in his 60s living in a town north of Albany. One case each had already been detected in Florida, California and Colorado, all in patients without recent travel history. Iran on Tuesday confirmed its first case of the new UK variant. As the virus continues to rage, Germany is set to extend its nationwide lockdown until the end of the month and introduce tougher restrictions. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of jointly producing vaccines in a phone call, the Kremlin said. After an outcry, France is promising an exponential acceleration of vaccinations. In a rare critique of Beijing, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom said on Tuesday he is disappointed that Chinese officials havent finalised permissions for the arrival of team of experts into China to examine origins of Covid-19. He said members of the international scientific team have begun over the last 24 hours to leave from their home countries to China as part of an arrangement. Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for their arrival, he added. Rodeo is a sport that involves a sequence of roping and riding contests. These contests were acquired from the operational ability of the American cowboy that started during the late 19th century. The main aim of Rodeo was to offer support to the free-range cattle sector in Northern America. While Rodeo's evolution as a sport happened in northern Mexico, western Canada, and the US, it is a globally recognized sport today. Many people watch Rodeo across the globe physically. However, you can still watch it online, as we shall see below. Understanding the American Rodeo The American Rodeo is an event that takes place at the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas every year. The event is dubbed "the world's richest one-day rodeo." The next American Rodeo will take place between the 6th and 7th of March 2021 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. You do not have to be physically present to watch The American Rodeo. Watch the American Rodeo Semi-Finals Online The 2021 American Rodeo semi-finals live stream will be aired between February 24th and March 1st, 2021. Purchase your tickets and reserve your spot in advance. In between these dates, you get a chance to watch the ultimate Rodeo athletes as they get one last chance to compete and qualify for RFD-TV's The American. Watch the 2021 Junior American Rodeo Live Online Rodeo athletes aged 19 years and below who believe they are skilled can showcase their talent. Two top athletes from the Junior American Rodeo team will proceed to the semi-finals competition. Here, they will be battling for a chance to try their luck in winning The American's million-dollar bonus. Watch the RFD-TV's 2021 The American Rodeo Online Live Stream As you would watch your favorite video games on your smartphone, you can also watch The American Rodeo from a mobile device. With the current technological advancements, you can easily access The American Rodeo on various devices like Mac, iPad, or Pc. A mobile device allows you to watch The American Rodeo from the comfort of your home or on the go. However, you will need to pay a small fee to access the event. Currently, there are different online options you can use to watch The American Rodeo, as we shall see below. YouTube TV YouTube is fast becoming your go-to resource for a vast range of information. YouTubeTV has numerous channels to offer, like ABC, ESPN, NBC, and CBS. Now that The American Rodeo will be showing on ESPN, you can access the channel's online live stream via YouTubeTV. You can access nearly everything on YouTube. To enjoy unlimited access on YouTubeTV, you will need a monthly subscription bundle. Remember, you can customize your page according to your preferences. YouTubeTV is compatible with a wide range of devices. Again, you get a free seven-day trial. Watch Online Live Stream Through a VPN Many viewers outside the USA cannot access the 2021 American Rodeo event through the official channel. However, you can solve this problem, and Redditors recommend using a VPN. A virtual private network allows you to navigate through restricted websites. A VPN conceals your location, allowing you to bypass restrictions on various websites and channels. To enjoy reliable services, you should purchase a legal VPN service plan. How to Watch The American Rodeo 2021 Online Live through an App There are numerous applications you can use to watch the 2021 American Rodeo online. Some of these apps are Android TV, Roku TV, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, or Amazon Fire TV. All you need in this case is to download the app, sign up, and then search for your desired online TV channel. Watch the Live on Social Media Today, more people are streaming their favorite shows through social media. The live stream option is now available on different social media platforms. For example, you can watch the 2021 American Rodeo through Reddit or Facebook live stream. If you want comprehensive information about the event, then you can find it on Twitter. Other social media platforms you can use include YouTube and Instagram. Social media is engaging, and watching the sport with your friends online makes it more fun. Finally The 2021 American Rodeo is expected to be the best event of the year, especially with its growing popularity. Some famous stars will be participating, and this will be exciting to watch. Are you a fan who lives outside the USA and would like to watch The 2021 American Rodeo? If you are, choose one of the online methods we have discussed here to enjoy the event. TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cascade Power Project, which OPTrust played a leading role in developing and financing, has won Project Finance International's Canadian Power Deal of the Year award for 2020. The $1.5-billion Cascade Power Project is a 900-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas-fired power generation facility under construction near Edson, Alberta that will play a role in transitioning the province away from coal-fired power. OPTrust is a proud partner of the project alongside Axium Infrastructure Inc., DIF Capital Partners, Kineticor Resource Corp., and the Indigenous Communities Syndicate LP (ICS), a consortium owned by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, O'Chiese First Nation, Paul First Nation and Whitefish Lake First Nation. ICS will participate with an equity stake in the project and, in its first commitment since launching, the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation has provided a $93-million loan guarantee in the transaction. "The participation of six First Nations in the Cascade Power Project is a prime example of what is possible when investors, the government and local communities work together," said Gavin Ingram, OPTrust's Global Head of Infrastructure. "The project's development included meaningful local engagement with the aim of building long-term relationships, which will play a key role in its success and ultimately benefit OPTrust members and retirees, our First Nations partners, and the environment alike." Of note, the Cascade Power Project will help lead the transition to a lower carbon-intensive power grid in Alberta and is expected to result in the largest emissions reduction opportunity in Canada's electricity sector. The Canadian Power Deal of the Year award recognized the Cascade Power Project's innovative long-term contracting strategy and First Nations partnership. "Innovation is not just what we invest in, but it is also how we invest," noted James Davis, Chief Investment Officer at OPTrust. "As a long-term investor that is sensitive to climate-change risk, we keep both innovation and sustainability top of mind as we work to deliver on our mission to pay pensions today and preserve pensions for tomorrow." The Cascade Power Project achieved financial close in August 2020. During the peak of construction, it will create approximately 600 jobs and the facility is expected to start operations in 2023. Further details of the award can be found here. ABOUT OPTRUST With net assets of almost $22 billion, OPTrust invests and manages one of Canada's largest pension funds and administers the OPSEU Pension Plan (including OPTrust Select), a defined benefit plan with over 96,000 members. OPTrust is a global investor in a broad range of asset classes including Canadian and foreign equities, fixed income, real estate, infrastructure and private markets, and has a team of highly experienced investment professionals located in Toronto, London and Sydney. MEDIA CONTACT: Claire Prashaw, OPTrust, Director, Public Affairs, 1- 416-681-3617, cprashaw@optrust.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395075/OPTrust_Cascade_Power_Project_Wins_Canadian_Power_Deal_of_the_Ye.jpg A new face who will represent Schuylkill County appeared Tuesday in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. State Rep. Timothy Twardzik, R-123, Butler Twp. (Schuylkill County), was sworn in as a freshman legislator in a noonday ceremony at the State Capitol. Twardzik won in the Nov. 3 general election, during which county Republicans flipped the 123rd, a longtime Democratic bastion. Twardzik defeated Peter J. Symons. Both men were running to succeed Neal P. Goodman, who retired at the end of 2020. I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of individuals in the House Republican Caucus, who are all ready to get to work, Twardzik said. This session, we have every opportunity to help our small business owners who have seen the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and work to create jobs throughout our Commonwealth. I am honored to have been given this opportunity to serve my community in the General Assembly. Twardzik is a graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School and the University of Notre Dame. He is the retired executive vice president and co-owner of Ateeco Inc. in Shenandoah, the marketer of Mrs. Ts, the worlds largest selling brand of frozen pierogies. He helped grow the business founded by his father, Ted, into the communitys leading employer. The 123rd Legislative District consists of part of Schuylkill County, including the city of Pottsville and the townships of Blythe, Branch, Butler, Cass, Delano, East Norwegian, Foster, Mahanoy, New Castle, Reilly, Ryan and West Mahanoy, along with the boroughs of Ashland (Schuylkill County portion), Frackville, Gilberton, Girardville, Gordon, Mahanoy City, Mechanicsville, Middleport, Minersville, Mount Carbon, New Philadelphia, Palo Alto, Port Carbon, Shenandoah and St. Clair. Also sworn in were Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, of Butler Twp., who defeated Democrat Todd Eachus in November, and Gerald Mullery, D-119, Newport Twp., who defeated Republican John Chura. Incumbent state Sens. John Yudichak, I-14, Swoyersville, and David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Twp., were also sworn in Tuesday. Rep. Jerry Knowles, who represents portions of Schuylkill, Carbon and Berks counties, was sworn into his seventh term as the state representative of the 124th Legislative District. Knowles defeated Democrat Taylor Picone in November. Knowles added his priorities for the coming 2021-22 session will be to get the economy back to running at peak efficiency, election reform and property tax elimination. Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122, Lower Towamensing Twp., took the oath of office to begin his sixth term as the Carbon County representative. Heffley was unopposed in his re-election bid. Heffley announced that he has been reappointed to serve a second term on the House Appropriations Committee, which plays a key role in developing the state budget. The swearing-in ceremony marked the official start of the 2021-22 Legislative Session. Republicans currently hold the majority with 113 seats, which includes the vacancy created by the untimely death of Rep. Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland/Somerset, on Saturday. Fourteen new Republican House members were sworn in Tuesday. Members also re-elected Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, as Speaker of the House. To limit the number of persons in the House chamber, the oath of office was administered four times to four separate groups of members to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Members and guests were also required to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Dr. Minter-Jordan is president and CEO of DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement and Catalyst Institute, a nonprofit organization working to improve overall health of individuals, families and communities through better oral health. She also co-founded the Community Care Collaborative, the nation's largest Medicaid Accountable Care Organization comprised of 19 Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Massachusetts serving over 100,000 patients. "My passion lies with community health and the key role it plays in the American health system, which is also at the heart of Blue Shield of California's nonprofit mission," Dr. Minter-Jordan said. "I'm honored to join Blue Shield's board of directors and help transform our healthcare system into one that delivers high-quality care that's sustainably affordable for everyone." Her appointment follows last fall's election of Kristina (Kris) Leslie as the first woman to chair the health plan's board. Blue Shield's board of directors is now comprised of seven women and six men. "It's an exciting time to join an innovative company like Blue Shield of California," Leslie said. "Dr. Minter-Jordan's expertise and knowledge will help us greatly, and we all look forward to working with her to transform health care in California and beyond." Prior to joining DentaQuest in 2019, Dr. Minter-Jordan spent 12 years at Dimock Community Health Center, including serving as president and CEO. Dimock is the second-largest health system in the Boston area. She graduated from Brown University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business, where she also worked as an attending physician and instructor of medicine. Blue Shield of California is a leader in diversity and gender equity, with four of the five standing board committees now being led by women. The health plan also achieved pay equity for its employees across gender and ethnicity in 2018, has a balanced representation of women and men in leadership roles (Director and above), and it was recently selected as one of America's Best Companies for Women to Advance by Parity.org. About Blue Shield of California Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with over 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $20 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. CONTACT: Mark Seelig Blue Shield of California 510-607-2359 [email protected] SOURCE Blue Shield of California Related Links www.bcbs.com Entrepreneur and philanthropist Shashi Soni, who is an inspiration to many young working women in India, recently interacted with NewsX as part of its special series NewsX India A-List. As part of the conversation, Shashi Soni not only reflected upon her journey so far but also shared some valuable lessons. On her journey so far, Ms Shashi said, I was just a housewife and never thought that I would be able to achieve such a big goal. I thought it is not possible for me. But, my inner voice said that no, I have to work. My brother had a garage so I then thought maybe I can do something in the garage. I started going there, working with the mechanics and giving them spare parts. In the evening, I would make tea for the mechanics. They were very happy working with me and I was very happy working with them. I started like that. Then, I ventured into transport business. That was very good for me and supporting. I had one vehicle, I put money in that and asked my brother what more she can do. To which, he said that we can take it forward as we have petrol pump and a garage. After I started that business, I had 20 vehicles with me in a span of 6-7 months. Post which, I again pondered what we can do more. The garage of our land was very big. So, I approached the government and they said that this is a green belt and we can only make it a public utility place. We can either make it a hall or cinema theatre. I said I would make a cinema theatre. Then, we thought since the children are growing up, what else we can do since theatre line is not good for the children. We thought of putting up a factory and my husband suggested that we can put up an Oxygen plant because they is no problem of raw material in that. I was in Bangalore for that with my son for that for his sons education. After he went to his engineering college, I took up the challenge and said I would go the offices, pick one person from roadside or from tea stall and ask if they would help me. I started going to industry departments, financial institutions and meeting them. I used to take feedback from them as to what more we can do. It took almost one year to get the clearance. Everybody knew that there is a lady called Shashi Soni and it is her project. We were successful in that but after facing some big hurdles. After my elder son cleared his engineering, he expressed his interest in electronics. Metro people approached us for a project. We took up that and that project involved manufacturing of colour monitors. Moving forward, we ventured into IT business. Also Read: It is important now that people think good mental health is actually a lifestyle statement: Diya Ganguly Mallick, Co-Founder, Psychonnect Speaking about venturing into defense production sector, she shared, When I came to goa to see the factory site, the building was in such a shape that nobody will accept that we can have any kind of unit there, let alone defence. I told my son that give this project to me, I will do this. When he said that it is not so easy, we want this company to be known globally. Now, we are the number one in India to get the license. I took up the challenge, started collecting the contractors in the new environment. The word Atmanirbhar is easy but becoming one is not easy because the rules and regulations of the government arent that relaxed. When asked about opting for philanthropy along with business, Ms Shashi expressed, Once I went to my husbands factory in Mysore, he told me that people are on strike. When I asked how did it happen, he said that he will take the legal route but I warned him against it. Upon reaching Mysore, I saw that people will standing outside. I went and comforted them, spoke to them and they said that now that you have come, everything is all right. They put their faith on me. I told my husband that sometimes you have to sit across the table. You should try to know why they are doing all this. If we fulfill their requirements and their necessities, they will not do this. I am working for the people since 45 years, nobody has ever said no to work. On a parting note, Ms Shashi shared one valuable advise for all young women entrepreneurs and said, Think about the challenge. If a challenge is in front of you, you have to achieve it. If there is no goal, then you wouldnt be able to think anything. If you want to take this path, dont think that things will be very easy. You will not be depressed, or think of quitting. You have to do it. I feel so happy to see a woman or a young girl working. I always appreciate it. Also Read: Wishes & Blessings is a platform connecting people who need help with those who can help: Dr Geetanjali Chopra Advertisement Trump supporters and members of the Proud Boys clashed with police in the nation's capital on Tuesday night, one day before Congress is expected to certify President-elect Joe Biden's election victory. Police attempted to contain the crowd, who hurled abuse at the officers stationed in the streets, and accused them of failing to protect the constitution. 'You lost both sides of support,' yelled one man. 'We had your f***ing back, but we ain't got your back no more!' Chants of 'f*** Antifa' broke out, and some recited the Pledge of Allegiance as they tried to break through the police lines. An injured Trump supporter is helped after a clash with counter-protesters on Tuesday Police and protesters scuffled on the streets of Washington DC on Tuesday night Trump fans braved the cold on Tuesday night to show their support for the president A Trump supporter is seen recovering from being tear gassed as protests turned violent Police set up cordons to try and separate Trump supporters from counter-protesters on Tuesday night Crowds of Trump supporters gathered in Washington DC on Tuesday night Earlier in the evening, protesters many without masks gathered in Freedom Plaza to decry the vote in the Electoral College. Roger Stone, the Republican operative pardoned by Trump in July, told the crowd Trump was 'the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln' because he had 'freed this slave'. Stone was convicted in November 2019 of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. 'I have two things I want to conclude by saying,' said Stone on Tuesday night. 'One. Roger Stone did nothing wrong. 'Two. Donald Trump is the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln because he freed this slave. 'We will not let him down, and he will not let America down.' Roger Stone, the Republican operative pardoned by Trump, declared that Trump had freed 'this slave' Stone, convicted in November 2019 of lying to Congress about his dealings during the 2016 election, was a star speaker MyPillow founder Mike Lindell addressed the crowd to promote conspiracy theories about how Democrats allegedly stuffed ballot boxes. He also alluded to the possibility of civil war if Trump's loss is not reversed. 'You need to pray for our vice president to look up to God and say, 'I need to make a decision, Lord,' and make the right decision for our country,' Lindell said, alluding to Mike Pence's role overseeing Wednesday's Electoral College certification process. 'You don't have a [civil] war when the other side didn't win anything ... they were trying to steal it from us.' As temperatures dropped to the low 40s and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. 'I'm just here to support the president,' said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who traveled from Memphis, Tennessee. Wideman acknowledged to AP he was 'confused' by a string of losses from the president's legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and didn't know what options Trump had left. 'I not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say,' Wideman said. Supporters of Donald Trump traveled to Washington DC on Tuesday night Streets in the capital were closed ahead of the expected protests by Trump fans A man is seen standing in front of the Washington Monument as Trump supporters protested Trump tweeted his support for the protesters: 'Washington is being inundated with people who don't want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' The speakers included former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom the president pardoned after he was twice convicted of lying to the FBI in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. 'We stand at a crucible moment in United States history,' Flynn told the crowd. 'This country is awake now.' The president was expected to personally address his supporters in Washington on Wednesday during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. The protests coincide with Wednesday's congressional vote expected to certify the Electoral College results, which Trump continues to dispute. Proud Boys' leaders have shared with their followers that they intend to attend the rally 'incognito' and wearing 'ALL black.' The Proud Boys' chairman, Enrique Tarrio, revealed on Parler that 'the Proud Boys will turn out in record numbers on Jan 6th but, this time, with a twist.' He wrote: 'We will not be wearing our traditional Black and Yellow.' The group's standard uniform is black and yellow Fred Perry polo shirts, military armor, and MAGA hats. Tarrio wrote: 'We will be incognito and we will spread across downtown DC in smaller teams.' Joe Biggs, an organizer for the group, confirmed the alleged plans on his Parler account. On Monday, police arrested Tarrio, 36, after he arrived in Washington ahead of this week's protests. Tarrio was accused of burning one of the Black Lives Matter banners in December and was found with two high-capacity firearm magazines, police said. A judge signed an order Tuesday banning Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions related to his criminal case. WHO ARE THE PROUD BOYS? Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes started the all-male Proud Boys in 2016. McInnes and the Proud Boys have described the group as a politically incorrect men's club for 'Western chauvinists' and deny affiliations with far-right extremist groups that overtly espouse racist and anti-Semitic views. The Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center designated the Proud Boys as a hate group, saying that its members often spread 'outright bigotry' and 'anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric' over the internet, and have posted social media pictures of themselves with prominent Holocaust deniers, white nationalists and 'known neo-Nazis.' Current national leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, marched in the infamous Charlottesville Unite the Right rally in 2017. Proud Boys have been involved in a series of high-profile violent clashes at political events. In New York City in October 2018, police arrested several Proud Boys members who brawled with anti-fascist protesters following a speech by McInnes at a Manhattan Republican club. Proud Boys members also have frequently clashed with counterprotesters at rallies in California and Oregon. Most recently, the group took part in the siege on the Capitol on January 6, where some members were seen breaking into the building. In February, they were designated a terrorist group by Canada. Advertisement In a Tuesday evening tweet, Trump called on Democrats and fellow Republicans to look at the 'thousands of people pouring into D.C.' In another tweet, he warned that Antifa, the umbrella term for leftist militant groups that Trump has said he wants to declare a terrorist organization, should stay out of Washington. The rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalized. Officials said there were six arrests by Tuesday night for a variety of offenses including weapons and ammunition possession, assaulting a police officer, simple assault and possessing a stun gun. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the city's police force. She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is 'looking for a fight.' But, she warned, 'we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city.' Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Trump's former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. A pro-Trump rally on December 12 ended in violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, wearing the signature black and yellow of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, sought out confrontations with a collective of local activists attempting to bar them from Black Lives Matter Plaza, an area near the White House. At least two local black churches had Black Lives Matter banners torn down and set ablaze. In addition to the National Guard, federal agents were on standby, in case they were quickly needed in the city this week. The federal Bureau of Prisons said about 100 'specially trained officers' were sent to the Justice Department headquarters to assist other security personnel but would remain 'in a reserve capacity unless needed.' The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, said that unlike during the unrest in May and June in Washington, it did not plan to deploy agents from Customs and Border Protection to the demonstration Wednesday. 'Right now, we have not been asked to deploy. However, we have a modest quick reaction force that will be on standby just in case our assistance is requested,' the agency's acting commissioner, Mark Morgan, said. A November pro-Trump rally drew about 15,000 participants. The December 12 rally drew smaller numbers, but a larger contingent of Proud Boys. ALBANY Amid signs that the state's coronavirus vaccination roll-out is sputtering, county leaders across New York on Tuesday urged Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to allow them to activate their mass-vaccination plans that have been in preparation for years but were recently set aside in favor of a regional approach run by hospitals. The unrest came a day after Cuomo criticized the pace at which many of the regional hospitals have vaccinated the first round of recipients; he threatened to impose hefty fines and revoke their vaccination privileges if the situation doesn't improve. If a hospital is not competent and cant do this, well use another hospital," Cuomo said. "Its literally a matter of life and death. Some counties have received small batches of vaccines in order to administer doses to front-line health workers and first responders, while other counties are still waiting. Officials say there is also growing frustration among the general population, which has not been given a clear picture of when they will be vaccinated. "The reason we were doing regional hubs, based on the states argument, was that we didnt want 63 separate plans," said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. "Instead, what we have is no plan." 2 1 of 2 Will Waldron/Albany Times Union Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Will Waldron/Albany Times Union Show More Show Less During a news conference Monday, Cuomo used a slide in his presentation to highlight the hospitals that have distributed the highest and lowest number of doses. It included a photograph of Westchester County Executive George Latimer that noted Westchester Medical Center, and two other hospitals, had distributed only about 30 percent of the vaccines provided to them. "As if George Latimer runs Westchester Medical Center," Molinaro said. "The shame is unnecessary." The New York State Association of Counties conducted a news conference Tuesday afternoon during which multiple county leaders said that if the counties were more engaged with the vaccination planning including receiving more detailed data and holding leadership position in the regional hubs the vaccinations could be delivered quickly and more efficiently. FAQ: What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in New York "Were wasting resources by duplicating efforts," Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said. "Weve got to have better coordination and communication efforts if were going to make it work." The tumult is occurring after Cuomo announced in a second Monday briefing that a highly contagious variant strain of COVID-19 was detected in a Saratoga County man an indication that the dangerous strain that first surfaced in the United Kingdom has arrived in New York and may be triggering the recent surge in cases. State and local officials agree the arrival of that variant strain, which is more contagious but not more lethal, makes it extremely critical to speed up the pace of vaccinations. Cornell University issued a statement on behalf of one of its professors Tuesday criticizing the state's vaccination roll-out as too slow to be effective. Cynthia Leifer, an associate professor of immunology at Cornell University, said the state should not be disqualifying vaccination sites but expanding the number of dispensing locations. "It is great news that New York is rolling out the COVID vaccine, but we need to move much faster," Leifer said. "The FDA approved Pfizers emergency use authorization request on Dec. 11, and New York received the first shipment on Dec. 14. Since then, roughly 274,000 New Yorkers have received the vaccine. That is about 13,047 per day. The bad news is that at this rate, it will take nearly four years to immunize nearly 19 million New Yorkers. Cuomo is right that we need to make sure the vaccines are being given as quickly as possible and that sites are not allowed to stockpile," Leifer continued. "However, I agree with those who are critical of Cuomos plan for rigid rules and disqualifying sites, especially hospitals, from getting future distributions." A spokeswoman clarified that Leifer's position was distributed by the university's media relations office but is not an official statement by Cornell University. The governor's office on Tuesday afternoon did not acknowledge any faults with its vaccination strategy. The administration contends that the local mass-vaccination plans that have been developed over the course of years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks are not the right approach and that the state needs to control distribution. Like we said, the virus doesnt respect county lines and we needed to coordinate all the county plans with the state response to avoid 63 different counties going 63 different direction with no one talking to each other," said Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi. "As we move through vaccinating the front-line health care workers and nursing home staff and residents in our first tranche of New Yorkers, we have 46 counties ready to join our efforts in the next two weeks." Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said another important aspect of vaccinating people assuring them that the vaccines are safe was hampered last year when Cuomo repeatedly questioned the safety and efficacy of the vaccines that were being fast-tracked by the administration of President Donald J. Trump. "I think that played a role here in some peoples reluctance, but we do think thats going to dissipate," McLaughlin said. McLaughlin, a former state assemblyman and frequent Cuomo critic, echoed Molinaro in saying that counties have for decades been tasked in New York with developing health programs on a local level that protect people from diseases, including administering vaccinations. "The chaos, confusion and delay created by the governor hurts counties to be able to carry out this mission, and endangers lives," McLaughlin said. Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell's small county with a population of roughly 100,000, according to the 201o Census has just nine public health nurses but also a largely volunteer reserve medical corps, which most counties have as an element of their mass-vaccination plans. Odell said they are set to administer about 600 vaccines on Wednesday at a senior center. But she said the state needs to listen more to the county leaders. "County government is the closest government to the people, and Id like to send that message back up to New York state when theyre making decisions that affect us," Odell said. Molinaro likened the governor's plan to "building the plane while it's flying." "When it came to vaccine distribution, we had a perfectly healthy plane on the runway ready to take off," he said. Molinaro said some of the caregiver facilities that are supposed to be administering vaccinations under the regional hub plan also have still not received authorization to do so. "Our message today is there is an existing infrastructure, we need to flip the switch, we need to use it and stop the counterproductive efforts," he said. Mr. Pence has spent the past several days in a delicate dance, seeking at once to convey to the president that he does not have the authority to overturn the results of the election, while also placating the president to avoid a rift that could torpedo any hopes Mr. Pence has of running in 2024 as Mr. Trumps loyal heir. Even as he sought to make clear that he does not have the power Mr. Trump seems to think he has, Mr. Pence also indicated to the president that he would keep studying the issue up until the final hours before the joint session of Congress begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to the people briefed on their conversation. One option being considered, according to a person close to Mr. Trump, was having Mr. Pence acknowledge the presidents claims about election fraud in some form during one or more of the Senate debates about the results from particular states before the certification. Mr. Pence will preside over those debates. In a statement issued late Tuesday night and inaccurately dated Jan. 5, 2020, Mr. Trump insisted the reporting about his discussion with Mr. Pence was fake news. He never said that, the statement went on. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. Mr. Trump has been cajoling Mr. Pence in public and private to find a way to use his role on Wednesday to give credence to his unfounded claims rejected by the states and in scores of court cases and backed by no evidence that the election was stolen from him through widespread fraud. The president has told several people privately that he would rather lose with people thinking it was stolen from him than that he simply lost, according to people familiar with his remarks. Paine made it crystal clear that sections of the Australian set-up werent thrilled about reports suggesting India did not want to travel to Brisbane if they had to adhere to strict hotel quarantine protocols. India were also reported to be unhappy about hotel restrictions they would be subjected to before they arrived in Sydney. "We think it's contradictory if you are going to allow fans to come to the ground and enjoy that freedom, and then ask us as performers to go back to the hotel and quarantine," Cricbuzz quoted an Indian team source as saying earlier this week. "That is especially after we've been tested negative for the virus. We don't want to be treated like we are animals in the zoo." CA has not been formally notified of any concerns from India and the Australians have got on with business, but the latest rumblings have clearly hit a nerve. The tension could be a source of sledging on the field, with Paine admitting an "unusually tame" series could spring to life with two Tests remaining. "I think it's boiling away," Paine said. "There's some stuff starting to happen, there's a bit of chat starting to happen. I think this Test is going to be fascinating, not just from a cricket point of view, but also I think there has been tension starting to boil over the surface with a lot of unnamed sources coming out from their camp saying where they want to play the fourth Test and where they don't want to go. "I think its starting to grind a few people. Well see how it goes." India coach Ravi Shastri arrives at the SCG without a mask on Wednesday. Credit:Getty Paine was then asked whether there had been frustration in the Australian camp that India potentially may not want to travel to Brisbane. "I wouldn't say frustration," Paine said. "I'd just say a bit of uncertainty because when you hear things like that coming - particularly from India, who we know hold a lot of power in world cricket - it's likely it could happen. "We're not buying into where the Test is being played. As far as we're aware, it is at the Gabba, but as I said in the team meeting the other day, we couldn't care less. If you rang us up and said it's in Mumbai tomorrow, we'd get on a plane and play it. That's the way we are looking at it. "Its been unusually tame start of this series." The players are in quarantine. Thats a challenge but we have to face it. As a team we arent complaining. Ajinkya Rahane Rahane played a straight bat to Paine's comments but missed a chance to put the Gabba issue to bed, fuelling speculation that India are genuinely considering not heading north. "We as players, we are just focusing on this [SCG] Test match," Rahane said. "The Indian team management will take the decisions. Loading "Being in quarantine definitely brings its own challenges. We know that outside life in Sydney is completely normal, but the players are in quarantine. That's a challenge but we have to face it. As a team we aren't complaining." Shastri, unlike his players, walked off the team bus into the SCG without a mask on. India also confirmed their side for the SCG Test. Rohit Sharma will open with Shubman Gill, while fast bowler Navdeep Saini is set for a Test debut. The hosts need to avoid a loss at the SCG to remain alive in the series, having crashed back to earth in Melbourne following their superb showing in Adelaide. India is currently the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world and is home to 21 unicorns valued at USD 73.2 billion, Indias top envoy in the US has said, as he expressed hope that more than 50 startups might join the unicorn club as early as 2022. Entrepreneurial activity has picked up in India. In 2020 India was among the top 50 innovative economies," Indias Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online "Today India is the third-largest, startup ecosystem in the world and is home to 21 unicorns valued at USD 73.2 billion. By some estimates, more than 50 soonicorn startups might join the unicorn club as early as 2022," he said. A unicorn is a term to indicate a privately held startup company valued at over USD 1 billion. Soonicorns are startup companies that are good candidates for late-stage investment and have a good possibility of becoming 'unicorns'. Sandhu was speaking at a mentoring prograA unicorn is a term to indicate a privately held startup company valued at over USD 1 billionmme for Indian National Startup Awards 2020 finalists that was co-hosted by the Embassy of India, in partnership with Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Monday. Sandhu said according to a recent report, Indian startups raised USD 9.3 billion until mid-December this year. A little below 2019 but definitely encouraging, considering the current pandemic. It is because people like you were not averse to taking risks and were not deterred by challenges. People like you continued to think out of the box. People like you put all your efforts in creating a better life around you," he said. Rise of Indian IT companies, large talent pool, increased expendable income of Indian middle class and availability of capital have contributed to the growth of Indias startup ecosystem. More recently increased usage of smartphones, access to the internet, and recent reforms to push digital finance have given further impetus. There has also been a significant push from the Government through initiatives like Startup India and Digital India, he said. Indian startups are steadily evolving into global entities creating business products, and solutions for the global market," he added. The Bay Area- Silicon Valley is the worlds topmost innovation hub accounting for, I am told, more than a fifth of global venture capital investment. Its success has been hard to replicate elsewhere even with sizeable investments," he said, adding that the important ingredient that is often found missing elsewhere is the culture of Silicon Valley. Three cities- Bengaluru, Mumbai and NCR Delhi- have changed the face of modern India and find a place among the famous Global Startup hubs. Cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata are counted amongst the emerging startup hubs. We need to do more to be counted amongst the superstar hubs," he said. Noting that India and Silicon Valley have a close relationship spanning over many decades, Sandhu said Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Silicon Valley in 2016 signified the importance of this entrepreneurial bridge and partnership. Sandhu said that Indian programmers, engineers and entrepreneurs are providing their skills and that too in sizeable numbers to US companies. India is also a leading R&D hub for many of these companies. Many US-based venture firms have been investing in Indian talent and are amongst the largest players in the field. Bay Area- Silicon Valley is also central to growth strategies of many Indian companies bringing innovation to the doorstep of customers with the help of startups, he said. In the US, startup ecosystem is developing beyond Silicon Valley and big economic centres like New York, Boston, LA, Chicago. Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Research Triangle in North Carolina, Portland, Minneapolis, are gaining prominence, as emerging start-up hubs. This has opened up new opportunities for collaboration for Indian entrepreneurs," Sandhu said. Around 150 Indian startups attended the event, said the Indian Embassy in a statement. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. [January 06, 2021] Vertical Field signs agreement for Vertical Farms deployments in Ukraine - National distributor, Moderntrendo S.R.O, will promote Vertical Field for nationwide FaaS deployments with initial pilot with Varus Supermarkets RA'ANANA, Israel, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical Field , an innovative agtech company that specializes in vertical farming, has signed an agreement with Moderntrendo S.R.O, one of the largest agricultural distributors in Ukraine, for a promotion of nationwide deployments of vertical farms . Vertical Field will conduct an initial pilot at Varus, one of the biggest national supermarket chains in the country, in early 2021 before expanding to other chains. Varus operates 95 stores across 25 cities and attracts approximately 260,000 customers daily. Vertical Field has developed and commercialized unique soil-based vertical farms in containers that produce locally sourced vegetables. These indoor farms are capable of growing a variety of fresh greens and other vegetables through the company's proprietary technology. Vertical Field's farms therefore offer a unique on-site service for local supermarkets, restaurants, outdoor markets and distribution centers. Vertical Field customers benefit from advanced farming that produces pesticide-free and exceptionally fresh vegetables. Vertical Field's technology is more efficient and generates less waste than conventional agriculture, utilizing 90% less water, while growing precise quantities in a controlled environment, and achieving shorter growing cycles. The Company offers 365 days a year 'in season' produce regardless of geography, physical location, weather and climate conditions, with consistently high product quality. The farms are modular, expandable, and moveable, with fully automated crop management, and a sterile environment that requiressignificantly less human contact. The crops that are currently offered include: lettuce, basil, parsley, kale, mint and others, sold at highly competitive prices. Guy Elitzur, the CEO of Vertical Field, said, "We are extremely excited about our partnership with Moderntrendo S.R.O which has led to the project with Varus and will lead to more projects in the near future with more chains in Ukraine. One of the realizations that have surfaced during the COVID-19 crisis is the need to develop solutions that allow urban residents access to healthy food, with minimal human handling and without depending on transportation and shipping from remote locations. We are delighted to be able to provide- and expand access to- healthy, and high-quality vegetables grown right outside the consumer's door." Bondar Denis, Director Moderntrendo SRO, said, "Today, we are creating a pilot project together with Vertical Field, which in the future will only benefit society, because the introduction of innovative and proprietary technologies for vertical cultivation of products for the urban ecosystem by Vertical Field is a new level in the Ukrainian market." About Vertical Field: Vertical Field is an agtech company that develops innovative & proprietary vertical growing technologies for the urban ecosystem. Established in 2006, Vertical Field developed soil-based vertical growing systems that make the most efficient use of urban spaces- indoors and outdoors- for both agricultural and smart landscaping purposes. Vertical Field's integrative solutions include two sectors: Vertical Farming & Smart Landscaping. The company is operated by professionals, agronomists, researchers, and a multi-disciplinary team, enabling the development of smart plant-based solutions that combine the best of design and manufacturing, smart computerized monitoring, soil-based technology, water and lighting technology and more. About Moderntrendo S.R.O: The company holds a leading position in the supply of products in Turkey, Eastern Europe and Asia. The main activity of the company is focused on rapeseed, corn, soybean and sunflower vegetable oils. A well-proven, complex business model aligned with local manufacturing technology and based on senior management expertise, together with advanced management technology and employee professionalism, is becoming a key factor in the organization's success. The company sets and maintains high business standards to ensure transparency and minimize risks. We strive to make our products the benchmark for quality. We are guided by the needs and values of our customers and partners. We rely on the professionalism and high potential of our employees, and also adhere to the principles of technology. For further information, please visit: https://www.verticalfield.com Media Contacts Noa Winston Director of Marketing T. +972-52-3406321 M. noaw@verticalfield.com O. +972-74-7000911 (ext. 0917) View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vertical-field-signs-agreement-for-vertical-farms-deployments-in-ukraine-301201894.html SOURCE Vertical Field [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Law enforcement officers entered information into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations on the death of Lev Korban, the son of politician and businessman Hennadiy Korban. "Information has been entered into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations under Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine [violation of traffic safety rules or the operation of vehicles by persons operating vehicles]," the police told Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday. Earlier, the media reported that Lev Korban died in an accident near the city of Dnipro on Tuesday. He went to ride a buggy with his classmate, later the police found the buggy with the bodies of the dead at the bottom of the river. Warnock Declares Victory in Georgia Senate Runoff Race, Second Race Undetermined Democrat Raphael Warnock has declared victory in a Georgia Senate runoff race challenging Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), which was later called in his favor by The Associated Press. Loeffler, though, said theres still a path to victory. Results in the second Senate runoff in the state between Republican candidate David Perdue and Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff are undetermined. As of 2:20 a.m. local time, with 98 percent of precincts reporting, Warnock was ahead by more than 46,500 votes over Loeffler, or 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent. Loeffler has yet to concede the race as of early Wednesday. Meanwhile, with 98 percent reporting, Ossoff was leading in a tight race against Perdue by more than 9,500 votes, or 50.1 percent to 49.9 percent. The close margin means the winner may not be clear until later Wednesday. The Senate runoff elections were necessary because no candidates exceeded 50 percent of the votes in the November general election. The critical races will determine the party that controls the U.S. Senate. The races drew an estimated 4.5 million voterswhich is a record for a runofffollowing Monday visits by President Donald Trump and presidential candidate Joe Biden. Republican Senate candidate David Perdue (top L) and Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) (bottom L) and their Georgia runoff election challengers, Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, are seen in a combination of file photographs. (Reuters) Warnock, a pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, appeared to claimed victory in a live-streamed video in the early hours of Wednesday. At the time, The Associated Press had yet to call the race in his favor. So Georgia I am honored by the faith that youve shown in me and I promise you this: tonight I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia, no matter who you cast your vote for in this election, Warnock said in the video. He said he had proved that with hope, hard work, and the people by our side, anything is possible. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock speaks on his campaigns YouTube account after the runoff election against Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Warnock for Georgia/Social Media via Reuters) Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) welcomes a crowd during a runoff election night party at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) He spoke just moments after Loeffler told her own supporters: Were going to win this election. We have a path to victory and were staying on it. No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Georgia in 20 years. Republicans need to win just one race to claim the majority and control of the Senate, while Democrats would need to win both races, and require Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) to cast tie-breaking votes, if she takes office on Jan. 20. Republicans have up until now secured 50 Senate seats and Democrats have secured 48 Senate seats, which includes two independent senators who caucus with Democrats. In Georgias Chatham County, a Democrat-leaning county, ballot workers were sent home Tuesday night and are expected to resume their work on Wednesday morning, to count some 3,000 to 4,000 absentee ballots that came in on Tuesday that are reportedly still with the registrars office on Tuesday night, reported local outlet WTOC. Chatham Countys Board of Elections Chairman Tom Mahoney told the outlet that it is not the only county to continue ballot processing on the following day. I anticipate that those state-wide results are going to be very close, Mahoney said, according to the outlet. So if were talking about three or four thousand votes in Chatham County, Im afraid thats going to be significant in the state race. And Im sure that were not going to be the only county thats going to be counting a few thousand more votes tomorrow morning. Gabriel Sterling, the states voting implementation systems manager, said in a statement on Twitter: Chatham County didnt just stop. They completed the counting of everything they have in. That includes Election Day, Advanced, & all of the absentees they had in. The last left will be the absentee by mail that came in today. In DeKalb County, more than 19,000 ballots must be manually scanned in order to be tabulated and added to the total vote count due to technical issues, the DeKalb County elections director said. Late Tuesday, Sterling wrote on Twitter: There is a large group of votes from DeKalb Co., the early in person votes that should be uploaded soon. That will be 171k+. Without Hollywood blockbusters in the running, domestic filmmakers have four movies set for release in local cinemas for Tet, the Lunar New Year holiday. When the Tet (Lunar New Year) around a month away, Vietnamese filmmakers and distributors have kicked off various marketing campaigns to introduce their wares before their official premieres in February. Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa, Director of Galaxy Cinema, a popular cinema chain in Vietnam, said the race in domestic cinema for Tet would be interesting as there will no Hollywood products competing with these four movies, all set for release on the first day of the New Lunar Year (February 12). Stills from the four movies to be released this Tet (from left to right): "Gia Gia Lam Chieu 5," "Bo Gia," "Lat Mat: 48h," and "Trang Ti Phieu Luu Ky." "Trang Ti Phieu Luu Ky" (The Adventures Of Trang Ti), is a film adaptation of the comic series "Than Dong Dat Viet" (literal translation: Vietnamese Wunderkind) directed by Phan Gia Nhat Linh. The movie depicts the adventures of Ti and his childhood friends Suu, Dan, and Meo. Thanks to Ti's intelligence, the group is able to overcome difficulties and help a lot of people. This is the most expensive project invested in by the Studio68 company. It was filmed in many provinces across Vietnam in 645 days with nearly 2,000 actors and actresses. The second film slated for a Tet release is "Bo Gia" (Old Father), directed by Vu Ngoc Dang. It features TV host Tran Thanh and many other senior artists. Its web drama version, released on YouTube in early 2020, is the most-viewed web drama in Vietnam, with more than 90 million views for its five episodes. The movie tells the story of Sang, an old motorbike taxi driver who cannot earn enough money for his family and life in his low-income neighborhood in downtown Saigon. "Lat Mat: 48h" (Face Off: 48 Hours), directed by Ly Hai, will also hit local cinemas after several postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Setting in the Mekong Delta region, the action flick shows a family trying to escape from a gang. The chases and fighting scenes are expected to be a big draw during the upcoming holiday. It is the fifth movie of a popular series, preceded by "Lat Mat" (Face Off) in 2015; "Lat Mat: Phim Truong" (Face Off: Film Studio) in 2016; "Lat Mat: Ba Chang Khuyet" (Face Off: Three Disabled Men) in 2018; and horror-comedy "Lat Mat: Nha Co Khach" (Face Off: The Walking Guests) in 2019. Another sequel being released this Tet is the chick flick "Gai Gia Lam Chieu 5" (The Last Egg 5), directed by Bao Nhan and Nam Cito. The movie revolves around the three Ly sisters living a luxurious life in the central town of Hue. When the youngest sister comes home, many conflicts arise, revealing secrets that have been buried for decades. In Tet 2020, "Gai Gia Lam Chieu 3" (The Last Egg 3) grossed over VND165 billion ($7.1 million) in revenue after two weeks. It was among the top 5 Vietnamese films with the highest domestic revenue of all time until "Tiec Trang Mau" (Blood Moon) hit local cinemas and grossed VND177 billion ($7.6 million) later in the year. The Vietnamese movie industry experienced pandemic-related losses in 2020, local filmmakers and distributors are looking to bounce back this year. Updated with comments from Sens. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, and Jim Runestad, R-White Lake. The attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump seeking to overturn election results threatens a constitutional crisis, a Republican Michigan senator told MLive on Wednesday. Thousands of the Presidents supporters converged at the nations Capitol on Jan. 6 to challenge the official casting of Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Many of those people overwhelmed Capitol police, leading to a building lockdown amid reports of vandalism and an explosive device found nearby. Read more: Explosive device found near Capitol amid protest Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, said the anger turning into violence in the streets needs to end to avoid that constitutional crisis. I hate to say this, and I pray to God that Im wrong, Zorn said. With the violence in the cities, Im scared that its already started and is going to get worse. Both Zorn and Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, condemned the violence, with the latter saying the National Guard absolutely should be deployed to support police and get the situation under control. I stand on the side of law and order and completely condemn acts of violence, Barrett told MLive. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said she has confirmed the National Guard is being deployed to quell the mob. Read more: Michigan congresswoman confirms National Guard deployed to quell Capitol riots Zorn and Barrett co-signed a letter Tuesday night with nine other Michigan senators to urge Congress and Vice President Mike Pence to examine the credible allegations of election-related concerns surrounding fraud and irregularities. Zorn said this should not be seen as a call to protest, but for the government to further investigate the election. I certainly support the ability to protest, but not the protest violently, Zorn said. Im very disappointed that it has come to this level. Read more: More than half of Michigans GOP senators air unfounded election concerns in letter to Congress The violence is not what the 1st Amendment is about, said Sen. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, another of the letters co-signers. When this is over we need to focus on addressing the serious divisions which have developed in America, he told MLive. We must find a way to restore public trust and reunify our nation. Free speech does not equal violence, said co-signer Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake. Peaceful protest does not equal trespassing and lawbreaking, he said in a statement. Trying to break into the Congressional chambers is criminal. The operation of our Republic should never be disrupted. Every individual who broke into the US Capitol needs to be held accountable for their wrongful acts. None of the other seven senators responded to requests for comment. They are Sens. Kim LaSata, R-Bainbridge Twp.; Kevin Daley, R-Lum; Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Twp.; Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes; Jim Runestad, R-White Lake; Lana Theis, R-Brighton; Curtis Vanderwall, R-Ludington and Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville. There has been no evidence of widespread election fraud that would tip the results in Michigan or any other state. President Donald Trump has refused to concede, promoting unproven claims about fraudulent votes and rigged election machines. Republicans lawmakers in Lansing have held multiple oversight hearings the last two months regarding unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud. Speaker of the House Rep. Jason Wentworth, R-Clare, requested Trump use the power of his voice and office to bring order and piece immediately. Todays riot at the Capitol is not what anyone wants for our country or our children, Wentworth said in a statement. This is not the shining city on the hill that demonstrates to the world the beauty of democracy. We are a nation of rules and respect, and we need to demand both of ourselves. America is a beautiful and special place, but this is a tragic moment in our history that obscures our legacy. To see the latest updates on violence at the U.S. Capitol, check here. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Weve all been there with such lost faith in young adults. Yet weve all been those teenagers at some point in our life, too full of ourselves and too little empathy, compassion or self-awareness. Before you rush to judgment about kids these days, keep in mind that every generation has uttered the same wrinkled refrain about younger people. Its a blanketed indictment that, although mostly true, is not fair to all teenagers. Health & Beauty Mexico Okays Emergency Use of Astrazeneca Vaccine With the approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine, there are now two vaccines that can be used to fight the spread of the coronavirus in the country. (Photo Courtesy of EFE) Mexico City - On January 4, 2021 the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) The Undersecretary of Health Prevention and Promotion, Hugo LApez Gatell, released the news that the vaccine will be for emergency use via The doctor in Epidemiology explained that Mexico acquired 77.4 million doses, which could begin to be administered in the country as of March. For his part, Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Relations, assured that with this approval the production of this vaccine will begin in the country. "Very good news, the emergency approval of the AztraZeneca vaccine by COFEPRIS! With this, production in Mexico will begin very soon," he wrote on his official Twitter account. Cofepris, in this way, has now approved two vaccines to combat the coronavirus in Mexico: the one made by Pfizer and the one produced by AstraZeneca, which was carried out in conjunction with the University of Oxford. Various studies showed that the second has an effectiveness against the pathogen of 70 percent. Another of the Latin American nations that has authorized the use of the British pharmaceutical vaccine was Argentina. Several countries are expected to depend on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to its low cost, availability, and ease of use. It can be kept in refrigerators instead of freezers that other vaccines usually require. Pascal Soriot, head of the company, recently commented that researchers believe that this vaccine will be effective against the new variant of the virus that is behind a sharp increase in infections in Britain. On Monday, deaths from COVID-19 in Mexico amounted to 127,757; while confirmed cases reached 1,455,219, reported the Ministry of Health. Additionally, there were 63,946 estimated active cases, that is, those that presented symptoms in the last 14 days. The Mexican government's Source: NTR Guadalajara, Courtesy EFE - On January 4, 2021 the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) authorized the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca for use in Mexico.The Undersecretary of Health Prevention and Promotion, Hugo LApez Gatell, released the news that the vaccine will be for emergency use via his social networks. The doctor in Epidemiology explained that Mexico acquired 77.4 million doses, which could begin to be administered in the country as of March.For his part, Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Relations, assured that with this approval the production of this vaccine will begin in the country."Very good news, the emergency approval of the AztraZeneca vaccine by COFEPRIS! With this, production in Mexico will begin very soon," he wrote on his official Twitter account.Cofepris, in this way, has now approved two vaccines to combat the coronavirus in Mexico: the one made by Pfizer and the one produced by AstraZeneca, which was carried out in conjunction with the University of Oxford. Various studies showed that the second has an effectiveness against the pathogen of 70 percent.Another of the Latin American nations that has authorized the use of the British pharmaceutical vaccine was Argentina.Several countries are expected to depend on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine due to its low cost, availability, and ease of use. It can be kept in refrigerators instead of freezers that other vaccines usually require.Pascal Soriot, head of the company, recently commented that researchers believe that this vaccine will be effective against the new variant of the virus that is behind a sharp increase in infections in Britain.On Monday, deaths from COVID-19 in Mexico amounted to 127,757; while confirmed cases reached 1,455,219, reported the Ministry of Health. Additionally, there were 63,946 estimated active cases, that is, those that presented symptoms in the last 14 days.The Mexican government's five-stage strategy foresees having 700,000 health workers vaccinated by the end of January and the free and gradual immunization of the rest of the population, of 130 million inhabitants, beginning in February, depending on the recipient's age and chronic diseases. Site Map Print this Page Email Us Top Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. About a year ago, Kumail Nanjiani broke the internet. America woke up on December 16, 2019, and the Pakistani-American actor of Silicon Valley and The Big Sick fame was suddenly shredded. It felt fake at first, like a class clown running for president had dropped his face on a bodybuilders torso and put fliers up all over school. Nanjiani, of course, is a comedian, with recurring appearances on Broad City, Veep and Portlandia. Hes hosted Saturday Night Live. His humor is sardonic, self-aware, silly. Maybe he was making some sort of commentary on influencer culture? Nope. It wasnt a bit. Nanjianis talents had been poached for an upcoming Marvel film called Eternals, set to release in 2020, now pushed back to 2021, which follows a group of group of earthly humanoids who live for millennia and have superhuman strength. The films cast includes a bunch of frustratingly good-looking people (Angelina Jolie, Kit Harrington, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan), and Nanjiani decided as early as the end of 2018 that he wanted to transform how [he] looked. Nanjiani told Mens Health: Im playing the first South Asian superhero in a Marvel movie. I dont want to be the schlubby brown guy I want to look like someone who can hang with Thor and Captain America. He succeeded. It took a year of slow, steady, torturous discipline two-hour commutes to a specialized training gym, bonus workouts during lunch breaks while filming, electric shock therapy for his muscles, strict limits on sugar and gluten, periods of intense fasting but Nanjiani brought the body hed dreamed of to his dream role (hed wanted to play a superhero for years!) and picked up a Mens Health cover along the way. Fitness writers compared his transformation to Chris Pratt or Paul Rudd, two other affable comedians whod leapt from romcoms to the MCU stage. And that, it seemed, was that. Eternals would hit theaters at some point, and Nanjiani would continue be in other projects, just with a more chiseled jaw, and some fitness junkie habits the man reportedly loves his beet juice. But well after Nanjianis thirst-trap photos dropped (a whole pandemic later, in fact), the internet is still struggling to accept that he looks so good. In the last week, online commenters have been regularly shaming Nanjiani on Twitter, or directly via Instagram, where hes made a tradition of posting snapshots of his Friday dessert nights. The configuration follows a similar script, with Nanjiani grinning like a jolly feudal lord as he cuts into an olive oil cake. Nanjianis biceps are typically quarreling with a medium T-Shirt. His cheekbones are reminiscent of when Shrek briefly turns into a human hunk in Shrek 2. As with most social-media scuffles, its best not to get too deep in the weeds on the specifics. But, basically: a certain subsection of people are claiming that Nanjiani is clearly using steroids, citing supplements like MK-677, a form of ibutamoren, which functions as a growth hormone. These commenters seem determined to discredit Nanjianis current physique and the efforts he waged to earn it: his body is fake because the changes are not realistic at all. One account even wrote guys who are ectomorphs do not become vascular and have hard mass gains like that. Meanwhile, an offshoot of this group seems to almost pity Nanjiani, maintaining that he wouldnt feel the need to cheat his way to the top if our society didnt have such impossible beauty standards. Make no mistake, this is body shaming. Its an extremely bizarre version of it considering Nanjiani could probably firemans carry a hog up a mountain right now but its a concentrated effort by a group of people to make another person feel bad for his figure. Why are people doing this? Well, its impossible to ignore the fact that Nanjiani is an immigrant and a person of color, living in a country and working in an industry that have spent decades doing a frankly shit job at accommodating either. There wasnt this brand of backlash when Chris Pratt morphed from a scruffy frat brother to a presumed Indiana Jones heir overnight. Thats to say nothing of Americas action-hero golden age, back in the 80s, when white actors regularly used anabolic steroids to beef up for roles. But beyond that, our exasperation here stems from the fact that Nanjiani worked to get ahead of such criticism. He might as well have outright predicted it. In that initial shirtless post, Nanjiani credited the small army of trainers, nutritionists and chefs that had been assigned to help him prepare for Eternals. He wrote: [This was] paid for by the biggest studio in the world. Im glad I look like this, but I also understand why I never did before. It would have been impossible without these resources and time. This point tracks with something Zac Efron said after filming Baywatch: I realized when I was done with that movie, I never wanted to be in that shape again Youre working with no wiggle room. Its not real. Thats exactly right: its the level of dedication required to get this sort of body that isnt real, not the body itself. At one point during his training, Nanjiani described spending an entire day regretting a bowl of sticky toffee pudding from the night before. If you combine enormous resources and consistent sacrifice, youre bound to get results. People whove never met Nanjiani, those apparently mortally offended by his physical transformation, should heed the words he wrote in his original post, and keep in mind that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look like a superhero. Its unlikely (though not impossible) that Nanjiani, about to turn 43, will still look like this at 50. Plus, as a general rule, if you get your kicks critiquing or sermonizing about the fitness journeys of others on social media, stop that. If theres anyone in Hollywood who didnt need to get jacked, it would probably be the comedian fresh off a Best Original Screenplay nod at the Oscars. Yet, Nanjiani got yoked regardless, and it will probably lead to more unique career opportunities. All power to him for it. If patience got us through 2020, let kindness be the mantra in 2021. Dont type away your own insecurities by trying to tear down the triumphs of someone else. More than anything else, the world of wellness thrives on positivity and community. If you want to make changes in your own life this year and remember, they dont have to be super-sized recognizing those core truths is the only way to start. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter. The post Why the Hell Are People Body-Shaming Kumail Nanjiani? appeared first on InsideHook. Riyadh, Jan 6 : Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan hailed end of the Gulf crisis with Qatar as a "new chapter" for the Gulf's security and stability. The Al-Ula Declaration signed on Tuesday at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, held in the Saudi city Al-Ula, ended the dispute of the Saudi-led Arab camp with Qatar, the Saudi top diplomat was quoted by Al Arabiya TV as saying. He said that the accomplishment was "a new chapter" to promote security and stability in the region, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. The foreign minister made the remarks while addressing a press conference after the summit, highlighting the commitment of concerned countries to tackle all topics of the declaration through negotiations. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud stressed, while chairing the summit, the importance of the Al-Ula Declaration for the solidarity and stability in the Gulf. He said that the declaration would strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among GCC member countries and peoples to serve their aspirations. Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praised the historic achievement by signing the Al-Ula Declaration, which he called as "the Solidarity Agreement" that reflects keenness on the unity of the Arab nation. A Saudi-led Arab quartet, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 and imposed a full embargo on the Gulf state, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied all the charges. The end of the crisis started on Monday with the decision by Saudi Arabia to reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar. The 41st GCC Supreme Council session was attended by Gulf leaders, and senior officials from the US, Arab and Islamic organisations, including Senior Advisor to US President Jared Kushner, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen, and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Egypt also took part in the meeting, represented by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Medical experts on President-elect Joe Bidens COVID-19 Task Force can ramp up testing, track the available ICU beds and push mask mandates. Epidemiologists will trace new cases and the number of deaths. The military will assist in handling the complicated job of distributing the vaccine. Congress has reached an agreement on a stimulus package to help those in need. What is missing, though, is the ramping up of mental health care to manage this psychological crisis the social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists whose expertise is needed to manage the cleanup of this psychological trauma, which will remain long after the virus is gone. Welcome to the Trump Bench, a series in which Slate analyzes a Trump judges recent work. At an unusually rapid clip, Donald Trump successfully appointed three Supreme Court justices, 54 appeals court judges, and 174 district court judges during his presidency. Trump judges tend to be different than appointees by past presidents of both parties. Many are quite young, some are openly partisan, others are patently unqualified. While Trumps tenure is drawing to a close, his judges will ensure that the dead hand of the Trump administration governs the nation for decades to come. Advertisement The sixth installment is about Ralph Erickson, who is considered one of Trumps more moderate picks. On Tuesday, he accused women of participating in the neo-eugenics movement when they terminate a pregnancy because of Down syndrome. Advertisement Advertisement The Judge: Ralph R. Erickson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. The Senate confirmed Erickson to the 8th Circuit on Sept. 28, 2017, by a vote of 951. He received the most votes of any of Trumps appeals court nominees. Erickson previously served on the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, to which George W. Bush appointed him in 2003. Age: 61 Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. The Decision: On Tuesday, Erickson joined an opinion blocking two abortion restrictions that Arkansas enacted in 2019: one that banned abortions after 18 weeks, and another that banned abortions obtained because of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. In a separate concurrence, however, Erickson expressed his extreme displeasure with the decision, urging the Supreme Court to overturn key pro-choice precedents and authorize states to outlaw abortion once again. Advertisement Little Rock Family Planning Services v. Rutledge, Tuesdays case, is fairly straightforward. In 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Supreme Court held that states may not place an undue burden on the constitutional right to abortion access before viability, meaning the point at which a fetus can survive on its own. Both Arkansas laws plainly violate this rule. A fetus is not viable at 18 weeks, so the state cannot forbid abortions at 18 weeks. Moreover, Arkansas Down syndrome law is not just an undue burden but an outright ban on a category of pre-viability abortionswhich Casey flatly prohibits. Advertisement Erickson begrudgingly acknowledged the reality that Supreme Court precedent renders both laws unconstitutional. But he also joined a rueful concurring opinion by Judge Bobby Shepherd, another George W. Bush nominee. Shepherd called upon the Supreme Court to overturn Casey, arguing that its standard fails to adequately consider the substantial interest of the state in protecting the lives of unborn children, particularly those with an unwanted immutable characteristic. He then approvingly cited an opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas that alleged that women who terminate pregnancies because of fetal abnormalities are modern-day eugenicists. Advertisement Not to be outdone, Erickson penned his own concurring opinion taking aim at Casey. The Casey standard, he wrote, is overly simplistic and overlooks harms that go beyond the states interest in a nascent life alone. Specifically, Erickson asserted that Casey ignored circumstances that strike at the core of humanity and pose such a significant threat that the State of Arkansas might rightfully place that threat above the right of a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy. He continued: One of the great curses of the 20th century was [the] rise of the eugenics movement. It gave a patina of acceptability to such horrors as genocide, forced sterilization, the development of a master race, and the death of millions of innocents. The new eugenics movement is more subtle, but a state could nonetheless conclude that it poses a great and grave risk to its citizens. A core value of eugenics is the notion that diversity in the human population should be reduced to maximize and eventually realize the ideal of a more perfect person. Inherent in this concept is the goal of controlling genetic diversity of a population in order to create a super race: one that is deemed to be healthier, smarter, stronger, and more beautiful. The creation of such a cadre of people would undoubtedly lead to greater discrimination against people who are deemed to be inferior, resulting in a broad attack on diversity of the human population. Advertisement Advertisement Erickson concluded that Arkansas could decide that addressing social inequalities and disparities is a far more appropriate response to marginalized populations than embracing the neo-eugenics movement. He closed by pointing out that very few babies with Down syndrome are being born in some Western European countries with universal prenatal testing. The Supreme Court, he wrote, should let states outlaw the termination of pregnancies because of Down syndrome to prevent this kind of eugenics. It is worth noting that the eugenics theory promoted by Erickson, Shepherd, and Thomas is both illogical and totally detached from reality. Eugenics is the systematic elimination of specific people to alter the human gene pool. When a woman terminates a pregnancy because she feels she cannot tend to the significant, lifelong needs of a child with Down syndrome, she is not participating in eugenics but making a personal decision about her own life. There is no evidence that Americans who terminate pregnancies due to Down syndrome are seeking to systematically eliminate those with the condition from the face of the planet. Further, while Thomas alleged that abortion is closely linked to the eugenics movement, his claim has been debunked by the very expert he himself cited. Advertisement The Precedent: The actual holding in Little Rock Family Planning Services respects precedent, allowing Arkansas residents to continue terminating pregnancies before viability for any reason. But the two concurrences may transform the case into an attractive vehicle for Supreme Court justices eager to roll back Casey. Five conservative justices already began to chip away at pro-choice precedent in 2020, and Thomas has explicitly endorsed bans on abortions for fetal abnormalities. With the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, there are probably six votes to erode Casey and eventually abolish the right to abortion altogether. The conservative justices might seize upon Little Rock Family Planning Services to begin this process. Like Erickson and Shepherd, several other Republican-appointed judges have encouraged SCOTUS to weaken abortion rights by letting states force women to carry pregnancies to term after a Down syndrome diagnosis. These judges frame such laws as mere exceptions to Casey, creating a blueprint for the Supreme Court to uphold them. If SCOTUS wants to undermine the right to abortion without declaring an all-out war on Casey, it could uphold restrictions like Arkansas on the theory that they are necessary to combat eugenics. Once the court has upheld a complete ban on one category of abortions, it will inevitably approve more and more limitations until it has rendered Casey a nullity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Record: Erickson consistently sides with his fellow Trump nominees on the 8th Circuit, which currently has just one active judge appointed by a Democratic president. He has voted to let Arkansas temporarily ban abortions due to COVID-19 and stop Missouri from forcing a lobbyist to register with the government. Erickson routinely grants qualified immunity to law enforcement officers accused of brutality, preventing their alleged victims from suing them in federal court. He has voted to throw out lawsuits from employees who claim they faced illegal retaliation because they complained about discrimination and safety violations. Finally, Erickson has voted to allow the deportation of immigrants, including one who faced torture at home and another who had held a green card for 18 years. His concurrence in Little Rock Family Planning Services is the most significant opinion of his tenure on the 8th Circuit so far. The Vote: The Senate confirmed Erickson by a vote of 951 after the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously sent his nomination to the floor. Only Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, voted no. No other appeals court judge nominated by Trump received as many votes in their favor. The toilet-break penalty caught the attention of the Dongguan Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, which has begun an investigation. In an interview with news outlet The Paper last week, officials from the authority said the rule was illegal. They told the company to rectify the order and refund the penalty it imposed on employees. A manager from the company, identified by his surname Cao, said they had not asked the workers to submit fines, instead deducting the amount from their monthly bonuses. He explained that the company introduced the policy because some employees often smoked in the toilet and tended to slack off during work hours , Guangdong TV reported. We are helpless. The fact is that the workers are lazy at work, he was quoted as saying. The management talked with those workers many times, but didnt achieve a positive result yet. The company in Dongguan has been likened to the factory in Charlie Chaplins film Modern Times. Photo: Getty Images Cao said they chose not to fire the workers, instead opting to restrict them by imposing toilet break regulations because the company found it difficult to hire workers. The public was split over the companys rule. I sympathise with this company. They are forced to do this, wrote one user at portal website 163.com. Some employees use the toilet for too long and use it frequently. It will no doubt hurt the companys productivity. But many more people lambasted the company for exploiting staff. To chase high efficiency, a company should adopt ways of rewarding workers. But too much restriction and exploitation would lead workers to be pressurised all the time and lose their energy and concentration, a user wrote. What era is it? The freedom of going to the toilet has become a luxury, someone posted on Weibo. Employees at the Dongguan factory must also register with their boss before they go to the toilet. Photo: Getty Images Its not the first time that Chinese employers have been caught imposing toilet-break measures on workers. About 10 years ago, workers at a supermarket in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, were told that toilet breaks could be no longer than eight minutes, and that they would be fined 20 yuan for every extra minute. Employers said its a universal phenomenon that workers go to the lavatory with their mobile phones and relax by browsing social media or playing games. To reduce workers lavatory time, technology giant NetEase in 2018 spent about 2 million yuan on blocking online service signals in its toilet areas. But workers said they got around the ban by playing single-player games or downloading TV dramas in advance. Besides the toilet restrictions, several companies in China have been brought to task for imposing other rules that can be considered ridiculous. discourage food waste . Its not clear whether it has withdrawn the rule. Shanghai Qiubiying Business Consulting was exposed in August for implementing a rule that stated its staff would be sacked if they were caught throwing away the free lunch offered by the company three times. The company said it was trying to Workers at a supermarket in Urumqi, Xinjiang, were once told that toilet breaks could be no longer than eight minutes, and that they would be fined 20 yuan for every extra minute. Photo: Getty Images In the same month, Shanghai Banmoo Furniture apologised online to a former sales worker after she complained on social media that every day during her 12 months of maternity leave she was required to produce a handwritten letter of at least 4,800 Chinese characters detailing her experiences as a salesperson, to be shared with junior staff. The company said she would be fined 50 yuan for an incorrect character, 100 yuan for a repeated sentence and 500 yuan for filing the letter after the deadline. The woman later quit the company. Boris Johnson today desperately tried to win over furious Tory MPs as he defended his new national coronavirus lockdown and insisted he had 'no choice' but to impose tough new draconian curbs. The Prime Minister told a recalled House of Commons this morning that his hand had been forced after a new variant of the disease was found to be spreading with 'frightening ease'. Mr Johnson said the Government's vaccination programme meant almost one quarter of over-80s had already received jabs and England had vaccinated more people 'than in the rest of Europe combined'. He said an Office for National Statistics study which suggested one in 50 people are infected showed it is 'inescapable that the facts are changing' and the Government's response had to follow suit. The lockdown in England, which includes a strict stay at home message and the closure of all schools, is due to be reviewed in the middle of February but the regulations will actually last in law until the end of March. Mr Johnson today resisted calls from Tory MPs to guarantee the rules will start to be eased after the first review on February 15, fuelling fears that the shutdown could last far longer than the initial seven week period. Tory backbenchers slammed the PM's 'malicious' lockdown and accused him of an 'assault on liberty and livelihoods' as they demanded an exit strategy. The PM said he hoped measures will be able to be lifted in the spring but warned there will not be a 'big bang' out of lockdown, rather a 'gradual unwrapping'. Gavin Williamson confirms TEACHERS will decide GCSE and A-Level grades Teachers will decide school pupils' GCSE, A-level and AS-level grades this summer after exams were scrapped due to Covid-related school closures, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed today. The exams that were due to be sat in May and June this year will be replaced by school-based assessments, he told the Commons in a statement this afternoon. The under-pressure minister finally faced MPs amid chaos over the decision to close schools during the new lockdown. He told MPs schools will be required to produce between three and five hours of online lessons per day while they are closed for up to three months. Telling MPs that 'our schools have not suddenly become unsafe', he said they are 'much better prepared than last March' to implement home-learning. He said: 'We have set out clear, legally binding requirements for schools to provide high-quality remote education. This is mandatory for all state-funded schools and will be enforced by Ofsted. 'We expect schools to provide between three and five hours teaching a day, depending on the child's age. If parents feel their child's school is not providing suitable remote education they should first raise their concerns with the teacher or headteacher and, failing that, report the matter to Ofsted.' He added: 'I will not apologise for being enthusiastic to ensure that we had been able to be in a position to roll out exams - but we do recognise where we are as a result of this pandemic, we have to take a different course and that is why we're taking the route we are.' He said the details of how the teacher assessments would work were being 'fine-turned' along with Ofsted, exam boards and teaching unions. Advertisement Mr Johnson made clear that a successful roll-out of the vaccine programme will be key to determining when the lockdown measures can be lifted. He said: 'We have already vaccinated more people in this country than in the rest of Europe combined and we will give the House the maximum possible transparency about our acceleration of this effort, publishing daily updates online from Monday so that jab by jab honourable members can scrutinise the process being made every day. 'Yet as we take this giant leap towards finally overcoming the virus and reclaiming our lives we have to contend with the new variant which is between 50 and 70 per cent more contagious. 'The tiers the House agreed last month, was working with the old variant but alas, this mutation spreading with frightening ease and speed in spite of the sterling work of the British public, this mutation has led to more cases than we have seen ever before, numbers that alas cannot be explained away by the meteoric rise in testing.' Mr Johnson said the ONS report published yesterday showing the extent of infections across the country as well as rising hospitalisations showed it was 'inescapable that the facts are changing and we must change our response'. He told MPs: 'So we had no choice but to return to a national lockdown in England with similar measures being adopted by the devolved administrations so that we can control this new variant until we can take the most likely victims out of its path with vaccines.' When Mr Johnson announced the lockdown on Monday night he said the measures would be reviewed in the middle of February. But the regulations being voted on by MPs this afternoon are due to last in law until the end of March. Mr Johnson tried to assuage Tory fears that the measures could still be in place in April but also insisted the nation must be 'extremely cautious about the timetable ahead'. He said: 'As was the case last spring our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will not be a big bang but a gradual unwrapping. 'That is why the legislation this House will vote on later today runs until March 31, not because we expect the full national lockdown to continue until then but to allow a steady, controlled and evidence-led move down through the tiers on a regional basis, carefully brick-by-brick, as it were, breaking free of our confinement but without risking the hard won gains that our protections have given us.' Mr Johnson said schools will be the 'very first things to reopen' when lockdown measures can start to be eased. Sir Keir Starmer said Labour will support the new lockdown as he warned the UK is facing 'perhaps the darkest moment of the pandemic'. But he said the situation is not the result of 'bad luck' and that it 'follows a pattern' as he accused the Government of failing to heed the warnings of experts and of repeatedly failing to act swiftly enough. 'In the first wave of the pandemic the Government was repeatedly too slow to act and we ended 2020 with one of the highest death tolls in Europe and the worst-hit economy of major economies,' he said. 'In the early summer, a Government report called 'Preparing for a challenging winter' warned of the risk of a second wave, of the virus mutating and of the NHS being overwhelmed. 'It set out the preparations the Government needed to take, I put that report to the Prime Minister at PMQs in July. 'Throughout the autumn Track and Trace didn't work. Sage advised a circuit-break in September but the Prime Minister delayed for weeks before acting. 'We had a tiered system that didn't work and then we had the debacle of the delayed decision to change the rules on mixing at Christmas. 'The most recent advice about the situation we're now in was given on December 22 but no action was taken for two weeks until Monday of this week. 'These are the decisions that have led us to the position we're now in and the vaccine is now the only way out and we must all support the national effort to get it rolled out as quickly as possible.' There is growing anger on the Tory backbenches over the Government's handling of the pandemic. Boris Johnson under fire over delayed border testing plan Boris Johnson was under pressure today to sort out plans to demand people have a negative Covid test result before they enter Britain. Ministers have indicated that such a requirement is coming in a bid to block any influx of new variants of coronavirus after a South African strain was found in the UK. But no firm details have yet been released and the Prime Minister came under fire in the Commons today over when they will be brought in and how much notice will be given. It came as new figures from Labour showed that just three in every 100 people arriving in the UK are being checked to see if they are complying with quarantine requirements. Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to Priti Patel to demand 'an urgent review and improvement plan of quarantine arrangements'. He claimed the current system of checking up on only a fraction of people is leaving the UK 'defenceless and completely exposed' to importing coronavirus variants. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer took aim at the PM in the Commons today as politicians returned to vote on the new lockdown rules. 'The Prime Minister knows there is real concern about the rapid transmission of this disease. There are new strains being detected in South Africa, Denmark and elsewhere. The quarantine system isnt working,' Sir Keir said. 'The Prime Minister said yesterday that we will be bringing in extra measures at the border. I have to ask, why are those measures not introduced already? They have been briefed to the media for days but nothing has happened.' Mr Johnson gave no details and only offered a bland statement, saying: 'I think it is vital we protect our borders and protect this country from the readmission of the virus from overseas and that is why we took tough action in respect of South Africa when the new variant became apparent there and we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect this country from the readmission of the virus.' Advertisement Some senior Conservative MPs had joined the Opposition in calling for the introduction of another national lockdown. But the idea of hardening the restrictions sparked fury from other Conservatives, who insisted the country's experience of the pandemic shows that lockdowns do not work and are crippling the economy. Tory MP Mark Harper, who chairs the Covid Recovery Group (CRG) of lockdown sceptics, has demanded a 'substantial relaxation' of the restrictions as soon as the four top priority groups have been vaccinated. Writing in the Telegraph he said: 'Achieving this crucial goal must now become the central, overriding focus of the Government. 'We need to start seeing daily vaccination reports updating MPs and the public to ensure we are making the progress we need.' He added: 'Once these groups have been vaccinated, and have become immune to the disease, this should be a clear threshold for when a substantial relaxation in restrictions can begin.' Tory colleague and fellow CRG member Steve Baker later tweeted that he agreed with Mr Harper, adding: 'Once the most vulnerable have been vaccinated, draconian restrictions must be substantially removed.' Many Conservative MPs are pushing the Government to spell out the exact circumstances in which the lockdown will be lifted. Tory former minister Jeremy Wright told Mr Johnson in the Commons the Government needed to be 'more definitive' on when curbs could be eased. A furious Sir Desmond Swayne blasted the restrictions, telling Mr Johnson: 'Pubs can't compete with supermarkets for off sales, even within a household you can't play tennis or golf. 'Notwithstanding the assault on liberty and livelihoods, why are these regulations pervaded by a pettifogging malice?' Mr Johnson replied: 'Pettifogging, yes, malicious, no. I am going to have to take the hit here, the intention is to stop the virus, protect the NHS and to save lives. 'To do that we have to engage in restricting transmission between human beings.' Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, said 'many' MPs are concerned at being asked to approve a lockdown which could last until the end of March. Speaking in the Commons he said: 'I welcome the Prime Minister's assurance that this House will be consulted on the lifting of restrictions, should it be possible before the end of March, but can I say to him that many of us are concerned at being asked to approve a lockdown which could continue until March 31. 'Can I ask (Mr Johnson) to reconsider and to offer the House a vote at the end of January and at the end of February as well, not on whether to lift restrictions, but on whether to continue them or not?' Mr Johnson replied: 'I can't believe it will be until the end of March that the House has to wait before having a new vote and a new discussion of the measures we have to take.' Conservative former minister Sir Edward Leigh said many of his colleagues who will vote in favour of the rules 'out of loyalty or because we want to preserve the Government's authority' are 'worried' about successive lockdowns being 'less and less effective'. Meanwhile, Mr Johnson is facing a Cabinet split over his decision to close schools across England. The Prime Minister initially sided with hawks led by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson who wanted classes to remain open. But he switched to agree with doves including Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Michel Gove, the Cabinet Office Minister, after being presented with new data showing the scale of the problem facing the nation, the Financial Times reported. Mr Johnson's statement to MPs came after the Government's vaccines tsar today admitted that the NHS will need to be giving around three million vaccine doses a week by February to meet the PM's target. Nadhim Zahawi said the goal of covering more than 13million of the most vulnerable within seven weeks was 'very stretching' but can be delivered. There is a growing clamour today for the vaccination process to be ramped up - with concerns that local chemists and other facilities are not being used enough. So far around 1.3 million people in the UK have been vaccinated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech jabs and Mr Zahawi said there will be a 'massive acceleration' in the coming days. Challenged that the weekly figure would need to be more like three million than two million to hit the PM's target, Mr Zahawi nodded and said: 'You're going to see that increase the NHS have got a very clear plan. 'We've got a fantastic team working, seven days a week, all hours to deliver this. 'No doubt, it is a stretching target. But I think it's one that we should absolutely look to deliver.' T he disappearance of a supermassive black hole which would be expected to sit in the centre of a distant galaxy has left scientists baffled. Researchers believe the bright cluster galaxy, A2261-BCG, is the first ever example of a so-called "recoiling" black hole. A recoiling black hole is one that is ejected from the centre of the galaxy by a powerful force, and is now mysteriously floating through space. The nature of these black holes has been described in a study which will be published by the American Astronomical Society journal, led by Dr Kayhan Gultekin at the University of Michigan. But new observations his team captured using the Chanda X-ray observatory have confirmed that there are no X-ray emissions from the centre of the galaxy nor in any of the four off-centre stellar knots, which would indicate the black hole's location. Amazing NASA Space Images - In pictures 1 /60 Amazing NASA Space Images - In pictures Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 NASA This 1969 photograph of the eclipse of the sun was taken with a 16mm motion picture camera from the Apollo 12 spacecraft during its trans-Earth journey home from the moon. The fascinating view was created when the Earth moved directly between the sun and the Apollo 12 spacecraft NASA Astronaut Bruce McCandless II photographed 320 ft from the Space Shuttle Challenger during the first untethered EVA, made possible by his nitrogen jet propelled backpack (Manned Manuevering Unit or MMU) in 1984 NASA The brilliant tapestry of young stars flaring to life resemble a glittering fireworks display in the 25th anniversary NASA Hubble Space Telescope image NASA Space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2011. This lift off is the last in the 30-year-old shuttle program Getty Images The first teklevision image of Earth from a weather satellite taken by the TIROS-1 satellite in 1960 NASA The Echo 2 satellite in 1960. Once the balloon was launched into orbit, a prerecorded message from President Dwight Eisenhower was transmitted from California and heard with clarity in New Jersey NASA The original seven Mercury astronauts and pioneers in human space exsploration pose in their silver spacesuits in 1961 NASA President John F. Kennedy calls for a moon landing in 1961 durning Congress NASA Astronaut John Glenn climbs into his Friendship 7 space capsule in the Atlas rocket in 1962. Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth NASA A close-up view of an astronaut's bootprint in the lunar soil, photographed with a 70mm lunar surface camera during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity (EVA) on the moon in 1969 NASA Man's first landing on the Moon. Lunar Module, "Eagle," touched down gently on the Sea of Tranquility on the east side of the Moon. Astronauts Edwin Aldrin and Neil Armstrong wre the first men to walk on the Moon in 1969 NASA After an 8 month voyage to Mars, Mariner 4 makes the first flyby of the Mars (the red planet) in 1965 and became the first spacecraft to take close-up photographs of another planet NASA Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot on the Gemini-Titan 4 spaceflight, is shown during his egress from the spacecraft. His face is covered by a shaded visor to protect him from the unfiltered rays of the sun. White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. He remained outside the spacecraft for 21 minutes during the third revolution of the Gemini-4 mission in 1965 NASA The X-15 completed 199 flights to the edge of space from 1959-1968. Neil Armstrong was one of it's budding young pilots NASA Earthrise over the moon from Apollo 8 in 1968 NASA American astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins lift off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in the mammoth-sized Saturn V rocket on their way to the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. saluting the US flag on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 lunar mission in 1969 NASA Home View of Moon limb with Earth on the horizon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission NASA Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin laugh with President Richard Nixon aboard the USS Hornet in 1969 Richard Nixon Foundation via Getty Images Lunar mission Astronaut John W. Young, commander of the Apollo 16 lunar landing mission, leaps from the lunar surface as he salutes the United States flag at the Descartes landing site during the first Apollo 16 extravehicular activity (EVA) in 1972 NASA First image of Viking 1's foot plantid on martian soil foot in 1976 NASA The first ever long distance image of the Earth and Moon together. The image photograph was taken by Voyager 1 in 1977 NASA A dramatic view of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and its surroundings in 1979 NASA The first space shuttle launch Columbia lifts off in 1981 NASA Astronaut Sally Ride on the flight deck of the space shuttle Challenger in 1983. She became the first American woman in space NASA One of the most celebrated images taken by the Hubble called 'Pillars of Creation' NASA Space shuttle Challenger destructs after lift off in 1973 NASA NASA's Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard ESA's SOHO spacecraft took this image of a huge, handle-shaped prominence in 1999. Prominences are huge clouds of relatively cool dense plasma suspended in the Sun's hot, thin corona NASA Trailing a column of flame and smoke that dwarfs it, Space Shuttle Endeavour leaps into the clear blue Florida sky on mission STS-99 in 2000 Space Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower as it roars into space on mission STS-106 after a perfect on-time launch in 2000 NASA 2004 The deepest view of 10,000 galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope called the Hubble Ultra Field Deep (2004) NASA 2005 A new view of the Eagle Nebula, one of the two largest and sharpest images Hubble Space Telescope has ever taken (2005) NASA International Space Station pictured by the crew of Atlantis in 2008 NASA The rim of Gale Crater is visible in the distance, through the dusty haze, in this view of NASA's Curiosity rover of a sloping hillside on Mount Sharp NASA Taken on June 03, 2008 and released by NASA on June 4, 2008 shows US space shuttle Discovery Mission Specialist Michael Fossum being photographed by US Mission Specialist Ronald Garan (reflected in Fossum's face shield) as they work outside The International Space Station during the first of three planned space walks. AFP/Getty Images In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, NASA's Great Observatories -- Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory -- have produced a matched trio of images of the central region of our Milky Way NASA A striking black and white image showing the detail of the planet Saturn NASA This majestic false-color image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows 'mountains' where stars are born. These towering pillars of cool gas and dust are illuminated at their tips with light from warm embryonic stars NASA The space shuttle Atlantis is seen over the Bahamas in 2011 prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station NASA Aurora Australis, seen from a point over the southeast Tasman Sea near southern New Zealand. in 2011 NASA NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 32 flight engineer, appears to touch the bright sun during the mission's third session of extravehicular activity (EVA). During the six-hour, 28-minute spacewalk in 2012 NASA Behold one of the more stunningly detailed images of the Earth yet created. This Blue Marble Earth montage, created from photographs taken by the VIIRS instrument in 2012 on board the Suomi NPP satellite, shows many stunning details of our home planet NASA Numerous recognizable features appear in this detailed view of London, photographed by an Expedition 10 crew member on the International Space Station (ISS). The most striking visual features are green open spaces such as Regent's Park, Hyde Park and St. James's Park east of Buckingham Palace NASA International Space Station image of London at night NASA This image of Tropical Storm Anna taken from the International Space Station in 2015 NASA Pluto's haze layer and its blue colour, taken by the New Horizons Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC) in 2015 NASA NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, dark, narrow streaks on the slopes of Hale Crater are inferred to be formed by seasonal flow of water on surface of present-day Mars. These dark features on the slopes are called "recurring slope lineae" or RSL NASA Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 49 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016 NASA The moon rises in low Earth orbit by NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik from the International Space Station in 2017 NASA Hurricane Harvey is pictured off the coast of Texas in 2017 NASA The International Space Station continues its orbit around the Earth as Expedition 50 astronauts captured this night image of sparkling cities and a sliver of daylight framing the northern hemisphere in 2017 This composite image made from a series of 2018 photos shows a self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover in the Gale Crater NASA US. National Parks From Space. Mt Saint Helen's looking spectacular from above NASA SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it lifts off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in 2018 NASA NASA's Juno spacecraft captures Jupiter's southern hemisphere, as the spacecraft performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter in 2018 NASA The stunning iamge was shared on social media by astronaut Paolo Nespoli NASA The Bailey's Beads effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun during the total solar eclipse NASA The Moon is seen passing in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse from Ross Lake, Northern Cascades National Park, Washington NASA Swirling cloud belts and tumultuous vortices within Jupiter's northern hemisphere picture taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft as it performed it's 13th flypast. Juno was about 9,600 miles (15,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops. NASA Speaking to online technology magazine Motherboard, Dr Gultekin said: "I was very sceptical and thought we would see something at the very centre. But that turned out not to be the case. It turned out to not be in any of these locations" He added that his believe there is a chance that there is a "very stealthy black hole" in the galaxy, one that is dim compared to other supermassive black holes and therefore incredibly difficult to detect. However the possibility that the black hole is missing is even more exciting as it would have been ejected by the recoil caused when two supermassive black holes merged during a galactic collision. Supermassive black holes have never been observed merging and finding evidence supporting this hypothetical scenario would be an enormous breakthrough for astronomy, revealing details about the nature of the universe that couldn't be observed in any other way. "What excites me the most is learning about supermassive black holes through gravitational waves," Dr Gultekin told Motherboard. "We need to know for certain that they are merging and this would be one way of showing that that's happening," he added. (Newser) A California woman went to the beach with her partner and two children on Sunday, but tragically, she was the only one to return home. A sneaker wave struck at Blind Beach near Jenner around 2:30pm, knocking down the couple, their 4-year-old son, and 7-year-old daughter, Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman says, per the AP. The mother was closest to shore and was able to get herself out of the water, per CNN. The father apparently "managed to grab his son but he, they were swept out," Baxman adds, per KTVU. Bystanders assisted the mother in forming a human chain to drag the father, identified as 40-year-old Michael Wyman of Petaluma, from the water, but he was soon pronounced dead from drowning, per the Press Democrat. At that point, "a piece of clothing washed in and out," Baxman says, per KGO. story continues below "That made everybody realize there was still someone out there," continues Baxman. Amid the chaos, the mother was crying, "[Where's] the kids?" he adds. It was difficult to make out anything in the water, which one official describes as "just a foamy white mess," per the Press Democrat. Numerous searches have failed to locate the children, who are presumed dead. Another man, IDed as David Reyes Juarez, 45, died Saturday after he was apparently struck by a wave while taking family photos near the mouth of Mendocino Bay, per the Press Democrat, which describes this as "one of the worst spate of deaths in years." "The real tragedy was the victim's family watching as a loved one was lost to the ocean," Mendocino Fire Capt. Sayre Statham says. "We watched a horrified family get broken apart." (Read more drowning stories.) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 05:05:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Abuja, Nigeria, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Jiang Xuan/Xinhua) ABUJA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to promote bilateral cooperation on all fronts. Buhari asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Buhari said that over the past 50 years, Nigeria-China relations have achieved constructive results and Nigeria is very satisfied with the progress of bilateral relations. At a time when the oil price was falling and Nigeria was facing difficulties in development, thanks to China's strong support, Nigeria had effectively alleviated problems such as underdeveloped infrastructure and insufficient food supply, with China playing a very important role in Nigeria's sustainable development, he said. The Nigerian government will remain committed to promoting the all-round development of Nigeria-China relations, said Buhari. Wang first conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Buhari. Wang said the two heads of state have established good mutual trust and profound friendship, which has played a strategic guiding role in the development of China-Nigeria relations. For 30 years in a row, China has started its annual foreign exchanges with Africa, and this year is no exception. China is ready to work with Africa to meet the challenges and overcome the difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Wang. Nigeria, as a major African country, has always occupied an important position in China's diplomacy with Africa. The most important experience of the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nigeria has always been mutual understanding, mutual trust, and mutual support, said Wang. Wang thanked Nigeria for siding with China on issues concerning China's core interests. China will also continue to firmly support Nigeria in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and support Nigeria in playing a bigger role in regional and international issues. Wang said that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Nigeria cooperation has achieved fruitful results. China will continue to help Nigeria build infrastructure in accordance with its development needs, encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Nigeria, and carry out cooperation in free trade parks, so as to boost Nigeria's industrialization process and enhance its capacity for independent development, said Wang. China is ready to share digital economy experience and technology with Nigeria, carry out green economy cooperation, and jointly tackle the challenge of climate change. China is ready to work with Nigeria to give full play to the role of the intergovernmental committee of the two countries, push forward all-round cooperation and further promote bilateral relations, said the minister. Wang said that the current once-in-a-century pandemic has accelerated global changes and the international situation has entered a period of turbulent change with the rise of unilateralism and protectionism. China is ready to work with Nigeria to uphold multilateralism, promote democratization in international relations, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of China and Nigeria as well as other developing countries. Wang also held talks with Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and jointly met with the press. Following the talks, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee. Enditem Credit: CC0 Public Domain The crush of patients with coronavirus is so severe in Los Angeles that on Tuesday they exceeded the normal capacity at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, which serves many Blacks and Latinos in America's largest county. The hospital in the south part of the city, which has a capacity of 131 patients, was treating 215 patients, 135 of them with COVID-19, said Jeff Stout, the interim chief nursing and operating officer. MLK is emblematic of what is happening at hospitals in Los Angeles, where a surge of coronavirus cases has overwhelmed medical staff, created a shortage of oxygen and led to a directive to ambulance crews to stop transporting patients they can't revive in the field. Stout said the hospital was finalizing its crisis standards of care, which are guidelines for rationing treatment when staff, medicine and equipment are in short supply. "We're not there yet," Stout said. "Every day, every hour we're trying to avoid going into crisis care. The ultimate goal with crisis care is never to get there." For much of the year, the nation's most populous state did the right things to avoid a catastrophe. But now the virus is raging and California remains at or near the top of the list of states with the most new cases per capita. Even with vaccines now being administered, albeit slowly, it is expected to take many more weeks to quell the contagion. LA is the epicenter of California's surge that is expected to get worse in coming weeks when another spike is expected after people traveled or gathered for Christmas and New Year's. Much of the state is under a stay-home order and open businesses are operating with limited capacity. Los Angeles continues to see hospitalizations rise day after day, setting a new record Tuesday with almost 8,000 hospitalized and more than a fifth of those in intensive care units. The county, which accounts for a quarter of California's 40 million residents, has more than 40% of the state's 27,000 coronavirus deaths. The San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions have been hardest hit, with no more capacity in ICUs to treat COVID-19 patients. On Tuesday, California issued a public health order requiring hospitals in Los Angeles and 13 other counties in those regions to delay nonessential "and non-life threatening" surgeries in order to provide beds. The order, which will last at least three weeks, will also apply to any county where ICU capacity to treat COVID-19 patients is bottoming out. The order also requires hospitals statewide to accept patients from other medical facilities that have implemented contingency procedures because they are filling up. Fresno County's top doctor says he's watching what's happening in LA County very closely as he prepares for a seemingly inevitable new surge from the holidays. "I'm very worried that we are going to see an uptick in the number of hospitalizations and deaths," said Dr. Rais Vohra, interim Fresno health officer. Hospitals in Los Angeles County have had to declare an "internal disaster" and close their doors at times because they've become so overwhelmed, leaving ambulances waiting up to eight hours and diverting others to different emergency rooms. Ambulance crews in Los Angeles County on Monday were directed to stop transporting patients they can't resuscitate in the field. Dr. Marc Eckstein, medical director and emergency medical services commander of the LA Fire Department, said the directive recognizes that such scenarios are "all risk and no gain" at this time. He said crews transporting someone without a pulse give families false hope, take the ambulance out of service, expose the workers to COVID-19 and require decontaminating the vehicle. "To be clear, we're not asking first responders to decide who lives and who dies," Eckstein said. "These are people who are clinically dead." In a separate memo, the county also told ambulance crews not to provide supplemental oxygen to patients whose oxygen saturation levels drop below 90%. Oxygen is in short supply due to the demands of patients struggling to breathe. Eckstein said patients with COVID-19 pneumonia are using up to 60 liters of oxygen a minute, which is at least 10 times more than a typical pneumonia patient would need. Some older hospitals in Southern California had outdated systems that can't handle the flow of oxygen, and the state contracted with the Army Corps of Engineers to upgrade them. At Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, a large number of patients not being held in traditional rooms required bottled oxygen, which is in short supply, Stout said. MLK has had to house patients in its former gift shop, a chapel, tents and hallways. The emergency department had 45 to 50 patients waiting for beds in the hospital Tuesday. The hospital has a 10-bed ICU but has expanded that level of care to three sections of the hospital and is treating 36 patients. It's biggest problem isn't a lack of space, but a staff shortage, mainly nurses and respiratory therapists, a common struggle for hospitals that are competing for any additional workers. The state Office of Emergency Services on Tuesday requested 500 additional federal medical workers to help after learning that the USNS Mercy Hospital ship, which docked off Los Angeles earlier in the year for overflow patients, was in dry dock and would not be returning. Stout said he's not thinking past tomorrow when it comes to the crisis. "We're taking it one hour at a time, one patient at a time," he said. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th January, 2021) US intelligence agencies have concluded that the recent cyber attack against the tech company SolarWinds is "likely Russian in origin," the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Office of Director of National Intelligence and National Security Agency said in a joint statement. "[Intelligence] work indicates that an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor, likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks. At this time, we believe this was, and continues to be, an intelligence gathering effort," the statement said on Tuesday. In December, media reported that numerous US Federal government entities and companies had been targeted in a massive cyberattack after they corrupted the SolarWinds software and blamed the hack on a foreign actor while some instantly named Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refuted claims that Russia was behind the cyberattack. The US government then established the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG) to investigate the incident. The UCG continues to work to understand the scope of the attack and currently believes that a small number of the SolarWinds clients were affected. "The UCG believes that, of the approximately 18,000 affected public and private sector customers of Solar Winds' Orion product, a much smaller number have been compromised by follow-on activity on their systems," the statement said. "We have so far identified fewer than ten US government agencies that fall into this category, and are working to identify and notify the nongovernment entities who also may be impacted." The USG also said it believes that intelligence gathering was the main purpose of the attack, the statement said. "This is a serious compromise that will require a sustained and dedicated effort to remediate," the statement said. "The UCG will continue taking every necessary action to investigate, remediate, and share information with our partners and the American people." Nitish Kumar chuckles over demand for Bharat Ratna to Sonia Gandhi India oi-Deepika S Patna, Jan 06: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday chuckled over the demand for conferring Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country, on Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Kumar remarked that the Congress could have done the needful while the UPA, led by it, ruled the country for two consecutive terms. 'All have the right to raise any type of demand', he said with a barely suppressed laugh when asked about the suggestion made by former union minister and ex-chief minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat that Gandhi, besides BSP supremo Mayawati, be considered for the civilian honour. Rawat said in support of his demand that while the Congress president has taken the honour of Indian womanhood to new heights, the BSP chief had inspired millions of oppressed. 'I wonder why they did not do the needful when they were in power. No need for raising such a demand would have remained in that case, Kumar quipped. The Bihar Chief Minister was talking to reporters outside the police headquarters which he had visited to take stock of the law and order situation in the state. Kumar, who is the JD(U)s de facto leader, however, chose to remain non-committal over speculations of a split in the Congress with many of its MLAs poised to cross over to his party. 'Nobody (from the Congress) has spoken to me (expressing such an intention). These things do keep taking place in political parties, though', said Kumar, who relinquished the post of JD(U) national president less than a fortnight ago. Speculations of a split in the Congress have intensified with the claim made by a former MLA that 11 of the partys 19 legislators in the current assembly were ready to change loyalties. Bharat Singh, a former Congress MLA who is seen as a stormy petrel in the political circles here, made the claim, alleging that many veterans, including key office-bearers, were also planning to take flight in search of greener pastures. The Congress has accepted plea of senior party leader Shaktisinh Gohil and relieved him from his duties as the AICC's Bihar in-charge and appointed Bhakta Charan Das in his place. 'We have a precedent in Ashok Choudhary', Singh said referring to the former BPCC chief who joined the JD(U) three years ago causing a split in the legislative council and is currently an influential member of the state cabinet and working president of the JD(U)s Bihar unit. Senior Congress leader and former state minister Chandan Bagchi said he was 'not sure with what authority and on feedback of which sources he (Bharat Singh) is making the claims'. He,however, agreed with the disgruntled former MLA's contention that the party suffered in Bihar on account of its alliance with the RJD and distribution of tickets in the recent assembly elections raised many questions. 'Candidates were decided by a select group of people sitting in Delhi. The meeting of the state election committee, which used to deliberate on names of prospective nominees for hours, was never convened. 'The high command must inquire as to how such an anomaly took place', Bagchi said. 'It is no surprise that we performed dismally in the elections though we are not a spent force in Bihar, contrary to popular belief', said the Congress leader, whose party had contested 70 seats of the 243-strong assembly. He also said 'we have been the losers wherever we have chosen alliances as an easy route. This has been the story in Bihar as well'. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 21:44 [IST] The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Bengaluru, Jan 6 : Kannada actress and producer Radhika Kumaraswamy on Wednesday denied she had received Rs 1.25 crore from S. Yuvaraj Swamy Yadav. Instead, she claimed she had received Rs 15 lakh from him and Rs 60 lakh from a producer, that too as an advance for a film in which she was to act. It is worth noting here, that the Bengaluru police arrested Swamy Yadav, 55, posing as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary for allegedly cheating government job aspirants by convincing them of his "strong political connections" on December 17. Since last week, reports started appearing in a section of the media alleging that Radhika too was involved in this scam as she had received Rs 1.25 crore from him. To give credence to these reports, the police summoned Radhika's elder brother Raviraj and questioned him for more than an hour regarding his connections with Swamy Yadav. In a hurriedly convened press conference, Radhika told reporters that her family knew Swamy Yadav for the last 17 years and knew him as an "astrologer" through her father. "He had predicted that I would be the mother of a girl child when I was 16 year old, subsequently he also predicted my father's death which also came true. Similarly there were many incidents that he predicted about our family that turned out to be true. Therefore, our relationship got stronger over a period of 17 years. I was also shocked to hear that he was arrested. Prior to his arrest, he predicted that I would be in trouble till February of this year and what an ironic prediction it turned out to be. I came in trouble only because of him," she explained. "He (Swamy Yadav) had discussed with me that he would be producing a movie - Natyarani Shantala (Dancing queen Shantala) - and credited Rs 15 lakh in my account as an advance. Subsequently, another producer of this movie, credited Rs 60 lakh into my account in March 2020. When asked about who was producing the movie, he just stated that his brother-in-law is also partnering with him to produce the movie," she said. In her attempt to distance herself from the controversy, she said that her family had been duped on several occasions and despite this her family had never tried to defraud anyone. "On numerous counts, we have been defrauded but our family has remained united," she said and quickly asserted that the family was ready to face any consequence. In response to a question, Radhika said that she was not the only person who fell for his ploys but several top ranking VIPs too have fallen for his dubious personality. "How can I know that person who predicted several good things about our family, could do such a thing. I was not aware of any of his deeds. Our connections with him were limited to astrology and films not beyond that," she said and added quickly that Swamy Yadav was not her relative. She added that their conversations never went beyond films and fixing muhruts (auspicious time) to start any good work. "Almost every day he used to change his Whatsapp DP, in which either he was seen giving a bouquet or being felicitated by some VIP. So, I never suspected him or his intentions at all," she explained. She added that her family came to know him through her father about 17 or 18 years ago and he called her sometime early last year, when she was in Delhi for work. "I received a call from him and he also met me in Delhi there itself on the pretext of meeting us after my father's death in 2019. He came to us and met us in Delhi. After this, he asked me whether she was interested in acting in movies, to which I said, she would act if she got a good offer and a script," she said. Answering to a question that does she have any agreement to prove that the advance was given to her for her role in the movie, she reasoned that not all movies are agreed upon on the basis of agreement papers. "Sometimes, we (actors) accept offers based on oral agreements as well. This is one such agreement," she claimed. She asserted that she will cooperate with the police as and when the police summons her and it is known by now that her brother had already responded to the police summons and faced an inquiry without creating any fuss. In 2010, Radhika had hit the headlines when she declared that she was married to former Karnataka Chief Minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy in 2006 and had a daughter. It may also be recalled that on December 17, based on complaint Bengaluru's Central Crime Branch arrested a 55-year-old Yuvaraj Swamy Yadav posing as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary for allegedly cheating government job aspirants by convincing them of his "strong political connections". The CCB sleuths arrested Yuvraj, a resident of Nagarabhavi and seized 100 cheques worth Rs 91 crore from his residence. After his arrest, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Patil told reporters that a complaint was filed by a person who had given Yuvaraj Swamy Rs 1 crore after the accused had promised him a tender for a project. The CCB chief said that Yuvraj had allegedly taken Rs 10 crore from an educationist-turned politician from north Karnataka by promising him to help procure a ticket to contest the upcoming Belagavi by-elections. The politician demanded his money back and Yuvraj told him that he had given the cash to different people in the state and central governments and could not return it. The politician filed a complaint through a third party, who was also allegedly duped by Yuvraj. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The year of 2020 taught us many money lessons. Ever since Covid-19 pandemic was declared last year, lots of jobs were lost and incomes of many people fell, either because they got salary cuts of their businesses shut down or had to be scaled down. Among many other things, the year of 2020 taught us the importance of having an emergency corpus and health insurance. But our investments too went through its ups and downs. So how should we prepare our money box in 2021? Yes we know that vaccines are on their way, but how long will it take for entire nation to get vaccinated is yet unknown. In the meantime, economy is expected to struggle and markets too are expected to be volatile, especially since they have touched their recent highs. Also read | Where should you invest in 2021? In our first Simply Save podcast of the new year, our guest Surya Bhatia, Delhi-based financial planner and managing partner of Asset Managers tells us that with equity markets rising consistently and steadily since March 2020, we have been getting a good opportunity for quite some time now to re-allocate our assets. Dont just let the absolute SENSEX or Nifty level drive your decision to enter or exit the market, he stresses upon. Surya tells us that we need to see our asset allocation (how much of equity, debt and gold we ought to be holdings onto to, depending on our risk profile) and how much money we might need in the next one year period. Health insurance is required but the amount of sum assured depends on the size of our families. Presence of senior citizen parents in the health insurance pot means that you might require a bigger sum assured. Lastly, Surya spoke about spending and how much we can borrow. He says that we mustnt spend more than 30 percent of our take home income. Here again, if we have taken a loan and are paying equated monthly installments, then the current equity market is a good opportunity to take some money off the table and prepay a part of your loan. Lower or no EMIs, he adds, means there is no sword hanging over our heads. Heres wishing all our listeners a happy new year and keep listening to Simply Save for more money advice. Golden Bridge Awards All organizations operating anywhere in the world - large to small and startups, government, public and private, for-profit and non-profit are eligible to submit nominations to the 2021 Golden Bridge Awards in a wide range of categories honoring achievement in every aspect of business + work life. The Golden Bridge Awards are the worlds premier business awards program honoring achievements in every industry around the world. Everyone deserves commendation for job well done. Identify, recognize, and nominate talented executives, professionals, and employees for their achievements no matter how small or large. There are many categories in which your organization, products and services, and the people behind their success can be nominated. Categories are classified under the following groups: People | Innovator, Lifetime Achievement, Maverick, and Women Awards Categories Group People | Entrepreneur Awards Categories Group People | Executive, Management, and Professionals Awards Categories Group People | Professional and Staffer (non-executive) of the Year New Product & Service Innovation | AI, Information Technology & Cyber Security Awards Categories Group New Product & Service Innovation | Content Technologies and Information Management Awards Categories Group New Product & Service Innovation | Education Awards Categories Group New Product & Service Innovation | Energy/CleanTech Industry Awards Categories New Product & Service Innovation | Health Care Awards Categories Group New Product & Service Innovation | Industry and Vertical Markets Awards Categories Group New Product & Service Innovation | Best New Product or Service Awards Categories Group Product & Service Development | People Awards Categories Group Product & Service Development | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Company | Innovative Company of the Year Awards Categories Group Company | Best Company Awards Categories Group Company | Startup Awards Categories Group Corporate Communications and PR | People Awards Categories Group Corporate Communications and PR | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Creative | App & Mobile Website Awards Categories Creative | Live Events Awards Categories Creative | Publications and Print Awards Categories Creative | Digital and Online Campaign Awards Categories Creative | Video, Commercial, Advertising, and Film Awards Categories Creative | Web, Social Media, and Online Presence Awards Categories Creative | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Customer Service & Support | People Awards Categories Group Customer Service & Support | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Customer Success of the Year Awards Categories Group Human Resources | People Awards Categories Group Human Resources | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Information Technology Users | People Awards Categories Group Information Technology Users | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Marketing | People Awards Categories Group Marketing | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group Milestone of the Year Awards Categories Group COVID-19 Business Response Awards Categories Group All new products and services nominated in the new product awards categories of this years Golden Bridge Awards will be eligible to participate in the Peoples Choice Globee Awards for Favorite Product-Service of the Year. The SVUS (Silicon Valley United States) Awards has rebranded as Globee Awards consisting of the same award programs + several new award programs and business ranking lists have been introduced from this year. The Golden Bridge Awards is a business awards program organized by The Globee Awards. Learn more about the 2021 Golden Bridge Awards and how to nominate here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/ Winners of previous years are listed here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/winners/ Stay posted and read success stories of organizations by subscribing to the Globee Newsletter: https://globeeawards.com/subscribe/ A worldwide judging panel of executives and professionals representing a wide-spectrum of industries will determine the winners. Winners will be presented and honored in a virtual ceremony attended by the finalists, winners, judges and industry peers from all over the world. Industry experts and end-users or consumers of product and services can participate in the judging process. More details to register as an industry expert and help as a judge are available at https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/judges/ Some of the organizations that have won in the past include HatchWorks Technologies, Cloudbric, Poly, IBM, UniWill Ventures, Wolters Kluwers ELM Solutions, Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, Rise Interactive, Marqeta, ManagedMethods, EZPack Water Ltd., Centene Corporation, Jaco Products, Applied Systems, PeopleReady, ZOME Energy Networks, Norhart, Nu Skin Enterprises, GROUNDFLOOR, ADP, IGEL, United Natural Foods, Inc., Spinnova, Community Policing, Reverd.com, Novatek Apps, Student Shelter In Computers, Jeunesse Global, Ultimate Software, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Steven Plochocki, Zyter, Houston Methodist Hospital, Cebuana Lhuillier, Brainshark, Altimetrik, Generation Amazing, GoCanvas, Chronicled, Cisco CX Managed Services, mnAI, Alcide, Medigate, Full Sail University, Mylo, AVer Information, iboss, 4Life Research, ZIRAATBANK, CSS Corp, The Audacious Agency, Cepheid, KERLINK & UNHCR, Verizon Connect, Humanitix, eSight, Bitglass, New Heights Educational Group, Epson America, Inc., Sage Intacct, Zero Networks, Centage Corporation, Chargebacks911, Spirion, Jumio, ModSquad, Tigerspike a Concentrix Company, Dell Technologies Education Services, Mentor Collective, PayMotion, Innover, Vyvo Corp, Stefanini Group, KEO Marketing Inc, Thechuppahs- Trend Rentals, Loom Solar Private Limited, Lenovo Technology SDN BHD (Lenovo Malaysia), Digital Air Strike, Point3 Security, Wolters Kluwers CT Corporation, Rimini Street, Inc, BillingPlatform, MorrisCookies Science & Development OU, Ingenious e-Brain Solutions, HomeServe USA, Samsung Electronics, Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare, MiraClick Affiliate Network, PJ Lhuillier, Inc., iTalent Digital, SYSPRO, beinc., Ordr, IPification, Platform Science, iPipeline, Verint Fraud & Security Solutions, Digital.ai, g2o, Legacy Events Group Ltd, Untangle, Inc., 7 Stage Advisors, 6sense, DeepCube, Great Eagle Holdings Limited, ARIIX, Philo, Rockwell Automation, Solv by Concentrix, TRIANZ, Semperis, Yottaa, 1touch.io, Chime Technologies, Impartner, Red Media Africa, Vivial, Inspired eLearning, LLC., Tech CU, The Insides Company, JazzHR, Updox, Envolve, Code42, ITC Infotech, Kannaway, Jack Henry & Associates, Withings, Waggl, Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., FogHorn, TAC Security, SecurityMetrics, ZecOps, Pape Group, The State of Utah, LionOBytes, RevBits, ShipMonk, MindTickle, Greenway Health, VEMPOWERALL, Cardinal Group Companies, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, IKIO LED LIGHTING, Wolters Kluwer, Spirion, Illinois College, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, FM:Systems, Acceptto, BigID, Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions, SaltStack, PRO Unlimited, Luminance Technologies Ltd, Spirion and TaxSlayer, Centene, PR WIRE, Cisco Systems, Inc., International Paper, Clean Energy Fuels Corp., Adversa, Avalance Global Solutions, Biz News Connect, American Psychological Association, HUYA Bioscience International (HUYABIO), Vertafore, Paypal, hc1, Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), Nextivity Inc., ROBOZE, Ness Digital Engineering, EXL Service Inc., Izaros Consulting, Florence, Verifi, A Visa Solution, ProfitSword, Intermedia, SmartBeings Inc., Adaptiva, CV19Dashboard.org, Cybera, Artificial Intelligence, Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), Loop, The Crypsis Group, Rimini Street Foundation, Advantexe Learning Solutions, Luminance, Empire Today, LLC., Rohde & Schwarz, Makers Nutrition, Improovy, Inc., 1906, L&T Technology Services Limited, Jack Henry & Associates, Inc., MemVerge, Forward Networks, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), Darktrace, Botkeeper, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Public Relations Department, Sumsub, Enablon, Grokker, ASG Technologies, Silverfort, DivvyCloud, Lookout, Concentrix Solv, Tata Consultancy Services, LTD, NexxtGen, 70 Million Jobs, Hayes, SmartBeings, CT Corporation, a Wolters Kluwer company, Nexxt Gen Corporation, Orange Romania, RevBits Cyber Security Solutions, Jasco Products, Medical Marijuana, Inc., N2W Software, Senior Placement Services, IBM Quote to Cash Operations, 2Checkout, Solatube International, ROCSOLE, MUFG Americas, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, AppViewX Inc., Vonage, Napatech Inc., Concentrix, Indio, Branch Insurance, KnowBe4, UnitedHealth Group (UHG) Optum, and Young Living Essential Oils About the Golden Bridge Awards The coveted annual Golden Bridge Awards program recognizes and honors the worlds best in organizational performance, products and services, innovations, executives and management teams, women in business and the professions, case studies and successful deployments, public relations and marketing campaigns, product management, websites, blogs, white-papers, videos, advertisements, creativity, partner programs, and customer satisfaction programs from every major industry in the world. About the Globee Awards Globee Awards are conferred in eleven programs and competition: the CEO World Awards, the Consumer World Awards, The Customer Sales & Service World Awards, the Globee International Best in Business Awards, the Golden Bridge Awards, the Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards and Security World Awards, the IT World Awards, One Planet American Best in Business Awards, the Globee Employer Excellence Awards, the Globee Corporate Communications & Marketing World Awards, and the Women World Awards. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind their success, the Globee Awards recognize outstanding achievements and performances in businesses worldwide. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com All trademarks belong to their respective owners. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Bharat Dynamics share price gained nearly 3 percent in the early trade on January 6 on receiving order worth Rs 632.88 crore. The company has received Konkurs-M ATGM order along with launchers and test equipments worth Rs 632.88 crore (including taxes). The order book of the company now stands at around Rs 8,100 crore. At 09:24 hrs Bharat Dynamics Ltd. was quoting at Rs 353.95, up Rs 8.90, or 2.58 percent on the BSE. The share touched its 52-week high Rs 481.25 and 52-week low Rs 147 on 14 August, 2020 and 24 March, 2020, respectively. Currently, it is trading 26.45 percent below its 52-week high and 140.78 percent above its 52-week low. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Chinas best-known businessman, Jack Ma, has not appeared in public for two months. His break from public view has fueled questions on social media about his current whereabouts. The former English teacher founded the e-commerce business Alibaba in 1999 when China had few internet users. Ma launched online payments service Alipay, part of the Ant Group, five years later, before such businesses would be permitted in China. Both companies grew to become the biggest in their industries. Other Chinese businessmen like Tencent founder Ma Huateng are known for avoiding reporters and public appearances. But Jack Ma is different, often appearing on television and staying active on social media. He is known for showing up in public wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses to perform rock songs at Alibabas yearly employee meeting. Ma often says that his oversized head and facial features make him look like the movie character E.T. In 2017, he acted as an unofficial business representative when he met with President Donald Trump and promised to create jobs in the United States. In a speech on October 24, Ma said Chinas state-regulated financial system was outdated and needed to be reformed. Chinese media reported him saying, The race tomorrow will be a race of innovation, not regulatory capabilities. The speech came just before the public offering of stocks for the Ant Group. The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally made the decision to suspend the public offering. It would have been 2020s biggest stock offering, raising some $37 billion. In late December, Chinese media reported regulators had started an antitrust investigation into Alibaba and that Ant Group was also told to restructure its operations. Alibaba Group shares traded in Hong Kong have fallen 19 percent since October. Mas net worth, which earlier reached $60 billion, fell by more than $10 billion. Since then, Ma has not been seen in public and has avoided comments on social media. Last week, The Financial Times reported that Ma was replaced as a judge in the final program in November of a television game show called Africas Business Heroes. An Alibaba spokeswoman told Reuters Monday that Ma had to cancel the TV appearance because of a planning conflict, without providing further information. Neither Alibaba nor Ant Group answered questions about why Ma has not appeared in public. Mas break from appearances has led to questions about what might happen to Chinas best-known businessman and billionaire. The Jack Ma Era is ended, wrote one internet writer who goes by the name Yueyue Talks Technology. Its too late to say goodbye. Some see the Chinese governments latest moves as a warning from the ruling Communist Party that Ma cannot publicly criticize state regulators. But others say President Xis government was already uneasy about Alibabas dominance in e-commerce. As for Ant, regulators worried it might add to financial risks and threaten Chinas economic growth. Shaun Rein is a founder of China Market Research Group in Shanghai. He noted that people who know Ma said the billionaire is not in legal trouble. They spanked him. Hes learned (a) lesson, and thats why hes been quiet for the past two months. Rein added, Some of his friends told me they cant believe how stupid he was. Ma and his companies are not the only ones targeted by regulators. The ruling Communist Party has increased anti-monopoly enforcement, especially in online industries. Tencent - which operates the WeChat messaging service - and JD.com were also warned by regulators last month not to try to keep new competitors out of their markets. Foreign investors were uneasy with the moves, but Chinese businesspeople are quite happy with the action, said Rein. He said, A lot of people saw Alibaba and Tencent as monopolies and stifling competition. I'm Anna Matteo. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English with additional reporting from Reuters and The Associated Press. Bryan Lynn was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story feature - n. a part of the face such as eyes, nose or mouth regulate - v. to bring something under control innovation - n. the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices or methods era - n. a period of time dominance - n. the state of being more important, successful or powerful than almost all others spank - v. to hit someone in the buttocks with your hand as a punishment monopoly - n. complete control of goods or service in a market stifling - adj. making it difficult to do something Just-passed surprise medical bill legislation is just one part of government's effort to promote patient consumerism. For healthcare leaders, any doubts about the future of healthcare consumerism should now be set aside so the important work of meeting patients where they are financially can begin. - Kevin Fleming, CEO, Loyale Healthcare The pandemic stimulus and government funding bill approved on Dec. 27 is a massive 5,600-page, $2 Trillion bill with far-reaching implications for Americans everywhere. For health systems and hospitals, one of the bills provisions may prove to be especially meaningful because it advances policy makers intensifying efforts to protect vulnerable healthcare consumers. When viewed in a broader context, this healthcare-related legislation bodes well for healthcare consumers, but presents healthcare providers with some strategic imperatives that shouldnt be ignored. According to reporting from NPR in partnership with Kaiser Health News, The legislation itself was a bit of a surprise, coming after two years of debate that featured high-stakes lobbying by all who stood to gain or lose: hospitals, insurers, patient advocacy groups, physicians, air ambulance companies and private equity firmsA similar effort failed at the last minute a year ago after intense pressure from a range of interests, including those private equity groups. In the end, the story reported, no group got everything it wanted, but according to Zack Cooper, an associate professor of public health and economics at Yale, it fundamentally protects patients from being balance-billed. Thats a remarkable achievement. Balance billing, is defined by Healthcare.gov as When a provider bills you (the patient) for the difference between the providers charge and the allowed amount. For example, if the providers charge is $100 and the allowed amount is $70, the provider may bill you for the remaining $30. The bottom line, the NPR/Kaiser story says, is that Patients may still be surprised by the high cost of health care overall. But they will now be protected against unexpected bills from out-of-network providers. When the law goes into effect in 2022, consumers wont get balance bills when they seek emergency care, when they are transported by an air ambulance, or when they receive nonemergency care at an in-network hospital but are unknowingly treated by an out-of-network physician or laboratory. Patients will pay only the deductibles and copayment amounts that they would under the in-network terms of their insurance plans. Exactly how payers (insurers) and providers will negotiate what is billed and paid for out-of-network services is described in some detail by the bill, which includes a requirement for an independent dispute resolution process with a third party-arbitrator if the two parties are unable to negotiate a payment amount in 30-days. The terms for these negotiations exclude the use of providers billed charges and the use of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements, moderating extremes at the high and low ends of the healthcare billing spectrum. For healthcare providers, its easy to get wrapped up in the particulars of this legislation. But that risks missing the much bigger picture. The prices that Americans pay for healthcare have become so important that Congress felt compelled to take bipartisan action in the midst of a national health and economic emergency. This particular bill addresses the most egregious of healthcare billing practices, but there is a lot of legislative activity waiting in the wings at the state and federal level to address others. For health systems and hospitals, the writing has been on the wall for some time. Healthcare executives who have considered the intentions of legislators, regulators and consumers have been forced to conclude that they must find ways to make the cost of care more transparent. Just as important, they must also help prospective patients understand, manage and afford the care they need. Legislators at the state and federal level have taken a growing interest in healthcare costs precisely because their constituents are in trouble. The growing cost of care over the last two decades coupled with patients increased out-of-pocket expenses have effectively put care out of reach for millions of Americans and left millions more in financial or medical distress. Consequently, more than eight hundred bills addressing the topic have been introduced in Congress this session alone, according to Congress.gov. The executive branch has also gotten into the act, as evidenced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continued efforts to promote healthcare consumerism. Just this fall, HHS, along with the Dept. of Labor and the Dept. of the Treasury issued a final rule on price transparency, helping to ensure Americans know how much care will cost in advance and allowing them to make fully informed and value-conscious decisions. According to Seema Verma, the administrator of HHSs Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Price transparency puts patients in control and forces competition on the basis of cost and quality which can rein in the high cost of care. We analyzed this accelerating regulatory trend a little over a year ago in an article titled Medicares Price Transparency Rules Alone Dont Deliver What Patients Need A Patient-First Approach Does. In that article, we elaborated on the proposed rule changes from CMS, whose final version is scheduled went into effect on January 1, 2021 (surviving a last-minute court challenge to delay). While we applauded the agencys intentions to offer healthcare consumers access to prices for certain healthcare services, we asserted that the new price transparency rules will do little to provide consumers with the useful information patients really needinformation and tools that empower the consumer to make better informed decisions about their care and its costs. To assist policy makers and health system leaders, our analysis included a list of Five Requirements for Authentic Patient Financial Engagement and CMS Transparency Compliance. Those five items include: 1. Present upfront cost estimates for the anticipated course of treatment and all associated expenses, including pre-service insurance eligibility so a reliable out-of-pocket estimate is also presented. 2. Offer multiple payment options to address patient affordability. The Loyale Affordability Workbench, for example, offers provider-configured options that may include discounts for prompt or upfront payments; short-term interest free financing; or longer-term payment plans funded by third party lenders with a reputation for client care. 3. Interactive self-service options with secure personalized experiences that measure up to the best online experiences consumers have with trusted brands like Amazon, Apple, Zappos and other industry leaders. This is the new standard by which providers will be measured. 4. Personalized, contextual digital communications that honor each patients preferences and behavior. For some providers up until recently, every patient with an unpaid balance became little more than a number a balance to be collected. In an industry dedicated to health and well-being, no provider can hope to compete without engaging in the financial dimension of patient care. 5. End-to-end data analytics so providers have the information they need to make evidence-based decisions about their patient pay portfolios and manage for success, both as care givers and as enterprise operators. These five consumer-centered capabilities align with patient preferences as indicated by the Deloitte 2020 Survey of U.S. Health Care Consumers, whose findings show that, In many ways consumers are taking charge of their health more than ever before. They are learning about their health risks, communicating with their doctors in new and different ways, and changing their attitudes about data privacy. These trends in consumerism were talked about for years but remained muted. The COVID-19 pandemic has acted to amplify and accelerate them in ways no one could have predicted. Driven by consumers financial distress, exploding acceptance of telehealth and other virtual care delivery channels, and an ever-expanding number of less expensive, more convenient care delivery alternatives like CVS or Walgreens, consumers are increasingly demonstrating a historic willingness to search for and select the provider whose price and quality is best suited to their needs. To us, it seems strikingly clear that Congress has healthcare consumers backs. By passing bipartisan federal legislation to ban surprise medical bills in the midst of a national health and economic emergency, these federal legislators have joined with the administration and their counterparts at the state level to throw their support behind a more transparent and affordable U.S. healthcare system. For healthcare leaders, any doubts about the future of healthcare consumerism should now be set aside so the important work of meeting patients where they are financially can begin. For many health systems, were privileged to be a part of that effort. Kevin Fleming is the CEO of Loyale Healthcare About Loyale Loyale Patient Financial Manager is a comprehensive patient financial engagement technology platform leveraging a suite of configurable solution components including predictive analytics, intelligent workflows, multiple patient financing vehicles, communications, payments, digital front doors and other key capabilities. Loyale Healthcare is committed to a mission of turning patient responsibility into lasting loyalty for its healthcare provider customers. Based in Lafayette, California, Loyale and its leadership team bring 27 years of expertise delivering leading financial engagement solutions for complex business environments. Loyale currently serves approximately 12,000 healthcare providers across 48 states. Loyale is proud to have an enterprise-level strategic partnership with Parallon which includes the deployment of Loyales industry leading technology at all HCA hospitals and Physician Groups. CINCINNATI -- The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and hope for children. There is every kids dream of getting the perfect toy, the perfect gift. In Madagascar, children are searching, but not for toys. They are looking for food to survive. A severe drought has struck southern Madagascar and families cannot grow crops. Aina Andrianalizaha of the U.N, World Food Program wrote recently that, People dig into the sand to find water but they rarely find any. They have to walk several kilometres from their villages or hamlets to fetch water. The repeated dry spells in this island nation off East Africa have left farmers with no way to grow any food. Andrianalizaha explains: They can no longer plant and have, as a result, come to offer to exchange their scarce cooking utensils for a piece of cassava. These small farmers have no harvest and no income to buy food as they would in more normal times. Children now accompany their families on a daily search for food. Many kids have now dropped out of school. Some have been forced into hard labor. This is the kind of desperation that happens when food suddenly disappears. On top of this tragedy is the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). How can you focus on fighting a virus when you are being crushed by hunger? The World Food Program, 2020 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, says that 1.5 million people in southern Madagascar need emergency food aid, but WFP does not have enough funding to feed all the drought victims in Madagascar. Officials at WFP warn that significant shortfalls in funding will be occurring soon for key programs like nutrition for infants and emergency school feeding. William Lambers is a Cincinnati author who writes frequently on world hunger. There are about 100,000 children under age 5 who are in danger of acute malnutrition, which can cause lasting physical and mental damage. If this severe malnutrition is left untreated, it will claim the lives of these most vulnerable small children. Infant nutrition must be funded. The emergency school feeding plan that WFP has is also very critical because it can provide food to children and keep them from being forced into hard labor. In the district of Amboasary, it was revealed that 75% of children had withdrawn from school because of the hunger crisis. But if children can go to school and receive hot meals, that will encourage their families to send them to class. These families are desperate for food. If WFP is providing food at school, they will attend. Its vital right now that WFP be able to reach every hungry child in Madagascar through the infant feeding or school meal programs. With complete funding, WFP could save a lot of children in southern Madagascar from a terrible fate. The WFP is looking for $35 million to avert catastrophe in Madagascar. We can give Madagascar the gift it needs the most this new year: food and hope. Food will sustain families during this dangerous period of drought and prevent them from taking desperate measures like withdrawing their children from school or selling their assets. You can help Madagascar by donating to WFP. You can also write a letter to your elected officials urging them to support global food aid, especially during the pandemic. Playing the online game Freerice or walking or running Charity Miles can both raise funds for the World Food Program. Whatever little bit you can do can help save Madagascar from a tragedy this year. William Lambers of Cincinnati is an author who partnered with the U.N. World Food Program on the 2009 book, Ending World Hunger: School Lunches for Kids around the World. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions, comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A merger of budget airline AirAsia India with full-service carrier Vistara is among options considered by the Tata group as it gears up for a wider play in the aviation business. The salt-to-software conglomerate has set up a strategy team headed by Tata Sons Pvt. Ltds chief financial officer Saurabh Agrawal to explore options, including mergers, consolidation and rebranding of its airline ventures, two people aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online Tata group, which placed an expression of interest for Air India, recently announced its decision to raise its stake in AirAsia India to 84% by buying out a part of its Malaysian partner AirAsia Bhds shares. A decision on the way forward with AirAsia India is expected to be taken by March-end by when there will likely be more clarity on Tatas bid for Air India, the people cited above said. View Full Image Graphic Mint A final decision in this regard depends on whether AirAsia continues as a minority investor in the airline or not," one of the two people cited above said. In the event of AirAsia Bhd continuing to stay invested in AirAsia India, the Tata group may not be required to pay a royalty for the use of the brand name, which is a key factor," the person added. Tata group also owns 51% of Vistara, with the rest held by Singapore Airlines (SIA). Meanwhile, under the share-purchase pact with AirAsia Bhd, Tata Sons has the option to raise its stake to 100% in AirAsia India. The pact, may however, be terminated if Tata Sons doesnt close the deal to first buy the 32.67% additional stake in AirAsia India by March-end. A potential merger of AirAsia India with Vistara to operate a single airline under the Vistara brand would require the consent of SIA, the people cited above said. A merger (of AirAsia India) with Vistara depends on many factors, including improvement in load factor, cash flows, vaccination, global lockdown and travel restrictions, the proposed deal with Air India, consent of Singapore Airlines, completion of pending aircraft orders and competition from other airlines in India," the first person said. If this works, several sectors will open up for flying, thus, improving cash flows for AirAsia India," the person added. The person said Tata group is also examining the option of merging AirAsia India, Vistara and Air India, if it wins the bid for the national carrier, and run them under a new brand provided it is agreeable to SIA. The Air India deal will depend on the government as it may absorb a large part of the airlines debt. If the government keeps conditions, which includes keeping the Air India brand name intact for a time period, a different strategy will be required," the person said. If the airline businesses are not merged, Tata group may either continue to run Air India separately or merge AirAsia India with Air India. It may also run Air India separately and merge Vistara and AirAsia India under one entity, with the consent of SIA, the first person said. The first will depend on the conditionality kept by the government and the price at which the proposed deal is formalized. The second will depend a lot on how the balance sheet of AirAsia India improves, how the covid-19 situation subsides, air routes open up and whether Singapore Airlines agrees for a merger or not at a future date after 31 March," the person said. All the different scenarios are being assessed by a dedicated team," the person added. A spokesperson for Tata Sons declined to comment. A strategic consolidation among Indian airlines is inevitable and could result in the total number of airlines coming down to two to three from six, aviation consultant Capa India said in a 4 January report. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Bombay high court has ruled it is not permissible to ordinarily set aside convictions for non-compoundable offences at appellate or revisional stage only on the grounds of compromise between the parties. A three-judge bench said the high courts should exercise powers under section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to set aside such convictions only in rarest of rare cases, when found necessary to prevent the abuse of the process or to secure justice. It added any compromise entered into post-conviction for a non-compoundable offence cannot itself result in acquittals. Similarly, the court has no power to compound an offence, which is not permitted to be compounded under Section 320.... Also Read: TV channels airing ads promoting superstition liable to face action: Bombay HC The compromise entered into, therefore, is just a mitigating factor, the bench said. It added such a compromise can be taken into account by an appeal or revisional court for the purpose of imposing an appropriate sentence. The three-judge bench was hearing a reference on whether the power under Section 482 ought to be exercised for setting aside a conviction altogether upon a settlement between the convict and the victim. The issue was referred for consideration of the larger bench after a two-member bench refused to accept the view taken by a division bench at Aurangabad, striking down a conviction on the grounds of settlement between the parties. The two-judge bench observed that maintaining cordial relations between the convict and victim, in that case, was in the larger interest of the society and therefore inherent powers under Section 482 were required to be invoked to set aside the conviction. The three-judge bench cautioned against a casual approach in setting aside convictions on the grounds of settlement. It said if a conviction cannot be set aside in an appeal or revision on merits, such a result cannot be achieved using Section 482 when the parties have compromised. Alabama native and Auburn alumnus Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, made $15 million last year in compensation from the company. The Hollywood Reporter said this was up 28 percent from the 2019 fiscal year. Cooks salary was $3 million, with $10.7 million in non-equity compensation and $1 million in other compensation, including air travel and security. He also received more than $281 million in newly-vested Apple stock. The pay details came in a regulatory filing Tuesday. For the previous fiscal year ending in September 2019, Cook received a $3 million salary, a $7.7 million bonus and $884,466 in perks and other compensation. Cook got most of his stock through an equity award in 2011 when he took over as CEO from co-founder Steve Jobs. This year, Cook received a new long-term equity grant, which could include as many as 1.7 million shares, depending on company performance, according to THR. Last year, Bloombergs Billionaires Index said Cooks net worth passed the $1 billion mark after Apples stock jumped almost 5 percent. That makes Cook is a rarity among billionaire CEOs, in that he did not start the company he leads. Cook, the son of a shipyard worker and a part-time pharmacist, grew up working class on East Silverhill Avenue in Robertsdale. At Auburn, Cook learned to program and even created a system to improve the timing of traffic lights near the university. He has spent 23 years with Apple and took over the company from Steve Jobs in 2011. Jobs died about two months later, one day after the company unveiled the iPhone 4S. Under Cook, the company has overseen the development of the iPhone X, Apple Watch, Apple Music and other products. He visited Birmingham last year to tout Education Farm, an Apple-supported education initiative with TechAlabama and Birmingham City Schools. KENOSHA, Wis. - A Kenosha police officer will face no criminal charges for shooting Jacob Blake seven times in the back, an incident that touched off several days of intense protests against police and later unraveled into violent and deadly street clashes between demonstrators. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced in a Tuesday news conference that his office would not seek charges against Rusten Sheskey, the 31-year-old Kenosha police officer who has been on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice since the Aug. 23 shooting, which Blake survived. Blake, who witnesses said had been trying to break up an argument between two women, was shot as he walked back toward his vehicle. In his written report, Graveley said Blake was armed with an open knife he was holding in his right hand. The report also says video footage showed Blake carrying a knife. Investigators had previously not specified whether officers saw Blake holding a knife, saying days after the shooting that he admitted having one "in his possession." They did not say at the time whether Blake was holding it or whether the officers involved saw it. Investigators said they found a knife on the driver's side floor of the vehicle. According to Graveley's report Tuesday, Blake told investigators that he dropped the knife near the vehicle and picked it up intending to put it in the car, because it was a gift he wanted to keep. In the report, Blake is quoted as saying his knife was closed and questioning: "Why would I pull a knife on a cop . . . that's just stupid." Blake's uncle Tuesday disputed the account that he was brandishing the weapon, while an attorney for the family described the man as posing no threat. Graveley said the decision not to seek charges was based on a review of more than 40 hours of squad video, and more than 200 reports totaling over 1,500 pages. It's the "most independent and charging decision that possibly could be done," he said. For many in Kenosha, the decision over whether to charge Sheskey, who is White, will be a referendum on whether officials in the segregated lakefront community can deliver the kind of justice and police accountability residents loudly called for after Blake's shooting brought years of simmering tensions between police and community members to a boil. Blake is Black. "It is going to weigh on this city and this state for years to come," Justin Blake, the victim's uncle, said ahead of the Tuesday announcement. The Blake family had braced for an outcome similar to that of Breonna Taylor's case, the 26-year-old emergency-room technician who was killed by Louisville police in March during a botched raid on her apartment. Prosecutors declined to bring charges against the officers, though the Louisville Police Department last week moved to fire two of the officers involved. Graveley spent more than an hour discussing findings from investigators as he insisted the widely seen video of Blake's shooting did not show the full story and detailed why the broad legal protections for police - and what he described as Blake's weaknesses as a witness - would have made any charges against Sheskey unlikely to stick. Graveley added that Blake's encounter with police was prompted when a woman called 911 to report him, and would be viewed as a domestic abuse case based on the call and prior contacts between Blake and the woman, who was his girlfriend. "This is a pattern of behavior police have been involved with many times that this is a domestic abuse scenario played out one more time unfortunately on August 23," Graveley said. Blake's family disputed several of the characterizations Graveley made about Blake and the incident during Tuesday's news conference, including the notion Blake was armed with a weapon in hand, meaning he could not have reasonably posed a threat to police. "Jacob never posed harm to anyone," said Ivory Lamar, the family attorney. Lamar called the district attorney's claim that Blake had a knife a "completely bogus rationalization of what was really an intentional act to shoot him seven times in the back." Absent charges from local officials, Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., previously told reporters the family would take their case to the federal level. "This has to be federally heard, not just for my son, but for everyone who suffered police brutality. Everyone. We can't sit around anymore. We can't wait," the elder Blake said. The Justice Department said Tuesday that a federal civil rights investigation into Blake's shooting is still ongoing. - - - Echoes of the unrest from last summer could be seen around Kenosha on Tuesday as the area braced for potential unrest surrounding the announcement: Plywood returned to storefront windows, National Guard vehicles rolled through the streets and concrete barriers blocked highway entrances into town. The charging decision was not the only event fueling concerns over potential violence in town. Hours before Graveley's announcement, Kyle Rittenhouse, a northern Illinois teenager who fatally shot two people and wounded a third during protests following the Blake shooting, claimed self-defense as he pleaded not guilty to five felonies, including multiple homicide charges during a Tuesday afternoon hearing. Rittenhouse, 18, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, all while using a deadly weapon. He is accused of fatally shooting demonstrators Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and gravely wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, 22, on the second night of protests that followed Blake's shooting. Rittenhouse's actions injected more chaos into Kenosha and at times even eclipsed Blake's plight; they also added another layer of complexity and tension to the contrasts between the ways police and protesters were viewed by many of the White, largely suburban and rural residents of Kenosha and the Black and Latino community living closer to the city. On Aug. 25, Rittenhouse was among a number of people who took up arms during the Blake protests claiming they were protecting local businesses from looters and vandals, though many of them, including Rittenhouse, were not locals. Rittenhouse, then 17, traveled from nearby Antioch, Ill., with an AR-15-style rifle. Despite being out past a curfew set by Kenosha officials and carrying a weapon he was too young to possess under Wisconsin law, police were seen in video apparently welcoming the presence of Rittenhouse and other armed people in the street. "We appreciate you guys," one officer tells the armed men in a live-stream video published online. "We really do." Rittenhouse has since been embraced as a folk hero on the far-right, with supporters raising his $2 million bond to free him in November and contributing money to support his legal fight. - - - Blake's shooting drew an almost immediate reaction in Kenosha, particularly from Black residents who have long complained of racial profiling and unequal treatment from local police. Police shot Blake, who witnesses said had been trying to break up an argument between two women, as he walked back toward his SUV, an officer trailing behind. Three of Blake's sons watched from the vehicle as Sheskey fired toward Blake's back at close range. After the shooting, local officials provided only scant details on what led to the shooting, which was partially recorded in a video capturing an officer firing repeated shots into the 29-year-old's back. Sheskey's attorney said the officer fired because he thought Blake was holding a knife and that he was attempting to kidnap a child - a narrative Blake's father disputed. "There's no misunderstanding. [Sheskey] shot him seven times in this back. Unjustifiably. Nobody's life was threatened. The only one's life who was threatened that day was my son," Blake said. Blake's case also was unusual among the high-profile instances of police violence from last year; unlike the case of Taylor's fatal shooting by police in Louisville or George Floyd's death in the custody of police in Minneapolis - the incident that sparked 2020's reckoning over racial injustice and police brutality - Blake was seriously wounded but survived. More often, the most high-profile cases involving police using force that fuels unrest involves fatal shootings by officers. Police officers are rarely charged with shooting and killing people while on duty, and convictions in such cases are even less frequent. Police shoot and kill about 1,000 people in America every year, according to a Washington Post database tracking such shootings. In most instances where police fatally shoot someone, the victim is armed and the shootings are deemed justified, leading to no criminal charges. Since 2005, more than 100 officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter for shooting and killing someone while on duty, according to records kept by Philip Stinson, a criminologist at Bowling Green University who tracks these cases. A Washington Post review of cases last year found that after a police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014, prosecutors began charging more officers. Conviction rates, however, remained largely unchanged from previous years. When Patricia Butler saw the long lines and large crowds in her coffee shop last weekend, she didn't jump for joy for the business. Instead, she grew concerned and felt uneasy. Butler, owner of Coffeecionado, said she had to tell a few people to put their face masks on while visiting her South Side establishment at 502 W. Mitchell St. She added some people downright told her the coronavirus is "just the common flu," which was one of the many reasons Butler decided to temporarily close her Colombian-style coffee shop Monday until the COVID-19 spike in Bexar County slows down. READ ALSO: Comfort Cafe has a message for anti-maskers: 'Go somewhere else' "Unfortunately, some people just don't care," the Colombia native said with a sigh. "We have to think about everybody and not just ourselves. It's not about the money. It's about being safe and keeping the community safe, even if some don't believe in the virus." With the decision to suspend the operation, Butler said she had to furlough five employees for the first time since the pandemic started in Bexar County. She noted her shop, which opened in February 2018, did well last year and ended successfully. Butler said they even had a chance to give back to the community by donating 1,500 boxes of roasted coffee to the San Antonio Food Bank during the summer. However, she said she is giving back to the city in a different now. "We are a very resilient city but we are in the red and have so many COVID cases," the 46-year-old said. "We have to keep our community safe if we want to sell in the future." Coffeecionado will continue to offer its roasted bags of beans online, along with its private roasting classes. Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net Coffeecionado| @CillaAguirre A further 13 people have died in Northern Ireland after contracting coronavirus and another 1,985 new cases have been reported, the Department of Health has confirmed. Nine deaths occurred between 10am on January 5 and 10am on January 6, with four deaths taking place outside of this reporting period. The death toll, according to the department, has now risen to 1,397. Another 1,985 people tested positive, bringing the total number of infections to 83,236 since reporting began. There are 592 Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals, with 44 in intensive care. Thirty-seven people are currently ventilated. Hospital occupancy is 102% and there are 132 active outbreaks of the virus in care homes. Read More Meanwhile, all GCSE, AS and A-level exams in Northern Ireland have been cancelled. Education Minister Peter Weir tweeted: "I have just taken the decision to cancel all GCSE, AS & A2 exams this academic year. "In light of the extended remote learning now in place I cannot allow our students in NI to be disadvantaged in any way from their counterparts across the UK." Mr Weir told MLAs work will continue on the alternative awarding arrangements for pupils, with further details "to be brought forward as soon as possible". Exams scheduled for January, February, May and June will now not go ahead. However, it has not yet clear how grades will be awarded. It comes after transfer tests were cancelled in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. However later the Association for Quality (AQA) confirmed a single transfer test is still scheduled for February 27. SDLP Education spokesman, Daniel McCrossan welcomed the announcement. "But this is too little too late from Minister Weir who has caused needless stress to the hundreds of children set to sit GCSE exams next week," he said. Meanwhile, Stormont ministers are setting out details of new tougher coronavirus restrictions in a bid to halt the rapid spread of the disease throughout Northern Ireland. Schools have been closed until the February mid-term break for all but key workers and vulnerable children. Special schools will remain open. A stay at home order will be brought into force - with police to be given extra powers to prevent people leaving their home without a reasonable excuse. Gatherings have again been severely restricted. The new rules will be in place until at least February 6. Read More Here's how Wednesday unfolded: Belfast Telegraph A second dry run of the Covid-19 vaccination will be held across all states and Union Territories on 8 January, the central government said on Wednesday. "In a massive country-wide exercise, another mock drill on Covid-19 vaccine administration to be conducted in all states and UTs on 8 January. Around 1.7 lakh vaccinators and 3 lakh vaccination team members trained in vaccine administration," said the government. The first dry run across the country was conducted on 2 January to plug loopholes in logistics and the process of the vaccination drive. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The aim of the drill is to test the linkages between planning and implementation and identify the challenges. It will also test the operational feasibility in the use of CoWIN application -- a digital platform to roll out and scale up the vaccination drive -- in a field environment. In the first round, each district conducted the dry run at three sites or more which included a public health facility (District Hospital/Medical College), Private Health Facility, and rural or urban outreach sites. All the State and District officials were trained on the Operational Guidelines and for conducting the dry-run. The preparation to handle any Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) at all session sites and functionality of the Call Centers was also tested. It was supervised by the District collectors. What is CoWIN? The CoWIN software has been developed by MoHFW for real-time information of vaccine stocks, their storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries for Covid-19 vaccine. This software will assist the programme managers across all levels through automated session allocation for pre-registered beneficiaries, their verification and a digital certificate will be generated upon successful completion of the vaccine schedule. More than 75 lakh beneficiaries have been registered on CoWIN software till date. Approval to vaccine On 3 January, India had granted accelerated approval to two Covid-19 vaccines Covaxin, manufactured by Bharat Biotech, and Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India. On Tuesday, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said that the vaccine rollout will happen within 10 days from the date of approval. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A number of murdered Syrians have been found in different areas of Syria, with no suspect being detained writes Baladi News. On Monday, the Syrian Civil Defenses diving team recovered the body of a man from a sewage system near the city of Idleb. On its official Facebook page, the Civil Defense Department published photos showing the body of the man. In its posting, the Civil Defense said that the body belonged to an unidentified man in his 40s, who was transferred to the forensic medical office in the city of Idleb to be identified. On Dec. 22, 2020, townspeople found the body of a child, by the name of Majd Adhab al-Hussein, who was stabbed to death on agricultural land near the Samidoun camp in the northwestern countryside of Idleb. Several weeks ago, the Civil Defense team also recovered the body of an unidentified man from a sewage system near the Atma camp complex on the Syrian-Turkish border, north of Idleb. Daraa In Daraa, on Tuesday, people found the body of 17-year-old Omar Khalil al-Jizawi, who was shot dead in the town of Jillen, in western Daraa. The reasons behind the killing are still unknown. Jizawi went missing on Monday evening, and the details of the incident are still mysterious at the time of writing. Aleppo In Aleppo, a child was seriously burned on Tuesday as a result of a fire that broke out in a camp in the vicinity of the city of Azaz in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The Civil Defense Department wrote on its Facebook page, A child was severely burned today [on Tuesday], due to a tent that caught fire where a family resides near the city of Azaz, north of Aleppo. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. RTHK: EU watchdog gives green light for second Covid jab The EU's medicines watchdog approved a coronavirus jab by US firm Moderna on Wednesday, giving a shot in the arm for Europe's slow-moving vaccine roll-out. The vaccine is the second to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the 27-nation bloc after Pfizer-BioNTech's got the green light in late December. The Moderna approval comes as criticism mounts of the EU's sluggish start to its vaccination campaign, which is lagging behind the United States, Britain and Israel. "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency," EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said in a statement. "It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO," she added. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said it was "good news for our efforts to bring more Covid-19 vaccines to Europeans!" National capitals have been piling pressure on the Amsterdam-based EMA to authorise the Moderna vaccine as coronavirus cases soar across Europe. The regulator failed to decide on approval at a meeting on Monday, which had been brought forward from January 12, and experts had to meet again on Wednesday. The EMA said it had in the intervening time been "working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company". The EU began vaccinations on December 27 but the pace has been slow, with the Netherlands on Wednesday becoming the final country in the bloc to start. European Council chief Charles Michel said late on Tuesday that he hoped for Moderna approval in "coming hours" and that leaders would hold a virtual summit on the health crisis later this month. Michel said that delivering vaccines to the EU's almost 450 million people was a "gigantic challenge". But he insisted that "alongside member states, the European Commission is working night and day to make sure we can increase the number of vaccines available" - while "respecting the independence of the medicines agency". The Pfizer-BioNTech product - developed in Germany - is the only vaccine currently authorised for use in the European Union since its fast-track authorisation by the EMA on December 21. The United States uses it alongside the Moderna vaccine, while Britain as of Monday also started using one by UK pharmaceuticals giant, AstraZeneca. Moderna's jab was found to be 94.1 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 compared to a placebo in a clinical trial of 30,400 people, performing slightly better in younger adults compared to the elderly. The EMA said last week that the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University is unlikely to get a green light in the EU in the next month. The fact that the watchdog moved from London to Amsterdam after Brexit has itself fuelled commentary about how Britain had been able to move faster after leaving the EU. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now. Judge Benjamin Hayes knew the eyes of Los Angeles were on him. In January 1856, the hard-living judge presided over a hearing that would rock Los Angeles, a dusty, dangerous pueblo of approximately 4,000 souls. Out of the hearing would emerge Biddy Mason, a formerly enslaved woman who would become one of the most important -- and one of the wealthiest -- landowners, midwives and philanthropists in early-American Los Angeles. Mason was so beloved that people in need would line up in front of her house on First Street, eager for "Aunt Biddy's" assistance, which she always gave until she grew too old and infirm. "She showed people what could happen when they were free and could set their own destiny," says Jackie Broxton, executive director of the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation. Nearly 170 years later, Mason's spectacular journey continues to inspire people in Southern California and beyond. The foundation that bears her name uses her story to uplift and serve L.A.'s foster youth. This Thanksgiving, the organization gave grab-and-go holiday dinners to more than 400 people impacted by the foster care system. Charles Alston and Hale Woodruff were commissioned by the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co., at 1999 West Adams, one of the largest black-owned businesses of its day, to paint murals dedicated to the theme "The Negro in California history." Alston completed this mural, "The Negro in California history, exploration and colonization", in 1949. It depicts Biddy Mason, James Beckwourth, William Leidesdorff, among other African Americans who played significant roles in early California history. (January 1987) (Mike Mullen/Herald Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) Mason's legacy also helped save a group of W.P.A. murals, painted by Bernard Zakheim, on the U.C. San Francisco campus. After Laura Voisin George came across a depiction of Mason in the frescos, which were scheduled to be destroyed, she alerted Dr. Kevin Waite, an Assistant Professor of History at Durham University in the U.K., and a fight began to save them. The university eventually bowed under pressure from several groups, as well as Mason descendants Cheryl and Robyn Cox, and has hired a conservator to preserve the frescos (although it has no plans to exhibit them publicly). Despite Mason's enduring regional fame, her story is often retold using the same handful of anecdotes with few concrete facts to back them up. Dr. Waite and Dr. Sarah Barringer Gordon, a Professor of Law and History at the University of Pennsylvania, want to change this. As co-directors of a three-year collaborative grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to research Mason's life, they have been digging deeper into her story. In the process, they have not only illuminated details of Mason's story, they have shined light on the history of Los Angeles and the United States in the early and mid-1800s. It is a tale of new religions, old prejudices, ingenuity and resilience. Gladys Smith, Linda Cox and her daughter Cheryl gaze at a picture of Biddy Mason, Cox's great-grandmother, at a monument to her. Circa 1981. (Shades of L.A. Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) The Journey Begins Biddy Mason was born into slavery, probably in Hancock County, Georgia, in 1818. Although many details of her early years are a mystery, Waite and Gordon have tracked her major movements. She was forcibly transported to Mississippi in the early 1830s. In the early 1840s, she was purchased by Robert Smith, a moderately successful Mississippi landholder who almost certainly planted crops and traded slaves. "He definitely didn't rise to the status of 'planter,' which is defined as anybody with 20 or more slaves, but I think it is safe to call him a modest buyer and seller of human property," Waite says. Smith likely cultivated cotton, the South's most important crop, and Mason probably had experience doing both domestic work and farm labor. "She was known as a particularly strong woman physically, and she would have been valuable in the field," Gordon says. Mason also gave birth to three daughters -- Ellen, Ann and Harriet -- whose paternity is unknown. Harriet may have been the child of Smith or another member of his family. Mason was probably familiar with the teachings of the Mormon Church, since Robert Smith was a convert to the new faith, which had been founded by Joseph Smith (no relation) in 1830. "In the early 1840s, there was a very successful Mission movement to Mississippi, and at least 200 people were converted. Then, in the late 1840s, the great Mormon Exodus to Utah included a large contingent known as the 'Mississippi Saints,' of which Robert Smith was one," Gordon says. Although Mormons were better known as opponents of slavery before the assassination of the Joseph Smith in 1844, church teachings and policy evolved later in that decade and during the 1850s to a more clear pro-slavery stance. "According to the leaders of the church, slavery was sort of a condition imposed upon the descendants of Ham [i.e. those of African heritage]... Their argument was you cannot release these people from bondage until God himself releases them. So, bondage is a divinely ordained institution, and the patriarchs of the Old Testament practiced it, so present-day Americans [could] practice it as well," Waite says. Mormons were encouraged to treat their enslaved people kindly, since they saw them as lesser humans who needed the white man's protection. The old Mormon Pioneer trail from Salt Lake City to San Bernardino. This photo, made in 1891, shows part of the trail between Death Valley and Las Vegas. (Frederick Monsen/Huntington Digital Library) In 1848, the Smith family began their trek West. Mason, her daughters, a woman named Hannah and her children were forced to join them on the brutal, roughly 1,600-mile trek from Mississippi to Utah. Mason probably walked much of the way behind the wagon, herding livestock. "The trail must have been disturbing, frightening and strange, but if an enslaved person was in a position to escape, that was an opportune moment, especially when there were anti-slavery sympathizers nearby in several states, including Iowa and parts of Kansas," Gordon says. For this reason, enslaved women's value increased on the trail since, like Biddy and Hannah, they often had young children and were less likely to try to flee. A photo taken in 1895 shows a Mormon grist mill built in 1852 in San Bernardino. (Charles C. Pierce/Los Angeles Photographers Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) The Smiths spent time in the pro-slavery Mormon settlement of Cottonwood Canyon, Utah before coming to California in 1851 to help settle the Mormon colony of San Bernardino. Moving to Southern California, "Biddy was stepping into a world controlled by a clique of mostly white Southern men and their Latino allies," Waite says. Although California joined the United States as a free state in 1850, the laws around slavery were complicated. "When [Biddy] arrived in California, she arrived in a technically free state. But it was a land made up of unfree laborers of various kinds," Gordon says. Indigenous people could be forced to work as "contract laborers" (essentially indentured servants, but with no ability to leave) or declared wards of white and Californio elites. As Waite explains, during the 1850s, Los Angeles contained what observers called a "slave mart." Every weekend, local authorities would arrest intoxicated Indians on dubious vagrancy charges. They would then throw the Native Americans in a pen and auction off their labor for the coming week. "If they were paid at the end of that week, they were usually paid in alcohol so they could get drunk, be arrested and begin the process again," he says. This "slave mart" was the second most important source of municipal revenue in L.A., after the sale of licenses for saloons and gambling venues. A street in old San Bernardino, 1880. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) For a time, Smith prospered in San Bernardino, where Mason probably worked alongside Native Americans who had been forced into indentured servitude. "Smith was one of the counselors to the bishop [a local leader in the Mormon Church] and as an owner of... 13 enslaved women and children, and an owner of a very large property, he would have been among the wealthiest settlers in San Bernardino," Waite says. Smith, a difficult and argumentative character, kept butting heads with Mormon leaders in San Bernardino. According to Waite and Gordon, the Mormon colony began to fall apart after its leaders made a terrible real estate deal, paying top dollar for what they thought was 80,000 acres of land when they had actually purchased only 35,000 acres. Unable to pay off their loans, the colony sued the people who had sold them the land. They lost, likely because church leaders did not read the fine print. But the court allowed them to choose up to 35,000 acres anywhere in the larger area. Eventually, they chose Smith's ranch, among others, to be turend over to the church without any compensation. "Smith and many others were outraged and there was widespread dissent, and Smith made plans to leave the colony - but quietly and with no open confrontation," Gordon says. In 1855, Smith broke with the Mormon leaders of San Bernardino and was eventually excommunicated from the Church. He sold off his cattle and prepared to move to Texas. Before he left, Smith took his family and slaves to a camp in the Santa Monica Hills, probably to obtain provisions for the journey eastward. Waite also notes Los Angeles was considered a hospitable place for slaveholders, since many early Angelenos were originally from the American South. "Maybe by camping closer to fellow Southerners he felt more secure. Maybe he just happened to know people in the area. We have yet to come across a hard and fast answer for that one," Waite says. In December 1855, someone tipped off local authorities that a group of Black Americans were being held in Santa Monica Canyon and were about to be taken across state lines to the slave state of Texas. Until recently, Smith would have been within his rights to take Mason and her compatriots out of California -- but not to Texas. The California Fugitive Slave Act, enacted in 1852, allowed slave owners to temporarily hold enslaved persons in California and transport them back to their home state. But the code had been allowed to lapse in April 1855, and would not have applied to Smith, since he was moving to Texas not Mississippi. On New Year's Eve of 1855, two sheriffs, one from San Bernardino and one from Los Angeles, approached Judge Benjamin Hayes to issue a writ of habeas corpus. According to Gordon, writs of habeas corpus were widely used against slaveholders in free states. "It's a writ issued by a judge, which commands an individual to produce those who are alleged to be unlawfully imprisoned or confined," Gordon says. Hayes issued the writ and late that night, sheriffs raided Smith's camp in the Santa Monica mountains, taking Biddy, Hannah and their children into protective custody. They brought them to the city jail at the corner of Spring and Franklin Streets in downtown L.A. The earliest known outdoor photo of Los Angeles, taken in 1860, shows a view of the plaza looking east. (Chinese American Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) Law & Order It has long been a mystery who exactly tipped off the authorities. In her masterful essay, Biddy Mason's Los Angeles, 1856-1891, historian Dolores Hayden claims it was Elizabeth Rowan, a formerly enslaved woman who had also settled in San Bernardino, along with prosperous downtown Los Angeles livery owner Robert Owens. "The Owens family ended up working for the U.S. government in the Civil War, supplying horses, and they were well-known and respected as free Black persons," Gordon says. She and Waite think Mason may have met the Owens family when Smith went to Robert, a horse dealer and outfitter, to prepare for the journey to Texas. Broxton, the executive director of the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation, believes the small community of free Blacks in Southern California would have been moved by the women's plight. "Smith stood out like a sore thumb because here he comes bouncing into town... after California has been admitted to the U.S. as a free state, with 13 slaves. That's not the smartest thing he could have done. And there were already Blacks here who were free, so with their common experience, they are going to want to do something to help her," Broxton says. The secrecy surrounding the origin of the complaint lends credence to it being a person of color. Many habeas corpus writs are issued at the request of local sheriffs, however, and it is also possible that happened in this case. Given the controversy surrounding the litigation, anonymity for the complainant would have been a welcome protection. "This was a very carefully kept complainant. There could be several different reasons for that. One might be that no person of color, no Native or Negro [according to] an 1850 statute, was allowed to testify in any case involving a white person. So if the complainant was a person of color that would have been a violation of the statute," Gordon says. On paper, Judge Benjamin Hayes did not seem like someone who would be on Mason's side. Born in the slave state of Maryland, Hayes had briefly owned slaves through his wife before moving to Los Angeles. In his work as a journalist, he had written-pro Mormon articles in the past, painting them as industrious and admirable people. He had even gone to San Bernardino on his court circuit as a judge. He had also met with Mormon leaders about a construction project and noted casually in his diary that there were Black "servants" present at the settlement. As Los Angeles residents celebrated the new year, both sides geared up for the trial. According to Waite and Gordon, Biddy Mason was allowed to stay with the Owens family, although the children were kept in protective custody at the local jail. An early view of the Los Angeles County Courthouse, taken sometime between 1861 and 1891. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) The hearing on the writ began on Saturday, January 19, 1856, in Judge Hayes' downtown L.A. courtroom. Hannah, who had given birth to a baby boy only two weeks earlier, testified. Surprisingly, she said that she wanted to go to Texas. "She gave this unbelievably damaging testimony even though she clearly hated doing it. There were long silences," Gordon says. "Then she left to return to San Bernardino. [Judge] Hayes sent the San Bernardino sheriff up to talk with her and she said, 'I promised I would say in court that I wanted to go but I don't want to go. If you bring me back to court, I'll say I want to go but I don't want to go.' So the sheriff came back and submitted an affidavit saying she doesn't really want to go." Hannah was probably terrified of what Smith would do to her if she refused to go with him to Texas. His behavior before and during the course of the hearing made it clear she had good reason to be afraid. "Robert Smith behaved really, really badly during the course of the hearings... The lawyer who had been retained for the petitioners was threatened and abruptly withdrew from the case in return for a bribe of $200. Smith's son and trail hands went to the jail with alcohol and tried to intimidate the jailer and lure [Biddy Mason's] daughters away from the jail. They also threatened the Owens family and a neighborhood grocer and a doctor. They said 'If this case isn't resolved on Southern principles, you'll all pay the price, all people of color.' They really behaved like thugs, and you can imagine how Smith's credibility was eroded," Gordon says. Judge Hayes was furious with the Smiths and clearly rattled by what he had heard. "What I think surprised him and disturbed him was that Robert Smith was trying to take these people out of California, and that he lied about their own wishes," Gordon says. According to Hayden, since Mason, as a Black American, could not testify against Smith, a white man, under state law, Judge Hayes took her into his chambers along with two trustworthy local gentlemen who acted as observers. (He also questioned her elder daughters.) "He asked her only whether she was going voluntarily, and what she said was, 'I always do what I have been told, but I have always been afraid of this trip to Texas,'" Gordon says. According to Hayden, Mason was clearly unwilling to go to Texas, and she may have had Hannah's tacit approval to say so. That day, Judge Hayes (according to a document printed in historian Delilah Beasley's book, Negro Trail-Blazers of California) issued the following preliminary holding: "And it further appearing by satisfactory proof to the Judge here, that all the said persons of color are entitled to their freedom and are free and cannot be held in slavery or involuntary servitude, it is therefore argued that they are entitled to their freedom and are free forever." This opinion was not a final ruling although it is often reported as such. "As you can see, it's 'argued' rather than 'held' but it does seem like Hayes, on this initial hearing, had made up his mind. Judge Hayes also ordered Smith to bear all costs associated with the case and caring for those placed in guardianship of the sheriffs as they prepared for trial" Gordon says. The trial was scheduled to continue on Monday, January 21, but Smith was a no-show. Unwilling to pay court costs and knowing his name was now mud in L.A., he ran off to Texas where he would establish himself as a cattle rancher. He died in 1891 and was buried in Mormon temple robes. "Before the case was resolved, he scarpered. There was nobody being held against their will, so the case ended because the defendant disappeared. It ended not with a bang but a whimper," Gordon says. With Smith gone, Mason, Hannah and their children were released from protective custody. Hayes proclaimed that "Biddy and Hannah, the two adults, could consent to go voluntarily, if they wanted to go to Texas, but they could not bind their children into slavery," Gordon says. Hayes' actions would have a disastrous effect on his reputation. He was accused in pro-Confederate Los Angeles of being an abolitionist. He occasionally arrived to work so drunk that court had to be shut down until he sobered up. In 1863, he lost his judgeship. But he may have felt his ruling in the Smith case was a case of kismet. According to Gordon, in 1886, Hayes wrote a letter to a friend stating that although he had paid a terrible price for doing the right thing, he suggested it had been worth it when his son, who had been thrown out of a wagon and was about to be crushed by its wheels, was saved by one of the women he had freed. Hayes never mentioned which woman it was. Building A Legacy A portrait of Dr. John Strother Griffin, a physician in early Los Angeles. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) Mason and her daughters were now citizens in rough-and-tumble Los Angeles, where only around 80 of its 4,000 residents were Black. She seems to have stayed in Judge Hayes' orbit, becoming a nurse and midwife to his brother-in law, Dr. John Strother Griffin, another former slave owner. She also remained closely entwined with the prosperous Owens family, who she lived with for 10 years. Her oldest daughter, Ellen, married Owens' son, Charles. According to Waite, Hannah remained in San Bernardino with her husband, Toby Embers. Sadly, he was murdered by a drunk white man two years after Hannah won her freedom. Her daughter, Ann, moved to L.A., married and had seven children. She and her family were neighbors of Ellen and Charles Owens. Together, Mason and Dr. Griffin would deliver hundreds of babies. The Griffins were prominent L.A. landowners and may have encouraged or inspired Biddy to begin buying property. She may have also learned about real estate opportunities from Robert Owens, a successful landowner himself, according to Gordon and Waite. According to Hayden, Mason bought her first lot in downtown L.A. in 1866 and continued her real estate ventures for the next three decades. Increasingly wealthy, she eventually had more than 20 tenants, three substantial plots near what is now Grand Central Market as well as land on San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo. "Once she got her freedom, she didn't accept 'no' for an answer. Whatever she set out to do, she was very methodical about. She had to be a tremendous person with strategy because nothing appears to be accidental. It all appears to be very well thought-out," Broxton says. Broxton is currently trying to definitively locate all of Mason's land holdings and hopes to put a plaque on each spot. She says it makes perfect sense that Mason would become a real estate dynamo. "Slaves knew the value of property more than anybody else because they were property. They were bought and sold on a whim, so they understood the value of money and property," Broxton says. Beulah Woodard, L.A. artist (left) shows her Biddy Mason sculpture to Gladys Owens Smith, great granddaughter of Biddy Mason (right), and to Harriet Fritzhand. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) Mason also continued her work as a midwife and nurse, becoming a beloved figure in the community. Although she could not read or write, Broxton says she learned to speak Spanish fluently, probably to communicate with her patients. "She was clearly one of the most charming and effective people anyone ever met," Gordon says. "She got along with very eminent people who were happy to see her, as well as newcomers who came to her for help and advice...She was a well-known figure in L.A. and deeply appreciated." Mason was also a noted philanthropist in a town full of hard-luck desperados. "Los Angeles was a hellhole of a place. There were a lot of people who were in trouble for a lot of different reasons. She would provide food for them, she'd provide shelter for them, she'd make contact with the local grocer after floods and instruct them to put everything on her bill, she would go to prisons and treat people with smallpox," Broxton says. A view of Olive Street, looking south from 5th Street, in downtown Los Angeles taken in the 1880s. Horse-drawn carriages travel along the dirt road. (Herald Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) By the time Biddy Mason died in 1891, Los Angeles had become a bustling city with 50,000 residents. "This old Frontier Town became an emerging metropolis... She saw it transformed before her eyes and she took part in that transformation," Waite says. It was a remarkable journey for a woman born into slavery and forcibly moved across the country to a region she knew nothing about. Biddy Mason asserted her freedom, protected her children, built a legacy of generational wealth and helped hundreds of Angelenos in the process. In Gordon's words, "She made her place." More than that, she had taken Los Angeles and made this place her own. Founded in 1877, Evergreen Cemetery is the oldest existing cemetery in Los Angeles to have never been relocated. Several prominent Angeleno pioneers, including Biddy Mason, are buried here. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection) WE LOVE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS Violence and chaos erupted at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday when supporters of President Trump stormed the building amid the process to affirm Joe Bidens victory in the November election. The stunning scenes unfolded after Trump urged his supporters to protest the constitutional process underway to formalize Bidens election and has continued to push false claims of mass voter fraud. Members of New Jerseys congressional delegation reacted with outage and disgust at the violence. Photos from the U.S. Capitol showed intruders spraying what appeared to be a fire extinguisher, hanging from a balcony in the Senate Chamber, smashing windows at the complex, fighting with police officers and breaching security perimeters. At least one person was shot at the Capitol complex, the Associated Press reported, citing a source. No details on the shooting were immediately released. Here is a look at some of astonishing images captured from the violence at the U.S. Capitol: WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: U.S. Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Getty ImagesGetty Images WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters have entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Getty ImagesGetty Images WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A protester sits in the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters have entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Getty ImagesGetty Images WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)Getty Images A US Capitol police officer wears a gas mask as supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by Saul LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol as tear gas fills the corridor on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by Saul LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by Saul LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A protester holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)Getty Images WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)Getty Images The Associated Press contributed to this report. Vice President Mike Pence will face the biggest challenge of his career when he presides over a Joint Session of Congress to certify election results Trump tweeted wrongly that Pence could reject 'fraudulent' electoral college results when he presides on Wednesday After the tweet Pence and Trump met for lunch and VP told him he could not decertify states' slates of electors But he tried to sugarcoat message by saying he might find a way to 'acknowledge' Trump's discredited claims about 'fraud' Then Trump issued furious White House statement claiming Pence was in 'total agreement' that he had the power to single-handedly overturn election Trump outlined plan to reject electors from swing states won by Biden - which Congress has no prospect of doing; Pence did not sign the statement Either Republican legislatures would then send Trump electors or Congress would vote for the president on one-vote, one-state so Trump would win Meanwhile, more and more Republican senators also are jumping ship, announcing they will back Biden when it comes time to certify At least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Donald Trump furiously claimed Tuesday night that Mike Pence can overturn the election result in Congress Wednesday - and denied the vice president had told him he could not. The president issued a statement after the New York Times reported that Pence had told him over lunch that he had no constitutional power to 'decertify' states' slates of electors when he presides over Congress to certify the election result. ADVERTISEMENT But Trump called that 'fake news' then outlined an extraordinary plan to either get Republican state legislatures to send Trump electors - or turn the election to Congress under the 12th Amendment, which could then vote for Trump. ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. Trump gave a suggestion of his public fury in his statement Tuesday night. 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power to reject slates of electors 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. ADVERTISEMENT 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the Electoral College votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to how Pennsylvania's voting was run - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. ADVERTISEMENT Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. Desperation move: Trump's extraordinary plan to overturn the election through Mike Pence is a final attempt to stop Joe Biden's victory being confirmed If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina Republican Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Ted Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Josh Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' And for Pence, who has walked the tight rope of Trump's presidency for four years without faltering, what he does Wednesday will be the ultimate loyalty test, at least in the eyes of the president, who is publicly putting on the pressure. Trump has made it clear he expects his second-in-command to keep him in the White House even if Pence does not legally or constitutionally have the power to do so. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Ultimately, Biden is expected to be certified as the winner of the election on Wednesday, which Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, is expected to announce after the certification is complete. The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. When all is said and done, Biden will be inaugurated the 46th president on January 20th. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia Click here to resize this module While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' The low down on how Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleagues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'Its treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. ADVERTISEMENT More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. Jim Trezise, president of Wine America and the former head of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, hailed the change. Wineries can reduce costs while expanding marketing, said Trezise, who lives in Yates County. We are grateful for his leadership on this and other issues affecting our industry. WineAmerica is a national advocacy organization for the wine industry. Scott Osborn, president and co-owner of Fox Run Vineyards in Yates County, said the move is good for winemakers and consumers. I would like to thank Sen. Schumers many years of work on this, he said. Without his help this very important change to standard fill sizes would not have happened. This allows Fox Run Vineyards and the wine industry to use standard size cans that are much more affordable and usable by the public. Added John Martini, owner of Anthony Road Vineyards: We thank Sen. Schumer for paying attention to our growing industry. This change by the TTB will give wineries the flexibility they need to grow and give the consumer the types of products that they are seeking. Asserting that the coronavirus pandemic has not been able to dent the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the two countries are now looking at post-Covid cooperation. Speaking at a joint media briefing with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, Jaishankar said the Covid pandemic has given the two sides an opportunity to collaborate even further. "It (Covid) hasn't been able to dent our bilateral cooperation. In fact, high level contacts were maintained and indeed strengthened during the past year and the virtual summit between our prime ministers was the watermark of our relationship in 2020," he said. Jaishankar is visiting Colombo over three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa held the virtual summit in September during which the two sides agreed to further expand ties in a range of areas such as anti-terror cooperation, maritime security and trade and investment. "We are now looking at post-Covid cooperation and I carry back with me Sri Lankas interest in accessing vaccines from India," said Jaishankar, who is here on a three-day visit - his first foreign trip of the year. This is also the first by a foreign dignitary to Sri Lanka in the new year. Sri Lankan leadership formally requested Indian assistance to obtain the Covid vaccine during meetings with Jaishankar in Colombo. Jaishankar underlined that both the neighbours are now facing immediate challenges of post-Covid recovery. "This is not just a public health issue but also a crisis of the economy," he said. Assuring that India will be a "dependable and reliable partner" of Lanka, Jaishankar said the country is open to strengthening its relationship with the island nation on the basis of "mutual trust, mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity". He also spoke on the need to ensure aspirations of the minority Tamils are addressed within a united Sri Lanka. "India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long standing as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony," he said. "It is in Sri Lanka's own interests that expectations of Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka are fulfilled. That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lanka government on meaningful devolution including the thirteenth amendment of the Constitution," he said. His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of moves by the ruling Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) allies to mount a public campaign for abolition of Sri Lankas provincial councils system. The SLPPs Sinhala majority hardliners have been advocating a total abolition of the islands provincial council system established in 1987. Jaishankar also stressed on the cooperation between the two countries to ensure maritime security and safety. "As maritime countries in the Indian Ocean, India and Sri Lanka have a shared interest in ensuring maritime security and safety. We have a long history of cooperation on it," he said. "We stand ready to enhance Sri Lankas capabilities to meet growing maritime and security challenges, he said, describing Sri Lanka as Indias closest maritime neighbour and partner. Jaishankar, who had met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his counterpart Gunawardena before the press conference and was expected to meet with the minister of fisheries Douglas Devananda later, said he was looking forward to the early return of Indian fishermen detained in Lanka. "We look forward to the early return of our fishermen from Sri Lanka," Jaishankar said. Indian fishermen, apprehended in Sri Lanka for allegedly poaching in its territorial waters, were provided consular assistance by the Consulate General of India in Jaffna last week. The Indian High Commission here said it was in touch with the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate the early release of the detained fishermen. India and Sri Lanka last week held through video conferencing a meeting of the joint working group on fisheries and discussed the issues related to fishermen and the ways to overcome challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. On his part, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister conveyed his government's profound gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government for the tremendous support India extended in the past several months to mitigate the adverse impact of the Covid pandemic. "India's Neighbourhood First Policy has made a positive impact on the health sector and economy during this period of unprecedented crisis, Gunawardena said. Jaishankar earlier met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and discussed cooperation for post-Covid health and economic recovery. "Pleased to call on President @GotabayaR. Conveyed warm greetings from PM @narendramodi. Discussed cooperation for post-Covid health and economic recovery. India will be a reliable partner in Sri Lanka's development," he tweeted. Jaishankar thanked his Lankan counterpart for his hospitality and said they reviewed bilateral cooperation and "will work closely to fulfil the vision of our leaders." Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, the Republican incumbent, conceded her Senate runoff to Democratic Sen.-elect Raphael Warnock on Thursday -- two days after Election Day and CNN and after several other news organizations projected Warnock the winner. Loeffler thanked her supporters in a video and said she had called Warnock to offer her congratulations. She also promised that she would still be politically active. 'I fully intend to stay in this fight for freedom, for our values and for the future of this great country,' Loeffler said. Related: Georgia runoff results It took some time for Loeffler to get to this place. Her defeat was evident on election night as she trailed Warnock by tens of thousands of votes, but the Republican told supporters that she believed she still had a path to victory before bragging that she was headed to Washington to object to the counting of the Electoral College votes in Congress. News organizations called the race for Warnock early Wednesday morning. Loeffler did initially object to the Electoral College results, before violence and chaos descended on the US Capitol after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building. After the Senate reconvened, she changed her position and said she would no longer object to the presidential election results in her state. In the state's other Senate runoff, CNN has projected that Democrat Jon Ossoff has defeated incumbent GOP Sen. David Perdue. Perdue has yet to concede, but trails by more than 40,000 votes with 99% of the vote counted. The margin of victory for Ossoff is currently outside the margin that would allow for a recount of the results. The twin victories for Democrats will give the party control of the US Senate with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris able to break ties in the chamber. With vaccinations lagging three weeks into the states effort, Louisianas health agency this week directed hospitals to start inoculating the elderly and an expanded group of health care workers as pharmacies around the state start doling out small numbers of doses. The state as of Tuesday had only administered 56,452 doses of the vaccine, after being allotted more than 210,000 doses in recent weeks. About 56,000 of the doses went to a federal program through Walgreens and CVS to immunize residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The rest went to hospitals and other providers. Allowing the elderly to access the vaccine appears to be kickstarting the states vaccination program, after thousands of health workers at the states major hospital systems have declined to take advantage of the vaccine so far. Still, there are a host of hurdles. People aged 70 and older, who are now eligible for vaccinations, flooded phone lines at pharmacies and hospitals this week, vying for a limited number of doses. Most appeared to land on waitlists or struck out. The state only received 10,500 doses for pharmacies, equaling about 100 each at the 107 locations selected. Hospitals have an unknown number of doses for use on the elderly because shots for health workers are ongoing as people slowly sign up. Ochsner Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, two of the states biggest health systems, are only offering vaccinations to people who are existing patients of their respective hospitals. Ochsner began the immunizations Monday to the elderly and other health workers in the states Phase 1B priority group, while Our Lady of the Lake has only started doling out vaccines to health workers in Phase 1B. OLOL said it intends to begin immunizing the elderly soon. The Louisiana Department of Health directed hospitals to start vaccinating people in the first tier of Phase 1B if they have doses that exceed the number of workers who have signed up for shots in the first phase. Effective immediately, please begin to use any remaining current and future vaccine allotments that exceed your interested hospital staff to begin vaccinating the elderly and a list of other health workers, including outpatient clinic staff, urgent care providers, home health providers and recipients and others, the agency said in a memo. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said we are leaving it to hospitals to efficiently administer the vaccine doses they have. As more doses are available to the state, there will be expanded options for people to get the vaccine. After being allocated more than 210,000 doses in the first three weeks, Louisiana got 10,500 doses of Modernas vaccine to send to pharmacies this week. Aly Neel, a spokesperson for the Health Department, said the state doesn't keep track of how many of the 56,000 doses that went to the federal nursing home program have reached the state. Next week, the state expects 28,275 doses of Pfizer's vaccine and 27,500 doses of Moderna's vaccine, Neel said. Elderly people inundated hospitals and pharmacies with calls and requests for appointments after learning they were eligible. At New Orleans East Hospital, spokesperson Aziza Landrum said the response was overwhelming, and that the hospital has filled its appointment capacity. How will Louisiana convince people to get the coronavirus vaccine? Here's the $475K plan Now that Louisiana is receiving COVID-19 vaccines each week, the state Health Department is turning its focus to a crucial part of reaching he Thats a turnaround from the first phase of the vaccination program, which began in mid-December and offered vaccines to hospital workers. New Orleans East Hospital has vaccinated about 105 of its 399 staff members, Landrum said, though the hospital is still offering vaccines to its workers. She said the hospitals main priority is vaccinating staff, and they can get the vaccine at any time. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Dr. Robert Hart, chief medical officer at Ochsner Health System, said the system has vaccinated about half of its 26,000 employees. In all, the system has administered more than 16,000 doses, according to a spokesperson, including to Ochsner employees, community physicians, first responders and other health care providers across the state. Hart said the numbers are not surprising when compared to national surveys, several of which have shown about 40% of people say they will get the vaccine, while another significant chunk say they will probably get it. For instance, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey in December found 41% of people will definitely get vaccinated, while 30% will probably get vaccinated. Actually when Ive seen some of those surveys, Im actually pretty pleased in our first run through were closer to 50%, Hart said. When we opened up to over 70, as weve done, it definitely changed the dynamics. We had a lot of interest yesterday. A lot of phone calls about it. People were signing up on my Ochsner, just as quickly as they could. Ochsner received another shipment of about 8,000 doses on Monday, Hart said. The system is limiting the vaccinations to elderly people who are already patients of Ochsner because it will be able to move through appointments more quickly. He said the system eventually hopes to expand its vaccination efforts to the public statewide when doses become available. Scott Wester, president and CEO of Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, said the system has administered about 7,000 vaccines, compared to 17,000 workers across the state. The system began vaccinating health workers newly eligible under Phase 1B last week, he added, and will soon roll it out to people 70 and older. Airline workers, judges among those asking Louisiana for coronavirus vaccine priority As Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards grapples with who should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines after hospital workers and nursing home resid Wester said he believes the holidays tamped down enthusiasm for the vaccine among staff. Some people took time off or otherwise didnt want to experience side effects during the holidays. He said every day more workers are scheduling appointments to get vaccinated. The Lake will also only vaccinate people who are connected to the systems physician groups, Wester said, and there are more than 50,000 such people who qualify. Thats a large cohort, he said. Theyre already in our system, theyre already in our electronic health records. While a fraction of Our Lady of the Lakes staff has taken advantage of the vaccine so far, Wester said hes not yet concerned, and expects more to receive their shot in the coming weeks. He and Hart noted some employees have tested positive for COVID-19 recently and therefore were told to hold off on receiving the vaccination for the time being. The number of doses administered in Louisiana compared to the number of residents puts it near the bottom of the list of states, according to the New York Times, using data from last week. According to the analysis, Louisiana outpaced only six other states for the share of population receiving a shot so far. The first batches of vaccines were divvied up by population. How Will Pence Treat the Electoral Envelopes in His Hand? Whatever Pence chooses, the ramifications will be far-reaching Commentary As Georgians headed to the polls for the states crucial Senate runoffs, a nation anxiously awaits Jan. 6, the date on which the Electoral College votes in our presidential election are to be formally counted. Theres no small amount of confusion and uncertainty over what might take place on that day. Thats partly because, despite what media pundits may tell you, no one really knows. Although there is much attention and focus on Jan. 6, that date is nowhere to be found within our Constitution. Rather, it comes from a section of federal law, known as the Electoral Count Act of 1887 (ECA), or more simply as 3 U.S. Code Section 15, which requires a joint meeting of both houses of Congress at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Congress shall be in session on the sixth day of January succeeding every meeting of the electors. The Senate and House of Representatives shall meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives at the hour of 1 oclock in the afternoon on that day, and the President of the Senate shall be their presiding officer Although the word certification is often used, the process of certification is actually done at the state level. The Constitutional role of Congress on Jan. 6th, to the extent it has any role at alldepending who you askis, at most, to count the votes. The 12th Amendment of the Constitution states that: [T]he President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted. As the current vice president, Mike Pence also serves as the president of the Senate. Should Pence not be present or is otherwise unavailable, the Constitution provides for a president pro tempore, currently Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), to preside over the Senate. There has been much debate around the role of the president of the Senateparticularly when there are competing electoral votes or general confusion about which electoral votes have actually been certified in one or more states. Some questions also revolve around the certification of the states electoral votes themselves. The Constitution vests state legislatures with the exclusive power to choose electors under Article II, Section I, also known as the Electoral Clause: Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress. Electors are certified by each states governor through Certificates of Ascertainment, which list the names of the electors appointed and the number of votes cast for each person. On Dec. 14, these electors then meet and record their votes, one for the president and one for the vice president, on Certificates of Votes. The Certificate of Votes are then paired with the Certificates of Ascertainment and are sent to the president of the Senate. Despite the clearly stated authority of state legislatures in the Constitution, there has been a shift through federal statutes that has established a process whereby most states presidential electors are selected by the governor, without any post-election certification by the legislature of the state. Its here that the possibility of dueling or competing lectors arises. Should the state legislatures believe that the presidential election was fraudulent, they could then choose to appoint a new, second slate of competing electors (also on Dec. 14) and subsequently submit the votes from those electors to the president of the Senate. What makes our current situation even more confusing is that seven statesArizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsinall have submitted an alternate slate of electors, although none of these electors were officially sanctioned and the state legislatures are technically out of session until Jan. 6. However, its possible that official sanction isnt as imperative as is often portrayed. Edward B. Foley, a professor who heads the election law program at Ohio University, prepared what amounted to a Democratic war-game analysis of the election. Foley acknowledges that while there may be legal arguments at the state level regarding legislative authority (absent a change in current state law), those state legalities are nevertheless subsumed once these electors send their electoral votes to the President of the Senatethen the President of the Senate has these electoral votes in hand. That is enough for Congress to consider the votes and potentially accept those votes as the authoritative electoral votes. [W]hat matters is whether or not Congress receives a submission of electoral votes from a state, not whether that submission is legally valid according to some standard that Congress might not recognize as binding. In other words, the competing slate of electoral votes may be more viable than many media reports would suggest. The individual that could determine their validity is the president of the Senate: Pence. There have been many arguments regarding the power of Pences role. Is he to simply open the votes and allow for them to be counted and then recorded? Or is he actually invested with the authority to become the ultimate arbiter of which votes are to be counted? Foley cites language from the 12th Amendment, which states the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted. Foley also acknowledges the interpretation that Pence, as president of the Senate, could decide which certificates, and thus, which electoral votes are to be counted: Given the language of the Twelfth Amendment, whatever its ambiguity and potential policy objections, there is no other possible single authority to identify for this purpose besides the President of the Senate. But Foley questions who is to perform the actual counting and states that theres no constitutional provision in the event of a dispute: [T]his language contains no provision for what to do in the event of a dispute, whether with respect to the certificates to be open[ed] or with respect to the votes contained therein. It certainly says nothing about what to do if the President of the Senate has received two conflicting certificates of electoral votes from the same state. Foley suggests the use of the Electoral Count Act of 1887 (ECA), currently known as 3 U.S. Code Section 15, but the problem with the ECA is twofold; its very confusing and open to an array of interpretations. It also appears to be unconstitutional in that it contravenes both the 12th and 20th Amendments. Unlike the 12th Amendment, which appears to vest all power within Pence, the ECA brings both congressional houses into play and shifts electoral power away from constitutionally designated state legislators and toward state governors. It also eliminates the contingent election role of the House. Specifically, the ECA diverges from the 12th Amendment in three crucial areas, as described by lawyer Stephen B. Meister: First, while the 12th Amendment grants no role whatsoever to the Senate, the ECA grants the Senate equal control over objections, as they must pass the Senate and the House. Second, the ECA provides that in the absence of objections passing in both houses, the slate certified by the governor of the state controls. This is nowhere provided in the 12th Amendment. Third, by providing for governor-certified slates to be counted even if there are dueling slates of electorsabsent objections passing in both houses of Congressthe ECA eliminates and replaces the contingent election procedure set forth in the 12th Amendment, because by virtue of counting the governor-certified slates, the dispute is resolved (though not in the manner set forth in the Constitution, i.e., the 12th Amendment), and never reaches the House (for a contingent election). Meister also notes that the ECA violates Article II, the Electors Clause, because it gives the final say over electors to the states executive branch (its governor), while Article II grants that power exclusively, and in a non-delegable way (according to the U.S. Supreme Court), to the state legislatures. With all of these competing procedures, and a divided Congress, how is Pence supposed to proceed? Its worth noting that despite the tremendous focus on Jan. 6, the only date mentioned in the Constitution, and the only date that truly matters in regards to the presidential election, is Jan. 20, which comes from the 20th Amendment: The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January In other words, Jan. 6 is not the drop-dead deciding point that its so often made out to be. There are several scenarios, particularly in relation to this election, where the selection of the new president and vice president could move out toward, and perhaps even beyond, Jan. 20. Although theres an array of competing options and sub-options, Pence might be likely to take one of five possible approaches. Pence could view his role as nothing more than the opener of the ballotsthereby allowing for congressional use of the Electoral Count Act to determine the president. Pence could refuse to count any ballots from the contested states that have competing electors. Pence could, theoretically, select the alternate electoral slate that is for President Trump. Pence could select the governor-certified votes in favor of Biden. Pence could defer his decisionallowing state legislatures the opportunity to formally reconvene and decide if they want to decertify Bidens votes. The possibility also exists, although unlikely, that Pence could simply abdicate his role by not showing up to the House chamber on Jan. 6. In this case, his role would fall to Grassley. If Pence views his role as a passive one, thereby allowing for congressional implementation of the ECA, an interpretative quagmire could arise if there is a disagreement between the House and the Senate during the employment of the ECA. Additionally, although not entirely clear-cut, there is a section within the ECA that states that certificates with the governors signatures must be the ones accepted: But if the two Houses shall disagree in respect of the counting of such votes, then, and in that case, the votes of the electors whose appointment shall have been certified by the executive of the State, under the seal thereof, shall be counted. Although somewhat complex, Republicans could either go along with that position or they could object. Indeed, a number of Republican senators and House members have announced their intention to object to the certification of electoral votes with a call for an Electoral Commission and an emergency 10-day audit of the election returns in the disputed states. In this case, state legislators might be given the opportunity to evaluate the Commissions findings and could convene a special legislative session to certify a change in their vote, if needed. There are also some legal positions that counter the acceptance of the electoral votes certified by the governors, although this requires participation from a Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)-led Senate. As Foley notes, Several scholars, including one from the Congressional Research Service, assert that when multiple submission of electoral votes from the same state all claim safe harbor protection, none can be countednot even one bearing a gubernatorial certificateunless both houses of Congress agree upon which submission is entitled to this safe harbor status. This path, without resolution between the two chambers of Congress, would likely result in an impasse and could ultimately lead to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) becoming acting president. This would occur via the 20th Amendment and 3 U.S.C. 19, which provides that if there is neither a new president nor vice president by noon of Jan. 20th, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall, upon his resignation as Speaker and as Representative in Congress, act as President. If Pence were to exercise his 12th Amendment power and choose the path of disallowing all electoral votesboth Biden and Trump votesfrom the contested states, the election would then become what is known as a contingent election. This occurs when no presidential candidate has achieved a majority of electoral votes, and a contingent election is held by the House of Representatives, with one vote per state delegation for the new president. An absolute majority26 states currentlyis required. This would certainly be subject to immediate legal challenge. In what is the least likely of scenarios, Pence could select the Trump electors over the governor-certified electors, citing the widespread allegations of fraud. This, too, would certainly be subject to immediate legal challenge, and might provide for a tenuous legal outcome. If Pence chose to select the Biden electoral votes, it would seem likely that the election would, practically speaking, be over with Biden declared the winner. This brings us to the last option listed above: Pence could announce that he was deferring his decision, which would have several effects. It would remove or forestall the power of Congress to enact usage of the Electoral Count Act. It would provide time for further examination and presentation of evidence regarding claims of fraud that took place in the electionsomething that was never actually looked at by the courts. And it would allow the states to have official legislative sessions to determine if they felt it necessary to decertify the results that were originally for Biden. Indeed, just such an option was suggested by Jenna Ellis, senior legal adviser to the Trump campaign, who raised the idea during an appearance on the Just the News television show The Water Cooler with David Brody: What Mike Pence could do, and what he should do, in fact, is to direct a question back to the state legislatures when there are two competing slates of delegates from these six states. He can ask that question to the states and say, Well, state legislators, you know, I have an oath to the Constitution to uphold the Constitution as written in Article II Section 1.2, which says the state legislatures direct the manner in which electoral delegates are selected. So you tell me which of these two slates was selected in the manner that your state general assembly has designated.' As Ellis noted, this would be returning the authority to the constitutionally vested entity, which should then require some sort of official response from the state legislatures. In a sub-plot of this option, Pence could also refuse to open the votes, declaring that he believes them to be the result of fraud, with a request for Supreme Court intervention. Where this action might lead is unknown, since the Supreme Court could refuse to intervene, perhaps forcing the issue back to Congress. Pence is being put into a position of unprecedented pressure. The only person who knows what action he will take is himself. And even he may not know with certainty. On Jan. 5, at least a dozen Georgia state senators announced their intention to send a letter to Pence requesting that he delay the electoral count. If another state, such as Pennsylvania was to add their own request, it might provide Pence with some much-needed support. Notably, Georgia Sen. Brandon Beach told The Epoch Times that he believed that several senators from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Arizona also wrote letters sent to the Vice President, asking him to at least delay it 10 to 12 days. Alfred Hitchcock is considered the most prolific movie director in history. Starting his career in 1922, Hitchcock directed over 70 films and shorts and acted in 39 projects. His career spanned 45 years and resulted in six Academy Award nominations. When Hitchcock died in 1980, it was assumed hed created every film he wanted to make. That is not the case, though. He batted around a movie based on the famous spy, George Blake, for more than a decade. His declining health was the only reason he didnt eventually produce the film. Who was George Blake? George Blake, plain and simple, was a double agent. As a member of the British Intelligence, Blake was stationed in South Korea in the 1950s. During his deployment, he was captured and held as a prisoner of war. When he returned to the United Kingdom, he continued working for the military. Blake was secretly feeding classified information to the Soviet Union, though. Double agent, George Blake | Keystone/Getty Images) According to NPR, Blake lived a relatively normal life even while working as a spy. He married, had children, and went undetected for more than a decade. Eventually, Blake was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to more than 40 years in prison. Five years into his sentence, however, Blake escaped into Russia, where he lived out the rest of his life. Blake died in December 2020 at the age of 98. According to the New York Times, Blake was hailed as a hero in Russia and went on to have a second family during his later life. Alfred Hitchcock scouted locations and hired screenwriters for what would have been his Blake project Hitchcock was committed to using the real-life spy as inspiration for a feature film. In the late 1960s, Hitchcock optioned the novel, The Short Night and the non-fiction book, The Springing of George Blake, for an espionage thriller. Reportedly, the plot revolved around an escaped spy who is being hunted by a CIA operative. The operative falls for the spys wife as he awaits his arrival. The spy eventually escaped into the Soviet Union on a train. Alfred Hitchcock | Hulton Archive/Getty Images RELATED: Alfred Hitchcocks 5 Most Frightening Films Hitchcock was reportedly so committed to the flick that he scouted locations in Finland where he could film the movie. His wife, Alma Hitchcock, had accompanied him on the trip, and they picked out several potential sites that could work. From 1967 until 1979, Hitchcock hired several screenwriters who worked with him to produce a script. In 1980, Hitchcock gave up on the project and all others, too The untitled project would have likely been Hitchcocks last. In fact, it was the project he was working on when he finally decided he needed to give up his career and walk away. According to The Hitchcock Report, work on the project had slowed to a crawl by the end of 1979, and by early 1980, he was ready to admit he could no longer make movies. Alfred Hitchcock | Hulton Archive/Getty Images He left his office at Universal Studios in early 1980 and died several months later of renal failure. His last public appearance, in March 1980, took place just one month before his death. The screenplay for the untitled George Blake movie was never completed, although drafts of the movie script exist. Sen. John Cornyn has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump on Twitter. Earlier, Cornyn said he would not join Sen. Ted Cruz and 10 Republican senators in their refusal to certify the presidential election results unless they are audited. Cruz and his allies have repeated baseless claims of "unprecedented" election fraud, the Houston Chronicle's Washington correspondent Benjamin Wermund reports. POLITICS: Trump supporters protesting election results begin demonstrating in D.C. Cornyn on Tuesday wrote a letter to Texans saying he would not object to the results unless substantial, new evidence is presented to Congress. Over these past two months, I have paid close attention to the legal challenges and recounts that have taken place across the country, Cornyn wrote in a letter to Texans. Every lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign has failed to change the outcome. And multiple states have conducted recounts to confirm the results in Georgia, three times. Trump named Republicans Cornyn, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota in a tweet Tuesday night. "I hope the Democrats, and even more importantly, the weak and ineffective RINO section of the Republican Party, are looking at the thousands of people pouring into D.C.," Trump wrote on Twitter. "They wont stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen." Trump has refused to concede the election since November, bringing dozens of lawsuits to states in attempts to overturn the election results. The House and Senate are set to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's electoral win over Trump on Wednesday. It was the kind of thing that only seems to happen in movies. In fact, its become such a common trope, its reached spoof status. Like Aaron Eckhart in The Core, Dennis Quaid in The Day After Tomorrow or Dennis Hoffman in Sphere, our main character proves to have some hyper specific knowledge that attracts the attention of a government agency, and is eventually called on to solve an unsolvable issue. Thats exactly what happened to 19-year-old Eric Schubert. A decade ago Schubert was just a kid who was at home sick every winter due to a consistent bout with pneumonia, who then stumbled upon genealogy as a way to pass the time, which became a hobby, an obsession, a job and, recently, a way to solve cold cases. If that didnt happen I certainly wouldnt be where I am today and doing the stuff that I love, Schubert said. I thought it would keep me busy for a few weeks, but 10 years later here I am. I started and I just couldnt put it down. The Burlington County native was originally obsessed with his own genealogy, estimating he spent nearly five years digging through every branch of his family tree, before using this newly acquired skill to skip the kind of work teenagers usually get. I was around 14, 15 then and I needed a job, and in Jersey when youre a teen you can really only work at fast food restaurants and the farms. Admittedly, I was lazy and I just didnt want to do that. Then I thought that maybe people in my town might have interest in genealogy. The interest far surpassed Schuberts expectations, and the reward turned out to be way more than money. Schubert made a massive impact in peoples lives, helping more than 1,000 clients from around the country find their biological families, including his friend, Sammy Lynam. But even that didnt prepare Schubert for the type of impact hed be making shortly after graduating high school. Schuberts success caught the attention of several news outlets, including the Philly Inquirer, which caught the attention of a police department in Montgomery County in Pennsylvania. They contacted Schubert with hopes to use genealogy to solve a cold case after the method gained popularity by leading to the arrest of the Golden State Killer. Four months later, Schubert, at the age of 18, helped the police department solve a nearly 40-year-old cold case. Telling a family that their sister who was murdered 40 years ago, that you helped solve that case, its indescribable to help them that way, Schubert said. Its just so rewarding, and I think its really important. Schubert couldnt go into detail about the case since he signed a non-disclosure agreement, or the half dozen murder or rape cases hes currently working on thanks to the extra time afforded to the Elizabethtown College student due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he offered a general outline of how genealogy helps solve these cases. Heres a step-by-step breakdown of a hypothetical case: Schubert is given a report, and when putting the information through a public ancestry database, finds the suspect is descended from a couple in the 1800s. That gives him roughly 100-200 possible descendants. Genetic material from the report helps Schubert match the suspect to one of the wives descended from this original couple. That narrows it down to a specific branch of the family tree, which trims that number down to roughly 50. Schubert knows the suspect is male, and finds of those 50 matches only 20 are male. If the crime was committed in Pennsylvania, Schubert looks to see how many of those 20 lived near Pennsylvania, which trims the list down to 10. The report includes a phenotype report, which gives an accurate report of certain physical characteristics. This report indicates that theres a 99.5% chance the suspect has hazel eyes. That further narrows the list down to two suspects. Finally, Schubert looks to see if any of the two have a prior record, and Schubert is given the one suspect to zero in on. This information gives the police a suspect, and they then look for further evidence to make an arrest and get a conviction. This could be additional circumstantial evidence, like the suspect lived in the same neighborhood as the victim or worked the same job, or could be acquiring the suspects DNA. Schubert offered in one of the cases he worked on the police acquired sample DNA of the suspect, and compared to the genetic material from the case file, the police concluded, there is a 1-in-87 quintillion chance he didnt do it. Of course, thats not how every case is going to go for Schubert. He said the process is about constant dialogue with the police department, whether thats finding information to help conclude that the prime suspect isnt the likely culprit, or helping to filter down a large list of suspects. Its a two-way street, with any additional information or details of possible suspects the police department can offer helping Schubert when hes hit his own dead end. Schubert said he is not currently working on any cases in New Jersey, and while he doesnt plan on using his double major in political science and history to turn his genealogy passion into a career, he expects the long-time obsession will always be part of his life. Every time I think I need to take a break I come right back into it. I cant stay away. I definitely dont see myself stopping. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Evan Slavit may be reached at eslavit@njadvancemedia.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Inspired by China's innovation-driven development strategy, a large number of talents who returned to the country after studying abroad have become an important force of the mass entrepreneurship and innovation campaign in China during its 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). After graduating from the University of Liverpool in the UK, post-90s Chinese Shi Pengfei made a decision that surprised his family and friends: returning to his hometown in Dulouma village, Kaifeng city of central China's Henan province to engage himself in planting edible fungi. Since 2017, Shi has tried to grow many varieties of edible fungi. He finally decided on shiitake mushrooms, which are believed to be relatively easier to form an industrial chain, cause no pollution, and boast both technical advantages and economic benefits. Today, in his planting base in Dulouma village, shiitake mushrooms grow vigorously in neat clusters. Besides, the industrial park of edible fungi established by the overseas returnee-turned new farmer has driven the development of 39 poverty-relief edible fungi bases in six townships in the locality. Shi has made great efforts to establish an entire industrial chain covering the production, supply and sale of edible fungi, and tried to involve impoverished residents in every links of the industrial chain so as to expand their sources of income. In 2020 alone, Shi provided assistance for 3,360 times for poor households, increasing their income by an average of 6,000 yuan ($928.5) per household. In fact, during Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan period, more returnees like Shi have devoted themselves to poverty alleviation and applied what they have learned to the front line of the fight against poverty. Miao Lu, co-founder and secretary general of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), believes that overseas returnees can play a key role in Chinas poverty alleviation models featuring five major approaches including industrial development, technical training, education, medical services, and financial support, and make greater contributions to the countrys poverty alleviation campaign. Over the past five years, various Chinese cities have made efforts to attract talents returned from overseas. Shanghai attracted over 67,000 returnees from 2016 to 2020, more than twice the number of talents returned from overseas introduced to the city between 2011 and 2015. In addition, 80 percent of these returnees attracted to Shanghai graduated from the top 300 universities in the world. The metropolis has accumulated more than 200,000 returnees that are working or running their own businesses in the city. Talent cultivation has always been a focus of Chinas opening-up efforts in the education sector, and talents returned to the country after studying overseas are an important part of China's talent pool. Latest data from Chinas Ministry of Education show that the number of Chinese studying abroad exceeded 2.51 million from 2016 to 2019, of whom about 2.01 million, or 80 percent, returned to China after graduation. The returning wave of overseas Chinese graduates is a mirror of industrial changes as well as a vivid reflection of the appeal of huge opportunities in China. While injecting fresh impetus into the innovative development of various industries, talents returned from overseas have helped enhance the endogenous power of China. It is predictable that returnees will better integrate their ambitions into the development of their motherland and compose more wonderful melodies of innovation and entrepreneurship with the support of a more mature talent cultivation system and all-round services for innovation and entrepreneurship. " " Necco Wafer candies hit the market in 1847, and other than a short hiatus between 2018 and 2020, they've sold steadily ever since. Keith Beaty/Toronto Star via Getty Images Sugarplums whatever the heck they are positively dance through kids' heads at the end of the year. Figgy pudding again, what? is evidently, according to the somewhat beloved Christmas carol, high on some people's wish list. But Necco Wafers? They've been around for more than a century and a half, still wrapped in their familiar wax package, and nobody breaks out in song about them. At any time of the year. It's a seasonal shame. OK ... that's not strictly true. Diana Eschhofen, a representative for the Spangler Candy Company of Bryan, Ohio a family-owned affair that itself has been around since 1906 will sing high praises about the Necco. Conventional candy lovers far and wide may look on the humble multi-flavored wafers as some kind of sick gift from a crotchety old grandmother. But Eschhofen knows better. And she has history on her side. "Our research and experience have made it clear," she says in an email, "that Necco Wafers are loved by people from all generations and all walks of life." Advertisement What Are Necco Wafers? If you're new to the Necco, first, its name. Necco is an acronym, of sorts, for the now-defunct New England Candy Company, which launched its eponymous product in 1901, though the original version of the wafer first was popped out of a lozenge-cutting machine in 1847. For comparison's sake, the Hershey's Bar came along in 1900; the Milky Way bar was introduced in 1924; Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were unveiled in 1928 and the Snickers bar in 1930. M&Ms came along in 1941. So save those down-nose looks for other, lesser candies. The Necco, which traveled with troops in the Civil War and World War II, deserves a little respect. Second, the Necco is, in an admirably proud kind of way, not your average chocolate bar. It is, as the name points out, a candy wafer, sold in 24-count rolls meant for sharing. These wafers think flat Mentos, or big Life Savers, though the Necco is snap-worthy and tastes nothing like those candies come in eight distinct colors and flavors. From Spangler, which took over the brand in 2018: The eight all-time favorite flavors and colors ... [include] lemon (yellow), lime (green), orange (orange), clove (light purple), cinnamon (white), wintergreen (pink), licorice (dark grey) and chocolate (brown). " " Neccos come in eight flavors, including (clockwise from left) wintergreen (pink), lime (green), orange (orange) and lemon (yellow). Robert Lachman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Image Advertisement What Do Necco Wafers Taste Like? The third bit you need to know about the Necco Wafer is its taste. And that's where the real candy snobs get all huffy. Neccos are made with sugar and corn syrup and have pretty much zero nutritional value (though they are fat- and sodium-free). They are chalky-tasting to most everybody that tries them and, in a host of snarky online taste tests and candy Top 10 lists, constantly rate among the worst of modern candies, up (or down) there with Circus Peanuts, another Spangler product. They are, even according to Eschhofen, not candy to many admirers, instead used as "shingles for gingerbread houses, for kids to practice communion, edible poker chips and place markers." Still, somebody out there likes them for their taste. In 2009, the Necco people made the first change to the wafers' recipe since its inception, trying to rid the candy of artificial colors and flavors. Fans would have none of it. Sales dropped by 35 percent. "When you're tampering with the family jewels for [the first time in] 150 years," Necco Vice President of Research and Quality Jeff Green told NPR in 2011, "we expected some fallout. I don't think we expected it to be quite what it was." Necco jettisoned the new wafer version, a la New Coke, sold the brand in 2018 and, after a brief hiatus, Spangler brought the old Necco back, to a decent degree of fanfare, in early 2020. They can be found in major supermarkets and drugstores across America today. " " Necco wafers are sorted by colors in trays and then mixed together in portions. Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images Advertisement Bringing Back the Necco Wafer in 2020 Necco Wafers may not be particularly healthy (though, have you seen the sugar content in a Three Musketeers?) or, to many people's palates, particularly tasty. But they have a niche that they are uniquely qualified to fill. Spangler did a survey early in 2020 and found that 73 percent of Americans have had, or are at least familiar with, Necco Wafers. Baby boomers and Gen X get them. A hefty 71 percent of millennials know Neccos. The only group that wasn't all that familiar with the wafers were those in the 18-23 age group. Only 40 percent of them had even heard of Necco Wafers. But if those Gen Zers stick around long enough kind of like the wafer itself who knows? A Necco Renaissance? A new appreciation for these pasty, pastel, crunchy chalk-like treats? "Necco Wafers bring back the kind of familiar, comfortable feeling we are all craving. For some, it's the feel of that familiar wax paper roll in their hands, still sporting its classic logo. For others, it will be tearing open and peeling back the wrapper to flip through the row of flavored discs to find their favorite," Eschhofen says. "For still others, it will be feeling each wafer melt on the tongue, or that satisfying snap of biting down. For everyone, it's classic and sweet." NOW THAT'S INTERESTING On the topic of treats, a sugarplum, for the record, most often refers to a seed, nut or bit of spice not a plum covered with sugar (and is also known as a comfit). And, again for the record, figgy pudding is neither fig nor American pudding, but a steamed cake stuffed with raisins, currants, orange peel, sugar and brandy that was at one time a staple of British Christmas fare. [January 06, 2021] Maria Anhalt Named CEO and Managing Director, Elektrobit ERLANGEN, Germany, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Elektrobit (EB), a visionary global supplier of embedded and connected software products for the automotive industry, today announced Maria Anhalt as its new CEO and managing director. Anhalt, who previously served as EB's CTO, succeeds Alexander Kocher, who has been the company's CEO and managing director since 2011, and retired at the end of 2020. Anhalt moved into the CEO role as of January 1, 2021. She brings more than 20 years of experience in management positions at technology companies including Continental and HP, and a strong software background. As CEO, she will be focused on leveraging EB's decades of expertise in automotive software to help car makers manage the transition to software-defined vehicles. "Alex has done an excellent job guiding EB through tripledigit growth, expanding into new geographies and areas of expertise," said Anhalt. "Todaythanks to Alex and the talented EB teamEB is recognized as a pioneer, leader and visionary in automotive software. Moving forward, I'll be building on these successes to help car makers build the new architectures required for connected, highly automated vehicles. It's an incredibly exciting time for EB as software takes center stage in automotive EE design and development, playing a key role in every automotive function." The company just last month announced EB xelor, an industry-first software platform designed to streamline the development of next-generation automotive electronics architectures based on high-performance computing (HPC). EB xelor brings together EB, open source and third-party software, providing a secure, stable and easily upgradable software foundation for connected and intelligent vehicles. EB xelor allows car makers to focus less on automotive infrastructure and more on innovation and profitability: developing differentiating features and functions for their vehicles. About Elektrobit (EB) Elektrobit (EB) is an award-winning and visionary global supplier of embedded and connected software products and services for the automotive industry. A leader in automotive software with over 30 years serving the industry, EB's software powers over one billion devices in more than 100 million vehicles and offers flexible, innovative solutions for car infrastructure software, connectivity & security, automated driving and related tools, and user experience. EB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental. For more information, visit us at elektrobit.com Media contact Stephannie Depa Breakaway Communications (for Elektrobit) Mobile: 530-864-0136 Email: sdepa@breakawaycom.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maria-anhalt-named-ceo-and-managing-director-elektrobit-301201797.html SOURCE Elektrobit (EB) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Alaska Communications Alaska Communications Systems Group announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a newly formed entity owned by ATN International and Freedom 3 Capital, in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $332 million, including net debt. The merger will result in Alaska Communications becoming a consolidated, majority owned subsidiary of ATN and is expected to close in the second half of 2021. Alaska Communications' prior agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Capital and GCM Grosvenor has been terminated. The merger is subject to the approval of Alaska Communications' stockholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Advertisement President Donald Trump and his allies rallied with thousands of supporters near the White House Wednesday shortly before Congress was to begin counting the electoral votes that will make Joe Biden the next president. Hours after a humiliating defeat in one Georgia Senate race and the prospect of losing another, Team Trump showed no sign of conceding. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani once again raised allegations of widespread election fraud which he said also occurred in the Georgia Senate runoff elections. 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat. 'I'm willing to stake my reputation, the president is willing to stake his reputation on the fact that we're going to find criminality there,' said the former New York mayor. Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of losses in state and federal courts with suits charging election fraud. He spoke to thousands of cheering supporters on the Ellipse south of the White House. A permit was for 30,000 people. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani once again raised allegations of widespread election fraud which he said also occurred in the Georgia Senate runoff elections 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, demanded that Republican Party lawmakers in Congress 'be the hero, not the zero' and refuse to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory Thousands of supporters of President Trump are seen above near the Washington Monument for the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday Donald Trump Jr (left), the president's eldest son, kisses his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle (right), before addressing the rally on Wednesday Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer and he bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of fraud The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer. He bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of fraud. 'The people who did nothing to stop the steal -- this gathering should send a message to them. This isn't their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump's Republican Party. This is the Republican Party that will put America first,' he said. His girlfriend, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, also spoke. After claiming fraud in Trump's election, John Eastman claimed fraud in the count Tuesday night, which allowed Rev. Raphael Warnock to be called as the winner in one runoff and has Democrat Jon Ossoff leading in another. Explaining how the fraud he claims occurred happened, Eastman said: 'You know the old way was to have a bunch of ballots sitting in a box under the floor They put those ballots in a secret folder in the machines, sitting there waiting until they know how many they need I can now in that machine match those unvoted ballots with an unvoted voter and put them together in the machine. How do we know that happened last night in real time? You saw when it went to 99 per cent of the vote total, and it stopped.' He pointed to a point late in the vote count while counties were still tabulating votes a version of Trump's complaint that he led in early returns on election night in November. Last night, Republicans led until addition in-person votes came in in populous Democratic-leaning counties. 'That means they were unloading the ballots from that secret folder,' he claimed. Hours after a humiliating defeat in one Georgia Senate race and the prospect of losing another, Team Trump showed no sign of conceding Eric Trump (right), the president's son, and his wife, Lara Trump, raise their fists in front of thousands of supporters near the White House on Wednesday A militia-like group is seen making their way to Trump's rally on Wednesday morning A stand was being erected at the base of the US Capitol as a pro-Trump supporter holds a flag, hours before Congress meets to certify the electoral college vote for Biden A crowd of Trump supporters started gathering outside of the White House for a rally on Wednesday Trump supporters gather near the White House and watch the rally on a big screen set up nearby A woman is seen holding a sign that reads 'Trump is the party' as the president's supporters gather on the Washington Monument grounds Trump supporters braved cold temperatures in Washington, DC, on Wednesday hours before the start of planned demonstrations At least 10 people were arrested for gun possession crimes and other violations and others were seen clashing with counter-demonstrators. One man from North Carolina was detained after he was caught carrying a gun without a license. The man rode into the capital on a bus which was stopped by police near Ninth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Police boarded the bus and confiscated a rifle and a handgun as well as a drum magazine that holds additional ammunition. Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse. Many in the crowd were photographed not wearing masks and gathered in tight quarters, shoulder to shoulder, despite the raging pandemic and the nationwide surge in the number of coronavirus cases. A Trump supporter is seen with a protective vest decorated with Trump badges at Wednesday's rally Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House 'Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Donald Trump turns on Pence telling him to ignore the constitution and refuse to certify Joe Biden's victory in Congress - which even a White House aide calls 'shameful' Donald Trump tweeted furiously at his own vice president Mike Pence Wednesday to demand he refuse to certify Joe Biden's election victory. Trump demanded Pence ignore the constitution and instead 'return' swing states' slates of electors for Joe Biden to Republican-controlled legislatures who would then submit their own Trump electors. Pence has no such power to do so - and told Trump that over lunch on Tuesday, the New York Times reported - but Trump doubled down on his demands as thousands of his supporters, some in camouflage, gathered close to the White House. 'States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Trump tweeted. At the White House there was shock that Trump would turn so publicly on his ultra-loyal VP. CNN reported that one aide called attacking the VP 'shameful,' amid fears from Pence's camp that worse was to come. The tweet was hours before Pence was due to preside over the joint session of Congress which will formally declare Biden the election victor - and as the Republican party adsorbed the shock of being on the brink of losing the Senate. Trump appeared to concede that the Senate was lost in an all-capitals tweet claiming that Republicans need to keep 'the power of the veto.' 'THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!' Trump tweeted. A move to turn on Pence had been growing in inevitability for days. Axios reported that Trump had no idea that Pence oversaw the certification of the election results - until he learned about it from a television ad by the Lincoln Project, the never-Trump Republican group led by Kellyanne Conway's husband George. Tweetstorm turning on Pence: Donald Trump went after his own VP in a tweetstorm On Tuesday night ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. That was after Trump slammed as 'fake news' the revelation that Pence had told him he was powerless to stop Biden's win in a statement which was signed only by Trump - and not by his deputy. 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power to reject slates of electors 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the Electoral College votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to how Pennsylvania's voting was run - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. Truth to power: Donald Trump demanded publicly Monday night at his rally in Georgia and then on Twitter that the vice president aid his campaign to overturn the election. Pence told him Tuesday he could not Desperation move: Trump's extraordinary plan to overturn the election through Mike Pence is a final attempt to stop Joe Biden's victory being confirmed If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden - at least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Ted Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Josh Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' And for Pence, who has walked the tight rope of Trump's presidency for four years without faltering, what he does Wednesday will be the ultimate loyalty test, at least in the eyes of the president, who is publicly putting on the pressure. Trump has made it clear he expects his second-in-command to keep him in the White House even if Pence does not legally or constitutionally have the power to do so. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Advertisement Ultimately, Biden is expected to be certified as the winner of the election on Wednesday, which Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, is expected to announce after the certification is complete. The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. When all is said and done, Biden will be inaugurated the 46th president on January 20th. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' The low down on how Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times Advertisement 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleagues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. Cozumel mayor reports agreements with Ultramar, Winjet ferry companies Cozumel, Q.R. Cozumel mayor Pedro Joaquin Delbouis says positive results were achieved after a meeting with authorities on the regulation of the Cozumel-Playa del Carmen ferry route. Joaquin Delbouis said a meeting was held between government authorities and both ferry service companies, Ultramar and Winjet. The goal, he noted, was to ensure health protection for both locals and visitors using the ferry services. He explained that the meeting resulted in several agreements, some of which, have been problematic for months. By the end of the day, the Cozumel mayor said that both ferry companies agreed to have an extra boat on hand to tend to peak hours to avoid stranding passengers. They have also agreeed that there will be close coordination between the ferry companies and Solidaridad authorities to regulate trade and service providers, and thereby, reduce the concentration of people at the Navega dock. The companies have also agreed to reinforce the health protocols before, during and after the crossing, verifying that the use of face masks, application of antibacterial gel and healthy distance is observed. Joaquin Delbouis added that since the crossings are considered an essential service and is regulated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, the vessels have failed to consider a passenger limit, however, both federal bodies (Apiqroo and Navega) have committed to a passenger count, ensuring the ferries do not exceed the maximum capacity of 75 percent in each vessel. I want to emphasize that thanks to the management and constant dialogue of the Cozumel City Council with the ferry companies, the crossings were increased to ten. Ultramar already has three vessels on the island and Winjet, two, he said adding that during the recent holiday period, approximately 10,000 people a day used the crossing service. Last month, the Ultramar ferry company was fined for violating health protocols with the overcrowding of passengers on its boats. Concerns were also raised with the images of hundreds of people crowded in the terminals waiting to use the service. SPRINGFIELD Two area lawmakers have been named to leadersip posts in the Illinois Senate. State Sens. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, and Steve McClure, R-Springfield, were named as Assistant Floor Leaders for Republicans in the Illinois Senate. I am excited to serve in leadership at this critical time in our states history, said McClure. While our state is in a very tough situation right now, it is still worth fighting for, he said. I look forward to being a part of proposing solutions that put us on the right path, and helping to communicate the perspective of the caucus in the Capitol and across the state. I am honored in the confidence Leader McConchie has shown in me through this appointment, said Plummer. Im looking forward to taking on the responsibility of serving in leadership for the Republican caucus and representing the conservative, common-sense values of the 54th District as we enter into a new General Assembly, he said. It is vitally important to have someone from the Metro East and Southern Illinois represented in legislative leadership and I am proud to be that voice. Plummer said that, amid the pandemic, it is more critical than ever that lawmakers buckle down, embrace real reforms and recognize that the problems of this state will not be fixed with partisan agendas and tax-and-spend policies. Escherichia coli. Credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH E. coli food poisoning is one of the worst food poisonings, causing bloody diarrhea and kidney damage. But all the carnage might be just an unintended side effect, researchers from UConn Health report in the 27 November issue of Science Immunology. Their findings might lead to more effective treatments for this potentially deadly disease. Escherichia coli are a diverse group of bacteria that often live in animal guts. Many types of E. coli never make us sick; other varieties can cause traveler's diarrhea. But swallowing even a few cells of the type of E. coli that makes Shiga toxin can make us very, very ill. Shiga toxin damages blood vessels in the intestines, causing bloody diarrhea. If Shiga toxin gets into the bloodstream it can cause kidney failure. "This is especially common in children; about 15% of kids with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections get kidney disease, and some can suffer long term kidney damage," says UConn Health immunologist Sivapriya Vanaja. A group of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli called enterohemorrhagic E. coli, or EHEC, are especially common in the United States. When you hear that a batch of romaine lettuce is being recalled because of a dangerous outbreak of food poisoning, it's almost certainly due to EHEC. EHEC normally live in cattle without making them sick. It used to be relatively common to have EHEC outbreaks coming from unhygienically prepared ground meat, but stringent regulations on slaughterhouses have made this less common. Now it's more likely for EHEC to appear on vegetables grown in fields adjacent to cattle or manure runoff. But no matter where it comes from, once EHEC bacteria get inside a human, the infection is hard to treat. Antibiotics tend to make it worsewhen the bacteria feel themselves dying, they make more Shiga toxin. And EHEC are very good at inhibiting the part of the immune system that normally responds early to this kind of infection, allowing them to grow unchecked in the human gut. In a study led by Morena Havira, a postdoctoral fellow in Vanaja's lab, the team wanted to know how EHEC suppresses the immune system. The body normally responds to early stages of E. coli infections by activating an enzyme that kicks off an alarm inside cells. The cell bursts open to release a cloud of warning molecules that call other parts of the immune system to come and fight the bacteria. But EHEC squashes that early response. To figure out how it does that, Vanaja and her colleagues decided to see which individual gene in EHEC was responsible. They took many different varieties of EHEC from a bacterial mutant library, and infected immune cells with them. The team found that cells infected with EHEC that was missing the gene for Shiga toxin mustered a higher immune response compared to normal EHEC. "It was surprising. Shiga toxin is very well-studied for its toxic activity; it wasn't known that it had another function," Dr. Vanaja says. So Shiga toxin's stealthy suppression of the immune system may have a link to all the bloody drama that ensues. Spurred on by this exciting observation, they conducted a series of detailed molecular studies, which revealed that Shiga toxin blocks a protein from bursting open the infected cell and alerting the body of infection. Now that Vanaja and her colleagues know the specific molecular step Shiga toxin interferes with inside the immune cells, they are trying to figure out how, exactly, it blocks it. Once they know that, they may be able to find medicines that prevent toxin from interfering with immune responses. Explore further Potential drug target for dangerous E. coli infections identified More information: Morena S. Havira et al. Shiga toxin suppresses noncanonical inflammasome responses to cytosolic LPS, Science Immunology (2020). Journal information: Science Immunology Morena S. Havira et al. Shiga toxin suppresses noncanonical inflammasome responses to cytosolic LPS,(2020). DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abc0217 New Research by BCG Shows Scope of Crisis and Pinpoints Trouble Spots by Region and Sector BOSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- More than seven months into the novel coronavirus pandemic, a disturbingly large number of US companies are at risk, according to new research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) confirming that economic distress is deeply entrenched and shows no sign of letting up. Boston Consulting Group logo (PRNewsfoto/The Boston Consulting Group) More than 60% of US companies analyzed are under financial or operational stress as of the end of the second quarter of 2020, a 49% increase from the end of the second quarter of 2019, according to BCG analysis. And 14% are in distresseither challenged to meet their financial obligations or under operational pressure that requires significant restructuring. That represents a 43% increase over the previous year. The lack of additional government stimulus puts many of these companies at risk. Those are among the most significant findings from the BCG TURN Radar index. The index, developed by BCG TURN, BCG's special transformation, turnaround, and restructuring unit, tracks a company's distress based on over 20 key performance indicators in three categories: financial, market, and qualitative. The Radar index reports on over 25,000 publicly-traded companies, with more than $100 million in revenue, across 80 countries and 20 industry sectors. There were 721 US companies tracked for distress. A company is measured against its peers, its industry, and the overall sample, and its score places it in one of three groupseither stable, stressed (underperforming in its industry or under internal or external pressure), or distressed. The US picture is bleak, but not the worst on a global basisin Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the number of companies in distress has gone up 83%. Overall, the BCG TURN Radar index portrays the US and global economy struggling as the pandemic maintains its grip. The US Is Hard-Hit, and Key Sectors Suffer, but Others, Boosted by Pandemic Demand, Outperform Story continues Some US sectors have been particularly hard-hitnotably, those directly affected by the pandemic and those already challenged before the pandemic's economic downdraft took hold. Among the US industries suffering the most are automotive and mobility (52% stressed, 16% distressed), travel and tourism (61% stressed, 16% distressed), and retail (67% stressed, 18% distressed). Health care providers, biopharma, the technology industry, and transportation and logistics have been the least impacted. All of these sectors have been boosted by pandemic-related demand. Health care providers and biopharma are showing significantly less stress than in the same period last year. Both have benefited from pandemic-related activity and investment. In 2019, almost 42% of biopharma companies were in distress. In 2020, that figure fell to 25%. In multiple sectors, there are big gaps between winners and losers, and research shows that large companies may achieve a stronger recovery. "BCG TURN Radar confirms the impression created by stories of business failures and layoffsthe COVID-19 pandemic is causing deep, structural changes that are likely to be long-lasting," says Luke Pototschnik, BCG senior partner, and head of the firm's Transformation practice and BCG TURN in North America. "The impact may be most severe on companies that were challenged to begin with. But the good news is that there are actions companies can takesuch as generating short-term cash to fund long-term investmentthat can mitigate the worst of the downturn and help set them on the path to recovery." Some Subsectors Stand Out Even in Stressed Industries, and the Gap Between Winners and Losers Grows While the Radar index raises alarms about several major sectors of the US economy, it also finds winners even in underperforming sectors. Many of the sectors faring worst are those that faced pre-pandemic structural challenges. "The automobile industry is struggling more than others," says Pototschnik. "Even before the pandemic, it was dealing with significant changes such as the shift to electric vehicles, which requires investment. But in the pandemic economy, investment may be hard to come by." Similarly, the bankruptcy rate has been high in the already-challenged oil and gas sector, and Radar suggests that bankruptcies are likely to continue, with over 57% of the sector under stress and over 10% in distress. Of more note is the widening gap between winners and losers in several sectors as some industries suffer while other outperform. "In most cases, outperformance is driven by pandemic-related consumer and business spending," Pototschnik says. Most of the retail sector has moved from "stable" to "stressed," with over 52% of restaurants in distressbut large groceries are doing well, with over 43% in stable territory. Similarly, IT services are suffering, with over 50% in distress, but digital devices and services are thriving, with over 42% stable. The numbers reflect the sudden and massive shift from office work to remote work. Shipping companies are performing strongly thanks to the upsurge in e-commerce, with 32% stable, while 47% of logistics companies are stressed as the result of an overall slowdown in global trade. "In several sectors, the gap between winners and losers is widening," Pototschnik says. "Some of this may be the result of pandemic-related behavior patterns that will normalize over time. But some of these patterns, such as the shift to remote work, may be long-lasting, and some industry sectors may be permanently reshaped." Bankruptcy Rates Will Increase, Data Providers May Thrive, and Large Companies Have an Advantage The Radar index does not predict future performance, and, as Pototschnik notes, "Prediction is made difficult by the complex dynamics of the pandemic. But the index, combined with our observation of certain macro trends, does suggest some outcomes." Among BCG's projections: Bankruptcy rates will increase, partly as a result of the robust and trustworthy bankruptcy process in the US and North America. Bankruptcy is already underway in retail and in oil and gas. Telecom is in distress, in part due to its high investment requirements. Restructuring will come to manufacturing as supply chain networks are revisited, but instead of bankruptcy, transformation may take the form of changes in market structures. Severe uncertainty is driving an appetite for data; industries and companies that provide data and analytics are likely to be strong performers. Technology will perform well in the long-term, even if the nature of office work is fundamentally changed. Travel and tourism will rebound once a vaccine Is developed, trusted, and distributed at scale. Sectors such as retail that have deeper business model problems apart from the pandemic are likely to lag. Size may also be a predictor of survival. Radar shows that large companies, even in distressed industries, have more upside potential. "There are reasons why this makes sense," Pototschnik says. "Large companies typically have healthier balance sheets. They have greater access to capital markets. They have more diversified product lines and portfolios. And they are less vulnerable than smaller companies to private-equity and activist intervention. All of these factors seem to add up to a greater margin of safety." Companies Can Take Action to Improve Their Odds Finally, individual companies can act to improve their odds for recovery. Separate BCG TURN research identifies the steps that leading companies take in times of crisis that lead to superior performance. Leading companies act proactively, investing in projects that generate short-term cash in order to fund long-term investments. They increase the pace of innovation, streamline the organization to maximize efficiency and capitalize on digital, and build crisis management and scenario planning capabilities to increase their resilience. "Companies that took these steps during the 20082009 financial crisis recovered faster and performed better than their peers," Pototschnik says. "The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive historic eventit is stressing companies, industries, and national and global economies to the limit," Pototschnik says. "BCG TURN Radar indicates that that the stress is severe, and many organizations will be forced to restructure. But those that take a strategic view of restructuring and look at it as an opportunity to rethink their business stand a better chance of leading when the recovery ultimately arrives." For more information about the BCG TURN Radar index, please contact Michael-Jon Romano at michael-jon@sommerfield.com. About BCG TURN BCG TURN is a special unit of BCG that helps CEOs and business leaders deliver rapid, visible, and sustainable step-change improvement in business performance while strengthening their organizations and positioning them to win in the years ahead. BCG TURN helps organizations change their trajectories by turning their upside potential into radical performance gains. The BCG TURN team consists of transformation practitioners and battle-tested experts with a proven track record in large-scale transformation. BCG TURN is invested in the sustainable success of clients, with a focus on performance acceleration and a commitment to value delivered. About Boston Consulting Group Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we help clients with total transformationinspiring complex change, enabling organizations to grow, building competitive advantage, and driving bottom-line impact. To succeed, organizations must blend digital and human capabilities. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives to spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting along with technology and design, corporate and digital venturesand business purpose. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, generating results that allow our clients to thrive. Sommerfield Communications Michael-Jon Romano Senior Account Executive Tel +1 212 255 8386 michael-jon@sommerfield.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-half-of-us-companies-are-under-financial-or-operational-stress-and-14-are-in-distress-as-pandemics-economic-impact-deepens-301201503.html SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Researchers at the University of Birmingham are investigating how sex offenders have changed their behavior in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. The insights generated by the research will provide urgently needed information about how to protect vulnerable people to police and other stakeholders including victim support organizations. Project lead, Professor Jessica Woodhams, of the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham, explains: "Sex offenders are versatile, and will change their behavior according to circumstance and opportunity. The Covid-19 outbreak is a crisis that will alter offender behavior - as well as who is vulnerable to sexual violence. Our research to understand these changes is urgently needed so that we know how best to protect those vulnerable people in uncertain and changing times." The project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation's rapid response to COVID-19 will enable the team to examine extensive data on sex offenders collated by the Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS) of the National Crime Agency. This analysis will enable the team to determine how offender behavior has changed since March 2020. They will continue to track these changes over the next 12 months and compare them to data collected in the 12 months prior to the start of the pandemic. Our aim is to support SCAS, and UK policing more widely, in its efforts to tackle serious sexual offending by ensuring the unit's understanding of sexual offenses remains contemporary and comprehensive in changing and unprecedented times." Dr Heather Flowe, Reader in Forensic Psychology, University of Birmingham The study will also collate detailed, county-level information about the national lockdown and social distancing measures implemented during the pandemic and relate these to changes in patterns of offending. By cross-referencing between these different data sets, the team hope to be able to draw conclusions about what social and economic changes have led to changes in offender behavior and victim vulnerability. Using machine-learning techniques to analyze the data, the team will be able to identify sex-offending patterns, including rates of offending, geographical and temporal patterns, and any changes in the time between the date of the offense and the date of reporting it to the police. "This work will enable law-enforcement agencies and other organizations to put detailed and immediate measures in place to target offenders and safeguard victims most at risk," adds Professor Woodhams. "In the longer term it will enable policy makers to be better prepared for future lockdowns or periods of restriction." Sarah Rock, Principal Analyst at the NCA's Serious Crime Analysis Section said: "The pandemic has highlighted the readiness of serious criminals to adapt to changing circumstances, making it all the more crucial that law enforcement is one step ahead. "This research will enable SCAS to have an up to date understanding of how Covid-19 has impacted the behavior of sexual offenders against strangers in the UK, both temporarily and permanently. "Our data will support UK policing by establishing models of sexual offending behavior, which can then be applied to behavioral analysis to detect serial rapists and murderers at the earliest stages of their offending. We believe that this will shape future operational practice and assist behavioral analysis units across the world." Hospitals in Bexar County are now caring for more coronavirus patients than at any other point in the pandemic as the virus continued its winter assault, breaking records for new cases and daily hospital admissions. The number of COVID-19 patients in local hospitals grew to 1,318 Tuesday surpassing the peak of 1,267 reached July 13 amid the summer surge of the virus. At the same time, the San Antonio region added a record 2,152 new cases of the virus shattering a record set only two days previous on Sunday when 1,997 new cases were reported. That in turn broke the previous record of 1,717 set Dec. 22. Bexar County has now had 124,800 cases since the pandemic began in March nearly a quarter of those have been added within the past month. The seven-day daily average of new cases grew to 1,457 from 1,259 Monday. City and county leaders warned residents to expect the situation to worsen over the next three weeks as the area witnesses the results of gatherings over the Christmas and New Years holiday weekends. We have a considerable ways to go to get our arms around this pandemic, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said at the daily city-county coronavirus briefing. Dr. Junda Woo, Metro Health medical director, offered a grim assessment of the situation. The part that makes me very sad is that, after this, in one or two weeks, we will start to see the deaths piling up, too, Woo said. On ExpressNews.com: Some trauma patients directed away from University Hospital as COVID-19 patients fill San Antonio hospitals In just the last week, Metro Health has confirmed the deaths of more than 50 people with the virus and theyre not all elders. Of the five reported deceased Tuesday, four were younger than 50: a Hispanic woman in her 20s, a Hispanic man in his 30s and two Hispanic men in their 40s. The fifth was a white man in his 90s. The local death toll from the virus now stands at 1,574. Too many lives are cut short due to this pandemic, Nirenberg said. Please keep their friends and families in your prayers tonight. Increasing stress Local hospitals have been under increasing strain as severe cases of the disease mount. COVID-19 hospitalizations have more than doubled in the last 30 days. More than a third of the countys total hospital patients are infected with COVID-19. Over the last 24 hours, 181 coronavirus patients were newly admitted to local hospitals a new record since officials began tracking hospital admissions. The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care grew by 8 percent Tuesday to 369 from 342 the previous day. Hospitals had about 42 ICU beds as of Tuesday afternoon, Nirenberg said. Those on ventilators to help them breathe dipped slightly from 186 Monday to 185 Tuesday. Local hospitals have already taken steps to preserve space for COVID-19 patients as this surge worsens, but leaders warned of a possible breaking point. They are pushing it to the very edge of capacity, Nirenberg said. They cant be pushed much further. Trauma patients that otherwise would have been treated at to University Hospital have been directed toward Brooke Army Medical Center to free up space for coronavirus patients who need intensive care. University Health closed its rehabilitation unit to convert rooms there for COVID-19 patients and is moving non-coronavirus patients into its diagnostic center to make room for those who are sick with the virus, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said. The county hospital system has also suspended elective surgeries unless theyre absolutely necessary, he said. El Pasos turn Its possible that San Antonio could wind up transferring COVID-19 patients to El Paso just as the border city sent patients here when it underwent a crushing wave of the virus in the fall. Already, one patient has been sent there, Wolff said. Doing so may end up being another safety valve for us, Wolff said. On ExpressNews.com: Get the latest update on coronavirus and a tracking map of U.S. cases Bexar County will get another 8,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine within the week, Wolff said. Local health leaders are trying to sort through conflicting state and federal guidelines over who is allowed to receive the vaccine under the next phase of distribution known as 1B. Metro Health should have a set of hybrid guidelines to give local residents some idea of where they are in line by the end of the week, Woo said. But she cautioned that it will take time to administer the vaccine to everyone given the limited supplies that are arriving. WASHINGTON, D.C. - It appears that voters in Georgia are about to make Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Browns job a lot easier in 2021. Apparent U.S. Senate wins by Georgia Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in a pair of runoff elections with Republican incumbents means Democrats are poised to take control of the legislative body after Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in as president on Jan. 20, which will put Brown in charge of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Ossoff has declared victory, but the Associated Press has not yet officially declared him the winner of his race. On Wednesday, Brown pledged to use his job to immediately make lives better by passing legislation to deliver $2,000 coronavirus relief checks to the American people, and getting real resources to Ohio communities so communities of color, small towns and neighborhoods all over Ohio are no longer left behind as the nation recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We need to make sure its just not Wall Street that recovers, that everybody recovers in this recovery, because we all remember what happened after the last recession, said Brown. Big corporations did better than ever but communities like ours struggled for years. Brown dismissed questions about potentially sharing power with Republicans, given the 50-50 split in the Senate where Democratic Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would break ties, and said his party will proceed with passing its agenda. He said that agenda will include legislation to protect voting rights and organized labors right to organize, as well as strong coronavirus relief legislation that includes unemployment benefits, rental assistance, and help for local governments. Brown said Biden won the White House and Democrats won the Senate by campaigning on the agenda he outlined, demonstrating its widespread public support. Im hopeful that Sen. McConnell wants to join us and not block things as he has for the last several years, Brown said of Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who set the Senates agenda while his party had the majority. Brown said the committee he will chair will focus strongly on housing, fighting evictions and helping Americans who pay a disproportionate amount of their income on rent secure a stable residence. One thing goes wrong and they end up on the streets and that compromises their kids and their health and their kids education and everything else about their lives, said Brown. He said his committee will also schedule hearings to confirm Warrensville Heights Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge as Bidens Housing and Urban Development Secretary and Princeton University economist Cecilia Rouse as chair of Bidens Council of Economic Advisers as soon as Biden is inaugurated as president on Jan. 20. Im hopeful we can do the hearing, do the vote, and we can move these two towards confirmation quickly, said Brown. They shouldnt be controversial. Theyre both well respected public figures. Brown said Republicans who plan to object to the electoral vote tally in Congress on Wednesday afternoon should be ashamed of themselves for promoting President Donald Trumps election fraud claims that were rejected by courts around the nation. He called them jellyfish for lacking the spine to stand up to Trump. It is just outrageous what theyre doing, said Brown, who will speak on the Senate floor against any allegations Republicans might raise about election fraud in Michigan. He called it tragic that millions of people will continue to believe this election was illegitimate because of Trumps lies. According to the new far right Bible of politics, the elections are only fair if their side wins, apparently, said Brown Read more: At least three Ohio GOP congressmen will join Rep. Jim Jordan in objecting to Wednesdays presidential vote count Ohios Sen. Rob Portman wont support electoral vote challenges in Congress President Trump to give Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan a Presidential Medal of Freedom Rebuilding economy and infrastructure after coronavirus are among New Years resolutions for Ohios Congress members Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman eye chairmanships in 2021 Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown wants Senate vote on $2,000 stimulus check, criticizes Republican efforts to reject presidential electoral votes House votes to override Trump defense bill veto but approves a $2,000 pandemic relief payment he sought Ohios Stephanie Tubbs Jones lodged the nations last electoral vote protest in Congress Ohios Jim Jordan to participate in Jan. 6 congressional effort to question presidential election results Years of work fighting for Northeast Ohio earn Marcia Fudge a seat at Bidens Cabinet table Marcia Fudge makes her public debut as a member of Joe Bidens team What Rep. Marcia Fudge hopes to accomplish as Housing and Urban Development Secretary: Q & A Biden transition office officially announces Rep. Marcia Fudge will be HUD nominee President-elect Joe Biden picks Rep. Marcia Fudge to be Housing and Urban Development secretary, report says The government is reopening India-UK flights which were closed in the last week of December amid concerns over the 'highly infectious' new Covid-19 strain first spotted in the United Kingdom. Two Air India flights, one from Delhi and one from Mumbai, will fly for London on 6 January. #FlyAI : Booking for Air India flights between India & UK is open now. Mumbai-London Heathrow Delhi-London Heathrow London Heathrow-Mumbai London Heathrow-Delhi Mumbai-London Heathrow London Heathrow-Mumbai (1/2) Air India (@airindiain) January 2, 2021 On Tuesday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the government is reviewing the situation and it has allowed limited resumption of civil aviation with the United Kingdom. "We took a decision on limited resumption of civil aviation traffic between India and the United Kingdom based on an assessment of available facts as available with our medical professionals. We decided that RT-PCR test which was done 72 hours ahead of travelling was not enough," Puri told ANI. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online In the wake of the new mutant strain of Coronavirus, which is believed to be more contagious, India had put an embargo on flight operations between the two countries on December 21, which became effective from December 23. Initially, the ban was till December 31, but was later extended to January 7. The ministry has clarified that while flights from the UK will be able to enter India from January 8, flights from India will start from January 6. As of now, only 30 flights will be operational between the countries instead of 70, Puri said. "So, we made it compulsory to test again on arrival. We will review the situation if any steps have to be taken. So far it is the limited resumption of civil aviation with the UK. The total number of flights to UK has been reduced from 60 a week to 30," he added. In the wake of the new mutant strain of Covid-19, which is believed to be 70 % more infectious than the earlier one, India had banned flight operations between the two countries effective 23 December. Flights from the UK will be able to enter India from 8 January. "Resumption of flights between India and UK: India to UK from 6 Jan 2021. UK to India from 8 Jan 2021. 30 flights will operate every week. 15 each by Indian and UK carriers. This schedule is valid till 23 Jan 2021. Further frequency will be determined after review," he had tweeted earlier. A total of 58 samples have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, confirmed the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday. On Tuesday Boris Johnson regretted his inability to attend the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations in India as the chief guest in view of the changed COVID-19 context prevailing in the UK.The cancellation of the visit was announced a day after Prime Minister Johnson imposed the third lockdown in the UK amid rising coronavirus cases in the country. The new variant of COVID-19 was first found in the United Kingdom. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 17:02:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- One more Cambodian migrant worker back from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of infected workers who returned from Thailand to 18 so far, said a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement on Wednesday. The new patient is a 28-year-old man, who returned to Cambodia on Saturday via the land border, the statement said. "The result of his samples' test showed that the man above was positive for the COVID-19, and he is currently undergoing treatment at the Pailin Provincial Referral Hospital," it said. Thousands of Cambodian migrant workers have returned from neighboring Thailand where a large-scale COVID-19 outbreak hit its Samut Sakhon province last month. Cambodia has so far recorded a total of 383 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with zero deaths and 362 recoveries, the ministry said. Enditem Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor Tracy Maness / Staff photo As the new semester begins, Katy Independent School District Superintendent Ken Gregorski is urging eligible staff members to register to receive Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccines. Phase 1A vaccinations began rolling out in December, and Phase 1B vaccinations are starting to go out in select areas. Harris County Public Health let Region 4 school districts know they are currently registering people who are eligible under the Phase 1B criteria, Gregorski wrote in an email to the Katy ISD staff. The icon is almost 300 years old and was initially stored in the Ukrainian city of Luhansk, which is now occupied by Russian-controlled forces. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said Ukraine continues to demand from one of the members of Bosnia's ethnically-based power-sharing Presidium, head of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik the return of a centuries-old Orthodox icon, which had earlier been handed as a gift to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "The Ukrainian icon burned the hands of even experienced Russian diplomats who disowned it. But Mr. Dodik continues to lie, doing it better than his elder friends. Ukraine continues to demand the return of the icon," Kuleba wrote on Twitter. Read alsoUkraine to send humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit CroatiaBackground The Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, presented a Ukrainian icon to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. After that, the Ukrainian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina demanded an explanation from that country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as to how the icon had appeared in the country in the first place. Subsequently, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that they would return the icon to the side that had presented it so that its history could be traced through Interpol. According to local media reports, the icon is almost 300 years old and was stored in the Ukrainian city of Luhansk, which is now occupied by Russian-controlled forces. The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Information Policy intends to appeal to law enforcement agencies with a request to establish a chain of the icon's movement from Ukraine to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The prosecutor's office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has opened a respective criminal case. Reporting by UNIAN Donald Trump has urged Mike Pompeo to consider classifying Antifa as a terrorist group to prevent its 'members' from entering the country. In a letter to the Secretary of State, Trump says that Antifa has been responsible for 'recent lawlessness,' citing riots in Louisville, Kentucky and Portland, and says it has 'exploited tragedies to advance a radical, leftist, anarchist, and often violent agenda.' Trump says he wants to restrict the movements of any migrants associated with Antifa, 'in light of federal laws that restrict the entry of aliens associated with terrorist organisations.' Tuesday's executive order comes as hundreds of right-wing rioters have descended on Washington ahead of Congress voting to affirm the Electoral College vote 306-232 victory of Joe Biden in the presidential election. Last night, Trump took to Twitter to boast about the crowds of his supporters arriving in the capital as they chanted 'f**k Antifa' during clashes with counter-protesters and the police. Members of Antifa hold shields during a protest at Black Lives Matter Plaza on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC, as thousands refused to accept the result of November's general election An injured Trump supporter is helped after a clash with counter-protesters on Tuesday in DC Trump supporters were gathered by the BLM Plaza to protest antifa in Washington D.C, United States on January 05, 2021 He wrote: 'Washington is being inundated with people who don't want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Shortly afterwards, he warned Antifa to stay out of Washington. 'Antifa is a Terrorist Organization, stay out of Washington. Law enforcement is watching you very closely!' The president tweeted. It's not clear what the effect of Trump's memorandum to Pompeo will be as it only advises him to review certain criteria. Trump writes: 'The Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, review information received from the Department of Justice and other authorities to assess whether to classify Antifa as a terrorist organization under section 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi) of title 8, United States Code.' In September, FBI director Chris Wray told Congress that Antifa was an ideology rather than an organisation. However, Trump's letter notes that the Justice Department has already deemed 'that actions by Antifa and similar groups meet the standard for domestic terrorism.' As examples the president cites the actions of black-clad demonstrators who violently assaulted MAGA brigades at protests in Berkely, California, in February and August 2017. He says that 50 criminals 'contributed to an estimated $100,000 worth of property damage,' adding that Antifa's actions 'resulted in 13 arrests on a range of charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing a police officer.' Crowds of Trump supporters gathered in Washington DC on Tuesday night Police set up cordons to try and separate Trump supporters from counter-protesters on Tuesday night He also lists the attack on conservative journalist Andy Ngo when he was covering protests in Portland, Oregon, in June, 2019. Ngo was hospitalised after being attacked by rioters who were counter-protesting the Proud Boys - a milita-style right-wing group which is today on the streets of DC to protest Biden's election. Trump also notes last year's riots by Antifa who have been widely accused of seizing on the Black Lives Matter movement to further their own divisive Anarcho-Communist agenda. Later today the president is expected to speak to crowds at 'Stop the Steal' rally a few blocks away from the White House while lawmakers verify the results of November's general election. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalized. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the city's police force. A Trump supporter is seen recovering from being tear gassed as protests turned violent Trump fans braved the cold on Tuesday night to show their support for the president Police and protesters scuffled on the streets of Washington DC on Tuesday night She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is 'looking for a fight.' But, she warned, 'we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city.' Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Trump's former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Now the Polish Consulate General in Manchester has stepped in to preserve the items for future generations The discovery was posted by a photographer to his urban exploration social media page, gaining interest Advertisement Incredible photographs taken by an urban explorer have revealed the inside of an abandoned WWII club for Polish veterans which has stood untouched for decades in the centre of a busy Manchester town. The empty building full of 'lost treasure', in Stretford, Trafford, once served as the meeting place for the Manchester branch of the Polish Ex-Combatants Association and is packed with memorabilia that veterans left behind. Haunting photos posted by a photographer to his urban exploration social media page show the rooms cluttered with dusty covered historical memorabilia that has remained in the old church since it ceased to be a social club in 1996. Included among the extraordinary collection are veterans' banners, Polish flags, paintings, books and documents belonging to the post-war Polish community in the city. A piano is seen in a dilapidated event hall inside abandoned WWII club for Polish veterans in Stretford, Trafford, Manchester Forgotten photographs and furniture clutter the rooms along with many now destroyed book pages The hand-embroidered banners decorated with patriotic slogans would have accompanied Polish veterans at all ceremonies An urban explorer inside the building's large concert hall, holding a ceremonial flag whilst standing on a stage The Polish Ex-Combatants Club (Polski Dom Kombatantow) opened in May 1949, four years after the end end of the Second World War, others were opened in areas including Glasgow, Sheffield and London. The social clubs catered for the 150,000 Polish Armed Forces personnel and their families who decided to stay in the UK following the war, rather than return to Poland and face repression by the communist rule - making them one of the largest ethnic minorities in Britain at the time. Hand-embroidered banners decorated with patriotic slogans which can be seen in the photos would have accompanied Polish veterans at all ceremonies and would have been objects of immense pride to the Polish soldiers and their families. Urbex photographer Matt, who published the photos on his Lost Places and Forgotten Faces page said: 'I was in complete shock and awe with not only how many items were still in the building, but also what the items represented. 'It was incredible to see it all, almost like finding lost treasure. It was a shame to see the state of the place, not only the vandalism but the amount of books and religious materials still left sitting in there. The Polish Ex-Combatants Club (Polski Dom Kombatantow) opened in May 1949, four years after the end end of the Second World War (seen around that time, above) and was sealed up in 2017. (pictured now, below) The building's opening ceremony was performed by Lieutenant General Odjiezynski, a former Chief of Staff in the Polish Army in the presence of General Kopanski, one of the defenders of Tobruk, and the mayor of Stretford Eric Forbes Photographs are left among the debris which has accumulated over the years since it was shut as a social club in 1996 A stairway is seen, with a suitcase and various photographs propped up in the now disused space A stain glass effect star, which appears to have been handmade, sits next to a coat rack in one of the derelict rooms. The building was blessed by Father Jan Bas of St, Alban's, Manchester, when opened A paneled ceiling has fallen down in one of the rooms which appears to have been an office, with desks and a large bookcase A cat is seen perching in the shelves of a barely recognisable bar at the former social club Stacks of chairs are seen along with piles of rubbish in the once busy social bar, with a mirrored wall Corridors are filled with books and other memorabilia while shelves have been emptied at some point A picture dated 1970 remains hung on the wall, appearing to show a class watching a speech 'I could see as well that much of it was still in very good condition, and needed to be salvaged and given back to the Polish community before it was lost forever.' The Combatants' House in Manchester was originally the Moss Side Unitarian Free Church, but it became the Polish Veterans' Club in May 1949 when the Polish Veterans' Association bought it with money collected by members. The club had a large concert hall, games room, information office, lounge, library, restaurant, welfare offices and later a Saturday school was opened. By 1996, the building was suffering from structural issues, resulting in one section being closed. Due to a lack of funding for maintenance, the rest of the building was sealed by the end of 2007, and has remained derelict ever since. In April 2002, it was sold to a developer and planning permission was granted for the re-development of the site, which includes demolition of the building. The facade of the building in the 1950s (left) and now (right), which has remained largely unchanged unlike the interior A plaque appearing to mark the creation of the Chapel. The social club was originally the Moss Side Unitarian Free Church Televisions are stacked up in the former social club which was also used as a Sunday school for the Polish community Signs reading 'office', 'library' and 'open' in Polish. In April 2002, planning permission was granted for the re-development of the site, which includes demolition of the historic building A portrait of Adam Bernard Mickiewicz who is widely regarded as one of Poland's greatest poets A pool table is covered in debris from a fallen ceiling and general dust Now the Polish Consulate General in Manchester has stepped in to preserve the savable items for future generations before the building is renovated. Pictured: A doorway marked 'members only' and a dart board (right) The Polish Consulate General in Manchester responded to the social media post, stating that action had been taken to recover the items Matt said: 'It seems that when the building closed, the community was never given the chance to retrieve these items. 'I feel it's not too late for them to be collected, and placed in Polish churches and museums for future generations to enjoy.' Now the Polish Consulate General in Manchester has stepped in. Posting on social media, it said: 'After receiving information about the photo report published on Facebook from the former headquarters of the Combatants' House in Manchester (at Shrewsburry Road 188a), representative from the Headquarters of the Republic of Poland in Manchester went to the place. 'Through the city authorities, the Consular office has asked the owner to provide access to the building in order for us to protect the souvenirs remaining from the activities of this institution and the national symbols found there.' Trump at DC Rally: We Will Never Concede, We Will Not Take It Anymore President Donald Trump, addressing a crowd of supporters in D.C. on Wednesday, announced that he wont concede. We will never concede. It doesnt happen we will not take it anymore. You dont concede when theres theft involved, Trump said. Trump added: We will not take it anymore we will stop the steal. Trump added that some radical leftist Democrats and the fake news media are attempting to steal the election from him: Thats what theyve done and what theyre doing. The remarks came about an hour before the Joint Session of Congress is slated to convene, where lawmakers are scheduled to count the electoral votes. Dozens of GOP House and Senate lawmakers have pledged to object to the certification of key states, which will likely drag out the process for many hours before a simple majority vote is conducted. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence is facing pressure to not read out the Electoral College votes for Joe Biden in key states. Some legal experts have said that they do not believe Penceor any other vice presidenthas much power during the Joint Session of Congress, terming his role as a mostly ceremonial one. Pence, in his capacity as vice president, serves as president of the Senate. But Trump and his campaign have asserted that Pence does have some degree of power during the Joint Session. States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval, Trump wrote on Twitter. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! And Pence, for his part, according to a statement from the president, is on board that the vice president has the power to act during the Joint Session. Those remarks were in the context of a statement that refuted an anonymously sourced New York Times report claiming Pence told Trump he has no power. The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news The Vice President and I are in total agreement, Trump remarked late Tuesday night. The electoral college challenges that are expected to be lodged against the electoral votes have faced blowback from both Democrats and Republicans. Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has reportedly warned Republican senators about the move, while Senate No. 2 Republican John Thune of South Dakota said their effort to challenge states electoral results will go down like a shot dog. Regardless of what happens on Jan. 6, Trumps comments to the crowd about not conceding will mean that he will likely continue raising awareness about alleged election fraud during the Nov. 3 raceand the Senate runoff races in Georgiauntil Jan. 20, which is Inauguration Day. Farmers at Singhu border launched a massive exercise on Tuesday to cover all the tents with waterproof plastic sheets following rains in the city. Large bamboo sticks and iron pipes were brought to the border with hundreds of waterproof tarpaulin sheets to cover the tents. Farmers said a mega tent is also being set up at the centre stage from where the leaders address the protesters every day. As light rains were witnessed in parts of the national capital on Monday and Tuesday, many tents at Singhu border where farmers have been staying since November 26 last year collapsed, while some started leaking. Many of these tents had to be dismantled and re-erected. Also Read: Farmers postpone tractor march by a day to January 7 On Tuesday, labourers were climbing atop the tents tying huge tarpaulin sheets around them by erecting bamboo sticks and iron pipes around them to make the tents withstand strong winds and shower. The labourers had been brought in by the gurudwara committees from various parts of Delhi. The tarpaulin sheets, commonly known as tirpaal, were either donated by people or bought by these committees. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), said all material required for waterproofing tents were brought at the border on Monday, as soon as the weather changed. The tents have been covered with plastic sheets. These provide insulation as well as water slides down without entering the tents. Separate waterproof tents have also been set up for women. In the evening, we also brought in more mattresses and blankets as it is getting colder, Sirsa said. Also Read: Understanding the rationale of farm protests Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Union, Ludhiana, said they also announced from the central stage on Tuesday that anyone who needs a tarpaulin can get it. We have asked for more waterproofing material. It is also expected that the weather will improve by Wednesday afternoon, he said. Farmers adamant: Govt fails to pacify protestors On the farmers next move, Lakhowal said on January 7, they will conduct a rehearsal rally in which tractors will move from Singhu to Tikri and from Tikri to Singhu, on the Haryana side and similarly between Ghazipur border and Palwal. This is just a rehearsal for our massive rally planned for Republic Day when hundreds of tractors will participate in a national rally, Lakhowal said. Also Read: Delhis Singhu, Tikri borders remain blocked, rain worsens traffic woes As it rained again on Tuesday, buckets, tubs or utensils had been placed in most tents which had started leaking. The rainwater was later used for washing utensils and for laundry. Sardar Singh, 53, a farmer from Ropar, said the roof of their tent had loosened as rain water got accumulated over it. Before it fell, we had to remove it and now the cloth is being replaced with plastic sheet. We reassembled our tent where as many as 100 people sleep every night. The tarpaulin will not only stop rain but will also keep us warm. They are also fire-resistant, he said. Those sleeping in tractor trolleys also covered both ends of the trolley with plastic sheets. They said it worked best to stop strong winds from blowing away the bedsheets that they had been using so far to cover the trolleys in order to keep themselves warm during the nights. Farmers had also used the plastic sheets to cover piles of wood that they to cook meals at langars. Our woods are all wet. We had ration covered in time but the woods lie in the open and they are wet now. Tarpaulin are being used to cover the ration and places of langars are also being converted into covered set ups so that whether it is rain or cold wave, our langars do not stop, said another farmer, Satnam Singh. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. States have been asked to take up surveillance and monitoring of birds for any signs of the disease and take appropriate measures for controlling it on priority New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday said Avian Influenza, or the bird flu outbreak, has been reported at 12 epicentres in four states Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh and advisories have been issued to contain further spread of the infection in poultry ducks, crows and migratory birds. In a statement, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying said that other states have been asked to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds. The current bird flu outbreak is reported barely a few months after India on 30 September, 2020 declared the country free from the disease. India notified the first outbreak of Avian Influenza in 2006. "After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD (National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases), Avian Influenza has been reported at 12 epicenters," the ministry said. Of the 12 epicenters, the bird flu has been reported in crows in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar region of Rajasthan as well as Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas of Madhya Pradesh. Whereas in Himachal Pradesh, the infection was found in migratory birds in Kangra region and in poultry ducks in Kottayam, Alappuzha (4 epicentres) in Kerala, it added. Further, the ministry said it has set up a "control room" in New Delhi to keep a watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of the preventive and control measures undertaken by the state authorities. According to the reports received from the states, control measures are being taken in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as per the guidelines of the National Action Plan of Avian Influenza. Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from January 5 at epicenters, and the culling process is in operation. In the case of Himachal Pradesh, another advisory was issued on Tuesday to avoid further spread of the infection, it added. In India, the ministry said that the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during the winter months from September-October to February-March. The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out. "Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products," it noted. As per the action plan on Avian Influenza, the ministry has suggested the affected states strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for the prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human. The ministry has also suggested the states to coordinate with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds. WASHINGTON - One day before Congress votes to certify that Joe Biden won the presidential election, Donald Trump supporters who refuse to accept the reality of his defeat demonstrated in Washington again. The city is bracing for potentially violent protests, egged on by President Trump himself. All Tuesday afternoon, people bundled against the cold but free of masks arrived in downtown Washington for what they see as a last stand for Trump, who has continued to falsely assert that the election was stolen from him. Though many Republican lawmakers, all 10 living former defense secretaries and election officials across the country have said Trump should stop attempting to overturn the results of the election, his refusal to do so has only energized his followers. One Wednesday demonstration has a National Park Service permit for up to 30,000 people. Trump said on Twitter that he will speak at 11 a.m. Wednesday and praised those who were echoing his inaccurate version of events in the streets. "They won't stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen," he tweeted Tuesday evening. For nearly eight hours, speakers repeated election conspiracy theories, closed their eyes to pray and shared discount codes for MyPillow, a company owned by a Trump ally. Shortly before 8 p.m., they danced to a part-country, part-rap song, "Roger Stone did nothing wrong." Stone, who was pardoned by Trump for lying to Congress and obstructing justice, appeared onstage in a pinstripe suit and feathered fedora, swinging his hips to the tune. "I have two words to say," Stone began. "Thank you, Jesus." 5 1 of 5 Washington Post photo by Matt McClain. Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Photo by Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post. Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Photo by Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post. Show More Show Less 5 of 5 He then launched into a speech comparing the investigation into his wrongdoing to centuries of abuses and terror inflicted on Black people. He claimed he was the subject of a "legal lynching." He said Trump "freed this slave" referring to himself. The mostly White crowd howled their support, chanting his name. "I'm glad to be with you, but these days I'm glad to be anywhere other than the federal penitentiary," Stone said. All day, the crowd ranted against the need for masks, vaccines and precautions against the virus that has killed more than 355,000 Americans. "I'm going to give everyone three action steps . . . turn to the person next to you and give them a hug," one speaker exhorted the crowd. "Someone you don't know . . . it's a mass-spreader event! It's a mass-spreader event!" District of Columbia police are not enforcing the District's mask mandate, despite the worsening coronavirus surge. The District is averaging 233 new coronavirus cases daily, and hospitalizations are up 12 percent compared with last week. The Washington region set a daily record for new coronavirus infections Friday. Local law enforcement will instead focus on arresting anyone who is unlawfully armed, while the National Guard works to manage crowds and block streets. District police said that shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, officers pulled over a North Carolina bus for a traffic violation at Ninth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Police said one person inside, who has not yet been identified, possessed two firearms - a rifle and a semiautomatic handgun - along with a drum magazine. Such magazines can hold additional bullets. U.S. Park Police, with the assistance of D.C. police, later arrested another man at Freedom Plaza who was seen "with a handgun under his jacket." In recent weeks, right-wing groups have used the conservative social media site Parler and the encrypted messaging app Telegram to plot how to sneak guns into the District, where there are laws banning open carry and prohibiting firearms on federal lands and near protests. Recent pro-Trump protests have already ended in violent skirmishes. In December, members of the Proud Boys, a male-chauvinist organization with ties to white nationalism, spent hours attempting to reach activists in Black Lives Matter Plaza, being repeatedly blocked by police. Later in the evening, four people were stabbed amid a crowd of Proud Boys and Trump supporters near Harry's Bar, which has become a Proud Boys gathering spot. When the leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, returned to the District for this week's events, he was arrested. District police took him into custody Monday afternoon on a warrant charging him with burning a Black Lives Matter banner taken from Asbury United Methodist Church during the December demonstration. He faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of property and two felony counts of possessing extended gun magazines at the time of his arrest. On Tuesday afternoon, Tarrio appeared in District Superior Court, where he pleaded not guilty. A judge released him but banned him from the District, pointing to his social media posts in which he threatens to set fire to more signs. Tarrio could be arrested if he is seen anywhere in the District. Later, the crowds in Freedom Plaza would turn his name into a chant: "En-ri-que!" They cheered for a Michigan lawmaker, a pastor who told them it was "time for war," and a man wearing a patch representing the far-right armed group Three Percenters, who told them to "Fight! Fight! Fight!" Arielle Early, 17, flew from Northern California after she saw Trump's tweets calling for demonstrators to descend on the nation's capital. "What I love about Trump is that he rallies people to come here and fight," she said. Early said she dropped out of school in 2017 after being bullied for supporting Trump. But on Instagram, she found a community of like-minded young Trump die-hards. She plans to meet up with those virtual friends this week in Washington. Diane Marney, a 62-year-old real estate agent who lives in Wyoming, said she sees this week's demonstrations as the single most important event in her lifetime. She worries about what a Biden administration will mean for her son, who works in a coal mine. She compared her decision to come to the District to her grandson's decision to serve in the military. "I want to do the same as him," she said. "Just not with a gun." An afternoon rainstorm sent some demonstrators scurrying toward their hotels, but hundreds remained as streetlights flicked on over a sea of Trump flags, yellow "Don't Tread on Me" banners and signs that read "Mask Free Zone." One man held a wood carving that resembled a can of Twisted Tea. Chris Bouland, 43, said it represented the viral video of a Black man at a gas station who hit a White man in the face with a can after the man would not stop calling him the n-word. The beverage then exploded, sending tea flying. The video has been shared countless times, set to music and remixed. Bouland, who traveled from Arkansas, said the video reminded him of his fellow Trump supporters. "You know, if you mess with us, you don't want to open that can of ass whooping," he said. He and his wife, Jo, are planning to wake up early Wednesday to be there for Trump's expected 11 a.m. speech at the Ellipse. "This is not about Democrats versus Republicans, or Trump versus Biden," she said. "This is about good versus evil. This is about saving our country." Behind them, the crowd of hundreds at Freedom Plaza began to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. "With liberty," they concluded, "And justice for all." - - - The Washington Post's Keith L. Alexander contributed to this report. Moet Hennessy India, a part of French conglomerate LVMH - Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, on Wednesday announced the appointment of Ipsita Das as managing director, India. Moet Hennessy portfolio of brands in the Indian market includes wines and spirits such as Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Belvedere and Chandon. Das, who joined Moet Hennessy as commercial director in 2019, will drive business for these brands in the country. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online These are exciting times, for the Indian market, not just for our award- winning Indian product Chandon that we produce in our winery in Nashik, but also for our larger imported portfolio for which India is an emerging market. Besides the established hospitality and retail business, our focus would also be on weddings and the corporate market, as we grow our presence in the subcontinent," Das said in a statement. Das has earlier worked with Uber, Maersk and Housing.com. Moet Hennessy India Private Limited (MHI) is a subsidiary of Moet Hennessy, part of LVMH -- Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury group. In India, the company is involved in import, sales and marketing of MH luxury portfolio of wines and spirits, besides running the Chandon winery in Nashik. In December, Indias top liquor company United Spirits Ltd (USL) named Hina Nagarajan as the companys managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) effective 1 July 2021. Nagarajan is currently managing director, Africa Regional Markets (ARM) at Diageo, USLs parent company. Nagarajan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, will succeed Anand Kripalu, who joined the company in 2014. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Wednesdays congressional vote to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory is putting California Republicans in a no-win position. Either theyre with President Trump whom California voters overwhelmingly rejected or theyre against him. Most of the 11 Republicans in Californias congressional delegation have dodged the issue, but that wont be an option Wednesday. So far, only two have had the courage to say publicly theyll go against the defeated president. But many of the rest are sure to side with Trump and defy the facts that every state has certified its election results, and that courts have rejected nearly five dozen legal challenges to them by the Trump campaign and its allies. Theyll go against fellow conservatives, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who tell them that Biden indeed won the Electoral College by 74 votes and that theres no basis for challenging Biden electors from six states that Trump claims he somehow won. The reason: Most of the California Republicans fear Trump. Or more accurately, the 6 million Californians who voted for him. It is another sign that while Trump will be out of the White House come Jan. 20, Trumpism will live on certainly in many of their districts. The dilemma for Republicans is that you cant live with him and you cant live without him, said Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles. Wednesdays drama will unfold over many hours, possibly into early Thursday. In the end, Trump will lose Democrats control the House, and enough Republican senators oppose the challenge to ensure the election results will be upheld there as well. The Republicans who vote to essentially endorse the baseless election conspiracies Trump has spread hope to avoid the wrath of his supporters, who even in California now constitute the core of the Republican Party. That wrath can bring something every officeholder dreads: a primary challenge from a fellow party member. If they vote contrary to Trumps wishes, they fear he will turn against them first on Twitter, then by personally campaigning against them. Trump, of course, encourages that fear. On Tuesday, he ripped Arkansas GOP Sen. Tom Cotton, who has been one of the presidents most faithful allies but who says he wont support the challenge to Bidens victory. How can you certify an election when the numbers being certified are verifiably WRONG, Trump tweeted. @SenTomCotton Republicans have pluses & minuses, but one thing is sure, THEY NEVER FORGET! If Trump would do that to Cotton, he would do that to any Republican. The most important reason for a member of Congress (to oppose certification) is that theyre afraid of him, afraid of his populist base, said Terry Moe, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. This is authoritarianism, said Moe, author of the book Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy. Were in the midst of a crisis of democracy. The Republican Party has become an anti-democracy party. One California Republican who doesnt fear Trump or his legions is Rep. Tom McClintock, who represents parts of 10 counties from Truckee to Fresno. He joined 11 fellow House Republicans in announcing he wouldnt back Trumps attempt to overturn the election results. McClintock is not afraid of bucking his party, usually on the basis of his strict adherence to states rights. He supported legalizing cannabis in California in 2016, before Vice President-elect Kamala Harris or some Democrats in the state, let alone other Republicans. I abhor the use of marijuana and believe we should do everything we can through education and persuasion to discourage its use, McClintock said then. But our current laws have failed us, and have created a violent and criminal black market that actively and aggressively markets to young people. It was the rare I-abhor-the-thing-Im-endorsing endorsement. But thats McClintock. Hes not a never-Trumper. He voted with the president 94% of the time in the last session of Congress. But McClintock wont back Trumps position Wednesday. If the Congress can refuse to count electoral votes for whatever reason then it has the inherent power to seize the decision for itself and render the Electoral College superfluous, McClintock wrote in a recent opinion piece that appeared in the Union, a Nevada County publication. Unlike the judiciary, Congress has an obvious conflict of interest: If it invalidates enough votes, it gets to elect the president and vice president directly. If the founders had intended to give this power to the Congress, why did they go to all the fuss and bother of designing an Electoral College at all? And heres a bonus question: Does anyone seriously believe that a body of 535 intensely partisan politicians is a safe repository for the power to adjudicate the integrity of the vote? McClintock wrote. Taking a strict constitutional position used to be a no-brainer for Republicans. But now, more Republicans are like Rep. Mike Garcia, who was just elected to his first full term in a battleground Los Angeles County district. Hes backing Trumps challenge. He, too, sought to assure his supporters that his position was rooted in the Constitution. Only that it was the opposite position from the one McClintock took. While I am a federalist, I believe there is enough evidence of compromised processes and breakdowns in election integrity by certain state legislatures that do in fact warrant a closer examination, Garcia said in a statement posted on Twitter. Garcias move to hitch his political star to Trump surprised Cal State Los Angeles Sonenshein, especially in a district where he needs Democratic and independent voters to stay in office. Newly elected GOP Rep. Young Kim, who just won a battleground district in Orange County, acknowledged that reality, saying she will vote to uphold Bidens victory. Congress does not determine which electors states send, and we must respect the authority of the states. The Electoral College has voted and I will respect their vote, Kim said in a statement. My focus, as always, is being an independent representative for the 39th District of California. Garcia, on the other hand, is banking on that everyones memory is short, Sonenshine said. The calculus is, Ill do this now and stay on the good side of Trump and then in two years people will have other things to think about and wont remember this. Garcia wrote that Wednesdays vote is not about Trump versus Biden or left versus right. It is about seeking assured security ... in knowing that not only will every legitimate vote be counted, but that every illegitimate and fraudulent vote will NOT be counted. Dont believe it, said Moe, the Hoover Institution fellow. You cant expect these people to tell you the truth about why theyre doing this, Moe said. Politicians wont say why because theyre afraid of the Trump base. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment According to the respected Worldometer website, COVID-19 deaths in 2020 reached 1.8 million, a truly tragic and devastating number. There is no denying that we have experienced a real pandemic, and many of us have lost friends and loved ones to this virus in the last 12 months. Yet, for every person who died of COVID (or, whose death was hastened by COVID), almost 25 died by abortion. This is as staggering as it is horrifying. These babies died in the womb by human choice. Prof. Thomas Williams summarizes these year-end statistics, also looking at other, major causes of death: Abortion was once again the number-one cause of death globally in 2020, with a record 42.7 million unborn babies killed in the womb, according to data provided by Worldometer. As of December 31, 2020, there were 42.7 million abortions performed in the course of the year, Worldometer revealed, while 8.2 million people died from cancer, 5 million from smoking, and 1.7 million of HIV/AIDS. Overall, Williams writes, Globally, there were more deaths from abortion in 2020 than all deaths from cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol, and traffic accidents combined, according to Worldometer statistics. The numbers are so high that they are absolutely numbing. But every number represents a precious human life, snuffed out in the womb by choice. Yet there is more. According to the pro-abortion, Guttmacher Institute, an organization not known for inflating abortion statistics, the numbers are far worse. The website states: Roughly 121 million unintended pregnancies occurred each year between 2015 and 2019. Of these unintended pregnancies, 61% ended in abortion. This translates to 73 million abortions per year. Who can even grasp figures like this? The entire populations of Thailand (70 million), the UK (68 million), France (65 million), Italy (60 million), Tanzania (60 million), South Africa (59 million), Myanmar (54 million), Kenya (54 million), South Korea (51 million), and Colombia (51 million) are each lower than the number of annual abortions as estimated by Guttmacher. If those figures are right, abortion wipes out the equivalent of entire, significant countries every single year. Gone! If the lower, Worldometer figures are right, with as many as nearly 43 millions abortions in 2020, that number is roughly equivalent to the total population of Spain (46 million) or Uganda (46 million) or Argentina (45 million) or Ukraine (44 million), just to mention a few. Abortion, in total numbers, would virtually wipe one of these countries off the map each year. Or compare the number of abortions to the number of those killed in war. According to a 2003 article in the New York Times, At least 108 million people were killed in wars in the twentieth century. This number, too, pales in comparison to the number of lives snuffed out by abortion. Of course, this does not minimize the pain and tragedy of each life lost in war. Or the pain and tragedy of each life lost in a car accident. Or each life lost to heart disease or cancer or COVID. But it does remind us that abortion is an unspeakable evil carried out on a massive scale worldwide. Yet much of the Church worldwide seems almost oblivious to this, while here in America, we tend to care about abortion every four years during our presidential elections, doing little else for the pro-life movement the rest of the time. I do understand that, when it comes to worldwide abortion statistics, in some cases, abortions are a government-enforced choice. This happens in China, despite the fervent opposition of the expectant parents, who are forced to comply. There are also the heartbreaking cases involving rape or incest or the extreme poverty of the parents, whose children already are on the verge of starvation. And there are the abortions performed to avoid bringing a severely-handicapped child into the world, who might only suffer a few months of agony before dying. Not every abortion decision can be dismissed as cavalier or selfish, even if every decision to abort can be morally opposed based on the humanity of the child in the womb. But in countless tens of millions of cases, the decision to abort is not based on a heartbreaking, agonizingly-complicated situation which presents a difficult moral dilemma. Instead, it is based on personal preference or even convenience. This is the horror of abortion, and this makes it one of the great sins of the human race in modern times. And remember: the number of abortions worldwide is growing: Between 2010-2014, the Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 56 million abortions occurred each year around the globe. This is up from an estimated 50 million abortions per year between 1990-1994. And we have seen the estimates for abortions since 2014. This leaves me with two takeaways, the first, a call to action, the second, a simple reflection. As for the call to action, let us each make a fresh determination to be a force for life in 2021. Check out the Love Life website for practical ways that you can make a difference. Every single life counts. As for the reflection, it is simply this: when the number one cause of death worldwide is abortion, we can safely say that the only reason we continue to exist as a race here on planet earth is the sheer mercy of God. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Actor Rashami Desai has dismissed rumours that Vikas Gupta had a hand in her getting a role in Naagin 4. Vikas can currently be seen on Bigg Boss 14 with Jasmin Bhasin, who departed from the show suddenly. In an interview, Rashami said that she has no idea how the rumour started, but that she was hired for the show only because the channel and production house thought shed be good for the part. My landing the role of Shalakha had nothing to do with Vikas Gupta, she told The Times of India. It was a decision completely taken by the channel and production house. I dont know from where such rumours have emerged. Vikas is a friend and thats why I am fond of him and no other reason. Previously, Bollywood Hungama quoted a source a saying, It was Vikas Gupta who took the call to remove Jasmin Bhasin and replace her with Rashami Desai as Nayantara. Since then, Rashami Desai grew fonder of Vikas, they buried the hatchet, and this is also the reason why Rashami is strongly backing up Vikas during his journey in BB 14. Vikas and Jasmin arent on good terms on Bigg Boss 14. In a recent episode, she said that Vikas was kicked out of the show Khatra Khatra Khatra because he created a dispute. she said, Aap nikale gaye the (you were thrown out). There were reasons, there were disputes. You created a dispute. When Vikas objected, she added, I dont like the way you behave... the way you talk. I dont see any truth in it. Pehle mujhe Vikas real lagta tha, abhi made-up lagta hai (I found Vikas real earlier but he seems all made up now). Also read: Rashami Desai opens up about being raised by a single mom, says she couldnt afford to pay Rs 350 for dance class Rashami departed the show after it was halted due to the coronavirus lockdown. It returned with a new season in August 2020. Dismissing reports that certain actors were written out due to budgetary reasons, creative producer Mukta Dhond had told TellyChakkar, I want to clarify that Nia and Rashami going out of the show has got nothing to do with budgets. Both the girls are like family and we will surely work with them in near future. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-tv_listing-desktop Controversy has arisen over the name of Adar Poonawala's Pune-based Serum Institue of India's vaccine. A civil court in Pune issued a notice to SII on the application of a pharmaceutical company and vendor. India is all set to receive the 1st Covid-19 vaccine as the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday has approved Oxford AstraZenecas CoviShield and Bharat Biotechs Covaxin for restricted use in India. India is gearing up to begin the biggest vaccination drive for one nation in history. However, controversy has arisen over the name of the Pune-based Serum Institue of Indias vaccine. A civil court in Pune issued a notice to SII on the application of a pharmaceutical company and vendor. This vaccine, prepared by Oxford University, has been named Covishield but at the same time, Adar Poonawalas company has received notice regarding the name of the vaccine. The notice requested the Serum Institute of India to stop using Covishield trademarks or other similar names in its upcoming covid-19 vaccination. This has been filed by Maharashtras Nanded-based firm, Cutis-Biotech claiming that they had been using the Kovishield trademark since 2020 for their products such as antiseptic, sanitizer, etc. In the said case, the company applied for registration of the Kovishield trademark on 29 April 2020, which is pending and the company has been using this trademark for its products since 30 May 2020. Meanwhile, a joint statement of the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech said that they both jointly pledge to provide global access for their COVID-19 vaccines. They issued a joint statement stating that they will work together to supply the Covid vaccines to the citizens of the country. Bharat Biotech Chairman and MD Dr. Krishna Ella had hit back at critics on the emergency approval and also took a jibe at Poonawalas SII asking why data from global trials of Covishield vaccine produced was not being questioned similarly. While this vaccine addresses an unmet medical need during this pandemic, our goal is to provide global access to populations that need it the most. COVAXIN has generated excellent safety data with robust immune responses to multiple viral proteins that persist: Bharat Biotech MD https://t.co/WkHhnleh0A ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2021 This should clarify any miscommunication. We are all united in the fight against this pandemic. https://t.co/oeII0YOXEH Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 5, 2021 Also Read: MEA Jaishankars first foreign visit in 2021; on 3-Day visit to Sri Lanka Also Read: India eyes lithium reserves in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia Bharat Biotechs vaccine has been embroiled in some sort of controversies as certain Industry experts, opposition leaders and the public have expressed concern over the absence of Phase 3 trial data on Covaxin. Many have raised questions on the clearance given to Covaxin. Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella said to media that COVAXIN has generated excellent safety data with robust immune responses to multiple viral proteins that persist. Chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Balram Bhargava clearing doubts over the vaccine said that Bharat Biotechs Covid-19 vaccine has been cleared in the clinical trial mode. Adar Poonawala has welcomed the vaccine announcement, said that all-risk that SII took has paid off and they are ready for rollout in the coming weeks. [January 06, 2021] Scott Family Housing Expands Solar Rooftop Project EL PASO, Texas, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Military Communities (HMC), the largest U.S. military housing owner, today announced its project to expand on its leading initiatives to integrate additional solar rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems across its facility at Scott Air Force Base. This community includes more than 1,500 homes serving 3,000 residents. The 2.8 megawatt PV system will produce an estimated 3.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and will enable the community to draw 15-20% of its total electricity supply from clean, renewable energy. With this update, HMC has added more than 20 MW of solar across its housing communities nationwide. The project is slated to be completed by Q4 of 2021. "Hunt Military Communities is wholly dedicated to ensuring that our communities are operating efficiently and with a minimal environmental impact," said John Hoyt, Vice President of Hunt Military Communities. "Through the deployment of solar energy systems, we can help reduce energy costs and reinvest those resources into our communities, reaffirming our commitment to military families across the United States. We value the partnership with the Department of the Air Force in championing sustainability and the significant support of Scott's military leadership." The installation of the rooftop PV systems will be built and operated by affiliates of True Green Capital Management (TGC), Hunt's solar energy partner with whom HMC has installed ~12 megawatts of solar projects across six military housing sites. "We are honored to partner with Hunt and the Air Force to provide Scott Air Force Base residents with renewable and resilient energysupply right at their homes", said Dr. Ninios, TGC's Managing Partner. These PV systems will further reduce Scott's environmental impact and carbon footprint, ultimately decreasing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. The project directly supports goals set forth by the Department of Defense, as well as the state of Illinois' goal to achieve 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. For HMC, this is the next step in a broad-based effort to improve the sustainability of military housing nationwide. Col. J. Scot Heathman, Scott Air Force Base installation commander said, "We are very proud of our Scott Family Housing partner, Hunt, for taking this next step in providing sustainable energy for our base housing. Reducing our greenhouse gas footprint while providing economical electricity is a win-win for the installation. We look forward to years of renewable energy production right here at Scott Air Force Base." Please visit www.scottfamilyhousing.com to learn more about this PV project and Hunt Military Communities' commitment to sustainability. About Hunt Military Communities Hunt Military Communities, the largest military housing owner, offers unsurpassed quality and service to more than 165,000 residents in approximately 52,000 homes on Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army installations across the USA. We do this through our core values: safety, kindness, efficiency, enthusiasm, and selflessness, and our 5-Star Service commitment. With a 50-year legacy and a partnership with the Department of Defense, HMC strives to ensure the integrity of our military communities and the families who live there. For more information, visit www.huntmilitarycommunities.com. About True Green Capital Management True Green Capital Management LLC ("TGC") is a renewable energy investment firm with a solar distributed generation solar portfolio spanning 13 U.S. states. The firm was founded in July 2011 and has a proven track record of having originated, financed, constructed, and operated 500+ MW of distributed solar projects. TGC is focused on investments in the ~$2 trillion distributed power generation market, which is being driven by fundamental changes in generation technologies and economics. For more information, visit www.truegreencapital.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scott-family-housing-expands-solar-rooftop-project-301202250.html SOURCE Hunt Military Communities [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (Natural News) With COVID-related hospitalizations on the rise, but with little to no data demonstrating that shutdowns actually help slow the spread of the virus, Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D) has ordered a partial restaurant and bar shutdown across the New Years holiday in the city. (Article by Bryan Preston republished from PJMedia.com) .@MayorAdler announces that Austin/Travis County restaurants and bars must stop dine-in food and beverage service from 10:30 p.m.-6 a.m., effective Dec. 31-Jan. 3. Violation is a criminal offense to not exceed $1,000 fine @KXAN_News https://t.co/jCpkf5WFrR John Engel (@EngelsAngle) December 30, 2020 Restaurants dont appear to be major COVID spread vectors, yet theyre being shuttered (again). If shutdowns worked, California would be in the COVID catbird seat. Its one of the nations most shut down states, with 47 counties on stay-at-home shutdown. But the San Francisco Chronicle says California has the worst COVID surge in the nation, by far. Its considering rationing healthcare because its COVID surge is so strong. Florida, meanwhile, is far more open, and is suffering much less of a COVID surge. The wisdom of shutdowns is scientifically questionable, and economically ruinous. Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) took to social media to countermand Adlers order. Cities exist because states allow them to. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) weighed in. Mayor Adler has yet to comply, or even react, to that. Making violations a criminal offense is an ironic touch. Adler led the defunding of Austins police back in August. That led to a demoralization of the police force and a very high rate of attrition from it. More are expected to leave once Adlers cuts take force in January. Also, recall that around Thanksgiving, Adler encouraged Austin to just stay home while he was lounging in luxury in Cabo. Whatever was left of his credibility stayed in Cabo. The whole thing is mad. If Adlers order accomplishes anything, it will have helped created an untold number of New Years house parties all over the city, since people cant go out to bars and restaurants, and Austin remains a college town with a state government jammed into it. Local radio host Todd Jeffries wondered how Adler even intends to enforce his order. The Texas Legislature convenes in its 87th session in January. Theres a bill in the works to take the Austin Police Department away from Adler and the city council, and transfer it to the state. Theres rumbling all over Austin that Adler and the left-wing city council had ruined the city even before the pandemic. Republican Mackenzie Kelly just defeated Democrat and anti-police incumbent Jimmy Flannigan in a city council runoff, indicating danger in the air for other Democrats in the deep blue city. Nationally, after Dr. Fauci has been caught in yet another sleight-of-hand, atop months of extremely arbitrary shutdowns and clampdowns on churches (!) but not riots (!), the shutdown regime has no credibility left whatsoever. Read more at: PJMedia.com and Pandemic.news. Good morning. First: Its a big day in Congress and that big, beautiful, complicated, diverse attention hog Pennsylvania is swallowing up the spotlight until the very end. Joe Bidens the next president. Thats it. But todays going to be a spectacle. Well keep you in the loop with exactly whats happening. Then: Were also bringing you speedy updates on the strangely tense battle over a Pennsylvania Senate race. And: Philly might be able to start the second wave of coronavirus vaccines as early as February, but that all depends. Ashley Hoffman (@_ashleyhoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) This was supposed to be boring. Congress is about to inevitably certify Bidens unambiguous win with that rubber stamp on the American peoples will. But an unprecedented number of Republicans in Congress are still objecting to Pennsylvanias presidential election results. Their false allegations echo those the president has promoted nonstop long before he lost. They didnt hold up in court, where many Trump-appointed judges threw them out. But they are most welcome in buses full of GOP activists as they travel from Pennsylvania to Washington to protest, bringing the noise to a typically quiet day. What are the checks and balances were looking at here? What would it take to really challenge the election results? What about the GOP members who dont support the objection? Just how far can this objection go? Whats the key difference between this and when Democratic representatives challenged Trumps 2016 victory? We take the most natural questions one by one in our nice and clear guide to what you need to know today. Its gotten to a point where people are shouting as fury in the chamber grows during another process that was supposed to be a sedated snooze of a ride. Republicans are refusing to give a Democratic state senator the seat he officially won in the election. In a rare move, a number of them even yanked Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman from presiding over the session on the basis that they didnt believe he was playing by the rules. And in another rare move, Democrats are refusing to back a Republican senator from taking the chambers top leadership position in response. This process is usually nothing more than a formality. The tension may last, and were bringing you speedy updates to make the conflict easy to follow. Helpful COVID-19 Resources What you need to know today Through your eyes | #OurPhilly Get into this fun shot of one of Shira Walinskis vibrant murals. (She also does lunch trucks.) Thanks for sharing, @city_of_architectural_love. Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and well pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout-out! Thats interesting Opinions The problem is, it is the actions of Republicans from the White House, Congress, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly that have undermined peoples faith in the voting process and served to question the results of the elections because they dont like the outcome. the Inquirer Editorial Board, a group of journalists who operate separately from the newsroom, writes that Republicans are showing its democracy thats really at stake with Pennsylvanias fiasco. Journalist Rashad Grove writes that the late Phillies hitter Dick Allen deserves to be immortalized in a statue for his groundbreaking career. Richard Hooker Jr., Secretary Treasurer & Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 623 and Jed Dodd, National Vice-President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division International Brotherhood of Teamsters, write that protecting essential employees doesnt adversely affect big business. What were reading A man wanted to give his terminally ill wife a call from Joe Biden for her last Christmas, and they almost went to sleep before a call from Anonymous, Washington, DC came, The News Journal reports. So how did TikTok kids turn the story of the culinary rat wonder Ratatouille making his mark on the anti-rodent restaurant industry into a musical? BuzzFeed went behind the scenes. The first out transgender state senator, Delaware Sen.elect Sarah McBride, gave New York magazine an interview about her state of neighbors. The unexpected angels of the Breathing Room have come bearing Christmas gifts and snack bags since 1997. Serving 1,200 families a year, they give relatives a helping hand when their family members are getting treated for cancer. If the pandemic may have tried to disrupt the connection between the Breathing Room volunteers and the families they serve, it was unsuccessful. This is how they persevered to pivot in the pandemic. CAIRO Once again, Turkey is reaching out to Egypt for political rapprochement. Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters Dec. 30 that Turkey and Egypt are working on shaping a road map for their bilateral relations. He added that the Turkish and Egyptian intelligence and foreign ministries have been in touch to promote their relations according to the principle of non-conflict in international forums. Cavusoglus statement comes a few months after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed Turkeys desire to open dialogue with Egypt in September. Erdogan said in statements to the media, We have no problem having dialogue with Egypt. Intelligence talks with Egypt are different and possible, and nothing is standing in the way. Egypt has not officially commented on Cavusoglus statements, but an Egyptian diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Cairo is waiting for actual actions, rather than mere media statements. Actions should be aligned with words. Political analysts and observers in Egypt who spoke to Al-Monitor believe the repeated statements from Turkey about calls to hold a dialogue with Egypt aim at coordinating on two main issues: the Libyan crisis and the gas issue in the Eastern Mediterranean. Professor of political sciences at the American University of Cairo Tarek Fahmi told Al-Monitor over the phone, Cavusoglu's statements regarding relations with Egypt do not say anything new, and Erdogan has already made similar statements, as did his adviser Yassine Aktay, among other officials. The aim is to engage in political dialogue with Egypt regarding Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean. He added, Through their dialogue with Cairo, Turks want to reach understandings related to the gas issue in the Eastern Mediterranean, as they felt they were excluded from the dossier when Egypt established the EastMed Gas Forum. They also realized Egypt is taking large strides in the region through various ties and military cooperation with France, Greece, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and Russia later on. Cavusoglus statements regarding ties with Egypt followed the meeting of a high-ranking Egyptian delegation with Libyan officials from the Government of National Accord (GNA) Dec. 27 in the first visit to Tripoli in six years. Spokesperson for the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed al-Kabalawi tweeted Dec. 27, The Egyptian delegation promised the Libyans to reoperate the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli soon. The Egyptian delegations visit to Tripoli was preceded by a similar visit by Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar a few hours earlier. Speaking before Turkish forces in Tripoli, Akar warned leader of the self-styled Libyan National Army Khalifa Hifter and his supporters of the consequences of any attempt to target Turkish forces in Libya. Fahmi said that the goal behind the repeated Turkish statements regarding ties with Egypt is to convey positive messages to Egypt that Turkey is changing and wants to launch a direct dialogue with Egypt. It is too soon to talk about Egypts interaction with the latest Turkish statements. Nothing has changed, and Turkeys media and political provocation against Egypt is ongoing, he added. Turkey must change its behavior in the region and refrain from meddling in the affairs of Arab states. It should stop its military sprawl in western Libya and stop sending mercenaries from Syria to Tripoli. There are Egyptian concerns about the Turkish presence in western Libya, and this pushed [Egyptian President Abdul Fattah] al-Sisi to coordinate with the Algerian president recently, he explained. In a Dec. 31 phone call, Sisi and his Algerian counterpart, Abdul Majid Tebboune, discussed the Libyan crisis and agreed to intensify joint coordination in the coming phase between the two countries to restore the stability and security of the neighboring country. Egypt has recently made progress in restoring other strained relations. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry attended the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia Jan. 5, and signed onto a reconciliation agreement aimed at ending the three and a half year diplomatic rift between Qatar on the one hand and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain on the other. Former adviser to the Egyptian foreign minister Hussein Hreidi told Al-Monitor, Since September, the Turkish government has been occasionally making such statements that welcome the restoration of ties with Egypt, but there hasnt been any actual impact on the ground. The Turkish policies toward us have not changed. He added, We did not notice any changes in Turkish behavior. I think the statements are just a way to break up the Egyptian alliance with Greece, Cyprus, the UAE, Jordan and Palestine in the Eastern Mediterranean and to send a message to the new US administration led by [Joe] Biden of Turkeys desire for openness to Washingtons partners in the region. Despite the political dispute between Ankara and Cairo, their economic cooperation never stopped. A report by the General Organization for Export and Import Control in Egypt (governmental) revealed in early 2020 that the volume of Egyptian exports to Turkey increased by 9.7% in 2018 to reach $2.2 billion, compared to $1.9 billion in 2017. Egypt's imports from Turkey increased by 29% in 2018, reaching about $3 billion, compared to $2.3 billion in 2017, according to the same report. Strengthening the economic relations and shielding them from negative repercussions of political disagreements is important. Besides, the private sectors in Turkey and Egypt are working in the framework of the market economy, and political changes do not affect them, Hreidi said. Hreidi added, Let us wait to see what this road map that Turkey talked about is, what its main elements are, and how serious Turkey is about implementing it. The Trump administration has approved Gov. Tate Reeves request for federal help following Hurricane Zeta. President Donald Trump declared the disaster on New Years Eve, ordering federal aid to help South Mississippi counties recover from the worst hurricane to hit the area since Katrina in August 2005. The declaration covers George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties, allowing federal funds for repairs and low-interest loans for residents and business owners. In George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Perry, Stone, and Wayne counties, officials also can tap into public assistance to help cover emergency work and repairs or replacement of public facilities the storm damaged, the White House said in a news release. Reeves tweeted New Years morning about the disaster declaration, which residents and government officials have anxiously awaited. Alabama counties received a federal disaster declaration Dec. 10 for Zeta damage. Reeves thanked the president, saying, Homeowners, local governments, and business owners in the declared counties can start the new year rebuilding from this storm. Hurricane Zeta made landfall Oct. 28 with 8 feet (2.4 meters) of storm surge and wind gusts of up to 100 mph (160.1 kilometers per hour), impacting parts of Southeast Mississippi. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, by Nov. 25, had documented $10 million in damage to individual homes and $79 million in damage to public infrastructure. Available assistance will include temporary housing and home-repair grants, loans for uninsured property losses, and other programs for individuals and business owners. More relief may be provided if warranted as the result of future damage assessments, the news release said. Residents and business owners with Zeta losses in designated counties can register online for assistance at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane Mississippi WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on Congress' tally of the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden (all times local): 3:55 p.m. The top Democrats in Congress are demanding that President Donald Trump order his supporters to leave the Capitol following a chaotic protest aimed at blocking a peaceful transfer of power. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement on Wednesday after violent protesters stormed the Capitol. They said, "We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately." Trump earlier encouraged his supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to "remain peaceful," but he did not call for them to disperse. He held a rally earlier Wednesday in which he repeated his false claims that President-elect Joe Biden had won the election through voter fraud. He urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to "get rid of the weak Congress people" and saying, "get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength." ___ HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONGRESS' TALLY OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. Trump issued a restrained call for peace but did not call on his supporters to leave. ___ +6 Follow live: US Capitol locked down after pro-Trump mob clashes with police, enters building The U.S. Capitol is on lockdown and lawmakers are evacuating as protesters clash with police both outside and inside the Capitol. HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON: 3:50 p.m. The White House says National Guard troops along with other federal protective services are en route to the Capitol to help end an violent occupation by President Donald Trump's supporters who are seeking to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that "At President @realDonaldTrump's direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services." She added, "We reiterate President Trump's call against violence and to remain peaceful." Republican lawmakers have publicly called for Trump to more vocally condemn the violence and to call to an end to the occupation, which halted a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were beginning to count electoral votes. Trump lost the November election to Democrat Joe Biden. He has refused to concede and has worked over the last two months to convince his supporters that widespread voter fraud prevented his own victory. ___ 3:40 p.m. Republican lawmakers are increasingly calling on President Donald Trump to act to deescalate the violent protests at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters angry about his election loss. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he spoke with the president earlier Wednesday and told him to make a statement to "make sure that we can calm individuals down." Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that "it is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down." Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey told The Associated Press that while he sympathizes with the protesters' position, they shouldn't get violent, and it would be "nice" if Trump called on them to "protest in a peaceful way in an appropriate spot, where you belong, where you should be." Many Republicans had backed Trump's false claims of widespread voter spread to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, of Wisconsin, posted a video message urging Trump to "call it off." "This is Banana Republic crap that we're watching right now," said Gallagher, who had spoken out against objections from fellow Republicans to certifying President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College vote. ___ 3:37 p.m. Supporters of President Donald Trump got into a angry shouting match with other passengers on a Washington-bound American Airlines plane after they projected a "Trump 2020" logo on the cabin ceiling and walls. The Trump supporters said a passenger threatened to kill them, and there was yelling back and forth. A flight attendant intervened, telling one passenger in the aisle to sit down. The incident occurred on Tuesday night after American's flight 1291 from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport landed at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., and was taxiing to the gate. The scene was posted on Twitter by Maranie Staab, a Portland, Oregon-based independent journalist who says on her website that she focuses on human rights and social-justice issues. "Our team is reviewing this incident," said American Airlines spokesman Curtis Blessing. "We applaud our outstanding crewmembers for their professionalism in de-escalating a tense onboard situation and getting our customers to their destination safely." American said law enforcement was not called, and that passengers deplaned and dispersed without further incident. ___ 3:35 p.m. The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the U.S. Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting Congress' formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden's win. A spokesperson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers from the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene. He says they were requested to assist by U.S. Capitol Police. Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Biden's presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. By AP writer Michael Balsamo ___ 3:30 p.m. One person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol as dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police. That's according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity amid a chaotic situation. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. The person said the victim had been taken to a hospital. Their condition was not known. The shooting came as dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the U.S. Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Biden's presidential win. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. By AP writer Michael Balsamo ___ 3:25 p.m. President Donald Trump is encouraging supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to "remain peaceful," but he is not calling for them to disperse. As he faced growing pressure from allies to condemn the violence Wednesday afternoon, Trump tweeted, "No violence!" adding: "Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue." But Trump did not ask supporters to vacate the area as the unrest continued. Trump had appeared earlier at a rally and had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol at one point even suggesting he would join them. He is upset that he lost the presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden and has falsely claimed voter fraud to explain it away. He also urged his supporters to "get rid of the weak Congress people" presumably through primary challenges saying, "get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength." ___ 3:15 p.m. A Defense Department official says Washington, D.C., has requested an additional 200 National Guard members as supporters of President Donald Trump violently clash with law enforcement at the Capitol. That request is currently under review at the Pentagon to determine how the Guard can respond to support law enforcement. According to officials, the Guard members have a very specific mission that does not include putting military at the Capitol. Instead, the Guard must be used to backfill law enforcement outside the Capitol complex, freeing up more law enforcement to respond to the Capitol. Officials said the request for more National Guard has not been rejected. Trump had urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress' formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden's win. Several Republican lawmakers backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. ___ 3:10 p.m. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Pressure is mounting on President Donald Trump to condemn supporters who are violently clashing with law enforcement on Capitol Hill. Among those urging Trump to act: his former communications director, Alyssa Farah, who tweeted that Trump should "Condemn this now." She says, "you are the only one they will listen to. For our country!" Dozens of people have breached security perimeters at the Capitol, forcing the lockdown of the building and halting the vote to certify Joe Biden's presidential victory. Trump has so far offered a single tweet asking his supporters to "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!" His former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney tweeted: "The President's tweet is not enough. He can stop this now and needs to do exactly that. Tell these folks to go home." His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, also addressed Trump supporters in a tweet, calling them the "patriots challenging the fraudulent election" and telling them that "POTUS wants you to EXPRESS YOUR OPINION PEACEFULLY." ___ 3 p.m. Protesters backing President Donald Trump have breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm Joe Biden's victory in the November election. Trump urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress' formal approval of Biden's win. Several Republican lawmakers have backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Protesters are now inside the Senate chamber. One got up on the dais and yelled "Trump won that election." Several dozen are roaming through the halls, yelling, "Where are they?" Some were also in the visitors' galleries. ___ 2:50 p.m. Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid skirmishes by supporters of President Donald Trump Pro-Trump protestors breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, violently clashing with law enforcement as lawmakers were gathered inside to formalize President-elect Joe Biden's victory in November's presidential election. Law enforcement instructed lawmakers to retrieve masks from under their seats amid the clashes. The Capitol building was placed on lockdown, as Trump supporters marched through evacuated public spaces in the building. After egging on protests, Trump tweeted to his supporters to "stay peaceful" as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building. ___ 2:47 p.m. After egging on protests, President Donald Trump tweeted to his supporters to "stay peaceful" as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building. "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement," Trump tweeted, as tear gas was deployed in the locked-down Capitol. "They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!" Trump at a rally earlier Wednesday encouraged his supporters to head to the Capitol. "We're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them," Trump said. ___ 2:45 p.m. Lawmakers are being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators were led out, escorted by staff and police on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the Electoral College. The skirmishes came shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. Protesters could be seen marching through the Capitol's stately Statuary Hall shouting and waving Trump banners and American flags. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. ___ 2:40 p.m. The mayor of Washington, D.C., has ordered a curfew in the nation's capital beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday after protestors seeking to overturn the election results stormed the U.S. Capitol building. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the order as protestors supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to formally count the electors that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20. The order extends through 6 a.m. Thursday. The skirmishes came shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:30 p.m. Protesting supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the U.S. Capitol. There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and the debate over the electoral count was suspended. A representative from the Capitol police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon. House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern of Massachusetts told the crowd that the House expected to go back into session soon. Meanwhile, members milled around the floor and looked at their phones. Reporters and others outside the chamber were told to go their seats inside and not leave. The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:20 p.m. The Senate has recessed its debate over an objection to the results of the Electoral College after protesters forced police to lock down the building. Reporters were told to stay in the Senate's press gallery as the doors were locked. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol's steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. The skirmishes came just shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:20 p.m. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says American "democracy is in crisis" with polls showing that large numbers of voters "believe the election that just occurred was rigged." Cruz, a Republican, objected to the certification of election results in Arizona, saying the Senate has a responsibility to acknowledge the profound threat posed by widespread disbelief in the legitimacy of the election. He called for the creation of a commission to conduct a 10-day "emergency audit" to investigate any irregularities, citing a similar commission created after the 1876 presidential election. Cruz urged lawmakers not to "take the easy path, but instead act together" and create a "credible and fair tribunal. Consider the claims, consider the facts, consider the evidence and make a conclusive determination whether and to what extent this election complied with the Constitution.'' ___ 1:55 p.m. The U.S. Capitol Police are evacuating some congressional office buildings due to "police activity" as thousands gather outside the Capitol to protest the electoral vote. Police told congressional staff members they should evacuate the Cannon House Office Building and the building that houses the Library of Congress. It wasn't immediately clear what specifically sparked the evacuation. A police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Thousands of people have descended on the U.S. Capitol as Congress is expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden's 2020 presidential win. Videos posted online showed protesters fighting with U.S. Capitol Police officers as police fired pepper spray to keep them back. Tata Motors has announced today that it is bringing back its iconic brand Safari with its forthcoming flagship SUV, (codenamed as the Gravitas). Tata Safari, earlier known as Gravitas will be a 7-seater SUV based on the Harrier and will derive same set of features, engine options and even the same OMEGARC platform sourced from Land Rover. Tata Safari has been a iconic brand name in India since last 20 years. Announcing the formal branding of its forthcoming SUV as the Tata Safari, Mr. Shailesh Chandra President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motors, said, We are proud and elated to re-introduce our flagship SUVSafari. The Safari, an iconic brand with a strong following, has been the most sought after SUV on Indian roads for well over two decades. In its new avatar, the Safari will appeal to the socially active, fun loving customers who seek out unique experiences and adventure. Its design, performance, versatility, features, and long lasting build quality, reinforce the SUV lifestyle to provide unending pleasure. We are confident that the launch of the Safari will once again re-energise the market, amplifying its cult status. The all-new Safari will combine Tata Motors Impact 2.0 design language with the OMEGARC architecture derived from the renowned D8 platform from Land Rover. This adaptive architecture allows for further drive train enhancements including all-wheel drive and possibilities of electrification in future. Tata Safari will be powered by the same 2.0-litre diesel engine as in the Harrier and will have both manual and automatic gearbox options. The Tata Safari will be launched January 26 and the booking for the new Safari will begin shortly. Cincinnati, Ohio-based Core Specialty Insurance Holdings Inc. has filled several key roles within its Property Division, led by Alison Oliphant. The company had previously announced its plans to launch this division ahead of the start of the 2021 renewal cycle. David Phillips and Christopher Muller have joined Core Specialty as senior vice presidents of Property Underwriting. Additionally, Laurence Bunin and Adam Tyburski have joined as co-heads of Personal Lines Fronted Programs. Phillips was most recently E&S Property head for Pioneer Underwriting where he was responsible for building underwriting strategy, product, and execution. Prior to that he helped build Maxum Specialty E&S Property following his time with Arch Specialty, Wellington Underwriting, and J. Linneman & Company. Muller joined Core Specialty from the property E&S division of Axis where he was the Southeast Unit Manager responsible for a team of underwriters. Prior to Axis, he spent time with Lexington, Ironshore and Montpelier Re. Bunin most recently was an original founding executive of Spinnaker Insurance Co. in 2015. As the senior vice president, he was responsible for developing and underwriting multiple-party fronted insurance deals, and was responsible for deal economics and P&L. These efforts resulted in the ultimate sale of Spinnaker in August 2020. Tyburski, also a co-founder of Spinnaker, served as the chief underwriting officer. Tyburski strategically steered growth for both new and renewal business, while actively underwriting each program to manage balance sheet exposure, resulting in an industry coveted A- rating from AM Best. Core Specialty offers a diversified range of property and casualty insurance products for small to mid-sized businesses. Core Specialty is an insurance holding company operating through StarStone Specialty Insurance Co., a U.S. excess and surplus lines insurer, and StarStone National Insurance Co., a U.S. admitted markets insurer. Source: Core Specialty Insurance Holdings Topics Excess Surplus Property WASHINGTON (AP) The crowd pushed past the police barricades, up the steps to the iron doors and in what seemed like no time at all, hoisted a Trump flag from the U.S. Capitol. Protesters are in the building, came the last words picked up by a microphone carrying a live feed of the Senate before it shut off. Hundreds of President Donald Trumps supporters paraded and hollered through some of the most hallowed spaces in the Capitol -- propped at the Senate dais and in the House speakers office -- all to protest the election and keep President Donald Trump in office. It was an extraordinary, unprecedented scene. Trump, the defeated president, had been encouraging protesters as Congress convened for a joint session to certify Joe Bidens win. Under the very risers set up for Bidens inauguration at the U.S. Capitol, the Trump supporters gathered. Protests are typical at the Capitol. But this one was not. At least one person was shot and killed, though its not clear who pulled the trigger during the chaotic scene. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. Inside the House chamber, lawmakers described a harrowing scene. As they stayed down, they were told to have gas masks at the ready -- and take off the lapel pins they wear identifying them as elected representatives. Police had guns drawn, and furniture barricaded the door. Glass was shattered. Some prayed while protesters banged on the doors. Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips yelled loudly at Republicans, This is because of you! Full Coverage: Election 2020 A chaplain prayed as police guarded the doors to the chamber and lawmakers tried to gather information about what was happening. Announcements blared: Due to an external security threat, no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. Lawmakers tweeted that they were sheltering in place. Reporters and lawmakers hid under tables as the protesters banged on the door, demanding to be let inside. Rumors of guns spread but it wasnt clear if any shots were fired beside the one. Tear gas was said to have been dispersed in the Rotunda. After making sure the hallways were clear, police swiftly escorted people down a series of hallways and tunnels to a cafeteria in one of the House office buildings. As he walked out of the Capitol, Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes said he always assumed it could never happen here. But others were not so sure. Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, among those challenging Bidens win, blamed both sides for the chaos at the Capitol. What do you think was taking place in this country? he told reporters. Theres been a lot of people during the last four years that have just been getting more and more incensed over what is going on around the country, on both sides. Its just too bad. This is not how we handle things in America. The Senate side was not much different. Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the session, was evacuated from the Senate as protesters and police shouted outside the doors. Police evacuated the chamber at 2:30 p.m., ushering senators to the first of what would be several undisclosed locations. Clerks grabbed boxes of electoral college certificates as they left. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, attending the session, was among those ushered to safety. As soon as they left, protesters roamed the halls shouting, Where are they? One got on the Senate dais and yelled, Trump won that election. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) -Next Green Wave Holdings Inc. (CSE: NGW) (OTCQX: NXGWF) ("Next Green Wave", "NGW" or the "Company") is pleased to confirm it has signed a 2 year supply and production agreement (the "Agreement") with COOKIES. COOKIES is one of the most well-respected, top-selling and premiere cannabis brands in California and throughout the world. COOKIES has 26 total retail stores in operation which includes; 17 retail stores in California, 6 retail stores across the U.S., and 3 international stores (in Barcelona and Tel Aviv). In 2021, COOKIES expects to double the current total open store count across the U.S. and internationally. NGW X COOKIES 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6127/71410_d166ff2d041729e9_001full.jpg NGW X COOKIES 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6127/71410_d166ff2d041729e9_002full.jpg The partnership will commence immediately and aligns both companies core goals to produce, package and distribute premium cannabis products to California connoisseurs. The key terms of the two-year Agreement are: COOKIES will sell Next Green Wave branded products in the COOKIES retail locations across California. Next Green Wave will cultivate exclusive COOKIES genetics to be packaged and sold under the Cookies brand name. It has also been agreed that contingent upon the completion of Next Green Wave's new cultivation facility, expected in Q4 2021 (see press release HERE), a portion of the new production will be allocated to the COOKIES brand. "Noticing and identifying talent in the cultivation space is something we focus on a lot, especially with a new menu bred by myself. We wanted to align and build a long-term partnership with someone we know will both produce some of the best flower in the State of California, and also keep those strains exclusive; which is why a deal like this is ideal for COOKIES. Next Green Wave is performing very, very well, and I can't wait to put these new strains in their hand." - Berner, Founder and CEO of COOKIES "As we expand our production capacity and brand presence, it's vital we continue working with key retail and brand partners, and with COOKIES we have found both. We look forward to working with the entire COOKIES team to produce, brand and supply the best cannabis products in California, now and for years to come. " - Michael Jennings CEO Next Green Wave Michael Jennings Chief Executive Officer, Director Next Green Wave Holdings Inc. NGW X COOKIES 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6127/71410_d166ff2d041729e9_003full.jpg NGW X COOKIES 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6127/71410_d166ff2d041729e9_004full.jpg NGW X COOKIES 5 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6127/71410_d166ff2d041729e9_005full.jpg NGW X COOKIES 6 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6127/71410_d166ff2d041729e9_006full.jpg About Next Green Wave Next Green Wave is a fully integrated premium seed to shelf craft cannabis producer offering products through its in-house brand portfolio and wholesale flower for other large cannabis manufacturers. The Company owns and operates a 35,000 sf indoor facility in Coalinga, CA which is home to our nursery, cultivation, distribution, and future extraction business. NGW has an exclusive seed library consisting of 120 cannabis strains and hybrids including award-winning cultivars and is producing high quality tissue culture plantlets through its proprietary cloning technology with bio-tech leader Precigen. Marketing, product design and formulation are produced in-house. Please follow along with us at www.nextgreenwave.com or on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. For more information regarding Next Green Wave please contact: Ryan Lange CMO Tel: +1 (604) 684.6844 IR@nextgreenwave.com MEDIA CONTACT for COOKIES: Kim Barron, Director of Integrated Marketing for COOKIES About COOKIES COOKIES, founded in 2008 by Berner (the prolific Bay Area rapper and entrepreneur) and his partner Jai (a Bay Area breeder and cultivator) is more than a premiere cannabis company; it is an authentic lifestyle brand with passionate fans all over the world. The company went mainstream in 2011 and has grown its business through the combination of globally recognized premium genetics, popular culture resonance, and social media influence. COOKIES is constantly engaged in new breeding projects to launch differentiated brands and has quickly built a grassroots cult following while remaining loyal to its brand promise: authenticity and genetics innovation. Today, COOKIES is one of the most well-respected and top-selling cannabis brands in California and throughout the world. The company and its product are recognized globally and offer a stable of over 85 cannabis varieties and product lines including indoor and sungrown flower, pre-rolls, gel caps, and vape carts. COOKIES' seed-to-sale business allows for complete quality control at every step-from cultivation and production to customers' end retail experience. With a deep commitment to restorative justice and progressive drug policy, COOKIES actively works to enrich communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs through advocacy work and social equity initiatives. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Providers (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Next Green Wave Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are "forward-looking statements" and such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information represent only NGW's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NGW's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts" "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations for long-term (YE 2020 and YE 2021) revenue and adjusted EBITDA profitability, the ability of the Company to successfully achieve business objectives (including completion of construction and increasing production capacity), and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects NGW's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to NGW and on assumptions NGW believes are reasonable. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing state, local or other licenses and any inability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals licenses and permits to complete construction of its proposed facilities in a timely manner; engaging in activities which currently are illegal under US federal law and the uncertainty of existing protection from U.S. federal or other prosecution; regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. state-law legalization, particularly in California, due to inconsistent public opinion, perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry, bureaucratic delays or inefficiencies or any other reasons; any other factors or developments which may hinder market growth; NGW's limited operating history and lack of historical profits; reliance on management; NGW's requirements for additional financing, and the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability, competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; the need to secure and maintain corporate alliances and partnerships, including with customers and suppliers; and risks and delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although NGW has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. NGW has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71410 Scientists call the coral reefs the rainforests of the sea, because coral reefslike rainforestsare highly diverse ecosystems; their destruction would lead to the extinction of a large number of species by Vijay Prashad With a recent report titled Projections of Future Coral Bleaching Conditions, published by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in November, Leticia Carvalhohead of the Marine and Freshwater Branch of UNEPsaid on December 21 that coral reefs are the canary in the coalmine for climates impact on oceans. The image of the canary in the coal mine is used over and over again to refer to many aspects of the climate catastrophe: reflecting on his studies of glacier decline in Greenland, glaciologist Ian Howat said that Greenland is going to be the canary in the coal mine, while an evolutionary biologist in Australia, Dr. Janet Gardner, said that Birds really are the canaries in the coal mine because their changes in body weight reflect sensitive assessments of changing weather patterns. Each of these scientists, looking at the specific thing they studyglaciers, bird weight, coral reefsis right about their particular insight as well as about the fact that what they are seeing is deeply worrying. What is also concerning is a consensus among these scientists that rising temperatures are creating rapid and negative changes in the ecosystems. The evidence in the report on coral reefs is shocking. Coral reefs will soon disappear, said Carvalho, if the current levels of inaction persist. The UNEP report is written by highly qualified scientists who make closely argued points and do not offer loose statements. So, it is pretty chilling to confrontearly in the reportthe suggestion that corals will be wiped out by the 2040s. The report notes that there has been a long coral bleaching event that started in 2014 and ended in 2017; this was the longest coral bleaching event on record that spread across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. To put it simply, coral bleaching is when rising sea temperatures lead to an overheating of the coral reefs; when the reefs overheat, they expel the zooxanthellae (algal symbionts), which results in the coral bleaching. Bleaching can be reversed when sea temperatures cool. What happened between 2014 and 2017 was that the sea temperatures did not drop enough for the corals to recover at the end of the summer of 2014, and in the years that followed. The average temperature in oceans has increased by 0.1 degrees Celsius (32.18 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade in the past century as a result ofamong other factorsincreased use of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels has led to an increase in atmospheric warming, which, combined with phenomena such as the 1997-98 and 2010 El Nino events, has resulted in catastrophic coral reef degradation. But these earlier episodes do not compare to the impact of the long period of coral reef bleaching from 2014 to 2017; for example, the 1997-98 period saw the death of 16 percent of the worlds coral reefs, while the 2014-2017 warming saw 80 percent of the Great Barrier Reef suffer from severe bleaching. A decade ago, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore wrote the foreword to a report entitled Reefs at Risk Revisited. Here, Gore noted that reefs are the canary in the coal mine and their long-term degradation reveals that our dangerous overreliance on fossil fuels is already changing Earths climate. We will return to Gores use of our soon. But for now, it is important to point out that the problem for the reefs is not only fossil fuel use, but it is also the other aspects of capitalism, such as the disposal of plastic goods into the oceans. Two Scenarios, Both Bad Scientists call the coral reefs the rainforests of the sea, because coral reefslike rainforestsare highly diverse ecosystems; their destruction would lead to the extinction of a large number of species (as has already been documented in 2019 in a report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). The current UNEP report suggests that there are only two possible scenarios for the planet: a worst-case scenario and a middle-of-the-road scenario. There is no good scenario. The damage that has already been inflicted on the reefs and the possibility that sea temperatures will decrease is so minimal that there is every reason to expect that severe bleaching could lead to coral reefs disappearing by 2045. If fossil fuel use is not decreased and global warming continues, then every one of the worlds reefs will bleach by the end of the century, with annual severe bleaching [ASB] occurring on average by 2034, according to a press release about the new UNEP report. This new date is nine years ahead of schedule from what UNEP projected in 2017 (one reason for the closer date is that the measurements have improved over this period). If countries exceed their current pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent, then ASB will not take place before 2045. Either way, this is just a matter of an 11-year gap. Blame Humanity? One convenient explanation is that shifts in the climate have to do with human activity or humanity. There is even a name used to describe this period of historythe Anthropocene, a proposed name for a new geological epoch. Carvalho of UNEP recently said, Humanity must act with evidence-based urgency, ambition and innovation to change the trajectory for this ecosystem. Blaming humanity in general is far too vague. It fails to accurately point the finger where it must be pointed. Firstly, the term Anthropocene obscures the fact that it is the massive productive powers of capitalism that generated carbon emissions based on the use of fossil fuels. It is not some vague term such as Anthropocene that explains the explosion of carbon emissions, but it is the social formation called capitalism that is central to global warming. Secondly, since capitalism developed in an uneven way, with certain countries (the North) benefitting by use of forcewhat is called imperialismthese countries disproportionately benefited from the productive powers of capitalism. They have historically spewed the most carbon into the atmosphere and continue to do so on a per capita basis. Any policy that does not acknowledge the formula, established at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, of common but differentiated responsibilities will fail to see that while countries in Europe and North America benefitted and continue to benefit from fossil fuels, other places did not and do not benefit and yet are the most likely to be adversely impacted by rising temperatures. Thirdly, the most important impediments to change have not been humanity but the corporate power and the United States government that not only diluted the 2015 Paris Agreement but then refused to be bound by the tepid agreements. It is telling that countries such as Jamaica and Mongolia updated their climate plans to the United Nations before the end of 2020as mandated by the Paris Agreementalthough these countries produce a tiny fraction of global carbon emissions. The funds that were committed to developing countries for their participation in the process have virtually dried up while external debt has ballooned. This shows a lack of basic seriousness from the international community. The reefs will die. That seems certain. The UNEP report will not circulate. That seems equally certain. The Marshall Islands and Rwanda will file their updates. That has already happened. Meanwhile, the United States and its allies will sit on the sidelines, expanding fracking with a who cares attitude. This article was produced by Globetrotter. Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma. Advertisement The COVID-19 death toll in the United States has hit yet another record high with 3,775 fatalities reported in a day, which is the equivalent of 2.6 Americans dying every minute. Daily deaths have now surged above the 3,700 mark three times within the past week. More than 357,000 Americans have now died of COVID-19 since the pandemic broke out. Cases and hospitalizations also continue to surge with 131,195 patients being treated for the virus yesterday, which is an increase of more than 5,600 in just two days, and 229,055 new infections reported. The number of people hospitalized nationwide has exceeded 100,000 for 35 days. As cases surges, Arizona, California and Rhode Island are currently seeing higher rates of infections per capita than any country in the world. Arizona leads the nation with 827 new infections per 100,000 people in the week ended Tuesday, followed by California with 671 per 100,000 and Rhode Island with 666 per 100,000, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of data from the COVID Tracking Project. By comparison, the country with the world's highest per capita infection rate, the Czech Republic, reported 653 new cases per 100,000 people in the same period. Cases are currently rising in 47 US states and territories and the country faces a new threat from a mutant strain of coronavirus that has now been detected in at least 37 individuals across seven states, according to the CDC. The strain, which was first detected in the United Kingdom, is said to be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the original. The majority of cases of the mutant strain have been reported in California, where the tally jumped from six on Sunday to 32 on Tuesday - less than a week after the first case was diagnosed in the state. Arizona, California and Rhode Island are seeing higher rates of COVID-19 infections per capita than any country in the world as the US grapples with skyrocketing cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Pictured: Patients wait on gurneys outside the overcrowded LAC USC Hospital emergency room in Los Angeles on Tuesday The US coronavirus death toll surpassed 356,000 on Tuesday as experts warn January could be the deadliest month yet The US has recorded more than 200,000 new coronavirus cases on 20 days since Thanksgiving, for a total of nearly 21 million Hospitalizations broke a record for a third day in a row on Tuesday with 131,195. That number represents an increase of more than 5,600 from two days ago A refrigerated truck to be used as an overflow morgue is seen at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California, on Tuesday Cases, deaths and hospitalizations continue to surge amid the train wreck vaccine rollout across the country. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Wednesday addressed the slow rollout and called on governors across the country to relax their guidelines in order to get more Americans vaccinated. 'We always knew this was going to be difficult... It is by no means as good as we would want it to be. I want the American people to keep this in perspective: (It's) the most difficult vaccine rollout in history, it's ramping up and you'll see things rapidly increase over the next couple of weeks,' he told ABC's Good Morning America. 'We're quickly ramping up. We're approaching 500,000 per day.' One in 930 Americans have now died from COVID-19 and the seven-day rolling average for fatalities is now at just over 2,600 per day. Experts have predicted that January will far outpace December for fatalities, as the US continues to set records for hospitalizations and the effects of holiday activities come to fruition. The health crisis continues to be especially dire in California, which reported 31,440 cases, 368 deaths and 22,485 hospitalizations on Monday. Nearly two-thirds of the Golden State's latest deaths came from Los Angeles County, where 224 were reported on Tuesday, bringing the total to date to 11,071. Los Angeles County, the nation's largest with a quarter of California's 40 million residents, has seen a more than 1,000 percent spike in hospitalizations since early November, with 7,898 currently admitted. Ambulance crews in the county have been advised to conserve oxygen and not to transport patients who have virtually no chance of survival to the hospital because resources need to be reserved for those with better prognoses. Health officials are now calling the situation in Los Angeles a 'human disaster' as they warn the risk of getting COVID has never been higher. 'Everyone should keep in mind that community transmission rates are so high that you run the risk of an exposure whenever you leave your home,' Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. 'Assume that this deadly invisible virus is everywhere, looking for a willing host. 'The anticipated surge from the winter holiday gatherings is done. And tens upon tens of thousands of people are paying the price with new COVID-19 infections. The increases in cases are likely to continue for weeks to come, as a result of holiday and and returning travelers.' While the situation in California continues to spiral, Arizona is currently the worst affected state for cases per capita. Cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Arizona have been surging since last month. In the last week alone, all three metrics have hit single-day highs amid the pandemic. Arizona's hospitals have been stressed by the surge, with some stopping elective surgeries and turning away ambulance runs and hospital transfers while still accepting walk-in patients needing emergency care. Meanwhile, deaths per capita are currently the worst in Kansas where an average of 1.7 deaths per 100,000 residents have been recorded, CDC data shows. Rhode Island follows with 1.5 deaths, Pennsylvania with 1.4 deaths and Indiana with 1.3 deaths. The health crisis continues to be especially dire in California, which reported 31,440 cases, 368 deaths and 22,485 hospitalizations on Monday. Pictured: Patients are wheeled into the ER at LAC USC Hospital in Los Angeles Ambulance crews in Los Angeles County have been advised to conserve oxygen and not to transport patients who have virtually no chance of survival to the hospital because resources need to be reserved for those with better odds Refrigerated storage units are seen outside a funeral home in Los Angeles on Tuesday A line of cars is seen outside Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, on Tuesday 'Super-COVID' spreads in the US: CDC says highly transmissible strain from the UK is now in at least SEVEN states The more infectious 'super-covid' variant from the UK is in at least seven states, a CDC official told DailyMail.com Tuesday, but refused to reveal which remaining two states beyond Colorado, California, Florida New York and Georgia have cases. Dr Greg Armstrong, director of the Office of Advanced Molecular Detection at the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases said that the new variant accounts for 'fewer than one in 200' samples run by US labs. 'It's up to the states' to disclose when they have discovered a case of the new variant, Dr Armstrong said. 'Almost all regulatory authority is at the state level.' Georgia on Tuesday announced its first case of the 'mutant' COVID-19 strain. The virus is said to have been found in an 18-year-old boy with no travel history. Georgia joins New York, California, Colorado and Florida in all reporting cases. The new variant is between 50 percent and 70 percent more transmissible, scientists say. Georgians cast high-stakes final votes Tuesday in elections to determine the balance of power in the new Congress, deciding Senate runoff elections sure to shape President-elect Joe Biden's ability to enact what could be the most progressive governing agenda in generations. The first US case of the strain was reported in a remote nursing home in Colorado last week. It has since also been discovered elsewhere in the state, as well as in New York, Florida and California. San Diego on Tuesday was reporting 32 cases of the variant, bringing to the total cases across the US to 37. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer, said: 'The fact that these cases have been identified in multiple parts of the region shows that this strain of the virus could be rapidly spreading.' The 'mutant' variant of the virus that began ravaging across the UK towards the end of last year, causing cases to surge and forcing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce a third nationwide lockdown Monday. Georgia DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey said: 'The emergence of this variant in our state should be a wake-up call for all Georgians.' Dr Armstrong told DailyMail.com that a hallmark of the variant that's sent the UK into lockdown is seen in about half of a percent of all samples seen in the US, according to testing data from Helix. Cases are currently rising in 47 US states and territories, according to a COVID Tracking Project update on Tuesday The first US case of the strand was reported in a remote nursing home in Colorado last week. It has since also been discovered elsewhere in the state, as well as in New York, Georgia, Florida and California, with at least 37 people now infected Surgeon General vaccine rollout 'a little messy as he urges states to relax eligibility rules to get more people vaccinated US Surgeon General Jerome Adams has called on US states to relax their guidelines in order to get more Americans vaccinated as thousands of Florida seniors camped out in their cars overnight to get their shots and New York threatened to fine hospitals for not using up supplies amid a train wreck vaccine rollout across the country. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Tuesday admitted that the largest vaccination campaign in US history, which has been in the works for months amid the pandemic, has been a 'little bit messy' Just 4.66 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the US in the last three weeks despite federal officials having distributed 15.4 million doses to the states. It means more than two-thirds of the vaccines shipped within the US have gone unused and just 1.4 percent of the population has been vaccinated even as cases, deaths and hospitalizations continue to surge across the US. Adams on Tuesday admitted that the largest vaccination campaign in US history, which has been in the works for months, has been a 'little bit messy'. He blamed, in part, the states for the slower than expected rollout and called on governors - who are in charge of their state plans - to speed up the process by moving to the next priority groups if demand wasn't being met. Based on guidelines issued by the federal government, most states are currently prioritizing frontline healthworkers and nursing home residents in the first phase, before moving on to the elderly and other essential workers. 'In many cases, (the vaccines) are sitting in freezers. We've been telling these states since September, we need to prioritize getting everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible while trying to adhere to the guidelines,' Adams told NBC's Today. 'If healthcare workers don't want to get these vaccines in some places... we need to move on to the (next groups). 'If the demand isn't there in 1A, go to 1B and continue on down. If the demand isn't there in one location, move those vaccines to another location.' The widespread rollout failures have already been blamed on a range of factors, including governors setting convoluted priorities for initial distribution, lack of federal oversight, chaos in distribution given the freezing temperatures of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the simple lack of staff to administer jabs in overstretched healthcare systems. Just 4.66 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the US in the last three weeks despite federal officials having distributed 15.4 million doses to the states FLORIDA: Hundreds of seniors camped out overnight at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium to be first in line for vaccinations in the state FLORIDA: Hundreds of seniors camped up in their cars overnight on Monday in Daytona Beach, Florida parking lot in order to get their first dose of the vaccine. In Florida, where officials have put senior citizens ahead of many essential workers for getting the vaccine. Image courtesy of NBC Adams warned the US needed to do a better job of matching up supply and demand in states like Florida where hundreds of seniors camped out in their cars overnight in Daytona Beach in order to get their shots. The seniors camped out in the Daytona Stadium parking lot so they could be first in line for at the drive-thru vaccine facility. In other parts of Florida, seniors are registering online to get access to the shots. 'The problem is we need to do a better job of matching up supply and demand at the local level,' Adams said. 'Some states are doing a really good job. You have red states like North and South Dakota and blue places like DC and Connecticut who have distributed 75 plus percent of their vaccines. But you have some states that still haven't distributed 25 percent of their vaccines.' In New York, Gov Andrew Cuomo has threatened to fine hospitals up to $100,000 for not using up their allocated doses. He had previously threatened health care providers with a $1 million fine if they are caught fraudulently obtaining and giving out the vaccine. Florida has taken a similar approach in penalizing hospitals with Gov Rick DeSantis announcing a policy under which the state will allocate more doses to hospitals that dispense them most quickly. New York has so far used up 33 percent of its allocation and vaccinated 1.5 percent of its population. Florida has used up 23 percent of its vaccine doses with 1.2 percent of residents having received the shots. In comparison, Washington DC's health department is urging providers to hand out vaccines that are nearing expiration to anyone who wants it. Pharmacists in DC have been handing out vaccines to people in grocery stores if those scheduled to receive the shot don't show for their appointments. As of Tuesday, DC had used up 48 percent of its shots and vaccinated 2.4 percent of it population. According to a state-by-state breakdown, Kansas and Georgia have only administered 17 percent of the doses distributed to them. Hard-hit California has so far used 24 percent of its vaccine shots, while Florida has used 23 percent According to a state-by-state breakdown, Kansas and Georgia have only administered 17 percent of the doses distributed to them. Hard-hit California has so far used 24 percent of its vaccine shots, while Florida has used 23 percent. New York, the initial epicenter of the outbreak, has used up 33 percent of its allocation. Only a handful of states have used more than 50 percent of the shots distributed to them: South Dakota (62%), North Dakota (58%), Tennessee (50%), Connecticut (50%) and Maine (50%). The race to vaccinate Americans quickly comes as a super-contagious mutant strain of COVID-19 that has forced the UK into its third lockdown has already been detected in the US. Dozens of people, who are spread across New York, California, Colorado, Georgia and Florida, have been confirmed to have the variant of the virus. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed that one in 50 in England - around a million people all up - are now infected with coronavirus. Dr Anthony Fauci was more optimistic about the sluggish start, saying the US could soon be giving at least a million vaccinations a day. 'Any time you start a big program, theres always glitches. I think the glitches have been worked out,' Fauci told The Associated Press. Former US President George W Bush will attend President-elect Joe Bidens pared-down inauguration on 20 January. Mr Bush will attend the ceremony in Washington, DC, alongside his wife and former US first lady Laura Bush, his chief of staff Freddy Ford said in a tweet on Tuesday evening. President and Mrs Bush look forward to returning to the Capitol for the swearing in of President Biden and Vice President Harris, Mr Ford wrote on Tuesday. I believe this will be the eighth Inauguration theyve had the privilege of attending - President Trumps being the most recent- and witnessing the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that never gets old, he added. The couple have attended both of former president Barack Obamas inaugurations, as well as President Donald Trumps swearing-in, since they left the White House in 2009. They also attended several ceremonies prior to Mr Bushs first inauguration as president in 2001, including that of his late father, former President George H W Bush, in 1989. Mr Bush was one of the first high-profile Republican figures to congratulate Mr Biden on his election victory after it was confirmed by several news agencies in November. Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country, he said. The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can, Mr Bush added. Also on Tuesday, a spokeswoman at The Carter Center in Atlanta announced that former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend Mr Bidens inauguration. The ceremony will be the first that the couple, 96 and 93, will have missed since Mr Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977. The spokeswoman told the Associated Press on Tuesday that they send Mr Biden and vice President-elect Kamala Harris their best wishes and look forward to a successful administration. The couple have spent most of their time over the last 10 months at their home in Georgia, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Mr Carter is the oldest living president. Mr Bidens inauguration on 20 January will be a much smaller event than in previous years, due to social distancing restrictions caused by the pandemic. The event will be largely virtual, as the inaugural committee has asked US residents not to travel to Washington, DC, to celebrate Mr Bidens swearing-in as the 46th president. It is currently unclear whether Mr Trump, who has refused to concede the election and made several baseless claims about election fraud, will attend the ceremony later this month. Naomi Watts is known for her natural, age-defying beauty. And now the 52-year-old actress has shared some of her skin secrets, as she stuns on the cover of this month's Vogue Australia. In the accompanying interview, the Hollywood star revealed she tries to keep out of the sun as much as possible and never sunbathes at the beach. That's how she does it! Naomi Watts has revealed the secret to her age-defying complexion 'I love the beach but not for baking oil into my skin and tanning,' Naomi said. She added: 'I like it for the feel of sand and crunching between your toes. I like the wind and the wispy hair.' The Ring star looks flawless on the cover of Vogue as she shows off her porcelain complexion and slender figure. Sitting pretty: The Ring star, 52, looks flawless on the cover of Vogue as she shows off her porcelain complexion and slender figure Sun-safe: 'I love the beach but not for baking oil into my skin and tanning,' Naomi said Naomi sits on a bright green chair and stares down the camera wearing a knitted black and white crop top and matching high-waisted pants. In July, Naomi shared some of her favourite go-to products with The Chalkboard, with her typical haul costing about $860. Naomi, who co-owns Onda Beauty salons in Sydney, London and New York, said she was nervous at first to try clean skincare products. Clean skincare: In July, Naomi shared some of her favourite go-to products with The Chalkboard, with her typical haul costing about $860 'I always thought that if it didn't hurt, it probably wouldn't work!' Naomi said. 'Once I started trying things, I saw not only real efficacy, but a solid shift in my overly sensitive skin. Knowing that there are no harmful ingredients makes so much sense.' The mother of two, who is known for roles in King Kong and Mulholland Drive, revealed she loves Barbara Sturm's skincare and swears by the Rich Face Cream ($284), as well as Saint Jane's Vitamin C drops ($128). She also endorses the Active Botanical Serum from Vintner's Daughter ($270), and Goop Beauty's Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator ($178). What's more, Naomi is a fan of Beautycounter's $64 tinted moisturiser. Embracing it all: In October, she said that while she sometimes does wake up and wish she didn't have 'lines around my mouth or chin', she has realised that with a few wrinkles comes a much 'sturdier mind' - and a woman who knows what suits her skin and her face NAOMI'S GO-TO PRODUCTS 1. VINTNER'S DAUGHTER Active Botanical Serum, 30ml - $270 2. Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Women - Rich - $284 3. Goop Beauty's Goopglow microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator $178 4. Saint Jane The C-Drops $128 Advertisement In October, she said that while she sometimes does wake up and wish she didn't have 'lines around my mouth or chin', she has realised that with a few wrinkles comes a much 'sturdier mind' - and a woman who knows what suits her skin and her face. 'I just think you have to embrace the aging process. There are going to be good days, and there are going to be bad days,' Naomi told Who What Wear. The best piece of advice the actress said she has ever been given is that it's vital to drink at least two litres of water each day and she should make sure she gets eight hours of sleep a night. 'I can tell right away if I've had a good night's sleep and if I drank the right amount of water the day before,' Naomi told the publication. 'If I don't do well on both of those things, it absolutely manifests in my skin.' Naomi said she is religious about getting facials every few months, taking her makeup off and wearing sunscreen every day. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday announced the dates for by-polls to three seats of the legislative councils in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The election body also issued notification for biennial polls for 12 seats of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. These elections will be held on January 28 held between 9am to 4pm and the counting of votes will take place on the same day at 5pm, according to the election commission. The last date for filing nominations for the polls is January 18, it added. The by-polls for the Bihar Legislative Council are being held for the posts vacated by Vinod Narain Jha and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Jha was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in November and Modi had resigned from his position after being elected to the Rajya Sabha last year. EC preparing for polls next year after Covid safe Bihar elections: CEC In Andhra Pradesh, the election will be held for the seat vacated by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) rebel Pothula Sunitha. Sunitha tendered her resignation as an MLA last year and extended support to Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) claiming that the TDP government was hindering the development of backward classes in the state. Uttar Pradesh will hold biennial elections for 12 seats of the state legislative council as the term of these 12 legislators is expiring at the end of the month. As Congress delays review of Bihar poll results, cracks begin to show The commission in its notification also announced that elections will have to be conducted following social distancing and other precautionary measures due to Covid-19. It has asked people associated with the poll process to use masks during the elections. It has asked the authorities to ensure thermal scanning is done for people involved in the electoral process and hand sanitisers are provided at all the locations. What Hyderabad says about the BJP | HT Editorial India has conducted several elections amid Covid-19. The Bihar assembly elections, Greater Hyderabad Municipal elections, Karnataka gram panchayat elections and several by-polls in Madhya Pradesh and other states were successfully held despite the pandemic. [January 06, 2021] Industry Veterans Cathal Phelan, John Kent, and Michael Reiha Join Silvaco Technical Advisory Board Silvaco, Inc., a leading provider of electronic design automation software and semiconductor IP, today announced that Cathal Phelan, John Kent, and Dr. Michael Reiha have joined Silvaco's Technical Advisory Board (TAB). Operating under the leadership of Silvaco CEO/CTO Babak Taheri, the TAB is a collaborative team of industry and academic experts leveraging their industry knowledge and subject matter expertise to assist the Silvaco management and technology team in refining its technology vision and roadmap. Cathal Phelan, John Kent, and Dr. Michael Reiha join existing Silvaco TAB members Dr. Siegfried Selberherr and Dr. Jin Jang. Cathal Phelan founded the consulting firm Atticotti LLC in 2013 and has worked with private equity firms, publicly listed companies, and early-stage startups as a M&A, IP, and product strategy advisor. He consulted with and then served as the CEO at Rapt Touch from 2014 to 2019. Prior to starting Atticotti, he was the CTO at Cypress Semiconductor from 2008 to 2012. Previously, he was the CEO at Ubicom (acquired by Atheros (News - Alert) ). Mr. Phelan currently serves as a member of the board of directors at Impinj, Inc., having earlier served as a board member at various firms including Touchstone Semiconductor (acquired by Silicon Labs (News - Alert) ), Virage Logic (acquired by Synopsys), Cypress Envirosystems, and AgigA Tech. He was a member of the Technical Advisory Board at Cypress Semiconductor from 2006 to 2008. He holds 38 US patents for architecture and circuit design in the memory, USB, and PLD fields. John Kent is Executive Vice President, Technology Development and Design Enablement at SkyWater Technology Foundry, the only U.S.-owned and U.S.-based pure-play semiconductor foundry. He is responsible for leading SkyWater's technical vision and strategy for developing technology roadmaps, design enablemen capabilities, and partnerships to facilitate successful silicon for SkyWater customers. His 40 plus years of experience in the semiconductor industry include demonstrated successes in technology development, operations, and leadership positions. Mr. Kent's prior experience includes vice president of Foundry IP; Customer Design Enablement at GLOBALFOUNDRIES, executive-level positions with KLA-Tencor in the Wafer Inspection Group, and technology development leadership positions at Rambus (News - Alert) and AMIS (now ON Semiconductor). Dr. Reiha is General Manager, FD-SOI business unit at Soitec Microelectronics Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. His current interests include broadband and high-speed IC design, in addition to SOI-based circuit techniques for low-power applications. From 2010 to 2012, he was an RFIC designer at Fujitsu Semiconductor Wireless Products. From 2013 to 2019, Dr. Reiha held various roles at Nokia (News - Alert) including Head of Tunable RF business unit and Head of 5G DFE & RFIC. He received his B.A.Sc. degree from the University of Waterloo, Canada, his M.Sc. degree from the University of Michigan?Ann Arbor, and his Ph.D. from Technische Universiteit Delft in the Netherlands. He is also a co-recipient of the 2006 IEEE (News - Alert) RFIC Symposium Best Paper Award. Cathal Phelan said, "The breadth of Silvaco's semiconductor solutions really stands out in the industry. When I was asked to join the technical advisory board, I saw this as a real opportunity to work with its excellent technical leadership. I believe Silvaco has the right combination of technology, customers and team for success in the coming years." John Kent said, "I'm excited to become part of Silvaco's technical advisory board team to help evolve the company's technology innovation and build its partner ecosystem. Silvaco's portfolio of technology CAD and EDA software with semiconductor design IP and management, offer military, aerospace, and commercial customers a suite of sophisticated and affordable development solutions." Dr. Reiha said, "It is an exciting time to join Silvaco's technical advisory board, as the company has been growing its technology portfolio to take on the significant challenges facing the semiconductor design community. I look forward to helping develop the technology vision necessary to meet those challenges." "We are privileged to be able to announce the addition of Cathal Phelan, John Kent, and Dr. Michael Reiha to our technology advisory board," said Babak Taheri, CEO/CTO of Silvaco. "Their deep expertise and experience in both the technology and business of semiconductor design will be of tremendous assistance as we further develop our growth strategies." About Silvaco, Inc. Silvaco is a leading EDA tools and semiconductor IP provider used for process and device development for advanced semiconductors, power IC, display, memory, and SoC design. For over 35 years, Silvaco has enabled its customers to develop next generation semiconductor products in the shortest time with reduced cost. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and has a global presence with offices located in North America, Europe, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005170/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon (AMZN) announced Wednesday the launch of the Housing Equity Fund, a more than $2 billion commitment to preserve and create over 20,000 affordable housing units for moderate- to low-income families in all three of its headquarters regions in Puget Sound, Arlington and Nashville. These are the three communities where the company has or expects to have at least 5,000 employees each in the coming years. Amazon's Housing Equity Fund will help preserve existing housing and help create inclusive housing developments through below-market loans and grants to housing partners, traditional and non-traditional public agencies, and minority-led organizations. The Fund underscores Amazon's commitment to affordable housing and will help ensure that moderate- to low-income families can afford housing in resource-rich communities with easy access to neighborhood services, amenities, and jobs. Amazon's first investments of more than $567 million will make up to 1,300 affordable apartment homes available near Amazon's new Arlington, Virginia headquarters and up to 1,000 apartment homes available near Amazon's Puget Sound, Washington headquarters, with more investments to come in all three regions. These investments will be in the form of below-market loans and grants to the Washington Housing Conservancy and King County Housing Authority. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Gujarat government will receive Rs 180 crore from the Centre during this financial year under the post-matric scholarship scheme announced recently for the Scheduled Caste (SC) students, a minister said on Wednesday. In December last year, the Union Cabinet had approved Rs 59,000 crore for the post-matric scholarship for more than four crore SC students. Under the new pattern, the Centre will spend 60 per cent on scholarship, while each states share is 40 per cent, state Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ishwar Parmar said at a press conference at the state BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar. The Gujarat governments annual committed liability for this scheme was Rs 309.43 crore. Of this, the Centre gave us Rs 15 crore as its share in the previous fiscal. Now, after this announcement by the Centre, Gujarat will get Rs 180 crore in the current financial year of 2020- 21, which is a nearly 12.5 fold increase, he said. Rs 15 crore from the Centre was just 4.85 per cent of our committed liability of Rs 309.43 crore. Now, the Union governments share rose to 60 per cent while the state has to shell out 40 per cent, Parmar added. Gujarat BJP president C R Paatil, who was present on the occasion, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a decision for the welfare of students of the SC community. The state never received more than Rs 20 crore from the Centre on an average for post matric scholarship. Now, with the approval of Rs 59,000 crore by the Centre, we will receive Rs 180 crore, a 12 fold increase in the funds for providing scholarships to SC students, he added. Ex-Coronation Street actress Paula Williamson, who married Britain's most dangerous prisoner Charles Bronson, died after taking cocaine, pills and alcohol, the coroner told an inquest into her death on Wednesday. Ms Williamson, 38, was discovered at home by her partner lorry driver Peter Jones in Gordon Avenue, Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent on July 29, 2019, area coroner Emma Serrano said. The actress, who was an animal lover, was described by family in court as a 'brilliant' daughter and a 'lovely girl', who was just 'teetering on the edge of getting her life back in order' when she died. Stoke-on-Trent Coroner's Court heard how evidence suggested that Williamson, born Paula Joy Salvador, had no intention to cause her own death. 'In the lead up to her passing away she wasn't expressing any suicidal thoughts and there was no behaviour to suggest she wasn't happy,' Ms Serrano said. Concluding that Williamson's death on July 29, 2019 was drug-related, Ms Serrano added: 'Paula had been taking substances. She did not realise the consequence of those substances all working together would cause her to pass away.' Williamson appeared in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Doctors, but was thrust into the spotlight after marrying notorious criminal Charles Bronson in 2017, who is serving a life tern for robbery and kidnap. As Paula's next of kin, Bronson joined the hearing via video link, the Stoke Sentinel reported. He had been warned by the coroner in advance of his conduct after making inappropriate comments during the proceedings. Former Coronation Street actress Paula Joy Salvador, also known as Paula Joy Williamson The pair had been pen pals before they married at HMP Wakefield, although their relationship had quickly fallen apart, with it being revealed a month before her death that their whirlwind marriage was set to be annulled. She had suffered with mental health issues and had previously made two suicide attempts in previous years, but had lately found happiness with Mr Jones, who she had described as her 'angel', the court heard. Her mother, Hazel Williamson, told the court that her daughter had started suffering with depression after he acting career did not progress how she had hoped. She also said that Paula had been writing her autobiography at the start of 2019, but was feeling the pressure of deadlines she had been set. However, Williamson said that her daughter had been 'much happier' after starting a relationship with her new partner Jones. Mr Jones told the court that his partner had gone out with friends on July 28, 2019, despite feeling unwell, and came home at around 11.15pm. Upon her return, she went to bed while Mr Jones slept on the sofa. When he went up to their room at 6.40am on July 29, he found her unresponsive. There were signs she had vomited and close by were two white self-seal bags; one containing cocaine, the other empty but having also had cocaine inside. A toxicology report found traces of the drug as well as alcohol and other prescription medication in her system. 'I knew something was wrong. I tried to wake her. I couldn't wake her up,' he said while giving evidence. Nichola Morgan - a friend of Paula's who was staying with her while visiting from Cardiff - said that he went out with Paula on July 28, but that she was refused entry to a number of bars on account of her being too drunk. He said: 'Me and Paula went to Gossip. We were refused entry because the bouncer said Paula was too drunk. We tried Pink but the bouncer refused us for the same reason. I phoned an Uber to take us home.' Mr Jones said: 'She was angry with the doorman. She said she wanted to go and stab him. She had a knife in her hand. I calmed her down and said I would go and have a word with him. 'I went out on my motorbike and drove to Morrisons. When I got back she had calmed down.' Notorious criminal Charles Bronson is pictured outside the High Court in London in May 2001 Asked by the coroner if Bronson had any questions, he said: 'First of all, respect for the dignified way Paula's mum has handled the situation. 'As far as I am concerned, there should be two scumbags in this courtroom; the person who gave her the drugs, and the other; the geezer in her house, who reported it, and should have been looking after her.' He added: 'I'd like to know why the police haven't investigated the scumbag who's given her the drugs in the first place. 'Because if I was on the outside, I would have his name and address within 24 hours.' The coroner heard evidence that it was unclear when and from whom Ms Williamson had sourced the cocaine, and that on her night out she had spoken of wanting to take some. Paula Williamson married notorious criminal Charles Bronson. Pictured: A photograph of Ms Williamson, apparently sent to Bronson Miss Serrano also heard the actress was on prescription medication including sedatives and had traces of a powerful painkiller in her blood. The coroner gave Ms Williamson's cause of death as multiple drug toxicity but ruled out a conclusion of suicide as 'there was nothing to suggest she wasn't happy' at the time of her death. Miss Serrano said: 'She was happy and in a text to her partner, she said 'you've given me a reason to live' and she was forward-planning for a life with him.' Giving her conclusion, the coroner added: 'Paula had taken a multitude of different substances , one being cocaine, which worked together, causing her to pass away. 'She's taken them not appreciating the effect those would have on her.' Earlier, the coroner had to step in after Mr Jones had given evidence, when he was referred to as a 'muppet' by Bronson. Miss Serrano then had to repeatedly warn the notorious prisoner about his conduct. Bronson concluded, telling Mr Jones he held him 'totally responsible' adding: 'I will have a little chat with you later, don't you worry about that'. Miss Serrano then intervened saying: 'This isn't somewhere where we are apportioning blame, and I will not have anybody making veiled threats to people in court.' Bronson replied: 'I never made a threat, I just made a promise - but I'll take that one on the chin, your honour.' Getting up to leave the hearing after finishing his evidence, a visibly upset Mr Jones - described by a friend of Miss Williamson as 'her rock' - referred to Bronson's remarks, saying 'I've had all this for 18 months - I'm not taking no more, today is done.' Paula Joy Salvador, or Paula Joy Williamson, was Bronson's estranged wife (pictured together) Following the hearing, Paula's family paid tribute to a 'larger than life' person, with father Clive said: 'She was a marvellous daughter. She had friends all over the world and she loved animals.' Brother Darryl Knapper said: 'She was full of life, full of energy, full of zest. It seems a terrible waste, she was so young in the scheme of things and she seemed to be teetering on the edge of getting her life back together. 'It is so sad her life ended like this. We will remember and miss her for the rest of our lives.' Paula, who grew up in Sneyd Green, attended Holden Lane High School before getting a job at Hanley's Odeon cinema. She often featured in The Stoke Sentinel news outlet for her work in comedy and as a model before appearing multiple times on Coronation Street between 2008 and 2012, playing a nurse, and in Hollyoaks, as a doctor in 2012. Paula was then thrown into the spotlight following her 2017 marriage to her pen pal Bronson, who is serving a life term for robbery and kidnap. The pair tied the knot at HMP Wakefield with just a handful of friends witnessing the vows. But their relationship quickly fell apart with former bare-knuckle boxer Bronson - who has been behind bars for the last 45 years - making cruel swipes at her weight. Paula even appeared on ITV1's Loose Women to give an emotional interview about her failed romance and the problems she had faced in the past. Just a month before her death, it was revealed their whirlwind marriage was set to be annulled. Her pink-themed funeral was held at St Saviour's Church, Smallthorne, on what would have been her 39th birthday. At the service, her grief-stricken parents, Hazel and Clive Williamson, described their daughter as the 'joy of their lives'. The tribute read: 'She kept us young in spirit. She had a real love of animals and there were always dogs and cats around! The parents of Paula Williamson attending her inquest at Stoke on Trent Coroners Court 'She would always step in if she thought someone was taking advantage of us. She had a great talent for the performing arts and during her acting career she was living her dream.' The family 'did not approve' of the marriage to Bronson but when she met Mr Jones a year before her death, Miss Williamson 'seemed far more happy', her mother Hazel Williamson told the inquest. She added: 'She was set on acting from a young age and maybe because it didn't materialise the way she wished it, was very upsetting (for her). 'She was brilliant and a lovely daughter.' Former President George W. Bush issued a statement Wednesday evening as a pro-Donald Trump mob infiltrated the U.S. Capitol. The 43rd President didnt call out anyone by name, but he did say he was appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders and blamed the riot on people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes. The full statement read: Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nations government in disbelief and dismay. It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic not our democratic republic. I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions and our law enforcement. The violent assault on the Capitol and disruption of a Constitutionality-mandated meeting of Congress was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes. Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation. In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law. To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: Our county is more important than the politics of the moment. Let the officials elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voices in peace and safety. May God continue to bless the United States of America." Bush has mostly stayed out of politics since leaving office when Barack Obama was inaugurated in January 2009, but he congratulated Joe Biden after November's election. In a statement after Biden's victory, Bush said the election was "fundamentally fair" and the "outcome is clear." U.S. dollar weakens in Kyiv's exchange booths on Jan 6 The euro has also lost positions against the hryvnia. Reporting by UNIAN If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter You are here: World Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed cooperation in tackling the coronavirus pandemic during their phone conversation, the Kremlin said in a statement Tuesday. Putin and Merkel focused on opportunities for cooperation in joint vaccine production, and they agreed on further contacts between the two countries' healthcare ministries and other relevant departments on this issue. The leaders also touched upon Ukraine's domestic conflict and wished each other a merry Christmas and a happy new year, according to the statement. Beebe Healthcare Delaware Social Security Charleston, South Carolina May 2020 Mary Green Dec. 30 Delaware Nov. 3 Securities and Exchange Commission (TNS) is the latesthealth care system to announce it was impacted by the Blackbaud data breach.The information of 58,000 Beebe patients and donors was exposed in the attack, to include names in combination with date of birth, clinician name, date of screening, visit date and/or the department related to medical services.Nonumbers or financial account numbers were impacted.Blackbaud provides cloud computing systems for nonprofit organizations. The-based company discovered init had suffered a ransomware attack, exposing the information of millions of individuals.Blackbaud paid the cybercriminal's demand and confirmed the data was destroyed, as well as hired experts to continuously "monitor the dark web" to ensure the data is not shared, according to Beebe."The security of our community's personal information is of the utmost importance to us and we deeply regret this incident and any inconvenience this data breach of Blackbaud's system may have caused," said Beebe spokeswomanBeebe was notified its information was impacted by the attack in November and conducted its own investigation before announcing it to the public"This process took significant time and included obtaining a copy of the impacted data from Blackbaud to further investigate the incident," Green said.Two otherhealth care systems, Bayhealth and ChristianaCare, announced they were affected last year. Christiana announced in September almost 27,000 of its patients and donors were impacted. In November, Bayhealth indicated 78,000 of its patients and donors were impacted.As of, Blackbaud has been named in 160 individual claims and 23 class action lawsuits related to the incident, according to the company's third quarterreport. After two days of questioning by the Income Tax Department in connection with a benami assets case, Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, speaking to News18, said that government agencies were being wrongfully used and he was being targeted every time questions were raised on the Central government. Vadra also questioned the timing of the probe with regards to the ongoing farmers' protest. Speaking to News18 Vadra said, Priyanka talks about farmers, I am targeted every time there is a question on the central government. Vadra said that he had cooperated each time he has been called by an investigative agency and said, I feel that government agencies are being used wrongfully. Vadra was questioned for eight hours on Monday and his statement was recorded as part of the proceedings related to the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act. He told News18, I have given over 2,300 documents to different agencies went to the Delhi office of the ED 13 times. They ask me the same questions over and over again, all of the answers are on record. When asked if Rahul Gandhi should be the president of the Congress party, he said, Rahul Gandhi has the potential to take the country forward. I want Rahul Gandhi to be the chief (of the Congress party), I congratulate him. Vadra also spoke about the rape case in Uttar Pradeshs Badaun and said he was saddened by such incidents and blamed the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. I feel sad whenever such incidents take place. Law and order in UP is completely destroyed. The accused always feel that they will get away with it, Vadra said. IT-Department officials had said on Monday that Vadra was questioned over the purchase of land parcels by a firm linked to Vadra in Rajasthan's border town of Bikaner in which another central probe agency, the Enforcement Directorate, had filed a money laundering case in 2015. The ED questioned Vadra in this case in the past and had attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of his firm Ms Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd (now LLP) in 2019. ADVERTISEMENT The Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, on Wednesday described the death of its third Pro-Chancellor and member of the Board of Trustees, Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe as a rude shock. Mr Ibidapo-Obe, a professor of Systems Engineering, was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the 15-year-old faith-based university owned by the Apostolic Faith Mission, West and Central Africa (WECA) on August 23, 2018. The Vice-Chancellor, Crawford University, Reuben Kolo, in a statement, said the institution had been thrown into deep mourning with the news of the death of the 71-year-old ebullient academic. Ibidapo-Obe served meritoriously as the Chairman of Council since his appointment into that exalted office about two years ago and was also a member of the universitys BoT. Prior to that appointment, Prof Ibidapo-Obe had been an illustrious member of council of the university since Sept.14, 2010, Mr Kolo, a professor, said. The vice-chancellor described the late professor emeritus as a philanthropist and warm-hearted man who had contributed immensely to the growth of Crawford University. Ibidapo-Obe was a philanthropist of note, and will specially be remembered for his uncommon contributions to several projects in Crawford university, and in particular, the Staff Legacy Building. Also, his exemplary leadership acumen, humane and humble disposition, dedication to service and well-articulated contributions to issues on council and the board were not only outstanding but legendary. His wealth of experience, innate intelligence and unalloyed passion for the development of the university will ever be treasured. Even his remarkable address at the 12th Convocation Ceremony of the university held less than a month ago still reverberates, he said. Mr Kolo prayed God to grant repose to his soul and pour His balm to soothe the hearts of the bereaved family and the Crawford University community. Mr Ibidapo-Obe, who died on January 3, was born on July 5, 1949, and graduated from the University of Lagos in 1971 with a 1st Class Honours degree in Mathematics. He obtained a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and a PhD in Applied Mechanics/Systems from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in 1976. He served as a two-term Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and as Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu Alike-Ikwo, Ebonyi State. Until his death, Mr Ibidapo-Obe was the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council of two other universities, aside Crawford University First Technical University, Ibadan, and African University of Science & Technology, Abuja. (NAN) Petroleum facilities guards at an oil export terminal in eastern Libya have delayed the loading of at least one crude oil cargo and are threatening to block exports until their demands to be paid their salaries are met, the manager of the Hariga oil port told Reuters on Wednesday. The oil export terminal at Hariga was one of the first to resume exports in September 2020, after the eight-month-long blockade of all Libyan ports was lifted. The head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), General Khalifa Haftar, whose troops, with help from affiliated groups, had blockaded Libyas oil ports in January, announced the end of the blockade on September 18. Since then, Libyas oil production and exports have quickly recovered, and even reached within three months the levels seen before the blockade in January 2020. The petroleum facilities guards have often disrupted Libyan crude exports in recent years because of demands over salaries or politics. This time, the guards demand to receive unpaid salaries, threatening blockade at the Hariga port unless their demands are met. The guards began a sit-in at the port earlier this week and have so far delayed the loading of one cargo of one million barrels of crude oil, the port manager Rajab Sahnoun and one of the guards told Reuters. Disruption to Libyan crude exports could be bullish for oil prices, if it is on a larger scale, because the faster-than-expected increase in Libyan oil production was already giving OPEC and its allies in the OPEC+ group another issue to discuss at their monthly meetings, on top of the outlook for oil demand early in 2021. By November 2020, Libyas oil production had returned to 1.25 million bpd, the level the OPEC member exempted from the OPEC+ cuts was pumping before the oil port blockade in January 2020. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The protesting Magistrates have not been paid for 24 months. Magistrate Richard Bassey on Tuesday collapsed at the gate of the governor's office in Calabar during a protest over unpaid 24 months' salary. 30 Magistrates dressed in their full regalia embarked on a peaceful protest on Monday. They appealed to Governor Ben Ayade to pay the salaries owed them. The incident happened on the second day of the protest. NAN also reports that Mr Bassey was revived when his colleagues poured water on him and took him to a nearby hospital. Speaking to journalists after the incident, the Chief Magistrate of Cross River, Solomon Abuo, decried what he described as ill treatment meted to them by the state government. Mr Abuo said since they were employed, they had undergone several screening, adding that the protest was their last resort. "We will continue to protest until we are paid. "This is very embarrassing, in 2020 one of the Magistrates was arraigned before a fellow Magistrate over his inability to pay rent; most of us can't pay our house rents and are squatting with colleagues. "Is it wrong for one to serve the state as a judicial officers, are we supposed to go through this kind of humiliation," he asked. No official of the state government addressed the protesters since the protest began on Monday. Eyo Effiom-Ita, Acting Chief Judge of the state, told NAN he was aware that the magistrates had not been paid for a long time. Mr Effiom-Ita said different presentations had been made to the governor. "The governor said he did not give clearance for their appointment, so, he will not pay them; until the governor changes his disposition, there is nothing anyone can do," he said. (NAN) Photo: Laurence Kesterson/AP/Shutterstock While Donald Trump stumped for David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in Georgia on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Republicans lived out his new doctrine. That doctrine, by the way, is roughly as follows: Elections dont count if you dont like the results. Thus Trump maintains the fiction that he indeed won reelection, that Joe Biden is a thief, and that a brave group of Republican senators and maybe Vice-President Mike Pence will finally #StoptheSteal. And thus Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania refused to seat a duly elected Democratic legislator. Republicans, who hold a super majority in both chambers of the state legislature, blocked incumbent State Senator Jim Brewster from taking his seat. When Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman a rising Democratic star with a national profile objected, Republicans removed him from presiding over the session, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Its not clear when Republicans will deign to let Brewster take his seat. Theyve hinged their position on a thinly evidenced legal challenge from Brewsters Republican opponent, Nicole Ziccarelli. Though the State Supreme Court certified Brewster as the victor in a tight race, Ziccarelli still dissents. Shed asked state courts to throw out several hundred ballots mailed without a handwritten date on the outer envelope, the Inquirer explained, and when the courts disagreed, she filed federal litigation. Brewsters ability to represent the constituents who elected him now depends on the whims of his challengers party. Republicans say they want to wait to seat him until Ziccarellis litigation concludes, and that could take some time. Republicans probably wont be able to block Brewster from the seat altogether, as Ziccarellis argument is unlikely to succeed in federal court. But the delay tactic is revealing, and not just because its so overtly anti-democratic. The fate of Brewsters seat wont decide partisan control of the state Senate. Republicans dont need Ziccarelli. Theyve just decided shes a useful martyr, a way to prove that the opposition is as ruthless and as duplicitous as Trump makes it out to be. Whatever happens with Ziccarellis legal case, or with Georgias Senate runoffs, the GOPs intensifying hostility to the vote not only threatens Democratic prospects; it questions the very legitimacy of our fragile multiracial democracy. So whats the Democratic Party to do? The GOPs gambit to keep Brewster from his seat is indeed unethical and undemocratic, as Pennsylvanias Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, described it on Tuesday. But its impossible to shame a party that lacks any shame. The only viable response is to defeat it, which requires state investment and a commitment to organizing too often absent from the Democratic Partys electoral philosophy. To prevent another incident like Tuesdays fiasco in Pennsylvania, Democrats have to figure out how to start winning in Pennsylvania, in Georgia, and in other states it has written off to the GOP. (Newser) It's a pain when anyone's freezer goes out. When it happens at a hospital, and that freezer is storing 830 doses of coronavirus vaccine, it's a crisis. By the time the staff at a hospital in northern California realized Monday that the Moderna vaccine was thawing, it had reached room temperature. That meant the vaccine would only be usable for two more hours, the Los Angeles Times reports. "At that point it was all hands on deck, drop everything," said a spokeswoman for Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Medical Center. The medical staff decided to give the shots to as many people as possible in two hours, not worrying about whether the state's guidelines were being followed. "The more people we vaccinate just brings us closer to herd immunity," the spokeswoman said. story continues below The hospital sent out a mass text to medical professionals. "We just told them, 'Tell everyone you know,'" the spokeswoman said. "We just wanted to make sure none of this goes to waste." People lined up at the hospital, per CBS. The president of Adventist Health in Mendocino County said the community responded. "We had nurses, pharmacists, physicians, even those that are not part of the hospital, coming to help," he said. All of the doses were administered by the time the two hours was up. The only hitch was that on Tuesday, conspiracy theories began going around suggesting the freezer was sabotaged, to make sure certain people received doses. The hospital is using the event to learn how to handle a mass inoculation. "If this is how we do a massive vaccination later, we are golden," the spokeswoman said. "We can do this." (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.) Boris Johnson has led politicians from across spectrum slamming 'disgraceful scenes' at the US Capitol and demanding a 'peaceful and orderly transfer of power'. The National Guard has been deployed after President Trump's supporters clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's victory being certified. American political heavyweights including Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris were taken to safety as the violence broke out, with lawmakers inside the House Chamber being urged to put on gas masks. British politicians have hit out at the 'horrifying' scenes in the United States, calling for a peaceful transition of power. Prime Minister Johnson said: 'Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.' His comments came after British politicians from all parties described the scenes in Washington as 'profoundly shocking' and 'utterly horrifying'. Home Secretary Priti Patel called on Trump to condemn the scenes, describing them as 'terrible beyond words'. Boris Johnson has led politicians from across spectrum slamming 'disgraceful scenes' at the US Capitol and demanding a 'peaceful and orderly transfer of power' Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.' An army of Donald Trump's supporters stormed Congress Wednesday after he told them to march on the Capitol with Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and lawmakers rushed to safety as thousands threatened to break through police barricades Supporters of Donald Trump are seen inside the US Capitol after rioters breached security and entered the Capitol Members of congress ran from the floor as police ordered them to evacuate to their offices for their own safety after a mob smashed through police barricades Ms Patel told Sky News this morning: 'The violence should stop and he should absolutely condemn everything that has taken place. 'There's no question about that at all. Someone was shot, people have died, this is terrible. Terrible beyond words quite frankly and there is no justification for it.' Pressed to criticise the president's involvement in flaring tensions, she said: 'He made a statement yesterday and it did very little to de-escalate the situation. 'Words of provocation are completely wrong and quite frankly every aspect of the violence and the activities took place should be condemned.' Mr Trump had previously urged his supporters to travel to Washington to protest against Congress' approval of Mr Biden's victory in the November presidential election. Both chambers of Congress were forced into an abrupt recess by the protest as they were debating the Electoral College vote that gave Mr Biden the presidency. Police told politicians to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid skirmishes. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'Unacceptable and undemocratic scenes in Washington DC. There is no justification for this violence and Donald Trump must condemn it. 'The United States is a beacon of democracy, hope and liberty and there must now be an orderly transition of power.' The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby asked people 'pray for the USA'. He tweeted: 'There will be many lessons to be learned from the scenes in Washington. 'For the moment let us pray for the USA, the world's greatest defender of democracy until now, as it faces this huge shock. May God bless America with peace and reconciliation.' Robert Buckland joined in with politicians from across spectrum slamming 'terrible scenes' at the US Capitol saying Donald Trump's mob 'must never prevail' Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: 'In any democracy the peaceful transition of power is just as important as the vote itself. There is no excuse for the deplorable scenes coming from the US Capitol today.' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: 'The US rightly takes great pride in its democracy, and there can be no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power.' Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland said: 'Terrible scenes at the US Congress today. 'To our great friends in the US, we have always admired your peaceful transfers of power and the graceful acceptance by candidates of both electoral victory and defeat. 'Those who seek to undermine this must never prevail.' Member of Parliament for Ashford Damian Green said: 'One basic glory of democracy is the peaceful transfer of power. Can the many decent Republicans speak out?' Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'The scenes from the Capitol are utterly horrifying. A man holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol after storming the building Robert Buckland said: 'To our great friends in the US, we have always admired your peaceful transfers of power and the graceful acceptance by candidates of both electoral victory and defeat' Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'The scenes from the Capitol are utterly horrifying' 'Solidarity with those in [the US] on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power. 'Shame on those who have incited this attack on democracy.' Labour leader Keir Starmer said: 'Horrendous scenes from the US. 'These are not ''protestors'' - this a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people.' Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said: 'Storming Capitol Hill is wrong. The protesters must leave.' Former Conservative MP and Sir Winston Churchill's grandson Sir Nicholas Soames tweeted: 'Finally the World can see that Trump is a maniac.' He also tweeted: 'Never in a lifetime could one imagine such appalling scenes in the Capitol. 'A testament to the unspeakably vile behaviour of Pres Trump now confirmed to be a very very bad man. 'A terrible incalculable tragedy to see scenes like this in the Capital City of our closest dearest Ally, partner and friend in the defence of Freedom and Democracy for generations.' Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, Emily Thornberry, said: 'According to reports, President Trump is currently sitting in the West Wing watching TV. 'He refuses to accept advice that he must order his supporters to get out of the Capitol. #ShameonTrump.' She later tweeted a picture of a protester inside Nancy Pelosi's office, saying: 'This guy broke into the heavily protected office of Speaker Nancy Polosi. 'What we are witnessing is a direct attack on US democracy and a very dangerous situation. #ShameonTrump .' British politicians condemned the actions of the mob at the US Capitol today Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump climb on walls at the U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election Tear gas was being used by Capitol Police as protesters filled both the House and Senate side of the Capitol Former Cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt said Mr Trump 'shames American democracy tonight'. He tweeted: 'America is the world's biggest, most important democracy, a shining light on the hill for freedom. 'Pres Trump told a crowd to march on Capitol Hill & turned on his VP for upholding the law. He shames American democracy tonight & causes its friends anguish but he is not America'. President Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to ask his supporters to 'Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!'. He later tweeted: 'I am asking for everyone at the US Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! 'Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order - respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!'. Lisa Nandy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, said: 'Terrible scenes from the USA. 'This is the legacy of a politics of hate that pits people against each other and threatens the foundations of democracy. 'We must stand firm with legislators under attack and the American people who have the right to choose their own destiny.' Layla Moran, foreign affairs spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, added: 'The scenes coming out of Washington tonight are an attack on democracy.... An attack on democracy anywhere is an attack on democracy everywhere.' Labour MP David Lammy described Mr Trump as 'an enemy of democracy'. He tweeted: 'Donald Trump is an enemy of democracy. Every British politician who failed to condemn his actions after the presidential election should issue an apology tonight.' Meanwhile, the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham tweeted: 'Any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now.' The 'Last Ice Area' is a narrow band of ice that covers about a million square miles across the Northern coasts of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, which has long withstood the effects of climate change until now. A team from the University of Toronto found that the ice arches holding the frozen water together could soon collapse due to melting, resulting in large chunks of ice floating south into warmer regions. Using satellite images, researchers observed warming trends that show the ice arches are shifting and losing mass at twice the rate of the entire Arctic. Losing the Last Ice Area could disrupt the entire ecosystem, including ice algae, brine channels and photogenic species like polar bears. Professor Kent Moore, who was involved with the study, said: 'This very old ice is what we're concerned about.' 'The hope is that this area will persist into the middle part of this century or even longer. And then, hopefully, we'll eventually be able to cool the planet down.' 'The ice will start growing again, and then this area can act as a sort of seed.' Scroll down for video A team from the University of Toronto found that the ice arches holding the Last Ice Area together could soon collapse due to melting, resulting in large chunks of ice floating south into warmer regions. The ice arches typically develop at the northern and southern ends of Nares Strait and play a major role in keeping the 'Last Ice Area' in place. 'The Arctic Ocean is evolving towards an ice pack that is younger, thinner, and more mobile and the fate of its multi-year ice is becoming of increasing interest,' reads the study published in Nature Communications. The team used sea ice motion retrievals captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite, which allowed them to record the behavior of the ice arches and changes in the amount of ice. They used data of ice arches along Nares Strait, which is 24 miles wide and 372 miles long. Using satellite images, researchers observed warming trends that show the ice arches are shifting and losing mass at twice the rate of the entire Arctic This area runs between Greenland and Ellesmere Island from the Arctic Ocean into Baffin Bay. 'The Last Ice Area is losing ice mass at twice the rate of the entire Arctic,' Moore said. 'We realized this area may not be as stable as people think.' The data shows that duration of arch formation has decreased over the past 20 years and the mass of ice exported through Nares Strait has increased. 'It's really quite profound to imagine a 100-kilometre-long barrier of ice that remains stationary for months at a time, said Moore. 'That's more than twice as long as Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain Causeway the world's longest continuous bridge over water.' 'It speaks to the strength of ice.' However, the strength is dwindling, Moore warns. The ice arches typically develop at the northern and southern ends of Nares Strait and play a major role in keeping the 'Last Ice Area' in place Ice arches form only part of the year and when they break apart in spring, ice floats down the Nares Strait - but this could happen much sooner than previously observed. 'Every year, the reduction in duration is about one week,' Moore said. 'They used to persist for about 200 days and now they're persisting for about 150 days. There's quite a remarkable reduction. 'We think that it's related to the fact the ice is just thinner and thinner ice is less stable.' A section of the Last Ice Are was deemed as the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area by the Canadian government in 2019. A section of the Last Ice Area was deemed as the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area by the Canadian government in 2019. Tuvaijuittuq is Inuktut for 'the place where the ice never melts' Tuvaijuittuq is Inuktut for 'the place where the ice never melts.' Also last year it was revealed that it is melting twice as fast as any iced in the area. The American Geophysical Union, an accredited earth science organization, shared a video showing the oldest and thickest solid layer of frozen ocean water has loss 95 percent of its mass over the past 35 years which experts say is a 'dramatic indicator' of climate change. The area is now dominated by thinner and more mobile ice that is more susceptible to melting, which has 'led to stresses on the entire spectrum of icedependent organisms from ice algae to polar bears'. However, according to WWF-Canada, 'even with effective action on limiting greenhouse gas emissions, the sea ice will shrink and last shorter periods in winter.' Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - cGold Fields (Champs D'Or en Beauce) (TSXV: BGF) ("BGF"), is pleased to announce that it has completed its trenching and rock outcrop exploration program in the Rang St-Gustave sector of the gold property located in St-Simon-Les-Mines in the Beauce region of southern Quebec. Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO of Beauce Gold Fields said, "The Rang St-Gustave area was the site of the only major placer mining and dredging operation in eastern North America. In this same sector, the company discovered a major geological fault which could explain, in part, the gold bearing structures." Mr. Levasseur added: "The data provided by the survey and sampling of the trenches will better guide our future rock drilling program to uncover the source of the gold placers." Figure 1. Location of the trenches made in the St-Gustave sector and trajectory of the Yuba dredge used during the exploitation of the gold placer. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6198/71491_8f985449a4a5e950_001full.jpg Mechanized excavations of the overburden (Quaternary deposits and soils) exposed the bedrock before it plunges deeper into the historical placer gold channel. Geological mapping and structural study to the east and west of Rang St-Gustave road will provide a detailed study of the orientation of the folds, shear zones and rock fracturing. This data will be used to optimize the drilling program to come. The 2020 exploration program mechanically excavated 46 trenches and outcrops (mainly trenches). In addition, the exploration team collected: 100 rock samples taken by channel cuts using a diamond saw (in the trenches) 9 bulk samples of rocks taken from the trenches 28 samples (bulk) of rock outcrops from the property 4 bulk samples (composite samples) of approximately 100 lbs each (trenches Tr-2020-01, Tr-2020 02, Tr-2020-05 and Tr-2020-51) These samples were sent to the laboratories of INRS (Quebec City) and subsequently to the laboratories of Actlabs (Ancaster, On). Analysis of the samples will provide a geochemical study to establish certain associations between gold, silver and metals indicative of mineralization like As, W, Sb, also known as tracer elements, and which were a feature of the gold mineralization found in the Poulin 10008 trench and to the historic placer gold deposit (see BGF press release of March 2, 2020). All the trenches were accurately mapped using an RTK GPS system and photographed at high resolution to produce quantitative photogrammetric imagery. Subsequently, the trenches located on private land were filled in and smoothed to allow natural reforestation. The company expresses its gratitude to all private property owners who have given BGF access to their property. Trenches, on land owned by the company, have been left open for future access. The company blocked access to its property and cordoned off the perimeter of the open trenches for security reasons. The analysis of samples could provide a geochemical study to establish certain associations of gold to silver ratios and the elements Au-As-Sb, also known as the Tracer Elements, that were characteristics of the gold mineralisation found in Poulin Trench 10008 and to the historical placer gold deposit (see BGF press release March 2, 2020). Marc Richer-LaFleche, Ph.D. Geo., a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information presented in this release. Reference to the historical placer gold deposit does not comply with the CIM reporting standards National Instrument 43-101 for mineral resources or reserves and should not be relied upon. While the Company considers historical estimates and the calculated Gold Exploration Target* for the entire historical placer channel to be relevant to investors as it may indicate the presence of mineralization, the Company is not treating these historical estimates as a current mineral resource. Options distribution The Corporation has granted 1,480,000 stock options to Members of Board, Officers and to a consultant of the Corporation. The stock options are exercisable for a period ending January 6, 2025, at an exercise price of $0.12 per share. The options have been granted under and are subject to the terms and conditions of the Corporation's Stock Option Plan. About Beauce Gold Fields Beauce Gold Fields is a gold exploration company focused on placer to hard rock exploration in the Beauce region of Southern Quebec. The Company's flagship property is the St-Simon-les-Mines Gold project site of Canada's first gold rush that pre-dates the Yukon Klondike. The Beauce region hosted some of the largest historical placer gold mines in Eastern North America that were active from 1860s to the 1960s It produced the largest gold nuggets in Canadian mining history (50oz to 71oz) Comprising 152 contiguous claims and 7 real estate lots, the project area contains a six kilometer long placer channel consisting of an unconsolidated gold-bearing auriferous units of a lower saprolite and an upper brown diamictite. The Company has calculated a Gold Exploration Target for the entire historical placer channel ranges between 61,000 ounces (2,200,000 m3 @ 0.87g Au/m3) and 366,000 ounces* (2,200,000 m3 @ 5.22 g Au/m3). *Source: Beauce July 4th 2018[43-101 Report. The Company has identified a major Fault Line that coincides with an interpreted fault structure across the property. Evidence suggests the erosion of the Fault Line as a probable source of the historical placer gold channel. Beauce Gold Fields website www.beaucegold.com Disclaimers: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding mineral exploration. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information contact Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO Tel: (514) 262-9239 Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and COO Tel (514) 907-1011 www.beaucegold.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71491 NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Spire Capital, a leading New York-based private equity firm specializing in investments in the technology-enabled business services, communications, media, and education sectors, today announced its investment in The Inception Company, LLC ("Inception" or the "Company"). Founded in 2005, Inception is a leading technology-driven production company that builds and supports virtual engagement products and services to help clients reach and more fully connect with their stakeholders. Inception's services include Pandotm, (www.pandomeetings.com), a virtual meeting platform that integrates a full production studio with a video wall that simulates the experience of live, in-person meetings, and Grovetm, a secure and compliant web conferencing platform supported by white-glove services for industry agnostic enterprise clients. Inception also provides premium broadcast, video, and meeting services solutions. Spire is partnering with the existing team led by CEO Matt Giegerich and President Shaun Urban. Founder Doug Mack will transition to a Board role. Spire's investment in Inception will provide capital to build out new Pandotm studios, enhance research and development, expand sales and marketing efforts, and enable complementary acquisitions. Matt Giegerich, CEO of The Inception Company said, "The future is bright, and we are thrilled with our new partnership with Spire. The focus of their investment strategy, extensive and far reaching business relationships and experience in scaling similar companies is exactly what we've been looking for in a partner." Shaun Urban, President of The Inception Company added "We could not be more excited about our collaboration with Spire and what lies ahead. Importantly, our internal team members and clients alike will benefit immensely from the resources and commitment that Spire will bring to bear quickly for our growing organization. As clients continue to integrate virtual solutions into their strategies, new needs will arise and we will be uniquely positioned to address them." Sean White, Partner at Spire Capital, said, "Doug, Matt, and Shaun have assembled a deeply talented management team and built an incredible company that has grown to become a leader in virtual engagement solutions. We are proud to partner with the Company during its next stage of growth." Andy Armstrong, Partner at Spire Capital added, "The market for virtual engagement solutions has grown dramatically in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for these types of services, including web conferencing and virtual events, and accelerated trends toward telecommuting. The shift to the remote workplace is here and companies need to find suitable technology solutions that simulate in-person meetings and facilitate collaborative work while increasing cost efficiencies. Inception is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this enormous opportunity and deliver tremendous value to its clients. Spire is excited about the partnership with this management team to execute on the opportunity to grow the brand, footprint and client base." Sean White, Andy Armstrong, and Brad Johnson of Spire Capital will be members of Inception's Board of Directors. Dentons LLP served as legal counsel to Spire Capital. Intrepid Investment Bankers acted as exclusive financial advisor to The Inception Company, while OlenderFeldman served as its legal counsel. Santander provided debt capital for the transaction. About The Inception Company Founded in 2005, The Inception Company (https://inceptioncompany.com/) Inception is a leading technology-driven production company that builds and supports virtual engagement products and services to help clients reach and more fully connect with their stakeholders. The Company delivers virtual meeting platforms, broadcast, video, and meeting services solutions and is headquartered in Fairfield, NJ. About Spire Capital Spire Capital (https://spirecapital.com/) is an active and experienced private equity firm with an investment focus in small market companies within the technology-enabled business services, media, communications, and education sectors. Spire Capital was founded on the principle of partnering with management teams and founders to help effectuate the next stage of growth for their companies. Spire professionals have a broad array of past operating, investing, and advisory experiences they leverage to help portfolio companies accelerate growth, guide strategic direction, and execute their business plan. Spire Capital is a New York-based investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Follow Spire on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/spire-capital-partners/) to stay up-to-date on all the latest news and events. SOURCE Spire Capital Partners Faced with a sluggish coronavirus vaccination pace, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday he will deploy the state's National Guard to hasten local health departments' inoculation of medical workers, while threatening to take away unused vaccines from hospitals slow to administer them. The governor also said he may withhold additional doses from any hospital, contractor, pharmacy or health department that has not used 75% of its supply. "No doses should be sitting in freezers while others are waiting," Hogan, a Republican, said during a news conference. "Either use the doses you have been allocated or they will be redirected." State data shows only 34% of more than 163,000 doses sent to Maryland hospitals have been used. One hospital system, Adventist HealthCare, has used less than 16%. Pharmacies charged with inoculating nursing home residents have used less than 14% of their vaccines. Hogan said the state will not wait for all health-care workers or nursing home staff to get vaccinated before moving to the next priority group. He laid out the most detailed timeline yet for when others could receive vaccinations. Teachers and developmentally disabled people who live in group homes were moved into the next eligible group, with a population of 860,000 people that also includes people age 75 and over and child-care workers. Dozens of group homes in Maryland have experienced severe outbreaks of the virus. Advocates, providers and families of residents had pushed since early December for Hogan to prioritize vaccinating group home workers and residents. Hogan estimated that group could begin receiving vaccinations at the end of January. The next group, expected to get vaccines in early March, includes people over 65 and those deemed essential workers, such as grocery store employees. The governor noted progress in the state's distribution of vaccines, but cautioned that the rollout will take months, with just 30% of the state's population - about 1.8 million people - likely to be inoculated by the end of May. Maj. Gen. Timothy Gowen, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, said 200 guardsmen will be deployed in 14 teams to expedite vaccinations at local health departments, which are responsible for inoculating first responders, corrections officers and medical personnel who don't work in hospitals. While some local health departments, such as in Montgomery, Howard and Caroline counties, have distributed more than 80% of their vaccines, many have struggled. Nine of the state's 24 jurisdictions have distributed less than 10%. Prince George's has given out just 4.3% of its allocation, the third-lowest rate in the state. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, plans to discuss the vaccine distribution in his state during a Wednesday news conference. Vaccine dissemination moved forward across the region Tuesday as the seven-day rolling average of new infections across Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia stood at 7,421 - the third consecutive record-setting day. The city of Baltimore also announced new vaccination plans Tuesday, when Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, said the state's largest city will begin this week to vaccinate first responders and health-care workers not affiliated with hospitals. The city's health department has the second-lowest vaccination deployment in the state. The city received 2,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine from state officials last week that it plans to deploy. Health commissioner Letitia Dzirasa said officials are unsure of how many additional doses the city will receive through next week. "There's still a very limited supply," she said, urging members of the public to remain patient. In Maryland, state data shows the Baltimore region has vaccinated 1.5% of its population, compared to a 0.7% vaccination rate in the state's Washington suburbs. Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles said late Monday the discrepancy might be because more Montgomery health-care workers have been vaccinated in the District or other jurisdictions, but haven't yet reported it to the state health department. He also acknowledged that at hospitals, which received the first batches of the vaccine from the federal government, not everyone who is eligible has agreed to take the vaccine. "If we're honest, there are some folks who are still taking a wait-and-see approach," he said. While hospitals have received doses directly from the federal government, local governments have had to wait for allotments from state authorities. This is "an additional layer of time" in the distribution process, Gayles said. The county, for example, only learned Saturday it would be receiving a new batch of doses Tuesday. "We're at the mercy of getting that information from the state and the state is at the mercy of getting the information from the federal government," he said. "It's our biggest obstacle." Of the 4,300 doses that Montgomery has received, 86% had been administered as of Monday night, Gayles said. It's among the highest distribution rates in the state. The county has planned six more vaccine clinics to administer the new batches, but with more than 50,000 people in the county's top priority group, it will be some time before vaccinations begin for those in the next category, which includes people 75 and older. Gayles said the county is not aware of vaccines expiring because of a lack of demand. In such a situation, the health department has told pharmacies to inform county officials, who would then identify a cohort of priority group members to receive the vaccine. The greater Washington region reported 6,595 new infections and 118 virus-related fatalities Tuesday. The District had 262 new cases and four deaths; Virginia had 4,377 cases and 59 deaths; and Maryland had 1,956 cases and 55 deaths. Virus-related hospitalizations were up 12% from last week in the District, up 8% from last week in Virginia, and up 3% from last week in Maryland, according to The Washington Post's tracking of data. The District has administered 16,989 of the 40,075 doses delivered, according to city data that includes reports from 58% of providers. Virginia has administered 103,083 doses and Maryland has administered 76,916 doses. RBI creates 'Payments Infrastructure Development Fund' To bookmark you need to sign in The Reserve Bank of India has created a 'Payments Infrastructure Development Fund' to encourage acquirers to deploy 'Points of Sale' infrastructure in tier-3 to tier-6 centres and northeastern states. A PoS infrastructure can have physical or digital features to allow online payments for goods or services. "Over the years, payments ecosystem in the country has evolved with a wide range of options such as bank accounts, mobile phones, cards, etc," the RBI said in a statement. "To provide further fillip to digitisation of payment systems, it is necessary to give impetus to acceptance infrastructure across the country, more so in underserved areas." Accordingly, the Reserve Bank will make an initial contribution of Rs 250 crore to the PIDF, covering half the fund and remaining contribution will be from card issuing banks and card networks operating in the country. "The PIDF will also receive recurring contributions to cover operational expenses from card issuing banks and card networks. The Reserve Bank will also contribute to yearly shortfalls, if necessary," the statement said. "The PIDF will be governed through an 'Advisory Council' and managed and administered by the Reserve Bank." Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Mumbai, Jan 6 : The Mumbai Police have filed an FIR against an unidentified person who allegedly issued death threats to Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar and her secretary last month, officials said. The call was made on the evening of December 22 on the mobile numbers of both Pednekar and her aide from an unknown number and the caller spoke in Hindi. "The caller claimed he was calling from Jamnagar (Gujarat). He used a barrage of expletives and issued the threats. Following this I approached the Joint Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangre-Patil and then lodged the complaint with Azad Maidan Police Station," Pednekar told mediapersons. She added that she was busy in a meeting with colleagues at the BMC headquarters that evening and ignored the first call. After a couple of missed calls, the person called her secretary and threatened to kill him, and even sent a death threat message. When the person called Pednekar again, she took the call and put it on the speaker. "He kept abusing me in foul language and warned me of dire consequences, and said he would kill me if I complained to the police," she said. The police are probing the motives behind the caller's threats especially since the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation is slated to go for elections in early 2022. Though police sources hint that the caller has reportedly been tracked and a team sent to pick him up, there was no official word on the developments. The high-profile nurse-turned-Shiv Sena politician, Pednekar was elected Municipal Corporator from a ward in Worli and became Mayor in November 2019. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. With 2020 defined by the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and the rush to contain the disease, 2021 looks likely to be remembered by the race to vaccinate against it. The arrival of the new year sees dozens of countries scramble to grant regulatory approval to one or more of the jabs created by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm, among others. After months of punishing restrictions and damage to nations public health and economies, herd immunity via inoculation is now widely viewed as the most likely route back to something resembling normality. However, as with the individual pandemic responses of individual nations, plans for the distribution of these vaccines already vary. Here we take a snapshot look at which countries appear to be leading the way in the early stages of the rollout, which nations have struggled, and those that are taking a notably different approach. United States Population: 330 million 354,000 deaths and 20.9m cases reported Vaccines approved: Pfizer/BioNTech (11 December), Moderna (18 December) Doses administered: 4.56 million Percentage of population jabbed: 1.42% Doses ordered: 1.01 billion, of 6 jabs Percentage of population covered by orders: 169% The United States has been at the forefront of global efforts to develop a vaccine, having ploughed billions of dollars into research funding under its Operation Warp Speed programme. While the US Food and Drug Administration was slower than the UK and Bahrain in granting regulatory approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, the nations vaccination drive began on 14 December, with healthcare workers becoming the first to receive the vaccine after emergency approval was granted. Modernas jab received emergency approval shortly afterwards. By 4 January, some 15.4 million vaccine doses had been distributed to states 4.56 million of which had already been administered, according to the US Centres for Disease Control. The US has opted to give recipients two doses, taken several weeks apart, as tested in clinical trials. Health workers, care home staff are deemed top priority by the CDC, followed by essential workers, the elderly and those with co-morbidities, but each state ultimately decides who to inoculate first, and a number of top federal politicians, such as vice president Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were among the first in line in December. As hospitals in the US are overwhelmed with more than 130,000 coronavirus patients, some questions have been raised over whether the rollout is happening quickly enough with the Trump administration falling well short of its goal to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of 2020. The FDA has rejected a move in the UK to administer the two vaccine doses required up to 12 weeks apart, saying that while such questions are reasonable to consider, doing so is premature and not supported by science. Its guidance calls for 21 days between Pfizer shots and a wait of 28 days with Modernas jab. Israel Population: 9 million 3,445 deaths and 448,000 cases reported Vaccines approved: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna (3 January) Doses administered: 1.37 million Percentage of population jabbed: 15% Doses ordered: 16 million, of 2 jabs* Percentage of population covered by orders: At least 88% Israel has stormed ahead of the rest of the world in terms of vaccination. Viewing success as a potent political salve in the face of a tough pandemic, corruption trial and looming election, embattled prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has personally overseen the vaccination effort even becoming the first Israeli to receive the Pfizer jab on 19 December, live on-air. He has sought to take credit for the relatively high number of jabs procured, touting personal phone conversations with Pfizer chief Albert Bourla, who he said was very proud of his Jewish heritage. Politicians have refused to be drawn on local media reports suggesting the country may have paid over the odds for its vaccine doses, but given the buoyant success of the rollout few would appear to argue against the wisdom such a move. The countrys efficient and heavily digitised health system has adapted well to the rollout with citizens already having been required by law to register with one of the nations four health maintenance organisations. Health minister Yuli Edelstein has expressed his hope that most of Israels high-risk population will have received the second of two doses by late January, with health workers and over-60s deemed the highest priority. And once the second jab has been received, people have been promised six months of freedom from future isolation via a green passport app. Soaring demand for appointments at Israels 24/7 vaccination centres has led the website to crash, while a culture of using every last available drop of thawed vaccine has emerged, sometimes reportedly to the younger family members of priority recipients. However, this vaccination drive has so far not extended to the occupied West Bank and Gaza strip. The Palestinian Authority is not believed to have sought out doses from pharmaceutical companies, but has applied for financial help from the international, WHO-led vaccine-sharing system, Covax. It is unclear whether Israel could be legally obliged to vaccinate Palestinians but many have questioned the efficacy of merely inoculating its own citizens. Bahrain Population: 1.7 million 352 deaths and 93,000 cases reported Vaccines approved: Pfizer/BioNTech (4 December), Sinopharm (13 December) Doses administered: 61,000 Percentage of population jabbed: 4.15% Doses ordered: Likely >1 million* Percentage of population covered by orders: Around 33% Bahrain has inoculated more of its population than any country bar Israel, largely thanks to its early regulatory approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The Gulf nation had also approved Chinas Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use for health workers in early November, approving online registration for all residents on 13 December. However, its vaccination drive began in earnest with the announcement that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had been inoculated three days later, usurping Israels Mr Netanyahu as the first world leader to receive a Covid vaccine dose. Doses are now being provided to residents for free via Bahrains high-quality public and private health systems, and the country has won praise for including its large population of foreign workers in the rollout, which observers hope will set a precedent across the region. Despite the countrys relatively small population, the local Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper has reported that its vaccination drive will likely take at least 300 days, with the 27 vaccination centres reportedly set up able to inoculate a maximum of 10,000 people per day. United Kingdom Population: 68 million 76,305 deaths and 2.7 million cases reported Vaccines approved: Pfizer/BioNTech (2 December), AstraZeneca (30 December) Doses administered: 1.3 million Percentage of population jabbed: 1.9% Doses secured: 357 million, of 7 vaccines Percentage of population covered by orders: 295% The United Kingdom has been a key player in the global race to develop a suitable candidate, investing heavily to shore up both national and international supplies. For one, the government has spent tens of millions of taxpayers pounds on the development of the Oxford University vaccine, owned by AstraZeneca. In April, the government established its Vaccines Taskforce, which created the worlds first citizen registry of over 360,000 volunteers able to rapidly join vaccine trials, and is developing a new vaccines manufacturing centre. Ministers boasted in May that the UK was the biggest contributor to the international coalition to find a vaccine, and it has pledged 548m to the WHO-led vaccine-sharing system, Covax. This system grants rich investors early access to vaccines, and could allow the UK to buy enough doses for 20 per cent of its population, but also helps some 92 lower income countries to buy vaccines. While the UK was the first country to strike a deal with Pfizer, its Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency was also the first regulator to approve its vaccine. Recommended Moderna Covid vaccine approved by EU Prime minister Boris Johnson pledged on 5 January that all those in the top four priority groups care home residents and staff, health workers, the over-70s and the clinically vulnerable should receive their first jab by mid-February, amounting to some 13 million people. This is despite the fact that just a tenth of that number had received a dose since the rollout began on 8 December. While the vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has faced pressure to involve the UKs 11,000 community pharmacies in the drive, having focused early on recruiting GPs and retired volunteers, the response has also been slowed by the number of doses available. Although regulatory approval of the Oxford vaccine will boost supplies having been granted in late December, the MHRA has decided to allow doses to be administered up to 12 weeks apart in order to vaccinate more people. The UK has also said it will allow people to be given shots of different vaccines on rare occasions, despite acknowledging there is no evidence on the interchangeability of the Covid-19 vaccines. Both Pfizer and the World Health Organisation have warned against delaying the second dose. France Population: 67 million 66,282 deaths and 2.68 million cases reported Vaccines approved: Pfizer/BioNTech (20 December) Doses administered: 2,000 Percentage of population jabbed: 0.00% Doses secured: 237 million Percentage of population covered by orders: 183% After the EU regulator approved Pfizers vaccine for use across the bloc on 20 December, Frances health authority granted authorisation three days later. However the early rollout in the week that followed was branded a fiasco and a scandal. Vaccine scepticism in France is particularly high, with an Ipsos Global Advisor poll published last week finding just 40 per cent of French people are prepared to take a coronavirus vaccine. As such, fearing to be seen to be forcing the vaccine on people, Emmanuel Macrons government devised a complex consent policy, which significantly slowed the process in addition to alleged mismanagement and festive staffing shortages. As a result, just 2,000 people had been vaccinated by 5 January compared with more than 300,000 in Germany in the same timeframe prompting officials to scramble to expedite the process amid furious public outcry. France is not the only EU country to report issues, however, with EU officials this week forced to defend what many perceive to be its slow distribution of doses across the 450 million-strong bloc. The EU has secured 2 billion doses in total, but lamented problems with production capacity, an issue that everybody is facing as member states complained of delays and orders a fraction the size of those promised. Even in Germany, which has administered significantly more doses than any other EU nation, health minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday was forced to address criticism that the rollout had been too slow, citing a global shortage of doses. Shortly afterwards, the EU approved Modernas jab. China Population: 1.4 billion 4,634 deaths and 87,000 cases reported Vaccines granted early approval: Sinovac (28 August for vulnerable), CanSino (29 June for military), Sinopharm (28 August) Vaccines granted full approval: Sinopharm (31 December) Doses administered: 4.5 million Percentage of population jabbed: 0.3% Doses secured: 300 million Percentage of population currently covered by orders: 16% China, along with Russia, drew consternation from the global scientific community after deciding to begin vaccinating its population using inoculations which had not yet undergone large-scale clinical trials. Early approval was granted to three Chinese-made vaccines in the summer Sinovac, CanSino and Sinopharm, available to the clinically vulnerable, the military, and the general population, respectively. Despite the states secrecy about the results of ongoing clinical trials, there has been huge uptake for the emergency-use vaccines, with hundreds of thousands of citizens having lined up to receive the jabs. While it was not until 31 December that Sinopharms jab was granted full regulatory approval, authorities had already stated an aim to vaccinate 50 million people ahead of the Lunar New Year in mid-February reportedly prioritising would-be travellers in addition to doctors, hotel employees, border force employees, food storage workers and transport operators. Although the task ahead of vaccinating Chinas huge population is a mammoth one, reports suggest its hospitals and emergency vaccination centres are well-prepared for the challenge. Supply appears set to pose little issue either. While Beijing has publicly ordered some 300 million doses from AstraZeneca and Fosun, it has also pledged to produce 610 million doses of its homegrown jabs by the end of 2021 and expects to produce at least one billion doses the following year. Indonesia Population: 273.5 million 23,000 deaths and 772,000 cases reported Vaccines awaiting regulatory approval: Sinopharm, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna Doses administered: 0 Doses ordered: 225 million, of 4 jabs Percentage of population covered by orders: 50% Indonesia has emerged as something of an outlier in terms of vaccination strategy, opting to prioritise different sections of its vast population in the hope of freeing up its citizens and economy as quickly as possible. While most nations have prioritised health workers, the elderly and the clinically vulnerable in a bid to soften the immediate risk to their populaces, the vastly populous archipelago nation has decided to focus on vaccinating its healthy workforce. Indonesia doing it different to the US and Europe is of value, because it will tell us (whether) youll see a more dramatic effect in Indonesia than Europe or US because of the strategy theyre doing, but I dont think anybody knows the answer, professor of infectious diseases at Australian National University, Peter Collignon, told Reuters. While the nation has procured some 100 million doses of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine, according to Bloomberg, distribution is not expected to start until the second quarter of 2021. Instead, the early mass vaccination effort is expected to centre around Chinas Sinovac jab, stage three trials of which are currently underway in Indonesia, Brazil and Turkey, among other countries, following tests in a tight-lipped China. While the country hopes that vaccinating 100 million workers will revive its economy, Indonesian health officials also told Reuters that its strategy is based on the fact that it does not have enough data showing Sinovac jabs efficacy among elderly people, with the phase three trials currently underway in the country involving people aged 18-59. Although the government in early December greenlit the use of vaccines developed by Sinopharm, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Indonesias Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is yet to grant any of the jabs regulatory approval. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned parliament on Wednesday that ending England's latest lockdown would require a "gradual unwrapping" over time, pledging that schools would be the "very first things to reopen". Addressing parliament before lawmakers vote on the measures introduced earlier this week, Johnson defended his decision to implement the new lockdown at the time he did, saying the new, more contagious, coronavirus variant offered little choice. Trying to head off criticism that his decision to close primary schools a day after he told them they should open, Johnson said he did "everything in our power to keep them open" until "every other option had been closed off". "And when we begin to move out of lockdown I promise they will be the very first things to reopen. That moment may come after the February half-term, although we should remain extremely cautious about the timetable ahead," he said. "And as was the case last spring, our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will be not a big bang but a gradual unwrapping." Britain has been among the countries worst-hit by COVID-19, with the highest death toll in Europe. With the appearance of the new variant, it has seen case numbers repeatedly reach record highs, stretching the country's health service. Johnson, who has been criticised for being too slow to introduce strict regulations in the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, is not expected to face a large rebellion from his Conservative Party in the vote on the lockdown. But his seeming reluctance to introduce tougher measures to combat surging cases and his mixed messages on whether to open primary schools have prompted criticism, not only in the opposition Labour Party but also among Conservatives. Some in his party are also critical of any "draconian" restrictions, demanding that they are removed as quickly as possible. But Johnson was cautious about any time lines. He said the legislation would run until March 31 "not because we expect the full national lockdown to continue until then, but to allow a steady, controlled and evidence-led move down through the tiers on a regional basis". Short link: WESTPORT, Conn., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Newman's Own Foundation has announced the appointment of Bridgette Heller to its board of directors. The Foundation continues the work of its founder, actor/philanthropist Paul Newman, by turning all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman's Own products into donations, totaling more than $560 million to date. Ms. Heller has been an accomplished leader of consumer businesses for over 30 years and has a track record of accelerating growth and profitability in both Fortune 100 and private equity owned enterprises. Most recently, until January 2019, Ms. Heller served as the EVP and President of Nutricia, the Specialized Nutrition Division of Danone. Previously she led major businesses and business units at Merck Consumer Care, Johnson & Johnson, Chung's Gourmet Foods, and Kraft Foods. "We are delighted to have Bridgette join the Newman's Own Foundation Board of Directors," said Michael Clayton, Chair. "Not only does she bring deep experience from the business world, but she has also earned a strong reputation in governance and as a nonprofit leader, making her a perfect addition to our board." Ms. Heller is the co-founder and current CEO of the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, a 501(c)(3) with a mission of advancing achievement and closing the achievement gap for underserved students in South St. Petersburg, Florida. "I am honored to join the Board of a foundation that has had such an impact over many decades," says Heller. "I look forward to assisting the Foundation in further fulfilling Paul Newman's vision." Ms. Heller serves on the board of directors for Newman's Own, Inc., Aramark, Novartis, and Dexcom. She also serves on the board of directors for the nonprofit Preserve Vision Florida and is a member of the advisory board for the Kellogg School of Management. She received her BA from Northwestern University and her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. About Newman's Own Foundation Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, he founded Newman's Own Foundation to turn all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman's Own products into donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have given over $560 million to thousands of impactful organizations around the world. For more information, visit www.newmansownfoundation.org. SOURCE Newman's Own Foundation Related Links http://www.newmansownfoundation.org/ The Trump supporters had made their way to the Capitol at the presidents behest, after attending a rally near the White House, where he baselessly claimed the election results were fraudulent. It was only hours into the melee, and after an explosive device was found at the Republican National Committee headquarters, that Mr. Trump released a message telling the mob to leave. You have to go home now, he said in a video message filmed at the White House and posted on Twitter. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We dont want anyone hurt. Still, the president ultimately offered encouragement to the mob, noting: We love you. Youre very special, and I know how you feel. But many advisers around the president were worried that his message in the video was not forceful enough and that some of his supporters would interpret it as encouragement to continue fighting for him. Alyssa Farah, who resigned last month from her post as the White House communications director, tweeted a more direct message at the presidents supporters. Dear MAGA- I am one of you. Before I worked for @realDonaldTrump, I worked for @MarkMeadows & @Jim_Jordan & the @freedomcaucus, she said, establishing her conservative bona fides. I marched in the 2010 Tea Party rallies. I campaigned w/ Trump & voted for him. But I need you to hear me: the Election was NOT stolen. We lost. Earlier in the day the president had also encouraged his supporters with an alternate message. We will never concede, Mr. Trump said at the rally. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. [January 05, 2021] Schulte Roth & Zabel Announces Addition of Nationally Recognized Trial Lawyer Gayle R. Klein as Litigation Co-Chair Schulte Roth & Zabel (SRZ), a leading law firm serving the financial services industry, has added Gayle R. Klein as partner and co-chair of its Litigation Group. Ms. Klein is resident in the firm's New York office. She joins the firm from McKool Smith, where she was co-chair of the financial litigation group and a member of its management committee. Ms. Klein represents both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes litigation. Over the past decade, she has both recovered in excess of $1 billion for her clients, as well as won defense decisions and achieved settlements vindicating her clients' business decisions. Ms. Klein has extensive experience representing hedge funds, private equity firms, and public and private companies in the areas of antitrust, commercial and securities litigation. Her string of victories includes disputes over complex financial transactions, breaches of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets and violations of non-competition agreements. She also has significant experience defending putative consumer protection class actions. Ms. Klein is one of a handful of women in New York leading bet-the-company cases, for which her peers have called her a "zealous advocate" and "an effective trial lawyer." "Gayle is an outstanding litigator nationally recognized for her market-leading practice and we are thrilled to welcome her to SRZ," said David Efron, SRZ co-managing partner and co-head of the Investment Management Group. "Gayle's significant experience advising on financial services litigation will add great value to our clients and further strengthen our deep litigation bench," commented Marc Elovitz, SRZ co-managing partner and chair of the Investment Management Regulatory & Compliance Group. "Gayle will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are delighted to have her join us as partner and co-chair," said Michael Swartz, SRZ partner and co-chair of the Litigation Group. "We feel extremely fortunate to artner with Gayle and look forward to working with her while adding further depth to our offerings," said Peter White, SRZ partner and co-chair of the Litigation Group. "SRZ's market-leading platform in the private investment fund space is a perfect fit for my clients and practice and allows me to offer them full services and deep substantive knowledge," said Ms. Klein, who holds a J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.S. in Advertising, with high honors and special honors, from the University of Texas, from which she graduated first in her class. SRZ's Litigation Group works with a wide range of local, national and international clients, including securities firms, banks, insurance companies, public and private corporations and their officers and directors; investment managers and private investment funds (hedge funds, funds of funds and private equity funds); prime, clearing, introducing and interdealer brokerage firms; accountants, auditors and fund administrators; and real estate developers, educational institutions, estate trustees, public interest organizations, partnerships and individuals. The team features both leading lawyers focused on general litigation and others in highly specialized areas, including antitrust; private securities litigation, including class actions and derivative suits; shareholder activism, proxy contest and mergers and acquisitions matters; bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights disputes; labor and employment litigation; intellectual property actions; real estate; trusts & estates and family law disputes; SEC (News - Alert) and FINRA investigations and enforcement actions; federal and state criminal investigations and prosecutions (anti-money laundering, OFAC and FCPA matters); and white collar criminal defense. Among our litigators are numerous former Assistant U.S. Attorneys, state prosecutors and senior members of the Enforcement Division of the SEC. About Schulte Roth & Zabel Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (www.srz.com) is a full-service law firm with offices in New York, Washington, DC and London. As one of the leading law firms serving the financial services industry, the firm regularly advises clients on corporate and transactional matters and provides counsel on regulatory, compliance, enforcement and investigative issues. The firm's practices include: antitrust; bank regulatory; bankruptcy & creditors' rights litigation; blockchain technology & digital assets; broker-dealer regulatory & enforcement; business reorganization; complex commercial litigation; cybersecurity & data privacy; distressed debt & claims trading; distressed investing; education law; employment & employee benefits; energy; environmental; finance & derivatives; financial institutions; hedge funds; individual client services; insurance; intellectual property, sourcing & technology; investment management; litigation; litigation finance; mergers & acquisitions; PIPEs; private equity; real estate; real estate capital markets & REITs; real estate litigation; regulated funds; regulatory & compliance; securities & capital markets; securities enforcement; securities litigation; securitization; shareholder activism; tax; and white collar defense & government investigations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105006003/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] During his more than 25 years at Pfizer, Dr. Bourla has built a diverse and successful career, holding a number of senior global positions across a range of markets and disciplines. Prior to taking the reins as CEO in January 2019, he served as Pfizer's Chief Operating Officer beginning in January 2018, responsible for overseeing the Company's commercial strategy, manufacturing, and global product development functions. Previously, Dr. Bourla served as Group President of Pfizer Innovative Health, which comprised the Consumer Healthcare, Inflammation & Immunology, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Rare Disease and Vaccines business groups. He began his career with Pfizer in 1993 in the Animal Health Division as Technical Director of Greece. He held positions of increasing responsibility within Animal Health across Europe, before moving to Pfizer's New York Global Headquarters in 2001. From there Albert went on to assume a succession of leadership roles. Bourla a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, holds a PhD in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University. Previous Honorees: Past recipients of the Appeal of Conscience Award include: Bernard Arnault, Mary Barra, Barbara Bush, Michael Bloomberg, John Elkann, Alex Gorsky, Timetheus Hottges, Robert Iger, Muhtar Kent, Coretta Scott King, Christine Lagarde, Brian Moynihan, Virginia Rometty, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Stephen Ross, Johann Peter Rupert, Daniel Vasella and Paul Volcker. About the Appeal of Conscience Foundation: The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, under the leadership of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, has worked worldwide on behalf of religious freedom, human rights, peace co-existence and mutual understanding since 1965. To uphold the principle "live and let live" is the Appeal of Conscience Foundation's continuing goal. An interfaith coalition of business, religious and foreign policy leaders, this international organization promotes mutual understanding, peace and interreligious cooperation and provides a voice of conscience to protect minorities. www.appealofconscience.org SOURCE The Appeal of Conscience Foundation Related Links http://www.appealofconscience.org [January 06, 2021] Prealize Launches 2021 State of Health Market Report PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Prealize, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled predictive analytics company, today announced the publication of a new report that explores key medical conditions payers and providers should proactively address in 2021. Healthcare utilization for preventive care, chronic care, and emergent care significantly decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will result in an influx of newly diagnosed and later stage conditions in 2021. Prealize's 2021 State of Health Market Report: Bracing for Impact identifies the top at-risk conditions based on Prealize's claims analysis and predictive analytics capabilities. Many procedures and diagnoses fell significantly in 2020, with several dropping nearly 50% below 2019 levels between March and June. Total healthcare utilization fell 23% between March and August 2020, compared to the same time period in 2019. An analysis of this data at the procedure and diagnosis level using Prealize's machine learning (ML) algorithms projected significant increases in several serious conditions, including heart disease, next year. The report's predictions for 2021 include: Cardiac diagnoses will increase by 18% for ischemic heart disease and 14% for congestive heart failure These increases will be driven by 2020 healthcare utilization declines, for example, patients deferring family medicine and internal medicine visits. These visits, which help flag cardiac problems and prevent them from escalating, declined 24% between March and August of 2020. "Cardiac illnesses are some of the most serious and potentially fatal, so delays in diagnosis can lead to significant adverse outcomes," said Gordon Norman , MD, Prealize's Chief Medical Officer. "Without early recognition and appropriate intervention, rates of patient hospitalization and death are likely to increase, as will associated costs of care." Cancer diagnoses will increase by 23% Similar to cardiac screening trends, significant declines in 2020 cancer screenings will be a key driver of this increase, with 46% fewer colonoscopies and 32% fewer mammograms performed between March and August 2020 than during that same time period in 2019. /li> than during that same time period in 2019. /li> "Cancer doesn't stop developing or progressing because there's a pandemic," said Ronald A. Paulus , MD, President and CEO at RAPMD Strategic Advisors, Immediate Past President and CEO of Mission Health, and one of the medical experts interviewed for the report. "In 2021, when patients who deferred care ultimately receive their diagnoses, their cancer sadly may be more advanced. In addition, an increase in newly diagnosed patients may make it harder for some patients to access care and specialistsparticularly for those patients who are insured by Medicaid or lack insurance altogether." Fractures will increase by 112% This finding, based on combined analysis of osteoporosis risk and fall risk, is particularly troubling for the elderly patient population. A key driver of increased fractures in 2021 is the number of postponed elective orthopedic procedures in 2020, such as hip and knee replacements. These procedural delays are likely to decrease mobility, and therefore, increase risk of fractures from falls. "In elderly patients, fractures are very serious events that too often lead to decreased overall mobility and quality of life," said Norman. "As a result, patients may suffer from physical follow-on events like pulmonary embolisms, and behavioral health concerns like increased social isolation." "Several factors contributed to these utilization declines, including patients' fear of COVID-19 infection and healthcare providers' decisions to delay certain procedures and appointments," said Mark Smith, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, another medical expert interviewed for the report. "We will continue to face unusual utilization patterns throughout 2021. It's a tumultuous time for providers and payers, unlike anything we have ever faced." "These predictions are daunting, but the key is that providers and payers take action now to mitigate their effects," said Prealize CEO Linda T. Hand. "It's going to be critical to gain insight into populations to understand their risk at an individual level, build trust, and treat their conditions as early as possible to improve outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged every aspect of our healthcare system, but the way to get ahead of these challenges in 2021 will be to proactively identify and address patients most at risk. We're going to see proactive care become an important driver for success next year, as providers and payers seek to mitigate unnecessary and expensive procedures that result from 2020's decreased medical utilization. The right predictive analytics partner will be critical to providers and payers being able to take the right course of action." Join Prealize on Jan. 20 and Jan. 27 to review the report's findings and their implications in two live virtual panel discussions. Register for the Jan. 20 event, which will feature a panel of patient engagement and experience improvement leaders, here. Register for the Jan. 27 event, which will feature a panel of physician leaders, here. Methodology Prealize accessed claims data for 581,645 patients between March and August 2020. These patients represent a wide range of ages across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid coverage. The data was compared to claims from the same time period and patient population in 2019. Prealize then applied over 50 machine-learning (ML) models built into its platform to project diagnostic and utilization trends for 2021. These ML models assess over 30 clinical drivers of future healthcare utilization to predict a patient's risk for being diagnosed with a clinical condition or needing a clinical procedure, up to 18 months before a claim is filed. About Prealize Prealize marries state-of-the-art AI-enabled data science with "next-best action" health insights. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company was founded by two industry thought leaders from Stanford University. Committed to transforming healthcare from reactive to proactive, reducing healthcare costs and enabling more people to live healthier lives, Prealize partners with health plans, employers and providers across the nation to positively influence the health trajectory of millions of people. For more information, visit www.prealizehealth.com or email info@prealizehealth.com. Media Contact Vanessa Ulrich (410) 534.1161 vulrich@sage-growth.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prealize-launches-2021-state-of-health-market-report-301201467.html SOURCE Prealize [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A 60-year-old New Jersey woman has been arrested after she was caught on video yelling racist slurs and profanities at a black woman she was following. Claudia Emanuele has been charged with bias intimidation and harassment stemming from her argument with 40-year-old Tameka Bordeaux in Bayonne on Monday afternoon. According to a statement from the Bayonne Police Department, Bordeaux had left her house on West 17th Street at around 3pm and observed Emanuele talking to a postal worker about the late delivery of her mail. Claudia Emanuele, 60 (left), has been arrested for bias intimidation and harassment after being caught on video hurling racial slurs at Tameka Bordeaux (right) in Bayonne, New Jersey Bordeaux on Monday recorded a series of video, showing Emanuele following her for several city blocks in Bayonne, New Jersey, and calling her the N-word and other names Emanuele accused Bordeaux of injecting herself into her conversation with a postal worker As Bordeaux approached Emanuele to offer some 'neighborly advice,' the 60-year-old proceeded to hurl a stream of foul-mouthed, racially-charged expletives at her, including the N-word. Bordeaux turned on her phone and recorded Emanuel heaping verbal abuse on her in public. In one of the clips she later shared on her Facebook page, Emanuele is seen gyrating her hips in a mocking gesture and accusing the victim of following her, even though she is the one who is seen walking behind her. 'I came out of my apartment, I talked to the mailman and I just wanted to know where my mail was, but she had to be an intrusion, she is not minding her business and she is a procrastinator and an instigator,' Emanuele says into the camera. 'You nasty f***ing wig-headed b****.' In another clip, Emanuele yells at Bordeaux: 'call the cops, you black f***ing n*****'. 'How long are you gonna follow me and call me a n*****?' Bordeaux calmly inquires of the woman. 'You went into my street, you followed me,' Emanuele shoots back, to which Bordeaux points out that she happens to live on the same block. As Bordeaux reaches a 7-11 convenience store on Avenue C, several bystanders come to her defense and yell at Emanuele to 'stop being a f***ing racist.' One of the passersby tells Bordeaux that she's got 'the patience of a saint' for showing restraint. Emanuele followed Bordeaux all the way to a convenience store on Avenue C, where several Good Samaritans came to the victim's defense and made her harasser leave Bordeaux explains to the other woman, who is white, that she was not going to react with aggression to Emanuele's provocations. 'I've been black for 40 years,' she says. 'N***** is not gonna do anything to me.' Police said a concerned citizen was able to step in and calm Emanuele down, ultimately coaxing her to leave the area. Bordeaux turned over her video evidence showing the confrontation to the police, sparking an investigation that quickly led to Emanuele, who was arrested the following afternoon. According to police, Emanuele had moved to Bayonne from Tennessee in September 2020. Bordeaux told local news outlets that the racial abuse has left her traumatized, especially given her grandparents' experience living in North Carolina during Jim Crow. Bordeaux, 40 (left and right), was universally applauded for showing restraint in the moment. She turned her footage to the police, leading to Emanuele's arrest 'I broke down, because those words are connected into some history,' she told WPIX11. State Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, who represents Hudson County, issued a statement, calling the incident a 'racist act' and demanding that Emanuele and others like her be held accountable for their actions. 'This behavior is becoming so common now that we simply refer to these racist people as Karen and let it go. I cant just do that,' she wrote. 'I put myself in Tamekas shoes and I know it had to take a lot of restraint for her to endure what she went through today. I thank her for being the strong black woman that she is to remain calm and reserved during the entire ordeal.' Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis also addressed the incident on Facebook, writing in part: 'the video content was appalling and certainly not indicative of who we are in Bayonne. Our community will continue to stand together and work to eliminate these acts of hatred.' In Russia, more than one million people have been vaccinated by Sputnik V, which is the countrys own medicine against the novel coronavirus. Russia started with vaccinating people over the age of 60, and as of now, more than 1.5 million vaccines have been delivered to various parts of the country. The mass vaccination campaign continues in the country with the aim of vaccinating every citizen. Current situation in Russia Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said that Sputnik V has at least 95 percent efficacy, adding that Russia has given the world good, safe, and efficient vaccine products. The Russian President thanked the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for producing the vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The Russian leader cited the health experts, saying that the shot hits 96-97 percent efficacy in one dose as it is administered into the patients body. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Putin will receive the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine soon. Read: Biden And Harris Meet US COVID-19 Team, Plan To Accelerate Vaccinations After Swearing-in Putin had given a green light to the Sputnik V vaccine back in August, making it the first vaccine in the world to get government approval. The COVID-19 pandemic which saw its first outbreak in a wet market in Wuhan, China last year has now spread all across the world. According to a tally by the Johns Hopkins University, Russia has a total of 3,308,601 cases with 59,951 fatalities. Russia announced to conduct a mass trial in October in order to ward off all the concerns surrounding the vaccine. Then in December, Putin directed his government to start a mass vaccination campaign in Moscow, prioritising high-risk groups. Children, pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions have been left out of the programme due to the non-availability of data to determine how the vaccine will react to them. Read: COVID-19: WHO Recommends Two Doses Of Pfizer And BioNTech Jabs Within 21-28 Days After Russia, Belarus is the first country to approve Sputnik V jabs and registered the vaccine on December 21. In a statement on its official website, Sputnik V wrote that the first doses of the vaccine arrived in Belarus as the erstwhile Soviet republic began its mass inoculation drive against coronavirus. The website also revealed that Russia Sovereign Wealth Fund (RDIF) has signed Belarusian pharmaceutical brand Belpharmprom to establish local production of Sputnik V in Belarus. Read: COVID-19: Nashik Sees 192 Cases, 3 Deaths; 235 Recover Also Read: Brazil's Manaus City Declares State Of Emergency Amid Rise In COVID-19 Cases (Image Credits: AP) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Paris: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in the US comprising of scientists from across the world, including those from India, has announced that the team has yet again detected gravitational waves for the third time. The gravitational waves are the ripples in the space that were first predicted by Albert Einstein more than a century ago. The detection of third gravitational waves was made by LIGO on January 4 this year. The detection has firmly opened a new window in astronomy. The extremely sensitive LIGO detectors can hear the gravitational waves as they pass though the Earth. While the first gravitational waves were detected in September 2015 during the first observing run, a second detection was made in December 2015. The latest gravitational waves detection has been described in a new paper accepted for publication in the journal Physical Review Letters. Just like the first two detections, the waves occurred when two black holes merged to form a larger black hole. "Our handful of detections so far is revealing an intriguing black hole population we did not know existed until now," said Northwestern University's Vicky Kalogera, a senior astrophysicist with the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC).The new gravitational wave detection is called GW170104. It took place during the ongoing second observing run of the Advanced LIGO detectors which began on November 30, 2016. 40 authors in the publication belong to 11 Indian institutions. Under the leadership of Dr Chandra Kant Mishra, IIT-Madras recently joined the LSC as one of the participating institutes. Led by Dr K.G. Arun, the Chennai Mathematical Institute has also been contributing to the activities. The IIT-Madras team models the sources of the gravitational wave such as the ones detected by the LIGO detectors so far. They also test the consistency of the detected gravitational wave signals with the predictions of Einstein's general theory of relativity. The latest detection of gravitational waves shows how the black holes located twice as far away from Earth as the two earlier pairs about three billion light-years away merge. This time around, the size of the two black holes was different with one significantly lighter than the other. They merged and formed a black hole whose size is in the middle of the other two merged black hole pairs. "Now we have three pairs of black holes, each pair ending their death spiral dance over millions or billions of years in some of the most powerful explosions in the universe. In astronomy, we say with three objects of the same type you have a class. We have a population, and we can do analysis," Kalogera added. The newly formed black hole has a mass of about 49 times that of our sun. This fills in a gap between the masses of the two merged black holes that were previously detected by LIGO. They had solar masses of 62 (first detection) and 21 (second detection). "We have further confirmation of the existence of black holes that are heavier than 20 solar masses, objects we didn't know existed before LIGO detected them," said David Shoemaker of MIT, the newly elected spokesperson for the LSC. India is also working towards setting up of its own LIGO observatory and the move had received approval from the cabinet in February last year. The LIGO observatory in India once set up will greatly enhance the scientific capabilities of the international network of observatories for astronomy. Scientific and engineering teams at IPR Gandhinagar, IUCAA Pune and RRCAT Indore are actively involved in the pre-construction activities of LIGO-India. Indias contribution in gravitational waves detection: ALSO READ | China building Gravitational waves observatory worth $18.8 million close to border with India Indias strong efforts have been involved in these detections that were made by contribution from researchers from across the world. The scientists from India have performed foundational work over the last three decades in modelling the signal waveforms and developing mathematical techniques to search for gravitational wave signals in noisy data. "With the third definite detection of from a coalescing black hole binary, we have discovered a new class of astrophysical sources to test Einstein's theory of general relativity in extreme conditions," Bala Iyer, the Principal Investigator of the Indian team in LIGO said. ALSO READ | Albert Einstein Institute's scientist terms gravitational waves detection as most important scientific discovery of 2015 For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. [January 06, 2021] Total Network Services Corp. Announces Kevin L. Jackson San Diego, CA, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) Total Network Services Corp., a San Diego-based blockchain services company (TNS or the Company), today announced that Kevin L. Jackson has been appointed to the Companys Board of Directors and will also be serving as SVP Channel Sales, leading its efforts to develop and manage sales into the telecommunications services and infrastructure segment. Mr. Jackson has significant senior management experience, including strategy development and plan execution in addition to being a globally recognized technologist, corporate advisor, thought leader and best-selling author. He has also been recognized as a Top 5G Influencer (5G Radar (2020), Onalytica, (2020)), a Top Internet of Things Influencer ( Insight.Tech (2020), IoT Community (2020)), digital transformation expert (Thinkers 360 (2020), IBM Smarter Business Review (2020)), and provides integrated social media services to AT&T, Bosch, Ericsson, and other leading companies. As an associate consultant with A.T. Kearney, he provided cloud computing and cybersecurity management consulting services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Other internationally recognizable firms that have sponsored articles authored by him include Cisco, Microsoft, Citrix, and IBM. Mr. Jackson has also been featured in podcasts and online videos with Dell, Intel Corporation, OReilly Media, and National Public Radio. Mr. Jacksons commercial experience includes Vice President J.P. Morgan Chase, orldwide Sales Executive for IBM and SAIC (Engility) Director Cloud Solutions. He has served on teams that have supported digital transformation projects for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the US Intelligence Community. Kevins formal education includes a MS Computer Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School; MA National Security & Strategic Studies from Naval War College; and a BS Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Kevin is a tremendous addition to our team, said Thomas N. Carter, TNS Chairman and CEO. Kevins extensive telecommunications background and business development skills should help our Company establish and strengthen channel partnerships, develop strategic alliances and expand our sales presence. We believe his strong leadership experience will help focus TNS in its commercialization efforts and the execution of our plan. Mr. Jackson said that, Blockchain is quickly becoming a foundational technology for financial services, supply chain operations, cybersecurity and many other critical business processes. I look forward advancing blockchains business utility through the unique and interoperable services enabled by the TNS Blockchain global cloud infrastructure. About Total Network Services, Corp. Total Network Services Corp. (TNS or the Company) was formed to develop blockchain-focused technologies to enhance consumer and business adoption of digital assets and digital securities. The Companys current products and services are Digital Names, human readable public keys for digital wallets, and the TNS Blockchain and Network Hosting Solutions. In addition, TNS is developing a proprietary digital wallet with global interoperability that it expects will be commercial ready in the Q1, 2021. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact. Additional information regarding factors that could materially affect results and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein may be requested of the Company at TNSCorp.io For more information contact: Thomas Carter Phone: 760 212-4283 Email: thomas@dlbx.io [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A post-Christmas shuffle has led to some big changes in Manitobas cabinet. Advertisement Advertise With Us A post-Christmas shuffle has led to some big changes in Manitobas cabinet. After musing in a year-end interview that he might appoint a second health minister to assist Cameron Friesen, Premier Brian Pallister has put Heather Stefanson in charge of that portfolio and made Southdale MLA Audrey Gordon minister of mental health, wellness and recovery. With Gordons appointment, she becomes the first Black cabinet minister in Manitobas history after being one of the first three Black MLAs ever elected in the province during the 2019 provincial election. Former health minister Friesen is now minister of justice, taking over from Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen, who is now minister of education, taking over from Kelvin Goertzen, who is now minister of legislative affairs and deputy premier. The Sun requested an interview with Cullen about his new role but did not get a response by deadline. A new portfolio was created for Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko, who is now minister of advanced education, skills and immigration. Previously, post-secondary education was handled by economic development. There are now 18 members of cabinet, compared to 15 previously. One-half of the Progressive Conservative caucus 36 members are now part of cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony at the legislature in Winnipeg was closed to the public. Pallister and Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon introduced and swore in cabinet members. Only three ministers were brought into the room at a time, with tables and chairs being sanitized between waves. In an early afternoon media conference, Pallister called the shuffle a hopeful occasion. During his opening remarks, the premier mentioned immigration, addictions and economic recovery as some of his priorities for 2021. Asked why he decided to add more cabinet members when his government has asked organizations like school divisions to cut the number of administrative staff they employ, Pallister said those moves were to reduce the size of middle management to address the deficit left by the previous government. "By adding senior cabinet positions to portfolios such as newly created departments that focus on addictions and wellness, were demonstrating our understanding thats going to be and continues to be a significant challenge for the people of our province," he said. The premier would not define the responsibilities of the new minister of mental health, saying mandate letters for all new and existing cabinet members would be issued. However, he said that he couldnt think of a time when it would be more important to expand addictions and mental health programming. Despite Friesen receiving criticism for his handling of the pandemic and comments made about doctors in November, Pallister was adamant that Friesens shuffling was not a demotion or punishment. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cameron Friesen or he wouldnt be our new attorney general and justice minister," he said. "As far as being health minister over the last two and a half years, thats probably a longer term for health minister than most in Canada. I can only say that Cameron Friesen took on the job without knowing COVID was on the horizon and I dont think theres a person in this province who would have wanted to do the job he undertook as a leader in our health department over the last number of months." Asked if Friesen had wanted a new portfolio, the premier was blunt. "It doesnt matter, frankly. Its what the premier wants. What the premier wants is to make sure that people who are capable are in roles of responsibility and thats what the premier got today." When the NDP were last in power, Pallister criticized them for having 19 ministers and pledged to reduce that amount by one-third. With his own cabinet reaching 18 members, he was asked if hed changed his mind. His response was that after several years in power, he now has more MLAs with legislative experience to choose from when forming a cabinet. "We didnt want to put people into positions of power and influence until they were ready," he said. He also downplayed the idea that the cabinet shuffle was an effort to distract Manitobans from his governments low polling numbers, calling the idea "a ludicrous assertion that doesnt deserve to be responded to." Speaking to the Sun Tuesday afternoon, Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew was unimpressed by the shuffle. "If you cut through it all, what they did today is they fired their health minister and I think everyone in Manitoba knows why," Kinew said. "This second wave has not gone well for the province and so this is Mr. Pallister admitting that this has been a failure and shuffling things around a bit to cover over that change." He believes that the cabinet shuffle wont make much of a difference, with most of the same players still involved. On the topic of the new minister for mental health, Kinew said his party has had a critic for mental health issues for more than a year after pledging to do just the same with the portfolio in the last provincial election. "For me, the big takeaway is that nobody was demoted and hes growing the size of the cabinet," Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont told the Sun by phone. "Fully half the PC caucus is in cabinet. If people were expecting that theyd see a change in the middle of code red ... thats not at all whats happening because its not just that nobodys been demoted, but nobodys being held to account." He believed that Goertzen and Friesen maintaining prominence in cabinet showed a lack of accountability from the governing party. Rather than making mental health its own department, Lamont said he believes that breaking seniors issues off of health to make a separate ministry would have been more impactful. The Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations sent the Sun a statement from president Scott Forbes expressing optimism with advanced education becoming a stand-alone ministry. "Since this government has taken office and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen cuts to post-secondary funding as tuition fees have increased, while the province continues to interfere in the operations of our institutions," Forbes wrote. "We sincerely hope that this shuffle signifies a shift away from the austerity and Americanization of our universities, rather than an attempt to distract Manitobans from the governments record during the pandemic." cslark@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ColinSlark BREAKOUT BOX: Manitobas new cabinet The following is a full list of the new cabinet members: Brian Pallister Premier and minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Heather Stefanson Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living (was minister of families and deputy premier) Kelvin Goertzen Minister of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Premier (was minister of education) Cliff Cullen Minister of Education (was minister of justice) Ralph Eichler Minister of Economic Development and Jobs (was minister of economic development and training) Cameron Friesen Minister of Justice (was minister of health, seniors and active living) Rochelle Squires Minister of Families and Francophone Affairs Wayne Ewasko Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration (not previously in cabinet) Derek Johnson Minister of Municipal Relations (not previously in cabinet) Audrey Gordon Minister for Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery Ron Schuler Minister of Infrastructure (remains in place) Blaine Petersen Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development (remains in place) Eileen Clarke Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs (remains in place) Cathy Cox Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage and minister responsible for the status of women (remains in place) Scott Fielding Minister of Finance (remains in place) Jeff Wharton Minister of Crown Services (remains in place) Reg Helwer Minister of Central Services (remains in place) Sarah Guillemard Minister of Conservation and Climate (remains in place) The Brandon Sun British supermarkets enjoyed their busiest month on record in December as shoppers splashed out nearly 12billion on champagne, salmon and other festive treats. The closure of many pubs and restaurants helped to smash the previous record for monthly spending of 11billion in November said retail researcher Kantar. Yesterday, Morrisons, the first Big Four grocer to provide an update, said there was a 9.3 per cent rise in sales over the three weeks to January 3. Christmas blowout: The closure of many pubs and restaurants prompted shoppers to hunker down at home with extra food and drink this Christmas Best-sellers included Christmas pudding and mince pies. Champagne sales popped 64 per cent higher, while salmon sales leapt 40 per cent. Chief executive David Potts said: 'I'm very pleased with the way the Morrisons team has helped our customers enjoy their Christmas in the best way they could.' Kantar said overall spending on whole turkeys was 5 per cent lower and sales of pork joints up 19 per cent instead. Sales of sprouts rose 11 per cent. Fraser McKevitt, Kantar head of retail research, said: 'It seems many families decided to pare things back slightly.' Morrisons expects a full-year profit of 420million to 440million, before it returns 230million of pandemic business rates relief. It expects its pandemic costs to be 280million for the year and will press ahead with a 96.4million dividend, worth 4p per share, on January 25. Kantar said Morrisons was the fastest-growing Big Four supermarket in the run-up to December, with spending up an estimated 13.7 per cent to about 3.2billion in the 12 weeks to November 29. Its market share rose from 10.1 per cent in 2019 to 10.3 per cent in 2020. Tesco's share shrank from 27.3 per cent to 27 per cent, Asda fell from 14.6 per cent to 14.1 per cent while Sainsbury's held firm at 15.7 per cent. Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, on Sep. 29, 2020. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters) UK: Hong Kongs National Security Law Used to Crush Dissents The UKs Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday said that the national security law imposed on Hong Kong is being used to crush dissent and their views. The statement came after 53 pro-democracy figures were arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday morningthe largest mass arrest so far since the national security law went into effect on June 30. The mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong is a grievous attack on Hong Kongs rights and freedoms as protected under the Joint Declaration, Raab said in a statement. These arrests demonstrate that the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities deliberately misled the world about the true purpose of the National Security Law, which is being used to crush dissent and opposing political views, he added. The UK will not turn our backs on the people of Hong Kong and will continue to offer British Nationals (Overseas) the right to live and work in the UK. The mass arrest of politicians & activists in Hong Kong is a grievous attack on rights and freedoms. These arrests demonstrate the intended use of the National Security law is to clamp down on dissent and opposing political views.https://t.co/geroW3SENO Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) January 6, 2021 Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy earlier urged Raab to speak to Parliament on the mass arrest in Hong Kong. Democracy is being dismantled in Hong Kong. China is undermining the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Basic Law and further disregarding its commitments under the Joint Declaration, Nandy said in a tweet. The Foreign Secretary must make a statement to Parliament. Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, has urged the European Parliament to reject the investment agreement the European Commission reached with the Chinese regime last week following the mass arrests. He said it would be surely inconceivable for the European Parliament to support the miserable draft deal the European Commission reached with Beijing on Dec. 30, which he called a massive strategic blunder. Patten added that it was extraordinary that the EU seems to believe that China can be trusted to sign up to international labor standards. EU spokesman Peter Stano told a press conference that the arrests in Hong Kong send the signal that political pluralism is no longer tolerated in Hong Kong. He also said that the security law is being used to crush dissent and stifle the exercise of human rights and political freedoms. More than 50 pro-democracy activists, former lawmakers, and politicians were arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning on suspicion of subversion, a crime under Beijings national security law, for their roles in a primary vote held by the pan-democracy camp to pick candidates to run in the since-canceled 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) elections. Alexander Zhang, Frank Fang, and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. We need to have a shift in national awareness in terms of a shared sense of emergency. Until this virus is brought under control, the implementation of draconian measures is unavoidable. If we are to move beyond the constraints of lockdown, we have to concentrate on locking the virus out. Here responsibility rests not just with health chiefs and Government, but with each of us. HSE chief Paul Reid tells us his service is under real threat as swabbing centres are finding positivity rates of up to 55pc. His appeal for people to stay at home has to be heeded. Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has also said the health service simply cannot cope with the level of infection. More starkly still, he says this wave of coronavirus will put too many people in funeral homes. If this chilling comment does not speak to the threshold of danger we have arrived at, its hard to imagine what will. Our over-riding obligation is to co-operate to protect peoples lives and health. Strict adherence to basic measures such as wearing masks and avoiding enclosed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings is essential, Getting the roll-out of the vaccine right is also fundamental to regaining control, and maintaining public confidence in the States ability to get us beyond this flashpoint. Total clarity on the rules of supply distribution, availability and deliverance will be demanded. All must be achieved in record time as the new, more contagious, strain is circulating. There has been criticism of the EU for dragging its feet on vaccine approval. Yet it is currently negotiating with Pfizer and BioNTech on a deal that could double the supply of vaccine. It is also expected to shortly approve the use of the Moderna vaccine. Each time we feel we have chopped off the head of the virus, it confounds us by growing another. Parents will be devastated as schools could be closed indefinitely. But as Taoiseach Micheal Martin stressed, the need to reduce mobility is obvious. There is an issue in terms of having a million people on the go, he said. And it is hard to argue with him in the context of positivity rates of 55pc. It is hardly the start to the new year we imagined. But although it will be difficult, the situation is far from hopeless. As Dr Holohan said: We need to act like its March again. We would express some optimism that if we get that message across and begin to get these measures in place, we might see a significant decrease happening quite quickly. Some governments are even asking whether previous tactics of quarantine and tracing will be sufficient if the new strain spirals. The philosopher Eric Hoffer said: Our greatest weariness comes from our work not done. We know what must be done and, weary or not, there can be no avoiding it. NEWSALERT-ITALY-ACCIDENT-ARRESTS Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP)Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP) IND Members of the New Jerseys congressional delegation reacted with disgust and concern as supporters of President Trump breached the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon, setting off violent clashes with police and forcing the complex into chaos. The violence began as both chambers of Congress debated the Electoral College vote to confirm Joe Bidens victory as president. The scene in the Capitol goes against every value we pledge to uphold as a nation, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, said on Twitter. Democracy will prevail. Videos shared on social media showed people storming the U.S. Capitol, smashing windows and fighting officers. Vice President Mike Pence was taken to safety while presiding over the vote process. Washington D.C. officials issued a curfew as crowds swarmed the building, which was closed. Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) APAP The president of the United States today encouraged a violent attack on the United States Capitol, said U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist. My staff and I are safe. Its disgraceful that Trump and his allies have enabled this violence and attacks on our democracy. Grateful to the Capitol Police for keeping us safe. Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) January 6, 2021 Every American should watch what is happening on the steps of the Capitol as rightwing mobs attack police while here inside republicans try to overturn the election. The two are complementary attacks on democracy. Thank you to brave Capitol Police for keeping all of us safe. https://t.co/MzVAm5x5UZ Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) January 6, 2021 I was on the floor but I am safe with my brave staff. What we are witnessing is an attempted coup directly incited by the criminal in the White House. It will fail. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) January 6, 2021 This is a dark day for our democracy and our country. The Capitol is a sacred land in our nation and should not be a place under siege. I am safe but heartbroken by this assault on our beautiful Capitol and our democracy. RepAndyKim (@RepAndyKimNJ) January 6, 2021 Radical GOP members on House floor (which is now locked down) just cheered the Capitol police, as the mob they incited and invited attacks police outside the building. Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) January 6, 2021 To all those who are worried about me, Im safe on the Capitol grounds. The moment we get the all clear, I say we go right back in the Chamber and finish the damn job. Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) January 6, 2021 President Trumps disdain for our democracy is in full view. The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but no one has the right to commit these heinous acts of violence just because they disagree with the outcome of an election. Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) January 6, 2021 Many have asked so I want to confirm that I am safe. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) January 6, 2021 Trump has incited this riot, a coup. This is a direct attack on our democracy.https://t.co/4AECELChPp Donald Norcross (@DonaldNorcross) January 6, 2021 The Associated Press contributed to this report. You are the owner of this article. Britain's advertising watchdog has launched an investigation into no-frills carrier Ryanair, after receiving 1,600 complaints about an ad that suggested consumers should 'jab & go'. The Advertising and Standards Authority said on Monday that some consumers objected to the ad, which featured a syringe and a small bottle labelled 'vaccine'. The ad promoted flights to sunny European destinations and offered seats for 19.99 ($27), telling customers to 'jab & go'. Britain's advertising watchdog has launched an investigation into no-frills carrier Ryanair, after receiving 1,600 complaints about this ad, which suggested consumers should 'jab & go' Some argued the jab & go ad was misleading to suggest the vaccine will be rolled out across the population by the spring and summer and that travel restrictions would be over A voiceover on the TV version of the ad said: 'Vaccines are coming, so book your Easter and summer holidays today with Ryanair. One million seats on sale for 19.99 to sunshine destinations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and many more so you can jab and go.' Some argued it was misleading to suggest the vaccine will be rolled out across the population by the spring and that travel restrictions would be over. Others objected to what they saw as the trivialisation of the impact of the pandemic on society. Britain ramped up its vaccination program on Monday by becoming the first nation to start using the shot developed by Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca. But it's unclear how quickly the nation can be vaccinated, as it is a huge endeavour with little precedent. The budget carrier said the ads were factually accurate, given that two vaccines have been approved for use in the U.K. It also confirmed that bookings could be changed without fees. A voiceover on the TV ad said: 'Vaccines are coming, so book your Easter and summer holidays today with Ryanair. One million seats on sale for 19.99 to sunshine destinations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and many more so you can jab and go' The carrier said in a statement: 'Our ad is factually accurate, vaccines are coming (two are already approved) and this will enable passengers to book much needed sunshine breaks for Easter and Summer 2021 and avail of Ryanairs low prices. 'The ad also confirms that any such bookings can be changed free of charge if customer plans change, which gives Ryanair customers even more assurances when they make Easter or Summer 2021 bookings now. 'Some critics wish to complain just for the sake of getting noticed when it is clear that vaccines will mean an end to Covid travel restrictions in mid-2021.' In more positive news for Ryanair, it was recently named by AirlineRatings.com as one of the top 10 safest low-cost airlines for 2021. In alphabetical order, they are Air Arabia, Allegiant, easyJet, Frontier, Jetstar Group, Jetblue, Ryanair, Vietjet, Westjet, and Wizz Air. A spur of the moment decision to travel to Melbourne for a weekend away has turned into a nightmare for a Sydney couple anxious to get home to their young family. Clinton Hamence, 42, and Jennifer Papaconstuntinos, 44, weren't told they would have to endure 14 days hotel quarantine when they left NSW for Victoria on New Year's Day - after 'doing their research' and obtaining permits to visit for 48 hours. Thinking they would only be away for two nights, Ms Papaconstuntinos left her three sons Josiah, 14, Jaydon, 11, and Jacob, 7, with her mother, who suffered a brain aneurysm 18 months ago. They received a rude shock upon arrival in Melbourne, where they were told they would spend the next fortnight in quarantine under new travel restrictions due to the fresh coronavirus outbreaks in Victoria and New South Wales. It may be another nine days before the couple are reunited with the boys and now regret their decision to fly to Melbourne at short notice last Friday morning. A weekend away in Melbourne has turned into two weeks of hotel quarantine hell for Jennifer Papaconstuntinos (left) and partner Clinton Hamence (right). They are pictured in their hotel on Wednesday 'We did some homework and were told we were all sweet to go, as long as we arrived before 11.59pm. Why would we come to Melbourne if that wasn't the case?,' Mr Hamence told Daily Mail Australia. The couple are furious no one at Sydney Airport 'didn't tell them what they were flying into' in Melbourne and that they would be taken to mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival. They said they would never have got on the plane and left the children behind had they been told - and are perplexed as to why they weren't allowed to catch the next plane home to Sydney instead of being hauled to a hotel. They said they spent five hours without food or able to use the toilet before they were eventually escorted onto a bus. The tired and hungry detained travellers sat on the bus for another 90 minutes before they were transported to the nearby Holiday Inn. Despite been considered a health risk, Mr Hamence and Ms Papaconstuntinos claim they were joined by members of the public while sitting at the airport terminal, sharing a photo with Daily Mail Australia. Despite been considered a health risk, Mr Hamence and Papaconstuntinos claim they were joined by members of the public while sitting in the airport terminal Jennifer Papaconstuntinos (left) and partner Clinton Hamence (right) are desperate to get home to her three sons. They're pictured with her youngest two boys Mr Hamence said the couple weren't tested for coronavirus and didn't have their temperature checked until Monday, day four of quarantine. 'It's been absolutely awful. We're trying to make the most of it but we can't open any windows or step outside our door,' he said. He's also concerned about the additional burden on Victorian taxpayers forking out for the quarantine of interstate travellers. Back home in Sydney, Ms Papaconstuntinos' mum has needed help in looking after her grandsons due to her condition. 'The youngest one Jacob is freaking out, not knowing when he's going to see us again,' Mr Hamence said. 'Josiah has had to look after his younger brothers quite a lot.' The couple successfully obtained valid permits (pictured) to enter Victoria, but say they weren't told they'd need to quarantine A plumber on casual pay, Mr Hamence is unable to earn an income while he's in stuck in quarantine and hasn't ruled out legal action. 'I've lost at least two weeks of plumbing jobs until I get back to work, which should have been on Monday,' he said. He has been in contact with his local federal MP Matt Thistlewaite, who's lobbying the Victorian government on their behalf and as ask for an exemption to be granted. Mr Hamence also says he's been repeatedly told by medical staff from Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services they have compassionate grounds to be freed early because of their family situation back home. 'All we want is for common sense to prevail so we can get the hell out of here and get back home, instead of being held against out will,' he said. 'I understand they're trying to keep coronavirus out of the state but the situation hasn't been handled the right way.' Mr Hamence (left) regards himself as a father figure to his partner Jennifer's children The pair are among 170 NSW returned travellers taken into quarantine in Melbourne in the last three weeks after an outbreak emerged on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Fellow Sydneysiders Dominic Galati, 58, and Zaklina Blazeski, 42, are in a similar situation after they arrived in Melbourne for a weekend business trip on Friday afternoon. Rather than be sent back to their Sydney home in Millers Point, they were told they must remain in hotel quarantine for 14 days. The couple were concerned about their lengthy stay because Ms Blazeski has a seven-year-old child in Sydney and does not have her thyroid medication. 'If they change the rules they should have said you have to go back to Sydney and not enter, basically and that's what we wanted to do and they didn't allow us to board the flight,' Mr Galati told The Australian. He said the couple were involved in a two-hour stand off after being approached by health officers, who informed the couple their permits were no longer valid. While in the presence of health officers Mr Galati went online and applied for several new permits. 'We did the process online and we were granted permits again so we did it again so we got six permits again in total allowing us to come into Victoria. They said 'No, you're going into quarantine here at the hotel,' he said. Ms Blazeski said she did not receive any food or water until seven hours later. The couple are now planning to launch legal action over the matter. Clinton and Jennifer have penned a letter explaining their reasons to get back home to Sydney The DHHS says it has no record of entry permits for Mr Galati and Ms Blazeski, who nominate Sydney as their place of residence. 'We are proactively reviewing the circumstances of people travelling from NSW to assess whether their mandatory quarantine can be carried out elsewhere,' a department spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Not everyone will be eligible for this exemption - border closures, quarantine and isolation requirements are based on public health advice and are designed to protect the Victorian community.' The DHHS is yet to comment on the case of Mr Hamence and his partner. Victoria has declared Greater Sydney and NSW Central Coast a red zone, meaning anyone who has visited these communities since December 11 can't cross the order. Anyone from these areas in breach of this order will be subject to 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine. Clinton Hamence (left) and Jennifer Papaconstuntinos (right) now regret their decision to travel to Melbourne for a weekend away Canberra Raiders star is forced into hotel quarantine with his devastated partner after going on holiday to Covid-riddled NSW days before borders shut - as he compares the conditions to PRISON An NRL star has vented his fury and publicly pleaded for help after he was ordered into hotel quarantine in Victoria, which he compared to as similar to prison conditions. Canberra Raiders halfback George Williams and his partner Charlotte Lewis are holed up in a Melbourne hotel for 14 days isolation after flying in from the nation's capital on Monday. The couple had no idea until they arrived in Melbourne of their fate after they spent two days in Batemans Bay on the New South Wales south coast last week. Victoria has closed its borders to NSW as both states battle fresh coronavirus outbreaks. NRL star George Williams and his partner Charlotte Lewis spent two days in Batemans Bay last week, which has landed them in hotel quarantine after flying to Melbourne on Monday. They're pictured enjoying a night at the fair in Batemans Bay last week The couple had gone on holiday to Batemans Bay from December 28 to December 30, before travelling to the ACT with the intention of flying back to Melbourne on January 3. The England-born NRL star, 26, explained the couple checked several times with the Canberra airport beforehand and were informed they were fine to fly back to Victoria. He took to social media to express his outrage at the situation, which he urged everyone to share. Williams also uploaded photos of his detention notice and distraught partner in distress while sitting on her luggage. 'As we landed in Victoria, the rules had now changed literally within an hour of leaving so we had to go straight into mandatory hotel quarantine for two weeks,' Williams posted. 'The detention notice states interstate hot or red zone arrivals, which Batemans Bay or ACT is neither so thats false. 'This is something we and other ACT travellers was not aware of and there are many in the same situation as on the same Virgin Australia flight who cant understand this at all, again the airline at Canberra Airport that told us we was safe to travel without any restrictions.' The state closed its borders to NSW on New Year's Eve as the state battled a fresh Covid outbreak, with any travellers returning after 11.59pm on January 1 required to enter hotel quarantine. The NRL star and his partner (pictured) were unaware they would have to go into hotel quarantine when they arrived in Melbourne on Monday George Williams and his partner Charlotte (pictured on Christmas Day) have been forced into quarantine Williams also shared an insight into their first night of hotel quarantine, where he described the conditions as similar to prison. 'The rooms are very small with a window you cannot open meaning fresh air is unavailable to us for two weeks,' he posted. 'We are not even allowed to leave the room?! Sorry but criminals all get one hour a day fresh air or out of their cell. HOW IS THIS FAIR? This is wrong. Help!' He ended the lengthy post with the hashtag #freeus. Matt Wally Urban Technologies, Innovation & Environment Committee July 2020 Worcester Regional Research Bureau Holden Street Shore Drive Worcester Massachusetts Department of Transportation 9:53 a.m. 3:28 p.m. 6 p.m. Tim MacDonald Worcester Fitness Maura Healey Chloe Gotsis Paul Matthews Research Bureau Alex Guardiola Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Timothy Murray Worcester The Research Bureau July 7 The Research Bureau Worcester (TNS) A network fiber break that knocked out the internet for a good chunk of the city Monday has leaders refocused on improving local broadband connectivity and the option of municipal broadband, saying that the future depends on fast, reliable internet.I think the pandemic has shined a spotlight on inequalities and one of those inequalities is the digital divide, District 5 City Councilor, chair of the citys, said Tuesday. The internet certainly isnt a leisure activity: it affects our health through telemedicine, our economic development, our learning, etc. Thats why I was pretty frustrated (Monday) and a lot of frustration also comes from my constituents.A spokesperson for Charter-Spectrum which provides service for more than 99% of the citys internet users, according to areport by the said in an email Tuesday that a network fiber break knocked out internet, video and voice services in the areas ofandinin the late morning Monday.The break occurred following some preparatory work for a localproject, the spokesperson said, and the outage lasted until early evening. The company re-spliced more than 430 pieces of fiber to fix the outage and a team was onsite throughout, the spokesperson said. They referred questions regarding credit to the companys customer service team.The spokesperson declined to issue a statement for customers impacted by the break and declined to answer if there was anything that the company could do or is doing to prevent an outage from happening again in the future.Residents first received a text notification from Charter-Spectrum atconcerning an outage that crews expected to be resolved by noon. A half-hour later another text message said restoration work was taking longer than expected, and anotification said service was estimated to be restored byThe outage demonstrated the extent to which businesses, education institutions and others are dependent on the internet.There was not much we could do, unfortunately, these days everything runs on computers, said, owner of. We couldnt sell anything, unless with cash, all our scheduling is by computer. ... We were walking around crippled but there was nothing we could do.A spokeswoman for Attorney Generalconcurred.This experience highlights how essential internet service is to our daily lives, especially during this time of remote learning and working,, spokeswoman for Healey, said in a statement. We expect internet providers to identify issues before service is impacted, and to resolve outages quickly.The outage also demonstrated the extent to which residents are dependent on Charter - Spectrum.Residents dont have a choice, theyre stuck with Spectrum, Wally said. But weve got to make sure that everyone has access to fast, reliable internet access., executive director of the, agreed.(Mondays) outage illustrated the dependence of those in the city who have internet access dependent upon Charter-Spectrum and the lack of alternatives, Matthews said.But its not as if the problem of relying on a single internet service provider was unforeseen.Weve been trying to push people along on this issue,, director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the, said in an interview Tuesday. He and chamber President and CEOcited two chamber reports within the past five years that have examined the citys suitability for enhanced internet access.The substance of the reports is weve got to do as much as we can to leverage and push these companies to invest in, and I think we can be doing more, Murray said. This situation, the whole COVID-19 situation, has underscored an awareness of this.is also beating the drum.posited that municipal broadband internet service would provide better internet access toresidents 33% of whom lack access to broadband and 18% of whom lack internet access of any kind, the report found and could lower prices and increase connection speeds by ending Charter-Spectrums monopoly as the only wired broadband provider in the city. The bureau also noted that such a municipally run service, which the report said was increasingly deemed "essential," could lead to more equity and economic development.The report made four major recommendations: to encourage Charter-Spectrum to expand broadband services; to investigate the cost of all options for municipal broadband which could range from a public/private partnership to a municipally run system similar to a municipal light company; to examine plans in process in other communities investigating or using municipal broadband; and to work with congressional and state delegations to encourage resources to help address the situation.The city has made a real effort here and continues to make a real effort ... to continue to explore any and all means addressing this going forward, Matthews said. This is going to be an ongoing issue for the foreseeable future, not just for the pandemic; but its really illustrating the importance of the internet to our future.Wally said he is eager to address the issue of internet availability and a potential municipal broadband network in his urban technology committee. But he raised several questions that still need to be answered before residents can download on a new network.What is the feasibility, what is the cost, and what can we do as a city to move down this road, Wally said. Thats our role: to decide if this is something we want to do. Thats our role: to get the answers to all the questions once we know what the questions are. Core upgrade and integrated suite of banking solutions promises to future-proof bank's investment, with technology that can evolve with its changing needs LAKE MARY, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra today announced that Bank of Prairie du Sac, a community bank outside of Madison, WI, will upgrade its core operating system to Fusion Phoenix to future-proof its technology. The open, modern core built on Microsoft technology, cloud delivery, and seamless integration with other technologies provided by Finastra, will improve the end-customer experience and support the bank's growth strategy, with technology that can evolve with its changing needs. "Our customers are our most important asset, and it is vital that our technology investment yields meaningful benefits for them," said Brett Kirner, CIO, Bank of Prairie du Sac. "Based on our long relationship with Finastra, we trusted that their vision for open finance would translate to a core which could grow and evolve with the latest technology innovations to satisfy our customers and serve our goals for continued growth. Cloud hosting means easy scalability and less time spent on technology maintenance, increasing our capacity to serve our customers." Seamless integration with the other Finastra solutions used by the bank - including Fusion Digital Banking, Fusion LaserPro, and others - will not only generate increased efficiencies, but also provides peace of mind that the core migration will be smooth. In addition, these integrations will result in an enterprise suite of solutions that provides more actionable insight via a 360-degree view of the customer and makes common tasks even more efficient. "Community banks need to remain nimble and have a modern infrastructure in place that allows them to respond to changing customer behavior and market demands, which directly impacts customer service, profitability, agility, efficiency and growth," said Chris Zingo, SVP and GM of Americas Field Operations, Finastra. "With Fusion Phoenix core, Bank of Prairie du Sac will be well-positioned to meet these challenges head on, to evolve their business and grow effortlessly." finastra.com About Finastra Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Corporate headquarters 4 Kingdom Street Paddington London W2 6BD United Kingdom T: +44 20 3320 5000 North American headquarters 744 Primera Boulevard Suite 2000 Lake Mary, FL 32746 United States T: +1 800 989 9009 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/967510/Finastra_Logo.jpg Todays violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attack on American democracy itself. I condemn todays violence in the strongest terms & perpetrators deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I also thank Capitol Police for protecting our Capitol & staff ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 6, 2021 THREAD: Many times, since being elected to Congress, I have voiced support for lawful protest, and have strongly condemned acts of violence and anarchy, routinely perpetrated by leftist activists. 1/5 Congressman Jim Hagedorn (@RepHagedorn) January 6, 2021 When I joined the military, I took an oath to defend my country against all threats, foreign and domestic. These are seditionists. These are domestic enemies. These are the same people refusing to wear masks because they feel it's their right to spread coronavirus. Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) January 6, 2021 I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment. Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate. We cant allow him to remain in office, its a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath. Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 6, 2021 The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building. Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021 Standing with and praying for the brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police and all who have been endangered by the violence and unrest happening at our nations capital. This behavior is unacceptable and not who we are as Americans. Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) January 6, 2021 Thanks to all who are putting themselves on the line to protect our democracy. Im committed to finishing the job we started today, something I just said to the senators. Everyone agrees. Well do that as soon as it is safe. Anarchy will not prevail. Democracy will. Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 6, 2021 I am safe and will continue to keep people posted. Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) January 6, 2021 President Trump needs to address the nation and call for an end to this violence and disruption to our democratic process. This is not how we do business in the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/mA67iBto3W Ashley Hinson (@RepAshleyHinson) January 6, 2021 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-07 00:35:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 53 people were arrested during a police operation Wednesday on suspicion of committing crimes including subversion under the national security law in Hong Kong. They included riot instigator Benny Tai, former opposition lawmakers Wu Chi-wai, Lam Cheuk-ting, James To and Alvin Yeung. They are arrested for their involvement in the so-called "primary election" last year, according to local media. Ahead of the Legislative Council election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, originally scheduled in September 2020, Tai and others organized the so-called opposition "primary poll" in July, using the "referendum" as a cover to rally public opinion and campaign for the opposition. Such acts blatantly interfered in the election and defied the Basic Law and the national security law in Hong Kong. Senior superintendent Steve Li from the police force's national security department said the police took action specifically targeting active players who organized, planned, committed or participated in acts of subversion. The arrestees included 45 men and eight women, aged between 23 to 64, among which six were organizers and the 47 participants. Secretary for Security of the HKSAR government John Lee said those arrested planned to paralyze the HKSAR government with a vicious plan. If succeeded, the society, economy and people's livelihood will be severely hindered and undermined, and Hong Kong will face again a turbulent situation or even unimaginable catastrophe. Lee said the operation does not involve people who played a passive role or only voted in the so-called "primary election." The HKSAR government said that it will not tolerate any offense of subversion and will combat such offense with full efforts in accordance with the law. The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said it firmly supports the Hong Kong police's law enforcement action against those violating national security law in Hong Kong and also firmly supports the solemn statement of the HKSAR government to safeguard national security. The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR voiced strong support for Hong Kong police in arresting Benny Tai and others, saying it firmly supports Hong Kong police in performing their duties and cracking down on any act that endangers national security in accordance with the law. The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong expressed its support for the police operation. Lawmaker Holden Chow said the so-called "primary election" is an intentional and purposeful attempt to undermine the central government's exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, which is in clear violation of the national security law. The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions believes that the police operation of arrest is "necessary and timely". Lau Siu-kai, vice chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said the arrest operation by the Hong Kong police only targets the so-called "primary election" rather than the opposition. The central government and the HKSAR government have long pointed out that the so-called "primary election" was suspected of committing the offense of subversion under the national security law, but the organizers and participants ignored the warning and insisted on holding the so-called "primary election". The arrest can safeguard the authority of the national security law and the HKSAR government, and act as a deterrent, Lau said. Enditem Sydney's Warragamba Dam has reached 97.8 per cent capacity after weeks of consistent rain in the city. The dam is Sydney's main source of water and currently contains 1,981,926 megalitres of water out of its 2,027,000 megalitre capacity. Warragamba Dam's water level has increased by 0.8 per cent in the last week, during which time it copped 34.3mm of rain. Sydney's Warragamba Dam (pictured) has reached 97.8 per cent capacity after weeks of consistent rain in the city. WaterNSW began releasing water from the Warragamba Dam on Tuesday and is expected to release 3,500 megalitres per day for the next two weeks Warragamba Dam's level increased by 0.8 per cent in the last week WaterNSW began releasing water from the Warragamba Dam on Tuesday and is expected to release 3,500 megalitres per day for the next two weeks. WaterNSW spokesman Tony Webber said: 'The releases will take it down to slightly over 96 percent of capacity, or one metre below full supply level.' Dam levels are generally kept at one metre below full capacity at Warragamba Dam in order to stop its automatic gates from being triggered. It comes after the city copped a total of 119mm of rain in December alone in what was a wet Christmas and New Year for Sydneysiders. The new year has been no different with more wet weather and parts of the city copping 44mm of rain in the last 24 hours. More rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday as well as potential for showers next Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Tallowa Dam in Shoalhaven on the NSW South Coast is currently spilling over and Prospect Dam is sitting at 95.4 per cent. Overall, the Greater Sydney Catchment is sitting 94.6 per cent capacity, which is an increase of 0.7 per cent in the last week. Sydney copped a total of 119mm of rain in December alone in what was a wet Christmas and New Years for residents Overall, the Greater Sydney Catchment is sitting 94.6 per cent capacity, which is an increase of 0.7 per cent in the last week The rainfall is a welcome change for drought-stricken farmers across NSW. Warragamba Dam hit a low of 42 per cent in February last year and has now more than doubled its capacity. NSW's wet weather can be attributed to the the La Nina effect, which has brought increased rainfall to the state. Just 1.4 percent of the state is now drought affected, according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The coronavirus crisis has come as a blessing in disguise for sustainable investing. The pandemic has accelerated global investors focus towards the environmental, social and governance (ESG) theme. Latest preliminary data published by global fund-flow tracker EPFR showed that equity funds with socially responsible investing (SRI)/ESG mandates have seen record inflows of $168.74 billion in 2020, in comparison to $63.34 billion in 2019. Analysts say discussions on ill-effects of climate change have sharply gained in importance worldwide, making conscious investing a key theme of 2021. A survey by consulting firm BlackRock in December showed that investors representing $25 trillion in assets plan to double their ESG assets in the next five years. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online Climate-related risks are the top sustainability portfolio concern for 88% of respondents, as per the survey, which gathered insights from 425 investors in 27 countries. While growth in sustainable assets is most pronounced in Europe, it is growing in prominence in the Americas and Asia-Pacific as well, it added. View Full Image ESG in Vogue In the US, the President-elect Joe Biden administration is seen as a shot in the arm for ESG funds. While campaigning for the US Presidency, Biden announced several environmental initiatives and among them was a plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We expect many of the drivers of strong returns for stocks with strong sustainability characteristics to continue in 2021. There is some expectation a Biden administration will be supportive of renewable energy within the federal scope. We believe renewable energy will enjoy long-term secular growth as the world transitions to a less carbon-intensive economy and as solar and wind power has become more cost-competitive with fossil fuels," Mary Jane McQuillen, head of ESG investment programme at ClearBridge Investments said in a report. In line with the global trend, ESG investing is gaining popularity in India as well. Many companies are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint by making huge investments in green energy projects. For instance, Indian cement producers have committed fresh investments to build waste heat recovery systems. Power generated through this system will reduce dependence on fuels and translate into cost savings in the long run. Until 2019, there were only a couple of mutual fund ESG schemes, but in 2020, Indias large asset management companies like Aditya Birla Sun Life, Axis Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential launched such schemes too. Many Indian blue-chips are sharpening focus on ESG aspect, which is a good thing and it will show in the long-run in their balance sheets, may be in terms of reduced operational costs. But for now, it is difficult to say if their good intentions will reflect in valuations," said an analyst with a multinational brokerage firm. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. In its second year as a partner in Offerpad's Homebuilder Alliance program, Maronda Homes now offers homebuyers listing and direct sale solutions when purchasing a new build. Available exclusively through Offerpad's Real Estate Solutions Center , listing a home with Offerpad provides buyers with free concierge services and an optional back-up cash offer on their current home. Since launching its Solutions Center in June 2020, Offerpad has aggressively adapted its offerings to make them available to meet the unique needs of its homebuilder partners and their buyers. Kyle Rush, National Director of Offerpad's Homebuilder Alliance, says: "We're always focused on streamlining processes for both home sellers and our homebuilder partners. Extending our Real Estate Solutions Center to our partners and new construction-buying home sellers allows us to do more for them both. Providing choice, certainty and convenience is our goal at Offerpad. We look forward to offering that more fully by starting with Maronda in the sprawling Orlando, Tampa, Port St. Lucie, and Melbourne areas of Florida, and extending those benefits to our other partners in the near future." In addition to the iBuyer solution Offerpad already provides its homebuilder partners, when buying from Maronda Homes, existing homeowners can now choose to partner with Offerpad to list their home, as well. This helps streamline the process and reduce the stress many buyers experience when closing on a new build while selling their current home. Added benefits of listing their home with Offerpad include: Resources to maximize the value of the home Dedicated free concierge services to prepare the home for showings A larger free Extended Stay window of up to five days A free professional local move A back-up cash offer they can accept within 90 days of listing issued within one hour Maronda Homes President Scott Howard says of the added Offerpad solution, "Throughout our collaboration with Offerpad, we've been better equipped to provide relief and certainty for our home buyers in need of selling their home in order to close on their beautiful new build. Now with another option for them to choose from, we look forward to seeing even more people through streamlined back-to-back buying and selling experiences." Offerpad and Maronda Homes, after more than a year of cooperation, are partnered in over 50 communities throughout Florida. Offerpad's home purchases through Maronda Homes have more than tripled. The company is widening its service area to meet the builder's needs most recently by expanding into Port St. Lucie and the surrounding coastal area. Direct sale and listing solutions can be extended to Maronda Homes' buyers with homes most anywhere Offerpad operates, in or outside of their overlapping Florida markets. The listing option will also be available to Offerpad's other homebuilder partners and their buyers over the coming months. About Maronda Homes Maronda Homes, founded in 1972, is a private family-owned and operated business building homes in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia. With nearly five decades in home building, Maronda Homes has dedicated its work to building quality new homes at affordable prices with unparalleled attention to customer service. It continuously strives to improve the home building process by modernizing floor plans and evolving home designs with affordable luxury reaching every corner of its new homes. At Maronda Homes, quality and value are clearly evident in an Easily Observable Better Value. For more information, visit MarondaHomes.com. About Offerpad Offerpad is a leading technology and real estate solutions provider with a mission to offer the best way to buy and sell a home. With firsthand real estate experience and utilizing powerful proprietary technology, the company provides several consumer-focused options including instant cash offers and superior home listing services. Offerpad is a privately held company headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, operating across the country in more than 830 cities and towns. Visit Offerpad.com for more information. About Offerpad Homebuilder Alliance Offerpad partners with select, top-tier homebuilders in all markets where it operates to provide added benefits to home-buying sellers. Offerpad's Strategic Alliance program for Homebuilders, aims to help builders close on more sales while making it easier for customers to confidently commit to their new-construction home. In addition, Offerpad is known in the homebuilding industry as the full solution provider to homebuilders, offering a full suite of products and services. Visit Offerpad.com/partner for more information. Contact: David Stephan [email protected] SOURCE Offerpad Related Links offerpad.com More than 100,000 total vaccinations have been administered in health agency's region local India will be a voice for the developing world and against the common enemies of humanity like terrorism, India's Ambassador to the UN has said, asserting that the country will use its tenure on the UN Security Council to bring human-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of global peace and security. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, T S Tirumurti, made the remarks while speaking at a special flag installation ceremony organised at the Security Council stakeout here on Monday. Flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members of the Security Council - India, Norway, Kenya, Ireland and Mexico - were installed at the stakeout during the special ceremony. On January 1, India began its tenure as non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation UN organ for the 2021-22 term. Tirumurti installed the Indian tricolour and said that as India assumes the membership of the Security Council for the eighth time: "it is an honour for me as the Permanent Representative of India to take part in todays flag installation ceremony." "India comes into the Security Council as the largest democracy representing 1/6th of humanity and with a strong commitment to reformed multilateralism, rule of law, a fair and equitable international system and to peace, security and development. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we stand united as one, bound by our ethos of democracy, pluralism and commitment to fundamental rights," Tirumurti said. He said India will "use our tenure to bring human-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of international peace and security. India will be a voice for the developing world." "We will not shy away from raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity like terrorism," he said, adding that India looks forward to "our collective pursuit for an ideal where the World is One Family - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." The Indian envoy said peace-keeping, peace-building, maritime security, women and youth, especially in conflict situations, and technology with a human face, will receive Indias attention while on the 15-nation Council. Noting that even as the world comes together in solidarity to face the Covid-19 pandemic, Tirumurti quoted Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda to say, "Each nation must give, in order to live. When you give life, you will have life; when you receive, you must pay for it by giving to all others." Tirumurti also expressed gratitude to all the Member States of the United Nations who have given us an overwhelming mandate to represent them in the Security Council. The ceremony was organised in a restricted format keeping in mind the strict Covid-19 protocols. Ambassadors of the other four countries also installed their national flags at the stakeout. Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Magzhan Ilyassov welcomed the newly elected non-permanent members of the Security Council and expressed confidence that they "will make a sterling contribution" to the Councils work in the two crucial years of modern history. We acknowledge that these five incoming members, because of their prior long-standing experience with the Council, will bring much depth and focus to the issues of peace and security, he said. He paid special tribute to the scientists who have dedicated their efforts to combat the pandemic and develop the Covid-19 vaccines. This new year is the year of hope for all of us no doubt and for our world organisation, global peace, security and further sustainable development in 2021 will largely depend on the decisions of the United Nations and the Security Council with its permanent and non-permanent members, he said. Ambassador Tarek Ladeb, Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the UN and President of the Security Council for the month of January, extended a warm welcome to the incoming members. I hope together with the new elected members, we will manage to create positive dynamics in the Council and make concrete steps towards the resolution of conflicts. In his address to the virtual high-level UN General Assembly session in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that as the worlds largest democracy, India will bring its years of rich developmental experience for the benefit of the whole world when the country sits on the horseshoe table of the Council. "India will always speak in support of peace, security and prosperity. India will not hesitate in raising its voice against the enemies of humanity, human race and human values - these include terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering," Modi had said. India, Norway, Kenya, Ireland and Mexico join non-permanent members Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam and the five permanent members China, France, Russia, UK and the US in the Council for 2021. India will be UNSC President in August 2021 and will preside over the Council again for a month in 2022. The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States' names. The tradition of the flag installation ceremony was introduced by Kazakhstan in 2018. The ceremony was unanimously confirmed by all 15 UNSC members to become an annual tradition of the Security Council. (Update 7:33 p.m. Jan. 8, 2021) - A drug deal was behind the murder in Chico Tuesday night. District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the victim, Kevin Murrillo, was going to sell cocaine to one of the suspects, Jerome Tillman. Max Escobar (left) and Jerome Tillman (right) Max Escobar (left) and Jerome Tillman (right) Ramsey says both Murrillo and Tillman fired their guns, however, it's unclear who fired first. Ramsey also said, "Tillman intended and did rip off the victim for drugs." The shooting happened on 3rd Street and Walnut Avenue. A witness at the scene saw the suspects drive off and gave chase while calling Chico Police. Chico Police were able to zero in on the suspects' location and make an arrest blocks away. Tillman was arrested for murder and armed robbery. The second suspect, Max Escobar, was also arrested on murder charges. Both were arraigned in Butte County Superior Court on Friday. They will be back in court next Wednesday, Jan. 13 for further arraignment and entry of plea. --- (Update 8:11 a.m. Jan. 8, 2021) - Police have identified the victim killed in a Tuesday night shooting in West Chico. Detectives said 24-year-old Kevin Murillo was killed in a shooting at West Third and Walnut Streets. This investigation remains ongoing. Chico Police said in a news release, they will release new information when it is appropriate. --- (Update 10:25 a.m. Jan. 7, 2021) - Two men are now in custody in the Butte County Jail following a shooting that left one Chico man dead Tuesday night. 20-year-old Max Escobar, and 21-year-old Diontanae Tillman, face homicide charges after the shooting in West Chico that took place at West Third and Walnut Streets. Tillman is suspected of murder and robbery with a firearm, according to the Chico Police Crime Portal. Tillman's bail is $1.075 million. Escobar is suspected of being an accessory to the homicide. His bail is $1 million. RELATED: Police investigating Wednesday night shooting in West Chico This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online. --- Chico Police are investigating two separate incidents in west Chico. Police say they responded to a hit-and-run collision near Walnut and 3rd Streets around 6:45 Tuesday night. When officers arrived on the scene they found a man with a gunshot wound inside a car. First responders attempted life-saving efforts but the victim died at the scene. Minutes later officers contacted and detained two suspects near W. Sacramento and Nord Avenues. Investigators are working to determine if the suspects were involved in the shooting. Chico Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash or the shooting to contact them at (530) 897-4900. Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. (Newser) Republican senators in Pennsylvania refused to seat a Democrat on Tuesday despite his state-certified election win, resulting in chaos. Democratic State Sen. Jim Brewster of Allegheny County defeated Republican challenger Nicole Ziccarelli by just 69 votes in the Nov. 3 election, according to state-certified returns. But Ziccarelli has sued in federal court, arguing she is the true winner since 311 counted mail-in ballots lacked a handwritten date on the outer envelope, per the AP. The state Supreme Court decided that wasn't a sufficient reason to throw out ballots. But GOP senators, arguing they can refuse to seat a member who lacks the qualifications to hold office, say the seat shouldn't be filled until results are reviewed. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa says they're taking a page from President Trump, refusing to accept valid election results, per Spotlight PA. story continues below "Any delay is inappropriate, simply because Senator Brewster is the winner of this race, but further because the residents of the 45th will have no voice in the Senate" during "votes on critical issues of election reform, COVID relief, and judicial gerrymandering," a rep for Costa tells WHYY. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, argues Republicans are working to "subvert the democratic process" because they "don't like the outcome of the election." It was a day full of "bitterness and rancor" as Republicans removed the Democratic lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, from presiding over the session, after he failed to recognize a Republican motion blocking Brewster's oath of office, per Spotlight PA. In response, Democrats refused to vote for Jake Corman as Senate President Pro Tempore. This is "most often a largely ceremonial and bipartisan vote," per Spotlight PA. (Read more Pennsylvania stories.) [January 06, 2021] Autonomous In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing Moves Closer to Reality IPSWICH, Mass., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- COSM Advanced Manufacturing Systems today announced that it will begin working on final development and build of electron beam 3D metal printing systems for a variety of future in-space, lunar, and Martian applications. The work is funded by a SBIR contract from NASA to support the Artemis program's return to the Moon . The technology advanced by COSM uses an electron beam to deposit metal from a spool of wire into a large complex part. Capitalizing on decades of experience using charged particle beams systems for imaging and metrology in the semiconductor industry, the new system will automatically monitor and adjust the 3D print process as it occurs. "Producing large metal parts autonomously to verifiable specifications and quality in-space will be an enabling part of man's permanent presence on the Moon and further missions to Mars," said Richard Comunale, company founder and CEO. "This complex task is made possible by fundamental technology developed by COSM with support from NASA's Langley Research Center. This next step in the technology development will result in the core system components validated for launch and operation in transit, on the Moon and Mars. This is an incredible opportunity and an honor for our teamto play a role in NASA's Artemis program." This effort is a follow-on to work COSM completed with NASA Langley on their Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication (EBF3) program, which uses focused electron beams to perform additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal. Under NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), COSM was previously part of a team of companies in a public-private partnership to establish a Commercial Infrastructure for Robotic Assembly and Services (CIRAS) in space. The CIRAS program advanced key technologies that are the basis for this next step for in-orbit manufacturing and assembly of large space structures that will help the agency meet its goals for robotic and human exploration of the solar system. "We are excited by the prospect of adding COSM's high precision electron beam capabilities into the EBF3 process to enhance in-space welding and additive manufacturing for future exploration missions. COSM's experience enables integrated visualization and sensing in real time to control and inspect work being performed in remote areas," added Karen Taminger, senior materials research engineer and technical lead for metal additive manufacturing research at NASA Langley. COSM Advanced Manufacturing Systems ( cosmtd.com ) is a privately held engineering, design and manufacturing firm, based in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Founded in 2011, the company has extensive technology development experience across multiple disciplines and industries, with concentration in charged beam particle systems for semiconductor, flat panel and LED manufacturing systems, as well as 3D metal additive manufacturing. Media Contact: Richard Comunale COSM Advanced Manufacturing Systems info@cosmtd.com http://cosmtd.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autonomous-in-space-assembly-and-manufacturing-moves-closer-to-reality-301201966.html SOURCE COSM Advanced Manufacturing Systems [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Former FBI director James Comey has said Donald Trump should not be prosecuted after he leaves office. Comey, who was unceremoniously fired in 2017 and has been the subject of a series of stinging attacks by Trump, said the next US attorney general should not pursue a criminal investigation, regardless of the evidence against the President. He writes in a new book that the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller and 'the evidence strewn across his history of porn stars and financial fraud' should be forgotten in order for the nation to heal. Former FBI director James Comey has said Donald Trump should not be prosecuted after he leaves office Comey said, according to The Guardian who have obtained a copy of his forthcoming book: 'Although those cases might be righteous in a vacuum, the mission of the next attorney general must be fostering the trust of the American people.' Trump has been the subject of allegations of financial impropriety and tax fraud throughout his presidency, as well as facing questions over campaign finance spending after hush money was paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. But the former intelligence chief says the next attorney general must rise above the 'partisan scrum' to restore political order. Comey has been a powerful critic of Trump since he was ousted and he has subsequently faced the wrath of the President. His new book, Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency and Trust is his second since office and will be published on January 12, eight days before Joe Biden's inauguration. The 60-year-old's first book A Higher Loyalty was published in 2018 and has since been adapted for HBO as The Comey Rule starring Brendan Gleeson as Trump and te Jeff Daniels as the author. Comey was unceremoniously fired in 2017 and has been the subject of a series of stinging attacks by Trump Trump fired the head of the FBI in May 2017 while Comey was leading the investigation into whether Trump's presidential campaign had colluded with Russia. But the President claimed the move was over Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe. He had previously led the inquiry into her use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State under Barack Obama. She has since accused Comey of costing her the 2016 election because of his decision to reopen his investigation just days before the vote. His shock firing made Trump only the second president in US history to fire his FBI director. The former intelligence chief has been a powerful critic of Trump since he was fired and has subsequently faced the wrath of the President The decision formed part of Mueller's probe into possible obstruction of justice by the president as he investigated links between Moscow and the White House. Biden has not yet named his nominee for attorney general but Sally Yates, the former deputy attorney general, is said to be among the frontrunners. She briefly led the department but was also ousted by Trump after she ordered the Justice Department not to defend the President's so-called Muslim Ban executive order. In his new book, Comey discusses his investigation of Clinton and his service under Trump. He also heavily criticizes Trump's second attorney general William Barr for his interference into the Mueller report. Comey led the inquiry into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State under Barack Obama Barr claimed Trump had been exonerated over claims of obstruction of justice when in fact, he had not. In his new book, Comey laments Trump's partisanship and that of supposedly apolitical figures such as Barr, who resigned last month. He writes: 'The traditional blindfold on Lady Justice' has been 'replaced with a MAGA hat'. However, Comey said he does not believe Trump should be pardoned by Biden after he leaves office. The President has reportedly been considering pardoning himself although some question whether he can do that. Presidential pardons do not touch state law, and Trump is currently being investigated by Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance over his financial affairs. The Trump Organization is also being probed by New York attorney general Letitia James. Delhi and the national capital region (NCR) will experience a drop in temperature from tomorrow morning after western disturbance affecting northwest India move eastward, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. Dense to very dense fog will prevail in most parts of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, northern Rajasthan and Delhi-NCR. The western disturbance that was effecting northwest India has currently moved eastward, for which the effect will be mostly over western Uttar Pradesh. Under the influence of western disturbance from January 2 till January 6 (today), significant rainfall occurred in plains of northwest India, due to which, there is a significant amount of moisture across the region. Kuldeep Srivastava, Head of the IMDs regional weather forecasting centre, New Delhi told ANI, Tomorrow morning, 8 degrees Celsius is expected followed by a further decrease in temperature. On 8th morning, 7 degrees Celsius is expected over Delhi-NCR and most part of the plains of northwest India. Low temperature is conducive for the formation of fog. From tomorrow morning onwards, we are expecting dense to very dense fog in most parts of Punjab, Haryana West UP, north Rajasthan and Delhi NCR. This condition will prevail for the next three to four days, after which there will be a slight decrease in the fog condition. Under its influence, the wind direction will change to northwesterly. Wind will come to Delhi-NCR and Haryana from Jammu Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. A significant amount of rainfall and snowfall has occurred there so cold air will come to Delhi, Srivastava added. After the western disturbance moves, cloudiness will decrease significantly and clear sky will prevail on January 7 night and January 8 morning making it colder. According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) todays AQI (PM 10 level) is 124 and PM 2.5 level is 82, both under the moderate category. As per SAFARs AQI forecast, although PM10 level will remain moderate, PM 2.5 level is likely to shift to the poor category, which may further dip into to very poor category. TOKYO, Jan 6, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - On January 1, 2021, Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd., Keihin Corporation, Showa Corporation and Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd. concluded management integration to form Hitachi Astemo, Ltd., a leading provider of mobility solutions to the automotive industry. The name "Astemo" is derived from the words "Advanced Sustainable Technologies for Mobility" and describes the mission of the integrated company to "provide a safe, sustainable and comfortable mobility life through technologies that contribute to an advanced and sustainable society".Driven by technological megatrend of CASE, meaning Connected, Autonomous, Sharing and Electrification, the automotive industry is undergoing profound change requiring companies to have the scale and resources to create the leading technologies and sophisticated solutions required for today's mobility demands.As a global mega-supplier, Hitachi Astemo will create advanced mobility solutions in its core businesses of powertrain systems, chassis systems and advanced driver assistance systems for both automobiles and motorcycles. Leveraging its expanded scale and the advanced technologies of the four integrating companies, Hitachi Astemo will drive innovation in CASE, an area expected to grow rapidly. Further, Hitachi Astemo will optimize its engineering resources to accelerate development of next-generation technologies and integrate advanced software across components, establishing itself as a global leader in mobility solutions.Hitachi Astemo is a truly global company, employing approximately 90,000 people with offices and plants in 27 countries covering Japan, China, India, North America, South America and Europe. The company endeavors to increase its social, environmental and economic value by providing advanced mobility solutions that improve safety, comfort, environmental protection and contribute to building a sustainable society. Hitachi Astemo will contribute to improving quality of life and the corporate value of its customers worldwide.About Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Hitachi Astemo is a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. and Honda Motor Co. Hitachi Astemo is a technology company that develops, manufactures, sells and services automotive and transportation components, as well as industrial machinery and systems. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.hitachiastemo.com/.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 09:16:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close QUITO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador on Tuesday reported a total of 216,083 cases of infection and 9,530 deaths from the novel coronavirus disease since the pandemic broke out here on Feb. 29. According to the Ministry of Public health, Ecuador registered 1,003 new cases and 25 more deaths in the past 24 hours. Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said he was confident the COVID-19 vaccination campaign due in this month will lessen the outbreak. "Soon we will begin to vaccinate, and that way there will be less risk of infection and more peace of mind so that we can all return to producing and working with much greater confidence," Moreno said during a meeting with public-sector suppliers at the Government Palace in the capital Quito. Ecuador plans to first vaccinate high-risk groups and healthcare workers. With cases still on the rise, Mayor of Quito Jorge Yunda ruled out easing restrictions that limit the use of vehicles based on the number of their license plates. The preventive measure, however, has led to increased ridership on public transit, with subsequent crowding posing transmission risks. To tackle the problem, Yunda said he will strengthen the transportation system in the city, where residents are only allowed to leave their homes for medical appointments, trips to the airport or other essential reasons. Enditem Nicolas Poussins The Crossing of the Red Sea is like a great uncle who never leaves his big house, always up for a family visit. I am a fan of Poussins work in general. Apart from being beautifully painted and loaded with historical references, this painting is such a treasure. Its an amazing painting to have in the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) collection. Theres something about it that I recognise, which only occurred to me recently. The scene is set in Egypt, where I was born. It has long been a painting that I loved to sit and look at and learn from and then I thought, 'Hang on, this is historically relevant to my background'. I recognise that in the subject but not in the painting per se and perhaps I always knew of the Egyptian reference but hadn't consciously made the personal link. In the past few years, because Ive been working at VCA and walking through the NGV regularly, I would always at least walk past the painting, to make sure its there. If I have time, I sit in front of it, sometimes for a few minutes but often for longer. I could not and would not want to paint like Poussin. The painting is materially and conceptually distant from what I am interested in, yet it holds something that I guess I cannot imagine letting go of. A mystical connection with a past that is muddled in pagan practices, biblical narratives, Eurocentric views and modernist aspirations. Nicolas Poussin's The Crossing of the Red Sea (1632-1634), oil on canvas, 155.6 215.3 cm. Credit:Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria Theres something about its dark skies, how it conjures the looming disaster. Its hard to work out if the group of people are walking into or coming out of a storm, there are so many layers in the foreground and background its difficult to tell which way they are actually heading. That murkiness, the browns, greens and greys, spotted with brightly coloured clothing, a type of faith in the ability of humans to collaborate and overcome a looming catastrophe. In essence, a classically derived belief in the human ability to physically and emotionally move across as one people to overcome hardships. On another level it correlates to my move from one culture to another, from Egypt to Australia. I first saw this painting when I was studying at VCA in the late 1980s. Poussin is one of those figures who was brought to my attention by my art lecturers very early on; he was recommended as someone I should look at. I started looking at his work in books and then encountered the work at the NGV, and I guess I have never looked back: this large painting (it measures 155.6 215.3cm) became a feature in my life. Raafat Ishak: artist and head of painting at Victorian College of the Arts. Credit:Ponch Hawkes Poussin was recapturing a classical tradition in art in stark contrast to the more contemporary and rather frivolous French Baroque. In some ways, he was exploring a compatibility between pagan and Christian traditions, later championed by his many followers as a type of republican severity and civic mindedness in the French context. The rigours of classicism are apolitical in Poussins work. His approach seemed more philosophical, and that interests me. He was one of the very early artists to do so, and, as a consequence, had to revoke a position in the French court to return to his beloved Rome. The Crossing of the Red Sea, to my mind at least, sets a precedent to many 19th century works that I became interested in, by artists such as Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon, Arnold Bocklin and to a greater degree but of lesser interest to me Jacques-Louis David and Eugene Delacroix. There is a lineage that traces Poussins works even further to early cubism and, I dare suggest, Marcel Duchamps work. I may be imagining all this of course, to draw some kind of lineage to my own work, but I guess there is a certain classical rigour that I believe runs through these artists works, an order and a logic that is self-consciously aware of its artifice and theatricality. Poussins The Crossing of the Red Sea is indeterminate, it is suspended between realities and mysteries, the historically constant narrative of exodus, and the inexplicable magic of a prophet parting a sea that does not part. The reportage-like quality of the narrative is myth. The Red Sea does not part there were land passages between ancient Egypt and Sinai yet the looming danger of the chase is made poignant by myth, art and theatre. WINNIPEG - An eccentric Canadian fashion mogul who has applied for bail in Winnipeg while facing sex charges in the United States says he's not getting the nourishment he needs while behind bars. WINNIPEG - An eccentric Canadian fashion mogul who has applied for bail in Winnipeg while facing sex charges in the United States says he's not getting the nourishment he needs while behind bars. Peter Nygard, 79, says in an affidavit that his unconventional health routines have included taking anti-aging stem cell shots four times a year in China and Panama. He also describes having a diet free of sugar, carbs and preservatives. The affidavit includes a "reverse aging paradigm" showing photos of Nygard over the years. In some, he is lifting weights, playing sports and standing with actor Mel Gibson. Nygard says that since his incarceration in December, he has lost weight, suffered dizziness and has numbness in his hands and toes. "Unfortunately, I am not getting the nourishment necessary to keep me safe and healthy," he says in the affidavit. Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg under the Extradition Act and faces nine counts in the southern District of New York, including racketeering and sex trafficking. The U.S. Attorneys Office alleges that for 25 years Nygard targeted women and underage girls from disadvantaged economic backgrounds with promises of modelling and financial opportunities. They say Nygard forcibly sexually assaulted many women and girls, some who were between 14 and 17 years old. The indictment alleges the criminal conduct involved dozens of women in the United States, the Bahamas and Canada, among other locations. Banners in front of Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard's headquarters in Winnipeg are shown on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Nygard is to have a bail hearing after his arrest in Winnipeg under the Extradition Act over charges in the United States of using his influence to traffic women and girls for sex. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods During a bail hearing in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Nygard wore his long, grey hair in a messy bun as he appeared in court by video from the Headingley Correctional Centre. Looking dishevelled, he pulled down a blue non-medical mask to reveal a grey moustache. Lawyer Jay Prober requested his client's release and argued Nygard's health will deteriorate if he remains incarcerated. "Every day Mr. Nygard languishes there puts his life at risk," Prober, who attended the bail hearing by phone, told court. An affidavit from Nygard's doctor in Winnipeg includes a list of health issues including diabetes, blood pressure issues and sleep apnea. He also has a pacemaker. Prober has said Nygard denies all of the allegations and expects to be vindicated in court. Scott Farlinger, representing the Attorney General of Canada, said Nygard is a significant flight risk. Farlinger, who also spoke by phone, said Nygard has a history of not showing up to court during legal proceedings in the Bahamas and has the financial means to flee. He said there are also concerns about Nygard continuing alleged predatory behaviour. The bail hearing is to continue Jan. 19. New documents filed this week also show Nygard's legal team hired investigators in the U.S. to speak to an American woman who worked for Nygard as an assistant in Canada until as recently as October. Fashion mogul Peter Nygard is shown during a bail hearing in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in this courtroom sketch. Nygard, who faces charges in the United States of using his influence to lure women and girls for sex, will remain in jail after his bail hearing was adjourned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/La Liberte Manitoba, Tadens Mpwene - POOL Nygard's indictment says the FBI searched the woman's phone. But the defence documents say she later told investigators she had not seen misconduct. Nygard's team also filed this week a number of affidavits from associates and friends who are standing by the businessman. Two people who were employed by Nygard also offered to put up their homes to act as sureties if Nygard is released. Other documents include a collection of images of the former fashion mogul with politicians including former U.S. president George H. W. Bush. Known for flashy billboards and lavish parties, Nygard came to Canada as a child from Finland with his parents in 1942. He founded his fashion company in Winnipeg in 1967 and it grew to become a brand name sold in stores around the world. Nygard stepped down as chairman of his company after the FBI and police raided his offices in New York City in February. He is also the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. with similar allegations involving 57 women, including 18 Canadians. It alleges Nygard used violence, intimidation, bribery and company employees to lure victims and avoid accountability for decades. The lawsuit was put on pause in August. While reasons for the stay in the suit were sealed, the court docket said it resulted from a government motion that named three federal prosecutors an indication the criminal investigation was proceeding. Two of Nygard's sons filed a separate lawsuit against him months later claiming they were statutorily raped at his direction when they were teens. The sons allege Nygard arranged for a woman to have sex with them. Nygard has said through his lawyer that he denies all the allegations in the lawsuits. He has blamed the accusations on a feud with his billionaire neighbour in the Bahamas. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2021. The 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic will be dissolved later today at midnight. The expiration comes after a constitutionally mandated four-year term. The dissolution of the 7th parliament at midnight will be followed by the inauguration of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic, which will in turn elect a new Speaker and two deputies. Both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) with equal seats in the House have so far failed to attain a clear majority in Parliament after the December 7, election. Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has commended the 7th parliament for staying busy in the four-year term describing it as the busiest and most productive in the history of Ghana. The current parliament that expires in less than 48 hours has to its credit the passage of some 15 pieces of legislative instruments, President Akufo-Addo said. In many ways, you have helped transform Ghana and you have every right collectively to be proud of the work youve done he said. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Department of Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire has been named as head of a group of experts tasked to study new COVID-19 variants and suggest policies to the country's coronavirus task force. In a statement, Malacanang said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Tuesday created the Technical Working Group (TWG) on COVID-19 Variants upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte. "This Technical Working Group will monitor and identify the occurrence of new variants of COVID-19 in the country and will provide policy recommendations to the IATF on the appropriate response regarding these variants," the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson said. READ: Study on presence of new COVID-19 variant in PH out this week Vergeire heads the body while Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, will serve as co-chair. Other members of the TWG are Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, Dr. Marissa Alejandria, and Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana of the DOH Technical Advisory Group; Dr. Celia Carlos, director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-Dela Paz, executive director of the University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health; Dr. Cynthia Saloma, executive director of the University of the Philippines Philippine Genome Center; and Dr. John Wong, president of EpiMetrics who is also an epidemiologist and data analytics adviser for the IATF. The group of medical professionals will recommend policies to the IATF, a group composed of military generals and Cabinet secretaries of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Philippines is on guard against the new COVID-19 variants and their possibly entry. The variant first discovered in the United Kingdom is said to be more infectious, and is believed to be the cause of the recent surge in cases. RELATED: What we know and what we don't about the UK coronavirus variant A travel ban covering 21 countries is in place from December 22 until January 15, although Filipinos flying home from these jurisdictions will be accepted subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine even if they test negative for COVID-19. Testing czar Vince Dizon said Tuesday that authorities are checking 74 overseas travelers who entered the country from December 22 to January 3 and tested positive for COVID-19 to see if they they acquired the highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus. Their swab samples have been turned over to the Philippine Genome Center and RITM for genome sequencing. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has said that there is still no person in the country infected with the new COVID-19 variant. He also said it will take about a week for local scientists to confirm if a swab sample carried the new variant. Hong Kong authorities reported Tuesday that a traveler from Manila who entered the city in December carried the new variant. The DOH previously said that researchers are also studying samples from hospitalized patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in November and December if they were infected with the new variant. There is also a reported COVID-19 variant in South Africa. Foreign travelers coming from or with recent travel history from countries with confirmed cases of the new variant will be denied entry in the Philippines, except for accredited diplomats and representatives of international entities such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations. The latter will be allowed entry subject to an RT-PCR test and strict two-week isolation. Individuals entering the Philippines who received COVID-19 vaccines abroad will still be required to undergo testing and quarantine, Malacanang added. READ: Current COVID-19 vaccines still effective vs. new variant, says expert [January 06, 2021] Leading Litigator Barbara Hart Joins Grant & Eisenhofer as Director and Member of Executive Committee Leading plaintiffs' law firm Grant & Eisenhofer announced the arrival of Barbara Hart, a nationally recognized litigator with a distinguished track record of recoveries for investors in securities class actions as well as antitrust and whistleblower cases. Ms. Hart joins G&E as a director and will serve as a member of the executive committee. She was previously president and CEO of national trial firm Lowey Dannenberg, where she long led the securities litigation practice and garnered some of the firm's biggest settlements during her tenure. She is the second major addition to G&E in recent months, following the arrival late last fall of noted mass tort litigator Sindhu Daniel to the firm's Wilmington, Del., office. Ms. Daniel has helped structure multidistrict pharma and medical device settlements resulting in billions of dollars in recoveries to plaintiffs. Both Ms. Hart and Ms. Daniel add to G&E's growing list of women practice leaders including the Mass Tort Litigation group led by Elizabeth Graham; the Birth Injury Litigation group headed by Lisa Weinstein; the Delaware Corporate Governance Litigation group co-headed by Christine Mackintosh; and the Civil Rights/Gender-Based Torts Litigation group led by Kimberly Evans and Diandra Debrosse. G&E also boasts a female chief operating officer in Elise Martin. Over a more than three-decade career, Ms. Hart has earned a spot among the nation's most renowned advocates for public pension funds and institutional investors pursuing complex class action claims against major corporations. Her cases have often resulted in nine-figure recoveries for her clients. She has served as lead or co-lead counsel to plaintiffs in some of the largest securities class action settlements on record, as well as in significant price-fixing and collusion cases against global airlines, major food producers and healthcare providers. Ms. Hart's major cases include a $169 million settlement with Juniper Networks (News - Alert) , the third-largest options backdating recovery ever; a $457 million securities recovery obtained for the State of Connecticut; a $285 million settlement for investors in securities sold by the El Paso Corp.; a $219 million recovery on behalf of Madoff investors; and the largest single New York Medicaid fraud recovery to date; among many others, including hundreds of millions of dollars in antitrust litigation settlements. Following passage in 2019 of New York's Child Victim Act, Ms. Hart has also taken on representation of some 45 adult srvivors of sexual abuse bringing claims against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, Rockefeller University and the Boy Scouts of America. "It's an honor to welcome Barbara Hart to G&E," said managing director Jay Eisenhofer. "She brings tremendous understanding of our historic representation of institutional investors as lead plaintiffs in large securities class actions, and her success in some of the biggest investor recoveries on record makes her a powerful addition to our team. Barbara also has an accomplished track record in antitrust, whistleblower and other areas of litigation where we practice, including her important work on behalf of victims of sexual abuse. Her leadership skills and vision will contribute immensely to the firm's continued success." A respected speaker and writer on securities and antitrust matters, Ms. Hart was also instrumental in proposing changes to New York State's stringent fraud and antitrust statutes, including granting consumers and other indirect purchasers standing to sue for damages under federal antitrust laws. She is a member of the Thirty Percent Coalition, an organization comprised of institutional investors, corporate partners, state treasurers and other entities - with a combined $7 trillion in assets under stewardship - whose mission is to increase diversity in corporate boardrooms. Ms. Hart commented, "As a litigator, I've long admired Grant & Eisenhofer as one of the most preeminent law firms fighting for public pension funds and other plaintiffs in large scale, complex litigation matters. G&E is the perfect destination for me at this stage in my career. I'm excited to join an outstanding team of litigators, including a growing bench of women who have taken leadership roles in numerous disciplines at the firm such as medical device and pharmaceutical liability, mass torts and civil rights." Sindhu Daniel Background Ms. Daniel arrives with an impressive portfolio of mass tort cases. She presently serves on a number of plaintiffs' steering committees, such as the 3M (News - Alert) Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation, the Talc and Proton Pump Inhibitor MDLs, as well as the Essure product liability lawsuits, in which Ms. Daniel represented plaintiffs alongside G&E. That litigation resulted in a $1.6 billion settlement for women who alleged that they sustained injuries from Bayer's permanent birth control device Essure. In addition, she has played key leadership roles in major multidistrict litigation settlements involving Inferior Vena Cava Filters, Vioxx, Xarelto, DePuy Orthopaedics and other healthcare products. The cases she has handled have resulted in billions of dollars in settlement recoveries. Commenting on Ms. Daniel's recent arrival, Mr. Eisenhofer said, "Sindhu is one of the country's premier mass torts practitioners, and we're thrilled she's joined to help expand our work in pharmaceutical, medical device and other products liability litigation. Our practice platform has grown significantly in the past several years beyond investor actions and Sindhu joins a dynamic group of women directors leading us into the future of plaintiffs' advocacy." Ms. Daniel added, "I knew joining Grant & Eisenhofer would be an easy fit for me, and that I could make an impact growing the firm's capacity in taking on major complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases, an area of litigation that continues to evolve. I was also impressed by G&E's roster of women in leadership roles and helping build the firm's brand." About Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. Grant & Eisenhofer is one of the U.S.'s leading litigation firms, with a highly successful track record representing plaintiffs in complex litigation and arbitration matters. The firm has offices in Wilmington (Delaware), New York, Chicago, Birmingham, and San Francisco, and an international docket of high-profile cases. G&E's clients include institutional investors and other plaintiffs in U.S. and international securities matters, derivative and corporate governance lawsuits, shareholder activism matters, bankruptcy litigation, antitrust actions, consumer class actions, whistleblower cases involving the False Claims Act, mass tort and environmental suits, birth injury litigation, intellectual property disputes, and civil rights suits. The firm has recovered billions for clients in just the last few years, and has twice been cited by RiskMetrics for securing the highest average investor recovery in securities class actions. G&E has been named one of the country's top plaintiffs' law firms by The National Law Journal for more than a decade, and was named one of the U.S.'s "Most Feared Plaintiffs Firms" as well as one of Delaware's "Regional Powerhouses for 2018" by Law360. For more information, visit www.gelaw.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005741/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Amaravati, Jan 6 : The by-election for the casual vacancy in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, caused by the resignation of Pothula Sunitha, has been scheduled for January 28. "The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the by-election to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council for one causal vacancy," said a statement from the chief electoral officer's (CEO) office on Wednesday. Sunitha had resigned on November 1, 2020 though her term in office was up to March 3, 2023. Notification for the election will be issued on Monday and the votes will be counted on January 28. Sunitha was a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLC, who resigned in protest over her party's alleged activities harming development in the southern state. She has extended support to the ruling YSR Congress Party. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The wife of Hillsong founder Brian Houston uttered a shocking slur when describing the couple's sex life in an unearthed audio book. Bobbie Houston, 63, revealed in a bizarre 2003 tape that she keeps fit and healthy to ensure she and her pastor husband can maintain regular bedroom antics. 'If I carry weight I feel like a re***d, how are you going to do anything to surprise your man when you need a hydraulic crane just to turn over in bed?' she asks on the tape. Kingdom Women Love and Value their Sexuality was full of Mrs Houston's tips for Christian wives on how to keep their husbands satisfied. Bobbie Houston, 63, revealed in a bizarre 2003 tape that she keeps fit and healthy to ensure she and her Hillsong founder husband Brian can maintain regular bedroom antics She urged women to keep up their pelvic floor exercises to ensure their 'plumbing bits' were in perfect working order and even recommended plastic surgery, The Daily Telegraph revealed. 'Have plastic surgery if it makes you feel better and it is for the right reasons, and girls, pelvic floor exercise can you believe I am saying this? You know, I have heard that orgasm is not as strong if you are really sloppy in that area.' In another part of the audio, Mrs Houston shed more light on her energetic sex life and encouraged fellow women to hone 'good' skills in the bedroom. 'We need to be good at sex ourselves so that if the world happens to come knocking we can tell the story of God in our lives,' she says. 'Without being lurid or untruthful; I have a great marriage and a great sex life'. Kingdom Women Love and Value their Sexuality was full of Mrs Houston's tips for Christian wives on how to keep their husbands satisfied Mrs Houston shed more light on her energetic sex life and encouraged fellow women to hone 'good' skills in the bedroom She was quick to clarify that she was only referring to sex 'within the confines of marriage'. Mrs Houston, who co-founded the now global Christian organisation, also said women should consider having plastic surgery if it is 'for the right reasons'. 'When it comes to personal hygiene and maintenance works, for example, get your teeth fixed, a mouth is supposed to be very desirable,' she explains. 'Minimise the negative of ageing, ageing does strange things to us. It discolours your teeth. Things sag when you get older. 'Old people's habits, don't go there before you have to. Who cares if you have a face lift, but do it for the right reason.' Mrs Houston said even as she ages, she will continue pampering herself and prioritising her looks. Hillsong Church was founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983 in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia She explained that others don't need to have a lot of excess cash to ensure they stay youthful, and to buy products within ones budget. The 63-year-old runs Hillsong's ministry for women and organises an annual conference attended by upwards of 47,000 women focusing on health and wellbeing. She and her husband Brian first opened the church in 1983 in western Sydney. Now, Hillsong has churches in city centres in 28 countries around the world and has an average global attendance of 150,000 weekly. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hillsong for comment. A profuse literature on hydrogen is coming forth from companies, governments, and energy market analysts. All are seeking the most likely paths forward for what is anticipated to be a key energy intermediary in a future carbon-free economy. It is all conceptual for now, as hydrogen production for industrial use remains quite carbon-intensive. It looks to later in the 2020s and 2030s, when hydrogens importance as an energy store and carrier should emerge. Hydrogen may prove indispensable for energy storage in the power sector, and for the sector coupling that interconnects energy users and power sources. A widespread view, held by the major energy agencies and others, is that hydrogen hubs will play an important role in getting carbon-free hydrogen going. These industrial locales, in which electrolysis facilities are located in close proximity to industrial users, shipping and transport infrastructure, should offer scale efficiencies. Numerous regional plans to achieve such concentrations are now appearing. Of course growing demand in these hubs in the northern latitudes, combined with growing demand for storage capacity in national power grids, should eventually exceed local capacity to supply carbon-free hydrogen. This likelihood is invoking the other pole of current regional planning for clean hydrogen, which is planning for major global supply areas. It is focused on how to develop source regions of carbon-free hydrogen and its derivatives (ammonia, methanol) in order to generate export income. Source regions in more southerly latitudes may be able to leverage their bountiful solar and wind resources, achieving a combination of low clean power prices and high electrolyzer utilization rates to produce carbon-free hydrogen at low cost. They may well become renewable energy superpower regions, in the words of Michael Liebreich, Chairman & CEO, Liebreich Associates and Founder & Senior Contributor, Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Assessing superpower regions The major energy agencies anticipate the emergence of green hydrogen corridors and shipping routes that will link hubs to regions rich in renewable energy. The latter naturally include parts of southern Europe, the southern U.S., Brazil, Chile, China, India and Mexico. Regions of apparently great potential include Australia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The varying cost factors in the production of low cost clean energy would seem to favor these places to produce cheap hydrogen. However they will also rely on their capacity to transport it cheaply, by pipeline or by ships at sea. Transport costs remain a great unknown for now. Related: U.S. Oil Executives Cautiously Optimistic About 2021 The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in its recently published report Green Hydrogen: A guide to policy making, asserts that much of the infrastructure for transport need not be developed from nothing, but can be built up by repurposing existing natural gas networks and power grids even across international boundaries and waters. These exist notably between North Africa and Europe across the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, the establishment of the first international trading routes for hydrogen and/or its derived products will await considerable technological innovation. The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its recent investigations of clean energy technologies, identifies hydrogen as one of four critical technology value chains that must be further developed. In its 2019 report The Future of Hydrogen, the IEA sees plenty of room for optimism. The agency asserts that because the cost of carbon free hydrogen production will likely vary among countries and regions, shipping hydrogen between them could emerge. Europe and Japan, with their strong policy support for hydrogen, and relatively high costs, are likely importers. The report sees opportunity to export to the worlds largest LNG importers: Japan, Korea and China. This offers particular promise for Australia, which is already the largest LNG exporter in the region. Two regions to watch In more sunny parts of the earth, countries are advancing beyond planning for hydrogen export to the actual early stages of project development. The most notable characteristic of the projects is their sheer size. If any country is well positioned it is Australia, with enormous coal and renewable energy resources. Its National Hydrogen Strategy, released in late 2019, prioritizes developing an export market to meet demand in Japan, Korea and Singapore. It is moving forward to support the development of new electrolyzer facilities. An enormous renewables-to-hydrogen project is now in advanced planning stages for the Pilbara region in Western Australia. Called the Asian Renewable Energy Hub, it encompasses wind and solar energy production on some 2,500 square miles. Large-scale production of carbon-free hydrogen and ammonia for export is a main objective. Given priority status by the Australian government, the project is led by a consortium that includes the Australian renewables developer CWP Renewables, US-based InterContinental Energy, and turbine manufacturer Vestas. The first stage of the project, for development of 15GW of renewable power, recently received environmental approval. This includes the installation of solar panels and more than 1,700 wind turbines, and the development of a power transmission network that could include subsea cables to Singapore. The developers, however, are focusing on supplying renewable electricity to the local region, construction of a desalination plant, and production of carbon-free hydrogen for export. The first exports should occur in 2027-08, while the project itself could expand to 26GW of wind and solar capacity. Another region viewed by many with great export potential is the Middle East and North Africa. Intense sunlight, extensive windy areas, and nearness to major markets in both Asia and Europe should leave MENA well positioned to gain export income from hydrogen. While several countries are undertaking serious planning, Saudi Arabia is the furthest advanced on a major project. Another big project is edging toward actual development in Oman. The Saudis intend to build an enormous hydrogen production facility at NEOM, the planned city and special economic zone in KSAs northwest on the Red Sea. NEOM is being developed by a company of the same name, wholly owned by the countrys Public Investment Fund. It is to be powered entirely by renewable energy. In an agreement announced last summer, NEOM's first major energy project will produce carbon-free hydrogen by electrolysis. Owners include Saudi-based ACWA Power, US-based industrial gases firm Air Products, and NEMO. Air Products will cooperate with Thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers Ltd. Thyssenkrupp, which will supply electrolyzer equipment and technical services. A first phase electrolysis plant will be built and operated by Air Products. Known as Helios Green Fuels Project, the project will integrate more than 4GW of renewable energy generated from solar and wind energy with storage. It will deliver 650 metric tons of carbon-free hydrogen per day and 1.2 million metric tons of green ammonia annually for export, beginning in 2025. Air Products will supply the green ammonia globally by means not yet identified although possibly by pipeline. Related: OPEC+ Meeting Ends With Major Surprise Cut From Saudi Arabia Another project now in advanced planning will seek to integrate carbon-free hydrogen into Omans petrochemicals sector, employing the countrys sunshine and coastal winds for this. Planning is centered on the growing industrial port city Duqm, a refinery and industrial center with a large special economic zone. Hyport Duqm Green Hydrogen is a joint project of DEME, a Belgium-based marine engineering and offshore energy developer, and OQ Alternative Energy, a division of Omans OQ petrochemicals conglomerate. Launched in December, the project is now in design and engineering although without an announced timeline. The developers want to supply green hydrogen to the countrys chemical industry, as well as to provide carbon-free hydrogen and derivatives for export to Europe. This may begin with export to industries at the Port of Antwerp, which is a partner with DEME at Duqm. A large part of the Duqm zone will be dedicated to renewable energy production and a hydrogen production plant with up to 500MW electrolyzer capacity in the projects first phase, which could be scaled up in later phases. A competitive space Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy in Dubai, believes these projects are feasible but sees some significant challenges specific to the MENA region. The NEOM project has strong backers and plans to start hydrogen production by 2025, which sounds feasible though Saudi renewable projects have not moved very quickly, he says. Duqm is clearly at a much earlier stage and with less experienced partners. The challenge is that hydrogen can be an important part of a decarbonized economy, and produce new export products, but it wont generate the same large rents as oil and gas, says Mills. Australia, Chile, North Africa and other areas, including north-west Europes offshore wind, also have good conditions for producing green hydrogen and derivatives, so this will likely be a competitive space. By Alan Mammoser for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: After at least five states in India reported bird deaths due to bird flu in the past one week, the Centre has issued an advisory to all states asking them to test the droppings of migratory and poultry birds to prevent the spread. Close to 24,500 birds have died and thousands others are infected. Heres an explainer on how serious is the 2021 bird flu threat. What is avian influenza or bird flu? Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza type A viruses which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys. Birds are normally the carriers of the virus, which take it to long distances, thereby affecting large avian population across continents. There are many strains of the virus and most of them are mild and may merely cause a low egg production or other mild symptoms among chickens. However, some are severe and lethal that cause deaths of large number of birds. How does the bird flu spread? Wild aquatic birds such as ducks and geese are the natural reservoir of Influenza A viruses and the central players in the ecology of these viruses. Many birds carry the flu without developing sickness, and shed it in their droppings. Since birds excrete even while flying, they provide a nice aerosol of influenza virus, probable reason for crows getting the virus in India. Some other birds feed on the dropping catch the illness and also become carriers. Sometimes, which is rare, the virus jumps over to mammals such as pigs, horses, cats and dogs. What strains have been found in India? Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD), the lab accredited to confirm bird flu, has detected two strains of influenza viruses so far. They are H5N8, a sub-type of avian influenza found in poultry and wild animals, has been found in crows in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The strain poses a low risk to people and is highly lethal to wild birds and poultry. The second strain found is H5N1 in ducks in Kerala and migratory birds in Himachal. It is highly infectious and causes severe respiratory disease in birds. Human cases of H5N1 are rare but if infected, the mortality rate is about 60% according to the World Health Organization. Which Indian states have been affected? The NIHSAD has so far identified 12 epicentres in Rajasthan (Baran, Kota, Jhalawar), Madhya Pradesh (Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa), Himachal Pradesh (Kangra) and Kerala (Kottayam, Alappuzha). In addition, bird flu deaths have also been reported from Haryana and Uttarakhand. Himachals Kangra district magistrate banned sale or culling of poultry in the alert zone and closed all poultry or fish selling shops. In Rajasthan, Section 144 was imposed in a 1km radius of infected areas in Jhalawar and Baran districts. In Kerala, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts close to 38,000 ducks have been culled. Why does bird flu impact India? According to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), India is the epicentre as flight paths of distant birds criss-cross the countrys skies and India is also a terminal destination for many such streams, making it a biological hot spot for bird disease. Nearly 370 species of birds, from the northern wheatear to yellow-rumped flycatcher crisscross India from Europe, Russia and Mongolia each year, according to BNHS. This time, the disease has come from Siberia, Mangolia, China and some other Central Asian countries. Which countries other than India are affected? In the last few weeks, avian influenza has hit at least 10 European countries -- Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, and Ukraine, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Cases have also been reported in South Korea and Japan, where this has been the worst bird flu outbreak on record, having reached over 20 % of its 47 prefectures. To control avian influenza, France would cull around 600,000 poultry birds. In Germany, about 62,000 turkeys and ducks will be slaughtered after being hit by H5N8 bird flu. South Koreas agriculture ministry in October had ordered temporary closure for poultry farms and related transport to contain a wider spread of bird flu. Japans government has also called for disinfections of poultry farms across the country after infections have been detected in six regional prefectures since November. How does bird flu infect humans? No human infection has been reported in India so far. As of December 17, 2020, a total of 239 cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus were reported from four countries -- Cambodia, China, Vietnam and Lao PDR -- since 2003. Of these cases, 134 were fatal. The last case was reported from Lao PDR on October 13, 2020 (one case, no death), according to WHO. The first case of humans having contracted bird flu came after an outbreak in a live bird market of Hong Kong in 1997. It was the H5N1 strain of the virus, and 6 out of 18 infected humans died of the disease. A few years later, the virus returned, killing many people in various other parts of the globe and caused hundreds of human deaths, particularly in south-east Asia. Generally, people coming in close contact with infected alive or dead birds have contracted the H5N1 bird flu, and it does not usually spread from person to person, according to WHO, which also said that there is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly prepared and cooked poultry food. What are the economic implications of bird flu? The Central government records show nearly Rs400 crore have been paid to poultry farmers till 2016 as compensation for mass killing of birds. Across the globe, the loss estimated globally was US$200 billion in 2016. In its recent report, WHO said that bird flu hampers the poultry industry in a big way. Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado. Police arrest drug peddler in central Kashmir 26 May 2021 | 1:56 PM Srinagar, May 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a notorious drug peddler and recovered contraband in the central Kashmir district of Badgam on Wednesday, a police spokesman said. see more.. Man orders mobile phone online; gets onions instead 26 May 2021 | 1:48 PM Hamirpur (HP), May 26(UNI) A resident of Anu village here was in for a rude shock when he received onions instead of a mobile phone which he had ordered online. Shashi Thakur alias Ashu, the victim of online fraud, said today that he had bought a mobile online worth Rs 15,000 from a private company, for which he had made all the payments including delivery charges through his credit card. see more.. Security forces recover cache of ammunition in Naranag forest in Ganderbal 26 May 2021 | 1:30 PM Srinagar, May 26 (UNI) Security forces on Wednesday recovered a cache of ammunition during a search operation in the Naranag forest areas in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal. see more.. We are vanquishing the virus: MP CM 26 May 2021 | 1:22 PM Bhopal, May 26 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed optimism on Wednesday over the fact that the state is rapidly advancing towards victory in the epic war against the millennium scourge. The unlocking process is scheduled to commence on June 1 and suggestions are most welcome, the veteran leader conveyed via social media. see more.. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In 2020 alone, more than 2,000 Christians were brutally hacked to death by radical Muslims in Nigeria. Add to that the wife in Uganda whose Muslim husband forced her to drink pesticide after he found two Bibles in her suitcase, and the minister shot to death by three gunmen in India while returning home after baptizing new believers. Religious persecution is alive and well. Why do folks want to impose their beliefs on everybody else? Is it a control thing? A way to validate ones own faith? Or, perhaps thinking its Gods will to force a particular religion? We may not have religious wars in this country, but simply mention culture wars and were back in the same boat, except that the struggle is more likely between religious faith and secularism its own faux religion. Given thorny matters of conscience and conviction on all sides, are any of us right to impose our values on others? While on many fronts there can be peaceful coexistence, some issues are simply non-negotiable, most notably abortion and same-sex marriage, which causes raging conflict even among those who wear the name of Christ. Legislating morality is tricky business. Witness the chaos caused by Prohibition. Yet, virtually all crimes are nothing less than legislating morality, be it Thou shalt not kill, or Thou shalt not steal. Murder and theft are such universally recognized moral offenses that not even secularists are demanding their repeal. Indeed, crucially separating the act itself from the underlying motive (as in a womans choice), if abortion were ever honestly acknowledged to be what it is in actual fact the killing of one human being by another (homicide) the abortion debate would be over in a fetal heartbeat! Consider this: If an emerging infant is a human being, was it not a human being minutes earlier while the mother was in labor? And an hour before that, and a day, a month, three months, and six months before? Even earlier? Did you know that in many jurisdictions civil actions can be brought for wrongful death when a fetus is accidentally killed at virtually any point early in the pregnancy? Trimesters and viability are disingenuous red herrings. Beyond conception itself, it defies human ability to draw a line between human life and non-human life. Live and let live, you say? Then let live! As for same-sex marriage, not even moral conservatives want bedroom police intruding into anyones sexual activities, hence there are no calls to re-criminalize homosexual conduct. Conversely, legally recognizing same-sex marriage turns the tables, imposing state-condoned immorality through non-discrimination laws (that discriminate against religious beliefs!). Understandably, the gay lobby recoils against any comparison with marriage for incest or bestiality, but given their insistence on mandating legal sanction for all sexual expression the only argument that can be made against a man marrying his sister or his horse is a moral argument. If moral objection is a legitimate reason to deny marriage on other grounds, why not same-sex marriage? Only yesterday, gay marriage was equally repulsive, and is immoral still. But we were talking about religious persecution, and especially Muslims, under whose Sharia precepts (the ultimate in legislating morality) homosexuals are put to death. Whereas Islamic fervor for upholding morality is admirable, how they treat moral offenders is in stark contrast to how Jesus treated the woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8:2-11). To be sure, the context is complicated by the hypocrisy of her sanctimonious accusers, and their attempt to trap Jesus. But, if only we could capture Jesus balance in that case neither legally punishing personal sin nor validating it (Go now, and leave your life of sin) even Muslims might sit up and take notice. The question for us is: Whether in law, church attitudes, or in our own families, are we able to distinguish between Christian tolerance and openly sanctioning the sin? With increasing militancy, todays religious persecution is against those who dare make that crucial distinction. A Russian hit squad accused of trying to kill the Putin critic Alexei Navalny may be linked to four other deaths and poisonings, according to an investigation of travel records. A joint investigation by Bellingcat and CNN last month says it identified at least six members of a Russian security service that are focused in nerve agents and toxins. The analysis, through phone and flight history, suggests that Navalny, 44, was followed by the FSB operatives to a minimum of 17 cities since 2017. Now, after investigative website Bellingcat released data on 565 flight and train journeys it says were made by the operatives in Russia, the team has been connected to the locations of three other deaths and one poisoning. Navalny was poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok - which is claimed to have been sprinkled in his underwear after the dissident tricked one of his own assassins into a confession. He became ill while on a plane in Siberia on August 20. Alexei Navalny, 44, pictured standing near law enforcement agents in a hallway of a business centre, which houses the office of his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in Moscow (file photo) FSB operative and medical doctor Ivan Osipov, who travelled under the identity of Ivan Spiridonov, was in the area when Timur Kushaev, a North Caucasus journalist, was found dead in a forest in the Russian city of Nalchik, reports The Times. His body was discovered in 2014 with an injection mark underneath one of his armpits, leading to the assumption that he may have been poisoned. The journalist previously claimed he had received threats from the police. His cause of death was recorded as heart failure. Another member of the squad was in Kirov when opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza (pictured above) was poisoned in 2017 Mr Osipov was also located in Dagestan in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe at the same time Ruslan Magomedragimov, an activist, died in March 2015. His cause of death was recorded as asphyxiation but friends and relatives claimed they spotted possible injection wounds on his neck. The death of opposition activist Nikita Isayev, who died on a train from Tambov to Moscow in 2019, also corresponds with the FSB squad's flight data. Another member of the squad was in the Russian city of Kirov when opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza was poisoned in 2017. Navalny was airlifted to Germany two days after he became ill on a flight in August, with a military lab finding evidence of the Soviet-era nerve agent novichok. Earlier in December last year, Navalny claimed he had duped an alleged FSB plotter into admitting that Navalny's underpants had been sprinkled with the nerve agent. Konstantin Kudryavtsev was one of a team of alleged chemical weapons experts named last week as suspects in Navalny's poisoning. The FSB says the call was a fake, and Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Navalny had a 'persecution mania'. Ruslan Magomedragimov (pictured left), an activist, who died in March 2015, and opposition activist Nikita Isayev (right), who died on a train from Tambov to Moscow in 2019 FSB operative and medical doctor Ivan Osipov was in the area when Timur Kushaev (pictured), a North Caucasus journalist, was found dead in a forest in the Russian city of Nalchik The Kremlin has said Navalny is free to return to Russia at any time like any other Russian citizen. Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level corruption and mobilising protests. He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings, sued over corruption investigations and was barred from running against Putin in the 2018 presidential election. The 44-year-old has also served several stints in jail in recent years for organising anti-Kremlin protests. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia's arrests and detention of Navalny in 2012 and 2014 were politically motivated. Kroger officials announced Tuesday they would partner with Houston ISD to inoculate school nurses with COVID-19 vaccines. Local pharmacists with the grocery store chain will administer doses of the Moderna vaccine through a dedicated vaccination district located at a school district facility, according to a press release, although officials did not say exactly where the clinic would be set up. Both HISD and Kroger officials expect to distribute the vaccine to hundreds of school nurses through the partnership. Our schools are the heart of our community, and we will continue to advocate for healthcare providers, teachers and frontline workers to have priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine, said Marla Fielder, Director of Pharmacy for Kroger Houston. We are committed to creating safe and healthy communities by partnering with local school districts to immunize these individuals who put their lives at risk on a daily basis to educate our children. School nurses were included in Phase 1A of Texas vaccine distribution plan, which included healthcare workers and some emergency responders. The state now is moving toward Phase 1B of distribution, which includes people older than 65 and those over the age of 16 who have underlying health conditions. Some education leaders, elected officials and teachers groups have called on Texas Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel to prioritize teachers as essential workers in order to move them closer to the front of the line for vaccines. Cypress-Fairbanks ISDs school board and Fort Bend County Judge KP George sent letters to the Panel to try to give teachers more priority. Cy-Fair ISD Board President Bob Covey said in December that the well-being and health of students and teachers are at stake. When kids go home, we dont know what theyve been around, he said Monday. We just need to protect our teachers, our support staff, our school administrators we need to make sure theyre as healthy as they can possibly be for our kids. shelby.webb@chron.com A suspected gas leakage at maharatna PSU Steel Authority of India Ltd's Rourkela Steel plant in Odisha led to the death of four contract workers on Wednesday. The incident once again brutally exposes the lax safety record of one of India's largest steel producers. The four workers belonged to a private firm and were engaged in maintenance work of the coal chemical department. They became unconscious after a suspected leakage of carbon monoxide at 9 AM and were rushed to the local Ispat General Hospital, where they succumbed after a few hours. "In an unfortunate incident at SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant, four contract workers engaged at the Plant's Coal Chemicals Department (CCD) have succumbed to a suspected gas leakage incident. SAIL family is deeply saddened by the loss of lives and stand strong with the affected families at this time of grief," the company said in a statement. "A high-level committee has been formed to inquire into the cause of the incident and all emergency protocols have been immediately activated in the Plant." Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, himself a native of Odisha, too took to Twitter to express his condolences. "Grieved at the loss of lives in unfortunate incident at SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant. My thoughts are with the affected families at this hour of grief," he tweeted in the afternoon. This is the seventh safety related incident at SAIL's factories in the last few years. Last year, the company's Bokaro Steel Plant in Jharkhand suffered four incidents in a span of just two weeks. On 6 May, a loco pilot working in the transport department, came in contact with the 25,000KV wire, suffered deep burns from the high voltage shock and died in hospital on 16 May. A few days later, on 11 May, a general manger and two workers became unconscious when nitrogen gas leaked while a transformer was being installed. The gas should have been released in an open environment before the installation. At that time the victims recovered fully and no casualty was reported. In the same week, however, two contract workers at the same plant suffered burn injuries in a fire while working on a live electrical line. Another fire occurred during the same month at Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited, a subsidiary of SAIL located inside the Bokaro plant. Two contract workers suffered 30 per cent burns while welding the diesel tank of an automobile crane. The company's biggest factory at Bhilai in Chhattisgarh also has an unenviable safety record. On October 9, 2018, an explosion at the plant killed 14 workers. The blast occurred in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant during a maintenance job. It was not a one-off incident. On May 24, there was a minor fire at the Bhilai plant, though no one was injured. In June 2014, six people, including two deputy general managers, had died in that factory due to gas leakage. The 2018 incident had happened barely two weeks after A K Chaudhary became the chairman of the firm. "It was really unfortunate... and I had to face it soon after I took charge. But we have become more careful now. We are doing whatever lies within our realm so that not even a single fatality happens at SAIL in the future," he told Business Today in June 2019. "All our plants have been given strict instructions that no production will happen at the cost of safety." The pattern has not changed. Chaudhary retired on December 31, 2020 and Soma Mondal took charge of the company becoming the first woman top boss at the PSU on January 1. The Rourkela tragedy has happened within a week of her appointment, a stark reminder of what her priorities ought to be. ALSO READ: PNB scam: Nirav Modi's sister, her husband opt for pardon, to testify against him ALSO READ: Budget 2021: PM Narendra Modi to interact with economists on Friday When Covid-19 took hold, graduate student Anna Palmer claimed a compact hideaway under a stair landing in the Sewanee, Tenn., home she shares with her partner. She can barely stand up in the spacewhich is hemmed in by two book-lined walls and a honey-pine staircase. No matter. A small mattress, blankets, pillows and a long bolster encourage repose and hours of solace. It was essential that we find our own spaces and activities to mentally survive the pandemic," said Ms. Palmer, 26. Reading in the book nook was, and still is, my thing." Perhaps because they are so recently in utero, children unselfconsciously seek tiny spacesassembling Legos under a table, playing house in the fireplace. In the Covid era, weary of open floor plans and an overload of togetherness, adults are becoming reacquainted with the pacifying powers of a hidy-hole. And though window seats can offer a restorative vantage point on nature, legit niches afford a more absolute feeling of envelopment. Having your back against the wall and a view of the world around you gives you the most secure sense of refuge," said Dr. Sally Augustin, an applied environmental psychologist and author of Designology: How to Find Your PlaceType and Align Your Life with Design" (Mango). In restaurants, for example, people gravitate toward seats and banquettes set against a wall, with a view of the door. Although womb-like spots evoke feelings from our childhood pasts, a nooks design can be very forward-looking. On a roomy stair landing in his Houston, Texas, family home, architect Christopher Robertson installed minimalist white bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Tucked into the center of the shelving is a white-oak-lined alcove he made cozy with a simple, white seat cushion and throw pillows in a lush, white cottonmodern yet not cold. In a country villa in Ibiza, Spain, London architecture and design agency TG Studio transformed a rounded, cavelike pocket (that once housed a bread oven) off the main living space into a nook that invites cocooning. Randomly sized, citrus-tinted windows pierce its thick whitewashed walls, recalling Le Corbusiers Ronchamp chapel in France. A semicircular seat cushion and a dozen throw pillows supply cushiness. A niche by Angie Hranowsky bridges traditional and modern style. The Charleston, S.C., designer equipped a den to work as a guest room by fashioning a quirky setback in one wall into a chic hideaway. Swagged curtains read traditional, as do fabrics in ikat and chevron patterns. But this particular chevron skews whimsical, the unusual ikat is turned sideways and Ms. Hranowsky strictly limited her palette to purples and goldsmaking the space as modern as the abstract painting that hangs within it. Shaded brass sconces provide light, and a 19th-century Anglo-Indian table, a nod to history, adds a spot to park necessities. I wanted the nook to act as a place where guests could sleep," she said. Drapes boost the womb-ish allure of any getaway cubby. In his Norfolk, England, home, designer John Tanner hung curtains in a guest-room alcove clad with rustic wood. When theyre drawn, said Mr. Tanner, the alcove becomes very private and immersive. If no space in your home has cavelike nook potential, you can engineer an approximation in a corner. Artist John Dowd did just that in his Provincetown, Mass., home when he anchored a chaise longue, covered in a remnant of vintage Japanese indigo fabric, into the right angle formed by a deep bookcase and the wood-paneled wall it was placed against. He hung a few small paintings on the side of the bookcase, creating a charming sense of enclosure and a cozy corner for a lie down." This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. President Donald Trump departs on the South Lawn of the White House on Dec. 12, 2020. (Al Drago/Getty Images) White House: Trump Signs Memo to Block Antifa Members From Entering US President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum seeking to block the entry of individuals affiliated with the far-left movement Antifa to the United States, the White House announced on Jan. 5, saying that the violence spurred on by the group endangers the fabric of the nation. Antifa activists have brutally attacked our law-abiding friends, neighbors, and business owners, and destroyed historic landmarks that our communities have cherished for decades, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement on Jan. 5. This violence and lawlessness has no place in the United States and will be called out for the domestic terrorism that it is. Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum to ensure that Federal officials assess actions of Antifa activists in light of Federal laws that restrict the entry of aliens associated with terrorist organizations and aliens intent on criminal activity. President Trump will not allow Antifa, or any terrorist organization, to destroy our great country. Citing the safety of U.S. citizens, the presidents memorandum states that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, aliens who have engaged or who are likely to engage in terrorist activity and those aliens who seek entry into the United States to engage, principally or incidentally, in unlawful activity, are rendered inadmissible. It states that active membership in a criminal association must be considered in determining whether an individual may be seeking to enter the country to engage in unlawful activity. Antifa members prepare to clash with Patriot Prayer protesters during a rally in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 4, 2018. (John Rudoff/AP Photo) Antifa, which is described as an anarcho-communist movement, publicly identifies with communist and socialist ideology. The group was described by then-Attorney General William Barr on Aug. 9, 2020, as a revolutionary group intent on establishing socialism or communism in the United States. Barr has said that the extremist group has been engaged with this goal since the first day of the Trump administration. Trump, meanwhile, has previously said that the United States will declare Antifa a terrorist group, but the administration hasnt taken the formal step of doing so. Shortly before the release of the memorandum, Trump on Twitter described Antifa as a terrorist organization, and he warned the movement to stay out of Washington during the planned protests organized by a number of groups before the Jan. 6 joint session during which members of Congress would count electoral votes. Authorities in Washington warned against bringing guns to the Jan. 6 planned protests, and police on Jan. 4 arrested the head of the Proud Boys on suspicion of burning a Black Lives Matter banner that was torn down from Asbury United Methodist Church in the nations capital last month. Law enforcement is watching you very closely! @DeptofDefense @TheJusticeDept @DHSgov @DHS_Wolf @SecBernhardt @SecretService @FBI, Trump wrote. The memo states that, based on reliable reporting, Antifa is directly or indirectly responsible for some of the recent lawlessness in communities across the nation. Antifa has exploited tragedies to advance a radical, leftist, anarchist, and often violent agenda, the memo states, adding that the group has long used otherwise permissible demonstrations to engage in lawless, criminal behavior to further its radical agenda. Andy Ngo, a Portland-based journalist, is covered in unknown substance after unidentified Rose City Antifa members attacked him in Portland, Ore., on June 29, 2019. (Moriah Ratner/Getty Images) The official memo cites alleged Antifa attacks on independent journalist Andy Ngo, who in June 2020 filed a lawsuit against Portland Antifa for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and accused the anarcho-communist group of running a racketeering enterprise. The violence spurred on by Antifasuch as hurling projectiles and incendiary devices at police, burning vehicles, and violently confronting police in defiance of local curfewsis dangerous to human life and to the fabric of our Nation, the memo states. It cites a number of other incidents marred by violence in recent years, which saw Antifa protesters physically assault individuals, cause property damage, and threaten violence against law enforcement officers. It also comes a day after Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) claimed that a group of Antifa members threatened his family in their Virginia home. The memorandum states that the secretary of state will consult with the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security in reviewing information from the Department of Justice to assess whether to classify Antifa as a terrorist organization. Listing Antifa as Aliens Who Are Members of an Identified Criminal Organization will also be considered, the memo says. These violent acts undermine the rights of peaceful protestors and destroy the lives, liberty, and property of the people of this Nation, especially those most vulnerable, the memo states. China once again has delayed the investigation into the origin of the Coronavirus pandemic. An international team of 10 experts had to reach China for the inquest, however despite prior jointly developed arrangements between WHO and China, the team has been denied entry by Beijing. The Coronavirus outbreak has affected 218 countries and territories and there have been 84,474,195 confirmed cases including 1,848,704 deaths so far. (Source: WHO). The early cases of COVID 19 emerged in late 2019 in Wuhan and since the beginning of the outbreak, China has been blatantly accused of concealing information about the virus. China once again has delayed the investigation into the origin of the Coronavirus pandemic. An international team of 10 experts had to reach China for the inquest. However, despite prior jointly-developed arrangements between WHO and China, the team has been denied entry by Beijing. The team was to go to China to probe early cases of the coronavirus. It was announced last month that the investigation would begin in January 2021. The World Health Organizations director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a press conference in Geneva yesterday said that he learned that Chinese officials had not yet finalized the necessary permission for the teams arrival in China. He remarked that he is Very disappointed with this news given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute. Also Read: Be ready for war: Xi Jinping orders Chinese military Also Read: Tamil Nadu allows 100% occupancy in theatres; sparks controversy He ensured that he has been in contact with senior Chinese Officials and has made it very clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team. He added that he has been assured that China is speeding up the internal procedure for the earliest possible deployment and that WHO is eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible. WHOs director of the Emergencies Programme Mike Ryan in the press conference added that this is Very frustrating and that it is hoped that the issues are resolved in good faith. ADVERTISEMENT National Identification Number holders with incorrect dates of birth will pay N15,000 to effect correction in the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database. The NIMC regional coordinator, Fummi Opesanwo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos. PUNCH Newspaper reported that NIN enrollees will have to pay a token of N5,000 for card renewal or card replacement and an address modification fee of N500. Ms Opesanwo said although NIN enrolment is free, there are charges attached to other services like the card renewal, correction of date of birth and change of address. For the date of birth correction, there is a processing fee of N15,000. For card renewal or card replacement, there is a processing fee of N5,000. For the modification of address or name, it is N500. So, people misconstrue this to mean that in NIMC they are asking them to pay money. No, those are for services.Ms Opesanwo said She said the fees are paid to the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government. For correction of date of birth, it is N15,000 and it is payable to the TSA, she added. The Nigerian government had directed telecommunication operators through the Nigerian Communication Commission to block subscribers who fail to link their mobile numbers to their NIN The directive said subscribers were given a period of two weeks to link their numbers but was later extended to January 18 2021. Subscribers without NIN have until February 9 to register and link to their numbers Large Crowd resurfaces While the holidays have ended, this newspaper has reported how huge crowds have reappeared at NIMC centres nationwide Some NIMC officials have had to extort enrollees by cashing in on their desperation to get the NIN registration sorted out before the deadline given by the government expires. Ms Opesanwo explained the rationale behind the huge crowd observed on Wednesday. When we came this morning, a lot of applicants complained that their SIM (cards) have been blocked and that is why we are experiencing this large number today. READ ALSO: We are trying to manage the situation. Applicants have been seated and they came in for different services, so, there is no problem. We have to be mindful of the safety protocols and we cannot exceed the number of people, the capacity that we can take, we have to adhere to the guidelines, she said. The total number of mobile network connections was 207.58 million in October, but over 44 million Nigerians have NIN, thus 163 million telephone users are at the risk of being deactivated on January 19, 2021. Renowned French chef and restaurateur Albert Roux has died at the age of 85. The founder of the acclaimed London restaurant Le Gavroche, which he founded with his brother, Michel Roux, in 1976, died on January 4 after a long illness. His death comes almost one year after Michel died at the age of 78. A statement from the family reads: "The Roux family has announced the sad passing of Albert Roux, OBE, KFO, who had been unwell for a while, at the age 85 on 4th January 2021. "Albert is credited, along with his late brother Michel Roux, with starting London's culinary revolution with the opening of Le Gavroche in 1967. Recommended Legendary French chef Albert Roux dies "The Roux family have requested that their privacy at this time be respected." Albert Rouxs son, chef and Masterchef star Michel Roux Jr said: He was a mentor for so many people in the hospitality industry, and a real inspiration to budding chefs, including me. Leading figures within the culinary industry have paid homage to Roux on social media in the wake of his death. Food critic Jay Rayner tweeted: "Albert Roux was an extraordinary man, who left a massive mark on the food story of his adopted country. The roll call of chefs who went through the kitchens of Le Gavroche alone, is a significant slab of a part of modern UK restaurant culture. RIP. Piers Morgan tweeted: "RIP Albert Roux, 85, just 9 months after the death of his brother Michel. "Two culinary titans who revolutionised the UK restaurant scene & mentored so many more great chefs. "Both wonderful characters, touched by genius, who brought pleasure to many palates. Thank you." Chef James Martin also paid tribute to Roux, by describing his death as such a sad start to the year. Albert Roux was a true titan of the food scene in this country and inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business, he tweeted. "RIP and today I will open a bottle of the finest red and raise a glass... in fact the bottle to you and your brother and say thank you for everything. My thoughts to all the Roux family and friends." Additionally, chef Tom Kitchin tweeted: One of the true culinary greats has left us... Merci chef.. My thoughts are with the Roux family and the army of chefs youve influenced over the years.. You will be missed but never forgotten.. RIP." The Michelin Guide, which awarded Le Gavroche with three Michelin stars, tweeted: "Albert Roux OBE, along with his late brother Michel, was a father of the UK restaurant industry and his legacy will live on through the many chefs who passed through his kitchen. "All of us at the Michelin Guide send our heartfelt condolences to the Roux family." The Delhi Cyber Crime Cell on Wednesday said it has arrested six people on charges of extortion by collecting information from peoples Facebook profiles, creating fake profiles and then asking for money. Police have recovered 17 phones from the accused during a raid carried out on January 4. DCP Cyber Crime Cell, Delhi, Anyesh Roy said, We started receiving complaints in November. So far, 10-12 complaints have come to us. Police said the accused would target random people by taking information from their online profiles. They usually targeted people whose online profiles were not locked. The accused, all between the age of 20-30, would make fake profiles and ask for Rs 10,000-20,000 as extortion money. The victims of this extortion racket are all based from Delhi. Roy said people should not accept friend requests from strangers or engage in video calls with them. Don't get tricked by names cropping up on Truecaller, he said, adding the name of one of the accused showed that he was a legal officer from an OTT platform. Police are also investigating the background of the accused to see if they were involved in crimes in the past. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. With the Washington Monument in the background, people attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump near the White House in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo) Thousands of People Expected at Save America March on Second Day of DC Rallies Thousands of people supporting President Donald Trump remained in the nations capital on Wednesday to rally against the Electoral College results and alleged election fraud. Trump announced on Twitter he is personally going to address supporters during the rally dubbed Save Americaan event organized by Women for America First, a pro-Trump groupon the Ellipse, a park located south of the White House. I will be speaking at the SAVE AMERICA RALLY tomorrow on the Ellipse at 11 a.m. Eastern, the president wrote. Arrive earlydoors open at 7 a.m. Eastern. BIG CROWDS! According to a permit issued by the National Park Service, the event allows up to 30,000 people to gather on the Ellipse until Jan. 8, though official attendance figures wont be known until later on Wednesday. Supporters of President Donald Trump demonstrate on the National Mall in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police warned local residents ahead of time for the rallies starting Tuesday through Thursday in a Dec. 31 statement, announcing that many streets will potentially be closed and parking restricted. The multi-day rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into unrest. Most of the demonstrators gathered just blocks from the White House in Freedom Plaza during Tuesdays rally to decry the vote in the Electoral College. As temperatures dropped to the low 40s and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. People attend a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, in support of President Donald Trump. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo) Trump on Tuesday warned Antifa radicals, who have been designated as a terrorist organization, to stay out of Washington, adding that law enforcement is watching you very closely! Robert Contee, who was sworn in by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser as Acting Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police Department on Jan. 2, has said prior to the demonstrations that guns wont be tolerated in the capital. We have received some information that there are individuals intent on bringing firearms into our city and thats justjust will not be tolerated, Contee said. Police said during Tuesday nights rally, at least six people were taken into custody following clashes with counter-demonstrators and police. Those arrested have been accused of a variety of offenses including weapons and ammunition possession, assaulting a police officer, simple assault, and possessing a stun gun. In mid-December, violent confrontations between alleged members of the Antifa group and members of the Proud Boys erupted during the Million MAGA March in Washington, leading to at least four people getting stabbed and police officers injured. Both groups have regularly attracted media attention for being involved in violent encounters with one another. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump participate in the Million MAGA March to protest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Washington, on Dec. 12, 2020. (Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images) Bowser has urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is looking for a fight. She also called in National Guard troops to help bolster the citys police force. In addition to the National Guard, federal agents were on standby, in case they were quickly needed in the city this week. The federal Bureau of Prisons said about 100 specially trained officers were sent to the Justice Department headquarters to assist other security personnel but would remain in a reserve capacity unless needed. The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, said that unlike during the unrest in May and June in Washington, it did not plan to deploy agents from Customs and Border Protection to the demonstration Wednesday. Right now, we have not been asked to deploy. However, we have a modest quick reaction force that will be on standby just in case our assistance is requested, the agencys acting commissioner, Mark Morgan, said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ADVERTISEMENT A former United States of Americas Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has reacted to the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters by the Nigerian police. He also condemned the failure of the court to grant the activist and other arrested protesters bail. Mr Campbell who is currently the Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow For Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Washington D.C., said in a piece on Tuesday that the current situation is a poor representation of Nigeria to the incoming Joe Bidens administration. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Sowore and four others were arrested during a protest tagged #CrossOverProtest held on December 31 in Abuja. They were subsequently arraigned before a magistrates court in Wuse Zone 2 on Monday on charges of unlawful assembly, criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbance. The magistrate, Taye Maibel, ordered them remanded in Kuje Correctional Prison detention till the following day when the court heard their bail application. The magistrate, however, denied the activists bail application filed by Marshal Abubakar from Femi Falana Chambers. She denied the application after the police counsel faulted the submission of a joint affidavit for the five accused persons in the case. Ms Maibel, after listening to the two counsel, ordered Mr Sowore and the others taken to Force CIID in Area 10, in Abuja till January 8. In reaction to this, Mr Campbell said many of those who benefit from Nigerias political economy, not least the police, detest Mr Sowore and it may damage the countrys international reputation. Instigation for his arrest could have a variety of sources, not necessarily including the presidency. The episode, if not quickly resolved, could further damage Nigerias international reputation particularly among the diaspora living in the United States. The incoming Biden administration has signaled that it will be deeply concerned about human rights issues. The arrest of Sowore and the denial of bail is a poor representation of Nigeria to the incoming administration. In addition, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said in a series of tweets on Tuesday that it had sent a complaint to the United Nation Working Group on Arbitrary Detention over illegal detention and reported torture of Mr Sowore. Were seeking their immediate release & withdrawal of the bogus charges against them, SERAP said. Another dry run for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out was held at the Hindu Rao Hospital and a few other civic facilities in the city on Wednesday, officials said. North Delhi Mayor Jai Prakash said, all guidelines that will be followed when vaccination begins, were followed during the exercise. 'In NDMC area, Hindu Rao Hospital and Kasturba Hospital were chosen for the dry run that took place this morning. I inspected the arrangement made at Hindu Rao,' he said. Prakash said 34 people were given dummy vaccines at the Hindu Rao Hospital. In the reception area in the hospitals, a waiting zone has been made, where people will come and after verification of their names through CoWIN app, they will be taken one by one for vaccination. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network or CoWIN app and its ecosystem will be used to manage and scale up the massive vaccination drive that is expected to begin soon across the country. 'An emergency room is there and people will be told about the vaccine and its probable side effects before vaccination, and will be under observation if they exhibit any complications,' Prakash said. Both the hospitals fall under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). 'Hindu Rao has 900 beds and the Swine Flu ward, having 50 beds, has been earmarked for the vaccination centre there,' he said, adding out of 1,000 such centres that will eventually be set up, over 600 would fall in NDMC areas. Official of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation also said, a dry run was scheduled for Wednesday. More details were awaited. Following sites in SDMC areas have been chosen for the exercise -- MCW Hari Nagar; Polyclinic Madipur: MCW Bijawasan; MH Sriniwas Puri; MCW Fatehpur Beri; and MCW Defence Colony, officials said. The first dry run for the coronavirus vaccination roll-out was held on Saturday at three sites across the national capital, officials said. The activity was done to test the linkages between planning and implementation and to identify the challenges. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday had said COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to people in the national capital for free once it arrives, and asserted that the city government had made all preparations for the vaccination drive. Work is underway in full swing to set up the centres for COVID-19 vaccination in the national capital, with 500 such units to come up in the first phase, even as the storage facility is getting equipped with freezers to hold vaccines in a temperature range of 2-8 degrees Celsius. A total of 1000 vaccination centres will be set up. And, 500-600 centres will be set up in the first phase. India's drugs regulator has approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country. As part of the first phase, about three lakh healthcare workers and nearly six lakh frontline workers, totalling about nine lakh, will be the first ones to get the vaccine. The Delhi government is fully prepared to receive, store and administer COVID-19 vaccine to 51 lakh priority category persons in the city in the first phase of vaccination, Jain had said. These persons include healthcare workers, frontline workers, people aged above 50 and those below 50 years but with co-morbidities. Delhi recorded 442 fresh COVID-19 cases, and 12 new fatalities on Tuesday, even as the positivity rate slumped at 0.55 per cent, authorities said. The infection tally in the city stood at over 6.27 lakh and death toll mounted to 10,609, they said. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Emergency warnings remain in place as a bushfire two hours north of Perth threatens local communities. Residents of Ocean Farms Estate, Seaview Park and surrounding areas are being told to enact their bushfire survival plan, which includes leaving if safe to do so. The Red Gully fire has decimated more than 9,000 hectares since Saturday, with about 200 firefighters battling flames with support from water-bombing aircraft. The Red Gully fire has decimated more than 9,000 hectares since Saturday, with about 200 firefighters battling flames with support from water-bombing aircraft Emergency warnings remain in place as the bushfire two hours north of Perth threatens local communities in Ocean Farms Estate, Seaview Park and surrounding areas Emergency WA advised residents to leave if they can safely drive in a southerly direction along Indian Ocean Drive. The fire ignited in Red Gully in the Shire of Gingin but has since moved west. More than 200 volunteer and career firefighters are battling the blaze. Guilderton Country Club has been set up as an evacuation centre for those fleeing the fire. A Watch and Act warning remains for a fire in parts of Wedge Island in the Shire of Dandaragan. WA BUSHFIRES - what you need to know HIGH RISK areas include Ocean Farms Estate, Seaview Park, Regans Ford, Cowalla, Moore River National Park, Nilgen, Mimegarra, Wedge Island, Karakin, Orange Springs and Lancelin in the Shires of Gingin and Dandaragan in Western Australia. Emergency WA warns residents, 'Your life may be in danger if you stay.' 'Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly. If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.' Residents are advised to only leave if they can safely drive in a southerly direction along Indian Ocean Drive. Advertisement On Tuesday, incident controller Andy Duckworth said the blaze threatening homes at Ocean Farms Estate was running at 3.5km/h. Conditions included high temperatures and strong, shifting winds across the fire ground. Mr Duckworth said there were particular concerns for people living in the mainland community of Wedge Island with authorities unable to send ground crews into the area because of the presence of unexploded ordinance from an old bombing range. 'There's a lot of bush around there, and we're limited in our ability to fight the fire. We can use our aircraft but not much else,' he said. 'So we're not confident we can pull it up before it reaches Wedge Island by any means.' Tuesday's emergency followed an easing of the danger on Monday after a string of fires threatened various areas to the north and south of Perth, on the state's southwest coast and in the Goldfields. With very hot weather forecast until at least Sunday, Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said the risk of more fires was high. 'Whenever you come into a period of really hot weather coupled with extremely high easterly winds, we're always going to be in for a world of hurt,' he said. Residents of Ocean Farms Estate, Seaview Park and surrounding areas are being told to enact their bushfire survival plan, which includes leaving if safe to do so (Pictured - Red Gully fire on Tuesday 5 January) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. San Francisco, Jan 6 : Despite the Covid-19 pandemic that affected Apple's retail operation globally, the company has exceeded its internal financial targets in the past fiscal year, and CEO Tim Cook's cash bonus jumped 40 per cent to $10.7 million, The Wall Street Journal reported. Cook's 2020 pay, excluding vested shares, was $14.8 million, including the cash bonus and a $3 million salary that didn't change from the prior year. In its annual proxy filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Apple said it paid out 179 per cent of the targeted bonuses for named officers. Cook's bonus "had taken a 36% hit in 2019 when his pay package fell as revenue and profit declined tied to weaker iPhone sales". "Apple's share price rose more than 80% in 2020, placing its market value at more than $2 trillion," the report mentioned on Tuesday. In addition to his compensation, Cook had a total of $281.9 million in restricted stock that vested during the year. The package included $470,246 in security costs and $432,564 for air travel. Cook took home $125 million as his pay package in 2019, slightly lower (nearly 8 per cent) than $136 million which he received in total compensation in 2018. Watertown, NY (13601) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. LIMERICK City and County Council, in partnership with the HSE and An Garda Siochana, is reminding vulnerable and elderly people across Limerick that support is available, seven days a week, for those who need help during the current Covid-19 surge. The Limerick Covid-19 Community Response, which was first launched last March, is a coordinated centre where council staff, supported by volunteers, answer calls to a dedicated helpline - 1800 832 005 - from vulnerable people seeking assistance with daily needs such as shopping, prescriptions, supplies or just information requests. The centre, which has increased its hours and is now operating from 8am to 8pm, seven days per week, is based at Limerick City and County Council offices and is supported by volunteers from other sporting and community organisations. Limerick meeting latest Covid 19 surge with 7 day co-ordinated volunteer response. Please call 1800 832 005 if you need support. MORE:https://t.co/2i6XUGn0HP pic.twitter.com/lnwxJisMrM Limerick Council (@LimerickCouncil) January 5, 2021 Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins is appealing to members of the public to obey the current restrictions. There has been an alarming increase in Covid-19 cases in Limerick over the last number of weeks and, combined with the Level 5 restrictions and cold weather, there are a lot of people shielding from the virus at home. The Limerick Covid-19 Community Response has been in place since March and has now increased its operating hours. I wish to remind those who are at home and need support, that this coordinated response service is there. Please take a note of the helpline and any vulnerable people who need assistance with daily needs will be accommodated if they get in touch with us. Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer of HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare said: We are now in our third wave of Covid-19, a wave that is presenting unprecedented positivity levels of the virus across all our communities. As a result of this the HSE is experiencing increased demands and pressures to respond to the needs of the public. Working in partnership with our inter agency colleagues, as we have done in the previous 10 months of Covid, is paramount to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people, particularly those most vulnerable in our communities. I would urge the public not to hesitate in contacting the community response team and avail of this support if required. The head of the Limerick garda division, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche said says people's compliance with the restrictions is vital. 2020 was a tough year for us all. Not a day goes by that we dont hear about the devastating effects that Coivd-19 has had on the world. We must remember those who have passed away and those we can save by continuing to do our part that means staying within your 5km limit and limiting your contact with others as much as possible. Our Community Response Team in Limerick are there to help anyone who needs us. Since its establishment, the team has coordinated an amazing response in helping those self-isolating during the pandemic. The Community Response Team continues to be an essential service and people should not think twice about picking up the phone and calling us if they need help. Residents of Limerick, please remember there is a strong network of personnel on the ground to provide for daily needs... Posted by Garda Siochana - Cork, Kerry & Limerick - Southern Region on Tuesday, 5 January 2021 Once requests for assistance are recorded, contact is made with volunteer coordinators in the relevant community who, in turn, will make contact with a volunteer on the ground to carry out the task. The mayor of Washington extended a public emergency on Wednesday night as the local police worked to secure the area around the Capitol. Everyone needs to clear the Capitol ground and remove themselves back to their homes states, or wherever theyre staying, and let the police do their jobs, Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters late Wednesday evening. Ms. Bowser also issued an order extending the District of Columbias public emergency for 15 days. The order said that people who came to Washington for the purpose of engaging in violence and destruction had fired bricks, bricks, bottles, guns and chemical irritants. Their destructive and riotous behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol, it said. A number of regional police departments, as well as the National Guard, helped the Metropolitan Police Department establish a perimeter around the Capitol to help enforce an overnight curfew that took effect at 6 p.m., said Robert J. Contee, the departments chief. Hyderabad/New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis salvo targeting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao over dynastic politics has backfired, with TRS leader K T Rama Rao terming it joke of the millennium. Some so called national leaders of national parties who cant even win an election in their own backyard, make tall claims elsewhere Indian Notional (sic) Congress leadership talking of family rule? has to be the joke of the millennium. Classic comedy ????, Rao, son of the chief minister, wrote on Twitter. The Congress vice president was in Sangareddy in Telangana yesterday where he attacked the chief minister, accusing him of taking care of only his own family. Without naming Raos son K T Rama Rao, a minister in his government, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew Harish Rao, also a minister, Gandhi had asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a single family. Has the state been created just for four people, Gandhi said, and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and backward classes. In New Delhi, apparently apprehensive of the possibility of questions being asked about Gandhis remarks against dynastic politics, some Congress leaders at the partys briefing were overheard talking about the likely posers from the media. Also Read: TRS extends conditional support to BJP-led NDA in presidential poll Union Minister Smriti Irani quickly latched on to it and posted on Twitter: Comedy of errors Dynasty ke statement par dynasty ke supporter kya bolein iss par gehen calculation (Serious calculation over how supporters of dynasty should respond to statement on dynasty). In a video of the Congress press conference put out by Irani, a party leader is heard talking to its spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi about Rahul Gandhis comments. He is also heard on microphone telling Singhvi that nobody from the Gandhi family has been in power since Rajiv Gandhi, apparently a suggestion to counter questions on Gandhis dynasty jibe at Rao. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi attacks CM Chandrasekhar Rao: 'Was Telangana formed only for benefit of your family?' It is an irony that a member of the Gandhi family, which is the biggest example of the dynasty politics in India, is accusing another leader of promoting dynasty, BJPs media department head Anil Baluni said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer The Texas Railroad Commission on Wednesday maintained state regulatory exemptions for oil and gas companies over objections by environmental groups concerned about pollution. The three-member commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry in Texas, voted unanimously to confirm their May vote, which waived some fees and environmental rules for oil and gas companies squeezed financially by the worst oil crash in decades caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The commissions action Wednesday was prompted by a Public Citizen lawsuit arguing the May vote was not properly noticed under Texas open meeting laws, and further extends regulatory exemptions that allow oil and gas companies to delay plugging in abandoned wells, pay lower fees and not pay some penalties. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Iran denied that it was using a South Korean ship and its 20 crew members as hostages after it was seized for violating environmental protocols and polluting the area. According to the South Korean company which owns the ship, it was carrying 7,200 tons of chemicals, mostly methanol. Also, the company denies that it was polluting the waters. Iran seizes South Korean vessel This development comes as Iran is seeking to increase its leverage over Seoul after the negotiations of about $7 billion amid a US pressure campaign targeting Iran. According to the reports by AP, an Iranian government spokesman, Ali Rabiei said, If anybody is to be called a hostage-taker, it is the South Korean government that has taken our more than $7 billion hostage under a futile pretext. Tanker Hankuk Chemi was travelling from Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. It was then when the Iranian forces reached the location and forced to board the ship. Read: Ukrainians Call For Iran To Take Responsibility For Downed Plane South Koreas presidential office said that it views the current incident very gravely. They said, The US State Department joined South Korea in calling for the tankers immediate release, accusing Iran of threatening navigational rights and freedoms in the Persian Gulf in order to extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions. South Koreas Foreign Ministry said that it plans to send officials to Iran to talk about the early release of the ship. The ministry said that it was sending its anti-piracy unit to near the Strait of Hormuz with about 300 troops. (In this photo released Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, a South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on the Persian Gulf. Iranian state television acknowledged that Tehran seized the oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The report on Monday alleged the MT Hankuk Chemi had been stopped by Iranian authorities over alleged oil pollution in the Persian Gulf and the strait. Image Credits: AP) The company which owns the vessel has been unable to connect with the captain since the seizure. As per the reports by AP, the US Navy's Mideast routinely patrols the area along with an American-led coalition, which monitors the Strait of Hormuz. Also, a European-led effort also operates in the same area. Read: Iran Alleges Trump Trying To Fabricate Reason To Start War, Says Tehran Will Not Surrender The vessel seizure comes after an announcement by Iran that it would start enriching uranium to 20%, which is in violation of the nuclear deal. The move, which Iran had notified the UN nuclear watchdog about last week, was one of many mentioned in a law passed by Irans parliament last month in response to the killing of the countrys top nuclear scientist. Although the purity level needed to produce nuclear weapons is 90%, way above Iran's announcement of enriching uranium to up to 20% purity, the decision has caused a stir among other signatories of the deal. Read: China: Iran Nuclear Issue At "critical Juncture" Also Read: US Orders Aircraft Carrier To Remain In Middle East Amid Iranian Threats (Image Credits: AP) As Republicans in Congress prepare to formally contest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election on Wednesday, many of them have cited precedent for their effort: similar complaints lodged by Democrats in other presidential elections. After Republican victories in 2000, 2004 and 2016, for instance, Democrats in Congress used the formal counting of electoral votes as an opportunity to challenge election results. But the history of Democratic efforts to contest the outcomes of presidential elections is not a history worth emulating. On the contrary, it only underscores that the certification of a president-elects victory by the House and Senate is an improper forum for the airing of political grievances and an inappropriate occasion to readjudicate the decisions of the states concerning things like vote tallies, recounts and audits. While Congress has the power to decline to count electoral votes, it has done so only in extreme situations in the aftermath of the Civil War when, for instance, a state was deemed to lack a functioning government. The Electoral Count Act of 1887, which sets the rules for Congress to count electoral votes, was enacted with the presumption that state procedures are trustworthy. The act instructs Congress to defer to state judgments when a state resolves controversies over the appointment of electors. The act also requires broad political consensus to decline to count electoral votes. It instructs that on Jan. 6 after a presidential election, the president of the Senate (typically the vice president) presides over a session of the two chambers. If a member of Congress wishes to object to counting a states electoral votes, a member of the House and a member of the Senate must sign a written objection. The chambers separate for up to two hours of debate. If majorities of both chambers agree to the objection, the objection stands. If not, the votes are counted. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of India and the Government of Japan on Wednesday. This has been done on a "Basic Framework for Partnership for Proper Operation of the System Pertaining to 'Specified Skilled Worker'". Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The present Memorandum of Cooperation would set an institutional mechanism for partnership and cooperation between India and Japan on sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the required skill and Japanese language test, to work in fourteen specified sectors in Japan. These Indian workers would be granted a new status of residence of "Specified Skilled Worker" by the Government of Japan. Implementation strategy Under this MOC, a Joint Working Group will be set up to follow up on the implementation of this MOC. Impact The Memorandum of Cooperation would enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of workers and skilled professionals from India to Japan. Beneficiaries Skilled Indian workers from 14 sectors viz. Nursing care; Building cleaning; Material Processing industry; Industrial machinery manufacturing industry; Electric and electronic information related industry; Construction; Shipbuilding and ship-related industry; Automobile maintenance; Aviation; Lodging; Agriculture; Fisheries; Food and beverages manufacturing industry and Foodservice industry would have enhanced job opportunities to work in Japan. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. An Alabama couple federally charged with the kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old girl have been hit with state charges in the child's death. Patrick Devone Stallworth, 40, and Derick Irisha Brown, 30, were on Tuesday both indicted on state charges of capital murder during a kidnapping, and capital murder of a child under the age of 14. They face the death penalty if convicted in the case of Kamille 'Cupcake' McKinney, who was abducted during a birthday party in October 2019, and whose disappearance sparked a 10-day manhunt that captivated the state. The little girl was found dead in a dumpster with high levels of meth and sedatives in her systems. Investigators say they suspected Stallworth and Brown within 24 hours of McKinney's abduction. Stallworth (right) told investigators that he saw McKinney for the first time in the couple's apartment after Brown (left) allegedly brought the girl home Kamille 'Cupcake' McKinney (pictured) ingested methamphetamine and Trazodone, according to autopsy reports In December 2019, a two-and-a-half hour testimony from homicide Detective Jonathan Ross detailed the pair's actions leading up to McKinney's death. Ross testified that Stallworth purchased $81.91 worth of candy at a Shell gas station near Tom Brown Village, where McKinney lived, and surveillance footage showed him attempting to give it away to children. Phone records placed Stallworth near Tom Brown Village at the time of the little girl's abduction. Minutes after buying the candy, two preteen girls were leaving cheerleading practice at Hayes K-8 school when the couple approached them in a blue SUV, Ross said. One of the girls, aged 11, said Stallworth told her: 'I'm looking for a girl that looks like you,' and offered them candy. Ross said a 10-year-old boy told him that McKinney got into the car with the couple and that she was crying. Testimony also showed Stallworth purchasing an energy drink and an erectile dysfunction pill at a convenience store near his home on the night of the abduction. After hearing the young girls' story of being offered candy, detectives began to visit businesses around Tom Brown Village in hope of finding additional security footage. Kamille 'Cupcake' McKinney's disappearance sparked a massive manhunt in October 2019 Patrick Devone Stallworth (left), 40, and Derick Irisha Brown (right), 30, are facing state and federal charges The Shell station provided footage of the blue Toyota Sequoia that belonged to Stallworth and photos of Stallworth entering the store around noon. TIMELINE OF KAMILLE'S DISAPPEARANCE October 12, 2019 - Kamille 'Cupcake' McKinney is reported missing from a birthday party at a playground in Birmingham at 8.30pm October 14, 2019 - Patrick Devone Stallworth, 39, and his 29-year-old girlfriend, Derick Irisha Brown, are arrested on unrelated charges and named as persons of interest in Kamille's disappearance October 18, 2019 - Police release surveillance video from the night Kamille was abducted, which showed a man approaching her at a park near the Tom Brown public housing projects before he walked off with her October 22, 2019 - Police announce that Kamille's remains were found in a trash bin at a landfill near where the three-year-old was taken October 24, 2019 - Police formally charge Stallworth and Brown with capital murder of a child under age 14 July 29, 2020 - A federal grand jury indicts Stallworth and Brown on conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping resulting in the death of a minor victim August 20, 2020 - Stallworth and Brown both plead not guilty. January 5, 2021 - The pair are indicted on state charges of kidnapping and murder. A judge sets a pre-trial hearing date for March 31. Advertisement The suspects were arrested two days after the child went missing, on unrelated charges. Stallworth was charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography after investigators found multiple photos on his phone - none of which were McKinney. Brown was charged with violating probation conditions from a previous kidnapping case involving her own children. Both Brown and Stallworth blame each other. Ross said that Brown told police she saw Stallworth forcing the child to perform oral sex on him at their Center Point apartment. She claimed she went to sleep and when she woke the next morning and asked about where the child was, he told her she was high. Ross said Brown said she later saw Stallworth leave the apartment with a trash bag. Brown gave investigators hints about where McKinney's remains were located, leading authorities to discovering her body in a dumpster. On October 22, 2019, McKinney's remains were found, and the pair were charged with murder on October 24, 2019. Ross said Stallworth admitted to seeing McKinney for the first time on the night of her abduction. Stallworth claimed he walked into the couple's apartment to find Brown sitting with McKinney on the couch. He reportedly told Brown: 'That's not your child.' Brown said she wanted to 'keep' the young child, Stallworth claimed. Brown then suggested that Stallworth 'do something sexual to the child' before he refused and went outside to smoke a cigarette, Ross said. During this time Brown had removed the child's clothes and hair bows to give her a bath. Later, Stallworth alleged seeing Brown 'put her hands over Cupcake's nose and mouth' when McKinney was asleep. Authorities previously released surveillance images of a male suspect and the SUV they were believed to be traveling in. Police confirmed they recovered this Toyota Sequoia Surveillance footage at a convenience store showed Stallworth purchasing candy before he allegedly attempted to give it away to children An inmate at the same jail as Stallworth claimed he admitted he 'accidentally killed the baby'. Testimony showed that investigators removed a plastic mattress covering from the couple's living room that had blood stains in several places. Lab testing revealed that the blood had mixed traces of DNA belonging to Stallworth, Brown and McKinney. DNA from Stallworth showed up under the child's fingernails. Officers said that while Stallworth was in custody he had scratches on his chest. Stallworth's attorney pointed out that McKinney had been swabbed for DNA and medical staff found no sign of sexual assault. However, the condition of McKinney's body after it was found by authorities made it difficult to if anything sexual had been done to the child. The child's cause of death was asphyxiation by suffocation. The toddler had toxic levels of methamphetamine and the anti-depressant Trazodone in her body. Stallworth had a prescription for Trazodone but he claimed Brown was stealing his pills and taking them with meth. 'The kidnapping of a child is one of a parent's biggest fears,' said Lloyd C. Peeples, First Assistant United States Attorney, when the couple were federally charged with the kidnapping in July. 'Despite their best efforts, federal, state, and local law enforcement were not able to bring the three-year-old victim home to her family. 'However, we hope that today's charges will be a step towards bringing justice for her and her family.' The state charges come after the pair were indicted federally with kidnap by a grand jury in July. In August they were arraigned and pleaded not guilty. On Tuesday afternoon Jefferson County Judge Clyde Jones set a March 31 date for a pre-trial hearing. Search Warrant Leads to Mayfield Men's Arrest By West Kentucky Star Staff MAYFIELD - Two Mayfield men were arrested Tuesday after police executed a search warrant.The Mayfield Police Department said officers searched a home in the 500 block of North 17th Street, looking for illegal drugs. According to police, a small amount of methamphetamine was found on a man inside the home, 66-year-old Jeffery Blake.Another man at the home, 34-year-old Dustin Blake, had an active arrest warrant. When detained, he allegedly assaulted an officer and resisted arrest.Both men were lodged in the Graves County Jail. Jeffery Blake is charged with illegal possession of a legend drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking in methamphetamine. Dustin Blake is charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. He was also arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of Fulton County. Myanmar & COVID-19 Myanmar Appeals to Public to Help Fund Purchase of COVID-19 Vaccines Yuzana Plaza in Yangon reopens after being closed for four months to curb the spread of the coronavirus. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy YANGONMyanmar is seeking donations from the public to supplement an initial US$251 million (331.28 billion kyats) earmarked by the government to fund the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, according to the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry (MOPFI). On Tuesday, the MOPFI said in a statement that the Fund Management Sub-committee on the Purchase of COVID-19 Vaccines had opened a foreign currency account and a kyat account at the Myanmar Economic Bank in Naypyitaw. The MOPFI said the foreign currency account was opened with an initial deposit of $250 million and the Myanmar currency account was opened with 1 billion kyats ($750,000) from the states coffers for use in purchasing COVID-19 vaccines. Any organizations or individuals, in Myanmar or abroad, who want to contribute cash donations toward the purchase of vaccines are invited to donate any amount of foreign currency or Myanmar kyats into those accounts, according to the ministrys statement. Following the ministrys invitation, tycoon U Chit Khine, chairman of one of Myanmars biggest conglomerates, Eden Group, which controls Myanmar Apex Bank, Denko Trading and Gold Delta Co Ltd, said on his Facebook account on Tuesday evening that he had donated $1.5 million to the government for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. Another tycoon, U Zaw Zaw, the chairman of the Ayeyarwady Foundation, who has already contributed more than $11 million to the countrys fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, announced on Wednesday that he had donated 2 billion kyats ($1.5 million) to the government for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. According to the MOPFI, COVID-19 vaccines cost around $2 per dose, and two doses are needed per person, putting the total cost per person at around $4. In addition to the vaccine itself, storage and other logistics costs will be significant. Myanmar has also negotiated with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and International Monetary Fund to secure more than $950 million to fund the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. Myanmar expects that 40 percent of its 54.4 million people will be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021. The remaining 60 percent are expected to be vaccinated in fiscal year 2022-23. Some 20 percent of the countrys population will be vaccinated under the COVAX facility, a global affordable medicines program. Currently, Myanmar is trying to buy COVID-19 vaccines from the US, UK and Russia through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile Myanmar has signed with the Serum Institute of India, the worlds largest vaccine manufacturer, to buy COVID-19 vaccines developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Myanmar has also discussed acquiring COVID-19 vaccines from China National Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd (Sinopharm) and Sinovac Biotech Limited in Hong Kong, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry recently said Myanmar would receive vaccines from China approved for emergency authorization in early 2021. Myanmar expects to start providing vaccinations in February. The spokesperson for MOPFI could not be reached for comment. Speaking with The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, Dr. Daw Khin Khin Gyi, the director of the Health Ministrys Emerging Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, encouraged people to contribute to the governments efforts to buy COVID-19 vaccines. If people comply with the COVID-19 preventative guidelines, we can spend more money on buying vaccines instead of providing treatments, Dr. Daw Khin Khin Gyi added. Since Dec. 19, Myanmar has seen a decline in daily COVID-19 cases. Fewer than 1,000 new cases are now being reported per day, down from a peak of more than 1,400 daily cases. As of Tuesday, Myanmar had reported 127,582 COVID-19 cases including 2,766 fatalities and 110,805 recoveries. Currently, the countrys coronavirus hotspot, Yangon, is reporting fewer than 300 new COVID-19 cases per day. In previous months the figure reached as high as 1,900 cases per day. On Tuesday, Yangon reported that its total had reached 83,699 cases, followed by Mandalay Region with 14,243 cases, Bago Region with 8,080 cases, Ayeyarwady Region with 4,948 cases and Rakhine State with 4,166 cases. Cases have been reported in about 300 townships across the country. Among ASEAN countries, Myanmar is third in terms of COVID-19 cases behind Indonesia and the Philippines. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Villagers Flee Warring Ethnic Armies in Northern Shan State Woman Loses Leg in Landmine Blast in Myanmars Rakhine State Chancellor Angela Merkel's government pleaded for patience as it pushed back against criticism that Germany bungled the rollout of a covid-19 vaccine. A shortage of doses at the start of the campaign was expected and stems from production bottlenecks rather than insufficient procurement, Health Minister Jens Spahn said Wednesday in Berlin. "We have to ask large parts of the population for patience," Spahn said. "We've ordered enough, more than enough vaccines." Like other European Union countries, Germany started its program with a shot jointly developed with Mainz-based BioNTech on Dec. 27. The shortage will be eased by additional production capacity, including the start of a facility in Marburg in February that will lead to a "massive" gain in output, he said. A similar vaccine from U.S. biotech Moderna Inc., which won backing from the European Medicines Agency on Wednesday, could further ease supplies. Distribution of the shot could start as soon as next week, Spahn said. The EU has locked up as many as 160 million doses, with Germany to get more than 50 million. A day after Merkel tightened and extended lockdown measures, she gathered top cabinet ministers in an effort to quell tensions within her government over claims the rollout has been too slow. Senior members of her Social Democrat partners, including Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, questioned Merkel's strategy of ceding responsibility for procuring vaccines to the European Union. With a national election slated for September, the tension threatens to inject party politics into the country's pandemic fight. At an ill-tempered meeting on Tuesday, Merkel and state leaders agreed to controversial limits on movement, sharpened restrictions on private gatherings and prolonged hard lockdown measures until at least Jan. 31. She also defended the vaccination strategy, saying more supply is coming soon. "In the second quarter, based on all that we know from the manufacturers, we will already have significantly more vaccine doses," Merkel said Tuesday in Berlin. The EU has ordered "significantly more vaccine than is necessary" to inoculate everyone in the bloc. Underscoring the pressure facing Merkel's government, Germany on Wednesday registered more than 1,000 covid-related deaths for only the second time since the pandemic began. Contagion rates remain more than double a government target despite weeks of strict curbs. Scholz, the SPD's chancellor candidate who attended the meeting, denied that his criticism was a campaign ploy. "This is about a very serious issue, whether we can properly protect the citizens of this country," Scholz said in an interview with ARD television on Wednesday. "The most important thing, not just for today but in the future, is that we do everything to make sure as much vaccine as possible is made in Germany and Europe." After a relatively mild outbreak in the spring, infections in Germany have doubled since the end of November to more than 1.8 million and deaths have surged above 36,000. Scholz said Germany, which is supporting businesses affected by the lockdown, has the financial resources to weather the crisis "for a long time." Thanks to years of prudent budget policy, Germany's debt as a percentage of gross domestic product won't rise much above 70% and will quickly shrink again once the pandemic has receded, he told ARD. With hospitals filling up and concerns about a spike from the holidays still coming, authorities are worried about the pace of inoculations. But Germany is ahead of most other European countries. According to the latest data from the RKI public health institute, over 367,000 people have been immunized in Germany through 11 a.m. on Wednesday, about 0.4% of the population. That compares with around 1.5% in the U.S. and nearly 2% in Britain, which both began vaccinating several weeks earlier, and about 0.3% in Italy. Spahn, a leading figure in Merkel's Christian Democrats, has said he is hopeful everyone who wants a shot in Germany can get one by the summer. "If you look at some of our neighbors in the European Union, then the structures we've put in place are working pretty well," he said. "I'm not saying everything is perfect, I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement, but all in all it's working well." - - - Bloomberg's Raymond Colitt, Naomi Kresge and Arne Delfs contributed to this report. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Cloudy. High 77F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low near 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. The CEO of a marketing and technology company has gone to court over what he says are faulty custom-made steel-and-glass windows and doors in his $16 million Charlotte home. Ric Elias, CEO and co-founder of Red Ventures, and his wife, Brenda, are suing the 24,500-square-foot houses Charlotte architect and builder, along with the manufacturer of the doors and windows. They are seeking to cover the replacement cost of what the lawsuit describes as faulty products that fog up and have deteriorated, The Charlotte Observer reported last month. The doors and windows added $1.2 million to the houses price tag, according to the lawsuit, more than four times the cost of an average home in Charlotte. Elias did not respond to the newspapers request for comment. Nor did Craig Dixon, who is named along with his architectural firm, or Scott Whitlock, president of Whitlock Builders. However, Whitlocks attorney said that while her client built the home, the company didnt pick out or install the windows and doors. It is a spectacular house. Whitlock values the Eliases as clients, and Whitlock plans to do everything it can to resolve this issue, attorney Michelle Dressler told the newspaper. Red Ventures is based just over the border in Indian Land, South Carolina. Topics Lawsuits North Carolina The diplomat accused of drugging and sexually assaulting at least 23 women is facing new charges after being pictured for the first time. Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 44, a former staffer at the US Embassy in Mexico, was arrested last October in San Diego on one count of coercion and enticement. He is now facing two additional charges of sexual abuse at his U.S. government leased apartment in Mexico City, The Daily Beast reports. An unsealed FBI affidavit details how he lured one California woman to the country for their second date. She had already 'blacked out' during their first date in February 2018 in the US, prosecutors allege. In November of that year she visited Raymond again where she said she passed out again; the FBI say 77 disturbing images of the two of them were found on his devices. In them Raymond is alleged to be holding up her eyelids and pulling down her underwear. The woman said she 'was unaware of the existence of any photographs and videos and did not consent to them being taken,' the affidavit states. Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 44, pictured, was arrested last October in San Diego and charged in one case involving an alleged assault on May 31. He is now facing two additional charges of sexual abuse at his U.S. government leased apartment in Mexico City Raymond, who left his job in June and moved back in with his parents, is accused of filming many of his alleged victims while they were unconscious, according to federal prosecutors. Some of the images allegedly showed Raymond nude and aroused as he held victims' eyes open, played with their limbs and put fingers in their mouths to show they were unconscious. Another alleged victim told them she she 'lost all memory shortly after arriving at Raymond's apartment, and the last thing she remembers is walking down a hallway with him. 'She does not recall having sex or consenting to sex. Nevertheless, she awoke naked in his bed, and her body felt as if she had been penetrated vaginally.' Raymond, a former staffer at the US Embassy in Mexico City (pictured), has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting at least 23 women after authorities discovered photos and videos of the alleged victims unconscious in his bed The FBI started investigating after Mexican police responding to a call May 31 found a woman naked and screaming from the balcony of an embassy-leased apartment in Mexico City. Investigators found more than 400 photos and videos on Raymond's iCloud account in which he appears to be filming unconscious women, many of whom he met on dating apps, according to court documents. Raymond has worked for the U.S. government for 23 years in numerous countries, according to court documents. Prosecutors did not specify what position he held in Mexico other than to say he was working for a U.S. government agency at the embassy. Roberto Velasco, director general of North America in Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Raymond was the first secretary of the United States, a mid-level diplomatic post. Mexican authorities collaborated with U.S. officials on the investigation that led to Raymond's arrest 'in order to bring to justice a potential series of sexual abuses that occurred in both countries,' Velasco said in a statement. Raymond, pictured, who left his job in June, is accused of filming many of his alleged victims while they were unconscious, according to federal prosecutors. Some of the images allegedly showed Raymond nude and aroused as he held victims' eyes open, played with their limbs and put fingers in their mouths to show they were unconscious The Mexican government emphasized 'its categorical rejection of any form of gender violence,' Velasco said. Raymond has not entered a plea. Neither embassy nor State Department officials would comment on the case. Raymond left his job in mid-June after he was questioned about the May 31 incident and his cellphones and lap top were seized, according to court documents. Mexican police reported finding a 'naked, hysterical woman desperately screaming for help from the defendants balcony,' according to prosecutors. Raymond had been living there since August 2018. The victim told investigators she had no idea that Raymond was filming her or that he had pulled down her bra, exposing her breasts. The 23 other victims were discovered after investigators found hundreds of photos and videos, according to court documents. If convicted, Raymond could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Fluent in Spanish and Mandarin, Raymond has 'led an exemplary life' from all outward appearances, according to prosecutors. 'The fact that many victims in defendants case were unaware of his behavior until they were shown the videos and photographs made while they were unconscious is evidence of his unique ability to portray a very different public face,' prosecutors said in their court filings. He continued to meet with women until September of this year in San Diego, according to court documents. Raymond's apartment was in Mexico Citys Polanco neighborhood. It is one of the richest areas of Mexico City, a main hub for finance and high-end commerce In one series of images, a man believed to be Raymond was seen pawing at a woman's breast and pulling down her shorts while she was unconscious, court documents state. Raymond allegedly texted the woman the next morning, writing: '[H]opefully you aren't too hung over today.' 'Hey!' she wrote back. 'Yesterday was rough. I had a massive hangover... lol. I had fun too! We have to do it again.' The pair went on another date, during which the women remembered blacking out after a few drinks and then woke up fully clothed in her bed next to Raymond. Prosecutors said the woman was unaware that she had been sexually assaulted by Raymond until after investigators showed her the images found on his devices. Investigators also found incriminating evidence in Raymond's browsing history. Prosecutors referenced several of his alleged searches in court documents, including 'passed out black girl,' 'deep sleep,' 'Ambien and alcohol and pass out,' 'dissolve,' and 'passed out and carried.' Despite being under investigation, Raymond continued to use dating apps to meet women from July up until his arrest in October, prosecutors said. One of the women he met during that period told investigators that she only had hazy memories of having sex with him. WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California's North State says that he will join a growing group of Republican lawmakers in Washington opposing the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory "until a Congressional investigation is complete." Congressman Cliff Bentz, the newly sworn-in representative for southern and eastern Oregon, indicated last month that he would support such an investigation tweeting that he had joined some of his colleagues in the House "in asking for a Congressional investigation and review" of election irregularities. I have joined many of my colleagues in asking for a congressional investigation and review into what has happened in states where election irregularities have been observed. pic.twitter.com/EyPkCqhTeB Cliff Bentz (@CliffBentz) December 18, 2020 President Donald Trump has increasingly rallied Republican lawmakers to challenge the legitimacy of the November election in battleground states carried by Biden, citing reports of alleged voter fraud but those claims have failed to gain traction in the nation's courts. Rep. LaMalfa made clear on Tuesday that he views the inability of fraud claims to prevail in court as a failure of the courts themselves and "some sloppy lawyer work" by Trump's legal team rather than a reflection on the legitimacy of those claims. "Because the courts at all levels have sidestepped their duty to the Republic, there is no other alternative than to use the power of Congress to investigate and hopefully get to the truth," LaMalfa said. "I wish the courts had followed their constitutional obligation to be the neutral fact finder, but they failed." LaMalfa said that he would join Senator Ted Cruz and other Republicans in challenging the Electoral College certification until there is an investigation into fraud claims. Despite his earlier statement in support of an investigation, Rep. Bentz has not explicitly stated that he will also oppose the Electoral certification. A few days after joining the call for an investigation, Bentz posted a document from the Congressional Research Service that indicated such a challenge may be entirely toothless. When the Electoral votes are opened and observed in a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, the research states, lawmakers can object to the results from any state if supported by at least one Senator and one Representative. Upon any such objection, the House and Senate must separate and hear up to two hours of debate on the objection. But once the two-hour debate is over, each chamber votes to agree or disagree by simple majority. Democrats maintain the majority in the House, and there has been no indication as of yet that there are enough Republican Senators who support challenging Electoral certification to gain a majority in the Senate. If the document cited by Bentz holds true, the best that lawmakers like LaMalfa can hope for is a delay of the election results rather than overturning the outcome or forcing a Congressional investigation. I did not come to this decision lightly, and weighed carefully the constitutional issues, potential damage to the electoral college system, and further division of our country," LaMalfa said. "Most important, the American people deserve the truth, no matter how inconvenient or ugly." Portugal, presiding over EU, does not yet know if Eastern Partnership summit to be in 2021 Permanent Representative of Portugal, which took over the presidency of the European Union on January 1, Ambassador Nuno Brito says it is currently not yet known whether or not the Eastern Partnership summit, which was previously planned for March in Brussels, will take place or not. The ambassador said this during a video press conference with journalists accredited by the International Press Association in Brussels on Tuesday. According to Brito, the agenda is whether they can or cannot, since everything depends on the circumstances, there is a meeting with the countries of the Eastern Partnership. But it will depend on the development of a number of events, and he not able to say whether this meeting will take place or not, as planned. As it is known, due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, restrictive measures have been introduced in the EU, including the canceled events that imply the physical presence of their participants. SIGN UP: Get breaking news from Action News Now delivered to your inbox DOWNLOAD: For continuing coverage on news across Northern California Pro-Trump protesters have stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6 as members of Congress were meeting to certify the Electoral College results of the 2020 presidential election. Pro-Trump protesters have stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6 as members of Congress were meeting to certify the Electoral College results of the 2020 presidential election. --- (UPDATE: 8:13 p.m.) - Four people died as supporters of President Donald Trump violently occupied the U.S. Capitol. Washington, D.C., Police Chief Robert Contee said the dead on Wednesday included a woman who was shot by the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as three others who died in medical emergencies. Police said both law enforcement and Trump supporters deployed chemical irritants during the hourslong occupation of the Capitol building before it was cleared Wednesday evening by law enforcement. The woman was shot earlier Wednesday as the mob tried to break through a barricaded door in the Capitol where police were armed on the other side. She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later died. D.C. police officials also say two pipe bombs were recovered, one outside the Democratic National Committee and one outside the Republican National Committee. Police found a cooler from a vehicle that had a long gun and Molotov cocktail on Capitol grounds. --- (UPDATE: 2:52 p.m.) - One person has died after being shot by law enforcement at the Capitol, sources told NBC News. At least one explosive device was found on the Capitol grounds, officials told NBC News. At least five people were taken to the hospital, NBC News reports. Officials have declared the U.S. Capitol complex secure after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation by supporters of President Donald Trump, according to The Associated Press. An announcement saying the Capitol is secure rang out Wednesday evening inside a secure location for officials of the House. Lawmakers applauded. The occupation interrupted Congress Electoral College count that will formalize President-elect Joe Bidens upcoming inauguration on Jan. 20. Lawmakers were evacuated to secure locations around the Capitol complex and Washington, D.C. after thousands of Trump supporters breached the building and skirmished with police officers. Lawmakers have signaled that they would resume the constitutionally mandated count as soon as it was safe to do so. --- As protestors breach the U.S. Capitol, delaying confirmation by the House and the Senate of the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election injuring multiple police officers and threatening the safety of our elected leaders in the process the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) announced it is condemning the violence as an affront to our democracy and calling for a return to civility in the expression of political opinions. They shared the following statement below: Todays violent breach of the U.S. Capitol Building is reprehensible and belies the values and traditions upon which this country was built, said Brian Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California. Respect for the rule of law and those sworn to uphold it are at the foundation of our democracy. We stand in solidarity with the men and women in law enforcement who are on the front lines of defending and upholding the law of the land. Regardless of where we stand politically, we are all Americans, and must return immediately to the civil discourse that is the heart of our great American experiment. --- (UPDATE: 2:31 p.m.) - The Washington, D.C., police chief says at least five weapons have been recovered and at least 13 people have been arrested so far in pro-Trump protests. The mostly maskless crowd stormed the Capitol earlier Wednesday as lawmakers were meeting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens win. One person was shot; their condition is unknown. Police Chief Robert Contee called the attack a riot. As darkness began to set in, law enforcement officials were working their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to try to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible. Police were in full riot gear. They moved down the West steps, clashing with demonstrators. Mayor Muriel Bowser earlier declared a 6 p.m. curfew. --- (UPDATE: 1:40 p.m.) - President Donald Trump told supporters to 'go home' but continued his election attacks on a recorded video message. According to the Associated Press, the President said his backers are "very special." --- (UPDATE: 12:53 p.m.) - The White House says National Guard troops along with other federal protective services are en route to the Capitol to help end a violent occupation by President Donald Trumps supporters who are seeking to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that At President @realDonaldTrumps direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services. She added, We reiterate President Trumps call against violence and to remain peaceful. Republican lawmakers have publicly called for Trump to more vocally condemn the violence and to call to an end to the occupation, which halted a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were beginning to count electoral votes. Trump lost the November election to Democrat Joe Biden. He has refused to concede and has worked over the last two months to convince his supporters that widespread voter fraud prevented his own victory. --- (UPDATE: 12:49 p.m.) - Republican lawmakers are increasingly calling on President Donald Trump to act to deescalate the violent protests at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters angry about his election loss. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he spoke with the president earlier Wednesday and told him to make a statement to make sure that we can calm individuals down. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that it is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down. Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey told The Associated Press that while he sympathizes with the protesters position, they shouldnt get violent, and it would be nice if Trump called on them to protest in a peaceful way in an appropriate spot, where you belong, where you should be. Many Republicans had backed Trumps false claims of widespread voter spread to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, of Wisconsin, posted a video message urging Trump to call it off. This is Banana Republic crap that were watching right now, said Gallagher, who had spoken out against objections from fellow Republicans to certifying President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College vote. The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the U.S. Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. A spokesperson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers from the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene. He says they were requested to assist by U.S. Capitol Police. Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. --- (UPDATE: 12:30 p.m.) - One person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol as dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police. Thats according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity amid a chaotic situation. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. The person said the victim had been taken to a hospital. Their condition was not known. The shooting came as dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the U.S. Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. President Donald Trump is encouraging supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful, but he is not calling for them to disperse. As he faced growing pressure from allies to condemn the violence Wednesday afternoon, Trump tweeted, No violence! adding: Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. But Trump did not ask supporters to vacate the area as the unrest continued. Trump had appeared earlier at a rally and had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol - at one point even suggesting he would join them. He is upset that he lost the presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden and has falsely claimed voter fraud to explain it away. He also urged his supporters to get rid of the weak Congress people - presumably through primary challenges - saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. --- (UPDATE: 11:52 a.m.) - Lawmakers are being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators were led out, escorted by staff and police on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the Electoral College. The skirmishes came shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. Protesters could be seen marching through the Capitols stately Statuary Hall shouting and waving Trump banners and American flags. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. --- The U.S. Capitol locked down Wednesday with lawmakers inside as violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump police. An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens victory. WATCH LIVE: Congress counts Electoral College vote The skirmishes occurred outside the building, in the very spot president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. England face an anxious wait on their Covid test results on Wednesday ahead of their first net session in Sri Lanka. Moeen Alis positive result upon arrival in Hambantota last weekend delayed training for next weeks Test as the entire squad had further medical checks. Both lateral flow and PCR tests took place on Tuesday, with the results of the PCR tests key as they provide a more accurate reading. England all-rounder Moeen Ali tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Sri Lanka Fears of an outbreak among the players emerged after Moeen who was transferred to Galle on Tuesday was infected despite testing negative before departure from the UK. Meanwhile, Yorkshire have until next Thursday to notify the Leeds Employment Tribunal if they are prepared to accept Azeem Rafiqs time-barred claim against them. The lawyers of Rafiq who is suing Yorkshire for racial discrimination and claiming victimisation when trying to address racism at the club argue that it is fair to extend it beyond the usual three months due to the public interest in the case. There is a separate independent inquiry into Rafiqs claims of institutional racism, expected to conclude next month. Alis positive result upon arrival in Hambantota last weekend delayed training for the players Housing sales in the national capital region (Delhi-NCR) plunged 50 per cent year-on-year during the 2020 calendar year to 21,234 units on low demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic, property consultant Knight Frank India said on Wednesday. The sales of residential properties fell 37 per cent to 1,54,534 units in 2020 across eight major cities as compared with 2,45,861 units in the previous year, the consultant said in its 'India Real Estate - Residential and Office Update H2 2020' report. Housing sales fell in all eight major cities, with demand falling most in Ahmedabad and least in Pune. According to the data, housing sales fell 18 per cent in Pune to 26,919 units during 2020 from 32,809 units in the previous year. Mumbai saw 20 per cent decline at 48,688 units last year from 60,943 units during 2019. The Maharashtra government's decision to temporarily cut stamp duty on registration of properties led to higher sales in Mumbai and Pune region during the last four months of 2020 calendar year. Housing sales in Delhi-NCR decreased 50 per cent to 21,234 units from 42,828 units, while demand slumped 51 per cent in Bengaluru to 23,579 units from 48,076 units during the period under review. In Chennai, sales fell 49 per cent to 8,654 units in 2020 from 16,959 units in the previous year. The sales of residential properties in Hyderabad declined 38 per cent to 10,042 units from 16,267 units. Kolkata saw 21 per cent fall in sales to 8,912 units from 11,266 units. Ahmedabad was worst hit, with sales down by 61 per cent to 6,506 units in 2020 from 16,713 units in the previous year. Knight Frank India CMD Shishir Baijal said, Despite the on-going pandemic, the H2 2020 sales growth in some cities is fairly encouraging. In Q3 2020, the real estate market started witnessing revival signs, further recording a significant improvement in homes sales during Q4 2020." Out of the total sales number in H2 2020, he said Mumbai and Pune contributed around 50 per cent in home sales. "This marvellous performance can be largely attributed to the state government's decision of reducing stamp duty in Maharashtra. The other state governments would need to jump into the bandwagon or offer something similar to bolster demand across their markets," Baijal said. The RBI's decision to maintain low repo rates has narrowed the margin between rent and home loan EMI paid to banks, he said. Also read: Infra credit rose marginally to Rs 22.6 lakh cr in H1FY21: Icra Also read: DDA launches new housing scheme, 1,355 flats on offer Cruise holidays are set to return to Australia after a year-long hiatus - with voyages from Sydney to Queensland expected in late April. The world's biggest cruise line, Carnival, has experienced a 400 per cent increase in demand for Queensland cruises after international voyages remain delayed into late 2021. The cruise industry was all but shut down in early 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine breaches such as the infamous Ruby Princess debacle in March, in which infected passengers streamed into Sydney Harbour. Carnival cruises have announced cruises from Sydney in late April and from Brisbane in mid-2021 with those dates available to be booked on their website. The Carnival Spirit cruise ship (pictured in Sydney Harbour) is expected to be based in Queensland from June where it will allow Australian passengers to visit tourist spots such as Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef Cairns in Queensland's tropical north (pictured) is a popular tourist spot with cruise ships frequently visiting the city's port before travel restrictions Australia closed its borders to international travel on March 20, 2020 to halt the spread of coronavirus into the country. A day earlier on March 19, about 2,700 passengers from the Ruby Princess were allowed to disembark in Sydney before adequate COVID-19 testing had been completed - with at least 440 passengers later confirmed to have caught the virus. The incident threw the spotlight on cruise ships as a source of infections with subsequent vessels subject to extreme restrictions when attempting to land at Australian ports. In Western Australia in the days following the Ruby Princess case another cruise liner, the MSC Magnifica was outright refused permission to dock at Fremantle after reports surfaced that people on board had symptoms. Another liner the Artania refused to leave Fremantle after being ordered to set sail by the WA government in late March with 450 crew on board - some experiencing symptoms. Foreign-flagged cruise ships were officially banned from entering Australian waters on March 27, 2020. The ban expired on December 17, however, cruise lines have suspended their international voyages to Australia for longer - Royal Caribbean, for example has said trips to Australia won't be made until at least April 30, 2020. The MSC Magnifica cruise ship has been banned from disembarking in WA after more than 250 people on board reported a 'respiratory illness' If Carnival cruise lines resumed operations in Queensland, it would create $16.7million in revenue for the Sunshine State - much needed after border closures heavily affected the tourism dependent region's economy. The company's Carnival Spirit ship will be based in Queensland from June - allowing passengers already in Queensland to voyage to the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York, and Moreton Island. In Sydney, emerging Covid clusters could affect the late April schedule to resume voyages, but Carnival executives have flagged ships departing the city for destinations such as Cairns, Airlie beach and Port Douglas as a priority. States and territories slammed their borders shut to residents of greater Sydney as the clusters were discovered in the lead-up to peak Christmas travel days. These border closures would continue to affect cruise ship passengers from Covid hotspots who wish to disembark at ports in closed border regions. For example, a Greater Sydney resident would not be able to disembark at a Queensland port under the current border restrictions. The Queensland government has as of early January not given an indication of when border rules for Sydney residents would be eased. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has flagged, however, a number of zero local cases for 28 days before she would re-open borders to hotspots. Queensland slammed the border shut to Sydney residents again before Christmas after Covid clusters emerged in the city (pictured is a border checkpoint at Cooloangatta on the Gold Coast on December 22 CRUISE INDUSTRY RULES FOR RESUMING VOYAGES The Australian branch of Cruise Lines International Association has outlined Covid safety procedures for the resumption of cruising in Australia: Ships, passengers and crew will quarantine for 14 days after they return to Australia. Passengers will have to fill out health declarations and undergo contact history screening. Daily temperature checks on board for passengers and crew. Limited passenger numbers on board. Venue restrictions and social distancing on board. No self-service buffets. Ventilation strategies to increase fresh air. Staggered embarkation and disembarkation processes to reduce crowding. Advertisement Coronavirus clusters in the Croydon, Northern Beaches and Woolongong areas of Greater Sydney have emerged over the last month and have been linked to one another, and believed to have broken out of hotel quarantine. A new cluster has also appeared in the last week linked to a BWS bottle shop in Berala - exposed after a Covid-19 patient transport worker and a colleague unknowingly visited the store while infectious before Christmas. A BWS worker is believed to have then caught the virus without knowing and served thousands of customers over the festive season. Officials have presumed the virus leaked to the bottle shop from hotel quarantine via the transport worker. Some areas of regional NSW has also been placed on alert after a young man travelled thousands of kilometres on a camping trip - visiting Orange and Broken Hill - before testing positive. The Great Barrier Reef (pictured) is a world famous icon of the Queensland coast that is set to be a focus of domestic travel while international borders remain closed Listen to article The All Progressive Congress(APC) Chieftain in Ebonyi state, Chief Clement Odah said the reverberations arising from the defection of Governor David Umahi to the Ruling Party has brought South East to the front page of National discourse Odah maintained that Umahi's defection has awakened the conscience of all the political parties and has altered the direction and substance of political permutations in Nigeria as everyone is now talking about the South East and Ndigbo. Chief Odah who is also the Chairman, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state made this remarks in a statement he signed and and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital. He advocated that Ndigbo should be allowed to produce Nigerian President in the forthcoming 2023 general election for the sake of justice and equity. He said: "It has become politically and intellectually correct to promote the cause of Igbo man nationally. It has become fashionable to canvass for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction. A matter that was discussed in whispers is now shouted from the roof tops. "A topic that was anathema to other ethnic nationalities has now become the favorite chorus on the lips of non-Igbo speaking political actors and pressure groups. "We have experienced the same awakening effect in the sense that every Igbo man is now proudly talking about Justice for Ndigbo. Every leader now wants to be heard on the subject matter. The campaign for justice for Ndigbo has now assumed centre stage in all the major gatherings of Igbo leaders. The council chairman however, said the defection of governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, has brought good luck to the south east region. He noted that the defection of Umahi to APC provoked the interest of all Igbo leaders to speak in one voice, pursue vigorously the course of Igbo's producing the President of the country come 2023. "The reverberations arising from the defection of His Excellency to the Ruling Party has brought South East and Ndigbo to the front page of National discussion. It has awakened the conscience of all the political parties. It has altered the direction and substance of political discourse in Nigeria. Everyone is now talking about the South East and Ndigbo. "Everyone is now struggling to lend his voice to this great course. Things weren't this way a few months ago until Governor Umahi resurrected the sleeping lion in Igbo land by his courageous move and crusade for justice. The entire Igbo nation has jolted back to consciousness. "Today, the spirit and mind of the Igbo man has been awakened, illuminated and rejuvenated. Ndigbo must not fail to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate this great leader, the Governor of Ebonyi State who summoned the super human courage to question the unquestionable" he noted. Odah noted that the fortunes of Nigeria will increase beyond expectations if Igbo man is allowed to rule the country. "The fortunes of Ndigbo in Nigeria will improve tomorrow, as it definitely will, the token of gratitude must be reserved for Governor David Umahi. Should an Igbo man rule this Country tomorrow, let no man dare to distort the clear history of this struggle. Ndigbo must not misappropriate the accolades thereof, credit must be given to Governor David Umahi who raised the Igbo cause to an irrefutable level" he added. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar issued a statement Tuesday evening indicating he will not object to the voting results that will be the focus of a joint session of Congress Wednesday. Some Republican members of Congress plan to formally object the election results in a few states, including Michigan, according to the Associated Press. President Donald Trump and his supporters have claimed widespread election fraud resulted in President Elect Joe Biden's win. However, those claims have been rejected by both Republican and Democrat officials in many states, among others. In his statement Tuesday evening, Moolenaar stated the following: "The Constitution and the rule of law have been the foundation of our democratic republic for more than 230 years. Article II, Section I of the Constitution is very clear about how the president is elected ... and it is up to the states to choose their electors, have them vote in the Electoral College, and send the results to Congress. When the results arrive in Congress, the Constitution says the certificates from the states shall be opened 'and the votes shall then be counted.' There is no other role for Congress to play in this process and the Constitution does not allow for Congress to insert its own electors for any state." Moolenaar's statement notes Michigan's Legislature has not contested Michigans Electoral College results, and none of the other state legislatures have called for their own results to be contested. "I have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution. I will uphold that oath and accept the electoral results sent to Congress by the states of our republic," Moolenaar added in the statement. The statement was complimentary toward the current president. "For the past four years, I have worked with President Trump to fight for working families, strengthen the economy, protect the Great Lakes, build a new lock at the Soo Locks, help farmers, and secure aid for the flood victims of our region," Moolenaar states. "The president has been a tremendous advocate for the working people of Michigan and I campaigned with him multiple times in Michigan last fall." The statement notes that Moolenaar has "strong concerns about what happened in November, especially with rushed changes regarding mail-in voting applications and the voter ID laws." "The work to make our elections fair will continue in the weeks and months ahead, and I will be fighting to make sure the concerns of the citizens are addressed," he added in the statement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin prosecutors have declined to file criminal charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man in the back last summer. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said Tuesday that he had decided not to charge Officer Rusten Sheskey and other officers. Sheskey shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times after responding to a domestic dispute on Aug. 23. Cellphone video shows Blake walking away from officers and opening the door of an SUV moments before Sheskey opened fire. The shooting left Blake paralyzed and triggered several nights of protests in Kenosha, with some turning violent. As the Tamil Nadu government increases the seating capacity of theatres to 100%, the opposition has slammed the move for disregarding health concerns amidst pandemic. In response to the criticism, the government has hit back and said the decision is not arbitrary and has only been taken after consultation with an expert medical panel. The state government of Tamil Nadu on Monday issued a directive, allowing the cinemas, theatres, and multiplexes to retain their original 100% capacity, thus effectively removing the cap, that had earlier restricted the theatres to allow only 50% occupancy. The mandate released on January 4th in an attempt to uplift the beaten Tamil film industry has however sparked controversy in the light of the ongoing pandemic. With the new strain covid emerging in the country, this decision has been heavily criticized by the opposition leaders. The opposition has slammed the Tamil Nadu government for issuing a directive that blatantly disregards the health concerns of people. Further Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has accused the government of having ulterior motives while making the decision. In response to the criticism, the government has hit back and said the decision of increasing the seating capacity is not arbitrary and has only been taken after consultation with an expert medical panel. The covid protocols will remain in place despite the increased occupancy limit. The actor-turned-politician Khusbhu Sundar has also taken a dig at the criticizers stating that the government is not forcing anyone to come. Also read: Indias vaccine controversy: Debate engulfs over Covishield name; Pune Court issue notice to SII Also Read: 25 industries eager to join IN-SPACe, ISRO-private sector collab to boost Atmanirbhar Bharat: Jitendra Singh The decision was made days after Tamil Nadu, CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami, was requested by Tamil movie stars including Vijay and Simbu along with theatre owners to allow full capacity in the cinema halls, ahead of their film release. The order has effectively made Tamil Nadu the first state to permit full occupancy in the cinema halls since the start of covid. Also Read: MEA favours NRI E-ballots proposal: Indian diaspora likely to get a chance to vote Several rural women in Haryanas Jind district are receiving training to drive tractors for taking part in a tractor parade in the national capital on January 26 against the three new farm laws. The farmers protesting against the legislations had announced on January 2 that if their demands remained unmet they would take out a tractor parade towards Delhi On January 26, when the country would be celebrating its Republic Day. Women hailing from three villages -- Safa Kheri, Khatkar, Pallwan -- in Jind are learning to steer the tractor wheel. Around 200 women are being imparted training to drive tractors, Sikim Nain Sheokant, the president of Jind-based Kisan Ekta Mahila Manch said over the phone. She said though some of the women can drive tractors in the fields for farm operations, they do not have experience of road driving. We want women to drive tractors on highway on January 26 without any help, she said. Sheokant said several villagers were also helping them out by offering their tractors and providing them required training. Women are undergoing training at a toll plaza on Jind-Patiala National Highway for handling tractor-trolleys on road. The protesting farmers have declared toll plazas free. We are getting the training for driving a tractor for participating in the tractor parade, said a woman who has been receiving the lesson. They are also trying to provide training in villages, said Sheokant. She feels the new farm laws are not in the interest of the farming community. Thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana and other parts of the country have been camping at three Delhi border points --- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur for more than a month, mainly demanding a repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support price for their crops. Kerala: Accused smuggled 167 kgs of gold between November 2019 and June 2020 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: The accused in the Kerala Gold Smuggling case had knowingly conspired since June 2019, raised funds and smuggled gold from the UAE, the National Investigation Agency said. Between November 2019 and June 2020, the accused had smuggled 167 kilograms of gold through the import cargo addressed to diplomats at the Consulate General of the UAE in Thiruvananthapuram, the NIA learnt during the probe. Significantly the main accused in this case had also planned to smuggle more gold from countries like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, the NIA said while filing a chargesheet 20 persons in the case. Kearala Gold Smuggling: NIA files charge sheet, Sandeep Nair turns approver The case was registered by NIA July 10 2020 against Sarith P S. Swapna Prabha Suresh, Faisal Fareed, Sandeep Nair and others under sections 16, 17 and 18 of UA (P) Act consequent to the seizure of around 30 Kg of gold worth Rs 14.82 crores on July 5 at the Trivandrum International Airport by Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Cochin, from the import cargo addressed to the Charge D' Affaires at the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Thiruvananthapuram. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News Absconding accused Swapna Prabha Suresh and Sandeep Nair were arrested by NIA from Bengaluru on July 11 2020. During investigation, thirty-one more persons, who had conspired and financed the gold smuggling besides facilitated the disposal of the contraband and transfer of proceeds thereof to the UAE through hawala channels, for purchasing and smuggling more gold, with the intention of threatening the economic security of India, were arraigned as accused in the case. Till now, twenty-one accused persons have been arrested by the NIA, while 8 persons are absconding. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 8:10 [IST] Sam Thompson looked sheepish as he was seen for the first time since it was revealed he flouted Tier 4 rules to fly to the Maldives with Zara McDermott. The Made In Chelsea star, 28, smirked and hid behind his pale green hoodie as he left his London home on Wednesday after returning from his trip. Sam had been noticeably quiet on social media over the New Year period but eagle-eyed fans rumbled he was abroad with Zara, 23, due to her uploading an Instagram post from a different time zone. Caught out? Sam Thompson looked sheepish as he was seen for the first time since it was revealed he flouted Tier 4 rules to fly to the Maldives with Zara McDermott Sam looked coy as he kept his head low with his hood covering his face. Click here to resize this module The reality star hid his newly-bronzed tan by teaming the hoodie with grey joggers and trainers. ADVERTISEMENT While Sam tried to keep a low-profile, Zara ignored the mounting backlash over their trip as she took to Instagram on Tuesday night to answer a self-indulgent question and answer session about her life, love and pre-reality TV career. Low profile: The Made In Chelsea star, 28, smirked and hid behind his pale green hoodie as he left his London home on Wednesday after returning from their trip Back together: The couple booked the trip after reuniting following the sensational revelation Zara had cheated on him at the beginning of their trip (pictured last year) The television personality brazenly spoken about her job as a government advisor, mere hours after it emerged the pair had broken strict rules regarding the ban on non-essential travel abroad to ring in the New Year at the idyllic island destination. Zara said she got the job back in 2015 and was put on a placement in the Department of Energy and Climate Change. 'I worked in policy for a bit but I loved working in briefings and correspondence because it meant that if the Prime Minister or any Minister were to be asked a question on our specific team area, my job would be to work with the experts and draft a brief with their expertise, get it signed off by my bosses and then send up to the Minister's office.' Busted: Sam had been noticeably quiet over the New Year period but eagle-eyed fans rumbled he was abroad with Zara, 23, due to her uploading an Instagram from a different time zone Feeling sheepish? Sam looked coy as he kept his head low with his hood covering his face Feeling the chill: The reality star hid his newly-bronzed tan by teaming the hoodie with grey joggers and trainers Outrage: The reality TV pair flouted the Tier 4 rules when they were spotted flying out of London last Sunday on December 27 a week after the Tier 4 travel ban Naughty: Fans have accused the Made In Chelsea couple of disguising the fact they were abroad by altering timestamps and sharing pre-recorded content on social media Government advisor: Zara brazenly spoken about her job as a government advisor, mere hours after it emerged the pair had broken strict rules regarding the ban on non-essential travel Important issues: Zara said she got the job back in 2015 and was put on a placement in the Department of Energy and Climate Chang Smitten: During the Q and A, one follower asked Zara what her 'favourite thing' was about Sam. The Made In Chelsea star said 'That's a hard one', before talking about her beau's good traits The reality TV pair flouted the Tier 4 rules when they were spotted flying out of London last Sunday on December 27 a week after rules came into place banning travel from Tier 4 areas on December 20. Zara has continued to share photos on her Instagram, marking her location as London, United Kingdom. Fans have accused the Made In Chelsea couple of disguising the fact they were abroad by altering timestamps and sharing pre-recorded content on social media. Living it up: A source told MailOnline Zara and Sam, who live together in west London, stayed at luxury resort Ayada Maldives, where they previously visited in December 2019 A source told MailOnline Zara and Sam, who live together in west London, stayed at luxury resort Ayada Maldives, where they previously visited in December 2019. ADVERTISEMENT On Monday night, Zara uploaded a photo of her to promote her new edit with fashion brand Missguided, tagging the location of the Instagram post, 'London'. Fans of the couple became suspicious of their whereabouts last week, when eagle-eyed followers spotted something was off with Zara's Instagram Stories. Last Tuesday, Zara shared an old video of her watching Sam on the PlayStation, urging other girlfriends of 'gamers' to respond with ways of irritating their partners as they compete. Stay at home: On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the nation into its third lockdown, confirming the message is to now 'stay home, protect the NHS' Caught out?: Fans accused the Made In Chelsea couple of trying to disguise the fact they're abroad by altering timestamps and sharing prerecorded content on social media Slip up?: Last Tuesday, Zara shared screenshots of messages she had received to her Instagram Stories, showing a different time zone before they changed to reflect the time in London Zara then started to share screenshots of comments sent by her fans on her Instagram Stories with one showing her local time to be 11:14pm, instead of just gone 7pm as it was in the UK. In a swiftly-deleted Instagram story, Zara posted a response from a fan, which read: 'Accidentally unplug the TV whilst plugging the hoover in or just hoover in front of the TV' alongside the comment: 'This is a good one. "Babe I'm cleaning? Why are you complaining?"' After viewers spotted her local time, the next interaction reflected the correct time in London. MailOnline has contacted Sam and Zara's representatives for comment. 'Meant to be in the Maldives right now but whatever': Prior to their breakup, Zara and Sam had planned a trip to the Maldives in November alongside Louise Thompson and Ryan Libbey Prior to their break-up, Zara and Sam had planned a luxurious trip to the Maldives in November alongside Sam's sister Louise Thompson, 30, and her fiance Ryan Libbey, 30. The couple, who rekindled their relationship in December, missed out on the holiday, with Zara sharing a post longing to be on the idyllic getaway. At the point of Zara and Sam's flight to the Maldives, London was under Tier 4 restrictions. ADVERTISEMENT Travel abroad for leisure is banned under Tier 4 guidelines with exceptions only allowing reasons such as work, education and childcare. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the Maldives. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the nation into its third lockdown, confirming the message from the government is to now 'stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.' Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. American Airlines is flying again to Del Rio after a three-month hiatus, but service to the South Texas border city could end again as soon as federal stimulus money runs out at the end of March. Resuming service to about a dozen small communities, including Del Rio located 153 miles southwest of San Antonio is one of the conditions American must meet to collect a portion of the $15 billion relief package that Congress approved last month for the airline industry. The first American plane will land in Del Rio on Wednesday. Once the new stimulus money runs out March 31, American is unlikely to continue to fly to Del Rio, aviation consultant Michael Boyd said. He questioned whether Del Rio, with a population of 36,000, has enough passengers to justify air service. As soon as they can pull it, they will pull it, he said. American Airlines spokeswoman Stacy Day didnt directly address whether the carrier will continue to serve Del Rio after March. Billy Calzada /Billy Calzada Were always evaluating our network based on supply and demand, she said in a statement. American stopped flying to Del Rio in early October, several days after its obligation to serve the city expired under the CARES Act. The Fort Worth-based airline received more than $4 billion in government loans in the first round of funding to help the struggling airline during the passenger downturn spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Del Rio International Airport manager Juan Onofre is optimistic that the service will extend beyond March. He said the regional jet service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will help American fill other planes at its largest connecting hub. It will be a slow start, he said of the air service. But I believe it is here to stay. Billy Calzada, Staff / Billy Calzada American is offering one flight a day on a 44-seat regional jet run by American subsidiary Envoy Air. Before the pandemic, the carrier flew out of Del Rio twice a day. Boyd said the airline already concluded Del Rio and the other small cities it exited in October didnt have profit potential. Because they are accepting money under this relief act, they have to go to places like New Haven, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Del Rio, he said. But the markets are not any more viable than they were three months ago. In September, an American spokeswoman said the Del Rio route was among the poorest performing in the airlines route network. Del Rio mayor Bruno Ralphy Lozano said the air service contributed to the economic health of his city, enticing manufacturers to Del Rio and Acuna on the Mexican side of the border. The airport also serves relatives who come to visit personnel at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio and U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed in the area. Lozano has personal reasons for wanting flights to and from Del Rio. In addition to his city duties, he is a full-time Delta flight attendant. He used to begin his journey to his Boston crew base on a flight from Del Rio. Since October, hes had to drive two and a half hours to San Antonio International Airport to begin his commute. Its a long drive, Lozano said. He isnt the only resident who would prefer not to drive that far. Kristen Bentz, the guest services manager at the Ramada by Wyndham Del Rio hotel, wants to visit her son, a veterinary student in Denver, later this year. Shes hoping American remain in Del Rio beyond March so she wont have to drive to San Antonio, which she called such a big hassle. Del Rio has struggled to maintain air service over the years. Continental Airlines served the airport from 2005 to 2012 with connecting flights to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. After United Airlines acquired Continental in 2012, the carrier abandoned the route a year later. A small commuter airline served the airport for six months in 2017. Del Rio International got regular service again in 2018, but only after giving American a $2.9 million guarantee. The airline drew on the money anytime a Del Rio flight did not fill 80 percent of its seats. The flights never exceeded an average monthly of 70 percent. The money is now gone. Lozano said Del Rio has about $700,000 in money set aside for tourism marketing from the citys tax on hotel rooms. With regular air service at its airport, the city would use some of the funds to promote the flights, renting billboards or buying advertising air time in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. But he said tourism officials are reluctant to spend the money, given the possibility that American will withdraw after March. For now, Del Rio is relying on free Facebook and Instagram posts to advertise the air service and to tout free parking, a rarity among airports. randy.diamond @express-news.net When supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, photographers captured images that were raw, violent and wholly unprecedented as chaos spilled into the building. The Associated Press was quick to share a steady stream of images. They ranged from protestors fighting with police in the Capitol Rotunda, people smashing windows, and security officials standing with guns drawn on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The protest occurred as the nations leaders had come together to certify the results of the 2020 election that will hand President-elect Joe Biden his victory. For the latest updates, check here. Television reporters and anchors were quick to question the seemingly lax security. This is so, so embarrassing for the United States of America, CNNs Wolf Blitzer said, according to the AP. The mob has overtaken the process of trying to certify the electoral college, said Fox News Channel reporter Chad Pergram. Security here at the U.S. Capitol has failed. How were you not prepared for this? NBC News Katy Tur said. That is not Ukraine, that is not Belarus, ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos said as images of people banging on the U.S. Capitol door played. Below are some of the images of Wednesdays chaos. Some of the images may be graphic. People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP U.S. Capitol Police hold protesters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) APAP U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the West wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP Police keep a watch on demonstrators who tried to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP Police hold off Trump supporters who tried to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP A woman is helped up by police during a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)(AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP People run in the halls as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP Lawmakers evacuate the floor as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP A protestor is shown injured during a confrontation with police during a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP A protestor is shown injured during a confrontation with police during a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP A demonstrator talks to police over a barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has moved the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the Uttar Pradesh government's Ordinance promulgated to curb incidents of "Love Jihad". The Muslim clerics' body, in an impleadment application in the PIL filed by Vishal Thakre, raised the issue of fundamental rights of the Muslim youth, who are being targeted through this Ordinance and contended it is being used to demonise them. The plea said the Ordinance is unconstitutional being violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. "Ordinance attempts to regulate a personal decision of each human being by encroaching upon an individual's choice to convert to a religion of his/her choice. It is submitted that scrutiny by the state of such a personal decision is a grave assault on personal liberty of an individual and is violative of Article 21," said the plea. The plea said that apart from the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018, Himachal Pradesh (Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019) has also enacted a similar legislation. A similar legislation is in Madhya Pradesh where the Cabinet cleared the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill 2020. "Ordinance seeks to address the mischief of forcible conversion, however it provides that reconversion to a person's previous religion is not illegal, even if it is vitiated by fraud, force, allurement, misrepresentation and so on", said the Muslim body. The organisation has argued that the Ordinance reverses the rule of burden of proof in criminal law. "It is submitted that burden of proof in criminal cases is on the prosecution, and the presumption is that a person accused of committing an offence is innocent until proven guilty. However, the Impugned Ordinance proceeds on the presumption that each religious conversion is illegal," said the plea. The application, filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool, contended that the Ordinance made it a criminal offence to convert a person by offering him or her an "allurement", which is very broadly defined, for example including gifting of a book containing teachings of Islam. "It is submitted that obligation to seek permission for conversion two months in advance is fundamentally arbitrary and a violation of the right to privacy," said the organisation. The state cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to the amendment of the Electronics Policy, 2016 to boost the manufacture of electronic goods and as generate employment in the state. State industries minister Subhash Desai said the amendment will help boost the sector. Firms will invest 20,000 crore in this sector, which will yield an annual production of electronic items worth 1 lakh crore. If we calculate GST (goods and services tax) of 12%, we can garner at least 12,000 crore in taxes, he added. Desai said that through the amendment, 60,000 more jobs can be generated in the state. After petroleum products, electronics occupy the second rank in imports, thus draining away our precious income in procuring these goods. There was hardly any manufacturing activity in the state, and all that was done was assembling the parts imported from various countries. If we manufacture them here, we will save money and also add to our economy and generate new jobs, he added. The Electronics Policy was first approved in 2016 by the then Bharatiya Janata Party-led Devendra Fadnavis government. It promised to remove all red-tapism and attract industries to set up shop in the state. (CNN) -- Chef and restaurateur Albert Roux, founder of Britain's first Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gavroche, died on Monday following a lengthy illness, his family said in a statement. He was 85 years old. "The Roux family has announced the sad passing of Albert Roux, OBE, KFO, who had been unwell for a while, at the age 85 on 4th January 2021," the statement reads. "Albert is credited, along with his late brother Michel Roux, with starting London's culinary revolution with the opening of Le Gavroche in 1967," the family added. Le Gavroche became Britain's first Michelin-starred restaurant and some of the UK's best-known chefs worked in its kitchen, including Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. Born in France in 1935, Roux moved to the UK at the age of 18, and spent years moving up the culinary ladder, working in the French Embassy and various high-end households. After completing his military service in Algeria and stints working as a chef in Paris and again in the UK, Roux opened Le Gavroche, in Chelsea, London, which was later awarded three Michelin stars -- as did Roux's Waterside Inn, opened in 1972. "He was a mentor for so many people in the hospitality industry, and a real inspiration to budding chefs, including me," Roux's son, chef and TV personality Michel Roux Jr., said in a statement. Restaurant critic Jay Rayner was among those to pay tribute to the restaurateur and chef, writing on Twitter: "Albert Roux was an extraordinary man, who left a massive mark on the food story of his adopted country. The roll call of chefs who went through the kitchens of Le Gavroche alone, is a significant slab of a part of modern UK restaurant culture. RIP." Gordon Ramsay expressed his sadness at Roux's death paying tribute on Instagram to a "legend, the man who installed Gastronomy in Britain." "We've shared the same office for the last decade and walking up those stairs today is going to be really difficult, thank you Albert for everything you gave me, God Bless you Chef," he added. Chef James Martin paid tribute to Roux, whom he described as "a true titan of the food scene in this country," who "inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Albert Roux, chef who revolutionized London's restaurant scene, dead at 85" Police in Mbita are holding a boda boda operator on suspicion of kidnapping and defiling a minor. According to reports, the suspect abducted the 15-year-old girl on the night of New Year celebrations as she was walking back home. He reportedly blindfolded her and covered her mouth with a piece of cloth before raping her in a bush near Wakiaga Vocational Training Center on Rusinga Island. After defiling the class 8 girl, the suspect took her to his house where he continued to force himself on her. The boda boda rider is also said to have threatened to kill the girl if she raised an alarm. The girls mother said she was worried when her daughter failed to return home that evening. My daughter had never spent a night away from home without informing me. Children who were with her said she was at the trading center until evening, she said. On January 2 at around 5 am, the mother received a message from the suspects phone number telling her that her daughter had been kidnapped by unknown people. Early in the morning, we used true caller and discovered the suspects name before reporting the matter to Mbita Police Station, she said. The victim returned home mid-morning after escaping from her kidnapper. My daughter said she had become weak while hidden in the house. In the morning, she pretended that she was going for a call of nature and disappeared into nearby bushes. That is how she escaped, the mother said. The suspect is said to have gone into hiding before he was arrested on Tuesday. Mbita Sub-county Police Commander Charles Mwangi said investigations are ongoing. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong as a grievous attack on rights and freedoms. The Hong Kong government said more than 50 people had been detained on suspicion of seeking to overthrow or interfere with the pro-China administration. The former politicians and pro-democracy activists were accused of violating the new national security law by participating in unofficial elections for the legislature last year. The mass arrests were the largest move against Hong Kongs democracy movement since the law was imposed by Beijing last June to quell dissent in the semi-autonomous territory. Recommended Democracy activists arrested in crackdown by Hong Kong authorities The operation today targets the active elements who are suspected to be involved in the crime of overthrowing, or interfering (and) seriously destroy the Hong Kong government's legal execution of duties, said John Lee, Hong Kong's security minister. He added that those arrested were suspected of trying to paralyse the government by planning to gain a majority of seats to force the regions chief executive Carrie Lam to resign and the government to stop functioning. But Mr Raab said: The mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong is a grievous attack on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms as protected under the joint declaration. These arrests demonstrate that the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities deliberately misled the world about the true purpose of the national security law, which is being used to crush dissent and opposing political views. The UK will not turn our backs on the people of Hong Kong and will continue to offer BNOs (British Nationals (Overseas)) the right to live and work in the UK. In a video released by a former lawmaker, Lam Cheuk-ting, police turned up at his house and told him he was suspected of violating the national security law, subverting state power. Police told those recording the video to stop or risk arrest. Recommended Why Hong Kong mass arrests signal dark days ahead The election that would have followed the unofficial primaries was postponed by a year by Mrs Lam, who cited the public health risks during the coronavirus pandemic. Resignations and disqualifications of pro-democracy lawmakers have left the legislature largely a pro-Beijing body. All of the pro-democracy candidates in the unofficial primaries last July were arrested, according to tallies by the South China Morning Post, online platform Now News and political groups. Mr Lee also pointed to a plan allegedly formulated among those arrested. The plot is to create such mutual destruction that if successful... will result in serious damage to society as a whole, the security minister said, adding: That is why police action today is necessary. Following the handover of Hong Kong to China by the British in 1997, the semi-autonomous Chinese city has operated on a one country, two systems framework that affords it freedoms not found on the mainland. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.At least for the moment.Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Tesla Incs Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.Bitcoins down 30% off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.Former traders for Credit Suisse Group AG, Davies and Zhu, the two are among the Wall Street pioneers whove embraced crypto, along with Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital and Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital. Now everyone from retail day traders to bankers are jumping in: CNBC reported this month that Aziz McMahon, head of emerging market sales for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London quit the bank after making a fortune trading cryptocurrencies for himself.While many of the early devotees fortunes rose and fell on the currencys price swings, crypto wealth is quickly turning into real dollars for some, whether through initial public offerings or companies that bring in traditional revenue. Brian Armstrong, co-founder of crypto-wallet Coinbase Global Inc., has a net worth of $9.3 billion after his firms IPO, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Binances Changpeng Zhao created the worlds largest crypto exchange.Grayscale StakeDavies and Zhu, also 34, have resisted talking about their fortune and recommended on social media that crypto billionaires do the same.However, a filing in January revealed the extent of the firms influence, when Three Arrows reported it owned a 5.6% stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $22 billion fund invested solely in the cryptocurrency set up by Barry Silbert.Davies declined to say whether their position had changed or specify how much of the firms capital belonged to them. Most of their other direct investments in cryptocurrencies and related companies dont need to be publicly disclosed.The Grayscale stake made Three Arrows the largest shareholder and would have been worth as much as $2.1 billion in April. The trusts shares have since tumbled 43% following Musks announcement this month that Tesla would suspend accepting the digital currency for purchases of its electric cars because of rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and regulatory clampdowns from China.Despite the environmental spotlight Musks tweet placed on Bitcoin, Davies said he doesnt believe that those concerns apply across cryptocurrency trading as a whole.There are many cryptocurrencies that are proof-of-stake, which use very little if any electricity, Davies said. That is the direction that a lot of crypto is headed in.A proof-of-stake setup for a digital currency allows users with significant equity positions to verify transactions. That compares with proof-of-work transactions, such as those used in Bitcoin mining, where users have to complete complex math problems to access a coin, consuming much greater volumes of electricity.Derivatives TradersDavies and Zhu attended high school together, then studied at Columbia University in New York before joining Credit Suisse as derivatives traders in Tokyo. After three years at the Swiss bank, they quit and launched Three Arrows Capital to begin trading traditional currencies in emerging markets.It was a very inefficient market, and thats where we got our start, Davies said.Within three years, they went from working in their San Francisco apartment to hiring about 35 people and trading 5% to 10% of all local emerging market currency volumes, he said.They diversified into options, equities and crypto after bigger and better firms came in and were better than us in FX emerging-markets trading, Davies said. By 2018, the firm concentrated exclusively on crypto.Their Singapore-based company now runs a fund, DeFiance Capital, that invests in decentralized finance, betting that these businesses will eat traditional finance over the next decade, according to the groups website. Investments include InsurAce, which provides insurance services, and CDEX, a cryptocurrency swap platform.Outsized VoicesWe have been long crypto for a while, Davies said. Weve not always been long Ethereum, in fact weve been short for periods of time, too. Whats the best way to beat Bitcoin right now? Well its just to own Ethereum. The ultimate goal of my book is to outperform Bitcoin.Davies said that Ethereum is currently the firms largest cryptocurrency holding. It has gained 245% this year compared with the U.S. dollar, while Bitcoin is up 29%.Despite the turbulence created by Musks tweets, Davies said hes less worried about the billionaires influence on the crypto market with each passing day.The thing about outsized voices is they usually dont last very long if theyre used too much, Davies said. If he were to tweet every single day, by the end of the year he would have no price impact.(Updates Ethereum, Bitcoin returns in 20th paragraph.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. TWO weeks before Christmas, as a gift I needed to wrap and send a wooden kit for my nephew. Of course, the kit did not include the required glue that was customer-supplied. No worries, I thought, I would just pick some up at the supermarket on my next grocery run; after all, it had a small home-improvement section and I recalled seeing glue there. Opinion TWO weeks before Christmas, as a gift I needed to wrap and send a wooden kit for my nephew. Of course, the kit did not include the required glue that was customer-supplied. No worries, I thought, I would just pick some up at the supermarket on my next grocery run; after all, it had a small home-improvement section and I recalled seeing glue there. Well, my grocery store was undergoing renovations and it had removed that section. No worries, I thought, I will just slip next door to the pharmacy where I recalled the stationary section had an assortment of glues. Eureka! It had exactly what I needed, but a yellow band of tape prevented the sale. By order of the government in the pandemic lockdown, this was not an essential item and this was unavailable for sale. Many similar rules are real head-scratchers. Rather than travelling to a big-box home-improvement store or going online, I decided my nephew or, more accurately, his parents could forage for glue. My irritation at this illogical restriction gave way to reflection on why public-health communication has become so complicated and apparently self-contradictory during COVID-19. Behavioural economics offers important insights, not just on past missteps in communication but also for the crucial vaccination phase, without which progress toward herd immunity will likely be slow and cost many lives. Behavioural economics recognizes that human decision-making does not conform to the neat economic models I teach to undergraduates. Some believe we need to jettison orthodox economics, but in the world of hindsight, standard textbook economic models do work. Regret recognizes that our current situation would be better if we had made a different decision. We see the better, more rational path after the fact. Behavioural economics identifies important biases that sabotage our ability to make effective choices in the first place. Moral hazard is a core idea in behavioural economics and is related to our inability to assess risk. The relaxation of social distancing while masked is a perfect example. I wear a mask, assess that my risk has become lower, and adjust my behaviour by not washing my hands and taking less care with social distancing much like buying snow tires and then speeding. My behaviour negates the new safety protocol. Present bias reflects choices favouring immediate gratification (going to a bar) versus a future and unquantifiable risk (the chance of contracting COVID-19). Often, few options exist, such as for small businesses that struggle to stay open. Therefore, business-support programs are vital, not just as an economic policy but as part of the effort to manage public health. Framing effect shapes our choices. Research shows that people will respond more to a positive health directive framed as "Wearing a mask increases your chances of remaining healthy to 90 per cent," compared to negative messaging such as "Not wearing a mask means you have a 10 per cent chance of falling ill." Optimism bias reflects the belief that many of us seem to view ourselves as being in a dystopian novel. We are part of a small group of survivors; everyone else succumbs to the zombie apocalypse and we are the stars in our own reality show. Young people routinely underestimate the risks of disease. Its hard to believe, but I was once young and convinced of my own invincibility. Media focus on the truly awful impact of the disease in long-term care homes tends to overload the messaging that the young cannot succumb and, more importantly, have little role in controlling the disease and the deterioration of the health-care care system that affects us all. Status quo bias, or inertia, means habits are hard to change. Behavioural economics has created the concept of a "nudge" to prompt changes. For example, in the early stages of COVID-19, I kept hand sanitizer in my glove compartment and scrubbed like a crazed weasel. Then I got slack. So I created a nudge for myself by placing the hand sanitizer in the coffee holder just behind the shifter on the console. Now that the sanitizer is in full view, I am back to diligent cleansing. In sum, research in behavioural economics finds that changing habits and beliefs requires positive messages and credible role models. With vaccines rolling out, we are entering a dangerous phase of the pandemic. One view says getting 70 per cent vaccinated in Canada will take most of the year. With the new mutation that apparently has created a more infectious strain, we may need a 90 per cent vaccination rate to reach herd immunity. Another more optimistic view suggests once 30 per cent of the most vulnerable, namely those over 60 and those in critical occupations, have received vaccinations, hospitalizations will plummet along with deaths. COVID-19 will recede from the news, and pressure will intensify on politicians to restore "normal" life. COVID-19 will remain a severe "flu," but we will normalize it as an endemic disease we learn to live with. In either scenario, public-health officials and politicians will face challenges to encourage a high percentage of the population to become vaccinated. The last several weeks have seen a halting rollout; most recently we have seen clowns masquerading as leaders flaunting public-health orders by travelling despite directives to stay home. The irritation we all feel at this behaviour and we can only hope they receive punishment at the polls is minor compared to the damage done to the credibility of public-health messaging. Gregory Mason is an associate professor of economics at the University of Manitoba. UTICA, N.Y. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to make adjustments the state vaccine distribution plans, to reach more people as soon as possible. Picente sent a letter to the governor Wednesday, listing his suggested changes to the vaccination strategies already set out by the state health department. He says the current plan is confusing, and the county is willing to work with the state to streamline the process. First, Oneida County and all counties stand ready to work hand-in-glove with the State of New York and all its pertinent agencies, hospitals, pharmacies, local doctor offices, schools and others who are in a position to administer this vaccine, Picente wrote in the letter. I respectfully request you consider strengthening these partnerships instead of threatening fines and other punitive measures against the very people who are trying to help end this virus. On Monday, Cuomo said hospitals could face fines of up to $100,000 if they did not administer all current vaccine doses by the end of the week. By Wednesday, Jan. 6, Cuomo said hospitals had tripled daily vaccination rates from just under 11,000 per day to just over 31,000 per day over the past two days. Picente also implores Cuomo to expand the list of people eligible to receive the vaccine to those listed in Phase 1A and Phase 1B. Second, and most importantly it is imperative that you widen the phases for recipients even further. It is an unconscionable result of the current rollout that vaccines are sitting dormant instead of being placed in vulnerable peoples arms, the letter reads. I respectfully request you immediately move to your outlined Phase 1B which would include, in addition to everyone in Phase 1A, a wide variety of people including law enforcement and other first responders, teachers, 911 dispatchers and most importantly, people over the age of 75. This would allow those who need the vaccine the most to be able to get it. Currently Phase 1A includes all frontline health care workers, nursing home residents, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and other high-risk medical workers. Picente also cited the lack of information from the state level as a source of confusion for the local community. He asks the governor to provide more specific information, so the county and local health departments can relay them to the public. Specifically, we need to know how many doses the federal government or the developer has delivered to New York State, how many have been distributed in Oneida County and how many remain unused, Picente said in the letter. This information is essential to informing the public but also making the proper decisions necessary to distribute this vaccine. During a news briefing on Wednesday, Cuomo said New York has receive 950,000 doses for the 2.1 million people included in Phase 1A. According to Cuomo, the state is working on a vaccine education plan to be released when the general public start receiving vaccines, which is projected to start in March or April. Naomi Watts has recalled the agony of losing her father Peter following his death from a heroin overdose when she was just seven years old. Speaking to Vogue Australia this month, the 52-year-old confessed that she's still 'grappling' with the tragic loss decades later. 'Having grown up losing my dad at a very early age, I think that's a story I know well; it's still sorting itself out at the ripe age of 52,' the two-time Academy Award nominee said. 'You lose part of yourself': Naomi Watts (pictured) has admitted she's still 'sorting out' her emotional struggles at age 52 - after losing her father to a heroin overdose when she was just seven 'Through that, you lose a part of yourself you feel like you're not fully formed in a way,' she added. The mother-of-two explained that she often draws on her own psychological battles in her work as an actress and film producer. The star also admitted that she's sometimes 'embarrassed' by how emotional she gets when Peter is brought up in conversation. Open wound: Speaking to Vogue Australia this month, Naomi confessed that she's still 'grappling' with the tragic loss of her father, four decades later Memories: Peter Watts died from a drug overdose in August 1976. Pictured with Naomi's mother Miv Peter, a sound engineer and road manager for Pink Floyd, was found dead in his West London flat, after overdosing on heroin. He left behind his daughter Naomi, her brother Ben, and their mother Myfanway ('Miv'). Byron Bay-based Miv previously spoke about the devastating loss to Daily Mail Australia, recalling: 'It left scars. It was a shock.' Back in the day: A young Naomi would later go on to become one of the biggest star's in Hollywood 'His death made Naomi incredibly determined': Byron Bay-based Miv previously spoke about the devastating loss to Daily Mail Australia, explaining that it helped Naomi play certain film roles 'His death made Naomi incredibly determined. It had a profound effect on her, as it did on the entire family,' she said. Miv explained that the family tragedy has helped Naomi with her film roles, in particular the 2003 American drama, 21 Grams, in which Naomi plays a woman who loses her husband and both her daughters in a horrific hit-and-run. 'With Naomi, it's been an enormous help for her, films like 21 Grams...that emotion is buried in there, she uses it, she can work with that,' Miv explained. 'It's a terrible thing to happen to anyone, especially at that age when she needed her dad. We had no inkling he was using heroin at all.' contributed NEW MILFORD A former department head of history in the New Milford public schools will be giving a Zoom talk on the state of the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. The talk is being given through a partnership with the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County and the Litchfield Historical Society. Participants can sign up at www.registration@LitchfieldHistoricalSociety.org, and a link will be sent to them. After media reports that Chinese billionaire and Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma has been missing for over two months now, some new reports claimed that Jack Ma is 'embracing supervision'. The reports have sparked speculations that Jack Ma is either arrested or placed under house arrest by Chinese authorities. It is to be noted that China is infamous for not providing information on arrests of high-profile people and some experts are of the view that 'embracing supervision' could well mean jail for Jack Ma. According to Hong Kong-based The Asia Times Jack Ma is 'embracing supervision'. Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily is also reporting on similar lines. Chinese media reported that Jack Ma has been ordered not to leave the country. In November, the People's Daily had slammed Jack Ma saying that it was impossible for him to achieve so much success with Alibaba without the Chinese government's policies: "Ma Yun is savvy, but without the support of national policies, Ali will not be able to become a trillion business empire." It is to be noted that Jack Ma failed to appear in the final episode of his own talent show, Africas Business Heroes. According to UKs Telegraph, Alibaba founder was supposed to be a part of the judging panel in November final but he was replaced by an Alibaba executive. Jack Ma's picture was also removed from the website. According to Financial Times, an Alibaba spokesperson said Ma missed the final due to a schedule conflict. Jack Ma's huge business empire, Ant Group, has been under the scanner of the Chinese government ever since he delivered a speech on October 24 slamming Chinas regulation system for stifling innovation. He had also called global banking rules an old peoples club. Todays financial system is the legacy of the Industrial Age, Ma said in the speech. We must set up a new one for the next generation and young people. We must reform the current system, he added. Steven Charles - A Dessert Company celebrates rich history of award-winning desserts and pays homage to its owners. Tweet this Aligned with its new name, the company unveiled a sophisticated logo mirroring its inspired, elegant, one-of-a-kind dessert creations. A new website will be launched in February 2021. The company's storied past began in 1995. Steven Fabos grew the business over the next 10 years, opening large-scale commercial bakeries in Colorado and later in North Carolina. At the same time, Charles Kosmont, with his passion for agriculture, was focused on making the finest and freshest ingredients available within the industry. In 2004, Steven and Charles joined forces. Today, they lead a company dedicated to innovation, high-quality ingredients, superior service, exceptional new product development, and diversity as a certified minority supplier. "Our company mission is to encourage the celebration of life's small joys. Our iconic desserts represent the pioneering spirit and commitment to excellence that Steven Fabos and Charles Kosmont stand for. We are proud to honor this rich heritage and take the next step in our company's evolution as we work together to shape our company's future and make everyone's lives a little sweeter," said Rebecca O'Hara, President of Steven Charles. Steven Charles will continue to own and operate the popular ZEST and Ticklebelly dessert brands and looks forward to strengthening and expanding its portfolio of well-known customers across all segments of foodservice, including restaurants, hotels, theaters, grocery stores, and retail in-store bakeries. About Steven Charles - A Dessert Company Headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, with a secondary location in Pembroke, North Carolina, Steven Charles is a privately held large scale, premium dessert company, owned by Steve Fabos and Charles Kosmont and serving top North American food service providers. Media Contact Christina Ulosevich christina @ item1comms.com SOURCE Steven Robert Original Desserts Photo: The Canadian Press Patches are seen on the arm and shoulder of a corrections officer in the segregation unit at the Fraser Valley Institution for Women during a media tour, in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck A union representing federal prison guards says vaccinating them against COVID-19 should be a priority, given their front-line role in correctional institutions. Members should be inoculated at their workplaces as quickly as possible, said Jeff Wilkins, national president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers. The call came Wednesday amid talk of plans by the Correctional Service to begin vaccinating inmates Friday. The union said the prison service has sent some 1,200 doses of vaccines to various institutions and plans to immunize elderly inmates first. The Correctional Service had no immediate comment. The office of Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said while the Correctional Service is providing vaccinations to inmates under its supervision, those who work in the prisons will be vaccinated through provincial authorities. The prison service is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure correctional staff are among the priority groups for the vaccine, "so they get it as soon as they can," Blair's office added. Conservative public safety critic Shannon Stubbs said in a statement it is "outrageous that incarcerated criminals will receive vaccines before vulnerable seniors in long-term care homes, front-line health care workers, first responders and correctional officers." About 225 of the union's more than 7,400 members have tested positive for COVID-19, Wilkins said Wednesday in an interview. The prison service must recognize that officers have been working for months in institutions where physical distancing is difficult. Although the Correctional Service has a legal mandate to provide care, custody and control to the inmate population it also has a responsibility to protect staff members from disease under the Canadian Labour Code, he added. "First off, we need to make sure that we have a workforce available to to go into those workplaces that are seeing some significant outbreaks right now." (Alliance News) - Sky News reported Wednesday that Jeremy Darroch, chief executive of parent company Sky, is to step down, with Comcast Cable's consumer services president to succeed him. https://news.sky.com/story/skys-chief-executive-jeremy-darroch-to-step-down-12180633 Comcast Cable is part of Comcast Corp, which owns Sky as well as broadcaster NBCUniversal in the US. Comcast paid almost GBP30 billion for former London listing Sky in October 2018. Darroch has been Sky's chief executive for 13 years, making him "one of the UK's longest-serving chief executives". He is succeeded by Dana Strong, who is currently president of consumer services at Comcast Cable, the US's largest broadband and pay TV provider. To facilitate a smooth transition, Darroch will become Sky's executive chair and stay in this post throughout 2021 and will then act as an advisor to the company. Shares in Comcast were down 0.8% early Wednesday in New York at USD49.65. By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. [January 06, 2021] Dynetics achieves critical NASA milestone and delivers key data on lunar lander program HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, has submitted its proposal for Option A of the Human Landing System (HLS) for NASA's Artemis Program. The Dynetics team has also completed the HLS Continuation Review, a critical milestone during the 10-month base period, which NASA will use to assess progress on HLS hardware development and program plans. At the Continuation Review, Dynetics provided details to NASA on its early design efforts, mission plans, and its hardware and software build as well as test activities that demonstrate tangible, robust advancement towards NASA's mission objectives. Dynetics is currently performing tests of its main engines simultaneously at its propulsion test site and at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), both in Huntsville, Ala. This collaboration uses Dynetics' and NASA's expertise in oxygen/methane propulsion at their facilities. These tests provide data on the performance and stability of the engines to improve final designs before qualification. Dynetics has conducted tests of its smaller reaction control system (RCS) engines at its own facilities, gradually progressing through more challenging and flight-like test conditions. Dynetics continues to utilize a low-fidelity hardware test article and has recently added a low-fidelity software test article (or "simulator"), provided by Draper Laboratory. The new simulator component enables early human-in-the-loop (HITL) testing of the Dynetics HLS guidance, navigation, and control software. "Our team is making great progress on our system design and analysis, hardware development, and testing. The incredible volume of technical data and outstanding products delivered to date speak to the power of the swift, yet rigorous, engineering approach with which the team has executed," said Kim Doering, vice president of space systems at Dynetics. "We believe this body of work lays a solid foundation for our crew-centric, sustainable solution to become NASA's choice for safe human transportation to and from the lunar surface." Industry experts provide key design elements Dynetics leads a global team of industry-recognized experts with human spaceflight and hardware/software experience directly applicable to the HLS. All members have made significant contributions to the team's progress to date. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) led the completion of a medium-fidelity hardware test article, which is located at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. Like its low-fidelity siblings, this test article will be used by NASA astronauts and operators to improve the Dynetics crew module design. Among many other early demonstrations, SNC has created a virtual reality simulator to evaluate how future crews would view the lunar surface and landing site on approach. Houston-based Oceaneering has provided design and development of crew system intra-vehicular and extra-vehicular activities (IVA/EVA) and crew training plans. Oceaneering recently supported successful completion of the preliminary design reviews for crew operations and crew systems held in October and December, respectively. The company has also completed dust mitigation technology demonstrations, using its Debris Vacuum Assembly (DeVA) hardware. Additional dust mitigation technology demonstrations are ongoing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Paragon Space Development Corporation has reached the Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS) preliminary design review within seven months of program kickoff. Key ECLSS component tests were conducted at NASA's Glenn Research Center (GRC). The maturity of Paragon's ECLSS technologies will lead to a faster transition from the critical design review and flight hardware delivery. Maxar Technologies completed preliminary designs for many of the Dynetics Human Landing System's major subsystems, including its power, avionics and communications and active thermal control subsystems. These preliminary designs and plans will be reviewed by the Dynetics and NASA teams during Subsystem Preliminary Design Reviews in early January 2021. The Dynetics lander team has also performed detailed analyses on a wide range of mission-specific phenomena, such as the interaction of main engine exhaust plumes with the lunar regolith and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), analysis of cabin airflow to improve the design, and placement of the air revitalization system. The team will continue with the subsystem- and system-level design reviews and critical technology demonstrations as it awaits NASA's Option A selection decision in early 2021. About Dynetics Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific, IT solutions to the national security, cybersecurity, space, and critical infrastructure sectors. Our portfolio features highly specialized technical services and a range of software and hardware products, including components, subsystems, and complex end-to-end systems. The company of more than 3,000 employees is based in Huntsville, Ala., and has offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.dynetics.com. About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 38,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 3, 2020, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. For more information, contact: Kristina Hendrix, APR Dynetics, Inc. Communications Director 256-713-5453 kristina.hendrix@dynetics.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dynetics-achieves-critical-nasa-milestone-and-delivers-key-data-on-lunar-lander-program-301201762.html SOURCE Dynetics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Adam Handwerker Joins Lazard as a Managing Director, Private Capital Advisory Group Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) announced today that Adam Handwerker will join Lazard's Financial Advisory business as a Managing Director in the Private Capital Advisory Group, effective immediately. He is based in New York. "Adam brings over 15 years of experience in real estate private fundraising," said Holcombe Green, Global Head of Private Capital Advisory, Lazard. "His expertise and strong relationships will enhance our capabilities in the US and strengthen our position as leading advisors in the global real estate funds market." Prior to joining Lazard, Handwerker served as managing director at Rialto Capital Management, and, since 2004, held various real estate fund raising roles at Hodes Weill & Associates and at Credit Suisse. e received a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Masters in Real Estate Finance and Investments from New York University. About Lazard Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from more than 40 cities across 25 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com. Follow Lazard at @Lazard. LAZ_FAPE View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005306/en/ GPs are being urged to 'stand down' routine appointments so they can prioritise Covid vaccinations, it was claimed last night. Guidance sent to doctors says the jabs should be their top priority with other 'non-essential' activities postponed, potentially for weeks. NHS England has already advised surgeries to focus on the delivery of the vaccine by prioritising jab appointments over anything else. The British Medical Association, the trade body for doctors, is also telling GPs to 're-prioritise and postpone other activities' in the coming weeks, The Daily Telegraph reported last night. Its guidance suggests health workers should 'stand down non-essential work' unless urgent to accelerate the pace of the rollout. A nurse administers the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to a patient at Pontcae Medical Practice on January 4 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales Doubts about the plan to inject 13million vulnerable people by the middle of February have been growing since Boris Johnson plunged the country into lockdown on Monday night It follows mounting concern over the sluggish start to Britain's vaccination drive, with only 530,000 Oxford jabs cleared for use this week. This was a tiny fraction of the 30million doses the UK was promised would be ready in time for the vaccine to be approved. Use pubs, polling stations and offices, urges Blair Tony Blair urged Boris Johnson to open up thousands of polling stations and empty offices as coronavirus vaccination centres. The former prime minister (pictured below) said there was a need to dramatically accelerate the vaccine programme to 'save our economy'. He called for a shake-up at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and for the Government to step in to assist the production of glass vials which are needed for the vaccines. The former prime minister said there was a need to dramatically accelerate the vaccine programme Mr Blair demanded much greater transparency on who was due to get jabbed when to maintain public confidence. And he called for more pharmacists and GP surgeries to deliver jabs. Mr Blair said his plan would see 5million a week being delivered by the end of March meaning more than half of the population would have been vaccinated by then. 'No one doubts the monumental scale of the Covid-19 challenge, nor the specific task of rolling out mass vaccinations,' the former leader said in a foreword to a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. 'The NHS has done an extraordinary job to get this many people vaccinated so far. But the reality is we need to go on to an entirely new footing and accelerate this programme dramatically. 'Public confidence would also be greatly boosted by being fully transparent about the plan to achieve this.' Mr Blair said there were 50,000 polling stations which should be used, as well as empty offices and even pubs. He said surgeries should operate for longer hours and called for red tape to be cut to allow 5,500 pharmacists to provide the vaccine. Advertisement Testing of the initial doses has taken 20 days with only one batch tested until that number was doubled yesterday. Officials have now moved to tackle the problem, cutting the time taken to approve each batch to four days, with regulators now able to test more than one at once. But a rapid acceleration is needed if Britain is to vaccinate the vast numbers required to ease Covid restrictions. Eight months ago, when the nation was still in the grip of the first wave, Business Secretary Alok Sharma insisted sufficient doses would be ready. He announced that the Government had struck a deal with AstraZeneca to manufacture 100million doses of the Oxford vaccine, of which 30million would be ready by September. By the end of November the results were delivered the vaccine worked. And AstraZeneca insisted it could deliver enough vaccine to fill 20million injections by the end of 2020. While slightly down from the 30million Mr Sharma had promised, it would still be a strong start, although the firm admitted only 4million of those would be in vials and ready to go. It took another month for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to confirm that the vaccine was safe and effective. But when that authorisation was finally announced, just over a week ago, the four million doses had somehow shrunk to 530,000. With at least 25million people in the Government's priority groups for vaccination, such a figure was paltry. So why were so few vaccines available? AstraZeneca slightly overpromised it manufactured enough to give Britain an initial 15million doses down from the 20million it had previously promised. But it produced the four million vaccines in vials it had pledged. The main delay, rather, has been the MHRA batch testing programme. Quality control requirements mean every single batch has to be tested separately both by AstraZeneca and the MHRA. Quality control is run at the MHRA's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control lab in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The NIBSC receives samples from each batch of vaccines and does a number of tests. One of the most complex elements is ensuring that each vial contains the right dose. Scientists also need to make sure the jab does what it is meant to.AstraZeneca does one set of tests and the NIBSC, in parallel, performs its own tests.When the two are completed they ensure the results match and, if they align, a batch-test certificate is issued. But when that authorisation was finally announced, just over a week ago, the four million doses had somehow shrunk to 530,000. With at least 25million people in the Government's priority groups for vaccination, such a figure was paltry. So why were so few vaccines available? AstraZeneca slightly overpromised it manufactured enough to give Britain an initial 15million doses down from the 20million it had previously promised. But it produced the four million vaccines in vials it had pledged. The main delay, rather, has been the MHRA batch testing programme. Quality control requirements mean every single batch has to be tested separately both by AstraZeneca and the MHRA. Quality control is run at the MHRA's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control lab in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The NIBSC receives samples from each batch of vaccines and does a number of tests. One of the most complex elements is ensuring that each vial contains the right dose. Scientists also need to make sure the jab does what it is meant to.AstraZeneca does one set of tests and the NIBSC, in parallel, performs its own tests.When the two are completed they ensure the results match and, if they align, a batch-test certificate is issued. Until yesterday that had happened only once on December 29 when the initial batch of 530,000 doses was approved. A second batch was certified yesterday, doubling the available doses. But if Britain is to vaccinate the 13million most vulnerable people in the top four tiers of its priority list by mid-February this process needs to accelerate rapidly. Changes have been made so the NIBSC can start assessing several batches simultaneously. Manpower at the lab which in normal times is staffed by 300 scientists has also been ramped up. Government officials believe that these changes will cut the time it takes to assess each batch from 20 days to four or five. If that is achieved, vaccines will start to flow. Joe Biden will announced Thursday Merrick Garland as his pick for attorney general Joe Biden is tapping Merrick Garland to become his attorney general four years after then-President Barack Obama nominated him to fill an open Supreme Court seat but was thwarted by Republicans. Garland is a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by the Republican Congress for a seat on the Supreme Court, which was left vacant after the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Two people familiar with the selection process revealed Wednesday that Biden is expected to announce Garland's appointment on Thursday. The president-elect will also announce on Thursday other senior leaders of the Justice Department including former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former Justice Department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. Before deciding on Garland to one of his top cabinet positions, Biden was considering former Democratic Senator Doug Jones of Alabama and former deputy attorney general Sally Yates. If he chose Yates, she would elevate from chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals in D.C. to run the Justice Department thus leaving a vacancy there in which Biden would also fill. In 2016, then-President Barack Obama nominated Garland for the open Supreme Court seat, but was thwarted by a Republican-majority Congress In picking Garland, Biden is turning to an experienced judge who held senior positions at the Justice Department decades ago, including as a supervisor of the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The pick will force Senate Republicans to contend with the nomination of someone they spurned in 2016, refusing even to hold hearings when a Supreme Court vacancy arose, but Biden may be banking on Garland's credentials and reputation for moderation to ensure confirmation. Instead of Garland ascending to Scalia's seat, Justice Neil Gorsuch did so in 2017 after he was nominated by President Donald Trump. Trump also was able to nominate two other Supreme Court nominees during his tenure as president Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Both were controversial, Kavanaugh for his past and sexual misconduct allegations against him and Barrett for being nominated so close to the presidential election. Republicans in Congress argued in 2016 that they would not confirm Garland because it was too close to the election where they expected Trump to win and knew they could earn another conservative justice. Logan, WV (25601) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. President Moon Jae-in has formally requested that the National Assembly hold confirmation hearings on his nominees to lead the justice and environment ministries, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday. Moon signed the relevant documents, which were later submitted to the Assembly at around 5 p.m., according to presidential office spokesman Kang Min-seok. The President tapped Park Beom-kye, a three-term ruling Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, as the new justice minister and Han Jeoung-ae, the party's policy chief, as the environment minister in a small-scale Cabinet reshuffle late last year. Park is a former judge, and Han, also a three-term lawmaker, used to be a labor activist. (Yonhap) Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. North Augusta, SC (29841) Today A mix of clouds and sun. Hot. High 97F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. The Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the World Bank on Tuesday signed a $105 million project to improve the inland water transport infrastructure in Kolkata, West Bengal, according to the Ministry of Finance. The West Bengal Inland Water Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project will facilitate passenger and freight movement across the Hooghly river; undertake spatial planning to improve accessibility in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area; enhance the quality of life of its residents, and contribute to the growth of the state's logistics sector. Dr C S Mohapatra Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance stated that "the Inland waterways are now emerging as a cost-effective and an environmentally friendly option for passenger and freight movement. This project will help improve the river transport infrastructure in West Bengal and help in the economic development of the state by connecting the hinterland with markets and job centres in Kolkata's Metropolitan Area". The agreement was signed by Dr C S Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India; Shri Rajdeep Dutta, Deputy Resident Commissioner, on behalf of the Government of West Bengal; and Mr Junaid Ahmad, Country Director, India on behalf of the World Bank. The project will cover the five most populous districts of southern West Bengal, including its urban agglomeration -- the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) where around 30 million people or one-third of West Bengal's population live. "This operation will allow the state to invest in Kolkata's economic productivity by making its waterways and ferry services part of an efficient and safe urban mobility strategy," said Mr Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India. "Importantly, given Kolkata's strategic location, the project is also ensuring that the metropolitan area emerges as a transport and logistics hub for the sub-region, leveraging the EDFC and connecting to the north-east and the land-locked countries of Nepal and Bhutan," he added. The Hooghly river, a distributary of the river Ganga, in Kolkata separates the Kolkata port from its large consumption centres, which are, its wholesale market and its vast hinterland comprising among others the entire North East of India and two landlocked neighbouring countries namely, Nepal and Bhutan. West Bengal's ferries can provide an efficient, flexible mode of public transport for both passengers and freight, saving on operating costs and travel time when compared with road journeys. In the first phase, the project will enhance the capacity and improve the safety of the Inland Water Transport system; including rehabilitating existing jetties, buying new ferries with enhanced design; and installing electronic gates in 40 locations. In the second phase, it will support long-term investments for passenger movements, including in terminals and jetties; improve the design of the inland water transport vessels; ensure night navigation on the most hazardous and trafficked routes and crossing points, and encourage the private sector to invest in Ro-Ro vessels that will allow easier movement of trucks across the Hooghly river. The $105 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a maturity of 17 years, including a grace period of seven years. (ANI) Also Read: Donald Trump signs order banning transactions with 8 Chinese apps London: A British judge has denied WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange bail, saying there was a risk he might flee justice while the US tries again to secure his extradition. It comes just two days after Judge Vanessa Baraister ordered his discharge from extradition to the US to face spying charges. The US government is appealing the ruling and on Wednesday evening (AEDT) successfully argued that the Australian be kept in Belmarsh Prison while the High Court challenge take place. Julian Assange's fiancee Stella Moris has urged the US President to pardon him. Credit:Getty images "Mr Assange still has an incentive to abscond from these, as yet, unresolved proceedings," she said. Indian gov't to roll out COVID-19 vaccine within 10 days from authorization date NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government Tuesday said the COVID-19 vaccines will be ready for roll-out in 10 days from the emergency use authorization date based on feedback from the dry run. "Based on the feedback of the dry run, the government is ready to introduce COVID-19 vaccine within 10 days from the date of emergency use authorization," federal health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan said during a briefing in New Delhi. The announcement came days after India's Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved two COVID-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use. The drugs regulator approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. India's federal health minister Harsh Vardhan recently said in the first phase of the inoculation drive, 30 million frontline workers would be provided with free COVID-19 vaccine. On Saturday, the government conducted a COVID-19 vaccine dry run across the country. India, which has the world's second-highest number of COVID-19 infections, plans to inoculate 300 million people until July this year. [January 05, 2021] Cubic and MTA OMNY Rollout Complete Across All 472 New York City Subway Stations Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced its Cubic Transportation Systems ( CTS (News - Alert) ) business division and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has fully deployed the OMNY contactless payment system across all of New York City. Every New York City bus and all 472 subway stations across all five boroughs are now OMNY-enabled. The OMNY system features mobile and open payments via contactless bankcards and mobile wallets to improve customer convenience and service for travelers. Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum Station was the last station to be completed as part of a final wave that included enablement of all Queens and Brooklyn buses. This is a major milestone for New Yorkers as OMNY allows riders to create personalized transit accounts to see ride history, check balances and add transit value, as well as report lost or stolen cards to protect their funds. OMNY also enables riders to use payment media such as credit and debit cards and mobile devices at the bus or turnstile, instead of purhasing or adding value to a separate fare card. "We are grateful to our partners at the MTA for working with us - in spite of a pandemic and economic downturn - to deliver this benefit to New Yorkers and the whole New York region, on time and under budget," said Jeff Lowinger, president of Cubic Transportation Systems. "As the region begins to return to offices in the coming year, a more seamless and safe trip awaits." "I want to thank Cubic, our partner from day one on this project. They've been world class from top to bottom and are one of the most professional companies I've ever worked with," said Al Putre, executive director of MTA's OMNY Fare Payment Program. "They've learned key lessons from delivering similar contactless payment systems at transit systems around the world and applied them to New York and our customers will have a better customer experience because of it." In 2021, Cubic and the MTA will focus on enhancing the digital experience for riders to support expanded fare options, including reduced fares, student fares and special programs across subway, bus, paratransit and commuter rail. The system will be expanded to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the Metro-North Railroad (MNR) during later phases. Cubic is credited with inventing the MetroCard and also supports fare payment across many of the world's largest public transit systems, from Boston to Chicago and London. The company was selected to replace the iconic MetroCard in 2017; OMNY will operate in parallel with the MetroCard system until its retirement in 2023. About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a technology-driven, market-leading provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR, and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Our teams innovate to make a positive difference in people's lives. We simplify their daily journeys. We promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. For more information about Cubic, please visit www.cubic.com or on Twitter (News - Alert) @CubicCorp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105006005/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid African swine fever is upsetting the husbandry industry with a repeat of previous woes, photo Le Toan The epidemic (ASF) seemed to have been brought under control during the last quarter of 2019 and the first half of 2020, with most localities reporting no diagnosed cases of the virus infection and issuing calls to re-populate herds. However, in recent months, it has returned with a vengeance to upset the performance of major husbandry companies. According to statistics from the companies themselves, CJ Group, Dabaco Group, and Mavin Group are suffering both in the number and proportion of animals infected. South Koreas CJ has had 4,400 of its 18,000 sows infected with ASF (24.4 per cent), along with 20,000 of its 112,000 fattening pigs (18 per cent). Vietnams Dabaco and Australias Mavin are faring better in some areas and worse in others, said a source close to the issue. Dabaco, for instance, has a relatively lower 6,200 of 30,000 (20.67 per cent) sows infected, but suffers in comparison for fattening pigs at 35,000 of 190,000 (18.4 per cent). Mavin is reportedly doing proportionally worse, with 6,600 out of 15,000 sows (44 per cent) and 29,000 out of 105,000 fattening pigs (27.6 per cent) infected with ASF. The source said these figures are estimated based on the animal feed consumption, the number of vaccines used, and market research by the companies. Statistics published by the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in mid-December showed that in 2020, ASF was reported at 1,500 areas in 50 cities and provinces. The total number of pigs that had to be disposed was 86,000. Helping the spread At present, approximately 307 districts and towns in 29 cities and provinces across the country have reported infections, including Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, Cao Bang, and Dak Lak. In Ninh Binh, the disease was first diagnosed in March 2019 and was deemed to be under control by February 2020. However, in August the epidemic was again rampant across all eight districts of the province. Since then 14,000 pigs with a total weight of 1,000 tonnes had to be culled. Meanwhile, the Department of Animal Health of Nghe An province reported that ASF is present in all 12 districts and towns, with 1,200 pigs culled so far. Nguyen Van Long, deputy director of the department, said that though the epidemic is once again under control there, the risk of a resurgence is very real. Explaining how ASF could break out again, Long said that the rally in consumption in the last months of 2020 and the ensuing boost in transportation of live pigs helped the virus spread across provinces. Moreover, farms and companies were too quick in their efforts to re-populate their herds, compromising the sectors safety, while the weather conditions [cold and rainy in the north, flooding in Central Vietnam, and heavy fluctuations in the south] provided a fertile ground for the multiplication of pathogens, he said. Other experts explained that the virus keeps spreading despite disinfection efforts due to intermediate organisms such as mice and bugs, and feeding peoples leftovers to animals. However, according to Nguyen Van Tuan, the owner of a pig farm in Phu Tho province with a herd of 1,000 animals, the main reason is the improper disposal of sick pigs and live hogs imported from Thailand. The ASF situation in Thailand is so dire that I think pig imports should be suspended from the country. Too many pigs were imported from Thailand since June, which caused the resurgence of ASF in the second half of 2020, Tuan said. Almost all of the pigs in the same sty are sold, and that is why the selling price of live hogs reduced sharply in past months while also spreading the infection, the farmer explained. Vaccine sought The race to find a vaccine for ASF continues across the globe. In February last year, Vietnam requested the United States to transfer genetically altered samples of the ASF virus it has developed to facilitate vaccine production. US experts earlier said they had developed a vaccine from a genetically modified virus strain to produce complete attenuation of the virus in swine. The Vietnam National University of Agriculture started researching a vaccine last March. Thus far, it has developed four vaccines, one of which has shown encouraging results in 13 of the 14 pigs tested. Initial vaccine tests on a small scale have provided optimistic results. According to reports from experts and businesses in charge of technology transference, Vietnam might have a vaccine for this disease by the third quarter of 2021, if conditions allow, said MARD Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong. Navetco National Veterinary JSC, also a research centre of the MARD, and Regional Animal Health Office No.6 (RAHO6) have also been researching a vaccine. Notably, the RAHO6 collected samples from infected pigs surviving the epidemic, believing certain types of pigs are more resistant to the virus. The samples are already sent to international animal health organisations for further research. The Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences research teams has also created a new vaccine piloted at three pig farms in the northern provinces of Hung Yen, Ha Nam, and Thai Binh. Of the total vaccinated animals, 16 out of 18 sows and all 15 pigs for meat were in healthy condition after two months, with some of the sows giving birth to healthy piglets. The exam will cover the unexplored potential and business opportunities a cow can offer, even after it stops giving milk, as per the RKA chief. The government on Tuesday announced a national-level voluntary online exam on 'gau vigyan' (cow science) to be held on 25 February, in a bid to generate interest among students and general public about the indigenous cow and its benefits. Announcing the first-ever exam of this kind, Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said this exam will be held annually. Students of primary, secondary and college levels and general public can take part in the 'Kamdhenu Gau-Vignyan Prachar-Prasar Examination' without any fee. "For raising mass awareness about the indigenous cows among young students and every other citizens, the RKA decided to conduct a national exam on cow science," he told reporters. The Aayog has prepared a study material on cow science. The exam will infuse the curiosity into all Indians about cows and make them aware of the unexplored potential and business opportunities a cow can offer, even after it stops giving milk, he added. Further, Mr. Kathiria said there will be objective-type questions, and the syllabus will be recommended on the website of the RKA. The exam results will be declared immediately and certificates will be given to all. Meritorius candidates will be given prizes and certificates, he added. The RKA chief also mentioned that it has received good response from varisities for setting up a chair and research centres on cow and related issues. The RKA, which comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, was set up by the Centre in February 2019, and is aimed at "conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny". A snake catcher has urged pet owners to keep a close eye on their animals after being called to a job where a carpet python killed a kitten before trying to swallow it. Stuart McKenzie, from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers in Queensland, went to the home in Buderim after the homeowners made the grim discovery. The kitten had ventured under the house only to encounter the carpet python, which Mr McKenzie said was most likely waiting for a feed. The owners tried to intervene to save their kitten by using a broom handle to keep the snake away but the carpet python had already gone in for the kill. A snake catcher has sounded a warning to pet owners after a carpet python killed a pet kitten on Queensland's Sunshine Coast before trying to swallow it By the time Mr McKenzie arrived the snake was sizing the kitten up to swallow it but he was able to remove it so the family could bury their kitten. 'It's a very sad situation. It's someone's pet and they obviously want to bury it,' he said. 'It sucks when this sort of thing happens. A little kitten is the same size as a possum or a big bird and that's what carpet pythons are going after.' Mr McKenzie estimated the snake was about 1.5metres long and while not yet fully grown it was more than capable of killing family pets. In a Facebook post, Mr McKenzie said the family wanted footage of the encounter shared so other pet owners did not end up in the same predicament. 'I have permission off the cat's owners to share this footage to create awareness and educate everyone on what can happen if your pets have a run in with a decent sized carpet python,' he said. The owners of the kitten had tried to intervene to save their kitten by using a broom handle but were unable to remove the snake The carpet python was released back into the bush after it was captured by Mr McKenzie Mr McKenzie said the carpet python eating the kitten was only natural. 'Please understand that the snake is just doing what it knows naturally to do and that is to hunt mammals and try and get itself a feed,' he said. 'Please be wary that if your cats are allowed to roam the streets at night they are more than likely killing lots of native wildlife and they also may not come home one day as they could get hit by a car or killed by another animal.' The carpet python was released back into the bush after it was removed from the home. A Democratic candidate is projected to win one of the two runoff elections in Georgia that hold the key to the Senate, and a fellow party nominee expanded his lead in the second race on Wednesday, setting up a potentially stunning upset defeat for Republicans in their stronghold. US Congress will hold a joint session later in the day to grant one final certification to President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Republican lawmakers allied to President Donald Trump have announced plans to object to the certification, which will drag out what has been a largely ceremonial process but will not change the outcome, or reverse Bidens election. Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated Kelly Loeffler, the sitting Republican senator, by more than 60,000 votes, while Jon Ossoff, the other Democrat, was ahead of David Perdue, the incumbent senator, by over 17,000, expanding his overnight lead and tightening his grip on the race. Warnock and Ossoffs wins if and when the second happens will raise the number of Democrats in the Senate from current 48 to 50, splitting the majority in the 100-member chamber with Republicans. But with Vice-President-elect Kamala Harriss tie-breaking vote as president of the Senate, Democrats will be in control. Democrat control of the Senate will complete a trifecta, with the House of Representatives and the White House already in the bag, starting January 20. With both chambers of Congress in Democratic control, Biden will have an easier time pursuing his legislative agenda. And the Senate win, on its own, will allow his nominees to be confirmed easily, especially those that Republicans were threatening to block. In response to the Georgia election outcome, Biden said: Georgias voters delivered a resounding message yesterday: they want action on the crises we face and they want it right now. On Covid-19, on economic relief, on climate, on racial justice, on voting rights and so much more. They want us to move, but move together. It looks like we will emerge from yesterdays election with Democratic leadership in the House and the Senate, and of course Im pleased that we will be able to work with Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and a Majority Leader (Charles) Schumer, he said in a statement. We were told we couldnt win this election, but tonight, we proved that with hope, hard work, and the people by our side, anything is possible, said Warnock in a brief victory speech. May my story be an inspiration to some young person who is trying to grasp and grab hold of the American dream. Warnock will be the first African American senator from Georgia. He is reverend of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta, which was once led by Martin Luther King Jr, the civil rights leader. And Ossoff, a journalist and documentary filmmaker, will be the first Jewish senator from Georgia. Shortly before he overtook Perdue, his campaign said in a statement , When all the votes are counted, we fully expect that Jon Ossoff will have won this election to represent Georgia in the United States Senate. The outstanding vote is squarely in parts of the state where Jons performance has been dominant. We look forward to seeing the process through in the coming hours and moving ahead so Jon can start fighting for all Georgians in the US Senate. Outgoing President Trump was tracking the runoffs closely, but only to pounce on technical glitches and difficulties to bolster his baseless claims of election fraud as he continued to pursue his doomed efforts to overturn his defeat to Biden. Looks like they are setting up a big voter dump against the Republican candidates. Waiting to see how many votes they need? he tweeted during a pause in counting. Trump remained largely focused on the upcoming certification of Bidens victory by Congress at the joint session later in the day. Lawmakers allied to him intend to object to the certification, but do not have the numbers to block the certification or reject. The president and his allies have been pressuring vice-president Mike Pence, who will preside over the joint session, to reject the certification, overstepping his constitutional authority. Pence is reported to have conveyed to Trump at a meeting on Tuesday that he does not have the power to reject or return the certificates to the states. Trump issued a statement denying Pence said that to him, but, notably, Pence did not endorse the denial, not directly or through surrogates. States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval, Trump wrote in a tweet Wednesday morning, just hours before the start of the joint session. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! Trumps own lawyer Jay Sekulow disagrees with the president. Some have speculated that the vice president could simply say, Im not going to accept these electors. I dont think thats what the Constitution has in mind. If that were the case, any VP could refuse any election, he said on a radio show, according to CNN. Trump, who is consumed by an obsession to overturn his election defeat, will plough on nevertheless. He is addressing a rally in support of his baseless claims ahead of the joint session called the Save America March. He will reiterate his false claims of election fraud and will pile up more pressure on his vice-president, testing his unwavering loyalty. The Iranian Army Ground Force's Ababil drones equipped with Almas air-to-surface and precision-guided missiles successfully destroyed hypothetical surface targets during massive aerial drills on Wednesday, Fars News Agency informs. "Over the last few years, with the efforts of Iran's young experts and scientists in the Army and the Ministry of Defense, intelligent weapons for drones have been designed and produced, some of which have been tested during the current event," Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army for Operations Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi said. Almas missile which has been made by Iranian scientists and experts is able to destroy targets on the ground with great precision. The first major drone exercise of the Iranian Army began in the northern central province of Semnan on Tuesday. According to Fars News Agency, hundreds of combat drones are participating in the drills. Trump to Speak at Rally in Washington on Jan. 6 President Donald Trump plans on speaking at a rally in Washington on Jan. 6. Several large events are planned in the nations Capitol to protest in support of Trump and against what many of his supporters believe was a stolen election. Trump plans on speaking at a Save America Rally on the Ellipse at 11 a.m. BIG CROWDS! the president wrote in a tweet. Organizers expect up to 1.5 million people to attend the rallies. Doors open for the event at the Ellipse, a 52-acre park south of the White House, four hours before Trump is scheduled to speak. The Save America Rally is presented by Women for America First. The group says it supports an America First Agenda Amy Kremer, one of the organizers, said in a tweet on Tuesday that the event will be the largest rally ever. Trump said the people converging on Washington dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats, adding, Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! Trump and his team, along with some other Republicans, say the election results in key battleground states were unfairly certified for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. They point to allegations and evidence of election and voter fraud and argue the results should be decertified. Biden and many Democrats, along with some Republicans, say the election is over and Biden won. President Donald Trump supporters cheer before leaving on a bus for an overnight drive to Washington, in Newton, Mass., on Jan. 5, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) Congress is meeting in Washington, near the rally, on Wednesday to count Electoral College votes. Under the system, voters cast ballots for slates of electors, even though they actually tick boxes for presidential candidates. The party for the candidate that gets the most votes in a state has its electors cast a ballot for that candidate and sends it to Washington. The joint session is to count those ballots. Seven states sent so-called dueling electors, or two different ballotsone for Biden and one for Trump, even though Biden was the certified winner of all seven states. Its our duty to the people of Michigan and to the U.S. Constitution to send another slate of electors if the election is in controversy or disputeand clearly it is, Meshawn Maddock, Michigan Republican at-large national elector, said in a statement last month. Republicans efforts now center around two possible paths to victory during the joint session. One is to object to electoral votes from disputed states, which will trigger a debate and vote in each chamber. Because objections require a majority of the vote, they are not expected to be upheld. Democrats control the House of Representatives and Senate GOP leadership has criticized the planned challenges. Twenty-seven GOP senators have come out in opposition to the efforts. The second path involves Vice President Mike Pence, who will be presiding over the session in his role as president of the Senate. Pence can reject electoral votes from states where fraud occurred, backers say. Pence has not indicated whether he agrees with that line of reasoning. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other critics say Pence has a narrower role. Pelosi told colleagues in a letter on Tuesday that Bidens victory will be recognized when Congress meets. Tomorrow is about guaranteeing trust in our democratic system. As members of Congress, we all have a responsibility to uphold the principle: the people are sovereign and that they hold the power to choose their leaders through the ballot box, she added. [January 06, 2021] Riverside Research Sponsors Ohio State University Students in the Improvement of a Long-Standing Work Process DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Riverside Research, a not-for-profit organization serving the public interest, has taken on a critical role in providing college students the opportunity to directly apply classroom learning toward advanced innovation and development. Program Manager Steve Harper Intelligence & Defense Solutions (IDS) and Senior Engineer Mark Brunn (IDS) have promoted partnership efforts between Ohio State University (OSU) undergraduate students and Riverside Research in their role as problem sponsors. Jarrod Manguiat, another engineer and team mentor, has also taken on a paramount role with his invaluable insight as a subject area expert. Dr Ashwin Fisher and the Optics group Open Innovation Center (OIC) provided invaluable technical background and guidance on circuit board imaging, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and new technologies they are exploring. The team is comprised of multidisciplinary students; Nick Clawson (B.A.Sc, Applied Physics), Emily Haines (B.S.E Industrial Systems Engineering), David Manguiat (B.S.B.A Finance), Isabelle Rea (B.S Industrial Design), and Nina Tavernier (B.S.E Industrial Systems Engineering). The student team represents diversity in educational study and in background and expertise. Their collaboration is a result of a newly implemented course called "Rapid Innovation for Public Impact" an OSU senior design option inspired by the well-established "Hacking for Defense (H4D)" course. The team explored a long-standing issue regarding the process for producing an unknown circuit board's schematic. Circuit boards are often presented to government contractors for further investigation. Their end goal is to draw the board's schematic in order to reveal capabilities and functions of the board. Circuit boards are initially examined for malicious hardware before their multiple layers are imaged using X-Ray or Terahertz technology. Images are then used in manual production of a schematic depicting all components and traces. This production alone contributes to a process cost of tens of thousands of dollars. The student team investigated the integration of artificial intelligence into this manually intensive processa solution that requires a hefty amount of data collection. The student team was able to generate an extensive amount of data needed to explore AI integration in the data sourcing phase by "crowdsourcing" the image editing process. Crowdsourcing refers to the practice of enlisting a large group of individuals to perform tasks that a computer cannot yet perform. Their solution for using established crowdsourcing platforms to generate substantial amounts of unclassified annotated images provides sufficient data for AI training to support automating schematic generation. Riverside Research encourages and supports scientific research using internal and external resources to solve critical problemsa mission statement that the student team has remained in touch with throughout solution development. "We are thankful to have this opportunity to provide students with real-world AI applications," said Riverside Research President & CEO Dr. Steve Omick. "We believe this experience has bolstered student confidence in their upcoming professional environment and look forward to continue partnerships like these." View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/riverside-research-sponsors-ohio-state-university-students-in-the-improvement-of-a-long-standing-work-process-301202114.html SOURCE Riverside Research [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The new legislative session brings with it substantial turnover for the Michigan House of Representatives, which will have 28 new lawmakers serving their first full terms in office. Most of the freshman class will fill House seats vacated by members who hit their six-year term limit serving in the state House, although some defeated incumbents or are replacing members who sought other offices last fall. Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth, R-Clare, and Democratic Leader-elect Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Township, will fill the leadership slots left open by the departures of former Reps. Lee Chatfield and Christine Greig. Although no Michigan Senate seats were up for election in 2020, the Senate will start the new session with two vacancies left by the departures of Republican Sens. Pete Lucido and Peter MacGregor, both of whom were elected to local government offices. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will set a date for the primary and general special elections in those two seats. The Houses first scheduled session day is Jan. 13. Heres a rundown of the new faces in the Michigan House this session. District 3: Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit Democrat Shri Thanedar during his 2018 run for Michigan governor.Emily Lawler | MLive.com Once a gubernatorial hopeful, Shri Thanedar is now headed to Lansing in a different role representing Michigans 3rd state House district, which covers a portion of Detroit. In 2018, Thanedar spent more than $10 million of his money running for governor, ultimately losing in the primary to Whitmer. Thanedar moved from the Ann Arbor area to Detroit in 2019 and came out the victor in a competitive Democratic primary to replace term-limited Rep. Wendell Byrd. A native of India, Thanedar came to the United States in 1979 at the age of 24. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Akron in Ohio and did post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan, later starting a chemical testing laboratory. View Thanedars House webpage here. Related: Ann Arbor-area businessman who ran for governor eyes new opportunity in Detroit District 4: Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck. (Photo courtesy Michigan House of Representatives) Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, was first elected to the state House in a November special election to replace the late state Rep. Isaac Robinson, who died in March after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Aiyash, who most recently worked as the statewide training and political leadership director at Michigan United, also won the election to serve a full two-year term in the House representing the 4th District, which encompasses the city of Hamtramck and a portion of Detroit. The Michigan State University graduate is a longime community organizer who also worked for former state Rep. Rose Mary Robinson, Isaac Robinsons mother. He also co-founded a Lansing nonprofit aimed at mentoring refugee children. View Aiyashs House webpage here. District 7: Helena Scott, D-Detroit Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives. State Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit, replaces term-limited Rep. LaTanya Garrett in the 7th District, which includes a portion of Detroit and Highland Park. Scott, sister-in-law to former Detroit City Councilmember Brenda Scott, previously worked in the airline industry and as a community liaison for Garrett. She graduated from Marygrove College. A longtime organizer and activist, Scott has served as vice-chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus and vice-chair of the 14th Congressional District and has been a board member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Detroit League of Women Voters. View Scotts House webpage here. District 8: Rep. Stephanie Young, D-Detroit Rep. Stephanie Young, D-Detroit. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives. State Rep. Stephanie Young, D-Detroit, replaces term-limited Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo in the 8th District, which covers a portion of the city of Detroit. Young was previously the executive director of Detroits Community Education Commission and has also worked in various roles for Detroit mayoral administrations and community organizations, including the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Young graduated from Detroits Cass Technical High School and Michigan State University. View Youngs House webpage here. District 10: Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Rep. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives. State Rep. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Township, replaces term-limited Rep. Leslie Love in the 10th House District, which includes Redford Township and a portion of Detroit. Redford, a recent Wayne State University graduate, was previously director of project development for New Start Construction Company and also served as a board member of the Michigan Democratic Womens Caucus. She is the daughter of former state Rep. Phil Cavanagh. View Cavanaghs House webpage here. District 13: Rep. Tullio Liberati, D-Allen Park Rep. Tullio Liberati, D-Allen Park. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Tullio Liberati, D-Allen Park, replaces his brother, term-limited Rep. Frank Liberati, in the 13th District, which includes Allen Park, Southgate and part of Dearborn Heights. Liberati attended St. Francis Cabrini High School and Wayne State University before starting his own construction company. He is active in the Allen Park Democratic Club. View Liberatis House webpage here. District 21: Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton, is replacing term-limited state Rep. Kristy Pagan in the 21st District, which encompasses Canton, Belleville and a portion of Van Buren Township. Prior to joining the legislature, Puri worked at Fiat-Chrysler and on former President Barack Obamas presidential campaign. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. View Puris House webpage here. District 22: Rep. Richard Steenland, D-Roseville Rep. Richard Steenland, D-Roseville. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives. State Rep. Richard Steenland, D-Roseville, replaces term-limited state Rep. John Chirkun in the 22nd House District, which includes Roseville and part of Warren. Steenland had been the Roseville City Clerk from 2007 up until his election to the legislature and had also served on the Roseville City Council. Steenland is a graduate of Macomb Community College and Oakland University. View Steenlands House webpage here. District 27: Rep. Regina Weiss, D-Oak Park Rep. Regina Weiss, D-Oak Park. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives. State Rep. Regina Weiss, D-Oak Park, is replacing term-limited Rep. Robert Wittenberg in the 27th District, which encompasses Oak Park, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Berkley, Hazel Park, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak Township. Weiss is a public school teacher and was a member of Oak Park City Council before resigning to join the legislature. She graduated from Valparaiso University. View Weiss House webpage here. District 37: Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills, is replacing term-limited Rep. Christine Greig the former House Democratic Leader in the 37th District, which includes Farmington and Farmington Hills. Steckloff was previously a member of the Farmington Hills City Council, where she was an advocate for establishing the citys Community Health Commission. Her mother, Vicki Barnett, previously served as a state representative. Steckloff is a breast cancer survivor and graduated from Purdue University. View Steckloffs House webpage here. District 38: Rep. Kelly Breen, D-Novi Michigan State House candidate Kelly Breen. State Rep. Kelly Breen, D-Novi, is replacing term-limited Republican state Rep. Kathy Crawford in the 38th District, which includes Lyon Township, the city and township of Novi and Northville. An attorney, Breen attended Michigan State University and earned her law degree from Wayne State University. She served on the Novi City Council prior to her election to the state House. Breen was one of two Democrats to flip an open state House seat previously held by a Republican in the November 2020 election cycle. View Breens House webpage here. Democrat Kelly Breen takes open Republican seat in 38th District Michigan House race District 45: Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, is replacing term-limited Rep. Michael Webber in the 45th District, which encompasses Rochester, Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township. Tisdel is principal at Backus Payne and Associates, which specializes in medical liability insurance. Prior to his run for state legislature, he served as the Rochester Hills City Council President and has fundraised for several local and national charities. Tisdel attended Port Huron Northern High School and Drake University. View Tisdels House webpage here. District 47: Rep. Bob Bezotte, R-Marion Township Rep. Bob Bezotte, R-Marion Township. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Bob Bezotte, R-Marion Township, is replacing term-limited Rep. Hank Vaupel in the 47th District, which encompasses several communities in Livingston County. Bezotte, a U.S. Army veteran, was previously the Livingston County Sheriff and had 33 years of law enforcement experience before retiring. Prior to taking office, he also served as a Livingston County Commissioner and was vice-chair of the countys Veterans Affairs Board of Directors. Bezotte attended Eastern Michigan University and the FBI National Academy. View Bezottes House webpage here. District 48: Rep. David Martin, R-Davison Michigan State House candidate David Martin. State Rep. David Martin, R-Davison, is replacing former Democratic Rep. Sheryl Kennedy to represent the 48th District, which includes Clio, Davison, Davison Township, Forest Township, Genesee Township, Montrose, Montrose Township, Richfield Township, Thetford Township and Vienna Township. Prior to taking office, Martin was the veteran services coordinator at Mott Community College and served on the Genesee County Commission and the Davison City Council. He served in the U.S. Air Force and previously worked as security director at the Pontiac Silverdome and on several automotive corporate security teams. Martin was one of two Republicans to oust incumbent House Democrats in the November 2020 election. View Martins House webpage here. David Martin declares victory in razor-thin 48th District state House race Democrat Sheryl Kennedy concedes to David Martin in 48th District state House race District 55: Rep. Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township Felicia Brabec, Washtenaw County Commissioner for District 4, listens to public comment during a meeting of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in Ann Arbor on Jan. 9, 2019.Jacob Hamilton State Rep. Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, is replacing term-limited Rep. Rebekah Warren in the 55th District, which includes parts of the cities of Ann Arbor and Milan, as well as Ann Arbor, Augusta, Pittsfield and York townships. Brabec is a clinical psychologist and has a doctorate degree from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Prior to winning a seat in the legislature, she served on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. View Brabecs House webpage here. Democrats sweep Washtenaw County State Rep. races District 56: Rep. T.C. Clements, R-Lambertville Rep. T.C. Clements, R-Lambertville. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. T.C. Clements, R-Lambertville, replaces term-limited Rep. Jason Sheppard in the 56th District, which includes several communities in Monroe County. Prior to his election to the state legislature, Clements served as a Bedford Township trustee. He is a franchise owner for Premier Cruise Planners and was previously the deputy chief of police in Eliot, Maine. Clements attended Flagler College in Florida. View Clements House webpage here. District 58: Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale, replaces term-limited Rep. Eric Leutheuser in the 58th District, which encompasses Branch and Hillsdale County. Fink is an attorney with his own law firm who graduated from Hillsdale College and the University of Michigan Law School. He served in active duty as a Marine Corps officer and is also a musician. View Finks House webpage here. District 59: Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, is replacing term-limited state Rep. Aaron Miller in the 59th District, which includes St. Joseph County and portions of Cass County. Carra most recently worked as a staffer for Rep. Steve Johnson and previously worked as a research assistant at Acton Institute. He attended Portage Northern High School and Western Michigan University. View Carras House webpage here. District 60: Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo Democrat Julie Rogers is the Michigan state Rep. for District 60. State Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, is replacing term-limited state Rep. Jon Hoadley in the 60th District, which includes the city of Kalamazoo as well as portions of the city of Portage and Kalamazoo Township. Prior to her election to the state legislature, Rogers served on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners and worked as a physical therapist at Ascension Borgess. Rogers earned a masters degree in physical therapy from Marquette University. View Rogers House webpage here. Democrat Julie Rogers sworn in as districts first female state representative in 26 years District 61: Rep. Christine Morse, D-Texas Township Candidate for District 61 in state house, Christine Morse, speaks to members of the press on Wednesday Oct. 7, 2020 in Kalamazoo. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com State Rep. Christine Morse, D-Texas Township, replaces term-limited Republican Rep. Brandt Iden in the 61st District, which includes the city of Portage, Oshtemo, Texas, Prairie Ronde and Schoolcraft townships and the villages of Schoolcraft and Vicksburg in Kalamazoo County. Morse is a former lawyer and breast cancer survivor. Prior to her election to the state legislature, she served on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. Morse was one of two Democrats to flip open seats previously held by Republicans in the November 2020 election. Shes the first Democrat to win the district since it was reestablished as a Kalamazoo County seat in 1993. View Morses House webpage here. State Rep. Christine Morse becomes first Democrat to represent 61st district in 27 years District 70: Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, replaces outgoing state Rep. Jim Lower in the 70th District, which includes Montcalm County and portions of Gratiot County. Outman, a Ferris State University graduate, is the son of state Sen. Rick Outman. Prior to his election to the state legislature, Outman worked as the House district liaison for Montcalm County and previously worked in the House committee clerks office, and is active in the Montcalm County Republican Party. View Outmans House webpage here. District 73: Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Greenville Bryan Posthumus (Courtesy) State Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Oakfield Township, replaces outgoing Rep. Lynn Afendoulis in the 73rd District, which encompasses the city of East Grand Rapids and the townships of Cannon, Courtland, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Spencer and Grand Rapids Charter Township. Posthumus is the co-owner of West Michigan Hop Yards, which has locations in Oakfield and Courtland townships. He earned a bachelors degree from Michigan State University in agribusiness management. Posthumus is the son of former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus and the brother of former Lt. Gov. candidate and former Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons. In addition to farming, Posthumus has worked as the CEO and director of consulting for Tuebor Strategies and as a national account manager and regional sales manager for Compactio, Inc. View Posthumus House webpage here. Republican Bryan Posthumus wins Kent Countys 73rd District House seat District 83: Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Fort Gratiot Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Fort Gratiot. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Fort Gratiot, replaces outgoing state Rep. Shane Hernandez in the 83rd District, which includes Sanilac County and portions of St. Clair County. Prior to his run for office, Beeler was an officer with the U.S. Navy and attended the University of Chicago. View Beelers House webpage here. District 95: Rep. Amos ONeal, D-Saginaw Amos O'Neal, county commissioner for Saginaw County's 9th district, speaks during a town hall meeting at Buena Vista Community Center to discuss a possible police-fire merger on Jan. 3, 2020. Riley Yuan | MLive.comRiley Yuan | MLive.com State Rep. Amos ONeal, D-Saginaw, replaces term-limited state Rep. Vanessa Guerra in the 95th District, which includes the cities of Saginaw and Zilwaukee, as well as Bridgeport, Buena Vista, Carrollton, James, Kochville, Spaulding and Zilwaukee townships in Saginaw County. ONeal previously served on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners and spent 13 years on the Saginaw City Council. He is a graduate of Saginaw High School and Northwood University. View ONeals House webpage here. Amos ONeal joins Saginaw County incumbents in state House seats District 96: Rep. Tim Beson, R-Bay City Rep. Tim Beson, R-Bay City. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives. State Rep. Timothy Beson, R-Bay City, replaces outgoing Democratic Rep. Brian Elder in the 96th District, which includes areas in central and southern Bay County such as Bangor Township, the cities of Bay City and Essexville, Bangor, Hampton, Frankenlust, Merrit, Monitor, Portsmouth and Kawkawlin Townships. Beson owns Besons Market in Bay City and previously served as a Bangor Township Schools trustee. Beson graduated from John Glenn High School and Saginaw Valley State University. He was one of two Republicans who defeated Democratic incumbents in the November 2020 election. View Besons House webpage here. Republicans Beson, Glenn win Bay County state House seats District 104: Rep. John Roth, R-Traverse City Rep. John Roth, R-Traverse City. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. John Roth, R-Traverse City, replaces term-limited state Rep. Larry Inman in the 104th District, which encompasses Grand Traverse County. Roth, who runs a marina and does lawn maintenance in the summer and works at a ski house in the winter, is the former chair of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party and previously served on the countys parks and recreation commission. He is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College. View Roths House webpage here. Republican John Roth earns state House seat in Grand Traverse County District 105: Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord State Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, is replacing term-limited state Rep. Triston Cole in the 105th District, which includes Antrim, Charlevoix, Montmorency, Oscoda and Otsego counties in Northern Michigan. Borton owns Borton Vacation Homes and has worked in real estate and property management for 40 years. Prior to his election to the legislature, he served as chair of the Otsego County Board of Commissioners and is a past president of the Michigan Association of Counties. Borton attended Liberty University. View his House webpage here. District 107: Rep. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs Rep. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. Image courtesy Michigan House of Representatives State Rep. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, is replacing term-limited Rep. Lee Chatfield who served as House Speaker in his last term in the 107th District, which includes Chippewa, Emmet and Mackinac counties and parts of Cheboygan County. Damoose is the founder of filmmaking company 45 North Productions and served as executive director of Building Americas Tomorrow. Prior to his election to the legislature, Damoose served on the Harbor Springs School Board and was the director of the Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority. He is a University of Michigan graduate. View Damooses House webpage here. Related coverage: See who Michiganders are sending to Congress next term Eight things you might have missed from the legislatures lame duck session Government schools and those affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) will reopen for students of Classes 5 to 12 from 10 am to 3pm from Thursday. The government took the decision so that final revision can be conducted physically in schools before the annual exams. Anand Singh, principal of AVM Senior Secondary School, which is associated to PSEB, said, We have over 750 students studying in these classes. A message has been sent to parents to send their wards to school from tomorrow. To maintain social distancing, we will accommodate one student on one bench. Rajinder Kaur, district education officer, elementary-cum-secondary, said, We had already opened the schools for the staff of primary and middle classes on January 1. The premises are ready for conduct of classes. NEED MORE TIME TO REOPEN: CBSE-AFFILIATED SCHOOLS However, schools affiliated to Central Board Secondary Education (CBSE) have decided to take a few more days to prepare. Harmeet Kaur Waraich, principal of Nankana Sahib Public School, Gill Road, said, We are holding a parent-teacher meeting to inform parents about the governments decision to reopen schools. We will ask them to ensure that their wards are wearing masks. They will be asked to not send their child to school if he/she is unwell. We will make every child undergo thermal screening at the entrance. School principals said that more time was needed to make necessary arrangements keeping in view the Covid norms. The schools will have to be reopened in two shifts and will have to make a seating plan, time table, and require additional rooms to accommodate students and extra staff to take classes. Many school heads said that students used to commute to school earlier by buses and vans, and now in the absence of transportation, it will be difficult for parents to pick and drop them. Vandna Shahi, principal, BCM Senior Secondary School, Basant Avenue, Dugri, said, We will start the preparation from Thursday. The safety of students and staff will be our priority, and we will make the necessary arrangements for them. We will inform the parents regarding the reopening of schools once we are ready with all safety measures. JK Sidhu, principal of DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, said, We cant reopen the school on Thursday. The final call will be taken by the school management. A medical centre has been blasted by NSW's health minister after a family was charged $120 for Covid tests. Brad Hazzard said he was furious after finding out the Western Sydney family were slugged with the costly bill because they did not have a Medicare card with them. He threatened to name and shame the medical clinic if the mistake was not corrected immediately - and any others who charged patients. A New South Wales medical centre has been blasted by the state's health minister after a family was charged $120 for Covid tests (pictured, a drive-through Covid testing cente in Woolongong) Long lines of people queue for COVID-19 testing at the Wollongong District Hospital in Wollongong, Wednesday, December 4, 2020 'I have already been on the phone to the Deputy Secretary for Health, and said to her in no uncertain terms that I want discussions with the particular facility that's doing the testing, to make it very clear that they do not charge. It is free,' he told 2GB on Wednesday. 'I'm so angry about it at the moment that if they don't get it fixed, then I'll be naming the particular laboratory.' The issue came to light after NSW Labor MP Lynda Voltz complained that one of her constituents in her seat of Auburn was hit with the steep bill for getting a swab. She went on to criticise the state government for not doing enough to make sure vulnerable people were not being taken advantage of during the pandemic. 'I've seen the receipt. This happened at a clinic that is advertised by NSW Health as a testing centre,' she said. 'This is not the first instance nor the first clinic that has been brought to my attention by local residents who are being told they must pay for a test.' Mr Hazzard said that despite the challenges of the coronavirus crisis both sides of politics have largely worked together very well. NSW Labor MP Lynda Voltz (pictured left) criticised the state government and Health Minister Brad Hazzard (pictured right) for not doing enough to make sure people aren't being taken advantage of during the pandemic Picutred: Pedestrians are seen wearing masks in Sydney on January 2, 2021 He also praised cooperation between the private and public health sector. 'If you have a medicare card and you are at one of the privately-run clinics you may have to present your medicare card but that is no charge to you,' he said. 'If you are at one of our NSW Government-run pathology clinics then they don't ask for anything. 'So the end result should be that it's absolutely free.' The Health Minister spoke at a media conference later that morning where he explained that tests were also free for visitors. He said for the past 10 months many citizens from other countries have essentially been 'locked in' and aren't able to leave Australia due to Covid restrictions. 'I remember issuing an instruction at the time, if you needed health services, even in our hospitals, major matters, it's free,' Mr Hazzard said. 'Don't ever hesitate to get the services you need through our state health system... if you're a resident of NSW or a visitor, tell them it's free.' The state recorded four new locally-acquired coronavirus cases In the past 24 hours, with two linked to the mysterious Berala cluster which has now stands at 16 infections. GRANNY RAPIST Joseph Cummins is due to appear in court this morning charged with trespass after he was arrested yesterday evening in Nenagh. His arrest came just days after he returned to the town following his release from prison for the rape of a 75-year-old woman. Pictures obtained by Sundayworld.com show Cummins being arrested by gardai outside a property in the Melrose estate in Nenagh at 8.30 pm. Cummins (33) was surrounded by protesters shouting rapists out and dirtbag as officers led him into the back of a waiting garda van. The sex beasts arrest came just days after his release from the Midlands Prison. Expand Close Joseph Cummins (centre) being arrested by two uniformed gardai / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Joseph Cummins (centre) being arrested by two uniformed gardai Read More His arrival home to Nenagh was met with nightly protests from residents in the town. The family of the 75-year-old grandmother, raped by the twisted predator, had backed the protests calling for him to be tagged or moved away from Nenagh.. The Sunday World confronted Cummins on New Years Eve as he exited the Midlands prison a free man after doing just 13 years inside for the rape of the 75-year-old. Asked whether he would like to express remorse to the family of his pensioner victim, who passed away four years ago, the Nenagh native angrily declined. Why the f**k would I say sorry to you about it? He asked. I didnt do nothing to you. Ive nothing to say to you about it. Twisted Cummins (33) then turned his back on our reporter before making his way on foot to a bus stop and then on to Tipperary. A grand-daughter of Cummins victim told the Sunday World she wasnt surprised at the rapists apparent lack of remorse. My grandmother survived what he did to her that night when he broke into her house and did what he did. She was a strong woman who somehow managed to go on with things. She passed away four years ago. I dont think she wanted to be here on earth the day he got released. Details of the savage ordeal Cummins inflicted on his 75-year-old victim, when they emerged during his trial in January of 2007, marked him out as one of Irelands most depraved sex offenders. Cummins, then 20-years-of age, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of raping and anally raping the pensioner in May 2005. He was also convicted of burglary of her home but was found not guilty by direction of the court of threatening to kill her on the same occasion. In her victim impact statement, the pensioner spoke of the horrific ordeal Cummins subjected her to and the degradation she felt in the aftermath of his crimes. "The reason my life suddenly changed completely was that on May 22nd, 2005 in the early hours of the morning a man broke into my house where he raped me and robbed me in my living room. "It was a vicious attack which has completely changed my life. I never felt afraid in my own house and I never thought anything like this would ever happen to me. "Something like this should never happen to me or to anybody else. I was in poor health at the time. This incident seriously affected me in many ways. "During this attack I was terrified for my safety. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I never even had a reason to call the gardai." The woman recounted how she had been brought to Waterford hospital after the attack and examined there by a doctor. "This was all very embarrassing and humiliating for me. I was in a total state of shock and fear. I have been going for counselling on a regular basis since this happened. My family also have to go for counselling. "Not only has this affected me, it has affected my whole family. All our lives have been turned upside down." The victim said that after the attack she never returned to her old house, even to visit it, and moved home. "Shortly after the attack we brought the armchair that I was raped in to [one of] my daughter's house. My daughters made up a life-size dummy and put it in the armchair. They then set fire to the armchair. I kept wishing that it was the man that did this to me was in the chair going up in flames. I can't sleep at night and I am having terrible nightmares that he is going to come back again. The night this attack happened to me I had a box of sleeping tablets in my hand which I picked up from somewhere. I sat there thinking to myself would I be better off taking them and for my family to find me dead rather than me having to tell them what had happened to me and for them having to go through all this. "I never told my family exactly what had happened to me on the night of the attack and they only heard the full details on the day I gave my evidence in court. That was very hard for both me and my family. "All I want to do now is to put all this behind me, if I can, and put my life back together and live out the rest of my life as best I can. Sentencing judge Mr. Justice Paul Carney was told by the victim's daughter and granddaughter that when he was being led out of court in Limerick after his conviction, Cummins turned to them saying: "This is not over yet." They said he then thumped the jury box as he passed it while prison officers used an envelope to shield his eyes to stop him from staring at the victim and her family Timothy O'Leary, defending, said Cummins came from a disadvantaged background and was diagnosed in childhood as suffering from attention deficit hyperactive disorder. He had come to the attention of the Garda at an early stage and most of his previous convictions involved cars, but he had none before this for crimes of a sexual nature. Mr. O'Leary said Cummins was 18 at the time of the offence and while the court might take "a dim and serious view" of the crimes, he asked that he be left with some light at the end of the tunnel. Read More Mr. Justice Carney said the threat by Cummins to his victims family led him to consider imposing a life sentence and he noted that the Court of Criminal Appeal had recently shown a greater inclination to uphold a discretionary life sentence. He said that he would not impose a life sentence in view of Cummins's age as that could mean he could find himself serving 55 years or more. He was reluctant to expose Cummins to the risk of having to serve 55 years but by coupling his sentence with post-release supervision, it would keep him under control for 25 years. Mr. Justice Carney imposed two concurrent terms of 15 years each for rape and anal rape, and five years for burglary. He declared Cummins a sex offender and ordered that he undergo 10 years of post-release supervision. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors What do we expect from a door? That it will be strong so it can provide adequate security to the people inside. It will be good looking, lending sophistication and status to the inhabitants. It will be durable and require minimal maintenance. With a perfect mix of beauty, strength and durability, wooden doors remain the benchmark and the preferred option. Consumers more often than not, do not want to venture outside their comfort zone and try a door made from a new material. Besides little awareness of doors made from materials other than wood (apart from MDF, HDPE or PVC which are used for internal doors and for doors of bathrooms and kitchens), they are skeptical about steel doors and harbour doubts about how they will look, how expensive they will be and whether they will rust. Tata Praveshs objective is to drive brand awareness and subsequently, brand consideration about a new category of steel doors and windows. It is faced with the task of convincing consumers to opt for steel wall opening solutions which have unmatched strength, are fire and termite-resistant, weatherproof and maintenance-free. Tata Pravesh has the best of both - the strength of steel and the elegance of wood. The challenge was to shake the consumer out of his / her inertia and make him / her sit up and listen! Selecting a known face - Gajraj Rao of Badhaai Ho fame, Wunderman Thompson South Asia has conceptualized a 360-degree campaign anchored by TV, supported by print, OOH, POS and digital. The film #AkelaHiKaafiHai is the story of an unsuspecting consumer and a cunning salesman. The naive consumer - played by Gajraj Rao - looking for a door, enters a multi-brand building materials outlet. The salesman at the store immediately recognizes the naivete written large across Gajrajs face and thinks he can take him for a ride. Determined to make the most of this wonderful opportunity, he summons all his powers of persuasion to sell him an A1 lakdi ka darwaza. How far will the salesman go to make the sale? Will Gajraj be conned? Or will he have the last laugh? Watch the film to find out. Discover the stunning range of Tata Pravesh doors and windows which are chockful of attributes. In other words, Akela Hi Kaafi Hai thanks to the perfect combination of strength, style, security and service. Commenting on the film, P. Anand, Chief - Services & Solutions, Tata Steel Ltd., said, When buying a door or window for their house, consumers in India mostly consider wood. Therefore, to establish a new category of steel doors & windows, the problems with wood needed to be brought to the forefront. The new Tata Pravesh film - 'Akela Hi Kaafi Hai' with Gajraj Rao as the brand endorser, attempts to put Tata Pravesh in the consideration set of consumers by offering a one stop solution against the drawbacks of wood. Commenting on the creative concept, Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer, Wunderman Thompson India, said, Wooden doors continue to be coveted in spite of their obvious drawbacks. The film aims to break the mindset of potential Tata Pravesh consumers for whom doors = wooden doors, trying to get them to question if wood is good enough. The objective is to pique their interest enough for them to enquire about Tata Pravesh steel doors with strength of steel and elegance of wood and eventually show wood the door. Commenting on the creative concept, Arjun Mukherjee, ECD & VP, Wunderman Thompson, Kolkata, said, The setting of the film and the characters had to be such that they would resonate with consumers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns - the target audience for the brand. Driven by excellent performances from Gajraj Rao and Saanand Verma, the film emphatically makes the point that when you are opting for a wooden door you are making a big mistake that youll live to regret. Vijay Jacob Parakkal, Senior VP & Managing Partner, Wunderman Thompson, Kolkata, said, Being a new brand in a nascent category, it was imperative to establish the category benefits vis-a-vis wooden doors. The film clearly establishes the superiority of Tata Pravesh doors over wooden doors in an entertainingly quirky manner. Credits: Client: Tata Pravesh - a brand of Tata Steel Agency: Wunderman Thompson Project Head: Vijay Jacob Parakkal, Sr. VP & Managing Partner Creative Team: Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer Arjun Mukherjee, ECD & VP Anurag Acharya, Creative Director Partha Chowdhury, Sr. Creative Director Ananyo Banerjee, Creative Director Tandra Chakravarty, Creative Director Kaushik Roy, Creative Supervisor Account Management: Nilanjan Sarkar, Client Services Director Production house: Small Fry Productions Executive Producer: Ryan Suares Producer: Mahen Solanki & Rohit Rathor Director: Alok Kulkarni Cinematography: Sylvester Fonseca Music: Gaurav Chatterjee The Madhya Pradesh government has banned chicken trade with a few southern states for a limited period in view of the bird flu outbreak in parts of MP, a government official said on Wednesday. The official, however, did not specify the states. In the morning, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the bird flu situation in the state and directed officials concerned to take necessary preventive measures. Chouhan also directed the officials to a step-up vigil at poultries in the districts where bird deaths have been reported. "As a precautionary measure, chicken trade with a few southern states will remain banned for a limited period," a public relations department official said. "The ban is enforced as a precaution after reports of the death of crows were received from Indore, Agar Malwa, and Mandsaur," he said. "There is no problem as such in the state. Precautionary measures have been taken, which include informing districts about the guidelines issued by the Centre," the official said. After Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts of Madhya Pradesh. During the review meeting in the morning, Chouhan directed officials to ensure that guidelines are followed and also asked the animal husbandry department and other allied agencies to remain alert. State Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang and other senior officials were present in the meeting. On Tuesday, an official report confirmed bird flu as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, after Indore. The presence of the H5N8 virus (a variant of avian influenza or bird flu) was found in the carcasses of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, an official said, citing test results of samples sent for laboratory analysis. A total of 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 virus since the pathogen was first detected in the state's commercial hub a week back. Since December 23, 2020, about 400 avian deaths have been reported across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh, the PR department official said. Apart from Indore, Agar Malwa, and Mandsaur, samples of dead avians were collected from Ujjain, Sehore, Dewas, Guna, Shajapur, Khargone, and Neemuch districts and sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing, the official said. Several states on Tuesday sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu and sent samples for testing while Kerala began culling of chickens and ducks. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu stepped up surveillance and formed guidelines following the outbreak of the viral infection in neighboring Kerala, where around 1,700 ducks have died due to the flu. . Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Press Trust of India The government on Tuesday announced a national-level voluntary online exam on 'gau vigyan' (cow science) to be held on 25 February, in a bid to generate interest among students and general public about the indigenous cow and its benefits. Announcing the first-ever exam of this kind, Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said this exam will be held annually. Students of primary, secondary and college levels and general public can take part in the 'Kamdhenu Gau-Vignyan Prachar-Prasar Examination' without any fee. "For raising mass awareness about the indigenous cows among young students and every other citizens, the RKA decided to conduct a national exam on cow science," he told reporters. The Aayog has prepared a study material on cow science. The exam will infuse the curiosity into all Indians about cows and make them aware of the unexplored potential and business opportunities a cow can offer, even after it stops giving milk, he added. Further, Mr. Kathiria said there will be objective-type questions, and the syllabus will be recommended on the website of the RKA. The exam results will be declared immediately and certificates will be given to all. Meritorius candidates will be given prizes and certificates, he added. The RKA chief also mentioned that it has received good response from varisities for setting up a chair and research centres on cow and related issues. The RKA, which comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, was set up by the Centre in February 2019, and is aimed at "conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny". - Luton and Dunstable University Hospital measured the number of acute stroke patients unable to use current blood clot prevention therapies and assessed whether the innovative geko device could be an alternative treatment. - Blood clots or Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is estimated to cause nearly 40,000 preventable deaths in England annually. - The clinical audit data facilitated geko device adoption at Luton and Dunstable, ensuring all stroke patients can now receive VTE prevention where previously no other form of mechanical prevention was available. HIGH WYCOMBE, England, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sky Medical Technology Ltd, parent company of Firstkind Ltd, a UK-based medical devices company, today announced that Luton and Dunstable University Hospital are the first NHS hospital in the South East to deploy the innovative geko device for VTE prevention in immobile acute stroke patients who cannot be prescribed the current standard of care. The current standard of care for VTE prevention recommends a boot-like cuff that compresses the legs to move blood, called Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) - a mechanical treatment. IPC, however, is not suitable for all patients due to vascular disease, fragile skin, reaction to the cuff materials and patient intolerance. This results in a number of patients for whom there is currently no mechanical treatment for VTE prevention. In an effort to address this unmet need, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital completed a clinical audit of 320 patients, prescribing the geko device to those patients who were not suitable for IPC treatment. The geko device is a watch-sized device that sticks to the leg to increase blood flow, via painless electrical pulses, at a rate equal to 60%[1] of walking without a patient having to move. The audit results showed a 17% unmet need in all mechanical prophylaxis prescriptions, when the geko device was on service, and reported the need for an alternative mechanical prophylaxis intervention and the need to prescribe the geko as an alternative anti-stasis device (see poster). These findings are aligned to the IPC compliance findings reported by Roffe & Natarajan[2], and the CLOTS 3 study[3] that reports that patients immediately contraindicated to IPC and patients who become intolerant of IPC could be exposed to a VTE risk of up to 8.7%. The Luton and Dunstable Hospital enhanced pathway now offers a meaningful alternative mechanical intervention. Dr Lakshmanan Sekaran, Consultant Stroke Physician and Clinical Director at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, said: "When treating acute stroke patients, VTE is a very real and present threat to their recovery. The existing real-world data, which led us to consider the geko device, reinforced that while current methods (IPC) are effective for most patients, a small but significant number are unable to tolerate these methods, leaving them at greater risk of blood clotting. "Recognising the need to provide treatment for this patient group, we embraced the opportunity to examine our unmet need and determine the effectiveness of the geko device. The device is now in routine use across our stroke units, when IPC cannot be prescribed, and ensures that all patients can now receive post-stroke VTE prevention." Bernard Ross, Founder and CEO of Sky Medical Technology, the company behind the geko device, said: "The willingness of Luton and Dunstable University Hospital to embrace a safe and effective innovation is hugely significant for acute stroke patients who might otherwise fall between the cracks when it comes to blood clot prevention. Introducing any change to clinical practice requires leadership, energy and collaboration and I applaud them." References: Tucker A, et al. Augmentation of venous, arterial and microvascular blood supply in the leg by isometric neuromuscular stimulation via the peroneal nerve. The International journal of angiology: official publication of the International College of Angiology, Inc. 2010 Spring;19(1): e31-7. Roffe & Natarajan et al. https://www.gekodevices.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/VTE-Prevention-Stroke-Royal-Stoke-Poster-1383-Patients.pdf. Dennis M, et al. Effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in reduction of risk of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have had a stroke (CLOTS 3): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2013; 382(9891):516-24. NICE Guidance (MTG19): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg19/chapter/1-Recommendations Nicolaides & Griffin et al. Measurement of blood flow in the deep veins of the lower limb using the geko neuromuscular electro-stimulation device. Journal of International Angiology August 2016-04. NICE NG89 2018: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89/evidence/full-guideline-volume-2-pdf-4787002770. About the geko device NICE guidance (MTG19)[4] recommends use of the geko device for VTE prophylaxis in all hospital patients where standard prophylaxis treatments are impractical or contraindicated. The geko is a neuromuscular electrostimulation device which prevents blood stasis in the deep veins[5] of the calf by activation of the foot and calf muscle pumps via stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. Weighing just 10g, silent in operation and with no wires or leads, the battery powered geko is a daily disposable device that is self-adhesive and comfortable to wear. About VTE VTE remains a common and life-threatening complication in acute stroke, which is further exacerbated if patients are immobile for prolonged periods. In this circumstance NICE and the UK National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke both recommend intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), a boot-like cuff that compresses the legs to move blood, as the primary method of mechanical VTE prevention (NICE NG89 2018)[6]. IPC is, however, not suitable for all patients, due to vascular disease, fragile skin, reaction to the cuff materials and patient intolerance, creating a significant unmet need. About the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital The Luton & Dunstable accredited stroke unit provides Hyper-acute (clot buster), Acute and Rehabilitation services to a catchment population of 750,000 people across Luton, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. They are the regions designated hospital for Thrombolysis with close integration with the neurosurgical team at Queen's Square Hospital, London and Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge for patients who require neurosurgical intervention, and the Vascular Unit at Bedford Hospital for patients requiring surgery to the neck blood vessels. https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/ About Firstkind and Sky Medical Technology Ltd Sky Medical Technology, the parent of Firstkind Ltd, is a UK-based medical devices company. Through its innovative mechanism of neuromuscular electrostimulation, Sky has developed a non-invasive, ground-breaking technology platform, OnPulse, embedded in its industry-leading brand, the geko device. Sky's products are tailored to different medical application areas, selling through strategic partnerships or distributors in each major clinical area. Clinical areas of focus include life threatening blood clots, complications related to swelling after orthopaedic surgery and vascular conditions related to wound healing. The goal in each pathway is to partner with healthcare professionals to improve clinical outcomes and patient care whilst saving health system resources. www.skymedtech.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395568/Geko_device.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395567/Geko_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1340942/Sky_Medical_Logo.jpg McDonalds is looking to thank teachers for all their hard work during an unusual year with free baked goods and coffee. We are honored to support our local teachers who have overcome many challenges amid the pandemic and have continued to adapt their teaching models to educate the students in the community, said Mark McBee, a McDonalds owner. These educators are truly the backbone of our community and we are proud to show our appreciation any way we can. With a school I.D., teachers can get a free apple fritter, blueberry muffin or cinnamon roll, complete with a hot coffee of any size. These new menu items are available all day long and whether teachers are looking for a sweet complement to their morning coffee, an afternoon pick-me-up following a long day in the classroom, or just deserving of a sweet treat, this new lineup offers them a self-indulgent break, the company said. The free unlimited Thank You Treats are available from Jan. 6 to 15. Other restaurants have been thanking teachers, doctors and other frontline workers throughout the COVID pandemic. Starbucks offered free coffee in December as another thank you to frontline workers. Our hope with this is to reignite the movement of gratitude and to show those on the front line how much they are appreciated, Virginia Tenpenny, Starbucks vice president of global social impact, told USA Today. For us, we believe that one way we can do this is by offering a free cup of coffee. Related Content: WASHINGTON President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. is turning to more veterans of the Obama-Biden administration to fill senior positions on his national security team, including two former officials who played crucial roles in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, an agreement the Biden administration will seek to restore. Mr. Biden plans to name as deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, a former chief of staff to Secretary of State John Kerry, and to nominate as deputy secretary of state Wendy R. Sherman, who was Mr. Kerrys lead negotiator during the Iran talks. In a clear sign that he intends to take a tough posture against President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, Mr. Biden plans to nominate Victoria Nuland, a retired career diplomat and former top State Department official for Russia affairs under Mr. Kerry, as under secretary of state for political affairs. Ms. Nuland, a fierce critic of Mr. Putin, is despised by the Kremlin, and her confirmation is sure to anger the Russian president as Mr. Biden plans to both firmly confront and seek to find common ground with Moscow. The appointments further illustrate Mr. Bidens desire to surround himself with experienced and trusted former officials with whom he worked closely during the Obama years, even as some Democrats and foreign policy analysts complain that he has yet to infuse his national security team with fresh and more diverse faces bearing unconventional ideas. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered his close-in security detail to ignore lawmakers if they are called to testify on their covert vaccination activity using unregistered drugs. In his address to the nation, he told Presidential Security Group Chief Jesus Durante to disobey possible summons from the Congress to testify on the much-criticized inoculation as part of "self preservation." Should they decide to attend any legislative investigation, he told them not to disclose any information. "I would ask the PSG to just shut up. Do not answer. Invoke the right against self-incrimination at wala kayong makukuha[ You won't get any information]. And do not force my soldiers to testify against their will," he said in his taped late-night address. He warned members of the Congress to keep their hands off the PSG, saying there will be a "little crisis" if they cite his men in contempt for failing to attend hearings. "I would like to call on Congress na hindi naman ako nakikiusap. Ang ano ko lang diretso na salita na do not tinker with the PSG. Im telling you as President," he warned. Pag ginawa ninyo yan, there will be a little crisis. Nasa inyo." [Translation: I am not asking for a favor. I am telling you not to tinker with the PSG. I am telling you as the President. If you do that, there will be a little crisis. It's up to you.] The Senate is scheduled to look into the government's COVID-19 vaccination plan on Jan. 11, but not specifically on the PSG's covert vaccination. The Makabayan bloc on Tuesday filed a House resolution to probe the "VIP vaccination." Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday said that it is within the President's power to invoke executive privilege by barring his personnel from attending legislative hearings. He said Congress can tap other sources to get to the bottom of the issue. As PSG faces more heat, Duterte defends his personnel, saying they are just doing their job to protect him as mandated by law. "I am prepared to defend my soldiers. I will not allow them, for all of their good intentions, to be brutalized in hearings," he said. The President denied knowledge of the underground inoculation and the brand of smuggled vaccines used by the PSG. This comes weeks after he admitted on national television that "almost all soldiers" have received China-made vaccine Sinopharm even without approval from the Food and Drug Administration. "I dont know really if they were injected with the vaccine, what brand, hindi ko alam. Do not presume na sabi kino-cover up," he said. PSG Chief Durante himself admitted that his team received vaccines, but refused to disclose the source of the unregistered drugs. Farmers are being offered 100pc tax relief for equipment to improve farm safety and save lives, Junior Agriculture Minister, Martin Heydon, has revealed. The money can be spent on a wide variety of equipment including devices which would help farmers already injured, or otherwise impaired, to adapt things like tractors to help them get back to work. These include things like wheelchair hoists and docking stations and tractor control adaptations to allow for more foot or hand operation. The move comes as figures show farm accidents and death rates remain stubbornly high despite many campaigns, accounting for 50pc of fatal Irish work accidents. Farmers make up just 6pc of the overall workforce. Read More Mr Heydon, a Fine Gael TD with a background in farming in south Kildare, said he favours incentives to improve safety and will resist suggested enforcement moves like linking grant payments to safety standards. The new scheme will allow 50pc of safety investment to be reclaimed each year over two years. It speeds up the existing general investment tax refund system which allows farmers recoup 12.5pc of investment in equipment and other assets over a total of eight years. The problem is that, while farmers appreciate the need to invest in safety, there are often more pressing needs, especially since many sectors are under constant pressure and money is often scarce. "The real aim here is to speed things up, Mr Heydon said. Statistics on deaths from work accidents show that, out of 46 deaths in 2019, 18 were either in farming, forestry or fishing. Between 2014 and 2019 a total of 214 people died in farm accidents and a disproportionate number of them were either children or elderly people. Mr Heydon, whose ministerial responsibilities include farm safety, said the scheme will be demand-led. But indicators from the Department of Finance suggest it will allow a global volume of equipment worth 5m to be purchased in 2021 and it is expected to cost taxpayers 1.5m in total. The Department of Agriculture has already compiled a wide-ranging list of items likely to qualify for this tax relief. They include special hydraulic jacks for tractors to improve safety for wheel-changing; lifting and opening systems for big bags of fertiliser or seeds; durable and locked cabinets to store chemicals; and hitching systems to avoid the need to get off a tractor. Special devices to help farmers already hurt and impaired in previous accidents get back to work safely are a major focus of attention. Mr Heydon said that everyone in rural Ireland was well aware of the heartbreak arising from farm accidents, the battle against them must continue. Read More Irish Independent Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. At some point, I heard glass breaking and the Capitol Police rushed us out, had us evacuate, Quigley said. They were about to breach the floor. ... Seeing six or seven security and Capitol Police trying to hold back the mob from coming onto the House floor, it seemed inevitable. At different times, they had us lay down, sit down, crouch with a gas mask on before we had to get out of there and they escorted us out through a series of tunnels. BEML gained 3.06% to Rs 1,023 after the company received orders from Ministry of Defence for supply of High Mobility vehicles, at an approximate value of Rs 758 crore. BEML said the High Mobility vehicles would play a key role in the logistics management of the Indian Army leveraging on its exceptional cross country capabilities. These vehicles would enable armoured fighting vehicles, troops, ammunitions and stores to be moved to far-flung, difficult terrains in operational areas. The equipment will be manufactured at BEML's Palakkad Plant in Kerala and would supply the vehicles to Indian Army in a span of one year. BEML is a multi-technology schedule A company under the Ministry of Defence. The company operates in three verticals viz. defence & aerospace, mining & construction and rail & metro. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We are proud to continue our support of vital Air Force missions and eager to provide effective, efficient, and innovative solutions, said Scott Rauer, President of Akimas Facilities Solutions Group. Akima today announced that its subsidiary, Akima Logistics Services, was awarded a seat on the Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solution (ACES) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, a strategic sourcing vehicle for Air Force-wide contracted aircraft maintenance. Work is expected to be completed by September 2031 and no funds are obligated at the time of award. Total IDIQ value is $14 billion and the award was made by the Air Force Installation Contracting Agencies 338 ESS. Under the ACES IDIQ, contractors will provide all organizational-level maintenance services for all aircraft listed in each individual task order performance work statement, which can include any aircraft platform (excluding rotary wing, tiltrotor and remotely piloted aircraft). Locations will be cited on individual task orders. We are proud to continue our support of vital Air Force missions and eager to provide effective, efficient, and innovative solutions, said Scott Rauer, President of Akimas Facilities Solutions Group. About Akima Logistics Services Akima Logistics Services (ALS) is a premier small business provider of aviation services to the Department of Defense and federal civilian government. From the warehouse to the airfield, our team of experts deliver comprehensive support designed to optimize and maintain all the links in your supply chain. Our services meet the rigid AS9100 and AS9110 certification standards, representing the highest quality in the aviation services industry. Whether your mission is routine or critical, ALS stands ready as a trusted partner. To learn more, visit http://www.akimalogistics.com. About Akima Akima is a global enterprise with more than 7,500 employees, delivering agile solutions to the federal government in the core areas of facilities, maintenance, and repair; information technology; logistics; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by more than 14,000 Inupiat shareholders, Akimas core mission is to enable superior outcomes for our customers missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for NANA consistent with our Inupiat values. In 2020, Washington Technology ranked Akima #39 amongst the top 100 government contractors. To learn more about Akima, visit http://www.akima.com. A landslide has closed the Old Columbia River Gorge Highway between Wahkeena Falls and Angel Rest (Bridal Veil to Multnomah Falls) as of late Tuesday morning. The Oregon Department of transportation said the closure will be in place for an extended period so geologists can assess the situation and determine what mitigation efforts can be used. The highway will then need to be cleared of debris. Travelers and visitors should avoid the area. A landslide in late December closed the same stretch of road for several days. *** VISTA RIDGE TUNNEL 8:38 a.m.: An injury crash is blocking the left lane of U.S. 26 eastbound just outside the east end of the tunnel. Traffic is backing up to the zoo onramp. Update 8:47 a.m.: New crash blocks the left lane westbound just prior to the tunnel. #pdxtraffic And now... we have a WB crash just outside the Vista Bridge Tunnel too, also blocking left lane. Let's take it easy out there folks. pic.twitter.com/Ukc1ldmVzj PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) January 6, 2021 Update 9:12 a.m.: Both these crashes have cleared. *** Crews with Clark County Public Works have closed a nearly 4-mile section of Northwest Pacific Highway between Woodland and La Center. The highway will need repairs after recent heavy rains caused a mudslide and damaged a culvert. Clark County officials say the repairs could take about two weeks. Pacific Highway will remain closed between Northwest Bratton Road in Woodland and Northwest Bolan Street in La Center. Drivers should choose alternate routes during the closure. A train derailed between Canby and Oregon City early Jan. 6, 2021.Clackamas County Sheriff's Office A freight train derailed overnight along OR 99E between Canby and Oregon City. One southbound lane of OR 99E is closed near South End Road. The closure may be in place for the next 24-48 hours. Expect delays and heavy machinery in the area as crews work to clear the derailed train. Travelers in the Salem area are advised to avoid streets around the Capitol most of the day Wednesday for planned protests. The Statesman Journal reports operations within the Capitol will be closed. Oregon Oregon State Police have urged all Capitol employees to remain away from the buildings ahead of planned rallies to protest the results of the presidential election. #NEW - Marion County Courthouse and Courthouse Square are both closed today in advance of protests planned outside of the Oregon Capitol building in Salem #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/PBpAgXACZF Dan McCarthy (@DanMcKATU) January 6, 2021 One lane of traffic will remain open indefinitely on U.S. 30 three miles east of Astoria where crews are working on a landslide that closed the road Monday. Two-way traffic will continue to be controlled with flaggers. The landslide was reported at about 3 a.m. Monday and closed the highway at milepost 94 for most of day and overnight. Travelers should expect long delays, especially during peak travel times. Larch Mountain Road in the Corbett area has reopened above milepost 7 due after crews cleared a hazardous tree leaning over the road. The road had been closed from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland Amid reports that the US may impose sanctions against India over S-400 air defence systems with Russia, outgoing US envoy Kenneth Juster said on Tuesday (January 5) that the Indian government may have to make hard decisions regarding its decision to purchase S-400 air defence system from Russia. Juster issued the warning after delivering a farewell address at an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation. The senior US diplomat, however, asserted that the US does not want to impose sanctions under CAATSA against its friends. But he noted that very soon India would have to make choices between trade-offs and acquiring modern military hardware from the US. The CAATSA sanctions were never designed to harm friends and allies. They were aimed at a particular country. And there are many variables involved in it and I think...I would put that issue to the side because I see other issues that potentially affect the future of the defence relationship, he said. As systems get more technologically advanced, country A that does not get along with country B will be less willing to sell technology that could potentially be compromised to country B, he said, in an oblique reference to concerns that the S-400 could gather the electronic signatures of US-origin aircraft operated by India. We havent hit that point yet but that could come down in the future and that will be an issue that there are trade-offs. India has to decide how much it matters to get the most sophisticated technology, how much it matters to be as inter-operable as it can be, within its technology and potentially with other friendly forces, and how much it matters to diversify its sources of procurement, he added. Recently, a US Congressional report has warned that India's decision to ink USD 5.4 billion deal to purchase S-400 air defence system from Russia may prompt Washington to impose sanctions on India. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in its report to Congress that India is "eager for more technology-sharing and co-production initiatives, while the United States urges more reforms in India's defence offsets policy and higher Foreign Direct Investment caps in its defence sector". The CRS is an independent and bipartisan research wing of US Congress. India and Russia had inked a USD 5 billion deal in October 2018 under which it was agreed that Moscow will give five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems to India. India decided to finalise the deal despite a warning from the US that the US may impose sanctions on New Delhi if it goes ahead with the deal. On December 15, the US had imposed sanctions on Turkey for acquiring S-400 air defence systems from Russia. Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. She's joined most of the reality TV scene on a 'work trip' in Dubai. And Georgia Steel was proudly flaunting her incredible physique in a sexy striped bikini as she shared a trio of sizzling Instagram snaps on Wednesday. The former Love Island star, 22, set pulses racing in the skimpy two-piece as she shared the Instagram post from her hotel room. Gorgeous: Georgia Steel, 22, flaunted her incredible physique in a sexy striped bikini as she shared a trio of sizzling Instagram snaps from her 'work trip' to Dubai on Wednesday Georgia proudly displayed her toned figure in a sexy orange and brown striped bikini top and matching skirt. The star posed up a storm in her hotel room as she continued to enjoy the luxuries of the UAE while England is plunged into its third lockdown. Georgia certainly seemed ready for another day of sunbathing as she donned the two-piece for the scantily-clad snaps. Sizzling: The former Love Island star set pulses racing in the skimpy two-piece as she shared the Instagram post from her hotel room. Looking good: The star posed up a storm in her hotel room as she continued to enjoy the luxuries of the UAE while England is plunged into its third lockdown Georgia has been eagerly documenting her 'work' getaway to Dubai, and on Tuesday she struck her best sultry gaze as she posed in lacy red lingerie. Chocolate locks falling around her features in light waves, Georgia showed off her tan and pouted for her photo, her features highlighted with bronzer, a blush lip and dark eye-shadow. Prior to this, she was seen looking relaxed in orange bikini bottoms and a rolled-up white vest top as her friend took a candid snap of her at the beach. Red it and weep! Georgia has been eagerly documenting her 'work' getaway to Dubai, and on Tuesday she struck her best sultry gaze as she posed in lacy red lingerie The beauty removed her denim shorts and used them as a seat as she held onto the straw hat in the image. Georgia penned: 'This is a very candid photo my friend took of me on the beach today. 'Capturing a natural moment just goes to show I'm the happiest I've been for a long time, mentally I feel like the past year and half has been so testing for my little head. Beach babe: Prior to this, she was seen looking relaxed in orange bikini bottoms and a rolled-up white vest top as her friend took a candid snap of her at the beach 'I feel like the past year and half has been so testing for my little head': The star opened up about how she has found the last year and a half difficult 'My friends and family are my world and I'm so lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing souls. This energy is infectious and I'm lovin' it.' Georgia became one of the latest flood of the reality stars to jet off to Dubai after she jetted off last Monday. She shared a series of snaps taken in Manchester Airport before setting off amid the city's Tier 3 status and guidelines - instructing against non-essential travel. Wow! Georgia flaunted her washboard abs in a tiny white bikini while soaking up the sun in Dubai on Sunday after becoming one of the latest reality stars to jet to the city On Tuesday, George joined fellow Love Islander Francesca Allen, 25, on a yacht in Dubai, as they ignored social distancing rules to embrace. In Dubai, social distancing and the wearing of face masks is mandatory when away from your home. This also applies to visitors staying in hotels when they are not in their room. The pair stripped down to their bikini as they posed and pouted up a storm, amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Georgia and Francesca have joined fellow Love Islanders Joanna Chimonides and Hayley Hughes in the UAE, amid growing fury over reality stars 'bending rules' while the UK goes into a third full national lockdown. The city has been an ideal choice for many as visitors aren't currently required to quarantine upon their return to the UK. Many stars have insisted their trips are for work as the government currently asks UK residents living in high-risk areas to avoid unnecessary travel. The US has been using the Moderna vaccine for weeks while the European Medicines Agency weighed approval The European Union on Monday authorised the Moderna coronavirus jab, giving the bloc a second vaccine and a shot in the arm after a slow start to its bid to protect its 450 million residents. The sluggish rollout of the first vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech has drawn widespread criticism, as many of the bloc's 27 countries battle surging infection rates. The European Commission formally backed US firm Moderna's vaccine hours after the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended conditional marketing approval for people over 18. "We are providing more COVID-19 vaccines for Europeans. With the Moderna vaccine, the second one now authorised in the EU, we will have a further 160 million doses. And more vaccines will come," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said. EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said that approval of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines "will ensure that 460 million doses will be rolled out with increasing speed in the EU". Europe is lagging far behind the United States, Britain and Israel in terms of numbers inoculated. National capitals have been piling pressure on the EMA, which brought forward an initial meeting to decide on the Moderna vaccine to Monday from January 12, but then said it had to clarify "outstanding issues." "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency," EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said in a statement after it met again on Wednesday to approve the vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is easier to store and transport than the Pfizer vaccine, which needs to be kept in freezers at a temperature of minus 70C, although it is more expensive. The EMA's one-year authorisation is for two injections of the Moderna vaccine into the arm, 28 days apart. Key facts on main authorised Covid-19 vaccines. 'Gigantic challenge' The EMA said its human medicines committee, with experts drawn from all 27 countries, had "thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine" and recommended authorisation "by consensus". "This will assure EU citizens that the vaccine meets EU standards," it added. The EU insists it has taken the safest route in subjecting the candidate vaccines to full EMA testing protocols and coordinating closely with member states to decide how many doses to buy and distribute. But anger is growing in countries around the bloc about the slow pace of the vaccinations since they started on December 27, after the Pfizer vaccine was approved on December 21. The Netherlands on Wednesday became the final country in the bloc to start. European Council chief Charles Michel said late on Tuesday that leaders would hold a virtual summit on the health crisis later this month. Michel said delivering vaccines to the EU's almost 450 million people was a "gigantic challenge". But he insisted the European Commission was "working night and day" to make more vaccines available. Moderna's jab was found to be 94.1 percent effective in clinical trials and the United States already uses it alongside the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Britain is using the Pfizer jab and another developed by UK pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University. The EMA said last week that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is unlikely to be approved in the EU this month. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP Will hold a tractor rally on Republic Day, say protesting Farmers India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 06: Toughening their stance , the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha today said it would organise a tractor march to Delhi on January 26, when the country celebrates Republic Day, if their demands were not met. Addressing a press conference, the union leaders said time has come for "decisive" action as their demands have not been addressed by the government yet. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade at Rajpath on January 26. Farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh said their proposed parade will be called "Kisan Parade" and it will be be held after the Republic Day parade. Republic Day Trailer: Farmers to hold tractor march on 7 Jan; 'Desh Jagran Abhiyan for 2 weeks After the press conference, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar told PTI that farm unions are hopeful for the January 4 meeting, but they cannot trust the government going by their experience with them. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping at three Delhi border points --- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur for more than a month, demanding repeal of the three farm laws, a legal guarantee for minimum support price for their crops and two others. "We intend to be peaceful and we told the government during the talks that it has only two options - either repeal the three laws or use force to evict us (from Delhi border points). The time has come for decisive action here, and we have chosen January 26 as the Republic Day represents the supremacy of the people," union leaders told reporters. Pal said if their demands are not met, thousands of farmers will have no option but to march towards Delhi with their tractors, trolleys and national flags on January 26 Asked about the route and timing for their 'Kisan Parade', Pal said unions will announce it later. Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav said it is a "plain lie" that the government had accepted 50 per cent of the farmers' demands. "We have got nothing on paper yet," he said. "We were peaceful, are peaceful and will be peaceful, but will stay at Delhi borders until new farm laws are repealed," another farmer leader said. Farmers' leaders made it clear that in the last round of talks, the government agreed to two minor demands of the farmers' movement - even these are yet to be secured in writing or legal form - the major demands of the protesting farmers remain unresolved. "On the demand to repeal the three central farm acts, the Centre had asked the farmers' organisations to come up with 'alternative proposals', and the farmer leaders responded by saying that there is no alternative other than repeal. The government has refused to agree, even in principle, to our demand for legal right to purchase at MSP. We have no alternative," Samyukt Kisan Morcha said in a statement later. Farmer leader B S Rajewal pointed out that the court has also said 'peaceful march protest' is one's right, adding "we are not here for confrontation." UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News After the sixth round of formal negotiations on Wednesday, the government and farm unions reached some common ground to resolve protesting farmers' concerns over rise in power tariff and penalties for stubble burning, but the two sides remained deadlocked over the main contentious issues of the repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP). Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Choduni said, "In our last meeting, we posed a question to the government that will you buy 23 crops on MSP. They said 'no'. Then why are you misinforming the people of the country?" For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 11:48 [IST] (Newser) A year after a US drone strike killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, air traffic controllers in New York heard a chilling threat to Washington, DC. "We are flying a plane into the Capitol Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged," said the digitized voice recording, obtained by CBS News. It was heard on the high-frequency radio of JetBlue Airways Flight 2304 traveling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to New York's JFK Airport on Tuesday, reports Newsweek. The message repeated once and the plane continued to its destination without issue. While Iranian officials have vowed revenge for Soleimani's Jan. 3, 2020 killing, ordered by President Trump, experts doubt Iran's involvement. Indeed, the broadcast was traced to within 20 nautical miles of the Long Island hamlet of North Sea, NY, according to a Department of Homeland Security report seen by Newsweek. story continues below Iran did ask Interpol to issue a "red notice" for the arrests of nearly 50 US officials, including President Trump, on Tuesday, per NPR. (Interpol responded that it doesn't consider such requests in cases with political or military motivation.) But "the Iranian regime and its proxies would not telegraph plans and intentions relative to an attack" as this "would serve to harm their intentions," a former Joint Terrorism Task Forces law enforcement member tells Newsweek. The individual instead points to "someone associated with domestic groups trying to instill fear." While officials don't believe there is a credible threat to the Capitol as Congress counts electoral votes on Wednesday, an investigation is underway to determine how aviation frequencies were breached. Per CBS, such a breach could affect the instructions pilots receive about how and where to fly. (Read more terror threat stories.) LONDON - Despite growing vaccine access, January is looking grim around the globe as the coronavirus resurges and reshapes itself from Britain to Japan to California, filling hospitals and threatening livelihoods anew as governments lock down businesses and race to find solutions. A man wearing a British union flag face mask walks past a coronavirus advice sign outside a bank in Glasgow the morning after stricter lockdown measures came into force for Scotland, Tuesday Jan. 5, 2021. Further measures were put in place Tuesday as part of lockdown restrictions in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus.(Andrew Milligan/PA via AP) LONDON - Despite growing vaccine access, January is looking grim around the globe as the coronavirus resurges and reshapes itself from Britain to Japan to California, filling hospitals and threatening livelihoods anew as governments lock down businesses and race to find solutions. England headed back into lockdown. Mexico Citys hospitals hold more virus patients than ever. Germany reported one of its highest daily death tolls to date Tuesday. South Africa and Brazil are struggling to find space for the dead. Even pandemic success story Thailand is fighting an unexpected wave of infections. And as doctors face or brace for rising numbers of COVID-19 patients after end-of-year holiday gatherings, more and more countries are reporting cases of a new, more contagious variant that has already swept across Britain. January is going to be a tough one, said Dr. Margaret Harris, a spokeswoman for the World Health Organization. This idea that seems to be Ah, were all sick of it. We want to look at something else. Oh, this doesnt apply to me' ... thats got to go away. It really is all hands on deck. A person walks with an umbrella in light rain in the City of London financial district in London, Jan. 5, 2021, on the first morning of England entering a third national lockdown since the coronavirus outbreak began. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday night announced a tough new stay-at-home order, as authorities struggle to stem a surge in COVID-19 infections that threatens to overwhelm hospitals around the U.K. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) While Britain rolled out a second vaccine this week and some U.S. states are starting to give the second round of shots, access to inoculations globally is sharply unequal. The supply isnt remotely close to meeting the epic demand needed to vanquish a foe that has already killed over 1.85 million people. We are in a race to prevent infections, bring cases down, protect health systems and save lives while rolling out two highly effective and safe vaccines to high-risk populations," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This is not easy. These are the hard miles. England is facing a third national lockdown that will last at least six weeks, as authorities struggle to stem a surge in COVID-19 infections and relieve hospitals, where some patients are left waiting in ambulances in a parking lot for access to overcrowded wards. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's tough new stay-at-home order for England took effect at midnight. It will shut schools, restaurants and all nonessential stores and wont be reviewed until at least mid-February. Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon imposed a lockdown that began Tuesday. The two leaders said the restrictions are needed to protect the National Health Service amid the emergence of the new variant that has sent daily infections, hospitalizations and deaths soaring. A patient is loaded onto an ambulance outside of the emergency entrance to PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) The NHS "is going through probably the toughest time in living memory,? said Siva Anandaciva, chief analyst of the Kings Fund think-tank . Elsewhere in Europe, Italy and Germany extended their Christmastime lockdowns, Spain is restricting travel, and Denmark lowered the number of people who can gather in public from 10 to five. France is likely to announce tougher measures Thursday, and Ukraine is closing schools and restaurants starting Friday. In Latin America, some warn the worst is yet to come. The boost we are experiencing here in Brazil is much more serious than what was happening months ago, said Domingos Alves, an adjunct professor at the University of Sao Paulo. Brazil's number of patients in intensive care reached its highest level since August, just as the nation reopened shops and offices after the end-of-year holidays and the vast country still hasn't approved or received any vaccines. Some Brazilian hospitals reinstalled refrigerated containers outside to hold the corpses of COVID-19 victims. Nursing home workers wait their turn to be vaccinated with Pfizer/Biontech COVID-19 vaccines at the Ange-Raymond Gilles care home in Jemeppe-sur-Meuse, near Liege, Belgium, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. Belgium's vaccination campaign started for good Tuesday, with residents and staff in care homes across the country with 11.5 million inhabitants first in the line to get the injections. (AP Photo/Valentin Bianchi) Mexicos capital has more virus patients than at any point in the pandemic and is flying in doctors from less hard-hit states. Its beach resorts are readying for more cases after thousands of U.S. and European tourists visited over the holidays. Probably in the third week of January, we are going to see the system stressed more, that there will be more ambulatory cases and cases requiring hospitalization, said Dr. Mauricio Rodriguez of Mexicos National Autonomous University. He blamed the rise on fatigue with social distancing, mixed messages from public figures and Mexicans lowering their guard during the holidays. Zimbabwe reintroduced a curfew, banned public gatherings and indefinitely suspended the opening of schools. In South Africa, which is seeing yet another fast-spreading variant of the virus and is the continents hardest-hit nation, authorities re-imposed a curfew, banned liquor sales and closed most beaches. South Africas undertakers are struggling to cope with the rise in deaths, National Funeral Practitioners Association of SA President Muzi Hlengwa told state broadcaster SABC. It is something that you have never seen before. ... We have run out of coffins, we have run out of space at the mortuary," he said. We normally have cremations during the day, but now we have cremations even at night." The pandemic is even reaching countries that seemed to have the virus under control. Thailand is facing a surge that has infected thousands in the past few weeks, blamed on complacency and poor planning. The government is locking down large parts of the country, including the capital, Bangkok, and considering tougher measures. Japan is getting ready to declare a state of emergency this week, beefing up border controls and speeding up vaccine approval after a surge of cases around New Years Eve. And holiday worries arent over now that 2021 has arrived. Pope Francis abandoned an annual ritual of baptizing babies in the Sistine Chapel tied to Wednesday's Epiphany holiday. Orthodox Christian countries like Russia and Greece could face more infections after they celebrate Christmas on Thursday. And China is closing schools early ahead of next month's Lunar New Year holiday, telling migrant workers not to go home and tourists to avoid Beijing. Vaccinations are getting off to a slow start in many places. In the U.S., where over 350,000 people have died, some states are struggling to secure enough shots and organize vaccinations. The Netherlands has come under heavy criticism for being the last European Union nation to start inoculations, which it will do Wednesday. Australia isn't planning to do so until March. And most poorer countries are even further behind. Opposition politician Geert Wilders called the Dutch government the village idiot of Europe. Yet India offers a glimmer of hope. Its infection rate is down significantly from a September peak, and the country is kicking off one of the largest inoculation programs in the world, aiming at vaccinating 300 million people by August. AP reporters around the world contributed to this report. Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak The European Unions medicines watchdog on Wednesday approved a second coronavirus vaccine, in a relief to struggling European countries as the world reached a grim new record of 15,700 deaths in the last 24 hours. The Moderna vaccine is now set to join Pfizer-BioNTechs jab for use in the 27-nation EU, where governments are grappling with soaring caseloads and slow roll-outs of the vaccines already available. Good news for our efforts to bring more Covid-19 vaccines to Europeans! European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted. The breakthrough came as more than 15,700 Covid-19 deaths around the world were registered in the past 24 hours, according to a count by AFP - a new record. The United States, the worlds worst-hit country, logged a record 3,936 daily coronavirus deaths in a separate tally maintained by the US-based Johns Hopkins University. In Portugal, health authorities reported 10,000 new cases in 24 hours in the nation of just 10 million people. Mass vaccinations are seen as key to returning the world to a semblance of normality, but the EUs campaign has got off to a sluggish start compared to the US, Britain and Israel. The Netherlands administered its first shot on Wednesday, becoming the last EU country to get started. 1,041 new deaths as third lockdown starts in UK As it recorded 1,041 new virus deaths, the most since late April, UK returned to a full lockdown on Wednesday. Authorities are battling to contain the alarming spread of a new coronavirus strain that appears to be more infectious. One in 50 people in England were infected last week, according to official data, rising to one in 30 in London. The global crisis shows no signs of slowing, with more than 1.8 million people known to have died worldwide among some 86mn cases. Germany, Europes biggest economy, announced on Tuesday that it was toughening its partial lockdown and extending measures such as store closures until the end of January. Along with other leaders, such as Frances Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing accusations from critics that her government should be rolling out vaccines much faster in order to spare people from more disruption to virtually every aspect of their lives. Concerns are also growing over the new coronavirus strains first located in Britain and South Africa, which have since been detected in dozens of other countries. While there is no evidence so far that available vaccines will prove less effective against them, the increased transmissibility of the new variants has officials worried that their spread will outstrip the rate at which they are able to protect people. Cannes film fest may be pushed to June or July The Cannes, the worlds biggest film festival, may be moved to the summer this year from its usual May date because of the Covid-19 crisis, organisers said on Wednesday. The festival, originally scheduled to be held from May 11 to 22, will certainly take place in 2021, a spokeswoman told AFP, but could be postponed to a time between the end of June and the end of July. The festival was cancelled last year, while rival European events in Berlin and Venice went ahead under strict health restrictions. Organisers still need some time to evaluate the situation at the start of the year before making a decision, the Cannes spokeswoman said. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Hundreds of people in Afrin have been kidnapped by pro-Turkish factions amid security chaos amid serious violations reports Etihad Press. The city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, which is under the control of pro-Turkish factions, has been witnessing security chaos amid serious violations by the Ankara-backed factions. According to statistics by the Human Rights Organization in Afrin, during the past two months, more than 200 citizens were kidnapped and about 20 were released. The fate of more than 600 people is still unknown. The organization stated that although the Turkish occupation government had previously released a number of kidnapped persons in the past, some of them remained missing for more than two years. According to the organization, accompanied by armed militia members of the Syrian Interim Government, the Syrian National Coalition has, to date, kidnapped more people than it has released. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that unidentified gunmen traveling in a van kidnapped a citizen, on Monday, from the city center of Afrin, which is under the control of the pro-Turkish factions, north of Aleppo, while he was leaving his workplace. They also beat his son who was with him, taking them both to an unknown location. In a related development, unknown gunmen in a car kidnapped, Monday evening, the mayor of the village of al-Halawaniyeh, west of Jarablus city in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, which is also controlled by pro-Turkish factions. A citizen was previously killed when he was shot near the al-Kitab roundabout outside the al-Naqo Weapons Store in al-Bab City Center, which is under the influence of pro-Turkish factions, east of Aleppo. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. New Delhi, Jan 6 : In a big relief to an 18-year-old student who had almost lost his seat in IIT-Bombay by unintentionally clicking on a wrong link, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the institute to regularise his admission in an engineering course. Siddhant Batra, a resident of Agra, had lost the seat for the four-year electrical engineering course after he "inadvertently" clicked on a "wrong" link, which was seeking consent to withdraw from the process. He moved the top court through advocate Pratiksha Sharma. A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy on Wednesday regularized his admission, after it granted him interim admission in an engineering course on December 9. According to Batra's lawyer, her client won the case and the top court has disposed off his plea. Sharma said the top court emphasized that this order should not be treated as a precedent. "Our appeal was allowed and admission regularised. It will not be treated as a precedent for other students who have withdrawn. This was a relief for meritorious Siddhant (AIR 270) who committed an error by mistake under a bonafide intention and Supreme Court intervened and helped save his career," said Sharma. On December 9, the top court had said: "List in the reopening miscellaneous week after the winter recess. In the meantime, by interim order, we direct that the petitioner should be permitted to join the respondent-institution and pursue his course subject to fulfilment of all other formalities." In the plea, Batra had sought direction to the IIT to consider his case on humanitarian grounds. He said he lives with his grandparents following the death of his parents, and submitted that he had worked hard to clear the IIT-JEE exam. Batra requested the creation of an additional seat to undo his loss. Earlier, in his plea before the Bombay High Court, Batra submitted that he had lost his father at a young age and lost his mother in 2018. In the last hearing, the counsel for Director, IIT-Bombay had drawn the top court's attention to Rule 46 to submit that Batra had frozen his seat as per the said rule and completed the process. Batra moved the top court challenging the Bombay High Court, which dismissed his plea on November 23, saying that it cannot intervene at this stage as all the seats for the course were full. The High Court, citing the IIT-Bombay submissions, had emphasized the admission rules had to be followed and Batra could apply next year for JEE (Advanced). Batra had secured All India Rank (AIR) of 270 in JEE Advanced exams and secured admission, but he had clicked the wrong link which was meant to withdraw his seat. Senior advocate Basava Prabhu S.Patil argued the matter on behalf of Batra before the court. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Vietnam has actively introduced a number of important initiatives and led efforts that continue to enrich the ASEAN agenda and experience. Vietnam has gone through a year of ASEAN Chairmanship with unprecedented challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and aggravated by severe natural disasters. Vietnam ASEAN Chair 2020. The country has been dedicated to a cohesive and responsive ASEAN that, with solidarity and resilience, shall overcome challenges, bringing abundance and prosperity to its more than 600 million citizens and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world. Looking back the year of tough time, regional experts have commented on how Vietnam performed the chairmanship amid the global health crisis. ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi singled out Vietnam for its outstanding performance during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year, saying the country has demonstrated strong leadership of ASEAN in spearheading a collective regional response to the Covid-19 pandemic. ASEAN has been united and has quickly responded to the pandemic since February. Its strong responses have been largely attributed to Vietnams leadership, especially in promoting dialogue and cooperation among member states, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) quoted him as saying. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi affirmed that Vietnam has always displayed its leadership role very well, especially in 2020 when Covid-19 broke out. She said the 37th ASEAN Summit was very important for regional leaders to address the Covid-19 challenge and cushion the impact of the disease on regional economy and citizens life. The Scoop quoted Brunei Darussalams Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah as sayiing despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19, Vietnam has guided ASEAN to create a cohesive response to the pandemic. Vietnam greatly leads the region in a year suffered by Covid-19. Photo: MOFA In an interview with VNA, Noel Servigon, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, said Vietnam is an invaluable member of ASEAN and has actively introduced a number of important initiatives and led efforts that continue to enrich the ASEAN agenda and experience. Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN Ade Padmo Sarwono said that as the ASEAN Chair this year, Vietnam has proved its capability in leading ASEAN in a challenging time, promoting the interests of member countries and fostering ASEAN ideals to create a more prosperous community and maintains peace and stability in the region during the ASEAN Chair 2020. Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer in Strategic Studies and International Relations under the National University of Malaysia, said Vietnam has done well in ensuring that the bloc has continued to meet and perform in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. It also shows Vietnam's tremendous leadership in fostering intra-ASEAN communication while maintaining the blocs partnership with external partners. Echoing Hoo Chiew Ping, Dr. Ngeow Chow Bing, director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, said given the sudden emergence of the pandemic, Vietnam has done well in its own response, and in preparing the various contingencies facing ASEAN. Vietnams chairmanship of ASEAN this year has been full of difficulties and the country has played an active role in building a common community in ASEAN since it became a member of the bloc and has increased its stature in recent years, according to Dr Balaz Szanto from Webster University Thailand. Vietnam will continue to demonstrate its guiding role at the regional forum, including promoting a unanimous view regarding emerging regional issues, he said. Indonesian senior journalist Veeramalla Anjaiah told VNA that It was a big success for Vietnams ASEAN Chairmanship. Throughout the year, all ASEAN meetings and summits were held virtually. Many of Vietnams targets have been achieved so far. Malaysian Professor Yeah Kim Leng, Director of the Economic Studies Program at the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia at Sunway University, said Vietnam has made great contributions to economic growth and stability in ASEAN which is now recognized as one of the most attractive regions for foreign investors and becomes an important part of the global supply chains. Prof. Liu Ying, an expert in trade and international relations from Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies under the Renmin University of China, told VNA that Vietnam has made efforts to ensure ASEAN meetings take place safely, contributing to the groups development across the spheres of economics, trade, politics and health. Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi told the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) that Vietnam has successfully performed its role, making substantial contributions to promoting closer regional cooperation to deal with Covid-19 and step up economic recovery. From the very beginning of its term, Vietnam took ASEAN seriously and considered the bloc as a focal point in its foreign policy. Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Masataka Fujita said Vietnam took the lead surviving and becoming stronger in the Covid-19 pandemic and it promoted the post-pandemic recovery among the region. Vietnam is a respectable, trustworthy, and constructive member of ASEAN, Frederick Kliem, an analyst with the Centre for Multilateralism Studies at the Singaporean-based S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). Vietnam has an active and leading role in the ASEAN political-security community, particularly in regional and maritime security, he said, noting that Vietnam is progressing quickly in the region and is playing an important role in connecting the five founding member states of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand and also with CLM countries (Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar). At a virtual meeting in Hanoi on November 10, ASEAN foreign ministers said 2020 is a year of challenges and uncertainties, competition among economic powers, and traditional and non-traditional security threats. The regional countries, with the Vietnam chair, have gained significant success in building the ASEAN Community and affirming the role of ASEAN Centrality in the regional architecture. At the East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 14, member countries highly appreciated Vietnams role in the ASEAN Chair 2020 and the 15th EAS in initiatives on the blocs Covid-19 Response Fund and the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies. On November 15, ten ASEAN member state and its five partners namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This is the worlds largest trade pact that covers 30% of the worlds GDP. Hanoitimes Duy Nguyen Vietnams stature, mettle, wisdom manifested in ASEAN Chairmanship Year The ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 has contributed to effectively implementing the Partys foreign policy, raising Vietnams role and position and helping the country create a firm stance in ASEAN and the region. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have long drawn as much ridicule as sincere interest, but if reports the pair are "over" prove true it marks the end of a generation's ultimate celebrity couple. The pairs ever-pending divorce has provided tabloid fodder for years, but months of prolonged rumours lent the New York Posts report - that Kim had hired divorce attorney to the stars, Laura Wasser and that the couple were in settlement talks - some veracity. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2019. Credit:AP According to the Posts sources, Kardashian - eager to become a lawyer and serious about her work campaigning for prison reform - had tired of Wests presidential fantasies, while West had become increasingly uncomfortable and irritated by the Kardashians over-the-top reality star lives. In a paragraph that perhaps summarises public perception of the couples tacky eccentricities, the writing on the wall had been there since Kanyes no-show at Kims $1 million-plus 40th birthday in Tahiti last October. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. (a) Current lithospheric structure across the western Qilian Mountains and adjacent regions by combining our result with previous geological and geophysical results. (b) The construction process of the Qilian Mountains. Abbreviations: DS, Danghe Nan Mountains; TNS, Tuolai Nan Mountains; TS, Tuolai Mountains; NQLS, north Qilian Mountains. Credit: Science China Press As the largest orogenic plateau on Earth, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was caused by a complex crustal deformation process during the continuous collision and compression process between the Indian and Eurasian continents starting at least 60-50 Ma ago. The formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau records the collision of the two continents and the deformation process and mechanism within the continents. Therefore, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is considered as a natural ideal laboratory for the study of continent-continent collision and dynamics. At present, the continuous collision between Eurasia and Indian continents is still ongoing, resulting in the fact that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is still continuing to expand outward. The western section of the Qilian Mountains on the northeast margin of The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, as the northeast boundary of the Plateau, was uplifted and became part of the present Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the Middle Miocene, according to the latest chronology results. Therefore, as one of the youngest parts of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the western Qilian Mountains is one of the key areas to test various proposed models of the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The crustal deformation mechanism in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been proposed by many predecessors. However, with the deepening of the research, more and more evidence has been revealed, and the previously proposed crustal deformation mechanisms have been unable to fully explain much new evidence. The differences in resolution of various means of studying the interior of the earth's crust undoubtedly add to the divergence. Therefore, earth scientists call for more precise methods to reveal the crustal structure in the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The deep seismic reflection profiling is one of the internationally recognized methods for revealing high precision crustal structural image. Therefore, using the crustal structural image revealed by the deep seismic reflection profile to study the crustal deformation pattern in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in this paper will undoubtedly provide very important data of scientific significance and reference value for the study of this area. The researchers reprocessed the high-resolution deep seismic reflection data, which were originally collected in the 1990s, for a transect across the NE margin of the western Qilian Mountains and the Hexi Corridor. The reprocessed seismic image has a higher signal-to-noise ratio compared with the first published result, which imaged the southward dipping north Qilian Mountains fault (NQSF) and a southerly dipping fault extending downward into the lower crust, which was named the north border thrust (NBT). In addition to these results, the reprocessed image more clearly delineates the geometry of the crust beneath the junction between the western Qilian Mountains and Hexi Corridor, yielding a better understanding of the processes responsible for the outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. The reprocessed seismic profile across the junction of the north margin of the western Qilian Mountains and the Hexi Corridor reveals the decoupled crustal deformation that is partitioned by the intra-crustal decollement layer at a depth of 14-24 km. The crustal deformation above the decollment is mainly characterized by a series of southward-dipping thrust faults downward ended at the decollement layer. Crustal-scale duplexing presents in the crustal layer beneath the decollement layer. The imbricate Moho structure beneath the study region implies that the Asian lithospheric mantle is being underthrust beneath the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Integrating the results with previous geological and geophysical observations, the researchers propose an evolutionary model regarding the outward growth across the western Qilian Mountains, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. This result enriches the crustal structure research on the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is not only of great significance to the study of crustal deformation mechanism in the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but also of great reference value to the understanding of crustal deformation mechanism in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Explore further Folding faults and seismic risk in the Kunlun range, Northwest Tibet More information: Xingfu Huang et al, Seismic reflection evidence of crustal duplexing and lithospheric underthrusting beneath the western Qilian Mountains, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, Science China Earth Sciences (2020). Journal information: Science China Earth Sciences Xingfu Huang et al, Seismic reflection evidence of crustal duplexing and lithospheric underthrusting beneath the western Qilian Mountains, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,(2020). DOI: 10.1007/s11430-020-9677-y BRIDGEPORT A Waterbury man was sentenced Tuesday to 14 years in prison for killing a 61-year-old woman and severely injuring two pedestrians while he was fleeing police here three years ago. Im sorry to the family, sorry for your loss. Im strong, Im going to get through this, Joseph Guzman-Rivera said via video while slumped in a chair in the Bridgeport Correctional Center. This was a tragic criminal event, Superior Court Judge Kevin Russo told him. If only you had just stopped when you were asked to as most motorist do, you would not be here today. The judge said in imposing the sentence of 14 years, followed by six years of special parole, he was factoring in, as required, the results of a state study that shows the youthful criminal defendant acted impulsively. On Aug. 10, 2017, Susan Tomczyk had just left her doctors office where she had gotten a clean bill of health on her new hip replacement and was headed to her Bridgeport home when Guzman-Rivera blew through the red traffic light at the intersection of Iranistan and Railroad avenues plowing into the side of a Tomczyks Toyota sedan and forcing her car into a cement wall, according to police. Tomczyk was pronounced dead an hour later from multiple injuries at St. Vincents Medical Center. Last January, Guzman-Rivera, 24, of Cliff Street, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, cruelty to animals and interfering with police. The sentencing was delayed because of the pandemic. Tomczyks sister, Michele Tomczyk, was unable to attend the court hearing Tuesday because of medical issues. But her friend and advocate, Katherine Ceccarelli, told the judge that Tomczyk has continually suffered from depression as a result of her sisters death. I can never have my sister back, but I want to see justice done, Ceccarelli read from a brief statement from Tomczyk. The serious nature of this offense calls out for you to impose the recommended sentence, added Supervisory Assistant States Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr. Guzman-Riveras mother, Shirley Rivera, was in the courtroom for the hearing and had been expected to plead for leniency for her son. Instead, turning to Ceccarelli, she apologized for her sons actions. I am heartbroken, I feel so, so bad for you, Rivera told Ceccarelli. Guzman-Riveras lawyer, Public Defender Jonathan Demirjian, blamed his clients actions on immaturity and long-time drug use. According to Satti, shortly after 1 p.m. Aug. 10, a state police sergeant attempted to pull Guzman-Riveras car over on South Avenue for having dark tinted windows and an illegible rear license plate. However, the prosecutor said, Guzman-Rivera instead sped up, driving through residential areas and a school zone at high speed. After striking Tomczyks car, Satti said, Guzman-Rivera continued driving, striking two pedestrians, William Falcon, 61, and 65-year-old Zordia Mendez. Police said Falcon was pinned under Guzman-Riveras car and caught in a telephone guide wire. Firefighters had to lift the car off him with a hydraulic jack resulting in the amputation of Falcons left ankle. Mendez suffered a fractured left leg and bruises and abrasions on his head and ribs. Guzman-Rivera allegedly ignored Falcons screams from beneath his car and instead fled, jumping fences and running through rear yards to get away, police said. Using the state police tracking dog Nero, police said they traced Guzman-Rivera to a basement on Lewis Street. During a struggle with the dog, police said, Guzman-Rivera began to gouge the animals eyes and punch Nero in the head and face. State police said they hit Guzman-Rivera three times in the chest with a baton to get him to release his grip on the dog. During a search of Guzman-Rivera, the prosecutor said, police found nine bundles and three folds of heroin, 12 bags of crack cocaine, four bags of powder cocaine and $250 hidden in his underwear. In a message for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on the eve of Christmas, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Schevchuk talks of his hopes for peace in the war-torn nation and of unity in a divided world. By Vatican News staff writer Do not be afraid says Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). This message of the angels given to the pastors who were in vigil with their sheep is the same one that he chooses to send to Ukrainian Greek Catholics worldwide as they prepare to celebrate Christmas. The UGCC celebrates Christmas following the Julian calendar. It starts with Christmas eve on 6 January and ends on 19 January, the date of "Yordan" or Epiphany. Speaking to Vatican News Christopher Wells, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav notes that very often, we are afraid of the future. He says that we sometimes follow particular examples and predictions, even basing them on so-called apocalyptic images seen in films. But for Christians, says Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, The future is the Christ. Listen to the interview of Major Archbishop Sviatoslav The apocalypse for Christians, he continues, is the revelation of the authentic face of our Lord. This is why we should not be afraid, he explains: because our future was born as a small child and through this child we see and receive the blessings and tenderness of our Lord. God is with us, with his love for mankind, he says. Praying for peace in Ukraine Referring to the political crisis facing Ukraine at the moment, in light of Christmas, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav says that the Nativity of the Lord is always linked with expectations of universal peace. In a special way, he continues, we are praying for peace in our country." The war in Ukraine began in April 2014 and has seen over 13,000 people killed; 30,000 wounded; and almost 1.5 million internally displaced. The Patriarch notes that, as the prophet Isaiah said, there is no peace without truth and justice. He explains that in order to be able to receive this divine peace which Christ is bringing with him from heaven we must bear witness to the truth, but we must also be constructors of authentic justice, says the Major Archbishop Sviatoslav. This, he continues, means social justice; justice in our relationships with our neighbours, which, he stresses, is the foundation of the universal human society and the universal human family." We are praying for peace, but we have to work hard in order to bear witness to the truth and to operate to be the constructors of the final justice in our world. Unity of human family Finally, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav stresses that when we contemplate the new born Christ we experience the unity of the whole human race. He speaks specifically of the pandemic, through which we rediscovered that we are all united and vulnerable but that we are all members of the same human family. "So from Kyiv, from the heart of your mother Church, I convey to you this message of unity, of solidarity: a message of love for our neighbours a message of the worldwide solidarity." We can pray together, concludes Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, that the new born Christ will bless us and all our families and will shed light on how to move forward together as a global Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church which lives and professes the same faith and same church traditions in different states and nations around the world. Raphael Warnock has won one of Georgias two runoff elections for US Senate: Will he be both a pastor and a politician? Yes, says, Michael Brewer, a spokesman for the ministers campaign, if elected he will remain senior pastor. Marla Frederick, professor of religion and culture at Emory Universitys Candler School of Theology, told Religion News Service that an active pastor would not be unknown in the political life on Capitol Hill. There are models for doing both/and, she said. The pastorate is one of these careers, these callings, if you will, where you have to stay in such close contact with everyday people and their concerns, said Frederick. To the extent that the Senate (is) supposed to represent the concerns of people, it seems to me that someone whos been a pastor has the capacity to be much more in tune with the kinds of struggles that people are dealing with in their everyday lives. Warnock, who has led Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta since 2005, had something similar to say in a statement to RNS in November. Its unusual for a pastor to get involved in something as messy as politics, but I see this as a continuation of a life of service: first as an agitator, then an advocate, and hopefully next as a legislator, Warnock said as he was closing in on the top spot of a wide-open primary. I say Im stepping up to my next calling to serve, not stepping down from the pulpit. With Warnocks election to the Senate, he can reflect on these other African American ministers who kept up a busy church life while serving in Congress: Image: US Congress / Creative Commons Richard Harvey Cain, 1873-75, 1877-79 Prior to being elected a Republican congressman from South Carolina, Cain sought out another form of public service: a volunteer in the Union army. He was rejected, as were many free Blacks at the time, but later he became pastor of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston (where, a century and a half later, the notorious Bible study massacre took place). In the House, Cain supported civil rights for freed slaves, according to Charles M. Christian in Black Saga: The African American Experience: A Chronology. Cains seat was eliminated in 1874, but he remained active in the Republican Party, and was reelected to Congress in 1876. In remarks to Congress urging passage of a civil rights bill, Cain spoke of why equal rights for Blacks were justified. I ask you to grant us this measure because it is right, he said in a speech that received loud applause, according to Preaching with Sacred Fire: An Anthology of African American Sermons, 1750 to the Present. I appeal to you in the name of God and humanity to give us our rights, for we ask nothing more. After his tenure in Congress, Cain was elected a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Image: James J. Kriegman / Library of Congress / Creative Commons Adam Clayton Powell Jr., 1945-1971 Before, during and after his long service as a Democratic US representative, Powell was pastor of the prominent Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, where Warnock would serve as a youth pastor decades later. The authoritative history of the church notes that when Powell arrived in Washington in 1945, one of his first acts as a congressman was an act of civil disobedience. (H)e immediately availed himself of the use of the Congressional dining room, which was segregated, reads the 2014 history Witness: Two Hundred Years of African-American Faith and Practice at the Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem, New York. Powell staged his own successful sit-in. The Democrat served as chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, worked on the passage of minimum wage legislation and helped pass laws that prohibited the use of federal funds in the construction of segregated schools. As a member of Congress, I have done nothing more than any other member and, by the grace of God, I intend to do not one bit less, he said about his time in the role. Image: US Congress / Creative Commons Floyd Flake, 1987-1997 The senior pastor of the Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York, Flake served 11 years concurrently as a member of Congress and the leader of his megachurch. Considered the de facto dean of faith-based economic empowerment, Flake and his wife, Elaine M. Flake, have developed commercial and social projects in Jamaica, New York, such as a corporation focused on preserving affordable housing, a senior citizens center, and an emergency shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence. As a member of Congress, he chaired the Subcommittee on General Oversight of the House Banking Committee. He also helped gain federal funds for projects in his district, including an expansion of John F. Kennedy International Airport. As successful as Flake was, he may have some lessons for anyone trying to fill both a pulpit and a seat in Congress: He resigned his congressional role, saying his priority was his church where he remains in his leadership role. My calling in life is as a minister, Flake told journalists, so I had to come to a real reconciliation and it is impossible to continue the sojourn where I am traveling back and forth to DC. Image: US Congress / Creative Commons John Lewis, 1987-2020 Lewis, an ordained Baptist minister and civil rights activist, began preaching as a teenager and viewed his work for social justice as connected to his faith. He was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, addressing the crowd minutes before Martin Luther King Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech, and served as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Lewis work for voting rights led to his being beaten by police as he crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Late in his life, he worked with religious groups to address what he considered the gutting of the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court in 2013. In 2016, Lewis told RNS he did not regret moving away from traditional ministry. I think my pulpit today is a much larger pulpit, he said. If I had stayed in a traditional church, I would have been limited to four walls and probably in some place in Alabama or in Nashville, Tennessee. I preach every day. Every day, Im preaching a sermon, telling people to get off their butts and do something. Image: US Congress / Creative Commons Emanuel Cleaver II, 2005 to present Cleaver was senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, before turning the pulpit over to his son in 2009. The chair of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy, he has co-authored a reform bill on housing programs. He also was instrumental in the creation of a Green Impact Zone in which federal funds created jobs and energy efficient projects in a 150-block area of Kansas City known for crime and unemployment. As the 117th session of Congress opened this week, Cleaver drew attention and ire for ending his invocation in the name of God known by many names by many different faiths amen and a-woman. He told a local TV station that the prayer was a nod to the diverse Congress where more women are serving than ever before. After I prayed, Republicans and Democrats alike were coming up to me saying thank you for the prayer. We needed it. We need somebody to talk to God about helping us to get together, he told KCTV. It was a prayer of unity. The following letter was sent to the WSWS from a frontline nurse at the UKs Royal Bournemouth Hospital. I want to add my voice to my colleagues who spoke out here in Bournemouth, Poole and across the country. The response of our [National Health Service] Trust management to the coronavirus outbreak and recent surge of cases is pathetic, if not outright criminal. They have put both patients lives and staff safety and well-being in jeopardy during this pandemic. They have a lot to answer for. I am sure that their actions are bound up with the wrong policies and strategies of the government in response to the pandemic. After several days of horrendous and tiring shifts during and after Christmas and leading up to New Year, I was listening to Prime Minster Boris Johnson last Sunday on the Andrew Marr show with disgust and anger. He vomited up lie after lie, evasion after evasion, encouraged by the kid-glove treatment of Marr. We've got to keep things under constant review but we will be driven entirely by the public health, he said. What nonsense! 2.6 million people have contracted the virus and 75,000 people have needlessly died (even according to official highly massaged figures). This happened because the Johnson government defied science, scientists and public health experts and put the profits of corporations and financial markets before lives. Royal Bournemouth Hospital Johnson then claimed, This government has taken every possible step that we reasonably could to prepare this country for the consequences of winter. What a lie! I work at a hospital in the South West which is not in a worst-hit area. Yet our normal services have buckled under enormous pressure from a surge of Covid-19 cases, staff burnout and large numbers of staff becoming victims of the virus. Then, on Monday, Health or more properly Death Secretary Matt Hancock appeared on ITVs Good Morning Britain. He repeated bogus claims that nurses had a significant pay rise and that the government had addressed the staffing issues in the NHS. In October, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Foundation Trust (RBCH), where I work, and Poole Hospital Trust (PHT) merged to become The University Hospitals Dorset Foundation Trust (UHD). Although the UHD management and media outlets like the BBC and ITV try to paint this amalgamation in rosy colours, it was a part of a plan drawn up by the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (DCCG) to save 153 million. This would see the closure of the Accident and Emergency Unit and Maternity Unit in PHT as well as the shutting down of several community hospitals in Dorset, losing 120 beds for good. At the heart of the overhaul is further privatisation of services. Opposition to these plans, from clinicians and people across Dorset, was ignored. If the hospitals merger was supposed to enhance the health services in Dorset, it has failed the first test during the second wave of the pandemic. We now have 178 positive patients across more than two dozen wards and units in the trust, in contrast to the first wave of the pandemic where there were two separate zonesCovid and Non-Covid. Hospital management pretended that they could look after Covid and non-Covid patients along with other elective patients, without adequate staff and resources. This has failed miserably, with severe consequences for patients and staff. Accident and Emergency unit in Poole Hospital (credit: WSWS) Blue Intensive Care Units (ICU) which treat Covid-19 patients have exceeded their 13-bed capacity as 15 patients need intensive care. These patients have to be admitted to Green ICU beds, causing disruption for intensive care for other patients. Sadly, I heard the news last week that a colleague who works at PHT had been admitted to ICU. RBCH and PHT has had 1,292 cumulative cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and 282 of them have died. However, it will be impossible to determine the scope of the patient suffering and deaths as a result of not having adequate staff, lack of necessary equipment and resources, and the wilful neglect of management. We had an awful and relentless several days since Christmas Eve. While we were at work, we also heard with horror the situation in London with ambulance services receiving more than 7,000 calls. Those who work in Covid wards here are struggling to fulfil the multiple treatment and care needs of frail and poorly patients. Colleagues in other wards and units are also running without the full staff template because every day starts with matrons going around to those places to find health care assistants and nurses to help wards overwhelmed with Covid patients. Every day and night is a struggle. We have to look after around 20 patients. Night shifts are scary and horrendous. We have patients who are gasping for breath and need oxygen therapy. Some are incontinent and need their pads changing. Other frail patients need their positions changing and then we have to administer their medication and antibiotics on time. Observations need to be completed timely and accurately. Imagine doing all this with two or three staff down. Its impossible. We are here to look after our patients, but we cant fulfil their needs. This is mentally draining. In November, a colleague in the East Wing of the hospital described how a specialist in Older Persons Medicines had written to the matron flagging the perilous situation. He wrote, Yesterday, for example, I witnessed a bay in which a patient was having a severe GI [gastro intestinal] bleed, another had pyuria [infected urine with puss cells] while a third was having central chest pain, all concurrently. Despite this the nursing staff were efficient, resourceful, and it was clear that they were doing an excellent job. They are to be commended. However, I do wonder how sustainable this situation is, with high acuity on a ward not usually staffed for this. I was particularly concerned when I heard that a ward with such acuity was initially planned to be staffed with only 2 trained nurses overnight During the day, we sometimes get help when we insist on extra support. But during the night shifts we seldom get adequate support despite requests to the clinical site [duty managers]. Adding more pressure to staff, the swabbing team was dissolved several weeks ago. So we have to carry out patient Covid swab tests despite being up to our eyeballs in work. We had several meetings with management but none of the issues patients and staff face have been resolved. The situation has gone from bad to worse. In some Covid wards more than 75 percent of staff have contracted the virus. Some are/were suffering from severe symptoms and dozens of others are facing long Covid and PTSD. 265 colleagues in our trust are currently absent due to self isolation or having Covid-19 symptoms. This is largely thanks to the wrong PPE guidelines. We are still not allowed to wear FFP3 masks and gowns even when going to a bay full of patients with Covid-19. One colleague said, Staff in the hospital now are like leaves falling off from a tree one by one but still no concrete plan from the top. Adding insult to injury, the hospital management and infection control unit pass the blame onto us. They say there are high infection rates among staff because we have a biscuit or a cup of tea in the ward during a break! After exposing the staff and the patients to danger, Chief Executive of the UHD Debbie Fleming, whose salary is above 200,000 a year, wrote to us in December shedding crocodile tears about our fate! One of my colleagues was blunt. She said, We dont need love letters from the CEO. We need proper PPE and enough staff to look after patients. If a nurse makes a mistake under duress or pressure, they lose their pin and licence to practise. But where is the accountability for people on top? Mid December, we received self-testing kits to test for Covid bi-weekly. This was too little too late. Hundreds of staff have already contracted the virus. I remember that the government voted down a motion to do regular weekly testing of NHS staff in the spring. Lack of planning was apparent when Covid wards were opened adjacent to surgical wards and cardiac wards. Ward 21, which was closed for several years and does not have wall oxygen for several bed spaces, was opened as a Covid ward in the autumn. There was no continuity in care as there were no permanent staff. A bank (staff resource pool) health care assistant who did a night shift in that ward said it was chaotic and felt sorry about the patients. He said, I had to go out looking for oxygen cylinders each time they ran out. Mixing of Covid and non-Covid patients has resulted in a disaster. Many elective procedures and investigations have come to a halt due to not planning ahead and the disease spreading in wards and units. The number of patients waiting more than 40 weeks for elective surgery and treatment has reached 8,246 compared to 786 in January 2020. A mere 64.5 percent of patients have had their treatment started under 18 weeks after a referral. Only 57.3 percent of patients who came to Emergency departments of the trust were treated, admitted or discharged within 4 hours on December 20. As health professionals, we know that these conditions will have long-lasting and catastrophic consequences. One of my colleagues was thinking of writing to her union and then to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). But in my opinion the unions are useless. They do not raise a finger amidst the unsafe and dangerous conditions we are forced to work under. The CQC has not given a damn about patient safety and the well-being of either the staff or patients. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is not there to determine safe staff levels. The Health and Safety Executive provides a cover for the governments homicidal policies instead of enforcing workplace health, safety and welfare. I think we, the health workers, should organise independently to combat these issues. (CNN) -- A British judge denied bail for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, just days after she rejected a US request to extradite him to America. The US said it would appeal against the decision on Monday and asked for Assange to be remanded in custody while that process was ongoing. Judge Vanessa Baraitser said in her Wednesday ruling that "there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr. Assange is released today he would fail to surrender to court and face the appeal proceedings." The 49-year-old Australian will remain in London's Belmarsh prison, where he has already served a 50-week sentence for violating bail conditions back in 2012 when he entered Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden. Assange is facing an 18-count US federal indictment for his role in publishing classified military and diplomatic cables. In April 2019, the US charged him with "conspiracy to commit computer intrusion," a charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years. In May 2019, the federal government charged Assange with a further 17 counts under the Espionage Act for his role in publishing classified military and diplomatic cables. Each of those counts carries a potential sentence of 10 years, meaning that if convicted, Assange could be sentenced to up to 175 years in jail. The US government alleges that Assange actively solicited classified information from former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who obtained thousands of pages of classified material and provided Assange with diplomatic State Department cables, Iraq war-related significant activity reports and information related to Guantanamo Bay detainees. Assange's lawyers and supporters have long argued that the extradition order and charges against him are politically motivated, and that, if carried out, would have a chilling effect on press freedoms in both the US and the UK. This story was first published on CNN.com, "UK judge denies bail for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange" Dhaka, Jan 7 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry and recruiting agencies to take care of Bangladeshi expatriates. Hasina said everything has to be looked after by the recruiting agencies and the ministry for those who are willing to go abroad. "Ensure their security, especially the female migrant workers." About the home bound expatriates who have lost their jobs during the Covid-19, the Prime Minister also said that the Bangladesh government is taking various initiatives to make the country economically stronger and self-reliant. Hasina also briefly described various steps of the government taken for the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates. Bangladesh has set the theme - 'Mujib Borsho er Ahoban, Dokkho Hoye Bidesh Jan' (The call of Mujib Year, go abroad after getting skilled). Hasina said her government is taking care of them and there is no reason to be upset. The government is providing stimulus packages while Karma Sangsthan Bank, Palli Sanchay Bank and SME Foundation are there to provide them loans so that they could start their own business. She said there are many mega projects going on in the country and many people are working there. "They're gaining experiences working in these projects and these experiences will be helpful for them both at home and abroad." The Prime Minister also urged the people of the country not to step into the path of darkness falling prey to middlemen. "I request you one thing that those who're involved in manpower migration -- from recruiting agencies to the Ministry -- to give them (expats) the due honour and make sure they're not facing any problem," she said. Hasina said this while addressing a programme virtually marking International Migration Day 2020 from her official residence Ganabhaban. Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry organised the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). Hasina called upon all to get enlisted and wait with patience to get the desired jobs through proper and legal channels. She said if the migrant workers fall in trouble being instigated by someone is very much painful and dangerous for the persons and their families. In this regard, she recalled the deaths of some migrant workers in Libya and hoped that such incidents would not happen in the future. "There's no scarcity of jobs and food in the country...you please don't run like a blind to catch the Golden Deer; you go abroad for jobs after getting registered, and that's what we want." Hasina emphasised on receiving proper training before going abroad in search of jobs. She mentioned that there are some people who manage a certificate without getting proper training, and they face problems once they land in a foreign country. "I think that without doing this if anyone takes the training with sincerity than that person will not face any harassment abroad, all have to put attention in that, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry should put more surveillance in this matter," said Hasina. She mentioned, "We're on the path of attaining economic self-reliance, we're constructing 100 economic zones...there'll be no scarcity of work here also. We'll also have skilled workers, foreign investment is coming." Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad and Secretary Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen also spoke at the programme. Earlier, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad, on behalf of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, distributed education scholarship cheques among the children of Bangladeshi expatriates and commercially important persons (CIPs) crests among the expatriates for sending higher amount of remittance through the legal channel and investing in the country. Wednesday will be an above average day in terms of temperature, with highs slightly above 32 degrees, but that doesn't mean there isn't a chance for snow. A weak disturbance in Southwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Iowa was kicking up a wintry mix of precipitation Wednesday morning. Some of this mix was even moving into places in Northern Iowa like Hancock county. This being said, it is unlikely that snow moves into the rest of the area given the weakening trend of this disturbance. Some light flakes and flurries are likely here and there Wednesday, but impactful snow - not so much. Bottom line, don't expect much in the way of snow Wednesday. However, folks in and near Forest City and Mason City could stand to see some minimal impacts of heavier snow bands move in. The rest of the forecast looks mostly cloudy through the weekend as temps hold in the mid to upper 20s for highs. Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration refiled an emergency COVID-19 rule similar to one that expired Monday to continue statewide mask and social distancing requirements for another 150 days. A rule filed last year before the Legislature met in May was repealed by the governor after critics said it criminalized business owners. In August, the governor filed a different emergency rule the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules allowed to stand. Commission member state Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, said that rule expired Monday. I believe thats correct, and my understanding is that an extension to that emergency rule or a new emergency rule will be filed in a similar vein, Demmer said Tuesday. The Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday said a similar emergency rule was filed Monday. Any individual who is over age 2 and able to medically tolerate a face covering (a mask or cloth face covering) shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when in a public place and unable to maintain at least a six-foot social distance, the rule said. This requirement applies whether in an indoor space, such as a store, or in an outdoor space. In August, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association opposed a mask mandate rule because it meant the enforcers were store clerks, and that could put them in harms way. Association CEO Rob Karr applauded local governments that since have approved civil fines for individuals violating the mask rule, but theres a patchwork across the state. Karr said the statewide rule filed Monday by the Pritzker administration was an improvement over the expired rule. This puts in place that you can hand them something in writing, Karr said. So, you could give them a notice that IRMA had produced that said you know you should be wearing a face mask, we may ask you to leave, and that helps the retailer avoid, try to avoid, some of those confrontations. The new rule reads: For retail businesses, reasonable efforts to comply with regard to customers shall be determined based on the totality of the circumstances and include, but are not limited to: posting signage requiring face coverings to be worn on the premises; providing face coverings to customers; giving verbal or written warnings to customers who are not wearing a face covering to inform them of the requirement to wear a face covering when on the premises; requesting verbally or in writing that customers leave the premises if not wearing a face covering; and making available reasonable accommodations for individuals who are not able to medically tolerate a face covering. The updated emergency rule also prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people. Public and nonpublic schools are to have fewer than 50 people in any one space. Enforcement of the rule will be up to all local boards of health, health authorities and officers, police officers, sheriffs, and all other officers and employees of the State and any locality, it says. If a business refuses to comply with a written warning and a subsequent written order to disperse, that business, service, facility or organization open to the public shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 8.1 of the Act. That could lead to a Class A misdemeanor with penalties up to $2,500 fine or up to a year in jail. But the rule says no individual will face such penalties. No individual shall be held responsible for compliance with this rule on behalf of a business, service, facility or organization even if the individual is an owner, officer, principal or employee of that business, service, facility or organization, the rule says. . Total cases in west-central Illinois counties as of Tuesday, according to individual county health departments, were: Brown County 456 total, 417 recovered, six deaths Cass County 1,668 total, 1,514 recovered, 30 deaths 14 new cases. Greene County 1,144 total, 1,047 recovered, 40 deaths 13 new cases. Jersey County 2,046 total, 1,918 recovered, 31 deaths 14 new cases and one additional death. Macoupin County 3,541 total, 2,009 recovered, 87 deaths 30 new cases. Morgan County 3,146 total, 2,954 released from restrictions, 84 deaths 27 new cases and two additional deaths, those of a woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s. Pike County 1,427 total, 1,302 recovered, 39 deaths 11 new cases. Sangamon County 13,589 total, 182 deaths 74 new cases and three additional deaths, those of a woman in her 50s, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 70s. Schuyler County 549 total, 507 recovered, 13 deaths Scott County 343 total, 314 recovered, one death 16 new cases. Statewide, 6,839 new cases of coronavirus disease and 126 deaths were reported Tuesday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 991,719 cases and 16,959 deaths in Illinois. One of the Government's top scientific advisory panels found out Covid had spread to another country from China during a crunch meeting to discuss the virus' threat to Britain, official documents reveal. Public Health England (PHE) members present at an hour-long NERVTAG discussion on January 13 were notified of a case in Thailand which was the first time the then-unnamed disease had been diagnosed outside of China. The infected woman, 61, was spotted through thermal screening at a Bangkok airport after she travelled with family members from Wuhan the Chinese city at the heart of the pandemic. NERVTAG advisers questioned how she caught the coronavirus because she had not visited a seafood market that was originally considered Covid's ground zero, raising the prospect the disease was spreading between humans. But the group of virologists and epidemiologists from Britain's top universities, who feed directly into SAGE, insisted there was little evidence to say it was being passed from person to person and decided the risk to the public was still 'very low'. Minutes of the group's first meeting on Covid-19 revealed the group was 'fully aware' the case in Thailand was detected by a thermal image scan. But they concluded that port of entry screening was 'not advised'. Public Health England (PHE) members present at an hour-long NERVTAG discussion on January 13 were notified of a case in Thailand which was the first time the then-unnamed disease had been diagnosed outside of China NERVTAG agreed to meet up again in 'around two weeks' time'. Department of Health observers who were present were told to simply sort out putting up 'advice posters' in airports for travellers with tell-tale symptoms The discussion carried out over video call to discuss the 'fast-moving' event was attended by 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson and England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam. NERVTAG agreed to meet up again in 'around two weeks' time'. Department of Health observers who were present were told to simply sort out putting up 'advice posters' in airports for travellers with tell-tale symptoms. But the group actually met again after just eight days. PHE representatives warned that the situation was 'rapidly changing' and scientists agreed there was now 'clear evidence' of human-to-human transmission. The discussion carried out over video call to discuss the 'fast-moving' event was attended by 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson (right) and England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam (left) The timeline of how Covid spread around the world December 31, 2019: Health chiefs in the Chinese city of Wuhan report cases of mysterious pneumonia-like illness linked to a seafood market January 3, 2020: China officially tells the World Health Organization about the outbreak January 11, 2020: Chinese state media record the first known coronavirus death, with a 61-year-old man succumbing to the illness January 12, 2020: Chinese scientists share the genetic sequence of the virus, officially known as SARS-Cov-2 January 13, 2020: Thailand becomes the first country outside of China to diagnose the virus January 21, 2020: The US confirms its first case of the virus, with a man in his 30s in Washington State falling ill after a trip to Wuhan January 23, 2020: China places Wuhan under quarantine, cancelling all flights and trains January 29, 2020: The UK records its first two cases of the disease, in a student in York and one of their parents February 2, 2020: The Philippines becomes the first country outside of China to record a coronavirus death February 11, 2020: The World Health Organization reveals the name of the disease Covid-19 March 20, 2020: Covid-19 deaths hit the 10,000 mark across the world, with Europe now the worst-hit region March 23, 2020: Britain enters its first lockdown, in a desperate attempt to control the spiralling outbreak April 9, 2020: Global fatalities pass the grim 100,000 milestone May 5, 2020: Britain becomes worst-hit nation in Europe, with more than 30,000 deaths in total June 29, 2020: World Health Organization bosses reveal the death toll has passed 500,000 and said the worst was yet to come August 11, 2020: Russia becomes the first country in the world to approval a Covid vaccine September 28, 2020: Covid deaths pass the 1million mark, with the US, Brazil and India making up almost half of the total number of victims December 2, 2020: UK's regulators approve Pfizer/BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first Western country to have a jab Advertisement Only 283 cases of Covid had been diagnosed across the world at the time, including four outside of China and 21 in provinces other than the hot-bed of Hubei which Wuhan is the capital of. Another 15 cases, including one in Taiwan, were still being investigated. NERVTAG recommended upgrading the threat to the public from 'very low' to 'low' but dismissed bolstering it further because the UK had still yet to record a confirmed case. It wasn't until January 29 that Britain recorded its first confirmed Covid case when a University of York student and their parent who had flown in from China tested positive after being escorted out of a hotel in the city centre by medics in hazmat suits. At the second meeting, NERVTAG chaired by Oxford University infectious disease specialist Professor Peter Horby discussed how four out of the five cases spotted outside of China were 'detected by border screening'. But Professor Andrew Hayward, an epidemiologist at University College London, said it was not proof that port health screening such as using thermal scanners to look for fevers in travellers could identify the majority of cases. He said other cases may have been imported but not yet spotted. In light of the ever-changing outbreak and other governments adopting port of entry screening, Department of Health chiefs asked the group to reconsider the evidence on screening travellers for Covid. NERVTAG scientists are already being prepared for a public inquiry over science used to guide No10 through Covid Government scientists are already fretting about a potential public inquiry into the evidence ministers were given to shape Britains bungling response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Department of Health officials in September before the UKs second wave had even kicked in were working out how they could support members of NERVTAG if No10 called for an official probe. Minutes of a meeting of the advisory panel, which feeds directly into SAGE, say: 'There will likely be scrutiny of NERVTAG's deliberations as they have offered critical pieces of advice.' Professor Peter Horby, an infectious disease expert at Oxford University who chairs the panel of top scientists, revealed he would circulate a document on records management in preparation for an inquiry. Official figures show at least 50,000 Britons have since died, with ministers blamed for being too slow to implement the first lockdown in March and letting the cruel disease run rampant through care homes. Pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson to commit to a public inquiry into the Governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with grieving families accusing No10 of flawed decision-making. Advertisement But the panel stood firm and said: 'Providing information to travellers and providing effective means for screening febrile travellers attending healthcare settings was likely to be a better option.' Professor Ferguson, who was one of the experts behind the terrifying Imperial College London projections that spooked No10 into Britain's first lockdown in March, claimed that modelling suggested the benefit would be 'low'. He said it would only detect travellers who were not sick before boarding a flight but became ill during the journey. This is because it can take patients several days before they show any signs of being ill. Minutes from the second meeting on January 21 also show that 'NERVTAG felt there was a lack of clarity on the exit screening process in Wuhan'. But the group assumed China was stopping travellers with a fever from departing the nation because of statements released by local authorities. And they said it would have little effect even if Beijing's bureaucrats weren't doing it. Dr James Rubin, a psychologist at King's College London, also warned that screening could lead to 'stigma' for travellers. Documents say: 'It was noted that port of entry screening in the UK would be a significant undertaking, especially as fever may not be a very sensitive method of identifying cases.' Fever wasn't mooted as a symptom until January 30 the day after the first two coronavirus patients were diagnosed on British soil. Members 'largely agreed' it was a sign of the disease. NERVTAG also said that direct flights out of Wuhan would not be the only way to travel out of the affected area and that the outbreak zone 'appears to be expanding'. At the third meeting on January 28, the experts discussed widening the 'case definition' of a Covid patient a set of criteria to classify whether someone really has Covid. Department of Health bosses warned keeping it just to patients who had been to Wuhan which had already banned all flights and trains from leaving the city was inconsistent with the reality of the 'changing geographical spread of the virus'. Data at the time revealed there were at least 30 provinces in China with confirmed cases of WN-CoV the place-holder name for the coronavirus before it was eventually given a title in early February. NERVTAG said 'expanding the case definition to the whole of mainland China at this moment in time was not feasible and did not seem appropriate with the information at hand'. But they agreed it should include the whole of Hubei which is home to around 60million people and a wider number of provinces. The list of affected areas should be kept under review, NERVTAG also said. Just two days later at the fourth meeting, the group U-turned on their advice and accepted it was 'necessary' to include all of mainland China on the case definition list. Minutes from the meeting say: 'Following a short discussion, NERVTAG agreed with DHSC on expansion of the geographical element of the case definition to include the whole of mainland China.' Professor Chris Whitty also said that 'feedback' and the 'evolving nature' of the crisis meant that it would be better to slap the whole country on the list, instead of just a handful of provinces. Professor Van-Tam also argued that any Britons with tell-tale symptoms of Covid who were seeking to be repatriated from China should not be allowed to board an organised flight back to the UK. During the same meeting, NERVTAG said there was 'no evidence' to support that wearing face masks cuts the risk of spreading the virus. China denies entry to team of WHO experts due to investigate the origins of Covid-19 pandemic amid growing suspicions of a cover-up China has denied entry to a team of World Health Organisation (WHO) experts who were due to arrive in the country to investigate the origins of the coronavirus. The news comes amid growing suspicions of a cover-up in the country where Covid-19 is believed to have originated at the end of 2019, although its origins remain bitterly contested as China remains determined to control the narrative. The head of the World Health Organisation says he was 'disappointed' that Chinese officials have not finalised permissions for the arrival of the team of experts. A year after the outbreak started, WHO experts were due in China for a highly politicised visit to explore the origins of the coronavirus, in a trip trailed by accusations of cover-ups, conspiracy and fears of a whitewash. The WHO said China granted permission for a visit by its experts, with a 10-person team expected to arrive this week - but before most could even begin their journeys they faced roadblocks, with Beijing yet to grant them entry. The WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan said Tuesday that the problem was a lack of visa clearances, adding that he hoped it was a 'logistic and bureaucratic issue that can be resolved very quickly.' World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a rare critique of Beijing, says members of the international scientific team have begun over the last 24 hours to leave from their home countries to China as part of an arrangement between WHO and the Chinese government. 'Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in China,' he said at a news conference Tuesday in Geneva. 'I am very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute,' Tedros told reporters in Geneva, in a rare rebuke of Beijing from the UN body. He added that he has 'been in contact with senior Chinese officials' and that he had 'once again made it clear that the mission is a priority for the WHO. 'I have been assured that China is speeding up the internal procedure of the earliest possible deployment. We're eager to get the mission under way as soon as possible,' he said. Earlier this week Chinese authorities had refused to confirm the exact dates and details of the visit, a sign of the enduring sensitivity of their mission. Covid-19 was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019, before seeping beyond China's borders to wreak global havoc, costing over 1.8 million lives and eviscerating economies. But its origins remain bitterly contested, lost in a fog of recriminations and conjecture from the international community - as well as obfuscation from Chinese authorities determined to keep control of its virus narrative. MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th January, 2021) Valery Tsepkalo, a former contender for the Belarusian presidency, has announced the start of the public democratic forum that will be held online in response to Minsk's decision to convene the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, Tsepkalo's press secretary Alexey Urban said on Wednesday. In late December, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree to convene the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk on February 11 and 12, which would focus on the issues regarding the social, political and economic development of the country in 2021-2025. "Valery Tsepkalo has announced the holding of the Belarusian democratic forum designed to unit all sound forces in constitutional reforms as a reasonable alternative of the popular majority in response to ... the all-Belarusian assembly," Urban said. The press secretary noted that Tsepkalo had initiated the creation of an online platform where everyone could participate in the public discussion concerning the future of Belarus. "As for today, we have brought one of the most important issues up for discussion - the state government. We invite [everyone] to get acquainted with the materials, which already exist and describe the types of state government ... express your opinion and discuss all the risks related to these systems of government," Urban said. The press secretary added that in the near future "transparent round tables" would be arranged within the forum to "involve Belarusians in making the future decision as much as possible." In July, Tsepkalo fled Belarus due to fear of being persecuted in relation to the August 9 presidential election. Tsepkalo's bid to register as a presidential candidate was rejected by the election watchdog. He is currently facing a criminal case in Belarus over alleged bribery. Sam Thompson looked sheepish as he was seen for the first time since it was revealed he flouted Tier 4 rules to fly to the Maldives with Zara McDermott. The Made In Chelsea star, 28, smirked and hid behind his pale green hoodie as he left his London home on Wednesday after returning from his trip. Sam had been noticeably quiet on social media over the New Year period but eagle-eyed fans rumbled he was abroad with Zara, 23, due to her uploading an Instagram post from a different time zone. Caught out? Sam Thompson looked sheepish as he was seen for the first time since it was revealed he flouted Tier 4 rules to fly to the Maldives with Zara McDermott Sam looked coy as he kept his head low with his hood covering his face. The reality star hid his newly-bronzed tan by teaming the hoodie with grey joggers and trainers. While Sam tried to keep a low-profile, Zara ignored the mounting backlash over their trip as she took to Instagram on Tuesday night to answer a self-indulgent question and answer session about her life, love and pre-reality TV career. Low profile: The Made In Chelsea star, 28, smirked and hid behind his pale green hoodie as he left his London home on Wednesday after returning from their trip Back together: The couple booked the trip after reuniting following the sensational revelation Zara had cheated on him at the beginning of their trip (pictured last year) The television personality brazenly spoken about her job as a government advisor, mere hours after it emerged the pair had broken strict rules regarding the ban on non-essential travel abroad to ring in the New Year at the idyllic island destination. Zara said she got the job back in 2015 and was put on a placement in the Department of Energy and Climate Change. 'I worked in policy for a bit but I loved working in briefings and correspondence because it meant that if the Prime Minister or any Minister were to be asked a question on our specific team area, my job would be to work with the experts and draft a brief with their expertise, get it signed off by my bosses and then send up to the Minister's office.' Busted: Sam had been noticeably quiet over the New Year period but eagle-eyed fans rumbled he was abroad with Zara, 23, due to her uploading an Instagram from a different time zone Feeling sheepish? Sam looked coy as he kept his head low with his hood covering his face Feeling the chill: The reality star hid his newly-bronzed tan by teaming the hoodie with grey joggers and trainers Outrage: The reality TV pair flouted the Tier 4 rules when they were spotted flying out of London last Sunday on December 27 a week after the Tier 4 travel ban Government advisor: Zara brazenly spoken about her job as a government advisor, mere hours after it emerged the pair had broken strict rules regarding the ban on non-essential travel Smitten: During the Q and A, one follower asked Zara what her 'favourite thing' was about Sam. The Made In Chelsea star said 'That's a hard one', before talking about her beau's good traits The reality TV pair flouted the Tier 4 rules when they were spotted flying out of London last Sunday on December 27 a week after rules came into place banning travel from Tier 4 areas on December 20. Zara has continued to share photos on her Instagram, marking her location as London, United Kingdom. Fans have accused the Made In Chelsea couple of disguising the fact they were abroad by altering timestamps and sharing pre-recorded content on social media. Living it up: A source told MailOnline Zara and Sam, who live together in west London, stayed at luxury resort Ayada Maldives, where they previously visited in December 2019 A source told MailOnline Zara and Sam, who live together in west London, stayed at luxury resort Ayada Maldives, where they previously visited in December 2019. On Monday night, Zara uploaded a photo of her to promote her new edit with fashion brand Missguided, tagging the location of the Instagram post, 'London'. Fans of the couple became suspicious of their whereabouts last week, when eagle-eyed followers spotted something was off with Zara's Instagram Stories. Last Tuesday, Zara shared an old video of her watching Sam on the PlayStation, urging other girlfriends of 'gamers' to respond with ways of irritating their partners as they compete. Stay at home: On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the nation into its third lockdown, confirming the message is to now 'stay home, protect the NHS' Slip up?: Last Tuesday, Zara shared screenshots of messages she had received to her Instagram Stories, showing a different time zone before they changed to reflect the time in London Zara then started to share screenshots of comments sent by her fans on her Instagram Stories with one showing her local time to be 11:14pm, instead of just gone 7pm as it was in the UK. In a swiftly-deleted Instagram story, Zara posted a response from a fan, which read: 'Accidentally unplug the TV whilst plugging the hoover in or just hoover in front of the TV' alongside the comment: 'This is a good one. "Babe I'm cleaning? Why are you complaining?"' After viewers spotted her local time, the next interaction reflected the correct time in London. MailOnline has contacted Sam and Zara's representatives for comment. 'Meant to be in the Maldives right now but whatever': Prior to their breakup, Zara and Sam had planned a trip to the Maldives in November alongside Louise Thompson and Ryan Libbey Prior to their break-up, Zara and Sam had planned a luxurious trip to the Maldives in November alongside Sam's sister Louise Thompson, 30, and her fiance Ryan Libbey, 30. The couple, who rekindled their relationship in December, missed out on the holiday, with Zara sharing a post longing to be on the idyllic getaway. At the point of Zara and Sam's flight to the Maldives, London was under Tier 4 restrictions. Travel abroad for leisure is banned under Tier 4 guidelines with exceptions only allowing reasons such as work, education and childcare. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the Maldives. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the nation into its third lockdown, confirming the message from the government is to now 'stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.' GEORGETOWN Lorna Rainey carries her great-grandfathers legacy while working at the helm of a major talent management company, one of the few of such firms to be owned by an African-American woman. She is a pioneer in a family known for being firsts. For Georgetown and American history buffs, the name Rainey stands out for the political legend it is associated with. Yes, Lorna Rainey is the great-granddaughter of South Carolinas Rep. Joseph Rainey, who in 1870 became the first African-American man to serve in the United States House of Representatives. Im descended from greatness. Im descended from a man who was determined and self-taught. And I feel like if he could make it then, there is no excuse for me to not be successful now, Lorna said of her ancestors memory. Joseph, born in Georgetown in the 1830s, is the epitome of a political pioneer a freed slave who served in the legislative branch of a government that wouldnt fully affirm his right to vote and equal treatment under the law for nearly another century. As a representative he spoke out against white supremacists and intimidation, advocated for civil rights and promoted public education. Lorna Rainey, who lives in New York, learned about her familys history from her Aunt Olive, the daughter of Joseph. Contained in the family story was more information about who Joseph was during his lifetime, information not known by even scholars of the era. From the time I was 3 years old my Aunt Olive would take me onto her knee every time I saw her and tell me the stories of her dad and the things he accomplished and the things that he went through before and during the time he was in congress. I grew up with that knowledge, Lorna said. I always knew who I was and no matter what happened no one could take that from me. But for the longest time, Lorna said few people were interested in learning more about the one of the first Black politicians on the national level. She would sometimes reach out to historians to offer insight, but frequently never heard back. It was also hard to find information beyond a paragraph about him in books and online. That all began to change about 20 years ago, she said. Weve had very courageous people in our nations history and due to skewed interest we have glorified people that we should not have glorified and we ignored the people we should have paid attention to. South Carolinas congressional delegation wants to further honor Joseph by renaming the Georgetown Post Office on Charlotte Street in his honor. All members of South Carolinas delegation to the House of Representatives, regardless of party, endorsed changing the name. I never heard of Rep. Rainey until I was in Congress and I saw a portrait of him in a stairway up to the House of Representatives, said Rep. Tom Rice, R-7, who filed the resolution to rename the post office on Dec. 10. I did more research on him and I was really proud of the fact that the first African-American representative in the history of our country came right here from our district. Over the last several years, as a national conversation has erupted over who is worthy of being honored in public memory, Josephs prominence has risen. A portrait of him now hangs in the halls of congress and a room in the capital is named after him, a park in Georgetown also bears his name, as does a historical marker in Bermuda and some museums have information about him so visitors can learn more. But University of South Carolina history professor Bobby Donaldson said the amount of recognition Rainey gets doesnt match his great contributions to this countrys history. A key reason for this, Donaldson argued, is how Reconstruction in the South is often taught as a failed moment in history instead of a time where African-American leaders briefly gained political prominence before a backlash that would take decades to overcome. Reconstruction was the period following the Civil War that technically lasted until 1876. New laws were imposed on the South in effort to reform the society that recently tolerated slavery. There is a popular and pervasive myth in Southern culture that this period was a dark time, but it was actually a time of promise for Black residents. For 10 or 12 years, reconstruction worked. African-Americans were able to seek public office and represent the population. It was a powerful constituency, said Brent Morris, a professor at USC Beaufort and director of the Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era. Reconstruction wasnt this dark period, it was a chance for America to make good on the ideals set forth in 1776. Even though Joseph was a member of Congress, many white southerners were opposed to his leadership. Attempts to discredit Joseph happened in his lifetime and in the early history books. Many of the people he represented hated him for the color of his skin. During his time, despite his power and influence, Joseph Rainey was a target for attacks, a target for taunts and threats and he talked about it on the floors of congress, Donaldson said. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! In fact, Joseph was threatened directly by the Ku Klux Klan causing him to relocate his family to the north while he continued his term in South Carolina. He tried to make sure to keep his family safe because at different points in his career he was threatened by the KKK because he was an avid opponent of them and their viewpoints and their scare tactics and the murder of people of color. He would always use his position, his political capital, to make sure he shone a spotlight on them for the vermin they were, Lorna said. Joseph lost his election in 1878, largely due to voter intimidation and disenfranchisement, as Reconstruction was ending and the new Jim Crow era emerged. The South quickly regressed with less protections for African-Americans than during Reconstruction and a few years later saw the vast disenfranchisement of Black voters. This was a period America lost a piece of itself. It lost the truest expansion of its democracy, Morris said. The South in a lot of ways went back to the way it was before the Civil War. Donaldson believes renaming the post office comes at an ironic time. Before entering congress, Joseph helped rewrite the states constitution that helped enable him to seek higher office. Rainey believed in the expansion of civil rights and expanding public educational opportunities, while also facing voter fraud and intimidation in his district to keep people from voting for him. He also had to deal with terrorism and the value of Black life. Rainey is someone I would call a founding father of South Carolina, Donaldson added. So its a striking irony this is happening now because for the longest time his contributions were marginalized and footnotes of history. Some scholars, especially African-American writers, discussed Josephs importance for decades, but those narratives were not widely spread or taught generally in schools, Morris said. Morris said much of his job involves helping people unlearn what they think happened during Reconstruction while teaching the important stories of the time. Donaldson added some history books on reconstruction dont even mention the name of Joseph Rainey, the threats he faced or the many benefits Reconstruction had for African-Americans in the South. Lorna said the stories she heard from her aunt even contradicted the official history books. For example, she learned that her great-grandfather escaped slavery seeking refuge in Bermuda before her great-grandmother, despite many historians arguing that they left at the same time. The familys story goes that Joseph waited daily for abolitionists to fulfill their promise to liberate his wife, and one day the whole family was reunited. I knew the facts from sitting on my great aunts knee, Lorna said. One day he went down to the docks, looked and there she was. Its a love story unlike any other and makes my heart flutter. Donaldson and Lorna have worked together to produce a more complete and accurate history of Joseph. Archives contain many of his letters and news articles show his political convictions, but other pieces like details of his early life and what Baptist church in Georgetown he is buried in remains unknown. After the pandemic, Donaldson hopes to travel to Georgetown to continue piecing together the full story of Joseph Rainey. The Smithsonian Magazine published an article he wrote about the representative with the help of Lorna, who is also working on a documentary about her great-grandfather. Donaldson, Morris and Lorna would like to see more complete histories taught in American schools of Joseph Rainey, his contemporaries and the time of Reconstruction overall. Renaming of a building is always a first step, but you dont want the name Joseph Rainey to be chiseled into stone and thats where the conversation stops, Donaldson said. I believe given his critical role we must reconstruct the history of our state and revise how we interpret Reconstruction. But naming the post office is a start, and Lorna was honored to hear the news when contacted by the Post and Courier Myrtle Beach & Georgetown Times. She believes everyone needs heroes, people to model themselves after. She has always had one, and hopes as more people learn about her great-grandfather, they will find inspiration from his story. Like her Aunt Oliver, Lorna Rainey has taken it upon herself to tell her two kids about their great-great-grandfather. She imagines she feels the same way her aunt did, keeping Rep. Joseph Raineys legacy alive in the family. I feel exactly the same as she probably felt. She felt it was her obligation to tell me, her obligation to make me understand the gravity of what she was saying. Ive done the same with my children." WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer will be the next majority leader of the upper branch of Congress after two Democratic Senate challengers won runoff elections in Georgia. But the challenges he'll face in the narrowly divided chamber are sure to test his vaunted skills as a consensus-builder. Democrats will assume the majority in the Senate on Jan. 20, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are scheduled to be inaugurated as president and vice president, respectively. The vice president will cast the tie-breaking vote in what will be an evenly split Senate, giving the Democrats one more vote than the Republicans. "For the first time in six years, Democrats will operate a majority in the United States Senate and that will be very good for the American people," Schumer said. "As majority leader, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will have a partner who is ready, willing and able to help achieve a forward-looking agenda and deliver help and bold change to the American people." Schumer pledged that among the Democrats' first priorities will be sending $2,000 stimulus checks to eligible Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. ___ More from the Georgia runoff ___ Early Wednesday, Democratic Sen.-elect Raphael Warnock of Georgia was declared winner over incumbent GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler by The Associated Press. Democrat Jon Ossoff secured a win over incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue on Wednesday afternoon, the AP reported. The Democratic wins award the party 50 seats in the Senate, up from 47 in the last Congress. The victories came on an extraordinary day at the U.S. Capitol during which a mob descended on the Capitol complex and breached the secure buildings, prompting the emergency evacuation of lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence as the perpetrators fought with police and vandalized the property. From his home in Brooklyn, Schumer spoke to Warnock and Ossoff multiple times Tuesday night after polls closed. Around midnight, he began to realize they would win, he said. Wow, who would have thought?" a happy Schumer asked the press Wednesday. This is not the path we chose to get here, but were here. Schumer praised the campaigns of both candidates and the historic victory of Warnock, who will be Georgia's first Black senator. Becoming majority leader is a key personal victory for Schumer, who fought hard to flip the Senate in 2020, as well as a win for Bidens administration and a possible boon for New York. When Biden takes office, Democrats will control the House, Senate and presidency, although their grip on the legislative branch is historically slim. Schumers power will be tempered by some power-sharing with Republicans, whose votes he will need to pass legislation even when he can decide what bills come to the floor. In a 50-50 Senate, Democrats may also evenly share committee membership instead of assuming a majority of positions. The last time the Senate was similarly divided was during a few months in 2001. "Its a tough job; its a big job," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. "Hes up to it." Christopher Mann, assistant professor of political science at Skidmore College, said the narrow margin of Schumer's majority will make every piece of legislation a "challenge." The key power of the Senate majority leader is controlling what comes to the floor, Mann said. I expect to see a lot of log-rolling deals across disparate policy domains to cobble together legislation. Schumer could also unlock more benefits for New York by giving the state a dedicated advocate at nearly every Congressional negotiating table. Winning the majority "would be the greatest gift to New York that we could accomplish," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the state's junior member in the chamber, said in October. Schumer, 70, was elected by his caucus to serve as minority leader in 2017. A Brooklyn-born lawyer and former state assemblyman, he was first elected to Congress in 1980 as a member of the House, and became a member of the Senate in 1999. With his advancement, Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Biden are poised to hold the power core of the nation's Capitol and will work in unison to advance their Democratic agenda. Schumer said he spoke to Biden Wednesday morning and pledged to be his partner. Schumer has a 30-year close relationship with the president-elect, and they worked together on the effort to flip the Senate. The pair coordinated the activities of the Biden campaign and the campaigns of Democrats running for Senate in must-win states to try to flip the Senate blue, Schumer said in an October interview with the Times Union. Schumer recruited Democratic candidates, helped them raise money, mentored them and guided them toward experienced staff, Mann said. In interviews this fall, former Schumer staffers told the Times Union he has always legislated with an interest in striking deals, moving issues forward and building coalitions. Californias coronavirus vaccination efforts are off to a slow start, with less than a third of the 1.6 million available doses administered so far, according to state officials. Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged the rollout of inoculations has been too slow, and public health experts are growing concerned that the emerging vaccination delays may mean it will take longer to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic. Officials and experts attribute the slower-than-anticipated vaccinations to many factors, and urge the public to have patience as health officials and hospitals work out the kinks of a campaign that is unprecedented in scale and urgency. Its clear that this is a major and complex initiative, and all of us are learning as we go, said Dr. Joshua Adler, chief clinical officer for UCSF Health, during a press briefing with San Francisco officials Tuesday. Whats also clear is we need to increase the rate at which were able to deliver the vaccine to people. The administration of 460,000 doses by health departments and hospitals across California is roughly on par with the pace of vaccinations nationally, where approximately 4.8 million out of a total 17 million doses distributed have been used, according to the CDC. The state did not provide a breakdown of how many of those doses have gone to health care workers and how many have gone to residents of long-term care facilities. Frustrations are growing that vaccinations for nursing home residents, who are at much higher risk of grave COVID-19 illness or death, and staff at those facilities have fallen behind schedule. Vaccine supply, which gets allocated by the federal government to states, has been sporadic and often not finalized until the last minute making it difficult for local health departments to plan when and where to administer the doses. Complicating matters, some health care workers, who along with nursing home residents are in the first group eligible for vaccinations, are declining the vaccine at rates of up to 50% in some Southern California counties and health systems. Its unclear what percentage of the health care workforce statewide is declining vaccine, Newsom said Monday, but the state is conducting a survey on the matter that it will release soon. Also, it is taking some health care providers longer than expected to obtain the vaccine because they must register with the state, and the state does not always have enough staff to approve those requests right away, some local health departments said. In some cases, the final dose in some vials which contain several doses, and must be used within a certain number of hours once thawing begins has gone unused. This is because certain vials come with overfill, or additional vaccine. Sometimes, that overfill is enough for an additional dose. We have some instances where folks have not used those final doses, and were trying to address that concern without putting people in a position where they feel like theyve done the wrong thing, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Monday. And there may not be enough health care workers to administer the shots, in part because many hospitals are so busy staffing ICUs and emergency departments to care for COVID patients. This could worsen as larger groups of people become eligible to get vaccinated, and more people will be needed to administer the shots. The state on Monday moved to address this issue, announcing an emergency waiver to allow the roughly 36,000 dentists in California to administer the vaccine. If weve got to have a lot of our nurses and other health care workers in the emergency department in the hospital taking care of people, or testing ... we may have fewer people available to vaccinate, said Janet Coffman, a professor of health policy at UCSF who researches the health care workforce. Many long-term care facilities have been unable to obtain vaccines, while doses are sitting unused in warehouses for days because of technical and logistical issues, said Dr. Michael Wasserman, past president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine and medical director of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. And once vaccines do arrive, it takes time to get consent from residents and their family members, sometimes because the consent form cannot be immediately accessed by the pharmacies administering the vaccines, said Wasserman, a member of one of the states vaccine advisory committees. Instead of going and vaccinating 10 people in 10 minutes, it may take an hour, he said. The start of the vaccination rollout also coincided with the holidays, so many workers took time off right as vaccinations at hospitals were starting to gear up and did not schedule their first doses until the new year. I really do think that we had perhaps overoptimistic expectations of a vaccination process over Christmas and New Years, said Dr. Jay Luxenberg, chief medical officer of On Lok, a nonprofit that provides health care services to the elderly in San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara counties. But my impression in all three counties we serve is those departments of public health have these things geared up and (are) doing a good job. On Loks 600 staffers in San Francisco are slated to get vaccinated this week and next week, with pharmacists from Chinese Hospital coming in to administer the shots. In Alameda County, where On Lok has fewer employees, staffers will drive to vaccination clinics to get the shots. The vaccines were actually available for San Francisco staff last week, but On Lok chose to push it back a week so it could obtain consent from staff and get them to sign up for vaccination slots. Luxenberg said he is not seeing the high rates of health care workers declining to take the vaccine that some hospitals in Central and Southern California are reporting. About 90% of staff are signing up for the vaccine, he said. Our frustration is its so high that we may have underestimated the amount of vaccine needed, he said. Complicating the vaccine administration is that some of the shots are handled by local health departments or hospitals, while other distribution plans for long-term care facility residents are handled by a federal program partnering with CVS and Walgreens. Is it fragmented? Yes. But is it moving? Yeah, Luxenberg said. Dr. Kismet Baldwin, deputy health officer in Sonoma County, said that every county in the state is experiencing some level of bottlenecks. She offered two examples. One involves getting providers registered with the state to deliver vaccine. That has slowed us down a little bit. Its dependent on the state having enough staff to approve those requests to be registered, she said. That limits who we can distribute vaccine to. The other problem involves the county not getting much advance notification of how many doses it would receive each week. Baldwin said the county typically is told how many doses to expect about a week in advance, but its not consistent. And even a week doesnt give authorities much time to figure out where the doses should go. Vaccinations are progressing quickly in some facilities. Laguna Honda, the largest skilled nursing facility in San Francisco, began inoculating residents on Monday and expects to complete vaccinations for 90% of residents, about 650 people, by the end of Tuesday. That is higher than the percentage of residents who got the flu vaccine. Five residents have died from COVID-19, with the facility reporting the first deaths last week. Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer, said he thought the vaccine rollout so far has gone reasonably well in his county, given the circumstances. We have to set realistic expectations, Moss said. Were all celebrating the speed with which the vaccine got here, and its really miraculous, the efficacy data. Its great to be in this place. But the fact is that it only got approval less than a month ago and its very complicated to get this out as fast as people would like. Chronicle staff writer Erin Allday contributed to this report. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho The rapper and record producer Dr. Dre was reportedly rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to a brain aneurysm. According to TMZ, sources said that Dr. Dre, 55, is in the ICU and is suffering from a brain aneurysm. Doctors say they have not yet determined the cause of the bleeding, but they had performed various tests to reveal the cause. On January 4, Andre Romelle Young, also known as Dr. Dre, was rushed to the ICU and is still in the facility. However, insiders told TMZ that Dr. Dre, 55, is "stable and lucid." Dr. Dre was hospitalized and is 'doing great' CNN via MSN reported that the rapper, producer, and entrepreneur announced Tuesday that he was hospitalized. However, the music executive did not give further details of why he was hospitalized. On his verified Instagram account, Dr. Dre wrote, "Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes. I am doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals at Cedars. One Love!!" The famous rapper is embroiled in a devastating divorce with his estranged wife, Nicole Young, who filed to end their marriage due to irreconcilable differences legally, Daily Mail reported. Dr. Dre is scheduled to appear in court The legendary rapper Dr. Dre is in the midst of a publicized and devastating divorce with his wife, Nicole Young. In June, the couple called it quits, as per the Los Angeles County Court filings, The Blast cited. The reason filed on June 29 was "irreconcilable differences." According to HEAVY, Nicole is asking for spousal support from Dr. Dre, who has an estimated net worth of nearly $800 million. Nicole and Dr. Dre have two grown children, Truly and Truice. Due to Dre's emergency health confinement, it is unlikely for him to attend the hearing in Downtown Los Angeles. Nicole had asked the judge to reject the couple's prenuptial agreement, which she signed in 1996, and claimed that Dr. Dre ripped it up early in their marriage. The Beats By Dre co-founder, however, denied he did such a thing. According to the outlet, Nicole is asking for $2 million a month in temporary spousal support and $5 million for attorney fees. Read also: Chrissy Teigen Reaches Sobriety Milestone: Why She Quit Drinking Nicole Young claims Dr. Dre has more than enough money Nicole claimed that the hip-hop mogul could cover her expenses as he has more than enough money because of his massive part in Apple investments. According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Dr. Dre's estranged wife and her public accountant claimed that he has nearly $262 million in cash aside from his Apple stocks. Allegedly, over the last several years of being together, Dr. Dre sold those stocks to fund their lifestyle. The couple's monthly living expenses totaled almost $2.3 million, $300,000 more than Nicole's demand in temporary monthly spousal support, as per COMPLEX. Simultaneously, the CPA claimed the rapper-producer and his estranged wife spent $245 million from 2017 to 2019. However, during the same period, their cash even increased. The CPA argued these figures proved that Dr. Dre has enough to pay a portion of Nicole's legal fees and ensure that she would maintain the same lifestyle to which she is used to living. According to previous filings, Dr. Dre claimed that his wife's monthly expenses were far less than the $2 million she is seeking. To cover Young's spending and bills, she only needs $300,000 per month, as per Dr. Dre's calculations. The rapper reportedly pays for Nicole's Malibu estate and security. He also sends a messenger to Nicole's Malibu home with any money she requested. Read also: Bond Girl Tanya Roberts, 65, Dies a Day After Partner Mistakenly Announced Her Death @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TORONTO - Just two days after Wade Oosterman took over as Bell Media's president, the telecommunications company appears to have shaken up its upper ranks. Bell Canada head office is seen on Nun's Island on August 5, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz TORONTO - Just two days after Wade Oosterman took over as Bell Media's president, the telecommunications company appears to have shaken up its upper ranks. President of content and programming Michael Cosentino, senior vice-president of original programming Cornelia Coe, vice-president of regulatory affairs, content and distribution Kevin Goldstein and vice-president of strategic sales Mark Finney are no longer with the company, according to automated email responses. Bell spokesman Marc Choma said the company has adopted an "updated structure" with a streamlined leadership team that resulted in some departures, promotions and expanded opportunities for staff. He did not address specific moves, saying company policy prohibits discussion of individual employee matters. The changes come as Bell Media puts greater priority on growing its streaming platforms. Last year, the company expanded its selection of older TV series offered through its CTV streaming apps, and more recently locked in exclusive streaming rights to '90s sitcom "Friends" for its Crave subscription service. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE) ATLANTA Democrats were on the verge of taking control of the U.S. Senate early Wednesday morning after Raphael Warnock was declared the winner in his Georgia runoff election with GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and Jon Ossoff pulled into the lead in his race with Republican Sen. David Perdue. An African American pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church the Atlanta church made famous by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Warnock was declared the winner by the Associated Press with just over 97 percent of the votes counted. He delivered a victory speech shortly after 11:30 p.m. in a videotaped message delivered from his home in Atlanta. Georgia, I am honored by the faith you have shown in me. And I promise you this tonight, I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia, Warnock said. Minutes earlier, Loeffler, who was appointed to her Senate seat in 2019 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, gave an impromptu speech but did not concede the race despite trailing Warnock by more than 35,000 votes with 97 percent counted. Its going to be another late night, she told a gathering of her supporters. There are a lot of votes out there, as you all know. We have a path to victory, and we are going to stay on it. The campaign of Ossoff, a Jewish American activist and documentary film producer, also saw victory on the horizon early Wednesday, minutes before the vote count showed him surpassing Perdue. The race remains too close to call. Ossoff offered brief remarks declaring victory in a video message released later in the morning. Whether you were for me, or against me, Ill be for you in the U.S. Senate, he said. I will serve all the people of the state. In a state where Joe Biden defeated President Trump by roughly 12,000 votes, both Senate contests were also close. While none of the major television networks or the Associated Press initially called Warnocks race when he first pulled into the lead, multiple news organizations determined that the remaining votes to be counted would be coming from Democratic-friendly districts. As the vote tally played out in real time, Trump, without evidence, fired off more claims of fraud. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Should the Democrats pull off both runoff victories, they would earn a 50-seat tie with Republicans in the U.S. Senate, leaving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to cast any deciding votes. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would also be denied a return to the role of Senate majority leader, which would fall to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. A potentially seismic power shift, the Senate wins would mean that Republicans would not be able to block Bidens Cabinet from being confirmed, nor would they be able to halt the Democrats ambitious agenda outright. Yet the final results of Ossoffs race, as of early Wednesday, had yet to be determined. From left: Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images, Paras Griffin/Getty Images, Jessica McGowan/Getty Images, Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) That Democrats had managed to force two runoff elections, as well as Bidens victory, had already come as something of a surprise in Georgia, a state that had reliably voted Republican for decades. With several third-party candidates in the race, none of the major-party Senate candidates cracked 50 percent in the Nov. 3 election, forcing runoffs. (Georgia is one of a handful of states that require an absolute majority in state elections.) In pushing his claims of electoral fraud, Trump drove a wedge into the states Republican Party. He spent weeks angrily attacking Kemp and Georgias Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, accusing both of turning a blind eye to voting irregularities. But Georgia held two separate recounts of the statewide results and conducted signature verifications of mail-in ballots in Cobb County that found no fraudulent absentee ballots. Those efforts did little to mollify Trump, who on Monday night railed against the vote tallies and promised to campaign against a governor who he had once endorsed. Ill be here in about a year and a half campaigning against your governor, I guarantee you, Trump said of Kemp. The two Republicans in the race likewise offered voters a mixed message, agreeing with Trump that the November election had been rigged while urging supporters to the polls in the runoffs. Loeffler announced Monday that she would object to the certification of the Electoral College vote in Congress on Wednesday. Perdue said he also supported that effort, but while quarantining would not be in the chamber to offer his objection. In many ways, the two races were run in tandem, with the Republican candidates accusing the Democrats of being radicals and socialists, while Warnock and Ossoff countered that Loeffler and Perdue were the Bonnie and Clyde of corruption. Both were accused of making profitable stock trades at the start of the pandemic at a time when most Americans had little idea of the impending devastation. Neither has been charged with a crime Ossoff and Warnock at a rally in Atlanta on Monday. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Some voters told Yahoo News that they hoped their vote would help break the political gridlock in Washington. We definitely had to get rid of that president, and now we have to give this president an equal chance, said Atlanta resident Tobias Brown, 56. We learned from Obama that unless we give the president the Congress he needs, you dont get anything done. Others said the presidential election and the runoffs had left them feeling weary. To be honest, I didnt want to come back out, but Ive always voted in every election since Ive began voting, so I feel like my vote counts at some point, said Bernita Banks of Atlanta. The races also turned out to be the two most expensive Senate elections in U.S. history, with nearly $470 million poured into the Perdue-Ossoff contest and $363 million spent on the matchup between Loeffler and Warnock, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Atlanta resident Jason McClendon told Yahoo News that he found the constant phone calls and text messages from the campaigns really annoying. Its been quite the experience to not be able to watch any television shows without seeing four political ads, receiving five texts messages and two phone calls an hour, said McClendon, who declined to reveal who he voted for. I think its so unfortunate that so much national money is being brought into [this election]. With control of the U.S. Senate in the balance, high-ranking politicians from both parties traveled to campaign in the state, including Biden, Harris, Vice President Mike Pence and Trump. The biggest homegrown star may have been Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the race for governor in 2018 and told Yahoo News Tuesday that the runoff elections were just the beginning of a larger effort to register more minorities and young people and elect Democrats. She acknowledged it would not be easy. Georgia is a divided state, Abrams said. We are 50-50. My point is that the 50 percent that share Democratic values making sure certain people have access to health care, jobs and to justice their voices need to be heard. Cover photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Brandon Bell/Getty Images, Justin Sullivan/Getty Images _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Representative image | Source: Unsplash Yarn prices, mainly those of cotton yarn, have increased sharply in the last few weeks as inventories dried up and supplies have failed to match demand and spinning mills delayed resumption of their operations across the country. For example, yarn of 30s count quoted at Rs 175 a kg during the peak of novel Coronavirus pandemic but now quoting around Rs 250, said Anand Poppat, a Rajkot-based trader of raw cotton, yarn, and spinning waste. Yarn prices have gone up by 10 to 20 percent since spinning mills delayed resumption of operations after being closed for a long time. This led to a mismatch of demand and supply, said Dr K Selvaraju, Southern India Mill Association (SIMA) Secretary-General. SIMA is the apex body of textile mills in south India and accounts for nearly 70 percent of Indias total spindle capacity of 46 million. Poppat said there was a sudden rise in demand for yarn from the garment and cloth sectors resulting in the non-availability of stocks. Initially, prices rose to Rs 220-230 and then periodically by Rs 2 to Rs 5 a kg to current levels, he said. Selvaraju said that the supply-demand mismatch cropped up as garment and fabric manufacturers resumed production operations quicker than the spinning sector. So, all the yarn inventory with the spinning mills dried up. The other reason why yarn prices have increased is that prices of raw materials such as cotton and man-made fibres have also shot up, he said, agreeing that yarn prices had also dropped during the peak-COVID period. According to the SIMA Secretary-General, cotton prices have increased by 30 percent and viscose prices by 25-30 percent. Raw cotton (kapas) prices had dropped from levels of around Rs 4,500 a quintal to Rs 3,750 last year between March first week and April last week after the Union Government imposed a lockdown to contain the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Though the lockdown was eased since May, most of the industrial units began functioning only in September. Currently, raw cotton prices are quoted between Rs 5,250 and Rs 5,700 a quintal in Rajkot markets in Gujarat, the largest producer in India, against the minimum support price of Rs 5,515. In terms of ginned or processed cotton, which spinning mills use, prices are currently ruling at Rs 42,800 to Rs 43,200 for a candy (356 kg), up from around Rs 32,000 during the peak-COVID period. Globally, too, cotton (ginned) prices have recovered more than 50 percent since they slumped to 49 US cents a pound (Rs 28,325 a candy) in March-April. Cotton prices in New York ruled at 80.36 cents a pound (Rs 46,450 a candy) at closing on January 5. Tiruppur Exporters Association Executive Secretary S Sakthivel said the problem faced by garment producers in Tiruppur, which exports garments worth over Rs 25,000 crore annually, was that of yarn availability. Though yarn prices have increased by Rs 30-35 a kg, we are facing problems of supply. Mills are insisting on a cash payment which is adding to our inventory costs, he said. Garment makers in Tiruppur have urged the spinning mills and the Ministry of Textiles to ensure that there was no problem in supplying yarn. SIMAs Selvaraju said that the supply shortage problem was due to panic buying by fabric and garment manufacturers. There is no problem with day-to-day supply. We have ample cotton supplies to meet demand, he said. All the stakeholders in the industry held a meeting on December 25 and they resolved to work with perfect understanding. We told the stakeholders to avoid panic buying, the SIMA official said. Spinning mills are working only at 80-85 percent of their capacity since they are facing a shortage of workers. It will take time for the industry to utilise full capacity. Migrant workers have not returned yet. Even public sector units such as National Textile Corporation mills have not resumed operations, Selvaraju said. Attributing the shortage and consequent price rise to inventory building, the SIMA Secretary-General said that the situation would be under control in a months time. This problem will exist only for a month. Once the mills start running fully, all these issues will be solved, he said, adding that ample supplies of cotton will help them tide over the current situation. Indias had a record 107.50 lakh bales (of 170 kg) carryover stocks from last season (October 2019-September 2020). This season, too, the industry could be left with at least 96.5 lakh bales carryover stocks. This is on the back of cotton production being estimated at 356 lakh bales this season against 360 lakh bales last season. Exports are projected to be 54-60 lakh bales against 50 lakh bales last season and they are expected to provide some relief. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... RIMROCK, Ariz. Human remains have been found north of Rimrock in north-central Arizona and Yavapai County Sheriffs officials said Tuesday that they are trying to determine if its a missing person from California. They said a hiker reported finding the remains last Friday near Dry Beaver Creek in a small wash about 2 miles northwest of the McGuireville rest area. Sheriffs deputies said the human remains were in an advanced state of decay at the bottom of a sandy wash in thick brush. The remains were turned over to the county medical examiners office and investigative technicians collected clothing and any potential evidence likely associated with the body. Medical examiner investigators have indicated that a dental records check will be necessary to identify the remains. Sheriffs officials said detectives are aware of a missing person case out of West Covina, California in which the persons vehicle was found abandoned by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers on Sept. 23 at the McGuireville rest stop. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Murray Business Donates Ramp To Sheriff's Office By West Kentucky Star Staff CALLOWAY COUNTY - England Contracting recently donated time and materials to install a handicap accessibility ramp at the Calloway County Sheriff's Office.The Calloway County Sheriff's Office thanked Scott England and England Contracting for the donation, saying the addition of the ramp will help the public by providing increased accessibility.The ramped entrance is used by the sheriff's office for after-hours public access. Angry Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power. Follow along below for the latest news and analysis in our live blog. Latest updates from today: 3:55 a.m. President Donald Trump now says there will be an orderly transition on January 20th after Congress concluded the electoral vote count certifying President-elect Joe Bidens victory and after a day of violence when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump says in a statement tweeted by his social media director Dan Scavino, Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. He adds: I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, its only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again. Trumps account is currently locked by Twitter. Trump has spent the last two months refusing to concede the election and making baseless allegations of mass voter fraud that have been rejected by dozens of courts and Republican officials, including his former attorney general. Vice President Mike Pence presided over the formal session that ended early Thursday morning tallying the electoral college vote. -- Associated Press 3:41 a.m. Congress has formally validated Joe Bidens presidential election victory on a day that saw a time-honored ceremony become a nightmare of unprecedented political terror. The House and Senate certified the Democrats electoral college win early Thursday after a violent throng of pro-Trump rioters spent hours Wednesday running rampant through the Capitol. A woman was fatally shot, windows were bashed and the mob forced shaken lawmakers and aides to flee the building, shielded by Capitol Police. The rampage began shortly after President Donald Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud to thousands of rallying demonstrators hed invited to Washington. Many then surged to the Capitol after he incited them to go there as lawmakers debated the electoral votes. More than six hours after the violence erupted, lawmakers resumed their session. Thirteen Republican senators and dozens of GOP representatives had planned to force debate and votes on perhaps six different states votes. The assault on the Capitol made some Republicans squeamish about trying to overturn Bidens win, and challenges were lodged only against Arizona and Pennsylvania. Both efforts lost overwhelmingly. Biden defeated Trump by 306-232 electoral votes and will be inaugurated Jan. 20. -- Associated Press 2:25 a.m. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is defending his objection to the Electoral College results as the right thing to do. The Texas senator condemned the violence that erupted as supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an extraordinary attack over the election outcome. Cruz led the first challenge to Joe Bidens defeat of President Donald Trump by objecting to Arizonas results. He sought to have Congress launch a commission to investigate the election. His effort was roundly defeated in the House and Senate. Cruz said he was confident the country will have a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Biden is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20. -- Associated Press 2 a.m. The House has joined the Senate in turning aside Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral vote for President-elect Joe Biden. Lawmakers in the House voted 282-138 against the objection as the counting of Electoral College votes continued into the early hours of Thursday morning. The Senate shut down the same objection 92-7 just after midnight, and unlike the House, declined to debate before voting. After a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it was the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. -- Associated Press 1:20 a.m. A small group of House lawmakers came close to physically fighting early Thursday morning as the congressional count of electoral votes stretched into the wee hours and a Pennsylvania Democrat charged that Republicans had been telling lies about his states votes. Rep. Morgan Griffiths, R-Va., objected after Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., said a breach of the Capitol by an angry mob earlier in the day was inspired by lies, the same lies you are hearing in this room tonight. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shot down the objection, but a few minutes later Republicans and Democrats streamed to the middle aisle, with around a dozen lawmakers getting close to each other and arguing. But the group quickly broke up when Pelosi called for order on the floor. President Donald Trump has falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in Pennsylvania and other states and Republicans have echoed those claims as they have challenged electoral votes. -- Associated Press 11:40 a.m. The Senate has quickly knocked down Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight Thursday morning to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. In a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it was the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he believed no other states votes would be challenged. That means Congress formal certification of Bidens victory could finish quickly once the House votes on the Pennsylvania challenge. The Senate rejected the effort to cancel Pennsylvanias votes without any debate. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. -- Associated Press 11:15 p.m. Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri have objected to the counting of Pennsylvanias electoral votes, triggering up to two hours of debate in the House and Senate. The objections come 11 hours after the congressional count to confirm Democrat Joe Bidens presidential victory began, and after lawmakers had to evacuate both chambers for several hours to escape a mob that had violently breached the Capitol. Hawley said last week that he would object to Pennsylvanias electoral votes, saying Congress should investigate voter fraud. President Donald Trump has falsely said since his defeat that there was widespread fraud in the election. Biden won Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes. Since the Nov. 3 election, Trump and his allies filed at least a half-dozen lawsuits challenging Bidens win on various grounds, including that many or all of the states mail-in ballots were illegal. The lawsuits failed as judge after judge found no violation of state law or constitutional rights, or no grounds to grant an immediate halt to certifying the election. -- Associated Press 10:25 p.m. The U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in rejecting an attempt to overturn Joe Biden's win in Arizona with a vote of 303 to 121. 10:15 p.m. D.C. Police said four people died as Trump supporters occupied the U.S. Capitol, including the woman shot by police and three people in medical emergencies, the Associated Press reports. 10 p.m. Rev. Albert Mohler, the longtime president of the Southern Baptist Conventions flagship seminary in Louisville, Ky., spoke to the Chronicle's Robert Downen on Wednesday evening about the violence and chaos that broke out in the nations Capitol earlier in the day. His decision late last year to support Trumps re-election set off a firestorm as the SBC, the second-nations largest faith group, continued to grapple with race issues and, before that, its longstanding relationship with conservative politicians. Since then, Mohler has spoken out against Trump several times, namely as the outgoing president continued his false claims of widespread voter fraud. Read more. 9:21 p.m. Police have arrested 30 people for violating a curfew imposed in Washington, D.C., the Associated Press reports. They were arrested Wednesday evening after being found on the streets after the 6 p.m., officials said. The curfew had been imposed after scores of supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the Capitol, halting the constitutional process of voting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens win. They were later forcibly removed from the Capitol. 9:09 p.m. The U.S. Senate voted against the objection to Arizona's electoral vote, with 6 "yea" votes and 93 "nay." 9:04 p.m. A West Virginia lawmaker took video of himself and other supporters of President Donald Trump rushing into the U.S. Capitol after they breached the security perimeter, the Associated Press reports. In the video by Republican Del. Derrick Evans, later deleted from his social media page, he is shown wearing a helmet and clamoring at the door to breach the building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Were in! Keep it moving, baby! he said in a packed doorway amid Trump followers holding flags and complaining of being pepper sprayed. Once inside, Evans could be seen on video milling around the Capitol Rotunda, where historical paintings depict the republics founding, and yelled, No vandalizing! 8:58 p.m. Shortly before a group of President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, disrupting a congressional debate on the 2020 Electoral College results, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawleys campaign sent a fundraising email promoting his planned objection to Pennsylvanias votes, the Kansas City Star reports. Hawley, a first-term Republican and potential candidate for president in 2024, was the first senator to announce his plan to object to the electors of one of the states won by President-elect Joe Biden. His move last week spurred more Republicans to join the effort, even though Biden won 51% of the popular vote and 306 electoral votes, above the required threshold of 270. 8:41 p.m. Several of President Donald Trump's top aides -- including national security adviser Robert O'Brien -- are considering resigning in the wake of his response to a pro-Trump mob breaching the US Capitol, multiple sources familiar with their thinking told CNN. O'Brien, deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger and deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell are all considering resigning, according to the sources. Pottinger's resignation appears to be imminent, while others could sleep on it. 8:30 p.m. U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-UT, called on Congress to affirm the legitimacy of the presidential election. "No congressional audit is ever going to convince these voters, particularly when the president continues to say this election was stolen," Romney said. "The best way we can show respect to the voters who support him is by telling them the truth." 8:20 p.m. CNN reports that a growing number of Republican leaders believe Donald Trump should be removed from office before January 20. Four of them called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, and two others said the President should be impeached, the network reported. 8:14 p.m. Facebook will block posts from President Donald Trump's page for 24 hours because of two policy violations, the company announced. 8:12 p.m. Ryan Patrick, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, declared the violence the Capitol "despicable and illegal." "Storming a government building is not a protest, its anarchy," he said in a statement. "Arrest them, charge them, and incarcerate them. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg also decried the "treasonous actions by domestic terrorists" at the Capitol. She called the riots "sedition." "We cant have a double standard in the way the law is applied; everyone who committed violence today should held accountable," she said. 7:48 p.m. Recently defeated Sen. Kelly Loeffler says she intended to object to the electoral votes when she arrived this morning, but "the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors," reports Daniel Dale of CNN. "Too many Americans are frustrated (with) what they see as an unfair system," she said, per Dale. "Nevertheless, there is no excuse for the events that took place in these chambers today, and I pray that America never suffers such a dark day again." 7:46 p.m. At least 15 people were arrested today in D.C., including at least one person from Texas, according to NBC News. Multiple people were charged with assault and four people were accused of possession of a gun and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The people arrested were also from Colorado, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina. 7:39 p.m. Former President Barack Obama says history will rightly remember the violence at the Capitol as a moment of great dishonor and shame for the nation, the Associated Press reports. Obama say the violence was incited by a sitting president who baselessly lied about the outcome of the presidential election. He has convinced his supporters that he lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden only because Democrats cheated, a false claim. - Associated Press 7:14 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence and other lawmakers issued brief remarks Wednesday as they reconvened to count Electoral College votes. "May God bless the lost, the injured and the heroes forged on this day," Pence said. "May God bless all those who serve here and those who protect this place. And may God bless the United States of America. Let's get back to work." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also spoke: "We will certify the winner of the 2020 presidential election. Criminal behavior will never dominate the United States Congress." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said: "This will be a stain on our country not so easily washed away, the final, terrible, indelible legacy of the 45th president of the United States, undoubtedly the worst." 6:57 p.m. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney is blaming President Donald Trump for inciting a violent insurrection at the Capitol, the New York Times reports. Romney, the GOPs 2012 presidential nominee and a frequent critic of Trumps, said the violent breach of the Capitol on Wednesday was due to a selfish mans injured pride and the outrage of his supporters whom he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months." The Utah senator said those who continue to support Trumps dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy." 6:50 p.m. Ted Cruz and other Republicans -- including 10 other senators and a dozen congressman from Texas who supported Cruzs effort to cast doubt on the presidential election are facing backlash for escalating the post-election strife that preceded Wednesdays eruption at the Capitol, Benjamin Wermund writes. This is what youve gotten, guys, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, yelled as the mayhem unfolded in the Senate chamber, the New York Times reported. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, tweeted that Cruz should resign from the United States Senate immediately. Texans should hold Sen. Ted Cruz accountable for this fiasco, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. 6:34 p.m. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia was yanked out of a Capitol bathroom by security and hurried into the House chamber just before it locked down as a mob of President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the building on Wednesday, Benjamin Wermund writes. They literally pulled me out of the bathroom and shoved me to the floor and said, Were locking everyone in, you have to stay on the floor, the Houston Democrat said. Garcia said police then told those in the House there was tear gas in the Capitol and to get out their gas masks. Read more. 6:22 p.m. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said via Twitter that the riot at the Capitol "appears to be a failure of planning & operational execution." "We must examine what went wrong & seek lessons on how to prevent a recurrence of this unprecedented day. (Major Cities Chiefs Association) will work closely with our partners to this end." 6:11 p.m. Twitter has removed three of President Donald Trump's tweets "as a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C." The tweeted contained "repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy," according to the company. Additionally, Trump's account will be locked for 12 hours. If the tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked, the company said. 6:01 p.m. U.S. Rep Michael McCaul, who represents Texas Congressional District 10, which includes portions of west Harris County, spoke to the Houston Chronicle from inside his barricaded office in the Capitol. He recounted his ordeal and lamented the attack upon both the Capitol building and American democracy. Its disgraceful, McCaul said. One of our finest institutions, and really the building that represents our democracy, is under attack. McCaul recalled the events leading up to the riot -- which he compared to the British invasion of 1812 -- and described the events. Before the turmoil began, the tension was high outside the Capitol, he recalled. Id seen this group gathering in the morning, and I was very worried that something like this was going to happen because you have a lot of hostile people outside the Capitol," he said. - Catherine Dominguez 5:37 p.m. Local legislative leaders were quiet on the events unfolding at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday as angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the capitol in a chaotic protest to stop the transfer of power from president-elect Joe Biden, forcing lawmakers to evacuate the building. U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, made a single comment on Twitter around 3:30 p.m. after speaking with protesters at the National Mall and taking a stand against the violence. They are protesting peacefully on the Natl Mall & supporting law enforcement while making their voices known, he tweeted. THATs how you do it in America. The violence must end. - Catherine Dominguez 5:35 p.m. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers will proceed with counting Electoral College votes when pro-Trump rioters leave the Capitol, according to a statement. "We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night. The night may still be long but we are hopeful for a shorter agenda, but our purpose will be accomplished," she said. 5:33 p.m. Washington State Patrol said it is responding to "protestors who have entered the grounds of the Governors Mansion," according to NBC News. "The Governor and his family are in a safe location," the agency said. 5:26 p.m. The sergeant-at-arms at the U.S. Capitol announced that the building has been secured around 4:40 p.m ., though it remained unclear when lawmakers would be able to return, the New York Times reported. A 6 p.m. curfew is currently in place in Washington D.C. 5:24 p.m. As the unprecedented riots unfolded at the U.S. Capitol, the nation's television stations all tuned in to the mass chaos and violence. And millions of Americans working and learning at home during the pandemic pivoted their attention to the scene. Children included. Parents "should strive to protect their children from viewing the chaos," the Baylor College of Medicine recommended in a news release sent out Wednesday afternoon, as elected officials took to Twitter to condemn the mob's actions. And Dr. Laurel Williams, associate professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, offered up specific tips here. - Maggie Gordon 5:16 p.m. Former President George W. Bush issued a statement condemning the violence caused by pro-Trump rioters at the Capitol. "Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nations government in disbelief and dismay ... This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic not our democratic republic." He continued: "I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement." 5:08 p.m. Of the ongoing riots at the U.S. Capitol, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said: "The travesty at the Capitol today was despicable violence against officials trying to do their duty. This is homegrown terrorism." 4:58 p.m. At least 13 people were arrested amid the siege of the US Capitol by Pro-Trump rioters, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee said Wednesday, according to CNN. We were looking at just above, just above 13 arrests, I should add very important note here that none of the arrest that occurred, were of DC residents, all the individuals who were arrested. All were from out of, out of the area, he said. 4:54 p.m. The woman shot earlier Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol has died, officials told the Associated Press. Further details about the shooting, which occurred during ongoing riots, have not been released. 4:47 p.m. The Texas GOP said it removed Sergeant at Arms Walter West over his Facebook post apparently endorsing the ongoing violence at the U.S. Capitol. "The Republican Party of Texas in now way endorses Walter West's statement about the lawlessness occurring at the Capitol building," the party announced. The statement went on to condemn the riots. "The Texas GOP has always been on the side of law and order and will remain so." 4:40 p.m. A photo taken by Reuters captured "an explosion caused by a police munition" where supporters of President Donald Trump rioted in front of the U.S. Capitol building. 4:27 p.m. Former Fort Bend County Sheriff and newly elected U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said he was "trying to negotiate with protesters" while standing in the barricaded House floor at the U.S. Capitol, he said in a text to the Houston Chronicle. He was pictured wearing a blue shirt, standing with Capitol police, while rioters peered into the chamber. "What Im witnessing is a disgrace. Were better than this. Violence is NEVER the answer," he said in a tweet. - Nicole Hensley 4:18 p.m. The Texas Department of Public Safety on Wednesday closed the state Capitol and surrounding grounds "out of an abundance of caution" after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, the Texas Tribune reported. The Capitol and Capitol Complex are closed to the public effective immediately, the agency said in a statement attributed to Freeman Martin, the agencys deputy director of homeland security operations. 4:13 p.m. Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller said he has fully activated the D.C. National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement "as they work to peacefully address the situation," he said. "We are prepared to provide additional support as necessary and appropriate as requested by local authorities," he said. "Our people are sworn to defend the constitution and our democratic form of government and they will act accordingly." 4:05 p.m. U.S. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, issued a statement Wednesday saying he will not object to the electors submitted by the states in the presidential election. I took an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Article II of the Constitution expressly grants States the authority to establish the procedures for selecting their presidential electors not Congress. Under the 12th Amendment, the constitutional role of Congress is to count the votes as cast by those State electors," he said. If Congress chooses to ignore or second-guess the electoral votes cast by the States, it will set a dangerous precedent that could call into question the very institution of our democracy. Therefore, I will not object to the certified slates of electors submitted by the States. 4 p.m. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also chimed on the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. "The situation at our nation's #CapitolBuilding is unacceptable and order must be restored," he said in a tweet. "We have no reports of disorder here in Harris County and we will continue monitoring the situational locally." 3:57 p.m.At least one explosive device was found near the U.S. Capitol amid the ongoing unrest. Law enforcement officials said the device was no longer a threat Wednesday afternoon. That's according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. - Associated Press 3:49 p.m. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, told Tony Plohetski of the Austin-American Statesman that he is still barricaded in his office. He described a "coup-like" scene in which mob was "storming through the Capitol like they own it," Plohetski reported. "We need to end this charade," he said of Trump's rhetoric about the election. 3:46 p.m. One woman is in critical condition after being shot on the Capitol grounds, CNN reported. Details of the shooting are still unknown. 3:43 p.m. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke on the riots at the U.S. Capitol. "DC: where is the law and order with these protesters? And what about the US Constitution? It doesnt mean anything to these protesters? And Texans should whole (sic) Sen. Ted Cruz accountable for this fiasco." Julian and Joaquin Castro also called for Cruz's resignation Wednesday. 3:35 p.m. Twitter prevented users from liking, replying or reposting a video of President Trump telling his of supporters in the Capitol that he loved them and to go home because he also included a bogus election fraud claim. "This claim of election fraud is disputed, and this Tweet cant be replied to, Retweeted, or liked due to a risk of violence," Twitter officials wrote in a statement stamped underneath Trump's tweet. 3:33 p.m. U.S. Rep Ronny Jackson, a former physician to the president who represents Texas' 22nd Congressional District, said via Twitter that he was out "fighting for trump an for our election integrity" while a pro-Trump mob rioted at U.S. Capitol. "American Patriots have your BACK Mr. President! We will FIGHT for YOU and we will fight for OUR country!!" he said. 3:22 p.m. In a Twitter announcement, President Trump told rioters to "go home" but re-iterated his unfounded claims about election fraud. "We had an election that was taken from us," he said. "It was a landslide election .. but you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to respect law and order." He added: "Go home. We love you. You're very special" 3:15 p.m. An explosive device was found at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington and the nearby headquarters of the Democratic National Committee was evacuated after the discovery of a suspicious package on Wednesday, three people briefed on the discoveries told the New York Times. The device that was found at the R.N.C. was a pipe bomb that was successfully destroyed by a bomb squad, according to an official for the R.N.C. The package at the D.N.C. has yet to be identified, according to a top Democrat briefed on the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly about it. 3:13 p.m. Texas Senator Ted Cruz denounced the ongoing riots at the U.S. Capitol. "Violence is always unacceptable. Even when passions run high," he said in a tweet. "Anyone engaged in violenceespecially against law enforcementshould be fully prosecuted." "God bless the Capitol Police and the honorable men & women of law enforcement who show great courage keeping all of us safe." 3:10 p.m. President-elect Joe Biden urged President Trump to "fulfill his oath and defend the constitution" by demanding an end on national television to "the siege" on the U.S. Capitol. Biden, calling the people who broke into the Capitol a "small number of extremists," said the nation's democracy was under an unprecedented assault. "The words of a president matter, no matter how good or bad that president is. At their best the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite," Biden said in a televised address at about 3 p.m. "It's not a protest, it's insurrection. The world's watching. Like so many other Americans, I am genuinely shocked and sad that our nation, so long a beacon of light and hope for democracy, has come to such a dark moment." - Alejandro Serrano 3:07 p.m. Former Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls, elected last year to serve Texas 22nd Congressional District, announced that he stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Capital police barricading the entrance to the House Chamber in Washington D.C.. "I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Capitol police barricading entrance to our sacred House chamber, while trying to calm the situation talking to protestors," he said. "What Im witnessing is a disgrace. Were better than this. Violence is NEVER the answer. Law and order!" Blue Prism seeks to drive business value and accelerate growth through new Blue Prism Ventures Unit LONDON and AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to accelerate growth and innovation, and capitalize on market opportunity, Blue Prism (AIM:PRSM) today announced the launch of a new function within the business; Blue Prism Ventures. This new function will offer potential venture partners the opportunity to explore collaborations, redefine their approach to intelligent automation strategy, and support the creation, enablement and execution of new ventures. Blue Prism Ventures will launch its first location in South Korea under the name "Blue Prism Korea", a joint venture between Blue Prism and GTPlus Ltd. Blue Prism Ventures will enable clients to scale their use of Blue Prism's robotic process automation (RPA) technology while allowing Blue Prism to accelerate growth, continue expanding into core markets and innovate within its product portfolio. The goal is to create new opportunities for corporate development going forward, enabling companies within the enterprise to build and test new business plans, taking advantage of market opportunity around the world. "Blue Prism Ventures will help new and existing Blue Prism customers strategically determine the best steps forward in their RPA journey and create a scalable and sustainable pipeline to support their automation vision," says Terry Walby, CEO of Blue Prism Ventures. "The South Korean marketplace is the ideal location to begin this journey - we hope this will be the first of many joint ventures that will allow Blue Prism to explore and deliver collaborations across not just the APAC region but the entire globe." Blue Prism signed a deal with successful, Korean-led technology firm GTPlus Ltd. to incorporate Blue Prism Korea in November 2020. This new venture will mark Blue Prism's first location in Korea, establishing essential ties with local customers and partners. Blue Prism Korea has plans to scale rapidly, and local teams have already started the process of building out regional sales, service and support capabilities. This will be the first of many Blue Prism Venture projects bringing opportunities for corporate development and collaboration across the globe. "We're looking forward to building and scaling Blue Prism Korea" says Doug Ahn, CEO at GTPlus Ltd. "Intelligent automation is a major area of focus for our business and through this joint venture, we'll be able to capitalize quickly and effectively on this market opportunity and add real value for our customers." Learn more about Blue Prism Ventures. Notes to editors: About Blue Prism Blue Prism is the global leader in intelligent automation for the enterprise, transforming the way work is done. At Blue Prism, we have users in over 170 countries in more than 2,000 businesses, including Fortune 500 and public sector organizations, that are creating value with new ways of working, unlocking efficiencies, and returning millions of hours of work back into their businesses. Our digital workforce is smart, secure, scalable and accessible to all; freeing up humans to re-imagine work. Blue Prism's vision is to provide a digital workforce for every enterprise. To learn more visit www.blueprism.com and follow us on Twitter @blue_prism and on LinkedIn. About GTPlus Ltd. GTPlus experts have accumulated vast experience in understanding customers' IT challenges and offering right remedies with advanced technologies. Recognized as partner of the year from Oracle Corp. multiple times, GTPlus provides infrastructure system consulting and technical assistance for both on-premise and multi-cloud platforms. Serving 2000+ enterprise customers over a decade, GTPlus offerings range from excellent cloud solutions to modern BI consulting to intelligent automation advisory. 2020 Blue Prism Limited. "Blue Prism", the "Blue Prism" logo and Prism device are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Blue Prism Limited and its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/663826/Blue_Prism_Logo.jpg Advertisement New Zealand Dollar Forecast Overview: The New Zealand Dollar remains on strong footing as trading in the new year gets under way. NZD/JPY rates are breached their 2020 high, while NZD/USD rates are not far behind. New year, old story: the New Zealand Dollar has benefited as the Asia-Pacific region has weathered the pandemic better than the West, and moreover, coronavirus vaccine approval and deployment has begun among some of New Zealands largest trading partners. The New Zealand Dollar has a bearish bias, according to the IG Client Sentiment Index . New Zealand Dollar Picks Up Where it Left Off The New Zealand Dollar is starting 2021 where it ended 2020: on a high note. While it may be a new year, the same old story remains true for the flying Kiwi: the New Zealand Dollar has benefited as the Asia-Pacific region has weathered the pandemic better than the West, and moreover, coronavirus vaccine approval and deployment has begun among some of New Zealands largest trading partners. That other developed economies are staring at fresh lockdowns while New Zealand remains free of COVID-19 is a glaring example of why the Kiwi has been a magnet for speculators in recent months: when global growth returns, there may be no economy better suited in the developed world to pick up where it left off. As such, the New Zealand Dollar remains on strong footing as trading in the new year gets under way. NZD/JPY rates are breached their 2020 high, while NZD/USD rates are not far behind. NZD/JPY RATE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: DAILY CHART (January2020 to January 2021) (CHART 1) Longer-term, were bullish on NZD/JPY rates as a major bottoming process appears to have just recently started following the early-November breakout from the descending trendline from the January 2014, July 2017, December 2018, and August 2020 highs. If a long-term bottom is being established, then were looking at a long-term timeframe of buying the dips in NZD/JPY rates through at least early-2021. On a short-term term view, NZD/JPY rates are still above the daily 5-, 8-, 13-, and 21-EMA, which is still in bullish sequential order. Similarly, daily MACD is now rising anew in bullish territory, while daily Slow Stochastics have returned back into overbought territory. While a fresh high relative to 2020 has not yet been established, NZD/JPY rates are on the precipice of their next leg higher should 74.63 be breached in the coming sessions. NZD/USD RATE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: DAILY CHART (January2020 to January 2021) (CHART 2) NZD/USD rates have been able to rally to fresh highs relative to 2020, continuing to hold above their daily 5-, 8-, 13-, and 21-EMA (which is still in bullish sequential order). Its noteworthy that the pair recently found support at 0.7153, the 50% retracement of the 2014 high to 2020 low range; former resistance has become support, a sign of a longer-term market turn higher. Daily MACD is trending higher in bullish territory while daily Slow Stochastics are nestled in overbought territory. With favorable monthly seasonality at their back, NZD/USD rates likely have more upside ahead. IG Client Sentiment Index: NZD/USD RATE Forecast (January 5, 2021) (Chart 2) NZD/USD: Retail trader data shows 29.74% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 2.36 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 1.84% higher than yesterday and 13.92% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 1.56% higher than yesterday and 11.22% lower from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests NZD/USD prices may continue to rise. Yet traders are less net-short than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current NZD/USD price trend may soon reverse lower despite the fact traders remain net-short. --- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Currency Strategist Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Global Dental Carpule Information, by material (glass, plastic, metal and others), by end users (Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Home care and others) Forecast to 2023 Dental carpule is a type of cartridge containing liquid medicine to be inserted using a syringe. Carpules are either made of glass or plastics and can control the drug delivery which makes the process less painful. Carpules are majorly used in anesthesia deliverance and other processes in the dentistry. Prefilled dental carpules can lessen the pain of local anesthetic injection, necessary in several dental procedures. Augmenting demand for painless dental procedures is driving the market growth of Dental carpules over the past few years. Increasing prevalence of periodontal diseases is the major driving force pushing up the market growth. Furthermore, the increasing occurrences of needle-stick injuries are escalating the market on the global platform. Acknowledging the increasing market size of the market, Market Research Future (MRFR) in its recently published study report asserts that the global Dental carpule market will garner USD 20 MN by 2023, registering approximately 4.9% CAGR during the review period (2017 2023). In 2016 the market had valued at USD 11 MN. To Get Free Sample Report visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/721 Spreading awareness among patients about the importance of safe administration of injectable drugs required in any dental procedure acts as a tailwind accelerating the market growth. Additionally, factors such as the growing population, geriatric populace, and urbanization, are fostering the market growth. Improving economic conditions across the globe enable access to the quality life, improving the healthcare, are providing impetus to the market growth. Seminal efforts and investments by the market players to develop innovative carpules are paying off well, driving the market growth. Additional factors positively impacting the market growth include technological advancements, improving outcomes and patients experience, beneficial reimbursement policies, and increasing awareness towards healthcare. Key Players for Global Dental Carpule Market Market Research Future (MRFR) recognizes the following companies as the key players in Dental Carpule Market: There are plenty of large and small market players which operate in this market all over the globe. GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Gilead, Sanofi Genzyme, Merck, Roche, Pfizer and Segments -Dental Carpule Market MRFR has segmented its analysis into three key dynamics for an easy grasp; By Materials: Glass, Plastic, and Metal among others. By End-users: Hospitals, Dental Clinics, and Homecare among others. By Regions: North America, Europe, APAC and Rest-of-the-World. Regional Analysis Dental Carpule Market By region, the global dental carpule market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and, the Middle East and Africa. North America is the largest market for dental carpule globally. The region is likely to retain its dominance in the foreseeable future growing at 3.1% CAGR. The market has entered a maturity phase and is estimated to reach a valuation of USD 9.2 Mn through the projection period. Increasing awareness about the importance of safe administration of anesthetics in dental procedures is the driving factor of growth in North America dental carpule market. Other factors favoring the expansion of the market are the rapid development of dental industries, technological advancements, product innovations, etc. Europe accounts for the second largest share in the dental carpule market. The dental health care in Europe is much more affordable than in any other regions, which is expected to catalyze revenue generation for market participants across the review period. Dental carpule market in Europe is estimated to thrive at 2.7% CAGR and reach a valuation of USD 3.1 Mn by 2023. Another factor complementing the market growth and expansion in the region is the increasing demand for dental cosmetics and oral health. Asia Pacific is an emerging market for dental carpule which is primarily attributable to the presence of fast-developing economies such as India, China, etc. The developments in the dental healthcare sector witnessed in recent times are likely to encourage market proliferation throughout the assessment period. The Middle East & Africa will exhibit sluggish growth during the forecast period. To Browse Complete Report visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dental-carpule-market-721 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Queen Letizia of Spain looked pristine today in a monochrome ensemble as she joined her husband King Felipe VI for a military parade at the Royal Palace. The royal mother-of-two, 48, showcased her fashion prowess in a long black skirt which she paired with a cream blouse with statement black buttons down the sleeves. It is tradition that the attending Queen wears a long dress and Letizia didn't veer from the dress code with her outfit. The couple donned white face masks as they chaired the so-called 'Pascua Militar', a military celebration of Epiphany Day, at the residence in Madrid. Queen Letizia of Spain, 48, looked pristine today in a monochrome ensemble as she joined her husband King Felipe VI, 52, for a military parade at the Royal Palace The celebration is held every year on Epiphany Day since the 18th century to celebrate the reconquest of Menorca from the British Empire back in 1782. The parade, which was combined with a reception at the Palacio Real, was held to mark Epiphany - a national holiday in Spain. Considered almost as important as Christmas Day itself, Epiphany marks the moment when baby Jesus, at just a few days old, was seen for the first time by the Magi or Three Kings. Known in Spain as El Dia de los Reyes (Day of the Kings), it is celebrated with presents and colourful parades, the oldest of which takes place in Valencia. The mother-of-two opted to wear an all black outfit for the occasion, matching a floor length skirt with an elegant cape Meanwhile King Felipe appeared to be in full military attire for the celebration, which takes place annually in Madrid The biggest and most important, however, is Madrid's - thanks in no small part to the presence of a real king at the procession. Letizia looked typically chic in a her black and white outfit, donning a dark cape for the ceremony itself which she removed once inside. The mother-of-two wore her dark locks down, and accessorised with a pair of pearl earrings to add a touch of glamour to her outfit. She kept her makeup minimal, adding a touch of bronzer and a few layers of mascara. The mother-of-two wore a white face covering throughout the indoor and outdoor parts of the event in Madrid today Queen Letizia wrapped up warm in an elegant black cape as she strode through the grounds of the Royal Palace for the celebration It marks the first public event for the Spanish royal couple in 2021 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The end of last year was a busy period for Queen Letizia, who visited Honduras at the start of December to deliver humanitarian aid to a shelter in the Sula Valley, which was devastated by hurricanes. She visited the country as part of a two-day trip to express Spains solidarity with the Honduran people. Letizia married King Felipe 16 years ago at Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. The mother-of-two donned a pair of sky high black leather high heels for the occasion which she matched with a black leather clutch bag Queen Letizia stood alongside her husband King Felipe, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Spanish Minister of Defence Margarita Robles The relationship began in November 2002 and in 2003, just months after she had been promoted to the position of anchor on the national news channel. She then quit her job and days later the royal engagement was announced. The former newsreader is the granddaughter of a taxi driver and the eldest daughter of Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez, a journalist, and first wife Maria de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodriguez, a nurse and hospital union representative. The royal couple stood side-by-side during the military celebration, which happens annually at the palace The royal couple marked the occasion of Epiphany Day with the full celebration at the Royal Palace in Madrid She attended public high school and did a degree at the Complutense University of Madrid. She later gained an MA in Audiovisual Journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism. King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, now King Felipe VI. Once inside, Queen Letizia removed her dark cape, revealing a light white blouse with ruffle and black button detailing The Pascua Militar is held every year on Epiphany Day since the 18th century to celebrate the reconquest of Menorca from the British Empire back in 1782 A new US Democratic congresswoman is criticizing Israel for its vaccination policy toward Palestinians. Illinois Rep. Marie Newman said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should ensure that everyone in both Israel and the Palestinian territories are vaccinated for COVID-19. This virus does not see or care about nationality, borders, or religion its devastating impact is everywhere, Newman said on Twitter. The Netanyahu administration has a moral and humanitarian obligation to ensure that both Israelis & Palestinians have access to vaccines. Newman was elected to the House of Representatives on Nov. 3 and took office Sunday. She is a member of the progressive wing of the party that is relatively critical of Israel. The freshman representative shared an article from the British news outlet The Guardian on Israels vaccination policy alongside her comments. Israel is currently giving coronavirus vaccines to Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Palestinians in the West Bank and in Gaza are not receiving the vaccine from Israeli authorities at present. Israel occupies the West Bank, which has a majority Palestinian population. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis also live in settlements throughout the territory. Parts of the West Bank are administered by Israel, including these settlements. Other areas are under Palestinian Authority administration. The Palestinian group Hamas controls Gaza internally. Palestinians in the territories may soon receive vaccines from Israel. A Palestinian Authority official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that the semi-autonomous government is currently working on obtaining vaccines from Israel. The State of Palestine, as the authority refers to itself, is also discussing obtaining vaccines from other entities. The first batch is expected in early February, according to the news outlet. Israel is currently leading the world in the number of vaccines per capita given to its residents. Others have also criticized the fact that Palestinians in the territories have yet to receive vaccines while people living in Israel proper have. Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti described this Tuesday as medical apartheid to the US left-wing news outlet Democracy Now! Some Palestinians have received vaccines. Arabic-speaking residents of East Jerusalem, who mostly identify as Palestinian, have begun being vaccinated. Newman added that the United States should work for rolling out vaccines equitably across the world not only in Israel. Whether we're talking about our own communities, the United States, or nations across the globe, we must do everything in our power to ensure vaccines are not only distributed rapidly but also equitably, she said. The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday announced the formation of a committee to look into the demands of inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution. The decision was taken in a meeting held between the Ladakhi delegation and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The committee will be headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy and will include representatives from the MHA, MPs of Ladakh, chairman of autonomous council of Ladakh and Kargil and certain members, who will be nominated by the apex body of People's Movement for 6th schedule. As per the delegation, which met the home minister today, the mandate of the committee will be a "constitutional safeguard for Ladakh on demography, ethnicity, language, culture, environment and job reservations." The committee's recommendations are expected in the next two months. Thupstan Chhewang, former MP and leader of the delegation expressed hopes of positive recommendations from the committee. "The home minister has been very positive right from the beginning and today's meeting, the manner in which he conducted, we have no reason to believe that he will not ensure full protection. We are expecting full constitutional protection for Ladakh," he said. The 10-member delegation had former MPs Thiksay Rinpoche and Thupstan Chhewang, former BJP minister Chering Dorjay, Leh chief executive councillor Tashi Gyalson and sitting BJP MP and Ladakh unit president Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. A year after getting the status of union territory, there has been a growing demand in Ladakh for constitutional safeguards to preserve the unique culture and identity of the region. The demand gained momentum with the holding of election to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, which incidentally was the first democratic exercise in the union territory after being carved out of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kahmir in August 2019. Lt Governor R K Mathur has time and again assured the people about protection of culture, land, environment and jobs. A shadow of uncertainty hung over the LAHDC-Leh polls when an amalgam of various political, religious and social organizations assembled under the banner of Peoples Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh (PMSSL) in September and announced a boycott of the elections to press for its various demands including extending the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. However, a timely intervention by Union Home Minister Amit Shah led to the withdrawal of the boycott call and successful conclusion of the elections in October. The BJP won clear majority in the polls, securing 15 out of 26 seats leaving Congress at second spot with nine seats. After the initial round of talks with the home minister in Delhi in September before withdrawing the boycott call, PMSSL headed by former Ladakh MP Thupstan Chhewang stepped up its activities back in the union territory and reached out to the leadership in Kargil to garner their support for the demand. Viewed as a significant development, the apex-body of PMSSL and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leadership decided to fight together any law which would be considered against the interests of the people of the union territory. The decision was taken at a joint meeting on December 2, a first of its kind between the representatives of the two bodies. The people in Leh have been demanding inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard their culture and identity, the KDA had opposed the union territory status to the region and has raised the demand for statehood for Ladakh. In an interactive session organized by PMSSL in Leh on Tuesday, Chhewang said they will approach KDA to join their delegation to meet the home minister on January 5. Both Dr. Dre and Kanye West are trending for facing simultaneous personal hardships. Dre is hospitalized with a brain aneurysm and West is seemingly headed for divorce from wife Kim Kardashian. Kanye West, Steve Stoute and Dr. Dre | Johnny Nunez/Getty Images West and Dre have both amassed a significant fortune, which can certainly provide a financial liferaft during tough times, but which artist is richer? Stacked back to back from the 2019 Forbes list, West was behind Dre. Forbes listed West as having a net worth of $240 million in early 2019. Meanwhile, Forbes put Dre at $800 million. However, Forbes updated its listing on West in 2020. The financial news source stated West was actually at $1.3 billion, which he pointed out was $300,000 more than (soon to be) former sister-in-law Kylie Jenner. How did Dr. Dre make his money? Dre is an icon in the world of rap and hip hop, rising to fame in the 1980s as part of the groundbreaking group N.W.A. He quickly moved on to producing, launching Death Row Records in 1992. Then he created Aftermath records in 1996. Dres net worth rose to $800 million after he sold his Beats by Dre to Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, The Sun reports. While Dres labels were a significant source of wealth, he was also instrumental in launching the careers of heavy hitters like Eminem and 50 Cent. Ye and Dre Jesus is King Part II Coming Soon pic.twitter.com/Isr0TrijB8 Dr. Dre (@drdre) November 18, 2019 RELATED: Theres a Lot of Drama Surrounding Dr. Dres Divorce Prenup The mogul is also a smart investor, owning properties valuing $80 million. This includes a sprawling Brentwood mansion he paid $40 million, plus a $12.5 beach home in Malibu. Dre recently made headlines when he was hospitalized with a brain aneurysm. He shared he is recovering and thanked fans for well wishes. Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes, he posted on Instagram on Jan.6, 2021. Im doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals at Cedars. One Love!! Kanye West has multiple brands and partnerships which fuels his net worth West burst onto the hip hop scene in the mid-90s, quickly gaining popularity and drawing attention through his music, but also his antics. And while he planted the seeds of his fortune through music, becoming a fashion entrepreneur is what jolted him to billionaire status. The streetwear brand, Yeezy was valued at $3 billion in 2019, Business Insider reports. Yeezys marketing strategies proved to be genius as he creates a groundswell around product launches and partners the launch with a limited supply. Kim Kardashian has also helped her soon to be ex-husband with branding and marketing as she has appeared in Yeezy campaigns. Christmas at Kourtneys pic.twitter.com/CDhfTMQv9o Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) December 26, 2020 RELATED: Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West Are Reportedly in Counseling as a Final Attempt To Save Their Marriage Finances may become entangled as several sources report that Kardashian and West are headed for an imminent divorce. West has reportedly been living apart from Kardashian and has taken up residence in Wyoming. The couples main residence is in California where divorce assets are divided equally. Kardashian has a reported net worth of $900 million. The couple has a prenuptial agreement where Kardashian would be awarded $1 million for every year of marriage, according to Radar Online. City approves first reading of temporary medical marijuana ordinance With state officials still putting together the oversight rules for medical marijuana establishments, local governments need temporary ordinances. The company behind a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska faces lawsuits from investors claiming it misled shareholders who have seen an 85% drop in stock value since the summer. Two lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court in New York claim Northern Dynasty Minerals violated federal securities law when project executives did not fully provide information about the project, The Anchorage Daily News reported Friday. Developer The Pebble Limited Partnership and parent company Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. sought to build a mine about 200 miles southwest of Anchorage and near the headwaters of the worlds largest sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol Bay. The project was criticized by environment groups and also condemned by Alaska Republican U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in late November denied a permit request, causing the company stock to lose half its value that day alone. Pebble Limited Partnership said it is appealing that decision, calling the rejection political. McCarthy Lodge co-owner Neil Darish was named as lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed Dec. 4. The lawsuit, similar to a complaint filed in mid-December, accused the company of making materially false and misleading statements, and failing to disclose the project was not in line with federal law and was much larger than proposed. Northern Dynasty spokesperson Sean Magee said the company could not comment on pending litigation. The company previously said it had no formal, defined plans for the proposed mine other than the 20-year plan submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for approval, adding that additions would have required new state and federal reviews. Darish told the Daily News on Wednesday that he bought Northern Dynasty stock starting in 2017, thinking the project could be built without putting salmon at risk. Northern Dynastys stock sold for $2.23 a share in July. It sold for 33 cents on Wednesday. Darish said he lost more than $10,000 because of his investment, and that he agreed to be named in the lawsuit after the company made giant mistakes. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Alaska Mining Parts of far north Queensland are bracing themselves for more heavy rain from ex-tropical cyclone Imogen, with major flooding in one river and more than 100 millimetres falling within an hour on Wednesday morning. One man was pulled from the roof of his car after becoming stranded in floodwater south of Ingham, with emergency services fielding hundreds of calls for help as the system lingered offshore. Hinchinbrook Shire Council mayor Ramon Jayo said Ingham had seen about 200 millimetres in two hours on Wednesday morning, with the lower coastal reaches of the Herbert River experiencing major flooding. "It's up there with the rainfall and flooding we've had in the past 10 years," Cr Jayo said. "If this rain continues, it possibly will [approach the levels seen in 2018 or 2009]." Vaccination with Sputnik V started in Serbia today MOSCOW, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) and the Government of Serbia announce the agreement to supply 2 million doses of Sputnik V, the world's first registered vaccine against coronavirus, to the country. Vaccination against coronavirus with Sputnik V started in Serbia today. First batch of the vaccine was delivered to Serbia on December 30, 2020. The use of Sputnik V vaccine in Serbia was authorized without conducting additional local clinical trials. On December 23, 2020, the vaccine was registered under the emergency use authorization procedure and was approved by the regulator in Argentina (ANMAT) based on the results of Phase III clinical trials in Russia, without additional trials in Argentina. On December 21, 2020, Sputnik V was registered by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus. The Ministry's decision was made considering the data obtained during the Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine in Russia. The agreement between RDIF and the Government of Serbia will enable the vaccination of 1 million people. The supplies will help Serbia secure a diversified portfolio of vaccines against coronavirus. Deliveries will be facilitated by RDIF's international partners in India, China, South Korea and other countries. Sputnik V is a highly-effective vaccine with 91,4% efficacy rate according to the results of the third and final control point analysis of data of Phase III clinical trials in Russia obtained 21 days after administering the first dose to volunteers. Calculation was based on the analysis of data of volunteers (n = 22 714) who received both the first and second doses of the Sputnik V vaccine or placebo at the third and final control point of 78 confirmed cases in accordance with the Phase III clinical trials protocol. The vaccine demonstrated 100% efficacy against severe coronavirus cases. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said: "Serbia is a long-standing partner of Russia and we support the decision of the Government of the country to use Sputnik V as an efficient tool in the fight against coronavirus. The vaccine is based on a well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors with proven safety track-record. As Serbia has already launched vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection the agreement is aimed at ensuring a diversified vaccine portfolio for the country providing additional options to speed up vaccination and protect the population as soon as possible." Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy. RDIF's management company is based in Moscow. Currently, RDIF has experience of the successful joint implementation of more than 80 projects with foreign partners totaling more than RUB2 tn and covering 95% of the regions of the Russian Federation. RDIF portfolio companies employ more than 800,000 people and generate revenues which equate to more than 6% of Russia's GDP. RDIF has established joint strategic partnerships with leading international co-investors from more than 18 countries that total more than $40 bn. Further information can be found at rdif.ru Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1140939/Russian_Direct_Investment_Fund_Logo.jpg Democrat Raphael Warnock has defeated incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler in their battle for a Senate seat in Georgia, according to the Associated Press. Speaking shortly before the result was called, Mr Warnock said Democrats "were told we couldnt win this election. But tonight, we proved that with hope, hard work and with the people by our side, anything is possible. Thank you, Georgia, he said. I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia, no matter who you cast your vote for in this election. Mr Warnocks victory is another sign of a major political shift in the longtime Republican stronghold, coming nearly two months after President-elect Joe Biden took the Peach State in November. Some Republican officials already were pointing blame at one man. Look, Republicans won both of these races in November. If they fall short today, it's for one reason only: President Trump's decision to relentlessly promote nutty conspiracy theories about the Georgia election system, Michael Steel, a former aide to then-Speaker John Boehner told The Independent on Tuesday night. Josh Holmes, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who now heads a Republican political consulting firm, tweeted: Suburbs, my friends, the suburbs. I feel like a one trick pony but here we are again. We went from talking about jobs and the economy to Qanon election conspiracies in 4 short years and - as it turns out- they were listening! Mr Warnocks victory caps Ms Loefflers term in the Senate at just over a year. Follow the latest updates in our Georgia runoffs live blog The Georgia businesswoman, who is currently the richest member of Congress by a considerable margin, was hand-picked by the states Republican governor, Brian Kemp, in December 2019 to replace former Senator Johnny Isakson, who resigned amid health problems. Mr Warnock will be Georgias first black senator in state history and one of just three black senators in the 117th Congress. (Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrat Cory Booker of New Jersey are the other two.) A longtime minister, Mr Warnock has served since 2005 as senior pastor at Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. was once a co-pastor with his father. Mr Warnock also attended Kings alma mater Morehouse College, before studying for a Masters of Divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary. The senator-elect emerged as the national Democratic partys favoured candidate in the special election in November, where he captured 32.9 per cent of the vote to Ms Loefflers 25.9 per cent in a wide open field of more than a dozen candidates. There were no primaries to whittle down the field. Mr Warnock and Ms Loefflers race often devolved into personal attacks down the home stretch, with the GOP incumbent accusing her opponent of being a Trojan horse for communism and socialism and of hating police and members of the US military. She has drawn extensively on Mr Warnocks archive of sermons and writings, cherry-picking quotes without context to make him appear radical. At their lone head-to-head debate in December, Ms Loeffler referred to her opponent as radical liberal Raphael Warnock no fewer than 14 times, drawing mockery even from Fox News for her robotic performance. Read more: Who controls the US Senate and can Georgia flip it? Read more: When will we know Georgia Senate runoff election results? Mr Warnock has denied such characterisations of his politics. He does, however, provide Mr Biden another ally in the Senate, which could swing back into the hands of the Democrats if Jon Ossoff defeats GOP Senator David Perdue in the other Georgia runoff held on Tuesday. Mr Warnock focused his campaign message on helping ordinary people with a particular emphasis on bread-and-butter Democratic proposals to reform the criminal justice system and American policing, expand health care access, and provide more funding for education. Im concerned that Washington is not focused about ordinary people, at his debate with Ms Loeffler in December. You cant tell the difference between Washington backrooms and corporate boardrooms. My opponent represents the worst of that kind of problem, he said of Ms Loeffler, one of countless attacks against her corporate background. Ms Loeffler yanked her campaign sharply to the right over the last few months, appearing alongside hardcore right-wing candidates and running a widely ridiculed ad claiming to be more conservative than Atilla the Hun. She tied her political fortunes to Mr Trump and his continued insistence that he had actually won the 2020 election over President-elect Joe Biden. (Mr Biden defeated Mr Trump by several dozen votes in the Electoral College.) At a rally headlined by the outgoing president on Monday, the day before the election, Ms Loeffler spoke for roughly 90 seconds. She used that time to announce she would object to Congress certification on Wednesday of Mr Bidens electoral victory, a move that is doomed to ultimately fail, but which aligned her with Mr Trumps interests. Were going to get this done, Ms Loeffler said alongside Mr Trump on Monday in Dalton. This president fought for us. Were fighting for him. It is likely to be one of Ms Loefflers last votes of consequence as she becomes a lame-duck senator. Mr Warnock is slated to be sworn in on Friday, 15 January. Photo: The Canadian Press This undated file photo provided by Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar shows Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky. In news reported on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. Louisville has hired Atlantas former chief to lead its police department after months of unrest over the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, and fired two more officers involved in the deadly raid. The firings were announced Wednesday by city officials moments after they revealed their choice to lead the department. Erika Shields was the unanimous pick of a panel tasked with selecting the new chief, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said. Shell be the fourth person to lead the department in Kentuckys largest city since Taylor was shot by officers serving a warrant in March. I commit to begin my work here with a focus on rebuilding community trust, trust that I believe was already eroding prior to Breonna Taylors killing, Shields said. She also pledged to tackle gun violence in the city, which had a record 173 homicides in 2020. The last year has shown that we in law enforcement have a long way to go, said Shields, who starts the job on Jan. 19. The trust between police and many in the citys Black community has frayed since Taylors death, which sparked months of protests, police reforms and the firing of the citys longtime chief, Steve Conrad. Two interim chiefs, including the first Black woman to the lead the department, have served since Conrad was fired in June. We all felt that Chief Shields was the number one person, said David James, a former Louisville police officer and the citys Metro Council president. She just rose to the top. Shields served in Atlanta for 25 years, including more than three years as chief, which ended when she resigned in June after Atlanta officers fatally shot a Black man in a restaurant parking lot. Shields said she was sickened by the shooting of Rayshard Brooks. She said Wednesday that staying on as chief in Atlanta would have amounted to a distraction, so she decided to step down. To people in Louisville who might be upset over her hiring, she said she would just ask that people step back, take the time to see what I accomplished, what I believe in and how I led the department. Det. Myles Cosgrove, who shot Taylor, and Det. Joshua Jaynes, who sought the warrant that led to the March 13 drug raid, were informed of their firings on Tuesday. Officer Brett Hankison was fired last September after being indicted by a grand jury on charges of endangering Taylors neighbours with bullets that went through her home and into an adjacent apartment. Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician, was shot and killed as officers attempted to serve a no-knock search warrant. None of the three white officers who fired into Taylors home were charged by a grand jury in her death. Investigators said Cosgrove fired 16 rounds into the apartment after the front door was breached and Taylors boyfriend fired a shot at them. Federal ballistics experts said they believe the shot that killed Taylor came from Cosgrove. Interim police chief Yvette Gentry wrote that Cosgrove failed to properly identify a target when he fired, according to media reports of the letter, which has not been released. Jaynes was not at the scene the night of the shooting but sought the warrant that sent police to Taylors home. Gentry said Jaynes lied about how he obtained some information about Taylor in the warrant. An internal investigation by Louisville police found Jaynes violated department procedures for preparation of a search warrant and truthfulness. Jaynes acknowledged in a May interview with Louisville police investigators that he didnt personally verify that a drug trafficking suspect, Jamarcus Glover, was receiving mail at Taylors apartment, even though he had said in an earlier affidavit that he had. Jaynes said he relied instead on information from a fellow officer. Jaynes and Cosgrove have been on administrative reassignment, along with another officer who was at the raid, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. Mattingly was shot in the leg by Taylors boyfriend, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home. Mattingly said in October that he intended to retire from the department. In September, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who took on the role of special prosecutor in the case, said Cosgrove and Mattingly were not charged with Taylors killing because they acted to protect themselves. The decision disappointed and angered those who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months, and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved were fired or someone was charged with her killing. Three grand jurors, speaking anonymously, have since come forward to say that Cameron did not allow the grand jury to consider homicide related charges against the officers for Taylors death. The three grand jurors said they believe they would have brought criminal charges against the officers if given the chance. For months, Taylors name has been a rallying cry for activists protesting the extrajudicial killing of Black men and women. Famed musicians, actors, athletes and politicians had called for the officers arrests. Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Jerusalem: In a major boost to their combat capabilities, India and Israel have conducted a successful test of a Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) defence system which was jointly developed by the two countries. It is aimed at providing ultimate protection from enemy aircraft. Taking to Twitter, the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) wrote: "IAI and DRDO successfully test launch the MRSAM air defense system last week at a test range in India. The MRSAM is an advanced path breaking air and missile defense system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms." IAI and @DRDO_India successfully test launch the MRSAM air defense system last week at a test range in India The MRSAM is an advanced path breaking air and missile defense system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms. pic.twitter.com/Wk4vWPWeQ9 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (@ILAerospaceIAI) January 5, 2021 A press release by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on Tuesday said, last week the test was conducted at an Indian facility and validated all components of the weapons system. The missile has been jointly developed by IAI and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the MRSAM is being used by all the three wings of the Indian army and also Israel Defence Forces (IDF). This has been done in a partnership with other defence companies in Israel and India. The MRSAM is an advanced path-breaking air and missile defence system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms. Defence experts say that it can shoot down enemy aircraft at a range of 50-70 kms. The system includes an advanced phased-array radar, command and control, mobile launchers and interceptors with advanced RF seeker. "MRSAM Air & Missile Defense System is a cutting edge, innovative system that once again has proven its advanced capabilities against a variety of threats. Every trial in an air defence system is a complex operational event and the COVID-19 limitations significantly increase the complexity," Boaz Levy, IAI's President and CEO, said. "This trial is yet another testimonial to the strong partnership between IAI and India and the two nations. IAI is proud to lead this impressive cooperation with DRDO and the Indian forces and is dedicated to its continued success," Levy said. Israeli specialists and Indian scientists and officers participated in and witnessed the test, the leading Israeli defence industry said. The flight test demonstrated different extreme reference scenarios, validating various system capabilities, it stressed. "We are treating flight crew no different to returning travellers in the context of the UK strain which is a super-infectious strain of this virus. "Not if, but when someone finishes up contracting the virus because of their work in hotel quarantine, the virus will have a one-day jump on us, not a week, not 10 days We need to test staff every day, or at least multiple times per week. "That type of arrangement stops what's happened in the northern beaches, and therefore stops what's happening in Melbourne. A problem in Sydney is a problem here, and a problem for the nation, and vice versa." Mr Andrews defended the closure of the state's border to NSW saying Victoria should not have to rely on the decisions of other governments to keep itself safe. National cabinet has been recalled a month early to decide whether to tighten precautions on international arrivals over fears travellers from the UK will spread a more infectious mutant coronavirus strain. Loading Victoria and Western Australia want people flying from the UK to be tested before they board a plane and to be banned from travel if they return positive results. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said national cabinet will consider a proposal that he requested Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly review through the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, "particularly in the context of the UK strain". "The proposal is to further strengthen the COVID safety of end-to-end international travel processes, from arrival at airport of embarkation in the exit country, to final clearance from hotel quarantine in Australia," Mr Morrison said in a statement on Facebook on Wednesday night. No new infections, tests urged With no new infections found locally or in hotel quarantine, there are 38 active cases across the state, down from 41 on Wednesday. There were 32,767 tests completed across Wednesday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. It's the first time Victoria has recorded a "doughnut day" zero new cases and zero deaths from COVID-19 since December 30, although three cases were announced late in the evening on that day and included in the total for December 31. Victoria's COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said officials may begin going door to door to urge people who have returned from NSW to get tested. Mr Weimar said just under 50 per cent of the 60,000 people who applied for a permit to return to Victoria from NSW around New Years Eve had been tested for the virus. Loading "Around 40 to 47 per cent of those who applied have gotten tested, which is a pretty solid number. We've sent reminder messages to the remainder twice over now," he said. "We will continue following up people who are lagging [behind] the rest of the pack, but ultimately we need people to continue doing the right thing. "If youve got symptoms, get tested. If you've been to NSW, get tested. We always prioritise the people who are of the most concern to us." Mr Andrews said some people were isolating at home and were no risk, but were waiting to get their day-11 test. An online portal for those in NSW seeking an exemption to come back to Victoria launched on Wednesday, with around 800 people applying for an exemption. Fresh Chadstone alert People who visited Zara in Chadstone between 6am and 1.30pm on December 26, you should get tested immediately and isolate. Mr Weimar said the phone data of the man in his 30s from Vermont South who returned a positive test on Wednesday was used to identify information around his journey through the popular south-eastern suburbs shopping centre. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "We need to run this to ground now it's important we use this time to locate any potential cases of coronavirus anywhere in Victoria," he said. "We ask you to come forward and get tested now, if you were at Zara on Boxing Day, particularly if you were feeling unwell on Boxing Day." There are now 28 COVID-19 cases connected to the Black Rock cluster, with 27 of those currently active. Around 1300 people considered close contacts to positive cases are now in isolation, with another 1300 secondary contacts also isolating. Mr Andrews said that group of people are "doing their isolation for all of us". Loading "They are spending these holiday weeks locked up at home. It is critically important people observe that isolation period." He said if new cases eventuate in Victoria, but theyre people already in isolation, they are "not a great concern to us, except for the cases wellbeing". There have been 140,000 tests completed with Victoria over the last five days. Just one COVID-19 case was reported in Victoria on Wednesday, a man in his 30s who attended sales at Chadstone on December 26 and the MCG Boxing Day Test match on December 27, before later testing positive to the virus. Professor Cheng said the decision to list Chadstone and the MCG as possible acquisition sites for the mystery case was precautionary, and it was more likely he caught the virus elsewhere "He has had a number of contacts in private houses. I think they would probably be more likely," he said. "I think its most likely we have another cluster going on." Daniel Andrews has raised the prospect of further border announcements later this month. Credit:Darrian Traynor Border updates flagged Mr Andrews said he would "hope to make some announcements" on the status of the Victoria-NSW border next week, noting the border between the two states remains closed as a result of public health advice and in order to fend off a "third wave". Loading "We monitor this every single day, and as soon as we can safely open the border we will," he said. "I would hope to be able to make some announcements next week. But it just depends. "We apologise and acknowledge the inconvenience, but that inconvenience is nothing compared to a third wave, because that will be so hard for every single Victorian. "We need to do everything we can do to stop that." Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said he was "still pretty concerned" about the situation in Victoria when it comes to the virus, despite no cases reported on Wednesday, due to the remaining Vermont South mystery case. "When he acquired it, it was probably going back into before Christmas now. We are coming back into 14 days after that," he said on Thursday. "We would hope with 180,000 tests completed, if there was anyone else that has been infected by that person, it would have shown up by now, but we do need to make sure everyone is tested. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Growth & Trends The global blood glucose monitoring devices market size is expected to reach 19.6 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth is propelled by the rising diabetes prevalence worldwide and increasing geriatric population. Moreover, rising awareness about diabetes preventive care and new product launches are expected to boost market growth. Blood glucose monitoring (BGM) devices are used to measure blood glucose levels in diabetes patients. These devices help in analyzing glucose level pattern as it provides continuous and real-time blood sugar reading. It also helps patients to decide the amount of food intake and dosage of insulin. Furthermore, factors such as sedentary lifestyle, consumption of junk food and alcohol, smoking, and surge in the need for safer and faster diagnosis are propelling the market growth. Obesity is also one of the major factors in propelling the prevalence of diabetes. According to the WHO, over 650 million people were obese in 2016 and this number is expected to grow further during the forecast period. Additionally, the market is expected to witness a high growth rate during the forecast period due to the continuous efforts for diabetes control by government and healthcare organizations, such as the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Such organizations provide the required expertise and support diabetes awareness campaigns through a network of stakeholders and partners. Moreover, increasing health care funding is anticipated to propel the market growth. Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Report Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Report Highlights North America held the largest market share in 2020 owing to favorable reimbursement policies, local presence of key players, and supportive government initiatives Based on product, the self-monitoring devices segment held the largest market share in 2020 and is expected to grow at a significant pace over the forecast period. The testing strips segment of self-monitoring devices held the largest share of more than 40.0% in 2020 and is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period The continuous blood glucose monitoring devices segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period By end-use, the home care segment is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global blood glucose monitoring devices market on the basis of product, end-use, and region: Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Self-monitoring Devices Blood Glucose Meter Testing Strips Lancets Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Sensors Transmitter & Receiver Insulin Pumps Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Hospitals Home Care Diagnostic Centers Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) North America US. Canada Europe Germany UK. France Italy Spain Poland Russia Ukraine Belarus Turkey Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE List of Key Players of Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Abbott Laboratories Medtronic plc Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Bayer AG Lifescan, Inc. Dexcom, Inc. Sanofi Elly Lilly and Company B Braun Melsungen AG About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Going by appearances, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have contained the rebellion in the party ahead of the January 8 mayor elections. On Wednesday, 19 party councillors presented a united front at the BJP city headquarters, Kamalam, in Sector 33. The 19 councillors in attendance, out of a total 20, included both Chandervati Shukla and Bharat Kumar, who had openly rebelled against the party on January 4, on the last date of filing of nomination papers. While Shukla had filed nomination papers for mayors post, Kumar had walked out of the party in protest over being ignored for any of the three posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor. BJP councillor Heera Negi didnt attend the Wednesday meeting because of poor health. After the meeting, Gopal Shukla, Chandervati husband, said, We are with the party. The anger was momentary. After detailed discussions with senior party leaders including state BJP chief Arun Sood, our grievances have been resolved. Our vote and support is with the party. Despite repeated calls, Kumar failed to respond. The turnaround among belligerent councillors, it has been learnt, came after Sood met Shukla and Kumar, and pursued them to come back to the partys fold. Sood met them at their houses. Organisation secretary Dinesh Kumar and state party in-charge Dushyant Gautam also talked to them. In the case of Shukla, her options had narrowed down after her nomination papers were rejected on Tuesday on technical grounds, said a senior party leader, requesting anonymity. Scores yet to be settled The choice of candidates for the mayoral elections has left a bitter taste among the councillors, even though only two openly expressed it. With the MC elections due this year in November-December and their tickets at stake, most councillors have decided against openly venting their anger, said a councillor, who didnt wish to be named. There are also personal rivalries that have been accentuated. Some in the party want to embarrass Sood and can cross vote, others can aim to dent the chances of election of party candidates, added the councillor. Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday wrote to the UT administrator demanding to not permit phones, cameras, pens, smart watches, etc inside the voting room to avoid clicking/recording of the ballot /vote. In earlier elections, parties have used pictures of votes casted to ensure no cross voting take place. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - AmerisourceBergen Corp. (ABC) and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) announced Wednesday strategic agreements under which AmerisourceBergen will acquire the majority of Walgreens' Alliance Healthcare businesses for about $6.5 billion, comprised of $6.275 billion in cash and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock. The cash consideration is subject to a customary working capital and net-debt adjustment. The transaction has been approved by the AmerisourceBergen and Walgreens Boots Alliance Boards of Directors. AmerisourceBergen expects to fund the cash purchase price through a combination of cash on hand and new debt financing. The transaction, which is expected to close by AmerisourceBergen's fiscal year-end 2021, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals. Walgreens Boots Alliance's operations in China, Italy and Germany are not part of this transaction. Upon closing, the acquisition of Alliance Healthcare is expected to deliver high-teens percentage accretion to AmerisourceBergen's adjusted diluted EPS in the first fiscal year. AmerisourceBergen expects synergies from the acquisition of Alliance Healthcare to ramp to an annual run-rate of $75 million in the fourth year. Effective from Walgreens Boots Alliance second quarter fiscal 2021 earnings, the businesses sold will be classified as 'businesses held for sale' with fiscal 2020 revenues of approximately $19 billion, and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $540 million. Walgreens Boots Alliance expects fiscal 2021 adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $575 million to $580 million for these Alliance Healthcare businesses. The transaction will be slightly dilutive in the current financial year for Walgreens Boots Alliance, but will be accretive longer-term. In addition to this transaction, the two companies have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership by extending and expanding their commercial agreements. Their U.S. distribution agreement will be extended by three years until 2029 and their partnership is being expanded to include a commitment to pursue additional opportunities in sourcing and distribution. Furthermore, Alliance Healthcare UK will remain the distribution partner of Boots until 2031. Together, these agreements are expected to create incremental growth, synergies and efficiencies. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX WALGREENS-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton has called for President Donald Trump to be immediately removed from office on Wednesday as chaos erupted at the U.S. Capitol. Trump is directly responsible for this insurrection and violence. He needs to be removed from office immediately. It is the Constitutional responsibility of Vice President Pence and the cabinet to exercise the power granted them by the 25th amendment, Moulton, a Democrat who represents Massachusettss 6th congressional district, tweeted. Trump is directly responsible for this insurrection and violence. He needs to be removed from office immediately. It is the Constitutional responsibility of Vice President Pence and the cabinet to exercise the power granted them by the 25th amendment. Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 6, 2021 Trump supporters stormed the building on Wednesday, about an hour after Vice President Mike Pence wrote to Congress to notify lawmakers that against the presidents wishes, he would follow the Constitution and simply announce the final electoral count to effectively seal Bidens victory. On Twitter, Trump said Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done. U.S. Capitol Police placed the building on lockdown after Trumps supporters got inside. Videos from the scene showed smashed windows and fighting. Pence and other lawmakers called for the violence to end. Recently, Trump had encouraged his supporters to head to D.C., challenging Bidens electoral win. Related Content: Scott Morrison has condemned Trump supporters who stormed the US congress to stop the transition of power to Joe Biden. The prime minister tweeted: 'Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.' Dozens of Trump supporters breached the security perimeter and entered the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon as Congress voted to affirm Biden's presidential win. A woman was shot in the chest and later died. Pictured: Police try to revive her in the Capitol Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the US Capitol on Wednesday A female Trump supporter was shot in the chest and later died, although it was not clear who shot her. Dozens of police were also reportedly injured in the violence and at least one suspected explosive device was found. Australia's allies have also condemned the carnage, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who tweeted: 'Disgraceful scenes in US Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.' As protesters continued to occupy the Capitol hours after the violence unfolded, President-elect Joe Biden called for the 'mob to pull back' and said the uprising bordered on sedition. Trump - after remaining silent for much of the afternoon - told his 'very special' supporters inside the Capitol that he loves them and understands their pain but urged them 'to go home'. He had initially urged his supporters to march to the Capitol after a rally earlier in the afternoon before only asking them to remain peaceful when violence broke out. As the protesters broke down police barricades and stormed into the Rotunda, Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leaders were whisked to safety. Lawmakers cowering inside the House Chamber were urged to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. Officers at the front door of the chamber had their guns drawn as a protester tried to break down the door. Eventually, the Capitol was cleared and a curfew was imposed banning people in Washington DC from the streets. A protester walks through Congress carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern after storming the Capitol She is the daughter of A-list actors Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. And Lily-Rose Depp opted for a laid back look as she arrived at JFK Airport in New York City on Tuesday. The actress, 21, wrapped up for her day of travel in a black padded coat along with a pair of grey printed tracksuit bottoms. Travel: Lily-Rose Depp opted for a laid back look as she arrived at JFK Airport in New York City on Tuesday Lily-Rose, who spends much of her time living in Paris with her mother, put safety first for her trip with a white face mask. The model also sported a pair of white trainers as she strolled through the airport with a small suitcase. Styling her brunette locks into an updo, Lily-Rose completed her look with a pair of sunglasses. She has been enjoying the single life after splitting from her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, 24, in April. Outfit: The actress, 21, wrapped up for her day of travel in a black padded coat along with a pair of grey printed tracksuit bottoms Their final public sighting as a couple was during a dinner date in Los Angeles in late October. The two called it quits after more than a year of dating, and Timothee then dated actress Eiza Gonzalez, 30, in a short-lived romance. The Call Me By Your Name actor met Lily-Rose on the set of his 2019 Netflix film The King, which received largely positive but unenthusiastic reviews. Ready to mingle? She has been enjoying the single life after splitting from her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, 24, in April (pictured in September 2019) Lily-Rose has multiple completed performances coming up in the coming months. She plays a supporting part in the opioid crisis thriller Dreamland, which has an ensemble cast featuring Armie Hammer, Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly and Michelle Rodriguez, among others. She has also finished filming the science fiction film Voyagers with Colin Farrell and Tye Sheridan and the Christmas comedy Silent Night, which stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode. As Trump supporters began gathering in Washington, D.C., for demonstrations in support of President Trumps efforts to stay in power despite his loss in the presidential election, opponents, including Black Lives Matter groups, said they intended to steer clear of confrontations and avoid potential violence that has public officials worried. While BLM DC will not be in the streets on January 6, 2021, leaders and activists are mounting a public education campaign now to demand justice, said the Black Lives Matter DC group in a statement. Nee Nee Taylor, an organizer with BLM DC, told Yahoo News that their group is calling on D.C. hotels not to sell rooms to Trump supporters, but that we need to be here after Jan. 6 to continue working toward their goals. We hope that by asking people to stay away from those areas we can keep people as safe as possible, Taylor said. She added that BLM DC was not policing any organization that did want to march or demonstrate, and that they supported their right to do so. Taylor and another activist, Beth Yirga of the Palm Collective, said that they had become concerned in recent days by threats of violence by Trump supporters on right-wing social media sites. We are not encouraging or discouraging individuals to be out, Yirga told Yahoo News. She said that for those who did go out into the streets, her organization had set up remote resources to give them assistance, such as places to go, communications resources and extractions from trouble spots. Preparations are made in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday ahead of an expected rally in support of President Trump. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Other racial justice groups in D.C. indicated a similar position. A representative for Shut Down D.C. said in a direct message on Instagram that we are encouraging people to keep themselves safe whatever that means for them. We are not encouraging people to fight the Trumpists. SDDC as a group will be doing distributed art actions and do not expect to engage them, the spokesperson said. Another group, D.C. Teens Action, was hosting a self-defense training on Tuesday evening, but a representative for that group also told Yahoo News via Instagram that as far as I know, no one from DCTA will be in the streets. We have been sharing information from different [organizations] so people know what their options are, but we arent encouraging people either way, the DCTA representative said. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked Washingtonians and those who live in the region to stay out of the downtown area on Tuesday and Wednesday and not to engage with demonstrators who come to our city seeking confrontation, and we will do what we must to ensure all who attend remain peaceful. Congress will certify the Electoral College results on Wednesday, which is the last step in the transition of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden before the Jan. 20 inauguration. By Tuesday, Trump supporters were arriving in Washington, drawn by the presidents call for a massive rally to support his efforts to subvert the presidential election. Trump tweeted plans to speak at a Save America Rally at the Ellipse at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The president and his supporters have provided no evidence of the charges that the election was stolen from him, and every claim advanced in court has been rejected by state and federal judges, including some appointed by Trump himself. The president intimated in a Tuesday evening tweet that members of Congress should be intimidated by the presence of his supporters in the city. I hope the Democrats, and even more importantly, the weak and ineffective RINO section of the Republican Party, are looking at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. They wont stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen, Trump said, specifically tagging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his top two deputies in the Senate. A former aide to Vice President Mike Pence has said that she is worried about violence because the president himself is encouraging it." A police alert prohibiting firearms within 1,000 feet of the sign. (mpi34/MediaPunch/IPX) Fantasies about overturning the election results have been propped up by Republican members of Congress. A majority of Republican members of the House of Representatives and more than a dozen senators have said they will object to the electoral slates certified by one or more states on Wednesday. The Constitution does not give Congress any power to change the election outcome if there is a clear Electoral College winner. Neither does the Constitution give Vice President Mike Pence the authority to overturn the result, despite Trumps urging him to do so. The greatest concern around violence stems from a group called the Proud Boys, a self-described male chauvinist group with white nationalist ties. Twice since the Nov. 3 election thousands of Proud Boy members have assembled in Washington, roaming the streets, appearing to seek out violent confrontations with opponents. One D.C. attorney told Yahoo News that he and other lawyers had been bombarded with calls from out-of-state Trump supporters asking for guidance on whether the law allows them to bring firearms into the city. It was a much higher volume of calls than occurred ahead of the prior two events on Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. The short answer is that in most cases, they are not. Bowser released information on Monday reminding visitors that a permit to carry a concealed firearm in another state is not recognized in the District, and that it is a criminal offense to carry a concealed weapon without a permit issued by the city. She also noted that it is illegal to carry a firearm within 1,000 feet of a First Amendment rally. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, center, with demonstrators at a march in Washington in December. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested in D.C. on Monday and charged with destruction of property based on evidence that he took part in burning a Black Lives Matter banner that was torn from a historic Black church during last months street skirmishes. Tarrio was also charged with two felony counts of unlawful possession of high-capacity magazines. Tarrio, who also reportedly serves as chief of staff for the grassroots group Latinos for Trump, posted on Parler last week that the Proud Boys will turn out in record numbers on Jan 6th but, this time, with a twist. Instead of their traditional uniform of black-and-yellow polo shirts, he suggested that members of the far-right group would dress in all black, a look typically associated with members of antifa. We will be incognito and we will spread across downtown DC in smaller teams, wrote Tarrio. Now it looks like Tarrio wont be able to participate at all. On Tuesday, a judge banned Tarrio from coming into D.C. except for meetings with his attorney or to appear in court. Also planning to be in attendance on Wednesday are members of right-wing militia groups like the Oath Keepers, who are often seen armed and dressed in military garb at large protests where they present themselves as volunteer security, as well as followers of the pro-Trump QAnon conspiracy movement. A supporter of QAnon and Trump demonstrates in Washington, Dec. 12, 2020. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Yahoo News first reported in August 2019 that the FBI had identified QAnon believers as conspiracy theory-driven domestic extremists, who pose a potential domestic terrorist threat. Since then, the cult-like online movement, which was originally based on a myth about Donald Trump secretly fighting against a deep state cabal of satanic pedophiles, has evolved into an all-purpose vehicle for a variety of paranoid conspiracy theories including those related to the 2020 election. In fact, QAnons shape-shifting social media network has helped amplify Trumps efforts to delegitimize the results of the 2020 election both in the lead up to Nov. 3, and in the weeks since. According to the Washington Post, accounts linked to QAnon have also contributed to a slew of recent posts circulating on far-right forums encouraging Trump supporters to bring guns to protests in Washington on Wednesday, which would be a violation of local laws. Newly elected Republican House members Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Lauren Boebert of Colorado, both of whom have embraced QAnon, are among the high-profile Trump allies and far-right personalities who are slated to speakat the formal events planned around Wednesdays electoral vote count. The National Park Service has reportedly approved at least three different permit applications from groups planning protests, the first of which is scheduled for Tuesday evening, with many others promoting the demonstrations online and even coordinating caravans of Trump supporters traveling to D.C. from around the country. Other speakers expected to take one of the stages include conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and Roger Stone, the longtime Republican strategist who recently received a full pardon from Trump for multiple felony convictions for attempting to impede Congresss investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The biggest headliner, of course, is President Trump himself. For weeks, Trump has been urging supporters from around the country to gather in D.C. this week for what hes promised will be a wild day of protests. As demonstrations began to get underway in Washington on Tuesday evening, he tweeted in support of those who heeded the call. Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats, Trump wrote. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! _____ Read more from Yahoo News: [January 06, 2021] OneDigital Acquires Institutional Investment Advisory Retirement Business From Truist OneDigital Investment Advisors, the registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of OneDigital, the nation's leading strategic advisory firm focused on driving business growth for employers of all sizes, today announced it has acquired the institutional 401(k) investment advisory relationships of Truist Financial Corporation ("Truist"). This acquisition concludes a year of immense growth for OneDigital including multiple acquisitions as it advances its presence in the retirement and wealth management space to become one of the premier advisory firms. Under the terms of the agreement, OneDigital Investment Advisors will acquire approximately 1,200 plans, representing $10B in plan assets. The company's vision for the convergence of health, wealth and retirement continue; OneDigital is at the forefront of this industry change providing a holistic single-source benefits solution for employers. As the demand for personalized and customized financial solutions from the American workforce grows, employers are seeking more convenient ways to better serve the financial needs of employees. "The American family is faced with more financial and healthcare complexities than ever before and as a result, employees are looking to their employers to provide individualized advice across these areas," said Vince Morris, President, OneDigital Retirement + Wealth. "As an industry, we're seeing this shift in how these services are delivered using people and technology to provide customized and personalized solutions and we are leading that change to the benefit of our clients' workforce." With 37 acquisitions completed in 2020, the addition of Truist's institutional 401(k) investment advisory business continues this trend of notable growth, fortifying the company's expansion in the retirement and wealth space. OneDigital's comprehensive advisory services and market-leading solutions are now offered in more than 100 offices and an additional 45 retirement + wealth offices throughout the country, serving around 60,000 clients. Upon completion of this acquisition, OneDigital Investment Advisors, is providing fiduciary services for approximately 5,000 plus retirement plans with approximately $72 billion in asset under advisement. About OneDigital OneDigital is the leading strategic advisory firm in the U.S. and has consistently led from the front as a workplace ally for 20 years. OneDigital's unique ability to converge health, wealth and human resources into a hub of services and business guidance has empowered companies to create workplaces that attract and retain talent while fueling innovation and company growth. As employee healthcare, wellness and workplace benefits continue to shift, companies of all sizes have relied on OneDigital's exceptional advisory teams for counsel and its adjacent services, including employee benefits, holistic HR services, retirement and wealth management, employee wellbeing and pharmacy consulting. Headquartered in Atlanta, OneDigital's more than 100 offices and 2,400+ business strategists serve the needs of over 60,000 employers across the nation. OneDigital has been named to the Inc. 5000 List of America's fastest-growing companies every year since 2007, one of only 11 companies to do so. Currently listed as 18th on Business Insurance's list of 100 Largest U.S. Brokers, OneDigital's deep analytic abilities and experienced advisors deliver insights that reduce business risk and improve plan design and performance. For more information, visit www.onedigital.com. Investment advice offered through OneDigital Investment Advisors, an SEC (News - Alert) -registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of OneDigital. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005442/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] I know youre hurt, he told the rioters. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. He added: We love you. Youre very special. Rather than calming the waters, the video was seen as further roiling them so much so that Facebook and Twitter took it down and temporarily suspended Mr. Trumps accounts. Tom Bossert, the presidents former homeland security adviser, called out his former boss. This is beyond wrong and illegal, he said on Twitter. Its un-American. The President undermined American democracy baselessly for months. As a result, hes culpable for this siege, and an utter disgrace. While Washington has seen many protests over the years, including some that turned violent, the uprising on Wednesday was unlike anything that the city has seen during a transition of power in modern times, literally interrupting the constitutional acceptance of Mr. Bidens election victory. The assault on the Capitol was the first by a large hostile group of invaders since the British sacked the building in 1814, according to the United States Capitol Historical Society. Four Puerto Rican nationalists entered peacefully in 1954 and sat in the House visitors gallery, at which point they pulled out guns and opened fire, injuring five lawmakers. In 1998, a gunman walked into the Capitol and killed two members of the Capitol Police. But none of them was egged on by an American president the way that Mr. Trump seemed to do on Wednesday during a Save America March on the Ellipse south of the White House just as Congress was convening to validate Mr. Bidens election. We will never give up, Mr. Trump had declared. We will never concede. It doesnt happen. You dont concede when theres theft involved. Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore, and thats what this is all about. As the crowd on the Ellipse chanted, Fight for Trump! Fight for Trump! the president lashed out at members of his own party for not doing more to help him cling to power. There are so many weak Republicans, he growled and then vowed to take revenge against those he deemed insufficiently loyal. You primary them, he said. By Yanni Chow and Yoyo Chow HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong police arrested 53 people in dawn raids on democracy activists on Wednesday in the biggest crackdown since China last year imposed a security law which opponents say is aimed at quashing dissent in the former British colony. Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy advocates were arrested in raids on 72 premises as the authorities said last year's unofficial vote to choose opposition candidates in city elections was part of a plan to "overthrow" the government. The arrests were linked to an unprecedented, independently organised and non-binding vote to select opposition candidates for a since-postponed legislative election. About 1,000 police took part in the raids, which included searches of the offices of a pollster and a law firm. "The Chinese Communist Party has further turned the screw in Hong Kong," said Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong. "Liberal democracies around the world must continue to speak out against the brutal destruction of a free society." Patten said the West should get tougher with China and scolded the European Commission for seeking a trade deal with Beijing. "We should not be seeking to contain China but to constrain the Chinese Communist Party," Patten said. Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee said those arrested had planned to cause "serious damage" to society and that authorities would not tolerate subversive acts. "The operation today targets the active elements who are suspected to be involved in the crime of overthrowing or interfering seriously to destroy the Hong Kong governments legal execution of duties," Lee told reporters. The arrests will further raise alarm that Hong Kong has taken a swift authoritarian turn. Critics say the June 2020 security law crushes wide-ranging freedoms promised when the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and the arrests place China further on a collision course with the United States just as Joe Biden prepares to take over the presidency. Story continues The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Biden's pick for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said on Twitter the arrests were "an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights". "The mass arrest of politicians and activists in Hong Kong is a grievous attack on Hong Kongs rights and freedoms as protected under the Joint Declaration," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, adding that China had deliberately misled the world about its security law. Beijing's top representative office in Hong Kong said in a statement it firmly supported the arrests. Members of the democratic camp held a news conference to call for the release of "political prisoners". Police did not name those arrested, but their identities were revealed by their social media accounts and their organisations. They included former lawmakers, activists and people involved in organising the 2020 primaries, among them James To, Lam Cheuk-ting, Benny Tai and Lester Shum. 'SUBVERSIVE' VOTE Police said campaigning to win a majority in Hong Kong's 70-seat Legislative Council with the purpose of blocking government proposals to increase pressure on democratic reforms could be seen as subversive. The city's leader is not directly elected and only half the legislative seats are open to democratic vote, with the other half stacked mostly with pro-Beijing figures. "The people involved are suspected of making use of what they call a '35+' plan ... to somehow paralyse the Hong Kong government," Lee said, adding the government would not tolerate any "subversive acts". Police cited a rule that if the legislature fails to pass the annual budget twice, the city's chief executive must step down. The national security law prohibits disrupting and interfering with the city's administration. The legislative election was due in September last year but was postponed, with authorities citing coronavirus risks. It is unclear who could run for the opposition in any future polls following the mass arrests. In Wednesday's operation, police searched the offices of Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute which helped organise the primaries. The organisers destroyed the data of the more than 600,000 people who voted immediately after ending the count. American lawyer John Clancey was arrested during a raid of law firm Ho, Tse, Wai & Partners, a source at the firm said. Visits to four media outlets, including anti-government tabloid Apple Daily, were about "transactions" with pro-democracy groups and unrelated to reporting matters, police said. The security law punishes what China broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail. The Hong Kong and Beijing governments say it is vital to plug holes in national security defences exposed by months of sometimes violent anti-government and anti-China protests that rocked the global financial hub in 2019. In response to the law, Washington imposed sanctions on local and Beijing officials and several countries suspended extradition treaties. Since its imposition, leading activists such as media tycoon Jimmy Lai have been arrested, some democratic lawmakers have been disqualified, activists have fled into exile and protest slogans and songs have been declared illegal. Taiwan's government said Hong Kong had changed from the "pearl of the Orient" to "purgatory of the Orient". (Reporting by Yanni Chow, Yoyo Chow, Clare Jim; Joyce Zhou, Katherine Cheng, Jessie Pang and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong; Additional reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard in Taipei and Guy Faulconbridge in London; Writing by Farah Master and Marius Zaharia; Editing by Michael Perry and Nick Macfie) ALPS is and has continued to be a profitable and now rapidly growing global leader in design, construction management and post-commissioning services for horticultural facilities (greenhouses, indoor, hoop house and outdoor facilities), enabling its clients to produce high-quality, low-cost cannabis crops. ALPS is also a world leader with respect to design and construction of cultivation facilities for other plants including mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, flowers and other varietals. ALPS provides comprehensive expertise and support to clients from the initiation of the business concept all the way through to operational success. Strategic Rationale Accretive immediately: ALPS has an impressive and rapidly growing roster of global customers. ALPS' business model includes both project-based fees and recurring service revenues. With excellent gross margins, ALPS management projects 2021 EBITDA margins of approximately 30%, with the expectation of substantial margin expansion in subsequent years. AUSA anticipates that, upon completion, the proposed transaction will be accretive immediately to the Company's financial position and thus increase shareholder value. Low Capex U.S. MSO expansion strategy through access to low-cost, high-quality biomass: AUSA intends to collaborate with AUSA's existing relationships and ALPS' current and future clients to secure low-cost cultivation and offtake agreements. It is anticipated that ALPS licensed cultivation partners will grow AUSA-owned and branded cultivars such as Mr. Natural and Green Therapeutics. It is intended that certain of this Biomass grown by the Company's partners will be purchased by AUSA at favorable terms, and processed into AUSA proprietary branded products for adult and medical use retail distribution. With the pending proposed acquisition of Green Therapeutics LLC which was recently announced, and the ALPS deal that includes the coveted Mr. Natural cultivars, if the transactions are completed AUSA will own multiple award-winning brands that resonate strongly with high-volume consumers. Being able to secure low-cost inputs while manufacturing high-end luxury designer products should position the Company exceptionally well to drive profitable growth. It is anticipated that this strategy of limited overhead, SG&A and CapEx requirements will provide AUSA with scalability and agility across multiple jurisdictions, to ultimately establish a new co-operative low Capex model MSO with high quality-cannabis and an impressive suite of cannabis derivative products. Tremendous growth potential: ALPS' 2020 revenues were impacted by its restricted ability to conduct business development while it was under previous ownership, as well as by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its May 2020 management buy-out from Aurora Cannabis, ALPS has rapidly built up an impressive pipeline of committed projects and recurring service contracts. Cumulatively, these projects reflect total anticipated client CapEx spending exceeding $2.5 billion, a strong indicator of the industry standing and importance of ALPS as the primary design, construction management and (post) commissioning partner on these projects. Based on existing contracts alone, ALPS expects strong growth for the coming years, while identifying further upside: Growing demand in the legal cannabis sector, including lifecycle-related demand for facility upgrades. Growing demand for high-tech facilities for more traditional crops such as soft berries and vegetables, as well as facilities for newly popular crops (e.g. algae, in which ALPS has unique expertise), creates further growth momentum and de-risks the value proposition. Longer term, the potential legalization of cannabis at the U.S. federal level is likely to create demand for massive-scale, centralized cultivation facilities, in which ALPS is the undisputed world leader. ALPS' new compliance and data-driven service offering, APIS, is designed to create a high-margin, recurring revenue stream. Developed using over three decades of design and operational experience, APIS has unique advantages over other compliance solutions. This proposition has been resonating strongly with operators, and interest in this new solution is strong with demand coming both from the regulated cannabis sector and more traditional horticulture market segments. Management anticipates that APIS will make a material contribution to revenue growth and margin expansion. De-risked supply chain: The potential for entering into multiple supply agreements with ALPS' customers is expected to diversify supply risk across multiple partners, while at the same time reducing product risk given the exceptionally high operational standards of ALPS. Accelerated timelines: By utilizing existing, licensed infrastructure, AUSA will be bypassing the construction, licensing and zoning processes, significantly reducing time to market. It is anticipated that this model will allow for accelerated strategy execution, cutting AUSA's anticipated timeline to profitability and partnerships with tier 2 & 3 MSOs. Delivering GMP & GACP standard in advance of market entry by Blue-Chip CPG Companies: While a few large CPG companies have entered the cannabis market space, it is anticipated that this will accelerate significantly once U.S. federal legislation catches up with state regulatory structures and market realities resulting in the legalization of cannabis at the federal level. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other authorities and certifications (e.g. NHP) with jurisdiction over the admissibility of consumer, pharmaceutical and medical products by and large require that products be manufactured in facilities certified for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP), as is already the case in the European Union. The ability to produce in GMP and GACP certified facilities that deliver high-quality cannabis at a low per gram production cost will position U.S. cannabis companies to dominate globally in a rapidly expanding market. FutureWise Market Research1, for instance, estimates that just the global cannabis cultivation market will grow to over USD 98 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of over 18% during the forecast period 2020 to 2027. These dynamics create additional opportunities that ALPS is exceptionally well positioned to capitalize on. Brand: 'ALPS-Standard and Designed' has become a highly desirable badge that instills confidence in growers and their customers alike, positioning ALPS' customers well in advance of the anticipated proliferation of CPG products once legalized at the federal level. The brand equity associated with the ALPS transaction is expected to enhance the Company's standing within the industry and with consumers, facilitating the completion of additional commercial partnerships along the value chain. Revenue diversification de-risking the cannabis law lag: ALPS has a proven track record in a wide variety of commercial crops beyond cannabis, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, algae, soft berries, corn, ornamental plants, varietals, vertical farms, etc. Consistent global demand from these market segments, combined with strong growth in the cannabis sector, means that with this proposed transaction, AUSA is securing what is expected to be a diversified and profitable revenue stream to fuel its immediate U.S. MSO expansion. Innovation: ALPS is a proven innovator with a focus on developing new product and service offerings that have immediate commercial appeal. As a 'partner of choice' for technology developers, AUSA intends to leverage this approach in adjacent segments of the value chain to further reduce operating costs and generate new revenue streams. People: Thomas Larssen, President of ALPS, is one of the most highly regarded professionals in his field with deep connections throughout the cannabis and traditional horticultural industries. ALPS brings a team of close to 50 seasoned industry engineers, operators, cultivators, innovators and commercial builders. Leveraging the ALPS team's expertise, as well as its cannabis industry and capital markets networks, is expected to create additional opportunities for AUSA while adding managerial bandwidth to support the Company's anticipated growth. CEO & COO: As a condition to the completion of the proposed transaction, Mr. Terry Booth, currently a principal of ALPS, will become CEO of AUSA at closing, taking over from Dr. Duke Fu, who has been serving as Interim CEO since the November 17, 2020, annual and special meeting of shareholders. At such time, Dr. Fu will take on the role of COO of the Company, focusing on driving organic growth. Mr. Booth, a cannabis industry icon, has the complete set of tools to move AUSA forward in the MSO space. Mr. Booth, who built Aurora Cannabis from a late starter to a multi-billion dollar cannabis industry leader, is a seasoned entrepreneur, capital market savvy, has a deep grasp of the requirements to be successful in the global medical and recreational markets, and has a track record of winning and building multiple successful companies. Management Commentary "We anticipate that this transaction, upon its completion, will be game changing and immediately accretive, and marks the first and crucial step in the transformation of AUSA to become the Company it was always meant to be: a profitable and rapidly growing MSO," said Dr. Duke Fu, Interim CEO of AUSA. "We believe that through ALPS we will be able to secure a supply of reliable and high-quality input material to fuel our multi-state roll-out, while at the same time generating free cash flow to accelerate the growth of our business. This is what we promised AUSA shareholders, and this is what we are executing on. Rapidly." Dr. Fu. Continued, "The transaction terms combine a relatively small up-front consideration with a phased and back-end loaded earn-out based on aggressive revenue and EBITDA targets. This structure fully aligns ALPS and its principals with the success of AUSA, creating significant potential upside to generate shareholder value." Dr. Fu added, "Terry is a capital markets legend with the track record of building one of the preeminent companies in the cannabis industry. He is driven by his passion for the medical benefits of cannabis and the right of adults to use cannabis recreationally. I am very impressed with his deep knowledge of and passion for the industry, and I look forward to closely working with him to deliver on the promises made to our shareholders." Avi Geller, board member and member of AUSA's Compensation and Nominating Committee, stated, "We conducted a quick but thorough search for a new CEO and interviewed an impressive roster of candidates for the role put forward by a search firm who had conducted many prior C-level executive searches for cannabis companies. In the end, we decided to nominate Terry as he brings unsurpassed knowledge of the industry, a clear vision as to what it takes to succeed, as well as the skills and network to execute on the plan. Furthermore, Terry has a deeply seated drive to succeed, incredible energy, strong leadership skills and commands the loyalty of some of the best and brightest in the industry. Finally, Terry has a very deep understanding of the U.S. cannabis space, which, supported by Duke, newly appointed CFO Jon Paul and others, will be a great asset to AUSA's strategy roll-out going forward." Mr. Geller continued, "We are also fortunate to retain Dr. Duke Fu. Duke has an exemplary track record in building successful companies," Mr. Geller added "His focus as COO going forward will be to drive organic growth, optimizing the returns on our assets, while implementing on our capital-light strategy. We are very pleased that Terry and Duke have agreed to take on these crucial roles, and the board looks forward to supporting the team as they take AUSA to the next level." Terry Booth, Principal of ALPS and CEO designate for AUSA, added, "With yesterday's announcement of the acquisition of Green Therapeutics, we now have assembled two foundational pieces to execute on our aggressive growth strategy. Combining the industry's pre-eminent cultivation experts with the award-winning brands and operations of Green Therapeutics, and Mr. Natural provides us with the ability to rapidly scale our brands and accelerate value creation. This combination is exceptionally hard to emulate, providing significant and sustainable competitive advantages that clearly differentiate AUSA from the rest of the industry." ALPS ALPS, formerly Aurora Larssen Projects, is a global leader in facility design, construction management and (post) commissioning services to the horticultural sector across a wide variety of commercial crops. Going back over 30 years, ALPS has built a stellar reputation as the leading innovator for greenhouse, indoor and outdoor facility design, with over 100 million square feet of projects under its belt. The Company's approach centers on vendor agnostic designs geared towards optimizing economic returns under all possible market and environmental conditions. In the past seven years, ALPS has established itself as a leader in the cannabis space, having been involved in over 50 projects globally, including the highly automated, low-cost, high-quality, 800,000+ sq. ft, flagship facility Aurora Sky. 'Designed by ALPS' has become a badge synonymous with quality and a high return on investment. ALPS' leadership in the industry is due to a number of strongly differentiating factors: Technology choice: Most of ALPS' competitors are builders providing their own products. ALPS, on the other hand, is vendor agnostic and will always design what is the optimal solution for its clients. This ensures ALPS is able, if needed, to always incorporate the newest innovations into its designs without having the overhang of legacy systems. This approach resonates strongly with growers who fully understand the intrinsic value of technology choice. Optimized localized solutions: ALPS pre-project services identify the optimal solutions based on local climate, power costs, labor availability, desired output and quality. These findings support the long-term value of the facility, ensuring costs align with expected margins. Economic optimization based on real life experience: Having been involved post commissioning in the operation of many facilities, ALPS understands the challenges growers will face once facilities are up and running, and adapts its solutions accordingly. Consequently, ALPS is able to reduce economic and operational risks significantly. Enhanced economic returns through post-commissioning service offering: ALPS' deep operational experience has resulted in the development of a unique suite of post commissioning service offerings. These offerings enable growers to reduce operating costs and maintenance related CapEx, while extending a facility's economic lifespan. This further reduces economic and operational risks, setting ALPS apart from its 'design and construction only' peers. Intellectual Property: ALPS is a master of Controlled Environment Agriculture, an ability enhanced by its deep experience in developing high-quality, high throughput facilities, including those that must adhere to GACP/GMP regulations, as well as proprietary product offerings. For instance, ALPS has developed unique IP around climate delivery, which results in cost savings as well as higher product quality and yields with reduced disease risk. Scale: the scale of the ALPS organization provides competitive advantages through the accumulation of in-house talent across a wide range of specializations which is difficult to emulate. Partnerships: ALPS is the partner of choice for many vendors who are willing to co-develop proprietary solutions available only to ALPS customers. Furthermore, the assurance ALPS provides to vendors as a representative of both client and vendor ensures both parties align from the start of a project, reducing surprises and cost overruns during the life of the project. As a consequence, ALPS can negotiate cost-savings for the client that would otherwise be unavailable if the client went to a vendor directly. Brand: The quality of design, project management, commissioning, project handover, and post-commissioning services mean that ALPS' customer satisfaction is exceptionally high, delivering significant brand equity, as well as strengthening vendors' willingness to partner with ALPS. The ALPS brand also provides considerable brand equity towards consumers of the end products, strengthening a client's market position. Compliance: APIS, the Company's new compliance and data driven service offering, enables growers to de-risk compliance and regulatory based concerns. APIS is a powerful tool designed to integrate multiple systems into a single source of data and information. It provides secure dashboards, track-and-trace functionality, as well as quick access to retrievable data useful for production personnel, facility owners, auditors, and data analysis. However, APIS is not just for regulated markets like cannabis; it also provides operational insight and controls for traditional vegetable and non-vegetable crops. This is called Industrialized Greenhouse Management. Figure 1 below shows an oversight of ALPS' end-to-end service offering along the cannabis cultivation value chain. Quality of design, execution and innovation have enabled ALPS to grow rapidly, and the company currently serves customers across the globe (Figure 2, with office locations marked). Transaction details AUSA will pay to the ALPS principals between $13.7 million to a maximum of $26.144 million in total for a 51% interest in ALPS and the option to acquire the additional 49%. The consideration will be paid based on various milestones and adjustments as set out below. Initial Consideration (i) $10,000,000 paid through either the issuance of shares of AUSA ("AUSA Shares") valued at a deemed price of $0.20 per AUSA Share, or in cash, or a mixture of both at the election of AUSA; (ii) $2,000,000 paid in cash on closing; and (iii) a $1,700,000 indemnity holdback, payable eighteen (18) months after closing, adjusted for any indemnity claim made by AUSA pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement. The indemnity holdback payment, if any, may be paid, at the election of AUSA in cash or AUSA Shares at a deemed price equal to the 10-day volume weighted average price calculated from the payment date. Milestone Consideration AUSA will also be responsible to pay to the ALPS vendors the following milestone-based payments: i. The maximum milestone payments (the "Milestone Payments") that will payable, assuming full satisfaction of all milestones will be $24 million, payable in six installments, commencing up to 90 days post June 30, 2022; ii. Each Milestone Payment will be calculated against revenue (3 payments) and EBITDA (3 payments) targets, related to the 12-month periods up to June 30th 2022, 2023 and 2024. The actual Milestone Payments are capped at $8 million per 12-month period (up to $24 million in total), contingent on actual performance. iii. The maximum Milestone Payments of $24 million are payable upon ALPS achieving cumulative revenues of $108.7 million with cumulative EBITDA of $48.9 million over the period July 2021 to June 2024 (with separate revenue and EBITDA thresholds for each 12-month period). If a Milestone Payment becomes payable by AUSA prior to AUSA's exercise of the option to acquire the remaining 49% of ALPS, such payment will be 51% of the applicable Milestone Payment. The number of AUSA Shares to be issued by AUSA in connection with the payment of the Milestone Payment or the Option Amount (as defined below) will be calculated by dividing the amount payable by an amount equal to the greater of (a) the volume-weighted average trading price of the AUSA Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange for the ten trading days immediately prior to the applicable payment date and (b) the maximum allowable discount permitted by the applicable stock exchange rules to the closing price of the AUSA Shares on the trading day prior to this announcement. The Option As part of the proposed terms, AUSA shall have the right to purchase the remaining 49% of the ALPS shares, on the following terms: (i) AUSA may elect to acquire the 49% of ALPS for an amount equal to $14,300,000 plus any past Milestone Payment multiplied by that percentage of ALPS owned by the Vendors at the time of the payment of such Milestone Payment (the "Option Amount"); (ii) AUSA may exercise all or part of the Option on a pro-rata basis at any time until the third anniversary of the closing of the initial purchase. The Option Amount will be payable through either the issuance of AUSA Shares, or in cash, or a mixture of both at the election of AUSA. In the event that the issuance of AUSA Shares would result in "change of control" (for the purposes of Canadian Securities Exchange rules), AUSA will be prohibited from paying the Milestone Amount or the Option Amount in AUSA Shares and shall be required to make the payments in cash. The AUSA Shares issued in connection with the transaction will be subject to certain contractual restrictions on transfer. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including completion of due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements and receipt of all necessary approvals. If such conditions are not satisfied it is possible that the proposed transaction will not be completed on the terms set forth herein or at all. The parties anticipate completing the definitive agreements within the next 30 days, and anticipate the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. Conference call details The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to discuss both the ALPS and Green Therapeutics transactions announced today. Conference Call Participant Numbers Confirmation #: 87780553 Local: 416-764-8659 North American Toll Free: 1-888-664-6392 Webcast URL: http://bitly.ws/b23d About Australis Capital Inc. AUSA is implementing a capital light growth strategy towards establishing a highly competitive and profitable MSO in the U.S. and global cannabis markets. AUSA's business lines and assets include investments in Cocoon, Body and Mind Inc., Quality Green, Folium Biosciences, and land assets in Washington. AUSA is currently working towards the closing of a transaction whereby it will acquire 100% of the membership interest in Green Therapeutics LLC, an award-winning MSO with operations in Nevada, Missouri and Oklahoma. Furthermore, the Company is working towards completing the acquisition of ALPS, the world's premier design, construction management, commissioning and post commissioning consultancy for horticultural crops, such as cannabis, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and algae. Through GT and ALPS, the Company believes it will be able to secure low-cost access to cannabis biomass to fuel the scale up of its award winning brands across the U.S. and global cannabis markets. The Company's common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "AUSA" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "AUSAF". For further information about AUSA, contact the Company by e-mail at [email protected]. "Dr. Duke Fu" ________________________________ Dr. Duke Fu Interim Chief Executive Officer Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein is forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the timing and ability to close the proposed transaction; the anticipated development of the ALPS business and its ability to grow revenues; the proposed transaction being immediately accretive to the Company's financial position; the ability of AUSA to enter into low-cost cultivation and offtake agreements with ALPS customers; the timing and ability to close the proposed transaction with Green Therapeutics; the ability of the Company to execute on its strategy to establish a low Capex model MSO; the impact of the changes to U.S. federal and state developments with respect to the cannabis industry and the opportunities this may present for the Company. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Company to successfully satisfy the conditions to closing the ALPS and Green Therapeutics transactions, the ability of the Company to complete negotiations for cultivation and offtake agreements with potential suppliers; the ability of management of ALPS and the Company to successfully execute on their respective business plans; legal changes relating to the cannabis industry proceeding as anticipated; and the Company's continued response and ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic being consistent with, or better than, its ability and response to date. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; the actual results of the Company's future operations; competition; changes in legislation affecting the Company; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, economic activity, financing, supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit the Company's ability to obtain external financing. EBITDA is a Non-IFRS measure. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") should not be construed as alternatives to net income/loss determined in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric as it measures cash generated from operations, which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements and fund future growth initiatives. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. However, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 1 https://www.futurewiseresearch.com/healthcare-market-research/Cannabis-Cultivation-Market/10479 SOURCE Australis Capital Inc. Related Links www.ausa-corp.com Matthew Wright and his family are 'out the other side' after suffering from coronavirus symptoms. The former The Wright Stuff presenter, 55, took to Twitter on Wednesday to say he, wife Amelia and daughter Cassady, 23 months are on the mend, although he doesn't know for sure if they have the virus, as they are still waiting for the test results. He wrote: 'Good news: All three of us seem out the other side of this now I reckon bar the coughing. Recovery: Matthew Wright and his family are 'out the other side' after suffering from coronavirus symptoms (pictured with wife Amelia) 'Thanks again for your kindness x stay well everyone (sic)' He also told a follower: 'The cough is pretty grim! just told a friend it's easy to see how breathing could become v difficulty v quickly. Great to hear u r ok tho xx (sic)' Earlier this week Matthew revealed he suspected his whole family have caught coronavirus. The presenter appeared on This Morning via video link on Monday for a debate about if the U.K will go into another national lockdown, but first announced he believes has caught the contagious virus. Matthew said he is trying 'not to panic' while the family await the results of their tests, but added his daughter Cassady has been sick from coughing so much. Fatherhood: The former The Wright Stuff presenter, 55, took to Twitter on Wednesday to say he, wife Amelia and daughter Cassady, 23 months are on the mend, although he doesn't know for sure if they have the virus, as they are still waiting for the test results Good news: He wrote: 'Good news: All three of us seem out the other side of this now I reckon bar the coughing' Matthew said: 'Happy New Year everybody. I'd like to start off by declaring we suspect my whole family has the virus. 'We are waiting for test results to come back at the moment.' Phillip asked: 'How are you all feeling? Are you ok?' Health scare: Earlier this week Matthew revealed he suspected his whole family have caught coronavirus Scary: Matthew said he is trying 'not to panic' while the family await the results of their tests, but added his daughter Cassady, 23 months, has been sick from coughing so much Covid: The presenter, 55, appeared on This Morning via video link on Monday for a debate about if the U.K was to go into another national lockdown where he announced the news WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS? Like other coronaviruses, including those that cause the common cold and that triggered SARS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. The most common symptoms are: Fever Dry cough Shortness of breath Difficulty breathing Fatigue Although having a runny nose doesn't rule out coronavirus, it doesn't thus far appear to be a primary symptom. Advertisement Matthew explained his wife Amelia has had it 'really tough' but also voiced fears about his daughter. 'Well the idea that little children don't suffer the Covid symptoms badly. I can put that to one side,' he said. 'Amelia has had it really tough but Cassie also been coughing through the night, coughing up phlegm and making herself sick from coughing during the night. 'It has been pretty grim and I'm trying not to panic, trying not to call an ambulance knowing the hospitals are going to be overcrowded. 'We are just trying to keep a cool head on things and push on it through it.' While Phil tried to reassure Matthew it could be a winter bug not coronavirus, Matthew told the host how his neighbour was put into intensive care on Christmas Day after testing positive for Covid-19. Talking about how he is doing, the presenter said: 'It's eased off a bit in the last 36 hours. 'We've also had to offset it with the fact that we've got a neighbour who went down. 'He was in intensive care on Christmas Day, no underlying health conditions. Just over 60, and we've heard that he may have his life support turned off today.' Brave: 'We are just trying to keep a cool head on things and push on it through it', Matthew said Virus: Matthew explained his wife Amelia has had it 'really tough' but also voiced fears about his daughter Matthew and wife Amelia welcomed their daughter Cassady in January 2019 after trying for eight years and enduring six failed IVF attempts and one life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. The star revealed at the time he almost missed the birth of his first child after being stuck in traffic. Matthew said that he was 'having kittens', after coming off air to learn that his wife was in labour with their baby daughter on the other side of London. After receiving a text as he finished his radio show, the star hopped in a car to make his way across London from Waterloo to Hammersmith, where Amelia was giving birth at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital. He said to Hello Magazine at the time: 'There was a taxi drivers' strike, every road we went on was stuck and there was no more communication from her. 'It took one hour 15 minutes to get from my offices in Waterloo to the hospital in Hammersmith, usually it would be 40 minutes, and I was having kittens.' Amelia said: 'My blood pressure suddenly went sky high and they said, 'This is dangerous, it has to happen now'. 'They said they would try and wait for Matthew to get there but otherwise they were going to have to start. 'He needed to get there no later than when he did, or he would have missed it.' Matthew has been with his second wife Amelia, a Sony music executive, since 2007 and they have been married since 2010. FERNDALE, Mich.Top adult distributor Nalpac has announced that it has released its 2021 Valentines Day Catalog for retailers seeking appropriate stock for the "lovers holiday." The 68-page Nalpac 2021 Valentines Day Catalog is split between dedicated brand pages and featured collections, similar to how a retail store would be merchandised. Nalpacs 2021 Valentines Day Catalog features some of the top-selling items on the market from leading manufacturers, including Pipedream Products, Blush Novelties, WOW Tech, System JO, Doc Johnson, Shots, Evolved Novelties, Swiss Navy, Nasstoys, Le Wand, Wicked Sensual Care, Nu Sensuelle, NS Novelties, Femme Funn, Forto, and Nalpac exclusive Viotec. Valentines Day is a favorite holiday at Nalpac, but picking the items to feature was even harder than usual because there are so many great new releases and house favorites to fit on to the pages, said Phoebe Grott, Nalpac director of marketing and strategic partnership. "With social distancing here to stay into 2021, we got creative on suggestions for how to help customers find that special something to make their V-Day night memorable, whether its spent in person after months of holing up together or on Zoom." Inside the Nalpac 2021 Valentines Day Catalog, customers will find catalog sections including Valentines Day Shop, Role-Play for V-Day, Gift Sets, Dildos, Dongs, and Strap-Ons, Dual-Action Vibes, Oral Delights, and Must-Haves. Additionally, customers can find information about educational resources Nalpac offers including Buyers Guides, Webinars, Dicks With Don, and more. Those interested may view Nalpac's 2021 Valentines Day Catalog here. We are so thrilled to be able to present our Nalpac customers with a new catalog for Valentines Day," stated Kelsey Harris, Nalpac Sales Manager. Our sales team is continuously working to place the best products with our customers to help their business thrive during our favorite season. The new products weve showcased in this release are sure to become some of the best-sellers in 2021." Nalpac customers with questions about items in the Nalpac 2021 Valentines Day Catalog or who would like to place an order can contact a Nalpac sales representative. New prospective Nalpac customers can email [email protected] to set up an account. To sign up for the Nalpac email newsletter and take advantage of savings, promotions, and online education tools, visit Nalpacs blog at Nalpac.us. Nalpac offers more than 22,000 items now, including PPE, to retailers at a wholesale price. For more information on Nalpac, visit the company website Nalpac.com and follow it for daily updates on Twitter @NalpacWholesale, on Facebook, on Instagram @Nalpac and visit its YouTube channel. Operation Warp Speed had the ambitious goal of immunizing 20 million people by the end of December. There were supposedly going to be enough doses on hand for those 20 million people to even get their follow-up shots. Science adviser Moncef Slaoui was stating this on national television as late as mid-December, after just one vaccine had earned Emergency Use Authorization. The second authorization was just days away, meaning the miracle had happened: Under (or in spite of) the leadership of Donald Trump, two vaccines were going to be ready to use in record time, with high efficacies and minimal side effects. Advertisement But having reached the goal of actually having a vaccine to distributeand on a staggeringly impressive timelineAmerica is now struggling with the next step: getting the vaccine to people. As of Monday morning, a little over 4.5 million people have received the first dose of a vaccine, with just shy of 15.5 million doses distributed to states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to track every single thing that has impeded delivery, but the snafus started when states received smaller shipments than theyd expected. The New York Times reported that it was the result of a scheduling hiccup. Pfizer put out a press release saying that the issue was not that doses werent available to ship: We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but, as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses. A few days later, Operation Warp Speeds chief operating officer Gustave Perna explained to reporters that the issue was a delay between what is available and what is releasable. Apparently, he had failed to account for the fact that the Food and Drug Administration needs to receive a quality control analysis before each lot of shipments goes out. According to the Washington Post, Perna declined to explain much further. Advertisement Meanwhile, even the doses that are available have run into issues in terms of being fairly and efficiently allocated. There have been stories about the breakdowns in the very process of booking an appointment. At Mass General Brigham in Boston, the app to sign up for appointments relied on physicians adhering to the honor code to not skip the line, NPR reported; hospital leadership said there was simply no way to automatically restrict 80,000 staff members from signing up out of turn. The app initially crashed, which left front-line health care workers without a clear way to get an appointment. In Florida, counties are using the ticket platform Eventbrite to sign up eligible elderly people for slotsa solution that does in fact seem to be working, if it also belies the lack of polished and reassuring strategy. This is the only option we have right now, this is the quickest, easiest, and most efficient way that we can think of to help the department of health solve this issue right now, one countys communication specialist told the Verge. Advertisement Still, how can there be so many doses that have been distributed but not yet administered? One reason might be that vaccination started during the holidays, when scheduling and staffing can be more difficultfewer than 200 doses were given in New York City on Christmas Day, for example. Unpredictable shipments are making it hard to schedule appointments, too. And some hospital workers are choosing not to take a vaccine yet, though its unclear to what extent this is vaccine hesitancy, a scheduling issue, an altruistic desire for someone else to get it first, or something else. Even with all of the discussion about who should be prioritized ethically, distributors are realizing theyre not sure what to do when someone misses a time slot. At a Giant Foods in Washington, two random people got doses that would have otherwise spoiled. This is probably the right thing to have happenthe vaccine should go into someones arm, rather than to waste. But optics-wise, it makes it easy to imagine things devolving into a free-for-all sooner rather than later, doing away with all the planning to distribute the vaccine in accordance to how it can make the biggest impact on public health. I think the best thing to do at this point is have roving bands of doctors roam the streets and jab random people with vaccine doses, NYUs Jeff Sebo tweeted over the weekenda joke, but also, maybe more practical than whatever is happening currently. Advertisement Advertisement What is so frustrating about the current situation is that so much money and effort was poured into the creation of a vaccine, but apparently that same investment was not given to the process of actually getting it into arms. The COVID-19 relief bill passed over the holidays includes money for states to help with itpromising, but a little on the late side, considering how much more advance preparation could have helped. Organizing shipping times and appointment slots might not be as scientifically difficult as coaxing mRNA to do something complicated inside a cell, and its certainly harder to brag about in the pages of history. But its still an enormous amount of work, requiring effort and cooperation. We havent been great about all the banal, day-to-day stuff that requires us to get through the pandemic. America is failing at the boring stuff. I wish I were surprised. [January 06, 2021] Gravit Designer PRO Offers Real-time Collaboration for Designers OTTAWA, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corel announces new updates to its cross-platform, web-based vector graphic design application, Gravit Designer. Available as both a free and PRO version on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS and most major browsers, Gravit Designer provides the power and flexibility designers need to create eye-catching projects and graphics. With this latest release, Gravit Designer PRO users can now take advantage of touch support for easy navigation and new, real-time collaboration features, making it seamless to work directly with colleagues and approvers on design projects. From students learning about vector illustration to seasoned designers looking for a fully functional application, Gravit Designer PRO makes it easy to create exceptional designs. And with our latest update, users can take advantage of powerful cloud-based collaboration features to keep them connected to coworkers and contributors, plus design their projects on the go, thanks to an all-new touch interface, said Reza Kazemi, Senior Product Manager for Online Graphics at Corel. Whether working on illustrations, marketing materials, UI designs, websites, or social media posts, Gravit Designer PRO gives you the power to unleash your creativity. Updates to Gravit Designer PRO elevate your design workflow: NEW! Real-time Collaboration: Providing an easy way to connect with key stakeholders, Real-time Collaboration enables users to share comments and annotations from directly in their file. Specific roles can be assigned when sharing documents and collaborators without a Gravit Designer account can be invited to access designs. Providing an easy way to connect with key stakeholders, Real-time Collaboration enables users to share comments and annotations from directly in their file. Specific roles can be assigned when sharing documents and collaborators without a Gravit Designer account can be invited to access designs. NEW! Touch Support: Easily navigate the Gravit Designer PRO interface on supported touch-enabled hardware, including iPads, Microsoft Surface devices and more. Creators now have the power to unleash their artistic potential at their fingertips. Easily navigate the Gravit Designer PRO interface on supported touch-enabled hardware, including iPads, Microsoft Surface devices and more. Creators now have the power to unleash their artistic potential at their fingertips. NEW! Function History: Gravit Designer PRO tracks each action and displays them in a list. Easily go back and forth in time to a favorite version of your design and work with confidence. Availability Gravit Designer is available in 14 languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Czech and Dutch. To learn more about Gravit Designer and to create a free account, visit www.designer.io. To explore the benefits of Gravit Designer PRO, find out how to subscribe, or experience the free trial, visit www.designer.io/pricing. About Gravit Designer Gravit Designer is a powerful vector graphics design app that works on all major platforms. Every day, Gravit Designer helps creators unleash their potential with intuitive and flexible features tailored to professional designers and beginners alike. Gravit Designer is part of Corel's graphics portfolio. For more information, please visit www.designer.io. About Corel Corel products enable millions of connected knowledge workers around the world to do great work faster. Offering some of the industry's best-known software brands, we give individuals and teams the power to create, collaborate, and deliver impressive results. Our success is driven by an unwavering commitment to deliver a broad portfolio of innovative applications including CorelDRAW, MindManager, Parallels, and WinZip to inspire users and help them achieve their goals. To learn more about Corel, please visit www.corel.com. 2021 Corel Corporation. Corel, the Corel logo, the Corel Balloon logo, CorelDRAW, Gravit, MindManager, and WinZip are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation and/or its affiliates in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere. Parallels is a trademark or registered trademark of Parallels International GmbH in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere. iPad and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc. Chrome is a trademark of Google LLC. All other company, product and service names, logos, brands and any registered or unregistered trademarks mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Use of any brands, names, logos or any other information, imagery or materials pertaining to a third party does not imply endorsement. We disclaim any proprietary interest in such third-party information, imagery, materials, marks and names of others. For all notices and information about patents, please visit www.corel.com/patent. Media Contact Saeed Ismail Saeed saeed.saeed@corel.com www.designer.io Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/248dd0a2-8057-4bf4-8dfe-ec3732f23bd8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9bdc90ea-4bb4-40ba-b0a5-6f4fe61d9a20 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51e91b2c-14b9-41a1-a2b7-5aec10580e73 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Sports lie at the margins of our culture, different from how it is elsewhere in the world, and from how it used to be. This is one of the reasons why criminality among youth proceeds unchecked. There is no youth labour market, and the school system ruthlessly triages youth. India is now expected to invite another foreign leader as chief guest for the January 26 parade New Delhi said Tuesday evening that in a phone conversation with Mr Modi, Mr Johnson regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed Covid-19 context prevailing in UK, but said he was keen to visit India in the near future. New Delhi: British PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his planned India visit later this month to be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations due to the grim Covid-19 situation in Britain and the speed at which the new coronavirus variant is spreading that led to a fresh national lockdown, the British government said Tuesday, adding Mr Johnson had already spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his regret. Mr Johnson hopes to visit India by June this year. India is now expected to invite another foreign leader as chief guest for the January 26 parade. New Delhi said Tuesday evening that in a phone conversation with Mr Modi, Mr Johnson regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed Covid-19 context prevailing in UK, but said he was keen to visit India in the near future. New Delhi said Prime Minister (Modi) expressed his understanding of the exceptional situation in the UK, and conveyed his best wishes for the quick control of the pandemic spread, adding he looked forward to receiving Prime Minister Johnson in India at the earliest opportunity after normalisation of the situation. The invitation to Mr Johnson was announced during British foreign secretary Dominic Raabs visit to New Delhi last month. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media HAMDEN The state is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed Dennis Allen-Paige, 21, as he walked near his home on Dec. 8, 2019. Allen-Paige was walking home from his place of employment near Whiting Street on that date when several males, who apparently sought to rob him, approached him, Capt. Ronald Smith said in an email. She recently returned to Los Angeles with her daughter Stormi, two, after vacationing in celeb-friendly Aspen with her mother Kris and older sister Kendall. And Kylie Jenner looked happy to be back inside her Holmby Hills mansion as she posed for a slew of snapshots in her spacious living room on Tuesday. 'mommy goose,' captioned the makeup mogul, 23, who put on a busty display in a sheer button-up cardigan. Strike a pose: ylie Jenner looked happy to be back inside her Holmby Hills mansion as she posed for a slew of snapshots in her spacious living room on Tuesday She layered a lacy nude bra beneath her tight fitting top and completed her outfit with a pair of ivory toned mini shorts. Despite recently deciding to rock her 'natural' short hair, Kylie amplified her look by throwing on a faux ponytail that flowed down her back in loose waves. The Kylie Cosmetics CEO sported a full face of ultra glamorous makeup, which consisted of some smokey eyeshadow, a generous amount of lip gloss, and a bit of highlighter on her cheekbones. Jenner accessorized by fastening a single pendant chain around her neck and slipping some rings onto her freshly manicured fingers. Bringing the drama: Despite recently deciding to rock her 'natural' short hair, Kylie amplified her look by throwing on a faux ponytail that flowed down her back in loose waves Makeup mogul: The Kylie Cosmetics CEO sported a full face of ultra glamorous makeup, which consisted of some smokey eyeshadow, a generous amount of lip gloss, and a bit of highlighter on her cheekbones For one of the sultry snapshots, Kylie posed with one hand on her chest as she flipped her ruby red ponytail. Another showed the star leaning back into her fuzzy white lounge chair with her legs crossed. Resting behind Kylie was a highly organized bookshelf complete with various reads and some eclectic statues. Curated space: Resting behind Kylie was a highly organized bookshelf complete with various reads and some eclectic statues After sharing her self-portraits with her 208million followers, Jenner quickly earned a ton of complimentary comments, including a few from her BFF Stassie Karanikolaou. 'ARE U SERIOUS RIGHT NOW,' wrote Stassie, who was clearly wowed by her best friend's gorgeous get-up. 'I WANNA KISS U,' admitted Karanikolaou, which earned over 2,000 likes from Kylie's massive fanbase. Hype woman! After sharing her self-portraits with her 208million followers, Jenner quickly earned a ton of complimentary comments, including a few from her BFF Stassie Karanikolaou Thanks, girl! Seeing Stassie's comments, Kylie made sure to send the fellow model a kissy face emoji; Kylie and Stassie pictured Seeing Stassie's comments, Kylie made sure to send the fellow model a kissy face emoji. Kylie and her daughter Stormi, as well as her mother Kris, 65, and older sister Kendall, 25, touched back down in Los Angeles on Monday night. Kris was the first to touch down with her boyfriend Corey Gamble, 40, while the Jenner girls and Stormi spent some extra time in the ski-resort city. Winter wonderland: She recently returned to Los Angeles with her daughter Stormi, two, after vacationing in celeb-friendly Aspen with her mother Kris and older sister Kendall; Kylie pictured on January 3 Final moments: Kris was the first to touch down with her boyfriend Corey Gamble, 40, while the Jenner girls and Stormi spent some extra time in the ski-resort city As they waited for the jet to return for them, Kylie and her daughter Stormi - Kendall was seemingly MIA - partook in a snowboarding lesson. Kylie captured the entire session on her Instagram Story, including her hilarious reaction to Stormi's impressive snowboarding skills. The little one, whom Kylie shares with rapper Travis Scott, 28, looked undeniably sweet in a neon green helmet with matching goggles and a fitted grey snowsuit. Snowboarding: As they waited for the jet to return for them, Kylie and her daughter Stormi - Kendall was seemingly MIA - partook in a snowboarding lesson Killing it: Kylie captured the entire session on her Instagram Story, including her hilarious reaction to Stormi's impressive snowboarding skills Sunday's lesson was just one of many snowboarding lessons that Stormi indulge in during her family's extravagant New Year's trip. Once darkness fell, the remaining members of the Jenner family hopped aboard the Kylie Cosmetics CEO's luxurious private jet and headed home. During their trip to Aspen, the family stayed in a four-story mansion cost the group a shocking $450,000 for a month's-long stay, or $25,000 for daily rentals. Luxe: During their trip to Aspen, the family stayed in a four-story mansion cost the group a shocking $450,000 for a month's-long stay, or $25,000 for daily rentals Grand tour: And before fleeing the winter wonderland, Kylie treated her followers on Instagram to a virtual tour of the opulent vacation home And before fleeing the winter wonderland, Kylie treated her followers on Instagram to a virtual tour of the opulent vacation home. The massive mansion covers 20,000sq ft with seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and half bathrooms. The home's open-level approach may not appeal to people with a fear of heights, as the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star revealed that the home has a glass floor surrounded by sofas that appeared to overlook the front entrance. Stunning: The massive mansion covers 20,000sq ft with seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and half bathrooms Yikes! The home's open-level approach may not appeal to people with a fear of heights, as the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star revealed that the home has a glass floor surrounded by sofas that appeared to overlook the front entrance Kylie and her vacation crew arrived to their snow-filled destination just in time to ring in 2021. Missing from the memorable trip were older sisters Kourtney, 41, Kim, 40, and Khloe, 36, as well as their significant others and kids. Despite not holding their annual Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Eve party this year due to COVID-19, the entire family did attend a family-only celebration at Kourtney's house. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Malegaon bomb blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court that he was involved with the hardline Hindu group alleged to be behind the 2008 attacks as he was collecting intelligence inputs for the Indian Army. The claim that Purohit was only discharging his duties as a military intelligence officer was made as the court heard a plea filed by him that argues that the National Investigation Agency does not have a valid sanction to prosecute him in the case. His lawyer, Neela Gokhale, informed the court that he collected the intelligence inputs by attending conspiracy meetings held for the 2008 blast. Purohit has maintained that his superiors were constantly in the loop about his actions and associations with Abhinav Bharat. Purohit is one of the key accused along with Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, now the BJP MP from Bhopal, in the bombing case, in which seven people were killed. After nine years in prison, he got conditional bail from the Supreme Court in 2017. The NIA, in its chargesheet in 2016, had recorded the statements of seven Military Intelligence officers who said they were not aware of Purohits alleged undercover operation to infiltrate Abhinav Bharat, the group that Purohit registered in 2006, giving his profession as farmer. The NIA had recommended prosecuting Purohit for conspiracy and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, though it had dropped charges under the stringent anti-terror law, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act or MCOCA, against him and nine others. His lawyer on Wednesday said that the case against him was not maintainable as there was no requisite sanction under Section 197 of the CrPC. Section 197(2) of the CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) bars a court from taking cognisance of any offence that had been committed by any member of the Indian Armed Forces while acting in his or her duties without getting previous sanction from the central government. His lawyer also informed the court that Purohit was a decorated army officer and used to often give instructions for the anti-terrorism squad (ATS). The court has adjourned the hearing till February 2, 2021, and said the next hearing will be held in a physical court and not via video conferencing. Wine bar appeal leads 130 to self-isolate as more locations identified More than 130 people who visited a wine bar, identified as a high risk location for Covid-19, are now self-isolating after an appeal yesterday. Anyone who attended the Truth Wine & Tapas bar on Parliament Street in Ramsey, on either New Years Eve or Saturday 2 January, was asked to self-isolate immediately. The venue was identified as a high risk location after an individual, who was identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, tested positive for Covid-19. This individual is known to have been in the premises on two separate evenings: Thursday 31 December 2020 - 17:00 pm to 01:00 am Saturday 2 January 2021 17:00 pm to 23:45 pm Dr Henrietta Ewart, Director of Public Health, said: Thank you to everyone who has responded and been so responsible. More than 130 people, who visited the bar on the dates and times specified, are now self-isolated and awaiting tests. If anyone else was at the venue please contact COVID-111 for further advice. In addition, 14 further locations have been identified that pose a low risk of contracting COVID-19 for people who visited on the dates and times listed below. Dr Ewart, added: People who visited these venues do not need to self-isolate. However, if people were at these locations we ask them to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, including fever of any grade, cough or difficulty breathing, for 14 days from the date they were there. If they develop symptoms they should self-isolate immediately and call COVID-111 for further advice. The businesses that have been visited do not need to take any action in relation to this. Thursday 31 December 2020 13:00 to 14:00 pm Matt Hatters, Victoria Buildings, 54 Parliament Street, Ramsey 13:00 to 14:00 pm Pure Inspiration, 69 Parliament Street, Ramsey 20:20 to 00:20 pm Majestic Chinese, 59 King Edward Rd, Douglas Saturday 02 January 2021 11:15 to 12:00 pm The Caff, Lord Street Douglas 12:00 to 13:00 pm Capones, 84 Strand Street, Douglas 12:15 to 14:00 pm B&B Furniture, Snugborough Trading Estate, Douglas 12:30 to 13:30 pm Tesco, Lake Road, Douglas 13:00 to 13:30 pm Burtons, 21 Strand Street, Douglas 13:00 to 13:30 pm JACs Store, 25, 21 Strand Street, Douglas 13:30 to 14:00 pm Currys, Spring Valley Industrial Estate 14:15 to 14:45 pm B&Q, Spring Valley Industrial Estate, Douglas 15:00 to 15:30 pm McDonalds, Peel Road, Douglas (Sit in only) 15:30 to 15:45 pm Court Cafe, 12 Parliament St, Ramsey 15:30 to 16:02 pm Ramsey Self-Service laundry, Unit 1, St Pauls Square, Ramsey The president says that those guilty should be punished. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the SBU Security Service of Ukraine and other law enforcement agencies to immediately check information about the alleged smuggling of a coronavirus vaccine into Ukraine. This is stated in a message on his Telegram channel. Read alsoRussia's FSB digging up dirt on Ukraine's intelligence chief (Wiretap records) "I've instructed the Security Service and other law enforcement agencies to immediately check information about the alleged smuggling of the coronavirus vaccine into Ukraine. If someone has really hit upon an idea of importing in a secret way and in violation of laws the vaccine for sale, the reaction should be as tough as possible," Zelensky said. He added that the state has a clear vaccination plan. "First, people at risk and those who are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 will get vaccinated," he said. Zelensky stressed that there should be the punishment for smuggling and counterfeiting. Secret vaccination against coronavirus in Ukraine Earlier, the media reported that some Members of Parliament and officials had secretly been vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Pfizer vaccine that was illegally imported into Ukraine from Israel. Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal instructed the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to check reports on secret vaccination of lawmakers with pharmaceutical preparations of unknown origin. Reporting by UNIAN BOSTON The House approved a Senate bill Tuesday night to abolish Hampshire Council of Governments that includes language to pay the financially collapsed agencys known obligations that include an estimated $5.8 million pension liability. The bill is now on Gov. Charlie Bakers desk. The Governor has ten days to sign, veto, or amend it. Following the bills passage, members of the western Massachusetts legislative delegation that shepherded this legislation through both chambers, released a statement titled Hampshire County cities and towns shielded from millions of dollars in liabilities. The statement thanks HCOG Chairman Rus Peotter for having the vision, 2018, to develop a plan that would dissolve the agency. In the statement, Peotter thanks legislators and former HCOG executive director Todd Ford, and Fords assistant, Lydia King. It would not have happened without the extraordinary leadership and dedication of each member of the Countys legislative delegation. We are particularly thankful for the early guidance of Senator Jo Comerford and her Chief of Staff Jared Freedman and recently the steady push to the finish line by Representative Natalie Blais. I also want to thank the HCG staff, particularly Lydia King and Todd Ford for freely sharing their creativity and knowledge. The Council looks forward to wrapping up the final details of this dissolution in the days ahead, Peotter said. The legislators statement says: Millions of dollars in liabilities and various assets associated with the dissolution required legislative action since HCG was established through legislation. The Hampshire County delegations efforts were driven by two primary goals: to ensure the well-being of county retirees and to minimize the financial impact on Hampshire County cities and towns. What began two decades ago as a dream to re-imagine the abolished Hampshire County government with a new Hampshire Council of Governments is now over and done with, should Baker sign the bill. His signature would mean municipal entities that comprise Hampshire County Retirement System are now protected. The county retirement systems three largest communities, Amherst, South Hadley and Belchertown, would end up funding about half of the councils liability, should the state bailout not become law. A previous bill passed by legislature signed by Baker in 2019 essentially saved the health insurance coverage of about 50 council retirees. That bill transferred the Hampshire Councils $40,000 monthly health insurance obligation to the states Group Insurance Commission. Another bill previously approved 14 months ago transferred the old courthouse at 99 Main St. in Northampton back to the state of Massachusetts. The historic building had been the councils headquarters when they came into existence 20 years ago when Hampshire County government was abolished. That legislation had given the old courthouse to the fledgling Hampshire Council of Governments, along with the Hampshire Care nursing facility. The council would subsequently sell the nursing facility for nearly $4 million. Related Content: The Kankara schoolboys, released after a week in captivity, were kidnapped in their school on Dec 11, 2020. The Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Mustapha Inuwa, said the state government did not pay any ransom to rescue the abducted 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. Mr Inuwa said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Tuesday that although rescuing the boys from their abductors was difficult, no ransom was given. He said the state government deployed a multi-facet approach in effecting the release of the boys saying, "in doing this, we ensured that no casualty was recorded." The SSG said, "Contrary to speculations in some quarters that the government paid N1million to rescue each student, the government did not pay any money. "Although, the process was difficult and hectic, we ensured that no casualty was recorded during the operations, we are happy that they returned safely and were reunited with their families." He commended the efforts of the Federal Government through the police and other security agencies towards ensuring the release of the school boys. 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State were abducted from their hostel by bandits on Dec. 11, 2020. Although the pupils regained their freedom after one week in captivity, there have been controversies over whether ransom was paid to the abductors or not. (NAN) UPDATE: President Donald Trump has released a statement in a video posted to Twitter amid pro-Trump rioters storming of the Capitol. Trump told rioters to "go home" and repeated baseless claims of election fraud. "I know your pain, I know you're hurt," Trump said. "We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. we have to have peace." "This was a fraudulent election, but we cant play into the hands of these people," Trump said in the video. Twitter has prevented the video from being retweeted, liked or replied to "due to a risk of violence" EARLIER: President Donald Trump urged rioters to "remain peaceful" on Twitter as they stormed the U.S. Capitol, breaking into the Capitol Building and protesting the certification of the 2020 election. "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful," Trump tweeted. "No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" Less than an hour earlier, Trump attacked Vice President Mike Pence on Twitter, repeating baseless claims of widespread election fraud, as protests began outside of the Capitol. "Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify," Trump tweeted. "USA demands the truth!" President-elect Joe Biden defeated Trump in the November presidential election. Congress was set to certify the election results Wednesday. ATLANTA Georgians turned out in record numbers for runoff elections on Tuesday, casting more than 4 million votes. That high-water mark came weeks after the state surpassed 5 million votes, another record, in the Nov. 3 election. Riding that wave of turnout, Democrats turned the state blue. The Rev. Raphael Warnock was declared the winner early Wednesday in his Georgia runoff election with GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler, becoming the first Black senator in the states history and only the 11th Black senator ever in the U.S. I am so honored by the faith that you have shown in me, Warnock said late Tuesday night. And I promise you this, I am going to the Senate to work for Georgia, all of Georgia, no matter who you cast your vote for in this election. Democrat Jon Ossoff, a former intern for the late civil rights titan Rep. John Lewis, is also on the cusp of taking his race against Republican Sen. David Perdue, a six-year incumbent. Jon Ossoff, left, and Raphael Warnock greet each other onstage. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images) On Wednesday morning, Ossoff suggested he had already won. It is with humility that I thank the people of Georgia for electing me to serve you in the United States Senate, Ossoff said. This campaign has been about health and jobs and justice for the people of this state for all the people of this state. And they will be my guiding principles. Yahoo News talked to several voters in Fulton County, which Warnock won and Ossoff leads by a margin of 72.5 percent and 71.6 percent, respectively. They shared why it was important for them to vote in this years runoff elections. I feel like its an obligation, Tobias Brown, 56, said, who cast his vote for Ossoff and Warnock at the Dunbar Neighborhood Center in Southwest Atlanta. So many people died. So I know how important voting is. Thats why I vote. Bernita Banks, long frustrated by politics, said she didnt want to vote, but cast her ballot Tuesday for the Democratic ticket in Dunbar despite her misgivings. I feel like my vote counts at some point, she said. So Im just trying to increase the numbers. Voters in Atlanta sit in line waiting to cast their ballots for the Senate runoff elections. (Aboubacar Kante/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Jason McClendon, who chose not to say who he voted for, expressed frustration that so much national money was donated in the state election. But he said he understood it will make or break Congress. Im glad its over with, and were hoping we have a great start to a new year for our country, said McClendon, who voted at a Buckhead elementary school. I think we can all be friends no matter what side youre on, and that would be a great start to our country that it comes together instead of dividing and staying apart. Kerry OBrien, who identifies as neither Democrat nor Republican, also expressed reluctant optimism for the future. I really wish we could become more united as a country, she said. I dont know that that would happen, but I did vote for the Democratic candidates today. Cover thumbnail photo: Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images Video edited by Amit Sharma @cinemamit _____ Read more from Yahoo News: People in London are increasingly likely to face fines for breaking any coronavirus restrictions, Scotland Yard has said warning of stricter enforcement during the new lockdown. Metropolitan Police officers will stop citizens in the street to ask them where they are going, and fines will be issued if a legitimate explanation cannot be provided. Officers have been given instructions to issue fines more quickly to anyone committing obvious, wilful and serious breaches of the rules. Anyone not wearing a face mask where required and without good reason can expect to be fined, the force warned. And all those attending parties, unlicensed music events or illegal large gatherings can expect to be fined not just the organisers. It comes as one senior police figure in England urged the government to look at extra powers allowing officers to force entry into the homes of suspected of holding parties during lockdown. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said it would help enforce the new regulations more easily, adding: The power of entry would seem to be a useful tool. Recommended Lockdown comes into effect and MPs to vote on new rules Boris Johnsons new lockdown legislation enforceable until 31 March means the public must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse. Fixed penalty notices of 200 can be issued for any first breach of the rules, which fines doubling for further offences up to a maximum of 6,400. Anyone holding, or involved in holding, a large illegal gathering of more than 30 people risks a heftier fine of up to 10,000. As Englands new lockdown came into effect on Wednesday morning, the Met made clear that Londoners can expect officers to be more inquisitive and move more quickly to fines if there is no lawful reason to be away from home. Our first duty as police officers is to preserve life, said the Mets deputy assistant commissioner Matt Twist, who leads the forces response to the pandemic. The critical situation our NHS colleagues are facing and the way the new virus variant moves through communities, means we can no longer spend our time explaining or encouraging people to follow rules where they are wilfully and dangerously breaching. Recommended New lockdown rules and restrictions explained Last month Scotland Yard launched a new digital fines system which makes it quicker and easier for officers to issue fines on the spot. Since its launch more people have been reported for fines than in the rest of the year combined, said Mr Twist. This is also an indicator of a worsening position in the epidemic, and officers stepping in more quickly to try to keep communities safe. He added: I hope it is not necessary for this particular trend to carry on but if people continue to break the rules, putting themselves, their families and their communities at greater risk, our officers are ready to act robustly. My understanding, based upon, and I dont have any contemporaneous recollection of any of this, I was out of the office for most of that day, it was Veterans Day many, many events that day but my understanding from looking at the emails is that I was informed that Ms. Young was going to be getting the videos the next day, Lightfoot said. Now apparently, that obviously didnt happen, but that wasnt something that was brought to me. So I dont think its correct to say I received a detailed briefing. Read the rest of the story here. The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of Huntington's disease (HD) suggests its origins are rooted in childhood when the mutant gene that causes HD begins to affect both brain and body growth and development, reports the Journal of Huntington's Disease Amsterdam, NL, January 6, 2021 - There is growing evidence to support the hypothesis that there is a neurodevelopmental component to the late-onset neurodegeneration occurring in the brain of huntingtin gene (HTT gene) mutation carriers, and that this increased susceptibility to brain cell death begins during childhood. Experts discuss the evidence that the HTT gene mutation affects brain and body growth based on a unique study of children at risk for HD, the Kids-HD study, in a review paper and accompanying research article published in the Journal of Huntington's Disease. The classic concept is that Huntington's disease is caused by toxic mutant huntingtin (mHTT) acting over time on mature brain cells. However, there is growing evidence for an alternative theory in which mHTT has an effect on brain development and that this altered development plays a vital role in the later degenerative process. This theory is based on the notion that wild-type huntingtin (HTT) function plays a role in normal brain development. "Although the gene was discovered in 1993, we still don't have a good understanding of what causes HD - how does the mutant gene cause brain cells to become 'sick' then die?" noted lead investigator Peg C. Nopoulos, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA. "The neurodevelopmental hypothesis is a relatively new way of thinking about the disease and can help focus research efforts in a new direction. This review and the accompanying study are important in reshaping our ideas about how we view the nature and timing of preventive treatment for HD and the factors that contribute to disease." The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of HD posits that the disease-causing gene mutation affects development of a specific region or specific brain circuit. These cells are abnormal in their growth; however, they are compensated for early in life. Therefore, despite abnormal development, there are no overt symptoms. The abnormally developed cells remain in a "mutant steady state." These cells are then vulnerable to dysfunction and degeneration later in life when they are subjected to stresses and strains, either normal (programmed synaptic elimination during puberty or through the aging process) or pathological (toxic effects of mHTT). In the end, the disease pathology results in neural degeneration with its accompanying cognitive and motor deficits. The two papers focus on the most recent findings from Kids-HD, a unique brain imaging study of children aged six to 18 years old at risk for HD because they have a parent or grandparent with HD. The review discusses the effects of mHTT on brain development and the study evaluates the effect of mHTT on body development. According to the authors, there is evidence in children as young as 6 who carry a mutation in the HTT gene, that production of mHTT alters the growth and development of the striatum and related circuitry. The gene contains a sequence of three DNA bases - cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) - repeated multiple times. The developmental changes appear to be influenced by the CAG repeat length and occur well before onset of symptoms of the disease. Deficits may then be compensated for by increased activity in other brain circuits, particularly those involving the cerebellum, and are manifest only when compensatory systems are no longer working. The body development analysis used data from the 186 children in the Kids-HD study. Investigators applied simple measures of growth - height, weight, and the combined BMI measure - to compare changes in two groups - those who carried the CAG repeat expansion mutation in the HTT gene and those who did not. Around puberty the study began to show an altered trajectory of growth in HTT gene mutation carriers. The pace at which their BMI increased slowed over time so that at by about 17 years old, that group had substantially lower BMI than the group without the gene mutation. Boys with the gene mutation tended to be taller than the control group, but with lower weight; girls with the gene mutation tended to be around the same height, but lower in weight. Importantly, although the gene mutation carriers were roughly 30 years from the expected time of onset of the disease, the mutant HTT gene had already affected their growth and development. This work is important because it suggests that the mutation is altering the body even before the onset of neurological disease in midlife. Gene therapy trials are currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs to slow disease progression in affected individuals, and future trials will ultimately aim to prevent disease onset by delivery of gene therapy to gene mutation carriers - those with mHTT, but no symptoms. "Gene therapy trials are finally here. However, interfering with a gene responsible for brain development early in life must be done with an abundance of caution," commented Dr. Nopoulos. "Understanding how mHTT affects brain development is vital in the context of planning disease prevention therapies." HD is a fatal genetic neurodegenerative disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. An estimated 250,000 people in the United States are either diagnosed with, or at risk for, the disease. Symptoms include personality changes, mood swings and depression, forgetfulness and impaired judgment, unsteady gait, and involuntary movements (chorea). Every child of an HD parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene. Patients usually survive 10 - 20 years after diagnosis. ### In 2019, about three lakh women died prematurely from diseases attributable to household air pollution from the use of polluting cooking fuels in India. Though women and children are more exposed to household air pollution, it is not limited to them. An average Indian citizen spends 80% time indoors. The use of polluting fuels, i.e., firewood, cow dung, and crop residues, not only contributes to indoor air pollution but also accounts for 17-30% of Indias ambient air pollution. Indian Institute of Technology Delhis study claims India can achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) standard for PM2.5 by only replacing all polluting cooking fuels with clean cooking fuels. Thus, reducing the use of solid fuels for cooking will reduce indoor and ambient air pollution while providing several other co-benefits such as energy security, women and childrens health benefits, empowerment, reduced inequalities, and timesaving. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is one of the governments successful schemes replacing polluting cooking fuels with LPG for more than eight crore households, contributing to a healthy lifestyle for approximately 40 crore people (considering an average household size to be five). Despite the success of PMUY, a significant portion of these users is still hesitant to use LPG as an exclusive fuel, forcing us to think about whether we have accomplished all the PMUY scheme targets. A detailed analysis of available PMUY scheme data and surveys reveals that 25% of consumers did not avail even a single refill. The analysis indicates that these consumers still use solid fuels as their main fuel while stacking LPG and using it only for limited cooking activities. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG, 2019) report on PMUY, highlights that 1.93 crore PMUY consumers (who have completed more than a year as of March 31, 2018) used only 3.66 refills annually, much less than general LPG consumers (7-12 cylinders per annum). The high cost of refill is one of the common reasons BPL households are unwilling to shift towards LPG even after getting subsidized connections. The National Sample Survey (2018) illustrates that 20% of a sample households average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) in India was INR 1,065. A cylinder refill cost of INR 500 would include nearly half of a households MPCE, which is not affordable for them. Hence, the consumers do not switch entirely towards LPG and continue the use of solid fuels. Other factors include easy and free availability of solid fuels for cooking, taste of the food, etc. Due to lack of knowledge, people consider only easy and free accessibility of fuel as a significant factor while deciding to use solid fuels. Though LPG connections are credited to the women of the family, men being primary decision-makers, find it irrelevant to spend their earnings on cleaner cooking options when alternate fuels are available free of cost. However, women and children are the ones facing significant repercussions of traditional fuels. A survey found that in only 14% of the surveyed households (9,000 rural households), women decide what cooking fuel to use. We should take steps to make clean fuel use mandatory in every household. Real emissions from fuel stacking (i.e., using more than one fuel for cooking, for instance, using LPG and wood for cooking), which are not accounted for while estimating emissions, are essential to understand the dynamics of air pollution and probable solutions for the same. The CAG report suggests a 5kg LPG cylinder as an affordable option for low-income households. We also need to carry out extensive campaigns under Extended PMUY (EPMUY2) to create awareness among the new and old PMUY beneficiaries. In addition to providing subsidies, creating ground-level awareness is also of prime importance and will help achieve the goal of the PMUY scheme and justify the governments investments in providing subsidies on cooking fuels. In India, with unstable international oil and gas prices, 50% of domestic LPG demand is fulfilled by import. Providing LPG fuel alone will not be enough for a country like ours with an approximate population of 138 crore. Hence, we also need to work on other fuel options like electricity through induction stoves. The households stacking solid fuels can be asked to stack cleaner fuels, i.e., electric/induction stoves along with LPG, in places with good electricity supply. Even if a rural household cooks one or two of its daily meals in electric/induction cookstoves, it helps bring down indoor emissions. Increasing the use of electricity in cooking in rural areas will increase demand, simultaneously increasing supply as well. This will then lead to development while also bringing pollution levels down. Sustained use of clean fuels will reduce indoor and outdoor pollution, enhance women empowerment and ensure better health for all. Time saved by using them can be put to better use, for example, in educating children and women, who can, in return, contribute economically to their families wellbeing. MCCLELLANVILLE A small shorebird from Sweden recently made a trek across the Atlantic and ended up in an old Charleston County rice field last month. What's so interesting about the journey isn't the more than 4,500 miles the bird traveled to get to McClellanville, but the fact that it had to cross the ocean to do so. Charleston conservationist and ornithologist Nate Dias discovered the Little Stint in December during a Christmas bird count. It was banded three months earlier by biologists at the Ottenby Bird Observatory in Sweden. Little Stints are part of the sandpiper family and werent detected in North America until 1975, according to the National Audubon Society. More than two dozen reports of the bird have been made on the continent, with about half of them either in the Northeast or along the Pacific Coast and the rest in Alaska, the society said. Dias spotted many ducks and some shorebirds during his count in December. When he came across a group of sandpipers, most were native to North America. But one particular bird was different from the rest. "I didn't think it was a least (a type of tern) because it didn't have yellow legs, it had black legs," Dias said. "And I didn't think it was a semipalmated sandpiper because the plumage was wrong and the bill was too long." He thought the only other option was for the bird to be a western sandpiper. But that was wrong, too. He snapped a few pictures of the bird with hopes of later identifying it. The metal band attached to the birds leg led Dias to its true identity and origin in Stockholm, Sweden. He was able to make contact with the Swedish bird-banding authority. A fellow birder, Nathan Swick, shared the bird on social media. I guess somebody in Sweden got wind of it and then got in touch with the Ottenby Bird Observatory where Magnus Hellstrom works, and they were really surprised and shocked, Dias said. Hellstrom is director of the Ottenby Bird Observatory. They looked up their records and the photographs and figured, Oh my gosh, this really is our bird, Dias said. The sex is not known. Hellstrom said when he realized his bird made it to Charleston County his emotions traveled between states of shock, denial and then acceptance. Nate actually managed to get very good photos of the ring, and thats what actually makes this story, yeah, even better because its kind of an objective proof of his finding, Hellstrom said in an interview from Sweden via Zoom. He said Little Stints are common birds, but they dont congregate in big flocks like other shorebirds. His organization is typically able to trap about 10 per year. Most shorebirds are long-distance migrators, but crossing the Atlantic from Europe to North America is rare. Hellstrom said according to the Swedish Ringing Center, the Little Stint that landed in McClellanville is only the second banded bird from Sweden to end up in North America. During the last hundred years we have ringed about 50 million birds here in Sweden, Hellstrom said. So out of the 50 million rings, only two of them ended up on the North American continent. He said most European shorebirds breed around the Arctic or in tundra areas like Alaska, northern Canada and Russia. This is true for Little Stints, too. So assuming the bird found in McClellanville survives the winter, Hellstrom said it would likely reach the Arctic again. And once in the Arctic, maybe it can find its way back home, he said. Doctors in the UK, Australia and the United States are calling for the immediate release of Julian Assange from prison after Mondays court ruling blocked his extradition to the US on health grounds. Members of the Doctors for Assange campaign group have warned that the WikiLeaks founder is not safe while US Espionage Act charges against him remain. Dr. Stephen Frost Dr Stephen Frost is a well-known specialist in diagnostic radiology based in the UK who founded Doctors for Assange in November, 2019. He said that Mondays court decision confirmed the groups warnings about Assanges fragile health after a decade of state persecution and psychological torture. Dr Frost told the WSWS that The aim of Doctors for Assange was to focus the worlds attention on the medical neglect and prolonged psychological torture of Julian Assange that was reported by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor Nils Melzer, in April 2019. Under international law, torture is absolutely prohibited in all circumstances. There are no exceptions. That five statesthe United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and Ecuadorconspired to torture a single human being in the centre of London is therefore beyond belief and must never be allowed to happen again. Julian Assange needs emergency medical assessment and treatment. Following Mondays judgement, he must be released without delay. It should not be forgotten that the reason cited by Judge Baraitser for not allowing the extraditionJulian Assange's poor mental healthresulted directly from the aforementioned psychological torture. Those responsible for and complicit in that inexcusable torture should be held to account, not least because they clearly thought that they were above the law. Torture is indelible and inerasable, and in the case of Julian Assange has led to serious psychotic symptoms, namely auditory hallucinations which are derogatory and persecutory in nature. Such hallucinations, in combination with suicidal ideation, would be a potent and impermissible combination in a US supermax prison. Indeed it has been reckless in the extreme that he has been left to languish untreated in Belmarsh prison with such serious symptoms. Dr. Sue Wareham Dr Sue Wareham, a retired general practitioner from Australia who has campaigned against militarism and war, said that the verdict was very pleasing. It was the right decision that Assange not be extradited because of the suicide risk, but it is appalling that his mental health has been allowed to deteriorate to that point. It needs to be addressed. He must be provided with adequate medical care, which he has not been to date. The verdict is good, but there are important aspects which need attention. The US charges need to be dropped completely, because they are an attack on his rights and on our right to know, especially in war time. It is very troubling that the judge in the UK basically accepted what the US was saying regarding the need to prosecute Assange for his publishing activities. This is an attack on press freedom, there is no getting around it. The role of our government has been very disappointing. They have essentially washed their hands of Assange. They claim that they are giving consular assistance, but we have not seen any evidence of that, either in terms of representations for him to receive adequate medical care or to have the US charges withdrawn. This fits with a pattern of the Australian government seeking to silence dissent. David McBride, one of the first to expose Australian war crimes in Afghanistan, which have now been the subject of an official inquiry, faces prosecution himself. It is absurd and farcical. Others, including Bernard Collaery and Witness K are being tried in secret on national security charges. It makes you deeply worried about the direction of Australian society. The Australian government has not stepped in to defend Assange. On the contrary it is doing the same sort of thing that the US is attempting in his case, in terms of prosecuting those who report the truth. It is very troubling. Clinical Psychologist Lissa Johnson Dr Lissa Johnson, a clinical psychologist from Australia, said: The judge hearing Julian Assanges extradition case made the right decision to deny extradition under section 91 of the 2003 Extradition Act, on the grounds that the inhumane and brutal conditions in US prisons would likely prove psychologically fatal for Julian Assange. This is a welcome ruling, and an enormous relief, not to mention an indictment of the US prison system. However, the remainder of the judgement served to simultaneously criminalise national security reporting, deny journalists a public interest defence, expose journalists to charges of espionage, green-light extradition on political grounds and uphold numerous falsehoods about Julian Assanges case. It is also a tragic irony that the devastating psychological impact of 10 years of persecution, psychological torture and medical neglect is the only thing protecting Julian Assange from extradition now. All told, although extradition was denied, the chilling effect on investigative journalism and national security reporting remains intact. Whether the ruling reflects a genuine concern for Julian Assanges welfare will become clear once the bail hearing is complete. Given the official acknowledgement of his psychological status, Julian Assange must be urgently released on bail while the US appeals the UK courts decision. Anything less would make a mockery of Mondays judgement. Dr William Hogan, Director of the Division of Biomedical Informatics at University of Florida spoke to the WSWS about his initial response to Mondays ruling: The first thing is relief. I didnt expect the judge to deny extradition. That she did so at all is a positive development. The grounds on which she denied extradition, being his mental health, speaks to what Doctors for Assange has been campaigning for all along. She affirmed in large part what weve been talking about in terms of his mental health. However, he is still in the conditions that Nils Melzer identified as essentially causative of his psychological torture. He is still not completely out of legal jeopardy because the US is going to appeal this decision. So, our position is that as long as hes in prison, as long as the US is still legally persecuting him, the conditions of his psychological torture still exist. We demand that all legal proceedings be dropped and that he be released from prison, and only then will his psychological torture finally end. Dr. William Hogan WSWS: Could you elaborate on the fears about Assanges health? WH: We have been concerned about his mental health and his risk of suicide. Thats been confirmed by the expert testimony. Even the district judge was overwhelmingly convinced by the defence witness [Dr Michael] Kopelman. Hes at serious risk of suicide. He is also still at high risk because of COVID. We insist and demand again that he be released on bail for the exact two major reasons that we demanded bail for Assange back in March and decried the judges denial of bail back then: psychological torture and ongoing damage to his mental health and risk to life, both from psychological health and torture, and COVID. WSWS: You were the lead author of a letter to the Lancet in June 2020, The ongoing torture and medical neglect of Julian Assange. Why did you and other medical professionals take this step? WH: We were alarmed at the way Assange was treated in the first phase of his extradition hearing. Everything from reports about his treatment in the prison, to reports from the extradition hearingthe glass box episode, the European Court of Human Rights said similar glass boxes [in which Assange was held during the extradition hearing at Woolwich Crown Court] were a violation of human rightsto the reports of him being strip-searched, hand-cuffed and moved throughout Belmarsh Prison... If you talk to people from totalitarian countries, these are classic torture tactics. We were horrified by his treatment, and then the pandemic came out on top of that. We were extremely fearful for his life, and we had to do something. We wrote the second letter [an earlier letter from Doctors for Assange had been published in the Lancet in February 2020] and fortunately the editor of the Lancet, Richard Horton, was sympathetic to our second plea. We didnt plan for it to come out the day before International Torture Victims Day, but it was fortuitous and coincidental that that happened. WSWS: What has been the response of medical professionals to the issues taken up by Doctors for Assange? WH: The World Psychiatric Association issued a tweet on Monday that was supportive of Assange. We have probably doubled or tripled our membership since the initial Lancet letter last February, but the major medical associations have all been disturbingly silentthe American Medical Association, the British Medical Association, even the World Medical Associationwhich prided itself for standing up against torture in World War II, and the 1960s, its fallen completely flat on this issue and has said nothing about Assange. I think theyre afraid to speak out. The other thing I think is that the smear tactics have worked. Nils Melzer describes when he was contacted by Dr Sondra Crosby, he was fully expecting to dispel any notion that Assange had been tortured and was shocked when he found otherwise. And as he subsequently investigated the case, he found that he himself had been deceived by the smears. So, I think a lot of the medical community is just not aware of the facts. The most cherished principles of the medical profession are at stake here. We are against torture. What happened in World War II in Nazi Germany shocked the worldthat the medical profession was a participant in the horrors of that regime. Its totally against medical ethics whats happening here. We are supposed to do only things that are good and for the benefit of our patients, and we should speak out when we see injustices and torture like this. We should oppose it in unity and with a loud voice. WSWS: Assanges extradition hearings have coincided with a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 1.7 million people. As well as showing the critical role of doctors, the general public has been denied access to accurate information. Do you have any observations to make about this, especially in relationship to the attack on WikiLeaks? WH: The most important thing we need is trustworthy informationmedical information, but also information about what our governments are doing in response. Even just the logistics of how many vaccines are going where, and when, and what the hold-ups are. And the mainstream media is not trustworthy, so theres lots of uncertainty and mistrust in official sources of information. And then you have WikiLeaks that has a perfect track record with no history of retractions. We need that voice of WikiLeaks to expose the fraudsters and the government cover-ups. Its a tragedy that were missing that in this pandemic. WSWS: What do you think of the role of the WSWS in defence of Assange and the role it has played throughout the pandemic? WH: Its been an essential voice advocating for life, number one. People over profits. Its a bit of an over-used rallying cry, but boy, it brings it into stark relief when were forcing delivery workers, bus drivers, train conductors, meat packing employees, the working class, to risk their lives to maintain profits for the corporations by going to work during a pandemic. The role of the WSWS as a voice for life over profits has been critical. The WSWS has also been a tireless advocate for human rights and truth in the Assange case, denouncing his persecution and torture. High street giant Marks & Spencer is poised to snap up upmarket fashion brand Jaeger following the historic firm's collapse last autumn. M&S is understood to be in the final throes of sealing a deal to buy the fashion house, which has been worn by A-list stars - including Audrey Hepburn - and royals alike during its stellar 133-year history. Jaeger was placed into administration alongside sister firm Peacocks in November by Dubai-based owner and retail billionaire Philip Day. Once known for its sumptuous cashmere, precisely cut dresses and covetable coats, Jaeger has struggled to win over modern fashion fans, despite Kate Middleton wearing it frequently on public outings. M&S look set to rescue historic Jaeger fashion brand, which fell into administration in November but has enjoyed many a celebrity fan including Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy and Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge pictured in 2012 wearing Jaeger) Known for its sumptuous cashmere and well-cut coats the brand struggled to win over modern fashion fans...but looks set to have been saved from the brink by M&S Jaeger was placed into administration alongside sister firm Peacocks in November by Dubai-based owner and retail billionaire Philip Day (A model walks the runway during the Jaeger London show at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012) The high street giant looks set to re-invent the brand as part of its third-party offering alongside brands including Ghost HOW A BRAND THAT ONCE RIVALLED BURBERRY FELL OUT OF FAVOUR Jaeger earned its place in fashion history in 1919, when it introduced the camel hair coat to the British High Street and wooed the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Marianne Faithfull and Jean "the Shrimp" Shrimpton with its well-cut attire. Princess Diana wearing a wine-coloured velvet suit by Jaeger in 1983 However, despite being a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, the brand has struggled to keep its demographic, typically middle class fashion fans. The first signs of a struggle came in 2016 when the brand's flagship store on London's Regent Street closed before current owner Philip Day plunged the company into administration in November. Advertisement Any acquisition of the company, once considered on a par with Burberry in the fashion stakes, by M&S is not set to include the chains stores, which have already been slashed by 13 to 63 with at least 103 jobs axed. Philip Day's EWM Group had already called in administrators for its Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home business earlier in November. Jaeger earned its place in fashion history in 1919 when it introduced the camel hair coat to the British High Street... but by 2016, the company had closed its Regent Street flagship store and has floundered since. At the heart of its problems were its struggle to appeal to the demographic that was always its core customer - middle-aged, middle-class women prepared to pay extra for higher quality High Street clothes. Jaegers online shopping operations have remained open and continued to trade as normal throughout. The move to buy up Jaeger would fit with M&Ss new strategy of selling third-party brands, with existing tie-ups with the likes of Nobodys Child and Ghost. It is also thought to be among those in the running for some of Sir Philip Greens collapsed Arcadia Group brands, such as Topshop. It comes ahead of M&Ss Christmas trading update on Friday, which is set to reveal the scale of the impact on its clothing stores of lockdowns and tighter restrictions. The group is expected to report strong food sales as the grocery industry was buoyed by the closure of bars, restaurants and cafes across most of the UK. Its clothing sales performance will be watched closely, however, to see how much of the store closures impact was offset by online trade. M&S and Jaegers administrators FRP Advisory both declined to comment. The company had closed its Regent Street flagship store in 2016 and has floundered since (Pictured: A model walks the runway at the Jaeger London show at London Fashion Week) Ukraine has received from Iran a draft technical report on the circumstances of the crash of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, which occurred near Tehran on January 8, 2020. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said this in an interview with the Obozrevatel online newspaper. "We received the draft report on December 31, as they say, under the Christmas tree. We have two months for comments and remarks. This is a rather important stage for further movement forward, without which it would be impossible to achieve compensation and overall justice. Now the word is confirmed by deed," the minister said. According to him, as for the amount of compensation, which recently got into the information space [the media outlet reported that the Iranian government had agreed to allocate USD 150,000 to the families of each victim of the UIA plane crash], it was made public only through the media. Ukraine has not received any official messages on this matter from Iran, Kuleba noted. As reported, the official IRNA news agency reported that the Iranian government had agreed to allocate USD 150,000, or the equivalent in euros, to the families of each victim of the UIA plane crash. The Ministry of Roads and Urban Development was instructed to pay off the compensation as soon as possible. In turn, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleg Nikolenko said that the amount of compensation to families of citizens who died as a result of Iran's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 should be determined through negotiations between the parties after establishing the causes of the accident and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Ukraine International Airlines plane (Flight PS752) heading from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport at about 06:00 Tehran time (04:30 Kyiv time) on Wednesday, January 8. There were 176 people on board nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK). On January 11, Iran admitted that its military had accidentally shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accepted full responsibility for the downing of the Ukrainian airliner. ish .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX Arizona on Tuesday reported a record number of additional COVID-19 deaths along with new hospitalization highs, leaving the state with the worst rate of new infections nationwide. The Department of Health Services reported 253 additional deaths, exceeding the previous one-day record of 172 reported on July 30. The state also reported 5,932 additional COVID-19 cases, raising the states totals since the pandemic began to 567,474 cases and 9,317 deaths. The department said the additional deaths included 215 newly attributed to COVID-19 through a periodic reviews of death certificates. The agency could not specify when the 215 deaths occurred, Department spokeswoman Holly Poynter said. A record 4,789 COVID-19 patients occupied hospital beds Monday, an increase of more than 200 from Sunday, according to the states coronavirus data. Monday also saw a record 1,096 COVID-19 patients in intensive care beds. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Arizona on Sunday reported a record one-day total of 17,234 additional cases. As of Tuesday, the state had the worst COVID-19 diagnosis rate in the nation with one person in every 126 people being diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past week. The diagnosis rate is calculated by dividing a states population by the number of new cases. Arizonas hospitals have been stressed by the surge, with some stopping elective surgeries and turning away ambulance runs and hospital transfers while still accepting walk-in patients needing emergency care. Gov. Doug Ducey has ignored calls from hospital administrators for more restrictions such as a statewide mask mandate or a temporary ban on indoor dining. The governor argued that mask policies should be decided by local officials. Also, he believes any bans affecting restaurants, bars and clubs would only lead to people being out of work. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. In another development, two major school districts in metro Phoenix narrowly avoided a planned teacher sickout by putting off plans to reopen for full-time, in-person instruction. The Chandler school board voted late Monday to keep students in online instruction until Jan. 19, a day after the Martin Luther King holiday. Originally, the district had planned to resume in-person classes but students in grades 7-12 would have had the option to attend remotely. Katie Byrne Nash, president of the union representing Chandler teachers, called the decision a huge relief. Most teachers and some parents were vehemently opposed to returning to in-person instruction amid the surge of infections. She said most of the hundreds of teachers were satisfied and none planned to call out sick. I think everyone has a different definition and level of what they feel is safe, Nash said. In a global pandemic we have to do whats best for the greater good. The district said Tuesday would be a teacher workday to prepare for online instruction that would resume Wednesday. Jennifer Douglas, who has three children in the Chandler school district and is a former teacher, was sympathetic to the teachers concerns but also hoping her 12-year-old twins and 16-year-old daughter would be able to go back to school. We havent done anything deemed unsafe, Douglas said. I felt like sending my kids back to school would be OK. I felt like we did what we could to be responsible. The board of nearby Gilbert Public Schools decided Monday night to conduct hybrid learning through Jan. 29. Originally, the district had planned to only do it the first week back from the holidays and then transition to in-person instruction Jan. 11, according to the district website. Ducey on Saturday rejected state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffmans call for him to order a two-week quarantine period that would keep schools statewide in online learning unless they had waivers from public health officials. Reopening for in-person classes amid the pandemic continues to be a contentious issue in some of the nations biggest school districts. Only half of teachers in Chicago Public Schools, the third-largest district in the U.S., showed up Tuesday ahead of the expected return of preschoolers next week. Schools there had been doing remote learning since March. Meanwhile, campuses in Clark County School District in Las Vegas, are returning to distance-learning programs. Amid unpredictable business environments, the Government of Indias Mission e-Governance, coupled with Digital India, has undergone a paradigm shift; there is new thinking on how it engages with its citizens, inter-state & inter-governmental functions. India has put its delivery of healthcare, e-Education, agricultural support, financial services and other economic and social obligations on mission-mode. Hitachi plays a vital role in this relentless push for Indias digitally enabled e-Governance mission. A global leader in Social Innovation Business solution, Hitachis initiatives are constantly creating three value propositions by improving citizens social, environmental and economic values. For Hitachi, they converge into Powering Good, a society that effectively bridges the need gap between itself and the government. "Digital transformation from the top has been helping streamline government operations, optimize costs and create transparency for end-users and citizens. Hitachi has been a key enabler in providing solutions for the delivery of these services through its revolutionary innovative and globally accredited OT x IT solutions and data analytics, thereby improving the people's Quality of Life," says Mr Bharat Kaushal, Managing Director, Hitachi India. View Full Image Hitachis innovative technology, globally bench mark practices, and a strong partnership have ignited a social revolution in India. Citizens Charter: The Journey Together Over the years, numerous initiatives have been undertaken by India to promote e-Governance holistically and improve the dissemination of public services to its citizens. People, process, technology, and resources have been its key pillars. Hitachi is combining for the government, data, technology and governance as a force to accelerate social change and address the criticality of harnessing the data generated through various e-Governance initiatives to optimize decision making. Among the most recent and notable of Hitachis transformational works are KV Shaala Darpan - an educational e-Governance platform for Kendriya Vidyalayas and pan-India remote education system developed for the Ministry of Human Resource Development; police modernisation programme in Bihar under the homeland security solution. Network rehauling of a state electricity board and creating a data-centric environment through World Bank funding for the Ministry of Agriculture -- notably completed during the COVID lockdown. Innovation continues to be the bedrock of development and the hallmark of all joint initiatives that Hitachi has undertaken with the government integrating Connected Citizen solutions; thus, reinforcing social Innovation for larger societal good. In Education The governments National Policy on Education 2020 charts India on the course for modern, futuristic and visionary learning system. It is technology-based and inculcates scientific temper. To complement this mission, Hitachis robust e-Governance platform for e-Education promotes participation by stakeholders like parents and brings in uniformity and standardization of implementation of policies, processes and programs across the multitude of branches of institution. The platform also takes care of the time-consuming aspects of education, leaving the School Management and the academic staff to concentrate on what they do best- Imparting Education! Additionally, Hitachi MGRM Net has developed KV Shaala Darpan, an e-Governance platform for all Kendriya Vidyalayas. The platform leverages Information & Communication Technology to enhance the academic delivery system in all schools under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan. That apart, Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic supplied and implemented Smart Digital Boards to 109 colleges spread across India. The project aims at improving the quality of engineering education in existing institutions with special consideration for low-income states and special category states. In Homeland Security Mobile-based emergency services and disaster management are the key areas of focus in e-Governance, which also involves police modernisation. Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic partnered with the government on the entire digitalisation of police stations in Bihar. This has helped citizens to easily lodge a complaint online, availability of relevant and timely information for police, assisted in the investigation of crime and in tracking and detection of criminals. Going forward, it aims to encourage inter-state police communication by facilitating easy recording, retrieval, analysis and sharing of the pile of information. In Public Utilities Hitachi has been integral to many government initiatives on public utilities that have enhanced citizen service. More recently, Hitachi collaborated with a leading power trading, generation, transmission, and distribution organization, in Gujarat to transform the networking infrastructure for its 800 locations. Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic helped refresh the network hardware at all connected 805 locations with enhanced, feature-rich, design-centric cutting-edge data centre architecture to ensure that revenue leakage is identified, and people get electricity at an affordable cost through improved efficiency. In Farmland e-Kranti: A national e-Governance plan 2.0 is now in action to modernize agricultural operations of the country. Hitachi has helped build infrastructure for disaster recovery data center with a robust, future-ready physical as well as information security architecture. The project involves supply, installation and setting up of the necessary basic ICT and physical infrastructure - all of which and more Hitachi Systems Micro Clinics solutions have provided. The success of digital transformation in Indian agriculture heavily relies on dissemination of information and inputs to the last mile i.e. farmers. Hitachi MGRM Net is partnering with the government, public and private sector in delivering end-to-end farmer-centric solutions including educating farmer groups on the latest technologies in farming, agriculture extension, remote help for issues, promotion of agriculture as an enterprise, required knowledge sharing and training. The Way Forward Hitachis innovative technology, globally bench mark practices, and a strong partnership have ignited a social revolution in India. It is building a strong, efficient and effective e-Governance environment that enables all stakeholders, primarily citizens. It is a leap that is critical to the nations emergence as a global production and economic powerhouse. Know more about Hitachi Social Innovation Know more about Solutions In India See Powering Good in Action Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their new administration got to work in a nation besieged by a raging pandemic, economic calamity and deep political divisions. Biden signed 17 executive orders shortly after his swearing-in, dealing with the pandemic, climate change, immigration and other pressing issues that reflected the dramatic divergence of his priorities from those of the vanquished Trump administration. Latest updates today: 1:56 p.m. Biden immigration bill nixes word alien: In a small but symbolic part of President Bidens proposed sweeping immigration overhaul, the word alien will be removed from US immigration laws, replaced by noncitizen, CNN reports. Its a deliberate step intended to recognize America as a nation of immigrants, according to a summary of the bill. The term illegal alien, long decried as a dehumanizing slur by immigrant rights advocates, became even more of a lightning rod during the Trump era with some top federal officials encouraging its use and several states and local governments taking up measures to ban it. 1:31 p.m. U.S. seeks nuke treaty extension with Russia: The Biden administration seeks a five-year extension of the New START treaty with Russia, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday. She called the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty an anchor of strategic stability between our two countries. She also said the administration will be fully assessing Russias involvement in the 2016 election and the poisoning Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. 11:38 a.m. Former NBA player holds solo pro-Trump protest: David Wood, who played two years with the Golden State Warriors in the 1990s, protested President Bidens inauguration Wednesday a few blocks from the White House, according to a report from Yahoo! News, which captured a video interview with Wood. Wood wore a sweater with images of Jesus Christ and carried a Jewish shofar horn and Revolutionary War flag. He parroted baseless election conspiracy theories, saying,This is Gods country. You cant steal Gods country through voter fraud. 11:25 a.m. Biden quickly gains millions of Twitter followers: President Biden quickly amassed more than 5.3 million followers as of Thursday morning, on the @POTUS Twitter account, fewer than 24 hours after he inherited it from Twitter king Donald Trump. Under its new policy on transfer of institutional accounts, Twitter wiped out the 33 million followers that Trump had on @POTUS when he was president. For non-Twitter afficionados, POTUS stands for President of the United States. 11:06 a.m. Trumps Facebook suspension now indefinite, outside board considers his fate: Facebook has extended former President Donald Trumps suspension, which was set to be lifted after President Bidens inauguration. A body the company set up called the Oversight Board will consider the matter. A company executive repeated a call CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made in the past for elected officials to set standards for such decisions, which have been largely left up to private corporations. Get the full story from The Chronicles Roland Li. 10:58 a.m. Biden to keep FBI director: President Biden has confidence in FBI Director Christopher Wray and intends to keep him in his job, according to a tweet from press secretary Jen Psaki. In the Trump administration, Wray replaced fired director James Comey in August 2017 and is in the midst of a 10-year term. 10:54 a.m. Biden, Harris begin 1st full day on job with virtual prayer service: President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris began their first full day in the White House on Thursday by participating virtually in a prayer service, an inaugural tradition dating to George Washingtons presidency. The Washington National Cathedral hosted the service, led by Bishop William Barber II and featuring performances by Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and The Clark Sisters. 10:43 a.m. Another bank cuts ties with Trump: Floridas Bank United is the latest to close former President Donald Trumps accounts, saying Thursday, We no longer have any depository relationship with him, the Washington Post reports. The bank declined to give a reason, but since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, several partners, vendors and customers have cut ties with Trumps company, including four banks. The Florida-based bank had held some of Trumps money since at least 2015, according to the former presidents financial disclosures. 10:30 a.m. Freshmen GOP lawmakers tell Biden they can play nice: Seventeen Republican freshman lawmakers in a letter of congratulations to President Biden said they hope we may work together on coronavirus relief, restoring the economy, and other issues. After two impeachments, lengthy inter-branch investigations, and most recently, the horrific attack on our nations capital, it is clear that the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans does not serve a single American, the letter states. Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan and David Valadao of Hanford (Kings County), who voted to impeach President Trump last week, were among signatories, as were others who voted to challenge the results of the election that Biden won. 10:05 a.m. Prominent Bay Area Jesuit helped Biden tee up on big day: Santa Clara University President Kevin OBrien, a Jesuit priest and longtime friend of President Joe Biden, officiated a Mass for Biden, who often speaks of his Roman Catholic faith, and Vice President Kamala Harris on the morning of their inauguration. Addressing Biden in his homily, OBrien said the nation has much to look forward to as a country because of your and Kamala Harris leadership. Attending the Mass at St. Matthew the Apostle Cathedral were family members and congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also a Roman Catholic. OBrien and Biden have been friends for 15 years, since OBrien served at Georgetown University in Washington, Santa Clara officials said. 9:09 a.m. Biden overturns Trumps patriotic education effort: Among his first-day executive actions, President Biden revoked a recent Trump administration report that aimed to promote patriotic education in schools but that historians mocked and rejected as political propaganda. Bidens order disbanded former President Donald Trumps presidential 1776 Commission and withdrew its report that glorified the countrys founders, played down Americas role in slavery, condemned the rise of progressive politics and criticized the civil rights movement. Trump established the group to rally support from white voters and hoped its report would be used in classrooms. 8:59 a.m. Woman accused of stealing Pelosis laptop ordered to home confinement: A U.S. magistrate on Thursday ordered Riley Williams of Harrisburg, Pa., accused in the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, into home confinedment with a GPS monitor pending her appearance in federal court Monday, news accounts said. Williams is accused of stealing House Speaker Nancy Pelosis computer allegedly intending to sell it to Russians. Video of the riot appears to show her directing people into the building. 8:53 a.m. Pelosi rejects nice-nice calls to drop impeachment: House speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday pushed back some GOP statements that in the interest of national unity, Democrats should drop holding a Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.The president of the United States committed an act of incitement of insurrection, Pelosi told reporters. I dont think its very unifying to say, Oh, lets just forget it and move on. Thats not how you unify. She added, You dont say to a president, Do whatever you want in the last months of your administration. Youre going to get a get-out-of-jail card because people think you should make nice-nice. 8:37 a.m. Any lawmakers who aided or abetted rioters will face prosecution, Pelosi says: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said there is no question that some members in this body gave aid and comfort to people who assaulted the U.S. Capitol, with the idea that they were embracing a lie, a lie perpetrated by the president of the United States that the election did not have legitimacy. She told a news briefing that evidence will have to be gathered and If people did aid and abet .. there will be prosecution. 8:18 a.m. Pelosi says she is ready to send impeachment article to Senate: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco declined to say Thursday when she will send the House article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump to the Senate. She said shes speaking to Senate managers about when they will be ready to launch a trial on whether to convict Trump for inciting insurrection in the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol and that shes ready when they are. She also said she had been in a session about the physical and psychological trauma for Capitol staff and members who endured the assault: The violation of property, with Capitol offices and artifacts smashed and ravaged, she said, was only part of the damage inflicted by the riot. 6:55 a.m. Biden to sign 10 pandemic-related executive orders Thursday: President Joe Biden is expected to sign 10 executive orders and other memos Thursday meant to redirect the countrys efforts to beat back the pandemic, according to The Washington Post. The orders will include directives to expand testing, strengthen data collection and to get more money to states for localized responses. 6:39 a.m. $400 a week? What you need to know about economic relief under President Biden: Nearly 8 million people who have lost work in the pandemic currently depend on Californias unemployment system. Another 181,576 Californians filed claims in the first week of January, a 13% increase from the week before that underscored the damage the resurgent pandemic has done to the states economy.Many of those state residents are wondering what unemployment assistance is available to them now and what may become available if President Biden persuades Congress to pass a new relief bill, as hes said he hopes to do. The Chronicles Annie Vainshtein breaks down the basis here. Updates from Wednesday, Jan. 20: 7:55 p.m. To me, words matter, says poet Amanda Gorman after standout Inauguration Day poem: Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet from Los Angeles told CNNs Anderson Cooper Wednesday night that she felt so overjoyed and so grateful and so humble after delivering her inauguration poem at President Bidens swearing in ceremony. She said she wrote it after researching past inauguration poems as well as speeches from healing orators like President Abraham Lincoln. The Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol had a big impact on her process, she said:. It energized me to believe that much more firmly in a message of hope ... To me, words matter, Gorman said, adding the power of words has been misappropriated. in the past few years. 7:30 p.m. Three former presidents urge unity on Inauguration Day: Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton called for unity in a three-minute video in the Celebrating America inaugural special after President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris inauguration ceremony. The bipartisan trio of former presidents all wished Biden well at the helm and touched on the tradition of peaceful transfers of power on Inauguration Day. The fact that the three of us are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country, Bush said. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, said there would be less division in American society if people would love their neighbors like theyd like to be loved themselves. Bush added that he is pulling for Bidens success in office, saying Bidens success means success for the country. Obama recalled the grace and generosity that Bush showed him and his family during his own transfer of power, saying that It was a reminder, that we can have a fierce disagreements and yet recognize each others common humanity and that, as Americans, we have more in common than what separates us. Clinton said, We are both trying to come back to normalcy, deal with totally abnormal challenges, and do what we do best, which is try to make a more perfect union. Its an exciting time. 6:18 p.m. State Senate GOP leader who retweeted insurrection falsehood is ousted: State Sen. Shannon Grove, who drew criticism after she promoted a conspiracy theory that Antifa activists attacked the U.S. Capitol, will be replaced as the Republican leader in the California Senate. The story is here. 4:13 p.m. Pro-Trump forces in Sacramento disappointed by small showing: Followers of the former president who gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday hoping to join a final show of support for instead found themselves far outnumbered by counter-protesters and law enforcement officers. The story is here. 3:32 p.m. I will fire you on the spot: President Biden in his first address to his new staff delivered to them in their remote locations sternly warned the White House and agency aides that if he ever found them talking down to anyone, I will fire you on the spot. Everyone, he said, must be treated with dignity and decency. Thats been missing in the last four years. After swearing in the governments new workers, he added, As my mother would say, God love you all. Weve got a lot of work to do. 3:25 p.m. Biden puts Cesar Chavez bust in Oval Office: Photos of President Joe Biden sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office reveal that he has placed a bust of the late California farmworker-rights hero Cesar Chavez at the center of a table with family photos right behind him. Across from Bidens desk is a massive portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an earlier president who entered office facing enormous challenges. 3:18 p.m. Mayor Breed lauds Bidens urgency on Paris Climate Accord: San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Wednesday welcomed President Bidens move putting the nation back into the Paris Climate Accord on his first day in office. We lost precious time in the fight against climate change when the Trump Administration withdrew from the agreement and rolled back critical environmental policies and regulations, Breed tweeted. But cities, including San Francisco, never stopped working towards aggressive greenhouse gas emission reductions. We saw our emissions decline dramatically alongside significant economic growth. A better environment and a strong economy can and must go together. 3:10 p.m. Biden inks order with U.S. rejoining Paris Climate Accord as of today: In one of several executive actions on his first day in office, President Biden signed an order having the United States rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, reversing former President Donald Trumps withdrawal. Were gonna rejoin the Paris Climate Accord as of today, Biden said from behind his desk, a stack of bound executive orders beside him. 3:09 p.m. Biden says Trump left very generous note: President Joe Biden told reporters on his first day in the Oval Office that former President Donald Trump had left him a very generous letter in the Resolute desk. He declined to reveal the contents, saying he would only do that after talking to Trump first. Trump never congratulated Biden on his election victory or even officially conceded his own loss. But when Trump took office four years ago, he spoke glowingly of the eloquent note left to him by outgoing President Barack Obama. 3 p.m. Biden targets hate groups: Signalling the new national priorities his White House will emphasize, President Joe Biden in his inaugural address said, we must confront and we will defeat the racism, nativism, fear, demonization, that propelled an overwhelmingly white, pro-Trump mob who assaulted the U.S. Capitol. They carried symbols and slogans of hate, including the Confederate battle flag and clothing with Nazi death camp insignia. A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us, Biden said. A cry that cant be any more desperate or any more clear. 2:37 p.m. Proud Boys organizer arrested: Two Florida men, including a self-described organizer for the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, were arrested Wednesday for taking part in the Jan. 6 violent siege of the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported. Joseph Biggs, 37, was part of a crowd that overwhelmed Capitol Police officers on the steps of the Capitol, according to an arrest affidavit. Authorities said,Jesus Rivera, 37, uploaded a video to Facebook showing himself in the U.S. Capitol crypt. 2:16 p.m. Harris swears in new senators: The U.S. Senate has officially switched to Democratic control, following the swearing-in of Georgias Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff on Wednesday, officially giving Democrats control of the chamber. They were sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, one of her first official acts. Harris, who resigned her Senate seat to be vice president, also swore in her replacement: Democrat Alex Padilla, Californias first Latino senator. 2:10 p.m. Out with the old: As Donald Trump and Mike Pence left office Wednesday, their portraits disappeared from the walls of many federal courthouses, including two in San Francisco. Public information officers at the U.S. District Court building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at 95 Seventh St. said pictures of Trump and Pence were taken down Wednesday morning. As to their successors, it could be a month or two before the portraits of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive in San Francisco, District Court spokesman Nicholas Jackson said. 1:38 p.m. Clyburn says Bush called him a savior for helping Biden win: As they watched President Joe Biden take the oath of office Wednesday, former Republican President George W. Bush lauded Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., as a savior for helping get Biden elected, Clyburn later told reporters. Clyburn is largely credited with giving Biden the endorsement he needed to win the Democratic primary. Clyburn said Bush told him, youre the savior, because if you had not nominated Joe Biden, we would not be having this transfer of power today. He said Bush added that Biden was the only candidate he felt could have defeated President Donald Trump. 1:32 p.m. Getting to work: Vice President Kamala Harris heard a journalists question shouted as she walked into the White House on Wednesday. Asked what was her priority now, she yelled, Getting to work, CNN reported. 1:20 p.m. Biden prays for pandemic victims: The most powerful moment of Joe Bidens inaugural address was one when he fell silent, The Chronicles Joe Garofoli writes. In what he called his first act as president, Biden asked for a moment of silence to offer a silent prayer for the more than 400,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. 1:11 p.m. Madam Vice President!: Reporters shouts to get the attention of Vice President Kamala Harris as she walked toward the White House underscored the history-making election of the daughter of Oakland, the first woman and first person of color in the nations second-highest elected office. Madam Vice President! they shouted for the first time in U.S. history after she and her family got out of their motorcade and walked the last stretch of the route from the Capitol. Harris waved and grinned behind her face mask at the few spectators along the sidewalks, who were mainly security, journalists and a few dignitaries. 12:51 p.m. Hail to the Chief: President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden and their extended family stepped out of their motorcade Wednesday for a surprise walk along the last few hundred yards of their route from the Capitol to the White House. A jubilant Biden ran over to greet someone in the media area, and reportedly said, Keep doing what youre doing, a moment that could not more clearly mark the radical turn from the Trump era. Biden also walked over to greet Washingtons Mayor Muriel Bowser along the sidelines before walking up the long driveway along the North Lawn to the White House. He and Jill Biden turned and stood at the door where they were saluted by the playing of the presidential anthem Hail to the Chief. 12:19 p.m. Robot-car expert gets Trump pardon: Anthony Levandowski, a leading expert in robot-car technology who was convicted of stealing trade secrets from Google, was pardoned by Donald Trump in the final hours of his presidency. U.S. District Judge William Alsup said in August that the star engineer had committed the biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen and sentenced Levandowski to 18 months in prison. Levandowski now wont spend a day in prison, as the sentence had been delayed because of the pandemic. Read the story here. 12:15 p.m. Trump directs Secret Service protection to cover extended family: Before leaving office, former President Donald Trump instructed that his extended family get the best security available in the world for six months, at no cost to them the protection of the U.S. Secret Service, the Washington Post reports. Three people briefed on the plan told the Post that Trump issued a directive to extend Secret Service protection to 13 of his family members who were not automatically entitled to receive it. Under federal law, Trump, his wife, Melania, and their 14-year-old son are the only family members entitled to that protection after he leaves office. 12:09 p.m. Jimmy Carter not there, but not forgotten: President Joe Biden saluted former President Jimmy Carter during his inaugural address, saying he spoke to the former president on Tuesday night. Carter, 96, had announced that he was unable to attend the inauguration. Biden thanked the three former presidents who attended, saying, I thank them from the bottom of my heart, and I know the resilience of our Constitution and strength of our nation, as does President Carter, who I spoke with last night, who cannot be here with us today, but whom we salute for his lifetime of service. 12:05 p.m. Trump pardoned former Detroit mayor: Before leaving office Wednesday former President Donald Trump on cleared the way for the release of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served more than seven years of a 28-year prison sentence for a series of corruption crimes. The announcement came in a flurry of clemency actions that benefited more than 140 people, including rappers, former members of Congress and other Trump allies. 11:57 a.m. Historic image of Harris gets social media buzz: Among compelling photos of Inauguration Day, historic and meaningful images of Kamala Harris becoming vice president made the rounds of social media, shared widely especially by Bay Area residents applauding the Oakland native. Many snapped pictures of their television screens or computers, sharing emotional thoughts of a historic moment. 11:48 a.m. Biden and Harris lay wreath at military cemetery: President Joe Biden, no doubt thinking emotionally of his beloved late son Beau Biden, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from the capital, as part of Wednesdays inaugural activities. Beau Biden, who served in the military, died of cancer. Biden saluted and Vice President Kamala Harris held her hand over her heart as Taps was played. 11:42 a.m. Harris uses two Bibles for swearing-in: Vice President Kamala Harris placed her hand on two Bibles to take the oath of office. One, the same Bible she used when being sworn in as California attorney general and U.S. senator, was a nod to her upbringing in the East Bay. It belonged to Regina Shelton, a neighbor who became like a second mother to Harris. The second Bible belonged to Justice Thurgood Marshall, the seminal civil rights lawyer and first Black Supreme Court justice. 11:01 a.m. Biden takes over @POTUS account, without Trumps millions of followers: President Bidens Twitter account @PresElectBiden transformed into @POTUS following his inauguration Wednesday. Twitter archived former President Donald Trumps account as @POTUS45, without carrying Trumps followers over to Bidens account. Twitter said that gives users a choice of whether to follow the new government accounts. However, former President Barack Obamas folllowers were included when Trump took over the @POTUS account four years ago and Twitter had a different process. Trump preferred to use his personal account @realDonaldTrump as the main funnel for his many grievances and falsehoods many flagged as disputed by Twitter in recent months and that account was banned earlier this month after the Capitol riot. 10:34 a.m. Parting truths from enemies of the people: The New York Times marked Donald Trumps White House exit with an exhaustive project documenting every person or entity he had insulted on Twitter before his accounts suspension on Jan. 8. The Washington Post updated its count of lies and misstatements by Trump: 30,534 heading into his last day as president. 10:30 a.m. President Biden sends first tweet on newly-reset @POTUS account: President Biden sent out his first tweet on his new @POTUS Twitter account after his inauguration Wednesday. The president said there was no time to waste in tackling the multiple crises affecting the nation. Thats why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families, he tweeted. Twitter became former President Donald Trumps main method of communicating with his millions of followers, and a funnel for his many falsehoods and personal grievances. 10:15 a.m. Scared off by massive show of deterrent force?: Calm prevailed outside heavily fortified state capitol buildings across the U.S. as Joe Biden was sworn in as president Wednesday, after the FBI warned of possible armed demonstrations following former President Donald Trumps repeated, false claims of a stolen election. The Associated Press reports that fewer than a half-dozen demonstrators showed up outside the capitols in Concord, N.H., and in Lansing, Mich., where lawmakers had canceled a Wednesday session out of caution. A lone protester was outside the Capitol in Sacramento. 10:07 a.m. California poet delivers inaugural poem: Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman of Los Angeles summoned images dire and triumphant Wednesday as she told the world even as we grieved, we grew. In language referencing Biblical scripture and at times echoing the oratory of John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Gorman, 22, read with urgency and assertion, asking Where can we find light/In this never-ending shade? The poems very title, The Hill We Climb, suggested both labor and transcendence. She had told the Associated Press she planned a message of hope without ignoring the evidence of discord and division, and after the siege of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, and felt a wave of energy to finish the poem. Read more here. 9:57 a.m. Harris champions Black American designer: Vice President Kamala Harris selected an outfit from Christopher John Rogers, a Black designer of Los Angeles, to wear at her official swearing-in on Wednesday. She accented her two-button purple overcoat and dress with a black mask and pointy black heels. Harris husband Doug Emhoff wore acclaimed American designer Ralph Lauren. The nod to American design marked a return to Michelle Obamas celebration of American designers, while Melania Trump often chose foreign couture. 9:51 a.m. Harris sees off Pence: Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff escorted outgoing Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen down the grand Capitol steps in a formal send-off, sharing a laugh with the Republican couple before they drove off to private life. The courtesy goodbye ritual normally features the new president seeing off the outgoing president, but that tradition was upended by former President Donald Trumps refusal to even attend the inauguration in his continued pique over his loss. 9:50 a.m. One Trump supporter at California Capitol: At the State Capitol in Sacramento, a lone Trump supporter wearing a red MAGA hat protested as President Biden took the oath of office Wednesday. Joe, 72 of Brentwood, refusing to give his last name, said he expected more Trump supporters would come later in the day. The way theyve got so many National Guard here, I think a lot of people are nervous, he said. But Im here, thats all that counts. Amid warnings of armed protests, the Capitol building remained under the protection of hundreds of Guard troops and law enforcement officers. The perimeter of the complex was sealed off by a 6-foot chain-link fence. Joe said he was happy to see Democrats worried about possible civil unrest: I like to see the governor nervous. That makes me happy. 9:36 a.m. Bernie makes fashion statement: Sen. Bernie Sanders, never to be accused of haute couture, lit up the Twitter world by showing up for Wednesdays inauguration ceremonies wearing his signature beige parka and what can only be described as a very Vermont-ish pair of bulky, warm-looking mittens in bold black, tan, and white knit. Social media approved, and memes of course ensued. 9:18 a.m. Garth Brooks sings Amazing Grace: Singer Garth Brooks, without his trademark cowboy hat, treated the inaugural ceremony to a moving version of Amazing Grace and called on those present to join in on a last chorus. With everyones face covered by masks, it was impossible to know who complied. Aerial TV shots of the inauguration showed how pared down the ceremony was with a stunning array of socially-distanced chairs for the comparatively few attendees spread below the also-distanced seating where dignitaries sat at the top of the Capitol stairs. 9:15 a.m. Trump pardons Florida man in college admission scandal: A prominent Miami developer and investor who was among a slew of wealthy parents charged with paying hefty bribes to get their children into elite universities was pardoned early Wednesday by outgoing President Donald Trump. Federal prosecutors in Boston accused Robert Zangrillo of paying $250,000 to get his daughter into the University of Southern California in 2018. 9:04 a.m. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge: In a full-throated plea for unity in a nation riven by tumult and political hatred, President Biden on Wednesday called on Americans to meet this moment as the United States of America, to show tolerance, humility, respect and openness to differences of opinion. Lets start afresh, all of us, he said in his inaugural speech. Lets begin to listen to one another again, hear one another ... show respect for one another. He added, Politics doesnt have to be a raging fire. ... Stop the shouting. And in an inferred reference to the many falsehoods spewed by former President Donald Trump, Biden said its time to reject manufactured facts as part of the healing process. My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this. 9:02 a.m. Acting attorney general resigns following presidential transfer of power: Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosens resignation was effective Wednesday when President-elect Joe Biden took the oath of office, according to CNN. Rosen has led the Justice Department since Attorney General William Barr resigned on Dec. 23. Rosen did not appoint special counsels to investigate false allegations of voter fraud during his nearly month-long tenure despite pressure from President Donald Trump. Monty Wilkinson, a Justice Department lawyer, is expected to be acting attorney general until Bidens nominee Merrick Garland is confirmed. 8:54 a.m. Democracy has prevailed, Biden says: In his inaugural address, President Biden said, The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. He also said, Weve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. ... At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. On a sunny cold Washington day, he declared from the Capitol steps that the nation will defeat domestic terrorism and white supremacy. 8:50 a.m. So help me, God Biden is president: Joseph Robinette Biden, the former vice president and veteran of the halls of Congress, took the oath of office Wednesday just before 9 a.m., to become the nations 46th president. He was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. 8:41 a.m. Pop star J-Lo sings America the Beautiful: J-Lo, singing an America the Beautiful- This Land is Your Land medley at Joe Bidens inauguration, also yelled, Justica para todos! 8:41 a.m. Harris takes oath: Kamala Harris was sworn in Wednesday as the nations vice president, the first person of color to hold the role. She recited the oath with her hand on a pair of Bibles, sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. 7 a.m. Gaga sings national anthem: Lady Gaga, in a dress with a voluminous red, full-lenth skirt and a huge dove broach, belted out the National Anthem, from the Capitol inaugural platform, as part of Wednesdays ceremony. Zoomed-out shots of the Capitol showed the how sparsely populated the event was compared to non-pandemic times. 8:27 a.m. Harris wants to focus on the bright side: Despite the horrors of the deadly siege on the Capitol that shook but did not derail American democracy Kamala Harris says focus should be on the bright spots. Its like when you see a rainbow, Harris told The Chronicle ahead of her inauguration as vice president.. No one ever looks at a rainbow and then just keeps going. If you have anyone around you, you say, Look at the rainbow, right? Well, look at Jan. 5. when a Black Baptist preacher and a Jewish man were elected to the U.S. Senate from Georgia. Or even bringing it back to me. Look at the fact that in the midst of all that we have seen and experienced over these last few years, that America ... elected on their top ticket a woman for the first time ... who also happens to be a woman of color. 8:22 a.m. Biden, Obama warmth on display: Joe Biden, eyes crinkling in a broad smile behind his black face mask, walked to his former boss, Barack Obama, for a hearty fist bump after he and his wife Jill Biden stepped onto the Capitol inaugural platform where Biden was to become the nations 46th president. 8:11 a.m. Harris enters to cheers: Incoming Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, who will be a historic second gentleman as the spouse of the vice president, received applause and cheers entering the outdoor VIP seating area at the Capitol on Wednesday. In contrast to the horrifying images of the violent pro-Trump mob that breached the Capitol Jan. 6 and tried to disrupt the election certification, many civil rights veterans and scholars say Harris ascendancy as a person of color should be the focus, a bright light for progress and cause for optimism. Read The Chronicles story from Tal Kopan here. 8:05 a.m. Pence attends inauguration: Vice President Mike Pence, as promised and in contrast to his boss Donald Trump, showed up on Inauguration Day to witness the swearing-in of Joe Biden. With his wife Karen Pence, he entered the VIP seating area at the Capitol to bipartisan applause. Pence after the election had echoed Trumps challenges to the validity of the ballotting. 7:45 a.m. Hero Capitol police officer appointed acting House Sergeant at Arms: Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who led pro-Trump rioters away from the Senate chamber during the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol, was tapped to escort Kamala Harris at the inauguration as the new acting deputy House Sergeant at Arms, according to CBS News. Goodman was greeted by hearty applause when he was announced and entered the VIP seating area Wednesday. 7:53 a.m. Bomb threat called in to Supreme Court building: A bomb thread was called into the Supreme Court building Wednesday, according to CNN. The building was not being evacuated, however. 7:51 a.m. Former presidents enter to applause: Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, with their spouses Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush, entered the inauguration outdoor VIP seating area to applause from dignitaries on Wednesday. The attendance of the former presidents is a tradition that solidifies the nations confidence and commitment to a peaceful transfer of power and has been a hallmark of U.S. democracy. The absence of a defiant President Trump was made more glaring by the sight of the other presidents mingling in the bipartisan political crowd. 7:46 a.m. Dan Quayle says its important to show up: Former Vice President Dan Quayle, a Republican, arrived for Democrat Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday, and told Fox News that Its important to show up, to show bipartisanship and for Democrats and Republicans to work for the good of the country. 7:35 a.m. Trump vows to be back in some form: Have a good life; we will see you soon, President Trump told supporters at Joint Base Andrews as he left Wednesday for Florida. Trump spoke off the cuff, discarding a prepared statement and ignoring advisers who thought he should have thanked his successor Joe Biden by name. We were not a regular administration, Trump said, in a truncated version of his self-aggrandizing campaign rally speech, to mostly maskless audience. We will be back in some form, he said. He away from his last appearance as president to the strains of Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, a staple of his campaign rallies. 7:28 a.m. Biden and Harris arrive for swearing-in: Californias Kamala Harris, standing out in a deep purple fitted coat, ascended the grand Capitol stairway Wednesday morning with President-elect Joe Biden, and their spouses, for their inauguration Wednesday. The day marks the nations first swearing-in of a woman vice president, and the first vice president of color. Harris was to be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. 7:24 a.m. Warriors present Harris with commemorative jersey: The Golden State Warriors presented Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with her own jersey ahead of Wednesdays inauguration. The back of the jersey read Madame VP, and she was designated as No. 49. The presentation of the jersey accompanied an inspirational video from the Warriors, highlighting Harris rise to the vice presidency as a daughter of Oakland. 7:19 a.m. Pence attends inauguration: Vice President Mike Pence arrived for Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday morning, entering the Capitol building where just two weeks ago rioters roamed, screaming for his head with shouts of Hang Mike Pence! The mob echoed President Trumps anger with his longtime acolyte who refused Trumps demand that he block congressional certification of Joe Bidens election. 7:14 a.m. Stocks hit highs ahead of inauguration: The Nasdaq and S&P 500 surged to new highs and the Dow approached its previous record as traders looked ahead to Joe Bidens swearing-in as president. Wall Street is expecting a big economic stimulus to be one of the new administrations priorities. 7:03 a.m. Obamas arrive for inauguration: Former President Barack Obama, with his wife Michelle, arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday to witness the swearing in of his former vice president, Joe Biden, the victor over the man who relentlessly excoriated both of them, Donald Trump. Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who beat Trump in the popular vote but lost to him in the Electoral College count in 2016, also entered the Capitol for the solemn occasion. The arrival of Trumps nemeses for the traditional transfer-of-power contrasted with his own petulant refusal to attend. 6:53 a.m. Trump follows at least one presidential tradition: The White House says President Trump left behind a note for his successor, Joe Biden, whose name he has not publicly uttered as having vanquished him from the presidency. Deputy press secretary Judd Deere declined to reveal what Trump wrote. The traditional note contrasts with Trumps refusal to attend Bidens inauguration or invite the president-elect the White House after Biden won the election, or on Inauguration Day. Trump four years ago gushed about the thoughtful note President Barack Obama had left him as Trump began his presidency. 6:16 a.m. Donald Trump departs White House: The outgoing president left the White House on Marine One Wednesday for the last time as president, leaving behind a legacy of chaos and a bitterly divided nation riven by an ongoing pandemic, the Associated Press reported. 6:13 a.m. Biden promises a return to normalcy. Is America ready to go there?: Many Americans will exhale at 9 a.m Wednesday, relieved to have survived the Donald Trump presidency. Four years of chaos and lies and the presidential encouragement of Americas most malevolent elements will end when Joe Biden takes the oath of office. But is America ready for what Biden promised: a return to normalcy? Read the full story from The Chronicles Joe Garofoli here. Updates from Tuesday, Jan. 19: 10:30 p.m. Trump pardons Steve Bannon, Elliott Broidy, others before leaving office, reports say: On his last full day in office, President Trump on Tuesday granted clemency to his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, one of his former campaign fundraisers, Elliott Broidy, and scores of others. The pardons come in the tail-end hours of his one-term presidency. 5:55 p.m. Newsom says new day ahead for the U.S.: Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter that, Tomorrow, we take in a big, deep breath of fresh air as we turn the page and welcome our next President Joe Biden on Inauguration Day. Newsom said California has been involved in more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration. Clean air, clean water, clean cars, issues related to health, issues of immigration. Across the spectrum our values have been under assault in the last four years, Newsom said. Now, all of those head winds are going to be tail winds. A completely different mindset. Not a closed fist, but an open hand. Not a sparring partner, now a working partner with the new Biden administration, Newsom said. So heres looking forward to tomorrow and a new day for the United States and the state of California. 4:50 p.m. CEO of Santa Clara Countys transportation agency accepts role in Biden Administration: Nuria Fernandez, the general manager and chief executive officer of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has stepped down from her helm to join the Biden Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation. Fernandezs new role at the department has not been announced. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said on Tuesday that Fernandezs leadership has prodded the VTA to break out of conventional, rigid thinking, and shes been a wonderfully collaborative and insightful colleague. Im particularly grateful for her work in enabling the BART extension the largest public works project in our Countys history to proceed over, through, and around the many obstacles that have been put in the projects path. Liccardo said he was heartened to know that our President Biden can recognize talent and competence when he sees it, and Nuria Fernandez will leave big shoes to fill. 3:40 p.m. S.F. law enforcement beefing up for Inauguration Day: San Francisco sheriffs deputies will have an increased presence on Joe Bidens Inauguration Day, and are set up to protect San Franciscos City Hall, all public buildings and resources, and the people who work in these buildings, officials said. Officials dont expect unrest, but tweeted they are prepared to respond and protect the publics safety as necessary. 3:30 p.m. Trump farewell message says his movement just starting: President Trump on Tuesday released an unrepentant farewell video to the nation, touting his accomplishments, saying we did what we came here to do and so much more. Even as he leaves office with a dismal approval rating, and on a day when the nation crossed the dark milestone of 400,000 coronavirus deaths, he praised his record on dealing with the pandemic. This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous, he said, never mentioning the name of the successor who defeated him, President-elect Joe Biden. As I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning. Theres never been anything like it. 3:22 p.m. Biden urges healing and remembrance of lives lost to pandemic: President-elect Joe Biden, in somber remarks at his Washington, D.C., COVID-19 memorial event, told Americans that To heal, we must remember. Its hard sometimes to remember. But thats how we heal. Standing at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, Biden said, Its important to do that as a nation. Thats why were here today. Between sundown and dusk, let us shine the lights in the darkness along the sacred pool of reflection and remember all whom we lost. 3:14 p.m. Advisers talked Trump out of pardoning himself, report says: Several lawyers apparently convinced President Trump that the pre-emptive pardons he once hoped to bestow upon his family and even himself would place him in a legally perilous position, convey the appearance of guilt and potentially make him more vulnerable to reprisals, according to CNN. He was also warned that pardoning Republican lawmakers who had sought pardons for their role in the Capitol insurrection would anger Senate Republicans who would determine his fate in an impeachment trial. 2:44 p.m. Empire State Building glows red: The Empire State Building in Manhattan was lit up in red in in conjunction with a unique lighting ceremony that President-elect Joe Biden held at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool to honor the 400,000 U.S. victims who lost their lives to COVID-19. Other buildings throughout the nation, including in the Bay Area, also were participating in the lighting tribute. 2:30 p.m. Harris at coronavirus event in capital calls for new wisdom: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, at a solemn COVID-19 memorial in Washington with President-elect Joe Biden, called on Americans to open our hearts just a little bit more to one another using the wisdom gained during the pandemic. Tonight we grieve and begin healing together, she said. We the American people are united in spirit. The twilight memorial honoring those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus was held at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool shortly after Biden and Harris arrived in the capital for Wednesdays inauguration. 1:33 p.m. Poll shows positive views of Biden: President-elect Joe Biden will take office Wednesday facing high expectations and 66% approval of the way he has handled the transition, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS. But negative perceptions of how things are going in the U.S. are at the highest level since 2009. Bidens favorability rating has climbed to 59%, from 52% in October. Meanwhile, 70% disapprove of President Trumps combative handling of the transition period, and 66% disapprove of Republicans in Congress. About half (51%) approve of the way Democrats in Congress have handled it. 1:25 p.m. Biden arrives at security-blanketed capital: President-elect Joe Biden flew to Andrews military airbase just outside Washington on Tuesday and boarded motorcade to the fortress-fortified capital city where he will be inaugurated on Wednesday as the nations 46th president. Major roads and bridges around the city were astonishingly empty, blocked off as some 25,000 National Guard troops stood guard and the Capitol, White House and National Mall were wrapped in a maze of barricades and tall fencing. 1:05 p.m. Trump impeachment backers cite 1876 precedent: Defenders of President Trump argue that the Constitution does not allow the Senate to conduct an impeachment trial of him after he no longer holds office which will be Wednesday. But the Congressional Research Service reports that most scholars who have examined the issue have concluded the Senate could hold a trial, and their leading example is the 1876 Belknap case. Read the details here. 12:45 p.m. A dozen National Guard members now pulled from inauguration: Twelve U.S. Army National Guard members now have been removed from the presidential inauguration security mission after they were found to have ties with right-wing militia groups or posted extremist views online, two U.S. officials told the Associated Press. There was no threat to President-elect Joe Biden, they said. Their removal comes as the FBI worked to vet all of the 25,000 Guard troops called to help secure Bidens inauguration Wednesday. 12:09 a.m. Feinstein defends GOP senators right to object to election: California Sen. Dianne Feinstein defended Republican senators who objected to Electoral College results and downplayed the importance of an upcoming impeachment trial for President Trump, diverging from her Democratic colleagues. The story is here. 12:01 a.m. S.F. chief says no signs of political unrest: Police Chief William Scott said Tuesday that San Francisco has had no credible notifications of major protests or political unrest in the run-up to President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday. We will be prepared for everything and anything, he said. At SFPD, we have canceled discretionary days off. We will have additional police deployed. He urged San Franciscans not to gather in large gatherings in public, but to celebrate inauguration day at home, to avoid transmitting the coronavirus. 11:05 a.m. First conspiracy charge levied in Capitol siege: U.S. authorities have leveled the first conspiracy charge against an apparent leader of an extremist group in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol: They arrested an alleged Oath Keeper, Thomas Edward Caldwell, 66, of Clarke County, Va., who is accused of plotting to disrupt the counting of electoral votes confirming Joe Bidens victory and proposing further assaults on state capitols, news accounts say. A charging affidavit says he helped organize a group of eight to 10, including self-styled Ohio militia members apprehended Sunday, who wore helmets and military-style gear and led the move against police lines. 10:30 a.m. Biden pick for intel chief vows politics-free zone: President-elect Joe Bidens nominee to lead the intelligence community, Avril Haines, promised Tuesday to speak truth to power and keep politics out of intelligence agencies. Her remarks implied a departure from President Trumps record of pressuring intelligence officials to shape their analysis to his liking. When it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics ever, she told the Senate Intelligence Committee. 10:20 a.m. Field of Flags to represent missing inauguration crowd: The Presidential Inaugural Committee has covered Washingtons National Mall with 191,500 flags ahead of Joe Bidens inauguration. The Field of Flags represents Americans who were unable to travel to Washington, D.C. for Inauguration Day due to the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing security threats around the ceremony. 9:43 a.m. The mob was fed lies, McConnell says: Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, in his harshest-yet rebuke of President Trump, said Tuesday that the president provoked the violent mob that stormed the Capitol. The mob was fed lies, McConnell said in remarks to the Senate. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of branch of the federal government, the certification of Joe Bidens presidential victory. He vowed a safe and successful inauguration of Biden on Wednesday. McConnell has not yet said whether he would vote to convict Trump in a Senate impeachment trial. 9:15 a.m. Homeland Security nominee vows Capitol attack wont happen again: In opening remarks at his confirmation hearing, President-elect Joe Bidens nominee to lead Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, vowed to get to the bottom of the horrifying attack on the Capitol. He said if confirmed he would do everything possible to ensure the desecration of the building that stands as one of the three pillars of our democracy, and the terror felt by you, your colleagues, staff, and everyone present, will not happen again. Mayorkas testified before the Homeland Security Committee on the Senates first day back since the violent Jan. 6 Capitol siege. 8:50 a.m. Two National Guard members taken off inauguration security detail: Two U.S. Army National Guard members are being removed from the security mission to secure Joe Bidens presidential inauguration, the Associated Press reports. They were found to have ties to fringe right militia groups, an Army official and a senior U.S. intelligence official said.No plot against Biden was found. 8:25 a.m. Senate Democrats make sweeping democracy reform No. 1 bill: Incoming Senate Democratic leaders said Tuesday that their first bill will be the For The People Act, which passed the House in the previous Congress but stalled in the GOP-controlled Senate. The bill, widely endorsed by progressive and civil rights groups, includes, among other provisions, changes to voter registration requirements, more funding for election security, requirements for presidents and vice presidents to disclose their tax returns and new ethics rules for members of Congress. 7:44 a.m. New poll suggests Bidens political fate rides on pandemic response: Quelling the coronavirus and repairing its economic damage are Americans top priorities by far for President-elect Joe Bidens incoming administration, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Overall, 53% of Americans name COVID-19 as one of the top five issues they want the government to tackle this year, and 68% mention in some way the economy which has been battered by the pandemic. 7:32 a.m. Senate commmittes begin confirmation hearings: Confirmation hearings began in the Senate Tuesday morning for several of President-elect Joe Bidens Cabinet nominees, including those for the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense. After testifying and being approved by commitees, they will need approval in the full Senate to take up their posts in an administration facing a number of urgent must-do priorities. 7:25 a.m. Biden picks transgender person for health post: President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health: She would be the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. A pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general, Levine was appointed to her current post by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017. 7:11 a.m. Intel says far-right may pose as National Guard: The FBI warned law enforcement agencies Monday that far-right extremists have discussed posing as National Guard members in Washington and others have reviewed maps of vulnerable spots in the city in potential efforts to disrupt Wednesdays inauguration, according to an intelligence report obtained by the Washington Post. 7:01 a.m. Who is Alex Padilla? Californias new senator has broken ground in state politics for two decades: When he heads to Congress as Californias newest senator, it will be a full-circle moment for Secretary of State Alex Padilla. After launching his career as an aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Los Angeles Democrat will now serve alongside the woman who gave him his first job in politics. Padilla has risen steadily through local and state elected office in the two decades since then, frequently breaking new political ground. He made history Tuesday when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to fill the seat being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Padilla will be the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate. Read the full story here, and listen to The Chronicles Its All Political podcast interview with Padilla, recorded in October, here. 6:40 a.m. Giants owner Charles Johnson asks QAnon-backing Rep. Lauren Boebert for refunds: Giants owner Charles B. Johnson, criticized by many of the teams fans for supporting Rep. Lauren Boebert, said Monday night he asked for his and his wifes donations to be returned. In a statement released by the Giants, Johnson said he and his wife, Ann, also will request refunds from others who engaged in similar behavior. Boebert, a freshman House Republican from Colorado, has expressed her support for the QAnon conspiracy-theory group and tweeted about the location of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi amid the Jan. 6 violent attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Read the full story here: Updates from Monday, Jan. 18: 3:37 p.m. Oakland and Scranton, PA, to raise Unity Flag: The cities where Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden were born will each raise a flag created by local artists Favianna Rodriguez and Ryan Hnat. The ceremony, happening simultaneously at Oaklands and Scrantons city halls, will be live-streamed on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at @LibbySchaaf and @Scranton_Mayor on Twitter. 2:53 p.m. Defense chief says no intel shows insider threat to Biden inauguration: Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said Monday that law enforcement officials are vetting National Guard troops stationed in Washington, but that authorities have no intelligence indicating an insider threat to President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday. As is normal for military support to large security events, the Department will vet National Guardsmen who are in Washington, D.C., Miller said in a statement reported by the Hill. 2:49 p.m. Pentagon rolling out troops, bomb experts amid reports of threats around inauguration: The Pentagon has authorized 750 active-duty troops for security related to President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, to two defense officials told Politico. The service members deployed this week have expertise in chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological and explosive weapons, and include explosive ordnance disposal and medical teams skilled in trauma response, the news outlet said. 2:35 p.m. With Trump offline, falsehoods plummet: Online misinformation about election fraud plunged 73 percent after several social media sites suspended President Trump and key allies, according to San Francisco research firm Zignal Labs, underscoring the power of tech companies to limit the falsehoods poisoning public debate. Conversations about election fraud dropped from 2.5 million mentions to 688,000 mentions across several social media sites in the week after Trump was banned from Twitter, the Washington Post reported. 1:32 p.m. Trumps wont greet Bidens at White House: In the latest snub demonstrating President Trumps now-routine disdain for tradition, he and Melania Trump will leave the White House on Wednesday without inviting their incoming counterparts, Joe and Jill Biden, in for a courtesy get-together, CNN reports. The greeting is one of the more enduring transfer-of-power rituals the outgoing president welcoming his successor at the North Portico, and then riding with him to the Capitol swearing-in. The Bidens will be greeted instead by a Trump-appointed chief usher, Timothy Harleth. 12:51 a.m. Capitol police only had enough officers on hand for a routine day: On the day that a mob of rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, Capitol police had only enough officers for a routine day, The Associated Press reported. Several officers the AP spoke to said they were given next to no warning by leadership about what would transpire on Jan. 6. 12:01 p.m. Gun sales spike, but more in spring than after election: More firearms were sold last year than in any previous year on record, the Washington Post reports. Gun sales spiked wildly in 2020, especially amid anxiety about the pandemic, job losses and summer protests. But despite the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol and warnings of subsequent attacks nationwide, government and industry data indicate that purchases soared last March and April, and peaked in July. High sales continued in November and December, but not near those earlier spikes. 11:52 a.m. Video from Capitol riot shows prayer moment: Videos that continue to emerge from the Jan. 6 pro-Trump riot show the angry mob ransacking the U.S. Capitol and, in one clip, a group of men with hands raised and clasped standing at the congressional dias invoking God. One loudly prayed thanks for allowing the U.S. government to be reborn. Videos also show rioters riffling through documents on the desks of members, one man muttering, Theres gotta be something here we can use against these scumbags. 11:22 a.m. Suspected miltia members charged in Capitol riot: The Justice Department has charged suspected members of the Three Percenters, a militia group that emerged some years ago from the extremist wing of the gun-rights movement, and of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group founded by law enforcement and military veterans, in the Jan. 6 attack on Congress, the New York Times reports. Donovan Crowl, 50, a former U.S. Marine, and Jessica Watkins, 38, an Army veteran, surrendered to authorities Sunday night in Ohio after publishing photos of themselves on social media wearing combat gear and saying that they had stormed the Capitol. 11:14 a.m. Harris rues two systems of justice: In a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece as she leaves the Senate to become the nations vice president, Sen. Kamala Harris reflected on her tenure and on the state of the nation. This month, we witnessed something I thought I would never see in the United States: A mob breached the U.S. Capitol, trying to thwart the certification of the 2020 election results. The violence made clear that we have two systems of justice one that failed to restrain the rioters on January 6 and another that released tear gas on non-violent demonstrators last summer, she wrote. These have not been easy times by any stretch. 9:30 a.m. Celebs join live-streamed Biden parade: A largely virtual, live-streamed parade after President-elect Joe Bidens swearing-in Wednesday will feature performances from all 56 U.S. states and territories, the inaugural committee announced Monday. It will feature actor Tony Goldwyn, who played a fictional president on ABCs Scandal, comedian Jon Stewart; musical acts New Radicals, Earth Wind & Fire, Nile Rodgers, Kathy Sledge and Andra Day; and Olympic athletes Nathan Chen, Allyson Felix and Katie Ledecky. 9 a.m. So-called Christian website said to fund, support extremists: A self-described Christian website, GiveSendGo, has become a refuge of sorts and fundraising site for the Proud Boys and other fringe groups, outcasts and conspiracy theorists promoting debunked claims of a fradulent election, a Washington Post investigation finds. Postings show at least $247,000 has been raised for 24 people including at least eight members of the Proud Boys who claimed online that the money was intended for travel, medical or legal expenses connected to Stop the Steal events, including President Trumps Jan. 6 rally that led to the deadly Capitol riot. 8:49 a.m. Github reverses firing of Jewish employee who called rioters Nazis: San Francisco tech firm Github, citing significant errors of judgment and procedure, apologized to an employee who was fired after reportedly posting stay safe homies, Nazis are about in a company Slack during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Some rioters wore Nazi symbols and references on clothing such as Camp Auschwitz. The company said its human resources head resigned on Saturday and it is in communication with the employees representative. 8:31 a.m. Trump said to nix Giuliani for trial: President Trumps personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, is on the outs, at least in terms of being part of Trumps legal defense team for the Senate impeachment trial, a person close to Trump told the New York Times on Monday. Trump told Giuliani the news on Saturday night. It is unclear who will defending Trump, given that many attorneys have privately said they wont represent him. 8:22 a.m. Biden to cancel Keystone pipeline: President-elect Joe Biden on his first day in office is expected to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit which was rejected by President Barack Obama but approved by President Trump the New York Times reports, citing someone familiar with Bidens plan. The project to move oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has been one of the most thorny issues in environmental friction over several years. 8:14 a.m. FBI investigates whether Pelosis laptop was stolen for sale to Russians: An FBI probe is looking into whether a woman stole a laptop or hard drive from House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and intended to sell it to Russians, news accounts say. The FBIs claims stem from an affidavit in the criminal case against Riley June Williams, a Pennsylvania woman who allegedly participated in the riot. 8:06 a.m. Seek cover Capitol complex locked down after fire: The Capitol complex in Washington was locked down on Monday after a fire at a homeless encampment , since extinguished reflecting the high tension and security precautions amid threats of violence around Joe Bidens presidential inauguration on Wednesday. News accounts report lawmakers got an email alert saying there was no entry or exit from the complex as of 10:30 a.m. Those inside were instructed to stay away from exterior windows and doors. Those outside were ordered to seek cover. 7:56 a.m. Trump campaign staff shown as involved in pre-riot rally: An Associated Press review undercuts claims President Trumps rally that spawned the deadly Capitol riot was a grassroots event. Members of Trumps failed presidential campaign played key roles in orchestrating it, permit documentation shows, listing more than half a dozen people who just weeks earlier had been paid thousands of dollars by Trumps campaign. Other staff scheduled to be on site during the demonstration have close ties to the White House. 7:09 a.m. Biden picks consumer advocate Rohit Chopra to lead Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: President-elect Joe Biden has selected Rohit Chopra, now a member of the Federal Trade Commission, to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Politico reported. 6:45 a.m. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes Twitter account suspended: Twitter suspended Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes account on Sunday for violating the companys civic integrity policy, NPR reported. That policy was updated in the wake of the Capitol riots and used to take down thousands of accounts amplifying the Qanon conspiracy theory, which Greene has repeatedly endorsed. The suspension was to last 12 hours. 6:28 a.m. Five ways Trump changed California including one that helped Democrats: Donald Trump leaves office having changed a state that may have fought him harder than any other over the past four years, California. His immigration policies sharply restricted migration to the state and made it harder for Silicon Valley to bring in foreign talent. His rollback of environmental safeguards stalled efforts to fight climate change that threatens coastal cities. His presence rearranged the political scene, leading to California supplying the first woman elected on a presidential ticket and the first Latino to represent the state in the U.S. Senate being named to replace her. Read the full story from The Chronicles Joe Garofoli here: Actors Janhvi Kapoor and Kartik Aaryan were spotted at the Mumbai airport as they returned from Goa on Tuesday. The two had masks on, with Janhvi wearing her face shield as well. Also seen was Janhvis sister, Khushi Kapoor. Janhvi wore a pair of baggy beige trousers, paired with a white shirt. Kartik was seen in a pair of jeans, t-shirt and denim jacket. Khushi was seen wearing a pair of torn jeans, a sleeveless t-shirt and a loose-fitting jacket. Earlier in the week, fans are shared pictures of Janhvi and Kartik enjoying themselves in Goa. They were recently spotted together at Manish Malhotras New Year bash. Kartik and Janhvi are rumoured to be dating. (Varinder Chawla) The duo are working on a film together. The Karan Johar produced film Dostana 2 also stars TV actor Lakshya. The films shoot had begun in right earnest last year but had to be cancelled owing to Delhis pollution and smog issues last November. Following that, it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dostana is a remake of hit 2008 film starring Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan. The two are rumoured to be seeing each other. Of late, Janhvi and Kartik have been having a lot of chats, dropping comments on each others posts. What can be more contagious than a smile? Kartik captioned a picture on social media, to which Janhvi has answered, Corona. Also read: Shashi Tharoor responds to Kangana Ranauts rebuttal: Id like all Indian women to be as empowered as you In another post, where Kartik had posted a solo pic, he had written: Aisi dikhti hai Inner Peace #HolidayMode. Fans had noticed a womans hand, reflected on his sunglasses and had asked: Hey, I Just Noticed a Girls Hand who is sitting on her knees just to click this, one person commented. Wo sb to thhik hai Kartik. Lekin wo ldki kon hai (Thats all fine, but whos the girl)? another person commented. Follow @htshowbiz on Twitter ott:10 A school board member in Essex County who was charged with driving while intoxicated near an elementary school has filed an excessive force complaint against the police officers who arrested her. Erika Jacho, 41, who serves on the Belleville Board of Education, made the complaint the day after her arrest on Oct. 21, according to township police Chief Mark Minichini. Investigators say Jacho has claimed that one or more of the officers used excessive force after they found her sleeping inside her car near a bar and public school on Joralemon Avenue. Members of the police departments internal affairs bureau are investigating in accordance with guidelines set by the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, Minichini said. Im not going to comment while the investigators are looking into the complaint, Minichini said. Following her arrest, Jacho refused a field sobriety test and was charged with DWI and DWI within 1,000 feet of a school, refusal to submit to a chemical test, failure to exhibit her drivers license, reckless driving and parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. The case is pending in Verona Municipal Court, where it was moved to avoid conflicts of interest. Police dashcam video of the arrest shows Jacho berating officers and repeatedly demanding that they get a Belleville town councilman on the phone. I didnt do anything, you are violating my rights, Jacho says several times on the video. At one point, Jacho tells the officers: I will remember this. Police said in their report that Jacho pushed into them after getting out of the patrol car, making it hard for them to walk her to an elevator. Once inside the elevator, she pushed herself off the walls, the report says. Minichini on Wednesday said he supports the police officers who arrested Jacho. I thought they did an excellent job under those circumstances, the chief said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. (Alliance News) - High street giant Marks & Spencer Group PLC is poised to snap up upmarket fashion brand Jaeger following its collapse last autumn, PA reports. The retail bellwether is understood to be in the final throes of sealing a deal to buy the Jaeger brand and stock, as first reported by Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/m-s-closes-in-on-deal-to-salvage-jaeger-brand-from-scrapheap-12180157 But any acquisition is not set to include the chain's stores, which have already been slashed by 13 to 63 with at least 103 jobs axed. Jaeger was placed into administration alongside sister firm Peacocks in November by Dubai-based owner and retail billionaire Philip Day. The tycoon's EWM Group had already called in administrators for its Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home business earlier in November. Jaeger's online shopping operations have remained open and continued to trade as normal throughout. The move to buy up Jaeger would fit with M&S's new strategy of selling third-party brands, with existing tie-ups with the likes of Nobody's Child and Ghost. It is also thought to be among those in the running for some of Philip Green's collapsed Arcadia Group brands, such as Topshop. It comes ahead of M&S's Christmas trading update on Friday, which is set to reveal the scale of the impact on its clothing stores of lockdowns and tighter restrictions. The group is expected to report strong food sales as the grocery industry was buoyed by the closure of bars, restaurants and cafes across most of the UK. Its clothing sales performance will be watched closely, however, to see how much of the store closures impact was offset by online trade. M&S and Jaeger's administrators FRP Advisory both declined to comment. source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Samsung has launched large capacity Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning systems in India that can be installed in just 0.5 sq metres of space in premium apartments, villas, bungalows, houses as well as commercial and retail establishments. The new side discharge VRF systemDVM S Ecopromises an extremely efficient, eco-friendly and quiet air conditioning solution and offers a specialized single outdoor unit for affordable multi-room cooling. The all new DVM S Eco unit is measured at a compact size of W940 x H1630 x D460 mm with a footprint of less than 0.5 sq metres, making it the most compact side discharge air conditioning system in the market. This makes it very easy and economical to install and operate without compromising on performance. It also leaves extra spaces that can be used for other purposes. The WiFi enabled DVM S Eco series offers smart features such as voice control and connected home experience using SmartThings app on any smartphone. Each indoor unit can be controlled separately for enhanced convenience. To offer energy efficiency, current, daily, weekly or even monthly energy consumption can be monitored basis the usage of outdoor unit. DVM S Eco series provides ease of installation wherein up to 16 indoor units can be set up at once. The innovative design of DVM S Eco features a robust Digital Inverter Scroll Compressor and corrugate fin, which enhances cooling performance. DVM S Eco comes in capacities ranging from 4HP to 14HP. It comes with a twin BLDC compressor that reduces torque variation by 75% further improving the stability of the moving parts along with the silent mode for night-time that limits the fan rpm and compressor frequency to reduce noise. DVM S Eco series is compatible with PM 1.0 filters that provide comfortable cooling with purification down to 0.3microns particle size. These filters can be fitted in all kinds of indoor unit designs such as 4 Way Cassette, 360 Cassette and 1 Way Cassette. Vipin Agrawal, Director, System Air Conditioning Business, Samsung India, said, At Samsung, customer centric innovation lies at the core of our brand promise. Our innovation and engineering behind the new DVM S Eco system introduces a compact VRF solution with a reliable and built to last high-energy system that is easy to install, repair and maintain. We are focused on helping businesses and our customers with cost effective and energy efficient products. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Fake: No new clash took place in Galwan Valley in early May India faces aggressive Chinese activity on its border on a sustained basis India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: India faces aggressive Chinese activity on its border perhaps on a sustained basis. In this backdrop the close coordination between India and the US is important, outgoing American envoy Kenneth Juster said. "I believe that no country has as strong and robust a defense and counterterrorism relationship with India as does the United States. Simply put, no other country does as much to contribute to the security of Indians and India," he said. US sanctions under CAATSA legislation were never designed to harm "friends and allies", he said in the backdrop of apprehension of possible US sanctions on India over its purchase of S-400 missile defence system from Russia. India's S-400 missile deal with Russia may trigger US sanctions: Report At the same time, Juster noted that India will have to make certain "choices" on its overall approach on acquisition of military hardware. The US has imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America''s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for purchase of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia. In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile system, despite a warning from the Donald Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions. Following US sanctions on Turkey, there have been apprehensions that Washington may impose similar punitive measures on India. "The CAATSA sanctions were never designed to harm friends and allies. They were aimed at a particular country. And there are many variables involved in it," Juster said when asked about the possibility of the US imposing sanctions on India under CAATSA. He was answering questions after delivering a farewell address at an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation. Juster said the Indian government will have to make choices in its procurement process as interoperability and technology sharing will be key issues in the overall military eco-system. "As systems get more technologically advanced, country A that does not get along with country B will be less willing to sell technology that could potentially be compromised to country B," he said without making specific references. "We haven''t hit that point yet but that could come down in the future and that will be an issue that there are trade-offs. India has to decide how much it matters to get the most sophisticated technology, how much it matters to be as inter-operable as it can be, within its technology and potentially with other friendly forces," Juster said. He said there has been growing concern about interoperability of weapons systems, suggesting that New Delhi should keep in mind sensitivities of military suppliers. Juster said the US recognises that India desires to produce more of its military equipment within the country, noting that the US looks forward to its growing partnership in this effort. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News "In this security environment, it is worth considering how effectively one piece of equipment will integrate into a broader system and strategy, and whether a particular purchase today will pave the way for -- or preclude -- future acquisitions of more sophisticated technology," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 8:46 [IST] An unnamed inmate at Dongbu Detention Center in southern Seoul shows a paper blaiming the country's justice ministry, Wednesday afternoon. Yonhap The government said Wednesday that it will test correctional facility employees nationwide on a weekly basis to slow or eliminate the spread of COVID-19. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), all staff working at the facilities will undergo the quick antigen tests that produce results in 30 minutes; although these are less accurate than polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory tests. As part of additional efforts to combat the virus, every inmate will be given a KF94 mask on a daily basis. In recent months, the country's prisons have emerged as one of the biggest infection clusters for COVID-19 . According to the Ministry of Justice, 1,203 former and current inmates and correctional employees have been infected with the virus as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed at the Dongbu Detention Center in southeastern Seoul, Nov. 27. Of the tally, the Dongbu center has been responsible for the vast majority, with about 1,160 cases. The center reported 67 more cases Wednesday, following its sixth mass testing of 429 staff members and 338 inmates the previous day. Of the total, 1,059 have been put in isolation at several correctional facilities across the country, including 673 patients at the Dongbu center and 341 at Cheongsong Prison in North Gyeongsang Province. By Tuesday, all the inmates and employees at 11 correctional facilities nationwide had been tested for the virus the results were negative. On Dec. 31, the ministry imposed the most stringent social distancing guidelines on the nation's prison system, following an alarming surge in coronavirus cases tied to the Dongbu center. The measures included banning visits, canceling all work and classes, and having staff work on a reduced schedule. The restrictions will remain in force until next Wednesday. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP), meanwhile, filed a complaint with the prosecution against Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae for allegedly neglecting her duty to properly handle the prison coronavirus outbreak. "Due to Minister Choo's negligence, we've seen a large number of patients and a death. (She) paid a visit to the Donbu facility only after the number of patients reached over 700, 32 days after the first reported case," PPP members of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee said in a press conference. PPP floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young also visited the Dongbu detention center earlier in the day to inspect the on-site disease control measures. "Over 1,000 infected patients came from a top-of-the-line security facility controlled by the nation," Joo said, adding that he will hold Choo and justice ministry officials responsible for mismanaging the prison outbreak. Four inmates at the detention center infected with the new coronavirus also filed a lawsuit demanding the government pay 10 million won ($9,210) per person in compensation over the outbreak. The jail authorities neither provided face masks nor separated infected inmates from others, while neglecting the problem of overcrowding, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said. (Yonhap) When people pose medical threats to others, the HIPAA rules may permit you to notify public-health authorities without their consent; more important, those rules stop you only from passing on individually identifiable health information, so, at least in theory, you could tell people they have been exposed to the virus as long as you dont let them know who exposed them. But in practice, you cant follow these patients around and notify everyone they expose to risk. And though recklessly exposing others to harm may technically be a criminal offense, I dont know that anyone in New York has been charged with it. The burden, ultimately, lies with everyone to do his or her best to maintain social distancing with the strangers with whom they share the streets. As with so many problems of this sort, our best option is simply the less bad one. Im an associate at a small media-and-entertainment law firm in New York. Though my family is not wealthy, they were able to contribute to my law-school tuition, and this, combined with odd jobs I did while in school, enabled me to graduate without much student debt. Three years later, I now have just over $10,000 in outstanding loans, which I could pay off by dipping into savings. However, I keep seeing headlines about President-elect Bidens proposal to eliminate $10,000 of every Americans student-loan debt. Assuming this plan materializes, would it be wrong for me not to pay off my student loans and just wait until theyre canceled? If so, would it still be wrong if I donated some of the money I saved to support disadvantaged students? Sam, Brooklyn Thats a big assumption. President-elect Bidens plan, which involves using federal funds toward paying down private loans (the current administration has already introduced a temporary moratorium on the repayment of federal loans and suspension of interest on them), will presumably require legislation that the Senate may not agree to. But if the pledge indeed becomes a program, the first $10,000 in debt relief which isnt conditioned on the current income of the debtor is meant to be part of a stimulus that will help deal with the economic effects of the pandemic. Given the stated objective, the fact that you dont need the loan canceled doesnt make it inappropriate to accept the offer, so long as it increases your spending on other things. The way you talk about focusing your spending on the disadvantaged suggests that you will have somehow wronged them. This isnt the case. Its commendable to give money to good causes, but it would perhaps be more commendable if you did so not out of a misplaced sense of guilt but out of a sense of purpose. You should support these causes because you believe in them. Of course, you may not want to participate in the loan-forgiveness program because you think this form of stimulus is wrong or just wrongheaded. Some people ask why the money isnt being directed specifically to lower-income people, many of whom dont have college student loans. Others ask whether the proposed program is fair to those who have already successfully struggled to pay off their loans. Still others argue that college education is a public good and therefore tuition debt is itself unfair, because college ought to be free. Theres an array of arguments here, trailing an array of empirical and ethical considerations. But the right way to respond to such issues isnt to refuse to participate; its to engage in the public debate about what we should be doing with money that, in some sense, belongs to all of us. Jaipur: Three men, who were on separate motorcycles, were killed on Tuesday night and three others injured when a speeding truck hit them on the Jaipur-Delhi highway here, police said. The accident occurred in Brahmpuri area where the truck, which was on its way from Jaipur towards Delhi, hit a bike near Eidgah. The truck hit two more motorcycles when its driver sped away, they said. Accident Mohammad Salam (22), Rajkumar (31) and Lalchand (32) were killed in the accident, police said. After hitting the bikes, the truck overturned after travelling 2 km. The truck driver has been detained, they added. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 5, 2021) - CGX Energy Inc. (TSXV: OYL) ("CGX Energy" or the "Company"), announces that it has contracted Mr. Kevin Lacy as Drilling Director of the Company. Mr. Lacy will oversee all operations of the Company's exploration drilling and potential appraisal programs on the Corentyne and Demerara petroleum prospective licenses offshore Guyana. Mr. Lacy has extensive experience (40 years) in oil and gas operations and drilling in many international basins, especially offshore. His career started with Chevron in 1980, where he rose through the management ranks working in the Gulf of Mexico ("GoM"), China, Angola, Europe, North Sea and the US. His last role with Chevron was as the VP of Global Drilling and Completions, leading the post Texaco and Unocal merger efforts to integrate and apply drilling best practices. In 2006, he took early retirement from Chevron and joined BP as the Western Hemisphere Drilling Head of Discipline. He subsequently moved into the role of GoM VP of Drilling, Completions, and HSE. His GoM tenure in 2008 and 2009 resulted in significant improvements in drilling and completions metrics, as well as safety performance for the 8-10 deepwater rigs and teams under his management. He left BP in late 2009 and joined Talisman Energy in early 2010, where he was tasked with the oversight of ten international basin exploration wells including deepwater Indonesia and Sierra Leone over a two-year period. Drilling metrics and costs along with safety performance significantly improved in all ten wells. In 2014, Talisman significantly reduced their exploration program and Lacy departed to go into private consulting. Since that time, he has worked as the VP of Technical Staff at PetroSkills and then as CEO of Drillsage (formerly called PRTS) a real time drilling information system start up. He is a recognized industry leader in improving safety and drilling performance and applying technology within a disciplined planning and execution process for complex and remote wells. Pursuant to this appointment, the Company granted Mr. Lacy incentive stock options ("Options") to purchase 400,000 common shares of the Company, subject to regulatory approval. The stock options were granted on January 5, 2021 pursuant to the Company's stock option plan and are exercisable at a price of $0.495 per share, set to expire on January 5, 2026. These Options vest as follows: (a) 1/3 of the Options granted immediately; (b) 1/3 of the Options granted on the six month anniversary of the Option grant; and (c) 1/3 of the Options granted, being the remaining amount, on the first anniversary of the Option grant, subject to a vesting acceleration clause under certain events. About CGX Energy CGX Energy is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur in the future. These forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by CGX Energy. CGX Energy believes the expectations and assumptions on which it develops forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. In addition, other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release are outlined further in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and CGX Energy undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact: Tralisa Maraj, Chief Financial Officer at (832) 300-3200 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71460 Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Story by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA HARRISBURG State lawmakers in Pennsylvania denounced violence in Washington on Wednesday after a mob of Trump supporters breached the U.S. Capitol to impede the official count of Electoral College votes. Top Republicans in the state Senate and House said in statements the chaos was not acceptable. Sheer size of the crowd in DC is emblematic of how divided we are, Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R., Westmoreland) said in a tweet. Violence wasnt ok when groups were destroying property last summer: its not ok now. We are a country of laws and without laws, we are doomed. In the state House, Republican leadership said in a joint statement that, Any act of violence or destruction is a crime and should be treated as such. An objection to the electoral process is within the rights of members of Congress and has been exercised by members from both sides of the aisle at different times in our nations history, Speaker Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) and Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R., Centre) said. However, that process leads to debate and dialogue, not violence and mayhem. Republican leaders in both the state House and Senate, joined by dozens of members from their caucuses, objected to Wednesdays Electoral College count and have cast doubt on the integrity of the states presidential election. Their concerns about guidance from Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar and rulings from the state Supreme Court have been litigated in court and rejected by judges, many of them Trump appointees. When our rules and laws are not followed, chaos takes over, Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R., Centre) said in a statement. What is going on in DC should never happen. At least one former state lawmaker and one current member were in Washington on Wednesday as President Donald Trump vowed to never concede the election he lost. Rick Saccone, a former Republican state representative and failed 2018 congressional candidate, traveled to Washington to save our nation, he wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday morning. In the late afternoon, Saccones page showed a photo of him with state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin), saying he bumped into the fellow patriot near the Capitol. Mastrianos office did not respond to multiple inquiries. Shortly after that post, a video of Saccone speaking was posted to his account with the description, We are storming the capitol. Our vanguard has broken thru the barricades. We will save this nation. Are u with me? All of the photos and videos showed him on a bus or outside the Capitol. In November, Mastriano organized a hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee in Gettysburg with Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who pressed his baseless case that the election had been stolen. Ward, the Senate majority leader, attended the event. State Democrats on Wednesday called on Republican leadership in the Pennsylvania House and Senate to immediately and unequivocally denounce this violence and support the rule of law and the peaceful transition of power. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) said on Twitter, Whats happening right now in Washington DC is not a lawful protest. It is a violent takeover attempt of our entire government urged on by President Donald Trump. Gov. Tom Wolf called the events an attempted coup. We had a free and fair election. The results were clear, he said. Republicans from Pres. Trump to PA legislative leaders need to stop the disinformation and tell their supporters the truth before theres further violence. Outside the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, a handful of people were gathered near the front of the building to protest the results of the presidential election. Im here because our election has been stolen in every possible way, Ann Van Tassel, 56 of Hanover, said. Van Tassel said she 100% supports the mob at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Charlotte Keith and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA contributed reporting. 100% ESSENTIAL: Spotlight PA relies on funding from foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Become a member today at spotlightpa.org/donate. More from PennLive U.S. Capitol under siege, damaged: See the photos 1 shot at U.S. Capitol as Trump supporters storm building: report A male prisoner has died after he reportedly took a handgun from a correctional services officer and shot himself in the neck in the middle of a busy street. The man, in his 30s, is a prisoner from South Coast Correctional Centre and was under escort for a medical transfer when he shot himself on Gladstone Avenue in Wollongong, south of Sydney, at midday on Wednesday. Early investigations suggest he took a gun from a NSW correctional services officer, who carry firearms, and fatally shot himself. Police cars block off Gladstone Avenue on Wednesday. A male prisoner from South Coast Correctional Centre, in his 30s, was under escort for a medical transfer when he reportedly shot himself on Gladstone Avenue in Wollongong, south of Sydney, at midday on Wednesday It is believed the prisoner's intentions were solely 'self harm' at this early stage. It is not suggested a correctional services officer shot the prisoner. Five ambulances were called to Gladstone Street just after 12pm but were unable to save the man. 'Gladstone Avenue is closed and members of the public are urged to avoid the area,' a NSW police spokeswoman said. Police have cordoned off the area on Gladstone Avenue, which is partially closed due to the shooting. The adjoining Crown Street (Princes Highway) is also closed in both directions between Osborne Street and Railway Parade The adjoining Crown Street (Princes Highway) is also closed in both directions between Osborne Street and Railway Parade. Live Traffic NSW advised: 'Traffic's heavy, avoid the area. 'Local diversions are in place due to the closure of Crown Street. Allow extra travel time in the area.' The shooting is still under ongoing investigation and NSW Correctional Services are due to provide a formal statement in the coming hours. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. A member of staff at the laboratory of Karolinska hospital operates a machine used in the PCR testing process for people who think they may be suffering from COVID-19, in Solna, near Stockholm, on Dec. 7, 2020. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) Test to Detect CCP Virus Flawed, Scientists Say Fragments of dead virus can thwart the diagnostic tool churning out the numbers that dominate headlines Never in medical history has a diagnostic tool been given so much authority as the PCR test, which has been used to detect if someone is infected with the CCP virus. Many policymakers rely solely on rising positive cases derived from the PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test, and not on deaths or hospitalization rates, to implement restrictive measures that seek to stop the transmission of COVID-19. But that gold standard test is being called into question as an international team of scientists calls for the retraction of a study that details the first PCR test protocol to detect the CCP virus, claiming there were serious technical and scientific errors. The study, referred to as the Corman-Drosten paper (pdf), aimed to develop and deploy robust diagnostic methodology for use in public health laboratory settings without having a virus material available. At the time the paper was published, the genetic sequence of the CCP virus wasnt available, as China hadnt shared the virus isolates or samples from infected patients. Scientists from China had only provided genetic sequences from an online gene bank. To date, no validation has been performed by the authorship based on isolated SARS-CoV-2 viruses or full-length RNA thereof, the international scientists said in their point-by-point review of the Corman-Drosten paper. SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific name for the CCP virus. Corman-Drostens PCR test protocol was promoted as the main diagnostic tool for COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Jan. 13, 2020, before the study was peer-reviewed and published in European medical journal Eurosurveillance on Jan. 23. A WHO spokesperson said the organization stands by its recommendation. The Corman assay, in various formats, has been validated multiple times by multiple labs inside and outside the WHO networks, Andrei Muchnik told The Epoch Times in an email. It is used as the reference method in many laboratories. A health care worker administers a PCR test on a woman in the intensive care unit of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images) In addition to the study not using a virus isolate to validate the PCR test, the scientists claim there are other severe errors with the biomolecular and methodological design that led to a worldwide misdiagnosis of infections attributed to SARS-CoV-2 and harsh lockdowns that continue today in many cities. The lead author of the Corman-Drosten paper, Dr. Christian Drosten, didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. The scientists submitted a retraction request letter and review to Eurosurveillances editorial board toward the end of November 2020, but hadnt received a reply regarding the boards decision after several weeks. There has not been an official response, except that they will take it seriously, Dr. Pieter Borger, a molecular genetics expert and the lead author of the groups review of the Corman-Drosten paper, told The Epoch Times in an email on Dec. 17. The Eurosurveillance editorial board told The Epoch Times in an email on Dec. 22 that they were still in the process of investigating and will make a decision as soon as we have investigated in full, and that a decision would be announced by the end of this month. Eurosurveillances response to Borger and his teams retraction request is in contrast to the fast-tracked review process the Corman-Drosten paper received in January last year, which took a total of two days. Borger questioned if the study was truly peer-reviewed considering the short turnaround and the errors that exist in the study. I asked the journal [Eurosurveillance] to provide the peer-review report, which they could not, he said. During a pandemic, it isnt uncommon for a research paper to be fast-tracked, although under normal circumstances, it would undergo a more rigorous and longer review process since it requires at least two independent experts outside the team or the department of the authors from a different institute or country to review and comment, according to Eurosurveillances evaluation and review process. When asked the reason for rushing the Corman-Drosten paper to publication, the editorial board said, The editorial team felt that the arising unique public health situation required fast-track processing to allow timely access to such information. Its unclear what the board meant by timely access, since at the time of the studys publication, the WHO was still learning about the CCP virus, and there were only 830 confirmed CCP virus cases and 25 deaths in China, according to Reuters. An accelerated peer review process does not necessarily affect the filtering function of peer review or compromise reviewers ability to critically assess the content, validity, or quality of a paper, the editorial board added. A medical staff member prepares and processes PCR and antibody tests of people who think they may be infected with the CCP virus, at the laboratory of the Karolinska Hospital in Solna, near Stockholm, on Dec. 7, 2020. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) Summary of Errors Borger and his team listed 10 significant problems in the Corman-Drosten paper, suggesting that the authors had failed to validate whether their PCR test could actually detect the CCP virus. Below is a summary of four of those errors: 1. The PCR test isnt able to distinguish between an inactive (noninfectious) viral fragment and a whole intact (infectious) virus, making it ineffective as a diagnostic tool for the CCP virus. 2. The cycle threshold value wasnt mentioned in the study. The threshold is determined by the number of cycles it takes for a PCR test machine to detect the genetic material of the CCP virus. The lower the number, the more the virus (infectious), but the higher the number, the greater the chance of a false-positive. Many PCR test manufacturers use a cycle threshold cutoff value of 40 cycles, a value that many medical experts believe returns false positives, as fragments of a dead virus may be picked up, according to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (pdf). 3. The paper doesnt state the conflicts of interest for several of the authors. Two of them, Drosten and Chantal Reusken, are also associate editors at Eurosurveillance, while Drosten and Victor Corman are affiliated with a commercial test laboratory, where they are responsible for virus diagnostics. Six months after its publication, an authors correction was finally submitted on July 30, 2020, for Marco Kaiser, who is a senior researcher at GenExpress and serves as scientific advisor for TIB-Molbiol, a company to first produce PCR kits (Light Mix) based on the protocol published in the Corman-Drosten. 4. The PCR test contains neither a unique positive control to evaluate its specificity for SARS-CoV-2 nor a negative control to exclude the presence of other coronaviruses, making the test unsuitable as a specific diagnostic tool to identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Borgers team stated. Lawsuit In November 2020, judges at the Portuguese Court of Appeal ruled against the Azores Regional Health Authority for forcibly quarantining four German tourists after one of them tested positive for the CCP virus. All four had tested negative 72 hours prior to entering the country. The judges declared that the PCR test was not a reliable test for SARS-CoV-2, and therefore, any enforced quarantine based on those test results is unlawful, according to Geopolitic. The judges also ruled that a single positive PCR test cannot be used as an effective diagnosis of infection. This is the first court ruling that details the shortcomings of a PCR test as a diagnostic tool used to quarantine people who may or may not be sick. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Iran said it successfully tested long-range unmanned suicide aircraft during its first major drone exercises this week, amid a tense standoff with the U.S. The drones, also known as loitering munitions, were flown for 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) near the Gulf of Oman, the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency reported, quoting the armys public relations office. They have a range of 4,000 kilometers, it said. The two-day drills started on Tuesday and also involved successful tests of quadcopter drones capable of dropping small cluster munitions, ISNA said. The military exercises took place as Iran vowed to defend itself against any U.S. military action in the final weeks of Donald Trumps presidency. Tensions between the long-time foes intensified around the Jan. 3 anniversary of the assassination of Irans top general in a U.S. drone strike. The U.S. Treasury Department announced Tuesday it imposed sanctions on an Iranian person and 17 companies that operate in the country's steel sector, according to the ministry's website. Majid Sajdeh was added to the sanctions list, along with firms that largely operate in Iran's steel, mining and mineral industries. "The Iranian regime uses revenue from its metals sector to fund the regimes destabilizing activities around the world," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, noting that two companies "knowingly sold, supplied, or transferred, directly or indirectly, graphite to or from Iran." One Germany-based company, one UK-based and one China-based were designated for being owned or controlled by Iran's Middle East Mines and Mineral Industries Development Holding Company, he added. "The United States will continue to aggressively implement sanctions with respect to the Iranian regime, those who evade sanctions, and others who enable the regime to fund and carry out its malign agenda of repression and terror," Pompeo added. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. HARRISBURG The new session of the Pennsylvania Senate got off to a chaotic start Tuesday, with Republicans refusing to seat a Democratic senator whose election victory has been certified by state officials. Amid high emotions and partisan fingerpointing, Republicans also took the rare step of removing the Democratic lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, from presiding over the session. They apparently did so because they did not believe Fetterman was following the rules and recognizing their legislative motions. Democrats, in turn, responded by refusing to back Sen. Jake Corman (R., Centre) from assuming the chambers top leadership position an unusual maneuver on what is most often a largely ceremonial and bipartisan vote. The bitterness and rancor on display was a departure from the normally staid and sedate workings of the chamber. And it potentially sets the stage for a tumultuous two-year session, which will include debate over key legislative priorities such as redistricting. For now, at least, Democratic state Sen. Jim Brewster, of Allegheny County, will not be allowed to take the oath of office, as Republicans believe litigation over the outcome in his race must first play out in the courts. Brewster narrowly won reelection over Republican challenger Nicole Ziccarelli, who is asking a federal judge to throw out the election results. At the heart of that legal dispute is several hundred mail ballots that lacked a handwritten date on an outer envelope, as required by state law. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed those ballots to be counted, which gave Brewster the edge in the race. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), along with Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), delivered stinging rebukes to Republican colleagues for refusing to acknowledge Brewsters win. Costa has said he believes the maneuver was out of the Trump playbook of refusing to accept valid election outcomes. And Costa had tough words for Corman as he urged his colleagues to vote against him. The president pro tempore is to be a leader for the entire body not of one party, Costa said. 100% ESSENTIAL: Spotlight PA relies on funding from foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Become a member today at spotlightpa.org/donate. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) never fails to mesmerize people with its outer space clicks. The space agency recently took to Instagram share yet another stunning picture of sunrise clicked from the International Space Station (ISS), alongside an equally inspiring caption. Clicked by expedition 56 crew astronauts, the picture captures the glinting sun rising above Canadian provinces. The photograph shows the horizon and coastline of the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, with Quebec further inland, NASA described adding that the picture was captured when the spacecraft was positioned over Massachusetts. In the caption, NASA wrote that every sunrise marks a new beginning and reminded people to start afresh in 2021. Each & every sunrise literally marks the beginning of a brand new day, it also reminds us all that we, too, can start fresh with a good attitude, positivity and gratutude, it wrote. With over 1,034, 656 views and numerous comments, the post has created a stir on the internet since shared on January 5. "Nasa. Happy New year," wished a user. Another individual wrote, Beautiful. Amazing, read one comment under the share. Read: NASA Shares Stunning Image Of Lonely Neutron Star Spotted Outside Milky Way; See Pic Read: NASA Shares Stunning Images From 2020 That Unfold Complexities Of Earth From Space Special neutron star In another amusing post, NASA recently shared a captivating image of a special, lonely neutron star spotted outside of the Milky Way galaxy for the first tie ever on NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. Taking to its official handle on Instagram, NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory shared the breathtaking photograph of the newly identified neutron star 200,000 light-years away from Earth. Oxygen-rich supernova remnants like E0102 are important for understanding how massive stars fuse lighter elements into heavier ones before they explode, the space agency informed. It added that the remnants from the original explosion are seen in space for several thousand years and contain the debris ejected from the stars interior. Read: NASA Shares Stunning Image Of Lonely Neutron Star Spotted Outside Milky Way; See Pic Read: Butterfly Nebula Voted Favourite 2020 Hubble Image, NASA Says 'excellent Choice' Instead of the traditional gift of coal for "bad children", the Three Kings will arrive this January 6th, 2021, with a new tightening of anti-Covid restrictions in Catalonia. Under the slight Christmas relaxation allowed by the Catalan government's measures, the coronavirus has regained ground, leading the executive to take a series of actions to "slow down" activity for 10 days, that is, at least until 17th January. Given this decision, the next question that hangs in the air is whether there is any guarantee that the Catalan elections called for February 14th can be held. Just moments after the announcement of the umpteenth new Covid rules, we asked the head of the Generalitat's electoral process area directly. Bernat Sole (Agramunt, 1975), is Catalan foreign minister, and also responsible for institutional relations and transparency, assuming the cabinet role when Alfred Bosch resigned as foreign minister because of allegations that his chief of staff had carried out sexual harassment. Sole attends ElNacional.cat by videoconference: due to contact with an infected person, since Christmas he has been confined to his home in Agramunt, the town of which he was mayor. With the data we have on the table today, and the tightening of restrictions announced, can the February 14th election be held? The restrictions announced are for the next few days. The assessment of the holding of the elections must refer to the 14th February, that is, a future scenario. For this reason, we have charted a series of possible scenarios [along with the responses envisaged] and these have been agreed by all the political parties, and endorsed by the Procicat civil protection committee. It is from this series of scenarios that we have to determine the viability of the election, or decide a possible postponement. What is clear is that the chart envisages that the elections will only be postponed in the event of an exceptional restriction on social activity. But with the current restrictions could elections be held? In this current context? Today, despite the measures announced, there's no exceptional limitation at social level and, therefore, depending on the scenarios chart, they could be held. There's no exceptional limitation at social level and, therefore, the elections could be held Of the two scenarios which would call for postponement, one is very clear, that of a full lockdown as in March 2020, but the other is more open to interpretation, it speaks of a restriction of all social activities in large spaces and sectors and very limited capacity limits for the rest... Isn't this the current case? The chart says that there must be major restriction on social activity, especially in spaces where large numbers of people circulate and today this is not the case. So today, according to the scenario chart, the elections could be held. That is, despite closing shops at the weekend, with bars and restaurants unable to open most of the day and gyms closed... isn't this a major restriction on social activity? What I am saying is that the scenario chart, agreed with the input of the health department, determines the scenarios, which are linked to the [deescalation] phases established by the Procicat, which say whether or not the elections can be held. Obviously, when the time comes, the decision will be made, based on the epidemiological situation of the moment. Right now, objectivity is based on this chart. But the concept of "significant restriction" is open to interpretation... If you look at the chart, today, with the restrictions announced, they could be held. This doesn't alter the fact that from the situation at [each] moment, an analysis is made and the appropriate decision is taken. The decision will be made next week And if you had to give your best assessment today of what will happen, what would you say? Will Catalans be able to go to the polls on 14th February? The decision will be made next week. I can't anticipate it. If January 15th has been set as the epidemiologically best date to make the decision, it makes no sense to get ahead of that. We will not have all the information until the 15th. On the 15th we'll still be immersed in these new ten-day January restrictions. And public health head Dr Argimon and other experts predict that the situation will worsen in the coming days. I repeat, I dont want to get ahead of things. It would be an exercise in irresponsibility. The scenario chart is very objective and consensual. And if the elections are not postponed, how will you explain to the public that they can't open businesses, they can't go to the gym or the bar, but that they are encouraged to go to the polls? First, once the decision is made, it will be explained. As well, we'll have to explain the situation that the Catalan public will face on 14th February, not the situation applying on 15th January. If they end up being postponed, is there already an alternate date? Some sources suggest May. That assumption at present has not been made. Once the epidemiological situation has been assessed, the decision will be made around 15th January. It's true that there is a consensus on the part of all political parties that in the event of postponing the elections, a proposal for a date should be put on the table. The final decision is in the hands of the Catalan government. Before making the final decision, we will hear the voices of the political parties' committee. If the elections are postponed, a proposal for a new date will be put on the table Regardless of when they're held, applications for voting by mail have already been activated. How many have been received, so far? We understand that by January 2nd there were about 10,000 applications to vote by mail. Approximately three out of five of the applications have been made electronically. We are very pleased with this, it's a figure ten times higher than in 2017. It's a breakthrough and we hope that in the coming days it will continue. And those who don't want to vote via telematic means should know that they can also do it in person at a post office. The measure that enables the postman or woman to be the depository of people's votes has raised suspicions. There are critical voices who speculate that there could be irregularities. There could be the same irregularities as there might be in taking the vote to the post office. All we are doing is introducing one more person into the transmission chain to take that vote to the ballot box. The post office official, instead of collecting the vote at the post office, does so at the voter's home. Everyone selected to do polling station duty must turn up. Electoral law allows no exceptions Given the context of the pandemic, will it still be mandatory for people to do election day duty, working on polling booths, if their names are selected? First of all, there are security protocols that have been worked on with the Procicat that already have the necessary measures in place to ensure the safety of people who are part of the electoral process. On the other hand, being part of a polling booth can be understood as an obligation but also as a right. In the same way as in an election, a person who, for whatever reason, considers that they should not be part of a polling table, can obviously appeal against it. But everyone who is selected to do polling station duty must turn up, because they will obviously be guaranteed protection. Electoral law allows no exceptions. And for residents abroad, has a new solution been found, or will it once again be an ordeal for Catalans living outside Catalonia to vote? We have always argued that it is essential to repeal the voto rogado [imposing difficult conditions on those abroad wishing to vote], which is the responsibility of the state. Podemos and the PSOE included it in their election programme. We have asked Spain's Central Electoral Commission for the possibility of advancing generic documentation to voters abroad so that they can prepare their vote in advance, without having to wait to receive their ballot papers. At present, this has not been granted. It was a unanimous agreement of the political parties committee and that is why we resubmitted the request. I hope the response will be positive, because otherwise they will again be limiting the right to vote of citizens abroad. Are you afraid that the pandemic will cause a big drop in voter turnout? Looking around internationally, we have seen that in those elections where there has been consensus among political parties and planning in time as we have done here, turnout has declined slightly but nothing out of the range of participation in other elections. We're working towards that goal. That's why we have intensified the institutional publicity campaign. Polls show that there is a very high number of undecided voters, more than a third of the electoral role, and that the party most affected by this indecision is yours, the Republican Left (ERC), which has a voting frontier with Together for Catalonia (JxCat), but also with Catalonia in Common (Comuns) and the Catalan Socialists (PSC). How do you address this? ERC addresses the elections by presenting its political and social programme. When you present a large programme you have an open space of possible undecided votes. We need to take the space of indecision as a challenge to try to convince as many people as possible. These elections will be fought between the PSC and ERC And how will you convince both the voter who doubts between voting for you or JxCat, and the one who doubts between you and the PSC? These elections will be fought between the PSC and ERC, because they are two models which time has shown us are opposed. ERC presents itself with clear objectives to move towards the Catalan Republic but also with a social model based on these republican values. Therefore, the voter will have to choose between the model of the Spanish Socialists (PSOE) - which, despite calling itself the most progressive government in history, we have seen how it has managed the pandemic - or the ERC model. It will soon be a year since you were appointed as a Catalan cabinet minister. During this time, what has your foreign action department done to gain international complicity with the independence process? This last year has been heavily marked by the pandemic. Efforts have been focused on helping in the return of Catalan citizens abroad who had to return, or assisting those who were in lockdown in distant places. And also to observe the good international practices that are carried out in this area, to replicate them. From here, it is clear that showing ourselves to be a reliable player is essential as a way to make ourselves heard in all areas. The Catalan government explains itself from all points of view. What is the current status of the report proposing to open legal proceedings against your predecessor, Alfred Bosch, for the case of sexual harassment by his chief of staff? Precisely because of the protection of personal data required in these types of reports, it will only be provided to members of the government once it has been prepared and that will be at the time when it is dealt with by the executive. Today I don't have the report in my hands, for reasons of confidentiality. But almost a year has gone by and there is still no response. The bodies that prepare these reports need their time. It is the legal services of the Catalan government who are working on this report. President-elect Joe Biden introduced Merrick Garland as his pick for attorney general on Thursday, turning to an experienced judge to help de-politicize the Justice Department and restore the rule of law after what he described as four years of lawlessness under President Donald Trump. Biden also described the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday as domestic terrorists and assailed the Republican president for inciting the siege. The past four years weve had a president whos made his contempt for our democracy, our Constitution, the rule of law, clear in everything he has done, Biden declared, vowing a dramatic change of course in his administration. More than anything, we need to restore the honor, the integrity, the independence of the Department of Justice thats been so badly damaged." If confirmed by the Senate, which is likely, Garland would take over as the nation's top law enforcement official at a critical moment for the nation and the agency. He would inherit immediate challenges related to civil rights, an ongoing criminal tax investigation into Bidens son Hunter and calls from many Democrats to pursue criminal inquiries into Trump after he leaves office. Garland's nomination will force Senate Republicans to contend with someone they spurned four years ago refusing even to hold hearings when President Barack Obama nominated Garland for the Supreme Court. His confirmation prospects were all but ensured this week when Democrats scored control of the Senate majority by winning both Georgia Senate seats. Garland and three others Biden has picked for Justice Department leadership posts were introduced Thursday afternoon in Wilmington, Delaware. They include Obama administration homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former Justice Department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general, the No. 3 official. He also named an assistant attorney general for civil rights, Kristen Clarke, now the president of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an advocacy group. Garland was selected over other finalists including former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Garland would inherit a Justice Department that has endured a tumultuous four years and abundant criticism from Democrats over what they see as the overpoliticization of law enforcement. The department is expected to dramatically change course under new leadership, including through a different approach to civil rights issues and national policing policies, especially after months of mass protests over the deaths of Black Americans at the hand of law enforcement. Black and Latino advocates had wanted a Black attorney general or someone with a background in civil rights causes and criminal justice reform. Groups including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund had championed Garlands Supreme Court nomination, but the extent of support from minority groups for the attorney general job was not immediately clear. Though Garland is a white man, the selection of Gupta and Clarke, two women with significant experience in civil rights, appeared designed to blunt any concerns and served as a signal that progressive causes would be prioritized in the new administration. Garland would also inherit the special counsel investigation into the origins of the Russia probe, which remains open. He would return to a Justice Department radically different from the one he left. The Sept. 11 attacks were years in the future and the departments national security division had not yet been created. A proliferation of aggressive cyber and counterintelligence threats from foreign adversaries have made countries like China, Russia and North Korea top priorities for federal law enforcement. Monaco in particular brings to the department significant national security experience, including in cybersecurity an especially urgent issue as the U.S. government confronts a devastating hack of federal agencies that officials have linked to Russia. Some of the issues from Garlands first stint at the department persist. Tensions between police and minorities, an issue that flared following the 1992 beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, remain a major concern, particularly following a summer of racial unrest that roiled American cities after the May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. And the FBI has confronted a surge in violence from antigovernment and racially motivated extremists. That is a familiar threat to Garland, who as a senior Justice Department official helped manage the federal governments response to the 1995 bombing of a government building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people. The bomber, Timothy McVeigh, was later executed. Garland has called the work the most important thing I have done and was known for keeping a framed photo of Oklahoma Citys Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in his courthouse office in Washington. Garland was put forward by Obama for a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, but Republicans refused to hold confirmation hearings in the final year of Obamas term, arguing that the person elected president that fall should make the selection. Garland has been on the federal appeals court in Washington since 1997. Before that, he had worked in private practice, as well as a federal prosecutor, a senior official in the Justice Departments criminal division and as the principal associate deputy attorney general. ___ AP writer Steve Peoples in New York contributed. Greece's prime minister has warned that there are "difficult months ahead" even as the country ramps up its vaccination drive against COVID-19. Kyriakos Mitsotakis told reporters on Tuesday that health officials were vaccinating 5,000 people a day, and that the programme would include the general public from January 20. He said people over the age of 85 would be inoculated first. "It will take time to vaccinate a significant percentage of our population. And we also know that until that happens, we have to follow the measures very carefully, as the experts point out to us," he said. (Image Credits: AP) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Dr. Peter Hotez, Co-Director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, said that the federal government should set clear goals on how many people need to be vaccinated each day and put less highlight on phased eligibility if it interferes with the timeline. Hotez said that making vaccines available to specific populations or job categories beyond health care workers and nursing home facilities is too complex, according to an ABC News report. Hotez said that there is no thought how operationalize that Phase 1B and 1C. "If the demand isn't there in 1a, go to 1b and continue on down. If the demand isn't there in one location, move those vaccines to another location," Surgeon General Jerome Adams was quoted on a report. Adams also introduced an idea supported by previous Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who said that there should be more shipments of vaccines going to pharmacies to start inoculating the populations with the most demand for the vaccine. The surgeon general added that there will be more information this week about ramping up vaccination efforts from CVS and Walgreens, which are both cooperating with Operation Warp Speed. Read also: First Case of More Contagious Coronavirus Strain Now on Georgia Case Count Gottlieb added that if stockpiles continue to build, eligibility should be expanded. He said that society has a responsibility to help the most vulnerable, and the collective population depends on maximizing the number of vaccinations. He said that these two goals do not need to be in conflict, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Shipping more vaccines should be prioritized The former FDA Commissioner also noted that shipping more doses out to states should be prioritized, instead of holding back second doses for people who have already received their first dose. Gottlieb also noted that the best option may be to rely more on the private industry such as national pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreen, who have an agreement with the federal government. However, Hotez argued that that would not address the slow movement of vaccinations on the ground. George Washington University emergency physician and public health professor, Dr. Leana Wen, said that the federal government could allot additional shipments of vaccine doses to cities of parts of the country able to perform vaccinations quickly. This is a sort of a pilot program to show what works. For instance, Wen said that the federal government could give 10 cities a million doses each or more, to administer within a month period. From there, those responsible for vaccine rollout can learn from their experience as each city will do it differently. Operation Warp Speed Meanwhile, Operation Warp Speed chief Moncef Slaoui said that health officials are considering giving two half doses of Moderna vaccine to speed up the vaccination program in the United States, as reported by CNBC News. This came as a response as to why the U.S. was not using the same strategy to use available doses, as to what the United Kingdom has adopted. Slaoui said that he thought it would be a mistake to make a decision that was not supported by the trial data, which Dr. Anthony Fauci backed up. Fauci said that the strategy goes against the sciences and would not fix the current issues about the vaccine rollout. Read also: Portuguese Health Worker Dies Two Days After Receiving Pfizer Vaccine, Autopsy Results Unknown The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington on Dec. 29, 2020. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo) Pennsylvania State Senators Call for Delay to Electoral College Vote Certification A group of 21 state GOP senators from Pennsylvania called on Republican leaders of the U.S. House and Senate to delay certification of the Electoral College votes until a legal battle mounted by President Donald Trump against the Pennsylvania secretary of state is heard in court. Republican senators, in a letter to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), said that they believe the election results in Pennsylvania should not have been certified by Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar. Members, we ask for more time given the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court is to hear Trump vs. Boockvar in the coming days. We ask that you delay certification of the Electoral College to allow due process as we pursue election integrity in our commonwealth, the lawmakers said in the letter. They wrote that the balance of power was taken from the state legislature, who by the U.S. and PA Constitutions, set the time, place, and manner of holding elections. The senators alleged that Boockvar, alongside Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, committed numerous unlawful violations that took away power from the state legislature. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had overstepped their bounds, the senators said, when it ruled to approve a three-day extension to mail-in ballots for the November 2020 general election. In doing so, the court also approved the arrangement that ballots mailed in without a postmark would be counted. Despite a petition by the states Republican Senate, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the extension. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) enters Capitol Hill in Washington, on Jan. 1, 2021. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) The senators in their letter also took note of another ruling from the states Supreme Court over signatures on mail-in ballots, which prohibits counties from rejecting mail-in ballots because a signature may not match the one on the voters registration form. Boockvar is accused in the letter of having usurped legislative authority by allowing for a proliferation of unsecured drop boxes in key Democratic areas, and on the day before the election, encouraged some counties (not all) to notify party and candidate representatives of mail-in voters whose ballots contained disqualifying defects and allowing them to cure these defects. The lawmakers also wrote that Republican poll watchers were prohibited to watch the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia. Even after a court order, the poll watchers were still moved to a location such that they could not effectively oversee the canvassing. Requests from legislators for independent investigations have been ignored by the administration, the lawmakers wrote. Trump late Tuesday wrote on Twitter, BIG NEWS IN PENNSYLVANIA! referring to the letter. The offices of Wolf and Boockvar did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Epoch Times. The lawsuit from the Trump campaign, cited in the Pennsylvania senators letter, was filed on Dec. 21, challenging three Pennsylvania Supreme Court rulings that illegally changed the mail-in ballot laws immediately before and after the 2020 presidential election, the legal team said. The team argued that those court decisions were issued in violation of Article II of the Constitution and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Bush v. Gore that settled a recount dispute from Florida in 2000. The lawsuit seeks all appropriate remedies, which includes the vacating of electors that were committed to Joe Biden and allowing the Pennsylvania Legislature to call up their own electors. On Dec. 30, 2020, 27 Pennsylvania GOP lawmakers wrote to McConnell and McCarthy, calling on them to dispute the Pennsylvania election results pending an investigation into allegations of election fraud. Janita Kan contributed to this report. Step into your new, microscopic time machine. Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered that a type of single-celled organism living in modern-day oceans may have a lot in common with life forms that existed billions of years ago--and that fundamentally transformed the planet. The new research, which will appear Jan. 6 in the journal Science Advances, is the latest to probe the lives of what may be nature's hardest working microbes: cyanobacteria. These single-celled, photosynthetic organisms, also known as "blue-green algae," can be found in almost any large body of water today. But more than 2 billion years ago, they took on an extra important role in the history of life on Earth: During a period known as the "Great Oxygenation Event," ancient cyanobacteria produced a sudden, and dramatic, surge in oxygen gas. "We see this total shift in the chemistry of the oceans and the atmosphere, which changed the evolution of life, as well," said study lead author Sarah Hurley, a postdoctoral research associate in the departments of Geological Sciences and Biochemistry. "Today, all higher animals need oxygen to survive." To date, scientists still don't know what these foundational microbes might have looked like, where they lived or what triggered their transformation of the globe. But Hurley and her colleagues think they might have gotten closer to an answer by drawing on studies of naturally-occurring and genetically-engineered cyanobacteria. The team reports that these ancient microbes may have floated freely in an open ocean and resembled a modern form of life called beta-cyanobacteria. Studying them, the researchers said, offers a window into a time when single-celled organisms ruled the Earth. "This research gave us the unique opportunity to form and test hypotheses of what the ancient Earth might have looked like, and what these ancient organisms could have been," said co-author Jeffrey Cameron, an assistant professor of biochemistry. Take a breath You can still make the case that cyanobacteria rule the planet. Hurley noted that these organisms currently produce about a quarter of the oxygen that comes from the world's oceans. One secret to their success may lie in carboxysomes--or tiny, protein-lined compartments that float inside all living cyanobacteria. These pockets are critical to the lives of these organisms, allowing them to concentrate molecules of carbon dioxide within their cells. "Being able to concentrate carbon allows cyanobacteria to live at what are, in the context of Earth's history, really low carbon dioxide concentrations," Hurley said. Before the Great Oxidation Event, it was a different story. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere may have been as much as 100 times what they are today, and oxygen was almost nonexistent. For that reason, many scientists long assumed that ancient microorganisms didn't need carboxysomes for concentrating carbon dioxide. "Cyanobacteria have persisted in some form over two billion years of Earth's history," she said. "They could have been really different than today's cyanobacteria." To find out how similar they were, the researchers cultured jars filled with bright-green cyanobacteria under conditions resembling those on Earth 2 billion years ago. Hurley explained that different types of cyanobacteria prefer to digest different forms, or "isotopes," of carbon atoms. As a result, when they grow, die and decompose, the organisms leave behind varying chemical signatures in ancient sedimentary rocks. "We think that cyanobacteria were around billions of years ago," she said. "Now, we can get at what they were doing and where they were living at that time because we have a record of their metabolism." Resurrecting zombie microbes In particular, the team studied two different types of cyanobacteria. They included beta-cyanobacteria, which are common in the oceans today. But the researchers also added a new twist to the study. They attempted to bring an ancient cyanobacterium back from the dead. Hurley and her colleagues used genetic engineering to design a special type of microorganism that didn't have any carboxysomes. Think of it like a zombie cyanobacterium. "We had the ability to do what was essentially a physiological resurrection in the lab," said Boswell Wing, a study coauthor and associate professor of geological sciences. But when the researchers studied the metabolism of their cultures, they found something surprising: Their zombie cyanobacterium didn't seem to produce a chemical signature that aligned with the carbon isotope signatures that scientists had previously seen in the rock record. In fact, the best fit for those ancient signals were likely beta-cyanobacteria--still very much alive today. The team, in other words, appears to have stumbled on a living fossil that was hiding in plain sight. And, they said, it's clear that cyanobacteria living around the time of the Great Oxygenation Event did have a structure akin to a carboxysome. This structure may have helped cells to protect themselves from growing concentrations of oxygen in the air. "That modern organisms could resemble these ancient cyanobacteria--that was really counterintuitive," Wing said. Scientists, they note, now have a much better idea of what ancient cyanobacteria looked like and where they lived. And that means that they can begin running experiments to dig deeper into what life was like in the 2 billion-year-old ocean. "Here is hard evidence from the geological record and a model organism that can shed new light on life on ancient Earth," Cameron said. ### Other coauthors on the new paper included CU Boulder undergraduate student Claire Jasper and graduate student Nicholas Hill. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The Pennsylvania Dairymens Association is hitting the road in its new Milkshakes On The Moo-ve food truck this weekend to offer free Farm Show milkshakes to hospital and nursing home health care workers. On Friday, Jan. 8, the association will cut the ribbon on the new food truck at 10:30 a.m. at Karns Foods, 4870 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, then give free milkshakes to health care workers with I.D. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The milkshakes also will be available to the public for $5. The free milkshakes are offered in partnership with Modjeski and Masters, Inc. The sale of the milkshakes benefit Pennsylvania agriculture-related charities, along with Feeding PAs Fill A Glass With Hope fresh milk program for families in need. Other milkshake pop-up events this weekend are: Karns in Paxton Square, 6001 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 Karns, 1706 Spring Road, Carlisle, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10. The association also still has a speciality premium ice cream flavor, Cowabunga, available for sale at Karns Foods, Stauffers of Kissel Hill Fresh Foods and area businesses including Cornerstone Coffeehouse and Lancaster Brewing Company Restaurants. The pints, made in honor of the 2021 Farm Show, come in vanilla and chocolate flavors. The ice cream and the milkshake pop-up events are an avenue for the association to continue its mission since the 2021 Farm Show was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some show events will continue virtually. Were on the moo-ve bringing PA Dairymens joy to Central Pennsylvanians with special attention to our extraordinary healthcare heroes who are on the frontlines saving lives. We are excited to offer our delicious milkshakes to those individuals and to all of our fans, and to share our fun new food truck to kick off this years festivities, said Dave Smith, executive director of Pennsylvania Dairymens Association. While we are all heartbroken we cant gather at the PA Farm Show this year due to the pandemic, we are pleased to offer our delicious milkshakes, and new Cowabunga ice cream to the public as they are grocery shopping in celebration of our incredible dairy industry, dedicated dairy farmers and virtual PA Farm Show. Another popular Farm Show event, the Calving Corner, also is being held online. On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Bollinger family will live stream from Meadow Spring Farm in Lititz, Lancaster County starting at 10 a.m.; on Tuesday, Jan. 19 the Calving Corner will live stream from Brook Corner Holsteins, the Hoover Family from Lebanon. In addition, interactive STEM activities will be presented by educators from Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. READ MORE More than a week after a shipment of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Winnipeg earmarked for remote and vulnerable Indigenous communities, Manitobans remain in the dark about how the thousands of doses will be distributed. More than a week after a shipment of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Winnipeg earmarked for remote and vulnerable Indigenous communities, Manitobans remain in the dark about how the thousands of doses will be distributed. The Pallister government said Wednesday it's ready to fly the Moderna brand vaccine doses north, based on Indigenous priorities. Meanwhile, First Nations leaders have not given any public indication of where the vaccine is headed, much less how eligible residents will book appointments, where they will go to receive doses or who will administer it. Plans were still being finalized Wednesday night, and the first batches could be flown out Thursday morning, said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas He couldnt say which communities are first in line, however the first doses will be given to doctors and nurses working in remote communities, followed by elders and those at highest risk of contracting the novel coronavirus. Asked why vaccine distribution hadnt yet begun in Manitobas 63 First Nations communities, Dumas said AMC needed to gather data and consult with residents. Twenty-six of the communities are fly-in, with no road access, few facilities and limited connectivity, so a lot of logistics had to be ironed out, he said. "We're not a paternalistic organization; our communities actually participated in meaningful ways. There was some data collection that needed to be taken. Our communities are well-versed on... who their vulnerable populations are, who their front-line workers are," he said. Manitoba received 7,300 Moderna doses Dec. 30; the province's vaccine roll-out task force allocated 5,300 for First Nations, based on their leaders' priorities. In the meantime, Saskatchewan and all three territories have administered the easier-to-transport Moderna doses. More vaccine shipments for Manitoba First Nations are expected toward the end of March. (Charlie Riedel, / The Associated Press files) Over the past week, numerous Manitoba chiefs and First Nations leaders have refused multiple interview requests about their roll-out plans. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee released a statement Wednesday, saying details are expected later this week. Federal and provincial sources say the various regional chiefs and governance bodies have been at occasional loggerheads over which groups to prioritize, before finally submitting a plan late Tuesday. Premier Brian Pallister said Wednesday it was better to craft the distribution plan in lockstep with First Nations, instead of a unilateral approach that would go against reconciliation. During a live broadcast news conference, Pallister said he hadn't yet read the First Nations plan, but it took longer to develop because officials had to consider complex logistical issues. Premier Brian Pallister says the goal of reconciliation played a role in the perceived delay. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) "It's a different thing, you know, Pukatawagan's not P.E.I.; Thompson isn't Toronto. Rolling out a vaccine in Manitoba has more challenges, and our First Nation leaders have risen to the challenge of coming up with a game plan that we believe can work," Pallister said. Hours later, Dumas said the hope is the doses will be on their way Thursday. "A lot of these different organizations that normally don't collaborate are collaborating now in order to expedite how we roll out the vaccine," Dumas said. "All these little things take a little bit of time but if we do our due diligence, we'll have far greater success." Planning started months before First Nations representatives joined the provinces vaccination task force, Dumas said. "We weren't sitting on our hands. I acknowledge that the premier appreciates that we were actively participating within their system as of two weeks ago, but we've been working on this right from March. We've been proactive the whole way." Both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech brand vaccines arrived in Canada earlier than Ottawa had told provinces to prepare for. Still, Manitoba didn't include First Nations health leaders as part of its task force until Dec. 18. "A lot of these different organizations that normally don't collaborate are collaborating now in order to expedite how we roll out the vaccine. Grand Chief Arlen Dumas The province hasn't heeded federal calls to include the Manitoba Metis Federation in its talks; Pallister said Wednesday there was Metis input on its vaccine plans. More vaccine shipments for Manitoba First Nations are expected toward the end of March. Pallister said the goal of reconciliation played a role in the perceived delay. "Some have said, 'Well, you should have just sent the vaccines out right away.' This wouldn't have been respectful and it wouldn't have been the right approach," the premier said Wednesday. He said the government would have been criticized if it didn't allow Indigenous leaders to prioritize the vaccine roll-out for their communities. On Wednesday, Saskatchewan unveiled details on which of its remote regions would be receiving Moderna doses; that province has come under fire from First Nations and Metis leaders about a lack of consultation. Pallister said Manitoba has the highest Indigenous population of any province and planning is important. "Reconciliation strategies don't matter as much in some parts of the country, perhaps, as they do to me and as they do to our Indigenous people in Manitoba. So delaying a vaccine in the name of a process might seem like an unnecessary thing to do in another part of the country, but it is a necessary thing to do, I think, in the province of Manitoba, so that we get it right." "Some have said, 'Well, you should have just sent the vaccines out right away.' This wouldn't have been respectful and it wouldn't have been the right approach." Premier Brian Pallister Last month, Pallister expressed concern about the federal government's plan to prioritize Indigenous communities, making comments Manitoba's two regional chiefs interpreted as racist. On Wednesday, Dumas said he wanted to acknowledge the premiers efforts to secure more vaccines for First Nations, which he said Pallister did "once he was attuned to the fact that in order to have a successful remedy and solution brought forward (we required) meaningful First Nations participation." Ottawa again rejected calls from the AMC and MMF to have the federal Liberals negotiate directly with Manitoba's Indigenous leaders. Late Wednesday night, First Nations leaders released the eligibility criteria for those who'll be first to receive the vaccine, starting Jan. 7. In a statement, AMC said an additional 5,300 doses of the vaccine are now expected to be delivered to First Nations communities by Feb. 23. There's still no word on which communities will be first to receive it. The following First Nations priority groups have been identified by the taskforce: Essential health care workers providing services in remote and isolated communities who cannot access the provincial vaccination supersites Residents and staff of personal care homes and elder care facilities People over the age of 60 living in remote and isolated communities People over the age of 70 living in non-remote communities All First Nation people over the age of 60 living in First Nation communities will be offered the vaccine in Stage Two. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Dylan Robertson Parliamentary bureau chief In Ottawa, Dylan enjoys snooping through freedom-of-information requests and asking politicians: "What about Manitoba?" Read full biography "Results from our first 20 diamond drill holes are demonstrating the El Favor deposit is hosted by a large scale zone of semi-parallel silver and gold bearing structures. The deposit is open along strike and at depth and may be amenable to bulk mining," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We believe El Favor will form a significant part of our maiden resource for the Los Ricos North project. With 10 new targets already identified for diamond drilling in 2021, we see the opportunity to realize great value creation through discovery in the Los Ricos district." The El Favor deposit consists of several sub-parallel mineralized vein systems (El Favor, Salomon, Las Guittarrillas, Los Chivos) that occur along a 2km E-W trending, north dipping, structural zone. The junction of veins is highly favorable for bulk tonnage mineralization and all 4 veins merge in the area of the historical Hundido open pit and Salomon underground workings. Hole LRGF-20-019 was drilled to test below the Salomon workings and intersected 70.5m of 61 g/t AgEq from 25.5 to 96.0m, consisting of 50 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au in silicified and altered quartz rhyolite units, including a high-grade intercept of 2.9m of 390 g/t AgEq. The hole also intersected another vein from 112.2 to 127.5m for 15.3m of 174 g/t AgEq, which included a high-grade intercept of 2.0m of 928 g/t AgEq. Hole LRGF-20-010 intersected 14.8m of 168 g/t AgEq from 36.0 to 50.8m, consisting of 131 g/t Ag and 0.49 g/t Au, including an intercept of 3.2m of 604 g/t AgEq, made up of 452 g/t Ag and 2.03 g/t Au. Hole LRGF-20-020 intersected 12.8m of 149 g/t AgEq from 144.8 to 157.6m, consisting of 127 g/t Ag and 0.30 g/t Au, including an intercept of 3.3m of 368 g/t AgEq. The hole also intersected 2.0m of 254 g/t AgEq from 243.6 to 245.6m. Detailed intersections are listed in Table 1 with a summary of the previously release drill holes at El Favor included in Table 2. Drill hole locations are included in Table 3. A drill plan map of El Favor is included as Figure 1 below, along with an isometric view included as Figure 2, and Figure 3 shows an overview of the Los Ricos district. See Table 2 below for details of intersections for previously released drill holes. Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections Hole ID3 Area From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2 (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGF-20-010 El Favor 36.0 50.8 14.8 0.49 130.9 2.24 167.9 including 41.5 44.7 3.2 2.03 451.6 8.05 604.1 LRGF-20-011 El Favor 10.5 16.0 5.5 0.10 53.3 0.81 60.5 including 11.8 12.6 0.9 0.35 197.2 2.98 223.5 LRGF-20-012 El Favor 43.6 67.3 23.7 0.14 31.9 0.56 42.1 and 102.4 118.4 16.0 0.30 101.5 1.65 123.7 including 114.0 117.0 3.0 1.16 383.8 6.28 470.7 LRGF-20-013 El Favor 0.2 6.0 5.8 0.63 204.3 3.36 251.7 and 72.5 102.5 30.0 0.18 70.0 1.11 83.4 including 99.0 101.6 2.6 0.53 396.3 5.81 436.0 and 217.5 219.9 2.3 0.16 146.2 2.11 158.1 LRGF-20-014 El Favor 112.0 114.5 2.5 0.74 152.6 2.78 208.3 LRGF-20-015 El Favor 0.0 31.1 30.2 0.18 63.5 1.03 77.3 including 18.3 27.7 8.6 0.28 145.6 2.23 166.9 LRGF-20-017 El Favor 0.0 3.0 3.0 0.35 71.9 1.31 98.3 and 25.0 30.6 5.6 0.55 286.6 4.37 328.0 including 28.9 30.6 1.7 1.70 834.5 12.83 961.9 LRGF-20-018 El Favor 18.0 19.5 1.5 1.63 341.4 6.18 463.5 LRGF-20-019 El Favor 25.5 96.0 70.5 0.15 49.9 0.82 61.4 including 39.0 48.7 9.7 0.55 198.7 3.20 239.9 including 45.8 48.7 2.9 0.51 351.1 5.20 389.7 and 112.2 127.5 15.3 0.30 151.1 2.31 173.9 including 119.8 121.8 2.0 1.72 798.9 12.37 927.9 LRGF-20-020 El Favor 144.8 157.6 12.8 0.30 126.5 1.99 148.9 including 151.8 155.1 3.3 0.89 301.8 4.91 368.4 and 243.6 245.6 2.0 0.62 207.9 3.39 254.4 1. Not true width 2. AuEq and AgEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 3. Holes 20-016 did not intercept significant mineralization Table 2: Previously Released Drill Holes El Favor Hole ID Area From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2 (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) The following drill holes were previously released per GoGold news release #43 dated November 18, 2020: LRGS-20-001 Salomon 2.6 22.5 19.9 0.18 52.4 0.88 65.9 and 45.0 55.4 10.4 0.18 50.5 0.85 63.8 and 90.0 110.3 20.3 0.18 54.9 0.91 68.6 and 223.5 237.5 14.0 0.24 280.4 3.98 298.2 including 225.8 230.9 5.0 0.51 698.7 9.82 736.6 LRGF-20-001 El Favor 15.0 56.7 41.7 0.36 141.8 2.25 168.4 including 18.7 29.7 11.0 1.12 444.4 7.05 528.6 and 131.3 147 15.7 0.14 48.1 0.79 58.9 LRGF-20-002 El Favor 0.0 18.0 18.0 0.16 64.2 1.01 76.0 and 29.7 71.0 41.3 0.07 16.5 0.29 21.9 including 29.7 36.0 6.3 0.20 40.2 0.74 55.2 LRGF-20-003 El Favor 1.5 34.5 33.0 0.13 68.2 1.04 77.8 including 32.5 34.5 2.0 0.37 186.7 2.86 214.3 LRGF-20-004 El Favor 0.0 15.8 15.8 0.26 73.1 1.23 92.6 including 9.0 14.8 5.8 0.57 151.5 2.59 194.4 and3 23.0 70.5 41.1 0.24 74.6 1.24 92.7 including 34.0 38.1 4.1 1.45 418.9 7.04 527.6 LRGF-20-005 El Favor 22.5 43.5 21.0 0.11 74.4 1.10 82.7 including 22.5 31.5 9.0 0.23 150.1 2.23 167.4 LRGF-20-006 El Favor 41.0 53.0 12.0 0.20 95.9 1.48 110.9 including 44.0 47.4 3.4 0.53 271.4 4.15 311.0 and 70.5 97.5 27.0 0.97 113.0 2.47 185.5 including 76.0 83.3 7.3 3.35 349.6 8.01 601.0 LRGF-20-007 El Favor 0.0 11.0 11.0 0.28 159.7 2.40 180.3 including 3.5 7.0 3.5 0.53 291.5 4.41 330.9 LRGF-20-008 El Favor 0.0 52.1 52.1 0.69 254.5 4.08 306.0 including 15.0 52.1 37.1 0.93 343.0 5.51 413.1 including 26.0 31.0 5.0 5.62 2052.0 32.98 2473.4 including 26.7 30.0 3.3 8.47 3039.5 49.00 3674.7 LRGF-20-009 El Favor 3.0 14.6 11.6 0.43 148.3 2.41 180.5 including 3.0 5.5 2.5 1.22 324.5 5.55 416.0 and 60.0 92.5 32.5 0.32 63.0 1.15 86.6 including 74.5 81.5 7.0 0.64 171.3 2.93 219.6 1. Not true width 2. AuEq and AgEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 3. Excludes 6.4m of historically mined voids Table 3: Drill Hole Locations Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGF-20-010 585410 2336646 1258 180 -60 280.5 LRGF-20-011 585380 2336638 1261 180 -45 236.0 LRGF-20-012 585309 2336552 1299 180 -45 241.5 LRGF-20-013 585362 2336546 1303 180 -45 262.5 LRGF-20-014 585576 2336719 1224 180 -45 231.0 LRGF-20-015 585627 2336691 1229 180 -45 199.5 LRGF-20-016 585576 2336719 1224 180 -70 255.0 LRGF-20-017 585627 2336691 1229 180 -70 76.5 LRGF-20-018 585600 2336708 1227 180 -70 202.5 LRGF-20-019 585332 2336571 1292 180 -45 216.0 LRGF-20-020 585279 2336577 1294 180 -45 327.0 VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps. Access the GoGold Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/9404 and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com. Los Ricos District Exploration Projects The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and includes the 'Main' area, which is focused on drilling around a number of historical mines including El Abra, El Troce, San Juan, and Rascadero, as well as the Cerro Colorado, Las Lamas and East Vein targets. An initial resource on the Los Ricos South project was announced on July 29, 2020 and indicated a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and includes drilling at the El Favor, La Trini, and El Orito targets. Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work. The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ActLabs facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. ActLabs crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 50-gram charge by fire assay (Code 1A2-50) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 1A3-50). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code 1F2 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 8-Ag FA-GRAV Ag). Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols. Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release. About GoGold Resources GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States. This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the timing for completing and the magnitude of an initial resource estimate at Los Ricos North, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release. SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc. Related Links http://www.gogoldresources.com/ The voters of Georgia have handed Democrats control of the U.S. Senate and given President-elect Joe Biden leverage to advance his agenda through both houses of Congress. The Associated Press projected tight wins for Georgia Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff over Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue just as thousands of disgruntled Trump supporters crammed into the streets of Washington, D.C. and eventually breached the U.S. Capitol building and clashed with police. AP called the race for Warnock early Wednesday morning and Ossoff shortly after 4 p.m. President Donald Trump, who campaigned in Georgia on the eve of the vote, recently pressured Georgia officials to find just enough votes to give him an edge over Biden. State officials, like dozens of state and federal courts since Election Day, rebuffed Trumps efforts, informing him that his data, and allegations of corruption or fraud, were wrong. Instead of helping Trump overturn his own election loss, Georgia eventually became the battleground that loosened his partys grip on power in the Senate. The wins for Ossoff and Warnock mean the Senate is evenly divided with 50 members of each major party; Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, in her role as president of the Senate, can cast tie-breaking votes when the chamber is log-jammed. This means Democrats, who already held a majority in the House of Representatives, can attempt to push through progressive measures on COVID-19 relief, energy and the environment, infrastructure and police reform. The AP called Warnocks win at 2 a.m. Wednesday. BREAKING: Democrat Raphael Warnock wins election to U.S. Senate from Georgia, beating incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler. #APracecall at 2:00 a.m. EST. #GAelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4 AP Politics (@AP_Politics) January 6, 2021 Roughly 2.23 million Georgians chose Warnock, the senior pastor of the Atlanta church where slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and preached. Loeffler, a former businesswoman appointed to the Senate by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2019, picked up 2.17 million votes, or 49.4% of the vote compared to Warnocks 50.6%, according to AP. Ossoff, a former congressional aide and journalist, edged out Perdue, a former business executive, in a race called by AP just before 4:30 p.m. BREAKING: Democrat Jon Ossoff wins election to U.S. Senate from Georgia, beating incumbent Sen. David Perdue. #APracecall at 4:16 p.m. EST. #GAelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4 AP Politics (@AP_Politics) January 6, 2021 Warnock, 51, will become the states first Black senator, and Ossoff, at 33, will be the youngest Georgian ever sent to the chamber. Related Content: An Indian-origin man who hacked into the computer accounts of over 574 girls and young women to exploit them has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for blackmail, voyeurism and cybercrimes by a UK court. Akash Sondhi gained unauthorised access to hundreds of social media accounts, in particular Snapchat, and went on to commit blackmailing crimes between December 26, 2016 and March 17, 2020, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. The 27-year-old from Chafford Hundred in Essex, south-east England, threatened his victims that if they didn't send him nude images of themselves, he would post intimate images of them to their friends and family. Some of the women complied and in at least six cases he went on to carry out his threats, it said. Akash Sondhi is an extremely manipulative man who inflicted emotional and psychological damage on young women, while also getting gratification from their images and videos, said Joseph Stickings, a Senior Crown Prosecutor in the Complex Casework Unit for the CPS. "Following a diligent and thorough investigation conducted by the Essex Police Cyber Crime Unit the CPS was able to build a comprehensive case of 65 counts reflecting the high level of his offending, he said. I would like to thank all of the women who bravely came forward to tell of their traumatic experiences at the hands of Akash Sondhi. Their accounts provided strong evidence and the CPS were able to create such a compelling prosecution case that Akash Sondhi pleaded guilty to all counts, he added. The CPS said a number of Sondhi's victims experienced serious emotional and psychological harm in the aftermath of his despicable actions, with one victim even attempting suicide. Sondhi admitted a total of 65 offences including hacking, blackmail, and voyeurism and was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court 11 years in prison, a five year Serious Crime Prevention Order, and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years. Essex Police said Sondhi targeted 574 victims across the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Romania and other countries by hacking into their social media accounts, while some of his victims have still not been traced. Sondhi's address at Hedingham Road in Chafford Hundred, Essex, was raided by officers from the force's Cyber Crime Unit on 19 March last year after several victims, aged between 16 and 25, made reports. He targeted with no remorse purporting to be a friend on social media after hacking accounts, then once he got access to their intimate pictures he would attempt to blackmail them around disclosure of the images to friends and family demanding more images and videos of his own choice putting the victims through an ordeal causing extreme distress and embarrassment, said Detective Sergeant Ian Collins, from the Essex Police Cyber Crime Unit. Since his remand and now this sentence we have managed to stop this vile offender from targeting more victims. This is a wakeup call for anyone committing this type of crime: we will catch you and bring you to justice, and you can go to prison for the distress caused to the victims, he said. The detective also urged social media users not to store intimate images of themselves and to secure and protect their data. Don't share passwords even if you think it's a trusted friend that asks you for them, it might not be, he said. Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. TORONTO, Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: QBTC, QBTC.U) The Bitcoin Fund (the Fund) is pleased to announce the Fund has completed private placements in November and December 2020, approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX), aggregating 730,836 and 1,487,986 Class A units of the Fund (Units), respectively. Following a four-month holding period, investors in the private placements may elect to sell their Units on the TSX. Units are listed on the TSX under the symbol QBTC. The Fund seeks to provide unitholders of the Fund with (a) exposure to the digital currency bitcoin and the daily price movements of the U.S. dollar price of bitcoin and (b) the opportunity for long-term capital appreciation. The Fund acquires assets from reputable bitcoin trading platforms and OTC counterparties, in order to provide investors with a convenient and safer alternative to a direct investment in bitcoin. Gemini, a trust company licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services, acts as sub-custodian of the Funds assets. 3iQ believes an investment in bitcoin will provide investors with a low-correlated asset class which will complement traditional investment strategies. 3iQ is the investment fund manager and portfolio manager of the Fund. About 3iQ Corp. Founded in 2012, 3iQ Corp. (3iQ) is Canadas largest digital asset investment fund manager with more than C$900 million in assets under management. 3iQ was the first Canadian investment fund manager to offer a public listed bitcoin investment fund, The Bitcoin Fund (TSX:QBTC). Gaining access to digital assets such as bitcoin can be daunting, costly, and inconvenient. 3iQ offers investors convenient and familiar investment products to gain exposure to digital assets. For more information about 3iQ and The Bitcoin Fund, visit www.3iQ.ca or follow us on Twitter @3iQ_corp. Contact Information Fred Pye - Chairman and CEO E: fred.pye@3iQ.ca P: +1 (416) 639-2130 You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the Fund on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Gibraltar Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an exchange). If the units are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the Fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in its public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Fund, to the future outlook of the Fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as may, will, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, predict, potential, continue or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor will there be any sale of such securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release is not a recommendation of, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of The Bitcoin Fund in the United States or to U.S. persons, and this website otherwise is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. New Delhi, Jan 7 : A 22-year-old criminal out on bail attacked the police patrolling party injuring a Delhi police constable in West Delhi's Tilak Nagar. However, the criminial got injured in retaliatory fire by the injured policeman. Both have been shifted to the hospital. The incident happened at around 7 p.m. on Wednesday when the patrolling party intercepted a desperate criminal Sagar alias Champa, a resident of J.J. Colony Chowkhandi New Delhi. The accused Sagar who is out on bail in a dacoity case attacked both the policemen with a knife injuring Constable Mukesh in his hand and stomach. "The injured constable fired two rounds in air by his service pistol. This did not deter the accused who sprawled on both and tried to snatch the service pistol from Mukesh. In the scuffle Mukesh fired one more round and the bullet was received by the accused," said DCP West Deepak Purohit. Both the injured have been shifted to hospital where they are under treatment. "A case has been filed in this regard," the officer added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 12:23:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAKAR, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Senegalese President Macky Sall declared Tuesday a reimposition of a state of emergency and a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Wednesday on in the regions of Dakar and Thies in order to contain the quick spread of the new coronavirus. Speaking on national television after an emergency meeting of the National Epidemic Management Committee, Sall said that these two regions accounted for more than 90 percent of confirmed cases in Senegal. Sall called on all members of the government to take all measures to ensure the application of the state of emergency. He also urged the population to comply with individual and collective prevention provisions by avoiding non-essential movements, gatherings and other public and private meetings, and to respect barrier gestures. Regarding vaccines, the president said that he ordered a national vaccination plan to be proposed as soon as possible, adding that Senegal continues its collaboration in the framework of COVAX initiative. Despite this "new wave of epidemic outbreak," Senegal has human and material resources to deal with the spread, the Senegalese president said. He announced that the government would detail the measures to be adopted in this new phase in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. Sall lifted the curfew and the state of emergency on June 29, 2020 after several months of semi-lockdown. Senegal has recorded to date 19,964 confirmed cases with 428 deaths. Enditem Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Ready Set Gold Corp. (CSE: RDY) ("Ready Set Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received final approval to list the common shares of the Company on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Going Public Date Trading of the common shares of the Company on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") is anticipated to commence at the opening market on Monday, January 11th, 2021. The common shares of the Company will trade under the symbol "RDY". Company Highlights An exceptional basket of gold projects in proven jurisdictions in Ontario with a focus on high-grade gold exploration and development potential including the 100% owned Northshore Gold Project hosting Indicated Resources of 391,000 oz Au in 12.36 million tonnes at a grade of 0.99 g/t and Inferred Resources of 824,000 oz Au in 29.58 million tonnes at 0.87 g/t Au using a cut-off grade of 0.50 g/t Au. (Historic NI 43-101 Technical Report - 2014) in 12.36 million tonnes at a grade of 0.99 g/t and in 29.58 million tonnes at 0.87 g/t Au using a cut-off grade of 0.50 g/t Au. (Historic NI 43-101 Technical Report - 2014) A proven team of public company executives and explorers focusing on profitable exits for shareholders. A bold & fast-paced strategy to progress the Company. Low share float of 29.8 million shares outstanding and 37.1 million shares fully diluted. Christian Scovenna, CEO of Ready Set Gold comments, "January 11th, 2021 will mark a significant milestone for the company as we commence trading on the CSE. I would personally like to thank our Board of Directors, for enabling myself to steer the helm as the company's CEO of this brand-new resource company. Building shareholder value, is one of the company's mandates and will do so by building out our deposit on our flagship, Northshore gold project. Lastly, I would like to thank our shareholders/owners in trusting the company in our vision to acquire the Northshore, Hemlo Eastern Flank Project, and the optioned Emmons Peak Project in our plan to become a leader in exploration and development in Canada's prolific and world-class gold-bearing Greenstone Belts. Our Company is well positioned to begin advancing its highly prospective Ontario gold projects." About the Projects Ready Set Gold is focused on advancing its nearly 7,000 hectare portfolio of gold projects including the wholly-owned Northshore Gold Project, the Hemlo Eastern Flank Project, and the optioned Emmons Peak Project, all of which demonstrate great discovery potential and expansion opportunities. The 771 hectare Northshore Gold property is located in the Schreiber-Hemlo Greenstone Belt. The project contains the Afric Deposit, which remains one of Ontario's largest undeveloped prospective gold deposits, holding an historic NI 43-101 (2014) Mineral Resource Estimate of 391,000 ounces gold Indicated in 12,360,000 tonnes at a grade of 0.99 g/t gold, and 824,000 ounces gold Inferred in 29,580,000 tonnes at a grade of 0.87 g/t gold using a cut-off of 0.50 g/t gold. The Afric Deposit area measures approximately 350 by 500 metres and is open for expansion in all directions as well as at depth. Within a 600 metre radius outside of the defined Afric Deposit, there are several high-grade vertical quartz vein structures and a historically produced small scale high grade gold mine which have received limited to no modern exploration. The Company believes that these underexplored areas present substantial exploration and expansion upside for the Northshore Gold Project. The Hemlo Eastern Flank property is two separate claim blocks for a total of 4,453 hectares. Both border a land package optioned by Barrick Gold Corporation in a recent transaction with Metalcorp and sits just 7km east of Barrick's operating Hemlo Mine. The Hemlo Eastern Flank property is underlain by similar geology as that associated with the Hemlo deposit and is located along the same corridor. The Hemlo Mine has produced more than 21 million ounces of gold and Barrick announced at the end of 2020 its plans to extend its mine life and upgrading it to a Tier Two asset. (* The mineralization at the Hemlo Mine is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Hemlo Eastern Flank project.) The Emmons Peak property totals 1,634 hectares and is in the Wabigoon Terrane of Ontario. The Wabigoon district hosts notable advanced gold projects such as Treasury Metals' Goliath and the Goldlund deposits. The district also hosts key infrastructure such as highway access and a Federally approved mill. In 1982, prospectors discovered a narrow quartz vein on surface at the Emmons Peak property that assayed upwards of 14,000 g/t gold (up to 500 oz/ton) (MNDM Mineral Deposit Inventory: MDI52F10SE00051). Further work in 1985 identified additional veining where samples were taken that assayed more than 430 g/t gold (MNDM Mineral Deposit Inventory: MDI52F10SE00052). Limited to no modern exploration has been conducted on this property post-1990. Investor Presentation & Website For more information, please visit our website and download the Investor Presentation. www.readysetgoldcorp.com/presentation On Behalf of the Board of Directors, READY SET GOLD Corporation "Christian Scovenna" Chief Executive Officer Email: info@readysetgoldcorp.com CEO Direct Line: +1 (416) 453-4709 For further information please contact: Investor Relations Sean Kingsley - VP Investor Relations Tel: +1 (236) 513-GOLD (4653) Email: skingsley@readysetgoldcorp.com www.readysetgoldcorp.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Ready Set Gold's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Although Ready Set Gold believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the Covid-19 pandemic; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of Ready Set Gold to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71456 Intelligence obtained through documents indicates that China forced technology transfer and theft to get where they are now. Tech was appropriated through projects that funneled the tech and orchestrated it to get it any way possible from the west. Documents Obtained Reveal that China Forced Technology Transfer and Theft According to the Epoch Times, they leaked documents that indicated that Chinese officials had given funds to projects. These projects are aimed at gaining advanced technologies via partnering with international research institutions. Sources say that China's Ministry of Science and Technology is the driving force in these efforts. The Hebei International Talent Exchange Association or the International Technology Transfer Center was started in 1988 at the Hebei Province. More than 200 international technical projects and 300 foreign experts in many fields of relevance. These specific fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), information communication, biology, medicine, and health, reported the Epoch Times. According to a report, the Hebei Provincial Budget Project Performance Evaluation Form last November 17 said its purpose is to transfer advanced technology. One document says the organization should expand to channels with 50 international organizations and have at least four international scientific and technological cooperation activities. Other particulars are at least 50 foreign technology projects at most and get about five cooperation intention agreements. The last is to recruit several 60 to 80 foreign technical experts for recruiting. The report mentioned that 1 million yuan (about $153,000) is allotted for the recruiting of specialists abroad. All the projects will be based in Hebei, with the funding for it in place. There should be a 10 million yuan (about $1.53 million) when China forced technology transfer and theft transferred to Chinese companies based in Hebei. Also read: Sinopharm: China Gives Approval For Homegrown Vaccine with Alleged 79.3% Efficacy A report, "Plan for the Use of Special Subsidy Funds for the Construction of Hebei International Science and Technology Cooperation Base," detailed the transfer of purloined technology was explained in the report. One of the reasons for getting foreign tech is to improve technology, products, to increase the competitive performance of the Hebei firms. One U.S.-based China affairs commentator Li Linyi said it is a bold scheme to steal advanced technology and intellectual property blatantly from other countries. This stealing has been happening, and the CCP does not intend to stop tech theft. Chinese regime's Ministry of Science and Technology too. According to public records, the Hebei International Talent Exchange Association operates under the state-run China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP). CAIEP is directly managed by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, an agency under the Chinese regime's Ministry of Science and Technology. One document examined the requirements and other factors needed to acquire foreign technologies through channels. The Hebei University of Technology is the center of technology transfers. In transferring the tech, a website should receive the files stolen from other sources. It includes all the international high-tech talents, high-level management teams, and advanced technology resources in the center. Other aspects are international cooperation and technology transfer, and how to make it work. During the recent Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s Fifth Plenary Session in October emphasized getting everything homegrown, not through stealing. Observers say this is a reactive the current rebuke of China by some nations. China forced technology transfer and theft from, according to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Related article: New UK COVID-19 Mutation Detected in Colorado, Severity of Contagiousness not Determined @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The year 2020 has indeed been a year of transformation for everyone around the world. Businesses were forced to adapt to remote working models overnight. However, this sudden shift created many challenges, which needed to be addressed in order to maintain business continuity. To enable remote working, organizations rapidly adopted cloud services and applications. Earlier users ran their programs and applications from a server or a physical computer, however, now the same is being done through the adoption of cloud computing services. Those organizations who had already realized the importance of cloud technology and had invested in it were able to swiftly transition into a new working model as their data was readily available for their employees to use. However, organizations that didnt have a cloud-ready IT infrastructure, faced challenges. This shows how cloud-computing technology has the power of becoming a back door for all future disasters as well. Heres how Dell Technologies predicts cloud computing will help customers and businesses on their way to recovery in 2021: Hybrid Cloud Computing to take the center stage: Even before these unprecedented times, too many organizations made decisions related to cloud workload transitions without a longer-term plan or vision of what was being sought. Solutions were made point-by-point around individual software and problems, but such investments often do not result in the best overall solution. However, the need for consistent operations and infrastructure across clouds is paramount, so organizations are quickly finding that hybrid cloud models are the right strategy when it comes to longer-term costs, scalability and security. In the coming year, investments in hybrid cloud operating models that span public, private and edge environments will continue to grow to enable rapid scale and management of IT everywhere. Data exists with the security and visibility organizations require keeping their data, teams and their businesses protected. To maintain business continuity and be future-ready, a well-defined hybrid cloud approach is the need of the hour. Rise in Adoption of On-Demand Cloud Services- Cloud computing has turned out to be a key element of growth today with organizations migrating from traditional apps to cloud-based platforms thus keeping their costs/investments in check. In the next few years, there will be a shift to an On-Demand service offering for hybrid cloud computing, which provides organizations with a cloud environment that has the ability to develop, manage and deliver applications. On-Demand services give organizations freedom of choice, keep a check on their budget for IT spending, and provide ultimate flexibility in how workloads are enhanced to meet exact specifications. In the future, we will experience a surge in the adoption of these services as more businesses look at leveraging hybrid cloud technology to the fullest while keeping the costs in check. Integration of Cloud Computing, Big Data, and IoT services: With the changing IT landscape, businesses are trying to venture out and combine services, which will help, make their processes simpler. In the future, one such combination of services and technology that we can foresee is the combination of IoT services, Big Data and cloud computing. Here, cloud computing will play the role of a common workplace for IoT, the source of data and big data as a technology is the analytic platform of the data. Hence, with this combination, organizations will be able to deliver an improved outcome and make better business decisions for the future. Srinivas Rao, Sr. Director, System Engineering, Dell Technologies India, said, The pandemic has put us all into an Innovative mode. Businesses which were earlier reluctant to try out new technologies and work arrangements, have now started to rethink their strategy to innovate. They have realized the importance of investing in cloud services during current times and have expedited their adoption process, which would have otherwise taken many years to accomplish. As we transition into a mode of recovery, we can expect a rise in the adoption of On-demand cloud services. Through this, organizations will be able to receive the benefits of cloud computing that will allow them to develop, manage and deliver applications while giving them control over their IT spending. We will also witness hybrid cloud computing taking the center stage and providing consistent operations and infrastructure across multiple cloud environments. To conclude, we expect businesses to venture out and combine the services of IoT, Big Data and cloud computing to help make their business processes simpler, improve the quality of their outcome and maintain business continuity. Cloud computing has become a great support for businesses across sizes today. It has not only helped in continuing the business momentum but has also helped organizations move at a faster pace in their digital transformation journey. To continue with this pace of transformation and be future-ready, an organization must invest in the right cloud computing strategy, as per the needs of the business. Actor Jasmin Bhasin is currently going through a tough time on Bigg Boss 14, what with her differences with Rakhi Sawant and with show host Salman Khan being critical during Weekend Ka Vaar. Although Jasmin is dealing with a lot of negativity inside the house, her parents are missing her. Jasmin's mother Gurmeet Kaur Bhasin told IANS: "This is probably the longest time that we have not met Jasmin. Last year before she went into 'Bigg Boss' house there was a long lockdown. After the unlock, too, we did not travel, and then Jasmin got busy with 'Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India' and then 'Bigg Boss'. Every year during Christmas and New Year, Jasmin's father and I visit her in Mumbai and every year Jasmin sends us on a holiday. She is someone who really takes care of us and we are proud of her. She will make sure that we also get to see new places." Jasmin has always spoken about her closeness to her grandmother. Gurmeet Kaun Bhasin reveals how the actor's grandmother is making up for her absence. Her grandmother, who is in her eighties, watches her on Bigg Boss daily. Though she cannot hear, she watches Jasmin with teary eyes. "Jasmin is extremely close to her Dadi and they share a unique relationship. She often tells me how pretty Jasmin is looking. I, too, find her dresses and style very good, she is presenting herself very well in the house. I am also thankful to her fans that during these tough times they are helping and boosting her so that she can play her game nicely," said Jasmin's mother. Speaking about Jasmin's game inside the Bigg Boss house, her proud mother said: "She is playing well and should play independently New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concern over the on-going farmers protest against the recently enacted three farm laws at various Delhi borders. A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde told Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta and Attorney General (AG) K.K. Venugopal, representing the Centre, "There is absolutely no improvement in the situation." Mehta submitted that the Centre is in discussion with the farmers to resolve their issues with the laws and since healthy talks are going on between the farmers and Centre, it would not be advisable to take up the matters immediately. The AG said filing of response by the Centre may close avenues of negotiations underway between the farmers and Centre. Venugopal added that there is a possibility that parties involved in discussion may come to a conclusion in the near future. The bench also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian agreed with AG and SG submissions, and said if it is told on Monday (January 11) that discussions are still underway, then it would adjourn the hearing. "We understand the situation. We want to encourage the talks. We will keep matter on Monday and will adjourn if you say so", said the Chief Justice. The farmers' protest against the three farm laws has been going on for more than a month. The observations from the top court came during the hearing on a petition filed by advocate M.L. Sharma who challenged a 1954 amendment to the Constitution for putting agriculture in the concurrent list, which permitted the Centre to enact the farm laws. The top court issued notice on Sharma's plea. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Srinagar airport authorities on Wednesday continued the uphill task of clearing the runway for resuming operations amid heavy snowfall and avalanche warnings. Despite the overnight operations of clearing the runway which was thickly covered in snow, the authorities woke up to roads fully taken over by the snow once again. @Aaisnrairport Snow clearance job was going full night but again due heavy snow fall roads are covered with snow, however again all team escalating their work to make possible ambience for aircraft operation today .@AAI_Official @aaiRedNR, the Srinagar international airport said in a tweet on Wednesday morning. @Aaisnrairport Snow clearance job was going full night but again due heavy snow fall roads are covered with snow, however again all team escalating their work to make possible ambience for aircraft operation today .@AAI_Official @aaiRedNR pic.twitter.com/MdKF4R8KPr Srinagar Airport (@Aaisnrairport) January 6, 2021 The snow clearance is going on amid snowfall. We are taking every step to provide feasible condition to operate flight in extreme weather, the authorities said in a tweet. @Aaisnrairport Runway apron snow clearance going on amid snowfall .we are taking every step to provide feasible condition to operate flight in extreme weather.@AAI_Official @aaiRedNR pic.twitter.com/k29ijvMFuR Srinagar Airport (@Aaisnrairport) January 6, 2021 As a result of extreme weather conditions, Kashmir remains cut-off from the rest of the country with the arterial Jammu-Srinagar national highway and Mughal road closed due to accumulation of snow. Thousands of vehicles, mostly trucks carrying essentials to the Valley, are stranded along the highway at various places. Srinagar city has witnessed moderate snowfall for the past three days but snow clearance operations have ensured that traffic movement was going on. The flight operations to and from Srinagar is also suspended due to poor visibility, officials said. Mughal Road, which connects the Valley to Jammu division through Shopian-Rajouri axis, has been closed for several days due to heavy snowfall in the region. Avalanche warning was issued on Tuesday for higher reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Bandipora districts, according to the Disaster Management Authority of Jammu and Kashmir. The authority tweeted, Medium Level (Yellow Alert) Avalanche Warning has been issued for higher reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Bandipora districts, besides Waltengu Nad, South and North portals of Jawahar Tunnel, Verinag, Kapran, Chowkibal-NC Pass, Gurez, Dawar and Neeru. The Recording Academy and CBS have postponed the 63rd Grammy Awards, originally scheduled for Jan. 31. Rolling Stone was the first to confirm the news. ADVERTISEMENT Rolling Stone's sources suggest the new date may be in March, but the Recording Academy did not confirm. The postponement comes two days after SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild and Joint Policy Committee recommended a suspension of in-person productions in Southern California due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Variety also confirmed the news. The trade's sources cited caution over artists traveling to Los Angeles, where hospitals have reportedly turned ambulances away due to new COVID-19 patients filling up available beds. CBS and the Recording Academy already planned to adapt to COVID-19. Like the American Music Awards in November, the Grammys planned a show with a limited audience. The 2021 Grammy nominations see Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Black Pumas, Post Malone and Megan Thee Stallion compete for Song of the Year. Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Jacob Collier, Coldplay, Black Pumas and Jhene Aiko compete for Album of the Year. Swift, Beyonce Post Malone and Megan Thee Stallion have nominations in multiple categories. Photo: John Horgan / Facebook The Province of British Columbia has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing health officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response. The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on Jan. 19, 2021, to allow staff to allow the government to take actions to keep British Columbians safe. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will announce if the current restrictions on gatherings will be renewed by Jan. 8, when they set to expire. Theres hope on the horizon for the new year with vaccines beginning, but I want to caution everyone to keep following public health orders, said Premier John Horgan. British Columbians have been working hard to flatten the curve, and to do that, we cant let up too soon. We need everyone to hang in there and continue to do what they need to do to keep case numbers low. The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.s health and emergency management officials. The original declaration was made on March 18, 2020, the day after Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer (PHO), declared a public health emergency. B.C. is currently in the longest state of emergency in provincial history. COVID-19 enforcement measures On Dec. 16, 2020, the Province announced enhanced enforcement measures to keep British Columbians safe and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. This includes asking provincial enforcement officers to actively support police and increase COVID-19 enforcement by issuing violation tickets as appropriate during their normal course of duties or when in public places. Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has also strengthened fine collection measures. Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has asked WorkSafeBC to enhance in-person inspections in targeted areas. The Province continues to urge all British Columbians to follow the orders and guidance of public health officials. Most British Columbians are following public health orders, and thats what will help us get case numbers back down, said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Having said that, were continuing to use enforcement and fines for those who insist on putting lives at risk by ignoring orders. We continue to strengthen the tools officials need to keep people safe, and we wont hesitate to use them. As well, Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has asked WorkSafeBC to enhance in-person inspections in targeted areas. The Province continues to urge all British Columbians to follow the orders and guidance of public health officials. These are in addition to previous measures under the EPA to limit the spread of COVID-19. Dentists have said a Government failure to engage with the profession cannot be tolerated. The president of the Irish Dental Association (IDA) said it was disrespectful and unreasonable for the Government to expect dentists to carry on as normal when ministers had failed to engage with the sector over a range of issues including the provision of PPE and Covid-19 vaccines for dentists. Dr Anne ONeill said this inaction will have hugely negative consequences for patients. She said: Dentists have done extraordinary work since the onset of the pandemic last March, yet despite this the obvious cracks in the oral health system are not being addressed. The Government appears to be content to sideline the dental profession in the midst of the biggest health crisis this country has faced. Enough is enough we need to see action otherwise the health of patients will suffer and the provision of dentistry as we know it in Ireland will be in perilous danger Anne O'Neill Time and again, dentists have asked for action on hugely important issues from the Government, and every time they have failed to get results. This Governments repeated failure to meaningfully engage and deliver on promises cannot be tolerated. Dr ONeill said Covid-19 had placed a huge amount of difficulty, stress and extra costs on private dentists and their staff, who have received no state support. PPE promised by former health minister Simon Harris seven months ago, in June last year, has still not arrived, despite 700 private dentists registering their interest with the HSE for this equipment, she said. This is especially disappointing given an abundance of this equipment is being delivered to GPs and nursing homes. It is disrespectful and unreasonable for the Government to name dentistry as an essential service, while expecting dentists to also uphold excellent standards of care amidst a huge recent increase in cases without any support whatsoever. Dr ONeill also said it was disappointing that dentists had not been given any indication when they will be vaccinated as a priority group for Covid-19. Despite assurances made by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, there has been no timetable published for the vaccination of dentists despite our designation as priority healthcare staff, she said. The IDA is meeting the HSE on Wednesday to discuss vaccinations. Unfortunately dentists are concerned that, with their experience of PPE being promised but not delivered, they will be left at the back of the queue when it comes to being vaccinated, Dr ONeill said. She added that these issues were exacerbated by the crisis in the medical card scheme, which has seen a fall of 20% in participating dentists since this time last year. Dr ONeill concluded: Dentists cannot be expected to carry on as normal with no support from the Government when they are under such grave strain. Enough is enough we need to see action otherwise the health of patients will suffer and the provision of dentistry as we know it in Ireland will be in perilous danger. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. PA The Turkish government called for moderation in regard to the unrest in the US Capitol on Wednesday. Turkey is the first Middle Eastern state to comment on the political conflict occurring in the United States. Turkey invites all parties in US to use moderation, common sense to overcome this domestic political crisis, read a brief statement reported by the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency. On Wednesday, thousands of supporters of US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol where Congress is located, clashing with police and forcibly entering the building. Congress was in the process of certifying the November 2020 election results, which indicated a victory for former Vice President Joe Biden, at the time. The Turkish governments comments on the chaos in the United States came at a low point in US-Turkey relations. In December, the Trump administration placed sanctions on Ankara over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government frequently receives criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The criticism focuses on Turkeys actions in northeast Syria as well as human rights issues within Turkey. Anadolus coverage of the situation in Washington was critical. The grim scenes are an unprecedented stain on the US's peaceful transfer of power, read an article from the news outlet. The speaker of the Turkish parliament also chimed in with a similar message. "We follow the events in the USA with concern and invite the parties to calmness," Mustafa Sentop tweeted. "As Turkey, we have always been in favor of the law and democracy and we recommend it to everyone." Other states in the region have not commented on what happened. Panaji, Jan 6 : Fiery socialist leader and freedom fighter, Ram Manohar Lohia's renovated prison cell in Goa, at the once dreaded Fortaleza da Aguada (Fort Aguada) would take centrestage, when Goa's latest tourism avenue, the renovated heritage prison and a museum complex, is unveiled in March this year. A life-size statue of the Faizabad-born Lohia, whose clarion call on June 18, 1946, lent urgency and impetus to Goa's freedom struggle against centuries' old colonial rule, would be installed in the Aguada Jail complex, which is being refurbished on the lines of the Cellular Jail complex, where freedom fighter Veer Savarkar was imprisoned in the Andaman & The Nicobar islands. Speaking to IANS, veteran freedom fighter Nagesh Karmali, who was also jailed in the 17th century-built prison -- a feared incarceration centre during the colonial times -- said that Lohia was kept in solitary confinement for nearly a fortnight after his arrest in 1946, following the addressing of a public meeting in South Goa's Margao town. At the meeting, Lohia had given a clarion call urging Goans to rebel against the colonial rule. The grounds where Lohia addressed the historic meeting was later christened as the 'Lohia Maidan'. "There were just two rooms at the end of a dark line of barracks at the Aguada Prison facing the sea. Lohia was jailed in one of them and one of Goa's most well-known thinkers and freedom fighters, TB Cunha, was in another. They were both in solitary confinement," Karmali said. After his incarceration, noted Goan poet Manoharrai Sardesai wove Lohia into local lore by dedicating a poem 'Aguadachya Shiva Tuvem' (The Lion of Aguada, you have...) to Lohia. The latest acknowledgement by the Goa government to Lohia's contribution to the region's freedom struggle comes in form of a renovated prison cell, an in-house museum putting the spotlight on articles and events related to the colonial period and even a ticketed sound and light show. According to Ports Minister and local MLA Michael Lobo, the renovated heritage prison complex has potential to boost the tourism economy in the area and also serve as centre for education of the region's history and freedom struggle. "Details related to historical events and the role of freedom fighters in the struggle for independence will be highlighted at the museum and the renovated prison complex, so that the future generations do not forget such contributions," Lobo said. Noted clay artist Zilu Harmalkar has been roped in to create two life-size statues of Lohia and Cunha, which will be placed in their solitary confinement cells, he also said. "The statues will be life-size and fashioned so, to show as if the two freedom fighters are sitting in their cells. Some personal articles of Lohia and Cunha will also be replicated in the cells," Lobo said. The Aguada fort was originally built in the 17th century by the Portuguese colonists, to serve as a coastal sentinel to guard against roving Dutch and Maratha navies and as a water-refilling station for passing ships, before it was subsequently put to use as a high security prison by the colonial administration. After the liberation of Goa, the facility also served as a central jail, until a more modern prison facility was built at Colvale village in North Goa. Part of the prison complex was leased out to a five star hotel group decades back. Previously, the Goa government had intended to build a museum dedicated to former Defence Minister and former Chief Minister of Goa late Manohar Parrikar at the heritage prison complex, but the plans were withdrawn, after a freedom fighters' association slammed the government's plans. The number of new securities trading accounts of Vietnamese individual investors surpassed 63,600 in December the highest-ever figure, according to the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD). The figure raised the total number of trading accounts in Vietnam to nearly 2.73 million. Along with individual investors, domestic organisations opened 168 new brokerage accounts last month, the highest in the past four years, raising the total to 11,251 accounts. Meanwhile, foreign individual investors and organisations opened 371 and 15 new accounts in the last month of 2020, bringing the total numbers to 31,134 and 3,927, respectively. The appearance of new investors helps keep market liquidity at a high level. At the opening ceremony of the first trading session of 2021 that took place on January 4, Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung highlighted a breakthrough growth in liquidity on the stock market, reaching an average of nearly 7.4 trillion VND (320.2 million USD) per session. Of great note, November and December saw an average liquidity of 10 trillion VND and 14.8 trillion VND per session, doubling from the average of 2019. Market capitalization of the stock market reached 84.3 percent of GDP last year./. Read more at here Washington: Top national security agencies in a rare joint statement have confirmed that Russia was likely responsible for a massive hack of US government departments and corporations, rejecting President Donald Trump's claim that China might be to blame. The statement represented the government's first formal attempt to assign responsibility for the breaches at several agencies and to assign a possible motive for the operation. It said the hacks appeared to be part of an intelligence-gathering," suggesting the evidence so far pointed to a Russian spying effort rather than an attempt to damage or disrupt US government operations. This is a serious compromise that will require a sustained and dedicated effort to remediate, said the statement, distributed by a cyber working group comprised of the FBI and other investigative agencies. Former Attorney-General William Barr always said the likely hacker was Russia. Credit:Bloomberg US officials, including Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and cybersecurity experts have previously said Russia was to blame. But Trump, in a series of tweets late last month, sought to downplay the severity of the hack and raised the unsubstantiated idea that China could be responsible. Five asteroids will fly past Earth on Wednesday. Two of these asteroids are bigger than the Eiffel Tower, according to the Central for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The Eiffel Tower is 324 metres long and the two asteroids are said to be even larger. The remaining three asteroids are relatively smaller in size. This instance of five asteroids flying past the Earth is eerily similar to a prediction made by French astrologer Nostradamus. Nostradamus had made thousands of predictions several hundreds of years ago, several of which have been proved to be true. In his book Les Propheties, published 465 years ago, Nostradamus had made a prediction for the year 2021. He had written about a "long trail of sparks" made of fire appearing in the sky. The "long trail of sparks" could be interpreted as asteroids flying past the Earth. Nostradamus made 6,338 predictions out of which 3,797 prophecies have been proved to be true. The three smaller asteroids have been dubbed 2021 AC, 2021 AJ and 2018 KP1 with diameters of 73.5 metres, 19.5 metres and 41 metres, respectively. If they were to impact the Earth, they wouldn't pose much threat to anyone. The second biggest asteroid has been named 2016 CO247; it is 340 meters wide. The biggest asteroid is 2008 AF4 which is around half a kilometre wide. If this asteroid were to directly impact the Earth, it would hit with a force between 25 to 50 megatonnes, which is roughly equivalent to the largest nuclear bomb in existence. Though the size is crucial for calculating the risk of impact, speed also plays an important role in judging the level of threat. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has already stated that none of the five asteroids are an immediate threat to Earth. These asteroids are being tracked as they are either closer to Earth than 7.5 million KM or because they are more than 150 metres in size. Also Read: As China intensifies crackdown, Jack Ma's Alibaba starts scaling down businesses Also Read: China denies entry to WHO team investigating COVID-19 origins The government decided Wednesday to extend its suspension of direct flights from Britain for two more weeks to block a more transmissible coronavirus variant first detected there from entering the country. The health authorities have confirmed a total of 11 cases of the new strain, most recently two cases Tuesday, and one case of a separate variant spreading in South Africa. "The ban on flights from Britain has been extended for two weeks until Jan. 21," the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. Initially imposed Dec. 23, the flight ban was until the end of the year, but was extended Dec. 28 until Thursday. The KDCA reported 840 more COVID-19 cases for Tuesday, including 809 local infections, raising the total caseload to 65,818. The daily cases stayed below 1,000 for the second consecutive day amid signs of a slowdown, while nursing homes and churches continued to be hot spots for COVID-19 virus outbreaks despite extended curbs to contain the corona virus. (Yonhap) A right-wing demonstrator who gained recent prominence in Oregon is accused of assaulting six police officers during a December anti-mask rally at the state Capitol. Chandler Pappas, 27, is being held in the Marion County jail on $250,000 bail after a judge deemed him a public safety risk. In addition to six counts of assaulting a police officer, the Portland man faces charges of first-degree burglary, riot and criminal trespass while possessing a gun. At least four others were arrested in connection with the Dec. 21 protests at the Capitol in Salem. Promoters of the rally, including Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson, billed the event as a flash mob against COVID-19 restrictions. As the protest took place outside the Capitol, state lawmakers held a special legislative session inside the building. The building was closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But some demonstrators clashed with police and ultimately gained access to the building, where another confrontation with officers ensued. Pappas is accused of assaulting six officers during the scuffles. A charging document against Pappas does not specify how he allegedly injured the officers, but KOIN News reported Pappas used pepper spray during the confrontation. Pappas became known among right-wing circles in recent months after the August killing of Aaron Jay Danielson in downtown Portland. Pappas and Danielson were walking together after a pro-Trump rally when Danielson was shot and killed amid a confrontation with a leftist demonstrator. Pappas next court date is Jan. 15. If he does post bail, a judge ordered him not to possess weapons and to stay away from the Capitol. Court documents say Pappas had been living in a Southeast Portland apartment before he was arrested. Right-wing demonstrators plan to rally outside the Capitol Wednesday as part of a nationwide event to protest presidential election results. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive New York, Jan 6 : US President Donald Trump and his supporters prepared to make one final, already doomed effort on Wednesday to overturn Joe Biden's election when Congress will put its seal on his victory in the November election. Members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives will meet in a joint session presided over by Vice President Mike Pence to count and certify the electoral college votes, while Trump's supporters and opponents faceoff elsewhere in Washington. Trump was expected to speak to his supporters in a highly irregular and potentially incendiary move. Claiming that there was widespread fraud, Trump and his staunchest supporters have refused to accept the result of the November 3 election and the verdict of the electoral college that voted Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president on December 14. More than 50 legal challenges by them in courts at various levels have failed. While the constitutionally-required joint sessions have been mostly routine affairs, this time a small group of Republicans led by Senator Ted Cruz have announced that they will challenge the decision of the electoral college during the joint session. The move by Trump's Congressional supporters will split his Republican Party because most of its leaders like Mitch McConnel, who heads the party in the Senate, are against what will ultimately be a symbolic resistance. McConnell has already acknowledged Biden's election saying last month, "Our country has, officially, a president-elect and a vice-president-elect. I want to congratulate President-Elect Joe Biden." Even Pence has reportedly turned down Trump's public requests to reject the electoral college's election of Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris. Trump tweeted on Tuesday that "the Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors," although in reality he is not legally empowered to do so. Earlier on Monday, he told a rally in Georgia state, "I hope that our great vice president... comes through for us." In what sounded like a warning, he added, "Of course, if he doesn't come through, I won't like him quite as much." Pence met Trump on Tuesday, but several media reports quoting anonymous sources said to be close to him reported that he would follow the constitution and not interfere with the election. The US presidential elections are conducted indirectly with the voters electing members of the electoral college who would vote for president. Biden won 306 electoral college votes, in addition to getting 81.2 million popular votes to Trump's 232 electoral college votes and 74.2 million popular votes. Trump won the 2016 election by getting a majority in the electoral college, where the votes allocated to proportionately to states, despite Hillary Clinton getting more popular votes. When Trump's supporters challenge the electoral college votes, the Senate and the House will go into separate sessions to hear the objections and vote on them before reconvening jointly. The effort is certain to fail because Democrats have a majority in the House and in the Senate, where the Republicans have a lead now, most members of the party have opposed the challenge. Trump's supporters plan to challenge the votes of electors from states like Pennsylvania, where Trump has alleged there was massive fraud -- a claim not sustained by courts. Democrats and Republicans opposed to Trump see the challenge to the electoral college verdict as a threat to democracy itself asserting that it would contribute to delegitimising the election process. A bipartisan group of ten senators, including four Republicans said that "further attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 Presidential election" will "only serve to undermine Americans' confidence in the already determined election results." While Trump and many of his supporters probably realise their efforts are futile, for them it is a payback to the Democrats who tried to deligitimise Trump's election by claiming that he collaborated with the Russians to get elected -- a claim disproved by a commission of inquiry. When Trump's election had to be certified in 2017 by Congress, some Democrats objected initially but did not persist in their opposition and the joint session presided by then-Vice President Biden endorsed Trump's victory. Two Democrats objected to Republican George W. Bush's re-election by the electoral college in 2005 forcing the Senate and House to meet separately to vote down the objection and endorse his election at the resumed joint session. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bird flu confirmed in few more places in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh No permission given for use of vaccine against bird flu; not even by other nations: Centre Bird Flu fear: Over 4 Lakh poultry birds die in Haryana in last 10 Days; States on alert India oi-Briti Roy Barman Chandigarh, Jan 06: Over four lakh poultry birds have died at 20 farms in Haryana's Panchkula district in the past 10 days, officials said on Tuesday. Bird flu alert sounded in several states as thousands of birds found dead | Oneindia News A team of experts from Jalandhar-based Regional Disease Diagnosis Laboratory has collected samples of birds at poultry farms, they said. After a number of states across the country reported the bird flu cases with the death of lakhs of birds, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on Tuesday issued advisory and directed state wildlife departments to take serious note of avian flu cases and report mortality of wildlife to the ministry on priority. Odisha govt gives nod to consume poultry products as State records no bird flu cases Panchkula's Barwala-Raipur Rani area is one of the largest poultry belts in the country with 70-80 lakh birds in more than 100 farms. The unusual deaths of the birds have occurred in the last 10 days at 20 poultry farms with epicentre near Garhi Kutaha and the other near Jaloli village in the Barwala area. In its directive, the wildlife division of the union environment ministry told states that they should take all possible measures and precautions to prevent transmission of diseases, if any, in other animals and human beings. The ministry also highlighted that a large number of migratory birds visit India during this season and thus states are advised to keep a strict vigil on wintering habitats of such birds, including wetlands, for signs of mortality or disease outbreak. The development comes as culling of chickens and ducks began on Tuesday in parts of Kerala to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu, while Jammu and Kashmir sounded an alert and started collecting samples from migratory species after Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh reported cases of the avian influenza. A portable Apollo light, by Lind Equipment, can decontaminate high-touch surfaces by killing the virus that causes COVID-19. Credit: University of Western Ontario Is it possible to eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19 from surfaces with the flick of a switch? A UVC LED lighting system designed by Western University alumni is paving the way for rapid, portable decontamination of shared spaces and high-touch surfaces. Working together with researchers at the Imaging Pathogens for Knowledge Translation (ImPaKT) Facility at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Brian Astl and Sean Van Doorselaer, both HBA'98, have shown that the system they developed, called the Apollo system, can effectively kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The system is now being used in a variety of applications including in conveyors that can decontaminate packages and as part of a system designed specifically to clean casino chips. Before the pandemic, their company, Lind Equipment, had focused almost exclusively on robust portable LED lighting systems for the military, construction and mining industries. Looking for a way to contribute during the pandemic, they turned their attention toward UVC lightwhich had already been shown to eliminate viruses and bacteria. "This was something we developed specifically for the pandemic. We were looking for a way to be helpful, and at first it would seem like portable lighting was the furthest thing that would be applicable in a pandemic," said Astl, president of Lind Equipment. "We then realized that the CDC was recommending the use of UVC light for decontamination, and so we looked at a way to use LED systems to recreate that wavelength of UV light." Ultraviolet (UV) light is invisible to the human eye and exists on the electromagnetic wavelength. There are three types of UV light: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC uses short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation to effectively kill microorganisms and to make bacteria and viruses inactive and unable to survive. "As part of our business, we've always wanted to align the things we do with our company with the values we have as people, which includes the kind of products we release. The development of this system was a way to channel our energy toward something that would help with the pandemic," said Van Doorselaer, CEO at Lind. Once the team at Lind designed a way to incorporate UVC into an LED system, they wanted to be able to demonstrate that it would work effectively against SARS-COV-2. "We needed to reassure our customers that it worked. UVC is really effective at decontamination but because of its very nature, you can't see the process in action. It's really a silent wonder. So, it was important to be able to show people that it is really working," said Astl. "We turned to ImPaKT as a well-known, well-respected laboratory to do the testing." The ImPaKT team showed that the Apollo UVC LED decontamination light developed by Lind can kill the virus within 30 seconds at a two-foot distance and in less than eight seconds from one foot away. ImPaKT is the only facility of its kind in Canada and houses sophisticated imaging technology within CL2+ and CL3 containment labs, providing researchers and industry with the tools to understand how viruses and bacteria behave in different environments. "It was great to be able to bring rigorous scientific methods to show that the Apollo UVC LED can effectively kill the COVID-19 virus," said Eric Arts, Ph.D., executive director at ImPaKT and professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. "Use of this product could have an important impact on the pandemic." In June, when the Canadian government, as part of their Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program, put out a call for innovative Canadian-made solutions to help contain the COVID-19 crisis, the Apollo light was approved for use at Global Affairs Canada to decontaminate work surfaces in their distribution centre. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry said in a news release, "Our government is investing in businesses and researchers that are contributing to the fight against this pandemic. We look forward to continuing our work with Lind Equipment." Three students, whose graduation results were declared by Delhi University (DU) with a delay during the COVID-19 pandemic, have urged the Delhi High Court to direct JNU to give them admission in post-graduate courses. The students claimed that despite achieving a higher score in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) entrance examination, the varsity was not granting them admission due to delay in publication of their graduation results by the DU. Responding to the submissions of the students, the JNUs counsel said that admissions are still going on for several courses and if the seats are available in the relevant courses for which the petitioners have applied in their respective categories, and if they qualify on merit for admission in those courses, their cases will also be considered sympathetically by the university. In the hearing held on Tuesday, Justice Prateek Jalan accepted the statement made by JNU counsel Monika Arora and said it is made clear that as the students results have been declared, the clause stipulating that preference shall be given to those whose results have been declared will not stand in the way of their admissions, if seats are available in the relevant courses and they are otherwise qualified on merit. The three students have completed their undergraduate degrees from DU in English (Hons.) and Political Science (Hons.) respectively and they are seeking admission to the M.A. courses in their respective subjects in the JNU. The petitioners, represented through advocates Kawalpreet Kaur and Haider Ali, said they took the JNU entrance examination and have achieved a result higher than that required for admission in the first list published by the varsity. JNU had published an e-prospectus for the academic session 2020-21 on March 3, 2020, laying down the selection procedure for admission in detail. The students grievance was related to a clause that preference would be given to candidates whose results in their qualifying examination have been declared. Their counsel submitted that in the present pandemic situation, the results of the last semester of the B.A.(Hons.) courses taken by them were declared by DU only on November 20 and 21, 2020 and JNU, however, had required the results of the previous year to be uploaded by November 8,2020. The petitioners claimed that in these circumstances, although they qualified on merit for admission in JNU, they were not considered for admission. The counsel contended that the preference being given to candidates whose results have been declared is discriminatory and would result the petitioners being rendered ineligible for no fault of theirs. The counsel submitted that admission in the relevant courses in JNU are still in progress and they would be satisfied if the university were to consider their cases on merits at this stage, in the event vacant seats are still available in the courses for which they have applied. The high court disposed of the petition noting the statement made by the JNU counsel and that the students counsel said she does not wish to press for further orders. Nifty, Sensex still on an uptrend Wednesday closing report To bookmark you need to sign in We had mentioned in Tuesdays closing report that Nifty, Sensex remained bullish. On Wednesday, the major indices faced a minor correction due to global cues. On the NSE, there were 869 advances, 1,049 declines and 302 unchanged. The trends of the major indices in the course of Wednesdays trading are given in the table below: The RBI imposed penalty of Rs 2.50 crore on Bajaj Finance for violation of rules pertaining to recovery and collection methods. Bharat Dynamics has received Konkurs-M ATGM order along with launchers and test equipment worth Rs 632.88 crore (including taxes). The order book of the company now stands at around Rs 8,100 crore. BEML received the order from MoD for the supply of high mobility vehicles, at an approximate value of Rs 758 crore. The equipment will be manufactured at BEML's Palakkad plant in Kerala and would supply the vehicles to Indian Army in a span of one year. ACC commissioned new cement production facility at its existing Sindri Grinding Unit in Jharkhand. The new facility will add an additional capacity of 1.4 MTPA cement to the existing 3.0 MTPA unit. Venkys stock price slipped on fear of reports of bird flu in the four states of the India. Several states have sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu and sent samples for testing. Tata Motors Jaguar UK sales were up 82.5% at 3,386 units versus 1,855 units YoY and Land Rover UK sales were up 5.4% at 4,548 units versus 4,316 units YoY. Dixon Technologies (India) and boAt have entered into agreement for manufacturing of Twin wireless speakers. Dixon shall be manufacturing the said products from its manufacturing facility located at Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Archidply Industries will buy-back up to 22,00,000 equity shares, representing 9.97% of the total paid up capital, at a price of Rs.37 per Share for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs. 8.14 crore. Tata Power announced its partnership with SIDBI to offer easy and affordable financing scheme for MSME customers in the rooftop solar segment. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: ZURICH-SCHLIEREN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Molecular Partners AG (SIX:MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company developing a new class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics, today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., will present at or attend several upcoming virtual healthcare investor events in January, 2021. Conference Presentation Details: Event: H.C. Wainwright BioConnect 2021 Conference H.C. Wainwright BioConnect 2021 Conference Date/Time: Monday, January 11, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CET) Event: Baader Helvea Swiss Equities Conference Baader Helvea Swiss Equities Conference Date/Time: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. CET (7:00 a.m. ET) Event: JP Morgan 39 th Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference JP Morgan 39 Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference Date/Time: Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. ET (1:30 p.m. CET) Conference Participation Details: Event: The Octavian Seminar 2021 The Octavian Seminar 2021 Date: Friday, January 15, 2021 All webcasted presentations will be made available on the Molecular Partners website. About Molecular Partners AG Molecular Partners AG is a clinical-stage biotech company developing DARPin therapeutics, a new class of custom-built protein drugs designed to address challenges current modalities cannot. The Company has formed partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies to advance DARPin therapeutics in the areas of ophthalmology, oncology and infectious disease, and has compounds in various stages of clinical and preclinical development across multiple therapeutic areas. www.molecularpartners.com; Follow the Company on Twitter at @MolecularPrtnrs. For further details, please contact: Shai Biran, Ph.D., IR & Comms shai.biran@molecularpartners.com Tel: +1 978 254 6286 Stefan Riley, U.S. Media stefan@tenbridgecommunications.com Tel: +1 617 461 2442 Thomas Schneckenburger, Ph.D., IR & European Media thomas.schneckenburger@molecularpartners.com Tel: +41 79 407 9952 Forward-looking statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to the company and its business. Although the company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could", and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. SOURCE: Molecular Partners AG View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623276/Molecular-Partners-to-Present-at-Upcoming-Healthcare-Investor-Conferences Gov. Ned Lamont called on President Donald Trump to tell a mob storming the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday to end their protest in order to avoid further violence. Mr. President, your words have consequences and your angry words have dangerous consequences, Lamont said during an 18-second video transmitted via Twitter. Demand that your agitators stand down and respect the peaceful transfer of power. Speaking within minutes of the emergency shutdown of Congress in the wake of an apparent riot goaded by Trumps words, Lamont was among the first state or local leaders to react to what he, like the rest of the nation, was seeing play out on television. A mob of as many as several thousand pro-Trump supporters surrounded, and some entered, the Capitol building and engaged with riot police, ending Congress joint session of what is typically a pro-forma procedure the counting of Electoral College votes which would allow President-elect Joe Biden to assume office later this month. One person was reported shot. Rioters used ropes and ladders to scale walls surrounding Congress in what was apparently at least a partially planned action. The Connecticut Republican Party and Connecticut State House Republicans joined Lamont, a Democrat, in condemning the storming of Congress. The Twitter account representing state Senate GOP members called it unacceptable in any circumstance as were all of the violent protests we have seen over the last six months. Violence is never the answer. What we see unfolding today in Washington D.C. is putting a black eye on our party and our Republic, CT GOP tweeted. This is an insurrection. And President Trump bears responsibility, tweeted U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. As far as Southington Town Councilor Tom Lombardi is concerned, Joe Biden was elected lawfully and protests of that fact should be based on facts and conducted civilly, he said. Sometimes the person you want wins, and sometimes the person loses, said Lombardi, a Republican. Nothing like this has likely happened in American history since the War of 1812, when the British invaded Washington, Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati said. There is this disbelief that this is happening in our nations capital. It is something that I didnt think I would see in my lifetime, Scarpati said. It is just unprecedented and about one man (Trump) whose feelings got hurt. This is 100 percent at his hands. Its ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff called the events in Washington treasonous. To the American people who are going about their lives as #treason and #Sedition is happening at the U.S. Capitol. Stop what you are doing, Duff tweeted. Watch. Be disgusted, appalled and angry. We. Can. Never. Let. This. Happen. Again. Our Democracy is fragile and freedom is not guaranteed. Meriden officials dont expect local protests to materialize in the wake of the siege in D.C., Scarpati said. I am wondering whats next but hoping that nothing really comes of fruition, he said. Lombardi said he thought of his grandmother, who sent her family to the U.S. from Cuba, because she believed that America was a great country a standard betrayed by violence. Certainly this is a year of protests. Both sides of the extremes are just totally unacceptable. It (violent protests] just needs to end. It's really sickening, he said. This is not the country my grandmother would be proud of now. We can be so much better than this. nsambides@record-journal.com203-317-2279Twitter: @JrSambides More people moved into Alabama than moved away in 2020, according to a recent study from moving company United Van Lines. Alabama cracked the companys top 10 list for incoming movers in 2020, after missing the cut in 2019. Huntsville, the states second most populous city, came in as the fourth most popular destination in the lower 48 based on the studys metrics. The 2020 United Van Lines National Movers Study, released annually, tracks movers to and from the 48 continental states. The study shows nearly 60 percent of all of the companys moves involving Alabama resulted in people moving to the state, while just 40 percent saw people moving away. That percentage ranked Alabama 8th nationally for ratio of inbound movers, according to the study. In the Huntsville metro area, 70 percent of moves were inbound, according to United Van Lines. Its the only metro in Alabama to crack the top 25, but the South was once again well-represented. Eight of the top 10 metro areas for percent of movers inbound were in the South. Six of the top 10 states for inbound movers were in the South. They are South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Arkansas. only one Southern state - Maryland - saw significantly more people move away. [Cant see the map? Click here.] For Alabama, its a continuation of a trend thats been happening here for much of the last decade. The states somewhat stagnant population growth over the last decade has been boosted by people moving in from out of state. Nationally, Idaho saw by far the highest ratio of inbound movers - perhaps a result of Californians moving there. Around 70 percent of moves in Idaho were inbound, while 59 percent of moves in California involved people leaving. United Van Lines conducted just under 2,000 shipments either to or from Alabama in 2020 - right in the middle of the road in terms of total moves when compared to most other states. Nearly 1,200 were inbound movers, while just 800 moved away. Thats a net gain of roughly 388 movers in 2020, the 10th highest net gain of any state in the country. According to the study, many people chose to move to Alabama for retirement, family or lifestyle reasons - or for a job. 47 percent of the people who moved into the state did so for a job - but people also left the state looking for work. Of the 802 outbound moves, roughly two thirds said they left Alabama for a job. And most of the people moving in were older - 50 percent were 55 years old or older, while just 16 percent were 34 years old or younger. Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here. New Delhi, Jan 6 : Amid the outbreak of bird flu, the Central government on Wednesday assured that no infection has yet been reported in humans and that there is no direct evidence that the avian influenza virus transmits to humans via consumption of contaminated poultry products. Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006. "Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products," the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in a statement. In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months i.e., from September - October to February - March. The secondary spread by human handling, through fomites, cannot be ruled out. Implementing the management practices that incorporate bio security principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the avian influenza virus. After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD, avian influenza virus has been reported from Rajasthan (crow), Madhya Pradesh (crow), Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds) and Kerala (poultry duck) at 12 epicenters. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by state authorities. Accordingly, an advisory has also been issued each to Rajasthan and MP on January 1, so as to avoid further spread of the infection. As per the information received from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, control measures are being taken as per the guidelines of the National Action Plan of Avian Influenza. Another advisory has been issued on January 5, 2021 to Himachal Pradesh where the State has been advised to take measures so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry. As per the report received, Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from January 5 at epicenters and culling process is in operation. The measures suggested to the affected states to contain the disease and prevent further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds or carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan as well as the general guidelines for prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human. Coordination with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds was also suggested to the states. The other states were also requested to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to take necessary measures. Hundreds of migrants and refugees are at serious risk and the mercy of worsening weather conditions in inadequate shelters, amid the lack of political consensus in Bosnia-Herzegovina. By Vatican News staff writer The Italian branch of Caritas is warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe for migrants and refugees stranded without worthy housing conditions in freezing weather in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Caritas Italiana says the already precarious situation of the migrants and refugees, whose camp burnt down on 23 December, could further worsen due to frigid winter weather conditions and continuous transfers from one camp to another. The burnt facility, Lipa camp, on the border with Croatia, was home to almost 1,000 migrants, many of them fleeing violence in Syria and Afghanistan, and seeking to enter Europe. But with no running water, electricity or heating in sub-zero temperatures, it lacked the minimum conditions for dignified survival. Political pawns A lack of consensus within the divided government of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with its decentralized state governance structures, coupled with protests by residents, has resulted in the migrants being shifted to and fro on buses and ultimately taken back to Lipa camp where the army has put up new tents, but these are placed directly on the icy ground without flooring or bedding. Fears that the tense and inhumane situation could lead to violence have already proved founded with incidents of fighting and one person stabbed. The European Commission and humanitarian agencies are calling on authorities to urgently take an institutional initiative and provide adequate reception facilities to those who are risking their health and their lives. The EU Commission denounced the situation saying the migrants "are being used as internal political pawns." Rough estimates suggest some 70,000 people have arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina since early 2018. The vast majority have since entered the European Union, leaving behind up to 8,500 people. The Balkan Route For Caritas Italiana attention must be directed to those on the move on the Balkan Route that starts in Greece and ends in Italy or Austria. It is a route that sees thousands of people stranded in various refugee camps and other inadequate structures, especially since the covid-19 health emergency that has resulted in many migrants housed in unsuitable facilities and quarantined in prohibitive conditions. Since 2015, Caritas Italiana has been present along the entire Balkan Route supporting migrants and refugees in partnership with the local Caritas offices in Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. They are striving to offer reception services, psycho-social support, child protection, hygiene protection, distribution of food and necessary goods for tens of thousands of people. Donation by Pope Francis In recent weeks, thanks to a contribution of the Italian Bishops Conference and a donation by Pope Francis, Caritas Italiana and Caritas Bosnia-Herzegovina have been able to offer new services in the transit camps in the area of Bihac and Sarajevo, as well as distribute winter clothes to more than 1,500 migrants. But, it stresses, there is an urgent need for broader initiatives that involve the national institutions. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Michigans Democratic representatives in Congress warned that Republicans ready to challenge electoral votes in several swing states could cause lasting damage to American democracy. Representatives who spoke with reporters hours before Congress is scheduled to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory said there should be no doubt that Michigan ran a secure election. Republicans are not expected to have enough votes in the House or Senate to successfully discredit any states electoral votes, but Democrats said the attempt is a dangerous political ploy that threatens to permanently undermine faith in U.S. elections. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, said Republicans who are promoting President Donald Trumps unproven claim that widespread fraud cheated him out of a second term are not loyal to the United States of America. While they wont be successful in overturning the election, they may succeed in creating an unrelenting crack in the foundation upon which our American democracy is built, and we all need to take that very seriously, Dingell said. Related: How Michigans representatives plan to vote on Electoral College Certified election results show Biden won Michigan by 153,000 votes, riding a surge in historic turnout to beat Trump in a state the president narrowly won in 2016. Bipartisan canvassing boards across the state signed off on the results, and Republican legislative leaders affirmed there was no evidence to suggest Michigans 16 electoral votes should go to Biden as required by state law. There is no evidence of widespread election fraud that would tip the results in Michigan or any other state. Trump has refused to concede, promoting unproven claims about fraudulent votes and rigged election machines. Public polling shows a significant number of Republican voters dont trust the result of the election. Thousands of the presidents supporters, including Michigan residents, traveled to Washington D.C. to protest the Electoral College certification. Related: What happens if Michigans Electoral College votes for Biden are challenged? Meshawn Maddock, chair of the 11th District Republican Party, was among conservative activists from Michigan who traveled across the country to protest in support of Trump. During a Tuesday rally in Freedom Plaza, Maddock told the pro-Trump crowd not to trust fake news reports about the election. We have the scales lifted off of our eyes, do we not? Maddock said. Somehow we are able to see what other people cant see. Its our job to show that to them. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said Trumps supporters have been fed literally propaganda telling them these werent fair elections, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary. Slotkin, who represents a district Trump won in 2016 and 2020, said political division is the single biggest threat to national security, outweighing any threat from a foreign nation. The prospect of Americans not believing in democracy is extremely dangerous, Slotkin said.We are a diverse complicated country and if we dont all believe in this system, and we start separating ourselves from it, you can see how it becomes chaotic. Slotkin said its absolutely disgusting that Republican colleagues are surfing the wave of populism to keep a hold on their base. There has been a leadership vacuum that has led to this moment, that has allowed the situation where our politics have come down to violence and militias and threats instead of having real conversation across the aisle, Slotkin said. U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, said Trump and his allies are pushing a dangerous unamerican conspiracy theory that undermines the vote of Black Americans who largely voted for Biden. Lawrence also said the attempt to challenge electoral votes is aimed at pleasing the GOP base rather than rooting out legitimate issues. Its not clear whether Michigans 16 electoral votes will be challenged, but the states seven Democratic representatives met several times to prepare their defense against any objections from Republicans. At least one lawmaker from the House and Senate must formally object to a specific states electoral votes in writing, then each chamber will have two hours to debate objections before voting. Two Michigan Republicans, U.S. Reps. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, and Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, said they will vote in support of objecting electoral votes in some states. U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, and Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, said they will base her votes on evidence provided, but Huizenga said he hasnt seen evidence of fraud in Michigan. Democrats expressed disappointment in GOP colleagues casting doubt on the election result. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, said respect will be diminished for Michigan House Republicans who object to electoral college votes. The irony is not lost on us that some members of Congress who may object were also on the ballot in the same election, Kildee said. And as they continue to sow doubt in Michigans election results when it comes to the presidential election, they had no issue taking their own oath of office just a few days ago. U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, this doesnt represent a procedural or policy disagreement between the parties. Were witnessing an effort to leave the realm of democracy all together and deny the votes of the people of Michigan and other states in our nation. Democrats are looking to Vice President Mike Pence, who will preside over the certification as president of the Senate, to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and certify the vote of electors. Trump claimed Pence could reject electors from certain states, though legal experts said this is false. Shortly before Congress was scheduled to meet, Pence said he plans to hear objections but will not attempt to determine which votes should be counted. I do not believe that the Founders of our country intended to invest the Vice President with unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted, the statement said. READ MORE ON MLIVE: What happens if Michigans Electoral College votes for Biden are challenged? Dont trust everything on Facebook, says Michigan native after Trump mistakenly shared phone number How Michigans representatives plan to vote on Electoral College Paper Cosmetics is a sustainable, sleek designed brand, ready for mass market adoption and DTC growth. The US start-up led by Daniel Roescheisen offers a range of zero waste deodorants targeted at customers who value clean, environmentally friendly and above all effective products! OBRATORI works alongside young entrepreneurs to create responsible products that have the wellbeing of humankind as a goal. Cristina Carlino states that the strong brand message, product efficacy, sleek design and growth potential are the main reasons for her investment decision. Amaury Godron, co-Managing Director of OBRATORI: "We support innovative projects, which demonstrates our strong belief in sustainable and innovative solutions. OBRATORI supports entrepreneurship with the same values as put forward by L'OCCITANE Group. Creators of innovative products forge a bond of trust between cosmetics manufacturers and end consumers." Daniel Roescheisen says: "We are excited and humbled to become partners with such a strong investment team. It means a lot that OBRATORI and Cristina Carlino believe in us and the future of the brand. It also clearly shows the direction our bathrooms of the future will go where single-use plastics have no future. We are pushing for change in a fun way with products that work for us and our future." Headquartered in Marseille, OBRATORI will join the strategic development committee of Paper Cosmetics. "We help young companies with proven effectiveness and viability for their solutions," says Ingo Dauer, co-Managing Director of OBRATORI. "For OBRATORI, this is the first foreign startup investment. Pushing for more sustainable consumption and ensuring products of quality are obvious to us. PAPER COSMETICS is answering a clear customer demand". About OBRATORI L'OCCITANE Innovation Lab OBRATORI is the VC fund and accelerator of L'OCCITANE Group. The fund supports ambitious projects with a mission to invest in a minority stake, in early-stage startups and to support them in their creation of value. About Paper Cosmetics Paper Cosmetics is the new sustainable Deodorant brand that leads the charge to clean up your bathroom. Developed over two years, each deodorant is made from all natural, safe and clean ingredients in eco-friendly paper packing. Contact: Julie Geret, [email protected]. Kim Eberle, [email protected] Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395615/PAPR.mp4 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394840/PAPR_Paper_Cosmetics_Natural_Deodorant.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394841/PAPR_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394847/OBRATORI_Logo.jpg SOURCE OBRATORI Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano used her new position to end her departments partnership with federal immigration enforcement, honoring a central campaign pledge on her first day in office. In a Tuesday afternoon meeting at El Pincho Taco on Meeting Street, she conducted a ceremonial signing of the agreement's rescission of her agency's cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Graziano didn't fully explain why the event was held outside a taco restaurant. Section 287(g) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act lets ICE train and authorize state and local law enforcement agencies to arrest undocumented immigrants they meet while performing regular duties. Since President Donald Trump took office in 2017, a slew of local law enforcement agencies have joined forces with ICE, and Charleston County has housed undocumented immigrants under the agreement. The announcement is a relief for Nina Richards, a Charleston immigration attorney who said that during the past five years shes fielded hundreds of calls from immigrants who worry that calling police for help will catalyze their own deportation. Richards said 287(g) blurs the line between local law enforcement and ICE, causing fear. Now immigrant families will know that the Charleston Sheriff's Office does not work with ICE unless there is a signed warrant by a federal judge for the immigrant's arrest." While the coronavirus pandemic halted the Charleston County jails participation in the program, both the number of detained immigrants and the length of their stays increased on average over the past several years. In 2014, according to the Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils jail population study, 78 undocumented immigrants were jailed in the county for an average of 78 days. By 2019, the number had swelled to 298 people, who stayed 39 days on average. Federal funding covers about 40 percent of their housing expenses, Graziano said, saddling Charleston County with about $4 million of the remaining costs each year. She hasnt yet decided how to reallocate any funds. The 16 sheriffs officers whod been deputized by ICE are still working at the jail, Graziano said, but will work on regular jail tasks. The goal of our public safety system is to ensure the safety and well-being of all and the 287(g) program fails that basic test, said Frank Knaack, the ACLU of South Carolina's executive director. The 287(g) program encourages widespread racial profiling, wastes millions of Charleston County tax dollars and undermines relationships between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. Charleston had been one of four Palmetto State counties in the 287(g) program, according to the ACLU. Horry, Lexington and York are the others. While some areas have pledged to act as sanctuary cities by distancing themselves from ICE, federal authorities have fought back. Graziano said officials responded to her decision with threats of increased enforcement in the county. I cant stop them from doing their job, Graziano said. But thats not our role were here to serve our community. Graziano said the warning only solidified her conviction that ending legal racial profiling should be her first step toward repairing relationships with the countys Hispanic community. Read MassLives coverage of untested rape kits in Massachusetts. _________________ In the first six months of using a tracking system to monitor the movement of sexual assault evidence kits from hospitals to crime labs, Massachusetts officials report a reduction in turnaround time for pickups of kits from medical providers and deliveries to the crime lab for testing. A total of 366 sexual assault evidence kits were entered into the confidential tracking system in Massachusetts during fiscal 2020, though staffing limitations brought on by the COVID pandemic limited the movement of kits in certain instances, according to a report released Tuesday by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Track-Kit, a confidential online system that allows survivors of rape and sexual assault to track their evidence kit as it moves through the testing process, launched last year in Massachusetts. The 366 kits entered into the system during Fiscal 2020 included 56 kits administered to minors and 310 administered to adults, according to the report. Sexual assault evidence kits, also known as rape kits, are collected at hospitals. Medical professionals use cotton swabs and other materials to collect DNA evidence from a survivors body. From the hospital, evidence should go to a crime lab for testing. DNA profiles can then be entered into state and federal databases. In Massachusetts, medical facilities must notify law enforcement when a sexual assault kit evidence is collected and no more than 24 hours later. Then, law enforcement is required to pick up the kit within 3 business days. From there, kits go to a crime laboratory within 7 days, except for kits of a survivor who has not filed a report with law enforcement. Those kits must be stored to preserve evidence. Crime laboratories are required to test all sexual assault evidence kits within 30 days of receipt from local law enforcement. Facilities are required to report to EOPSS annually by Sept. 1 with information from the previous fiscal year, including how many kits were collected, whether the kits were reported to law enforcement and any reason for which a kit was in a facility or departments possession for more than 30 days. The coronavirus pandemic did result in some delayed movement of kits during Fiscal 2020, according to the EOPSS report. However, in the first six months of using the new tracking system, there has been a reduction in turnaround time for pickups from medical providers and deliveries to the crime lab, the report indicates. As of July, the average pickup time of a kit from a medical provider is 0.4 days and the average delivery time to the laboratory is four and a half days. Of the 366 kits, 14 were related to incidents that happened outside Massachusetts. Of the 352 kits related to assaults in Massachusetts, 252 were reported to law enforcement and the other 100 were not. A further review of those kits determined that eight kits did not qualify for testing because the assault was not reported to law enforcement or because the assault happened outside Massachusetts, according to the EOPSS report. Of the 366 total kits that went into the system, nine remained at a law enforcement agency for more than 30 days, according to EOPSS, because of COVID-related staffing limitations, because more information was needed to determine the appropriate lab, or because the kit went from unreported to reported. Most kits in Massachusetts go to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab. At the lab, a kit could be tested within 30 days but remain there because a law enforcement agency has not come to retrieve the kit, according to the report. Of, a kit could be returned to law enforcement while the labs testing is ongoing and exceeds 30 days. The lab received 223 kits collected between Jan. 6 and June 30, 2020. Of those kits, 85 were in its possession for more than 30 days because of staffing restrictions during the pandemic, because more information was needed that delayed the start of testing, because evidence remained in custody during processing or because the kit was ready for pickup and awaiting the corresponding law enforcement agency. Sixty-eight of those 85 kits fell into that last category. State law does not require a time frame for local law enforcement to pick up the kit from the lab. Some kits were not tested within 30 days. Of the total 223 kits received by the lab, 59 kits were not tested in that time frame because of staffing limitations related to the pandemic and shipping schedule for offsite processing; turnaround time was tolled because the quantity of the evidence was limited and would be consumed by testing, requiring further information from external agencies; or because further information was required from external agencies to proceed with testing, per the report. The Boston Police Department has its own crime lab and went live with the system at the beginning of March. It received 26 kits through June 30. Of those kits, 13 were at the lab for more than 30 days because of a staffing shortage, the report indicates. The lab was granted four DNA positions to help comply with the mandate and is in the process of filling those positions. Because Boston tests its own kits, there are no delays associated with the pickup of kits or receiving investigative information. DNA collected from rape kits can be entered into state and federal databases. If the collected DNA matches a profile already in a database, it can help law enforcement identify possible suspects or serial rapists. The Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab from its completed sexual assault kits was able to develop 65 DNA profiles, 31 of which met specific criteria established by the FBI for CODIS database submission. Those profiles were uploaded. Other kits did not have associated DNA profiles for various reasons, according to the report. Some crimes were not reported to law enforcement. In other cases, there were no kit items to test, the DNA quality was not sufficient for analysis, testing was tolled because of a limited quantity of evidence or testing was still in process. The Boston Police Department Crime Lab was able to develop eight DNA profiles, of which four were uploaded to CODIS. No kits were discarded in Fiscal 2020, according to the report. In 2019, a state inventory uncovered at least 387 untested rape kits in 13 of Massachusettss 14 counties. In other states across the country that have enacted rape kit reform, audits have uncovered thousands of untested kits. Advocates found the low number of untested kits in Massachusetts surprising and troubling. The 387 kits discovered were not part of a complete audit. EOPSS did not include the city of Boston or cities and towns in Bristol County in its count of untested rape kits. Before the states inventory, a preliminary inventory in Bristol County funded through a federal grant indicated there were 2,124 untested rape kits in the county. Massachusetts in 2018 passed six pillars of rape kit reform, an effort recommended by leaders in the field and supported by the Joyful Heart Foundation. Legislation passed in 2016 that requires rape kits to be stored for 15 years, in line with the statute of limitations for sexual assault. There are several reasons a rape kit could go untested. Sometimes victims who report a sexual assault to law enforcement decide they no longer want to continue with an investigation and prosecution. In other cases, a victim may be deemed uncooperative by police. Though, rape kits have been lost or destroyed in some cases. That happened to Michelle Bowdler, a Massachusetts woman who was raped in 1984 in her Boston apartment. Decades later, Bowdler found out her rape kit sat at the Boston Police Department untouched until it was lost or destroyed. For help 24/7 you can call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or go online. For information about rape crisis centers across Massachusetts, see here. Related Content: A mob of Pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. They delayed Congress from holding a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. AMHERST Massachusetts School Building Authority recently informed the school board they have two enrollment-based options to consider, should the board and the town wish to become eligible for state funding to potentially build a new elementary school. One School Building Authority option the district will consider is a 320-pupil, kindergarten through grade 6 building that would replace Fort River Elementary School. The other is a 575-pupil kindergarten through grade 5 building that would combine Fort River and Wildwood Elementary School, meaning sixth graders could become part of the middle school, that is currently for grades 7 and 8. The building authority funds a percentage generally about 60%, sometimes more of public school capital projects that meet the agencys eligibility criteria. At Tuesdays Amherst School Committee meeting, the board endorsed signing the building authority enrollment certification letter, with the Fort River, and the consolidated option, that is expected to be submitted to the state with signatures of school board chair Allison McDonald, superintendent Michael Morris and town manager Paul Bockelman. The next step, likely by early summer, is when the building authority will determine whether to partner with the district to carry out a feasibility study. Should that happen, this study would determine how much a new school would cost, its dimensions, and which grades would attend. By then, it will be known whether the district has endorsed the Fort River K-6 option, or the consolidated K-5 option and thus which option a feasibility study would work on. During the Jan. 5 school committee meeting, McDonald said that discussion would be begin soon involving parents on the pros and cons of the options including potentially transferring grade 6 to the middle school, should the community decide on the consolidated plan. In an interview on Wednesday, Morris said the district has two worthwhile options to consider and make a decision about. The superintendent said he made a commitment that a new school would include an enrollment capacity of up to 600 students. At a public forum in November 2019, the school board had said they planned to convene public forums into the following year, so parents could weigh in on pros and cons of whether grade 6 should, or should not, be transferred to the middle school. With COVID-19 pandemic and states of emergency since March, these meetings did not occur. During Tuesdays meeting, Morris said that if it should turn out that the two building authority options are not what the community wants, the alternative would be to withdraw from the current process and submit another application to the state in future. Related: KELOWNA, BC, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - The Valens Company Inc. (TSX: VLNS) (OTCQX: VLNCF) (the "Company" or "The Valens Company"), a global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of innovative, cannabinoid-based products, today announced the launch of THC and CBD water-soluble drops under a custom manufacturing agreement with Verse Cannabis ("Verse"). The drops will join the Verse Originals lineup of best-in-class formulations offered at a great value. Housed in compact 20ml bottles, the THC and the CBD flavourless drops come equipped with a precision dropper and dosing cap for drip-controlled dispensing. Consumers may blend the two separate products to create a customized THC/CBD ratio that offers a consistent and controlled user experience. Two drops of the premium, reinvented cannabis extracts equal approximately either 1mg THC or 1mg CBD. Verse THC and CBD drops provide consumers a versatile form of consumption, ideal to mix with food, water, and non-alcoholic beverages, or to ingest directly orally or sublingually. Formulated using SoRSE by Valens water-soluble emulsification solution, the drops are free of cannabis colour, flavour, and odour, and are the first extract product format to enter the market powered with this award-winning technology. Verse THC drops are currently available online and at select retailers in Alberta with British Columbia and Ontario to follow shortly after. Verse CBD drops are expected to be available online and at select retailers in the first quarter of 2021. About The Valens Company The Valens Company is a global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of innovative, cannabinoid-based products. The Valens Company is focused on being the partner of choice for leading Canadian and international cannabis brands by providing best-in-class, proprietary services including CO2, ethanol, hydrocarbon, solvent-less and terpene extraction, analytical testing, formulation and product development and custom manufacturing. Valens is the largest third-party extraction company in Canada with an annual capacity of 425,000 kg of dried cannabis and hemp biomass at our purpose-built facility in Kelowna, British Columbia which is in the process of becoming European Union (EU) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliant. The Valens Company currently offers a wide range of product formats, including tinctures, two-piece caps, soft gels, oral sprays and vape pens as well as beverages, concentrates, topicals, edibles, injectables, natural health products and has a strong pipeline of next-generation products in development for future release. Finally, The Valens Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Valens Labs is a Health Canada licensed ISO 17025 accredited cannabis testing lab providing sector-leading analytical services and has partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop a Centre of Excellence in Plant-Based Science. For more information, please visit http://thevalenscompany.com . The Valens Company's investor deck can be found specifically at http://thevalenscompany.com/investors/ . About Verse Introducing Verse There is a clear need in the marketplace for Verse. On the one hand, beautifully branded and marketed flower-based brands line the shelves of cannabis stores nationwide. On the other hand, quality-obsessed craft products, fill the needs of those demanding more, but at a high price. This is where the idea for Verse was born. An assortment of the highest quality cannabinoid-based Gen2 products accessible to all. A brand whose North Star would always be innovation and quality but values like realness and honesty would trump frills and gimmicks. Like the verse of a song or poem, where creativity follows the rules of rhythm to become attractive to its listener, so does Verse, combining creative innovation with the rules of science to engineer extraordinary experiences for consumers. Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements All information included in this press release, including any information as to the future financial or operating performance and other statements of The Valens Company that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "scheduled", "trends", "indications", "potential", "estimates", "predicts", "anticipate", "to establish", "believe", "intend", "ability to", or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, economic conditions and anticipated courses of action. Investors and other parties are advised that there is not necessarily any correlation between the number of SKUs manufactured and shipped and revenue and profit, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others, regulatory risk, United States border crossing and travel bans, reliance on licenses, expansion of facilities, competition, dependence on supply of cannabis and reliance on other key inputs, dependence on senior management and key personnel, general business risk and liability, regulation of the cannabis industry, change in laws, regulations and guidelines, compliance with laws, reliance on a single facility, limited operating history, vulnerability to rising energy costs, unfavourable publicity or consumer perception, product liability, risks related to intellectual property, product recalls, difficulties with forecasts, management of growth and litigation, many of which are beyond the control of The Valens Company. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by The Valens Company, and which may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of The Valens Company to be materially different from estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, please refer to The Valens Company's latest Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com or on The Valens Company's website at www.thevalenscompany.com. The risks described in such Annual Information Form are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, The Valens Company cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. The Valens Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Valens Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of The Valens Company. SOURCE The Valens Company This sailor is finally coming home. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Tuesday that the remains of a sailor from Fort Scott, Kansas, have been identified nearly 80 years after his death during World War II. Officials said Navy Fireman 3rd Class William L. Barnett was 21 years old, and was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941 a date that will live in infamy. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, but quick action from the crew kept it from capsizing. Instead, it sank and came to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The attack on the USS West Virginia resulted in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including F3 Barnett. Tuesdays release from the DPAA said that during efforts to salvage the battleship, Navy personnel recovered remains of at least 66 deceased crewmen. Those who could not be identified at the time, including Barnett, were interred as unknowns in the Punchbowl the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Officials said from June through Oct. 2017, the DPAA disinterred 35 caskets, all believed to be associated with the USS West Virginia, from the Punchbowl and moved the remains to the DPAA lab. The DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, along with Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis with scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, in an attempt to identify the exhumed remains. Barnetts remains were identified and accounted for on Sept. 14, 2020. Barnetts name is currently inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl, alongside others who remain unaccounted for. A rosette will be placed next to Barnetts name to indicate that his remains were identified. Officials said Barnetts remains will be transferred home to Fort Scott, where he will be buried on May 29. Click here to see Barnetts full profile with the DPAA. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. HOUSTON, Texas A worker at pet shop went above and beyond in trying to prevent the theft of a puppy valued at $10,000. Video shows Alize James clinging to the hood of the car for nearly 10 minutes, even at high speeds on a highway, as she tried to stop the theft of an exotic bully puppy. I just love all types of animals, James tells KPRC Channel 2. My mind is focused on (the puppys) health. I obviously didnt care about my well-being. The incident occurred in November, reports say. NBC News reports James was working at the pet shop Bully Kamp in Houston when a couple inquired about purchasing the puppy, a 7-month-old bully. KPRC says James walked away for a moment to get paperwork when the couple grabbed the puppy and left the store. James ran outside and saw the couple getting into a car with the puppy. The Houston Chronicle reports one of the thieves hit James with the door of the car as she tried to stop them. Reports say the car accelerated toward James and she ended up on the hood of the car as it sped off. They were weaving, driving recklessly and I could barely hold on. I was so scared, James tells KPRC. James held on for about 10 minutes before the car finally came to a stop. NBC News reports a male passenger got out of the car, punched James and threw her off the vehicle before speeding off. Last week, police in Houston arrested one of the suspects, Royshana King, 21. She has been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. A male suspect remains at-large. Its unclear where the dog is, reports say. She was arrested in 1909 for throwing chunk of iron at Winston Churchill's car Nellie Godfrey was given a medal of valour by the Women's Social and Political Union after going on hunger strike in jail after refusing to pay a fine for throwing a piece of iron at Winston Churchill's car A prestigious medal awarded to a suffragette who was locked up after throwing a missile at Winston Churchill's car has emerged for sale for 8,000. Nellie Godfrey lobbed the iron projectile at Churchill's car after breaking through police barricades during an election rally in Bolton in 1909. Churchill emerged unscathed but Nellie was arrested on the spot for her dramatic protest during the campaign to give women the right to vote. The following day she appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to the offence. She was fined 40 shillings (160 in today's money) but refused to pay so she was sent to prison where she started a hunger strike. When her condition began to deteriorate, she was released to stop her becoming a 'political martyr'. Nellie was presented with a Hunger Strike medal of valour by the Women's Social and Political Union for furthering their cause. It is stored in a case with the inscription: 'Presented to Nellie Godfrey by the Women's Social & Political Union in recognition of a gallant action, whereby through endurance to the last extremity of hunger and hardship a great principle of political justice was vindicated.' After holding onto it for four decades, Nellie (right) passed it on to Sandra Lamberti, her adopted Spanish granddaughter who had moved in next door to her after fleeing fascist Franco regime in the 1930s Following her death in the late 1950s, her medal was bequeathed to a Spanish women named Sandra Lamberti. Nellie had befriended her family when they moved to Britain as political refugees from the fascist Franco regime in the 1930s. They lived next door to each other in Muswell Hill, North London, and Nellie became her adopted grandmother. Nellie was presented with a Hunger Strike medal of valour by the Women's Social and Political Union for furthering their cause The suffragette movement started using more militant tactics in the early 1900s to attract the public's attention. Pictured: Protestor Emily Davison died when she ran in front of the King's horse Mrs Lamberti died a few years ago and her family is now selling the medal to raise funds for the Fawcett Society, who campaign for gender equality. It is going under the hammer with London-based auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb. Christopher Mellor-Hill, associate director of Dix Noonan Webb, said: 'We are very pleased to be offering her Suffragette medal which reflects the courage shown by Nellie Godfrey in her endeavour to support the campaign for women's right to vote. What was Churchill's position on the suffragette movement Churchill's view on suffragettes has remained somewhat muddled as a result of what is said to be a misleading quote. As a Liberal in the early 1900s, he was not philosophically hostile to the idea and voted in favour it measures in 1904. But as Home Secretary in 1910, his view appeared to change as the movement became more militant, with protestors breaking up his speeches and one attacking him with a whip in Bristol. He is also said to have opposed changes for 'tactical reasons', unlike PM Herbert Asquith who opposed the principle of the right to vote. In 1912 he told Lord Riddell 'we have enough ignorant voters and dont want any more', and opposed extending the franchise to women aged 21-30 in 1920 for fear it would increase the Labour vote. Churchill's support for womens votes did increase after he observed the crucial role women had played in the First World War. And as women manned the home front in the Second World War, Churchill wrote to the Secretary of State for War, of the 'immense importance of having a large number of women in AA Batteries'. When he lost the 1945 election, it was found that the Labour margin was 19% among males but just 2% among females. 'Papa supported votes for women,' said his daughter Mary, 'when he realized how many women would vote for him.' When in 1960 Churchill College, Cambridge, was founded as Winston's national memorial, his friend John Colville recalled that Churchill himself told the trustees that he hoped the college would admit women on equal terms with men after their efforts in the world war. Women first first admitted in 1972, one of only three colleges to do so. Advertisement 'Not a lot is known about her - she lived in a flat in Muswell Hill, North London next door to Sandra Lamberti (nee Andres) who had arrived here from Spain with her Gilbraltan mother and Spanish father who was political refugee from Franco Spain. 'Miss Godfrey befriended the family and helped teach Sandra to speak perfect English and became her adoptive grandmother. 'The medal was left to Sandra and her family when Nellie passed away in the late 1950s. 'Sandra passed away a few years ago hence the family are selling it to aid the Fawcett Society - a campaign for gender equality and women's rights at work, at home and in public life to acknowledge Nellie's life and values.' Nellie was first arrested in July 1909 for protesting and appeared before Bow Street Magistrates. On December 7, 1909, Churchill, who was then MP for Dundee and President of the Board of Trade, stopped off in Bolton during a tour of Lancashire ahead of the 1910 General Election. Trouble was expected so police erected strong barricades along the route. However, Nellie managed to break through a timber barricade and threw a piece of iron at Churchill's car. It was wrapped in paper bearing the message 'thrown by a woman of England as a protest against the Government's treatment of political prisoners'. The suffragette movement was founded in 1903 and many campaigners were imprisoned before they were released to help with the First World War effort, which they did with distinction. In November 1918, months after the conflict ended, women over the age of 30, who met a property qualification, were given the right to vote. However, it would be another 10 years before this right was extended to all women over the age of 21 under the Equality of the Representation of the People Act. Felicia Willow, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: 'The Fawcett Society is honoured to be receiving the funds raised by the sale of Nellie Godfrey's suffragette medal. 'These precious items remind us of the dedication and bravery of the many women who fought for the vote, and the significant challenges they overcame along the way. 'We are deeply grateful for this generous donation and hope Nellie would be proud of our work to continue fighting for equality and women's rights.' The sale takes place on January 13. Health experts have warned the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is unlikely to allow Australians to fly overseas by mid-year, as their varying rate of effectiveness makes the idea of a "vaccine passport" unfeasible. A "vaccine passport", which would allow immunised individuals with proof of vaccination to travel abroad, is being considered by the federal government as one way of reopening international travel. However, professor Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Program at the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute, said a vaccine passport program would only work with high-efficacy vaccines, which can control the transmission of the virus. Health experts have thrown cold water on Qantas' hopes travel to the UK and US can resume by midyear. Credit:Steven Saphore Anyone who had taken a less effective vaccine was still liable to catch coronavirus overseas and bring it home, she warned. "You cannot continue to spend without restraint and without common sense," he said. Lemondes continued, "Leading is hard. You gotta make hard decisions. The buck has been passed and it's been passed and it's been passed. We're avoiding making hard decisions. We have to look at everything independently and nothing gets away without scrutiny." What he doesn't support is increasing taxes on the wealthy. This is one of the proposals supported by many Democrats to help close the budget deficit. But Lemondes worries that higher taxes on the wealthy will lead them to leave the state. "I'm not a fan of punishing success," he said. "That's what we all endeavor to do is be successful. They already pay more taxes than everybody else ... Are we better off with them or without them? Because they're still mobile. They can move faster than you and I can. And they can move all their money out faster than you and I can." As Lemondes begins his new role, he's appreciative of the opportunity to represent the 126th district. He said he's "honored" to serve in the Assembly. Before he took office and in his first week on the job, he's been taking meetings with local stakeholders. There have been some challenges because of the pandemic, so he asked his constituents to be patient. "I'm going to work for everybody because this stuff is impacting my kids directly, my business directly, our lives directly," he said. "So I'm not once-removed from the problems at hand. I'm mired in it just like everyone else. I just want them to know that I'm going to do everything that I can, to the extent that I can, to help solve this problem for us." Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD Pynchon Plaza, which had been mostly closed and fenced off for almost 40 years, was reborn last year with a $4 million renovation. Its 1977 design had presented many obstacles including handicap accessibility, elevation changes, structural stability and layout. The new Pynchon Plaza offers better lighting, accessibility with elevator and bridge, water features, seating, space for public art, new plantings and more, said Karen M. Finn, executive director of Springfield Cultural Partnership. Public art? Yes, thats why Springfield Cultural Partnership and The Springfield Museums request proposals for public art installations in the Springfield Central Cultural District at the newly renovated Pynchon Plaza. The SPark! Igniting Our Community call is open to all artists, and special consideration will be given to installations that include Springfield artists, artists of color, LGBTQA+ and female artists. Equity and access are a high priority for SPark! and we plan to model through action and promote social investment through self-representation, Finn said. We want SPark! to not only be representative of our Springfield community but to represent those who are historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status or religion. SPark! is a park surrounded by the Springfield Central Cultural District, Springfield residential areas, Springfield Museums, Springfield Central Library, colleges and downtown businesses. Organizers want to ensure that Springfield artists and businesses see an economic gain from this project. If a non-Springfield artist applies, which we also encourage, we want them to collaborate with a creative from Springfield, get inputs from Springfield residents and buy supplies from Springfield based companies, Finn said. SPark! is committed to supporting artists of varied backgrounds and experience, levels of professionalism, specialization, style, etc. Proposals of all mediums paint, structure, visual, projection, electronic, sound, etc. will be considered relative to the specifications of each of the SPark! installations. There are calls for such installations as a free library box, Pynchon Plaza signage, artful seating, utility art, art installation on fencing, mosaic, 3D pedestal art/sculpture and sound sculpture. Empowering the arts and cultural community is paramount to the strength and resilience of our community, Finn said. We know that exposure to art can positively affect health outcomes and also helps us express and share lived experiences. True to the visionary leadership and spirit of the historical icons within the community, she hopes to create an urban space that provides creative experiences that are culturally relevant and aesthetically engaging and contribute to the economic vitality of the district and the region. We want to uplift local cultures, create a common ground through art and encourage Springfield communities to engage in the creative process while shaping the narrative told through artworks, she said. The theme of SPark! is Springfields cultural and historical legacies, including past and/or present residents, neighborhoods, cultural traditions and landmarks, places and landscapes, architecture and other distinctive qualities that make the city a special place to live, work and visit. We encourage artists to utilize the theme in a way that ensures that Springfield residents are reflected in the artwork and have pride in the public art created through SPark!, Finn said. According to Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the newly renovated Pynchon Plaza is a jewel that helps to connect downtown amenities with the world-renowned Dr. Seuss Museum, the Quadrangle and Central Library: To have this space filled with public art for all to enjoy would be a terrific programing engagement addition to this public space. Pynchon Plaza creates a walkable pathway between the museum district and the Springfield Central Cultural District and commercial downtown, spurring retail and public space projects along these avenues and encouraging greater tourism throughout the city. The park will be a new venue for established and emerging artists, as well as for pop-up performances, markets and other activities such as a planned city bikeshare, Finn explained. It will create physical access between neighborhoods, improving traffic patterns, pedestrian and public safety. As a highly visible beautification project, it will transform an under-utilized urban park into an outdoor art gallery, increasing access to the arts for city residents. A Spark! Art Committee made up of representatives from the local community will oversee the Call for Public Art, proposal evaluation and the public art selection process. The Springfield Cultural Partnership, Springfield Museums and City of Springfield Parks Division will present the SPark! Calls for Public Art to the committee, provide ranking criteria, oversee all phases of the SPark! process and facilitate final design approvals and implementation but, in efforts to remove potential biases, will be removed from the committee evaluation team reviewing the criteria specified in the Call for Art. Applications are due by Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. The committee will review applications and notify all applicants of the final decisions by the end of March. Budgets for the selected projects will range from $3,000 to $25,000. There will be an on-site walkthrough and information session at Pynchon Plaza on Jan. 13, 11 a.m. to noon; and a Spark! webinar on Jan. 19, 5 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit springfieldculture.org/spark. Related content: Regarding the recent nj.com article, N.J. official says he was just being a good neighbor in delivering dead mans election ballot: I was amazed to read that, in New Jersey, a vote cast by a living person is negated when the person dies. (The ballot was in question was delivered by Samuel T. Frisby, a Mercer County freeholder/commissioner, to the county election board.) Quoting Frisby from the article: The supervisor later reviewed the legal statute regarding a person who has died after voting and determined Luis (Mollinedos) ballot, was ineligible... . I received my ballot weeks before the election, filled it out, signed it and mailed it. If I had died before the election, would my ballot have been plucked out and discarded as ineligible? What if I had voted in person, and dropped dead as I walked out the door of the polling place? Would they have to find my anonymous ballot and disqualify it? How about a different legal document my will. Does that become invalid once I die? Death does not negate everything a person does when they are alive, including a vote legally cast. If the law is as stated in the article, the law needs to be changed. Susan Schwirck, Monroe Township Why Israel did better with its shots I have to agree with previous letter writers that, indeed, Israel has done a great job in implementing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to its population. It must be noted that this success was due, in large part, to the countrys centralized, national plan of action, coupled with a national health care system. In the United States, the Trump administration has consistently fallen short in playing the long game. Bravo to the scientists and pharmaceutical companies involved in the development of these vaccines under Operation Warp Speed. Why isnt the distribution, and actual rollout of inoculations as vital to the success of this program as the development of the vaccines? Our state governments are operating with unprecedented deficits. How can they be expected to organize and implement this most vital stage. This administration has lost sight of the finish line. This is a reflection of a lack of leadership that has permeated its administrations handling of this pandemic. Hopefully, as we embark on a change in administrations, we will reach this goal. Christine Calhoun, Cranford State slow to use the shots it got Remember last month, when Gov. Phil Murphy complained bitterly that New Jersey was being shortchanged on COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government? It turns out, as of the date of this letter, his administration was able to use only a small fraction about 25% of the doses that the state has actually received. Murphy has only known since September that he needed to set up the infrastructure for giving the life-saving shots. This is another feather in his cap to go along with the large COVID-19 death toll in New Jerseys nursing homes. Michael Pickert, M.D., Livingston Star-Ledger no friend of real populists I am writing in reference to the Jan. 1 Star-Ledger editorial, Good riddance to the $2,000 (stimulus) checks. A bad idea anyway. The Star-Ledger has been betraying the people of New Jersey for a very long time, so it is no surprise you would rather poor people suffer (with smaller $600 checks) than provide a greater benefit to a few who dont need it. Its wrong to refer to larger stimulus payments as socialism for the rich, as some opponents have. Government or public programs are not socialism; if that were the case, ancient Rome, the empire of panem et circenses, (bread and circuses) would have been the greatest socialist state in human history. This is the most common misconception, propagated through either ignorance or deception, by proponents of socialism. William Myers, Highland Park Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern called the actions of protesters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday a terrorist attack. The Congressional representative of Massachusetts second district said the actions were not a protest but a terrorist attack on our democracy. This is not a protest. It is a terrorist attack on our democracy. Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 6, 2021 Supporters of the self-proclaimed law and order president stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. after clashing with police outside the building. It prompted the building to be put on lockdown. I am currently in the House Chamber presiding in the chair. The doors to the chamber have been locked because protesters have breached security. We will not be intimidated. Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 6, 2021 McGovern said he was presiding in the chair when supporters touting President Donald Trump flags, hats and some with Confederate flags stormed the building. McGovern said the chamber doors were locked because security was breached. We will not be intimidated, McGovern said. The mayor of the nations capital has issued a citywide curfew for Washington D.C. starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday after protests at the U.S. Capitol Building. Videos and photos show protesters clashing with police, including the use of pepper spray on both sides. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also requested the help of the National Guard to clear and secure the Capitol. 33 Lawmakers are evacuated from capitol building Related Content: The President has signed a memo to prevent Antifa members from entering the United States. The Outlaw group has been responsible for riots and looting, and assault on MAGA supporters without provocation. Prevent Antifa Members from Entering the United States Moves were initiated by the White House to stop violent leftists from entering the U.S. Many states suffered damage at the hands of Antifa rioters who are worse than the pandemic. President Donald Trump enacted a memo to keep those with the far-left movement barred from entering the U.S. The White House declared it on January 5; this group has been the cause of violence and chaos terrorizing America but not called out by Democrats, reported The Epoch Times. According to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany who stated on Tuesday night, Anifa has attacked all law-abiding friends, neighbors, and business owners without provocation. Worse is destroying landmarks that are symbols of communities that stood long until destroyed by this lawless organization that is anarchist. She added the violence and chaos brought by these terrorists to the United States would be denounced as terrorists destroying law and order. On this day, President Donald J. Trump signed a memo that federal officials assess these Antifa terrorists with Federal laws. To prevent them from entering U.S. soil and committing criminal acts against law-abiding citizens. The President will stop these violent leftists from wreaking further chaos and destruction. Noteworthy is American citizens' safety, which the memo states fall under the Immigration and Nationality Act. It gives officials the right to prevent any alien who is a terrorist intent on jeopardizing the safety of U.S. citizens. It prevents any far-left members from entering the United States. Also read: VP Mike Pence Electoral College Count: The Last Stand on January 6 for Democracy If anyone is an active membership in any criminal association will be cause for denying entry. Antifa is an anarcho-communist movement that espouses the failed systems of the communist and socialist ideology who are assaulting the democratic institutions in the United States. Attorney General William Barr, on August 9, called the group as revolutionary wanting to establish communism in the U.S. From the start of the Trump administration, the terrorists have been attacking America. Its crescendo came when they used events to loot and riot, turning demonstrations into bedlam and chaos. Before the memo, the far-left Antifa was called Terrorists. It is only now that something is done as a positive step. Before signing the memo and releasing it, Trump posted on Twitter, slamming them as thugs and hooligans and a terrorist organization. Warning the leftists to keep out of Washington on January 6 as the joint session convenes in Congress. Authorities in the Capitol warn that no guns are allowed in the protests, but they arrested the Proud Boys head. On Twitter, Trump posted that Antifa should tread lightly or be sorry. Since summer Antifa has blown up tragedies to give license to a radical, leftist, anarchist, and often violent agenda. Often they are in a peaceful demonstration, which becomes violent and assaulting anything in front. The leftists are guilty of attacking authorities by hurling Molotov cocktails, burning police cars, even physically confronting police in public. They show no respect for the law and are anarchists sowing trouble that endangers innocent people. This memo is to prevent Antifa members from entering the United States as a step to restore law and order. Related article: The Left: Antifa Terrorists Threaten Senator Josh Hawley, Wife, and Infant Daughter at his Home @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vice President Mike Pence attends a mock swearing-in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 3, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Pool via AP) Trump: If Vice President Comes Through, We Will Win the Presidency President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will win a second term if Vice President Mike Pence takes action while Congress counts electoral votes. If Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency, Trump asserted in a tweet. Many States want to decertify the mistake they made in certifying incorrect & even fraudulent numbers in a process NOT approved by their State Legislatures (which it must be). Mike can send it back! he added. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Bidens team didnt return a request for comment. In another missive, Trump said Pence has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors. He also spoke of the matter while rallying in Georgia, saying his hope was that Pence delivers. The vice president serves as president of the Senate. In that role, Pence will be presiding over the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. The power of Pence to reject electors is disputed. Some say he can reject some electoral votes, while others argue he cannot. According to the U.S. Constitution, electors of each state have to meet, make a list of their votes, which they shall sign and certify, and send those to the president of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted, the 12th Amendment says. The Electoral Count Act of 1887, currently known as 3 U.S. Code Section 15, says the vice president opens envelopes with the vote certificates and hands them to tellers to count. Hes then handed the envelopes back and reads the results out loud. President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in file photographs. (AP Photos) Supporters of President Donald Trump rally in Washington on Jan. 5, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) If there are two sets of certificates for a state, as is the case for multiple states this time around, the House and Senate separately vote on which set is legitimate. If the chambers vote differently, the set certified by the states governor should count. Some argue the act constrains the power of the vice president. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and Arizonas Republican slate of electors sued Pence late last year, asking a judge to declare a portion of it unconstitutional. The portion of the act limits or eliminates his exclusive authority and sole discretion under the 12th Amendment to determine which slates of electors for a state, or neither, may be counted, they argued. That suit was rejected by a district judge and an appeal was dismissed. Some believe Pences role is narrower. I dont think the vice president actually counts under the law. Hes sort of just there. This is really on Congress, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said on Fox News on Tuesday night. Congress on Jan. 3 passed rules regulating how the joint session will be conducted. In seven states, so-called alternate electors cast ballots for Trump. Biden was certified the winner of all seven. In a scenario Trump and his supporters envision, Pence declares elections in certain states were run in violation of the states own election laws. He may mention fraud evidence or allegations. He then moves to certify the alternate slate for Trump. Democrats dismiss that possibility, along with some Republicans. They argue the election is over and the joint session is a formality. I know many West Virginians are disappointed with the results of the election, but it is time to move on & put our country and our Constitution over any one person or party, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said in a statement on Tuesday. Pence has given little indication of what he will do. He asked the judge to reject Gohmerts lawsuit, but didnt commit to a course of action. His spokesman said he backs efforts to object to electoral votes, a second possible, but unlikely, path to victory by Trump. Trumps campaign, meanwhile, said late Tuesday that Pence did not, as reported in an anonymously-sourced report, tell Trump that he doesnt have the power to reject electoral votes. He never said that, Trump said in a statement from his campaign. The vice president and I are in total agreement that the vice president has the power to act. Petr Savb contributed to this report. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that the state's upstate case of 'super-COVID' was in fact 'connected to UK travel', as he called on the federal government to implement mandatory testing for all people entering the U.S. The jewelry store worker in Saratoga Springs, a man in his 60s, was initially believed to have contracted the highly contagious UK variant through untraceable community spread, but now Cuomo says that isn't the case. 'In the contact tracing, it appears that that person was in contact with a person who traveled from the UK to the United States,' Cuomo said at a press conference on Wednesday, without offering further details. Cuomo used the case to bolster his argument for mandatory virus testing at the border, and accused the federal government of acting too slowly by waiting until December 28 to implement mandatory testing for UK travelers after the variant strain plunged Britain into a new lockdown. The UK strain, known as B117, is feared to be 70 percent more transmissible and to spread more easily among children. It is not believed it leads to more severe cases, and higher mortality rates have not yet been reported. The highly infectious variant prompted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to plunge England into a new national lockdown this week, as active COVID cases reached a rate of 1 in 50 people in the country. New York's first confirmed case of the UK variant was detected at N Fox Jewelers in Saratoga Springs. Cuomo says that the person had contact with a traveler from the UK New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that the state's upstate case of 'super-COVID' was in fact connected with travel in the UK The first US case of the strand was reported in a remote nursing home in Colorado last week. It has since also been discovered elsewhere in the state, as well as in New York, Georgia, Florida and California, with at least 37 people now infected Health officials do not yet know how widespread the UK strain is in the US, but cases have been confirmed in seven states and some fear it could have started spreading back in October. Cuomo on Wednesday called on U.S. Customs and Border Protection to implement mandatory COVID testing at border checkpoints for everyone entering the country- even as a CDC official told DailyMail.com that testing for the new variant 'isn't an urgent need,' because the findings won't change how the US handles the pandemic. 'I'm asking today the Customs and Border [Protection] to either require in New York airports that the person shows that they were tested before admission, or allow the Port Authority staff to request the people coming through customs, whether or not they were tested,' Cuomo said. 'But we don't want tens of thousands of people coming through our airports, every day from countries around the world, who were not tested,' he said. 'If we had tested people before they had got here, we would not have had the UK travel spread,' he argued. As of December 28, the CDC began requiring all airline passengers arriving from Britain - including US citizens - to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. Cuomo had implemented a deal with airlines days prior on December 22 to require tests for all flights from the UK to New York, but is appears the Saratoga case may be connected with someone who arrived before the protocol was in place. Passengers arrive at New York's JFK on a flight from London on December 21. The CDC began requiring passengers from the UK to test negative for COVID a week later, on December 28 According to local reports, the New York with the UK variant man works at N Fox Jewelers, a jewelry store in Saratoga County. Four other people with connections with the store have also tested positive for COVID-19, according to county health officials. As of Wednesday, it was unclear if they have the UK strain too, but tests are underway. Local officials are urging people who visited N Fox Jewelers in Saratoga Springs between December 18 to December 24 to get tested for the virus. The jewelry shop said in a December 27 Facebook post that it would remain closed through January 3 due to staffing issues related to COVID. The governor said the state's own laboratory can test for the variant in 40 hours, while the CDC takes two weeks to run the genetic test. He said New York has run about 5,000 tests so far for the variant, which he warned could lead to even more infections and hospitalizations amid a holiday season surge. The UK currently has more infections and deaths per million people that the US The UK's new variant of the virus is not more deadly but is around 50 percent more infectious. This chart from different regions from the UK shows how much more infectious the new super-COVID strain is in comparison to other virus variants A CDC official told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that the UK variant has been detected in seven states, but refused to reveal which remaining two states beyond Colorado, California, Florida New York and Georgia have cases. The first US case of the strand was reported in a remote nursing home in Colorado last week. It has since also been discovered elsewhere in the state, as well as in New York, Florida and California. San Diego on Tuesday was reporting 32 cases of the variant, bringing to the total cases across the US to 37. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer, said: 'The fact that these cases have been identified in multiple parts of the region shows that this strain of the virus could be rapidly spreading.' New York state reported an additional 16,648 new positive test results for COVID on Tuesday, and 161 deaths. Statewide 8,665 people were hospitalized with the virus. Since march more than 30,000 New Yorkers have died and EXCLUSIVE: CDC's approach to detecting super-COVID cases is 'very alarming' says former FDA official after agency said locating the UK variant is 'less urgent' and will NOT affect how the US deals with the pandemic By Natalie Rahhal U.S. Health Editor Quickly turning around results of the process to detect the new 'super-covid' variant 'isn't an urgent need,' because the findings won't change how the US handles the pandemic, a CDC official told DailyMail.com. 'For less urgent sequencing, when there isn't an urgent need to get the data turned around quickly, it's much more efficient to batch them when it's [for the purpose of] large surveillance data,' Dr Dr Greg Armstrong, director of the CDC's Office of Advanced Molecular Detection, told DailyMail.com when asked why it takes the CDC up to two weeks to tell states whether samples contain the new variant. At least seven states have confirmed cases of the 70 percent more infectious variant, dubbed B117, though two have only confirmed their cases to the CDC and not announced them publicly. So far, at least 37 cases of 'super-covid' have been confirmed in the US. 'We assumed it was already here in the US, given how strong the economic ties are between here and the UK, so we figured we'd be able to find it relatively quickly. We're aware of it now in seven different states and anticipate finding it in a lot of different places.' While CDC recognizes the urgency of the new, more infectious variant from the UK, Dr Armstrong says finding out if a given infection is the B117 type is less pressing because the variant doesn't seem to make people sicker, and public health measures to handle it are the same. 'There are no clinical implications for these patients, and a variant with this low presence is not going to impact what non-pharmacological interventions [that we employ],' he said. The CDC's attitude is 'wrong and dangerous' Peter Pitts, co-founder of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, told DailyMail.com. 'It's very alarming,' he said. 'The reality is that new strains of of COVID-19 need to be at the top of the epidemiological priority list.' The new variant, known as B117, has sent the UK into another lockdown and become dominant in much of the country where it was first announced just a little over three weeks ago. A CDC official said that sequencing the viral genomes of samples taken from covid-positive people to find out if they have the new, more infectious variant from the UK 'isn't urgent' because it doesn't change how patients are treated or how the US responds to the pandemic The UK has deployed a well-organized system of monitoring likely hotspots for the new variant, and is ranked eighth in the world for submitting the most viral genome sequences to the international database GSAID. The US ranks 43rd, and seems to be doing little to pick up the pace, despite the new threat of the UK variant already affecting Americans and the looming danger of a second super-infectious variant from South Africa. How long it takes to find out if a sample of coronavirus is the new variant 'all depends on how we're doing it. We can do it 12 hours if we want and have enough virus [in the sample],' Dr Armstrong said. 'We received a bunch of specimens, a couple hundred, and once we put it in the process we'll have it out in the next 36 hours,' but it takes longer because the CDC is running many samples at a time through its sequencer, Dr Armstrong said. States have reported waiting up to two weeks for results back from the CDC, according to New York Department of Health Commissioner Dr Howard Zucker. 'This is what happens when you have academics ignoring reality' said Pitts, a former Associate FDA Commissioner. Detecting cases of the new B117 variant needs to be a top priority because 'if we don't know what's out there, we can't generate public health strategies to combat them,' Pitts added. CDC has faced criticism for being slow throughout the pandemic, and Pitts said its approach to finding the B117 variant is 'ignoring reality' 'Clearly, more infectious strains will incentivize more people to get vaccinated more quickly - it adds even more urgency, if that's even possible in a pandemic, and ignoring that opportunity is a doing a disservice to public health.' In the UK, the presence of the variant was announced on December 14, and in the span of three weeks became dominant in much of the nation, accounting for about 60 percent of cases in London, and sending the nation into another set of lockdowns. Asked what the CDC is doing as an offensive move against this possibility, Dr Armstrong said the CDC is 'ramping up sequencing, increasing the number of samples we're sequencing' from about 3,500 a week in December to more than 6,000. He says it takes time to sequence a sufficient number of samples 'when you're trying to pick up a trend among millions of viruses.' Genome sequencing is a time-consuming process, requiring about 44 hours at minimum. But CDC officials and outside experts put this down to the large quantities of samples CDC's labs sequence at once and more mundane delays caused by shipping, handling and human error. The CDC is testing hundreds of samples submitted by states to see if they are the new more infectious variant from the UK that's now been detected in at least seven states, Dr Armstrong said. The US has been notoriously slow to detect coronavirus outbreaks from the start of the pandemic, raising the question: Is more being done to catch and contain the new, up to 70 percent more infectious variant earlier? CDC official Dr Greg Armstrong said that fewer than one in 200 covid-positive samples may be the new UK variant - but with more than 200,00 Americans testing positive on an average day, that's about 1,000 people a day New variants are identified by sequencing the entire genome of a sample of virus. A regular COVID-19 test doesn't provide information that specific. Genome sequencing is a time-consuming process, requiring about 44 hours at minimum. Sequencing efforts are being stepped up, and the CDC aims to more than double the number of samples it does genome sequencing on, in an effort to search out the B117 variant and detect the South African variant, if and when it arrives. Colorado, California, Florida, New York and Georgia have each reported at least one case of B117 coronavirus. In total, Dr Armstrong said that the new variant accounts for 'fewer than one in 200' samples run by US labs. That's not a small number. With more than 200,000 people testing positive on an average day in the US, that means about 1,000 a day could have the more infectious variant. The new variant is between 50% and 70% more transmissible, scientists say. Dr Armstrong told said that a hallmark of the variant that's sent the UK into lockdown is seen in about half of a percent of all samples seen in the US, according to testing data from diagnostic company Helix. UK USES A SIMPLER, FASTER METHOD TO MONITOR LIKELY B117 CASES - BUT IT HASN'T BEEN WIDELY ADOPTED IN THE US Helix uses a kind of test that just happens to detect a certain gene deletion that is found in the UK variant, B117, as well as others. The UK has been using this trait to monitor trends in the more infectious variant more efficiently because sequencing virus's whole genome can take 48 hours for large batches but could be run in six hours in smaller batches. Regular coronavirus testing can't detect which particular variant someone has been infected by. These diagnostics aren't designed to. Standard diagnostic tests search samples of human saliva or mucus for bits of virus genome that are are distinctive to coronavirus, but would be shared across many variants. It's important that they detect these relatively general traits of SARS-CoV-2 because it and all viruses change fairly frequently, but usually in small meaningless ways. The new UK variant has more significant changes that make it more infectious. In order to know for sure that a sample contains the new variant, the whole genome needs to be sequenced. The genome is a very long chain, in molecular terms, consisting of nearly 30,000 nucleotides - chemical letters. Sequencing an entire coronavirus genome takes at least a couple hours. And as the central health authority for a country of nearly 331 million people, the CDC receives massive numbers of samples to sequence. So the agency tends to run large batches of hundreds of samples at a time. Running such large quantities stretches out the process even longer. Getting the full sequence of the genomes of hundreds of virus samples might take four up to four days to run end-to-end. In the lab, that includes two time-consuming stages. 'It takes about 3 days to make the library' - of all the bases in a strand of viral genetic material, called RNA - 'and the sequencer takes about a day at a time,' Dr Jasmine Plummer, a research scientist at the Cedars-Sinai Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics in Los Angeles told DailyMail.com. Dr Howard Zucker, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said the department's Wadsworth Lab has that process down to about 44 hours. That's about as fast as the process can go, Dr Plummer said. Meanwhile, Dr Zucker said he had 'heard reports it can take several weeks to get results back [from the CDC].' Although CDC's Dr Armstrong said this is largely due to the volume of samples the CDC runs at a time, Dr Plummer said there are more mundane reasons. Some diagnostic tests can detect the presence of the 'S dropout' mutation in a coronavirus sample. B117 has this mutation, and although other strains do too, monitoring how often this comes up helps the UK monitor likely upticks in the more infectious variant, geneticist Theo Sanderson of the Francis Crick Institute explained on Twitter 'We're in a hospital, we get samples directly and sequence them in-house,' she said of the Cedars-Sinai lab. 'There are transport issues getting to the CDC, quality control issues - they're hindered by delivery.' Samples also get contaminated by the people providing them, collecting them and transporting. Dr Plummer says cleaning those up sufficiently for a diagnostic test to work is easy enough, but getting them in shape for accurate sequencing is a much taller order. Still, the US an the CDC have not been sequencing the same volume of viral genomes per capita that other nations have. Dr Armstrong says that the CDC is ramping up the number of samples that get the full work up from 3,500 a week in December to some 6,500 a week, he told CNN. He explained that state health departments have only confirmed the presence of cases to the CDC, but have not revealed any further details to the agency. CDC does not yet know which county in each of the remaining two mystery states has a case, nor any identifying details of the infected individuals. States need to investigate and contact these cases and confirm as many details as possible before publicly reporting them, Dr Armstrong said. For the time being, 'this is a variant with a low prevalence and it its not going to impact what non-pharmacological interventions [states implement],' he said. But he added that he expect more states to report case of the UK variant in the coming weeks. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday identified the first New York patient with the new strain as a male jewelry store worker in Saratoga Springs, who is in his 60s. The man did have COVID-19 symptoms but is 'on the mend.' Cuomo said the state is testing three more possible cases of the strain in Saratoga with it taking up to 44 hours to do the genome sequencing to detect the variant that arrived from the UK. The UK is also currently grappling with a second mutant strain of the virus, said to originate from South Africa, which experts fear may be resistant to vaccines and potentially more deadly. That strain has not yet been detected in the US. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Updated at 5:31 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville has issued a lengthy statement on the protesters who breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. The violence at the U.S. Capitol is despicable, un-American and tears at the fabric of our great republic, Brooks said in the statement. The scenes of United States Capitol Police being violently attacked and mobs occupying the American seat of government are highly disturbing. Consistent with my history, I ALWAYS condemn lawlessness and violence of any kind and in the strongest terms. MY FULL STATEMENT ON CAPITOL VIOLENCE: pic.twitter.com/LdpMazHkJt Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021 Brooks, of course, has led the congressional effort to challenge the Electoral College results -- last month becoming the first member of Congress to say he would challenge the results. Before protesters stormed the Capitol, the Senate and House of Representatives were debating the election results in Arizona. Both chambers went into recess as protests escalated. Related: Mo Brooks: Today patriots start kicking ass in fighting vote results Brooks said he has planned to object to election results in six states altogether, including Arizona. In his statement, though, he advocated for Americas election system even as he repeated claims -- unsupported by any evidence -- of election theft and voter fraud. While our election system has major, systemic flaws that socialist Democrats egregiously exploited in 2020, that election system is still far and away the best place to change the direction and destiny of America, Brooks said in the statement. Original story: Protesters supporting President Donald Trump have stormed the U.S. Capitol, sending members of Congress into hiding. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville said on Twitter than tear gas has been released inside the Capitol. Tear gas dispersed in Capitol Rotunda, Brooks said on Twitter. Congressmen ordered to grab gas masks under chairs in case have to leave in haste! Tear gas dispersed in Capitol Rotunda. Congressmen ordered to grab gas masks under chairs in case have to leave in haste! Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021 Three minutes later, Brooks tweeted, At least #Socialist #Democrats have NOT defunded Capitol police. Evacuating chamber. At least #Socialist #Democrats have NOT defunded Capitol police. Evacuating chamber. Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021 U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham also gave a sense of the tension at the Capitol. There has been a breach of the Capitol building, Sewell said on Twitter. We are locked inside the House chamber until Capitol Police allows us to leave. Praying that this chaos dissipates and no one gets hurt. There has been a breach of the Capitol building. We are locked inside the House chamber until Capitol Police allows us to leave. Praying that this chaos dissipates and no one gets hurt Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) January 6, 2021 Sewell later tweeted that she was trembling after protesters stormed the Capitol but that she was safe. For all those who continue to check in on me and my staff, thank you. We are safe. I am trembling, but we are safe! Praise God Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) January 6, 2021 Alabamas two newest members of the House, sworn in earlier this week, spoke out on Twitter and called on protesters to stand down. From Rep. Jerry Carl of Mobile: Statement From Congressman Jerry Carls Official Accounts: Americans have a right to protest, but violence is never the answer. Im praying for the safety of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the law enforcement protecting us. Jerry Carl (@CarlForAlabama) January 6, 2021 From Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise: Lawlessness and anarchy are never the answer. We are - and always will be - a nation of law and order. While I support Americans 1st Amendment rights, I strongly condemn any and all violence & fully support our brave Capitol Police and LEOs. Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) January 6, 2021 Brooks tweeted at 2:36 p.m. that congressmen were safe (as far as I know). Congressmen safe (as far as I know). As strong supporter of Rule of Law, I hope EVERYONE who illegally breached Capitol is prosecuted to fullest extent of the law. Quite frankly, I am surprised by the constraint of Capitol Police. Senseless. Achieves nothing productive. Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021 U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville asked for prayer in wake of the protests. I was on the House Floor this afternoon objecting to the electoral votes with many of my colleagues. We had to evacuate due to a security breach. I ask for your prayers during this time in our nation's history. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) January 6, 2021 CNN aired live video of the protesters walking through the Capitol in Statuary Hall waving Trump flags. The protests come after a rally on The Mall in Washington near the White House and the Capitol. Brooks was the first speaker to address the crowd shortly after 8 a.m., urging in his speech for protesters to march toward the Capitol following the rally. Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass, Brooks said. Trump spoke at the same rally a couple of hours after Brooks. This story will be updated. Capital Region school superintendents are awaiting further guidance from the state on how and when to test students and staff for COVID-19 in accordance with a new plan mentioned by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo during his Monday press briefing. Schools in counties with positivity rates exceeding 9 percent must test a portion of their on-site populations or shift to remote instruction, the governor said. "If their schools are below the level of positivity in the community, they can keep schools open. It's up to the local school district to make that decision," Cuomo said. "My position has always been, if the children are safer in the school than they are on the streets of the community, then children should be in schools." Few details were provided such as when testing should begin, what percentage of students and staff must be tested, or how often the screenings should occur. Spokespersons for the state Department of Health and governor's office did not respond to emailed questions about the new rules. Rotterdam-Mohonasen Superintendent Shannon Shine said these are questions "likely on every superintendent's mind." Districts have for weeks been planning for a microcluster designation, obtaining BinaxNow rapid test kits, training school nurses to administer them, and asking parents to sign consent forms. "All we need now is the same information you are asking about," Guilderland schools spokeswoman Amie Perrott said. Not all districts are waiting for a clear directive from the state. Albany City schools announced Tuesday evening that the district would move forward and testing 10 percent of on-site students and staff when in-person classes resume on Jan. 11. The state's initial microcluster plan, enacted in October through executive order, targeted areas with infection rates above 3 percent. Last month, the governor announced a new winter formula that focused instead on hospitalizations and ICU capacity. Anecdotal data suggests that schools tend to have lower rates of infection than the larger community. Many children do not display symptoms, but experts note that young people infected by the virus carry a viral load similar to that of an adult and they can be vectors of transmission. More than 2,600 students, teachers and staff in the Capital Region public and private schools have contracted the virus since the start of the school year, according to the state's COVID-19 schools report card. More than two-thirds of those cases occurred among an on-site school population. Statewide, 43,552 cases have been linked to schools since Sept. 8. The Center for Disease Control advises that in-school testing of symptomatic individuals, as well as randomly screening the asymptomatic school population, can be helpful in identifying cases and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the school environment. Schools should seek guidance from state and local health departments to determine when and how to conduct the tests. Testing should not replace normal virus mitigation strategies such as social distancing, handwashing, and mask-wearing, the CDC guidelines state. Most schools are using antigen tests that involve a cotton swab wiggled in the tip of the nose. The tests, which have a 15-minute turnaround time, are considered less accurate than slower "PCR" tests but are acceptable for the purposes of surveillance testing. Participation is voluntary; only students and employees with waivers on file will be tested. New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta in a statement said districts should continue to "err on the side of caution" when deciding whether to keep school buildings open. Testing data is important, but we believe school districts must still make decisions about in-person and remote instruction in consultation with parents and educators," Pallotta said. "The entire school community must have the confidence in a districts plan to stay open, reopen or expand its in-person offerings as infection rates rise in the surrounding community and regions surpass a 9 percent infection rate. Where there isnt confidence, remote education is the only viable option. Chris Patten, Hong Kong's last British governor, speaks at The Foreign Correspondents Club to promote his new book in Hong Kong, on Sept. 19, 2017. (Vincent Yu/AP Photo) EU Parliament Must Reject China Investment Pact Following Hong Kong Mass Arrests: Patten Following mass arrests of opposition figures in Hong Kong earlier on Wednesday, Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, urged the European Parliament to reject the investment agreement the European Commission reached with the Chinese regime last week. More than 50 pro-democracy activists, former lawmakers, and politicians were arrested in Hong Kong on Jan 6. They were arrested on suspicion of subversion, a crime under Beijings national security law, for their roles in a primary vote held by the pan-democracy camp to pick candidates to run in the since-canceled 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) elections. (LR) Pro-democracy activists Eddie Chu, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Hoi-ching, Tiffany Yuen, Joshua Wong, Lester Shum, and Agnes Chow campaign during primary elections in Hong Kong on July 12, 2020. (Issac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) These were the largest mass arrests since the national security law went into effect on June 30, 2020. The law punishes crimes such as subversion and secession with a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong and a patron of human rights NGO Hong Kong Watch, said the Chinese regime has intensified its suppression of the former British colony just as the world is distracted by the CCP virus pandemic and other issues. Taking advantage of the political and pandemic distractions around the world, the Chinese Communist Party has further turned the screw in Hong Kong, he said in a statement. People line up to vote in an unofficial primary for pro-democracy candidates ahead of legislative elections in September, in Hong Kong on July 12, 2020. (Vincent Yu/AP Photo) Patten called on liberal democracies around the world to continue to speak out against the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) brutal destruction of a free society as well as the ethnic genocide in Xinjiang. He said it would be surely inconceivable for the European Parliament to support the miserable draft deal the European Commission reached with Beijing on Dec. 30, which he called a massive strategic blunder. The European Commission said Beijing had promised to ensure fair treatment for EU companies so they can compete on a better level playing field in China, and had also agreed to pursue ratification of the International Labour Organisations rules on forced labor. Patten said it was extraordinary that the EU seems to believe that China can be trusted to sign up to international labor standards. Are we about to see the end of forced labor in Xinjiang and the development of a trade union movement in China? Forget it, he said. He said the deal spits in the face of human rights and shows a delusional view of the Chinese Communist Partys trustworthiness on the international stage, and would make a mockery of Europes ambitions to be taken seriously as a global political and economic player. Benedict Rogers, chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, called the Jan. 6 mass arrests a watershed moment. Beijings mass arrest of 53 individuals for the crime of standing in and organizing free and fair elections with the aim to form a parliamentary majority in Hong Kongs Legislative Council marks a watershed moment when it comes to the use of the National Security Law, he said. Coming just a week after EU leaders rewarded China with an investment treaty, it is clear once again that Xi Jinping not only has contempt for democracy but no interest in upholding Chinas treaty obligations under international law. Rogers said statements of condemnation from the UK and other democratic countries will no longer cut it. Now is the time for coordinated action, including Magnitsky sanctions, the adoption of international lifeboat schemes, the suspension of all extradition treaties with the PRC, the creation of a UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong, and an end to rewarding Beijing with investment treaties and allowing Chinese state-owned enterprises to buy key national infrastructure, he said. Guy Verhofstadt, a senior member of the European Parliament and a former Belgian prime minister, said the arrests again show that China is not becoming more open & democratic as a result of international agreements. The European Parliament will never ratify the China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment without commitments & proof that the human rights of Hong Kongers, Uyghurs & Tibetans improve, he wrote on Twitter. Matthew Pottinger, White House deputy national security adviser, said last week that Leaders in both U.S. political parties and across the U.S. government are perplexed and stunned that the EU is moving towards a new investment treaty right on the eve of a new U.S. administration. In the UK, the main opposition Labour party has called on the UK government to act. Democracy is being dismantled in Hong Kong. China is undermining the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Basic Law and further disregarding its commitments under the Joint Declaration. The Foreign Secretary must make a statement to Parliament, Lisa Nandy, Labours shadow foreign secretary, wrote on Twitter. Frank Fang and Mary Clark contributed to this report. Japan News-Yomiuri Stand-alone photo: The Ikenobo School of flower arranging held its first session of the year at the main Iemoto dojo in Kyoto, Japan, on Tuesday. The ceremony, scaled down due to the pandemic, featured arrangements by about 170 participants age 13 to 89. Under the guidance of Senko Ikenobo, 15 kimono-clad students worked on pieces using floral elements associated with the New Year, such as the flowers of pine and plum trees. "I worked on the flowers with gratitude for being able to take part in the first arrangement of the year under such circumstances," said a student from Higashiomi, Japan. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. PHILIPSBURG:--- On January 6th and 7th, 2021 a delegation from the Parliament of Sint Maarten will participate virtually in the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO), with Aruba as the host country. Delegations from the Parliaments of Curacao, the Netherlands, and Aruba will also be participating. The IPKO will kick off on Wednesday at 9.00 hrs. with opening remarks by the Chairperson followed by a presentation from each country within the Kingdom concerning the state of affairs in said country, in a plenary session. This will be followed by discussions between the four parliamentary delegations on a number of topics in a series of sessions. Session 1: Exchange of information concerning the current situation of each country and the combating of COVID-19. Session 2: Short-term outlook: Restarting social and socio-economic life within the framework of the established Caribbean body for reform and development. Session 3: Medium/long term outlook: Restructuring to strengthen the resilience of the economy, administrative reform, ensuring sustainable public finances and the labor market. The Interparliamentary consultations will conclude on Thursday, January 7, 2021, with a plenary feedback session at 11.00 hrs. The Sint Maarten delegation partaking in the IPKO sessions will consist of the following members: Mr. Rolando Brison President of Parliament, Delegation leader Mr. William V. Marlin, Chairman Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations Mrs. Grisha S. Heyliger-Marten, Vice Chairlady Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations Mr. Claudius A. Buncamper Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams Ms. Melissa D. Gumbs Mr. Christophe T. Emmanuel The plenary sessions of The Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO) can be viewed live via the following link: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/vergaderingen/livedebat/tilanuskamer We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan and other key members of Pashinians political team were also conspicuously absent. Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian was the only senior state official present at the liturgy held at Saint Gregory the Illuminators Cathedral in Yerevan. Pashinian congratulated Armenians on Christmas, marked by their ancient church on January 6, with an excerpt from the Gospel posted on his Facebook page. His spokeswoman, Mane Gevorgian, said later in the morning that he did not go to the mass because of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the pandemic situation, the prime minister is self-isolated, Gevorgian told the Armenpress news agency. She did not specify whether Pashinian has taken a coronavirus test. Pashinian already went into self-isolation in June after announcing that he and members of his family have tested positive for COVID-19. He claimed to have recovered from the disease a week later. A group of Armenian opposition supporters warned on Tuesday that they will try to bar Pashinian from entering the Yerevan cathedral if he decides to attend the Christmas mass. Virtually all major opposition groups blame Pashinian for Armenias defeat in the autumn war in Nagorno-Karabakh and want him to resign and hand over power to an interim government that would hold fresh parliamentary elections within a year. Garegin and other senior clergymen in Armenia and its worldwide Diaspora have publicly backed the opposition demands rejected by Pashinian. Some Armenian Apostolic Church priests demonstratively attended recent anti-government rallies in Yerevan. Another priest based in the southeastern town of Sisian publicly refused to shake Pashinians hand when the prime minister visited a local church last month. Garegins office pointedly declined to criticize the priests behavior condemned by Pashinians supporters. Garegin mentioned the Karabakh war and its disastrous consequences in a homily read out during Wednesdays church service attended by hundreds of believers. He lamented destructive mistakes which he said were made before the six-week hostilities. Necessary vigilance was not shown in the face of the threats of an unstable peace and war, the interests of the homeland and the people were subordinated to individual aspirations and goals. God-rejecting spirit and alien ideologies and habits permeated our society, he said. Let us stand strong in the face of the lethal test for our nation and people with hope and faith, girded with the life-giving power of the Lord. Let us gain strength to rise from disasters, to dispel this heavy darkness that is forced upon us with heavenly support, and to illumine the new horizons of our lives, added the Catholicos. PUNE After a local court on Monday rejected a plea filed by Maharashtra Academy of Engineering & Educational Research (MAEER) MIT seeking a stay on removal of debris by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) at Vetal tekdi, the PMC resumed excavation of the illegal road on the hillslope today. The PMC also filed for a caveat in the district court. According to section 148A of CPC caveat petition as a precautionary measure taken by a person who holds a strong fear or uneasiness that some or the other case against him/her is going to be filed in the court of law regarding any manner. We have filed caveat praying that no order be passed without due notice under section 148 A of the Code of Civil Procedure to the Corporation in any application for stay / injunction / ad-interim injunction / temporary injunction etc. in any application likely to be filed before this district Court, by MIT, said Manjusha Idhate, chief law officer, PMC. Advocate Sanjay Murkute of the PMC added that this was done as a precaution. Because MIT may file an appeal against the order passed by PMC court and seek exparte injunction orders against the corporation, we have filed a caveat, he said. At the site, PMC junior engineer Ramdas Pawar along with two PMC security personnel were present to oversee the work. Pawar said, We began the work at 10 am, but took a long time to level the illegal road as it was difficult for the JCB. We have just begun, there is enough rubble laid on the hillslope which will need more than one dumper. This dumper can take seven tonnes of debris and by the looks of the debris, it will take more than 50 trips to get rid of the rubble used to make the kaccha road. Annirudha Khandekar, a resident living in the society overlooking the tekdi said, The rubble put for making the illegal road is atleast 10 to 15 feet raised above the actual hill slope and our worry is that if the rubble and debris is not removed then the large boulders could come rolling straight into the societies close by, some stones have already broken part of a wall of a society. While residents Kiran Vairagkar and Dipti M added: Hill slopes and hill top areas are prohibited for any type of construction. We expect the restoration to happen at a fast face. It was a cohesive efforts of all citizens with the PMC to get justice. On November 19, 2020, the PMC had served a stop-work notice to the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), citing unauthorised work on the hill slope at survey no 123 in Kothrud. The MIT denied reports that any norms are being flouted while carrying out the work. Following the campaign by residents, which, within 48 hours managed to get 30,000 signatures for a petition to save Vetal tekdi, which is also marked by PMC as a draft heritage site, PMC issued strict instructions to MIT officials to excavate the internal road, as well as clear the debris collected nearby housing societies. A stop-work notice was issued to MIT citing unauthorised work on the hill slope at survey number 123 in Kothrud, following which the PMC had dug up the road being constructed and ordered the institute to clear the debris within two days. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Five prisoners at Loughan House Open Prison in Blacklion, Cavan have tested positive for Covid-19. The Irish Prison Service says four of the five were on temporary release and were tested and quarantined on their return. There are no reported positive cases among staff at this time. Testing of all staff and the 93 prisoners at the Blacklion prison is now underway and an Outbreak Control Team has been established to prevent the further spread of the virus within the facility. Everyone at the low security prison will be retested on Day Seven to provide an assured response to the current situation. Also read: Kevin Lunney abduction trial delayed due to Covid Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. "With Ezra Brooks 99 our goal was to create a higher-proof bourbon without sacrificing the rich notes Ezra Brooks is known for," said John Rempe, master distiller at Lux Row Distillers. "And we achieved that with 99. The result is a smooth, drinkable bourbon with hints of caramel, vanilla, chocolate and spice. We're thrilled to introduce Ezra Brooks 99 to bourbon lovers everywhere." Ezra Brooks 99 features the distinctive packaging and natural cork closure for which Ezra Brooks is known, along with a prominent "99" proof callout on the label and deep "LUX ROW DISTILLERS" embossing on the bottle's shoulder. "When you see Ezra Brooks 99, you'll see an elegant, upscale bottle that stands out on the shelf," said Eric Winter, brand manager for Ezra Brooks. "We believe the refined style and honest flavor of Ezra Brooks is amplified in Ezra Brooks 99, giving consumers of the brand even more to connect to." Ezra Brooks 99 is competitively priced with other premium American bourbon whiskey brands within its category, and it will be available in a 750 ml bottle nationwide beginning in January 2021. For more information or to find a retailer, visit EzraBrooks.com. About Luxco A leading producer, supplier, importer, and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco's mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. In April 2018, Luxco opened its first bourbon distillery Lux Row Distillers bringing the Lux family's legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky. Lux Row Distillers is home to many of the company's bourbon brands, such as Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Daviess County. Luxco's innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan's Irish Cream, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com. CONTACT: Patrick Barry, BYRNE PR 314-540-3865 [email protected] SOURCE Luxco Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. [January 06, 2021] SC Health Corp. Enters into a Non-Binding Letter of Intent to Acquire a Next Generation Developer of Components & Modules for Consumer Health & Wellness Applications SC Health Corp. (NYSE: SCPE) (the "Company") announced today it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent") with a next generation technology developer (the " Target (News - Alert) ") for an initial business combination. The Target has developed a unique technology targeting consumer healthcare applications that delivers market-leading performance and accuracy. The Target is led by a world class management team with significant experience in leading innovative, high-growth companies in the sector. SC Health's management team believes the Target is a compelling investment opportunity given its cutting-edge technology and commercial opportunity. AJ Coloma, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, said "The Target is a highly differentiated and innovative player that is expected to revolutionize consumer health & wellness technology. This acquisition will provide the Target with capital to support its product launch and commercialization strategy as well as provide our investors with the opportunity to participate in a next generation healthtech play." Completion of the transaction is subject to, among other matters, the completion of due diligence, the negotiation of a definitive agreement providing for the transaction, satisfaction of the conditions negotiated therein and approval of the transaction by the Company's stockholders. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into or that the proposed transaction will be consummated. About SC Health SC Health is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. SC Health is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). SC Health intends to acquire a target with operations or prospects in the healthcare sector in the Asia Pacific region, which may be a platform in the Asia Pacific region or a global platform with a meaningful Asia Pacific growth thesis. To learn more about SC Health, visit www.schealthcorp.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exrcised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, actual results may differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the terms of the Letter of Intent not hereafter being reflected in a definitive agreement; the ability of the Company to meet NYSE listing standards following the transaction and in connection with the consummation thereof; the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Letter of Intent and any definitive agreement entered into by the parties due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of the Company or other reasons; the failure to obtain the necessary financing for the transaction; the failure to meet projected development and production targets; costs related to the proposed transaction; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the ability of the combined company to meet its financial and strategic goals, due to, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to pursue a growth strategy and manage growth profitability; the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company and the target and their ability to enter into a definitive agreement for the transaction or to consummate the transaction; and other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in other reports and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") by the Company. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the Company's expectations and projections can be found in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the definitive proxy statement filed by the Company with the SEC on December 22, 2020 wherein the Company is seeking stockholder approval to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from January 16, 2021 until April 16, 2021 (the "Definitive Extension Proxy") and in the preliminary and definitive proxy statements to be filed by the Company with the SEC regarding the transaction when available. The Company's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company intends to file a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC and will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders. Investors and security holders of the Company are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, and amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with the Company's solicitation of proxies for its stockholders' meeting to be held to approve the transaction because the proxy statement will contain important information about the transaction and the parties to the transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders of the Company as of a record date to be established for voting on the transaction. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement, without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: SC Health Corporation, 108 Robinson Road #10-00, Singapore 068900. Participants in Solicitation The Company and the target company and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of their management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of the Company's stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations, and interests in the Company of directors and officers of the Company in the Company's Definitive Extension Proxy, which was filed with the SEC on December 22, 2020. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to the Company's stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction will be set forth in the proxy statement for the proposed transaction when available. Information concerning the interests of the Company's and the target company's participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of the Company's and the target company's stockholders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement relating to the transaction when it becomes available. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005737/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (CNN) Battery electric vehicles accounted for more than half of all cars sold in Norway last year, putting the country way out in front in efforts to kill off the internal combustion engine. And Tesla lost its sales crown to the Volkswagen Group. Norway is using huge tax incentives to help ensure that every new passenger car and van sold in the country by the end of 2025 is a zero-emission vehicle. Record electric vehicle sales in 2020 means the country is now ahead of schedule, according to Oyvind Solberg Thorsen, CEO of the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV). The market share of electric cars in Norway increased to 54% in 2020 from 42% the previous year, according to data published by OFV on Tuesday. When hybrid vehicles are included, the share of electrified vehicles hit 83% last year. Petrol and diesel cars, which had a combined market share of 71% in 2015, now have just 17%. Norway is the global leader in pushing polluting vehicles off the roads, and it appears to be gaining momentum, with battery electric vehicles accounting for two thirds of all sales during the month of December. Other countries are playing catch up. The United Kingdom said in November that it would ban the sale of new cars that run only on fossil fuels in 2030, five years earlier than previously planned. Carmakers have sought to use Norway as a testing ground for their electric ambitions. Volkswagen's luxury brand Audi was the market leader in 2020, according to OFV, selling 9,227 of its e-tron vehicles in the country. Tesla's Model 3, the 2019 leader, was pushed into second place with 7,770 sales. Volkswagen's ID.3 ranked third with 7,754 cars sold. Norway, which is the largest crude oil producer in western Europe, has been using tax breaks to increase sales of electric cars for decades. Oil revenue helped build the country's $1.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund, which is now embracing renewable energy and dumping oil and gas stocks. The incentives make most electric vehicle models cheaper to buy than similar petrol models, according to the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association. Buyers enjoy other incentives including use of bus lanes, and reduced fees on state ferries and toll roads. The country has 10,000 publicly available charging points, according to the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association. Chris Liakos and James Frater contributed reporting. This story was first published on CNN.com 'Electric cars hit record 54% of sales in Norway as VW overtakes Tesla' Proud Boys leader arrested over burning of church's Black Lives Matter banner Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The leader of the far-right group Proud Boys was arrested by police in Washington on Monday for participating in the burning of a churchs Black Lives Matter banner. According to a District of Columbia police spokesperson, 36-year-old Henry Enrique Tarrio was charged with one misdemeanor count of destruction of property in connection with the burning of the banner stolen from Asbury United Methodist Church during a Dec 12 rally. Spokesperson Dustin Sternbeck said that Tarrio, the Afro-Cuban international chairman of the Proud Boys who lives in Miami, was arrested shortly after he arrived in the city as a warrant was issued for his arrest, the Associated Press reports. Tarrios arrest comes ahead of protests in the nations capital this week organized by supporters of President Donald Trump. The presidents supporters are convening this week as Congress is expected to vote to affirm former Vice President Joe Bidens election victory. Tarrio is also facing a weapons charge as police found two high-capacity firearm magazines when he was detained, according to AP. He previously told The Washington Post that he was among those who participated in the banner burning last month. The former congressional candidate was still in custody Monday night. The newspaper notes that he could appear Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court and that the U.S. attorneys office could alter the charges brought against him by D.C. police. As previously reported, a similar pro-Trump protest held last month in Washington, D.C., saw protesters burning Black Lives Matter banners and signs at historically black churches. Police investigated the incidents at Asbury United Methodist Church and Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church as potential hate crimes. Two other churches were also said to have been vandalized on Dec. 12. Asbury Senior Pastor Rev. Ianther M. Mills compared the incident to cross burnings in a lengthy statement posted to Facebook at the time. For me it was reminiscent of cross burnings, she wrote. Seeing this act on video made me both indignant and determined to fight the evil that has reared its ugly head. We had been so confident that no one would ever vandalize the church, but it has happened. We are a people of faith. As horrible and disturbing as this is for us now it doesn't compare with the challenges and fears the men and women who started Asbury, 184 years ago, faced, she added. So, we will move forward, undaunted in our assurance that Black Lives Matter and we are obligated to continue to shout that truth without ceasing. We are assured that our church is surrounded by God's grace and mercy. Despite the arrest, Tarrio is still active on Twitter and has responded to reports of his arrest with emojis and GIFs stating Oh Happy Day. Tarrio ran for the U.S. House to represent Floridas 27th Congressional District. However, he withdrew before the Republican primary in August. This week, the Metropolitan AME Church filed a lawsuit against the Proud Boys in D.C. Superior Court over damage sustained during the December rally. The lawsuit names Tarrio and other John Doe members of the group that are believed to have participated in the banner burning, according to WTOP. The Proud Boys have faced much criticism in the national media over the last few years as the group has been active in expressing their support for Trump and have been involved in violent clashes. In October, Tarrio denounced racism and white supremacy as he tried to shoot down attempts to conflate Proud Boys with white nationalism. I denounce white supremacy. I denounce anti-Semitism. I denounce racism. I denounce fascism. I denounce communism and any other ism that is prejudice towards people because of their race, religion, culture, tone of skin, Tarrio said during an interview with WSVN. During the lead-up to the 2020 general election, Trump was criticized for not clearly denouncing white supremacists and the Proud Boys group during a presidential debate. Trump later issued a clear denunciation. "I've said it many times, and let me be clear again: I condemn the KKK. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys. I dont know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing. But I condemn that," Trump said on Sean Hannity'sFox News show. Tarrio explained last month that he would plead guilty to a destruction of property charge and even pay the church the cost of the banner but said he would not admit to committing a hate crime because the action was not motivated by race, religion or political ideology, according to The Washington Post. Rather, he said that the action was committed because he believes the Black Lives Matter movement has terrorized the citizens of this country. As clashes between protesters and counterprotesters led to at least four stabbings and more than 30 arrests on Dec. 12, Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller approved on Monday a request from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to deploy D.C. National Guard to support local police during the demonstrations this week. Bowser last month put much of the blame for last month's clashes on the Proud Boys group, calling the group avowed white nationalists who have been called to stand up against a fair and legal election. After the four stabbings, authorities accused the Proud Boys and Trump supporters of looking for a fight. But Tarrio claimed that Proud Boys supporters reacted to being attacked. Hyderabad: The AICC announcement of a new Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president appears to be delayed in view of the byelection to the Nagarjunasagar constituency in combined Nalgonda district. After reports said the AICC was likely to do, various quarters have told the AICC to hold back the name for a while as it would ruffle feathers and create a rift in the party ahead of the byelection. The Nagarjunasagar seat fell vacant with the demise of sitting MLA Nomula Narasimhaiah. Sources in the party said that during a meeting between AICC in-charge Manickam Tagore and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday, the name of the new president was almost finalised. But some seniors in the state Congress contacted AICC leaders and requested for a withholding of an official announcement. Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy was in the race for the post, but the AICC reportedly favoured candidature of senior leader T, Jeevan Reddy. Venkat Reddy and his brother Rajagopal Reddy have a strong grip over politics in the combined Nalgonda district. They are capable of upsetting the Congress applecart. Senior leaders from Nalgonda district informed the AICC that the Komatireddy brothers may be upset if Jeevan Reddy is selected, and this resentment could impact the Nagarjuna Sagar byelection. Senior Congress leader K. Jana Reddy is likely to contest from Nagarjunasagar. He was reluctant, but the AICC in-charge, in his recent meeting with Jana Reddy, prevailed on him to contest. Jana Reddy lost the election in 2018 against TRS candidate Nomula Narasimhaiah with around 7,000 votes. The Ruling TRS is also of the opinion that Jana Reddy might now have an edge if he fought the byelection. Congress senior leaders who are in touch with the AICC are said to have informed the AICC that, in this backdrop, any aberration among Congress leaders in Nalgonda district will impact the winning chances of the party. Today's announcement comes in the wake of significant data from across the globe, indicating rising levels of screen time by consumers. While the average number of hours spent in front of displays which includes television screens, smartphones, laptops, and other digital devices has been growing at an alarming rate in recent years, it has skyrocketed in the past year due to the global pandemic. In the U.S. alone, a recent Nielsen report indicates average screen time exceeds 13 hours a day. The new display was the subject of an open letter issued by the Vision Health Advisory Board commending LG Display and Eyesafe for their leadership in bringing Eyesafe Certified Displays to the marketplace. "We are so proud to be the first manufacturer to certify our TV displays as Eyesafe the recognized leader in screen time safety, blue light mitigation, and optimal color performance across consumer electronics," commented LG Display Chief Technology Officer Dr. Soo-Young Yoon. "As an industry leader, we will continue to take proactive steps to provide additional value, such as eye comfort to consumers, as well as providing the best experience through our cutting-edge technology, including OLED." "It's a real honor to partner with an industry leader like LG Display on this project because it has vast implications across the television display industry," commented Eyesafe CEO Justin Barrett. "Amid the global pandemic, screen time including use of televisions and electronic devices continues to increase at a shocking rate, and we believe it is our responsibility to put the health of consumers first; we are proud to introduce these game-changing solutions that protect eyes at the source. We look forward to our continued work with LG Display, as we encourage other major display manufacturers and television brands to adopt Eyesafe solutions in the near future." The Eyesafe Display Standard is the world's leading set of health-based requirements for the consumer electronics industry, developed in conjunction with over 250 leading ophthalmologists, optometrists, and engineers who have been conducting and analyzing clinical health and safety research on the impacts of exposure to high-energy blue light. The LG Display television display has met the Eyesafe Display Standard requirements and will receive an AK Certificate (Certificate of Conformance) issued by TUV Rheinland, including the test report. Consumers can obtain information on certified products on the TUV Rheinland certificate database Certipedia, which helps facilitate consumers' understanding of a product and enhance confidence in the purchase. "We commend the team at LG Display for this significant milestone," said Kalyan Varma, Vice President of TUV Rheinland, Business Field Electrical, Global. "Since unveiling the TUV Rheinland Eyesafe Certification program last year, we have worked with many of the leading computer display manufacturers on adopting the Eyesafe Display Certification, and we are thrilled to now have the world's first television display meet these industry-leading standards. We hope to see more television display manufacturers follow suit in the months ahead, as nothing is more important than ensuring consumer eye safety in the display industry." "Given the growing body of research around the breadth and scope of potential eye and systemic health impacts related to blue light exposure amid a global pandemic which has forced many of us to adopt e-learning and work-from-home routines into our daily lives no less the timing for the world's first-ever Eyesafe Certified TV Display could not have been more timely," remarked Davis Lee, a senior advisor to Eyesafe, the former Senior Vice President of LG Display, and most recently the global head of monitors at Dell Technologies. "Through our partnership with LG Display, our mission is to work together to develop an array of display solutions that are designed to support consumer health, and we intend for the majority of the world's brands to adopt Eyesafe." "It is gratifying to see LG Display understand that users are spending a large and increasing amount of time in front of digital displays, which could benefit from built-in protections that meet the highest standards for filtering potentially harmful high-energy blue light," said Dr. David Friess, an internationally recognized optometrist and member of the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board. "We applaud LG Display on their proactive stance on to combine consumer health with technology design." For more information on the LG Display television display designated as meeting the Eyesafe Display Standard, please visit Eyesafe.com. About Eyesafe Eyesafe is the worldwide supplier of Eyesafe technology, Eyesafe Display, and Eyesafe Standards, a suite of pioneering products and services that are shaping the consumer electronics industry's understanding of device usage, screen time, and the impacts of blue light-emitting devices. Eyesafe technology and the associated intellectual property portfolio was developed by a world-class team of eye doctors, engineers, and scientists with decades of experience in electronics, display materials, and light management. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Eyesafe works to develop technologies and standards in conjunction with leaders in health care. Supported by the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board, the Eyesafe Display requirements are based on the growing body of research for blue light exposure and the consumer electronics industry's requirements for accurate color performance. To learn more, please visit Eyesafe.com. About LG Display LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is the world's leading innovator of display technologies, including thin-film transistor liquid crystal and OLED displays. The company manufactures display displays in a broad range of sizes and specifications primarily for use in TVs, notebook computers, desktop monitors, and various other applications, including tablets and mobile devices. LG Display currently operates manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China, and Vietnam. The company has approximately 60,000 employees operating worldwide. For more news and information about LG Display, please visit www.lgdisplay.com. About TUV Rheinland TUV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded nearly 150 years ago. The group maintains a worldwide presence of more than 20,000 people; annual turnover is EUR 2 billion. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, technology, and the environment in nearly all aspects of life. TUV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products, and services, oversees projects, and helps to shape processes and information security for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries. To this end, TUV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centers. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.TUV.com SOURCE Eyesafe Related Links https://eyesafe.com A man accused of wounding three Harris County Sheriffs Office deputies Sunday in a Midtown club shooting which also left his mother dead was celebrating his birthday, court records show. Joseph Gonzalez turned 25 about two hours before, police said, opening fire on patrons some of whom were relatives and law enforcement outside the Set night club at 2900 Travis Street. Prosecutors revealed in court Tuesday that the deputies uniformed and working a security job at the club rushed outside to help the suspects father following a fight. Authorities outlined the accusations against suspected gunman Joseph Gonzalez who appeared in an orange jumpsuit and his right arm in a sling in court. The Houston man is charged with three counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and felon in possession of a weapon as the investigation into his mothers death at the club continues. Prosecutors said she was fatally struck in the crossfire by whose bullets it was not yet known. A murder charge is to be expected, officials said. Gonzalez is being held on a combined $1 million bail on the charges, court records show. The shooting began when a valet warned the deputies about the unfolding violence. Outside they found the suspects father with a head injury in the parking lot. One of the deputies stepped away to help tell EMS where to go around 2 a.m. when he heard gunfire, prosecutors said. The deputy then saw Gonzalez fire into the gathering crowd of patrons and he returned fire, striking him. Amid the chaos, the deputy realized he had also been shot and tried treating himself. The suspect fled the club in a red truck and sought medical help at a Sugar Land hospital, officials said. The shooting aftermath left several pools of blood in the club parking lot. One of the deputies was shot six times. Two of the enforcement officials remain hospitalized in stable condition, prosecutors said. Court records show Gonzalez was imprisoned until 2018 on two prior felonies out of Galveston County burglary of a habitation and attempted indecency with a child. nicole.hensley@chron.com KY Lawmakers Convene Amid COVID-19 Challenges By The Associated Press FRANKFORT - Republican lawmakers in Kentucky are flexing their political muscle with the start of the legislature.They promoted legislation Tuesday to scale back the Democratic governor's emergency powers.A House committee advanced a bill to give the state's anti-abortion attorney general new authority to regulate abortion clinics.The session opens amid the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.They have safeguards in place, with lawmakers required to wear masks in the House and Senate chambers.The state budget and virus-related issues are likely to dominate a packed agenda.Republicans bolstered their supermajorities in last years election. Rank 3 | Japan | 2020 brand value: $ billion | Fall in brand value: 6 percent (Image: Reuters) Japan will declare a month-long emergency in Tokyo and surrounding areas to tackle a surge in coronavirus cases from Saturday until Feb. 7, broadcaster Asahi TV reported. Japan's capital recorded a record number of daily coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with at least 1,591 new infections. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Used and new cars are pictured on the forecourt of a re-opened Mini car dealership, in Hook, southwest of London, on June 1, 2020. (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images) UK New Car Registrations Down by 30 Percent in 2020 The UK new car market fell by almost a third in 2020 as a result of CCP virus lockdowns, new climate rules, and Brexit uncertainty, an auto industry group has revealed. Annual new car registrations dropped by 680,076 units, or 29.4 percent, to just 1,631,064 units, the lowest level of registrations since 1992, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Wednesday. UK automotive looks to green recovery strategy after -29.4% fall in new car registrations in 2020https://t.co/UtthgtqPZg pic.twitter.com/Os4eQSWlCo SMMT (@SMMT) January 6, 2021 In 2020, the industry suffered a total turnover loss of some 20.4 billion ($27.7 billion). Private vehicle demand fell by 26.6 percent, which led to a 1.9 billion ($2.6 billion) loss of VAT revenues to the UK Treasury. SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said that 2020 will be seen as a lost year for the automotive industry, which suffered from pandemic-enforced shutdown for much of the year and uncertainty over post-Brexit trading conditions. But he said 2021 could be a year of recovery with the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines and the last-minute UK-EU free trade agreement, which was reached on Christmas Eve and came into force on Jan. 1 as the UK exited the EUs single market and customs union. The SMMT welcomed the Brexit trade deal, saying a no deal scenario would have been catastrophic to the car industry, as seven out of 10 new cars registered in the UK in 2020 were imported from the European Union. The UK car market was hit hard by the closure of showrooms as part of the national lockdowns imposed during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, and the new lockdown measures, intended to stem the spread of the new CCP virus variant, will further impact the industry, the SMMT said. The UK government is pinning its hopes of ending the pandemic to the roll-out of vaccines. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday afternoon, he said, over 1.1 million people in England and over 1.3 million across the UK had been vaccinated with either the Pfizer/BioNTech or the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 jabs. But the SMMT said 2020 was a bumper year for battery and plug-in hybrid electric cars, which together accounted for more than one in 10 registrations, up from around one in 30 in 2019. The UK government said last November it will ban sales of new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars and vans from 2030, as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions. With manufacturers bringing record numbers of electrified vehicles to market over the coming months, we will work with government to encourage drivers to make the switch, Hawes said. Lily Zhou contributed to this report. Director Rumi Jaffrey is optimistic that actor Rhea Chakraborty will soon return to the big screen after putting the bitterness of past year behind her. The family of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whom Rhea was dating when he died by suicide in June, had filed an abetment of suicide case against her. She was also arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau on a drugs-related charge in a case linked to the actors death, before being released on bail. Rumi, who was all set to begin work on a film with Sushant and Rhea in 2020, has now said that he is positive that Rhea will bounce back. I am confident she will get through this phase. Everybody around will advise you to be brave, but only the one going through [the ordeal] knows how difficult it is. Time is the best healer; with time, she will be fine. She is a talented artiste and will be ready to bounce back, he told Mid-Day. Rumi, who recently met Rhea, also said he had high regard for people who supported Rhea in her time of trial. People drew their own conclusions on the matter. Ideally, we should wait for the judiciary [to give its verdict]. Every coin has two sides, but Rhea should also get a fair trial. I have the highest regard for those who supported her then. Talking about their meeting, Rumi had said in an earlier interview, She was withdrawn and quiet. Didnt speak much. Cant blame her after what she has gone through. Let the heat and dust settle down. Im sure Rhea will have a lot to say, he said. Earlier, Rheas lawyer Satish Maneshinde urged the CBI to make their findings public, as it is high time that there is a closure to Sushants death. She was arrested in a bogus case with no evidence by NCB. She was harassed by various agencies and remained in custody for almost a month till the Bombay High Court released her on bail, he said. ott:10 What The Study Did: Changes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and fatalities in the Detroit area during the COVID-19 pandemic are compared with year-earlier events for the same period in this observational study. Authors: Adrienne V. Nickles, M.P.H., of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in Lansing, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https:/ / media. jamanetwork. com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.32331) Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support. ### Media advisory: The full study is linked to this news release. Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time http://jamanetwork. com/ journals/ jamanetworkopen/ fullarticle/ 10. 1001/ jamanetworkopen. 2020. 32331?utm_source= For_The_Media&utm_medium= referral&utm_campaign= ftm_links&utm_term= 010621 About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announces a Wikipedia creativity contest #WikiChallenge for proliferation of Indian local language content on Internet. Wikipedia Page Contest Details: #WikiChallenge: This is a Contest for individuals who can develop an original Wikipedia page of minimum 1000 words in any of the Indian official 22 languages - . in Devanagari script (Hindi, Bodo(Boro), Dogri, Konkani, Maithili, Marathi, Nepali, and Sindhi-Devanagari), . in Bengali script (Bengali and Manipuri), Telugu, Gujarati, Urdu, Tamil, Punjabi, Kannada, Oriya, Assamese, Sanskrit, Santali, Kashmiri, Sindhi and Malayalam. The page developer shall also have an IDN as . website in any of the official 22 languages associated with the Wikipedia page. The page shall be in existence for at least for 1 month before application submission date for award under the scheme. - Prize: Rs. 5000 + Certificate from NIXI - Start Date: 1 st Dec 2020 - Close Date: 31st March 2021 - Announcement of prizes: 15th April 2021 with Press Conference Please submit your entry at - nixi@nixi.in Please visit https://bit.ly/3aXddG3 for more details. OTTAWA - The federal information watchdog has chastised the prime minister's bureaucrats for shutting down several requests from a researcher without good cause. The main door to the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council Office is seen in Ottawa, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - The federal information watchdog has chastised the prime minister's bureaucrats for shutting down several requests from a researcher without good cause. In a series of decisions made public Tuesday, information commissioner Caroline Maynard reveals the Privy Council Office simply closed four Access to Information requests to avoid missing due dates. In each case, the body that supports the prime minister was waiting for input from other federal agencies on whether Cold War-era intelligence records could be disclosed to Alan Barnes, who filed formal applications under the access law. Maynard ruled the access act does not allow the PCO to fail to respond to an access request on the grounds it has yet to receive recommendations from consulted institutions. She found, however, that the PCO officials who process access requests were instructed not to keep a file open past its due date because of the agency's "no late file" policy. Maynard said the practice explains head-scratching statistics reported by the PCO in its recent annual reports detailing access response times. For instance, even though Maynard found many complaints from requesters about delays in the 2017-to-2019 period to be well-founded, the PCO reported that 100 per cent of requests were answered on time. In the first of the four Barnes decisions, dated Oct. 14, Maynard expressed disappointment with the PCO, noting it is a central institution headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has signalled "a commitment to transparency and openness." Maynard noted in her three subsequent decisions, all dated Nov. 9, that the PCO had since ended the practice of closing request files while consultations are outstanding. Privacy considerations prevented the information commissioner's office from identifying who made the access requests. But Barnes stepped forward Tuesday to voice concerns about the PCO's actions. "I was very disappointed in PCOs response to these and other requests I have made," said Barnes, a former PCO intelligence analyst who is now a senior fellow at the Centre for Security, Intelligence and Defence Studies at Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Barnes noted the reports on his complaints point out that, contrary to the PCO's claims, the agency only initiated consultations with other federal institutions once the information commissioner began investigating his files. "I am deeply disturbed that PCO would make a claim on four separate occasions that it knew to be untrue." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2021. Police are asking for the publics help in locating two men sought in connection with a running gun battle that occurred Dec. 18 in Bridgeton. They are wanted on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said. The incident, in which no one was apparently injured, allegedly involved a group targeting a man who also ended up facing charges. Bridgeton officers responded to a shots fired call around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Fayette and Hampton streets. Officers learned that a white pickup truck pulled into a driveway in the 100 block of Hampton and someone in the vehicle fired four shots. Several spent casings were also recovered at the intersection of Hampton and Fayette. As officers investigated that scene, another shots fired call came from a few blocks away at Broad and Lawrence streets. While officers were investigating that second scene, a third report of shots came from more than a mile away in the area of East Commerce and South Elm streets. Officers at this third scene found a parked Nissan Altima with the engine running, the back window shot out and a bullet hole in the trunk. They recovered a Glock 26 9mm handgun, a sneaker and a cellphone next to the car. Further investigation revealed the Altima was in the area of the earlier shootings. A passenger from that car, identified as Yusuf J. Waites, 22, of Bridgeton, fled the scene was later arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to have weapons. He was placed in Cumberland County Jail pending a detention hearing. Surveillance footage from homes and businesses played a key role in identifying those involved, according to affidavits of probable cause filed in the case. Waites, whose girlfriend was driving the Altima, was targeted by the alleged shooters, police said. Gunmen fired on that vehicle as it passed through the intersection at Hampton and Fayette, then pursued the car. Waites and his pursuers allegedly traded gunfire at the second shooting scene. Assailants in two cars pursued Waites vehicle through Bridgeton until he jumped out of the Altima at the third location and fled into a wooded area, according to the affidavits. Luis A. Rosado, 24, and Anthony D. Moore, 33, both of Bridgeton, were later apprehended and charged with attempted murder of Waites and weapons offenses. Both were placed in Cumberland County Jail. Still at large are their alleged co-defendants, Anthony M. Crawford, 32, and Frank A. Lee, 33, who are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and are considered armed and dangerous, police said. Crawford is described as black, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, while Lee is 6 feet 3 inches tall, 205 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. No motive for the shooting is described in court documents. Anyone with information about the wanted men is asked to contact Bridgeton Police Detective Tom Garofolo at 856-451-0033, text an anonymous tip to TIP411 or use the departments new website to share your information. Several agencies are involved in the case. This has been and continues to be a thoroughly conducted multi-agency investigation with the Bridgeton Police Department, the New Jersey State Police and the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes and Organized Crime Bureaus into a series of gun-related incidents over the past couple of months, Bridgeton Police Chief Michael Gaimari said Wednesday. Detectives have received substantial help from the public in the course of their investigation and anyone with any further information is urged to contact police. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. [January 06, 2021] Bank of Prairie du Sac selects Finastra's Fusion Phoenix core to improve customer experience and support growth strategy LAKE MARY, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra today announced that Bank of Prairie du Sac, a community bank outside of Madison, WI, will upgrade its core operating system to Fusion Phoenix to future-proof its technology. The open, modern core built on Microsoft technology, cloud delivery, and seamless integration with other technologies provided by Finastra, will improve the end-customer experience and support the bank's growth strategy, with technology that can evolve with its changing needs. "Our customers are our most important asset, and it is vital that our technology investment yields meaningful benefits for them," said Brett Kirner, CIO, Bank of Prairie du Sac. "Based on our long relationship with Finastra, we trusted that their vision for open finance would translate to a core which could grow and evolve with the latest technology innovations to satisfy our customers and serve our goals for continued growth. Cloud hosting means easy scalability and less time spent on technology maintenance, increasing our capacity to serve our customers." Seamless integration with the other Finastra solutions used by the bank including Fusion Digital Banking, Fusion LaserPro, and others will not only generate increased efficiencies, but also provides peace of mind that the core migration will be smooth. In addition, these integrations will result in an enterprise suite of solutions that provides more actionable insight via a 360-degree view of the customer and makes common tasks even more efficient. "Community banks need to remain nimble and have a modern infrastructure in place that allows them to respond to changing customer behavior and market demands, which directly impacts customer service, profitability, agility, efficiency and growth," said Chris Zingo, SVP and GM of Americas Field Operations, Finastra. "With Fusion Phoenix core, Bank of Prairie du Sac will be well-positioned to meet these challenges head on, to evolve their business and grow effortlessly." finastra.com About Finastra Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Corporate headquarters 4 Kingdom Street Paddington London W2 6BD United Kingdom T: +44 20 3320 5000 North American headquarters 744 Primera Boulevard Suite 2000 Lake Mary, FL 32746 United States T: +1 800 989 9009 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bank-of-prairie-du-sac-selects-finastras-fusion-phoenix-core-to-improve-customer-experience-and-support-growth-strategy-301202068.html SOURCE Finastra [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Photo: Twitter Ashli Babbitt UPDATE 10:10 p.m. The Senate has quickly killed Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral vote for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. In a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it's the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he believes no other states votes will be challenged. That means Congress formal certification of Bidens victory could finish quickly once the House votes on the Pennsylvania challenge. The Senate rejected the effort to cancel Pennsylvanias votes without any debate. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. UPDATE 7:40 p.m. The woman shot and killed by police inside the US Capitol building has been identified as a woman from San Diego. Ashli Babbit was a 14-year US Air Force veteran who served four tours and had a high-level of security clearance throughout her career. Her husband told KUSI News she was a strong supporter of Trump, something on full display via her Twitter account. A video has been published online showing the moment she was shot, as she attempted to climb through a barricaded door inside the U.S. Capitol. The day before she was shot, the New York Post reports she tweeted, Nothing will stop us. they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours.dark to light. That tweet has since been removed. Less than eight hours after the violence erupted, with the Capitol fully secured, lawmakers reconvened their joint session, determined to send the message that they wouldn't be cowed. "To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win," said Vice-President Mike Pence as he gavelled the session back in. "This is still the people's house." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed never to be kept from the people's business by "thugs, mobs or threats." Utah Sen. Mitt Romney's common-sense comments, meant as a rebuke to those in the chamber still determined to object to the election results, elicited a rare applause break from his fellow members of Congress. "The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth," Romney said. "And the truth is, president-elect Biden won this election." UPDATE 4:55 p.m. What was supposed to be a historic day in the U.S. capital lived up to that billing for all the wrong reasons Wednesday as an angry throng of Donald Trump supporters managed to overpower police and lay siege to Capitol Hill. After hearing the president himself air familiar, phoney grievances about a "stolen" presidential election, a group of protesters mobbed Capitol police and ran amok through the building as lawmakers were in the process of certifying Joe Biden's victory. Members of Congress were promptly evacuated and officers, weapons drawn, confronted the mob, which eventually succeeded in gaining access to the very legislative chamber where members of the Senate and the House had just been sitting. The images that ensued were jaw-dropping: a man in a Make America Great Again hat, his feet up on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk. Another striding through the rotunda with a Confederate flag over his shoulder. The dais occupied by a man with a Trump flag as a cape. Outside, as police sirens echoed and helicopters pulsed overhead, thousands upon thousands of others massed on the Capitol steps cheered and celebrated news of the breach, waving flags, firing flares and popping smoke grenades from atop the balcony. D.C. police Chief Robert Contee confirmed that shots were fired inside the Capitol and at least one person was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound. Media reports suggest that person has since died of their injuries. Trump, who had vowed to loyalists gathered outside the White House that he would never concede defeat in November's presidential election, issued a tweet urging supporters to "stay peaceful." "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement," Trump wrote, stopping short of asking protesters to vacate the federal legislative building. "They are truly on the side of our Country." He later posted a brief video urging occupiers to "go home," but also repeated his claim the election was stolen and expressed solidarity with the crowd: "We love you," the president said. "You're very special." While political observers, elected officials and world leaders condemned the actions on social media platforms, the jubilant, celebratory mood on the grounds outside the building offered a jarring study in contrasts. "This is not a violent insurrection," insisted Nancy Murphy, who travelled from Saratoga, N.Y., to attend Wednesday's protest and was front and centre when the clashes began. "This is people who think they can pull a fast one and steal an election," she said, gesturing towards the Capitol dome, "and take our country away from us." New Hampshire resident Tom Monahan struggled to rinse the sting of pepper spray from his eyes, his Trump-supporter mother doing her best to help, as he described the moment when the chaos erupted. "I was just trying to get a better look, be a part of history," Monahan said, desperately squeezing blasts from a water bottle into his reddened, tear-stained face. "My mother and I went up the stairs, and we ended up getting way too close, going way too far. Next thing I know, it's me and a whole bunch of police using spray and flash-bangs." Both insisted that the crowds would remain defiant. "This is the people's house in America," Murphy said. "They know what the constitution says; they're just choosing not to follow it. And no. America says, 'No.'" As night fell, however a persistent din of police sirens and the glow of emergency lights punctuating the darkness police had surrounded the vast Capitol grounds in force and were gradually pushing people away from the building. President-elect Joe Biden, whose election win two months ago was supposed to be certified Wednesday, instead found himself addressing the nation and pleading for calm. "Our democracy is under unprecedented assault," Biden said, calling the protesters "extremists" who are "dedicated to lawlessness." "This is not dissent, it's disorder, it's chaos. It borders on sedition, and it must end now," he said. Even Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., felt compelled to issue a statement. "We are following the developments on Capitol Hill very closely," Hillman tweeted. "All Embassy staff are safe and accounted for. We call for calm during this time." "Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted. "Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the U.S. must be upheld and it will be." In a joint statement, congressional leaders Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer called on Trump to demand that protesters leave the building immediately. Vice-President Mike Pence also urged the interlopers to withdraw. "This attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated," Pence said. "Those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." UPDATE 3:20 p.m. DC Police have confirmed a woman has died after being shot inside the US Capitol during riots Wednesday. A spokesman for the department says the woman was pronounced dead at an area hospital. No further details were released. Meantime, President Donald Trump has taken to twitter to defend the actions of those who stormed, and occupied the Capitol earlier in the day. These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away," he said on Twitter. "Remember this day forever!" He concluded by asking those rioters to "go home." UPDATE 1:50 p.m. President Donald Trump has released a video on Twitter, asking his supporters to go home, while falsely maintaining that the 2020 election was stolen from him. You have to go home now, we have to have peace, Trump said. It is a very tough period of time, there has never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us, he continued. He concluded his statement by saying we love you, you are very special but go home, and go home in peace. UPDATE 1:20 p.m. President-elect Joe Biden called Wednesday for the restoration of just simple decency as a mob incited by his predecessor stormed the U.S. Capitol and delayed Congress from certifying the results of November's election in which Biden won the White House. Biden had planned to deliver a speech focused on how to revive an economy and provide financial relief for small business owners reeling from the coronavirus pandemic from his native Delaware. But shortly before he was to begin speaking, demonstrators broke into the capital, reaching as far as the House floor. The building was locked down and police with guns drawn moved in as Vice-President Mike Pence and lawmakers were evacuated to secure locations. National Guard troops were deployed and a citywide curfew called for shortly after dusk, as rioters continued to occupy the capital for hours. At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault unlike anything we've seen in modern times, Biden said, adding that what unfolded was, an assault on the rule of law like few times we have ever seen it. He said the uprising bordered on sedition, adding, "The scenes of chaos at the capitol do not reflect a true America, do not represent who we are. I call on this mob to pull back and allow democracy to go forward, Biden said. At their best the words of a president can inspire, at their worst they can incite. Biden also called on Trump to go on national television now to demand an end to this siege." A joint session of Congress had convened to certified Bidens election victory. But as that was occurring, Trump addressed thousands of demonstrators who had amassed outside the Capitol to cheer his baseless claims of voter fraud and to protest the results of a free and fair election simply because the candidate they support lost it. Trump's supporters moved on to besiege the Capitol leading to unsettling scenes of chaos and violence unseen in Washington for decades. Biden's speech was delayed by more than an hour as the president-elect and aides tore up his scheduled remarks and worked to craft a new statement addressing the scene in the nation's capital. There didn't appear to be additional security around Biden, but, as the president-elect huddled backstage, agents on his U.S. Secret Service detail stood in their places in front of a stage at a theatre in downtown Wilmington, with featured four American flags, for more than hour. UPDATE 12:30 p.m. According to reports on CNN, a woman is being treated for a gunshot wound on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Sources indicate the woman is in critical condition. It's unclear as to the circumstances surrounding the shooting. ORIGINAL 12:15 p.m. Protesters backing President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in violent clashes with police that force a delay in the constitutional process to affirm Joe Bidens victory in the November election. Trump had urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens win. Several Republican lawmakers have backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Both chambers abruptly recessed as dozens of people breached security perimeters at the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. A chaplain prayed as police guarded the doors to the chamber and lawmakers tried to gather information about what was happening. An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden's victory. Due to an external security threat, no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. Both chambers abruptly went into recess. The District of Columbia's Mayor, Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 p.m. The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said. The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress' vote. We will not let them silence your voices, Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president. Insane photo from @AP at the doors of the House chamber pic.twitter.com/sFpMwUmvrn Keaton Fox (@keatonfox) January 6, 2021 UPDATE 11:45 a.m. As demonstrators swarmed the U.S. Capitol, Congress was forced to abruptly halt deliberations Wednesday over Republican challenges to Joe Bidens presidential victory. President Donald Trumps relentless effort to overturn the election results and cling to the White House drew a massive crowd to the White House, and then Trump sent them to the Capitol. Lawmakers had convened for an extraordinary joint session to confirm the Electoral College results but protests erupted outside the Capitol and government office buildings were being evacuated. Though fellow Republicans were behind the challenge to Bidens 306-232 Electoral College victory, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought to lower tensions and argued against it. He warned the country cannot keep drifting apart into two separate tribes with separate facts. McConnell declared, The voters, the courts and the states all have spoken." But other Republicans, including House GOP leaders among Trump's allies were acting out the pleas of supporters at his huge Wednesday rally up Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House to fight for Trump. We have to fix this, said Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the GOP whip. The last-gasp effort is all but certain to fail, defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress prepared to accept the November results. Biden is to be inaugurated Jan. 20. Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now were seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong. This is not who we are. Im heartbroken for our nation today. pic.twitter.com/jC9P0YfSLQ Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 6, 2021 Protestors have entered the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/dzaDGn5MoC Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) January 6, 2021 Trump protesters just discharged a fire extinguisher outside Senate chamber. Many protesters are inside building, and most people are hiding from them pic.twitter.com/0y2sk8LHWd Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021 ORIGINAL 11:20 a.m. Protesters loyal to President Donald Trump clashed with police Wednesday on Capitol Hill as lawmakers began the tension-filled, arduous process of certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory. Video posted to Twitter showed some of the thousands of Trump loyalists who have crowded into the national capital trying to breach barricades while dozens of Capitol police officers struggled to hold them back. As the tumult erupted, Congress began certifying the results of November's presidential election, a process several House and Senate members have promised to oppose. Tensions on the Hill erupted shortly after the president himself spent more than an hour airing familiar grievances before a crowd of thousands outside the White House, a sea of Trump banners and American flags snapping in a bitter January wind. "We will never concede," Trump bellowed to lusty cheers. "We will never give up." What is normally a staid exercise in constitutional process began Wednesday with Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz formally objecting to the electors from their states. That triggered a maximum two hours of separate debate in the two chambers of Congress, a process that's expected to repeat itself each time a member registers an objection. In his refusal to acknowledge defeat, Trump has ratcheted up the pressure on Vice-President Mike Pence, who is presiding over today's certification process, even though he has no real power to derail it. Pence said as much Wednesday, even as Trump was outside urging his vice-president to "do the right thing." Several Republican lawmakers are expected to object to Biden's win, citing phoney allegations of election fraud a futile exercise that will ultimately do little beyond delaying the inevitable. Adding to the tension is the shifting political landscape in Georgia, where Democrat Raphael Warnock was elected the state's first Black senator and Jon Ossoff appears poised to unseat Republican Sen. David Perdue. Two Democratic victories in Tuesday's run-off elections would wrest control of the Senate away from the Republicans and provide a clearer path for Biden's presidential agenda. All of that is fuelling fears of violence in D.C., where Trump supporters clashed Tuesday night with police and members of the National Guard are on hand to help maintain order. On Capitol Hill, all eyes will be on Pence a loyal Trump lieutenant who finds himself caught between his devotion to the president and his obligations under the U.S. constitution. Experts insist Pence's role is strictly ceremonial and that he doesn't have the power to reject electoral college votes. Trump seems to disagree. "If Vice-President Mike Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency," Trump tweeted early Wednesday a message Twitter promptly stamped with its now-familiar "disputed" flag. He followed that up with a direct appeal: "Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!" By Shim Jae-yun The Year of the Ox, according to the Chinese zodiac, has begun, with hope from the prospect of vaccinations for COVID-19. This hope can come true when we overcome the persistent coronavirus pandemic. Yet a real recovery can only be possible through a just and fair distribution of the vaccines. If we fail in this, any recovery will take time, forcing us again to endure another considerable period of hardship with the specter of the unprecedented worldwide outbreak. The word vaccine purportedly originates from the Latin word "vacca" which means "cow" in English. Up until the 18th century in Europe, the deadly disease of smallpox claimed more than 400,000 people every year. The disease haunted the continent until 1796 when medical doctor Edward Jenner extracted pus from a cowpox pustule and used material from it to inoculate patients against smallpox, a variant of the infection. And so thanks to cows, humans were freed from the yoke of smallpox. Another pandemic which dealt a deadly blow to humans was the "pestilence," or bubonic plague also known as the Black Death which claimed the lives of one third of the total population in Europe in the 14th century. The disease was carried by fleas that had infected rats. Last year, which was the Year of the Rat, the coronavirus pandemic inflicted enormous suffering, affecting almost all people around the globe like the hardship the pestilence caused in the Middle Ages in Europe. Ushering in the Year of the Ox, we have come to harbor the hope that global citizens will be freed from the coronavirus just as our ancestors were rescued with a vaccine extracted from bovines. As mentioned before, such hope can only grow when vaccines are provided sufficiently and shared equally regardless of regional or wealth differences. Unequal vaccine distribution will only lead to a protracted recovery from the pandemic. Yet regrettably, however, richer nations have rapidly been getting access to the vaccines greedily and disproportionally. According to a research institute at Duke University, Canada has secured 537 percent equivalent doses for its population, followed by 290 percent for the United Kingdom and 170 percent for the United States. Out of the total 7.2 billion doses of vaccines available, 3.9 billion are for Western industrialized countries, compared to 2.6 billion for less developed ones. Equal inoculation is all the more important in that herd immunity will be possible only when more than 70 percent of the entire world's population is vaccinated. Last October, some 100 countries including China got together to discuss the vaccine issue and supported the recommendation made by India and South Africa during the World Trade Organization (WTO) TRIPs meeting. But the U.S., Germany and Australia refused to comply with the idea of easing the rules on intellectual property rights in connection with vaccines. This shows the need for the G20 member nations that declared coronavirus vaccines were public assets to take appropriate action. Domestically we can witness diverse cases of widening polarization amid the surging pandemic. It is heartbreaking to see a deliveryman die from exhaustion in October, unable to cope with delivering more than 300 parcels a day. The suffering faced by self-employed small business owners and employees at air, travel and retail industries is beyond description. The common hope for the sufferers is to see the coronavirus come to an end. Against this background, what is disappointing is the move by some richer countries to introduce a "vaccine passport" as this will hamper efforts toward recovery from the pandemic. It will only further speed up polarization in vaccinations. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on his official Twitter account, Dec. 30, "If we distribute the vaccines according to the need and not the wealth, in 2021 we could start to get out of the pandemic." Wary of governments focusing on immunizing their citizens only, he went on to say, "We must remember that no one is safe until we are all safe." Pope Francis in a Christmas address also urged world leaders to guarantee easy access to coronavirus vaccines to all the people. He stressed the need for global unity and the spirit of international cooperation. "Starting with healthcare, all should be ensured access to vaccines and treatment," he said. Union health and science minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday inaugurated one of the seven labs of the global network created by Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for comparably assessing efficacy of all coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines. The laboratory at the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI)-Faridabad is the only one in India as of now. The other laboratories include Nexelis (Canada) and Public Health England (UK), VisMederi Srl (Italy), Viroclinics-DDL (The Netherlands), the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease research (Bangladesh), Q2 Solutions (USA), and National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC, UK). CEPI has approved costs of up to US $16million for this network. All Covid-19 vaccine developers can use this network for free to assess immunogenicity of their vaccine candidate against a common protocol, using clinical samples from preclinical, phase-I through phase-III trials. The network will use the same reagents and follow common protocols to measure the immune response generated by multiple vaccine candidates, including the ones that are not being funded by CEPI. It is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil organizations to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics. According to the organisation, the network will ensure uniformity in assessment across candidates, helping in identifying the most promising one. Also Read: Covid-19: Arrangements being made to vaccinate Haj pilgrims, says Union Minister Naqvi There were 60 vaccines in clinical trial and 172 in pre-clinical trials as of December 2020, according to the World Health Organisation. At least seven vaccines have been approved for use by countries across the world. At the virtual inauguration of the lab, the minister lauded the work of the department of biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for working relentlessly over the past ten months to develop effective interventions for combating the Covid pandemic. The CEPI laboratory will be a great addition to the ability of THSTI to enhance quality of services towards making the vaccine and its acceptability at global level. He added, Today, the country is at the forefront of developing vaccines against Covid-19. Already two of the 30 vaccines have been cleared by the drug controller. Harsh Vardhan also announced the successful manufacturing of 10 million diagnostic kits by AMTZ, Visakhapatnam, which was one of the projects selected for funding under the Covid-19 consortium set up by the department of biotechnology. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received on Tuesday, the special envoy of Ghana's President Annan Kato, in Cairo, the Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in an official statement. The meeting touched upon issues of bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Ghana, especially in the fields of trade and investment, as well as the exchange of expertise concerning the handling of the coronavirus pandemic's ramifications. The meeting also dealt with the Egyptian role in backing the Ghanaian efforts in the development field via transferring Cairo's comprehensive development experience, the statement added. The meeting was also attended by the Head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel. El-Sisi, during the meeting, underscored the historical relations between both countries, and Egypt's keenness in promoting these relations, according to Rady. He expressed his confidence in the "effective contributions" of the Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, especially in terms of Ghana's hosting of the headquarters of the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area. "This will have a positive impact on supporting economic cooperation and developing intra-regional trade," the President El-Sisi added. According to Rady, both sides agreed on strengthening joint efforts in this regard in a way that guarantees the effectiveness of the continental free trade zone and further enhances the economic and trade integration between the countries of the continent. Short link: Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2021 9:54 am Unconvinced by their legal arguments, a Thurston County Superior Court judge maintained temporary restraining orders issued against Spiffys and Farm Boy Drive-in Tuesday as the establishments remain open to in-person dining despite orders by Gov. Jay Inslee aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. And fines against the restaurants are mounting. Spiffys in Napavine now faces $202,419 in fines from the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), and Farm Boy Drive-in faces $183,141, not including the $2,000 per day fine levied last week after the Maytown restaurant was found in contempt of court. At their back-to-back hearings Tuesday, the restaurants shared lawyer, Jason Celski, abandoned the argument he used last week that rumors of Farm Boy Drive-in offering indoor dining was hearsay, despite the restaurant itself loudly broadcasting its refusal to follow the mandates online. Instead, Celski argued that the restraining orders should be dismissed because the restaurants are protecting customers and employees in other ways, and because other establishments are also putting Washingtonians in danger of infection. My clients have on their front door an indication that what theyre performing is a social gathering, and that individuals may not enter if theyve had any symptoms of COVID, if theyve not quarantined for the last 14 days, or they may (enter) if theyve had a COVID test in the last 46 hours, Celski said about Farm Boy Drive-in. He also noted that the restaurant has provided waivers to employees to acknowledge the inherent risk of working in a restaurant bucking state law. But Judge Chris Lanese was unconvinced, saying that a restaurant may not use its discretion to replace what is the law with what it thinks the law should require. He also noted that Celski didnt reference any law that would allow the restaurants to have employees sign waivers giving up their protections under statewide workplace safety laws, nor do I believe that there is such authorization under the law. Celski pointed to a Yakima Costco that had more than 150 employees infected with COVID-19, saying its unfair that Spiffys and Farm Boy Drive-in are being punished while other establishments stay open and spread the virus. It was an argument met with dismissal by the judge and Assistant Attorney General Michael Hall, representing L&I. Its similar for being pulled over for speeding and arguing to the state trooper that you shouldnt have been pulled over because other people are going faster, Hall said. Lanese repeated that the restaurants are still allowed to stay open and serve food under current COVID-19 restrictions using takeout or outdoor seating. While Celski doubted that outbreaks were connected to indoor dining, L&Is lawyers cited work from the states epidemiologist, Dr. Scott Lindquist, as well as the states outbreak reports. According to the states data dashboard, the most common setting out of the states cumulative outbreaks during the pandemic has been food service locations or restaurants, as of Dec. 26. In this case, what I have before me is voluminous affidavits filed by the state supporting their proposition that it is dangerous to have indoor dining occuring at the time within a restaurant. In opposition to that there is, in effect, nothing, Lanese said. No one with any sort of expert pedigree that may qualify as any expert witness, nor is there any science that is being offered to counter the states, in effect, uncontroverted and unchallenged positions in this case. Protests Draw More Far-Right Support, But Little Monetary Backing Supporters of Spiffys and Farm Boy Drive-in convened again this week in a continuation of rallies that have featured far-right groups including militia group the Three Percenters, Patriot Prayer and Peoples Rights, the creation of anti-government activist Ammon Bundy. This week, the show of support also included militia-style vigilante group American Wolf, known for patrolling progressive protests and launching a fundraiser for Kyle Rittenhouse, currently free on a $2 million bail for allegedly driving over state lines to a protest against racial injustice and shooting three people with a semi-automatic rifle, leaving two dead. Supporters of Rittenhouse have said he acted in self-defence. Winlock Mayor Brandon Svenson spoke at the Monday rally in front of Farm Boy Drive-in, marking another local official who has publicly thrown their support behind establishments defying Gov. Jay Inslees orders. Despite the show of support, both establishments have raised only meager amounts of money to cover their hefty fines. As of Monday, the GoFundMe set up by Farm Boy Drive-in had collected just over $2,000 of their $100,000 goal while Spiffys had raised under $8,000 of their $50,000 goal. In a post on Parler a new and increasingly popular social media network for conservatives about the restaurants this week, Peoples Rights organizer Kelli Stewart said that while some officials have given businesses the greenlight to reopen, many are hesitant to do so given potentially painful fines. Courts have now approved temporary restraining orders against at least one other business as well: Stuffys II in Longview. Were just continuing to try to educate people and try to understand what theyre facing when they open so theyre ready for the fight, she said. Thats what we want. We want people who are ready for this fight. Spiffys and Farm Boy Drive-in still show little sign of complying with mandates meant to curb COVID-19. Farm Boy Drive-in shared a post ahead of Mondays rally, asking residents to join us for our civil disobedience and grand re-opening at Farm Boy in defiance of these unconstitutional orders. Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God, the post read, featuring a popular gun rights slogan Molon Labe, or come and take them in Greek, a Sparta reference. South African medical-insurance companies, business organizations and the government are developing a program in which the private sector will help fund Covid-19 vaccines for people not covered by insurance. Legislation has been amended to allow the companies to fund shots for people who dont have medical insurance and talks are now focused on the number of those who may benefit, said Stavros Nicolaou, head of the Health Workgroup for Business for South Africa, a grouping of South Africas biggest business organizations. In addition to medical insurers, companies such as miners may contribute funds so their workers can be covered, he said. We are looking at a model of some cover for uncovered patients, he said in an interview on Monday. For every funded person, there will be a contribution to the unfunded. The talks come as South Africas government faces increasing criticism by labor unions, health officials and opposition parties for its failure to procure vaccines even as at least 33 nations begin inoculating their populations. The country has yet to conclude any direct supply agreements with pharmaceutical companies. It expects to begin receiving shots in the second quarter to cover a 10th of its about 60 million people through the Covax initiative, which is trying to ensure equitable access to vaccines. As of 2019, 17% of South Africas population was covered by medical insurance, according to the national statistics agency. South Africa, with 1.11 million confirmed infections and more than 30,000 deaths, is the nation in Africa worst affected by Covid-19. Allowing medical insurers or companies to import vaccines solely for their own members or employees could spark tension in South Africa, which is one of the worlds most unequal societies. The government is already struggling to meet a host of economic challenges, with many state companies dependent on bailouts from the budget. Discovery Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Adrian Gore is heading a panel thats discussing how the program will work. The company is South Africas biggest medical-insurance company. 30% Funding The collaboration between the government and medical insurers could help fund vaccines for about 30% of the population, in addition to supplies expected from the Covax initiative, said Discovery Health Ltd. CEO Ryan Noach. That means funding still needs to be sought for about 27% of the population to reach Health Minister Zweli Mkhizes vaccination target of about two-thirds of residents to achieve herd immunity. That fundraising effort is still under way, Noach said in an interview with Radio 702. I think corporate South Africa is certainly going to come to the party. Momentum Health Solutions Ltd., one of the nations biggest medical insurers, is working with the authorities to ensure vaccines are made available to the most at-risk members of the population, marketing head Damian McHugh said Tuesday. FedHealth, another large insurance provider, said it aims to have all its members vaccinated by the end of 2021. FedHealth is comfortable that it will be able to cover the cost of the Covid-19 vaccine in 2021 from risk for all its members without impacting its 2021 financial budget, the company said in an emailed response to questions. Estimates show the cost of vaccinating medical-insurance company members in South Africa could total about 7 billion rand ($470 million), or just under 2% of gross contributions received, Noach said. The estimate includes logistics costs and will be influenced by final pricing, the vaccine mix and prevailing exchange rates, he said. Discovery Health Medical Schemes has already set aside money to aid its members with vaccines. Business is also trying to accelerate the arrival of vaccines in the country, Nicolaou said. We need to change the public narrative, he said. How do you, if at all, accelerate the timing? Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A Chinese Navy submarine attends an international fleet review off Qingdao in Shandong Province on April 23, 2009. (Guang Niu/AFP/Getty Images) Indonesian Politician Suspects Unidentified Underwater Drone Has Chinese Origin An Indonesian government official believes an underwater drone found by local fishermen last month is of Chinese origins. The Governor of the Indonesian region of South Sulawesi, Nurdin Abdullah, said on Tuesday that based on preliminary findings it seems like the drone was made in China. Whether it was put there or who put it there is unknown to us, Abdullah said. The confirmation comes after Indonesian security and defence commentators noted its resemblance to Chinese Sea Wing drones. Indonesian defence commentator JATOSINT wrote on Twitter on Dec. 29 that the drones specifications resemble to those used by China. A fisherman in Selayar Island, South Sulawesi, has found a UUV: Length: 225 cm Tail: 18 cm Wingspan: 50 cm Trailing antenna: 93 cm Very similar to Chinas Sea Wing UUV, which, if its true, raised many questions especially how it managed to be found deep inside our territory pic.twitter.com/RAiX8Xw2BK JATOSINT (@Jatosint) December 29, 2020 Anadolu Agency reported that Indonesias naval chief Admiral Yudo Margono said on Jan. 4 that the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), which was found on Dec. 26, carried no mark of its country of origin but resembled those produced by the United States, France, China, Japan, and Canada. Currently the drone is being analysed at the Indonesian Navys Center for Hydrography and Oceanography. Indonesian government officials are deeply concerned. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Azis Syamsuddin said on Jan. 1 that any foreign underwater drone or submarine should not be in Indonesian waters without permission. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry must lodge a protest with the country which owns the drone that was recently found by a fisherman near Selayar Island, South Sulawesi province, he said. The Foreign Ministry needs to also coordinate with the military (TNI) commander to take the necessary measures in response to the discovery of the foreign UUV, he said. This is the second drone found in Indonesian waters of its kind. The first was found in March 2019 in Indonesias Riau Islands, near Singapore and Indonesias Surabaya Naval Base, and in the Malacca Strait, another vital shipping route for Australia. Indonesian security analyst Muhammad Fauzan believes that the drone found last month, if Chinese, was most likely mapping future submarine routes, as it was in a significant maritime route between China and Australias northernmost city of Darwin. Indonesia straddles multiple important shipping routes vital for Australia and the Indo-Pacific nations, including the Malacca and Lombok Straits. Both are vital maritime corridors for Australian exportsresources, energy, and agricultural produceand critical for importing liquid energy supplies and consumer goods from Asia and Europe. Speaking to the ABC on Jan.1, Furzan said that if the drone was a Chinese instrument, the concern was whether it was being used for intelligence gathering or illegal seabed surveying. If it was surveying, then this could have ramifications for Australia, Malcolm Davis, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said. Davis told the ABC that the Chinese navy would need to understand the oceanographic and the bathymetric nature of that region before they deployed submarines and using drones to map an area is a common precursor to that eventuality. He warned that Australia needs to prepare for Chinese submarines in its waters if this is the case. It does send a signal that the Chinese navy is getting ready to deploy submarines closer to our maritime approaches north of Darwin and we need to be ready for the prospect of submarine activity much closer to Australias northern coast than we have been experiencing in the past, Davis said. Paris, TX (75460) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. LKCS focuses extensively on ensuring the absolute safety and security of our clients confidential data. Our SOC2 report reflects the processes and procedures we follow daily, the suitability of our controls design, and the operating effectiveness of the controls we have in place. LKCS, a premier provider of marketing, design, printing, mailing, web development and statement processing solutions for financial institutions nationwide, today announced it has again successfully completed an annual SOC 2 Audit on Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality and Privacy. Established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SSAE 16 SOC 2 is the officially recognized auditing standard for service organizations to demonstrate they have adequate security, availability and processing integrity controls and processes in place. A SOC 2 Type II examination demonstrates that an independent accounting and auditing firm has reviewed and examined an organization's control objectives and activities, and tested those controls to ensure that they are operating effectively. At the conclusion of the examination, a formal report including the auditor's opinion is issued to the examined organization. The successful completion of this comprehensive audit demonstrates LKCS' commitment to implementing processes and controls for delivery of high-quality services to its customers. Key services included in the scope of the audit were LKCS statement processing and e-statement operations, database marketing, direct mail, information technology policies and procedures, and web site hosting services. According to Sid Haas, Vice President of Business Development, "LKCS focuses extensively on ensuring the absolute safety and security of our clients confidential data. Our SOC2 report reflects the processes and procedures we follow daily, the suitability of our controls design, and the operating effectiveness of the controls we have in place." About LKCS Based in Peru, Illinois, LKCS is the area leader in providing end-to-end marketing, graphic design, commercial printing, direct mail, and web development services. Combined with over 50 years of marketing expertise, LKCS leverages the latest technologies and techniques to improve marketing results and return on investment for our clients. We do that. Additional information about LKCS can be found at http://www.lk-cs.com. About SOC 2 Certification The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has developed the SOC 2 report based on the Trust Services Principles, Criteria, and Illustrations for Security, Availability, Privacy, Confidentially and Processing Integrity for services organizations. The SOC 2 report includes the AICPA's predefined criteria for industry best practices regarding policies, procedures, and processes related to security, availability, and confidentiality for demonstrating a strong system of internal controls. It is a report by an independent accounting and auditing firm on management's description of a service organization's system and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of controls. For more information regarding SOC 2 auditing, please visit http://www.aicpa.org. Geneva, Jan 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jan, 2021 ) :The WHO's vaccine advisory group said Tuesday that the second Pfizer-BioNTech anti-Covid-19 vaccine dose could, in exceptional circumstances, be administered a few weeks beyond the recommended 21-28 days. "SAGE made a provision for countries in exceptional circumstances of vaccine supply constraints and epidemiologic settings, to delay the administration of the second dose for a few weeks in order to maximise the number of individuals benefiting from a first dose," Alejandro Cravioto, chair of the World Health Organization's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation, told a news conference. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The British judge ruling in the US governments extradition against journalist Julian Assange justified a CIA spying operation targeting both the WikiLeaks publisher and the Ecuadorian government by pointing to debunked accusations published by CNN. Yet in a self-referential loop, the American media outlets dubious claims about Assange themselves ironically originated with a security firm that was spying on Assange for the CIA and which is now facing prosecution in Spain for illegal activity. While the UK judge ultimately decided not to extradite Assange, citing his deteriorating mental health and the likelihood of suicide in the draconian US prison system, her judgement nevertheless echoed and reinforced the US governments unsubstantiated and politically motivated charges against the journalist. Thus she preserved the severe threat to freedom of the press and free speech that Assanges persecution represented. In one of the most brazenly political sections in her December 4 legal judgment, Westminster district judge Vanessa Baraitser cited a suspect report by CNN that accused Assange of conspiring with Russians to turn Ecuadors embassy in London, where he was trapped in refuge for years, into a command post for election meddling. Baraitser twice pointed to this dubious CNN article in order to justify a 24/7 CIA spying operation that targeted not only Assange, but Ecuadors embassy and its sovereign operations and internal affairs as well. What the British judge failed to mention is that the CNN report she relied on was itself based entirely on untrustworthy intelligence reports obtained from a Spanish security firm called UC Global, which secretly worked with the CIA to spy on the WikiLeaks publisher and Ecuadorian embassy staff. The director of that company, former Spanish military officer David Morales, was arrested by Spanish police in 2019, and is currently under investigation by Spains top court for illegal practices. In an exclusive report that exposed CIA spying targeting journalists reporting on Assange, Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal revealed the co-author of this deeply flawed CNN article, Arturo Torres Ramirez, as a right-wing Ecuadorian activist opposed to both WikiLeaks and Ecuadors leftist former President Rafael Correa, who gave Assange asylum. Further, Blumenthal reported that Torres work has been supported by an NGO funded by the US State Department and UK government. As I reported, that CNN article was authored by a right-wing Ecuadorian who worked for a NGO sponsored by the State Department & UK govt, and it relied on disinfo fed by UC Global, the CIA contractor that illegally spied on Assange https://t.co/hZAiIeor5M https://t.co/K0CywDFaPj Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) January 4, 2021 But thats not the only issue with CNNs reporting. A former top Ecuadorian diplomat who helped operate the London embassy when Assange was sheltered inside dismantled the CNN story point by point. In a detailed article for The Grayzone, titled 40 rebuttals to the medias smears of Julian Assange by someone who was actually there, ex-consul Fidel Narvaez documented dozens of misleading claims and outright falsehoods contained in the exclusive CNN report. The former Ecuadorian diplomat said that UC Global did more than just spy on Assange for the CIA; it also produced misrepresented, exaggerated, hostile reports, loaded with paranoia and sometimes false information, which aimed at sowing suspicion about Assange and his visits, in order to justify the work of the security company. Narvaez, who attended most of the Assange extradition hearings, told The Grayzone that the US government prosecutor also cited the same CNN report in February, along with other articles by The Guardian, in order to make their case against the WikiLeaks publisher. A former diplomat who worked in the Ecuadorian embassy while Julian Assange lived there in asylum debunks 40 of CNN's lies and smears against the @WikiLeaks publisherhttps://t.co/iJw2IJWbgv The Grayzone (@TheGrayzoneNews) August 20, 2019 Besides relying on CNNs doubtful reporting, the British judge drew from a number of reports in the New York Times, Washington Post, and The Guardian to portray the WikiLeaks journalist as a dangerous criminal and hacker. These citations are a textbook example of how mainstream corporate media outlets provide the mood music for Western governments and intelligence services, acting as what a top CIA official once called a mighty Wurlitzer. Working in concert with the security state, CNN routinely manufactures consent for unpopular and repressive state actions behind the veneer of objectivity and independence. UK judge casts doubt on US spying on Assange while simultaneously justifying it The Grayzone has published several investigations into the US government spying operation that targeted Julian Assange when he was trapped in the Ecuadorian embassy. The Spanish company hired by Ecuador to provide security, UC Global, was secretly working with the CIA, providing the US spy agency with 24/7 video and audio surveillance that covered almost every inch of the diplomatic building, including even the womens bathroom. Max Blumenthal demonstrated that the CIA presided over this illegal spying ring with the help of a company owned by billionaire Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, a close ally of President Donald Trump and former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In her judgement against Julian Assange, however, UK district judge Vanessa Baraitser cast doubt on the very existence of the US spying operation, suggesting it might not have happened. Ironically, at the same time, she also tried to defend the surveillance, offering several reasons as why it would be justified, were it true. In light of the Spanish high courts investigation into UC Global and its owner, David Morales, for their role in the CIA spying ring, Baraitser argued that it would be inappropriate for this [British] court to make findings of fact on allegations still being investigated in Spain and on the basis of partial and incomplete evidence. The day after the British judge released her ruling, on January 5, the Spanish newspaper El Pais published a follow-up story further documenting the illegal CIA espionage, revealing that the IP addresses that accessed the servers of the Spain-based UC Global matched those of the US-based Shadowserver Foundation, which boasts a client list of NATO states and law enforcement organizations. In confirming much of what The Grayzone had reported before, El Pais furthered the case the US government had spied on Assange and his lawyers with the explicit aim of extraditing him. Tellingly, the US and UK governments have refused to comply with the Spanish court in its investigation. Despite the massive body of evidence proving that UC Global was hired by the CIA to spy on Assange and his associates, including mainstream US journalists, Judge Baraitser proceeded to call into question the very existence of the US spying operation. To do so, she referenced a 2018 article by documented plagiarist, fabulist, and notorious Russiagate propagandist Luke Harding in The Guardian to suggest that arrangements for monitoring and surveillance of its embassy were made by Ecuador rather than the US. (Baraitser failed to acknowledge the drastic change of government in Ecuador from leftist President Rafael Correa to US-backed right-wing leader Lenin Moreno.) Stunningly, Baraitser went on to argue that even if the US was involved in the surveillance of the embassy there is no reason to assume this related to these proceedings. The British judge reflexively shielded Washington and Assistant US Attorney Gordon Kromberg, claiming any CIA spying would be irrelevant to the extradition hearing even though CIA contractors clearly spied on Assanges meetings with his legal team, proposed assassinating or kidnapping him, and may have broken into the office of his legal counsel Baltazar Garzon. Thus, Baraitser insisted that privileged communications and the fruits of any surveillance would not be seen by prosecutors assigned to the case and would be inadmissible at Mr. Assanges trial as a matter of US law. Baraitser concluded her argument by crudely justifying the CIA spying ring. A possible alternative explanation for US surveillance (if there was any) is the perception that Mr. Assange remained a risk to their national security, the UK judge wrote. She pointed to WikiLeaks publication of materials proving that the US National Security Agency (NSA) spied on numerous foreign government leaders, as well as the websites Vault 7 leak, which exposed CIA surveillance and hacking tools, as examples of alleged risks Assange could have posed. Baraitser then cited the 2019 CNN report accusing Assange of turning the Ecuadorian embassy into a command post for election meddling. Baraitser referred to this CNN article two times in her 132-page decision, on pages 66 and 94. In both cases, she employed the report to regurgitate the US governments narrative that Assange posed a dangerous threat to national security. Later in her decision, when Baraitser quoted CNN the second time, the British judge practically regurgitated the corporate outlets accusations as her own, writing that it confirmed that Mr. Assange has continued to meet with Russians and world-class hackers and has acquired powerful new computing and network hardware to facilitate data transfers whilst at the Ecuadorian Embassy. Notably, her reference to Russians contained no evidence that Assange met with Russian officials, implying sinister associations based solely on the Russian nationality of his alleged visitors. CNNs source: Untrustworthy, paranoid CIA-backed security firm A closer look at the CNN article cited by Baraitser reveals it rests on a shoddy foundation. Published in July 2019, the CNN story was part of a larger, politically motivated campaign conceived by the US intelligence apparatus and embittered former Hillary Clinton aides that sought to portray Assange, WikiLeaks, and other political rivals as nefarious tools of the Kremlin. Co-authored by Arturo Torres Ramirez, the right-wing anti-Assange and anti-Correa Ecuadorian activist whose work has been supported by organizations funded by the US State Department and British government, the CNN article is based on exclusive access to hundreds of surveillance reports compiled by the Spanish security firm UC Global. CNN did not once mention in the nearly 4,000-word piece that UC Global was, in fact, a CIA contractor. Instead, the American media giant depicted UC Global as a purportedly independent and trustworthy third party. Fidel Narvaez, the Ecuadorian diplomat who helped run the London embassy when Assange lived there in asylum, wrote in his piece fact-checking 40 falsehoods in the CNN report: The stunning thing is that CNN considers the reports produced by UC Global as a reliable source. I know, personally, that many of its reports do not reflect reality. UC Global produced misrepresented, exaggerated, hostile reports, loaded with paranoia and sometimes false information. Those of us who know what was going on inside that embassy know that the companys reports are going in only one direction: sowing suspicion about Assange and his visits, in order to justify the work of the security company. The company was spying on Assanges every movement, leaking materials and documents from inside the embassy, either by ineptitude or on purpose. UC Global even went as far as to forge a document, falsifying the signature of an ambassador, and then presenting it in a labor tribunal, a fact that the ambassador himself denounced before the Foreign Ministry. This is not the first time that leaked UC Global reports have generated media reports that are far from reality like several of The Guardians articles on Julian Assange. CNN used these unreliable, politically motivated reports to besmirch Assanges reputation and falsely characterize WikiLeaks as a Russian influence operation. According to CNN, one UC Global document concluded there was no doubt that there is evidence that Assange had ties to Russian intelligence agencies. The corporate outlet did not provide one piece of tangible evidence to support this staggering claim, however. The CNN article used the words Russia or Russian 44 times. And it cited FBI special counsel Robert Mueller and the CIA-sponsored UC Global to paint a picture of a global Kremlin-led conspiracy employing Assange to rob Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of the 2016 presidential election victory. A version of Muellers 2019 report published by the US Justice Department in November 2020 with less redactions poured more water on the conspiratorial fire of Russiagate. It revealed that Muellers team investigated Assange over purported ties to Russia, but decided not to file any charges because of a lack of evidence. CNN was ultimately compelled to acknowledge that its report on Assange was utterly baseless, albeit quietly and obliquely, reporting over a year later that, ultimately, Mueller wrote, the Justice Department did not have admissible evidence.' The other extraordinary claim made by CNN, and uncritically repeated by UK judge Vanessa Baraitser, was that Assange met with Russians and world-class hackers at critical moments [before the 2016 US presidential election], frequently for hours at a time. What made this statement so disingenuous was that neither CNN nor Baraitser mentioned that these Russians were civilians, and not government officials. There is nothing inherently criminal or suspicious about meeting with Russian nationals, except perhaps in the frazzled mind of a Cold War-crazed bigot. Fidel Narvaez, who said the CNN article contains numerous errors, omissions, examples of bias, speculations, and simply false information, countered this accusation by writing: An embassy is not a jail although in the last year, Lenin Morenos government did convert his embassy in London into a de facto prison. Therefore, there is nothing unusual for Assange to have visitors for several hours per day. He met with hundreds of people from around the world: intellectuals, artists, politicians, journalists, dissidents, activists. Russian nationals, such as the activist group Pussy Riot, an archenemy of the Kremlin, were among Assanges visitors. The people whom CNN mistakenly refers to as hackers are specialists in computer security and data protection. CNN chooses to refer to them as pirates, because it is more in tune with the overall bias of its report. The heavy reliance by a UK judge and the US federal prosecutor on a baseless CNN report to justify CIA spying on Julian Assange and his associates provides a powerful illustration of corporate US medias role as de facto publicity arm of the security services. Having been deployed against a journalist on trial for the crime of publishing classified documents, CNNs demonic portrayal of Assange has ultimately assisted the state suffocation of a free press. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Jonah Hill was snapped hitting the waves in Malibu on Tuesday, continuing with his ongoing passion for surfing. The Los Angeles native, 36, donned a wetsuit as he had a few garments in hand, sporting a scruffy face as he stepped out for the winter outing in the water. The Beach Bum actor appeared to be socially distanced from others amid spiking COVID-19 rates in Southern California. Hitting the waves: Jonah Hill, 36, was snapped Tuesday in Malibu enjoying a surfing session The Wolf of Wall Street actor spoke last summer with three-time World Surfing League World Champion Mick Fanning about he his passion for the tide later in life. 'Its always been a secret dream of mine and it looks so free and so beautiful and Im 35 in a lot of s*** happened in my life, and you kind of realize lifes too short,' said the Moneyball actor. Hill said his first ever outing on the waves came August 5, 2019 and he's 'surfed at least five days a week every week since then.' Hill explained how he didn't surf growing up, spending most of his childhood on a skateboard: 'I grew up in LA, and I grew up skateboarding and I was an overweight, awkward kid - and imagine me jumping into onto a skateboard - so I had to deal with a lot of s*** with a group of friends within skating.' Busy: The Oscar-nominated actor had a pair of garments in hand as he walked barefoot in the luxe beach locale Hill, who has a fashion line with Adidas, was seen last year in a monochromatic ensemble In the chat, Hill explained how he always was intrigued by surfing, but was hesitant to start as a novice. 'I was kind of like, "Man do I really want to go through the gauntlet again for being the fat kid and learning how to surf?" That doesnt sound fun having to go that through that again, having gone through the battle wounds of that from skating.' Hill said that he began his journey with a singular objective: 'My whole goal was to go surf by myself, can I go surf a spot by myself and stand up on waves.' Hill, who has a fashion line with Adidas, joked that the size of his surfboard made for 'the most frustrating part because obviously I like fashion' and it was harder to keep upright on a smaller surfboard. 'Its so comically funny because its literally all I want is to ride a six foot board,' he said. 'Its so comically frustrating that if I go to an eight foot board Im like f***ing flailing all around, I look decent on the nine foot; anything below I look terrible and its so frustrating.' Well-remembered: The Wolf of Wall Street star last month took to Instagram last month with a pair of pictures in tribute to his late older brother Jordan Hill, who died at 40 on December 22, 2017 as result of a pulmonary embolism One of the images was a screengrab of a playing song that reminded Jonah of Jordan, A Tribe Called Quest's Can I Kick It Hill last month took to Instagram with a pair of pictures in tribute to his late older brother Jordan Hill, who died at 40 on December 22, 2017 as result of a pulmonary embolism. One of the images was the brothers when they were children, another of a screengrab of a playing song that reminded Jonah of Jordan, A Tribe Called Quest's Can I Kick It. 'Celebrating you today,' Hill wrote. 'Listening to this all day. Happy birthday my bro.' The Maniac actor also referenced his late sibling in a November post on the social media site with a shot of a lion pattern in a shoe he designed. 'Been asked why the Lion in the sole,' Jonah wrote. 'My bro was a Lion and now everything I make from films to clothes to whatever will carry a Lion with it.' In January of 2020, Jonah took to Instagram with a memory of Jordan, a Beverly Hills talent manager who represented Maroon 5 and Robin Thicke, in the wake of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others in Calabasas, California on January 26. He shared a shot of himself sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game with Bryant prominently in the background. 'Im sitting next to my brother and hes taking this,' Hill wrote. 'It was the night we both met Kobe and he was so nice to us. So funny, so amazing and so kind (in the middle of a game!). My brother and I grew up worshiping the Lakers and because of my job we got to sit next to Kobe and the whole team! I have lived a privileged life. Truly. Beloved: Jonah's late brother Jordan Feldstein was snapped at a Clippers game in 2015 The Maniac actor also referenced his late sibling in a November post on the social media site with a shot of a lion pattern in a shoe he designed Hill shared a shot of himself sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game with late legend Kobe Bryant prominently in the background, that his late brother Jordan snapped 'We were literally buzzing with excitement to meet our hero and its one of my favorite memories ever. Its my favorite memory with my brother. Im sitting between Kobe and my brother and now theyre both gone.' Hill said he'd stared 'at this photo for days in disbelief and sadness and joy' in the wake of Bryant's premature death. 'Its my favorite picture and I think it represents for me, all of the hard and amazing things in life and how fleeting they are,' he said. 'But their fleeting nature doesnt make them any less beautiful. Ive been thinking a lot about saying Rest In Peace and what that means. But I dont think Kobe or my brother are resting. 'I think theyre hustling up there. Working hard and getting s*** done. Cuz thats what they do. All my love to the ones here left behind. Take care of each other and love each other. Thats the lesson Ive learned.' The government will resume India-UK flights which were closed since the last week of December amid concerns over the 'highly infectious' new Covid-19 strain that was first found in the United Kingdom. Two Air India flights, one from Delhi and one from Mumbai, will fly for London on January 6. As of now, only 30 flights will be operational between the countries instead of 70, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed. Passengers travelling from the United Kingdom to India from January 8 to 31 will now be subjected to mandatory self-paid RT-PCR test at the airport, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. Flight services between the two countries were suspended on December 22 in the wake of a more infectious coronavirus strain found in UK's population. The services will resume on January 6. This strain has so far been detected in over 29 travellers in India. According to the standard operating procedure issued by the health ministry, those travelling between January 8 and 31, would be mandatorily subjected to self-paid RT-PCR tests on arrival at the Indian airports concerned. Passengers will have to submit self-declaration form on the online portal, at least 72 hours before the travel and also carry negative RT-PCR test with them. Airlines are tasked with ensuring the availability of negative test before allowing the passenger on board. Passengers who test positive at the airport will be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in an isolation unit coordinated by the State Health Authorities. They would earmark specific facilities for such isolation and treatment and take necessary action to send positive samples for genome sequencing. Also Watch: After genome sequencing, if the report is consistent with the current virus genome circulating in the country, the ongoing treatment protocol including home isolation or treatment will be followed. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Captain James Hickeys grandnephew, Thomas OConnor, Headleys Bridge and grandneice, Nora Thompson-Walsh, Scartaglin placing a wreath on their patriot granduncles grave during the centenary ceremony at Dysart Cemetery on St. Stephens Day. Inset is a photograph of Captain Hickey Dysart Cemetery on the Castleisland to Farranfore Road doesn't get a lot of attention these days in terms of funerals or ceremonies of any kind. On the most recent St. Stephen's Day, however, a ceremony of great historical and local significance was held there. A Covid-19 restricted gathering held a ceremony to commemorate the death and burial in 1920 of Irish Volunteer, patriot and Knocknagoshel native Captain James Hickey who was tortured and murdered by British forces in Tipperary Millitary Barracks on the Sunday of St. Stephen's Day 1920. The Kerryman of January 8-1921 carried the following report of the funeral which occurred on Friday, December 31st. 1920. "The funeral of Mr. James Hickey (27), draper's assistant, of Ballinattin, Knocknagoshel, whose death occurred under obscure circumstances in Tipperary while in custody, took place on Friday to Dysart, Castleisland. The remains were brought to Abbeyfeale Parish Church on the previous night where a silent vigil was maintained until the departure of the funeral next day. Expand Close Captain James Hickeys grandnephew, Tom Browne, Castleisland delivering the oration during the centenary ceremony at Dysart Cemetery on St. Stephens Day with MC, Eamon O Braoin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Captain James Hickeys grandnephew, Tom Browne, Castleisland delivering the oration during the centenary ceremony at Dysart Cemetery on St. Stephens Day with MC, Eamon O Braoin After Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated the coffin was draped in the tri-colour and borne on the shoulders of a number of volunteers for a distance outside the town. On passing the barracks an Auxiliary Constable saluted the remains and demanded the pall, which was subsequently handed to one of the relatives. The funeral, which passed the desceased's home between knocknagoshel and Castleisland , was of very large dimensions, and many expressions of condolences were conveyed to the desceased's relatives. Rev. J. Burke, P.P.; Rev. Fr. Boyle, C.C.; Rev. J. Carr, C.C.; Rev. D. Fitzgerald, Very Rev. D. Leen officiated at the obsequies. The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Jas. J. Hickey (parents); Misses Hannah, Kathleen, Nora (sisters); Mrs J.J. Burke (aunt): Simon and Laurence Hickey, Mrs. G. O'Sullivan (cousins). A number of beautiful wreaths were laid on the grave." Meanwhile, at the centenary commemoration on St Stephen's Day, the following oration was given by Tom Browne, Castleisland - a grandnephew of Captain James Hickey. Captain James Hickey (1894-1920) - Tipperary 'B' Company, Fourth Battalion Centenary. "I welcome you all here today as we remember Captain James Hickey, Tipperary 'B' Company, Fourth Battalion, on this one hundred anniversary of his death on December 26th. 1920, a young man of 26. James Hickey was born in 1894, he was the oldest son, and second of nine children born to parents Catherine, nee Daly of Scalp, Brosna and James J. Hickey. The Hickeys' farmed 90 acres at Ballinatin, Knocknagoshel located off the Castleisland to Abbeyfeale Road and their homestead, a stone cottage, still stands today. It was there that the Hickey family provided a safe house for James's comrades during intensive man hunts for Irish Volunteers. Following incidents such as the Soloheadbeg Ambush, Tipperary January 1919 and the rescue of Sean Hogan at Knocklong Train Station, County Limerick activists took shelter there. Sean Tracey, Dan Breen and Seamus Robinson three of Ireland's most wanted men with a reward of a thousand pounds on their heads, took refuge and recuperation with the Hickey family intermittently and during the summer of 1919. Irish Volunteers on the run were safe in the heartland of Knocknagoshel, more importantly in the hands of Knocknagoshel people who were known for their loyalty, tightness and support for Irish Freedom. In 1914, at 20 years of age, James Hickey moved to Tipperary Town where he worked as a draper's assistant in The Arcade at No. 31 Main Street. He was an Irish Volunteer and a member of the Tipperary Club, which was frequented by the volunteers and the IRB, this was used as a cover for their activities. In his adopted town, James joined the newly reorganised volunteers in Tipperary in early 1917 and is recorded as being captain of the Tipperary 'B' Company, Fourth Battalion in May 1918. He was elected captain by his fellow volunteers ahead of men like Denis Lacey, Jerry Kiely, Paddy MacDonagh, Paddy Dalton, Con Moloney, the Fitzpatrick brothers, Martin 'Sparky' Breen, and a host of other legendary volunteers, but they chose the Kerry man him - and they never regretted it. He was an active recruiter for Ireland's freedom from Britain. Hickey was the captain of the largest and most active company in the Third Tipperary Brigade, the brigade that re-ignited the fight for freedom at Soloheadbeg, on January 21st 1919. During a two year span from January 1919 to December 1920, Hickey participated in over thirty secret covert operations. Activity at the time included: arms raids, laying ambushes, disrupting enemy communications, smuggling weapons, seizing and guarding consignments of war materials, enforcing a boycott of crown forces, disrupting court proceedings involving volunteers and organising as far as possible the defence of Tipperary Town against reprisals by crown forces. Just before Christmas, on the 21 December 1920, the RIC captured James Hickey on Henry Street in Tipperary Town as he was coming from a company meeting. Like so many other men in Tipperary Town he had been on the run fearing the British 'Murder Gangs' that were operating with impunity throughout Tipperary. He was imprisoned at Tipperary Military Barracks, now the site of the Sean Tracey GAA Club, where four thousand British Soldiers were stationed. On St. Stephen's Day 1920, Captain James Hickey was brutally murdered, following extreme interrogation, he was viciously beaten, brutally tortured, bayoneted multiple times and finally shot. He was the third, of six Irish Volunteers to be murdered at Tipperary Military Barracks. The British Military inquest report reads quite differently and it is questionable for many reasons. Doctor Marnane stated that, 'The British Military inquiry that followed was a story as fantastical as Santa coming down a chimney.' This potentially dubious inquest states that while this high-ranking officer's death 'was his own fault' and was killed by a sergeant in self defence. It is documented that while James was being transferred to the on-site barracks hospital he attacked the sergeant on duty. The sergeant supposedly reacted by bayoneting and shooting James on the spot, the report says duration of death was one minute - implying self-defence and humanity. Tipperary Barracks was known for its policy of brutality. Soldiers were unruly and indisciplined with no regard or respect and there was absolutely no protection for prisoners of war, legally or traditionally within the prison. The historian, Doctor Des Marnane, contributor to the Tipperary Historical Journals, recorded: 'The hospital at Tipperary Military Barracks was a kind of clearing house for the army's new policy of permanently disposing of some of its enemies.' As a mark of dis-respect the deceased James Hickey did not leave Tipperary Barracks in a coffin, instead his body was rolled in a white sheet and jostled onto the Abbeyfeale bound train. His 60 year old father, James J. Hickey travelled by horse and cart to collect his son's limp and marked body, wrapped in a blood-stained sheet to take his son home to Ballinatin. The B Company formed a guard of honour at James's removal and a squad accompanied his coffin on his final journey to his resting place in the Hickey Family plot, where we stand today, Dysert Burial Grounds, Castleisland. Captain James Hickey is commemorated locally on the Ballyseedy Memorial and in Tipperary on the wall of the former Military Barracks on the Brigades Roll of Honour, and also remembered on the obelisk in the Republican plot in St. Michael's Cemetery, Cashel Road, Tipperary. One of the wreaths laid by a grandniece of Captain James Hickey, Nora Walsh, nee Thompson, and presented on behalf of the committee members of the Third Tipperary Brigade, Old IRA Commemoration Committee - a non-political and non-profit group was done with the following message from their PRO, Kevin O'Reilly: "Would you please do us the honour of laying a wreath from our commemoration committee. It's most unfortunate that we're strictly locked down and this has happened all too often on centenaries occurring this year, we can't travel. James was an outstanding volunteer and patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice for Ireland's peace and freedom. "We owe his family an immense debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. Please tell them we are grateful and we will always remember and honour him. "A memory notice of the centenary of his death will appear in the local Tipperary papers next week. "Next summer when COVID is hopefully suppressed, our committee members will visit his grave in Dysert and organise for a de profundis to be recited at his grave. Please forward to me some photos of the laying of the wreath, along with the names of relations and organisers attending," - Best regards, Kevin O'Reilly. "Today we also remember and pray for James Hickey's siblings of Knocknagoshel, who also made massive contributions to Ireland's labour for freedom from the crown and to the peace we enjoy today: Nora Hickey Thompson, Mary Hickey Keane, John Hickey and my grandmother Eily Hickey O'Connor. Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anamacha Ironically, stone from the demolished Military Barracks in Tipperary - stone that witnessed many horrors - was recycled in 1968 and used in the building of the Roger Casement Memorial at Banna Beach. Heartfelt thanks to all of you for making the effort to attend today during these challenging times. Special thanks to those who organised and made Captain James Hickey's remembrance possible. Eamonn O Braoin, Master of Ceremonies and the Breen Family, main organisers. Thanks to Noel O'Mahony, Clounacurrig for playing a selection of beautiful Irish airs on the bag pipes Tim Horgan, author of Dying for the Cause - we especially thank Tim for recording James's legacy. Aileen Lynch, grandniece of Captain James Hickey, for singing Amhran na bhFiann. Kevin O'Reilly and the Third Tipperary Brigade, Old IRA Commemoration Committee, Tipperary. Thank you all." Kerryman A self-described American nationalist suspected of leaving a hoax explosive device in a car at a New York City mall is facing criminal charges after turning himself in to police, authorities said Tuesday. Louis Shenker, 22, will be charged with placing a false bomb, criminal possession of stolen property and abandonment of a disabled animal in connection with the episode Monday at the Queens Place Mall in Elmhurst, said detective Denise Moroney, a police spokesperson. The mall was evacuated around 7:30 a.m. Monday after a device that was made to look like an explosive was found in a black Tesla parked on a ramp in a parking garage. A dog a husky was also found in the vehicle, which had a Nevada license plate and had been reported stolen in that state. Shenker surrendered to officers around 3 a.m. Tuesday in Brooklyn. The Queens district attorneys office said that it was preparing paperwork on Shenkers charges and that he was expected to be arraigned later Tuesday. Being led from a police station in handcuffs, Shenker claimed that the suspicious device was actually a rig to charge the Teslas dead battery. He mocked media coverage as fake news and derided reporters covering his arrest as morons. It was a Tesla car being charged, Shenker said. ... It was literally a car being charged because the battery died. Shenker, who has described himself on social media as a patriot and a supporter of President Donald Trump, was previously arrested Dec. 30 on suspicion of torching a poster attached to a police barricade in Manhattan. He was arraigned Friday and released without bail. A message seeking comment was left for Shenkers lawyer in that case. Police tweeted a photo showing an aerosol-type can, a roll of duct tape, wires and other items recovered from the car. Another photo showed a Black Lives Matter poster among the items. Investigators were looking into whether the poster was left there as a diversion, possibly to make it appear as if members of the movement were responsible for the hoax bomb. Shenker has appeared on the online conspiracy show InfoWars and has filled his social media accounts with far-right views and buzzwords like #MAGA and #StopTheSteal, noting his support of Trumps false claim that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. Shenker was expelled from the University of Massachusetts Amherst amid a controversy over his views. His lawyers alleged that he was a victim of anti-white and anti-Jewish attacks and that faculty members conspired to file false hate crimes charges against him because his views did not align with theirs. A message seeking comment was left with the universitys media relations office. On a since-suspended Instagram account, Shenker mocked the practice of people including their pronouns by listing his as American / Patriot, and has posted online attacks on Black Lives Matter, pushed conspiracy theories, and railed against the use of masks and lockdowns to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, a protest group accused Shenker of disrupting a Black Lives Matter vigil near Mayor Bill de Blasios residence and turning it into a pro-Trump, anti-de Blasio Chanukah Rave. A video posted to social media showed a man purported to be Shenker threatening to send the Proud Boys and Infowars host Alex Jones after a woman attending the vigil. Police said the Tesla in Mondays episode was found parked halfway up the garages circular ramp, positioned in the center of the roadway in a manner that prevented other vehicles from passing. Police said the husky appeared to be OK. Denton, TX (76205) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. 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Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? 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What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. I need this to be the gif of 2021. Reply Parent Thread Link the paleness the judging the visible shit on the ground a true contender tbh Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Gross as it was, this scene always made me so hungry. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Wow, what a throwback Reply Parent Thread Link this fucking moment is so integral to my relationship with my brother and one of my cousins because it never fails to crack us up. We will just randomly do this to each other when we're eating and start dying of laughter every time lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This needs to be the official .gif for all of this Reply Parent Thread Link Doesn't jeffree have a fake bum? Reply Parent Thread Link he and madonna look like they went to the same butt doctor. Reply Parent Thread Link Lol yes. Its like someone BOLTED two bicycle hemlets to his ass. Reply Parent Thread Link he does and he's lost his gd mind with how bad it looks now. when he first got it done it looked really good and natural, but I saw it recently somewhere else and was like "wtffff" Reply Parent Thread Link 100% I just googled JS butt Reply Parent Thread Expand Link js' ass is as fake as kim's so his type. Reply Parent Thread Link It's January 6th, 2021, AND YET............. Reply Thread Link Well that's enough internet for one day I will see you all tomorrow Reply Thread Link I've been on a Monet binge lately Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Im out of here *fades away with Americas Next Top Model/ANTM music playing* sponge bob reaction video meme pic.twitter.com/1174OlVIuU all reaction videos (@allreactionvidz) September 29, 2019 Reply Thread Link The fade away music is the funniest fucking shit to me as a huge top model fan lmfaoooo Reply Parent Thread Link idk why but it cracks me up they put ANTM after just writing out the whole name why Reply Parent Thread Link cause some people will search for ANTM and some will seatch for the full name Reply Parent Thread Link VJ can kick rocks. I hate him so much. He and the KKKlan need to disappear. Reply Thread Link What a disgusting image to conjure up. Could you seriously imagine these two bumpin' uglies? Like, blegh *throws up* Reply Thread Link u mean kissing? badumtsss jk i actually think kanye is attractive minus the personality Reply Parent Thread Link I can't even imagine how mentally distraught someone would have to be to consider dating Jefree. He's such a gross human and the fact that he looks like Skeletor in drag for sure doesn't help matters. Reply Thread Link Skeletor should feel offended. Reply Parent Thread Link especially a non white person, cuz afaik jeffree is racist af Reply Parent Thread Link Is that Taylor Swift? Reply Parent Thread Link that's how it was tagged just don't ask me what it is Reply Parent Thread Expand Link How do you go from Ricard Tisci to Jeffrey Star? I don't believe it. Reply Thread Link Nothing surprises me about Kanye West. He checks all of the boxes. He's a self-hating black man (who is very likely bi if not gay) and he has a God complex. In other words, while he wouldn't publicly claim Jeffree Star, he would absolutely fuck him. Reply Parent Thread Link ok i loathe to engage in kimye's lives more than my initial reaction but i have to know what this bi kanye stuff is about, i've never heard of this Reply Parent Thread Expand Link wait were there rumors about him and kanye????? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He used to be in love with Kim and she also has a terrifying non human plastic surgery face (not as bad as Jeffree's, but still), so I can believe this. Reply Parent Thread Link jesus has taken the wheel and we're just passengers on his wacky, goony, goofy, spoony, high as a plane or a balloon-y, sloppy, sloopy, gloppy, gloopy, hoola-hoopa, hoppy-hoopy, dopey, doffy, screwy, blue-y, gooey, chewy, fooey, dewey, absolutely bus-a-looey, crazy, lazy, crazy, crazy bus Reply Thread Link i need DW to crawl out of the tv and ruin kanye's life Reply Parent Thread Link This show was full of bops Jekyll/Hyde and the Library Card songs were classics. Reply Parent Thread Link this is definitely not jesus' work Reply Parent Thread Link this is going to be stuck in my head for a week now Reply Parent Thread Link I am crying Reply Parent Thread Link honestly i feel like kanye would fuck james charles Reply Thread Link Maybe he saw the Coachella pic. *Apologizing in advance for conjuring up that mental image. Edited at 2021-01-06 04:05 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link now somebody's gonna post the picture and that person should be banned. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This God? Kanye should be so lucky. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Im just loving this rumour. 2021 has been delivering Reply Thread Link Williamstown Select Board Favors Investigation of Police Lawsuit Allegations WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Select Board on Monday agreed to pursue an independent investigation into allegations of racism and sexual misconduct in the Police Department. But it struggled with how that investigation and a parallel effort to re-envision policing in the town of 7,700 will fit into a timeline for replacing the chief of police. The board held a special meeting to gather for the first time since mid-December announcements that then-Chief Kyle Johnson was resigning and the plaintiff in a lawsuit raising those allegations was dismissing the action. The panel faced a number of complicated questions embedded in its single-item agenda, which advertised a discussion of "Next steps for the Police Department." After more than two hours of discussion among the five board members and another 40 minutes of public comment, it was apparent those steps will involve four main tasks: the search for Johnson's replacement, an assessment of the town's policing needs, a review of police policies and the probe into allegations that stretch back for more than a decade. The last action has been one of the main demands of residents who have spoken up since Sgt. Scott McGowan's lawsuit dropped in mid-August. The members of the Select Board for months said they were unable to pursue a third-party investigation while the suit was active, a restraint that was removed on Dec. 14. "To me, the real key here is that this is, wherever we land, that it's fully transparent, it's fully independent," Chair Jane Patton said. "We should take great care to identify who the investigator's client is so that when [the results are] made public, every effort has been made to make sure it has none of our bias, or [Town Manager Jason Hoch's] bias or the town attorney's bias. "This is the piece we need to do right and do well so everybody who sees the report -- they may not like what they see, but they will know it was fully independent and done with transparency and the intent to share it." Patton earlier Monday had told her colleagues on the town's Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee that she planned to push for a third-party investigation at the subsequent Select Board meeting. One member of the latter board made the case that an investigation of old allegations would be neither useful in going forward nor completely satisfying to those who have demanded it. "My view is that the most important and, maybe to me the only important thing is: Is there evidence of systemic bias now in our police department, and, if so, how do we address it," Jeffrey Thomas said. "That's paramount. "The allegations were framed in order to support a lawsuit, so that colors the way they were shaped. Also, I think we're going to run into personnel privacy issues. We'll run into the same sorts of sets of roadblocks we've already encountered. And, third, for those things that can't be explored, it's going to end up being a 'they said/they said' type of thing without a clear resolution." Thomas said he favored efforts that focus on the current state of the department rather than getting into the specific allegations from the past. He said that if the town does investigate the allegations in the McGowan lawsuit, it needs to manage the expectations of residents about what such an investigation could say and what it could not say. "There will be constraints around personnel privacy issues," Thomas said. "These are state laws. They're not constraints we're imposing. There are things that can't be there that will be disappointing and frustrating to some in the community." But two other members of the five-person board said information about what occurred in the past can be helpful to moving the department forward. "I grant you the topic of the investigation was the hardest one on this list," Anne O'Connor said, referring to an eight-point memo that framed Monday's discussion. "I just feel that we have to engage in some kind of investigation. So much has already been said about the allegations, and people have elaborated on them in their own minds. "It's murky, and I yearn for there to be more clarity on the points in the allegations." Hugh Daley agreed. "I think we can use the allegations sort of as a framework to determine what the culture is," Daley said. "I keep thinking about the Hitler photo not only was it hung, it then disappeared into the woodwork and people walked by it for ages. I want to understand why somebody didn't just grab it and pull it down. "I share Jeffrey's concern. It's difficult for me to see how we get to a definitive answer on each of these allegations, but it seems like we could use some of them as discussion points for an investigator to go in and use them as a framework to see what the culture is how these things occurred. "How do we prevent it from happening again? That seems to me to be the ultimate goal." The board, which did not have any vote warned on its agenda, did not take a vote on how to proceed with an investigation, but the discussion ended with Andrew Hogeland committing to look for investigatory firms who might be able to do the job. Patton said an investigation of allegations of past misconduct does not need to be taken as an attack against the department's current personnel. "You just want somebody who wants to come in and make things better," she said. "I would encourage all the department to try to see it through this frame, which is: There's some stuff that's broken. There's some stuff that needs to be fixed. We really want you to be part of the solution. It's way more fun to build something up than to tear it down. "We're not doing this to completely dismantle the staff and people who are there today. We're doing this to bring clarity and light to what is going on. Here's what's working, here's what's not. Where we might be helpful is to continue to encourage [Acting Chief] Ziemba and the other staff to lean into this, to try to make the department what many of them, I imagine, would like to see." Lt. Michael Ziemba's role as acting chief came up a number of times Monday in the context of whether the town should bring in an interim chief to relieve him of that duty while it gears up for a search for a full chief. Hogeland told his colleagues that based on his initial conversations with search firms, the process of hiring a new chief could take up to six months. But Williamstown's process could have an even longer time horizon if the board decides to first finish the independent investigation and a comprehensive assessment of community needs that the town is commissioning. Social worker Abby Reifsnyder and Kerri Nicoll, a professor of social work at Massachusetts College of Liberal Art and member of the DIRE Committee, talked with the board about the project they have been advising Hoch to pursue. "We know that mental health needs are sometimes responded to by the Police Department, and we know that's probably not the best response," Nicoll said. "So we started out by thinking: What might be some alternatives to that? How can we do some exploration of what the police are responding to, what people wish the response could be, and where we can find a place to meet?" To that end, the town is hiring a researcher to both look at the current practice and engage the community about what role it wants the police to play in addressing mental health issues. At a couple of points on Monday, members of the board asked whether that research could be completed -- either in whole or in part -- in time to inform a late spring or early summer interview process for a new police chief. The social workers cautioned against having that expectation. "Good research, if you want to do good research, takes time," Reifsnyder said. Hogeland said if the board decides to wait until the research and investigation are finished before conducting a search for a full-time chief, he is inclined to bring in an interim chief. Several board members said they do not want to overburden Ziemba, who has regular duties as a lieutenant in the department in addition to the role of acting chief. Regardless, Hogeland said he would like to have a firm on board to conduct a police chief search by the end of January. "I'd love to have the social workers give us their schedule in a week or two, so we know how to integrate with the rest of the search committee," Hogeland said. "These things are easy to slow down, but as long as we have the chance to start something, I'd like to start something. If we have to wait for information, we'll wait." "As long as slowing it down is an option," O'Connor said, emphasizing the need to do the assessment before proceeding with a search. "A hired professional consultant is going to have an agenda of speed and efficiency. That's what they're all about. Whereas we have a local team whose input means a lot to me. They're already in the area. They have ideas of ways to move forward and help us. That input is really important to me." Other points of discussion during Monday's meeting included: The structure of a full-time police chief search, when it happens. Hoch told the board that he favors a process that centers on a search committee with a wide variety of community voices and includes panels of residents posing questions to finalists for the position. He recognized that he ultimately has the responsibility for hiring and supervising the chief according to the town charter, but he feels the times call for a different approach. "I'm the hiring authority, but I'd love to be in a position where a search committee can recommend a candidate to me," Hoch said. "I'd rather have a consensus candidate from the group and have my job be largely ceremonial." The concurrent review of current police department policies. Hogeland said the town continues to look for a consultant qualified to review its policies and bring them in line with both best practices in the profession and the community's needs identified in the social work study. "It's pretty clear that the people who know the most about police policies are former policemen," Hogeland said. "I know there's some interest in making sure this is not just some policeman issuing all over again policies that have been issued in a flawed manner for decades. I think we're a little bit stuck currently on not having a former policeman do this. "The chore is to look for someone who is proven to have access more forward-looking or current policies and/or supplementing their input with input from other sources." Hogeland pointed to the work of the "8 Can't Wait" police reform campaign as one source for alternative police polices the town could consider. Hogeland and Hoch said the hope is that the town can do most of the work on developing new policies before a new police chief is hired and allow that new chief to complete the last "20 percent" of the work so he or she has some ownership of the final product. "We would like to hear from the community what policies they'd like to carve out for attention," Hogeland said. "I'm assuming use of force would be one. I've heard interest in the police on preservation of rape kits and how that all works. The DIRE Committee recommended a change in the policy on internal affairs reports. If you have things you want to change, give us your list and we'll roll them in there." A new memorandum of understanding between the Police Department and Williams College's Campus Safety and Security department. Hogeland said the town is in the early stages of a discussion with the college about how best to make sure the town and gown security agencies are working together "productively and efficiently." Daley said it sounds like a good opportunity to engage in "cross-training" sessions between the two departments to make sure there is a consistent experience with law enforcement for all town residents. (Alliance News) - Advanced Oncotherapy PLC on Wednesday announced it has entered a partnership agreement with DiaMedCare AG, a Swiss asset financing partner in the life sciences and technology sectors. The London-based provider of proton therapy for cancer treatment said the partnership agreement, which will cover projects in Europe and the US, will allow its customers easier access to its Light system, a form of proton beam therapy, through a flexible financing solution that reduces the need for large initial upfront payments from customers. Shares in Advanced Oncotherapy were up 9.7% at 42.79 pence in London on Wednesday. DiaMedCare will acquire the Light systems and lease them back to Advanced Oncotherapy's customers that are commissioning the system for oncology treatments. It also will be able to bridge manufacturing costs until delivery of the Light system is received by customers. "We are pleased to sign this flexible financing agreement with such an experienced and specialised partner as DiaMedCare to support future sales of our Light systems. The modularity of the Light system allows Advanced Oncotherapy to offer its customers this unique financing opportunity and enable wider access to the Light system. We believe this partnership will significantly increase our pipeline of sales opportunities and democratise proton beam therapy," said Chief Executive Nicolas Serandour. By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The mental health research funder 1907 Research, Inc. announced the recipients of its first annual 1907 Trailblazer Awards today. The two-year grants, valued at over $120,000 each, were awarded to three promising scientists to pursue groundbreaking mental health research proposals: Dr. Benjamin Bartelle from Arizona State University, for his proposal "Accessing neuroimmunity with a domesticated Zika virus." Dr. Bartelle's fellowship is generously sponsored by the Kissick Family Foundation. Dr. Laura Lewis from Boston University, for her proposal "Linking sleep, cerebrospinal fluid flow, and inflammation, in depression." Dr. Katherine Scangos from the University of California, San Francisco, for her proposal "Using direct cortical and subcortical neural recordings to uncover principles of network dynamics underlying depression symptom severity in major depression." "The three early-career researchers we have chosen to support are truly exceptional in their ambition and innovation. Tackling psychiatric disease and mental illness through neuroscience needs new thinking, and this is exactly what our incoming Fellows are bringing," says Dr. Anil Seth, Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and member of the 1907 Research Advisory Board which selected the 1907 Trailblazer Award Fellows. "We were looking for people with thoughtful but different perspectives on the neurobiology of mental illness, that have the potential to transform our understanding of these disorders," reflects Dr. Amy Arnsten, Professor of Neuroscience at Yale Medical School and member of the 1907 Research Advisory Board. The 1907 Trailblazer Award Fellows were chosen from a pool of over 150 applicants from 69 research institutions - universities and hospitals - in the US, UK, and Canada. The recipients were unanimously selected by a committee of twelve scientific advisors from disciplines spanning psychiatry, neuroscience, genetics, and engineering. 1907 Research designed a unique research review process that focused on the scientific merit of "novel ideas" while reducing bias via software-assisted, blinded analytics. "1907 Research is committed to accelerating breakthroughs in mental health research by supporting ideas based on first principles thinking, rather than dogma," explains Dr. Vanessa Tolosa, a neurotechnologist and member of the 1907 Research team that reviewed proposals. "The unique process used for the 1907 Trailblazer Awards is designed to cut through discriminating factors that have no basis for scientific success such as gender, race, or pedigree. This allows for truly novel and sound ideas from the thinkers of tomorrow to be given a chance at discovery today." The Fellows all commented about the significance of the 1907 Trailblazer Award to their research, especially in light of the challenge to secure funding for novel ideas. Dr. Bartelle believes the Zika virus can be engineered to modify mechanisms in the brain's immune system. If successful, the tool could alter inflammation often associated with severe depression, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative disorders -- something pharmaceutical companies have been unable to do. Viruses are a method of delivery for modified genes to cells, and this method of delivery is relevant for all kinds of mental illnesses. "This tool development is the first step in the larger world of therapies because it has not been done before," Bartelle says. "Using the biology of a virus to do something you can't do with a drug is an entirely new form of therapy...1907 Research saw the potential for what I was proposing for a wide range of diseases." Dr. Lewis is an expert on the impact of sleep on mental health disorders. The award will enable her lab to pursue a very novel idea for how neuroinflammation is regulated by sleep. Cerebrospinal fluid is a liquid that envelops the brain and is essential for maintaining brain health, as it can wash away inflammatory substances. Dr. Lewis has developed a new imaging technique to measure cerebrospinal fluid flow in humans and will study it in patients with depression through brain MRIs in their sleep. "The support of 1907 Research is transformative for being able to launch this unconventional project. As an early-career neuroscientist, the award will make a critical difference in our efforts to develop this new research area, which I hope will benefit our understanding and treatment of mental health disorders." Dr. Scangos studies the development of novel, personalized, circuit-based treatment paradigms for depression. Dr. Scangos' research is unique because she is collaborating with a team of surgeons and implanting EEGs into human patients with severe depression, monitoring their neural behaviors in dynamic environments, and seeing how they respond to neurostimulation. "This research is very high-risk," she says, "which makes it challenging to receive funding from standard grant agencies. The 1907 Trailblazer Award will allow me to start up my own laboratory and facilitate the collection of pilot data to show my research is feasible and can advance our understanding of depression. I am excited to be part of the amazing group of investigators passionate about making a difference through our research and patient care," Dr. Scangos remarked. "Since its public launch in 2019, 1907 Research has been committed to supporting extraordinary young scientists", affirmed Dr. Guoping Feng, Professor of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and member of the 1907 Research Advisory Board. "These innovative research projects could potentially lead to the breakthrough discoveries we desperately need to solve mental health problems and are unlikely to be funded through traditional channels." "We aim to support both the Science and the Scientist," said Adam Pieczonka, Co-Founder and Head of Award Management at 1907 Research. "Now that we have made award decisions, we look forward to building community and resources amongst the 1907 Research team and our Fellows to ensure the success of the Fellows over the two-year program." ### To support cutting-edge research in mental health and sponsor a promising young researcher's 1907 Trailblazer Award, please make a contribution to 1907 Research at 1907-research.org/donate. For more detailed information about the 1907 Trailblazer Award recipients, visit 1907-Research.org About 1907 Research 1907 Research is a public charity that funds innovative mental health research. The 1907 Research team of scientists, technologists, and investors take a unique investment management approach to grant funding. The 1907 Trailblazer Award is granted annually to a select cohort of early-career MDs and PhDs at leading hospitals and universities. Donations support young scientists' investigation of the causes and cures of mental illness. A cafe owner holds a protest against the government's "unfair" coronavirus restrictions imposed on certain types of businesses, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap Coffee shops, bars and internet cafes have joined a growing list of businesses protesting the government's coronavirus restrictions, with shop owners lighting signboards, staging demonstrations and petitioning the Constitutional Court. The shop owners say the restrictions are applied unfairly, allowing some businesses to reopen while shuttering others, and without any promise of proper compensation for their losses. The complaints have grown since the government extended Level 2.5 social distancing measures in the capital area until Jan. 17, but with exceptions for certain facilities, including small-sized hagwon (private academies) and ballet and taekwondo schools, which can now hold classes of up to nine children at a time. "After seeing how the government eased restrictions for taekwondo (schools) in response to their protests, I decided that cafe owners should have someone to represent them, too," said Ko Jang-soo, who recently founded an online group for coffee shop owners nationwide. The group counted more than 1,800 members within three days of its launch. Soon, they were sending petitions to the health ministry and planning to hold one-person demonstrations outside the National Assembly in Seoul and the government complex in Sejong. Staff at Christus of Southeast Texas Jasper Memorial Hospital got an early jump on administering the first of its recently arrived shipment of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. Emergency room Dr. Nicolas Ellis was the first to roll up his sleeve for infection control nurse Robin Gail Wooten shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday. Thirteen more staff members followed throughout the day, and Wooten said any leftovers of the first two vials, which were thawed out prior to administration and would be good for 6 hours, would be given to additional staff requesting a vaccination or family of staff. "We're not going to waste any of it," Wooten said. Those receiving the first shots will get the second round of the Moderna vaccine 28 days later. As the Jasper hospital does not have the refrigeration required for the Pfizer vaccine, the Christus hospital system equipped them with the Moderna vaccine, with the full shipmennt being housed under lock and key in the hospital pharmacy. Following Ellis' vaccination, staff gathered in the doorway of the vaccination room, bowing their heads as the Rev. Rick Roach offered a blessing of the vaccine vials before additional staff trickled in to receive their first-round shots. Following healthcare workers and nursing home residents, vaccinations will open to others, including first responders and those over 65. The hospital has already received numerous calls inquiring about the availability of vaccinations to the public, according to public relations specialist Nikela Pradier. kbrent@beaumontenterprise.com Barometers were almost flat in early afternoon trade. At 12:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 18.43 points or 0.04% at 48,419.35. The Nifty 50 index gained 9.40 points or 0.07% at 14,208.90. Gains were capped as FMCG and pharma shares corrected. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.84% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.65%. The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 1,792 shares rose and 1,099 shares fell. A total of 153 shares were unchanged. Derivatives: The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, rose 0.89% to 20.6425. The Nifty January 2021 futures were trading at 14,218.80, at a premium of 31.10 point compared with the spot at 14,187.70. The Nifty option chain for 28 January 2021 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 20.26 lakh contracts at the 14,000 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 25.54 lakh contracts was seen at 12,500 strike price. Economy: The Union Budget for 2021-2022 will be presented on 1 February 2021 and President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on 29 January 2021. India's economy is estimated to contract by 9.6% in the fiscal year 2020-21, reflecting a sharp drop in household spending and private investment, and the growth is expected to recover to 5.4% in 2021, the World Bank said on Tuesday. In its Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank said that the informal sector, which accounts for four-fifths of employment, has been subject to severe income losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus Update: Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 8,64,05,927 with 18,68,768 deaths. India reported 2,27,546 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 1,50,114 deaths while 99,97,272 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Balram Bhargava, chief of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on Tuesday, said that Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine has been cleared in the clinical trial mode, which means consent of participants has to be taken. He was responding to the questions being raised on the clearance given to Covaxin. Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday approved AstraZeneca's vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and Covaxin for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Pharma index fell 0.09% to 13,154.45. The index rose 2.67% in the past four trading sessions till yesterday. Lupin (down 2.50%), Biocon (down 1.04%), Cadila Healthcare (down 0.44%), Aurobindo Pharma (down 0.37%) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories (down 0.37%) declined. Stocks in Spotlight: BEML rose 1.65% after the company received orders from Ministry of Defence for supply of High Mobility vehicles, at an approximate value of Rs 758 crore. BEML said the High Mobility vehicles would play a key role in the logistics management of the Indian Army leveraging on its exceptional cross-country capabilities. These vehicles would enable armoured fighting vehicles, troops, ammunitions and stores to be moved to far-flung, difficult terrains in operational areas. Godrej Consumer Products fell 1.26%. The FMCG major said that during the third quarter, demand trends in the categories across the key countries that the company operates in, remained stable. In India, the company expects to deliver a second consecutive quarter of close to low double-digit sales growth, driven by higher than mid-single digit volume growth. This is led by Soaps, which is expected to deliver strong mid-teen growth. Following a sharp recovery, Hair Colours is also expected to deliver mid-teen growth. Household Insecticides is expected to deliver close to high single-digit growth. The company continued the robust scale up of its personal and home hygiene category. Bharat Dynamics rallied 3.29% after the company said it has bagged orders worth Rs 632.88 crore. The company has received Konkurs-M ATGM order along with launchers and test equipment. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Post-mortem gave cause of death as 'stab wounds to neck, chest and abdomen' A 12-year-old schoolboy who was 'killed by a 14-year-old on a village green in Lincolnshire' had suffered stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen, an inquest has heard. Haven High Academy pupil Roberts Buncis was found dead in Alcorn Green, Fishtoft, on the morning of December 12, 2020 - two days before his 13th birthday. Coroner Paul Smith opened an inquest into his death and said the provisional results of a post-mortem examination by forensic pathologist Professor Guy Rutty gave the cause of death as 'stab wounds to neck, chest and abdomen'. Roberts Buncis, 12, pictured with his father Edgars in an undated handout photo issued by Lincolnshire Police. The schoolboy was found dead in Fishtoft on December 12, 2020 Coroner's officer Darren Sear said that Roberts, born in Liepaja, Latvia, was formally identified by his father Edgars Detective Inspector Andy McWatt, of Lincolnshire Police, told the hearing at the Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln: 'Police were called to Alcorn Green at 10.22am on December 12 following reports of a male being found dead in a wooded area behind that green.' He said paramedics attended the scene, the deceased was initially believed to have been a 30-year-old man, and that the police investigation continues. Coroner's officer Darren Sear said that Roberts, born in Liepaja, Latvia, was formally identified by his father Edgars Buncis. A 14-year-old boy has been charged with Roberts' murder and was remanded in custody. Flowers left at the scene where police searched undergrowth in Fishtoft, Boston. A 14-year-old boy has been charged with Roberts' murder and was remanded in custody A general view of Fishtoft, Lincolnshire. Detective Inspector Andy McWatt said paramedics attended the scene and that the police investigation continues A 13-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation. And a 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released with no further action. Coroner Mr Smith suspended his coronial inquiry due to the criminal investigation. He said: 'The matter will be resumed following the conclusion of ongoing criminal processes.' Fuxing bullet trains will run in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region for the first time in June this year when a new rail line opens to traffic, China's railway operator said Monday. With the launch of the service, the Fuxing bullet train series will be available in all provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland, said the China State Railway Group Co. Ltd. Track-laying work for the rail line connecting regional capital Lhasa and Nyingchi in eastern Tibet was completed on Dec. 31, 2020. It will be the first electrified railroad in Tibet. The Fuxing bullet train to run in Tibet will be a customised version of the one which runs at 160 km per hour, a source told Xinhua. It will have oxygen supply equipment and two kinds of power traction: internal combustion and electric power, since more than 90 percent of the track will pass through areas about 3,000 meters above sea level. Internal combustion will be used so that the trains can start internal combustion devices to cope with emergencies on the plateau, the source said. With a design speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km rail line passes through 47 tunnels and 120 bridges, according to Tibet Railway Construction Co. Ltd, which is building the railway. By the end of 2020, Fuxing bullet trains had safely operated over 836 million km, transporting 827 million passengers. So far, Fuxing electric multiple units trains in service have covered the whole speed range of 160 km per hour to 350 km per hour, which marks an important step in railway technical innovation in China. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Some Genesee County schools welcomed all students back to the classroom this week. Districts that resumed in-person learning Monday, Jan. 4 include Davison Community Schools, Goodrich Area Schools and Clio Area Schools. While some elementary and middle schools were open in December, most high schools remained closed following an order by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Nov. 15 that in-person learning at colleges and high schools must halt in-person class for three weeks, starting Wednesday, Nov. 18. Whitmer later extended the partial shutdown through Dec. 20, when many schools are closed for holiday break. Clio Area Schools has not had to close this year over COVID-19 due to its outstanding staff and parent actions, Superintendent Fletcher Spears wrote in a Jan. 2 letter. The district moved to bring all students back as soon as it could. We need to keep our schools open for the benefit of our students, Spears wrote. Please be sure to keep a close watch on your students health. Temperatures should be taken daily prior to leaving for school. We want to ensure the good health of all of our students and staff members and we want to keep all of our buildings open and running smoothly. The Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education voted this month to send all students back to the classroom Jan. 4, the day school was scheduled to resume after its holiday break. Genesee County superintendents continue to meet weekly with the local health department, Goodrich Area Schools Superintendent Wayne Wright wrote in a Dec. 28 letter. I would like to thank you for a successful first half of our school year, Wright wrote. Through these challenging times our staff have remained committed to providing our students, whether face-to-face, virtual, or remote, with an excellent education. I thank our students for their commitment to learning and I thank our parents for their commitment to supporting their students and our staff. Read more: Michigan poised to allow in-person high school instruction to resume Most Genesee County school districts offering in-person classes will switch students to remote learning Goodrich schools plans return of all students, asks families to limit New Years gatherings Flushing schools to bring back hybrid in-person learning Social media claim that kids could be vaccinated at school without parent consent refuted by Genesee County officials Swartz Creek schools extends pause to in-person instruction for all grades Most Davison students will return to in-person learning, but not high schoolers after extension of states partial shutdown Davison schools ready and excited to bring students back to in-person learning next week Bentley schools extends remote learning through end of semester U.S. President Donald Trump has privately acknowledged he lost the presidency and that Joe Biden will replace him, Politico writes, noting that Trump also recognizes Congress will formally certify the results today. According to the newspaper, to one person, Trump even confided he was "just disappointed we lost". Trumps acceptance has taken shape in recent weeks, according to three people who have spoken to Trump in that time span, with one conversation occurring a week ago. Trump admits his defeat, but still maintains he would have won a fair election, they said, despite no concrete evidence emerging of widespread voter fraud. He has even discussed his exit plans from Washington with staff, debating when to move to his South Florida Mar-a-Lago resort, according to one of the people. Sometimes, Trump does still lapse back into the belief that maybe, just maybe, he could somehow eke out a win, most often when listening to his small group of lawyers. But mostly, he is continuing his fight to subvert the election for a Trumpian reason: to keep the attention on himself and give his supporters what they want, according to the people who have spoken with him. "The point is to still be relevant and still be talked about in the news," said one of the people. Trumps team hopes to secure 180 House members, along with 13 senators, to object to Bidens Electoral College win, likely turning a traditionally short ceremony into a day-long event. For the two months, Trump has falsely insisted he won the election, even as states across the nation certified wins for Biden and selected electors who voted last month to make Biden the 46th president. But privately, Trump has told some allies he knows he wont prevail. And even publicly, Trump has made statements about Biden that show he expects the Democrat will be in the White House. RTHK: Lockdown at US Capitol as protesters storm building The US Senate on Wednesday recessed its debate over an objection to the results of the Electoral College after protesters forced police to lock down the building. Reporters were told to stay in the Senates press gallery as the doors were locked. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. The skirmishes came just shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. (AP) This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The 10 members of the Multnomah and Clackamas county commissions will meet in joint session Wednesday to choose the newest member of the Oregon Senate. The Democrat they select will replace Oregons new secretary of state, Shemia Fagan, as the Democratic senator representing District 24, which straddles the Multnomah-Clackamas line along Interstate 205. The commissioners will choose from among the three candidates nominated by local Democratic Party representatives: Democratic Party of Oregon operations director Candy Emmons, nurse and former nurses union president Adrienne Enghouse and community organizer and advocate for immigrants, low-income people and people of color Kayse Jama. All three live in east Portland. Jama, a refugee from Somalia who moved to Portland in 1988, is the lone person of color among the finalists and the only one who has run for public office before. He is endorsed by Gov. Kate Brown, Rep. Jeff Reardon, D-Portland, who represents the northern Multnomah County portion of the Senate district, nine other current or newly elected members of the Legislature, two major labor unions and a host of other big names. After the districts Democratic precinct committee members overwhelmingly named Jama as their top choice for the commissioners to pick in December, Emmons said she will urge the commissioners to pick him for the Senate seat. While both commissions have a say in the choice, each Multnomah commissioners vote will count nearly three times as much as each Clackamas commissioners, as nearly 75% of the districts registered voters live in Multnomah County. That means the three Republican members of the Clackamas Commission collectively will have about as much say as one Multnomah commissioner. All five Multnomah commissioners are Democrats. Technically, the 10 commissioners will cast 83 votes, one for each 1,000 registered voters in the district. Each Multnomah commissioners vote will count for about 12 of the 83 total, while each Clackamas commissioner will give about 4 votes to the candidate of their choice. A nominee must win more than 50% of the votes to be appointed to the seat. If a first round of voting doesnt yield that winner, the nominee with the fewest votes is eliminated and a new round of 83 votes decides between the two nominees left standing. In addition to her work for the Democratic Party, Emmons previously worked in health care. She said her blue-collar familys generation of economic struggle in Oregon and her own status as a renter who sees no hope of buying a home would make hers an important voice in the Legislature. Enghouse said in materials submitted to the Democratic Party of Oregon that she would draw on her experience as a nurse and union leader if selected to serve in the Senate. Unlike the other two nominees, she did not create a website to promote her candidacy. Jama co-founded and serves as executive director of Unite Oregon, a group that works to address racial and economic disparities for low-income Oregonians, people of color and immigrants. In 2018, Jama came in third in the Senate District 24 Democratic primary that Fagan won. Jama said on his website that if appointed, he would focus on housing affordability, police reform and equity in the states COVID-19 recovery efforts. If chosen, he would be the 12th member of the Legislatures Black, Indigenous and People of Color Caucus, which will be staffed this year under a promise made Monday by House Speaker Tina Kotek and House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner, both Portland Democrats. The nominee selected by the commissioners Wednesday could be sworn in Jan. 11 at the Capitol, with all the newly elected members of the Legislature whose predecessors hold office until that day, or earlier, given that Fagans resignation was effective Dec. 31, said Tom Powers, administrator of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Shemia Fagan chose to be sworn into Oregon's second-highest statewide office in a small-town elementary school in recognition of what a special teacher there taught her. Fagan was sworn into office Monday in the town of Dufur, population 600, where she lived for a time as a homeless and low-income child and where a favorite teacher, Mr. Waggoner, taught her important lessons. There, with her mom newly absent due to addiction, fourth-grade Shemia acted up, Fagan said. In response, Mr. Waggoner invited her to join his after-school chess club. She soon was playing chess daily in the classroom where she would, much later, be sworn in as secretary of state. That spring she traveled to an elementary chess meet in Portland and walked out a state champ, complete with a giant trophy, she said in her remarks Monday. I knew that it didnt matter that I didnt have everything that other kids had, that I was going to be OK, she said. Reporter Hillary Borrud contributed to this report. -- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OregonianPol As the coronavirus pandemic ensues, the Jersey City Public Schools will continue remote learning until April 21, Superintendent Franklin Walker announced. Walker said Tuesday during the Board of Education meeting that virtual learning will extend into the third marking period, which ends in April. Walker said he would have more information for parents and staff at the next BOE meeting on Jan. 28. The 30,000 students in Jersey Citys public schools have not seen the inside of their schools since March when schools first closed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the third time since the start of the school year the district has decided to postpone the re-opening of schools. According to reports, New Jerseys count of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and death count continues to be very high, Walker said. We continue to review information, health data and recommendations from numerous state and local agencies to guide our decision. Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday reported 5,400 more positive COVID-19 tests and 138 more deaths. There were 120 new positive cases of coronavirus in Jersey City with no fatalities. Walker said Wednesday that he hopes to get students back to in-person learning in the beginning of the fourth marking period or at least before the school year ends. If there is any time between now and June that we can get students back in school, whatever time we can get them in to come back accustomed to the process of being in person for instruction if its one monthtwo months, we are going to take advantage of that, Walker said. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Superior Energy Auctioneers is pleased to announce the sale of these BJ Services assets, with equipment locations in Shreveport, LA, and Weatherford, OK. Visit our website at SuperiorAuctioneers.com for more details. This is a very significant Energy Industry event. You can participate Online or Onsite. Equipment information @ 304-382-9799. Personal inspection of equipment is available now. This auction features 3000-2250HP Frac Spreads (Some Bi-Fuel) (65) Frac Pumps (57) Sleeper Truck Tractors Compressor Trucks Blenders Hydration Units Data Vans Manifold Trailers Acid Transports Sand Equipment Cement Double Pumpers Bulk Cement Trailers Forklift NOTE: FRAC SPREADS WILL BE OFFERED AS PACKAGES & MINI PACKAGES Also available for Private Sale: 54,200HP Frac Spread with Sleeper Truck Tractors. Superior Energy Auctioneers www.superiorauctioneers.com will conduct this live online auction at 9:00 A.M. (CST) @ the Embassy Suites Hotel (Airport Location) in Oklahoma City, OK. Online pre-bidding is available now! To Participate, register at Proxibid.com. Superior Energy Auctioneers is the veteran team in this industry. After 40 years in the auction industry the team at Superior is known as the most experienced and knowledgeable in the industry. For more information, visit www.SuperiorAuctioneers.com, or contact Tim Archer @ 304-382-9799, [email protected] SOURCE Superior Energy Auctioneers Related Links superiorauctioneers.com BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The Switzerland stock market ended moderately higher on Wednesday, lifted by hopes about additional fiscal stimulus in the U.S., and optimism about more coronavirus vaccines getting the nod from governments across the world. Rising number of new cases of Coronavirus in several countries, and tighter lockdown restrictions imposed by some countries weighed on stocks early on in the session. The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index, which faltered after a flat start, slipped again after a modest recovery before gaining in strength to end the day on a firm note. The index ended with a gain of 52.99 points or 0.5% at 10,747.08, after scaling a low of 10,620.74 and a high of 10,759.20. Credit Suisse gained 5.5%. LafargeHolcim ended 5.1% up, while UBS Group, Swiss Life Holding, ABB, Swiss Re and Zurich Insurance Group gained 3 to 4.3%. Partners Group, Geberit and SGS also ended notably higher, while Alcon, Nestle, Roche Holding and Givaudan finished lower by 0.8 to 1.4%. In the Swiss Mid Price Index, Julius Baer climbed 5.3%. Helvetia gained 3.1%, Clariant advanved 2.8%, OC Oerlikon Corp moved up 2.55% and Baloise Holding ended 2.1% up. AMS and Adecco gained 1.75% and 1.65%, respectively. Among the losers, Kuehne & Nagel and Tecan Group both ended lower by about 2.6%. Dufry eased 1.7%, while Lindt & Spruengli, PSP Swiss Property, VAT Group, Cembra Money Bank, SIG Combibloc and Temenos Group lost 0.9 to 1.1%. The Swiss government today decided to extend restrictions, including the continued closure of bars, restaurants, gyms and museums, until end of February. The authorities said they had put a number of stricter measures to the cantons for consultation. These could be adopted nationwide, or they could be put in place in specific cantons if the situation deteriorates, the government said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Our presidents frenzy is only growing exponentially. He crosses one line after another. His latest act of desperation involves a brazen cajoling, bullying and threatening of Georgias Secretary of State to manipulate election results. His minions challenge the Electoral Vote tallying in Congress. He implores the Proud Boys and their ilk to meet him in Washington to register their disapproval of the Biden victory. What could go wrong? Is he finally out of options? What could possibly remain in his tool kit? Oh yeah, he could find an attorney general willing to order the arrest of the president-elect. He could use disorder in D.C. to justify declaring martial law. He could launch an airstrike on Iran sparking a disastrous war in the region. You get the idea. Nah, he wouldnt. Would he? You think? How many times have we said, He wouldnt do that only to be proven wrong? We have learned that he would do anything! His recklessness is boundless. It may be that his narcissism wont allow him to admit defeat. It may be that he simply believes that hanging on to the White House is his only way to avoid prison. Either way, our burgeoning dread of what this man is capable persists. The fat lady may be on stage, but she hasnt begun to sing. William Koscher, Ludlow Some states, like Texas and Florida, have already begun offering shots to people 65 and older who are not nursing home residents, and to those of any age with medical conditions that raise their risk of dying if they contract Covid-19. That has led to a desperate scramble among those eager to get vaccinated. People want to know: When is my turn? Is this happening? Where do I go? Ms. Murray said. Even if distribution kinks smooth out, a vaccine shortage looms in coming months because only two products so far one developed by Moderna and the other by Pfizer-BioNTech have been authorized for emergency use. Both vaccine makers have committed all their doses until midyear. That still leaves uncovered about 60 million of adult Americans eligible to be vaccinated. Officials also have high hopes for a third, single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. The company is finishing its clinical trial this month and its vaccine could be authorized for emergency use in February. But even if it passes those tests, it is unclear how many more doses will be ready for distribution and by when. With the proper syringes, federal officials hope to extract an extra dose from Pfizers vials that were initially believed to contain only five doses, stretching Pfizers vaccine further. But the government has yet to sign contracts to supply enough of those syringes, according to two experts familiar with the vaccine distribution system. That has made the prospect of doubling the supply of Moderna doses that much more tantalizing. Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, said Sunday on the CBS program Face the Nation that data from Modernas clinical trials demonstrated that people ages 18 to 55 who received two 50-microgram doses showed an identical immune response to the standard of two 100-microgram doses. Both Dr. Mascola and Dr. Fauci confirmed that research. But Dr. Slaoui went a step further, saying that the F.D.A. and Moderna were already discussing the possibility. The F.D.A. issued a statement on Monday that called the proposal premature and not rooted solidly in the available science, although worthy of clinical research. The finding Dr. Slaoui cited came from an early Phase 2 clinical trial, which involved 600 people and was meant to test only for immune response, and not for the effectiveness of the vaccine, according to Dr. Fauci and others. It compared the immune response in people given 50 micrograms with those given 100 micrograms. President Trump with Kelly Loeffler on Jan. 4. Loeffler lost her bid to keep her U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. (Associated Press) Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, whose net worth with her husband is estimated at more than $500 million, positioned herself as a strong supporter of the free enterprise system in Tuesdays U.S. Senate runoff race. Democrats want to bring socialism to this country, she told an interviewer. Her opponent, Rev. Raphael Warnock, would be a rubber stamp for socialism, she said. Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), the Senates most prolific stock trader, was reading from the same playbook, saying about his Democratic runoff opponent, Jon Ossoff: He will do and say anything that supports his radical socialist agenda. Loeffler and Perdue both lost. But really radical socialists? In the heart of Georgia? That old scare tactic was at the heart of the two runoffs and Novembers presidential race as well. Republicans clearly believe that the old red menace strategy still has some life in it. Donald Trump said in his own campaign that Joe Biden was a Trojan horse for socialism and that Kamala Harris was a communist. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said of the Democrats: Their vision for America is socialism. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said socialists have taken over the Democratic Party. Kimberly Guilfoyle, in her star turn at the GOP convention, fulminated that the same socialist policies that had destroyed Cuba and Venezuela were now threatening American schools and cities. Did we go to sleep and wake up in 1952? This is dishonest demagogic rhetoric worthy of Joe McCarthy, of J. Edgar Hoover, of Richard M. Nixon. Socialism and communism were our shadowy demonic enemies during the 20th century, and theyve never fully gone away as bogeymen, even with the end of the Cold War. But in the 2020 elections and in Georgias runoff Tuesday the menace of creeping socialism was elevated to near-hysterical levels. Why spew overheated charges against certified moderates like Biden and obvious nonsocialists like Warnock and Ossoff? Well duh! because even if it is utter nonsense, it still has power. The GOP understands that the word socialist carries enduring, decades-old connotations for many Republicans, conjuring up images of bearded, wild-eyed foreigners who reject religion and harbor a fierce hostility to the American way of life. For others, it elicits an updated mental image which looks more like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez but is no less threatening. Story continues House and Senate leaders at the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee have confirmed that candidates tagged as socialists see a decline in their poll numbers, according to Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance). No surprise there the word is associated with Josef Stalin and Fidel Castro and Boris Badenov and secularism and subversion. Why wouldnt Republicans toss it around to describe ordinary liberal Democrats? According to the Pew Research Center, more than eight in 10 Republican voters have a negative impression of socialism. The strategy is pretty transparent: Conflate your Democratic opponent with Bernie Sanders, and then Bernie with, say, Hugo Chavez. Everything else will fall into place. But its a cynical, self-serving lie. Real socialists want to replace the profit-driven capitalist system with one that favors social ownership and democratic control of the means of production and the economy as a whole. The word socialist is used to describe a wide range of people, from communist dictators to Scandinavian-style social democrats, from revolutionaries to reformers. But Biden and Harris? Ossoff and Warnock? Not even close. Sure, there are social democratic policies the U.S. has embraced for many decades and which are widely popular: the progressive income tax, Medicare and Social Security, for example. There are people in public office who identify as socialists. Sanders, for instance, calls himself a democratic socialist and supports much higher taxes on the rich and significantly more economic regulation. And these days there are many younger people, according to Pew, who view socialism more positively than their elders do. But dont kid yourself: The Democratic Party is not a socialist party. And let me make one final, important point. Im not a socialist, but no matter where you rest in the political firmament these days, conservative or liberal or other, I think it would be hard to avoid some misgivings about our own brand of capitalism. At a time when millions of Americans are out of work, homelessness is rising and hunger is spreading, the Washington Post reported last week that Elon Musk has quintupled his net worth since last January, bringing his fortune to about $159 billion, and Jeff Bezos has added $70 billion to his net worth, putting it at about $186 billion. At least on paper. According to the Post, which is owned by Bezos, the two men amassed enough wealth this year alone to end all hunger in America eight times over. And a separate analysis by the paper concluded that Bezos philanthropic contribution to the COVID-19 relief effort was roughly equivalent to the median American giving $85. The system is not working as it should. Surely the United States is overdue for a debate about how to ensure that the benefits of work, profits and productivity dont flow so disproportionately to the super rich while others watch their earnings erode and their jobs disappear. That might sound socialistic to Tom Cotton and Kimberly Guilfoyle, but it strikes me as a reasonable subject for discussion. Why did Donald Trump pay only $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and again 2017? How much did you pay? Republicans should stop frightening voters with horror stories about creeping socialism. Instead, they and the rest of us should reflect more seriously on what it means to live in a society where inequality and unfairness are so deeply entrenched, and on how long voters will continue to opt for the status quo. @Nick_Goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. PITTSFIELD A Baylis man has been charged after authorities said he attended a holiday event at which there were children, despite being a registered sex offender. Sheriff David E. Greenwood said Tuesday that Ron R. Troxell, 54, of Baylis was arrested at a Pittsfield business on a warrant accusing him of obstructing justice and participation in a holiday event by a child sex offender. Harry Cabluck, STF / Associated Press The Texas Department of Public Safety closed Texas Capitol grounds in Austin Wednesday as rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The Capitol and Capitol Complex are closed to the public effective immediately, the department said in a statement attributed to deputy director of homeland security Freeman Martin, the Texas Tribune's Cassandra Pollock reports. Countries that raced each other to secure ample supplies of coronavirus vaccines are now rushing to inoculate their citizens. Israel has been the fastest, starting to administer Pfizer vaccines on Dec. 20 and inoculating 13 percent or 1.09 million of its population by last Saturday. The country has injected more than 150,000 people a day and hopes to vaccinate a fifth of its population by the end of this month. There is a strong chance that Israel will be the first country in the world to announce herd immunity. Around 50,000 people in Korea came down with the measles back in 2000 and 2001 and seven died. The only answer to the problem was to vaccinate the public. Health authorities faced stiff opposition when they tried to import vaccines from India, but eventually, 5.8 million schoolkids were vaccinated between May and July in 2001 as the public watched nervously. Fortunately, the vaccinations progressed without a hitch and Korea eradicated measles by 2006. The country has since been cited as a textbook case of tackling an epidemic over a short period. Germany also vaccinated almost 240,000 citizens by last Saturday, though France was only able to vaccinate 516 people by New Year's Day. Both countries began vaccinations the same day, Dec. 27, but there is fierce resistance among independent-minded French people to being told what to do, compounded by a byzantine bureaucratic system. French President Emmanuel Macron was enraged by the slow speed of vaccination, but was left helpless. Vaccinations have also progressed slowly in the U.S. and U.K. Despite an explosive increase in coronavirus deaths, the U.S. has only achieved 20 percent of its vaccination target, prompting health officials to consider halving the dose per person to speed up the process. U.K. health officials decided to lengthen the gap between the first and second shot by up to 12 weeks even though that may render the vaccine ineffective. The measure came after former Prime Minister Tony Blair proposed that all of the coronavirus vaccines that were secured by January should be used in the first round of injections. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are supposed to be administered three to four weeks apart, but doctors say they need to verify that. In Korea, there is virtually no public resistance to vaccinations. During the swine flu epidemic in 2009, vaccinations started here in late October and infections were effectively contained by December. Vaccines require two injections and involve complex logistics systems, but inoculations could be completed in just a few months once supplies are secured. But Koreans are condemned to looking on while the vaccination dramas unfold in other countries because their own government has dragged its heels in securing enough supplies. Paris, TX (75460) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Watertown, NY (13601) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. A gang of thieves making a getaway from a 320,000 wine heist ended up throwing some of the expensive bottles at police during a car chase in France. The thieves began throwing the expensive bottles of wine at French gendarmes as they sped down the motorway on Tuesday around 5.15am, the Guardian reports. They had targeted the luxury Relais Chateau hotel Domaine de Rymska, which is located 18.6 miles from Beaune, Burgundy. The doors of the hotel's wine cellar had been smashed open by the thieves who then made off with hundreds of the bottle of wine. A gang of thieves made off with 320,000 worth of Burgundy wine on Tuesday morning after breaking into the cellar of the Relais Chateau hotel Domaine de Rymska (pictured) in France The hotel's owner was woken up after the fire alarm started going off before he got into his car and chased the gang's van down. He continued to call for help while chasing them onto the A^ Autoroute du Soleil motorway which heads south towards Lyon. A police officer joined the hotel owner in the car chase but as they approached the van the thieves began hurling bottles of the stolen wine their pursuers. The thieves then abandoned their van 22 miles north of Lyon after smashing into a toll barrier. During a highspeed chase along the motorway, the wine thieves began hurling some of the wine bottles (stock image) out of their van at a pursuing police officer Police have said that nobody was injured and that the bottles thrown at the gendarmes' vehicle had missed. An inquiry has begun and police have said they are searching for at least three men. Investigators are also working to determine whether this incident is related to a second break-in at the hotel which took place only 24 hours before. In the earlier break in, 180,000 worth of fine wine was stolen from the same cellar broken into in this latest incident. Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. UW, CWC Collaborate to Offer Entrepreneur Essentials Course A six-week program offered by Central Wyoming College (CWC) and the University of Wyoming beginning Jan. 29 will provide Wyoming residents with knowledge and tools to be successful entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur Essentials (e2), with face-to-face and virtual components, is an intensive education program in which participants will learn the key frameworks and tools, and answer essential questions, to effectively launch or grow their businesses. This program can help entrepreneurs move from the idea stage to working on a prototype or selling a completed product or service. The program is a collaboration involving CWC and UWs College of Business and College of Engineering and Applied Science. Its based on the highly successful Start-Up Intensive (SUI), a 10-week program hosted in Jackson, which has trained more than 140 Wyoming entrepreneurs over the last six years. In the last year, 28 entrepreneurs participated in e2 from all corners of Wyoming, including Sundance, Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Lander and Jackson -- 93 percent of whom would recommend the course to a friend. The hybrid format of the course offers bookended on-site instruction the weekends of Jan. 29 and March 12 in Riverton and Casper, with intervening virtual components. This format encourages participants to connect face to face at the beginning and the end of the course, and allows for participation across Wyoming. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and unpredictable nature of Wyomings winters, entrepreneurs have the option to join 100 percent virtually. Im thrilled to be making good use of the years of investment and refinement made to SUI and e2 and look forward to offering the e2 course across Wyoming, CWC President Brad Tyndall says. David Sprott, dean of the UW College of Business, concurs: The partnership between UW and CWC has developed over the last year and has the opportunity to really serve Wyoming entrepreneurs as they look to start new businesses. Some 77 percent of the SUI programs graduates are still operating their businesses after three years, and 20 percent of those graduates have raised significant private investment capital. Additionally, 82 percent of last years e2 participants made demonstrable progress and moved from the idea stage to working on a prototype or selling a completed product. To read about one of last years participants and her company, Juliet, click here. The topics covered in e2, including business models, market research, financials, legal and communicating the story, will really help entrepreneurs move the needle on their startups, says Cameron Wright, dean of UWs College of Engineering and Applied Science. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Jan. 27. More detailed information regarding the course and registration is available at www.cwc.edu/essentials/. For more information, email Lynne McAuliffe at lmcaulif@cwc.edu or Peter Scott at pscott5@uwyo.edu. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Exxon Mobil Corp. disclosed emissions data on customers use of its fuels and other products for the first time after coming under pressure from investors. The oil giants so-called Scope 3 emissions from petroleum-product sales were equivalent to 730 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019, according to the companys Energy and Carbon Summary released Tuesday. Thats about the same as the entire country of Canada and is the highest of all major Western oil companies. Most Western supermajors already publish the information and Exxon is doing so because stakeholders have expressed growing interest in it, the company said in the report. However, the data do not provide meaningful insight into the companys emission-reduction performance and could be misleading in some respects. CLIMATE: Exxon sets new emissions goals after investor criticism Exxon prefers to focus on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are within its direct control, rather than the use of its products, which depends on demand from customers. However, rivals such as Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc are targeting emissions cuts that cover Scope 3 figures. Exxon has come under pressure from activist investors in recent weeks for its poor shareholder returns and environmental record. Last month, Bloomberg News reported that major investors such as AllianceBernstein, Wellington Management and California State Teachers Retirement System have called on Exxon and the industry to increase transparency and publish more forward-looking emissions data, like the kind it routinely uses internally. The company said in December that it would set new, more ambitious targets to reduce emissions per barrel of crude. But it didnt make any pledges related to reducing its absolute level of pollution. FUEL FIX: Get our energy news in your inbox. In October, Bloomberg News reported that internal documents showed the companys 2018 plan to boost oil and gas production was projected to cause a surge in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the entire output of Greece. But the plan was derailed by Covid-19, forcing Exxon to cut capital spending and scale back its growth ambitions. Exxon said the story was misleading because the documents didnt include additional emissions mitigation efforts that would have been implemented over time. The companys Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell 3.2% in 2019 to 120 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, the lowest since at least 2010, according to Tuesdays report. Despite energy-transition scenarios that show fossil fuel usage decreasing over time, Exxons oil and gas reserves face little risk from declining demand, the company said in the report. This is because the substantial majority of its proved resources will be produced over the next 20 years, when they are supported by ample demand, it said. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. The situation in Luxembourg's hospitals has calmed down slightly. 46% of hospitalisations are currently due to Covid-19. A 34% decrease has been observed in intensive care. In light of these changes, hospitals were authorised on Tuesday to shift from phase four to phase three, which means that non-urgent operations may now be performed again. However, the sector remains cautious as the pressure is still high. 10 out of 14 beds in the Covid-19 intensive care unit on Kirchberg are still occupied. The care required by these patients is very labour intensive. As of Tuesday morning, the hospital confirmed that it is currently treating a total of 38 Covid-19 patients. However, these numbers could increase again at any time. Dr Philippe Turk, the crisis unit's hospital coordinator, is especially worried about the more infectious variant of the coronavirus, which was initially discovered in the UK. Combined with the winter weather, this new strain could potentially trigger a third wave in February. On the other hand, it has also become evident that a large number of patients with other health problems could not be treated over the course of the second wave. Hospitals had to cancel between 20% and 50% of their regular activities over the past two months, depending on the situation at the time. According to Pr Dr Claude Braun, the medical director of the Robert Schuman Hospitals, chemotherapies, dialysis, and oncological surgeries had not been interrupted. Outpatient procedures on the eyes, skin, or hands were also continued over the course of the second wave in the Robert Schuman Hospitals. Doctor's offices also remained open in order to minimise the risk of collateral health risks as much as possible. Less urgent operations will thus soon be possible again. Hospitals have to individually assess what they can offer, according to Dr Turk. However, it is almost impossible to plan ahead for more than two to three weeks because the situation can change at any time. The Covid-19 vaccination campaign is another challenge for the sector. As of next week, the internal vaccination of hospital workers is expected to start. In a voluntary survey conducted by the Robert Schuman Hospitals, 60% of participants stated that they are willing to be vaccinated. Many other staff members still hesitate. India is considering a proposal to create a bank to help fund port, road and power projects as Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration aims to lift Asias third-largest economy out of the recession. The new entity, likely to be part of the budget announcement in February, may have an equity capital of 1 trillion rupees ($13.7 billion), people with knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified as the matter isnt public. The existing India Infrastructure Finance Co., which has a 20 billion rupee corpus, will be merged with the bank, they said. Initially, the institution will be funded by the government, which will later invite investors, the people said. It could be on the lines of state-run National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Ltd., which counts the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Asian Development Bank and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority among its investors. The finance ministry has prepared a note for Modis cabinet to discuss the proposal. The spokesperson at the ministry declined to comment. India faces the challenge of boosting spending on productive assets that aid economic growth after being forced to direct the bulk of stimulus last year on the poor and the farmers to protect them from a pandemic-induced slowdown. Citigroup Inc. economists wrote last year that spending should be directed on infrastructure, rather than populist measures, to cushion the economy headed for the deepest slump among emerging nations. Attracting foreign investment is also crucial to meet Modis goal of spending $1.5 trillion on new roads, rail links and other infrastructure over the next five years as public finances deteriorate. The government pumped nearly 1.7 trillion rupees into public sector banks in the two years to March 2020. But a widening budget deficit and weak revenue growth put a brake on any further recapitalization plans for the current financial year. Iran has denied it is using crew members aboard a seized South Korean oil tanker as hostages. Armed troops from Irans Revolutionary Guard seized the ship Monday near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The tanker was carrying 20 crew members. The seizure appears to be an attempt to pressure South Korea to release around $7 billion frozen under American economic sanctions. Critics of Iran have long accused the country of hijacking ships and seizing foreign prisoners as a method of strengthening their position in negotiations. In a similar incident in 2019, Iran seized a British tanker and held it for two months. Weve become used to such allegations, an Iranian government spokesman told reporters. He went on to blame South Korea for the incident: it is Koreas government that is holding $7 billion, which belongs to us, hostage on baseless grounds. South Korea called in Irans ambassador to demand that the ship be released. Officials said a team was being sent to Iran to discuss the situation. Iran said its forces stopped the ship for violating environmental rules by polluting waters in the Persian Gulf. However, an official with DM Shipping Company, the ships owner, denied the tanker was polluting the waters, The Associated Press reported. Irans threat to block shipping in the Gulf is one way to gain leverage in its expected negotiations with the administration of President-elect Joe Biden. South Korea, like other countries, is required to limit Irans access to its financial system under U.S. sanctions. The restrictions were ordered by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The United States placed strong restrictions on Iran after it withdrew from a nuclear agreement reached with Iran under former president Barack Obama. Biden has said he wants to reenter the nuclear agreement. But doing so is likely to present diplomatic problems. Since the United States withdrew from the deal, Iran has taken steps that violate it. Biden said Iran must fully obey the agreement in order for the deal to be saved. Iran has said the United States must first lift the sanctions. Iranian officials say the sanctions are illegal and have hurt its economy, including its ability to deal with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Middle East. In another development, Iran announced Monday it had increased uranium enrichment at an underground production center. That is its latest move to violate the former nuclear deals terms. South Koreas Foreign Minister, Kang Kyung-wha, said on Tuesday she was making diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the tanker. South Koreas Vice Foreign Minister, Choi Jong-kun, is expected to visit Iran on Sunday. A government official in Tehran told Iranian state TV the visit had already been planned to discuss the frozen money. Im Bryan Lynn. Reuters and the Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and visit our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tanker n. a ship used to carry large amounts of liquid or gas sanction n. restrictions, usually limiting trade, that are meant to cause a country to obey international law allegation n. a statement saying someone has done something wrong or illegal leverage n. influence or power to reach a desired goal access n. the ability to use or take part in something enrich v. to improve the quality or purity of something such as a substance WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps supporters have descended on the nations capital to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud ahead of a congressional vote to affirm Joe Bidens election victory. The president is expected to personally address his supporters during a Wednesday morning rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. Just blocks from the White House, protesters many without masks gathered in Freedom Plaza on Tuesday to decry the vote in the Electoral College. As temperatures dropped to the low 40s and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. Im just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who traveled from Memphis, Tennessee. Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the presidents legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and didnt know what options Trump had left. I not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say, Wideman said. Trump tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The speakers included former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom the president pardoned after he was twice convicted of lying to the FBI in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. We stand at a crucible moment in United States history, Flynn told the mostly maskless crowd. This country is awake now. People attend a rally at Freedom Plaza Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Washington, in support of President Donald Trump.AP Photo/Julio Cortez The protests coincide with Wednesdays congressional vote expected to certify the Electoral College results, which Trump continues to dispute. In a Tuesday evening tweet, Trump called on Democrats and fellow Republicans to look at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. In another tweet, he warned that antifa, the umbrella term for leftist militant groups that Trump has said he wants to declare a terrorist organization, should stay out of Washington. The rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalized. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the citys police force. She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is looking for a fight. But, she warned, we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city. Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. A pro-Trump rally Dec. 12 ended in violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, wearing the signature black and yellow of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, sought out confrontations with a collective of local activists attempting to bar them from Black Lives Matter Plaza, an area near the White House. At least two local Black churches had Black Lives Matter banners torn down and set ablaze. On Monday, police arrested the leader of the Proud Boys, Henry Enrique Tarrio, 36, after he arrived in Washington ahead of this weeks protests. Tarrio was accused of burning one of the Black Lives Matter banners in December and was found with two high-capacity firearm magazines, police said. A judge signed an order Tuesday banning Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions related to his criminal case. In addition to the National Guard, federal agents were on standby, in case they were quickly needed in the city this week. The federal Bureau of Prisons said about 100 specially trained officers were sent to the Justice Department headquarters to assist other security personnel but would remain in a reserve capacity unless needed. The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, said that unlike during the unrest in May and June in Washington, it did not plan to deploy agents from Customs and Border Protection to the demonstration Wednesday. Right now, we have not been asked to deploy. However, we have a modest quick reaction force that will be on standby just in case our assistance is requested, the agencys acting commissioner, Mark Morgan, said. Organizers planned to rally into the night on Tuesday and again all day on Wednesday on the Ellipse. An afternoon march was also planned to the U.S. Capitol, where Congress will be voting to affirm the election results. A number of prominent Trump supporters were expected to attend, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and longtime Trump ally Roger Stone, the recipient of a pardon by the president. Stone was convicted of lying to Congress during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and sentenced to three years in prison. Trump commuted the sentence as Stone pursued an appeal and later issued a full pardon. A November pro-Trump rally drew about 15,000 participants. The Dec. 12 rally drew smaller numbers, but a larger contingent of Proud Boys. During previous pro-Trump protests, police sealed off Black Lives Matter Plaza itself, but the confrontations spilled out to the surrounding streets. Black Lives Matter Plaza was sealed off Tuesday. We know that historically over the last few demonstrations that BLM Plaza has been a focal point, Contee said a day earlier. We want to make sure that that is not an issue. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Congress in Rajasthan continues to face a tough task in balancing the equation between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, as the party is set to announce its state committee. The Congress had appointed Govind Singh Dotasra as the state chief but the committee has not yet been announced. Dotasra had replaced Sachin Pilot, who had led a revolt against Gehlot last year. Congress state in-charge Ajay Maken has been meeting all the stakeholders so that none of the two camps feels alienated, said sources. In Rajasthan, the party saw a major internal crisis last year after Sachin Pilot raised a banner of revolt. However, he later came back following a truce. Trouble, however, in the state seems to be far from over. Sources said Sachin Pilot wants his loyalists to be reinstated in the party positions as well as in the council of Ministers, particularly Ramesh Meena and Vishvendra Singh. Both were suspended and removed as state ministers when Pilot with his 18 MLAs camped in Haryana's Manesar in an open rebellion against the Gehlot leadership. But months after Pilot was back into the party fold, the Congress still has the hard task to put its house in order. The party lost the rural polls due to differences among the state leaders, however, it was able to make a comeback in the urban local body polls. While Gehlot met the party leaders when he came to attend the meeting called by Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi on December 19, the issue of cabinet expansion has not yet been settled. Gehlot had blamed the Covid-19 situation for the loss in the rural polls. "In district council and Panchayat polls, the results were not to our expectation and from the past nine months our government was involved in the Covid management and our priority was to save lives and livelihood of the people," he said. After making a comeback in the urban body polls Gehlot's mood seemed to be upbeat, the Congress high command, however, does not appear to be too keen to alienate any of the factions. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The COVID-19 vaccine is likely to arrive in Delhi by early next week and robust preparations are underway to stock it in the required thermal environment and ensure effective roll-out of the inoculation exercise, sources said on Wednesday. The city government is creating a massive storage facility at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) and the police administration has been informed about the imminent arrival of the vaccine lot. "We are making robust preparations for the roll-out, and 621 cold chain facilities have been set up. The storage facility at RGSSH can stock about 50,000 vaccines. All arrangements being made there to keep it in temperature-controlled environment," a senior official said. One vial of the vaccine has about 4.6-5 ml capacity and contains on an average 8-10 doses, another official said. "We are expecting that the vaccine will arrive by next week, possibly by Tuesday. But which vaccine will come, we have not been told. Our storage can keep it at 2-8 degrees Celsius, so either of the two approved vaccines can be stored," a source said. India's drugs regulator has approved Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, and the indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country. It paves the way for the roll-out of at least two vaccines in the country in the coming days. A total of 1,000 vaccination centres will be set up in Delhi. About 600 centres will be set up in the first phase, for which work is underway in full swing, the officials said. Dr Suneela Garg, public health expert and professor of excellence at Maulana Azad Medical College here, said the roll-out system will work akin to an electoral exercise. "Those who have registered themselves will get an SMS a couple of days prior to the day of vaccination, telling about the location of the centre and the date of vaccination," she said. At every vaccination centre, there will be multiple booths, each to take a maximum of 100 people, said Garg, who is guiding the city government on the exercise. "Inside, every booth, one officer will check details and match them with those shown on the CoWIN app for people, following which the necessary documents will be checked and then they will be taken one by one for vaccination," she said. There will be a nodal officer at each vaccination centre, officials said. The COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network or CoWIN app and its ecosystem will be used to manage and scale up the massive vaccination drive that is expected to begin soon across the country. Everything will be fed to the database in real-time. Also, the person after being vaccinated will be kept under observation for any AEFI (adverse effect following immunisation), Garg said. She added that the process to monitor a person after vaccination is not new but a regular medical protocol. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday had said the city government has so far made preparations to vaccinate one lakh people in a day. The Delhi government is fully prepared to receive, store and administer COVID-19 vaccine to 51 lakh priority category persons in the city in the first phase of vaccination, the minister had said. These include healthcare workers who will be the first to be inoculated against the coronavirus, followed by frontline workers, people aged above 50 years and those below 50 years who have co-morbidities, he added. Vaccination centres will either be hospitals or facilities linked to hospitals. As part of the first phase, about three lakh healthcare workers and nearly six lakh frontline workers, totalling about nine lakh, will be the first ones to get the vaccine. The city government has announced that the vaccine will be provided to people in Delhi free of cost. This live blog, which covers what happened on Wednesday through the early morning hours of Thursday, is now closed. On Wednesday, Congress was forced to shut down and flee the Capitol building in the middle of its scheduled joint session to count and certify Joe Bidens electoral victory. Slate is publishing live updates of the days events, which began with supporters of President Donald Trump gathering on the National Mall to protest the election. Jim Newell is in the Capitol, while Aymann Ismail is covering events outside. 12:16 a.m. What I Saw Inside the Capitol Riot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I walked with marchers into the Capitol during the riot today, the mood was giddy, but it was chaos. Everyone was excited. People were chanting, This is our America and Whose house? Our house! They waved flags and donned protective gear. They were having fun, entertaining themselves. But the people I spoke to didnt seem to understand the gravity of what they had done. Inside a building they had broken into, they described themselves as peaceful. I talked to a kid from Florida, who must have been no more than 17 or 18, who told me, This is nothing compared to what Antifa does. Read the full story here. Aymann Ismail 12:02 a.m.: House Rejects Objection to Arizonas Electors, 303121 The House has followed the Senates lead in rejecting the objections raised to Arizonas electors, although more than half of the Republicans voted to uphold the objection. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana were among the Republican representatives who sided with the presidents efforts to overthrow the election results. Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, who voted to uphold the objection, claimed during the debate without offering details or evidence that the Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol earlier in the day were, in fact, Antifa supporters in disguise: Advertisement So Rep Gaetz just claimed compelling evidence of the conspiracy from a facial recognition company. I would like to know if that company is Clearview AI considering their controversial ties to far right. cc @kashhill @lukeobrien pic.twitter.com/1EcdEBOnpW Jason Kint (@jason_kint) January 7, 2021 Following the vote, the House officially rejected the objection to Arizonas electoral results: Advertisement Joe Biden wins Arizona for the 1 billionth time pic.twitter.com/TKqI52eIYI Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 7, 2021 Advertisement Congress is now continuing the process of counting the electoral votes. Advertisement Matthew Dessem 10:48 p.m.: Senate Overwhelmingly Rejects Objection to Arizonas Electors The storming of their office building by violent lunatics left some Republican senators shook. When the Senate resumed debate around 8 p.m. on the objection of Arizonas electors, the energy to defend the presidents fraud hallucinations dampened. Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler did, indeed, summon the dignity the day after her election loss to decline to perform another dead-end political errand for Trump. When I arrived in Washington this morning, I fully intended to object to the certification of the electoral votes, Loeffler told her colleagues. However, the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors. Advertisement Other senators who had planned to reject electors bailed, too. Both of Tennessees senators, Marsha Blackburn and newly sworn-in Bill Hagerty, had a change of heart. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, who was never really of a coup disposition to begin with, backed off. Indiana Sen. Mike Braun and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson wanted to get it over with, as did Montana Sen. Steve Daines. Advertisement After impassioned speeches from South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Grahamwho appears to be re-rebranding himself out of his role as Trumps most faithful defender, in the hopes of readmission into polite societyand Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, asserting that Biden won fair and square, the Senate voted. About half of the original group that said it would reject electors balked. Advertisement The final vote was 936 against the objection to Arizonas electors, with only Sens. Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Cindy Hyde-Smith, John Kennedy, Roger Marshall, and Tommy Tuberville voting to reject the electors. The House vote will conclude between 11:30 and midnight. Will there be another objection, forcing another split into separate sessions and votes, to another states electors? We appear headed that way. Jim Newell 8:22 p.m.: Now That Congress Has Reconvened, Will Republicans Really Keep This Up? After a chaotic and dangerous afternoon, Congress has reconvened to continue the process of tallying the Electoral College totals. Members say they are determined to see the process until the end before breaking. The question is how much longer it will take. Advertisement When Congress broke earlier this afternoon to wait out a violent insurrection against a branch of government, the Senate and the House had just split into separate sessions to debate and vote on the objection lodged against Arizonas electors. That debate is expected to continue, followed by a vote on whether to accept or reject the electors. Advertisement Advertisement But what then, when the joint session reconvenes? Is Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who doesnt believe any of this stolen election stuff anyway and just lost her election, really going to lodge an objection against Georgias electors? Is Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley really going to object to Pennsylvanias? After this entire doomed-to-fail Stop the Steal movement founded on misinformation brought about violence and global humiliation, are the Republicans really going to keep this up? Advertisement Its an open question. At least some previously gung-ho Republicans are recognizing that continuing this ludicrous effort might come across as, well, ludicrous. I think today changed things drastically, Indiana Sen. Mike Braun told reporters on the Hill on Wednesday evening. Braun had been one of the senators who had pledged he would reject electors. Yeah, whatever point you made before that should suffice. Get this ugly day behind us. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, another objector, sounded similarly squeamish about proceeding with the rebellion. Obviously in light of events, theres a little bit of a different attitude, he said. I think theres going to be the one [objection and vote] were currently on, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who does not support efforts in Congress to overturn the election, said. I think its all going to be condensed into that. Theres gonna be probably 30 or 40 more minutes of debate, and one vote. Advertisement Advertisement Once the current objection over Arizona is dispensed with, it wouldnt be surprising if some dead-ender House Republicans still try to lodge objections. Whether they can get a senator to join them is another matter. Jim Newell 7:51 p.m.: Twitter Has Locked the Presidents Account It took an insurrection for Twitter to finally do it: take away Donald Trumps ability to tweet. The official Twitter Safety account announced the removal of three of Trumps tweets from Wednesday for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy. The platform also stated that Trumps account would be locked for 12 hours, and that if Trump did not delete the tweets himself, the lock would be indefinite. If you visit @realdonaldtrump, you will find the tweets in question hidden by a notice that states: This Tweet is no longer available because it violated the Twitter Rules. Learn more. The tweets deleted include the video in which Trump professed his affection for the rioters, the tweet in which Trump dissed his vice president for not overturning democracy, and his statement that the riots happened because a sacred landslide election victory was so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. (Obviously, the last claim is false.) Other platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, also removed Trumps recorded address to the Capitol invaders. Given that Twitter doesnt allow incitements of violence, its probably time for the platform to boot the president altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Nitish Pahwa 7:20 p.m.: Congress Will Finish the Electoral College Count Tonight Congress will reconvene later tonight to finish the certification of Electoral College ballots after the Capitol is secured, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. As Democrat Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Jeff Merkley told the media, quick-thinking Senate aides reportedly moved the mahogany boxes containing the Electoral College state certifications after the congressional session was halted due to the impending riots. When lawmakers and their staff shifted to safety, so did the boxes. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says that a staffer secured the electoral college ballots and brought them with her when lawmakers and staffers were moved to a secure location in the U.S. Capitol. pic.twitter.com/b4W4UFINjM CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Electoral college ballots rescued from the Senate floor. If our capable floor staff hadnt grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob. pic.twitter.com/2JCauUIlvg Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 6, 2021 Advertisement There are multiple copies of the Electoral College ballots in existenceeach states governor holds the copies, as do U.S. district court judges. The National Archives also has digital copies on its website. So even if the mob had successfully destroyed the boxes and the certifications inside, Joe Bidens victory would not be affected. Still, the preservation of the boxes will likely ensure a quicker process, provided the multiple Republicans whod planned on contesting the official results from several states back off from their couplike mission. It also prevents the invaders from obtaining a symbolic victory. Advertisement Other senators, including Joe Manchin, seem to be eager to get on with it already: Sen. Joe Manchin says he hopes that Congress can get the Electoral College certification done tonight. Well stay whatever it takes.. these thugs arent running us off. pic.twitter.com/6KeEQnJdl7 Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nitish Pahwa 6:40 p.m.: The Woman Shot at the Capitol Has Died The woman who was shot at the Capitol around 3 p.m. has died from her injuries, two law enforcement agencies told NBC News Pete Williams. A spokesman for the D.C. police also confirmed the death to the Washington Post. No further details, including the womans identity or the circumstances of the shooting, have been provided. Video footage showed the woman, who was wearing a Trump banner around her neck, being shot in the neck. MSNBC confirmed that she was shot by a law enforcement agent. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department told BuzzFeed News that the woman had been transported to hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries and that shed received CPR. Advertisement This is the first reported fatality from the riots at the Capitol. The president of the United States has not yet directly commented on the death. Nitish Pahwa 5:42 p.m.: Democratic Lawmakers Seek to Expel Republicans Who Encouraged the Siege, Impeach Trump Democratic Rep. Cori Bush announced on Twitter that she will introduce a resolution calling for the expulsion of Republican members of Congress who have incited this domestic terror attack through their attempts to overturn the election. Her Democratic colleague, Rep. Ilhan Omar, also announced that she will draw up articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. Presidentelect Joe Biden, meanwhile, described the siege as an insurrection. In statements and interviews, other congressional Democrats have similarly framed Wednesdays attack as a rebellion against the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement The (accurate) description of their actions as an insurrection has constitutional significance. The 14th Amendment prohibits congressional service by anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution of the United States. Each chamber of Congress may expel a member for insurrection by a two-thirds vote; Bush is essentially arguing that the House of Representatives should expel those members who encouraged this attempted couplike, for instance, Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, who urged Wednesdays crowd to start kicking ass shortly before the assault on the Capitol. Moreover, no one seriously doubts that encouragement of insurrection, which Trump has provided in spades, constitutes an impeachable offense. Indeed, Senate Democrats should consider lobbying not just for Trumps removal from the presidency, but also his disqualification from holding future office. The Constitution authorizes the Senate to bar a president from holding federal office in the future upon removing him. Advertisement Expelling the congressional enablers of Wednesdays failed coup, from members of Congress to the president himself, requires Republican support. It seems unlikely that a sufficient number of Republicans would join Democrats in cleansing the government of traitors from the GOP ranks. Republican lawmakers who pushed conspiracy theories and lied about election fraud are already attempting to distance themselves from the rioters who broke into the Capitol. But Bush and Omars statements at least indicate that Democratic lawmakers will not allow them to get away with potential sedition so easily. Advertisement Advertisement Mark Joseph Stern Multiple news outlets have reported that a woman was shot around 3 p.m. during the pro-Trump riot that engulfed the Capitol as Congress met to certify the Electoral College votes. CNN, citing two sources, first reported that the woman had been shot and was in critical condition. D.C.s Fire and EMS spokesperson later confirmed to Fox 5 that the person had been transported to a local hospital. NBC News, citing several law enforcement officials, then reported that a law enforcement official had shot the woman. Officials also told BuzzFeed News that CPR had been performed on the woman. Advertisement Washington Post journalists offered a more detailed dispatch, reporting theyd heard an officer say White female, shot in the shoulder, and that an ambulance had pulled up to the southeast corner of the Capitol. The Post added that paramedics rushed a gurney to the south side of the Capitol and emerged with a woman with her torso and face covered in blood. Pro-Trump protesters surrounded the ambulance and screamed murderers! One of the rioters, who had blood on his hands and claimed that hed been a witness, also told WUSA9 that the shooting occurred when the woman did not listen to police who were telling people to get away from the windows. Advertisement There had been multiple unconfirmed reports of gunshots throughout the riot. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said during a Fox News interview that he heard someone say there were shots fired in the building over a Capitol Police radio. Meet the Press also aired graphic footage of a woman covered in blood being wheeled out of the Capitol in a stretcher, though its unclear if she was shot, or if she is the same woman from the other reports of a gunshot wound. Several lawmakers like Virginia Rep. Elaine Luria and journalists at the scene tweeted that they had also heard what sounded like gunshots. Photojournalists also took several pictures of police drawing guns while barricading themselves in the House chamber. Advertisement Aaron Mak 4:40 p.m.: Biden Speaks; Trump Says Occupiers Should Go Home but That He Loves Them and Election Was Stolen President-elect Joe Biden gave brief remarks on the situation at the U.S. Capitol in an appearance from Wilmington, Delaware, calling Wednesdays events an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings, doing of the peoples business. Biden called on Trump to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution by demanding that the individuals in the Capitol leave. He closed his remarks by looking into the camera and telling Trump to step up. Literally minutes later, Trump issued a minutelong video statement in which he told individuals occupying Congress to go home but reiterated his claim that Democrats stole the presidential election and said, about the occupiers, I know your pain, I know your hurt. Added the president: We love you, youre very special I know how you feel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Mathis-Lilley 4:37 p.m.: A Surreal Scene From Speaker Nancy Pelosis Office Surreal scenes from the Capitol, which authorities in riot gear are assembling to clear after hours of chaos, have shown pro-Trump rioters scaling walls, hanging from a balcony, and screaming from the dais. But one image has traveled especially far: a man sitting inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office, foot up on her desk. He left her a note scrawled on a folder: We will not back down. LOOK: A protester sits inside Speaker Pelosis office. We will not back down is scrawled on a folder. For more on the chaos at the Capitol: https://t.co/Ql6s29Kl1B pic.twitter.com/K6igdWP54m Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Jeffrey Bloomer 3:38 p.m.: Meanwhile, on Newsmax How is Newsmax TV covering the darkest day in the long recent series of darkest days in American history? For most of the 2 p.m. hour, Americas least reliable cable news network was working overtime trying not to report that a horde of MAGA goons had stormed the U.S. Capitol, effectively at the behest of President Donald Trump. When the news became too big for even Newsmax to ignore, fill-in anchor Tom Basile first tried to suggest that the security breach was perhaps the work of antifa infiltrators. Near the end of the time block, the network was offering another suggestion: that the Capitol being overrun by a violent mob was perhaps in fact a positive thing. Some maniac guest with a British accent, whose name I did not catch, suggested that the crowd was merely furious that this election has been so obviously rigged, and these pussyfoot [senators and representatives] in the Republican Party who have failed to stand up for it, and theyre saying that if our elected representatives wont do anything about it, then well do something about it. But before he was able to elaborate at greater length, 3 p.m. came around, and Basile cut him off to reset the show for the new hour. A momentous day in Washington, D.C. Its almost not to be believed, what is happening, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Justin Peters 3:35 p.m.: One Person Has Been Shot at the Capitol CNN, citing two sources, is reporting that a woman is in critical condition after she was shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds. Further details are not available at the moment. There have been multiple unconfirmed reports of gunshots throughout the riot at the Capitol. Police officers were also seen drawing their guns while barricading the House Chamber. Aaron Mak 3:25 p.m. : The Smell of Tear Gas Is Seeping Into Lockdown It is 2:30 p.m. and I am locked in a secure location at the Capitol as I hear footsteps and shouts and whistles rattle from outside and below from Trump protestors that have breached the building. They have been marching through the rotunda and statutory hall, central corridors in the Capitol building. The smell of tear gas is seeping in. The building is on total lockdown. This is unreal. Advertisement There were first reports that the Madison Building on the Capitol complex was being evacuated. Then the Cannon House Office Building. Protesters were breaking through barriers on the west front of the Capitol, trying to climb the inaugural platform. Shortly thereafter, they burst through gates on the east front. The Capitol, itself, then went into lockdown. The building was infiltrated at a number of exits. I took this video from the third floor, looking down on a central entrance from the second floor, as protesters tried to break through the glass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish I could give more color on what is happening inside the corridors, but: lockdown. Authorities are trying both to secure the building and get personnel evacuated. For now, we sit and wait. Jim Newell 3:15 p.m.: More Video of Chaos Inside the Capitol Rioters supporting President Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the election unleashed violent mayhem in and around the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon as members of Congress were debating objections to the Electoral College count. The extremists broke into the Capitol building and assaulted police and security officers. Members of the House and Senate have been evacuated. Some lawmakers were told to don gas masks as security unleashed tear gas into the Capitol rotunda. Rioters broke windows, tried to break down doors, and scaled walls. The rioters stormed the Capitol after President Trump directed ire at lawmakers, particularly Republican ones, and Vice President Mike Pence for not supporting his coup attempt. He offered a weak plea on Twitter to support our Capitol Police in the midst of the chaos. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser imposed a 6 p.m. curfew in the city. Advertisement Trump protesters just discharged a fire extinguisher outside Senate chamber. Many protesters are inside building, and most people are hiding from them pic.twitter.com/0y2sk8LHWd Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021 BREAKING: Clashes reported inside the U.S. Capitol building pic.twitter.com/2twyZAD6wJ BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump supporters break into the U.S. Capitol Building after storming the police line here in Washington #DC #Trump #DCRally #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/Q8jdQjqNla Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) January 6, 2021 Aaron Mak 2:30 p.m.: Violent Pro-Trump Extremists Force Their Way Into Capitol, Sending Joint Session Into Lockdown Violent clashes between police and pro-Trump protesters broke out on the grounds around the Capitol building as Congress met to debate the certification of Electoral College votes. The Wall Street Journal reports that Paul Irving, the Capitols sergeant at arms, told members of Congress and their staff to get to their offices by 9 a.m. so that they could be secure in the complex before protesters arrived. Security sealed off the complex from visitors, and a source told the Journal that lawmakers had been asked not to wear pins identifying them as members of Congress outside the Capitol complex. By early afternoon, an unruly crowd of protesters had breached the barricade set up behind the Capitol building. This resulted in police firing tear gas into the crowd and engaging in tug-of-wars over pieces of the barricade. Protesters chanted you swore and oath and move forward. Advertisement I don't know how police can contain this much longer. Capitol Building - Washington, DC#StopTheSteal #DCProtests pic.twitter.com/V05Oc30Mhf Kitty Boomhauer (@KBoomhauer) January 6, 2021 Virginia Rep. Elaine Luria posted on Twitter that she had to evacuate her office due to reports of a pipe bomb outside the building. Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens additionally tweeted that she had to shelter in place in her office. The Capitol is now on lockdown. Lawmakers adjourned in the midst of the pandemonium. A video from Slate reporter Jim Newell shows protesters attempting to break through the Capitols doors. Reports indicate that some protesters made their way into the building. Advertisement 2:07 p.m.: Its Getting Ugly The Save America March began this morning with a more convivial vibe, like a Trump-themed ComicCon. That is quickly changing as the debate in Congress over certifying the presidential vote continues. Hes a taste of how marchers are starting to lash out at counterprotesters and journalists on the sidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, some other reports from the ground: Injured police officer evacuated after being attacked by Trump supporters: pic.twitter.com/OKEVDtGarb Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 6, 2021 Advertisement The US Capitol is now on lockdown. Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 6, 2021 Aymann Ismail 1:58 p.m.: Joint Session Convenes and Republicans Lodge First Objection to Electors The joint session of Congress to tally the Electoral College vote opened at 1 p.m. on Wednesday much like the most well-known annual joint sessionthe State of the Unionwould. The sergeant at arms announced the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence, one axle under the bus already, arrived to applause from House Republican colleagues. Most members of the U.S. Senate followed him in. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz gave an elbow bump to the fist of his fellow objector, Texas Rep. Louis Gohmert, who was greeting members along the aisle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite an agreement between the two sides to limit the number of members in the chamber at any given point, the Republican side of the aisle was slammed, with little spacing and specious adherence Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took his seat, first row and center in the House chamber, and sat in silence, staring straight ahead, not moving at all. He did have a brief chat before things got going with young freshman North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who appeared to be introducing himself. As the tally began, Alabama and Alaskas electors were read and quickly accepted without objection. Third up in the alphabet was Arizona. When the chance to object came, Paul Gosaran Arizona representative on whose brain the hot desert has taken a tollfulfilled his promise. When asked if there was a senator to join the objection, as is necessary for it to be in order, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz rose to second it. Democrats groaned, while House Republicans gradually rose to a standing ovation. Cruz performed his best expression of false, humble conviction. The joint session broke for its first debate, and votes, on Arizonas slate of electors. Jim Newell 1:22 p.m.: Rudy Giuliani Gets a Royals Welcome in D.C. While many ask How did Rudy Giuliani come to this?, his reception at the Trump rally in D.C. this afternoon offers one clue to whats keeping him going. He was greeted like an absolute rock star today. 1:10 p.m.: Trump Vents at Republicans and Pushes Coup During Rally Just around midday on Wednesday, President Donald Trump began speaking to rally goers in Washington D.C. who were meeting to support Trumps calls for a coup to overturn the election. Trumps speech offered a fairly typical litany of his classic grievances against the media and big tech, false claims of election fraud, and general boasts about his own electoral success. Still, there were some notable portions in which Trump seemed to preview a post-presidency that will be focused at least partially on destroying members of his own party for not being sufficiently loyal. Here are some of the highlights. Advertisement Advertisement Trump made it official that he never intends to concede: We will never give up, we will never concede. Trump claimed the Georgia Senate election last night was rigged and cited a brand new conspiracy theory about voting machines: It was rigged against them. Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue. They fought a good fight, they never had a shot. That equipment should never have been allowed to be used and I was telling these people dont let them use this stuff. Trump repeatedly said that Vice President Mike Pence was obligated to unilaterally overturn the election during Wednesdays Electoral College vote count: I hope that Mike is going to do the right thing, I hope so, I hope so. Because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election. All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to recertify, and we become president, and you are the happiest people. Trump said that he had just made one final pitch to Pence and repeatedly made implicit threats to Pences future political career: I actually just spoke to Mike, I said Mike that doesnt take courage, what takes courage is to do nothing. That takes courage and then were stuck with a president who lost the election by a lot and we have to live with that for four more years. Were just not going to let that happen. Advertisement Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us and if he doesnt, that will be a sad day for our country. Were going to see whether or not we have great and courageous leaders, or whether or not we have leaders that should be ashamed of themselves throughout history, throughout eternity. And you know what: If they do the wrong thing, we should never ever forget that they did. Never forget. We should never ever forget. Mike Pence I hope that youre going to stand up for the good of our constitution and for the good of our country. And if youre not, Im going to be very disappointed in you, I will tell you right now. Im not hearing good stories. Trump attacked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican Senators who havent backed his coup attempt, saying he would threaten some of them with primaries from loyalists: Many of the Republicans, I helped them get in, I helped them get elected. I helped Mitch get elected. No its amazing, theyre weak Republicans, theyre pathetic Republicans, and thats what happens. The weak Republicans, and thats it, I really believe it, I think Im going to use the term the weak Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement You have to get your people to fight and if they dont fight, we have to primary the hell the ones that dont fight. You primary them. Were going to let you know who they are. I can already tell you frankly. Trump blamed his former Attorney General William Barr and the Supreme Court for not going along with his coup attempt: All of a sudden Bill Barr changed if you havent noticed. But he changed, because he didnt want to be considered my personal attorney. And the Supreme Court, they rule against me so much, because the story is that theyre my puppets, that theyre puppets, and the only way they can get out of thatbecause they hate that, its not good in the social circuitthat the only way they get out is to rule against Trump, so lets rule against Trump, and they do that so I want to congratulate that. Jeremy Stahl 12: 45 p.m.: Rallygoers Are NOT Enjoying the Georgia Senate Results Advertisement They should not even have had the election, Frank from Pennsylvania told me of the Georgia Senate election on Tuesday. Once youve gone through the evidence and seen what goes on with these machines they use, you cant validate em. It should have been pushed back and done by hand. On the ground in D.C. on Wednesday morning, the mood was largely upbeatexcept on one subject. The two Republican candidates were way ahead last night, and then in the middle of the night, more Democrat votes come in. So the same crap that went on in the presidential election, Frank continued. Others were no less pleased. I also found plenty of rallygoers who were unhappy but didnt think anything was suspicious in Georgiathough they did have a warning for Democrats. In four years, you just wait. Trumpism is here to stay. Whether its Trump or somebody elsethe ideas of America First are going to stay. Read the full dispatch here. Aymann Ismail 12:01 p.m. So Last Night Was Ugly Downtown D.C. was the site of violent clashes on Tuesday night as pro-Trump protesters took to the streets on the eve of Congress vote to certify the Electoral College votes and Joe Bidens victory. The city has been preparing for mass upheaval by increasing police presence and mobilizing the National Guard, and officials warned residents to stay away from the downtown area. Advertisement Advertisement Most of the skirmishes on Tuesday occurred later in the night after the official rallies planned for the day had ended. According to D.C.s local ABC station, some minor scuffles ensued as a result of protesters getting into arguments with counterprotesters, though police were trying to keep the conflicting groups away from each other. The Washington Post also reports that, in one case, a group of about 200 Trump supporters approached a police line shortly after 10 p.m. at Black Lives Matter Plaza, a gathering place for activists close to the White House. People punched and shoved at the line, and officers used pepper spray to break up the crowd. A woman and two D.C. police officers were sent to the hospital as a result, according to a D.C. Fire and EMS Department spokesperson. Videos posted to social media appear to show protesters attempting to rush past the police line and an incident in which a larger fight broke out as a result of two people arguing. There was a total of six arrests connected to the protests on Tuesday for charges including assaulting police officers and weapons violations. Chaotic scene in BLM Plaza as police clash with Trump supporters trying to rush the line #DC #WashingtonDC #January6th pic.twitter.com/wjGsUSaCWH Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) January 6, 2021 Mace deployed as police push back into the crowd of Trump supporters trying to get into BLM Plaza #DC #WashingtonDC #January6th pic.twitter.com/mmNqq3vYyO Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) January 6, 2021 DC Police use pepper spray on Trump supporters after another fight breaks out. pic.twitter.com/Q5BLqQUHiU Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement The demonstrators, in several incidents captured on social media, seemed to get in arguments with one another as Democrats success in the Georgia runoff elections on Tuesday became clear. Aaron Mak 11:20 a.m.: What to Expect From the Count and Rally On Wednesday, Congress will meet to count and certify Joe Bidens 306-to-232 Electoral College victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Because Trump has spent the last two months attempting to delegitimize that outcome in a feeble coup attempt, what is normally a pro forma joint session of Congress will have some fireworks. More than a dozen Republican senators have promised to join more than 100 Republican members of the House in objecting to the votes of various swing states won closely by Biden. Though some symbolic objections have been made during the joint session in the past, never before have this many members of Congress tried to openly overturn the will of the voters. The mechanics of the day, though, should be pretty normal. Vice President Mike Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, will be handed Electoral College results in alphabetical order by the clerks. He will read those results, and will hear objections. Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin are the states most likely to see objections. If the objections are in writing from at least one member each of the House and Senate, then the two chambers will separate for up to two hours of debate and a vote on the objections. Democrats already have more than enough votes to kill these efforts in both chambers, but it could last several hours. The only real wrinkle is Trumps pressure campaign to try to get Pence to unilaterally overturn the vote based on completely unfounded fraud claims. Trump went on a Twitter rant overnight in which he repeated his desperate effort to cajole Pence into taking part in his coup effort. If Vice President @Mike_Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency, Trump tweeted last night. And this morning, he tweeted: All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! The New York Times reported last night that Pence already told Trump theres nothing he can do to unilaterally overturn this election, but it will still be interesting to see how he plays the day, particularly given what appears to be the Democratic takeover of the Senate last night with victories in Georgia. Jeremy Stahl Government buys 35m more AstraZeneca doses THAILAND: The government is going on a COVID-19 vaccine shopping spree, having just agreed to buy an additional 35 million doses from University of Oxford/AstraZeneca as part of its plan to provide half the countrys population with free jabs. CoronavirusCOVID-19drugshealth By Bangkok Post Wednesday 6 January 2021, 09:13AM The latest order from AstraZeneca is in addition to the already-ordered 26 million doses the government ordered in November 2020 from the same group. Photo: AFP. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said yesterday (Jan 5) the cabinet has ordered 35 million doses of vaccines from University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, in addition to the already-ordered 26 million doses it ordered in November 2020 from the same group. Next month, the government has also agreed to order two million doses from China to immediately administer to frontline workers and at-risk groups. The 60 million doses of vaccines will be used for free nationwide jabs that the Ministry of Public Health plans to start this May, with the goal of inoculating 50% of the population. The cabinet also agreed to allocate B1.2 billion to buy two million doses of CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese pharmaceutical company, after the vaccine and its effects were approved by China and Thailands Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Indonesia as well as some countries in South America have also reportedly reserved CoronaVac. For Thailand, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) plans to administer CoronaVac immediately to frontline workers. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha added the government will cooperate with University of Oxford/AstraZeneca to transfer vaccine production methods to Thai pharmaceutical companies so they can make the vaccine, with a 200 million dose target. [January 06, 2021] Roblox Announces Anticipated Direct Listing Roblox Corporation ("Roblox") announced today that it plans to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") for a proposed direct listing of its Class A common stock. The number of shares of Class A common stock to be offered by the Company's stockholders has not yet been determined. Roblox intends to commence the direct listing following completion of the SEC review process, subject to market and other conditions. This announcement is being made pursuat to and in accordance the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005890/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed the purpose of his Borat sequel was to convince viewers to vote against Donald Trump in the presidential election and the infamous Rudy Giuliani honey trap scene that captured him with his hand down his pants makes him 'happy'. Cohen released the mockumentary comedy 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' in October during the build up to the presidential election and it shows him crashing the Conservative Political Action Conference, filming a fake interview with Trump's lawyer Giuliani and rubbing shoulders with QAnon conspiracy theorists at anti-lockdown protests. The movie tells the story of his character Borat Sagdiyev, a fictional Kazakhstani journalist, venturing to America to offer his daughter Tutar, played by Maria Bakalova, as a bride to Vice President Mike Pence. 'I dont want to egotistically imply that people would watch Borat and not vote for Trump, but that was the aim,' Baron Cohen said in a feature interview with Variety magazine. In one scandalous scene Borat's daughter tries to interview Giuliani at a hotel suite for a documentary 'Keeping America Alive', but he was clueless it fake, and once there he laid on the bed and put his hand down his pants. 'I do feel happy that every time his name is mentioned as he tries to undermine the election, people are reminded that this is the guy with his hand down his underpants,' Baron Cohen said on the scene. Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed in a new interview with Variety the purpose of his Borat 2 sequel was to convince people to not vote for Donald Trump in the presidential election and the infamous Rudy Giuliani honey trap scene that captured him with his hand down his pants makes him 'happy' In the scandalous movie scene Giuliani is interviewed by Borat's daughter who poses as a conservative reporter in a hotel room, where he reclines on a bed and appears to put his hand down his pants. Rudy Giuliani pictured leaning back after actress Maria Bakalova takes his mic off He claims that scene almost didnt take place because Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City, refused to take a rapid COVID test, violating the strict safety protocols Baron Cohen and his producers set to shoot the film amid the pandemic. 'There was this debate of what do we do? Do we go ahead with this scene? What happens if he has coronavirus? We concluded that it was worth the risk,' the comedian revealed. Footage of the scene immediately went viral and Giuliani insisted he was tucking his shirt in but the Borat cast disagree. He believed he was going to be genuinely interviewed and had no idea it was a set-up. 'The movie is out, and everybody can see it the way they want to see it,' Bakalova, who had pretended to try to interview him in the scene, said. 'I felt like he would not do that with a man, and I should be seen as a woman and not as a sexual object,' she added. Much of the film sought to expose the shortfalls of Trumps administration and the presidents bigotry. Baron Cohens boldness in taking risks with his projects is what sets him apart from other actors. 'There were moments in making this movie where I thought, why the hell am I doing this? This is illogical. You think, am I mad? Have I got something deeply wrong with me?' he said on making the film. 'It is so daring and there is so much peril involved, but theres also a big discrepancy between who he is as a person and who you see on-screen,' longtime friend actor Seth Rogan said to the magazine. 'Hes a neurotic Jewish guy when you get down to it, and the fact that he has chosen a line of work where he genuinely puts himself in danger doesnt add up,' he added. Rudy Giuliani insisited he was tucking in his shirt in the movie scene and didn't have his hand down his pants Actress Maria Bakalova, who played Borat's daughter in the movie and who was able to honey trap Giuliani, pictured above When asked if hell reprise the Borat figure for another film, the comedian said hes ready to hang up his characters costume. 'I brought Borat out because of Trump. There was a purpose to this movie, and I dont really see the purpose to doing it again. So yeah, hes locked away in the cupboard,' he said. Borat, as well as much of his other works, are commentaries on the American psyche and the dichotomy between progressive left and the countervailing right - in this case those who support the Trump administration. When off-screen Baron Cohen is an outspoken critic about social media giants like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. In November 2019 he spoke at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Never Is Now summit where he blamed the social media platforms for the rise in hate crimes and prejudice. He said their refusal to monitor political ads and take down fake news in the name of free speech allows for conspiracy theories to take off and threatens democratic ideals. 'I dont want to egotistically imply that people would watch Borat and not vote for Trump, but that was the aim,' Baron Cohen said on the film. Pictured above as Borat in the movie Borat and his daughter Tutar pictured in the moving in a ballroom scene In the film Borat put on a Trump mask and crashed CPAC carrying his daughter over his shoulder shouting to speaker Vice President Mike Pence, 'I have the woman for you!' He even reached out to the leaders behind these platforms the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey, only to receive 'a polite brushoff'. 'My general conclusion is that these are very nice people, who are doing horrible things they justify to themselves by saying that there is no good without bad,' Baron Cohen said. 'I dont agree with that principle. I think you should try to have a business that is good and try to get rid of the bad,' he added. 'On the internet, everything can appear equally legitimate. Breitbart resembles the BBC. The fictitious Protocols of the Elders of Zion look as valid as an ADL report. And the rantings of a lunatic seem as credible as the findings of a Nobel Prize winner. We have lost, it seems, a shared sense of the basic facts upon which democracy depends,' he said. When asked about why he decided to come forth as a critic of these social media giants he said: 'Ive been a very reluctant celebrity. Ive spent my entire career trying to shy away from publicity. I also am very wary of the concept of someone being famous pushing their views on the people.' When the COVID-19 crisis emerged and threatened the production of the film, Baron Cohen said it only made the film all the more pressing. 'I felt democracy was in peril, I felt peoples lives were in peril and I felt compelled to finish the movie. The movie was originally about the danger of Trump and Trumpism. What coronavirus demonstrated was that theres a lethal effect to his spreading of lies and conspiracy theories,' Baron Cohen added. The Ministry of Public Security has designated Trieu dai Viet (Vietnam Dynasty), which seeks to violently overthrow the Vietnamese government, as a terrorist organization. In an announcement on Tuesday, it said the organizations motto is "kill all, burn all, destroy all, and steal all." It is accused of directing members in Vietnam to carry out terrorist activities, instigate people to join protests and attack police stations and officials' houses. It has sent thousands of dollars to Vietnam to fund the purchases of guns, bombs and mines, making of flags and printing of seditious flyers, the ministry said. Last May, 20 people, members of the group and those hired by it, were sentenced to between two and 24 years in jail for a bomb blast at a police station in HCMC's Tan Binh District in June 2018. A woman officer was injured in the blast and several motorbikes were damaged. Dust and debris scatter at a police station in HCMC after two bomb blasts in June 2018. Photo courtesy of the police. The ministry said anyone found joining, recruiting for, funding, receiving funding from, training with, or working for Trieu dai Viet would face charges of terrorism or terrorism financing. The organization is headquartered in Canada, according to the ministry. It is headed by Ngo Van Hoang Hung, a Canadian-Vietnamese man who proclaimed himself "prime minister" and runs a Vietnamese "government." Tran Thanh Dinh, 63, a German-Vietnamese man, proclaimed himself "deputy prime minister," Ngo Manh Cuong, 59, a French-Vietnamese man, is the "director of the general department of special forces" and American-Vietnamese Huynh Thanh Hoang, 44, is the "spokesman for the government." Vietnamese security agencies have prosecuted Hung, who lives in Canada, for "terrorism to oppose the people's administration" and issued an international warrant for his arrest. He was sentenced to death by a court in Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta, later reduced to life, for a conspiracy to overthrow the government in 1979. In 2018 Vietnam classified the Provisional National Government of Vietnam based in the U.S. as a terrorist organization. U.S.-based Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party) was also classified a terrorist group in 2016. Terrorist attacks are extremely rare in Vietnam. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form [January 06, 2021] Coway Nominates Jangwon Seo as New co-CEO SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Coway Co., Ltd., a leading environmental home appliances company, today announced the nomination of Jangwon Seo, Coway's current CFO, as a new co-CEO during its annual senior executive reshuffle. With the reshuffle, Coway will convert to a co-CEO structure led by two co-CEOs, Hae-Sun Lee and Jangwon Seo, subject to Jangwon Seo's formal appointment as a co-CEO at a board meeting in February. The co-CEO nominee, Jangwon Seo, was a senior U.S. attorney at Shin & Kim, a major law firm in Korea. Thereafter, Seo served as Chief Investment Officer and Chief Communications Officer at Netmarble Corp. and as the representative of Netmarble Cultural Foundation, and currently serves as CFO at Coway. Seo holds a Bachelor's Degree i economics from Westminster College and a J.D. Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Seo's global experience in the strategic planning field is well recognized at Coway. "We expect the new co-CEO Jangwon Seo to strengthen the company's core competency in strategic planning and global competitiveness in addition to the stable business management of current CEO Hae-Sun Lee," said an official from Coway. "Coway will push forward to overcome the internal and external challenges under COVID-19, to enhance synergy with Netmarble Corp., and to lay the foundation for Coway's successful expansion to the global market." Meanwhile, Coway is expanding its environmental home appliances business to global markets including the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. About Coway Co., Ltd. Established in Korea in 1989, Coway is a leading environmental home appliances company making people's lives healthy and comfortable with innovative home appliances such as water purifiers, air purifiers, and bidet. Since our founding, Coway has become a leader in the environmental home appliances industry with intensive research, engineering, development, and customer services. We have proven our dedication to innovation with award-winning products, home health expertise, unrivaled competitiveness in market share, exceeding customer satisfaction, and brand recognition. We keep innovating by diversifying product lines and by accelerating overseas business in Malaysia, the U.S., Thailand, and China, based on business success in Korea. For more, please visit http://www.coway.com/ SOURCE Coway Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Due to the very hot and dry weather conditions over the next three days the warning areas have changed. In its latest alert issued just before 6.30pm, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said conditions will test containment lines and potentially put coastal communities at risk. Residents of Ocean Farms Estate and Seaview Park need to remain on high alert and enact their bushfire survival plan now. If you plan to leave, leave now if safe to do so via Indian Ocean Drive in a southerly direction. The fire is stationary, but hot and windy weather conditions over the next three days have the potential to rapidly escalate fire behaviour. It is currently uncontrolled and uncontained. Warning areas: A bushfire emergency warning is in place for people in an area east of Indian Ocean Drive, south of Meadows Road, Mimegarra Road and Nammegarra Road, west of Regans Ford, north of Orange Springs Road, Sappers Road and K.W. Road, including Nilgen (Ocean Farms Estate) and Karakin (Seaview Park). A watch and act alert is current for people in or near the Wedge Island community or in the areas south of Wedge Island Road, west of Indian Ocean Drive, south of K.W. Road and Sappers Road, west of Cowalla and north of Nabaroo and Bennies Road. A bushfire advice is in place for people in an area south of Mimegarra Road, west of the Brand Highway to Red Gully Road, including Regans Ford, west to the coastline including the Moore River National Park Road closures: Indian Ocean Drive at Wedge Island Road Indian Ocean Drive at Lancelin Road K.W. Road at Indian Ocean Drive Cowalla Bridge at Orange Springs Road Orange Springs Road at Brand Highway Mimegarra Road at Brand Highway (south of Cataby Roadhouse) Indian Ocean Drive at Cervantes Road Indian Ocean Drive south of Cervantes Road is open to local traffic ONLY needing to go as far south as Wedge Island Indian Ocean Drive is closed to ALL traffic south of Wedge Island and north of the Lancelin turn-off. Vehicles are still able to leave if safe to do so. Road signage is also up at other locations and must be adhered to. Vehicles can travel into Lancelin via Lancelin Road. There is no access north of Lancelin on Indian Ocean Drive for those wishing to travel but those that are leaving Lancelin can leave in a southerly direction via Indian Ocean Drive. Keep up to date with the latest alerts by visiting emergency.wa.gov.au, calling 13 DFES (13 3337), following DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa or listeing to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins. "Tumhe kya lagta hai musibat calendar dekh ke aati hai. Happy New Year (What do you think, troubles come with a calendar)." The last tweet wishing people a happy new year on standup comedian Munawar Faruqui's Twitter timeline reads like his prediction for himself now. This tweet came hours before he was arrested in Indore following a complaint which alleged that Faruqui made 'indecent remarks' about Hindu gods and godesses. Tumhe kya lagta hai musibat Calendar dekh ke aati hai??? Happy new year... munawar faruqui (@munawar0018) December 31, 2020 It has been three days since his arrest and this tweet. Faruqui was arrested in Indore on Friday after the complaint of BJP MLA Malini Gaur's son Eklavya Gaur. He termed Faruqui as a 'serial offender' who 'often cracks defamatory jokes on Hindu gods and goddesses.' A court in Madhya Pradesh's Indore has now rejected bail of Faruqui and another accused who were arrested last week on a complaint that "indecent" remarks were made against Hindu deities during a show held in Indore. Gaur said that he had gone to watch the show with his associates when Faruqui made 'indecent remarks', after which he forced the organisers to stop the show. In the video clip, which has now gone viral, Faruqui can be seen trying to pacify those who were offended by the joke. However, he was allegedly beaten up and later arrested. Faruqui is a young standup comedian based out of Mumbai. While he originally belongs to Gujarat's Junagadh, a small sleepy town, as he defines it. "Junagadh is a such a lazy city that people sleep from 1 pm to 4pm and apologise if they have to call anyone during this time," he says in one of his standup acts. His content is often hinged around Muslim stereotypes, growing up in Gujarat during riots and of course his sleepy hometown. In one of his acts, he satirically and humourously recalled how the riots had unfolded in Gujarat, the curfew that had been imposed in the area and the communal harmony that ensured everyone remained safe in their locality during those times. During the lockdown last year, his sketches as Razzaq bhai went popular. Razzaq bhai spoke in Mumbai-style hindi and kept Faruqui-fans waiting for new episodes during the initial days of lockdown. Days after Faruqui's arrest, the police said that there was no video evidence showing him making such remarks. Theres no evidence against him for insulting Hindu deities or Union Minister Amit Shah, Indore Town Inspector (Tukaganj Police Station) Kamlesh Sharma told The Indian Express, adding that Faruqui has been booked as an organiser. Faruqui and his associates Edvin Anthony, Prakhar Vyas, Priyam Vyas and Nalin Yadav have been booked under IPC Sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), 269 (Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Standup comedians and artistes like Varun Grover and Vir Das have rallied behind Faruqui and termed his arrest an attack on free speech and art. A video of the incident has been going viral where Faruqui is being interrupted in the middle of his performance in Indore as he tries to explain his content to those offended with his jokes. In the footage, he can be seen referring to his old videos where he cracked jokes on Islam and that his content had never had the intention to provoke Hindu sentiments. Gaur too can be seen on the stage, even though he later stormed off. (CNN) President Donald Trump is continuing to pile the pressure on Chinese tech companies in the closing days of his administration. Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps, including Ant Group's Alipay. The order will also hit Tencent's QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay, as well as the apps CamScanner, SHAREit, VMate and WPS Office. The "continuing activity" of China and the ruling Chinese Communist Party "to steal or otherwise obtain United States persons' data makes clear that there is an intent to use bulk data collection to advance China's economic and national security agenda," the order reads in part. It's not at all clear how effective this order will be. It is set to take effect 45 days from now, well after Trump leaves office. Prior orders that Trump has issued against Chinese tech firms have run into trouble. An order banning WeChat downloads in the United States was temporarily blocked by a federal judge, for example. Multiple courts have also issued temporary injunctions against the administration's attempts to ban the short-form video app TikTok. "The Trump administration is still rushing through its list of penalties to restrict the US-China relationship in hope of inducing China into retaliating, further worsening ties, and tying [President-elect Joe] Biden's hands," said Scott Kennedy, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He said that, while the restrictions on these apps are meant to be "highly disruptive," it remains to be seen whether they will actually be implemented. "The Biden administration will likely review this and every other measure Trump has enacted through executive action," he said. However, he added that if the order does take effect, "it could hamstring US companies in China who sell their products and services over these platforms." "Expect plenty of industry pushback," Kennedy added. The Trump administration has been ratcheting up its pressure on Chinese firms in the weeks before Biden takes office. Last month, Washington slapped harsh restrictions on chipmaker SMIC and other companies that effectively cut them off from US suppliers and technology. Trump also recently signed into law new rules that could force Chinese companies to delist from American stock exchanges if they failed to meet US auditing standards. Tensions with the United States could also compound problems that companies like Alibaba are already dealing with at home. Alibaba is now facing a Chinese antitrust investigation, while its financial affiliate, Ant Group, has been ordered by regulators to overhaul major parts of its operations. Meanwhile, co-founder Jack Ma has disappeared from public view. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump signs new order that would ban transactions with some Chinese apps." President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday hailed his Democratic Party's likely takeover of the Senate as a sign that Americans want action and made an appeal for bipartisanship. Biden said he looked forward to working with "Majority Leader" Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat who would take control of the chamber, as he congratulated Georgia Democratic Senate candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff as last results came in from Tuesday's runoff. "After the past four years, after the election, and after today's election certification proceedings on the Hill, it's time to turn the page," said Biden, whose victory is expected to be certified later Wednesday by Congress although defeated President Donald Trump wants his allies to use the usual formality to overturn his loss. "The American people demand action and they want unity. I am more optimistic than I ever have been that we can deliver both," Biden said. Biden immediately called on Congress to do more to provide Covid relief after a package last month provided $600 checks to most Americans. Democrats, as well as Trump, had supported $2,000 checks but Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell had blocked the move. "I have long said that the bipartisan Covid-19 relief bill passed in December was just a down payment," Biden said. "We need urgent action on what comes next, because the Covid-19 crisis hits red states and blue states alike." Biden also urged the Senate to move quickly to confirm his nominees, especially for key positions such as State, Defense, Treasury and Homeland Security, so his cabinet can get to work as quickly as possible after the January 20 inauguration. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. As COVID-19 cases spike across the Palmetto State, experts at the Medical University of South Carolina worry that holiday spread will reverberate for weeks to come. I think we're going to see a big surge coming up, said Dr. Michael Sweat, director of MUSC's Epidemiology Intelligence Project. South Carolina is starting to light up." While many people stayed home over the holidays, those who gathered with others outside of their households could infect several others before realizing anyone's ill. "There's sort of a second wave that happens before people catch on," Sweat said. "Those people then infect other people, on and on, until people start realizing there's a problem. And that takes several weeks. Cold weather has pushed people indoors where it's easier to spread the coronavirus, Sweat said. And highly contagious strains of the virus that have reached four U.S. states could overwhelm South Carolina's health care system, Sweat said. Charleston's cases have risen by almost 50 percent over the past week, but the county has plenty of hospital beds available. Sweat said he is especially concerned with the Lancaster and Florence areas, where MUSC Health has hospitals and case numbers are skyrocketing. "We're going to have to be really strict for the next couple of months," Sweat said. "The numbers here aren't as bad as they are in a lot of places, but the growth rate is not looking good." Statewide numbers New cases reported: 4,037, which is 2,455 percent higher than the 158 tallied on March 31, the day Gov. Henry McMaster ordered nonessential businesses to close. Total cases in S.C.: 306,204, plus 27,031 probable cases New deaths reported: 71 Total deaths in S.C.: 5,139 confirmed, 443 probable Total tests in S.C.: 3,856,645 Hospitalized patients: 2,424 Sign up for our new health newsletter The best of health, hospital and science coverage in South Carolina, delivered to your inbox weekly. Email Sign Up! Percent of positive tests, seven-day average: 31.7 percent. Five percent of tests or fewer returning positive results is a good sign the virus' spread is slowing, researchers say. Hardest-hit areas According to data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, the top counties for new coronavirus cases reported Wednesday were Greenville with 792; Richland, 362; and Lexington and York, which each reported 268. What about tri-county? Charleston County had 137 new cases; Berkeley, 113; and Dorchester, 73. Deaths Thirteen of the 71 deaths reported Wednesday were patients aged 35 to 64, and the rest were 65 and older. They lived in Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Cherokee, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Greenville, Horry, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland and Spartanburg counties. Hospitalizations Of the 2,424 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, 469 were in intensive care and 247 were on ventilators. What do experts say? Authorities continue to urge South Carolinians to take precautions, such as wearing masks or other face coverings, social distancing and frequently washing hands. They also urge anyone who believes theyve been exposed to the virus or who is developing symptoms to get tested. Those out in the community or not able to socially distance should get tested monthly, DHEC advised. Go to scdhec.gov/findatest to find a testing site in your area. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 18:03:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A total of 102 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the past 24 hours in Afghanistan, bringing the country's total tally to 53,207, said a statement of Public Health Ministry released Wednesday. The statement said that nine more patients died from the coronavirus epidemic, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 2,253 since the virus outbreak in February. It added that 174 more patients recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the total number of recoveries to 42,840 in Afghanistan. The Public Health Ministry has warned of the spread of virus in a second wave, calling on the Afghan people to observe related health guidelines including avoiding unnecessary trips to markets and crowded places. Enditem On Monday morning, the front portion of the historical house located in the city's Rahmatganj area was bulldozed in the presence of police. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council or Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikkyo Parishad has called for a human chain and protest rally on January 9 to protect all heritage sites in the country, the Council's General Secretary Rana Dasgupta told IANS on Wednesday morning. It was, however, stopped in the face of resistance from the local residents of Chattagram led by Rana Dasgupta, when he stood before the bulldozer and asked the land grabber Giasuddin Sujo, a former leader of the ruling party Awami League and his cadres Faruq, Jashim and others to run the bulldozer over him. The house of Jatra Mohan Sengupta is located in Rahmatganj area of Chattagram. Referring to Article 24 of the constitution of Bangladesh, Rana Dasgupta told IANS that it says the state shall adopt measures for protection from disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments or places of special artistic or historic importance or interest. "It is a place of historical interest, on the other hand this building is an antique and cultural heritage. On July 7, 2018 the DC of Chittagong was ordered to restore this historical house. And then the cultural ministry of Bangladesh took a decision to take up a big project for the restoration of the leaders, who fought to free India from British rule. "We have demanded let the government of Bangladesh take up the historical place and let it be turned into a museum for protecting the historical events of 150 years fight to free India from the British." About the court order for the land grabbers, Dasgupta said: "All these orders are procured, fabricated and manufactured." He said the the Bangladesh government has been urged to take action to turn the historical house into a museum. Meanwhile, despite a top official's order, no action was taken by police against the hooligans. Six of them were found to be staying in the historical house on Tuesday, claiming they have been given the custody by the Additional Commissioner, Land of the District Authority of Chattagram. Jatra Mohon Sengupta (1850-1919) was a revolutionary and president of the Congress in Chittagong. His son Deshapriya Barrister Jatindra Mohan Sengupta (1885-1933) was a five-time Mayor of the Calcutta City Corporation, and was also one of the top revolutionaries who fought against British colonial rule. Jatindra was arrested several times by the British police. In 1933, he died in Ranchi prison. Jatindra's wife Britisher Edith Ellen Gray, known as Nellie Sengupta (1886-1973) stayed in this historic house till 1970. She did not sell or hand over the property to anyone. The Bangladesh government categorised the property as Orpito Sompatti (vested property), Dasgupta told IANS. --IANS sumi/pgh/bg -Combination brings a self-serve, scalable, and always-on digital sensing capability-with robust customer journey analytics-to InMoment's current offerings -Helps leading brands seamlessly expand their digital 'in-the-moment' signals from any interaction point, including product and in-app, without sending customers into offline survey channels InMoment, the leading provider of Experience Improvement (XI) solutions, announced it has acquired Wootric, the fast-growth leader of the digital feedback industry, to provide businesses unique solutions to speed their successful transformation to digital. The pandemic has fueled the need for organizations to shed traditional customer selling and servicing models for new, more innovative and digital-first engagements. This includes the need to empower businesses with self-service digital sensing that is fast to launch and can be deployed anywhere quickly, including native in-app, product applications, and other digital interactions. Business leaders want more feedback from customers, not less, and struggle to understand how new apps and digital touchpoints are impacting customer experience (CX), employee experience (EX), and lifetime value. Wootric technology offers an easy way to start collecting high quality customer and employee feedback at all key touchpoints all the time. This 'always-on' digital sensing helps leaders make faster and smarter decisions about how to improve experiences. The Wootric approach utilizes emerging behavior-science-based micro surveys and do-it-yourself (DIY) functionality that is supplemented with intelligence from the Wootric Eligibility Engine that help novice users launch successful collection programs that comply with governed best practices, and don't overburden or over solicit. "Wootric has built a really smart approach to the digital experience problem, and as a result they have become a market leader," said Andrew Joiner, InMoment CEO. "InMoment is highly engaged with top global businesses to help them achieve experience improvement from their efforts in a way that improves both the experience provided as well as the business results. The addition of Wootric technology into the XI Platform provides an exciting array of highly modern and scalable digital solutions that will help our clients lead in a new digital-first world." This acquisition accelerates InMoment's lead in the digital experience (DX) and product experience (PX) markets and fuels growth in new markets and geographies. The company's desire is to challenge aging programs focused on passively monitoring scores instead of actively driving improvement in real-time. Organizations that want to grow their efforts into multi-channel experience improvement programs can utilize InMoment's full array of enterprise CX, EX and market experience (MX) technologies and professional services. "We created Wootric to disrupt aging feedback approaches by offering more flexibility, scale, and insights," said Deepa Subramanian, Wootric CEO. "Our rapid growth validates that businesses want our digital sensing offerings. Joining with InMoment creates a strong commercial platform that will expose more companies to this approach, and InMoment's disruptor mindset offers a perfect cultural fit for our company." Wootric is a G2 Crowd leader, a Gartner Notable Vendor, and boasts over 1,200 clients including top-name brands like Zoom, DocuSign, Comcast, HubSpot, and GlassDoor. Wootric employees will continue in their roles, and the company's two female co-founders, Deepa Subramanian and Jessica Pfeifer, will help accelerate InMoment's digital solutions and digital commercial offerings. About InMoment Improving experiences is why InMoment exists. Our mission is to help our clients improve experiences at the intersection of value-where customer, employee, and business needs come together. The heart of what we do is connect our clients with what matters most through a unique combination of data, technology, and human expertise. With our hyper-modern technology platform, decades of domain authority, and global teams of experts, we uniquely deliver a focus on Experience Improvement (XI) to help our clients own the moments that matter. Take a moment and learn more at inmoment.com. About Wootric Wootric is CX management for maximizing customer lifetime value. Rated #1 for investment payback in the experience management category on G2, our turnkey micro-survey approach enables digital-first organizations to quickly understand customer sentiment at the moments that matter. Our platform leverages machine learning and customer data from Salesforce and other existing systems of record to immediately surface ways to improve ease, satisfaction and loyalty. Wootric is based in San Francisco. Learn more at wootric.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005260/en/ Contacts: Alix Peterson, InMoment, apeterson@inmoment.com Hyundai Motor Co., Indias second-largest carmaker, has asked its vendors, including tyre maker Continental AG and Aptiv Plc, to boost production in the country to cut its dependence on China for manufacturing. Now we find many foreign players starting (manufacturing) in India. For example, with Continental, we are working very closely. They will supply to us in a big way, Ganesh Mani S., director of production at Hyundai Motors India unit, said in an interview. Be it Bosch, Continental and some of our Korean vendorsthese companies will not only be our partner in Korea or India, but they will also be working closely with us in multiple ways, he said. Hyundai Motor is seeking to develop India as a global sourcing hub for vehicle parts as part of a broader effort to reduce its over-reliance on China. Korean firms such as Hyundai and Samsung are scaling back production in China amid trade tensions with the US and relocating their factories in markets such as India and Vietnam. Hyundai has also boosted efforts to work closely with its foreign suppliers in India following disruptions in vehicle production after the coronavirus outbreak in China. The company plans to grow sourcing of auto parts from India for its plants in Asean, including the one coming up in Indonesia. Hyundai also intends to procure parts from India for its factories in South America and Eastern Europe. Unlike Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai continued with its Korean vendors like Mando for steering systems despite availability of high-quality Indian vendors like JTEKT India in the same space. However, Covid has posed an unusual supply chain challenge to such OEMs, which is leading them to look back and localize the vendor base, said Md Shaqat Ali, senior research analyst, Asian Market Securities. Given the latest dynamic development with respect to the role of Mike Pence as the president of the Senate, the outcome of the today's joint session of Congress may look uncertain now. What is certain, however is that if the meeting goes in Biden's favor, all issues of election fraud will be history. There will be no investigation. The media and the Deep State will declare it as the most secure election in history and Donald Trump a traitor for refusing to concede. Worse, future elections will be meaningless. Stealing is addictive. So is power. A combination of the two is the sad story of Venezuela. This is why the extent of the fraud in this election must be fully revealed not through scientific analysis or the testimonials of thousands of brave citizens, nor by presenting videotapes showing that illegal vote count took place, nor by showing a stack of fake ballots. To be sure, taken together, all of these point to irrefutable evidence of massive cheating in order to steal the election. Under a lightly corrupt system, that evidence will have a chance for a relatively fair review and remedy through the courts or political process. Under a badly corrupt system, the evidence will be dead on arrival. Unfortunately, it is not an exaggeration to conclude that our system, at state and federal levels, is corrupt to the core. Donald Trump may lose the fight, but one of his biggest contributions to the nation is that American patriots now get the idea of the full extent of corruption in our three branches of government along with the Deep State, the media, Big Tech, and multinational corporations. Corruption is a dark practice. Just like any dark practice, its biggest enemy is light, which can come in the form of legal consequences or people's complete knowledge of the practice. In the absence of the former, the only alternative solution is the latter. It is called public humiliation, which, in some cases, is more effective than jail time. This brings us to the way forward regardless of who will occupy the White House on January 20, but particularly relevant if Biden will be the occupant. That is, the naked truth of this election must be revealed. It is the truth that is no longer based on analysis, testimonials, or partial facts. Only through a full audit of the votes and the voting machines can that truth be revealed. The left, the media, and the corrupt Republicans do not care about it, but the American people do. And they are the real stakeholders in the election and of the country. The naked truth serves two purposes. One is to clear up once and for all of the legitimacy or illegitimacy of the incoming president, whoever he is. If the audit supports the current evidence, and Biden has been officially elected, he will be known legitimately as an illegitimate president. This in itself is the best deterrent for his administration against pursuing radical policies against the will of the majority of American people. It is a public shame punishment. On the other hand, if the audit does not support the current evidence, then Biden's call for unity has some validity, and the Trump team needs to do some soul-searching. The second purpose is to prevent a rigged presidential election from ever happening again. Otherwise, future elections will be meaningless. The question is how to accomplish that when the system that can facilitate the audit is heavily corrupt. The logical answer is to bypass the system by legally seizing the ballots and the voting machines for audit. This can be done in two ways. One is by establishing a special counsel. The problem is, it will not be able to produce a swift result. The only option is by invoking the limited Insurrection Act in which the president orders the military to do the audit. Given the latter's chain of command, the work can be completed within two weeks. If Trump prevails, the prospect of doing the audit is not a problem. But even if he doesn't, the limited Insurrection Act is still constitutional as long as Trump's intent is not to unilaterally install himself as president for the next term. It is the intent that serves as the main consideration, whether Trump's decision to invoke it is constitutional or not. If the intent is to protect election integrity, and thus the Constitution, it is entirely under his responsibility as mandated by the president's oath of office. Trump should then let the American people decide what to do with the results. But after January 20, if Biden occupies the White House, Trump will at least help pave the way for fair and honest elections in the future. He will also broadcast to the media and Big Tech that they are just a lying and manipulating cabal. It will be a monumental achievement by President Trump. Will he pull it off? Shama Tobin just established Republic Report as a conservative counter to the left-leaning Drudge Report. Check out the website at www.dailyrepublicreport.com. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. The hospital system in Arizona is not at that point yet, but it is close. More than 4,600 coronavirus patients are currently hospitalized, forcing multiple hospitals to operate at over 120 percent of licensed bed capacity, send new emergency patients elsewhere and put a halt to elective surgeries. Only 136 intensive care unit beds are available out of nearly 1,800 statewide, according to state data, but beds are not the most pressing issue, Dr. Bessel said. Staff and resources are. Nurses are being quickly trained in new skills and hundreds of health care workers are being flown in from other states. Still, Dr. Bessel acknowledged, there comes a point when resources can be stretched no thinner and more drastic measures, such as rationing care, might have to be considered. We are doing everything we can to not get to that, she said. Yet there are a lot of factors that I dont have direct control of that are absolutely working against me. Will Humble, director of the Arizona Public Health Association, sees the case trajectory in Arizona very clearly following the deployment and retrenchment of state public health measures. In mid-May, Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, lifted stay-at-home orders, making Arizona one of the first states to reopen widely after the spring Covid-19 lockdowns. While some mitigation measures remained in place, enforcement was sporadic, Mr. Humble said, and the number of cases quickly soared. When the governor put in place stricter orders, such as closing bars and gyms and allowing cities and counties to declare mask mandates, cases dropped precipitously. Many of the stricter measures were lifted weeks later, and there seemed to be little enforcement of the rules that remained in place, Mr. Humble said. While the governor announced some measures aimed at curbing the virus in early December and has urged people to follow recommended public health guidelines he has consistently rebuffed appeals for more stringent restrictions, such as a statewide mask mandate, the cancellation of big sports events or a delay to the return of in-person schooling. ADVERTISEMENT The governing council of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), has appointed A.S. Fasina as the new vice-chancellor of the institution. The Chairman of the Governing Council, Mohammad Yahuza, made the announcement at a press conference at the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Wednesday in Abuja. Mr Fasina, who is the outgoing Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), will begin his tenure in February when the outgoing VC, Kayode Soremekun, leaves office. Mr Yahuza said the long and strenuous process of selecting a new VC has been brought to an end today. He said, at some point, the governing council had to stop and retrace its steps during the selection process. We thank God that the retracing of the steps has produced a product that we will all be proud of, he said. He also said the appointment of a new vice- (VC) has brought a lot of rancour within and outside the University. Now it is my hope and prayer that all this unfortunate behaviour will come to an end, he said. He said the incoming VC should begin by reconciling factions. Also speaking, the newly appointed vice-chancellor said he was grateful to the governing council and all his colleagues for considering him worthy of the position. He said he wished to extend a hand of fellowship to his fellow contenders for the VC position especially those from FUOYE. Now that the race is over, I hereby extend a genuine hand of fellowship to them all, especially them from FUOYE so that we can be united in the task of taking FUOYE to the next level, he said. He said he would initiate an aggressive process of consultations, dialogue and reconciliation with all aggrieved parties. Background PREMIUM TIMES reported how the institution has been embroiled in controversies over the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. The outgoing VC, Mr Soremekun, who was appointed in 2016, is billed to exit the office in February 2021. The controversies surrounding the selection process at the nine-year-old institution had snowballed into a full-blown crisis, leading to the intervention of the federal government through the NUC. On August 20, 2020, the university advertised vacancy for the position of vice-chancellor in national daily, listing conditions for interested applicants to meet, a process which has now ended with Mr Fasinas appointment. In October, police learned that those casings could be linked to a gun that was recovered when Scales was arrested the day after the shooting. Bodycam footage from that arrest shows Scales wearing the same clothing that could be seen on video footage of the shooting. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon; that case is pending. PEOPLE with businesses need to be prepared for the possibility that they may not reopen until the end of March, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has warned. It came as he said up to 500,000 people may end up on Pandemic Unemployment Payment supports as many businesses have had to close amid tough Covid-19 restrictions. Taoiseach Micheal Martin meanwhile said people should "forget about take-away pints" saying publicans should not be selling them as they can lead to gatherings that spread the virus. Read More The hospitality sector has been closed since Christmas Eve. Mr Varadkar set out a timeline that would see nursing home residents, healthcare staff, very elderly people and those with chronic illness are expected to be vaccinated by the end of March. He was asked if pubs and restaurants may need to stay closed until then. Mr Varadkar said the timeline he described is with use of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and it could be stepped up more if the AstraZeneca one becomes available. He said: "It's very hard to make predictions and projections. "I think any time we do when it comes to Covid there's about a 50pc chance you're going to be proven wrong and this a virus that has torn up our plans on many occasions." But he added: "Speaking as the minister for enterprise to people who run a business - if I was running a business now I would be thinking that it's a probability that I'll be closed until the end of March." Later he said: "In case I put the heart across people we will review the situation on the 30th of January and make decisions on restrictions then." However he added: "The situation is deteriorating. It is very bad. It is going to get worse in our hospitals and ICUs. "We're not going to be out of the woods by the end of January and that's why we're putting in place the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and the weekly payment for businesses that are closed at least until the 31st of March in case things go on that long. "I think anybody in the business community needs to be prepared for that possibility." Read More Online Editors Christian rapper Trip Lee hit "reality show righteousness" by saying that Christians should instead live out the righteousness that is in Christ Jesus. The Christian Post reported that Lee made his speech on a Dec. 29 conference to the Cross for the Nations 2020. There, the rapper called out the attitude of "reality show righteousness" where people publicize their good deeds. "Reality shows play into things about human nature that were true even before reality shows existed. We love drama, but also we love to be seen," Lee said. According to him, today's culture and even social media has taught people to publicize their good actions like doing good is something of a performance. Some even go out of their way to film their good deeds and show it to the public. Lee added that Christians seem to 'perform' to impress God and other people, much like with a reality show where contestants do their best behavior and even change it for the sake of the people watching them. In his speech, Lee emphasize that "Jesus wants more from us." "What happens when somebody's watching you? You begin to change how you act. The eyes start to compete with the task itself, and it can get in the way. Jesus wants more from us than just doing the right stuff. Jesus also wants that stuff to come from the right heart. If we're doing good things for bad reasons, we're robbing ourselves of good rewards, and that's at the heart of what Jesus is talking about." In a Bible passage in Matthew 6, Jesus explained how believers should pray. The passage of Scriptures also included a description of people who pray for the sake of impressing others and called them "hypocrites" which is actually the Greek word for "actors." Using Matthew 6 as a reference, Lee rephrased the story and brought some humor to it by describing a 'hypocrite' who blows the trumpet before giving to the poor to ensure he gets the public's attention. "Now isn't that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?" said the Christian rapper. Lee added that Christians should concentrate instead on loving God, not impressing people. He mentioned that instead of performing to impress, Christians should be bold and do good without thinking about what other people might think or say about them. After warning the people of "reality show righteousness," he urged them to gain the freedom of knowing God's approval in Jesus. "There is a freedom knowing that there is approval for you in Jesus. When we know we have God's approval in Jesus, we can fear God and do what we want. We can give freely without wondering how holy we look to people around us. We can rejoice in God alongside others instead of trying to use them, instead of envying them because they look holier than us," Lee said. For Lee, believers should trust God to reward them and not seek reward from others. "What do those rewards even look like? The Bible doesn't give us that line by line exactly... Trading His rewards for earthly rewards is like trading real money for Monopoly money." Martin McGuinness' older brother has spoken of the moment he realised his sibling had joined the IRA, and of his later amazement after he was appointed as Stormont Education Minister. Tom McGuinness made the comments in a new TG4 documentary exploring the divisive legacy left by the IRA leader-turned peace negotiator and politician. Painting a detailed portrait of Martin McGuinness' life, the programme features interviews with Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Ian Paisley, as well as victims of Provo violence. In a rare interview, Tom recalled his parents challenging his brother in their Bogside home when they learned he had joined the IRA. "My father was puffing away on his pipe and sitting in the corner and he just said: 'If you want to live here boy... there's going to be none of that'. "Martin stared back at him... not in an aggressive way, but didn't question him. Just turned, went upstairs. "I could hear the noise in the front room, a bag being filled... and he came downstairs and said 'look, I have to go', as if the conversation with my father had terminated. "He said to my mother: 'Don't worry, I'll be back to see you frequently'. And that was the only dissent he ever showed throughout his life until that day. He was on the run, then, basically living in one house or another." Mr McGuinness said he thought it "absurd" when his brother was appointed as Education Minister, having only attended "UCB" - University College Bogside. Expand Close Martin McGuinness / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Martin McGuinness "Here's a guy who had no academic background whatsoever in the formal sense... failed the 11-plus along with his older brother. "How's he going to handle the situation? But he took charge of a 1.6bn budget." Mr Paisley, the North Antrim MP, spoke of accepting McGuinness in later years, given that he had considered members of the IRA who killed police officers and bombed cities and towns as "people to be absolutely detested". "It never left me, the fact who Martin McGuinness was," he said. "I wasn't a fool to this, but someone else once said to me: 'What made you do the arrangements with the former terrorist Martin McGuinness?' "And I said: 'The word former'." Julie Hambleton's sister Maxine was one of 21 people killed in the IRA Birmingham pub bombings in 1974. She said McGuinness' IRA past could never be justified. "When you kill one person you destroy a whole nucleus of a family. The impact of losing Maxine, and for all the families it's immeasurable," she said. "There is no excuse for Martin McGuinness, or anybody, to pick up a gun or a knife or make a bomb and plant it on innocents." Brid Rodgers, a founding member of the SDLP, said she struggled to forget McGuinness' IRA past when they later became colleagues. She recalled the story of Patsy Gillespie, a Catholic who worked in an Army base. In 1990, considered a collaborator by the IRA, he was forced to drive a van containing 1,000lbs of explosives to a border checkpoint while his family was held hostage. The bomb killed Mr Gillespie and five soldiers. The documentary is now available to stream online at tg4.ie. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph A third national lockdown will be announced this afternoon and the new restrictions are set to be as severe as those imposed last March when the Covid-19 pandemic first hit Ireland. The Cabinet is meeting to discus a range of proposals to stop the rapid spread of the virus which is wreaking havoc on the health service since Christmas. Here are some of the proposals that are being examined by the Taoiseach and his ministers: Schools Primary and secondary schools are to remain closed until at least January 31. However, it is being recommended that Leaving Cert students will return to school from Monday and attend classes three days a week. Provisions are also being examined to allow special schools operate so as to ensure students who attend these classes are not negatively impacted by the lockdown. Youth Reach Programmes are also to remain open. Childcare Childcare services and creches will only be permitted for vulnerable children and the children of essential workers. Essential workers will also be allowed form bubbles with other households to facilitate childcare. Construction All non-essential construction is to stop from Friday at 6pm. However, essential construction on health service projects, schools and social housing will continue. Necessary refurbishments and repairs are also expected to be allowed. The ban on non-essential construction will be reviewed on January 31. Read More Click and Collect Non-essential retail will be asked to suspend click and collect services and asked to only offer click and delivery of their products. This will not apply to supermarkets or other essential retailers. Britain and South Africa travel ban The ban on flights from Britain and South Africa is to be extended until midnight on Friday. From Saturday, all passengers coming from both regions will have to produce a negative Covid-19 test result received within the previous three days. The Government are considering the same requirement for travellers from all other countries. But a decision will not be made on that today. Length of lockdown The key measures on schools and construction will be reviewed on January 31. However, Government sources say they expect most restrictions to continue into February and will then be eased over the coming months as vulnerable groups are vaccinated. Private hospital deal Private hospitals have refused to do a deal as a group with the Government to provide extra capacity as the rate of new Covid-19 cases spirals out of control. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet saying private hospitals are open to providing assistance but want to negotiate individual deals with the Government for their services. Read More Online Editors Hong Kong: SJ thanks Chief Justice Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng It is my honour and privilege to speak at the Farewell Sitting for Chief Justice Ma today. In a judicial career spanning more than 20 years beginning from being appointed Recorder of the Court of First Instance in December 2000, to leading the Judiciary as Chief Justice for the past 10 years, Chief Justice Ma's contribution to the legal community in Hong Kong cannot be understated. The Chief Justice has been a pioneer of major civil justice reform in Hong Kong starting from when he was Chief Judge of the High Court. As Chief Justice, he oversaw the effectiveness of the Civil Justice Reform from the advice contained in the annual reports from the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee since 2009, and made sure that the reforms were fit for purpose, lowering legal costs and improving access to justice. This Herculean task could not be completed without the persistence and dedication of the Chief Justice to this cause. The Chief Justice has overseen numerous important cases brought in the Court of Final Appeal during his tenure, including groundbreaking cases that pushed the limits of the law in Hong Kong. One of the most significant is the string of decisions involving the rights of the LGBT minority, particularly in the landmark case of W v Registrar of Marriages1, where Chief Justice Ma remarked: the court ought in principle to consider all the circumstances - biological, psychological and social - relevant to assessing that individual's sexual identity at the time of the proposed marriage. We can see no good reason for the court to adopt criteria which are fixed at the time of the relevant person's birth and regarded as immutable It is contrary to principle that the court, in making the important determination of whether a transsexual person has in law the right to marry, should be prevented from taking account of all the available evidence 2. Chief Justice, the follow-up work that flows from this case is still ongoing in the Government. The Chief Justice led the Court of Final Appeal in its move from the former French Mission Building to the old Supreme Court Building here. During a brief tour of the former French Mission Building in Hong Kong Legal Week 2020, the Chief Justice visited his room and that of the other judges and remarked that they might wish to see how their old offices have changed. Indeed, we would love to organise such a tour once the pandemic subsides. As Hong Kong has gone through a challenging year of 2020, the Chief Justice's job has been particularly taxing in the past year. From the challenges brought about by COVID-19, leading to courts being closed for an extended period of time, to the unprecedented attacks on judges and the Judiciary stemming from the aftermath of the social unrest in Hong Kong, the Chief Justice has consistently upheld judicial independence and the rule of law, standing resolutely in the face of these challenges. Now, it is rare that one has the opportunity to comment on a judge's attributes, and I am not going to let this slip by. I can think of one word that aptly describes Chief Justice Ma - kind. His professional and judicial qualities are without a doubt, prime. His patience is remarkable as evidenced by the way he slowly and kindly answered the repeated questions from the media yesterday. His amicable personality will be sorely missed. Counsel at the Department of Justice has expressed to me their appreciation of the Chief Justice's meaningful dialogues with counsel during hearings, being honest and upfront with what he thinks about their case, including its weaknesses. Next week marks Chief Justice Ma's 65th birthday, where he will formally retire. I suspect on his birthday he might be tempted to step out of line and to enjoy some food from a franchise restaurant with the theme colours of red and yellow, whose name starts with an alphabet, the same as his surname. But for the social distancing measures, we might actually hold a birthday party there after the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year. To conclude, I would like to express, on behalf of the Department of Justice and the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, our heartfelt gratitude to Chief Justice Ma for his invaluable contribution to the Judiciary and to Hong Kong, and wholeheartedly wish him a very happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement. 1 W v Registrar of Marriages [2013] 3 HKLRD 90; FACV 4/2012 (13 May 2013) 2 W v Registrar of Marriages [2013] 3 HKLRD 90; FACV 4/2012 (13 May 2013) at paragraph 103. Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng gave these remarks at the Farewell Sitting for Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma on January 6. This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 GREENWICH, CT Charlotte Dequeker's favorite part of coming to work each morning is opening up the doors at Raphael's Bakery and being instantly hit with the scent of authentic fresh-baked French delicacies. "When you open the door, you're hit with that smell of sweets, cookies and bread," Dequeker said. "There's nothing like it." Dequeker is the co-owner of the bakery, along with her husband, Raphael, who previously worked as the head pastry chef at Valbella in Greenwich. Prior to that, he worked in some of France's most famous restaurants and pastry shops, including Le Louis XV in Monaco and Laduree in Paris, according to the bakery's website. According to Dequeker, her husband was practically born into the world of French baking, as both his father and grandfather worked as pastry chefs in France. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.) "[Raphael] has memories of his dad waking him up on the weekend when he was very little, as well as his brother and sister, and telling them it was time to get up and help in the kitchen," Dequeker said. Dequeker said she and her husband decided to finally open up their own place after Valbella temporarily shut down in the spring due to the coronavirus crisis. "It only took a pandemic," Dequeker said. "but [the idea] has been in the back of our minds for years." During the temporary shut down, Raphael began selling croissants and other baked goods, prompting customers to enthusiastically inquire when he would open his own bakery. "It [was] 2020," Dequeker said. "Anything and everything can happen, so we decided to take a chance. We found the right people to help us, and all the stars aligned. We found the right spot, so we decided to do it." Located at 146 Mason Street, the bakery is situated in a "small and cozy" spot with plenty of parking space, feeling almost like a small village, Dequeker said. The shop officially opened for business in mid-December. Story continues Greenwich Chamber of Commerce president Marcia O'Kane said the bakery's recent opening in the central area of town has already been met with enthusiasm. "Everyone is excited about the arrival of Raphael's Bakery," O'Kane said, "since its central Greenwich location is perfect for those who want to experience a taste of bona fide French pastries. Raphael has been master pastry chef for numerous years." According to Dequeker, the bakery places an emphasis on providing customers with an authentic French experience, right down to their flour, which is imported from France. "We really want you to have the experience you would have if you were walking in a small village in France," Dequeker said, "and just entering a bakery and grabbing a baguette and croissant." Taking a page from the family bakery experience Raphael grew up in, all three of the couple's sons and Dequeker's mother have been helping out during the bakery's first month of operation. "That's just the feeling we want when people come in," Dequeker said. "We're all family, we're trying to do our best and we want to share our love of French products." While 2020 was a challenging year for many businesses across the country, Dequeker said the coronavirus crisis did not cause any big delays in getting the shop open. She also praised First Selectman Fred Camillo for his help, pointing them in the right directions to keep things moving. While the opening of Raphael's Bakery is exciting for the area, O'Kane noted "numerous new businesses" were able to open in Greenwich last year in spite of the coronavirus crisis. "It's hard to predict if this trend will continue this year," O'Kane said, "but there are numerous miracle vaccines in the pipeline that offer great hope for getting things back to normal." As business continues to boom during their first month of operation, the bakery's future is already looking bright, according to Dequeker. "I think it's going to be great," Dequeker said. "We're here for the long haul, and at the end of the day we want to make people happy." She also noted it has been a joy to bring an international experience to customers who may not have been able to travel in 2020. "A lot of people have been saying it's like a little piece of France," Dequeker said, "and since they can't travel, that's as close as they can come [right now]." Did you like that story? Invite your friends to subscribe to Patch. This article originally appeared on the Greenwich Patch The Associated Press Indias government had not banned the export of any vaccines for COVID-19, the health ministry said Tuesday, days after the head of the worlds largest vaccine manufacturer said it got emergency authorization to produce the shots as long as it didnt send them overseas. Adar Poonawalla, chief executive of Serum Institute of India, told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that the company got the green light for its version of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine on the condition that it not export shots to ensure that vulnerable populations in India are protected. AstraZeneca contracted Serum Institute of India to manufacture one billion doses for developing nations. That vaccine and another developed by Indian company Bharat Biotech were granted licenses for emergency use by Indian regulators Sunday. Indias health ministry said at a news briefing Tuesday that no agency of the federal government had banned exports. The Union government hasnt banned the export of any one of the COVID vaccines. That is something that should be absolutely clear, said Rajesh Bhushan, the ministrys top official. Vaccines can be sent to any country for their immunization programs, and the restrictions are only on private markets, a Serum Institute of India spokesman told the AP. Earlier Tuesday, Poonawalla wrote on Twitter that exports of vaccines are permitted to all countries. Serum Institute of India also issued a joint statement with Bharat Biotech, stating their combined intent to develop, manufacture and supply the COVID-19 vaccines for India and globally. We are fully aware of the importance of vaccines for people and countries alike, we hereby communicate our joint pledge to provide global access for our COVID-19 vaccines, it said. India plans to start vaccinations next week. By August 2021, the country is aiming to vaccinate 300 million people, including health care workers, front-line staff such as police, and those considered vulnerable due to their age or other diseases. Also read Nothing incorrect about COVID-19 vaccine approvals by DCGI, but everything wrong with political bickering over it Serum institute banned from exporting Oxford-AstraZen.. COVID-19 vaccine for several months: Adar Poonawalla While the world races to get COVID-19 vaccine, Somalia lags behind in safety measure, testing TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuvo Groupa private company commercializing INVU by Nuvo , an FDA-cleared, prescription-initiated, remote pregnancy monitoring platformannounced today that it has entered into a commercial agreement with Axia Women's Health, an innovative women's health network of more than 400 providers and 150 women's health centers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Axia Women's Health is dedicated to advancing maternal and fetal health through meaningful innovation that expands care delivery with state-of-the-art technology and tools. Responsible for approximately 30,000 births annually, Axia Women's Health will be the first healthcare provider in the United States to adopt the INVU remote pregnancy monitoring platform, which is capable of producing remote fetal heart rate tracings comparable to in-office cardiotocography (CTG). Upon additional FDA clearances, Nuvo plans to expand the INVU platform to include more remote pregnancy monitoring services, such as nonstress tests. Under the agreement, Axia Women's Health providers will be able to prescribe INVU to expectant mothers, who will wear the INVU sensor band during virtual visits with their physicians. During these visits, a live reading allows the mother to access simplified data and insights via the paired INVU app, while the provider receives fetal and maternal heart rate tracings comparable to the fetal viability checks that normally occur in prenatal visits. Going forward, Axia Women's Health will be able to safely shift a portion of scheduled appointments to virtual visits to help accommodate the daily lives of busy expectant mothers under their care. In addition, Axia Women's Health providers will be able to perform remote fetal wellness checks, addressing an acute need to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19. "This moment is the culmination of more than six years of creating, building, and validating a better way to deliver care to expectant mothers. With our first enterprise contract, we mark INVU's transformation into a marketplace reality," said Oren Oz, founder and CEO of Nuvo Group. "We're honored and excited that our first U.S. partner for commercial adoption is Axia Women's Health, a renowned innovator with whom we share a vision to advance maternal and fetal health through state-of-the-art technology and tools that empower providers and expectant mothers while expanding care delivery. We are thrilled to be able to harness the combined power of our proprietary sensor band and AI platform to transform care delivery for Axia Women's Health patients." "At Axia Women's Health, our vision is to lead the way in improving women's health," said Charlie Choi, CEO of Axia Women's Health. "Axia and Nuvo have closely-aligned missions, and we are both committed to more progressive care for women. This commercial agreement reflects Axia's dedication to better serving our patients and advancing payer partnerships through value-based care supported by meaningful technology innovation and better care analytics to improve patients' experience and outcomes." "INVU has unique capabilities beyond those of any remote care product solutions we've assessed and extends beyond televisits to deliver remote, medical-grade fetal wellness checks that maintain the connection between providers and patients," said Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, M.D., chief medical officer of Axia Women's Health. "This partnership will enable us to provide maternal and fetal care that is safer, more convenient and of higher quality for our patients." About Nuvo Group Nuvo Group is committed to serving providers and expectant mothers by advancing pregnancy care with new technology, tools, and practices. The INVU platform combines proprietary hardware for data collection, innovative cloud-based software for computational power and AI tools to optimize the pregnancy care experience on a global scale. INVU has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA for maternal and fetal heart rate monitoring. INVU is not yet cleared for remote monitoring of uterine activity in the United States and is limited to investigational use for this purpose. Company leadership is comprised of dedicated data engineers, experienced medical and business professionals, software designers and proud parents who embrace a collective mission to give every life a better beginning. For more information and complete indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions along with instructions for use, visit: www.nuvocares.com . About Axia Women's Health Axia Women's Health is leading the way in improving women's health. At the core of achieving this is a caring, connected, and progressive community of 400 providers across 150 women's health centers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The rapidly growing network spans OB/GYN physicians, breast health centers, high-risk pregnancy centers, two laboratories, urogynecology, and fertility centers. Together, Axia Women's Health puts women first by delivering the personalized care needed for women to lead healthier, happier lives. Learn more at www.AxiaWH.com . SOURCE Nuvo Group Related Links http://www.nuvocares.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. After the closely watched elections went down with 98% of votes in, Democrat Raphael Warnock has edged out the Georgia Republican representative Senator Kelly Loeffler. In a virtual speech, Warnock shared to his supporters that tonight they have proved that with the hard work that they displayed, hope, and the persons by his side, anything is possible. Even the Associated Press has also called the race for Warnock as he appeared to have beaten his opponent by just close to tens of thousands of votes. However, despite the information from the Associated Press, Loeffler has not still conceded and stated overnight that they have a path to victor and they are going to stay on it. If Marnock's fellow Georgia Democrat representative Jon Ossoff will win his runoff race against Republican representative David Perdue, the Democratic party will assume control of the United States Senate, the USA Today reported. The possible defeat of David Perdue to Ossoff will be putting the Democrats in a position for a 50-50 Senate split, however, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will have the power to break the ties and will put the Democrats in a favorable situation. The 51-year-old Warnock would become the first Black senator of the state of Georgia and also the first Black Democratic senator from the southern portion of the state. Both the Democratic and Republican parties had invested significant resources in Georgia in pursuing control in the Senate. After the campaign done by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Sunday in the state, on Monday, President-elect Joe Biden has done his share and campaigned in the state to show his support for both Ossoff and Warnock. Read Also: Flight Attendant Brutally Dies Allegedly From the Hands of Friends on New Year's Eve According to The Guardian, the ad-tracking firm AdImpact, starting from November 4, 2020, until Tuesday, close to $500 million was spent in terms of advertising for the two races in the state of Georgia. Warnock, who is a reverend at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in the city of Atlanta, is also part of a cohort of younger, and more diverse members of Congress elected in the cycle of 2020. Not only the Democrats have faced criticisms for leadership in the said party as Republicans experienced it as well, as some claims that both of their leadership does not more accurately reflect the makeup of the United States. Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler was appointed to the Senate in late 2019 by Republican Governor Brian Kemp in order to fill the seat that was left empty by the resignation of Johnny Isakson, The Washington Post reported. Throughout the runoff race, Loeffler emphasized and continued her vocal support of President Donald Trump. Trump had narrowly lost in Georgia in November by less than 12,000 votes. On the other hand, to show his support for the Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, Trump executed a huge rally in the state and expressed that the win of both Republican Senators is very important for the country as they play a vital role in keeping the progress for the United States. Related Article: Autopsy Results of Flight Attendant Found in Hotel Tub on New Year's Day Leak, Family Challenges Findings @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Group's Alipay mobile payment app, the White House said, escalating tensions with Beijing two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. The move, first reported by Reuters, is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, a senior administration official told Reuters. The order argues that the United States must take "aggressive action" against developers of Chinese software applications to protect national security. It tasks the Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive within 45 days and targets Tencent Holdings Ltd's QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay as well. The order also names CamScanner, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate which is published by Alibaba Group subsidiary UCWeb, and Beijing Kingsoft Office Software's WPS Office. "By accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information," the executive order states. Such data collection "would permit China to track the locations of federal employees and contractors, and build dossiers of personal information," the document adds. China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of companies in view of the Trump order, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular briefing on Wednesday, adding that the US was abusing its national power and unreasonably suppressing foreign companies. In a statement late on Wednesday, China's Ministry of Commerce said the US ban goes against fair competition. It also harms the interests of Chinese companies and their customers, including those in the United States, who had "widely welcomed" the apps as a contactless payment option during the pandemic, the ministry added. Kingsoft said in a statement published by Chinese state media that it did not expect Trump's order to substantially impact the company's business in the short term. Ant, the Biden transition team and SHAREit declined to comment. Alibaba, Tencent, CamScanner and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The order aims to cement Trump's tough-on-China legacy before the Jan. 20 inauguration of Biden, a Democrat, who has said little about how he plans to address specific tech threats from China. Biden could, however, revoke the order on the first day of his presidency, though his transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. The order will likely ratchet up tensions further between Washington and Beijing, which have been locked in a bitter dispute over the origins of the coronavirus and a Chinese crackdown on Hong Kong. Despite the 45-day time line laid out by the order, the Commerce Department plans to act before Jan. 20 to identify prohibited transactions, another US official told Reuters. The directive mirrors Trump executive orders signed in August directing Commerce to block some US transactions with WeChat and the Chinese-owned video app TikTok. Had those orders gone into effect, they would have effectively banned the Chinese apps' use in the United States and barred Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's app stores from offering them for download for new users. The restrictions, however, were blocked by courts mainly on freedom of speech grounds. The White House is confident the new restrictions will stand up to judicial scrutiny, since applications like Alipay would struggle to bring a First Amendment case, the senior administration official told Reuters. US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement that he supports Trump's "commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party." Alipay has been in Washington's cross hairs for months. Reuters reported in November that the US State Department had submitted a proposal to add Ant Group to a trade blacklist in order to deter US investors from taking part in its lucrative initial public offering. But the Commerce Department, which oversees the blacklist, shelved the proposal after Alibaba Group Holding Inc President Michael Evans urged Ross to reject the bid. Ant is China's dominant mobile payments company, offering loans, payments, insurance and asset management services via mobile apps. It is 33% owned by Alibaba and controlled by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, but is currently unavailable for American users. Alipay was downloaded from Apple's US app store and Google Play 207,000 times in 2020, while image scanning app CamScanner and office suite app WPS Office were downloaded 4.4 million and 563,000 times respectively, according to research firm SensorTower. Tuesday's move is the latest in a raft of tough new curbs on Chinese companies. The White House unveiled an executive order in November banning US investment in alleged Chinese military companies including China's top chipmaker SMIC and oil giant CNOOC. Last month, the Commerce Department added dozens of Chinese companies, including Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. Short link: Donald Trump furiously claimed Tuesday night that Mike Pence can overturn the election result in Congress Wednesday - and denied the vice president had told him he could not. The president issued a statement after the New York Times reported that Pence had told him over lunch that he had no constitutional power to 'decertify' states' slates of electors when he presides over Congress to certify the election result. But Trump called that 'fake news' then outlined an extraordinary plan to either get Republican state legislatures to send Trump electors - or turn the election to Congress under the 12th Amendment, which could then vote for Trump. ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. Trump gave a suggestion of his public fury in his statement Tuesday night. 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power to reject slates of electors 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the Electoral College votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to how Pennsylvania's voting was run - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. Truth to power: Donald Trump demanded publicly Monday night at his rally in Georgia and then on Twitter that the vice president aid his campaign to overturn the election. Pence told him Tuesday he could not Desperation move: Trump's extraordinary plan to overturn the election through Mike Pence is a final attempt to stop Joe Biden's victory being confirmed If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden - at least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Ted Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Josh Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' And for Pence, who has walked the tight rope of Trump's presidency for four years without faltering, what he does Wednesday will be the ultimate loyalty test, at least in the eyes of the president, who is publicly putting on the pressure. Trump has made it clear he expects his second-in-command to keep him in the White House even if Pence does not legally or constitutionally have the power to do so. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Advertisement Ultimately, Biden is expected to be certified as the winner of the election on Wednesday, which Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, is expected to announce after the certification is complete. The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. When all is said and done, Biden will be inaugurated the 46th president on January 20th. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' The low down on how Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times Advertisement 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleagues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. / Contributed NEW HAVEN CASA of Southern Connecticut has been awarded a $75,000 Development Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association for Children, according to a release, which will further the groups mission to aid children. CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, the release said. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain IPhone suppliers are racing to meet surging demand for Apple Inc.'s 5G handsets after tech-savvy consumers leaped on the first major wireless technology upgrade in a decade. Robust demand for the devices helped iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. beat quarterly revenue expectations. British-German chipmaker Dialog Semiconductor Plc increased its revenue forecasts due to stronger-than-expected demand for 5G phones and tablets. The numbers suggest the world may finally be warming to 5G with its much faster download speeds and more reliable connections. After spending billions of dollars on new infrastructure, carriers have struggled to sell the costly handsets to consumers during an economic crisis. They were hoping Apple's late arrival to the 5G game would fire up demand, but it's been an uncertain picture for the first few months. Apple shares fell in October after quarterly iPhone sales missed Wall Street estimates and revenue in China slumped, although Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said the new 5G-ready iPhone 12 line was well received. "This update confirms continuing strong performance of Apple's hardware line-up, still supported by the need to work from home and to learn from home," said Bryan Garnier analyst Frederic Yoboue. "On top of that it shows that demand for the new iPhones is very buoyant." Asian countries including South Korea and China have moved fastest in rolling out full 5G services. U.S. phone companies are piling into the technology to sustain profits for the next decade and are racing to offer the broadest, most reliable network. At an auction of the nation's 5G airwaves on Monday, bids from carriers and pay-TV providers surged past $76.5 billion, crushing analyst estimates of $47 billion. Demand for 5G gear was not a given after several years of sluggish handset sales that plateaued at around 1.5 billion units in 2019, according to data compiled by Gartner. That's partly because high-end phones have become more expensive: Google, Samsung and Apple have all rolled out several devices costing more than $1,000. Europe's less profitable phone industry has avoided a headlong plunge into 5G, wary of rolling out expensive services that consumers won't be ready to pay for. That's left a region that pioneered wireless mobile phones lagging the world in the latest technology, with many countries still lacking full 4G services. In much of the region, 5G signals disappear beyond the limits of big cities. If European consumers joined the 5G phone rush, it would give a short-term boost to the profits of carriers that make a chunk of their earnings from handset sales, and encourage them to spend more to close gaps in 5G national coverage. 5G Headwinds Apple's 5G push has been complicated by a shortage of vital chips that manage power consumption in iPhones and other devices. There's also a turbulent political backdrop. Governments across the globeled by the U.S.have banned China's Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. from supplying 5G networking equipment, forcing local telecom companies to more expensive alternatives. Conspiracy theorists have also promoted groundless and widely condemned theories linking 5G to the spread of coronavirus. That's done little to dent long-term optimism over a technology that allows near-instantaneous video downloads and heralds a wealth of industrial applications from self-driving cars to remote surgery and connected factories. 5G is expected to generate $1.15 trillion in revenue by 2025, according to forecasts from the GSMA, an industry body. "We expect strong consumer demand to continue to filter deeper into the supply chain," said Andrew Gardiner, analyst at Barclays. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC In Sri Lanka, Jaishankar reiterates demand to fulfil expectations of Tamil minorities India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: India called on Sri Lanka to meet the Tamil minority's expectations for a greater devolution of powers as part of the reconciliation process. India also committed itself to greater cooperation aimed at boosting the post COVID-19 recovery effects of the nation. External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar who is in Colombo on a three day visit raised the expectations of the country's Tamils during a joint media interaction with his counterpart, Dinesh Gunawaedena. India's backing for Sri Lanka's reconciliation process and inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony was reiterated by Jaishankar. India, Lanka looking at post-COVID cooperation: External Affairs Minister Jaishankar "As we promote peace and well-being in the region, India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long-standing, as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony," the Foreign Minister also said. During the virtual meeting with his counterpart, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for the full implementation of the 13th amendment, which is the outcome of the 19887 India-Sri Lanka peace accord aimed at devolving more powers to the Tamils. However Rajapaksa has shied away from committing to the full implementation of the amendment and indicated that he would not go against the wishes of the Sinhala majority while working on resolution in the Tamil inhabited areas. Gunawardena in his remarks noted that President Rajapaksa had firmly stated his commitment to the well being, opportunities and progress of all Sri Lankan citizens including Sinhala, Tamils and Muslims. She is one of a slew of reality stars currently in Dubai after escaping Britain's coronavirus restrictions. And Kelsey Stratford showcased her gym-honed physique in a bikini snap she shared on Instagram on Wednesday. The TOWIE star, 20, displayed her hourglass curves as she donned a white two-piece that highlighted her toned abs. Looking good: Kelsey Stratford showcased her gym-honed physique in a bikini snap she shared on Instagram on Wednesday The reality star also wore a white shirt as she raised her hands in the air and posed on a step. Kelsey, who has been in Dubai since before Christmas, let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders. Alongside the photo, the beauty wrote: 'Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.' The Essex native travelled to Dubai before Tier 4 rules were introduced, with her post coming days after the UK's national lockdown was announced. Battle: Kelsey's father recently revealed that her sister eight-year-old Kennedy almost died from coronavirus after it 'impacted her whole body' Kelsey's post comes after her father recently revealed that her sister, eight-year-old Kennedy, almost died from coronavirus after it 'impacted her whole body'. Kennedy, who has genetic condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy, was released from hospital in November after battling the virus as well as sepsis. And speaking over a month after his daughter's arrival home, Kelsey's father Paul opened up about the youngster's horrifying ordeal, admitting the family 'didn't know if she was going to make it.' TV star Kelsey's sister was admitted to Great Ormond Street hospital in November, with the family fearing the worst as Kennedy fought Covid-19 and sepsis in intensive care. It's said that Kennedy, who spent thee weeks in hospital, was one the first SMA type 1 patients to fall ill with the virus. Paul told The Mirror: 'We didn't know if she was going to make it. She went through a torrid time, it literally impacted her whole body. It was awful to watch. Tough time: Speaking over a month after his daughter's arrival home, Kelsey's father Paul opened up about the youngster's horrifying ordeal, admitting they family 'didn't know if she was going to make it' 'The doctors told us they were changing the antibiotics they were giving her, and that it needed to work because there was nothing else they could do.' The doting father went on to add that the family are desperate for the government to make clear when high-risk children will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccines currently being rolled out, as no timetable has yet been outlined. He added: 'There are a large group of vulnerable children who will lose their lives if they catch the virus. We're not asking to jump the queue, we just need to know what's going on.' He went on to say that there are many 'extremely vulnerable' children who would greatly 'benefit' from having the vaccine. Despite her release from hospital, Kennedy still suffers from swollen kidneys and will have a scan next month to determine if there is any damage from the virus. Little fighter: Kennedy, who has genetic condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy, was released from hospital in November after battling the virus as well as sepsis In November, Kelsey opened up about her family's fears for Kennedy as she battled for her life in hospital. In an interview with MailOnline, Kelsey spoke of her longing for Kennedy to make a full recovery, as living at her family home without her sibling was unbearable. Kelsey explained that Kennedy's condition weakens her immune system and she's spent every winter in intensive care after catching colds and on worse occasions, pneumonia. She said: 'I am positive she will beat it but it's never happened before to an SMA type 1 patient, they have never caught something like this so we all don't know what's going to happen. Difficult: 'The doctors told us they were changing the antibiotics they were giving her, and that it needed to work because there was nothing else they could do' 'Kennedy has been in intensive care every winter, her entire life. But she is really struggling with Covid. We're heartbroken. 'She is in the best place, she is in Great Ormond Street intensive care and my stepdad is doing a really good job helping her with her treatment and I know how strong Kennedy is. 'Now she has sepsis, it makes it a lot more serious because she has that on top of Covid, which was terrible anyway. It's really not good at the moment but the doctors are doing everything they can.' Kelsey, who found fame on TOWIE in 2019, was forced to move out of her family home so she could continue working this year, while sister Kennedy shielded from the virus. Sacrifices: Kelsey, who found fame on TOWIE in 2019, was forced to move out of her family home so she could continue working this year, while sister Kennedy shielded from the virus Despite the family's careful efforts in protecting vulnerable Kennedy from the disease, she was hospitalised with Covid last week. 'We did try so hard,' Kelsey continued. 'She hasn't left the house since the first lockdown. I moved out for three months because we were shielding her, no one was coming in or out of the house. 'For my mum and stepdad, not leaving the house for such a long time has been hard. It drives you crazy. For Kennedy as well, she must have been so bored. 'But when lockdown was over, we started going to shops, so it she could have caught it from anyone. She has such a low immune system she catches everything.' Struggle: The TOWIE star revealed Kennedy's hospital admission on Instagram in November, revealing she was 'heartbroken' as her disabled sibling was rushed into intensive care after contracting coronavirus Kelsey was just 12-years-old when her sister was born and diagnosed with SMA, which is a disease that affects the central nervous system and skeletal muscle movement. Kennedy had a twin brother Karter, who sadly passed away within a year of being born, when Kelsey was a child. Kelsey explained: 'When I was a kid I didn't really understand what was going on and it became normal to me. 'Kennedy would be rushed to hospital and stop breathing, as a kid I look back and I'm so upset as I was so young going through all that. 'It has completely changed my home life because the focus is on Kennedy 24/7 whereas when I was younger, it was on me and we were always going out together as a family. It is hard.' Emotional: Kelsey shared a close up photo of her sister in hospital, as she said: 'Im so sorry my little baby. You can do this' The TOWIE star revealed Kennedy's hospital admission on Instagram in November, revealing she was 'heartbroken' as her disabled sibling was rushed into intensive care after contracting coronavirus. Sharing a picture of Kennedy in her hospital bed, she wrote: 'So as you can imagine me and my family are all heartbroken because yesterday Kennedy got rushed into hospital and got tested positive for Covid-19. 'She is really fighting but she has severe breathing problems as it is so I can only imagine how hard it is for her now. she is in intesive care (sic).' Kelsey went on to explain in another post: 'My little sister kennedy got rushed into hospital yesterday and tested positive for COVID19, we are all so heartbroken as kennedy has severe breathing problems from her terminal illness SMA as it is. 'She doesn't deserve this': Alongside pictures of her sister over the years, Kelsey claimed 'life is so cruel' after her sister was diagnosed with COVID-19 and asked fans to send their prayers 'So this is very dangerous for her. Kennedy was high risk to covid & we tried our best to shield her from this terrible virus but unfortunately because of her low immune system she caught it. 'She is in intensive care but really fighting like she always does, so i just need everyone to keep her in your prayers and hopefully she gets through this my strong little girl she doesnt deserve any of this (sic).' On the latest series of TOWIE, Kelsey opened up about the difficulties of being Kennedy's sister and hosted a Ping-Pong event to raise awareness for SMA. Doting sister: On the latest series of TOWIE, Kelsey opened up about the difficulties of being Kennedy's sister and hosted a Ping-Pong event to raise awareness for SMA Kennedy even cameoed on an episode, as Kelsey proudly showed co-stars Chloe, Demi and Frankie Sims a video of her sibling. She said: 'Before I spoke about my sister on the show, everyone thought I was normal and lived a good life that's why you can't judge a book by its cover. 'I loved it and she loved it too, she's a big fan of the show, she watches it every week. She was really happy to be on it. She thinks she's more famous than me now though!' 10-day Lockdown in Telangana from May 12; All activities allowed from 6 to 10 am Land dispute: Ex-AP minister held over kidnapping of former shuttler, 2 brothers India oi-Deepika S Hyderabad, Jan 06: Former Andhra Pradesh minister Bhuma Akhila Priya was on Wednesday arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a former badminton player and his two brothers from here over a land dispute, police said. A group of around 15 people posing as Income Tax sleuths entered the house of PraveenRao, a former national badminton player, at Bowenpally on Tuesday night on the pretext of conducting raid and abducted Praveen and his brothers, sources said. They took them to a farmhouse but later left them at Narsingi after police intensified search to locate them. The group with one of them wearing police uniform entered the house with fake search warrants and identity cards, and confined the trio in a hall for interrogation while other family members were confined to a room, Hyderabad Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar told reporters. After a relative, who had been to a neighbour''s house returned and opened the door, the other family members noticed in the CCTV that the persons took their kin away in three separate vehicles. The family also realised that the persons were not government officials and they hadkidnapped the trio, the Commissioner said. The family members alerted police and suspected the involvement of their relative A V Subba Reddy, besides Bhuma Akhila Priya, her husband Bhargava Ram and their henchmen and attributed the reason for the kidnapping to be a land dispute, police said. More than 15 police teams were sent in various directions to trace the brothers and Telangana Police were also in touch with their Andhra Pradesh counterparts, Kumar said. Police carried out CCTV footage analysis and identified the vehicles in which the three brothers were taken away. Due to police presence and checking on all roads leading to inter-state borders the abductors thought it was not possible to escapeand released the three siblings at Narsingi around 3.30 am before fleeing, police said. After the brothers switched on their phones, police located them through tower location, contacted and shifted them to their house. Meanwhile, Bhuma Akhila Priya was arrested from her residence at Kukatpally here and she is in police custody, the Hyderabad police chief said. Efforts were on nab the others involved in the case who are absconding. Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused including Bhuma Akhila Priya, her husband and others allegedly planned, conspired, executed the kidnappingfollowing a dispute over a land located at Hafeezpet here. Akhila Priya served as a Tourism minister in the Telugu Desam government in Andhra Pradesh. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 21:51 [IST] Ahead of the gram panchayat elections in Bhiwandi, six people including a Shiv Sena candidate were arrested for creating a ruckus in the election office and causing obstacles in election work at Nimbavli gram panchayat on Tuesday. According to the complaint lodged by assistant commissioner of Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) SN Bhalerao, Shantinagar police had booked Shiv Sena candidate Pravin Gulvi and five others under sections 353, 141, 143, 147, 149, 171(c)(1) and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and then arrested them on Tuesday night. The gram panchayat elections are set to be held on January 15. The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at Bhadwad Sampada Naik hall where Bhalerao is appointed as the returning officer. As per the complaint, Gulvi along with his associates went to the election office and hit Ganesh Gulvi, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate. The accused also allegedly caused obstacles in election work and damaged property. A complaint was lodged with us by the officer. Based on that, we have arrested six accused in the case. The scuffle broke out after Ganesh had come to the election office to complain about illegal banners put up by Pravin. They also damaged some chairs, said SV Raut, senior inspector, Shantinagar police station. Bhalerao said, Ganesh had complained about an illegal banner put up by Pravin, based on which, I had served notice to the Sena candidate. When both of them were called to the office, they started arguing. Pravin and his aides picked up chairs and started throwing those on others. So, I called the police and lodged a complaint. This was the fourth incident of violence related to the upcoming gram panchayat elections in Bhiwandi. Earlier, two contestants were beaten up. In a separate incident, two unknown bikers opened fire on Shiv Sena shakha chief Deepak Mhatre in Kalher, Bhiwandi in the wee hours of Sunday. Mhatre, who is contesting the gram panchayat elections from Kalher, escaped the firing. Meanwhile in Gundavali village, a contestant and his two brothers were beaten up by 20 youngsters. In another incident, the car of a woman candidate from Kharbao, Kavita Bhoir, was torched. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Anel Ruiz Anel Ruiz, who stepped down as press secretary to Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot last month, has joined public affairs and crisis management firm Culloton + Bauer Luce as senior VP. Ruiz previously served as public affairs director for the Chicago Department of Public Affairs and deputy chief of staff for Cook County Board president Toni Preckwinkle. She has also been director of development at Free Spirit Media and communications manager at the National Museum of Mexican Art. In addition to working with clients in the firms portfolio of healthcare providers, Ruiz will advise CBL clients on issues management. Anels hands-on experience in policymaking and her sense of how fast an issue can take shape in todays digital-first environment makes for a uniquely skilled counselor, said Natalie Bauer Luce, CBL partner and executive VP. Culloton + Bauer Luces practice serves such industries as healthcare, energy, gaming, manufacturing, sports, education, cannabis, technology and transportation. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine 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connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's 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"Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Election bloc format must be workable in some logical sense Attorney: Political persecution against Robert Kocharyan is becoming more noticeable during election campaign Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: We must do everything so that our domestic politics is not dictated by Azerbaijan Armenian acting defense minister meets Russian peacekeeping mission chief Congress predicts US nuclear spending to reach $ 634 billion by 2030 Russian MP: The effectiveness of military cooperation with Armenia depends on Yerevan as well Delimitation now may create some problems in Karabakh negotiation process, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on relations with 3rd President Sargsyan: We go our own way they go their own Judge adjourns hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM for 3 weeks Court hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM 2nd President Kocharyan: Armenia must show that it will not be subjected to such pressures Kocharyan: You may find yourself in stupid situations if you come to negotiations without any baggage Armenia Investigative Committee: Criminal case opened into soldiers death 157 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia EU helps UN World Food Programme provide humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected people in Armenia Yerevan municipal council convenes regular session Thanks to electoral politics, the Shiv Sena, which launched itself on the 'sons of the soil' plank, has now moved to appease Gujaratis in Mumbai. From vada pav to jalebi ne fafda, the move is aimed at better electoral gains during the coming 10 municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, including the prestigious BMC. On Tuesday, Shiv Sena leader Hemraj Shah announced a special gathering of all Gujaratis in Mumbai. "Everyone is consolidating their voters. What is wrong in doing it in Mumbai? I just want to remind the Gujarati brothers and sisters of Mumbai that it was Balasaheb Thackeray who had helped save many Gujarati lives during the Babri riots," Shah said, when asked about the efforts to woo Gujaratis. A press release issued by his office stated, "Due to the narrow-minded approach and the arrogance of the Gujarati leadership in BJP, which didn't want to give opportunity to Marathi leadership, Uddhav Thackeray had to snatch away power from them. So the BJP leadership is restless." It added, "The BJP is unable to digest the chief minister has been able to bring Mumbai out of the Covid-19 menace, and has worked efficiently in handling the state. Simple and down to earth work style he has made sure that he treats everyone equal. This is something the BJP find difficult to deal with. Hence they now claim that they will bring down the saffron flag over the Mumbai municipal corporation. Claiming that the Mumbai corporation election is extremely prestigious and important for Sena, Shah has said that the special meeting has been called to spread awareness among the Gujarati voters of Mumbai. The theme line propounded by Shah is "Mumbai ma jalebi ne fafda, Uddhav Thackeray aapda", loosely translated as: jalebi and fafda (famous Gujarati snacks) in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray is ours. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was denied bail on Wednesday because a judge said there is a risk he may abscond while the United States tries to secure his extradition from Britain. Assange has spent more than eight years either holed up in the Londons Ecuadorean embassy or in jail. But Assange on Monday won an attempt to stop his extradition to the United States to face 18 criminal charges of breaking an espionage law and conspiring to hack government computers. He had then asked to be bailed. I am satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr Assange is released today he would fail to surrender to court to face the appeal proceedings, Judge Vanessa Baraitser said. The U.S. Department of Justice says it will continue to seek Assanges extradition. As far as Mr Assange is concerned this case has not yet been won... the outcome of this appeal is not yet known, Baraitser said. Admirers hail Australian-born Assange as a hero for exposing what they describe as abuses of power by the United States. But detractors cast him as a dangerous figure who has undermined the security of the West, and dispute that he is a journalist. WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables that laid bare often critical U.S. appraisals of world leaders, from Russian President Vladimir Putin to members of the Saudi royal family. Assange made international headlines in early 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified U.S. military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters that killed a dozen people in Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff. The Shows Must Go On! series has revealed plans for this coming weekend. From Friday night, 7pm GMT, the YouTube channel will show Michael Ball's Heroes concert recording, where the iconic stage star will perform numbers from a plethora of his idols including Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond. Heroes was first released as a recording in 2011, one of Ball's many sell-out concert recordings that have been unveiled over the last couple of decades. The performance will be available for free for 48 hours for those in the US, UK, Canada and Japan, while outside of those territories users will be able to watch Ruthless, the hit comedy musical. Ball was meant to be appearing in the concert production of Les Miserables right now, but the run was derailed by the most recent pandemic restrictions. He is also set to return to his award-winning turn in Hairspray at the London Coliseum later this year. You'll be able to watch the show right here: This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. By David Kirton SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - Huawei Technologies Co Ltd this year will likely see slower 5G business and push further into software, while hoping its smartphones get a reprieve from U.S. sanctions which last year struck the chip-reliant heart of its group, analysts said. Limited access to high-end semiconductors means rationing during China's network upgrade, they said, while the dissection of its mobile arm will send Huawei tumbling down rankings while it continues to develop a proprietary operating system. China's leading telecommunications equipment ... What a day. It started with chaos, and has ended with President Donald Trump promising an orderly transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, although Trump stopped short of actually conceding. US Vice-President Mike Pence and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lead the joint sitting of Congress. Joe Biden's election win was finally certified at 3.33am local time. Credit:The New York Times The House and Senate certified the Democrats electoral college win early Thursday local time after a violent throng of pro-Trump rioters spent hours Wednesday running rampant through the Capitol. A woman was fatally shot, windows were bashed and the mob forced shaken lawmakers and aides to flee the building, shielded by Capitol Police. Biden called for an end to the "assault on the citadel of liberty", and former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were quick to decry the unfolding crisis. Around the world, leaders condemned the riots as a "threat to democracy" and expressed shock in statements and on Twitter. The rampage began shortly after Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud to thousands of rallying demonstrators hed invited to Washington. Many then surged to the Capitol after he incited them to go there as lawmakers debated the electoral votes. Loading More than six hours after the violence erupted, lawmakers resumed their session but questions lingered about the "embarrassing" security failure. Thirteen Republican senators and dozens of GOP representatives had planned to force debate and votes on perhaps six different states votes. The assault on the Capitol made some Republicans squeamish about trying to overturn Bidens win, and challenges were lodged only against Arizona and Pennsylvania. Both efforts lost overwhelmingly. Biden defeated Trump by 306-232 electoral votes and will be inaugurated on January 20. And with that, loyal readers, it's a wrap. Thanks for joining us. LATEST Jan. 6, 9:55 p.m. The Senate has quickly knocked down Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight Thursday morning to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. In a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it was the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he believed no other states votes would be challenged. That means Congress formal certification of Bidens victory could finish quickly once the House votes on the Pennsylvania challenge. The Senate rejected the effort to cancel Pennsylvanias votes without any debate. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. Jan. 6, 9:38 p.m. Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri have objected to the counting of Pennsylvanias electoral votes, triggering up to two hours of debate in the House and Senate. The objections come 11 hours after the congressional count to confirm Democrat Joe Bidens presidential victory began, and after lawmakers had to evacuate both chambers for several hours to escape a mob that had violently breached the Capitol. Hawley said last week that he would object to Pennsylvanias electoral votes, saying Congress should investigate voter fraud. President Donald Trump has falsely said since his defeat that there was widespread fraud in the election. Biden won Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes. Since the Nov. 3 election, Trump and his allies filed at least a half-dozen lawsuits challenging Bidens win on various grounds, including that many or all of the states mail-in ballots were illegal. The lawsuits failed as judge after judge found no violation of state law or constitutional rights, or no grounds to grant an immediate halt to certifying the election. Jan. 6, 8:22 p.m. The House has voted overwhelmingly to reject an objection to President-elect Joe Bidens win in Arizona, joining the Senate in upholding the results of the election there. The objection failed 303-121 on Wednesday night, with only Republicans voting in support. Earlier Wednesday, supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a lockdown of the lawmakers and staff inside. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to Biden, though election officials have said there wasnt any. Now that Arizona is out of the way, Congress will reconvene as the joint session and make its way through the rest of the states that have objections. Jan. 6, 7:19 p.m. The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand. The objection to the results in Arizona -- spearheaded by Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Ted Cruz -- was rejected 93-6 on Wednesday night. All votes in favor came from Republicans, but after violent protesters mobbed the Capitol earlier Wednesday a number of GOP senators who had planned to support the objection reversed course. The Republicans raised the objection based on false claims pushed by President Donald Trump and others of issues with the vote in Arizona, which were repeatedly dismissed in Arizonas courts and by the states election officials. Jan. 6, 7:15 p.m. Sen. Lindsey Graham says a commission to examine the 2020 election is not a proper next step and affirmed that Joe Biden is the legitimate president of the United States. Graham, a South Carolina Republican and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, called it a uniquely bad idea to delay this election, referencing the commission idea proposed by his fellow South Carolina Republican, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott. Graham says, Count me out. Enough is enough. Jan. 6, 7:06 p.m. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he is going forward with his objection to the Electoral College results in Pennsylvania despite the violent breach at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. The Missouri senator said he did not support violence but said the Senate should go forward with a legal process that includes his objections. Hawley says his objections should be debated peacefully, without violence, without attacks, without bullets." He says he hoped lawmakers would not brush his concerns aside because of the violence earlier Wednesday, including the death of a protester inside the Capitol. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, though election officials have said there wasn't any. Jan. 6, 7:04 p.m. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is comparing violence at the U.S. Capitol to protests against racial injustice over the summer after the killing of George Floyd by police. The U.S. Capitol was overrun by a mob supportive of President Donald Trump on Wednesday as Congress counted electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens win. Trump has falsely said there was widespread fraud in the election to explain his defeat and encouraged his supporters to come to Washington. McCarthy said, Mobs dont rule America. Laws rule America. It was true when our cities were burning this summer and it is true now. The comment got loud applause from Republicans. Democrats in the chamber sat silently. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, was killed in May after a white police officer pressed his knee against Floyds neck for several minutes even after he said he couldnt breathe. McCarthy, an ally of Trumps, said Wednesday was the saddest day hes ever had in Congress. He said: It is clear this Congress will not be the same after today. Jan. 6, 6:15 p.m. Multiple Republican senators reversed course and now say they wont object to congressional certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia all said in light of the violence at the U.S. Capitol earlier Wednesday, they would stand down from planned objections to Bidens win. Loeffler said that the violence, the lawlessness, and siege of the halls of Congress were a direct attack on the sanctity of the American democratic process. All three had previously signed on to Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud to explain his defeat. Loeffler has just days left in her term. She lost her Senate race to Democrat Raphael Warnock earlier Wednesday. Jan. 6, 6 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Congress will not be deterred in confirming the results of the presidential election hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Republican leader reopened the Senate late Wednesday, vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden. It was interrupted earlier in the day when rioters breached the security perimeter and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress tallying of the Electoral College votes. One person was fatally shot. McConnell said demonstrators tried to disrupt our democracy. They failed. McConnell planned to keep the Senate in session Wednesday to finish confirming the results. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true. He reiterated the claim in a video filmed as his demonstrators were storming the Capitol. Jan. 6, 5:43 p.m. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump bears a great deal of the blame after a mob loyal to him stormed the U.S. Capitol. As the Senate reconvened to count electoral votes that will confirm Democrat Joe Bidens win, Schumer said that Jan. 6, 2021, will live forever in infamy and will be a stain on the democracy. Schumer said the events did not happen spontaneously. He said Wednesday: The president, who promoted conspiracy theories that motivated these thugs, the president, who exhorted them to come to our nations capital, egged them on. Trump has falsely claimed that there was widespread fraud in the election to explain away his defeat. Schumer says the protesters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Jan. 6, 5:17 p.m. The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee. Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the days violent events. President Donald Trump has falsely insisted that the election was marred by fraud and that he actually won. He reiterated those claims in remarks to thousands of protesters outside the White House early Wednesday and goaded them to march to the Capitol, which many of them did. The mayhem had forced the House and Senate to abruptly end the days debates and flee to safety under the protection of police. And it prompted bipartisan outrage as many lawmakers blamed Trump for fostering the violence. Jan. 6, 5:05 p.m. Former President Barack Obama issued a statement addressing today's violence on Capitol Hill. Obama said history will rightly remember the violence at the Capitol as a moment of great dishonor and shame for the nation. Jan. 6, 5 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence reconvened the joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win Wednesday following a siege on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. "We defended our Capitol today," Pence said. "We will always be grateful. The men and women who stayed at their post to defend this historic place," Pence said. "Those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. This is still the people's house. As we reconvene in this chamber, the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy." Jan. 6, 3:47 p.m. Nancy Pelosi announced the House will continue to count Electoral College votes tonight, amid a day of chaos and bloodshed at the Capitol. "In consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use," the House Speaker wrote in a letter to fellow members of Congress. Adding, "I look forward to seeing you later this evening, during this time of great sadness." Jan. 6, 3:25 p.m. Washington, D.C., is now under citywide curfew until 6 a.m. Thursday local time, as ordered by Mayor Muriel Bowser. The sergeant-at-arms announced that the U.S. Capitol building is now secure, after being invaded by a pro-Trump mob earlier in the day. Riot police are pushing remaining Trump supporters away from the Capitol, though the crowd has dwindled, per CNN. Jan. 6, 2:48 p.m. The woman shot at the U.S. Capitol today has died, per a law enforcement source, according to NBC News. The woman was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Dustin Sternbeck, a spokesman for the police department, told the New York Times that he did not yet know who shot her or have any other details. Jan. 6, 11:27 a.m. Supporters of President Donald Trump have broken into the U.S. Capitol building as they riot in defiance of the election of Joe Biden. They are currently wandering the building, letting themselves into offices and posing for photos on the Senate floor. They broke through barricades and forced their way inside. Reporters on the ground report people broke through windows, scaled fences and tried to force open doors. Reporters say police were overwhelmed by the mob demanding the legitimate election be overturned. As the mob broke in, Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the Senate chambers by a security team. The Senate went into recess and Capitol Police are hours later still attempting to clear the building. Uncontested, Trump supporters entered the Senate floor and images emerged of police with guns drawn in the House chamber members of the mob attempted to break in. It is unclear how many people have been injured. MSNBC showed footage of someone being wheeled out of the Capitol building on a stretcher, and D.C. Metro Police Chief Robert Contee III confirmed one person was shot inside the Capitol. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said at 3:30 p.m. EST that the Virginia National Guard and 200 state troopers are being sent to D.C. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted shortly after that the "National Guard is on the way." Trump supporters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Senators Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement urging Trump to tell his supporters to "leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol grounds immediately." Shortly after, Trump issued a video statement on Twitter, but it focused more on pushing continued lies about how the election was "stolen" from him. There is no proof of widespread voter fraud, despite Trump's insistence. "I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us, it was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side," he said without evidence. "But we have to go home now. We have to have peace." The tweet is accompanied by a label from Twitter that cautions users they cannot reply to, retweet or like the video "due to a risk of violence." The Associated Press contributed to this report. LATEST Jan. 6, 9:55 p.m. The Senate has quickly knocked down Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight Thursday morning to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. In a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it was the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he believed no other states votes would be challenged. That means Congress formal certification of Bidens victory could finish quickly once the House votes on the Pennsylvania challenge. The Senate rejected the effort to cancel Pennsylvanias votes without any debate. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. Jan. 6, 9:38 p.m. Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri have objected to the counting of Pennsylvanias electoral votes, triggering up to two hours of debate in the House and Senate. The objections come 11 hours after the congressional count to confirm Democrat Joe Bidens presidential victory began, and after lawmakers had to evacuate both chambers for several hours to escape a mob that had violently breached the Capitol. Hawley said last week that he would object to Pennsylvanias electoral votes, saying Congress should investigate voter fraud. President Donald Trump has falsely said since his defeat that there was widespread fraud in the election. Biden won Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes. Since the Nov. 3 election, Trump and his allies filed at least a half-dozen lawsuits challenging Bidens win on various grounds, including that many or all of the states mail-in ballots were illegal. The lawsuits failed as judge after judge found no violation of state law or constitutional rights, or no grounds to grant an immediate halt to certifying the election. Jan. 6, 8:22 p.m. The House has voted overwhelmingly to reject an objection to President-elect Joe Bidens win in Arizona, joining the Senate in upholding the results of the election there. The objection failed 303-121 on Wednesday night, with only Republicans voting in support. Earlier Wednesday, supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a lockdown of the lawmakers and staff inside. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to Biden, though election officials have said there wasnt any. Now that Arizona is out of the way, Congress will reconvene as the joint session and make its way through the rest of the states that have objections. Jan. 6, 7:19 p.m. The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand. The objection to the results in Arizona -- spearheaded by Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Ted Cruz -- was rejected 93-6 on Wednesday night. All votes in favor came from Republicans, but after violent protesters mobbed the Capitol earlier Wednesday a number of GOP senators who had planned to support the objection reversed course. The Republicans raised the objection based on false claims pushed by President Donald Trump and others of issues with the vote in Arizona, which were repeatedly dismissed in Arizonas courts and by the states election officials. Jan. 6, 7:15 p.m. Sen. Lindsey Graham says a commission to examine the 2020 election is not a proper next step and affirmed that Joe Biden is the legitimate president of the United States. Graham, a South Carolina Republican and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, called it a uniquely bad idea to delay this election, referencing the commission idea proposed by his fellow South Carolina Republican, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott. Graham says, Count me out. Enough is enough. Jan. 6, 7:06 p.m. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he is going forward with his objection to the Electoral College results in Pennsylvania despite the violent breach at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. The Missouri senator said he did not support violence but said the Senate should go forward with a legal process that includes his objections. Hawley says his objections should be debated peacefully, without violence, without attacks, without bullets." He says he hoped lawmakers would not brush his concerns aside because of the violence earlier Wednesday, including the death of a protester inside the Capitol. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, though election officials have said there wasn't any. Jan. 6, 7:04 p.m. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is comparing violence at the U.S. Capitol to protests against racial injustice over the summer after the killing of George Floyd by police. The U.S. Capitol was overrun by a mob supportive of President Donald Trump on Wednesday as Congress counted electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens win. Trump has falsely said there was widespread fraud in the election to explain his defeat and encouraged his supporters to come to Washington. McCarthy said, Mobs dont rule America. Laws rule America. It was true when our cities were burning this summer and it is true now. The comment got loud applause from Republicans. Democrats in the chamber sat silently. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, was killed in May after a white police officer pressed his knee against Floyds neck for several minutes even after he said he couldnt breathe. McCarthy, an ally of Trumps, said Wednesday was the saddest day hes ever had in Congress. He said: It is clear this Congress will not be the same after today. Jan. 6, 6:15 p.m. Multiple Republican senators reversed course and now say they wont object to congressional certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia all said in light of the violence at the U.S. Capitol earlier Wednesday, they would stand down from planned objections to Bidens win. Loeffler said that the violence, the lawlessness, and siege of the halls of Congress were a direct attack on the sanctity of the American democratic process. All three had previously signed on to Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud to explain his defeat. Loeffler has just days left in her term. She lost her Senate race to Democrat Raphael Warnock earlier Wednesday. Jan. 6, 6 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Congress will not be deterred in confirming the results of the presidential election hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Republican leader reopened the Senate late Wednesday, vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden. It was interrupted earlier in the day when rioters breached the security perimeter and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress tallying of the Electoral College votes. One person was fatally shot. McConnell said demonstrators tried to disrupt our democracy. They failed. McConnell planned to keep the Senate in session Wednesday to finish confirming the results. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true. He reiterated the claim in a video filmed as his demonstrators were storming the Capitol. Jan. 6, 5:43 p.m. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump bears a great deal of the blame after a mob loyal to him stormed the U.S. Capitol. As the Senate reconvened to count electoral votes that will confirm Democrat Joe Bidens win, Schumer said that Jan. 6, 2021, will live forever in infamy and will be a stain on the democracy. Schumer said the events did not happen spontaneously. He said Wednesday: The president, who promoted conspiracy theories that motivated these thugs, the president, who exhorted them to come to our nations capital, egged them on. Trump has falsely claimed that there was widespread fraud in the election to explain away his defeat. Schumer says the protesters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Jan. 6, 5:17 p.m. The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee. Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the days violent events. President Donald Trump has falsely insisted that the election was marred by fraud and that he actually won. He reiterated those claims in remarks to thousands of protesters outside the White House early Wednesday and goaded them to march to the Capitol, which many of them did. The mayhem had forced the House and Senate to abruptly end the days debates and flee to safety under the protection of police. And it prompted bipartisan outrage as many lawmakers blamed Trump for fostering the violence. Jan. 6, 5:05 p.m. Former President Barack Obama issued a statement addressing today's violence on Capitol Hill. Obama said history will rightly remember the violence at the Capitol as a moment of great dishonor and shame for the nation. Jan. 6, 5 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence reconvened the joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win Wednesday following a siege on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. "We defended our Capitol today," Pence said. "We will always be grateful. The men and women who stayed at their post to defend this historic place," Pence said. "Those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. This is still the people's house. As we reconvene in this chamber, the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy." Jan. 6, 3:47 p.m. Nancy Pelosi announced the House will continue to count Electoral College votes tonight, amid a day of chaos and bloodshed at the Capitol. "In consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use," the House Speaker wrote in a letter to fellow members of Congress. Adding, "I look forward to seeing you later this evening, during this time of great sadness." Jan. 6, 3:25 p.m. Washington, D.C., is now under citywide curfew until 6 a.m. Thursday local time, as ordered by Mayor Muriel Bowser. The sergeant-at-arms announced that the U.S. Capitol building is now secure, after being invaded by a pro-Trump mob earlier in the day. Riot police are pushing remaining Trump supporters away from the Capitol, though the crowd has dwindled, per CNN. Jan. 6, 2:48 p.m. The woman shot at the U.S. Capitol today has died, per a law enforcement source, according to NBC News. The woman was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Dustin Sternbeck, a spokesman for the police department, told the New York Times that he did not yet know who shot her or have any other details. Jan. 6, 11:27 a.m. Supporters of President Donald Trump have broken into the U.S. Capitol building as they riot in defiance of the election of Joe Biden. They are currently wandering the building, letting themselves into offices and posing for photos on the Senate floor. They broke through barricades and forced their way inside. Reporters on the ground report people broke through windows, scaled fences and tried to force open doors. Reporters say police were overwhelmed by the mob demanding the legitimate election be overturned. As the mob broke in, Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the Senate chambers by a security team. The Senate went into recess and Capitol Police are hours later still attempting to clear the building. Uncontested, Trump supporters entered the Senate floor and images emerged of police with guns drawn in the House chamber members of the mob attempted to break in. It is unclear how many people have been injured. MSNBC showed footage of someone being wheeled out of the Capitol building on a stretcher, and D.C. Metro Police Chief Robert Contee III confirmed one person was shot inside the Capitol. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said at 3:30 p.m. EST that the Virginia National Guard and 200 state troopers are being sent to D.C. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted shortly after that the "National Guard is on the way." Trump supporters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Senators Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement urging Trump to tell his supporters to "leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol grounds immediately." Shortly after, Trump issued a video statement on Twitter, but it focused more on pushing continued lies about how the election was "stolen" from him. There is no proof of widespread voter fraud, despite Trump's insistence. "I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us, it was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side," he said without evidence. "But we have to go home now. We have to have peace." The tweet is accompanied by a label from Twitter that cautions users they cannot reply to, retweet or like the video "due to a risk of violence." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Days after a Christmas Eve party at a Raleys supermarket in Benicia, one worker who attended it tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the citys mayor to demand the store let its staff and the public know what steps are being taken in response. Mayor Steve Young, in a video posted to YouTube Tuesday, cited social media and press reports of the Christmas Eve dinner, laid out for employees on their breaks, and demanded action from the Sacramento supermarket chain. At a minimum, Raleys needs to be transparent, needs to tell employees what is happening, needs to tell the public what is happening, the mayor said. He also called on the Sacramento supermarket chain to send home and quarantine with pay all workers who are exposed to someone who tests positive and to provide them with free COVID-19 tests. Young also suggested Raleys establish a routine testing program for its workers. Raleys spokeswoman Chelsea Minor acknowledged that the party took place on Christmas Eve, violated company and health department protocols, and that one person has since tested positive, is quarantining and hasnt been in the store since the party. We take full responsibility but by no means were we suppressing information, she said. Raleys has posted all positive tests on its website since March, she said, and the lone positive test that may have stemmed from the party was the sixth postive test at the Benicia store. The supermarket, at 890 Southampton Road, held an informal Christmas Eve party for its employees in the store, providing them with food. Attendees reportedly sat close to each other and didnt wear masks, at least while dining. Photos of the party were posted on the supermarkets Facebook page, but have since been removed. A Facebook commenter later reposted the pictures. A couple of days after the party, the mayor said, a Raleys manager came down sick with flu symptoms then tested positive for the coronavirus. Word of the ill-fated party spread on social media, prompting concerns among employees, who complained on social media that they hadnt been informed of the managers positive test, as well as customers. The manager who went out sick right after the party, there were a number of people who were photographed sitting close to him and those people are still working," the mayor said in his statement. Minor, who spoke to the Benicia City Council on Tuesday night, said the company has followed proper protocol, and most of the mayors wishes, once it learned that the employee developed symptoms. She said the employee last worked on the day of the party, stayed home after he became sick, was tested for the coronavirus and received a positive test result on Jan. 2. She said the chain allows employees who are concerned about a positive exposure to take paid days off to quarantine and pays for testing. She said a regular testing program may be considered short-term at the Benicia store. Well do what we need to do to restore the faith of our customers, Minor said. Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan Hong Kong: Vietnam has sentenced three journalists to prison, including a prominent reporter who had written for foreign news organisations and advocated press freedom in the one-party state. The sentences are the latest crackdown on independent thought in a country where authorities are busy stamping out dissent ahead of an important meeting by the ruling Communist Party later this month. The prominent journalist, Pham Chi Dung, was sentenced to 15 years on charges of making and disseminating propaganda against the state. Dung is the founder of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam, an unsanctioned group that was established seven years ago in a country where all media is state-owned and the Communist Party has built a large apparatus to stifle dissent. Two other journalists, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan, were sentenced on similar charges in the same Ho Chi Minh City court. They received 11 years each. Critics of the government denounced the prison terms. A thick blanket of snow continues to disrupt life in parts of central and northern Italy. On Monday, firefighters were forced to launch a helicopter mission to rescue a woman and her young son trapped in their home. The pair found themselves stuck in their house in the small mountainous village of Filettino, in central Italy, after heavy snowfall. And on Tuesday, firefighters in Santo Stefano Di Cadore, in the northern alpine province of Belluno, used small bulldozers to clear roads. Officials said firefighters had carried out more than 300 operations to get traffic moving again. Italy's Civil Protection agency has forecast more snow for the next few days in northern and central areas higher than 500 metres. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Calls for Mandatory COVID-19 Tests for Air Passengers As Cases of UK Strain Appear in Australia The appearance in Australia of the more contagious UK strain of COVID-19 has prompted calls by political leaders and health experts to require people to test negative before they may board repatriation flights. However, the prime minister is not convinced and said most airlines are already testing passengers. On Tuesday, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said three people quarantined in Perth tested positive for the UK variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus. He urged the federal government to mandate testing for returning Australians. I think it would be a great safety mechanism to ensure that people coming out of many countries around the world have a test and confirm they are negative before they board a flight with hundreds of other Australians, he said, the ABC reported. And I think that safety measure should be implemented. To me, this is a no-brainer. Omar Khorshid, president of the Australian Medical Association, agrees. He worries that the UK variant may escape Australias hotel quarantine. Weve already seen our quarantine systems fail significantly with the virus escaping from quarantine in Victoria, NSW and South Australia; weve also seen breaches of quarantine in other places like WA although with no transmission occurring, Khorshid told News Corps The Australian. But with this highly transmissible variant of COVID, either the UK or South African one, theres going to be more potential for that spread to occur from an infected traveller to a quarantine worker, he said. The UK variant is believed to be up to 70 percent more infectious than the original, causing havoc in England and prompting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to order a new national lockdown until mid-February. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says mandatory testing of airline passengers is not the answer, as it could give a false sense of confidence on arrival. Most of the airlines do it anyway, and on all the flights that were bringing back to Australia directly as a Commonwealth, were doing it, Morrison told 3AW radio on Tuesday. But we should stress that that doesnt change the risk. In some cases, the argument is that it can be accentuated, it can highlight it, because people can be asymptomatic or the virus hasnt manifested itself yet at the time of travelling, and that can create a complacency on the other side, he said. When pressed on whether it should be a blanket rule, Morrison reiterated that the airlines are already doing it. Labor health spokesman Chris Bowen said it was important that more Australians were given the opportunity to return home. But obviously this new strain in the United Kingdom is concerning, he said. So sensible measures like increased testing do seem to me to be a sensible, good faith suggestion. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said there was no one silver bullet to keep the community safe from variant viruses. Just because youre tested a couple of days before you get on the plane, you can develop the infection on the plane, you can develop as youre getting off the plane, or the next day, she said. Another international straina South African variantwas detected in a woman who arrived in Queensland on Dec. 22 who went straight into hotel quarantine. Australia has recorded 95 overseas acquired cases over the past week. AAP contributed to this article. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 16:14:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LANZHOU, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ye Changlian, a businessperson from northwest China, has been planting allium mongolicum, an Asian species of wild onion, for more than a decade. With Chinese researchers' support, this desert plant not only benefits local ecology but also helps boost the economy. Ye lives in Minqin County of Gansu Province. Known as "sand town," the county is an artificial oasis located between Badain Jaran and Tengger, two large deserts in China covering 85,000 square km in total. In the past, it was difficult for local people to earn a living there due to the harsh environment. Things have changed since a research team from the Gansu Desert Control Research Institute came to visit. Based in Minqin for more than 60 years, the team has found ways for local people to reclaim land from the desert. Yan Zizhu, a researcher at the institute, has long paid attention to the wild onion, which is widely distributed in arid desert areas in northern China. Because of its edible value and sand-fixing function, Yan believes that cultivating the onion can help the county develop more water-efficient industries, and therefore adjust the industrial structure and restore the ecosystem. Yan's team has been focusing on studying the onion in Minqin since 1999. Through a series of complex experiments, they found how to artificially plant allium mongolicum and raise its productivity. Guided by the planting technology of Yan's team, Ye has become a leading grower in the county. In 2019, the sales revenue of allium mongolicum he planted was over 20 million yuan (about 3 million U.S. dollars), helping hundreds of local people increase their income. "The technical support from experts has helped us realize our dreams of making more money and living a better life," Ye said. Minqin has suffered sandstorms for decades. Fortunately, with innovative planting technologies, Chinese researchers are helping areas such as Minqin to restore their ecosystems, explore new ways of combating desertification and at the same time increase the income of local villagers. Ma Quanlin, deputy director of the institute, said that after years of research, the team has found a group of desert plants suitable for Minqin's climate. They have a higher survival rate and can be grown on a large scale, according to Ma. Wild Agriophyllum squarrosum, also called wild sand rice, is another sand-fixing plant and natural food. In 2016, the institute began to study the characteristics of wild sand rice. "The sand rice will sometimes be dormant in the soil. So it is very important to stimulate the germination of the seed," said Wei Linyuan, a senior specialist from the team. Despite failures caused by frost and other factors initially, Wei and her colleagues finally developed a system of planting technology that can stimulate the germination of the seed, make it grow faster and improve its productivity. They have also tried to make cakes, bread and noodles by using sand rice. "We hope the local government will support the promotion of the plant cultivation and the extension of the food-processing chain in Minqin," Wei said. "China has successfully achieved ecological and economic balance by using science and technology to control desertification for areas like Minqin, and such experience is useful in helping other countries fight desertification," Ma said. Enditem [January 06, 2021] CI Global Asset Management Launches Product Partnership with Adams Street CI Global Asset Management ("CI GAM") today announced it has partnered with Adams Street Partners LLC ("Adams Street") to offer an investment solution providing Canadian accredited investors with access to private investments in markets around the world. Adams Street is a global leader in private markets investment management. "In partnering with Adams Street, we're expanding the availability of an entire investing category to high-net-worth investors that was previously accessible only to institutional investors. We believe our partnership with Adams Street is the first of its kind in Canada," said Kurt MacAlpine, Chief Executive Officer of CI Financial Inc., parent company of CI GAM. "This unique investment solution reflects our innovation and responsiveness to the evolving needs of investors as we modernize our wealth management platform." Private market investments are those made in entities that are not publicly listed or traded, and include venture capital, growth equity, buyouts, and private credit. The private market investing approach generally includes governance measures that allow portfolio managers to actively influence the performance of the underlying business. Private market investments are considered "illiquid," which means they are not easily sold. "We're excited to partner with CI," said Jeff Diehl, Managing Partner and Head of Investments at Adams Street. "This is a unique opportunity for Canadian high-net-worth investors to access diversified, high-quality private markets opportunities." "We selected Adams Street as a partner based on its proven track record," said Mr. MacAlpine. "Our clients will benefit from Adams Street's extensive experience across the entire spectrum of private markets and access to increased liquidity, open-ended subscriptions, and attractive fees relative to traditional private equity offerings." Demand for private market investments has continued to climb over the past decade. Global private market assets under management ("AUM") have grown by US$4 trillion, outpacing the rate of AUM growth in public market assets by 70%, according to McKinsey & Company figures. CI offers investment solutions on a prospectus-exempt basis in Canada to accredited investors who meet the minimum investment thresholds through registered dealers. As part of its initiative to modernize its asset management business and provide investors with a wide choice of relevant investment solutions, CI has become a leader in providing alternative investments to a broader audience of retail investors. CI manages over $2.7 billion in liquid alternatives, the most of any firm in the Canadian industry ( Source (News - Alert) : Canadian Association of Alternative Strategies & Assets; as at September 30, 2020). CI Liquid Alternatives are available in both mutual fund and exchange-traded fund structure. CI also offers CI Global Private Real Estate Fund, which is available to Canadian accredited investors and offers access to direct investments in properties around the world. About Adams Street Founded in 1972, Adams Street is a pioneer in private markets investment management. The independent, 100% employee-owned firm is dedicated exclusively to private market investments and manages greater than US$42 billion in assets on behalf of corporate and public pension plans, endowments, foundations, other institutional investors and high net worth investors across the globe. Adams Street has four offices in the United States, as well as offices in London, Munich, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul. About CI Global Asset Management CI Global Asset Management is one of Canada's largest investment management companies. It offers a wide range of investment products and services and is on the Web at www.ci.com. CI GAM is a subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. (TSX: CIX, NYSE: CIXX), an independent company offering global asset management and wealth management advisory services with approximately $215.6 billion in total assets as at November 30, 2020. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. This communication is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal, legal, accounting, tax or investment advice, or construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any entity or security discussed. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding any particular investment. Investors should consult their professional advisors prior to implementing any changes to their investment strategies. CI Liquid Alternatives is a trademark of CI Global Asset Management Inc. CI Global Asset Management is a registered business name of CI Investments Inc. CI Investments Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005559/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Capitol Yard Signs Call for Governor's Impeachment By The Associated Press FRANKFORT - Protesters have placed signs outside Kentucky's Capitol calling for the governor's impeachment.The protest occurred Tuesday as state lawmakers began their 2021 session.It comes months after Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear was hanged in effigy for his COVID-19 restrictions.Beshear is downplaying the latest protest, saying he's not intimidated by yard signs.Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have begun introducing bills to scale back the governors executive powers in times of emergency.During the ongoing health crisis, Beshear has used his executive authority to place restrictions on businesses and the size of gatherings.Some Republican critics have branded those actions as an abuse of power. Police in Warren County were looking for the owner of two chickens that were nabbed after wreaking havoc at a McDonalds on Tuesday. In a pun-filed social media post, the Washington Township Police Department detailed its response to the fowl disturbance. After a report of the birds causing havoc at the fast food chains Route 31 location, a township animal control officer found two suspect chickens harassing and chasing customers and pecking at car tires, according to police. We cannot confirm at this time if they were targeting specific customers (with chicken nuggets and sandwiches in hand) or random customers, the departments tongue-in-cheek statement said. The animal control officer, identified only as Robbie, worked with the McDonalds manager to corral the birds, which were taken to Common Sense for Animals, police said. [Robbie] quickly leapt into action and responded to the scene before the perpetrators could fly the coup (see what we did there?), the departments post added. The birds will be housed with the shelter for seven days before being available for adoption if the owner does not come forward, according to authorities. Police asked anyone who recognizes these fowl suspects, to call 908-689-1111. Earlier today we received a call for a flock of chickens wreaking havoc at our local McDonalds on Route 31 South. We... Posted by Washington Township Police Department on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Gambolling through the snow, they could almost have been auditioning for a 101 Dalmatians spin-off. These three unlikely friends Appaloosa stallion Nevada, ten, Shetland pony Napoleon, six, and Dalmatian Jack Sparrow, two appear almost identical thanks to their striking markings. Their owner, horse trainer Greetje Arends-Hakvoort, said the animals love running, training and having fun together regularly These three unlikely friends Appaloosa stallion Nevada, ten, Shetland pony Napoleon, six, and Dalmatian Jack Sparrow, two appear almost identical thanks to their striking markings She added: I have always wanted a Dalmatian dog and I love spotted horses so two of my wishes came together in a special way. Mrs Arends-Hakvoort, 35, from the Netherlands, added: 'Napoleon was actually born at the same time as Jolie so they grew up together and now they are the best of friends. 'People always smile when they see the three together; often people refer to the 101 Dalmatians film and it brings up nice childhood memories for them. Mother-of-one Greetje, 35, from the Netherlands, adores taking the animals out with daughter Jolie Lune Arends, 7, who loves riding the Shetland pony to the amazement of passers by When Jack was younger, he saw himself as one of the horses and he fits in perfectly. Trust is the key word here; horses thrive when trust exists and they need to feel comfortable and self assured and Jack does exactly that. Theres a lot of horse and dog love there between them. We have even more spots here now as the family is growing! We have three other horses and training them is my passion. In 1996, then-Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan coined the phrase irrational exuberance to discuss a soaring stock market amid the dot-com bubble. West Texas Intermediates rise above the $50 level after a brutal 2020 may be welcome news to Permian Basin oil and gas producers, but there is no display of irrational exuberance. For oil prices, its been the virus versus vaccines in, and with the arrival of vaccines, WTI is starting to get out of the virus alley of $40 to $50, Daniel Yergin, author of The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations, told the Reporter-Telegram by email. The danger now is the new surge of the virus and the shuttering of economic activity again in many countries. But Saudi Arabia is delivering a strong message with its decision to cut its output in the face of the winter surge in COVID-19, and the oil market is responding. A day at $50 will not bring about an immediate surge in oilfield activity, so dont expect to see a forest of drilling rigs around the Permian Basin overnight. As Matt Raglin, president of Wellworx told the Reporter-Telegram, the higher price is a positive indicator, but he doesnt expect any immediate reaction. He pointed out the oil field is a slow ship to turn and increased activity wont happen overnight. But, he said, he expects a slow but positive recovery is underway. Steve Pruett, president and chief executive officer of Elevation resources LLC, told the Reporter-Telegram by email he thinks prices have gotten ahead of the vaccines and reopening of global economies. Still, he does expect prices to move toward $60 a barrel in 2022. Like Pruett, Chris Midgley, head of analytics at S&P Global Platts Analytics, sees prices at $50 more due to sentiment about the vaccines and resulting economic growth than market fundamentals. Indeed, he said he doesnt see fundamentals supporting prices much higher than $50 a barrel. Fundamentals on the oil side are bearish because of the huge amounts of stocks built up, he said as he participated in a media event updating the companys 2021 outlook last month. Oil demand will recover 6 million barrels a day of its loss, he said, but will still be 2 million barrels below 2019 levels. Recovery in demand for jet fuel will be slow. While some believe oil production cuts and less capital spent on drilling will drive prices up, the market recognizes that for the long-term, lower prices are OK to sustain production. He predicted prices will struggle in the first half of 2021 as continued economic shutdowns through next March and April to control the pandemic weigh on demand. Theres a lot of supply headwind at $50-$51, he observed. If you were happy to hedge at $43, you should definitely hedge now. Despite the caution, operators are more optimistic about oil prices for 2021. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas quarterly energy survey, respondents expected to see oil prices at $50 by the end of the year, up from almost $44 reported in the third quarter. Prices ranged from a low of $35 to a high of $70 with the majority forecasting prices between $50 and $55, followed by between $45 and $50. Disappointed tourists have shared the bizarre things they've spotted in hotels, which may make Brits feel better about not being able to go on holiday. The amusing online gallery, collated by BoredPanda, includes images from disgruntled holiday makers across the globe who weren't pleased with their less than luxury digs. From a shower with a hairdryer inside, to a 'fitness center' stuffed full of sofas, these hotels really do need some improvement. The gallery also includes a mini fridge so small it barely fits a banana inside, and a makeshift swimming pool inside an empty hole in the ground where the original pool once was. Here, FEMAIL reveals the bizarre photos which will ensure you think twice about where you stay on your next trip. Stairway to hell! This holidaymaker shared a photo of the potentially dangerous staircase design in their hotel Too close for comfort! This tourist shared a picture of a bathroom in Cairo where the hairdryer is located inside the shower Needs must! This hotel in Jeju Circa decided to fill its empty pool with a blow-up paddling pool Bumpy ride! This hotel in Cologne, Germany featured a bizarre carpet designed to imitate a curvy surface A VERY mini fridge! This hotel provided a mini bar fridge so small that a banana could barely fit inside it Perfect for couch potatoes! This guest was unable to use their hotel's fitness centre as it had been filled with sofas Bloody hell! This terrified tourist thought the staff were dragging trails of blood behind them thanks to this odd carpet design Not even a foot! This disappointed holidaymaker wasn't happy to find out what her Airbnb host meant when they said the room came with a balcony No running in the hall! This hotel featured giant pillars in the middle of the hallway for an unknown reason So much for the hot tub! This holiday maker was disappointed to discover the hot tub had been filled in with concrete prior to their arrival Still a flatscreen! This tourist was unimpressed with the size of his very tiny hotel room television The US Capitol was put on lockdown on Wednesday as crowds protesting President-elect Joe Biden's victory breached security barricades while Congress was debating the certification of his electoral win over President Donald Trump. The Senate and the House, which were weighing objections to Biden's victory, abruptly and unexpectedly recessed. Hundreds of Pro-Trump protestors breached security on Capitol Hill in Washington DC as the US Senate heard objections to President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Vice President Mike Pence was ushered out of the Senate as hundreds of protestors breached the secure perimeter and flash bang grenades were seen exploding as the crowds filtered into the Capitol Building. The Mayor of Washington DC has ordered a 6pm curfew for the city as thousands of pro-Trump supporters have gathered in the US capital to protest Joe Bidens election victory. Police in charge of securing the US congress buildings have called for additional back up to deal with the breach, CNN have reported. Read More President Trump did not urge his supporters to stand down but in a tweet after they stormed the Capitol Building, said: Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! An announcement was played inside the Capitol Building as politicians were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens victory. Due to an external security threat, no-one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. Many House representatives have now been evacuated with one House member Gerry Connolly telling CNN that all representatives were given gas masks upon their evacuation. Members of Congress that cant be evacuated are being told to shelter in place. More to follow Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Read More Online Editors Andrew Twiggy Forrest has returned to Western Australia after his four-month mystery world tour. Since August Dr Forrest has been crisscrossing the globe on the Fortescue Metals Group private jet, meeting with heads of state on the search for renewable energy and minerals deals as well as furthering his philanthropic work with the Minderoo Foundation. Andrew Forrest at Sydney airport on January 3 boarding the FMG private jet to fly back to Perth. Credit:Grahame Hutchison/@16Right_Media Dr Forrest arrived back in Australia before Christmas where he completed two weeks quarantine before eagle-eyed Sydney aviation photographer Grahame Hutchison spotted him heading back to WA on January 3 giving a non-contact elbow bump to ground crew on the way. Currently, West Australians returning to the state from NSW must isolate for 14 days but a Fortescue spokesman said Dr Forrest received an exemption from the WA government. (Natural News) A shocking video has surfaced watch below that shows law enforcement in Washington, D.C., escorting chartered Antifa buses into our nations capital just days before the scheduled Trump rally on Jan. 6. This same footage was uploaded to YouTube before being quickly removed, by the way. Thankfully, we were able to capture and upload it to Brighteon.com before it disappeared. Watch for yourself as patriots in D.C. show how the police, whom many conservatives support, side with leftist extremists who are presumably being bused in to wreak havoc and inflict violence on supporters of President Donald Trump. The first part of the video is from NewsClips, which wanted to draw attention to the footage at the latter portion of the video. Since those who captured it have smaller followings, NewsClips is aiming to get the word out, as are we, about what could be brewing in the capital. Im sitting up on summit, and one marked state trooper vehicle, two black SUVs, theres three state trooper vehicles escorted four Antifa shuttle buses right here, front and center, the man who captured the footage is heard stating. There was actually five vehicles total three upfront, two in the back they escorted right here, waited for them to get off their buses, then state troopers unloaded and took their positions. Another man then responds that each of the buses is labeled, adding that theyre all paid charter buses. They escorted them here! shouts another, referring to the police officers who were complicit in rolling out the red carpet for Antifa just days before the D.C. Trump rally. Please pray for patriot protection in D.C. this week As you may recall, President Trump back in the summer declared Antifa to be a domestic terrorist organization, which means the thin blue line, at least in D.C., has joined up with terrorists in the fight to steal the election for Joe Biden. Our hope is that nothing becomes of this Antifa convergence, and that the scheduled Trump rally is safe and successful. With police backing, however, there is no telling what Antifa might try to do as it is emboldened with the support of the state to act as aggressors against those who are gathering in the District in support of the republic. While it is certainly within the realm of possibility that those who captured this footage are mistaken as to the true identities of those on the chartered buses why would they be clearly labeled as Antifa? the arrival of these vehicles with a police escort is ominous. We already know that these people are being well-funded for their activities, states the NewsClips host towards the end of the clip about Antifas deep state backing. Without knowing for sure what might be brewing, we are asking our readers to pray for safety, not only for the president but also for the tens of thousands, if not millions, of people who will be present in D.C. on the 6th to support him. Also pray that justice will prevail, and that the fraudulent election will be overturned and restored to its rightful winner: President Donald Trump. Why should anyone be surprised by the Stasi escorting Bowsers storm troopers in? asked one Brighteon.com commenter, noting that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has been working overtime to raise hell against the Trump supporters who are converging in D.C. as you read this. Donna Braziles [partner in crime] is as far left as it gets without going to jail! For more related news about the fraudulent 2020 election, be sure to check out Trump.news. Sources for this article include: Brighteon.com NaturalNews.com Everton an option for Eriksen | Tuesday, 05 January 2021 Everton are said by La Stampa to be interested in bringing the Danish star back to the Premier League now that it is clear his move to Inter Milan hasn't worked out. Inter will reportedly consider letting the 28-year-old leave on loan if the acquiring club cover his 120,000-a-week wages. West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal and Wolves are also credited with interest in Eriksen who left Spurs a year ago in search of a fresh challenge. Original Source: La Stampa via TeamTalk Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer About these ads ToffeeWeb The Portage Fire Department has gotten a handful of calls about car-train accidents at that crossing over the years, Wilkening said, adding first responders from Gary and Portage typically are called to the scene because of its location. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. First, he said of women, Grab em by the p. And, nothing. No real consequences for the Access Hollywood recording released two days before the second 2016 presidential debate. Donald Trump became the 45th president anyway. Then, in 2017, there were very fine people on both sides after the clashes at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. And still, nothing. And now, Trump is captured in a stunning, one-hour recorded call, ham-handedly trying to extort Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger into re-re-re calculating the votes for an election he seems to keep losing. Georgia counted its votes three times before certifying Bidens win by a 11,779-vote margin. I just want to find 11,780 votes , Trump pathetically and pathologically pleads. Will there be nothing, again? Thats not to say regular citizens arent expressing outrage. And, like clockwork, theres the disapproval from the usual political corners that finally include a handful of Republican politicians who have dusted off their spines to belatedly acknowledge Trumps latest attack on American democracy. Reminder: Delayed courage, when it risks little, is no better than no courage at all. But mostly were leaning hard into our human nature to move past the discomfort (aka the raging dumpster fire) as fast as we can. Flames? What flames? When asked by reporters during a House Democratic news conference if the House should impeach Trump over the Georgia call, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (who served as an impeachment manager during Donald Trumps Senate trial) said: Were not looking backward, were looking forward. In case anyone wondered how bad people are allowed to keep behaving badly, this kind of sentiment offers a clue. Its understandable almost. As Trump busies himself wreaking as much chaos and corruption as he can in his final days in office, thousands of Americans are losing their jobs, their homes, and their lives. More than 350,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus. According to Johns Hopkins University, the United States has averaged 2,637 coronavirus deaths every day over the last week: one death every 33 seconds with zero leadership from the White House. (Its mind-boggling that Trump is trying so hard to stay in a job he shows so little interest in actually doing.) It has been a horrifying and exhausting four years, the last one having brought us to the brink. How else to explain how much pressure weve already put on ourselves to make 2021 the year our broken world magically resets and rights itself? If only. If only we keep our eyes on whats really important. If only, to quote Michelle Obamas famous catchphrase, we go high when they go low because thats what I think of anytime anyone says theyre choosing to move on or move forward or keep it moving. Its a nice sentiment, if a little righteous. And like many other famous phrases, Im not sure we always understand the original meaning. In a 2018 interview with the New York Times while promoting her memoir, Becoming, she explained: Going high doesnt mean you dont feel the hurt, or youre not entitled to an emotion, she explained. It means that your response has to reflect the solution. And heres the thing: Not holding people, politicians, and presidents accountable is not a solution. If anything, it all but guarantees the bad behavior will not just continue, it will get worse. Because, hey, what does the president, or those who have been closely watching and emulating what hes been up to, have to lose? Consider that at least 140 House Republicans and 12 Senate Republicans have indicated that they plan to vote against certifying Bidens Electoral College win. In Illinois, Republican Jim Oberweis is seeking to overturn his Democratic rivals election after she was sworn in to her second term. In a statement, he said numerous irregularities were found in the discovery recount, which, he said, warranted the wholesale rejection of tens of thousands of legally cast ballots. Sound familiar? The seeds of sedition have been sown, and no high road will fix that. Closer to home in Harrisburg on Tuesday, GOP senators removed Lt. Gov. John Fetterman from running the first day of the new session and refused to seat a Democratic senator whose victory was certified by state officials. In her keynote address to the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama turned again to her catchphrase while critiquing Trump. Lets be clear: Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty, she said. Going high means taking the harder path. And make no mistake. Holding people accountable, even when it feels as if it might be personally and professionally easier to move on, when others would rather you did, when youre hoping and praying there is light on the other side if you can just get to other side is the harder path. Harder still with the politicization of accountability. Imagine if we held everyone, regardless of where they landed politically, equally accountable? But it is the only true path to restoring the legitimacy and decency of our tattered democracy. Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has issued a caustic reply to the Minority for claiming majority seats in the Legislative House. On Tuesday, 5th January, 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered his end of term nation address on the floor of Parliament. The address also marked the dissolution of the 7th Parliament which will happen on Wednesday night, January 6. After the President's State Of The Nation Address, the Minority Leader, Haruna Idrrisu in reaction indicated that the Minority will become the majority as they anticipate to win the Techiman South Parliamentary seat and others that are still in contention. But Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, in an interview with sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' called the bluff of the Minority Leader. He advised the Minority to wake up to reality as currently, they don't hold the majority. ''It's speculative reasoning. You're thinking about tomorrow. We're talking about today and you're saying you anticipate to win a seat or two tomorrow and when I win, I will have the majority. It is true that if they win the seat, they will have the majority but we are not there yet. We're talking about today'', he said. Listen to him in the video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video South Carolina's Washington, D.C., lawmakers immediately reported being safe after thousands of pro-Donald Trump protesters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday upending the procedural vote to certify the Electoral College results for President-elect Joe Biden. As soon as the Palmetto State's delegation was accounted for and out of harm's way, several took to Twitter to decry the violence and vandalism. From secure positions around the complex, the nine members lambasted the takeover, with some asking Trump to take control and issue a strong statement for the occupying crowd to disperse. "This will accomplish nothing," U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, said during the seizure. "Where is the President!? He must ask people to disperse and restore calm now." Trump later issued a message telling the crowd to go home. Charleston's new Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is less than a week into the beginning of her term, was among the many lawmakers evacuated Wednesday afternoon as lawmakers began the process of certifying the results. Mace and her staff were taken from the Cannon Office Building after Capitol police located a suspicious package half a block from them. She told The Post and Courier she's appalled at the chaos. "This isn't who we are," Mace said. "We're better than this. Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because we've seen the fringe left riot doesn't mean we have to." Others took to Twitter to get their message out while their movements were restricted. Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott reported: "The violence occurring at the United States Capitol right now is simply unacceptable, and I fully condemn it. Team Scott is safe. God bless the U.S. Capitol Police and U.S. Secret Service for protecting us." Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the violent occupation "a national embarrassment." "Those who made this attack on our government need to be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he tweeted. "Their actions are repugnant to democracy." Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol's steps and were met by officers in riot gear, The Associated Press reported, disrupting the certification of the Electoral College vote that is destined to confirm Biden as president. Some tried to push past the officers who held riot shields. Police could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting "traitors" as officers formed a defensive line. Lawmakers were meeting in Washington to affirm Biden's victory, but some GOP politicians planned to object. As the mob broke through doors, the process was then cut short due to an "external security threat" and no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex. Both chambers abruptly went into recess. A photograph showed one protester sitting in a chair at the Senate's main desk, his armed raised in a pumped fist. Over the course of several minutes, early on in the event, the offices of South Carolina lawmakers chimed in with all-safe announcements as many were taken away to undisclosed locations. U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncans spokeswoman Addie Patterson reported: "All safe." Duncan also tweeted: "Please protest peacefully and obey all police demands!" U.S. Rep. Joe Wilsons spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover confirmed: The Congressman and staff are safe and the Congressman still intends to speak on the House floor later today. Staff is also very limited due to the pandemic. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of Columbia, the House majority whip and the only Democrat in the nine-member S.C. delegation, is safe and secure, his spokeswoman said. The occupation, by Trump supporters who had just heard the president speak from the Ellipse in front of the White House, interrupted the Electoral College certification minutes into the debate and before any South Carolina lawmakers were able to speak. Mace and Scott are the only two members of South Carolina's delegation who have said they'll support the Electoral College's results. Graham and Rice said they would listen to the debate and then make their decision. The four remaining Republicans in South Carolinas delegation Duncan of Laurens, Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, William Timmons of Greenville and Wilson of Springdale joined dozens of House members in planning to object, citing unfounded claims of fraud or changes to election procedures in several key states. Some of the politicians from the Palmetto State decried the protests. Timmons told The Post and Courier that he and his staff were barricaded in his office. He was disappointed in what was happening. "We can accomplish our objectives without resorting to violence," Timmons tweeted. "If you have friends or family here in Washington, please encourage them to back away from the complex and resume their peaceful demonstrations at a safe distance. We are better than this." Mace said the rhetoric and protests related to Wednesday's vote were damaging to the American spirit. "This vote today is not about the Electoral College, it's about our Republic," Mace said. "We've got to find a solution but tearing apart our Constitution and our Capitol isn't the answer." Reporter Jamie Lovegrove and Politics Editor Schuyler Kropf contributed to this report. A political storm is raging in Uttarakhand after the ruling BJPs state president, Bansidhar Bhagat, called the leader of opposition and a senior Congress leader, Indira Hridayesh, a Budhiya (an old woman) while addressing party workers in an event in Bhimtal area of Nainital district on Tuesday evening. Bhagat use of the term, which was perceived to be derogatory by the Congress party, came while he was responding to the 79-year-old Congress leaders recent claim that several BJP MLAs were in touch with the grand old party eyeing a switch. Soon after the video of Bhagats address started making the rounds on social media, Congress leaders demanded an immediate apology while some party members burnt his effigy alleging he had insulted motherhood. Bhagat was addressing BJP workers in Bhimtal as part of his ongoing visit to all the 70 constituencies in the state. Humari neta-pratipaksha keh rahi bahut se vidhayak humare sampark me hain...Are budhiya tujhse kyun sampark karenge??? Doobte jahaz se koi sampark karega??? (Our Leader of Opposition says that several MLAs are in touch with us. Why would they contact you old woman? What would one want to do with a sinking ship?) Reacting sharply to his statement, Hridayesh said, she was hurt and saddened with the kind of language used by the BJP state president and demanded that the ruling partys national leadership takes serious notice of the incident. I was deeply hurt and saddened with the kind of derogatory and highly condemnable language used by BJP state president who symbolizes the party and leads it. If he uses such language, then it is an insult to the motherhood which the women of our hills will never forgive, said Hridayesh. I dont use such dirty language, so wont reply to him by stooping to his level. But I request the BJP governments in both state and the Centre and well as their national leadership to take notice of this episode and demand answers from him. Those raising the slogan of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao should at least take care of their language. Also Read: Char Dham shrines, hilly areas of Uttarakhand receive fresh snowfall Congress state president Pritam Singh too condemned Bhagat and demanded an apology. His words just show the sort of mentality BJP leaders have towards women. He should offer an apology immediately for his highly condemnable language, said Singh. Amid the furore over the incident, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat offered an apology to Hridayesh on Twitter at midnight and said that he would call her on Wednesday to apologise again. Respected Indira Hridayesh ji, I am very upset today. Women are very respectable to us. I personally apologise to you and all others who are saddened like me. I will speak to you personally on phone and apologise again. Rawat said. POTTSVILLE After reorganizing for 2021, Schuylkill County commissioners Monday set the goals they want to achieve in the coming year. For Republican commissioners Chairman Barron L. Boots Hetherington, Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport is a priority to boost prosperity. It needs more funding, Hetherington said of the 34-acre facility just off Interstate 81 and Route 901 in Foster Twp. (Schuylkill County). Id like to see it be self-sufficient. Hetherington said the commissioners want to expand water and sewer service to the airport, and use a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a business plan for the site. Airport Manager William Willard said there are approximately 20,000 movements per year at the airport, with the facility counting a takeoff and landing of the same aircraft as one movement. He said the number of daily flights varies considerably. Hetherington said he also wants other families to be able to take advantage of the farmland preservation program of agricultural conservation easements. Those allow farmers to sell the development rights to their properties in exchange for a lower tax assessment and resulting lower tax bills. There are about 70 farms on the wait list, he said. We need farms. Its all about food security. Hetherington said he and his wife already have sold such an easement for their farm in the Ringtown Valley. He said his other priorities for the county include dredging Sweet Arrow Lake, repairing the five flood-control dams near Locust Lake State Park and advancing the broadband initiative to expand 5G internet service. The last one also is a top priority for Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr., also a Republican. What we need to do is work ... on taking care of the unserved and the underserved by working with Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, school districts, the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. and local state and federal legislators, Halcovage said. The importance of such service cannot be overstated, he said. If we do not have 5G quality, theres a possibility of the internet not performing as we need, Halcovage said. He said it will affect telemedicine, education, business and all other forms of development for decades to come. Halcovage said people will not want to live in areas that do not have up-to-date computer service and internet access. Broadband is one of the keys moving forward, he said. Other important issues facing the county, he said, include fighting blight, continuing economic development and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Gary J. Hess, the boards lone Democrat, said fighting the pandemic and reviving local businesses are the two most important issues and are linked. I know it firsthand, said Hess, who is both a businessman and someone who has had the virus hit his family. We need to pull together. Since Christmas Eve, 18 Schuylkill County employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now in quarantine, interim Human Resources Director Doreen M. Kutzler said Monday. Kutzler said contact tracing has been completed, resulting in seven more employees being quarantined due to an exposure. Kutzler said the totals since Dec. 2 are 54 symptomatic employees, 34 exposed employees and 63 employees formerly in quarantine now cleared to return to work. Hess said the pandemic has caused great economic damage, particularly to small businesses, that must be addressed. We need to make sure ... theyre taken care of, he said. Small business (is) like a family member. Hess said there are other issues that demand solutions, including solving prison overcrowding by building a new facility, fixing blight and serving young people. He said he would like to see a virtual Youth Summit to serve as a substitute for the actual one that could not be held. He said the pandemic, and recovery from it, are his main issues. The top priority is COVID, the health of our citizens, Hess said. Its in Gods hands. The National Commission for Womens (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma said on Wednesday they have taken the cognisance of the gang-rape and murder of a 50-year-old woman reported in the Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh, adding that a member will meet the victims relatives and police. We have taken cognisance of the matter. One NCW member is going to the spot to investigate the matter to meet the family and the police and take an exact stock of the situation, Sharma told news agency ANI. The 50-year-old Anganwadi worker was gang-raped and brutally murdered allegedly by a priest and his two aides in the Budaun district, according to police. They said two of the accused were arrested on Tuesday, while the priest was on the run and four teams had been formed to nab him. The post-mortem report confirms rape and there are injuries in her private parts and a fracture in the leg, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sankalp Sharma said. We've taken cognisance of the matter. One NCW member is going to the spot to investigate the matter to meet the family and the police and take an exact stock of the situation: Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, on alleged gangrape in Badaun, UP pic.twitter.com/JfaOHkpiWm ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 SSP Sharma also said that the station house officer of the Ughaiti police station was suspended for laxity in the case. The woman, who had gone to a temple on Sunday, was found dead under mysterious circumstances, Sharma said adding that the victims family accused the temple priest and his aides of raping and murdering her and that a case was registered against them. The victims son said his mother had gone to offer prayers at the temple on Sunday but she did not return. However, around 11pm, the temple priest and two of his aides came to his house and handed over his mothers body, he said. Also Read: Hathras horror: CBI files charge sheet against four The rape, which comes months after the Hathras gang-rape case, has led to strong criticism of the BJP-led government in UP by opposition parties. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged there was something wrong in Uttar Pradeshs administration when it comes to women security. Tagging a media report, she tweeted, In Budaun, the police station officer did not listen to the one pleading and did not even examine the place of the incident. There is something wrong in the UP governments intentions on womens security. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the crime as gruesome and also questioned as to when will the Yogi Adityanath government in the state wake up. The Samajwadi Party said that the guilty should be punished at the earliest and justice should prevail. (With agency inputs) President Akufo-Addo says the country's reputation has risen high among the comity of nations in the last four years. By dint of hard work, we have ensured that, presently, our country's reputation amongst the comity of nations is high..., he said. The President said for the first time, the country had been honoured by its peers to host a pan-African institution, the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He said he was also honoured to be appointed as the Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). President Akufo-Addo said this when he delivered his last State of the Nation address for his first term in office today, January 5, 2021, in Parliament. The presentation is in line with Article 67 of the 1992 constitution, which states that the President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation. The current Parliament will be dissolved on Wednesday, January 6, to make way for the inauguration of the 8th Parliament on Thursday, January 7th, towards the investiture of the President-Elect and the Vice President-Elect. The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Oquaye, Majority and Minority leaders of the House, welcomed President Akufo-Addo to the House at about 1000 hours for the Address. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 1. Yes. The public must have assurances that ethical standards are met by everyone. 2. Yes. As long as an independent board hears the grievances, its a worthwhile idea. 3. No. The concept is too broad. It should be limited to the citys elected officials. 4. No. There are plenty of stipulations in place already. An ordinance is a waste of time. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how it would be structured and applied. Vote View Results Berlin, Jan 6 : German federal and state governments have agreed to extend the measures against Covid-19 until the end of January, as well as to impose even stricter contact restrictions. For districts where more than 200 people per 100,000 inhabitants have been newly infected within seven days, the federal states will limit citizens' movement in a radius of 15 km around their residence, unless there is a valid reason, according to the agreement on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. In addition, the agreement requires people to limit their social life and stay at home to the greatest extent. Contact at private meetings will be restricted to just one other person not living in the same household. Previously, the size of private gatherings was limited to no more than two households of five people. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany has already closed all non-essential shops and services. Schools are largely closed and students are taught through distance learning. Employers are encouraged to allow employees to work from home. These measures were originally planned to last until January 10. At a press conference after the consultation meeting, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Covid-19 variant which emerged recently presents a "new special situation." It spreads rapidly and could lead to more infections, for which extra care must be taken, she said. According to the agreement, the three months ahead will still require considerable patience and discipline on everyone's part in Germany, because winter months favour the virus spread and the vaccination will only have a dampening effect when a larger part of the younger population has also been vaccinated. Germany launched its vaccination campaign at the end of last month, with priority given to people aged over 80, people in elderly and care facilities, and frontline health care workers. Also on Tuesday, Germany's disease control agency Robert Koch Institute reported 11,897 new infections in a 24-hour span, raising the country's total confirmed cases to 1,787,410. The number of coronavirus-linked fatalities rose by 944 in 24 hours to 35,518. Due to previous public holidays, there may have been delays in testing and reporting, said Robert Koch. After surpassing Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani recently, China's bottled water king Zhong Shunshun has now become richer than The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index says the shares of Zhong's bottled water company Nongfu Spring Co spiked 18 per cent in the first two days of 2021, leading to a rise in the overall net worth of the Chinese billionaire, who's also known as 'Lone Wolf' for his non-involvement in politics and business groups. Nongfu's shares have surged 200 per cent since its listing in September 2020. Interestingly, he's the second Chinese tycoon after Wang Jianlin to make an entry in the world's top 10 richest businessmen list since 2012. His other company, a pharmaceutical giant Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co went public in April 2020 and now its share is up 2,800 per cent, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. His company is also developing a nasal coronavirus vaccine. Zhong, 66, had replaced Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani as Asia's richest person on December 31. Zhong's current fortune stands at $91.7 billion, up from $70.9 billion earlier this year, making him the 6th richest person on the planet. Buffett with $86.2 billion fortune is on 7th. However, Buffett has also donated about $37 billion of his wealth for charity. Zhong also eclipsed another Chinese giant Jack Ma of Alibaba recently, and his rise to the top in Asia is believed to be "one of the fastest'' in history. Both Shanshan's companies, Nonfu and Wantai, are top in their respective fields -- former is the market leader and later is developing vaccines. The fall in the shares of China's tech companies amid increased government scrutiny also led to a climb in his fortune. Meanwhile, Mukesh Ambani recently dropped down to eleventh position (now 12th) in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index after reaching the fourth spot earlier this year. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and Tesla's Elon Musk top the chart. Also Read: Budget 2021 is getting closer! Here's all you need to know The Higher Organising Committee of the International Defence Exhibition (Idex 2021), the Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex 2021), and the International Defence Conference, has announced the completion of preparations for the two exhibitions. The two exhibitions are scheduled to be held from February 21 to 25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), along with the International Defence Conference that will take place on February 20 at the Adnoc Business Center. Organised by Adnec, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces, the events showcase the latest developments, technologies and innovations in the defence industry, support the development of the national defence sector and forge new relationships between major international companies. The committee confirmed that both exhibitions and the accompanying conference will be held on schedule, without disruption. The events are attracting wide interest and participation by companies and delegations alike, as the final preparations are made. The committee aims to organise an exceptional edition during the economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19 and strengthen the position of Abu Dhabi as a leading regional leader in the business tourism sector. The committee affirmed that official invitations have been sent to exhibitors and conference delegates and that confirmation of participation has been received from many official delegations from countries all over the world, in addition to decision-makers, experts and specialists from across the sector. The positive response confirms the pivotal position and role that both events play in the specialised defence sector and the status of the exhibitions at the regional and international level. The committee emphasised that the UAE is an attractive and safe destination that welcomes visitors from all over the world, and is fully prepared to host the world again in Abu Dhabi. To facilitate exhibitors and visitors participation, a wide range of processes are being implemented. Additionally, a set of precautionary and preventive measures have been developed to ensure the health, well-being, and security of visitors and participants, in cooperation with Adnec and all relevant authorities. Additionally, the Naval Organising Committee of Navdex confirmed that a large number of naval vessels and boats from countries around the world will arrive in February, to be displayed at the Adnec Marina during the exhibition. The Committee is currently finalising plans to launch a number of new naval vessels during the exhibition. The Organising Committee of the International Defence Conference 2021 stated that it has completed the final list of conference speakers and participants to accompany Idex and Navdex. The conference will be held as a hybrid event for the first time, bringing together experts and specialists from all over the world at the Adnoc Business Center and on-line, to discuss the Prosperity and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology and the Protection in the Era of the 4IR. The upcoming edition of the International Defence Conference will highlight the key role that Abu Dhabi plays in advancing the global defence industries and the importance of international cooperation to find a formula for restructuring defence systems in the face of future challenges. Adnec has implemented a wide range of strict precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety of visitors and participants, in accordance with the highest global health and safety standards. Thermal scanners will be set at all entrances, sanitisation and disinfection procedures will be taking place throughout the day using fogging machines. All visitors and participants will be required to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test. In addition, social distancing measures and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) is being mandated across facilities.TradeArabia News Service Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The shift means New York City could be in for a disruptive showdown between the union and city hall, as in Chicago, where hundreds of teachers defied a city order to report to school buildings this week. A quick word about numbers: New York City and New York State calculate the test positivity rate in different ways. According to the city, its positivity rate is already above 9 percent; according to the state it is just over 6 percent. The union wants to close schools if the city hits the 9 percent mark as calculated by the state. (Yes, this is unnecessarily complicated.) The citys in-school test positivity rate is low, but its rising: In December, 0.67 percent of tests were positive, up from 0.28 percent through the end of November. And as our colleagues Eliza Shapiro and J. David Goodman report, about 700,000 city students have already chosen to learn from home full time, so the latest political battle may be largely irrelevant to their families. Many of the kids attending school are toggling back and forth in hybrid mode, or dealing with sudden quarantines that force them back into remote learning for days or weeks. That means remote learning is hugely important, even as parents and teachers complain it has been treated as an afterthought. Thousands of children still lack reliable devices and internet access. And time is running out to salvage the most brutal and frustrating school year in recent memory. A top India-centric American business advocacy group has urged the incoming Biden administration to ease the restrictions on H-1B visas and provide green cards to higher education students with science and mathematics degrees to meet the increasing demand for IT professionals in the country. On December 31, outgoing US President Donald Trump extended a freeze on the most sought-after H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas by three months to March 31, affecting a large number of Indian IT professionals who were issued visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021. President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, has promised to lift the suspension on H-1B visas, saying Trump's immigration policies are cruel. "It is more of a legislative issue. We have basically recommended to the Biden administration, one, is ease up the H-1B (visa), but at the same time, every STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) PhD graduating, should be given a Green Card, so that they stay and contribute from day one as a taxpayer and also to the growth of the economy," Mukesh Aghi, president of US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum told PTI in an interview. "That's the position, we still are very supportive of. And I think the sentiment seems to be the same with the Biden administration, said Aghi, based on the interactions he has had with members of the Biden Transition Team. Biden is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 46th US President on January 20. Responding to a question, Aghi said the number of H-1B visas issued every year should be driven by the market demands. At this point of time, the current figure of 65,000 H-1B visas in addition to another 20,000 to those foreign nationals with graduation from a US university is quite inadequate to meet the huge demand of IT professionals in the US, he noted. Currently there is a shortage of 1 million IT professionals in the US. At the same time, he asserted, there is a need to ensure that the local job environment continues. Supporting the farm laws in India, Aghi said the three new legislations recently enacted are the right thing to do. Today the farmer in India gets 24 cents to a dollar for his produce, he said. In the era of technology, farmers need to have choices to be able to sell their produce to 'mandis' or to be able to sell to other geographies as well. The farm bill provides farmers with such an option, he explained. It is just providing choices and in any choices are healthy. At the same time, if somebody is protesting diverse choices, in a peaceful manner, then we support it, he said. But at the end of the day, in an agriculture-based economy, one has to figure out how to double the farmers' income, expand job creation and improve productivity. We strongly believe the farm bill supports that vision. People will object to it, but that's normal in a good democracy, he said. Aghi said the COVID-19 crisis and the current change in administration in the US provides India an opportunity to look at the Biden administration in a positive manner. The crisis with China has brought to India the message that 'we will not treat you as an equal partner'; sends a message to the leadership in India to look at the Biden Administration in a very, very positive manner, he said. It also sends a message to the Biden Administration that with the current scenario, which is a geopolitical one, India can be a reliable partner; India can stand up to the threat of aggressive China, which no other country has stood up to. Both countries have a common factor here, Aghi said. So, I think the current COVID-19 crisis where India can play a strong role in the vaccine production on producing cheaper generic drugs, not only for the US, but worldwide provides an equal partnership. I think India and the Biden administration will reach out to each other and come with some kind of an understanding early on, rather than waiting on and making sure that there is a win-win partnership here, Aghi said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TORONTO and PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On January 6, 2021, a Guatemalan court accepted the guilty plea of Mynor Padilla, the former head of security at Hudbay Minerals Fenix mine. Mr. Padilla admitted he was guilty of homicide committed in an emotionally violent state. The guilty plea relates to the brutal killing of Indigenous community leader Adolfo Ich Chaman at the Fenix mine in 2009 when the mine was owned by Hudbay. Mynor Padilla, a former lieutenant-colonel in the Guatemalan army, also pleaded guilty to the charge of culpable injury for the shooting of German Chub Choc, the same day. German Chub Choc is now paralyzed. These criminal acts of violence against Indigenous Guatemalans are key parts of ongoing precedent-setting lawsuits in Canadian courts against Hudbay Minerals and its former Guatemalan subsidiary Compania Guatemalteca de Niquel (CGN), brought by Ichs widow Angelica Choc, German Chub Choc and others. The Canadian lawsuits have received worldwide attention as precedents for holding multinational mining companies liable in their home country for abuses at mines they operate abroad. Today is a momentous day. This has been an incredibly long road to partial justice for Angelica Choc and German Chub, said the plaintiffs Canadian lawyer Murray Klippenstein. In a country where, according to Human Rights Watch, over 99% of violent crime goes unpunished,1 todays guilty plea by the former head of security for Hudbays mine is nothing short of remarkable. Hudbay has spent more than a decade and a small fortune in legal fees denying that their security personnel had anything to do with the brutal killing of Adolfo and the paralyzing of German. This was one of their key defences, said Mr. Klippensteins co-counsel, Cory Wanless. With this admission of guilt by the former head of security at Hudbays mine, it will be difficult for Hudbay to continue to argue that it does not bear responsibility for the killing and shootings. Murray Klippenstein, Klippensteins, Barristers & Solicitors, (416) 937-8634 (cell phone), murray.klippenstein@klippensteins.ca Cory Wanless, Waddell Phillips PC, (647) 886-1914 (cell phone), cory@waddellphillips.ca __________________ 1 https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2011/country-chapters/guatemala See also: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/guatemala Plans to allow Leaving Certificate students back to school have been dubbed "premature" and "cobbled together" by the opposition. Opposition parties have also called on the Government to get testing and tracing back up and running, and have hit out at the new increased international travel restrictions which they say do not go far enough. Sinn Fein education spokesperson, Donnchadh O Laoghaire, said the Government had caused "confusion" and "chaos" for students, teachers, and parents. Reacting to the decision to keep schools closed except for special education and Leaving Cert students who will attend three days a week he said the Government has failed to plan for a scenario where schools would have to close. This has led to a situation where plans are being cobbled together, and that representatives of school workers are informed last minute of what is happening," he said. Mr O Laoghaire said in-school learning should be the priority but "there comes a point at which the rate of Covid-19 infection is so widespread that it isn't possible to ensure that schools can operate on a safe and sustainable basis". He added that there is still no minimum agreed standard or best practice of remote learning, and the Government "are once again relying on the creativity and commitment of school staff". Families are now left worrying that they wont have access to education because of a digital divide." Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon said the Government has a "fixation" with the Leaving Certificate and said this could have an impact this will have on the ability of teachers to provide remote learning for students in other year groups. Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon claimed the Government has a fixation with the Leaving Cert which could impact on teachers' ability to provide remote learning. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins The Leaving Certificate is important but we should not be sending tens of thousands of students back to school at any cost," he said. We should be using the space created by the Covid-19 crisis to look at permanently reforming the Leaving Certificate so it is more fit for purpose. Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall criticised the decision to lift the UK travel ban on Friday and said the new requirement to show a negative Covid-19 test is not enough. She said the Government had ignored the advice of chief medical officer Tony Holohon who said there should be no travel at all in or out of the country and that a single test was not a sufficient precaution. This was echoed by Sinn Fein's Darren ORourke, who said exceptional measures are needed to limit travel. Labour leader Alan Kelly said frontline healthcare workers must now be prioritised. There was no alternative to the lockdown measures now in place with cases so high in the community, and our hospitals under severe pressure but it reinforces the need to get our testing and tracing system back into action for containment as soon as possible," he said. The new headquarters of Amazon, which plans to create 25,000 new jobs, is seen under construction in Arlington, Virginia, on May 13, 2020 Amazon said Wednesday it was committing $2 billion to help create more affordable housing in the area around its second headquarters near the US capital and other hubs of the tech and retail giant. A new "housing equity fund" will make grants and below-market loans available for housing partners, public agencies, and minority-led organizations, according to Amazon, which has faced criticism over the impact of its new headquarters on housing. The company said the first tranche of $567 million will help create 1,300 affordable apartment homes available near Amazon's new Arlington, Virginia headquarters and up to 1,000 units near its headquarters in the Seattle, Washington, region. Amazon expects to hire some 25,000 employees for its hub in Virginia, across the Potomac river from Washington, chosen after a stormy search process where communities debated the impact on the local economy and other factors. Some of the new funds will also go to Nashville, Tennessee, another area where Amazon expects to add at least 5,000 employees in the coming years. "Amazon has a long-standing commitment to helping people in need, including the Mary's Place family shelter we built inside our Puget Sound headquarters," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and chief executive. "This new $2 billion Housing Equity Fund will create or preserve 20,000 affordable homes in all three of our headquarters regionsArlington, Puget Sound and Nashville. It will also help local families achieve long-term stability while building strong, inclusive communities." Amazon is targeting households making between 30 to 80 percent of median income. In the Washington DC metro area, this translates to a household of four earning less than $79,600 a year and below $95,250 in Seattle. Explore further Amazon opens new outposts in New York, northern Virginia 2021 AFP An Israeli military court on Wednesday convicted a Palestinian rights activist of offences in the occupied West Bank, his lawyer said, in a case that Amnesty International described as politically motivated. The Israeli occupation army did not immediately provide Reuters with the Ofer military courts verdict against Issa Amro of the Palestinian city of Hebron, and arguments over sentencing will await a further hearing on Feb. 8. Amro denied the charges, which included protesting without a permit, obstructing Israeli soldiers activities in the flashpoint city of Hebron and assaulting a Jewish settler. Amro, 40, founded an activist group that regularly protests against settlement construction in Hebron. Under heavy Israeli military protection, around 1,000 settlers live there among 200,000 Palestinians. It doesnt make sense to punish someone for non-violent resistance, Amro told Reuters. The Israeli military system exists only to oppress Palestinians and restrict freedom of speech. Amro was convicted on six of 18 charges against him, in incidents that occurred between 2010 and 2016, his lawyer, Gaby Lasky, said. Lasky said it was hard to predict whether Amro would face prison time, but that a Palestinian in a similar case received a 10-month term. Amnesty International said the charges against Amro were politically motivated and linked to his peaceful work in exposing Israels human rights violations. The group has also condemned as disgraceful charges brought against Amro by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Amnesty said the PA has accused him of disturbing public order and insulting higher authorities over Facebook posts in 2017 critical of Palestinian leaders. Amro said his next Palestinian court hearing is on Jan. 20. Most countries view settlements Israel built on West Bank land captured in a 1967 war as illegal. Israel disputes this, citing biblical and historical connections to the territory, as well as security needs. Short link: AUBAGNE, France, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the chromatography process equipment division of Novasep. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price until the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained. Novasep's division expects to generate sales revenue of approximately 37 million euros in 2020 at double-digit profit margins and employs approximately 100 people, the majority of whom work at its Pompey site in northern France and some in the USA, China and India. The proposed transaction is subject to antitrust approvals and the information and consultation of Novasep's works council and is expected to close during the first half of 2021. Novasep's chromatography unit comprises resin-based batch and intensified chromatography systems, and primarily focuses on high-pressure, multi-use applications for smaller molecules, such as oligonucleotides, peptides and insulin. Since 2018, Novasep and Sartorius Stedim Biotech have been collaborating in the joint development of an optimized system for a membrane-based, low-pressure chromatography that processes larger molecules more productively and will be launched soon. "I am pleased that we will intensify our successful collaboration with the Novasep team, soon to be under the Sartorius Stedim Biotech roof," said Dr. Rene Faber, Member of the Board of Directors of Sartorius Stedim Biotech. "The Novasep portfolio will perfectly complement our existing chromatography offering and allow us to provide customers with more options for their manufacturing processes. Efficient downstream processing has remained a challenge in our industry for years, and Sartorius Stedim Biotech is committed to helping accelerate and simplify this crucial step so that new drugs can be manufactured much more efficiently." "This deal marks one of the first steps in our Rise-2 strategic program to focus the group towards our core business" said Dr. Michel Spagnol, President & CEO of Novasep. "We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Sartorius team and believe it will be a great opportunity for the chromatography equipment business to fully deliver its potential and accelerate its growth under this new ownership." This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sartorius Stedim Biotech assumes no liability for updating such statements in light of new information or future events. This is a translation of the original French-language press release. Sartorius Stedim Biotech shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original French press release is the legally binding version. About Sartorius Stedim Biotech Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry. As a total solutions provider, the company helps its customers to manufacture biotech medications safely, rapidly and economically. Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is quoted on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and an international network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech has a global reach. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In 2019, the company employed approx. 6,200 people, and earned sales revenue of 1,440.6 million euros. www.sartorius.com About Novasep Novasep is a global provider of cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing solutions for life sciences molecules and fine chemicals. Novasep's unique offering includes process development services, purification equipment and turnkey processes, contract manufacturing services and complex active molecules to serve pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, fine chemical, food and functional ingredients, as well as fermentation and chemical commodities industries. http://www.novasep.com Sartorius Stedim Biotech contact Petra Kirchhoff Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations +49 (0)551-308-1686 [email protected] www.sartorius.com Novasep contacts Brice Roquet / Laure Saloin Communication Project Managers +33 7 77 94 37 55 / +33 7 77 94 37 52 [email protected] / [email protected] Follow Sartorius on Twitter @Sartorius_Group and on LinkedIn. SOURCE Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A. Related Links http://www.sartorius.com Platypuses have disappeared from five Brisbane waterways, research has found, with concerns urbanisation has made the creeks unwelcoming for the mammals. Researchers from the University of Queensland, the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, the University of Southern Queensland and EnviroDNA Pty Ltd worked on a four-year project tracking platypuses living in Brisbane's waterways. Platypus are facing increasing challenges across the Greater Brisbane area, new research shows. Credit:Lucy Stone Scientists at the University of Queensland took environmental DNA samples from 145 sites in 54 waterways across the Greater Brisbane region between 2016 and 2019, in a bid to track any changes to platypus distribution and any concerns for local populations. The researchers used historical databases of platypus sightings, including a 2001 survey conducted by Queensland Parks and Wildlife, the length of the waterway and its quality, and financial constraints to determine sampling sites. Neil Young has sold 50% of the worldwide copyright and income interests in his 1,180 song catalogue to Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited. Neil Young has become the latest musician to strike gold with his song catalogue, selling a 50 percent stake in his music to a British investment company in a deal announced on Wednesday. The Hipgnosis Songs Fund said it had acquired half of the copyright and income interests in some 1,180 songs written by the 75-year-old rock star, composer of 'Heart of Gold', 'Rockin in the Free World' and 'Cinnamon Girl'. Terms were not disclosed. The deal comes a month after Bob Dylan sold publishing rights to more than 600 songs to the Universal Music Publishing Group for a reported fortune of between $300 million and a half-billion dollars. Stevie Nicks sold an 80 percent stake in her music to Primary Wave for a reported $100 million. Merck Mercuriadis, the founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, said that he bought his first Neil Young album when he was seven years old. Harvest was my companion and I know every note, every word, every pause and silence intimately, he said. Neil Young, or at least his music, has been my friend . . . ever since. The businessman also said Youngs late manager, Elliot Roberts, was equally an idol to him. In an industry where music sales have dwindled and the concert industry is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, song publishing is seen as an increasingly valuable asset. The companies generally push for use of an artists songs in movies, video games and advertising. The latter use has been a sticking point for Young, whose 1988 song This Notes For You' sharply criticized artists who leased their music for advertising campaigns. The accompanying video parodied ads that featured Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton. In the song, Young sang: 'Aint singin for Pepsi, aint singin for Coke. I dont sing for nobody. Makes me look like a joke.' In the years since it has become much more common for musicians to earn income through advertising campaigns. But at least through 2016, Young continued to resist having his music used this way, according to Rolling Stone magazine. It was unclear whether the Hipgnosis deal augers a change in that policy. In Wednesdays announcement, Mercuriadis said that his company and Young have common integrity, ethos and passion born out of a belief in music and these important songs. There will never be a Burger of Gold but we will work together to make sure everyone gets to hear them on Neils terms. Young has released some 70 albums as a solo artist and with bands like Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Punishing someone for falling in love is a serious crime, observed the Supreme Court on Tuesday while hearing arguments over grant of bail to 11 persons, who formed part of a khap panchayat that ordered hanging of three youths, including a girl and a boy who fell in love and wanted to make a life together. The incident occurred in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh in March 1991 and in all, 33 persons were sentenced to serve life term for the gruesome crime by the Allahabad high court in May 2016. Both the girl and the boy belonged to the Jatav community, a scheduled caste, while the khap panchayat consisted mainly of members of the Jat community. The girl eloped with the boy she loved and with another youth who helped them. When summoned by the khap panchayat, the young girl said she would like to continue living with the boy, enraging the elders, who then forced the parents of the three children to hang them. Both the boys were beaten and tortured and their private parts were burnt before hanging them. Commenting on the facts of the case, the apex bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde said, The offences are serious that can disrupt society. You cannot punish someone for falling in love. This is a worse form of crime. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who appeared for the state informed the Court that out of 11 applicants, only two persons had not completed 10 years of sentence. In their application for bail, some accused claimed they were of advanced age and there was a possibility of them contracting Covid-19 while inside jail. Also Read: SC refuses to stay laws against interfaith marriage, issues notices to UP, Uttarakhand The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, said, We want to know their mental and physical state of health and whether their release will rake-up the old incident or create trouble for others or themselves. Even if they are to be released, they have to be sent to another district. Considering all these aspects, the bench ordered the state to arrange for a probation officer to visit the jails of Agra and Mathura and interview the accused. The officer would submit a report to the top court in two weeks. The incident occurred on March 27, 1991 in a village under Barsana police station at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Based on the investigation by the police, 54 persons were charge-sheeted. Following the trial, 38 persons were convicted, of which eight were sentenced to death while 30 others were awarded life term. WILMINGTON Del., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Diversified Lifelong Advisors today announces the firm will be joined by RZ Wealth, a Registered Investment Advisor in Wayne, Pennsylvania, in a deal totaling $900 million in combined client assets under management. Diversified Lifelong Advisors will continue to be led by the current President and Partner Andrew Rosen, Partners Kyle Hill and David Levy, and CEO Michael Fisher. Irvin W. Rosenzweig, Founder and President of RZ Wealth, will join the Diversified Lifelong Advisors executive and investment management teams. "Our ability to grow and expand excites me because it allows us to continue to deliver world-class service to even more people and gives us additional resources for the benefit of our clients," said Fisher. "RZ Wealth is a phenomenal company and we are honored to leverage the legacy Irv built while innovating to remain cutting edge." Both RZ Wealth and Diversified Lifelong Advisors have built their practices with dedication to the health, wealth, and happiness of their clients. This deal strengthens Diversified Lifelong Advisors' commitment to providing a superior client experience. "Individuals and families have looked to us for strategies in planning and investment management to help them live a quality life," shares Rosenzweig. "This affiliation strengthens what we have built with additional staff and technologies." Diversified Lifelong Advisors is an active firm with plans for continued expansion. The firm is currently ranked by the Advisory Practice Board Of Exchange as one of the top RIA's in the country based on creditworthiness and readiness to purchase another practice. Earlier this year the firm was ranked by Financial Times as an FT 300: Top Registered Investment Advisor. "This transaction further enables us to meet our mission to uncover and achieve our clients' life goals, so that we can bring true happiness to as many people as possible," said Rosen. "At our firm that is paramount." For media inquiries please contact Erica DeProspo at 866-225-0920 ext. 106 or [email protected]. Diversified Lifelong Advisors is a financial planning and investment advisory based in Wilmington, Delaware. The Diversified team comprises a large number of skilled CFPs, CFAs, CEOs, insurance professionals, attorneys, accountants and support staff, all of whom are respected experts in the industry of financial planning. As a local family business serving executives, professionals and retirees in Delaware and Pennsylvania, the Diversified team welcomes the opportunity to be included in your circle of trusted advisors. To learn more about Diversified Lifelong Advisors, please visit www.lifelongadvisors.com. Erica DeProspo Flackable 866-225-0920 ext. 106 [email protected] SOURCE Diversified Lifelong Advisors Related Links http://www.lifelongadvisors.com About 75 million elderly persons in India, or one in two people above 60 years of age, suffer from some chronic disease, shows the first part of the worlds largest study on the elderly -- The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)-- released on Wednesday. About 40% have some form of disability, and as high as 20% are suffering from mental health issues. Also, 27% of this population group has multi-morbidities, which translates to roughly 35 million people. About 45 million have cardiovascular disease and hypertension and about 20 million suffer from diabetes, and 24% of the elderly has difficulty in performing daily functions such as walking, eating, toilet etc; according to this survey, said KS James, director, The International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, which is the nodal institution for implementing the survey. Also Read| Bharat Biotech vaccine approved in clinical trial mode, consent of participants has to be taken: ICMR Even if we assume 90% of these people are taken care of at home, there is still 10% that would require professional help. Imagine the employment opportunities that will be generated in future and the number of people who would require training to take care of the elderly in our country, said James. The study was commission by the Union ministry of health and family welfare in 2016, to track ageing patterns and diseases affecting Indias 103 million people over 60 years of age. The other institutes that collaborated for the survey include the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, and the University of Southern California. With people living longer, the global share of older people aged 60 years and above increased from 9.2% in 1990 to 11.7% in 2013 and is expected to reach 21.1% by 2050. Also Read| Covid-19: Firms may face problems in finding volunteers for vaccine trials in India With 65% of Indias population under 35 years of age when the study was commissioned, there are expected to be 350 million people above 60 years by 2050, which is why the government focused on documenting the problems faced by the elderly in our country and how their problems could be addressed. From 9% in 2011, the 60 plus population in the country is likely to go up to 20% in 2050. A common plan will be created for the care of elderly in the country using the findings of the LASI study for implementation in future, said Vandana Gurnani, mission director, National Health Mission. The first wave of LASI covered a panel sample of 72,250 individuals age 45 years and above, including 31, 464 people above 60 and 6,749 oldest-old persons aged 75 and above. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The man prosecutors say stole Maki the lemur from the San Francisco Zoo last year was ordered released from custody Tuesday but told to stay away from the zoo. Wearing an orange sweat suit, a blue mask strapped to his buzzed blond hair and standing straight with his hands folded behind his back, Cory McGilloway, 31, made his first court appearance in San Francisco after he was arrested in October in Marin County. Judge Michael McNaughton ordered McGilloway to stay away from the zoo and to follow the probation terms he received late last year in Marin County as he awaits trial on second degree burglary, grand theft and vandalism charges in San Francisco. You must stay away from the San Francisco Zoo, McNaughton told McGilloway. 100% McGilloway said. McGilloway had been in Marin County custody the last three months since his Oct. 15 arrest on suspicion of stealing a Marin Sanitary Service truck. He received probation on that case and was ordered to attend weekly mental health classes and take his prescribed medication, his defense attorney said. Daly City police McGilloway made international headlines after allegedly stealing the endangered ring-tailed lemur on Oct. 13 from the zoos Lipman Family Lemur Forest habitat. Two days later, the 21-year-old primate was found wandering in a Daly City preschool, just hours before McGilloway was taken into custody. San Rafael police said after arresting McGilloway for the truck theft, they found photos of the lemur on his cell phone. Maki was returned unharmed to the zoo. At Tuesdays hearing, the judge brought up a Los Angeles County case that had not been previously publicized about McGilloway. In 2018, he took a deal and pleaded guilty to assault and had two counts of attempted murder dropped, according to court records. A media report on that case indicated McGilloway and his mother were arrested Nov. 2, 2017 after a bloody knife fight in Landers, north of Palm Springs. McGilloway had a fight between himself and two other men. All three suffered multiple stab wounds and were hospitalized, according to the Z107.7 news report. In San Francisco court Tuesday, McGilloway told the judge he was on probation out of Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County court records also indicate that prosecutors there charged McGilloway last month on two counts of battery for a Sept. 3 incident, a little more than a month before he came up north and allegedly stole the lemur. That case is still pending. Staff writer Nora Mishanec contributed to this report. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni By Koustav Samanta and Shu Zhang (Reuters) - Traders have accelerated crude oil sales from floating storage in December to meet higher demand in Asia as the region's refineries throttled up for peak winter consumption, trade sources and analysts said. The drop in excess global stored oil and a sudden decision by world's top exporter Saudi Arabia for extra output cuts in the next two months are expected to keep supplies snug and support prices. "Oil prices are up, and backwardation has widened in expectation of a tighter crude market," said Serena Huang, Asia ... An Illinois teenager who fatally shot two people and wounded a third amidst sometimes violent summer protests on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, has pleaded not guilty to charges including intentional homicide. Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, entered his plea in a brief hearing conducted by teleconference. Prosecutors say Rittenhouse, who is white, left his home in Antioch, Illinois, and travelled to Kenosha after learning of a call to protect businesses in the wake of the August 23 shooting by police of Jacob Blake. Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back and left paralysed. Rittenhouse opened fire with an assault-style rifle during protests two nights later, killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz. Rittenhouse has argued he fired in self-defence. Conservatives have rallied around Rittenhouse, describing him as a patriot who took up arms to protect people and property, and raised enough money to make his bail. Others see him as a domestic terrorist whose presence with a rifle incited protesters. Rittenhouse was 17 at the time of the shootings. The Blake shooting happened three months after George Floyd died while being restrained by police officers in Minneapolis, which also was captured on bystander video and which sparked outrage and protests that spread across the United States and beyond. The galvanised Black Lives Matter movement put a spotlight on inequitable policing and became a fault line in politics, with President Donald Trump criticising protesters and aggressively pressing a law-and-order message that he sought to capitalise on in Wisconsin and other swing states. That challenge is especially acute when it comes to preparing for the effects of rising seas, worsening storms, spreading wildfires and other consequences of a warming planet. That part of the climate agenda is particularly fraught, according to current and former officials, because it means telling Americans to change where and how they live. Its really messy, said Alice Hill, who oversaw resilience planning on the National Security Council during the Obama administration and is now a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. You can upset a lot of voters. Perhaps nothing illustrates that challenge better than flood-insurance rules. Created in 1968, the taxpayer-subsidized National Flood Insurance Program was designed to ensure that people could get flood coverage in areas that private insurers deemed too risky. But guaranteeing insurance had the unintended consequence of encouraging construction in those places. Even as climate change increases the odds of flooding, construction in high-risk areas continues to increase, often without adequate safety standards. In many coastal states, the most flood-prone areas saw greater increases in home construction than the rest of the state, according to data released in 2019. By 2045, more than 300,000 existing coastal homes will be at risk of flooding regularly, the Union of Concerned Scientists concluded in 2018. By 2050, more than 800,000 homes, worth almost half a trillion dollars, will be in danger, according to data from the real estate data firm Zillow. In Florida, sea-level rise already appears to be hurting home prices in vulnerable areas. Yet earlier attempts to impose greater constraints on home construction in flood-prone areas have mostly failed as voters and industries pushed back. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 And then on Sept. 29, 2020, the Glass/Boysen fires erupted. The fires charred 67,000 acres through much of northern Napa County and west into Sonoma Co. It destroyed 1,500 structures including 642 homes. Cal-Fire deployed 23 helicopters, 408 fire engines, 66 dozers, 27 hand crews, and 49 water tenders for a total of 2,773 personnel. Miraculously, once again, the fire was stopped at the St. Helena City limits. Meanwhile, the pandemic intensified and for the first time in over 50 years it was not prudent for our family to gather for our annual Christmas dinner celebration. The culmination of 2020 woes left me with mixed feelings of confusion, depression, isolation and wondering if things will ever get better. And then I chanced across Ms. Minda Cox. She had written a series of meditations for "Forward: Day by Day," a Bible-study guide that I was using. A blurb that described her as celebrated author, artist and motivational speaker did not seem too unusual until I discovered she was born without arms and legs. After discovering this, I discerned that her accomplishments were nothing short of miraculous. It was nice to do something that was really hopeful and a bright energy, Abdulmalik said. When COVID first was impacting us, there was a strong feeling of loss of hope. My first instinct is to help lift that up. I want to help people to feel hope that we can get through anything. Ivanka Trump stepped out of her Washington, D.C. home on Wednesday morning as Republicans face an expected defeat in both Georgia Senate runoff elections. The projected losses are likely a blow to the First Daughter, who visited the Peach State multiple times to stump for Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Sen. David Perdue ahead of the crucial runoffs, which will determine control of the upper chamber of Congress. Ivanka, 39, was seen heading to work around 9:15 a.m. wearing a navy wool coat by Carolina Herrera and matching heels. The protective mask she had on covered the expression on her face as she walked out of her front gate. On the go: Ivanka Trump was seen leaving her Washington, D.C. home on Wednesday around 9:15 a.m. as Republicans face defeat in the Georgia Senate runoffs Outfit of the day: The First Daughter donned a navy wool coat by Carolina Herrera and matching heels The White House Senior adviser previously donned the designer coat when she returned home to D.C. after enjoying a getaway at her father's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in March 2019. This time around, Ivanka threw it on over a navy turtleneck and matching midi skirt. She carried a black tote and looked straight ahead as she walked to the Secret Service vehicle parked outside of her home. Her long blonde hair was dried straight, and she was sporting smokey eye-makeup, a go-to look for her. While she likely stayed up late watching the election results come in on Tuesday evening, she appeared to be well-rested as she started her day. Rev. Raphael Warnock was the first Democratic win of the night after he beat Loeffler, making history as Georgia's first black senator. Accessory: The White House senior adviser carried a black leather tote as she stepped out of front gate Nothing to see: The protective mask she had on covered the expression on her face as she walked out of her front gate Democrat Jon Ossoff has since declared himself the winner against Perdue, despite the contest not being officially called. 'It is with humility that I thank the people of Georgia for electing me to serve you in the United States senate. Thank you for the confidence and trust you have placed in me,' Ossoff said in a video posted to Twitter. The claim was quickly backed up in statements from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. President Donald Trump tweeted bitterly throughout Wednesday night as dawn broke on the likelihood of a split Senate 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote. 'Looks like they are setting up a big 'voter dump' against the Republican candidates. Waiting to see how many votes they need?' He tweeted amid a slew of unsubstantiated voter fraud claims. Go-to looks: Ivanka's long blonde hair was dried straight, and she was sporting smokey eye-makeup Full look: Ivanka paired her navy coat with a matching turtleneck and matching midi skirt Memories: Ivanka previously donned the designer coat when she returned home to D.C. after enjoying a getaway at her father's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in March 2019 Georgia has become a political focal point since the November general election as the Republicans sought desperately to retain their crucial Senate majority in a traditionally red state after losing the White House. But the state has elected its first Democrat senators in 20 years in a stinging rebuke of the GOP. Ivanka visited Georgia a few days before Christmas to campaign Loeffler and Perdue, urging voters to defend the Republican majority. She returned to the state with her brother Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle on Monday to join President Trump at a rally in Dalton to endorse the candidates. Ivanka, who donned a Republican red turtleneck to the event, took to the stage to throw her support behind both her dad and the two Republican Senate candidates. She was met with cheers and clapping as she called Trump 'the people's president' and vowed he 'will not stop fighting,' before calling Loeffler and Perdue 'two amazing senators.' Wasn't enough: The projected Republican losses are likely a blow to Ivanka who visited Georgia multiple times to stump for Sen. Kelly Loeffler (left) and Sen. David Perdue (center) All smiles: The First Daughter most recently joined her father, President Donald Trump, at a campaign rally for the Republican candidates in Georgia on Monday The appearance came after she posted a beaming photo of herself on board Air Force One with Trump in the background, writing: 'Off to Georgia with Dad! Get out and VOTE Georgia!!!' But social media users were quick to spot that Ivanka had bizarrely tagged the singer Meat Loaf in the post. Ivanka also tagged Loeffler, Perdue, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, and the GOP. Surprisingly, Ivanka did not tag Trump causing several Twitter users to mock her and question if she had somehow muddled up the singer, whose real name Michael Lee Aday, with her father. 'Wait do you think your dad is Meat Loaf?' asked one bemused social media user. Another person wrote: 'I would just like to point out that she didn't tag her dad in this picture. However, she did tag Meat Loaf. I feel like there is some symbolism in that.' 'Meat Loaf is Ivanka's name for daddy,' mocked another. The Democrats' projected wins come as Congress prepares to convene for a constitutionally-mandated Joint Session to certify the electoral college results in the presidential race. Say cheese! While en route to Monday's rally, Ivanka tweeted a beaming photo of herself aboard Air Force One with Trump in the background as she urged people to 'get out and vote' Huh? But she confused social media users by tagging Meat Loaf in the post along with Loeffler, Perdue, Dan Scavino, and the GOP President-elect Joe Biden's victory is all but certain even as President Trump launched a last-minute attempt to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results, asking him for 'extreme courage' in the day ahead. Pence will preside over what is expected to be a long day as Trump allies on Capitol Hill prepare to object to the results. But their efforts are expected to be for naught. A majority of Republican senators vowed to support Biden's win, leaving the president with few options. Trump kept the pressure on, however. 'States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!,' he tweeted Wednesday morning. Pence does not have the power to overturn the election. His role in the day's proceedings is largely ceremonial. President Trump also is scheduled to address his supporters outside the White House on Wednesday morning shortly before the joint session convenes in a day that expected to feature protests throughout the city and fears of violence. Confident: Democrat Jon Ossoff has declared victory in his Senate race against Perdue, despite the contest not being officially called Victory: Rev. Raphael Warnock victory was first win of the night in Georgia's two special Senate contests after he defeated Loeffler and made history as the state's first black senator Not giving up: Loeffler spoke to supporters in Atlanta and refused to concede. She attacked Warnock for 'moving the country toward socialism' The National Guard has been called in to help patrol the streets and Washington D.C. police announced they will arrest anyone who brings in a firearm, as some Trump supporters have threatened to do. It's unclear what Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner will do or where they will go after their time in the White House. While they have a home in New York City, signs point to them ending up in Florida. A source told the New York Post that Ivanka has been 'keeping extensive notes' on the past four years she's spent in President Trump's White House, acting as her father's adviser. These West Wing notes, the source told the newspaper, could be the basis of a third book, which she has apparently been approached about writing. Ivanka has already written two books: The Trump Card in 2009 and Women Who Work in 2017. The source suggested that Ivanka's potential interest in writing a third book would be because 'she wants to set the record straight on a long list of issues, including confronting her critics head-on.' Mad: Trump tweeted bitterly throughout Wednesday night as dawn broke on the likelihood of a split Senate 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote Speculation has been swirling that Ivanka will run for the U.S. Senate in Florida in 2022 after it was revealed that she and her husband Jared reportedly purchased a $31 million plot of land on Miami's 'Billionaire Bunker.' She may also be writing a book about her time as First Daughter, according to a new report. Among the topics this book could address would be the notions that she was 'out of her depth as the presidents adviser,' as well as rumors that President Trump was sidelining her and the alleged tension between herself and Melania, the source said. Ivanka would also potentially write about 'the very important things she got done with womens issues, family leave, and more.' The source also noted that if Ivanka were to write a third book, she would 'address what she says is the targeting of her life and business by the liberal media, [Democratic] politicians and the New York attorney general.' Two New York State fraud investigations have been launched into President Trump and the Trump Organization concerning tax write-offs on millions of dollars in consulting fees following a New York Times report in November. Some of those alleged fees were said to have been given to Ivanka. Ivanka tweeted the fraud investigations were 'harassment pure and simple' and that 'This "inquiry" by NYC democrats is 100% motivated by politics, publicity and rage.' She also wrote: 'This fishing expedition is very clearly part of a continued political vendetta.' Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Passengers trying to get to the UK will need a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of departure or they will be barred from flying. Boris Johnson said ministers will be bringing in measures to ensure people arriving in the country are Covid-free. Government sources told MailOnline the detail of the policy was still being 'firmed up'. An announcement is expected in a 'couple of days', with the rules likely to be in force by the end of the week. It has sparked fears there will be a stampede of Britons - such as Vogue Williams in St Barts and Towie's Amber Turner in Dubai - trying to get home. But Labour and some senior Tory MPs have called for further action as England entered its third national lockdown. It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel was accused of leaving the 'nation's doors unlocked' to alarming new coronavirus variants. Meanwhile ministers faced a barrage of criticism from the travel industry over the plans to test passengers for Covid-19 before they arrive. Vogue Williams, wife of MIC's Spencer Matthews, is pictured during her holiday in St Barts Geordie Shore's Sophie Kasaei is pictured posing for a photograph during her holiday in Dubai Love Island star Kady Mcdermott relaxes by the pool during her trip to The Maldives The Only Way Is Essex's Amber Turner (pictured) is believed to be out in Dubai on holiday Boris Johnson said ministers will be bringing in measures to ensure people arriving in the country (pictured, Heathrow) are Covid-free Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured in November) was accused of leaving the 'nation's doors unlocked' to alarming new coronavirus variants Travellers will need a negative PCR test within 72 hours before they are allowed on a flight to Britain. The rules will be in place in all countries regardless of whether travel corridors are in place. They are expected to see those travelling into ports or airports from 'red list' areas - where the cases are high - having to quarantine even if they have a negative test For anyone forced to self-isolate when the arrive, they will be allowed out if a second test from the fifth day comes back negative. They will be issued a passenger locator form and face a 10,000 fine if they do not adhere to the rules. Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds wrote to Ms Patel calling for an 'urgent review and improvement plan' as he raised concerns over checks on arrivals Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds wrote to Ms Patel calling for an 'urgent review and improvement plan' as he raised concerns over checks on arrivals. Mr Thomas-Symonds wrote: 'It is especially worrying given the concerns regarding mutation of the virus that emerged in South Africa, which the Health Secretary rightly said is ''incredibly worrying'''. 'However, the lack of a robust quarantine system as a result of shortcomings from the Government mean that it is virtually impossible to keep a grip on this spread or other variants that may come from overseas, leaving the UK defenceless, and completely exposed, with the nation's doors unlocked to further Covid mutations.' The Home Office defended its 'stringent measures', and pointed to its move to stop direct flights from South Africa to the UK amid concerns over a new coronavirus variant in high prevalence there. Mr Thomas-Symonds told Ms Patel protection against variant strains arriving from overseas was 'effectively non-existent', pointing to Government figures suggesting just 3 per cent of arrivals expected to quarantine in England and Northern Ireland were successfully contacted by compliance checkers in the summer. A Government spokesman responded: 'The figures in this letter are inaccurate. Border Force have conducted more than three million spot checks and PHE (Public Health England) have been contacting a further 1,500 people each day. 'We are determined to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Our stringent measures, such compulsory Passenger Locator Forms and spot checks both at the border and during quarantine periods, have seen a high level of compliance.' Concerns are particularly high over the South African variant because it is not only thought to be more contagious but there are fears it could affect the current vaccines, unlike the novel strain that has achieved high prevalence in England. Direct flights to the UK from South Africa were suspended last month and many new arrivals who have been there in the previous 10 days will not be permitted entry. Direct flights to the UK from South Africa (pictured, Johannesburg) were suspended last month and arrivals who have been there in the previous 10 days will not be permitted entry Conservative former health secretary Jeremy Hunt on Monday called for the closure of the borders, with an 'off-the-scale' winter crisis brewing within the NHS. Ahead of the PM's lockdown statement on Monday, the chairman of the Commons Health and Social Care Committee wrote on Twitter: 'Time to act: thread on why we need to close schools, borders, and ban all household mixing RIGHT AWAY.' The SNP's home affairs spokesman Joanna Cherry accused the Government of 'repeating the same mistakes' by not introducing 'effective' restrictions at the border. She said: 'The UK Government must stop all but essential travel, and introduce a far more rigorous system of health checks and quarantining at the border.' The PM said on Tuesday he will be 'bringing in measures to ensure that we test people coming into this country and prevent the virus from being readmitted'. Ministers are understood to be considering introducing a requirement for international arrivals to have a negative coronavirus test before travelling to Britain in order to tackle surging cases. Hauliers would be exempt. Currently arrivals into England from nations that are not exempted under the travel corridor programme must isolate for 10 days. But under the test and release scheme introduced in December, this can be shortened if they have a private test five days after their departure and it comes back negative. During the first lockdown, the Government argued against introducing border restrictions while the prevalence was so high in the UK, with experts arguing it would do little to bring down infection rates. But a quarantine period was introduced in June after the first peak and when cases were more under control. Meanwhile ministers faced a barrage of criticism from the travel industry last night over plans to test all passengers for Covid-19 before they arrive in the UK. Leading industry figures said they had been calling for such a regime since last summer and accused ministers of dithering. The measures, which were still being thrashed out by ministers last night, look set to be announced within days. Sources said there was last-minute wrangling between the Home Office and Department for Transport over whether UK residents should also be tested, with the DfT reportedly wanting to just test visiting foreigners. The plans, which would bring the UK into line with many other countries, will mean passengers must show proof of a negative PCR test result before boarding a flight, ferry or train bound for the UK. It would have to be dated no more than 72 hours before their expected arrival on British soil. There will be a limited number of exemptions, including for hauliers. Chairman of the Airport Operators Association Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith said: 'We've been asking for this since early summer, and no one has done anything about it.' Lloyd Figgins, chief executive of The Travel Risk & Incident Prevention Group, said: 'I think the industry would have welcomed this as long ago as last March and if we look at the countries that did put those restrictions in they've benefited from them longer term in terms of keeping infections down and the industry going.' ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Another Broken Egg Cafe, is excited to kick off the new year by opening its new flagship cafe in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2021. The rapidly growing, national daytime cafe is thrilled to continue sharing its award-winning southern-inspired menu, full bar, and signature hand-crafted cocktails in the Orlando area. Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC The new Orlando location will be located right around the corner from Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLCs worldwide headquarters, and marks its first of many planned openings this year. This new cafe will feature not only the same, favorite chef-inspired menu but the brand's new full bar, one of its many distinctive offerings. The focus on an expansive full bar affords guests the ability to enjoy Another Broken Egg Cafe's classic, innovative brunch drinks, as well as more traditional cocktails, all in one place. Another Broken Egg Cafe has postured itself as a breakout brand in the breakfast, brunch and lunch segment, and it plans to carry this momentum through 2021 with 17 locations already in the process of opening. "Moving forward, we intend to continue growing the concept and build on what we know our guests love," said Paul Macaluso, President and CEO of Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC. "This is a fantastic concept that has seen an overwhelmingly positive reception nationally, and here in Orlando. We look forward to having another great location in the area and to serving all our amazing fans for years to come." Prior to its official opening, the new cafe will host a "Friends & Family" weekend on Friday, Jan. 8, from 8 a.m. - noon, and Saturday, Jan. 9, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. At the "Friends & Family" events, guests will have the opportunity to, and are encouraged to, support a local charity through charitable donations. The cafe has partnered with Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. Guests not only can support the organization's cause but will be able to preview Another Broken Egg Cafes unique entrees and cocktails ahead of the grand opening on Monday, Jan. 11. Guests who have made reservations for "Friends & Family" weekend will receive a complimentary meal and are encouraged to donate to the charity in place of paying a bill. Another Broken Egg Cafe hosts "Friends & Family" weekends as part of its ongoing commitment to being involved in the local communities where it does business. Event guests get to try the cafe's unique dishes and cocktails while helping to make a meaningful impact on the community. To learn more about this event and cafe please visit http://bit.ly/2LkynD0 . The new restaurant will open its doors Monday, Jan. 11, at 6324 S. Semoran Blvd. Orlando, FL 32822 and will be open daily 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. About Another Broken Egg Cafe Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC is an upscale breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant that specializes in award-winning, Southern-inspired menu options with innovative twists and signature cocktails. Another Broken Egg Cafe is one of the fastest-growing daytime-only concepts in the country, with more than 70 locations in 13 states and dozens more in development. The company was honored by Winsight Media with its Leader in Foodservice Full-Service Award and ranked by Franchise Times magazine as one of their Fast & Serious Smartest-Growing Brands. Another Broken Egg Cafe was named by FSR magazine as one of the 10 Best Restaurant Chains in 2019. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit https://anotherbrokeneggfranchise.com Media Contact: Michael Fandel, Galiant Solutions, Inc. [email protected] 970.567.7390 SOURCE Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC Related Links https://anotherbrokeneggfranchise.com/ [January 05, 2021] SOLARWINDS SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors With Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against SolarWinds Corporation - SWI Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until March 5, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SolarWinds (News - Alert) Corporation (NYSE: SWI), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 24, 2020 through December 15, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. What You May Do If you purchased securities of SolarWinds and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-swi/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as alead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by March 5, 2021. About the Lawsuit SolarWinds and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On December 13, 2020, Reuters (News - Alert) reported that hackers purportedly working for the Russian government had exploited the Company's monitoring software to access email traffic at the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments. On December 14, 2020, the Company disclosed that it had "been made aware of a cyberattack that inserted a vulnerability within its Orion monitoring products" and that "the vulnerability was inserted within the Orion products and existed in updates released between March and June 2020" and that it was cooperating with federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies. On this news, the Company's shares fell $3.93 per share, or 17%, to close at $19.62 per share on December 14, 2020 On December 15, 2020, Reuters reported that security research sources revealed that the Company had been made aware of the vulnerabilities the prior year and that even after being aware that their software had been compromised, the malicious updates were still available for download. On this news, the Company's shares fell $1.56 per share or 8% to close at $18.06 per share on December 15, 2020. The case is Bremer v. SolarWinds Corporation, et al., 21-cv-2. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105006009/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Four contract workers at the Steel Authority of India Limited's Rourkela steel plant (RSP) in Odisha died on Wednesday after a suspected gas leak, the state-owned company said in a statement. The mishap took place at the Coal Chemical Department of the RSP in the morning, when a total of 10 workers were on duty. According to a preliminary report, the four workers died due to emission of carbon monoxide gas from the unit, officials said. The four men were employees hired on contract from private firm M/S Star Constructions and were engaged in maintenance work at the plant's coal chemicals department, SAIL said. "The workers felt unwell at around 9 a.m. on 06.01.2021 and were immediately rushed to the ICU of Ispat General Hospital (IGH) at Rourkela for treatment," the company said in a statement. "A high-level committee has been formed to inquire into the cause of the incident and all emergency protocols have been immediately activated in the plant." A Reuters report quoted inspector general Kavita Jalan as saying that the police were investigating the deaths. The plant was functioning normally, public relations officer Dhirendra Mishra said. SAIL shares fell after the news and were down 2.8% on India's National Stock Exchange as of 2:30pm. Investigations editor Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to stay the provisions of an Uttar Pradesh Ordinance and an Uttarakhand law, brought to checking unlawful religious conversions for inter-faith marriages. A bench headed by Chief Justice S. A. Bobde agreed to examine the validity of legislations, 'The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Of Religion Ordinance, 2020' and the 'Uttarakhand Freedom Of Religion Act, 2018', and issued notice to the two state governments. The top court has sought response within four weeks. The counsel petitioners - Vishal Thakre and others, and NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace - during the hearing stressed for a stay on these 'love jihad' laws and termed the provisions as "oppressive" and "obnoxious". The bench also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian replied that it would have been ideal if the petitioners had moved the respective High Courts instead of coming to the apex court. The Chief Justice said the challenge to the law is already pending in High Courts and asked the petitioners to go there. "We are not saying you have a bad case, but approach the High Court in first instance, instead of coming here", observed the bench. Senior advocate C.U. Singh, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that it is obnoxious to put burden of proof on the married couple to establish that the motivation for the marriage is not conversion. Singh cited that several incidents have come on record where mobs have disrupted inter-faith marriages and also cited the severe punishment under these laws. Another counsel for a petitioner cited that similar legislation is on the way in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Singh alleged that several innocent persons had been arrested based on UP Ordinance against 'love jihad'. He cited that the offence under this law has a sentence of up to 10 years and it is also non-bailable offence. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the Allahabad High Court is already seized of the matter. The bench observed that the petitioners were asking for a relief which we cannot be entertained under Article 32. "Whether a provision is arbitrary or oppressive needs to be seen. This is the problem when you come directly to the Supreme Court", said the Chief Justice. The bench said it would hear arguments of the petitioners against the law and then decided to issue notice rather than staying the laws on Wednesday. The top court will hear the matter after four weeks. One of the pleas moved by two advocates - Vishal Thakre and Abhay Singh Yadav - and a law researcher Pranvesh, states that the ordinance disturbs the basic structure of the Constitution. "The most important issue was whether the Parliament has the power to amend the fundamental rights enshrined under Part III of the Constitution", said the plea. The petitioners contended that Parliament has no power to amend the fundamental rights, and if this ordinance is implemented it will harm the public at large and will create a chaotic situation in the society. The plea said: "It is also pertinent to mention herein that the ordinance is passed by the State Government/s of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand is against the provisions Special Marriage Act, 1954 and it will create fear in the society who is/are not part of Love Jihad they can be falsely implicated in the ordinance." The petitioners contended they are aggrieved by the ordinance passed by the state government and prayed before the top court that the law passed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand should be declared ultra-vires and null and void, as it disturbs the basic structure of the Constitution and also its against public policy and society at large. "This ordinance can become a potent tool in the hands of bad elements of the society to use this ordinance to falsely implicate anyone in this ordinance and there are probabilities of falsely implicating persons who are not involved in any such acts and it will be a grave injustice if this ordinance is passed," said the plea. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine have adopted a statement on the situation with the issuance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 29, 2020 of a decree "On the suspension from office of a judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," the court's press service has reported. "The Assembly of Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine draws attention to the unacceptability of non-compliance by government agencies and officials with the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, which may lead to blocking the work of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and will make it impossible to exercise constitutional control with a view to ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution of Ukraine and asserting human rights and freedoms," the statement reads. It says the judges of the Constitutional Court are concerned about the situation that has arisen in connection with the issuance of the decree. The statement says that the Constitution of Ukraine has the highest legal force. Laws and other normative legal acts are adopted on the basis of the Constitution of Ukraine and shall conform to it (Article 8.2 of the Constitution of Ukraine). In addition, Constitutional Court judges emphasized that government agencies and their officials are obliged to strictly comply with the requirements of the Constitution, including those that guarantee the independence of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, independence and inviolability of Constitutional Court judges (Articles 147, 149 of the Constitution). The court's press service also reported that the Constitutional Court had received a research opinion, prepared by members of the Research and Consultative Council of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, on the suspension from office of a judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine in criminal proceedings. It states that the special status of judges of the Constitutional Court provides special legislative guarantees for their independence, particularly with regard to the dismissal or suspension from office of a Constitutional Court judge in criminal proceedings, taking into account the rule of law, international standards and current constitutional norms, when applying due process to these persons. It also notes that the Constitution and relevant international documents enshrine the same legal status of all judges of the Constitutional Court, regardless of the subject of their appointment, through a system of guarantees to ensure their independence. The Constitutional Court is independent of other branches of government, which is also a fundamental basis for the balance of branches of government. The research opinion states that international legal acts, the Constitution, and the official constitutional doctrine of Ukraine recognize that the independence and immunity of judges of the Constitutional Court, which is an integral part of their status, must be equal to the independence and immunity of other judges. On December 29, Zelensky signed a decree suspending Oleksandr Tupytskyi as a judge of the Constitutional Court for two months. The Constitutional Court said the decision to dismiss a judge could be made exclusively by the Constitutional Court at a special plenary session, and no other body or official could make such a decision in its place. On December 30, the Constitutional Court said the decree on Tupytskyi's suspension from office was "legally null and void" and called for its cancellation. On December 28, Tupytskyi was declared a suspect in influencing a witness through bribery, as well as giving knowingly false testimony as a witness. The case concerns the privatization of the Zuivsky Energy and Mechanical Plant in Donetsk region. Tupytskyi did not show up at the Prosecutor General's Office on December 28 to be handed a suspicion notice. He said he could not come for family circumstances and asked for his visit to the prosecutor's office to be postponed until another day. The Prosecutor General's Office, in turn, prepared a petition to the President's Office, which concerned permission to suspend Tupytskyi as head of the Constitutional Court. On October 27, the Constitutional Court repealed Article 366-1 of the Criminal Code on penalties for lies in asset declarations and some provisions of the law "On Corruption Prevention." In particular, the Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional the powers of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention to verify officials' asset declarations, monitor the lifestyle of those who submit asset declarations, establish the timeliness of submission of asset declarations, as well as provisions on open access to declarations in the unified state register. On November 25, the president addressed the Venice Commission with an urgent request to assess the constitutional situation in Ukraine following the Constitutional Court judgment of October 27. The Venice Commission stated in its opinion that the Constitutional Court of Ukraine needs to be reformed and depoliticized. Zelensky promised to take into account the position of the Venice Commission in carrying out judicial reform. A Day after the Supreme Court gave a nod to the Central Vista project in New Delhi, the opposition is now imbibing politics over the approval given by the Apex Court. The Congress party lashed out at the top court and said that 'the Supreme Court's support of the government's misplaced priorities during the pandemic time is anguishing' and also that approving the Central Vista project is a waste of public money. READ | Supreme Court Upholds Central Vista Project & New Parliament In New Delhi By 2:1 Verdict Opposition Leaders on Supreme Court's Approval Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the government should invest in public and health infrastructure as the country has a paucity of resources. The government has misplaced priorities and the apex court is endorsing it, he added "The country has a paucity of resources, there are glaring shortages in public and health infrastructure where the government must invest. I am saddened that the government has misplaced priorities. During this period, to spend 15 to 20 thousand crores on the grand structural buildings including that of the Parliament, and it's equally sad that the Supreme Court has endorsed these priorities of the government. In a people's democracy when no relief was given to migrant labours, no justice been done to the farmers who in this biting cold and pouring rains have been facing tear gas. Is this the Republic of India? " READ | EXCLUSIVE: Union Min Hardeep Singh Puri Slams Congress; Calls Central Vista 'imperative' CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the project is only for the government's pride and the funds should rather be saved and used for the public rather than on a Parliament complex. "SC is judging the case on the basis of if there are any procedural problems. We have had only question this is not about the procedural problems, but when the country is suffering from the global pandemic, economic disparity and amid farmers protest, we do not think there is a need for such big investments. It's not correct on humanitarian grounds. There are much more severe problems such as unemployment, starvation on which government should work. The project is only for the government pride and the one should rather be saved and used for the public rather than on a parliament complex". READ | Congress Trashes Bharat Biotech's Covaxin Even As WHO & Bill Gates Laud India On Vaccines SC Approves New Central Vista project On Tuesday, the Supreme Court gave its approval for the New Central Vista project under which the new Parliament building is to be built, in a 2:1 judgment. It was pronouncing its verdict on the batch of pleas which have questioned several aspects including the environmental clearance granted to the ambitious project. READ | Youth Congress Stages Demonstration In Guwahati; Srinivas BV & Other Top Leaders Detained Observations by the Apex Court The Apex Court had earlier said that any change at the ground level made by authorities for the Central Vista project will be "at their own risk". It had made it clear that the fate of the project, which includes several new government buildings and a new Parliament House, will depend on its decision. On November 5, the apex court had reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas which had raised questions over the Centre's ambitious Central Vista project, which covers three km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in Lutyens' Delhi. On December 7, 2020, the top court had allowed the Centre to proceed with the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Central Vista project on December 10. READ | Maharashtra Congress Chief Balasaheb Thorat Offers To Resign; State Unit To Be Rejigged Goshen Department of Environmental Resilience ADEC Inc. Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services ADEC Inc. Elkhart St. Joseph Theresa Sailor Department of Environmental Resilience Michelle McGuin ADEC Inc. Aaron Sawatsky Kingsley Department of Environmental Resilience Goshen Goshen Dam Pond Goshen Lincoln Avenue Shanklin Park Oakridge Park Abshire Park Rieth Interpretive Center Fidler Pond (TNS) Plans are in the works for the development of a new sensory trail project for the city aimed at connecting people with disabilities to the health benefits of nature.During a virtual meeting Monday morning, officials with theannounced they'll be partnering within applying for a $200,000 Community Connections for People with Disabilities Grant, which is offered through thein partnership with theis a local nonprofit organization that advocates for and serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities inandcounties."The Community Connections for People With Disabilities Grant is an opportunity that encourages local units of government to develop innovative technology strategies and cultivate strong community partnerships to address the negative social, economic and health effects of COVID-19 on Hoosiers with disabilities, and to increase community and workplace inclusion for this population,", grant writer and educator with the, said. "Our proposal will look to help with social isolation and lost access to natural supports."According to, vice president of Non-Residential Operations for, should the grant application ultimately prove successful, the received funding will in turn be used to create a new sensory trail for the city designed specifically to benefit adults with disabilities."We are honored to be part of this project," McGuin added of the partnership. "Social isolation for those individuals with disabilities has been a huge barrier, as everyone knows, through the pandemic. ... This is a huge project that we're hoping comes to fruition so that we can get our individuals with disabilities into the parks, and get connected with nature, and increase their sensory and improve their mental status, as well as any physical along with that."HOST OF BENEFITSAccording to, director of the, sensory trails are built to offer a series of experiences along a route designed for users to engage with their different senses. Varied surfaces and stations housing different smells and sounds are features of sensory trails."From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits. Some of those include improved attention, lowered stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, and increased empathy and cooperation," Sawatsky Kingsley said in speaking to the need for such a trail. "Most research so far has focused on green spaces, such as parks and forests. Researchers are now also beginning to study the benefits of blue spaces places with river and ocean views, or lakes and ponds, things like that. So, we want to be cognizant of this important link between mental health and access to the natural world, both in sort of preserve spaces, but also even just access to backyards and those kinds of things."So, the goal of this project is to connect individuals with disabilities to the wonders of nature," he added, "and to provide an outlet to nature that can improve physical and psychological wellbeing."THE PROJECTAccording to Sawatsky Kingsley, the proposed project involves developing a GPS-enabled app accessed by a phone or tablet while on designated city trails to connect users to nature in a fully immersible sensory trail experience."The app will locate and identify unique natural features, pinpoint interactive spaces where individuals can participate in their sensory experience, and provide opportunities where users can select music to listen to, poetry or learn historical information," he said. "We certainly have in our focus people with disabilities, but we also recognize that this is an opportunity to serve the accessibility needs of all of us in the pandemic moment."Speaking to the proposed location of the new sensory trail project, Sawatsky Kingsley said the group is particularly interested in incorporating two specific sections of existing trail withinOne such section starts at the Shoup-Parsons Woods near the north end of theand continues north along themillrace toand the old Powerhouse, just north of"And then the other trail section would be fromon the northwest end of town over toon the northeast side of town," he said. "So, those are the two trails that we would propose to develop some app technology for, that would allow these kinds of interactive experiences: interpretive, interactive and fully sensory kinds of experiences."In addition, Sawatsky Kingsley noted that the project also proposes to add online experiences, including stationary live nature cameras, to provide individuals who cannot participate on the trail with accessibility to the same mental health benefits of the sights and sounds of nature from their homes."We feel that those are important kinds of interactions that we can provide," he said of the plan. "Locations may include behind the, atand at a third (undecided) location."PROJECT TIMELINEAccording to Sailor, word on whether or not the partnership has been awarded the grant is expected to be announced by the end of February.Should the grant be awarded, additional opportunities for public comment on the particulars of the project will likely be held in the spring in the form of additional public meetings or focus groups, she explained."At that point, our plans would be a little more solidified so that you'd have maybe a little more input for very specific things, instead of the broad, general idea," she said. "That would probably come in March."As for the project's construction timeline, Sailor said the current plan would be to have the project completed in the fall of 2021."It would need to be completed for sure by the end of 2021," she added. "The goal is six months, but they recognize that it could be six to nine months. But it absolutely would have to be finished by end of 2021." Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Mammography Market Size, Growth and Share Analysis By Type (Screening Mammogram and Diagnostic Mammogram), Treatment (Digital Systems, Analog Systems, Breast Tomosynthesis, Film Screen Systems), End-User (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Diagnostic Centers, Research Institutes) and Region (Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa) - Forecast till 2025 Mammography Market Landscape Mammography Market economic recovery accelerated in recent months, with high sales, the last no cooperative component, returning to pre-Coronavirus levels by showing its first month of growth this year. According to the latest reports accumulated by Market Research Future, the global mammography market might register a CAGR of 7.16% to gain more valuation in the forecast period2019 to 2025. The significant factors liable for the growth of the mammography market are the rising prevalence of breast cancer, investment from various organizations in breast cancer screening campaigns, and technological advancements in the field of breast imaging. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, breast cancer is one of the most widespread cancers among women, irrespective of race or ethnicity. It is also numbered among the third most common cause of death from cancer among regions such as American Indian/Alaska Native women. Request Free Sample Copy of the report "Global Mammography Market - Forecast to 2025" at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2443 The estimates of the Globocan stated that 2,088,849 new cases of breast cancer were recorded in the year 2018. As the global population is aging, a massive number of women are expected to move into the 60 and above age category. Women aged 60 years and above grabbed approximately 78% of every breast cancer-related deaths. Sky-scraping-incidence and mortality rates for breast cancer in this age category symbolize a substantial unmet need for breast cancer diagnostics. As the incidents and mortality cases numbers are mounting, the demand for mammography is also expected to augment. These factors remain as a major driver for the mammography market and are now expected to boost the market during the forecast period. At the same time, so far, conventional screen-film mammography (SFM) with high-spatial-resolution was the most preferred choice for screening programs in various countries. However, with the arrival of digital mammography, an escalating number of countries are experiencing shifts toward newer systems, owing to its superior depiction of low-contrast objects, the improved diagnostic quality of images, and broader dynamic change, mainly when examining denser breasts. These factors have also risen to be core factors leading to the markets growth immensely. Furthermore, mammography screening in various countries, such as in the United Kingdom, is now digital, which provides better quality, greater precision, and higher efficiency. Thus, digital mammography is becoming the favored choice of screening, even though the cost of the new technology is six times superior to the conventional systems. In fact, it also offers the potential for significant advances in breast cancer diagnosis, such as reduced breast compression pressure, lower radiation dosages, and improved detection. These advantages have aided in the growth of the market and would continue over the forecast period. Mammography Market Segment Review The global mammography market is studied under the segment of type, technology, product, and end-user. The mammography market, based on the segment of type, has included screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Based on the segment of technology, the mammography market has included 2-D technology, 3-D technology, and combination technology. The global mammography market, based on the segment of the product, has included breast tomosynthesis film-screen systems, analog systems, digital systems, and others. By the segment of end-user, the mammography market has included specialty clinics, hospitals, diagnostic centers, research institutes, and others. Mammography Market Regional Framework North America is studied and found to capture a significant share for the mammography market, and it is expected to demonstrate a similar trend in the forecast period, without momentous fluctuations. The rising prevalence of breast cancer and the occurrence of better healthcare infrastructure in the region are expected to oblige the overall growth of the mammography market over the forecast period. Breastcancer.org claimed that an estimated 268,600 novel cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women in the United States back in the year 2019. Furthermore, there is an ascend in funding activity for research in breast cancer. In the case of point, as per the NCI budget factbook, breast cancer received funding of USD 545.1 million in the year 2017. In the United States, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) provides breast cancer education and free mammograms to women in need. This organization conducts diverse programs, namely Beyond The Shock, Patient Navigation, National Mammography Program, and Breast Health Awareness. Thus, owing to the growing prevalence of breast cancer and awareness among the population, the mammography market might experience immense growth in the forecast period. Browse Detailed TOC with COVID-19 Impact Analysis at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/mammography-market-2443 Mammography Market Key Vendors The key vendors in the Global Mammography Market are GE Healthcare, Hologic, INC., Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Private Limited, BMI Biomedical International SRL, PLANNED OY, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Siemens Healthcare, and Villa Systems Medical SpA. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Lawmakers have disclosed efforts to tackle constitutional amendments in both houses of Congress with a hearing scheduled by a panel in the House of Representatives, and a resolution filed in Senate. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, AKO BICOL Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., head of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, posted photos of some lawmakers meeting with the caption gearing up for constitutional amendments. When asked about this, Garbin said it is House Speaker Lord Allan Velascos directive to tackle proposed amendments to restrictive economic provisions. He said a hearing will be held on January 13. In July 2019, Velasco filed a resolution proposing amendments to economic provisions, particularly easing limits on the foreign ownership of land, natural resources, public utilities, mass media, and schools. Meanwhile, Senators Francis Tolentino and Ronald dela Rosa filed on December 20 a resolution seeking to convene Congress as a constituent assembly to introduce amendments to the Constitution. Talks will be limited to the provisions on democratic representation and the economic provisions of the Constitution, the resolution states. Its too early to tell if these efforts would prosper, Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III said, noting that a majority vote is needed to convene while a vote is needed to approve constitutional amendments. In a constituent assembly, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall convene and decide on constitutional amendments themselves. This is different from a constitutional convention which requires nationwide elections to select delegates who will draft the amendments. During the 17th Congress, the House of Representatives also approved a resolution seeking a constituent assembly, but the Senate failed to decide on pertinent issues: Whether there is a need to amend the Constitution, and if so, whether it will be done by a constitutional convention or a constituent assembly. In May 2020, Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, then the chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, said the panel was suspending any deliberations on charter change as the country grapples with the coronavirus crisis. The House is now under new leadership following the controversial squabble between Velasco and former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. In December 2019, the panel swiftly approved a resolution seeking to amend the Constitution but an anti-political dynasty provision and other political and electoral reforms were left out. The committee then recalled the approval in order to consider the proposed amendments being offered by the executive, which included controversial restrictions on political dynasties. The panel last held a hearing in February 2020. A proposed Constitution that would allow for a shift to a federal form of government has been pushed under the present administration. President Rodrigo Duterte admitted in 2019 that passing federalism one of his main campaign promises in the 2016 elections would unlikely push through, due to lack of support from Filipinos. A year later, Malacanang said pursuing reforms to the Constitution is not a priority of the government amid the rising cases of the coronavirus disease, but it has also clarified it will not intervene in the affairs of Congress. CNN Philippines' Xianne Arcangel, Joyce Ilas, and Eimor Santos contributed to this report. Marsh, the insurance broker and risk adviser, has launched a dedicated Sharing Economy & Mobility (SE&M) industry group in the UK & Ireland. Led by Sam Tiltman, the group brings together over 25 sector specialists encompassing insurance placement and risk management disciplines from across the business. The group will support all of Marshs SE&M industry clients, from start-ups and SMEs to global enterprises, by providing risk and insurance solutions that will enable them to take full advantage of the opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector. Tiltman joined Marsh in 2016 as deputy leader of the Technology industry group in the UK & Ireland. Before joining Marsh he was Global Communications, Technology & Media Practice leader at JLT. Based in London, he reports to Carrick Lambert, Technology Industry Leader, UK & Ireland. Over the past decade, Sam has been at the heart of risk decision-making for many new technological developments and has supported fledgling businesses that have grown into global brands. With Sam at the helm, the SE&M industry team will play a key role in focusing the breadth of expertise Marsh can offer our clients as they look beyond the current crisis and develop new ways of doing business, commented Lambert. Technology disruption and the COVID-19 pandemic have irrevocably changed the ways in which we live, work, and travel. Many organisations are already making changes to their business models to adapt to changing consumer behaviour. The SE&M group will support our clients as they seek new opportunities for growth and development, added Tiltman. Source: Marsh Topics New Markets Sharing Economy The California Department of Public Health on Tuesday ordered counties with available intensive care capacity to accept transfer patients from overwhelmed regions, a stop-gap measure intended to relieve pressure on facilities buckling under the strain of the latest surge. The new health order issued Tuesday night comes amid dwindling intensive care availability in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley, where hospitals are straining under the influx of new coronavirus cases spurred by holiday gatherings. Both regions report 0% intensive care availability, according to state metrics for counting ICU beds. When hospitals are overwhelmed and overflowing, they are no longer able to provide the traditional standards of care we expect, but if health care resources are available elsewhere, we should ensure Californians can receive appropriate care, Dr. Tomas Aragon, Californias director of public health, said in a statement. The order requires that counties with plenty of available ICU beds accept patients from hospitals that have reached a crisis level of care, meaning they are not able to adequately treat all patients and have to ration resources. The patient transfers may begin immediately and must be done capably and safely, according to the order. Transfers may occur anywhere within the state. It was not immediately clear how the order would affect the Bay Area, where some counties have ample ICU availability. As hospitals grappled with an accelerating ICU bed crisis in late December, the state warned that overwhelmed facilities were at risk of deteriorating to crisis care standards, in which staff would have to make hard choices about allocating treatments to patients. The order also requires hospitals in areas most affected by the surge to halt elective surgeries. Counties in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley with less than 10% ICU capacity are required to postpone non-essential surgeries. Urgent medical procedures considered life-saving, however, are allowed to continue in those counties. We must ensure our entire health care system does everything it can to prevent our hospitals from shifting to crisis care standards for people who are seriously ill with COVID-19 or other critical medical conditions, Aragon said. Chronicle Staff Writer Erin Allday contributed to this report. Nora Mishanec is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nora.mishanec@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NMishanec The Wenchi High Court presided by Justice Fredrick Arnold Nawurah has quashed a restraining order filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the inauguration of Mr Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Techiman South Constituency. The Party filed the injunction praying the court to restrain the inauguration of the MP-elect and challenged the validity and outcome of the parliamentary election results in the Constituency. The petitioners accused the EC of manipulating collation of results in favour of the MP-elect, and believed their candidate Mr Christopher Baasongti Bayere, won the parliamentary seat in the just ended General Election. But, at the courts sitting on Tuesday, Justice Nawurah indicated that the petitioners had no case, saying the document presented by the NDC was inconsistent and had no substance. Later, Mr Kwabena Asare, counsel for the MP-elect told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) his client was not served with any court notice. A post-election violence erupted in the Techiman Township, left two dead while four others perceived to be supporters of the NDC sustained gunshot wounds. The incident happened around 1530 hours at the Techiman Bonokyempem hall on Tuesday December 7, when Mr Sampson Ofori Gyamfi, the Techiman Municipal Electoral officer, declared the Mr Korsah winner of the parliamentary elections. According to the EC, Mr Korsah secured 49,682 votes to beat his keen contender, Mr Beyere, who had 49,205 votes. The total votes cast for the parliamentary elections were 99,828, total valid votes 98,887, and there were 941 rejected ballots. Not satisfied with the EC results and declaration some aggrieved supporters of the NDC attempted to forcibly break into the Bonokyempem hall where the collation of results was being held, but security operatives did not allow them to do so. The situation led to a heightened misunderstanding between the security operatives and the NDC supporters, and in the cause of the melee, the security personnel fired gunshots to disperse the crowd. Two people were reported to have died from the incident. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Denton, TX (76205) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. [January 06, 2021] Reinsurance Group of America Elects New Member to Board of Directors Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE: RGA) a leading global life and health reinsurer, today announced the election of Shundrawn A. Thomas to its Board of Directors. Mr. Thomas will begin his service on February 1, 2021. The addition of Mr. Thomas increases the number of RGA directors to 12. "With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, Shundrawn is a respected and trusted leader with deep experience working with and developing executive leadership teams," said Anna Manning, President and Chief Executive Officer, RGA. "In addition to his expertise in launching and developing financial services products and investment funds, I am confident his knowledge in guiding diversity-fueled organizational transformation will be incredibly valuable to RGA." "I am confident that Shundrawn's extensive knowledge and experience in the financial services industry will be of great value to the Board," said J. Cliff Eason, Chair of the Board of Directors. "He is a seasoned professional, whose close work with corporate leadership teams will bring an important perspective to our organization." Mr. Thomas is currently a member of the Northern Trust Management Group and serves as President of Northern Trust Asset Management, a leding global investment manager with over $1 trillion in assets under management. In his role, he works closely with the CEO, board, and executive team to develop and refine corporate strategy, business strategy, and governance. Before becoming Northern Trust Asset Management President, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Vice President, Head of Funds and Managed Accounts, where he oversaw three practice areas, including the startup of FlexShares, the Northern Trust-backed exchange-traded fund suite, which he built de novo. Prior to his current role, Mr. Thomas served as President and Chief Executive of Northern Trust Securities, Inc. (NTSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Mr. Thomas joined Northern Trust in 2004 and shortly after was appointed Head of Corporate Strategy. His earlier career experience includes serving as a vice president at Goldman Sachs, where he managed some of the firm's largest global fund manager clients. He also held positions in sales, trading, and research at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Thomas completed his bachelor's degree in accounting at Florida A&M University, and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He has also completed executive leadership programs in corporate strategy and corporate governance, at Chicago Booth and University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business, respectively. Mr. Thomas was recognized by Savoy Magazine as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America and among the 300 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America by Black Enterprise Magazine. About RGA Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA), a Fortune 500 company, is among the leading global providers of life reinsurance and financial solutions, with approximately $3.4 trillion of life reinsurance in force and assets of $82.1 billion as of September 30, 2020. Founded in 1973, RGA is recognized for its deep technical expertise in risk and capital management, innovative solutions, and commitment to serving its clients. With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, and operations around the world, RGA delivers expert solutions in individual life reinsurance, individual living benefits reinsurance, group reinsurance, health reinsurance, facultative underwriting, product development, and financial solutions. To learn more about RGA and its businesses, visit the company's website at www.rgare.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005849/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. With a new year comes a new set of data for coronavirus cases in the Lake Houston area. As of Jan. 5, Humble ISD reported 42 active student cases (0.12 percent) and 69 active staff cases (0.92 percent). There have been a total of 779 student cases and 395 staff cases since public reporting began on Aug. 11. The district remains in the caution category. TRAGIC LOSS: Don Baker, owner of beloved candy store in The Woodlands, dies after COVID fight The active cases in the district have declined from a high of 184 active student cases (0.53 percent) and 85 active staff cases (1.13 percent) on Dec. 15. Students returned to campus on Tuesday after a two week Christmas break, which contributed to the lower numbers of active cases. The district defines active COVID-19 cases as those reported less than two weeks ago. The full contact tracing protocols can viewed on the Humble ISD wesbite. The district has also updated testing options for both in-person and virtual students, providing a 24 Hour Covid RT-PCR Laboratory. The two sites include one in Kingwood at 22751 Professional Drive behind HCA Kingwood Medical Center and another in Atascocita at 18321 W. Lake Houston Parkway, behind Iguana Joes. Students who have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with a positive COVID-19 test will have access to a telemedicine consultation and diagnostic lab test with no out of pocket costs due to the CARES Act. Students without symptoms or who arent identified as a close contact will be required to pay $139. More Information Data on the coronavirus as of Jan. 5 from Harris County Public Health can be viewed by zip code. These zip codes cover the Lake Houston area. 77396 3210 confirmed cases 507 active cases 2674 recovered cases 29 Deaths 77346 3290 confirmed cases 625 active cases 2640 recovered cases 25 Deaths 77338 2446 confirmed cases 400 active cases 1994 recovered cases 50 Deaths 77339 628 confirmed cases 104 active cases 554 recovered cases 24 Deaths 77345 364 confirmed cases 57 active cases 306 recovered cases 1 Death 77044 2823 confirmed cases 360 active cases 2444 recovered 19 deaths Totals July 31: Total: 2,928 cases, 51 deaths Aug 31: 4,572 confirmed cases, 80 deaths Oct. 26: 7,818 confirmed cases, 116 deaths Nov. 24: 9,127 confirmed cases, 129 deaths Dec. 30: 11,878 confirmed cases, 143 deaths Jan. 5: 12,761 confirmed cases, 147 deaths See More Collapse TOP HITS: Get Houston Chronicle stories sent directly to your inbox By Jan. 5, there were 12,761 confirmed cases and 147 deaths in the Lake Houston area zip codes according to data from Harris County Public Health. Texas reached 1,824,579 cases and 28,483 deaths according to the Houston Chronicle data team on the evening of Jan. 4. According to the Houston Chronicle data team, three of the first four days of the year have seen record numbers of patients hospitalized due to the coronavirus. For free testing locations, visit the Harris County Public Health website here. There have been a limited number of the COVID-19 vaccines for designated members of Tier 1A and 1B. To view a map of provider locations, visit the interactive website here. savannah.mehrtens@chron.com In 1993 Sunil Vachani asked his father, the late Sunder T Vachani, for some capital to manufacture cathode ray tube TV sets for Lucky Goldstar (now LG), which had agreed to outsource the job to his company. But Vachani Senior, who had built the Weston TV brand in India, wasnt convinced that it was a good idea. He felt companies would not be willing to give up their core area of business manufacturing. It turned out that he was wrong. Sunil Vachani says that when he was studying for his management degree in the UK, he could see that global consumer brands were ... "At the moment we know the individual who had close contact at the airport is not at risk of transmitting," he said. "If you haven't got the virus, and its a very sensitive test that we do, then you're not going to transmit it." Dr Williamson said he was leaving it to the contact tracing team as to whether close contacts with the worker will need to be tested and isolated. WA's incident controller Robyn Lawrence said the breaches were unacceptable and said an inquiry would be launched into PPE breaches. "I want to reassure people that public health acted immediately and both people [the healthcare workers] were placed into quarantine before the virus could incubate or be transmitted to other people," she said. "The low numbers of COVID-19 in WA are no excuse for complacency and breaches could lead to community transmission if not immediately addressed." Three new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in WA overnight in hotel quarantine, including the woman who had come back from the UK. The woman arrived on January 2 on Emirates flight EK420 and went straight into isolation at a hotel before being taken to Royal Perth Hospital where she is currently staying in a negative pressure room. She is the first person to be hospitalised with COVID-19 in WA since September 5. Genomic sequencing results for the hospitalised woman are expected to be processed in the next few days. WA Premier Mark McGowan said the incident with the paramedic and the current protocols around testing quarantine bus drivers, who take international arrivals from the airport to hotels for isolation, would be discussed at a state emergency management committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Quarantine bus drivers are not currently required to undertake mandatory COVID-19 testing on a regular basis and are able to drive other routes. Loading Mr McGowan has called for the national cabinet to sit as soon as possible which is about a month ahead of February 5 when premiers, chief ministers, and Mr Morrison were due to next meet to discuss several COVID-19 issues. The premier doubled down on his stance that travellers to Australia from countries such as the UK and the United States should be tested for the virus before flying and not be allowed on board if they test positive. Mr McGowan said the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine needed to be discussed, along with how best to protect Australia in relation to the UK variant of the disease which is believed to be more infectious than other strains. "I'd urge the Australian health advisory body ... to provide advice to the Prime Minister quite quickly," he said. "In terms of banning people out of Britain, if the health advice to the nation's governments recommended that than I would support that, but at this point in time we don't have that recommendation." Mr McGowan and acting New South Wales Premier John Barilaro have, partially, buried the hatchet after the latter backtracked on several comments about sending people who landed in NSW on domestic flights to WA for hotel quarantine. Mr Barilaro told 6PR on Wednesday he was not here to "start a war". Every state makes its own decisions and rightly so, we just dont want to be lectured, he said. To Premier McGowan, well done on the leadership he has shown during this pandemic. All premiers and the Prime Minister through national cabinet have led us to success. Mr McGowan said the best thing for NSW would be for it to eliminate the virus. "Have a look at England, have a look at Britain. Britain should have eliminated the virus, theyre an island. They could have done that had they adopted the right policies early on," he said. "Now its too late and you can see what happens when its too late. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 By Juliet Nalwooga A Special Police Constable has sustained gunshot wounds after a scuffle that ensued between residents and security officers at a bar in Mayuge District. SPC Ponde Bakali, who is attached to Jaguzi Island police post in Jaguzi sub-county Mayuge District was injured while on duty at Kaziru village at a bar called Ghetto bar. According to the Busoga East region police spokesperson, James Mubi, the revellers who were told to switch off the music and stop drinking instead turned violet prompting the officers to fire in the air to disperse them. In the process, Bakali and another civilian currently on the run only identified as Opio was injured. Bakali has been referred to Mulago hospital hours after he was rushed to Jinja referral hospital in a critical condition. Mubi says investigations into the incident are ongoing and the revellers will be apprehended for defying curfew and Ministry of health guidelines to stem the spread of Covid-19. Washington A violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn Americas presidential election, undercut the nations democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. The nations elected representatives scrambled to crouch under desks and don gas marks, while police futilely tried to barricade the building, one of the most jarring scenes ever to unfold in a seat of American political power. A woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and Washingtons mayor instituted an evening curfew in an attempt to contain the violence. The rioters were egged on by Trump, who has spent weeks falsely attacking the integrity of the election and had urged his supporters to descend on Washington to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens victory. Some Republican lawmakers were in the midst of raising objections to the results on his behalf when the proceedings were abruptly halted by the mob. Together, the protests and the GOP election objections amounted to an almost unthinkable challenge to American democracy and exposed the depths of the divisions that have coursed through the country during Trumps four years in office. Though the efforts to block Biden from being sworn in on Jan. 20 were sure to fail, the support Trump has received for his efforts to overturn the election results have badly strained the nations democratic guardrails. Congress reconvened in the evening, senators decrying the protests that defaced the Capitol and vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College vote for Bidens election, even if it took all night. Vice President Mike Pence, reopening the Senate, directly addressed the demonstrators: You did not win. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the failed insurrection underscored lawmakers duty to confirm the vote. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would show the world what America is made of by finishing the count. The president gave his supporters a boost into action Wednesday morning at a rally outside the White House, where he urged them to march to the Capitol. He spent much of the afternoon in his private dining room off the Oval Office watching scenes of the violence on television. At the urging of his staff, he reluctantly issued a pair of tweets and a taped video telling his supporters it was time to go home in peace yet he still said he backed their cause. Hours later, Twitter for the first time time locked Trumps account, demanded that he remove tweets excusing violence and threatened permanent suspension. A somber President-elect Biden, two weeks away from being inaugurated, said American democracy was under unprecedented assault, " a sentiment echoed by many in Congress, including some Republicans. Former President George W. Bush said he watched the events in disbelief and dismay. The domed Capitol building has for centuries been the scene of protests and occasional violence. But Wednesdays events were particularly astounding both because they unfolded at least initially with the implicit blessing of the president and because of the underlying goal of overturning the results of a free and fair presidential election. Tensions were already running high when lawmakers gathered early Wednesday afternoon for the constitutionally mandated counting of the Electoral College results, in which Biden defeated Trump, 306-232. Despite pleas from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, more than 150 GOP lawmakers planned to support objections to some of the results, though lacking evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Trump spent the lead-up to the proceedings publicly hectoring Pence, who had a largely ceremonial role, to aid the effort to throw out the results. He tweeted: Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! But Pence, in a statement shortly before presiding, defied Trump, saying he could not claim unilateral authority to reject the electoral votes that make Biden president. In the aftermath, several Republicans announced they would drop their objections to the election, including Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. She called the siege of the Capitol abhorrent. Shortly after the first GOP objections, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls. Lawmakers were told to duck under their seats for cover and put on gas masks after tear gas was used in the Capitol Rotunda. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., told reporters he was in the House chamber when rioters began storming it. Security officers made us all get down, you could see that they were fending off some sort of assault. He said they had a piece of furniture up against the door, the entry to the House floor from the Rotunda. And they had guns pulled, Peters said. And they just told us to take our pins off, he added, referring to lapel pins members wear so Capitol Police can quickly identify them. Then the lawmakers were evacuated. Staff members grabbed the boxes of Electoral College votes as the evacuation took place. Otherwise, said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., the ballots likely would have been destroyed by the protesters. The woman who was killed was part of a crowd that was breaking down the doors to a barricaded room where armed officers stood on the other side, police said. She was struck in the chest and sent to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Officials believe she was struck by law enforcement but were investigating. Trump supporters posting on internet forums popular with far-right fringe elements celebrated the chaos. Messages posted on one turned from profane frustration over the content of Trumps speech to glee when supporters stormed the building. At least one leading figure was livestreaming video from inside the Capitol during the siege. The mobs storming of Congress prompted outrage, mostly from Democrats but from Republicans as well, as lawmakers accused Trump of fomenting the violence with his relentless falsehoods about election fraud. Several suggested that Trump be prosecuted for a crime, which seemed unlikely two weeks from when his term expires. I think Donald Trump probably should be brought up on treason for something like this, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., told reporters. This is how a coup is started. And this is how democracy dies. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., whos at times clashed with Trump, issued a statement saying, Lies have consequences. This violence was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the Presidents addiction to constantly stoking division. Despite Trumps repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. The Pentagon said about 1,100 District of Columbia National Guard members were being mobilized to help support law enforcement at the Capitol. More than a dozen people were arrested. As darkness fell, law enforcement officers worked their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible. Police in full riot gear moved down the steps, clashing with demonstrators. BREAKING: Trump supporters clash with police, attempting to gain access to the U.S. Capitol building, as the Congress debate an objection to Arizona's Electoral College votes. pic.twitter.com/E3TAcJpaPM NBC News (@NBCNews) January 6, 2021 Live on NBC: Protesters have breached the barrier around the U.S. Capitol and approached the center steps. pic.twitter.com/tLij5qmRiJ Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 6, 2021 Breaking: Tensions continue to rise between Capitol police and protesters during the March to Save America rally. https://t.co/xyWkcOVn58 PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) January 6, 2021 Whoa: Trump supporters going at it with the police on the steps of the Capitol as Congress counts the Electoral College ballots inside pic.twitter.com/LiQhaa5KkQ philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 6, 2021 Capitol is more or less on lockdown after protesters breached the temp fencing that had been put in place for the day pic.twitter.com/CIkmlgVi3o Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) January 6, 2021 Gardai have seized 75,000 of suspected cannabis herb and arrested two men in Cork City on Tuesday. As part of an ongoing investigation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in Cork City, Gardai from the Divisional Drugs Unit stopped a car on the Bandon Road at around 7pm. School Districts in Tennessee could be heading over a financial cliff if the Tennessee General Assembly does not take swift action during the Special Session called by Governor Lee. The state must address the BEP (Basic Education Program) formula, which funds our schools. Three critical events are occurring in most school districts due to the pandemic: unstable student enrollment, increased and unforeseen costs in public education, and uncertainty of local tax revenue. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on employment at our public schools nationally. The latest U.S. Department of Labor estimates show that state and local education employment was down 8.8% in October from the previous year. Private sector jobs, by comparison, dropped 6.2% over the same period. Many of the layoffs included bus drivers, food service personnel, support staff, and other non-instructional positions. The urgency cannot be overstated. Tennessee must take action in the special session to stabilize our public schools. The economic health of our state is rooted in our public schools. A strong education system drives the economic health of a community and a state. We can debate priorities, and we must have a vigorous discussion on the order of priorities. However, without basic funding and fiscal stability, any academic progress we have made in our local systems across the state will suffer a significant setback and any progress we made may be lost for another generation. Our state must safeguard current funding levels for our K-12 public schools. In Tennessee, we have struggled in some school districts to even open for in-person instruction. Some have opened, closed, and re-opened, for various reasons. We have warned this is problematic, and we would have been better served by delaying the opening of some schools and districts. Educators are working hard statewide whether in person or online. We in the education community understand that is a challenge for some communities, and problematic for policymakers. Nobody has ever faced a pandemic of this proportion before like we have witnessed with COVID-19. It is difficult for every district in the state to make necessary decisions when they lack healthy and experienced educators and support staff to provide high-quality instruction for our students. Educators are leaving the profession, either by retiring or resigning. Substitute teachers are difficult to find. The educators workload is increasing. It would be helpful to the Tennessee General Assembly to take a look at the number of resignations or those eligible to resign, as well as retired and those on leave, to get a grasp of that pending challenge. Inaction by the Tennessee General Assembly during the Special Session to address the BEP will further damage the perilous financial situation created by COVID-19. Rather than dealing with the difficult challenge of retaining and hiring new personnel to fill critical roles of instructing children, districts will be faced with cutting their budgets and making unwanted personnel cuts. We need a serious commitment by our state to overcome COVID-19, both long-term and short-term. We have to stabilize funding short-term for at least the next two or three years and consider other long-term solutions that may be needed. For example, ending social promotion and summer school for K-5 or K-8 students is very likely to be discussed by legislators. The Tennessee General Assembly must ensure that all schools and districts have the necessary resources to keep students and staff safe, as well as healthy. In addressing BEP funding, we can stabilize school districts and make sure students have the needed educators and staff for quality education. Additionally, we should replace the words learning loss, which is subjective, with lost instruction time, which can be measured. Our schools must have the resources to address lost instruction time. Legislators will want to ensure we are accounting for our most vulnerable students, especially those with disabilities and those who are socio-economically disadvantaged. Our schools and districts are facing challenging times. We will continue to advocate for them to ensure this generation gets the opportunity to become productive and responsible citizens. Our teachers are up for that challenge. Lets make sure our schools are funded. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Chinese technology tycoon Jack Ma's disappearing act has added a layer of intrigue to a calculated strike by the Chinese government to teach its homegrown technology star some humility. Having amassed a personal fortune of over $US50 billion ($65.5 billion) since the inception of Alibaba in 1999, Ma's vision has moved well beyond letting consumers, predominantly Chinese, buy things online and make payments. Ant Group, which saw its $US35 billion ($45 billion) IPO scuttled by Beijing, aspires to be a far more pervasive platform that offers myriad functions but also captures vast amounts of data. Jack Ma has fallen out with China's authorities. Credit:AP The form and function of Ant's technology platform is no different to that of Google, Facebook and Amazon.com. And just like its US "Big Tech" peers, Ant and its parent Alibaba, have become so dominant that regulatory action was inevitable. As it turns out, the necessary trigger came courtesy of Ma and his speech in late October last year at a high-profile financial forum in Shanghai, where the tech tycoon berated the Chinese banks for acting like pawn shops. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Portugal reported a record 10,000 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours on Wednesday, and the government warned that its hospitals were under "enormous pressure" from the resurgence of the pandemic. At the same time, with less than three weeks to go before a presidential election, the country's conservative incumbent Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was briefly forced to self-isolate as a precautionary measure after coming into contact with a member of his team who had tested positive for COVID-19. Nevertheless, Rebelo de Sousa's office said in a statement that the 72-year-old had tested negative, and since the health authorities had assessed the risk of him becoming infected as "low", he would "resume his programme of work". The official election campaign begins on Sunday, but Rebelo de Sousa has already taken part in a series of head-to-head television debates with rival candidates. His scheduled debate with populist candidate Andre Ventura will go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday with the president attending in person, according to the TV broadcaster hosting it. In late December, Prime Minister Antonio Costa self-quarantined for 14 days after having coming into contact with French President Emmanuel Macron who had tested positive to the novel coronavirus. After loosening restrictions over the Christmas weekend, Portugal is currently seeing a new surge in infections, with a record 10,027 cases recorded over the past 24 hours and 513 people taken into intensive care. Nearly 7,400 people have died so far in the country from COVID-19. "We're again seeing enormous pressure on the national health service," said Health Minister Marta Temido. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP NEW YORK The 2021 Grammy Awards will no longer take place this month in Los Angeles and will broadcast in March due to a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths. The annual show would shift from its original Jan. 31 broadcast to March 14, according to a joint statement released Tuesday from the Recording Academy and CBS, which broadcasts the ceremony. The statement said the decision was reached after thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear. The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show, read the statement from Recording Academy interim CEO Harvey Mason Jr., CBS executive Jack Sussman, and Grammys executive producer Ben Winston. We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this years nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times. The Grammys will be held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. Los Angeles County, the epicenter of the crisis in California, has surpassed 11,000 COVID-19 deaths and has had 40% of the deaths in California. It is the third state to reach the 25,000-death count. An average of six people die every hour from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, which has a quarter of the states 40 million residents. County health officials fear the incoming Christmas and New Years surge. The new Grammys date coincides with the scheduled hosting of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which is typically held at another downtown Los Angeles venue, the Shrine Auditorium. That show honors the best performances in film and television. READ MORE: Dr. Anthony Fauci says U.S. could soon give 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations a day, despite current delays The Daily Show host and comedian Trevor Noah is set to host the 2021 Grammys, where Beyonce is the leading contender with nine nominations. She scored nominations for song and record of the year with Black Parade, which she released on Juneteenth, while Savage her No. 1 collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion picked up bids for record of the year, best rap song, and best rap performance. Beyonce's Black Is King, which aired on Disney+, is nominated for best music film, while Brown Skin Girl, a song dedicated to dark- and brown-skinned women, is nominated for best music video. Her daughter Blue Ivy Carter sings on Brown Skin Girl and also earned a Grammy nomination. Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, Jhene Aiko, Post Malone, Renee Zellweger, Billie Eilish, and her producer-brother Finneas also scored nominations. First-time nominees include the Strokes, Megan Thee Stallion, and Harry Styles. Since the pandemic, a number of awards show were postponed and later revamped due to COVID-19 restrictions. The BET Awards was the first major awards show during the pandemic and was a success thanks to its artsy, highly produced, well-crafted pretaped performances. The MTV Video Music Awards featured Lady Gaga winning awards and performing onsite in a mask, and the Latin Grammys pretaped several performances the week of the show, handing out some of its awards to the winners who attended the show. Performers at the Grammys will be announced at a later date. A horrific case of alleged gang rape and brutality similar to the Nirbhaya case of Delhi was reported from Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh where a middle-aged woman was gang-raped and then killed. The incident has been reported from a village in the Ughaiti police station area in Badaun district where a woman from the village went to a temple on Sunday evening but never returned. In the latest development to the gang-rape case, the SHO has been suspended and two of the three accused have been arrested by the police. Locals of the village have alleged that around 12 am, Mahant Baba Satyanarayan, his aide Vedram and driver Jaspal escaped, leaving the woman bleeding. She later died in the night. It was also revealed that earlier, the accused had taken the victim to Chandausi for treatment in their car. Family members of the victim have alleged that the police station officer of Ughaiti, Ravendra Pratap Singh, did not reach the spot even after the complaint. The body was sent for a post-mortem on Monday afternoon, 18 hours after the incident. The post-mortem was done by a panel of three doctors, including a female doctor. According to the report of the post mortem conducted on Tuesday, the woman had received fatal injuries in her private parts. The woman's rib and leg were broken while the lungs were attacked with a heavy object. Severe bleeding was also reported. The police have registered a case of murder and gang rape and have also formed four teams to catch the main accused Mahant Baba Satyanarayan who is absconding. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As all fairs around the world has been shut down due to the pandemic of COVID-19, the small/medium companies of Korea have lost most of the chances to introduce their products and meet with the buyers. Unlike the larger companies with overseas branches and sales networks, small/medium companies are blocked by the 'export wall' built up by COVID-19. Following announcement covered by Hankyung.com, Seoul and Seoul Business Agency (SBA), the small/medium business supporting agency affiliated to Seoul, are planning to open 'Trade On,' the online/offline integrated platform for exporters to relieve the hardships of small/medium exporters and lay a foundation for sustainable support for them. It opened temporarily in the beginning of December and about 100 companies have registered with the 'Trade On' platform so far. 'Trade On (tradeon.kr)' is a B2B platform that integrates the DB of small/medium companies in Korea and the potential buyers overseas to boost the companies' active exports abroad. It is currently open for testing and its services and DB will continue to be updated. When buyers log onto Trade On, they can visit the virtual booths of various companies as if attending a fair. They can check their major products, company profiles, and brochures and even chat with the representatives, start a video conference, or send inquiries. The small/medium businesses on Trade On can also take advantage of the video conference systems at SBA Global Marketing Center in Deungchon-dong, Seoul. 'Trade On' is an innovative platform that provides everything small/medium companies need when preparing for and promoting exports, including online booths, online business matching (meetings), advisory services, and export-related seminars. The offline infrastructure for video conferences and advisory services can be booked and scheduled by any small/medium business on the online platform. SBA is planning to continue supporting exports through the platform. Other export platforms for small/medium businesses provide video conference systems for buyers overseas, whereas 'Trade On' allows the local businesses to request video conferences with buyers overseas. They can approach the registered buyers themselves rather than simply waiting for the buyers to visit their websites. Also, their new products registered on the platform are automatically exposed to the interested buyers based on the interested areas selected by buyers and small/medium businesses upon signup. Not only that, buyers are invited to join the platform based on the HS Code and actual importation records of each item provided by 20 customs offices around the world for the local credit rating companies and the same data can also be used to identify the buyers for the local companies to sort out invalid inquiries. The two-way interaction between buyers and exporters is expected to activate inquiries and generate profit. The products registered with 'Trade On' are largely classified into five categories: IT/Electronics, Medical/Bio, foods, beauty, and Lifestyle. The categories have been expanded beyond the everyday commodities for more small/medium exporters to join. Participating companies include 'Clair,' an everyday appliance brand, 'ABKO,' the No. 1 gaming gear provider in Korea, 'SN Fashion Group' of Sonyunara for the Millennial generation, 'Kotsam,' a traditional tea exporter with No. 1 market share for honey Yuzu tea in the world, and 'GOSHEN Korea' that launched a beauty brand 'Quret' to win the 20 Million Export Tower on the Trade Day last year. "Many small/medium businesses are having difficulties with exports due to recent re-spread of COVID-19," said Kim Yong-sang, the head of SBA Marketing Headquarters. "The new 'Trade On' is expected to introduce the competitive products of local small/medium exporters and explore the export channels in the 'non-contact' manner for the post-COVID-19 era." SOURCE Hankyung.com Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 21:19:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man receives the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Hyde Leisure Centre in Greater Manchester, Britain, on Jan. 7, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs on Wednesday that the government will use "every available second" of the lockdown to place an "invisible shield" around elderly and vulnerable people through the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks. (Photo by Jon Super/Xinhua) LONDON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday that the easing of England's new national lockdown, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in Britain early last year, will be a "gradual unwrapping" and not a "big bang". The prime minister told MPs in the House of Commons, lower house of the British Parliament, that the British government will use "every available second" of the lockdown to place an "invisible shield" around elderly and vulnerable people through the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks. Johnson made the remarks ahead of a vote on England's third national COVID-19 lockdown later Wednesday. The prime minister justified his decision to order a third national shutdown with the emergence of a new variant of the virus first identified in Britain, which is said to be up to 70 percent more transmissible. The variant was "spreading with frightening ease and speed in spite of the sterling work of the British public", said Johnson, adding that it left him with "no choice" but to implement another lockdown in England. "This mutation has led to more cases than we've seen ever before. Numbers that alas cannot be explained away by the meteoric rise in testing," Johnson told MPs. "When the ONS (British Office for National Statistics) reports that more than 2 percent of the population is now infected and when the number of patients in hospitals in England is now 40 percent higher than the first peak in April it is inescapable that the facts are changing and we must change our response," said Johnson. Announcing the lockdown on Monday evening in a televised address, Johnson urged people across the country to "stay at home" except for permitted reasons, echoing the message back in March 2020. The House of Commons was recalled on Wednesday from its Christmas recess to debate and retrospectively vote on the lockdown which has already been in force. With the backing of the main opposition the Labour Party, the measure is expected to pass the vote comfortably. The prime minister has pledged that his government would "do everything we can to keep the virus under control", warning that there are "tough, tough" weeks ahead in the fight against COVID-19. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Beijing: Mocking India for its slower GDP in the January-April quarter, a state-run Chinese daily said on Friday that the neighbouring country has suffered a setback and a "nasty surprise" in the "elephant versus dragon" race. The recent slip-up by India helped China re-emerged as the fastest growing major economy. Calling it a "self-goal" by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Global Times hoped India will not score any more "own goals" in the future as it continues with its reform efforts. India lost the tag of the fastest growing major economy to China in the March quarter with a GDP growth of 6.1%, which pulled down the 2016-17 expansion to 7.1%. Some experts believe the demonetisation of high-value bank notes, that accounted for nearly 85% of currency in circulation, in November by the government had some effect on the data. Read | Decline in fourth quarter GDP growth on account of multiple factors, not demonetisation, says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Finance minister Arun Jaitley had on Thursday said the slowdown was due to both domestic and global factors, but maintained that the move to demonetise the notes cannot be blamed alone. "It seems that India has suffered a setback in the 'elephant versus dragon' race, with an unexpected slowdown in its economy helping China regain the title of fastest-growing major economy in the first quarter," the Chinese daily said. Part of the publications run by the ruling Communist Party, the daily said the "surprising" slowdown points to "some underlying problems" facing the Indian economy. It also doubted the government data, saying they "have invited controversy." "India watchers were caught off-guard when the economy was revealed on Wednesday to have grown by only 6.1% in the January-March period, its weakest in more than two years. Read | Indias per capita income rises 9.7 percent in Financial Year 2017 The number was well below analysts' forecasts of more than 7 per cent growth for the quarter," it said. The daily headlined the article 'India gets nasty surprise from first-quarter growth amid doubts over earlier data'. It said "a significant upward revision of last year's growth data for the same period by 1.3 percentage points to 9.2% was in part blamed for the comparative slump in India's economic growth in the first quarter this year". "But this was supposed to have already been factored into previous market estimates, so why did the growth data still come as such a shock?" "Adding to the puzzle is that India posted stronger-than-expected seven per cent growth in the October-to-December period when the economy was seen being hit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision in November to scrap largest-denomination banknotes," it said. "The growth numbers, therefore, don't hold water. Some local economists said the first-quarter growth reading is closer to reality compared with previous data," it said. "The reality also shows how poorly the economy is weathering demonetisation," the tabloid daily which carries articles all most every day against India in recent times said. India should be mindful of putting too much strain on its economy and subjecting the economy to a deeper imbalance while pressing ahead with ambitious reforms," it said. The Chinese economy has posted a 6.9% growth in the first quarter this year - higher than the 6.5% official target. The Chinese government has lowered this year's growth target to 6.5% amid reports that the total debt is reported to be worth over 250% of GDP and bad loans by the commercial banks totalled to 220 billion dollar. There was sense of disquiet in China, which remained the fastest growing economy for decades with double-digit growth rates, after it yielded the status to India. And the daily suggested that the Indian government "seriously think twice about reformist drives as drastic as the November decision." For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. What a day. It started with chaos, and has ended with President Donald Trump promising an orderly transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, although Trump stopped short of actually conceding. US Vice-President Mike Pence and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lead the joint sitting of Congress. Joe Biden's election win was finally certified at 3.33am local time. Credit:The New York Times The House and Senate certified the Democrats electoral college win early Thursday local time after a violent throng of pro-Trump rioters spent hours Wednesday running rampant through the Capitol. A woman was fatally shot, windows were bashed and the mob forced shaken lawmakers and aides to flee the building, shielded by Capitol Police. Biden called for an end to the "assault on the citadel of liberty", and former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were quick to decry the unfolding crisis. Around the world, leaders condemned the riots as a "threat to democracy" and expressed shock in statements and on Twitter. The rampage began shortly after Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud to thousands of rallying demonstrators hed invited to Washington. Many then surged to the Capitol after he incited them to go there as lawmakers debated the electoral votes. Loading More than six hours after the violence erupted, lawmakers resumed their session but questions lingered about the "embarrassing" security failure. Thirteen Republican senators and dozens of GOP representatives had planned to force debate and votes on perhaps six different states votes. The assault on the Capitol made some Republicans squeamish about trying to overturn Bidens win, and challenges were lodged only against Arizona and Pennsylvania. Both efforts lost overwhelmingly. Biden defeated Trump by 306-232 electoral votes and will be inaugurated on January 20. And with that, loyal readers, it's a wrap. Thanks for joining us. A pensioner who became a 'national treasure' after getting the Pfizer vaccine on 'V-Day' today revealed he used his new-found freedom to reunite with his grandchildren over Christmas. Martin Kenyon, who lives in south-west London, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that he left the capital after having his second jab to see his family in Shropshire over the festive period. The plain-speaking 91-year-old, who is a close friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and met Dr Martin Luther King, was asked by co-hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid what he would do following his inoculation. Standing outside in the cold, he paused and responded: 'I expect you want me to say that I'm going to hug my daughters and granddaughters'. After Ms Reid piped up: 'Only if they live with you in a bubble', Mr Kenyon admitted: 'No, they're in Shropshire where we spent Christmas together, and now I'm back here in London'. Christmas was effectively cancelled for millions of people as the Government plunged London and the South East into Tier 4 curbs, including a ban on different households gathering. Different households in Tier 3 Shropshire could form a bubble on December 25, meaning families were granted a one-day amnesty where they could legally celebrate Christmas together. Mr Kenyon was one of the first people in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine last month and became a viral star after a chance interview with CNN as he left Guy's Hospital in London. Martin Kenyon, who lives in south-west London, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that he left the capital after having his second jab to see his family in Shropshire over the festive period The plain-speaking 91-year-old, who lives in south London, spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about his trip out of the capital hours after his second Covid jab Martin Kenyon, 91, pictured during the interview, in which he spoke about being one of the first person to receive Pfizer's jab at Guy's Hospital in London, with CNN's Cyril Vanier last month Describing getting his first vaccine by simply phoning the hospital and booking a slot, he told anchor Cyril Vanier: 'I'm not going to have the bloody bug now.' Mr Kenyon later told Sky News he had received his second jab and described the publicity surrounding his first jab as 'nonsense'. He said: 'It's all rather uninteresting I feel exactly the same. It's a good idea for people to have it. It's sensible. Rather like all the injections I've had all the 91 years I've lived. 'I don't understand the medical or scientific side of it all - but I do what I'm told and trust the experts.' The 91-year-old's CNN interview amassed tens of thousands of shares across social media, with fans praising the 'charming gentleman' and labelling him a 'treasure.' Mr Kenyon said: 'I rang up Guy's hospital which I know very well. I said you're doing the vaccination and they said yes. 'They asked me questions over the phone about this and that and I said 'yes, no, yes, no' and 'they said well come at half past twelve.' 'Of course I couldn't find anywhere to damn well park my car so I was late. They duly put me on the list, I went off and had a rather nasty lunch and then came back and they were ready for me.' Hospitals will not typically allow people to phone to book a vaccine, but Mr Kenyon was given a spare appointment as he regularly attends the hospital. Martin Kenyon, pictured in his London home, has since received his second Covid vaccine jab Mr Kenyon with his family - (Left to right) his daughter Nina; his grandson Leo; Ben Clarke; Mr Kenyon himself; his daughter Eliza; his granddaughter Molly and son-in-law Andrew Asked how he felt about being one of the first people in the country to have the vaccine, Mr Kenyon promptly corrected the interviewer, saying: 'In the World. I don't think very much at all expect that I hope I'm not going to have the bloody bug now. 'I don't intend to have it because I've got granddaughters and I want to live a long time to enjoy their lives.' He added: 'Well there's no point in dying now when I've lived this long is there? I don't intend to anyway.' Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital confirmed that Mr Kenyon had indeed promoted his own appointment. A spokesperson for the hospital trust said: 'He did call and there was a spare appointment so we gave it to him after we confirmed that he was one of our patients. 'But our normal position is in line with the national one. We are proactively contacting all of our patients over 80. So we would ask patients to wait until we get in touch with them.' BBC presenter Gary Lineker said Mr Kenyon's responses were 'brilliant.' Mr Kenyon told MailOnline last month he had been friends with Desmond Tutu for 60 years after he looked after the South African archbishop when he arrived in London in the early 1960s to study. Through his friendship with the Anglican cleric, he became involved in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa as well as racial injustice in the US, once spending an evening with Dr Martin Luther King in Chicago in 1966. Mr Kenyon ran the Overseas Students Trust for 30 years between 1963 and 1993, and was based in South Kensington where he looked after foreign students who came to study in Britain. HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Walker LLP announced today that Dan Cogdell and Nicholas Norris have joined the Litigation Practice Group in the Houston office as a partner and an associate, respectively. Dan brings to the firm nearly 40 years of experience representing individuals and corporations in high-profile, bet-the-company, white collar and criminal defense cases. He has made a career of successfully defending corporations and individuals in white collar criminal defense jury trials and related disputes. Speaking of the move to Jones Walker, Dan said, "The vast majority of my career has been spent practicing in my own boutique law firm and focusing on white collar defense and governmental investigations. With the anticipated increase in regulatory scrutiny and uptick in activity under the Biden administration, I made the deliberate decision to move to Jones Walker, where I would be able to provide the same high level of service that my clients expect and deserve. Jones Walker is a well-respected firm that not only has great lawyers, but we also have great people. Both are incredibly important to me, especially at this stage in my career. Nick and I are very excited to be here at Jones Walker." Dan has served as counsel in more than 300 trials in 16 states, including some of the most highly publicized cases in recent decades. Acting as pro bono counsel, Dan secured an acquittal for an individual charged in the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas. He later successfully defended Judge John Peavey in the Houston City Hall bribery cases. He also obtained the only acquittal in the original trials related to the collapse of Enron Corporation. In 2020, Dan represented the head of logistics for Arkema in litigation following the 2017 chemical plant explosion in Crosby, Texas, during Hurricane Harvey. He has successfully won dismissals of charges, jury verdicts, and appeals on behalf of individuals facing allegations of securities, wire, bank, government, insurance, Medicare, tax, and mail fraud; conspiracy, obstruction of justice, bribery, and money laundering; as well as assault, kidnapping, and murder. Dan has also successfully represented numerous professional athletes, including Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams and Supercross champion James "Bubba" Stewart. "We are very pleased to have Dan and Nick join Jones Walker. Their extensive litigation experience and deep knowledge complement our existing team here and will be a significant benefit realized by our clients," said Bill Hines, managing partner of Jones Walker. Nick represents clients in a broad range of white collar criminal defense and commercial disputes. He has tried nearly three dozen cases and served as second chair in a number of trials in federal and state courts. Nick has developed a record of success defending clients in complex white collar criminal and civil litigation. Prior to joining Jones Walker, Nick was an associate on one of the top criminal defense teams in Texas, and before that, he was a captain in the US Army JAG Corps, for which he served as trial defense counsel. At Joint Base Lewis-McChord the busiest US Army trial jurisdiction he tried 20 felony trials before judges and juries, achieving a more than 50 percent acquittal rate. He also performed the Army's first jury selection under the Military Justice Act of 2016. About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 120 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational, public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad. Contact: Mary Margaret Gorman 504.582.8207 [email protected] Helen Bone 504.582.8183 [email protected] SOURCE Jones Walker LLP Related Links https://www.joneswalker.com CNN) -- Police are clearing supporters of President Donald Trump from the US Capitol after they breached one of the most iconic American buildings, engulfing the nation's capital in chaos after Trump urged his supporters to fight against the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes that confirmed President-elect Joe Biden's win. Shortly after 1 p.m. ET hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers set up along the perimeter of the Capitol, where they tussled with officers in full riot gear, some calling the officers "traitors" for doing their jobs. About 90 minutes later, police said demonstrators got into the building and the doors to the House and Senate were being locked. Shortly after, the House floor was evacuated by police. An armed standoff took place at the House front door as of 3 p.m. ET, and police officers had their guns drawn at someone who is trying to breach it. A Trump supporter was also pictured standing at the Senate dais earlier in the afternoon. The Senate floor was cleared of rioters as of 3:30 p.m. ET, and an officer told CNN that they have successfully squeezed them away from the Senate wing of the building and towards the Rotunda, and they are removing them out of the East and West doors of the Capitol. A woman is in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The sources could not provide further details on the circumstances of the shooting. Multiple officers have been injured with at least one transported to the hospital, multiple sources tell CNN. It's not clear if any of the individuals have been taken into custody. Vice President Mike Pence was also evacuated from Capitol, where he was to perform his role in the counting of electoral votes. Video from inside the Capitol showed Trump supporters marching through Statuary Hall. The US Capitol Police is asking for additional law enforcement for assistance, including federal authorities, per a source familiar. The source says there are several suspicious devices outside the Capitol building. Trump has directed the National Guard to Washington along with "other federal protective services," according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. The entire DC National Guard has been activated by the Department of Defense following a pro-Trump mob breaching the United States Capitol. "The D.C. Guard has been mobilized to provide support to federal law enforcement in the District," said Jonathan Hoffman, the chief Pentagon spokesman. "Acting Secretary Miller has been in contact with Congressional leadership, and Secretary McCarthy has been working with the D.C. government. The law enforcement response will be led by the Department of Justice." The Department of Defense had earlier received a request from the US Capitol Police for additional DC National Guard forces but a decision has not been made, according to a senior defense official. The official said DC National Guard was not anticipating to be used to protect federal facilities, and the Trump administration had decided earlier this week that would be the task of civilian law enforcement, the official said. The shocking scene was met with less police force than many of the Black Lives Matter protests that rolled across the country in the wake of George Floyd's killing at the hands of Minneapolis police officers last year. While federal police attacked peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square outside the White House over the summer, clearing the way for Trump to take a photo in front of a nearby church at the time, protesters on Wednesday were able to overrun Capitol police and infiltrate the country's legislative chambers. House and Senate leadership is safe and in an undisclosed locations, according to a person familiar. A separate lawmaker said House members have been evacuated to a location that this source would not disclose. The US Capitol Police are working to secure the second floor of the Capitol first, and will then expand from there. Outside the Capitol, the DC Metropolitan Police Department continues to mass, but no major move has been made yet toward the crowd. The Capitol police officer in the House chamber told lawmakers that they may need to duck under their chairs and informed lawmakers that protesters were in the building's Rotunda. Lots of House members were seen wearing gas masks as they move between Capitol buildings. Members were calling family to say they are OK. While the White House refused to comment on the protests, Trump said on Twitter, "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!" Others inside the President's orbit tweeted their calls for calm as the mob repeatedly attempted to take over the building. Donald Trump Jr., the President's son, said that his supporters who mobbed the Capitol were "wrong and not who we are." "Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don't start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesn't help anyone," he tweeted. The protesters have breached exterior security barriers, and video footage shows protesters gathering and some clashing with police near the Capitol building. CNN's team on the ground saw a number of protesters trying to go up the side of the Capitol building. Several loud flash bangs have been heard. Protesters could be seen pushing against metal fences and police using the fences to push protesters back, while other officers reached over the top to club people trying to cross their lines. Flash bangs could be heard near the steps of the Capitol as smoke filled the air. In some instances officers could be seen deploying pepper spray. Tear gas has been deployed, but it's not clear whether by protesters or police, and people wiped tears from their eyes while coughing. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser just announced a citywide curfew from 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday until 6 a.m. ET Thursday. Federal and local law enforcement are responding to reports of possible pipe bombs in multiple locations in Washington DC, according to a federal law enforcement official. It's unclear if the devices are real or a hoax, but they're being treated as real. A pipe bomb was found at the Republican National Committee's headquarters earlier Wednesday, an RNC official told CNN. The device was found on the ground outside, along the wall of the headquarters. It was safely detonated by the police, the RNC official said. The Democratic National Committee was also evacuated after a suspicious package was being investigated nearby, a Democratic source familiar with the matter told CNN. The party had preemptively closed the building ahead of the protests, the source said, but a few security and essential personnel were evacuated. LONDON, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has announced their membership in SNOMED International for national use of SNOMED CT from the beginning of January 2021. SNOMED CT, the world's most comprehensive clinical terminology and a recognized critical element for the electronic exchange of health data, is an important building block to achieve Germany's digitization initiative. Effective January 1, 2021, German users can register to request a free license for use of SNOMED CT by visiting the BfArM's National Release Center website. BfArM President Prof. Dr. Karl Broich shares, "with SNOMED CT, the digitization of the healthcare system in Germany continues. As an international standardized health terminology, SNOMED CT is an important prerequisite for the reliable use and exchange of medical data from various sources to enable clinical and research activities. This is how we accelerate innovative developments and deliver new types of care options more quickly to patients." Not all users in Germany will be new to SNOMED CT. In 2020, the Feder al Ministry of Education and Research initiated a pilot license with a limited number of sub-licenses for Medical Informatics Initiative research participants and partners, an endeavor led by the TMF . Additionally, SNOMED International and Germany have, over the years, arranged for limited public good licenses allowing German clinicians, researchers and academics to experience the power of SNOMED CT. Now with full membership, all German institutions and specialist groups involved in the health care sector wishing to use SNOMED CT in their applications can apply for a free license from the BfArM. Founded in 2007 by nine charter nations, SNOMED International is a not-for-profit organization that owns and maintains SNOMED CT, the world's most comprehensive clinical terminology. With over 350,000 concepts, SNOMED CT is not just a coding system of diagnosis. It also covers clinical findings like signs and symptoms and tens of thousands of surgical, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Also within the scope of SNOMED CT are observables and those concepts representing body structures, organisms, substances, pharmaceutical products, physical objects, physical forces, specimens, etc. needed to be recorded in or around the health record. With SNOMED CT, users can record patient data more accurately, exchange patient data both within the health care team and with patients, both locally and across borders, to improve patient outcomes. Further, SNOMED CT can be used in health data and analytics platforms for clinical analytics, population analytics, management analytics, clinical research, applied research, and other research activities to improve health care. SNOMED International CEO Don Sweete recognizes the dedication and work Germany has committed to formally begin their SNOMED CT journey. "With our global circumstance, 2021 is a year to showcase the power delivered by digital health," Don says. "Furthering Germany's digital health goals, SNOMED International membership will enable German users nationally to take advantage of augmented content areas such as Social Care and Social Determinants of Health, Genomics, Vaccines, and Devices. Due to SNOMED CT's polyhierarchical structure, Germany will be able to leverage SNOMED CT to engage in leading edge research and data analytics." SNOMED International is proud to now work with 22 Members across Europe, and 40 Members globally. The addition of Germany to the organization further extends the reach of interoperable patient health information across Europe and broadens mature use of SNOMED CT to support German care delivery and clinical research. For more information, please visit SNOMED International or the BfArM SNOMED CT website . Media Contact: Kelly Kuru SNOMED International | Chief Communications Officer Mark Fader, the head of the Williams School said the school then followed protocols and provided a roster of Williams employees to the Vaccine Administration Management System A top Connecticut private school was given COVID-19 vaccines weeks ahead of time after officials said they were mistakenly put on the CDC's critical infrastructure list. The Williams School in New London, where fees are $30,000 a year, was wrongly classified by the state as eligible for the first round of vaccine doses. That meant 11 employees received the jab meant only for health care workers and those in nursing homes. A source with knowledge of the school told DailyMail.com: 'It's not surprising to be honest.' Stephen Mansfield, director of the local health department, told The Day of New London: 'The breakdown occurred where someone entered individuals into the system who werent eligible. 'It was an honest mistake. (The school) was very apologetic. We do our best to communicate to our partners what the eligibility requirements are, but it isnt always crystal clear.' Mark Fader, the head of the Williams School, told The Day of New London he was notified late last month by the CDC that his school had been classified by the state as part of a 'critical infrastructure group'. Fader said the school then followed protocols and provided a roster of Williams employees to the Vaccine Administration Management System, allowing the school's 53 employees to get on vaccination rolls. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Wednesday urged states to ramp up vaccinations by moving quickly through priority lists. The White House COVID-19 task force is debating telling governors to abandon their rollout plans and hand out shots to anyone in a bid to vaccinate as many as possible. It comes as the US has now vaccinated just 5 million Americans despite having distributed 17 million doses across the country in the last three weeks. Only one third of initial vaccine supplies have been used up nationwide and 1.5 percent of the population has been vaccinated. The Williams School in New London, where fees are $30,000 a year, was wrongly classified by the state as eligible for the first round of vaccine doses The Williams School staff are pictured. Head of school Fader is front and center in a tie. 11 employees received the jab meant only for health care workers and those in nursing homes. A source told DailyMail.com: 'It's not surprising to be honest' The local health district contacted the Williams school on December 29 to tell officials that the initial notification had been a mistake. It is understood the mistake was only spotted after a health worker mentioned a number of the teaching staff had shown up at a clinic for the shots. Fader said the school immediately advised employees of the error and advised them to cancel any vaccination appointments. He said 11 staff members already had been vaccinated. Those employees will be allowed to get the second dose of the two-dose vaccination regimen, he said. FLORIDA: People with appointments are pictured above in Florida's Hillsborough County lining up in their cars to be vaccinated at one of the county's four vaccine distribution sites CALIFORNIA: Healthcare workers who scheduled appointments online wait to receive the vaccine at the LA Fire Department in Los Angeles on Tuesday NEW YORK: People line up at Nassau County's first COVID-19 vaccination distribution site, set up by Northwell Health and Nassau County on Tuesday Maura Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Health, said there have been very few cases of people receiving the vaccine 'out of phase.' The governor's office said 'This is the largest vaccine rollout in human history and there are just going to be mistakes.' In Connecticut the state is close to finishing up the first vaccinations for frontline health care workers and nursing home residents and staff under Phase 1. State officials reported more than 2,300 new confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 since Monday. Also, there were 24 new COVID-associated deaths, for a total of 6,192. On Tuesday it was revealed real estate moguls Bill and David S. Mack were said to have arranged for their rich friends to receive COVID-19 vaccines at a Florida retirement home chaired by David. Some of those getting the jab had reportedly flown down on private jets from Manhattan after their shot was arranged by the millionaire brothers at the Joseph L. Morse Health Center in Palm Beach. Front line workers are vaccinated at Backus Hospital where 211 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine were delivered and being given to 30 hospital workers on the first day of vaccinations in Norwich, Connecticut on December 15 Others who received the vaccine are said to be members of the exclusive Palm Beach Country Club, where it costs at least $100,000 to join. A Mack spokesman confirmed they have been helping administer the jab, adding: 'David and Bill Mack were asked to assist a not-for-profit healthcare institution with the organization of its vaccination campaign.' But the rep insisted while 'some' of those getting the jab 'may have been Palm Beach Country Club members' it was 'not a targeted effort to vaccinate club members'. They added: 'Everything was done in accordance with Governor DeSantiss order as it relates to persons 65 and older.' Surgeon General Jerome Adams has partly blamed states for the slower than expected rollout and called on governors - who are in charge of prioritizing who gets the shots first - to move on to the next priority groups to keep up with demand. He is pictured in a GMA interview on Wednesday Amid mounting frustration over the slow vaccine rollout in the US, it has emerged that West Virginia managed to give its all of its 28,000 nursing home residents and staff their first dose of the vaccine by the end of December. The state opted out of the federal nursing home program, which would ensure doses delivered directly to those care facilities via CVS and Walgreens. Instead, the state and West Virginia Board of Pharmacy partnered with local independent pharmacies to vaccinate nursing home residents. CVS and Walgreens said on Wednesday they expect to complete administering the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines at nursing homes across the country by January 25. Elsewhere, governors and other politicians are talking tough and in some cases proposing to bend the rules to get people vaccinated more quickly. New York Gov Andrew Cuomo has threatened to fine hospitals that don't use their vaccine allotments fast enough. He had previously threatened health care providers with a $1 million fine if they are caught fraudulently obtaining and giving out the vaccine. In New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo have sparred over slow vaccine distribution, officials said on Wednesday the city was ramping up its "vaccine hubs", which would include 15 locations by January 16, five "mega sites" among them. The sites will have the capacity to vaccinate 100,000 New Yorkers a week. Gov Henry McMaster of South Carolina said hospitals and health workers have until January 15 to get a shot or they will have to 'move to the back of the line'. The state has given out less than half its initial allotment of the Pfizer vaccine to about 61,000 people. In North Carolina, Gov Roy Cooper has called in the National Guard to 'provide support to local health providers' to more quickly distribute vaccines. North Carolina has used just 24 percent of its 498,000 allocation. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan also announced that, beginning on Wednesday, the emergency support teams from the state's National Guard will lend a hand to local health departments in their vaccination efforts. 'At the current pace of allocation,' Hogan said, the state expects to be able to start vaccinating the 1b priority group - people age 75 and older and frontline essential workers - by late January. In California, where just over 1 percent of the population has been vaccinated, Gov Gavin Newsom said he wants to give providers the flexibility to dispense shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste. In Florida, where officials have put senior citizens ahead of many essential workers for getting the vaccine, the elderly have been lining up by the thousands this week in order to get vaccinated. Florida has used up 25 percent of its vaccine doses with 1.3 percent of residents having received the shots. Currently, there is no statewide residency requirements in Florida in order to receive the vaccination. It has prompted outrage from some locals who claim snowbirds - those who migrate from the North during winter - are taking up their allocations. Victoria Gold: Eagle Gold Mine Q4 2020 Production Results Posted by Publisher Internet Victoria Gold Corp. (TSX-VGCX) (?Victoria? or the ?Company? https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/victoria-gold-corp/) announces Q4 2020 production of 42,174 ounces gold. H2 2020 gold production was 77,748 ounces versus guidance of 72,000 ? 77,000 ounces. Mr. John McConnell, President and CEO commented, ?Victoria?s Eagle Gold Mine had a strong finish to the year with solid Q4 operational performance. Gold production of 77,748 ounces in H2, our first 6 months of commercial production, exceeded our revised guidance. Ore placement on the heap leach pad increased by more than 20% quarter over quarter including over 1 million tonnes of ore stacked on the pad in December. Effective health protection measures are continuing and have safeguarded employees and local residents and enabled mine operations to continue, with no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at site.? As per the Company?s seasonal operations plan, ore stacking on the leach pad has now been curtailed for the 90 coldest days of the year, January through March. During this 90 day period, mining operations, primary crushing and stockpiling of ore will continue.? As well, leaching and gold production will continue.? Subject to favourable weather conditions, ore stacking may be resumed ahead of schedule. The shutdown of the secondary crushing and stacking systems provides an excellent opportunity to finalize the optimization program began in the fall, discussed in the company?s News Release dated November 13, 2020.? A number of specialty contractors have been mobilized to site to complete this work. Gold production in Q4 2020 was 20% higher than in Q3 2020. Ore stacked on the heap leach pad increased by 21% while ore mined increased by 7% quarter over quarter. Ore stacked improved considerably in Q4 and particularly during the second half of November through the end of the year. Total tonnes mined were 19% lower in Q4 versus Q3 as a result of reduced waste mining. Waste mining was lower in Q4 as considerable waste mining was advanced in Q3, setting the Company up well for mining operations in Q1 2021. Both gold grade and metallurgical recovery continue to reconcile well against the reserve model and a significant gold inventory is building on the heap leach pad. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., as the ?Qualified Person? as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Dublin Gulch Property Victoria Gold\-\-s 100%-owned Dublin Gulch gold property (the ?Property?) is situated in central Yukon Territory, Canada, approximately 375 kilometers north of the capital city of Whitehorse, and approximately 85 kilometers from the town of Mayo. The Property is accessible by road year round, and is located within Yukon Energy\-\-s electrical grid. The Property covers an area of approximately 555 square kilometers, and is the site of the Company\-\-s Eagle and Olive Gold Deposits. The Eagle Gold Mine is Yukon\-\-s newest operating gold mine. The Eagle and Olive deposits include Proven and Probable Reserves of 3.3 million ounces of gold from 155 million tonnes of ore with a grade of 0.65 grams of gold per tonne, as outlined in a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine dated December 3, 2019. The Mineral Resource under National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (?NI 43-101?) for the Eagle and Olive deposits has been estimated to host 227 million tonnes averaging 0.67 grams of gold per tonne, containing 4.7 million ounces of gold in the \Measured and Indicated\ category, inclusive of Proven and Probable Reserves, and a further 28 million tonnes averaging 0.65 grams of gold per tonne, containing 0.6 million ounces of gold in the \Inferred\ category. Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed \forward-looking statements\. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Victoria, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information, including any information related to Victoria\-\-s strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as ?plan?, ?expect?, ?budget?, ?target?, ?project?, ?intend?, ?believe?, ?anticipate?, ?estimate? and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions ?may?, ?will?, ?could? or ?should? occur, and includes any guidance and forecasts set out herein (including, but not limited to, production and operational guidance of the Corporation). In order to give such forward-looking information, the Corporation has made certain assumptions about the its business, operations, the economy and the mineral exploration industry in general, in particular in light of the impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease (?COVID-19?) on each of the foregoing. In this respect, the Corporation has assumed that production levels will remain consistent with management?s expectations, contracted parties provide goods and services on agreed timeframes, equipment works as anticipated, required regulatory approvals are received, no unusual geological or technical problems occur, no material adverse change in the price of gold occurs and no significant events occur outside of the Corporation\-\-s normal course of business. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information. These factors include the impact of general business and economic conditions, risks related to COVID-19 on the Company, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, anticipated metal production, fluctuating metal prices, currency exchange rates, estimated ore grades, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in Victoria\-\-s corporate resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in development and production time frames, the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainty of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, higher prices for fuel, steel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, final pricing for metal sales, unanticipated results of future studies, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, requirements for additional capital, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and timing and possible outcomes of pending litigation and labour disputes, risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations. Although Victoria has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding Victoria\-\-s expected financial and operational performance and Victoria\-\-s plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof, as the case may be, and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management of the Corporation as at the date hereof. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information contained herein and the documents incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. For Further Information Contact: John McConnell President & CEO Victoria Gold Corp Tel: 604-695-6605 ceo@vgcx.com In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch Dozens of sriminals awaiting deportation at Christmas Island set fire to buildings during a wild riot. Chaos erupted at the North West Point Immigration Detention Centre on Tuesday night on the Indian Ocean territory. At least two convicted criminals scaled the building and managed to gain access to the roof while others lit fires. Shocking footage posted on Twitter showed one detainee jumping on roof as flames raged in the background. Shocking footage posted on Twitter shows one detainee jumping on roof as flames raged in the background At least two convicted criminals scaled the building and managed to gain access to the roof while others lit fires Authorities managed to contain the situation and extinguish the fires by Wednesday morning. It is not yet known in riot police were used. The riot follows months of frustration from detainees over a lack of access to visitors and family. National Justice Project principal solicitor George Newhouse said detainees have been living in 'harsh and inhumane conditions'. 'A lot of frustration has been building up in the camp this latest incident is the result of isolation and up to 22 hours of being locked inside compounds with no access to green space and miserable conditions of detention,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'These harsh and solitary conditions are having an effect on the mental health and welfare of detainees.' About 200 convicted criminals awaiting deportation are being housed at the centre. Christmas Island has previously housed asylum seekers and, more recently, people returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan in the early stages of the pandemic The centre is also holding a Tamil family fighting deportation to Sri Lanka after being taken from the Queensland town of Biloela They were moved to the facility last year after the controversial detention centre was reopened in August 2020 to ease pressure on mainland detention centres that can't expel unlawful non-citizens' during the pandemic. Christmas Island previously housed asylum seekers and, more recently, people returning from the Chinese city of Wuhan in the early days of the pandemic. The centre is also holding a Tamil family fighting deportation to Sri Lanka after being taken from the Queensland town of Biloela. Australian Border Force commissioner Michael Outram said global travel restrictions were making it difficult to deport convicted criminals and people whose visas were cancelled on character grounds. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Australian Border Force for comment. Desperate small entrepreneurs are opening their stores in defiance of lockdown rules after a year of patience with the restraints. They are rebelling against the government as they believe they have been made to bear the brunt of economic difficulties caused by lockdown while the government frittered away valuable time it could have used to secure vaccines. Many gyms were open in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Busan on the second day of the fresh lockdown on Tuesday. About 300 gyms throughout the country opened and admitted customers on Monday, while some 700 others did not admit patrons but stayed open with their lights on as a sign of protest. Democrat Raphael Warnock won one of Georgias two Senate runoffs Wednesday, becoming the first Black senator in his states history and putting the Senate majority within the Democrats reach. A pastor who spent the past 15 years leading the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, Warnock defeated Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler. It was a stinging rebuke of outgoing President Donald Trump, who made one of his final trips in office to Georgia to rally his loyal base behind Loeffler and the Republican running for the other seat, David Perdue. The focus now shifts to the second race between Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. That contest was too early to call as votes were still being counted. If Ossoff wins, Democrats will have complete control of Congress, strengthening President-elect Joe Bidens standing as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20. Warnocks victory is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgias politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. It marks the end of nearly two decades in which Democrats have been shut out of statewide office and follows Bidens victory in November, when he became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Warnock, 51, acknowledged his improbable victory in a message to supporters early Wednesday, citing his familys experience with poverty. His mother, he said, used to pick somebody elses cotton as a teenager. The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator, he said. Tonight, we proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. Loeffler refused to concede in a brief message to supporters shortly after midnight. Weve got some work to do here. This is a game of inches. Were going to win this election, insisted Loeffler, a 50-year-old former businesswoman who was appointed to the Senate less than a year ago by the states governor. Loeffler, who remains a Georgia senator until the results of Tuesdays election are finalized, said she would return to Washington on Wednesday morning to join a small group of senators planning to challenge Congress vote to certify Bidens victory. We are going to keep fighting for you, Loeffler said, This is about protecting the American dream. Georgias other runoff election pitted Perdue, a 71-year-old former business executive who held his Senate seat until his term expired on Sunday, against Ossoff, a former congressional aide and journalist. At just 33 years old, Ossoff would be the Senates youngest member. Trumps false claims of voter fraud cast a dark shadow over the runoff elections, which were held only because no candidate hit the 50% threshold in the general election. He attacked the states election chief on the eve of the election and raised the prospect that some votes might not be counted even as votes were being cast Tuesday afternoon. Republican state officials on the ground reported no significant problems. This weeks elections mark the formal finale to the turbulent 2020 election season more than two months after the rest of the nation finished voting. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds for the final days of Trumps presidency -- and likely beyond. Both contests tested whether the political coalition that fueled Bidens November victory was an anti-Trump anomaly or part of a new electoral landscape. To win in Tuesdays elections and in the future -- Democrats needed strong African American support. Drawing on his popularity with Black voters, among other groups, Biden won Georgias 16 electoral votes by about 12,000 votes out of 5 million cast in November. Trumps claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election, while meritless, resonated with Republican voters in Georgia. About 7 in 10 agreed with his false assertion that Biden was not the legitimately elected president, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 3,600 voters in the runoff elections. Election officials across the country, including the Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, as well as Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed that there was no widespread fraud in the November election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, where three Trump-nominated justices preside. Even with Trumps claims, voters in both parties were drawn to the polls because of the high stakes. AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 Georgia voters say Senate party control was the most important factor in their vote. In Atlantas Buckhead neighborhood, 37-year-old Kari Callaghan said she voted all Democrat on Tuesday, an experience that was new for her. Ive always been Republican, but Ive been pretty disgusted by Trump and just the way the Republicans are working, she said. I feel like for the Republican candidates to still stand there with Trump and campaign with Trump feels pretty rotten. This isnt the conservative values that I grew up with. But 56-year-old Will James said he voted straight GOP. He said he was concerned by the Republican candidates recent support of Trumps challenges of the presidential election results in Georgia, but it didnt really change the reasons I voted. I believe in balance of power, and I dont want either party to have a referendum, basically, he said. Even before Tuesday, Georgia had shattered its turnout record for a runoff with more than 3 million votes by mail or during in-person advance voting in December. The states previous record was 2.1 million in a 2008 Senate runoff. A mother known as the 'Pimlico Pusher' shoved a pensioner towards a moving bus after a row in a supermarket, a court heard. Amelia Doris, 40, was caught on CCTV attacking Linda Lancaster on Vauxhall Bridge Road, central London, on 29 May 2018. Ms Lancaster, who is in her 60s, had tried to avoid Doris by walking around the block after the argument in Tesco Express in nearby Warwick Way. But their paths crossed again at Vauxhall Bridge Road and Doris shoulder barged her head-first towards the moving bus. CCTV footage showed Doris, accompanied by a small child, brutally attacking the older woman before fleeing the scene. Ms Lancaster fell forward into the passenger doors of the bus and suffered a cut to the head, as well as grazes and bruising to her ankles, shins and knees. She also sustained muscle injury to her shoulders. A mother known as the 'Pimlico Pusher' shoved a pensioner towards a moving bus after a row in a supermarket, a court heard. Amelia Doris, 40, was caught on CCTV attacking Linda Lancaster on Vauxhall Bridge Road, central London, on 29 May 2018 Doris attended court in black leggings, a blue dress and green parka and admitted assault occasioning actual body harm and racially aggravated assault by beating. Judge Sally Cahill, QC, bailed Doris and said: 'Your sentence will take place on the 5 February. 'That hearing will be done remotely, which means you will attend remotely using the current platform from a computer. 'I am obviously doing this to protect all the people in this case and avoid unnecessary travel.' Darryl Cherrett, defending, said Doris had a 'complex mental health history' outlined in an existing psychiatric report. 'It does go into a lot of detail about the mental health history of Ms Doris. 'She is 40 years old, of good character but has quite a lot of traumatic history. Ms Lancaster, who is in her 60s, had tried to avoid Doris by walking around the block after the argument in Tesco Express in nearby Warwick Way But their paths crossed again at Vauxhall Bridge Road and Doris shoulder barged her head-first towards the moving bus 'Post traumatic stress, quite severe traumatic abuse in the hands of a former partner and father of her child. 'There are some issues with the child in conjunction with the same partner. 'She currently has supporting mental health workers with her,' said the barrister. Doris, of Horseferry Road, Westminster, admitted assault occasioning actual body harm and racially aggravated assault by beating. She was bailed ahead of sentence at Southwark Crown Court on 9 February, with the requirement to not contact Ms Lancaster. CCTV footage showed Doris, accompanied by a small child, brutally attacking the older woman before fleeing the scene Ms Lancaster fell forward into the passenger doors of the bus and suffered a cut to the head, as well as grazes and bruising to her ankles, shins and knees. She also sustained muscle injury to her shoulders The attacker became known as the 'Pimlico pusher' when police appealed for information following the assault. Detective Constable Samantha Edwards, who lead the investigation, said at the time: 'This was an unprovoked assault which could have had much more serious consequences. 'It goes without saying that he victim has been deeply affected emotionally by this whole incident.' Arrest of Fr Stan Swamy has brought about an awakening in some sections of the Church. This is good and important but is it enough? At a time dominated by a culture of waste, faced with growing inequalities both within and between nations, I urge government leaders and those of international organizations, business leaders, scientists, communicators and educators, to take up these principles as a compass capable of pointing out a common direction and ensuring a more humane future in the process of globalization. "This will enable us to esteem the value and dignity of every person, to act together in solidarity for the common good, and to bring relief to those suffering from poverty, disease, slavery, armed conflicts, and discrimination. I ask everyone to take this compass in hand and to become a prophetic witness of the culture of care, working to overcome the many existing social inequalities. This can only come about through a widespread and meaningful involvement on the part of women, in the family and in every social, political and institutional sphere. This compass is about caring for peace! This whole segment is like a do-it-now if one really is interested in peace. In sum and substance, it is like the essence of Pope Francis social teaching over the years. He reserves his best when he takes on the military industrial establishment saying: How many resources are spent on weaponry, especially nuclear weapons, that could be used for more significant priorities such as ensuring the safety of individuals, the promotion of peace and integral human development, the fight against poverty, and the provision of health care. Global problems like the present Covid-19 pandemic and climate change have only made these challenges all the more evident. What a courageous decision it would be to establish a Global Fund with the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, in order to permanently eliminate hunger and contribute to the development of the poorest countries! This is not the first time that he has taken on the culture of death industry. But will the Church in India take a cue from his message and come out with a pastoral on the growing militarisation of the country; the amount of wasteful expenditure on arms and ammunition and particularly the legitimisation of corruption in several of the arms deals? Educating for a culture of care then becomes an important dynamic in ensuring that caring is foundational to peace. Pope Francis stresses on the need for this education saying, Promoting a culture of care calls for a process of education. The compass of social principles can prove useful and reliable in a variety of interrelated contexts; the contexts for him include the family, schools and universities, communications media, religious leaders, all those engaged in public service and in international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental. In this segment Pope Francis quoted a speech by Pope Paul VI given in 1969 to the Ugandan Parliament have no fear of the Church; she honors you, she educates honest and loyal citizens for you, she does not foment rivalries and divisions, she seeks to promote healthy liberty, social justice, and peace. If she has any preference at all, it is for the poor, for the education of little ones and of the people, for the care of the suffering and abandoned. An invitation to look into Catholic education in India today. His conclusion There can be no peace without a culture of care in the ninth and last segment is an apparent non-negotiable; in his typical Gospel -without- compromise attitude Pope Francis asserts: At a time like this, when the barque of humanity, tossed by the storm of the current crisis, struggles to advance towards a calmer and more serene horizon, the rudder of human dignity and the compass of fundamental social principles can enable us together to steer a sure course. As Christians, we should always look to Our Lady, Star of the Sea and Mother of Hope. "May we work together to advance towards a new horizon of love and peace, of fraternity and solidarity, of mutual support and acceptance. May we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another. Pope Francis World Day of Peace 2021 message has several quotations from his latest pathbreaking encyclical, Fratelli tutti, and he echoes many of the themes presented in it. His underlying assumption is that caring is an essence of peace! We have just entered a new year: what we need to ask ourselves is whether we are prepared to internalise the powerful message for peace given to us by our Holy Father? Are we ready to share it: to preach about it; translate it into the vernacular and write about it? Above all do we have the courage to accept his challenge and the premise that caring is peace? --- *Human rights and peace activist/writer In the seventh segment Pope Francis gives us, gives the world. A compass pointing to a common path. One would need to meditate on his opening para in its totality: Another year has just begun: with a fervent prayer in the hearts and on the lips of millions across the globe- a prayer for the healing, a prayer for peace! The world has never witnessed a brokenness, as it is witnessing today. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc and taken a toll on lives of an unimaginable number everywhere.To top it all (whilst there is certainly plenty of good and caring taking place all over by the good Samaritans of our time) added to the spate of natural and man-made disasters in the past year, what has come to fore is the manner by which certain regimes (like in India) have unleashed systematic brutalization of their people whilst using the pandemic as a cover!Every year on December 8 (since it was first begun in 1968), the Pope gives a message for the World Day of Peace which is observed by the Catholic Church on the very first day of the year (in India we also observe this day on January 30, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi the father of our Nation!This year, Pope Francis focuses on A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace; he has addressed it to Heads of State and Government, leaders of International Organizations, spiritual leaders and followers of the different religions, and to men and women of good will.In the opening para of this message Pope Francis makes his intent clear:For sustainable peace, caring is therefore a sine qua non! Pope Francis writes:Pope Francis has crafted his message in nine carefully laid out but inter-related segments. He begins with an Introduction (already been referred to, above); he devotes a significant para to the pandemic Covid-19 and pays tribute to all those who have responded as care-givers in various ways. But he sets his message in a more painful reality that grips our world today, when he says:There is nothing sentimental or sanctimonious in his message he is direct in highlighting the sufferings of world today, which is the lot of India too!In the following three segments Pope Francis deals with. God the Creator, the source of our human vocation to care; God the Creator, a model of care and Care in the ministry of Jesus. Pope Francis emphasises that It is God who first takes care of humanity and from this derives the supreme dignity of the latter in the order of creation.He therefore speaks of God's plan for creation, an expression that recalls the now disused expressions natural moral law and teleological order of nature. Above all, care is incarnated by Jesus Christ and has as its summit His Death and Resurrection: Jesus seals His care for us by offering Himself on the cross and thus freeing us from the slavery of sin and death.In this way the message, while also addressing many contingent social problems, maintains a truly Christian perspective, recalling certain truths of the dogmatic as well as the pastoral tradition. These important aspects of his message need to be taken note of -particularly by Christian fundamentalists who rant and rave whenever Pope Francis contextualises spirituality in an attempt to make Christianity more relevant to our world of today.In the subsequent segment he presents what he calls A culture of care in the life of Jesus followers stating that:Pope Francis in his ardent desire for universal peace does not stop at the charity/benefactor approach which has long been the strength of the Church s outreach. That definitely has a place. His message goes beyond the traditional as he delves on the principles of the Churchs social doctrine as the basis for a culture of care and interlinking it with Care as promotion of the dignity and rights of each person; Care for the common good; Care through solidarity and Care and protection of creation; A careful discipleship reading of this segment could easily be an examination of conscience for all those who call themselves disciples of Jesus and particularly for the Church in India.How visible and vocal have we been when the human rights of our sisters and brothers are exploited and denied in our country? It is true the arrest of Fr Stan Swamy on October 8 has brought about an awakening in some sections of the Church. This is good and important but is it enough? What about the others who have been incarcerated for more than two years now under the draconian UAPA?Has the Church officially spoken about the plight of the farmers or the migrant workers? How does one understand the concept of solidarity? Then there is the care for creation: in this Laudato Si year why does the Church fight shy of taking a stand against those who destroy the environment -- for example the Mollem issue in Goa? Fr Stan took on the powerful mining mafia in Jharkhand on behalf of the Adivasis and he is paying today! You know how 2020 felt like an unceasing onslaught of misery, day after day, until you were about to start crying blood? Well, here are some problems that we all seemed to have overlooked to get started on your 2021 pile ... 4 The Dutch Have A Big Blackface Problem You know a story is bad when you're not even sure if you can relay information about it without feeling like you've crossed a line, and with that in mind, may I present to you, uh, "Black Pete": SalenaProductions/Wikimedia Commons This costume is from 2 years ago, and not, as one would assume, 1870. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Also known as "Zwarte Piet" this ... character is portrayed as a bumbling sidekick to Sinterklaas. He's kinda like Santa's version of Iago from Aladdin, only instead of being voiced by Gilbert Gottfried, he's deeply hurtful and offensive to an entire demographic of people. Naturally, as times have changed, so have people's perception of the Christmas character, and today, Black Pete (God, I feel terrible having to type that over and over again) is the subject of many screaming matches in Dutch. On one side of the argument are people who believe the character is incredibly racist. It's subtle, but if you look closely, you'll see that Black Pete evokes images made popular by the minstrel shows of yesteryear that essentially only existed to mock black people by enforcing tired and harmful stereotypes. The other side of the argument holds that they've never been offended by Black Pete, so that means nobody else could possibly be either. My guess is that side is mostly populated by folks who call people whatever the dutch word for "Snowflake" is a bunch. The argument has reached a fever pitch this year, spurred on by reactions to George Floydd's tragic death, and given further mainstream attention after person-you're-surprised-you-agree-with Kim Kardashian retweeted an article discussing why the character should be retired. Beijing: Chinese president, Xi Jinping on Monday ordered his country`s army to be ready to `act at any second`, stressing on `full-time combat readiness`. He urged the armed forces to enhance training in real combat conditions to ensure readiness at all times, reported Xinhua. "People`s Liberation Army (PLA) must be ready to `act at any second` and should remain on `full-time combat readiness`," Xi stressed while adding, "Frontline frictions must be used to polish troop capabilities and training exercises need to incorporate technology." In his first order of the Central Military Commission (CMC) in 2021 signed by Xi, he stressed strengthening military training in real combat conditions and the ability to win, reported Xinhua. The PLA, as the military force of the Communist Party of China, must `resolutely implement` the orders from the CMC and CPC, to mark the 100th anniversary of the party`s founding on July 1 with `excellent performances`, he said. He also suggested a `substantial increase` in the use of technology in its exercises and to keep up with the latest developments in military and hi-tech knowledge. These included the use of computer simulations and online combat in drills, as well as the exploration of more opportunities to add hi-tech and the internet - known as tech+ and web+ - in training, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP). "[The PLA must] increase the integration of new equipment, new forces and new combat realms into training and combat systems," he said. Last year, in June 2020, China had a bitter experience with India in the Galwan Valley where an undisclosed number of Chinese soldiers perished. A violent face-off took place between the Indian and Chinese soldiers when a sizeable number of Chinese Army transgressed into the Indian side. Since taking over as president and head of the CMC in late 2012, Xi has consistently pushed the PLA to be prepared for war. He also initiated a massive overhaul of the PLA in 2015 to modernise the Chinese military, planned for completion in 2020, reported SCMP. In order to checkmate the US in South China Sea PLA also stepped up exercises and air force fly-by operations targeting Taiwan during 2020. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. DecisionDatabases added the latest report with a global perspective on the Common-Rail Injection EFI Engine Market studied under different segments, including type, application, and regions. The report is treated with size, trends, growth, share, and forecast till 2025. Besides, the research report studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall growth at the global level. This report also offers a lucrative area of the industry at the regional and country level. The final report will cover the impact of COVID-19 on this industry. The global Common-Rail Injection EFI Engine market report presents a complete research-based study of the industry including details such as company shares, forecast data, in-depth analysis and an outlook of the market on a worldwide platform. The report further highlights the market drivers, restraints and the top manufacturers at the global and regional levels. 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This Common-Rail Injection EFI Engine market report also splits the market by regions: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries). This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of the Common-Rail Injection EFI Engine market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. 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To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Common-Rail Injection EFI Engine submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://www.topnewscorner.com/common-rail-injection-efi-engine-market-size-share-growth-outlook-forecast-research-report-till-2025/ On the eve of his historic swearing-in as the first Black member of the Lake Oswego City Council, Massene Mboup was focused on being a needle. Thats what I want to be: someone who has the quality of a needle that sews parts that are torn so that they become whole, he said during an interview Monday. If I cannot do that in politics, I dont want to be in politics. Mboup, 56, is the founder and director of the International Leadership Academy, a private French immersion school in Lake Oswego. Although city records havent officially recorded the race of its past councilors, by all accounts he is the second person of color to serve on the Lake Oswego City Council and the first Black member since the city was incorporated in 1910. Mboup was born and raised in Senegal in West Africa. In 1999, he was recruited to teach at a French immersion school in Portland. When the school closed in 2011, he and his wife founded their own academy in Lake Oswego. The way Lake Oswego is depicted is a place where they dont like Black people, Mboup said. When I decided to come here, folks were telling me that I was crazy, if I was joking or what. And I said no, we are going to Lake Oswego to start a school. Thats when folks would bring up one of the citys most infamous nicknames, one that implies Black people dont inhabit the affluent suburb. Mboup said it was kind of intimidating to say you were going to a place that was described that way, but ultimately he felt Lake Oswegos history of racism wasnt much different from that of Portland. He knew the story of Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian immigrant murdered by a group of skinheads in Southeast Portland in 1988. It was Portland police officers, Mboup said, who approached his wife, who is white, after they saw him leaving their home. The officers asked her if Mboup had hurt or robbed her because there had been burglaries in the area. He was at a restaurant in Grand Ronde, Mboup said, when officers detained him because he looked like a wanted suspect. I knew about the history of Portland and Oregon, Mboup said. I had a friend who went to high school here and told me even to travel, (have a) full tank, dont stop anywhere in between. That was the reputation of Oregon. Massene Mboup is the first Black member of the Lake Oswego City Council. Still, Mboup loved his school and his community, which he says is taking steps to confront racism. There have been incidents of racism or hate, but the population mobilized against it, he said. After a severed deer head was placed next to a familys Black Lives Matter yard sign in October, the community held a candlelight vigil. Over the summer, Mboup attended several protests in Lake Oswego decrying police violence. He commended Lakeridge High School student Mya Gordan, who created a short documentary film looking critically at the towns past and current climate of racism. That is not to say Lake Oswego has shed its past. Just last month, a Lake Oswego high school student announced plans to sue the school district for failing to investigate her complaints of repeated racist slurs, discrimination and harassment. Mboup became an American citizen on Aug. 21, 2017 the day of the solar eclipse. I chose to be an American because I believe in some of the ideals that made this country, Mboup said. I was not 3/5ths of a person when I came to America. I was a whole person that was sworn in to become an American citizen. The following year, he said he was encouraged to run for city council by state Sen. Rob Wagner and Joe Buck, today the citys newly elected mayor. His 2018 bid for Lake Oswego City Council came up short by just 38 votes. In 2020, Mboup tried again and won the highest percentage of votes among the five candidates vying for three council seats. Mboup is aware that his election, particularly for Lake Oswego, is history-making. Along with the day-to-day concerns of a city council sidewalks, streetlights, planning and zoning he wants to address equity, inclusion and environmental concerns for his community. Police reform is important, he said, but it alone cannot address systemic racism. So, you talk about police reform. Weve got to talk about educational reform. Social reform, he said. Its easy to just throw the thing to the police. The police, they were taught by teachers who believe in white supremacy, consciously or unconsciously. But you know, the only difference between a teacher and a police officer is the police officer has a gun, and his decision is final. People have to be honest. There is systematic racism in this country, and everywhere, not (just) in the police, he said. Until each one of us realizes its our job to work on ourself, it will never change. Its like climate change. Well kick the can. -- Samantha Swindler, @editorswindler, sswindler@oregonian.com Mangaluru: Gold worth Rs 67 lakh has been seized from two passengers at the international airport here, an official of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said on Wednesday (January 6). The two passengers, who had arrived here from Dubai on Tuesday (January 5), were stopped and checked based on a tip-off, a DRI press release said. One of the passengers from Bhatkal in Karnataka had concealed five balls containing gold paste wrapped in adhesive tape in his rectum, the release said. The balls yielded 641.41 gm of gold, it said. The other passenger belonging to Kasaragod in Kerala was found concealing gold in paste form in his underwear with a special pouch, the release said. The gold weighed 646.67 gm, it said. The total value of the precious metal seized was Rs 67 lakh, the release said. It is suspected that the two persons are part of a gang which has strong links in the UAE, the officials said. With the easing of lockdown restrictions and the resuming of the international flights, the number of cases of gold-smuggling is on the rise, the release added. New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has suggested cancelling the Republic Day festivities after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his India visit due to the the coronavirus situation in the UK. "Now that @BorisJohnson's visit to India this month has been cancelled due to the COVID Second Wave, & we don't have a Chief Guest on Republic Day, why not go one step farther & cancel the festivities altogether?" Shashi Tharoor tweeted. "Getting crowds to cheer the parade as usual would be irresponsible," he added. Now that @BorisJohnsons visit to India this month has been cancelled due to the #COVIDSecondWave, & we dont have a Chief Guest on #RepublicDay, why not go one step farther & cancel the festivities altogether? Getting crowds to cheer the parade as usual would be irresponsible. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 5, 2021 Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online Meanwhile, the number of people who have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has climbed to 71, the Union Health Ministry said today. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was scheduled to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as chief guest, cancelled his visit to India due to the rising infection rates created by the new coronavirus variant in the UK. The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by several countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The US Capitol Police and several other law enforcement agencies have cleared the Capitol of pro-Trump rioters who stormed the building earlier on Wednesday, paving the way for Congress to continue certifying the 2020 election results. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that process will continue Wednesday night. Today, a shameful assault was made on our democracy. It was anointed at the highest level of government. It cannot, however, deter us from our responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden, Ms wrote in a letter to her Democratic colleagues on Wednesday. To that end, in consultation with [Democratic leaders] and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use. Members of the new Congress are eager to finish the job of officially tallying the Electoral College vote after hundreds possibly thousands of rioters interrupted what was already a high-drama joint session on Wednesday where roughly 150 Republicans were challenging the electoral results in in five states. At least one woman was shot and killed and several USCP officers were injured amid the chaos as rioters breached the Capitol building. Tear gas was deployed to disperse rioters who burst into various offices in the Capitol including Ms Pelosis and took over the House and Senate chambers for a time. Congressional leaders and Vice President Mike Pence have not announced exactly how the certification will continue, but rank and file members are eager to make quick work of the task before them. We're going to go back and do our business, West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin III told reporters on Wednesday. Whatever it takes. These thugs are not running us off. Other Democrats echoed Mr Manchins resolve to finish the certification process on Wednesday. [Im] still safe and it appears things are clearing out. We plan to go back into session today to certify the vote so President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris can take office, tweeted Congressman Mike Thompson. This is a tragic and dark day for our great country. The acts of rioters who stormed the Capitol will not be tolerated, the California Democrats wrote. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted that he is eager to get back to proceedings as soon as possible. Tonight, I hope. The Rhode Island Democrat is not alone in those hopes, he indicated. Day of infamy ought to end with us doing our jobs. Many colleagues eager to get back on Floor asap, Mr Whitehouse wrote. Wednesdays storming of the Capitol has also spurred questions on Capitol Hill about how to handle a defiant and deranged Mr Trump in the final days of his administration, with several Democrats calling for the lame-duck presidents removal. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is drawing up articles of impeachment against him, a move that at least six other House Democrats have signaled they would support. Mr Trump, who has just 14 days left in office, has been accused of inciting the riotous mob that stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday and pushed past police officers on their way into the Senate and House chambers. We cant allow him to remain in office, its a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfil our oath, Ms Omar wrote in a tweet announcing that she was crafting impeachment articles. While no Republican lawmakers had issued any public statements by 6:30pm on Wednesday about removing Mr Trump from office, several had denounced Mr Trump for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol. Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the third-highest ranking House Republican, placed the blame for Wednesdays mayhem squarely on the outgoing presidents shoulders. We just had a violent mob assault the US Capitol. ... No question the president formed the mob, the president incited the mob, the president addressed the mob. He lit the flame, Ms Cheney said. Senator Mitt Romney went a step further, saying that the Republicans who support Mr Trumps bid to throw out the Electoral College results are equally complicit in perpetrating the insurrection staged on Wednesday at the Capitol. What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States. Those who choose to continue to support his dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy. They will be remembered for their role in this shameful episode in American history. That will be their legacy, the Utah Republican said. The president remained defiant throughout the day on Wednesday, refusing to concede the election. He also did not outright condemn the throngs of pro-Trump rioters gathered at the Capitol, telling him he loves them but urging them to go home. Several hours after he spoke before a crowd of supporters close to the National Mall, saying that we will never concede it doesn't happen, he posted a video message in which he urged people to leave the buildings they had then occupied, and to and respect law enforcement officers. You have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, he said. Boris Johnson has admitted the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines into care homes 'needs to be stepped up' after it emerged just one in 10 residents has been jabbed. The Prime Minister who has pinned all his hopes on being able to vaccinate 13million people by mid-February also revealed just 14 per cent of care home staff had received the vaccine, despite being five weeks into the immunisation drive. Experts advising the Government on vaccines have told ministers care homes must be first in the queue the jabs because Covid-19 preys on the elderly and frail. But Number 10 has blamed complications in getting the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine into care homes for the poor progress. The Pfizer jab had to be stored in specialised freezers and could only be used in 1,000-dose batches, which meant it was far easier to administer them in hospitals. However, it is thought that the approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab before the new year will accelerate the roll out because its doses are easier to transport. The first doses of the Oxford vaccine are expected to reach care homes this week. The Department of Health has said it is aiming for all care home residents to have been offered vaccines by the end of January. Ministers are under huge pressure to protect care homes during the winter wave of the pandemic after being accused of 'feeding them to the wolves' in the spring, when more than 20,000 residents were killed by the disease. Pictured is Ivy Smith, 97, who was among those who received the new coronavirus vaccine at William Harvey Hospital, Kent. Over 80s, care home residents and NHS staff are top priority A graphic demonstrates the ideal order of priority in which the vaccine will be rolled out, starting with residents in care homes DOCTORS TO BE PAID EXTRA 10 FOR EVERY JAB GIVEN TO CARE HOME RESIDENTS Doctors will be paid an extra 10 for every Covid vaccine dose they give to care home residents or staff, NHS England has said. GPs will be given the additional payment, on top of the standard 12.58 fee for each jab, to compensate for the 'additional time and resources' required to visit patients on site. A letter sent to all primary care networks by health leaders said they had asked local Covid vaccination services to prioritise care home residents and care home staff to ensure this priority group is vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible. It reads: 'We appreciate the additional time and resources needed to deliver the vaccine in a care home setting, especially at this pressurised time of year. Therefore the NHS is providing an additional supplement of 10 per dose on top of the item of service fee for all vaccines delivered in a care home setting.' The supplement is applicable where the first dose is delivered before the end of January, it added. While the Pfizer vaccine was limited to care homes with over 50 beds, smaller care homes will be part of the new vaccine rollout from January. Advertisement In the House of Commons today, Tory former Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers raised concerns that only 13 care homes in the north London borough of Barnet have received vaccinations. She asked: 'Will the Prime Minister intervene to make sure the frail, elderly and their carers in Barnet get the vaccinations they need as soon as possible?' Mr Johnson replied: 'I do want to see an accelerated rollout of vaccinations in care homes. 'So far, I believe that 10 per cent of care home residents and 14 per cent of care home staff have received the vaccine but that clearly needs to be stepped up.' The Independent Care Group, which represents more than 200 providers in North Yorkshire and York, said it is heartening that care homes are a high priority and have been promised the vaccine by the end of the month. Boris Johnson said the roll out needs to be sped up in care homes Chairman Mike Padgham said: 'But we have had similar promises before and we pray the Government can deliver this time. We need a dose of realism. 'If the Government can deliver the vaccine to homes by the end of January, we want to see them do it swiftly. 'If they cant then they must be honest and tell us a realistic timescale. There is no time to lose.' Ministers are under pressure to protect care homes this time around after more than 20,000 residents were killed during the first wave. An independent Commons review said care homes were 'thrown to the wolves' by the Government when tens of thousands of hospital patients were discharged into the sector without being tested for Covid. It comes after Britain today breached 1,000 daily coronavirus deaths for the first time since April today and declared another record-high number of cases with 62,322 more positive tests. Department of Health data shows today's grim figure of 1,041 laboratory-confirmed deaths only the 10th time the UK has topped the grisly milestone is UK's highest daily count since April 21. Statistics also show it is the third day in a row that Britain has posted a record-high number of cases, following on from the 60,916 announced yesterday and the 58,784 the day before. The figure is also 24.6 per cent up on last Wednesday's count of 50,023. The shocking figures underline the seriousness of the situation Britain finds itself in and come after Boris Johnson desperately tried to win over furious Tory MPs as he defended his new national coronavirus lockdown and insisted he had 'no choice' but to impose tough new draconian curbs. The Prime Minister told a recalled House of Commons that his hand had been forced after a new variant of the disease was found to be spreading with 'frightening ease'. Mr Johnson said No10's mass inoculation programme meant nearly one quarter of over-80s had already received jabs and England had vaccinated more people 'than in the rest of Europe combined'. He said data suggested one in 50 people are infected showed it is 'inescapable that the facts are changing' and the Government's response had to follow suit. The lockdown in England, which includes a strict stay at home message and the closure of all schools, is due to be reviewed in the middle of February but the regulations will actually last in law until the end of March. Mr Johnson today resisted calls from Tory MPs to guarantee the rules will start to be eased after the first review on February 15, fuelling fears the shutdown may last far longer than the initial seven-week period. Tory backbenchers slammed the PM's 'malicious' lockdown and accused him of an 'assault on liberty and livelihoods' as they demanded an exit strategy. The PM said he hoped measures will be able to be lifted in the spring but warned there will not be a 'big bang' out of lockdown, rather a 'gradual unwrapping'. Californias daily coronavirus case tallies remain around four times what they were during the states summer surge, and officials predict that the aftereffects of a December surge linked to holiday gatherings will worsen as the winter drags on. After new infections driven by Thanksgiving travel and gatherings, then Christmas festivities resulted in a surge unlike any the state had yet seen, the trajectory of its new cases has leveled off somewhat in the early days of 2021. But there are more than twice as many Covid-19 patients in California hospitals now as there were a month ago, and many intensive care units in the state have been overflowing. At least six people in the state have also been found to be infected with the new, more transmissible variant of the virus first identified in Britain. The state is also facing an oxygen shortage for patients, and it has deployed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the California Emergency Medical Services Authority to help deliver and refill oxygen tanks. This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong! Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Quezon City has sealed a deal with British drugmaker AstraZeneca for 750,000 doses of its COVID-19 jab, Mayor Joy Belmonte said Wednesday, in what is the first known supply agreement secured by a local government. With two doses needed for a vaccine to be effective, 375,000 Quezon City residents stand to benefit from the AstraZeneca supply. This figure is the maximum that could be allocated to us at present, Belmonte told CNN Philippines in a text message, referring to the 750,000 doses. The local government earlier said it has earmarked an initial 1 billion in its 2021 budget for the vaccination of its constituents. Belmonte said this may still be augmented should the need arise. The Department of Health tracker showed Quezon City has logged the highest number of COVID-19 cases among cities and provinces nationwide. Based on the local health department data, the city has confirmed 28,285 infections as of January 5, including 768 deaths and 26,370 recoveries. In the local immunization program, priority will be given to the city's 10,000 health workers, 300,000 senior citizens, 20,000 adults with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors as recommended by the World Health Organization. Belmonte thanked the city council for the swift approval of the resolution authorizing her to enter into a tripartite agreement with Astrazeneca and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 for the advance purchase. The head of the city's COVID-19 task force Joseph Juico on Monday assured the public the vaccines will undergo the proper process and documentation, including approval from the Food and Drugs Administration for emergency use authorization. The local government also said it is in the process of reviewing and finalizing the database of residents included in the priority list. AstraZeneca is offering its vaccine at $10 or almost 500 per dose, making it the easiest and cheapest purchase among vaccine candidates being considered by the Philippines. Through a private sector donation, the national government separately secured an initial 2.6 million doses from AstraZeneca, which are expected to be delivered in May. Half of the purchase will go to the government, while the other half will be administered to employees of businesses that pitched in. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion also said there will be a second batch of orders for another 3.7 million shots. Deal allows LGUs to buy own COVID-19 vaccines President Rodrigo Duterte has allowed local governments to enter into tripartite agreements with the national government and vaccine manufacturers so they can purchase COVID-19 vaccines in advance, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said Wednesday. "We recommended the approval of tripartite agreement. The President approved it immediately," Galvez said in a briefing. This was after a number of local governments set aside varying amounts to buy doses for their constituents. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.At least for the moment.Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Tesla Incs Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.Bitcoins down 30% off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.Former traders for Credit Suisse Group AG, Davies and Zhu, the two are among the Wall Street pioneers whove embraced crypto, along with Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital and Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital. Now everyone from retail day traders to bankers are jumping in: CNBC reported this month that Aziz McMahon, head of emerging market sales for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London quit the bank after making a fortune trading cryptocurrencies for himself.While many of the early devotees fortunes rose and fell on the currencys price swings, crypto wealth is quickly turning into real dollars for some, whether through initial public offerings or companies that bring in traditional revenue. Brian Armstrong, co-founder of crypto-wallet Coinbase Global Inc., has a net worth of $9.3 billion after his firms IPO, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Binances Changpeng Zhao created the worlds largest crypto exchange.Grayscale StakeDavies and Zhu, also 34, have resisted talking about their fortune and recommended on social media that crypto billionaires do the same.However, a filing in January revealed the extent of the firms influence, when Three Arrows reported it owned a 5.6% stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $22 billion fund invested solely in the cryptocurrency set up by Barry Silbert.Davies declined to say whether their position had changed or specify how much of the firms capital belonged to them. Most of their other direct investments in cryptocurrencies and related companies dont need to be publicly disclosed.The Grayscale stake made Three Arrows the largest shareholder and would have been worth as much as $2.1 billion in April. The trusts shares have since tumbled 43% following Musks announcement this month that Tesla would suspend accepting the digital currency for purchases of its electric cars because of rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and regulatory clampdowns from China.Despite the environmental spotlight Musks tweet placed on Bitcoin, Davies said he doesnt believe that those concerns apply across cryptocurrency trading as a whole.There are many cryptocurrencies that are proof-of-stake, which use very little if any electricity, Davies said. That is the direction that a lot of crypto is headed in.A proof-of-stake setup for a digital currency allows users with significant equity positions to verify transactions. That compares with proof-of-work transactions, such as those used in Bitcoin mining, where users have to complete complex math problems to access a coin, consuming much greater volumes of electricity.Derivatives TradersDavies and Zhu attended high school together, then studied at Columbia University in New York before joining Credit Suisse as derivatives traders in Tokyo. After three years at the Swiss bank, they quit and launched Three Arrows Capital to begin trading traditional currencies in emerging markets.It was a very inefficient market, and thats where we got our start, Davies said.Within three years, they went from working in their San Francisco apartment to hiring about 35 people and trading 5% to 10% of all local emerging market currency volumes, he said.They diversified into options, equities and crypto after bigger and better firms came in and were better than us in FX emerging-markets trading, Davies said. By 2018, the firm concentrated exclusively on crypto.Their Singapore-based company now runs a fund, DeFiance Capital, that invests in decentralized finance, betting that these businesses will eat traditional finance over the next decade, according to the groups website. Investments include InsurAce, which provides insurance services, and CDEX, a cryptocurrency swap platform.Outsized VoicesWe have been long crypto for a while, Davies said. Weve not always been long Ethereum, in fact weve been short for periods of time, too. Whats the best way to beat Bitcoin right now? Well its just to own Ethereum. The ultimate goal of my book is to outperform Bitcoin.Davies said that Ethereum is currently the firms largest cryptocurrency holding. It has gained 245% this year compared with the U.S. dollar, while Bitcoin is up 29%.Despite the turbulence created by Musks tweets, Davies said hes less worried about the billionaires influence on the crypto market with each passing day.The thing about outsized voices is they usually dont last very long if theyre used too much, Davies said. If he were to tweet every single day, by the end of the year he would have no price impact.(Updates Ethereum, Bitcoin returns in 20th paragraph.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. Chinas crackdown in Hong Kong escalated dramatically on Wednesday with police arresting 53 opposition figures in their largest operation since a draconian security law was imposed on the financial hub. The sweep is the latest salvo in Beijings battle to stamp out dissent in the city after millions hit the streets in 2019 with huge and sometimes violent democracy protests. Police confirmed 53 people - including a US citizen - were arrested for subversion in an early morning operation that involved about 1,000 officers. The charges were sparked by an attempt by opposition groups last year to win a majority in the citys partially-elected legislature. Hong Kongs security chief John Lee described the arrests as necessary and aimed at a group of people who tried to sink Hong Kong into an abyss and overthrow the government. Britain has criticised the arrests, accusing China of deceiving citizens about the true purpose of its security law. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab called the detentions a grievous attack on Hong Kongs rights and freedoms. Germany also condemned the crackdown. Foreign minister Heiko Maas said, China is deviating further from the commitments it made to Hong Kongers and the international community. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Abuja, Nigeria, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Jiang Xuan/Xinhua) ABUJA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to promote bilateral cooperation on all fronts. Buhari asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Buhari said that over the past 50 years, Nigeria-China relations have achieved constructive results and Nigeria is very satisfied with the progress of bilateral relations. At a time when the oil price was falling and Nigeria was facing difficulties in development, thanks to China's strong support, Nigeria had effectively alleviated problems such as underdeveloped infrastructure and insufficient food supply, with China playing a very important role in Nigeria's sustainable development, he said. The Nigerian government will remain committed to promoting the all-round development of Nigeria-China relations, said Buhari. Wang first conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to Buhari. Wang said the two heads of state have established good mutual trust and profound friendship, which has played a strategic guiding role in the development of China-Nigeria relations. For 30 years in a row, China has started its annual foreign exchanges with Africa, and this year is no exception. China is ready to work with Africa to meet the challenges and overcome the difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Wang. Nigeria, as a major African country, has always occupied an important position in China's diplomacy with Africa. The most important experience of the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nigeria has always been mutual understanding, mutual trust, and mutual support, said Wang. Wang thanked Nigeria for siding with China on issues concerning China's core interests. China will also continue to firmly support Nigeria in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and support Nigeria in playing a bigger role in regional and international issues. Wang said that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Nigeria cooperation has achieved fruitful results. China will continue to help Nigeria build infrastructure in accordance with its development needs, encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Nigeria, and carry out cooperation in free trade parks, so as to boost Nigeria's industrialization process and enhance its capacity for independent development, said Wang. China is ready to share digital economy experience and technology with Nigeria, carry out green economy cooperation, and jointly tackle the challenge of climate change. China is ready to work with Nigeria to give full play to the role of the intergovernmental committee of the two countries, push forward all-round cooperation and further promote bilateral relations, said the minister. Wang said that the current once-in-a-century pandemic has accelerated global changes and the international situation has entered a period of turbulent change with the rise of unilateralism and protectionism. China is ready to work with Nigeria to uphold multilateralism, promote democratization in international relations, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of China and Nigeria as well as other developing countries. Wang also held talks with Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and jointly met with the press. Following the talks, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee. Studies show Cyto-111 enables delivery of antibodies to previously inaccessible intraneuronal targets without the need for a viral vector or transfection. Supports the development of new approaches to treat multiple neurological diseases New York City, January 6, 2021 - CytoDel, Inc. ("CytoDel" or "the Company"), a privately-held corporation, today announces the publication of preclinical data on the Company's lead product, Cyto-111, in the peer-reviewed journal, Science Translational Medicine. The complete text of the article titled, "Neuronal Delivery of Antibodies has Therapeutic Effects in Animal Models of Botulism," can be found here. Cyto-111 was conceived, expressed and purified in the laboratory of Konstantin Ichtchenko, Ph.D., NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, who was a principal investigator in the study, which was supported by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Based on Dr. Ichtchenko's hypothesis that the C1ad delivery vehicle previously reported could be used to transport therapeutic proteins into the neuronal cytosol, researchers led by Dr. Ichtchenko developed and tested a potential treatment for botulism based on intracellular inhibition of the BoNT subtype A1 light chain metalloprotease (LC/A1). The main objective of the study was to develop and test a post-symptomatic botulism antidote that could rescue symptomatic animals challenged with a lethal dose of BoNT. Following in vitro validation of therapeutic mechanisms, efficacy studies were conducted in mice, guinea pigs and rhesus macaque monkeys. The study showed that a precision biotherapeutic consisting of a function-blocking single domain antibody (sdAb; B8) cargo fused to the C1ad delivery vehicle (forming B8C1ad or Cyto-111) can enter neurons and protect SNARE proteins by inhibiting LC/A1 catalytic activity in situ. Post-symptomatic administration of B8C1ad produced antidotal rescue in mice, guinea pigs, and non-human primates following a lethal botulism challenge. According to the study's authors, "The flexibility of the C1ad molecular delivery platform offers several advantages for the rapid generation of new treatments for neurological disorders. In particular, the presynaptic localization of LC suggests this therapeutic approach will be particularly effective in treating synaptopathies involving active zone proteins. Indeed, the platform can be efficiently redirected towards other protein targets by replacing or adding single domain antibodies or other protein moieties." The study concluded that, "These data demonstrate that atoxic BoNT derivatives can be harnessed to deliver therapeutic protein moieties to the neuronal cytoplasm where they bind and neutralize intracellular targets in experimental models. The generalizability of this platform might enable delivery of antibodies and other protein-based therapeutics to previously inaccessible intraneuronal targets." "This is a landmark study in converting the power of lethal botulinum neurotoxins into therapies. The approach used to turn botulinum toxin into a kind of Trojan horse that delivers a cargo into neurons has enormous potential for future drug development," noted Thomas C. Sudhof, M.D., Professor in the School of Medicine in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and in Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, a 2013 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology/ Medicine, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, and Chair of CytoDel's Scientific Advisory Board. "We are delighted to have these data published in a well-respected peer-reviewed journal as they represent the culmination of many years of research with the intent of finding a solution to effectively treat weaponized botulinum toxins. Importantly, these groundbreaking data are the result of the efforts of researchers from a number of renowned institutions including NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and the US Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, without whose hard work and dedication this achievement would not have been possible," commented Phillip A. Band, Ph.D., Research Professor in the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and co-inventor, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CytoDel. "Not only did these studies show that Cyto-111 can be an antidote to botulinum toxins, but they demonstrate the generalizability of the molecular vehicle in three different species to safely and effectively deliver functional antibodies to the inside of neurons via a non-viral mechanism. This is a particularly exciting breakthrough as no other labs have previously inactivated a pathogen inside of neurons, which are inaccessible to standard antibodies. This achievement opens the door for the development of new approaches to treat multiple neurological diseases," added Dr. Band. ### About Botulinum Neurotoxin Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is considered a Tier 1 weapon of mass destruction. BoNT has no odor or taste, a single gram is sufficient to kill 1 million humans via ingestion or inhalation, and currently there are no treatments to reverse symptoms. All currently available treatments for botulism are antibody products which can only neutralize toxin in the systemic circulation. Once the toxin has entered the neurons controlling respiration, generally 24-72 hours after exposure depending on the dose, antibody-based products become ineffective. Standard antibodies cannot access toxin already inside neurons, and thus BAT (Botulism AntiToxin, a product of Emergent BioSolutions), the only FDA-approved antitoxin, is only effective while the toxin remains in the circulation. About Cyto-111 Cyto-111 uses CytoDel's Intraneuronal Delivery Platform to deliver an antibody to the inside of BoNT-intoxicated neurons, thereby allowing rescue after the toxin has entered neurons and is causing symptoms. This "Trojan horse" approach uses an inactivated recombinant BoNT derivative to carry the antibody to the inside of BoNT-intoxicated neurons. Cyto-111 can uniquely reverse symptoms because it can deliver its antibody to toxin already inside the neuron. In biodefense scenarios, this significantly extends the period post-exposure during which treatment can reverse symptoms and can save lives by minimizing the need for long-term artificial respiration. As a therapeutic for naturally occurring botulism, Cyto-111 extends the therapeutic window beyond the current 48-hour limit during which BAT has proven to be effective. About CytoDel CytoDel is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that uses the tools of 21st century molecular biology to produce recombinant derivatives of botulinum neurotoxin customized to specific applications. The Company's proprietary technology allows CytoDel to manipulate the BoNT molecule to develop next generation BoNT products and a drug delivery vehicle that can deliver therapeutic molecules to the inside of neurons. CytoDel's lead program is focused on developing BioBetter BoNT pharmaceuticals, offering improved safety margin and effectiveness outcomes for the treatment of large muscles and muscle groups. A second program utilizes intraneuronal delivery for Biodefense, and CytoDel is also developing programs for the treatment of nervous system disorders and chronic pain. For more information visit http://www. cytodel. com . * Both Drs. Ichtchenko and Band from NYU Grossman School of Medicine have financial interests in CytoDel and Dr. Band serves on its management team. These arrangements are being managed in accordance with the policies and practices of NYU Langone Health. Contact: Allison Moulard Email: allison@cytodel.com Phone: 510 823 0501 Anne Marie Fields Email: amfields912@gmail.com Phone: 201-315-8118 BADAUN: The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested two people in connection with the brutal gang-rape and murder of a 50-year-old Anganwadi worker, hours after the heinous crime was committed in the Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh. Two persons - two accomplices of a local priest have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping and brutally murdering the woman, Prashant Kumar, District Magistrate, Badaun, said. The arrest was made on Tuesday night after the post-mortem report confirmed rape while the priest is on the run, they said, adding that the woman's leg and a rib bone were fractured and there were injuries in her private parts. Two people have been arrested in the matter and a team has been constituted to look into the arrest of the other accused person. We believe that this incident is fit to be presented to the NSA for a probe and we will do that: Prashant Kumar, District Magistrate, Badaun, UP https://t.co/z696ZFa8sH pic.twitter.com/8WRjeoPtRE ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 6, 2021 The incident, which triggered an instant hue and cry in the political circles, took place on Sunday and the matter came to light when her body was brought home at night. The FIR was registered two days later following which the duo was nabbed. Opposition parties attacked the BJP government in the state and termed the incident "horrific" and "shameful", with the Congress comparing it to the Nirbhaya incident of 2012. "The post-mortem report confirms rape and there are injuries in her private parts and a fracture in the leg," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sankalp Sharma said. She suffered from a rib fracture too, he said, citing the autopsy report. He said the station house officer (SHO) of Ughaiti police station has been suspended for "delay in informing higher authorities, laxity in taking action, dereliction of duty and failure in taking speedy action". "On Sunday, the 50-year-old woman, who had gone to a temple, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Family members of the woman have accused the temple mahant (priest) and his accomplices of raping and murdering her. Based on this, a case was registered against the accused. Two of the accused persons were arrested on Tuesday night, while the mahant is still absconding," he said. Four teams have been formed to nab the priest, the SSP said. The case was registered yesterday after the post-mortem report came. "Based on complaints of the family members and the post-mortem report, a case has been registered under section 376D (gang-rape) and 302 (punishment for murder) of IPC," the SSP said. He said that opinion on the post-mortem report is being sought from medical experts and after that, only any conclusion can be reached. To a specific question as to whether the case bore any resemblance to the horrific Nirbhaya rape case, the SSP said, "It will be wrong to link this incident to any previous incident. Let's wait for the medical examination report." CMO Budaun Dr Yashpal Singh said the woman died of trauma and excessive bleeding. The victim's son said his mother had gone to offer prayers at the temple on Sunday but she did not return home within the expected time. It was only around 11 pm that the temple priest and two of his aides came to their house and handed over her body, he said. Before the family members could ask how she died, the accused left the house saying that she had fallen in a dry well and her body was pulled out and brought to her home. He said the police was informed on Monday. Budaun District Magistrate Kumar Prashant said, "Whatever help can be given from the department, it will be given. She was an anganwadi sahayika. We are also paying attention to the security of the family." Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has taken cognizance of the matter. We've taken cognizance of the matter. One NCW member is going to the spot to investigate the matter to meet the family and the police and take an exact stock of the situation, Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, on alleged gangrape in Badaun, UP. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is the Congress' general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government, alleging that there was something wrong in the intentions of the Uttar Pradesh administration on the issue of women's security. Tagging a media report, Gandhi tweeted, "In Hathras, the government administration did not listen to the voice of those pleading. The government saved officials and suppressed the victim's voice." "In Budaun, the police station officer did not listen to the one pleading and did not even examine the place of the incident. There is something wrong in the UP government's intentions on women's security," she added. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the incident "horrific" and "shameful for humanity". "How many more Nirbhayas? How much more of this monstrosity (haivaaniyat)? When will the Adityanath government wake up? Where are our awakened journalists," he said in a tweet in Hindi. Taking to Twitter, Samajwadi Party said, "Fifty-year-old Anganwadi assistant, who had gone to offer prayers at a temple in Budaun, gang-raped and subsequently murdered. Those in power who only make false claims of women's security should drown themselves. The guilty should be punished at the earliest, and justice should prevail." Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati termed the incident as "extremely saddening" and "highly condemnable". In a tweet in Hindi, she said, "The state government should take the incident seriously and ensure stringent punishment to the guilty so that such cases are not repeated. This is the demand of the BSP." The Budaun incident comes months after a Dalit woman from Hathras was allegedly raped by four men on September 14 and died on September 29 at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. Oregons plan to increase its slow pace of COVID-19 vaccinations to 12,000 per day hinges on a new strategy of loosening restrictions on whos eligible for the vaccine among the vast numbers of health care workers and long-term care facility residents in the state. Officials for the past three weeks have restricted vaccinations to only a narrow subgroup primarily of health care workers who staff hospitals and urgent care clinics, and residents and workers of nursing homes. But that approach has kept Oregon near the bottom nationally for using vaccines received from the federal government. Oregon has left out a large swath of others, including staff treating patients at smaller medical clinics and residents of assisted living facilities. The approach has also led to delays in administering shots into the arms of those who qualify while hospitals, contracted pharmacies and others have scrambled to identify and schedule eligible vaccine recipients. Facing growing public pressure over the states limited progress, Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen said Tuesday that the state plans to soon loosen restrictions to allow vaccination of all designated members of the so-called Phase 1a -- including all health care workers and all congregate care residents such as people with disabilities living in group settings. Allen declined to put a timetable on the change but said it would address the biggest unforeseen hurdle in swiftly immunizing some 360,000 Oregonians designated as Phase 1a recipients, helping meet Gov. Kate Browns looming goal to vaccinate 12,000 people a day by Jan. 17. We had an idea of what the challenges were going to be, but it was impossible until we actually started seeing vaccinations happen to understand the real day-in and day-out impact of those restrictions, Allen said, describing the overall reason for the delays. The health authority and governor have come under intense public criticism for the sluggish rollout of vaccinations, with one Republican state lawmaker saying Oregons poor ranking nationally is unfathomable as lives hang in the balance. As of Tuesday, Oregon has used 24% of the available doses -- approximately 55,239 of 226,700 that have been delivered by the federal government since Dec. 14, according to the state and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means 76% of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are now sitting idle in freezers and refrigerators across the state. Oregon currently ranks 46th slowest among states at administering the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines it has received, according to CDC and independent data posted by Bloomberg Tuesday. Allen said Oregon is 36th by his accounting, based on CDC data for per capita vaccinations. Many states also have struggled to get shots in the arms of their residents. California and Washington have per capita vaccination rates similar to Oregons. While were right in line with most other states, thats not enough, Allen said. ... Now we need to outperform other states in getting our states residents vaccinated. On average, Oregon has been administering about 3,400 coronavirus vaccinations per day in the past week. While officials had defended the pace for weeks, Brown acknowledged Monday it was far too slow and set a new goal of 12,000 per day by mid-January. That goal would bring sharp improvement for Oregons health care workers and residents in long-term care, which account for roughly half of the states overall deaths. But the daily rate of vaccinations will need to climb much higher if the state has any hope of snuffing out the virus by summer or fall. Allen, the Oregon Health Authority director, said 12,000 daily shots is still far too low and it would take well into 2022 to inoculate 70% of the states population -- about 3 million people -- with the two-dose regimen of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Seventy percent is the minimum some public health experts say is necessary to reach herd immunity, which is the point the virus is seriously hindered from easily spreading throughout the community. Allen said the governor set the 12,000-a-day goal based on the expectation that the state will receive 75,000 to 100,000 doses from the federal government each week, roughly equal to the current allotment. At 12,000 doses a day, the state would administer all of its vaccine shipments shortly after arrival, he said. Im confident that were going to be able to get vaccine out into peoples shoulders and move forward, Allen said. In addition to opening up vaccinations to the wider pool of health care workers and long-term care residents, officials said the state also plans to speed up the administration of the vaccines by working with retail pharmacies to help them start inoculating eligible people. One of the barriers to vaccinating Oregonians more quickly is that pharmacies havent been equipped to screen people who might come to them for the vaccine to make sure theyre eligible, said Dr. Dana Hargunani, chief medical officer of the Oregon Health Authority. Local public health departments also will offer trained volunteers who can administer vaccines, and mobile vaccination clinics will help deliver the shots to people who arent easily reached, Hargunani said. Because of the uncertainty of federal shipments, Oregon officials say they cant yet offer any timeline for when members of the general population will be eligible to receive their vaccines, although it appears it will be several more months. But by mid- to late February, Allen said he expects the states hospitals, health systems, pharmacies and other vaccine providers to wrap up their immunizations of health care workers, long-term care residents and others. He said the state will then be able to move to the next group, which the governor has said will include teachers and other school employees. A CDC panel recommended that the next phase should include people age 75 and older, but Allen said his agency and the governor still have to decide whether elderly residents will be eligible for the vaccine at the same time as school workers, or if they will have to wait. The states 27-member Vaccine Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority and the governor. The first of whats expected to be six or seven meetings is Thursday. State officials say tough decisions will need to be made. The hard reality in Oregon and other states is there simply arent enough doses to go around, Hargunani said, and there wont be for many months. Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter -- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com Key market players are focusing on increasing the rate of launching more sophisticated products to fulfil the mounting demand in the market. DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Fact.MR: The prepackaged medical kits and trays market is set to grow at 8.5% CAGR through 2030, as per Fact.MR's recent study. Rise of multi-specialty hospitals all over the world is a key factor for the ever-increasing need for prepackaged medical kits & trays all over the globe. Furthermore, the demand is high for disposable medical products, particularly with the onset of transmissible diseases for instance COVID-19. "Increasing concerns in relation to HAI's together with increasing precautionary measures taken owing to the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to drive sales of prepackaged medical kits and trays. Moreover, increase in ENT, laparoscopy, along with other surgeries is further spurring the market expansion" says the Fact.MR report. Request a report sample to gain comprehensive market insights at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=5413 Key Takeaways US will hold largest share; however, manufacturing hubs in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, will be important from an export perspective Laparoscopic trays is the most lucrative category, and is set to grow at 6% CAGR through 2030 Multi-specialty hospitals account for the highest demand, followed by clinics Driving Factors Increasing number of patients in clinics, multi-specialty hospitals, and others are boosting requirement for market growth. Rising incidences of hospital-associated infections while being treated is encouraging demand for disposable prospects such as prepackaged medical kits & trays. The market is witnessing a surge in demand owing to the rush of patients in clinics, ASCs, and others caused by COVID-19 outbreak. Constraints Increasing FDA recalls to pass the testing process of these kits and trays might negatively impact the market growth. Rising pricing pressure due to expensive sterilization process can hinder the market growth. Anticipated Market Impact by COVID-19 Outbreak The prepackaged medical kits and trays market is positively impacted amid the COVID-19 outbreak due to increasing number of patients admitted in acute care has ensued in surging demand for pre-packaged medical kits & trays, since its play a vital role in minimizing infections risk. Although the outbreak has caused instabilities up to some level for market players, the market has high prospects to overcome these constraints and expand exponentially in the approaching years. Competition Landscape Key companies in the prepackaged medical kits and trays market are focusing on launching more diverse segments of products with better quality to sustain fierce competition.Key companies identified in the market are Medtronic Plc., Boston Scientific, Corporation, The 3M Company, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Smith & Nephew Plc., Hogy Medical Co. Ltd., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Cypress Medical Products, LLC, Molnlycke Health Care AB, Medline Industries Inc. and C.R. Brad, Inc. More on the Report The Fact.MR's market research report provides in-depth insights into the prepackaged medical kits and trays market. The market is scrutinized based on product (laparoscopic trays, laceration trays, ENT trays, ophthalmic custom trays, custom ob/gyn kits, hysterectomy kits, open heart surgery kits, angiography/angioplasty/Catherization kits, lumbar puncture trays, biopsy trays, suture removal kits, dressing kits, orthopedic kits & trays, and anesthesia kits) and end user (multi-specialty hospitals, clinics, stand-alone laboratories, ambulatory surgical centers, academic research institutes, and others), across five major regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA)). Explore Wide-ranging Coverage of Fact.MR's Healthcare Landscape Medical Waste Containers Market: Find insights on the medical waste containers market with analysis of segments, statistics, influencers, market players, and business strategies adopted over a forecast period of 2020-2026. Biomedical Refrigerators and Freezers Market: Fact.MR's report on the biomedical refrigerators and freezers market offers insights on the market during 2017-2022 including restraints, revenue sources, market leaders, and market strategies. Medical Beds Market: Read an analysis of the medical beds market with insights on growth factors, opportunities, restraints, regional market forecast, regulatory policies, and strengths of market leaders. About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries.Fact.MR is headquartered in Dublin, and has offices in Dubai. Fact.MR's latest market research reports industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and take critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Contact Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates MARKET ACCESS DMCC Initiative SOURCE: FactMR View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623113/Demand-for-Prepackaged-Medical-Kits-and-Trays-Grows-amidst-Hygiene-Concerns-FactMR-Study The Executive Bureau of the Solidaritatea Sanitara Federation on Tuesday decided to initiate the procedure regarding the organisation of large-scale protests and established the calendar of the first actions of this type, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES. Thus, between January 7-9, 2021, all member unions will hand over, in the territory, memoranda in support of the demands of the Solidaritatea Sanitara Federation to MPs, and on January 14 protests will be organized at the local level, in each county, in front of the prefectures and also in Victoriei Square in Bucharest. The Executive Bureau has also decided to urgently convene the Coordination Council, on January 6, 2021, which will establish the long-term actions of the organization, taking into account all possible forms of protest. The demands of the trade unionists target the adoption of all necessary measures for the protection of the health and safety of health workers (equipment, circuits, material and human resources, etc.), so as to lead to a significant reduction in the number of employees newly infected with SARS-CoV-2, and of deaths due to COVID-19. Measures should include: developing an appropriate campaign to inform health workers about vaccination, setting standards for the duration of use of personal protective equipment and ensuring them in the required quantity and quality, developing staff regulations appropriate to the treatment of COVID-19 patients, reducing the continuous working time in personal protective equipment to 3 hours, inclusion of COVID-19 as an occupational disease for health workers, observance of the legal right to a retirement pension for the children of colleagues who died on duty. Health trade unionists also demand an increase in basic salaries for all categories of employees, starting with January 1, 2021, at the level provided by the Pay Law for 2022. Cancellation of the cut in basic salaries provided by GEO No. 226/2020, relating all bonuses of health workers to current basic salaries and granting all bonuses for working conditions at the maximum level, granting the risk incentive for the entire duration of the pandemic for all healthcare employees, granting all salary rights provided by law, namely the increase of up to 30 precent, the hazard pay for fighting the epidemic and the payment of overtime, for all workers who have not yet benefited from them, the payment of guards with the hourly rate corresponding to the basic norm, upgrading the nurses' place within the salary grade so as to correspond to the place they have in the medical team, and to the contribution to the patients' treatment and care and the possibility for health workers to benefit from the reduction of the contribution period (retirement age) proportional to the activity carried out above the basic norm. The Federation of "Sanitary Solidarity" is a representative organization at the level of the Healthcare sector, having as members over 25,000 employees in this sector. The actions of the federation are carried out for the defence and promotion of the rights of the workers in the health sector, further mentions the release. Kalibo, Aklan (CNN Philippines, January 6) Two tourists who were arrested after authorities discovered them to have fake COVID-19 test results have tested negative for the virus. Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta, Aklan Provincial administrator, on Wednesday said the two were tested on Jan. 3. The results came out on the same day, and the tourists were allowed to return to Manila on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The tourists were arrested on Dec. 29 at the Caticlan Airport, and were brought to a quarantine facility in Kalbo. Aklan Police Provincial Director Col Esmeraldo Osia Jr. said both tourists will be charged with falsification of public documents. Ibarreta disclosed that there are currently 15 recorded tourists who submitted fake COVID-19 results to get permission to enter Boracay. Malay, Aklan Mayor Floribar Bautista warned the public against attempts to fake test results to gain entry to the island "They are wasting their time and money sa mga kalokohan nila," Bautista said. "Malalaman pa rin at mahuhuli ang mga magtatangkang gawin ang pamemeke. Hindi sila makakalusot sa Boracay." [Translation: They are wasting their time and money with their misdeeds. Anyone who dares falsify (test results) will get exposed eventually. They won't be able to get away with such in Boracay.] On Dec. 7, six tourists who entered the island were arrested after only one of them presented an authentic test result. The other five showed photocopied results. A KT AI hotel robot delivers towels to guests. KT and Josun Hotels & Resorts signed a MOU, Dec. 17, to use the robots in the latter's new premises. / Courtesy of KT By Jun Ji-hye An increasing number of hotels here are utilizing robots and contactless technologies as part of their efforts to overcome an unprecedented crisis caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Information and communication technology-based services help hotels improve convenience and collect necessary data and feedback to develop better methods to protect guests amid the global public health crisis. Josun Hotels & Resorts signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with mobile carrier KT last month in a bid to innovate its services by utilizing the power of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Under the MOU, the two companies are set to jointly study and develop AI-based services, and employ use of AI robots in Josun Hotels & Resorts, including Gravity Seoul Pangyo, Autograph Collection. The robots, equipped with the advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, would play a role as a digital butler. Robots would travel throughout the premises to fulfil guests' request, such as for towels, thus diminishing reliance on human staff. "Through the MOU with KT, we will continue to upgrade the digital services of our newly opened hotels, and offer more distinguished and convenient services to our guests," said Brian Pak, the senior vice president who heads the Business Development Division at Josun Hotels & Resorts. Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts have recently introduced a robot barista, called "BARIS." The robot barista enables more precise coffee measuring and making to provide customers with greater tasting coffee, the company said, adding that the robot is also capable of communicating with customers through an LED display. "The robot barista also helps minimize contact between people amid the prolonged pandemic," a Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts official remarked. Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts' robot barista named "BARIS" / Courtesy of Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts Lebanon, NH - Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health (D-HH), New Hampshire's only academic health system serving nearly 2 million patients across northern New England, and West Health, a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations working to lower health care costs to enable successful aging, are bringing accredited geriatric emergency care and, for the first time, providing older adults in the region with specialized telehealth services from an accredited emergency department. Northern New England is home to one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the country. D-HH and West Health announced today that they will provide telehealth services and geriatric emergency department (GED) training, education and other resources to four rural hospitals in a two-phase "hub and spoke" approach. The first two hospitals to receive telemedicine support from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) will be Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, and Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, VT, both members of the D-HH system. Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH, and Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, VT, will be brought on in phase two. All four spoke sites will gain access to supplemental telehealth services provided by DHMC with an emphasis on geriatric nursing, transitional care management, and support of on-call geriatricians. These new partnerships will enable the four hospitals to earn national accreditation as Level 2 GEDs from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "Our location in the Upper Valley positions us right between New Hampshire and Vermont, which have two of the most rapidly aging populations of all 50 states," said Michael Lynch, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Alice Peck Day. "The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the need for telemedicine services and quality critical access hospitals more than ever, especially for elderly people who may struggle to get to doctor's appointments or to a hospital in an emergency. Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital is proud to be part of D-HH and West Health's efforts to improve access to this vulnerable population." The initiative is the latest to emerge from a 2019 three-year research collaboration between West Health and D-HH, which also includes the creation of the nation's first Level 1 accredited rural GED within DHMC. Its completion is expected in early 2021. Nearly 200 hospitals have received GED accreditation in the U.S.; nationally, only 12 hospitals have achieved Level 1 accreditation, all of which besides DHMC are in urban areas. "The ability to offer GED services and the option of telehealth to our patients is a significant asset, and sets us and other 'spoke' sites apart from other small hospitals in our region," said Joseph Perras, MD, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer at Mt. Ascutney. "We want our patients, especially the elderly, to know that they don't need to travel outside their community to receive quality care that's tailored to their needs. Mt. Ascutney's inclusion in D-HH and West Health's GED program is critical for our efforts to serve our community's aging population." According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 46 million seniors live in the United States with about 1 in 5 residing in rural areas where access to healthcare and transportation may be limited. Older adults account for about 20% of all emergency department visits and are more likely to have multiple chronic diseases and suffer from cognitive issues, social isolation, loneliness, poverty and food insecurity than their younger counterparts. "Geriatric emergency departments promote best clinical practices for older adults, create a more positive and sensitive physical environment and help improve health outcomes, better coordinate care, and reduce costs," said Shelley Lyford, president and chief executive officer of West Health. "We are pleased to be working with Dartmouth-Hitchcock to extend its reach to rural hospitals and bring the power of geriatric emergency care and telehealth to more patients throughout the region." "We are in a unique situation at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, as the two states we serve have large populations of older adults," said Scott Rodi, MD, chair of Emergency Medicine at DHMC. "When we partnered with West Health to create our GED program, we knew that working with critical access hospitals in our region would be the key to delivering the best, most comprehensive care to this population. We're proud to roll out our first two 'spoke' sites at our affiliate hospitals Mt. Ascutney and Alice Peck Day in phase one, and look forward to working with Valley Regional and Gifford in phase two." The lessons learned from these collaborations will enable D-HH and West Health to determine the effectiveness of using telemedicine to extend geriatric emergency care to other rural hospitals across the country. ### About Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health: DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK HEALTH (D-HH), New Hampshire's only academic health system and the state's largest private employer, serves a population of 1.9 million across Northern New England. D-H provides access to more than 2,400 providers in almost every area of medicine, delivering care at its flagship hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, NH. DHMC was named in 2019 as the #1 hospital in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report, and recognized for high performance in 13 clinical specialties and procedures. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health also includes the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, one of only 51 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation; the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the state's only children's hospital; affiliated member hospitals in Lebanon, Keene, and New London, NH, and Windsor, VT, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire; and 24 Dartmouth-Hitchcock clinics that provide ambulatory services across New Hampshire and Vermont. The D-H system trains nearly 400 residents and fellows annually, and performs world-class research, in partnership with the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and White River Junction VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT. About West Health and the West Health Institute: Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations including the Gary and Mary West Foundation and Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Learn more at westhealth.org and follow @westhealth. Google reinstated TalkRadio's YouTube channel following a government intervention, less than a day after the tech giant's 'censorship' sparked a freedom of speech backlash. YouTube, which is owned by Google, terminated the radio station's account amid claims the broadcaster 'violated' the website's 'community guidelines' by airing criticism of coronavirus lockdowns. MailOnline now understands that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 'made inquiries' yesterday about what appeared to be an extraordinary clampdown on dissent by Google. A source close to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: 'Protecting freedom of speech was a key part of what he announced on the online harms work.' Google declined to comment. YouTube said it had 'briefly suspended' TalkRadio's channel, citing 'flagged content that violate our Community Guidelines, including COVID-19 content that explicitly contradict expert consensus from local health authorities or the World Health Organization (WHO)'. TalkRadio's account is now back online following a free-speech row, with Michael Gove and actor Laurence Fox denouncing 'Big Tech censorship' while civil liberties groups said the 'chilling' move 'would make China proud'. A spokesperson for Rupert Murdoch's News UK, which owns TalkRadio, told MailOnline last night that it is still demanding a full explanation for Google's decision to axe the station's YouTube channel. TalkRadio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer yesterday denied that the broadcaster had flouted YouTube's community guidelines, tweeting: 'We simply challenge the evidence that lockdowns are a proportionate response to the Covid virus. It's called free speech.' The station has interviewed lockdown sceptics during the pandemic who doubt that massive restrictions on public life implemented by western governments can suppress the disease. In October 2020, the WHO said in a statement that lockdowns were needed to 'suppress the virus and avoid health systems being overwhelmed', but the measures were 'not sustainable solutions because of their significant economic, social and broader health impacts'. MailOnline now understands that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 'made inquiries' about what appeared to be an extraordinary clampdown by Google TalkRadio presenters including Mike Graham (left) and Julia Hartley-Brewer (right) have criticised the Government's use of lockdowns during the pandemic YouTube shut down TalkRadio's channel after the broadcaster criticised lockdowns Dissenting experts who have challenged the lockdown policy have included Oxford epidemiologist Professor Sunetra Gupta, who co-authored the anti-lockdown Great Barrington Declaration, and Irish engineer Ivor Cummins. Some of TalkRadio's presenters, including Ms Hartley-Brewer, Mike Graham and Dan Wootton, have criticised government measures to slow the spread of coronavirus as excessive or ill-targeted. Mr Graham has invited Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens onto his Independent Republic show every Monday for nearly a year to discuss the Government's handling of the crisis. The radio station used YouTube to stream its live video content and archive old shows, and accrued tens of millions of views and 250,000 subscribers as its popularity soared last year. YouTube's policies are supposedly in place to 'protect' its 'community', which means stopping the spread of misinformation about coronavirus along with conspiracy theories, hate speech or 'other harmful content'. The company reviews each video that is flagged and will remove a video if it is deemed to violate these policies, issuing a strike. A spokesman for TalkRadio said: 'YouTube is making decisions about which opinions the public are allowed to hear, even when they are sourced to responsible and regulated news providers. 'This sets a dangerous precedent and is censorship of free speech and legitimate national debate.' A spokesperson had earlier told MailOnline: 'We urgently await a detailed response from Google/YouTube about the nature of the breach that has led to our channel being removed from its platform. 'TalkRadio is an Ofcom-licensed and regulated broadcaster and has robust editorial controls in place, taking care to balance debate. 'We regularly interrogate government data and we have controls in place, use verifiable sources and give space to a careful selection of voices and opinions.' TalkRadio later tweeted a poll which asked: 'Will Britain's freedoms ever fully return?' TalkRadio: Its owner, hosts and controversies TalkRadio is owned by News UK and is the sister station of national radio stations TalkSport and Times Radio. It has about 424,000 listeners, according to the latest figures from market research provider Rajar. Its current presenters include Mike Graham, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Dan Wootton, and Mark Dolan. TalkRadio has courted controversy since its relaunch in 2016. Presenter James Whale was suspended over a July 2018 interview with an alleged sex assault victim that was said by the station to have 'completely lacked sensitivity'. He was given a week's suspension and his show returned soon afterwards. He apologised to the alleged victim. Broadcast watchdog Ofcom ruled in 2019 that two episodes of ex-MP George Galloway's show on Labour Party anti-Semitism and the Salisbury poisoning breached impartiality rules. Galloway was sacked by the station in June 2019 for praising Liverpool FC for winning the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final instead of Tottenham Hotspur, a team with strong links to the Jewish community. Last September, Mark Dolan cut up a face mask while claiming they did not have a significant impact on the spread of coronavirus. His action sparked a protest resignation by Jamie East, while Piers Morgan called Dolan's behaviour 'reckless and stupid'. Advertisement Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, which regulates TalkRadio, said: 'This was a decision for YouTube. 'Like other UK stations, TalkRadio's radio channel comes under our Broadcasting Code. When we assess programmes under our rules, we take account of a broadcaster's right to freedom of expression, and the right of listeners to receive information and ideas.' YouTube has implemented a 'COVID-19 medical misinformation policy' which allows it to ban 'content that spreads medical misinformation that contradicts local health authority information or World Health Organization (WHO) medical information about COVID-19'. Examples of content which is banned from YouTube include 'denial that COVID-19 exists', 'claims that people have not died from COVID-19', and 'videos alleging that social distancing and self-isolation are not effective in reducing the spread of the virus'. It warns YouTube users that it will remove content which violates the policy and give them a warning with no penalty if it is a first-time violation. Google has a three-strike policy where channels that break its community guidelines three times within a 90-day period can be permanently banned. The tech giant has previously banned conspiracy theorist David Icke and suspended One America News Network for breaches of its Covid rules. However, a YouTube webpage states that the video streaming site is committed to freedom of speech and freedom of expression, claiming: 'We believe people should be able to speak freely, share opinions, foster open dialogue, and that creative freedom leads to new voices, formats and possibilities.' It also claims: 'We believe everyone should have easy, open access to information and that video is a powerful force for education, building understanding, and documenting world events, big and small.' Ofcom has also pledged to crack down on coronavirus misinformation that could cause serious harm, though no TalkRadio content about the disease has been subject to investigation by the watchdog. Michael Gove yesterday blasted 'Big Tech censorship', telling Ms Hartley-Brewer on TalkRadio that lockdown critics 'should be heard'. 'I don't believe in censorship, and we have a free and fair press, and we have commentators and interviewers of distinction who do criticise the Government's position', the Cabinet Office minister said. 'I respectfully disagree with them but I think it's important that their voices are heard and that debate takes place.' Ms Hartley-Brewer later tweeted that no one at the station 'has ever endangered any lives or worked against the NHS', adding: 'Free speech, debate and questioning policies that destroy lives, livelihoods and freedoms are a good thing.' Actor Laurence Fox, who has also criticised shutdowns, warned: 'This is just the beginning' in a suggestion that more online anti-lockdown rhetoric could be removed. Toby Young, director-general of the Free Speech Union, called Google's move 'an assault on the freedom of the press'. Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch said the removal of the channel was 'a bold censorship move that would make China proud'. Director Silkie Carlo told MailOnline: 'YouTube's termination of TalkRadio is evidence, if needed, that Big Tech censorship is out of control. 'This chilling attack on a broadcaster is the type of thing you see in China. It is no coincidence that TalkRadio is one of the loudest critics of the Government's mismanagement of the pandemic, nor that the Government is pressuring Big Tech companies to increase censorship under 'online harms' policies. TalkRadio presenter Ms Hartley-Brewer denied that the broadcaster had flouted YouTube's community guidelines. 'We simply challenge the evidence that lockdowns are a proportionate response to the Covid virus. It's called free speech,' she tweeted Lockdown sceptic Peter Hitchens said: 'Are we any longer free if this sort of thing can happen?' TalkRadio presenter Dan Wootton has also criticised the use of shutdowns to tackle Covid Dissenting experts who have spoken on TalkRadio include Oxford epidemiologist Professor Sunetra Gupta, who authored the anti-lockdown Great Barrington Declaration Actor Laurence Fox yesterday tweeted: 'This is just the beginning' Triggernometry YouTube channel host Konstantin Kisin said: 'Today is the day we can all be 100% certain that free speech is over' 'This assault on free expression must be resisted and overturned.' Triggernometry YouTube channel host Konstantin Kisin said: 'Today is the day we can all be 100% certain that free speech is over'. It comes as police vowed to fine anyone not wearing a mask, groups of more than two or anyone out of the house without 'good reason' at least 200 on the spot with one force ready to smash their way into homes to break-up parties. The hard-line from England's biggest forces came as new lockdown laws were published and it was revealed they will be enforced until Easter on March 31 not mid-February as Boris Johnson promised. Fixed penalty notices of 200 will be issued for any first offence, with this doubling for further offences up to a maximum of 6,400. Those holding, or involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people risk a police-issued fine of 10,000. Mr Johnson's new legislation means that the public must stay at home unless they have a 'reasonable excuse', must travel for critical work, daily exercise and cannot meet with more than one person outside their household as the a arduous new third lockdown begins. Scotland Yard has told its officers and PCSOs to take a 'more inquisitive' approach to policing the streets and have 'issued refreshed instructions to issue fines more quickly to anyone committing obvious, wilful and serious breaches'. The Met says that anyone attending unlicensed music events or large illegal parties will now also be fined and anyone 'wearing masks where they should be and without good reason can expect to be fined not reasoned with', the force said hours after officers said it was 'impossible' to fine everyone caught leaving their homes because the public lie to them. Meanwhile West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has urged the government to give officers power of entry to homes, to help 'enforce the new regulations more easily' if there is an illegal party. The regulations underpinning the drastic lockdown curbs have come into effect in England after Mr Johnson said he was left with 'no choice' due to the mutant strain running rampant. ATLANTA - Democrat Raphael Warnock won one of Georgias two Senate runoffs Wednesday, becoming the first Black senator in his states history and putting the Senate majority within the party's reach. Georgia Democratic senate candidate Raphael Warnock talks to reporters following a campaign rally in Augusta, Ga., Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Democrats Jon Ossoff and Warnock are challenging incumbent Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in a runoff election on Jan. 5. (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP) ATLANTA - Democrat Raphael Warnock won one of Georgias two Senate runoffs Wednesday, becoming the first Black senator in his states history and putting the Senate majority within the party's reach. A pastor who spent the past 15 years leading the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, Warnock defeated Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler. It was a stinging rebuke of outgoing President Donald Trump, who made one of his final trips in office to Georgia to rally his loyal base behind Loeffler and the Republican running for the other seat, David Perdue. The focus now shifts to the second race between Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. That contest was too early to call as votes were still being counted. There were still some mail ballots and in-person early votes left to be counted statewide, the majority of which are in Democratic-leaning counties. Under Georgia law, a trailing candidate may request a recount when the margin of an election is less than or equal to 0.5 percentage points. If Ossoff wins, Democrats will have complete control of Congress, strengthening President-elect Joe Bidens standing as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20. Warnocks victory is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgias politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. It follows Bidens victory in November, when he became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Elections workers at the Fulton County Georgia elections warehouse check in voting machine memory cards that store ballots following the Senate runoff election in Atlanta on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. Georgia's two Senate runoff elections on Tuesday will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Republican Kelly Loeffler is going up against Democrat Raphael Warnock, while Republican David Perdue is challenging Democrat Jon Ossoff. Democrats must win both seats to take control of the Senate. (AP Photo/Ben Gray) Warnock, 51, acknowledged his improbable victory in a message to supporters early Wednesday, citing his familys experience with poverty. His mother, he said, used to pick somebody elses cotton as a teenager. The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator, he said. Tonight, we proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. Loeffler refused to concede in a brief message to supporters shortly after midnight. Weve got some work to do here. This is a game of inches. Were going to win this election, insisted Loeffler, a 50-year-old former businesswoman who was appointed to the Senate less than a year ago by the states governor. Loeffler, who remains a Georgia senator until the results of Tuesdays election are finalized, said she would return to Washington on Wednesday morning to join a small group of senators planning to challenge Congress vote to certify Bidens victory. We are going to keep fighting for you, Loeffler said, This is about protecting the American dream. Georgias other runoff election pitted Perdue, a 71-year-old former business executive who held his Senate seat until his term expired on Sunday, against Ossoff, a former congressional aide and journalist. At just 33 years old, Ossoff would be the Senates youngest member. Election workers tabulate ballots at the Beauty P. Baldwin Voter Registrations and Elections Building, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Lawrenceville, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Trumps false claims of voter fraud cast a dark shadow over the runoff elections, which were held only because no candidate hit the 50% threshold in the general election. He attacked the states election chief on the eve of the election and raised the prospect that some votes might not be counted even as votes were being cast Tuesday afternoon. Republican state officials on the ground reported no significant problems. This weeks elections mark the formal finale to the turbulent 2020 election season more than two months after the rest of the nation finished voting. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds for the final days of Trumps presidency and likely beyond. Both contests tested whether the political coalition that fueled Bidens November victory was an anti-Trump anomaly or part of a new electoral landscape. To win in Tuesday's elections and in the future Democrats needed strong African American support. Drawing on his popularity with Black voters, among other groups, Biden won Georgias 16 electoral votes by about 12,000 votes out of 5 million cast in November. Trump's claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election, while meritless, resonated with Republican voters in Georgia. About 7 in 10 agreed with his false assertion that Biden was not the legitimately elected president, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 3,600 voters in the runoff elections. Election officials across the country, including the Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, as well as Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed that there was no widespread fraud in the November election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, where three Trump-nominated justices preside. Even with Trumps claims, voters in both parties were drawn to the polls because of the high stakes. AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 Georgia voters say Senate party control was the most important factor in their vote. Even before Tuesday, Georgia had shattered its turnout record for a runoff with more than 3 million votes by mail or during in-person advance voting in December. Including Tuesdays vote, more people ultimately cast ballots in the runoffs than voted in Georgias 2016 presidential election. In Atlantas Buckhead neighbourhood, 37-year-old Kari Callaghan said she voted all Democrat on Tuesday, an experience that was new for her. Ive always been Republican, but Ive been pretty disgusted by Trump and just the way the Republicans are working, she said. I feel like for the Republican candidates to still stand there with Trump and campaign with Trump feels pretty rotten. This isnt the conservative values that I grew up with. But 56-year-old Will James said he voted straight GOP. He said he was concerned by the Republican candidates recent support of Trumps challenges of the presidential election results in Georgia, but it didnt really change the reasons I voted. I believe in balance of power, and I dont want either party to have a referendum, basically, he said. Peoples reported from New York. Bynum reported from Savannah, Ga. Associated Press writers Haleluya Hadero, Angie Wang, Sophia Tulp, Ben Nadler and Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed to this report. Predicting the path of the continuing Covid-19 crisis has proven to be an almost impossible task, as 2020 showed. With Northern Ireland preparing itself for extra restrictions due to a fresh surge in cases, the Belfast Telegraph examines some of the predictions and plans that didn't quite come to pass since the outbreak of the virus. March 19, 2020 As the virus was spreading rapidly across Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann stated there could be 15,000 deaths in the country in a "worst case nightmare scenario". His stark message came in the wake of the first Covid-19 related death in Northern Ireland. Thankfully, his prediction has not come true thanks to the public pulling together and staying at home during the first lockdown. As of yesterday, the total number of Covid-19 related deaths has reached 1,384 here since the beginning of the outbreak, based on Department of Health figures. Expand Close Robin Swann / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Robin Swann May 13 First Minister Arlene Foster said she expected Northern Ireland to reach stage five of its pathway to recovery "long before" December 5. "I would be very much hopeful that, unless there has been a second peak or second wave of this," she stated. Stage five would have seen nightclubs open their doors, concerts happening, spectators attending sporting events, people returning to work and the hospitality sector reopened. However, the country found itself in a two week circuit-breaker lockdown from November 27. Restrictions were later loosened in the run up to the festive season but that has led to the current spike in virus cases. August 6 Pubs which do not serve food - 'wet pubs' - were busy preparing to open their doors for Monday, August 10, but were hit by a hammer blow as the Executive changed the date to September 1. However, this date was also cancelled because of a rise in Covid cases. Mrs Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill finally threw wet pubs a lifeline and permitted them to reopen from September 21. John Bittles, who owns Bittles Bar in Belfast city centre, estimated he lost around 100,000 due to loss of trade. Expand Close Michelle O'Neill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michelle O'Neill August 13 Education Minister Peter Weir stood by his assertion that the controversial A-level grading system was fair following a backlash from principals and pupils after exams were cancelled last summer because of the pandemic. The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) then failed to uphold over a third of teachers' estimated grades. Just five days later, Mr Weir performed a U-turn and allowed teachers' predicted grades to be used after strong political opposition to use centralised standardisation. November 24 Families in Northern Ireland were told they could reunite for five days over Christmas after ministers from across the UK agreed to relax coronavirus restrictions. Up to three households were initially permitted to mix in bubbles from December 23 to December 27. Christmas plans were then thrown into disarray on December 21 after the Executive agreed to reduce the five day bubbling arrangements to just one day. The decision came as health officials said they believed a new strain of Covid-19 was circulating in the region. November 27 Northern Ireland entered a two-week circuit breaker to slow the spread of Covid-19 and protect health services. Mrs Foster said the "tough, carefully timed, intervention" was needed to give "the best chance to have a safe and happy Christmas and further into the new year period". Unfortunately, the circuit breaker didn't have the desired effect. Chief Scientific Adviser Prof Ian Young highlighted how the figures for Belfast traffic congestion during the brief lockdown was simply too high and showed the people did not stay at home. Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said "we are not where we need to be". Expand Close Michael McBride / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael McBride December 18 The Education Minister was heavily criticised after informing principals that schools would be fully reopening in January without any further restrictions. Mr Weir insisted that all schools should reopen during the first week of January. But like many other plans throughout the pandemic, the DUP MLA announced on New Year's Eve that he was left with no other choice but to make another last minute decision to extend school closures. "Just when you think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, Covid builds another tunnel," he said. Both Philadelphia and Montgomery County predicted Tuesday they might be able to begin offering coronavirus vaccinations to the second wave of recipients likely essential workers and older seniors as soon as February. But the officials across the state and region say how quickly the vaccine becomes available to a wider pool of people is dependent on how quickly more doses arrive from the federal government, and the citys top health official had some sobering news: If that pace doesnt increase, it could be more than a year before all of Philadelphia is fully vaccinated. The city is on track to receive about 19,000 doses a week from the federal government through January, Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said. To be clear, he said, in a city of 1.5 million, this is not enough. New Jersey unveiled a website to let health-care workers preregister for inoculations, and Chester and Delaware Counties released vaccination plans and a form for people eligible for shots in the next phase. But questions about the speed at which people are able to be vaccinated and when the general population will get the shots continued to echo across the region. I would love nothing better [than] to be able to give an exact date, Chester County Health Director Jeanne Casner said as she released the countys vaccination plan. It truly, truly depends on how quickly Chester County receives the vaccine doses. READ MORE: Dr. Anthony Fauci says U.S. could soon give 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations a day, despite current delays Across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states, health-care personnel and long-term care residents are being vaccinated in the current phase. In Pennsylvania, the next phase, known as 1B, includes essential workers and people 75 or older. The third phase will offer shots to a wider pool of workers, people with high-risk medical conditions, and residents 65 and older. While the state is following federal guidance for the rollout, Philadelphia has its own vaccination plan and could define the phases differently. City officials said Monday they were still working on the plan. Racial disparity in early vaccinations About 39% of the vaccine doses delivered to the city had been administered as of Sunday. The city is expecting to receive a combined 19,250 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines per week, Farley said. Weve been told that these numbers are the same amounts that were going to get per week, weekly, through January, he said. So we certainly hope that the delivery of the vaccine to us increases. The first wave of vaccination doses has been given primarily to health-care workers, and as of Sunday 28,476 people were reported to have been immunized at Philadelphia health facilities. But African Americans and other nonwhite racial groups appear to be underrepresented so far, Farley said. Of those people vaccinated in the city so far for whom demographic data were available, 43% were white, 12% were Black, 10% were Asian American, and 10% reported their race as other. For an additional 19%, race was unknown. Farley said he was working with chief medical officers at Philadelphia hospitals to address the disparity. We believe that they have less trust in the medical care system. Let me say that thats completely understandable given the history of how African Americans have been treated in this country, Farley said. But it is still a problem, because we know that African Americans are more likely to get COVID and are more likely to die of COVID. New Jersey had administered 111,161 vaccines by Monday evening some of them second doses out of 405,825 total delivered to the state. Vaccination locations also expanded, with health-care workers able to get inoculations at 39 ShopRite pharmacies, including six locations in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. The ShopRite sites were chosen in coordination with the New Jersey State Department of Health and offer shots only to those eligible in the first phase of vaccinations. Shots are available by appointment only. Delaware had been sent more than 50,000 doses, but only 15,460 people had received the first dose of the vaccine as of Tuesday morning, the state said. Officials said that the shipments were sometimes short of what they expected to receive and that the holidays had also slowed distribution. Were hoping at some point in the future well start to actually receive more than we have planned for, said Delaware Public Health Director Karyl Rattay. And also, it would be nice if we had multiple weeks of projections of what we were going to receive, but we do our best with the information that we receive. Developing tools Taking a step ahead of the state and other area counties, Chester and Delaware Counties on Tuesday released an online tool that will enable residents and workers to get notified when vaccine doses and appointments are available. Available on Chester Countys website to both Chester and Delaware County residents, the survey lets participants sign up to receive information when the vaccine is available to them. Anyone who believes they qualify to be vaccinated during phase 1B can fill it out, but it is not required and does not register participants for an appointment. The counties will also use the survey to gauge how many people are interested in getting vaccinated. A separate survey for health-care workers not affiliated with a hospital who need to be vaccinated in the first phase is available on the countys website. Chester County, which helps administer Delaware Countys coronavirus response, also plans to have vaccine locations throughout the county, eventually including large-scale vaccination sites, mobile and pop-up sites, and clinics at venues such as schools, banquet halls, and churches. New Jersey also launched a website for vaccine preregistration on Tuesday, but officials said only health-care workers should use it for the time being. The site immediately began experiencing crashes and delays due to high traffic. It will be used for health-care personnel who wont receive the vaccine at work. The state will announce new phases of the vaccine rollout as the doses become available for essential workers, older adults, and other members of the public over the next few weeks and months, said Health Department spokesperson Donna Leusner. When that happens, residents who have signed up online will receive emails letting them know they can make appointments. Pennsylvania also plans to launch a web portal to let people register for their shots, a state Health Department spokesperson said Tuesday. Pa. hasnt detected coronavirus variant Pennsylvania on Tuesday reported 8,818 additional confirmed cases of the coronavirus, a number officials said represented cases logged on Monday and some from Sunday, when the state data system was undergoing maintenance. The state also reported 185 new deaths. The number of Pennsylvanians being treated for the virus in the states hospitals remains nearly double the spring peak of patients but slightly lower than the record highs from last month. On Tuesday, about 5,630 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, the state said, and 1,182 of them were in intensive-care units. Pennsylvania has not recorded any cases of the new variant of the virus that has spread quickly in Britain and has since been located in several other countries and U.S. states, including New York, officials said Tuesday. The state has sent samples from residents with the virus to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for analysis, said Michael Huff, the states director of testing and contact tracing, but he did not specify whether those were routine samples or suspected cases of the variant. Philadelphias death toll surpassed 2,500, Farley announced Tuesday. The city reported 805 newly confirmed cases and 36 deaths. New Jersey reported 5,400 newly confirmed cases and 138 deaths. Meanwhile, the virus continues to take a toll of the regions social life. The St. Patricks Day Observance Association announced on its Facebook page Tuesday night that it had canceled its 2021 St. Patricks Day Parade and all events associated with it. The parade had been scheduled for March 14. It is now the second year the parade has been canceled due to the coronavirus. We will continue with great enthusiasm to plan the 250th Saint Patricks Day Parade for March 13, 2022 where we will celebrate Saint Patrick, our Grand Marshal Michael J. Bradley, Jr., and the distinguished members of our Ring of Honor, the association said. Staff writers Frank Kummer, Rob Tornoe, Allison Steele, and Robert Moran contributed to this article. Prince William and Kate Middleton are likely to remain at Anmer Hall and resume homeschooling their children, after England was plunged into Lockdown 3. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have spent previous lockdown periods at their country residence in Norfolk, where they have been staying since Christmas. Prince George, seven, and Princess Charlotte, five, were due to return to return to their school, Thomas' Battersea, on January 6. However the latest coronavirus restrictions across England mean schools are now shut and not expected to open before the half term break in mid-February. It is believed the Cambridges had intended to return to their London base at Kensington Palace, but now have no reason to return to the capital, and the law advises against essential travel, Hello! reports. Prince William and Kate Middleton are likely to remain at Anmer Hall and resume homeschooling their children Prince George, seven, Prince Louis, two, and Princess Charlotte, five (pictured together in a shot for their 2020 Christmas card) It means they'll likely enjoy a low-key family celebration there for the Duchess' 39th birthday on January 9. William and Kate, both 38, will be required to begin homeschooling Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte again, as they did during the first lockdown in March last year. They previously admitted to finding it 'challenging' to teach their three children - whom they said had 'got such stamina'. The couple even 'kept it going' through the Easter holidays without telling them, with Kate admitting: 'I feel very mean. The children have got such stamina, I don't know how. It is believed the Cambridges had intended to return to their London base at Kensington Palace, but now have no reason to return to the capital, and the law advises against essential travel. Pictured with their children attending a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre in December 'Honestly, you get to the end of the day and you write down the list of all the things that you've done in that day.' She added: 'It's just having that bit of structure actually. And it's great, there's so many great tips online and fun activities that you can do with the children, so it hasn't been all hardcore.' A source in April claimed Kate 'led' the homeschooling efforts of the eldest two, while organising playtime for two-year-old Louis every day, while her husband also 'rolled his sleeves up' to help out. They added that the Duke and Duchess found the experience 'hugely rewarding'. In July William admitted his patience was tested while homeschooling and he struggled to teach Year 2 maths. Speaking on BBC Radio 5Live's That Peter Crouch podcast, which was recorded partially via Zoom and partially at Kensington Palace in March, the heir said: 'I've found it pretty testing, not going to lie, trying to keep the children engaged in some kind of work, it's been an interesting few months.' He added: 'I've learned through homeschooling that my patience is a lot shorter than I thought it was, that's probably been the biggest eye opener for me, and that my wife has super patience. 'Basically we're a good team tag session, I come in with the children and try and get them to do something and Catherine comes in when frankly everything has gone wrong. 'I have to admit I'm a bit embarrassed about my maths knowledge, I can't do Year 2 maths.' Prince William revealed his patience was tested while homeschooling his children in the first lockdown, and that he struggled to teach Year 2 maths. He is pictured, right, in September 2019 with Princess Charlotte (left), Kate (second left) and Prince George (second right) as the royal children attended their first day of school for the year While the Duchess of Cambridge studied maths to A-level, William hasn't pursued the subject since his GCSEs at Eton. Royal expert Victoria Arbiter said the couple saw lockdown as 'a rare gift' because royal children are usually 'unavoidably denied the privilege of prolonged time with their parents'. She commented that the combination of Kate's focus on early years education and the Middleton's 'nurturing presence', alongside Prince William's focus on mental well being and the Windsor traditions, would lead the Cambridge children 'to be the most well-adjusted generation the royals have ever known'. Kensington Palace declined to comment on their whereabouts. A Somali man who falsely claimed in an asylum application that he had spent time in a Kenyan refugee camp and hid his arrest for sexual assault in Canada was convicted in San Diego Tuesday of possessing a permanent resident green card obtained by fraud. According to an indictment and evidence produced at trial, Sufyaan Mohamed traveled to Canada in 1995, where he applied for, but was denied, refugee status. In February 1998, while the defendant was still in Canada, Toronto police arrested him on charges of sexual assault and threatening death, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sabrina Feve. According to evidence produced at trial, Mohamed fled Canada before trial and a Canadian warrant was issued for his arrest. Advertisement The defendant, now 41, arrived in the United States in late 1998 and filed an application for asylum, according to prosecutors. But in the application, the defendant concealed both the time that he spent in Canada and his arrest there by falsely claiming that he had spent the last several years in a Kenyan refugee camp, Feve said. Unaware of his true history, the United States granted Mohamed asylum, according to prosecutors. According to trial evidence, the defendant later applied for a green card, falsely stating that he had never been arrested and again concealing his prior life in Canada, and the United States granted him application. At trial, however, prosecutors presented certified records from the Toronto police and the Canadian immigration authorities documenting the defendants history in Canada. The records included the defendants Canadian refugee application, which contained a story of his alleged persecution in Somalia that differed substantially from the story he later told United States authorities when applying for asylum here. Mohamed is scheduled to be sentenced July 30 by U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino. The flagship hedge fund run by millionaire Tory donor Crispin Odey slumped again in 2020 as the investor tried to revive his flagging fortunes while fighting an indecent assault charge. The Odey European fund fell 30.5 per cent last year, according to an investor letter seen by Bloomberg, the fifth annual decline in the past six years. It comes after Odey, a prominent Brexit backer, stepped down from the helm of his firm Odey Asset Management in November as he prepares to defend himself in a historic sex assault trial. Hedge fund manager Crispin Odey leaves Magistrates' Court in London, with wife Nichola Pease, accused of assaulting a young investment banker in the late 1990s The 62-year-old is set to appear in Hendon Magistrates' Court, in north London, in February after he allegedly groped a young banker in 1998. His firm managed around 10billion of clients' money in 2015, but is now down to around 2billion as bets backfired. In a letter to clients in November, he said: 'I realise for many of my investors the current performance of the fund is inexcusable.' Despite handing over the running of his firm to colleague Timothy Pearey, Odey is still managing funds. The Odey European fund gained 21 per cent in market turmoil last March, but failed to sustain momentum. Yet funds run by colleagues such as Odey Absolute Return Focus Fund and Odey Absolute Return fund made gains over the year, the firm says. In November Odey Asset Management announced that a number of funds would be hived off into a new entity, Brook Asset Management. The move was seen by some as an attempt to distance itself from Odey, though the firm said it was part of a 'succession plan'. In a pre-trial hearing in September, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard allegations that Odey invited a banker back to his Chelsea townhouse in 1998 following drinks. Prosecutors claimed Odey left the room before reappearing in his dressing gown and 'launching himself' at the young woman, putting his hand under her blouse, to grab her breast. Odey denies the claims. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. DecisionDatabases added the latest report with a global perspective on the Alumina Wafers Market studied under different segments, including type, application, and regions. The report is treated with size, trends, growth, share, and forecast till 2025. Besides, the research report studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall growth at the global level. This report also offers a lucrative area of the industry at the regional and country level. The final report will cover the impact of COVID-19 on this industry. The global Alumina Wafers market report presents a complete research-based study of the industry including details such as company shares, forecast data, in-depth analysis and an outlook of the market on a worldwide platform. The report further highlights the market drivers, restraints and the top manufacturers at the global and regional levels. For a thorough understanding, the report also offers market segmentation and regional analysis for the forecast period from 2020 to 2025. Click here to get a Sample PDF Copy of the Alumina Wafers Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-28836 According to this study, over the next five years, the Alumina Wafers market will register an xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach $ xx million by 2025, from $ xx million in 2020. In particular, this report presents the global market share (sales and revenue) of key companies in the Alumina Wafers business, shared in Chapter 3. This Alumina Wafers market report also splits the market by regions: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries). This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of the Alumina Wafers market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. Japan Fine Ceramics Semiconductor Wafer, Inc. Nishimura Advanced Ceramics Inredox NGK Insulators Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-28836 This study considers the Alumina Wafers value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments: Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.7. 8 inch 12 inch Others Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Thin Film Circuits Sensor Component Semiconductor Processing In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, challenges and the risks faced by key manufacturers and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development. Purchase the Complete Global Alumina Wafers Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-28836 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Alumina Wafers consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, type and application, history data from 2015 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of the Alumina Wafers market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Alumina Wafers manufacturers, to define, describe, and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years. To analyze the Alumina Wafers with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Alumina Wafers submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://www.topnewscorner.com/alumina-wafers-market-size-share-growth-outlook-forecast-research-report-till-2025/ (Newser) The certification of the election results Wednesday came to an abrupt and shocking halt amid scenes of chaos after pro-President Trump protesters stormed the Capitol building. The House and Senate sessions debating an objection to Arizona's result were gaveled out and both chambers were locked down before lawmakers were evacuated and Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the joint session, and Sen. Charles Grassley, the Senate president pro tempore, were rushed to a secure location, NBC reports. It wasn't clear when it would be possible to resume proceedings. More: The New York Times reports that Sen. Mitt Romney yelled "This is what you've gotten, guys," apparently addressing Republican colleagues who supported Trump's unfounded claims that the election was stolen. story continues below The Washington Post reports that the entire Washington, DC, National Guard has now been activated, a total of 1,100 guardsmen. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the top House Republican, condemned the invasion. "This is so un-American," he said. "I could not be sadder or more disappointed at the way our country looks at this very moment. He added: "This is not the American way. This is not protected by the First Amendment. This must stop now." Another Republican, Rep Adam Kinzinger, denounced what he called a "coup attempt." The Times reports that the chaotic scenes inside the Capitol included looting, with protesters storming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's offices and ripping photos off walls. Trump tweeted a call for protesters to remain peaceful, but did not tell them to disperse, while Pence urged protesters to leave the building immediately. "The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now," he tweeted. (Read more Washington DC stories.) Only 3 percent of the 1 million electric two-wheelers targeted by the government under an incentive scheme launched in 2019 have been sold so far this year, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), said. Phase 2 of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME 2) scheme launched by the government in April 2019 envisaged cumulative sales of 1 million electric two-wheelers by March 2022. However, by the end of December 2020 only 31,813 electric two-wheelers have been sold since the start of the scheme. In other words, consumers will have to buy 9.68 lakh units in little under 15 months making it a monthly run rate of slightly over 64,500 units. Sales of high-speed electric two wheelers during the January to December period stood at 25,735, a fall of 5 percent as against 27,224 units sold in 2019, according to the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV). Sohinder Gill, Director General, SMEV, said in a press statement, The FAME 2 scheme had some good points and laudable objectives but came with so many strings attached, most of them introduced prematurely or unnecessarily, that lead to the achievement of only 3 percent of the stated targets. The scheme could not attract the customers to shift from the polluting petrol bikes to electric two-wheelers, mainly because the preconditions and qualification criteria of FAME 2 made the bikes unaffordable to the mass market customer despite the subsidy, release added. In order to qualify for the FAME 2 benefits an electric two-wheeler needs to have a minimum drive range of 80km, maximum speed of 40 km/hr and an energy consumption of 8 units for a full charge. In addition, localised content in the vehicle should be 75 percent. To provide a further push to the industry the government announced several measures including allowing two-wheelers to be sold without their batteries in an effort to incentivise development of swappable battery technology. A tax benefit of Rs 1.5 lakh was announced for interest paid on loan taken to buy electric vehicles including electric two-wheelers. We have lately seen many positive steps by the central and state government such as the announcement to support battery manufacturing in the country with an outlay of Rs 18,000 crores and allowing the selling of E2W without battery, entry of established players in the market, increase in citizens interest in green vehicles, start-ups foraying into the industry with innovative solutions like financing, last-mile delivery, charging etc. and lastly, the government continued support to the aligned industry, perhaps the only vital missing link is a robust, customer-friendly FAME 2 policy, added Gill. More than half the world's nations failed to submit upgraded commitments by year's end to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, straggling behind the schedule of accelerated climate ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement. More than half the world's nations failed to submit upgraded commitments by year's end to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, straggling behind the schedule of accelerated climate ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement. Almost every country on the planet signed up to the 2015 Paris deal, which calls for capping global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, and 1.5C if possible. The first raft of so-called "nationally determined contributions" (NDCs) would -- if fulfilled -- still see Earth become 3C hotter, but nations pledged to intensify their emissions cuts, with revised plans due every five years. As the December 31, 2020, deadline approached, several large emitters said they would achieve net-zero output this century, but many nations allowed the year end to pass without publishing details of their renewed short-term targets. Most NDC pledges run to 2030, with a few -- including that of the United States -- ending in 2025. As of January 1, only around 70 out of nearly 200 nations had filed updated commitments, according to the United Nations, with some countries blaming delays on the Covid-19 pandemic. Climate advocates are particularly eager to see the latest plans from China, the world's largest emitter. President Xi Jinping last year outlined new ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. But the country has yet to formally submit proposals. Another notable omission is the world's second largest emitter, the United States, which was yanked out of the Paris Agreement by Donald Trump. Incoming President-elect Joe Biden has however pledged carbon neutrality by 2050 and a return to Paris commitments. The UN has estimated that emissions need to be cut by 7.6 percent a year in the ten years to 2030 if there is to be a hope of limiting heating to 1.5C. Earth's surface has already warmed nearly 1.2C on average, intensifying extreme weather and making it more deadly. In his new year's message, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said building a global coalition for net zero emissions by mid century would be the "central ambition" of the world body in 2021. "Every government, city, business and individual can play a part in achieving this vision," he said. According to the most recent appraisal by Climate Action Tracker, the 49 states that had submitted their new proposals by mid-December -- which included the then 27-nation European Union -- only represented 23.7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Since that assessment, a further 20 states have filed their plans, including large economies such as South Korea and Argentina. But revised commitments are not necessarily increased commitments. According to Climate Action Tracker, Brazil, Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Vietnam have submitted updated plans that are no more ambitious than their initial commitments. Even among the nations that have improved upon earlier pledges, experts have warned of a paucity of ambition. The EU bolstered its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 55 percent by 2030 -- up from 40 percent. But this still will not be sufficient to meet the Paris climate goals, according to CAT. The NDCs that were submitted on time will come under the scrutiny of the UN Convention on Climate Change, which will assess progress on February 21. The picture may become clearer only later in the year, at a major UN climate meeting in Glasgow that has been postponed to November. David Waskow, International Climate Director at the World Resources Institute, said there had been some "important headway" made on climate action in recent weeks, particularly with upgraded 2030 targets from Britain and the EU. But much more would need to be done in 2021. "A number of major emitters still need to come forward with greater ambition, especially to follow-through on their net-zero commitments with 2030 targets that match their long-term vision. This year will be a critical test." Venky's (India) tumbled 5.92% to Rs 1561 after Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying confirmed Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, cases have been reported from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. The ministry informed this after the samples from these states were tested positive by Indian Council of Agricultural Research -National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD). In an official statement, the ministry said in Rajasthan, bird flu is reported in crows in Baran, Kota and Jhalawar district, while Madhya Pradesh also reported the disease in crows in Mandsaur, Indore and Malwa districts. In Himachal Pradesh, the bird flu is reported in migratory birds in Kangra, while in Kerala it is reported in poultry-duck in Kottayam and Allapuzha districts, it added. Bird flu is a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, which can occasionally infect humans as well. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006. Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. VH group of which Venky's India is subsidiary company is the largest integrated poultry player in India covering entire spectrum of poultry segment from pure line breeding to processed chicken. Over the years, the group has created a strong brand of 'Venky's' and has pan India presence in both the organized and unorganized poultry segments. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sheridan Smith was mortified as her dogs started 'humping' behind her, leaving Holly Willoughby red-faced on Wednesday's This Morning. The Cilla star, 39, was telling the presenter, 39, and Phillip Schofield, 58, about her new BBC dog grooming show Pooch Perfect, while her four pets played behind her. Sheridan's dogs appeared to be in good spirits as they animatedly scrapped with each other, before their games seemed to take an unexpectedly intimate turn. Surprising: Sheridan Smith was left mortified as her dogs start 'humping' behind her during a VERY chaotic live This Morning interview on Wednesday Prior to the racy interaction, Sheridan apologised to Holly and Phil as the dogs were playing together, with Holly asking: 'Is that normal behaviour for them behind you? Just checking everything is okay.' Feeling embarrassed, Sheridan said: 'No, this is normal. They said they wanted chaos, I'm sorry, and I said are you sure?' She attempted to calm down the dogs as they continued to play with each other, but she joked to Holly and Phil: 'You can tell I'm really good with my dogs they're well trained.' Further chaos ensued when one dog appeared to jump up behind the other one, suggesting that they were going to get intimate. Awkward: Sheridan was trying to talk about her new show Pooch Perfect as her dogs animatedly scrapped with each other before their games took the unexpectedly intimate turn Embarrassed: Prior to the racy interaction, Sheridan apologised to Holly and Phil as the dogs were playing together, with Holly asking: 'Is that normal behaviour?' Sheridan looked shocked as she tried to cover up the screen with her hands, as Phil laughed and said: 'oh, oh hello!' Getting red-faced, Holly added: 'I don't know if I should look away!' Trying to alleviate the situation, Phil then quipped: 'Possibly you could tighten the shot slightly, tilt up!' Oops: Further chaos ensued when one dog appeared to jump up behind the other one, suggesting that they were going to get intimate as Phil laughed and said: 'oh, oh hello!' Hysterical: Getting red-faced, Holly said 'I don't know if I should look away!', while Phil quipped: 'Possibly you could tighten the shot slightly, tilt up!' Viewers couldn't help but get distracted during the interview by the dogs, and they shared how funny they found the incident via Twitter. One person joked: 'No-ones listening to what Sheridan Smith's talking about we're more interested int the dogs scraping and trying to mount each other in the background. (sic)' While another viewer cheekily added: 'Definitely some "doggy-style" going on now.' Sharing their amusement about the incident, one wrote: 'Sorry, what? I'm getting way too focused on the dogs... but I guess it's a good thing!' Amused: Viewers couldn't help but get distracted during the interview by the dogs, and they shared how funny they found the incident via Twitter Featuring 16 professional dog stylists from across the nation, Pooch Perfect sees Sheridan look for the UK's Top Dog Stylist by hosting a grooming competition alongside her fluffy co-host Stanley. She will task the groomers with a series of themed challenges each week that will see dogs go through epic transformations to the delight of viewers. These challenges will vary in style, and their creations will then be revealed on The Dogwalk for the judges to deliberate which of the week's contenders has impressed them the most. It is at this stage that the dog's owners will be able to see their newly transformed pooches for the first time since the stylists put their skills to the test. WASHINGTON (AP) Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. Trump issued a restrained call for peace but did not call on his supporters to leave. Heres the latest. 3:55 p.m. The top Democrats in Congress are demanding that President Donald Trump order his supporters to leave the Capitol following a chaotic protest aimed at blocking a peaceful transfer of power. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement on Wednesday after violent protesters stormed the Capitol. They said, "We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately. Trump earlier encouraged his supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful, but he did not call for them to disperse. He held a rally earlier Wednesday in which he repeated his false claims that President-elect Joe Biden had won the election through voter fraud. He urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people and saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. ___ 3:50 p.m. The White House says National Guard troops along with other federal protective services are en route to the Capitol to help end an violent occupation by President Donald Trumps supporters who are seeking to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that At President @realDonaldTrumps direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services. She added, We reiterate President Trumps call against violence and to remain peaceful. Republican lawmakers have publicly called for Trump to more vocally condemn the violence and to call to an end to the occupation, which halted a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were beginning to count electoral votes. Trump lost the November election to Democrat Joe Biden. He has refused to concede and has worked over the last two months to convince his supporters that widespread voter fraud prevented his own victory. ___ 3:40 p.m. Republican lawmakers are increasingly calling on President Donald Trump to act to deescalate the violent protests at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters angry about his election loss. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he spoke with the president earlier Wednesday and told him to make a statement to make sure that we can calm individuals down. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that it is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down. Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey told The Associated Press that while he sympathizes with the protesters position, they shouldnt get violent, and it would be nice if Trump called on them to protest in a peaceful way in an appropriate spot, where you belong, where you should be. Many Republicans had backed Trumps false claims of widespread voter spread to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, of Wisconsin, posted a video message urging Trump to call it off. This is Banana Republic crap that were watching right now, said Gallagher, who had spoken out against objections from fellow Republicans to certifying President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College vote. ___ 3:37 p.m. Supporters of President Donald Trump got into a angry shouting match with other passengers on a Washington-bound American Airlines plane after they projected a Trump 2020 logo on the cabin ceiling and walls. The Trump supporters said a passenger threatened to kill them, and there was yelling back and forth. A flight attendant intervened, telling one passenger in the aisle to sit down. The incident occurred on Tuesday night after Americans flight 1291 from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport landed at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., and was taxiing to the gate. The scene was posted on Twitter by Maranie Staab, a Portland, Oregon-based independent journalist who says on her website that she focuses on human rights and social-justice issues. Our team is reviewing this incident, said American Airlines spokesman Curtis Blessing. We applaud our outstanding crewmembers for their professionalism in de-escalating a tense onboard situation and getting our customers to their destination safely. American said law enforcement was not called, and that passengers deplaned and dispersed without further incident. ___ 3:35 p.m. The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the U.S. Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. A spokesperson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers from the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene. He says they were requested to assist by U.S. Capitol Police. Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. By AP writer Michael Balsamo ___ 3:30 p.m. One person has been shot at the Capitol as dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police. Thats according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity amid a chaotic situation. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. The person said the victim had been taken to a hospital. Their condition was not known. The shooting came as dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the U.S. Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. 3:25 p.m. President Donald Trump is encouraging supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful, but he is not calling for them to disperse. As he faced growing pressure from allies to condemn the violence Wednesday afternoon, Trump tweeted, No violence! adding: Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. But Trump did not ask supporters to vacate the area as the unrest continued. Trump had appeared earlier at a rally and had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol at one point even suggesting he would join them. He is upset that he lost the presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden and has falsely claimed voter fraud to explain it away. He also urged his supporters to get rid of the weak Congress people presumably through primary challenges saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. ___ 3:15 p.m. A Defense Department official says Washington, D.C., has requested an additional 200 National Guard members as supporters of President Donald Trump violently clash with law enforcement at the Capitol. That request is currently under review at the Pentagon to determine how the Guard can respond to support law enforcement. According to officials, the Guard members have a very specific mission that does not include putting military at the Capitol. Instead, the Guard must be used to backfill law enforcement outside the Capitol complex, freeing up more law enforcement to respond to the Capitol. Officials said the request for more National Guard has not been rejected. Trump had urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. Several Republican lawmakers backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. ___ 3:10 p.m. Pressure is mounting on President Donald Trump to condemn supporters who are violently clashing with law enforcement on Capitol Hill. Among those urging Trump to act: his former communications director, Alyssa Farah, who tweeted that Trump should Condemn this now. She says, you are the only one they will listen to. For our country! Dozens of people have breached security perimeters at the Capitol, forcing the lockdown of the building and halting the vote to certify Joe Bidens presidential victory. Trump has so far offered a single tweet asking his supporters to Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! His former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney tweeted: The Presidents tweet is not enough. He can stop this now and needs to do exactly that. Tell these folks to go home. His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, also addressed Trump supporters in a tweet, calling them the patriots challenging the fraudulent election and telling them that POTUS wants you to EXPRESS YOUR OPINION PEACEFULLY. ___ 3 p.m. Protesters backing President Donald Trump have breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm Joe Bidens victory in the November election. Trump urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens win. Several Republican lawmakers have backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Protesters are now inside the Senate chamber. One got up on the dais and yelled Trump won that election. Several dozen are roaming through the halls, yelling, Where are they? Some were also in the visitors galleries. ___ 2:50 p.m. Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid skirmishes by supporters of President Donald Trump Pro-Trump protestors breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, violently clashing with law enforcement as lawmakers were gathered inside to formalize President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Novembers presidential election. Law enforcement instructed lawmakers to retrieve masks from under their seats amid the clashes. The Capitol building was placed on lockdown, as Trump supporters marched through evacuated public spaces in the building. After egging on protests, Trump tweeted to his supporters to stay peaceful as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building. ___ 2:47 p.m. After egging on protests, President Donald Trump tweeted to his supporters to stay peaceful as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building. Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement, Trump tweeted, as tear gas was deployed in the locked-down Capitol. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! Trump at a rally earlier Wednesday encouraged his supporters to head to the Capitol. Were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and were probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them, Trump said. ___ 2:45 p.m. Lawmakers are being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators were led out, escorted by staff and police on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the Electoral College. The skirmishes came shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. Protesters could be seen marching through the Capitols stately Statuary Hall shouting and waving Trump banners and American flags. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. ___ 2:40 p.m. The mayor of Washington, D.C., has ordered a curfew in the nations capital beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday after protestors seeking to overturn the election results stormed the U.S. Capitol building. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the order as protestors supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to formally count the electors that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20. The order extends through 6 a.m. Thursday. The skirmishes came shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:30 p.m. Protesting supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the U.S. Capitol. There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and the debate over the electoral count was suspended. A representative from the Capitol police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon. House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern of Massachusetts told the crowd that the House expected to go back into session soon. Meanwhile, members milled around the floor and looked at their phones. Reporters and others outside the chamber were told to go their seats inside and not leave. The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:20 p.m. The Senate has recessed its debate over an objection to the results of the Electoral College after protesters forced police to lock down the building. Reporters were told to stay in the Senates press gallery as the doors were locked. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. The skirmishes came just shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:20 p.m. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says American democracy is in crisis with polls showing that large numbers of voters believe the election that just occurred was rigged. Cruz, a Republican, objected to the certification of election results in Arizona, saying the Senate has a responsibility to acknowledge the profound threat posed by widespread disbelief in the legitimacy of the election. He called for the creation of a commission to conduct a 10-day emergency audit to investigate any irregularities, citing a similar commission created after the 1876 presidential election. Cruz urged lawmakers not to take the easy path, but instead act together and create a credible and fair tribunal. Consider the claims, consider the facts, consider the evidence and make a conclusive determination whether and to what extent this election complied with the Constitution. ___ 1:55 p.m. The U.S. Capitol Police are evacuating some congressional office buildings due to police activity as thousands gather outside the Capitol to protest the electoral vote. Police told congressional staff members they should evacuate the Cannon House Office Building and the building that houses the Library of Congress. It wasnt immediately clear what specifically sparked the evacuation. A police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Thousands of people have descended on the U.S. Capitol as Congress is expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens 2020 presidential win. Videos posted online showed protesters fighting with U.S. Capitol Police officers as police fired pepper spray to keep them back. ___ 1:55 p.m. The Senates top Republican has told his colleagues that Congress should not override the voters verdict in electing Democrat Joe Biden president, saying, If we overrule them we will damage our republic forever. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made his remarks as the Senate weighed a challenge by a handful of GOP lawmakers to the 11 electoral votes Arizona cast for Biden. It was the first of several challenges to states electoral votes that some Republicans are mounting, encouraged by President Donald Trumps groundless charges that the election was riddled with fraud. Congress seems certain to reject all those challenges on Wednesday and formally certify Bidens victory. McConnell says while all elections have irregularities, they werent anywhere near the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election. He says Congress should not declare itself a national board of elections on steroids, and says reversing the election results would push the countrys democratic institutions toward a death spiral. ___ 1:15 p.m. Republicans from the House and Senate have objected to the counting of Arizonas electoral vote, forcing votes in both chambers on Joe Bidens victory in the state. The objection was made by Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar and was signed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Both are Republicans. The two chambers now have two hours to debate the challenge. Biden won the state by more than 10,000 votes. In all, eight lawsuits challenging Bidens Arizona win have failed, in part over a lack of evidence. The states Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of an election challenge, because the plaintiff lacked the right to bring the suit in the first place. The woman wasnt a registered voter when she sued. Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has said there were no irregularities with the vote in her state. ___ 1:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is taking aim at Republican members of Congress who have refused to join him in his effort to contest the results of the November election he lost to President-elect Joe Biden. Trump on Wednesday told a large crowd of supporters gathered on the Ellipse that they needed to vote these Republicans out of office by putting up challengers in primary elections to push them out. If they dont fight, we have to primary the hell out of the ones that dont fight, Trump said, calling the Republicans who arent siding with him weak. Earlier, he named and praised Republicans who have pledged to contest the electoral votes of some states when they come up for approval on Capitol Hill. His supporters, who braved chilly, windy conditions, chanted Fight for Trump! ___ 1:10 p.m. Congress has begun a joint session to count and confirm the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden. With supporters of President Donald Trump gathering around the Capitol, more than a dozen Republican senators and more than 100 Republican House members have said they will object to the count from as many as six battleground states. They are echoing Trumps false claims of widespread fraud. Their efforts are almost certain to fail as many Republicans have said they will oppose the objections. But the session is expected to last into the night on Wednesday as the House and Senate must consider each objection separately and vote on whether to sustain it. Vice President Mike Pence will preside over the session. He has no power to overturn the results, despite pressure from Trump to do so. Biden won the Electoral College 306-232. He is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20. ___ 1 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence is defying President Donald Trump, saying he does not have the unilateral ability to discard electoral votes that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20. Pence, in a statement issued minutes before he was to begin presiding over a joint session of Congress to count electoral votes, said, It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not. Trump has pressured his vice president to toss electors from battleground states that voted for Biden during the session. ___ 12:30 p.m. President Donald Trump is continuing his pressure-campaign against Vice President Mike Pence, telling thousands of supporters falsely that all Pence has to do to stay in office is send Electoral College votes back to the states to be recertified. Pence has no such unilateral power under the Constitution and congressional rules that govern the count. It is up to the House and Senate to voice objections, and in any case the states electors were chosen in accordance with state law, not fraudulently. The demonstrators on the Ellipse, south of the White House, cheered Trump on and planned to march to Capitol Hill where Congress will vote to affirm or contest the Electoral College results. The president said hed be walking with the crowd. All Mike Pence has to do is send it back to the states, Trump said, urging his loyal vice president to join lawmakers who are protesting President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, Trump said, and if he doesnt its a sad day for our country. Trump said it would take courage for Pence not to contest the results. ___ 12:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is vowing that we will never concede as he speaks to supporters shortly before Congress is to convene for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College vote won by President-elect Joe Biden. Trump took the stage at the Save America rally, which drew thousands of supporters who swamped the nations capital as the presidents Republican allies in the House and Senate plan to object to his November election loss to Biden. Trump urged Vice President Mike Pence, who will play a largely ceremonial role in the process, to block certification of Bidens win. Pence does not have this power. Our country has had enough, Trump said. We wont take it anymore. ___ 11 a.m. Sen. Mitt Romney says President Donald Trumps election challenge has disgraced the office of the presidency. Romney told reporters on Capitol Hill ahead of Wednesdays joint session to confirm Joe Bidens Electoral College win that he was certain of the outcome. Im confident that well proceed as the Constitution demands and tell our supporters the truth whether or not they want to hear it, Romney said. Republican lawmakers are picking up Trumps demands to challenge the results from several states. But they are not expected to have enough votes in Congress to change the results. Biden is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20. Romney said, President Trump has disrespected the American voters, has dishonored the election system and has disgraced the office of the presidency. He called the gambit of the challenges in Congress very disappointing. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a joint venture between General Motors and two Chinese automakers, said its full-year sales reached 1,600,057 units last year. As of December 2020, the company achieved growth compared to both the previous year and the previous month for the ninth month in a row. Wuling Victory; photo credit: SGMW Wuling brand sold a total of 1,177,507 new vehicles through 2020 and was posting year-on-year increase for nine consecutive months. It hit the 2.2 million-unit outputs milestone on May 25. In addition, the sales of the Wuling Victory, the first flagship model bearing the new Wuling Global Silver badge, totaled 22,524 units within two months. Models under New Baojun brand; photo credit: SGMW New Baojun brand saw its annual sales in 2020 leap 70% over the year-ago period to 154,005 units. Its product lineup covers SUV, car and new energy vehicle (NEV) segments, embracing such models as the RS-3, the RC-5/RC-5W and the E300. SGMW said its NEV sales surged 190% from the prior-year period to 174,005 units in 2020, of which 127,651 units were the Hongguang MINI EVs. Notably, the mini-sized all-electric car was crowned the best-selling NEV model in China for three straight months. Last year, a total of 77,376 complete vehicles and knock-down kits were exported to 40 countries in Central and South America, Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia, said the automaker. The overseas business brought 3.46 billion yuan ($533.53 million) in annual sales to SGMW. The Baojun 530 crossover SUV were exported to 21 countries and the Baojun 510 were sold to South America. The statement was made by the President of Vietnam Cuba Friendship Association, Ho Chi Minh City branch, Truong Thi Hien at a meeting held by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on January 6 to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Cuba National Day (January 1, 1959-2021). She emphasised that despite the significant geographic separation, the two countries are still close in terms of their ideals and enthusiastic hearts, illustrated by the symbolic images of Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban President Fidel Castro. Hien also noted that the long-term solidarity and friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have been constantly consolidated and developed across all fields. For her part, Consul General of the Republic of Cuba in Ho Chi Minh City Indira Lopez Arguelles expressed her sincere thanks to the HUFO for the meeting. She shared the achievements that Cuban Government and people have gained during their cause of national construction, defence and development. The Consul General affirmed that Cuba will always stand side by side with Vietnam to preserve and promote the special solidarity and friendship that exists between the two nations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday ordered a probe by the SIT of Economic Offences Wing (EOW) into the Muradnagar roof collapse incident in which 24 people died. The SIT will probe the entire incident, including the construction work, Additional Chief Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal said, adding that a detailed report has also been sought from the ADG. "The chief minister has taken a serious note of the Muradnagar incident and decided to order a probe by the SIT of EOW," Sehgal said. Twenty-four people, most of them attending a funeral, were killed and 17 others injured when the roof of a shelter at the cremation ground in Muradnagar collapsed on Sunday. Adityanath had directed that the National Security Act be slapped against the accused persons and recovery of loss of public money and the amount of government compensation paid to the bereaved families from the erring engineer and contractor. He also announced that a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh be provided to each of the kin of the deceased and homeless affected families be provided a house. The contractor wanted in connection with the incident was arrested from a village near the border of Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts. Contractor Ajay Tyagi, who went into hiding after news of the collapse spread, was nabbed near the Ganga canal bridge of Sathedi village by a joint team of Muradnagar and Niwari police. The Ghaziabad Police on Monday had arrested Muradnagar Nagar Palika Executive Officer Niharika Singh, Junior Engineer Chandra Pal and Supervisor Ashish as they were involved in the tendering process for building the structure. They were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. Also Read: MP woman pours boiling oil on husband's face; case registered The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. An unexpected concentration of Australian government data on just one data-centre provider marks a failure of policy and has created new security risks in the process, according to a strategic review of government procurement policy whose relevance is even stronger given the ongoing revelations about a recent surge in nation-state hacking. The governments Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) implemented a Data Centre Facilities Supplies Panel (DCFSP) in 2010 to manage procurement of data-centre services through 2025, and the panel is up for renewal or replacement early in 2021. [ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through CSO Onlines newsletters. ] However, a new review of the panels operations by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) found that despite having approved 15 companies for inclusion on the DCFSP, 54% of the 87 current contractscomprising $779 million in total valuewere with just one data-centre provider. Of these contracts, 79%representing $620 million in revenueshad been taken out with the dominant industry provider. By point of comparison, the second-largest single-provider arrangement was worth just $32 million. This top-heavy outcome, the ASPI observed, represents an unintended market failure that may have fostered a lack of diversification amongst data-centre providers, introduced new barriers to exit for agencies, and expanded contract scope in a way that effectively keeps agencies from going back to the panel as an open-market approach. The recent SolarWinds breach is an example of what can happen when a particular platform becomes dominant or even universaland then ends up being hacked into a universal vector for breaches. Heavy concentration of government data services could also, ASPI warned, create a higher risk of single potential points of failure which have the potential to prevent government from delivering its services. Combined with a lack of oversight of government data security at the whole-of-government level, ASPIs report warned. The current panel arrangement is transferring whole-of-government risk to agencies despite some not having adequate knowledge, budget or expertise to manage these risks. Data centre security eggs all in one basket The Australian government raised eyebrows last year when it signed a whole-of-government arrangement with Amazon Web Services (AWS). And while arrangements like that one may have improved access to a range of data services, ASPI warned, the focus on individual agency risk means that agencies will choose convenient options regardless of any compound risk that may be occurring across government. This is a blind and dangerous outcome. The potential risks of such an outcome came into sharp focus in recent weeks, as US government and industry bodies raced to evaluate their exposure to a campaign of nation-state hacking that saw hackers leverage SolarWinds Orion network management platform to gain sustained access to dozens of target networks. Although the Australian governments potential exposure to the campaign has not yet been confirmed, the attacks show the dangers of homogeneity across a large number of agenciesparticularly if, as ASPI warned, those agencies are being left to manage and evaluate the risk of such exposure by themselves. Having 79% of all government data housed with one provider is a very big risk, Macquarie Government managing director Aidan Tudehope said, warning that the eggs in one basket situation should be a genuine concern for government. In the corporate world, organisations would never tolerate such risks to their data and will often ensure they have supplier diversity in case the unthinkable ever happens, Tudehope noted. While individual government departments may be considering their specific circumstances and risk exposures, they are not assessing the risks created from decisions made by multiple government agencies in aggregate. This aggregated risk rises every time a government agency moves its data into this single provider. Monitoring the risks of aggregation Such movement is becoming more common as government agencies tap data-centre providers to support their increasingly cloud-based digital services platforms. Yet agencies must be careful not to assume that their use of panel services somehow frees them from risk mitigation, ASPI said, warning that risk shouldnt be outsourced, but thats exactly whats happening in relation to outsourced data centres. Australian government agencies have been hobbled by a confused and inconsistent approach to data protection and management that had not, the report found, provided any way to track the compound risk of devolved decision-making on data and its protection. Existing data-security frameworks offered no way of evaluating or tracking this risk, ASPI said, warning that the government needed to improve its visibility of panel operations and the assessment of whole-of-government risk. This included a need for the establishment of a strategy to manage Australias information and data assets as a whole, going beyond the current agency-by-agency approach. The review found that data and information management need to be elevated to the level at which government finances are managed to ensure top-to-bottom understanding of the implications of data-centre procurement decisions. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. [January 05, 2021] Oye! Rickshaw drives 10X Growth in Active Users with MoEngage SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Oye! Rickshaw, one of the fastest growing last mile mobility companies, has partnered with MoEngage to elevate the user engagement on its apps for riders as well as driver partners. Having started cautiously, the niche player in the shared transport space adopted the mobile marketing automation tool for its multiple apps on the basis of enhanced business results and the commitment of the MoEngage team. According to Morgan Stanley estimates, Indians had driven 257 billion miles in 2017, and 10% of those miles were in a shared vehicle. By 2030, the proportion of shared mobility is expected to expand to 35%, and also, within shared mobility, the mix to shift from traditional taxis to app-based players. Oye! Rickshaw, a niche player in the growing shared mobility market, is solving the last mile commute challenge in India. In a country where the cab aggregators are plenty, few had looked into the difficulties faced by people who use public transport as their mode of daily commute. Specifically, the first and last mile connectivity to and from the public transport hub is a challenge for millions of Indians. This became the focus for Oye! Rickshaw It integrates the riders and e-rickshaw drivers on one platform, using technology to make the transport convenient. Oye! Rickshaw has two apps - one for the riders and the other for its driver partners. Keeping a steady flow of demand and supply of the rides is essential for its business model to run efficiently. As the user base grew, the company realised it needed to create in-the-moment interventions to retain the users and maximise the transactions on both its apps. This is where the partnership of Oye! Rickshaw and MoEngage saw its beginning. Oye! Rickshaw started their MoEngage partnership with a Starter Plan - a free package for up to 10K Monthly Tracked Users (MTUs) - that allowed them to segment their users, create personalized engagement across channels such as push notifications, emails, and in-app messages, and analyze campaig results. An uptick in key app metrics paved the way for Oye! Rickshaw to move beyond the free starter plan and to a paid plan. In addition the team added their driver app and the back-end operator app to their MoEngage subscription . Today, Oye! Rickshaw delivers a great user experience through personalized run onboarding, promotional and referral campaigns for both riders as well as drivers. As a consequence, it's daily active users [DAUs] has grown 10x. The growth doesn't seem to have slowed down despite COVID. In fact, they launched operations in Gurgaon & Karnal and subscription sales grew 2.5 times during the last eight months. Akashdeep Singh, co-founder of Oye! Rickshaw says, "When we started out, it was a learning curve for us. While we knew that we needed a marketing automation tool, committing dollars without established business results was not something we were up for. As we explored MoEngage's various modules and features, we were able to convince ourselves of the platform and the support team at MoEngage." Features such as in-built analytics, segmentation and flows allow Oye! Rickshaw to automate personalization based on user behaviour. With MoEngage's proprietary Push Amplification Plus, Oye! Rickshaw is able to reach riders and drivers, who do not otherwise receive the push notifications due to device and network restrictions. The share of such undelivered push notifications can range from 40 to 70% of the mobile app user base in India. Raviteja Dodda, CEO and Cofounder of MoEngage said about the collaboration with Oye! Rickshaw, "We aim to let our clients start and build their user engagement journey irrespective of their size. That is why we have three levels of plans - Starter, Growth and Enterprise - to help companies extract the maximum benefits at a cost that makes sense to them at different stages of growth. Seeing Oye! Rickshaw adopt MoEngage gradually, yet widely, across multiple apps encourages us to stay customer-obsessed." About MoEngage: MoEngage is an insights-led customer engagement platform built for customer-obsessed marketers and product owners. MoEngage enables hyper-personalization at scale across multiple channels like mobile push, email, in-app, web push, on-site messages, and SMS. More than 1,000+ brands across 35 countries use MoEngage to send 50 billion messages to 500 million consumers every month. MoEngage is also recognized as a Leader in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Mobile Marketing Platforms, a Strong Performer in the 2020 Forrester Wave for Mobile Engagement Automation, and a Leader in G2 for Fall 2020 Grid Reports for our solutions too. To learn more, visit www.moengage.com . About Oye! Rickshaw: Oye! Rickshaw, founded in January 2017 by IIT-Delhi alumnus Mohit Sharma and NIT-Allahabad alumnus Akashdeep Singh, brings together public transport commuters and drivers of e-rickshaws on one platform with an aim to provide transparent and quick fulfillment of last mile transport needs . The startup is one of the fastest growing micro-mobility companies in the country. More than 2 million rides are transacted on Oye! Rickshaw yearly. Oye! Rickshaw is Series A funded, with investments from Matrix Partners, Chiratae Ventures, Pawan Munjal and Xiaomi. It is operating in 5 cities and also enables drivers to do deliveries on their e-rickshaws and to avail battery swapping services. https://www.moengage.com/in-the-news/oye-rickshaw-drives-10x-growth-in-active-users-with-moengage SOURCE MoEngage [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Californias coronavirus vaccination efforts are off to a slow start, with less than a third of the 1.6 million available doses administered so far, according to state officials. Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged the rollout of inoculations has been too slow, and public health experts are growing concerned that the emerging vaccination delays may mean it will take longer to reach herd immunity and end the pandemic. Officials and experts attribute the slower-than-anticipated vaccinations to many factors, and urge the public to have patience as health officials and hospitals work out the kinks of a campaign that is unprecedented in scale and urgency. Its clear that this is a major and complex initiative, and all of us are learning as we go, said Dr. Joshua Adler, chief clinical officer for UCSF Health, during a press briefing with San Francisco officials Tuesday. Whats also clear is we need to increase the rate at which were able to deliver the vaccine to people. The administration of 460,000 doses by health departments and hospitals across California is roughly on par with the pace of vaccinations nationally, where approximately 4.8 million out of a total 17 million doses distributed have been used, according to the CDC. The state did not provide a breakdown of how many of those doses have gone to health care workers and how many have gone to residents of long-term care facilities. Frustrations are growing that vaccinations for nursing home residents, who are at much higher risk of grave COVID-19 illness or death, and staff at those facilities have fallen behind schedule. Vaccine supply, which gets allocated by the federal government to states, has been sporadic and often not finalized until the last minute making it difficult for local health departments to plan when and where to administer the doses. Complicating matters, some health care workers, who along with nursing home residents are in the first group eligible for vaccinations, are declining the vaccine at rates of up to 50% in some Southern California counties and health systems. Its unclear what percentage of the health care workforce statewide is declining vaccine, Newsom said Monday, but the state is conducting a survey on the matter that it will release soon. Also, it is taking some health care providers longer than expected to obtain the vaccine because they must register with the state, and the state does not always have enough staff to approve those requests right away, some local health departments said. In some cases, the final dose in some vials which contain several doses, and must be used within a certain number of hours once thawing begins has gone unused. This is because certain vials come with overfill, or additional vaccine. Sometimes, that overfill is enough for an additional dose. We have some instances where folks have not used those final doses, and were trying to address that concern without putting people in a position where they feel like theyve done the wrong thing, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Monday. And there may not be enough health care workers to administer the shots, in part because many hospitals are so busy staffing ICUs and emergency departments to care for COVID patients. This could worsen as larger groups of people become eligible to get vaccinated, and more people will be needed to administer the shots. The state on Monday moved to address this issue, announcing an emergency waiver to allow the roughly 36,000 dentists in California to administer the vaccine. If weve got to have a lot of our nurses and other health care workers in the emergency department in the hospital taking care of people, or testing ... we may have fewer people available to vaccinate, said Janet Coffman, a professor of health policy at UCSF who researches the health care workforce. Many long-term care facilities have been unable to obtain vaccines, while doses are sitting unused in warehouses for days because of technical and logistical issues, said Dr. Michael Wasserman, past president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine and medical director of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. And once vaccines do arrive, it takes time to get consent from residents and their family members, sometimes because the consent form cannot be immediately accessed by the pharmacies administering the vaccines, said Wasserman, a member of one of the states vaccine advisory committees. Instead of going and vaccinating 10 people in 10 minutes, it may take an hour, he said. The start of the vaccination rollout also coincided with the holidays, so many workers took time off right as vaccinations at hospitals were starting to gear up and did not schedule their first doses until the new year. I really do think that we had perhaps overoptimistic expectations of a vaccination process over Christmas and New Years, said Dr. Jay Luxenberg, chief medical officer of On Lok, a nonprofit that provides health care services to the elderly in San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara counties. But my impression in all three counties we serve is those departments of public health have these things geared up and (are) doing a good job. On Loks 600 staffers in San Francisco are slated to get vaccinated this week and next week, with pharmacists from Chinese Hospital coming in to administer the shots. In Alameda County, where On Lok has fewer employees, staffers will drive to vaccination clinics to get the shots. The vaccines were actually available for San Francisco staff last week, but On Lok chose to push it back a week so it could obtain consent from staff and get them to sign up for vaccination slots. Luxenberg said he is not seeing the high rates of health care workers declining to take the vaccine that some hospitals in Central and Southern California are reporting. About 90% of staff are signing up for the vaccine, he said. Our frustration is its so high that we may have underestimated the amount of vaccine needed, he said. Complicating the vaccine administration is that some of the shots are handled by local health departments or hospitals, while other distribution plans for long-term care facility residents are handled by a federal program partnering with CVS and Walgreens. Is it fragmented? Yes. But is it moving? Yeah, Luxenberg said. Dr. Kismet Baldwin, deputy health officer in Sonoma County, said that every county in the state is experiencing some level of bottlenecks. She offered two examples. One involves getting providers registered with the state to deliver vaccine. That has slowed us down a little bit. Its dependent on the state having enough staff to approve those requests to be registered, she said. That limits who we can distribute vaccine to. The other problem involves the county not getting much advance notification of how many doses it would receive each week. Baldwin said the county typically is told how many doses to expect about a week in advance, but its not consistent. And even a week doesnt give authorities much time to figure out where the doses should go. Vaccinations are progressing quickly in some facilities. Laguna Honda, the largest skilled nursing facility in San Francisco, began inoculating residents on Monday and expects to complete vaccinations for 90% of residents, about 650 people, by the end of Tuesday. That is higher than the percentage of residents who got the flu vaccine. Five residents have died from COVID-19, with the facility reporting the first deaths last week. Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer, said he thought the vaccine rollout so far has gone reasonably well in his county, given the circumstances. We have to set realistic expectations, Moss said. Were all celebrating the speed with which the vaccine got here, and its really miraculous, the efficacy data. Its great to be in this place. But the fact is that it only got approval less than a month ago and its very complicated to get this out as fast as people would like. Chronicle staff writer Erin Allday contributed to this report. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho On the Monday before Christmas, I accepted the job of my dreams as multiculturalism reporter for the Washington Post. On the Monday after, my grandfather passed away. In my application to the Washington Post, I described the column my grandfather used to write in El Puertorriqueno, a local Puerto Rican paper in Chicago, called Cositas que ni se dicen, ni se comentan. Or, the things people dont say or even mention. Growing up, I said I wanted to be a journalist before I knew of my grandfathers columns. When I did learn of them, it made sense. Of course, the humble man who had long admired journalists would have a granddaughter who would become one. It was genetics or the American dream. Some connect the decline of my grandfathers health with the arrival of Hurricane Maria in 2017. He stayed with my family for more than six months in the harsh, Midwest winter waiting for electricity to return to his home in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. He got a bad case of shingles, and his arthritis worsened. He kept saying he couldnt die there, in Galesburg, Ill. He had to die in his homeland. He got his wish. He was asleep in his home in Jayuya when he passed. Etched into the doorstep of his house is the shape of the coqui, the islands singing tree frog, a symbol of resiliency and hope. My grandfather Guillermo Antonio Frau Rullan, or Abuelo, as we called him was one of a kind. Years ago, he bought a bright red Smart car, named it Junior and drove it around Jayuya top down on the uneven roads that are still frequented by men on horseback. He later spent a large sum of money to ship the thing to my mother in Galesburg as a gift. My mom drives it to work at the local high school, a Puerto Rican flag dangling from its rearview mirror. Abuelo was a schoolteacher in Jayuya and a postal clerk in Chicago. He was bookish and brainy, with a cap often on his head and a mustache above his lip. Years ago, back in Jayuya, he won a local good Samaritan award for his daily routine of picking up litter on morning walks. And decades before that, Abuelo was a Borinqueneer a Korean War soldier in the 65th Infantry Regiment, a segregated unit of Puerto Rican soldiers. In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded the Borinqueneers with a Congressional Gold Medal. Abuelo was also a big fan of Facebook. His sentimentality for the past something we share was on full display there. In eloquent, old-fashioned Spanish, he wrote long posts about his immense love for his family and his past lives as an activist in Chicago and a soldier in Korea. He shared many of his past columns and then shared them again when they resurfaced on Facebook Memories. If you asked him a question that pertained to something he already wrote about on Facebook, he would kindly refer you to his latest post (No lo viste?). It was like his column all over again. He once told me I reminded him of his late wife, my abuela, who died when I was around 2 years old. I looked in the mirror afterward, turning my head to match the photo I have often seen of her a sepia-toned profile. I was intrigued; I had always thought myself to be like him. Last year in Jayuya, I pulled out a book from Abuelos bookshelf: Personal History, the autobiography of the Washington Posts first woman publisher, Katharine Graham. He told me to keep it. When his health began to deteriorate several weeks ago, when my mom and uncle flew from the U.S. mainland to care for him in his final days, I hoped that if I did get a new job, I would get the chance to tell him. A week before Christmas, I got my wish. His voice was unrecognizable, his words slow. I didnt understand him. It made me cry. But he understood me. Es nacional! he later told my mom Its national! I thought getting the job of my dreams at the Post was the best Christmas gift Id ever received. But the greatest gift was my grandfathers pride in me before he left. Que en paz descanse. Silvia Foster-Frau has covered the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration for the San Antonio Express-News. St Petersbrug: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that his nation is making preparation to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both nations are discussing the terms of the sale. Precontract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Rogozin said. Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, he said. It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms, Russias official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. In April, Sergei Chemezov, director-general of the Rostec State Corporation had said that the deal for the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems (AAMS) to India is not yet concluded. Also Read | Modi's four-nation tour: India, Spain sign 7 agreements during PM's visit The contract has not yet been signed, Chemezov had said. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi backs Chancellor Merkel's EU leadership as US President Trump scolds Germany The S-400 Triumph is Russias latest mobile long-range multiple anti-aircraft missile system, which came into service in 2007. It is meant for destroying aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and ground targets. China was the first foreign buyer of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Simon Winchester is The New York Times best-selling author of The Professor and the Madman. His recent titles include Atlantic and The Men Who United the States. Winchester was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his services to journalism and literature. He resides in Sandisfield. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides here on Monday during a stopover in Cyprus on his official trip to Africa, with the two sides pledging to strengthen bilateral relations. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus. Wang said that the two countries have worked together to set an example of equal treatment and mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small countries. This tradition should be inherited and carried forward, Wang said, noting that the two countries have made good cooperation within the framework of Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to work with Cyprus to build a green, healthy and digital silk road, he added. The Chinese minister also said China supports Cyprus's efforts of safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backs appropriate settlement of the Cyprus issue in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. "China appreciates that Cyprus upheld fairness and justice and offered valuable support on the issues regarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The mutual support and understanding between the two countries has consolidated the political basis of the bilateral relations and opened up broad prospects for bilateral cooperation," he said. Wand said Cyprus is an important member of the European Union (EU), and China regards the EU as a major force for a multi-polar world. "Consensuses between China and the EU outweigh differences, as the two sides are cooperative partners rather than systemic rivals. China and the EU should understand each other, respect the choice made by the people of the other side, expand common interests and enhance mutual trust," he added. Last year, important progress has been made in China-EU relations, Wang noted. The two sides signed the agreement on geographical indications, agreed to build green and digital partnerships, and declared the completion of the investment agreement negotiations, which has injected new impetus for deepening the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and promoting world economic recovery. He also stressed that China-EU relations should not be affected by external interference, and added that he hoped Cyprus would play an active role in pushing forward China-EU relations. For his part, Christodoulides said the Cypriot government strongly hopes to further advance its relations with China. The Cypriot side strictly adheres to the one-China policy, supports international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports the EU in advancing its relations with China, said the minister. Cyprus and China both advocate multilateralism and oppose unilateral acts. The Cypriot side always believes China's participation and support are needed to tackle global challenges, he added. The two ministers also mentioned mutual help in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and planned events during this year to mark 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. South Carolina's Washington, D.C., lawmakers immediately reported being safe after thousands of pro-Donald Trump protesters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday upending the procedural vote to certify the Electoral College results for President-elect Joe Biden. As soon as the Palmetto State's delegation was accounted for and out of harm's way, several took to Twitter to decry the violence and vandalism. From secure positions around the complex, the nine members lambasted the takeover, with some asking Trump to take control and issue a strong statement for the occupying crowd to disperse. "This will accomplish nothing," U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, said during the seizure. "Where is the President!? He must ask people to disperse and restore calm now." Trump later issued a message telling the crowd to go home. Charleston's new Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is less than a week into the beginning of her term, was among the many lawmakers evacuated Wednesday afternoon as lawmakers began the process of certifying the results. Mace and her staff were taken from the Cannon Office Building after Capitol police located a suspicious package half a block from them. She told The Post and Courier she's appalled at the chaos. "This isn't who we are," Mace said. "We're better than this. Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because we've seen the fringe left riot doesn't mean we have to." Others took to Twitter to get their message out while their movements were restricted. Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott reported: "The violence occurring at the United States Capitol right now is simply unacceptable, and I fully condemn it. Team Scott is safe. God bless the U.S. Capitol Police and U.S. Secret Service for protecting us." Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the violent occupation "a national embarrassment." "Those who made this attack on our government need to be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he tweeted. "Their actions are repugnant to democracy." Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol's steps and were met by officers in riot gear, The Associated Press reported, disrupting the certification of the Electoral College vote that is destined to confirm Biden as president. Some tried to push past the officers who held riot shields. Police could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting "traitors" as officers formed a defensive line. Lawmakers were meeting in Washington to affirm Biden's victory, but some GOP politicians planned to object. As the mob broke through doors, the process was then cut short due to an "external security threat" and no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex. Both chambers abruptly went into recess. A photograph showed one protester sitting in a chair at the Senate's main desk, his armed raised in a pumped fist. Over the course of several minutes, early on in the event, the offices of South Carolina lawmakers chimed in with all-safe announcements as many were taken away to undisclosed locations. U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncans spokeswoman Addie Patterson reported: "All safe." Duncan also tweeted: "Please protest peacefully and obey all police demands!" U.S. Rep. Joe Wilsons spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover confirmed: The Congressman and staff are safe and the Congressman still intends to speak on the House floor later today. Staff is also very limited due to the pandemic. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of Columbia, the House majority whip and the only Democrat in the nine-member S.C. delegation, is safe and secure, his spokeswoman said. The occupation, by Trump supporters who had just heard the president speak from the Ellipse in front of the White House, interrupted the Electoral College certification minutes into the debate and before any South Carolina lawmakers were able to speak. Mace and Scott are the only two members of South Carolina's delegation who have said they'll support the Electoral College's results. Graham and Rice said they would listen to the debate and then make their decision. The four remaining Republicans in South Carolinas delegation Duncan of Laurens, Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, William Timmons of Greenville and Wilson of Springdale joined dozens of House members in planning to object, citing unfounded claims of fraud or changes to election procedures in several key states. Some of the politicians from the Palmetto State decried the protests. Timmons told The Post and Courier that he and his staff were barricaded in his office. He was disappointed in what was happening. "We can accomplish our objectives without resorting to violence," Timmons tweeted. "If you have friends or family here in Washington, please encourage them to back away from the complex and resume their peaceful demonstrations at a safe distance. We are better than this." Mace said the rhetoric and protests related to Wednesday's vote were damaging to the American spirit. "This vote today is not about the Electoral College, it's about our Republic," Mace said. "We've got to find a solution but tearing apart our Constitution and our Capitol isn't the answer." Reporter Jamie Lovegrove and Politics Editor Schuyler Kropf contributed to this report. (Newser) Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration this monthbut the sole living former Republican president will. A rep for George W. Bush said that both Bush and wife Laura will attend on the 20th, framing it like so, per Bloomberg: "I believe this will be the eighth inauguration they've had the privilege of attending ... and witnessing the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that never gets old." As for the Carters, it marks the first time the couple, 96 and 93, will have missed the ceremonies since Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977, the AP reports. A spokeswoman at the Carter Center in Atlanta said the Carters have sent Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris their "best wishes" and "look forward to a successful administration." story continues below Biden was a young Delaware senator and Carter ally during the Georgian's term in the White House. The Carters have spent the coronavirus pandemic mostly at their home in Plains, Ga., where both were raised and where they returned after leaving the White House in 1981. Carter, a Democrat, became the longest-lived American president in March 2019, surpassing former President George HW Bush, who died the previous November. Carter survived a melanoma diagnosis that spread to his brain in 2015. He has since had several falls and hip replacement surgery. He no longer teaches Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, as he had for decades, but still participates in church activities via video amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Read more Jimmy Carter stories.) Republican lawyer Cleta Mitchell, who advised President Donald Trump during his Saturday phone call with Georgia's secretary of state in an effort to overturn the election, resigned on Tuesday as a partner in the Washington office of the law firm Foley & Lardner. Mitchell's resignation came after the law firm on Monday issued a statement saying it was "concerned by" her role in the call. The firm noted that as a matter of policy, its attorneys do not represent "any parties seeking to contest the results of the election." The Washington Post on Sunday published audio and a transcript of the hour-long call in which Trump pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to overturn the election results. During the call, Mitchell complained that she had not been given access to certain information from Raffensperger's office, and Trump relied on her to an extraordinary degree during the call. The Post on Monday published a story detailing Mitchell's transition from being a liberal Democrat to a conservative Republican, culminating in her role advising Trump during the call. In its statement on Tuesday, the law firm said: "Cleta Mitchell has informed firm management of her decision to resign from Foley & Lardner effective immediately. Ms. Mitchell concluded that her departure was in the firm's best interests, as well as in her own personal best interests. We thank her for her contributions to the firm and wish her well." Mitchell declined to comment. In a letter obtained by The Post that she sent Tuesday to friends and clients, she did not refer to whether her actions violated the law firm's policies, or whether the firm was right to say it was concerned about her actions. Instead, she blamed what she called "a massive pressure campaign in the last several days mounted by leftist groups . . . because of my personal involvement with President Trump" and the Georgia election. She wrote that she resigned because she did not want to be a distraction for the firm, but she vowed to continue her practice related to election law. "Those who deny the existence of voter and election fraud are not in touch with facts and reality," she wrote. Mitchell, 70, is a one-time Democratic member of the Oklahoma legislature who became a Republican and has made a Washington career representing GOP candidates, committees and causes, culminating with her work after the election advising Trump. In the Saturday call, Trump told Raffensperger that he risked facing criminal consequences if he didn't "find" enough votes to declare that the president had won the state. Raffensperger responded that "the challenge that you have is, the data you have is wrong." Trump then asked Mitchell, "Well, Cleta, how do you respond to that. Maybe you tell me?" Mitchell complained to Raffensperger that "we have asked from your office for records that only you have" but had not received them. Mitchell raised her claim that around 4,500 people voted after having moved out of Georgia. Trump interjected that the number was "in the 20s," apparently meaning in the 20,000s, but Raffensperger's general counsel, Ryan Germany, said those numbers were not accurate: "Every one we've been through are people that lived in Georgia, moved to a different state, but then moved back to Georgia legitimately." Mitchell concluded her contribution by saying that she hadn't even addressed the claim that voting machines were rigged, which Georgia officials denied. Trump interjected that "we don't need" to prove that machines were rigged. Trump said, "All we have to do, Cleta, is find 11,000-plus votes." The vaccination of staff at the north wests two acute hospitals is to begin this week. The Saolta University Health Care Group, which manages Letterkenny University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital, said it is expected that the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines to front line workers at the hospital will commence in the coming days. The vaccination of staff at other hospitals in the group is already underway. Staff at University Hospital Galway were among those who received the first doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine when they were administered last week. Letterkenny University Hospital manager Sean Murphy said: This is a very positive step and we will work hard to get all staff vaccinated as quickly as possible. The roll-out of the vaccine comes as both hospitals deferred all but very urgent and time-critical inpatient and day surgery due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. Outpatient clinics at both hospitals have also been cancelled although some of these will take place virtually unless it is absolutely necessary for patients to be seen, the Saolta group said. The deferrals will be for a two week period initially and will be kept under review. Sligo University Hospital treats patients from parts of south Donegal. Hospital manager Grainne McCann said: We regret the impact that these deferrals will have on our patients but it is a really important part of maintaining critical and emergency services. A small number of urgent cancer and time-critical inpatient and day-case procedures will proceed. We are notifying patients directly if their appointment or procedure is being deferred. We ask patients who are attending the hospital for a procedure to continue to follow all the public health guidance including wearing a face mask. We also remind patients to attend the hospital alone, unless the support of another person is essential. Visiting restrictions remain in place at the hospital. Members of the public should not visit the hospital except on compassionate grounds and these visits should be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward. The hospital continues to be extremely busy and we would also like to remind the public that we encourage them to attend the Emergency Department only in the case of emergencies. If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the NoWDOC GP out of hours service, in the first instance. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Democrat Raphael Warnock has defeated Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in their Georgia runoff. The race between Democrat Jon Ossoff and former Sen. David Perdue is still too close to call. More than 3 million people (40% of the states registered voters) cast a ballot in the runoff before yesterday. Between 800,000 and over a million people were expected to vote on Election Day. Absentee ballots postmarked by Tuesday and received by Friday will be counted. If the final margins in either contest are within 0.5% of the vote, the losing candidate has the right under Georgia law to ask for a recount. While we wait for results that will determine the leadership of the U.S. Senate, Congress is meeting later today to discuss the Electoral College votes, the last step in certifying the next president of the United States. Given the unprecedented complexities of these events in American political life, I need to write a two-part Daily Article. Today, well survey what will take place in our nations capital and then close with a biblical reflection. Tomorrow, after we (presumably) have the results of todays events, well discuss what they mean for our country and our future. Objections and an audit Under federal law, Electoral College votes are counted in a joint session of Congress presided over by the president of the Senatein this case, Vice President Mike Pence. The process begins this afternoon at 1 p.m. EST. The vice president opens the states sealed certificates in alphabetical order, then hands them to one of four tellersa Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress. They review the certificates and announce the states votes. The process continues uninterrupted until all the votes are announced and tabulated. Unless there is a recognized objection. An objection to a states vote requires a written document signed by at least one member of the House of Representatives and one member of the Senate. Such an objection to a states entire slate of electors has been raised only once since the Electoral Count Act was enacted in 1887. This is expected later today, however, as a dozen Republican House members have said they plan to object to votes from swing states won by Joe Biden. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced last week that he plans to join at least some of these challenges. On Saturday, eleven more GOP senators also stated that they would vote to sustain objections in six swing statesArizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsinunless there is a ten-day audit to review votes that have already been certified. How Congress could change the election If there is a recognized objection to a states vote, the vote counting is halted. Both chambers then engage in up to two hours of debate. Twelve members per side have a maximum of five minutes each. This is the time when evidence is presented before Congress (and the American public) regarding the integrity of that states presidential election. Each chamber then votes on whether to sustain the objection and dismiss the states votes. Majorities of both houses would have to vote to sustain this objection; if one chamber votes to reject the states votes but the other does not, the objection is dismissed. According to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the entire process could take up to four hours per state, factoring in the time it would take for both chambers to finish voting and then return to the floor. After the objection is voted on, the joint congressional session reconvenes and the count continues. If theres another formal objection to another states vote, the process is repeated. In 2005, an objection to Ohios electors by Democrats delayed the count by almost three hours. If the same occurs in all six states targeted this time, the vote count could easily go into tomorrow. If successful challenges cost Joe Biden 37 electoral votes, his total would be reduced from 306 to 269. In this case, the House would select the next president. Under the Twelfth Amendment to the US Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. Each state decides how it will cast this vote. Since Republicans have a majority of representatives in twenty-six states, it is plausible that they would carry the election for President Trump. However, Democrats have majority control of the House and are expected to be unified against any objection to a states vote. This would defeat a formal objection, but the Senate is not likely to vote in favor of an objection, either, as several GOP senators have opposed throwing out a states votes. 'Give grace to those who hear' Tomorrow we will explore the larger significance of these monumental events. For today, lets focus on this biblical fact: the way we discuss the divisive politics of our day relates directly to our ability to influence our culture for Christ. Scripture calls us to put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander (1 Peter 2:1). We are to walk in wisdom toward outsiders (Colossians 4:5) and to let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (v. 6). Long after the political events of this week are over, every person you know will still need the eternal life only Jesus can offer. Our political engagement, even when motivated by a desire for truth and integrity in our political system, can be so divisive and caustic that nonbelievers will judge Christ by Christians and reject both. This is why it is imperative to let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29). Will you give grace to those who hear you today? Originally published at the Denison Forum The Certification Engineers International Limited (CEIL), a Govt. of India enterprise and a wholly owned subsidiary of Engineers India Limited (EIL), has called applications in a prescribed format from qualified and experienced Indian citizens for filling One Hundred and Nine (109) vacancies to the post of Sr. Engineer, Dy. Manager, Engineer, Sr. Engineer Specialist, Engineer Specialist and Officer through direct recruitment to be posted at CEIL units across India on a fulltime basis. The offline application process towards the same started on December 8, 2020 and closes on January 9, 2021. CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Sr. Engineer, Dy. Manager, Engineer, Sr. Engineer Specialist, Engineer Specialist and Officer Organisation Certification Engineers India Limited (CEIL) Educational Qualification B.E/B.Tech/Diploma in relevant engineering discipline; MBA Degree with specialisation in HR/PG Degree in Social Work with relevant specialisation Experience Refer to the advertisement Job Responsibilities null Skills Required Desirable Job Location Across India Salary Scale In the range of Rs. 41,250 to Rs. 85,000 per month as per the designation Industry Engineering Certification Company Application Start Date December 8, 2020 Application End Date January 9, 2021 CEIL Recruitment 2021: Age Criteria And Fees Candidates interested in applying for the post of CEIL Jobs 2021 through CEIL Recruitment 2021 must fall in the age group between 30 to 45 years of age as on November 30, 2020 with relaxation (upper age limit) up to for OBC-NCL and SC/ST categories as per the Govt. of India guidelines as specified in the CEIL Recruitment 2021 Notification. For details regarding application fee for CEIL Jobs 2021 through CEIL Recruitment 2021, refer to the official CEIL Recruitment 2021 Notification given at the end of the article. Also Read: Mazagon Dock Recruitment 2020-21 For 410 Trade Apprentices Posts, Apply Online Before January 11 CEIL Recruitment 2021: CEIL Vacancy 2021 Sr. Engineer - 69 Dy. Manager - 20 Engineer - 13 Sr. Engineer Specialist - 04 Engineer Specialist - 02 Officer - 01 Total - 109 CEIL Recruitment 2021: Education And Experience Desirous candidates applying for CEIL Engineer Jobs 2021 through CEIL Recruitment 2021 must possess a B.E/B.Tech/Diploma in relevant engineering discipline; MBA Degree with specialisation in HR/PG Degree in Social Work with relevant specialisation from a recognised University/Institution with relevant post-qualification experience in concerned area/field as detailed in the CEIL Recruitment Notification 2021. CEIL Recruitment 2021: Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates for CEIL Dy. Manager Jobs 2021 through CEIL Recruitment 2021 will be done through Shortlisting and Interview as notified in the CEIL Recruitment Notification 2021. Candidates selected to CEIL Engineer Jobs 2021 through CEIL Recruitment 2021 will be paid emolument in the range of Rs. 41,250 to Rs. 85,000 per month as per the designation. Also Read: AAI Recruitment 2021 For 180 Graduate, Diploma And ITI Apprentices Posts. Register Online Before January 24 CEIL Recruitment 2021: How To Apply Candidates applying for CEIL Engineer Jobs 2021 through CEIL Recruitment 2021 must fill the application form in a prescribed form given in the Annexure-A of CEIL Recruitment Notification 2021 and e-mail the same along with relevant supporting documents to recruit.hr1@ceil.co.in on or before January 09, 2021. Download CEIL Recruitment 2021 Notification PDF for Sr. Engineer, Dy. Manager, Engineer and Officer posts NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperscience , the automation company, today announced key company hires and executive promotions. Bill Strogis was promoted to CRO, leveraging his extensive sales experience to further drive revenue growth around the globe. Paz Macdonald joins the company as VP of Marketing, responsible for overseeing Hyperscience global brand strategy, product marketing, demand generation marketing, and channel marketing. Bill Strogis joined Hyperscience in 2019 as VP of Worldwide Sales with over 25 years of sales and leadership experience and has been promoted following the company's 300% year-over-year revenue growth. Of his appointment, Bill said, "As we continue to expand internationally with a global footprint now including multiple European hubs, Australia, and the Middle East, I am thrilled to step into the CRO role to further accelerate growth and build upon our proven track record of enabling better business outcomes for our customers." Paz Macdonald joins with over 20 years of marketing experience, most recently having served as CMO at Software AG, where she transformed the marketing function into a data-driven, digital-first organization to accelerate growth at the 50-year-old enterprise software company. Prior to that, Paz was VP of Marketing at MongoDB, where she helped lead international expansion efforts and grow the company from an emerging start-up into a publicly traded global Cloud database. Expressing her excitement to join Hyperscience, she said, "Hyperscience ticks all the boxes with a strong product vision, incredible talent and a collaborative company culture. Working with my team, we will focus our efforts on delivering superior, frictionless customer experiences and in doing so, help our customers to be successful with Hyperscience at every touch point." Additional Hyperscience appointments include Steven Vineyard as VP of Finance. Steven brings 20 years of experience in the enterprise and self-serve SaaS space, including most recently as CFO of Vimeo, where he helped scale the finance function and create a unicorn SaaS company. Hyperscience also hired industry veteran Suren Hiraman as VP of Engineering, reinforcing their commitment to accelerating input-to outcome, AI-driven platform innovation. Suren most recently led B2B data engineering at Spotify and championed a challenging engineering turnaround at Namely with a focus on building high-performing teams via process, organization, and culture. These appointments follow a record year for the automation company, which raised an ambitious $140M to fuel company growth, recruit additional top talent across New York, Sofia, London, and Toronto, and expand into new markets and sectors. "As we navigate towards our mission of becoming the world's leading automation company, we're thrilled to welcome our extended leadership team of industry visionaries," said Charlie Newark-French, COO, Hyperscience. "I look forward to working alongside them as we build upon 2020's impressive momentum and tackle the various challenges and opportunities their new roles - and our tremendous growth - provides." Hyperscience begins 2021 touting a long list of industry recognition, having received top rankings by award franchises including Inc. 5000, Deloitte Tech Fast 500, CB Insights, Crain's NY Business, and Built in NYC. ABOUT HYPERSCIENCE Hyperscience modernizes mission-critical processes and operations for Global 2000 organizations and governments. Since 2014, Hyperscience's automation technology has helped data-centric companies parse through vast amounts of unstructured inputs and raw information to get to swifter and smarter business outcomes. Through the Hyperscience Platform, enterprises are empowered to transform their operations, and drive operational efficiency as well as human productivity by fully unlocking the power of their data. Ranked on the Inc. Fastest-Growing Company List, Hyperscience has raised $190M+ from investors including Tiger Global, BOND, Bessemer Venture Partners, Stripes, and FirstMark. The company has a global footprint with offices in New York City, Sofia, Bulgaria, and London, UK. For more information please visit www.hyperscience.com . CONTACT: Caitlin Kelly [email protected] (843) 817-0330 SOURCE HyperScience Related Links http://www.hyperscience.com Hillsong Dallas lead pastors step down after 15 years with ministry Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The lead pastors at Hillsong Dallas have announced that they are stepping down from their positions after over 15 years with the international ministry. Reed Bogard and his wife, Jess Bogard, who head the Australian-based megachurchs Dallas location, announced during service Sunday that they are resigning from their roles after over a decade of service. The announcement was made by Reed Bogard in the form of a pre-recorded video in which he thanked those who helped them plant Hillsong Dallas. It has been an incredible ride thus far. We have had some crazy days, some great days, seen God do many, many miracles, Bogard said. We are so grateful for that. With that said, the last 10 years of being in church-planting mode has really taken a bit of a toll on Jess and I and our family. Bogard, 38, said that he and his wife, who met while studying at Hillsong International Leadership College, feel that the time is right to transition off of our staff and take some time to remain healthy, get healthy and to really see what this next season holds for us. I am so grateful for our global senior pastors, Pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston, for believing in us and entrusting this to us. They have trusted so much along the way. They have been the greatest cheerleaders, the greatest supporters. I never met two people who believe in people so much. We are just so grateful for you, Pastors Brian and Bobbie. After college, the Bogards worked in different roles within the church and have helped plant three different churches during their tenure, including the turmoil-ridden Hillsong NYC/East Coast, the campus in Los Angeles and in Dallas, where they were given the responsibility of lead pastors. Hillsong founding Pastor Brian Houston also addressed the congregation by video and thanked the Bogards for their service. Reed and Jess have given their heart and soul to the pioneering of Hillsong Dallas over the last couple of years, Houston said. We are grateful for that and grateful for the work they have done. Houston assured that there will eventually be new lead pastors at Hillsong Dallas but said the church is not going to rush it. I do believe in the future of Hillsong Dallas, he said. In the meantime, we will make sure week by week that the church is being cared for. We have a great team over in America and around the world. Even though we are restricted in what we can and cant do right now in terms of travel, you are not going to be forsaken. The announcement comes as Hillsong NYC has been hit hard by scandals in recent months including the November firing of Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz for moral failures and the surfacing of 2018 claims of inappropriate sexual relations between Hillsong NYC staff and volunteers. Lentz later admitted to being unfaithful in his marriage. A leaked audio recording reported by the Daily Mail of Houston talking with church leaders and donors about the Letnz situation indicated that the celebrity pastor had more than one affair before his firing. Last month, Hillsong told The Christian Post in a statement that the ministry received a letter with serious allegations regarding staff and volunteers at the Hillsong NYC campus in 2018. Upon a three-month investigation into the letters claims, the church said that it learned that some of the allegations were true. In response, our team took immediate action to address those allegations, the December statement reads. Though some of the letters allegations were found to be inaccurate, we realized that those situations required care and concern as well. Reed Bogards video didnt explain why now is the right timing for the couple to step down, nor was there mention of anything related to Hillsong NYC. The Bogards, who are both in their 30s, have three children. Reed and I have been talking now over a period of time and we both agreed it would be a perfect time for them to come to a new season in their life, which means a new season also for Hillsong Dallas, Houston said in his pre-recorded video to the congregation. In November, Hillsong announced that it hired a New York-based legal firm to conduct an independent investigation into Hillsong NYC and Hillsong East Coast. The investigation will look into all concerns and any wider cultural issues. We are taking this extremely seriously and on the basis of this report, we will be better positioned to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to right the wrongs and see Hillsong East Coast move forward in a way that enables many more people to find hope in Jesus," the statement explained. Hillsong NYC is known for having been attended by celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. Bieber recently distanced himself from Hillsong by stating publicly that he is a member of Churchome led by Judah Smith. Hailey Bieber said in an interview last year with Elle that it was Hillsong Church that helped her get in touch with her faith. According to Elle, Hailey Bieber first attended the church when she was 16. Founded in 1983, Hillsong Church has campuses in over 28 countries. According to its website, Hillsong Church has an average weekly attendance of 150,000. Hillsong is also globally known for its popular worship bands and worship music widely used by other churches and ministries. South-east Queensland copped a drenching overnight as several severe storm cells rolled through the region, with 100 millimetres of rain recorded in two hours south-west of Brisbane. Meteorologist Livio Regano said the region was "divided" by a "wall of rain", with Brisbane City receiving less than five millimetres, but areas further west - such as Ipswich - were "hammered". "There was a wall of rain that was almost stationary and it almost divided the city from east to west, it hammered Ipswich [the Scenic Rim and Toowoomba] but the rest to the east got nothing," he said. "Today [Thursday] will be different, a south-easterly change will move through with a strong wind warning and it will more be a case of showers, as opposed to thunderstorms like yesterday, and it will also be a lot cooler, the humidity will stay, but it will be a lot more comfortable." A case registered in Jalgaon against former minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan and 28 others for extortion, criminal conspiracy, and forgery among multiple other allegations, was transferred to Kothrud police station in Pune on Monday. A complaint in the matter was lodged by Vijay Bhaskarrao Patil (53), a lawyer and a resident of Jilhapeth in Jalgaon. He also works for the education society. Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj Limited, Jalgaon, is an education society that has 29 schools, 10 junior colleges, 10 skill development institutions, three graduate colleges, and one teaching college, according to the complainant. He also claims that the total valuation of the society is over Rs 1,000 crore. Yes, a case has been registered at Kothrud. I have appointed ACP Machindra Chavan (of Kothrud division) as the investigation officer. The case has come to us only today. Once we go through it, accordingly the next step will be taken, said Pornima Gaikwad, deputy commissioner of police, Zone-3 of Pune police. One of the accused, Tanaji Bhoite, is allegedly a former secretary of the society. The complainant has claimed that 20 people were appointed to the society office through elections in May 2015. Earlier when case was lodged at Jalgaon, Mahajan refuted the allegations saying they concocted. There has been an attempt to drag me in vendetta politics, he had said while speaking to news channels in December. In January 2018, Bhoite allegedly sent people to call the complainant to Pune under the guise of handing over official documents to him at Bhoites flat in Pune. Patil went to Pune in his Swift Dzire car after two to three days and was asked to redirect to a restaurant in Kothrud instead of Bhoites flat. At the restaurant, he was escorted by four men towards Bhoite who connected with former minister Girish Datta Mahajan through a video call, according to the complainant. Over the call, Mahajan allegedly asked the complainant to force every member of the society to resign and sell the society to him. Bhoite offered Rs 1 crore for it during the alleged meeting. After the meeting, the complainant claims to have been taken to a flat in Sadashiv peth in a Skoda car. The complainant and his brother were stripped and kept in the flat for a day after which he was threatened with a false case under MPDA if he refuses to force the society members to resign. Since then, the complainant was allegedly extorted for Rs 5, 00,000 from time to time, according to his complaint. A case under Sections 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 331 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property), 384 (extortion), 379 (theft), 447 (criminal tresspass), 448 (lurking house-trespass or house-breaking), 449 (house-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death), 454, 465 (forgery), 467, 468, 471, 474, 504, 506(2) (criminal intimidation), 511, 109, 34 of Indian Penal Code was registered at Kothrud police station. The pharmaceutical company JSC Biolik (Kharkiv) confirmed that on December 31, 2020, it submitted an application to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine for registration of the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 developed in Russia. "In connection with numerous inquiries, the administration of JSC Biolik informs that on December 31, 2020 we did send to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine an application for state registration of a medicinal product - vaccine Gam-COVID-Vac, combined vector vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, produced by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Federation," the company's press service said. The text of the statement was also made public. As reported, earlier, head of the political council of the Opposition Platform For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk said that on December 30, the Biolik pharmaceutical company applied to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health with an application for state registration of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. On January 4, the State Expert Center, with reference to its head Mykhailo Babenko, told Interfax-Ukraine that "as of 11:00 of January 4, 2021, the State Expert Center didn't receive applications for registration of any vaccines against COVID-19 from the company Biolik. The Sputnik V vaccine has not passed the third phase of clinical trials. In turn, Deputy Minister of Health, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Viktor Liashko assured that only those vaccines against coronavirus infection that have successfully completed clinical trials will be used in Ukraine, "therefore, all rumors and political statements about the state registration of the Russian vaccine candidate in Ukraine do not correspond to reality." Liashko said that according to available data, the completion of the third phase of clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine is scheduled for December 2021. In early December, the Russian Direct Investment Fund announced readiness of JSC Biolik (Kharkiv) to produce the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 in Ukraine. At the same time, Biolik company denied that statement then. Key benchmark indices are trading near flat line amid volatility after scaling record high in early trade. At 9:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 6.57 points or 0.01% at 48,444.35. The Nifty 50 index was down 2.55 points or 0.02% at 14,196.95. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.29%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.48%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, is strong. On the BSE, 1469 shares rose and 686 shares fell. A total of 98 shares were unchanged. The Union Budget for 2021-2022 will be presented on February 1 and President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on January 29. Stocks in news: HDFC Bank shed 0.19%. The bank's advances aggregated to approximately Rs 10,820 billion as of December 31, 2020, a growth of around 16% as compared to Rs 9,360 billion as of December 31, 2019 and a growth of around 4% as compared to Rs 10,383 billion as of September 30, 2020. The bank's deposits aggregated to approximately Rs 12,710 billion as of December 31, 2020, a growth of around 19% as compared to Rs 10,674 billion as of December 31, 2019 and a growth of around 3% as compared to Rs 12,293 billion as of September 30, 2020. ACC rose 0.27%. ACC announced the successful commissioning of its new Grinding Unit (GU) at Sindri in the State of Jharkhand effective 2 January 2021. The new facility will add an additional capacity of 1.4 MTPA cement to the existing 3.0 MTPA unit, taking the total capacity at Sindri to 4.4 MTPA. BEML advanced 2.4%. BEML received orders from MoD for supply of High Mobility vehicles, at an approximate value of Rs 758 crore. Ircon International rose 1.44%. Ircon International said its wholly owned subsidiary Ircon Davanagere Haveri Highway (IrconDHHL) has refunded the loan of Rs 326.72 crore to Ircon International. On 1 January 2021, Ircon International had intimated about Corporate Guarantee furnished to Punjab National Bank for loan to Ircon Davanagere Haveri Highway (IrconDHHL). Tips Industries slipped 0.55%. The board of directors has in-principally agreed to explore demerger of film business of Tips Industries into separate entity. Global Markets: Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday as investors anxiously awaited results of U.S. runoff elections that would determine the legislative balance of power in the world's largest economy. A private survey showed services sector activity in China expanding at a slower pace in December, with the Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managers' Index coming in at 56.3. That compared against November's reading of 57.8. US stocks ended higher on Tuesday in choppy trading, ahead of the outcome of the Senate runoff elections in the battleground state of Georgia, which will determine the balance of power in Washington. Investors also looked ahead to two key elections in Georgia, which will determine whether Republicans can hold on to control in the Senate. Many fear that increased tax rates and more progressive policies could weigh on the market if Democrats gain control of the Senate. However, such an outcome could create an opportunity for a bigger and faster spending package. In U.S. economic data, the Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 60.7 in December its highest level since August 2018 from 57.5 in November. Back home, domestic indices ended with modest gains on Tuesday, led by strength in IT, banks and financial shares. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 260.98 points or 0.54% to 48,437.78. The Nifty 50 index added 66.60 points or 0.47% to 14,199.50. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 986.30 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net buyers to the tune of Rs 490.03 crore in the Indian equity market on 5 January, provisional data showed. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday issued fresh summons to Shiv Sena member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Rauts wife Varsha Raut for questioning in the alleged money laundering in the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank fraud case. According to ED officers, Varsha Raut may visit the ED office on January 11 for the second round of questioning. She was questioned, for nearly three hours, on Monday (January 4) by the agency, however, the ED officers were not satisfied with her responses. ED officers are to question her in connection with suspicious transactions that cropped up while the officials were scanning Pravin Rauts transactions. Pravin Raut is Sajany Rauts friend and former director of Guruashish Constructions Private Limited, a subsidiary of the Housing Development Infrastructure Limited (HDIL), which is accused of defrauding PMC Bank of over 6,670 crore by fraudulently obtaining nearly 70% of the banks overall loans. During an investigation into PMC Bank case and the involvement of HDIL, ED discovered that 95 crore had been siphoned off through HDIL by Pravin Raut in active conspiracy and connivance with various persons. The sources of the funds were illegally availed loans or advances etc. by HDIL from PMC Bank. There was no document or agreement in support of these payments made to Pravin Raut. Further, as per the HDILs ledger, the funds were given to Pravin Raut for acquiring land in Palghar, the ED said. Pravin Raut paid an amount of 1.6 crore to his wife Madhuri from the proceeds of crime. Madhuri then transferred55 lakh in 2010 and 2011 as an interest-free loan to Varsha Raut. The amount was utilised to purchase a flat in Dadar East, the ED said. The investigation further revealed that Varsha Raut and Madhuri are partners in Avani Construction. Varsha Raut received 12 lakh from this entity as overdrawn capital converted into a loan on a contribution of mere 5,625. The loan amount of 12 lakh is still outstanding. ED officials wish to question Varsha Raut regarding these transactions. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has already provisionally attached Pravin Rauts properties worth 72 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the PMC Bank fraud case. Pravin Raut was also arrested by the Mumbai Polices economic offences wing (EOW) in February in connection with the 1,034 crore redevelopment fraud case, in which Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) is the complainant. EDs money laundering probe in the PMC Bank case is based on the Mumbai EOWs September 2019 FIR registered against HDIL, its promoters Rakesh Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan, the banks former chairman Waryam Singh and managing director Joy Thomas and some other accused of allegedly causing losses worth thousands of crores to the bank to reap gains for themselves. Previously, Sanjay Raut had termed EDs action as a witch hunt. He said his wife works as a teacher and had taken a loan of 50 lakh from her friend 10 years ago. For the past one-and-a-half months, ED has been following up with us. Weve given all the documents they demanded and showed our IT (income tax) returns and my Rajya Sabha affidavit. As the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) failed in their intention, they are now targeting our family members, Sanjay Raut alleged. Russian-Israeli billionaire Michael Mirilashvili built a new water project in the densely populated Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory located on the east coast of Mediterranean Sea, which long lacked of drinking water. Mirilashvili's company, Watergen, has created atmospheric water generators, which can produce from 5,000 to 6,000 liters of drinking water daily, depending on air's humidity. Watergen machines extract drinking water from air The water project helps alleviate the shortage using solar power to extract potable water straight from the air. Although there are only few Watergen machines operating in Gaza Strip, it is far from meeting the water demand to support two million people living in crowded coastal enclave between the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, and Israel. "But, it's a start," said Engineer Fathi Sheikh Khalil who works with Damour, a Palestinian civil society group, which operates one of these machines in since Israeli firms cannot work in Gaza as reported by Straits Times. The strip has been experiencing worsening water crisis on top of regular power shortages and economic woes. Its overused aquifer has already by contaminated by pollutants and degraded by saltwater intrusion. Multiple studies are linked the consumption of sub-standard water in Gaza with the increasing cases of diarrhea and kidney stones. In fact, according to the United Nations, only 3% of Gaza's water meets the international standards in 2012 predicted that ecological pressures could make the strip "unliveable." This made most of the available water salty and highly dangerous to drink while forcing the government to import bottled water. Read also: Apple Supplier Foxconn to Help Chinese Startup Produce Its First Electric SUV Watergen extends help to Gaza Strip Meanwhile, several players work to resolve the water shortage in the area such as the European Union, which backs a huge seawater desalination plant. Watergen's company CEO and president has spent time in Russian prison after he was convicted with kidnapping in the European Court of Justice, which was later found as flawed. In 2009, Mirilashvili bought the company after he moved to Israel and the company began exporting water machines to over 80 countries. Watergen's technology suits Gaza Strip because it runs on solar panels, unlike the power plant that requires imported fuel, so it lacks the capacity to meet the demand. After learning about the water crisis in Gaza, Mirilashvili told AFP that he wanted to help. "Our goal was that everyone on Earth could be supplied with drinkable water," said Mirilashvili, according to a Straits Times report. He added that it was immediately clear that they first had to help their neighbours. Watergen has already sent two machines, which cost $61,000 each, to Gaza while Arava Institute for Environmental Research donated the third machine. Watergen's machines can produce about 5,000 liters of drinking water when the air's humidity level is more than 65%. After capturing the humidity, the machine condenses the air into water and filters it into drinkable water instantly. However, since Israel's importation to Gaza is tightly controlled, it took Mirilashvili some time to have his machines approved since Israel's army "needed to check the equipment," although they liked the idea. However, since Israelis are not allowed to enter the strip, Mirilashvili wailed over the fact that he will not be able to see his machines at work. Related article: Experts Develop Smart Mattress that Accurately Monitors Premature Babies' Temperature to Avoid Complications This is owned by Tech Times Written by CJ Robles 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. [January 06, 2021] Kramer Wealth Strategies departs wirehouse for independence with Commonwealth Commonwealth Financial Network, a national firm dedicated to providing advisor-focused business solutions, announced the addition of Kramer Wealth Strategies of Massena, New York, to its network of independent financial advisors. Formerly affiliated with Morgan Stanley, financial advisor and principal Dale Kramer, CFP, and his support team bring more than 60 years of combined industry experience, with clients in 18 states. As a firm, Kramer Wealth Strategies helps its clients tackle life's pivotal decisions in retirement and estate planning with an emphasis on customized portfolio management. When exploring making a move to the independent channel, Kramer looked for a firm that would allow him to focus entirely on his clients, nurturing the trust he's built with them over his 37-year career. To learn more about the northern New York firm, visit https://www.kramerwealthstrategies.com. "The team of people who work at Commonwealth reflect my values, goals, and beliefs regarding the importance of serving clients in a manner that benefits their needs," said Kramer. "I am looking forward to building a financial service practice wholly baed on the needs of our clients, and I am confident that Commonwealth's privately owned, familial business will help us thrive." Kramer and his support staff will draw on Commonwealth's open architecture, myriad financial planning tools, and extensive advanced planning resources to help clients achieve their goals-as well as reclaim their autonomy in how they do so. "I feel energized again as a financial professional as I cast off the one-size-fits-all approach and apply wealth strategies that are truly unique," added Kramer. "Being chosen by Kramer Wealth Strategies as their home for independence is an honor and a privilege," said Andrew Daniels, Commonwealth's managing principal, business development. "Leaving the known quantity of the wirehouse environment for the unknowns of independent business ownership can be daunting, and we're proud to offer transition support with a focus on a soft landing." Daniels added, "Commonwealth's tight-knit community and relentless focus on the advisor experience will be here to empower the firm to serve their clients, their way, for years to come." About Commonwealth Financial Network Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser, provides a suite of business solutions that empowers more than 2,000 independent financial advisors nationwide. J.D. Power ranks Commonwealth "#1 in Independent Advisor Satisfaction Among Financial Investment Firms, Seven Times in a Row." Privately held since 1979, the firm has headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California. Learn more about Commonwealth by visiting www.commonwealth.com. Commonwealth received the highest score in the independent advisor segment of the J.D. Power 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Financial Advisor Satisfaction Studies of customers' satisfaction among financial advisors. Visit jdpower.com/awards. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005112/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. On Friday evening last week, Nanda Kala Thapa, 52, of Kauwapur, Lamkichuha municipality-4 of Kailali district, was dragged away by a tiger while she was travelling on a motorcycle driven by her son on the Amreni-Chisapani section of Bardiya National Park. Also, in 2001, a tiger had killed one person in the same place. The next morning, a car knock killed a 10-year-old female tiger along the East-West Highway in the Aadhabhar forest area, Jitpur Simara sub-metropolitan city-1 of Bara district. According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, such incidents have increased in recent years, especially on the highways that cross densely forested areas of national parks in the Terai region. Whats wrong with the system? In the section of the Bardiya National Park where the accident happened on Friday, the Nepal Army has been recording times of the vehicles at different stations to keep a control on their speed. It is prohibited to drive at a speed more than 40 kilometres per hour in other park areas along the highway. Hari Bhadra Acharya, an ecologist at the department, says that the clashes between protected wildlife and humans on the highways have increased the risk on both sides. According to him, about 200 km section of the 1,028 km-long East-west Highway falls within the national park areas. About 100 km, 30 km, 8 km, 20 km, and 7 km sections of the highway falls within the area of Banke National Park, Bardiya National Park, Shuklaphanta National Park, Parsa National Park, and Chitwan National Park respectively. Besides these, an additional 200 km of the highway falls within the main habitat for wildlife inside the forests. And, the number of highways and rural roads passing through dense forest areas is increasing. No study has been done on how many kilometres of roads pass through forest areas in Nepal, which has a road network of about 100,000 kilometres. Forest areas are chosen for road construction in most of the cases to avoid the compensation dispute. Also, recently, the number of unpaved roads being blacktopped is increasing. Due to this, the threat to wildlife has increased day by day, says Acharya. According to him, speeding vehicles on wide blacktopped roads have become a big danger for the wildlife and passengers are at risk if they defy the prescribed speed limits. Prey of the vehicles: Wildlife A study conducted last year found that about 500 wild animals had died in road accidents in the last four years. Of the 591 deaths in the fiscal year 2019/20, 108 were due to road accidents. As per the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, 199 wild animals were killed in road accidents in the fiscal year 2018/19, 124 in 2017/18, and 133 in 2016/17. However, the conservationists at the World Wildlife Fund, Nepal, assume that the number of the wildlife killed in road accidents could be much higher than currently recorded stressing that along with the highways passing through dense forest areas, various infrastructure projects have also been the cause of many wildlife accidents. The number of wild animals that died due to the injuries sustained in road accidents in the forest areas has not been counted. Not only in the forest areas but also in the large linear infrastructure areas like canals and power transmission lines, wild animals have fallen prey to accidents. According to a study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund, most wild animals are at the risk of road accidents during the winter season. Also, it is found that most wild animals had got into road accidents while searching for water, ground vegetables, or preys. The WWF had conducted another study on the wildlife underpasses constructed at four places of Ramnagar and Aaptari sections of Muglin-Narayangadh road from August 2017 to June 2018. For the first time in Nepal, underpasses have been built for wildlife there. Studies have shown that the movement of wild animals in the road area is more when there is a lack of water and food in the habitat. In winter, among the wild animals using underpasses, most were deers, boars, porcupines, mongeese, langurs, and wild cats. Only 10 per cent of them were large mammals such as tigers, leopards, and rhinos. Underpasses and overpasses for safety An underpass made for wildlife along the Narayangadh-Mugling road of Chitwan Lately, not only on the highways but also in large linear infrastructures such as big canals and transmission lines, the number of wildlife deaths is increasing. A WWF scientist Dr Gokarna Jung Thapa says crossings such as underpasses and overpasses are mandatory for wildlife in Nepals infrastructure including highways. Further, he adds, The infrastructures have not only put wildlife at risk of death but also have affected their genetic development as their natural movement has been disrupted. And, this will add more challenge in the protection of the wildlife. Government preparedness for wildlife conservation But, the government has not yet responded to such suggestions from experts. It has been more than four years since the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation started preparing to bring a guideline for such infrastructures. Acharya says that the draft of the guideline has been prepared. An underpass for wildlife is being constructed on the Kathmandu-Nijgadh Fast Track. However, Keshav Kumar Sharma, the Director-General of the Department of Roads, says that there is no plan to have such crossing infrastructures along the existing roads. While upgrading roads, however, we can build underpasses for animals where they are needed, says Sharma. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. (Natural News) Gabriel Sterling, Voting System Implementation Manager for the Georgia Secretary of States office, announced early Tuesday morning on Twitter that a programming error on security keys resulted in backup emergency ballots having to be brought in to Columbia County (located near Augusta) for the Georgia Senate runoff election. Just before 5:30am, Sterling notified the world that [s]ome issues were detected in Columbia County with locations scanners and pollworker cards. As a result, voting was forced to continue on backup emergency ballots, with [n]ewly programmed keys [and] cards being taken to locations via law enforcement. Sterling, as you may recall, has been aggressively lashing out against President Donald Trump in recent days for suggesting that the Nov. 3 election in Georgia was in any way mishandled. Prior to this latest incident, Sterling claimed that Georgias elections are perfect with no mistakes, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. A typical government official who is vehemently anti-Trump and not shy about admitting it, Sterling recently told The Atlantic that he is unable to separate his NeverTrump beliefs from his job. Following the Nov. 3 sham election, Sterling admitted to taking a victory lap because he was very happy that Trump lost. Several hours following the incident, Sterling announced in a follow-up tweet that the issue was resolved hours ago, adding that his office informed the public about it in real time. The votes of everyone will be protected and counted, Sterling further wrote, taking a jab directly at Trump who tweeted about Dominion machines not working in certain Republican Strongholds for over an hour. Sorry you received old intel Mr. President, Sterling sarcastically and disrespectfully added. To keep up with the latest news about fraudulent elections, be sure to check out Trump.news. Democrat operatives roaming polling stations in Cobb County near Atlanta Over in Cobb County (Northwest Atlanta), reports have emerged to suggest that Democrats are invading polling stations and interfering with the voting process. So-called authorized bloggers from the Democrat Party have reportedly been given permission to infiltrate the polling stations to intimidate voters, invade their privacy and otherwise threaten them into voting for the Democrat candidates. Poll watcher from NY already here, wrote one insider about what is supposedly taking place on the ground in Cobb County. Asking questions while we are getting ready for 7am. She was here on Nov. 2; more expected. Probably paid by DNC. This same source wrote that said poll watcher had been sent to Cobb County by an organization called the Georgia Democrats Voter Protection Hotline. Back in November, this same organization placed personnel within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling station. Poll watchers are wandering around the voting area at each polling center, the source further added. In November they werent allowed to do this. It is perceived by voting officials as a problem but it is not being stopped. These so-called poll watchers are apparently talking to voters before they vote, which is illegal. Some of them are also filming voters despite not having credentials, claiming that they were given special permission by a Cobb County poll manager named Geniene. The man in the black suit in the background appears to be giving a running account of voting to somebody, the source further wrote. If I had to guess it would be to Dem [headquarters]. One commenter on the CD Media story who claims to be from Illinois says that as bad as things are in that state election-wise, no cameras are allowed in any polling space. What the hell is this stuff? the same commenter added. Throw them jack asses out. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com NaturalNews.com CreativeDestructionMedia.com The Capitol Police ordered the evacuation of at least one office building on Capitol Hill as protesters flooded the grounds as part of a widespread protest against the certification of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.s victory. Police officers ran door to door in the Cannon House Office Building ordering the evacuation before the alert reached some offices, according to one person working in the building. While the alert sent to Capitol offices cited only police activity, videos posted on social media showed hundreds of protesters barreling past fence barricades outside the Capitol and clashing with officers. Representative Nancy Mace, a freshman Republican from South Carolina, described seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. In a Twitter post, Ms. Mace shared a video of the chaos and wrote, This is wrong. This is not who we are. Im heartbroken for our nation today. LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Patriot Gold Corp. (CSE:PGOL)(OTCQB:PGOL) - Patriot Gold Corp. ("Patriot") today announced that a drill rig and crew are on-site at Patriot's Windy Peak gold project near Fallon, Nevada. A drilling program is planned to test several gold targets. This reverse-circulation drilling program follows a core drilling program executed by Patriot at Windy Peak in the autumn of 2018, and a reverse circulation drilling program executed by Patriot in the winter of 2019. Patriot's 100%-owned Windy Peak gold project is situated in a gold-producing region which hosts such deposits as the Paradise Peak and Rawhide. About Patriot Gold Corp Patriot is exploring its 100%-owned gold projects in Nevada, which include the Windy Peak gold project, Rainbow Mountain gold project, and Vernal gold project. Patriot owns a 3% royalty in the Moss Mine in Arizona, now in commercial production. Patriot also owns a 2% royalty in the Bruner gold project in Nevada. On Behalf of the Board of Patriot Trevor Newton President, Director www.PatriotGoldCorp.com The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein. Disclaimer: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include statements in relation to the timing, cost and other aspects of future plans, objectives or expectations of Patriot Gold Corp. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Patriot's plans include the risk that actual results of current and planned exploration activities will not be consistent with Patriot's expectations; the geology, grade and continuity of any mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; fluctuating metals prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests; availability of capital and financing required to continue Patriot's programs and preparation of geological reports and studies; delays in the preparation of geological reports and studies; general economic, market or business conditions; competition and loss of key employees; regulatory changes and restrictions including in relation to required permits for exploration activities (including drilling permits) and environmental requirements; timeliness of civil government or regulatory approvals; and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Patriot with securities regulators. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Patriot has made numerous assumptions, including that Patriot's future exploration programs will proceed as planned and within budget. Patriot expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. More information is included in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may be accessed through the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. SOURCE: Patriot Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623196/Drilling-Commencing-at-Patriot-Golds-Windy-Peak-Gold-Project-in-Nevada (Natural News) The American Medical Association (AMA) has reversed its initial stance against hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat COVID-19. The associations reversal now permits physicians to prescribe the medicine at their discretion to address coronavirus infections. Previously, the association dissuaded its member physicians from recommending the drug to their patients with COVID-19. A recent AMA memorandum released Oct. 30 made the reversal official: [AMA rescinds] its statement calling for physicians to stop prescribing hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine until sufficient evidence becomes available to illustrate that the harm associated with use outweighs benefits early in the disease course. The same memorandum also updated a March joint statement discouraging the use of HCQ. Patients will now be notified that further studies are ongoing to determine any potential benefit from the medication and other combination therapies against COVID-19. Lastly, the document reassured patients that AMA supports physicians that prescribe HCQ and other combination therapies if it is in [their] best clinical judgment. AMA previously cautioned in March about prescribing or dispensing medications identified as potential treatments or prophylaxis for COVID-19 such as HCQ and azithromycin, in light of entities stockpiling these medicines for future COVID-19 use. The physicians association strongly opposes these actions that can lead to supply disruptions for patients who need these medicines for chronic conditions in its statement. It also reiterated that no medication has been [approved] for use in COVID-19 patients. (Related: Hospitalizations drop by 84 percent in patients treated with HCQ, study shows.) Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously authorized HCQ for emergency use in late March, but revoked it in June as it was unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19. It elaborated that side effects such as serious cardiac adverse events outweighed the potential benefits of HCQ, which no longer satisfied the requirements for emergency approval. Some drug companies are blocking the use of HCQ in favor of the less-effective remdesivir President Donald Trump himself espoused the effects of HCQ against COVID-19 infections, tweeting that the drug combined with azithromycin have a real chance to be one of the biggest game-changers in the history of medicine. However, he himself did not receive the drug when he contracted the coronavirus in early October. Doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center gave the president the antiviral drug remdesivir and the steroid dexamethasone, alongside a polyclonal antibody cocktail. The FDA first granted remdesivir emergency approval in May initially for severe cases, but eventually expanded the approval to include all patients. However, a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that remdesivir did not lower COVID-19 mortality rates. Of the more than 2,700 patients administered with the antiviral drug, 11 percent eventually died: A control group with almost the same number registered an 11.2 percent mortality rate. The studys authors wrote that their findings absolutely excludes the suggestion that remdesivir can prevent a substantial fraction of all deaths. (Related: Remdesivir shows limited benefit during trial, so why did the FDA approve it?) Gilead did not take too kindly to the WHO study, expressing its concern through a statement saying the trials have not undergone the rigorous review required to allow for constructive scientific discussion. The company nevertheless assured procurement agencies such as the United Nations that remdesivir has met global standards of quality, safety and efficacy. Originally used to cure malaria, HCQ gained attention as a COVID-19 treatment after French physician Dr. Didier Raoult used it in combination with azithromycin to treat his patients. Raoults success spread like wildfire, eventually catching the attention of Gilead. The company subsequently lobbied France to severely restrict access to HCQ. Moreover, Raoult himself received anonymous death threats prompting him to testify against Gilead in front of French lawmakers. A subsequent investigation revealed that a medical doctor handsomely paid by the pharmaceutical firm sent the threats. Find out more information about HCQ and other COVID-19 treatments at Pandemic.news. Sources include: LenBilen.com AMA-Assn.org 1 [PDF] AMA-Assn.org 2 FDA.gov 1 Twitter.com TheEpochTimes.com 1 FDA.gov 2 ScienceMag.com Gilead.com [PDF] TheGatewayPundit.com Kevin Brady, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives, says he has tested positive for COVID-19. Brady said his result... Kevin Brady, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives, says he has tested positive for COVID-19. Brady said his result came back positive shortly before he was due to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. He said he received the first dose of the vaccine administered in two doses 21 days apart on December 18. The World Health Organisation (WHO), in December, gave approval for the emergency use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Tonite the Office of House Physician informed me that Ive tested positive for COVID-19 & am quarantined. As recommended, I received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Dec. 18 & also recently tested negative for Covid on New Years Day, Brady wrote on Twitter. Tonite the Office of House Physician informed me that Ive tested positive for Covid 19 & am quarantined. As recommended, I received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Dec 18 & also recently tested negative for Covid on New Years Day. Begin treatment tomorrow. Shld be fine. Rep. Kevin Brady (@RepKevinBrady) January 6, 2021 Brady is not the first person who has contracted the coronavirus after receiving the vaccine. In December 2020, a US nurse tested positive after receiving the vaccine, but Christian Ramers, an infectious disease specialist with Family Health Centers of San Diego, had said the Pfizer vaccine requires time for the body to attain immunity against COVID-19. Over 50 members of the US congress have tested positive for COVID-19 and the country has recorded over 21 million cases of the virus. On Sunday, Moncef Slaoui, the lead scientist in the United States COVID-19 response task force, had said the government is considering halving the doses for some people in a bid to speed up the vaccination process. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended against reducing the dose. LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the county's eviction moratorium through February 28. The motion, proposed by supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis, also strengthens and clarifies protections for renters facing intimidation or harassment from landlords. "We recognize that this could be a real tsunami of evictions if the county did not step up and protect our renters in a responsible way," said Kuehl. "No one should be threatened with eviction or made homeless by the pandemic." The county first passed an eviction moratorium in March last year, which was later extended through the end of January 2021. In September, California also enacted its own statewide eviction moratorium for tenants unable to pay rent during the pandemic, which is currently set to expire at the end of this month. In addition to extending the L.A. County moratorium by a month, effective immediately, Tuesday's motion also clarifies what landlords can and cannot do. For example, it protects renters who are facing eviction because they denied a landlord's non-emergency request to enter their unit. The motion also included some renter protections currently provided under the state law, which would go into effect on February 1 if the state's moratorium is not extended. A UCLA study last year determined that as many as 449,000 people in L.A. County could face eviction because of the economic slump caused by coronavirus and inability to pay rent. Meanwhile, eviction defense lawyers say they've seen an uptick in illegal conduct by landlords, including lockouts and frivolous lawsuits. Attorney Amy Tannenbaum with Public Counsel said while the actions taken by the county are much-needed, they don't go far enough. "Any protections that we can get are going to be better than nothing, of course," said Tannenbaum. "That being said, what tenants rights organizations and tenants unions have been putting forward is this comprehensive demand of cancelling rent." Tannenbaum also said a complete stay of eviction court proceedings is needed to keep people in their homes. "The current protections that provide long repayment plans or push off eviction are really not doing enough to provide peace of mind to tenants about what's going to happen when that rent bill eventually comes due," said Tannenbaum. Several public commenters called in to the meeting to voice support for cancelling rent and mortgages, referencing a proposal by a network of advocacy groups known as the Healthy LA Coalition. "We're sitting in the epicenter of a global pandemic and people all over L.A. are facing the looming threat of eviction," said one commenter who identified herself as Lucia Pierre. "Temporary moratoriums amount to a stay of execution for people who have been accumulating debilitating rent debt for the past nine months." The L.A. County update comes as California lawmakers consider extending the statewide eviction ban through the end of 2021, with Assembly Bill 16. The Board of Supervisors also unanimously approved two motions to update the county's rent relief programs, in the wake of the recent COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress that includes $25 billion in emergency rental assistance. "When L.A. County receives our allocation of those new funds, we need to be in the best possible position to deploy them to the renters in need as soon as possible, and these motions will help us achieve that goal," said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who introduced the motions. County leaders encouraged residents with questions about what the changes mean for them to reach out to the L.A. County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 21:12:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday voiced strong support for Hong Kong police in arresting Benny Tai and others. Hong Kong police arrested 53 people on Wednesday on suspicion of committing crimes including subversion under the national security law in Hong Kong. A spokesperson of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR pointed out that anyone who violates the national security law in Hong Kong must be punished by law. The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR firmly supports Hong Kong police in performing their duties and cracking down on any act that endangers national security in accordance with the law, the spokesperson added. Enditem The Kaduna agency said government records "showed that the building housing Asher Lounge has neither a valid title nor development permit." The Kaduna State Government has given fresh reasons why it ordered the demolition of Asher Hotel and Lounge which it earlier said it did because of a planned nude party. The Kaduna government has now said the building housing the hotel is illegal hence its demolition. Last week, the social media was abuzz with the demolition of the hotel by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency, (KASUPDA). The agency said it did this on the orders of the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that a nude party was to hold at Asher. "KASUPDA have demolished Asher Hotel in Barnawa Kaduna South," the agency said on January 1. "Asher Hotel was the proposed venue for the Kaduna Sex Party, the hotel was also caught contravening the Covid-19 guidelines of the state. KASUPDA will not hesitate to demolish properties used for such immoral act," the agency posted on Twitter. The demolition was criticised by many Nigerians. PREMIUM TIMES also reported how the owner of the hotel threatened to sue the Kaduna government, saying no sex party was scheduled to hold at the building. U-turn In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Director General of KASUPDA, Ismail Dikko, the agency said the demolition was not hinged on the supposed "immoral" party as previously posited. Mr Dilkko said government records "showed that the building housing Asher Lounge has neither a valid title nor development permit." Read the full statement below: "On Thursday, 31st December 2020, the Kaduna State Urban Development and Planning Authority (KASUPDA) took action to remove the building housing Asher Lounge. Since this enforcement action, much of the commentary on the matter has centred on the inaccurate statement from KASUPDA's Twitter account. While regretting the inaccuracy of the handler of our social media account, there is no reservation about the steps taken pursuant to enforce the laws and regulations of Kaduna State on a property that was in violation of its provisions. Since 26th March 2020, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Partial Lockdown Order, 2020 have been in force in Kaduna State. Although some of the regulations were significantly relaxed in June 2020, they were tightened again in December 2020 in response to a second wave of Covid-19 infections." Indications that an activity in violation of the COVID regulations was planned to be held in Asher Lounge drew attention to the property and made it necessary to examine the status of the building. Checks of government records showed that the building housing Asher Lounge has neither a valid title nor development permit. Once due diligence revealed the illegal status of the building, there was need for enforcement action without the notification requirements that the law compels for holders of valid title and development permits. The illegal status of the building became a very separate matter from the trigger event: the third-party elements who had planned and advertised an unlawful gathering on those premises. Violation of a set of rules and regulations may lead to a focus on the status of compliance with other laws and regulations. This happened in the case of a school whose management were caught flouting Covid-19 regulations. This led the relevant authorities to check official records which revealed the school to be a serial violator, quite apart from the Covid-19 infraction that drew attention in the first place. It is sadly true that many people have developed property without bothering to acquire valid title or secure development permit. Aware of such mass infractions, the Kaduna State Government has created a pathway since 2015 to enable people to regularise their titles and move away from illegality. KASUPDA has also tried to assist willing citizens to obtain development permits for new projects and to remedy their lack of same for extant projects. More recently, Kaduna State Government officials across agencies have been engaged in the Public Service on Wheels programme. As the development control agency, KASUPDA has been an active participant in this programme along with KADGIS, the agency responsible for land administration in the state. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. By virtue of various land administration and development control initiatives conceived and implemented in the last five years, there is no excuse for anyone in Kaduna State to remain without valid title to their property and permits for any development thereon. Residents that have taken advantage of this opportunity have thereby been assisted to vest their property with legal status. Those who have chosen to remain in violation and have shunned opportunities to regularise their status cannot argue from sentiment when enforcement actions are taken. There are many properties in Kaduna State that are in this category. Their sheer number means that KASUPDA does not have the staff strength to undertake enforcement action on all of them. But those whose cases come to agency's attention and are found not to have the necessary papers cannot expect inaction. Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies, has further increased exposure to Indian equities in his GREED and Fear portfolio. The marquee investor increased the weightage of Indian equities by 150 basis points to 14 percent in his Asia Pacific ex-Japan relative-return portfolio and reduced stake in Chinese and Pakistani equity markets. The move comes on the back of the recent upsurge in Nifty coupled with a consistent decline in COVID-19 cases in the country. In 2020, Nifty logged 15 percent return despite the over 40 percent crash in March. So far in 2021, it has had a perfect start, ending in green in each of the three sessions. Yea-to-date, Nifty is up 1.5 percent. Separately, Wood had also recently trimmed exposure in gold in favour of bitcoin in his long-only global portfolio for US dollar-denominated pension funds "for the first time in several years". Wood has said the fund, established in the third quarter of the calendar year 2002, will reduce its exposure in physical gold by 5 percent and the money will be invested in bitcoin. The fund intends to increase its long position on any correction. Following the adjustment, the fund will still have the highest allocation in physical gold bullion at 45 percent followed by Asia ex-Japan equities (30 percent), Unhedged gold mining stocks (20 percent) and Bitcoin (5 percent). Last month, following four years of relatively mild winters, a severe storm blanketed the eastern seaboard, giving much of the nation more than a foot of snow. Over Christmas week, another storm covered the Midwest, causing dangerous driving conditions. This has put the snow removal process and how it might improve in renewed focus for local and state officials.Snow removal is indeed an expensive fact of life in the northern U.S., and it can be tough on municipal and state budgets, because snowfall itself is unpredictable. In one recent winter, for example, clearing expenses in Portland, Maine, were $400,000 more than budgeted, opening a serious hole in the total state budget for snow removal of $30.8 million. There are many indirect fiscal impacts: Both snowplow trucks and de-icing salt shorten the functional life of concrete. The salt causes interior and exterior rust on cars. And there are environmental impacts: The rock salt that most public works departments (DPWs) use to melt snow causes toxic runoff, harming wildlife and drinking water So there is a clear need for something that would better melt snow once it hits road surfaces, without the added damage to roads, cars and the environment. Research and innovation from academia and the private sector are revealing alternatives.A company called Road Solutions Inc . is promoting a product called Geomelt 55, a beet sugar-based material that it claims is more effective and better for the environment than rock salt. It says Geomelt 55 works at temperatures down to minus 25, while rock salt isn't effective below 18 degrees. It also claims Geomelt 55 reduces corrosion levels by 70 percent, causing it to cut per-lane-mile snow removal costs by 30 percent, and adding six to seven years to the life of snow removal equipment.The first jurisdiction to contract with Road Solutions was Boone County, Ind. More recent customers include the DPWs of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati, and the DOTs in New Jersey and Missouri.Future methods may eliminate the need for salt altogether. A research team based at Drexel University and Purdue University developed a means of melting snow through concrete itself. The researchers do this by mixing paraffin oil, which is sold commercially and commonly found in candles, into the concrete before pouring it. According to Dr. Hadi Esmaeeli, one of the project researchers, this strategy was tried on airport runways, then applied to roads. Now the idea is gaining the attention of DOTs in Pennsylvania, Indiana and North Carolina.Esmaeeli says that while the paraffin oil has proven effective at melting snow, the challenge has been ensuring that it doesnt leak upwards onto road surfaces, which would cause slickness. He says larger-scale tests, such as treating a full road segment, need to be done in order to confirm that this use of paraffin oil is safe. If the material ends up working, it would substantially cut labor and vehicle costs.Instead of using the conventional technology [such as] snowplows, de-icing chemicals or road salt, we can use some materials which are already embedded in the concrete, Esmaeeli says. Theres no need for any person to turn it on and off. He thinks the concept could also apply to sidewalks. Another alternative is to melt snow through electricity. Dr. Christopher Tuan, a civil engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has tested this idea on airport runways. The option uses currents generated by steel rods and industrial byproducts such as coke breeze powder to heat the runway surface.A more ambitious option, but one grounded in existing technology , is to install heaters beneath roads. A company called Gambrick already does this for residential driveways, utilizing a system of underground hot water pipes. It would be tougher to scale this idea up to entire roads, though, because it requires lots of fixed infrastructure and maintenance. The paraffin-based solution, by contrast, would be self-supporting once it is put into concrete mixes and poured, the roads could melt snow on their own without further human intervention.Any of these approaches might prove to be a groundbreaking innovation. They could prevent DOTs from having to hire expensive labor, buy and maintain large amounts of equipment, and spread salt in an annual process that costs millions and harms the environment.GoverningGoverning A 19-year-old engineering student became a hero in Kerala after he was able to save four drowning fishermen in the Arabian sea with the help of a drone. When rescue workers and fishermen were worried about a missing boat on Nattika beach in Thrissur on Tuesday, young Devang Subil approached them. Initially no one was willing to hear him and some of them even shooed him away, saying it was not a childs play. After Nattika legislator Geetha Gopi heard his plea she approached police and rescue officials and Subil managed to board a rescue boat with his drone. It was my first deep sea voyage. When our boat reached 11 nautical miles away from the coast I released my drone. Initially the wind created problems but after 20 minutes or so my drone captured first visuals of a man clinging on to a log of capsized boat and beamed faint visuals in my mobile phone, said Subil detailing the rescue operation. He said soon fishermen and coastal police immediately diverted their vessels to the spot where the first man was found and rescued him. Later 300 metres away from the spot, they found two others and rescued; the fourth one took almost another an hour to spot, he said. The fourth man was on the verge of drowning after exhaustion. Minutes after his rescue, the man lost his consciousness, he said. Now four of them are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Thrissur. They spent almost six hours in the sea and one of them managed to send an SOS to the shore which alerted others. We salute the youngster whose timely intervention saved four lives. He showed us how new innovations can help save lives. I have already approached the government with a suggestion to honour him, said MLA Geetha Gopi. Subil, a second year B.Tech student of Bnegalurus Christ University, had returned to his native place after his college shut due to pandemic. The Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association said it was the first time a drone camera was used to save fishermen from seas in south India. It is planning to submit a proposal to the state fisheries department to deploy more drones and train rescuers to use them. It is a cheap medium of rescue. Usually we press helicopters and speed boats into service for such search operations. But this is very cost effective, said Subil, adding he will add more modifications and be ready to train rescuers involved in such operations. Photo: Speakeasy Cannabis A Speakeasy worker stands next to one of the massive plants on the cannabis plantation's 60 acres.? This past year was a busy one in the cannabis sector. From all the news, I narrowed it down to the top five stories in the world of weed in 2020. If youd rather watch me discuss these stories on The Cannabis 101 Podcast with Dean Millard, you can see us on YouTube. https://youtu.be/Mz0JruNG0Wg Heres the list from No. 5 to No. 1: Cannabis 2.0 becomes widely available Chocolates, gummies, teas, sparkling water, mints, powders, snack bars, vapes, hash, shatter There is now a veritable cornucopia of cannabis products from which to choose, and the selection will grow in numbers and diversity. Customers are gravitating toward Cannabis 2.0 products. The Canadian Cannabis Survey 2020 from Statistics Canada found that edibles have become very popular. In fact, they are the second most used form of cannabis. Flower remains king, with 79% of men and 67% of women partaking that way. As for edibles, more than half of women who used cannabis reported using edibles, compared to 47% of men. Beverages have not yet caught on. They are the least used cannabis products for both men and women (7% and 5%, respectively). With the COVID-19 pandemic, people who have been feeling a little uncomfortable about smoking and vaping, as a respiratory illness spreads, have turned to alternatives. Massive layoffs and restructuring This was a bad year to work for a licensed cannabis producer. Hundreds of people lost their jobs this year at major LPs, as cannabis growers bled money and tried to limit the damage by shutting down production facilities and shedding employees. It was often done under the awful phrase, right-sizing. Aurora laid off 200 people in December at its flagship Sky facility in Edmonton, where capacity will be cut to 25%. Theyve also indefinitely paused operations at their Medicine Hat operation. In June, Aurora laid off 700 people as it ceased operations at five facilities in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec and consolidated operations at four facilities in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. Meanwhile, Canopy Growth announced in December the closure of five sites across Canada, laying off 220 people. Operations in St. Johns, Fredericton, Edmonton, Bowmanville, Ont., and Saskatchewan are affected. In March, Canopy had unveiled what it called a production optimization plan. That blueprint included the closure of two greenhouse facilities in Aldergrove and Delta, B.C., sending about 500 into unemployment. In May, Canopy further scaled back, laying off another 200 people in Canada, the U.S. and the UK. The year wasnt all doom and gloom. There were also major deals setting the scene for the future growth of corporate cannabis. Tilray and Aphria announced in December plans to merge, which would create a new biggest cannabis company in the world. The deal is valued at $4 billion. Aphria CEO Irwin Simon will preside while his counterpart Brendan Kennedy will become a board member. The deal is anticipated to be sealed by the second quarter of 2021. The newly formed company will keep the Tilray name. The combined entity will now command 17% of market share in Canada, says Yahoo Finance. (Prediction: Look for more of these deals in the near future, as cannabis companies consolidate to compete in an increasingly large global cannabis market.) The worlds biggest ever legal outdoor crop A B.C. cannabis company harvested the largest ever legal outdoor cannabis crop. Speakeasy Cannabis harvested 60 acres of plants this fall at its operation in Rock Creek, located at the end of Highway 33. Speakeasy founder Marc Geen, whose father was a big deal in the early days of Sun-Rype, said the previous record was 40 acres in Colorado. He said the weather this year was perfect for growing weed plenty of blue sky and hot weather, with no rain for 65 days. What I had imagined for years finally came true and was more spectacular and amazing than I had pictured, said Geen. It is difficult, if not impossible to describe what standing in the middle of 60 acres of blooming, fragrant cannabis plants is actually like. Everywhere you look, big healthy crystal covered buds, the fruity pungent aroma hanging thick in the air, the satisfaction of seeing the results of so much work, I wish you all could have walked through. The harvest yielded more than 72,000 kilograms of dried, fresh frozen and biomass, which will be packaged as flower and turned into extracts at Speakeasys production facility. The world is going to pot Cannabis is growing around the world, and this year it gained even more momentum. Israel laid out a roadmap to legalize recreational cannabis within a year. Mexico is working on its own plan to legalize recreational cannabis; though its been delayed a few times. And the U.S. election saw four more states legalize recreational cannabis use through referendums: New Jersey, Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota. That makes 13 states, two territories and the District of Columbia, that allow (or will allow) legal adult recreational use of cannabis. With President-elect Joe Biden slated to move into the White House in Jan. 20, federal changes may be on the horizon. Meanwhile, those familiar with the global market say Europe is sitting where Canada was about five years ago, and expect big changes overseas. Thats also clear from the investment that many major cannabis companies in Canada are making in the EU. We are watching Australia closely, as they are a world leader in cannabis research and have a legalized medical marijuana. The Australian Capital Territory is the only place on the continent that has legalized recreational cannabis. Cannabis is declared essential In less than two years, cannabis went from illegal to indispensable. As COVID-19 forced lockdowns and closures in Canada, provinces across the country listed cannabis retail and production among essential businesses. The federal government, meanwhile, deemed medical cannabis production essential a designation that helped provinces and municipalities in their own decision-making about what was essential vs. non-essential business. As the pandemic wore on, numerous provinces also eased tight restrictions. In B.C., for example, retailers were allowed to sell recreational cannabis through their websites, though customers still had to come to the store to pick it up. Similarly, jurisdictions all over legal states in the U.S. also declared cannabis essential. Companies in the cannabis sector proved to be essential in more ways than one. Health Canada asked cannabis laboratories to shift into providing testing services needed in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, including testing sanitizers and disinfectants. Cannabis companies also proved to be good neighbours. With front-line health care workers facing a critical shortage of personal protective gear, such as masks and gloves, some cannabis producers have offered their own stock. Agree? Disagree? Email the author at [email protected]. You can also subscribe to the oz. email newsletter, which comes out on Fridays. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. When an out-of-control articulated lorry is careening towards you, the only way to survive is to react swiftly and jump out of the way. Unless, of course, you are a member of Government and prefer to remain stupefied, in the middle of the road, bracing for impact. Taoiseach Micheal Martin finally acknowledged yesterday what the dogs in the street could have told him last week. Schools cannot reopen on January 11 as planned given the astronomical surge in Covid cases. Mr Martins announcement came a day too late to save the blushes of Junior Minister Josepha Madigan, who gave her best Comical Ali impersonation in an appearance on RTE radio. She first insisted that schools have not been shut, the holidays have been extended, to explain the closure of schools to January 11, and was then adamant the decision has already been made that the schools will reopen on that date. Presumably, Ms Madigan had drawn the short straw when she was chosen to be grilled by journalist Philip Boucher Hayes, and felt compelled to go on air and toe the Government line. In doing so, she was merely following in the footsteps of Education Minister Norma Foley and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, both of whom, in separate interviews on December 31 and January 3, said it was their firm intention that schools would reopen on January 11. Read More The use of the identikit phrase is telling. It usually means ministers have been briefed, under pain of death, to adhere rigidly to that exact message, no matter what kind of pressure they endure in an interview. The delayed decision on schools is indicative of a delayed response generally as the virus surges out of control. The Government has consistently sought to dilute, or defer, Nphet advice in relation to the closure of hospitality, non-essential retail, inter-county travel and household visits. When nearly 1,000 cases were confirmed on December 23, Mr Martin sought to blame the UK variant of the disease for the dramatic increase in cases. The same strategy blame the mutant was deployed when an imminent return to Level 5 was announced on December 30. Mr Martin did this, despite an absence of evidence, in an effort to defray blame for political choices that were made in the run-up to Christmas. The truth is the only evidence we do have, a limited study from the National Virus Reference Laboratory, has suggested the variant is not responsible. We have known for some time now that Covid is a highly infectious airborne disease that thrives in crowded indoor settings. It was seeded all over the country when hospitality opened up and invited into peoples homes during the Christmas period. We cant do anything about that now. All we can do is try to mitigate the damage. Which is why we need coherent messaging and swift action, from a Government that still appears to be reeling from the shock of the speed of the deterioration. What people really want is for the Government to level with them. No bluster. No equivocation. No excuses. No rose-tinted glasses. Acknowledge the severity of the situation and impose restrictions commensurate with the danger. As it stands, we are within a few days of hospital admissions exceeding the peak of those seen during the first lockdown, ICU capacity is again under severe threat and testing centres are returning positive results at rates of between 40pc and 55pc. Unless we act now, we know what comes next Bergamo, in Italy, where doctors had to decide which patients received ventilators and lived or died during dark days in March and April. People understand that. They are willing to do whatever it takes to avoid that. What they dont understand is why it takes so long for the Government to make a decision, why the Border remains open, why passengers travelling to the country dont have to quarantine. They also wonder why contingency measures, in relation to education, dont seem to exist. They wonder why vaccine roll-out seems to be so slow and unwieldy. If the Government wants to bring people with it, and ensure compliance with the restrictions, then it needs to answer some legitimate questions. Nearly 12 months after the first Level 5 lockdown, why is there still such a dearth of contingency measures, in education, for vulnerable children and children of frontline workers? In a week that saw one in every 150 people in Northern Ireland test positive for the virus, why has it failed to act to reduce non-essential travel over the Border, with calamitous consequences for Border counties? If the Government is insistent that those who can should work from home, what penalties exist for employers who flout these guidelines? Hollow appeals to some employers better natures are not sufficient. If mutant strains of the virus are such an existential threat, why have we failed to introduce mandatory pre-flight testing for those coming to this country, and quarantine for passengers? Crucially, what kind of targets exist in relation to vaccinations and can the Government do anything, in conjunction with other EU countries, to speed the process up? The Governments job is difficult. It has made missteps, but all the public asks is it learns from those mistakes and offers some light at the end of a long tunnel. Advertisement Ashli Babbitt (pictured) has been identified as the woman who was shot and killed inside the US Capitol when Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building and violently clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's victory being certified Four people are dead and dozens have been arrested after Donald Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol and clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's victory being certified. Ashli Babbit was the first person confirmed dead after she was shot in the chest when she and dozens of other protesters breached security perimeters at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. Babbit's husband revealed her identity to San Diego news outlet KUSI. He said Babbit was a 14-year veteran who served four tours with Air Force as a 'high level security official', a fervent supporter of Trump and 'a great patriot to all who knew her'. It remains unclear who shot Babbit as the Metropolitan Police Department in DC conducts an investigation into her death. Witness accounts and videos from the incident suggested that she may have been shot by police while trying to climb through a broken window near congressional chambers. DC Police said that three other people died on Capitol grounds on Wednesday, according to Politico. Those three deaths were related to unspecified 'individual medical emergencies'. Several blocks away from the Capitol, a man was stabbed outside the Trump International Hotel, NBC reported. The National Guard descended on the streets in large numbers to help enforce a 6pm citywide curfew while hundreds of protesters remained on the Capitol grounds. As of 11pm 30 people had been arrested for breaking curfew. Fifteen others were arrested earlier for protest-related activities over Tuesday and Wednesday, police said. Two pipe bombs found near the Capitol grounds at the headquarters for the Republican and Democratic National Committees were removed, along with a truck filled with long guns and Molotov cocktails. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency in the city for the next 15 days until the inauguration. Earlier in the day, President-elect Joe Biden called for the 'mob to pull back' and said the uprising bordered on sedition. Trump - after remaining silent for much of the afternoon - posted a video telling his 'very special' supporters inside the Capitol that he loves them and understands their pain but urged them 'to go home'. He had initially encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol after a rally earlier in the afternoon before asking them only to remain peaceful when violence broke out. After an hours-long recess, members of the House and the Senate who had been whisked to safety when the siege kicked off returned to the Capitol just before 8pm to resume their Joint Session to certify the Electoral College count of the presidential election. The lawmakers were seen flanked by armed guards as they made their way back into chambers. Babbit was shot in the chest on Wednesday afternoon after chaotic scenes broke out when dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters at the Capitol. She died several hours later A suspected pipe bomb which was discovered near Republican National Committee headquarters. Another was reportedly found close to the DNC HQ An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while Trump supporters gather in front of the Capitol on Wednesday The DC National Guard was deployed to the streets to help enforce a 6pm curfew National Guard members line up on the Capitol grounds as protesters continue occupying the area after curfew Members of the National Guard assist police in dispersing protesters gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday night A protester struggles with a riot police officer outside the Capitol building after the 6pm curfew went into effect Paramedics work to resuscitate a patient near the Capitol after it was stormed by Trump supporters on Wednesday Just before 8pm lawmakers who had been whisked to safety when the siege kicked off began arriving back at the Capitol to resume the Joint Session to certify the Electoral College count of the presidential election The lawmakers were seen flanked by armed guards as they made their way into the Capitol And Senators returning moments ago to Chamber to resume certifying election results. VP Pence already there. Heavy security presence inside, around and curfew is in order in DC: pic.twitter.com/zWcaSehvAl Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 7, 2021 Chaotic scenes unfolded soon after Trump addressed thousands of protesters at a 'Stop the Steal' rally and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol After protesters started clashing with law enforcement, Trump tweeted to his supporters to 'stay peaceful' He later praised the mob, saying he 'loved' them but telling them to go home before Twitter and Facebook temporarily blocked him from using their sites Biden called for the restoration of 'simple decency' after the mob delayed Congress from certifying the results of November's election The president-elect stopped short of accusing Trump of treason but said the events 'bordered on sedition' As protesters remained in the Capitol, MAGA fans took to the streets in California, Oregon, New Mexico and Kansas and surrounded Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office Lawmakers returned to the Capitol at about 8pm to resume the certification proceedings House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the certification would resume in a letter to Democratic colleagues, writing: 'We have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use.' She said she hoped the session, which was expected to go long into the night due to Republican objections of the election, would be shorter. 'We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night. The night may still be long but we are hopeful for a shorter agenda, but our purpose will be accomplished,' she said. Vice President Mike Pence reopened the Senate by condemning the violent siege 'in the strongest possible terms' - but did not lay the blame on Trump for inciting the MAGA mob. 'To those who wreaked havoc in our capitol today, you did not win,' Pence said. 'Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people's house.' The vice president, who is chairing the special Senate session, called it a 'dark day in the history of the United States Capitol.' 'But thanks to the swift efforts of the U.S. Capitol Police, federal, state and local law enforcement, the violence was quelled. The Capitol is secured and the people's work continues,' Pence said. But astonishingly and to the disgust of Republicans including Mitt Romney and every Democrat some Republicans continued their doomed bid to overturn the election result. In the Senate, objections were filed in Arizona and Pennsylvania, but both were torpedoed by majority vote. House Republicans also tried to challenge the results in Georgia, Michigan and Nevada, but didn't have final support. Pennsylvania's vote concluded just before 1am, virtually bringing the 12-hour certification saga to a close. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress Members of congress ran from the floor as police ordered them to evacuate to their offices for their own safety after a mob smashed through police barricades Paramedics and protesters work together to transport a wounded man on a barrier near the Capitol Police try to hold back protesters pushing into a doorway at the Capitol on Wednesday The mostly maskless crowd flooded the halls of the Capitol with little resistance from Capitol Police Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber A protester walks through Congress carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern after storming the Capitol A Trump supporter posed alongside a statue of President Gerald Ford inside the Capitol Police deployed tear gas at protesters who refused to step away from barriers outside the White House Police spray tear gas at a protester who picked up a police barricade in an effort to get closer to the Capitol The chaotic scenes unfolded at about 3pm, soon after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters and encouraged them to march to the Capitol. The protesters organized via far-right social media sites, including Gab and Parler, telling each other the best routes to avoid police on their way to the Capitol. As the mob broke down police barricades and stormed into the Capitol, lawmakers cowering inside the House Chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. Officers at the front door of the chamber had their guns drawn at a protester trying to break down the door. For those fleeing, it was a race against time: Protesters were getting in as quickly as members of Congress could get out. One protester occupied the Senate dais and yelled: 'Trump won that election'. Some protesters even occupied Pelosi's office, sitting mockingly at a desk. After protesters started clashing with law enforcement, Trump tweeted to his supporters to 'stay peaceful'. 'Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!' the president wrote. As the violence escalated, Trump tweeted: 'I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order - respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!' He did not initially tell the protesters to leave. Biden on Wednesday evening called for the restoration of 'simple decency' after the mob delayed Congress from certifying the results of November's election. 'At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault unlike anything we've seen in modern times,' Biden said. He called it 'an assault on the rule of law like few times we have ever seen it.' 'I call on this mob to pull back and allow democracy to go forward. In an address that took less than 10 minutes and was televised against a split screen of the still-occupied Capitol building, Biden attempted to project calm and to say that a deeply divided country can still come together - while also expressing outrage. He stopped short of accusing Trump of treason but said the events 'bordered on sedition'. 'At their best, the words of a president can inspire,' Biden added. 'At their worst they can incite.' Minutes after Biden's address, Trump posted his own video telling his mob of supporters that he 'loves' them, but to 'go home'. In the same breath he also continued to peddle his baseless claims that the 'election was stolen'. 'There's never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us - from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people,' he said. 'We have to have peace. So, go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace.' The video was later removed by Facebook, Twitter and YouTube because it violated their policies. The president then posted another tweet reiterating his false claim that the election was stolen and encouraging supporters to 'remember this day'. The tweet was perceived by some as an attempt to rile up the Capitol crowds. 'These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long,' he tweeted. 'Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!' Twitter removed the tweet for violating its rules. A rioter holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol after storming the building. He is standing in front of a painting depicting the Battle of Lake Erie - major US naval victory in the War of 1812 A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber Capitol police detain protesters outside of the House Chamber on Wednesday Lawmakers were urged to put gas masks on as police fired tear gas to stop the protesters Rep. David Trone wears a gas mask inside the US Capitol. Lawmakers cowering inside the House Chamber were urged to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda Members of Congress are pictured rushing to evacuate the House Chamber as protesters attempted to enter Lawmakers cower in fear as protesters try to break down the doors of the House Chamber on Wednesday The storming brought the certification of Joe Biden's victory to a halt after Pence said he would defy Trump and refuse to overturn the election single-handed Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building Supporters of Donald Trump are seen inside the US Capitol after rioters breached security and entered the Capitol Protesters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol A supporter of US President Donald J. Trump sits on the desk of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Blood is seen on the floor after a woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol during a riot on Wednesday Protesters use a a barrier to break down a door at the Capitol on Wednesday Media members work to pick up equipment damaged in the chaos outside the Capitol FBI agents arrive on the Capitol grounds to help enforce a 6pm curfew 'We love you. You are special.' Trump finally addresses Capitol mob HE unleashed and says 'Go home now. We have to have peace' Donald Trump told his mob of supporters that he 'loves' them, but to 'go home' after they rampaged past police barriers to storm the U.S. Capitol. But despite calling for his supporters to stand down, he continued to peddle the baseless claims that the 'election was stolen' in a video posted to Twitter Wednesday afternoon. 'There's never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us - from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people. 'We have to have peace. So, go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace,' Trump said. It came hours after Trump stirred them into a frenzy at his 'Stop the Steal' rally, telling them to march on the U.S. Capitol. The president still has not conceded the election and earlier Wednesday addressed a crowd at the ellipse spouting conspiracy theories that he still had a path to win - if Vice President Mike Pence did his bidding, as well as if GOP lawmakers revolted. Pence did no such thing. The chaotic scenes unfolded soon after Trump addressed thousands of protesters and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. After protesters started clashing with law enforcement following the Capitol breach, Trump tweeted to his supporters to 'stay peaceful' Advertisement Mob smashes through police barriers and wall of tear gas to stop Biden's victory being certified: How Trump protesters turned Congress into a battlefield Capitol Police used tear gas as hundreds of people were seen climbing the marble steps outside the building. They banged on the locked doors of the Capitol and smashed the glass in the doors. Demonstrators fought with police and then forced their way into the building. Asked how so many people were able to get in, officials said they were focusing their attention on keeping lawmakers inside safe. One video posted on TikTok appeared to show a group of about four officers standing by as protesters pushed past a barricade near the Capitol building. The officers did not appear to try to block the stampede, instead walking with it toward the building. One protester jumped up on the dais, where the president of the Senate presides, and yelled: 'Trump won that election.' Several dozen protesters roamed the halls of the Capitol, yelling: 'Where are they?' Tear gas was being used by Capitol Police as protesters filled both the House and Senate side of the Capitol. Another protester in the Senate yelled: 'Where's Pence, show yourself!' The chaos caused the Capitol to go on lockdown and disrupted the certification of the electoral college vote that would cement Biden's victory. Mayor Bowser declared a 6pm curfew for the city and said multiple law enforcement agencies would be patrolling the streets. Just before the curfew went into effect she was asked multiple by times by CNN if curfew violators would be arrested, but she refused to give a clear answer. Bowser said 'many' arrests had already been made but did not have a specific number. As footage started coming out of Capitol Hill being breached by angry Trump supporters, Donald Trump Jr tried to quell the outburst with a tweet that was critical of Democrats and liberals. 'This is wrong and not who we are. Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don't start acting like the other side,' Trump Jr. wrote. 'We have a country to save and this doesn't help anyone.' Meanwhile, the president continued to direct his rage at Pence, who earlier announced he would not single-handedly overturn the election results from his position of the chair. 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!' the president tweeted. The extraordinary breech was a departure from security mishaps of the past. Protesters have routinely disrupted televised hearings while in progress and even events inside the House chamber. But trained Capitol Police are usually able to arrest disruptors and remove them immediately. Often formal charges are never filed. But in Wednesday's storming of the building, dozens of people made it by armed police officers and entered the building without going through any security set up to keep out those with weapons or dangerous items. There were occasions after September 11th when the building was placed on lockdown and people were ordered to leave, but this usually happened when suspicious packages were discovered. When the building is open, as it was before the pandemic, members of the general public are not allowed to walk unescorted on the second floor where lawmakers enter and exit the legislative chambers. The protesters were aided by scaffolding constructed for the upcoming inauguration. In another tense piece of video from inside, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) tweeted video of protesters repeatedly rushing Capitol Police officers in the crypt, in the ground floor part of the building under the rotunda. 'I like many people voted for President Trump in the 2020 election and hoped for a different result,' McCaul wrote. 'But violence and destruction is not the way to express your grievances. This is disgraceful and has to end.' Trump supporters stand in the Capitol before storming the House Chamber on Wednesday afternoon A wall of Trump supporters are seen outside the Capitol before crowds breached barriers and stormed inside Several windows inside the Capitol were shattered during Wednesday's chaos at the Capitol Police deploy a stream of tear gas a protesters occupying the Capitol grounds on Wednesday A woman is pushed into an ambulance near the Capitol on Wednesday evening Trump's mob causes chaos nationwide: MAGA fans take to the streets in California, Oregon, New Mexico and Kansas and surround Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office As the US Capitol was stormed, Trump supporters staged smaller rallies outside statehouses in several cities, including Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Protesters swarmed into the Kansas statehouse in Topeka and gathered inside the first floor of the Capitol Rotunda, though the rally remained orderly, television station KSNT reported. There were no immediate reports of violence, despite the flurry of demonstrations by pro-Trump demonstrators echoing his baseless claims that he was robbed of a re-election victory due to voter fraud. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said on Twitter that he had instructed city agencies to close municipal offices early in Colorado's state capital 'out of an abundance of caution' after about 700 demonstrators gathered at the statehouse downtown. 'My hope is that this situation will be resolved quickly. Pray for our nation,' he tweeted. A major courthouse complex and two other government buildings in Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, were also ordered closed due to protests near the statehouse. Among those whose daily routines were altered were aides to Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, the Republican election official pressured by Trump in a weekend telephone call to 'find' enough additional votes for the president to overturn the November victory of President-elect Joe Biden, due to take office in two weeks. Raffensperger's spokesman, Walter Jones, said staff left their offices after lunch out of an abundance of caution because of protests. He said Raffensperger was not in the office at the time. In Salt Lake City, Dana Jones, director of the state Capitol Preservation Board, said she had asked building staff to work from home on Wednesday afternoon on the advice of the Utah Highway Patrol and public safety commissioner, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The precaution was taken, the newspaper said, in response to a crowd of about 250 pro-Trump demonstrators who posted signs on the Capitol building that read: 'Stop the steal!' and 'Trump won!' A Utah state police spokesman said security had been beefed up at the Capitol, though he said protesters there were 'very peaceful,' the Tribune reported. It said one of its photographers was pepper-sprayed by individuals upset that he was documenting their protest. Several hundred Trump supporters also staged a 'Stop the Steal' rally at the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix, cheering and jeering while exhibiting a guillotine. MISSOURI: Armed men stand on the steps at the State Capitol after a rally in support of President Donald Trump ATLANTA: The crowd consisted of around 25 people, some of whom were carrying assault rifles LA: Christian Angelo Hill, 19, a Black Lives Matter supporter, reacts after being sprayed with an unknown substance during a rally held by U.S. President Donald Trump supporters OREGON: Protesters hold a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem TEXAS: Jack Finger, of San Antonio, protests the election with supporters of President Donald Trump Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Austin ATLANTA: Georgia Capitol Police escorted Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger (above) and his staff out of the building shortly before 3pm 'I won't betray my oath': Pence publicly defies Trump's demand to block Biden's confirmation Trump told thousands of supporters just outside the White House that he wanted Pence to 'come through' for us and demanded that he reject electoral votes out of hand over that the president claims is 'fraud.' He threatened Pence saying 'I'm not hearing good stories' and telling him to have 'courage' to strike down swing states' votes a move which would defy the constitution. But minutes before arriving on Capitol Hill to preside over the joint session of Congress to certify the election's outcome, Pence bluntly told lawmakers that he would refuse to obey Trump's orders. Pence sent a letter to the 535 senators and representatives on Capitol Hill ahead of his presiding over the Joint Session that will certify Joe Biden's victory. In it, he outlined his belief in his role in the proceedings, which he notes is 'ceremonial' and adds that it doesn't include the authority to 'determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.' Trump has tried to put the blame on Pence for his expected loss on Wednesday but the president also lacks support among the majority of senators in his own party, which dooms his efforts for a congressional overthrow of the results. Pence acknowledged Trump's allegations the election was rigged, of which there has been no proof and no court has upheld, in a likely peace offering to the president. 'I share the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of this election,' he wrote. Images emerged shortly before of hundreds of protesters descending on the steps of the Capitol after rallying near the White House for President Donald Trump A Capitol Police officer urged lawmakers to leave the building after top leaders were escorted out Pence acknowledged Trump's allegations the election was rigged, which there has been no proof and no court has upheld, in a likely peace offering to the president Members of the far-right group Proud Boys make 'OK' hand gestures indicating 'white power' during the chaos Leigh Ann Luck dressed up as Statue of Liberty shouts as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump protest Tear gas was being used by Capitol Police as protesters filled both the House and Senate side of the Capitol Capitol Police spray tear gas at Trump supporters as they try to break through a police barrier In a letter Wednesday, Pence said, 'It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution contains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not' But he noted as vice president he does not have the power from the constitution to decide which electoral votes are counted and which are not. 'As a student of history who loves the constitution and reveres its Framers, I do not believe that the Founds of our country intended to invest the vice president with unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted during the Joint Session of Congress and no Vice President in American history has ever asserted such authority,' Pence noted. He added vice presidents in the past have conducted 'the proceedings in an orderly manner even where the count resulted in the defeat of their party or their own candidacy'. 'It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,' he said. He concluded his letter with a prayer to God: 'When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws and history. So Help Me God.' Pelosi reminded lawmakers that only 11 members from each party were allowed on the House floor at a time due to social distancing. She called out Republicans for having too many lawmakers on the floor 'The law says voter registration ends on October 5. Democrats said we don't care what the law says they went to a court got an Obama appointed judge to extend in 18 days,' Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, a top Trump ally on Capitol Hill, complained of Arizona Speaker Nancy Pelosi presided over the debate. She sanitized the gavel before she used it. Pence had used it when he presided over the Joint Session REPUBLICANS OBJECT TO ARIZONA'S VOTES When the certification process got underway shortly after 1pm Wednesday, lawmakers got through Alabama and Alaska, two states that went for Trump, before the first objection was filed for Arizona. Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, objected to his state's Electoral College votes going to Biden and Harris. He confirmed that his objection had been signed on to by a US senator. Democrats in the chamber audibly groaned while droves of Republicans in the chamber stood up and clapped. The move forced Pence to order the houses out of Joint Session. The senators in the House chamber started moving back toward their side of the US Capitol. On the House side, during their debate on the Arizona objection, Republican lawmakers used their time to complain about the treatment of the president, particularly the impeachment process and special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. They did not offer any proof of voter fraud but complained that voter laws were changed ahead of the November contest, which is not illegal. 'The law says voter registration ends on October 5. Democrats said we don't care what the law says they went to a court got an Obama appointed judge to extend in 18 days,' Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, a top Trump ally on Capitol Hill, complained of Arizona. Many states had their voter registration deadlines extended because of the coronavirus pandemic the extension applied to voters of both parties. Other states extended the time period allowing mail-in voting, again because of the pandemic and it applied to all voters. Democrats argued the election was legally conducted. 'Under some of the most trying circumstances in our history, our fellow citizens conducted a free and fair election vindicating our founders belief once again that we were capable of self government, and a peaceful transition of power,' Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said. Speaker Pelosi presided over the debate. She sanitized the gavel before she used it. Pence had used it when he presided over the Joint Session. Pelosi also reminded lawmakers that only 11 members from each party were allowed on the House floor at a time due to social distancing. She called out Republicans for having too many lawmakers on the floor. MITCH MCCONNELL SLAMS ELECTION 'CONSPIRACY THEORIES' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shamed Trump and his own Republican colleagues for mounting challenges to the Electoral College vote count, saying their doing so could lead to a 'death spiral' of American democracy and pointing out there's no real evidence of widespread voter fraud. 'We're debating a step that has never been taken in American history, whether Congress should overrule the voters and overturn a presidential election,' he said on the Senate floor, after Rep Gosar and a batch of GOP senators, including Sen Ted Cruz, objected to Arizona's Electoral College vote count. McConnell ridiculed Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud in a five-minute speech, which will be one of his last as majority leader, and which he said was about the most important vote of his career. 'The assertions range from specific, local allegations to Constitutional arguments to sweeping conspiracy theories,' McConnell said. He reminded senators that he was supportive of Trump using the country's legal system, which handed the president and his team loss after loss. And pointed out that these cases were heard by some of the 'all-star judges whom the president himself nominated' - including on the U.S. Supreme Court. McConnell said that every election is plagued by some instances of vote irregularity. 'And of course that's unacceptable,' he said. McConnell ridiculed President Donald Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud in a five-minute speech which will be one of his last as majority leader and which he said was about the most important vote of his career The top Senate Republican also said he supported 'strong state-led voting reforms,' adding that he didn't wan tto see 'last year's bizarre pandemic procedures' - like mail-in ballots that gave Democrats an edge - 'become the new norm.' 'But my colleagues nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale, the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election,' McConnell argued. 'Nor can public doubt alone justify a radical break, when the doubt itself was incited without any evidence.' He pointed out that the Constitution gives Congress a 'limited role.' 'We simply can't declare ourselves a national board of elections on steroids,' McConnell said. Twisting the knife into Trump, McConnell also pointed out that the race between Biden and Trump 'was not unusually close.' 'The Electoral College margin was almost identical to what it was in 2016,' McConnell pointed out. 'If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side our democracy would enter a death spiral,' McConnell warned. 'We'd never see a whole nation accept an election again.' 'Every four years there would be a scramble for power at any cost,' he added. TRUMP'S STOP THE STEAL RALLY This came after Trump excoriated 'weak' Republicans and demanded fealty from Pence to a rally crowd near the White House on Wednesday, where he demanded Pence and Congress overturn the election results that lead to his defeat. In an extraordinary speech, Trump once again called his election 'rigged' just minutes before a joint meeting of Congress was to begin counting the certified electoral votes that have him losing to Joe Biden. Trump referred to votes that came in after 10pm election night which consisted of in-person and mail-in ballots and denied him the lead he said he and his pollsters anticipated as 'these explosions of bullsh*t.' Members of the crowd immediately chanted 'Bullshi*t!' in response. 'Our election was over at 10 in the evening,' Trump said. Trump mocked his party's 2012 Republican presidential nominee, now-Sen. Mitt Romney, for conceded his own race back then. 'We will never concede. It doesn't happen,' he said although losing candidates have conceded for generations. 'There's never been anything like this. It's a pure theft.' Trump's comments amounted to a declaration of war on elements of his party, after his lawyer Rudy Giuliani demanded 'trial by combat' against opponents of his claims of election fraud. Trump spoke to a crowd of several thousand but referred to them as consisting of 'hundreds of thousands' of supporters fathered on a lawn south of the White House that doesn't hold that many. He said his election was 'stolen by the fake news media. That's what they've done and that's what they're doing.' Trump addressed his thousands of his supporters near the White House Wednesday at his 'Save America' rally and declared war on his own party, calling Republicans who opposed him 'weak' Hours after a humiliating defeat in one Georgia Senate race and the prospect of losing another, Team Trump showed no sign of conceding A stand was being erected at the base of the US Capitol as a pro-Trump supporter holds a flag, hours before Congress meets to certify the electoral college vote for Biden A crowd of Trump supporters started gathering outside of the White House for a rally on Wednesday He urged his supporters to march down to the Congress, which was to commence the count at 1 pm. 'We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women,' he said, speaking from behind a pane of bullet-proof material. He turned up the heat on Pence, a potential 2024 contender who will preside over the count. His role is set in the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act, and is largely ceremonial. 'Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country because you're sworn to uphold our Constitution,' he said. Trump acknowledged that he has tried to pressure Pence into rejecting votes from states he lost, quoting from a conversation he has denied happened. 'All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to re-certify and we become president and you are the happiest people,' he told his fans, who cheered 'Stop the Steal!' at times. 'I said Mike, that doesn't take courage. What takes courage is to do nothing. That takes courage. And then we're stuck with a president who lost the election by a lot and we have to live with that,' he said of Biden. 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, demanded that Republican Party lawmakers in Congress 'be the hero, not the zero' and refuse to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory Thousands of supporters of President Trump are seen above near the Washington Monument for the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday Trump touted his own vote total, but denied Biden's was real. 'And by the way, does anybody believe that Joe had 80 million votes?' Trump asked rhetorically. 'Does anybody believe that? He had 80 million computer votes. It's a disgrace,' Trump said. His mention of the pandemic came in terms of his own race, where millions voted by mail as thousands battled infections in a year more than 300,000 Americans died of COVID-19. 'They've used the pandemic as a way of defrauding the people in a proper election,' Trump said. 'Eight weeks. I want to go back eight weeks. Let's go back eight weeks,' he mused at one point, as he described a conversation with an unnamed official who told him that he would be lock to win in 2024. Trump repeatedly couched his demands not as an effort to overturn the votes of the people, but as a legal effort. 'Somebody says: Well we have to obey the Constitution,' Trump said. 'And you are, because you're protecting our country and you're protecting the Constitution so you are,' he said. He said it would protect the country from having what he called 'an illegitimate president.' 'The states were defrauded. They were given false information,' Trump claimed. During various tangents, he complained about how he is treated on social media, such as when 'I get a flag' on his tweets. 'I don't care about Twitter, Twitter's bad news, he said afterward. He went after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell several times, including for not going along with his proposal to change communications laws. 'I helped Mitch get elected,' he said of the longtime incumbent. 'And then all of a sudden you have something like this,' he said, going after 'weak Republicans' and 'pathetic Republicans' despite a top official in Georgia blaming him for the likely defeats of two Senate Republican incumbents. He also called out Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) after her comment that failing to accept the electors certified by states would violate the Constitution. 'The Liz Cheneys of the world, we've got to get rid of them,' Trump said. 'Brian Kemp vote him the hell out of office please,' Trump said of the Georgia governor. He said Georgia's secretary of state Brad Raffensperger had 'no clue' what was going on, but then said 'maybe' he was with the other side the Democrats. 'I can't believe this guy was a Republican,' said Trump. 'He loves recording telephone conversations,' Trump said mentioning a leaked call where Trump can be heard asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes to make him the winner. 'People love that conversation, because it says what's going on,' Trump said. Donald Trump Jr (left), the president's eldest son, kisses his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle (right), before addressing the rally on Wednesday Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer and he bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of frau Trump also complained about the Supreme Court, which failed to take up a Texas lawsuit he sought to join, and even his former attorney general Bill Barr, who said before leaving his post there wasn't sufficient fraud to change the outcome. 'I'm not happy with the Supreme Court. They look to rule against me. I picked three people. I fought like hell for one in particular,' Trump inveighed. 'You know I read a story in one of the newspapers recently, how I control the three Supreme Court Justices. I control them. They're puppets. I read it about Bill Barr - that he's my personal attorney, that he'll do anything for me. 'But he denied pulling Barr's strings'And I said, you know, it really is genius, because what they do is that, and it makes it really impossible for them to ever give you a victory, because all of a sudden Bill Barr changed if you hadn't noticed. I like Bill Barr but he changed because he didn't want to be considered my personal attorney, and the Supreme Court. They ruled against me so much you know why? Because the story is, I haven't spoken to any of them. Any since virtually they got in, but the story is that they're my puppet, right, that they're puppets. And now that the only way they can get out of that - because they hate that it's not good on the social circuit. And the only way they get out is to rule against Trump. So let's rule against Trump and they do.' 'You know I read a story in one of the newspapers recently, how I control the three Supreme Court Justices. I control them. They're puppets. I read it about Bill Barr - that he's my personal attorney, that he'll do anything for me.' But he denied pulling Barr's strings'And I said, you know, it really is genius, because what they do is that, and it makes it really impossible for them to ever give you a victory, because all of a sudden Bill Barr changed if you hadn't noticed. I like Bill Barr but he changed because he didn't want to be considered my personal attorney, and the Supreme Court. They ruled against me so much you know why? Because the story is, I haven't spoken to any of them. Any since virtually they got in, but the story is that they're my puppet, right, that they're puppets. And now that the only way they can get out of that - because they hate that it's not good on the social circuit. And the only way they get out is to rule against Trump. So let's rule against Trump and they do.' Giuliani said, 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat. 'I'm willing to stake my reputation, the president is willing to stake his reputation on the fact that we're going to find criminality there,' said the former New York mayor. Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of losses in state and federal courts with suits charging election fraud. He spoke to thousands of cheering supporters on the Ellipse south of the White House. A permit was for 30,000 people. The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer. He bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of fraud. 'The people who did nothing to stop the steal -- this gathering should send a message to them. This isn't their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump's Republican Party. This is the Republican Party that will put America first,' he said. His girlfriend, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, also spoke. Eric Trump (right), the president's son, and his wife, Lara Trump, raise their fists in front of thousands of supporters near the White House on Wednesday A militia-like group is seen making their way to Trump's rally on Wednesday morning Trump supporters gather near the White House and watch the rally on a big screen set up nearby A woman is seen holding a sign that reads 'Trump is the party' as the president's supporters gather on the Washington Monument grounds Trump supporters braved cold temperatures in Washington, DC, on Wednesday hours before the start of planned demonstrations A Trump supporter is seen with a protective vest decorated with Trump badges at Wednesday's rally Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House United States Park Police are seen above arresting a man near the Washington Monument on Wednesday After claiming fraud in Trump's election, John Eastman claimed fraud in the count Tuesday night, which allowed Rev. Raphael Warnock to be called as the winner in one runoff and has Democrat Jon Ossoff leading in another. Explaining how the fraud he claims occurred happened, Eastman said: 'You know the old way was to have a bunch of ballots sitting in a box under the floor They put those ballots in a secret folder in the machines, sitting there waiting until they know how many they need I can now in that machine match those unvoted ballots with an unvoted voter and put them together in the machine. How do we know that happened last night in real time? You saw when it went to 99 per cent of the vote total, and it stopped.' He pointed to a point late in the vote count while counties were still tabulating votes a version of Trump's complaint that he led in early returns on election night in November. Last night, Republicans led until addition in-person votes came in in populous Democratic-leaning counties 'That means they were unloading the ballots from that secret folder,' he claimed. At least 10 people were arrested for gun possession crimes and other violations and others were seen clashing with counter-demonstrators. One man from North Carolina was detained after he was caught carrying a gun without a license. The man rode into the capital on a bus which was stopped by police near Ninth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Police boarded the bus and confiscated a rifle and a handgun as well as a drum magazine that holds additional ammunition. Many in the crowd were photographed not wearing masks and gathered in tight quarters, shoulder to shoulder, despite the raging pandemic and the nationwide surge in the number of coronavirus cases. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro called on Republicans in Congress and across the country to renounce their membership in the party after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Castro spoke to his twin brother, Julian, on Instagram Live from the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, Trump urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. They did, clashing with police and breaching the Senate chamber as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. READ ALSO: Trump supporters storm US Capitol, clash with police Joaquin first said he didn't think Trump "understands the firecracker that he lit with some people," then retracted that. "He egged it on. He instigated it. And I say that I don't think he knows what he's encouraging people to do, and actually I take that back," Castro said. "Whether he doesn't know or he does I said it the other day this is the most dangerous president that this country has ever seen." The San Antonio congressman noted that he had not seen the National Guard anywhere on Wednesday morning ahead of planned protests challenging the election results. "Capitol police were clearly not prepared," Castro said. "If these had been Black Lives Matter protestrrs or immigration protestrrs, it never would have gone this far." Both brothers told viewers that Wednesday's events represented the culmination of four years of norm-breaking by Trump. "This guy whipped people up over the years into a frenzy, violating norm after norm after norm," Julian said. "The classic frog in slowly boiling water. Because of that, that's where we're at right now." Joaquin called on Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures across the nation to disavow the party and renounce their memberships. Julian pointed to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who led a group opposing the certification of the election results, as a contributor to the chaos. "He has been spectacularly irresponsible, an embarrassment to the state of Texas," Castro said of Cruz. Julian ended the livestream by telling his twin brother to stay safe. San Francisco resident Sarah Vorhaus says she was walking her two dogs in Russian Hill on Tuesday evening when she was assaulted at gunpoint. Four people reportedly stole Vorhaus' 5-month-old French bulldog, Chloe, and she's sharing her story in hopes of getting her dog back. "I would have given him so many other things, but not Chloe," Vorhaus said as she shared her story through tears. "Thank God, they didnt take our other dog. We think the most important thing is to build as much awareness as possible. And then maybe someone will buy Chloe and see that its her." Vorhaus was on a stroll with her 8-year-old shiba inu and 5-month-old Chloe along Hyde Street near Broadway when the incident occurred, she said. Only a few blocks from her house, she leaned down to clean up after Chloe, who had just gone to the bathroom, when a man wearing a hoodie and a black face mask came up from behind and said, "Give me your dog," Vorhaus said. Vorhaus turned around, and the man said, "Give me your dog," again, showed his gun and punched her in the face two times, she said. "Then he grabbed Chloe's leash, put her in the car and took off," said Vorhaus, noting this all happened in less than a minute's time. "I started screaming as loud as I've ever screamed in my entire life. My nose was gushing blood. Apparently, someone on Nextdoor posted that a woman is screaming bloody murder outside." Courtesy Sarah Vorhaus Hyde Street is a main thoroughfare through Russian Hill known for its picturesque homes and cable car line, and Vorhaus said at the time of the incident "people were everywhere" and called 911. "So many people rushed to the street," she said. "There was a woman on the street who was so lovely. She was a trained EMT." Shelley Peery and Amanda Hardy heard Vorhaus screaming when they were standing on the Broadway pedestrian bridge that overlooks Hyde Street. The eyewitnesses said they saw the tail end of the assault and the assailants take off in a car. Hardy called 911 and the cousins ran over to help Vorhaus. "It was horrifying," Peery said. "Neighbors came out with frozen peas right away. It was definitely upsetting, but in the moment, we were just trying to help Sarah. I was totally shook up, but in the moment, you are trying to make sure Sarah was OK." "I was looking right at their license plate," said Hardy. "I wish I could remember the damn number." The women recounted what they saw to police along with other eyewitnesses. Medics came to the scene to treat Vorhaus' injuries. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and is recovering, police said. Police responded at 5:52 p.m. Police believe two other men were outside of the car when the dog was stolen and a fourth person was driving the car, which is described as a sedan, according to the report from the San Francisco Police Department. They did not provide detailed descriptions of the suspects or vehicle. Vorhaus said she didn't see the other men but eyewitnesses relayed this information to police. "They said there were two dark hoodies, one white hoodie, everyone was wearing black COVID masks," she said. Courtesy Sarah Vorhaus Vorhaus is launching a campaign to get Chloe back and sharing images of the gray dog with blue-gray eyes whom she adopted in October. "She is so unique looking," she said. "She has such a unique look. She responds to Chloe. I think theres a way to mobilize the community." Vorhaus has lived in San Francisco for six years, and after this incident she will be leaving, she said. "I dont know how I can stay," she said. "I wasnt drunk. I wasnt out late. I wasnt doing anything wrong. I dont know how I can stay safe here." SFPD said this is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call SFPD's 24-hour tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous. Democrat Raphael Warnock was projected to have defeated Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in their Senate race in Georgia. His win puts Democrats within reach of the Senate majority. According to The Hill report, several news outlets have already called the race for Warnock before 2 a.m. on Wednesday. Warnock addressed his supporters in a virtual speech and said that they proved that anything is possible with hope, hard work, and "people by our side." "So Georgia, I am honored by the faith that you have shown in me and I promise you this tonight: I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia, no matter who you cast your vote for in this election," Warnock added. Warnock is the Ebenezer Baptist Church pastor in Atlanta and is set to be the first African American to represent Georgia in the Senate. On the other hand, Loeffler has yet to concede, according to an NPR report. She said it is worth it for this election "to last into tomorrow," adding that she will ensure that every vote is counted. The wealthy businesswoman was appointed to the Senate by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in late 2019 to fill the seat vacated by Johnny Isakson's resignation. The Georgia's Senate Race Neither Loeffler nor Warnock has reached the 50 percent threshold needed to win the general election in November, which sends the race into a runoff. Warnock garnered approximately 33 percent of the vote at that time, while Loeffler counted in around 26 percent of the votes. The Real Clear Politics polling average showed Warnock leading by just 1.8 percentage points on the Monday before the runoff. The Democratic pastor criticized Loeffler over her initial lack of support for the $2,000 stimulus checks for Congress' coronavirus relief package in the campaign's final weeks. Last month, Warnock tweeted saying, billionaire Loeffler thinks $600 will cover your rent, groceries, and hospital bills. Eventually, Loeffler came to support a higher price cap for the stimulus checks after President Donald Trump called for a $2,000 stimulus checks. Related story: 2,600 Uncounted Ballots in Pro-Trump County Uncovered During Georgia Recount Ossoff-Perdue Senate Race Meanwhile, the runoff between Jon Ossoff and David Perdue remained too close to call as key precincts continued to tally votes, according to WSB-TV 2 Atlanta news report. Perdue's campaign released a statement regarding the race, saying that it is an exceptionally close election that will require time and transparency to ensure that the results are fair and accurate and "the voices of all Georgians are heard." If Ossoff wins, Democrats would have full control of Congress, strengthening President-elect Joe Biden's standing as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20. Warnock's win in Georgia symbolizes a massive shift happening in the state's politics and the rising number of diverse. It also marks the end of about two decades in which Democrats have been blocked from statewide office, and it follows Biden's victory in November. According to an ABC 7 News report, it makes Biden the first Democrat presidential nominee to win the state since 1992. Related also: Latino Electorates in Georgia Gain Attention in High-Stakes Senate Races Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. He is, according to the hologram of her late father Robert Kardashian Sr at least, the most, most, most, most genius man in the whole world. But Kanye West and Kim Kardashian could very well be headed for the divorce courts, according to widespread reports. After more than eight years together and four children later, Kim and Kanye are poised to go their separate ways. The former has reportedly engaged the services of Laura Wasser, a lawyer with serious form when it comes to celebrity splits (Angelina Jolie, Ryan Reynolds and Heidi Klum are said to be former clients). After Kimyes many grandiose and overblown displays of togetherness down the years, some have reacted to the news with a strange sort of glee and schadenfreude. There is something about two famous, beautiful people in love that elicits a unique scepticism among the public; why cant anyone in the vacuous, career-obsessed Kardashian family keep a marriage together? And its true the more bombastic and demonstrative your PDAs during marriage, the more a break-up will come as a surprise. Holograms, Insta tributes and Valentines surprises featuring Kenny G will not inure you from the slings and arrows of marital hardship. Yet scratch the surface and theres more to this break-up than a simple case of an A-lister simply cutting loose. Whats more, the end of Kimye could mean the start of a meaningful conversation about the vagaries of mental health challenges and the personal toll it too often takes. Its almost churlish to note that the writing may have been on the wall for months, yet perhaps we should be giving Kim Kardashian more credit than she is getting. In July, Kanye launched himself into the 2020 US presidential race. With guidance from Elon Musk, West ran under a new banner, The Birthday Party, and planned to revolutionise the political system from the inside out. During his speeches and rallies, Kanye said outrageous, outlandish things. It was, in some ways, par for the course, yet a picture emerged of a man clearly struggling with his mental health. As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder, Kim wrote on Instagram at the time. Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand. Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behaviour know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor. People who are unaware or far removed from this experience can be judgemental and not understand that the individual themselves has to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try. It has been previously reported that West has refused to take medication for his disorder; any person who has been in this position will surely know how impossible a situation this is for any spouse. Untreated mental health illness not only wreaks havoc on the person experiencing it, but the impact on loved ones is a conversation we also need to bring out into the open. Having a history of mental illness or a bipolar diagnosis does not mean you cant enjoy a full, happy marriage or raise a loving, happy family. And for many with experience of the condition, this loving someone with bipolar is too difficult narrative is likely unhelpful. Yet like a beautiful, cosmetically-altered Trojan horse, the Kardashians have brought some of the most difficult, mysterious and stigmatised conversations out into the open. Transgenderism, racism, money, infidelity, fertility, body issues. Perhaps now its time for another difficult, complex conversation. Silent victims of the pandemic We have been told time and time again that we will only know the full cost of the fallout of Covid-19 and lockdown in time to come. Yet from domestic violence and loneliness, we are already building a worrying picture of the silent victims of the pandemic. This week, renowned architect Hugh Wallace noted that, after eight years of sobriety, he had a relapse during lockdown and drank two glasses of wine. Its one of those things that creeps up on you. I had the odd Tuesday where I just got overwhelmed by Covid. You are sort of concerned, but youre not quite sure what youre concerned about and drink is certainly there on your mind. It is insidious, he added. The next thing that would have happened was the thought that I deserve this. Its the little man on the shoulder saying go on when youre stressed. Im not being glib about it, thats just the way it is. Its an astute, open and articulate revelation thats to be applauded, highlighting as it does how difficult the pandemic has been for anyone with dependency issues. The awfulness of the situation has normalised drinking. While alcohol will see many through, its clearly something others need to re-evaluate (700-plus calls were made to Childline on Christmas Day many of them, reportedly, linked to alcohol consumption in the home). Wallaces honesty only proves that this is something we dont acknowledge nearly as much as we should. Open to taking on Serena? This weeks put your money where your mouth is award goes to Madrid Open Tournament Director Ion Tiriac, who has called for the retirement of Serena Williams, who is a grand-slam champion 23 times over. At this age and the weight she is now, she does not move as easily as she did 15 years ago, said Tiriac. If she had a little decency, she would retire. Its not the first time a man has diminished Williams in such a way. John McEnroe once said: If she played the mens circuit, shed be like 700 in the world. If either man wants to prove their point in a match, sign me up for a courtside seat. PSU Banks: Fitch affirmed Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank's IDR rating at 'BBB-', with Negative outlook. Fitch also affirmed IDBI Bank's IDR rating at 'BB+' with Negative outlook, but upgraded viability rating to 'ccc+'. India's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has started the 'positive pay system' for cheques. The re-confirmation of key details will be needed for payments beyond Rs 50,000 under the new rule. From January 1, this new rule came into effect. SBI mentioned on its website, "As per RBI guidelines, we are introducing Positive Pay System (PPS) w.e.f. 01/01/2021 to ensure added security where the cheque issuer now needs to provide details such as account number, cheque number, cheque amount, cheque date payee name with respect to the cheque payments." In a bid to check banking frauds, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had asked banks to start a 'positive pay system' for cheques from January 1. SBI's new rule for cheque payments - All you need to know -A process of reconfirming key details of large value cheques under new rule of 'Positive Pay'. -The issuer of the cheque will be required to submit certain details to SBI either through SMS, mobile app, internet banking or ATMs under the process. -Certain minimum details of that cheque (like date, name of the beneficiary/payee, amount, etc.) to the drawee bank, details of which are cross-checked with the presented cheque by CTS. -Any discrepancy is flagged by CTS to the drawee bank and presenting bank, who would take redressal measures. -The RBI had directed the National Payments Corporation of India to make a facility available to Indian lenders by which they can link directly to the CTS to verify data quicker. Through the bank's internet banking, SBI account holders can place a request for a cheque book delivery to any address of their choice online. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Two studies from the University of Copenhagen show that Danes aren't quite as good as Chinese at discerning bitter tastes. The research suggests that this is related to anatomical differences upon the tongues of Danish and Chinese people. For several years, researchers have known that women are generally better than men at tasting bitter flavours. Now, research from the University of Copenhagen suggests that ethnicity may also play a role in how sensitive a person is to the bitter taste found in for example broccoli, Brussels sprouts and dark chocolate. By letting test subjects taste the bitter substance PROP, two studies demonstrate that Danish and Chinese people experience this basic taste differently. The reason seems to be related to an anatomical difference upon the tongue surfaces of these two groups. Our studies show that the vast majority of Chinese test subjects are more sensitive to bitter tastes than the Danish subjects. We also see a link between the prominence of bitter taste and the number of small bumps, known as papillae, on a person's tongue." Wender Bredie, Professor, University of Copenhagen's Department of Food Science (UCPH FOOD) A taste of artificial intelligence Using a new artificial intelligence method, researchers from UCPH FOOD, in collaboration with Chenhao Wang and Jon Sporring of UCPH's Department of Computer Science, analyzed the number of mushroom-shaped "fungiform" papillae on the tongues of 152 test subjects, of whom half were Danish and half Chinese. Fungiform papillae, located at the tip of the tongue, are known to contain a large portion of our taste buds and play a central role in our food and taste experiences. To appreciate the significance of papillae in food preferences across cultures and ethnicities, it is important to learn more about their distribution, size and quantity. The analysis demonstrated that the Chinese test subjects generally had more of these papillae than the Danish subjects, a result that the researchers believe explains why Chinese people are better at tasting bitter flavors. However, Professor Bredie emphasizes that larger cohorts need to be examined before any definitive conclusions can be drawn about whether these apparent phenotypical differences between Danes and Chinese hold at the general population level. More knowledge about differences in taste impressions can be important for food development. According to Professor Bredie: "It is relevant for Danish food producers exporting to Asia to know that Asian and Danish consumers probably experience tastes from the same product differently. This must be taken into account when developing products." Danes prefer foods that require a good chew Professor Wender Bredie points out that genetics are only one of several factors that influence how we experience food. Another significant factor has to do with our preferences -- including texture. Think, for example, of the difference between munching on crispy potato chips from a newly opened bag, compared to eating softened ones from a bag opened the day before. Here, many Danes would probably prefer the crispy ones over the soft ones, even if the taste is similar. According to the UCPH studies, there seems to be a difference between the Danish and Chinese test subjects on this point as well. While the vast majority of Chinese subjects (77%) prefer foods that don't require much chewing, the opposite holds true for the Danish subjects. Among the Danes, 73% prefer eating foods with a harder consistency that require biting and chewing - rye bread and carrots, for example. The reason for this difference remains unknown, but the researchers suspect that it stems from differences in food culture and the ways in which we learn to eat. The studies do not point to tongue shape as making any difference. The new method: Because the counting of tongue papillae is usually done manually, and a tongue has hundreds of tiny fungiform papillae, it is a demanding job in which mistakes are easily made. The new method, based on artificial intelligence and developed by image analysis experts Chenhao Wang and Jon Sporring of the Department of Computer Science, automates the counting and delivers precision. Using an algorithm, they have designed a tongue-coordinate system (see figure) that can map papillae on individual tongues using image recognition. DUBLIN, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "2020 North American Power Rental Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The North American Power Generation Rental market research report includes market size, growth rates, vertical end user split, competitive market share data and revenue forecasts from 2020-2027 for the United States and Canada. The study is a comprehensive analysis including market share splits by fuel type (diesel, natural gas, others), output power, application, end user group and rental provider. Furthermore, profiles of key companies, growth drivers, restraints, challenges, and quotations from industry participants are also included in this analysis of the temporary power opportunity. The North American Power Rental Market is mature and competitive with the presence of regional and national market participants trying to get a strong foothold in the market. The market is projected to experience moderate growth during the next seven years driven by economic growth, an increase in infrastructure, and the continuing shift from ownership to rental and demand from events. This study aims to provide a detailed analysis of the North American Power Rental Market along with competitive intelligence for the year 2020. The market numbers included in this report represent revenues generated by companies operating in the North American Power Rental Market by country (United States and Canada) The base year for the study is 2020 and the forecast period is from 2020 until 2027. This study captures the following information on North American Power Rental Market: Market Size, Growth Rate, Revenue Forecasts (2020-2027) Growth Drivers & Restraints Market Data Quotes by Key Industry Participants Market Share Analysis Market Trends Companies Featured: Aggreko plc, United Rentals, Cummins Inc., Sunbelt Rentals, Aggreko, Caterpillar Inc., and Herc Equipment Rentals, among others. Key Topics Covered: I. Research scope II. Methodology III. Market Segmentation IV. End User Definition V. Executive Summary VI. Market Drivers 1. Urbanization and construction growth 2. Aging power infrastructure 3. Recovery of industrial activity 4. Demand from weather events 5. Continuing shift from ownership to rental VII. Market Restraints 1. Economic downturn 2. Impact of COVID-19 3. Lower oil & gas prices 4. Environmental regulations on diesel engines 5. Nonresidential construction projected to decline 6. High competition VIII. Industry challenges IX. Market Trends 1. Load Management System 2. Telematics 3. Energy storage capacity 4. Natural gas generators are becoming preferred solutions 5. Paralleling and redundancy 6. Hybrid energy systems 7. Lesser noise and portability 8. Market consolidation X. Market Data 1. Market Overview 2. Revenue Forecast 3. Revenue by End User 4. Revenue by Fuel 5. Revenue by Power Range 6. Revenue by Application 7. Quotes on the Industry XI. Competitive Landscape a. Market Participants b. Distribution Trends c. Market Share by Company d. Competitive Factors XII. Company Profile a. Aggreko plc b. United Rentals, Inc. c. Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. d. Herc, Inc e. Caterpillar, Inc For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2zomqw About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com For more stories like this, check out The Chronicles weekly Travel newsletter! Sign up here. Airbnb is imposing a new requirement on travelers throughout California to explain why they are booking rentals through the service during stay-at-home orders. The move follows a five-day shutdown of new reservations in the Lake Tahoe area by the San Francisco company last week. Officials there had raised concerns about tourists booking short-term rentals through Airbnb and VRBO during the health crisis. Both of the lodging marketplaces show dozens of Tahoe listings available to book for the coming weekend and beyond. VRBO has not introduced a similar requirement on its listings. On Saturday, Airbnb rolled out a new attestation form on its website that guests must fill out prior to booking in California. It prompts users to review regional shutdown restrictions and attest that their stay is permitted within local guidelines, according to an email from Airbnb to Tahoe officials. The company said the new form is meant to help inform guests and hosts on pandemic-related restrictions as regions across the state reopen on different timelines. Regarding the five-day blackout in Tahoe, Airbnb program director Adam Thongsavat wrote to Tahoe officials in a Dec. 28 email that we hope these measures are helpful as we work together to dissuade and prevent non-essential travel during this current regional stay at home order. Tahoe authorities on the California side of the lake have been fielding hundreds of complaints regarding short-term rentals from frustrated residents since a stay-at-home order was triggered for the region on Dec. 11. Officials initially set it to last three weeks, until Jan. 1, but extended it last week after short-term projections showed that COVID-19 cases would rise in the region following the Christmas and New Years holidays. The order prohibits tourism and recreational travel to the area and bars hotels and property managers from accepting new out-of-state reservations for less than the 14-day quarantine period. Hotels and property managers were required to clear their bookings and limit new reservations to essential travelers people coming up to work or provide critical infrastructure support and officials say the vast majority have complied. However, dozens of Tahoe listings on Airbnb and VRBO have remained available to book, and ski areas have stayed open, which locals say enables outsiders to brazenly flout the order and pull off winter vacations in spite of the shutdown. On Dec. 21, Tahoe officials sent a letter to both booking websites requesting that the companies halt new reservations through Jan. 1, help facilitate refunds for guests who canceled and help local authorities identify noncompliant rental properties. Airbnb responded the same day, saying it would alert hosts in the Tahoe area about the shutdown order. A week later, on Dec. 28, the company followed up with the temporary stay on new bookings. The move was welcomed by some Tahoe officials who have been trying to keep tourists at bay. Were very grateful they were proactive, said Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. Others, however, viewed the block as too little or too late. They (Airbnb) still have not taken any action to deal with existing reservations, and weve all been asking for them to issue full refunds, no questions asked, said Truckee town council member Dave Polivy. The five days didnt really make that big of a difference in the greater scheme of things, South Lake City Mayor Tamara Wallace wrote in an email to The Chronicle. She added that the bigger issue is the inconsistency in restrictions between California and Nevada sowing confusion among travelers. Airbnb is only a small part of that, Wallace wrote. Tahoe has been grappling with issues related to short-term rentals for years, and Polivy expressed optimism about the recent dialogue between local officials and Airbnb. Weve gotten more communication from them than weve ever had, he said. On Jan. 1, in response to requests from officials to extend the booking blackout, Thongsavat emailed Tahoe officials to announce the new attestation tool. It requires guests to click a checkbox confirming that their stays are in line with local rules, such as restrictions on nonessential travel; if guests dont fill out the form, they wont be able to book. We believe the attestation tool supports your efforts to ensure visitors formally certify they understand the rules and conditions before they proceed with their reservation, he wrote. Some California hotels and destinations, including Truckee, lately have required travelers to fill out similar forms when they book stays. Truckee town manager Jen Callaway said the town is investigating a handful of complaints about short-term rentals, and the forms, issued by the town, may help authorities pursue hosts who are violating shutdown. In Truckee, offenders can face $1,000 fines or have their rental permits revoked. The attestation form from Airbnb is meant to inform guests and hosts on region-specific restrictions but wont necessarily be shared with local jurisdictions. Tahoe officials also sent their Dec. 21 request to VRBO. In a Dec. 30 reply, the Austin, Texas, company, a subsidiary of Seattles Expedia Group, noted that it had updated an alert on California listings stating that non-essential travel is currently unlawful in many parts of the state. In an email to The Chronicle, VRBO said it had not blacked out bookings in Tahoe because a blanket blocking of dates on our hosts behalf risks being inaccurate, and we dont want to make an already tough situation worse. With the stay-at-home order in effect across Tahoe for the foreseeable future, officials are contemplating how best to manage short-term rentals until the region reopens to tourists. How long do you tell Airbnb and VRBO to hold off taking bookings? Gustafson said. And then what can they do to refund people for that time period? Its challenging. But those are excellent questions, she added. I should ask them. This story has been amended since it was first posted to correct an error. Rental company VRBO did reply to Tahoe officials Dec. 21 request to block bookings in the area. Gregory Thomas is the Chronicles editor of lifestyle & outdoors. Email: gthomas@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @GregRThomas Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech. With the restricted use approval of Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin by India, both Bharat Biotech and its founder Chairman and Managing Director Krishna Ella, 73, have hogged the limelight. Here are 10 things to know about Ella and his company A yeast molecular biologist by training, Ella hails from a farming family in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. He went to the US for higher education on Rotarys Freedom from Hunger Fellowship. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ella worked as an assistant professor with the Medical University of South Carolina before returning home and founding Bharat Biotech in 1996 at Genome Valley, Hyderabad, together with his wife Suchitra Ella. Bharat Biotech shot into the limelight when it launched Revac-B, a recombinant Hepatitis-B vaccine, in October 1998. Priced at $1, almost 25 cents less than its closest competitor produced by Shantha Biotechnics. The company later launched an oral polio vaccine (OPV). The Hepatitis-B and OPV have prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) helped the company survive and reinvest in research and development for developing new vaccines. The company has indigenously developed and launched Rotavirus Vaccine (RV) against childhood diarrhoea, Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine, Influenza vaccine, and a five-in-one Pentavalent vaccine. The company is also developing an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), as the OPV will be phased out globally by 2023. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Krishna Ella in the recent press conference said that Bharat Biotech has invested about Rs 1,500 crore into research and manufacturing. The company takes loans, grants, and sold shares to fund research. Bharat Biotech has been occasionally in news for an IPO or raising private equity to give exit to ICICI Venture, International Finance Corp, the investment arm of the World Bank, and Subhkam Ventures have invested in Bharat Biotech a decade back. Bharat Biotech revenues mainly come from the government of India and other emerging countries, multilateral agencies like Unicef, WHO, and Gavi and other agencies involved in mass immunisation programmes. Along with OPV, Bharat Biotechs Rotavirus and Typhoid vaccines are WHO prequalified. WHO prequalification of vaccines makes them eligible for supplies to UN agencies and participate in public tenders in developing countries. Vaccine making is a highly competitive business. Indian vaccine manufacturers are facing intense competition from Chinese rivals who have created large capacities, and are driving down the prices. Bharat Biotech gets close to half of its sales from the Indian government. Ella often laments that vaccines in the public market are sold at prices less than a water bottle. For Bharat Biotech, its newer generation vaccines like the Typhoid Conjugate and Rotavirus vaccines have better margin profile and relatively lower competition have begun contributing in a big way in the last 3-4 years. According to the rating firm ICRA, Bharat Biotech FY20 revenues have jumped 35 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,079.7 crore, the net profit rose 200 percent to Rs 298 crore. The operating margins saw significant improvement from 22.1 percent in FY2019 to 42 percent in FY20. With healthy cash flows and negligible debt, Bharat Biotech is developing vaccines for Chikungunya, Zika, Cholera, Malaria with considerable investment in R&D and capex, which will be funded through internal accruals and existing cash reserves. The company in February 2019, acquired Chiron Behring Vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline Asia in February 2019. Chiron is a WHO pre-qualified manufacturer of rabies vaccines with a manufacturing plant in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, eligible for supplies to UN agencies and has product registrations in more than 20 countries. The biggest of all is the Covid-19 vaccine. Ella moved fast, his early collaboration with ICMR to use its SARS-CoV-2 strain is seen as a masterstroke by rivals. Bharat Biotech has grown the virus and inactivated it through a chemical process. The company started testing the vaccine on animals for safety and efficacy as part of pre-clinical studies. With the support from ICMR and the regulatory body - the company was able to accelerate the whole process of pre-clinical studies and got into human testing by July. Bharat Biotech which had built India's biggest BSL-3 high-containment facility for manufacturing inactivated polio vaccine, has converted it to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine. This could possibly be the main reason that gave confidence for ICMR to give the SARS-CoV-2 strain it had isolated to Bharat Biotech. BSL-3 is appropriate for work involving microbes that can cause serious and potentially lethal diseases via the inhalation route. Ella said Bharat Biotech is investing Rs. 100 crore on research and conducting clinical trials in FY2021. In addition, the company will invest up to Rs. 200 crore in FY2021 and FY2022 for the development of a greenfield facility for a Covid-19 vaccine. The company proposes to fund the same through internal accruals and cash reserves. Bharat Biotech has been investing this money at its own risk. "I haven't got any (Bill & Melinda) Gates Foundation money, I have not got any money from (the) government of India, I have taken all the risk of creating a BSL-III facility, we have done clinical trials at our own cost, and manufactured 20 million doses at risk, I never said the government should buy, It's the moral responsibility as a scientist that I should do for the country," Ella said recently taking potshots at its rivals. Ella said he plans to produce 600 million doses across the company's four facilities, of which three are in Hyderabad and one in Bengaluru. In addition, Bharat Biotech has also tied up with the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, Missouri to manufacture up to a billion doses of a single-dose intranasal Covid-19 vaccine. Ella maintains publicly that he is just a scientist focused on solving the problems of infectious diseases. In the recent press conference, Ella said that "..science is everything in life. I don't know anything about business, neither my family knows about business.". But people who follow Ella don't agree with this. They call him a shrewd operator who understands the business very well. Ella has carefully crafted the publicity around his Covid vaccine on Atmanirabhar. "Bharat Biotech is among a few companies in the world that have built an impressive end-to-end capability to develop a vaccine," said an executive of a consulting firm who didn't want to be named. "Vaccines unlike pharma isn't a glamorous business, it's high risk and capital intensive, you need a lot of perseverance to be in this business, Ella managed to pull this off," the executive said. The magnitude of becoming Manitoba's first Black cabinet minister didn't sink in until the eve of Audrey Gordon's swearing-in. The magnitude of becoming Manitoba's first Black cabinet minister didn't sink in until the eve of Audrey Gordon's swearing-in. "It struck me that we were going to, as a community, achieve such an amazing milestone and goal," the Southdale MLA said Tuesday during her first scrum as the minister for mental health, wellness and recovery. In 2019, the Progressive Conservative was one of three Blacks elected to the Manitoba legislature, including New Democrats Uzoma Asagwara and Jamie Moses. She made history Tuesday when Premier Brian Pallister appointed her to the newly created mental health portfolio. Audrey Gordon was named Minister of Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery as part of the new provincial cabinet announced Tuesday. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) "It's an historic day, frankly, for her and her family and for Manitoba," Pallister said. He stressed that her appointment was based on merit, and not race, describing her as "dynamic" and "inspirational." "She's demonstrated her abilities during her 20 years in the civil service (and after) coming to Manitoba with nothing as a young girl and working her way through school and getting an education," the premier said. "It's a really positive story of accomplishment... Her personal interests lie in health care and addictions and I know that she'll tackle her challenges with enthusiasm and aplomb." Gordon, who has a master's degree in business administration and co-owns a transportation company with her husband, said job No. 1 is getting her new department up and running. "It is very important that the mental health and well-being of Manitobans is protected." The novice cabinet minister said she's ready for the challenge she faces in the midst of a simultaneous public health, economic and opioid crisis. "What's prepared me is that I'm a human being. I've spent a lot of time at the grassroots working with many different populations," she said. Before being elected, Gordon was a director with Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's home care program. She's worked with 250 ethnocultural groups and organizations and spent 10 years working with "cradle to grave" health-care programs -- from child health to long term care, in mental health and with First Nations and northern communities. Audrey Gordon was one of three members of the Black community elected to the Manitoba legislature, including New Democrats Uzoma Asagwara and Jamie Moses. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) "I'm incredibly honoured and humbled to represent the Black community not just here in Manitoba but across our country and the globe," said the Jamaican-born Winnipegger. "I know that Andrew Holness, the prime minister of Jamaica, must be very, very very pleased," she said. Gordon credits her achievement to members of the Black community who came before her and built a strong foundation for success. She wants to help those who come after her, she said. "I feel very honoured to be a role model for the community and for young people from the Black and African community who aspire to a role in politics," Gordon told reporters "It can be done." The mother of two said she can handle the pressure of being a role model and being the target of a new level of public and media scrutiny that comes with being a cabinet minister. "The way I deal with pressure, generally, is to focus on why I'm there," she said. "Why I'm there is to help the people or Manitoba," Gordon said. "My focus will be on them and what we can do to improve their mental health and well-being... The media may put the spotlight on me but my spotlight will be on the people of Manitoba and ensuring we have the services and programs to keep them healthy today and in the years to come." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese EV startup Byton signed on Jan. 4 a framework agreement with Foxconn Technology Group and Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone to jointly promote the volume production of the M-Byte. Under the agreement, the Apple supplier will provide the automaker with its manufacturing technologies, operation & management experience as well as industrial resources. Foxconn plans to plow roughly $200 million in Byton and both companies expect to start the mass production of the Byton M-Byte by the first quarter of 2022, a person briefed on the matter said earlier this week. Nevertheless, the formal agreement does not mention the investment value. M-Byte; photo credit: Byton The aforesaid deal will provide a lifeline for the EV maker who is mired in cash trouble and struggling to output its first mass-produced vehicle M-Byte several years after the concept model was unveiled. A growing number of technology companies start tapping the next-generation automobile businesses, such as autonomous driving technologies and Internet of Vehicles (IoV) system. Foxconn is the most important manufacturing partner of Apple, which is reportedly developing its self-owned autonomous cars. In an internal e-mail exposed by a media outlet, Byton has decided to shut down business for another six months ended June 30, 2021 as it still does not have the conditions for production and operation resumption. However, the company will pay living allowance to employees based on relevant laws and regulations when they are in furlough. A Byton representative said he cannot comment on the report and the company is evaluating and adjusting personnel based on its business development scheme. Byton would restart its operation soon as its board of directors and board of shareholders had approved the company's restructuring plan, a local report said in October, which cited sources close to the matter. From March to June, 2020, the company was repeatedly reported to withhold salaries. Financial pressure piled up since an expected new financing round failed to complete. Consequently, it said at the end of June that it would suspend operations for the next 6 months, starting from July 1. Ten miners were kidnapped by Islamic State gunmen from a remote colliery in Balochistan before being taken to nearby hills where most were shot dead, while some were beheaded Hundreds of mourners in Pakistan protested Wednesday for a fourth day alongside the bodies of miners killed in a brutal attack claimed by the Islamic State group, as officials urged them to bury their dead. Up to 2,500 people from the minority Shiite Hazara community have since Sunday blocked a road on the outskirts of Quetta, capital of oil and gas-rich Balochistan province, demanding better protection. There were also protests in the port city of Karachi. Ten miners were kidnapped by gunmen from a remote colliery before being taken to nearby hills where most were shot dead. Some were beheaded, said officials who did not want to be named. The community's refusal to bury the bodies is symbolic in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where according to Islamic culture people should be buried within 24 hours, before the next sunset. "This is systematic ethnic cleansing of Hazaras in Balochistan and our security forces are behaving like lame ducks, doing nothing," said Zainab Ahman, an activist among the mourners. Ethnic Hazaras make up most of the Shiite population in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan -- the country's largest and poorest region, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies. Their Central Asian features make them easy targets for Sunni militants who consider them heretics. Two ministers, representing Prime Minister Imran Khan, flew to Quetta on Wednesday to try to convince the mourners to end the protest. Khan tweeted that the government was taking steps to prevent such attacks, but gave no details. "Please bury your loved ones so their souls find peace," he added. Two of the miners were Afghans and their bodies returned home for burial, a local security official told AFP. The attack was claimed by Sunni extremist group IS, according to SITE Intelligence, which monitors jihadist activities worldwide. IS is affiliated with the local militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which itself had links to Pakistan's Taliban. Pakistani officials have long denied the presence of IS in the country, but the group has claimed a number of attacks including a bombing at a vegetable market in 2019. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. New Yorks governor is threatening to fine hospitals that dont use their allotment of COVID-19 vaccine fast enough. His South Carolina counterpart says health care workers have until Jan. 15 to get a shot or move to the back of the line. Californias governor wants to use dentists to vaccinate people. With frustration rising over the slow rollout of the vaccine, state leaders and other politicians around the U.S. are turning up the pressure, improvising and seeking to bend the rules to get shots in arms more quickly. Move it quickly. Were serious, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned hospitals on Tuesday. If you dont want to be fined, just dont participate in the program. Its not a mandatory program. More than three weeks into the vaccination campaign, just 4.8 million people in the U.S. had gotten their first shot out of 17 million doses distributed as of Wednesday morning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While that is believed to an undercount because of a lag in reporting, health officials are still well behind where they wanted to be. The U.S. has an estimated 21 million health care workers and 3 million nursing home residents. The CDC reported just 429,000 people in nursing homes have been vaccinated through a partnership between the government and the CVS and Walgreens drugstore chains. FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, people arrive at Jackson Memorial Hospital to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)AP Meanwhile, the U.S. death toll has climbed past 357,000. COVID-19 deaths set another one-day record at 3,775 on Tuesday, though authorities have cautioned that the numbers around holidays can fluctuate dramatically because some health agencies fall behind in reporting cases, then rush to catch up. Health care workers and nursing home residents are being given priority for the most part in the U.S., but some places are beginning to move on to the next stage, involving the elderly. The slow rollout has been blamed on a multitude of problems, including a lack of funding and guidance from Washington, mismatches between supply and demand, a patchwork of approaches by state and local governments, distrust of the vaccine, and disarray created by the holidays. Politicians are getting aggressive in trying to accelerate the campaign. The governors of California, Maryland and North Carolina said they will use the National Guard to speed things up. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan warned, too, that any facility that has not administered at least 75% of its first doses may have future allocations reduced until they can speed up vaccinations. While about 270,000 doses have been put directly in the hands of front-line vaccinators in the state over the last three weeks, Hogan said that only about 77,000 people had been inoculated as of Tuesday, or about 1.3% of the states population. Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina warned that health care workers will lose their place in line if they dont move quickly to get their shots. As of Monday, the state had given out less than half its initial allotment of the Pfizer vaccine to about 43,000 people. FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2020, file photo, healthcare workers wait in line to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, Calif. With frustration rising over the slow rollout of the vaccine, state leaders and other politicians are turning up the pressure, improvising and seeking to bend the rules to get shots in arms more quickly. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)AP In California, where just 1% of the population has been vaccinated, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wants to give providers the flexibility to dispense shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste. He also wants to expand the pool of professionals dispensing shots. State and local officials are moving to expand availability of the vaccine to other groups. In Louisiana, people 70 and older are newly eligible this week under state guidelines. Oklahomas most populous county will begin providing vaccinations to residents 65 and above on Thursday. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said it is time to broaden eligibility to include people over 75 and essential workers such as police officers and firefighters to get things moving. Give them the freedom to vaccinate and they will vaccinate thousands, then tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, then millions, de Blasio said. What they dont need is to be shamed. What they dont need is more bureaucracy. What they dont need is a threat of fines. When Sherry and Gilbert Cruz received their first federal stimulus check last spring the maximum $1,200 for each they were somewhat surprised. Shes a retired nurse, hes a retired medical technologist and, frankly, they didnt need the money. Were on fixed incomes, and we werent really financially impacted by the pandemic, Sherry Cruz said. In fact, we were actually spending less. So they decided that she would donate the money from her check to Planned Parenthood of South Texas, where she volunteers, and hed donate to the San Antonio Food Bank. Id seen the long lines of people waiting for food on TV and in the newspaper, so it was an easy decision, Gilbert Cruz said. Now with the latest round of $600 stimulus checks, the Cruzes will donate their money again. And while many people need every cent of their stimulus check and more, the Cruzes apparently are not unique. Anecdotally, at least, many people turned over all or part of their government windfall in April to charity, according to Rick Cohen, chief communications officer and chief operating officer with the Washington, D.C.-based National Council of Nonprofits. Its tough to attribute the uptick we saw in donations to the stimulus, he said. It could simply be people responding to what they saw as the immense need as nonprofits struggled to keep their doors open. But the stimulus money probably helped. Indeed, Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank and Steve Herlich, vice president of development at Morningside Ministries, both said they received donations last spring from people who simply turned over the entirety of their stimulus checks. On ExpressNews.com: Coronavirus kids parties? Try these San Antonio mobile petting zoos Even those who cant give all can help some. Keeping in mind that there are dozens of nonprofits in the San Antonio area in need of support, we contacted a handful and asked what, specifically, they could do with a donation of $300 half the current maximum check. Heres what they told us. Boysville It provides a short-term home for boys and girls who need a place to live. $300 would pay for one of these: 15 duffle bags so young clients will have something in which to keep their clothes and other belongings when they leave for a long-term home Resupplying the homes depleted arts and craft room with markers, paint, paper, etc. Shoes for six children Contact: 210-659-1901, boysvilletexas.org disABILITYsa It serves people and adults with mental and physical disabilities. $300 would pay for one of these: 10 hours of work by advocates who represent the disabled on local city and community boards Connect 10 families who call for help with the organizations network of partnerships Underwrite one game or activity during the organizations Fiesta fundraising event, Fiesta Especial Contact: 210-704-7262, disabilitysa.org Haven for Hope It assists people who are homeless and those at risk for homelessness. $300 would pay for one of these: Cribs for three children in Havens family program Four dining table sets, including table and chairs, for families moving into their own homes Six kitchen kits, including dishes, silverware and pots and pans to outfit a new kitchen Contact: 210-220-2100, havenforhope.org On ExpressNews.com: Making art, once a career goal, now helps S.A. woman cope with pandemic stresses Morningside Ministries This faith-based organization operates senior living communities in San Antonio and Boerne. $300 would pay for one of these: 30 COVID-19 fast-turnaround test kits to help keep the virus out the facilities Clothing for three low-income, disabled residents waiting to qualify for Medicaid benefits 15 holiday/seasonal/birthday photo backdrops to turn special occasions into happy memories Contact: 210-734-1050, mmliving.org Planned Parenthood of South Texas It provides health care and health information for women, men and teens. $300 would pay for one of these: One test for a sexually transmitted disease (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, HIV) plus the cost of an office visit A colposcopy for women with an abnormal Pap smear to examine the cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease Half the cost of an IUD, a long-acting and reversible form of contraception, and its insertion Contact: 210-736-2244, plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-texas The Rape Crisis Center It provides help to those impacted by sexual violence. $300 would pay for one of these: Five nights in a safe hotel room for victims of human trafficking 12 clothing outfits for assault clients 12 hours of answering calls by hotline staff Contact: 210-521-7273, rapecrisis.com On ExpressNews.com: These are the most missed businesses that closed in 2020 San Antonio AIDS Foundation This group serves people with HIV/AIDS in Bexar County and 11 South Texas counties. $300 would pay for one of these: One to-go meal for 45 people, or breakfast, lunch and dinner for 15 people Approximately 30 HIV or syphilis tests Eight full-fare or 15 half-fare monthly VIA monthly bus passes Contact: 210-225-4715, sanantonioaids.org San Antonio Food Bank It fights hunger in Bexar and 15 surrounding counties in Southwest Texas. $300 would pay for one of these: 2,100 meals for hungry people 2,000 pounds of pet food so dogs, cats and other pets can remain with their families. 250 pounds of venison, through the Hunters for the Hungry program Contact: 210-431-8300, safoodbank.org San Antonio Pets Alive! It houses, provides foster homes and provides medical care for at-risk animals from San Antonio and surrounding communities. $300 would pay for one of these: Full medical services vaccines, spay and neuter for three animals One oenucleation procedure, the removal of the eye for animals with high eye pressure, trauma, or ocular cancer Six animal adoption kits, including a leash, collar and tags Contact: 210-370-7612, sanantoniopetsalive.org San Antonio Symphony It produces and presents orchestral and music educational concerts. $300 would pay for one of these: Two weeks of personal protection equipment (masks, hand sanitizer, etc.) for symphony musicians during live concerts 28 students to attend music education programs, including live concerts Two musicians to perform in a live online concert Contact: 210-554-1000, sasymphony.org Texas Diaper Bank It provides diapers and other health care items for babies, incontinence supplies for adults and period products for women. $300 would pay for one of these: 1,200 average-size childs diapers 600 adult diapers 1,200 menstrual pads Contact: 210-731-8118, texasdiaperbank.org Voices for Children of San Antonio Its a child advocacy organization focused on issues related to early child care and education, abuse and neglect and physical and mental health. $300 would pay for one of these: Expenses for 500 early childhood educators and child care providers to attend a half-day virtual professional development seminar 300 posters promoting the American Academy of Pediatrics No-Hit Zone program to end child abuse and corporal punishment and place them in schools and child care centers throughout the city Contact: 210-858-8175, voicessa.org rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini Patti Ghezzi knows the risks posed by the pandemic. She also knows that her 14-year-old daughter thrives in the company of her friends. So Ghezzi and her family did something many other Americans have attempted: They became part of a 'pod,' or 'social bubble,' with two other Atlanta families. All agreed to limit their exposure to the outside world, and their girls rotate among three homes to do remote schooling. Ghezzi, who works in nonprofit communication, said the arrangement has been a boon to her eighth-grader's mental health. "The days that we go to other kids' houses, she's up on her own. She gets dressed on her own. She packs her own lunch. She's standing at the door, excited to go over there. It feels to me like the best solution." That's the appeal of a podguilt-free social interaction in a time when social distancing remains crucial. Research reveals our deep need for connection and how it can influence health. A study published recently in Nature Neuroscience suggests loneliness triggers chemical responses in the brain similar to what's prompted by hunger. A 2016 study in the journal Heart linked loneliness and social isolation to a 32% increased risk of having a stroke or developing coronary artery disease. An analysis of several studies published in PLOS Medicine showed social connection is associated with about a 50% reduction in the risk of early death. But unless pods are managed carefully, they can invite some of the very problems they were meant to solve. "There's maybe a false sense of security with these pod arrangements," said Melissa Hawkins, director of the Public Health Scholars Program at American University in Washington, D.C. That's a serious issue as people grow eager for more contact, but vaccinations are months away for most. The idea seems simple: A small group agrees to restrict contact with non-members in exchange for looser restrictions within the pod. Hawkins, who in June published a widely referenced guide to pods, said they were a sensible strategy to reduce risk when the virus seemed to be relatively under control. U.S. cases began to soar in November, which she said makes it important for people to adhere to the strictest safety measures, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The reality, she said, is people are tired of such limits. So people will try pods. But the CDC doesn't have official rules about pods, and though there are additional guides and resources giving advice, many people have defined their own pod rules. And over time, she said, "they've gotten leaky." "If a pod is small and contained, then you should have less likelihood of infection and a greater ability to respond quickly to reduce spread," Hawkins said. "But if it's larger than we think or intended at the beginningnow you've got a vehicle of quick transmission to many, many people." So, a pod should be tight, she said. And everyone in it needs to agree on why it exists. "The objective is not to be able to do as much or have as many activities as possible," Hawkins said. Shalom Patel, the infection prevention manager for Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta, said a successful pod has to be based on trustand living up to the promises you make to other members. "No one wants to get anybody sick, right?" she said. "I think we all have positive intent. And we all want to make sure we're doing the right thing for ourselves and our family. But it is very, very easy to go from, 'Oh, I see these three people' to, 'Oh, these three people see these hundred people.'" Piedmont posted advice for creating pods that suggests members agree to wear masks in public, avoid time indoors with non-members and limit indoor dining at restaurants and travel. Others that have compiled advice on pods include the University of Michigan, the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University and the MIT Technology Review. Their tips emphasize honest communication and being patient and kind with one anotherbut also putting things in writing. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health offers a sample pod agreement. Ghezzi has had to balance a lot to make her daughter's pod succeed. It started with conversations within her family on whether a pod was safe to begin with. Later, she had to rescind an offer to welcome a girl into her daughter's circle when other pod parents feared it would make things too open. Ghezzi had to bite her tongue when she saw Facebook photos of one pod family dining indoors at a restaurantsomething Ghezzi's family is not comfortable with. And some parents' need for quiet while working from home has clashed with the teenage girls' ability to make jubilant noise. "You cannot expect things to be perfect," Ghezzi said. Overall, she considers the pod a success. "Nobody has gotten sick. Nobody has gotten fired from their job. And most importantly, these three children are happy," she said. Hawkins, a mother of four, said pods have been a social and academic boon to her own middle school-age sons. But people have to remain vigilant in the months ahead until vaccines are widely available. "There is truly light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "This is going to be a very, very different world that we live in once the vaccines are rolled out. But that is taking time. We can't throw our hands up." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Q. Are part-time workers entitled to Family Leave when a death occurs in the family? Im a part-time worker and my supervisor didnt give me any time off when my father died from the coronavirus. I have to use my accumulated paid time off instead. Prior to COVID-19 Ive worked an average of 30 hours biweekly . Grieving A. We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows certain employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. One of those reasons is to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, said Cynthia Aiken, a certified financial planner with Peapack Private Wealth Management in Bedminster. She said to be eligible for this unpaid leave, the employee must have worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months and meet other requirements. At 30 hours biweekly, you do not meet that requirement, she said. Aiken said there is also something called Funeral Leave, but the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to pay employees for time off when attending a funeral. Furthermore, New Jersey law does not require employers to provide employee bereavement leave, she said. Although your supervisor wasnt required to pay you for the time you missed while attending the funeral, it sounds as though you were paid from your accumulated paid time off, Aiken said. You may want to ask your supervisor or human resources representative directly about the company policy for funeral leave so that you understand it completely. If you prefer not to be paid for funeral leave out of your accumulated paid time off, then you may want to speak to your supervisor about alternative arrangements, she said. Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com. Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter. Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday posted senior IAS officer Dipak Agarwal as the new divisional commissioner of Saharanpur which has witnessed repeated instances of caste clashes since May 5. As many as 19 other IAS officers have also been transferred by the state government, an official spokesman said. Secretary (Revenue) Dipak Agarwal will be the new commissioner of Saharanpur in place of Mahendra Prasad Agarwal, who has been transferred to the finance department, an official spokesman said. Secertary medical health and family welfare V Hekali Jhimomi has been made commissioner of Mirzapur in place of Ranjan Kumar who has been sent to revenue department assecretary, the spokesman said. Secretary culture Manoj Misra has been made the commissioner of Faizabad. Principal Secretary to the chief minister, Shashi Goyal,has been given the additional charge of the Additional Resident Commissioner of the state in New Delhi. Also Read: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi denied permission to visit riot-hit Saharanpur Principal secretary Prashant Trivedi, who was awaiting posting, has been made the principal secretary medical health and family welfare and Additional Commissioner MNREGA Anuj Kumar Jha has been made the Director Information, the spokesman added. Violence first broke out in Saharanpur about 40 days ago following a procession to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. On May 5, aperson was killed and 15 people were injured in clashes between Dalits and upper caste Thakurs. About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured on May 9. On May 23, another person was shot dead and two others were wounded. On May 24, the UP government had suspended Saharanpur SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey and District Magistrate N P Singh while transferring Divisional Commissioner M P Agarwal and DIG J K Shahi. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The election of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president was finalized by Congress in the wee hours of Thursday morning, ending a dramatic day in Washington in which pro-Trump protesters pushed past law enforcement officials and made their way into the Capitol. At 2:40 a.m., Vice President Mike Pence -- acting in his role as president of the Senate -- certified that Biden received 306 Electoral College votes and President Donald Trump received 232. Biden will be inaugurated as president and Harris as vice president on Jan. 20. Four people died as a result of that rise in protests, Washington D.C. police said, including one protester who was fatally shot inside the Capitol and three others who died in what was described as medical emergencies. On the day designated by the Constitution for Congress to approve the election results, lawmakers contested the results in Arizona and Pennsylvania resulting in two hours of debate for each state before each states election results were approved in decisive votes. The only Alabama lawmaker to speak during the debates was Huntsville Republican Mo Brooks, who took a turn at the lectern to oppose accepting the election results from Arizona. 2:12 a.m.: The House has voted 282-138 to reject an effort to discard the Electoral College votes from Pennsylvania the final state to be subject to objection by both a member of the House and the Senate. No congressmen from Alabama participated in the two-hour debate over the objection to Pennsylvania votes. Debate ended just before 1:30 a.m. The House and Senate will now again meet in joint session to complete the acceptance of vote results from remaining states. No other objections are expected. 11:45 p.m.: U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Auburn described the storming of the Capitol by pro-Trump protesters as a sad day and defended voting not to accept the election results from the states of Arizona and Pennsylvania. (Wednesday) was a sad day for our great country, Tuberville said in a late-night statement. I strongly condemn the violence and actions we saw from those who stormed the Capitol. It undermines the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and it has no place in our democracy. On his votes to oppose election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania, Tuberville said, The integrity of our elections is vital to our country. I have serious concerns that the state of Arizona did not act in accordance with their own duly enacted laws when conducting this election. Because I promised to raise these concerns on behalf of my constituents, I vote against seating the electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania. 11:39 p.m.: The Senate did not debate the Pennsylvania objection and headed straight to a vote, which failed by a vote of 92-7. As with the Arizona vote, Tuberville voted in favor of the objection while Shelby voted against it. 11:16 p.m.: Rep. Mo Brooks announced his and his colleagues objections to the Electoral College votes in Nevada, but said that there were no senators who joined in the objection. As a result, the challenge did not move forward and Nevadas electoral votes were certified for President-elect Joe Biden. 10:53 p.m.: All six Alabama House Republicans voted in favor of objecting to the election results from Arizona. That includes Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer and Mike Rogers. Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell voted against the objection. The vote to object to the Arizona votes failed and the votes were accepted. 10:12 p.m.: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces the vote as 303 votes against the objection to Arizona vote results to 121 in favor. No Democrats voted in favor of the objection. The House is preparing for the Senate to return to resume the joint session. 9:44 p.m.: The House vote to object to accept the presidential election results in Arizona failed in a decisive vote. No Democrats voted to support the objection while 50 Republicans voted against the objection as well. The Senate will now return to a joint session in the House chamber to continue going through the list of states to approve their Electoral College votes. 9:41 p.m. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville applauds freshman Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville for voting in favor of election results objection in Arizona. The objection failed in a decisive Senate vote. .@TTuberville - Way to go Alabama freshman Senator Tommy Tuberville! You make Alabama proud, fighting for honest and accurate elections! https://t.co/1im7W5dxxz Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 7, 2021 9:20 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville was the first member of the Alabama delegation to speak in opposition to accepting the Electoral College votes. Brooks focused his comments on votes he said were casts by illegal aliens and non-citizens, which he said yielded just over 1 million unlawful votes for Democrat Joe Biden. Brooks did not offer a source of information for his estimation of illegal votes or any evidence of illegal aliens or non-citizens casting votes, though he described the evidence as overwhelming and compelling. Brooks said Biden solicited votes from illegal aliens and non-citizens when, during a presidential debate last October, he promised to send legislation to Congress within his first 100 days in office that would provide a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 million illegal aliens. That is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for illegal aliens, Brooks said. Joe Biden knew exactly what he was doing by seeking the illegal alien bloc vote. Brooks continued, Non-citizens voted for Joe Biden in exchange for the promised amnesty of citizenship and, in so doing, helped steal the election from Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, and American citizens across America. In my judgment, if only lawful votes cast by eligible American citizens are counted, Joe Biden lost and President Trump won the Electoral college. As such, it is my constitutional duty to promote honest and accurate elections by rejecting electoral college vote submissions from states whose electoral systems are so badly flawed as to render their vote submissions unreliable, untrustworthy and unworthy of accepting. 9:11 p.m.: Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville was among six Republican senators who voted to object to the results of Arizonas Electoral College votes. Richard Shelby, Alabamas senior senator and a Republican, did not object. As expected, the challenge was unsuccessful. 8:03 p.m.: The House is back in session. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opened with a statement as the House ended with its recess. we will be a part of history that shows the world what America is made of. this assault is just that. it shows the weakness of those who had to show through violence what their message was, Pelosi said. Its time to move on. 7:09 p.m.: The Senate is back in session. After condemning the storming of the U.S. Capitol, Vice President Mike Pence, who presides over the Senate, said, lets get back to work. The United States Senate will not be intimidated, added Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky. He called the crowds that stormed the Capitol unhinged. They tried to disturb our democracy -- they failed, he said. 4:41 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham said in a Twitter message just after 4 p.m. that she was safe but trembling. For all those who continue to check in on me and my staff, thank you. We are safe. I am trembling, but we are safe! Praise God Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) January 6, 2021 3:12 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville, the senior member of the Alabama House delegation, called for prayer in wake of the protests at the Capitol. God has brought this nation through many dark days over the past 240 plus years. We have always been able to settle our disputes peaceably. I believe He will continue to guide & protect this nation. However, as a nation we need to see His guidance in peace. He is in full control! Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) January 6, 2021 2:55 p.m.: Sen. Richard Shelby called the events unfolding at the U.S. Capitol a very dark day for our country, adding that he is safe. Today is a very dark day for our country. I am safe thanks to the protection and swift action by our law enforcement officials. Our Founding Fathers warned against mob rule. Law and order must be established and maintained. Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) January 6, 2021 1:46 p.m.: Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville described the scene inside the U.S. Capitol as pro-Trump protesters storm the building. Brooks said he is evacuating the House chamber. Tear gas dispersed in Capitol Rotunda. Congressmen ordered to grab gas masks under chairs in case have to leave in haste! Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021 At least #Socialist #Democrats have NOT defunded Capitol police. Evacuating chamber. Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021 1:20 p.m.: Both the Senate and the House have gone into recess and suspended debates over Electoral College challenges as pro-Trump protests ramp up outside the Capitol. CNN White House reporter Kaitlin Collins, an Alabama native, tweeted that The US Capitol is on lockdown. CNN is showing live video of dozens of protesters strolling through Statuary Hall inside the U.S. Capitol. BREAK: @MayorBowser instituting curfew in D.C. from 6 p.m. TODAY until 6 a.m. tomorrow. Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) January 6, 2021 I just had to evacuate my office because of a pipe bomb reported outside. Supporters of the President are trying to force their way into the Capitol and I can hear what sounds like multiple gunshots. (1/2) Rep. Elaine Luria (@RepElaineLuria) January 6, 2021 12:15 p.m.: After expected challenges over Joe Bidens election victory in Arizona, the Senate is leaving the joint session in the House chamber and returning to its chamber. The House and Senate will hold up to two hours of debate over the Arizona dispute. 12:10 p.m.: The nine Electoral College votes from Alabama has been accepted by Congress without objection. Congress is now proceeding alphabetically in receiving the Electoral College votes from each state. 11:30 a.m.: President Donald Trump, during a speech at a rally near the courthouse to tens of thousands of supporters, gave a shout-out to Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville in listing senators who have said they will challenge Electoral College results. Tuberville, who aligned himself closely with Trump during his campaign and received Trumps endorsement, announced Tuesday he would join with Sen. Ted Cruz and challenge results from Arizona. Tuberville also said he is considering challenging other states as well. Original story: Seven members of Congress from Alabama today are expected to join other Republicans in contesting the results of the Electoral College in whats viewed as a longshot, last-ditch effort for President Donald Trump to overturn the election victory by President-elect Joe Biden. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer and Mike Rogers have all said they will object to at least one states Electoral College results. Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Tuscaloosa has said Bidens election victory should be recognized. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham is the states only Democrat member of Congress and is supporting the election results. Congress is tasked with formally approving the election results but with written challenges submitted in both the House and the Senate, lawmakers will hold debates in each chamber before voting to accept the results. Those debates will include speeches from the floors of the Senate and the House and lawmakers from Alabama are expected to participate in those speeches. Related: All 6 of Alabamas GOP House members will challenge Joe Bidens win Related: Tuberville joins Sen. Ted Cruz, will contest Arizona presidential election results Related: Alabama GOP juggles mixed bag of constituent reaction to Electoral College challenge, Trumps anger Related: Mo Brooks says fight IS ON! after senator pledges election challenge Related: Mo Brooks embraces controversy as he leads longshot fight for Trump The process will begin at noon when Congress meets in a joint session. Once the written challenges from both senators and congressmen are recognized, the debates will begin in each chamber. The challenges are not expected to deliver Trump a second term. The House is controlled by Democrats and will most certainly vote to approve the Electoral College results that determined Biden to be the winner. Though Republicans hold a narrow edge in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other leaders have opposed the effort to undo the election results as well. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are scheduled to be inaugurated two weeks from today on Jan. 20. Brooks gave a fiery speech this morning at a pro-Trump rally near the White House, exhorting fellow Republicans to join the challenge to the Electoral College. Brooks last month became the first member of the House or Senate to announce plans to oppose the election results. SHANGHAI, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Everest Medicines (HKEX 1952.HK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Greater China and other parts of Asia, announced today that it has initiated the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease. "Breast Cancer is Singapore's number one leading cause of cancer death in women and TNBC accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancer in Singapore. This milestone marks the first of a series of planned NDA submissions for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in Everest's licensed territory, which also includes Greater China, South Korea, and certain additional Southeast Asian countries/regions," said Yang Shi, Chief Medical Officer for Oncology at Everest Medicines. "We look forward to making progress towards approval of sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in Singapore as we simultaneously advance our clinical development and regulatory programs in other parts of the territory in an effort to make this innovative treatment available to patients with this devastating disease across a broad range of emerging Asia Pacific." "We are excited to achieve this important submission, which supports our larger business strategy to build a strong commercial presence in international markets in and outside of China as we work to connect and accelerate global pharmaceutical innovation for patients in the Asia Pacific region," said Kerry Blanchard, MD, PhD, CEO of Everest Medicines. About Sacituzumab Govitecan-Hziy Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy is a first-in-class, antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed at TROP-2, a membrane antigen that is over-expressed in many common epithelial cancers. Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy was granted accelerated approval by the U.S. FDA in April 2020 for the treatment of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease. According to data from the pivotal Phase 3 ASCENT trial, treatment with sacituzumab govitecan-hziy reduced the risk of death by 52% (p <0.0001), reduced the risk of disease progression by 59% (p <0.0001) and increased median overall survival (12.1 vs. 6.7 months) compared with chemotherapy. Under a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc., Everest Medicines has exclusive rights to develop, register, and commercialize sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for all cancer indications in Greater China, South Korea, and certain Southeast Asian countries. In October 2020, sacituzumab govitecan-hziy was included in the updated 2020 China Guidelines for the Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer, compiled by the Breast Cancer Expert Committee of the National Cancer Control Center, the Breast Cancer Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, and the Cancer Drug Clinical Research Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive disease and accounts for approximately 15-20% of all breast cancer types worldwide.i-iii The median age of breast cancer diagnoses tends to be younger in China than western countries, and the percentage of the TNBC molecular subtype has been increasing in the past 10 years. TNBC cells lack sufficient estrogen, progesterone or HER2 receptor expression to benefit from the use of hormonal or HER2-directed therapy. Overall survival among patients with this form of breast cancer has not changed in the past 20 years, which highlights the need for advances in therapeutic options for these patients.iv-viii About Everest Medicines Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Greater China and other Asian markets. The management team of Everest Medicines has deep expertise and an extensive track record of high-quality clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and operations both in China and with leading global pharmaceutical companies. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of eight potentially global first-in-class or best-in-class molecules, many of which are in late stage clinical development. The Company's therapeutic areas of interest include oncology, autoimmune disorders, cardio-renal diseases and infectious diseases. For more information, please visit its website at www.everestmedicines.com. For further information, please contact: Everest Medicines Media in US and Europe: Darcie Robinson Vice President Westwicke PR (203) 919-7905 [email protected] Media in China: Edmond Lococo Managing Director ICR Asia +86 (10) 6583-7510 [email protected] i. DeSantis CE, Fedewa SA, Goding Sauer A, Kramer JL, Smith RA, Jemal A. Breast cancer statistics, 2015: convergence of incidence rates between black and white women. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:31-42. ii. 4. Plasilova ML, Hayse B, Killelea BK, Horowitz NR, Chagpar AB, Lannin DR. Features of triple-negative breast cancer: analysis of 38,813 cases from the National Cancer Database. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016;95(35):e4614. iii. Kohler BA, Sherman RL, Howlader N, et al. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975-2011, featuring incidence of breast cancer subtypes by race/ ethnicity, poverty, and state. J Natl Cancer Inst 2015;107(6):djv048. iv. Khosravi-Shahi P, Cabezon-Gutierrez L, Custodio-Cabello S. Metastatic triple negative breast cancer: optimizing treatment options, new and emerging targeted therapies. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2018;14: 32-9. v. Brufsky A, Valero V, Tiangco B, et al. Second-line bevacizumab-containing therapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer: subgroup analysis of the RIBBON-2 trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2012;133: 1067-75. vi. Perez EA, Patel T, Moreno-Aspitia A. Efficacy of ixabepilone in ER/PR/HER2- negative (triple-negative) breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010;121:261-71. vii. Park IH, Im SA, Jung KH, et al. Randomized open label phase III trial of irinotecan plus capecitabine versus capecitabine monotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracycline and taxane: PROCEED trial (KCSG BR 11-01). Cancer Res Treat 2019; 51:43-52. viii. Twelves C, Awada A, Cortes J, et al. Subgroup analyses from a phase 3, openlabel, randomized study of eribulin mesylate versus capecitabine in pretreated patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer (Auckl) 2016;10:77- 84. SOURCE Everest Medicines Husband and wife team launch firm during pandemic WHEN Emma Dunlop-Walters was made redundant during the coronavirus pandemic she used it as an opportunity to set out on a new adventure with husband Richard by her side. While the world went on hold, Emma pushed forward with plans to set up her own marketing company and things have been going from strength to strength ever since. Growing up in Shaw, the 30-year-old went to Park House School and then took a business BTEC at Newbury College. At school I really liked English and then I went to university in Newport to do a business and law degree, Emma explains. There was an element of marketing to it and thats where it all started. In 2013 I started working in business development and I realised I liked the marketing side so much that I would study for my CIM [Chartered Institute of Marketing] qualifications. I loved everything about it. It was all really good and learning something new. In my spare time I would do other small courses too and it was brilliant as I got to bring new ideas into work. From there she moved to a law firm in Reading, where she worked her way up from marketing assistant to marketing executive. Other roles followed as Emma continued to challenge herself, including a role focusing on ecommerce for a toy company, which she describes as a really good time. Last November she took on a new job as a marketing manager, but then Covid hit. Sadly, the company was forced to make Emma redundant, but rather than dwell on it, she decided to turn it into a positive. On July 5, the husband and wife team launched ER Marketing while Emma focuses on the marketing and business development, Richard works behind the scenes on the technical side, including building new websites for clients. I left my job on really good terms and it has worked out well for us, Emma says. In a recession, marketing is always the first thing to go, so we had a couple of days where I wasnt sure what I was going to do. I thought I would try freelancing and see what happens. We then got our first client in a few weeks and its just grown from there. Our work is all coming from referrals and its been really busy these past few weeks. Richard, aged 34, also grew up in Newbury, attending Shaw House and Trinity schools, before gaining a degree in linguistics at the University of Sussex. After graduating he spent some time living in New York. It was something I always wanted to do, he explains. So I went over there and worked in customer support, but also did freelance web development and writing. I loved IT and I loved computers; I also love reading and writing, so I did some general interest writing on tech issues while I was in New York. But for a long time, Richard has wanted to be a teacher. He followed his dream and is currently in the third year of a BA in education at Reading University. I am a full-time student and I am lucky that I working from home, so I have a bit more spare time to work with Emma than I would have if I was going into university, he says. Hopefully I will go on to work at a local college and continue to work in the business too. So how do the couple find living and working together? Richard believes they have very complementary skill sets, which makes it a perfect partnership. It isnt something that we ever thought we would be doing, Emma adds. But we work really well together. We are doing a lot of networking and growing our expertise. We just want people to know that we can offer affordable marketing solutions. We believe marketing should be available to everyone. Starting the business was all very sudden and we had to launch overnight, but we keep growing and, who knows, the skys the limit. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. In new TN assembly DMK has most MLAs with pending criminal background, crorepatis TN elections 2021: EC to hold workshop on electronic postal ballot India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Chennai, Jan 06: The external affairs ministry has suggested to the Election Commission to hold a workshop for its missions in select countries including the US and the UK on the proposed electronic postal ballot facility for overseas Indian electors in preparation for implementing the system. Sources in the poll panel said the proposed workshop -- also to be organised for missions in Australia and the UAE -- would be in the form of a webinar and its modalities would be worked out in due course. The MEA made this suggestion in a recent correspondence with the Election Commission. Election Commission tweaks postal ballot procedure for upcoming polls The Commission would also speak with various NRI associations and ministries which would be involved in the roll-out of the proposed facility which has found support in the MEA, the sources said. On November 27 last year, the EC had proposed to the government to extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) facility, so far available to service voters, to eligible overseas Indian voters. In a letter to the legislative secretary in the Law Ministry, the Commission said that with the successful execution of ETPBS in case of service voters, it is now "confident" that the facility can also be extended to the overseas electors. "The Commission is technically and administratively ready to extend this facility in general elections to legislative assemblies of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry," the poll panel said. Elections in these states are due sometime in April-May. The EC said it has been receiving several representations from Indian diaspora abroad to facilitate voting through postal ballots since such overseas electors are not in a position to be present in their polling area as travelling to India for this purpose is a costly affair and otherwise also they cannot leave the country of their residence owing to specific compulsions of employment, education or other engagements. "Due to protocols associated with Covid-19, the problem further gets compounded," the letter to the Law Ministry said. The Commission observed that Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 envisages the right to vote for every citizen registered in the electoral roll who is not subject to disqualification for voting. "Therefore, it is necessary to explore all avenues to enable exercise of a franchise by all eligible electors," it said. As of now, overseas Indians are free to cast their votes in the constituencies they are registered. Unofficial data with the EC shows that only 10,000-12,000 overseas voters have exercised their franchise because they do not want to spend foreign currency to come to India and vote. Tamil Nadu Elections 2021: Change, need of the hour says Kamal Under ETPBS, the postal ballot is sent electronically to a service voter who can download it and then use a specific envelope to send it back to the returning officer of his constituency. The postal ballot should reach the returning officer by 8.00 am on the day of the counting. Counting of votes begins with the counting of postal ballots at 8.00 am. Personnel of armed forces posted outside their constituencies in forward areas, personnel of central armed police forces posted outside their constituencies, state police personnel posted on poll duty and embassy staff are considered as service voters. The EC has suggested amending the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 to extend ETPBS for overseas electors. The rules were amended in October 2016 to allow service voters to use ETPBS. The ETPBS has nearly halved the time in sending and receiving postal ballots from far-flung areas. The Conduct of Election Rules was also changed to allow those who are 80 years of age or above and those with disabilities to use the postal ballot to cast vote. The same facility was extended to COVID-19 patients. But this postal ballot facility is different from ETPBS. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News For overseas electors, EC has said the voter will have to intimate the returning officer that he or she wants to use the postal ballot. The returning officer will then electronically transmit the ballot paper to the voter by means specified by the EC. The Commission has requested the government to make necessary amendments at the earliest "which will go a long way in not only facilitating the exercise of the right of overseas electors but also further boosting the image of the country internationally." But the government is yet to take a decision on allowing the use of postal ballots for eligible overseas Indians to cast their votes as the move will need wider consultations with all stakeholders before a final call is taken, sources have said. DMK will form govt in Tamil Nadu, says Stalin They also said that the Election Commission's proposal to amend election rules to allow the use of postal ballot by overseas Indians, whose names figure in electoral rolls in India, is still at a bureaucratic level and is yet to be discussed with the political executive. A bill to extend the facility of proxy voting to overseas Indians had lapsed following the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha in 2019. The bill had proposed that overseas Indians, who are entitled to vote in India, can appoint a proxy voter to cast the ballot on their behalf. An expert committee of the Election Commission, working on the issue, had in 2015 forwarded the legal framework to the Law Ministry to amend the electoral laws to allow the overseas Indians to use proxy voting. The bill said the necessary provision of coming to India to cast a ballot caused hardship for overseas electors. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 9:50 [IST] Nearly 88% schools for classes 9 to 12 reopened in Maharashtra by January 4, with over 15 lakh students physically attending schools daily. The attendance of students in schools has increased by nearly five times as compared to a month before, as per state government data. On January 4, the state education department released the data for phase-wise reopening of schools across the state and the number of students attending physically. Until Tuesday, over 19,000 schools in different parts of the state had reopened for classes 9 to 12 while also adhering to the guidelines with respect to offline learning during Covid-19. The highest attendance of students in schools was recorded in Parbhani 85.8% followed by Kolhapur, where 64.6% students physically attended schools. In districts such as Akola, Amravati and Dhule, the attendance was below 10%. Also Read: Bombay HC restrains state from granting final nod to 5 junior colleges In Palghar district, 240 schools have reopened so far with more than 25,000 students attending them regularly. After schools in Pune reopened on January 3, more than 82,000 students attended in the first week itself. Overall, only about 29% students in the state are attending regularly. As per the standard operating procedures laid down by the education department, 50% students are allowed to attend school on a day on an alternate day basis. Officials from the state education department said that the attendance was bound to increase with time as students and parents get more confident about schools being safe. Schools are following all the precautions and especially in rural and semi urban areas, a large number of children are keen on physically attending schools. Some parents are still scared but are likely to send their children to school soon after seeing them operate without any issues, said the official. The state education department has still not taken a decision about reopening schools for classes 1 to 8. Education minister Varsha Gaikwad had said that a decision in this respect was yet to be arrived at. Meanwhile, schools in Mumbai will remain shut at least until January 15. Watertown, NY (13601) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Press Release January 6, 2021 Bong Go supports calls for probe vs online sale of students' lewd photos, videos; tells youth that government is here to help Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has called on authorities to look into the reported online sale of lewd photos and videos of some Filipino students as he urged law enforcement agencies to strengthen the government's anti-cybercrime campaign. "I am calling on concerned agencies to provide necessary interventions to put a stop to this. Alarming ito lalo na't ang kalaswaan na ito ay dulot rin ng kahirapan," Go said, emphasizing that "hindi rason ang kahirapan para ibenta ang kaluluwa." His pronouncements came after reports indicating that some students have been resorting to selling their obscene photos and videos online to support their needs amid the ongoing pandemic. "Pwedeng makasuhan kung sino 'yung kakuntsaba at pumapayag sa mga ganitong pagbebenta ng malalaswang mga larawan," Go said during an ambush interview right after he personally led the distribution of assistance to market vendors in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Tuesday, January 5. Go also shared that President Rodrigo Duterte has been informed of this issue and is deeply concerned with the welfare of these children. The Senator also said that the President plans to call on cybercrime units of various concerned agencies for a meeting to address this situation and strengthen safeguards to protect the youth. "Plano po ipatawag ng Pangulo ang mga cybercrime units and experts from concerned agencies para mapag-usapan kung paano maitigil ito at maproteksyunan ang ating kabataan," Go said. Moreover, Go also called on the Council for the Welfare of Children to lay down measures to prevent child exploitation and also support them in dealing with the adverse socio-economic impacts of the ongoing health crisis. "Tinatawag ko ang pansin ng CWC para alagaan ang kapakanan ng mga bata. Gabayan natin sila dahil hindi nila kailangan magbenta ng kaluluwa para lang sa pera. Nandito po ang gobyerno para tumulong sa inyo," Go stressed. CWC Executive Director Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy concurred with Go's statement, but expressed difficulty to police the Internet for such acts. She, however, agreed that there is a need to encourage families to come forward and work with the government through CWC should they need assistance on such matters. For their part, Cajayon-Uy said that they will validate first about those involved in the online selling of photos and videos. Once this is confirmed, the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography may be tapped to intervene on the issue. The Senator urged students in distress to seek his help if they need support for their education rather than resorting to selling lewd photos and videos online. He guaranteed that the government and his office are willing to extend assistance to students who are struggling to support their needs. "Alam mo, hindi niyo po kailangan na pumasok sa ganun. Nandito po ang gobyerno, lapitan niyo lang po ang aming opisina dahil handa kaming tumulong sa inyong pag-aaral, hindi na tayo kailangan pang pumasok sa ganun," Go said. Citing a recent study conducted by the Washington-based International Justice Mission which reported that the Philippines is the largest known source of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children cases, Go filed Senate Bill 1650 in July 2020 to amend Republic Act No. 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act" which will enhance the country's protective measures against child sexual abuse. "Nakikiusap po ako sa mga otoridad at sa ating komunidad na magmanman at maging mapagmatyag sa mga iligal na mga aktibidad na umaabuso o nag-eexploit sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga kabataan, gaya ng mga nae-engage sa child pornography at online sex crimes," Go previously said. "Kung may kakilala po tayong gumagawa nito, magsumbong po tayo sa tamang otoridad. Labanan po natin ito, palakasin po natin ang ating mga batas laban dito. Protektahan natin ang mga bata dahil sa kanila nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa," he added. The Department of Justice has already ordered its attached agency, the National Bureau of Investigation, to conduct an investigation over the reported selling of obscene photos and videos. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra gave NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor ten days to submit reports on the progress of the investigation. In a statement, the Department of Education, meanwhile, expressed alarm over the rising incidents of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also gave its full cooperation to government agencies to put a stop to pornography among students. The experience was surreal. Jeff Raider and Andy Katz-Mayfield, the co-founders and co-CEOs of the trendy grooming-products startup Harry's, were wearing suits and ties. They were surrounded by lawyers. And they had just experienced an hours-long grilling by antitrust regulators in a room at the Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, D.C., a hulking limestone edifice on Pennsylvania Avenue. Their apparent sin: competing too well against razor giant Gillette. Isn't antitrust law supposed to work the other way? Raider and Katz-Mayfield launched the New York City-based Harry's in 2013 with the seemingly improbable idea of taking on not only Gillette but also Schick, two enormous brands owned by consumer packaged goods conglomerates that together controlled some 90 percent of the men's shaving market at the time. Using a direct-to-consumer model initially, Harry's became a player in shaving, with nearly 7 percent of U.S. nondisposable-razor sales in 2019. Emboldened, Harry's launched other personal-care brands and attacked its bigger rivals on their own turf, at retail stores such as Target and Walmart. This kind of accomplishment would have looked unthinkable to anyone familiar with the personal-care aisles a decade earlier. In just a few years, Harry's, along with another DTC disrupter, Dollar Shave Club (acquired by Unilever for $1 billion in 2016), had helped slice Gillette's share to around 50 percent, from north of 70. And yet, because Harry's funded its growth with a mega-haul of venture capital (some $375 million from 20 firms), it needed an exit strategy to reward investors, which typically means a buyout by a larger company or going public. In 2019, just such an opportunity presented itself when Edgewell Personal Care, a conglomerate headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut--and Schick's parent company--offered $1.37 billion to buy Harry's. In the deal they negotiated, though, Raider, 40, and Katz-Mayfield, 38, were taking over much of Edgewell while keeping control of Harry's. As co-presidents, they were going to run Edgewell's American business, a portfolio of venerable if vulnerable brands--Playtex, Carefree, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat--in need of some Millennial marketing mojo. Then the feds showed up. $350 million Current annual sales $375 million Money raised to date 20 million Current number of shave customers (U.S., U.K., Canada) 9 percent Current share of U.S. men's nondisposable-razor market $1.37 billion Price of failed acquisition by Edgewell Personal Care Source: Harry's The January FTC meeting, eight months after the deal was announced, kicked off a series of intense sessions with each of the FTC's five commissioners, plus countless prep sessions and debriefings. Harry's had three law firms working on the deal, each with half a dozen lawyers assigned to it; Edgewell had its own representation. ("Try doing the hourly math on that," Katz-Mayfield groans. "It's not pretty.") What had seemed like a charmed startup finding a charmed exit was turning into something more complicated--and set many to wondering if the Harry's experience spelled trouble for other challenger brands hoping to one day engineer similar exits. "Can you tell the difference between Gillette Fusion, Gillette Fusion ProGlide, Gillette Fusion ProShield, and Gillette Fusion ProShield Chill? No? Then why are they different prices?" asks the normally reserved and relentlessly diplomatic Raider in a rare break in form for him. He's pointing out one of the core tensions in the shaving industry that made his company possible. For decades, Gillette and Schick's duopoly let them create confusing arrays of products--aerodynamic designs, colorful lube strips, and other purported innovations that might or might not represent true performance improvements--at a variety of prices. Without much competition, the companies were free to dictate what constituted value and reinforced the idea through large ad budgets. They were going to run Edgewell's American business, a portfolio of venerable if vulnerable brands. The profusion of products also created an opportunity for a newcomer like Harry's to build a business around simpler and lower-priced items without the theatrics. What Harry's offered, instead, was a whimsical brand (its lovable logo is a line drawing of a woolly mammoth) and expertise at selling directly to consumers. Simplification included subscriptions, too--razors show up at your door and you don't have to shop. Then Harry's migrated to the real world, winning space in big chains such as Target and Walmart. In winning at retail stores, Raider and Katz-Mayfield recognized that they might be able to pull off the same trick in other categories. In early 2018, the two raised $112 million to fund Harry's Labs, a new division tasked with growing new brands, either by creating them or acquiring early-stage startups. The first product to market was a women's shaving line named Flamingo that launched late that year. At the same time, Edgewell was realizing that it needed to build a startup's online capabilities for itself. Edgewell's stock had been on an extended slide, and the company was in the process of promoting its CFO, Rod Little, to CEO, with a mandate to make the business more digitally savvy and relevant to younger consumers. Edgewell began flirting with Harry's toward the end of 2018. Each had something the other needed. Even as Harry's started to act like a conglomerate itself--stockpiling nine figures of cash for M&A is hardly scrapping--it had the operational resources of a much smaller company. Most urgently, Harry's was reaching the limits of its razor technology and manufacturing capacity. While a lot of shaver design is indeed gimmicky, making sharp and durable blades at scale, it turns out, is complicated. Although Harry's owned a factory in Germany, Edgewell had decades of experience and vastly more capacity--enough that it would be a cinch for Harry's to double its output with Edgewell's help. In the early months of 2019, the Harry's founders and Little began to shape what a deal would look like. The fact was that Edgewell, which had spun off from Energizer's battery business in 2015, was puny ($2.1 billion in sales) compared with Gillette's parent company, Procter & Gamble ($71 billion in sales). The latter is the world's largest CPG company, parent of such household names as Tide, Pampers, Crest, and Charmin, with a market cap then nearing $300 billion--more than 10 times Edgewell's. To P&G, buying Harry's would have been pocket change. To Edgewell, it was betting the company. For Harry's, the deal quite literally put the whole company on the line--not just the shaving business it had built, but also the ambition to vault into other categories. "We had a broad vision to build a bigger consumer products company, and they had a portfolio of brands needing to be reimagined," remembers Katz-Mayfield. "The idea was that we would effectively get the keys to the castle to do that." It made a lot of sense, at least in theory. At Harry's HQ in downtown Manhattan, the founders' idea of hitching their hip, urban moniker to a plodding portfolio in suburbia got mixed reactions. "I would say some people were super excited, and some people were less excited," Raider deadpans. Some team members who appreciated the logic of the deal, he says, welcomed the challenge of putting their imprint on a bigger, more established company, and maybe taking on new roles. Others had trouble getting over the marked difference in sex appeal that the two companies radiated. Could they ever feel warmth toward Schick or Playtex? "Some people were like, 'Wow, this is going to be really hard, and it's different from the job I signed up for at Harry's,' " Raider says. What's more, there would inevitably be role redundancies and other structural shifts in the merged operations that put people's jobs at risk. Harry's founders insisted during negotiations that they control human resources at Edgewell U.S.--"policies, compensation, all of it," says Katz- Mayfield. "We own it. That is not an Edgewell corporate thing. We had a--to say 'debate' would be putting it kindly--bunch of attention around that in the deal process. We knew that if we wanted to retain and really motivate the people at Harry's, it was going to be important to create a culture and values that were quite similar to those we had." From a startup's perspective, that made sense. Everyone at Harry's believed it was built to be different, and many felt a sense of ownership that went beyond their equity stakes. To CEO Little at Edgewell, though, it was more complicated. What looked to the Harry's team like something magical looked to the Edgewell team like, well, a startup--a fresh-faced innocent that didn't know what it didn't know. For all the merger trepidation among the Harry's team, the feeling was just as pronounced at Edgewell, as longtime employees anticipated the invasion of a bunch of Manhattan internet cowboys. The differences weren't just cosmetic--a dog-filled, loftlike space in chichi SoHo versus a mirrored office-park building in the 'burbs. Like many startups, Harry's prided itself on being agile. When problems arose, the founders could step in quickly. Edgewell, with its multiple brands, was structured around functional units. Getting a coordinated solution could take longer. Little conceded the broad oversight, including HR, but he stopped well short of letting Raider and Katz- Mayfield think the Harry's culture could simply take over. That sent his team at Edgewell a clear message that he was serious about change, and it sent his potential partners a clear message that their highest priority needed to become Edgewell. "We had to balance the history and heritage of Edgewell with the disruptive mindset that Andy and Jeff brought," says Little. "We were going to have to create a new, third way, a different and unique culture." After the deal was announced, the integration of the two firms began informally. By law, until the sale got government clearance, most of the actual merger couldn't begin, but Raider and Katz-Mayfield started spending a lot of time getting to know as much of the Edgewell team as they could. Others were developing potential org charts and marketing strategies. Joining the companies wasn't going to be easy, but the prospect of taking on not just Gillette but P&G itself delivered the utmost entrepreneurial rush. Raider and Katz-Mayfield had made it to the big leagues, and they were going to captain their new team the first time they suited up. Or so they thought. Antitrust law is designed to protect competition, which is why the legal teams from both companies advised that regulatory approval would be pretty simple. The logic of the deal was essentially that Schick wasn't growing and Harry's was; combining the two would create a stronger competitor to Gillette, which would be better for consumers. As one industry insider who asked to remain anonymous puts it, "the real problem for the category is Gillette, with the backing of P&G, having almost monopolistic power." Retailers were hungry for competition (and leverage against P&G) in the shaving aisle, looking to Schick for innovations and coming to rely on Harry's for a new generation of customers. Already, the increased competition had forced Gillette to trim prices in recent years, and everyone assumed that the newly combined No. 2 company would simply put more pressure on the No. 1. And for six months, that's where things seemed to be going. Granted, the FTC's request for data from Harry's ran to 120 pages and required a team of lawyers just to gather documents--"every email we've ever sent, every document we've created, every number," remembers Katz-Mayfield. But there was little reason to worry--until the meetings started in January and each successive session further darkened the outlook. That month, the founders spent several days a week in Washington, and increasingly they realized their warm-and-fuzzy message about looking out for consumers was being met with skepticism. When Raider says "Our mission as a company is to create things people like more--it would be antithetical to us to do anything bad for consumers," he believes it. The FTC instead saw an aggressive insurgent about to snuggle up with a big player while saying, Trust us, we're good guys. Meanwhile, he and Katz-Mayfield were trying to run a company whose team had been working in a state of limbo for eight months and had long begun wondering why the deal hadn't closed--and what was holding up their piece of that $1.37 billion. Despite the distraction, the company grew revenue 20 percent in 2019 and finally crossed over to profitability. Its new women's brand, Flamingo, also gained traction and will sell more than three million razors this year. But to Raider and Katz-Mayfield, and to Little at Edgewell, the clock was ticking, and they needed to get on with their growth plans if the deal wasn't going to work. As Little puts it: "There is value in certainty." The FTC reached its decision on February 3: It would sue to block the deal. The logic: Harry's was too good to sacrifice to a merger. "The loss of Harry's as an independent competitor would remove a critical disruptive rival that has driven down prices and spurred innovation in an industry that was previously dominated by two main suppliers, one of whom is the acquirer," the agency wrote. By one interpretation, that statement meant that Raider and Katz-Mayfield's company had so succeeded as a challenger that the feds now viewed it as essential to keeping the market competitive. That might sound like the definition of making it big, but it effectively shut down the company's most obvious exit strategy. The decision dropped jaws throughout much of the CPG world, which had come to rely on acquiring insurgents as a kind of innovation, talent, and Millennial-customer pipeline. Edgewell decided not to fight the suit and abandoned the deal, opting to hire a former Walmart e-commerce executive to head its North American ops. "I said publicly that we disagreed with the decision, but we weren't going to fight it," says Little. "We are focused on accelerating our efforts to build a next-generation CPG company." The startup and venture capital worlds were equally appalled. They had come to see the CPG giants not only as ripe for disruption but also as the source of their biggest payoffs. "Harry's Fixes Shaving, Breaks Exit Strategy," wrote The Washington Post. Some speculated that Harry's had waited too long to sell and that rising brands could avoid FTC scrutiny if they found buyers before amassing so much market share that they were market forces themselves. Others wondered whether the rising cost of Facebook and Google ads, which had driven Harry's to aggressively pursue traditional retail channels, had fundamentally redefined the company: no longer a digital upstart but rather a more traditional maker of personal-care products, albeit with a cooler logo. Most of all, the decision shocked Harry's, which now had little choice but to build its little family of brands internally, and eventually pursue an IPO. The payoff would have to wait. The new vision for Harry's, in fact, might promise an even greater rush than getting acquired ever could have. It's a Wednesday morning in September, six months after the deal collapsed, and some 300 Harry's employees are gathered on Zoom for their weekly all-hands meeting. The nakedly earnest love song "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)," by Talking Heads, canters along in the background as people file into the virtual room, until Raider takes over to praise a big accomplishment--"one of the biggest cross-functional efforts we've ever had at Harry's," he says. Today's meeting celebrates the launch of new-and-improved razor blades, known internally as Gen2+, that stay sharp longer than their predecessors. A product manager touts the new, plastic-free packaging. The marketing team plays a 30-second ad spot that takes a dig at the rivals. ("And unlike some other companies, we don't raise the price when we introduce something new.") Raider and Katz-Mayfield seem comfortably back in their startup milieu despite navigating an entirely different kind of crisis since March, when men decided to forgo shaving and grow pandemic beards. Raider often sports a day or two of stubble growth. By August, nondisposable-razor sales had dropped 11 percent year over year industrywide, but they'd risen 2.4 percent at Harry's, thanks to its e-commerce business. Several weeks after the Edgewell deal collapsed, Harry's publicly launched its second spinoff brand, a line of cat products called Cat Person that was dreamed up by a staffer and incubated in Harry's Labs. Sound random? Katz-Mayfield contends it's a perfect fit because existing cat products "are really not designed with cats in mind"--that is, he and Raider see a stale category dominated by giants like Mars that have so far mostly been spared DTC challengers. Katz-Mayfield claims Harry's has "a bunch" of other new brands in development, and that the company will "definitely" begin acquiring other early-stage digital- first brands. Kirsten Green, the founder of Forerunner Ventures, a prolific investor in DTC brands, believes consumers today have shown they are hungrier to discover new brands than they used to be, and that bodes well for the Harry's vision of building the next P&G. "They have a high-caliber team, they have ambition, and they're already operating from a position of size and sophistication," she says. And Harry's has the benefit of lessons learned through experience--thinking at scale, and making decisions across multiple brands, multiple kinds of retailers, and multiple countries. Edgewell "had built all these capabilities that we didn't really know and had to learn," Raider admits. Rededicating Harry's to building its own family of brands has also allowed the founders to rally the team around the promise of an even bigger payoff in the future. The new vision for Harry's, in fact, might promise an even greater rush than getting acquired ever could have. If joining Edgewell was going to push the Harry's team straight into the big leagues--well, not joining it did so anyway. And the founders, no longer innocents, learned one tough lesson about being the new hotshot: Many in the industry suspect that it was none other than Procter & Gamble that persuaded the FTC to block the deal. On January 8, just as the Harry's team was running its gauntlet of FTC meetings, P&G announced its acquisition of a women's razor and skin care startup called Billie. It was exactly the kind of industry consolidation, some observers noted, that might nudge the FTC into blocking the Edgewell- Harry's tie-up. If true--and it's difficult to prove--the pressure tactic worked. Even if the FTC chooses to block the Billie acquisition, P&G has avoided having a stronger competitor. And it has upped its game in men's shavers, adding market share in recent months. Harry's learned how to pick itself up after a knockdown. The company's next launch, after the Gen2+ blades, is its first entry into anti- dandruff shampoo. The leader is a brand called Head & Shoulders, the world's best-selling shampoo, supported by an advertising budget that would make most competitors weep. It's owned by a company named Procter & Gamble. Round 2 has begun. The Quirky King of Shaving King Camp Gillette, inventor, entrepreneur, author, and anticapitalist-utopian millionaire, was so eccentric as to make Elon Musk seem average. Yet as the creator of the double-edge safety razor and founder of the firm that still bears his name, Gillette is an American business immortal--and not merely for the product he patented in 1904. Gillette exploited a business model that is still worshiped at the altar of marketing: Sell the handle cheap and make a killing on the blades, which will be purchased continually for as long as beards keep growing. Gillette's is still a model model. Hewlett-Packard will gladly sell you a $70 printer in return for your buying its $15-to-$25 ink cartridges for the next five years. Nespresso prices a sleek espresso maker at $104 to sell you the coffee for $75 per pound. Now that is genius. The idea wasn't wholly Gillette's. In 1895, his boss at the time, William Painter, owner of the Baltimore Bottle Seal Co., suggested that Gillette focus on a product that was disposable. Painter himself had created one--the crown bottle cap, used once and tossed, then and today. Gillette engaged a partner, an MIT-trained engineer named William Emery Nickerson, who eventually figured out the difficult process of producing very thin blades. In 1903, the company's first year in business, it sold 51 razors and 14 dozen blades. By 1904: 90,000 razors and 15 million blades. Within five years, Gillette's face, which adorned the packaging, was known worldwide. Like so many entrepreneurs, Gillette's path to success was uneven. Raised in a family of inventors, he had patented another metal device before the razor but couldn't commercialize it. In 1894, 40 years old, unsuccessful, and critical of capitalism, he published The Human Drift. It was a blueprint for a sort of mega-condo socialist paradise in upstate New York with 24,000 apartment buildings--hydropowered by Niagara Falls--that would be home to millions. Finding few takers, Gillette returned his focus to facial hair. If any room in our homes got a workout last year, it was the kitchen. Cooking and baking were popular for both practical and relaxing reasons. All that time in the heart of the home got some of us wondering whether we should deep clean, organize, upgrade or even remodel our kitchens. But a kitchen renovation is a huge investment; the average new kitchen costs between $13,295 and $37,603 as of Monday, according to HomeAdvisor. And when we do take the leap on that kind of remodel, either for part of the space or the whole room, we want to make choices that will last for years. We talked to designers about how to make classic updates that will stand up over time. Here are their suggestions. - Use marble counters Whether you're doing a whole-kitchen remodel or making savvy moves to refresh the space, Wendy Blackband of Blackband Home & Design in California likes marble counters. "It's been around for a long time, and you see it whenever you're traveling through Europe," she says. Blackband suggests Calacatta, a whiter marble with veining. Marble is an investment, at $40 to $100 per square foot. But Leanne Ford, a Pittsburgh-based interior designer and HGTV star, says it's worth it. "Being that the kitchen is the most-used room in the house, anything you love is worth the investment," she says. "Scrimp somewhere else." Marble requires sealing every six to 12 months to prevent stains and acid etching. If you want a similar look with less expense and upkeep, Blackband suggests the engineered Neolith countertop material. Quartz countertops from companies like Caesarstone and PentalQuartz are another good option. Blackband recommends sticking with white or, if you don't like white, a neutral color like tan, beige or ivory. Go with a subtle pattern and low veining for a longer-lasting look. - Mind your lighting Everything looks better and more upscale in the right light. "We believe kitchens should have sufficient and flexible lighting, as if there was never any natural daylight in the space," says Kelly Emerson, a designer with Aidan Design in Silver Spring, Md. (Natural light is a bonus.) If this isn't already the case in your kitchen, upgrade to recessed downlights on dimmer switches in the ceiling, so you can control the light levels, and add task lighting under cabinets. A layer of recessed wall-washer ceiling lighting, pendants or sconces add both decoration and directional lighting, especially if under-cabinet lighting isn't possible. To replace dated pendants, designer Sarah Zames, principal and founder of the Brooklyn, N.Y., design firm General Assembly, and Colin Stief look for fixtures with warm materials, such as brass in a natural or black finish. Go bigger rather than smaller with these lighting fixtures. "Globes of any size are forever - frosted or clear," says Ford, co-star of HGTV's "Restored by the Fords." For more information on sizing and placement, look to Circa Lighting's online guide to lighting (circalighting.com/tips). - Choose the right cabinets Choosing or replacing kitchen cabinets is one of the biggest investments in a kitchen, so you'll want something you won't have to change, paint or refresh anytime soon. "Walnut is the timeless, classic wood species," Emerson says. "Rich variations of light- to medium-warm gray stains on maple, cherry, hickory or walnut" are also good, as well as "natural stains on cherry and walnut." Whatever you do, she says, "stay away from yellow and pink-red coloration to wood stains." Although white cabinets are a popular choice, Emerson warns that they are on their way out of fashion. If you still like the lighter look, Emerson recommends linen colors vs. stark whites, which can help "achieve more layered tone-on-tone palettes." As for style, Blackband says to look at slab-panel cabinetry, which features a flat door over the cabinet box and lends a modern but classic look. Installing panels over appliances is a luxurious extra touch if you can afford it, making the room seem less like a kitchen full of machines and more like a living space with furniture. Like counters, cabinets are a place to spend your money wisely. They are expensive, but investing in the highest quality you can afford will pay off in more long-lasting materials. - Select quality hardware Updating hardware is one of the easiest kitchen upgrades, but what if you're choosing for the first time - for the long haul? "Our office tends to like things that have a natural, warm feeling," Zames says. She specifically looks to oil-rubbed bronze knobs and pulls, because the patina can change over time, giving them a classic, well-worn look. Knobs don't have to match plumbing hardware, Blackband says, as long as they're complementary, like black knobs with a polished chrome faucet. Emerson recommends keeping all the hardware warm or cool, like satin and nickel finishes that go with stainless steel appliances. What matters more than the type of metal, though, is the quality of the hardware, according to Zames and Stief. For example, even though brass hardware is trendy right now, if that brass is well-made, has been worn in and has an aged patina, it can still have lasting value. - Choose a classic backsplash Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen with more easily replaced items like dish towels, art, rugs and bowls of fruit. If, as Zames says, white subway tile feels too much like "playing it safe," there are ways to up the interest. Blackband suggests choosing a larger tile than the standard 3-by-6-inch size, or changing the orientation; try stacking the tile vertically or in a chevron pattern. Another way to make this classic feel more personal is to choose subway tile that's handmade, Blackband says, or to get creative with your grout color. M&A Sagewind Capital, Jordan launch new government platforms Well then lets just pick back up where we left off in our roundup of deals Monday with two new transactions that see private equity firms enter new investments in the government market. Sagewind Capital has added a fourth platform to its government services portfolio in sensor data services firm Sigma Defense Systems. Terms of that transaction announced Wednesday were undisclosed. In tandem with the deal, Sigma Defense said it hired former Special Operations Command Chief Information Officer John Wilcox as CEO and veteran SAP NS2 executive Matt Johns as president. Scott Ritchie and Thor James, Sigma Defenses founders, will respectively remain with the company as chief growth officer and chief operating officer. They will also retain a significant equity ownership. Perry, Georgia-based Sigma Defense ground-based tactical-relay, sensor data backhaul systems to defense and intelligence agencies looking to send information to operators and analysts worldwide. Sagewind's portfolio also includes By Light, GCOM and QuantiTech -- all of which have made acquisitions with the former's backing. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as Sagewind's legal counsel. DC Advisory served as exclusive financial adviser to Sagewind. Maynard Cooper & Gale served as legal counsel to Sigma Defense. Meanwhile: The Jordan Company has invested in Innoflight Holdings, a maker of avionics and other types of electronics for satellites and other space platforms. Terms of that deal announced Monday were undisclosed. Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik will continue to lead the San Diego-based company as chief executive. Innoflight was founded in 2004 and touts its core focus as on compact, software-defined, cyber-secure and integrated avionics to support network connections between satellites and ground stations. Last year, the company was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract from the Air Force to prototype a new space node processor for improving the resiliency of space-based communications networks. Jordans other major platform in the government market is VTG, the defense technical services company acquired in 2012 when it was known as VT Group. Mayer Brown LLP served as legal counsel to Jordan for the Innoflight transaction. Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC served as financial adviser, Blank Rome LLP served as legal counsel and Newport LLC as strategic advisers to Innoflight. China has suspended imports from a Brazilian pork plant operated by privately owned Aurora Alimentos over coronavirus concerns, according to a report from Reuters citing a statement from a meat trade group on Monday. The Brazilian agriculture ministry said China had requested information about COVID-19 cases at the plant, without elaborating further. The Brazilian Protein Association (ABPA) said it was an isolated event in the past, and that information and demonstrations of Auroras good practices have been shared in detail with Chinese authorities and that the company enforces strict COVID-19 protocols. The Covid-19 pandemic has delayed import efforts in china which is working to restore its pig herd following recent ASF outbreaks. The country has had to intensify shipment checks and ban produce from some factories in various countries after discovering the novel coronavirus on imported cold-chain products and packaging. The Aurora plant affected by the latest suspension is in the town of Chapeco, Santa Catarina state, ABPA said. China has also issued similar suspensions against other Brazil-based meatpackers including JBS SA and BRF SA, although some of the bans have been already lifted. ABPA reiterated that there is no scientific evidence of the risk of contamination by the novel coronavirus through food consumption. Get Our E-Newsletter - Pig World's best stories in your in-box twice a week See e-newsletter example Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy CHICO, Calif. - The state of California recently announced a $2 billion plan to help schools reopen in-person instruction by the spring. The assistant superintendent told Action News Now that the district will receive roughly $5.5 million that will impact around 12,000 students. This one-time grant will include testing for teachers and students every two weeks, PPE, and classroom ventilation. We spoke with the assistant superintendent, Kevin Bultema, and Chico High School teacher, Jordan Mathews, about what this will mean for students and teachers. Bultema said, Obviously, very challenging times and being online just isnt ideal and so any amount of money that we can use to try and help mandate that impact on teachers and students and families is welcome. Mathews added, Bottom line, kids are still kids. They like to show up to school and enjoy themselves and we like to show up to school and work with kids. They are hurting and we are hurting too. So, I think we are all looking forward to the day when we can look back on this period of time instead of living in it. The district hopes to also use this money for enhancing the classroom experience where learning can be improved, like tutoring and more interaction between teachers and students. Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a phased approach regarding this plan. It will focus first on students in kindergarten through second grade, children with disabilities, those who have limited access to technology, and students who have been struggling with being out of the classroom. Other grades will be phased in during the spring. This plan will also allow students who have health vulnerabilities or feel uncomfortable coming back into the classroom to continue remote learning. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 86F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Based on a statement by mydrivers.com, it seems that the Lite variant of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite has been spotted showcasing the design of the smartphone and what to expect when it is officially available in the global market. The images seem to hint that the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is expected to come equipped with a triple rear camera setup, as well as a single front-facing selfie camera located towards the top left of the flat screen display. However, do take every bit of information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Xiaomi has yet to provide an official statement on the leak. Not only that, but theres also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite for now. Would you be interested in getting the smartphone in question as soon as it is available in the local market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com. A Hindu postal worker has won 200,000 over religious discrimination after a Christian colleague mistook him for a Muslim in a row over prayer rooms. Mathan Shunmugaraja set up work-related meetings in a row one of his Christian colleagues, Adam Day, used to pray in. Angered by the move, Mr Day stormed into one of the meetings and said he didn't use the 'Muslim prayer room' for work, at the Cardiff Royal Mail centre, so Mr Shunmugaraja shouldn't use his. The angry exchange in 2017 amounted to religious discrimination, the panel ruled, as Mr Shunmugaraja is actually a British Indian Hindu. A panel in Cardiff found the manager, who was earning 32,000 at the depot, was also the victim of racial discrimination, after a colleague referred to him as a 'sly dog,' following a petty argument. A remedy judgement published yesterday revealed Royal Mail was ordered to pay Mr Shunmugaraja 229,161 for injury to feelings and past and future losses,. Mathan Shunmugaraja has won more than 200,000 in compensation after colleagues at Cardiff Royal Mail Centre mistook him for a Muslim and called him a 'sly dog' An employment tribunal held in Cardiff, heard that as part of his role, he was required to hold weekly meetings to deliver training and plan the week ahead. Generally, these meetings took place in whatever room was free at the time and he began using a room known as the 'Quiet Room'. On the door was a notice which read: 'Dear user, this room is provided for prayer, contemplation and reading, please respect this facility for that purpose.' On another floor of the building, there was a designated prayer room which was said to be 'mostly' used by Muslim employees - as it is customary for those following Islam to pray five times a day. The tribunal heard Mr Day used the 'Quiet Room' for praying and was infuriated to learn Mr Shunmugaraja was using the room for work. In August 2017, Mr Day complained to another manager about the situation and asked Mr Shunmugaraja not to use the room in future. That week's meeting went ahead in the 'Quiet Room' but when Mr Day found out he stormed in and began aggressively shouting and demanding Mr Shunmugaraja come outside to discuss the problem. When Mr Shunmugaraja asked another colleague - who was a Muslim - to come with them Mr Day said: 'What for? I'm not going to kill you.' The tribunal heard that Mr Day then 'caustically and aggressively' offered an alternative and said: 'Let's go use the Muslim Prayer Room'. In another incident prior to his leaving the company, Mr Shunmugaraja also got into a row with another colleague, Tony Brown, who called him a 'sly dog' during a meeting. Mr Shunmugaraja wrote to Royal Mail's HR department alleging he was being harassed and bullied on account of his race. He asked for an external investigation but was told that outside staff would not normally look into bullying and harassment complaints from managers against their team. Mr Shunmugaraja then became unwell and went off on sick leave and did not return to work prior to his dismissal which was unrelated to the dispute. Giving her conclusion, Judge Laura Howden-Evans found those comments, and the row over the Quiet Room amounted to discrimination. Judge Howden-Evans said: 'Mr Day was wound up and upset that Mr Shunmuguraja was using the Quiet Room, which Mr Day personally used for prayers. Giving her conclusion at the Cardiff Employment Tribunal Judge Laura Howden-Evans said Mr Shunmugaraja was confronted in 'caustically and aggressively' manner in 2017 'In the heat of the moment Mr Day made this comment without thinking. It was a retort that came out that he wouldn't have said to someone of the same religion as himself. 'We are satisfied that in the heat of the moment and in those words he was blurring together the Mr Shunmugaraja's religion and his friend(who is a Muslim)'s religion and was trying to say 'you respect the Muslim religion - why not respect mine'. 'However, Mr Day did not express it like this or in this manner - instead he said caustically and aggressively 'Let's go use the [Muslim] Prayer Room'. 'We accept that being spoken to aggressively is less favourable treatment. We are satisfied that this was treating (him) less favourably and the reason for this less favourable treatment was (his) perceived religion, as in that instant Mr Day had confused (his) religion with (his) friend's religion. '(He) succeeds with his claim of direct religious discrimination based on his perceived religion.' In respect of the 'sly dog' comments, she said: 'The Tribunal accept that the term 'dog' and the phrase 'sly dog' would be perceived as an insult in many cultures and could have connotations of race.' She concluded that his claims of discrimination related to religion, harassment related to his race, and victimisation related to protected disclosures were well founded. A spokeswoman from Royal Mail said today: 'Royal Mail is disappointed by this decision. We are now carefully reviewing the findings. 'Royal Mail takes its equality and diversity obligations very seriously and is committed to a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, where our colleagues feel respected and able to thrive.' Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / Black Tusk Resources Inc. ("Black Tusk" or the "Company) (CSE:TUSK)(OTC PINK:BTKRF)(FSE:0NB) is pleased to announce that additional claims have been added to the MoGold property located north of Val d'Or, Quebec. With the addition of 6 new claims, the MoGold property now comprises 27 claims totalling 1,355 hectares. The claims are located west of Highway 397, 22 Km north of Val d'Or, Quebec. The newly added MoGold claims cover four diamond drill holes that were completed from 1973 to 2009. These drill holes are currently being reviewed and summarized for addition to the property database that now includes 12 historic diamond drill holes. The MoGold claims cover the historic Boily-Berube mineral showing. The Boily- Berube is described as being located on the western contact of the La Corne batholith. The showing consists of a massive vein of cherty quartz containing fine grains of pyrite, minor chalcopyrite and scattered flakes of molybdenite. The veins trend along the western contact of a quartz porphyry intrusion highly mineralized with very fine-grained pyrite. Excavating on the showing carried out in 1989 revealed a pegmatititic quartz vein containing 10 to 30% molybdenite, pyrite and traces of chalcopyrite and malachite. Bismuth mineralization had been noted in some of the historic drilling. Black Tusk geologic team interprets the geology and recorded mineralization to have potential for intrusion-related gold mineralization. Black Tusk will continue compile and review available information for the MoGold property to delineate targets for exploration. Perry Grunenberg, P.Geo, a "Qualified Person" as that term is defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Grunenberg is also a Director of the Company. About Black Tusk Resources Black Tusk holds title to five mineral properties in the Quebec, Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Three of these properties are located to the immediate north of Val d'Or. This includes the McKenzie East Gold Project, PG Highway, and MoGold properties. The other properties are the Golden Valley located north of La Sarre, and the Lorrain located immediately south of Lorrainville, Quebec. The McKenzie East Gold Property is scheduled to begin diamond drilling on January 15, 2021. The Lorrain property is also scheduled for drilling in Winter 2021. Cautionary Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of that date. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; fluctuations in the prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Prospectus dated September 8, 2017 available on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. On behalf of the Board of Directors Richard Penn CEO (778) 384-8923 SOURCE: Black Tusk Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623219/Black-Tusk-Resources-Inc-Stakes-Additional-Claims-on-MoGold-Property-Val-dOr-Quebec ANDOVER, Mass., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Navisite today announced that it has acquired Velocity Technology Solutions, Inc. ("Velocity"), a global cloud managed service provider (MSP). With this acquisition, Navisite enhances its position as a leader of managed cloud and enterprise resource planning (ERP) services for mid-market and enterprise customers, including a base of both fast-growing and established global brands. Velocity will enhance Navisite's service portfolio through the addition of deep enterprise application expertise and a robust cloud platform that simplifies the migration and management of customer environments across public, private and hybrid clouds. Navisite is executing its customer-focused growth strategy with the continued investment support of Madison Dearborn Partners, a leading private equity investment firm based in Chicago. "Organizations need a technology partner that not only offers modern cloud services and expertise to support their digital transformation goals, but also is capable of delivering rightsized solutions," said Mark Clayman, CEO of Navisite. "Every step we've taken as a company, including this acquisition, has been focused on being that trusted partner and building a customer-centric portfolio of solutions." Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Velocity delivers secure, fully managed cloud environments through a portfolio of application-focused cloud managed services and professional services with data analytics. Velocity's expertise in managing leading ERP applications and leveraging its Velocity Cloud Application Management Platform (VCAMP) enables its customers to optimize application performance on-premises and in the cloud with the required availability, security, visibility and control at a reduced total cost of ownership. Velocity's cloud managed services products include cloud managed infrastructure, databases, disaster recovery, data lakes and managed container support. Velocity is an AWS Premier Partner, certified as both a migration and MSP supporting Microsoft, SAP and Oracle applications, as well as an Oracle Platinum Partner and certified MSP. "With Velocity, we've added significant scale and breadth to our capabilities, global presence, data centers and public cloud expertise to support customers as they navigate the challenges of today and tomorrow across every part of the technology stackfrom cloud migration and management to infrastructure, enterprise application and data management services," added Clayman. The Velocity acquisition will also augment Navisite's managed services for Oracle and SAP applications, and support industry-specific ERPs, including Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS), JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, Infor and Epic, as well as business intelligence solutions such as Hyperion, OneStream and Qlik. Navisite recently announced the acquisition of Dickinson + Associates, a premier SAP Gold Partner. Velocity's strengths in SAP will further enhance Navisite's SAP solutions, enabling Navisite to deliver technical and functional consulting, implementation and support services to help customers adopt SAP cloud technologies and migrate to SAP S/4HANA, which is SAP's ERP for large enterprises. Through its combination with Velocity, Navisite will further strengthen its capabilities across manufacturing, healthcare and other industries, supporting customers as they look to migrate, modernize and manage legacy deployments in private, hybrid and public cloud environments, including AWS, Google Cloud and Azure. "We look forward to what we can accomplish together with Navisite," said Steve Kloeblen, CEO of Velocity Technology Solutions. "With Navisite's resources, global capabilities and complementary expertise, Velocity is positioned to become an even stronger partner for our customers growing and competing in the digital economy. Most importantly, our customers can expect greater breadth and depth of services to help them eliminate IT complexity, lower costs associated with monolithic software deployments and migrate and transform their businesses in the cloud." Stifel, Nicolaus & Company served as Velocity's financial advisor, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provided legal counsel to Velocity. Jefferies LLC and TD Securities LLC served as Navisite's financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel to Navisite. About Navisite Navisite is a modern managed cloud service provider that accelerates IT transformation for thousands of growing and established global brands. Through our deep technical knowledge and strategic relationships with the world's leading cloud providers, proven delivery methodologies, platform-agnostic approach and worldwide network of highly specialized experts, we provide the capabilities and practical guidance customers need to successfully embrace IT change and move their businesses forward. Let us partner with you to navigate the nowlearn more at navisite.com. About Velocity Technology Solutions Headquartered in North America, Velocity Technology Solutions has over 20 years of experience migrating, managing, and modernizing mission-critical enterprise applications in the cloud. Velocity's mission is to enable mid-market companies to do what they do best by maximizing the value of their Applications and Cloud Platforms. Our purpose is to give our customers the freedom to innovate, modernize, and move to the future. For more information, visit: www.velocitycloud.com. About Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC ("MDP") is a leading private equity investment firm based in Chicago. Since MDP's formation in 1992, the firm has raised aggregate capital of over $26 billion and has completed over 150 investments. MDP invests across five dedicated industry verticals, including telecom, media and technology services; basic industries; business and government software and services; financial and transaction services; and health care. For more information, please visit www.mdcp.com. SOURCE Navisite .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Democratic lawmakers who support withdrawing more money from New Mexicos largest permanent fund largely to expand early childhood programs are entering the year with renewed optimism. The 2020 election removed some key skeptics of the proposal from the Senate, where the resolution has run aground in each of the past four years after passage in the House. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ But a Senate vote on the measure this year could be close, and some Democrats have floated the idea of scaling back the proposal or making the money available more broadly for K-12 education, not just services aimed at helping young children and their families. Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, said supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment shouldnt expect a rubber stamp in the Senate, even with the shake-up in membership. The proposal has died awaiting a committee hearing in recent sessions, he noted, without extensive debate among senators. But it will get serious scrutiny in the Senate this year. There are a lot of practical questions that need to be asked and answered, Candelaria said. Republicans outnumbered in both chambers remain strongly opposed to the measure, contending the Land Grant Permanent Fund isnt the appropriate source for the extra funding. Debate over the measure comes after Democrats picked up one seat in the Senate expanding their edge to 27-15 and five Democratic incumbents lost in the primary to challengers from the left. Altogether, 11 of the 42 senators will be new to the chamber this session. Democratic Reps. Antonio Moe Maestas and Javier Martinez, both of Albuquerque, have successfully carried the proposal through the House in recent years, and they say the 2020 election results bolster their argument for passage this year. Were in a much better position, Maestas said. People are much more comfortable now than they ever have been with regard to the proposal. Martinez and Maestas say they arent planning any changes to the measure before introducing it. The proposal calls for increasing the annual distribution out of the Land Grant Permanent Fund by 1 percentage point, from 5% to 6%. The bulk of the money would go toward educational services aimed at helping young children before theyre old enough for kindergarten, such as pre-K and home-visiting programs to help new parents. Legislative analysts say theyve found long-lasting academic gains in students who have participated in pre-K, although theyve cautioned that its important to maintain high-quality programs as the services expand. Martinez said the proposed amendment has been analyzed from all angles and is ready for Senate debate. This is the most thoroughly vetted piece of legislation that we will see in the coming legislative session, he said. Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, said the permanent fund is already a vital source of state funding and shouldnt be tapped more heavily. And the state, he said, has succeeded in ramping up early childhood education spending without the proposed amendment. I dont think the problem is money, Brandt said. We have dumped a ton of money into that program, rightfully so. Financial impact The financial impact on the states Land Grant Permanent Fund, which gets income primarily from oil and natural gas taxes and investment gains, has been a focus of the debate. The fund had a balance of about $20.8 billion in November, according to the State Investment Council. It works a bit like an endowment, with 5% of the funds rolling five-year average value withdrawn each year to help pay for schools, universities and hospitals. In the fiscal year that begins this summer, for example, the land grant fund is expected to deliver more than $900 million to 21 beneficiaries, with public education getting about 86% of the distribution. Previous analysis by staff for the Legislative Finance Committee has found that the fund would continue to grow if the distribution were increased to 6%. But the growth would be slower than if the disbursement were left at 5%. After enough time had passed, in fact, the annual distributions would actually be lower under the 6% scenario than under the 5% projections because the fund would be bigger if left at 5%. It would take about 28 years of higher distributions for that happen, according an LFC analysis issued in 2019. The 6% proposal passed by the House would generate somewhere around an extra $180 million a year. Last year, a Senate committee revised the House proposal down to just an extra half a percentage point, for a 5.5% distribution. But the amended version didnt advance to the full Senate. Sen. Bill Tallman. D-Albuquerque, has been among those advocating for the smaller increase. In any case, it isnt clear whether the new version of the Senate would prefer the 0.5% proposal rather than the extra 1%. Candelaria, for his part, said he would prefer making the extra revenue available for broader education purposes, not just early childhood programs. Two recent court decisions found legal shortcomings in New Mexicos education funding system. Voter approval needed If the proposal passes both chambers, it will still need approval from New Mexico voters in a statewide election and from Congress. The state could seek voter approval as soon as this year. The options include conducting a special election by mail or adding the question to the municipal and school election already scheduled for Nov. 2. The proposed amendment cannot be combined with the out-of-cycle election thats expected to be called this year to replace U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, who is President-elect Joe Bidens choice to serve as Interior secretary. The last time New Mexico increased the distribution rate from the permanent fund was 2003, when a proposal pushed by then-Gov. Bill Richardson narrowly won voter approval. But the higher distribution rate of 0.5% intended to pay for a new teacher salary system was gradually phased out by 2016. For the record: A Journal article incorrectly described the size of an increased Land Grant Permanent Fund distribution approved by voters in 2003. The amendment approved that year boosted the base annual amount from 4.7% to 5.0%, but with temporary increases that pushed the distribution as high as 5.8% some years before being rolled back to 5.5% and then down to 5.0%, where it stands now. CAY HILL:--- St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) recently welcomed a new permanent Cardiologist Dr. Han Spierenburg to its Cardiology team. Dr. Spierenburg joins SMMC Cardiologist Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake bringing the number of permanent Cardiologists in-service to two. Dr. Spierenburg received his education in Cardiology at the Sint Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, after which he spent thirty (30) years working as a device Cardiologist, specializing in pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs) at the Sint Franciscus Hospital in Schiedam/Rotterdam. During that period, he was active as chairman of the Medical Staff Board and later on of the Rijnmond Society of Cardiologists. As a member of the Quality Commission of the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Cardiologie (The Dutch Cardiology Association), he had the privilege of visiting many Cardiology Departments in hospitals across the Netherlands. Upon reaching his pension age, he decided to defer his retirement and continue his professional career in the Dutch Caribbean. When asked about his reasons for choosing St. Maarten, Dr. Spierenburg replied In the past, Ive visited Statia many times to combine teaching at the Medical School of St. Eustatius with one of my greatest hobbies: scuba diving. The climate, the adventure, and the want for a new challenge brought us (my wife accompanied by our two dogs; a dachshund and a rottweiler) to the Friendly Island with the intention of becoming a resident and staying for a longer period. Since being in service at SMMC, Dr. Spierenburg has noted that primary prevention such as lifestyle advice (e.g, weight loss, physical activity, and healthier eating) and noncompliance are challenging issues with Cardiology patients. Another challenge is off-island referrals for emergencies. There is no ambulance to the Erasmus Medical Center at the end of the street for an urgent coronary intervention like I grew accustomed to in the Netherlands but instead patients here have to be air-lifted to Curacao or Colombia. All in all, I have been welcomed by an enthusiastic team of competent healthcare professionals. Working closely with my colleague Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake, I intend to ensure the care of our Cardiology patients and our pacemaker/ICD patients in particular. I am convinced of the fact that we are providing quality Cardiological medical care to our patients here on St. Maarten and the surrounding islands, he concluded. SMMC is proud to have Dr. Spierenburg in service and urges patients interested in a consultation to make an appointment by calling the Cardiology Department at: Tel: +(1-721) 543-1111 ext. 1304 or 1336. Appointments can be made from Monday - Friday between 8:00 am 4:30 pm. SZV patients are requested to obtain a referral letter from their family doctor. E-motor specialist MOTEG with new branding by SMACK Communications Posted by Publisher Telecommunication Launch of new website and new corporate design for one of the most innovative German developers and manufacturers of electric drive systems MOTEG develops and produces electric motors and auxiliary units for mobile applications that are many times smaller, lighter, quieter and more powerful than those currently available on the market. MOTEG\-\-s development time is also generally 3 times faster than that of other suppliers. This technological advantage now also reflects in its entire communication. Starting with the new company logo and the claim \Electric Drive Engineering\ through to the complete redesign of the branding and pictorial style and the recently launched company website at www.moteg.de. \Our customers come from the automotive sector, currently mainly commercial vehicles, and from the aviation sector. SMACK Communications supported us with our positioning and then translated this very well into a differentiating branding,\ says Dr. Siegfried Gotz, company founder and managing director of MOTEG. MOTEG is one of the few e-motor manufacturers that are also certified for aviation. The company has ambitious growth targets, particularly in the automotive sector, in Europe, the US, Australia and Asia. ?It was important to us that the lead in technology was also given a lead in marketing, through a strong, distinctive design and clear messages that work internationally?, explains Martin Bruss, Managing Director Creation, the new brand identity. The launch of the new website marks an important milestone for the company\-\-s next development steps and the further expansion of its product portfolio. ?E-mobility is a global megatrend and growth market, MOTEG is an innovative and agile player here with high development potential. The objective is to draw the attention of customers and, of course, investors to the company?, says Regula Bathelt, Managing Director of SMACK Communications GmbH. About MOTEG MOTEG develops and produces the next generation of intelligent drive systems for the efficient electrification of commercial vehicles and machines, passenger cars and aircraft. The company was founded in 2014 by the experienced automotive manager and engineer Dr. Siegfried Gotz. It is one of the five German companies selected from among 20,000 applicants for funding by the EU Green Deal Initiative. Since 2019, Hirschvogel Venture Group has been a shareholder of the company. Core markets focus on Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. Customers include Jenoptik, ZF, Faun Umwelttechnik, Bluebus and Eurabus. The company is headquartered in Flensburg, Germany, and operates a field office in Nanjing, China. www.moteg.de The Berlin strategy and communications agency was founded in 1997 by Regula Bathelt and Martin Bruss and is one of the pioneers of integrated communications. The crossmedia agency specializes in the B2B market and supports German companies mostly as a lead agency in their international marketing activities and investor communications. Services include: Strategic Branding, Creative Concepts, Experience Design as well as web and e-commerce solutions. Current clients are RKW Group, Vitruvia Medical Group, DockChemicals, NORMA Group. [url=http://www.smack-communications.com]www.smack-communications.com[/url] Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/06/2021 -- The Latest research study released by HTF MI "COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market" with 100+ pages of analysis on business Strategy taken up by key and emerging industry players and delivers know how of the current market development, landscape, technologies, drivers, opportunities, market viewpoint and status. Understanding the segments helps in identifying the importance of different factors that aid the market growth. Some of the Major Companies covered in this Research are Abaxis, VCA (all based in the US), Benfield Pet Hospital, Greencross Vets (Australia), CVS Group (UK), The Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital & The Animal Medical Center etc. Click here for free sample + related graphs of the report @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/2831151-covid-19-world-veterinary-services-market-research-report Browse market information, tables and figures extent in-depth TOC on "COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market by Application (Veterinary Clinic & Veterinary Hospital), by Product Type (, Veterinary Drug & Veterinary Devices), Business scope, Manufacturing and Outlook Estimate to 2025". The global impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significantly affecting the Infrastructure in overall market in 2020. The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought effects on many aspects, like flight cancellations; travel bans and quarantines; restaurants closed; all indoor events restricted; over forty countries state of emergency declared; massive slowing of the supply chain; stock market volatility; falling business confidence, growing panic among the population, and uncertainty about future. Know more with latest edition of COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market Study; Early buyers will receive 20% customization free on report for more information or any query mail at sales@htfmarketreport.com At last, all parts of the COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market are quantitatively also subjectively valued to think about the Global just as regional market equally. This market study presents basic data and true figures about the market giving a deep analysis of this market based on market trends, market drivers, constraints and its future prospects. The report supplies the worldwide monetary challenge with the help of Porter's Five Forces Analysis and SWOT Analysis. If you have any Enquiry please click here @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/2831151-covid-19-world-veterinary-services-market-research-report Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per your needs for added data up to 3 businesses or countries or 40 analyst hours. On the basis of report- titled segments and sub-segment of the market are highlighted below: COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market By Application/End-User (Value and Volume from 2019 to 2025) : Veterinary Clinic & Veterinary Hospital Market By Type (Value and Volume from 2019 to 2025) : , Veterinary Drug & Veterinary Devices COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market by Key Players: Abaxis, VCA (all based in the US), Benfield Pet Hospital, Greencross Vets (Australia), CVS Group (UK), The Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital & The Animal Medical Center Geographically, this report is segmented into some key Regions, with manufacture, depletion, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of COVID-19 Veterinary Services in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering China, USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia & South America and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2019 to 2025. Informational Takeaways from the Market Study: The report COVID-19 Veterinary Services matches the completely examined and evaluated data of the noticeable companies and their situation in the market considering impact of Coronavirus. The measured tools including SWOT analysis, Porter's five powers analysis, and assumption return debt were utilized while separating the improvement of the key players performing in the market. Key Development's in the Market: This segment of the COVID-19 Veterinary Services report fuses the major developments of the market that contains confirmations, composed endeavors, R&D, new thing dispatch, joint endeavours, and relationship of driving members working in the market. To get this report buy full copy @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=2831151 Some of the important question for stakeholders and business professional for expanding their position in the COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market : Q 1. Which Region offers the most rewarding open doors for the market Ahead of 2020? Q 2. What are the business threats and Impact of COVID scenario Over the market Growth and Estimation? Q 3. What are probably the most encouraging, high-development scenarios for COVID-19 Veterinary Services movement showcase by applications, types and regions? Q 4.What segments grab most noteworthy attention in COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market in 2019 and beyond? Q 5. Who are the significant players confronting and developing in COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market? For More Information Read Table of Content @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/2831151-covid-19-world-veterinary-services-market-research-report Key poles of the TOC: Chapter 1 COVID-19 Veterinary Services Market Business Overview Chapter 2 Major Breakdown by Type [, Veterinary Drug & Veterinary Devices] Chapter 3 Major Application Wise Breakdown (Revenue & Volume) Chapter 4 Manufacture Market Breakdown Chapter 5 Sales & Estimates Market Study Chapter 6 Key Manufacturers Production and Sales Market Comparison Breakdown .. Chapter 8 Manufacturers, Deals and Closings Market Evaluation & Aggressiveness Chapter 9 Key Companies Breakdown by Overall Market Size & Revenue by Type .. Chapter 11 Business / Industry Chain (Value & Supply Chain Analysis) Chapter 12 Conclusions & Appendix Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Contact US : Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@htfmarketreport.com TurboTax and H&R Block customers have been left waiting for their much-needed $600 COVID-19 stimulus checks after the funds were sent to the middleman services instead of directly into the bank accounts of American taxpayers. The Internal Revenue Service announced last week that the second round of stimulus checks would start reaching Americans from January 4, providing some relief for the millions who have found themselves unemployed or in financial difficulties due to the pandemic. But many customers of popular online tax preparation services Turbo Tax and H&R Block are facing delays in getting the payments because the funds have been sent to the companies first who must then send them on to the individuals - or back to the IRS. Many desperate taxpayers turned to social media hitting out the IRS and the two companies and questioning when they will get their hands on the much-needed money. The fiasco comes after the rollout of the first round of $1,200 stimulus checks was riddled with delays and problems back in April with the IRS's online tool crashing within hours of its launch, administrative blunders sending checks to people who had been dead for years, and thousands in dire need initially told they weren't eligible for a dime. A direct deposit statement shows a $600 credit for an individual in San Diego, California. TurboTax and H&R Block customers have been left waiting for their much-needed $600 COVID-19 stimulus checks Customers of popular online tax preparation services Turbo Tax and H&R Block are facing delays because the funds have been sent to the companies first who must then send it on to the individuals - or have to return it to the IRS Memes began circulating on social media Tuesday hitting out at the IRS as well as the likes of TurboTax and H&R Block over the delays in getting the checks. 'Me, just trying to be patient about my stimulus and then reading about the TurboTax debacle...' one person wrote alongside a meme reading 'are you kidding me?' Another shared a meme of someone dangling money over people on a fishing hook and snatching it away when they reached for it. 'American citizens: Please can we just get our damn stimulus money,' they wrote. 'The IRS, TurboTax and H&R Block:' Another person fumed: '"The government can be trusted. They should have more power and more regulating authority." @USTreasury and/or IRS wrongly send thousands of #stimulus deposits to TurboTax and HR Block accounts. 'Nobody notices until it's too late. We really do get the leaders we deserve.' Another questioned where their funds were: 'I just read that people who filed turbo tax are having issues receiving their second stimulus??? Anyone???? 'I used turbo tax and mine is NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.' Some H&R Block customers reported logging on to the IRS Get My Payment tracking tool to find the money had been deposited into an account number that is not theirs. H&R Block issued a statement on Twitter Monday telling customers that the account they were seeing in the IRS portal was likely to be the temporary account where their tax refund was first sent. Memes began circulating on social media hitting out at the IRS as well as the likes of TurboTax and H&R Block over the delays in getting the checks To make matters more confusing, some of the affected customers said on social media they had received the $1,200 stimulus back in April into their correct bank account When customers of H&R Block are eligible for a tax refund, they can opt to receive it by a Refund Transfer option. The IRS then sends the refund to a temporary account from which tax preparation fees are deducted and the remainder is sent on to the customer by their chosen payment method. H&R Block explained that people who used this option in 2019 may have had the funds sent to that temporary account first. Meanwhile, people who received their tax refund checks directly to their bank account got their stimulus checks to their account number. 'The IRS Get My Payment website may display an account number you don't recognize. If you took a Refund Transfer, it may be reflecting that account number. Check your 2019 return to confirm,' the company said. H&R Block sought to reassure customers that they are investigating why this had happened. Some H&R Block customers reported logging on to the IRS Get My Payment tracking tool to find the money has been deposited into an account number that is not theirs H&R Block issued a statement on Twitter Monday telling customers that the account they are seeing in the IRS portal is likely to be the temporary account where their tax refund was first sent To make matters more confusing, some of the affected customers said on social media they had received the $1,200 stimulus back in April into their correct bank account. 'I thought someone stole my identity. I know this may not be [H&R Block's] fault but it's curious how my first stimulus had no issues,' one person tweeted. 'This is absolutely absurd that my family received the first stimulus directly into our checking. Now its been sent to hr block,' added another. H&R Block promised that the money would be transferred to customers by the end of the day via the same method they used to get their last tax refund. 'But don't worry we have sent these payments on to the method you chose for Refund Transfer: direct deposit, check or Emerald Card,' the company said. 'The money should be there by the end of the day.' However many customers fumed on social media Tuesday that they still hadn't received the payments. Meanwhile, Turbo Tax told customers in a Twitter thread Tuesday that the IRS has sent some payments to accounts that are now closed or inactive and that, by law, these funds must then be returned to the IRS. Turbo Tax told customers in a Twitter thread Tuesday that the IRS has sent some payments to accounts that are now closed or inactive By law, these funds must then be returned to the IRS - causing more delays to customers 'The IRS announced yesterday that due to the speed at which they issued this second round of payments, they sent some payments to an account that may be closed or no longer active,' the company said. 'By law, in these cases the financial institution must return the payment to the IRS.' These payments must be returned to the IRS where the agency can then resend them directly to the person. The company acknowledged that this will fuel further delays in reaching Americans relying on the financial boost. 'Unfortunately, the IRS has also stated that, while they are exploring options to correct these payments, this may cause a delay in stimulus payments for some,' TurboTax said. The company added that the fault lies with the IRS which is 'the sole party with the ability to determine eligibility and distribute stimulus payments.' The IRS said in a press release Tuesday that payments will continue through mid-January. 'Direct deposit payments are being made first to those that have valid routing and account information on file for direct deposit purposes,' it read. 'Because of the speed at which IRS issued this second round of payments, some payments may have been sent to an account that may be closed or no longer active.' The federal stimulus relief has been plagued with issues since the first round was launched in April The IRS said that anyone who has not received their payment by the time they file their 2020 tax return, can claim it on their tax return. The federal stimulus relief has been plagued with issues since the first round was launched in April. The IRS Get My Payment portal launched on April 15 and within hours had gone into meltdown. The system crashed and frustrated taxpayers had flooded social media with complaints of error messages saying the system couldn't find any of their details. Several complained of getting a message saying: 'Payment Status Not Available. According to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time.' The message sparked concerns that some people are being missed out of the stimulus package or may have been incorrectly deemed ineligible. Parents of young children reported missing out on the $500 check for their dependent children. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - with an unlikely ally in Donald Trump - has been calling for checks to be increased from $600 to $2,000 Others told how the payments were sent to the wrong bank accounts - often accounts that didn't even belong to them. Yet, while many despaired at their accounts sitting empty, bereaved relatives were traumatized by blunders that meant checks were sent to people who have been dead for years. One month after launch, 20 million eligible taxpayers were still waiting for the funds. The second check is half the value of the first and Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - with an unlikely ally in Donald Trump - has been calling for checks to be increased from $600 to $2,000. But the efforts have fallen short with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday blocking the Democrats' standalone bill to send the checks to Americans. BILTHOVEN, Netherlands and MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Intravacc, a world leader in translational research and development of vaccines, and Cristal Therapeutics, a technology leader in enabling safer and more effective therapeutics, today announced a strategic collaboration to develop novel vaccine programs against human diseases with the initial candidate targeting COVID-19. Under the terms of the agreement, Cristal Therapeutics and Intravacc will collaborate with an initial focus on generating a CriVac vaccine candidate based on the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. In addition, Cristal Therapeutics will provide its powerful copper-free click chemistry reagent, CliCr, for evaluation with Intravacc's proprietary outer membrane vesicles (OMV) technology. OMV vaccines allow for the native conformation of immunity-stimulating antigens. After completion of the evaluation period Intravacc and Cristal will jointly explore next steps to further advance the program. Axel Mescheder, M.D., CEO and CMO of Cristal, commented: "Over the past year, it has become evident that vaccines play a crucial role in protecting us, our families and those at high risk for infectious diseases. We have put great effort in optimizing our unique CriVac platform based on our CriPec nanoparticles and CliCr conjugation technology. Our CriVac technology platform mimics features of a live virus, inducing immunity in a safe and efficient way, providing a solid foundation for the development of novel vaccine approaches. We look forward to partnering with Intravacc to develop novel therapeutic candidates for vaccine-preventable diseases." As part of this agreement, Intravacc will also provide access to its proprietary, detoxified LPS technology to enhance immune activation. All technologies represent innovative approaches to vaccine development enabling an efficient presentation of antigens to the immune system. Combining the technologies will further allow swift development of vaccine candidates against a broad range of human diseases. This is particularly driven by a scalable GMP manufacturing process. Dr. Jan Groen, Intravacc's CEO, said: "Intravacc shares the belief that no one should be suffering from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. We have a track record in translational vaccinology and an established infrastructure that enables the accelerated development of promising vaccine candidates such as Cristal's CriVac approach. Combining Cristal's technologies with Intravacc's proprietary LPS and OMV technologies holds great promise. We look forward to working closely with the Cristal team to advance the program through preclinical evaluation." About CriVac CriVac, Cristal's proprietary vaccination platform, combines the tuneability and ease of manufacturing of biodegradable CriPec nanoparticles with the CliCr conjugation technology for fast and controlled conjugation of antigens on the nanoparticle surface. This generates coated nanoparticles that mimic the features of a live virus to induce a potent immune response, safely, and solely against the displayed antigen. The tuneability allows Cristal to rapidly design candidates for any antigen, allowing swift development of vaccines against a broad range of different pathogens. CriVac vaccines are easy to be (GMP) manufactured at large scale, and the final product can be freeze-dried, therefore not requiring cold chain storage, all contributing to key advantages over existing vaccines. About CliCr CliCr is a class of fast-reacting molecular entities for conjugating compounds to each other in a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction. CliCr is able to attach a broad range of small molecule active agents as well as large molecular entities including biologics, to CriPec nanoparticles. The attractive functionalization possibilities, combined with its versatility, great reactivity and small size offer multiple opportunities for CliCr reagents to become the new standard for non-copper catalyzed click reactions in a multitude of applications. About Intravacc's OMV platform technology For the development of vaccines, Intravacc has designed and developed a platform based on outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) - spherical particles with intrinsic adjuvant properties. The OMVs can be rigged with immunogenic peptides and/or proteins that stimulate effective adaptive immunity. The OMV carrier has been optimized to induce a more effective immune response against these newly introduced antigens. Intravacc has also developed genetic tools to increase the yield of OMVs, reduce the toxicity and achieve the desired antigenic composition. Intravacc's OMV platform is fully scalable and allows rapid and efficient modification of the antigen composition, either through genetic modification of the bacterial host or by associating antigens with stored OMVs. About LPS Intravacc's proprietary LPS technology is based upon the detoxification of the Lipid A moiety of the LPS derived from Neisseria Meningitides. LPS is an effective TLR-4 agonist. Intravacc has developed a panel of detoxified LPS mutants with tailored safety/immune stimulatory profiles. A cGMP production and purification process is in place to bring the LPS molecules as standalone adjuvants into clinical testing. About Intravacc Dutch Intravacc, located at Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven, is a leading global contract developer of innovative vaccines against infectious diseases. As an established independent CDMO organization with over 100 years of experience in the development and optimization of vaccines and vaccine technologies, Intravacc has transferred its technology related to polio vaccines, measles vaccines, DPT vaccines, Hib vaccines and influenza vaccines around the world. Around 40% of childhood disease vaccines are based on Intravacc's technology. Intravacc offers a wide range of expertise for independent vaccine development, from concept to Phase I/II clinical studies for partners around the world, including universities, public health organizations (WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), biotech and pharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit www.intravacc.nl About Cristal Therapeutics Cristal Therapeutics applies three distinct and interconnected technologies together with biologic insight to improve the therapeutic profile of our partners' programs in development. Based on over 10 years of real-world experience, Cristal's CliCr, CriPec and CriVac technologies provide superior conjugation, enhance target specificity and engender highly selective immune responses, thereby increasing efficacy and reducing toxicity. The company aims to be the partner of choice for overcoming challenges and enabling the full potential of ADCs, immuno-oncology treatments, vaccines, among a broad range of therapeutics, tuned to modality and indication. Contacts: Intravacc Dr. Jan Groen, CEO P: +31 30 7920 454 Mirjam Hartman, Media relations P: +31 6 115 969 94 E: press.office@intravacc.nl LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam Leon Melens P: +31 6 538 16427 E: lmelens@lifespring.nl Cristal Therapeutics Alex Jones, Manager Business Development Phone: + 31 43 388 5868 Email: alex.jones@cristaltherapeutics.com Trophic Communications Eva Mulder or Sophia Hergenhan, Ph.D. Phone: +49 89 238 877-30 Email: cristal@trophic.eu When I first learned on New Years Eve that MF DOOM had died at age 49 (and had in fact died on Oct. 31), my first response was disbelief. Not in a figurative, I cant believe hes really gone way, but in the literal sense that I couldnt completely believe he was really gone. MF DOOM was hip-hops greatest supervillain, a virtuoso of mystery and subterfuge: What would be more diabolically DOOM than faking his own death? Even now, days later, part of me holds on to hope that somewhere theres an empty casket, a missing mask, another improbable comeback on the way. Advertisement Taken at a certain angle, the history of MF DOOM can look like a history of the hip-hop industry writ small. He was born Daniel Dumile in London in 1971, but he grew up in Long Island. In 1988, Dumile and his brother, Dingilizwe, who rapped under the names Zev Love X and DJ Subroc, respectively, co-founded the group KMD. The following year, fellow Long Islanders De La Soul released their debut LP 3 Feet High and Rising, a surprise smash that proved there was a market for the very sort of esoteric and bohemian hip-hop that KMD offered. A guest verse on 3rd Bass 1989 Aretha-sampling cult classic The Gas Face gave Zev Love X his first real exposure and caught the ear of renowned A&R man Dante Ross, who signed KMD to Elektra Records, which in turn released the groups debut album, Mr. Hood, in 1991. Mr. Hood was a minor hit, but in a moment when the word alternative was suddenly bringing dollar signs to the eyes of industry execs across all genreslest we forget, Arrested Development once went quadruple Platinumhopes were high for its follow-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture newsletter The best of movies, music, TV, books, and more, delivered to your inbox three times a week. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Then it all collapsed. In April of 1993, Dingilizwe Dumile died at age 19 after being hit by a car on the Long Island Expressway. Shortly thereafter, Elektra abruptly dropped KMD after a prominent Billboard columnist objected to the cover art of the groups second album, Black Bastards, which featured a satirical depiction of the groups Sambo mascot being hanged at a gallows. (For a thorough account of the Black Bastards ordeal, consult this excellent essay by Brian Coleman.) At a time when the Los Angeles Riots and Body Counts Cop Killer had inflamed the rap culture wars anew, and when record companies what-have-you-done-for-us-lately attitudes toward hip-hop acts were still more inclined to measure lately in weeks rather than years, KMD had seemingly gone from buzz bin to dustbin in the blink of an eye. (Black Bastards was finally released in 2001.) Advertisement The loss of his brother and the implosion of KMDs major-label dreams devastated Daniel Dumile. Accounts of exactly how Dumile spent the years after KMDs demise vary in their specifics but are universal in their depiction of an artist in despair. Then, in the late 1990s, he suddenly reemerged, performing at an open-mic night at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, wearing a cloth mask in case anyone might recognize him. He christened himself MF DOOM (after Marvel Comics Doctor Doom), swapped out the cloth mask for a metal one, and in 1999 released his debut album, Operation: Doomsday, most of which he also produced. It presented an entire artistic persona fully formed, a diabolical genius intent on intergalactic domination via mic-wrecking: Advertisement Advertisement I had this style ever since I was a child I got this other style I aint flip in a while, it goes Pure scientific intelligence, with one point of relevance MCs whose styles need Velamints And once the smoke clears, tell em its The super motherfuckin villain n-gga came through raw like the elements By the time Operation: Doomsday announced DOOMs (re)emergence, underground or independent hip-hop had a far more robust commercial infrastructure than it did during the heyday of KMD. Around the turn of the 21st century, there was a whole world of artists who were making great music and selling records and packing shows with little to no mainstream radio play; this world didnt normally offer a ladder to the Hot 100, but it wasnt trying to, and for a while, it was a place of relative comfort, economically and particularly critically. Advertisement It was this world that MF DOOM utterly marauded his way through in the years following Operation: Doomsday. He was extraordinarily prolific, releasing at least seven full-length projects between 2003 and 2005 alone, including 2004s Madvillainy, his album-length collaboration with Madlib that remains DOOMs masterpiece. More than a decade after the demise of KMD, Daniel Dumile had finally claimed the musical esteem that had once so frustratingly eluded him, from a new generation of fans who were largely ignorant of or indifferent to his origins as Zev Love X, which is presumably how DOOM wanted it. It was one of the more remarkable second acts in American music. Advertisement Listening to DOOM at the height of his powers remains a surreal experience, like hearing someone offhandedly invent his own possibility, doing the previously undoable. His creativity feels bottomless, like if studio time wasnt budgeted by the hour, he could simply rap forever. His rhymes are dense thickets of references and wordplay, gotta-keep-up puns elbow-to-elbow with nerdy pop-culture detritus, like this passage from Madvillainys Rhinestone Cowboy: Advertisement Goony goo goo, loony cuckoo Like Gary Gnu off New Zoo Revue, but who knew The mask had a loose screw? Hell, could hardly tell Had to tighten it up like the Drells and Archie Bell In four lines we go from childrens TV to a double-entendre on loose screw to a reference to Tighten Up, the 1968 hit by Archie Bell and the Drells, except here its the Drells and Archie Bell so that the end of the line will complete a three-syllable rhyme with hardly tell (give or take a syllable or two with Drells and Hell). (I should note here that excerpting DOOMs lyrics feels a bit like turning a Vermeer into a jigsaw puzzle and then waving around a photograph of one of the pieces.) Advertisement But unlike many of his imitators, DOOM also understood that rap wasnt simply about rocking notebook pages. Take this passage from Beef Rapp, from his 2004 solo album MM Food (check the acronym): He wears a mask just to cover the raw flesh A rather ugly brother with flows thats gorgeous Drop dead joints hit the whips like bird shit They need it like a hole in they head or a third tit Her bra smell, his card say, Aw hell Barred from all bars and kicked out the Carvel Its fun to marvel at the hilarious kicked out the Carvel punchline of this passage, but just as astonishing to my ears is the rather in the second line, a weird and vaguely aristocratic adverb that partly exists to fill rhythmic space but also because DOOM is acutely aware of how incredible the words a rather ugly brother will sound when massaged together through his raspy New York monotone. Thats not just lyrics; its music. Advertisement His creativity feels bottomless, like if studio time wasnt budgeted by the hour, he could simply rap forever. DOOM never relinquished his iconic mask, which always seemed to double as a tool of both artistic liberation and puckish mischief. I never saw DOOM perform live, in part because I was wary of his well-known penchant for sending masked impostors to shows. (Many paying concertgoers were, quite rationally, upset by this. DOOMs similarly rational response was always something along the lines of, hey, you gave money to a supervillainwhat did you expect?) But another reason was that Daniel Dumile, whod never become a United States citizen, was denied entry to the United States after returning from a European tour in 2010 and was forced to spend his final years in England, a great American artist in exile. During those years, the music business that once rejected KMD continued to implode, while the guys who started Rap Geniusa website that would not have existed if not for the creativity of artists like DOOMgot far richer than he ever did. MF DOOM deserved a third act, and its still hard to write about him in the past tense, so Ill stop now. Supervillains never really die; just remember all caps when you spell the mans name. Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. Some of the biggest companies in health care in the US are pressing ahead with significant deals at the start of the new year, even as the coronavirus pandemic hangs over the industrys immediate future. Insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. unveiled one of its biggest-ever acquisitions on Wednesday, saying it planned to take over with the $8 billion acquisition of health-technology company Change Healthcare Inc. for $8 billion. Also Wednesday, AmerisourceBergen Corp. said it had agreed to buy Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.s Alliance Healthcare pharmaceutical wholesale businesses for about $6.5 billion in cash and stock. Taken together, the transactions are a sign that large health-care companies are thinking beyond the coronavirus, refining strategies developed before the pandemic while positioning themselves to profit from a world reshaped by it. More deals could unfold in coming weeks as the industry prepares to gather for the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference -- usually a glitzy annual confab in San Francisco that this year will be held virtually as Covid-19 infections continue to soar and vaccines roll out worldwide. In buying Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth will add additional muscle to its vast Optum health-services business. Meanwhile, US-based AmerisourceBergen will gain one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in Europe, while Walgreens will become even more focused on drugstores at a time when rivals have tried to diversify beyond retail pharmacies. Investors mostly cheered the deals even as signs that Democrats are poised to take control of the US Senate weighed on the wider market. AmerisourceBergen shares jumped 7.5% as of 9:48 a.m. in New York, while Change Healthcare soared 32% and Walgreens rose 2.5%. UnitedHealth shares were up less than 1%. Beyond Insurance UnitedHealth has broadened its reach well beyond the health insurance business it is perhaps best known for. Through its Optum division, the company increasingly delivers medical care directly to patients and sells consulting, technology and data to other health-care entities. UnitedHealth will pay $25.75 per share in cash, a 41% premium over Change Healthcares Tuesday close of $18.24. Including more than $5 billion in debt owed by Change Healthcare, the deal amounts to $13 billion. The proposed deal will combine Change Healthcare with UnitedHealths OptumInsight unit to offer software, data analytics, technology and other services to the health-care industry. Change Healthcares chief executive officer, Neil de Crescenzo, will lead the combined business unit, the companies said. Nashville, Tennessee-based Change Healthcare has about 15,000 employees, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. OptumInsight is the smallest unit in the Optum family by revenue, bringing in about $2.8 billion in the three months ending Sept. 30, according to filings, or about 4% of the companys total. However, it has the highest operating margins of the companys reported segments, exceeding 20% in each of the last three full years. Close Ties For Walgreens, shedding the Alliance units will hone its focus on the pharmacy business. While rival CVS Health Corp. has added health-insurance plans, pharmacy-benefit management and other health services, Walgreens has been looking to shore up its stores, betting that they will remain fixtures for consumers even as online threats encroach on both its retail and pharmacy operations. At the same time, gaining control of the Alliance units will help AmerisourceBergen expand its global reach. The terms of the deal include $6.275 billion in cash and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergens common stock, the companies said in a statement. In addition, the firms extended existing distribution agreements in the US and the UK by several years. Walgreens and AmerisourceBergen have longstanding close ties -- the drugstore giant is AmerisourceBergens biggest shareholder, with a stake of 30% -- and the companies have been talking for years about the potential transaction. AmerisourceBergen has a strong financial position to make it happen, Chief Executive Officer Steven Collis said on a conference call. We are pursuing this transaction from a position of strength, said Collis. This is something that has been contemplated for a very long time, AmerisourceBergen is among drug distributors sued by states and local governments claiming the companies fueled the US opioid epidemic by flooding communities with the highly addictive painkillers. In November, the company said it would set aside a $6.6 billion charge to cover the costs of a settlement proposal. In a separate statement Wednesday, AmerisourceBergen boosted its earnings forecast for the fiscal 20121 year that ends in September. The Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania-based company expects earnings per share of $8.25 to $8.50, excluding some items, up 5 cents from its previous range. Walgreens is expected to report its latest quarterly results on Thursday. Its Alliance Healthcare businesses had combined revenue of about $19 billion in 2020, and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $540 million. Badaun: In a case reminscent of the brutal Nirbhaya gang-rape case in Delhi, a case of gang-rape and assault of a middle-aged woman has been reported from Uttar Pradesh's Badaun. According to the post-mortem report, an iron rod was inserted into the woman's private parts, it was also found that the woman's lung was punctured, several ribs and leg broken. The incident took place in Mewali village on Sunday evening in Ughaiti police station area of Uttar Pradesh. A panel of three doctors, including a woman doctor, performed the post-mortem. As per the report, the woman had serious wounds in her private part and there was severe blood loss. The report suggests she was hit by something heavy. Badaun SSP Sankalp Sharma rushed to the site and formed a four-team to arrest the accused. The police have registered a murder case against three people in the matter on the behest of the victim's family. The police are on the lookout for the accused Mahant Baba Satyanarayana, his disciple Vedram and driver Jaspal. According to reports the woman had visited a temple in a nearby village on Sunday evening and had not returned. The accused left the woman's body outside her house on Sunday night at around 12 midnight. The woman succumbed to her injuries that night. Live TV MASSIVE RISE IN CORONAVIRUS CASES: Mayor wants travel ban from U.K.; vaccine update. (Hot Zone) MASSIVE RISE IN CORONAVIRUS CASES: UFT calls for schools closed if certain percentage reached; Mayor wants possible travel ban from U.K.; and where's the vaccine site for Staten Island? Plus, latest COVID-19 updates. (Hot Zone) Posted by Staten Island Advance on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The coronavirus pandemic has turned our world upside-down. We need information like we never have before. How many new cases were there on Staten Island today? How many deaths? How many people have been released from the hospital? What did President Donald Trump say about the pandemic? What about Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio? More importantly, when is this pandemic going to be over? When are we going to get back to normal, whatever normal is? Its almost too much to keep up with. So every day around 4 p.m., Mark Stein and I take to Facebook Live to give you all the Island information you need. You can then look for this written wrap-up on SILive.com at the end of the day. Well give you the numbers and all the latest news. Well answer your questions. Well follow up on your news tips. Well share the good news too, the way that the Staten Island community is coming together in this time of crisis. Or well just share this strange and unique pandemic moment with you, as fellow Staten Islanders. On Tuesday, Mark and I discussed the jump of 501 virus cases seen on Staten Island. It brings the total number of COVID-19 cases here to 32,699 for the duration of the pandemic. The increases in deaths and hospitalizations reported here on Tuesday were not as severe. In the face of a more contagious UK strain of the virus, de Blasio called for a travel ban on visitors from the United Kingdom. Cuomo said that airlines should test all U.S.-bound international travelers for the virus. We also talked about how many people are suffering from insomnia, depression and other mental ills during the pandemic. The darker, colder winter weather is making some of these problems more acute. Were all in this together. Well all get through this together. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... With about 300 shooting victims in Bernalillo County, and more than 80 homicides in the county and Albuquerque last year, innovative programs directed at reducing gun violence in the Metro are certainly welcome. Kyle Hartsock, special agent in charge of the Crime Strategies Unit at the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office, says his group has made an interactive, in-depth dashboard on every shooting since 2018 accessible on the web. To address the scourge that is gun violence and change behaviors, Its one thing to know theres a shooting, but its equally important to know who got shot, who likely did the shooting and why the shooting happened in the first place. It allows people to take those more proactive measures. That kind of data should be valuable to Albuquerques Violence Intervention Program, which begins with an APD commander knocking at a persons door with a personalized letter detailing that persons criminal history. Talk about a surprise visit during a dinner party! The target is told of the potential for more serious legal consequences, or the possibility of being seriously hurt or killed, if he or she continues to engage in gun violence. The commander then offers to connect the person with resources like job training, food banks, rental assistance or help getting into school. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ That sounds promising, especially considering 292 people had been shot this year in Bernalillo County as of Dec. 22; those numbers do not include suicides and accidental shootings. Moreover, there had been 76 homicides in Albuquerque and eight in Bernalillo County as of Dec. 30. Violence Intervention Program manager Gerri Bachicha says workers performed 74 interventions between late March and mid-December and none of the people they visited has committed a crime they know of since. Thats impressive. While some of those chosen for interventions have been victims themselves and others were merely at the scene of a shooting or otherwise connected to one, APD says almost all of the targets are involved in criminal groups or gangs and are statistically more likely to be jailed or harmed through gun violence. Interim Police Chief Harold Medina and Mayor Tim Keller participated in a notification in mid-December. We see the potential with assisting parents and making sure that they know the resources that are available to them to help their adult kids and make sure that their adult kids keep moving in the right direction, Medina told the Journal. Thats on the side of building trust, understanding and having empathy with the community, on the one hand. But on the other hand, we deliver the message that if youre engaged in violent crime, were going to be a law enforcement agency, and were going to take you into custody. The DAs wealth of data can only help APD in its program. So heres to APD and other agencies exploring and implementing proactive crime-reduction efforts and making full use of the DAs new database, to helping turn lives around and to tracking the effectiveness of such programs. Lets hope many of those contacted by APDs Violence Intervention Program will avail themselves of the school, job, food, rental and other assistance. But for those unreceptive to such messaging, its essential law enforcement also sends the message stressing the consequences individuals face if they choose the criminal path. The custom notifications are an innovative approach, a sort of 21st century scared straight intervention program via correspondence and a home visit. With so much gun violence in our Metro, it makes sense for law enforcement to work together on innovative programs to steer individuals away from criminal activity activity that not only harms the community, but also those committing the crimes and their families. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Former President Pranab Mukherjee said that there was no need to over-publicise the 2016 surgical strikes. Sharing his opinion on several aspects of Prime Minister Narendra Modis various foreign policy measures, Mukherjee said that Modis surprise visit to Lahore to attend the birthday of the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs daughter was unnecessary and uncalled for, given the conditions that prevailed in India-Pakistan relations. Mukherjee also stated that it would be in Indias interests to continue engaging with Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Commenting on the surgical strikes, which were carried out almost 10 days after the Uri terror attack where 18 Indian army soldiers were killed, Mukherjee said that such strikes by Indian forces across the border have been normal military operations in response to Pakistans continued aggression. However, there is really no need to over-publicise them, adding that we gained nothing by over-talking on these operations. Mukherjee, in the fourth volume of his autobiography The Presidential Years: 2012-2017, heaped praises on some of the initiatives of PM Modi. One could expect the unexpected from Modi, Mukherjee wrote, because he had come with no ideological foreign policy baggage. Further, he commended Modis initiative of inviting SAARC leaders to his swearing in and hosting Chinese President Xi Jingping twice. When Narendra Modi took over as PM, he had absolutely no experience in foreign affairs. As the CM of Gujarat, he had visited some countries, but those visits were limited to engaging for the good of his state, and had little to do with domestic or global foreign policies. Foreign policy was, therefore, a truly uncharted territory for him. But he did what no PM had attempted before: invite the heads of government/state of SAARC nations to his oath-taking ceremony in 2014and this included Pakistans then PM, Nawaz Sharif. His out-of-thebox initiative took several foreign policy veterans by surprise, Mukherjee wrote in his memoirs. Mukherjee described the emergence of Imran Khan as Pakistans Prime Minister as an interesting development. He added, Though we have to wait and watch how Imran evolves, particularly with respect to issues concerning India, I personally feel that India must engage with him. He is part of a new breed of politicians, is born in the post-Independence period and does not carry the old baggage of pre-partition politics that the Muslim League personified. Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has announced the discovery of three new oil fields in different regions across the country, a media report said. The first discovery was in a field northwest of the country and the second was in Al-Qashaniya north Kuwait, while the third was an extension for the northern part of the Great Burgan field within the framework of the development operations, Mohammed Al-Faris, Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water, was quoted as saying in the Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) report. He explained that a conventional oil field was discovered in the north of the Great Burgan field as a result of drilling several wells during 2020 to determine the extent of the field. Commercial quantities of oil flowed reaching more than 2,000 barrels per day (bbl/d). These results give KOC access to easy and low-cost reserves, while that the company will drill new wells in the discovered fields to enhance production, he added. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The former Staten Island NYPD officer now serving a 30-year prison sentence for sodomizing a handcuffed Haitian immigrant with a broomstick in a Brooklyn stationhouse in 1997 has asked to cut his sentence short due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns at the Texas facility where he is incarcerated. Justin Volpe, formerly of Eltingville, asked a judge in a pro-se motion filed two days before Christmas in the Eastern District of New York to have his sentence reduced by five years in order to have the chance to meet any need with private insurance and at home with my familys love. Volpe pleaded guilty to civil rights violations after being charged with beating and sodomizing Abner Louima on Aug. 9, 1997, in a bathroom in the 70th Precinct stationhouse in Brooklyn, where Louima was taken after being arrested outside a Brooklyn nightclub. Justin Volpe arrives at the courthouse in 1999. (Staten Island Advance) Volpe beat and sodomized Louima with a broomstick, causing a ruptured bladder and colon, police said. Louima was hospitalized for two months while recovering from the injuries. In 1997, I committed a serious wrong and crime,' Volpe wrote in the motion. I take full responsibility and live with the pain it has caused the victim, his family, and others. I do not seek to evade just punishment for my crime. I have served the overwhelming majority of the sentence. After 21 plus years in prison, it is my family who is being punished more. The former NYPD officer contracted COVID-19 while at Low Beaumont Federal Correctional Facility in Southern Texas in November of last year. No medical treatment of any kind was provided or offered, Volpe claims. There is no conclusive medical evidence on the long-term effects of this virus. If released, Volpe said he would see his 76-year-old mother and help his wife, a Staten Island resident whom he married while in prison in 2012. The government is expected to respond to Volpes petition by Feb. 1, according to public records. Abner Louima addresses the media outside of Brooklyn Federal Court. (Staten Island Advance)(Staten Island Advance) Its up to the justice system, its not up to me, Louima told the Daily News. Its so many years after the crime. Twenty-one years is not 21 days. I think at least hes spent enough time thinking about his actions. THE CASE Four officers initially faced charges in the attack. Former Island Officer Charles Schwarz pleaded guilty to perjury for helping cover up the assault, served a five-year term and currently earns a six-figure salary with NYCHA, public records show. Schwarz was accused of lying after he said he had not escorted Louima to the bathroom and he wasnt in the bathroom during the attack. Convictions of former officers Thomas Bruder and Thomas Wiese ultimately were overturned by a federal appeals court. The assault sparked protests and what was, at the time, the largest settlement ever in a police brutality case in New York. The city and police union agreed to pay Louima $8.7 million. Former supermodel Lauren Hutton has given a glimpse into her age-defying beauty tricks. The 77-year-old was spotted by DailyMail.com in Los Angeles carrying anti-ageing magazine The Science of Looking Younger. The one-time Revlon cover girl and actress is famed for growing older gracefully and held the magazine in her arm when she emerged from her local supermarket last week. She went make-up free as she picked up bags of groceries and wore a mask, denim skirt, navy top and light brown flats. Supermodel Lauren Hutton, 77, was spotted by DailyMail.com last week on a grocery run in LA She went make-up free as she picked up bags of groceries and wore a mask, denim skirt, navy top and light brown flats She was leaving her local grocery store in Los Angeles and was seen carrying anti-ageing magazine The Science of Looking Younger The one-time Revlon cover girl and actress is famed for growing older gracefully and held the magazine in her arm when she emerged from her local supermarket last week The supermodel, who was named as the first ever celebrity face of anti-aging brand StriVectin in 2019, admitted in a previous interview that her go-to beauty staples are actually 'a good man' and 'not giving up sex'. 'As we age, women can be good-looking and vibrant in every way,' Hutton told People of her beauty philosophy, before advising her fellow ladies to 'certainly not give up sex because that's just silly'. She remained tight-lipped about any 'good men' in her life, although she did admit that she currently has a 'main squeeze' in her life. The fashion superstar has kept her romantic life private for the past few decades, after going through a very public controversy surrounding her relationship with her former manager Robert Williamson, whom she began dating in 1967. After Robert, who was known to many as Bob, passed away in 1997, she revealed that he had squandered $30 million worth of her earnings during their 27-year relationship. She has previously been in relationships with director Luca Babini and Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren. The actress has been applauded for embracing the natural ageing process Hutton was seen with a backpack on and a mask as she stepped out in Los Angeles, the current epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic Hutton was named as the first ever celebrity face of anti-aging brand StriVectin in 2019 Since she started working with StriVectin the supermodel said she has been trying and loving several of the items in the brand's range. The style legend appeared in a striking campaign for anti-aging beauty brand StriVectin - an achievement that she described as being one of the 'proudest' moments in her life. 'I said coming back [to fashion] at 46 or 47 was the thing I'm proudest of, but it makes me awful proud to come back at 75,' she said at the time. She then recalled of her past comeback: 'When I was 46 [in 1987], I started calling all the editors around the western world that I knew and didn't know and said, "Women have gone into everything... but we need to go into our actual image. '"And you don't have to use me [for a campaign or a shoot] but you have to use someone my age. Because who are men really going to sleep with?"' Hutton, pictured in 1974, was one of the world's most successful supermodels during that era, alongside the likes of Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton The septuagenarian was is the face of anti-aging brand StriVectin and says she loves the products Hutton was joined on a campaign shoot for anti-aging brand StriVectin in 2019 by her goddaughter Nina Clemente, who is a professional chef Hutton also praised the skincare brand for being 'hip enough to show the world that we can be beautiful at all ages', while thanking StriVectin for giving her the chance to work alongside her goddaughter Nina Clemente - a professional chef who appears with the supermodel in the stills and video for the new campaign. In one photo, the two women are seen cuddling one another, with Nina, 38, holding her hand up to Hutton's face as they both beam at the camera. While Hutton sang the praises of the StriVectin skincare line, noting that she has already noticed a difference in her skin even in the short amount of time she's been using the products, when asked to share advice for how to maintain a youthfulness and vitality as you grow older, her answer was much more holistic. 'I guess the most important thing to say about maintaining a vitality and a brain and an alertness and wanting to love life is, especially in these scary times, [holding] on to what you loved when you were a kid because that's what I did,' she shared. U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (R) greet supporters at a rally in Traverse City, Mich., on Nov. 2, 2020. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) Trump Urges Pence to Send Electoral Results Back to State Legislatures President Donald Trump called on Vice President Mike Pence to send key battleground states electoral results back to state legislatures during the Joint Session of Congress on Jan. 6. States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval, Trump wrote on Twitter. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! Hours before that, Trump said that if Pence comes through, Trump will win the presidency, adding that he believes Pence can send it back to the legislatures. Some legal experts have said that they do not believe Penceor any other vice presidenthas much power during the Joint Session of Congress, terming his role as a mostly ceremonial one. Pence, in his capacity as vice president, serves as president of the Senate. A report from the New York Times, which used anonymous sources, claimed that Pence told Trump that he has little power. But Trump on Tuesday night rejected the NY Times report, saying Pence never said that. The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act, he said in a statement. Further, the president believes that Pence has options under the Constitution and can decertify the results or send them back to the states that are contested for another certification. He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation, he noted. Dozens of GOP House representatives and senators have pledged to object to the electoral votes in key states during the Joint Session. Following the objection, a debate will be held for several hours on each state before a simple majority vote is held. Pence, for his part, told a crowd of rally-goers in Georgia that he shares the concerns regarding voter fraud in the state and others. I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities, Pence said. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, well have our day in Congress. Well hear the objections. Well hear the evidence. The Joint Session of Congress will start at 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday. Trump is also expected to address a crowd of supporters during rallies held in Washington. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. With no robust system to identify genetic variations of the coronavirus, experts warn that the United States is woefully ill-equipped to track a dangerous new mutant, leaving health officials blind as they try to combat the grave threat. The variant, which is now surging in Britain and burdening its hospitals with new cases, is rare for now in the United States. But it has the potential to explode in the next few weeks, putting new pressures on American hospitals, some of which are already near the breaking point. The United States has no large-scale, nationwide system for checking coronavirus genomes for new mutations, including the ones carried by the new variant. About 1.4 million people test positive for the virus each week, but researchers are only doing genome sequencing a method that can definitively spot the new variant on fewer than 3,000 of those weekly samples. And that work is done by a patchwork of academic, state and commercial laboratories. Scientists say that a national surveillance program would be able to determine just how widespread the new variant is and help contain emerging hot spots, extending the crucial window of time in which vulnerable people across the country could get vaccinated. That would cost several hundred million dollars or more. While that may seem like a steep price tag, its a tiny fraction of the $16 trillion in economic losses that the United States is estimated to have sustained because of Covid-19. MINSK -- Belarusian authorities have prolonged the pretrial detention of Maryya Kalesnikava, an opposition figure who is facing national-security charges, for two months. The Coordination Council of the Belarusian political opposition said on January 6 that investigators had extended Kalesnikava's detention until March 8. Kalesnikava is a key member of the Coordination Council, a body set up by Belarus's political opposition to facilitate a transfer of power in the country following a presidential election in August that the opposition says was rigged and the West has refused to accept. Kalesnikava was arrested in September and charged with calling for actions aimed at damaging the country's national security via media and the Internet. Kalesnikava, who rejects the charge as politically motivated, could be sentenced to up to five years in prison if convicted. Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusians continue to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid a brutal crackdown on protesters. The West refuses to recognize him as the country's legitimate leader after an August 9 election considered fraudulent. Mass demonstrations have swept across Belarus since the disputed August 9 vote that gave Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth consecutive term. Lukashenka has directed a brutal postelection crackdown in which almost 30,000 have been detained, and hundreds beaten in detention and on the streets. The EU and the United States refuse to recognize Lukashenka as the countrys legitimate leader and have slapped sanctions on him and other senior Belarusian officials. The vote was widely dismissed as having been rigged, with the real winner being opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who left the country for Lithuania shortly after the election due to security concerns. With reporting by BelaPAN ANN ARBOR, MI A new judge is taking the bench in Ann Arbor. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed attorney and lifelong Ann Arbor resident Miriam A. Perry to serve in the citys 15th District Court. I am extremely excited to be joining the 15th District Court and Im humbled the governor chose me to serve the people of my hometown, Perry said. Perry was officially sworn in on Dec. 30 and is going through orientation ahead of hearing her first cases, which are expected to begin Jan. 11. She fills a seat vacated by the retirement of Elizabeth Pollard Hines who left Nov. 1 after 28 years on the bench. Ann Arbor judge retiring after 28 years on the bench Perry was briefly a clinical teaching fellow in the University of Michigan Law Schools Veterans Legal Clinic. Prior to this fellowship, she worked as an assistant public defender for Washtenaw County from 2006-20, representing clients in a wide range of criminal proceedings. She also served as a judicial attorney for the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County from 2001-06 and was a law clerk for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Being the 15th District Courts first Black judge, and coming from more than a decade of working on the defense side of the court, Perry said she might see the circumstances of cases differently than others. A lot of judges tend to come from the prosecutor side of the court, but I believe my background along with the background of my fellow judges gives the 15th a good mix of legal experience, Perry said. Perry is a member of the Black Women Lawyers Association, National Bar Association, Washtenaw County Bar Association, Women Lawyers Association, NAACP and Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Perry has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Spelman College and earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. After graduating from law school, Perry taught English in Japan for two years before returning to the United States to start her career as an attorney. Perrys appointed term ends Jan.1 2023. She will need to run for reelection in November 2022 if she seeks to serve a full six-year term on the bench. More from The Ann Arbor News: Washtenaw prosecutor launches effort to review thousands of past cases for racial bias Mayors refusal to censor Violin Monsters F-bombs sparks Ann Arbor council debate Washtenaw County ramping up COVID-19 vaccination efforts after slower start An Air Force colonel will soon face a court-martial after being charged with sexual assault under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Col. Sean McNamara, of the 316th Medical Support Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, has been charged with three specifications under Article 120 of the UCMJ, which pertains to rape and sexual assault, a spokesperson from the base confirmed to Military.com. His case is set to go to trial March 29, the spokesperson said. Air Force Times was first to report the news. Read Next: SEAL Team 6 Operator to Plead Guilty in Green Beret's Death The Air Force brought charges against McNamara in October following an investigation that began in 2019. McNamara was previously the commander of the 39th Medical Group at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. According to a charge sheet provided to Military.com, McNamara is accused of touching the groin, breast and genitals of an unidentified woman without her consent in a December 2019 incident near Leesburg, Virginia. That year, McNamara also served in the Air Force Office of the Surgeon General in Falls Church, Virginia, according to the Air Force. Following the incident, the alleged victim "approached the Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR) advocate," the spokesperson said. "The information was promptly turned over to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The case went to an Article 32 preliminary hearing for review prior to the Air Force's referral of charges." Officials at Joint Base Andrews declined to offer details about McNamara's current assignment ahead of trial. "The Air Force takes allegations of misconduct very seriously regardless of rank," the spokesperson said. "However, airmen are presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with due process." McNamara's trial will follow the convening of an Article 32 preliminary hearing into sexual assault allegations against another senior Air Force officer, Maj. Gen. William Cooley, who led the Air Force Research Lab for roughly two and a half years. The hearing for Cooley, who was removed from his post last year, will be held later this month and will be used to determine whether charges will be brought to trial. The Air Force brought three specifications of sexual assault against Cooley in November. If charges against Cooley are referred, he would be the first general officer in the Air Force's history to face a court-martial, Don Christensen, president of advocacy group Protect Our Defenders and a retired Air Force colonel, told Air Force Times in November. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: Two-Star Air Force General Charged with Sexual Assault Jack Posobiec: The Establishment Is in Bed With the CCP WASHINGTONChina analyst and veteran Navy intelligence officer Jack Posobiec said Americans are understanding the threat of Chinese Communist Party on humanity; 15 years ago if he said CCP, the average American wouldnt know what he meant. But now? Its the loudest chant that Ive heard tonight: Take down the CCP, Posobiec said after he gave a speech at a rally at the nations capital on Jan. 5, calling for election integrity. Tens of thousands rallied in Washington on Jan. 5 and 6 ahead of the joint session of Congress to count the Electoral College votes. The CCP has been referred to as a main actor of foreign interference in the 2020 elections. We need to send a message from the people of this country to the establishment of the United States, which is in bed with the CCP [Chinese Communist Party], he said. I serve the intelligence community, and I watched, we could see how CCP operatives and these operations were penetrating US companies, US military, US intelligence, and again and again we did nothing about it, he said. And for a long time I didnt understand why and then I realized why it was: they were getting in bed with the CCP. So their involvement is to stop Trump using all of the power and influence that they can, he said. The American people are not for sale, theyre not going to be for sale, he said. For a long time, theyve been ripping off the American people and Americas leaders have been behind it. Posobiec has been to China and hes seen the situation of the Chinese people, who are also being taken advantage of by the Chinese Communist Party and international companies that work with it. Most Chinese people, they do not want to live under Xi Jinping anymore, he said. This is why the CCP cracks down so hard on religion, he said, because the people who follow a spiritual practice realize there is a way of life other than what the communist regime has imposed on the people. This is the Great Awakening, he said. When they realize the CCP is not the sole authority on earth, that there are higher powers, that there are people who disagree with them, then they can start to wake up to the mistreatment of the Chinese people, the mistreatment of Uighers, the mistreatment of Tibetans, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and all the rest. They [CCP] wants America to go back to the way it was under Barack Obama, under George W Bush, under Bill Clinton, where there was this unwritten contract where American leaders would allow CCP to do what it wanted, CCP would send money to their donors, send money to Wall Street, he said, citing Hunter Biden as a recent high profile example. Ive been through two set of Hunter Bidens emails, personally, he said. Its what weve seen: they buy off the family members. This is exactly the way CCP officials handle money, Posobiec explained, officials do not touch the accounts themselves, but rather payouts are made to family members. The CCP has also capitalized on the pandemic to interfere with the election and the Trump administration, he said. And thats what they did again and again and again. Posobiec said he thinks the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 will be something that no ones seen before. I think its going to be absolutely historic, and really codify Americas history not only for this time but for years to come, he said. Posobiec said it will also be a historic mark regarding Americas relationship with the CCP. The CCP has been signing new deals around with world, including with the European Union, he added. Theyre using death trap diplomacy. Do we want to be in a world dominated by the CCP or do we want to be in a world dominated by freedom and by rights for the regular people? he said. Thats what this is about. Regardless of the outcome on Jan. 6, Posobiec has hope. Never, never give up your ideals, he said. Just because one fight doesnt go your way, doesnt mean youre done. As long as youre breathing, as long as were alive, as long as were here, you live on and you keep fighting for these ideals. The United States has faced challenges like no other country before it and it has overcome every single one of them, he said. Theyre powerful enough and strong enough, the American people, to beat the CCP. With reporting by Jenny Chang The Khaama Press, January 3, 2021 By Mohammad Haroon Alim US Secretary of State Mike Pompeos recent remarks on Twitter saying no US servicemen have been killed in Afghanistan sparked a backlash from politicians in the Afghan government. As no US servicemen were killed in the last year, thousands of civilians and Afghan security members were killed in the violence during 2020. Afghan Senate Speaker Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said, Besides the US, I congratulate the victory of the Taliban as well, saying that meanwhile, I tell the Taliban congratulations to you, you have killed the sons of this soil, civil society activists and journalists who are reflecting the pains of the people, Tolonews quoted. Presidential Palace said US soldiers were not killed in the previous year is because the Taliban were busy and focused on fighting against Afghans. The foreign forces casualties were zero because now the conflicts are led by the security and defense forces and the Taliban is fighting only against the people and the government of Afghanistan, Dawa Khan Minapal, a presidential spokesman, was quoted by Tolonews. Taliban in a tweet replied to Pompeo, that no attacks against US forces since the Doha deal show that the Islamic Emirate is fulfilling its obligations as a committed entity, adding that they also hoped for a peace agreement to be implemented in the same way, We will fulfill the same obligations when we reach an agreement with the internal actors, the group stated. A UN report indicated that within the first six months of 2020, Two Thousand One hundred civilians were killed and 3,800 others were wounded. This comes as Negotiators of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will be leaving for Doha on Monday, and President Ashraf Ghani in a meeting on Sunday evening assured them of the governments full support. BENSALEM, Pa., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors of the upcoming January 12, 2021 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Alibaba Group Holding Limited ("Alibaba" or the "Company") (NYSE: BABA) securities between July 20, 2020 and November 3, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors suffering losses on their Alibaba investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected]. Alibaba is an online and mobile commerce company. Alibaba owns a 33% equity interest in Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. ("Ant Group"), a financial technology company that is best known for operates Alipay, one of the largest mobile and online payments platforms. On July 20, 2020, Ant Group announced that it had begun the process of a concurrent initial public offering ("IPO") on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. On October 26, 2020, Ant Group priced its IPO and was set to raise $34.5 billion, making it the largest public offering in history. On November 2, 2020, Financial Times reported that Chinese regulators had met with Ant Group's controller Jack Ma, executive chairman Eric Jing, Chief Executive Officer Simon Hu. The article stated that, though regulators did not provide details, "the Chinese word used to describe the interview yuetan generally indicates a dressing down by authorities." The article also included a statement from Ant Group that it will "implement the meeting opinions in depth." On November 3, 2020, the IPO was suspended because Ant Group "may not meet listing qualifications or disclosure requirements due to material matters" related to the meeting with regulators the previous day and "the recent changes in the Fintech regulatory environment." On this news, the Company's share price fell $25.27, or 8%, to close at $285.57 per share on November 3, 2020, thereby injuring investors. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Ant Group did not meet listing qualifications or disclosure requirements for certain material matters; (2) that certain impending changes in the Fintech regulatory environment would impact Ant Group's business; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, Ant Group's IPO was reasonably likely to be suspended; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Alibaba securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than January 12, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Howard G. Smith, Esquire 215-638-4847 888-638-4847 [email protected] www.howardsmithlaw.com SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Related Links http://www.howardsmithlaw.com/ "I have had the opportunity to work closely with Charlie on significant projects over the last 10 years," said Rich Amodei, STV executive vice president of T&I. "His broad experience, problem solving abilities, and reputation as a trusted advisor to many public agencies and partners will be a tremendous benefit to the firm as we expand our presence across the nation." A proven industry leader with extensive experience in the design-build delivery method, Hall has worked for more than 30 years as an owner, contractor, and engineering consultant within the transportation market sector both in the U.S. and internationally. He has a track record supporting clients in the delivery of a broad array of major initiatives, including new construction, systems integration, start-up, testing, as well as the maintenance of rail and transit systems. Prior to joining STV, Hall was a senior managing director of program management at a global professional services firm. There, he performed management, oversight, and support services for large-scale projects such as New York City Transit's Second Avenue Subway Phase 1 and the Long Island Rail Road East Side Access programs. Most recently, he served as program design director for a multi-billion-dollar high-speed rail project in the South Central region of the United States, guiding management and early works design. He also served as manager of the system start-up and rail activation for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system in New Jersey. Hall earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Manhattan College. About STV: Founded more than 100 years ago, STV is a leader in providing engineering, architectural, planning, environmental, and program management and construction management services for transportation systems, infrastructure, buildings, energy, and other facilities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 8th in its transportation category. For more information, visit the firm's website at www.stvinc.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. For more information, contact: Jill Bonamusa, (212) 614-3354 [email protected] Marissa Matteo, (215) 832-3557 [email protected] SOURCE STV Related Links http://www.stvinc.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 5, 2021 / Empress Royalty Corp. ("Empress" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged Hybrid Financial Ltd ("Hybrid"), to provide investor relations services. Empress will continue to work closely with Peak Investor Marketing ("Peak") and other groups in the implementation of a comprehensive marketing strategy. "We are excited to commence 2021 by activating our strong marketing campaign," stated Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President of Empress. "We engaged Hybrid to heighten market and brand awareness. The implementation of our comprehensive strategy is to create effective capital market awareness, increase investor engagement, and allow us to connect with existing and new shareholders during what we anticipate will be a very active time for Empress." Peak was engaged in August 2020 to develop, implement and manage the marketing strategy program to create capital market awareness as well as assist in corporate communications and public relations. Hybrid has been engaged to further heighten market and brand awareness for Empress and to broaden the Company's reach within the investment community. The Hybrid engagement is for an initial period of six months (the "Initial Term") and then may be renewed for successive three months terms, unless terminated by the Company in accordance with the engagement. Hybrid will be paid a monthly fee of $15,000, plus applicable taxes, during the Initial Term. All groups have agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") in providing their services. The Company will pay all contracts from existing working capital. ABOUT HYBRID FINANCIAL Hybrid is a sales and distribution company that actively connects issuers to the investment community across North America. Using a data driven approach, Hybrid provides its clients with comprehensive coverage of both American and Canadian markets. Hybrid Financial has offices in Toronto and Montreal. ABOUT EMPRESS ROYALTY CORP. Empress is a new precious metals royalty and streaming creation company with a portfolio of 14 precious metals royalties. Empress is focused on investing in development and production stage projects providing unique financing solutions for mining companies who require additional non-dilutive capital. The Company has strategic relationships with Endeavour Financial, Terra Capital and Accendo Banco. These relationships allow Empress to not only access global investment opportunities but also bring unique mining finance expertise, deal structuring and access to capital markets. Empress is looking forward to creating value for its shareholders through quality cash producing royalty and streaming investments. ON BEHALF OF EMPRESS ROYALTY CORP. Per: Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President For further information, please visit our website at www.empressroyalty.com or contact Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President, by phone at +1.604.331.2080 or email at info@empressroyalty.com . Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains statements about Empress' expectations regarding the development of its business which are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes", "anticipates", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Although Empress believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include Empress Royalty not being successful in or deciding not to pursue opportunities in the royalties business. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and Empress undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. SOURCE: Empress Royalty Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623242/Empress-Royalty-Engages-Investor-Relations-Firm The Brazilian city Manaus has declared a state of emergency for a period of 180 days due to an increase in new coronavirus cases. Manaus was one of the first Brazilian cities to be affected by the pandemic during early 2020. With an increase in the cases, the hospitals in the city have reached their capacity and also the cemetery was forced to bury people in mass graves. According to the reports by PTI, Mayor David Almeida said, We are adopting all the necessary measures to contribute decisively to the fight against COVID-19, especially at this moment in which the city is registering an increase in cases and, unfortunately, deaths. The decree allows the municipal government to temporarily contract personnel, services and material without any public tenders. Also, it suspends authorization for events and revokes those already granted. This development came when people on social media complained about overcrowding in hospitals. The city of Manaus has recorded a total of 3,400 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic. Read: Brazil President Bolsonaro Says 'COVID-19 Vaccine Can Turn People Into Crocodiles' Status of vaccine in Brazil As of now, Brazil has not approved any vaccine. Latin Americas largest nation appears to be at least three or four weeks away from launching a formal immunization campaign against COVID-19 virus. Margareth Dalcolmo, a professor in respiratory medicine at the state-funded Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, talking about President Jair Bolsonaro and his remarks on the vaccine said, He has said he doesnt plan to get a shot himself and joked at one point that side effects might turn people into crocodiles or bearded ladies. He further added that these talks leave Brazils image abroad very damaged. Read: Brazil President Bolsonaro Gets High Level Of Approval Amid COVID-19 Devastation: Survey Earlier, Bolsonaro said that the Chinese vaccine does not come from a place that he could trust. Another contender for early release nationwide is the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. It could be available by February once the regulators approve it, says Brazil's state laboratory Fiocruz. It also said it expects to have 100 million of domestically produced COVID-19 doses by the end of July. Read: Brazil President Bolsonaro Gets High Level Of Approval Amid COVID-19 Devastation: Survey Also Read: Brazil Great Pele Upgrades Instagram Bio After Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Official Goal Tally (Image Credits: Pixabay/Unsplash) The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will move its headquarters, warehouse and distribution center from Hatfield to Chicopee. The Food Bank purchased 16.5 acres of vacant land at the Chicopee River Business Park from Westmass Area Development Corp. The Food Bank paid $449,000 for the property at the corner of Carew and East Main streets, according to documents on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. Its in a part of Chicopee that borders on the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. Food bank board president Erica Flores stated, The food bank will announce in the coming months the formal launch of a multi-million dollar capital campaign to support this project to better serve our member food pantries and those in need of food assistance across Western Massachusetts. This property is located strategically at the intersection of three major highways. It will not only accommodate a larger warehouse to meet our growth needs for the long term, but it is also close to the largest population center of our region with the highest concentration of households at risk of hunger and/or food insecurity both historically and at this critical moment, said Andrew Morehouse, food bank executive director in a prepared statement. The food bank said its been operating with insufficient warehouse space at its current 30,000-square-foot facility in Hatfield. Staffers have been forced to to store food in the aisles and on refrigerated trailers parked permanently at loading docks, creating warehouse inefficiencies and delays for inbound and outbound food distribution, according to Morehouse. Plans call for the Hatfield property to be sold once a new building is constructed in Chicopee. The food bank has stored frozen products offsite thanks to in-kind support from Pioneer Cold in Chicopee and Lineage Logistics in Westfield because of limited freezer space. At times, the food bank even has had to turn away some large retail store donations, Morehouse said in a news release. That problem, he added, has only gotten worse during the economic disruption following COVID-19. Before the pandemic, the food banks annual food distribution grew annually at an average of 6%, while during the past 10 months of the pandemic, its distribution has grown by 29%, according to the agency. While the Food Bank has had to operate with insufficient warehouse space for several years, the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated its overcapacity. Our warehouse staff has overcome tremendous obstacles to keep up with demand during the pandemic, working long hours and finding creative way to get the food out to those who need it, said Shirley DelRio, director of food operations. The Food Bank said it has provided during the pandemic nutritious shelf-stable and perishable emergency food, including fresh and local vegetables, dairy and frozen meats, to an all-time high of approximately 119,000 individuals monthly across all four counties of Western Massachusetts Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties, according to Morehouse. In the last 12 months, the food bank distributed the equivalent of approximately 12.4 million meals through a network of 165 independent local food pantries, meal sites, shelters and through its own 78 direct-to-patron Brown Bag program for elders and mobile food bank sites. Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, speaks during a press conference this summer. The Food Bank has purchased land in Chicopee for a new headquarters. (Don Treeger / The Republican) I am excited to see the development of the new Food Bank headquarters move forward, said Jeff Daley, president and CEO of Westmass. They are such an important part of our community and to have them centrally located to the population they serve, is a testament to their board of directors and management team. This will be such a great addition to our business park, and we look forward to their opening. Morehouse said the food bank is currently working with individuals and regional companies with expertise in commercial real estate development on a pro-bono basis, including the Dennis Group architectural and engineering firm in Springfield and OConnell Development of Holyoke. We want to design and construct a building that will provide maximum storage capacity potential, that is energy efficient and utilizes green technology, and is adaptable and welcoming to the surrounding community, Morehouse said. Related content: Verizon (owner of Engadget's parent company, Verizon Media) isnt shutting down its 3G network anytime soon. Kevin King, the carriers spokesperson, told Light Reading that Verizons 3G network is operational and that it doesnt have a plan to shut it down at this time. He also added that the company will work with customers to move them to newer technology. King has confirmed the reports accuracy to Engadget. The carrier has been taking steps towards shutting down its 3G network for years, starting way back in 2012 when it deployed 4G LTE. A few years later, it announced its plans to deactivate the network by December 2019, but it later pushed the date back to 2020. Now, it looks like the company has delayed the old networks shutdown indefinitely, perhaps until most of its remaining 3G customers have already moved to newer devices. Verizon stopped activating 3G phones in 2018 to facilitate a smooth transition to LTE-capable products and services. It said at the time at virtually all traffic on [its] network is on [its] 4G LTE network anyway. As Light Reading notes, it didnt reveal how many of its subscribers still have 3G devices, but the figure could be significant if it chose to keep the network operational alongside 4G and 5G. Based on what King said, though, Verizon may be actively encouraging 3G customers to get newer devices going forward. A San Antonio area representative was "on the front lines" as President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, according to a fellow Texas congressman's account of the chaos. Rep. Pat Fallon, a Republican in a district north of Dallas, told his Facebook followers that Capitol police entered the House chamber during a debate. The politicians were first told to stay in their seats, then an evacuation began. The pro-Trump mob soon reached the doors of the chamber. Fallon, along with Rep. Tony Gonzales and other Texas Republicans, "augmented the Police and stood our ground." The group was "literally on the front lines," he recalled. READ ALSO: Julian Castro calls Ted Cruz 'an embarrassment to the state of Texas' "We will never be intimated by any mob, regardless of their motivations," Fallon wrote. Fallon was elected in November. Gonzales won Texas' 23rd congressional district, which stretches from the San Antonio area to the outskirts of El Paso, on the same day. According to Fallon, the group broke off furniture to make clubs, then helped the police barricade the doors. They stepped to the side after placing a large piece of furniture against the doors, then pieces of glass shattered. People yelled that shots had been fired. "Those rounds, if thats what caused that broken glass would have struck us just seconds before," Fallon wrote. The representative said that he did not yet know who was responsible for the chaos, but condemned the violence and reported the congressmen were safe at an undisclosed location. After the incident, Gonzales tweeted that he "served our country because this does not happen here it happens in war zones." "America is resilient. We will overcome this divide. Violent protestors are NOT patriots," Gonzales wrote. A group established here after the UN declared 2015 to 2024 the decade for people of African descent is calling for an independent commission of inquiry into the death of George Nkencho at the hands of gardai. The International Decade for People of African Descent Ireland (IDPADI) has worked with the Department of Justice to implement the UN project in Ireland. In a statement released today, it called on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to set up an independent commission of inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of Mr Nkencho, to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Read More In this regard, we call upon the envisaged independent commission to engage IDPADI in its investigations and deliberations, the group said. Further, we are concerned that racial profiling may have led to this tragic incident if it is juxtaposed with past incidences of the Garda Siochana involving young people of African descent in Ireland. Mr Nkencho (27) was shot by a team of armed gardai as he walked back into his home at Manorfields Drive, in west Dublin, after an earlier incident at a shop in Hartstown in which he allegedly threatened staff with a knife. He was followed to his house by gardai and refused to stop or drop the knife. Gardai attempted to use a Taser and pepper spray on Mr Nkencho before firing five shots at him. We are concerned that not all methods to avert lethal force were exhausted in the above fatal incident, the IDPADI said. We find it unsettling and are left with doubt whether the ultimate force used to take away the life of George Nkencho was proportionate to the threat at hand, considering that more than a dozen Gardai were involved. The group said it was disturbed by the fact George Nkencho was not only shot at within the precinct of his home, but that lethal shots were fired. An Garda Siochana said they can make no comment at this time. The fatal shooting of George Nkencho is currently under investigation by the independent Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), a statement to Independent.ie said. A statement from GSOC said it was carrying out an independent investigation into the death of Mr NKencho in accordance with the States obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The question of an independent commission of inquiry is a matter for the Minister for Justice and the Government, they added. A spokesperson for the Justice Minister said: Minister McEntee has extended her deepest sympathies to all those impacted by the tragic event in Hartstown last week, and in particular the family of George Nkencho. "Any fatal shooting is deeply distressing, and the local community are experiencing real trauma as a result of these events. The shooting is of course being fully investigated by the independent Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), which is chaired by a High Court judge. This is the case in every incident involving a member of An Garda Siochana that results in the death of a person. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the GSOC investigation into this incident which must be allowed to take its course. Such incidents are very rare in Ireland, thankfully, but all are fully and independently investigated. Read More Irish Independent President Akufo-Addo says bringing peace to Dagbon has been one of the greatest achievements of his first-term. President Akufo-Addo who was delivering the final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, said he is happy that people of Dagbon now live their normal lives. For him, governments intervention to bring peace to Dagbon has been successful, saying Our efforts bore fruits. He has, therefore, commended the three eminent chiefs, namely the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa I and Nayiri, Naa Bohogu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga for their diverse roles in bringing to an end the protracted chieftaincy dispute at Dagbon. For President Akufo-Addo, Peace has been restored to Dagbon and that his government will continue to work to sustain the peace of Dagbon. He also urged the indigenes of the area to refrain from the use of violence to resolve issues, praising the people of Dagbon for their wiliness to allow peace to prevail in the area. Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II who was the King of Dagbon, the traditional kingdom of the Dagomba people in northern Ghana from 1974 was assassinated on March 27, 2002. After his (Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II) death, Dagbon became a centre of chieftaincy dispute and attempts by successive governments to resolve the issue proved unsuccessful until 2019. Background The Committee of Eminent Chiefs, on November 16, 2018, made a declaration to bring finality to the decades-old Dagbon conflict between the Abudu and the Andani Royal families when it presented a road map to peace in the troubled kingdom to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra. The committee was set up by former President John Kufuor in 2002 to find a lasting solution to the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy dispute after the killing of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II in Yendi in March 2002. The road map gave the Abudu Royal Family two weeks to perform the funeral of Yaa Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV from December 14 to 28, 2018, after which the final funeral rites of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II would take place from January 4 to 18, 2019. The latter's funeral was delayed for a week due to some misunderstanding. With the funerals of the two Yaa Naas over, the four kingmakers of Dagbon, who include Kuga-Naa Abdulai Adam and the Gushie Naa, consulted the oracles to guide them in the choice of the right candidate for the Namship before settling on the Paramount Chief of the Savelugu Traditional Area, Yoo Naa Abubakari Mahama, who was subsequently enskinned. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video HBO premieres bizarre new thriller about coins used to betray Jesus Christ Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment HBOs latest international production, 30 Coins, premiered this week and the Spanish-language horror series from director Alex de la Iglesia is an immersion of religion and darkness that terrorizes the remote town of Pedraza, Spain. Directed by de la Iglesia, who's known for horror films such as The Day of the Beast, "30 Coins" takes viewers on a dark twisted journey into discovering what happened to the coins used to betray Jesus Christ. The eight-episode drama series follows Father Vergara (Eduard Fernandez), an exorcist, boxer, and ex-convict who is exiled by the church to be the priest of a remote town in Spain. As his past and old enemies come back to haunt him, strange things begin to happen. An unlikely task force forms as Mayor Paco (Miguel Angel Silvestre) and local vet Elena (Megan Montaner) seek the truth, while reality is distorted by a cursed coin which is at the heart of a global conspiracy, the series' synopsis reads. Co-written by de la Iglesia and Jorge Guerricaechevarria, the series highlights occult practices of communicating with spirits by using things such as a Ouija board. Shot in Rome, Paris, New York, Jerusalem, Geneva, and throughout Spain, 30 Coins features frightening sci-fi creatures. The plot follows a theme that no one can be trusted as they try to uncover more information about Judas dirty money. The series is inspired by Matthew 26:15 where, before the Last Supper, Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to hand over Jesus in exchange for 30 silver coins. However, this is not a Christian series. The series, produced in participation with HBO Latin America, was created by Pokeepsie Films. 30 Coins was world premiered at the Venice Film Festival. According to a review by The Daily Beast, the show contains Possession and exorcism, witches and resurrections, suicide and murder, red-clad cardinals and the pope himself. The review said that 30 Coins revolves around a secret Catholic cult of Cainites led by a fiend from Vergaras past who covet Judas 30 coins because they believe any items that caused Christ pain contain immense spiritual power. Seoul, Jan 6 : South Korean President Moon Jae-in has formally requested that the National Assembly hold confirmation hearings on the nominees to lead the justice and environment ministries, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. Moon signed relevant documents, which were later submitted to the parliament at around 5 p.m., according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok, TOLO news agency reported. The president tapped Park Beom-kye, a three-term ruling Democratic Party lawmaker, as new justice minister and Han Jeoung-ae, the party's policy chief, as environment minister in a small-scale Cabinet reshuffle late last year. Park is a former judge, and Han, also a three-term lawmaker, used to be a labor activist. PUNE: The driver of an unidentified vehicle was booked in a hit-and-run case after two persons who were riding a motorbike were found dead in Dehu road in the small hours of Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Sagar Kalyan Degale (23) of Morevasti in Chikhali and a native of Barshi in Solapur; and Vaibhav Ramesh Nimbalkar (26) also of Morevasti. The duo, riding a Yamaha FZS registered in Pune, was hit by an unidentified vehicle around 11:30pm on Monday atop the bridge that connects Nigdi with Dehu Road, according to the police. They were heading home from work at a private company and were staying together. Family members have taken their bodies, said sub-inspector A Kokate of Dehu road police station who is investigating the case. A case under Sections 304(a), 279, 337, 338 of Indian Penal Code along with Sections 184 and other relevant sections of Motor Vehicle Act was registered at Dehu road police station. New Delhi: India has warned that Syrian chemical weapons can fall into the hands of terrorists, in the first public statement after New Delhi began its two-year term at the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member. India's envoy to UN, TS Tirumurti said, "India remains concerned about the possibility of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorist organizations and individuals. Terrorist groups have taken advantage of the decade long conflict in Syria to entrench themselves posing a threat to the entire region." Further he added, "The world cannot afford to give these terrorists any sanctuary or dilute its fight against these terrorist groups." The Security Council on Tuesday took up the latest report on the activities of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in implementing Security Council resolution and its Executive Council decisions in relation to the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme. Ambassador Tirumurti highlighted New Delhi's policy on chemical weapons, saying, "India has been firmly opposed to any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, and under any circumstances. We strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons, and there can be no justification for their use." Important to note that, India has provided a financial contribution of $ 1 million to the OPCW Trust Fund for activities relating to the destruction of chemical stockpiles and related facilities in Syria. On the situation in Syria, the Indian envoy emphasized that New Delhi has consistently called for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict through dialogue, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria. He pointed out that, "We have also contributed to the return of normalcy and rebuilding of Syria through humanitarian assistance and human resource development." India supports both the Geneva and the Astana processes for peace in Syria. Rent drop not easing intense renting stress By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-01-06 11:15 12 months into the pandemic, the rental market in Shenzhen is seeing an unprecedented oversupply, but that has not alleviated the adversity of young working class people in the city to find a cozy and affordable room. The pandemic influence and the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, as well as the annual massive migration from the big city, have contributed to a flood of vacant homes in megacities in recent months. Real estate data indicates that as of mid-December 2020, commercial properties for rent supplied by major real estate agencies in Shenzhen have increased by 40.7% year-on-year. In terms of the rent prices, in the first three quarters of 2020, the average rent of second-hand residential properties in Shenzhen returned to the same level as 2018. Likewise, in 40 other key cities across China, the rent in 2020 has bottomed out, with an average monthly rent of 37.8 yuan per square meter, a year-on-year decrease of 9.9%. The average rent in first- and second-tier cities fell by 4.0% year-on-year. However, surprisingly, office workers who rent houses in first-tier cities seem to have no sense of such a drop in rents, and the difficulty of renting houses still lasts. Despite the rent decreases, being costly is the top problem for most renters. "The salary was low when I graduated from university. I commuted between the suburbs and downtown every day, spending 5 to 6 hours a day in total. Now Ive moved closer to the city center with the commuting time per day shortened to 3 hours, but I have to pay more than 3,000 yuan a month for the rent,said Liu Dan (a pseudonym) who rents a single room in Yizhuang, Beijing. Ms. Liu said that it is even more expensive to rent a whole apartment-- a monthly budget of 4,000 yuan can only afford an apartment outside the Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads. Irregular renting deals is another big headache. Helpless out-of-towners often find it notoriously hard to get the deposit refund from middleman landlords when moving out of the house. Regarding this, Zheng Shulun, managing director of Shenzhen Centaline Real Estate Group, believes that improving the urban housing supply structure is the key.The supply of low-and medium-priced affordable social housing should be increased, and more existing land, such as industrial and commercial plants, can probably be renovated into such housing to ease the renting market stress. WASHINGTON (AP) President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday. In picking Garland, Biden is turning to an experienced judge who held senior positions at the Justice Department decades ago, including as a supervisor of the prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The pick will force Senate Republicans to contend with the nomination of someone they spurned in 2016 refusing even to hold hearings when a Supreme Court vacancy arose but Biden may be banking on Garland's credentials and reputation for moderation to ensure confirmation. Biden is expected to announce Garlands appointment on Thursday, along with other senior leaders of the department, including former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former Justice Department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. He will also name an assistant attorney general for civil rights, Kristen Clarke, the founder of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an advocacy group. NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: Sign up for breaking news email alerts from HoustonChronicle.com here Garland was selected over other finalists including Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. The people familiar with the process spoke on condition of anonymity. One said Biden regards Garland as an attorney general who can restore integrity to the Justice Department and as someone who, having served in the Justice Department under presidents of both political parties, will be respected by nonpartisan career staff. If confirmed, Garland would confront immediate challenges, including an ongoing criminal tax investigation into Bidens son, Hunter, as well as calls from many Democrats to pursue inquiries into Trump after he leaves office. A special counsel investigation into the origins of the Russia probe also remains open, forcing a new attorney general to decide how to handle it and what to make public. Garland would also inherit a Justice Department that has endured a tumultuous four years and would likely need to focus on not only civil rights issues and an overhaul of national policing policies after months of mass protests over the deaths of Black Americans at the hand of law enforcement. It was unclear how Garlands selection would be received by Black and Latino advocates who had advocated for a Black attorney general or for someone with a background in civil rights causes and criminal justice reform. Garland would also return to a Justice Department radically different than the one he left. The Sept. 11 attacks was years away, the departments national security division had not yet been created and a proliferation of aggressive cyber and counterintelligence threats from foreign adversaries have made counties like China, Russia and North Korea top priorities for federal law enforcement. But some of the issues from Garlands first stint at the department persist. Tensions between police and minorities, an issue that flared following the 1992 beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, remain an urgent concern particularly following a summer of racial unrest that roiled American cities after the May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. SUBSCRIBE TODAY: Stay informed with accurate reporting you can trust on HoustonChronicle.com And the FBI has confronted a surge in violent from anti-government and racially motivated extremists. That is a familiar threat to Garland, who as a senior Justice Department official in 1995 helped manage the federal governments response to the bombing of a government building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people. The bomber, Timothy McVeigh, who was later executed. Garland has called the work the most important thing I have done and was known for keeping a framed photo of Oklahoma Citys Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in his courthouse office in Washington. At the time of the bombing, Garland was 42 and principal associate deputy attorney general, a top lieutenant to Attorney General Janet Reno. He was chosen to go to Oklahoma City, the highest-ranking Justice Department official there, and led the prosecution for a month until a permanent lead prosecutor was named. Garland was selected over other contenders for the job including former Alabama senator Doug Jones, who lost his Senate seat last month, and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. It is rare but not unprecedented for attorneys general to have previously served as judges. It happened in 2007 when President George W. Bush picked Michael Mukasey, a former federal judge in Manhattan, for the job. Eric Holder, President Barack Obamas first attorney general, had also previously been a Superior Court judge. TRY THE APP: Get alerts, breaking news and in-depth coverage on what's happening in Houston through our mobile app Garland was put forward by former President Barack Obama for a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, but Republicans refused to hold hearings in the final year of Obamas term. The vacancy was later filled by Justice Neil Gorsuch during the Trump administration. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to let the nomination move forward in the Senate in the final months of Obamas tenure. He was criticized by Democrats this fall when he took the opposite approach toward confirming President Donald Trumps Supreme Court pick, Amy Coney Barrett. He said the difference this time around was that the White House and Senate were controlled by the same political parties. One year later, after the firing of FBI Director James Comey, McConnell actually floated Garlands name as a replacement for that position, though Garland was said to be not interested. Garland has been on the federal appeals court in Washington since 1997. Before that, he had worked in private practice, as well as a federal prosecutor, a senior official in the Justice Departments criminal division and as the principle associate deputy attorney general. Investigations editor Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine. Florida prosecutors will no longer be seeking the death penalty in the capital murder case involving a Connecticut man charged last January in the killings of his wife, three children and the family dog, according to court filings. A notice of intention not to seek the death penalty was filed Monday in the case against Anthony Tony Todt, who faces four counts of capital murder and one count of animal cruelty. In her filing, State Attorney Aramis D. Ayala said after consideration of the facts and law applicable to this case, including serious concerns regarding the mental health of the defendant, it is not in the best interest of the people of the state of Florida to pursue the death penalty as a potential sentence. Todt is charged in the death of his wife, 42-year-old Megan Todt; the couples three children, 13-year-old Aleksander, 11-year-old Tyler, 4-year-old Zoe; and their dog, Breezy. Their bodies were found in the familys Celebration, Fla., home on Jan. 13, 2020. On Feb. 25, 2020, the state of Florida filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty on all four murder counts if Anthony Todt was convicted. In Florida, a defendant can face the death penalty for a variety of reasons, including having been previously convicted of another capital felony or if a felony involving the use or threat of violence to a person; the capital felony was considered especially heinous or cruel; the capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification; or the victim of the capital felony was particularly vulnerable due to a disability or advanced age, or because the defendant was in a familial or authority position over the victim, the February 2020 court filing said. The four murder charges against Todt are each labeled as premeditated in the court filings on the countys judicial website. Todt entered a written plea of not guilty on Feb. 28, 2020. Since then, court filings show, not much has happened in the case. Todt was last in court on the charges on Dec. 16, 2020, and the judge continued the case. He is next expected in court on Feb. 5 for a status hearing. Before the slayings, the family lived in Florida for a few years, with Anthony Todt traveling to work in Connecticut Mondays through Fridays at his physical therapy business. He would return to Florida on weekends. Preliminary autopsy documents released last year indicated that Todts wife and their three children were in the early stages of decomposition when they were found in their Florida home last January. They had each been stabbed, police said. Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson said last year following Anthony Todts arrest that he confessed to killing his wife, kids and the dog. Gibson said authorities believe Todt killed his family sometime in late December 2019. Police responded to the familys Reserve Place home in Celebration on Dec. 29, 2019, when a family member asked for a welfare check after not hearing from them for two days. The deputies checked around the residence, but ultimately did not report anything suspicious and they left. Gibson said its possible that when deputies responded to the home that day, the family members and the dog might have already been dead inside. On Jan. 9, 2020, federal agents working on an investigation involving Anthony Todt, linked to his time in Connecticut, and deputies responded to the Florida home. Again, nothing strange was seen and no contact was made, police said. Deputies and federal agent again went to the home on Jan. 13, 2020, to serve an arrest warrant for Anthony Todt from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Todt was immediately detained. Authorities doing a safety check of the home found the rest of the Todt family and the dog. MIDDLETOWN The upcoming reconfiguration of a street in the North End to prevent cars exiting the Arrigoni Bridge from traveling at unsafe speeds and using the area as a cut-through to busy Route 3 should get underway this month, according to the mayor. The state Department of Transportation is in the midst of construction on the bridge that spans the Connecticut River into Portland. City engineers are finishing up the final version of the project to change the traffic flow on Spring Street, where Macdonough Elementary School is situated, Mayor Ben Florsheim said. The neighborhood is a 25 mph zone. Macdonough has the largest population of students and parents walking to school compared to other schools, Florsheim said. He hopes construction will get underway later this month. Feedback from neighborhood residents, the school community and Complete Streets Committee have been sent to city engineers to incorporate into the final plan, the mayor said Tuesday. We decided to engineer a solution locally, Florsheim said during this weeks council meeting, according to the video. The idea is to keep traffic moving more smoothly along Main Street, one of the focuses of DOT work downtown, the mayor said. Presently, motorists traveling south off the bridge sit at multiple traffic lights until they get to Washington Street / Route 66. Many use the neighborhood to access Washington and Newfield streets, which should be used mostly for local traffic, Florsheim said. The plan is to make it a one-way street from Rome Avenue west, just before Macdonough, to divert motorists coming off the bridge from traveling fast in the school zone, according to Principal Damian Reardon. They would take an immediate right onto Rome Avenue and use Stack Street to get to Newfield Street / Route 3. People are now using Spring Street, which becomes Prospect Street, in order to access Route 3, which runs into Cromwell. Signs will be places in various locations preventing through traffic, Reardon said. The change will also allow access to companies in the area of Rome Avenue, and Stack and North Main streets, such as Genes TV. It will still allow businesses to continue to thrive down there, Reardon said. We understand that traffic flow in the North End is a problem, and it needs to be mitigated, Reardon said. Anything we can do to slow down traffic in front of the school is a good thing, he said. India's newly implemented anti-conversion law led to the arrest of Christians who were simply doing charity work. A group of Christians was arrested on Dec. 19 for violating India's new anti-conversion law. According to Morning Star News, the group of believers was simply doing Charity work, giving out food and other aid to people in Uttar Pradesh when police officers came and arrested them. Reports identified the arrested individuals as Mi Kyung Lee, a Korean Christian, Umesh Kumar, the Indian organizer overseeing the distribution of aid, and two women helping with the distribution of aid, Seema and Sandhya, two Indian women helping out with the distribution. The four were charged under the newly enacted Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance in Greater Nodia, located in the Gautam Buddh Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh. They were arrested due to a false complaint that the officials received accusing them of convincing their recipients to convert. Kumar denied the allegations and said they can prove that they did not ask anyone to convert. He clarified that they did not promise anyone any kind of money and all that their beneficiaries received were ration kits. "We have proofs of our distribution and names and phone numbers of our beneficiaries, who can testify that we have not asked any of them to change their faith or religion," Kumar said in a statement. The four appeared to court on Dec. 20 and were charged with violating Uttar Pradesh's new anti-conversion law and blasphemy by outraging the religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. The accused were all sent to jail. The police complaint that led to the arrest claimed that a woman reported the four individuals for approaching her and asking her to visit a local Christian church in order to receive free rations. The woman went on to say that the four arrested individuals began to regularly visit her during the pandemic and offered her some amount of money if she will convert to Christianity. In an interview, Masih said he believed that the local Hindu nationalists are the ones behind the false accusation. He said it could be a part of a well-planned conspiracy against them. "Nobody even bothered to ask the arrested their side of the story," Masih declared. He further added one strong reason why it would seem impossible for all of them to convince the citizens to convert to Christianity. "What is shocking is that the driver, Umesh Kumar, and Sandhya are not even Christians," said Masih. "The local media have falsely reported them all to be Christians," he added. Uttar Pradesh became the most recent state to enact the anti-conversion law. Individuals reported to be convincing citizens to convert into other religions are arrested and charged. However, in places such as Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttrakhand, the similarly implemented laws are widely abused. Radical nationalists use the rule to harass and assault Christians. They do so by falsely accusing believers of forcefully convincing citizens to convert, International Christian Concern reported. Your browser does not support the video tag. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their new administration got to work in a nation besieged by a raging pandemic, economic calamity and deep political divisions. Biden signed 17 executive orders shortly after his swearing-in, dealing with the pandemic, climate change, immigration and other pressing issues that reflected the dramatic divergence of his priorities from those of the vanquished Trump administration. Latest updates today: 1:56 p.m. Biden immigration bill nixes word alien: In a small but symbolic part of President Bidens proposed sweeping immigration overhaul, the word alien will be removed from US immigration laws, replaced by noncitizen, CNN reports. Its a deliberate step intended to recognize America as a nation of immigrants, according to a summary of the bill. The term illegal alien, long decried as a dehumanizing slur by immigrant rights advocates, became even more of a lightning rod during the Trump era with some top federal officials encouraging its use and several states and local governments taking up measures to ban it. 1:31 p.m. U.S. seeks nuke treaty extension with Russia: The Biden administration seeks a five-year extension of the New START treaty with Russia, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday. She called the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty an anchor of strategic stability between our two countries. She also said the administration will be fully assessing Russias involvement in the 2016 election and the poisoning Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. 11:38 a.m. Former NBA player holds solo pro-Trump protest: David Wood, who played two years with the Golden State Warriors in the 1990s, protested President Bidens inauguration Wednesday a few blocks from the White House, according to a report from Yahoo! News, which captured a video interview with Wood. Wood wore a sweater with images of Jesus Christ and carried a Jewish shofar horn and Revolutionary War flag. He parroted baseless election conspiracy theories, saying,This is Gods country. You cant steal Gods country through voter fraud. 11:25 a.m. Biden quickly gains millions of Twitter followers: President Biden quickly amassed more than 5.3 million followers as of Thursday morning, on the @POTUS Twitter account, fewer than 24 hours after he inherited it from Twitter king Donald Trump. Under its new policy on transfer of institutional accounts, Twitter wiped out the 33 million followers that Trump had on @POTUS when he was president. For non-Twitter afficionados, POTUS stands for President of the United States. 11:06 a.m. Trumps Facebook suspension now indefinite, outside board considers his fate: Facebook has extended former President Donald Trumps suspension, which was set to be lifted after President Bidens inauguration. A body the company set up called the Oversight Board will consider the matter. A company executive repeated a call CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made in the past for elected officials to set standards for such decisions, which have been largely left up to private corporations. Get the full story from The Chronicles Roland Li. 10:58 a.m. Biden to keep FBI director: President Biden has confidence in FBI Director Christopher Wray and intends to keep him in his job, according to a tweet from press secretary Jen Psaki. In the Trump administration, Wray replaced fired director James Comey in August 2017 and is in the midst of a 10-year term. 10:54 a.m. Biden, Harris begin 1st full day on job with virtual prayer service: President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris began their first full day in the White House on Thursday by participating virtually in a prayer service, an inaugural tradition dating to George Washingtons presidency. The Washington National Cathedral hosted the service, led by Bishop William Barber II and featuring performances by Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and The Clark Sisters. 10:43 a.m. Another bank cuts ties with Trump: Floridas Bank United is the latest to close former President Donald Trumps accounts, saying Thursday, We no longer have any depository relationship with him, the Washington Post reports. The bank declined to give a reason, but since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, several partners, vendors and customers have cut ties with Trumps company, including four banks. The Florida-based bank had held some of Trumps money since at least 2015, according to the former presidents financial disclosures. 10:30 a.m. Freshmen GOP lawmakers tell Biden they can play nice: Seventeen Republican freshman lawmakers in a letter of congratulations to President Biden said they hope we may work together on coronavirus relief, restoring the economy, and other issues. After two impeachments, lengthy inter-branch investigations, and most recently, the horrific attack on our nations capital, it is clear that the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans does not serve a single American, the letter states. Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan and David Valadao of Hanford (Kings County), who voted to impeach President Trump last week, were among signatories, as were others who voted to challenge the results of the election that Biden won. 10:05 a.m. Prominent Bay Area Jesuit helped Biden tee up on big day: Santa Clara University President Kevin OBrien, a Jesuit priest and longtime friend of President Joe Biden, officiated a Mass for Biden, who often speaks of his Roman Catholic faith, and Vice President Kamala Harris on the morning of their inauguration. Addressing Biden in his homily, OBrien said the nation has much to look forward to as a country because of your and Kamala Harris leadership. Attending the Mass at St. Matthew the Apostle Cathedral were family members and congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also a Roman Catholic. OBrien and Biden have been friends for 15 years, since OBrien served at Georgetown University in Washington, Santa Clara officials said. 9:09 a.m. Biden overturns Trumps patriotic education effort: Among his first-day executive actions, President Biden revoked a recent Trump administration report that aimed to promote patriotic education in schools but that historians mocked and rejected as political propaganda. Bidens order disbanded former President Donald Trumps presidential 1776 Commission and withdrew its report that glorified the countrys founders, played down Americas role in slavery, condemned the rise of progressive politics and criticized the civil rights movement. Trump established the group to rally support from white voters and hoped its report would be used in classrooms. 8:59 a.m. Woman accused of stealing Pelosis laptop ordered to home confinement: A U.S. magistrate on Thursday ordered Riley Williams of Harrisburg, Pa., accused in the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, into home confinedment with a GPS monitor pending her appearance in federal court Monday, news accounts said. Williams is accused of stealing House Speaker Nancy Pelosis computer allegedly intending to sell it to Russians. Video of the riot appears to show her directing people into the building. 8:53 a.m. Pelosi rejects nice-nice calls to drop impeachment: House speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday pushed back some GOP statements that in the interest of national unity, Democrats should drop holding a Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.The president of the United States committed an act of incitement of insurrection, Pelosi told reporters. I dont think its very unifying to say, Oh, lets just forget it and move on. Thats not how you unify. She added, You dont say to a president, Do whatever you want in the last months of your administration. Youre going to get a get-out-of-jail card because people think you should make nice-nice. 8:37 a.m. Any lawmakers who aided or abetted rioters will face prosecution, Pelosi says: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said there is no question that some members in this body gave aid and comfort to people who assaulted the U.S. Capitol, with the idea that they were embracing a lie, a lie perpetrated by the president of the United States that the election did not have legitimacy. She told a news briefing that evidence will have to be gathered and If people did aid and abet .. there will be prosecution. 8:18 a.m. Pelosi says she is ready to send impeachment article to Senate: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco declined to say Thursday when she will send the House article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump to the Senate. She said shes speaking to Senate managers about when they will be ready to launch a trial on whether to convict Trump for inciting insurrection in the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol and that shes ready when they are. She also said she had been in a session about the physical and psychological trauma for Capitol staff and members who endured the assault: The violation of property, with Capitol offices and artifacts smashed and ravaged, she said, was only part of the damage inflicted by the riot. 6:55 a.m. Biden to sign 10 pandemic-related executive orders Thursday: President Joe Biden is expected to sign 10 executive orders and other memos Thursday meant to redirect the countrys efforts to beat back the pandemic, according to The Washington Post. The orders will include directives to expand testing, strengthen data collection and to get more money to states for localized responses. 6:39 a.m. $400 a week? What you need to know about economic relief under President Biden: Nearly 8 million people who have lost work in the pandemic currently depend on Californias unemployment system. Another 181,576 Californians filed claims in the first week of January, a 13% increase from the week before that underscored the damage the resurgent pandemic has done to the states economy.Many of those state residents are wondering what unemployment assistance is available to them now and what may become available if President Biden persuades Congress to pass a new relief bill, as hes said he hopes to do. The Chronicles Annie Vainshtein breaks down the basis here. Updates from Wednesday, Jan. 20: 7:55 p.m. To me, words matter, says poet Amanda Gorman after standout Inauguration Day poem: Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet from Los Angeles told CNNs Anderson Cooper Wednesday night that she felt so overjoyed and so grateful and so humble after delivering her inauguration poem at President Bidens swearing in ceremony. She said she wrote it after researching past inauguration poems as well as speeches from healing orators like President Abraham Lincoln. The Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol had a big impact on her process, she said:. It energized me to believe that much more firmly in a message of hope ... To me, words matter, Gorman said, adding the power of words has been misappropriated. in the past few years. 7:30 p.m. Three former presidents urge unity on Inauguration Day: Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton called for unity in a three-minute video in the Celebrating America inaugural special after President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris inauguration ceremony. The bipartisan trio of former presidents all wished Biden well at the helm and touched on the tradition of peaceful transfers of power on Inauguration Day. The fact that the three of us are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country, Bush said. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, said there would be less division in American society if people would love their neighbors like theyd like to be loved themselves. Bush added that he is pulling for Bidens success in office, saying Bidens success means success for the country. Obama recalled the grace and generosity that Bush showed him and his family during his own transfer of power, saying that It was a reminder, that we can have a fierce disagreements and yet recognize each others common humanity and that, as Americans, we have more in common than what separates us. Clinton said, We are both trying to come back to normalcy, deal with totally abnormal challenges, and do what we do best, which is try to make a more perfect union. Its an exciting time. 6:18 p.m. State Senate GOP leader who retweeted insurrection falsehood is ousted: State Sen. Shannon Grove, who drew criticism after she promoted a conspiracy theory that Antifa activists attacked the U.S. Capitol, will be replaced as the Republican leader in the California Senate. The story is here. 4:13 p.m. Pro-Trump forces in Sacramento disappointed by small showing: Followers of the former president who gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday hoping to join a final show of support for instead found themselves far outnumbered by counter-protesters and law enforcement officers. The story is here. 3:32 p.m. I will fire you on the spot: President Biden in his first address to his new staff delivered to them in their remote locations sternly warned the White House and agency aides that if he ever found them talking down to anyone, I will fire you on the spot. Everyone, he said, must be treated with dignity and decency. Thats been missing in the last four years. After swearing in the governments new workers, he added, As my mother would say, God love you all. Weve got a lot of work to do. 3:25 p.m. Biden puts Cesar Chavez bust in Oval Office: Photos of President Joe Biden sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office reveal that he has placed a bust of the late California farmworker-rights hero Cesar Chavez at the center of a table with family photos right behind him. Across from Bidens desk is a massive portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an earlier president who entered office facing enormous challenges. 3:18 p.m. Mayor Breed lauds Bidens urgency on Paris Climate Accord: San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Wednesday welcomed President Bidens move putting the nation back into the Paris Climate Accord on his first day in office. We lost precious time in the fight against climate change when the Trump Administration withdrew from the agreement and rolled back critical environmental policies and regulations, Breed tweeted. But cities, including San Francisco, never stopped working towards aggressive greenhouse gas emission reductions. We saw our emissions decline dramatically alongside significant economic growth. A better environment and a strong economy can and must go together. 3:10 p.m. Biden inks order with U.S. rejoining Paris Climate Accord as of today: In one of several executive actions on his first day in office, President Biden signed an order having the United States rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, reversing former President Donald Trumps withdrawal. Were gonna rejoin the Paris Climate Accord as of today, Biden said from behind his desk, a stack of bound executive orders beside him. 3:09 p.m. Biden says Trump left very generous note: President Joe Biden told reporters on his first day in the Oval Office that former President Donald Trump had left him a very generous letter in the Resolute desk. He declined to reveal the contents, saying he would only do that after talking to Trump first. Trump never congratulated Biden on his election victory or even officially conceded his own loss. But when Trump took office four years ago, he spoke glowingly of the eloquent note left to him by outgoing President Barack Obama. 3 p.m. Biden targets hate groups: Signalling the new national priorities his White House will emphasize, President Joe Biden in his inaugural address said, we must confront and we will defeat the racism, nativism, fear, demonization, that propelled an overwhelmingly white, pro-Trump mob who assaulted the U.S. Capitol. They carried symbols and slogans of hate, including the Confederate battle flag and clothing with Nazi death camp insignia. A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us, Biden said. A cry that cant be any more desperate or any more clear. 2:37 p.m. Proud Boys organizer arrested: Two Florida men, including a self-described organizer for the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, were arrested Wednesday for taking part in the Jan. 6 violent siege of the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported. Joseph Biggs, 37, was part of a crowd that overwhelmed Capitol Police officers on the steps of the Capitol, according to an arrest affidavit. Authorities said,Jesus Rivera, 37, uploaded a video to Facebook showing himself in the U.S. Capitol crypt. 2:16 p.m. Harris swears in new senators: The U.S. Senate has officially switched to Democratic control, following the swearing-in of Georgias Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff on Wednesday, officially giving Democrats control of the chamber. They were sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, one of her first official acts. Harris, who resigned her Senate seat to be vice president, also swore in her replacement: Democrat Alex Padilla, Californias first Latino senator. 2:10 p.m. Out with the old: As Donald Trump and Mike Pence left office Wednesday, their portraits disappeared from the walls of many federal courthouses, including two in San Francisco. Public information officers at the U.S. District Court building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at 95 Seventh St. said pictures of Trump and Pence were taken down Wednesday morning. As to their successors, it could be a month or two before the portraits of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive in San Francisco, District Court spokesman Nicholas Jackson said. 1:38 p.m. Clyburn says Bush called him a savior for helping Biden win: As they watched President Joe Biden take the oath of office Wednesday, former Republican President George W. Bush lauded Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., as a savior for helping get Biden elected, Clyburn later told reporters. Clyburn is largely credited with giving Biden the endorsement he needed to win the Democratic primary. Clyburn said Bush told him, youre the savior, because if you had not nominated Joe Biden, we would not be having this transfer of power today. He said Bush added that Biden was the only candidate he felt could have defeated President Donald Trump. 1:32 p.m. Getting to work: Vice President Kamala Harris heard a journalists question shouted as she walked into the White House on Wednesday. Asked what was her priority now, she yelled, Getting to work, CNN reported. 1:20 p.m. Biden prays for pandemic victims: The most powerful moment of Joe Bidens inaugural address was one when he fell silent, The Chronicles Joe Garofoli writes. In what he called his first act as president, Biden asked for a moment of silence to offer a silent prayer for the more than 400,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. 1:11 p.m. Madam Vice President!: Reporters shouts to get the attention of Vice President Kamala Harris as she walked toward the White House underscored the history-making election of the daughter of Oakland, the first woman and first person of color in the nations second-highest elected office. Madam Vice President! they shouted for the first time in U.S. history after she and her family got out of their motorcade and walked the last stretch of the route from the Capitol. Harris waved and grinned behind her face mask at the few spectators along the sidewalks, who were mainly security, journalists and a few dignitaries. 12:51 p.m. Hail to the Chief: President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden and their extended family stepped out of their motorcade Wednesday for a surprise walk along the last few hundred yards of their route from the Capitol to the White House. A jubilant Biden ran over to greet someone in the media area, and reportedly said, Keep doing what youre doing, a moment that could not more clearly mark the radical turn from the Trump era. Biden also walked over to greet Washingtons Mayor Muriel Bowser along the sidelines before walking up the long driveway along the North Lawn to the White House. He and Jill Biden turned and stood at the door where they were saluted by the playing of the presidential anthem Hail to the Chief. 12:19 p.m. Robot-car expert gets Trump pardon: Anthony Levandowski, a leading expert in robot-car technology who was convicted of stealing trade secrets from Google, was pardoned by Donald Trump in the final hours of his presidency. U.S. District Judge William Alsup said in August that the star engineer had committed the biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen and sentenced Levandowski to 18 months in prison. Levandowski now wont spend a day in prison, as the sentence had been delayed because of the pandemic. Read the story here. 12:15 p.m. Trump directs Secret Service protection to cover extended family: Before leaving office, former President Donald Trump instructed that his extended family get the best security available in the world for six months, at no cost to them the protection of the U.S. Secret Service, the Washington Post reports. Three people briefed on the plan told the Post that Trump issued a directive to extend Secret Service protection to 13 of his family members who were not automatically entitled to receive it. Under federal law, Trump, his wife, Melania, and their 14-year-old son are the only family members entitled to that protection after he leaves office. 12:09 p.m. Jimmy Carter not there, but not forgotten: President Joe Biden saluted former President Jimmy Carter during his inaugural address, saying he spoke to the former president on Tuesday night. Carter, 96, had announced that he was unable to attend the inauguration. Biden thanked the three former presidents who attended, saying, I thank them from the bottom of my heart, and I know the resilience of our Constitution and strength of our nation, as does President Carter, who I spoke with last night, who cannot be here with us today, but whom we salute for his lifetime of service. 12:05 p.m. Trump pardoned former Detroit mayor: Before leaving office Wednesday former President Donald Trump on cleared the way for the release of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served more than seven years of a 28-year prison sentence for a series of corruption crimes. The announcement came in a flurry of clemency actions that benefited more than 140 people, including rappers, former members of Congress and other Trump allies. 11:57 a.m. Historic image of Harris gets social media buzz: Among compelling photos of Inauguration Day, historic and meaningful images of Kamala Harris becoming vice president made the rounds of social media, shared widely especially by Bay Area residents applauding the Oakland native. Many snapped pictures of their television screens or computers, sharing emotional thoughts of a historic moment. 11:48 a.m. Biden and Harris lay wreath at military cemetery: President Joe Biden, no doubt thinking emotionally of his beloved late son Beau Biden, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from the capital, as part of Wednesdays inaugural activities. Beau Biden, who served in the military, died of cancer. Biden saluted and Vice President Kamala Harris held her hand over her heart as Taps was played. 11:42 a.m. Harris uses two Bibles for swearing-in: Vice President Kamala Harris placed her hand on two Bibles to take the oath of office. One, the same Bible she used when being sworn in as California attorney general and U.S. senator, was a nod to her upbringing in the East Bay. It belonged to Regina Shelton, a neighbor who became like a second mother to Harris. The second Bible belonged to Justice Thurgood Marshall, the seminal civil rights lawyer and first Black Supreme Court justice. 11:01 a.m. Biden takes over @POTUS account, without Trumps millions of followers: President Bidens Twitter account @PresElectBiden transformed into @POTUS following his inauguration Wednesday. Twitter archived former President Donald Trumps account as @POTUS45, without carrying Trumps followers over to Bidens account. Twitter said that gives users a choice of whether to follow the new government accounts. However, former President Barack Obamas folllowers were included when Trump took over the @POTUS account four years ago and Twitter had a different process. Trump preferred to use his personal account @realDonaldTrump as the main funnel for his many grievances and falsehoods many flagged as disputed by Twitter in recent months and that account was banned earlier this month after the Capitol riot. 10:34 a.m. Parting truths from enemies of the people: The New York Times marked Donald Trumps White House exit with an exhaustive project documenting every person or entity he had insulted on Twitter before his accounts suspension on Jan. 8. The Washington Post updated its count of lies and misstatements by Trump: 30,534 heading into his last day as president. 10:30 a.m. President Biden sends first tweet on newly-reset @POTUS account: President Biden sent out his first tweet on his new @POTUS Twitter account after his inauguration Wednesday. The president said there was no time to waste in tackling the multiple crises affecting the nation. Thats why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families, he tweeted. Twitter became former President Donald Trumps main method of communicating with his millions of followers, and a funnel for his many falsehoods and personal grievances. 10:15 a.m. Scared off by massive show of deterrent force?: Calm prevailed outside heavily fortified state capitol buildings across the U.S. as Joe Biden was sworn in as president Wednesday, after the FBI warned of possible armed demonstrations following former President Donald Trumps repeated, false claims of a stolen election. The Associated Press reports that fewer than a half-dozen demonstrators showed up outside the capitols in Concord, N.H., and in Lansing, Mich., where lawmakers had canceled a Wednesday session out of caution. A lone protester was outside the Capitol in Sacramento. 10:07 a.m. California poet delivers inaugural poem: Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman of Los Angeles summoned images dire and triumphant Wednesday as she told the world even as we grieved, we grew. In language referencing Biblical scripture and at times echoing the oratory of John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Gorman, 22, read with urgency and assertion, asking Where can we find light/In this never-ending shade? The poems very title, The Hill We Climb, suggested both labor and transcendence. She had told the Associated Press she planned a message of hope without ignoring the evidence of discord and division, and after the siege of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, and felt a wave of energy to finish the poem. Read more here. 9:57 a.m. Harris champions Black American designer: Vice President Kamala Harris selected an outfit from Christopher John Rogers, a Black designer of Los Angeles, to wear at her official swearing-in on Wednesday. She accented her two-button purple overcoat and dress with a black mask and pointy black heels. Harris husband Doug Emhoff wore acclaimed American designer Ralph Lauren. The nod to American design marked a return to Michelle Obamas celebration of American designers, while Melania Trump often chose foreign couture. 9:51 a.m. Harris sees off Pence: Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff escorted outgoing Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen down the grand Capitol steps in a formal send-off, sharing a laugh with the Republican couple before they drove off to private life. The courtesy goodbye ritual normally features the new president seeing off the outgoing president, but that tradition was upended by former President Donald Trumps refusal to even attend the inauguration in his continued pique over his loss. 9:50 a.m. One Trump supporter at California Capitol: At the State Capitol in Sacramento, a lone Trump supporter wearing a red MAGA hat protested as President Biden took the oath of office Wednesday. Joe, 72 of Brentwood, refusing to give his last name, said he expected more Trump supporters would come later in the day. The way theyve got so many National Guard here, I think a lot of people are nervous, he said. But Im here, thats all that counts. Amid warnings of armed protests, the Capitol building remained under the protection of hundreds of Guard troops and law enforcement officers. The perimeter of the complex was sealed off by a 6-foot chain-link fence. Joe said he was happy to see Democrats worried about possible civil unrest: I like to see the governor nervous. That makes me happy. 9:36 a.m. Bernie makes fashion statement: Sen. Bernie Sanders, never to be accused of haute couture, lit up the Twitter world by showing up for Wednesdays inauguration ceremonies wearing his signature beige parka and what can only be described as a very Vermont-ish pair of bulky, warm-looking mittens in bold black, tan, and white knit. Social media approved, and memes of course ensued. 9:18 a.m. Garth Brooks sings Amazing Grace: Singer Garth Brooks, without his trademark cowboy hat, treated the inaugural ceremony to a moving version of Amazing Grace and called on those present to join in on a last chorus. With everyones face covered by masks, it was impossible to know who complied. Aerial TV shots of the inauguration showed how pared down the ceremony was with a stunning array of socially-distanced chairs for the comparatively few attendees spread below the also-distanced seating where dignitaries sat at the top of the Capitol stairs. 9:15 a.m. Trump pardons Florida man in college admission scandal: A prominent Miami developer and investor who was among a slew of wealthy parents charged with paying hefty bribes to get their children into elite universities was pardoned early Wednesday by outgoing President Donald Trump. Federal prosecutors in Boston accused Robert Zangrillo of paying $250,000 to get his daughter into the University of Southern California in 2018. 9:04 a.m. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge: In a full-throated plea for unity in a nation riven by tumult and political hatred, President Biden on Wednesday called on Americans to meet this moment as the United States of America, to show tolerance, humility, respect and openness to differences of opinion. Lets start afresh, all of us, he said in his inaugural speech. Lets begin to listen to one another again, hear one another ... show respect for one another. He added, Politics doesnt have to be a raging fire. ... Stop the shouting. And in an inferred reference to the many falsehoods spewed by former President Donald Trump, Biden said its time to reject manufactured facts as part of the healing process. My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this. 9:02 a.m. Acting attorney general resigns following presidential transfer of power: Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosens resignation was effective Wednesday when President-elect Joe Biden took the oath of office, according to CNN. Rosen has led the Justice Department since Attorney General William Barr resigned on Dec. 23. Rosen did not appoint special counsels to investigate false allegations of voter fraud during his nearly month-long tenure despite pressure from President Donald Trump. Monty Wilkinson, a Justice Department lawyer, is expected to be acting attorney general until Bidens nominee Merrick Garland is confirmed. 8:54 a.m. Democracy has prevailed, Biden says: In his inaugural address, President Biden said, The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. He also said, Weve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. ... At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. On a sunny cold Washington day, he declared from the Capitol steps that the nation will defeat domestic terrorism and white supremacy. 8:50 a.m. So help me, God Biden is president: Joseph Robinette Biden, the former vice president and veteran of the halls of Congress, took the oath of office Wednesday just before 9 a.m., to become the nations 46th president. He was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. 8:41 a.m. Pop star J-Lo sings America the Beautiful: J-Lo, singing an America the Beautiful- This Land is Your Land medley at Joe Bidens inauguration, also yelled, Justica para todos! 8:41 a.m. Harris takes oath: Kamala Harris was sworn in Wednesday as the nations vice president, the first person of color to hold the role. She recited the oath with her hand on a pair of Bibles, sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. 7 a.m. Gaga sings national anthem: Lady Gaga, in a dress with a voluminous red, full-lenth skirt and a huge dove broach, belted out the National Anthem, from the Capitol inaugural platform, as part of Wednesdays ceremony. Zoomed-out shots of the Capitol showed the how sparsely populated the event was compared to non-pandemic times. 8:27 a.m. Harris wants to focus on the bright side: Despite the horrors of the deadly siege on the Capitol that shook but did not derail American democracy Kamala Harris says focus should be on the bright spots. Its like when you see a rainbow, Harris told The Chronicle ahead of her inauguration as vice president.. No one ever looks at a rainbow and then just keeps going. If you have anyone around you, you say, Look at the rainbow, right? Well, look at Jan. 5. when a Black Baptist preacher and a Jewish man were elected to the U.S. Senate from Georgia. Or even bringing it back to me. Look at the fact that in the midst of all that we have seen and experienced over these last few years, that America ... elected on their top ticket a woman for the first time ... who also happens to be a woman of color. 8:22 a.m. Biden, Obama warmth on display: Joe Biden, eyes crinkling in a broad smile behind his black face mask, walked to his former boss, Barack Obama, for a hearty fist bump after he and his wife Jill Biden stepped onto the Capitol inaugural platform where Biden was to become the nations 46th president. 8:11 a.m. Harris enters to cheers: Incoming Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, who will be a historic second gentleman as the spouse of the vice president, received applause and cheers entering the outdoor VIP seating area at the Capitol on Wednesday. In contrast to the horrifying images of the violent pro-Trump mob that breached the Capitol Jan. 6 and tried to disrupt the election certification, many civil rights veterans and scholars say Harris ascendancy as a person of color should be the focus, a bright light for progress and cause for optimism. Read The Chronicles story from Tal Kopan here. 8:05 a.m. Pence attends inauguration: Vice President Mike Pence, as promised and in contrast to his boss Donald Trump, showed up on Inauguration Day to witness the swearing-in of Joe Biden. With his wife Karen Pence, he entered the VIP seating area at the Capitol to bipartisan applause. Pence after the election had echoed Trumps challenges to the validity of the ballotting. 7:45 a.m. Hero Capitol police officer appointed acting House Sergeant at Arms: Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who led pro-Trump rioters away from the Senate chamber during the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol, was tapped to escort Kamala Harris at the inauguration as the new acting deputy House Sergeant at Arms, according to CBS News. Goodman was greeted by hearty applause when he was announced and entered the VIP seating area Wednesday. 7:53 a.m. Bomb threat called in to Supreme Court building: A bomb thread was called into the Supreme Court building Wednesday, according to CNN. The building was not being evacuated, however. 7:51 a.m. Former presidents enter to applause: Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, with their spouses Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush, entered the inauguration outdoor VIP seating area to applause from dignitaries on Wednesday. The attendance of the former presidents is a tradition that solidifies the nations confidence and commitment to a peaceful transfer of power and has been a hallmark of U.S. democracy. The absence of a defiant President Trump was made more glaring by the sight of the other presidents mingling in the bipartisan political crowd. 7:46 a.m. Dan Quayle says its important to show up: Former Vice President Dan Quayle, a Republican, arrived for Democrat Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday, and told Fox News that Its important to show up, to show bipartisanship and for Democrats and Republicans to work for the good of the country. 7:35 a.m. Trump vows to be back in some form: Have a good life; we will see you soon, President Trump told supporters at Joint Base Andrews as he left Wednesday for Florida. Trump spoke off the cuff, discarding a prepared statement and ignoring advisers who thought he should have thanked his successor Joe Biden by name. We were not a regular administration, Trump said, in a truncated version of his self-aggrandizing campaign rally speech, to mostly maskless audience. We will be back in some form, he said. He away from his last appearance as president to the strains of Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, a staple of his campaign rallies. 7:28 a.m. Biden and Harris arrive for swearing-in: Californias Kamala Harris, standing out in a deep purple fitted coat, ascended the grand Capitol stairway Wednesday morning with President-elect Joe Biden, and their spouses, for their inauguration Wednesday. The day marks the nations first swearing-in of a woman vice president, and the first vice president of color. Harris was to be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. 7:24 a.m. Warriors present Harris with commemorative jersey: The Golden State Warriors presented Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with her own jersey ahead of Wednesdays inauguration. The back of the jersey read Madame VP, and she was designated as No. 49. The presentation of the jersey accompanied an inspirational video from the Warriors, highlighting Harris rise to the vice presidency as a daughter of Oakland. 7:19 a.m. Pence attends inauguration: Vice President Mike Pence arrived for Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday morning, entering the Capitol building where just two weeks ago rioters roamed, screaming for his head with shouts of Hang Mike Pence! The mob echoed President Trumps anger with his longtime acolyte who refused Trumps demand that he block congressional certification of Joe Bidens election. 7:14 a.m. Stocks hit highs ahead of inauguration: The Nasdaq and S&P 500 surged to new highs and the Dow approached its previous record as traders looked ahead to Joe Bidens swearing-in as president. Wall Street is expecting a big economic stimulus to be one of the new administrations priorities. 7:03 a.m. Obamas arrive for inauguration: Former President Barack Obama, with his wife Michelle, arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday to witness the swearing in of his former vice president, Joe Biden, the victor over the man who relentlessly excoriated both of them, Donald Trump. Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who beat Trump in the popular vote but lost to him in the Electoral College count in 2016, also entered the Capitol for the solemn occasion. The arrival of Trumps nemeses for the traditional transfer-of-power contrasted with his own petulant refusal to attend. 6:53 a.m. Trump follows at least one presidential tradition: The White House says President Trump left behind a note for his successor, Joe Biden, whose name he has not publicly uttered as having vanquished him from the presidency. Deputy press secretary Judd Deere declined to reveal what Trump wrote. The traditional note contrasts with Trumps refusal to attend Bidens inauguration or invite the president-elect the White House after Biden won the election, or on Inauguration Day. Trump four years ago gushed about the thoughtful note President Barack Obama had left him as Trump began his presidency. 6:16 a.m. Donald Trump departs White House: The outgoing president left the White House on Marine One Wednesday for the last time as president, leaving behind a legacy of chaos and a bitterly divided nation riven by an ongoing pandemic, the Associated Press reported. 6:13 a.m. Biden promises a return to normalcy. Is America ready to go there?: Many Americans will exhale at 9 a.m Wednesday, relieved to have survived the Donald Trump presidency. Four years of chaos and lies and the presidential encouragement of Americas most malevolent elements will end when Joe Biden takes the oath of office. But is America ready for what Biden promised: a return to normalcy? Read the full story from The Chronicles Joe Garofoli here. Updates from Tuesday, Jan. 19: 10:30 p.m. Trump pardons Steve Bannon, Elliott Broidy, others before leaving office, reports say: On his last full day in office, President Trump on Tuesday granted clemency to his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, one of his former campaign fundraisers, Elliott Broidy, and scores of others. The pardons come in the tail-end hours of his one-term presidency. 5:55 p.m. Newsom says new day ahead for the U.S.: Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter that, Tomorrow, we take in a big, deep breath of fresh air as we turn the page and welcome our next President Joe Biden on Inauguration Day. Newsom said California has been involved in more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration. Clean air, clean water, clean cars, issues related to health, issues of immigration. Across the spectrum our values have been under assault in the last four years, Newsom said. Now, all of those head winds are going to be tail winds. A completely different mindset. Not a closed fist, but an open hand. Not a sparring partner, now a working partner with the new Biden administration, Newsom said. So heres looking forward to tomorrow and a new day for the United States and the state of California. 4:50 p.m. CEO of Santa Clara Countys transportation agency accepts role in Biden Administration: Nuria Fernandez, the general manager and chief executive officer of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has stepped down from her helm to join the Biden Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation. Fernandezs new role at the department has not been announced. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said on Tuesday that Fernandezs leadership has prodded the VTA to break out of conventional, rigid thinking, and shes been a wonderfully collaborative and insightful colleague. Im particularly grateful for her work in enabling the BART extension the largest public works project in our Countys history to proceed over, through, and around the many obstacles that have been put in the projects path. Liccardo said he was heartened to know that our President Biden can recognize talent and competence when he sees it, and Nuria Fernandez will leave big shoes to fill. 3:40 p.m. S.F. law enforcement beefing up for Inauguration Day: San Francisco sheriffs deputies will have an increased presence on Joe Bidens Inauguration Day, and are set up to protect San Franciscos City Hall, all public buildings and resources, and the people who work in these buildings, officials said. Officials dont expect unrest, but tweeted they are prepared to respond and protect the publics safety as necessary. 3:30 p.m. Trump farewell message says his movement just starting: President Trump on Tuesday released an unrepentant farewell video to the nation, touting his accomplishments, saying we did what we came here to do and so much more. Even as he leaves office with a dismal approval rating, and on a day when the nation crossed the dark milestone of 400,000 coronavirus deaths, he praised his record on dealing with the pandemic. This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous, he said, never mentioning the name of the successor who defeated him, President-elect Joe Biden. As I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning. Theres never been anything like it. 3:22 p.m. Biden urges healing and remembrance of lives lost to pandemic: President-elect Joe Biden, in somber remarks at his Washington, D.C., COVID-19 memorial event, told Americans that To heal, we must remember. Its hard sometimes to remember. But thats how we heal. Standing at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, Biden said, Its important to do that as a nation. Thats why were here today. Between sundown and dusk, let us shine the lights in the darkness along the sacred pool of reflection and remember all whom we lost. 3:14 p.m. Advisers talked Trump out of pardoning himself, report says: Several lawyers apparently convinced President Trump that the pre-emptive pardons he once hoped to bestow upon his family and even himself would place him in a legally perilous position, convey the appearance of guilt and potentially make him more vulnerable to reprisals, according to CNN. He was also warned that pardoning Republican lawmakers who had sought pardons for their role in the Capitol insurrection would anger Senate Republicans who would determine his fate in an impeachment trial. 2:44 p.m. Empire State Building glows red: The Empire State Building in Manhattan was lit up in red in in conjunction with a unique lighting ceremony that President-elect Joe Biden held at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool to honor the 400,000 U.S. victims who lost their lives to COVID-19. Other buildings throughout the nation, including in the Bay Area, also were participating in the lighting tribute. 2:30 p.m. Harris at coronavirus event in capital calls for new wisdom: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, at a solemn COVID-19 memorial in Washington with President-elect Joe Biden, called on Americans to open our hearts just a little bit more to one another using the wisdom gained during the pandemic. Tonight we grieve and begin healing together, she said. We the American people are united in spirit. The twilight memorial honoring those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus was held at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool shortly after Biden and Harris arrived in the capital for Wednesdays inauguration. 1:33 p.m. Poll shows positive views of Biden: President-elect Joe Biden will take office Wednesday facing high expectations and 66% approval of the way he has handled the transition, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS. But negative perceptions of how things are going in the U.S. are at the highest level since 2009. Bidens favorability rating has climbed to 59%, from 52% in October. Meanwhile, 70% disapprove of President Trumps combative handling of the transition period, and 66% disapprove of Republicans in Congress. About half (51%) approve of the way Democrats in Congress have handled it. 1:25 p.m. Biden arrives at security-blanketed capital: President-elect Joe Biden flew to Andrews military airbase just outside Washington on Tuesday and boarded motorcade to the fortress-fortified capital city where he will be inaugurated on Wednesday as the nations 46th president. Major roads and bridges around the city were astonishingly empty, blocked off as some 25,000 National Guard troops stood guard and the Capitol, White House and National Mall were wrapped in a maze of barricades and tall fencing. 1:05 p.m. Trump impeachment backers cite 1876 precedent: Defenders of President Trump argue that the Constitution does not allow the Senate to conduct an impeachment trial of him after he no longer holds office which will be Wednesday. But the Congressional Research Service reports that most scholars who have examined the issue have concluded the Senate could hold a trial, and their leading example is the 1876 Belknap case. Read the details here. 12:45 p.m. A dozen National Guard members now pulled from inauguration: Twelve U.S. Army National Guard members now have been removed from the presidential inauguration security mission after they were found to have ties with right-wing militia groups or posted extremist views online, two U.S. officials told the Associated Press. There was no threat to President-elect Joe Biden, they said. Their removal comes as the FBI worked to vet all of the 25,000 Guard troops called to help secure Bidens inauguration Wednesday. 12:09 a.m. Feinstein defends GOP senators right to object to election: California Sen. Dianne Feinstein defended Republican senators who objected to Electoral College results and downplayed the importance of an upcoming impeachment trial for President Trump, diverging from her Democratic colleagues. The story is here. 12:01 a.m. S.F. chief says no signs of political unrest: Police Chief William Scott said Tuesday that San Francisco has had no credible notifications of major protests or political unrest in the run-up to President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday. We will be prepared for everything and anything, he said. At SFPD, we have canceled discretionary days off. We will have additional police deployed. He urged San Franciscans not to gather in large gatherings in public, but to celebrate inauguration day at home, to avoid transmitting the coronavirus. 11:05 a.m. First conspiracy charge levied in Capitol siege: U.S. authorities have leveled the first conspiracy charge against an apparent leader of an extremist group in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol: They arrested an alleged Oath Keeper, Thomas Edward Caldwell, 66, of Clarke County, Va., who is accused of plotting to disrupt the counting of electoral votes confirming Joe Bidens victory and proposing further assaults on state capitols, news accounts say. A charging affidavit says he helped organize a group of eight to 10, including self-styled Ohio militia members apprehended Sunday, who wore helmets and military-style gear and led the move against police lines. 10:30 a.m. Biden pick for intel chief vows politics-free zone: President-elect Joe Bidens nominee to lead the intelligence community, Avril Haines, promised Tuesday to speak truth to power and keep politics out of intelligence agencies. Her remarks implied a departure from President Trumps record of pressuring intelligence officials to shape their analysis to his liking. When it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics ever, she told the Senate Intelligence Committee. 10:20 a.m. Field of Flags to represent missing inauguration crowd: The Presidential Inaugural Committee has covered Washingtons National Mall with 191,500 flags ahead of Joe Bidens inauguration. The Field of Flags represents Americans who were unable to travel to Washington, D.C. for Inauguration Day due to the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing security threats around the ceremony. 9:43 a.m. The mob was fed lies, McConnell says: Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, in his harshest-yet rebuke of President Trump, said Tuesday that the president provoked the violent mob that stormed the Capitol. The mob was fed lies, McConnell said in remarks to the Senate. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of branch of the federal government, the certification of Joe Bidens presidential victory. He vowed a safe and successful inauguration of Biden on Wednesday. McConnell has not yet said whether he would vote to convict Trump in a Senate impeachment trial. 9:15 a.m. Homeland Security nominee vows Capitol attack wont happen again: In opening remarks at his confirmation hearing, President-elect Joe Bidens nominee to lead Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, vowed to get to the bottom of the horrifying attack on the Capitol. He said if confirmed he would do everything possible to ensure the desecration of the building that stands as one of the three pillars of our democracy, and the terror felt by you, your colleagues, staff, and everyone present, will not happen again. Mayorkas testified before the Homeland Security Committee on the Senates first day back since the violent Jan. 6 Capitol siege. 8:50 a.m. Two National Guard members taken off inauguration security detail: Two U.S. Army National Guard members are being removed from the security mission to secure Joe Bidens presidential inauguration, the Associated Press reports. They were found to have ties to fringe right militia groups, an Army official and a senior U.S. intelligence official said.No plot against Biden was found. 8:25 a.m. Senate Democrats make sweeping democracy reform No. 1 bill: Incoming Senate Democratic leaders said Tuesday that their first bill will be the For The People Act, which passed the House in the previous Congress but stalled in the GOP-controlled Senate. The bill, widely endorsed by progressive and civil rights groups, includes, among other provisions, changes to voter registration requirements, more funding for election security, requirements for presidents and vice presidents to disclose their tax returns and new ethics rules for members of Congress. 7:44 a.m. New poll suggests Bidens political fate rides on pandemic response: Quelling the coronavirus and repairing its economic damage are Americans top priorities by far for President-elect Joe Bidens incoming administration, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Overall, 53% of Americans name COVID-19 as one of the top five issues they want the government to tackle this year, and 68% mention in some way the economy which has been battered by the pandemic. 7:32 a.m. Senate commmittes begin confirmation hearings: Confirmation hearings began in the Senate Tuesday morning for several of President-elect Joe Bidens Cabinet nominees, including those for the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense. After testifying and being approved by commitees, they will need approval in the full Senate to take up their posts in an administration facing a number of urgent must-do priorities. 7:25 a.m. Biden picks transgender person for health post: President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health: She would be the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. A pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general, Levine was appointed to her current post by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017. 7:11 a.m. Intel says far-right may pose as National Guard: The FBI warned law enforcement agencies Monday that far-right extremists have discussed posing as National Guard members in Washington and others have reviewed maps of vulnerable spots in the city in potential efforts to disrupt Wednesdays inauguration, according to an intelligence report obtained by the Washington Post. 7:01 a.m. Who is Alex Padilla? Californias new senator has broken ground in state politics for two decades: When he heads to Congress as Californias newest senator, it will be a full-circle moment for Secretary of State Alex Padilla. After launching his career as an aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Los Angeles Democrat will now serve alongside the woman who gave him his first job in politics. Padilla has risen steadily through local and state elected office in the two decades since then, frequently breaking new political ground. He made history Tuesday when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to fill the seat being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Padilla will be the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate. Read the full story here, and listen to The Chronicles Its All Political podcast interview with Padilla, recorded in October, here. 6:40 a.m. Giants owner Charles Johnson asks QAnon-backing Rep. Lauren Boebert for refunds: Giants owner Charles B. Johnson, criticized by many of the teams fans for supporting Rep. Lauren Boebert, said Monday night he asked for his and his wifes donations to be returned. In a statement released by the Giants, Johnson said he and his wife, Ann, also will request refunds from others who engaged in similar behavior. Boebert, a freshman House Republican from Colorado, has expressed her support for the QAnon conspiracy-theory group and tweeted about the location of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi amid the Jan. 6 violent attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Read the full story here: Updates from Monday, Jan. 18: 3:37 p.m. Oakland and Scranton, PA, to raise Unity Flag: The cities where Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden were born will each raise a flag created by local artists Favianna Rodriguez and Ryan Hnat. The ceremony, happening simultaneously at Oaklands and Scrantons city halls, will be live-streamed on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at @LibbySchaaf and @Scranton_Mayor on Twitter. 2:53 p.m. Defense chief says no intel shows insider threat to Biden inauguration: Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said Monday that law enforcement officials are vetting National Guard troops stationed in Washington, but that authorities have no intelligence indicating an insider threat to President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration Wednesday. As is normal for military support to large security events, the Department will vet National Guardsmen who are in Washington, D.C., Miller said in a statement reported by the Hill. 2:49 p.m. Pentagon rolling out troops, bomb experts amid reports of threats around inauguration: The Pentagon has authorized 750 active-duty troops for security related to President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, to two defense officials told Politico. The service members deployed this week have expertise in chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological and explosive weapons, and include explosive ordnance disposal and medical teams skilled in trauma response, the news outlet said. 2:35 p.m. With Trump offline, falsehoods plummet: Online misinformation about election fraud plunged 73 percent after several social media sites suspended President Trump and key allies, according to San Francisco research firm Zignal Labs, underscoring the power of tech companies to limit the falsehoods poisoning public debate. Conversations about election fraud dropped from 2.5 million mentions to 688,000 mentions across several social media sites in the week after Trump was banned from Twitter, the Washington Post reported. 1:32 p.m. Trumps wont greet Bidens at White House: In the latest snub demonstrating President Trumps now-routine disdain for tradition, he and Melania Trump will leave the White House on Wednesday without inviting their incoming counterparts, Joe and Jill Biden, in for a courtesy get-together, CNN reports. The greeting is one of the more enduring transfer-of-power rituals the outgoing president welcoming his successor at the North Portico, and then riding with him to the Capitol swearing-in. The Bidens will be greeted instead by a Trump-appointed chief usher, Timothy Harleth. 12:51 a.m. Capitol police only had enough officers on hand for a routine day: On the day that a mob of rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, Capitol police had only enough officers for a routine day, The Associated Press reported. Several officers the AP spoke to said they were given next to no warning by leadership about what would transpire on Jan. 6. 12:01 p.m. Gun sales spike, but more in spring than after election: More firearms were sold last year than in any previous year on record, the Washington Post reports. Gun sales spiked wildly in 2020, especially amid anxiety about the pandemic, job losses and summer protests. But despite the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol and warnings of subsequent attacks nationwide, government and industry data indicate that purchases soared last March and April, and peaked in July. High sales continued in November and December, but not near those earlier spikes. 11:52 a.m. Video from Capitol riot shows prayer moment: Videos that continue to emerge from the Jan. 6 pro-Trump riot show the angry mob ransacking the U.S. Capitol and, in one clip, a group of men with hands raised and clasped standing at the congressional dias invoking God. One loudly prayed thanks for allowing the U.S. government to be reborn. Videos also show rioters riffling through documents on the desks of members, one man muttering, Theres gotta be something here we can use against these scumbags. 11:22 a.m. Suspected miltia members charged in Capitol riot: The Justice Department has charged suspected members of the Three Percenters, a militia group that emerged some years ago from the extremist wing of the gun-rights movement, and of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group founded by law enforcement and military veterans, in the Jan. 6 attack on Congress, the New York Times reports. Donovan Crowl, 50, a former U.S. Marine, and Jessica Watkins, 38, an Army veteran, surrendered to authorities Sunday night in Ohio after publishing photos of themselves on social media wearing combat gear and saying that they had stormed the Capitol. 11:14 a.m. Harris rues two systems of justice: In a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece as she leaves the Senate to become the nations vice president, Sen. Kamala Harris reflected on her tenure and on the state of the nation. This month, we witnessed something I thought I would never see in the United States: A mob breached the U.S. Capitol, trying to thwart the certification of the 2020 election results. The violence made clear that we have two systems of justice one that failed to restrain the rioters on January 6 and another that released tear gas on non-violent demonstrators last summer, she wrote. These have not been easy times by any stretch. 9:30 a.m. Celebs join live-streamed Biden parade: A largely virtual, live-streamed parade after President-elect Joe Bidens swearing-in Wednesday will feature performances from all 56 U.S. states and territories, the inaugural committee announced Monday. It will feature actor Tony Goldwyn, who played a fictional president on ABCs Scandal, comedian Jon Stewart; musical acts New Radicals, Earth Wind & Fire, Nile Rodgers, Kathy Sledge and Andra Day; and Olympic athletes Nathan Chen, Allyson Felix and Katie Ledecky. 9 a.m. So-called Christian website said to fund, support extremists: A self-described Christian website, GiveSendGo, has become a refuge of sorts and fundraising site for the Proud Boys and other fringe groups, outcasts and conspiracy theorists promoting debunked claims of a fradulent election, a Washington Post investigation finds. Postings show at least $247,000 has been raised for 24 people including at least eight members of the Proud Boys who claimed online that the money was intended for travel, medical or legal expenses connected to Stop the Steal events, including President Trumps Jan. 6 rally that led to the deadly Capitol riot. 8:49 a.m. Github reverses firing of Jewish employee who called rioters Nazis: San Francisco tech firm Github, citing significant errors of judgment and procedure, apologized to an employee who was fired after reportedly posting stay safe homies, Nazis are about in a company Slack during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Some rioters wore Nazi symbols and references on clothing such as Camp Auschwitz. The company said its human resources head resigned on Saturday and it is in communication with the employees representative. 8:31 a.m. Trump said to nix Giuliani for trial: President Trumps personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, is on the outs, at least in terms of being part of Trumps legal defense team for the Senate impeachment trial, a person close to Trump told the New York Times on Monday. Trump told Giuliani the news on Saturday night. It is unclear who will defending Trump, given that many attorneys have privately said they wont represent him. 8:22 a.m. Biden to cancel Keystone pipeline: President-elect Joe Biden on his first day in office is expected to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit which was rejected by President Barack Obama but approved by President Trump the New York Times reports, citing someone familiar with Bidens plan. The project to move oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has been one of the most thorny issues in environmental friction over several years. 8:14 a.m. FBI investigates whether Pelosis laptop was stolen for sale to Russians: An FBI probe is looking into whether a woman stole a laptop or hard drive from House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and intended to sell it to Russians, news accounts say. The FBIs claims stem from an affidavit in the criminal case against Riley June Williams, a Pennsylvania woman who allegedly participated in the riot. 8:06 a.m. Seek cover Capitol complex locked down after fire: The Capitol complex in Washington was locked down on Monday after a fire at a homeless encampment , since extinguished reflecting the high tension and security precautions amid threats of violence around Joe Bidens presidential inauguration on Wednesday. News accounts report lawmakers got an email alert saying there was no entry or exit from the complex as of 10:30 a.m. Those inside were instructed to stay away from exterior windows and doors. Those outside were ordered to seek cover. 7:56 a.m. Trump campaign staff shown as involved in pre-riot rally: An Associated Press review undercuts claims President Trumps rally that spawned the deadly Capitol riot was a grassroots event. Members of Trumps failed presidential campaign played key roles in orchestrating it, permit documentation shows, listing more than half a dozen people who just weeks earlier had been paid thousands of dollars by Trumps campaign. Other staff scheduled to be on site during the demonstration have close ties to the White House. 7:09 a.m. Biden picks consumer advocate Rohit Chopra to lead Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: President-elect Joe Biden has selected Rohit Chopra, now a member of the Federal Trade Commission, to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Politico reported. 6:45 a.m. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes Twitter account suspended: Twitter suspended Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes account on Sunday for violating the companys civic integrity policy, NPR reported. That policy was updated in the wake of the Capitol riots and used to take down thousands of accounts amplifying the Qanon conspiracy theory, which Greene has repeatedly endorsed. The suspension was to last 12 hours. 6:28 a.m. Five ways Trump changed California including one that helped Democrats: Donald Trump leaves office having changed a state that may have fought him harder than any other over the past four years, California. His immigration policies sharply restricted migration to the state and made it harder for Silicon Valley to bring in foreign talent. His rollback of environmental safeguards stalled efforts to fight climate change that threatens coastal cities. His presence rearranged the political scene, leading to California supplying the first woman elected on a presidential ticket and the first Latino to represent the state in the U.S. Senate being named to replace her. Read the full story from The Chronicles Joe Garofoli here: The European Union announced it will "redouble efforts" to preserve the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and return all parties to its full implementation, according to EU spokesperson Peter Stano on Tuesday. The announcement comes in the waning days of US President Donald Trumps administration and as President-elect Joe Biden has raised the possibility of Washington returning to the deal. We are working together to achieve a situation where all participants in all parties respect the obligations set out in this agreement, that's our goal, Stano said. That is our effort to preserve, to maintain the agreement and also to ensure that all participants respect the obligations of this agreement. Iran announced on Monday it has resumed 20% uranium enrichment at its Fordow underground nuclear facility. Those levels have not been hit by the regime in at least five years and would put the country well above the 3.67% cap set in the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The move prompted the European Union to declare that if Irans intentions are indeed true, it will have serious implications when it comes to nuclear nonproliferation. We stress that, despite this regrettable step taken by Iran, particularly with important JCPOA elements, the strict verification and transparency measures remain in place, Stano said. The US State Department called Irans decision an attempt at extortion that will not succeed. Iran enriching uranium to 20% at Fordow is a clear attempt to increase its campaign of nuclear extortion, an attempt that will continue to fail, a State Department official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. However, Iran asserted the move complies with Paragraph 36 of the deal, which states that if any of the P5+1 countries (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States plus Germany) does not meet its commitments to the deal and if the issue has not been resolved in 35 days, the country can cease performing its commitments in part or in whole. After announcing its resumption of 20% uranium enrichment, Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted the action was fully reversible if other partners in the deal fully complied. Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of its plan to increase enrichment last week. Despite breaching terms of the deal after Washingtons withdrawal in 2018, Iran has continued granting the International Atomic Energy Agency, the global nuclear watchdog, access to its declared nuclear facilities and has allowed inspections elsewhere. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and applied a maximum pressure campaign that saw a string of sanctions slapped against the regime. But European leaders sought to save the deal, urging Tehran to comply as Washington continued to tighten sanctions. Biden has said he is willing to reverse sanctions and steer the United States back into the deal if Iran returns to compliance. After returning to the deal, Biden would then pursue further negotiations to constrain Irans regional influence, according to Bidens incoming national security adviser Jake Sullivan to CNNs Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, and added that part of those negotiations must include Irans ballistic missile program. This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong! Tobias Hans (CDU), minister president of Saarland, called the loosening of restrictions irresponsible. In all honesty, I find it irresponsible to ease restrictions when infections are still this high, said Tobias Hans in an interview with SR. On Tuesday, the Luxembourgish government announced that retail, cultural and leisure activities would be allowed to resume under certain conditions. The curfew has been pushed back by two hours, lasting from 11PM to 6AM. Pupils are allowed to go back into school as well. However, the Horesca sector remains closed and social distancing measures remain in place. On the same day, Germany decided to go in the opposite direction. Current restrictions were extended until 31 January and social distancing rules were tightened, with only contacts allowed within the same household and/or with one additional person who does not live within that bubble. Previously, up to 5 people from two different households were allowed to meet. These restrictions apply to Saarland too. Kathmandu, Jan 6 (UNI) Justice Hari Krishna Karki has recused himself from any further role in the Constitutional Bench, which is hearing a bunch of petitions against Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli administrations move to dissolve the Parliament. "Justice Karki has decided not to be part of the Constitutional Bench that is hearing the writs against dissolution of the House of Representatives," The Kathmandu Post quoted Kishor Poudel, Communication Expert at the Supreme Court, as saying. The Bench is being led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, also comprising Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Anil Kumar Sinha and Tej Bahadur KC. Justice Karki was appointed Attorney General in October 2015 after Mr Oli was elected prime minister for the first time following the promulgation of the constitution. Subsequently, in 2016, Justice Karki was promoted as the country's Apex Court justice during Mr Oli's tenure as PM. The lawyers had shown their displeasure over the inclusion of Justice Karki in the Bench, saying he had worked as the PM's counsel, so he should not have been a part of the Bench. The hearing, which scheduled for Wednesday, was posted for next hearing on January 13. The Country's President Bidya Devi Bhandari on December 20 had dissolved the Parliament on the recommendations of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's government. The decision came in the wake of the deepening crisis within the ruling Nepal Communist Party. UNI GK SB 1643 Krissy Williams, 15, had attempted suicide before, but never with pills. The teen was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 9. People with this chronic mental health condition perceive reality differently and often experience hallucinations and delusions. She learned to manage these symptoms with a variety of services offered at home and at school. But the pandemic upended those lifelines. She lost much of the support offered at school. She also lost regular contact with her peers. Her mother lost access to respite care which allowed her to take a break. On a Thursday in October, the isolation and sadness came to a head. As Krissy's mother, Patricia Williams, called a mental crisis hotline for help, she said, Krissy stood on the deck of their Maryland home with a bottle of pain medication in one hand and water in the other. Before Patricia could react, Krissy placed the pills in her mouth and swallowed. Efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States have led to drastic changes in the way children and teens learn, play and socialize. Tens of millions of students are attending school through some form of distance learning. Many extracurricular activities have been canceled. Playgrounds, zoos and other recreational spaces have closed. Kids like Krissy have struggled to cope and the toll is becoming evident. Government figures show the proportion of children who arrived in emergency departments with mental health issues increased 24% from mid-March through mid-October, compared with the same period in 2019. Among preteens and adolescents, it rose by 31%. Anecdotally, some hospitals said they are seeing more cases of severe depression and suicidal thoughts among children, particularly attempts to overdose. The increased demand for intensive mental health care that has accompanied the pandemic has worsened issues that have long plagued the system. In some hospitals, the number of children unable to immediately get a bed in the psychiatric unit rose. Others reduced the number of beds or closed psychiatric units altogether to reduce the spread of covid-19. Its only a matter of time before a tsunami sort of reaches the shore of our service system, and it's going to be overwhelmed with the mental health needs of kids," said Jason Williams, a psychologist and director of operations of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado. "I think were just starting to see the tip of the iceberg, to be honest with you. Before covid, more than 8 million kids between ages 3 and 17 were diagnosed with a mental or behavioral health condition, according to the most recent National Survey of Children's Health. A separate survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 1 in 3 high school students in 2019 reported feeling persistently sad and hopeless a 40% increase from 2009. The coronavirus pandemic appears to be adding to these difficulties. A review of 80 studies found forced isolation and loneliness among children correlated with an increased risk of depression. "Were all social beings, but theyre [teenagers] at the point in their development where their peers are their reality," said Terrie Andrews, a psychologist and administrator of behavioral health at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Florida. "Their peers are their grounding mechanism." Children's hospitals in New York, Colorado and Missouri all reported an uptick in the number of patients who thought about or attempted suicide. Clinicians also mentioned spikes in children with severe depression and those with autism who are acting out. The number of overdose attempts among children has caught the attention of clinicians at two facilities. Andrews from Wolfson Children's said the facility gives out lockboxes for weapons and medication to the public including parents who come in after children attempted to take their life using medication. Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., also has experienced an uptick, said Dr. Colby Tyson, associate director of inpatient psychiatry. She's seen children's mental health deteriorate due to a likely increase in family conflict often a consequence of the chaos caused by the pandemic. Without school, connections with peers or employment, families don't have the opportunity to spend time away from one another and regroup, which can add stress to an already tense situation. "That break is gone," she said. The higher demand for child mental health services caused by the pandemic has made finding a bed at an inpatient unit more difficult. Now, some hospitals report running at full capacity and having more children "boarding," or sleeping in emergency departments before being admitted to the psychiatric unit. Among them is the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado. Williams said the inpatient unit has been full since March. Some children now wait nearly two days for a bed, up from the eight to 10 hours common before the pandemic. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio is also running at full capacity, said clinicians, and had several days in which the unit was above capacity and placed kids instead in the emergency department waiting to be admitted. In Florida, Andrews said, up to 25 children have been held on surgical floors at Wolfson Children's while waiting for a spot to open in the inpatient psychiatric unit. Their wait could last as long as five days, she said. Multiple hospitals said the usual summer slump in child psychiatric admissions was missing last year. We never saw that during the pandemic," said Andrews. "We stayed completely busy the entire time. Some facilities have decided to reduce the number of beds available to maintain physical distancing, further constricting supply. Children's National in D.C. cut five beds from its unit to maintain single occupancy in every room, said Dr. Adelaide Robb, division chief of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. The measures taken to curb the spread of covid have also affected the way hospitalized children receive mental health services. In addition to providers wearing protective equipment, some hospitals like Cincinnati Children's rearranged furniture and placed cues on the floor as reminders to stay 6 feet apart. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh and other facilities encourage children to keep their masks on by offering rewards like extra computer time. Patients at Children's National now eat in their rooms, a change from when they ate together. Despite the need for distance, social interaction still represents an important part of mental health care for children, clinicians said. Facilities have come up with various ways to do so safely, including creating smaller pods for group therapy. Kids at Cincinnati Children's can play with toys, but only with ones that can be wiped clean afterward. No cards or board games, said Dr. Suzanne Sampang, clinical medical director for child and adolescent psychiatry at the hospital. I think whats different about psychiatric treatment is that, really, interaction is the treatment," she said, "just as much as a medication." The added infection-control precautions pose challenges to forging therapeutic connections. Masks can complicate the ability to read a person's face. Online meetings make it difficult to build trust between a patient and a therapist. Theres something about the real relationship in person that the best technology cant give to you," said Robb. For now, Krissy is relying on virtual platforms to receive some of her mental health services. Despite being hospitalized and suffering brain damage due to the overdose, she is now at home and in good spirits. She enjoys geometry, dancing on TikTok and trying to beat her mother at Super Mario Bros. on the Wii. But being away from her friends, she said, has been a hard adjustment. "When you're used to something," she said, "it's not easy to change everything." If you have contemplated suicide or someone you know has talked about it, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat, both available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Psyched Wellness Ltd. (formerly Duncan Park Holdings Corporation) (CSE: PSYC) (OTCQB: DCNPF) (FSE: 5U9) (the "Company" or "Psyched") a life sciences company focused on the production and distribution of artisanal functional and psychedelic mushrooms, is pleased to share that it has commenced a study to determine the therapeutic values of muscimol for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory purposes via a nerve derived immunity and neuroprotective modulation models. The study will be led by Brian Tancowny and will focus on determining the effectiveness of the active compound muscimol from the Amanita Muscaria mushroom for its potential dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This preliminary work will focus on determining the potential role in health promotion via modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. The mushroom, Amanita Muscaria naturally contain high levels of the active compound muscimol. This study will look at the potential neuroprotective effects of muscimol via neurotoxicity and immunomodulatory invitro cell - based models. Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases (including heart disease and certain cancers). Antioxidants can scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the impact of the damage caused by oxidation. The protective effect of antioxidants continues to be studied around the world. Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids, which affect the central nervous system to block pain signaling to the brain. Opioids have led to increased substance abuse by over prescribing and addictions. Muscimol if shown to have anti inflammatory properties may lead to a more effective natural therapeutic for treating many conditions. "This initial preliminary study will provide more insight into the potential health and wellness properties of the active compound muscimol of the Amanita Muscaria mushroom, which may lead into advanced preclinical areas of study for further work into a natural therapeutic agent," says Brian Tancowny. Jeff Stevens, CEO of the Company says, "We are excited to explore the many potential uses of Muscimol, the active compound in Amanita Muscaria mushrooms. Our team continues to research new opportunities of this compound, and we look forward to providing insights into the new areas of focus soon." For further information, please contact: Jeffrey Stevens Chief Executive Officer Psyched Wellness Ltd. Tel: 647-400-8494 Email: jstevens@psyched-wellness.com Website: http://www.psyched-wellness.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Psyched Wellness Ltd.: Psyched Wellness Ltd. is a Canadian-based health supplements company dedicated to the distribution of mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods. The Company's objective is to create premium mushroom-derived products that have the potential to become a leading North American brand in the emerging functional food category. The Company is in the process of developing a line of Amanita muscaria-derived water-based extracts, teas and capsules designed to help with three health objectives: promote stress relief, relaxation and assist with restful sleeping. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information and Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Psyched Wellness Ltd. current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Psyched at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, (i) the accuracy of the Toxicology Assessment, (ii) the safety of Amanita Muscaria consumption and the safety and purity of any extracts thereof, and (iii) the uses and potential benefits of Amanita Muscaria. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Psyched is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Psyched Wellness Ltd. management's discussion and analysis for the six months ended May 31, 2020 and covering the subsequent period up to July 27, 2020 ("MD&A"), dated July 27, 2020, which is available on Psyched Wellness Ltd. profile at www.sedar.com. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction. This news release includes data that has been obtained from third party sources, including the findings from the Toxicology Assessment. The Company believes that the data is accurate and that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of this data. Third party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although the data is believed to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third party sources referred to in this news release or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71458 Amid the Income Tax Department's probe, Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that the intelligence agencies are harassing him as no tax evasion has been done by him. "23,000 documents were taken away from my office. They've more information about me than I have in my office today. Every question they asked was answered clearly. There is no tax evasion. They send us notices in every two to three days. I would say it is harassment because if we are to answer the same question 10 times then there is a problem," Vadra said while speaking to ANI. While saying that he has been cooperating with the (ED) and during questioning. "Every question posed by (ED) and have been answered with evidence. I am willing to go to any agency for questioning as I haven't done any kind of tax evasions, " he added. "The agencies questioned about my business history which was answered both verbally and with documentary evidence," he said referring to the 23,000 documents taken away form the investigative agency from his office. Pointing to the COVID-19 situation, he expressed reservations for being called by the ED in the ofice for questioning. "It is better that a few officers come to my office with COVID report and we would sanitize the room, than me going to an Income Tax office with 50-70 people," he said. On the contrary, he accused the "central government of using him as a political pawn." "The government is cornered with its own issues such as farmers and people want answers. They want to divert the issue by bringing my name up because the media will get attentive and flash my name up. It has been happening for 10 years. Especially, when my family fights for farmer issues and all of this is to digress the topic and show me in a bad light," Vadra claimed. The ED and is probing Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act pertaining to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square. Earlier, the ED had also recorded Vadra's statement in connection with assets and properties outside India. In his recorded statement, he denied the ownership of properties in London in question. He also denied having assets outside India. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The nations capital was the site of violent clashes on Tuesday as pro-Trump protesters took to the streets on the eve of Congress vote to certify the Electoral College votes and Joe Bidens victory. Thousands of Trump supporters are gathering in D.C. to march for the presidents last-ditch effort to overturn the 2020 election. The city has been preparing for mass upheaval by increasing police presence and mobilizing the National Guard, and officials are warning residents to stay away from the downtown area, parts of which were full of demonstrators on Wednesday. Theyve also had to issue reminders that it is illegal to bring firearms into National Park Service areas. Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Most of the skirmishes on Tuesday occurred later in the night after the official rallies planned for the day had ended. According to D.C.s local ABC station, some minor scuffles ensued as a result of protesters getting into arguments with counterprotesters, though police were trying to keep the conflicting groups away from each other. The Washington Post also reports that, in one case, a group of about 200 Trump supporters approached a police line shortly after 10 p.m. at Black Lives Matter Plaza, a gathering place for activists close to the White House. People punched and shoved at the line, and officers used pepper spray to break up the crowd. A woman and two D.C. police officers were sent to the hospital as a result, according to a D.C. Fire and EMS Department spokesperson. Videos posted to social media appear to show protesters attempting to rush past the police line and an incident in which a larger fight broke out as a result of two people arguing. There was a total of six arrests connected to the protests on Tuesday for charges including assaulting police officers and weapons violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaotic scene in BLM Plaza as police clash with Trump supporters trying to rush the line #DC #WashingtonDC #January6th pic.twitter.com/wjGsUSaCWH Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) January 6, 2021 Mace deployed as police push back into the crowd of Trump supporters trying to get into BLM Plaza #DC #WashingtonDC #January6th pic.twitter.com/mmNqq3vYyO Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) January 6, 2021 Advertisement DC Police use pepper spray on Trump supporters after another fight breaks out. pic.twitter.com/Q5BLqQUHiU Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 6, 2021 The demonstrators, in several incidents captured on social media, seemed to get in arguments with one another as Democrats success in the Georgia runoff elections on Tuesday became clear. Advertisement The Proud Boys are self-destructing tonight. Its like a snake eating its own tail as these fascists turn on each other. pic.twitter.com/eJqHgg4Ieu Chad Loder (@chadloder) January 6, 2021 Advertisement D.C. police have been trying to proactively deal with extremists who plan on showing up to the city. On Monday afternoon, the leader of far-right Proud Boys group, Enrique Tarrio, was arrested upon arriving to D.C. on charges that he burned a Black Lives Matter banner ripped from a historic Black church during a demonstration in December. He was also charged for having two high-capacity firearm magazines on his person. A judge released him on Tuesday on the condition that he leave the city. DCist reports that, based on their social media posts, the Proud Boys are again planning to wreak havoc in the city. For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Many children need to take medication at home after being discharged from the hospital. Recent research conducted at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that 70 percent of caregivers either mismanage or don't fully understand hospital discharge medication instructions, leading to problems such as wrong dosage or confusion about side effects. Now, the same CHAM investigators looked at ways to correct this issue and published their results in Pediatrics. They found medication-related failures can be reduced by almost 50 percent when there is a standardized approach to discharging patients with medications. "When caregivers are responsible for giving their children medicines at home, it can be confusing and stressful," said lead author Kaitlyn Philips, DO, assistant medical director of Pediatric Quality, CHAM, and assistant professor of pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "We want children to continue to get better in the comfort of their own home, so it's vital that caregivers can confidently and safely give medications. Our research shows that when we have a consistent way of educating caregivers, we can reduce the chance that mistakes will be made." Dr. Philips is part of a dedicated quality improvement team at CHAM, created to identify issues and implement sustainable fixes to reduce preventable harm and improve patient safety. Supported in part by National Institute of Health grants, she and several other CHAM and Einstein investigators are studying problems affecting patient-care delivery and developing solutions for them. Dr. Philips is also a scholar in the Learning Health System Center of Excellence at Einstein and Montefiore, which provides mentoring and training on how to use data to continuously improve the delivery of care. For the Pediatrics study, Dr. Philips sought to improve parental knowledge about their child's medication needs and create clearer instructions to follow at home. She developed and implemented a program called MEDRITES, which stands for: M edication name edication name E ngagement with the family ngagement with the family D ose, R oute, I ndications and T iming ose, oute, ndications and iming Expected E ffects and side E ffects ffects and side ffects Storage counseling and Syringe for accurate administration Over the 12-month intervention period, caregivers received bedside medication counseling where the provider discussed each topic in MEDRITES in depth. The family also took home improved documentation with clear instructions. Within a week of being discharged, investigators held phone interviews with 249 caregivers, asking how well they understood and were able to follow the discharge instructions. Compared to the 157 patient caregivers interviewed before the program, people who discussed MEDRITES and received improved take-home documentation had better understanding of their child's medication needs. MEDRITES has been incorporated into another quality initiative at CHAM called "SAFER Care," led by Audrey Uong, M.D., attending physician, CHAM, and assistant professor of pediatrics, Einstein. This initiative provides additional discharge guidance for families on topics including: how to prepare children to go back to school; when to follow up with their pediatrician; and what symptoms could indicate signs of relapse. Additionally, MEDRITES is incorporated into annual education for new doctors and several subspecialty providers are adopting a similar process for discharge medication counseling and documentation for their patients. "The MEDRITES initiative demonstrates that making simple changes, like rounding medication doses to amounts that are appropriate and safe, but also easier to measure, can have a big impact on how children are cared for at home," said Dr. Philips. "We believe this intervention could be used at hospitals throughout the country to help prevent medication-related errors for children." The manuscript is titled MEDRITES: A Project to Improve the Pediatric Inpatient Discharge Medication Process. It is co-authored by Roy Zhou, MD, Diana S. Lee, MD, Christine Marrese, MD, Joanne Nazif, MD, Constance Browne, PharmD, Mark Sinnett, PharmD, Steven Tuckman, BS Pharm, MBA, Anjali Modi, Michael L. Rinke, MD, PhD. The study was supported by the NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS). About Montefiore Health System Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 10 hospitals, including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube. About Albert Einstein College of Medicine Albert Einstein College of Medicine is one of the nation's premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2020-21 academic year, Einstein is home to 721 M.D. students, 178 Ph.D. students, 109 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 265 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has more than 1,900 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2020, Einstein received more than $197 million in awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, clinical and translational research, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States through Montefiore and an affiliation network involving hospitals and medical centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn and on Long Island. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu, read our blog, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook , and view us on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter: @MontefioreNYC SOURCE Montefiore Health System; Albert Einstein College of Medicine Related Links https://www.montefiore.org Few frontline workers have seen the terrible impact of COVID-19 as intimately as home health-care workers. So plenty are lining up for the new vaccine, but others have serious doubts. Thats why Terrace Daniels, director of operations at the home-care agency ComForCare, made certain to be at Montgomery County Community College on Wednesday as the Philadelphia areas first public vaccination site for health-care workers opened for business. We take care of really vulnerable people, Daniels said. There is a lot of skepticism about this vaccine, but I cant ask my staff to go out and get it if I dont. Because those facing the highest exposure risk, including health-care workers and residents of nursing facilities, are the only people eligible for this first round of vaccinations, there is no timeline for when the vaccine will be available to the general public. But Montgomery Countys new regional vaccination site could provide a blueprint for larger-scale efforts. Daniels, who lives in Philadelphia but works in Montgomery County, was among 800 health-care workers scheduled to receive the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, which requires two doses. The vaccination site is open to any employee in a county health-care facility, regardless of where they live. An appointment is required. READ MORE: Pa. lags nation in people tested per day, is nowhere near level needed to suppress the virus Most of the vaccine, from Moderna and Pfizer, is being distributed directly to hospitals. To date, the county has received 7,000 doses and expects to administer 800 doses a day at the new site. So it could run out of vaccine quickly. Daniels and others said they are hearing skepticism especially in the Black community about the vaccine for numerous reasons. Among them: the history of racism in American medicine, the quick turnaround to create the vaccine, and conspiracy theories spread on social media. Yet they also said they felt a duty to get vaccinated. Kim Even, an optometrist who lives in Blue Bell, had no hesitation to be among the first at the site Wednesday. I wanted to be vaccinated quickly because in our profession we are inches away from our patients every day, said Even, who has been practicing for 35 years. She said she wanted protection for both her patients and herself. Prior to COVID-19, she saw two or three patients an hour but sees fewer now because of the precautions that must be taken to avoid exposure. She was on two other waiting lists for the vaccines before getting Wednesdays appointment. Val Arkoosh, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and also a physician, said during a news conference that the goal of the vaccination site is to create bubbles of safety within the community, though many of those getting vaccinated may live in other counties. A similar situation exists in hospitals all over the region that are vaccinating employees who may live in other counties or states as part of a regional approach. Right now, the demand for vaccinations is far greater than our supply, Arkoosh said, asking those who registered on the website, but who havent yet received an appointment, to be patient. We are focusing on those with the highest risk for contracting the coronavirus, such as hospital workers, Arkoosh said. But for doctors in outpatient offices, dentists, and medical first responders that have registered, Arkoosh said, please know that were doing our best to respond to everyone as quickly as we can. Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., vice chair of the county Board of Commissioners, echoed Arkoosh in saying the vaccine is effective and safe, and pleaded with the community to not get your medical information from social media. Willie Mae Bell, a nurse with the countys Office of Public Health, called the opening of the vaccination site an important step. I could not wait to get this vaccine, Bell said. I have seen the ravages of this virus. Cornelia Lavong, vice president of clinical operations at Red Lion Home Health Care, said she has heard doubts about the vaccine, considering the seemingly short time it took to develop compared with past vaccines. While it has been only a year since the virus even emerged, experts say the speed is due not to any shortcuts but to the massive international effort that has been poured into vaccine creation, as well as the fact that the vaccines were made on a platform that had been created well before now. The vaccines have been tested on thousands of people in clinical trials. Lavong had no hesitation about getting the injection, especially when you look at what is happening to those who fall victim to the virus. Getting the vaccine, she said, is for the benefit of everyone. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic are continuing to surge, hitting a new all-time high. The Health Ministry says the number of new cases reached 17,278 cases on Tuesday. The previous record of 17,045 was set on Dec 30.New infections started to surge again this week after slowing down during the New Year holidays. A total of 7,001 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized, with 1,004 in serious condition, putting the heath system under pressure.A lockdown imposed by the government to contain the surge will be in place at least until Jan 10. The country of 10.7 million has 776,967 confirmed cases, including 12,436 deaths. (IMAGE CREDITS:AP) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. Trump issued a restrained call for peace but did not call on his supporters to leave. The ordinarily mundane procedure of certifying a new president was always going to be extraordinary, with Republican supporters of Trump vowing to protest results of an election that they have baselessly insisted was reversed by fraud. The deliberations inside were still in their early stages when they were overcome by raucous demonstrations outside, as protesters who clashed with police entered the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags. They abruptly interrupted the proceedings in an out-of-control scene that featured eerie official warnings directing people to duck under their seats for cover and put on gas masks. With the crowds showing no signs of abating, Trump tweeted, ``Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!'' Senators were being evacuated. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. Demonstrators fought with Capitol Police and then forced their way into the building, not long after a huge rally near the White House during which Trump egged them on to march to Capitol Hill. Lawmakers had convened for an extraordinary joint session to confirm the Electoral College results. Though fellow Republicans were behind the challenge to Biden's 306-232 Electoral College victory, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought to lower tensions and argued against it. He warned the country ``cannot keep drifting apart into two separate tribes'' with ``separate facts.'' McConnell declared, ``The voters, the courts and the states all have spoken.`` But other Republicans, including House GOP leaders among Trump's allies were acting out the pleas of supporters at his huge Wednesday rally up Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House to ``fight for Trump.'' ``We have to fix this,'' said Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the GOP whip. The last-gasp effort is all but certain to fail, defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress prepared to accept the November results. Biden i s to be inaugurated Jan. 20. Still, Trump vowed to he would ``never concede'' and urged the massive crowd to march to the Capitol where hundreds had already gathered under tight security. ``We will never give up,'' Trump told his noontime rally. Vice President Mike Pence was closely watched as he stepped onto the dais to preside over the joint session in the House chamber. Pence has a largely ceremonial role, opening the sealed envelopes from the states after they are carried in mahogany boxes used for the occasion, and reading the results aloud. But he was under growing pressure from Trump to overturn the will of the voters and tip the results in the president's favor, despite having no legal power to affect the outcome. ``Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!'' Trump tweeted Wednesday. But Pence, in a statement shortly before presiding, defied Trump, saying he could not claim ``unilateral authority`` to reject the electoral votes that make Biden president. Despite Trump's repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. Arizona was the first of several states facing objections from the Republicans as Congress took an alphabetical reading of the election results. Then the chaos erupted. Short link: In a shocking claim, a top ISRO scientist has said in an exclusive interview with Zee Media that he was poisoned in 2017. Tapan Misra posted a message on Facebook claiming that he was poisoned with arsenic trioxide on May 23, 2017. According to Misra, he was poisoned during a promotion interview at ISRO headquarters. "Fatal dose was probably mixed" with chutney along with Dosa, in snacks after lunch," he said. Misra is currently employed as Senior Advisor at ISRO. He had earlier served as Director of Ahmedabad-based Space Application Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In his Facebook post titled ''Long Kept Secret'', Misra said that Home Affairs security personnel met him in July 2017 and informed him of arsenic poisoning. Misra added that he then consulted the doctors who helped him focus on remedy. Misra also said that he suffered from health issues including severe breathing difficulty, unusual skin eruptions, skin shedding and fungal infections due to the poisoning. The motive appears to be espionage attackto remove a scientist with the critical contribution of very large military and commercial significance, like expertise in building Synthetic Aperture Radar, he alleged. Live TV Misra appealed to the Indian government to probe the matter and find out the people who were involved in this act. Notably, ISRO is yet to respond to Misra's allegations. Read the full text of Misra's post here: Long Kept Secret We, in ISRO, occasionally heard about highly suspicious death of Prof. Vikram Sarabhai in 1971. Also heard occasional doubts about sudden death of Dr. S Srinivasan, Director of VSSC in 1999. Case of Shri Nambinarayanan in 1994 is well known. But I never thought that I will be at the receiving end of such mystery. I was poisoned with deadly Arsenic Trioxide on 23rd May 2017, during promotion interview from Sci/Eng SF to SG in ISRO HQ at Bangalore. Fatal dose was probably mixed with chutney along with Dosai, in snacks after lunch. What followed was nightmare lasting for almost two years Severe loss of blood to the tune of 30-40% through anal bleeding. I barely could come back from Bangalore and was rushed to Zydus Cadila hospital in Ahmedabad. It was followed by severe breathing difficulty, unusual skin eruptions and skin shedding, loss of nails on feet and hands, terrible neurological issues due to hypoxia, skeletal pain, unusual sensations, one suspected heart attack and Arsenic depositions and fungal infections on every inch of skin and internal organs. Treatment was received in Zydus cadilla, TMH-Mumbai and AIIMS-Delhi over a period of two years. Famed forensic specialist, Dr. Sudhir Gupta told me that in his whole career, for the first time he was seeing a live specimen of a survivor of assassination attempt with fatal dose of assassination grade molecular As2O3. Otherwise his experience was limited to cadavers. I am thankful to one of my Director colleagues, present at the same meeting, who warned me on 5th June 2017, of possibility of poison given to me. Probably, I guess, he witnessed poison mixing in my food. On 7th June, MHA security agency personnels met me and alerted me of Arsenic poisoning. I am thankful to them, as their info helped doctors to focus on exact remedy instead of scratching their heads with unusual signatures of my ailment. Security agencies took me to different cities. I am sure, without their intervention, I would have been dead with multiple organ failure within two to three weeks. I learnt that this poison is given in molecular level suspension (crystal level is harmless) just after heavy meal. It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless suspension and hence cannot even be suspected. It gets absorbed through stomach during food ingestion, kills RBCs immediately to such large extent that the fine blood vessels are clogged, leading to heart attacks and strokes within two to three hours and the victim can easily be passed of as heart attack death. Fortunately, that day, I did not take lunch. Arsenic passed directly to colon region and most of them got rejected through bleeding. The small remnant created so much damage to my health that I only know and I kept my morale high to face the danger with poise. The motive appears to be espionage attack, embedded in the Government set up, to remove a scientist with critical contribution of very large military and commercial significance, like expertise in building Synthetic Aperture Radar. I will also not rule out it also as a new modus operandi of adjusting seniority and clear me who was perceived as obstacle. Whatever may be the reason, it was a great shame for the country and our security apparatus. What pains me is that ISRO hierarchy and my colleagues tried to shun me as pariah. I pleaded with two successive Chairmen to help me in getting justice. Kirankumar tried his best to convince me that my earlier case of squamous cell carcinoma is resurrecting. I personally talked to Dr. Kasturirangan and Shri Madhavan Nair and they developed cold feet. What followed was a series of nightmares, alongwith severe deterioration of health. I was bombarded with hundreds of threatening emails to keep my mouth shut. I was saved by whiskers, due to alacrity of security agencies, from massive explosive incident, in which Rs. 100 cr. lab was destroyed. This happened on 3rd May 2018. On 19th July 2019, an Indian American professor of one of the topmost US university suddenly appeared in my office. He requested me not to utter a word in future. As a quid pro quo, my IITK grad son will be accommodated in a top notch college in USA. I declined and he left my office at 1430 hrs. And my thirty plus years contributing career was consigned to sinecure position at 1630 hrs. on the same day. I was removed from all responsibilities, including SAC Directorship. My security was breached and I was poisoned with gaseous poison, probably Hydrogen Cyanide, which hypoxiates leaving no trace, on 12th July 2019. I was hypoxiated severely, leading to convulsion, loss of senses and memory. I survived because of NSG training of my PSO. I was transferred immediately to hospital, administered ozonised oxygen and had to spend couple of days in ICU. Hospitalization was followed by a long treatment for hypoxia, which is still continuing. Curiously it happened just two days prior to planned launch date of Chandrayan 2 on 15th July. Probably to prevent me to be present there on this occasion. There was a plan to defame me by doctoring the CCTV recording of my room on 23rd and 24th Jan, 2020. It still baffles me how this high security recorder, located in the room of Director, SAC was accessed, contents were digitally edited and played back in analog for rerecording. CCTV recorders are special recorders which can only be fed in analog and can be digitally retrieved. The attempt was foiled because of alertness of security agencies. I still marvel at the cinematographical quality of editing of such an unimpressive fellow like me. For last two years there were mysterious appearances of poisonous snakes like cobra, krait at a regular intervals of a few days in my quarter. Karbolic acid vents are put every 10 ft. Yet nobody could prevent intrusions of the snakes. Fortunately because of my four cats and my security staff, they could be killed or caught alive. Only three months back, we accidentally discovered a carefully laid secret tunnel in my compound and hidden in a trove of banana plantations. Once we blocked the tunnel, all snake intrusions stopped. Two incidents convinced me that the mysterious people are after me and probably going to hit me hard before my superannuation at the end if this month. They want my mouth shut forever. 1. All the signatures point to deliberate poisoning of my mentally challenged son with Covid 19. The poor boy, who cannot even speak or eat or carry out hygiene activities himself, had to be hospitalized for 10 days, followed by months of complications. 2. There was a failed attempt in poisoning me with Arsenic, probably in first week of September 2020. It failed, but it was enough to create signature of quite good amount of poisoning, leading to skeletal pain, skin peeling and nail dying. Enough is enough. I have faith in our security apparatus and men. But these mysterious men are much more equipped, trained, lethal and determined to snuff out living witness of the most shameful incident of Indian science. I put forward to Government, intellectuals and fellow scientists and my classmates and teachers, spread across the world, that all efforts should be made to keep me and my family safe and punish these mysterious men. I am convinced that these are the men, embedded in our system, are leading to mysterious deaths of scientists and destruction of our institutions. These incidents should be wake up call to prevent such nefarious happening to many of our bright minds in future. The nation, which cannot protect their own people who made contributions in building it in the first place, is destined to suffer. A paramedic, a nurse and a third person are all in hotel quarantine in Perth after coming into contact with a COVID-19 patient who recently returned from the United Kingdom. The woman, in her 80s, arrived from the UK on January 2 already showing symptoms of the virus and subsequently tested positive. Genomic testing is underway but it is not yet known if she has the more virulent strain which has caused havoc in Britain. Travellers arriving from the UK may have to undergo a pre-flight coronavirus test before entering Australia. Pictured is a healthcare worker with travellers at Melbourne Airport Members of the public queue outside a Covid-19 testing centre at the Royal Perth Hospital in Perth on December 18 The woman was initially placed in hotel quarantine, but her condition required a transfer to the Royal Perth Hospital on Tuesday where she is now considered stable. Health officials say when the woman first required medical assistance a nurse responded while not wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE), in breach of protocols. The second breach occurred when a St John Ambulance officer not wearing PPE was less than 1.5 metres from the woman as she was transferred into an ambulance. A review of CCTV footage at Perth Airport subsequently found a third person had also gone to the aid of the woman when she first arrived. That person has returned a negative test for the virus so far and remains in isolation. People in Perth at a COVID-19 testing clinic at Royal Perth Hospital in December (pictured) Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a special national cabinet meeting of state and territory leaders and chief ministers this Friday to discuss new protocols for UK travelers. Passengers travelling from the UK and other COVID-19 hotspots are expected to undergo mandatory pre-flight coronavirus tests before they even step on the plane in an effort to prevent a highly contagious new strain from gaining a foothold in Australia. Health chiefs will also consider a travel ban for UK and South Africa but is unlikely to get the green light amid fears thousands of Australians stranded overseas and desperate to return home will unable to do so. Scientists fear the new mutated UK strain is between 50 per cent and 74 per cent more infectious than the original virus. A deserted Regent Street in London on Tuesday as millions more worked from home again and schools all shut for seven weeks amid a third national lockdown The strain has spiralled out of control in the UK, where infections reached a record 61,000 new daily cases on Tuesday, giving the nation's prime minister Boris Johnson 'no choice' but to impose a brutal third national lockdown. State Health Incident Coordination Centre Incident Controller Robyn Lawrence said processes were put into place immediately following the WA breaches to protect the health of the community. 'The health and safety of the WA community is the number one priority of the state, and any breach of process is unacceptable,' Dr Lawrence said. 'I want to reassure people that public health acted immediately, and both people (the nurse and the paramedic) were placed into quarantine before the virus could incubate or be transmitted to other people.' Dr Lawrence said the low numbers of COVID-19 in WA were no excuse for complacency and breaches could lead to community transmission. Perth has managed to keep the virus out of the state courtesy of strict closed borders and hotel quarantine (pictured a testing clinic in Perth in December) The woman's case came after WA officials confirmed earlier this week that three people who also spent time in hotel quarantine in Perth had subsequently been found to have had the more transmissible UK COVID-19 strain. They have since recovered and been released from isolation. In light of the current circumstances, Premier Mark McGowan said he would support a ban on Australians returning from the UK if that was recommended by health officials and proposed by the federal government. 'The federal government controls international borders. So it's really up to them as to whether or not they wish to do it,' he said. 'Obviously it's a pretty extreme measure. But if the health advisors told us we needed to do that well then that's what we should do.' Humanity and history are shaped by parallels -- forces that act in the same or opposite directions. One needs only a passing comprehension of current events to see the impact parallels have on the people of this great country, its bedrock institutions, and on the American way of life. What we are enduring is the debasing of America, and at the beating heart of this struggle are opposing forces of good and evil. History is replete with times like these, the outcomes at the time as unpredictable as the conflicts themselves. But in what direction are we going as a nation, and to what end will we stand idle while evil pervades seemingly every facet of our existence? Many conservative Americans struggle with anger and disappointment of late -- their feelings directed towards perceived doers of evil and myriad government injustices to humanity and humility, tempered only by what little grace they can muster in a country that feels like it is collapsing around them. A fleeting moment in medieval history, where a class of people were subjected to a corrupted and punitive tyranny, parallels what many of us endure today at the hands of the ruling political class. Those involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace may very well have empathized with modern-day conservatives in the era of COVID-19 and pervasive political turmoil. In 1536 England, under the rule of King Henry VIII, Catholic institutions were under siege by dictatorial government forces. From buildings themselves to the tenets of prayer, few churches, which had existed for centuries unmolested, were spared fiat or threat of physical destruction. This was not a natural evolution of the manner in which people worshiped, but largely an act of spiteful disobedience by the English monarchy against the greater Holy Roman Empire for its refusal to accept England's request for an annulment of the marriage of King Henry and his first wife, ardent Catholic Queen Catherine of Aragon. As with the present disillusionment from establishment GOP and RNC alike, commoners suffered a political bludgeoning for the treachery of not prescribing to the King's ideals of self-fulfillment, moral degradation of Christian values, and open hostility towards any institution that would impede his wanton desires. Against this backdrop was conceived a widespread northern uprising fittingly known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. Led in Yorkshire by lawyer and gentleman Robert Aske, some 30,000 men and women of faith, guided by an oath of moral behavior, amassed in demand of the restoration of their religious freedoms and institutions. Ultimately the nonviolent rising begat opposition violence, not unlike the brazen attacks on conservatives by Marxist groups Antifa and BLM. To quell the rebellion, the forces of the king placated the pilgrims with false promises of religious restoration, equality for all, and an audience with Henry, who instead ordered the imprisonment or execution of the movement's leaders. Does this 'justice' for the aggrieved pilgrims of a bygone era parallel what contemporary conservative Americans are experiencing at the hands of the elitist state and federal overlords? The salient point of a parallel between today's tumult and a mere blip in history is that at a certain point in time people of faith and values must take a stand for their deeply held convictions. Our refusal to compromise our beliefs or to cast aside our God-given freedoms is our greatest weapon against evil manifested in the form of government-mandated and media-delivered tyranny. The average American does not espouse violence or open hostility towards the actions of our elected leaders, but at what point do we refuse the dictates from individuals in power whose morality and motivations are not beyond reproach? In late November 2020, blue state governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginians needn't attend religious services in person -- that doing so in his estimation is unnecessary and a flouting of restrictions established for the protection of the collective good. "You don't have to sit in a church pew for God to hear you," he said, "This year we need to think about what is truly the most important thing. Is it the worship or the building? For me, God is wherever you are." What appalling, self-righteous pontificating. Since when is an entire populace duty-bound to adhere not to our founding documents and our faith in God, but to the whims of individuals who, by their very sanctimonious actions and zeal for unadulterated power represent the embodiment of evil to many conservatives? Perhaps a new Pilgrimage of Grace, one reborn in the peaceful, faithful hearts of a downtrodden conservative people, is needed. Image: Thomas Gun, Sodacan WestFax Selects NewWave Technologies as an Authorized Distributor of Its HIPAA Compliant Fax Solutions Suite WestFax, a HIPAA Compliant Fax company, announced today its distributor partnership with NewWave Technologies, Inc. The partnership expands the WestFax cloud-based fax solutions offering to NewWave's existing channel of over 1500 copier, MFP, and document scanner dealers to provide a fully integrated document workflow solution. The new partnership will allow NewWave dealers to sell the WestFax solution through their channel effective January 1, 2021. "From the beginning NewWave has been a natural fit for WestFax and we're excited to help bring our copier and scanner integrations to their channel." -Barry Clark, WestFax Founder and President. Download the WestFax-NewWave Secure Fax One-Pager now to learn more Follow WestFax Website: https://westfax.com Twitter (News - Alert) : https://twitter.com/westfaxinc LinkedIn (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/company/westfax-inc./ Facebook (News - Alert) : https://www.facebook.com/westfaxinc/ YouTube (News - Alert) : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0D3bLTtIrl7lxhkX1wi6ag Blog: https://westfax.com/blog About WestFax: WestFax, Inc. provides HIPAA Compliant Fax Solutions, Fax to email, Fax API integration, Mobile fax apps and broadcast fax service to businesses and government agencies worldwide. Their healthcare fax solutions are used by every healthcare company in the Fortune 50. About NewWave: NewWave Technologies, Inc. is a nationally recognized distributor of ECM and office automation technologies and support services. Its channel partners deliver integrated products that capture, store, manage and distribute business-critical information. Its products are marketed exclusively to VAR's, system integrators, service bureaus and OEMs. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105006018/en/ Press Release January 6, 2021 De Lima seeks Senate probe into early vaccination of Cabinet members, PSG & AFP officials Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called for a Senate investigation into the reported early vaccination of select members of the Cabinet, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) using unregistered and smuggled COVID-19 vaccines. In filing Senate Resolution (SR) No. 603 last Jan. 5, De Lima underscored the need to ascertain who smuggled the vaccine and who distributed them to select public officials and how they were able to do so outside government regulations. "There is a need to inquire as to the facts surrounding the early inoculation of members of the Cabinet, the PSG and AFP officials," she said. "Those who have been vaccinated are senior officials of our country who are essential to the functioning of our democracy. As such, to have them vaccinated with unregistered and unvetted vaccines constitutes endangerment not only to themselves but also to our national security," she added. De Lima stressed that no less than Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that illegal means were undertaken for President Duterte's close-in security to be vaccinated ahead of everyone else with unlicensed drugs. While Lorenzana said the PSG has to explain to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for violating the country's regulatory laws, De Lima said he defended their action by saying that it was "justified" because they supposedly did it to effectively carry out their duties. Reportedly, the PSG team who works as close-in security of Duterte has secretly completed their two doses over a month ago, an activity that only came to light after the President revealed that "almost all soldiers" have been jabbed with China-made vaccine Sinopharm -- which has not even applied for clinical trial nor emergency use in the Philippines. In his address to the nation last Jan. 4, Duterte even ordered the PSG to remain silent on its clandestine and illegal vaccination if asked by Congress to appear in their investigation. De Lima, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, reminded that withholding of information on the said issue during any investigation only protects the criminals who smuggled and are probably still smuggling these illegal vaccines into the country. In a separate statement, the lady Senator from Bicol said that "state agents who place their loyalty on a man and turn a blind eye to his corrupt and criminal ways become nothing more than lapdogs of a mafioso who tramples on the law just to get what he wants." "While officials may invoke their well intentions in receiving the unregistered and unvetted vaccine, the fact remains that laws were still broken and our country was placed in danger by receiving this illegal inoculation without knowing its contents," she said. "The officials so inoculated must reveal all the information that they have on the unregistered vaccines if only to protect our country against forces seeking to influence the highest office in our land to the detriment of our people," she added. As the House and Senate go back to debate, we here at the live chat are going to call it quits for the night. There are reports that the Senate will yield all of its two hours, but the House is likely to take its time. As Reid noted, if the lawmakers reconvene and there is a Senate objection to Wisconsins electoral votes, the certification could go all night. And the elusive moment of truth when Pence confirms that Biden and Harris won the election could come perhaps much later in the morning. Thank you for watching and reading, and follow along at nytimes.com for more coverage of todays violence at the Capitol and the aftermath. A 63-year-old murder convict died while on his way from Luksar jail to a hospital after he complained of chest pain on Tuesday night, said police. The man was identified by a single name as Munawwar, a resident of Muzaffarnagar in UP. Vipin Mishra, Luksar jail superintendent, said that Munawwar was an inmate since June 24, 2018. He was charged of murder in the jurisdiction of Kotwali Police Station in Muzaffarnagar a few years ago. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2013 and later transferred to Gautam Budh Nagar, he said. On Tuesday night, Mishra said, he was brought to the jail hospital at 11:30 pm for treatment for chest pain and breathlessness. When his health deteriorated, the jail doctor referred him to the Noida district hospital, Mishra said. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. The body has been sent for an autopsy. We have requested the judicial magistrate to conduct a judicial probe into the matter as per norms, Mishra said. On October 29, 2020, a 31-year-old under-trial rape suspect had died following chest pain in Luksar Jail. The suspect Sarfaraz, a native of Meerut, was also rushed to Noidas district hospital where he was declared brought dead. The Luksar jail, spread over 90 acres, was inaugurated in April 2014. The jail has 55 women inmates and 2,800 male inmates. The jail management had stopped meeting of inmates relatives with the inmates after the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020. The government has planned if the situation returns to normalcy, the meeting service can resume from February-March 2021. ATLANTA With control of the U.S. Senate and large parts of President-elect Joe Bidens agenda hanging in the balance, Georgias fiercely fought Senate runoff elections remained too close to call early Wednesday morning with 97% of the estimated vote counted. By midnight Eastern time, Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock held a slim 50.4% to 49.6% lead over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Republican David Perdue, whose Senate term officially expired Jan. 3, was neck and neck with Jon Ossoff, with both candidates at 50%. Republicans have to win only one of the two runoff seats to maintain majority control of the chamber. If Democrats win both races, the Senate will be tied 50 to 50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote to give Democrats control. Democrats outperformed the GOP among the nearly 3.1 million Georgians who voted early, and Republicans appeared to be falling short of their hopes of making up that ground with a strong election day showing. Turnout was high in key Democratic areas, but appeared to be significantly down in the most conservative areas of the state, such as northwest Georgia, where President Trump campaigned Sunday. Republicans have held both of Georgias Senate seats for 15 years, but the state has become increasingly competitive, and Biden defeated Trump here by a narrow margin just under 12,000 votes in November. Going into the race, there was just one thing everyone seemed to agree on: The results would be close. The winners may not be known until later this week. Jack Kingston, a former Republican congressman from Georgias 1st District, credited Democrats massive get-out-the vote machine. Republicans sent out fliers to potential voters, he said, while Democrats sent out handwritten letters. They also mailed voters forms to request absentee ballots and offered them rides to the polls. The Democrats have worked their tails off, he said. Among the most promising signs for Democrats: Their base of Black voters showed up in force early, representing 31% of the early vote as opposed to 28% in the general election. More than 123,000 of those who voted early after skipping Novembers election were Black, Latino and Asian Americans. Republicans banked on strong turnout in rural counties to overtake the early Democratic lead. On Tuesday, Loeffler and Perdue sent out a joint statement urging their supporters to go to the polls. The two said they were encouraged by reports of high voter turnout in traditionally GOP territory in northern Georgia, but such last-minute appeals are not often a sign of confidence. The two Republicans warned it would be a very close election that could come down to the difference of just a few votes in a few precincts. This generational election will be decided by the votes cast in the next few hours no one should be sitting on the sidelines. Go vote! they wrote. The Republican campaign may have been hindered by an extraordinary level of intraparty fighting as Trump campaigned to reverse Bidens victory in Georgia and attacked GOP officials for failing to do more to support his unsubstantiated claims of voting fraud in the state. Many Republicans worried that Trumps efforts would discourage supporters from turning out. Really, these last two months have just been painful, said Allen Peake, a former Georgia state representative from Macon. To watch the president go down this rabbit hole, Im like every other Republican; I cringe, I wonder what hes going to say, what hes going to do, what other embarrassment hes going to bring upon himself, the party and the country. With the stakes so high, the two sides spent more than half a billion dollars on the two-month runoff campaign, and each race broke the record for spending in a Senate race. The Democratic candidates raised considerably more money than the Republican incumbents, but spending by outside groups mostly four super PACs affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. gave the Republicans an overall advantage. There were few snafus Tuesday as hundreds of thousands of voters across the state poured into polling stations on a chilly but bright, sunny day to cast their ballots. Wait times across the state averaged about one minute, according to the secretary of states office. Republicans had been favored early on to win the runoffs, which were needed because no candidate in either race got more than 50% of the vote in November. In past runoffs, GOP voters have turned out in more force, and the Republican candidates also performed slightly better than Democrats in the general election. In November, Perdue received about 80,000 more votes than Ossoff, but fell short of the 50% threshold needed to win. In the other race, a special election that featured multiple candidates from each party, Warnock finished ahead of Loeffler with about a third of the vote, but Republican candidates overall narrowly won more votes than Democrats. The race was made much more competitive as Democrats ran a well-financed, nationally driven campaign, and grassroots voter mobilization groups fanned out across the state to ramp up early voter turnout across Atlantas urban and suburban counties. For Democrats, winning both seats would allow them to avert gridlock in Congress and give Biden a chance to enact his legislative agenda. The election is also a test of whether Bidens victory against Trump here was just a one-off or represents a significant realignment of political power in this Southern battleground state. As Stacey Abrams, the Democrats former candidate for governor, put it Monday at a rally: Georgia, we have a chance tomorrow to prove what happened in November wasnt a fluke, but the future. For weeks, Trump and the Republican candidates have warned that if the Democrats win both Senate seats, the party would have full control of both the White House and Congress, giving Biden a free hand to enact his agenda. In reality, a 50-50 Senate with Harris breaking ties would still leave Biden significantly constrained, able to move no further than the most moderate Democrat would allow. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, for example, has already publicly said he would block some goals sought by progressive Democrats, such as eliminating filibusters on legislation in the Senate. Jenny Jarvie and David Lauter are Los Angeles Times writers. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Just In: Supreme Court of Pakistan ORDERS to start work on the reconstruction of the temple in Karak within the next 2 weeks and submit a report, Chief Justice hears the Suo-Moto case. #Pakistan Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) January 5, 2021 The Supreme Court of Pakistan on January 5 gave authorities two weeks to start the reconstruction of the Hindu temple demolished by a mob in Karak district. The temple was demolished and set on fire due to the negligence of local police on December 30. On January 4 a one-man commission on the rights of minorities submitted its report to Pakistan's Supreme Court on the vandalisation of a Hindu temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, recommending that the shrine's land should be retrieved from land grabbers and the government should conduct a detailed inquiry into the attack. The commission's chairman, Shuaib Suddle, visited the temple in Karak district and presented a comprehensive report in the case to the Supreme Court after it asked the Commission to probe the attack. The report suggested collecting all the relevant details and evidence in the case. It also suggested to the KPK government to retrieve the temple land from the land grabbers. Protesting against the expansion work at the shrine, a mob led by members of a radical Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party (Fazal ur Rehman group) demolished and set on fire the temple, which also had a samadhi of a Hindu religious leader, on Wednesday. Over 350 people have been named in the FIR. So far, 100 people have been arrested. The commission's report further suggested to the government to ensure giving rights to the minorities in the Karak district of the province. The commission also met the province's Chief Minister Mehmud Khan. The provincial government assured to reconstruct the samadhi and the temple in consultation with the Hindu community, the report added. The attack on the temple drew strong condemnation from human rights activists and the minority Hindu community leaders. India has also lodged a protest with Pakistan over the vandalisation of the temple and sought strict action against those responsible for the incident. With inputs from PTI Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 11:35:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- A large-scale vaccination against COVID-19 began Tuesday in Belgium, involving a total of 154 nursing homes in three regions throughout the country in the first phase of rollout. Residents of nursing homes are among the priority groups to receive the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Jan. 5, and the second one will be given in three weeks. The first phase also concerns priority groups including staff in nursing homes and care homes, as well as public health institutions. Following a joint request sent by the country's health professionals that care workers "must be an absolute priority" to be vaccinated, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke indicated on Tuesday that a modification of the vaccination strategy would be carried out to protect front-line fighters, according to the local press. Belgium will acquire 87,000 doses of the vaccine each week to complete this vaccination phase, which covers around 200,000 people. The European country has so far recorded a total of 650,887 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19,750 deaths. As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, immunization is underway in some countries. As many as 232 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 60 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Dec. 29. Enditem Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Wednesday that in Romania the COVID-19 vaccination campaign "is going well", showing that the authorities want a ramped up pace of vaccine deliveries to the country, so as to reach 100,000 people vaccinated per day. "I say that in Romania the vaccination campaign is going well, and the estimates we have to go to 150,000 vaccines a day clearly show that the direction is good. (...) The intention to have 1,000 vaccination centers is ambitious. I'm sure it'll be attained. We need to bring more vaccines, to increase the pace of vaccine deliveries to Romania. That's actually a challenge. We are also limited by what happens in the EU, the way the vaccines are being approved and then delivered. I say: 100,000 (vaccinated) people per day, as quickly as possible," Citu said at the Victoria Palace after the Government meeting. He said that the Government is not considering a financial incentive for those who vaccinate. Asked if the Government would extend the state of alert that expires next week, Citu replied: "We will make a decision based on the situation at that time." LANSING, MI - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opted not to sign a bill allowing nursing home residents to install surveillance cameras in their own rooms. Senate Bill 77, sponsored by Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, would have allowed electronic monitoring in a residents room with their permission, or shared permission if the room is shared. Runestad and other Republican co-sponsors pushed the bill so residents could have a check against potential abuse. The resident would have been on the hook for the installation costs of the camera, and the facility would have had to put into effect an electronic monitoring consent form within 60 days of the bill. In a statement opposing Whitmers pocket veto, Runestad mentioned the story of 75-year-old Norman Bledsoe, who was severely beaten in May by a 20-year-old patient receiving COVID-19 treatment. Bledsoe suffered four broken fingers, broken ribs, and a broken jaw after the attack. Without the benefit of video, no one would have known the truth of how Mr. Bledsoe was injured, Runestad said in a statement. The governor had a chance to sign this bill and help stop the type of abuse weve seen in nursing homes for years. Instead she chose to turn a blind eye, and now seniors pay the price. Despite Runestad claiming bipartisan support for the bill, it passed on partisan lines 22-15 in the Senate and 64-41 in the House during last months lame-duck session. Whitmer did not release a statement explaining her pocket veto. Despite concerns over privacy when Runestad introduced the bill, the Health Care Association of Michigan supported the final product for addressing those issues. As passed by the legislature, Senate Bill 77 was able to strike the balance of connecting residents with loved ones, while protecting their privacy and dignity rights, said Melissa Samuel, president and CEO of the association. While we are disappointed the bill was not signed into law, we will continue to work with Senator Runestad, his colleagues, and the administration to ensure privacy rights of those in nursing facilities will continue to be protected while connecting families and loved ones. For much of last year, Michigan Republicans have taken aim at nursing home policies enacted by the Governor and the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly orders that allowed for patients with COVID-19 to transfer into long-term care facilities. In the last year weve seen the appalling policy from Gov. Whitmer of placing COVID-19-infected patients in nursing homes with uninfected patients, Runestad said. Our seniors have been suffering in isolation, and many have continued to be physically abused, and now with this pocket veto, the governor has chosen to continue playing politics with our vulnerable citizens. Read more: Nursing home debate gets heated with Michigan health director testifying at COVID-19 oversight hearing While some health experts found that Michigans nursing home strategy was appropriate, the states Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force recommended that transfers should be done away with compared facilities that specifically treat the disease. Whitmer signed a bill in November banning most COVID-19 patient transfers into nursing homes. As of Jan. 6, Michiganders who live in nursing homes have been the group hardest hit by the virus at nearly 5,000 total deaths in long-term care facilities. That includes 3,683 skilled-nursing residents, 826 who lived in other senior citizen facilities and 390 residents of group homes for adults with disabilities. In all, residents and staff of long-term care facilities comprise 39% of all Michigan deaths from coronavirus. Whatever her reasoning, I will not be detoured from working to protect our most vulnerable, Runestad said. Nursing home residents should be allowed to install their own video cameras. They deserve to be able to communicate with their loved ones and be protected from abuse. Read more from MLive: COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Michigans long-term care facilities; first round targets 91,000 Whitmer pocket vetoes first-time DUI expungement bill with little explanation More than half of Michigans GOP senators air unfounded election concerns in letter to Congress The 2020 presidential election will likely reach a decisive conclusion this week as the new Congress begins counting the Electoral College votes on Wednesday, a process that experts say could potentially last days. President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory isnt in doubt. President Trump nevertheless has spread a steady stream of misinformation about the election itself and Wednesdays proceedings. Heres how the count will play out in Congress. The Democratic-controlled House and Republican-controlled Senate will convene at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday to receive and count the electoral votes from the states and address and resolve any objections to the votes. Biden is expected to be certified as the winner, after receiving 7 million more votes than Trump and clear victories in enough battleground states to win the Electoral College. With few exceptions, the counting process has historically been a polite affair, election experts said Tuesday in a press briefing with reporters. But with roughly a dozen Republican lawmakers vowing to make the unusual move of objecting to states whole slates of electors, the count may be fraught with disagreements, fueling the false notion, spread fervently by Trump and his allies, that the election was rigged. One thing experts are sure of is that there will be a newly certified president before Jan. 20, the final day of the current presidency. And it wont be Trump. Vice President Joe Biden presides over the counting of the electoral votes from the 2016 presidential election on Jan. 6, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) I dont see any real potential for [objectors] to change the outcome, Paul M. Smith, an election expert at Georgetown University Law Center and the vice president for litigation and strategy at the Campaign Legal Center, told Yahoo News. Its very clear that theres a majority in both houses to support the counting of the Biden electors from the six disputed states [Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada]. Normally, the vice president acts as the presiding officer, a largely symbolic role, over the event to maintain order. The count starts after pages bring in ceremonial boxes full of votes from the states. Then, alphabetically, the states votes are counted. Assuming Vice President Mike Pence presides over the count, each states vote count and the attached certifications from the state governors and election officials will be presented to Pence, who will then hand the votes (in an envelope) to one of the four tellers selected to receive them, according to Trevor Potter, president of the Campaign Legal Center. The tellers are two Republicans and two Democrats from each legislative chamber the ranking and minority members on the Senate Rules Committee and the House Administration Committee. This year the tellers should be Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Reps. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. Their job, Potter said, is to open the envelopes and read the vote totals, stating that they appear to be properly given. At that stage, any member can rise from their seat and object to the vote. The objector is then asked to detail the objection, and is also asked if its in writing and if its signed by a member of the House and a member of the Senate. Vice President Mike Pence at a rally in Kinston, N.C., on Oct. 25. (Jonathan Drake/File/Reuters) If the objection doesnt meet that standard, then its ruled out of order. For example, during the count in 2017, multiple Democratic House representatives objected to the vote, citing Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, which Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton lost to Trump, CNN reported. But none of the lawmakers had the required Senate member signature. If an objection does clear that hurdle, it is received by the presiding officer. Then the two chambers divide and separately debate the objection, for no longer than two hours, during which the objector presents arguments that support the dissent. This procedure is what theoretically could prolong the process, if both chambers end up having to discuss multiple objections. Last week Trump loyalist Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., announced that he will object during the process on the grounds that he believes some states failed to follow their own election laws and call for an investigation into potential fraud and election irregularities. At least a dozen other like-minded senators are expected to join him. A spokesperson for Bidens transition team told Yahoo News that the planned objections wont change the fact that President-elect Biden will be sworn in on [Jan. 20], and these baseless claims have already been examined and dismissed by Trumps own attorney general, dozens of courts and election officials from both parties. Rebecca Green, co-director of William & Mary Law Schools Election Law Program, said that any attempt to somehow hand Trump a reelection by trying to run out the clock wont succeed. I think we should expect things [to] take longer, Green told reporters on Tuesday, noting that COVID restrictions may also affect how lawmakers can gather. But the debate is limited by law to two hours. If the vote-counting session lasts for five days, that is, if it lasts past Monday, Congress is required to finish the counting without recessing until it is complete. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at a campaign rally in Traverse City, Mich., on Nov. 2. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) After the debate, there is a vote in each chamber. Then the Senate comes back to the House, and officers of the two chambers announce the results of the debate and the vote. If both chambers have refused to accept the objections, then the votes are counted. But if one chamber has objected and not the other, then under the Electoral Count Act a federal law that sets the procedures for counting the electoral votes the vote that was certified by that states governor is valid. This process continues with each state until the end, when the presiding officer announces how many electoral votes were cast, received and accepted, and which candidate got how many votes, and then announces who has won the presidency and the vice presidency. In accordance with the election results, the final count will hand Biden 306 electoral votes and Trump 232. But the potential for a controversy looms large over Wednesdays vote, including the possibility that pro-Trump electors send in their own slate of votes, which would not be revealed until Wednesday. However, Potter said if that were to happen, its unlikely that those votes would even be accepted and read out by the teller, because they were not sent by a state. Pence has said he would hear the objections, but stopped short of saying he would take any further steps, despite public pressure from the Oval Office. The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Cheriss May/Getty Images) On Tuesday, Trump floated the false notion that Pence can accept and reject votes on Wednesday, tweeting that the vice president has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors. Theres really no conceivable legal basis for that, Smith told Yahoo News. The only thing that hes supposed to do is announce the count; the idea that this entire election would all come down to who Pence wants to win is pretty absurd. If either candidate fails to reach 270 votes (which would occur if enough electors were invalidated), Green said, then the contingent election takes place, which is a state-by-state vote in the House. The 12th Amendment gives each state congressional delegation one vote to determine the presidency. The vice president would be chosen by the Senate. And if for some reason theres still no decision by noon on Jan. 20 an even more far-fetched scenario then the 20th Amendment requires an acting president, which would be the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, according to Green. Even with the added drama, Potter said he believes there are more than enough Republican senators and House members who have indicated they expect to recognize the duly certified votes from the states. So unless people change their minds, he said, the result is already visible. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By Kim Bo-eun GS Caltex is set to present drone delivery services and its next-generation gas station at CES 2021 to be held next week. It is the first time for the oil refiner to take part in the global tech expo. This year, CES will be held completely online amid the COVID-19 pandemic. GS Caltex will be among the exhibitors introducing its new technology and models for future businesses via video. GS Caltex has submitted three videos introducing drone delivery services and a future gas station. GS produced the videos with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. In June, the company held an event at which drones delivered convenience store goods from its Musucheon gas station on Jeju Island. In October, GS Caltex showed drones and robots delivering convenience store goods from its Soho gas station in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. The gas stations are intended to serve as logistics bases. GS is seeking to enable drones to deliver to more remote areas, including islands. Drone delivery is considered a promising sector of business here given Korea's vast archipelago of islands. GS Caltex will also feature a future gas station model based on a new facility that opened in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, last November. GS is pushing for its gas stations to offer recharging for EVs and hydrogen-powered cars, as well as serve as a base for car sharing and drone delivery. The gas stations will also house, charge and maintain the drones. The company will seek to network with global companies for partnerships through online meetings. GS Caltex will continue to work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as well as the local governments of Jeju and Yeosu on future projects. "The videos submitted to CES 2021 show the future of gas stations that GS Caltex has envisioned," an official of the company said. "We will continue to seek diverse business opportunities without confining this to the future gas station business." Its too early to tell how many San Antonians will jump into races for City Council and mayor. The first day for candidates to file to run is next Wednesday, and theyll have until Feb. 12 to make their campaigns official. District 5 on the West Side may see some competition as term limits prevent Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales from seeking re-election. Itll open opportunities for candidates, some who have never run for office. Marie Crabb intends to be one of them. Shes 34, native to San Antonio and a St. Marys University graduate who sells real estate. Though its hard to ascertain definitively, she may be the first Native American to run for City Council. Shes part of a movement of Native Americans seeking to fill local, state and national leadership roles. Theyre raising awareness of the first peoples of the Americas, north to south, and the issues critical to them. U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo of New Mexico, has to be the most notable. Shes President-elect Joe Bidens pick as U.S. secretary of the interior, making her the first Native American to serve on the Cabinet level. Her nomination marked a major threshold for American Indians who belong to federally recognized tribes, as well as the many others who define themselves as Native, Native American or urban Indian, and belong to both official tribes and tribal groups that dont have federal recognition. Crabb, whos of Mescalero Apache and Irish descent but isnt a member of the New Mexican tribe, had an unstable life as a youth. She grew up in the Hill Country and moved back to San Antonio to attend Holmes High School. She describes herself as a first-generation college student, homeowner and business owner. But her life started a lot differently. It was traumatized by poverty and a mother and stepfather with alcohol and substance abuse problems. Both died in their 50s. She knows little of her biological father, but her mother spoke of her Apache heritage with pride. Its where my pride comes from, she said. For much of her life, Crabb was in survival mode. I look back at things I went through and see it in 2D, as if it exists only on paper, not real life. While her family life was overwhelming, I wasnt overwhelmed, she added. I just kept pushing forward. I just wanted to do better. It was difficult, God, thats for sure. A few lifetimes were squished into one, she said. Moving back to San Antonio to live with her sister changed her life. She got involved in sports, a hip-hop step team that performed at pep rallies and a volunteer service club that performed duties around town. Crabb did well academically, placing ninth in her class and attended the University of Texas at Austin. After a year there, she found it too massive and enrolled at St. Marys as a criminal justice major. She was interested in the subject long before that, when her mother tuned to police scanners at night to listen for her sons name. He was imprisoned after three drug-related convictions. He died of a brain aneurysm within days of arriving at a hospital. Crabb drove him there and fought hard to get him admitted because he had no health insurance. Shes passionate about helping the uninsured, the poor and the imprisoned. Her political activism began in college. She was president of the Native American Students Association, which raised awareness about the native population on campus and put on an annual pow wow. She did two internships at the U.S. State Department in its Office of Civil Rights. At some point, she learned that institutions such as the Witte Museum held Native American human remains in their collections. The common practice, now viewed as abhorrent and unethical, has been a major issue for Native American groups. With the help of the Central Texas chapter of the American Indian Movement, Crabb helped launch a weekly protest in front of the Witte the summer of 2008. The museum acknowledged Monday that its still holding archaic remains between 2,000 to 4,000 years old and is working to repatriate them. Native Americans either have been studied in such ways or been invisible. Thats slowly changing, said Dave Ortiz, who heads AIMs Central Texas chapter and remains one of Crabbs mentors. Another mentor, Ray Leal, an associate professor of criminal justice at St. Marys, agreed. Now theyre more aware that they need to be heard, Leal said. Theyre now taking a more active role in leading the country. Crabbs masters degree in international relations focused on conflict resolution. She trained as a mediator and traveled to Ireland to study the Protestant-Catholic conflict. Her own political career should she be successful will start closer to home, where the issues put before council still look mighty big. eayala@express-news.net City Hall and CPS should not back down. They need to stick to their reopening plans and not pay CTU members who refuse to return to work. City Hall should direct CPS to use some of the federal COVID relief money to extend the school year to help students make up for lost instructional time and provide additional support for students with special needs. CPS should reopen high schools and provide juniors and seniors paid work-study opportunities in lieu of high school electives that are not even being offered remotely. This will introduce students to the work world while keeping them off the street and out of the clutches of street gangs. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, visits the GTB Hospital in Delhi to review the preparations for the dry run of the COVID-19 vaccine administration. Image credit: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India India's approval for emergency use of a locally developed COVID-19 vaccine that is still undergoing clinical trials has raised a storm of criticism by medical experts and organizations involved in public health. On Sunday (3 January), the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the main regulatory body, announced approval for Covaxin. The vaccine was developed indigenously by Bharat Biotech in partnership with the state's Indian Council of Medical Research although it is still undergoing phase 3 human trials and yet to publish data on immunogenicity and efficacy. DCGI specifically limited Covaxin deployment to 'clinical trial mode," a category many experts had problems with. "Never heard of such a category," Manu Raj, research methodologist and public health researcher attached to the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Kochi, Kerala, tells SciDev.Net. Formal requests for clarifications sent by SciDev.Net to India's Department of Biotechnology, the government agency supporting the indigenous production of COVID-19 vaccines, were declined. Also approved for emergency use was the Oxford University-AstraZeneca's Covishield that uses a weakened adenovirus as a vector to carry the COVID-19 spike protein. The Indian version of Covishield is being manufactured in India by the privately-owned Serum Institute of India. Following the DCGI announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet: "It would make every Indian proud that the two vaccines that have been given emergency use approval are made in India! This shows the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfill the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), at the root of which is care and compassion." In a separate tweet, Modi wrote: "A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight! DCGI granting approval to vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation. Congratulations India. Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators." Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for WHO South-East Asia, said in a tweet that the organization welcomed India's decision to give "emergency use authorization" for COVID-19 vaccines. "The use of vaccine in prioritized populations, along with the continued implementation of other public health measures and community participation, will be important in reducing impact of COVID-19," she tweeted. But medical scientists and voluntary agencies involved in public health and the rational use of drugs are alarmed at the bypassing of clinical trial protocols and the release of the indigenously developed Covaxin without publishing or publicizing trial results. T. Sundararaman, global coordinator for the People's Health Movement, an international network of grassroots health organizations, says: "The hasty approval for Covaxin was very unnecessarythey could easily have waited another two months for the completion of phase 3 trials when data and information may have been available. What was the tearing hurry when case incidence in the country was very low?" A country of 1.3 billion people, India has so far reported 10.3 million COVID-19 cases, second highest in the world, with 150,000 of them fatal. But infection rates have been on the decline after peaking in mid-September. "It might have been better to take scientists and the public into confidence before releasing it in this manner," Sundararaman, a former executive director of the National Health Systems Resource Centre of India's central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, tells SciDev.Net. He says releasing the vaccine minus data would undermine its credibility and relegate it to a "poor man's alternative," even if its efficacy is as good as that of other vaccines. Raj says: "It may be a good vaccine but this way of approval casts a shadow on its image." He adds, however, that with the availability of two different vaccines India may be better able to achieve its target of immunizing a third of its population over the next six months. The All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), an influential drug activists' group issued a statement asking the DCGI to release all data and analyses on which the decision to launch COVID-19 vaccines was based. "In the interest of transparency and public welfare, we ask that the regulator [DGCI] share the detailed rationale for the decision along with disclosure of the data, evidence and information that was reviewed by the SEC [subject experts committee] and the data and analysis on the basis of which the REU [restricted emergency use] approval is granted," the AIDAN statement said. Mira Shiva, a physician and leader of AIDAN, tells SciDev.Net that the group was "shocked over the decision to grant approval to Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, while still in clinical trial mode, especially in the context of reports of infection by mutant strains." "In contrast, the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine that is being manufactured here by the Serum Institute, was approved in the UK and other countries on the basis of data from rigorous clinical trials," she says. According to Shiva, what is at stake is India's reputation as a major source of reliable and cheap vaccines for the developing world and one controlled by regulatory institutions known for strict conformance to protocols and for carrying out science-based assessments before granting approvals. Krishna Ella, Bharat Biotech's managing director, defended his product at virtual press conference on Monday. "Many people are just gossiping. It is just a backlash against Indian companies. That is not right for us. We don't deserve that. Covaxin has shown less that 10 percent adverse reactions." Covaxin is produced using a whole inactivated virus, the oldest vaccine technique, by which the live virus is killed to so that it can no longer replicate but is still capable of stimulating an immune response in the recipient. Partial phase 1 and 2 trial results for the vaccine are available on company's website. Meanwhile, Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India said in a tweet: "All the risks @SerumInstIndia took with stockpiling the vaccine, have finally paid off. Covishield, India's first COVID-19 vaccine is approved, safe, effective and ready to roll-out in the coming weeks." Poonawalla had earlier announced that his firm, among the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, had stockpiled close to 50 million doses of Covishield, ahead of clinical trials, and was prepared to make 300 million doses by July 2021. India has in the pipeline another indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidate, approved by DGCI for phase 3 clinical trialsa plasmid DNA vaccine called ZyCoV-D developed by Zydus Cadila. DNA vaccines rely on a genetically engineered plasmid (DNA molecule separate from chromosomal DNA and capable of copying itself) that contains the DNA sequence encoding the antigen(s) against which immune response is sought. "Zydus Cadila completed Phase-I/II clinical trials of this DNA vaccine candidate, in India, in more than 1,000 participants and interim data indicated that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic when three doses were administered intradermally," a Department of Biotechnology media release said on Sunday. Explore further India OKs AstraZeneca and locally made COVID-19 vaccines Provided by SciDev.Net Disaster Preparation: The Safety Professional's Role in Planning for a Pandemic with a 20/20 Perspective At the introduction of the coronavirus, Occupational Health and Safety hosted a webinar with Deborah Roy on the topic of planning for a pandemic. At that time, we did not know much about the virus, and CDC guidance was limited. Now, a year later, Deborah returns to present "what we know now." This session will start with an overview of the virus, specifically how it is now believed to be transmitted, asymptomatic versus symptomatic cases, and new strains. It will address the latest CDC guidance, including a 10-day quarantine and the need for continued use of masks/distancing. The presentation will address regulatory approaches by Federal OSHA and some state plans. Attendees will get a deeper dive into vaccination: what protection is provided by vaccines based on the studies so far, what FDA emergency use authorization means, the latest EEOC guidance on employer vaccination options, and how employers might approach workplace vaccination. Finally, looking into 2021 with a 20/20 perspective, how should safety professionals change their pandemic plans for this year and how should pandemic/infectious disease planning in workplaces change for years and years to come? Register below for this free webinar! DATE: February 25, 2021 TIME: 2:00PM ET - 1:00PM CT - 11:00AM PT Speaker: Deborah R. Roy, M.P.H., RN, COHN-S, CSP, CIT, FASSP, FAAOHN, became the 106th president of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) on July 1, 2020, serving a one-year term. She has been an ASSP member since 1993 and resides in Falmouth, Maine. Roy rejoined the ASSP Board of Directors in 2018 after serving as a director-at-large from 2015-17. She is president of SafeTech Consultants Inc., providing safety consulting for global clients. Roy has more than 35 years of occupational safety and health experience and is past corporate director of health, safety and wellness at L.L.Bean. Roy has been involved in pandemic planning and response at worksites and at the state and federal levels for more than a decade. She wrote OPreparing for a Pandemic: Lessons from H1N1O published in ASSPOs Professional Safety journal in 2011. Roy has been involved in COVID-19 webinars and podcasts to help workplace safety and health professionals navigate through the crisis and direct their own organizations. Sponsors: Honeywell Safety thats always on call. Emergency responders and recovery workers have to act fast, and they need to ensure their own safety before they can help others. Honeywell emergency services and personal protection solutions offer comfort and ease of use, so workers can focus on saving others. With the most comprehensive range of workplace safety products, Honeywell is your partner in disaster preparedness. https://hwll.co/ac4q Intelex Technologies, ULC is a global leader in environmental, health, safety, and quality (EHSQ) management software. Its scalable, web-based platform and applications have helped clients across all industries improve business performance, mitigate organization-wide risk, and ensure sustained compliance with internationally accepted standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001) and regulatory requirements. Over 1,100 customers in 172 countries trust Intelex to power their EHSQ initiatives. For more information about Intelex, please visit www.intelex.com Avetta Avetta connects global organizations with more than 100,000 qualified suppliers, contractors, and vendors across 100+ countries. We support the continued growth of supply chains through trusted contractor prequalification, safety audits, monitoring, and more. With real results in reducing TRIR, our highly configurable solutions elevate safety and sustainability in every workplace. https://www.avetta.com Duration: 1 Hour Telehealth Claim Lines Rise by 10.6 Percent Nationally from September to October 2020 Tweet this Higher telehealth utilization from March to October 2020 in comparison with the same months in 2019 was likely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March and April 2020, many states prohibited in-person rendering of elective procedures, making telehealth a viable alternative. Many of these prohibitions expired in May as states began to open up. Despite some decline from month to month over the summer, telehealth usage remained high in comparison to 2019, as the pandemic continued. The rise of telehealth usage in October may have been related to the increase in COVID-19 cases that month, as the pandemic rose to new highs at the time. Another notable finding of the October Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker concerns the top five telehealth diagnoses by volume. In both January-October 2019 and September 2020, exposure to communicable diseases was not among the top five telehealth diagnoses nationally or in any region, but in October 2020 it was among the top five telehealth diagnoses nationally and in every region. This too is likely related to the surge in COVID-19 cases in October, as patients contacted providers via telehealth out of concern they had been exposed to COVID-19. As exposure to communicable diseases joined the top five telehealth diagnoses, different diagnoses fell out of the lists in different regions, such as substance use disorders in the Northeast and hypertension in the South. About the Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker Launched in May as a free service, the Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker uses FAIR Health data to track how telehealth is evolving from month to month. An interactive map of the four US census regions allows the user to view an infographic on telehealth in a specific month in the nation as a whole or in individual regions. In addition to data on the volume of claim lines, diagnoses and procedure codes, each infographic includes findings on urban versus rural usage. FAIR Health President Robin Gelburd stated: "As the COVID-19 pandemic enters different phases, FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker is able to provide insights into how it affects telehealth. We will continue to monitor the evolution of this venue of care." For the Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, click here. Follow us on Twitter @FAIRHealth About FAIR Health FAIR Health is a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. It is dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health possesses the nation's largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 32 billion claim records and is growing at a rate of over 2 billion claim records a year. FAIR Health licenses its privately billed data and data productsincluding benchmark modules, data visualizations, custom analytics and market indicesto commercial insurers and self-insurers, employers, providers, hospitals and healthcare systems, government agencies, researchers and others. Certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national Qualified Entity, FAIR Health also receives data representing the experience of all individuals enrolled in traditional Medicare Parts A, B and D; FAIR Health includes among the private claims data in its database, data on Medicare Advantage enrollees. FAIR Health can produce insightful analytic reports and data products based on combined Medicare and commercial claims data for government, providers, payors and other authorized users. FAIR Health's systems for processing and storing protected health information have earned HITRUST CSF certification and achieved AICPA SOC 2 compliance by meeting the rigorous data security requirements of these standards. As a testament to the reliability and objectivity of FAIR Health data, the data have been incorporated in statutes and regulations around the country and designated as the official, neutral data source for a variety of state health programs, including workers' compensation and personal injury protection (PIP) programs. FAIR Health data serve as an official reference point in support of certain state balance billing laws that protect consumers against bills for surprise out-of-network and emergency services. FAIR Health also uses its database to power a free consumer website available in English and Spanish and an English/Spanish mobile app, which enable consumers to estimate and plan for their healthcare expenditures and offer a rich educational platform on health insurance. The website has been honored by the White House Summit on Smart Disclosure, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), URAC, the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, appPicker, Employee Benefit News and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. FAIR Health also is named a top resource for patients in Dr. Marty Makary's book The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Careand How to Fix It and Elisabeth Rosenthal's book An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. For more information on FAIR Health, visit fairhealth.org. Contact: Dean Sicoli Chief Communications Officer FAIR Health 646-664-1645 [email protected] 1 A claim line is an individual service or procedure listed on an insurance claim. SOURCE FAIR Health Related Links https://www.fairhealth.org/ Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff has won his Senate run-off election, one of the two Democrats needed to ensure control of the US Senate, serving US President Donald Trump a stunning defeat in his last days in office while dramatically improving the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens progressive agenda. The 33-year-old Ossoff defeated 71-year-old Republican David Perdue, who held the seat for the past six years and had the strong support of President Donald Trump. The success of Ossoff and his fellow Democrat challenger Raphael Warnock is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgia's politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. This week's elections mark the formal end of the turbulent 2020 election season. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nation's premier battlegrounds during the final days of Trump's presidency and likely beyond. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, protesting against the three agricultural laws are camped at various Delhi borders for over a month now. The mercury plunged in the national capital over the last few days with rains lashing too. The rains have resulted in water-logging at protest sites over the last couple of days. However, the farmers stand their ground. While help has been pouring in for the farmers from different organisations and individuals, warmth reached them all the way from Kashmir in form of kangirs distributed by an Delhi-based NGO from J&K, the Outlook reported. Kangris are traditionally used by Kashmiris to combat the cold in the harsh winter. These are basically earthen pots enveloped in wicker and use live coal and ash to keep warm. Some 50 kangris were sent by the NGo to provide respite to senior citizens protesting the farm laws despite the cold in northern India. A Kashmiri trader was quoted as saying by the Outlook that he was approached by someone who wanted kangris in Delhi. He arranged the firepots at 'reasonable prices' and sent them to the concerned NGO. The kangris have been sent on 'experimental basis' to help the elderly farmers protesting in the cold as someone had suggested them that kangris could get respite to those suffering in the cold there. Meanwhile, the seventh round of talks between protesting farmers and Centre also ended inconclusively on Monday as farmer groups stuck to their demand for the repeal of three farm laws, while the government listed out various benefits of the new Acts for the growth of the country's agriculture sector. The next round of talks has been scheduled for January 8. Enacted in September 2020, the government has presented these laws as major farm reforms and aimed at increasing farmers' income. During the meeting, the government listed various benefits from the three laws, enacted a few months ago, but farmers kept insisting that the legislation must be withdrawn to address their apprehensions that the new Acts would weaken the MSP and mandi systems and leave them at the mercy of big corporates. The government has maintained that these apprehensions are misplaced and has ruled out repealing the laws. Advertisement Police today got tough on Covid lawbreakers, with 28 protesters arrested for flouting restrictions, four men fined 800 for travelling in the same car on their way to McDonald's and officers even stopping motorists to ask 'why are you here?' The Met detained 21 demonstrators at an anti-lockdown rally in Parliament Square this afternoon, while a further seven were hauled away from a march outside Julian Assange's bail hearing and now face fines of up to 6,400. In Northampton, a group of friends were pulled over at 5am and slapped with a 800 penalty notice for being in the same car despite being from different households - breaching rules that came into force at midnight. Meanwhile Thames Valley Police apologised after an officer who was 'a bit keen' handed out leaflets asking drivers to explain why they were out and about as part of a crackdown on travel in Maidenhead. The Met rolled out some of the toughest anti-Covid measures today, announcing anyone caught not wearing a face mask in a shop or on public transport would be fined 200. But the penalties will not be given on the spot and people will be allowed a short time frame with which to produce a doctor's letter. The clampdown on people leaving home without 'good reason' came as Boris Johnson quietly extended his third national lockdown until March 31 as his new Covid law was published and he ducked Tory demands to guarantee 'malicious' rules are eased after his first review on February 15. The Prime Minister had told the Commons ahead of the vote on the measure tonight he has 'no choice' but to clamp down on those flouting the rules to curb the spread of the mutant Covid strain sweeping the country. He said: 'We have no choice but to return to a national lockdown in England with similar measures being adopted by the devolved administrations, so we can control this new variant until we can take the most likely victims out of its path with vaccines.' Tory MPs are alarmed the regulations have extended the expiry date of the tiers system from February 22 to March 31 - despite the PM claiming the system can start to be eased from mid-February if the vaccine rollout goes well. But Mr Johnson saw off these rebels as the measures were passed into law in the Commons by 524 votes to 16, a majority of 508. As police pledged to get tough to stop the spread of Covid, it also emerged today: Boris Johnson desperately tries to win over furious Tory MPs as he defends national lockdown and insists he had 'no choice' but to shut down England; Matt Hancock was accused of snubbing an offer by pharmacists to help the biggest vaccination drive in history and it emerged doses of the vaccine will not be delivered to GPs on a Sunday; World Health Organization refuses to back UK's move to space Pfizer Covid vaccine doses by 12 weeks because there is no proof it will work; More chaos in education as BTEC students are 'left in limbo' over exams starting today as A-Levels and GCSEs tests are finally axed. Four people who were caught travelling in the same car on their way to get a McDonald's breakfast were fined 800 for breaching coronavirus laws Protesters yelled as they were surrounded and arrested after officers asked them to leave area around Parliament Square. One was pinned down and cuffed on the plinth under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi Police officers arrest a 92-year-old man outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, today after the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was refused bail. The Met is yet to confirm the reason for the arrests as it pledged to get tough on covidiots, including those gathering in large groups This woman screamed as she was taken away after repeated warnings from officers to clear the area outside Westminster Magistrates' Court Five officers, several armed with batons, broke up the protest outside the Houses of Parliament, pinning this man to the ground Police were forced to chase the protesters around Parliament Square after many refused to desperse this afternoon Police officers detain a demonstrator at Parliament Square during an anti-lockdown protest that breached Covid lockdown rules This woman was searched and then taken away as the Met said it would come down hard on anyone outside without a 'good excuse' This man was led away as his fellow protesters shouted 'fascists' at officers sent in to break up the protest in Parliament Square as new lockdown rules became law Thames Valley Police has apologised for the behaviour of an officer who they said was 'a bit keen' in handing out leaflets in Maidenhead asking drivers 'why are you here today?' Boris Johnson speaking in the Commons today new lockdown legally came into force this morning, ensuring people can't leave home without a 'reasonable excuse' or face fines of 200 upwards The regulations underpinning the drastic curbs have come into effect in England after the PM said he was left with 'no choice' due to the mutant strain running rampant Motorists caught making repeated unnecessary journeys during the latest lockdown will have their number plates recorded by police ANPR cameras and then face being fined by officers who later turn up at their homes. Officers will also visit the homes of Londoners who have recently returned from South Africa, where experts have identified a particularly virulent Covid strain which may be resistant to all current vaccines. Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said policing was being 'ramped up considerably' as the government was now 'frightened' of the numbers of deaths and infection rates in London. He said ten per cent of the Met force more than 3,000 officers were now off work due to the virus and that number was rising fast. Explaining the new measures Ken Marsh told MailOnline: 'If you have a medical reason for not wearing a mask, you now have to print off a clarification that proves you have an exemption. 'This is a problem we've had all along, that before anyone could say they had a medical reason for not wearing a mask and we'd have to just accept it and walk off. That isn't the case now. 'Officers will pursue the questioning in the same manner but the person will then be given a certain amount of time how long exactly hasn't yet been finalised with which to produce notice of exemption from a doctor. 'While people are not required to carry this exemption with them at all times, it's easier and speeds up the process if they do. 'What I've actually called for is a badge that someone actually has to apply for first and then can wear to show that they have a proper medical exemption. 'We're not trying to be Big Brother about it but you can get on the tube and there'd be roughly a dozen people without face coverings who I would question have an exemption.' Mr Marsh continued: 'We are ramping up the work around vehicle movement. ANPR monitoring will be done across the board in relation to persistent vehicle users and if found they are flouting the law they will be fined. Officers will visit their homes to ask the nature of their journeys and if needs be those motorists will be fined. 'We are also visiting the homes of anyone arriving from South Africa, back from holiday. What is a 'reasonable excuse' for leaving home? You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a 'reasonable excuse'. This will be put in law. The police can take action against you if you leave home without a 'reasonable excuse', and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice). You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of 200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of 6,400. A 'reasonable excuse' includes: Work - you can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home Volunteering - you can also leave home to provide voluntary or charitable services Essential activities - you can leave home to buy things at shops or obtain services. You may also leave your home to do these things on behalf of a disabled or vulnerable person or someone self-isolating Education and childcare - you can only leave home for education, registered childcare, and supervised activities for children where they are eligible to attend. Meeting others and care - you can leave home to visit people in your support bubble ( if you are legally permitted to form one), to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work), to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people Exercise - you can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble, limited to once per day, and not outside your local area Medical reasons - you can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and emergencies Harm and compassionate visits - you can leave home to be with someone who is giving birth, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse). You can also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment Animal welfare reasons you can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment Communal worship and life events - You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, a funeral or event related to a death, a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. There are further reasonable excuses. For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum. Advertisement 'Police patrols are being stepped up all over London and from tomorrow a taskforce, made up of all the relevant authorities, including the local councils and police, will be going out in force over the next two weeks to ensure that non-essential businesses remain closed.' Mr Marsh said any future anti-vaccine demonstrations - like those led by Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - will be dealt with far more robustly. That was evident today when four people caught travelling in the same car on their way to get a McDonald's breakfast were fined 800 for breaching coronavirus laws. Police pulled over the vehicle at around 5am in Bedford Road, Northampton. The two men and two women claimed they were on their way to get a McDonald's breakfast - even though the fast food restaurant did not open for another two hours. Enquiries confirmed the four were not from the same household, so the journey breached lockdown rules which officially came into force at midnight. As a result, their early-morning takeaway turned out way more expensive than planned when officers slapped them each with 200 fines. Meanwhile anti-lockdown protesters were seen being chased through Westminster this afternoon before being pinned to the floor, handcuffed and warned they would be fined if they did not return home. Mr Marsh said: 'We are going to get a lot tougher on these sort of anti-vaccine protests from now on because not only is it disinformation it's unlawful. 'There will be a lot more policing around these groups now and far more robust action to be taken and arrests to be made.' Despite rising numbers of police officers having to take time off with Covid-related issues, 200 Met cops are being drafted in to drive London Ambulances because of a shortage in the ambulance service. Mr Marsh added: 'Our numbers have now gone above 3,000 off sick I mentioned that it was 1,300 only ten days ago so it shows how fast numbers are rising. 'In fact it's scary that numbers are going up at that speed. There are 32,112 officers in the Met so more than ten per cent are either ill with Covid or having to self-isolate because of it. 'Yet we are also now going to be providing 200 drivers to the London Ambulance Service. 'We've got to perform these roles on top of daily policing and although we would never turn a blind eye to crime but we will have limited resources. This is all above and beyond the call of duty and it's putting a huge strain on my colleagues.' Council Covid wardens were also out in force across the country today as the authorities vowed to fine mask-flouters or anyone out of the house without 'good reason' at least 200 on the spot. West Midlands Police has asked for permission to force entry into homes to break up parties. Scotland Yard's constables were filmed chasing protesters through Parliament Square today before putting them in handcuffs as officers were heard telling people gathering illegally: 'I'm going to issue you a fine if you don't return home'. 21 people were arrested and are being taken into custody. They have not yet been fined. People were pinned to the ground and cuffed - including on the plinths of the famous statues there including Mahatma Gandhi's - before being put into vans after refusing to leave Westminster. Around two miles away Met officers arrested seven supporters of Julian Assange as he was denied bail at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning, including 92-year-old Eric Levy and several other pensioners. Protesters shouted 'fascists' at police taking them away. A Met spokesman said: 'Seven people were detained for breaching Coronavirus regulations. They were later reported for consideration of a fixed penalty notice and ordered to leave the area.' The hard-line from the Met came as England's new lockdown laws were published and it was revealed they will be enforced until Easter on March 31 - not mid-February as Boris Johnson promised if the vaccine roll-out is successful. Scotland Yard says anyone attending unlicensed music events or large illegal parties will now also be fined not just the organisers of such events - and anyone 'wearing masks where they should be and without good reason can expect to be fined - not reasoned with'. Meanwhile West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson urged the government to give officers power of entry to homes, to help 'enforce the new regulations more easily' if there is an illegal party. Fixed penalty notices of 200 will be issued for any first offence, with this doubling for further offences up to a maximum of 6,400. Those holding, or involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people risk a police-issued fine of 10,000. A bearded man in a cap, tracksuit and Batman scarf is put in handcuffs during an anti lockdown protest at Parliament Square Supporters of Julian Assange were also taken away after police said they ignored repeated warnings not to gather The Met had also said that it would act if there was a protest in Parliament Square and duly sent in officers to break it up Elsewhere, senior police have apologised for the behaviour of an officer who they said was 'a bit keen' in handing out leaflets asking drivers 'why are you here?' as part of a crackdown on travel during lockdown. Residents in upmarket Maidenhead, Berks., were outraged to find their trips for shopping and exercise challenged by uniformed police, who distributed the leaflets. The leaflet read: 'Government restrictions require us to avoid ALL UNNECESSARY TRAVEL. 'You should exercise no more than once daily. This should be by walking, running or cycling etc. from your home address. You should not be driving to a location away from your home to carry this out. 'Please refrain from unnecessary travel until the restrictions have been lifted.' However, bosses at Thames Valley Police have said the leaflets should not have been handed out by officers, who stopped all traffic on a bridge in the area. Rosalind Bieber, who shared a picture of one of the leaflets online, said: 'I got caught up in a big queue this morning at 9.30am, from the roundabout by the police station to the Berkeley's site. 'There were two police officers stopping every single car and asking where we were going. I was handed this leaflet as shown below and told I cannot shop at the Tesco in Taplow as I live in Maidenhead. They will be issuing fines from tomorrow, so be aware folks.' Ms Bieber added: 'If Tesco is where I do my regular food shop why should I then be told to shop at another supermarket. 'I'm travelling two miles from an SL6 postcode to another SL6 postcode. I dislike Sainsbury's so I won't be going there. Not my fault that Tesco is two miles away, the one in Maidenhead closed down three months ago! Instead the police should be cracking down on those travelling on non essential journeys!' More than 100 mourners attending the funeral of a friend who died from Covid-19 were sent home from a cemetery by police for breaking the coronavirus rules on gatherings. The mourners arrived at the crematorium and cemetery in Slough, Berks., to pay their last respects to someone being buried during a funeral after dying from the pandemic virus. Officers had to send the grieving people away, pointing out that no more than 30 people were allowed to gather for funerals under the regulations. The Slough crematorium was the setting for the funeral for Princess Margaret many years ago. A spokesman for Slough Borough Council said: 'We are warning residents that police will be called to the cemetery and crematorium if lockdown regulations are breached, following an incident earlier today. 'Police were called to the Stoke Road site, owned and operated by the council, after more than 100 people turned up for a burial, in clear breach of the lockdown regulations which require there to be only 30 people in attendance and socially distanced. 'It is the first time police have been called to the cemetery because of a breach of the Covid regulations since the crisis began.' Boris Johnson's new legislation means that the public must stay at home unless they have a 'reasonable excuse', must travel for critical work, daily exercise and cannot meet with more than one person outside their household as the arduous new third lockdown begins. The regulations underpinning the drastic lockdown curbs have come into effect in England after the PM said he was left with 'no choice' due to the mutant strain running rampant. A person in a mobility scooter passes a 'Thank you NHS Staff' sign on the sea front on Bournemouth Beach in Dorset People wearing a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sit and talk on a bench in York. The rules state only two people from different households can meet until April A man walks across a deserted Sherlock Street in Birmingham city centre during new national lockdown measures Empty streets in Leeds, West Yorkshiure, on the second day of the national lockdown The Tube was also largely deserted in central London this morning as millions were ordered to stay at home A couple trudge through the snow in Biggin Hill Kent this morning as people enjoyed their daily exercise The regulations enforcing a national lockdown in England came into effect at 00.01 on Wednesday, as new figures suggested one in 50 people had coronavirus last week. Data from the Office for National Statistics suggested 1.1 million people in private households in England had Covid-19 between December 27 and January 2. Police state UK: Crime commissioner calls for law change to allow officers to force entry into homes of suspected rule-breakers West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said he has urged the government to give officers power of entry, to help 'enforce the new regulations more easily' A police force wants powers to force entry into the homes of suspected Covid rule breakers. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has urged the government to give officers power of entry, to help 'enforce the new regulations more easily.' Mr Jamieson said: 'For the small minority of people who refuse entry to police officers and obstruct their work, the power of entry would seem to be a useful tool. 'I have raised this issue with the policing minister previously and clarity on the power of entry would help police officers enforce the new Covid regulations more easily.' Before Christmas, Mr Jamieson said officers would break up family celebrations if they flouted lockdown rules over the festive period. The police chief also warned about Hanukkah and Diwali celebrations. But his cash-strapped force came under fire earlier this week after advertising for a new 74,000-a-year 'fairness and belonging' director to 'oversee improved inclusive culture throughout the workplace'. Advertisement England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said people must take the 'stay at home' rules seriously as he warned that the country faced a 'really serious emergency'. His comments came as the number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK topped 60,000 for the first time, while a further 830 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday. But in a sign of progress, the Prime Minister said that more than 1.3 million people have been vaccinated against the virus across the UK so far, including 23% of all the over 80s in England. Prof Whitty, speaking alongside Mr Johnson at a Downing Street press conference on Tuesday evening, said the vaccine timetable was 'realistic but not easy', and that the NHS would have to use 'multiple channels' to get it out. But questions have been raised over the roll-out, with a pharmacy chief questioning why the NHS is 'scrabbling around' for vaccinators when his industry was offering to help. Simon Dukes, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Negotiating Services Committee, told The Telegraph: 'Rather than scrabbling around trying to find retired GPs and nurses and anyone who has possibly dated skills, you've got an army of thousands of pharmacists up and down the country who administer the flu jab every winter. 'We've been telling the NHS that we're ready, willing and desperate to help. But we've been met by a de facto silence.' Meanwhile The Times reported that two million doses of the Pfizer vaccines held back for boosters would be distributed in the next fortnight. Police chiefs have warned that enforcing the third national lockdown will increase the load on officers, whose numbers are already stretched because of the pandemic. Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said harsh restrictions will 'put a lot of pressure' on constables in London. Mr Marsh revealed that some 1,300 Scotland Yard officers were off sick or self-isolating in the capital. Meanwhile John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said that some forces in England had as much as 15 per cent of staff off. Asked about how lockdown enforcement would affect officers, Mr Marsh said: 'It will obviously create a lot of pressure on us because we have a lot more officers off this time than we did back in March. 'Our numbers have rocketed in terms of officers with Covid and officers isolating and we envisage that getting worse. 'So the pressure is on my colleagues who are still out there to maintain the same level that they did before.' On Monday night Boris Johnson announced a seven-week lockdown to curb the surge of coronavirus being driven by a highly transmissible new variant of the disease. A deserted Regent Street in London yesterday as millions more worked from home again and schools all shut for seven weeks Police officers chat with members of the public on patrol around the Barton Hill area Police fine group of 11 hikers who breached Covid rules to drive more than 150 miles from London to Peak District after one of them crashed their car A group of 11 hikers who drove more than 150 miles from London to the Peak District have been fined for breaching coronavirus rules after one of them crashed their car. Pictured: The car A group of 11 hikers who drove more than 150 miles from London to the Peak District have been fined for breaching coronavirus rules after one of them crashed their car. The men had travelled from Harrow, North London in three vehicles on Monday, ahead of Boris Johnson announcing a third nationwide lockdown for England which came into force today. They were caught flouting Covid-19 laws by police near Bamford, Derbyshire after one driver flipped his car on the A6013 following a day in the countryside. The men, who were embarking on the three-hour journey home, were each handed 200 penalties for travelling between Tier Four areas. Derbyshire Police also seized one of the three vehicles due to it being uninsured and sent its owner home on a train. At the time, London was under England's highest Tier Four restrictions which had banned people from embarking on non-essential travel out of the city. Advertisement England will revert from a tiered system of restrictions which has seen the country following different degrees of measures. Mr Apter warned that blanket restrictions were clear to grasp, which means officers would be less lenient to flouters. 'People should expect to see more enforcement as a consequence because there really are no excuses for not knowing the rules this time,' he said. He added: 'The majority of the public will do what is expected of them, but I think there is a real issue over virus and lockdown fatigue. 'There is a real frustration and the police often deal with the sharp end of that as people are angry when challenged.' Those holding, or involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people risk a police-issued fine of 10,000. The Prime Minister concluded his gloomy televised address with a ray of hope, heralding the 'biggest vaccination rollout in our history'. Ministers hope that by mid-February, all care home residents, extremely vulnerable, over-75s and frontline health workers will have received the jab. Police top brass are also calling for officers to get the vaccine. Mr Marsh claimed: 'It would appear that policing has been airbrushed out of any conversation in relation to protecting my colleagues, which I find quite incredible considering they are on the front line. 'They are the one group of people other than the National Health Service that actually have to go to work and have to be out there with the public, every day, 24 hours a day. 'It's just amazing that no consideration whatsoever has been given to vaccinating police.' Mr Apter has also called for officers to be prioritised after society's most vulnerable groups and NHS workers have been given the jab. He wrote in the Daily Telegraph: 'Without the vaccine, there is a real danger that more officers will contract the virus. 'As growing numbers self-isolate or report sick with the virus, then the police service begins to struggle to do what the public fully expects of it. 'Some forces are already starting to report up to per cent of their officers off sick or self-isolating. This is getting worse and is simply not sustainable.' Mr Apter, whose organisation represents 130,000 officers, said the 'last thing the public want is to call 999 in their hour of need, only to find we are too short of officers to be able to respond'. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'It's wrong to suggest that police don't have the resources they need absence rates remain low nationally and we have supported the police throughout the pandemic, including providing an additional 30million in October for enforcement of coronavirus regulations. 'Police will continue to engage, explain, encourage and finally enforce where this is necessary to save lives.' We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The Texas Workforce Commission has extended unemployment benefits for 11 weeks as a result of new legislation passed by the Department of Labor. The Texans on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation are authorized to receive additional payments through the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Works Act of 2020. Congress will meet Wednesday to certify the Electoral College votes, the last step in the presidential election process. More than a dozen Republican senators, led by Ted Cruz of Texas, along with as many as 100 House Republicans, plan to object to the certification of Joe Biden's victory. Nearly half of the Texas Republicans in Congress have come out in support of the effort. Now Playing: Video: Associated Press President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that there was widespread fraud during the election. His claims have been rejected by state election officials and judges, including at the Supreme Court, and bipartisan majorities are expected to accept the November results Wednesday. READ ALSO: 3 UTSA grads appointed to serve in Biden Administration The group led by Cruz has vowed to object unless Congress agrees to an "emergency 10-day audit" of the election returns in the "disputed states." U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will not join Cruz in objecting to the certification unless "substantial, new evidence is presented" to Congress. Cornyn noted that Trumps attorneys have failed to prove fraud allegations in dozens of losing court battles since the election. On Tuesday, Trump labeled Cornyn and two top Senate colleagues "Republicans In Name Only." In the House, 10 Republican representatives from Texas have signaled they will object: Jodey Arrington of Lubbock, Brian Babin of Woodville, John Carter of Round Rock, Louie Gohmert of Tyler, Lance Gooden of Terrell, Ronny Jackson of Amarillo, August Pfluger of San Angelo, Pete Sessions of Waco, Randy Weber of Friendswood, and Ron Wright of Arlington. Chip Roy, whose Hill Country district includes portions of north San Antonio, does not support the effort to object. He signed a letter noting that no states had submitted competing slated of electors, including states in question that have GOP-controlled legislatures. "Unless that happens between now and January 6, 2021, Congress will have no authority to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election," the letter states. The Amber Alert issued Wednesday has been canceled. Authorities say the woman and child have been found safe. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Police have issued an Amber Alert after the apparent abduction of a woman and child in the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis Police Department says they responded to a reported domestic disturbance around 12:30 pm Wednesday. A male suspect identified as Jafaria Listenbee was reported to have forced an adult, light-skinned female into an SUV at gunpoint. Police say Listenbee also forced a 2 to 3-year-old girl into the same vehicle. The SUV is described as a 2015 blue Mitsubishi Outlander with license plate CCG372 and was last seen in the area of 2001 Grand Street Northeast in Minneapolis around 3:45 pm. Police described Listenbee as about 58 and 200 pounds with short black hair and wearing a red jacket. The female victim is described as about 110 pounds and black hair wearing a gray shirt and black sweatpants. The child victim is described as having curly black hair and a pink jacket. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of these three people is asked to contact the Minneapolis Police Department or call 911. ATLANTA (AP) Democrats won both Georgia Senate seats and with them, the U.S. Senate majority as final votes were counted Wednesday, serving President Donald Trump a stunning defeat in his last days in office while dramatically improving the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens progressive agenda. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, Democratic challengers who represented the diversity of their partys evolving coalition, defeated Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler two months after Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Warnock, who served as pastor for the same Atlanta church where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. preached, becomes the first African American from Georgia elected to the Senate. And Ossoff becomes the states first Jewish senator and, at 33 years old, the Senates youngest member. Their success is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgias politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. This weeks elections mark the formal finale to the turbulent 2020 election season. The unusually high stakes transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds for the final days of Trumps presidency and likely beyond. In an emotional address early Wednesday, Warnock vowed to work for all Georgians whether they voted for him or not, citing his personal experience with the American dream. His mother, he said, used to pick somebody elses cotton as a teenager. The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator, he said. Tonight, we proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. In an interview with ABCs Good Morning America, he described his win as a reversal of the old Southern strategy that sought to divide people, Warnock told ABCs Good Morning America. Loeffler remains a Georgia senator until the results of Tuesdays election are finalized, returned to Washington on Wednesday morning to join a small group of senators planning to challenge Congress vote to certify Bidens victory. Georgias other runoff election pitted Perdue, a 71-year-old former business executive who held his Senate seat until his term expired on Sunday, against Ossoff, a former congressional aide and journalist. This campaign has been about health and jobs and justice for the people of this state for all the people of this state, Ossoff said in a speech broadcast on social media Wednesday morning. Whether you were for me, or against me, Ill be for you in the U.S. Senate. I will serve all the people of the state. Trumps false claims of voter fraud cast a dark shadow over the runoff elections, which were held only because no candidate hit the 50% threshold in the general election. He attacked the states election chief on the eve of the election and raised the prospect that some votes might not be counted even as votes were being cast Tuesday afternoon. Republican state officials on the ground reported no significant problems. Both contests tested whether the political coalition that fueled Bidens November victory was an anti-Trump anomaly or part of a new electoral landscape. To win in Tuesdays elections and in the future Democrats needed strong African American support. Drawing on his popularity with Black voters, among other groups, Biden won Georgias 16 electoral votes by about 12,000 votes out of 5 million cast in November. Trumps claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election, while meritless, resonated with Republican voters in Georgia. About 7 in 10 agreed with his false assertion that Biden was not the legitimately elected president, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 3,600 voters in the runoff elections. Election officials across the country, including the Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, as well as Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed that there was no widespread fraud in the November election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, where three Trump-nominated justices preside. Publicly and privately, some Republicans acknowledged that Trumps monthslong push to undermine the integrity of the nations electoral system may have contributed to the GOPs losses in Georgia. It turns out that telling the voters that the election was rigged is not a great way to turn out your voters, said Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican and a frequent Trump critic. Even with Trumps claims, voters in both parties were drawn to the polls because of the high stakes. AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 Georgia voters say Senate party control was the most important factor in their vote. Turnout exceeded both sides expectations. Even before Tuesday, Georgia had shattered its turnout record for a runoff with more than 3 million votes by mail or during in-person advance voting in December. Including Tuesdays vote, more people ultimately cast ballots in the runoffs than voted in Georgias 2016 presidential election. Many in Georgias large African American community were ecstatic when they awoke to news of Harnocks win on Wednesday. Tracey Bailey, a 58-year-old assistant community manager at an apartment complex in downtown Atlanta, said she jumped for joy. Its going to be great for Georgia, and its going to be great for our Black community as a whole, she said. I think hes going to be a fair guy for the people, and thats for all people. ___ Peoples reported from New York. Bynum reported from Savannah, Ga. Associated Press writers Haleluya Hadero, Angie Wang, Sophia Tulp, Ben Nadler and Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed to this report. Evangelical leaders, both supporters and critics of President Donald Trump, spoke out and offered prayers for protection as rioters in Washington, DC, clashed with police, putting the Capitol under lockdown. The swarming of the Capitol coincided with the congressional session to certify President-elect Joe Bidens electoral college victory, which drew protestors to DC to support the outgoing president and urge Republicans to reject the election results. In the middle of the two-day Jericho March, as participants circled government buildings to pray for a Trump victory, members of Congress were praying together for their own safety from violent mobs while sheltering in place inside the Capitol, NBC reported. Pastor Rick Warren called the attack domestic terrorism, while Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission president Russell Moore condemned their actions as immoral, unjust, dangerous, and inexcusable and called on the president to direct his supporters to stop this dangerous and anti-constitutional anarchy. SBC president J. D. Greear referred to the Christian responsibility to submit to government leaders in a peaceful transition of power and also asked for the president to urge his supporters to back down. While Christians across the spectrum have decried the behavior of the Capitol rioters, some have pointedly blamed Trump for his refusal to accept the results of the election, while others are calling more generally for a spirit of bipartisan unity and peace. Will you join meDemocrat & Republicanin praying for America? tweeted Greg Laurie, who has repeatedly visited the White House to pray for Trump. Pray for peace on our streets, for protection & wisdom for our leaders. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, who backed Trump in 2020 but has refuted claims of election fraud, put the responsibility directly on the president. President Trump is responsible now for unleashing mayhem, he wrote. Rallying his supporters behind him, Trump has repeatedly suggested Vice President Mike Pence reject the Biden victory, though Pence said he did not have authority to do so. The president first tweeted in support of law enforcement and, more than an hour after the Capitol breach, asked demonstrators to remain peaceful. In a video clip, he repeated false claims that the election had been stolen. He told protesters, We love you, and youre very special, but asked them to go home now. Even endorsers of the president condemned the actions of the Capitol crowds, many of whom were waving Trump flags and Christian flags and dressed in militia gear. Michael Brown, a Messianic Christian author who voted for Trump, said, More than evangelicals bringing out the best in Trump, he has brought out the worst in us. Face it. Brown spoke out to say a spirit of lawlessness and anarchy is always wrong, whether from pro-Trump protestors or BLM-Antifa rioters. Tony Saurez, a member of Trumps advisory board, agreed, praying God protect our country, our government and our citizens. Sean Feucht, the Christian musician and political hopeful known for his worship protests in violation of COVID-19 restrictions, asked those storming the Capitol to stop. Evangelist Jay Strack, a Trump adviser based in Florida, asked followers to pray for leaders in Washington. Protests also broke out around state capitols where election results were being challenged by Trump supporters, including in Georgia, where state leaders were escorted out of the building for safety, and in Michigan, where Christian protestors appeared to erect a wooden cross in Lansing. During a previous DC protest in favor of Trump last month, vandals destroyed Black Lives Matter signs at multiple churches. When Jose was waiting for the birth of his second child, Gonzalo, a colleague from the lab he works in stopped him in the corridor to congratulate him on the impending arrival. Four weeks of vacation, he said. Youre so lucky! That another man, who was also a father, should refer to the first month of parenthood as a holiday, struck Jose, 39, as funny. He is now looking forward to his third child with his partner, Raquel, also 39. Although they already know all about the sleepless nights and dirty diapers, at least they are now entitled to 16 weeks of leave each. As of January 1, 2021, paternity leave and maternity leave will be the same in Spain. The 16 weeks are 100% paid by the state and non-transferable, which means that if one parent decides not to take the time off, the other parent cannot take advantage of it. Both these factors are fundamental to encouraging fathers to take leave while placing Spain at the forefront of paternity rights. For sociologist Constanza Tobio, it draws a line under the debate. It conveys the message that fathers have the right and obligation to be a carer, under exactly the same conditions and on the same terms as women, she says. Im amazed it has taken this long. Even as it is, I still think both of us need more time Expectant mother Paloma After their third child is born in June, Raquel and Jose, who live in Malaga, plan to stagger the leave. After the first six weeks, which the law requires be taken together, one will return to work, while the other cares for the child, then vice versa until the baby can be left in a nursery. However, they understand that first-time parents prefer to spend all 16 weeks together in order to cope with the abrupt change to their lives that a baby inevitably brings. Paloma del Rio and Victor Vazquez, both 35, are expecting their first child at the end of January and like to remind people at the advertising agency where they work how much time they will be taking off so that it doesnt take anyone by surprise. Im amazed [the new measure] has taken this long, says Paloma. But at least its here now. I only hope it doesnt get pulled. Even as it is, I still think both of us need more time. Paloma is considering taking a month-long leave of absence on top of the 16 weeks but says its a case of waiting and seeing how things pan out. If the coronavirus pandemic carries on like this, the grandparents will not be able to give us a hand and we do not know if we will continue to work from home. Of course, Jose feels lucky. When his first daughter Alba was born five years ago, he found it hard to leave Raquel alone just two weeks later, particularly as she was still weak after the birth. I was overwhelmed, he says. I wanted to stay and share that experience. The length of Joses leave has extended with each child, increasing progressively since 2017. But the fact that women are able to leave their jobs for longer is detrimental to them professionally as it makes them seem less committed to their jobs, according to Tobio. Raquels contract was terminated just before she became pregnant with Gonzalo, so she was not able to reenter the labor market until Gonzalo began nursery school. Now, the fact both parents have the same amount of leave means employers are less likely to be swayed by a candidates gender when it comes to hiring. At the cutting edge of Europe The new entitlement for fathers puts Spain ahead of the rest of Europe, including Nordic countries such as Iceland and Sweden, where paternity leave is 12 weeks and paid at 80% the total length of leave between both parents does, however, exceed the amount available to Spanish parents, as it usually includes several weeks that are interchangeable between mother and father. Leave is longer in northern Europe but since it is transferable, it is usually used by women, which is a trap in the end, says Maria Pazos, from the Platform for Equal and Non-transferable Birth and Adoption Leave (PPiiNA). Although the PPiiNA pushed for the new measure, it still criticizes several aspects of it, such as the fact that the first six weeks have to be taken simultaneously, and that the remaining 10 weeks will be taken, on a full-time or part-time basis, subject to agreement with the fathers employers, which means the right of fathers to decide is not guaranteed. There are other issues, such as the World Health Organizations recommendation for women to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, which is challenging if they are only entitled to four months of maternity leave. Sources at the Equality Ministry acknowledge that despite the positive aspects of the new policy, it has not yet been possible to guarantee that raising a family is not detrimental to women professionally. We need a new formula for care, bringing up children and work, says a spokesman. Despite the fact that paternity leave is proving positive among men, women continue to be the ones who most often reduce their working hours for care purposes. This applies to the care of both children and elderly dependents. Patricia Merino, author of the book Maternity, Equality and Fraternity, points out that 16 weeks is one of the shortest maternity leaves in the EU while fathers will have one of the longest and best paid leaves on the continent. She believes that this does not solve any of the existing conflicts between being a mother and pursuing a profession. Women are now going to remain unprotected after their leave, she says. Those who have greater financial means will be able to take extra leave, while the rest will have to choose between leaving the labor market to care for their child or coming back to it. Sociologist Constanza Tobio also focuses on other short-term leave entitlements where Spain is lagging behind other EU countries. According to Spanish labor law, parents can take time off for a serious illness, but not for a minor illness that would prevent the child from going to school, such as a tummy bug. The sociologist considers that these entitlements should be distributed equally between the genders. This would avoid a return to the default position of mothers being the ones to take the time off and giving up positions of responsibility in the workplace. One possibility would be to create an hour bank of, for example, 25 hours for mothers and another 25 for fathers. Company pressure Sociologist Teresa Jurado is concerned that after those six mandatory joint weeks of leave, pressure may be put on men by their employers either to forego the rest of their paternity leave or to take it part time. This possibility could perpetuate the stereotype of the mother as the carer. However, she admits that it is an opportunity for men to take equal responsibility for the care of the child, rather than to act as the mothers assistant. To make this work, men must assert their rights in the company, says Jurado. She also says that there is a shift in upcoming generations. For example, Paloma says that when her mother had her, her father slept in another room so he could get some rest before work. The difference is huge, she says. Now we share chores 50/50. I am struck by the fact that a man is considered a super dad simply because he is taking care of his child just as the mother does. Victor also finds it unfair that his father could only get a few hours off work to meet him in the hospital when he was born. But you dont have to go back further than 10 years to find similar situations. Victors older sisters keep telling him how lucky he is. They had to manage on their own because their partners had no leave at all. I would be very upset if I missed that stage, he says. Not only am I excited about it, I think its also my duty. But the couple are under no illusion about how much having a baby is about to change their lives. People keep doing it so there must be something good about it, they joke. English version by Simon Hunter. Utah Patriots catch Rino Romney at Salt Lake City international airport! He thinks hes above his constituents!!! Openly bashing @realDonaldTrump!!! These people wont be able to walk down the street. VOLUME UP! pic.twitter.com/Lntgozkajx Qtah (@Utah_17) January 6, 2021 Republican Sen. Mitt Romney got a preview of the tenor of the Trump-fueled rally thats set to take place Wednesday in Washington when he was confronted, cellphone cameras out, by Trump supporters while traveling Tuesday from Salt Lake City back to the Capitol for the Electoral College certification. Romney, the partys most recent pre-Trump presidential nominee, has been one of the few criticsand voices of reasonamong his elected Republican colleagues, which has made him a target for outrage with Donald Trumps most undying, unblinking supporters. Advertisement While waiting for his flight at the Salt Lake City airport, Romney, who was sitting alone reading on a tablet, was confronted by a maskless Trump supporter. Romney can be heard asking the woman to put her mask on as she approached, to which she responded: Dont tell me what to do. Why arent you supporting President Trump? she demanded. I do support the things President Trump does that I agree with, Romney responded. Youre not supporting him, she countered. Are you going to support him in the fraudulent vote she asked trailing off. Romney told her he would not support overturning the November election, citing the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. The woman went on to inform Romney that he works for her and the conservatives that put him in office. I work for the people of Utah, Romney replied, and youre not the only one. He then packed his bag and stood up to walk away. They didnt want you in there anyways, so, to be honest with you, I wouldnt be surprised if you werent even voted in legally, the woman said as a parting shot. Advertisement Another Trump supporter arrived to join the deep constitutional debate, informing Romney that he would be primaried. Oh trust me, youre getting primaried, buddy, the man said. Thats just fine. Of course Ill be primaried, thats totally appropriate. Romney replied. You admit it, you know it, you know its coming, the man said. I was primaried last time and Im happy to be primaried again, Romney responded. Trump is a juggernaut, the man said as Romney walked away through the terminal. Your legacy is nothing. The harassment continued once Romney had boarded his Delta flight to D.C. with a cohort of passengers chanting: Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Mitt Romney, in a flight full of patriots in their way to DC pic.twitter.com/t9uq3vkCo5 Non timebo mala (@AncPerl) January 5, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement The Trump supporters are angry, though theyre not fuming about losing because that requires some acknowledgment of personal agency and participation in a process that is not yours alone to control. Instead, fomented by Trump, theyre irate something had been stolen from themtakenwhich requires no personal responsibility nor acknowledgment of any worldview outside of your own. Losing hurts, it requires some degree of self-awareness and introspection; getting robbed elicits a whole different set of emotions. That emotionality can be freeing, allowing the ends (keeping Trump in power) to justify the (democracy-obliterating, possibly violent) means. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. WELL-KNOWN local priest Fr Chris ODonnell has flown out to Barbados to officiate at the funeral Mass of Emma McManus, who died suddenly aged just 40. Loving tributes have been pouring in for the McManus and Ledbetter families from across the world after the untimely passing of the mother-of-three, with friend Kay Mulcaire describing her as beautiful and warm. Among others who have left kind words and tributes on RIP.ie are a number of the All-Ireland winning Limerick hurlers, neighbours of the McManus family in Martinstown, and hurling and horse racing fans from all over the country and beyond. Emma, JP McManus daughter-in-law, passed away after taking ill while on holiday with their extended family in Barbados. Married to John for a decade, and the mother of three young children, Milly, Lauren and Annie, Emma was set to be remembered at a funeral Mass in the Caribbean resort this Friday. However, the ceremony has been delayed, and is likely to take place early next week, the Limerick Leader understands. It will be broadcast on the internet to allow people in Limerick the chance to pay their respects. Fr ODonnell, a popular priest across Limerick, now serving in Kilmallock, has flown out to be with the grieving family explained Fr David Casey, parish priest for Martinstown/Bulgaden and Kilmallock. He said: The family are so well thought of. Their presence in the community is strong they are good to the community. Everyone in the community is praying for them. The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. BALLSTON SPA A routine look at water revenues in the village is complicating an already strained relationship between Village Trustee Liz Kormos and landowner and developer Frank Rossi Sr. The two, who have been locked in a separate legal fight since October 2019, are arguing over what Rossi is paying in village water and sewer fees. Kormos is questioning if the fees for his 96-unit Mohican Hill Apartments aligns with village code on water and sewer, which requires multiple-residence structures with 90 or more dwelling units to pay a $45 annual fee per unit one for water and another for sewer. That would mean the apartment complex would pay the village about $8,640 for water and sewer in the first year with fees going up thereafter. Speaking for his father, Frank Rossi Jr. said he doesn't know how much his father pays for water now. Moreover, since the complex consists of 12 separate buildings 10 built in 1996 and another two in 2010 the son said that law does not apply to his fathers complex. They are two separate projects, Rossi Jr. said. Each building has two meters on it and that is the law of the village. We pay our bills. Saying his father is doing anything less is slanderous, Rossi Jr. said. Kormos said the village is leaving it to the attorney to determine if Rossi is underpaying the rate. If he is, she said she does not want to force Rossi to pay back water and sewer fees but would like to correct it going forward. If you have this part of the code over 90 residential units, you should be paying a per unit rate, Kormos said. She said she would leave a final determination up to the attorney. Village attorney Stephanie Ferradino said on Monday that she has yet to look into the matter. Mayor Larry Woolbright said the investigation of water and sewer fees is part of a larger effort to modernized the village's billing that currently depends on residents reading their own meters and mailing in a card declaring their usage -- a system that not all residents comply with. The water and sewer bill review intensifies the ongoing battle between Kormos and Rossi that started in 2015 when Kormos group Smart Growth Ballston fought Rossi from building a Walmart in the village. Tensions between the two escalated in October 2019 when she and another Democrat Keith Lewis canvassed for candidates those that Republican contributor Rossi Sr. was not supporting at his Mohican Hills apartments. Though Kormos and Lewis left the complex after Rossi demanded they do so, Rossi had them arrested and charged with trespassing, saying that canvassers need his permission to leave campaign material at Mohican Hills. During the incident, Rossis daughter, Gina Marozzi, who was also there, threatened "to bury" Kormos and Lewis. But since Rossi has donated to many Saratoga County Republicans, including justices, all courtrooms assigned the charge in Ballston Spa and the towns of Ballston, Malta and Milton have recused themselves of the matter. The trespassing charge, of which they havent yet been arraigned, has recently landed at Galway Town Court. Kormos does not yet have a court date to appear. The charge is a political hot potato because past court decisions in federal and state courts appear to lean toward the right of citizens to petition for political purposes. For example, a 1984 federal court struck down an ordinance in Hempstead on Long Island simply because it restricted canvassing to certain hours of the day. Kormos said the examination of the water fees is not an attempt to get back at Rossi. However, she said she is tired of the legal chase that Rossi has forced them into. Its ridiculous, the whole thing," Kormos said. "It is costing taxpayers money and its not costing the Rossis anything. Its been more than a year. I figure by the time we get through all 23 municipalities (in Saratoga County) it will be another four years.Its getting very old. Both Keith and I would very much like to see this resolved. Rossi Jr. is unsympathetic and would not consider dropping the trespassing charge. "They should be prosecuted for breaking a law," he said. "Hopefully, Galway will hear it." The first noticeable reality of Pentecost was that different people groups were speaking about God (and the gospel) in their own languages. The second reality is that they went home and carried that reality with them and began to form witness in new locations. John Frankes new book, Missional Theology, calls all of this missional multiplicity and appeals to an older expression of his manifold witness. The essential ideas of this chapter are that gospel truth expresses Gods Truth in particular settings in particular ways while also being a faithful witness to the gospel. Because his favorite words are multiplicity and plurality and diversity he will make uncomfortable those who want uniformity and propositions to form the core of the mission. The ambiguity or tension between the gospel tradition and the local expression is for Franke some kind of compatibilism (Im using the term as expressed often in Katherine Sonderegger). It all begins with Pentecost: The action of the Spirit here effectively decenters any particular language or culture with respect to the proclamation of the gospel and the mission of the church. The implication is that no single language or culture is to be viewed as the sole conduit of the gospel message. Christian historian and missiologist Lamin Sanneh contrasts this approach to mission with that of Islam, which carries with it certain inalienable cultural assumptions, such as the indispensability of its Arabic heritage in Scripture,law and religion. He asserts that, at its best, Christian witness follows the Pentecostal pattern in the Acts narrative and prefers to make the recipient culture the true and final locus of the proclamation, so that the religion arrives without the presumption of cultural rejection. At this point most then critique the missionary movement but such criticisms are often facile. Yes, of course, there was the importation of some Euro-centrism but its not that simple because anyone who knows what missionary work was actually like knows story after story of integrated and even localized gospel work. Most of the critics of missionary work dont do missions at all and wouldnt have a clue on how to start or what to do. If the critics believe in mission they need to show how it is being done more faithfully. Back to the expansive impulse of the church in translation. The whole Bible can be read in 698 languages. 1,548 languages have the New Testament, while more than 1,100 have some of the Bible in their language. The availability of the Bible in these languages has led to the ever-increasing establishment of culturally and socially diverse witnessing communities throughout the world. These new communities are called to live out an alternative way of life in the world as every tribe and nation bears witness to the good news of Gods love for all people. The upshot of this history is that all churches everywhere, and the theoiogies they affirm, are culture churches and culture theologies. All bear the marks of their particular cultural settings. All are shaped, in ways both conscious and unconscious, by the assumptions and intuitions that are part of their social and historical contexts, even where they express dissent from aspects of their cultural surroundings. Franke enters often in this chapter into the tension between Truth and truth, Gods Truth being Truth and our articulations of Gods Truth being truth, and local expression. Whether his compatible approach sustains itself will be tested over time. Of course, the questions arise about the viability of a measured truth in the gospel, in Christology, in the Trinity, and in soteriology and other facets of theology. He attempts to sustain them in a local context. Image: Cover Photo I think he would be helped by studying, for instance, the sermons in Acts where Peter and Paul move from context to context and preach the gospel in each. And from studying the sense of faithful saying in the Pastoral Epistles. The tensions at work may be more soluble with concrete studies of contextual relocations in the New Testament itself. I like his idea of manifold witness better than plurality. Im not sure he sees them much different. But he dives into this very problem with his lengthy discussion of Revelation, a discussion that reminds of his previous studies. There is the: The Word Revealed The Word Written (Scripture) The Word Proclaimed Quite Barthian of course. He wants to maintain an infinite qualitative distinction between God and humans and he wants Truth as truth to be knowable. This is all common theological wrangling, and its all very important. Which raises the bugbear for much of this discussion about plurality: the problem of tradition. He contextualizes tradition. The Christian tradition, viewed as a series of local theologies, serves as a resource for theology, not as a final arbiter of theological issues or concerns. It provides hermeneutical context or trajectory for the theological task. The history of Christian theology, past theological formulations, the history of Christian worship, and the practices of the Christian community all serve to assist the church in the task of proclaiming the faith in contemporary settings. Franke enters as well into Truth vs. truths, or truths closer to Truth and farther away from Truth as truths. Hence, all of this leads remember this is a kind of precis of more volumes to come to missional theology being: Dialogical Open and committed to the other Beyond foundations (foundationalism) Against totality And therefore theology is fundamentally ongoing and developing and local and full of multiplicity. THE country is being put back into a full national lockdown with schools to close and most construction work to halt until the end of the month. The Cabinet will today sign off on the most severe Covid-19 restrictions it has considered since the country was first put in lockdown last March. The move comes against a backdrop of an escalating coronavirus crisis as 5,325 new cases and 17 deaths were reported yesterday. Chief medical officer Tony Holohan warned the country was experiencing a considerable surge in cases and hospitalisations, but added: We can turn this around quickly if we stick to the measures we know worked last spring. Last night, the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 agreed to stop the majority of private construction developments as part of an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. The move will mean about 50,000 construction workers will have to down tools. However, essential construction developments such as social housing or schools projects will be permitted. The measures will also see shops told to stop offering click and collect services, and they will instead be asked to offer only click and delivery. Last night, the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 agreed to stop the majority of private construction developments as part of an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. The Cabinet Committee also agreed on closing secondary and primary schools until the end of the month. However, the Cabinet will discuss ways to ensure students who attend special schools are not disadvantaged by the new lockdown restrictions. Measures are being looked at to ensure Leaving Cert pupils are not negatively affected. The summer Leaving Cert exams could be delayed by a few weeks if Covid continues to cause serious problems. Sources said the Government was adamant that the exams would go ahead. Read More One issue would be aligning a later release of results and CAO offers with the start of the college year, but results were delayed by three weeks in 2020 which, while an inconvenience, was well managed by the higher education system. At the December meeting, the State Examinations Commission set out a range of options to the education partners, but the rapid deterioration in Covid infection rates is presenting further challenges. Meanwhile, travellers flying into Ireland will soon be required to produce a negative Covid-19 test on arrival. The new rules will require anyone flying into Ireland to produce a negative PCR test result received within three days before arrival. The ban on flights and passenger ferries from Britain and South Africa will be extended until midnight on Friday. From Saturday anyone travelling to Ireland from Britain or South Africa will be required to produce a negative laboratory test received within three days before travel. They will also be required to restrict their movements for 14 days on arrival. A date has not been yet set for when all travellers flying into Ireland will be required to produce negative test results on arrival. At a lengthy Cabinet committee meeting, ministers were told a variant of the coronavirus originating in England has been found in 25pc of recent positive cases in Ireland. The new variant, which emerged in England before Christmas, resulted in the Government banning all flights from Britain. Taoiseach Micheal Martin also said the new variant was one of the reasons the Government was forced to reimpose restrictions during the Christmas period. However, the chair of Nphets Expert Advisory Group Dr Cillian de Gascun contradicted the Taoiseachs claim. On Twitter, Dr de Gascun said the variant was not responsible for the recent significant and concerning increase in new Covid cases in Ireland. He said the variant was only in 10pc of samples tested. Dr de Gascun noted his conclusion was on a small sample of 160 cases. However, President of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland Prof Mary Horgan said the sample size was too small to make a conclusion. Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland Read More Online Editors The Ministry of National Defence (MApN) donated protective equipment and medical products to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Moldova, in the context of the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to AGERPRES. Thus, on Wednesday, the representatives of the Ministry of National Defence handed over to their Moldovan counterparts protective equipment (coveralls, FFP2 type masks, surgical masks and face shields), as well as other medical supplies, according to a statement of the Ministry of Defence. This new tranche of donated materials complements the one in April 2020 and is part of a support measures packages meant for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, as reiterated by the President of Romania during his recent visit to Chisinau. Thus, Romania's commitment to supporting the authorities of the Republic of Moldova in their concrete endeavour to combat the effects of the pandemic crisis is reconfirmed. At the end of April 2020, the Ministry of National Defence contributed medical personnel and 10 isolation stretchers produced in Romania, as part of the effort initiated by the Romanian state authorities to support the Republic of Moldova in preventing and combating the spread of SARS-CoV2 virus, recalls the Ministry of National Defence. A fisherman in New York City caught more than he bargained for when he pulled a dead body out of the waves instead of the usual fish. The New York Post reports that Edmond Stringa, 69, of Queens was fishing Tuesday afternoon off of a pier in Brooklyn when he noticed his hook caught on to something dense. It was really heavy, said Stringa to the Post. When I pulled it out a little bit, I saw the shoes, the pants. I thought it was suspicious. I knew it wasnt a fish. According to NY Daily News, Stringa proceeded to call 911, upon which the responding authorities found the corpse floating in the water by Canarsie Pier. Reports state that decomposition is so far advanced that examiners were unable to properly identify the body. The investigation for this case remains ongoing. The World Health Organization chastised the Chinese Communist Party for not allowing specialists to look into the Wuhan hotspot. According to WHO officials, no permission has been given despite requests. After the WHO asked the CCP for entry to China but got a negative answer from authorities, experts who are supposed to check into Wuhan have not received any word. Wuhan is where the virus originated after Li Wenliang warned of it in December 2019. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO head, expected significant assistance from Beijing but got nothing instead. Health specialists are just waiting for permits to start their investigation, but need authorization, reported NTD. In a statement, Tedros said that he is waiting for Chinese officials to finalize the permits needed by the WHO medical team. He added that the delay in starting the probe in Wuhan, two members are waiting for access. But, the two other members are not available at the last minute. According to the WHO chief, there are arrangements reached by the WHO, China, and an international team to visit Wuhan to start the probe that was agreed on. Wuhan is the center from where the coronavirus is suspected to originate. The tension that rose, as a result, led to the coronavirus getting know as the CCP virus, which Beijing took offense to. The pandemic led to lockdowns and a global contagion infection million and killing a significant number. He added WHO experts should be on their way to China. Tedros said that he communicated with senior Chinese officials and impressed the probe is a priority for WHO. Making it clear to Beijing everything is ready to go. Also read: Wuhan Coronavirus Outbreak Continues, China Government Under Fire Since last year, the WHO chief has been uncritical of China's role in the global contagion, even defending China during the early months. His terse reaction is the first case of rebuking the CCP. Covering up for Beijing in President Donald Trump's eyes, who criticized the cooperation of WHO and the CCP. The U.S. stopped funding the health organization that was millions. America is the most significant contributor to the organization. A letter addressed to the WHO praised China despite its lack of transparency about the CCP virus-adding that it treated China special even if there was no effect to clarify the question about the virus origins. Trump mentioned the American President with authority to decide on the funds that will be withheld until changes in 30 days are in effect. All the U.S. funds will be frozen until further notice. In Wuhan, there were reports of residents, journalists saying the CCP lied to the world about the pandemic. Sources that came out say the COVID-19 cases were more numerous than reported. These places are Wuhan, Beijing, and several provinces. During the worst months of the coronavirus, the Chinese government kept a lid on the significant developments. It was for official eyes only, and information leaked was controlled and dealt with. The CCP considered keeping secrets from the west. Foreign reporters were checked on by Chinese security personnel and one of the caves where the virus's source is. All bat cave samples were taken. The World Health Organization intends to probe, but the Chinese Communist Party has not allowed entry to Wuhan. Related article: WHO Received First Reports of Coronavirus Not From China, But From Another Whistleblower @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The only thing we know for sure is that nothing is ever for sure. Despite some small glimmers of hope, what was true - how very true - in 2020 will remain so in 2021. Asked by WorldTempus to share their perspectives for the year ahead, many CEOs declined the invitation. The current situation (Germany back in lockdown / uncertainty in Switzerland) makes its extremely difficult to make any kind of forecast for 2021, wrote one. Another, having initially accepted, backtracked: After further consideration, we will not comment on the subject. This is about giving an opinion, nothing more, yet many brands prefer to sit tight and stay silent. Thankfully not all: several CEOs have outlined their sentiment for 2021, albeit still a fairly general one. Comments are given below in the order they were received. Cautiously optimistic: Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President, Chopard As vaccination against Covid-19 gets under way, we expect to see an improvement for the watch market in key regions, particularly in the second half of 2021. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele Chopard Surprising: Max Busser, CEO, MB&F Covid or no Covid, fairs or no fairs, upturn or no upturn, when I look at what we have in the R&D pipeline and the launches scheduled for next year, 2021 should be the most intense, most incredible year yet for MB&F. Max Busser MB&F Uniting: Laurent Dordet, CEO, La Montre Hermes Trade fairs should continue to restructure in 2021. We will go forward with the organisation of a broader event to deliver a single, strong message. Its important that we set aside moments during the year when a large part of the industry speaks as one. Its hard to predict what lies ahead in 2021. The situation should progressively improve. The industry seems better prepared. Authenticity will be one of the keys [for brands] to emerge in 2021. Laurent Dordet Hermes Impatient: Francois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO, Audemars Piguet Lets not jump the gun. Well start the year as we ended. Some are a little anxious about the final economic impact but were almost out of the woods. No premature joy and no drama either, not at Audemars Piguet anyway. We forecast -25%, well be at -7%. As for fairs, wed already left so there will be no difference, there. What matters most is to have all our staff back together and to be able to connect physically, not just through screens! Francois-Henry Bennahmias Audemars Piguet Determined but realistic: Mario Peserico, Managing Director, Eberhard & Co. We expect the market to pick up next year, probably around springtime. We hope there will be a similar upturn in consumption. Regarding fairs, we believe there was a real missed opportunity when some of the major brands moved from Basel to Geneva. Right now, it seems unlikely that fairs will take place in 2021. It will be another year of virtual gatherings. Mario Peserico Eberhard & Co Looking to Geneva: Manuel Emch, strategic advisor for Louis Erard Not everything can be moved online, even if our industry is lagging behind in the digital transformation. We need a human ecosystem: exchange, discuss, feel trends. There will be a fair, maybe in summer or autumn, along the lines of Geneva Watch Days. At worst it will be in 2022 but the epicentre is definitely Geneva. Manuel Emch Louis Erard Also looking to Geneva: Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO, Czapek I think Geneva is, without contest, the capital of watchmaking and that the time has come to give watchmaking back to the Genevans and to all collectors. I see two possible options. The return in 2021 of Geneva Watch Days, which was a resounding success, or a showcasing of independents at a fair in Geneva that would be specifically for them. Xavier de Roquemaurel Czapek Confident: Pierre Jacques, CEO, De Bethune Theres no real point in asking whether everything will be different or the same. Everything will be what we make it. The extent of the shock and how much was thrown into question creates opportunities, in particular the opportunity to unite. While De Bethune came through the crisis well equipped, independent watchmakers will be stronger together to satisfy demand. Our collectors still have a healthy appetite. Pierre Jacques De Bethune Upbeat: Walter Ribaga, Managing Director, Cyrus Cancellation of fairs in 2020 and the decision not to hold in-person fairs in 2021 creates difficulties for niche brands which like Cyrus were unable to present their new products. We have managed to keep revenue loss to a minimum. We will continue along these lines in 2021 and ramp up our digital communication. We must think positive and take an optimistic view. Once the pandemic is under control, and lets hope it will be by the end of the first half of the new year at the latest, Im convinced markets will respond in a positive way. Walter Ribaga Cyrus Multipolar: Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO, Breguet The phygital approach is ideal, with an event that lets guests sit down and discover new products while connecting with enthusiasts on the other side of the world who can be part of the experience at the same time. Our industry needs to turn the page and move towards a new format, like Fashion Weeks, with Watch Weeks in different places that are open to all. This is the direction wed like to take. Marc A. Hayek Breguet Looking to Asia: Nicola Andreatta, CEO, Roger Dubuis In 2020 we had to revolutionise how we did business and, carrying on from this, well see more creative ideas emerge in 2021. I have every hope that by the end of next year, things will be back to a certain normality, particularly in Asia. Nicola Andreatta Roger Dubuis Part online, part offline: Julien Tornare, CEO, Zenith Online communication will continue to play a key role but fairs will remain important. Nothing can replace the human element. We held our event at Dubai 2020 and will continue in this direction for the coming years. However, we absolutely must find more effective, more innovative ways to do so, all the while maintaining the digital momentum that began through Covid-19. Julien Tornare Zenith Local: Edouard Meylan, CEO, H. Moser & Cie. 2021 will be a year of transition towards a new normal with a stronger human dimension. The most important things for a brand are its customers and the connections it has with them. Dependency on occasional customers (tourists) is a dangerous thing because of the difficulty of building relations with them. Brands will look to develop closer ties with their local customers through more innovative, more creative products. They will use new technologies to spark a dialogue and elicit authentic emotions. Also, they will move towards fairs on a more human scale. Edouard Meylan H. Moser & Cie. Mathematical: Christophe Golay, co-founder of Golay Spierer In 2021 theres no doubting that the large brands and groups will have sufficient strength to survive the kind of crisis were experiencing. Small brands on the other hand - the ones that make up watchmakings biodiversity - will really suffer and its likely that many will disappear. As for us, more than twice as many people saw us on social media in 2020. However, theres been a fourfold drop in the number of enquiries. Vigilant: Niels Eggerding, Managing Director, Frederique Constant SA We need to prepare ourselves for a long, slow recovery in the wake of this epidemic. At least a year. The fact that the international watch fairs were cancelled means we must rethink how we communicate, concentrate on small, personalised, local events (where possible) and focus on omnichannel strategies. Because e-commerce is now so essential, improving the user experience will also be a priority. Niels Eggerding Frederique Constant People-focused: Jean-Marie Schaller, CEO, Ateliers Louis Moinet A new world will emerge in 2021. We cant simply fall back on old habits. We must look towards a different future and meet new needs. Virtual will slowly give way to human contact. The need for fairs, the need to share with others is already felt and will probably happen in the second half of the year. In the meantime well make the best use of digital, thanks to which we were able to bring 2020 to a successful conclusion. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The layers of extra charges before purchasing from the UK post-Brexit are proving to be so cumbersome and confusing that the Government has issued another guide to Irish consumers. Despite an agreement being reached between the EU and its former member before Christmas, thereby averting a no-deal scenario which would have plunged consumers and businesses alike into a nightmare of red tape, navigating the new rules remains a labyrinth of can-and-can't-dos. Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation minister Robert Troy has felt compelled to issue what his department calls a "reminder" of new rules, after online forums and consumer sections were awash with would-be shoppers asking each other whether extra charges like Vat are to be paid or not. The reminder guide issued by the department has laid bare just how cumbersome the new arrangements are for shoppers in Ireland. I found this useful. https://t.co/AEpQ0qh4xS Una McCaffrey (@UnaMcCaffrey) January 4, 2021 Mr Troy conceded that many online traders based in the UK were themselves left scratching their heads, leading to inconsistency across the board. We are now operating under a new set of rules for online trading and I want to remind Irish consumers to be alert to potential additional costs and changed entitlements when buying from UK online retailers," he said. The main concerns for consumers are the possibility of additional costs, by way of Vat and customs charges that may apply depending on the value and origin of the goods in question. "Some online retailers are alerting consumers to these charges and some are including these additional charges in their final price. Consumers, though, need to check out each retailers policies and also whether there may be additional charges from the delivery company in respect of fee collection, for example." Read More Lorries turned back from Dublin Port due to Brexit The Irish Examiner this week reported that some UK-based retailers such as Made.com have simply given up on Ireland , stopping delivery to the Republic altogether in the wake of Brexit. Mr Troy said Irish consumers should be aware that only goods of proven UK origin are tariff-free, and that goods bought from the UK but not of UK origin which cost more than 150 may be subject to customs duty. If that wasn't enough to digest, Mr Troy said Irish Vat would apply on goods bought in the UK that cost more than 22. However, where UK Vat has been charged on the purchase of goods, Irish Vat will still apply when the goods are imported into Ireland. Shopping on @AmazonUK after #Brexit and can't figure out where those extra charges are coming from? Don't know what an 'Import Fees Deposit' is? Read on... #onlineshopping https://t.co/EfKlcaEwIg Jack Quann (@jqbilbao) January 4, 2021 To add another layer of mentally-taxing calculations, if an Irish consumer is charged UK Vat, a refund of such Vat should be sought by the consumer from the supplier. Buying from UK retailers online means Irish consumers are at the mercy of that government's consumer protection legislation if something goes wrong with a purchase, instead of the EU consumer protection they had previously enjoyed. The new system is also proving a navigational nuisance for Irish businesses trading with their nearest neighbours. Managing director of Cork-based procurement consultant Arvo and Brexit expert Mike McGrath, told the Irish Examiner his firm was experiencing a deluge of enquiries since January 1. Just before Christmas, after President Trump had pardoned four former Blackwater operatives convicted of killing more than a dozen Iraqis during a 2007 Baghdad massacre, John Patarini says he received a phone call. It came from the father of one of the dead. Mohammed Kinanis 9-year-old son, Ali, had been among the 17 civilians shot and killed when the Blackwater team opened fire in crowded Nisour Square on Sept. 16, 2007. More than 20 others were wounded. Ali and his family had been stuck in gridlock surrounding a central Baghdad traffic circle when he was shot in the head and died instantly. His father told the BBC that Trumps pardon of his sons killers broke my life again. Patarini, who now lives near Charlotte, headed the FBI delegation sent to Iraq to investigate the killings. It later recommended that criminal charges be brought against five employees of Blackwater, a highly controversial, private security firm based in North Carolina that had been hired by the federal government during the Iraq war. The veteran FBI agent, now retired, said his conversation with the still-grieving Kinani moved him to tears. I just wanted him to know that we did the investigation, that they were prosecuted and they were convicted, and that justice doesnt always end up where wed like, Patarini told the Observer. There was one more thing. Just because they were pardoned, Patarini said he told the father, doesnt relieve them of the responsibility for what they did. According to Patarani, Kinani replied this way: God will judge them. FILE - This combination made from file photo shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone. (AP Photo/File) Condemning the pardons Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough had been found guilty by U.S. juries of crimes ranging from manslaughter to first-degree murder in connection with the rampage. Heard, Liberty and Slough were convicted in 2014; Slough, charged with murder, was convicted in 2018. At the time of their pardons, the four were serving prison sentences ranging from 12 years to life. Story continues A fifth defendant, Jeremy Ridgeway, pleaded guilty to two felonies connected to the killings and testified against his accomplices. He was sentenced in 2015 to one year and a day in prison. Trump did not pardon him. All worked for Blackwater, which was owned and operated at the time by a close Trump ally, Erik Prince, the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Over the weekend, Patarani, now living with his wife in Lincoln County, publicly condemned Trumps decision to free the men the FBI helped put in prison. In a weekend letter to The New York Times, the 63-year-old said he was disgusted by the presidents pardons, which he described as reckless, ill-informed and politically motivated. President Trump should have had staff members review the trial evidence that led to the convictions and read the judges opinions and sentencing statements. God forbid they might have actually picked up the phone and called the investigators who built the case, Patarini wrote in a four-page opinion piece, which he said the Times solicited, then edited down to four paragraphs for its letters page. Having spent many hours with the innocent Iraqi victims who are permanently maimed and crippled because of the actions of these Blackwater guards, and the heartbroken family members of those killed, I am embarrassed for our country. Patarinis criticism of the outgoing president for whom the retired agent says he voted twice didnt stop there. In an almost two-hour phone interview with the Observer this week, the Army veteran and former federal law enforcement officer said Trumps decision had undermined the prosecution and punishment of those responsible for the wholesale slaughter of innocent civilians, damaged the countrys standing in the world, and put Americans everywhere at risk. Im so pissed off, he said. If the president were to call me, I would have to use all my restraint not to use words that I cant use. There was absolutely no justification for what the shooters did and absolutely no justification for the presidents pardon. White House explains pardons Not everyone agrees. In announcing the pardons of Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the White House cited the mens long history of service to the country as well as problems with the governments prosecution of the case, which involved multiple trials and what the White House described as the belated discovery that the Iraqi lead investigator into the killings may have had ties to insurgent groups. The statement said the presidents pardon was broadly supported by the public and also had the backing of a group of conservatives on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, S.C. Paul Slough and his colleagues didnt deserve to spend one minute in prison, Brian Heberlig, a lawyer for Slough, told The Associated Press. I am overwhelmed with emotion at this fantastic news. These are four innocent guys, and it is completely justified, Bill Coffield, a lawyer for Evan Liberty, also told the AP. In this Dec. 31, 2020, file photo pardoned Blackwater contractor Evan Liberty poses for a photo in Washington. Liberty is one of four former Blackwater contractors pardoned by President Donald Trump in one of his final acts in office, wiping away their convictions in a 2007 shooting rampage in Baghdad that killed more than a dozen Iraqi civilians. The pardons were met with intense condemnation both in the United States and the Middle East. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) After his release, Liberty said he felt at peace with his actions. I feel like I acted correctly, he said. I didnt shoot at anybody that wasnt shooting at me. Nonetheless, the presidents action drew broad international rebuke while reopening diplomatic wounds between the U.S. and the Middle East. In a column for CNN, former FBI agent Thomas OConnor, who was part of Patarinis team in Iraq, said investigators never found any evidence to support the defendants contention that they drew their weapons only after being fired on by enemy insurgents. The families of those killed and wounded at Nisour Square will now watch those responsible for this tragedy go free thanks to a pardon by the President of the United States. This simply makes me sad and angry, OConnor wrote. There is no forensic evidence of anyone shooting at the Blackwater team. How do I know? The evidence told me that. Looking back, Patarini said he and his team expected to investigate a tragic case of wartime collateral damage of innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire between the Blackwater team and Iraqi gunman. Within a matter of days on the ground in Baghdad, he said, that assessment changed. A two-week stay stretched into a month. Seven more visits would follow. Said Patarini: The longer we looked at it the more disgusting it became. Al-Nisoor Square is seen in Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, four days after a shootout involving a Blackwater security detail protecting a U.S. State Department convoy. Relations between the U.S. and Iraqi governments remained strained in the wake of Sundays shooting involving Blackwater USA security guards, which Iraqi officials said left at least 11 people dead. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki suggested the U.S. Embassy find another company to protect its diplomats. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) The white Kia Prosecutors and Patarini said Blackwater Team Raven 23 should never have been at Nisour Square to begin with. The team, which included the defendants, asked for permission to help get a U.S. diplomat from central Baghdad back to the safety of the so-called Green Zone. According to court documents, Raven 23 was ordered to stand down. They went anyway. Right around noon, the groups four armored vehicles reached the traffic circle at Nisour Square, which was more chaotic than usual due to ongoing construction. The Blackwater vehicles came to a stop in the middle of the circle, blocking traffic in all directions. According to Patarini, cars began shuffling around to navigate the gridlock. One of them was a white Kia. The defendants would later say they thought the car contained a suicide bomber. In fact, a young medical student, Ahmed Haithem Ahmed Al-Rubiay, was at the wheel with his physician mother sitting beside him. Prosecutors said Slatten fired the first shot. Al-Rubiay was the first to die. Four of Slattens companions joined in with machine guns and grenade launchers, Patarini said, firing bullets that were illegal for Blackwater guards to use. According to Patarini, his investigation showed that the team members were still firing indiscriminately a quarter of mile away as they sped back to the Green Zone. Later, the FBI found dozens of Army-issued shell casings at the site, Patarini said, but none that indicated there had been an exchange of gunfire with heavily armed insurgents dressed as police officers as the Blackwater guards alleged. Ive always wanted to ask them, Answer me this, Sparky: If there really was a car bomb (in the Kia), why did you shoot at it with grenades? Youd set it off, Patarini said. None of their excuses held up. FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2007 file photo, an Iraqi traffic policeman inspects a car destroyed by a Blackwater security detail in al-Nisoor Square in Baghdad, Iraq. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, the Trump administration pardoned four military contractors convicted of killing 14 Iraqi civilians in a public square 13 years ago. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File) One bad decision The retired agent said he does not fear that his criticism of Trump will bring retaliation from the presidents supporters. Patarini says he doesnt have a Facebook account, nor does he spend time on social media. However, he declined to be photographed by the Observer or to supply a photo to appear with this story. This case is not about me. Im just the guy bringing this forward, he said. This case is about the 17 killed and the 20-plus wounded ... Those are the people who should be on TV, and those are the people whose wounds and injuries and funerals should be presented to the world. Which brings him back to Patarinis conversation with the dead boys father, and his hopes that he salvaged some of the faith Kinani once had in the word of the United States. The president gets bad information and he makes a bad decision. But that doesnt mean all Americans are bad and that you dont have justice here, Patarini says he told the Iraqi. But in a section of his column that did not appear in the Times, Patarini added this: I really thought President Trump had more character and better judgment. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo) Person Shot Inside US Capitol Has Died: Police Update: The woman was identified as Ashley Babbitt, also slept Ashli Babbitt. The shooter was a U.S. Capitol Police officer who was suspended, pending an investigation. Original story below. The woman who was shot inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday has died, the Metropolitan Police Department said. A police spokesman told news outlets that the woman died, but declined to provide more details on her identity or what happened. The U.S. Capitol police didnt return a request for information. Speaking to reporters in a press conference earlier in the day, Washington Police Chief Robert Contee III confirmed one person was shot but said other details werent immediately available. That incident is under investigation and we dont have anything else to provide at this time, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, added. Video footage showed gunshots being fired after protesters entered the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, interrupting a joint session of Congress. In one clip, a shot is heard ringing out as a woman is climbing into the Speakers Lobby just outside the House chamber. Another video showed the aftermath of the shooting. We had stormed into the chambers inside, and there was a young lady who rushed through the windows. A number of police and Secret Service were saying get back, get down, get out of the way,' a witness told WUSA. She didnt heed the call and as we kind of raced up to grab people, and pull them back, they shot her in the neck. Police officers rushed in wearing riot gear and escorted others who were part of the group out of the building, the man said. He was standing outside the Capitol during the interview. With the Washington Monument in the background, people attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump near the White House in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo) People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) A huge crowd had gathered outside the building as both chambers of Congress convened to count electoral votes. An early objection to Arizonas votes triggered a two-hour debate, which was going to be followed by a vote. Over 100 GOP legislators planned to file objections to votes from at least six states, alleging irregularities and, in some cases, fraud. Unless the objections are upheldconsidered unlikely in the face of united Democratic opposition, with some Republicans siding with themDemocratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was expected to be certified the winner over President Donald Trump. But the session, already expected to drag on until late Wednesday or even into Thursday, was derailed as protesters stormed the Capitol. Police were seen arresting a number of people, but the bulk appeared to be free to roam corridors and other areas, until reinforcements arrived. Photographs from inside the House Chamber showed officers with guns drawn. Other photos showed approximately 30 protesters inside the Senate chamber, with several holding large U.S. flags and others wearing Make America Great Again gear. Several police officers were injured during the chaos, Contee said. Trump and congressional leaders urged people to exit the building and return home. [January 06, 2021] Michigan Teacher Named to Curriculum Associates' 2021 Class of Extraordinary Educators NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Melinda Geer of Glenwood Elementary in Kentwood, MI to its 2021 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar teachers from around the country. Geer is among 44 teachers from 26 states and Washington, DC chosen for this honor that recognizes educators who exhibit best-in-class use of i-Ready and/or Ready, illustrate growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrate innovation and engagement practices for students, are evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and have been teaching for at least two years. "It goes without saying that this has been an unprecedented school year that has challenged educators, students, and families alike," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "However, this group of Extraordinary Educatorslike so many other educators across the countryhas more than risen to the occasion. We are proud to recognize Melinda for her hard work, dedication, and innovative best practices that continue o positively impact the students she serves." This year's Extraordinary Educators, who were chosen from among hundreds of nominations, will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as receive unique professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit, as well as other professional learning events throughout the year. "It is an honor to have been chosen as an Extraordinary Educator for 2021," said Geer. "I am looking forward to networking with other educators who share the same passion I have for high-quality data-driven instruction. I am also very excited to learn more from Curriculum Associates and to see where this journey takes me." Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in almost half of Michigan's school districts. To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2021 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/2021-Class. About Curriculum Associates Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. Contact: Kati Elliott KEH Communications (410) 975-9638 Kati@kehcomm.com Charlotte Fixler Curriculum Associates (978) 901-6066 CFixler@cainc.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michigan-teacher-named-to-curriculum-associates-2021-class-of-extraordinary-educators-301201667.html SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Pike County Sheriff's Department PLEASANT HILL A Pleasant Hill man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on methamphetamine-related charges. Brandon M. Fox, 41, was arrested after being stopped Sept. 9 by Pleasant Hill Chief of Police Zack Orr and being found with more than 5 grams about 0.01 of a pound of methamphetamine, according to court records. The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. As automation has become commonplace in egg collection, we take a look at the technology and ask, where is it going next? In the last five years the use of mechanical robots has taken off within the egg industry, as a wide range of equipment has become available for farmers. Most producers with over 16,000 birds are using some variety of robotics and scaling back their workforce. Danny Lisle, of Devon based supplier Jansen UK, said that he has seen a remarkable increase in sales of robotics. "A lot of farmers are finding the need to diversify now, and they do that by going into the poultry industry," he said. "If you are starting from scratch, it would be silly not to use the automation that is available and make life a little bit easier for yourself. "What I say to people is that they are not designing these setups for two or three years, this is what you need to work with for the next 25 years." Stackers Jansen sell the stackers which are produced by the Dutch company, Sanovo Technology Group. Stackers are widespread on farms now, having become more and more common over the last five years. Danny explained that: "A stacker is looking to achieve stacks of six trays, which can then be put on a pallet. "When the trays are delivered empty they are all the same way around, so they concertina into a smaller space, then when you fill them up the stacker turns them 90 degrees and puts one on top of the other." Palletisers Whilst stackers are now relatively commonplace, palletising is the next step to which most producers are now looking. Palletisers place the stacks of six trays which have come out of the stacker onto a pallet. Palletising has only taken off in the last three years, before that producers turned to a Welsh company called RM Group that repurposes robots out of car factories. They buy them in bulk when they are decommissioned and renovate them for egg palletising. The main palletising options available in the UK are produced by two Dutch firms Prinzen, and Kletec. Ben McGill is operations manager for Vencomatic UK, who supply the palletisers produced by Prinzen, including the PL-110 pallet loader which has only recently come onto the market. Ben said demand is increasing rapidly: "I would think most units of 16,000 birds and above are considering some kind of automatic palletising, easily 80% of farms are considering these options." Vencomatic have sold a number of palletiser's made by a company called Cobot Automation, and although they still represent Cobot, they now also specialise in supplying the Prinzen technology. Ben said: "The main difference with the Prinzen palletiser is that it is quicker. It holds more dividers, so gets through more work and uses only a small amount of floor space." The Kletec palletisers are supplied in the UK by Newquip, their head of technical sales, Richard Buchan, explained that these are designed with simplicity in mind. "We supply the Kletec ANT 30 palletiser. It is a linear machine, so it goes back and forth on a rail, lifting the eggs up and running them across the pallet and stacking them. "It does not use an arm like the car robots", Richard continued. "I like the simplicity of them. It makes them easier to clean, and far more straightforward for the farmer to fix by themselves." Both Ben and Richard explained that it can be a challenge to convert older systems. "It is so important to design the packhouse with this technology in mind," Richard added. "We are running into buildings where people are almost putting it in as an afterthought, they are running out of room or the doors are in the wrong place. If you get it wrong it can be a real mess." Effectiveness Sam Mitchell farms with his family in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, where they grow wheat, barley, sugar beet and potatoes, alongside managing a suckler herd. In 2017 Sam took the plunge into free range egg production, in search of a new challenge and the hope of being more prepared for a future without subsidies. They now have 32,000 hens producing for Anglia Free Range. They introduced a palletiser called a Cobot from the outset. Sam said: "It is a very good machine, you have the odd niggly thing, as you do with new machines, but I am very pleased with it. "If we were lifting all of these 12kg stacks up really high it could become a little bit of a health and safety risk. Sam Mitchell has 32,000 hens producing for Anglia Free Range "When we got it, we did look at some of the old car robots, but they were around thirty years old and worked out at more money than a brand-new palletiser." Sam said that he got a grant for his palletiser: "We were lucky enough to get our palletiser through a LEADER grant. "We put in three quotes for robots and managed to get a 40% grant on the palletiser that cost 32,000 in all. That is around the average price of a palletiser, although some do cost as much as 45,000. Stackers come in around the 10-14,000 mark. Sam says he would recommend palletisers to other producers: "If people have room in their sheds, they should think about fitting one. "I know a lot of new producers who have gone into egg production have ticked these boxes, but it is obviously more of a challenge in older sheds." The next generation Vencomatic have recently released what they see as the next generation of automation in egg production. Their Meggsius family of products is made up of three different options, the Meggsius Detect, Control, and Count. They all focus heavily on data collection. Ben said that these products are essentially trying to identify why some flocks will deliver their maximum efficiency, in terms of eggs laid, and others will not. "The Detect is a simple piece of equipment, every time a broken egg hits a piece of equipment it highlights it to the operator, so it can be wiped clean and used again straight away. This reduces contamination and cleaning time." The other two products, the Count and Control, are designed to work in tandem. "The Control essentially programmes the egg collection conveyors so that each house remains separate and therefore traceable", he explained. "The Count uses a camera to count the eggs and adjusts the packing system so that it is always running at maximum efficiency. "It takes out that human element because you no longer have somebody adjusting the dials manually." A similar device is already supplied by Newquip, they provide the EggCam which is produced by Big Dutchman and uses laser beams to count the eggs, with the added benefit of recording egg weight and quality. The Milton Hershey School is planning to build an early childhood education center in Derry Township. The center will be built on the southwest corner of Governor Road and Homestead Road. It will be designed to accommodate 150 students and will serve eligible children free-of-charge. The school said that the center is designed for children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds with the goal of encouraging the development of a childs educational, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The school said the center will have a core early learning program consisting of a rigorous and relevant curriculum thats aligned with a mission to nurture and educate enrolled children. The school said it will also provide nutritious meals, transportation as necessary, and other needed supplies such as clothes and basic on-site medical supplies. The school is expected to include 41,325 square feet and will have a 9,500 square-foot second floor. There will also be an outdoor learning area. The center is expected to have 80 employees and volunteers and is tentatively scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The center in Derry Township is part of a much larger $350 million plan for Milton Hersey to open six early childhood centers across the state of Pennsylvania. Dauphin County Judge John J. McNally ruled in October that the school for the first time, to will be allowed to extend its educational reach beyond its Derry Township campus. McNallys approval of the childcare center plan was required because the deed of trust issued by Milton and Catherine Hershey in 1909 restricted the spending of trust income solely to the existing private residential school for underprivileged students in Derry Township. The Hershey Trust Company and the Milton Hershey School recently filed a conditional use application with Derry Township for a group childcare facility. The application requests that a conditional use authorization be granted to establish a group childcare facility on the property located at the southwest portion of Governor Road and Homestead Road. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the conditional use request with some conditions on Tuesday night. The Derry Township board of supervisors will hold a hearing to approve the request on Jan. 26. Kate Dattilo of the Milton Hershey School said that the early childhood education centers are a result a comprehensive study. A couple of years ago (the school) kind of engaged in a comprehensive multi-year study to think about different ways to expand our impact and to enhance the vision of Milton and Catherine Hershey and really through that process and as informed by data and various internal and external experts the school landed on the vision for [the] early childhood education initiative and so this initiative and the center will serve a very similar population to the Milton Hershey School, she said. It will serve children form disadvantage backgrounds. While the residential portion of the Milton Hershey school serves children from across the country, the centers will serves children in the local areas. We are also exploring transportation, so we may provide small buses to take children closer to their home and to relieve families of the burden of day to day transportation, Dattilo said. The school plans to build the second center in Harrisburg and four more centers throughout the state at locations that are yet to be determined. The facilities would be built in stages, with the first one likely opening in 2023, the second one in 2024 and the last one opening in 2027. Each center will have six classes each for infants to 2-year-olds and the same number of separate classes for ages 3 to 5. The Milton Hershey School was established in 1909 and held its first classes in 1910. It was designed to be a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from low-income families. Its residential campus features more than 170 group homes and schools for grades K-12. The school has more than 2,100 students. The new centers would allow the school to provide services to up to 900 children age five and below. You can follow Daniel Urie on twitter @DanielUrie2018 and you can like him on Facebook. For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Vietnamese businesspeople have donated billions of dong to charitable activities during the COVID-19 crisis. Pham Nhat Vuong of Vingroup Vingroup in February 2020 signed contracts on funding research to cope with the pandemic worth VND20 billion. In March, it committed VND125 billion for buying ventilators, testing machines, biological test kits and conducting research on SARS-CoV-2. Pham Nhat Vuong, president of Vingroup When the pandemic reached its peak, Vingroup automobile factory manufactured ventilators. Soon after signing a contract with Medtronic on using its PB560, an invasive ventilator, Vingroup began doing research on non-invasive ventilators based on the design that MIT shares with the community. It took just three weeks for Vingroup engineers (Vinfast and Vinsmart) to complete manufacturing of the two models VFS-410 and VFS-510 According to Forbes, billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, president of Vingroup, and Thien Tam Charity Fund of Vingroup, donated $77 million this year to relief activities, as well as education scholarships and healthcare programs throughout the country. Vingroups finance report showed that in the first nine months of 2020, the group transfered VND2.3 trilliont to Thien Tam fund. Most recently, Vingroup announced the establishment of VinFuture fund which will organize scientific and technological awards with the mission of creating positive changes in the daily life of millions of people on Earth by promoting scientific reserach and technological innovation. Branded goods King and the emergency flight of his daughter Deciding to charter a flight worth VND10 billion to carry his daughter who was suffering from Covid-19, from the UK to Vietnam, Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, dubbed as 'branded goods King' put all his hopes on Vietnamese doctors to save his daughter. After she was cured, he donated money and materials to fight the pandemic. Johnathan and his family have donated VND30 billion so far. Of this, VND15 billion was sent to the HCM City Fatherland Front to contribute to the fight against Covid-19, and VND5 billion to Mekong Delta provinces, which were struggling with a drought and a lack of clean water. The remaining VND10 billion was spent on equipment used at the hospital where his daughter was treated. The businessman revealed that he had worked with suppliers in Germany on the procurement of medical equipment for the hospital. As Vietnamese from all over the world have been returning, the businessman decided to allow the healthcare sector to use his supermarket, covering an area of 5,000 square meters in Tay Ninh, as a quarantine facility. Billionaire Trinh Van Quyet weathers the storm Looking back at 2020, Trinh Van Quyet, president of FLC Group, did not talk much about difficulties, but about Vietnamese businesses' determination to overcome difficulties. The year 2020 showed strong resilience of Vietnamese businesses. They have been brave, serious, not afraid of difficulties, not fearful of hardships, and they did not shrink back, Trinh Van Quyet, president of FLC The year 2020 showed strong resilience of Vietnamese businesses. They have been brave, serious, not afraid of difficulties, not fearful of hardships, and they did not shrink back, he said. Quyets Bamboo Airways received and put wide-body aircraft into use for flights to Northeast Asia and long-distance flights to Europe and Australia. It received a license to fly non-stop to the US. Trinh Quoc Ky's ambition Vietravel Airlines officially joined the market in 2020 when the worlds aviation sector was paralyzed because of Covid-19. The air carrier plans to use three aircraft in the first year and raise the figure to 30 within five years. Vietravel Airlines CEO Vu Duc Bien, said Vietravel Airlines will be an airline "between that of Vietjet and Bamboo Airways". There will be 17 price levels for only one class of ticket. Nguyen Quoc Ky, president of Vietravel Airlines, said Covid-19 forced it to restructure its operation and products to adapt to the new conditions. The carrier is now focusing on the domestic market, mostly serving the tours of the company and commercial passengers. The airline will set aside around 55 percent of seats for some 35-40 percent of the customers of its parent firm Vietravel. We will fly domestically first in the local 100 million person market. This is not a small market. Our revenue from domestic travel services in July 2020 was unexpectedly higher than that before the pandemic outbreak, he said. Tran Dinh Long becomes third richest billionaire Hoa Phat shares on October 23 hit a record high of VND30,900 per share after 13 years of listing. After that, the share price continued to escalate. The shares' closing price reached VND35,700 per share on November 20. This helped the stock assets of Hoa Phat president Tran Dinh Long increase sharply. Forbes estimated that Long has $1.7 billion, the highest stock asset value of Long so far. He was recognized by Forbes as a dollar billionaire in March 2018 with asset value of $1.3 billion. Later, he was excluded from the list of billionaires in the next two years as the Hoa Phat share price decreased. In late May 2020, Long reentered the club of billionaires when his asset value hit $1 billion, thanks to the strong recovery of Hoa Phat share prices. Luong Bang The turning points in the lives of Vietnamese billionaires Once dreaming of becoming a university lecturer, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao finally became a businesswoman and billionaire. Others became billionaires though they did not complete or even attend university. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks edged higher on Wednesday after Democrats won one hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Georgia and pulled ahead in a second, raising hopes for larger stimulus in the world's largest economy. Winning both seats would allow Democrats to avert gridlock in Congress and give Biden a chance to enact his legislative agenda. The benchmark DAX edged up 23 points, or 0.2 percent, to 13,674 after declining 0.6 percent the previous day. Banks were gaining ground, with Commerzbank up 4 percent and Deutsche Bank rising 2.6 percent. Automakers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen were up between 0.7 percent and 1.3 percent. The euro hit a fresh 32-month high in early European trading as Democrats claimed the first of two key election runoffs. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. (@FahadShabbir) By Abdullah Abdulkareem RAS AL KHAIMAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Jan, 2021) H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, has described the UAE as "an icon of prosperity and progress in the world," paying tribute to the "efforts of the Founding Fathers, the vision of the countrys leadership and the determination of all Emiratis." In an exclusive interview with the Emirates news Agency (WAM), Sheikh Mohammed said Ras Al Khaimah said he has kept pace with the country's overall development journey to accomplish achievements in all fields. "We are working tirelessly to carry out the directives of the H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, to enhance the development process, which is being witnessed in the emirate at various levels, as we ultimately aim to achieve the wellbeing of Emiratis," he said. Talking about the UAEs development plan for the next 50 years, he said the country will be "exploring promising prospects, ensuring the provision of a world-class quality life for generations to come, preparing for the post-oil era, developing unique initiatives and translating them into an integrated work programme that contributes to achieving the UAEs national strategy." Sheikh Mohammed, who became the Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah in 2010, also lauded the UAEs handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that it "reflected the highest levels of professionalism." "And Ras Al Khaimah has made tireless efforts, as it provided a distinguished healthcare system capable of efficiently dealing with the repercussions of this pandemic," he added. He explained, "The healthcare sector in Ras Al Khaimah is witnessing continuous development and modernisation. It is on the top of the priorities for the Ras Al Khaimah Government to integrate and cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Prevention to provide high-quality medical services for patients in the emirate, according to the best international standards. "Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the UAE is moving steadily in combatting and containing the pandemic, displaying a successful example that has been admired around the globe." Ras Al Khaimah was named the 2021 Gulf Tourism Capital at the fifth annual meeting of tourism ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in November. According to the emirates Tourism Development Authority, the emirate received 1.12 million visitors in 2019, a 4 percent increase, compared to 2018. The Authority also reported in November that during the Eid Al Adha break the emirate witnessed a 12.9 percent growth in the Average Daily Rate (ADR), saying this increase was the highest in the last three years under normal (non-pandemic) travel circumstances. Sheikh Mohammed said the GCC title "will strengthen the emirate's position on the international tourism map and will contribute to attracting larger numbers of tourists and visitors." "Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed, in recent years, a large-scale transformation, especially in vital facilities and services, infrastructure, education and healthcare sectors," he said. Asked about what he thought of the role played by the media sector in the UAE, the RAK Crown Prince affirmed that the media in the UAE is an important pillar of development and a true mirror that reflects the country's comprehensive progress. He added that witnessing the media efforts in highlighting the country's achievements to the world and in promoting national identity amid current global challenges is a source of pride. Following the outbreak of bird flu which has caused the death of 3,000 migratory birds, the domestic poultry industry is seeing a massive crisis and is forcing the farmers to bankruptcy. This has not only put the Kangra administration on tenterhooks but also triggered concern among poultry farmers as the demand for poultry products has dipped massively. Besides migratory birds, other local species, mainly crows, have been found dead in the Pong Lake Wetland area of the district. The origin of the virus is yet to be ascertained. The first fatality among the migratory birds was reported on December 28. Among the infected birds, 90% are bar-headed geese, the worlds highest-flying birds that migrate from far-off Siberia and Mongolia. So far, the virus has reportedly spread in the poultry in the adjoining area. NO WAY OUT TO DEAL WITH BIRD MIGRATION: DC Kangra deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati said there is no way out to deal with the migration of birds. We cant stop bird migration as it will continue till February end. Though, we can prevent the spread of the virus among the local human population as well as livestock, said Prajapati. The situation is under control as the virus largely has been found in migratory birds only but the administration is ready to deal with any eventuality, he added. As a precautionary measure, the district authorities have sent more than 100 samples of poultry birds from different farms for testing. Prajapati said if the virus is found in the poultry, culling activities would be carried out. We are awaiting the reports and have directed the farm owners to report any symptoms in poultry birds, he said. As of now, there is a complete ban on the sale and export of poultry products and fish in Dehra, Fatehpur, Jawali and Indora. Activities like fishing and grazing are prohibited within the one-kilometer radius of the lake. POULTRY FARMERS STARE AT HUGE LOSSES Meanwhile, the poultry industry is anticipating losses worth crores due to the outbreak. I have more than 40,000 chickens at my farm. If the virus spreads, culling would be carried out and that would mean losses worth lakhs of rupees, said Pushp Barotia, a poultry farmer in Dehra. He said the losses would run into crores for the industry in the state. He said the demand for poultry products is already declined after the outbreak. The farm owners have demanded compensation on the analogy of Kerala if culling is done. Not only them, but fishermen dependent on Pong Lake also fear the loss of livelihood. We cant do fishing until the situation is under control. How will I feed my family? said Roop Chand, a local fisherman. Not long ago, Lanise Antoine Shelley was in a health food store on the North Side helping her mother pick out some nutritional supplements. Im a vegan and a bit of a health nut, says the Chicago stage and TV actor (you may have seen Shelley on Chicago Fire and Empire, or in the Goodman Theatres recent streaming production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play). Shes also from Haiti, adopted by her mother when she was 4 years old. As she tells it, a salesperson didnt know what to make of this picture of a young Black woman advising an older white woman about nutrition. She came over and interrupted us with this Can. I. help. you?, Shelley said. THE Buccoo Reef inter-island ferry is expected to come into service by the end of this month. Thats according to Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who said that the T&T Spirit is expected to go into dry dock at the end of the month. The Buccoo Reef will replace the T&T Spirit to and from Tobago. Liking the attacks on temples and idols as political guerrilla warfare, Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday directed the police to tackle the situation. He also alleged that the opposition is indulged in vandalizing acts to divert public attention from welfare schemes launched by his government. A new model of political guerilla warfare is taking place in the state. Temples and idols are being attacked with political motives. Attacks are being held on temples at places with less population, at midnight hours at isolated places. The idols are being desecrated, Reddy said while addressing Spandana video conference with district collectors and SPs. The next day those incidents are being publicized in social media. After that, a section of mainstream media is publicizing that news. Opposition parties are using those opportunities, he added. Reddy said that the Andhra Pradesh government is delivering many welfare schemes for the public. Unable to digest the public welfare, such incidents are being orchestrated by the opposition. Without any devotion or fear for God; idols are being demolished. The opposition wants to defame the government through these incidents. We have to carefully monitor these strategies, he said. Reddy said that this type of incident never happened in past and there is a need to tackle political guerilla warfare. Such a situation never arose in past. This kind of political guerilla warfare should be tackled. As of now, 36,000 CCTV Cameras are installed in temples. Now communal harmony should be publicized. Stern action should be taken on those who spread hatred among castes and religions. Such situations should not be spared, he directed police officials. If anybody tries for political mileage, they should be taught a lesson. Every incident of idols desecration or attack on temples should be carefully and meticulously investigated. The culprits should be displayed publicly. In this matter, collectors and SPs should not spare anybody. They should be taught a lesson, he added. Earlier on Tuesday, the ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) general secretary and advisor to Andhra Pradesh government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy raised suspicions towards Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the matter of attacks on temples and alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to gain a political foothold in the state by holding agitation on such incidents. Opposition parties are playing a dangerous game. They are playing with religion and Gods. Attacks are being held on small temples in small places, where security measures are nominal. Will the government, or YSRCP, or YS Jaganmohan Reddy get any benefit from such incidents? Even a small boy can say that such attacks will hamper the prestige, he said while addressing a press conference. When we were in opposition, we have never spoke on such incidents. We believe that religion and devotion are personal feelings. Our party works beyond such religious or caste politics. We never acted such irresponsible deeds. We appeal to the public to think. Who will do such things? Definitely, it is the handiwork of opposition TDP. They want to get political gain, he said. Attacking BJP which tried to hold Ramateertham Dham Yatra on Tuesday against the alleged attacks on Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said, BJP wants to make inroads into the state. Thats why holding agitation. But it is not correct on their part to try to get political mileage of such unfortunate incidents. BJP speaking of religion is a well-known fact. That party is trying to get a foothold in the state. The idol of Lord Ram was allegedly desecrated at Ramateertham in Vizianagaram district here on December 29 following which a group of BJP workers staged a protest on the temple premises. On December 31, Andhra Pradesh Police DGP Gautam Sawang had said that an investigation is going on in the incident of desecration of Lord Ram idol at Ramateertham. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- Two of the North Mississippi Medical Centers top administrators got their vaccinations on Tuesday. Chief Executive Officer Shane Spees and Chief Executive Medical Officer Dr. Jeremy Blanchard each received the first shot of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. Spees receives shot 1 of 2 of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday. 01-05-21. Spees receives shot 1 of 2 of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday. 01-05-21. I feel excited, Spees said. Personally, receiving the vaccine, I think is a touch of hope in my life, Blanchard said. Blanchard said hes honored to receive it after the frontline caregivers received it. Because as a leader its essential to recognize those who are really giving their love, life, and effort to care for our community, Blanchard said. Its the one tool that can get us back to normal, or what I see it as, freedom to go and live our lives as we lived it before COVID, Spees said. They added the shot was nearly painless, over in a matter of seconds. Looking forward, Blanchard and Spees said they are hopeful people will grow to trust the coronavirus vaccine. Spees said he is hopeful life can continue as it was before the pandemic soon. Im hopeful that well have a lot of people take it very quickly as soon as its offered, Spees said. Blanchard said there will still be challenges to come in the future, but one major thing he has right now... is hope. Im hopeful that the vaccine will help us face those in a way that really brings out the genuine Mississippian community of caring for each other and being together again, Blanchard said. Spees said we dont know yet how long the vaccine will last, but actually having a tool now to combat this virus and save lives is a major step toward ending this pandemic. Spees added he and Blanchard are supposed to come back in 21 days for the second and final shot of the Pfizer vaccine. Democrats win one Senate seat in Georgia, lead in second race with 98% of vote counted - NYT Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock has already won the Senate elections in Georgia, receiving 50.6% of the vote (2,223,649), The New York Times reported. Republican Kelly Loeffler gained 49.4% of the vote (2,173,804). Also, after counting 98% of the vote, the second Democratic candidate John Ossoff, leads with 50.15% of the vote (2,205,082), while Republican David Perdue gains 49.85% of the vote (2,192,276). As reported, the U.S. state of Georgia held the second round of elections of senators to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. These elections are fundamentally important, since they will determine whether the Republicans will retain the majority in the Senate. If they fail to do so, the Democratic Party will win a majority in both houses of the American parliament. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A top India-centric American business advocacy group has urged the incoming Biden administration to ease the restrictions on H-1B visas and provide green cards to higher education students with science and mathematics degrees to meet the increasing demand for IT professionals in the country. On December 31, outgoing US President Donald Trump extended a freeze on the most sought-after H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas by three months to March 31, affecting a large number of Indian IT professionals who were issued visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021. President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, has promised to lift the suspension on H-1B visas, saying Trumps immigration policies are cruel. It is more of a legislative issue. We have basically recommended to the Biden administration, one, is ease up the H-1B (visa), but at the same time, every STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) PhD graduating, should be given a Green Card, so that they stay and contribute from day one as a taxpayer and also to the growth of the economy, Mukesh Aghi, president of US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum told PTI in an interview. Thats the position, we still are very supportive of. And I think the sentiment seems to be the same with the Biden administration, said Aghi, based on the interactions he has had with members of the Biden Transition Team. Biden is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 46th US President on January 20. Responding to a question, Aghi said the number of H-1B visas issued every year should be driven by the market demands. At this point of time, the current figure of 65,000 H-1B visas in addition to another 20,000 to those foreign nationals with graduation from a US university is quite inadequate to meet the huge demand of IT professionals in the US, he noted. Currently there is a shortage of 1 million IT professionals in the US. At the same time, he asserted, there is a need to ensure that the local job environment continues. Supporting the farm laws in India, Aghi said the three new legislations recently enacted are the right thing to do. Today the farmer in India gets 24 cents to a dollar for his produce, he said. In the era of technology, farmers need to have choices to be able to sell their produce to mandis or to be able to sell to other geographies as well. The farm bill provides farmers with such an option, he explained. It is just providing choices and in any economy choices are healthy. At the same time, if somebody is protesting diverse choices, in a peaceful manner, then we support it, he said. But at the end of the day, in an agriculture-based economy, one has to figure out how to double the farmers income, expand job creation and improve productivity. We strongly believe the farm bill supports that vision. People will object to it, but thats normal in a good democracy, he said. Aghi said the Covid-19 crisis and the current change in administration in the US provides India an opportunity to look at the Biden administration in a positive manner. The crisis with China has brought to India the message that we will not treat you as an equal partner; sends a message to the leadership in India to look at the Biden Administration in a very, very positive manner, he said. It also sends a message to the Biden Administration that with the current scenario, which is a geopolitical one, India can be a reliable partner; India can stand up to the threat of aggressive China, which no other country has stood up to. Both countries have a common factor here, Aghi said. So, I think the current Covid-19 crisis where India can play a strong role in the vaccine production on producing cheaper generic drugs, not only for the US, but worldwide provides an equal partnership. I think India and the Biden administration will reach out to each other and come with some kind of an understanding early on, rather than waiting on and making sure that there is a win-win partnership here, Aghi said. The Australian government has responded to a British court decision against Julian Assanges extradition to the United States by restating its refusal to defend the persecuted WikiLeaks publisher. In an unexpected verdict on Monday, British District Court Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Assange could not be dispatched to the US, where he faces 17 charges under the Espionage Act and 175 years imprisonment for exposing American war crimes, human rights violations and diplomatic conspiracies. Julian Assange Baraitsers judgement did not uphold civil liberties or press freedom. She accepted virtually all of the legal arguments of the US State Department, effectively greenlighting the prosecution of journalists and publishers for revealing national security material. Rather, Baraitser judged that extradition would be oppressive as a result of Assanges compromised mental health and the risk of suicide if he is imprisoned in the US. While the rejection of the extradition request is a welcome development, the dangers facing Assange are far from over. He remains incarcerated in Belmarsh Prison, despite the fact that he has been convicted of no crime, pending a bail hearing on Wednesday, British time. The coronavirus is circulating widely in the maximum-security facility, imperiling Assange, who has a chronic lung condition. The US authorities indicated that they would appeal the verdict, meaning that Assanges legal ordeal may continue for as many as two more years, and the threat of extradition remains. Assanges highly precarious situation underscores the need for a fight for his immediate freedom. The Australian government, however, has responded to the ruling by making plain that it will do nothing to secure the rights of the WikiLeaks founder. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne have again claimed that the persecution of the Australian journalist has nothing to do with them, declaring that they are not a party to the British hearings and insisting that the legal process run its course. In reality, the ruling is a damning indictment of the current Coalition government and previous ones. For the past year and a half, Morrison and Payne have either ignored or blithely dismissed warnings from UN Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer and hundreds of eminent medical experts in the Doctors for Assange group that the WikiLeaks founders health has deteriorated dramatically and that he requires immediate expert care. Late last year, Payne confirmed that she had never bothered to speak to Melzer, despite the fact that he had issued direct appeals to her government to intervene in defence of Assange. Baraitsers verdict confirms that the Australian government has stood by as a citizen has suffered legal and political abuses that have brought him to the brink of death. Contrary to the claims of Morrison and Payne, Australian governments have a clear responsibility to take action when an Australian citizens rights and health are attacked overseas. This is enshrined, not only in international law, but also in precedent. As recently as late last year, the current government conducted a high-level diplomatic operation to secure the release of Kylie Moore-Gilbert from Iran, where she had been jailed on unsubstantiated charges of spying for Israel. By contrast, Assange has been offered only worthless consular assistance, which his relatives have said amounts to nothing more than the provision of dated newspapers and vague assertions that Australian officials are monitoring the progress of his case. The reason for the Australian governments complicity in the persecution of Assange was underscored yesterday when Morrison responded to a question from a reporter by declaring that he would not ask the US to drop the Espionage Act charges, which have been condemned by authoritative legal organisations, UN officials and civil liberties organisations as a frontal assault on press freedom. The government is fully committed to the US alliance, including Washingtons preparations for war with China. These have been accompanied by sweeping attacks on democratic rights in Australia, including secret trials to prosecute whistleblowers and the passage of sweeping foreign interference laws potentially criminalising anti-war activities. The drive to war and authoritarianism, which underlies the persecution of Assange, is supported by the entire Australian political establishment. Labor has played a central role, either enacting or voting for every piece of national security legislation over the past two decades, and aligning Australia with a massive US military build-up in the Asia-Pacific. Responding to Mondays verdict, Labors shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus stated that his party welcomes the decision to give priority to the health and welfare of Julian Assange. Now that a British court has found that it would be unjust to extradite Mr. Assange to the US, Labor believes that this has dragged on for long enough. Dreyfus added: While the U.S. has the right to appeal the court's decision, we call on the Morrison government to do what it can to draw a line under this matter and encourage the U.S. government to bring this matter to a close. The mealy-mouthed comment, respecting the right of the American government to continue its attempts to silence a publisher, marks the first time a senior member of Labors shadow cabinet has called on the Morrison government to intervene in Assanges defence. Labor waited until the verdict was issued before issuing even these weasel words. The fact that Assanges persecution has dragged on for a decade is in no small part a result of the actions of Labor governments of which Dreyfus was a part. The Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard responded to WikiLeaks 2010 publications, for which Assange faces US charges, with unconcealed fury. The Iraq and Afghan war logs exposed the criminality of US-led wars supported by Labor and the Coalition, while American diplomatic cables, also published by WikiLeaks, revealed the intimate ties between senior Australian politicians, including Gillards closest backers, and the US authorities. Gillard falsely declared that the publications were a violation of Australian law, and pledged to assist the American intelligence agencies in their bid to shut down WikiLeaks. For his part, Dreyfus felt compelled to write a 2011 opinion piece, repeating the lie that the publications had placed the lives of US informants at risk. It concluded with the authoritarian declaration that we are in fact well served by some proper and thought-through confidentiality in government affairs. The Gillard governments collaboration in the vendetta against Assange set the precedent that has been followed by all of its successors. Current Labor leader Anthony Albanese remains silent on Assanges plight having echoed government statements on the case for the past year and a half. Some Australian media outlets have responded to Mondays verdict by warning of the implications of Judge Baraitsers endorsement of the US governments claims that it has the right to prosecute publishers. An editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday headlined PM should urge US to abandon pursuit of Julian Assange stated: The decision of British judge Vanessa Baraitser to block the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States to face espionage charges was made on the grounds of his mental health and the regime under which he would be jailed there. This leaves important wider questions still at issue. To the extent that the corporate publications have pointed to the broader assault on press freedom, it has largely been from the standpoint of how it could impact on their own lucrative activities. The Herald editorial gave no account of that publication's role in the Assange case, which for most of the past decade has consisted of repeating all of the lies peddled by the intelligence agencies to undermine support for the WikiLeaks publisher. Similar hypocrisy has been on display from the Greens. That party was in a de facto coalition with the Gillard government as it attacked Assange. Its MPs were silent on Assanges plight for years, and have rejected calls from their own ranks for a public, party campaign for the WikiLeaks founders freedom since he was arrested by British police in April, 2019. The occasional statements of concern from individual Greens MPs, along with cross-bench parliamentarians and a handful of Labor backbenchers, have a for-the-record character. Such remarks have not involved any frontal challenge of the government, Albanese or the media blackout of the Assange case. Rather they have served primarily as a means of perpetuating the fraud that a section of the parliamentary establishment defends democratic rights. As the Socialist Equality Party has insisted, an Australian government will only uphold its obligations to Assange if it is forced to do so by a political movement of the working class. The struggle for press freedom must be connected to the fight against escalating militarism, austerity and the accompanying turn by governments to dictatorial forms of rule. Mondays verdict, which opens a crack in the door for Assanges liberty, underscores the crucial importance of intensifying this campaign over the coming weeks and months. In addition to intervening in defence of Assange, the Australian authorities must give an unconditional guarantee that they will not entertain any extradition requests against Assange, if he returns to his country of origin, or otherwise participate in political conspiracies against him. Jan. 6, 2020 - A Freeborn County resident who is a police officer in Waseca was shot and "gravely injured." Authorities identified the severely injured officer as Arik Matson, 32, of Freeborn, who has been with Waseca police since 2013 and is a D.A.R.E. officer. Jan. 7, 2020 - The man in custody for the shooting of Waseca police officer Arik Matson has a long criminal history that includes a conviction for accessory to murder. Tyler Robert Janosvky, of Waseca, has convictions dating all the way back to 2000, according to online court records. Jan. 13, 2020 - A week after Matson was shot while answering a call regarding a suspicious person, the community comes together. As he remains in intensive care, his hometown of Albert Lea is rallying in support of the Matson family. Feb. 3, 2020 - The southern Minnesota police officer who was shot in the head is out of intensive care and spent the weekend in an acute care facility. Feb. 22, 2020 - State and local leaders declare the day as "Arik Matson Day" in Minnesota. "Easy to like, always a smile on his face, you give him a call, he goes to the call," Kari Kopischke said. Feb. 26, 2020 - A southern Minnesota business created more than 1,200 t-shirts to support Matson and gave the family a check for around $16,000. March 2, 2020 - The family calls Matson's progress "nothing short of a miracle" as he continues to improve nearly two months after the shooting. July 26, 2020 - The man who critically injured a southern Minnesota police officer will be sentenced to 35 years in prison after he pled guilty to two counts of attempted murder of a police officer. Oct. 19, 2020 - People line the streets of Waseca to welcome home Matson after months of rehab. Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks to support Matson, who walked along a line of fellow officers waiting under a giant Welcome Home, Arik! banner. "He defied all the odds." Nov. 6, 2020 - The man who shot Arik Matson was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Tyler Robert Janovsky, 38 of Waseca, pleaded guilty in July to two counts of 1st degree attempted murder. Hes been given credit for 306 days already served and ordered to pay $457,618.23 in restitution. Nov. 18, 2020 - The family was gifted a new vehicle and a check for $25,000 shortly after returning home after around seven months in a rehab facility. Jan. 6, 2021 - It marks one year since Matson responded to a complaint in Waseca and was shot in the face. He's proven to be an inspiration to many around the region and his journey continues. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images After a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building in defiance of the election of Joe Biden, California Rep. Ted Lieu called for the immediate removal of the president. Both chambers of Congress abruptly went into recess once Trump supporters forced their way inside the building, and members of Congress were evacuated. Lieu tweeted that he was evacuated from the building, and called the events a coup attempt. [January 05, 2021] YouTrip Inks Six-Year Partnership with Visa to Expand its Footprint in Southeast Asia SINGAPORE, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- YouTrip, Singapore's leading multi-currency mobile wallet has announced a six-year partnership with Visa, the world's leader in digital payments, to accelerate its expansion into the rest of Southeast Asia, starting with Malaysia and Philippines. Currently launched in Singapore and Thailand, YouTrip has amassed over one million downloads to date. The announcement comes a year after YouTrip's first regional expansion to Thailand in partnership with Kasikornbank, one of Thailand's largest banks with over 13.9 million online banking customers as of November 2020. Despite the pandemic, YouTrip continues to establish a strong foothold in the multi-currency space online. Most recently, YouTrip has successfully pivoted to overseas e-commerce payment and recorded a three-fold increase in quarterly transactions, compared to the same period last year. Taking on E-Commerce Boom and Travel Recovery in Southeast Asia The partnership with Visa will fuel YouTrip's mission to bring the best cross-border payment experience to the travellers in Southeast Asia. With rising disposable incomes and increased air connectivity, the region is part of Asia Pacific's projected US$541million outbound tourism expenditure in 2030. Consumers in Southeast Asia are also demonstrating a strong preference for digital payments, with close to 70 per cent expecting their usage of cashless payment methods to increase over the next 12 months, according to Visa's Consumer Payment Attitudes study[1]. With regional travel poised to be the first step towards international travel recovery, this presents YouTrip with an opportunity to solve a unique pain point for Southeast Asian travellers. Unlike regional travel in other parts of the world such as Europe or the United States of America, travelling within Southeast Asia requires multi-currency spending. Coupled with the year-long pent up demand for travel and cross-border payment, this puts YouTrip in good stead for further expansion. Leveraging on Visa's global network of 70 million merchant locations worldwide, YouTrip aims to enable Southeast Asia travellers with access to cross border payment solutions such as wholesale exchange rates and no foreign currency transaction fees in over 150 currencies. Caecilia Chu, Co-Founder and CEO of YouTrip shares: "Our partnership with Visa will enable our continued growth to drive the next generation of payment innovation of cross border payments. We are incredibly excited for the opportunities ahead to serve millions of consumers in Southeast Asia and empower them with the solutions they deserve." YouTrip looks to Malaysia and the Philippines as the next potential markets in the next six to 12 months. The two markets present massive untapped potential with outbound travel expenditure expected to reach US$12.4bn and US$12.0bn from Malaysia and Philippines respectively in 2021. Additionally, Malaysia and the Philippines are two of the fastest-growing Southeast Asian countries in mobile payment adoption, from 17% to 40% and 14% to 45% respectively. The partnership presents YouTrip the opportunity to bring its hyper localised, 'Truly No Fees' proposition to a growing group of digitally adept travellers. "In a short span of two years, we have established YouTrip as a leading multi-currency wallet in both Singapore and Thailand. With our strong foundation, we look forward to combining our market-winning expertise along with Visa's payment innovations to the rest of Southeast Asia, starting with Malaysia and Philippines," Kelvin Lam, Regional General Manager of YouTrip adds. Matt Wood, Head of Digital Partnerships Asia Pacific, Visa said: "We are excited to work with YouTrip across Southeast Asia to provide consumers and businesses with a multi-currency payment solution that is ideal for international eCommerce and cross-border travel. Together, we look forward to bringing faster, safer and more convenient digital payments to people across the region." [1]Visa Consumer Payment Attitudes Study was conducted in August 2019 among 5,102 consumers across Southeast Asia About YouTrip YouTrip is a regional financial technology startup, dedicated to creating the best mobile financial services for travellers across Southeast Asia by simplifying overseas spending and creating a fuss-free travel experience. YouTrip first launched in Singapore in 2018 and subsequently in Thailand in 2019. For more information, please visit www.you.co About Visa Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world's leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit www.visa.com.sg SOURCE YouTrip [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An embarrassed China on Wednesday acknowledged that there could be some "misunderstanding" between Beijing and the World Health Organisation over granting timely permission to experts to visit the country to probe the origin of the coronavirus, even as it gave no indication about when it will allow them to come. In a rare instance of criticism from the global body, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is often accused of being pro-China, in a media conference in Geneva on Tuesday said, "Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in China. "I'm very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute, but had been in contact with senior Chinese officials." Tedros said he made it clear that the mission was a priority for the UN health agency. We are eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible, he said. The delay by China to finalise the WHO team's arrival is fuelling concern that Beijing is obstructing global efforts to trace the origins of COVID-19, which has so far killed over 1,870,800 people worldwide after the disease broke out in central China's Wuhan city one year ago. Answering a spate of questions at a media briefing here on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying sought to downplay Tedros comments, saying that there might be some misunderstand on this. We can understand Dr Tedros and the WHO, she said, adding that the two sides are "in discussions" to finalise the dates. We hope the details can be determined as soon as possible. Hope the WHO can understand this. We always have smooth communication channels. There might be some misunderstanding on this. But there is no need to read too much into this. We have smooth communication and pleasant cooperation. I believe it will continue, Hua said. Asked whether the delay is about granting visas to the 10-member of international experts, Hua said, We have good cooperation with Dr Tedros. We can understand him, but if you like to visit other places, you need to talk in advance to the other side to discuss dates. Pointing to the resurfacing of the coronavirus, she said, There are minor outbreaks all around the world, adding that Chinese experts and authorities are busy dealing with the epidemic situation at home. Still we attach importance to WHO's visit to China and we have been in discussions. We hope through our discussions and efforts we can make decisions on their dates and arrangements as soon as possible, Hua said. China has been proactively questioning the widely-held view that the deadly outbreak broke out in a wet market in Wuhan where live animals, birds and reptiles are sold. The market remained closed and sealed since early last year. In May last year, the World Health Assembly (WHA) the governing body of the 194-member states of the WHO approved a resolution to set up an independent inquiry to conduct an "impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the international response as well as that of the WHO. It also asked the WHO to investigate the "source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population. On the COVID-19 origin tracing, Hua said China had candid discussions with the WHO. We want to help international origin tracing and studies. We are among the first group of countries that cooperated with the WHO, she claimed. Hua said China has twice invited WHO experts to come to the country for origin tracing and made the Chinese part of global virus cooperation plan. "In October last, we had an agreement with the WHO on the international experts team members and then we had frequent interactions and held four conferences via video link. "We candidly talked about our results in origin tracing. Recently we have been adopting a positive and constructive attitude in discussing the origin tracing cooperation with the WHO. Now the epidemic situation in the world is very severe. In China we are also conducting our work to prevent and contain the virus. Our departments and experts are very busy in this work," she said. Asserting that the origin tracing is "a very complicated matter", Hua said, "To ensure the smooth going of this work, we need to undergo necessary procedures and make specific arrangements and both sides are still in consultations on this." China on Monday vehemently refuted the US charge that the novel coronavirus was leaked from a bio lab in the country and asserted that the pandemic was likely to have been caused by separate outbreaks in multiple places in the world. Immigrant children arriving at the United States-Mexico border from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have more than a 95 percent chance of remaining in the U.S. after their arrival, according to newly released data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS data that was released this week showed the extent to which immigrant children from the three Central American countries are much more likely to remain in the U.S. than not. According to a Breitbart News report, these children are often placed with an illegal immigrant relative already living in the country. A total of 315,582 immigrant children from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador were encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border from early 2013 to 2020. More than 95 percent or about 300,900 have no confirmed departure from the U.S., implying that they remain in the United States while failing to voluntarily deport or being in the process of being given immigration relief. Related story: Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Sent to Live with Undocumented Adults Who May Be in US Illegally Unaccompanied Immigrant Children In 2019, federal immigration officials counted more than 64,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador at the southern border. Out of those counts, just 2.15 percent were removed to their native country, while 98 percent have no confirmed departure from the U.S. States like New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Virginia were the areas that usually receive immigrants from the UAC program. More than 165,000 UACs have been released into the United States since President Donald Trump took office. Immigrants' Treatment Cuba recently reiterated its condemnation of the U.S. policies against migrant families who tried to seek asylum from violence and poverty in their home countries. "U.S. treatment of migrant children is consistent with torture as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. President [Donald] Trump's promotion of inhuman policies marks treatment to thousands of persons and the separation of children from their parents," Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said in an Anadolu Agency news report. Parilla was referring to an updated version of the academy's report published on Jan. 1. According to the study, border crossings have increasingly involved families and unaccompanied children since 2000. Authorities apprehended more than 851,000 persons on the U.S. southwestern border in 2019. That includes families with a count of 473,682 and unaccompanied minors with a 76,000 count. The data also stated that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently ordered the deportation of immigrant children without notification to their families, under the pretense of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The study also called the treatment against children at the border as cruel, inhuman, and degrading that rises to the level of torture. Since Nov. 18 last year, the Trump government has barred unaccompanied immigrant children at the border. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) put 33 unaccompanied children on a flight to Guatemala on the day that U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued the decision blocking the administration's move to turn immigrant children away based on CDC's public health restrictions, according to a Vox report. Read also: US Border Authorities Expel Migrant Children to Other Countries Far From Their Families gettyimages By Baek Byung-yeul Korea's semiconductor industry outperformed expectations in 2020 despite the volatile market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as the non-face-to-face trend increased the demand for chips. Industry analysts forecasted Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and smaller foundry companies will show better performances in 2021 as chip demand from various sectors including smartphones, servers and other IT devices will be on the rise. Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) recently announced the global chip industry will enter a bullish super-cycle and thanks to the upward trend, Korea's exports this year will be increased by 6 percent to 7 percent compared to 2020. Market researcher Omdia also estimated this year's global DRAM market will see a 23.8 percent increase year-on-year while the NAND flash chips market will be increased by 13.4 percent from a year earlier. "The semiconductor industry is expected to see a super-cycle thanks to a recovery in demand, rising unit costs, the expansion of fifth-generation (5G) networks and acceleration of digitization," the trade agency said. The country's chip industry will also be likely to perform better this year as China's grip on the chip industry is expected to be weakened due to the U.S. government's continued sanctions on Chinese companies. In December, the U.S. Commerce Department blacklisted dozens of Chinese tech firms including the largest chipmaker SMIC, calling them a security threat. SMIC is China's largest semiconductor foundry company and produces chips for numerous Chinese IT firms including Huawei. Due to the blacklisting, SMIC has been prevented from accessing technology to produce semiconductors at the advanced level of 10-nanometer or smaller. The smartphone business, which accounts for the largest part of the memory chip business, will be a strong reinforcement to leading memory chip makers Samsung and SK. In 2020 the smartphone market decreased by 11 percent compared with 2019 due to the virus impact which led to supply chain disruptions, but it is expected to recover this year. Market analysts forecasted this year's market will increase by 13 percent year-on-year. Though Huawei, which has been one of the largest customers to Samsung and SK, will struggle due to Washington's continued sanctions, the demand for smartphone memory chips will be increased thanks to the proliferation of 5G network-enabled phones, and Chinese phone makers such as Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi are expected to buy more chips from the Korean chip makers to fill the void left by Huawei. Also, small foundry companies such as DB HiTek are expected to enjoy soaring demand for producing analog chips, which are used to measure temperature, heart rate and light, as more Internet of Things (IoT) devices will be sold this year. Kim Kyung-min, an analyst at Hana Financial Investment, estimated that DB HiTek will continue to operate its foundry lines at full capacity this year. "As foundry supply has been tight, DB HiTek's production capacity has remained at almost 100 percent during this winter, which was usually the off-season for the chip industry. This trend will continue at least throughout 2021," the analyst said. Members of the pro-Trump mob that broke into the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday broke into the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while there. Trump-friendly media shared photos and videos from inside the office, and AFP photographer Saul Loeb took a photo of one such demonstrator sitting at a desk in Pelosi's office. Another photo shows that someone left a folder on her desk with the writing, "WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN" in red ink. And yet another photo shows someone with their face exposed and smiling for the camera walking off with a lectern with the House Speaker logo on it, but it's unclear if the lectern was taken from Pelosi's office or from another location. Win McNamee/Getty Images During the riots, Pelosi put out a statement with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for President Trump to intervene. "We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately," the statement reads. Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters at the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. A pro-Trump mob was also seen inside the Senate chamber. One person got up on the dais and yelled Trump won that election. Several dozen are roaming through the halls, yelling Where are they? according to a pool report. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Editor's note: A previous version of this story identified one Trump supporter as sitting at Nancy Pelosis desk. It has since been amended to state that the person was sitting at a desk inside Pelosis office, after Pelosi's daughter took to Twitter to clarify that was not the House speaker's desk. The proposal is in line with Chinas evolving steel market, where billet imports are expected to be a trend as a result of the countrys drive toward cutting blast furnace capacity and crude steel output.China is increasingly becoming an important billet importer in Asia, along with the Philippines.China imported 8.45 million tonnes of steel billet in January-October 2020, according to Chinese customs data. The country imported just 482,393 tonnes in the same period of 2019.The price will be assessed on a cfr eastern China ports basis. Price points for other mainland China ports obtained directly from active market participants will be normalized to a cfr eastern China basis.Fastmarkets weekly assessment will exclude prices for Iran-origin billet due to such cargoes carrying steep discounts in comparison with blast furnace-based billet supplied by other countries such as Vietnam, India and Russia.Fastmarkets will not normalize price information for cargoes of quality and sizes beyond what is outlined in the established specifications to arrive at an assessment. While it may take such information - such as those concerning the cfr Philippines market and ferrous scrap prices - as supplementary data, the assessment will be based on primary data gathered on a cfr China basis.The specifications for the proposed assessment are as follows:120x120mm to 150x150mm, length 12m, 3sp grade5,000-50,000 tonnescfr eastern China ports (normalized for other mainland Chinese sea ports)4-8 weeks$/tonneLetter of credit on sightWeekly, Friday, 5-6pm Shanghai timeThe consultation period for the proposed price starts on Wednesday January 6 and will end on Friday February 5. The proposed changes, subject to market feedback, will be implemented on Monday February 8.To provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the specification, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to Fastmarkets steel billet pricing, please contact Jessica Zong or Lee Allen by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com . Please add the subject heading FAO: Jessica Zong / Lee Allen, re: China steel billet price.To see all of Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/about-us/methodology Allan Smith and Ginger Gibson and Daniel Arkin and Pete Williams and Dartunorro Clark and Tom Winter and Haley Talbot and Lauren Egan and Shannon Pettypiece and Monica Alba and Peter Alexander Allan Smith and Ginger Gibson and Daniel Arkin and Pete Williams and Dartunorro Clark and Tom Winter and Haley Talbot and Lauren Egan and Shannon Pettypiece and Monica Alba and Peter Alexander WASHINGTON The U.S. Capitol descended into chaos and violence Wednesday as hundreds of pro-Trump rioters swarmed the building, leaving four dead and forcing the Senate to evacuate and Vice President Mike Pence to be ushered to a secure location. The frenzied scene after rioters broke through barricades forced Congress to evacuate parts of the building and abruptly pause a ceremonial event affirming that President-elect Joe Biden won the November election. In one dramatic moment, police officers drew guns as rioters tried to break into the House chamber. Pence, who was presiding over the joint session of Congress, could be seen rushing out of the Senate chamber amid the sounds of throngs of President Donald Trump's supporters who surrounded the Capitol. Pence and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the Senate president pro tem, were taken to a secure location, a senator told NBC News. A woman was fatally shot by U.S. Capitol Police and three others died in medical emergencies, said Washington, D.C., Police Chief Robert Contee. Image: Rioting in U.S. Capitol (J. Scott Applewhite / AP) The doors of the Senate were closed and locked, and senators were told to stay away from the area. The doors to the House were barricaded, and some lawmakers were seen praying. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a 12-hour curfew in the city that began Wednesday evening. Twitter and other social media channels were flooded with images of protesters skirmishing with police officers, and there were multiple reports of rioting inside the Capitol as some rioters broke windows, battered down doors and postured in the Senate chamber. Improvised explosive devices were found on the Capitol grounds, several law enforcement officials said. Officers were in the process of destroying the devices, and it was not clear whether they were functional. At least one was made of a small section of galvanized pipe. The woman who was fatally shot by Capitol Police was Ashli Babbitt, 35, of San Diego, family members told NBC San Diego. Her brother-in-law, Justin Jackson, said in a statement to the station: Ashli was both loyal as well as extremely passionate about what she believed in. She loved this country and felt honored to have served in our Armed Forces. Please keep her family in your thoughts and respect their privacy during this time. Five weapons were recovered from the complex, and three arrests were made, D.C. police said. None of the people were residents of the district. There were 12 arrests in the two days leading up to Wednesday. Images from the clashes were rife with disturbing hate symbols: a photo of a noose that had been hung on the west side of the Capitol, protesters waving Confederate flags or using white power gestures. Trump directed the National Guard to head to the Capitol, he said in a tweet, and U.S. Capitol Police requested additional support. The FBI was deployed, and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the response, too. Image: Noose at U.S. Capitol (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images) As Bowser's 12-hour curfew went into effect, most of the protesters dispersed, but pro-Trump demonstrators were seen in videos on social media roaming the city's streets amid a heavy police presence. The Metropolitan Police Department announced several arrests related to today's protests and approximately 50 curfew-violation arrests as of 10:30 p.m. The department said most of the arrestees were from out of state and it was processing additional arrests. Bowser said the city is working with federal law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who stormed the chambers of Congress. All four living former presidents decried the rioting. Former President George W. Bush condemned the violence in a statement and also indirectly criticized Trump and his supporters. "It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic not our democratic republic," he said. "I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement." Bush said that the passions of protesters were "inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes." Former President Barack Obama also excoriated Trump in a statement and denounced the violence, calling it "a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation." Right now, Republican leaders have a choice made clear in the desecrated chambers of democracy. They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires," Obama said. "Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. They can choose America." Former President Jimmy Carter said in a statement, "This is a national tragedy and is not who we are as a nation," while Bill Clinton tweeted that: "The match was lit by Donald Trump and his most ardent enablers, including many in Congress, to overturn the results of an election he lost." House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, confirming on Fox News that shots had been fired inside the Capitol, called the mayhem "un-American" and said: We can disagree, but we should not take it to this level. ... You do not do what is happening right now. People are being hurt. This is unacceptable. Biden called on Trump to go on national television to "fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege." "It's not protest, it's insurrection," he said. "The words of a president matter, no matter how good or bad it is." Image: Protesters climb Capitol wall (Jose Luis Magana / AP) The top Democrats in Congress echoed Biden's message: We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a joint statement. Pelosi, in another statement on Wednesday, called the violence a shameful assault on democracy and vowed that both chambers would finish certifying Bidens win under heightened protection. Congress reconvened late Wednesday evening, with members of both parties sharply rebuking the violence and vandalism of the chamber. Pence called it a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol. To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today: you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people's house, he said. Former Attorney General William Barr, who was with Trump last summer as National Guard members sprayed tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters so the president could hold a Bible for a photo opportunity, admonished the rioters. "The violence at the Capitol Building is outrageous and despicable. Federal agencies should move immediately to disperse it," he said. Image: Capitol protesters (John Minchillo / AP) Dan Eberhart, a prominent Trump and Republican party donor, also sharply criticized the protests and the president. "If President Trump wants to have any kind of political future within the Republican Party, he needs to condemn the violence at the Capitol and stop claiming the election was stolen," Eberhart told NBC News. "President Trump had his day in court. Its time to concede defeat and think about his political future." He added, "The desecration of the Capitol is not going to be forgotten. He cost Sen. (Mitch) McConnell his leadership position and now hes s------g all over the Capitol." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also condemned the violence in a series of tweets and called for arrests and prosecution. "Let us swiftly bring justice to the criminals who engaged in this rioting," he said in the tweet. After recovering, McConnell, the top Senate Republican, rebuked the rioters without noting the source of the violence and called them thugs." Criminal behavior will never dominate the United States, he said without did not identify its source. nor did he call on his members to drop their objections to the count.. This institution is resilient. Our democratic republic is strong. The American people deserve nothing less. Schumer, who is poised to become the chamber's Majority Leader, also sharply criticized the protests but squarely placed the blame on President Trump in a fiery speech before Bidens win was certified. "Make no mistake. Make no mistake, my friends. Today's events did not happen spontaneously, he said. This mob was in good part President Trump's doing incited by his words, his lies. This violence, in good part, his responsibility, his everlasting shame. The New York lawmaker also called for rioters to be "prosecuted to the full extent of the law hopefully by this administration; if not, certainly by the next." Trump, who earlier Wednesday called on his supporters to march to the Capitol and even suggested that he might join them before he ultimately returned to the White House, addressed the chaos and the unrest in a series of tweets that were eventually flagged by Twitter as spreading false election claims and posing "a risk of violence." He asked people to go home, but did not condemn the violence. The chaotic situation came after Trump spoke to a large crowd in front of the White House. He angrily vowed never to concede to Biden and baselessly asserted that the election results were fraudulent. "We will never give up. We will never concede. You don't concede when there's theft involved," Trump told a crowd of supporters, some of whom chanted "USA!" or waved anti-Biden banners. He later falsely claimed that Biden would be an "illegitimate" president. Inside the White House, following the violent clashes in and around the Capitol, chief of staff Mark Meadows, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, senior advisors Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have been among those meeting with the president today, according to a person familiar with the matter. Some White House aides appear shaken by the events that have transpired today, which have been airing on televisions in the West Wing. Theres been some hard days and some challenging days," a person familiar with meetings told NBC News. "I would say that this ones the toughest. In the wake of the violence, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys chief of staff and a former White House press secretary, submitted her resignation on Wednesday. Twitter also, for the first time, locked Trump's account after flagging and removing several of his tweets for "repeated and severe violations" of the company's civic integrity policy. The company threatened permanent suspension if those tweets were not deleted. Facebook also blocked Trump's access to his account for 24 hours. The president has tweeted several messages since a large group of his supporters, some of which have since been removed for "contributing to the risk of ongoing violence." Trump's groundless claims of voter fraud have been widely debunked, and his legal team's efforts to challenge the election results in court have been rejected by a succession of judges. Trump has claimed Wednesday's joint session of Congress represents a chance to overturn the election, even though state electors have already certified the results and the event inside the Capitol is ceremonial. Trump has put pressure on Pence to intervene in the count. In his lengthy and digressive remarks, Trump called on Pence to "do the right thing," even though Pence's ceremonial role does not give him with power to intervene. Pence sent a letter to Congress ahead of the ceremony saying he would not be doing what Trump has hoped. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., tweeted that she was drawing up articles of impeachment against Trump. "We cant allow him to remain in office, its a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath," she tweeted. Trump was impeached by the House in late 2019 and acquitted by the Senate in early 2020. Jason Bjorklund, who flew to the capital from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said he did not know what to expect when Congress convened. "I just felt compelled to be here, because it seems like our republic is slipping away from us," Bjorklund said. He added, baselessly, that there were "mountains of evidence of fraud" and detailed conspiracy theories about Dominion voting machines. When asked to account for the judges who have rejected the Trump legal team's attempts to challenge the results, Bjorklund said: "I think we've got corruption from the top to the bottom." Image: Protesters outside the Capitol (Olivier Douliery / AFP - Getty Images) Before Trump's speech, it appeared that some senators were being approached by Trump supporters near the Capitol, including an apparently exasperated Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who said he would not vote against affirming Biden's victory because he was bound to follow the law. "I took an oath under God, under God!" Young said. "Do we still take that seriously in this country?" Theresa Reilly and her husband, Bill, came to the nation's capital from Michigan a key Midwest swing state that fell into the Democratic column in November to participate in the protests because they believe Biden's triumph was fraudulent. "We don't believe they're honest, true voters," Theresa Reilly said as Celine Dion's theme song from the movie "Titanic" played on a speaker system in the background. "There's a lot of cheating going on, and I think everybody knows that, including Democrats." Bill Reilly said that even without "doing too much research," it was clear that "something's up" with the November election results "The only thing I can say is, however many people are here, this isn't going to go away," he said. "If you thought 2020 was weird, 2021 is going to be 'hold my beer,' if you ask me." Allan Smith, Ginger Gibson, Pete Williams, Shannon Pettypiece, Haley Talbot, Kristen Welker, Carol E. Lee, Hallie Jackson, Monica Alba and Peter Alexander reported from Washington, Daniel Arkin, Dartunorro Clark and Tom Winter from New York and Lauren Egan from Georgia. A portion of the three hectare deemed forest land in Delhi Cantonment area has been cleared of undergrowth and bushes and converted into a recreational spot, complete with art installations drilled onto trees, decorative fountains and stone pathways, in violation of the Forest Conservation Act (1980). The army, in response to HTs queries, clarified that no tree has been cut nor any machine used, and the area has been developed as a recreational spot. The Delhi forest department, last October, had sent a notice to the army, noting that a portion of the green area between Mandir Marg and Cassels Road in Cantonment was being developed as a recreational spot named Taurus Plaza. The notice said teams from the office of deputy conservator forests (western range) conducted inspections in the area and found that bushes and undergrowth had been cleared away with excavators, which was not only a violation of the Forest Conservation Act, but also in contrivance of a 1997 Supreme Court judgment, which prohibits such non-forest activity. During field visits by officials of this division, it has been observed that the user agency has cleared away bushes and grass and has levelled the area using JCB machines (excavators). Also, there is work of landscaping going on in the area, the notice from the forest department read. The notice added, You are hereby directed not to carry out any non-forest activity within the deemed forest land of 3 hectares. The original list of marked deemed forest areas, which was submitted as an affidavit before the Supreme Court in 1997, includes the three-hectare green space between Mandir Marg and Cassels Road in Delhi Cantonment. When Hindustan Times visited the area that is now known as Taurus Plaza, where benches and pathways have also been laid out for the public, we saw that while developing the space as a recreational spot, trees have been drilled and decorative items and art installations such as bird houses, cycles and mannequins have been speared onto them. The residents of the cantonment said till a few months ago, this area was a green space with a walking path and a few benches placed near the roadside, where people could sit and watch the peacocks. Now that the thick bushes and undergrowth have been hacked away, and with more people visiting the plaza, peacock sightings have become rare. Responding to HTs queries on the development of this space, which has been marked as deemed forest land, an army spokesperson said that army is involved in tree plantation drives at all its stations. Delhi Cantonment is considered the lungs of Delhi by contributing to the clean air. Within the cantonment, we also maintain recreational and environmental parks, which provide open spaces to communities and also educate our future generations about the relevance and importance of nature, the office of additional directorate general, public information, said. It further said, We have replied to the agency concerned that there has been no cutting of trees or the use of any plant machine in the said area. In March of 2020, schools shut down across the country and moved to distance learning on the fly. Given it was accompanied by a recession, lost jobs, social isolation, and racial strife resulting in protests across America, education took a back seat. Dr. Ben Corpus is a higher education executive with more than 24 years of proven enrollment management, strategic planning, diversity, and student affairs experience in several unique colleges and universities. In this article, Dr. Corpus comments on how the residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are revealing significant learning gaps in the U.S. education system, thus shedding a much-needed spotlight on academic morass. The Dire Reality During the first half of 2020, absenteeism in schools was rampant. Not being on task, specifically in math, leads to decreased achievement, stunted progress to the next level, and lower grades. Studies have proven that when there is no attendance, there is no progress. For example, eighth-grade performance, as measured by grades, dropped significantly as the number of days missed increased dramatically. The impact beyond the eighth grade is dire. According to McKinsey, high school dropout rates are predicted to increase to about 232,000 students in grades 9 to 11, particularly among low-income students due to Covid. While many schools provide grade forgiveness of all sorts, parents and students should know long-term excellence and progress can't rely strictly on a hand-out. We need you, and you can't fake it. The skills required for crucial in-demand careers require a steady progression of building blocks, specifically in math. The building blocks aren't just courses to check-off; they include personal cognitive development and math fluency that comes only with regular practice, some trial and error, and intellectual grit. A student's part in actively getting back on track can't be underestimated. Over the next decade, tech jobs will sky-rocket by 15%, far better than the projected overall U.S. employment job growth. Approximately 70% of U.S. employers have a tech talent shortage and rank engineers, cybersecurity experts, network administrators, computer scientists, and IT support as the top five job types that are the most difficult to hire. Stop Wasting Time Now is the time to use those extra hours found not commuting, hanging out at fast-food joints, or, sadly, working that part-time job. The variety of online learning options are easy to find, and many have only improved over the last year. Content may be Googlebiquitous (your welcome), but you'll make the most progress through human interactions and learning from people who can give you direct feedback on your progress, or lack thereof. Find experts and talk through your specific academic gaps to jolt you back in place, resolve the concepts that have had a death-grip on your progress, or simply to catapult you to a higher grade that will not only jump you to the next level but will help prepare you for that job-in-waiting. One specific place to turn as a high school or college student is Knack. This innovative company developed an online platform that I would call the Uber for learning. It takes you where you want to go, when you want to go, by "drivers" who've been in your seat and are almost expert in content. University Students Give Back Florida Polytechnic University embarked on the first in-person, online math-talent-for-hire in Florida by connecting with AP calculus teachers to help their students catch-up and get ahead. University students, well on their way past Calc III to discrete math and differential equations, provided evening and weekend online sessions with high school students to fill gaps, help with homework, prepare them for exams and connect on a critically important element of learning: to have face-to-face conversations with peers. These outfits and opportunities are available in many forms, with many students. College and high school students are anxious to connect, to help, to give back, and to share their love of learning and their recognition of the relevance of math. Florida Poly students are fully aware that not only are tomorrow's jobs waiting for them, but their capacity to make a difference, innovate and advance society rests with them. If your son or daughter, or you are in school, no matter what grade, you must actively engage right now in additional face-to-face connections that will challenge, support, and guide you toward mathematical proficiency, from student peers who are ready and willing to share their love of math. Start. Now. About Ben Corpus Ben Corpus is a higher education executive and consultant with more than 20 years of proven admissions, financial aid, strategic planning, diversity, and student affairs experience. Currently, Dr. Corpus is the Vice Provost for Enrollment at Florida Polytechnic University, Florida's most selective public STEM university. He was also Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Texas at Austin, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Baruch College, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs at Hostos Community College, and Chief of Staff to the President at Plattsburgh State University. Two top FDA officials on Monday warned against plans to cut Covid vaccine doses in half to vaccinate more people. FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn and Dr. Peter Marks, head of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, rejected the idea of halved Covid vaccine doses in a joint statement. The officials believe the move to change dosage was "premature" and "not rooted solidly in the available evidence," said a report from Daily Wire. Hahn and Marks also advised the public to continue using the authorized Covid vaccine doses and schedule. Related Story: US Officials Consider Giving Half Doses of Moderna Vaccine to Give More People Immunity Until then, the FDA will continue studying about reducing the number of doses, they said. Pfizer/BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine has to be administered in two doses 21 days apart while the Moderna shot has to be given in two doses that are 28 days apart, said a report from Fox News. Warp Speed Adviser Claims Covid Vaccine Doses Can Be Halved The comments came after a Sunday statement by Operation Warp Speed chief scientific adviser Moncef Slaoiu claiming half a dose would be just as effective as a full dose, reported USA Today. Operation Warp Speed was a vaccine program established by the Trump administration aimed to speed up production and distribution of vaccines in the U.S. "We know that for the Moderna vaccine, giving half of the dose to people between the ages of 18 and 55, two doses, half the dose, which means exactly achieving the objective of immunizing double the number of people with the doses we have," Slaoui told CBS's "Face the Nation." He said the half dose would induce "identical immune response" as the full dose. It was part of Slaoui's suggestions to meet the short supply of Covid vaccines. He believed it was a "more responsible approach" based on the existing facts and data. FDA Studying Other Approaches to Address Shortage on Covid Vaccine Doses Another approach to this problem was seen in Britain. In this approach, the second doses of the vaccine were going to be administered in a delayed manner. "We have been following the discussions and news reports about reducing the number of doses, extending the length of time between doses, changing the dose (half-dose), or mixing and matching vaccines in order to immunize more people against Covid-19," Hahn and Marks said. Read also: Operation Warp Speed Behind Schedule: Vaccinating Americans Could Take 10 Years at Current Pace They recognized the merits of both theories but added that these theories should still be evaluated in clinical trials. He said testing these trials without the right data might run a "significant risk" in the public health system. It also undermines the vaccination efforts that protect the population from Covid-19, they said. The officials warned that shifting to a single dose regimen or giving less than the approved dose in clinical trials without understanding of the vaccine's protection is "concerning." They noted that the available data on the vaccines are supported by two doses given at specified intervals and there have been indications that depth of immune response is associated with the duration of protection given. So far, more than 4.2 million first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been distributed to some 13 million people. However, the administration's initial goals were an estimated 20 million vaccinations before the end of 2020. A Massachusetts state lawmaker is asking for the publics help to select an official state dinosaur. State Rep. Jack Lewis tweeted Monday that he plans on filing the legislation on January 15, adding that the effort is a good way for children to learn about the legislative process. But first, the Framingham Democrat is asking residents to select from one of two dinosaur species discovered in Massachusetts. Taking to Twitter on January 4, heres what he shared: 150+ votes in the first two hours! On January 15, I will be filing legislation to declare a Massachusetts State Dinosaur. Can you think of a better way to help kids (and those young-at-heart) learn about the legislative process? But I need your help! https://t.co/T5N9YZJYYj pic.twitter.com/xOCsxNA74y Rep. Jack Lewis (@RepJackLewis) January 4, 2021 Podokesaurus holyokensis, which means swift-footed lizard of Holyoke, was first discovered near Mount Holyoke in 1910 by Mignon Talbot, the first woman to name and describe a dinosaur, according to Lewis. The species was 3 to 6 feet (around 1 to 2 meters) in length, weighed approximately 90 pounds (40 kilograms), and was estimated to run 9 to 12 mph (14 to 19 kph). Anchisaurus polyzelus, which means much sought after near lizard was discovered in 1855 in Springfield. They were more than 6 feet long and about 60 to 75 pounds (27 to 34 kilograms). Paleontologists have served as consultants for the project, he said. Twelve states already have official state dinosaurs, Lewis said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Story Highlights The benefits of customer centricity are far-reaching Ensure employees understand your brand promise Take calculated steps to improve customer engagement Bad customer service in Europe is a cliche in America, and arrogant American customers are a cliche in Europe. The conflicting cliches reflect different cultural outlooks, of course, and neither side is right. It's just a matter of opinion. But this is a fact: Employees who think their company is customer-centric are very optimistic about their companies and their future. Indeed, Gallup finds that, of those who strongly agree that "my organization is the perfect organization for our customers," 37% think their company is ahead of the competition, 56% are confident in their company's financial future, and 61% are convinced that their company is successful and growing. On the other hand, of employees who disagree that their employer is "perfect" for their customers only 4% think they're ahead of the competition, 17% are confident about their company's financial future, and a measly 2% think their company is successful and growing. Now, consider those different cultural outlooks again. Europeans can roll their eyes about needy, demanding Americans -- not without justification -- but business leaders should remember that fully engaged customers give 23% more share of wallet, Gallup analysis finds, than the average customer. This is true across societies. That is, all customers want an engaging experience -- and engaged customers are always the most lucrative. Plus, as COVID-19 cases spike and lockdowns increase, European businesses need every customer they can get. The battle for the marketplace will only intensify when restrictions ease. In that kind of business environment, leaders need to rethink their cultural approach to customer centricity, their brand promise, and their employees' relationship to both. You can't keep a promise if you don't know what it is. To some extent, customer expectations are conditioned by the society the customer lives in -- that's why a German probably wouldn't tell a waiter all his food sensitivities so the chef could revise the recipe and an American very well might. Employees who think their company is customer-centric are very optimistic about their companies and their future. But to an even greater extent, customer expectations are set by the brand promise. Gallup defines brand promise as a company's unique essence, positioning and value proposition. Unfortunately, only 48% of European employees strongly agree they know what their company stands for and what makes it different from its competitors. Worse, less than a third strongly agree their company "always delivers on the brand promise" (29%) or that their "coworkers always do what is right for our customers" (27%). That's doubly alarming as most Europeans have customer-facing jobs (69% in France, 68% in Spain, 67% in Germany, 67% in the U.K.) with near-daily customer contact (88% in the U.K., 84% in Spain, 78% in France, 77% in Germany). Hence, most of the people with the greatest responsibly for executing on the brand promise and with the most frequent access to customers don't think they're keeping the brand promise -- or even know what it is. As a result, those employees are alienated from the brand, the company's purpose and, ultimately, the customer. That gives customers less motivation to engage with the brand. Or to remain customers at all. Change company culture by changing employees' outlook. Engaged customers -- or rather, their 23% premium -- are going to be a godsend for struggling European businesses. But to engage customers, leaders will have to focus on them like never before. Just to be clear, European businesses don't have to Americanize. Nor should they. Only about a quarter of American employees strongly agree that "My organization always delivers on the promise we make to customers" (25%) or that "My organization is the perfect organization for our customers" (27%), and 41% strongly agree, "I know what my organization stands for, and what makes our brand different from our competitors." That's no better -- and sometimes a lot worse -- than any European country Gallup studied. Fifty-six percent in the U.K., 52% in Germany, 43% in Spain, and 39% in France strongly agree they "know what [their] company stands for, and what makes [it] different from its competitors." Similarly, 33% in the U.K., 30% in France, 28% in Spain, and 18% in Germany strongly agree "my coworkers always do what is right for our customers;" and 34% in Germany, 29% in the U.K., 27% in France, and 26% in Spain strongly agree their company "always delivers on the [brand] promise." Furthermore, pretending to be something you're not is inauthentic, unsustainable and won't increase customer trust in the brand. But European businesses can centralize customers in their own way, and it starts with changing the way employees relate to customers. Market analysis details what customers care about most. Relay that analysis to employees. Few employees strongly agree they "regularly receive information about what is important to our customers" (41% in the U.K., 30% in Germany, 26% in Spain, and 24% in France), but that insight tells customer-facing people how to execute the brand promise better. Take customer feedback seriously. Only 29% of employees in the U.K., 25% in France, 23% in Spain, and 20% in Germany strongly agree "comments and suggestions from customers always lead to concrete improvement in our company." But feedback is free market intelligence and sharpens employee performance. Consider staffing up as soon as possible. Most employees say there are too few of them to properly serve customers -- only 24% in Europe strongly agree that "in our department, we have enough employees to always take care of our customers" (27% in Spain, 24% in Germany, 23% in France, 22% in the U.K.) -- and customer engagement depends on real connections through interactions with employees. Make it easy to exchange information and provide a holistic customer experience. That puts customers at the center of everything instead of at the end of the service chain. Unfortunately, most employees say they're siloed in their companies: 24% in Germany, 23% in the U.K., and 21% in France and Spain strongly agree they're "satisfied with the cooperation between my department and other departments with which I work." And 38% in the U.K., 36% in France, 35% in Germany, and 30% in Spain strongly agree that "in my company, we openly share information, knowledge and ideas with each other." Those recommendations are process improvements, not really culture-change initiatives. But changing process is a big step toward changing culture. And leaders who explain their intended outcomes -- "Read these market reports because they'll help you understand what customers need," "Come to this project management meeting so you're ready for our product release," "What's the best way to use this customer suggestion?" -- move employees toward a more customer-centric outlook. That outlook is a culture change in many businesses. But it's not a radical one -- most Europeans have had enough of change as it is -- rather, it's just a way to bring customers into clearer focus. Employees who use that view are better able to deliver on the brand promise, and that's a huge step toward engaging customers. Customer centricity will not Americanize European businesses. Nor should it. Europeans don't want an American experience in a German shoe store, British insurance agency, a Spanish restaurant or French car dealership. Their expectations conform to their society. But Europeans do want a customer-centric experience. That's not a culture thing -- that's a human thing, and any European business can deliver it. They'll certainly find willing recipients. Just like Americans, European customers want to engage -- they're just less likely to tell the waiter so. Kratom Divine Maeng Da The family of 39-year-old Patrick Coyne, from Castle Rock, WA, filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging he died from taking Kratom Divine products. The complaint alleges Coyne, a husband and father of 3, was found dead in his recliner after drinking Kratom Divines Maeng Da tea. The complaint describes how his wife and father-in-law spent 15 minutes trying to revive him before paramedics arrived, but it was too late. The lawsuit alleges the kratom tea led to the death of Patrick Coyne. FIRST KRATOM LAWSUIT IN WASHINGTON STATE Widow Sibyl Coyne filed a lawsuit against Wendianne and Jeff Rook, owners of Kratom Divine alleging their company made and marketed the kratom tea that led to Patrick Coyne's death. The complaint alleges the Rooks sold kratom products with no warning labels about the risks of overdose or death; lied about the safety of kratom; and made false and deceptive statements about the medical benefits of their kratom pills, teas and products. This is the first Kratom related wrongful death lawsuit filed in Washington state. VIDEO PRESS CONFERENCE On Friday, January 8th at 8am PST/11am EST Sybil Coyne and her attorneys Talis Abolins and Michael Cowgill of Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. will hold a video press conference to discuss the lawsuit. Access the press conference via Zoom at this link: https://mctlaw.zoom.us/j/99040962377?pwd=Z09QVDZxcVdZVCtadXE5Q1RmWDR4Zz09 ABOUT MAGLIO CHRISTOPHER & TOALE, P.A. | mctlaw Maglio Christopher & Toale, P. A. is a national trial law firm with offices in Seattle, WA; Sarasota, FL; and Washington, D.C. For questions about kratom litigation across the United States, contact attorney Michael Cowgill at mcowgill@mctlaw.com, Talis Abolins at tabolins@mctlaw.com or call 888.952.5242. You can find more information about kratom litigation at https://www.mctlaw.com/medical-product-liability/kratom-lawsuits/ In the Superior Court of the State of Washington, in and for Cowlitz County. Case No. 20-2-00874-08. Complaint for Wrongful Death. Sybil Coyne, Plaintiffs vs. Wendianne Rook and Jeff Rook; Society Botanicals, LLC; Chin 2 Corp., JSC USA, LLC; Defendants Hong Kong arrested dozens of opposition figures under a controversial national security law, an unprecedented crackdown that included an American lawyer, as authorities work to quash any dissent that remains in the former British colony. Police said they had swept up 53 people in the Wednesday operation and that around 1,000 officers had been dispatched to carry out the detentions. Those arrested included several prominent former lawmakers, with allegations centered on an informal July primary to choose candidates for legislative elections subsequently postponed by the government. There were 45 men and eight women arrested, Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the National Security Division of Hong Kong's police force, told a briefing. He said police had visited the offices of four local media outlets requesting information about the primary. "The sweeping arrests of pro-democracy demonstrators are an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights," tweeted Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of state. "The Biden-Harris administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijing's crackdown on democracy." Police arrested lawyer John Clancey, who served as treasurer for the primary organizers, according to Jonathan Man, a partner at Hong Kong's Ho Tse Wai & Partners, which has handled hundreds of protest cases and where Clancey is a solicitor. Man said Clancey is a U.S. citizen, potentially providing a new source of tensions between Beijing and Washington. Clancey is also the chairman of the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Asian Legal Resource Center and a founding member of the Executive Committee of the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, according to his Ho Tse Wai biography page. The mass arrests of largely moderate pro-democracy campaigners accelerate an ongoing political crackdown in the Asian financial hub, which has prompted condemnation from foreign governments, U.S. sanctions and the suspension of numerous extradition treaties with Hong Kong. The move comes as the outgoing Trump administration continues to hit Beijing over its assertive policies in the city and as Biden prepares to take office this month, with China representing one of his administration's main foreign policy challenges. "This is a total sweep of all opposition leaders," said Victoria Hui, an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame specializing in Hong Kong politics. "If running for office and trying to win elections means subversion, it is clear that the NSL is aimed at the total subjugation of Hong Kong people. There should be no expectation of elections in any sense that we know it if and when elections are held in the future." Secretary for Security John Lee told an afternoon briefing that activists had been arrested for planning to create "mutual destruction" in a bid to paralyze the government and that the detentions for alleged subversion were necessary. The opposition figures wanted to plunge the city into an "abyss," Lee said. Former lawmakers Alvin Yeung, James To, Andrew Wan and Lam Cheuk-ting, as well as prominent academic and activist Benny Tai, were arrested by the police's national security branch on allegations of subversion, according to Facebook postings and media reports. Also detained was former lawmaker Claudia Mo, one of the city's most outspoken critics of China's policies in Hong Kong. The national security law was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in June, sparking international condemnation led by the U.S. that Beijing was reneging on promises to guarantee the city's unique freedoms following its return to Chinese rule. While Chinese officials have justified the legislation -- which bars subversion, terrorism, secession and collusion with foreign forces -- as a necessary tool to quell local unrest and restore stability to the city after historic protests in 2019, the law has so far mainly been used against non-violent political opponents and dissidents. Hong Kong's Courts Are the Last Check on Beijing's Growing Power Pro-government lawmaker Holden Chow tweeted that those arrested Wednesday had violated the security law because they had a "clear aim to paralyze" the local government and were threatening to "remove the Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong." Secretary for Mainland and Constitutional Affairs Erick Tsang said ahead of the primary last July that it may violate the national security legislation. At the time, Tai dismissed such criticism of the primary as "absurd." The opposition primary contest at the heart of the latest police roundup drew 610,000 residents to the polls -- more than 13% of the city's registered voters -- in a procedural exercise common in democracies worldwide. The turnout underscored the momentum generated by Hong Kong's historic protest movement, on which the pro-democracy opposition was hoping to capitalize in a Legislative Council election originally scheduled for September. Opposition figures hoped to access a provision in the city's charter to force Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign by voting down her budget. The primary was condemned by China's top agencies for Hong Kong as an "unlawful manipulation" of the city's election system and a violation of the national security law. Hong Kong's government first disqualified a number of opposition figures and then delayed the election by a full year, citing the coronavirus. The Civil Human Rights Front, which organized some of 2019's biggest protests, said Wednesday that it "strongly condemns police for taking the law out of context and conducting mass arrests to create white terror and harm the Hong Kong people's freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to vote and the right to stand for elections." - - - Bloomberg's Kari Lindberg, Young-Sam Cho, Foster Wong, David Ingles, John Cheng and Chloe Lo contributed to this report. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Washington, D.C. Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) was sworn in as Texas District 28 Congressman to the 117th Congress. The Congressman released the following statement: I am honored to continue to represent Texas 28th in Washington for the next two years. A great deal of work lies ahead, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to working every day to advance the priorities of my constituents. I will fight for the support that our families require as we continue to battle the COVID-19 crisis, including additional federal funding to ensure vaccines are distributed to every American. I will protect and expand affordable health care, particularly for the thousands of South Texans with pre-existing conditions. I will make sure every child has the opportunity to fulfill their American Dream by expanding college financial aid and making federal programs more available for students. I will work to implement strong and smart border security, which does not include an ineffective and wasteful border wall. I am committed to working across the aisle to implement common-sense policies that make our families safer, our jobs more secure, and our nation more united. Now it's time for us to roll up our sleeves and get back to work on the issues that matter most to South Texas families. Lets get to work. Cuellar is currently a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Chief Deputy Whip and a member of the Steering and Policy Committee. He previously served as Texas Secretary of State and represented Laredo in the Texas House of Representatives. Throughout his public service, Cuellar has secured a number of victories for the people of South Texas: Authored the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Texas that has expanded coverage to hundreds of thousands of children. Authored the TEXAS Grant Program the largest in Texas history that today gives thousands of students the opportunity to achieve a college education. Delivered critical COVID-19 relief resources, including stimulus checks, vaccines and PPP, to hard-working families. Expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), boosting the economy and helping families meet basic needs. Supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Obamacare), extending health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. Secured passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), expanding opportunities for American businesses, workers and farmers. Cuellar works hard to be a strong and independent voice for Texans, often reaching across the aisle to create bipartisan solutions for the American people. In the 117th Congress, Cuellar will work with the Biden administration and build upon his success to further serve his constituents, including: Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. [January 06, 2021] Leaps by Bayer Leads USD 105 Million Series B Financing in Senti Bio to Develop Next-Generation Cell and Gene Therapies Using Advanced Gene Circuit Technology Platform Leaps by Bayer and Senti Biosciences, Inc., a leading gene circuit company, today announced a USD 105 million Series B financing round. The financing was led by Leaps by Bayer, the impact investment arm of Bayer AG. Additional investors included Matrix Partners China, Mirae Asset Capital, Ridgeback Capital and Intel (News - Alert) Capital as well as existing investors, including New Enterprise Associates (NEA), 8VC, Amgen Ventures and Lux Capital. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005074/en/ Senti Bio is at the forefront of using synthetic biology to engineer gene circuits that improve cell and gene therapy products. A gene circuit is an assembly of multi-component genetic constructs specifically designed to program cells to interact with the body's complex environment using logic to perform desired therapeutic functions. Senti Bio uses these gene circuits to create "smarter" cell and gene therapies with enhanced therapeutic properties that aim to increase efficacy, precision and control. Senti Bio is applying its gene circuit technology platform to develop an internal therapeutic pipeline of allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells. Senti Bio's lead development candidates include next-generation allogeneic CAR-NK cell therapies: SENTI-202 for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), SENTI-301 for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and additional candidates for other undisclosed solid tumor targets. "Leaps by Bayer's mission is to invest in breakthrough technologies that may transform the lives of millions of patients for the better," said Juergen Eckhardt, MD, Head of Leaps by Bayer. "We believe that synthetic biology will become an important pillar in next-generation cell and gene therapy, and that Senti Bio's leadership in designing and optimizing biological circuits fits precisely with our ambition to prevent and cure cancer and to regenerate lost tissue function." In addition to potentially treating cancer with allogeneic CAR-NK cells, the Senti Bio gene circuit technology platform can be deployed into multiple other cell and gene therapy delivery modalities, across diverse therapeutic areas, such as immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, regenerative medicine and genetic diseases - with the potential to move from treatment to cure. "We are grateful for the support of new and existing investors, including Leaps by Bayer, who believe in our mission of developing gene circuits to program smart cell and gene therapies to improve health outcomes for many people," said Tim Lu, MD, PhD, co-founder and chief executive officer of Senti Bio. "Over the past two years, our team has designed, built and tested thousands of sophisticated gene circuits to drive a robust product pipeline, focused initially on allogeneic CAR-NK cell therapies for difficult-to-treat liquid and solid tumor indications. I look forward to continued platform and pipeline advancements, including starting IND-enabling studies in 2021." Proceeds from the Series B financing will support development of preclinical oncology programs and expansion of the Senti Bio gene circuit technology platform across additionaldelivery modalities and therapeutic areas. Senti Bio also plans to scale up clinical manufacturing, including process development and design of a cGMP-compliant manufacturing facility for off-the-shelf allogeneic CAR-NK cell product candidates. The Series B syndicate included existing and new investors as follows: 8VC, Alexandria Ventures Investments, Amgen Ventures, Gaingels, Intel Capital (News - Alert) , KB Investment, Leaps by Bayer, LifeForce Capital, LifeSci Venture Partners, Lux Capital, Matrix Partners China, Menlo Ventures, Mirae Asset Capital, NEA, Nest.Bio, Noveus Capital, Pear VC, Ridgeback Capital and Smilegate Investment. About the Senti Bio Gene Circuit Technology Platform By combining disciplines from computer science and biology, Senti Bio has designed, built and tested thousands of sophisticated gene circuits that can be deployed into virtually any cell therapy or gene therapy modality. Senti Bio's gene circuits are novel and proprietary combinations of DNA that enable cells to sense their environment, perform logic and instruct cells to produce therapeutic proteins for enhanced safety and efficacy. Senti Bio believes that its approach to programming gene circuits in living cells may enable drug developers to build optimal functionality into almost any cell- or gene-based medicine. Senti Bio's proprietary platform includes specific gene circuit technologies such as logic gates, small-molecule regulators, combinatorial payloads and synthetic promoters that have the potential to confer greater efficacy, precision and control to cell and gene therapy products. By mixing and matching different gene circuits together, Senti Bio has the ability to create next-generation medicines with enhanced functionality to outsmart disease. About Bayer and Leaps by Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of 43.5 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.9 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com. Leaps by Bayer, a unit of Bayer AG, leads impact investments into solutions to some of today's biggest challenges in health and agriculture. The investment portfolio includes more than 30 companies. They are all working on potentially breakthrough technologies to overcome some specific challenges such as, e.g. regenerating lost tissue function, reducing the environmental impact of agriculture, preventing or curing cancer, and others. For more information, go to leaps.bayer.com About Senti Bio Senti Bio is a next-generation therapeutics company that is developing gene circuits and programming cells for tremendous therapeutic value. Senti Bio's mission is to outsmart complex diseases with more intelligent medicines to transform people's lives. By programming cells to respond, adapt and make decisions, Senti Bio is creating smarter therapies with computer-like logic, enhanced functionality and greater therapeutic control. Senti Bio is developing a wholly-owned, gene circuit pipeline focused on allogeneic CAR-NK cells to address major challenges in cancer treatment. Senti Bio's lead product candidates include SENTI-202 and SENTI-301. SENTI-202 is a logic-gated allogeneic CAR-NK cell therapy for the potential treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that more precisely targets and eliminates cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. SENTI-301 is a combinatorial payload-armed allogeneic CAR-NK cell therapy for the potential treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Beyond oncology, Senti Bio plans to leverage its gene circuit technology platform to build other cell and gene therapies that may be of interest to strategic partners across diverse therapeutic areas, such as immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, regenerative medicine and genetic diseases. For more information, please visit the Senti Bio website at https://www.sentibio.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005074/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Yankees are set to acquire outfielder Greg Allen from the Padres. Allen was recently designated for assignment by San Diego. The Padres will receive left-handed reliever James Reeves in return, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Allen, a San Diego native, was traded to the Padres last August as part of the Mike Clevinger deal. The speedy outfielder appeared in just one game for the Padres, drawing a pair of walks, stealing a base, and scoring a run. For his career, Allen holds a .239/.298/.343 line in 618 plate appearances across four years with the Indians and Padres. Reeves is a 27-year-old southpaw drafted by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2015 draft. He has a 2.30 ERA across five minor league seasons, functioning almost exclusively as a reliever. He logged a 1.79 ERA across 55 1/3 innings for Double-A Trenton in 2019 with a 27.7 percent strikeout rate, 9.4 percent walk rate, and 43 percent groundball rate. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) - British drugmaker AstraZeneca has applied for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccines in the country, the Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday. FDA Director General Eric Domingo told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon that AstraZeneca is the second vaccine manufacturer to apply for EUA, following the US-based Pfizer last December. Dumating na rin ang application ng AstraZeneca for an EUA dito sa FDA," Domingo said. "Sa ngayon ay dina-download pa namin ang kanilang application para mapadala namin agad sa ating mga evaluators, experts, tsaka mga regulatory officers ng FDA." [Translation: The FDA has already received the application of AstraZeneca for EUA. We are currently downloading their application so we can forward it to the evaluators, regulatory officers, experts, and our regulatory officers.] The British vaccine manufacturer approved last December the request of the private sector for the sale of more COVID-19 vaccines to the country, on top of the 2.6 million doses secured earlier. Domingo said the evaluation of AstraZeneca's application might be faster given that the United Kingdom has already approved the use of its vaccines. "Ang maganda sa AstraZeneca meron na rin siyang EUA from the United Kingdom," he said. "Kapag nakita natin yung evaluation report from the UK, it's going to be helpful...magiging mas mabilis usually ang ating review sa ganito." [Translation: AstraZeneca has already secured an EUA from the United Kingdom...Once we see the UK's evaluation report on it, it's going to be helpful...our review will be faster.] However, Domingo noted that a vaccine for emergency use is not meant for commercial distribution, but only for government use. "Kapag nagbigay po tayo ng emergency use authorization, hindi po ito maaring ibenta, hindi ito mabibili sa mga botika, o darating sa clinic at pwede tayo magpa-bakuna privately. Ito po ay maaring bilhin ng pamahalaan at gamitin sa vaccination program," he said. [Translation: When we issue an emergency use authorization, the vaccines cannot be distributed to the market, they cannot be purchased from pharmacies, or can be availed in clinics and have a shot privately. They can only be purchased by the government and use for the vaccination program.] Domingo added that China's Sinovac and Russia's Gamaleya Institute have also inquired about the process and requirements for securing EUA of their vaccines. The FDA also said on Wednesday that the decision on Pfizer's emergency use application will be out on Jan. 14. With Maharashtra all set to roll out its Covid-19 vaccination drive, the state cabinet discussed the road map for it on Wednesday, even as the state recorded a slight rise in daily infections with 4,382 new cases recorded, pushing the count to 1,954,553. The state has crossed the 4,000 mark for fresh cases after 20 days, amid authorities fears of a spike in the first week of January in view of the crowding during new year and Christmas celebrations. The toll reached 49,825 after 66 new casualties were reported. Of them, 36 occurred in the past 48 hours, 11 in the last week and the rest 19 were from the period before last week, the health officials said. On the vaccination drive, with a dry run scheduled on January 8, ministers were informed by the health department that the state was awaiting the Centres policy on the drive. Health officials informed the state cabinet that the priority list has been decided by the Centre itself, following which healthcare workers, frontline workers, people above 50 years of age and those with co-morbidities even below the age of 50 will be given vaccine shots in the first three phases. The quantity of the vaccine to be distributed in districts will depend upon the stock made available by the Centre. We have completed our preparations, developed the required infrastructure, trained our staff and waiting for the Centres plan to start the vaccination programme, said a senior minister, wishing not to be named. The cabinet was further informed that Centre will provide Covishield and Covaxin for the immunisation drive in the beginning. The state is also pushing for free vaccination for the poor and a demand for the same is going to be made with the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) on Thursday. With second round of dry run to be undertaken in all 36 districts on January 8, the state health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday took a meeting of health officers of all districts to review preparations for the state-wide exercise. He directed them to identify the issues and prepare accordingly so that the drill can be completed without any hitch, said a senior health official, requesting anonymity. It was also decided that all the guardian ministers will remain present in their respective districts on the day of the dry run to monitor the drill. With preparations for dry run going on full-fledgedly in Maharashtra, there are a few districts where mobile connectivity and internet connectivity could pose a challenge, especially those having tribal areas. In many tribal areas, there is no connectivity and thus operating Co-WIN, a specially designed app by the health ministry, in tribal belts has emerged as a problem before the district administrations. Many districts such as Palghar, Thane, Nandurbar, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Yavatmal and Chandrapur have tribal population. The central government has introduced a new Co-WIN app to roll out the vaccination drive across the country. Each and every individual has to be registered on the app and their vaccination status will also be updated after administering the shot, apart from other details. The same process is applicable even for the dry run to be held on January 8. Dr Dayanand Suryavanshi, district health officer, Palghar district said that they wont be facing any difficulty for conducting dry run, but during the actual vaccination programme, the problem will arise. Palghar has tribal areas where network connectivity has been an issue. The dry run is going to be conducted only at three places so we wont be facing any difficulty, but while starting the first phase of vaccination programme, we have to identify those sites where connectivity is not an issue and thus also have to provide transportation to those who have to travel long distance to reach vaccination centres, Suryavanshi said. In that scenario, the second phase would be more challenging as the number of beneficiaries will increase and so would the number of vaccination centres, he said. Around 16,000 healthcare workers from the district will be vaccinated in the first phase of the drive. On Tuesday Tope said the people below poverty line cannot afford the vaccine even if two doses of it are priced at Rs500. People below the poverty line, persons with comorbidities and above 60 years should be given the vaccine for free. We are going to raise this demand during our conference with the MoHFW on Thursday. Though there is no clarity on it as yet, we believe that it has been made free for health workers, frontline workers. The poor, too, should get it for free, he said. Meanwhile, two patients who have returned from the United Kingdom (UK) and detected positive with the new strain of coronavirus were discharged after two RT-PCR reports found negative. Of the two, one is from Mumbai and another is from Pune. All the rest are asymptomatic, said state surveillance office Dr Pradip Awate. On Monday, eight UK returnees tested positive for the new variant and till date there is no rise in their number. Till date 4,854 UK returnees who had landed between November 15 and December 23 have been traced till date. RT-PCR tests have been conducted on 3,438 of them 72 samples were found positive. Of them, 71 samples have been referred to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune to ascertain if they are infected with the new variant, he said. Mumbai has clocked 795 cases on Wednesday, taking the case count to 296,320. Of them, active cases are 7,484. There were eight deaths reported and the toll in the city has reached 11,155. New Delhi: A money laundering case has been registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe alleged irregularities in the 2016 Bihar toppers scam case related to the state school examination board. Officials said the agency has booked a criminal case against a total of eight people, including former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) chairman and four principals, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The central probe agency took cognisance of a Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to register its own Enforcement Case Information Report, the ED equivalent of a police FIR. They said the agency will probe the possible 'proceeds of crime' generated by the accused and the alleged subsequent creation of illegal wealth by them. The scam had rocked Bihar in June last year after Ruby Rai, a student of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district who had topped in the arts category, failed to answer basic questions and went on to describe political science as prodigal science that taught cooking. Embarrassed by the irregularities, the state government had ordered a SIT probe in the matter. Former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his former JD(U) MLA wife Usha Sinha and Secretary cum Principal of Bishun Roy college in Vaishali Bachha Rai, alleged to be kingpins of the racket, are among 21 persons arrested in the case so far. The Enforcement Directorate is expected to soon record statements of the accused and also attach their assets under the PMLA law. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. China's state TV has shown off footage of Chinese troops taking part in live-fire military drills after President Xi Jinping ordered his soldiers to be ready for war 'at all times'. The country's two million or so soldiers 'jumped into action' upon receiving their leader's instruction to get themselves prepared for combat, reported China's state media. Xi urged members of the Chinese People's Liberation of Army, the world's largest army, 'not to fear death' in a mobilisation order signed by him on Monday. Scroll down for video Footage released by Chinese state media outlets shows mask-donning soldiers standing in formation as they receive a mobilisation order signed by President Xi on January 4, 2021 The clip also shows multiple warships sailing and opening fire, rows of military tanks initiating attacks and missiles being launched during intense drills reported to take place across China China's President Xi Jinping urged his People's Liberation of Army 'not to fear death' in a mobilisation order signed by him on January 4. In this file photo, Xi speaks after he reviewed the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018 Dramatic footage released by the country's official TV channel shows mask-donning soldiers standing in formation as they receive the directive signed by their leader. The Chinese land, air and naval forces engaged in training sessions 'enthusiastically' as soon as the order was issued, according to the video released by China Central Television through its social media account. The minute-long clip shows armed soldiers running, jumping out of military aircraft and hunting for enemies in mock battles. It also shows multiple warships sailing and opening fire, rows of military tanks initiating attacks and missiles being launched during intense exercises reported to take place across the country. The Chinese land, air and naval forces engaged in training sessions 'enthusiastically' as soon as the order was issued, reported China Central Television through its social media account Multiple warships are seen sailing at sea during training in 'real combat conditions' in the video On Monday, Xi commanded his troops to step up training in 'real combat conditions' to ensure their combat readiness and abilities to win battles, according to a script of his order released by Xinhua News Agency. Xi is the head of the Chinese military. He serves as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). In the first order from the CMC in 2021, Xi called on the People's Liberation of Army (PLA) not to fear hardship or death. He demanded all servicemen sharpen their fighting spirit and perfect their combat skills to welcome the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China this year. Xi commanded his troops to step up training in 'real combat conditions' to ensure their combat readiness and abilities to win battles. Pictured, Chinese soldiers assemble during military training at Pamir Mountains in Kashgar, northwestern China's Xinjiang region on January 4 Xi demanded all servicemen sharpen their fighting spirit and perfect their combat skills. A female soldier is pictured attending military training Pamir Mountains in Kashgar on January 4 Speaking to South China Morning Post, Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said: 'China is indeed facing a great risk of war, which has been seriously implied in this order.' Chinese soldiers are seen taking part in military training in Kashgar on January 4 Military commanders must strengthen joint operations in combat and training for soldiers across different fields and services, Xi added. Observers suggested that Xi's latest order showed the leader's intention to boost the PLA's capability of winning a war at all cost. Speaking to South China Morning Post, Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said: 'China is indeed facing a great risk of war, which has been seriously implied in this order.' Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured on November 25 in Bejing) urged his troops to not fear death and focus on preparing to win wars in an address to military commanders in November Addressing the Central Military Commission in Beijing on November 25, the Chinese leader again stressed the importance and urgency of war preparations. Xi is quoted by state news agency Xinhua by saying that the key to winning wars is to strengthen training Xi regularly uses feisty words in addresses to his armies to ensure that all soldiers are on standby for potential military conflicts. In November, he also urged his troops not to fear death and to prepare to win wars while addressing military commanders. Xi has previously called for military readiness amid spiking political tensions between China and other countries, particularly the US and self-ruled Taiwan, over coronavirus pandemic, territorial disputes and human rights. NEWSALERT-ITALY-ACCIDENT-ARRESTS Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP)Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP) IND An Garda Siochana is to introduce a range of additional measures to support the Governments Level 5 Plan for Living with COVID-19 as announced today. An Garda Siochana is supporting communities through engagement and ensuring adherence to public health regulations. The measures announced today include: - Additional static checkpoints on national routes under Operation Fanacht. These will start from 7am tomorrow and will be supported by the local mobile checkpoints introduced last week. - Additional re-deployment of Gardai to the front-line - 70 Garda trainees currently deployed in training Garda stations, will be attested on successful completion of their initial phase one training - 60 Garda reserves who have successfully completed their training will be attested Speaking today Deputy Commissioner John Twomey, Policing and Security said, "Keeping people safe during this pandemic has been An Garda Siochana's number one priority. The measures announced today will further support that work. The additional checkpoints combined with high visibility patrolling in key locations will help Government and societal efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. "We all have a role to play in tackling the pandemic. To date, there has been widespread compliance with public health advice and regulations. Now, more than ever, we all need to adhere to the public health advice. Stay home. Please only make essential journeys. Minimise the amount of people you meet. Wear a face mask. Maintain social distancing. Wash your hands. "This is a difficult time for people, particularly those who feel vulnerable or isolated. An Garda Siochana continues to be here to help. Gardai around the country have been helping people with everyday tasks like collecting prescriptions and doing shopping, and are also available to stop by for a socially distanced chat. If you need help or know someone who does, please contact your local Garda station." The public are reminded that the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.10) Regulations 2020 are currently in force. Regulation 4 states, inter alia, an applicable person shall not leave his or her place of residence without reasonable excuse. This is a Penal Regulation and is enforceable. An Garda Siochana will be recommencing static checkpoints under Operation Fanacht from 7am tomorrow. These will be on national routes (not motorways) supported by random local mobile checkpoints designed to support the Stay Home/ Stay Safe message. An Garda Siochana will also be engaged in high visibility patrolling of key locations such as public amenities, scenic areas and parks. While it is as important as ever for members of the public to avail of exercise and get fresh air, in accordance with Public Health Regulations, exercise can only be availed of within a 5 kilometre radius of the persons place of residence. If public amenities are crowded, public health advice is to avoid crowded areas. If parking facilities at such locations are closed, please do not park illegally as this can hinder access by emergency services. An Garda Siochana will be patrolling these locations and will enforce parking regulations. An Garda Siochana will continue to investigate any alleged breaches of Public Health regulations under Operation Navigation (Licensed Premises) and Operation Treoraim (Non Essential Retail). Where members of the public are concerned about these activities they can contact their local Garda station. An Garda Siochana understands that the move to increased restrictions will increase the anxiety and fear felt by those who may be victims of domestic abuse. An Garda Siochana is here to help. Victims of domestic abuse incidents, including coercive control, will continue to receive highest priority response for service under Operation Faoiseamh. Travel restrictions DO NOT APPLY in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person. If you are a victim of abuse or you know of a family member or friend who is a victim of such abuse, that information is important to us and we ask that you make contact with An Garda Siochana. If you require urgent assistance or support, please call 999 or 112, we are there to listen to help and to protect. If you are unable to make phone contact please approach any member of An Garda Siochana on duty, on patrol, on a checkpoint and look for assistance, we are here to help. Policing the Covid-19 Pandemic is the organisational priority for all Garda personnel The contingency roster introduced at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 remains in place Garda resources will be maximised on outdoor duties The Garda College will remain closed, except for limited essential training, until further notice and those resources will remain deployed in local communities A further re-deployment of Uniform Personnel from non-operational office duties to front line operational duties will take place over the coming days Garda trainees, currently deployed in training Garda stations, will be attested on successful completion of their initial phase one training Garda reserves who have successfully completed their training will be attested, All Garda reserves will be utilised to their fullest capacity An Garda Siochana will increase segregation and decentralisation of units to form smaller independent bubbles to ensure ongoing resilience National Garda investigative Units under Organised and Serious Crime will continue in their role in the prevention and detection of the most invidious crimes that affect our communities and target Organised Crime Groups attempting to utilise the Covid-19 Pandemic for financial gain In supporting the COVID-19 public health guidelines and regulations, An Garda Siochana has adopted a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce. Some Court outcomes of previous Garda enforcement activity are highlighted below: Co. Cavan, Male found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 150 fine Co. Kildare, Male found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 250 fine following appeal Co. Sligo, 2 Males found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, Both 300 fine Co Dublin, Male in breach of Covid Regulations directed to return home, observed still in breach of regulations at same location 2 hours later, 350 fine Co. Tipperary, Male found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 400 fine Co Meath, 2 males in breach of Health Regulations at a Domestic house, both 1000 fine Co. Dublin, Male found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 30 days imprisonment Co. Leitrim, Male found in Breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 2 months Imprisonment Co. Meath, Female found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, non-resident at property, 4 months imprisonment In his final memoir, The Presidential Years; 2012-2017, published posthumously this week, the late former president Pranab Mukherjee has candidly written of the decline of his former party, the Congress, and its political mismanagement in the final years in power. He has enumerated the strengths and weaknesses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. And he has given a glimpse of his own decision-making process of advising the government privately, while being publicly supportive of it. And he has offered views on demonetisation which he believed did not meet its objectives and the Goods and Services Tax which he saw as transformative. The books value lies in the behind-the-scenes accounts the late President offers into conversations at the highest levels of the Indian State as well as the engagement of Indias leadership with foreign interlocutors. But its greater value beyond the insights on parties and individuals lies in its assessment of the institutions. Mr Mukherjee, a long-term parliamentarian, noted the trend of parliamentary disruptions and wrote how appalled he was with the callousness with which disruptions were used. This, he argued, ends up hurting the Opposition more because it loses its moral authority to question the government. The late presidents concerns on the subject must be internalised by all political actors at a time when the functioning of Parliament, for various reasons, has come under criticism. At the same time, Mr Mukherjee also warned against judicial excesses and the need to reform the appointment process of judges once again, a key concern at a time when the role of the judiciary has come under criticism. Restoring institutional functioning is essential for democracy that remains the key takeaway from the presidential memoir. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: The Punjab Government on Wednesday (January 6, 2021) announced to reopen all schools after they were closed due to the outbreak of coronavirus. The School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said that following persistent demand of parents, the state government has decided to reopen all government, semi-government and private schools from January 7 onwards. The timings of the schools will be from 10 am to 3 pm. Students only from class V to XII will be allowed to attend physical classes in the schools. ....10 am to 3 pm and students only from class V to XII will be allowed to attend physical classes in the schools. Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh led #PunjabGovernment has also directed to ensure the safety of the children amid #COVID19 pandemic......(2) Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) January 6, 2021 Chief Minister Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Government has also directed to ensure the safety of the children amid COVID-19 pandemic. Vijay Inder Singla also said that the Education Department had taken feedback from school heads and besides ensuring safety of the children, they also suggested the reopening of schools before the annual exams for the final revision of the course. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Seychelles has recorded its first death from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus. The patient was a 57-year-old Seychellois man who was hospitalised on New Year's Eve, according to a statement from the health authorities. The situation is deteriorating and everyone should take the situation seriously, President Wavel Ramkalawan said in a press briefing on Monday. The Indian Ocean archipelago confirmed 16 new cases on Sunday evening, three of which were reported on its second most populous island of Praslin. Seychelles - composed of 115 islands - registered its first case of Covid-19 on 14 March 2020. It has so far recorded 322 cases and 223 recoveries. The government last week imposed restrictions, including ordering the closure of churches, bars, gyms and schools, following a rise in infections. There are also travel restrictions and businesses are encouraged to operate virtually, except for essential services. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mass. high court to decide if evangelical college discriminated against pro-LGBT professor Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The highest court in Massachusetts heard oral arguments on Monday regarding whether an evangelical Christian higher education institution can lawfully refuse to promote a former professor who held pro-LGBT views. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments virtually over a lawsuit filed against Gordon College by former associate professor Margaret DeWeese-Boyd. At issue is whether Gordon, founded in 1889, could lawfully deny a promotion to DeWeese-Boyd by citing the ministerial exception, a legal principle that allows religious bodies to choose their own ministerial staff with exemption from employment discrimination law. Eric Baxter, an attorney with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who is representing the school, argued in his opening remarks that the exception applied to the employment of DeWeese-Boyd since she was expected to undertake certain religious obligations. The Court need look no further than her own actions, said Baxter. She admits that Gordon expected her to participate actively in the spiritual formation of its students and to help them apply biblical principles to their vocations. When she applied at Gordon, she touted her seminary training and mission work as of particular benefit to students and promised to provide a distinctly Christian education. Baxter added that DeWeese-Boyd consistently described her work as integrally Christian, as furthering the Kingdom of God, and as participation in the ministry of Christian reconciliation. Hillary Schwab, an attorney representing DeWeese-Boyd, argued that the U.S. Supreme Court precedent on ministerial exception was that what matters is what an employee does. And what did Professor DeWeese-Boyd do? Schwab asked. She was a social work professor. She taught social work topics. She researched and wrote on social work. Her interests included community development, poverty, social issues, grassroots movements. Schwab pointed out that these were all secular social work topics that did not fit the standard of vital religious duties laid out in the 2020 Supreme Court decisionOur Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru. In that decision, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that two California Catholic schools can classify their religion teachers as ministers and not be held to the standards of state antidiscrimination laws. According to Schwab, the secular nature of DeWeese-Boyds employment was evident in the fact that she never led sermons and she never led chapel services or religious teaching. Schwab also argued that Gordon was not a religious school, per se, since the college provides a liberal arts education and does not solely focus on spiritual instruction. The school [does] not incorporate evangelical teachings; it incorporates an evangelical perspective within the framework of academic freedom, she continued. The professors at Gordon College are expected to be experts in their field and the field for Professor DeWeese-Boyd was social work. They are not expected to be experts in any sort of religious duties. Schwab disputed the claim that the former professor emphasized her seminary background when first applying for her position at Gordon, saying that was not part of her promotional package when she applied for the promotion. In 2017, DeWeese-Boyd filed a complaint against Gordon after being denied a promotion despite the professor getting the recommendation of the faculty senate. DeWeese-Boyd claimed that she was discriminated against due to her advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community against school policies that adhered to traditional biblical sexual ethics. Specifically, she argued that Gordon's leadership committed associational and gender discrimination, breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and aided and abetted interference with her civil rights. For their part, Gordon College argued for the ministerial exception and also claimed that Deweese-Boyd lacked sufficient scholarly accomplishments. It was because she had not performed any scholarship, she had not published anything since 2008, and she was cited as not adequate performing within providing internal institutional service, noted Baxter during the Monday arguments. In April, Judge Jeffrey T. Karp of the Massachusetts Superior Court ruled in favor of DeWeese-Boyd. The judge argued that she was not a ministerial employee and so the exception did not apply. The College is not a church. The College's faculty and staff do not function as ministers. The faculty members are not intermediaries between a church and its congregation, wrote Karp. That faculty members are expected to serve as exemplars of practicing Christians does not serve to make the terms and conditions of their employment matters of church administration and thus purely of ecclesiastical concern. In 2017, the entire seven-member faculty senate at Gordon College resigned in the wake of DeWeese-Boyd being denied the promotion. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston submitted an amicus brief in the case, warning that the lower court's decision in favor of the professor conflicted with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. "The Archdiocese submits this brief in support of neither party because it does not take a position on other issues addressed in the parties briefing," lawyers for the Archdiocese wrote, according to the Gloucester Daily Times. "But with respect to the application of the ministerial exception to teachers in religious schools, the trial courts decision adopts a framework that is in conflict with the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent. The Archdioceses interest in clarifying the proper framework reflects the centrality of education and educators in the Catholic faith." Houston and its surrounding communities on Tuesday became the latest region to require new emergency restrictions after seven straight days of ballooning coronavirus hospitalizations. The rollback, mandated under Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency protocols, includes restaurants dropping to 50 percent occupancy from 75 percent, and bars that have not reclassified as restaurants closing immediately. The restrictions remain in place until the region drops below 15 percent COVID-19 hospitalizations for seven straight days. As of Monday, the latest day of available data, the Houston region was at 19.9 percent, up from just over 13 percent a week earlier. Infections and hospitalizations have been rising steadily in recent weeks, following spikes in other parts of the state and amid holiday gatherings. SOME ELECTIVE SURGERIES SUSPENDED: Stressed by COVID-19, Texas Medical Center hospitals deferring some elective procedures All but four of the state's 22 hospital regions were over 15 percent as of Monday. Texas Medical Center Hospitals in Houston announced earlier Tuesday that they were putting a hold on certain elective surgeries to save resources for coronavirus patients. Under the governors protocols, hospitals are required to postpone elective surgeries that would deplete COVID-19 resources. The best thing we can do is take this threshold as a wakeup call," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "This is the time to take this for the red alert that it is. We are only going to get through this if we are able to quickly stem the tide of hospitalizations. Eighteen of the 22 trauma service areas in Texas, including Galveston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Victoria, have now hit the same threshold and are under the same restrictions as Houston. The state reported a record 13,308 patients hospitalized for lab-confirmed COVID-19 on Tuesday. Data editor Matt Dempsey contributed to this report. An employee shows the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in New York City in a Dec. 21, 2020. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) EU Approves Moderna CCP Virus Vaccine The European Commission on Wednesday authorized the CCP virus vaccine developed by U.S. company Moderna, the second COVID-19 jab approved by the EU. The authorization follows a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which reached the decision after an assessment of the vaccines quality, safety, and efficacy. We are providing safe & effective #COVID19 vaccines for Europeans. We have authorised the @moderna_tx vaccine, the 2nd vaccine approved in the EU. Europe has secured so far 2 billion doses of potential vaccines more than enough for protecting us all #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/Ujg4C997fK Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 6, 2021 We are providing more COVID-19 vaccines for Europeans, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. With the Moderna vaccine, the second one now authorized in the EU, we will have a further 160 million doses. And more vaccines will come. Von der Leyen said the EU had secured up to 2 billion doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines, more than enough for the whole population of the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission signed a contract with Moderna on Nov. 25 to deliver 160 million doses between the first and the third quarters of 2021. These will add to the 300 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which the EU approved on Dec. 21. The EMA has given a conditional marketing authorization for both, rather than the ultra-fast emergency use clearance issued by Britain, which the EU regulator says requires more detailed study of the data. The EU is the fourth jurisdiction to authorize the Moderna jab, following the United States, Canada, and Israel. The vaccine is currently under review in Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK. The Dutch national drugs authority, the CBG, said the Moderna vaccine was expected to be effective against the variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus detected in Britain, but cautioned this had to be confirmed by further research. It has to be stored and shipped frozen, but does not require the ultra-cold temperatures of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Once thawed, it can be kept at typical refrigerator temperatures. EU countries started vaccinations on Dec. 27 and are trying to catch up with countries such as Britain and Israel where large numbers of people have already received inoculations. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that over 1.1 million people in England and over 1.3 million across the UK had been vaccinated with either the Pfizer/BioNTech or the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 jabs. Reuters contributed to this report. Irelands minister for justice Helen McEntee has revealed she has tested positive for Covid-19. Ms McEntee, who is pregnant with her first child, confirmed the news on Twitter. She posted: I was recently tested and have received a positive result for #Covid19. In line with our HSE guidance I am isolating. I am continuing to carry out my duties by working remotely including attending Cabinet. The information the HSE has shows that pregnant women or their babies are not at a higher risk if we get Covid-19. I was recently tested and have received a positive result for #Covid19. In line with our HSE guidance I am isolating. I am continuing to carry out my duties by working remotely including attending Cabinet. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 6, 2021 At the same time I urge everyone to follow public health advice and stay at home. If you think youre developing symptoms no matter how small, act as though you have Covid. We all know the seriousness of the situation. We must protect our health system and our most vulnerable. The minister announced last month she is pregnant and is due her baby in May. She is the second Government minister to test positive for the virus. Last month Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue confirmed he had contracted coronavirus. He was due to end his 14-day isolation period this week. It comes as the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has surpassed the peak of the first wave, the head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) said. The previous highest number of patients with the virus in hospital was 881 on April 15. Paul Reid, HSE chief executive, tweeted: With 921 people in hospital, weve now exceeded the peak level of the 1st wave (881). 75 in ICU. Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Lets all do whats needed, turn this around, save lives whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to. With 921people in hospital, we've now exceeded the peak level of the 1st wave (881).75 in ICU. Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Let's all do what's needed, turn this around, save lives, whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to. @HSELive Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 6, 2021 The number of coronavirus patients in hospital jumped from 817 on Tuesday to 921 by Wednesday morning. Health officials have been sounding warnings over the sharp rise in people needing hospital treatment for the virus. A National Public Health Emergency Team briefing on Monday heard that the number of people in intensive care units could rise to between 200 and 400 by the middle of January if people failed to take action. It comes as the Cabinet is meeting to consider a range of new restrictions to curb the pandemic. Speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the UK variant of the virus was far more contagious than anything else Ireland had dealt with so far. The situation now to my mind is as serious as its been since the start of this, he said. We got more evidence last night. Its still early evidence but more evidence of the prevalence and the rapid spread of the UK variant. This UK variant is unlike anything we have dealt with in this country so far. Were seeing what its doing in the UK and what it is doing in countries across Europe. We know its here; the only question is to what level it is here. It is far more contagious than anything we have dealt with so far. So regardless with what Cabinet decides today, everything is focused around one message which is stay at home. Mr Donnelly urged anyone who was in the vulnerable category to take extra care and behave as they did in the first lockdown in March. A Cabinet subcommittee on Tuesday put forward a number of new proposals, including closing schools, construction sites and creches. A new requirement for travellers arriving in Ireland to produce a negative coronavirus test, taken within 72 hours of their journey, is also to be considered. It is understood the measure will apply to people arriving from Britain and South Africa from Saturday. It comes after reports the more virulent UK variant of Covid-19 was found in around 25% of cases in Ireland, up from 10% previously. I know its not easy for so many, but we must act together to protect people and our heath system Simon Coveney A separate variant, believed to be more virulent, has also been discovered in South Africa. Construction sites could be closed, apart from essential projects such as social housing or refurbishments. Creches will also shut but will still be available for children of essential workers, and schools look set to close until the end of January at the earliest, as indicated by the Taoiseach. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney on Wednesday urged people to protect the health system. Mr Coveney tweeted: Today government makes further decisions on schools, childcare, construction sites, (international) travel, retail, vaccines, healthcare and financial supports in response to #COVID19. I know its not easy for so many, but we must act together to protect people and our heath system. PA Media HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Gulf Energy Information ("Gulf") announces the launch of H2Tech, a working technology journal for the hydrogen sector that will be published quarterly in 2021. As the first technical publication devoted entirely to applications and trends for the hydrogen community worldwide, H2Tech is geared toward engineers and other professionals involved in hydrogen production technologies and applications progress on all spectrumsfrom gray and brown to blue and green, and beyond. With a sharpened focus on present and future technology applications, H2Tech is designed to offer in-depth, front-line examination of issues and opportunities facing the hydrogen industry. Coverage topics include technology advances for hydrogen production and use, blue and green hydrogen projects, hydrogen distribution and fueling infrastructure development, safety and sustainability concerns, market and pricing trends, the future of hydrogen energy, and many more. H2Tech articles are authored by technology experts and officials working in the hydrogen sector worldwide and curated by H2Tech's award-winning editorial team, which has 80+ combined years of experience in the trade media, engineering and energy sectors. Our worldwide readership includes operating and technology companies, power producers, engineering and construction firms, equipment manufacturers, renewable and conventional energy producers, transportation developers, energy efficiency experts and regulatory officials. The H2Tech website (www.H2-Tech.com), weekly e-newsletter and H2TechTalk podcast provide our audience with up-to-date technical information and news on hydrogen projects, process technologies and regulatory/environmental incentives within this fast-growing industry. H2Tech will also hold a free, two-day, virtual symposium, H2Tech Solutions, on 1819 May 2021. The online event will bring together engineers, technologists and managers working to advance fuel, chemical and industrial applications for hydrogen. Potential speakers wishing to share their research and outlook with our audience may submit their abstracts for consideration through February 11. "We're creating a space for the hydrogen community, particularly those involved in advancing technology, to share and strengthen knowledge through our far-reaching and widely trusted media," said Adrienne Blume, H2Tech Editor-in-Chief. "The H2Tech journal and its virtual symposium, H2Tech Solutions, provide those on the front lines of the hydrogen revolution with a platform for communicating new technologies, applications and trends to a worldwide audience. Our editorial team brings together experts and partners with our technical content, webcasts, podcasts, conferences and engineering references to help advance hydrogen as a global clean energy solution." The Q1 issue of H2Tech, to be published in March 2021, examines the latest advances in hydrogen technology for production, distribution, storage, application and safety. Technical articles will examine technology for hydrogen transportation via a liquid chemical carrier, the development of an efficient hydrogen liquefaction technology that reduces power consumption and cost, the ignition probability of hydrogen, the role of blue hydrogen in the energy transition, recent improvements in hydrogen leak detection, the accuracy of measurement for hydrogen refueling stations, and other topics. The issue will also include a regional report on hydrogen projects and initiatives in Europe, a section on measurement and instrumentation, an executive viewpoint article, and other features. Each edition of the journal will include an "H2 Projects Update" and global projects data section, a "Regional Report" (Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, Middle East/Africa), a "Business Trends" section, an "Executive Viewpoint," an "H2 Technology Spotlight" section, and an "H2 Events Spotlight" update for online and in-person events. H2Tech is a multi-platform media brand focused on the technology, business and market for hydrogen. Offering technical content, news, webcasts, research, conferences (H2Tech Solutions) and engineering references, its content appears in print and digital formats and on www.H2-Tech.com, and is delivered via a weekly newsletter and a podcast, H2TechTalk. "This is an exciting time for our team and for the industry," stated Catherine Watkins, Publisher of H2Tech and Vice President of Gulf, "As the hydrogen economy and infrastructure is rapidly expanding for fuel, chemical and industrial applications, the industry has expressed a need for an authoritative, technical publication for the engineering and scientific communities. H2Tech will keep these professionals engaged, informed and up to date with everything happening in the hydrogen sector worldwide." About Gulf Energy Information Gulf Energy Information is a leading provider of media, events, marketing and market intelligence services to the international energy industry, offering in-depth insights, technical content and strategic direction. Gulf's market-leading brandsPetroleum Economist, World Oil, Pipeline & Gas Journal, Hydrocarbon Processing, Gas Processing & LNG, Pipeline News, Underground Construction, Gas Utility, H2Tech, Hydrogen Economist and Transition Economistserve their markets with digital media that leverage large audiences, as well as select print publications. Gulf also provides market intelligence solutions to the international energy industry through the comprehensive data tool Global Energy Infrastructure (GEI), which includes the Energy Web Atlas (EWA) and the Construction Boxscore Database. Visit gulfenergyinfo.com for more information. Contact: Catherine Watkins 713-529-4301 [email protected] SOURCE Gulf Energy Information Related Links http://www.gulfenergyinfo.com Police commandos arrest Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim (center), a rebellious army officer, during an assault at the luxury Peninsula hotel in Manilas Makati financial district, Nov. 29, 2007. Danilo Lim, a former general with the Philippine Armys elite Scout Rangers who had led two coup attempts during his military career and was serving as an official in the Duterte administration, died Wednesday, the presidents spokesman said. Lim, 65, the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, had tested positive for the coronavirus on Dec. 29 but had been asymptomatic, according to colleagues. The MMDA, in a statement issued Wednesday, said Lim died of cardiac arrest. The palace expresses its deep condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim, Harry Roque, spokesman for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said in a statement. Lim served the Duterte Administration with professionalism, competence and integrity. He would be dearly missed, Roque said. The secretaries of the departments of health and defense called Lim a true leader and front liner. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a former general, said the country lost an esteemed leader, who valued public service above all else. His vision, which he carried through from his beginning as a young officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines to his later years as a civilian public servant, was to uphold good governance and lead by example, Lorenzana said, in a separate statement. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a member of the Philippine military class of 1978, Lim was born in June 1955 in northern Nueva Vizcaya province, the youngest of five brothers and the son of a Chinese rice trader and a Filipina. After returning from the United States, Lim joined the Scout Rangers, a unit used in anti-guerrilla operations and jungle warfare, where he served with distinction. As a young officer, he was twice wounded while fighting Muslim insurgents on southern Jolo Island. In 2003 and 2007, Lim led two coup detat attempts. In 2007, he was arrested after leading a siege in Manilas business district to express disdain against the scandal-ridden administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He and other officers were on trial at the time for a 2003 mutiny, when they walked out of the courtroom and took over an upscale hotel in Manilas financial district. The rebellious officers held out in the building until Arroyos forces stormed the establishment and flushed them out. Despite the failed coups, he was later reinstated. Lim contested and lost in the 2010 senatorial elections, but was tapped by Duterte to lead the MMDA in 2017. Coronavirus situation Meanwhile, a 30-year-old woman from the Cagayan Valley Region, who left for Hong Kong on Dec. 22, tested positive there for a more contagious variant of COVID-19 on Jan. 2, the Philippine Department of Health said on Wednesday. The variant which is said to be 70 percent more contagious than the previous known COVID-19 strain was first detected in the United Kingdom. On Wednesday, the Philippine government said that the new variant had not been detected in the country so far. The government had earlier banned the entry of foreign travelers from the U.K., as well as 20 other countries and territories, including the U.S. Based on analysis by government scientists, the UK variant was not detected in any of the 305 positive samples submitted to them from nine institutions so far, the Philippine health department said in a statement. The samples analyzed were collected between November and December, from patients admitted to various hospitals that included travelers who tested positive again upon arrival at the airport, the department said. The Philippines, with a population of about 109 million people, had recorded more than 480,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, logging the second highest number of infections in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The first trailer for Richa Chadhas upcoming film Madam Chief Minister is out. Richa plays a young woman with a keen interest in politics who takes on political giants of her state. She works for the backwards castes and for the upliftment of women in a sexist society. However, not all see her success with kind eyes and are looking to destroy her. There is corruption, bigotry, and alienation running deep in the political chambers of the state but she has made up her mind to become the chief minister. The films cast also comprises of Saurabh Shukla, Manav Kaul and Akshaye Oberoi. It is directed by Subhash Kapoor of Phas Gaye Re Obama, Jolly LLB and Jolly LLB 2. Produced by T-Series, the film will be out on January 22. Madam Chief Minister was shot in Lucknow in a 40-day start-to-finish schedule in 2019. In a press note, the makers had revealed that Subhash Kapoor chose Richa for the role because the actor is an articulate, politically and socially aware actor. Richa had said in a statement last year, Happy to announce that our labour of love Madam Chief Minister has been announced. My toughest part yet, am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with particularly witty Subhash Sir and with the splendid cast Manav, Akshay Oberoi and Saurabh Shukla. Also read: Inside Deepika Padukone birthday celebrations: Ranveer plays host, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt attend. See pics Richas last release was Shakeela, which released in December to unfavourable reviews. The film starred her as the adult film star who shook the Malayalam film industry in the late 90s and early 2000s It also starred Pankaj Tripathi. Follow @htshowbiz on Twitter ott:10 As New Year's go it's been one many of us would rather forget but not for the Moloney clan who, in the early hours of New Year's Day, welcomed the newest addition to their family. Little Fiadh Moloney, was the first baby of 2021 born in Kerry, arriving into the world at 3.04am on Friday, January 1 at University Hospital Kerry. Weighing in at nine pounds and 11 ounces little Fiadh is the daughter of proud parents Ricky and Caitriona Moloney who will remember the start of 2021 for all the right reasons. Fiadh is already settled in at the family home in Lisanearla near Abbeydorney where her big brother, two-year-old Eanna was waiting at the door to meet her. The family are delighted with their little bundle of joy and all here at The Kerryman send them our heartiest congratulations on what must surely have been the very happiest of New Years. Let me be clear: Hitler got nothing right. This reprehensible rhetoric has no place in our politics, Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference. Illinois Republicans cannot allow this to stand and must condemn this vile, evil streak in their party. If Rep. Miller was the least bit interested in history, she would visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center to learn just how wrong Hitler really was. China's crackdown in Hong Kong escalated dramatically on Wednesday with police arresting more than 50 opposition figures in their largest operation since a draconian security law was imposed on the financial hub. The sweep is the latest salvo in Beijing's battle to stamp out dissent in the semi-autonomous city after millions hit the streets in 2019 with huge and sometimes violent democracy protests. Police confirmed 53 people -- including a US citizen -- were arrested for "subversion" in an early morning operation that involved about 1,000 officers. The charges were sparked by an attempt by opposition groups last year to win a majority in the city's partially-elected legislature. Hong Kong's security chief John Lee described the arrests as "necessary" and aimed at a group of people who tried to "sink Hong Kong into an abyss" and "overthrow the government". Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said those facing prosecution "strategically organised or implemented a plan to paralyse the government". But the operation sparked a rebuke from Antony Blinken, US President-elect Joe Biden's pick for secretary of state, who said authorities were launching "an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights". "The Biden-Harris administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijing's crackdown on democracy," he added. Former colonial ruler Britain said the arrests were a "grievous attack" on the rights and freedoms promised to Hong Kong under a 1984 agreement that paved the way for the territory's return to Chinese rule. The EU -- which recently agreed a major investment deal with Beijing -- called for the "immediate release" of those rounded up and said it was eyeing possible further sanctions on China over the crackdown. Those detained represented a broad cross-section of Hong Kong's opposition, from veteran former pro-democracy lawmakers such as James To, Andrew Wan, Lam Cheuk-ting and Claudia Mo to a host of younger activists. Among the youth campaigners were Gwyneth Ho, a former journalist turned social activist, district councillor Tiffany Yuen and Jeffrey Andrews, a campaigner known for working with ethnic minorities. Colleagues of Joshua Wong, one of the city's most famous democracy activists, who is currently in jail, said via his official Facebook account that his home was searched. 'Night of the long knives' National security police also searched a law firm known for taking on human rights cases. John Clancey, an American lawyer working for the firm, was arrested on suspicion of subversion, two sources told AFP. It is the first time a US national has been detained under the new law. A fluent Cantonese speaker and long-term Hong Kong resident, Clancey is a veteran legal activist. "Continue to work for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong," he told reporters as he was led away by officers. The police operation also involved the media. Three local news outlets -- Stand News, Apple Daily and Inmediahk -- said national security police visited to request documents. Some of the remaining members of Hong Kong's rapidly diminishing pro-democracy bloc gathered for a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, raising fists and shouting "Free all political prisoners!" Nathan Law, a prominent democracy leader who fled overseas last year, used social media to accuse authorities of trying to "extinguish the flames of resistance" in the city. The foundations of Wednesday's mass arrests were laid last summer when pro-democracy parties organised an unofficial primary for local legislative elections which were ultimately scrapped altogether. Only half the legislature's 70-seats are popularly elected. The campaign's aim was to win all 35 elected seats, take a majority in the legislature for the first time and try to block government policies. More than 600,000 Hong Kongers turned out to vote in the unofficial poll which infuriated Beijing. Chinese officials at the time warned any attempt to win a majority and block government policies constituted "subversion" under the new security law. New security powers The national security law was imposed on Hong Kong in late June in response to the 2019 protests, targeting acts Beijing deems to be secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Officials said the security law would target only an "extreme minority". But it swiftly silenced dissent and outlawed a host of peaceful political views with dozens of prominent figures targeted even before Wednesday's operation. Over the course of the last year, prominent democracy supporters have been arrested, jailed, barred from politics or have fled overseas. National security crimes carry a maximum of life in prison and bail is not usually granted for those who are charged. The law also toppled the legal firewall between Hong Kong's independent judiciary and the mainland's Communist Party-controlled courts. China has claimed jurisdiction over especially serious security crimes and allowed its security agents to operate openly in the city for the first time. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Manufacturers in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region are experiencing significant gains from their digital transformation (DX) projects. Still, they could achieve far more if they improved the way they define, plan, and execute their DX projects, according to a new IDC info brief sponsored by Infor. In the info brief, Future of Manufacturing: Driving Transformation in the Age of Industry 4.0, IDC revealed that 48% of manufacturers in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) realized cost efficiencies from their digital transformation initiatives, while 47% achieved productivity improvements, and 39% saw increased revenues. The info brief also stressed that manufacturers stand to increase the effectiveness of their DX initiatives if they follow the correct steps at the planning and implementation stage. IDC recommends that manufacturers start their DX projects with a detailed assessment covering operations, systems, data, skills, organization, and infrastructure, and create a DX roadmap with short-term and long-term goals and KPIs to measure progress. It also recommends that organizations build a cross-functional team from various departments to drive the plan, and make periodic reassessments and updates. The info brief also revealed common pitfalls to avoid, including initiatives that are not well integrated with the rest of the business strategy; undermining the perception of DX as being everyones responsibility; a lack of understanding of existing data assets; and siloed technology environments. Its vital for organizations to achieve successful digital transformation due to changing customer profiles, business models, the proliferation of apps, smartphones, and other digital devices, said Jebin George, program manager, IDC. With the right approach, DX can help manufacturers automate, add immense value to their business, and position them to prosper in the age of 4th Industrial Revolution. The 4th Industrial Revolution is gaining significant momentum, giving even greater impetus for organizations to get their DX initiatives right. Indeed, 60% of global gross domestic product (GDP) will be digitized by 2022, IDC predicts. Furthermore,76% of manufacturers in the META region are engaged in, or soon to start, a formal DX program. Khaled Al Shami, Infor director of solution consulting for the Middle East and Africa, said: Countries across the region are keen to develop cutting-edge manufacturing sectors as they seek to diversify and grow their economies. Manufacturers must plan and execute their digital transformation in the right way to benefit from emerging trends and technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, and 3D printing. With our ability to offer vertical-specific DX solutions, were excited to help manufacturers on their digital transformation journey.TradeArabia News Service * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Participating in a local program to plant trees. Participating in a local clean-up effort. I will take alternative transportation to conserve fossil fuels. I will volunteer with a local recycle drive. I don't know, but I will do something to mark the day. I would like to, but I'm not aware of any volunteer efforts for Earth Day. I do these things regularly. I never recognize Earth Day. Vote View Results The S-400 Triumf surmounted a tortured development cycle to become one of the worlds leading missile defense systems and a pivotal Russian export product. The S-400 is an excellent system; it's not horrifically expensive, versatile in its deployment, and accurate enough to take down any NATO fighter, The National Interest writes in the article Why is Russia's S-400 Air Defense System So Dangerous? The air defense system that eventually became the S-400 began as an advanced S-300 modernization project. The S-300PMU-3 was conceived in the early 1990s as a major iteration of the S-300 platform, replete with new missiles that improve the S-300s performance and enable it to fill new roles. As with many 1990s military hardware projects, the S-300PMU-3 struggled for consistent funding in the wake of the Soviet collapse. The system ran into further technical troubles in the early 2000s, amid concerns that the S-300PMU-3s performance was being throttled by aging holdover components from the 1970s S-300P. Nevertheless, the first S-400 units began to enter service in 2007. The S-400 is comprised of four core components: 1) the 30K6E battle management system, consisting of a command post and acquisition radar, 2) as many as six 98Zh6E Fire Units and twelve transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), 3) an assortment of surface-to-air missiles (SAM), and the 4) 30Ts6E logistical support system for missile storage and equipment maintenance. The 30K6E battle management system can control a diverse cast of earlier Soviet missile defense units, meaning that the S-400 can coordinate with several S-300 variants, numerous entries from the TOR family of anti-air systems, and Pantsir S-1 missile system. The S-400 presents a vast leap in performance and capabilities over earlier S-300 models. To begin with, Triumf is markedly more versatile than its predecessor: while the S-300 is explicitly a long-range air defense system, the S-400 is equipped with four missile types to satisfy a broad spectrum of combat roles: very long-range 40N6E (400 kilometers) missiles, the long-range 48N6 (250 kilometers), medium-range 9M96e2 (120 kilometers), and short-range 9m96e (40 kilometers). The S-400s wide array of missiles is accompanied by significant new features, including anti-ECM tools against jamming as well as tracking/targeting updates to partially counter the widespread use of stealth fighter technology. In keeping with the growing prevalence of drones and saturation strategies, the S-400 can simultaneously engage up to 80 targets and 160 guided missiles. Unlike its S-300 predecessor, the S-400 has not yet spawned any derivative models. Over the past decade, the Kremlin has succeeded in inking a slew of major S-400 export contracts. It has a long list of high-profile customers such as China, Turkey, and India; moreover, Iraq, Egypt, Vietnam, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are among those that have expressed interest in purchasing the system in recent years. Dozens of S-400 battalions currently serve across Russias five military districts, for a total of fifty-six battalions or twenty-five regiments. It is unknown how many more S-400s Russia plans to procure for its own armed forces, and how quickly. Though it is technically due to be succeeded in the coming years by the imminent S-500, it is clear that the Kremlin has no intention of phasing out the Triumf anytime soon. Rather, the S-400 is set to serve alongside the more powerful, but also much more expensive, S-500 in the decades following its introduction. Dispute over Cancun garbage collection company continues Cancun, Q. R. Cancun city council says that although Intelligencia Mexico filed an Amparo, the judge did not determine that the garbage collection company return to the tasks as established by their suspended concession. However, the dispute continues. Flor Ruiz Cosio, the secretary of Benito Juarez city council says they reject the notion that a federal judge has ordered Intelligencia Mexico recover the garbage collection service of Cancun. She reiterated that although the company did file an Amparo, the judge did not determine that Intelligencia Mexico will return to the tasks established by the concession that was suspended last month. Until this moment, we have not been officially notified of any protection won (by Intelligencia Mexico), much less of any suspension granted in favor of Intelligencia Mexico in which they are ordered to provide the garbage collection service she said. The official explained that the simple copy of an alleged Amparo presented by Intelligencia Mexico has been circulated. From the aforementioned document, it can be deduced that the service is not ordered by Intelligencia Mexico as they intended to interpret, she said. The judges document establishes that Intelligencia Mexico could provide the service again if the concession had not been suspended, but the concession was suspended in December after city council voted in favor of the temporary total intervention and the hiring, through Siresol, of another garbage collection provider, she added. Since then, Siresol contracted another company, Red Ambiental, to provide the city of Cancun with the service. However, Isaac Janix Alanis, also of Benito Juarez city council said that by order of a federal judge, Intelligencia Mexico would be able to resume garbage collection around Cancun and that the recently hired company Red Ambiental would not be able to do so until the legal issue is resolved. Workers from Intelligencia Mexico block the road to the Cancun landfill On Wednesday morning, workers from Intelligencia Mexico used a truck to block access to Cancuns landfill site, claiming that it has obtained the right to resume the concession and the citys garbage collection service. A trio of spaceships from Earth are on their way to Mars in search of life and to better understand the atmosphere and environment of the Red Planet. Orbiter missions from the United Arab Emirates and China, as well as rovers from the Chinese and American space agencies are due to arrive by the middle of February. Each of the vessels are currently hurtling through space at thousands of miles per hour, gathering data about the space between the two worlds to send back home. The NASA mission is the largest, sending the next generation of rover that will follow in the footsteps of Curiosity in revealing more about our neighbouring world. Each of the missions will be a precursor to future, more adventurous Mars trips, with the ultimate aim of putting humans on the Red Planet by the end of the 2030s. All of the missions are getting close to Mars and are due to arrive in orbit early in February 2021 Each of the three missions is unique, looking to achieve slightly different things and different milestones for their respective space agencies. The Hope Mars mission is the first Arab satellite to be sent to another planet, and will send Martian weather forecasts back as it will track a full weather cycle. The China spaceship is the first fully Chinese Mars mission, including launching on its own rocket, and will be only the second country to land a rover after the US. Perseverance: NASA's latest Mars rover NASA's Perseverance rover follows in a long line of US rovers that have been sent to explore the Red Planet, including the currently-operational Curiosity rover, which has sent many stunning images back to Earth. As well as a host of scientific instruments, the NASA spaceship is 'festooned' with an array of 'hidden gems' including chips carrying the names of 10.9 million people. This plaque was attached to Perseverance to celebrate the health care workers who battled on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 Scientists use the color swatches on the primary calibration target for Mastcam-Z a pair of zoomable cameras aboard NASA's Perseverance Mars rover to fine-tune the cameras' settings The 'extras' are part of a tradition that harks back to the early space race - including a plaque on Pioneer 10 and 11 displaying a man and a woman. The precursor to Perseverance NASA Curiosity includes a 1909 penny that nods not just to the hundredth anniversary of the Lincoln penny, but also to how geologists often include a penny for scale when analysing images of rock features. 'These embellishments add artistic elements on missions that are otherwise solely dominated by science and technology,' says Jim Bell of Arizona State University. Bell is the principal investigator of Perseverance's Mastcam-Z, a pair of zoomable cameras that will capture gorgeous colour panoramas of the Martian surface. A number of sample-return missions are planned for Mars over the coming decade including from China, Japan and a combined NASA and European mission NASA's Mars Perseverance rover is being sent to Mars to take samples from beneath the surface to get a better picture of the ancient barren world As with Curiosity, Perseverance was built at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which leads the mission. Much of the festooning aboard the rover serves a dual purpose, including the Mastcam-Z, which serves as the eyes of the rover and doubles as a 'sundial'. These help scientists ensure the cameras' colour settings are correct, given that the position of the Sun and the dustiness of the sky can affect the lighting in images. The spaceship also includes a memorial plaque to honour the many healthcare workers who risked their lives helping people affected by Covid-19. A key objective for Perseverance's mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rocky Martian landscape is a tricky one for a rover to navigate, but the new NASA Perseverance rover has been designed to cope and will dig deep into the surface The rover will characterise the planet's geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust). Subsequent missions, currently under consideration by NASA in cooperation with the European Space Agency, would send spacecraft to Mars to collect these cached samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis. In December NASA approved plans for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) multi-mission effort to bring samples, gathered by Perseverance, back to the Earth by 2030. 'Returning samples of Mars to Earth has been a goal of planetary scientists since the early days of the space age,' said Thomas Zurbuchen, from NASA. 'MSR is a complex campaign, and it encapsulates the very essence of pioneering space exploration pushing the boundaries of what's capable and, in so doing, furthering our understanding of our place in the universe.' The Mars 2020 mission is part of a larger programme that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. Charged with returning astronauts to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA's Artemis lunar exploration plans. Hope: Emirates Mars Mission Those plans could be aided by knowing what the weather is like on Mars over a full day which is something the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) sets out to achieve. This is the first interplanetary mission by an Arab nation, and it has now completed its final major trajectory correction before inserting itself into Mars' orbit in February. Known as Mars Hope, the probe's arrival and Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) on February 9 will mean the United Arab Emirates becomes the fifth nation to reach the planet. The trajectory during the cruise has been accurate enough that they have been able to plan new scientific observations for the final approach to Mars. Project Director Omran Sharaf said they will use the on-board spectrograph to make early observations of Mars' outer hydrogen halo and add data to interplanetary hydrogen modelling. The UAE Mars Hope satellite launched from Japan on July 15 and is due to enter Mars' orbit on February 9 where it will monitor the weather on the red Planet The 3,000lb (1,350kg) craft (pictured) will complete one orbit every 55 hours for a total of one Martian year 687 Earth days 'We will also use the star trackers on board to perform measurements of interplanetary dust as we cruise towards MOI,' he said. Sensors will help reveal the secrets of Martian climate UAE's Amal orbiter will have three sensors on-board to help astronomers learn more about Mars's climate. One will be a high-resolution camera dedicated to tracking dust movements and the ozone of Mars. This will scan a range of light frequencies. Another device will specifically focus on infrared and was built by scientists at Arizona State University. This IR camera will measure both the upper and lower atmosphere. The third sensor will be an ultraviolet spectrometer for measuring oxygen and hydrogen levels. Advertisement 'The current performance of Hope has provided the science team an opportunity to make valuable science data measurements that can only be captured en-route to a planet.' By enabling the dust-tracking feature in Mars Hope's star trackers, measurements of interplanetary dust density can be made far from Earth's orbit that will contribute to our understanding of the distribution of dust throughout the solar system. 'These experiments have been made possible simply because Mars Hope is in such good shape,' commented Hessa Al Matroushi, EMM's Deputy Project Manager. Following the successful launch from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southwestern Japan on July 20, the Mars Hope probe was expected to require seven trajectory corrections during the seven-month journey to the Red Planet. However, the probe's trajectory was so far within its tolerances that a total of four were needed, of which the fourth is minor, and will align the craft for its orbital insertion. Hope aims to build the first full picture of Mars' climate throughout the Martian year. 'We are delighted with the performance of the Mars Hope probe to date and are now well on our way to achieving our goal of reaching the Red planet and commencing our science mission.' Said UAE Minister for Advanced Technologies Sarah Al Amiri. 'Every new challenge, every first we achieve on the journey, is an incredible accomplishment for the team and a step nearer to delivering on our mission objectives.' The Mars exploration is among several new space projects China is pursuing, including putting Chinese astronauts on the moon and having a space station by 2022. This graphic illustrates different types of rovers and satellites are currently orbiting the red planet Tianwen-1: China's first Mars rover There is far less publicly-available information about the Chinese Tianwen-1 mission, launched by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on July 23, 2020. It is due to reach the Red Planet at some point in February and includes an orbiter, a lander and a rover that will look for ancient signs of life on Mars. CNSA has confirmed that the lander will touch down inside the huge impact basin Utopia Planitia, to the south of NASA's Viking 2 lander site and northwest of the Mars InSight lander that touched down in November 2018. Alfred McEwen, a planetary scientist from the University of Arizona, told Space.com that the site was mostly flat and smooth but with craters and ridges. He said it has been 'interpreted as covered by mud flows' by some scientists and so there could be evidence of ancient deep groundwater. China's ambitious plan to conquer the red planet was revealed by Bao, an academic from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in an interview with CCTV. The picture shows an illustration of the 'Tianwen-1' spacecraft being captured by the gravitational fields of Mars The Tianwen-1 spacecraft was carried by a Long March-5 rocket and is expected to reach the red planet in February. The animated picture shows an illustration of a rover being released by the Chinese 'Tianwen-1' spacecraft to explore the Martian surface There are currently two spaceships on their way to put a rover on Mars (pictured) from NASA and China - the Chinese rover will be used as a test bed for a future sample-return mission It is unlikely there is any surface ice within the range of the Tianwen-1 rover, but it could use a Subsurface Exploration Radar instrument - used on the Chang'e-4 mission to look beneath the surface of the Moon - to search for underground ice. While the Tianwen-1 spaceship will arrive in Martian orbit in February, it could be three months before the rover launches for the surface of the planet. CNSA will use this time to use high and medium resolution cameras to assess the site and conditions before deciding when to begin the landing process. The landing site is lower than other parts of Mars due to being inside an impact basin, so there will be more time for the spaceship to slow down on entry. If successful it will operate for 90 Martian days - one Martian day is about 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth, so it is roughly 93 Earth days. The spaceship's orbiter will fly around the planet while the lander will release the robotic rover to carry out patrol exploration and research, according to the scientist. The picture shows an animated illustration of the rover being released by the lander after the spacecraft lands A search for Martian life These missions all have a similar goal, to better understand our nearest planetary neighbour and help search for possible signs of alien life. The 2020s and 2030s will be the Mars decades, with multiple uncrewed missions due to launch over this decade to look for life and even bring back rock samples. The European Space Agency Rosalind Franklin Rover will head for the red Planet in 2023 and follow up NASA/ESA missions will happen before 2030. China, the Japanese Space Agency JAXA and a joint ESA and NASA mission are all planned for later in the decade to return rock samples from Mars to Earth. In the 2030s humans will step foot on the Red Planet for the first time as part of the wider Artemis mission from NASA - that will first land astronauts on the Moon again, before using that as a launch pad for a crewed Mars mission. Elon Musk also has his sights set on Mars - with an ambitious plan to send his not yet operational Starship to the planet without a crew by 2024 and crewed by 2027, The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington, on Dec. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Brief US Capitol Building Evacuations Ordered Amid DC Protests During Electoral Count Update: Officials later give the all-clear to return back to the Capitol buildings UPDATE: Officials told Epoch Times reporters that the all-clear was given by police. They returned back to the buildings. - Buildings near the U.S. Capitol were evacuated on Wednesday as the Joint Session of Congress met to debate on electoral votes amid protests and rallies. Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat, wrote Rep. Nancy Mace (R-N.C.) in confirming evacuations were taking place at the Cannon building. Now were seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong. This is not who we are. Im heartbroken for our nation today. Added Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.): Im sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I cant believe I have to write this. Im in Cannon and have been evacuated, wrote Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.). But it doesnt matter. In less than two hours I will cast my vote rejecting attempts by GOP lawmakers to challenge the Nov. 3 election results in battleground states. Thank you to Capitol Police for protecting the Peoples House. Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful, said House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Twitter. The Epoch Times Jan Jekielek confirmed that some members of the media were also evacuated, adding that as of 1:55 p.m., the evacuation order appeared to be over. Apparently its a bomb threat. pic.twitter.com/qe2cNEzdWB Jan Jekielek (@JanJekielek) January 6, 2021 Reporters showed what appeared to be President Donald Trumps supporters and others marching to the Capitol building, storming the barricades. Other than the Cannon House Office Building, the Madison Library of Congress Building was also evacuated, officials told Fox News. The right-wing group Proud Boys said on social media website Parler that patriots are storming the Capitol, posting videos from the Capitol. Japanese auto major Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd on Wednesday launched the next-generation version of its premium SUV Fortuner Legender at Rs 29.98-37.43 lakh. It also added a new feature-rich version, Legender, to the line up at Rs 37.58 lakh. Equipped with a 2.8-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed automatic and manual transmission, and a 2.7-litre petrol engine with a 6-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmission, it has a peak power of 204 PS power and 500 NM of torque (with automatic transmission, the manual has 420 NM torque). One of Toyota's bestselling models in India, Fortuner has a commanding 53 per cent market share in its segment. Since its launch in 2009, more than 170,000 units of the vehicle have been sold in the country till date. "For more than a decade, the Fortuner has proven itself to be the most dependable SUV becoming the top-most choice for customers across every corner of the country. The Fortuner witnessed demand despite the effects of the pandemic on the economy," said Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director, TKM. "I am confident the new Fortuner and exclusive new Legender with their bold styling, advanced features and rugged frame structure will offer value, versatility and superiority attracting many existing customers to upgrade while bringing in a new set of customers to the Toyota family." Also read: Toyota to not expand further in India; blames high taxes The new Fortuner boasts of new exterior features like a new Front Grille, Sculpted Side-pontoon Shaped Bumper, new Headlamp Design with LED line guide, Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) and Multi-Axis spoke Alloy wheels. On the inside, the company has added suction-based Seat ventilation system (Front Row) and a larger Smart Playcast Touchscreen Audio with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and a JBL 11 speaker with subwoofer system [4X4 variants only]. It also comes with Auto Limited Slip Differential (Auto-LSD) that enables maximum power without breaking traction, Variable Flow Control (VFC) Power Steering that allows customers to dynamically change steering dynamics with drive modes [Eco, Normal, Sport] and Front Clearance Sonar to safely navigate when parking in tight spaces. The 4X4 (AT and MT) variants also get Lockable Differential as an additional feature. "The new Fortuner is born out of our understanding of customer feedback. The idea was to enhance the toughness of the vehicle and give it a powerful presence and distinctiveness like no other," said Yoshiki Konishi, Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation. "Our enhancements were more than just skin deep; we have also upgraded the engine by introducing a new heavy-duty Turbo, designed for powerful performance, and improved frictional efficiency. As a result, the Fortuner Automatic now puts out 500Nm. of torque, making it the best in the segment. For the Legender, we have brought in a sense of exclusivity in the design language and style. The bold proportions and advanced features make it look cooler and modernised, giving it a true premium stance and outlook. We are confident customers will appreciate the tweaks we have introduced specifically for the Indian market," said Konishi. Also read: Toyota Kirloskar Motor reports 14% growth in domestic sales in December 2020 Actor Vijay Sethupathi and filmmaker Vetrimaaran are all set to join hands for the first time for the latters upcoming yet-untitled Tamil film starring Soori in the lead. Reports have emerged that Vijay has been signed to play a key role in the movie. Vijay Sethupathi was supposed to work with Vetrimaaran in his last film Vada Chennai. He was originally signed to play a key role but he opted out eventually citing date issues as he was occupied with multiple assignments. As per a report by Indiaglitz, Vijay has been signed for an important role in Vetrimaarans next. Apparently, the team even completed a look test. Vijay Sethupathi currently awaits the release of upcoming Tamil film Master, in which he has played an antagonist. Vetrimaaran and Soori are joining hands for the first time. It is believed that the film is based on a novel called Ajnabee, and its about a balloon-seller. The film will also feature veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja in a pivotal role. Also read: AR Rahman on why he embraced Islam but wouldnt want to impose it on anyone else Its after completing work on this project, Vetrimaaran will begin shooting for his next project with Suriya, which has been titled Vaadivasal. Written by CS Chellapa, it is the story about a bull and the one who captures it. The film will unfold against the backdrop of Jallikattu, the ancient sport practiced in Tamil Nadu in which a bull has to be captured. The film will be produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu, who had bankrolled Vetrimaarans last film Asuran, starring Dhanush. However, Suriya will only work on Vaadivasal after he completes his immediate next project Aruvaa with director Hari. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop A J-10 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command takes off during a flight training exercise under unfavorable meteorology conditions in mid August, 2020. Photo: China Military The recently concluded China-Pakistan air exercises benefited both sides, as Chinese pilots could learn from their Pakistani counterparts' maneuvers and experiences, and China's J-10C and J-11B fighter jets could be used to simulate India's Rafale and Su-30 fighter jets in mock battles, Chinese analysts said on Monday. With the last Y-20 transport aircraft carrying Chinese troops returning to China from Pakistan recently, the Shaheen-IX joint air exercises between China and Pakistan ended successfully, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday. The joint exercises started on December 7 in Pakistan and lasted about 20 days, with China sending warplanes including J-10C, J-11B fighter jets, KJ-500 early warning aircraft and Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft, and Pakistan sending warplanes including the JF-17 and Mirage III fighter jets, according to the CCTV report. The J-10C and J-11B are very suitable to simulate India's fighter jets in mock battles, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Monday. Many aspects of the J-10C mid-sized fighter jet, including the size, aerodynamic characteristics, aviation and weapon systems and overall combat capability, are comparable to the France-made Rafale, a type of fighter jet in service with the Indian Air Force, Fu said, noting that the J-11B heavy fighter jet has very similar appearance with India's Su-30 fighter jet but with superior avionics system. The deployment of Chinese special mission aircraft like early warning aircraft and electronic warfare aircraft would contribute to the improvement of joint operations in an integrated combat system, Fu said. Air forces from both sides focused on large scale confrontation, including large scale aerial battles and use of forces in mass and close-quarters aerial support, CCTV said, noting that more than 200 sorties were conducted by both sides, as both forces' combat capabilities were boosted in learning from each other. Chinese pilots could learn from the aggressive maneuvers and rich experiences of Pakistani pilots, Fu said. "Unlike previous Shaheen series exercises, this time we comprehensively deployed aviation forces and paratroopers, and added real combat-oriented training courses like maritime training for the first time," said Ding Yuanfang, a Chinese Air Force deputy brigade commander, on CCTV. Both sides also deployed special operation units, and the Chinese Naval Aviation also sent warplanes to the drills, CCTV reported. Fu said that the Chinese Naval Aviation had not frequently sent warplanes to joint exercises with a foreign country, but it has been increasing training intensity and changing its training model in recent years. Participating in the Shaheen-IX exercises was a great chance for the Chinese Naval Aviation to learn from Pakistan forces and improve its combat capabilities, Fu said. Many reports of persistent symptoms indicative of long term sequelae, including neurological symptoms, are reported in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) illness. Sequela, a condition consequent of a previous injury or disease, presents new complications to therapy providers. In this ongoing pandemic, doctors and researchers have found several post-COVID manifestations. Many COVID-19 patients experience neurological symptoms and syndromes. The long term impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19) infection on the brain is uncertain. In a longitudinal study recently published on the preprint server medRxiv*, Andrea Pilotto et al. find that one-third of COVID-19 infection survivors have long-term neurological manifestations after hospitalization. The survivors displayed a wide array of neurological symptoms: fatigue, from memory and attention issues to sleep disorders, myalgias followed by depression/anxiety, visual disturbances, tremors, and anosmia, the loss of the sense of smell. Prevalence of neurological symptoms in the whole samples and in subgroups of patients stratified by COVID-19 severity. Abbreviations: BCRSS, Brescia-COVID Respiratory Severity Scale; IADL, instrumental activities of daily living The study cohort included a sample of 165 COVID-19 survived patients who were reassessed according to a structured, standardized clinical protocol. These patients were examined six months after discharging a COVID-19 Unit of the ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, in Italy, between February and April 2020. The team performed a 6-month follow-up after hospitalization and found that the patients suffered fatigue (34%), memory/attention (31%), and sleep disorders (30%) being the most frequent. Upon neurological examination, they found that patients exhibited neurological abnormalities, being-cognitive deficits, hyposmia (decreased sense of smell), and postural tremor, the most common. It was observed that the patients who reported neurological symptoms were the ones affected by more severe respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection parameters during hospitalization. Patients with high disease severity reported memory complaints and visual disturbances. The team found that the neurological abnormalities were associated with older age, higher pre-morbid comorbidity index, worse BCRSS (Brescia-COVID Respiratory Severity Scale), longer hospitalization duration, and a higher number of neurological symptoms reported. The best predictors of neurological abnormalities were identified in this study as 1). the duration of hospitalization and 2). the pre-morbid comorbidity index (i.e., illness present before the onset of COVID-19). The cognitive impairment was specifically associated with the severity of COVID-19 independently from age and pre-morbid conditions. It is conclusive that hospitalization and severity of COVID-19 have a large impact on patients with other illnesses. In this study, patients with neurological diseases developed during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection were not considered, thus potentially underestimating the global neurological burden due to COVID-19. This study supports previous evidence of long term consequences of COVID-19 involving both central and peripheral nervous systems. The SARS-CoV-2 infection manifested in COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness. However, closer examination reveals multiple organs and their functioning being impaired due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multiple neurological abnormalities, including mild cognitive impairment, have been associated with the severity of respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study evaluates any neurological manifestations after six months of follow-up in COVID-19 survivors and their potential relationship with pre-morbid conditions and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The team also argues that long-term neurological problems may seem common even in patients with less severe disease. This study emphasizes the importance of evaluating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on brain health status. The post-COVID-19 syndrome has debilitated many lives, often forcing the survivors to return to the doctor. It is important to study and investigate the prevalence, type, duration, and severity of persistent symptoms, following the resolution of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. This research helps to pinpoint the underlying cause subsequently provide better rehabilitation and care for the patients. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Driver killed when metal guardrail impales car near Akumal Akumal, Q.R. Paramedics pronounced a woman on scene Tuesday afternoon after she crashed her car into a metal guard rail. The woman, who was traveling with a passenger, was killed instantly when the highway guardrail went through the front of her vehicle. The passenger was taken to hospital with only minor injruies Police and paramedics responded to the highway accident that happened near the community of Akumal. When authorities arrived, they found the metal rail had penetrated the front engine compartment of the car, pushing it into the cabin of the vehicle, killing the female driver. Firemen were requested to remove the woman from the twisted metal. Her unidentified passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The car was reported to be from the state of Morelos. COVID-19 has killed 19 residents since Christmas, according to a review of data released by the Cayuga County Health Department. With six more deaths on Monday, the county has nine COVID-19 fatalities in the first four days of January. There were 14 virus-related deaths in December, including 10 in the final six days of the month. During the pandemic, there have been 33 COVID-related deaths in Cayuga County. Most of the recent fatalities have occurred in Cayuga County nursing homes, specifically The Commons on St. Anthony in Auburn. There has been an outbreak at the facility affecting more than 100 residents. At least 10 have died over the past two weeks. The health department reported six deaths on Monday, all of whom were nursing home residents. The decedents included three men in their 70s, two women in their 90s and a woman in her 70s. They tested positive for the virus prior to their deaths. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 19:38:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close --As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, humanity has borne witness to the CPC's commitment to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. --This new development paradigm "fully demonstrates the determination of the CPC and the Chinese government to continue opening up to the outside world," said Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs. --The CPC has set an example in both its efforts to combat poverty and the coronavirus. Members of a medical team are seen on a ceremony before their departure to Wuhan of Hubei Province to aid the novel coronavirus control efforts there, at the Hedong International Airport in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- As the year of 2021 begins to unfold, the world is standing at a critical juncture with the cataclysmic COVID-19 pandemic continuing to wreak havoc across the globe. Against such a challenging backdrop, China has embarked upon a new 15-year endeavor to build itself into a "modern socialist country" under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which celebrates its 100th founding anniversary this year. With the world striving to tackle the pandemic, economic woes, climate change and various other global challenges, more and more solution-seekers are looking to China for inspiration and insight. Photo taken on Oct. 8, 2020 shows anti-epidemic supplies from China during the handover ceremony at Hamid Karzia International Airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua) BOOSTING COOPERATION FOR SHARED FUTURE As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, humanity has borne witness to the CPC's commitment to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Abbas Zaki, a member of Palestinian Fatah Central Committee and commissioner for relations with Arab countries and China, said China has repeatedly called for joint efforts to combat COVID-19. "While doing a good job in its own fight against COVID-19, China has attached great importance to anti-epidemic cooperation with developing countries," said Zaki, commending China for safeguarding global public health. People receive the COVID-19 vaccines at a healthcare center in Honglian Community in Xicheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) Noting that Laos and China are comprehensive strategic partners, Kingphet Mongkhonvilay, a senior official from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, said that in the early days of the pandemic, Laos provided assistance for China, while China later returned the offer with large amounts of epidemic prevention materials. "The mutual support stands as an example of building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. During their interviews with Xinhua, foreign scholars agreed that China's success against this once-in-a-century pandemic has shown the way forward. "China has taken the lead in stepping out of the pandemic's shadow and reopening its economy," said Faruk Boric, a China expert in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "It bolsters the morale of the whole world." Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2020 shows the China-Laos Railway's Ban Ladhan Mekong River Super Major Bridge in Laos. (Photo by Pan Longzhu/Xinhua) Argentine economist and China expert Gonzalo Tordini said that the Chinese government and its people have demonstrated to the world "outstanding achievements obtained by orderly and persistent efforts to combat COVID-19." To help developing countries plagued by the pandemic, China has pledged to make its vaccines a global public good, both accessible and affordable. Noting that China was the first country to identify and largely defeat COVID-19, Dr. G. Weerasinghe, general secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, said China has been providing technical assistance for other countries and actively supporting the World Health Organization's COVAX program, which aims to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for all participating countries. "The CPC's genuine commitment and dedication to a community with a shared future for mankind is proven beyond doubt through the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. EXPANDING OPENING-UP FOR WORLD RECOVERY The year 2021 is crucial to China as the first year of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan. The nation is set to achieve its first centenary goal within the set time frame -- the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It is set to embark on a journey toward the second goal: to fully build a modern socialist country by mid-century. The year 2021 also marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the World Trade Organization. Facing daunting economic challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of protectionism and anti-globalization, China has unveiled its "dual circulation" development pattern, where internal and external markets can reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay. This new development paradigm "fully demonstrates the determination of the CPC and the Chinese government to continue opening up to the outside world," said Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs. Aerial photo taken on April 15, 2020 shows Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lei Jiaxing) "It has shown that instead of closing its door, China will share its development achievements with the world," said Saad. Since its inception, the Belt and Road Initiative has evolved into a crucial platform for global cooperation. Overseas observers noted that more and more countries are turning their attention to this open platform, hoping that a more bolstered connectivity will lead to an early recovery of the world economy. "Connectivity is changing the fate of the poor and developing countries on a positive note," said former Pakistani Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani. "The Belt and Road Initiative... is triggering an economic development across the world and can become a great opportunity for the whole world." For Robert Griffiths, general secretary of the Communist Party of Britain, China is "engaging the peoples of many countries in a mutually beneficial plan for growth and investment" through the Belt and Road. SHOULDERING RESPONSIBILITY FOR GLOBAL PROSPERITY While the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated, the world is confronted with other formidable issues including extreme poverty, climate change and loss of biodiversity. "Peace, health cooperation and poverty reduction are most serious issues facing the world. Without collaboration, there is no way out," said Rabbani, adding that the CPC has set an example in both its efforts to combat poverty and the coronavirus. Later this year, China will host the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). China's holding of the COP15 is testimony of the increasing global recognition of the CPC's and the Chinese government's strenuous work in environmental protection, said Annerise Rodriguez, a Cuban expert on international issues. Aerial photo taken on July 25, 2020 shows the Hongyi River ecological zone in Julu County, north China's Hebei Province. Transformed from a wasteland, the Hongyi River ecological zone has become a leisure area for local citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Alexey Maslov, acting director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of Russian Academy of Sciences, said he expects China to foster more positive changes in such areas as climate change and marine ecology. China has witnessed success in setting practical goals to cope with climate change, said Lionel Vairon, a French geopolitical expert and former diplomat, adding that France-China and European Union-China cooperation in this area is highly anticipated and set to bring about promising results. Combating poverty has been a primary concern for China, the first developing country to meet one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals directed at poverty. Aerial photo shows a newly-built community for poverty alleviation relocation at Shexiang ancient township of Dafang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Dec. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) "The UN Millennium Development Goals resonate with China's vision of a shared future for mankind," said Cavince Adhere, an international relations expert in Kenya. "The realization of such development aspirations can only happen when countries work together," Adhere said. (Video reporters Chen Weihua, Zhao Yan, Jiang Chao, Tian Ming, Du Yang, Zhang Ruoxuan, Yang Yi, Xie E and Ji Li) (Video editor:Chen Sihong) After the entrance exam is introduced, students who want to pursue Masters in Law will be required to submit the score of their admission test to register in relevant universities along with other required documents The Bar Council of India (BCI) has sought to abolish the one-year Masters Degree in Law (LLM) course in the country from the next academic session. The programme was introduced in the year 2013. According to a report in Bar and Bench, a notification issued by BCI Legal Education (Post Graduate, Doctoral, Executive, Vocational, Clinical and other Continuing Education) Rules, 2020 stated that the postgraduate course in law leading to Master's degree (LLM) has to be of two years. The course should be spread over four semesters. Also, it is mandatory for candidates applying for admission into LLM to have qualified in three-year or five-year LLB. The rules will come into effect from the date notified by the Bar Council of India. It further mentioned that the admission to LLM programme will be held through the Post Graduate Common Entrance Test in Law (PGCETL) which will be conducted by the BCI. As for LLM obtained from a foreign university, it shall only be considered to be equivalent to LLM obtained in India only if it is taken after obtaining the LLB degree from any foreign or Indian University which is equivalent to the recognised LLB degree in India. Thus, one-year LLM obtained from any foreign university will not be considered to be equivalent to Indian LLM degree. As per India Legal, the rules also stated the conditions to be satisfied to offer an LLM course including student-teacher ratio not more than 1:10. The number of students in each branch of the specialisation needs to be 20, subject to a maximum of 50 students overall in the LLM program of the institution. Till the time BCI provides details about the PGCETL, all the law universities have been asked to follow their regular admission process. After the entrance exam is introduced, students who want to pursue Masters in Law will be required to submit the score of their admission test to register in relevant universities along with other required documents proving educational qualifications. As per NDTV, the new postgraduate programme course based on PGCETL is expected to commence from September. The dates for PGCETL have not yet been released. Photo of Huang Zhongmao By Zhang Ruijie Huang Zhongmao, an army veteran who had fought the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), now lives in a remote village in western Hubei Province, China, with his son Huang Houyong. Huang Zhongmao joined the war in October 1950 as a soldier with the 124th Division under the 42nd Corps of the Chinese People's Volunteers Army (CPVA). On October 25, 1950, the Battle of Huangcaoling broke out. This was the first battle of the 42nd Corps during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, which turned out to be a memory Huang Zhongmao dared not touch easily. "When the US planes bombarded us, the shells poured down and exploded around us. We were buried in dust from gigantic explosions. The hole was more than 10 inches deep, and then we were dug out by our comrades. Many comrades were beyond recognition from deadly injuries. For many years, I can't stand recalling the scene," Huang sobbed. At that time, I had forgotten to be afraid and only knew that I was still alive, he added. "Even at that time, it is the only faith we had to hold my ground and never retreat a single inch from the land" said Huang. During the war, the transport convoy that Huang had been assigned to was discovered by the enemy in a mission to escort strategic supplies. The enemy fired flare guns, lighting up the dead grass and leaves around the convoy. US bombers flew in following the signal in the dark night. "The flames around the trucks will inevitably attract enemy planes and we might lose the whole convoy. Before I could think about it, I jumped out of the car and used my clothes to fight the fire," Huang said. Seeing the fire was put out, the enemy planes flew a few times over their heads, failing to find their truck. Therefore the strategic materials were safely transported to the front line. Later, Huang won the Second-Class Merit for risking his life protecting the loaded convoy. In 1949, Huang Zhongmao joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army and then went to the northeast China with the troops to participate in the reclamation. "The troops put the guns and cannons in the warehouse and began to grow corn and soybeans," Huang said. In 1956, Huang was honorably discharged from the military and returned to his hometown. "I chose to be transferred to civilian work," Huang recalled that at that time the country called on them to take the lead in building the rural areas. Huang returned to the land where he was born and raised, picked up a hoe and became a farmer. "I led the villagers to reclaim the land. Seeing the people around me have land to grow crops and their life become more prosperous, I felt very happy," Huang's words are full of affection for that land. In the eyes of his son Huang Houyong, Huang Zhongmao is ordinary but magnificent. "When I was a child, I thought it was fun to hear my father telling stories about battles. When I grew up, I came to understand how difficult it was for him to go through that. I often educate my children to learn from their grandfather, hoping that they can join the army to defend our motherland when they grow up ," said Huang Houyong, affectionately. TORONTO - SIR Corp. says it has made an offer to take the SIR Royalty Income Fund private in a deal worth about $30 million. TORONTO - SIR Corp. says it has made an offer to take the SIR Royalty Income Fund private in a deal worth about $30 million. The company, which runs Jack Astor's Bar and Grill as well as other restaurants, says it has made a non-binding proposal to the fund at a price of $3.55 per unit. Trading in SIR Royalty Income Fund units was halted ahead of the news of the offer. The units last traded for $3.70 before trading was stopped on the Toronto Stock Exchange. SIR says it has told the fund's trustees that it is considering asking for a meeting of the fund's securityholders if the trustees do not wish to call a meeting to allow the securityholders to consider the proposal. In addition to Jack Astor's, SIR runs the Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar and Canyon Creek restaurants as well as others under a license and royalty agreement with SIR Royalty Limited Partnership. The fund, which suspended unitholder distributions last year due to the pandemic, receives distribution income from its investment in the partnership. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:SRV.UN) Tokyo: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un opened a rare ruling-party Congress this week with a frank admission that his country's economy had "immensely underachieved" in the past five years, and said he had learned "painful lessons" from the experience, state media reported on Wednesday. Since taking power in 2012, Kim has made a habit of admitting failures even as he celebrates the successes of his regime. In October, he made a tearful apology to the North Korean people for failing to always live up to their expectations, under the twin pressures of sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic and after one of the toughest years for the economy in decades. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un admitted his country had "immensely underachieved" at a ruling party congress in Pyongyang, North Korea on Tuesday. Credit:AP Kim did not flag any fundamental change in direction, however, nor suggest in the Tuesday remarks that he would approach the West cap-in-hand for sanctions relief. The "quickest and surest solution" to the problems North Korea is facing is the "reinforcement of our very own self-reliant power by all possible means," he said. He also celebrated the regime's "miraculous victories" over the past five years and the "remarkable" achievement of being able to hold the Eighth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea during a pandemic, as he addressed about 7,000 delegates who were not wearing masks. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. An angry mob stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of both the House and Senate, as they met to certify the results of November's election. As the unprecedented moment unfolded, the nation's television stations all tuned in to the mass chaos and violence. And millions of Americans working and learning at home during the pandemic pivoted their attention to the scene. Children included. San Antonians will have to forgo their free tacos from the Cowboy Breakfast this year. The annual tradition that also serves as an unofficial kickoff to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo will be a private event this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a representative from the Cowboy Breakfast Foundation said Wednesday. The Hale County Commissioners granted county employees 10 days of COVID-19-specific sick leave for 2021. The length of COVID-19 sick leave was decided based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations on quarantine. It was noted that the CDC now recommends 10 days of quarantine (as opposed to the original 14) when an individual has been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. During the discussion, Sheriff David Cochran asked a scenario in which an employee takes their 10 days for an exposure but then tests positive six weeks later. Its a scenario hes experienced with his own staff. I think as an elected official, we have the authority and responsibility for our own departments, said County Treasurer Ida Tyler, and the court agreed. The court voted unanimously to grant 10 days of COVID-19-specific leave then leave any additional related time off requests for COVID up to the discretion of the department heads. The topic of sick leave followed the discussion regarding changes to insurance coverage regarding COVID-19 for county employees during a regular scheduled meeting to wrap up 2020 business on Dec. 31. The agenda was lengthy. Prior to talks of COVID-19, the court approved several previous meeting minutes, line-item transfers and budget amendments. They also approved $415,015 in stipends and a list of the 2021 county employee recipients. The Court then approved changes to costs of crack seal materials for a project at the Plainview/Hale County Airport. The cost changed from $5.80 to $5.50 per linear foot and County Judge David Mull was granted permission to sign changeorder. A contractors application for payment was also approved for $110,000. The court also approved two engagement letters with EideBailly to conduct the yearly audits for Hale County and the Plainview/Hale County Airport. Following discussions of COVID-19, the court approved the purchase of a lease for a new copier for the judges office and furniture purchases for the County Attorneys Office and the County Judges Office. The court also approved the purchase of metal detectors to help ramp up security at the Hale County Courthouse and the Justice Center. Since the courthouse has buckled down on entry by visitors, traffic has funneled to the basement, which has helped provide additional security, Mull said. If were going to continue, were going to have to spend some money to do something with the doors on the first floor, he said. He mentioned buying metal detectors for the Justice Center and the courthouse. The Justice Center has metal detectors but theyre outdated, according to Sheriff Cochran. And the courthouse has never had a metal detector. Mull also mentioned the possibility of adding a reception station and additional security additions to allow exit from inside the building while its locked on the outside. Details are still being worked out but the court granted Mull permission to make a purchase not to exceed $15,000 on items mentioned. The commissioners voted unanimously but several questions still remain including what part of the countys budget the funds will be drawn from, what companies the items will be purchased from and what exactly the security station purchase would include. The court also approved the following: South Africa: SA records over 500 COVID-19 deaths in a single day South Africa recorded its second-highest daily death count since the pandemic after 513 people succumbed to COVID-19 on Tuesday. The countrys largest spike in a single day was last reported in July, when 572 patients died, due to COVID-19 complications. According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, of the latest fatalities, 202 were reported in the Western Cape, 124 in the Eastern Cape, 92 in KwaZulu-Natal and 64 in Gauteng. Meanwhile, the Free State and the Northern Cape each recorded 14 deaths, while three occurred in Limpopo, which brings the COVID-19 death toll to 30 524. We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients, Mkhize added. Meanwhile, the cumulative COVID-19 cases have risen to 1 127 759, with 14 410 new infections identified since the last report, representing a 30% positivity rate. The novel Coronavirus continues to spread with the country now having 176 356 active cases. KwaZulu-Natal remains the epicentre in terms of active cases, which are standing at 71 178, followed by the Western Cape with 41 924 and Gauteng with 31 681. Our recoveries now stand at 920 879 at a recovery rate of 81.6%, the Minister said. The information is based on the 6 828 147 tests of which 47 875 were performed since the last report. According to the World Health Organisation, there have been 84 474 195 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 1 848 704 deaths globally. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A British judge has denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange two days after she rejected an extradition request by the United States to face charges over the publication of secret U.S. military documents. London Judge Vanessa Baraitser on January 6 said Assange should remain in detention, where he has been since 2019, while an appeal of her ruling rejecting extradition is being considered. Assange has an incentive to abscond and there is a good chance he would fail to return to court if freed, Baraitser said in handing down her decision. The U.S. government is appealing Baraitsers decision to deny extradition, which could lead to more legal wrangling in the 10-year saga seen by the 49-year-olds supporters as a cause for media freedom. In the United States, Assange faces 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents in 2010 and 2011. His lawyers say he could go to prison for 30 to 40 years, but U.S. prosecutors have said he would face no more than about five years in jail. Assange was arrested in London at the request of the United States after he was evicted in April 2019 from the Ecuadorian Embassy, where he had been sheltering since 2012 after Ecuador granted him political asylum. Assanges lawyers say the indictment is a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle press freedom and put journalists around the world at risk. Assange also suffers from wide-ranging mental health issues, including suicidal tendencies that could be exacerbated if he is imprisoned in the United States, his defense team has said. U.S. authorities say more than 100 people were put at risk by the disclosures and about 50 had received assistance, with some fleeing their home countries with their spouses and families to move to the United States or another safe country. Critics of Assange point out that his WikiLeaks rarely leaked material from authoritarian states. Dozens of human rights and press freedom organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders, oppose Assanges extradition. Stella Moris, Assanges partner and the mother of his two sons, appealed after the January 6 ruling to U.S. President Donald Trump to grant a pardon before he leaves office on January 20. With reporting by the BBC, Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa Saudi Arabia and three other Arab states agreed to fully restore ties with neighboring Qatar on Tuesday after a sustained U.S. push for the countries to unite against Iran. The breakthrough ending a dispute among some of the worlds top oil and gas producers that erupted in 2017 came just two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office after pledging a new start with Tehran. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt signed an accord with Qatar in a mirrored concert hall in the northwestern Saudi town of Al Ula during a summit of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders, bringing the regional split to an end -- at least on paper. The same day, Saudi Arabia asserted its primacy over the global oil industry by surprising the market with a large crude production cut that secured its leadership among global producers and sent crude prices soaring. The Gulf leaders made no mention of whether Qatar would rejoin the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The nation, which pumps around 650,000 barrels a day of crude in addition to gas, decided to leave the cartel at the start of 2019, in one of the most visible consequences of the fallout. It was a rare example of the regions politics spilling over into OPEC, which has mostly remained unified even amid warfare between some of its members. The reconciliation takes on greater significance given the impending changing of the guard in Washington. While President Donald Trump led an offensive to weaken Iran through sanctions, Biden has pledged to engage diplomatically with the Islamic Republic if it first returns to the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. Qatars main equities gauge on Wednesday was broadly unchanged after advancing the previous day, while most other Middle Eastern benchmarks dropped. The implications of resolving the dispute had already been priced in before the official reconciliation announcement, according to analysts. The yield on Saudi Arabias $6.5 billion bond maturing in 2046 rose for a sixth day, while Qatars $3 billion debt maturing in 2030 yield gained as well. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto ruler, said Tuesday Gulf nations needed to unify our efforts to advance our region, and face the challenges that surround us -- especially the challenges represented by Irans nuclear and ballistic missiles programs. Warm embrace Qatars ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani landed in Saudi Arabia to a warm embrace from Prince Mohammed on his first visit since the 2017 falling out that cut trade, travel and diplomatic ties. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter that a shining new page was beginning. Sheikh Tamim tweeted: We all hope for a better future for the region. The accord was a major step, but its unclear how far the reconciliation will go or how long it will last. The four boycotting nations accused Doha of meddling in their internal affairs, supporting hardline Islamist groups and building ties with Iran. Qatar denied the charges. The fundamental issues that led initially to the dispute were only partially resolved, and the trust deficit between the Gulf leaders will not be healed immediately, said Ayham Kamel, head of Middle East and North Africa at the Eurasia Group consultancy. Iran Fears Qatar had increasingly turned to Iran and Turkey -- another regional rival of Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- for support, relying on Iranian airspace for overflights. That troubled Saudi Arabia and the Trump administration, which had initially backed the boycott, as it sought to expand its offensive to weaken Iran. Asked whether the incoming U.S. government would be capable of containing Iran, Prince Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, said all American administrations are aware of Irans threats, even when they sometimes deal with it differently. Still, although trade relations are expected to make a comeback, economists say trade is unlikely to return to its former levels. In the year before the split, Qatars total trade with the kingdom stood at around $1.7 billion, according to Bloomberg data. Qatars total trade with the UAE was $3.5 billion. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. Oman and Kuwait had remained neutral during the split, with Kuwaiti officials providing mediation. Riga, Jan 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jan, 2021 ) :Latvia's prime minister on Tuesday fired his health minister in a row over coronavirus vaccination policy, straining ties within the governing coalition. Krisjanis Karins said the Baltic state was "struggling with the consequences of not having a clear and comprehensible plan of action". Latvia has focused its vaccination plan mainly on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which has so far not been authorised in the European Union. Government opponents have criticised the slow start of Latvia's vaccination campaign and the choice to purchase a relatively small amount of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, which have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency. EU member Latvia, which has a population of 1.9 million, had some of the lowest infection rates in Europe during the first wave of the virus. But it has been hit hard by the second wave, with hospitals operating at near maximum capacity. Health Minister Ilze Vinkele accepted the prime minister's request for her to step down but lashed out during an online press conference on vaccination plans. "The prime minister is trying to shift his own responsibility for the whole Covid crisis management," she told reporters. "Our vaccination plan is even more detailed than those adopted by Estonia and Germany," she said, adding that under her plan 82 percent of Latvian residents would be vaccinated by the end of 2021. Karins asked Defence Minister Artis Pabriks to temporarily take on the role of health minister but he refused. "In this Covid-19 crisis I think that duties of the health minister must be carried out by Karins himself!" Pabriks said on Twitter. Karins then called on the Vinkele's liberal Development/For! party to find a new candidate for health minister, drawing criticism from his coalition partners. "He should not dismiss Vinkele while Karins himself, as the prime minister, does not have a better candidate, which he apparently does not have, since he leaves finding the candidate to the Development/For! party," MP Eriks Pucens of KPV party told LETA newswire. Latvia's political scene is highly fragmented. The cabinet consists of five parliamentary groups spanning eight political parties plus 10 independent lawmakers. It came to power after three months of negotiations and two unsuccessful attempts to form a government following elections in 2018. Flash Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua held a phone conversation with French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Tuesday with both sides pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, had five telephone conversations last year in which they reached broad consensus on developing China-France relations and deepening cooperation in various fields, said Hu, who leads the Chinese delegation to China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue. China is ready to work with France to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, well plan and implement key tasks of China-France cooperation in the coming period, he said. Hu also expressed China's willingness to further strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation with France, deepen cooperation in finance, agriculture and other fields, and actively expand new areas of cooperation such as green economy and digital economy. For his part, Le Maire said pragmatic cooperation between China and France in various fields has maintained a sound momentum. France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to deepen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, investment, aviation, scientific and technological innovation, so as to promote the continuous development of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Senegalese President Macky Sall Tuesday declared a state of health emergency and partial curfew from 21h to 6 hours in the morning in the regions of Dakar and Thies with effect from 6 January, state-run national television, RTS, reported here By Alastair Crooke January 05, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The blanketing canopy pressing down across the globe of TINA (there is no alternative) is rupturing. The fabric is tearing at the seams. Now, with the U.S. courts having abdicated their role in adjudicating suits in connection with the 3rd November election, it seems that President Trump will make a last effort to change the course of events between 620 January (inauguration day). At point of writing, some 140 Republican Representatives say they will challenge the outcome of certain elections on 6 January. Whether this challenge will succeed (in all its dimensions) is moot. What then? Well, Red America whether rightly or wrongly sees that 20 January may prove to be the end of the line for them. Eight out of ten Republicans believe the election stolen; that the crucial Georgia Senatorial race likely will be stolen too; that the destruction of small and mid-sized businesses through lockdown was a premeditated strategy to further consolidate Big Business Oligarchs; and that ultimately Red Americans will face cancellation by an incoming woke soft-totalitarianism, orchestrated by Big Tech. This is their perspective their Epiphany revelation. It is, to say the least, bleak. With such a dark prospect facing Red America, talk has turned toward secession or separation (though not yet to divorce) the more optimistic see an orderly agreement, allowing Red and Blue America to find political living-space, whilst acknowledging the practical bonds of geography, commerce, currency, debt, diplomacy and military force. But many expect a vengeful repression, and no civility. Secession, per se, however, is unlikely and if attempted, likely would end badly. Separation however is already happening in a small de facto way: House moves (estate agents say) are being driven firstly by the overarching colour of the neighbourhood being vacated, as well as by the desired destinations colour (i.e. Red or Blue), as America separates into two tribes. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Yes, many American (and western) myths about American identity and politics lie shattered on the ground. Many still are in a state of shock. They had imagined their elections as somehow sacrosanct. They had imagined the courts as arbitrators. And they never imagined to see a U.S. President ridiculed and humiliated so, by the MSM. Reality has arrived as a slap in the face. And yes TINA is over; a market for alternatives is now open for business. The ripples from this unexpected shock of an American epiphany will cascade into the European Union (though European leaders presently, are presenting a Nelsonian (blind) eye to the telescope), and the European media is compliant in simply ignoring anything, save the Tech narrative of reality. But much more than this, the tear to that oppressive TINA canopy allows other civilisational-states assertively to reject criticisms, or policies, which have been weaponised against their value-systems. If Red America can utterly reject woke values, and vice versa, then why should other civilisations not reject western Enlightenment values? This is already afoot: as Hungary successfully has faced down the EU over its particular values (which progressive Brussels disdains as illiberal), and as China has made it clear that a trade relationship with Beijing will come only when Europeans put an end to their virtue signalling at others. Whether the U.S. was a democracy in any meaningful sense prior to Trump had been the subject of substantial debate. A 2014 study concluded that economic power now was so concentrated in the hands of a tiny clique of billionaire-oligarchs that they had amassed virtually unchallengeable political power, leaving next-to-no power in anyone elses hands. The report concluded that the U.S. resembled an oligarchy, rather than a functioning democracy. Big Techs narrative repression during the last months has rubbed painfully home the point of unchallengeable institutional power to half America. That debate about when U.S. democracy was lost, however, has been rendered utterly obsolete by the new realities of the Covid era: A combination of sustained lockdowns; the demise of small businesses; and of massive state-mandated pandemic support flowing primarily to corporate elites, has left these oligarchs, together with their Silicon Valley and Wall Street allies, further entrenched, with literally unassailable economic and political power. Which brings us to the European Union. Perry Anderson, in a lengthy forensic examination entitled Ever Closer Union, details how Europe has steered its course towards an identical oligarchic destination including all the same pathologies as are now present in the U.S.: It [the EU] is not, obviously enough, a parliamentary democracy, lacking division between a government and an opposition, competition between parties for office, or accountability to voters. There is neither a separation between executive and legislative powers, along American lines; nor a connection between them, along British or Continental lines, in which an executive is invested by an elected legislature to which it remains responsible. Rather it is the inverse that holds: an unelected executive holds a monopoly of legislative initiative, while a judiciary, self-invested with an independence subject to no constitutional audit or control, issues decisions that are effectively unalterable, whether or not they conform to the treaties on which they are nominally based. The rule of the Unions proceedings, whether they are presided over by judges, bankers, bureaucrats, deputies or prime ministers, are secret wherever possible, and their outcome, [proclaimed to represent] unanimity. In a striking parallel to the recent course of judicial events in the U.S., Anderson notes that the European Court of Justice, the ECJ, is a court [its judges unelected, its deliberations secret], with an agenda that does not correspond to the intentions of its founders, seeing itself neither as the guardian of the rights of the signatory states, nor as a neutral arbiter between the states and the Community, but rather the driving force of integration. (This tallies closely with the complaints made against U.S. Supreme Court judicial activism, in respect to the Constitution. It too, has facilitated integration and concentration). The ECJs assertion of the supremacy of Community over domestic, let alone constitutional laws, has no basis in the Treaty of Rome, which granted it rights of judicial review only with respect to acts of the Union institutions, not those of member states. Yet, in effect, this is exactly what the court now undertakes on a routine basis X proceeding as if the treaty framework, as touchstone on the internal constitutionality of all EU institutional activity X has never actually meant what [the Rome Treaty] so clearly states. Again as in the U.S. this ECJ judicial activism is setting new rules, well beyond Treaty frameworks, without mandate, without legislative validation, or the electorates of Europe being even informed. The ECJs current court president, the Belgian, Koen Lenaerts, has spelled out explicitly the Courts integrationist ambitions. In his words: There is simply no nucleus of sovereignty that the member states can invoke, as such, against the Community. The court aims at the same practical outcome as the one that would be obtained through a direct invalidation of member state law. (The parallel here is with the U.S. Court dismissing any standing for disputes between the fifty co-sovereign U.S. states, over unconstitutional practices). Again, following in the U.S. path, when confronted with [19]68 Woodstock activism that seemed to threaten their economic interests U.S. Big Business simply set-up the K-Street lobbying industry that now effectively writes almost all Congressional legislation. The EU duly has followed suit here, too: Brussels quickly became a magnet for corporate lawyers and investors from America, on the lookout for market opportunities and bringing with them the expectations and practices of a powerful federation. These latter soon formed close relations with the substantial number of high-flying Belgian commercial jurists, who, taking full advantage of an ECJ having a settled and consistent policy of promoting European federalism and which has interpreted prohibitions of discrimination against foreign companies so widely that almost any national [i.e. member state] regulation could be understood as a market access obstacle . Thus, Anderson concludes, the ECJ effectively deprived member states of the power to determine the borderline between the private and public sector, market and state. There are now around 30,000 registered lobbyists in Brussels that is more than double the number infesting Washington, reckoned at a mere 12,000. In Brussels, 63% are corporate and consultant lobbyists, 26% are from NGOs, 7% from think tanks and 5% municipal. That Europes executive could resist infection from the vapours of this swamp is implausible, writes Anderson But here is the rub: the deliberate de-linking of political process from society. Christopher Bickertons European Integration has as its subtitle, the seemingly anodyne: From Nation-States to Member States. Everyone has an idea what a nation-state is, and many know that 27 countries (with the UKs departure) are member states. What is the conceptual difference between the two? Here, Bickertons definition is succinct: The concept of the member state expresses a fundamental change in the political structure of the state: With horizontal ties between national executives taking precedence over vertical ties between [national] governments and their own societies. The connection between 27 electorates and the political process thus is severed. By the time the Cold War had ended in 1990, European executives already had consolidated this transition to member-statehood when crisis intervened: the Euro far from bringing renewed growth and prosperity had plunged Italy into prolonged stagnation and regression, and had taken the Eurozone as a whole into turmoil. The EU response then was not to loosen the corsets of member-hood, but rather to tighten them still further. Today, the response to the pandemic which precisely highlighted Europes lack of solidarity and competence again brought forth the ever closer union and solidarity mantra. The southern belt of European states, however, still pay the price of a misconceived currency union that cannot now be reversed. For, even if currency union, absent fiscal or political union, was a huge mistake, the dissolution of the Eurozone remains something no mainstream Euro-politician sees feasible. Yet, if a second big shock (comparable to the impact of the Great Financial Crisis (of 2008)) were to hit the system such as, for instance, through continuing lockdowns triggering depression the European project would have to be radically rebuilt from the bottom up or discarded. Hence the trap Europe is in it can neither move forwards, nor backwards. The EU decision to rescue the single currency rather than dismantle it, created an economically repressive and politically authoritarian Euro regime that was hugely counter-productive. By forcing member states in trouble to adopt fiscal austerity and internal devaluation, reducing labour costs, together with permanent downward pressure on wage incomes, social transfers and public transfers, official policy was utterly devoid of democratic legitimacy, Fritz Scharpf has suggested. In sum, Anderson finally concludes, the order of the Union is that of an oligarchy Regrettably, an EU-wide democracy does not exist, and the reforms adopted since the crisis of 2008 banking union, stricter fiscal oversight have made the Union more technocratic, less accountable, and more distant from European electorates. But did not the Project for all its flaws bring peace to Europe? The truth, of course, is that after 1945 there was never any risk of another outbreak of hostilities between Germany and France, or any other of the countries of Western Europe, because the Cold War made the whole region an American security protectorate. And, just as is the case with the U.S. (now plainly in view, in wake of 3 November), the Unions path to ever closer union and to oligarchy, has created similar carbuncles of division across the European body politic. The strife is economic, cultural and political. Europe has two economies and they are diverging fast; they do different jobs, in different industries, in different places, for different pay. The elites and the have-nots. On the one hand, Brussels adheres tightly to its trenchantly secular, and progressive view, whilst on the other hand, a substantial portion of Europeans (and some member states), hue to a more traditional, spiritual and cultural ethos. And, as Brussels becomes more committed to a tech-led Great Re-set, these elites occupy a world wholly divorced from that of most working Europeans two separate disconnected realities, in fact. And with European anger rising at the lockdowns and at the destruction of small and medium sized businesses (just as in the U.S. people are moving from being financially squeezed, to going hungry). America may possibly be on the brink of its de-coupling moment in shock at the raw revelation of just how undemocratic America has become; how unchallengeable its oligarchy and institutions have become (its epiphany in other words). Inwardly, they knew; but suddenly, sharply like the crack of a crystal breaking it has become luminously conscious to all. The European elites pretend not to notice, repeating that all is about to revert to normal with a Biden Administration; that the old relationship with the Democratic Party will be resumed. Europe never had a relationship with America, per se Brussels has always been the European arm of Americas Blue State, to which it is joined at the hip as Andersons account of the EU acquis of all the attributes of unchallengeable power affirms. Yet, there is no normal; no civility; no working across the aisle in Washington, to which Europe can share its return with a Harris-Biden Admin. The big domino has fallen: Red America; and Brexit is a second. Does anyone believe that this American epiphany; this exploding of American delusions, will leave Europe untouched? Or, that other states will not observe it too, and understand from it that the past need to submit their own cultures to European moral scrutiny is over? On 10 December, Rush Limbaugh, a well-known American conservative political show host, said: I actually think that were trending toward secession. I see more and more people asking, What in the world do we have in common with the people who live in, say, New York? How long before Europeans more generally say, What in the world do we have in common with those technocrats who operate in Brussels? Franklin Draku and Damali Mukhaye Police and other security agencies in Fort Portal City in Western Uganda have blocked FDC presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat from leaving Jopalz hotel where he slept. Amuriat who was yesterday driven out of four districts spent the night at Jopalz Hotel outside the city, from where he was supposed to proceed to Kitagwenda and other districts for his final campaign in the region. However, as soon as he entered the hotel, police and the army surrounded it, barring those who were inside from getting out and no one was also allowed to enter the premises. In the morning, the hotel staff who had reported for duty were denied access to their workplace. More than 100 security forces have been deployed to bar Amuriat from leaving the premises. Edison Tinkansimire, the manager of the hotel said he was surprised to see his premises cordoned off. Joseph Ajuna Daka, the FDC candidate for Fort Portal City Central Division MP seat has condemned the act. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Watertown, NY (13601) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rapidly growing demand from commercial and residential construction projects and prominence of automation in HVAC systems are some of the vital driving factors for the HVAC packaged units market. Substantial increase in implementation of packaged units, owing to minimal space requirement and efficient operations, is expected to ascend demand for HVAC packaged units over the coming years. The global HVAC packaged units market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of around 6% by value over the forecast period of 2020-2030. Key Takeaways from HVAC Packaged Units Market Study In recent years, the residential and commercial construction industry has witnessed substantial growth, and this growth is expected to persist over the coming years. In addition, space constraints are expected to boost sales of HVAC packaged units Consumers are becoming more informed, tech-savvy, and environmentally-aware. There is a growing need of consumers wanting to monitor HVAC systems in real time, and be able to control these systems remotely. This change in behavior will result in increases demand for high-end HVAC packaged units with increased connectivity. Implementation of smart and environmentally-beneficial HVAC packaged units is giving satisfactory benefits to customers as well as manufacturers. Use of smart technologies in HVAC systems is an emerging trend in the HVAC packaged units market. North America and East Asia collectively account for nearly one-third share in the global HVAC packaged units market. This can be attributed to the prevalence of a large number of manufacturers coupled with the booming construction industry in these regions. and collectively account for nearly one-third share in the global HVAC packaged units market. This can be attributed to the prevalence of a large number of manufacturers coupled with the booming construction industry in these regions. The commercial segment is expected to witness maximum growth during the forecast period, on the back of increased implementation of HVAC packaged units over split HVAC systems in the commercial sector due to space constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting the progress of the HVAC packaged units market, due to lockdowns, trade restrictions, and supply chain disruptions. Get Sample PDF for the Report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/23671 "The HVAC packaged units market is growing at a strong pace due to increasing demand from various end-use industries. Leading manufacturers are strategically planning for reduction in production costs and providing cost-effective products and services to customers. Furthermore, focus on providing customized products will also aid market growth," says a Persistence Market research analyst. Know the Methodology of the report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/23671 HVAC Packaged Units Market Landscape The global HVAC packaged units market is highly competitive in nature, with significant consolidation at regional and domestic levels. Leading manufacturers account for more than half of the market share. Some of the leading players included in the report on the HVAC packaged units market are Daikin Corporation, Johnson controls, Midea Group, Carrier Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Trane Technologies, GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, Mitsubishi Electric, etc. Manufacturers are determined to improve their market share in the HVAC packaged units market by means of strategic expansion of distribution networks and dealerships. Get Full access of Report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/23671 HVAC Packaged Units Market: Conclusion Demand for HVAC packaged units has grown over the years, owing to their characteristics such less space requirement, cost-effective operations, and high efficiency. The market is occupied by a number of manufacturers. Additionally, with the prominence of automation, manufacturers are focusing on the remote monitoring and controlling of HVAC packaged units. Regions such as North America and East Asia hold major portions of the global HVAC packaged units market share. Want to Know More? Persistence Market Research has published a market research report on the HVAC packaged units market, which contains global industry analysis of 2015-2019 and opportunity assessment for 2020-2030. The report provides insightful analysis of the HVAC packaged units market through different segments - installation type, condenser type, end use, and region. The HVAC packaged units market report also provides supply and demand trends and a comprehensive list of suppliers and distributors in the market, along with a detailed overview of the parent market. Browse Research Release at: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/hvac-packaged-units-market.asp Browse End-to-end Market: Industrial Automation Related Reports: Electrical Coil Windings Market: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/electrical-coil-windings-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/electrical-coil-windings-market.asp Mechanical Diaphragm Pumps Market: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/mechanical-diaphragm-pumps-market.asp About Persistence Market Research Overview: Persistence Market Research is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes. Contact Rajendra Singh Persistence Market Research U.S. Sales Office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 +1-646-568-7751 United States USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Content Source: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/mediarelease/hvac-packaged-units-market.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661339/Persistence_Market_Research.jpg A former Topshop employee who worked at the London flagship store has told how owner Sir Philip Green ran it 'with an iron grip of fear'. Writer Hanna Flint, from Doncaster, took up a sales assistant role at the age of 21 in 2009, after moving to the capital for a gap year when she finished university. She has always wanted to work at Topshop and described the Oxford Street building - which is now up for sale after the chain's owner Arcadia went into administration in November, putting 13,000 jobs at risk - as 'stately and iconic'. At the time the brand was soaring in global popularity thanks to its collaborations with the likes of Kate Moss and Christopher Kane, and celebrities would often shop there either under the radar or accompanied by an entourage. But, writing in Vice, Hanna explained the most important name for its staff was that of owner Green. A former Topshop employee who worked at the London flagship store (pictured in December) has told how owner Sir Philip Green ran it 'with an iron grip of fear' She claimed employees knew when he was paying a visit because the code name 'Papa One' would emanate from her supervisors' walkie talkies, followed by rails of clothes being whisked out of sight into stockrooms. 'He hated "bananaraming" the most, a term of unknown origin that indicates when a clothes rail (or "fixture") would have too many hangers shoved on and curve upwards at the end of the row,' Hanna recalled. 'Green would berate the closest staff member if there was anything out of place. I've never seen the colour drain from a person's face quicker than when a supervisor heard "Papa One is in the building" crackle from the radio.' She added that he ran the store 'with an iron grip of fear' and the 'glamour' of the job soon wore off. Hanna claimed employees knew when Sir Philip Green (pictured with Kate Moss at the opening of Topshop in New York in 2009) was paying a visit because the code name 'Papa One' would emanate from her supervisors' walkie talkies, followed by rails of clothes being whisked out of sight into stockrooms Hanna recalled working long nine hour shifts, listening to the same music all day and battling through her repetitive grind, manning the tills, restocking shelves and continually re-folding jeans after customers tried them on. Due to her working at the flagship store her much-anticipated 60 per cent clothing allowance discount was restricted to bottoms only, because they had to wear official Topshop T-shirts bearing the logo. If she wanted to get a regular staff discount, she had to open a store credit card, which as a student she deemed wasn't the best idea - though her co-workers were 'good people' and they often held back sale items or boutique pieces for each other. News the famous Topshop Oxford Street building going up for sale prompted an outpouring of grief on social media yesterday, with many nostalgic shoppers recalling their visits to the store, which opened in 1994 and boasted a DJ booth, nail bar and food stalls. News the famous Topshop Oxford Street building going up for sale prompted an outpouring of grief on social media yesterday One shopper tweeted: 'I always found the big TopShop on Oxford Street strangely comforting whenever I got off the tube. I will miss it, unnecessarily loud DJ and all. #GoodbyeTopShop.' Another wrote: 'Very unnerved by the disappearance of Big Topshop on Oxford Street. Have many fond teenage memories of looking at the floor and mumbling when the cashier asked me if the pink faux fur bomber I was buying was for "my girlfriend". RIP.' And one commented: 'So where do we meet after work? 6pm. Topshop flagship, outside. Oxford Street. RIP,' followed by a series of loudly crying face emojis. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Group's Alipay, the White House said, escalating tensions with Beijing just over two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. The move, first reported by Reuters, is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, a senior administration official told Reuters. The order argues that the United States must take "aggressive action" against developers of Chinese software applications to protect national security. It tasks the Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive within 45 days and targets Tencent Holdings Ltd's QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay as well. The order also names CamScanner, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate and WPS Office. A US Tencent spokeswoman and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. "By accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information," the executive order states. Such data collection "would permit China to track the locations of federal employees and contractors, and build dossiers of personal information," the document adds. The order aims to cement Trump's tough-on-China legacy before the Jan. 20 inauguration of Biden, a Democrat, who has said little about how he plans to address specific tech threats from China. Biden could, however, revoke the order on the first day of his presidency, though his transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. The order will likely ratchet up tensions further between Washington and Beijing, which have been locked in a bitter dispute over the origins of the coronavirus and a Chinese crackdown on Hong Kong. Despite the 45-day time line laid out by the order, the Commerce Department plans to act before Jan. 20 to identify prohibited transactions, another US official told Reuters. The directive mirrors Trump executive orders signed in August directing Commerce to block some US transactions with WeChat and the Chinese-owned video app TikTok. Had those orders gone into effect, they would have effectively banned the Chinese apps' use in the United States and barred Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's app stores from offering them for download for new users. The restrictions, however, were blocked by courts mainly on freedom of speech grounds. The White House is confident the new restrictions will stand up to judicial scrutiny, since applications like Alipay would struggle to bring a First Amendment case, the senior administration official told Reuters. US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement that he supports Trump's "commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party." Alipay, Ant Group's payment app, has been in Washington's cross hairs for months. Reuters reported in November that the US State Department had submitted a proposal to add Ant Group to a trade blacklist in order to deter US investors from taking part in its lucrative initial public offering. But the Commerce Department, which oversees the blacklist, shelved the proposal after Alibaba Group Holding Inc President Michael Evans urged Ross to reject the bid. Ant is China's dominant mobile payments company, offering loans, payments, insurance and asset management services via mobile apps. It is 33% owned by Alibaba and controlled by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, but is currently unavailable for American users. Tuesday's move is the latest in a raft of tough new curbs on Chinese companies. The White House unveiled an executive order in November banning US investment in alleged Chinese military companies including China's top chipmaker SMIC and oil giant CNOOC. Last month, the Commerce Department added dozens of Chinese companies, including Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. Also read: Jack Ma arrested? Chinese media says Alibaba founder 'embracing supervision' The new Covid measures, which come into force on Monday, are awaiting parliamentary scrutiny - yet again under an accelerated timetable On Tuesday the new law was discussed in the health commission. The opposition pointed out potential inconsistencies in the text, as travel agencies, banks, hair and beauty salons as well as opticians are not classed as retail. Health minister Paulette Lenert has forwarded the remarks to the state council to prevent any delays in the legislation. The council's advice is expected on Thursday. The main concern is that due to this inconsistency such venues will not be subject to the one person per 10 square metres rules which applies to all other retail businesses. If a business has a shop floor measuring fewer than 20 square metres, only two customers at a time are permitted inside. Lenert has also clarified that travellers returning to Luxembourg do not have to take a Covid test nor do they have to undergo a quarantine. Furthermore, test capacity is to be increased to satisfy the huge demand. People who are returning to Luxembourg from their vacation abroad can now request a free test again through MyGuichet after the service was temporarily suspended. Parliament may only convene this weekend, or Friday at the earliest. The new measures, including the continued closure of the Horesca sector, will be in effect until Sunday, 31 January. Besides, Dr. Jean-Claude Schmit, the director of the Sante, has said that, according to a study by Imperial College London, symptoms of the new variant of Covid, first found in the United Kingdom, are not more severe than those of the regular strain. PDF: The new Covid bill Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. India on Wednesday called on Sri Lanka to meet the expectations of its minority Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united country for its "own interest", as part of the reconciliation process. During a joint media interaction with his counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in the island nation for his first overseas visit of the year, underlined India's backing for Lanka's reconciliation process and an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony. "As we promote peace and well-being in the region, India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is longstanding, as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony," he said. "It is in Sri Lanka's own interest that the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka are fulfilled. That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government on meaningful devolution, including the 13th Amendment to the Constitution," Jaishankar added. The progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka will surely be advanced as a consequence, he asserted. The 13th Amendment provides for devolution of power to the Tamil community. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th amendment which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of moves by the ruling Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) allies to mount a public campaign for abolition of Sri Lanka's provincial councils system. The SLPP's Sinhala majority hardliners have been advocating a total abolition of the island's provincial council system established in 1987. The issue of Tamil reconciliation process had also figured prominently at a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa in September last year. Modi had pitched for full implementation of the constitutional provision by the Sri Lankan government to ensure devolution of powers to the minority Tamil community. While expressing India's commitment to help enhance Lanka's capability to deal with growing maritime challenges, Jaishankar said New Delhi also looked forward to the early return of the Indian fishermen detained in the island nation. Jaishankar said India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group had recently met and discussed all outstanding issues related to fisheries in an open and candid manner. "We naturally look forward to the early return of our fishermen," he said. Indian fishermen, apprehended in Sri Lanka for allegedly poaching in its territorial waters, were provided consular assistance by the Consulate General of India in Jaffna last week. The Indian High Commission here said it was in touch with the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate the early release of the detained fishermen. India and Sri Lanka last week held through video conferencing a meeting of the joint working group on fisheries and discussed the issues related to fishermen and the ways to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. Jaishankar is on a three-day visit here from December 5 to 7 at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Gunawardena. This is the first visit by a foreign dignitary to Sri Lanka in the new year. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has attributed its success in the gram panchayat elections in Karnataka to the policies of the Modi government. Amid the lies being spread on the agricultural reform laws during these local body polls, the people and farmers in the state have given a clear message that they completely trust the Modi government, the party said. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and National Spokesperson Rajeev Chandrasekhar told mediapersons at the party headquarters on Wednesday that "The country has faced two challenges in the last 10-11 months. One is due to the coronavirus pandemic and the other is the lies, hypocrisy and u-turn politics which had started before 2019. In May 2019, BJP won 25 seats out of 28 in Karnataka with 51.38 percent vote share. The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) managed to win merely one seat each." He said, "The gram panchayat elections in rural Karnataka have also given a decisive majority to the BJP, expressing confidence in the policies of the saffron party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These local body elections took place amid the lies spread about the agrarian reform laws. Of these, 55 per cent gram panchayats are backed by the BJP and 53 per cent members are backed by the BJP." The BJP MP said that this simply indicates that the farmers of Karnataka have given a direct and clear message that they have full faith in Modi ji's vision and the schemes run by the Central government for the benefit of the farmers in the last few years. Deborah Okezie, the mother of the 11-year-old pupil of Deeper Life High School in Akwa Ibom who was allegedly molested, has claimed that a... Deborah Okezie, the mother of the 11-year-old pupil of Deeper Life High School in Akwa Ibom who was allegedly molested, has claimed that a doctor sneaked into a hospital where her son was receiving treatment to collect his blood sample. In a video on her Facebook page on Wednesday, Okezie said the incident happened at St. Athanasius Hospital, the first hospital where her son was admitted. She said the doctor, who is in his 70s, had visited the hospital with a masked face and took her sons blood sample under the pretense that he came to help a colleague. Okezie said the doctor had been apprehended and is currently in police custody. She alleged that the doctor was the same person who took her sons blood sample when he gained admission into the school. The woman also alleged that the doctor was working with Deeper Life while calling on Nigerians to help her unearth why he took her sons blood sample. Okezie said the development had come amid claims by Solomon Ndidi, principal of the affected school, who was earlier suspended, that her son had HIV when he gained admission. Ndidi and the rest of them are saying my son is HIV positive, they are claiming he came to the school with a lot of drugs. This was after they sent their doctor to St. Athanasius hospital, the first hospital where we took my son for treatment, she said. Their doctor, a 71-year-old man, masked up and was taking blood samples. I just said I know you; you were the same person that tested my son when he first came to the school and he said yes, that he was there to support a colleague. What sort of support is that? He is in police custody now. Okezie had claimed her son was deprived of the food she had paid for and molested by the senior students after the principal moved him to their dormitory for urinating on his bed. There was once a time when U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz vowed that he would not be a servile puppy dog for Donald Trump. That was then. This is now. In recent days, Texas junior senator once again affirmed his reluctance to stand up to the outgoing president. He led 10 other Republicans in announcing that they planned to object to the Electoral College certification process in the Senate on Wednesday, unless his colleagues concede to certain demands. To be specific, Cruz and his cohorts want Congress to appoint an election commission to conduct an emergency audit of the election results in the disputed states presumably those that proved decisive in Democrat Joe Bidens 306-232 Electoral College victory in November. Failing that, the 11 members of the group say they intend to vote against certification of the electors from those states, a radical move. We are not naive, the Trump loyalists declared. We fully expect most if not all Democrats, and perhaps more than a few Republicans, to vote otherwise. But support of election integrity should not be a partisan issue. Its not, thankfully. Conservatives as well as progressives have denounced Cruz & Co. since they released the joint statement this past weekend. In fact, the band are effectively relying on their Republican colleagues to allow them to proceed with their plan without any immediate repercussions. By the weekend, 140 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives had announced plans to object to the certification of Bidens victory. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, acting independently of Cruz and the others, plans to do the same in the Senate. Hawley and Cruz are both viewed as potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates. But these Republicans are outnumbered, in both chambers, by Democrats and Republicans who arent humoring Trumps nonsense. The latter category includes leaders such as U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the only Republican to vote to convict Trump during impeachment proceedings last year ; U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, usually a reliable Trump ally; and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who represents Texass 21st Congressional District and formerly served as Cruzs chief of staff. The egregious ploy to reject electors may enhance the political ambition of some, but dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic, Romney said Sunday, in a statement that called out Cruz by name. That rhetoric might strike some voters as hyperbolic. Cruz himself has scoffed that his critics need to calm downand, in fairness, theres nothing wrong with a member of Congress raising objections to the certification process, if they have evidence of malfeasance in the election at hand. Cruz hasnt presented any such evidence, however, nor is it clear that he intends to or that he sees any reason to think the commission hes proposing would find evidence of fraud that has thus far eluded an army of lawyers and an array of courts. On Monday evening he told conservative radio host Mark Levin that his goal is not to set aside the election, but rather to offer a third option for legislators. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a former judge and Texas attorney general, summarized the state of play ably in an open letter to his fellow Texans Tuesday. President Trumps legal team filed numerous lawsuits challenging the election outcome. But none of the legal arguments or evidence presented by the Presidents legal team convinced the more than 50 state and federal courts that sat in judgment, Cornyn, a Republican, wrote. Every single lawsuit was eventually rejected, some on the merits, some on procedural grounds, both equally dispositive, he continued. These lawsuits were heard by well-respected jurists many of whom were nominated by Trump himself. That being the case, Cornyn said, he does not intend to object to the certification of any states election results unless substantial, new evidence is provided during the course of the process. Allegations alone will not suffice, Cornyn wrote. Evidence is required. An important distinction, which Cruz and his collaborators simply elide. Their statement says there have been unprecedented allegations of voter fraud and other irregularities in the wake of the election; true enough. But the allegations are unprecedented because Trump has been spewing them constantly to anyone who will listen and, in some cases, to people who are effectively compelled to do so because he is, for another two interminable weeks, the incumbent president. Similarly, Cruz and his colleagues reference polling data that show 39 percent of Americans have concerns that the election was rigged, a troubling statistic, no doubt. Is it a surprising one, though, given Trumps insistence that hes been the victim of massive fraud a claim that has been echoed by his most loyal supporters for weeks? And lets recall that Trump in 2016 accused Cruz of stealing a victory in the Iowa caucuses through fraud and called for the results to be thrown out. That year, Cruz unloaded on Trump, calling him a pathological liar, utterly amoral and a narcissist. He later looked past Trumps nasty attacks on his wife and father to work with Trump as presidenta defensible decision, perhaps. But what good does it do the president, or his supporters, to continue effectively perpetuating this false narrative that Trump, who lost by more than 7 million votes to Biden, was a victim of widespread fraud? Cruz should remember the wisdom offered by a highly experienced constitutional lawyer this weekend. When the voters fairly decide an election, pursuant to the rule of law, the losing candidate should acknowledge and respect the legitimacy of that election, Cruz and his collaborators wrote, before explaining they planned to do just the opposite. erica.grieder@chron.com The government has approved the signing of an agreement to institutionalise a mechanism for cooperation between India and Japan in sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the skill and Japanese language test. The memorandum of cooperation on a basic framework for partnership pertaining to "Specified Skilled Worker" between India and Japan was cleared at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of workers and skilled professionals. "The present Memorandum of Cooperation would set an institutional mechanism for partnership and cooperation between India and Japan on sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the required skill and Japanese language test, to work in fourteen specified sectors in Japan. "These Indian workers would be granted a new status of residence of 'Specified Skilled Worker' by the Government of Japan," an official statement said on Wednesday. A joint working group will be set up under the memorandum of cooperation to follow up its implementation. Skilled Indian workers from fourteen sectors including nursing care; building cleaning; material processing industry; industrial machinery manufacturing industry; electric and electronic information related industry; construction; shipbuilding and ship-related industry; automobile maintenance and aviation would have enhanced job opportunities to work in Japan. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. As COVID-19 vaccines trickle into the Philadelphia region, some are concerned that even when doses become available to the general public, not everyone will want to take it. For some vaccine skeptics, the problem is misinformation, while for others, including Black communities impacted by racism in medicine, its the result of distrust. To encourage everyone to get vaccinated, some experts have suggested the incentive of direct payments. But critics say such measures could threaten trust among the most vaccine-hesitant groups. To debate this issue, The Inquirer asked economists and health researchers: Are financial incentives for the vaccine a good idea? Yes: No other measure can do as much to get people to take the vaccine. By Erin Todd Bronchetti and Ellen B. Magenheim Several high-profile economists and politicians have called for paying people to get the COVID vaccine, while others argue it may backfire. Our research with David Huffman provides the only direct, experimental evidence on the extent to which financial incentives can increase vaccine uptake. READ MORE: Philadelphia could expand vaccinations as soon as February, but the number of incoming doses is not enough, official warns We show that when it comes to vaccinations, money talks. In a randomized controlled trial including over 10,000 college students, we find that a small financial reward $30 nearly doubles influenza vaccination rates. Of course, college students may be especially sensitive to small rewards, and the flu vaccine is familiar and regarded as safe. A much larger reward, along the lines of the $1,000 suggested by economists Bob Litan and Greg Mankiw, may be required to achieve similar results with the COVID-19 vaccine. Perhaps more importantly, our research sheds light on why paying people works and many other approaches dont. People fail to undertake preventive health measures, like vaccinations, for varied reasons. Some miss information about how or when to get the vaccine. Some are afraid of shots or do not believe they are at risk of serious illness. And some intend to get vaccinated but dont follow through. READ MORE: Four ways to improve Phillys COVID-19 vaccine plan | Opinion Whereas many low-cost behavioral nudges address just one of these barriers, the small financial reward changed behavior at each stage of the decision-making process. Compared with people in the control group, those randomly selected to be eligible for the $30 paid more attention to information about how to get the vaccine. Strikingly, they were 56% more likely to answer yes to whether they planned to get vaccinated, suggesting the incentive changed some peoples minds. And among those who intended to get vaccinated, the rate of follow-through was 36% higher in the incentive group than in the control group. These are exactly the barriers that must be tackled to get the COVID-19 vaccine to enough people. The pandemics economic toll has many people worried about keeping their jobs, paying the bills, and having enough food to feed their families, perhaps more so than about getting the vaccine. The prospect of a substantial incentive can cut through the noise and direct attention to the safe public health measure at their disposal. We are far less optimistic that lower-cost nudges, alone, will be sufficient to achieve vaccination rates necessary for herd immunity. Erin Todd Bronchetti and Ellen B. Magenheim Once individuals decide to get the vaccine, encouraging them to follow through will be crucial. Unlike the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccination requires two doses, yet another reason for a larger reward than the $30 our study provided. Carefully designed incentives can increase the odds that individuals come back for the second shot. We are far less optimistic that lower-cost nudges, alone, will be sufficient to achieve vaccination rates necessary for herd immunity. In our study, the low-cost behavioral interventions we tested to increase attention to vaccine information or help people focus on the benefits of vaccination had exactly zero impact on uptake. That is not to say that nudges cant be useful coupled with financial reward. As suggested by Nobel laureate Richard Thaler, making it easy to get the vaccine, scheduling the second dose right when the patient receives the first, and encouraging follow-through with reminders will be critical. Endorsements of the vaccine from political leaders and trusted sources may help counteract concerns about its safety or any additional distrust people may feel because they are being paid to get it. The right solution is likely to be a both/and approach. But the bottom line, at least according to our own work, is that the best way to give a shot in the arm to vaccination efforts is by putting cash in the pocket. Erin Todd Bronchetti and Ellen B. Magenheim are economics professors at Swarthmore College. No: Incentives will be counterproductive and inefficient. By Harald Schmidt and Alison Buttenheim While everyone hopes that vaccines can help end the pandemic, not everyone is keen to be vaccinated. Offering financial incentives is a tempting solution to vaccine hesitancy, but one we should avoid. Instead, we should focus efforts on making it as easy as possible to receive a vaccine in trusted settings. Incentives may have a role in a broader strategy, and in ensuring that people return for their second dose. We see four main reasons not to offer pay: First, such incentives are unlikely to work for the most vaccine-hesitant individuals, who may account for around 10% of the population. Behavioral scientists typically deploy financial incentives to change behavior when the benefits of that behavior accrue in the future, involve some chance, and are intangible (vaccination ticks all three boxes) but the costs (time, hassle, pain) are immediate. Incentives work well when the problem is follow-through or procrastination, as the incentives overcome our here and now focus on immediate costs. They dont necessarily work well for changing beliefs or intentions. READ MORE: COVID-19 vaccine wont undo decades of justifiable distrust in communities of color | Expert Opinion Second, a major component of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is rooted in distrust of health-care researchers and providers, especially in government-run initiatives. This is particularly true for Black and brown communities. We are already seeing stark racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. A recent survey found that 40% of Black respondents, compared with 60% of white respondents, would take a vaccine as soon as it is available. Distrust is not addressed by waving money in fact, offering incentives may undermine trust. Rebuilding trust requires removing political influence, being transparent about the scientific process, and planning responsive outreach and delivery strategies. Third, offering incentives can signal that the incentivized behavior is unpleasant, risky, or difficult. While the COVID-19 vaccine Phase 3 studies were large, were still learning about reactions and side effects as vaccines are taken on a larger scale. Expected but severe adverse events experienced by possibly hesitant individuals who received an incentive is a recipe for a politicized social media misinformation disaster, which could do considerable short- and long-term harm to rollout efforts. Finally, universal incentives for vaccination are an inefficient use of limited resources. Consider a $25 incentive (a common amount for a one-off behavior): Even at that scale, we would pay billions to the large segment of the population that doesnt need an incentive to get vaccinated (likely about 40%-60%). Its hard to justify this expense when state and local health departments have insufficient resources for effective vaccine rollout. A better use of scarce public health funds is to develop and implement effective outreach and delivery strategies. Harald Schmidt and Alison Buttenheim If incentives are offered in a targeted instead of a universal way, then considerable care is needed to ensure that incentives arent seen as stigmatizing. Plans to offer incentives at a much larger scale, comparable to COVID-19 relief checks, are similarly impractical. A better use of scarce public health funds is to develop and implement effective outreach and delivery strategies that meet people where they are, physically and psychologically. These efforts should focus on groups who bear the greatest burden of disadvantage and historic racism in health care, as well as the greatest COVID-19 disease burden. If incentives are going to be part of the vaccine rollout toolkit, they should be tied to accessing evidence-based resources to support a vaccine decision, or to completing the vaccine series with the second dose. Many innovative approaches have been proposed to ensure a swift, transparent, and equitable vaccine rollout. Incentives are not the best or wisest option we have. Harald Schmidt is an assistant professor in medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine. Alison Buttenheim is an associate professor of nursing and health policy at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Nursing. The worst seems like its over for the U.S. oil industry. Yet executives are entering the new year with cautious optimism, the latest Dallas Fed survey of the industry suggests. Despite an improved outlook for oil and gas in the final quarter of 2020, the biggest portion of respondents in the quarterly survey said they only expected a slight increase in capital spending this year after a disastrous 2020 that saw hefty budget cuts. The cautiously optimistic executives, however, represented a bit over a third of the total, with 14 percent expecting significant further spending reductions. Interestingly, the same percentage of respondents in the Dallas Fed survey said they expected a substantial increase in spending. These results suggest mixed sentiment in the industry that only just started getting back on its feet, with the Energy Information Administrations latest weekly report estimating crude oil production at 11 million bpd, down by about 2 million bpd from pre-pandemic levels. However, that was to be expected. U.S. oil production fell for three of the four quarters of 2020 in response to oil price movements and only started rebounding in the final quarter of the year. Whether the recovery will continue or slow down remains to be seen and very much depends on how prices move from now on. The key shale oil industry also presents a mixed picture. Some are pessimistic about its future as most producers cannot break even at current prices. Others are optimistic, and there is even a suggestion among observers that the EIA and the industry itself are deliberately being gloomier than they need to be in order to get OPEC+ to continue its production cuts to keep prices higher. Related: Big Oils Renewables Push Will Come At A Cost While these cuts have helped prices, uncertainty remains because its not just production that determines where the industry goes but also demand, which is arguably a much more important factor right now. And when it comes to demand, the future remains highly uncertain, as Forbes David Blackmon noted in a recent article. The pandemic is still raging in the United States, vaccinations are going much slower than planned, and this means that the eagerly awaited return to normal, if it ever happens, will happen later than many hoped, including in the oil and gas industry. As a result, the industry will likely continue to face the same challenges this year that it had to tackle in 2020. Layoffs will continue, the Dallas Fed noted in its survey, although they will slow down if prices stabilize. There could be more bankruptcies, too, after last year saw 40 exploration and production companies fold, with a combined debt of $54 billion. If prices continue to improve, however, the outlook will change. Yet there is no consensus on prices in the industry: forecasts by Dallas Fed survey respondents vary between $30 and $70 a barrel for West Texas Intermediate. Of course, this may reflect differences in cautiousness, but it is a fact no one really knows where oil prices would go even a month from now, let alone by the end of the year. The situation for U.S. oil companies, especially smaller independents, remains challenging. With hundreds of thousands of new Covid-19 cases daily, the return to normal is being delayed, and so is the strong recovery of oil demand in the worlds largest consumer. Yet demand is recovering in Asia, and it is recovering strongly, boosting export opportunities. In the end, it will again be all about costs and competitiveness, just as it was during the last oil industry crisis. U.S. shale pulled it off last time, with significant help from oilfield service providersand it ended up leading the boom in U.S. oil production that turned the country into the worlds largest producer. This year will offer the first signs of what is to come later and whether the industry would be able to recover as strongly from this crisis. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Advertisement Nestled in a private patch of rainforest in the Byron Bay hinterland is a stunning palatial home with unbelievable panoramic views most only dream of. The incredible home features a pavilion style main living area with floor to ceiling windows which flood the home with natural light ans allow uninterrupted views across the escarpment. The home features three bedrooms with en suites, and a smaller fourth tucked away next to the study in the master bedroom wing. This stunning home near Byron Bay makes the most of the beautiful location by using large windows throughout The stunning swimming pool overlooks rainforest and farmland and over to the ocean and Mount Warning The stunning property has three bedrooms, each with ensuites, as well as a theatre room and sauna There is a huge deck to prioritise outdoor living - as well as 55 acres of rainforest to walk in Real estate agent Graham Dunn has shown five people through the spectacular property and he told Daily Mail Australia they tell him 'the photos just don't do it justice'. He says the best thing about the home is that it is 'completely private' but only two minutes to the quiet village of Bangalow and 12 minutes to the hustle and bustle of Byron Bay. The home is on the market with a price guide of $15m-$18m, and included 55acres of private rainforest. The kitchen has plenty of storage and is flooded by light - it is in the main room of the house The pavillion style main room has high ceilings and an open plan arrangement which makes it perfect for entertaining The 'pictures don't do it justice' according to the realtor - who loves the aesthetic of the home This is one of the bathrooms, and features his and her sinks, a stand alone bath and shower There is also a craft room, home theatre room, billiard room and sauna as well as a pool and deck space which makes the most of the view. The 220 degree view includes key landmarks like Mount Warning and the Byron Bay lighthouse. The home is also capable of being off grid, the roof is lined with solar panels. WHY IS BYRON BAY SO POPULAR AND IS THE PROPERTY EXPLOSION DUE TO THE HEMSWORTHS? A Byron Bay real estate agent who has sold homes to the Hemsworths and other celebrities insists Hollywood stars aren't the ones driving up property prices in the trendy coastal town. While frustrated locals blame a few high-profile residents for the influx of wannabe models and social media 'influencers' to the area in recent years, Peter Yopp of LJ Hooker Byron Bay says it's not A-listers who are spending the most money. Mr Yopp told Realestate.com.au the soaring house and rent prices in Byron Bay were actually the result of the 'secretly rich' splashing the cash. Don't blame Thor: A Byron Bay real estate agent who has sold homes to the Hemsworths and other celebrities insists Hollywood stars aren't the ones driving up property prices in the trendy coastal town. Pictured: actors Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky at their $20million home in Broken Head, near Byron Bay 'To be honest, the people with the real money look like they don't have any money. You wouldn't even know who they are,' he said. Mr Yopp also said sale prices were constantly rising, with new records being set whenever a luxury property changes hands. 'The latest sale is the new bottom,' he told the website. 'As soon as something else comes along, it supersedes it [in price].' Hot market: According to Domain, the median house price in Byron Bay is now more than $1.44million, which is up 22.8 per cent from last year. Pictured: The Project host Carrie Bickmore, who owns a $3million holiday home in Byron Bay Advertisement The home is made from recycled timber, from a wharf in Mackay and has effortless charm Wilkes-Barre, PA (18701) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High around 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. When actor-politician Kamal Haasans Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) released a seven-point manifesto for Reimagining Tamil Nadu in the run-up to the 2021 elections, a glass ceiling was broken. They proposed that homemakers should getdue recognition through payment for their work at home which hitherto has been unrecognized and unmonetized, thus raising the dignity of womenfolk. The Supreme Court also recently directed an insurance firm to estimate the value of homemakers notional income. To see mainstream politicians and judges recognize the burden of womens disproportionate domestic work, and make it an election issue is heartening especially because Indian women spend up to 10X the time on unpaid domestic work as men, vis-a-vis the global average of 3.2X . However, this policy may result in unintentional impacts and run into implementation challenges. Firstly, compensating only women for domestic work would reinforce gender stereotypes, and may also deter women from taking employment outside the home. Second, enumerating, quantifying, and then monetizing the colossal breadth of household activities performed by women ranging from cleaning, cooking, child/elderly care and more would be complex and resource-intensive. National income estimates benchmarked to market rates charged by domestic workers/at-home carers may not account for the higher level of strategic thinking, budgeting and emotional labour involved in running a home. For instance, a person running his/her household doesnt only cook. That person also plans the menu, decides what vegetables to buy, and how much money to spend on groceries. Therefore, that individuals efforts cannot be valued by the standardized market rate. Thirdly, verifying the hours of unpaid work undertaken within the household will be difficult, for both the homemaker and the government. This policy may lead to exclusion and inclusion errors, as it may exclude women who are not full-time homemakers in low-income groups but include homemakers from higher-income groups (refer Figure 1 below). Not only could this prove to be unaffordable, but also an inefficient use of governments scarce resources. Finally, given womens limited control over household resources, it could prove difficult to ensure that they derive benefits from this compensation; only 38% of women-owned a house/land, 53% used a bank account and 46% had a mobile phone for self-use in 2015-16 (NFHS-4). Of course, there is obviously no denying the fact that Indian women do the bulk of unpaid domestic work. There are several anecdotal and data-based evidence which corroborate this fact. On any given day, 92% of women in the 15-59 years working ages participate in unpaid domestic activities, vs. only 29% of men. Only 23% of women participate in employment vs. 70% of men. (NSSO Time Use Survey, 2019). Moreover, data from successive Periodic Labour Force Surveys show that the female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) declined to its lowest level since Independence in 2017-18, and remains one of the lowest globally. Cross-country evidence confirms that a decrease in womens care work by two hours can increase the FLFPR by 10 percentage points (OECD, 2014). Even as women were losing paid employment opportunities during COVID-induced lockdowns, the demand for unpaid care work continued to escalate. Between December 2019 and December 2020, the size of the labour force shrunk by 14% for women vs 1% for men. ( CMIE ). Homemakers looking for employment declined between March and September 2020, from 6.4 million to 2.5 million, recovering to 4.4 million in December 2020 ( CMIE ). This coincided with womens care work increasing by almost 30% as school closures continued and families remained at home ( Dalberg, 2020 ). An April 2020 survey of informal women workers found 66% indicated increases in unpaid domestic work and 36% experienced increases in child/elderly care work during the lockdowns first two months ( Chakraborty, 2020 ). Even in the organized sector, 43% of urban female solopreneurs reported a loss of productivity due to domestic work during the pandemic ( Bain, 2020 ). For women from the corporate sector, while working from home allowed greater flexibility, the lack of a regular schedule, unpredictable work demands and increased care work resulted in longer hours. Discussions with self-help group community mobilizers in semi-urban areas revealed that women were withdrawing from work owing to household responsibilities (Nikore Associates primary research). The unpaid care work economy is valued at nearly 9% of the global GDP, with 3/4of domestic work performed by women ( ILO, 2018 ). Despite calls for modifications, traditional GDP accounting measures ignore unpaid work. In this context, attaching a financial value to household work improves the estimation of womens economic contributions, and gives them worker status. Direct cash transfers (based on such notional income estimates) can improve womens agency, intra-household bargaining position and Financial Independence. Fig. 1: Female Workforce Participation Rates by expenditure category across India in the year 2018-19. Having recognized the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on womens employment and financial condition, as well as the burden of unpaid work on households, Governments can evaluate a series of complementary measures to deal with these challenges: Unconditional cash transfers for women. Rather than linking to the quantum of household work, governments can provide unconditional, fixed amount of cash transfers to low-income women as income support. Investing in care work services. Governments can increase budgetary support for affordable child-care centres, and elderly and disability care facilities, especially in partnership with non-governmental organizations for broader and more efficient service delivery. Women can be recruited for a majority of job created under such programs. Subsidized family care leave. Governments can start a subsidized family care leave policy for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), subsidizing maternity, paternity and other family care leave required by MSME employees, especially for low-wage workers. Similar policies can also be formulated for informal and gig workers. Influencing social attitudes. Domestic work should be recognized as a shared responsibility to bridge existing gaps. Social norms casting women in the role of homemaker discourage men from taking responsibility in the home. Male actors, politicians, sportspersons and other role models should promote equal participation in housework through mass media campaigns and innovative messaging through social media. It is refreshing to see male leaders recognize the nation-building value of womens unpaid domestic work and display the political will to mainstream targeted financial support for women. However, it may be ill-advised to solve social problems through economic measures. Indian men need to become equal partners in sharing the load of unpaid work so that Indias women can join the paid workforce and build an independent identity outside the confines of their homes. is the Founder of Nikore Associates , a youth-led economics research and policy think tank. She is a feminist economist who advises several public and private sector entities, focusing on infrastructure development and gender issues.andhave contributed to this piece. A Marrero man driving the wrong way down Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey caused a crash that killed a motorcyclist Saturday evening, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. A second motorist was also arrested for allegedly driving through the crash scene - as deputies investigated the fatality - while intoxicated. Willie McCloud, 49, was driving a 1995 Mercedes sedan south on Manhattan about 7 p.m. when he entered a U-turn lane in the 1100 block of the thoroughfare, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. McCloud was headed for the InTown Suites Extended Stay motel, but the turning lane was a few car-lengths short of the business' parking lot (map), according to authorities. Man killed in Harvey motorcycle crash, sheriff says A man was killed during a motorcycle crash in Harvey on Saturday, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Instead of passing up the motel and making a U-turn farther down the street, McCloud drove against traffic to try and reach the parking lot, Rivarde said. Motorcyclist Gerald Washington Jr., 29, of Marrero was riding north on Manhattan and crashed into the side of McCloud's car as McCloud was driving against traffic, Rivarde said. Washington was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies booked McCloud with negligent homicide, driving without insurance, driving on an expired license and violating traffic laws. He was being held Tuesday at the parish jail in lieu of a $75,800 bond. Authorities were still investigating the fatality just before 9 p.m. when Saul Jackson, 27, of Harvey drove around a marked patrol vehicle and through the crash scene, according to an arrest report. A deputy pulled over Jackson, who "displayed signs of impairment," the report said. A Louisiana State Police trooper conducted a field sobriety test and later determined Jackson's blood alcohol concentration to be 0.20%, well over the 0.08% limit for driving, the report said. Jackson was booked with DWI. No bond information was available. Khari Covington, 29, is charged with seven counts for attacks committed in the subway A man has been arrested after carrying out a suspected string of random assaults on 'light-skinned' women at a Brooklyn subway station. Khari Covington, 29, was arrested and charged with a slew of hate crimes on Tuesday. He is accused of attacking nine women on separate occasions in East Williamsburg since last August. Seven of the alleged assaults occurred within the Morgan Avenue subway station. Two other assaults happened on the streets above. Covington lives at a homeless shelter two blocks from the train station. In the first incident, Covington is alleged to have pushed a woman who had been jogging and then punched her. Covington appears to have targeted light-skinned women, according to the New York Post, in a pattern of attacks that started in early November and carried on until last week. Covington is accused of attacking nine women on separate occasions in East Williamsburg since last August. Covington seemed to target light-skinned women including Bianca Fortis Fortis criticized the NYPD for not doing enough to stop the attacks that continued for weeks Khari Covington, 29, was arrested and charged with a slew of hate crimes on Tuesday Most of the female victims were in their 20s. On Monday police revealed he is also suspected of assaulting a 27-year-old worker at a smoke shop. Covington marched into the shop and went behind the counter, knocking the worker to the ground and putting his arm around her neck before trying to steal items from the business. His arrest drew criticism from one of Covington's victims who expressed disappointment that the NYPD had not alerted the public of the pattern of assaults that was occurring. On Monday police revealed he is also suspected of assaulting a 27-year-old worker at a smoke shop Covington marched into the shop and went behind the counter, knocking her to the ground and putting his arm around her neck before trying to steal items from the business 'I was stunned that this had happened so many times,' Bianca Fortis, a 32-year-old journalist, said Monday to the Post. 'I didn't see any police stationed there. There were no flyers,' said Fortis, who was left with a bruised face, shoulder and chest during her attack. Covington has been charged with eight counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of attempted robbery as a hate crime, according to the NYPD. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. For generations of Alabamians, it is forever Christmas inside the walls of Birminghams Century Plaza. From memories of last-minute shopping, to whispers in Santas ear, to Jingles the Talking Bear, mentioning the now-gone shopping mall on Birminghams eastside inevitably brings up visions of Yuletide cheer for longtime residents and those who came to the Magic City to find the right gifts. And so, its probably appropriate - if a bit melancholy - that the end of the 2020 holiday season also saw the completion of demolition at Century Plaza. And there were more than likely a few stunned people to find that, when crews tore down the walls, there werent still strings of lights and Santas throne inside, and a Poinsettia Christmas tree, waiting for shoppers who would never return. A 1975 aerial view of Eastwood Mall and Century Plaza. The $25 million, 700,000-square-foot Century Plaza, which opened in the mid-70s, was once home to more than 100 stores. There were anchors like JC Penney, Pizitz, Lovemans, Richs, Sears, McRaes. But there were also much-loved favorites, like Gentry Coins and Stamps, Hot Sam, Karmelkorn, Fox Photo. You could grab a Big Mac at McDonalds or a slice of pizza at Sbarros, pick up a movie on videocassette at Video Concepts or Camelot Music, or a book at B. Dalton. There was cheese and summer sausage at Hickory Farms, or the chicken at The Dragon. Girls got their first ear piercings at Merle Norman. Children took in the giant Lego displays. Would-be drivers learned to park outside on the weekends, their parents fumbling awkwardly for the brake from the passenger seat. Or you could sit down inside at the many water fountains and just hang out, as many teenagers did during the Reagan years. In a 2019 piece on Malls for AL.com, Daniel Pope and Michael Allen, who were teenagers from Gadsden in the 1980s, remembered being left behind at Century Plaza while in town for a school field trip. My mom had to come pick us up, Pope said. Can you imagine if that happened today? Century Plaza was the kind of prototypical enclosed shopping mall that proliferated across the U.S. throughout the 70s and 80s until online retail and changing habits from shoppers signaled a shift. This Birmingham News photo from 1976, the year after Century Plaza opened, shows off televisions available for sale at JC Penney's at Century Plaza store. The photo caption from that year said the store "will have at least 22 different models. Would you believe 22 channels?" Sears, the first store to open, was the last retailer to close, in 2009. Over time, neighborhoods began springing up to the south and east of the city, along with other shopping options such as Hoovers Riverchase Galleria and Trussvilles Colonial Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farm. It took a little less than two months to raze the old mall, which will make way for a $60 million, 200,000-square-foot Amazon center, with construction expected to begin quickly. The demolition, which began in November, led to the formation of Friends of Century Plaza, a Facebook group that acts as a kind of time capsule, preserving memories and images from the old mall. Among those sharing memories was Christy Pitts Lee, who recalled working in mall management at Century Plaza when it hosted Pet Photo with Santa events. We were the only mall around that did this and it was challenging to say the least, Lee said. The last few years, it got to the point were we could only do dogs and cats because people brought the craziest animals. While Im doing media interviews, Im also having to keep an ear out on my radio. We stationed security at the entrances and my radio would go off non-stop....Weve got a goat at entrance 2.....nope. Weve got a pot belly pig at entrance 4.....nope. Weve got a 7 foot albino python at entrance 3....Hell naw....escort that person to their car and follow them off property until theyre at least 10 miles away! This Birmingham News file photo shows some of the highlights of Century Plaza's JC Penney before it opened in 1975. The Western Shop offered everything from hats to saddles. Pam McCullar Measal, worked as the malls marketing manager in the early 90s. She remembered a brainstorm involving Jingles the Bear and the arrival of Santa. It is always difficult to find creative ways to make Christmas magical, she said. My thought was to have Jingles sleeping, and the power of the children ringing their bells - that is another story in itself - and screaming to wake up Jingles would be the plan for Santas arrival. I produced a soundtrack of Jingles snoring. However, the snoring sounded to some as though Santa had gas, she said. Shoppers browse through Century Plaza on Monday, Dec. 13, 2004. (Jacquelyn Martin)ph But Century Plaza wasnt just open at Christmas time. Matt Redmond remembered a celebrity encounter at the mall when he worked at Things Remembered around 1991. I had worked my way up to doing the engraving, Redmond said. Often people would watch as I worked. Eventually you got used to being watched and you didnt notice it. Except one day I noticed a large round object in front of me. I looked up and it was a clock. However, it was Flava Flav from the rap group Public Enemy, in town for a concert, wearing his trademark clock around his neck, his entourage in tow. Here are more vintage images and stories of Alabamas past . He said Thats cool, and walked off. I had no idea who he was because I was probably listening to REM or the Smiths, Redmond said. One legendary date in Alabama history stood out - March 12, 1993, the opening salvo of a blizzard that crippled the state and the Birmingham area, dumping about 13 inches of snow in some areas. Amy Barlow, an employee at Richs, remembered going to the store to pick up her paycheck. I was in college, Barlow said. It looked like a normal day. I went home to my dad and neighbors cutting firewood in the woods. It was such a lovely day, I thought they were crazy. Little did I know! This file photo from the Birmingham News shows J.C. Penny's at Century Plaza store days before it opened in 1975. The store featured furniture, appliances and a wide variety of clothing for all age groups. It was JC Penney's 19th Alabama store. The store closed in 2006. Jessica Dexter worked at the India Shoppe that same day, waiting for the mall to close. Eventually it did, while the sun was still out. By the time they let us out the Interstate already had snow piled up, Dexter said. Though shopping destinations come and go, and teenagers find new places to make their memories, for many, Century Plaza will always occupy a corner of their imaginations. Gaddy Cole, writing on Facebook, summed it up. I used to think this place was a palace, he said. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! New Delhi/Mangaluru, Jan 5 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline via video-conferencing. The event marks an important milestone towards the creation of One Nation One Gas Grid', the PM said . Governors and Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, along with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, among others attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister termed this day an 'important milestone' for both the people of Kerala and Karnataka as the two states are being connected by a natural gas pipeline. The pipeline will have a positive impact on the economic growth of these two states. Rapid expansion of Gas based economy is a must to achieve self reliant India and cited this as the reason behind Governments push for One Nation One Gas Grid, he added. He said that the pipeline would improve the ease of living in both the states and reduce the expenses of the poor, middle class and entrepreneurs of both the states. The pipeline would become the base of the Gas Distribution System in many cities and would form the base of the CNG based transport system in these cities. The pipeline would provide clean energy to Mangalore Refinery and would play a major role in reducing the pollution in both the states. The reduction of pollution, he said, will have a direct impact on the environment akin to planting millions of trees which would help in improving people's health and reducing their health related expenditure. He said that less pollution and clean air would attract more tourists to the city. He added that construction of this pipeline has generated 1.2 million man days of employment and would develop a new ecosystem of employment and self-employment after its commissioning which would help the fertilizer, petrochemical and power sector. It will also help India in saving thousands of crores of Foreign exchange for the country. MORE UNI BSP MSP SB 1511 You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Tony Schick and Rob Daviss article on the plight of Oregon watersheds (Timber tax cuts cost Oregon towns billions. Then clear-cuts polluted their water and drove up the price, Dec. 31). is the latest documentation of the states indifference toward its small communities and its environment. With its money, morally flexible legal teams and, my personal favorite, a taxpayer-funded propaganda campaign, the timber industry dominates Oregons state politics and has since February 1859. The wreckage caused to the water and the people of the misty hinterland communities of Rockaway Beach, Wheeler and Corbett are mere externalities. Sure, the poor communities will need to borrow millions of dollars to retrofit their water treatment facilities, but man, look at those stock prices soar! That damage is nothing that cant be whisked away by a slick public relations campaign and some shiny wrestling mats for the local high school. Those of you who admire the forest beauty when driving from the Willamette Valley to the Coast know that behind that emerald curtain of spruce and hemlock is a sea of muddy clear-cuts and buried creeks. Oregon is a master of green self-promotion, but it is largely a ruse. There is no money in advocating for second-growth forests, water treatment plants or landslide prevention, so thats why wise druids like Nancy Webster and her organization, the North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection, can always use your help. Michael Edwards, Lincoln City MBABANE The applicant is a close neighbour who lives across the road, unavoidably, I know some versions of the matter from neighbourhood sources. I accordingly recuse myself. These sentiments were shared by Judge Titus Mlangeni when he recused himself from hearing a bail application of man who allegedly killed another after reportedly finding him (deceased) showing his manhood to his daughters. Solomon Myanga Shongwe (63) is alleged to have killed Sabelo Shongwe by assaulting him with a stick all over the body, tied him with an electric cable and further dragged him on the ground. According to the charge sheet, Solomon committed the offence on December 19, 2020 at Mkhuzweni in the Manzini Region. He is reported to have found the deceased showing his daughters his manhood. In his bail application, which has been filed under a certificate of urgency, Solomon claimed that he was a sickly person. Giving a background of the matter, the applicant (Solomon) narrated that on December 19, 2020, he was arrested by police officers from Sigodvweni Police Station, who subsequently charged him with the offence of murder. He said he would plead not guilty to the charge. On December 19, 2020, I received a phone call from one of my daughters that the deceased wanted to rape them. Since Jubela area is near Mkhuzweni area, I quickly rushed home with the intention to calm the situation, submitted Solomon. Manhood According to Solomon, upon arrival at home, he found Sabelo (now deceased) showing his manhood to his daughters and his pants were at knee level. By that time, the deceased had forcefully pushed my daughter against the wall with the intention to force himself on her, averred the applicant. He narrated that upon realising that he was charging, Sabelo allegedly then changed his focus and came to him ducking and diving as if he had a weapon with him. Solomon asserted that he got hold of a stick which was lying on the side and used it to assault Sabelo once on the head. The strike on the head was enough to make him fall on the ground. I then asked for some assistance from my two daughters and we were able to tie both his hands and feet. We then lifted him in the air and carried him to the Shongwe homestead where he was staying for the last two months, contended the applicant. Hospital He recounted that police officers from Mafutseni Police Station were called and the deceased was later taken to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini where he was pronounced dead on December 20, 2020. Solomon contended that while awaiting trial, he was desirous of being admitted to bail and had been advised and verily believed that the High Court had powers to release him as long as it could be demonstrated that he was not a flight risk. I am a born and bred liSwati with no other citizenship and/or foreign passport. I submit that my family is firmly rooted in the Kingdom of Eswatini, submitted the applicant. He undertook that if released on bail, he would not interfere with Crown witnesses, would avail himself to court as and when ordered to do so. He went on to complain about the alleged overcrowding at Zakhele Remand Centre where he is currently incarcerated. Solomon argued that with the surge of COVID- 19 cases, his life was in danger. I have eleven children, four of whom are still minors. I have one wife who is not gainfully employed and my family solely depends on me for their upbringing and maintenance. My continued incarceration is causing them great prejudice, he argued. It was further his submission that handcraft was his source of income for the past 15 years. Liberties He told the court that matters pertaining to personal liberties were by their very nature urgent. The recusal of Judge Mlangeni means that Solomons bail application will now be referred back to the registrar of the High Court for allocation to another judge. Solomon is represented by Mongi Nsibande while Mbutfo Mbingo from the chamber of the director of public prosecutions appeared for the Crown. Congressional members meeting to confirm the President-elect Joe Biden's win were interrupted by protestors who breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Texas representatives from both sides of the aisle reacted to the unprecedented scenes of mobs in a melee with police and breaking windows to gain access to the building. Many live-tweeted the incident. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order launching a crusade on eight Chinese software applications and branding them a threat to national security. Trump ordered a ban on transactions involving Alipay, WeChat Pay and other apps linked to Chinese companies, saying they could route user information to the government in Beijing. The executive order is to take effect in 45 days, just weeks after Trump is replaced in the White House by President-elect Joe Biden on January 20. The move, first reported by Reuters, is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, a senior administration official told Reuters. Yet it is also escalating tensions with Beijing just two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. A senior administration official said the order and its implementation have not been discussed with the 'potential incoming Biden administration'. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday targeting eight apps linked to Chinese companies and branding them a threat to national security The order issued Tuesday argues that the U.S. must take 'aggressive action' against developers of Chinese software applications to protect national security. It tasks the Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive within 45 days. Trump ordered a ban on Tuesday on Alipay, WeChat Pay and other apps linked to Chinese companies, saying they could route user information to the government in Beijing The order also names CamScanner, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate which is published by Alibaba Group subsidiary UCWeb, and Beijing Kingsoft Office Software's WPS Office. The apps targeted by the new ban were chosen because of the extremely high number of downloads, which meant tens of millions of users could be at risk of having their data harvested, according to an administration official. 'We are trying to articulate to the world and take steps to stop the encroachment of China's big data strategy - photos, text messages, phone calls to parents - from being fed into this mass tool for global oppression,' an official said. Kingsoft said in a statement published by Chinese state media that it did not expect Trump's order to substantially impact the company's business in the short term. Ant and the Biden transition team declined to comment. Alibaba, Tencent, CamScanner, SHAREit and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 'By accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information,' the executive order states. Such data collection 'would permit China to track the locations of federal employees and contractors, and build dossiers of personal information,' the document adds. The order aims to cement Trump's tough-on-China legacy before the January 20 inauguration of Biden who has said little about how he plans to address specific tech threats from China. Biden could, however, revoke the order on the first day of his presidency, though his transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. The order will likely ratchet up tensions further between Washington and Beijing, which have been locked in a bitter dispute over the origins of the coronavirus and a Chinese crackdown on Hong Kong. Despite the 45-day time line laid out by the order, the Commerce Department plans to act before January 20 to identify prohibited transactions, another U.S. official told Reuters. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said that he supports Trump's 'commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party' Ross, pictured, added that the Commerce department would use the order 'to continue our mission to secure the nation, the economy, and the people of the United States' The directive mirrors Trump executive orders signed in August directing Commerce to block some U.S. transactions with WeChat and the Chinese-owned video app TikTok. Had those orders gone into effect, they would have effectively banned the Chinese apps' use in the U.S. and barred Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's app stores from offering them for download for new users. The restrictions, however, were blocked by courts mainly on freedom of speech grounds. The White House is confident the new restrictions will stand up to judicial scrutiny, since applications like Alipay would struggle to bring a First Amendment case, the senior administration official told Reuters. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement that he supports Trump's 'commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party'. 'The Department of Commerce will leverage the authorities of the E.O. to continue our mission to secure the nation, the economy, and the people of the United States,' he added. Alipay and parent company Ant Group has reportedly been in Washington's cross hairs for months. Pictured, the Alipay logo at the Shanghai office building of Ant Group in Shanghai Alipay has been in Washington's cross hairs for months. Reuters reported in November that the U.S. State Department had submitted a proposal to add Ant Group to a trade blacklist in order to deter U.S. investors from taking part in its lucrative initial public offering. But the Commerce Department, which oversees the blacklist, shelved the proposal after Alibaba Group Holding Inc President Michael Evans urged Ross to reject the bid. Ant is China's dominant mobile payments company, offering loans, payments, insurance and asset management services via mobile apps. It is 33 percent owned by Alibaba and controlled by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, but is currently unavailable for American users. Alibaba founder Jack Ma Alipay was downloaded from Apple's U.S. app store and Google Play 207,000 times in 2020, while image scanning app CamScanner and office suite app WPS Office were downloaded 4.4 million and 563,000 times respectively, according to research firm SensorTower. Tuesday's move is the latest in a raft of tough new curbs on Chinese companies. The White House unveiled an executive order in November banning U.S. investment in alleged Chinese military companies including China's top chipmaker SMIC and oil giant CNOOC. Last month, the Commerce Department added dozens of Chinese companies, including Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. The Trump administration last week also appealed a federal court ruling which allows TikTok to keep operating in the U.S. The Justice Department filed the appeal seeking to enforce a ban on TikTok ordered by Trump, who has argued that the app's Chinese parent company may use TikTok for espionage and to spread disinformation. The ban had been rejected by US District Judge Carl Nichols and in a parallel case filed in Pennsylvania. Nichols said TikTok's lawyers had demonstrated that the Commerce Department likely overstepped its authority by seeking to ban the popular social media app and 'acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner by failing to consider obvious alternatives.' TikTok has repeatedly defended itself against allegations of data transfers to the Chinese government, saying it stores user information on servers in the United States and Singapore. TikTok has a further fight on its hands over an August 14 executive order from Trump to force ByteDance to sell its US operations to an American buyer. Washington is in a tense trade battle with Beijing, and Trump's administration has stepped up warnings about China's growing economic and military power. ALBANY -- A day after gray wolves officially came off the federal Endangered Species list, lawmakers in New York are urging the state to keep the canines on the list here, even though theyve been extinct in the Empire State for decades. Retaining them on the states endangered list could help protect potential habitat for the animals should they make a comeback or be imported into the state at some point. We certainly wanted to put our concerns on the record, Long Island Sen. Todd Kaminsky said of the letter he wrote with his fellow Long Islander Steve Englebright to state Environmental Commissioner Basil Seggos on Tuesday. Both Democrats chair their respective chambers environmental committees. In addition to keeping wolves on the list, they also want to keep the eastern cougar, hawksbill sea turtle, and humpback whale on the New York State Endangered Species list as well. And they want to retain the osprey, Coopers hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk on the species of special concern list. We also ask that you ensure climate change considerations are included as part of the review process, adds the letter. We certainly think if they want to be there it would benefit the area, Kaminsky said of wolves, which historically inhabited parts of northern New York such as the Adirondacks but were hunted to extinction in the state in the 19th century. Conservationists agree, especially since wolves came off the federal list on Monday, as part of a Trump Administration plan to reduce the number of protected species. They first spoke up about a year ago when Seggos said they were looking at updating the list -- a process that is ongoing. Protection on New York's state endangered species list is even more important now that gray wolves have lost federal Endangered Species Act protection, said Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation director and senior attorney at the Center for Biodiversity. Wolves still remain in parts of Canada, notably in the Algonquin National Park in Ontario. Thats 120 miles from the New York border, which is the dispersal distance, or ability of a species to travel from one habitat to another, noted Adkins. The lawmakers in their letter note that there have been sightings of wolves in northern New York and they referenced an eastern cougar spotting in Connecticut. While wildlife officials in the Nutmeg State say there are no cougars or mountain lions there, one was confirmed to be hit and killed on a highway in 2011 after traveling east from South Dakota. While we cannot say when these animals will return to our land and seascape, we believe it is our obligation as stewards to be prepared for that eventuality. These animals once occurred in abundance in New York and may again, especially as the climate changes, states the letter. Kaminsky didnt say they are pushing for reintroduction of wolves, although that will be happening in Colorado after voters in a November referendum supported bringing them back to the wild parts of their state. Most gray wolves live in remote areas of the upper Midwest including Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to Sylvia Fallon, senior director of the wildlife nature program for the Natural Resources Defense Council. There also is a small population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. With the removal of federal protections it would be great for the state to keep the protections for wolves even if just for the opportunity for the wolves on their own to come back there, said Fallon. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Egypt's Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism named Boko Haram the bloodiest terrorist group in Africa during the month of December in 2020, on Wednesday The observatory also stated that Africa witnessed a total of 52 terrorist attacks in December from multiple terrorist groups and organisations. The same number of attacks as November's, with the exception that some countries witnessed more attacks than others in the last month of 2020. In its report, the observatory stated that Al-Shabab terrorist organisation launched 22 terrorist attacks alone, including 7 attacks in Kenya resulting in the killing of 52 people, whereas the groups activity in Somalia went down due to the counter terrorism efforts of Somali forces aided by the African Unions Mission in Somalia. The observatory added that due to the security operations of Somali forces, Al-Shabab organisation had to transfer its operations to another country. Concerning the terrorist group Boko Haram, the observatory stated that the group intensified its operations in west Africa, especially in Nigeria in December. Accordingly, Boko Haram launched 12 terrorist attacks in Nigeria, 5 terrorist attacks in Niger, and one attack in Cameroon, killing 91 people in total and injuring 120 others, making the group the bloodiest in Africa in December. Meanwhile, the Sahel area witnessed a decline in terrorist attacks, as only 9 attacks were recorded, some of which were perpetrated by ISIS. It added that the attacks in the Sahel area resulted in the killing of ten people and the injury of 14 others. Short link: Athens residents lined up to cast their votes for two U.S. Senate seats at polling places across Athens-Clarke County on Tuesday. The outcome of these runoff elections will determine whether Republicans continue to hold the Senate majority or Democrats gain control of both houses of Congress. One of the two contested Senate seats is between Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. The other is between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock. After no candidate won a majority in the November general election, the fate of the Senate control lies in the votes of Georgians. A small but eager crowd A short line of voters stood outside Clarke Central High School eagerly awaiting the 7 a.m. opening of the polls. The first in line had arrived 33 minutes prior. The second, junior communications studies major at the University of Georgia Turner Rowe, had shown up just after. Rowe had been home for the holidays and missed his chance to vote early, but he wasnt going to let Election Day pass without making his voice heard. I just wanted to make sure I got here early, Rowe said. Although there was a line when the polling place opened, the crowd quickly thinned and waiting times disappeared. Self-proclaimed procrastinator Marvin Martin said it was the easiest voting experience of his life. For voter Ryan Mcglone, the process was only slightly more complicated. I screwed up my absentee ballot I got the envelopes mixed up and just wasnt paying attention, Mcglone said. However, he quickly rectified his mistake by signing an affidavit and surrendering the mistaken ballot. A poll worker then called the Elections Office and confirmed the mistaken ballot was now void. Mcglone then proceeded to vote like normal, saying it took less than two minutes. Clarke Central received 360 votes by the end of the day, more than what was cast in November, according to poll manager Mary Songster. Five Points Fire Station 3 only housed three polling booths, fewer than most other Athens polling locations. However, poll worker Amber Fetner said she did not foresee the limited number of booths becoming a problem at the precinct. Following the initial rush of roughly 15 early-morning voters at 7 a.m., turnout slowed considerably, just as it had on Nov. 3, Fetner said. Despite this being her first election season as a poll worker, Fetner had fully embraced her duty to ensure safe and efficient voting for her Athens neighbors she even offered to hold the dog of passerby who spontaneously decided to vote. While many Athens precincts maintained steady turnout from the general and district attorney runoff elections, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School was ready to break both previous elections turnout records, according to poll manager Tommy Glenn. Well probably surpass the number we had in the first runoff in December. We had almost double in the runoff that we had in the general, and we think were going to have more than that, Glenn said. The Athens-born poll manager was not the only one keeping track of the precincts turnout, though. Tom Van Dean, a volunteer for the Republican Party from Washington D.C,. was at the elementary school as a poll watcher. The job was named well Van Deans primary purpose was to observe the polling process and the casting of ballots. We want to make sure that the machines are operating normally, that the count on both the ballot tabulator and the ballot pad themselves are both correct and the same as well as having an eye count that is also the same as the ballot counts and you just want to make sure that everyone that is able to vote is able to vote and that everyone who isnt able to isnt able to, Van Dean said. Even under added scrutiny, the poll workers, the voting machines and the voters all performed well in Van Deans eyes. Even with limited parking at the Chase Street Elementary polling place, there was no line during the lunch rush nor during the after work rush as voters strolled inside. Chase Street Elementary was expected to receive approximately 300 votes on Tuesday, said polling manager Monika Kapousouz. Its been a little slower than I would have expected, but its been more than we had in November, Kapousouz said. Voters going in quickly went in and came back out after voting, and reported no issues with the process. Many voters said that they voted in person on Jan. 5 because it was convenient and easier. Keeping the polls clean Though the voting area was small, poll workers at CCHS did their due diligence to ensure voter safety amid the pandemic. They encouraged masks, distanced voting booths and wiped down all high-touch surfaces from the machines to the styluses. Poll worker Ian Levitt was pleasantly surprised by the absence of mask-related conflict. Theres been a few people whove come up and theyre not wearing a mask and theyll just see me wearing one and go Oh I gotta go to my car real quick. I dont even need to say anything, so that makes it a lot easier, Levitt said. In keeping with their efforts to maintain voter and volunteer safety, COVID-19 precautions were put in place months prior to Tuesdays election at Fire Station 3. Poll manager Ryan Fairman was confident in the safety measures, including extra personal protective equipment for anyone in need. East side Republicans turn out Despite concerns about alleged voter fraud in Georgias general election, Republicans on Athens East side showed up to the polls and cast their votes. Members of Athens GOP were initially unsure if President Trumps criticism of Sec. Raffensberger would deter Republicans from participating in the runoff election. On Monday night, Trump held an eleventh-hour rally to encourage GOP turnout. During the rally, he continued to claim he should have won the state of Georgia and cast doubt on the results of the general election. Republicans Sheri Howard and her husband Danny Howard were not dissuaded by the allegations of voter fraud. Sheri Howard, a voter at the Whit Davis Elementary School polling place, said the allegations motivated her to cast her ballot in-person to make sure her vote was counted. I just like to do it [vote] in person. I vote, I know its correct and it didnt take long, Sheri Howard said. Her husband expressed a similar sentiment and noted that while he did have concerns about voter fraud, he did not have any concerns about it happening at his local precinct. The Georgia GOPs focus on election day was somewhat unshaken by intra-party conflict. Republicans across Athens East side proved they recognized the importance of garnering a win for their party and, despite the president's persistent allegations of fraud, maintained a steadfast ambition to help Republicans keep their Senate seats. I just hope the Republicans win, I do... Im a Republican and I want a Republican in the Senate, Sheri Howard said. Voters divided Some voters were especially excited about the candidates they were voting for, such as Carey Stephens at Fire Station 3. Everything [Perdue and Loeffler] stand for, I back them and believe them, Stephens said. Others, like Breckyn Jackson, were more eager to simply see an end to the election season. Whatever the outcome is on either side, needs to be respected because that is the larger voice. That doesnt mean its always your voice, but Im really sick and tired of people not just showing a level of respect that is due to whoever represents our state, Jackson said. When Thomas Marshall walked into the polling place at Memorial Park, he voted for the Republican candidates to preserve checks and balances in the government, he said. This time I voted Republican and the reason for that was I would prefer the Senate be split just so that theres kind of a check and balance against one party being able to run any sort of legislation through, Marshall said. While Marshall hopes for a split Congress, UGA junior management information systems major Clarence Ogbuefi is hopeful that his vote will bring party continuity to the executive and legislative branches. I voted for Warnock and Ossoff. One because I guess Im a Democrat, but also just kind of what Ive seen ... definitely would say I align with their views, Ogbuefi said. Despite being an Independent, voter Erika Heinzle also voted for the Democratic candidates. The reason why is because I feel like there needs to be a change in thinking. There have been the same people in charge for a very long time and I feel like they are out of touch, and I think the people on the ballot are more in tune with what the real masses struggle with, Heinzle said. GRAFTON The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the USDA Forest Service on Tuesday signed an Agreement for Shared Stewardship, strengthening their commitment to collaborative land management efforts throughout the state. Signatories on the agreement were Colleen Callahan, Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Vicki Christiansen, Chief of the USDA Forest Service. The agreement establishes a framework to allow the state and the Forest Service to work collaboratively on forest management, accomplishing mutual goals, furthering common interests and effectively responding to the increasing suite of challenges facing the communities, landscapes and natural resources in Illinois. BAKU -- Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has protested a visit of Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian to the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, calling it a provocation and "an attempt to incite tension." Aivazian visited the region on January 5 , where he met with the separatist governments de facto Foreign Minister David Babayan and signed a program of consultations. Leyla Abullayeva, a spokeswoman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, said in a statement that Aivazian's "illegal" visit to Nagorno-Karabakh "contradicts" a truce agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia that ended a 44-day war between Baku and Yerevan over the breakaway region. "Violation of the obligations by official Yerevan is a provocation, and such actions aimed at the domestic audience [in Armenia] do not add to normalization of the situation in the region," Abullayeva said, adding that Yerevan should accept the changes in the region. The Moscow-brokered truce ended heavy fighting between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces that started on September 27 and claimed thousands of lives from both sides. As part of the truce, Armenia lost control of parts of the enclave's territory as well as seven surrounding districts of Azerbaijan it held since the 1990s. Armenian separatists retained control over most of Nagorno-Karabakh's territory, and some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have deployed along frontline areas to protect a land link connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. The years of Canada's mission in Afghanistan are seen on the National War Memorial after a ceremony honouring Canadians who served and died during that mission, in Ottawa, Canada, on March 31, 2019. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) Vandals Deface Afghanistan Memorial in Cobourg, Ontario A complete disregard to war veterans, police say The light armored vehicle (LAV III) monument at the Cobourg Afghanistan Memorial was defaced with graffiti between the evening of Jan. 2 and morning of Jan. 3, according to Cobourg police. The words death to imperialism were spray-painted on one side of the LAV III. #cobourgpoliceservice media release LAV III monument at the Cobourg Afghanistan Memorial in #cobourg vandalized https://t.co/VX8Bgh6ZIk Anyone in the area between Jan 2 & Jan 3, who saw anything suspicious or may have dash camera footage, please call police at 905-372-6821 pic.twitter.com/1WfmjJYRsN Cobourg Police (@CobourgPolice) January 3, 2021 Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf condemned the act of vandalism. Having your personal opinion is fair. It is in the Canadian Charter of Rights, but when you deface someone elses property, that becomes a criminal issue, VandeGraaf said in a statement. Someone decided to deface a memorial to war veteransa complete disregard for the thousands of Canadian Armed Forces personnel who served and the 162 Canadians who died for peace and freedom to the people of Afghanistan. Defacing a memorial dishonours those who sacrificed their lives, their families and the women and men who served that continue to struggle with those invisible wounds that come with their sacrifice. Its a disgrace, and I ask anyone that has information to come forward, he added. Conservative Leader Erin OToole also took to Twitter to condemn the act. Monuments that pay respect to our fallen deserve to be honoured not vandalized by ignorance. #LestWeForget, he said. Meanwhile, the Cobourg Police Service Forensic Identification Service team has processed the site and taken photos of footprints found at the scene. Town of Cobourg Parks and Recreation staff have since removed the graffiti. Last October, the National War Memorial in Ottawa was also the target of vandalism, which sparked public outrage. A suspect rode a bike to the memorial at approximately 9:46 p.m. on Oct. 16 and used a sharp object to engrave hate graffiti on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, said Ottawa police. He then left the area on his bike. Suspect to identify in hate-motivated graffiti at the War Memorial https://t.co/r06vvFZj3s #ottnews Suspect a identifier dans une affaire de graffiti motive par la haine au Monument commemoratif de guerre https://t.co/yRMx1i1t0n #ottnouvelles pic.twitter.com/wYCbkEnnp0 Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) October 23, 2020 Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay called the incident a disgusting act. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan told CBC that it was anti-Semitic in nature, though the Ottawa police news release didnt mention whether the graffiti was targeting a specific group. And last July, a large sign at the construction site of the Memorial to the Victims of Communism was spray-painted with communism will win and three hammer and sickle symbols. Communism always fails. Communism kills but also gives birth to plentiful number of the useful idiots in Canada and beyond. The Memorial isn't completed yet but that didn't stop some moron from insulting the memory of our heroes on Canada Day. pic.twitter.com/1DSC10Mlk5 tributetoliberty (@tributetolibert) July 6, 2020 Tribute to Liberty, the charity spearheading the project, says on its website that the memorial will serve as a public reminder of the millions of victims of Communism, and will bring the suffering of these victims into the publics consciousness. At the time, Tribute to Liberty treasurer Alide Forstmanis said he believes the vandalism is part of a recent trend to deface or topple monuments and statues across North America. Whats happening in the U.S. you can see with toppling of entities, is [also] facing all the statues here in Canada. Its very sad that they do this, Forstmanis said in an interview. The statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canadas first prime minister, was toppled and sprayed with graffiti in Montreal last August. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney lashed out at the activists over the vandalism on Twitter. Its right to debate his legacy and life. But it is wrong to allow roving bands of thugs to vandalize our history with impunity, he wrote. Scott Goulet and Hongyan Lu contributed to this article The road distance between the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington D.C. and the U.S. Capitol is less than four miles. As far as Congress caring for combat disabled veterans and our fellow veterans who have had a rough go, impoverishing themselves or destroying their health through substance abuse, the distance might as well be measured in light years. As a point of comparison, a light year is six trillion miles. Just before official Washington stood down for the long Christmas weekend I called Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Washington and asked how they are doing on vaccinating their veterans. I received a very polite response call back in two weeks we do not have the vaccine." Cutting the person some slack, I hope she actually meant we have enough for hospital first responders and those very old and infirm, but did not say that. That very same night I received a system wide e-mail announcing with great pride the initial list of facilities with the vaccine, which included VAMC Washington. The intent to inform was decent but it also tragically had embedded an unrelated message for older combat disabled veterans and included the need for them to accept rationing of the vaccine after these first 2 groups. They sent: Under this plan, were now offering vaccines to these 2 groups: Veterans living in our long-term care facilities, and VA health care personnel. Vaccinating our VA health care personnel helps us continue providing care for Veterans. We based this plan on these criteria from CDC guidelines: Risk of becoming infected with the virus Risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 Risk of spreading the virus to others Risk of harm to society if essential workers, including health care personnel, are unable to work After these first 2 groups, well begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If youre eligible to get a vaccine, your VA health care team will contact you. You dont need to reserve a vaccine, or come to a VA facility to request or receive a vaccine until we contact you. Our staff will only provide vaccines to Veterans who are currently eligible for one based on VA and CDC risk criteria. So less than four miles from U.S. capital, the veterans of Washington D.C. are facing the rationing of the COVID vaccine while senators and congressman have already been vaccinated. Ironically, on the same day as my call and receiving the DVA e-mail about VA facilities offering the vaccine, NPR offered this horrific insight about U.S. Congress and vaccine priority. The Capitol's attending physician, Brian Monahan, alerted its more than 500 lawmakers this month that they're now eligible to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine under continuity-of-government requirements. I was President Reagans Principal Director of Mobilization and Planning Requirements and ran the Continuity of Government Program (COG). Let me say on the record that invoking continuity-of-government (COG) is such a selfish me-first move that it brings shame to all. Even more insulting is now is that staffers from congressional offices as well as committee staff will also jump the line. Hell, even with the much-dreaded symbolic Zombie Apocalypse-invoking, hollow, self-serving, COG excuse, it's incredibly insulting to Americas veterans. Congress' attending physician informed lawmakers Monday night that two staffers in every House member and senator's personal offices are now eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. In addition, the Office of the Attending Physician is offering the vaccine to four staffers of every committee chair and every ranking committee member. In the COG line of succession, Speaker Pelosi D-CA (age 80) is the person in line behind the vice president and then next is Senator Chuck Grassley R-IA. (Age 87), President Pro Tem of Senate. It is essential to put those two at the head of the line for our national security. However, for the rest of the lot on Capitol Hill, Andrea Peyser brilliantly calls out their me-first D.C. entitlement attitude. According to the New York Post: This, despite the fact that the far-leftist darling is just 31 years old, and seemingly in excellent physical condition. Ive heard of no attempts on her part to get the vaccine spread around early to people for whom it might be a matter of life and death. But Ocasio-Cortez vigorously defended her cutting of the vaccine line after Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, 57, argued that members of Congress, particularly those who are under 65 years of age and in good health, shouldnt get the shots ahead of old people and health-care workers. There are some real thoughtful heroes in this trying time of the plague year on the other side, too. Showing her military training and seriousness about takingcare of the troops first, Rep Tulsi Gabbard nailed it perfectly: And on Monday, former Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, 39, excoriated health officials for allowing young, healthy individuals to selfishly jump to the front of the inoculation line. Heartless, arrogant, unelected [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] bureaucrats have decided that the lives of elderly Americans just dont count, Gabbard tweeted. The mind boggles at such a selfish group of individuals serving in Congress. Let this moment in time forever reflect that the Democrat-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate, if the members and staff do not meet CDC guidelines for their place in the queue but jump the line. What they are saying to the most deserving among us, our combat disabled veterans: Tough luck for you, we simply do not care if you die alone in the dark. Image credit: Pixabay public domain Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. In order to end a three and a half years of impasse and to restore ties between the Arabian Gulf neighbors, leaders from Saudi Arabia and its regional allies, in a major thawing of relations reached a breakthrough agreement with Qatar on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia Open Borders After Years-long Gulf Crisis Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the de facto leader of the kingdom mentioned in a statement they consider with great thanks and appreciation the efforts to heal the rift, but he did not elaborate any detail regarding the terms of the so-called Al-Ula Agreement. The kingdom's de facto leader also commended the friendly endeavors of the United States of America and all the efforts of those who contributed to the agreement. The leaders of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council or the GCC shared in a joint statement on Tuesday that the Al-Ula agreement aims to strengthen unity and cohesion of the members of the Council and to return of joint Gulf action to its normal course. Despite not being a part of the GCC, Egypt also signed on the agreement as part of their acceptance. According to NBC News, Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived earlier on Tuesday in the Saudi desert city of Al-Ula and greeted with a hug by Mohammed bin Salman as it was broadcasted live on Saudi Television. Later Sheikh Tamim shared that he participated in the Al-Ula summit to mend the rift. He also tweeted that they have hope in a better future for the region and he thanked his brothers in Saudi for their hospitality and generosity in welcoming him. He also added that he would like to thank the brotherly state of Kuwait for their esteemed efforts. The said agreement were brokered by the United States, Kuwait, and others who wants peace among the Gulf neighbors, took place at an annual summit of Gulf Arab leaders alongside White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz, the special representative for international negotiations, in attendance, The Washington Post reported. In 2017, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates cut their diplomatic trade and travel ties with the energy-rich country of Qatar as they imposed a blockade that separated businesses and families and shattered Gulf unity. Read Also: Flight Attendant Brutally Dies Allegedly From the Hands of Friends on New Year's Eve Doha faced accusations of supporting extremist groups in the region which includes the Muslim Brotherhood from the quartet, but Doha denied it and pointed it to Qatar's close relations with the regional foe, Iran. During the summit, Crown Prince Salman explicitly called out the destabilizing activities made by Iran in the Middle East, Deutsche Welle reported. He also shared to his fellow leaders that they are in dire need to unite their efforts for the advancement of the region and confront the challenges that surround them especially the threats posed by the nuclear program of the Iranian regime including its ballistic missile program and its destructive sabotage projects. Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted congratulations to Qatar for its brave resistance to pressure and extortion, shortly after the announcement of the agreement on Tuesday. Related Article: Autopsy Results of Flight Attendant Found in Hotel Tub on New Year's Day Leak, Family Challenges Findings @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Some Western countries started rolling out large-scale coronavirus inoculations in late December, and China was no exception. According to official data, China has distributed over 4.5 million doses of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines to key groups so far all of them free of cost. People engaged in handling imported cold-chain products, customs officers, medical workers, and public transport and fresh markets workers were among the first people to receive China's domestically made coronavirus vaccine. A total of 73,537 people have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine since Beijing began administering it among groups with a high risk of infection on January 1. It is expected that Beijing will complete COVID-19 inoculation among key groups before the Spring Festival, which falls on February 12 this year. The total targeted population in Beijing stands at about 200,000 people. As of Monday, 217,158 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to key groups in east China's Shandong Province, and according to the provincial Health Commission, no serious side effects have been reported among vaccine recipients so far. Aside from Beijing and Shandong, municipalities like Shanghai and Shenzhen and provinces like Shaanxi, Guizhou, Henan and Jiangxi have also rolled out COVID-19 inoculation drives. So far, no serious adverse reactions have been reported. As China moves to quickly secure the health of at-risk populations, some people have begun to wonder when it will be their turn, while others express concern about the vaccine's safety and efficacy. According to Cui Gang, head of the Disease Control and Prevention Bureau of the National Health Commission (NHC), the COVID-19 vaccination drive will be conducted in two stages. The first gives privilege to key groups. After this, as the vaccine receives market approval and vaccine production increases, all eligible people in the country would receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free. Experts say a 60 or 70 percent vaccination rate is needed to establish universal protection. Safety and production of Chinese vaccines Yang Xiaoming, chairman of Sinopharm China National Biotec Group (CNBG), said Sinopharm built two workshops, one in Beijing and the other in Wuhan, to produce 300 million doses of inactivated vaccines within a year, and the company is now expanding the capacity of the workshops. It's estimated that the expansion will boost production by another 1 billion doses of inactivated vaccines in 2021. Since one needs two shots, it means the total of 1.3 billion doses of vaccines will inoculate 650 million people, which accounts for nearly half of China's population. On December 30, Beijing Biological Products Institute, a Sinopharm subsidiary, announced that the phase three trials of the vaccine it developed showed a 79.34 percent efficacy against COVID-19. Meanwhile, interim results of the phase three trials conducted earlier this month in the United Arab Emirates suggest that the vaccine is 86 percent effective. According to Sinopharm's data, over 600,000 Chinese people have been inoculated with the two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines it developed, and no serious adverse effects have been reported so far. Another Chinese company, Sinovac, is also working on producing an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Its president Yin Weidong said the company can produce over 300 million doses of the vaccine within a year, and the company will enlarge its production capacity based on future market demand. The vaccine it developed is called CoronaVac, which has been undergoing phase three trials in Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey. Last week, interim data from a late-stage trial in Turkey showed that the vaccine was 91.25 percent effective. Meanwhile, CanSino Biologics Inc. and the Academy of Military Sciences are developing an adenovirus vector vaccine for COVID-19. Its president Yu Xuefeng said over 10,000 people have participated in its phase three clinical trials, and so far no, serious adverse reactions have been reported. Once it receives market approval, its annual production of the vaccine can reach 100 to 200 million doses, the president said. Additionally, a recombinant subunit vaccine jointly developed by Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and the Institute of Microbiology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences is also undergoing phase three clinical trials. Based on its previous announcement, the company can produce 300 million doses of the vaccine annually once it gets approval. So far, most of the COVID-19 vaccines for key groups are inactivated COVID-19 vaccines developed by Sinopharm and Sinovac. According to the Chinese health authorities, more than 1.5 million doses of these COVID-19 vaccines were distributed for emergency use by the end of November last year. Also, 60,000 vaccinated people had traveled abroad to high-risk regions, with no severe adverse reactions reported, the authorities said. CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- King & Spalding today announced that Jake Downing joins the firm as a partner in the Corporate, Finance and Investments practice group, and as part of the recently-launched Global Human Capital and Compliance (GHCC) practice. Downing, who specializes in global executive compensation and employee benefits issues, will be based in the Chicago office. "Jake has handled virtually every type of benefits issue for U.S. multinational companiesranging from complicated investments and strategy for pension funds, to cross-border benefits issues in deals, to large-scale pension de-risking in the context of corporate restructuring," said Todd Holleman, who chairs King & Spalding's Corporate, Finance and Investments practice group. "His addition to this new practice will add a powerful dimension to the services we can provide our clients." Downing joins from Seyfarth Shaw, where he led its Executive Compensation group, and is a colleague of Darren Gardner, Amanda Sonneborn, Dominic Hodson and Luke Edwards, who joined King & Spalding in the fall of last year. Downing will be a key member of the new GHCC practice, led by Gardner, which focuses on helping multinational companies structure and administer their workforces and operate the human capital aspects of their businesses in a commercially advantageous and compliant way around the world. The team has successfully led hundreds of multi-jurisdictional strategic human capital and workforce compliance projects along with addressing the workforce issues arising from numerous cross-border transactions (mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and outsourcings) across 170 countries. "Jake adds significant new depth to our Chicago office, to the great benefit of clients in this region as well as globally," said Zachary Fardon, managing partner of the firm's Chicago office. "Not only will Jake be a valuable asset to the GHCC team, he'll also be a boon to our M&A, public companies and restructuring teams." Downing received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. and tax certificate from Loyola University of Chicago Law School, magna cum laude. This year, he was recognized by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Lawyer. "I'm excited to bring my skills to King & Spalding and to the GHCC practice," Downing said. "It's gratifying to be re-joining a bench of fantastic human capital practitioners and to be part of an innovative new practice." About King & Spalding Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with over 1,200 lawyers in 22 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com. SOURCE King & Spalding Related Links http://www.kslaw.com The coronavirus pandemic has not dented India's bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka and New Delhi is looking at post-COVID cooperation with Colombo, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Wednesday. Jaishankar is on a three day visit here from December 5 to 7 following an invitation by his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena is his first foreign visit of the year. This is also the first by a foreign dignitary to Sri Lanka in the new year. During a media interaction here after his meeting with Gunawardena, Jaishankar noted that the coronavirus pandemic has not been able to dent the bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka. "In fact high level contacts were maintained and indeed strengthened during the past year," said Jaishankar, who is on a three-day tour to the island nation. "We are now looking at post-COVID cooperation with Sri Lanka," he said. The minister also noted Sri Lanka's interest in accessing vaccines from India. Assuring that India will be a "dependable and reliable partner" of Lanka, Jaishankar said the country is open to strengthening its relationship with the island nation on the basis of "mutual trust, mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity". He also underlined that both the neighbours are now facing immediate challenges of post-COVID recovery. "This is not just a public health issue but also a crisis of the economy," Jaishankar said. (Photo Credit: Twitter/DrSJaishankar) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) [January 06, 2021] London Impact Ventures announces $2M seed funding round in virtual food hall, Kitchen Ventures LONDON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- London Impact Ventures is excited to announce its participation as lead investor in the $2M seed funding round of Kitchen Ventures. A highly disruptive cloud kitchen and virtual dining start-up based out of London, Kitchen Ventures leverages its network of cloud kitchens in central London to develop and launch chef-centric and influencer-based brands, the first of its kind in the UK. The funds will be used to expand its network of kitchens across the city and select international markets, in addition to adding to its growing portfolio of owned and operated virtual brands. To help satisfy an increasing demand for restaurant quality takeaway, Kitchen Ventures has partnered with renowned chefs to offer customers a unique, high-quality restaurant experience in the comfort of their home. The virtual food hall has signed up Gizzi Erskine and Professor Green's Giz 'N' Greens Pizza Pies, Nud Dudhia and Chris Whitney's Tacos El Ray and Lucy Pearce's Farmbird and Local Greens. Current kitchens are located in Kensington Olympia in West London and Bethnal Green in East London. In addition to Deliveroo and Uber Eats, customers can order their favourite meals on the Kitchen Ventures website, a platform that is attractive to families and groups looking to mix different concepts and cuisines. The anticipated collaboration between chef Gizzi Erskine and rapper Professor Green, Giz 'N' Green Pizza Pies, sees a menu paying homage to American-style, deep dish pizza. At the start of lockdown, the duo teamed up to showcase homemade takeaway classics each week on Instagram, with their Giz & Green Monday Night Fakeaway. Now offering their own takeaway, the menu includes high-quality, ingredient-led, slow risen rye sourdough stuffed crst pizza pies. Next up is Mexican fare from Tacos El Rey with a menu designed by Breddos Tacos founders Nud Dudhia and Chris Whitney, among the kings of the London taco scene. The Tacos El Rey menu features Mexican street food favourites, from tacos and burritos to feasting-style specials. Customers can build their own taco box with a selection of meats, vegetarian or vegan fillings, corn tortillas, corn chips and guacamole, rice and beans, and a choice of salsas. Nud Dudhia, Co-Founder of Breddos Tacos, said: "Building a delivery-only Mexican restaurant from the ground up has enabled us to create a menu that hones in on quality, speed, flavour and most of all customer experience. With Tacos El Rey we're offering what we believe is THE best Mexican food you can get delivered to your home in London." The final launch offering comes from Lucy Pearce (ex-Petersham Nurseries and Rawduck). Pearce's two concepts, Local Greens and Farmbird reflect her passion for produce, people and the planet - her ethos of cooking with fresh and seasonal flavours highlighted in each carefully constructed dish. Local Greens' farm-to-bowl salad bar sources ingredients from a transparent and sustainable supply chain featuring the UK's best growers and making each ingredient traceable. Farmbird's menu positions corn fed, high welfare roast chicken at the centre. All birds are brined for a duration, then marinated and roasted to ensure they are juicy and succulent. Jonny Boud, founder of Kitchen Ventures, said: "It feels like we now live in a world where a delivery-only, virtual restaurant brand can exist with as much, if not more relevance than a traditional restaurant. The delivery market has been growing steadily for years but when the world went into lockdown the trend accelerated considerably. With consumer trends shifting to becoming more adventurous with home dining, there is a huge opportunity for fresh concepts. We plan to grow our own concepts, license existing brands and build a network of franchise partners with under-utilized kitchen space to help scale the offering. It's an exciting growth space." "We are very excited to be part of Kitchen Venture's journey to disrupt the traditional dark kitchen model that has shown tremendous growth over the past few years, especially during the latest pandemic. Our experience in investing in both consumer food products like Impossible Foods and last mile delivery and logistics technology companies like Postmates and Uber will surely assist Kitchen Ventures in expanding their footprint and build on the current momentum. The recent and ongoing pandemic has had devastating effects on the restaurant industry, and this has obviously resulted in the rise of the direct to consumer delivery model. Kitchen Ventures' own proprietary platform aims to bring high quality chef and influencer focused concepts to every home and help existing restaurants put their under-utilized kitchens to good use." - Aboud Khaddam, Managing Partner at London Impact Ventures For more information: Email | info@londonimpact.com Phone | +44 (0)7425 390283 Website | londonimpact.com LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/london-impact-ventures Instagram | @londonimpact Twitter | @londonimpactvc [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, concluded 2020 with a positive outlook following a series of corporate social responsibility activations and member initiatives. During 2020, the programme and its members donated 48 million miles to support relief campaigns for Covid-19, Australias bushfires and the explosion in Beirut. In addition to this, multiple projects were launched to support and reward loyalty members globally. Etihad Guest and its members donated 23 million miles to buy ventilators, masks and soaps for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, 22 million miles supported Australias bushfires which equated to feeding over 1,100 koalas for one year, and 3 million miles were used to support home renovations following the Beirut explosion, in addition to food, medical and hygiene supplies. Throughout 2020, Etihad Guest continued its transformation journey to enhance its customer experience and as a result of the pandemic, evolved with the changing landscape. To recognise members who were unable to travel, Etihad Guest gifted monthly bonus Tier Miles to ensure guest statuses were not downgraded, reduced the tier requirements and provided various Tier Miles promotions. Expired miles were also reinstated, transferring to friends and family enabled and the GuestSeat change fee was removed. The loyalty programme of the airline also relaxed its mileage expiration policy - miles only expire after 18 months of inactivity and can be kept active by buying, earning, redeeming, or transferring miles. Etihad Guest launched a mobile app allowing members to earn Etihad Guest Miles and Tier Miles with lifestyle partners. As a world first for airline frequent flyer programmes, members can also redeem their miles in real time when they shop with over 650+ partners within Yas Mall, World Trade Centre Mall, Al Jimi Mall or at any of the theme parks or attractions on Yas Island. Kim Hardaker, Head of Loyalty & Partnerships, Etihad Aviation Group, said: Last year, Etihad Guest focused on delivering the greatest flexibility and support for members around the globe. The programme expanded customer choice, connectivity, and convenience by growing its partnerships with Aldar, Miral, Majid Al Futtaim and ADNOC. This year, Etihad Guest will continue to leverage those partnerships and form new collaborations to provide our members with more benefits both on the ground and in the air. In June 2020, Etihad Guest asked members to nominate a friend to receive a gift through the Moments of Thoughtfulness campaign. Over 8,000 members participated, and tailored gifts based on guests interests, Etihad Guest Miles, Tier and upgrade vouchers were distributed to over 3,000 Your Special Guests. With over 7.2 million members and 150 partners including restaurants, hotels, car rental and retailers, Etihad Guest also won Best Frequent-Flyer Programme at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2020, cementing the quality and reliability of the airlines loyalty programme. - TradeArabia News Service Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. New Jerseys takeover of Paterson Public Schools is officially over, three decades after the state seized control of the troubled district. The state Board of Education voted Wednesday to fully return local control to the city school board. The vote, mostly a formality, concludes a two-year transition to local control that began in 2018. Today, the voices of the people of Paterson have been restored to their full strength, said Eileen Shafer, superintendent of Paterson schools. We eagerly take on the full responsibility of shaping Patersons future. The state took over the struggling district in 1991, seeking to turn around student performance and low graduation rates. The decision to return full control is based on Patersons performance in the states school monitoring system, which evaluates districts in five areas: governance, fiscal management, personnel, operations, and instruction and program. Shafer pointed to improved graduation rates, higher reading levels and students accepted to Ivy League universities as accomplishments that seemed unlikely even a decade ago. The rebirth of our city is public education, said state Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, D-Passaic, who has worked in the district since the state takeover began. I enthusiastically look at this day as a day that we have a great success. Gov. Phil Murphy credited the districts school board, administrators, educators and students who have conquered the challenges they faced. I am confident that Paterson Public Schools will continue to provide our students with the high-quality education that they deserve, he said. However, local leaders have warned that the district of nearly 25,000 students desperately needs more state financial support. Paterson remains one of New Jerseys most distressed cities, with high rates of poverty and violent crime. Despite receiving more than $445 million in state aid in the 2020-21 school year, the citys schools have been severely underfunded, based on the states school funding formula. They have been forced to slash hundreds of jobs in recent years, school leaders said. Though graduation rates have improved, they remain among the lowest in the state, and the vast majority of Paterson students are still missing the mark on standardized exams. We still have work to do, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said. We have to ensure that every student is set up for success. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the citys challenges and goals, such as reducing class size. It will be difficult to do so without increased aid, Shafer said. Things were bad enough before the pandemic, she said of the financial stress on the district. I can only imagine what it is going to be like after the pandemic. Jersey City Public Schools are in the process of transitioning to local control, leaving Camden as the only district in full state-intervention status. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here. Bamboo Rose platform will act as a digital catalyst for Accenture industry best practices and innovation strategies BOSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bamboo Rose, the multi-enterprise product and supply chain platform, today announced it would be featured within the world-leading professional services firm, Accenture's Customer Innovation Network Milan. As part of this collaboration, an interactive Bamboo Rose platform demonstration will support Accenture consultants showing food retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) clients how they can revolutionize their product development, sourcing, and supply chain strategies to differentiate in competitive consumer markets. In 2017, Accenture launched its Customer Innovation Center in Milan, Italy- one of the company's largest innovation hubs for the professional retail, fashion, and consumer goods communities. The Milan Innovation Center, alongside sister facilities in Chicago and Singapore, make up the company's broader innovation network, an incubator initiative focused on creating groundbreaking, state-of-the-art solutions for clients looking to break through the disruption of today's corporate environments. Accenture selected the Bamboo Rose Multi-Enterprise Platform as its choice technology to carry out emerging best practices around private brand innovation, supplier collaboration, traceability and compliance, and meeting consumers in their moment of need in a post-pandemic era. This collaboration illustrates how retailers, brands, and suppliers can streamline and accelerate product design and delivery through partnership with their entire business community. "At the Customer Innovation Network Milan, we're laser focused on driving client value through hands on learning and collaboration; working along with Bamboo Rose we are giving clients the possibility to further learn the business value that a multi-enterprise product development and supply chain approach can drive," said Maria Mazzone, the Lead at Accenture Customer Innovation Network Milan. "I've long admired the industry expertise and transformation that Accenture drives for its client base and I'm impressed with how the firm is bringing together industry luminaries and hands on learning in their innovation hubs," said Sue Welch, CEO of Bamboo Rose. "We're delighted to be showcased in Accenture's Milan innovation hub and that our Bamboo Rose Multi-Enterprise Platform will be used as an enabler of product development, sourcing, and supply chain innovation for Accenture clients in the food retail and CPG markets." About Bamboo Rose Bamboo Rose is the industry-leading Multi-Enterprise Product and Supply Chain Platform, connecting the entire retail community and helping companies bring great products to market faster, more efficiently, and at higher margins. Our platform features a suite of patented supply chain solutions, including Bamboo Rose Marketplace, Product Lifecycle Management, Sourcing, Purchase Order Management, Global Trade Management, and Financing, each one supported by intelligent engines for optimization, costing, and scheduling across the platform. Bamboo Rose serves over 250K user members across 85 major retailers, 400 brands, and 50,000 suppliers and service providers as they discover, develop, and deliver products at digital speed. Learn more at bamboorose.com , or find us on Twitter at @GoBambooRose. About Accenture Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services-all powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 514,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com. A Korean-flagged oil tanker has been seized by Iran, according to Iranian media, Monday. Seen above is an oil tanker similar to the impounded vessel. / gettyimagesbank A South Korean-flagged tanker has been seized by Iran, media in the Middle Eastern country said Monday. Iranian media said the vessel had been seized by the country's Revolutionary Guards Navy for polluting the Gulf with chemicals The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) naval authority earlier said on its website that an "interaction" between Iranian authorities and a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz led the ship to alter course and proceed into Iranian waters. British maritime security firm Ambrey identified the vessel as the South Korean-flagged tanker Hankuk Chemi and said it appeared to have been seized and had since been tracked inside Iranian territorial waters headed towards Bandar Abbas. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Having an opportunity to travel to the EU by a simplified procedure is very important for Ukrainians, the diplomat believes. Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Jennes de Mol, has said there is no threat to the visa-free travel between Ukraine and the EU. "I know what you are asking, I saw a lot was written about this. But the news was based on the words of MEPs, while there were no talk about real threats," the envoy said in an interview with UNIAN. The diplomat says the opportunity to travel to the EU countries by a simplified procedure is very important for Ukrainians since the main kind of European integration is ongoing "in their minds." Read alsoForeign minister speaks on when EU may open borders for UkrainiansDe Mol stressed he believes, first of all, in direct communication between people. "You know, I really appreciate that Ukrainians are free to travel. I believe in direct communication between people. Ukrainians may see how everything works here, understand what kind of society they seek to create. The most important integration is in their minds. Now there's huge disinformation warfare, but having seen everything with their own eyes, people may figure out what's true and what's not. They need to travel, look, and think, which country they want to build. Ukraine is a sovereign state, it determines its own path," he added. Background On August 21, 2020, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova signed an order to dismiss Deputy Prosecutor General and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) chief Nazar Kholodnytsky, endorsing his resignation. On September 17, the Verkhovna Rada appointed parliamentary members to the commission to select a new SAPO chief: Olena Busol, Andriy Hudzhal, Oleksiy Drozd, Kateryna Koval, Bohdan Romaniuk, Viacheslav Navrotsky, and Yevhen Sobol. The European Parliament's Rapporteur for Ukraine, Michael Gahler, and the Vice-Chair of Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, expressed concern over the Verkhovna Rada's move. "<> Ukraine's government is hastily pushing candidates lacking experience and integrity to select SAPO head. This will not fly. Ukraine's government is jeopardizing visa-free with the EU and further trance of EUR1.5 billion assistance," MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel wrote on Twitter on September 17. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv also commented on the developments. "The U.S. and the EU take note of the Rada decision to appoint members to the commission to choose the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor. The commission needs to embark on a transparent process with candidates' integrity and merits at its core. Our further support will depend upon it," the Embassy wrote on Facebook on September 17. In turn, First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova said Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not see any grounds for the European Union to revise visa-free travel with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured there was no threat to visa-free travel between Ukraine and the European Union. Reporting by UNIAN Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted that his economic development plans have failed as he opened the nations first full ruling party congress in five years, state media reported Wednesday. SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted that his economic development plans have failed as he opened the nations first full ruling party congress in five years, state media reported Wednesday. In an opening speech at the congress that began Tuesday, Kim said that almost all sectors fell a long way short of the set objectives under a previous five-year development plan established at the 2016 congress, according to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency. In this undated photo provided on Jan. 1, 2021, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un writes his New Year card to the public. Kim thanked the public for their trust and support Auin the difficult timesAu and wished them happiness and good health in his first New YearAos Day cards sent to his people.Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency.(Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) We should further promote and expand the victories and successes we have gained at the cost of sweat and blood, and prevent the painful lessons from being repeated, he was quoted as saying. The Workers Party Congress, one of the Norths biggest propaganda spectacles, is meant to help Kim show a worried nation that hes firmly in control and to boost unity behind his leadership in the face of COVID-19 and other growing economic challenges. But some observers are skeptical that the stage-managed congress will find any fundamental solutions to North Koreas difficulties, many of which stem from decades of economic mismanagement and Kims headlong pursuit of expensive nuclear weapons meant to target the U.S. mainland. Kim, 36, is holding the congress, which is expected to last a few days, amid what may be the toughest challenge of his nine-year rule and what he has called multiple crises. Authoritarian North Korea is one of the poorest countries in Asia, and the already besieged economy is being hammered by pandemic-related border closings with China, the Norths major economic lifeline, the fallout from a series of natural disasters last summer and persistent U.S.-led sanctions over the nuclear program. U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who takes office later in January, will likely maintain the sanctions and avoid any direct meeting with Kim until North Korea takes significant steps toward denuclearization. People walk by a TV screen showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a ruling party congress, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Kim opened his country's first ruling party congress in five years with an admission of policy failures and a vow to set new developmental goals, state media reported Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) The congress met in Pyongyang to determine a fresh line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies, with thousands of delegates and observers in attendance, KCNA reported. In his speech, Kim described the present difficulties facing his government as the worst-ever" and unprecedented, according to KCNA. Kim called for a new five-year plan and reviewed the present status of North Koreas metal, chemical, electric and other key industries and set unspecified tasks for future development, KCNA said. Its not the first time for Kim has been candid about flawed systems and policies. Last August, he acknowledged economic shortcomings caused by unexpected and inevitable challenges. Also last year he said that North Korea lacks modern medical facilities and that anti-disaster conditions in coastal areas is poor. Few experts doubt Kims grip on power. But a prolonged coronavirus-related lockdown may be further destabilizing food and foreign exchange markets and aggravating livelihoods in North Korea. That could possibly lessen Kims authority, some observers say. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said that the fundamental problem is that Kim wants regime-sustaining economic growth while retaining nuclear weapons. Pyongyang is thus likely to demand sanctions relief for merely reducing tensions rather than making progress on denuclearization, he said. U.S.-led sanctions toughened after Kims unusually aggressive run of nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017. They maintain a ban on major export items such as coal, textiles and seafood. Nevertheless, Kim has still repeatedly pushed for an expansion of his nuclear arsenal to cope with what he calls U.S. hostility. Kim entered talks with President Donald Trump in 2018, but their diplomacy has been deadlocked for about two years because of wrangling over the sanctions. The pandemic and typhoons and flooding last summer which destroyed houses, farming land and other infrastructure across North Korea have further hurt the Norths economy. After a yearlong closure of its border with China, North Koreas biggest trading partner, bilateral trade volume plummeted by about 80% in the first 11 months of last year from the corresponding period in 2019, said analyst Song Jaeguk at Seouls IBK Economic Research Institute. North Koreas GDP was estimated to have contracted by 9.3% in 2020, he said. Following the sharp drop in external trade, North Korea experienced a fourfold increase of imported foodstuffs like sugar and seasonings at markets while its factory operation rate dropped to its lowest level since Kim took power because of a shortage of raw materials, South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers in late November. I cant think about any words to describe how difficult is the situation the North Koreans are going through now, rather than saying theyre suffering tremendously, Song said. If the coronavirus pandemic continues, theyll suffer harder. Kim has been pushing to burnish an image as a caring leader. State media said Kim sent New Years Day cards to ordinary citizens in what Seoul called the first such letters by a North Korean leader in 26 years. During a speech in October, Kim shed tears while thanking the people for withstanding difficulties. Hes also made an unusually large number of visits to rural areas hit by the typhoons and flooding. Officially, the congress is the partys highest-level decision-making organ, though key day-to-day decisions are made by Kim and his inner circle. The delegates gathered for the congress are expected to endorse new initiatives by Kim without major debate. The congress would still provide Kim with a chance to solidify his authority by announcing a new vision, naming loyal lieutenants to top posts and calling for a stronger unity behind his leadership. Many experts say North Korea has no other option but to maintain its border closure as the pandemic continues worldwide, because its public health care system remains broken and a major outbreak could cause dire consequences. Despite taking draconian anti-virus measures, North Korea has maintained that it hasnt found a single virus case on its soil, a claim widely doubted by foreign experts. KCNA photos of the congress showed all no participants, including Kim, wearing masks while sitting right next to each other. During the congress, the North may issue conciliatory messages in consideration of ties with the incoming Biden administration while underscoring its traditional ties with China and Russia, Seouls Unification Ministry said in a report on the outlook for the congress. Kim didnt mention the United States or South Korea in his speech Tuesday. Hes expected to make a few more speeches before the congress ends. Some experts say Kim wont likely launch a major provocation anytime soon because that would further dim the prospect for early talks with the Biden government, which faces many urgent domestic issues. ALBANY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo pledged to pursue legalization and regulation of cannabis for recreational use by adults this year, marking his third attempt to get the drug fully legalized in New York. Cuomo is expected to reveal details of his proposal in his upcoming State of the State address scheduled for Monday. The Executive Chamber provided a news release announcing the broad strokes of the governor's plan, which includes creating an Office of Cannabis Management that would oversee recreational use as well as existing medical use. It also would offer licensing opportunities for those in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by law enforcement efforts against marijuana to become entrepreneurs in the new recreational market. "Despite the many challenges New York has faced amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also created a number of opportunities to correct longstanding wrongs and build New York back better than ever before," Cuomo said in the news release. "Not only will legalizing and regulating the adult-use market provide the opportunity to generate much-needed revenue, but it also allows us to directly support the individuals and communities that have been most harmed by decades of cannabis prohibition." Cuomos latest legalization proposal follows two unsuccessful attempts in 2019 and 2020 to fully legalize the plant. State lawmakers have struggled to reach consensus on how the state would manage revenue, support minority communities and prioritize public safety, all hurdles that legislators have raised. It was those obstacles that forced a stalemate among legislators in 2019. Last years attempt was primarily scuttled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Cuomo had planned to tour several states that had already legalized the plant for recreational consumption to gain perspective on how the process could work in New York. In 2019, New York softened some criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and launched a process to automatically expunge the records of thousands of individuals convicted of low-level possession crimes. With the state facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit, Cuomo and legislators have eyed recreational cannabis as a possible revenue raiser. However, it would take several years before New York realized the full benefits of recreational sales. Both legislative leaders have also expressed support for recreational cannabis passage this year. New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association President Allan Gandelman said there is no more time to wait as neighboring states legalize adult-use cannabis. We have a historic moment to legalize cannabis in a way that brings new opportunities for communities across the state and acts as a catalyst for economic revitalization, he said in an emailed statement. Now is the time to establish an equitable, diverse and sustainable cannabis marketplace that prioritizes New York farmers, small businesses and communities impacted by the war on drugs. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Pakistan government has relaxed the rules to procure Covid-19 vaccine on emergency basis, officials said on Wednesday. The decision to relax the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules to purchase the vaccine was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, they said. As per the decision, there will be no need to fulfil the tender requirement to procure the vaccine, which will be purchased from any of the six companies registered with the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS). The federal cabinet, in order to save human lives timely and on an emergency basis, accorded approval for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccine by the Ministry of Health, said a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office. The government last month had allocated $150 million for procurement of the coronavirus vaccine. It was also decided in December that health workers fighting on the frontline and people over 65 years of age would be vaccinated in the first phase. Meanwhile, with 52 more people succumbing to the viral infection in the last 24 hours, the Covid-19 death toll reached 10,461 in the country, while the number of total cases touched 492,594 after 2,118 new infections were reported in the last one day, according to the health ministry. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 There was a time when not drinking meant making do with elderflower cordial all evening. But sales of non-aloholic alternatives are up 30 per cent to almost 190 million in the past year, according to market data specialists Nielsen. Even after the trials of 2020, one in five Britons plans to ditch booze for January, according to alcohol advice charity Drinkaware. And more non-alcoholic tipples are being brought to the party. From quality beers and spirits to stylish sparkling wines, not drinking has never been so much fun. Our expert puts a selection to the test with no hangover in sight Best sparkling wines, pictured left to right: Nosecco 0.5 pc, La Gioiosa 0 pc and Tesco Low Alcohol Sparkling SPARKLING WINE THE FRENCH PROSECCO Nosecco 0.5 pc, 2.50, Co-op You might be forgiven for thinking that you were drinking an Italian vintage, but this is actually made in France from de-alcoholised wine. The fizz manages to stay just the right side of fresh and fruity and be fun without booze.3/5 VEGAN-FRIENDLY FIZZ La Gioiosa 0 pc, 4.49, Ocado This sparkling Italian white is made from prosecco grape, Glera, but without the alcohol. Its a little drier than most, as sugar is often added to make up for the missing alcohol. Suitable for vegans, too.4/5 SPANISH SPARKLER Tesco Low Alcohol Sparkling, 2.75 At less than 0.5 per cent, this is reassuringly grape-y with light citrus favours. It is made from Spanish Sauvignon Blanc grapes and spinning cone technology is used to remove the alcohol. 3/5 WHITE WINE Best white wines, pictured left to right: McGuigan Zero Chardonnay 0 pc, Leitz Eins Zwei Zero and Tesco Low Alcohol Sauvignon Blan OAKY AUSSIE WHITE McGuigan Zero Chardonnay 0 pc, 4, Asda One of just a few alcohol-free Chardonnays currently on the market, this is definitely the pick of the bunch, with peachy fruit and freshness plus a bit of toasty oak nose. 4/5 CROWDPLEASING RIESLING Leitz Eins Zwei Zero, 6.99, Waitrose An old favourite, but still a leader in the field, this is made from de-alcoholised German Riesling grapes. It smells the most wine-like of the non-alcoholic offerings with lovely hints of stone fruit and apple flavours. 5/5 FRUITY, FRESH SAUV Tesco Low Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc, 2.75 Modern techniques are used to extract the alcohol without losing any of the flavour. Theres a Sauvignon aroma along with a lemony twist. 3/5 ROSE WINE sprightly spritz Best rose, pictured left to right: Rozante 0 pc Rose Spritz, Tesco Low Alcohol Garnacha Rose and Belle & Co Rose 0 pc Rozante 0 pc Rose Spritz, 4.50, Co-op Pale pink and perky, this lovely light rose is made from Australian de-alcoholised wine with the sweetness coming from added concentrated grape juice. Great if you like light red fruity flavours and a bit of sweetness and spritz.4/5 SWEET SPANISH BLUSH Tesco Low Alcohol Garnacha Rose, 2.75 Made from Spanish grapes, this rose has plenty of red berry aromas, but the sweetness is a little heavy-handed making it feel more like a bag of boiled sweets than a refreshing wine. Slightly disappointing. 2/5 TEA-TOTAL TIPPLE Belle & Co Rose 0 pc, 3, Morrisons A dash of green tea perks up the sparkling fermented grape juice, keeping this from being cloying. Beautifully packaged, too. A refreshing change to the usual overly sweet pink options5/5 RED WINE Best red wine, pictured left: Co-op Low Alcohol Cabernet Tempranillo Pictured right: Torres Natureo 0 pc FULL-BODIED RED Co-op Low Alcohol Cabernet Tempranillo, 3 Tannins, the compounds in grapeskins that give red wine its grip, often vanish in no- and low-alcohol reds. Not in this case. Theres plenty of black fruit flavour and tannin here. 4/5 ALMOST THE REAL DEAL Torres Natureo 0 pc, 5.99, Waitrose This Spanish producer has long pioneered the no- and low-alcohol sector. Made mostly from the Syrah grape, this has a little oak, too, adding oomph to pomegranate and black cherry flavours. The closest youll get to the real thing. 5/5 Spirits Best spirits, Pictured left to right: Everleaf Forest 50cl, Three Spirit Nightcap 50 cl and Salcombe Distilling Co New London Light BITTERSWEET APERITIF Everleaf Forest 50cl, 15, Sainsburys This non-alcoholic bittersweet cordial would be a great swap for vermouth. It is made with extracts and distillations of botanicals including vetiver, orange blossom and saffron. 3/5 GUILT-FREE NIGHTCAP Three Spirit Nightcap 50 cl, 24.95, The Whisky Exchange Similar to whisky, this is made from botanical extracts such as lemon balm, turmeric, ginger and vanilla. It has a soothing quality. 5/5 G&T-ALIKE Salcombe Distilling Co New London Light, 70 cl, 27.50, John Lewis This distiller makes a base spirit using juniper, ginger and capsicum then blends it with 15 gin-friendly botanicals like orange, sage and lemongrass. 4/5 Best beer, pictured : Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager 0.5 pc ... AND THE BEST BEER UNFILTERED SHOWSTOPPER Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager 0.5 pc, 330 ml, 1.80, Sainsburys Founder Luke Boase was so dedicated to the cause of creating a great-tasting alcohol-free beer he quit his job and gave up drinking to do it. Im glad he did because the result is jaw-droppingly good. The beer retains as much flavour as possible and it doesnt feel like youre missing out. Rather, youre the lucky one.5/5 Former President George W. Bush, who became one of the first key Republicans to acknowledge the electoral victory of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. in November, will attend Mr. Bidens inauguration later this month even as President Trump and his G.O.P. allies refuse to accept the results. A spokesman for Mr. Bush, the only other living Republican president, announced on Tuesday night that Mr. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush would travel to Washington for the Jan. 20 ceremony. I believe this will be the eighth inauguration theyve had the privilege of attending President Trumps being the most recent and witnessing the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that never gets old, the spokesman, Freddy Ford, said on Twitter. On the same day that Mr. Bushs office confirmed that he will attend Mr. Bidens swearing-in, a spokeswoman for the oldest living former president, Jimmy Carter, said on Tuesday that the Democrat would miss the inaugural. Welcome to 2021. For those of you out there who have not made a resolution to pack heat every day for personal defense, here's a fact to consider. Police make arrests in just 11% of major crimes nationwide. Here's another factoid. Only 2% of major crimes result in a conviction of the guilty party. There are a host of reasons for low arrest and conviction rates. Everything from Soros-backed prosecutors arbitrarily declining to prosecute serious cases to a "no snitch" culture in some neighborhoods. Put these together and you get Chicago and its roughly 13% closure rate on homicide cases. The Chicago Reporter does some great investigative journalism and shares this The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Aurora Solar Technologies Inc. (TSXV: ACU) ("Aurora") today announced that it will be presenting at the SNN Network Canada Virtual Event on Thursday, January 7th at 12:30 PM EST. Gordon Deans, Aurora's President & CEO, will be hosting the presentation, with an emphasis on Aurora's new Insight software product that evaluates big data to troubleshoot and optimize solar cell production. For this event, SNN Network and Small Cap Discoveries, the leading Canadian MicroCap newsletter, have teamed up to highlight promising Canadian microcap companies. To access the live presentation, please use the following information: SNN Network Canada Virtual Event 2021 Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 Time: 12:30 PM Eastern Time (9:30 AM Pacific Time) Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2059/39325 The SNN Network Canada Virtual Event website is available here: https://canada.snn.network/ If you can't attend the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://canada.snn.network/agenda. About Aurora Solar Technologies: Aurora Solar Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of inline process measurement, analysis and control systems for solar cell manufacturers. We believe that solar power will dominate the renewable energy field, and our mission is to bring quality and profitability to every customer through superior control of critical processes during solar cell manufacturing. Aurora's products are used by some of the world's most advanced and respected solar cell manufacturers. With headquarters near Vancouver, Canada, Aurora has operations in Shanghai, China and partners in all major solar manufacturing markets. Aurora is a public company, traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (ACU) and is a two-time TSX-V Top 50 winner. Aurora's website is located at www.aurorasolartech.com. About SNN.Network SNN.Network is a multimedia financial news platform for discovery, transparency and due diligence. This is your one-stop hub to find new investment ideas, check in on watchlist, gather the most up-to-date information on the Small-, Micro-, Nano-Cap market with the goal to help you towards achieving your wealth generation goals. Follow the companies you want to know more about; read and watch content from your favorite finance and investing influencers; create your own watchlist and screen for ideas you're interested in; find out about investor conferences you want to attend. For further information contact: Jake Bouma Corporate Development Phone: +1 (604) 317-3936 corpcomm@aurorasolartech.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71408 Australia's vaccine rollout has been brought forward by a few weeks, as the government expects the drugs watchdog to approve the country's first jab later this month. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Wednesday that Australia's vaccine rollout had been brought forward slightly and was now expected to begin in early March. Brian Pinker, 82, receives the Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Oxford on January 4. Credit:Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images Pfizer's mRNA vaccine will be available first, followed by AstraZeneca's vaccine later that month. Australia has purchased 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 53.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's jab. Both are designed as two-dose vaccines. The federal government has come under increasing pressure to defend its decision to roll out vaccinations in March, as the rest of the world starts rolling up its sleeves and a new, more transmissible strain gathers pace. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Covid-19 is accelerating the digital transformation of education sector, where technology is spearheading the growth of the global Educational Technology (EdTech) and Smart Classroom market to $404 billion in 2025, according to research reports. EdTech is growing at 16.3% and will grow 2.5 times from 2019 to 2025, reaching $404 billion in total global expenditure. Even at this level, EdTech and digital expenditure will only make up 5.2% of the $7.3 trillion global education market in 2025, said the report. The global education system is going for a massive disruption, experts at the recently-held EdX Accelerate Education Summit and Awards 2020, organised by QNA Marcom, told delegates. Hundreds of delegates attended the day-long digital summit. Krishnan Gopi, Group Chief Disruption Officer at GEMS Education, said, 75% of teachers believe that the digital learning content will replace printed text books in the next ten years! Data is the new currency and teachers are not the only source of knowledge for students. Disruption in education is being led by EdTech providers including the technology giants such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft, he says. These, along with other technology providers are rapidly expanding the EdTech and connected classroom market from $89 billion to $404 billion by 2025 that will also drive the growth of the $2.5 trillion IoT market. We are heading towards a new education order where digital credentials of the educational institutions will play a crucial role and we are going to see the emergence of the Digital Educational Passport that will determine the credentials of educational institutions. GEMS Education is the worlds largest provider of education in the private sector with 230 schools in 13 countries. Covid-19 has accelerated the digital disruption in the $67 billion (Dh246 billion) education sector of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, forcing teachers to take classes online, assign tasks online and conduct exams digitally, something that was a myth until recent years that has suddenly become the new normal. The total number of students in the GCC is projected to reach 14.5 million in 2022, according to a recent report by Alpen Capital. This can be attributed to rising population base of school and college age students. Praising the event, Krishnan Gopi said: The edX Accelerate Education Summit and Awards 2020 was a well-crafted and executed event, which brought together education leaders and technologists. It presented a unique opportunity to listen to their industry insights and experiences on the changing dynamics of the education landscape. Overall, the event was informative, interactive, insightful, entertaining and enriching. Nithin Thomas, Head of IT at Amity Education Middle East, spoke about technology, planning and adopting new strategies for the future. Concluding the keynotes was Education Reimagined by Sandeep Pezhery, Technical Consultant at Aruba. On Panel 1, Jeffrey Smith, Director of School Partnerships, iCademy Middle East; Dr Catherine Hill, Dean, School of Education, American University of Dubai; Dr Alka Kalra, Academic Director, Eduscan Group; Shumaila Shahzadi, Social Studies and Moral Education Curriculum Head of Primary, Al Salam Private School; and Peter Davos, CEO, Hale Education discussed upskilling teachers and deploying new strategies in school. Rich Henderson, Director, Global Education Solutions at Lenovo spoke about 'EDU transformation and the need for Distance Learning'. Dr Nadera Al Borno, Associate Professor of Education at the American University of Dubai; Ali Khawaja, Senior Instructor, Department of Management, School of Business Administration, American University of Sharjah; Refaat Kazoun, CEO of Stafford Global; and Majid Mneymneh, Vice President - Higher Education and Corporate, Pearson Middle East discussed the use of technology to enhance university learning in the second panel discussion. Dr Nadera Al Borno, Associate Professor of Education at the American University of Dubai, says: The summit provided an excellent opportunity to hear about the experiences of various education stakeholders, including educators and IT professionals. The keynote speakers introduced innovative and cutting-edge technologies that are driving the education sector, especially during the pandemic. However, the school and higher education panels highlighted the need to pay close attention to the emotional and social well-being of their students. Thank you for the opportunity to have these constructive discussions. In the third panel, Dr Imogen Cleaver, Senior Research Associate, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge; Vandana Mahajan, Founder and CEO, Futures Abroad; Krishna Raj, Co-Founder and VP Strategy, LogisEye and Member of The Board of Advisors, Al Dar University College; Delia DeCourcy, Global Education Solutions Manager, Lenovo; Stephen King Lecturer, Media, Middlesex University Dubai; and Fehmi Sakkal, Regional Pre-Sales Lead MESA, Consulting Systems Engineer at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, discussed the crucial topic of digital transformation in education. Organised by QNA Marcom, a marketing and communications agency with a range of global clients including top-tier technology vendors, distributors and solution providers, the event was supported by Platinum Sponsor Lenovo, a global technology company with a presence in more than 160 countries, Aruba, Intel, Windows 10, CADD Emirates, ICT Circle, GenX Systems, and ThinkSense.ai. Ankit Shukla, QNA Marcom Group Managing Director, says, I am happy to say that the EdX Accelerate Education Summit and Awards 2020 was an out and out success. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of delegates participated at the event that reflects the fact that the deliberations were very timely and helpful. We were delighted to host all of our esteemed keynote speakers and panellists for this event with over 200 attendees recorded and have received feedback that would encourage us to organise more discussions of the same nature in the near future. List of the Award Winners Team/Project Awards: *GEMS Education; *iCademy Middle East; Leadership Awards: *American University of Dubai; *Stafford Global; *University of Cambridge. Corporate Awards: *Eduscan Group; *Pearson Middle East. Vendor Awards: *Lenovo; *Aruba. -- Tradearabia News Service A Democratic pastor who leads the congregation at Martin Luther King Jr.'s church and whose mother used to pick cotton has been elected Georgia's first black Senator. Raphael Warnock, 51, claimed victory in the first of the state's two Senate runoffs Wednesday, defeating Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler and becoming the first Democrat winner in 20 years. 'The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else's cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator,' he told his supporters last night. 'We proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible.' Georgia is still awaiting the result in the second runoff but it looks likely Democrat Jon Ossoff will oust Republican David Perdue in that race too in a brutal night for the GOP. Warnock's victory is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgia's politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. Raphael Warnock with his parents Verlene and Jonathan Warnock after his graduation from Morehouse College Raphael Warnock and his now ex-wife Ouleye Ndoye pictured together in September 2018 at Dr. Christine King Farris 90th Birthday Celebration in Atlanta. The pair divorced in May and shortly before the election police bodycam footage emerged showing a dispute between the pair during which Ndoye alleged Warnock ran over her foot with his car. He was never charged His father, a veteran of the Second World War, worked as a preacher, mechanic in Savnnah It follows Biden's win in November, when he became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. The Associated Press declared Warnock the winner after an analysis of outstanding votes showed there was no way for Loeffler to catch up to his lead. Warnock's mother Verlene who used to pick tobacco and cotton during the summers Warnock's edge is likely to grow as more ballots are counted, many of which were in Democratic-leaning areas. The divorced father-of-two acknowledged his improbable victory in a message to supporters, citing his family's experience with poverty. He grew up in the projects of Savannah with 11 brothers and sisters. His father Jonathan, a veteran of the Second World War, worked as a preacher, mechanic and his mother Verlene used to pick tobacco and cotton during the summers. 'My family was short on money, but long on love and faith,' Warnock wrote earlier this year. 'They (his parents) worked hard for what they had and saw the value in what others had discarded.' Energised by his parents belief that he could do anything, Warnock gained a scholarship to the historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta. He later earned a doctorate in philosophy from Union Theological Seminary, a school affiliated with Columbia University in Manhattan. In the 1990s, Warnock worked as a youth pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and protested against Mayor Rudy Giuliani's workfare program to cut benefits and get people into employment. 'We are worried that workfare is being used to displace other workers who receive respectable compensation,' Warnock told the New York Times in 1997. 'We are concerned that poor people are being put into competition with other poor people, and in that respect, we think workfare is a hoax.' Rev. Raphael Warnock delivers the eulogy for Rayshard Brooks' funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta in June In 2013, Warnock delivered the benediction at the public prayer service at President Barack Obama's second inauguration. Obama is pictured giving the eulogy at the funeral service for the late Rep. John Lewis at Ebenezer Baptist Church on July 30, 2020 In the early 2000s, he moved to become the senior pastor of senior pastor at Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland. And in 2006, he was appointed the leader of MLK's former congregation at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta - the youngest senior pastor since its founding. 'Fourteen years ago, the kid who grew up in the projects was called to Martin Luther King Jr.'s pulpit,' Warnock wrote in June. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gesturing toward heaven while delivering sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He worked at the church as co-pastor alongside his father from 1960 until his assassination in 1968 Martin Luther Sr. helped lead the church with his father-in-law in the 1920s before taking over in 1931. Thirty years later his own son Martin Luther King Jr. would join him at the church, working as co-pastor until his assassination in 1968. King's funeral was held at Ebenezer on April 9, 1968. Warnock took up the mantle of the great history of the Ebenezer pastors in setting out the stall for social justice and invited Barack Obama to speak at the church in the early days of the 2008 presidential campaign. In 2013, Warnock delivered the benediction at the public prayer service for Obama's second inauguration. 'Somebody asked why a pastor thinks he should serve in the Senate,' Warnock said in a recent campaign video. 'Well, I committed my whole life to service and helping people realize their highest potential. I've always thought my impact doesn't stop at the church door. That's actually where it starts.' According to the Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Warnock is the first member of Congress from the South since Reconstruction to 'explicitly profess the spiritual tradition of the social gospel as envisioned and designed by people of African descent.' Democrats were last night banking on the 'activist pastor' to come good, with thousands in the state furious about the division they believe Trump has sown and the healthcare response to Covid-19. Democratic Senate candidate Reverend Raphael Warnock speaks during a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 15, 2020 It's also a state where around three-quarters of the population regularly attend church. Warnock is firmly of the view that the word of Jesus Christ should guide politics and that politics is essential to the work of the church. 'What we're really talking about is a renaissance of the Kingian tradition, which is really bigger than the left or the right, and red and blue,' he told The Atlantic. 'It's a deep human-rights tradition that is informed by Christian tradition, but is not limited to it.' His opponent Loeffler tried to paint Warnock as a radical, something which MLK experienced. But it's something which Warnock has learned to take in his stride. 'I'm an activist preacher,' he said earlier this year. 'I'm a Matthew 25 Christian, where Jesus says, "I was hungry, and you fed me."' His policies are progressive: he opposes all abortion restrictions, supports gay marriage, opposes concealed carry of firearms, talks often about living wages for workers and refers to the death penalty as 'the last fail-safe for white supremacy.' From 2016 to 2020, Warnock was married to Ouleye Ndoye, with whom he shares two children. The couples' divorce was finalized in May, two months earlier Ndoye accused Warnock of running over her foot with a car while trying to get out an argument. They were disputing whether their two children should be allowed to travel to Senegal to Ndoye's relatives. Police were called to their home, and Warnock was caught on camera telling the officer his wife called the police on him, alleging that he had run over her foot. Footage of the incident was released shortly before the runoff election. Warnock and Ndoye, pictured in their 2014 wedding, have two children together Ouleye Ndoye, 35, told police that she 'tried to keep the way that he acts under wraps' Medical officials did not find visible signs of injury on his wife's foot. A police report, referring to Grady Memorial Hospital first-responders, noted that an inspection of Ndoye's foot showed no broken bones, swelling or contusions. Warnock was never charged with a crime. When her accusations were first made public, in March, Warnock addressed the incident in a sermon. 'God looks on the heart. We live on the outside. God knows what's happening on the inside,' he said. 'And while divorce is not ideal, divorce is not the worst thing that can happen to you. So pray for us. 'The second thing I want to say to you - and I hope you will hear me because I'm going to say it once. I've been here 15 years, almost 15 years now. I want you to know that I am the man that you have known me to be. The work that we've done together in public reflects my values and who I am in private. Same man in public and in private.' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back at Jurgen Klopp and accused his Premier League rivals of trying to influence referees by moaning about the number of penalties awarded to Manchester United. Liverpool boss Klopp claimed that United have had more spot-kicks in two years under Solskjaer than he has in five-and-a-half years at Anfield. The figure is actually 46-42 in Liverpool's favour - and 30-27 in the Premier League - but Klopp is the latest Premier League boss to voice concern over United's penalty count. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back after Jurgen Klopp fumed at Manchester United's penalties Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has also had a dig at his old club, and Frank Lampard brought it up before Chelsea faced United in last season's FA Cup semi-final. Asked about Klopp's comments, Solskjaer appeared to reference the infamous 'fact' rant by Rafael Benitez when United and Liverpool were fighting for the title in 2009. 'That's a fact, probably,' smiled Solskjaer. 'That is probably going to be my answer. That's a fact that we have got more than him. Klopp bemoaned how many penalties rivals Manchester United get compared with Liverpool - Bruno Fernandes scored the winner against Aston Villa from the spot on Friday night (above) Sadio Mane was brought down by Kyle Walker-Peters on Monday but no decision was given 'I don't know how many penalties they've had. I don't count how many penalties they have, so if they want to spend time on worrying about when we get fouled in the box, I don't spend time on that.' United were given a total of 22 penalties in all competitions last season, more than any team in Europe's top five leagues in the previous five years. It included four in two games against Chelsea, and Lampard raised the issue before his team beat United 3-1 at Wembley in July. Solskjaer blames that for referee Mike Dean's refusal to award a penalty for Kurt Zouma's challenge on Anthony Martial before half-time - even though Bruno Fernandes later scored United's consolation from the spot - and is wary of officials being swayed by his rivals. Solskjaer made a playful and subtle reference to the infamous 'facts' rant of Rafa Benitez 'I can't talk on behalf of other managers, why they say things like this,' said the United boss. 'Obviously I felt it worked last year in the FA Cup semi because Frank spoke about it. We had a nailed-on penalty that we should have had and didn't get, so maybe it's a way of influencing referees. 'I don't know but I don't worry about that. When they foul our players it's a penalty. It's just when it's inside the box.' A health worker holds a vial containing the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Aulnay-sous-Bois, France Roughly one in a hundred thousand people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have had severe allergic reactions, US health officials said Wednesday while stressing that the benefits of immunization greatly outweigh the known risks. The data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which documented 21 cases of anaphylaxis after administration of a reported 1,893,360 shots from December 14 to December 23. "This averages out to a rate of 11.1 anaphylaxis cases per one million doses administered," senior CDC official Nancy Messonnier told reporters. By comparison, flu vaccines cause about 1.3 anaphylaxis cases per million doses administered, and so the rate of anaphylaxis for the Pfizer vaccine is roughly ten times greater. Messonnier added that anaphylaxis cases were still "exceedingly rare" and it remains in people's best interest to take the vaccine, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that is a far greater danger to their health. "A good value proposition for someone to get vaccinated is their risk from COVID and poor outcomes from COVID is still more than the risk of a severe outcome from the vaccine," she said. "Fortunately, we know how to treat anaphylaxis, and we've put provisions in place to ensure that at immunization sites, the folks administering the vaccine are ready to treat anaphylaxis." The 21 cases ranged in age from 27 to 60 years old, with a median age of 40, and all but two were treated with epinephrine. Nineteen of the cases (90 percent) occurred in females, and the median onset time of symptoms was 13 minutes, but ranged from two to 150 minutes. Four (19 percent) of patients were hospitalized, including three in intensive care, and 17 (81 percent) were treated in an emergency department. All but one was known to have been discharged home or recovered at the time of the study, and there were no deaths. Symptoms included rash, sensation of throat closure, swollen tongue, hives, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, swollen lips, nausea and persistent dry cough. Investigations ongoing The US has so far authorized two vaccines for emergency useone developed by Pfizer and the other by Moderna. Both are based on cutting-edge mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) technology and authorities have attached similar warning labels to both, which advise that people who have a known history of allergic reactions to the vaccines' ingredients avoid taking them. People who have a severe reaction to the first dose are also asked to not take a second dose. Messonnier said that investigations were underway to determine what may be the cause of the allergies. There is not enough data yet to know what the rate of anaphylaxis is for the Moderna vaccine, which was authorized in the US a week after the Pfizer shot, or whether a significant difference between the two vaccines will emerge. One preliminary hypothesis for the reactions is the presence of the compound polyethylene glycol (PEG), which has never before been used in an approved vaccine, but is found in everyday products including laxatives, shampoos and toothpastes. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use PEG molecules as part of the protective casing around their main ingredient, the mRNA that carries genetic instructions to cells. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP A British judge has rejected a request to release WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on bail, ordering him to remain incarcerated while British courts determine whether he should face espionage charges in the United States. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said Wednesday that Assange could fail to appear in court if he is released and therefore must remain in a high-security prison while British courts consider a U.S. appeal of her decision not to extradite him. The decision to deny bail to Assange came two days after Baraitser rebuffed an American request to extradite him to the U.S. to face spying charges over WikiLeaks disclosure of confidential military and diplomatic documents a decade ago. Baraitsers extradition denial was based on concerns over Assanges well-being, saying he was likely to commit suicide if held under harsh conditions in U.S. prisons. Assanges lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said the decision to refuse extradition greatly reduces Assanges motivation to escape. Mr. Assange has every reason to stay in this jurisdiction where he has the protection of the rule of law and this court's decision, he said. Fitzgerald also said it is not known if the incoming Joe Biden administration will pursue the prosecution of Assange, initiated under President Donald Trump. The U.S. has appealed the decision not to extradite the 49-year-old Australian, leaving it to Britains High Court to hear the case on a date that has yet to be determined. Assange will remain in Londons Belmarsh Prison, where he has been detained since his April 2019 arrest for skipping bail seven years earlier in a separate court case. The U.S. has indicted Assange on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks' disclosures. Assange could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison if convicted. Assanges attorneys say he was acting as a journalist and therefore is entitled to U.S. constitutional free speech protection for leaking documents that exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Afghanistan and Iraq. I dont always agree with U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, but there may be no politician I respect more. Respect is not based in agreement, but in consistency of character and principle, regardless of how the winds are blowing. Its clearly not convenient for Kinzinger in the short term to place himself in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump. So I believe him when he says he is resisting efforts to overturn the election because it is his duty. AKRON, Ohio A man stole a small Bobcat front-end loader, then used it in an attempt to break into an ATM at a bank in the Firestone Park neighborhood, police say. The incident occurred at Citizens Bank on the 1100 block of East Waterloo Road at about 6:15 a.m. Friday, according to police. The ATM was damaged but police did not say if any money was taken. The Bobcat skid-steer was stolen from a business on the 1500 block of Exeter Road, police say. It was later found abandoned on the 1300 block of Kelly Avenue. Police are continuing to search for the suspect. Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Individuals can send tips by texting TIPSCO to 274637. Callers can remain anonymous. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: Suspect in Cleveland Heights homicide flees from police, is found hiding under porch East Cleveland police officers shoot and kill man during pursuit that ended in car fire, chief says Browns Rashard Higgins accused of drag racing in Westlake Northeast Ohio youth pastor, wife accused of sexually abusing girl Former MMA fighter-turned-Cleveland police officer gets probation for breaking girlfriends nose LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Atlanta police chief who resigned last year after a high-profile police shooting has been hired to run the department in Louisville, Ky., a city still reeling from its own prominent shooting that helped fuel the outcry for police reform that became a defining factor of 2020. The incoming chief, Erika Shields, will become the fourth police chief to lead the Louisville Metro Police Department since the death of Breonna Taylor in March, Mayor Greg Fischer announced on Wednesday. She will replace the citys interim chief, Yvette Gentry, when she is sworn in on Jan. 19. Ms. Shields will arrive in a city rife with racial tension that ballooned with the killing of Ms. Taylor and subsequent protests, which drew thousands of people this summer and fall. Much of the anger is still evident in Louisville today, nine months later, and activists said they will ramp up demonstrations in an effort to reinforce their demands for a transformation in the police force. Erika is definitely coming into chaos, said Milly Martin, a political and social activist in Louisville. Hopefully she can handle it. DataParsers interface for Microsoft Teams has added support for the collection of external user information including the email address, chats and attachments. 17a-4, LLCs DataParser is widely used to capture Microsoft Teams meeting information for Compliance and eDiscovery. Microsoft Teams provides external users access to participate in meetings and use in-meeting chat and file share features. People from other companies, medical patients, town board meetings, classrooms join these meetings but keeping track of who joined and documents or other information that was viewed or shared, may be important to retain for compliance and eDiscovery. DataParsers interface for Microsoft Teams has added support for the collection of external user information including the email address, chats and attachments. This information may now be archived by the institution. In addition, the DataParser flags meetings with external users so that if there is a need for compliance or a legal team to be able to identify meetings with external users, this becomes an archival search parameter. Though Microsofts 365 has a very robust set of Data Loss Prevention controls which manages the risk of users sending documents to external users, M365 is unable to control documents which may be shared as part of a meeting with external users. Though DataParser cannot control the specific content that may have been shared in a Teams meeting, it does provide information that may be important for further inquiry. 17a-4 continues to add features to the Microsoft Teams DataParser with each new version. For more information about DataParser visit 17a-4.com or call (212) 949-1724. About 17a-4 LLC: 17a-4 is a compliance services and software company with a focus on e-messaging and software solutions to meet regulatory and e-discovery needs of institutional clients. Clients leverage 17a-4s expertise to ensure information infrastructures comply with SEC (Rule 17a-4), FINRA and CFTC (Rule 1.31) regulations. 17a-4 offers the DataParser for messaging compliance and the SEC-FINRA DeskTop a hosted platform for SEC and FINRA documents and regulatory workflows. 17a-4s architecture provides for a single-point in which all e-messaging content may be managed for retention, legal and regulatory holds and e-discovery productions. 17a-4 is based in New York City but operates remote offices nationwide. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In an online workshop on personal management skills, Mehrzad Manuel Ferdows stated that critical thinking is recognized as an essential skill for rational participation in a democratic society. "In the modern world today, a skill is needed that is more understood as individuals' ability to challenge their thinking," he said. "This ability requires that they should develop their own criteria for analyzing and evaluating their thoughts and normally use those criteria and standards to improve the quality of their thoughts," he added. Mehrzad Ferdows, explained that critical thinking is a vital skill in humans' lives today and a very distint competitive advantage for many leaders. "Critical thinking is a skill used to improve the social and personal life of every human being," "In fact, critical thinking is the ability of a person to think independently and flexibly. Contrary to its name, this kind of thinking does not mean criticism or fault finding. Those who cultivate critical thinking will become successful," the entrepreneur said. He said a society where critical thinking is institutionalized will experience better progress. "A society that has these people will also achieve progress and development. Critical thinking includes skills and techniques which if you are aware and nurture, you can look at various issues from a critical thinking perspective," Ferdows added. "Critical thinking is a purposeful and self-directed judgment that is achieved through interpretation, analysis, evaluation and inference. It is also considered a documentary, conceptual, methodological and logical concept, and rooted in thinking about what is to be judged," he said. "Critical thinking is one of the most important educational principles of any country and any society for achieving growth and prosperity," Ferdows explained. "Teaching critical thinking results in motivation to learn, problem-solving skills, decision-making and creativity," said the expert. Ferdows further expounded on the function of the brain as far as critical thinking is concerned. "The brain basically has two aspects: the judgmental brain, which analyzes, compares, and selects, and the creative brain, which visualizes, predicts, and generates ideas," he said. "One of the hallmarks of creative people is to know critical thinking," said Ferdows. Mehrzad Manuel Ferdows added that creativity in the manufacturing and production process coupled with criticism will lead the evaluation and judgment process. "A healthy and developed mind will have both production and good judgment," he explained. "In fact, a developed mind evaluates what it creates, so it can be said that the critical component is creativity because when involved in the production of quality thought, the mind must simultaneously produce, evaluate, judge and conclude," he said. Ferdows emphasized that creative thinking and critical thinking play a significant role in solving problems, "and solving more problems requires both types of thinking," Ferdows added. "In fact, creativity is not just about coming up with different solutions to a problem; rather, it is about coming up with better solutions, which requires critical judgment," he underscored. He said it is hard to distinguish between critical thinking and creativity, and added making such a distinction would be extreme simplification. Mehrzad Manuel highlighted the importance of ideal critical thinking for research, good understanding, honest reasoning, open-mindedness, flexibility, fairness in evaluation, honesty and organizational trust in dealing with individual biases, prudent judgment, reconsideration, clarity in topics which brings about systematicity in complex subjects, making efforts to seek relevant information, reasoning in choosing criteria, focusing on research, and insisting on finding survey results. "Creative people have characteristics such as motivation for high-level development, great curiosity, power of expression, self-sufficiency, critical thinking, high motivation, having a vast knowledge, being passionate and emotional, beauty, ability to influence others and being greatly interested in order, having perseverance and discipline at work, independence and having an intuition for thinking," he explained. Mehrzad Ferdows Manuel Ferdows, Mehrzad Mehrzad Manuel Ferdows's Idea on Convergent and Divergent Thinking "Convergent thinking is related to intelligence, but divergent thinking is an important feature of creativity. These two aspects of thinking are the two main aspects of human thinking. In convergent thinking, the result of thinking is already known, that is, there is always a correct answer. But divergent thinking results in a large number of answers, each of which seems logically correct," he argued. Mehrzad Manuel Ferdows concluded by saying that it would be significant to address critical thinking in response to rapid and permanent changes in business practices and the need to adapt to complex systems," he concluded. Media Contact Mehrzad Ferdows +971(0)4 551 5586 [email protected] SOURCE Mehrzad Ferdows The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Wednesday approved funds for the procurement of 1,000 low-floor air-conditioned CNG buses, transport minister Kailash Gahlot said. The buses are likely to start arriving over the next six months, senior transport officials said. The proposal was tabled and approved in the board meeting of the DTC, chaired by Gahlot, on Wednesday. The board also approved an increase in the ceiling of gratuity for DTC employees from the current Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, the transport corporation conveyed in a statement. We have approved funds for the procurement of 1,000 low-floor CNG buses and also for the comprehensive annual maintenance of these buses for their entire lifespan. This will help in reducing the downtime of buses and increase the overall user experience, Gahlot said. The new low-floor CNG buses would be equipped with facilities such as real-time passenger information system, CCTV cameras, panic buttons, GPS and other features besides being differently abled friendly. Funds for the annual maintenance of buses up to 7.5 lakh kilometres per bus and covering 12 years comprehensive maintenance insurance, were also approved, the statement further said. The DTC had last inducted buses into its fleet in 2011, a year after the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Currently, it has a fleet of 3,762 buses. Apart from these, there are the cluster buses operated by concessionaires with a fleet size of 2,839. The cluster bus fleet has witnessed an increase over the past few years while the DTC fleet had remained stagnant, government records showed. In November 2019, the Supreme Court had observed that at least 11,000 buses are needed to cater to Delhis population of over 20 million. Last year, the DTC had floated a tender for the 1,000 buses which first failed and was put up again. Senior transport officials said after Wednesdays approval of funds, the DTC will now issue a letter of interest (LOI) to the bus manufacturer which will then start the process of readying the new buses. Last month, the DTC also issued a tender to create a real-time passenger information system, which will enable commuters to access information on bus routes, estimated time of arrival, fare, location of nearest buses which a passenger wishes to board, availability of seats and best options for interchange -- all on their mobile phones. The tender document titled engagement of vendor to design, develop, implement, operate and maintain real-time passenger information system for DTC buses is broadly divided into three categories focusing on a mobile application for commuters, a separate mobile app for DTC staff, and an interface to help crunch passenger usage statistics. Advertisement A mob of angered Trump supporters has occupied the front lawn of Washington's Democratic Governor Jay Inslee's mansion as they also surrounded state capitols in Texas, California, Georgia, Michigan, Kansas and Oklahoma. While chaos gripped Washington D.C., where one woman has been shot dead and dozens of police officers injured, protesters made their way to Inslee's Olympia home where one state trooper stood guard. The trooper urged members of the crowd to stand back but they quickly aurrounded the building chanting and he was forced to retreat to stand guard in front of the door. The crowd, whuch included several armed protesters, was pushed back as more state troopers arrived at around 6.30pm EST. Troopers said the governor remained safe. Armed militia members were also seen standing guard on the steps of the Michigan Capitol in Lansing and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was evacuated in Atlanta as the President's MAGA faithful surrounded federal buildings across the country. As armed militia surrounded Georgia's State Capitol building, 200 protesters stormed into the Kansas statehouse, and New Mexico's and Texas' State Capitols have been evacuated. Large protests have also been reported in Colorado, Oregon, Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Utah, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Florida, Arizona and Sacramento, while swaths of demonstrators have taken to the streets in LA outside City Hall, where an unlawful assembly has since been declared. In Minnesota, a group also crowded around Gov. Tim Waltz' mansion in St. Paul but the building was guarded by police. 'Lets go raise some hell! Lets make him uncomfortable,' one man said of the Democratic governor, according to Fox 9. Violence broke out in Washington DC Wednesday when thousands of the outgoing president's supporters breached security perimeters at the Capitol with lawmakers inside the House Chamber urged to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. President Trump urged the crowds to go home as he said we 'have to have peace', yet continued with his claims of voter fraud and that the election was 'stolen'. Scroll down for video OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON STATE: A mob of angered Trump supporters has occupied the front lawn of Washington's Democratic Governor Jay Inslee's mansion on Wednesday afternoon MISSOURI: Armed men stand on the steps at the State Capitol after a rally in support of President Donald Trump ATLANTA: The crowd consisted of around 25 people, some of whom were carrying assault rifles LA: Christian Angelo Hill, 19, a Black Lives Matter supporter, reacts after being sprayed with an unknown substance during a rally held by U.S. President Donald Trump supporters OREGON: Protesters hold a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem LA: Pro-Trump protesters demonstrate in support of US president Donald Trump in front of the City Hall COLORADO: State Patrol troopers hold on to a patrol vehicle as they keep watch on people attending a rally in support of President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon in downtown Denver SACRAMENTO: Hundreds also gathered outside of California's Capitol building on Wednesday, waiving Trump and US flags TEXAS: Jack Finger, of San Antonio, protests the election with supporters of President Donald Trump Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Austin ATLANTA: Georgia Capitol Police escorted Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger (above) and his staff out of the building shortly before 3pm ATLANTA: Ex Klu Klux Klan member Chester Doles, center, leader of American Patriots USA, roams the third floor of the Georgia State Capitol building looking for the office of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger LA: Dubbed the 'Freedom Protest' organizers of the event said it was being held to 'demand the integrity and justice of the November 3rd election' GEORGIA: Armed Miita, Stop the Steal Protesters and Trump supporters descend on the Georgia Capital the day after the Senate run-offs resulted in both seats going to Democrats In Atlanta, Georgia Capitol Police escorted Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger and his staff out of the building shortly before 3pm. Supporters of Trump attempted to enter the building to deliver 'written grievances' about the outgoing president's November election loss, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Deputy Secretary Jordan Fuchs told the outlet: 'We heard reports of threats and left immediately'. The development followed a small peaceful 'Stop the Steal' rally that stood in contrast to the mayhem that erupted in Washington. The crowd consisted of around 25 people, some of whom were carrying assault rifles, and included some notable figures, namely former Ku Klux Klan leader Chester Doles. Doles made headlines last month when he posed for a photo with Sen. Kelly Loeffler at a Republican campaign. While voicing their anger at the outcome of the election, the demonstration was largely peaceful, according to local reports. OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON STATE: Trump protesters surrounding Gov. Jay Inslee's mansion AUSTIN, TEXAS: Trump supporter Thomas Jones, wearing a floral shirt and military style helmet, carries a baseball bat MISSISSIPPI: Jason Lavoie of Raymond joined a small group of people that protested the constitutional process to affirm the president-elect's victory in the November election at the State Capitol on Wednesday PHOENIX, ARIZONA: A makeshift guillotine is set up near the Arizona Capitol as supporters of Trump gather to protest People on horseback participate in a pro-Trump rally at the state Capitol in Phoenix PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Hundreds of Arizona Republicans came to support President Trump during a rally on Wednesday PHOENIX, ARIZONA: People yell for Gov. Ducey to come outside, while shouting by the door to the Arizona Capitol museum PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Armed man walk around the grounds of the state capitol in Phoenix during a pro-Trump rally PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Supporters of President Donald Trump gather to protest at the Arizona Capitol NEBRASKA: A snowball is thrown at a counter protester driving by on K Street on the north side of the Nebraska State Capitol Gov. Brian Kemp called in the National Guard at around 5pm as he condemned the violent mob. 'Its a disgrace and quite honestly un-American,' Kemp said, adding: 'For those of you that have been calling for a special session, you can now see what that would look like.' Elsewhere in the country, around 200 protesters rallied inside Kansas' statehouse in Topeka on Wednesday afternoon. The rally began in early afternoon and while most of the demonstrators left the capitol complex, a few dozen remained in the building with signs and flags in support of the president. They moved around the building peacefully, officials said, with multiple Kansas Highway Patrol officers observing from afar. The crowd chanted 'stop the steal,' 'four more years' and 'no more masks,' a reference to many Trump supporters' opposition to coronavirus restrictions such as requiring people to wear masks in public, KCTV reported. A spokesperson for the KHP said they were not planning on heightening security in the statehouse building and that individuals in the building were allowed to be there. It's unclear if Gov. Laura Kelly was in the building at the time or whether she was evacuated. GEORGIA: An heavily armed protester is shown in the above image standing with a militia outside of Georgia's Capitol TEXAS: A Trump support is seen wearing a Biden mask with prison scrubs during a march in Austin on Wednesday KANSAS: Around 200 protesters rallied inside Kansas' statehouse in Topeka on Wednesday afternoon LA: Trump supporter holds a placard reading 'Trump Won Biden Cheated Voter Fraud' during a protest outside City Hall LA: An unlawful assembly has been declared in the area, though there are so far no reports of clashes with police LA: By noon, the gathering was winding down, though protesters still scuffled with police and counter-protesters LA: A Trump supporter wears a 'Make America Great Again' cap as Pro-Trump protesters demonstrate Several people were arrested in Los Angeles after clashes between Trump supporters, counterprotesters and police. Some images posted to social media showed people with blood on their faces but no serious injuries were reported. An unlawful assembly had been declared by officials amid a protest in the downtown area of the city, as a crowd of about 200 people gathered outside City Hall and the LA Police Department headquarters. Protesters, as elsewhere across the country, took to the streets as President-elect Joe Biden was set to be certified as the winner of the November election. Dubbed the 'Freedom Protest' organizers of the event said it was being held to 'demand the integrity and justice of the November 3rd election', according to FOX 11. They said 15 'patriotic organizations' were taking part. 'The election was a quote-on-quote "stolen election," I think there was a lot of fraud involved,' the rally's guest speaker Sarah Stephens said. 'I dont think Biden won in any way, shape or form. And so I believe Trump is the true president and thats why Im personally here today.' Outside LAPD HQ, pro-Trump protesters reportedly clashed with counter-demonstrators as police pleaded with the crowd to leave the area. By noon, the gathering was winding down, though protesters still scuffled with police and counter-protesters in scattered incidents. One counter-protester, who was wearing a Black Lives Matter insignia on his clothing, was sprayed with a chemical irritant by a Trump supporter. The anti-Trump group Refuse Fascism reportedly planned to hold its own protest in downtown Wednesday afternoon. The group is planned to unfurl a banner over the 110 Freeway at Seventh Street, proclaiming, 'Trump Lost! Fascists Get Out!' at 12:30 pm local time. 'President Trump must condemn what has happened today, stop illegally contesting the will of the American public, and support the institutions and elected leaders who comprise our democracy,' L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted of the incidents. LA: an unlawful assembly was declared by officials amid a protest in the downtown area of the city LA: crowds gathered outside City Hall and the LA Police Department headquarters LA: One counter-protester, who was wearing a Black Lives Matter insignia on his clothing, was sprayed with a chemical irritant by a Trump supporter LA: Pro-Trump protesters wear camouflage gears as they demonstrate outside City Hall on Wednesday afternoon TEXAS: The state's Department of Public Safety evacuated and closed it's Capitol building in Austin, in addition to surrounding grounds after the protests erupted in DC WASHINGTON: Joey Gibson, leader of Patriot Prayer, a right-wing extremist group, speaks during a protest rally The New Mexico Statehouse was largely evacuated Wednesday afternoon as a crowd of hundreds of protesters gathered outside the building. Heeding warning from the scenes in Washington DC, Democratic Speaker Brian Egolf said state police ordered the evacuation of the building that includes the governor's office and secretary of state's office, though some officials remained inside. Caravans of Donald Trump supporters arrived at the building in cars, trucks and on horseback at midday. A spokesman for Gov. Michelle Lynn Lujan Grisham told NEWS13 said there was no indication of threats and unrest at the Statehouse, with the protest currently peaceful. Similarly in Texas, the state's Department of Public Safety evacuated and closed it's Capitol building in Austin, in addition to surrounding grounds after the protests erupted in DC. An official with the law enforcement agency confirmed the move in a statement to The Texas Tribune. 'The Capitol and Capitol Complex are closed to the public effective immediately,' spokesperson Freeman Martin said. A dozens strong crowd has gathering outside the state's Capitol as of mid-afternoon Wednesday, but a spokesperson with the Austin PD confirmed the crowd has been 'calm and peaceful' with no disturbances reported. TEXAS: A dozens strong crowd has gathering outside the state's Capitol as of mid-afternoon Wednesday, but a spokesperson with the Austin PD confirmed the crowd has been 'calm and peaceful' TEXAS: A person dressed as Lady Liberty wears a shirt with the letter Q, referring to QAnon LA: Outside LAPD HQ, pro-Trump protesters reportedly clashed with counter-demonstrators as police pleaded with the crowd to leave the area LA: A Trump supporter holds a placard reading 'Deep State Voter Fraud! Media and Big Tech Information Warfare' Hundreds also gathered for a peaceful demonstration in Olympia, Washington, as chaos continued to reign in the nation's capital. Around 300-400 people attended the rally, according to Washington State Patrol estimates. The group, which was gathered at noon local time, sang 'God Bless America' and chanted USA, KING5 reported. Although many of the protesters questioned the validity of the presidential election, they said they have no intent on violence or entering the Capitol. Many of the protesters said they wanted more transparency around the election, including an audit of the results. Guest speakers at the event, meanwhile, which included Joey Gibson, a leader of the far-right group Patriot Prayer, continued to repeat unfounded allegations of election fraud and railed against pandemic restrictions. At one point during the gathering, a participant interrupted Gibson with news that the crowd in DC had stormed the Capitol. 'Its war now!' he yelled, according to the Oregonian, but received a muted response. A several hundred strong crowd gathered in Lansing, Michigan also Wednesday. Many among them were armed and dressed in military fatigues or tactical gear. More than a dozen carried rifles slung over their shoulders. Others carried US flags, Trump flags, and signs with messages such as Stop the steal and Fake virus, according to the Detroit Free Press Organizers blasted over the Capitol lawn in Lansing a live feed of Trump's remarks to thousands of supporters at the Ellipse, near the Capitol. However unlike in DC, nobody in the crowd attempted to storm their way inside the their state's Capitol. Police estimated the crowd to be between 700 to 800 people, but said they've 'been very cooperative from our perspective, with no problems at all.' 'They're just exercising their First and Second Amendment rights,' a spokesperson for the department said. Over a dozen court challenges to Michigan's election results have been rejected by judges, after finding no evidence of election fraud. Biden beat Trump in the state by more than 154,000 votes. MICHIGAN: A several hundred strong crowd gathered in Lansing, Michigan also Wednesday, may weilding rifles MICHIGAN: Police estimated the crowd to be between 700 to 800 people, but said they've 'been very cooperative from our perspective, with no problems at all' MICHIGAN: Supporters of President Donald Trump join in a mass prayer out front of the Michigan State Capitol Building MICHIGAN: Over a dozen court challenges to Michigan's election results have been rejected by judges, after finding no evidence of election fraud In Sacramento, police reported that there were 'physical altercations' near the State Capitol between two groups of protesters including the far-right extremeist group The Proud Boys. Three people were arrested for carrying pepper spray. Amid the unrest, Gov. Gavin Newsom canceled a scheduled press briefing about the coronavirus pandemic. 'Peaceful protest is an important mechanism of our democracy but what we are witnessing in our nations Capitol building is reprehensible and an outright assault to our democracy and Democratic institutions,' Newsom said in a statement. 'Officers remain in the area and are attempting to keep the groups separate,' the department said in a tweet. They said a heacy police presence would remain although the 'majority' of the demonstration had dispersed. Trump supporter Allison Cabral told ABC 10 she was attending because 'America needs to wake up'. And in Arizona, a makeshift guillotine was set up as hundreds also gathered to protest around the state capitol. Social media footage showed them banging on the locked doors of the capital building with one group hitting the door so hard that the glas fractured, according to Vox. Those that brought the guillotine claimed they did so as they wanted to show they will 'rise to the challenge and defend this great nation by all means necessary'. 'For six weeks Americans have written emails, gathered peacefully, made phone calls and begged their elected officials to listen to their concerns,' they added. 'We have been ignored, ridiculed, scorned, dismissed, lied to, laughed at and essentially told, No Ones Cares.' LOS ANGELES: Police officers detain a protester during a protest to support President Donald Trump fight in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES: Police officers in riot gear are seen during a rally held by supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump LOS ANGELES: Police officers in riot gear arrive during a rally on Wednesday afternoon SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: People attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump in Utah on Wednesday SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: A woman holds a Trump-Pence 2021 sign at a Trump rally at the state Capitol OKLAHOMA: Kenny Womack, of Edmond, Okla., holds a cross at a Trump rally at the state Capitol PHONEIX, ARIZONA: People participate in a pro-Trump rally at the state capitol in Phoenix PHONEIX, ARIZONA: A man who did not wish to be identified jeers during a pro-Trump rally at the state capitol in Phoenix Snowballs were thrown in Nebraska at cars whose passengers shouted anti-Trump comments at the hundreds who had traveled to protest outside the state capitol there. The group of 400 had been planning for weeks so as to push for the delay of Congress' Electoral College count in order to 'take a serious look at the allegations that have been put out there'. Scenes remained tame in Florida as 150 Trump supporters, including dozens of Proud Boys, rallied around the State Capitol. They began the rally with a prayer group starting at 8am but by afternoon had split off into smaller groups. Elsewhere, the staff of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was sent home as several hundred pro-Trump demonstrators rallied outside the Capitol, though the demonstration remained relatively calm. A brief scuffle between pro-Trump demonstrators, who included members of the Proud Boys, and counterprotesters also broke out in Columbus, Ohio, but there was no immediate threat to the Capitol. One man was arrested in Alabany, New York, after two people were stabbed as Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered a press briefing inside the state capitol. New York state troopers could not say if the incident was linked to the protest that was happening nearby. A human rights group says a former Turkmen official has died in prison where he spent 18 years without access to lawyers, medical personnel, and relatives. The international Prove They Are Alive! campaign cited "reliable sources" as saying that 64-year-old Yazgeldy Gundogdyev had died in prison in the southern city of Tejen on December 28. Gundogdyev, who was a member of the Soviet Union's parliament, the Supreme Council, led the international desk in Turkmenistan's presidential office, and was a regional governor in the Central Asian nation. He was among dozens of officials who were fired and arrested after what Turkmen authorities said was an assassination attempt against then President Saparmurat Niyazov in November 2002. In January 2003, Gundogdyev was found guilty of taking part in the plot to kill Niyazov and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The alleged ringleader, then-Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov, was sentenced to life in prison and was widely believed to have been held in Ovadan Depe prison along with others convicted in the case. This notorious detention facility was built in 2002 in the Kara-Kum desert, 50 kilometers northwest of the capital, Ashgabat. Turkmen officials have never revealed the locations of Shikhmuradov and many other former officials sentenced in the case, and have neither confirmed nor denied reports of Shikhmuradov's death. According to Prove They Are Alive!, Gundogdyev was held in Ovadan Depe for a while, though his exact whereabouts have been unknown since 2007. The group says that Gundogdyev's death, as well as the deaths of other once-influential officials and politicians who have been jailed and then disappeared, are the results of cruel and inhumane incarceration. "The situation proves consistent covert attempts by the authorities of Turkmenistan to destroy key political figures and erase the memories of them. According to media reports and information from relatives, at least 12 people from the list of the Prove They Are Alive! have died in custody in the past five years. The fate of many other people who are without any contact with their relatives, without access to lawyers and adequate medical assistance, remains unknown," the rights group said in its statement. Government critics and human rights groups say Turkmenistan's current President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has suppressed dissent and made few changes in the restrictive country since he came to power after the death of autocrat Niyazov in 2006. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The World Health Organization believes the Philippines is on the right course for a successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to protect Filipinos from the highly-contagious virus. "There are some aspects that are important for the vaccine rollout readiness, which the Philippines has already put in place, WHO Coordinator for Essential Medicines and Health Technologies Dr. Socorro Escalante said on Wednesday. She laid down WHOs four key criteria to determine if a nation is prepared and equipped to carry out its national vaccination program: regulatory readiness, the presence of a national vaccination deployment plan, availability of storage facilities, and safety monitoring plans to check for possible adverse effects of the drug. Escalante lauded the order issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in December authorizing the Food and Drug Administration to grant emergency use authorization or EUA to vaccine manufacturers and recognize assessments of other regulatory agencies. She said this is a crucial stage in the countrys inoculation program. "That is a very important step that makes the country ready because the first filter for vaccines to be deployed in the country is about the regulatory process to ensure that all vaccines coming in the country are safe, efficacious, and of good quality," she said in a media briefing. The FDA has yet to complete the EUA application review of US biopharmaceutical firm Pfizer-BioNTech and British company AstraZeneca. LIST: LGUs allot funds for COVID-19 vaccination Escalante acknowledged the deployment plan crafted by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., the Department of Health, and other agencies is already in the "final stages of development." The WHO official also said the Philippines has existing cold chain storage equipment to keep vaccine vials. She noted that the government is ready to deploy the ultra-cold chain storages, which is the requirement in some vaccines such as the ones made by Pfizer. Galvez said equipment that can keep vaccines at minus 70 degrees Celcius are only available in Metro Manila, Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Cebu, and Davao. The government is in talks with the private sector to establish cold storage rooms and walk-in freezers to keep vaccines in the required temperature to ensure its efficacy. Escalante recognized the ongoing efforts of the FDA to create protocols to monitor those who have been injected. She stressed its importance since the approved vaccines are still undergoing trials, therefore it needs strict post-monitoring. Bagong-bago ang bakuna at magkakaroon iyan ng adverse events. All vaccines have the risk of having an unexpected event, she said. [Translation: Its a new vaccine so there will be adverse events. All vaccines have that risk.] Taking these four aspects into account, Escalante said the Philippines is on track in its vaccination program. Sa nakikita namin [From what we can see], the Philippines is on track in terms of preparation for vaccine introduction and for the vaccine rollout, including distribution, she said. The government aims to secure 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from around seven companies this year. If this goes as planned, around 50 to 70 million Filipinos could be vaccinated by the end of 2021. But Galvez said the actual number of doses that will be bought depends on the availability of vaccines as he noted that 80% percent of the global supply has already been procured by rich countries. The Philippines has so far only sealed two vaccine agreements. The private sector and national government secured 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, while the Quezon City government and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 closed a deal for 750,000 doses from the same company. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 05:05:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close President of the European Council Charles Michel attends a joint press conference in Lisbon, Portugal, on Jan. 5, 2021. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa met here Tuesday the President of the European Council Charles Michel, marking the beginning of the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union. (Photo by Pedro Fiuza/Xinhua) LISBON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa met here Tuesday the President of the European Council Charles Michel, marking the beginning of the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is Portugal's fourth presidency of the Council of the European Union. Germany handed over the six-month rotating presidency to Portugal at the start of the year. Costa said on Tuesday at a press conference that this is an "enormous honor" and that it will be "six months of intense work." "It is a presidency in which we want to work very closely with all institutions, but in particular with the President of the Council," he said. According to him, the top priority for the Portuguese presidency in the EU will be, "firstly, economic recovery. After the extraordinary work of the German presidency, it is time to act to ensure a fair, green and digital recovery." He said that the recovery will be based on the "climate change" and "digital change" which "should not be seen as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for the further development of European economies." The second priority, he said, will be to develop the European Union's "social pillar" to establish "a solid foundation to give confidence to all to face the challenges [...] it means to invest in innovation and in social protection so that nobody is left behind." The third priority is "to increase the strategic autonomy of a Europe open to the world, a Europe that asserts itself as a global actor, that may be more present in different value chains, but that refuses protectionism and remains open to the world," said Costa. "And that, in this opening to the world, it must do so in a plural way," he added, referring to partnerships with the East, the African continent and transatlantic connections. For his part, Charles Michel highlighted that his presence is a "sign of commitment." "2020 was, as you know, a brutal year, but we now have the sun and the helm. The COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated our systems in Europe, we now have the opportunity to reaffirm priorities. We are going to work permanently," Michel noted. Michel also said that the European Council will have a "fundamental" role in vaccination by "working day and night to make sure we can increase the number of vaccines available." As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in some countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines. Meanwhile, 232 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 60 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Dec. 29. Enditem December 29 A crash was reported at the 500 block of N. Columbia on Dec. 29. Vehicle damage was reported. Scam by electronic mail was reported at the 4100 block of W. 19th St. on Dec. 29. December 30 A 23-year-old man was arrested on Dec. 30 at the 3200 block of Olton Road. The individual was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and with possession of marijuana. Police were called out to a miscellaneous incident at the 900 block of W. 28th St. on Dec. 30. A crash was reported at the 1900 block of W. 5th St. on Dec. 30. Vehicle damage was reported. December 31 Police arrested two men at the 600 block of W. 11th St. on Dec. 31. Joe Daniel Luna, 37, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, both of which are felonies. Ruben Ramos, 40, was charged with possession of marijuana and with possession of a controlled substance, which is a felony. He was also arrested for several outstanding warrants. Officers responded to the 900 block of Joliet St. in reference to an aggravated assault on Dec. 31. No arrests were indicated. Identity theft was reported at the 1200 block of Milwaukee St. on Dec. 31. Police were called to the 1300 block of W. 10th St. on Dec. 31 in reference to criminal mischief. Damaged property was reported. A crash was reported at the 3200 block of Olton Road on Dec. 31. Vehicle damage was reported. Officers responded to a report of criminal mischief on Dec. 31 at the 500 block of W. 18th St. Damaged property was reported. Police responded to the 900 block of W. 11th St. on Dec. 31. Evading arrest was reported but no arrests were indicated. A hit-and-run crash was reported at the 1100 block of N. Columbia. Private property damage was reported. January 1 A crash was reported at the 800 block of Denver St. Vehicle damage was reported. Ruben Anthony Diaz, 23, was arrested at the 1100 block of Oakland St. on Jan. 1 for an outstanding felony warrant. An assault was reported at the 1600 block of W. 21st St. on Jan. 1. A 40-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 1 at the 3700 block of Olton Road. The individual was charged with public intoxication and criminal trespassing. Police responded to the 600 block of W. 24th St. on Jan. 1. A crime report indicates marijuana was found but no arrests were indicated. A 20-year-old woman was arrested on Jan. 1 at the 700 block of W. 11th St. for an active misdemeanor warrant. Shoplifting was reported at the 3300 block of Olton Road on Jan. 1. Arson of a motor vehicle was reported at the 100 block of Oak St. on Jan. 1. A hit-and-run crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported Jan. 1 at the 1600 block of Kokomo St. A hit-and-run crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 1600 block of W. 5th St. on Jan. 1. January 2 A 33-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 2 at the 200 block of S.E. 6th St. The individual was charged with driving while intoxicated, criminal mischief and with resisting arrest, search or transportation. Shoplifting was reported at the 1500 block of N. Interstate 27 on Jan. 2. A 58-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft, public intoxication, criminal trespass and with possession or use by inhaling or ingesting a volatile chemical. January 3 Burglary of a vehicle was reported at the 1400 block of Zephyr St. on Jan. 3. Criminal mischief was reported on Jan. 3 at the 600 block of S. Itasca St. Vehicle damage was reported. An assault was reported at the 1800 block of W. 9th St. on Jan. .3. A burglary was reported at the 1600 block of Houston St. on Jan. 3. A burglary was reported at the 1300 block of Kokomo St. on Jan. 3. Two individuals were arrested on Jan. 3 at the 600 block of Joliet St. Matthew James Armijo, 25, and Angelica Gabriella Martinez, 23, were both arrested and charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence, with is a felony. Armijo was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, which is also a felony. Martinez was also arrested for an outstanding out-of-county warrant. Trespassing was reported at the 100 block of E. 6th St. on Jan. 3. January 4 A stolen vehicle was reported at the 1400 block of Amarillo on Jan. 4. Theft from a vehicle was reported at the 2800 block of W. 18th St. on Jan. 4. A burglary was reported at the 600 block of Xenia on Jan. 4. Theft from a vehicle was reported Jan. 4 at the 1300 block of Borger. Criminal mischief was reported at the 700 block of Houston St. on Jan. 4. Damaged private property was reported. An aggravated assault was reported on Jan. 4 at the 100 block of W. 9th St. No arrests were indicated. Officers responded to the 2600 block of W. 18th St. on Jan. 4 in reference to criminal mischief. Damaged property was reported. Criminal trespassing was reported at the 2400 block of N. Columbia St. on Jan. 4. Police responded to the 1400 block of W. 12th St. on Jan. 4 in reference to a domestic disturbance. No arrests were indicated. Officers responded to the 2800 block of W. 20th St. on Jan. 4 in reference to a domestic disturbance. A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, possession/delivery of drug paraphernalia, and two active warrants. State Forest rangers came to the rescue recently of a kayaker whose craft overturned in high waters on Cattaraugus Creek in Western New York and was unable to get find a safe way to get out of the area. Also, they came to the aid of ice climber with a lower leg injury. Those rescues and other incidents involving Forest Rangers were noted in a weekly report by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. All information below was supplied by the DEC. Town of Persia, Cattaraugus County Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 2 at 11 a.m., Forest Rangers were notified of a pair of stranded kayakers on Cattaraugus Creek. The two men had been paddling in high water conditions when one paddler flipped and lost his kayak. The second subject lost his kayak attempting to grab the first. One kayaker landed on the Erie County side of the creek and was able to hike out on his own. The other kayaker landed on the Cattaraugus County side of the creek in an area without safe trail access. One Forest Ranger responded to the scene and rappelled down to kayaker. The Ranger harnessed the man to be raised out on a system set up by Forest Ranger Rogers and Gowanda Fire Department and Ambulance. Members of the District 1 Rescue Team also responded to assist. The kayaker did not require medical assistance and was released. Town of Keene Valley Essex County Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 28 at 9:58 a.m., Essex County 911 transferred a call to DECs Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a 51-year-old male from Forest Mills had sustained injuries from a 30-foot fall on the Giant Mt. Ridge Trail. While four Forest Rangers responded to the trailhead, another conducted a phone interview with the reporting party and determined the incident a medical emergency response. Rangers requested Essex County Emergency Service to deploy a Critical Care Technician to assist with medical care. Icy trail conditions warranted an additional five Forest Rangers, two members of the DEC trail crew, and eight members of the Keene Valley Backcountry Rescue Group to assist with a steep-angle technical rescue. At 12:30 p.m., the hiker was stabilized and packaged into a litter for a two-mile carryout to a waiting ambulance. At 3:15 p.m., the injured hiker was out of the woods, turned over to Keene Valley Rescue, and transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment. All personnel were clear of the scene at 3:30 p.m. Town of Hunter, Greene County Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 29 at 11 a.m., Greene County 911 received a call from a hiker with an ankle injury on the Escarpment Trail near Laymans Monument. The hiker was wearing sneakers and slipped on the trail due to icy conditions. Forest Rangers responded, along with members of a local fire department, to the hikers location. Once on scene, Rangers determined the 25-year-old hiker from Lebanon, New Jersey, had an unstable ankle injury. Responders implemented a rescue plan that included re-warming the hiker and packaging him in a litter to be carried out half a mile to the Laurel House trailhead. The hiker was then transferred to Hunter Ambulance and transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Town of Windham, Greene County Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 1 at 11:20 a.m., Greene County 911 received a report of a woman with an injured elbow on the Batavia Kill Trail. The subject had been trail running on the Acra Point Loop Trails with another runner until they separated to take different trails to Big Hollow Trailhead. Near the Batavia Kill lean-to, the woman fell on the ice, which caused an unstable elbow injury. She called 911 for help and slowly continued out to the trailhead with a group of hikers who stopped to assist her. Two Forest Rangers responded, with one Ranger locating the 29-year-old woman from Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on the trail at 12 p.m. The Ranger provided warming materials, stabilized the runners arm, and assisted her to the trailhead. Windham Ambulance EMS evaluated the subject at the trailhead and she reported that she would seek additional medical treatment on her own. Brookhaven State Park. Suffolk County Law Enforcement Detail: On Jan. 2, two Forest Rangers participated in a Suffolk County Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council Multi-Agency ATV detail. During the detail, one of the Rangers and three Suffolk County Park Rangers received a complaint of two Enduros (street legal dirt bikes) illegally operating in Brookhaven State Park. The officers responded to the area and attempted to stop the vehicles, at which time the operators fled the scene. The Rangers followed the two operators to their residence in Mastic, approximately 10 miles away. The operators were issued multiple summonses and both vehicles were impounded. While issuing summonses to the individuals, an officer in the area reported an ATV operating on a nearby roadway. Officers responded and the vehicle fled the scene, crashing into another vehicle. The operator fled on foot and was subsequently arrested. After further investigation, it was determined the operator had arrest warrants for Grand Larceny, Assault, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. The arrest was turned over to the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office. Town of Hunter, Greene County Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 23 at 12 p.m., DECs Central Dispatch received a report of a 64-year-old man from Yorktown Heights with a lower leg injury in the Platte Clove area. Ten Forest Rangers responded to assist the injured ice climber, along with Tannersville Rescue, Hunter Fire Department, Hunter Ambulance, Greene County Paramedics, Ulster and Greene Deputy Coordinators, an off-duty Mohonk Preserve Ranger, DECs Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation, and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. The climber was evaluated by a medical professional who was recreating in the area and fire department personnel. A Forest Ranger descended into the gorge to provide further first aid and assist in packaging the man into a litter while one Forest Ranger rigged a high angle rescue system to haul the climber out of the gorge. The man was then carried out to the road and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for additional medical treatment at 4:15 p.m. Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DECs Hike Smart NY and Adirondack Backcountry Information webpage for more information. Man who sabotaged 500+ vaccine doses believed it was unsafe KameraOne 27,247 views 5 months ago A hospital pharmacist accused of destroying over 500 doses of the Moderna COVID vaccine did so because he believed it would alter people's DNA, prosecutors in Wisconsin say. This is 13: boredom plus powerlessness plus the horror show of my changing body; the way Im supposed to act like its not happening. In the family Christmas photo Im wearing a pastel shirt with a bolo tie and a Hooters badge (the 80s pop band, not the breastaurant chain) and my hair is still short and the hope is leaking from my eyes. Its nearly impossible to fill out Dolly quizzes with any level of honesty. Im good at memorising song lyrics but I have no social capital. I spent year 8 sucking up to the popular kids, and teasing anyone lower down the food chain. I didnt consider it bullying because it was only verbal; in some skewed sense it all felt like self-preservation. Going to a new school a private school, in a better suburb is my second chance. At the new school it isnt hard to feel like an outsider. The sleek girls here are super-sleek. Their hair is longer and their skin is softer. I mean, there are normal girls too, there are nerds and duffers and netball freaks, but there is also a culture in place, certain words and ways that have to do with money. Its a learning curve. I dont yet understand about class or social inequity. Suddenly Im hearing this new descriptor bogan. Suddenly Im worrying that I am one. I change my socks from anklets to knee-highs. There is nothing I can do about my hair. ''Everyone you meet brings you to something new,'' writes Simmone Howell. Credit:Jeffry W. Myers The fastest way to friendship is through my obsessions. My latest love is The Young Ones, a TV series about a student household Vyv, the punk, Rik, the socialist, Mike the Cool Person and Neil, the hippy. Its on the ABC late at night, and its the funniest, most violent and anarchic thing Ive ever seen. The way the characters act is the way I wish I could act. I feel gross and loud on the inside, why cant I show it on the outside? I want to explode things and kick heads! One day I hear Frances same year, different class quoting Rik in the lunch room, I cant go to prison, Im too pretty, Ill get raped and this is how we find each other. As soon as we learn that the Young Ones star Rik Mayall and writer Ben Elton are coming to Melbourne, we cook up a plan to meet them. It means asking my parents, who are cautious at the best of times, to let me stay overnight at a strange girls house. Miraculously, they say yes. Davies Buys Northshore Davies, a London-based professional services and technology business, has continued a US expansion with the acquisition of Northshore International Insurance Services, Inc. Northshore, based in Danvers, Mass., provides audit, claims management, subrogation management and consulting services to insurers. Its chief executive officer, Steve Murphy, will continue to lead the company. The purchase also included Northshores International Subrogation Management division in Plainfield, Ill., Davies said in a press release. The Northshore employees will join Davies insurance services business unit, led by CEO Steven Crabb. Last year Davies announced a deal to acquire the captive management & consulting businesses of insurance and reinsurance specialist Citadel Risk, based in the US and Bermuda, adding significant scale and reach to Davies established captive management segment, the company said. In December, Davies also completed the acquisition of Wakely Actuarial, a specialist actuary and consulting business based in Florida. As we head in to 2021 we will continue to invest and push for organic growth in all our core markets, as well as working with like-minded businesses via M&A to ensure we can deliver for our insurance and highly regulated clients, stated Dan Saulter, group CEO of Davies. Charles Taylor Purchases Aegis Charles Taylor, a London-based technology provider to the insurance industry, has acquired Aegis Corp., a third-party claims administrator based in Brookfield, Wisc. Mutual management and claims handling have been essential parts of Charles Taylors services for more than a century, stated Group Chief Executive Officer Rob Brown in a press release. The addition of Aegis further bolsters our capabilities in this segment and also builds our ability to serve public entities. Aegis provides claims services to risk pools and self-insured clients. The business is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where approximately 45 employees oversee insurance programs and manage claims for approximately 200 clients with $350 million in annual premiums under management, the company said. The acquisition follows Charles Taylors acquisition of SBSA in August 2020 and an announced agreement to acquire the Cosulich Group in October 2020. We look forward to joining Charles Taylor and leveraging the combined resources, expertise and technology to enhance our claims management offering and continue to create favorable claims outcomes for our clients, stated Aegis President John Dirkse. Vehicle Service Group Launches Hail Damage Product Chief Collision Technology announced the launch of a an automated hail claim management platform that will allow insurers, fleet managers and collision shops to track claims from the first notice of loss to vehicle repair. Chief, a division of Vehicle Service Group based in Madison, Ind., said its Constellation product quickly scans damaged vehicles, identifies hail dents and calculates the size within minutes. The information is used to estimate the cost of repairs. VSG said the vehicle hail scan technology was developed by Bob Finkle and Richard Adelman of the United States and the Scanmen Group from BelgiumDenise Bartels, Geert Willems and Aivaras Grauzinis. Constellation eliminates the need for an adjuster to manually review the damage, thereby reducing expenses and improving the accuracy of estimates, the company said. Chief will also supply to customers who need it full-service, supplement-free paintless dent repairs through National Hail and Dent, a well-known repair company with more than 28 years of experience. Constellation will be available for the 2021 hail season, the company said. The rules framed by the V-C of Kaloji University of Health Sciences covertly help the managements to block the seats and get them converted into management quota. Hyderabad: The top brass of Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences is hand-in-glove with the managements of private MBBS colleges in Telangana and set the stage for converting several convener quota seats to management quota. While the college managements get a fee of Rs 60,000 for each seat in convener quota, it gets at least Rs 1 crore as fee following the conversion of seats into C or management category. The amount will be more in some colleges. University vice chancellor Dr B. Karunakar Reddy warned private colleges against blocking seats at the time of Phase 2 counselling itself, but did not take any steps to plug the loopholes in counselling. The rules framed by him covertly help the managements to block the seats and get them converted into management quota. Rankers from Andhra Pradesh who already secured admission in top colleges like Andhra Medical College Visakhapatnam, Guntur Medical College, Rangaraya Medical College Kakinada, Kurnool Medical College and S V Medical College Tirupati applied for the mop-up phase of counselling in Telangana. Had these students applied in earlier phases of counselling, they could have got seats in Gandhi, Osmania or Kakatiya medical colleges. But, they applied only in the mop-up phase and were allotted seats in private colleges like Patnam Mahender Reddy, Malla Reddy, Mediciti, Bhaskara and RVM. The central agencies which did the counselling for All-India Quota seats and NTR University of Health Sciences, AP, strictly implemented the rules and removed students who took admission elsewhere from the merit list for the mop-up phase. NTRUHS even obtained data from the KNRUHS to identify and delete students who have already joined in colleges. But, the KNRUHS scheduled the mop-up phase before NTRUHS gave the free exit option to its students, so that students from other states can still apply here. The vice chancellor, while reacting to the news in Deccan Chronicle, defended his method of counselling though it opened the floodgates for Andhra students. He asserted that the alternative method of counselling would lead to several seats falling vacant and getting converted to management quota. Ironically, as many as 18 out of 23 students who did not join after the mop-up phase belonged to the neighbouring state. Maiduguri Hundreds of civilians are fleeing their homes following an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a community in Askira/Uba local government area of Borno state on Tuesday. It was learnt that the deadly groups are currently setting houses ablaze at Womdeo village in Askira/Uba council of Borno state. According to a fleeing resident, Musa Ishaiku, he said hundreds of residents "are currently taking refuge in the bushes and hills without knowing the whereabouts of their love ones." "They came at about 6:30 pm and started shooting from all angles, there was confusion as many parents could not find their children, we are on the hill now. Watching how are they currently burning down our houses." Musa stated. Another resident, Steve Mamza said that the insurgents came in hundreds to attack the community. " As I am speaking with you they are still in Womdeo village, walking free for about two hours now. Many of our people have fled to the adjoining community for safety. Our village is under attacks by Boko Haram."Mamza added. As of the time of filing this report, the military was yet to confirm or deny the incident. Daily Trust reports that the insurgents had on Monday attacked a military settlement in Kuda, near Chibok town at exactly 4:30 pm. Six soldiers and one civilian reportedly died during the exchange of gun duel. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. ANN ARBOR, MI Craig Sidelinger never gave anything less than his best when it came to being a firefighter or a family man. By his early 40s, he had done more with his life and seen more of the world than most people twice his age, his wife Julie Sidelinger said. He was a wonderful husband and an amazing father, she said. He was always an explorer ready to find the next adventure. Sidelinger had planned for more adventures in his life with his wife, his 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son, but fate decided otherwise in July 2019 when he was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. After almost two years of undergoing various cancer treatments with little progress, he came to terms with what was happening to him and said he wanted to go home, Julie said. He was discharged from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital to hospice care on Dec. 28, and on Monday, Jan. 4, Sidelinger, 45, a 20-year Ann Arbor firefighter, died. In the end he felt blessed, knowing he had done more with his life and seen more of the world than most people. His only regret was leaving his children to grow up without a father, Julie said. Sidelinger began his Ann Arbor Fire Department career as a firefighter on March 13, 2000. In 2010, he became the departments training officer, a position he filled until he was medically retired last November. He was an all-around fantastic guy. A real change agent, Ann Arbor Fire Chief Mike Kennedy said. He took over the training office early in his career and elevated it to be better for not just Ann Arbor but fire departments through the county. During his career, Sidelinger was a part of and worked with the Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Response Team, the Swift Water Rescue Team and was key in obtaining fire training trailers that are used by not only Ann Arbor crews, but crews throughout Washtenaw County, Kennedy said. If there was ever a need for someone to volunteer to do something, he was always the guy to raise his hand, Kennedy said. Sidelingers cancer diagnosis took everyone by surprise, as his family had no prior history of cancer, his wife said. The cancer wasnt detected early as he was too young to be screened for it, Julie said. After his diagnosis, he had a genetic test done at the University of Michigan which showed he didnt have any genetic precursors for cancer which made it clear to everyone this (cancer diagnosis) was work related. The family applied for and was granted assistance from the states First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund which offers financial assistance to first responders and their families after a cancer diagnosis. The fund provides assistance on the presumption the cancer was caused on the job, as first responders are regularly exposed to a variety of toxic substances, both knowingly and unknowingly, and it can be difficult to determine what exact substance caused the cancer. After his diagnosis, friends and colleagues rallied behind Sidelinger, offering additional assistance and doing what they could to show him they cared, Julie said. More than 40 firefighters from multiple departments gathered at the hospital when he was discharged, standing shoulder to shoulder saluting him for his years of service. AAFD is beyond grateful to all the firefighters and paramedics who came out tonight on very short notice to support... Posted by City of Ann Arbor Fire Department - Government on Monday, December 28, 2020 Instead of riding home with his wife, Sidelinger took one last ride home in Ladder 5, the Ann Arbor fire truck he had rode in throughout his career. I know he couldnt have been comfortable in that ride, but he still loved it anyway, Julie said. Sidelinger was humble and didnt want to have a big funeral, Julie said, so his family is following his wishes and is not planning a public funeral at this time. Instead, they are taking his cremated remains to their familys dream home property in Gaylord, she said. Before his death, Sidelinger OKd the creation of a GoFundMe account to collect donations to fund his childrens future educational expenses. As of 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5, the account has collected more than $23,000. We never expected this kind of support for everyone and I cant thank everyone enough, Julie said. More from The Ann Arbor News: Washtenaw prosecutor launches effort to review thousands of past cases for racial bias Mayors refusal to censor Violin Monsters F-bombs sparks Ann Arbor council debate Washtenaw County ramping up COVID-19 vaccination efforts after slower start Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed in a phone call on Wednesday with his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, means to coordinate the next meeting for the quartet group, which comprises Egypt, Germany, France, and Jordan, to revive the Palestinian peace process. A foreign ministry statement said the meeting, which has been under preparation since December, would take place within the next few days. The meeting will include the foreign ministers of the quartet and their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts. The quartet are the group of countries that aim to push forward the peace efforts in the region during the coming period, in coordination with the United States and all relevant parties, the ministry said. Shoukry also discussed in a phone call with Riyad Al-Maliki, the Palestinian foreign minister, Egypts efforts in reaching a just and permanent solution to the Palestinian cause based on its long-established stance. The ministry explained that coordination is ongoing between the Egyptian and Israeli foreign ministers, as well as their Palestinian counterpart, within the framework of overseeing preparations for the meeting. The expected meeting comes after the foreign ministers of the four countries met in the Jordanian capital of Amman in September, encouraging the Israeli and the Palestinian sides to work on reviving the peace process that has been frozen for years. The phone call between Shoukry and Ashkenazi comes a day after Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed the Palestinian issue with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. El-Sisi affirmed, during the call, the importance of reaching a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and to establish their independent state in accordance with international laws. Search Keywords: Short link: Former Charlie's Angels star Tanya Roberts died 24 hours after her partner prematurely said she passed away. Tanya Roberts's partner prematurely announced her death According to Daily Mail, while Tanya, 65, was still fighting for her life at the ICU, her partner Lance O'Brien mistakenly announced that she was dead. However, the Bond girl died after 24 hours of the premature revelation. On Monday, obituaries for the star were published worldwide after her agent informed the media that Roberts died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Sunday. Her partner broke down in tears as he received a call from the hospital during the emotional interview. O'Brien said with anguish, "Now, you are telling me she's alive," O'Brien told Inside Edition that the ICU team from the hospital said Roberts is alive. On Monday night, Tanya's partner confirmed she died, TMZ reported. Actress Tanya Roberts's agent revealed that she died from a urinary tract infection that spread to her liver, kidney, gallbladder, and bloodstream, Daily Mail reported. Tanya spent the day walking her dog and complained of being unwell on Christmas Eve. In the night, Roberts collapsed while on her way to the bathroom. ALSO READ: His Heart Will Go On: Drunk UK Man Legally Changes Name to Celine Dion O'Brien believed Roberts died without speaking to a medical staff Roberts was immediately brought to the hospital and was placed on a ventilator, but her condition deteriorated immediately. She was tested for coronavirus, and the result was negative. On Sunday, her partner O'Brien went to the hospital after doctors said the actress rapidly deteriorated and she was going to die, as per TMZ. O'Brien said Roberts opened her eyes and tried to grab him, but then it closed again, and she "faded." O'Brien said he left the hospital devastated without speaking to the medical staff of Roberts's manifestation. On the same day, Tanya Roberts's partner appeared, claiming that he had watched the actress' 'last moments.' Hours later, the news of Tanya Roberts's death was released by several outlets worldwide. Tanya Roberts's partner does not know who to blame Lance tried to explain the confusion on how he announced his partner's death, saying he does not know who to blame for the mix-up. Meanwhile, the hospital declined to comment on the case for the patient's confidentiality. Tanya Roberts's partner told The Sun, "I turn around, and she's completely passed out cold. I thought that was that she wasn't going to recover." A press release by Pingel was later issued saying Roberts, who is famous for appearing opposite Roger Moore in the 1985 Bond Film "A View to Kill," had died. The representative said he had discovered the news of the actress's death from her partner, Lance O'Brien, who told TMZ he visited Roberts at the hospital before she passed away. Who is Tanya Roberts' partner Lance O'Brien? Lance O'Brien is the low profile husband of Tanya Roberts, as per The Sun. The couple has kept their relationship private, and it was unclear when the two tied the knot. But Tanya Roberts was married first to screenwriter Barry Roberts before she found her love with O'Brien. Tanya and Barry married in 1974 when the actress was just 19 years old. Before Barry died in 2006 with encephalitis caused by brain inflammation, he and Tanya spent their life in California. READ ALSO: Chrissy Teigen Reaches Sobriety Milestone: Why She Quit Drinking @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A SKELETON discovered buried by an old Cork railway line may be the remains of a British soldier or Black & Tan captured and executed by the IRA during the War of Independence. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster yesterday examined the remains found by the old Midleton-Youghal railway line in east Cork on Tuesday evening. The line is being redeveloped as a greenway - and workers were shocked during site clearance works to discover what were clearly human bones. Read More All work was immediately suspended and the area was sealed off by gardai. A forensic anthropologist will now examine the bones, including a human skull, to determine their precise age and origin. The bones are considered historic and, all indications are they were buried at the site near the Dungourney Road a considerable time ago. A preliminary examination of the skull and large bones recovered indicated they are the remains of an adult male and are somewhere between 20 and 100 years old. Gardai also uncovered a number of animal bones in the area. A Garda source stressed that the remains can only be precisely dated after laboratory tests and a full forensic examination. However, gardai do not believe the remains involve a recent death and are keeping an open mind about the grim discovery. One local theory is that the remains could be those of a British soldier or Black and Tan executed by the IRA in 1920-21. This was underpinned by the proximity of the site to the IRA's famous 'Sing Sing' holding prison in east Cork. It was used as a secret detention centre for Crown forces captured in Cork - and became notorious during the conflict. More than a dozen were executed and buried locally after being held at 'Sing Sing' which was the vault of an old church. Rumours that it was haunted ensured locals gave it a wide berth. Cork was an epicentre of the War of Independence with some of the conflict's most vicious battles and atrocities including the Kilmichael ambush and the burning of Cork. Historian Barry Keane said the find was intriguing given its proximity to an area closely associated with IRA executions. "A number of Crown personnel were reported missing from that general area," he said. Mr Keane, who wrote the book 'Massacre in West Cork', said remains were found in an area of significant IRA activity in 1919-21. One British soldier reported missing from the area was Private John Arthur Anderson of the Cameron Highlanders who was abducted in error by an IRA unit in Cobh after mistaking him for a British Army officer with the same surname. The Midleton-Youghal railway line was first developed in 1859 but the last train to use the Midleton-Youghal section ran 33 years ago. Cork Co Council now plans to transform the 23km line into a 19.8m greenway. Read More Online Editors N ow that many of us are getting back up, not quite running yet, but moving forward, some are looking at the value of things. Keeping in min... Agreement with NextEra for millions to fix county roads seems likely Codington County and NextEra Energy appear to be headed for an agreement on the repair of county roads damaged during wind tower installation. Anger, division, conflict. Once more Northern Ireland stares down the barrel, but this time it's the academic futures of P7 pupils that the sights are trained on. Never before in the history of the transfer test has the system of academic selection come under more scrutiny. On, off and now, after a day of indecision, half the party is on again after one examiner said it would look to hold a single test on February 27. It's a crazy situation. Always an emotive topic, the merits of placing students in grammar schools has long been a tradition in Northern Ireland, but many recoil at the idea of testing children aged 10 and 11 at a time before many are ready to cope with the challenge and pressure the testing process brings with it. This year that pressure was ramped up to an incredible level. The first of this year's tests was due to take place on Saturday and while all may have been calm once 8,000 children had taken their seats in test centres, a storm would have been raging around them. The debate in the run up to the tests, which had already been postponed from their usual November date, wasn't centred around the relative merits and detractions of academic selection. It was whether or not the idea of those 8,000 turning up to take the test was safe in the current environment. The pressure was already being ramped up on a beleaguered Education Minister to cancel - though the private bodies running the tests would have a say. Hands looked to have been finally forced by growing Covid cases and Boris Johnson's announcement on Monday night that all schools in England would move to remote learning immediately and all exams would not be able to go ahead as planned. Mr Weir was giving the transfer test, and the hope of keeping schools open, every chance. He seemed to have run out of chances. It all smacked of a 'let's keep our fingers crossed and hope things work out OK' policy. Fingers have been burnt and no amount of bandaging will take away that pain. Wounds will have to be nursed, as too will the thousands of children and parents who prepared for this a second time only for it all to be pulled from under them again. Then the AQE replaced the rug. While many will be quick to pick up arms against the idea of academic selection, that wasn't the issue this time around. Safety is. When Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she believed the tests should not proceed on Monday, adding that Mr Weir "needs to act now", the writing was on the wall that there would be no writing on the test papers. She also said that she expected "clarity" from the Stormont Executive. What will the DUP be faced with should the pupils transfer to grammars seamlessly now tests have been called off? That's the conundrum now facing the DUP Minister. More and more it's beginning to look like Custer's last stand. It's circle the wagons time but the arrows will rain down. Ahead of Tuesday's decision, Peter Weir said: "A range of protective measures are being put in place for the tests." But those 'protective measures' were sketchy at best. That's why there was another clamour for 'clarity'. It's a call we're getting all to used to and here we are again. While the Education Minister said the transfer test would not amount to a 'free-for-all' mass gathering of pupils from various schools in one location, it led to a free-for-all in terms of criticism. What's needed now are sensible heads. But calls will rise for academic selection to stop in its entirety, and no matter what critics of the procedure say, the underlying assertion is that the issues over the merits of selection through testing is going to be under more intense pressure whether this weekend's test now goes ahead or not. That was a risk the DUP seemed unwilling to take, and now we have another U-turn in what is fast becoming an education system travelling around in circles. Spare a thought, then, for the head teachers who are left to plot a way through the minefield now laid out before them. "I am just so sad for our children and their families that we are in this situation today," said Graham Gault, president of the National Association of Head Teachers here. "There have been many months for a Plan B to be drawn up and as the urgency of a contingency plan has increased there has been little progress made in this regard. "The Minister has worked hard to protect the system but it does feel that the actual wellbeing of the children has not been at the forefront of any planning." The mental health aspect has not gone unnoticed either. Professor Siobhan O'Neill, interim mental health champion, said: "It adds to the mental health implications of the tests, we already have children under significant pressure as a result of the pandemic," she said. "I think it is unacceptable." Of course there are lessons to be learnt. Aren't there always? But you only get a gold star for your work if you get the answers right. Clear and concise answers get the best results. And just when you think the answer is becoming clear, the question changes again. While the risk to healthy children is less, healthy unvaccinated children who do not receive the vaccine can getand transmitthe virus both to vulnerable classmates, for example, children with medical conditions that put them at high risk if they get COVID-19, and to high-risk teachers (such as the teacher, administrator, or janitor who is over 60 years old, those who are immunocompromised or have conditions like diabetes or heart disease). There may be additional risks not yet discovered, for example, recent findings from the UK suggest that COVID-19 may cause a severe but rare syndrome in children, though the data are yet too limited to be certain. It is unclear what age COVID-19 vaccines will be recommended for, but if adolescents, there may be more of an argument for autonomy and in that case, it is worth considering not just a mandate, but the right of a minor to consent to a vaccine over parental opposition. Autonomy focuses on the right of individuals to govern their own behavior and requires both ability to comprehend the choice, the alternatives, the consequences, and freedom from outside limitations. Children generally have less autonomy than adults, because their capacity to make decisions is less . The autonomy in question here is that of parents to make medical decisions for their children and that autonomy is more limited, since the primary focus is on the childs benefit, with the parent or guardian acting as their agent. Dr. Caplan has an interesting view on ethical issues and mandating the COVID vaccine, as shown in this piece, Considerations in mandating a new Covid-19 vaccine in the USA for children and adults from May 2020, co-authored with Dorit Reiss from the University of California, Hastings. By Anne Dachel Dr. Arthur Caplan is the head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York. He is an ardent proponent of vaccines and strongly denies any link between vaccines and the development of autism. utilitarianismacting for the benefit of the greatest number for society as a wholesupports a COVID-19 mandate, as it supports other vaccine mandates. The lengthy piece basically concluded that in the case of a COVID-19 vaccine, mandating it is the way to go. In short, depending on the features of the vaccine, there may be good ethical grounds to mandate a COVID-19 vaccine, as long as the risk is low, and access is readily available. Our jurisprudence suggests that states will face few, if any, legal barriers in doing so, and the past political fights brought on by anti-vaccination groups are likely to be significantly weakened by the unparalleled intensity of the COVID-19 crisis. A week later, Dr. Caplan was featured on a 60 Minutes Australia interview. Caplan basically rejected the feasibility of a vaccine for COVID-19 in the near future. Here was a top expert in the U.S. casting serious doubt on our mad rush for a massive vaccine rollout and he doesnt get top story coverage here. Instead we have vaccine researcher Peter Hotez . telling us that not only will the COVID-19 vaccines protect us against the current virus but also new variants coming along. Over seven months ago Arthur Caplan said that just isnt going to happen. May 17, 2020, 60 Minutes, Australia: Scientist says a coronavirus vaccine in just 12 months is 'fake news' 60 Minutes Australia: Right now theres one thing all 8 billion of us on earth wish for, a vaccine for COVID-19. Around the world political leaders, sweating on getting us to the other side of the pandemic, promise it will happen within 12 to 18 months. But hold on a minute. Vaccines normally take decades to formulate, and quite often success never comes. So why should we be so optimistic now? Some scientists say talk of a coronavirus vaccine is not only raising false hope; its fake news. For a planet and its population in lockdown, its our one sure way back to normal. But are we being sold a lie? After all, COVID-19 is the seventh coronavirus to strike mankind, and weve never found a vaccine for any of them. Dr. Arthur Caplan: To quote a famous President, Its fake news. The shortest time anybodys ever found a vaccine against any disease that Im familiar with is about 7 years. The average time is 20. To be talking about a magic bullet coming in months, it borders on the absurd. 60 Minutes Australia: Professor Arthur Caplan is director of medical ethics at New York University. Dr. Caplan: Im not saying dont spend the money. Im not saying dont do the research. But we cant plan public policy on a miracle. 60 Minutes Australia: Right now there are about a hundred medical teams around the world, including Australia, chasing that miracle, the Holy Grail of a COVID vaccine. Surely one of them will find it. Dr. Caplan: Look, viruses are very clever. We have no AIDS vaccine right now. Weve been looking for that for more than 25 years. Theres no vaccine for hepatitis C. Even the flu vaccine weve got, which weve been working on for decades, is about 40 percent effective in a good year. Theres no guarantee we will find something to beat this virus. The idea that just because a lot of teams work on this, its going to give somebody the breakthrough, that doesnt follow. Dr. Frances Lund: You have the whole world working on it, so this is not a disease that is a neglected disease. Everybody and their brother is working on it, right? So there are about a hundred vaccines that people are looking at very hard right now. I think one of them will work. Were one of only a couple that are doing it as a nasal vaccine. You develop immunity at the site where youre going to get infected. Dr. Caplan: I dont think the hunt for a vaccine is a waste of time, but I think its a waste of time to act as if were going to get something in six months or 12 months or 18 months for everyone in the world. And we will need billions of doses of whatever they find if were going to knock the plague out. Just in the U.S., youd need 300 million or more doses 60 Minutes Australia: But this company in Canada may have found a way of producing vaccine doses in the tens of millions quickly and cheaply. 7:17 60 Minutes Australia: Finding a vaccine, as impossible as that may sound right now, is only the first step. Remember, this is something thats going to have to be injected, somehow delivered to most of the worlds population. If we get it wrong, we could turn a catastrophe into a medical apocalypse. Dr. Caplan: You get one shot and one shot only. You get one opportunity here. If you create something that isnt safe and it sickens people, getting people to go for the next vaccine will be next to impossible. To achieve the impossible both in the time frame the timeframe the politicians are promising and to ensure the safety of the vaccine, some, like Professor Caplan, are advocating a radical and highly risky strategy: deliberately infecting healthy volunteers to determine if the vaccine works. Its called a challenge study and its rarely been done in medical history. Dr. Caplan: If you immunize people and then deliberately give them the virus, deliberately you infect them, pick people who are young and very unlikely to die, then you know. You get an answer. We have, if you will, a setup to speed up by months, if not years, the ability to find that vaccine. Right now theres a website thats started to ask for volunteers for challenge studies. I do think the problem is not going to be getting the volunteers; its going to be making the decision that its ethical to do this. I think you could the process by anywhere from six months to a couple of years because, remember youre talking about tens and tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people dying over that period of time. I think its time, given this enormous plague and the damage its causing and the deaths its causing, to look for that kind of heroism again. 60 Minutes Australia: In a sense, the world doesnt have a choice. The question cant be IF we find a vaccine, but when, no matter how many billions of dollars and man hours it takes. If we dont, we face a future of lockdowns, social distancing and recurring COVID pandemics for years, if not decades to come. 12:04 Dr.Caplan: Politicians, whether its in the U.S.A., the U.K., Australia, other countries, they want to be optimistic. Telling people to lock themselves up for a year and a half while we try to wait this thing out, is probably impossible and they know that. So they quickly turned to talk about vaccines and magic bullets as a way to give us hope. Im not against hope, but when you talk about vaccinating the world in 12 months, I think youre fantasizing. I wrote about Dr. Caplan for Age of Autism back in 2010. Valid Concern for 60 Year Old Medical Travesty: What About Today's? (This is the link to the 2010 article by Dr. Caplan that I refer to in my AoA story.) DALLAS, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Kanarys , the first Black and female-founded DEI technology company that gathers specific, actionable insights to help diagnose, prioritize, and optimize DEI efforts in the workplace, announces the closing of its historic $3 million seed round. Led by Zeal Capital Partners ' Inclusive Investing fund, the round also includes Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Morgan Stanley, 100 Black Angels Fund, Segal Ventures, and Jigsaw Ventures. The funding comes as more companies embrace transparency, prioritize DEI, strengthen workplace culture, and use data-driven approaches. This brings the total amount raised by Kanarys co-founders, Mandy Price and Star Carter, to $4.6 million to date a positive shift towards more equitable venture capital trends. In 2017, studies showed that 98 percent of venture capital raised in the U.S. went to men. Black entrepreneurs in general receive less than one percent of venture capital, and Black women founders make up only 0.6 percent of venture capital funding raised. According to data obtained from Crunchbase, Mandy and Star are among just 25 Black women founders who have raised at least $4.6 million in venture capital and two of only 93 Black women who have raised over $1 million in funding. Kanarys will use the funding to further advance product features, make key hires on the technology and business development teams, and accelerate sales and marketing efforts. "We know that a focus on DEI in business is not just the right thing to do for employees, it also makes good business sense," said Mandy Price, CEO and co-founder of Kanarys. "Kanarys' DEI data arms companies, for the first time, to make precise, immediate, and informed decisions using real, intersectional metrics around their diversity goals and inclusion programs that ultimately drive bottom-line business objectives. We are encouraged by the commitment of our investors and customers in our shared vision to help every person Work Where They Belong." The company is currently measuring DEI insights on nearly 1,000 U.S. companies through verified employee reviews, company policies, and organizational data making it the largest DEI data-driven platform of its kind in the U.S. Since launching the platform in 2019, the company has grown 2,000 percent in users on its platform, and its customers include Fortune 500 brands. "We are proud to back Kanarys because the founders are enacting real change, and their use of advanced technology and data is redefining how corporations measure and analyze the impact of DEI initiatives," said Nasir Qadree, founder and managing partner of Zeal Capital Partners. "There is a sense of urgency among corporations and organizations to do better by their employees and Kanarys is a trusted solution that will lead to improved workplaces and enhanced outcomes." Kanarys has achieved a number of other notable milestones in 2020, including an investment by tech giant Google and being selected for its Startups Accelerator: Black Founders Class. The company was named one of the three winners of the Rise of the Rest Virtual Tour: Equity Edition, chosen from more than 500 applicants. The co-founders have been recognized in Entrepreneur's 100 Powerful Women of 2020, featured on Good Morning America, and accepted into the Unreasonable FUTURE of Work program, working with the Fossil Foundation, Pearson, and Accenture to create a more inclusive future of work. Additionally, this year, the company partnered with several major advocacy organizations, including the National Urban League and Prospanica, and Kanarys' CEO, Mandy Price, was named a 2020 UN Day Global Leadership recipient and Dallas Startup Week's 2020 Rising Entrepreneur. For more information about Kanarys, visit www.kanarys.com . SOURCE Kanarys Related Links http://www.kanarys.com India has become embroiled in Australia's trade dispute with China as the country's politicians, media and human rights commission push for the Chinese government to allow dozens of Indian sailors trapped off China's coast to go home. About 70 ships full of Australian coal but crewed by foreign seafarers including Indian citizens have been waiting at Chinese ports for months as the country's government refuses to let them unload but importers and ship charterers are demanding the ships wait regardless. The crew of the carrier Anastasia are desperate to go home. Like Australia, India has a tense relationship with China that deteriorated over the last year because of clashes at the countries' shared border; Indian bans on Chinese apps; and concerns over China's increasingly muscular approach to foreign policy. The Times Group, India's largest media conglomerate, has been campaigning on behalf of 39 Indian sailors stuck on two vessels, the Jag Anand and Anastasia, who have spoken of their despair at being trapped in Chinese waters for about 6 months as part of voyages that for some are nearing two years. EFFORTS have been made to try and sell Mallorca to the European market as a remote working destination for digital nomads who can work from anywhere, but the pandemic continues to complicate movement, but why does not Palma look to the mainland? One perfect example is Italy where more than 100,000 people working in the north have returned to their native villages in the south because of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are continuing to work for their employers based in the north, but remotely. As a result, large northern cities are losing their workforces. Milan, an important business hub, has lost more than 12,000 inhabitants since February 2020. Meanwhile, towns in the south are benefitting from the arrival of these young remote working professionals, in a north-south exodus previously unheard of in Italy. What is more, even on the island of Sicily, the local authorities are doing all they can to attract, accommodate and facilitate digital nomads. And, apart from just providing long-term accommodation packages, the authorities are opening up the local museums and heritage sites to new home workers to make their lives more interesting and attractive. Sicily has used its culture to tap into the new and growing technological industry, why cant Mallorca do the same for workers from the mainland? A US judge has delivered actress Amber Heard a setback in her $100m (81m) claim against ex-husband Johnny Depp for allegedly trying to destroy her career. The judge, based in Virginia, ruled this week that disparaging comments reportedly made by Depp about Heard online did not constitute defamation. The two actors are involved in duelling lawsuits. Depp (57), star of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, sued Heard for $50m in 2019 over a Washington Post editorial in which she claimed to have been a victim of domestic abuse. Depps lawsuit contends Aquaman star Heard (34) was referring to Depp, despite not naming him. Heard said the op-ed regarded matters of public concern protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Heard then filed counterclaims against Depp last year, claiming he directed a concerted social media effort to tarnish her career and have her removed from the sequel of Aquaman as retaliation for what she has publicly claimed about their troubled marriage. Fairfax County Judge Bruce White on Monday considered Heards claims that Depp launched a nationwide campaign to discredit her. Judge White said: The pleading fails to demonstrate that the social media accounts communicated obscene language, suggested obscene acts, or threatened illegal or immoral acts. Rather, Depp texted statements, privately, to two of his friends, and Ms Heard has not alleged that Mr Depp intended for her to see them. Judge White decided that Depp will continue to face her claim over statements made by the actors lawyer, Adam Waldman, to the Daily Mail that Heards story of being abused was fake and part of a sexual violence hoax. Depp and Heard were married little more than a year, but the case has extended 18 months with hundreds of pages of motions and numerous courtroom disagreements over evidence. Depp lost a separate case heard in the UK in November, in which he sued The Sun newspaper for describing him as an abuser. The High Court in London heard Depp violently abused Heard on multiple occasions during their relationship. Depp is appealing against that ruling. The Virginia case goes to trial in May. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Online Editors [January 06, 2021] Si2 Workshop Explores Global Effort to Measure AI Compute Capacity and Infrastructure An international effort to assess artificial intelligence compute capacity and help governments make informed AI infrastructure investments is the focus of an online workshop hosted by Silicon Integration Initiative, January 29, 8:00-10:00 am PST. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005093/en/ Keith Strier, Vice President, Worldwide AI Initiatives at NVIDIA (News - Alert) (Photo: Business Wire) Keith Strier, vice president, Worldwide AI Initiatives at NVIDIA, will discuss the AI Compute Task Force created in early 2020 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Te OECD is a Paris-based intergovernmental economic group with 37 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. The task force is developing a framework to measure and benchmark domestic AI compute capacity and other AI readiness components, including budgets and investment priorities. Their work could also address concerns that wealthier countries are making outsized investments in AI compute capacity, possibly leading to a global compute divide that will sustain resource inequalities in a global digital economy. Strier chairs the OECD task force and has primary responsibility for the NVIDIA global public sector portfolio and the AI Nations Partnership Initiative. He also advises national and city government leaders on AI policies and infrastructure. The workshop also features Yiorgros Makris from the University of Texas at Dallas. He will discuss how machine learning can reduce semiconductor testing costs, increase test quality, improve yield and test floor logistics, and guide designers and process engineers. Makris is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and co-founder of the NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center on Hardware and Embedded System Security. His research focuses on applying machine learning and statistical analysis to develop trusted and reliable integrated circuits and systems, emphasizing the analog/RF domain. The workshop will conclude with an update on the Si2 AI/ML in EDA Special Interest Group. Speakers are Joydip Das, SIG chair and senior engineer, Samsung Austin R&D Center; and Kerim Kalafala, SIG co-chair and senior technical staff member, IBM (News - Alert) EDA. The workshop is open to the public and registration is free. For more information visit http://bit.ly/si2_ai_workshop. About Si2 Founded in 1988, Si2 is a leading research and development joint venture that provides standard interoperability solutions for integrated circuit design tools. All Si2 activities are carried out under the auspices of The National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, the fundamental law that defines R&D joint ventures and offers them a large measure of protection against federal antitrust laws. The Si2 international membership includes semiconductor foundries, fabless manufacturers, and EDA companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005093/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Nigerias Christians trapped between COVID-19 and terrorism, human rights leader says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The combination of COVID-19 and the rise in terrorist activity in Nigeria has left Christians in that country in peril, said Nigerian human rights group leader Dalyop Solomon. Life became very, very brutish. You will wish you had not been born in this part of the world. There was no way out. There was no way out, the CEO of the Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria told The Christian Post. Behind us are the Egyptians, in front of us is the Red Sea. Nigerias government has advised Christians to stay in their homes to avoid COVID-19, said Solomon. But if they remain locked down at home, they cannot escape when groups of terrorists attack them. The government fails to respond to these attacks, which have increased in frequency across Nigeria. In 2020, human rights groups estimated that over 2,200 Christians were murdered by radical Islamist militants. Prior to this time, the attacks were only concentrated in a few communities, but we can see now it has become very pervasive. Only a few states were not touched by terror attacks. They have expanded the attacks to become land grabs, he said. The attacks during the pandemic are also having long-term consequences. Many Nigerians rely on farming to survive. Since radical Fulani militants often destroy or plunder crops when they attack, farmers' livelihoods are destroyed, said Solomon. COVID-19 restrictions prevent them from leaving their homes to plant new crops. Both two seasonal farmings we have in Nigeria have been aggravated by the actions of Fulani hitmen grazing [cattle] into farm crops that are about to be harvested, he said. Having expended the little an individual has for harvest for the family, just overnight all those dreams are shattered by the barbaric activities of the herders. There wont be food for the families, and government is not providing food security. Between COVID-19 and Fulani raids on crops, its likely only one in five Nigerian farms harvested what it planted this year, Solomon explained. The nation has never seen such widespread destruction of crops, and Nigerians will likely face famine in 2021. Other news outlets have also reported about the concerns over the potential for famine. When Islamists kill farmers, people fear to go out and plant their fields. Starvation drives people to despair, Solomon said. People turn to robbery, prostitution and selling children into slavery to survive. A single pandemic ought to have made us united to see how we can survive this tragic development. But its rather turned out to be that COVID-19 has unleashed terror attacks, he said. The United States added Nigeria to its list of countries that have engaged in or tolerated ongoing egregious religious persecution. Government inaction suggests that Nigerias pandemic response has hidden motives, Solomon believes. It appears to be politically framed, he said of the pandemic in Nigeria, which has affected around 90,000 people and led to 1,311 deaths. People affected began to wonder whether it is true that COVID-19 is as real as the way it has been globally reported, or if it is a ploy to instill fears in the minds of the people so militias will have a soft target to unleash hideous crimes on unsuspecting individuals. Farmers who report attacks by Islamists dont receive justice from the government, Solomon said. Instead, they single themselves out for attacks by the terrorists. Unless the Nigerian government is purposeful in its approach and its action to tread the path of justice so every individual is treated equally as a member of the human family, I have not seen the prospect of having a secure nation. I have not seen the prospect of having a nation run right. I have not seen the prospect of having a country that will thrive economically, he said. After receiving death threats from Islamist terrorists for his human rights work, Solomon spent most of the Christmas season in hiding. He said the threats make him feel more sad than afraid. That one has to go hide out simply because of telling the truth, its quite a sad experience, he said. This is not the intention of God for man. The truth is God Himself, and one cannot speak God in a situation because some individuals fear that their hideous activities will be exposed. Solomon asked for Christians around the world to put pressure on the Nigerian government to do justice. Please, as a matter of conscience, faith and love for people under persecution I ask for an intervention and provision of relief materials. Christians in Nigeria need humanitarian aid to cushion the impact of alarming destruction that has been meted out on Christendom as a whole, he said. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. It is a shell of the ideal set up under the 1975 Family Law Act, which also introduced no-fault divorce and wrapped support services, such as mediation and counselling, around the legal business of disentangling couples. Litigation was discouraged, judges removed their wigs to signify a more informal approach and the aim was to make proceedings inexpensive and relatively painless. When the Sydney registry opened its doors in January 1976, unhappy couples were already waiting outside. Elizabeth Evatt was the founding chief justice of the Family Court of Australia when it opened in 1976. Credit:Steven Siewert But the concept was never fully realised because the Whitlam government was dismissed before the final pieces were put into play. The founding chief justice, Elizabeth Evatt, says the court was compromised from the start because a senior tier of judges had not been appointed by the time Malcolm Fraser came to power. "Fraser wasn't very enthusiastic about the court and wanted to have as few judges as possible," Justice Evatt said. "All the wonderful ideals that we had didn't come to fruition, not fully. It was installed up to a point, but it was always a bit over-burdened." By 1999, delays in the system had become endemic and the relationship between the government and the court was toxic. It was taking so long to replace retired judges that the waitlist had blown out. Meanwhile, the Family Court bombings of the 1980s and the advent of men's rights groups had raised concerns the Family Court was biased towards women. The personal animosity between the attorney-general, Daryl Williams, and chief justice, Alastair Nicholson, was well known. Loading Mr Williams' solution - both to the systemic delays and the perceived cultural issue - was to set up a separate magistrates court (which later became the Federal Circuit Court), to streamline the less complicated cases and also hear migration, industrial and bankruptcy matters. It was a fateful move. Two decades later, the two-court system is widely acknowledged to be confusing, complex and wasteful of time and money, with 1200 matters bumped between the two courts annually. Justice Nicholson - who Mr Williams said was only opposed to the move because he wanted his own magistrates to "boss around" - said the courts competed against each other from the first. "It was a very destructive, fraught system," Justice Nicholson said. "We had people shopping which court to go to. It should never have happened." In the intervening years, funding has not kept pace with demand as the number of parents separating has increased. The senate inquiry into the merger bill heard that some judges in the Federal Circuit Court have more than 600 cases on their dockets. Paul Doolan, the chair of the family law section of the Law Council of Australia, said some Federal Circuit judges were regularly faced with lists of 30 or more cases per day. "How can a judge who's trying their very best to do a good job for everyone keep up with that workload?" Mr Doolan said. "It's not the most satisfactory way of ensuring you get a just outcome for litigants, or a safe workplace for those judges." And while people wait for their cases to be heard, there are more interim hearings, more letters to be answered, more complications that require a lawyer, and as a result their legal costs increase. Mr Doolan encourages his own clients to go through mediation and avoid the courts altogether. "Even if they're spoiling for a fight, I say to them, 'By the end of two or three years in court you will hate your wife or you will hate your husband, you will hate the system, you will probably hate the judge, you will hate me and you will hate your barrister. It's not a happy system to be involved in. You need to try and find a reasonable compromise.' "Unfortunately for some people, especially those who have experienced family violence, there is no reasonable compromise available and a properly functioning, adequately resourced court system is needed." The perception among litigants is that justice in the Family Court is costly and arbitrary. It depends on the individual case and possibly the individual judge. They struggle to respect the process, especially if the case has not gone their way, and cases rarely do go all one person's way in the Family Court. Final orders are not necessarily final. And even when one party does "win", it seldom feels like a victory. Attorney-General Christian Porter says the merged Family Court will be more efficient and cheaper. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen There were times during the six years Rob fought for more time with Jackson that his parents urged him to walk away. It was not the cost they deplored (Rob stopped counting before his legal bill clocked $100,000), so much as the emotional toll that affected every other part of his life. There are times, now, when he considers the paltry four weeks of access that he has to show for all that litigation, that he wonders if they were right. "But there's always something that draws you to your own kid and I just couldn't do it," he said. "I had to keep going." Last month they spent their first Christmas together. Loading This is the stuff of the Federal Circuit Court. It hears 90 per cent of family law matters in Australia, with the most complicated cases reserved for the Family Court. Last year it finalised almost 16,000 matters. Attorney-General Christian Porter says providing a single entry point into the federal Family Courts will make the system quicker, efficient and less costly to use because it will eliminate the transfer of matters between courts. It is the least radical path to resolving a failed system, he says. "There are a lot of vested interests in the legal fraternity," Mr Porter said. "It is unfortunate that many of the contributions in the debate about much-needed reform in this area misrepresent both the current role of the FCC in resolving family law matters and effect of the bill, as well as reflecting a lack of real commitment to changes that would see more efficient processes for families and less fees for lawyers." There is little argument in the legal fraternity that creating a single entry point for Family Court matters will be more efficient than the existing split system. But there is greater support for a model proposed by the NSW Bar Association, which moves all family law work into the Family Court of Australia, leaving the remaining business of the Federal Circuit Court to stay where it is. Loading It is argued that folding a standalone specialist court into an already overburdened generalist court flies against advice that victims of domestic violence are better served by specialist services, and will not reduce backlogs. "I just can't see how it's going to help," said family law barrister Melissa Gillies, SC. "What does it actually mean to clients coming through the door? Will it mean their matters come on quicker? And it doesn't mean that. So why are we doing it?" A group of 11 hikers who drove more than 150 miles from London to the Peak District have been fined for breaching coronavirus rules after one of them crashed their car. The men had travelled from Harrow, North London in three vehicles on Monday, ahead of Boris Johnson announcing a third nationwide lockdown for England which came into force today. They were caught flouting Covid-19 laws by police near Bamford, Derbyshire after one driver flipped his car on the A6013 following a day in the countryside. The men, who were embarking on the three-hour journey home, were each handed 200 penalties for travelling between Tier Four areas. Derbyshire Police also seized one of the three vehicles due to it being uninsured and sent its owner home on a train. At the time, London was under England's highest Tier Four restrictions which had banned people from embarking on non-essential travel out of the city. A group of 11 hikers who drove more than 150 miles from London to the Peak District have been fined for breaching coronavirus rules after one of them crashed their car. Pictured: The car Exercise outdoors had been permitted under the rules, but this was to be done alone, within a household or with one other person - if social distancing was maintained. Derbyshire had entered Tier Four on New Year's Eve due to rising infection levels. Sharing photos of the crashed car, Buxton Police wrote: 'Last night a group of 11 came up from Harrow in three cars. 'One crashed. One car seized due to driver not being insured and was sent home on the train. All 11 will now be getting a fixed penalty notice of 200.' The driver of the car which ended up on its roof was treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries. Angry locals took to social media following the news, with many saying the area had been heaving with tourists travelling from across the country. The men had travelled from Harrow, North London in three vehicles on Monday, ahead of Boris Johnson announcing a third nationwide lockdown for England which came into force today It comes after crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday (pictured) despite Welsh police and park authorities urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules Jenny Fletcher said: 'My partner is the manager at a petrol station just outside Buxton. Got people from all over the country coming in everyday. 'Said today was really busy. Since when is a can of pop an essential item!! Stay at home!!' Kathryn Donnelly added: 'Selfish behaviour. Stiffer penalties required. 200 isn't painful enough.' Aaron Banks said: 'You would not think we in the grip of a pandemic, our area has been busier than ever. 'I don't get the moronic attitude of people just ignoring a killer virus. What is wrong with people?' It comes after crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday despite Welsh police and park authorities urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules. Crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday despite Welsh police and rangers urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules Police officers have also slammed 'selfish' Tier 4 tourists who traveled up to 270 miles to climb Snowdon in Wales - in breach of lockdown rules. Pictured: Officers in Snowdonia Hikers and families with sledges defied pleas from officials and headed to the snow-blanketed Storey Arms beauty spot, wrapping up for the crisp wintry weather. Brecon Beacons authorities had expressly told people to follow 'stay at home' orders and not come to the site. 'Wales is in lockdown with only essential travel permitted, therefore people are unable to drive to visit any of the Welsh National Parks,' the instruction said. But they acknowledged 'it is clear' people have been flouting the rules and 'putting themselves and the Park's fragile rural communities at greater risk'. North Wales Police blasted New Year's Day walkers (the force's tweet, pictured) who flocked to snow-covered Snowdonia National Park to scale Wales' biggest mountain Hikers had traveled from as far away as Kent, Southampton and Solihull, the force revealed on Twitter, all of which were under Tier Four restrictions at the time. Pictured: Snowdonia on New Year's Day Police had previously threatened rule-breakers with hefty fines after it emerged that English residents were crossing into Wales and make use of the sprawling hills. Similar scenes were spotted in Snowdon on New Year's Day, where North Wales Police noted walkers had journeyed up to 270 miles to scale Wales' biggest mountain. Hikers had traveled from as far away as Kent, Southampton and Solihull, the force revealed on Twitter, all of which were under Tier Four restrictions at the time. Author Lee Seung-u / Courtesy of Literature & Thought By Park Han-sol Literature & Thought, the organizer of the prestigious Yi Sang Literary Award, which caused a stir last year after awardees boycotted the prizes protesting unfair copyright restrictions imposed by the organization, named Lee Seung-u as this year's winner, Monday. The 61-year-old writer won the grand prize for his short story "The Buoyance of Mind," which was published in the 2020 spring edition of the Literature and Society quarterly magazine. It portrays a mother who mistakes her younger son for his dead brother, in the religious context of guilt and sin. The judges praised the story for its detailed description of the character's internal struggle as well as its elegant writing style. "Even though the narrative contains a brief family story that one can easily encounter in everyday life, it has succeeded in combining the heavy, abstract theme of guilt and a sense of liability between the son and the mother with various real-life socio-ethical problems," they said. In his written acceptance speech, Lee described his work as "a story that examines the emotional struggles of individuals left behind who cannot ignore the words uttered by those gone, thus suffering from guilt and a sense of loss." He added that the novelist winning an award for his work is "like an incident where unfamiliar guests make a surprise visit to a worker's office filled with regulations and repetition," awakening his weary spirit, and leaving him vowing to continue his work instead of questioning the reason for the visit. Since his literary debut in 1981, the writer has published multiple novels and short story collections, including "In the Shadow of Thorny Bushes," "The Reverse Side of Life" and "The Song of the Ground." He has won the Daesan and Hwang Sun-won literary awards, among many others. Runners-up for the award were Park Hyoung-su's "The World of 97," Yoon Sung-hee's "Black Hole," Jang Eun-jin's "My Romanian Class," Cheon Un-yeong's "Please Be My Father" and Han Ji-soo's "Acting Class at Night." Last year, the organizers of the iconic award faced criticism for its unfair contract terms, which imposed a three-year exclusive use of copyright on winners and forbade them from publishing their works as a title piece in their own short story collections. The controversy prompted multiple runners-up, including Kim Keum-hee, Choi Eun-young and Lee Ki-ho, to refuse the award and sparked a series of boycotts among other writers online. The grand prize winner Yun I-hyeong even announced the end of her writing career to protest such unfair practices. Literature & Thought subsequently issued a formal apology and vowed to remove "the toxic clause." With the announcement of the winners this year, the organizers laid out in detail the changes made in their regulations. These include making public the appointment of judges and their evaluation, imposing no copyright or publishing right use on winners and increasing the amount of grand prize money from 35 million won to 50 million won. A collection of the works of this year's winners will be published later this month. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) salutes the results of the 41st Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Saudi Arabia, in Al-Ula, Tuesday, where the member states of the GCC reached an agreement regarding the normalization of the relations with the state of Qatar, as well as the resuming of the sectoral cooperation, according to AGERPRES. MAE expresses hope that "the declaration signed by the representatives of GCC member states will lead to a definitive solution of the Gulf dispute, launched on June 5th, 2017. Also, MAE expresses its full appreciation towards the mediation efforts made by the state of Kuwait and the United States of America", according to a press release of the Romanian MAE. MAE also highlights that it supports the GCC unity, expressing hope that resuming cooperation and consolidating growth measures of trust among the member states will significantly contribute to ensuring a security, stability and prosperity climate within the Gulf region and the Middle East. Alex Wong/Getty Images As a pro-Donald Trump mob infiltrated the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dan Crenshaw took to Twitter to try to calm the rioters. Stop this bullsh-t right now, tweeted the U.S. Rep, who represents parts of northern and western Harris County. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Doctors may have to decide which severely ill patients to treat based on a 'lottery' if the NHS is overwhelmed this winter under draft Covid rationing plans. The guidance also advises medics look at patients' potential to contribute to society or their likelihood of surviving the treatment as a way to prioritise whose lives should be saved. The protocol says that for patients who are in similar health and cannot be separated in other ways, a 'random allocation, such as a lottery, may be used'. The document, published in the Journal for Medical Ethics in November, was drawn up by experts at a major NHS Trust in Bath in an attempt to come up with a system for rationing care in the event there are not enough resources to treat everyone. It being widely circulated among NHS specialists, according to the Telegraph, as some trusts struggle to deal with a tsunami of coronavirus patients with the new, highly infectious strain of the disease. Medical, legal and palliative care specialists at the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust (RUHBT), who drafted the protocol, stressed the health service has not yet reached the tipping point at which care needs to be rationed. But two-thirds of trusts in England are now treating more Covid patients than they were in April, and on Monday the Chief Medical Officers from the four home nations raised the national alert level to number five, meaning there is 'a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days'. It forced Boris Johnson into putting the country in its third national lockdown on Monday. Dr Kevin Fong, consultant anaesthetist and national clinical adviser to NHS England's emergency response team for Covid, who was not involved in the protocol, said today he had 'never seen anything like' the levels of patients currently in hospitals. Professor Tim Cook, a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at RUHBT who helped come up with the protocol, told the Telegraph it was intended to be used as a 'practical guide' for doctors working at speed in overcrowded Covid wards and ICUS in the event they run out of resources. He stressed it was a draft protocol and was not to be taken as policy. The authors say they were forced to come up with the protocol due to a lack of national guidance from the Department of Health or NHS England. There were disputed claims the NHS was rationing beds and denying older coronavirus patients intensive care treatment during the height of the first wave of the pandemic, even though hospitals were not pushed to the brink in the spring. Doctors may have to decide which severely ill patients to treat based on a 'lottery' if the NHS is overwhelmed this winter under draft Covid rationing plans drawn up by experts at a major NHS Trust in Bath The guidance also advises medics look at patients' potential to contribute to society or their likelihood of surviving the treatment as a way to prioritise whose lives should be saved (file) Dr Kevin Fong, consultant anaesthetist and national clinical adviser to NHS England's emergency response team for Covid, who was not involved in the protocol, said today he had 'never seen anything like' the levels of patients currently in hospitals 'This document is explicitly and only for use in times of inadequate resource, during which we need to change approach, and need a strong ethical framework in order to make fair decisions', says the protocol. 'When resources are sufficient, decisions are based solely on what is best for each individual patient. 'When resources are insufficient, decisions need to include a broader view on what is ethically fair for the wider community (society). 'This means factors such as fairness to others are included in decision-making'. It adds: 'The protocol aims to enable structured, explicit, transparent decision-making in a situation we all hope will never arise. 'This document has been produced locally as there is no explicit national guidance', says the document.' A spokesperson for Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust described the draft protocol as a 'research document for the purposes of discussion'. It was not 'trust policy and as such there is no related protocol at the RUH', they told the Telegraph. WHICH HOSPITALS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PATIENTS THAN IN THE SPRING? Almost two thirds of hospitals in England had more Covid-19 patients at the end of December than they did on April 12, which was the worst day for England as a whole during the first wave. The worst-affected hospitals now are mostly in the South of England, but NHS trusts in the North experienced similar spikes in patients at the start of the second wave in the autumn. Hospital trusts listed below had the biggest difference between total patient numbers in April and December, measured in raw numbers not adjusted for hospital size. Hospital trust name Covid patients on April 12, 2020 Covid patients on Dec 29, 2020 Mid/South Essex East Kent Maidstone Portsmouth East Sussex Barking, Havering Frimley Health North Midlands Dartford Hull University 374 143 85 130 68 171 276 134 79 44 785 415 299 342 257 356 453 304 241 191 Advertisement The protocol says a 'four-stage process' should be followed to decide who should get treatment in the event the NHS is overwhelmed. Doctors are advised to carry out a health assessment which takes into consideration the patient's survival chances and whether they have underlying health conditions, including if they are an alcoholic. They are then told the speak with the patient and their family to get consent about their treatment path. The document says medics must then consider 'ethical factors' with the aim being to 'save more lives and more years of life'. It adds that for patients who are in similar health, a 'random allocation, such as a lottery, may be used.' 'Other ethical considerations are more complex and opinions differ considerably. Some judge that an individual's potential to contribute to maintenance of the critical infrastructure throughout the epidemic may be considered in determining priority for allocation of ICU care. 'Others have proposed that people who participate in research to improve treatments or vaccines during an epidemic should be given some priority for treatment'. A final check is then to be carried out by a senior clinician not directly involved in the patient's treatment. There were disputed claims the NHS was rationing beds and denying older coronavirus patients intensive care treatment during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, even though hospitals were not pushed to the brink in the spring. Those aged over 80, and some over 60s, were not given potentially life-saving treatment because health officials were concerned the NHS would be overwhelmed, according to reports. It is claimed documents called a 'triage tool', drawn up at the request of England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, were used in preventing elderly Covid-19 patients from receiving ventilation in intensive care. As part of an investigation, the Sunday Times says the tool was used to create a 'score' for patients based on their age, frailty, and illness. Under the original system, over-80s were automatically excluded from ICU treatment due to their age. Even over-60s considered frail and with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart disease, could have been over the intensive care threshold. The tool was never formally published, nor was it official NHS policy. But the newspaper, which carries claims by doctors who say the tool was used in their hospitals, said the documents were widely circulated among health care professionals. Earlier this year NHS chiefs hit back at the accusations and said they were false, while 'deeply offensive to NHS doctors, nurses and paramedics'. Officials say that while early work on an intensive care national 'triage tool' did take place, it was 'not completed' and never issued. Graph shows the NHS hospital trusts that have the highest number of Covid-19 patients now compared to in April, with many hospitals seeing three or even four times as many people with the disease than they did at the height of the first wave Meanwhile, Dr Fong told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the third national lockdown gave the NHS a fighting chance of not being overwhelmed this winter. Cancer crisis hits hospitals: Fears for patients and heart victims as doctors are forced to axe urgent surgery amid Covid-19 surge Urgent cancer surgery is being cancelled as hospitals do not have space for non-Covid patients. Soaring admissions mean bosses in London and Kent say they had no choice but to take the drastic step so they can deal with emergency virus cases. In London, where hospitals are close to being overwhelmed, surgical theatres and recovery wards usually be used for operations have been turned into Covid wards. Doctors fear heart attack and stroke patients could also become collateral victims of the new lockdown, with a huge fall in the number of non-virus patients attending A&E. The first lockdown was blamed for tens of thousands of excess non-Covid deaths. The NHS had pledged to keep cancer treatment going throughout the winter but patients have had operations cancelled at the last minute. Surgery would require an intensive care bed for the patient to recover in but in many hospitals all ICU beds are taken up treating Covid. Operations classed as Priority Two deemed so urgent they must be done within 28 days have been called off at hospitals including Kings College London. It said: A small number of cancer patients due to be operated on this week have had their surgery postponed, with patients being kept under close review by senior doctors. Due to the large increase in patients being admitted with Covid-19, including those requiring intensive care, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone all elective procedures, with the exception of cases where a delay would cause immediate harm. Any delay to cancer surgery risks the tumour growing and the disease spreading, reducing survival chances. The Health Service Journal reported that cancellations were rife across London, with almost all non-emergency surgery scrapped. Thousands of elective operations, such as knee and hip replacements, had already been called off. Professor Neil Mortensen, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, told Times Radio: Over the weekend we talked about a slow-motion car crash, but I think its getting much worse than that now. My colleagues in London report that there are problems with staff numbers on the wards, staff numbers in theatres. Sara Bainbridge, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: We still must make sure that cancer doesnt become the forgotten C. It is imperative that people expecting tests and treatment face minimal disruption. Kruti Shrotri, Cancer Research UKs head of policy, said: Its extremely concerning to hear that cancer surgery is being delayed in some parts of the country, and this shows just how much the NHS is struggling to cope. We know NHS staff are doing everything they can. Were doing all we can to support the NHS to protect cancer services. Anyone who thinks they might have signs or symptoms of cancer, please go and see your GP the NHS is still open to see you. Meanwhile, Royal College of Emergency Medicine vice president Dr Adrian Boyle said attendances at A&E by non-virus patients has fallen by up to 30 per cent. We worry about the missing patients, he said. People with heart attacks and strokes can be too scared to come to hospital. People are coming more severely ill because they have waited too long to get help. We want to get the message out that if you do go to hospital we will do everything we can to look after you. He warned that the surge in Covid patients is having a knock-on impact, with trolley waits in A&E at their worst level for a decade. Professor Ravi Mahajan, the president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: If we do not take decisive action to tackle this virus now, we will see increasing waiting lists which may take years to get under control. A spokesman for NHS England said: Trusts continue to treat as many elective patients as possible, and are prioritising those who have been waiting the longest, whilst maintaining cancer and urgent treatments. Howev Advertisement He said: 'I think what we've got coming up now are the most dangerous four to six weeks of the whole pandemic and we need this last push to get us through, and we need everybody's help to help choke off the supply of these cases coming through. 'We need the public to help us, we're out there to help you. We need you to help us.' He said 'the whole country is busy at the moment don't let anyone tell you otherwise, we're running super hot.' 'I think my colleagues in intensive care are out at full stretch, they have been for some time now, and this is as hard as I've ever seen the teams work. 'We are grateful that the lockdown has come. It gives us a fighting chance, but I have never seen anything like it. 'We have been working flat out across Christmas doing everything we can to address the surge in cases of Covid-19.' He said 'staffing is a problem because of isolation people having to go into isolation because of contacts people being sick themselves, and just the staff being exhausted really'. He added: 'So yes, all of these pressures are building up in the system. It comes as MailOnline's analysis of NHS figures showed two thirds of hospitals in England currently have more Covid patients than they did on the country's worst day in April last year when the pandemic first exploded. There were a record 26,000 infected patients in hospital beds across England on January 2, the most recent day data is available for, and doctors warn admissions are still accelerating as the second wave rages on. On Monday London reported 828 new coronavirus patients were admitted to hospital on January 2, in the highest daily toll for nine months and close to the record of 883 back in March. And analysis of official statistics shows some hospitals in hard-hit areas such as Kent and East Sussex are seeing up to three times as many coronavirus patients as they did on April 12, the point of the first wave at which patient numbers were highest. NHS staff from across the country say caring for surging numbers of people is becoming more and more difficult, with one London hospital last week declaring it was in 'disaster' mode. One doctor said medics in some badly hit areas are already having to decide how to ration ventilators for intensive care patients and face 'horrifying' choices at work. Chief of healthcare union NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said the spike in Covid inpatients since Christmas alone was enough to fill 18 hospitals. And the Royal College of Surgeons's president, Professor Neil Mortensen, warned that patient numbers are now so high that cancer operations may have to be sidelined again. There was chaos in spring when non-urgent ops were cancelled and the NHS is now fighting its way through a backlog of thousands. NHS England statistics show that, in the most recent data from December 29, 81 out of 127 major hospital trusts had more Covid patients than on April 12. Many of the worst affected are in the South East and London, where the new fast-spreading variant of the virus has taken hold, with those regions now making up a majority of the daily positive tests being reported. Hospitals in the North West, which endured the full force of the second wave earlier in the autumn, have now seen patient numbers drop to more manageable levels. The new strain of the virus is not yet spreading as widely in the North of the country. NHS figures show that on the worst day in the first wave, April 12, there were 18,974 people with Covid-19 in England's hospitals. On December 29 this was 21,787. It has since spiralled to 26,626 but hospital-by-hospital data is not yet available for the extra 5,000 patients. December's data shows that London has the greatest number of Covid patients in hospital in part because it has the biggest population but there have been far sharper rises in the South East and the East of England. In the East of the country, inpatient numbers are 74 per cent higher than they were in the spring, with 2,922 patients on December 29 compared to 1,679 on April 12. There were 62 per cent more in the South East 3,796 compared to 2,342. In London, the Midlands and the South West, there were between eight and nine per cent more patients at the end of December than at the country's peak in April. But the North East, North West and Yorkshire all now have fewer inpatients than they did nine months ago. Many hospitals in the North, however, experienced the same spiralling pressures now being seen in the South at the start of the first wave in September, October and November, when cases were still low in other parts of the country. Mid and South Essex NHS trust, which runs hospitals in Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford, is one of the ones to have seen the biggest spike in patients during the second wave. On December 29 it had 785 people on wards with Covid-19, which was 411 more than double the 374 on April 12, England's peak. East Kent Hospitals has seen admissions almost three times as high, with 415 patients compared to 143, while the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells trust had 3.5 times as many patients in December: 299 compared to 85. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? 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What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid Washington A violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn Americas presidential election, undercut the nations democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. The nations elected representatives scrambled to crouch under desks and don gas marks, while police futilely tried to barricade the building, one of the most jarring scenes ever to unfold in a seat of American political power. A woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and Washingtons mayor instituted an evening curfew in an attempt to contain the violence. The rioters were egged on by Trump, who has spent weeks falsely attacking the integrity of the election and had urged his supporters to descend on Washington to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens victory. Some Republican lawmakers were in the midst of raising objections to the results on his behalf when the proceedings were abruptly halted by the mob. Together, the protests and the GOP election objections amounted to an almost unthinkable challenge to American democracy and exposed the depths of the divisions that have coursed through the country during Trumps four years in office. Though the efforts to block Biden from being sworn in on Jan. 20 were sure to fail, the support Trump has received for his efforts to overturn the election results have badly strained the nations democratic guardrails. Congress reconvened in the evening, senators decrying the protests that defaced the Capitol and vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College vote for Bidens election, even if it took all night. Vice President Mike Pence, reopening the Senate, directly addressed the demonstrators: You did not win. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the failed insurrection underscored lawmakers duty to confirm the vote. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would show the world what America is made of by finishing the count. The president gave his supporters a boost into action Wednesday morning at a rally outside the White House, where he urged them to march to the Capitol. He spent much of the afternoon in his private dining room off the Oval Office watching scenes of the violence on television. At the urging of his staff, he reluctantly issued a pair of tweets and a taped video telling his supporters it was time to go home in peace yet he still said he backed their cause. Hours later, Twitter for the first time time locked Trumps account, demanded that he remove tweets excusing violence and threatened permanent suspension. A somber President-elect Biden, two weeks away from being inaugurated, said American democracy was under unprecedented assault, " a sentiment echoed by many in Congress, including some Republicans. Former President George W. Bush said he watched the events in disbelief and dismay. The domed Capitol building has for centuries been the scene of protests and occasional violence. But Wednesdays events were particularly astounding both because they unfolded at least initially with the implicit blessing of the president and because of the underlying goal of overturning the results of a free and fair presidential election. Tensions were already running high when lawmakers gathered early Wednesday afternoon for the constitutionally mandated counting of the Electoral College results, in which Biden defeated Trump, 306-232. Despite pleas from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, more than 150 GOP lawmakers planned to support objections to some of the results, though lacking evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Trump spent the lead-up to the proceedings publicly hectoring Pence, who had a largely ceremonial role, to aid the effort to throw out the results. He tweeted: Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage! But Pence, in a statement shortly before presiding, defied Trump, saying he could not claim unilateral authority to reject the electoral votes that make Biden president. In the aftermath, several Republicans announced they would drop their objections to the election, including Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. She called the siege of the Capitol abhorrent. Shortly after the first GOP objections, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls. Lawmakers were told to duck under their seats for cover and put on gas masks after tear gas was used in the Capitol Rotunda. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., told reporters he was in the House chamber when rioters began storming it. Security officers made us all get down, you could see that they were fending off some sort of assault. He said they had a piece of furniture up against the door, the entry to the House floor from the Rotunda. And they had guns pulled, Peters said. And they just told us to take our pins off, he added, referring to lapel pins members wear so Capitol Police can quickly identify them. Then the lawmakers were evacuated. Staff members grabbed the boxes of Electoral College votes as the evacuation took place. Otherwise, said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., the ballots likely would have been destroyed by the protesters. The woman who was killed was part of a crowd that was breaking down the doors to a barricaded room where armed officers stood on the other side, police said. She was struck in the chest and sent to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Officials believe she was struck by law enforcement but were investigating. Trump supporters posting on internet forums popular with far-right fringe elements celebrated the chaos. Messages posted on one turned from profane frustration over the content of Trumps speech to glee when supporters stormed the building. At least one leading figure was livestreaming video from inside the Capitol during the siege. The mobs storming of Congress prompted outrage, mostly from Democrats but from Republicans as well, as lawmakers accused Trump of fomenting the violence with his relentless falsehoods about election fraud. Several suggested that Trump be prosecuted for a crime, which seemed unlikely two weeks from when his term expires. I think Donald Trump probably should be brought up on treason for something like this, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., told reporters. This is how a coup is started. And this is how democracy dies. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., whos at times clashed with Trump, issued a statement saying, Lies have consequences. This violence was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the Presidents addiction to constantly stoking division. Despite Trumps repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. The Pentagon said about 1,100 District of Columbia National Guard members were being mobilized to help support law enforcement at the Capitol. More than a dozen people were arrested. As darkness fell, law enforcement officers worked their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible. Police in full riot gear moved down the steps, clashing with demonstrators. BREAKING: Trump supporters clash with police, attempting to gain access to the U.S. Capitol building, as the Congress debate an objection to Arizona's Electoral College votes. pic.twitter.com/E3TAcJpaPM NBC News (@NBCNews) January 6, 2021 Live on NBC: Protesters have breached the barrier around the U.S. Capitol and approached the center steps. pic.twitter.com/tLij5qmRiJ Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 6, 2021 Breaking: Tensions continue to rise between Capitol police and protesters during the March to Save America rally. https://t.co/xyWkcOVn58 PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) January 6, 2021 Whoa: Trump supporters going at it with the police on the steps of the Capitol as Congress counts the Electoral College ballots inside pic.twitter.com/LiQhaa5KkQ philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 6, 2021 Capitol is more or less on lockdown after protesters breached the temp fencing that had been put in place for the day pic.twitter.com/CIkmlgVi3o Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) January 6, 2021 Reaction from Connecticuts top elected officials was swift and solemn Wednesday as they watched images of insurrection from Washington that were fueled by President Donald J. Trump on the day that electoral votes were to be counted. By 4 p.m., after a large mob engaged in an unprecedented invasion of the Capitol building, Gov. Ned Lamont, in a Twitter video, blamed Trump for inciting people during speech a few hours earlier. Mr. President, words have consequences and your angry words have dangerous consequences, Lamont said in a video posted on Twitter. Were looking at the TV right now. Demand that your agitators stand down and respect the peaceful transfer of power. State public safety officials Wednesday night continued to monitor events in the District of Columbia and were communicating with local police throughout the state, although there were no specific threats. This is no protest, this is a violent insurrection, Attorney General William Tong said Wednesday night. We're under attack from within figuratively and in fact. The terrorists, traitors and enablers who instigated, aided, and abetted this coup including those in Congress must be held accountable and never walk these halls of democracy again. The President must resign now. Anyone still standing with Donald Trump in his attempt to reject the will of American voters and overthrow our democratically elected government shares his unmistakable guilt. The insurrection, violence and treason at the U.S. Capitol lies directly at the feet of one man- Donald Trump, said Speaker of the House Matt Ritter. His lies and conspiracy theories are putting the lives of hundreds of law enforcement, public servants and congressional staff at risk. Ritter praised the 500 peaceful protesters who demonstrated outside the state Capitol on Wednesday during the opening day of the legislature. Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney said Wednesday night that it was Trumps reckless comments and his rejection of the clear and decisive election results to to blame. Republicans everywhere should reject this violence, sedition, and subversion of American democracy, Duff and Looney said in a statement. To the American people who are going about their lives as treason and sedition are happening at the U.S. Capitol, stop what you are doing and pay attention. Be disgusted, appalled, and angry. We can never let this happen again. Our Democracy is fragile and freedom is not guaranteed. Demand that all our elected officials reject today's events and the hate and lies over the past 4 years that caused this to happen." We condemn Wednesdays violence in the strongest of terms, said state Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly of Stratford. While we support peaceful protests, there is no place for violence. The bipartisan executive committee of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities issued a similar statement. We are outraged and dismayed by the direct assault on American democracy and on our representative institutions of government in our nations capital today, said the group, led by Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson. For the sake of our nation, our democracy, and each of our communities, we call on all Americans to accept the results of a free and fair election and allow the United States of America to move forward with a peaceful transfer of power, as we have done for more than two hundred years. Nancy Dinardo, Democratic state chairwoman, said Trump clearly incited the violence that left at least one person wounded from a gunshot. The woman later died. The President of the United States call for his supporters to march on the United States Capitol is a coup, period, DiNardo said. This is the moment when every American, every elected official, Democrat and Republican must join in the call for calm. There is no more time for debate. Every Republican particularly those who have been silent as Donald Trump has pursued this fact-free election challenge must stand up now and say clearly that that there was no election fraud and call for calm. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said that until Wednesday, there were peaceful transfers of power when new presidents were elected. What we are witnessing right now is an attempted coup, in broad daylight and on live television. It will fail. The people of America spoke clearly in November and elected a new administration in a free and fair election that was hailed as the most secure in our nations history. The will of the American people, and our American democracy will prevail. Christopher Shays, former longtime Republican U.S. representative for the 4th District who was succeeded by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, said in a phone interview Wednesday that he was shocked that such an incident of mob violence could occur in the Capitol building. This is an insurrection lead by the President of the United States who cant accept the fact he lost the election, plain and simple, Shays said. I never believed that I would see this, but I never believed that someone like Donald Trump could get elected president. If I did 1,000th of what hes done I would have been forced out of office. I weep for my country. Shays lamented the deep divisions in the United States not just between parties or urban and rural, but added, Were divided within our own families. Shays said he used to marvel, when as an elected official, he regularly attended quadrennial swearing-in ceremonies outside the Capitol building. I would go to the inauguration of president, depending on my rank Id be 40 or 20 feet away. And I would go as soon as it was over on the other side of the Capitol and wait for the new president to usher the former president, who is now a citizen just like you and me, onto the helicopter, Shays recalled. Its one of the most-moving experiences to see the peaceful transfer of power. It is such a basic requirement of anyone who is president of the United States to accept victory and accept defeat and honor the person thats taking their place. Staff writer Brian Lockhart contributed to this report. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Discover Wellness Solutions Inc. (CSE: WLNS) (formerly RMMI Corp.) ("Discover Wellness" or the "Company"), a licensed producer and processor under the Cannabis Act (Canada), is pleased to announce that the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), pursuant to the name change that was approved by the Company's shareholders on December 22, 2020, has approved the use of the ticker WLNS. Discover Wellness will trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") under the symbol "WLNS" effective January 6, 2021. Additionally, the Company has hired ARU Global Inc. to raise investor awareness for an initial period of six months for $4,500 per month. The Company's name change from "RMMI Corp." to "Discover Wellness Solutions Inc." and new ticker is part of a strategy to better reflect the Company's current operations which are more focussed on the much larger CBD market and away from cultivation of cannabis. The new name more closely aligns with the Company's vision to establish its cost leadership in CBD extraction with a focus on the non-psychoactive space, to create value for shareholders "The name change is part of strategy to rebrand our Company and focus attention on our wellness strategy," commented Peter Cheung, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Company would like to issue a correction in relation to the press release ("PR") issued on December 29, 2020 and titled, "RMMI Announces Completion of Name Change to Discover Wellness Solutions, Takes Possession of 550,000 kg of High-CBD Biomass and Completes Strategic Alliance with SynerGenetics Bioscience". The title and text in the PR should be changed to 550,000 lbs and that all references to "kgs" should be changed to "lbs". In connection with taking possession of the first 550,000 lbs of high-CBD hemp biomass pursuant to the Company's previously announced Hemp Contribution Agreement and the completion of the SynerGenetics Bioscience Inc. Strategic Alliance agreement, the Company has issued 19,734,000 common shares. It is a transformational deal as this purchase of hemp for Discover Wellness common shares and contingent consideration translates to a working capital savings of over $5 million and results in SynerGenetics Bioscience Inc. becoming a major shareholder and strategic partner to the Company. Discover Wellness Solutions Inc. Discover Wellness (formerly RMMI Corp.) is a Canadian company licensed, through its subsidiary, to cultivate, produce, process and sell cannabis in various forms. The Company's vision is to enhance shareholder value by establishing cost leadership in hemp processing and CBD extraction coupled with a global distribution strategy. Contact Information: Manish Grigo, Chief Strategy Officer mgrigo@discoverwellnesssolutions.ca 416-569-3292 Peter Cheung, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ir@discoverwellnesssolutions.ca 403-910-9191 Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements"). By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility, and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in our public disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Trading in the securities of WLNS should be considered highly speculative. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71464 The U.S. Capitol is on lockdown and lawmakers evacuated as Trump-supporting rioters stormed the halls of government, disrupting the congressional count of electoral votes finalizing the November election for Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. Republican President Donald Trump himself had addressed a nearby rally. Afterward, many marched to the Capitol. News reports and C-SPAN video showed a mob clashing with Capitol police on the outside steps and entering the building, leading to chaos inside as both chambers of Congress recessed and relocated. Lehigh Valley representatives have said they are safe as the situation unfolds. Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican from Lehigh County, was safe, his press secretary confirmed earlier to lehighvalleylive.com. Around 3:30 p.m., the senator issued a statement calling the riots an absolute disgrace. This is an absolute disgrace. I appreciate the work of the United States Capitol Police under difficult circumstances. I am currently safe as are the few members of my staff that are currently at the Capitol complex. Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) January 6, 2021 Toomey had addressed the Senate shortly before protesters broke into the Capitol. He has taken a public stand against the vote challenge by some fellow Republicans, saying that while he personally supported Trump, the choice of the American people takes precedent. Democratic Rep. Susan Wild, also from Lehigh County, tweeted that she and other members were safe and evacuated from the House session under guard. I am safe and ok. I have been moved with other members out of the Capitol under police guard. Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) January 6, 2021 UPDATE (4:02 p.m.): U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, a Democrat whose Seventh Congressional District in New Jersey includes the Phillispburg area and Hunterdon County, said he is safe on the Capitol grounds. He wants to continue the election proceedings when the situation is resolved. Lets finish the damn job, he tweeted. To all those who are worried about me, Im safe on the Capitol grounds. The moment we get the all clear, I say we go right back in the Chamber and finish the damn job. Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) January 6, 2021 UPDATE (4:08 p.m.): U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat representing parts of Warren County in New Jerseys Fifth Congressional District, thanked Capitol Police and law enforcement helping to keep us safe. This is a sad and dark day for our nation, but we will not let this reprehensible violence prevail. We will finish what we came here to do. I want to thank Capitol Police and law enforcement helping to keep us safe. Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) January 6, 2021 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Supervising reporter Kurt Bresswein contributed to this report. Reach him at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. State tourist service providers could be among first vaccinated Riviera Maya, Q.R. With the scheduled arrival of Coronavirus vaccines a week away, state governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez says he will look into the possibility of having tourist service providers among the first to be vaccinated. Joaquin says that given the concern over tourist service providers continually having contact with the public, he is looking into the possibility of having their vaccinations deemed a priority. While all initial vaccine batches into the country have been earmarked for the health care sector, Joaquin says his government will work to also make state tourist providers a priority sector. During a radio interview, Joaquin explained that state tourist service providers are in constant contact with national and international visitors, placing them at a higher risk for contagion. There is no scheme aimed precisely at tourism, but there is an avenue to access these types of places faster, he emphasized. Tourist service providers could be added to the states priority list According to the federal government, on January 11, a first batch of the vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Quintana Roo. One batch is scheduled to land at Chetumal International and the other, at Cancun International. There is great concern from the health point of view due to the arrival of visitors, mainly foreigners to our country and mainly to Quintana Roo we had a very quick response knowing that on January 11, there would be vaccination schemes, he highlighted. Having vaccinated tourist service providers could help with the overall perception of the region and positively contribute to the economic and tourist recovery of the state in 2021. United Nations, Jan 6 : India has expressed concern over the possibility of terrorists getting hold of chemical weapons and called for unrelenting global action against them. At a Security Council session on Tuesday on the use of chemical weapons in Syria, India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti, said, "India remains concerned about the possibility of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorist organisations and individuals." "Terrorist groups have taken advantage of the decade long conflict in Syria to entrench themselves posing a threat to the entire region. The world cannot afford to give these terrorists any sanctuary or dilute its fight against these terrorist groups," he said. Several terrorist organisations operate in Syria, notably the Islamic State which is active in some areas even after it had been ousted from the large tracts it controlled. Tirumurti reiterated India's unequivocal condemnation of the use of chemical weapons. "India has been firmly opposed to any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, and under any circumstances. We strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons, and there can be no justification for their use," he said. The session, held virtually, was the Council's first open meeting and India made its first official statement after joining the body this month as a non-permanent member. The session tested the diplomatic finesse of New Delhi, which has amicable ties with Damascus, and was caught between the US and its allies opposed to Syria, and Russia and China, which are supportive of it. "In our view, politicisation of the issue is neither helpful nor productive," Tiriumurti said. "Any concerns should be addressed on the basis of consultation among all concerned parties," he added. About the "allegations of use of chemical weapons in Syria and investigations conducted in this regard, India has consistently underlined the need for an impartial and objective investigation into any alleged use of chemical weapons, scrupulously following the provisions and procedures laid down in the (Chemical Weapons) Convention," he said. He said: "We encourage continued engagement and cooperation between Syria and the OPCW (Organisation for Prevention of Chemical Weapons) Technical Secretariat towards an early resolution of all outstanding issues. India has provided a financial contribution of US$1 million to the OPCW Trust Fund for activities relating to destruction of chemical stockpiles and related facilities in Syria." Earlier, UN's High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu briefed the Council about the implementation of a 2013 resolution requiring Syria to destroy chemical weapons in accordance with an OPCW plan. The Council action had followed allegations of use of chemical weapons in Syria. Nakamitsu said that the international community cannot have full confidence that Syria's chemical weapons programme has been totally eliminated because Damascus has not yet provided some data. US and Russia faced off with a bitter exchange. US Deputy Permanent Representative Richard Mills accused the Bashar al-Assad's "regime" of making "a mockery of the structures in place to realise a world free of chemical weapons". He accused Russia of running a campaign to discredit the OPCW, which he asserted, had corroborated charges that Damascus had used chemical weapons against its people and . Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyansky accused the western nations of using the OPCW as a tool of political manipulation. He defended Syria saying that it had joined the OPCW and destroyed its chemical weapons stockpile. He alleged that the OPCW had used inconclusive evidence like videos from social media and testimonies from those he said were biased witnesses from the anti-al-Assad opposition. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday gave assent to the Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill-2020 that was passed in the state assembly on December 9, 2020. The state government in its order said that the ordinance is aimed to provide comprehensive legislation for the prevention of slaughter and preservation of cattle in the State. The anti-cow slaughter bill was passed in the Assembly last month amid uproar and walkout by the opposition parties, Congress and the JD(S). Under this law, three and seven years jail and (or) a fine up to Rs 5 lakh will be imposed. Subsequent offences can invite fines up to Rs 10 lakh and a jail term of up to seven years, the order said. Explaining the provisions of the bill, Karnataka Minister JC Madhuswamy had said: "The slaughter of cows and calves are not allowed while the slaughter of buffaloes above 13 years is allowed. Illegal selling, transportation or culling of cows has been made punishable. If a cow has contracted a disease, which can spread to other cattle, then it can be culled or slaughtered." Meanwhile, the opposition parties have alleged that the bill, which is now a law, was not discussed for tabling in the Business Advisory Committee meeting. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PUNE An 18-year-old man has been arrested by the Pune police on Wednesday for trying to record a woman in the toilet of a restaurant in Pashan. He was remanded to judicial custody by a local court, according to senior police inspector Anil Shewale of Chaturshrungi police station. The 18-year-old complainant was in the restaurant with her family on Monday night when the incident happened. The woman noticed the man recording her as she was entering the bathroom. It is an open roof restaurant. He had climbed up and was recording, said senior PI Shewale. When the woman rushed out to confront him, he fled from the restaurant, according to the complainant. A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Chaturshrungi police station. Typically, at the end of each farming season in Malaysia, farmers often burn their leftover pineapple leaves. This not only causes air pollution but is also a waste of a valuable building material for drones.A research team at Putra University in Malaysia, led by Professor Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan, has discovered that pineapple leaves have a strong fiber in them that is perfect for drone construction. They created a bio-composite material from those fibers that they then used to build a drone frame.Not only is this pineapple leaf-based building material lighter and cheaper than synthetic-based alternatives, it also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio and is biodegradable. The teams current prototype can fly for 20 minutes between charges and go as high as 3,280 feet (1,000 meters). TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTHI) -- They might be small, but their mission is mighty! A group of young voices here in Terre Haute is working to change their community, one step at a time. "We just really hope that the community knows how big of a problem climate change really is, and I hope they step forward to take charge," said Ayush Bhattacharyya. Bhattacharyya is a 6th grader in the Vigo County School Corporation. He's also a member of the youth group, EARTHlings. Its acronym stands for Environmental Activists for a Resilient Terre Haute. The group is sponsored and supported by Earth Charter Indiana. Their mission is to empower and unite the community to shape a sustainable future by passing a Climate Resolution. They range from 4th graders to seniors in High School. To spread awareness, they want to get more climate education into the Vigo County school curriculum. "There are hardly any classes about climate change. I looked throughout my books at school and there were like two pages at the end of the book, which we hardly ever get there anyway," explained 4th Grader Leif Speer. The EARTHlings took their concerns to Vigo County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Rob Hayworth. After hearing their goals, he offered them an opportunity to move forward with their plans. " If I were to talk about what the next steps look like, especially if we're talking about embedding climate change across the curriculum, we probably need this group to present to the school board so they can hear and see your passion and understand what you're trying to accomplish," said Dr. Hayworth. That presentation is set to take place later this month. The earthlings are hosting a "Fridays for Future" activity this Friday outside the Vigo School Corporation Building. EARTHlings member Julie Pichonnat says this is a "gathering of like-minded people to raise awareness and have our voices heard." To get information on how your child can join EARTHlings, visit here Pregnancy and childbirth information on a website run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been criticized for stereotyped gender perception. Captured from internet By Bahk Eun-ji The central and local governments have been criticized for their outdated perception of gender roles, after the city government published content related to pregnancy that was found to contain a number of statements readers found to be discriminatory. The Seoul Metropolitan Government opened a website, "Pregnancy and childbirth information center," in 2019, to provide information on pregnancy, childbirth and relevant services provided by the city government. However, some of the information on the website about pregnancy implied that only women are responsible for housework and childcare. In the "preparation during end-of-pregnancy" section, the website said a woman who is likely to deliver a baby in a couple of weeks needs to prepare side dishes so her husband can eat while she is away from home after giving birth, as she has to spend days or weeks in hospital or at a postnatal care center. "Get rid of old food in the refrigerator and prepare three or four side dishes that family members like. If you have some instant food prepared, your husband who is not good at cooking can easily prepare it," it said. Also, it said such woman needs to take care of their families' clothes. "As you'll be at the hospital for about three to seven days, you should prepare clean underwear, socks, shirts, handkerchiefs, and outerwear in the drawer so that your husband and children can change." In addition, it said, "Don't put off doing house chores such as cleaning or washing dishes, then it will help you manage your weight during pregnancy without extra exercise." Heavy criticism mounted on the website, with comments that included: "It treats women as housekeepers," "The husband should help the pregnant wife instead of the wife helping the other family members," "It means women should try to look 'slender' even when they are pregnant?" Following the criticisms, the content is no longer available on the website. A video clip made by the health ministry also drew criticism for such gender stereotyping, in addition to earlier criticism that the video, in which people dance in a house to overcome emotional difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraged activities which could lead to noise complaints from neighbours. Many pointed out an adult woman in the clip was wearing an apron and a girl was wearing a short school uniform skirt, while men were in suits or other comfortable outfits. Earlier last year, the health ministry's anti-smoking advertisement was also denounced for introducing a schoolboy as "good at debating after watching a lot of news" and a schoolgirl as "one who loves make up." A series of promotional materials released by the Prime Minister's Office last month were also criticized for causing controversy over misogynistic content. The office posted a three-cut cartoon on its official account of Twitter on Dec. 14, saying the prime minister will help people overcome COVID-19-induced difficulties. The cartoon showed a woman shedding tears with a runny nose, saying, "I can't go outside freely because of the pandemic, and my skin is irritated from wearing a mask. I'm angry because of the coronavirus. How can I relieve this stress?" As soon as the cartoon was released, criticism erupted via social media that the cartoon was out of touch with reality and misogynistic. The Women's Party issued a statement the next day, demanding an immediate apology from Chung, and said, "The cartoon just depicted young women as only complaining of mask-triggered skin trouble while in reality many women are suffering from much more serious problems such as unemployment and the economic crisis due to the pandemic." Three persons were killed and at least four were injured when a speeding truck-trailer overturned on the Delhi bypass road in Jaipur late Tuesday night. The condition of one of the injured is critical. All the injured were sent to the trauma center of the SMS hospital. The accident occurred at the Bengali Baba Ashram Circle at Dhobi Ghat turn in Brahmapuri area. A few minutes before it overturned, the truck had smashed bike riders near Idgah Pada Mandi on the Delhi highway and hit about half a dozen other vehicles after its break failed reportedly, said police. At around 7 pm on Tuesday, the trailer carrying rice sacks was going from Transport Nagar in Jaipur towards Delhi. The truck was passing through the Delhi bypass road when the brakes failed and it hit two bikes near Idgah. The impact was so severe that the bike drivers fell a fair distance away. The truck driver panicked after the accident and drove faster to escape, said a police official. Also Read: Schools, colleges to reopen in Rajasthan from Jan 18 He added that the truck overturned about two kilometers from the first accident spot. At the time of the accident, commuters were waiting at a nearby bus stand at Dhobighat road. Thankfully, none of them were caught in the accident. However, two people on a bike were crushed under the heavy vehicle. After the accident, policemen including senior officers reached the spot and supervised the removal of the overturned vehicle with the help of a crane. The bodies were sent to a mortuary and the injured were rushed to SMS hospital for treatment. The driver of the truck has been detained. Chief whip of Rajasthan Assembly Mahesh Joshi also visited the injured in the hospital. The accident caused a traffic jam on the highway lane from Jaipur to Delhi. Traffic had to be diverted from Ramgarh towards Amber Road to Delhi. Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More When it comes to an appetite for data, social media outfits are the most voracious, according to a recent study released this month by cybersecurity company Clario Tech. The analysis of nearly 50 of the world's biggest brands found that Facebook collects more than 70 percent of all the data it can collect legally about someone using its service. Other social media brands also collected a lot of data about their users. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, collects almost 59 percent of data available to it, while Tinder sucks up nearly 56 percent and Grindr nearly 53 percent. - click image to expand - "Ads are how Facebook makes the most of their money -- around [US]$16.6 billion to be precise, based on their 2018 reports -- so the more they know about you, the more they can sell on," explained Clario Content Manager Mary Atamaniuk, in a company blog." "As well as the usual, such as your name, location, email address and date of birth, they also collect a whole load of things you might not be aware you gave away," she added. In fact, of the 32 items of personal information identified as collectible by Clario, only seven aren't grabbed by Facebook -- height, weight, mother's maiden name, bank account details, salary, country of birth, allergies/intolerances and health and lifestyle information. 'People-based' Marketing From its start, Facebook has differentiated itself from Google by offering people-based marketing -- highly detailed profiles on people and audience segments that can be targeted, explained Greg Sterling, vice president of market insights at Uberall, a maker of location marketing solutions based in Berlin, Germany. "That has gotten them in a lot of trouble with privacy advocates because of the way the platform has been abused by third-parties," he told TechNewsWorld. One reason social media platforms collect so much data is that consumers allow a lot of their data to be collected, observed Liz Miller, vice president and a principal analyst at Constellation Research. "Everything from where they are, what they are doing, what they like, what they dislike, sentiment and mood at a moment, device details -- it's all data consumers are leaving behind on the network," she told TechNewsWorld. "Social media organizations have done a great job of finding all that data, synthesizing and categorizing it in a way that, not only can be used by themselves, but can be sold as a service to advertisers or internal teams to expand their business." Not all social media are greedy for data. The Clario analysis showed two popular platforms, TikTok (14.71 percent) and WhatsApp (11.76 percent), at the bottom of the data grabber's list. Ironically, TikTok's U.S. presence has been threatened by the Trump Administration for the Chinese-based company's collecting data on Americans. Privacy by Design The report also noted the retail sector, in general, collected less data about its customers than other sectors. "Despite being the biggest online retailer in the world, (and spending around $11 billion on advertising in 2019,) Amazon only collects a fraction of data compared to other businesses, 23.53%," Atamaniuk wrote. "Beyond the obvious things, like your name, email address, home address and bank details, it collects little else other than what it needs to run its business," she noted. "What Amazon has intentionally set out to do is identify the quality data that directly leads to the kind of interaction that moves their business needle, compared to others who collect peta bytes of quantity data that some day might be meaningful," Miller added. Amazon's approach to data collection appears to be in line with emerging attitudes toward information. "One of the basic principles of modern data privacy is to collect as little information as needed and to store it for the least amount of time necessary," explained James E. Lee, chief operating officer at the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego. "This is one of the bedrock principles of the European approach to privacy, often described as 'privacy by design,'" he told TechNewsWorld. "It is just now being seriously discussed in the U.S. as a result of state privacy laws, but we have a long way to go before businesses are actively practicing this principle." How Collected Data Is Being Used Other retailers with low marks for hoovering data included IKEA (23.53 percent), Nike (26.47 percent) and Depop (26.47 percent). All the outlets store names, email and home addresses, along with bank details to make online purchases easier. In addition, Nike and Depop gather height and weight data to help them target their customers with more appropriate clothes. Retailers have a different purpose for the data they collect than social media platforms, which is why they may need to collect less of it. "They use it to create better products and better present their products," observed Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst at the Enderle Group in Bend, Ore. "They consume the data they collect themselves. They don't sell it," he told TechNewsWorld. "The reason they don't sell it is they don't want a competitor buying the data and using it against them. Sharing data is anathema to how they operate." Atamaniuk noted that given the wealth of data shared with businesses, it'd be no surprise to see some things revealed about consumers that they'd rather be kept private. "However, thanks to [General Data Protection Regulation]...what companies can actually do with your data is quite limited," she wrote. "Beyond marketing to you and using your data to manage their website, business can't do a lot more." "You shouldn't get cold calls from businesses you've never spoken to, for example, or find your details are being sold," she continued. "Your data is protected by the policies companies are forced to sign up for, and if they break these policies they could face big fines." As well-intentioned as laws like the GDPR are, they may still be falling short for many consumers. "In practice, these things aren't very effective," Sterling maintained. "They put tremendous burdens on the consumer." He explained that many websites are complying with the letter of laws like the GDPR and California Data Privacy Act, but making it so onerous to do something like stop the reselling of personal data or manage cookies that consumers give up exercising their rights so they can get on with their lives. "They make you work," he said. "The easiest option is to accept all because you want to get to the content." John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. (TNS) Residents of northern Mercer County who want wireless Internet can now register for for service.The county commissioners approved a grant of $650,000 to No Limits Broadband LLC of Stoneboro to obtain tower leases, licensing, engineering analysis and electrical installation to make monthly Internet access available to subscribers in designated unserved or underserved areas.The commissioners had also approved spending $573,265 to purchase hardware needed to provide service to 220 to 335 households.The proposed coverage area is roughly between Sandy Lake and Greenville.Residents can request service online www.nolimitsbroadband.net Customers would pay a $100 installation fee and monthly fees ranging from $40 to $100.Although the county commissioners designated COVID block grant funds to buy equipment for the project, No Limits Broadband is responsible for providing the service. With activation of the website, potential customers no longer need to contact the commissioners' office to be placed on a list of subscribers.Commisioner Scott Boyd said the capability is still being built and not everyone who applies will be able to receive the service right away.Potential customers will have to be within an about 3 miles of an active tower."Ten towers will be active the first of the year, and more will be added when possible," Boyd said. "Remember also that terrain and forestry cover will affect the strength of the signal even within the radius of the towers."Commissioners used part of the one-time grant of $9,881,956.45, under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to purchase capability for the broadband expansion.The federal government requires that CARES Act grant money be used to address economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The commissioners have committed the bulk of CARES Act funding to supporting county businesses, but they earmarked a portion to expand broadband Internet service.Commissioners approved spending a total of $13,791,377 under the grant. They approved 167 grants in tourism, non-profit and for-profit businesses at $1,162,500. The total spent on grants to municipalities and schools was $5,872,415 and county expenses came to $5,583,197.Boyd had previously said he thinks this money used for broadband services will serve a large number of people."For educational purposes, for health benefits as they contact their providers and working from home; all those types of things will be enhanced by this type of capability," Boyd said. Slamming China for its "unilateral and provocative" actions in order to change the status quo by force on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defence Ministry has said in an annual report that the Chinese forces got the response in a "firm" and "non-escalatory way". The report asserted that Indian forces are ready to challenge any "misadventure" by Chinese Army, adding that New Delhi and Beijing are also holding dialogue to resolve the border issue peacefully. Referring to the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred, the Defence Ministry said the Chinese side also suffered "significant casualties". "Unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), were responded to in a firm and non-escalatory way, ensuring the sanctity of our claims in Eastern Ladakh," it said. "Indian Army has maintained all protocols and agreements between the two countries while the PLA escalated the situation by utilisation of unorthodox weapons and amassing a large number of troops," it added. The border standoff between India and China started around eight months ago and it has significantly affected the relations between the two countries. Both sides held several rounds of talks both at diplomatic as well as military levels to defuse the crisis but the standoff is still on. Commenting on Galwan Valley incident, the report said, "In a major skirmish in Galwan, 20 brave Indian soldiers lost their lives while preventing PLA troops from ingressing into our territory. The Chinese also suffered significant casualties." The report said that August 28 and 29, Indian troops succeeded in finding out the Chinese "expansionist designs" and acted in time to occupy strategic heights along the southern bank of Pangong Tso. Live TV "Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) and winter preparations for the enhanced strength have been completed and troops are well entrenched to counter any misadventure by Chinese forces. While the Indian Army is prepared for any eventuality, talks are also progressing to resolve the issue in an amicable manner," said the report. by Fady Noun Former Minister Sejean Azzi points out that the patriarch is not only trying to see a government formed, but also wants to save Lebanon. Some people really want to eliminate the Patriarch. It is no coincidence that a few days ago four different articles mentioned the Patriarch's departure. Beirut (AsiaNews) Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi is continuing his efforts to bring President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri closer together. in this endeavour, he is supported by former minister Sejean Azzi, who is close to the patriarch. It is no secret that Patriarch al-Rahi said that he will continue his initiative and that he will not limit himself to the formation of a government, but will try to help Lebanon. Forming a government will be only the first step. The former minister insists that the patriarchs move is not a formal mediation. Before he took this step, the patriarch hesitated a lot. He deeply believes in the separation of Church and state and believes that the formation of a government should follow specific rules defined by the Constitution and not require a patriarchal, or papal or Syrian, or Iranian, or international action ... Every day in the world, governments fall and others are formed. Only in Lebanon is the nation itself questioned whenever a new government is formed. As if the fate of Christians depended on one or more minister, or on the third party blocking it, or as if the fate of Sunnis depended on the appointment of one or other minister, or if that of the Shias depended on the Ministry of Finance. This is wrong. What determines our present and our future is not a ministerial portfolio, it is our mutual love, our desire to live together, our solidarity. I do not like to go further into this, but in reality. we do not live in a state, nor in a society, nor in institutions. Everything we experience is lived outside the legality we have set ourselves. Our situation is abnormal. For a foreign observer, Lebanon is not a federal state, nor a decentralised state, not even a divided state. It's a shattered state that's collapsing. That's not what the Lebanese want, even though some leaders find their interest in it. For Azzi, the Patriarch is trying to promote the formation of an impartial, competent government composed of extraordinary people, not affiliated to any political parties. A government as required by the international community. Therefore, the Patriarch is hostile to the existence within the government of the sources of his own bloc, said the former minister, alluding explicitly to the blocking third party. However, the conditions were not accepted. Certain alliances that unite some of political forces present have opposed it. In his view, a decision was taken at the regional level not to allow government formation in Lebanon, but to consider this process as part of an exchange in the struggle between the United States and Iran. US sanctions, the 'thaoura' (the peaceful uprising of 17 October 2019), the government and maybe, some think, the 2022 presidential election are all elements that will play a role in what happens. How will the Patriarch push his initiative? For Azzi, he will do so depending on what he will see, conscious that some groups are trying to undermine relations between the head of state and the head of the Maronite Church. Some people want to eliminate the Patriarch. It is no coincidence that a few days ago four different articles mentioned the patriarch's departure. I'm a former journalist and I know how this information is built up. Some people make a connection between a visit by the Pope this summer and the patriarchs departure. Azzi laughs at this. How would a journalist be informed of the Pope's travels before Bkerke, the patriarchal see. The Pope is afraid for Lebanons existence, and has spoken at length about it with Patriarch al-Rahi, making this clear in his Christmas message to the Lebanese. These fears are justified when we know that some people want to turn Lebanon into a place of confrontation. Actually, this is kind of a big milestone , because autonomous cars making such large commutes between major urban areas are not exactly a customary thing. Especially when the descriptions of the videos embedded below posted by the Whole Mars Catalog channel on YouTube tout zero (human) interventions.Sure, the driver is always present behind the wheel remember Teslas Autopilot FSD is still in Beta and hes compelled by the system to touch the steering wheel from time to time, just to make sure hes paying attention. And the drive wasnt perfect either, but then again, were dealing here with computers fully controlling a car for hours and hours.Sure, it will take more time for Tesla and other companies to master the art of driving without any human intervention whatsoever. But were getting there, whether we like it or not. Such features might become ordinary in the near future, but before that happens, were still allowed to be properly amazed.The first journey took the FSD Tesla from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The almost 400-mile-long trip (643 km) included a couple of stopovers for charging, in Firebaugh and Kettleman City. That is another demonstration of the Autopilots new ability to navigate all sorts of roads, from urban environments to highways and rural areas.The way back, which took the Tesla from the SpaceX headquarters in Los Angeles (Hawthorne) to San Jose, Silicon Valley, was done with just one stop for charging, in Kettleman City. In both cases, we think the description is a bit misleading; maybe it should have read zero major interventions.Still, even with the few mistakes, it is clear the software is getting better, and soon, one might get fooled into thinking theres a human in control when the car is really doing all the driving . As a bonus, if you have a little more than five hours to spare, there's also the raw footage for the trip back from Los Angeles embedded after the two time-lapses. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Matica Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMJ) (FSE: 39N) (OTC: MMJFF) ("Matica" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Matica subsidiary RoyalMax Biotechnology Canada Inc. ("RoyalMax") has forwarded its first shipment of cannabis to retailers in the Province of Manitoba. RoyalMax has been approved as a Licensed Supplier by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL). This shipment marks the first consumer facing sales for the company, which will represent the bulk of the company's sales on a going forward basis. It also compliments an existing but smaller business-to-business platform that Matica has launched recently. "We are thrilled to provide Manitoba retailers with our exciting new products," says Matica CEO Boris Ziger. "High THC and terpene rich flower products are a rarity in the market today, despite being in high demand, and we look forward to filling this supply gap." In the coming months ahead, Management intends to aggressively expand the Company's commercial and production footprint to additional Canadian provinces. About Matica Matica is a multi-faceted, innovative company in the Quebec cannabis space. Its subsidiary, RoyalMax Biotechnology Canada Inc. is a Dorval, Quebec based Health Canada Licence Holder with standard cultivation licence, standard processing, medical sales and sales licences. Matica continues to work with Yunify Natural Technologies, a Quebec based health and personal care research and innovation company to develop proprietary products for Matica and RoyalMax, including topicals and ionic mists. Through its acquisition of Trichome Treats, an award winning chocolatier, Matica and RoyalMax intend on introducing edibles into the RoyalMax product mix. For more information on Matica Enterprises please visit the website at: www.maticaenterprises.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors MATICA ENTERPRISES INC. Boris Ziger Boris Ziger, CEO & Chairman The Company's public filings are available for review at www.sedar.com and www.thecse.com. For further information, please contact Boris Ziger, at: Telephone: 416-304-9935 E-mail: info@maticaenterprises.com Website: www.maticaenterprises.com , www.maticammj.com Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Corporation assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Corporation. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Corporation's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. This news release contains statements about the Company's information that may be made available on the S&P Capital IQ Corporation Records Listing Program and the business of Matica that are forward-looking in nature and as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek Safe Harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71468 The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. When Helen Viola Jackson was born, the year was 1919 and the United States had just finished fighting World War I. When her husband James Bolin was born, it was 1843 and the U.S. had yet to fight World War I. Or the Spanish-American War. Or the Plains Wars. Or the Civil War. Or the Mexican War. You get the idea. Jackson married Bolin in September 1936, when she was just 17 years old. Bolin, who fought in the Civil War, was 93. It's a situation akin to a Gen-Zer marrying a World War II veteran. The two met in her hometown of Niangua, Missouri. Jackson would go to the elderly man's house every day after school to take care of him. But Bolin had no way to repay her except to offer to marry the young girl. As a veteran of the Union Army, Bolin lived on a pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs. If Jackson married him, she would be eligible to receive that pension. And with the Great Depression in full swing, a government pension was a big deal. "Mr. Bolin really cared for me," she said in an interview for Our America Magazine. "He wanted me to have a future, and he was so kind." Bolin wasn't the only Civil War veteran to marry a younger woman to carry on his pension. Read: Last Person to Receive a Civil War Pension Dies at 90 Except Jackson never applied to receive Bolin's pension after he died in 1939. In fact, she kept the nuptials a secret until 2017, when she realized she was among the last in a dying line. It was only in planning her funeral that she revealed her hidden past to her minister. The proof was kept in her Civil War-era bible, a gift from her husband. Helen Viola Jackson died in December 2020 at age 101. (Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival) Their marriage was strictly on her terms, according to a statement from the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival, at which she told her story in 2018 and answered questions from the crowd. She kept her last name and stayed on her family's farm as she cared for the former private of the 14th Missouri Cavalry. She never remarried and had no children. "I never wanted to share my story with the public," Jackson said in an oral history recording in 2018. "I didn't feel that it was that important, and I didn't want a bunch of gossip about it. ... I had great respect for Mr. Bolin, and I did not want him to be hurt by the scorn of wagging tongues." Jackson never applied for the pension because one of her stepdaughters threatened to ruin her reputation over it. Back then, Jackson said, all a woman had was her reputation. If she had applied, she would have collected $73.13 every month for the past 81 years, for a total of more than $71,000. The elderly Jackson was living in the Webco Manor Nursing Home in Marshfield, Missouri, when she died on Dec. 16, 2020. She is survived only by a star on the Missouri Walk of Fame. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Gardai at the scene on the outskirts of Midleton, Co Cork (Niall Carson/PA) Gardai are continuing to search an area where human remains were discovered by workmen in Co Cork. It is understood that investigators believe the skull has been there for many years. Workers discovered the remains at around 4.30pm on Tuesday while clearing an area around Roxborough, which is being developed into a greenway. The route is part of the former Midleton to Youghal railway track. Garda sealed off both sides of Shanty Path to allow investigators to carry out their work. Expand Close Gardai are searching for further remains in the area (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gardai are searching for further remains in the area (Niall Carson/PA) Workers wearing hi-visibility vests could be seen carrying out a fingertip search of a wide, cordoned-off area close to a forest. Gardai are searching for further remains which may be in the area. Assistant state pathologist Margaret Bolster was to visit the scene on Wednesday. In a statement gardai said: Gardai are investigating the discovery of suspected skeletal remains following an excavation that was taking place in Roxborough near Midleton in Co Cork at approximately 4.30pm on Tuesday. Gardai have since sealed off the area to allow for a technical examination which is taking place on Wednesday. The coroner has been notified and the state pathologist has been requested to attend the scene. The outcome of the examinations will determine the course of the investigation. PA Media PORTLAND, Ore. Oregon Health Authority has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for all areas of Upper Klamath Lake in Klamath County. OHA issued the advisory Nov. 4, 2020. Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Upper Klamath Lake is below recreational guideline values for people. However, officials advise recreational visitors to be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins. People and especially small children and pets should avoid recreating in areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red in color, if a thick mat of blue-green algae is visible in the water, or bright green cells are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities. Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water near the surface. For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482. Learn more here. Police recovered from his Nissan a receipt from a shop in Missouri for an estimate to paint the car, dated the day of the shooting, prosecutors said. The car had the same plate number but was painted black; that paint was scraped off to reveal silver underneath. WASHINGTON - Democrats' apparent success in two Senate races in Georgia has abruptly shifted the outlook for Joe Biden's presidency, giving him much stronger hopes of prevailing on ambitious legislation, sensitive nominations and possibly Supreme Court justice picks. But while liberals cheered a new vision of what may be possible in the first two years of Biden's presidency, the razor-thin Senate margin made it clear Biden's options would still be severely limited, raising the risk that the new landscape would create expectations and pressure that Biden cannot meet. Still, the likely change in control of the Senate, with Raphael Warnock capturing one runoff election and Jon Ossoff leading in the second, affords Biden a narrow path to enact a more sweeping agenda that had appeared extremely difficult, if only because Democrats will likely control all Senate committees and determine what bills reach the floor. Most immediately, Biden has promised additional help to struggling families by providing $2,000 relief checks. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is poised to become majority leader, said Tuesday that another round of stimulus checks is "one of the first things we want to do" should Democrats prevail, noting that Warnock and Ossoff "campaigned on them." In another quick move potentially reflecting the new landscape, Biden Wednesday planned to name Merrick Garland as attorney general. Biden aides said the Georgia race did not affect that decision, but given Garland's symbolic role as a Democratic martyr after his nomination to the Supreme Court was torpedoed by Republicans in 2016, his confirmation could have been tougher with the GOP in control. Other items that may suddenly acquire new life are Biden's plans to expand the Affordable Care Act, launch a major infrastructure program, fight climate change and reform the criminal justice system. Still, most bills require 60 Senate votes to pass, unless they can be characterized as budget measures. So even if Ossoff wins and Democrats achieve a 50-50 split, with ties to be broken by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Biden will have to rely on his self-proclaimed talent for compromise to achieve many of his prized goals. The Democrats' fortunes could erode in two years, since a president's party typically loses seats in midterm elections, giving Biden a small window for action. Biden appeared to recognize those challenges with a statement Wednesday, saying his determination to pursue bipartisanship had not changed. "The American people demand action and they want unity," Biden said in a statement issued Wednesday. "I am more optimistic than I ever have been that we can deliver both." He added, "I'm also just as determined today as I was yesterday to try to work with people in both parties - at the federal, state, and local levels - to get big things done for our nation." The new outlook also gives enormous leverage to centrist Democrats such as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., because losing even one Democratic vote on any major initiative could mean its doom. The more far-reaching actions demanded by liberals - such as ending the filibuster, granting statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., and expanding the Supreme Court - remain almost certainly out of reach. "Now, more than ever, we must enter a new era of bipartisanship in Washington," Manchin said Wednesday. "With tight margins in the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans are faced with a decision to either work together to put the priorities of our nation before partisan politics or double down on the dysfunctional tribalism." Yet liberals were quick to signal they may not be patient. As the Georgia results became clearer Wednesday, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser posted a tweet saying simply "#DC Statehood" along with a video of her telling a crowd, "I was born without representation, but I will not die without representation." Still, if Ossoff's lead holds, the Senate's entire agenda is likely to change. The leadership of every committee will automatically shift from a Republican, many of them hostile to Biden, to a far-friendlier Democrat, sidelining such high-profile Biden antagonists as Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Removing the Republican grip on the chamber will also afford Biden the chance to appoint federal judges - even potentially filling a Supreme Court vacancy if any justice steps down, including the 82-year-old Stephen Breyer. And it immediately clears a path for Biden's Cabinet and White House nominations, many of whom Republicans have been slow to embrace. Neera Tanden, Biden's choice to head the White House budget office, faces considerable opposition from Republicans, for example, but the new Senate landscape significantly improves her chances. The news of the likely Georgia results came just hours before Senate Republicans mounted their final major challenge to Biden's victory, with many formally objecting to the electoral college certification of Biden's win, an extraordinary move that has turned a typically perfunctory ceremony into a fraught debate. Biden aides and allies said the Georgia outcome affirmed the wisdom of Biden's moves as president-elect, choosing to focus on his transition and bread-and-butter issues while avoiding partisan warfare even as President Trump has behaved increasingly erratically. "The American people want action. They also want their leaders to work together in their interests," said Anita Dunn, a top Biden strategist. "The message from Georgia last night is that is far more what people are looking for." Biden has not changed his overarching view that he needs bipartisan support, she added. "In a 50-50 Senate you will not succeed without reaching out to the Republicans," Dunn said. "But even if it were 51 [seats] or 52, he believes that the American people want both political parties to work together." She said Biden plans to continue reaching out to Senate Republicans this week and next to look for places where they can cooperate. Biden has been talking to GOP senators since winning the election in November, though these conversations may take on fresh importance now that his party appears poised to control the chamber. Dunn declined to say who is on the president-elect's call list, but said the Biden team would aim to work with different Republican senators on different issues. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Wednesday he hopes the Senate can make progress on issues such as China relations, climate change and immigration policy. "We keep talking about those things, and in the last two years we haven't done very much to address those things," Romney said. Dunn, however, took issue with political commentary that she said overstates Biden's prospects based on the Georgia races. "Yesterday our agenda was dead, and today we can pass anything we want," she joked. "That pendulum swings pretty wildly." The most immediate impact could be an added incentive for Senate Republicans to schedule confirmation hearings for some nominees ahead of Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration, since Democrats may ultimately be able to confirm the individuals regardless. Nominees to positions such as defense secretary are typically fast-tracked so new presidents can have their national security team in place upon taking office, but in this case Biden aides say Republicans appear to be slow-walking the process. The president-elect raised that issue again Wednesday. "My nominees for critical national security positions at State, Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security have bipartisan support and have been confirmed by the Senate before," he said. "They need to be in their jobs as soon as possible after January 20th." Biden and the Democrats may now also have a chance to undo recent Trump administrative rules like those loosening environmental regulations, potentially using the Congressional Review Act that Republicans used to great effect four years ago in rolling back Obama administration regulations. But Biden will face a new challenge in keeping his restive party together without a Republican boogeyman like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who will become minority leader if Democrats take both Georgia seats. Liberal senators like Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., may feel emboldened to push Biden to the left, since it will be harder for a Biden White House to cite McConnell's opposition as a reason to hold back. An evenly divided Senate also creates an instant high-profile role for Harris, who could be called on regularly to cast tie-breaking votes in the chamber. So far it's been unclear where Harris would focus her energy. But whatever the ultimate political dynamic of Biden's early presidency, there was little question Wednesday that the Georgia results had created a sense of ebullience among his supporters, some of whom had been pessimistic about the Democrats' chances in Georgia. "It is the prefect outcome - no one could have predicted it," said Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, who has close ties to Biden's team, saying it provides the new administration with a "fresh start." And there is a final benefit for Biden: With new Democratic leaders of the Senate committees, Republicans' long-threatened hearings into his son Hunter's business dealings will likely be derailed. - - - The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis contributed to this report. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Official reporting seems to show that New Mexicos COVID-19 vaccine administration has slowed considerably in the last two weeks, but the state Department of Health is warning that the numbers are incomplete. A total of 42,367 people in New Mexico had received the virus vaccine as of Tuesday morning, Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy director for the New Mexico Department of Health, said during a media briefing. Thats out of 106,425 total doses delivered to the state. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Tuesdays figure reflects just 1,292 more people than the state reported had received the vaccine as of Dec. 27. By then 13 days after the first doses arrived in New Mexico 41,075 had been administered, the state said last week. But a department of health spokesman said Tuesdays official numbers are inaccurately low. Part of the issue is that not all providers are reporting their vaccinations regularly yet, DOH communications director Matt Bieber said in an email response to Journal questions. Were working to get to 100% compliance with this requirement. State guidance restricts who can get the vaccine, currently limiting the shots to the highest priority, or Phase 1A, groups. That includes hospital personnel who provide direct patient care and support, certain other health providers and medical first responders, nursing home residents and staff, and a few other professions. Parajon said the state is slated to announce the next eligible groups categorized as 1B on Wednesday. She noted that more than 250,000 New Mexicans have registered online for the vaccine and that the system sorts residents by priority, notifying people when they are eligible to make a vaccination appointment. New Mexico has now reported 2,594 total COVID-19-related deaths, including 20 new fatalities announced Tuesday. Half of Tuesdays reported deaths were residents of the Albuquerque metro area, including nine from Bernalillo County and one from Sandoval County. Chaves and Eddy counties each lost three more residents. New Mexico reported 1,201 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday. That brings the seven-day average down by two cases to 1,233, according to a Journal analysis. COVID-19 hospitalizations, meanwhile, jumped about 5% from Monday to Tuesday and now total 740, according to numbers from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office. Cyber Expert Warned SolarWinds In 2017 The SolarWinds breach is much bigger than first believed. The initial estimates were that Russia sent its hacking probes only into a few dozen of the 18,000 government and private networks. But after Microsoft dug deeper into the attacks it now appears Russia exploited multiple layers of the supply chain to gain access to as many as 250 networks. A cyber security expert, Ian Thornton-Trump who worked at SolarWinds, says he warned the management about the possible serious hacking attacks if the company had not improved its internal security. Thornton-Trump now works as the chief information security officer at Cyjax and he says he had warned SolarWinds that it was not taking security seriously enough in 2017 when he worked as an adviser for the company. He later resigned from the company in May 2017 after giving a PowerPoint presentation with at least three SolarWinds executives raising his concerns. In December 2020 a serious cyber attack led by state-backed Russian hackers affected more than 250 US federal agencies and private companies. The hackers got into government and private networks by inserting malicious code into SolarWinds' premier software product, Orion. And Solar Winds is believed to be one of several supply chain vendors Russia used in their hacking attacks. Current and former employees of SolarWinds suggest it was slow to make security a priority, even as its software was adopted by Americas premier cybersecurity company and federal agencies. Employees say that this problem arose under Mr. Thompson, an accountant by training and a former CFO as he examined every part of the business for cost savings. Because of Thompsons methods many security practices were lost because of their expense. His approach helped almost triple SolarWinds annual profit margins to more than $453 million in 2019 from $152 million in 2010, placing security at greater risk. SolarWinds moved much of its engineering to satellite offices in the Czech Republic, Poland and Belarus, where engineers had broad access to the Orion network management software that Russias agents compromised. Other former and current SolarWinds staffers say the company was slow to prioritise security, even when its software was adopted by top cybersecurity companies and federal agencies. SolarWinds only took action on security in 2017 under the threat of penalty from a new European privacy law, when it hired its first chief information officer and brought in a vice president of security architecture. While the motive for the attacks is not known, some believe it is a Russia effort to intimidate Washington just weeks before President-elect Biden's inauguration, to gain leverage against the US before forthcoming nuclear arms talks. Intelligence officials say It could be months, years even, before they understand the breadth of the hacking. Jake Williams, a former hacker for the US National Security Agency (NSA) now president of cyber security firm Rendition Infosec, told reporters that technology companies such as SolarWinds that build and produce computer code often dont do security well. SolarWinds gained a foothold in the government marketplace many years ago because it was regarded as idiot proof, and was the first software of its kind, said Williams. Orion is to network management systems what Kleenex is to tissue, he said. Other products are laughably complex and bad by comparison. It was the first actually easy-to-use network management system, and took off like wildfire as a result. Since it was founded in 1999, SolarWinds has been awarded contracts with the US government worth more than US$230 million. Its software is used by many federal government agencies. The US military, the FBI, the Secret Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Veterans Affairs. the Department of Homeland Security and others. Bloomberg: Newsweek: New York Times: SCMP: Daily Mail: You Might Also Read: The SolarWinds Hack Can Directly Affect Industrial Control Systems: New Delhi: Expressing serious concerns over the rising levels of dust and air pollution due to manual sweeping across the city, the Environment Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Monday summoned the Commissioners of the three MCDs. Kalkaji MLA Atishi who heads the House Panel said that it was very shocking that the MCD commissioners of Delhi have no clue regarding the length of roads under their jurisdiction; they could not present any substantial idea. Atishi, Chairperson of the committee also said that there is no mechanism for fines or penalties in case the contractor running the machine does not clean the prescribed area. MLA Ajay Dutt who is a member of the panel said that all the 3 MCDs have been asked to submit an action plan for reducing dust pollution. He said that the DPCC has been asked to take strict action against individual officers responsible for rising dust levels in Delhi. Atishi tweeted, "Environment Committee summoned the 3 MCDs today regarding rising dust levels and air pollution in Delhi, and sought an explanation as to why mechanical sweeping was not being done Negligence of all 3 MCDs was shocking." She further tweeted, "None of the MCDs even knew the total length of roads in their Corporation area they are meant to sweep mechanically. There is no mechanism for fines or penalties in case the contractor running the machine does not clean the prescribed area." Adding to this MLA Ajay Dutt said, "All the 3 MCDs have been asked to submit an action plan for reducing dust pollution. The DPCC has been asked to take strict action against individual officers responsible for rising dust levels in Delhi." Delhi Assemblys environment committee pulled up MCD officials for Mechanized Sweeping. In the meeting, it was found that officials were not fully aware of NGT orders. The meeting that was held in view of the rising air pollution highlighted that road dust has been a major component of air pollution in Delhi. According to the NGT orders, all MCDs were directed to use MRS machines to decrease the SPM caused by manual sweeping. However, it was found that the machines were being under-utilized by the MCDs as highlighted by the TERI report. When questioned about the total area/length of road swept, criteria for employing the total number of machines, and basis of contract, the officials from MCDs seemed unaware. In this regards the committee has requested the Corporations to submit a detailed plan in 7 days. The meeting of the Environment Committee chaired by Atishi discussed the issue of rising air pollution due to non-compliance of NGT order for using MRS machines by MCDS. During the meeting, the committee enquired about the criteria for the contract of MRS machines. The corporations highlighted that the contracts were based on a shift basis rather than the total area covered by them daily. The committee in this regard was surprised and showed displeasure for not adding length/areas covered as a clause for the contact. It further questioned the lack of a mechanism for checks and balances to achieve efficient output levels. Therefore, the committee has requested the three MCDs to submit reasons in this respect. Environment Committee of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, headed by Atishi, rakes up MCDs for not having any concrete plan for utilizing/enhancing their fleet of MRS operations. In view of the NGT order to control the dust pollution MCDs were directed to switch to MRS machines as one of the measures to control the Suspended Particulate matter which poses a grave challenge to the people of Delhi, the Committee inquired about the status of these machines and MCDs plan of action to comply by the NGT orders. However, in due course of the meeting, it was found that MCDs have no clear action plans- medium or long term to expand their operation in their jurisdiction. Furthermore, the Committee expressed its displeasure against certain officers for not even being aware of the total lengths of roads to be swept using MRS. The MCDs have been asked to submit a detailed plan of action in this regard. Environment Committee of Delhi Legislative Assembly expressed its displeasure against the MCDs for not being aware of the total length of roads in their jurisdiction. The committee was discussing the recommendations by TERI and NGT orders to curb dust pollution arising out of manual sweeping. Discussing MRS as a means to curb dust arising out of manual sweeping, the Committee headed by Ms Atishi probed the MCDs on the preparedness and plans to engage MRS. However, while enquiring about the details about the MRS operations and what mechanisms were put in to increase efficiency, the Committee was appalled by the lack of preparedness and awareness on part of the officers present in the meeting. The MCDs were directed to submit to the committee a detailed report highlighting the Length of roads under Mechanized sweeping, running shifts, measures for checks and balances and penal provisions on part of the contractors for no compliance. This should be submitted to the Committee in 7 days' time. Peter Weber said his relationship with girlfriend Kelley Flanagan 'simply didn't work out in the end,' as he announced their split via Instagram last week. But a source close to the situation claims that the 29-year-old pilot's notoriously 'overbearing' mother Barbara may have played a role in the couple's untimely breakup. 'Barb put a lot of pressure on them, which was definitely hard,' said the insider, who discussed the end of Kelley and Peter's nine month romance with E! News on Tuesday. Meddling mama? A source close to the situation claims that Peter Weber's notoriously 'overbearing' mother Barbara may have played a role in his recent breakup with girlfriend Kelley Flanagan; Peter and Kelley pictured The source said that although 28-year-old tax attorney Kelley 'did think Barb was very controlling and overbearing,' she truly tried to not let it affect [her] relationship' with Peter. Despite Barb's reputation for meddling in her son's love life, the source insisted that it did not play a 'huge factor' in Peter and Kelley's decision to part ways, noting that '[Barb] got along with Kelley and they enjoyed each other.' Barbara even left a heartfelt comment on her son's breakup post on Instagram, where she admitted that her and her husband Peter's 'hearts ache' for the couple. She added: 'Kelley will always have a piece of our hearts and we wish her only the best. Mom and Dad.' Under pressure: 'Barb put a lot of pressure on them, which was definitely hard,' said the insider, who discussed the end of Kelley and Peter's nine month romance with E! News on Tuesday; Peter and Barb pictured The biggest issue between the pair was Peter's commitment issues, with the insider revealing: 'Peter is not ready to be with one girl.' Weber put his lack of commitment on display for the entire world in March of 2020 as he revealed that he called off his engagement to fiancee Hannah Ann Sluss, 24, whom he proposed to on the finale episode of The Bachelor. The Delta Airlines pilot announced his spit from Flanagan just days before they were set to move into a place together in Manhattan, New York. Kelley had been eagerly documenting the move on her own Instagram, often sharing footage of her packing her belongings. Closing the chapter: Peter Weber said his relationship with girlfriend Kelley Flanagan 'simply didn't work out in the end,' as he announced their split via Instagram last week; Peter and Kelley pictured on December 31 Making it work: They revealed that although the 28-year-old tax attorney 'did think Barb was very controlling and overbearing,' she truly tried to not let it affect [her] relationship' with Peter; Kelley, Peter, and Barb pictured Peter reportedly 'thought he could take the step of moving in with Kelley but he couldn't handle it.' 'Kelley suspected something was up with him because Peter was being distant. She is definitely heartbroken,' the source added. Although he may have been the root of the couple's breakup, Weber is 'also very upset about the situation and doesn't know if he's making the right choice.' 'He thinks he will regret this eventually.' Commitment issues: The biggest issue between the pair was Peter's commitment issues, with the insider revealing: 'Peter is not ready to be with one girl'; Peter pictured in 2020 Exhibit A: Weber put his lack of commitment on display for the entire world in March of 2020 as he revealed that he called off his engagement to fiancee Hannah Ann Sluss, 24, whom he proposed to on the finale episode of The Bachelor; Hannah and Peter pictured in March 2020 As of now, Kelley is reportedly 'staying with her family but plans to go back to Chicago.' The brunette beauty has also apparently 'considered starting over in a new city but no concrete plans for that yet.' Peter and Kelley have both addressed the end of their nine month relationship on social media and are reportedly 'still in touch' with one another because they 'need to figure out how they are going to handle the [Manhattan] apartment situation.' While announcing his split from Flanagan on December 31, Weber said that the pair had 'decided to go [their] separate ways' after nine months together. Not gonna happen: Peter reportedly 'thought he could take the step of moving in with Kelley but he couldn't handle it' 'While our relationship was filled with countless beautiful memories, our relationship simply didn't work out in the end. 'Kelley is someone I will always have a special love for. Someone I have learned more from than she will ever understand. Someone I am so thankful came into my life and someone who I will always wish all of life's greatest blessings on,' continued Peter, who included a photo of himself and the brunette beauty in his post. 'These moments in life always hurt, but in my opinion that shows you it was worth the time you spent together. Thank you Kelley.' Peter famously eliminated the 28-year-old tax attorney during week seven of the 24th season on the ABC dating competition. Sensing it: 'Kelley suspected something was up with him because Peter was being distant. She is definitely heartbroken,' the source added; Kelley and Peter pictured Tying lose ends: Peter and Kelley have both addressed the end of their nine month relationship on social media and are reportedly 'still in touch' with one another because they 'need to figure out how they are going to handle the [Manhattan] apartment situation'; Peter and Kelley pictured In her own post, shared to Instagram on January 3, Kelley admitted that she had to 'take some time to process' the breakup before speaking on it. 'It saddens me to say this but Peter and I have decided to go our separate ways. Peter and I had some unbelievable times together and they will definitely be missed,' she wrote. 'Unfortunately him and I are in two different stages of our lives and saw our future paths differently. I wish Peter the absolute best and want to thank everyone for your continued support as I move on to my next chapter. 'Im still hoping to make it to New York one of these days, but for now I just want to focus on my happiness! 2021, I cant wait to see what you have in store!' concluded Kelley. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. New Delhi: Maharashtra farmers called off the strike after meeting state's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late on Friday night. The decision to call off the strike came after 4-hour long meeting with the CM. The calling off strike results in resumption of milk and vegetable supply across Maharashtra. Fadnavis has promised that the government will waive off loans of small farmers and has given October 31 deadline. The farmers were protesting with the demand of loan waiver and better procurement prices. New prices of milk will be decided by June 20. ALSO READ | Watch: Maharashtra farmers protest demanding loan waiver; spill milk on roads, block vegetable sale Earlier on Friday, farmers across Maharashtra continued their protest and the agitating farmers had tried to disrupt vegetable and milk supply to the metropolis. The city residents faced hardship due to shortage of vegetables and spike in its prices due to protest. Apart from blocking sale of fruits and vegetables in the wholesale market, the farmers were also spilling milk on roads to protest. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Elderly people are having desperately-needed Covid vaccination appointments cancelled because doctors have not received their stocks on time. Patients around the country who had been booked in to get their first jab have since been contacted to be told they must wait longer. Many GPs say they have still not got their first batch of the vaccine despite been promised them before Christmas. Some say they have had several cancelled deliveries. Frontline NHS staff are also missing out on vaccinations. In one case, workers queued for hours outside a hospital only to have their appointments cancelled due to a scheduling blunder. Patients around the country who had been booked in to get their first jab have since been contacted to be told they must wait longer It has prompted fresh fears that Boris Johnson will be unable to keep his promise of getting 13 million of the most vulnerable Britons protected by the middle of next month. Last night Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'We need to be delivering upwards of 2million vaccinations a week this is a challenging but necessary target. 'Last-minute changes to vaccine delivery schedules, as some GPs are reporting, only create confusion amongst patients and a lot of hard work for practices that need to swiftly adapt their plans, and must be minimised.' Senior Labour MP Kevan Jones told how a group of doctors in his North Durham constituency were promised a delivery on December 16. The GPs in Chester-le-Street were then told the supplies would not arrive until January 4 and now expect them today 'at the earliest'. Even when the delivery does arrive, it will only include one 975-dose batch of the Pfizer vaccine and 'a possibility' of 400 doses of the AstraZeneca one. This is not sufficient for all local care home residents. Many GPs say they have still not got their first batch of the vaccine despite been promised them before Christmas Mr Jones warned vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi in a letter last night: 'Local GPs have put in place extensive plans to administer the vaccine, but this is not being helped by vaccines that do not arrive, or by the Government's raising of expectations that cannot be met.' In Sussex, Meads Medical Centre had to cancel appointments booked for next week after a planned delivery of the Pfizer vaccine, due to provide second jabs to over-80s, was cancelled. Only a small amount of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now expected. Castle Medical Centre and Abbey Medical Centre in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, had to cancel appointments for over-80s last week because not enough doses arrived. A similar story was told by a GP in south London, Dr Rosemary Leonard. She wrote on Twitter: 'We are raring to go, but have no vaccines. WHY?' Meanwhile in Scotland, NHS staff were left standing for hours in the cold outside Glasgow Royal Infirmary to get jabs because no staff were on duty to administer them. Some left without being vaccinated amid the chaos on Tuesday. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has apologised. Last night a Government spokesman said: 'This is the largest vaccination programme in NHS history. 'It is being accelerated every day and vaccinations will be taking place at over 1,000 sites by the end of this week.' A llama found wandering through a Massachusetts town is in need of a home. The animal was discovered Monday morning in a field off Hale Street in Newburyport close to Interstate 95. It is now being held temporarily at Tiny Acres Farm in Newton, New Hampshire until authorities are able to locate its owner. Hes being housed temporarily at a farm until we can figure out who he belongs to, Newburyport-West Newbury Animal Control wrote on Facebook. Fingers crossed! The Boston Globe first reported the llama was found by local animal lover Patrick Boddy, who spotted the long-necked created while driving between job sites. He approached the llama and noticed a coyote a few yards from where the South American mammal was resting, according to the newspaper. Boddy proceeded to clap and yell at the coyote, which in turn made it run away, the Globe reported. As Boddy stood and bonded with the llama, police and animal control officers were contacted, and authorities made calls to nearby farm owners to see if the animal wandered off any of their properties. Their efforts were not successful, though, according to the Globe. We called so many people, and nobody had a clue, Boddy told the newspaper. We couldnt figure out where the thing came from. The animal was later moved to the New Hampshire farm as social media inquiries about its owner continued. Recognize this pretty llama? Please contact Animal Control, Newburyport-West Newbury Animal Control said on Facebook. Thanks! Those with information about who the llama belongs to can call Newburyport-West Newbury Animal Control at (978) 465-4410 or email kprovencher@cityofnewburyport.com. FOUND LLAMA (Newburyport) __________________ UPDATE: The llama is being held temporarily at a local farm until... Posted by Newburyport / West Newbury Animal Control on Monday, January 4, 2021 Related Content: Joe Exotic is awaiting news of his pardon, but before it can be processed or granted, his father has died of COVID-19 already. Now, he is fervently hoping for a chance to attend his dad's funeral. Tiger King's Father Died of COVID-19 TMZ broke the news that Joe's father, Francis Schreibvogel, died following complications from COVID. The news outlet claimed the funeral is set for Saturday in Oklahoma, and the controversial Joe Exotic desperately wants to go. Joe Exotic Pushing for Pardon ASAP The news outlet also found that Joe's legal team is now, January 6, on its way to Washington D.C. so they can push for this highly-coveted pardon. While Tiger King was already quite desperate for a pardon before 2020 ended - even writing Kim Kardashian a letter to help him get it, there is a new sense of urgency for one now more than ever. After all, the funeral will not wait for anyone. If Joe Exotic wants to catch a glimpse of his father one last time, the pardon should be granted as soon as possible. Joe's legal team, headed up by Eric Love, has reportedly already chartered a jet. Love reportedly told TMZ he has a big meeting with a White House/pardon-related personality, but he has not named actual names. It can be noted that in his letter to Kim Kardashian back in December relayed how worried he was about his father - whom he described as dying. He wrote, "I have lost 57 years of work, my zoo, my animals, my mother has died, my dad is dying and I've been taken away from my husband who I love dearly. Everyone is so busy making movies, getting interviews, selling stuff and dressing up like me that everyone forgot I'm a real live person in prison and kept from even telling my own story for something I didn't do." Unfortunately, even though the letter went viral, Trump has effectively ignored his pleas for a pardon. Joe Exotic Pardon: If Not Granted, Plan B! If President Trump still does not grant the desired pardon, Tiger King's legal camp has a plan B. Allegedly, they will be going to a judge and asking for a day pass for their client Joe Exotic. It means Exotic can be temporarily released and attend the funeral, if granted. Joe is presently serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted of plotting a murder-for-hire against Big Cat Rescue owner Carole Baskin, and many more other crimes. As of March 2020, he is incarcerated at FMC Fort Worth in Texas. It was reported that in June 2020, Carole already received control of Joe's zoo property. READ MORE: Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Divorce: One Physical Clue Marriage is Over See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Tenstorrent, a hardware start-up developing next generation computers, announces the addition of industry veteran Jim Keller as President, CTO, and board member. "Tenstorrent was founded on the belief that the ongoing shift towards ML-centric software necessitates a corresponding transformation in computational capabilities," said Ljubisa Bajic, Tenstorrent's CEO. "There is nobody more capable of executing this vision than Jim Keller, a leader who is equally great at designing computers, cultures, and organizations. I am thrilled to be working with Jim and beyond excited about the possibilities our partnership unlocks." As CTO, Keller will lead Tenstorrent's efforts to be the hardware solution needed to address Software 2.0, the exciting industry shift towards using machine learning methods to solve problems previously addressed by traditional software. "Software 2.0 is the largest opportunity for computing innovation in a long time. Victory requires a comprehensive re-thinking of compute and low level software," Keller said. "Tenstorrent has made impressive progress, and with the most promising architecture out there, we are poised to become a next gen computing giant." Keller's addition to both the team and the board is a strong vote of confidence in Tenstorrent's ability to become a major player in a sector currently dominated by behemoths. "Tenstorrent's differentiated approach to accelerating AI, along with the team's pedigree, are what convinced Eclipse to initially invest in 2017. We are committed to supporting their ambitious vision, and Jim's arrival only further bolsters our faith in that vision," said Greg Reichow, partner at Eclipse Ventures and Tenstorrent board member. Keller joined Tenstorrent following two years as Senior Vice President of Intel's Silicon Engineering Group. He has held roles as Tesla's Vice President of Autopilot and Low Voltage Hardware, Corporate Vice President and Chief Cores Architect at AMD, and Vice President of Engineering and Chief Architect at P.A. Semi, which was acquired by Apple Inc. During his long and impactful career he has helped create some of today's most iconic technology including the AMD Zen, K7 (Athlon) and K8 micro-architectures, Apple A4-A7 processors, the x86-64 instruction set and HyperTransport interconnect. About Tenstorrent Tenstorrent is a next-generation computing company with the mission of addressing the rapidly growing compute demands for software 2.0. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with U.S. offices in Austin, Texas, and Silicon Valley, Tenstorrent brings together experts in the field of computer architecture, asic design, advanced systems, and neural network compilers. Tenstorrent is backed by Eclipse Ventures and Real Ventures, among others. For more information visit www.tenstorrent.com. SOURCE Tenstorrent Inc Related Links https://www.tenstorrent.com Dan Eliasson, the general director of the Swedish Contingencies Agency (MSB), in Stockholm, Sweden, on March 15, 2020. (Janerik Henriksson/TT via AP, file) Swedish Official Resigns Over Spain Vacation During Pandemic COPENHAGEN, DenmarkA senior Swedish official resigned Wednesday after a vacation to Spains Canary Islands for Christmas and New Years, saying the important thing is how we as a society handle the pandemic and all focus is on the incredibly important task. The departure of Dan Eliasson, who had headed the government agency responsible for civil protection, public safety, emergency management and civil defense since March 2018, comes as the Scandinavian country has seen a recent spike in virus cases. And last year, the agency known as MSB sent out text messages to millions in Sweden urging them not to travel. But the 59-year-old Eliasson was photographed several times in December in the Canary Islands. He told the Expressen daily that he had given up a lot of travel during this pandemic and has a daughter living on the islands. The important thing is not me as a person, Eliasson said in a statement Wednesday. The reason for my position is that MSB as an authority should have the best possible conditions to carry out its important assignment. Earlier Tuesday, he met with Home Affairs Minister Mikael Damberg to discuss the possibility of continuing as head of the agency. The agency said that Eliasson at the meeting saw it was difficult given the reactions. That is why Dan Eliasson has today asked to be transferred from his job as head of authority and director general of MSB, the agency wrote. Damberg told Swedish broadcaster SVT that MSB as an authority must function during the pandemic. Dan Eliasson misjudged this and it has had major consequences. Sweden has stood out among European nations for its comparatively hands-off response to the pandemic. The Scandinavian country hasnt gone into lockdowns or closed businesses, relying instead on citizens sense of civic duty to control infections. Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter said Eliasson, the former head of Swedens national police, didnt inform anyone, not even Damberg, of his vacation to the Canary Islands, noting its not routine for senior MSB officials to inform their superiors of holiday plans. Sweden, which has opted for a much debated COVID-19 approach of keeping large parts of society open, has reported 469,748 confirmed cases and 8,985 deaths, which is more than its Scandinavian neighbors. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. WASHINGTON U.S. intelligence and national security agencies on Tuesday afternoon pointed to Russian hackers as the culprit behind an unprecedented digital breach of thousands of public and private sector networks. A sophisticated hacking group that is likely Russian in origin is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks, according to a joint statement issued by the newly organized Cyber Unified Coordination Group. The members of the new group include the FBI, the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Security Agency. The announcement comes just weeks before President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, and at a time when the outgoing Trump administration has been focused on its claims of electoral fraud, which have been rejected repeatedly by election officials and the courts. SolarWinds headquarters in Austin, Texas. (Sergio Flores/Reuters) In early December, private cybersecurity company FireEye, the first to notice something awry in its systems, announced it had been breached. FireEye passed what it knew on to government investigators, determining that hackers had inserted malicious code into security updates for widely used IT monitoring software made by software company SolarWinds. SolarWinds disclosed the intrusion on Dec. 13 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, noting that fewer than 18,000 customers had installed the specific dangerous update. The scope of the intrusion has exploded in the intervening weeks, leading both government and private sector workers to scramble to determine the damage, a process that may take months or years. The new statement confirms earlier news reports as well as a public statement from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo putting responsibility for the intrusion on the Kremlin. However, President Trump has consistently resisted publicly blaming or pressuring Russia for either this breach or previous covert and overt Russian operations against American and allied interests. Trump previously downplayed the seriousness of the breach, announcing that it was under control. He also alleged in a series of tweets that the Fake News Media wanted to blame Russia, claimed China could be behind the breach, and resurfaced conspiracy theories about compromised voting machines that could have led to his loss in the presidential election. Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Dec. 7. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin/Pool/AP) In the meantime, the Trump administration has continued to oust public servants who have helped fact-check those claims, starting with former CISA Director Chris Krebs and, most recently, earlier on Tuesday, CISA Director of Public Affairs Sara Sendek. Its unclear whether Trump will push back on the new statement blaming Russia, though the new task force was formed on behalf of President Trump, the agencies wrote in a joint press release. In addition to offering a tentative attribution for the compromise, the intelligence agencies also concluded that the Russian effort amounted to an intelligence gathering effort rather than a targeted attack aimed at destruction or subterfuge an assessment that will likely affect the governments potential response. President-elect Biden in mid-December condemned the intrusion and pressured the Trump administration to name and shame Russia, promising to do all that needs to be done to investigate and address the compromise once in office. He said he will probably respond in kind, though experts have pointed out the NSA and other U.S. intelligence agencies are constantly looking for opportunities to infiltrate Russian networks the same way U.S. networks were exposed. While the investigation into the breach is ongoing, the intelligence agencies wrote, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. According to the investigation so far, the government has only learned of fewer than 10 U.S. government agencies that have been compromised by follow-on activity on their systems. The statement did not elaborate, however, on what exactly that follow-on activity might be, including additional indicators of further compromise or evidence that data was exfiltrated from those agencies. The group also promised to release further details on the compromise as they become available. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Even as farmers camp on Delhis borders to protest against three laws that open up Indias tightly regulated agricultural markets, one may have presumed that their hunkering down would reflect negatively on shares of agri-input and fertiliser companies. Though a few have seen a marginal decline since November 27, 2020 (when the protests started), many agri-linked stocks continue to outpace indices such as the Sensex and Nifty (see table). Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Bars in Fort Bend County will have to shut down and certain establishments may only operate at 50 percent capacity due to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to a letter issued Wednesday from the county judge. "At this time, Fort Bend County does not have any local orders; but, we will comply and follow all those mandated by Governor Abbott," wrote County Judge KP George. "As we get updates from the Governor and State of Texas on their Executive Orders, we will communicate them out with our jurisdictions, partners, and public. " Future Group Founder and CEO Kishore Biyani on Tuesday said Amazon was fully aware of his group's talks with Reliance Industries for the sale of retail assets that followed the US giant offering no concrete help to tide over the cash crisis. Opening up after being locked in an intense legal battle with Amazon over the Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance, Biyani in an interview with PTI said the US giant's 2019 investment in Future Coupons Pvt Ltd (FCPL) -- Future Retail's parent -- was for coupon and gifting business only and the same could continue post-retail assets going to Reliance. He hoped to complete the deal with Reliance within two months of Sebi approval. While the arbitration would commence later in January over the plea filed by Amazon contesting the deal with Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), Biyani said both the deal and arbitration process would continue in "parallel" as the deal with billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led group is not related with the e-commerce major's stake in one of the group firms, Future Coupons. Biyani said Future Group had approached them several times after its retail business was massively hit after the lockdown and its debt level zoomed. "The day COVID and lockdown started, since then we were in continuous engagement with Amazon. That's not the case that they (Amazon) were not aware of. We had written to them somewhere in March also about the price deterioration and invocation of shares," Biyani told PTI. There was a clause through which Amazon could replace lenders with some others which can help them (Future) to retain the ownership of the shares if it falls, he added. "COVID had happened and things did not materialise then. After that, we were in discussion with them (Amazon) through the whole transaction. Even when Reliance was part of the negotiation, they were always aware of that," he added. Asked as to how many times Future Group approached Amazon, he said, "we were in continuous dialogue. We had approached them multiple times. We had calls and meetings". Biyani said Amazon was also apprised when there were exclusive talks with RIL. "After the matter has become legal (sub-judice), we have not spoken,"he said. While noting that Amazon's response was always "let's find a solution", Biyani said they never got any solution from Amazon except "lots of paper works". "To be honest, we never got a concrete solution," Biyani said, adding, "we approached RIL only after things were not moving. You cannot work with one option at a time". However, Amazon has contended this version. "It is incorrect to say that Amazon did not offer help to Future Retail Limited as there were ongoing discussions on multiple options with partners on the one hand and with the promoters of Future on the other, including a signed Term Sheet," an Amazon spokesperson said. Amazon had dragged Future Group to arbitration at Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), which on October 25 passed an interim award in favour of the e-commerce giant. Future Retail has questioned the move and said the order was "not binding" and had even approached Delhi High Court, which last month upheld Amazon's right to make representations to statutory authorities against the Future Group-Reliance Retail deal. The court also gave a go-ahead to the regulatory authorities to decide about the deal in accordance with the rules and regulations. Future Group has approached Sebi to expedite the review of the proposed deal and issue a no-objection certificate while Amazon has urged that the review of the "impugned transaction" be suspended. "We are responding to what they (Amazon) are writing. We are not the first writers," Biyani said when asked about the ongoing war of letters between Amazon and Future. "We had applied for CCI permission, which we have got. We have applied to BSE and NSE, which is linked to Sebi's approval," he said. Biyani does not expect any hurdle after the order of the Delhi High Court which has directed the regulators to take an independent call on the issue. "I do not see (it taking) much time. Once we get Sebi approval, then we have to go NCLT for creditors, lenders and shareholders' approval," he said adding that after Sebi approval, it would take 45 to 60 days. The process of appointing an arbitrator at SIAC has not been done yet and Biyani said the deal with RIL has nothing to do with Amazon. He hinted that the arbitration and the process of completion of the Rs 24,713 crore-deal with Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), subsidiary of RIL would continue in parallel. "It is a dispute between the promoters and Amazon in a way because they are part of a company (Future Coupons), which we built for gifting and loyalty business. That company has invested in FRL and they are not directly the owners of FRL," he said. Biyani also emphasised that the partnership with Amazon was for coupon and gifting business only and to work with Future brands and portfolios and to sell it on Amazon. "That continues today also," he added. On being asked as what would be left for Future Coupon to do after the assets of the group are transferred to RIL, Biyani said, "it can still continue to hold the shares of the resultant entity. It will continue to do the gifting business". Biyani also hinted that post completion of the deal, an exit route may be offered to Amazon. "The best solution is conciliation on every issue," he said, adding, "we would love to find a solution". In 2019, Amazon agreed to purchase 49 per cent stake in Future Coupons with the right to buy into flagship Future Retail after three to ten years. Future Coupons holds 7.3 per cent equity through convertible warrants in Future Retail, that operates popular supermarket and hypermarket chains such as Big Bazaar. Also read: Adani Wilmar halts Fortune oil ads featuring Sourav Ganguly Also read: SBI, Jio have more customers than US population Lt. Col. US Army (Ret.) Robert M. Fisher died Jan. 2, 2021, at his home with family at his side. Born Nov. 26, 1941, in Pottsville, he was the only child of the late Robert M. Fisher and M. Rosalie Coogan Fisher Mehling, of Pottsville and Berwick. He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Joseph S. Mehling, of Berwick, and his first wife, Nancy E. Busch Fisher, of Middleport. Two years after the untimely death of his father, barely 39 in 1949, Bob was admitted to Girard College, Philadelphia, where he received his high school diploma in 1959. He went on to earn a B.S. degree in education from Penn State University and later an M.S. in communications from Shippensburg University. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corps through Penn State ROTC Program. During his college years, he worked extensively in broadcast and print media in Pottsville and State College, and was active in student government, earning special recognition through honorary societies such as Lions Paw, Omicron Delta Kappa and Skull and Bones. Following two years of active duty at Fort Knox, Ky., he moved to Carlisle, where he taught at Mooreland Elementary School before beginning a career in public relations, first with PA Blue Shield (now Highmark), and later with the PA Medical Society, Capital Blue Cross and with the Hospital Association of PA, where he held various PR positions for 11 years. He was PR director at Polyclinic Medical Center for four years and then entered state government service as press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health and then deputy press secretary to Gov. Robert P. Casey. Bob served an additional 26 years in the Army Reserve and Pennsylvania Army National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1992. In the mid-90s, he was an assistant VP in communications with CoreStates Bank, covering central Pennsylvania, and when the bank was sold, he returned to state government as a communications officer with the Pennsylvania Senate, from which he retired in 2002. He was a mentor to countless young people in the public relations field over many years and received the Ernest R. McDowell Award for Excellence in Public Relations in 1992. Active in community and professional circles, Bob was a past president of the Pennsylvania Public Relations Society, for which he wrote a monthly newsletter column from 1978-2017; an officer of several local, state and national health and hospital PR organizations over the years; a member of the regional board of American Cancer Society; and member of the communications committee of United Way of the Capital Region. When his children were students in Cumberland Valley schools, he headed PTOs at Silver Spring Elementary and Middle School West. He was a charter board member of Penn State Alumni Interest Group for Student Radio, a member of Lions Paw Alumni Association, Nittany Lion Club, and was a lifetime member of Good Will Fire Company No. 4, Pottsville, Girard College Alumni Association and Penn State Alumni Association. With interest and proficiency in music passed down from both parents, Bob was active in many musical organizations in his lifetime, most recently with Barbershop Harmony Society. He was a charter member of the former Carlindian Chorus, Carlisle, in 1965, and since 1995 with Keystone Capital Chorus, Harrisburg, for which he did PR and marketing for 20 years and was president in 2012 and 2013. He also had a strong interest in genealogy. Bob was a lifetime Roman Catholic, a founding member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Silver Spring Township, and a cantor and choir member with the parish and earlier with St. Joseph Parish, Mechanicsburg, for more than 50 years in all. Beyond all his career and life achievements, Bob will be remembered most for his marvelous sense of humor, spontaneous bursts of singing and the ability he had to help people see the positive in situations and lift their spirits. The numerous public relations professionals he mentored provide a living legacy of knowledge that meant more to Bob than his countless tributes and awards. In Bobs own words, I have lived a charmed life and been truly blessed. Persons who experienced his friendship and love know they were also blessed to have him be a part of their lives. Bob is survived by his wife, Dr. Carol A. Smith, retired emeritus faculty, Penn State University School of Nursing, University Park; daughters, Robyn Fisher Conrad, Simpsonville, S.C., Debra L. (Michael) Barber, Enola, and Denise L. (Mark) Scott, Stanfield, N.C.; five grandchildren, Katie and Conor Barber, Logan and Madison Scott and Jacob Robert Conrad. He is also survived by stepsons, Tim Smith, Rockwood, Tenn., and Todd (Jen) Smith, Galena, Ohio; stepgrandsons, Evan and Grant Smith. We regret that the realities of the still very present dangers of group gatherings make it necessary to limit in-person attendance at Bobs funeral Mass to family. When Bob planned his funeral arrangements, he emphasized the need to ensure that his funeral was not responsible for the illness or death of even one of his precious friends, colleagues or family members. For that reason, live attendance at the funeral Mass will be restricted to family members ONLY. Mass will be livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at youtu.be/AwAzTCB6cMo to ensure that anyone who wants to be there can attend. Bob hoped that safe groups would gather and watch the livestream broadcast together and share personal messages by email with Carol that they would have shared in person if that were possible. Bob also hoped that friends challenged by the internet access process would be supported by more internet-savvy friends to ensure everyone is able to view the service without difficulty. The opportunity to personally pay respects and share condolences with the family is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at Malpezzi Funeral Home, 8 Market Plaza Way, Mechanicsburg. Face masks will be required and all safety protocols will be followed and enforced. At a future time, when COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, a Celebration of the Life of Robert M. Fisher gathering will be announced. Thank you for your cards, messages and visits over the past months. Your expressions of the value you placed on having Bob in your life were very deeply appreciated and often surprised him. It was a blessing that the progression of his illness made it possible for him to know personally the deep respect of others and the sincere value they placed on their relationships with him. Bobs passing leaves an empty space that can only be healed by the joy we share in the memories of our time together with him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Class of 1959 Fund, Girard College Alumni, 2101 S. College Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.malpezzifuneralhome.com. A man who admitted last year to leaving the scene of a crash that left a 25-year-old motorcyclist dead in South Brunswick was sentenced to eleven years in prison, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office and South Brunswick Police announced Tuesday in a joint statement. Peter Prete, 59, of Jamesburg, pleaded guilty on Jan. 31, 2020 to second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death and one count of third-degree hindering his own apprehension, the office said. Once he is released from prison, Prete faces a one-year loss of his drivers license for having left the scene of the crash. On Aug. 8, 2019, Prete was driving a Jeep Wrangler when he was involved in a crash with Cory Holsten, 25, of South Brunswick, who was riding his motorcycle shortly before 9 p.m. in the area of Cranbury Road and Davidson Mill Road, police said. Holsten died at the scene from injuries he suffered in the collision, authorities said. Prete was arrested and charged following an investigation by Patrolman William Merkler of the South Brunswick Police Department and Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office, according to the statement. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Pennsylvanias school system includes some of the nations most fiscally disadvantaged public school districts, per one report. One driving reason is inadequate public school funding. Currently, the state covers about 38% of public education costs, which places Pennsylvania 46th in the country for percentage of state public school tax contributions. This low contribution creates inequitable outcomes. Pennsylvania districts largely rely on local property taxes for funding, and the inequity in such taxes between school districts leads to inequities in the final budgets. Increased public school funding is associated with increased student achievement and economic mobility. Improvements in public education funding should be central to our states plan to recover from the pandemic. READ MORE: Pennsylvania schools need an additional $4.6 billion to close education gaps, new analysis finds Pennsylvania can learn from four states Arizona, Oregon, California, and Illinois that recently made legislative attempts to either increase their state education funding or impose more progressive tax structures. As a New York Times editorial argued, most Americans agree that people with more wealth should contribute more to the public good. Election results revealed that taxing the wealthy specifically to fund education is gaining support. The best example of this is in Arizona, where on Nov. 3, residents passed a progressive income tax measure with about 52% of the vote. Proposition 208, also known as the Invest in Education Act, will raise state income tax from 4.5% to 8% for individuals earning above $250,000, or $500,000 for those filing jointly. Born out of the #RedforEd movement that gained national attention in 2018, the measure comes from years of teachers union demands for living wages and improved school resources. Arizona currently ranks last in per-pupil funding, according to the Education Law Center, and its average teacher salary falls far below the national average, ranking 45th nationwide. The tax increase is estimated to raise $827 million for Arizonas education system, specifically to increase teacher and support staff salaries, teacher recruitment and retention, and career and technical education programs. The success of Arizonas Invest in Education Act was not a certainty in this historically conservative state. In fact, Arizona passed this measure while also electing Joe Biden more narrowly than Pennsylvania did. This signifies a level of bipartisan support. As national energy around a wealth tax grows, Pennsylvania should make a similar argument and revise its flat income tax rate in support of its education system. In addition to Arizona, Multnomah County in Oregon, which includes Portland, passed a similar measure to tax the rich in order to provide universal preschool and raise teacher pay with significant voter support. READ MORE: Philly is set to create a new construction tax and make changes to a big property tax break in a win for Council President Darrell Clarke Oregon and Arizona show that connecting a marginal income tax increase to public school funding is necessary to pass these measures. Pennsylvania should follow in their footsteps and avoid the pitfalls of two other states that could not pass a wealth tax. Unlike most states, which depend on property taxes, California funds K-12 public schools largely through sales and income taxes, both expected to take a huge hit from the pandemic. In hopes of bolstering the education budget, proponents of Californias Proposition 13 tried to amend the decades-old property tax cap to authorize $15 billion in general obligation bonds for school and college facilities. That effort failed narrowly in March. Californians tried again in November with Proposition 15, known to supporters as Schools and Communities First. But this time the revenue would come from taxing commercial and industrial properties such as Disneyland at market value rather than their purchase price. Although it seems many Californians support increasing public school funding, the close defeats of Prop 13 and 15 show they are not willing to do it through property tax changes. READ MORE: Philadelphia school board reverses itself and approves Hilco tax break Pennsylvania, and notably Philadelphia, has a similar disinterest in the property tax approach, as made clear by the ongoing debate over the 10-year tax abatement policy. Despite a Good Jobs First report that estimated the Philadelphia School District lost about $62 million due to property tax breaks in 2017, the city has not eliminated the exemption like some newly elected City Council members have advocated for. Instead, the city will impose a 1% Construction Impact Tax, promised to aid affordable housing initiatives, rather than going directly to schools. To support public schools through income tax, Pennsylvania should learn from Illinois, which narrowly failed to change the states income tax from a flat rate to a graduated one. Critics claim that the measure lacked clear vision for where the money would be applied. Had advocates tied the increased revenue to support for the states public education, they could have rallied the votes for the initiative. Bipartisan support for the Arizona and the Oregon measures signals that more Americans want the wealthy to increase their support of public education. But narrow defeats in Illinois and California show the importance of clear messaging on the benefits. An investment in our schools is an investment in our economy. Pennsylvania should act now to secure a better future for its residents. Kimberly Sterin is a second-year doctoral student in Drexel Universitys School of Education and a former public school teacher. @Ms_Sterin The Philadelphia Inquirer is one of more than 20 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on solutions to poverty and the citys push toward economic justice. See all of our reporting at brokeinphilly.org. A staff member checks the packaging quality of COVID-19 inactivated vaccine products at a packaging plant of the Beijing Biological Products Institute Co., Ltd. in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei) China has promised and championed from the very beginning that COVID-19 vaccines developed in the country will be made a global public good when they are available. BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The international community has long been cleaved by deep disparities in wealth, education and even access to vital necessities such as electricity and clean water. The provision of COVID-19 vaccines must not add to that. However, the race to end this deadly pandemic may end up further segregating the world's haves and the have-nots, if the fair, just and universal vaccination can not be ensured. While some certain rich countries are trying to hoard as many vaccines as they can, many developing countries seeking their own doses are left in limbo. "Nearly 70 poor countries will only be able to vaccinate one in ten people against COVID-19," People's Vaccine Alliance, an international vaccine watchdog, stated in December, adding that rich nations representing just 14 percent of the world's population have bought up 53 percent of all the most promising vaccines produced as of now. Nobody should be left out from getting a life-saving vaccine because of their country of residence or bank balance. China has promised and championed from the very beginning that COVID-19 vaccines developed in the country will be made a global public good when they are available. The first batch of 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, developed by China's SinoVac Biotech, arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara last week. Egypt licensed China's inactivated COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have approved the Chinese inactivated vaccine registration according to the World Health Organization technical standards, while other countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Chile and Malaysia, have ordered vaccines developed by China's Sinovac Biotech. China's approach runs contrary to what has been smeared as "vaccine diplomacy." The country is rather walking the talk on its promise to ensuring vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. And it is determined to continue doing so. Any attempt at hoarding vaccines should be named and shamed, and it could even be argued that buying up the vast majority of the global vaccine supply is in potential breach of global human rights obligations, in times of nothing less than a catastrophe. It is also time to ponder how to properly share the vaccine expertise with more developing countries, so as to scale up urgently needed productions worldwide. While full protection of intellectual property rights behind the vaccines is needed and conducive to innovation, a for-profit monopoly of know-how must be opposed, as humanity is at an unprecedented juncture and bold actions are required. When it comes to a pandemic like this, no one is safe until everyone is safe. Vaccine nationalism and an unfair vaccine distribution will only prolong the pandemic and claim more lives. An Bord Pleanala has granted permission for a seven-storey co-living complex with space for 378 beds and communal facilities such as kitchens and living rooms. The plan, which will exceed limits on the height of buildings in Dublin, was originally submitted ahead of a ban introduced by government last year to halt further co-living schemes. Officials from the planning board approved the construction of the 378-unit build-to-rent development on the site of the Old Glass Factory in Cork Street in the Liberties area of Dublin. The application by developer Alphabet ABC Properties to demolish the existing derelict buildings on the site and develop a new shared accommodation complex was made in advance of the decision by the Minister for Housing, Darragh OBrien, in November to introduce a ban on all new co-living developments. Its plans also provide for a cafe at ground floor level as well as a private function room, cinema, communal lounge, gym and library roof terrace. There will be also workspace areas with communal kitchens, living and dining rooms on each floor. The development will create a new pedestrian link between Cork Street and John Street South. Planners said the development would, so long as planning conditions are obeyed, constitute an acceptable number of units and density of development in an accessible inner-city location. One of the conditions was to reduce the original number of proposed bed spaces of 397 by the omission of 19 units at basement level. Read More The board also ruled that the project would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and pedestrian safety and would not seriously affect the look of the area or residential amenities there. It said it had taken particular note of a report by Owen Keegan, the Dublin City Council chief executive, who had said the site was a suitable location for such a development although planners had concerns about living units at basement level and lack of private open space in the complex. The board acknowledged the development represented a contravention of the Dublin City Development Plan in relation to building height as it was over the 24-metre limit for that area of the city. The height of the proposed complex is 25.6 metres. However, the board said it considered the development was acceptable because it was of strategic and national importance in contributing to government policy on increasing the delivery of housing. It noted there was already a precedent for allowing residential developments in excess of 24 metres in the area. Consultants for Alphabet ABC Properties said the development would help population growth and improve the areas housing mix. They claimed its central location to Dublin city made it ideally suited for an alternative accommodation format. The development had been opposed by a number of TDs, including Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh and People Before Profits Brid Smith and councillors over concerns that a shared living development would not address the house need for families living in the area as well as the high level of transient accommodation in the Liberties. Local residents also complained that the building will overshadow and overlook other homes in the area. Online Editors Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. WASHINGTON - While President-elect Joe Biden plans an outward show of calm heading into the final major challenge to his election victory, his aides are deploying a behind-the-scenes strategy with Senate allies to derail and marginalize the objections to be raised by rebellious Republican lawmakers. The Biden camp, led by rival-turned-ally Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., prepared to force the dissenters to debate into the night, hoping to dispose of the challenge as quickly as possible and prevent a days-long ordeal. Klobuchar and her aides also distributed background to Democrats and lined up swing-state lawmakers to speak. The goal, she said, is to show there is overwhelming support in both parties for accepting the results and rejecting a "coup." "The coup-fighters are a group that is bipartisan," Klobuchar said in an interview. "You use the moment to show that there is still bipartisan support, including people who didn't support Joe Biden, that they will stand up for a cause larger than themselves." Klobuchar added, "This is game day." In contrast, Biden himself plans to keep a studiously low profile, consistent with his goal of softening the country's rhetoric as he prepares to take office, in hopes of being able to work with Republicans. The president-elect will stay in Wilmington, Del., where he intends to focus on his plans for helping small businesses through the economic collapse, allowing photographers and reporters a quick glimpse of his meeting. That contrast by design - showing Biden tending to pocketbook issues while Republicans squabble over politics - is a typical Biden response: an attempt to hover above the latest Washington outrage while his staff pays close attention to the moment-to-moment intrigue. "If the opening weeks of the transition to a Democratic administration are more fighting and more finger-pointing and more accusations, then I think that will deprive us of the opportunity to try to return to normal," said Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del., a Biden confidant. But it remains far from certain that Biden can achieve normalcy after he faces such an extraordinary challenge from an increasingly polarized body. His team was intently watching developments to gauge how many Republican senators, and which ones, might be open to cooperation after he takes office - and which ones might be more likely than they had realized to follow in Trump's scorched-earth path. Biden's publicly hands-off stance was especially notable for a figure who usually rushes to defend the Senate as an institution. He also was the last person to preside over an electoral college certification - in 2017, when as the sitting vice president he batted down objections from his own party and supported a smooth transition of power to the Trump administration. While Biden's allies expressed confidence that Wednesday's events would amount to futile "antics" with no hope of changing the outcome, they nonetheless crafted a detailed plan to rebut key points of the challenge and move rapidly through the proceedings, a sign that Biden sees a drawn-out affair as potentially damaging. Some allies also ramped up their rhetoric about President Donald Trump's final days in office, suggesting that Wednesday might not be the last gasp of GOP resistance. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., told MSNBC on Tuesday: "We're certainly worried about military hostilities that might occur between now and the 20th. Who knows what an angry, illogical president might do with the remaining days in power." During Wednesday's proceedings, a joint session of Congress is set to accept the electoral college tallies as they are called out alphabetically by state. If at least one senator and one House member question any state's result, the chambers individually debate and vote on that challenge. The Republican dissenters say they will object to the tallies of at least three states - Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania - and adding more could prolong the process to more than 24 hours. Klobuchar, who as the top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee will be one of four lawmakers tallying the votes, said that although the rules allow for a break - Klobuchar said she and Chairman Roy Blunt, R-Mo., have decided they would not take one. Biden has no plans to make a formal speech once the tally is complete, but he may address it in some fashion depending on when Congress is done, according to a Biden official familiar with his plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them publicly. The fierceness of Wednesday's fight will also give an early hint about the odds Biden faces in taming this Senate. During the campaign, he regularly presented his long history in the chamber, and his record of working across the aisle, as a reason he would be successful in enacting an agenda that includes combating climate change, shoring up the economy and getting relief to pandemic victims. "You need old hands to know where the old bodies are buried," Biden told a group of journalists recently, explaining why he had picked so many longtime Washington insiders for his Cabinet. But Washington has been changing, and many of the old-school power brokers are gone. Biden spent 36 years in the Senate, but the body has transformed since he departed in 2009 to serve as Barack Obama's vice president. Only one-third of the current senators served with Biden, including about a dozen of the current Republicans. All four of the newly elected Senate Republicans have signed on to the effort to contest the election results and challenge Biden's legitimacy, and the Republicans leading the effort also did not serve with him. Many Democrats are skeptical these GOP senators will ever come around, but Biden has predicted that Trump's grip on the GOP will loosen over time and that it will take about six months for him to develop a working relationship with Senate Republicans. Regardless of the outcome of the two Georgia runoff elections held Tuesday, Biden will need Republican cooperation to enact large chunks of his agenda, because 60 senators are needed to pass most legislation. Given that, Wednesday's proceedings could provide an early guide to who might be helpful to Biden, said Alan Kessler, a Philadelphia attorney and longtime Biden donor and fundraiser. Kessler said the decision by Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., not to support the electoral challenge, for example, could mean he is someone that Biden could work with, despite Toomey's deep conservatism. "It's a clear signal that that's someone you can talk to, who is rational, reasonable, may ultimately go against you, but certainly someone you can talk to," Kessler said. Biden's team has also been somewhat encouraged that firebrands such as Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who is believed to have presidential ambitions, rejected the effort to contest the results. Another senator they are watching closely is Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who also has not joined the dissenters despite his close relationship with Trump. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has actively tried to tamp down the GOP opposition. On the other hand, Biden's allies are disappointed that some Republicans they had viewed as potential partners are signing on to the protests. In particular, they were dismayed that Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Mike Braun, R-Ind., who are not seen as partisan firebrands, joined the challengers despite the lack of any evidence of election fraud. Some Senate Democrats are worried that this foreshadows a tough road in the Senate for Biden's presidency, especially if Republicans continue to be influenced by the GOP's Trump-friendly faction of voters. "I'm a pretty patient person, but I'm kind of tired of the excuse, 'Well, you know, I've got to do this because the base,' " said Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pa., who said he's heard that from his GOP colleagues in recent days. Casey said he sees little silver lining in the fact that most Republican senators are expected to oppose the electoral challenge. "I guess you have to differentiate between those who will go over any cliff for Trump versus those who won't go over this cliff," Casey said. "But I don't think it necessarily gives you the road map for a substantive legislative agenda, because I think it's going to be difficult even with those who didn't go along with it." Still, Biden's transition team, eager to keep the path open for potentially working with Republicans, is going to great lengths to downplay Wednesday's drama. "This is merely a formality and certainly should be treated as such by people who are covering it," incoming White House press secretary Jennifer Psaki told reporters on a recent call. "Regardless of whatever antics anyone is up to on January 6th, President-elect Biden will be sworn in on the 20th." John Morgan, a prominent Biden donor from Orlando, Fla., said Biden's reluctance to publicly wade into the debate reflects his experience navigating politics on Capitol Hill and working with those who disagree with him, or even seek to undermine him. "The thing about Joe Biden is, this is not his first rodeo. This is his 47th rodeo," Morgan said. "Joe Biden doesn't take this stuff personally, because he's been through it so many times. He's been betrayed and lied to so many times that he has alligator skin." Part of Biden's calculation is that it would be a mistake to expend political capital on this fight given the all-but-certain outcome, said Kessler, the Philadelphia Biden donor. "It would be different if it had a chance on carrying the day, but it doesn't, so you just move on," Kessler said. "What's to gain from it?" Referring to the legal challenges filed by Trump supporters alleging voter fraud, Kessler said, "Ninety judges have ruled against it, including any number of Republican-appointed judges. . . . Why not let it just play out?" Four years ago, Biden, in one of his final acts as vice president, presided over that election's version of Wednesday's event. Several members of his own party rose to object to their state's electoral college tally, and at times, Biden appeared to grow annoyed by the dissenters, even though the results went against his own party. And the joint session of Congress came to a close with a head-scratching moment. After gaveling the proceedings to a close, Biden turned to then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and said, "God Save the Queen." * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) About 30 cattle died in Colorado last month after ingesting high levels of nitrates on a ranchers property near Schriever Air Force Base, a veterinarian said. Dr. John Heikkila of Choice Veterinary Service examined the animals and said on Monday that elevated levels of nitrates were found in at least one bale of hay eaten by the cattle, The Gazette reported. The rancher, who was not identified, fed the cattle the same hay for two weeks without incident before their deaths on Dec. 22, Heikkila said. Nitrates can be found in some livestock feeds and are common in fertilizers and explosives. At high levels, it can lower the oxygen-carrying capacity of animal blood, resulting in death, he said. Heikkila said a hay broker who sold the feed to the rancher is testing additional bales for high levels of nitrates. No additional cattle deaths were reported. El Paso County sheriffs deputies investigated the incident last month and determined there was no criminal activity involved, authorities said. Schriever Air Force Base is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Colorado Springs. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. American Airlines is flying again to Del Rio after a three-month hiatus, but service to the South Texas border city could end again as soon as federal stimulus money runs out at the end of March. Resuming service to about a dozen small communities, including Del Rio located 153 miles southwest of San Antonio is one of the conditions American must meet to collect a portion of the $15 billion relief package that Congress approved last month for the airline industry. The first American plane will land in Del Rio on Wednesday. Once the new stimulus money runs out March 31, American is unlikely to continue to fly to Del Rio, aviation consultant Michael Boyd said. He questioned whether Del Rio, with a population of 36,000, has enough passengers to justify air service. As soon as they can pull it, they will pull it, he said. American Airlines spokeswoman Stacy Day didnt directly address whether the carrier will continue to serve Del Rio after March. Billy Calzada /Billy Calzada Were always evaluating our network based on supply and demand, she said in a statement. American stopped flying to Del Rio in early October, several days after its obligation to serve the city expired under the CARES Act. The Fort Worth-based airline received more than $4 billion in government loans in the first round of funding to help the struggling airline during the passenger downturn spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Del Rio International Airport manager Juan Onofre is optimistic that the service will extend beyond March. He said the regional jet service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will help American fill other planes at its largest connecting hub. It will be a slow start, he said of the air service. But I believe it is here to stay. Billy Calzada, Staff / Billy Calzada American is offering one flight a day on a 44-seat regional jet run by American subsidiary Envoy Air. Before the pandemic, the carrier flew out of Del Rio twice a day. Boyd said the airline already concluded Del Rio and the other small cities it exited in October didnt have profit potential. Because they are accepting money under this relief act, they have to go to places like New Haven, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Del Rio, he said. But the markets are not any more viable than they were three months ago. In September, an American spokeswoman said the Del Rio route was among the poorest performing in the airlines route network. Del Rio mayor Bruno Ralphy Lozano said the air service contributed to the economic health of his city, enticing manufacturers to Del Rio and Acuna on the Mexican side of the border. The airport also serves relatives who come to visit personnel at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio and U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed in the area. Lozano has personal reasons for wanting flights to and from Del Rio. In addition to his city duties, he is a full-time Delta flight attendant. He used to begin his journey to his Boston crew base on a flight from Del Rio. Since October, hes had to drive two and a half hours to San Antonio International Airport to begin his commute. Its a long drive, Lozano said. He isnt the only resident who would prefer not to drive that far. Kristen Bentz, the guest services manager at the Ramada by Wyndham Del Rio hotel, wants to visit her son, a veterinary student in Denver, later this year. Shes hoping American remain in Del Rio beyond March so she wont have to drive to San Antonio, which she called such a big hassle. Del Rio has struggled to maintain air service over the years. Continental Airlines served the airport from 2005 to 2012 with connecting flights to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. After United Airlines acquired Continental in 2012, the carrier abandoned the route a year later. A small commuter airline served the airport for six months in 2017. Del Rio International got regular service again in 2018, but only after giving American a $2.9 million guarantee. The airline drew on the money anytime a Del Rio flight did not fill 80 percent of its seats. The flights never exceeded an average monthly of 70 percent. The money is now gone. Lozano said Del Rio has about $700,000 in money set aside for tourism marketing from the citys tax on hotel rooms. With regular air service at its airport, the city would use some of the funds to promote the flights, renting billboards or buying advertising air time in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. But he said tourism officials are reluctant to spend the money, given the possibility that American will withdraw after March. For now, Del Rio is relying on free Facebook and Instagram posts to advertise the air service and to tout free parking, a rarity among airports. randy.diamond @express-news.net The United Arab Emirates inoculated 8% of its population with the coronavirus vaccines and aims to cover half of its residents in the first quarter. The Gulf nation, which is offering vaccines free of charge for its residents, administered more than 826,000 doses so far, said Farida Al Hosani, spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, according to governments official Twitter account. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The country, with an expatriate-majority population of about 10 million, seeks to curb the recent rise in cases by reviewing procedures and focusing on vaccinating as many people as possible," Al Hosani said. Vaccines are optional and not compulsory, she added. The Gulf nation has approved the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE Covid-19 vaccine, as well as the one by Sinopharm unit China National Biotec Group. Israel has taken the lead in high-velocity sprint in the global coronavirus vaccine race, vaccinating about 15% of its population since Dec. 20. The Middle East nation plans to vaccinate 70% to 80% of its population by April or May. The UAE reported 1,967 daily coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the highest daily figure on record. The total number of cases are at 216,699. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics The family of the late Minister for Health, Major Rtd Courage Emmanuel Kobla Quashigah has donated assorted items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the less privileged at the Christ Faith Foster Home at Adentan as part of activities marking his 11th death anniversary. Led by the widow Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah who is also the National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, her sons, daughters, and other relatives - the Quashigahs family donated bags of 25kg rice, crates of egg, cartons of milk, gallons of cooking oil (25 litters), boxes of biscuits, pieces of toilet role, boxes of kalyppo, crates of soft drinks, packs of bottled water, bags of sachet water, face masks, toffies, and tissue papers among others. The family also provided the children of the Home and their caretakers with packs of cooked food and a cash donation of two thousand Ghana cedis (GHC2,000). Presenting the items to the Home, the first daughter of the late Courage E.K. Quashigah, Rev. Angela Quashigah described her father as a great patriot who spent his entire life serving his country and humanity. According to her, the decision by the family to reach out to the needy was something they had emulated from the late Major Quashigah who also served as the Minister for Food and Agriculture under former President, John Agyekum Kufuor. Rev. Angela Quashigah said that the donation to the Christ Faith Foster Home was not the first of its kindindicating that it had been the practice by the family since the death of their father who used to share with the less privileged in society. The other good side of our father apart from his service to the nation was the fact that he was a social man, who loved people, loved to do a lot of humanitarian jobs and was also loved by many. He would have done this if he was alive so we are only following his examples. The widow, Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah who has vowed to keep the memories of her late husband alive so long as she lives, interacted with the little children in the Home. Serving them with food, drinks, and toffies, the wife of the late Quashigah advised the children to be disciplined and grow into responsible adults. Dr. Mrs. Quashigah entreated the management of the Home to care for the children as if they are their own in order to attract Gods blessings. The Caretaker of the Christ Faith Foster Home, Mr. A.K. Danso who received the cash and the items expressed appreciation to Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah and the entire family for the huge support. He described it as one of the largest donations received so far in 2021. He said that the Home currently has 40 children with the youngest amongst them at age two (2). Mr. Danso appealed to other organisations and individuals to emulate the example of the Quashigahs family, since the Christ Faith Foster Home solely depends on donations from donors. Meanwhile, Major Courage Emmanuel Kobla Quashigah died on 5th January, 2010. He was a Ghanaian soldier who served as an Intelligence officer at the headquarters of the Second Infantry Brigade of the Ghana Army based in Kumasi, and also a politician. He later became a National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 1998 and helped the party to win power in 2000. He was then appointed as a Minister for Agriculture and later Health in the NPP government of John Kufuor between 2001 and 2009. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video After multiple failed attempts to overturn the US presidential election results, President Donald Trump has now started suggesting voter fraud in Georgia Senate runoffs, which will decide the fate of president-elect Joe Bidens agenda. In a series of tweets, Trump claimed that the officials are setting up a voter dump against Republican candidates to get ahead in the final round of counting. Just happened to have found another 4000 ballots from Fulton County. Here we go! tweeted the outgoing US president, which was immediately flagged by the micro-blogging platform as disputed. Trump also amplified White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnanys misleading claim and implicit suggestion of electoral fraud. McEnancy asked why had the election officials stopped the vote count in Chatham County, a Democratic stronghold. Why are they stopping the vote count in Democrat Chatham county, Georgia? This sounds familiar! tweeted McEnancy, which was retweeted by the US president and duly flagged by Twitter. According to a CNN report, the counting of votes in Chatham County wasnt just stopped for the night, rather the officials have counted everything they had. Gabriel Sterling, the voting systems implementation manager, told the US media network that they are left with the absentee ballots that came in on Tuesday via mail and dropbox, adding that such ballots are coming from largely Democratic counties. Also Read | Democrats win one Georgia runoff election, poised to pick the second Meanwhile, Democrat Raphael Warnock has won one of Georgias two Senate runoffs and all eyes are now on the contest between incumbent Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. Amid unsubstantiated voter fraud claims by the US president, Perdues campaign has called for time and transparency to be certain the results are fair and accurate. We will mobilize every available resource and exhaust every legal recourse to ensure all legally cast ballots are properly counted. We believe in the end, Senator Perdue will be victorious, Perdues campaign said in a statement early Wednesday. The final outcome of Georgia Senate runoffs is also set to coincide with the certification of the electoral college and Bidens victory by the US Congress. In a fresh attempt to thwart the Electoral College vote, Trump has publicly urged vice president Mike Pence to steal the election for him. Taking to Twitter, Trump said that many states want to decertify the mistake, suggesting that Pence can send back the certificate to respective state legislatures. If Vice President @Mike_Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency. Many States want to decertify the mistake they made in certifying incorrect & even fraudulent numbers in a process NOT approved by their State Legislatures (which it must be). Mike can send it back! he tweeted. If Vice President @Mike_Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency. Many States want to decertify the mistake they made in certifying incorrect & even fraudulent numbers in a process NOT approved by their State Legislatures (which it must be). Mike can send it back! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 The President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadera, has been re-elected after securing nearly 54% of the votes. The electoral commission said the results made a second-round run-off unnecessary. Former prime minister, Anicet George Pologuele, finished a distant second with just 21% of the votes, while Martin Ziguele finished third with 7% of the votes. There were a total of 16 candidates running for president - including three women. Opposition candidates have said the election was riddled with massive irregularities. The vote took place despite an offensive by a coalition of armed rebel groups which left thousands unable to cast their ballots. The government has accused the former President Francois Bozize, who was barred from standing in the poll, of staging an attempted coup. He's denied the allegations but said he supported the rebels. Prosecutors have launched an investigation, accusing Mr Bozize of acts of destabilization and rebellion. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video CLEVELAND, Ohio The grandson of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson found himself in more legal trouble after a recent arrest in what police described as a domestic dispute. Police went to the home of Frank Q. Jackson, 23, about 7:27 p.m. Dec. 18 in the 2100 block of East 39th Street after receiving a report of the dispute. A 21-year-old woman, the mother of Frank Q. Jacksons child, told police that he struck her in the head and face, according to a Cleveland police report. The woman told police that the verbal argument began when she asked Jackson to get a diaper so she could change her son. However, Frank Q. Jackson told police that the dispute began because he wouldnt give her money to get her nails done, police say. Even though police observed a possible lump on the victims forehead, Frank Q. Jackson told them that the argument never got physical, according to the police report. The victim refused treatment after telling police that she felt dizzy after being hit in the head. Police took photographs of her injuries. The woman told police that she did not wish to press charges but wanted the altercation documented, police said. The mayors office released a statement Tuesday, weeks after the initial incident, saying that an outside agency will be handling this matter. The City of Cleveland Law Department is in the process of obtaining a special prosecutor to further review this matter, the statement said. It is that prosecutor, without any involvement from the City of Cleveland Prosecutors Office or Law Department, who will make all decisions related to the police report. The recent arrest is not Frank Q. Jacksons first time someone accused him of domestic violence. In June 2019, an 18-year-old woman reported that he punched and kicked her before he struck her with a metal truck hitch. Initially, Clevelands city prosecutor, Karrie D. Howard, who is now the citys safety officer, did not bring charges against him. But in September 2019, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, who handles felony charges, announced that he would indict Frank Q. Jackson on charges of felonious assault, abduction, and failure to comply with police orders. He eventually pleaded guilty to assault after prosecutors agreed to drop the abduction and failure to comply charges. In Jan. 2020, a judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail and 18 months probation. He served eight days as a judge suspended 82 days of the jail sentence. In addition to the domestic violence charges, the police connected Frank Q. Jackson to an Aug. 28, 2019 killing. He was never charged in the case. Antonio Parra, 30, of Warrensville Heights died in the daytime shooting. The murder led police investigation to the doorsteps of Mayor Frank Jackson home. The vehicle witnesses saw leaving the scene was registered to the mayors grandson, Frank Q. Jackson, according to prosecutors. Frank Q. Jackson, a 22-year-old at the time, told police that he had sold the car before the killing took place. Police later discovered the car torched in an East Side neighborhood. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. After 51 years, a team of three codebreakers cracked the Zodiac Killers 340-character cipher in December, sparking a wave of renewed interest and fresh frustration. Five decades since Zodiac shot teenagers David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen dead on Lake Herman Road, police seem no closer to capturing the elusive killer. During the course of his brief spree from December 1968 to October 1969, Zodiac killed five, wounded two and sent a number of taunting letters to Bay Area newspapers. His letters turned the situation from terrifying to cinematic, as Zodiac held sway over the region with his bizarre missives. But despite four different crime scenes and plenty of written correspondence, police werent even able to zero in on a clear suspect, leaving still-frightened Bay Area residents to wonder: Why has the Zodiac Killer never been caught? Here, weve gathered four of the biggest hurdles to solving the infamous case. While its true that a number of high-profile cold case murderers have been brought to justice in recent years, they all have one thing in common: DNA. The Golden State Killer, for example, left dozens of samples at dozens of crime scenes. Even decades-old evidence can be re-examined with modern technology for blood or semen. But detectives arent as lucky with Zodiac. Most of his murders involved him shooting the victim and running away. The only crime scene where he had extended contact with his victims was at Lake Berryessa. There, he stabbed Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard repeatedly before returning to his vehicle and driving away. Today, theres a possibility forensic techniques could yield genetic material from the killer, but in 1969 that technology was decades away. AP The only possible DNA sample comes from beneath a stamp stuck to one of his infamous letters. The sample, developed in 2002 by San Francisco police, is only a partial profile. Because its not someones full DNA profile, it cant be used to point to just one person. It can only rule someone in as a possibility or exclude them if it isn't a match. Its also entirely possible the sample doesnt belong to Zodiac at all; it could be from a mail worker or any number of people who handled the letter over the years. Without all the modern crime-solving strategies were used to CCTV, touch DNA, cellphone data, etc. investigators are left with almost nothing to work with. On that note ... The sketch is close to useless Although ubiquitous, the only police sketches released of the Zodiac Killer are next to worthless. Theres a reason dozens of people over the decades have said their neighbor/father/real estate agent matches the sketch. Its so nondescript, it could be countless young-to-middle-aged white men in the 1960s. Take away the distinctive glasses and its even less informative. Bettmann/Bettmann Archive Its accuracy also is far from concrete. Although Zodiac left two survivors, Hartnell and Michael Mageau, neither man got a good look at the killers face (he wore a mask at Lake Berryessa and he shone a flashlight in Mageaus eyes). The only people who unquestionably saw his face were three teenagers on the night of Oct. 11, 1969. The teens were home at Washington and Cherry in Presidio Heights when they saw a man assaulting a taxi driver parked outside. They glimpsed the man rummaging around the cab for less than a minute, at a distance of some 50 feet, illuminated only intermittently when his face caught the streetlight. The only other visual came from a police officer that night, who thought he glimpsed a man who could be Zodiac walking from the crime scene. The encounter lasted seconds in the dark not to mention the man could easily have been an ordinary passerby and the officer never made his own sketch. He was shown the teens sketch and offered some feedback. Not to mention, even in the best of circumstances, sketches done from memory aren't terribly reliable. The letters simultaneously provide too much and too little information For the legion of Zodiac Killer hunters around the world, it seems like his many taunting letters must surely provide a clue to his identity. But theyre a rabbit hole by design. Many details are plagiarized or paraphrased from other media, like short stories, movies and operas, providing little more than a window into Zodiacs pop culture preferences. The 1932 movie "The Most Dangerous Game," for instance, is referenced in one letter. The creepy claims of creating an army of slaves in the afterlife are Zodiacs attempt at myth-building, crafting himself into a dime-novel villain. Chronicle Archives The rest is your run-of-the-mill bragging. Although all these clues can hint at someones personality, theyre unlikely to have some kind of hidden meaning that, when magically uncovered, will lead to a breakthrough in the case. And unlike the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, which was recognized by his brother, if no ones recognized Zodiacs writings by now, its probably because it is intentionally different from his everyday correspondence. The letters could have possibly provided a clue into where Zodiac bought his stationery or mailed his letters, but those leads have all resulted in dead ends. Zodiac knew when to stop Some believe Zodiac continued committing crimes after the murder of cab driver Paul Stine, but Stines is the last murder that can be definitively attributed to the elusive killer. It is perhaps not a coincidence this was Zodiacs closest call. He was seen by three people and was mere moments from being caught by the police. The near-miss might have frightened him. In any case, hed already gotten what he wanted: infamy. Unlike killers like Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy, Zodiac didnt appear to be obsessed with killing. He was obsessed with fame. In a few short months, he became the worlds most talked-about serial killer, and the thing that really did it were his weird, cryptic letters. Although the murders stopped, the letters did not, suggesting he continued to find his high from publicity rather than death. Although its commonly believed multiple murderers only stop when theyre caught or die, thats simply not true. Killers like Joseph DeAngelo and Dennis Rader, aka BTK, stopped, while Gary Ridgway temporarily stopped when he got married. Its not unknown for serial killers to pause when their personal lives change, whether from the birth of a child or a change in work schedule that curtails their hunting hours. Although its more terrifying to believe a killer could simply slip back into society, an ordinary person like your friend or neighbor, it has happened. And its possible thats exactly what Zodiac did, evading the era of DNA and surveillance technology that would have undoubtedly nabbed him had he continued. Brian Hunzeker Hunzeker, a police officer for 23 years, is president of the Portland Police Association. He lives in Ridgefield, Washington. Mayor Ted Wheeler has identified police reform as a priority for his second term in office. The Portland Police Association, which represents nearly 1,000 police officers and dispatchers, recognizes the need to rebuild trust between the community and our officers and to ensure we are providing the highest level of accountable public safety services to our communities. We have a great opportunity in Portland to transform how we think about community law enforcement. The Portland Police Association has been participating in reform even before the killing of George Floyd. Additionally, in June, the Portland Police Association published an eight-point guideline for police reform. A key piece of the PPAs proposal was to implement the recommendations of President Obamas 2015 Task Force on 21st Century Policing which emphasize community policing, crime reduction, trust-building, accountability, training, and officer wellness. Meaningful reform can only come when all stakeholders have a seat at the table. That means that the discussions should include community groups, business leaders, advocates for police reform, elected officials, police leadership and the police union. Unless all impacted parties participates, including the rank-and-file officers who will carry out change, it is impossible to imagine how positive police reform can occur. Nothing should be off the table. The discussion should be fueled with hard data about crime, staffing, community safety, police-community interactions and alternatives to traditional policing. The participants should look at enhanced police training, crowd control tactics, the Portland Police Bureaus policies, organizational structure and more. The discussion must include the importance of community-based initiatives to address core issues such as poverty, education, and health and safetyall of which are important factors in the horrific wave of community shootings Portland has been experiencing. Unfortunately, the City Charter amendment passed in November to create an additional civilian oversight agency is an example of how not to go about police reform. Drafted in secrecy, the measure was introduced, debated, and voted upon by the City Council in a matter of daysnot the way to address a serious subject that has so many implications for both our officers and our city. The charter amendment, we believe, is surely illegal for a variety of reasons, including that it upends the current system of civilian oversight and police accountability measures that form a key part of the citys settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. I am new to the job of president of the Portland Police Association, but I am a 23-year veteran of law enforcement. I am a firm believer in the principles of community policing Portland tried to follow before staffing cuts made doing so impossible. I also strongly believe that trust between law enforcement agencies and the individuals they protect and serve is essential. That trust is key to the stability of our community, the integrity of our criminal justice system, and the safe and effective delivery of policing services. The Portland Police Bureaus success as a law enforcement agency depends upon community support and engagement. The Portland Police Association pledges that it will remain an active participant in discussions about policing reform and that it will come to the process with an open mind and a constructive approach. We are hopeful that all participants in the community discussion will do the same. Our goal is a mutual one, bringing long-term improvements to policing in Portland while maintaining the safety of the community. We hope to join the city, the Portland Police Bureau, and the Portland community in being part of the solution to the dilemmas we now face. Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: SAGINAW, MI A Saginaw man who listed his occupation on court forms as a criminal is heading back to prison, this time after prosecutors say he tied up and robbed his elderly aunt only months after he was paroled. Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III on Tuesday, Jan. 5, sentenced 47-year-old Monroe P. Nugent Jr. to three concurrent prison terms of 30 to 50 years, 10 to 15 years, and two to five years. Trice gave Nugent no credit for time served due to Nugent having been on parole when he perpetrated his latest offenses. I believe what Mr. Nugent did here is unspeakable, said Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Carmen Fillmore. He victimized a 72-year-old woman, terrified her. She was his own aunt. In her own words, in the victim impact statement, she stated shes shaky, nervous, and scared in her own house. She cant sleep. Nugent has nine prior felony convictions, several of which are violent, Fillmore said. Of those convictions, three are for armed robbery. In all, Nugent has been to prison six times. In a presentence report questionnaire, Nugent listed his occupation as criminal, Fillmore added. I believe that Mr. Nugent is a danger to society and I also believe that hes incapable of rehabilitation, she said. Nugent in November pleaded no contest to single counts of armed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. Nugent also pleaded as a fourth-offense habitual offender, which comes with a mandatory minimum 25-year prison sentence. By pleading no contest as opposed to guilty, Nugent did not admit to having committed any crime. Trice relied on transcripts from a preliminary examination to enter convictions on the record. The convictions stem from Nugent on the afternoon of Nov. 6, 2019, having visited the Saginaw home of his 72-year-old aunt. During the visit, Nugent grabbed her and threatened her with a knife, then tied her up and stole money and car keys from her pocket, prosecutors allege. Nugent then left the scene in his aunts vehicle, prosecutors allege. A short while later, Saginaw police spotted the car near the intersection of Hayes and Hamilton streets. They found Nugent outside a nearby apartment and arrested him. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Nugent on Sept. 26, 2019, less than two months before his latest crime. He was to be on parole until Sept. 26, 2021. A Saginaw County judge in April 2005 sentenced Nugent to two concurrent terms of 126 months to 30 years on two convictions of armed robbery, plus a consecutive two years on a conviction of felony firearm. Those convictions stem from crimes Nugent committed in September 2004. Prior to that, a Saginaw County judge in August 1991 sentenced Nugent five to 10 years on an armed robbery conviction, plus two years for felony firearm, stemming from crimes Nugent perpetrated in April of that year. On Tuesday, Judge Trice also ordered Nugent to pay $600 in restitution to his aunt as well as $334 in court costs. Read more: Saginaw parolee who tied up, robbed 72-year-old aunt pleads no contest Saginaw parolee accused of tying up, robbing 72-year-old aunt Man charged in holdup of 7-Eleven robbed Bay City adult bookstore in 2009 WASHINGTON Moments before a mob of President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was on the Senate floor warning that democracy is in crisis as he objected to counting Arizonas Electoral College votes. Both the House and Senate were evacuated as protesters forced their way into both chambers, breaking windows along the way. Tear gas was deployed and at least one person was shot and killed by law enforcement inside the Capitol. In his speech to the Senate, Cruz had urged his colleagues on both sides to calm down as he argued for delaying the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens win, calling for an emergency audit of the results based on debunked allegations of widespread voter fraud. CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL: Lawmakers evacuated as Trump supporters storm building Now Playing: Video: Associated Press Now many are blaming Cruz and the other Republicans including 10 other senators and a dozen congressman from Texas who supported Cruzs effort for escalating the post-election strife that preceded Wednesdays eruption. This is what youve gotten, guys, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, yelled as the mayhem unfolded in the Senate chamber, the New York Times reported. In a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday night, Romney said those objecting "will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack on our democracy." U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, tweeted that Cruz should resign from the United States Senate immediately. Castros call was echoed by other Democrats, including the chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa. Texans should hold Sen. Ted Cruz accountable for this fiasco, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. This is the inevitable result of the rhetoric of Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan, Hawley, Blackburn, Rubio and the rest of these anti-American Republicans, tweeted Walter Shaub, a former director of the United States Office of Government Ethics. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Cruzs campaign, meanwhile, sent text messages to supporters in an effort to raise money off of his fight to reject electors from key states unless there is an emergency audit as the riots raged in the Capitol. A staffer for Cruz said the messages were pre-planned and in no way shape or form would he ever have approved this to go out right now. It is your self serving attempt at sedition that has helped to inspire these terrorists and their attempted coup, Beto ORourke, who ran against Cruz in 2018, tweeted at the senator. Cruz responded: Stop stoking division. Stop spreading hatred. Stop using malicious rhetoric (such as false & reckless charges of sedition). Stop showing contempt for the half of the country that disagrees with you. Violence is wrong. We can do better. We are one Nation. #EPluribusUnum Cruz and other Republicans, sheltering as the riots raged in the Capitol, urged the mobs to leave on Twitter. Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW, Cruz tweeted. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence from Left or Right is ALWAYS wrong. And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support. Trump eventually urged his supporters to give up, as well, via a recorded video message in which he again falsely claimed the election was stolen and said we love you, youre very special. PAXTON AT D.C. RALLY: We will not quit fighting. The riots came after Trump and some of his high-profile supporters urged those at a rally outside the White House earlier Wednesday to move to the Capitol as Congress began to count the Electoral College votes. Ill be with you, Trump told his supporters outside the White House. U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Houston Democrat, said the blame for what happened later lies with Trump. This is the presidents doing, Green said. I think that the president has to be our focus. In his speech to the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, Cruz addressed Republicans, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who had pushed back against his call for an emergency audit of the election. He made the case he was working to build confidence in the results, which he said he was not seeking to toss out. What does it say to the nearly half of the country that believes this election was rigged if we vote not to even to consider the claims of illegality and fraud in this election? Cruz said. In recent weeks, Trumps attorneys have failed to prove voter fraud allegations as they lost dozens of lawsuits aimed at overturning the Nov. 3 election. On Wednesday, Cruz had called for a deeper review of some of the same claims from those cases. IN-DEPTH: Texas Republicans take center stage in Trumps election-defying fight Sen. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, noted as much as he pushed back on Cruzs effort, saying American democracy would enter a death spiral if Congress were to toss out the election results. Nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale, the massive scale, that wouldve tipped the entire election, McConnell said. Nor can public doubt alone justify a radical break when the doubt itself was incited without any evidence. While several Republican senators said they would drop their objections, Cruz let his stand, and more than eight hours later, the Senate voted it down 93-6. Congress was on track to certify Bidens win overnight. ben.wermund@chron.com .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX The Maricopa County Attorneys Office announced Tuesday that it wont file criminal charges against a Phoenix police officer who allegedly threatened to shoot the citys mayor. Mayor Kate Gallego was given additional law enforcement protection after the alleged threat became public in October and the Tempe Police Department was asked to investigate. A subsequent police report said Steve Poulos reportedly made the threat while on-duty and in uniform during a meeting with six other Phoenix police officers. Gallego has pushed for police reforms and Poulos, a 22-year veteran, reportedly was upset about a possible defunding of the police force. According to the report, Poulos backtracked after the meeting and said his comment about harming Gallego was made in jest. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The county Attorneys Office said it cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Poulos statements constituted a true threat as defined by Arizona law. While the statements are inexcusable, legal precedent prevents a reasonable likelihood of conviction at trial and therefore, we are declining to file criminal charges in this case. A spokesman for Gallego said the mayor was disappointed, but hopes this decision wont discourage anyone from reporting a threat. Calls to Phoenix police and Poulos attorney for comment werent immediately returned Tuesday afternoon. Finally, if you think that voter fraud was rampant and that Trump actually won, youre definitely a nitwit and possibly something much worse. If you ignore both William Barr, Trumps attorney general, and Chris Krebs, Trumps (former) head of cyber security, as well the fact that all 50 states have certified that the election was free and fair, thats your right. But if, after more than 60 courts as well as Trumps own Supreme Court (twice) found no evidence of voter fraud and you still support overturning the election you are guilty of being much more than a nitwit. You have aided and abetted Republican House and Senate members who have orchestrated an attempted coup, an overthrow of a duly elected government. Thats called sedition and treason and everyone, regardless of party, should remember to never vote for any member of Congress who has now shown us that he or she wants to destroy our democracy. Chinese technology tycoon Jack Ma's disappearing act has added a layer of intrigue to a calculated strike by the Chinese government to teach its homegrown technology star some humility. Having amassed a personal fortune of over $US50 billion ($65.5 billion) since the inception of Alibaba in 1999, Ma's vision has moved well beyond letting consumers, predominantly Chinese, buy things online and make payments. Ant Group, which saw its $US35 billion ($45 billion) IPO scuttled by Beijing, aspires to be a far more pervasive platform that offers myriad functions but also captures vast amounts of data. Jack Ma has fallen out with China's authorities. Credit:AP The form and function of Ant's technology platform is no different to that of Google, Facebook and Amazon.com. And just like its US "Big Tech" peers, Ant and its parent Alibaba, have become so dominant that regulatory action was inevitable. As it turns out, the necessary trigger came courtesy of Ma and his speech in late October last year at a high-profile financial forum in Shanghai, where the tech tycoon berated the Chinese banks for acting like pawn shops. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions France has awarded its highest distinction to Georgian billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. A French presidential decree published in the Official Journal said Ivanishvili was awarded the Legion of Honor in the rank of Knight, noting that he is an ex-prime minister and founder of Cartu, a charity foundation involved in various areas, including education, culture, and sports. Ivanishvili, who has served as prime minister for about a year in 2012-2013 -- and is accused by critics of still governing Georgia from behind the scenes -- is also the founder and leader of the country's ruling Georgian Dream party. The Legion of Honor, France's highest order of merit, is awarded by the French president to French nationals or foreigners, both military and civil. The order is divided into five degrees -- Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross. ChristopherBernard/iStockBy MATT GUTMAN, ESTHER CASTILLEJO and ANTHONY RIVAS, ABC News (LOS ANGELES) -- Los Angeles hospitals have been scrambling to care for the rising number of coronavirus patients for weeks now, turning chapels and gift shops into space to care for those who are sick. But the overwhelmed countys desperation reached a new height Tuesday when its Emergency Medical Services Agency advised EMS personnel not to transport patients with blunt trauma or non-traumatic cardiac arrest to hospitals if they cant be resuscitated. Make no mistake, were facing an unprecedented crisis right now, said Mark Eckstein, medical director of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Im 30-plus years in emergency medicine EMS Ive never heard of emergency departments literally refusing to accept ambulance patients saying, We have no more room. Go somewhere else. Calling the directive a form of countywide triage, Eckstein said its the worst nightmare of any first responder but also stressed that patients whove experienced the sorts of trauma or cardiac arrest noted in the directive dont often survive. He said that hospitals have been so backed up that ambulances have had to wait outside for up to eight hours to transfer care of the patients. We cant have multiple ambulances waiting for hours on end to offload and then have patients suffer as a result with a delayed 911 response, Eckstein said. Nationwide, a record of over 128,000 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 on Monday. California has reported more hospitalizations than any other state, with over 22,000 people needing inpatient medical care, while Arizona has reported the highest rate of infections in the country. Dr. Jason Prasso, a pulmonologist at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, said the hospital is currently running at three times its normal capacity. While speaking with ABC News on Monday, an urgent call to respond rapidly to a patient went out on the intercom. Prasso said the calls happen more often now, and while that patient was saved, others had died that day. Lately, its been all day, he said. Normally, we have like one or two a day, but there have been days recently where weve had eight, so thats uncommon. Dr. Elaine Batchlor, CEO of the hospital, told ABC News that the hospital is in a heavily Black and Latino part of the city, and that many of the people who are sick are essential workers. These are the people that are stocking the grocery stores, cleaning up after all of us driving the buses, Batchlor said. They continue to be exposed in the community. They also live in more crowded housing situations where it's harder to isolate. So if one member of the family gets sick, it's very easy to transmit it to the entire household." Health officials have partly attributed the surge throughout the U.S. to Thanksgiving travel, when more than three million people passed through Transportation and Security Administration checkpoints on the weekend before the holiday. The TSA reported 17 million people passing through its checkpoints between Dec. 18 and Jan. 3. While it's still too early to determine the impact of the winter holidays on the virus' spread, there have already been signs of the virus spreading from Christmas activities. Its not just hospitals that are overwhelmed, either. In Florida, some seniors waited for hours in line to schedule an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine, while other seniors camped out overnight to receive their shots. Only 4.8 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered out of a goal of 20 million by the end of last year. Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Colorado Springs School District 11 added to the number of schools pivoting to remote learning amid the increase in coronavirus cases in El Paso County. Photo: The Canadian Press WestJet says it plans to resume flying its fleet of 737 MAX aircraft later this month, pending approval by Transport Canada. The announcement follows comments by Transport Canada late last year that safety experts had validated the aircraft design changes and outlined requirements for Canadian carriers to bring it a step closer to resuming flights. The Boeing 737 Max aircraft has been grounded for nearly two years after technical issues led to deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the Max for flight, as long as carriers implement certain design fixes and provide specialized training to pilots. WestJet says pending approval of the aircraft for commercial flights by Canadian authorities its first flight is set for Jan. 21. It says it plans to operate three round-trip flights per week between Calgary and Toronto for four weeks, while it evaluates further routes and additional flights. "As we continue working with Transport Canada on the additional Canadian requirements, our first MAX will be ready to return safely to service as of Jan. 21," WestJet CEO Ed Sims said in a statement. "While we don't have final confirmation on when TC will open Canadian airspace to the 737 MAX aircraft, in the interest of transparency we are sharing our intent to fly once this confirmation is received." The Covid-19 death toll has crossed 400 with the deaths of 18 more people yesterday. The death toll now stands at 408, with 96 of those occurring in the last seven days alone. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. You are the owner of this article. On 27 December a delegation of the Egyptian National Committee on Libya arrived in Tripoli. Delegation members met with officials from the Government of National Accord (GNA) and representatives of key players in western Libyan. The goal was to bolster Egyptian support for all parties in Libya and help them reach a comprehensive political settlement and avoid extending a status quo that allows for further foreign interference and threatens the unity of the country. Although this was the first trip by a senior delegation in several years, it followed a 4 April 2017 visit by the Chairman of the Egyptian Petroleum Corporation Abed Abdel-Aal to Tripoli where he met with officials from the GNA and the board of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC). The visit came a week after a trip by General Abbas Kamel, Egypts chief of General Intelligence, to Benghazi where he met with the commander of the Libyan National Army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. Kamel confirmed Egypts full support for efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement, and its rejection of any escalation that threatens Libyas unity and allows for further foreign interference. Although Cairo did not officially comment or issue a statement on the delegations trip to Tripoli the visit came at a critical time in the global communitys push towards a settlement. A political settlement is something Cairo has been urging, especially since the UN-sponsored negotiating track has faltered despite progress on the military track. Military operations ended after a permanent ceasefire agreement between the two sides of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission was signed in Geneva on 23 October 2020. The road to a truce was paved by the Hurghada negotiations in late September 2020. The Egyptian delegation in Tripoli met with GNA Foreign Minister Mohamed Al-Taher Siala, Deputy Chairman of the GNA Presidential Council Ahmed Maitiq, GNA Minister of Interior Fathi Bachagha, and Deputy Chief of Intelligence Emad Al-Trabelsi. These officials represent all active political and social forces in Tripoli, Misrata, and Zintan. Egyptian officials discussions with the GNA focused on bolstering and developing bilateral economic and security relations between Cairo and Tripoli. The GNA Foreign Ministry stated that during the meeting with Siala the Egyptian delegation agreed to improve all forms of cooperation between the two countries, including resuming flights from Libya to Egypt, scheduling meetings for experts from both sides, and reopening the Egyptian embassy as soon as possible. Maitiq said his talks with the Egyptian delegation confirmed the need for joint coordination to implement economic and security agreements already signed by the two sides. Bachagha said the meeting with the Egyptian delegation, also attended by Al-Trabelsi, came as part of his ministrys security policy that aims to consolidate cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries and highlights the importance of joint action between Cairo and Tripoli. Discussions included joint security challenges, ways to bolster security cooperation between the two brotherly nations, ways of supporting the ceasefire agreement, and the outcomes of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission to support UN efforts in political dialogue and ending the current crisis through political and peaceful means. Bachagha described the delegations meetings in Tripoli as fruitful and constructive, and said he looked forward to bolstering relations with Cairo: Libya will be a point of agreement and convergence; not conflict and divergence, he insisted. The statement referenced his desire for a greater pivot towards Egypt which he visited a few weeks ago in the hope of securing support: Bachaga is a key candidate for prime minister and head of the cabinet that is expected to emerge from the political dialogue forum which began in November under UN auspices. The visit by the Egyptian delegation was welcomed by all parties in western Libya who called on Cairo to resume operations at the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli, which they describe as an important gesture for Libyans. An Egyptian official in Cairo described the trip as exceptional and said the delegation had been warmly welcomed by officials in Tripoli. The visit is a practical translation of Egypts progressive positions regarding the Libyan crisis, and its pioneering efforts to support a settlement there. Cairo has always insisted on its neighbours unity and sovereignty and supported Libyan security and national institutions in order to foster national reconciliation among Libyans, reject foreign interference, and form a strong government capable of taking control of the country and protecting it resources in the interest of the Libyan people. A strong government can also forcefully confront radical terrorist groups and movements. Egypt paved the way for the permanent ceasefire agreement by hosting meetings of security and military delegations from East and West Libya in Hurghada in late September which resulted in a six-point agreement that facilitated travel and movement between Libyan cities, prisoner exchanges, and the holding of meetings of the 5+5 Commission, steps that were implemented even before a truce was signed in Geneva. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Short link: Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission The merry mood in some night clubs at Lekki and Surulere areas of Lagos was interrupted weekend, following the arrest of 71 guests for violating the Covid-19 protocols. Also, 11 vehicles were also impounded for violating the 12 midnight to 4a.m. curfew imposed by the Federal Government. Confirming the arrest, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the raid on nightclubs was carried out at about 3a.m., on Saturday. Giving a breakdown of the impounded vehicles, Adejobi clarified that "the task force impounded 11 vehicles for violating the 12 midnight to 4a.m. curfew and two vehicles for driving against traffic on the same date. "The Commissioner of Police has ordered for the immediate trial of the suspects and necessary sanctions for owners of the impounded vehicles. He further directed that officers and men of the command must intensify efforts on total compliance with the COVID-19 protocols as rolled out by the Presidential Task Force and the Lagos State Government. "He had earlier instructed the Task Force, divisional police officers and other operational units in the command to go after recalcitrant and deviant individuals, who might want to violate the orders and bring them to book," Vanguard News Nigeria January 05, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - Veteran whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg has claimed Donald Trump may have a secret plan to trigger a military conflict with Iran , and urged government officials to leak the classified files Speaking the day that a court in London blocked the extradition to the US of Julian Assange on medial grounds, Mr Ellsberg said there were several parallels between his case, and the attempted prosecution of the WikiLeaks founder. In 1971, Mr Ellsberg, working as an analyst for the RAND corporation leaked to to several newspapers, thousands of classified files that came to be known as the Pentagon Papers. They revealed that contrary to what the government and top military officials said, America knew early on in the conflict with Vietnam, that it could not win. Despite this, the conflict raged on for several further years, claiming in total more than one million lives of North and South Vietnamese soldiers, and 59,000 US troops. Mr Ellsberg was charged under the Espionage Act, the same piece of 1917 legislation with which the US has indicted Mr Assange. The charges against Mr Ellsberg were thrown out, whereas the US government has appealed Mondays ruling by a British judge not to permit Mr Assange to be extradited as it was likely he may try to take his life. Speaking at a virtual event organised by the Courage Foundation, which supports whistleblowers, and joined by Noam Chomsky and lawyer Marjorie Cohen, Mr Ellsberg said he regretted not leaking the material the moment he found it, and waiting several years as he became increasingly disillusioned with the US authorities, and defence secretary Robert McNamara. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter I believe, I have very little doubt, there is highly classified planning going on to provoke an Iranian action, a response to our provocation, that will give a pretext to launch an attack as [Donald Trump] has wanted to do for years, he said. He has 17 or 18 days left to do that. More than enough time. It's also enough time to block him by an informed public, if that information got out. He said he believed the information existed in files that were marked covert or top secret. I think people who have access to that, I would encourage, I do encourage you to share that information, not only with the Congress, especially the House, and for press, so that we have a chance of avoiding that [conflict]. During his presidency, Mr Trump pulled the US from the Iran Nuclear and reimposed sanctions on Iran, as it sought to impose pressure on Tehran. Washington also launched a propaganda campaign against the Iranian government, and the US president has routinely threatened it. Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on US troops and/or assets in Iraq, Mr Trump tweeted last April. If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed! Mr Ellsberg did not provide any evidence to back his claim the US might be seeking to provoke Iran. Yet, this was not the first time he has urged people in possession of secret information that could save lives, to make it public. Two years ago in an interview with The Independent that coincided with the release of the movie The Post, he spoke in similar terms. The movie told the story of the Washington Posts fight to publish the material he leaked, and Mr Ellsberg was portrayed by Matthew Rhys. I was not interested in history. I wanted to enlighten people right then, Mr Ellsberg said. The analogy to now is the same. Were involved in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I would hope someone would put out the information in the media now. On Monday, the veteran whistleblower and peace activist, said he was the department of justice would consider the leaking of such material equivalent to what theyre charging Julian Assange with. I think it would be highest act of patriotism, he said. The opposite of treason, and very much in the interest of not only the United States, or Iran and the Middle East, but the world as a whole. He said: I'm talking about the next couple of weeks. So I would say to people, do it right now. Don't do what I did. Don't wait years after the bombs have started falling. Put this information outtoday, this week or next week. Not a month from now when it could well be too late. For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. WEST HAVEN The Veterans Affairs medical center on Campbell Avenue began administering doses of the coronavirus vaccine to veterans Tuesday, with plans to give the shots to thousands within a month. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Alfred Montoya, director of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and hospital officials spoke with the media after two veterans over the age of 90 received the vaccine. America should know our veterans believe in this vaccine, and our VA staff is stepping up and rolling up its sleeves, said Blumenthal. We should be very proud of these veterans who are over 90 years old, Blumenthal said. Theyre part of the greatest generation; theyre among the first to step forward and theyre role models for all of us. ... Theyre showing that this vaccine is safe and effective. Montoya said the hospital was beginning by vaccinating veterans over the age of 90 with several co-morbidities, transplant patients, and all people undergoing dialysis. Approximately 23 people were scheduled to get a dose Tuesday, he said. Comorbidities are other diseases or conditions present in a patient, often long-term or chronic ailments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The hospital is selecting those veterans served by the hospital deemed to be the most vulnerable and contacting them to set up an appointment, Montoya said. Calling to ask for the vaccine, he said, does not speed access to it. Dr. Chris Ruser, chief of primary care at the hospital, said their goal was to administer the first round of shots to the roughly 2,000 to 2,500 people in the initial category within a month. The hospital has a sufficient supply of the vaccine to get that done, he said. But staffing limitations and social distancing requirements, as well as a mandatory questionnaire and 15-minute waiting period for those vaccinated, to check for adverse reactions, will limit the speed of the process. Theres that throughput part, said Ruser. So even if youre doing two shifts a day or three shifts a day plus weekends theres some limitations to the numbers of vaccines we can give in the setting that we have. I think that will be one of the factors that we will have to deal with, more than supply at this point. As the process moves forward, the vaccine largely will be administered based on age, but other risk factors also will dictate who is chosen, Ruser said. Age is probably the easiest and most important predictor of risk for severe COVID, said Ruser. However, Ruser said, veterans undergoing chemotherapy could also be considered vulnerable enough to receive the vaccine, even if theyre younger than the age bracket thats the main focus of the rollout. Blumenthal said about 75 percent of the VA staff had been vaccinated so far. Blumenthal said he had gotten the vaccine after the National Security Council suggested that Congress be inoculated as a national security measure, and his doctor had recommended it. He hasnt had any adverse effects. Blumenthal said the VA staffers were working as hard as they can, with every resource at their disposal, to provide the vaccine to veterans. He said that the medication has not been rolled out quickly enough to the American public, including veterans, and called for the process to be expedited through the Defense Production Act. The president, he said, could in effect, commandeer the resources of United States manufacturers to to create a Marshall Plan for the vaccine in America. He also suggested that National Guard members could be put to work administering vaccines to people. The rollout has to be expanded, said Blumenthal. We need these vaccines to go in the arms of our veterans, and into the arms of all Americans. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Kylie Jenner has divided fans by launching her own hand sanitiser in her eponymous skincare line. The beauty mogul, 23, who launched Kylie Skin in May 2019, continued to take part in the fight against the coronavirus crisis by releasing the $7 protective item, nine months after donating $1 million to healthcare workers in Los Angeles. But a few of her social media followers claimed she was 'profiting and capitalising off a pandemic', while others complimented its sleek pink packaging and expressed their excitement over purchasing the product. Business move: Kylie Jenner has divided fans by launching a hand sanitiser in her eponymous skincare line Promoting her new drop on Twitter, the Keeping Up With The Kardashian star wrote: 'my @kylieskin hand sanitizer is here!! White heart 80% alcohol, fast drying, and formulated with glycerin to prevent dryness!' Her momager Kris added in a separate post: 'Kylie Skin Hand Sanitizer is here! So many incredible benefits in this product. '@kyliejenner, I love it! A perfect solution for on-the-go cleansing, formulated with 80% alcohol to purify hands + added glycerin to soothe the skin.' The sanitizer boasts soft mist, purifying, non-sticky and quick drying features, 80% alcohol and glycerin to help soothe and protect skin from losing its moisture. New product: The beauty mogul, 23, continued to take part in the fight against the coronavirus crisis by releasing the $7 item, nine months after donating $1 million to healthcare workers All in the details: The sanitizer boasts soft mist, purifying, non-sticky and quick drying features, 80% alcohol and glycerin to help soothe and protect skin from losing its moisture Fans also took to the platform to share their thoughts on the unit, with one penning: 'Kylie really made kylie skin hand sanitizer............. like ? Lets profit off a pandemic.' (sic) Others added: 'kylie jenner really out here selling HAND SANITIZER as if its something special. 'for 4 interest free payments of 1.75 you could have your very own overpriced kylie sanitizer... Kylies selling hand sanitizer now lol jeezus. And mfs gonna buy it..' (sic). Backlash: But a few of her social media followers claimed she was 'profiting and capitalising off a pandemic' Another Twitter user seemed to commend her business move as they wrote: 'Not Kylie capitalizing off hand sanitizer... period sis.' (sic) More agreed: 'I have never seen a hand sanitizer look so pretty. 'AND THE HAND SANITIZER SAGA CONTINUES! @KylieJenner @kylieskin yall knew Id cop, AND COP I DID'. (sic) Impressed: Others complimented the sleek pink packaging and expressed their excitement over purchasing the product The media personality, who shares daughter Stormi, two, with on-off partner and rapper Travis Scott, 28, created Kylie Cosmetics in 2015, before selling out products on its sister company within minutes of its launch four years later. Kylie Skin sells face washes, creams, scrubs, serums, masks, and moisturisers, as well as hair accessories and candles. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Kylie for further comment. Back in April, Kylie and Kris, 65, distributed boxes of hand sanitizer to medical centers across southern California. The reality stars were able to produce thousands of bottles of antibacterial gel for healthcare workers. Over the festive season, the businesswomen enjoyed a trip to Aspen with Stormi, Travis, 28, and supermodel Kendall, 25. The new boss of Rio Tinto is under pressure to scrap controversial plans for a mine in Arizona that would destroy an area sacred to Native Americans. Campaigners warn it could be a repeat of a scandal in Australia that threw the firm into crisis. Rio sparked global outrage after it blew up two 46,000-year-old Aboriginal caves in the Juukan Gorge to expand an iron ore mine in May last year. Sacred: A statue of Geronimo, a former leader of the Apache people, is seen on the site of the original Apache reservation in Arizona Within months its chief executive, Jean-Sebastien Jacques, and two other top bosses had been forced to resign. Rio's new head, former finance director Jakob Stausholm, has been urged to cancel plans for a copper mine in the south-west US state of Arizona, in an area sacred to Native Americans who live on the nearby San Carlos Apache reserve. Rio's pledge not to repeat its mistakes at Juukan Gorge, which landed it with the nickname 'Rio TNT', is about to be put to the test. The US Forest Service has said it will release a final environmental assessment on the Resolution Copper mine this month after an eight-year process. The report may pave the way for a controversial land swap that would allow Rio and its partner, fellow mining giant BHP, to pursue the project. Publication will come five days before President Trump leaves office and he is expected to give it the green light. Of its actions in Western Australia, Rio's chairman Simon Thompson said the company is 'committed to learning from this event, to ensure the destruction of heritage sites of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again'. The San Carlos Apache tribe has accused it of trying to repeat the same 'atrocities'. Roger Featherstone, of local campaign group the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition, told the Mail: 'If Simon Thompson's words that that will never happen again actually mean something then the company would walk away from the proposal. 'For the Native American community it would destroy their land-based religion, take away a key part of their identity.' Under pressure: Rio Tinto boss Jean-Sebastien Jacques The Oak Flat area would be destroyed, Featherstone claims, by the type of huge underground mine Rio is planning. It has long been a source of food for local peoples, he says, and a place of prayer and ceremonies. He added: 'In stopping this mine we would be doing both companies and their shareholders a favour because not only would it destroy a religion, which is unacceptable in today's world, but in a worst-case scenario a failed mine would put a financial as well as a social black eye over the company as well. This is a no-win situation for Rio Tinto and it is in everybody's interest for the new management to walk away.' Once the Forest Service's report is released, a 45-day consultation period will allow people to submit objections. The service must then respond within another 90 days. Even if Rio wins approval there would still be many hoops to jump through and it would need planning permissions from the Joe Biden administration to begin. It would also need to spend years consulting with local communities and doing its own studies to determine whether or not the project is worth undertaking. Rio is leading on the project, which is a 55 per cent-45 per cent joint venture with BHP. The Resolution Copper mine could supply around a quarter of US demand for the metal, playing a key role in the development of electric vehicles and other eco-friendly technology. Stausholm took over at Rio on January 1. His appointment was a surprise to investors, many of whom expected an external candidate who could repair its reputation. Investors in Australia said Rio should have an Australian boss who could build better relationships with Aboriginal communities. About 85 per cent of profits come from the country. Although blowing up the Juukan Gorge sites was legal, an Australian parliamentary inquiry said Rio knew how important they were to the local Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people, who said the action had been 'soul-destroying'. MPs branded its actions 'inexcusable' and have demanded the caves are rebuilt. Rio was heavily criticised, with Jacques failing to make a public apology for a fortnight after the event. Rio said: 'Publication of the final environmental impact statement and completion of the land exchange is by no means the conclusion of the process. Resolution Copper is committed to engagement with the Forest Service, tribes and the community to continue shaping the project and building programmes that protect Native American cultural heritage and diversify the local economy.' Actor Saif Ali Khan has talked about the important role that work has played in his life. Among the busiest actors in Bollywood currently, Saif is looking forward to the release of multiple projects such as Bhoot Police, Tandav, Adipurush and others. In a recent interview, Saif spoke about being in a ditch, mentally and professionally. He thanked filmmakers for offering him good roles so he could start a second innings of his career. Honestly, I believe I have worked very hard. I was in a bit of a ditch, mentally and professionally. I managed to get out of that. It is like climbing a mountain. I feel like I am on base camp 1 and we have made progress but there is a long way to go. The ropes are set, the boots are tied, and we have got our sights on the hill and we are climbing. There is a really nice line up. I am super excited Bhoot Police is finally, 80% complete and its a dream role for me. We really had a good time doing that, he told Bollywood Hungama in an interview. It is a nice place to be. It has not been particularly easy. The work has been fab, a lot of people have been super supportive and its nice. Because it is the only thing that has gotten me out of that feeling. Just by working hard and choosing the right scripts. People have also supported me by offering me those parts, he added. Saif shot for Bhoot Police with Arjun Kapoor in Himachal Pradesh in the latter half of 2020. The film also stars Yami Gautam and Jacqueline Fernandez. His Amazon web series Tandav is also ready for release. The show features Sunil Grover, Dimple Kapadia, Sarah Jane Dias and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as his co-stars. It will arrive on January 15. Also read: Inside Deepika Padukone birthday celebrations: Ranveer plays host, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt attend. See pics He also has the Bunty Aur Bubbly sequel with Rani Mukerji and Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Adipurush with Prabhas. Follow @htshowbiz on Twitter ott:10 India is currently the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world and is home to 21 unicorns valued at USD 73.2 billion, Indias top envoy in the US has said, as he expressed hope that more than 50 startups might join the unicorn club as early as 2022. Entrepreneurial activity has picked up in India. In 2020 India was among the top 50 innovative economies," Indias Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said. "Today India is the third-largest, startup ecosystem in the world and is home to 21 unicorns valued at USD 73.2 billion. By some estimates, more than 50 soonicorn startups might join the unicorn club as early as 2022, he said. A unicorn is a term to indicate a privately held startup company valued at over USD 1 billion. Soonicorns are startup companies that are good candidates for late-stage investment and have a good possibility of becoming ''unicorns''. Sandhu was speaking at a mentoring programme for Indian National Startup Awards 2020 finalists that was co-hosted by the Embassy of India, in partnership with Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Monday. Sandhu said according to a recent report, Indian startups raised USD 9.3 billion until mid-December this year. A little below 2019 but definitely encouraging, considering the current pandemic. It is because people like you were not averse to taking risks and were not deterred by challenges. People like you continued to think out of the box. People like you put all your efforts in creating a better life around you, he said. Rise of Indian IT companies, large talent pool, increased expendable income of Indian middle class and availability of capital have contributed to the growth of Indias startup ecosystem. More recently increased usage of smartphones, access to the internet, and recent reforms to push digital finance have given further impetus. There has also been a significant push from the Government through initiatives like Startup India and Digital India, he said. Indian startups are steadily evolving into global entities creating business products, and solutions for the global market, he added. The Bay Area- Silicon Valley is the worlds topmost innovation hub accounting for, I am told, more than a fifth of global venture capital investment. Its success has been hard to replicate elsewhere even with sizeable investments, he said, adding that the important ingredient that is often found missing elsewhere is the culture of Silicon Valley. Three cities- Bengaluru, Mumbai and NCR Delhi- have changed the face of modern India and find a place among the famous Global Startup hubs. Cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata are counted amongst the emerging startup hubs. We need to do more to be counted amongst the superstar hubs, he said. Noting that India and Silicon Valley have a close relationship spanning over many decades, Sandhu said Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Silicon Valley in 2016 signified the importance of this entrepreneurial bridge and partnership. Sandhu said that Indian programmers, engineers and entrepreneurs are providing their skills and that too in sizeable numbers to US companies. India is also a leading R&D hub for many of these companies. Many US-based venture firms have been investing in Indian talent and are amongst the largest players in the field. Bay Area- Silicon Valley is also central to growth strategies of many Indian companies bringing innovation to the doorstep of customers with the help of startups, he said. In the US, startup ecosystem is developing beyond Silicon Valley and big economic centres like New York, Boston, LA, Chicago. Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Research Triangle in North Carolina, Portland, Minneapolis, are gaining prominence, as emerging start-up hubs. This has opened up new opportunities for collaboration for Indian entrepreneurs, Sandhu said. Around 150 Indian startups attended the event, said the Indian Embassy in a statement. LeAnn Dolan arrived at her downtown Portland store, Ecru Modern Stationer, on New Years Day to find a shattered front window and merchandise strewn across the floor. More than a dozen businesses and buildings were damaged over two successive nights heading into the New Year as vandals clashed with police in downtown Portland. The worst of the damage came on New Years Eve as people shattered numerous storefront windows and burglarized several businesses, prompting police to declare a riot. The successive nights of property damage felt like more of the same to frustrated downtown business owners who have been dealing with ongoing vandalism and damage since the spring. Mayor Ted Wheeler promised a tougher response to people who commit violence and vandalism during a forceful press conference on New Years Day, but businesses who have been waiting for action from the city for months remained skeptical. Dolan cleaned up her store on New Years Day, but said she was told it could take up to two months for her window to be replaced because companies are busy working with other businesses throughout the city that have been damaged. Im angry, Dolan said. Theres a difference between the protests and the rioting and damage thats been going on. The peaceful protests have been great and I support that, but this violence at night is killing downtown and the government, the city doesnt seem to be really taking a proactive step to stop it. Protests consumed downtown Portland every night through most of the summer but dwindled during the fall. While many of last years protests were peaceful, demonstrators frequently clashed with law enforcement outside the federal courthouse and there were occasional spasms of looting and violence. Downtown protests have been infrequent over the past few months but the back-to-back nights of vandalism by a relatively small group last week renewed business owners concerns and sparked some of the mayors sharpest critiques to date. Wheeler pledged a new approach to addressing the ongoing violence and vandalism in his Jan. 1 press conference, promising to organize meetings with local and state law enforcement on how to best respond to anarchist violence. He also requested that people who commit vandalism meet with business owners and called on state lawmakers to pass laws during the 2021 regular legislative session to increase penalties for people who repeatedly vandalize property and potentially allow for increased city surveillance. Police also announced three arrests following the riot on New Years Eve. Ahead of a planned direct action protest in Northeast Portland Saturday and what is expected to be a large demonstration on Inauguration Day, Wheeler tentatively scheduled a meeting for Friday with law enforcement and Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt to determine what resources and help from other agencies might be needed and what new approaches could be taken to address continued destruction and violence. Wheeler was also working with other city officials on amendments that could be made to the citys legislative agenda ahead of the legislative session, which begins Jan. 19. Its really trying to drive people to some sort of action that is different, said Jim Middaugh, a spokesman for the mayors office. Weve tried a lot of different things so far and were clearly having limited success. Law enforcement officials said that a group of about 80 to 100 people gathered in downtown on New Years Eve. Along with the vandalism to businesses, officials said that people hurled projectiles at police. Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said the Police Bureau would welcome additional investigative help from the FBI to help identify people responsible for violence downtown and assistance from local and state law enforcement to help manage events, like the New Years Eve riot. But on Monday, Davis said he knew of no concrete plans yet for additional resources or assistance from outside agencies. Police Bureau spokesman Lt. Greg Pashley said he expected ongoing meetings would be needed to come up with creative solutions to address the vandalism and violence downtown. He said the bureau was committed to utilizing partnerships and available resources to do what it could, but also said the bureau was limited by a lack of resources and significant staffing shortages. The community is asking us to do something and we feel like were in a position where with the resources that we have, were doing what were able to, but definitely not to the extent that the community expects, Pashley said. Not to the extent that we would hope we would be able to provide. Were definitely falling short. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office has prosecuted 149 criminal cases resulting from mass demonstrations since May, but has declined to file charges in over 70% of the protest-related cases that have been referred to them during that time. Brent Weisberg, a spokesman for the district attorneys office, said the district attorney will continue working with law enforcement to identify, investigate and prosecute criminal conduct that occurs during mass demonstrations, including property destruction and violence. Weisberg said the district attorneys office couldnt comment on Wheelers interest in promoting increased penalties for people who destroy property because the mayors office hadnt shared specific plans with them. Kelly Simon, interim legal director of Oregons chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed concerns in an interview with OPB about Wheelers proposals to ask for increased penalties for repeat vandals and greater authority to conduct surveillance. She said Oregon already had enhanced sentencing laws for repeat property crimes and said expanded surveillance on the public is a practice that has been used disproportionately against communities of color in Portland and nationwide. Oregon Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk said that the continued vandalism and violence downtown needs to stop, but that he believes law enforcement can only do so much to prevent it. The Oregon Historical Society suffered more than $25,000 in damage in October when people smashed nearly a dozen windows in the museums pavilion and tossed flares into the lobby, according to Tymchuk. After the incident, the society worked with local artist Tristan Irving to turn the plywood on their shattered windows into an art display celebrating diversity in Oregon. They were in the process of taking down the plywood and returning the artwork to Irving in order to put up new reinforced glass on their windows, when fresh graffiti was left on their building on Dec. 30. Tymchuk said the graffiti was disappointing -- especially given the institutions efforts to tell a full and complete version of Oregons history -- but wasnt surprising. It needs to stop, Tymchuk said. To stop it needs to start with those who are doing it. You cant have police at every corner or policemen throughout downtown. If history teaches us anything, it teaches us that real progress or change happens through conversation and discussion, and not through vandalism and destruction. Other business owners said that downtown has already suffered lasting damage and said the city must find a new approach to addressing the continued vandalism and violence. Bob Speltz, a spokesman for Portland-based insurance company The Standard, said that more than 45 windows and doors were shattered and broken at Standard Plaza in downtown Portland on New Years Eve. A ground floor Starbucks in the building was severely damaged. The destruction came just days after the company removed fencing around the buildings perimeter. While Speltz said The Standard is supportive of peaceful protests and a renewed focus on reversing racial equities, he said continued criminal activity had no connection to those goals and that arresting and prosecuting people who commit that violence must be a priority for elected officials and law enforcement. The Standards downtown offices have been repeatedly damaged and the company has temporarily located many downtown employees to the suburbs. To be clear, these are not just property crimes, Speltz said. The continuing violence and vandalism has a real impact on people on the workers still out of a job, on Portlanders who live downtown, on local business owners who cant safely reopen, and on property owners paying to repair senseless damage. Maxine Bernstein and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. -- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg The merger of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and the Council on Accreditation has been approved by the boards of both organizations and by a majority of voting members of the Alliance. The vote capped a year-long exploration and four-month due diligence process overseen by both organizations, which share a long history and vision, with the Alliance serving as one of the original founders of COA in 1977. Until the merger is approved by the state, Jody Levison-Johnson, currently the president and CEO of the Council on Accreditation, will serve as president and CEO of both organizations. She will serve as the inaugural president and CEO of the new organization, which will be headquartered in Washington, D.C., once state approval is granted. Susan Dreyfus, will serve as senior advisor to the CEO. The merging of our two organizations will bring together a vast range of knowledge, assets, and resources that allow us to more meaningfully support the human and social services sector, commented Jody Levison-Johnson. Through a shared set of values and a lens of equity, our new organization will spark a current of integrated and iterative approaches that connect the research and literature, field-experience, practice and policy in a way that catalyzes the voices of the social sector. This is a tremendous opportunity to leverage the collective intelligence of the Alliance, COA, and all of our organizations and partners to spur new thinking that advances our field and sector. Its an honor and privilege to be entrusted with leading the Alliance and COA into its next chapter and creating this new organization. This merger accelerates us forward at a critical time in our country, noted Susan Dreyfus. As our nation responds to the demands of a nationwide pandemic and economic challenges, we have the opportunity and the imperative to lead on behalf of the field and sector, as we have done throughout our history, to respond to the challenges of today and be prepared for those of tomorrow. I am honored to pass the mantle of leadership to Jody, whose expertise, experience and passion are uniquely poised to strengthen the reach and influence of our respective fields and the social, health and human services sector as a whole. Jody is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly 30 years of experience in the field of human services. A longstanding champion for systems change, Jody is deeply committed to advancing policy that equips communities to thrive and ensures equitable access to quality services and supports. Prior to joining COA, Jody served as the assistant vice president of Practice Improvement at the National Council for Behavioral Health, where she oversaw the organizations consulting portfolio and a large, privately funded adolescent mental health initiative. She has also served as the chief clinical officer for a multi-state childrens care management organization, as the deputy assistant secretary of the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health, and as the vice president of Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI), a non-profit management and consulting services organization. Jody holds a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University and a Master of Arts and PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. The new organization will engage a multifaceted and larger cross-sector network of partners (beyond existing COA-accredited organizations and current Alliance members) with a diversified range of offerings that contribute to the reach and influence of the human and social services sector. These will include peer exchange groups, learning networks and collaboratives, accreditation, certification, policy support across key focus areas and ongoing development of solutions and opportunities for addressing systemic racism and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion so that all people can thrive. More details will be forthcoming about the offerings and pathways to engagement the new organization will provide for human and social sector community-based organizations, foundations, state associations, government entities, and all of those who make up the human and social sector ecosystem. Media notes: To schedule an interview with Jody Levison-Johnson, please contact Jennifer Devlin at 703-966-3241 or Jennifer.devlin@cox.net. ### About the Newly Merged Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and Council on Accreditation The new organization will convene and catalyze a dynamic inclusive multifaceted network of human and social services organizations and passionate allies who are committed to creating a just and equitable society where all people and communities flourish. Using the collective experience of the field coupled with research, we will offer a range of assets and opportunities that support the health and human services sector in their quest for continuous evolution and improvement and equip them to solve for the social problems that plague our communities and undermine the fabric of our nation. The new organization will provide a range of offerings informed by the field, learnings, and literature to actively shape the future of the sector through policy, advocacy, knowledge exchange, certification, accreditation, connection, and ongoing iterative and reflective interactions. Europe's drug regulator today approved Moderna's coronavirus vaccine and will get supplies from next week thanks to a deal it struck in summer last year. But Britain will miss out on early access to the vaccine because it officially left the EU last week and did not place its own order early enough to get an exclusive supply. UK regulators didn't rush to approve the vaccine when phase three trials finished at the end of last year because it couldn't get any delivered until the spring. They will now have to do their own assessment of the jab because the automatic carry-over for licences granted by the EU ended with Brexit. Moderna's jab, which appears to be just as good as Pfizer/BioNTech's and works in the same way, is already being used on members of the public in the US. The US got first dibs on supplies of the jab in exchange for funding its research and development, and other countries were offered deliveries early in 2021. Experts on the European Medicines Agency gave the vaccine their seal of approval today and the European Commission finalised a deal for 180million doses. Europe pencilled in a deal in August and deliveries of the first batches will begin next week, Moderna confirmed today. The company 'continues to be in discussion' with the UK. Scientists in the UK said not ordering Moderna's vaccine earlier was not an error because it would have been a gamble to order another vaccine the same as Pfizer's, both of which use the same technology that had never been tried before Covid-19. But as Britain is now scrambling to vaccinate millions of people every week and fears being hamstrung by supply shortages, an extra jab could have been a blessing. Britain is currently using vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford University/AstraZeneca. Pictured: Derek Davies Games receiving a jab in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales Executive director of the EMA, Emer Cooke, said today: 'This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency. 'It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO. 'As for all medicines, we will closely monitor data on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine to ensure ongoing protection of the EU public. Health Secretary said Britain has ordered seven million doses of Moderna's jab 'Our work will always be guided by the scientific evidence and our commitment to safeguard the health of EU citizens.' Moderna's vaccine was the second one to announce the results of its last-stage clinical trials when it did so in November, after Pfizer and BioNTech. They showed the vaccine appeared to prevent 94.5 per cent of Covid cases. Health Secretary Matt Hancock at the time hailed the vaccine as a 'candle of hope' but the UK hadn't pre-ordered it. It had placed pre-orders for seven other candidates, including jabs made by Pfizer and BioNTech, Oxford University and AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Valneva, Imperial College London and Novavax. Moderna's and Pfizer's use the same technology, which had never been tried before, so scientists said it would have been a big gamble for the UK to order both. A scramble ensued on the day Moderna's results were published, with British officials managing to hash out a deal for five million doses before Mr Hancock announced it on a TV press conference at 5pm that afternoon. This was later extended to 7million. The catch, however, was that the UK wouldn't get any of the doses delivered until March 2021 because the US had an exclusive contract for the first 20million doses because the government had given so much funding to the company. HOW DOES MODERNA'S VACCINE WORK? Moderna's vaccine works in the same way as Pfizer and BioNTech's, and are types called mRNA vaccines. They use genetic material called RNA from the coronavirus to trick the body into making the 'spike' proteins that the virus uses to latch onto cells inside the body. These cells then look like the real virus to the immune system, so it attacks them as it would if someone was infected with Covid. It uses antibodies and T cells to attack these modified cells. In the process it also creates its own memory of exactly how to destroy anything with the spikes on i.e. the real coronavirus in case it encounters them in the future. Moderna found in trials that its vaccine, which is given in two doses, was 'generally safe and well tolerated'. It said the majority of side effects were mild or moderate. The most common 'severe' effects were pain at the site, muscles or joints; fatigue and headache. These, the company said, were 'generally short-lived'. Moderna said its vaccine can be stored in a normal fridge for up to a month before it is given out, meaning it will be cheaper to store and distribute. Although it must be shipped at -20C (-4F), this is not too cold for normal freezers to handle. Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine, however, needed to be kept at -70C (-94F) at all times until it was about to be used, meaning expensive specialist equipment is needed to transport and store it. Advertisement The EU, which pencilled a deal for 80million doses in August, later confirming it and extending it to a possible 160million, is now getting supplies sooner. Britain might have been able to access some of these if it was still in the EU, and could also have piggy-backed on the approval process, but will now have to do both things for itself because of Brexit. In November a government source told MailOnline the delivery delay meant the MHRA review of Moderna's scientific study was not 'time-sensitive' and that Britain would use Europe's approval if it was done before the new year. Moderna's approval means there are now three major Covid-19 vaccines available to use in the UK, US and Europe, assuming Britain also approves it. Mass vaccinations are under way across the world in a desperate bid to bring an end to the pandemic. In the UK, now in its toughest and longest lockdown since March 2020, officials want to vaccinate around 13million people by mid-February so they can start to lift lockdowns. This will require jabs to be scaled up to around three million per week, an ambitious target that will be difficult to achieve. Amid concerns the roll-out is being slowed down by bureaucrats in the Government and the NHS, pharmacists have begged officials to let small chains dish out vaccinations. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said today there were thousands of high street pharmacies 'ready, willing and able' to assist in the rollout of the programme. So far only 1.3 million people in the UK have been vaccinated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech jabs since the programme launched a month ago. There is a growing clamour today for the process to be ramped up dramatically, with concerns that local chemists and other facilities are not being used enough. The Government has approved several larger pharmacies to begin dishing out doses from next week, but the sites were only chosen if they were able to guarantee they could deliver at least 950 doses per day and had two trained pharmacists administering them at all times, sources say. This was necessary for the Pfizer vaccine which was complicated to store and handle but the arrival of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, which can be kept in normal fridges, opens the door for much smaller sites to help. The Royal College of GPs warned Number 10 must ditch its 'bureaucratic barriers' and start recruiting pharmacists if it wants the roll out to be a success, while the National Pharmacy Association claimed it was a 'no-brainer' that local chemists are brought on board because the nation was 'crying out for convenient access to the vaccine'. Sandra Gidley, president of the RPS, said small high street pharmacies could help administer an extra one million doses a week and bolster the lagging rollout. She told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'We are already used to delivering the flu vaccine. You have got an army of trained vaccinators who are ready, willing and able to play and part. 'With the AstraZeneca vaccine there is no reason why that could not be delivered through community pharmacies. There are over 11,000 pharmacies. 'If each of those does 20 a day that is 1.3million a week extra vaccines that can be provided, very often to those who are hardest to reach. Why would any government not want to do that?' Disgruntled supporters of President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, clashing with police and sparking violence that lawmakers of both major parties accused Trump of inciting. After rallying in protest as more than 100 Republican members of Congress sought to curtail President-elect Joe Bidens decisive Electoral College victory, a pro-Trump mob marched and breached the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to huddle under their desks and wear gas masks and prompting law enforcement and National Guard to secure the building. The mayhem included rioters many donning Make America Great Again hats and shirts, carrying American flags and thin blue line flags in honor of law enforcement scaling the Capitol and getting into shoving matches with police even as many chanted U.S.A! Several were arrested and four people died, authorities said. One woman was shot by police and three others died as a result of medical emergencies. The sickening and heartbreaking scene was like something out of a banana republic, not a democratic republic, former President George W. Bush said in a statement. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III confirmed that a woman was shot inside the U.S. Capitol, where law enforcement had guns drawn as pro-Trump rioters roamed the halls of Congress. Multiple outlets reported that the unidentified woman died from her injuries. After nearly four hours of confusion and violence, House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving told lawmakers the Capitol building was cleared, Reuters reported. In response to the unrest, Washington, D.C. officials issued a curfew from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to Congress that following the Capitol being cleared for use, they would proceed with the electoral process. The rioters forced U.S. Capitol Police to place the Capitol building on lockdown and evacuate several capitol complex buildings. The National Guard was later deployed to clear and secure the building. Trump and his allies had encouraged followers to descend on the nations capitol in recent weeks, after losing dozens of court cases challenging Bidens win. Judges, election experts, bipartisan state, local and federal officials, including Trumps own Department of Homeland Security and former Attorney General, roundly reject persistent Republican claims that widespread fraud or irregularities stole the election. Rudy Giuliani, the presidents personal lawyer, whos frequently alleged without evidence that fraud impacted the presidential race, fired up Trump supporters Wednesday by saying, If were right, a lot of them will go to jail. So, lets have trial by combat. The presidents lawyer, earlier today: Lets have trial by combat pic.twitter.com/DxQDX4JIGs Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) January 6, 2021 Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle accused Trump of inciting violence and chaos, and, once the Capitol had been breached, not doing enough to secure the building and bring order to the situation. Massachusetts congressional lawmakers sheltered in place after armed protesters entered the building, with several posting on social media to note that they were safe. Several videos shared over social media showed rioters confronting law enforcement inside the breached U.S. Capitol. Mobs of rioters began scaling the Capitol building as hundreds swarmed around and others gained entry. I like many people voted for President Trump in the 2020 election and hoped for a different result. But violence and destruction is not the way to express your grievances. This is disgraceful and has to end. pic.twitter.com/AKGqJ0d26p Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) January 6, 2021 The Capitol is literally being broken into. Were under siege. pic.twitter.com/HW5bxbyr0h Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 6, 2021 Trump, in a tweet after the lockdown, urged supporters to please support our capitol police and law enforcement. They are truly on the side of our country. Stay peaceful! Many lawmakers said the tweets came too little too late after weeks of encouraging supporters to amass in Washington, D.C. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney accused the president of inciting an insurrection. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton called for President Donald Trump to be immediately removed from office on Wednesday as chaos erupted. Others called for Trumps second impeachment. Trump is directly responsible for this insurrection and violence, Moulton said. He needs to be removed from office immediately. It is the Constitutional responsibility of Vice President Pence and the cabinet to exercise the power granted them by the 25th amendment. Biden offered Trump a blunt message: Step up. Biden addressed the nation after Trump supporters overtook barricades and broke windows to try and confront lawmakers. Trump eventually posted a video telling rioters to go home in peace while sympathizing with them. Just after 6 p.m., Trump appeared to pin the actions of the rioters on the fictitious notion that a landslide election victory was stripped away from great patriots. Go home with love and in peace, Trump tweeted. Remember this day forever! Trump and his allies had recently claimed they would soon present ironclad evidence of fraud and corruption that tipped the election in Bidens favor. They did not. Biden won at least 7 million more popular votes than Trump, and flipped crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Georgia to secure an electoral victory. The Capitol Hill press pool reported that Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over a joint session of Congress that is historically a formality, had left the Senate chamber after lawmakers went into recess and were ushered to the Capitol basement. Social media lit up with videos and posts of rioters breaching Capitol barriers shortly after reports that Pence notified lawmakers that he planned to follow the Constitution and simply announce the final electoral count. Pences letter to Congress came in defiance of Trump, who for weeks has pressured Republicans at the local, state and federal level, including Pence himself, in an effort to usurp the democratic process and retain power. Trump previously falsely tweeted, and suggested during a rally in Georgia Monday night, that Pence had the power to throw out some of Bidens electoral votes during his ceremonial duties Wednesday. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and constitutional law experts rejected the idea, as did Pence, who said he did not believe that the founders of our country intended to invest the vice president with the unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted. The New York Times reported Wednesday night after Trump tweeted shortly before 2:30 p.m. that Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done, dozens of messages on social media sites popular among far-right Trump supporters called on rioters to hunt down the vice president inside the Capitol. The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol must stop and it must stop now, Pence tweeted amid the chaos. The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building. Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021 Rep. Jim McGovern tweeted to note that at one point, he presided as the chair in the House chamber, where rioters tried to break in. The doors to the chamber have been locked because protesters have breached security, he said. We will not be intimidated. I am currently in the House Chamber presiding in the chair. The doors to the chamber have been locked because protesters have breached security. We will not be intimidated. Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 6, 2021 According to a HuffPost reporter, protesters reached the floor of the Senate. One Trump supporter reached the dais and shouted, Trump won that election! Theyre in the chamber. One is up on the dais yelling Trump won that election! This is insane pic.twitter.com/p6CXhBDSFT Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021 Authorities reported that an explosive device had been found at the Republican National Committee and that the Democratic National Committee had been evacuated. An explosive device was also reportedly located near the Capitol building, but police said there was no longer a threat. Related Content: English French NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS, OR SALES OF THE SECURITIES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW Voltalia (Euronext Paris, ISIN Code: FR0011995588, Ticker: VLTSA FP, Sustainalytics ESG Rating: 15.2 (low risk), Gaia ESG Rating: 76/100) (the Company), an international player in renewable energies, today announces the success of the placing of a green senior unsecured bond convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares of the Company (OCEANEs Vertes) due 2025, (the Bonds), by way of an accelerated bookbuilt placement to qualified investors (within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) only, in accordance with Article L. 411-2, 1 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier), for a nominal amount of approx. 200 million (the Offering). Overview of the transaction With its inaugural green convertible bond offering, Voltalia reaffirms its commitment to sustainable finance through improving global environment and fostering local development Voltalias inaugural green convertible bond due 2025 will be issued at par for a nominal amount of approx. 200 million and will bear interest at a rate of 1.0% from the issue date. The nominal unit value of the bonds has been set at 31.83, representing a premium of 37.5% above Voltalias reference share price The net proceeds of the offering will be allocated to finance and/or refinance Eligible Green Projects as defined by the Voltalias Green & Sustainability-linked Financing Framework available on Voltalia website Our inaugural green convertible bond met with strong demand and the implementation of our innovative Green & Sustainability Financing framework is now fully validated by the financial community. I warmly thank investors for supporting Voltalias development but also for continuously raising the standard in terms of CSR expectations. They find concrete translation in Voltalia's strategy and practices and I look forward to future discussions about our progresses in these fields declares Sebastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia. Main terms of the Bonds The Bonds will be issued at par and will bear interest at a rate of 1.0% from the issue date, payable annually in arrears on January 13 of each year (or on the following business day if such day is not a business day), and for the first time on January 13, 2022. The nominal unit value of the Bonds has been set at 31.83 corresponding to a premium of 37.5% above the reference share price which has been set as the clearing price of the concurrent placement (by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process, the Concurrent Accelerated Bookbuilding) of existing shares of the Company organised by the joint global coordinators, to facilitate hedging for certain subscribers of the Bonds. The number of shares sold as part of the Concurrent Accelerated Bookbuilding represented approximately 0.8 million shares. A stock loan facility will be provided by Voltalia Investissement, the reference shareholder of Voltalia, with the joint global coordinators acting as pivot of the facility. The settlement-delivery of the Bonds and of the shares are expected to take place on January 13, 2021 (the Issue Date). Unless previously converted, exchanged, redeemed or purchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed at par on January 13, 2025 (or on the following business day if this date is not a business day) (the Maturity Date). The Bonds may be redeemed prior to maturity at the option of the Company and at the option of the bondholders under certain conditions. In particular, the Bonds may be fully redeemed earlier at par plus accrued interest, at the Companys option at any time from February 05, 2024 until the Maturity Date, subject to a minimum of 30 (but not more than 60) calendar days prior notice, if the arithmetic average, calculated over a period of 20 consecutive trading days chosen by the Company from among the 40 consecutive trading days preceding the publication of the early redemption notice, of the daily products of the volume weighted average price of the Companys shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (Euronext Paris) on each trading day of the considered period and the applicable conversion/exchange ratio on each such trading day exceeds 130% of the nominal value of the Bonds. Upon a Change of Control of the Company, a Free Float Event or a Delisting of the shares of the Company (as these terms are defined in the terms and conditions of the Bonds), any bondholder will have the option to require the Company to redeem all, but not some only, of its Bonds at par plus accrued but unpaid interests. Bondholders will be granted a conversion/exchange right of the Bonds into new and/or existing shares of the Company (the Conversion/Exchange Right) which they may exercise at any time from the Issue Date and until the 7th trading day (inclusive) preceding the Maturity Date or the relevant early redemption date. The conversion/exchange ratio is set at one share per Bond subject to standard adjustments, including anti-dilution and dividend protections, as detailed in the terms and conditions of the Bonds. Upon exercise of their Conversion/Exchange Right, bondholders will receive at the option of the Company new and/or existing Companys shares carrying in all cases all rights attached to existing shares as from the date of delivery. Application will be made for the listing of the Bonds on Euronext AccessTM of Euronext in Paris to occur within 30 calendar days from the Issue Date. Voltalia Green & Sustainability-linked Financing Framework Voltalias Framework and the external review of the Framework by EthiFinance, as Second Party Opinion provider, are available on the Companys website. Lock-up undertakings In the context of the Offering, the Company and Voltalia Investissement have respectively agreed to a lock-up undertaking on the issuance or sale of shares or of securities giving access to the Companys share capital for a period starting from the announcement of the transaction and ending 90 calendar days after the Issue Date, subject to certain customary exceptions or waiver from the joint global coordinators. Dilution For illustrative purposes, as a result of the Offering and the final conditions, considering an aggregate principal amount of 199 999 985.40, represented by 6 283 380 Bonds each with a nominal value of 31.83, based on the initial conversion/exchange ratio, the maximum potential dilution would represent approximately 6.6% of the Companys outstanding share capital, if the Conversion/Exchange Right was exercised for all the Bonds and the Company decided to only deliver new shares upon exercise of the Conversion/Exchange Right. Legal framework of the Offering and placement The Offering has been conducted by way of an accelerated bookbuilt placement to qualified investors (within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the Prospectus Regulation)) only, in accordance with Article L. 411-2 1 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier), as per the authorization granted by the Companys extraordinary general meeting held on May 13th, 2020 (26th resolution), in France and outside of France (excluding, in particular, the United States of America, Australia and Japan), without an offer to the public (other than to qualified investors) in any country (including France). Existing shareholders of the Company shall have no preferential subscription rights and there will be no priority subscription period, in connection with the issuance of the Bonds or the underlying new shares of the Company issued upon conversion. Available information Neither the offering of the Bonds, nor the admission of the Bonds to trading on Euronext AccessTM has been subject to a prospectus approved by the French Autorite des marches financiers (the AMF), as defined in the Prospectus Regulation. No key information document required by Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 has been or will be prepared. Detailed information about Voltalia, including its business, results, prospects and the risk factors to which Voltalia is exposed are described in the Companys universal registration document (Document denregistrement universel) for the financial year ended December 31, 2019, filed by the Company with the AMF on March 25, 2020 under No. D.20-0181; the Companys half-year financial report as of June 30, 2020; and the Companys press releases (including third quarter revenues as of September 30, 2020) and other regulated information about the Company; which are all available on the Companys website (https://www.voltalia.com). Important information This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell securities to any person in the United States, Australia or Japan or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer is unlawful, and the Offering of the Bonds is not an offer to the public in any jurisdiction including France, other than to qualified investors within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation, or an offer to retail investors as such term is defined below. Note: The English version of this press release may differ from the French version for regulatory reasons. Next on the agenda: Q4 2020 revenues on January 26, 2021 About Voltalia (www.voltalia.com) Voltalia is an international player in the renewable energy sector. The Group produces and sells electricity generated from wind, solar, hydraulic, biomass and storage facilities that it owns and operates. Voltalia has generating capacity in operation and under construction of more than 1.3 GW and a portfolio of projects under development representing total capacity of 8.5 GW. Voltalia is also a service provider and supports its investor clients in renewable energy projects during all phases, from design to operation and maintenance. As a pioneer in the corporate market, Voltalia provides a global offer to private companies, ranging from the supply of green electricity and energy efficiency services to the local production of their own electricity. The Group has more than 1,000 employees and is present in 20 countries on 4 continents and is able to act worldwide on behalf of its clients. Voltalia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris, compartment B (FR0011995588 VLTSA) and is part of the Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid & Small indices. The Group is also included in the Gaia-Index, an index for socially responsible midcaps. Voltalia Investor Relations: invest@voltalia.com T. +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00 Actifin Press Contact: Jennifer Jullia jjullia@actifin.fr . T. +33 (0)1 56 88 11 11 Disclaimer This press release may not be released, published or distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan. The distribution of this press release may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes, should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No communication or information relating to the offering of the Bonds or the Concurrent Accelerated Bookbuilding of existing shares of the Company by the joint global coordinators may be transmitted to the public in a country where there is a registration obligation or where an approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country in which such registration or approval would be required. The issuance by the Company or the subscription of the Bonds and the Concurrent Accelerated Bookbuilding of existing shares of the Company by the joint global coordinators may be subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; none of Voltalia and the joint global coordinators assumes any liability in connection with the breach by any person of such restrictions. This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the Prospectus Regulation). This press release is not an offer to the public other than to qualified investors, or an offer to subscribe or designed to solicit interest for purposes of an offer to the public other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including France. The Bonds have been offered only by way of an offering in France and outside France (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan and any other jurisdiction where a registration process or an approval would be required by applicable laws and regulations), solely to qualified investors as defined in article 2 point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation and in accordance with Article L. 411-2 1 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier). There will be no public offering in any country (including France) in connection with the Bonds. This press release does not constitute a recommendation concerning the issue of the Bonds, other than to qualified investors. The value of the Bonds and the shares of Voltalia can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional adviser as to the suitability of the Bonds for the person concerned. Prohibition of sales to European Economic Area retail investors No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make available any Bonds to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision: the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and the expression offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Bonds. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the European Economic Area has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area may be unlawful under the PRIIPS Regulation. Prohibition of sales to UK retail Investors No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make available any Bonds to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (UK). For the purposes of this provision: (a) the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and (b) the expression an offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Bonds. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the UK PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. MIFID II product governance / Retail investors (France only), professional investors and ECPs only target market Solely for the purposes of each manufacturers product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Bonds has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Bonds is French retail investors, eligible counterparties and professional clients, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Bonds to French retail investors, eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Bonds (a distributor) should take into consideration the manufacturers target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Bonds (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. For the avoidance of doubt, even if the target market includes French retail investors, the manufacturers have decided that the Bonds will be offered, as part of the initial offering, only to eligible counterparties and professional clients. France The Bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold or cause to be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France other than to qualified investors. Any offer or sale of the Bonds and distribution of any offering material relating to the Bonds have been and will be made in France only to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), as defined in article 2 point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation, and in accordance with Article L.411-2 1 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier). United Kingdom This press release is addressed and directed only (i) to persons located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) to investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order), (iii) to high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within by Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order (the persons mentioned in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) all deemed relevant persons (the Relevant Persons)). The Bonds and, as the case may be, the shares to be delivered upon exercise of the conversion rights (the Financial Instruments), are intended only for Relevant Persons and any invitation, offer or agreement related to the subscription, tender, or acquisition of the Financial Instruments may be addressed and/or concluded only with Relevant Persons. All persons other than Relevant Persons must abstain from using or relying on this document and all information contained therein. This press release is not a prospectus which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other United Kingdom regulatory authority for the purposes of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. United States of America This press release may not be released, published or distributed in or into the United States. The Bonds and the shares deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Bonds described in this press release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the securities laws of any state of the United States, and such securities may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof and applicable state or local securities laws. The securities of Voltalia have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and Voltalia does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act. Australia, Canada and Japan The Bonds may not and will not be offered, sold or purchased in Australia, Canada or Japan. The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Australia, Canada or Japan. The distribution of this press release in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law. Attachment Burma Woman Loses Leg in Landmine Blast in Myanmars Rakhine State The landmine victim at Sittwe Hospital / U Than Tun SITTWE, Rakhine StateA woman in Rakhine States Kyauktaw Township, which has seen a lull in fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) over the past two months, lost one of her limbs in a mine blast on Monday. Daw Khaing San May, 43, from Khabaw Village, stepped on a landmine while collecting firewood on a mountain to the east of the village, according to her sister Daw Ma Hla Phyu, who witnessed the incident. She said she had to carry her sister to the village on her back. Myanmars military and the AA engaged in fierce clashes on the mountain in March last year. Daw Khaing San May lost one of her legs and also suffered injuries to her face in the landmine blast. She was transferred from Kyauktaw Hospital to Sittwe General Hospital in the state capital due to the severity of her wounds. Seventeen civilians have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war left by the Tatmadaw and the AA in Kyauktaw over the past three years, according to Lower House lawmaker U Oo Tun Win of Kyauktaw Township. Meanwhile, 50 civilians were killed and 218 injured in artillery strikes in Kyauktaw between 2018 and September last year, according to the lawmaker. According to the Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC), 33 civilians have been killed and 67 injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war in Rakhine during the conflict between the AA and the military. Most of the victims have been women. There have been fewer donations [of assistance] for displaced people due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Though they know the risks posed by landmines, women take the risk and go into the forests to collect vegetables. Therefore, there are a larger number of women victims, said U Zaw Zaw Tun, secretary of the REC. According to the RECs data, 342 civilians have been killed and 740 injured in northern Rakhine State as a result of the conflict between the Tatmadaw and the AA over the past three years. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: Myanmar Hopes to Vaccinate Health Staff in February KBZ Bank Patron Receives Myanmars Highest Honor for Services to Country Myanmars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Unveils New Peace Architecture Policy Travellers arriving from the UK may face tough new conditions in a desperate effort to prevent a highly contagious strain from sparking fresh outbreaks across Australia. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a special national cabinet meeting of state and territory leaders and chief ministers this Friday to discuss new protocols. Passengers travelling from the UK and other COVID-19 hotspots are expected to face mandatory pre-flight coronavirus tests before they even step on the plane. Health chiefs will also consider a travel ban for UK and South Africa but is unlikely to get the green light amid fears thousands of Australians stranded overseas and desperate to return home will unable to do so. Scientists fear the new mutated UK strain is between 50 per cent and 74 per cent more infectious than the original virus. The strain has spiralled out of control in the UK, where infections reached a record 61,000 new daily cases on Tuesday, giving the nation's prime minister Boris Johnson 'no choice' but to impose a brutal third national lockdown. National Cabinet will be briefed on proposed new protocols for travellers arriving from overseas coronavirus hotspots. Pictured are travellers at Sydney Airport on December 20 The national cabinet will be briefed on the proposal requested by the Prime Minister through the nation's chief medical officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. 'The proposal is to further strengthen the COVID safety of end to end international travel processes (from arrival at Airport of embarkation in the exit country, to final clearance from hotel quarantine in Australia),' Mr Morrison said in a statement. 'This is being done particularly in the context of the UK strain.' 'The AHPPC has continued to meet every day during this most recent outbreak, and had an initial discussion of their proposal today.' Around 36,000 Australians are said to still be abroad and looking to return home, with a significant amount in the UK. One million people in the UK have Covid-19, with the mutant strain spreading across London and the south-east of England. The strain has already hit Australia's shores after it was first detected in a quarantined returned traveller in Adelaide last month. Travellers arriving from the UK may have to undergo a pre-flight coronavirus test before entering Australia. Pictured is a healthcare worker with travellers at Melbourne Airport A deserted Regent Street in London on Tuesday as millions more worked from home again and schools all shut for seven weeks The strain has also emerged in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, where three cases in returned travellers were detected this week - luckily all in hotel quarantine. But there are fears that the mutant could leak out of the isolation system, with a similar health breach resulting in Victoria's second wave and three-month lockdown. A new South African strain of the virus was also detected in Queensland last month. Friday's national cabinet will also be briefed on the federal government's vaccination roll-out, which will be fast-tracked to early March. Australia will be among the first countries to conditionally approve the Pfizer vaccine. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with wife Jenny) called a special meeting of the national cabinet to discuss proposed protocols 'As data and regulatory guidance have been provided we have progressively been able to bring forward our provisional rollout from mid-year to the second quarter to late March and now early March,' federal health minister Greg Hunt said. Australia shut its international borders on March 20, banning everyone except Australian citizens or permanent residents from entering without very rare exceptions. They are then ordered into 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine, which experts say has saved the country from the horrific outbreaks seen overseas. Credit: CC0 Public Domain In 1996, Congress passed the Communications Decency Act, which fueled the rise of the modern internet and technology giants Facebook, Google and Twitter. That law contains a provision that has emerged as one of the nation's most hotly contested issues. Section 230 allowed these companies to largely regulate themselves, shielding them from liability for much of the content their users post on their platforms and granting companies legal immunity for good faith efforts to remove content that violates their policies. The key part of the provisionsometimes called the "26 words that created the internet"reads, "No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider." What that boils down to: Individual users can be sued for content they post, but generally the platforms cannot, at least not successfully. There are exceptions such as federal crimes and intellectual property claims. Lawmakers chipped away at Section 230 protections in 2018 by passing a law that makes it easier to sue internet platforms that knowingly aid sex trafficking. But broadly speaking, internet companies have wide latitude to decide what can stay on their platforms and what must come down. Internet platforms say they could not exist in their current form without these protections. "We have to get rid of Section 230," President Donald Trump said at a rally in Georgia on Monday night, referring to the "horrendous tech giants." "Or you're not going to have a country very long." Why do critics hate Section 230? Democrats and Republicans agree that the nation's leading tech companies have become too powerful and need tougher regulation. Both parties threaten to narrow or repeal Section 230. Bottom line, they say, social media platforms should be held more accountable for how they police content. But their reasons are very different. Democrats, including President-elect Joe Biden, urged Congress to revise Section 230 to force tech companies to remove hate speech and extremism, election interference and falsehoods. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Section 230 a gift to Big Tech. "It is not out of the question that that could be removed," she said in 2019. Trump and many Republicans accuse tech companies of censoring conservatives and limiting their reach on social media. A number of bills that would hold Facebook, Google and Twitter legally accountable for how they moderate content are circulating in Congress, including the EARN IT Act and the PACT Act. Jeff Kosseff, an assistant professor of cybersecurity law in the U.S. Naval Academy's Cyber Science Department, said it would be challenging for Congress to reach consensus on how to alter Section 230. "You have two competing views as to what platforms should be doing," Kosseff, author of "The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet," told U.S. TODAY last year. "It's hard to imagine what would satisfy everyone who is upset with the tech companies." If Section 230 were repealed, he said, platforms would conduct more moderation because of the increased risk of their liability for content users post. What do Facebook and Twitter say? Twitter's Jack Dorsey and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg say their platforms strike a balance between promoting free expression and removing harmful content. They acknowledge making some enforcement errors but say their policies are applied fairly to everyone. Both tech leaders said they're open to revising Section 230. Zuckerberg told lawmakers in November: "We would benefit from clearer guidance from elected officials." Dorsey said the platforms should be more open with users about how content moderation decisions are made and should offer a straightforward way to appeal moderation decisions. He said he'd like to see users be able to opt out of algorithms that determine what content they see on the platform. Trump's attacks on Section 230 intensified in the final weeks of his reelection campaign as social media companies labeled or removed posts they deemed false or misleading or that could cause harm or incite violence. The attacks intensified after the election as social media companies flagged the president's allegations of election rigging and voter fraud. Trump tried to repeal Section 230 through the National Defense Authorization Act. Charges of anti-conservative bias raged before the presidential election when Facebook and Twitter limited the spread of a New York Post article about Biden's son Hunter, which cited unverified emails reportedly uncovered by allies of Trump. Zuckerberg said Facebook throttled the story while it was being fact-checked after warnings from the FBI to be on "heightened alert" about "hack and leak operations" in the final days before the election. Twitter initially blocked links to the article, saying the links included people's personal information and relied on hacked materials, both violations of its policies, then it reversed itself. Conservatives have complained for years that social media companies silence the political speech of right-leaning users. Nine in 10 Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party said it's at least somewhat likely that social media platforms censor political viewpoints they find objectionable, up slightly from 85% in 2018, according to a report in August from the Pew Research Center. Researchers such as Steven Johnson, an information technology professor at the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce, have found no evidence to support GOP grievances that conservative voices are squelched. Rather, they said, social media algorithms favor content that elicits strong reactions from users. Explore further Behind the fight over the rule that made the modern internet (c)2021 U.S. Today Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Millions of Australians face lengthy delays to receive the coronavirus vaccine and could be forced to put overseas travel plans on hold until the end of the year. The federal government has fast-tracked its vaccination roll-out by several weeks to begin in early March, but it could hit its first major hurdle within weeks. Health experts fear the roll-out could be suspended or slowed down in its early stages due to a clash with flu vaccinations in the lead up to winter. Jetsetting Australians desperate to pack their bags for a long overdue holiday overseas have been warned to delay travel plans until the second half of the year. The varying effectiveness of the different vaccines the federal government has ordered could also cause a dilemma and make the possibility of a 'vaccine passport' unfeasible. Australians may have to wait until the end of the year to travel overseas again, despite the federal government fast-tracking its coronavirus vaccine roll-out. Pictured is a woman enjoying the sights of the Philippines Coronavirus vaccines have already been rolled in almost 40 countries. Pictured is a patient being jabbed with the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in South Wales this week Immunisation Coalition chief executive Kim Sampson doesn't believe the convenience of receiving the coronavirus and flu vaccines at the same time is do-able - and said non-urgent cases are likely to have to wait. 'I doubt whether we would be wanting to have both vaccines pushed out at the same,' he told The Australian. 'There are still a lot of unknowns there but the one thing we do know is that people have to be vaccinated against influenza and there is a finite period of time in which to do that in April-May. So it would seem to me let's get that out of the way first.' It could mean millions of healthy, young Australians are denied the vaccine until later in the year, with the first doses in March going to the vulnerable and those in aged care. Australia had hoped to reopen its international borders with a 'vaccine passport', where travellers would be required to be jabbed before leaving or arriving in the country. A woman is seen at Sydney domestic airport on December 21. While some domestic travel is back in Australia, all foreign travel is still off limits after borders were shut on March 20, 2020 Airline Qantas recently announced the vaccine will be part of passenger conditions when Australia's borders reopen, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said travellers without a vaccine will be forced to quarantine for two weeks. But health experts warn the program will only work with vaccines able to stop asymptomatic people from infecting others, not those that simply stop you from becoming ill. 'It still means you can pick up the infection overseas - maybe even some mutant strain - come back into the country and spread it everywhere,' University of NSW Professor Raina MacIntyre told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'While you yourself are not going to end up in hospital you can set off a massive outbreak.' The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have 94 per cent efficiency rates at stopping asymptomatic infection, while the AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be the second one rolled out in Australia, is only 62 per cent effective. Australia hasn't purchased a single vial of Moderna, and just 10 million from Pfizer. Instead, it has put in 51 million orders for American vaccine Novavax, which isn't ready yet, and 53.8 million of the AstraZeneca jab - which is less effective at stopping transmission. University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely believes travellers arriving from overseas will still need to spend two weeks in quarantine well into the second half of 2021. Australians have been urged to put travel plans on hold until the second half of the year as they may face lengthy delays to be vaccinated. Pictured are young women on holidays A coronavirus jab is being considered as a 'passport' for travellers hoping to head overseas again. Pictured is a woman receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Poland 'Quarantine-free travel with those countries [such as the UK and US] is going to be highly unlikely to happen by July,' he warned. Qantas is already selling seats on international flights for July 2021 on routes to the coronavirus-riddled United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. The American and UK routes were previously off the cards until at least October 2021. With the vaccine roll-out still another two months away, Australia is already behind. More than 13 million people from almost 40 countries have already rolled up their sleeves for the coronavirus vaccine. WHICH VACCINES HAS AUSTRALIA SECURED? Pfizer: Due to arrive early 2021, but is already being rolled out in the UK and has been approved for us in Canada. Australia secured a deal for 10 million doses, if it proves safe and effective and is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Each person would need two doses, meaning Australia's initial order would only cover five million Australians. Novavax: Australia has ordered 40 million doses but it is still in the trial phase. An extra 11 million doses were ordered after the University of Queensland's efforts fell at the wayside, taking the total to 51 million. AstraZeneca/University of Oxford: There have been 33.8 million doses secured for Australia. It is still in the trial phase. 20 million more doses have now been ordered, taking the total to 53.8 million. 3.8 million of those doses will be delivered in early 2021. University of Queensland: Australia had ordered 51 million doses. However, the deal has been scrapped after trial participants returned false positive results for HIV. Advertisement The scheme is estimated to be 12 times slower than its US counterpart and six times slower than the UK version. Federal health minister Greg Hunt hasn't ruled out 'further steps' to fast-track the program. 'We've been able to bring our vaccination commencement schedule forward from the middle of the year to the second quarter, to late March and now to early March. And I'm not ruling out further steps,' he told 2GB on Wednesday. 'But what I am saying is that there's a group Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan different jurisdictions that are arguably among the most successful countries in combating the virus. All are committed to an expedited assessment process, safety process, but a full safety assessment process. The varying effectiveness of the different jabs could make a 'vaccine passport' as a way to reopen the international borders as unfeasible. Pictured are travellers at Sydney Airport 'And all of those countries are, in terms of Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia and the jurisdiction of Taiwan, they're all looking at a very similar timeframe. So it puts us in the group of countries that have been highly successful but are absolutely thorough.' Australia will be among the first countries to conditionally approve the Pfizer vaccine. As data and regulatory guidance have been provided we have progressively been able to bring forward our provisional rollout from mid-year to the second quarter to late March and now early March,' Mr Hunt said. Mr Morrison has called a special national cabinet meeting of state and territory leaders and chief ministers this Friday to discuss new protocols for overseas travellers, as well as the vaccine roll-out. Australia shut its international borders on March 20, banning everyone except Australian citizens or permanent residents from entering without very rare exceptions. They are then ordered into 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine, which experts say has saved the country from the horrific outbreaks seen overseas. Federal health minister Greg Hunt hasn't ruled out 'further steps' to fast-track the vaccination program before Australia reopens its international borders. Pictured are passengers boarding a flight in Melbourne Australia will begin coronavirus vaccine rollout early but with the jab to be approved in weeks, why are we waiting until MARCH when other countries will already have finished? By Kelsey Wilkie Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed the government's ambitious plan to have every Australian vaccinated against Covid by October Health Minister Greg Hunt has brought forward the government's ambitious plan to have every Australian vaccinated against Covid by October. The campaign, which will begin with the Pfizer jab, is expected to start to be rolled out in early March - a few weeks before the government originally planned. Elderly in residential aged care, health, hotel quarantine and border workers will take priority. However, the government has been slammed for its slow vaccine rollout, with questions raised over why Australia is being far slower than other countries. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine already has been approved for use in several countries.. The Australian Government it is waiting on the Therapeutic Goods Administration to grant provisional registration, which is expected by the end of the month. However, unlike Britain, the US, and other countries that started injections days after approval, Australia still doesn't plan to vaccinate anyone until March. By the time Australians start to receive the vaccination, Israel will have almost vaccinated its entire population. But Mr Hunt has backed the government's approach, saying it is better to be cautious. The Pfizer /BioNTech vaccine already has been approved for use in several countries. But the Australian government it is still waiting on the Therapeutic Goods Administration to grant provisional registration The federal government has supply contracts with three vaccine developers and the Therapeutic Goods Administration is working on approvals He said the government continues to review the medical advice surrounding each vaccine. 'In the same way that advice has allowed us to bring forward the time from the first half of the year to late March and now early March we will be guided by the medical advice,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'Not to do so would be utterly irresponsible and would risk the health of Australians.' Australia will be one of the first countries to grant a general approval for the Pfizer vaccine. All other countries have issued emergency approvals for the vaccine. Labor leader Anthony Albanese has joined the calls to roll out the vaccine sooner. 'It makes no sense for the TGA to have recommended, as it is likely to do, in January, the approval of the Pfizer vaccine, but then for the rollout to not occur until March,' he told The Australian. 'What we know is that Australia is not at the front of the queue. We have never been at the front of the queue. And that's why Labor argued very early on that we needed to get these deals signed, that we needed to get six deals signed, which is intentional best practice. The AstraZeneca vaccine is being made in Melbourne by CSL but a delay in delivering essential data to the Government means the vaccine may not be ready for the public by March as expected (Pictured: A man in Scotland getting the vaccine) AstraZeneca, which is being made in Melbourne by CSL, won't be granted provisional registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration until next month 'And the fact is that other nations got to the front of the queue way back in March of last year and Australia isn't at that point yet.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison fired back, saying it was dangerous to fast-track the vaccine before imported batches are tested. 'These suggestions that I've heard about trying to rush the process I think can be very dangerous. We should let the health officials do their jobs here,' he told 3AW. 'I mean, I don't think Australians would want us to just willy-nilly to be sending out vials of vaccine that haven't had their batches tested which is the normal process.' He said there no was need to take 'unnecessary risks'. Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan appeared on Today on Wednesday, where he reiterated the message. 'This is going to be a long race to get the vaccine rolled out across the whole country. And it's not necessarily those that start the race the quickest that are going to end the race the soonest,' he said. 'Early march is six, seven weeks away, so it is not too far to make sure we get this right and get to the end of this race as soon as possible. 'I understand why people would love to see this out sooner rather than later. But with all respect to former prime ministers and others, I do think we should take the advice of the health authorities. They have served us very well in this country. We have stuck to their advice.' Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said ultimately it was a decision for the companies when the doses would be made available Australia has agreements with Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Novavax. The AstraZeneca vaccine is being made in Melbourne by CSL but a delay in delivering essential data to the Government means the vaccine may not be ready for the public by March as expected. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said health authorities were working closely with the companies and other nations to ensure the vaccines are safe and effective. 'We have the finger on the pulse ... we know what is happening in the regulatory space, but just as important what is happening in terms of the implementation of vaccination strategies in like-minded countries such as the UK, the US and Europe,' he told reporters in Canberra. The approvals will happen when we have all the information we need ... and that will be fast-tracked as much as possible but no shortcuts will be made.' Recently there have been significant advances on several fronts in the ongoing war against cancer of the alimentary tract. Now, Japanese researchers report the development of another weapon: Linked Color Imaging (LCI), a novel endoscopic technique that improves detection of cancer by viewing the upper digestive tract mucosa under illumination that combines specific wavelengths of light to intensify subtle color variations indicative of neoplastic change. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is routinely performed to detect tumorous changes or neoplasia in the pharynx, esophagus, and stomach and is conventionally done under White Light Imaging (WLI). Using the innovative LASEREO system developed by the Fujifilm Corporation, LCI technology balances white light with narrow-band short wavelength light in a specific ratio that deepens and enhances the contrast of red and white hues, thus intensifying nuances of mucosal transformation. Though earlier studies have described the role of LCI in histological diagnosis of upper GI tract tumors, the research team felt the need for a large-scale, broad-based comparative study to assess its efficacy in neoplasm detection. Our research was conducted in 19 hospitals across Japan involving 1502 patients with known past or current gastrointestinal cancer, representing a high-risk population. Patients underwent upper GI endoscopy under both WLI and LCI protocols wherein they were grouped according to which modality was performed first. Ingeniously, our study design ensured diagnostic accuracy; not only did each modality serve as a backup and crosscheck on the other, this was further followed by histopathological confirmation." Dr. Shoko Ono, Lead Author Dr Kenro Kawada, co-lead author, describes the results. "With LCI, lesions were detected in 8% of the patients but the detection rate was only 4.8% with WLI. Conversely, with WLI 3.5% of patients had a lesion overlooked but this rate was only 0.67% with LCI. This shows a clear superiority of LCI over conventionally illuminated endoscopic screening for discerning mucosal changes related to upper GIT neoplasia as it detected neoplasia 1.67 times more frequently." Professor Mototsugu Kato, senior and corresponding author, explains the implications of their research. "Combined with previous studies that show the efficacy of LCI in detecting large intestinal neoplasia, our findings make a strong case for wider adoption of this modality in surveillance of the entire endoscopically accessible digestive tract. However, we need further research to confirm its efficacy in the hands of general clinicians for upper GI screening of an average population." The city of Chicago publishes some data on shots given to its residents, including tracking vaccine recipients by ages and ZIP codes, but it does not detail which institutions received shots and what was done with them. Arwady said some of the data her agency received has entry errors that need fixing before more information is released. On Tuesday, Arwady told reporters that the vaccine went to all 35 city hospitals. [January 06, 2021] Operative Hires Hans Fischmann as Vice President of Product Strategy, MVPD Market NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Operative, the preferred advertising management technology partner for media companies around the world, today announced the appointment of Hans Fischmann?as VP of Product Strategy leading the?multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD)?market. Fischmann will provide strategic guidance to better serve Operative's customers and contribute to further scaling AOS in the MVPD market. AOS, a technology platform for advertising, is built with a modern cloud-based architecture that simplifies the buying and selling process by uniting traditional linear TV with digital assets. Most recently Fischmann was VP of Product Management at Xandr and brings to Operative extensive experience commercializing advanced advertising, across linear, OTT, and addressable, for media sales organizations such as Xandr, DirecTV, and Spectrum Cable. Reporting directly to Andrew Sullivan, SVP of Product Strategy at Operative, Fischmann will provide product strategy related to optimizing premium video advertising's buy and sell-side operational processes. Lorne Brown, CEO of Operative said of Fischmann's hire, "With over 15 years of experience developing products that provide optimization and efficiency across the MVPD market, Hans will be an integral part in further advancing Operative's ability to continue to build out AOS to support our customers. Having crossed paths with him several times over the course of our careers, I can truly say he will be a tremendous asset for our organization." "Operative has a unique vantage on the industry and brings efficiencies to the premium video eco-system through workflow automation, converged inventory solutions, and deal flexibility," said Fischmann. "AOS helps our customers to unlock business models, improve packaging, and integrate new direct-to-consumer supply with existing inventory. Having stood up book-to-bill DDL, Addressable, and Converged platforms, I know firsthand that Operative is the partner of choice for efficient tools, operational extensibility, and fewer touchpoints to help automate every stage from proposal to execution." About Operative?? Operative is the preferred broadcast management for linear and digital, and a software partner for over 300 of the world's top media brands, including NBCU, CBS, ABC, AT&T, STARZ, Star India, Seven Australia and Sky. No other software company brings a comparable depth of experience to create truly innovative software that performs across all platforms, revenue models, and business units. Since 2000, Operative has grown to over 1200+ employees in 12 offices around the world and processes more than $40 billion in linear and digital advertising revenue for the best-known companies in the industry. For more information, visit?www.operative.com?? View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/operative-hires-hans-fischmann-as-vice-president-of-product-strategy-mvpd-market-301202034.html SOURCE Operative Media [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Advertisement From an elegant lady dressed in red in London's Green Park to a tired-looking mother and her children riding the subway in New York, this stunning array of images showcases the work of some of the world's finest photographers. The breathtaking pictures were captured by the winners of the prestigious AAP Magazine's 15 Streets photography competition. This year's competition features a black and white photo of a young lady walking through Broadway in New York, and an elderly woman sat taking pictures with an old film camera in San Gimignano, Italy. The diverse images also include a church service being held outside in Coney Island, US after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area in 2012, as well as a young woman wearing a face mask on a bus in Rome amid a second wave of coronavirus. 'A good street photographer must be possessed of many talents: an eye for detail, light and composition, impeccable timing, a populist or humanitarian outlook and a tireless ability to constantly shoot, shoot, shoot and never miss a moment,' said John Maloof, a judge in the competition. Speaking about the winning photographers, the competition's organisers said: 'Thanks to their ability to grasp decisive moments, they allow us to become a spectator of their wanderings, a curious observer of people's behaviour.' An elegant elderly lady wearing a red coat and matching red beret is pictured in Green Park in London - the picture won photographer Francesco Gioia first place in the APP competition A tired-looking mother and her two daughters were pictured riding on the subway in New York was taken by US photographer Paul Kessel who won second place A young woman is pictured walking through Broadway in New York in 2015 whilst holding a fashion magazine and her phone. Photographer Robert Virga, from the US, won third place for the image Two grannies sit together in San Gimignano, Italy, 1991, whilst one takes a picture with a 110-type film camera at the time. German photographer Thomas Hackenberg captured the unsuspecting pair A waiter dressed in black was pictured carrying a casserole dish at Palazzo Biscari in Catania Sicily in 2018 by US photographer Robert Bonk A woman takes a selfie in the middle of a live music crowd in Las Vega. Photographer Alice Christine-Walker took the picture with her 1950s Rolleiflex A young boy's ginger hair and freckled face is lit up in the sunshine in this photograph taken by French photographer Anna Biret A man and woman absorbed in their thoughts as they travel on public transport in Italy were pictured by Italian photographer Giuseppe Cardoni People are pictured at church service being held outside in Coney Island, US after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area in 2012. US photographer Stephen Hoffman said we are now in the same position with Covid19 where services have to be held outside A jet black dog wearing a yellow collar appears to have merged with a yellow line laid on the pavement. The image was captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Deluigi A young girl wearing a black face mask is pictured on a bus during a second wave of coronavirus in Rome last year by photographer Sonia Costa A black and white image shows two men standing with their backs to the camera whilst another man wearing a hat checks his watch in the US A man is seen walking past a wall adorned with Islamic calligraphy in the city of Mashhad, Iran A man wearing a suit walks barefoot and creates a sharp contrast between others who are sunbathing in their bikinis on Coley Island, US A worker appears blurred after photographer Masis Usenmez used long exposure and camera shake to give a feeling like vertigo A stylish woman makes a phone call next to a beach whilst her dog yawns in the afternoon sun A pair of women and a waitress at Le Pitch-Pin restaurant in Brussels, Belgium, look shocked as they look out - a man appears before them The illusion of a man's lone legs rest along Mumbai's Marine Drive under the morning sun in India A woman appears to be balancing a basket with bread in it on top of her head in Lome, the capital of the west African country Togo An elderly woman in Italy enjoys an ice cream next to a marina whilst her face mask hangs from her wrist A person is reflected in a mirror as they walk across a zebra crossing This black and white image shows an anonymous man who stands next to his dog whilst out for a walk The Monday letter does not claim that the contest was marred by fraud, a claim that state and federal election officials have rejected as untrue. Instead, the Republican senators said Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar usurped legislative authority by offering guidance on curing, or fixing, ballots with issues like a missing signature. Those concerns have been litigated in court and rejected by judges, many of them Trump appointees. Getty Images From the U.S. Attorney's Office: A 40-year-old federal inmate has been sentenced for his role in the murder of a fellow prisoner in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox Tuesday. Michael Jason Shelton, of Henagar, Alabama, pleaded guilty on July 13, 2020, to accessory after the fact-murder, and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. On June 13, 2018, Rickey Fackrell, 36, of Vernal, Utah, and Christopher Cramer, 38, of Ogden, Utah, were both sentenced to death after being convicted by a jury of first degree murder following a six-week federal trial before Judge Crone. According to information presented in court, beginning in March 2014, Cramer and Fackrell, inmates of the U.S. Penitentiary in Beaumont, Texas, murdered fellow inmate, Leo Johns. On June 9, 2014, Cramer and Fackrell stabbed Leo Johns to death at the federal prison. Shelton pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the murder. All three inmates were members of the white supremacy group, Soldiers of the Aryan Culture. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons-SIS. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross and Rachel Grove. Friday is the first day that the Bay Area and Napa County could escape the states regional stay-at-home order with its tighter COVID-19 restrictions but dont count on it. The order that began at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 17 lasts for a minimum of three weeks. But the state could extend it based on four-week projections for the regions intensive care unit capacity. Im not going to be surprised if we dont get out of it, Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County public health officer, told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. She noted the Sacramento, San Joaquin and Southern California regions are still under their regional stay-at-home orders after three weeks. Were probably not going to get out of it by the third week, Relucio said. I just want to set that expectation. A region goes under a state-imposed regional stay-at-home order when its ICU capacity drops below 15%. The Bay Area capacity as of Tuesday was 5.9%. If it hits 15%, were out. If it doesnt, we stay, Relucio said. If the state decides the four-week ICU capacity projection warrants the Bay Area regional order remaining, it will then evaluate the situation twice a week, she said. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: This map identifies pharmacy deserts in Los Angeles County. Credit: Cheryl Wisseh In the United States, Black, Latino and low-income communities have historically lacked nearby access to pharmacy services. To provide the first record of these "pharmacy deserts" in Los Angeles County, a University of California, Irvine study identified communities where the nearest pharmacy was at least one mile away. Unlike previous studies, this one describes pharmacy deserts in terms of social determinants of healthsuch as owning a vehicle, crime rates and povertyto determine which communities have the greatest need for pharmacy access. Published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, it is the first study to look at pharmacy deserts in the state of California. "My goal is to bring these concepts together at the intersection of pharmacy practice, public health and social justice to reduce health disparities," said Cheryl Wisseh, a health sciences assistant clinical professor of clinical pharmacy practice at UCI and the study's first author. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. They found that some Los Angeles County areas lacking pharmacy access are characterized by denser populations, larger numbers of Latino and Black residents, less vehicle and home ownership, higher crime rates, and greater poverty. "These social determinants of health compound the negative effects of pharmacy shortage through competing needs," Wisseh said. "For example, some residents living below the poverty line may choose to forgo picking up their medications so that they can pay for food, rent and other necessities." A pharmacy shortage likely equates to fewer clinical pharmacy services, such as health screenings, vaccines and medication management, Wisseh added. Since pharmacies are a large distributor of vaccines across the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic makes access to pharmacists even more pressing. "As the COVID-19 vaccines start rolling out, pharmacists will be key to the rapid and equitable distribution and administration of doses, just as they have been with COVID-19 testing," said Jan D. Hirsch, founding dean of the UCI's School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. Wisseh added that the communities within pharmacy deserts are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. "The same forces of structural inequity and systemic racism that contribute to the formation of Los Angeles pharmacy deserts contribute to the disproportionate test positivity, incidence and mortality rates of COVID-19 in racial and ethnic minorities," she said. "Residents in Los Angeles County pharmacy deserts might benefit greatly from equitable, innovative, community-based interventions that increase access to medications, pharmacy services and pharmacists," the researchers wrote in the study. For instance, the county could add pharmacists to local clinics and other primary care settings to provide clinical services. In her own clinical practice, Wisseh works with county-led programs in South Los Angeles to improve pharmacy access for patients. Wisseh plans to conduct a similar study on a larger scaleperhaps across Californiato examine how pharmacy deserts contribute to whether minority communities take medications as prescribed and investigate disparities in available medications within pharmacies. Explore further People more likely to pick up prescriptions via automated kiosks, study shows More information: Cheryl Wisseh et al. Social Determinants of Pharmacy Deserts in Los Angeles County, Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (2020). Cheryl Wisseh et al. Social Determinants of Pharmacy Deserts in Los Angeles County,(2020). DOI: 10.1007/s40615-020-00904-6 Amid ongoing arbitration battle between US-based Amazon and Kishore Biyani-led Future Retail, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) on Tuesday formed a three-member panel to pass its final verdict on Future Group's Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance Industries Ltd. Both the parties have reportedly agreed to the names of the three-member arbitration tribunal required for the arbitration process, which is expected to start over the next fortnight. The three-member arbitration panel will be led by Michael Hwang, ex-judicial commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore. The two other members of the panel - Professor Albert Jan van den Berg, a founding partner at Belgium-based law firm Hanotiau and van den Berg, and Professor Jan Paulsson, founding partner at London-based law firm Three Crowns LLP - were named by Amazon and Future. With the appointment of Hwang as the presiding arbitrator, the tribunal is expected to meet soon and begin the arbitration proceedings between Amazon and Future, reported news agency PTI. The arbitration process could take 6-9 months before a decision is made, the agency quoted a source as saying. Also Read: Amazon didn't care to help, wants Future Group to languish: Kishore Biyani In October last year, Amazon Inc. had approached the SIAC, alleging that Future Group violated the contract by entering into the deal with rival Reliance and demanded to halt deal with Mukesh Ambani-led company. In August 2019, Amazon had agreed to purchase 49 per cent of one of Future's unlisted firms - Future Coupons Ltd - with the right to buy into flagship Future Retail Limited (FRL) after a period of three to ten years. Future Coupons holds 7.3 per cent equity in BSE-listed FRL - that operates popular supermarket and hypermarket chains such as Big Bazaar - through convertible warrants. In August 2020, Future reached an agreement to sell its retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing units to Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) - which operates the retail business of RIL - for Rs 24,713 crore. Also Read: Michael Hwang joins arbitration tribunal looking into Amazon-Future dispute: Report Two days back, Future Group founder & CEO Kishore Biyani made a startling revelation about US e-commerce giant Amazon Inc, justifying why he chose to sell the group's assets to Reliance Industries (RIL). Biyani said he discussed his dire financial situation with Amazon eight times but it did not help. The online retailer is trying to halt the acquisition with RIL as it wants "the Group to languish," he said. By Chitranjan Kumar Lives are at risk as Western Australia again breaks its own ambulance ramping records, the state opposition has warned. Figures released by St John Ambulance on Tuesday showed a record high in ambulance ramping in December a fourth month running and also showed ambulances were not hitting target response times for emergency, urgent or non-urgent callouts. WA Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup, at Royal Perth Hospital on Tuesday, said the hospital was the canary in the coalmine for the health system, showing the government was ill-equipped to cope with a potential COVID-19 outbreak. He said while in opposition, Labor had hounded the former Liberal government about ambulance ramping, but ramping hours had steadily risen since Labor took office in 2017. 10:08 | Lima, Jan. 6. "We have estimated the economic value of crude oil, gas, and gas liquids in discovered fields throughout the country and we found that the entire reserve totals US$100 billion. This is a substantial amount, which is found in the subsoil," he stated. Yesquen remarked that a portion of these reserves those of gas and gas liquids from the Camisea fields, which are located in the South Ucayali Basin (Cusco region) amounts to around US$36 billion. "But a similar amount was reported in Loreto , in the Maranon Basin, where we found that there are reserves and resources amounting to US$33 billion," he explained. COVID-19 has been hard on all of us. Many are on unemployment and facing foreclosure or eviction not knowing what their future will hold. Many have lost loved ones or now have medical complications after contracting the virus that they didn't have before. I'm a Type-2 diabetic so I have to watch my health and getting the virus is a fear that I constantly live with every day when I'm out reporting. After starting as a freelancer for the Georgetown Times in July 2018 and beginning full-time in March 2019, I was eager for 2020 to begin. We didn't have an editor at the time, so I took on the task of paginating all three of our newspaper editions as well as covering Georgetown city government and education. I was very excited during the summer when it was announced that the Post and Courier were expanding across the state and we would be part of the Myrtle Beach bureau. The beat that I was tasked with was covering courts both in Horry and Georgetown counties, a very important topic and one that I have always been interested in. Those plans were soon put on hold. Back in early August, I covered the passing of Horry County Police Cpl. Michael Ambrosino, who died after a prolonged battle with COVID-19. I attended a press conference by Chief Joseph Hill on Aug. 24 in Conway and while traveling on Highway 22 back to my home in Little River, I started feeling sick. By the time I arrived home, it was all that I could do to physically get inside by myself. I called my wife at work and told her that I needed to go to the hospital something wasn't right. My mother wasn't far away so she drove me to Grand Strand Regional and ultimately I was admitted for the night after seen by emergency room physicians. I heard 'you have the symptoms' as they were referring that I possibly had COVID-19 while I stared at the floor. My heart sank. Luckily that wasn't the case after being tested for the coronavirus around 3 a.m. the next morning. That is one test that I will never forget and hope to never experience again. I spent almost a week in room 1239 on 2 East while doctors and nurses ran tests to find out what was wrong with me. I vaguely remember a cat-scan, X-rays and multiple blood tests. The doctors visited me and gave me my diagnosis. Euglygemic ketoacidoses and some other problems that I will continue to deal with long after COVID-19 is long gone. That week seemed like an eternity, but I could only think about what health-care providers were facing while dealing with COVID patients located in the same building as me. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! They were some of the last faces that patients saw when they took their last breath. After my discharge from the hospital, I was eager to get back to work and do what I love journalism. While starting my new beat, I found that courts across Horry and Georgetown counties have also experienced uncertain times during this pandemic. In August, the South Carolina Supreme Court approved Aiken, Horry and Laurens counties to hold jury trials. The state used those three counties to develop a system for the rest of the 43 counties in the state to resume. Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said at the time that his county brought in half of the prospective jurors in the morning and half in the afternoon to allow for social distancing. Everyone entering the courthouse was required to wear a mask and have their temperatures taken. If evidence was handled, gloves were required and the witness box had plexiglass surrounding it while jurors were spaced out. Instead of using a jury deliberation room with a conference table, the court utilized a nearby smaller courtroom to space the jury panel out. I dont want one person to get sick, Richardson said. This will be a learning experience. Two of the cases that I will never forget are the Alyssa Dayvault trial and the Gary Bennett trial. Dayvault was sentenced in early Nov. to two 40-year prison terms that will run concurrently for the murder of her two newborn children, by throwing them in the trash, a baby girl in 2017 and a baby boy in 2018. That was the first trial I attended where the defendant was a no-show. I later sat down with the ex-boyfriend of Dayvault who shared what he was going through while he continues to piece his life together. I found Chris Matechen to be a man of great courage. I can't even fathom what he was going through during that whole ordeal. And then there was the re-trial of Gary Wayne Bennett. Bennett was found not guilty in the May 2000 slaying of Eva Marie Martin some 18 years after he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. That left a question that many are still asking. Who killed Eva Marie Martin? I concluded that we may never know. And just like my beat was paused by a health scare, courts across South Carolina were suspended in December as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state. I soon found the time during the break to feature the Georgetown County Sheriff's office, Georgetown Police Department and other interesting figures in the surrounding area. So here we are. 2020 is almost over and 2021 is right behind it. What will the future hold in the next year? Hopefully an end to this dreaded pandemic. One thing is for certain. Our team at the P&C Myrtle Beach & Georgetown Times will continue to keep you informed. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Coronavirus hospitalizations reached record highs in the District, Maryland and Virginia on Wednesday, as Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam joined the chorus of public officials saying the pace of vaccinations must move faster. Northam, D, threatened to reallocate doses of vaccine if hospitals and local vaccination clinics could not administer them, and deployed the National Guard to help with inoculations, echoing actions announced Tuesday by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, R. Of the 481,550 vaccines supplied to Virginia, 116,247 - or about 25% - were reported to have been administered as of Tuesday morning, according to the state health department. Officials say that a new online data system has slowed the reporting process and that more vaccines have actually been administered. But that didn't stop Northam from imposing a "use it or lose it" policy to punish providers who are giving out vaccine slowly. "We've gotten off to a good start . . . but we need to do it faster," Northam said at a news conference, promising to work more closely with hospitals and other health-care providers. "We really feel like we can be more expeditious and get more shots in arms. That's what will put this pandemic in the rearview mirror." In Maryland on Wednesday, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, D, pushed back on Hogan's threats to withhold vaccine from poorly performing hospitals, saying that taking away "lifesaving vaccine from anyone who needs it is absolutely ridiculous. . . . It's unconscionable." "We need some help here - no criticism. Send some help," Alsobrooks said. State data shows Prince George's has given out just 4.3% of its allocation, the third-lowest rate in the state. Alsobrooks said the county is grappling with the highest infection rate in the state and region, long-standing inequities in care and a history of distrust of the medical establishment. While she has already been vaccinated, she said her mother and cousin plan to wait two to three years before following suit - illustrating the level of distrust within the Black community. Virginia reported 5,387 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, a single-day high for the state, and 35 deaths. Maryland reported 3,146 new cases and 50 deaths, and the District reported 316 new cases and five deaths. All three jurisdictions reported more coronavirus hospitalizations that at any other time in the pandemic - 265 in the District, 1,862 in Maryland and 2,925 in Virginia. About 84% of Virginia's 1,798 intensive care beds were occupied, according to state data. In Maryland, 88% of the state's 1,498 staffed ICU beds were full. D.C. reported that about 87% of its 345 intensive care beds were occupied as of Tuesday. Prince George's health officer Ernest L. Carter attributed the rise in cases and hospitalizations in his county in part to family gatherings during Christmas, and said there may be with more to come as a result of New Year's Eve celebrations. About 54% of the intensive care beds in the county are occupied by covid-19 patients, he said, adding: "We are in the first phase of a very long journey. Months, months." At Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, also in the county, nursing director Robbin Young said Wednesday that the hospital had been affected by the surge, especially Dec. 28. "All of our rooms were filled, the emergency department was filled, all of the facilities within our region were on kind of a divergent status, where they couldn't accept any patients at that time," Young said. Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles said hospitals in the county have some vacancies, but the number is dwindling quickly. About 20% of people taken by emergency transport to hospitals over the past several days had covid-like symptoms, he said. The vaccine provides "a light at the end of the tunnel," Gayles said, but "we cannot stop doing what we're doing to keep people safe." Earl Stoddard, the county's chief of emergency management, said the spike in hospitalizations might have been higher if residents weren't so responsible with mask wearing and social distancing. "We're not happy about where we're at, but we're optimistic that we're not going to blow out the system in a way that we were really worried about a month ago," Stoddard said. The county Wednesday launched a website where residents can sign up for vaccine alerts. Glenn Wortmann, director of infectious diseases at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, said in a statement that clinicians are "managing well" and prepared for a post-holiday spike in cases. In Northern Virginia, Inova spokeswoman Tracy Connell said in a statement that hospitalizations are up across the system's hospital facilities but remain below the peak levels seen in May. "We have the ability to expand our capacity within the hospital as needed," the statement said. Northam urged Virginians to continue following guidelines to wear masks, socially distance and observe limits on group gatherings. "The numbers are very concerning to me," he said of the rise. "I look at that data every morning." His office said he hopes to sharply ramp up the number of vaccines administered per day so the state can move to the next phase of prioritized recipients by the end of January - a group that would include teachers, day-care providers and residents 75 and older. Even at current reported levels, Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said, Virginia has administered a greater number of vaccines than more than three dozen other states, according to federal data. But Republicans have criticized Northam's administration for a slow rollout. Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, blasted Northam on Tuesday for "fumbling" the vaccination program. The plans Northam outlined on Tuesday were aimed at steadily increasing the number of vaccines delivered each day. With the state receiving about 100,000 doses per week, he said, the first goal is to achieve 14,000 vaccinations daily and 25,000 daily after that. Reporting on vaccinations should improve in the next few days as kinks are ironed out of the state's data system, Yarmosky said. To increase coordination among regional health directors, Northam tapped Danny Avula - state health director for the city of Richmond and Henrico County - to run the statewide vaccine delivery program. That will include stepped-up monitoring of how efficiently each provider is using its doses. If some locations fail to dispense their allotment, the vaccines will be shifted where they are needed, Yarmosky said. The Virginia National Guard will help transport vaccines and set up vaccination sites. - - - The Washington Post's Schneider reported from Richmond. Lola Fadulu and Erin Cox contributed to this report. New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) warned the State of Tamil Nadu over its decision to allow 100 per cent seating capacity in movie theatres on Wednesday (January 6). Tamil Nadu State government issued a notification which allowed the seating capacity in movie theatres from existing 50 per cent to 100 per cent on Monday (January 4). Tamil Nadu government allowed the decision to increase the seating capacity of multiplexes, cinemas after the film stars such as Vijay requested to grant the permission before Pongal. Tamil Nadu is going to have its assembly elections later this year. As per the notification issued by the state government, in order to create awareness among the spectators, the precautionary measures for COVID-19 shall also be screened during the showtime. According to the guideline given by the Union Home Ministry, 50 per cent occupancy in the cinema theatres outside the containment zone is allowed. The Ministry of Home Affairs has written a letter to the state which directs it to revoke the order. The Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in a letter to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu stated that " State/ Union Territory governments can not dilute the guidelines under the Disaster Managemen Act 2005. The states need to strictly adhere to and enforce the guidelines given by the central government." The guidelines are extended till January 31. Alabama legislators are returning this year with a bill to prohibit medications that block or delay puberty for people 18 or younger who believe their gender does not match their biological sex. Rep. Wes Allen, R-Troy, will sponsor the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act for the legislative session that starts Feb. 2. Allen said minors with gender dysphoria should receive counseling from mental health professionals but not medications that could have permanent effects. These kids that are suffering from that psychological disorder, we need to treat those patients and those kids and try to help them and not give them these powerful drugs, Allen said. Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, has the same bill in the Senate. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement in 2018 saying that transgender identity is not a mental disorder and that medications to suppress puberty and cross-sex hormones can be part of an broad-based gender-affirmative care model. In addition to prohibiting the medications, the bill by Allen and Shelnutt would prohibit surgeries on minors to change their bodies to align with their gender identities. In its policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics said such surgeries are typically reserved for adults but occasionally are done on adolescents. Last year, public hearings on the bills drew overflow crowds and speakers for and against the legislation, including doctors and people with first-hand experience. The Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for people who identify as LGBTQ, opposed the legislation last year and said it promoted misinformation and would interfere with efforts by families and health care professionals to help young people with what is already a difficult condition. The Senate passed Shelnutts bill in March but it did not pass the House after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the legislative session. Allen was asked if he believes there are people whose gender differs from their biological sex at birth. I have a biblical worldview that were all made in the image of God and there are only two sexes, male and female, Allen said. And I believe in science, I believe in biology, and when a person is born male, theyre male. When a person is born female, theyre female. The legislative session begins Feb. 2. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday, with Brent prices hitting a peak last seen 11 months ago, after Saudi Arabia surprised markets with a large cut in crude production. Brent crude for March settlement rose 1.1 percent to $54.20 after climbing 4.9 percent on Tuesday. West Texas Intermediate futures for February delivery were up 0.7 percent at $50.30. The de facto leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has pledged to cut crude production by 1 million barrel per day from February through March as a rampant coronavirus leads to more lockdowns. By agreeing to make bigger output cuts, Saudi Arabia tried to compensate for a modest increase in output from Russia and Kazakhstan. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said hat the extra reduction was intended to support the country's economy and the oil market. Russia's deputy prime minister described the Saudi pledge as a 'new year gift' to the oil market. Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute reported that U.S. crude inventories fell by 1.663 million barrels last week, after a draw of 4.785 million barrels the previous week. However, there were sharp jumps in gasoline and distillates stockpiles. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Washington President-elect Joe Biden has called the violent protests on the U.S. Capitol an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the peoples business. Biden also demanded President Donald Trump to immediately make a televised address calling on his supporters to cease the violence that he described as an unprecedented assault as pro-Trump protestors violently occupy U.S. Capitol. Bidens condemnation came after violent protesters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm the president-elects victory in the November election. Biden addressed the violent protests as authorities struggled to take control of a chaotic situation at the Capitol that led to the evacuation of lawmakers.Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer have issued a joint statement calling on President Donald Trump to demand all protesters leave Capitol grounds immediately. At 4:17 p.m., Trump issued a statement on Twitter, telling supporters that they have to go home now. We have to have peace. Trump had offered only a muted response to the violence as loyalists brandishing his paraphernalia clashed with police, occupied the Capitol and even stormed the Senate chamber. Under growing pressure from allies to condemn the violence, Trump tweeted, No violence! adding: Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. At a rally earlier, Trump had encouraged supporters to march on the Capitol and suggested at one point that he would join them on Capitol Hill. In his remarks, he used incendiary language with violent undertones. Trump had urged his supporters to get rid of the weak Congress people presumably through primary challenges. He said get the weak ones get out. This is the time for strength. Republican lawmakers pleaded with Trump to do more to stop the violence. House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California said he told the president to calm individuals down. Ive already talked to the president, MCarthy told Fox News. I called him. I think we need to make a statement, make sure that we can calm individuals down. A Senate ally, Republican Marco Rubio of Florida, appealed directly to the White House: Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men & women of law enforcement are under assault. It is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., posted a video message urging Trump to call it off. This is Banana Republic crap that were watching right now, said Gallagher, who had spoken out against objections from fellow Republicans to certifying the Electoral College vote that Biden won. Vice President Mike Pence, who was ushered out of the Senate chamber to a secure location as protesters breached the building, tweeted for protesters to disperse. The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now, he said. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building. The mother of a nine-year-old boy with a rare form of epilepsy has warned her son's life is at risk because his medical cannabis can no longer be imported from the Netherlands due to Brexit. Hannah Deacon said she had only learned of the change in policy less than two weeks before the Brexit transition period came to an end on December 31. She added she now has just six weeks' supply of the Bedrolite oil which her son, Alfie Dingley, depends on to keep him free of seizures. Ms Deacon claimed that when she appealed to the Department for Health and Social Care for help, they showed a 'complete lack of understanding' of his condition. Hannah Deacon said she had only learned of the change in policy surrounding medical cannabis less than two weeks before the Brexit transition period came to an end on December 31. Pictured: Ms Deacon and Alfie Dingley 'For them to brush this off like it doesn't matter is utterly disgraceful. It does put my son's life at severe risk,' she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. In 2017, Ms Deacon's campaigning led to a change in the law which meant that the medicine could legally be prescribed in the UK. Despite this, it was claimed last month the NHS had only given three prescriptions of medical cannabis oil since it became available in November 2018. Doctors were said to be reluctant to give patients full extract cannabis oil because 'more evidence' was needed 'to routinely prescribe and fund other treatments on the NHS.' Now, the DHSC has confirmed finished Bedrocan oils, including Bedrolite, can no longer be imported from the Netherlands following the UK's departure from the EU single market and customs union. Ms Deacon claimed that when she appealed to the Department for Health and Social Care for help, they showed a 'complete lack of understanding' of his condition. Pictured: Alfie with his parents Hannah and Drew and sister Annie In 2017, Ms Deacon's campaigning led to a change in the law which meant that the medicine could legally be prescribed in the UK. Pictured: The family in 2018 These oils were previously dispensed there against UK prescriptions, but this is no longer possible as British prescriptions are not recognised in EU member States post-Brexit. Bedrolite: Medical cannabis oil which helps children with severe epilepsy Bedrolite oil is a medical cannabis oil produced by Bedrocan, which is the sole supplier of medicinal cannabis in the Netherlands. The oil contains two active compounds in cannabis for medical use: THC, which is psychoactive, and CBD, which is not. Bedrolite has around nine per cent CBD and less that one per cent THC. According to Bedrocan, the small percentage of THC means the oil does not have psychoactive properties. 'Bedrolite has become the preferred choice of a number of patients with severe, intractable (untreatable) forms of epilepsy,' they said. Medical cannabis products which contained THC were illegal in the UK until November 2018. Advertisement Ms Deacon said she only learned of the ruling by chance after a letter was sent to stakeholders in the medical cannabis sector on December 17. 'I was only told because someone who knew me was told about this letter, which is utterly disgraceful in itself,' she said. 'The lack of notice is disgraceful also. 'When we have appealed to the Department of Health they said to us in writing they understand it is concerning but there are other products available, so we should swap products, which shows a complete lack of understanding of refractory epilepsy, a complete lack of empathy. 'Every cannabis product has slight changes in it depending on the plant used to grow it. My son benefits from Bedrolite because of the quality of the product. 'If we move him to another product there is no guarantee that he is going to be safe. That is very dangerous.' Alfie was born in 2011 and began to show signs of illness at four months old. He then suffered his first 'tonic-clonic seizure' at eight months, and by the age of five he was having up to 150 cluster seizures per week. Ms Deacon told the Guardian: 'He would sometimes have these seizures for three or four days and then have a massive inflammatory response with back to back seizures that would mean he was pretty much flying off the bed they were so bad.' The nine-year-old was later diagnosed with a rare and severe type of epilepsy that is caused by a mutation in the gene which codes for the protein protocadherin 19. This is most commonly found in girls, with only nine boys worldwide known to suffer from the condition. The DHSC has confirmed finished Bedrocan oils, including Bedrolite, can no longer be imported from the Netherlands following the UK's departure from the EU single market and customs union. Pictured: Alfie Ms Deacon moved to the Netherlands in 2017 so her son could begin treatment, but sadly they had to return home in February 2018 due to lack of funds. 'He has been seizure free for eight months,' she said. 'We dont have a perfect life and then he has a very difficult genetic epilepsy which causes behaviour problems; he has autism. 'Life is definitely not rosy but his quality of life is amazing he hasnt been near a hospital for two years.' Ms Deacon has appealed to Boris Johnson to take up the issue with the Dutch authorities so that supplies of the oil could resume. 'We hear every day [Mr Johnson] wishes to save lives due to coronavirus. He has it in his power today to save my son's life and 40 other children who are on this medicine,' she said. 'I want him to show that he wants to talk to the Dutch authorities to find a solution for us and not just to try to brush us under the carpet like we don't matter.' A DHSC spokesman said that while they sympathised with patients dealing with 'challenging conditions' there was a range of alternative cannabis-based medicines available to UK patients. 'The decision on what treatments to prescribe for patients is rightly one for clinicians to make, on a case-by-case basis and dependent on the specific needs of the individual,' the spokesman said. 'If patients have any concerns, they should discuss them with their doctor.' DJ Khaled lit up Instagram on Tuesday with his new $26,000 color changing Louis Vuitton handbag. The 45-year-old music producer posted a video for his roughly 22.8 million followers of the deluxe bag that debuted on the Louis Vuitton Men's fall/winter 2019 runway. 'So, check this out, here's the app. I've always wanted this bag and my beautiful queen got me this as a gift,' DJ Khaled said as he held up a mobile app while wearing a plain olive green sweatsuit. Colorful bag: DJ Khaled lit up Instagram on Tuesday with his new $26,000 color changing Louis Vuitton handbag He held up the black bag featuring fiber optic technology that lights up the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram in a variety of colors. 'All the vibes right here, know what I'm saying?,' DJ Khaled said while changing the colors of the bag. 'I collect bags and I love bags,' he added while explaining that he even has an affinity for paper bags. 'I love bags. This is a major bag alert.' The New Orleans native, real name Khaled Mohamed Khaled, clearly got a kick out of the gift as he giddily changed its colors while relaxing in a chair near a roaring fireplace. Social media: The 45-year-old music producer posted a video for his roughly 22.8 million followers of the deluxe bag that debuted on the Louis Vuitton Men's fall/winter 2019 runway Major bag: DJ Khaled thanked his wife for gifting him the bag on Instagram Going strong: Nicole Tuck and husband DJ Khaled are shown in September 2019 in New York City 'Look at the vibes,' DJ Khaled said admiringly while switching the hues of the bag. 'Man, this is crazy, right?,' he said. He also showed his appreciation in the caption, posting: 'MAJOR [BAG] ALERT MY QUEEN got it for me thank you honey POSITIVE VIBES ONLY'. Mobile app: 'So, check this out, here's the app. I've always wanted this bag and my beautiful queen got me this as a gift,' DJ Khaled said as he held up a mobile app while wearing a plain olive green sweatsuit Every vibe: 'All the vibes right here, know what I'm saying?,' DJ Khaled said while changing the colors of the bag Bag lover: 'I collect bags and I love bags,' DJ Khaled added while explaining that he even has an affinity for paper bags. 'I love bags. This is a major bag alert' Multiple colors: The deluxe bag features fiber optic technology that lights up the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram in a variety of colors Check it: 'Look at the vibes,' DJ Khaled said admiringly while switching the hues of the bag DJ Khaled has been married to wife Nicole Tuck, 45, since 2009. The have four-year-old son Asahd and 11-month-old son Aalam together. DJ Khaled announced over the summer that his 12th studio album was in the works and it will be called Khaled Khaled after his legal name. Govt issues new rules on foreign workers in Vietnam The Government recently issued Decree No 152/2020/ND-CP featuring regulations on foreigners working in Vietnam and the recruitment and management of Vietnamese working for foreign organisations and individuals in the country. Chinese receives check-up upon arriving at a quarantine site in Vietnam (Photo: VNA) This degree stipulates that foreigners working in Vietnam are those under labour contracts; moving within a business; carrying out contracts or agreements on economy, trade, finance, banking, insurance, science - technique, culture, sports, education, vocational training, or health care; providing services under contract; offering services; working for foreign non-governmental organisations or international organisations permitted to operate under Vietnams law; working as volunteers; being in charge of setting up trade representative offices; being managers, managing directors, experts, or technical personnel; taking part in the implementation of bidding packages or projects in Vietnam; or being relatives of members of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam who are allowed to work in the country under regulations in the international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. At least 30 days prior to the day planned to start using foreign labourers, employers, except for contractors, are responsible for identifying the demand for foreign employees for each position that Vietnamese workers have yet to satisfy and explaining the issue to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) or the provincial-level Peoples Committees in the localities where foreigners are set to work in. If they want to change the demand for foreign labourers, employers have to report to the MoLISA or provincial-level Peoples Committees at least 30 days prior to the day planned to start using foreign labourers, according to the decree. The decree also stated that in case foreigners are subject to Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of Article 154 in the Labour Code and Clauses 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Article 7 in this decree, employers do not have to identify the foreign labourer demand. Meanwhile, the MoLISA or the provincial-level Peoples Committees have to issue documents accepting or rejecting the use of foreign workers for each job position within 10 working days since the reception of explanation about or report on the change in foreign labourer demand. In addition, before recruiting foreigners, contractors has responsibility for detailing the number, professional capacity, and experience of foreign workers they want to employ to implement bidding packages in Vietnam, while proposing the recruitment of Vietnamese workers for the positions for which they plan to employ foreigners to the chairpersons of provincial-level Peoples Committees in the localities where bidding packages are carried out. The chairpersons of provincial-level Peoples Committees will order local agencies and organisations to introduce and supply Vietnamese workers for the contractors or coordinate with agencies and organisations in other localities to introduce and supply Vietnamese workers. If local parties are unable to provide Vietnamese workers for contractors within two months since they receive the request for at least 500 Vietnamese labourers, one month in terms of the request for 100 to less than 500 Vietnamese labourers, or 15 days in terms of the request for under 100 Vietnamese labourers, the chairpersons of provincial-level Peoples Committees have to make decisions on contractors recruitment of foreigners for the jobs for which no qualified Vietnamese workers are found. Contractors have to report on the use of foreign employees during the first half of a year and the whole year before July 5 and January 5 of the following year, respectively, the decree said. Instead of setting the table for a dozen tonight, Elmwood resident Oksana Shulakewych will celebrate a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner with only her husband Borys in the room and the rest of her family on video chat. Instead of setting the table for a dozen tonight, Elmwood resident Oksana Shulakewych will celebrate a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner with only her husband Borys in the room and the rest of her family on video chat. "This year, its just the two of us, which is a bit sad, but were happy because there is the two of us," she said of their pandemic-style holiday dinner. Some of Winnipegs Ukrainian community, as well as a few Orthodox groups, mark Christmas Eve tonight and celebrate Christmas Thursday following the old Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. In Canada, most Ukrainian Catholic parishes follow the Gregorian calendar, but there are ongoing discussions in Ukraine about moving the holiday from Jan. 7 to Dec. 25, said Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski, chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg. "Ukrainian Catholics would not make the shift unless it was done by all the Christians in Ukraine," he said. Shulakewych celebrates both dates, connecting with friends and family on Dec. 25 and hosting a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner on Jan. 6. "For me, Christmas is not about gifts or Santa Claus," she explained during a break in her meal preparations. "Its a religious holiday, but a holiday with ancient traditions, which I have been following." Although she was briefly tempted not to pull out the Christmas decorations or make the traditional 12-course meal because of pandemic restrictions limiting gathering sizes to members of a household, Shulakewych decided to add a twist to the holiday traditions. Instead of inviting family and friends for a Christmas Eve dinner, she packaged up the borscht, cabbage rolls, perogies and other traditional dishes to deliver to loved ones ahead of time so they could eat together over a Zoom call. In place of having the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus sing at their doorstep on Christmas Eve, she will log onto the groups YouTube playlist of Christmas carols. Later, she will watch the livestream of the Christmas Eve liturgy from Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral instead of attending the late evening service in person. "I do it on the computer, and its very sad but it is the way it is," explained the mother of two. Ukrainians may be tied to their traditions, but they also have a long history of adaptation and resilience, said Rev. Ihor Shved, who was appointed administrator at the cathedral last fall. Only four months into the job, the Ukrainian-born and educated priest has made some changes to the usual Christmas celebrations at the McGregor Street cathedral, scheduling online carolling for the parish and recording a Ukrainian language nativity pageant for Christmas Eve. "As Christians, we should learn how to manage the situation but to also find some positive things in that," Shved said of celebrating within pandemic protocols. "Its not easier, but its good for our spiritual health to find some benefits in the situation." In the Shulakewych household, those benefits will flow from setting the table spread with the large tablecloth embroidered by her mother, lighting the candles, and virtually welcoming guests with the traditional Kutya, a dish made from wheat, honey, nuts and raisins, said Shulakewych, 76. "My husband greets everyone with that and that is the final dish we eat." Although there may be fewer people around the table this year because of the restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19, shes grateful for the blessings in her life, including her family, her health, and the ability to get out for a daily walk. "Im happy with what Ive got in spite of this terrible virus." faith@freepress.mb.ca (@ChaudhryMAli88) From the rapid change of power by mobs and the storming of the presidential palace in Kyrgyzstan to the mass rallies against the government called for by the president-elect in Moldova and months-long nationwide protests in Belarus in defiance of the president - the post-Soviet space has become one simmering hotbed of unrest in 2020 MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th January, 2021) From the rapid change of power by mobs and the storming of the presidential palace in Kyrgyzstan to the mass rallies against the government called for by the president-elect in Moldova and months-long nationwide protests in Belarus in defiance of the president - the post-Soviet space has become one simmering hotbed of unrest in 2020. Mass protests in Belarus started after the presidential election on August 9, which, according to the official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been governing the country since 1994, won by a landslide, securing a sixth consecutive term in office. Lukashenko's main opponent, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a political novice who decided to run only after her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, a popular blogger, was jailed in May, rejected the results and called for a recount of the vote with the participation of independent observers. Shortly after the announcement of the results, Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania, from where she continues rallying support from European leaders. She has already met with many EU heads of state who refuse to recognize Lukashenko as president and have already imposed targeted sanctions against Belarusian officials. Four months after the announcement of the results of the presidential election, Belarussians continue to hit the streets weekly on Sundays for mass rallies, each resulting in multiple detentions. Lukashenko's backers have also organized rallies in his support. Lukashenko initially announced that there would be no re-elections. Later, however, he said that an early presidential election could possibly be held after a constitutional reform. The incumbent leader has repeatedly said that protests in the republic were being coordinated from abroad, noting Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Ukraine among the countries playing an active role in the interference. In particular, Lukashenko accused Western countries of directly interfering in the situation in Belarus, noting that the unrest was being coordinated by the United States, and that the EU nations have expressed solidarity with such meddling. Lukashenko has expressed the belief that those behind the protests were in fact targeting Russia. However, Tikhanovskaya and the Belarus opposition have repeatedly stressed that the protests ongoing in her country were targeted exclusively against the government, not Russia, and pointed to the need to maintain good relations with the eastern neighbor. Kyrgyzstan, another former Soviet republic, became swept by unrest roughly two months after the start of the Belarussian rallies. The demonstrators poured into the streets of the country's capital of Bishkek on October 5 to express their discontent with the parliamentary election that was held a day earlier. The protesters accused the government of falsification of the election results and buying votes. They demanded that the results be canceled and a fresh election be held. While clashes raged on between the protesters and the security forces, supporters of opposition parties seized the parliament building, where the presidential administration is located. Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission later announced that it had annulled the election results. Stability was only restored after the voluntary resignation of then-President Sooronbay Jeenbekov ten days later. The power and responsibilities of the head of state were transferred to Sadyr Japarov, who later resigned so he could contest the presidential vote in January 2021. Japarov, a controversial figure in Kyrgyz politics, has seen a meteoric rise to power. When the protests began, he was serving time in prison, which began in 2017, and faced the prospect of spending several years in jail after his conviction for taking a government official hostage in 2013. He was freed by the demonstrators. Unlike Belarus, protests in Kyrgyzstan are not unusual and are commonly marked by political volatility. In 2005, the Tulip revolution, which was initially hailed by many as a promising triumph of democracy in Central Asia, ousted the country's first president, Askar Akayev. However, the following years have seen Kyrgyzstan backsliding toward authoritarian rule by Akayev's successor, Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Bakiyev, in his turn, was ousted in 2010 in the wake of violent mass rallies. The country's fourth leader, Almazbek Atambayev, was imprisoned after he left office. He was charged with organizing mass riots, murder, attempted murder and taking hostages. During the 2020 protests, he was freed by protesters but then imprisoned again. After the resignation of Jeenbekov, who had been in office since 2017, the country will have the sixth president in its post-Soviet history. Against the backdrop of unrest in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, the rallies in Moldova stand apart because the demonstrators do not pursue a complete overhaul of power. The year 2020 was marked by the presidential election, which led to the victory of Maia Sandu over incumbent president Igor Dodon. Ahead of her inauguration, Sandu locked horns with the country's parliament, which backed an amendment - introduced by Dodon's party - to strip Sandu of control over Moldova's intelligence and security service. Sandu called it an attempt by Dodon to "usurp" power. Following Sandu's calls, the supporters of the president-elect gathered in the streets in early December to call on the country's prime minister, Ion Chicu, to resign to trigger early parliamentary elections. Sandu previously called on the European country's residents to take to the streets in protest against the cabinet's handling of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis. Leaders of Moldova's opposition parties have given their support to the president-elect's calls. The rallies, fueled by calls from Sandu in early December, gathered over 20,000 people who demanded the dissolution of parliament and the resignation of the government. In the wake of the protests, Moldova's Constitutional Court suspended the amendments that restricted presidential powers. Sandu had a tough path to power. In 2016, she lost the presidential election to Dodon by a low margin. In 2019, she obtained the position of the country's prime minister. Under her premiership, Moldova began taking steps toward the European Union, as Sandu herself is a pro-European politician, putting herself in opposition to Dodon, who maintained contacts with Russia and regularly spoke with and met Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin. Five months after her appointment, Sandu was ousted as prime minister, following a vote of no-confidence in her government. She remained in a caretaker role until the formation of a new government. Since the announcement of the results of the election, Sandu has sent mixed signals about her future policies. She announced that she wanted to build a good relationship with Russia and that Chisinau wants to open export to Russia and take care of its citizens who work there. However, she also raised eyebrows from Moscow after she announced that the Russian peacekeepers should leave, adding that the weapons themselves should be moved from Transnistria, and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe-linked civilian observers should be deployed in the region instead. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded by saying that the move would not bring peace to Moldova's breakaway region. Transnistria, which is mostly populated by ethnic Russians and Ukrainians, seceded from Moldova in 1990, fearing the latter's possible reunion with Romania. The split led to an armed conflict that ended in a 1992 ceasefire. De facto, Transnistria has become a territory out of Chisinau's control. The Russian peacekeeping force has been present in Transnistria for 28 years. Meanwhile, since mid-summer, the country's agriculture industry workers have been staging protests, criticizing the government's lackluster support throughout the year, which is marked by bad harvest, as well as a planned increase in value-added tax (VAT) on agricultural products. COVID-19 CRISIS MAY BE CATALYST, YET REASONS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT While the reasons for the protests in all three former Soviet states were different, the COVID-19 pandemic may have become a catalyst for the public's general discontent with the government's handling of the crisis, Talgat Kaliyev, the director of the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Research, who also holds Ph. D. in political science, told Sputnik. "Along with a general slowdown in the growth of the world economy, this [COVID-19 crisis] led to a drop in the standard of living, a tangible decrease in income, which in itself sharply increases the degree of [public] discontent," he added. Yet, the similarities - discontent over the government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis and the fact that they are all former Soviet republics - between the protests in these three nations end there. Maxim Vilisov, Director of CENTERO, an Independent Think Tank (Moscow) and Deputy Director at the Department of Public Policy at Lomonosov Moscow State University, believes that the protests in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova are entirely different, and each of them has its own reasons, background and goals. "The three countries have totally different political and social orders, nor only regimes. Therefore, the protests should be viewed in their contexts.... They are just a political tool, and we don't have to overweigh the geopolitical reasons - the domestic politics play a crucial role," he told Sputnik. 'FALL-SPRING' STORMING OF GOVT PREMISES NOT SURPRISE FOR KYRGYZSTAN Rigid forms of violence were seen in Kyrgyzstan from the early hours of the demonstrations, with both protesters and police resorting to force. Officers deployed tear gas and stun grenades as the Kyrgyz capital descended into chaos, with many cases of looting reported. Meanwhile, Kaliyev noted that the traditional "fall-spring" storming of government premises has not been a surprise for the Central Asian nation. "There are many people in Kyrgyzstan who condemn the marginal behavior of the protesters and the unreasonable storming of the White House [presidential palace in Bishkek], mainly because the destroyed premises will have to be restored at the expense of taxpayers," he said. Kaliyev believes that the threat of new tensions in the country remains quite high since it experiences difficult socio-economic problems and issues with the external debt, which is over $4 billion. "I don't think that the Kyrgyz experience deserves to be imitated by any other society. By all indications, the Belarusian society now demonstrates the presence of a higher level of political culture, in contrast to the rude one in Kyrgyz. Moreover, the Bishkek events look like a fight of criminal clans, and not a political process," he said. PEACEFUL TACTIC BY BELARUSSIAN PROTESTERS The protests in Belarus, in contrast, were peaceful. Many demonstrations involved retirees and women who descended on the streets to support the victims of clashes between protesters and the police. Tikhanovskaya, as well as the opposition leaders, have repeatedly called upon the demonstrators to abstain from violence and provocations. However, the response by Belarusian law enforcement - mainly in the first days of the demonstrations - was far from peaceful, with officers deploying tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades against the protesters. After the worldwide condemnation, including the criticism from human rights groups and the UN's calls to halt the torture of people in the hands of the officers, Belarussian police stopped the excessive use of force. However, in early December, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said that violations of human rights in Belarus amid the ongoing opposition protest movement continued and were particularly troubling. According to statistics from the Minsk-based Viasna Human Rights Centre, over 30,000 protesters have been detained and at least 20 died since August. The Belarusian Interior Ministry says that over 120 security officers were injured in the clashes. Lukashenko later admitted that there were excesses during harsh arrests at opposition rallies across the country, adding that these cases will be dealt with. Meanwhile, Kaliyev agrees that the use of violence by the protesters in Belarus would have led to a tough reaction from the police, as well as from the public and foreign observers. "In Belarus, the peaceful nature of the protests and how well-behaved the protesters were have aroused the deep sympathy of the audience. And in particular, it became one of the reasons why the demonstrations were joined by many people," Kaliyev said. According to Vilisov if the protesters in Belarus chose to use the tactics of the Kyrgyz protesters, the outcome of the rallies would have been the opposite. "The use of violence by the protesters in the very beginning would [have] delegitimized them in front of the state, society and foreign political actors, that would lead to a rapid end of the protests," he explained. Vilisov also believed that the core difference between the protests in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan lies in the position taken by the political elite. "In Belarusian case, the political elite is consolidated and none of the elite representatives have openly joined or supported the protesters. That is why the protests in Belarus still have no political consequences, but the movement itself is increasing its political influence and may finally (sooner or later) produce quite strong counter-elite, ready to dismiss and substitute the existing one," he said. Commenting on the future for Kyrgyzstan, Kaliyev recalled that many Kyrgyz presidents did not leave office by their own will or in line with the constitution. "The new president, who is likely to become Sadyr Japarov, will inevitably have problems with achieving legitimacy which, given the difficult economic situation and the urgent need for emergency financial assistance, is a top priority. In addition, now the new president is not immune from repeating the sad fate of his predecessors," he said. As for Belarus, its fate depends on the ability of the official Minsk to reach compromise with the protesters and involve them in the negotiation process, "since so far the statements on the constitutional reform have been unilateral," Kaliyev concluded. Now, the political future of all the three post-Soviet nations is in uncertainty, as they are functioning in a very complex context, according to Vilisov. "On the one hand, they are all limitrophes of greater powers, therefore cannot avoid the geopolitical reasons. On the other hand, they failed to build a stable political system and social order, as well as a more or less productive and independent economy. Given that the entire world is facing a huge crisis, the prospects of those countries are very uncertain," he said. Vilisov says that the selection of choices for the political elites of these countries is based on several constraints, which include getting maximum external support without high risks for their sovereignty. "This kind of strategy is usually called 'a multivectoral approach.' A 'multiplicity' means a more sophisticated game, not just with two external actors (like the EU and Russia). The players are China, the US, Turkey and some other countries (Ukraine, for example). That all makes the situation more complicated and less predictable," he said. Yet, the most important thing for the political elites is to preserve the statehood of the country, he said, adding that a "deeper integration" with Russia, as well as any kind of similar integration with other powers, "is almost impossible" for these countries. While vast integration seems impossible, the connections between the nations are hard to destroy entirely. Kaliyev, in his turn, does not believe that the pro-European course is the direct opposite of the pro-Russian one. He also thinks that close relations with Russia do not exclude the cooperation of these three nations with the European Union. "It is unprofitable for any of these republics to destroy economic ties with Russia and abandon long-term friendly or fraternal relations," he concluded. French President Emmanuel Macrons top advisor Emmanuel Bonne and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will tomorrow hold the annual strategic dialogue between the two countries that is expected to review the progress made in the 10,000 megawatt nuclear power plant to be set up in Maharashtra and building the six diesel-electric submarines under project P-75I for the Indian navy. Besides, the two top advisors will also share notes on improving maritime security and developments in the Indo Pacific region, particularly in context of Chinas aggressive moves. Bonne, President Macrons diplomatic advisor, is expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar and meet foreign secretary Harsh Shringla on Friday. The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues, the external affairs ministry said in a statement ahead of the strategic dialogue that will seek to reinforce deep ties between the two countries. France has been one of Indias most reliable partners in Europe for years but the two countries had inched closer over the last few years that led to a deal to buy 36 Rafale aircraft. When French defence minister Florence Parly was in India last year in context of the induction of the omni-role fighter jets in the Indian Air Force, she and defence minister Rajnath Singh had agreed to stick to the Rafale template of government-to-government deals for future defence purchases. India is expected to sign a $2.5-billion contract this year for 56 medium transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative. India is also looking at acquisition of six Airbus 330 multi-role transport tanker aircraft for expanding the Indian Air Force (IAF) strike capability through latest mid-air refuelers as well as the Safran aircraft engines under the Make in India programme. The jet engines, which are used by Dassault Aviation for the Rafale jets, could be used to power the twin-engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) till it develops its own version. Officials said France had responded positively to New Delhis concerns about access of military technology to countries which have adversarial relations with India, a reference to Pakistan. France has decided against helping Pakistan upgrade its fleet of Mirage fighter jets, air defence system and Agosta 90B class submarines, a decision that was timed after Prime Minister Imran Khans loud criticism of French President Macron. Around the same time, France also conveyed to Qatar, which had earlier bought Rafale jets for its air force, not to allow any Pakistan-origin technicians near the aircraft for maintenance. Pakistan watchers said that it was on account of the French governments restrictive approach that the Mirage 3 and Mirage 5 fighter jets in Pakistan air forces inventory did not participate in last months joint aerial exercises, Eagle-IX, involving the Chinese and Pakistan air force. Doval and Bonne are also expected to discuss Indias other neighbour, China, in some detail, particularly given French concerns around Beijing attempting to flex muscles in the Indo-Pacific region. China has, for instance, been trying to get people in the French island group of New Caledonia to vote for independence in the three referendums being held to decide its future. This island group with an area of 18,575 sq km, located in the South Pacific east of Australia, is one of the 16 overseas territories of France that are home to 1.5 million French citizens. In October last year, France had formalised its interest in the Indo-Pacific when President Macron appointed Christophe Penot, one of his countrys most senior diplomats as the first French envoy for the Indo-Pacific. As part of this focus, France has forged new initiatives such as the trilateral dialogue launched with India and Australia in September last to enhance cooperation and strengthen multilateralism in the region. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Advertisement Police arrested seven pro-Julian Assange protesters for breaking Covid rules during chaotic scenes outside court today after the WikiLeaks founder was denied bail. A large crowd of mainly maskless demonstrators had to be driven back by officers after massing outside the entrance of Westminster Magistrates Court. The Met has now confirmed that seven of them, including 92-year-old Eric Levy, were arrested for breaching coronavirus restrictions and could be fined. Earlier today, the force announced clamp down on Covid rule breakers, with penalties starting at 200 for the first offence and 400 for the second, before doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of 6,400. It came as Assange lost his bid to become a free man after almost 10 years of prison and self-imposed confinement, meaning he will have to spend at least two weeks more in custody at HMP Belmarsh. He dramatically won his legal fight against a US attempt to extradite him on Monday, and at a hearing this morning his lawyers argued he should be immediately released from jail and held under house arrest. Assange's lawyers had argued he had 'every reason' to remain in the UK now the threat of extradition to the US had been removed, and claimed Belmarsh was unsafe due to a Covid outbreak. But Judge Vanessa Baraitser refused the request due to the risk he could try to flee while US officials put together a fresh legal challenge, meaning he will continue to be held there for at least two weeks. She told the court: 'I'm satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if MA is released today, he would fail to surrender to this court. It is on these grounds that the application for bail is denied.' Assange, who was sitting in the dock, stared at the ground as the judge delivered her ruling. His partner, Stella Morris, who was also in court, looked towards him with a shocked expression. She said afterwards: 'This is a huge disappointment. Julian should not be in Belmarsh prison in the first place. I urge the Department of Justice to drop the charges and the president of the United States to pardon Julian." WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson said Assange's lawyers would go to the High Court to appeal the decision not to grant him bail 'within hours or a few days'. A man carrying an Asda 'eco jute bag' is led away by Met Police officers after gathering outside Westminster Magistrates Court today Several maskless pro-Assange protesters were moved away by police after gathering outside a large group outside court Police apprehend an Assange supporter holding a placard reading 'Don't extradite Assange' outside Westminster Magistrates Court Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected the arguments put forward by Assange's (pictured) lawyers, telling the court: 'I'm satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if MA is released today, he would fail to surrender to this court' Julian Assange's partner, Stella Moris, spoke to the press after he was refused bail. She said: 'This is a huge disappointment. Julian should not be in Belmarsh prison in the first place' Assange is to be returned to top security Belmarsh prison to await the outcome of an appeal by the United States against Monday's ruling that he should not be extradited on espionage charges. His lawyers had argued that he should be freed and be allowed to live with his partner and two children because it was better for his fragile mental health. They also claimed that it was safer to be at home because of concerns about Covid in the prison. But Judge Baraitser told the court: 'Stringent previous conditions did not stop him from absconding and people who stood surety lost a considerable amount of money. 'He still has a huge support network available to him should he choose to go to ground.' Referring to her own decision on Monday, in which she rejected the US's request for Assange's extradition, the judge said: 'As a matter of fairness, the US must be allowed to challenge my decision and if Mr Assange absconds during this process they will lose the opportunity to do so. 'Mr Assange still has a huge support network available to him should he again choose to go to ground.' On fears of Covid-19 spreading in Belmarsh prison, the judge added that the latest information demonstrated it was managing the health of inmates. On Monday, Judge Baraitser said there was an 'unmanageable high risk' of Assange taking his own life if he was housed amid the grim conditions as she revealed he has autism, Asperger's and a severe depressive disorder. She accepted the evidence of medical experts who revealed that Assange had spoken openly about suicide while in Belmarsh and had prepared for it by writing a will. A razor blade was also found in his cell. A woman is put into handcuffs by police after a large crowd of protesters held pro-Assange placards outside the court Another protester wearing handcuffs is led away by Met Police officers. Unlike many of the demonstrators he chose to wear a mask Mexico offered political asylum to Mr Assange earlier this week. The country's president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said: 'I'm going to ask the foreign minister to carry out the relevant procedures to request that the UK government releases Mr Assange and that Mexico offers him political asylum.' 'This is a victory for Julian': How Assange's partner Stella Moris greeted Monday's verdict Ms Moris, who fell in love with Assange while she was his lawyer, said outside the Old Bailey: 'I had hoped today would be the day Julian would come home. Today is not that day but that day will come soon. 'As long as Julian has to endure suffering in isolation as an unconvicted prisoner at Belmarsh prison, as long as our children continue to be robbed of their father's love and affection, we cannot celebrate. 'We will celebrate the day he comes home. 'Today is a victory for Julian. Today's victory is a first step towards justice in this case. 'On behalf of Julian and myself, I want to thank the millions of people around the world and the institutions that are already calling for this persecution to end. 'I ask you all to shout louder, you lobby harder, until he is free. I call on everyone else to come together to defend Julian's rights; not just Julian's rights, they are your rights too. Julian's freedom is coupled to all our freedoms and our freedoms are lost in the blink of an eye. 'I call on insiders to come forward to expose the full extent of the misconduct that has led to Julian's imprisonment. And I call on the president of the United States to end this now. 'Mr President, tear down these prison walls. Let our little boys have their father. Free Julian, free the press, free us all.' Advertisement He said Mexico would ensure 'that whoever receives asylum does not intervene or interfere in the political affairs of any country.' The country has previously offered political asylum to high-profile international figures such as former Bolivian president Evo Morales. Meanwhile, the Australian Prime Minister said Assange can remain a free man if he chooses to return to his native country when his legal battle is over. Scott Morrison avoided passing judgement on the decision but said Assange would be able to travel home if he his freed. 'I note the decision overnight and like any other Australian I understand that's subject to appeal... assuming that all turns out, he's like any other Australian, he's free to return home to Australia if he wishes,' Mr Morrison told 3AW radio. 'Consular support has been offered to Assange... it's a matter for him [if he returns] when proceedings and processes end,' the prime minister added. On Monday, Assange's supporters were overjoyed at the decision not to extradite him to the US but expressed dismay that the ruling was made on health grounds rather than in defence of freedom of expression. The activist has been backed by a raft of celebrities including Pamela Anderson, artist Al Weiwei and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Assange's mother, Christine urged the US not to appeal, saying her son had suffered enough. She tweeted after Monday's ruling: 'UK Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled against extraditing my son Julian to the US on medical grounds. 'US prosecutors state they will appeal. I implore Pres Trump & Pres elect Biden to order them to stand down. The decade long process was the punishment. He has suffered enough.' Conservative MP David Davis said: 'Good news Julian Assange's extradition has been blocked. Extradition treaties should not be used for political prosecutions.' Jeremy Corbyn, whose brother, Piers, was outside the Old Bailey on Monday, said: 'Good news that the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused - my congratulations to him and his legal team. Extradition would be an attack on press freedom. 'And it is alarming that the judge has accepted US government arguments threatening freedom of speech and freedom to publish. There remains much at stake in his case, which is being observed by so many around the world. Assange should be released.' Assange, 49, faced an 18-count indictment, alleging a plot to hack computers and a conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information A prison van arrives at the Westminster Magistrates Court this morning ahead of Assange's bail application hearing, as photographers try to picture Assange inside A large crowd gathered outside the court today, with several police officers urging people to adhere to social distancing rules Moris, with whom Assange shares two young sons, speaks to the media outside the Old Bailey in London on Monday How Assange is being defended by celebrity lawyer Jennifer Robinson - while judge overseeing case extradited Sarkozy fraud suspect Jennifer Robinson, a key member of Assange's defence team, is the go-to barrister for the rich and famous, most recently walking hand in hand with actress Amber Heard in her showdown against her ex-husband Johnny Depp in his acrimonious libel trial. She counts the Hollywood elite among her inner circle, travelling to George and Amal Clooney's wedding on a speedboat with actor Bill Murray. A self-confessed Kyle Minogue fan, who has 'nothing in her fridge but Champagne' , the human rights lawyer once set headlines alight after she was spotted canoodling with Jeremy Corbyn's former spin doctor, Seumas Milne. Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson (left) with Assange's partner Stella Moris (right) at an earlier Old Bailey hearing Ms Robinson and Mr Milne - a then-married father-of-two - were photographed in a passionate embrace on the terrace of the Courthouse hotel in East London in 2017. The 39-year-old, who came from humble beginnings in Australia, has been known to use her social media as an outlet to criticise the Tories on their human rights record and tweet support for Corbyn. Less is known about Vanessa Baraitser, the district judge overseeing Assange's case. She appears to be a specialist in extradition cases and last year gave the go ahead for an associate of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to be returned to France for trial. Alexandre Djouhri, who was arrested at Heathrow last year after arriving on a flight from his Swiss home, and is accused by French prosecutors of nine offences relating to money laundering and corruption. These are alleged to have been committed in circumstances connected to Mr Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser delivering her verdict on Monday Advertisement The journalist Glenn Greenwald added a note of caution, saying the judge had endorsed most of the arguments put forward by the US in favour of extradition - including dismissing the idea that it was an attack on freedom of speech. He said: 'This wasn't a victory for press freedom. Quite the contrary: the judge made clear she believed there are grounds to prosecute Assange in connection with the 2010 publication. It was, instead, an indictment of the insanely oppressive US prison system for security 'threats.' Meanwhile, Edward Snowden - the whistleblower who worked with Wikileaks and is currently living in Russia after leaking U.S. surveillance secrets - called for an end to the proceedings, tweeting: 'Let this be the end of it.' Amnesty International tweeted: 'We welcome the fact that Julian Assange will not be sent to the USA, but this does not absolve the UK from having engaged in this politically-motivated process at the behest of the USA and putting media freedom and freedom of expression on trial.' Judge Baraitser ruled that Assange risked being held under Special Administrative Measures (Sams), which would have seen him in solitary confinement with limited access to family and only two phone calls per month. She said: 'Faced with the conditions of near total isolation without the protective factors which limited his risk at HMP Belmarsh, I am satisfied the procedures described by the US will not prevent Mr Assange from finding a way to commit suicide and for this reason I have decided extradition would be oppressive by reason of mental harm and I order his discharge. 'Despite his lighter spirit at times, he's a depressed and sometimes despairing man who is genuinely fearful of his future. He represents an unmanageable high risk of suicide, both in Belmarsh and the US.' She revealed that in 1991 Mr Assange had tried to take his own life and that there was a history of depression in the family. His maternal grandmother and uncle both died by suicide, and Assange phoned the Samaritans most nights while in jail. Australian-born Assange had been charged under the US's 1917 Espionage Act for conspiring with Chelsea Manning, a former Army intelligence analyst, to hack into a Pentagon computer network and publish secret documents related to 'national defence.' The WikiLeaks founder faced a total of 18 charges and was also accused of putting the lives of US informants at risk by publishing the material. Assange has been locked in a bitter dispute with US authorities since July 2010 when WikiLeaks started publishing hundreds of thousands of classified US military and political documents from the Afghan and Iraq wars. As US officials pursued him through the British courts, in June 2012, Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy, requesting political asylum, which was granted two months later. Assange remained holed up at the embassy until April 2019 when Ecuador revoked his asylum status, leading to his arrest and kickstarting a legal battle that culminated in Monday's judgment. During his time in the embassy, the WikiLeaks founder fathered two children with his partner Stella Morris. For the past 19 months, Assange has been held at Belmarsh top security jail. He first appeared at the Old Bailey last February, but the case was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic. If Assange had stood trial in the US, he faced a possible 175 years in prison if convicted of all charges. The controversial WikiLeaks founder has attracted a number of high-profile supporters including Pamela Anderson and Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel, who visited him at the Ecuadorian embassy. Others to have lent their support include the artist Al Weiwei and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Assange was represented at his Old Bailey trial last year by eminent lawyer Jennifer Robinson. The court head extraordinary details of the lengths US authorities were prepared to go to ensure that Assange stood trial in the country. Stella Moris, the mother of Julian Assange's children, Max and Gabriel (pictured left and right) this weekend said Britain 'would no longer be a haven for free speech' if he was extradited This included hiring a US security contractor to bug Assange's meetings in the Ecuadorian embassy and even a possible kidnap or poison plot to end the stalemate. Judge Baraitser heard that if convicted, Assange faced the prospect of being held in a Supermax ADX facility in Colorado, where convicted terrorist Abu Hamza has been housed under Sams in solitary confinement. Psychiatrists for the defence said Assange had suffered from severe depression and was a high suicide risk. But lawyers for the US Government claimed that the prospect of Assange being held under Sams was 'speculative' and the sentence was likely to be much lower. Chelsea Manning had been sentenced to 35 years over her role in leaking classified material but was given clemency after seven years. However, she was jailed again for contempt in 2019 and fined for refusing to testify in court about Assange. W hen director Paul Greengrass was gearing up to make his new film, News of the World, about a civil war veteran in 1870s Texas who escorts an orphaned girl to her relatives across the state, he was anticipating one major challenge. This is the first film I made with a child actor at the heart of it, he says recently by phone. The casting would be difficult on multiple levels, he realised. Although the character is onscreen for much of the movie, she has only a few lines of dialogue. Tom Hanks had already signed on as the lead, so she would have to go toe to toe with a superstar, Greengrass says. It was a very, very hard ask. One of the first children he saw during the casting in 2019, however, was Helena Zengel, a then 11-year-old from Berlin with a tomboyish energy and platinum hair. She was the only person I really had to look at, he says. It was the easiest decision in the film. News of the World, which opened on Christmas Day in the US and Canada, and will be available on Netflix from February, is an international breakthrough for Zengel, who has already become one of the most talked-about actors let alone child actors to emerge in Germany in recent years. She garnered widespread praise last year for her portrayal of a semi-feral nine-year-old in the movie System Crasher, which went on to be Germanys official submission to the Academy Awards. That performance won her best actress at the Lolas in 2019, Germanys equivalent of the Oscars, making her the youngest recipient of that prize. Zengel won praise for her portrayal of a semi-feral nine-year-old in 2019s System Crasher, a harrowing drama centred on a girl named Benni who is abused as a baby and abandoned by her mother (Port au Prince Pictures) In News of the World, Zengels character, Johanna Leonberger, is left orphaned after her German parents are violently murdered on their farm when she is aged four. Taken in and raised by the Kiowa tribe, she is later removed by soldiers, and a travelling veteran, played by Hanks, agrees to bring her to a surviving aunt and uncle. Zengel has received strong reviews for her performance, with critics praising her ability to imbue her defiant and alienated character with a sense of warmth and intelligence, and for channelling the emotional horrors of Johannas back story in near silence. Most of her lines are in Kiowa, a language she had to learn for the part. Speaking via Zoom, Zengel is far gigglier and chattier which is to say, far more like a regular 12-year-old than her recent roles might suggest. She says that, like most children in Germany, she has spent most of this year at home, and that she is currently quarantined because classmates have tested positive for the coronavirus. Before being cast in the film, she says, she had never heard of Hanks. I think Id seen The Da Vinci Code before, but I didnt know who he was, she says. I thought it was just some actor. In an email, Hanks praised Zengels skill of performing with no build-up, no apprehension, and no self-consciousness, and says he wished he had her same ease, her simplicity. Zengel says she has never taken an acting class, because Im not sure if there was much for me to learn. I stand in front of the camera, I know what I want, and I do it, she says, matter-of-factly. This focus and willpower, her mother, Anne Zengel, explains, has been her daughters hallmark ever since she was a toddler. Helenas earliest forays into acting, aged four, had emerged largely out of parental frustration, she says, because her daughter had three times as much intensity as other children and would act out if she was denied something she wanted. She had to function in society, so we had to figure out how to redirect her energy, she says. She enrolled Zengel in ice-skating classes and encouraged her to try acting. After a few small roles in German TV crime shows, as a bank robbers daughter or a girl who falls from a bridge, she eventually landed a lead role in a German art-house film, Dark Blue Girl, aged seven. At some point, the thing happened that I hoped would happen, her mother says. She was actually valued for being so intense. In 2017, Zengel caught the attention of Nora Fingscheidt, the German director of System Crasher, a harrowing drama centred on a girl named Benni who is abused as a baby and abandoned by her mother, and who later lashes out at her caregivers and the society around her. The movie included a number of upsetting scenes, including violence between children. In an interview, Fingscheidt says she needed a child actor who could convey Bennis often terrifying physicality, while shouldering the psychological burden of the part. She was struck by Zengels cinematographic quality, with almost translucent white skin, white hair that makes her look like an angel, but with an ambivalence that is fascinating, she says. During the child actors audition, in which she was asked to improvise a scene in which she freaks out by screaming and throwing things, Fingscheidt says that she was drawn in by the way her eyes sparkled when I told her she could behave as badly as she wanted. To help Zengel distinguish herself from her traumatised character, Fingscheidt says, the two would mime a little scene once shooting was over, with the director holding her hand like a showerhead and the child actor pretending to wash underneath it, to indicate her transition back to herself. Zengel also wrote a journal, to help her process her feelings, the director adds. Zengel says the experience of making System Crasher helped her prepare for her role as Johanna, which she conceded was not as extreme. Zengel poses with the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for System Crasher at the 2019 Berlinale film festival (AFP/Getty) Now Zengel is confronting the strange reality of international fame while being stuck at home, finishing seventh grade. In the autumn, Variety magazine selected her as one of its actors to watch and she says she has received offers for other roles in recent months, but that she was waiting until the pandemic subsides before making any decisions. She says that she is open to moving to the US, although her mother says she is intent on her daughter having a normal childhood, and that she is comforted by Germanys comparatively low-key celebrity culture. The thing about acting is that you just need to do it, and as long as youre happy with it, then youre doing it right, Zengel says. Also, its very fun to run around and scream. News of the World is on Netflix from February The New York Times Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. In the absence of camels kind-hearted Malaga taxi drivers have helped transport the Three Kings from the east to deliver presents to the Ronald McDonald House in the city. More than 200 toys were donated by the Taxistas Solidarios group to the foundation where families of children who are hospitalised or receiving treatment can stay. Medical protocol dictates that the toys had to be brand new to avoid any risk of infection to the little ones so taxi drivers set off on their rounds and have managed to collect more than 200 toys of all kinds and for different ages. "There are puzzles, colouring books, dolls, cars, balls, ... all thanks to the contribution of colleagues", said the president of the Aumat taxi drivers association, Guillermo Diaz, who said the group had already been collaborating with the foundation since the beginning of the pandemic, transferring families and children free-of-charge every time they had to attend a medical check-up. Some of the toys that were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House Foundation. / SUR Vicente Moros, manager of the Ronald McDonald House said, During the confinement they helped us a lot by transporting families. They have established a very beautiful relationship with the children and now with the Kings they have also remembered us and have come loaded with toys and with taxis decorated for the occasion. The taxi drivers have also remembered the elderly residents of the Hermanitas de los Pobres centre where they have donated board games. This year, because of the pandemic, they have been unable to take residents from the centre to see the Christmas lights in the city. Average GHQ-12 in 2017-2019 and April 2020 among BAME and White British individuals by gender. Credit: Proto E, Quintana-Domeque C (2021) PLOS ONE In the UK, men from ethnic minorities and women may have experienced worse mental health declines than White British men, according to a study published January 6, 2021 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Eugenio Proto and Climent Quintana-Domeque of institutions including the University of Glasgow and the University of Exeter, UK. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures enacted to restrict the spread of the virus, have had a major impact on the lives of citizens globally. The authors of the present study examined changes in mental health associated with the pandemic across ethnic groups in the UK. The researchers used data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, comparing responses from participants between 2017 and 2019 (i.e.: prior to the pandemic) to responses from the same participants in April 2020 (i.e.: during the pandemic, when severe "lockdown" restrictions were in place in the UK). A total of 14,523 individuals provided responses both before and during the pandemic; 91.5 percent defined their ethnicity as White British and the remaining 8.5 percent as another ethnicity (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic, or BAME). Participants were asked to self-report their health, including their mental wellbeing. These responses were used to measure levels of mental distress, on a scale from 0 to 36. The authors found that the average mental distress for individuals had increased from 11.28 [95% CI: 11.17, 11.40] in 2017-2019 to 12.51 [95% CI: 12.38, 12.63] in April 2020, a 0.21 standard deviation increase [95% CI: 0.19, 0.23]. Women experienced a greater average increase in mental distress than men, and BAME men also experienced a greater average increase than White British men. While White British men saw an average increase in mental distress of 0.6 units on this scale, White British women experienced an average increase of 1.6 units. BAME men experienced an average increase of 1.5 units, and BAME women of 1.7 units. Average change in GHQ-12 between 2017-2019 and April 2020 among BAME and White British individuals by gender. Credit: Proto E, Quintana-Domeque C (2021) PLOS ONE While the study conclusions may be limited by the sample size of BAME individuals (only 1,066 of the participants defined themselves as BAME), and by mental distress being measured relatively early on in the pandemic, the research suggests that the pandemic may have particularly affected the mental wellbeing of women and BAME individuals. The authors state that their preliminary findings appear to indicate "the impact of the lockdown and social distancing requirements on mental health being worse among minority ethnic groups." The authors add: "Women and Black, Asian, and minority ethnic men experienced a higher average increase in mental distress than White British men from 2017-2019 to April 2020." Explore further Women and ethnic minorities have found the pandemic psychologically more challenging More information: Proto E, Quintana-Domeque C (2021) COVID-19 and mental health deterioration by ethnicity and gender in the UK. PLoS ONE 16(1): e0244419. Journal information: PLoS ONE Proto E, Quintana-Domeque C (2021) COVID-19 and mental health deterioration by ethnicity and gender in the UK.16(1): e0244419. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244419 AmerisourceBergen, the giant Valley Forge drug wholesaler, says it will pay $6.5 billion for Walgreens Boots Alliances pharma distribution businesses in Britain and France, the fast-growing Turkey and Egypt markets, and other nations. The deal to buy Walgreens Alliance Healthcare and its packaging, shipping, generic drug, and personal-care brands came with promises by AmerisourceBergen chief executive Steven Collis of rapid sales and profit growth ahead. What will it mean for drug prices? It contributes to the consolidation of an increasingly concentrated pharmaceutical supply chain, with a greater possibility of using this power to harm rivals and prevent new competition, said Michael A. Carrier, an antitrust scholar at Rutgers Law School-Camden. Carrier said the Republican-led Federal Trade Commission has lately voted to approve similar consolidations but could begin blocking them when Democrats next gain a majority on that panel. However, absent a resignation, Republicans will continue to control the FTC until the fall of 2023. Wall Street liked the deal and what it could mean for corporate profits. AmerisourceBergens coming foray into 13 countries caused its stock to rise more than $8 a share, closing at $106.17, a rise of almost 9%. Illinois-based Walgreens Boots Alliance shares were also up, closing at $43.03, up $1.87 or 4.5%, after the company said it would focus more on its 21,000 stores in the U.S. and 10 other countries. Walgreens stores have been contending with fewer customers and prescriptions during the pandemic. The deal comes two months after AmerisourceBergen agreed to set aside $6.6 billion to settle accusations that the company helped drugmakers and rogue doctors flood the U.S. with opioid painkillers that fed lethal addictions in Philadelphia and across the country. Given that big expense, why does this [deal] make sense, for right now? Steven Valiquette, an analyst at Barclays, asked Collis, in a conference call with investors. We are pursuing this acquisition from a position of strength, Collis insisted. He noted that both companies had been busy during the COVID shutdowns ensuring patients stuck at home got their medicines. The massive opioid settlement cost wiped out the companys profits for last year. Still, the company has plenty of cash coming in, added chief financial officer James F. Cleary. Indeed, company officials said they expect to begin paying down more of AmerisourceBegens debt once the acquisition is complete, and then boost dividend payments to shareholders. AmerisourceBergen, based in Chesterbrook in Chester County, and its rivals McKesson and Cardinal Health Inc., control more than 80% of the U.S. wholesale drug market. They see a profitable future as they sell a new generation of high-priced drug therapies to more patients, and people in growing nations are able to spend more on health care. Plus, COVID-19 restrictions that have kept shoppers off the streets have made the firms digital and automated drug tracking, routing, and shipping technologies more valuable in linking drug companies with customers, Collis told investors. AmerisourceBergen sold $190 billion worth of drugs and other products and services last year, for which it paid drugmakers $185 billion. It spent $3 billion on wages, software, and other expenses, leaving $2 billion in profits from operations. The company employs 22,000 at locations across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and elsewhere, including 1,300 at its Chesterbrook offices and other area sites. It is building a new headquarters in Conshohocken. The deal with United Kingdom-based Alliance excludes its operations in China, Germany, Italy, and other countries that Collis said werent compatible with his companys business model. Indeed, European countries have cut reimbursement rates and made it tough for drug companies to boost profits, noted Glen Santangelo, a drug analyst at Guggenheim Securities. Still, Collis projected savings of $75 million a year by 2025 for AmerisourceBergen as a result of the deal, and similar savings at Walgreens Boots. Questioned by analyst Eric Percher of Nephron Research, AmerisourceBergen officials wouldnt detail what costs would be cut but stressed the opportunity to boost sales. Walgreens Boots Alliance owns 30% of AmerisourceBergen. The deal is a logical step for two companies that have been doing business for years, with AmerisourceBergen providing services to Walgreens Boots stores since 2013, Walgreens outgoing chief executive Stefano Pessina said in a statement. He predicted higher future investments and bigger profits. WASHINGTON - Trump administration officials will auction off oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, capping Republicans' decades-long quest to drill in one of the nation's most vast unspoiled wild places. The move marks one of the most significant environmental rollbacks the president has accomplished in his term. But with low oil prices and an increasing number of banks saying they would not finance Arctic energy projects, major oil companies did not try to buy the leases. That left the state agency, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, as the main bidder. The agency put up all but two of the winning bids, which went to two small energy firms. The sale of 11 tracts on 600,000 acres netted about $14 million, a tiny fraction of what Republicans initially predicted it would yield. Two of the bids were competitive. Interior Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor, who stood before a camera and read the bids out loud as she pulled them out of manila folders, announced at the start of the sale, "Today is truly historic." Noting that many people had spent years working to open the refuge up to drilling, she said, "Thank you for your grit and for your determination." While a 2017 law compels the government to auction another several hundred thousand acres by the end of 2024, the incoming administration may be able to overturn that requirement if Democrats win control of the Senate in the wake of Tuesday's runoff elections in Georgia. A coalition of environmental and conservation groups tried to block the sale on the grounds that the administration had cut corners in crafting the leasing program, but U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason denied their request for a preliminary injunction Tuesday evening. The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management will offer drilling rights to most of the refuge's nearly 1.6 million-acre coastal plain, which attracts hundreds of thousands of migrating caribou and waterfowl each year and provides critical habitat for the Southern Beaufort Sea's remaining polar bears. As sea ice on the Arctic Ocean abutting the refuge shrinks, the bears - threatened with extinction due to climate change - have been forced to spend more time on land. Federal scientists estimate that a third of the bears' maternal dens lie within the area the administration has opened up for energy development. The refuge has become a rallying point for Republicans and environmentalists alike, who have fought for 40 years over whether to tap into the fossil fuels lying beneath it. The government estimates there could be 7.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil on the coastal plain, though seismic surveys have not been conducted since the 1980s. The BLM is in the process of letting the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation conduct seismic tests there this winter. The sale marks the culmination of President Donald Trump's push to expand oil and gas drilling across the country, including in some of its most ecologically-sensitive areas. On Monday the BLM opened up an additional 7 million acres for leasing on the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, home to a critical calving area for tens of thousands of caribou and migratory feeding ground for hundreds of thousands of birds. Trump officials predict that extracting oil from the relatively-pristine refuge, which supports 270 species, will require as many as four airstrips and major well pads, 175 miles of roads, vertical supports for pipelines, a seawater treatment plant and a barge landing and storage site. Drilling operations could last for nearly half-a-century. A number of Alaska Native officials - including those in Kaktovik, which lies within the refuge's boundaries and has surface land rights next to the coastal plain - back energy development on the refuge. The Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, which holds 92,000 acres of subsurface mineral rights, has also backed drilling there. In a federal court hearing on Monday, where several environmental groups unsuccessfully sought a preliminary injunction to halt the lease sale, Tyson Kade - a lawyer for the North Slope Borough and Kaktovik - argued that such a move would cost Alaska Natives living in the region jobs and revenue. "The Court should consider the interests of the people who actually live on the North Slope and the coastal plain," he said. But the Gwich'in people, who have relied for centuries on the Porcupine caribou herd that migrates each year through the refuge, have joined with conservationists in opposing any drilling there. Last month the BLM withdrew nearly 475,000 acres from the auction, citing public concerns about drilling's impact on the caribou herd. Gleason ruled Tuesday the auction could go forward because the Gwich'in and other plaintiffs - including the National Audubon Society and Natural Resources Defense Council "have not established that they are likely to suffer imminent irreparable harm" since drilling is not expected to commence immediately. "We will fight to protect the lands that nourish the Porcupine caribou herd and our people, no matter how long it takes or where it takes us," said Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, in a statement. "This administration steamrolled through a disrespectful, harmful, illegal leasing plan, and we plan to stop it. While that didn't happen today, that day will come." Opponents have also launched a public campaign to deter major financial institutions and energy firms from investing in such a project. America's six largest banks and Canada's five biggest banks have all pledged not to back energy exploration on the refuge. When asked whether Royal Dutch Shell planned to bid, the company's chief executive Ben van Beurden said "Oh, no, no, no." Shell bought leases in the Chukchi Sea off the northwest coast of Alaska in 2008 and spent more than $7 billion only to drill a dry hole in 2015. "We believe that the oil and gas upstream part is a foundational piece of business for us, but we're going to be very selective on where we want to create value," van Beurden said. "And I can tell you at the North Slope or offshore Alaska, it's not going to be part of that." One major bank said it had asked clients with assets in the region whether they planned to bid and they said absolutely not, according to the bank's spokesman, who asked for anonymity to protect business relationships. Anxiety about the possibility that no one would bid on the leases in the refuge prompted former governors Bill Walker and Frank Murkowski to write op-eds urging the state to place bids on the leases so that the state could sell or give the leases to oil companies to keep development moving. On Dec. 23, despite calls to spend the money elsewhere, the AIDA board voted to spend up to $20 million, enough to buy 800,000 acres at the $25 rock bottom minimum price. While Congress projected in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017 that the lease program would raise $1.8 billion in revenue for the federal government, officials now say it will raise half that, and it could be even less. Justice Department lawyer Paul Turcke estimated Monday the sale would generate "many millions of dollars" split evenly between Alaska and the federal government. There has been little competition for leases on the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where companies have operated for years. More than 90% of the leases sold since 2012 received just a single bid. In eight of the past nine years, there was not a single competitive bid on the reserve. President-elect Joe Biden has indicated he opposes any development on the refuge: On Tuesday a senior transition official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he has yet to take office said of the auction "It is just a sham, and a poke in the eye." It remains unclear how much Biden can restrict drilling given the legal mandate to hold another auction by the end of 2024,though Democrats may be able to overturn this provision if they win both of Georgia's Senate seats. Drew Caputo, Earthjustice's vice president of litigation for lands, wildlife and oceans, noted that the Bureau of Land Management is supposed to hold quarterly auctions on its lands but can defer them repeatedly. "The 2017 tax law is way more prescriptive than BLM rules that cover oil and gas lease sales," Caputo said, adding Biden will have "a binding obligation" to conduct a lease sale on the refuge by the end of his first term "unless the law is changed before then. That mandate is not an excuse for other legal violations, like inadequate environmental analysis." There are four separate lawsuits challenging the administration's environmental analysis of the proposed drilling program. Frank Macchiarola, senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs for the American Petroleum Institute, said in an email that the environmental review at issue "confirmed the potential to develop the area safely, and any company that chooses to invest will be held to the world's highest environmental standards." "Our members are laser-focused on continuing safe and environmentally sound energy production, and we will work with the Biden administration to support policies that balance U.S. energy leadership," Macchiarola said. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. 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investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Election bloc format must be workable in some logical sense Attorney: Political persecution against Robert Kocharyan is becoming more noticeable during election campaign Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: We must do everything so that our domestic politics is not dictated by Azerbaijan Armenian acting defense minister meets Russian peacekeeping mission chief Congress predicts US nuclear spending to reach $ 634 billion by 2030 Russian MP: The effectiveness of military cooperation with Armenia depends on Yerevan as well Delimitation now may create some problems in Karabakh negotiation process, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on relations with 3rd President Sargsyan: We go our own way they go their own Judge adjourns hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM for 3 weeks Court hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM 2nd President Kocharyan: Armenia must show that it will not be subjected to such pressures Kocharyan: You may find yourself in stupid situations if you come to negotiations without any baggage Armenia Investigative Committee: Criminal case opened into soldiers death 157 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia EU helps UN World Food Programme provide humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected people in Armenia Yerevan municipal council convenes regular session A council is to request a scheme limiting the speed of vehicles outside schools to 20mph be extended to all schools across Northern Ireland. A proposal to write to the Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, was made at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC) by Alliance councillor Peter Lavery. It was seconded by UUP Alderman Glenn Barr. In September, the Infrastructure Minister announced a pilot scheme that saw a 20mph speed limit introduced at 100 schools across Northern Ireland. Some schools from across the borough have benefited from the scheme, including Armagh CBS, Banbridge Academy and Portadown College. However, with only 100 schools chosen, many others have so far missed out. The issue made its way on to the agenda of the ABC council thanks to a letter from Ards and North Down Borough Council. Mr Lavery said he had sympathy with Ards and North Down Borough Council's position and would like to see the scheme extended to cover more schools in his area. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph Even as Bharat Biotech last week called the restricted emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin a great milestone for India's scientific capability, minutes from a meeting of the subject expert committee set up by the Indias drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organization show that the panel wasnt sure of the efficacy of the vaccine but changed its mind within a day. Reports suggest that the expert panel changed its mind about the vaccine in 24 hours last week. While experts had expressed apprehension, the makers of Covaxin had it out at critics calling it "200% safe". ALSO READ | COVID 19 Vaccine FAQs Released by the Health Ministry in 13 Slides Bharat Biotech chairperson Krishna Ella had told the media, It is easy to target Indian scientists. I had to tell this because some other company has branded my product as safe like water. Some local company in press yesterday said that safety is like water of other companies. Only three companies have done efficacy, and other vaccine is like water. I want to deny that. It hurts us as scientists; we work 24 hours and dont deserve this type of bashing from people. Reports on the u-turn made by the expert panel is likely to raise further questions on the effectiveness of the vaccine. Details from the meeting According to reports the expert panel has said during a meeting on January 1 that while the vaccine demonstrated a strong immune response, data provided by Bharat Biotech wasnt enough. The Indian Express reported the panel as saying efficacy is yet to be demonstrated for the vaccine and asked Bharat biotech to expedite getting volunteers for human trials in phase three. The apprehensions expressed by the committee, the minutes of the meeting show, disappeared by January 2. The Indian Express report says that in a day, the panel said firm has presented the safety and efficacy data from non-human primate challenge study where the vaccine has been found to be safe and effective. While questions were raised on the way in which this u-turn was made, Indian Council of Medical Research Balram Bhargava said that under the Clinical Trial Rules of 2019 there were provisions for emergency approval of vaccines. Hindustan Times quoted him as saying, In a pandemic situation, restricted use is considered based on safety and immunogenicity data while phase three clinical trail is still ongoing. The immunogenicity data generated through phase two clinical trial serves as a surrogate for efficacy. The Clinical Trial Rule, 2019, provides for considering phase two results to guide approval. Now the SEC guides the DCGI in the process of decision making for restricted use under emergency situation. Now we have two vaccines. Critics have, however, questioned this sudden change of decision by the expert panel. Deccan Herald quoted Malini Aisola from the All India Drug Action Network as saying, We are perplexed at the abrupt change in thinking of the SEC from the first two meetings to the third day on which the approval was recommended while apparently discounting the need for efficacy data as the condition of the approval. Experts had questioned Covaxin Even as Covaxin was touted safe, experts had questioned the government's claims that Covaxin could target mutated coronavirus strains. Virologist Shahid Jameel had told PTI, If approval requires both safety and efficacy data for a representative population, phase 2 safety and immunogenicity do not fulfill that criteria that is why we conduct a phase 3. It is the closest you get to a population. Where is that data? Vaccines are not drugs. They are given to healthy people. They are prevention not a treatment. Both safety and efficacy is required," he said. Jameel had questioned the use of the vaccine as a backup, saying, Does this mean that if needed, a vaccine of unproven efficacy would be used?" Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday remained confident farmers unions leaders and the Centre will be able to settle differences regarding the new farm laws, ahead of the next round of discussions to be held on Friday. Both sides had held the seventh round of talks on Monday, which ended in a stalemate after three Union ministers part of the negotiations said it was not possible to commit to a rollback of the legislation without wider consultations with higher authorities. We are committed to the welfare of farmers. We meet those who are supporting the laws and those opposing it. I am sure that farmers unions, who are agitating, will think about the welfare of farmers and actively arrive at a solution, Tomar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Earlier on Wednesday, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court that there are chances that the government and the agitating farmers leaders will come to an agreement. A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and two other judges were hearing petitions against the passage of these bills during the monsoon session last year. The top court urged both the parties to hold discussions and hoped that they could reach an amicable solution. We want to encourage talks. We will keep the matters on Monday and if AG tells us that talks are on, we will adjourn the matter, the bench said. The Supreme Court also pointed out to the government that there has been no breakthrough so far and said that currently, the situation has not improved. Farmers leader Yogendra Yadav had on Tuesday warned that the protests against the three farm laws will intensify if the government continues to disagree with the farmers over their demands. Yadav while speaking to the media said that farmers will take out a tractor march from all protest sites to the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) highway on January 7. Farmer leader Joginder Nain said they have also proposed to take out another tractor march on Republic Day on January 26. We will send 10 tractor-trolleys from every village in Haryana. We request people to come - at least one from a house. And a total of 11 women from a village, Nain was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Farmers are agitating since November last year against the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance, and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. The farmers groups believe that these three laws will affect the procurement under the Minimum Support Price system and allow private and multinational companies to make profits off farmers as it will encourage corporate farming. The government continues to stress that these laws will help farmers to sell their produce at any market, across the country and will introduce a level-playing field which will help farmers double their income. Three recorded conversations will define President Donald Trumps reprehensible reign. Like the Nixon tapes before them, only more so, they confirm that Lord Acton was right to warn that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. First, there was the Access Hollywood tape, which almost derailed Mr Trumps campaign when it was revealed by The Washington Post on October 8, 2016. On it, Mr Trump could be heard bragging that his star power allowed him to sexually assault women with impunity: When youre a star, they let you do it. Next came the transcript, revealed by a whistleblower and released by the White House on September 25, 2019, that led to Mr Trumps impeachment. It records Mr Trump badgering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into fabricating damaging information about Mr Trumps likely opponent, Joe Biden, to receive US military aid. I would like you to do us a favour, Mr Trump said, as if he were a mafia don demanding protection money from a terrified store owner. And now, The Post unveiled the third of the Trump conversations which is even worse than the first two. This time, Mr Trump has been caught trying to steal the presidential election by trying to persuade Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to deliver to him a state that he lost. I just want to find 11,780 votes, Mr Trump implores, while spreading crackpot conspiracy theories about the election and making vague threats of legal action if Mr Raffensperger, a Republican, does not do what he is told. Mr Trump sounds both power-mad and simply mad. It is hard to imagine a greater threat to our constitutional order. From the start, Mr Trumps critics have been warning that he cannot be trusted with the awesome power of the presidency because he will abuse it for his own personal gain. When will the Always Trumpers admit the Never Trumpers were right? The only thing we didnt anticipate and still dont fully understand was the extent of his transgressions. Read More The Trump tapes revealed so far are likely just the tip of a very large iceberg. Mr Trump insisted that his extortionate call with Mr Zelensky was perfect. How many other perfect calls has Mr Trump made over the past four years? In particular, how many other state officials has he dialled over the past two months, demanding that they commit fraud on his behalf? The Biden administration will need to carry out an urgent act of political sanitation. The new president must appoint a special counsel or commission (possibly both) to unearth the myriad offences the Trump administration has committed, recommend reforms and bring the perpetrators to justice or at least subject them to the public ignominy that they deserve. The process must start with Mr Trump but it should not end there. Mr Trumps transgressions have been enabled by his aides and supporters. Participants on the Raffensperger call included White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and outside attorney Cleta Mitchell, while the Zelensky call was heard by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pences national security adviser, Keith Kellogg. Few had the courage to blow the whistle as did Alexander Vindman, who worked on the National Security Council at the time of the Zelensky call. There needs to be accountability for Mr Trumps henchmen and commendations such as the Medal of Freedom for those few, such as Mr Vindman and Mr Raffensperger, who stood up to the most corrupt US president. Perhaps the most consequential and therefore most culpable enablers have been Republican members of Congress. Republicans refused to hold Mr Trump to account for the obstruction of justice and co-operation with Russia documented by special counsel Robert Mueller or the abuse of power evident in Mr Trumps dealings with Ukraine. Now Trump supporters will turn a blind eye to his election fraud scheme in Georgia. Republicans such as former senator David Perdue of Georgia are more upset that the Raffensperger call was leaked than that it took place. Actually its worse than that. Mr Trumps allies in the House and Senate are helping him by trying to toss out electoral votes of states that he lost. More than 100 members of the House and at least a dozen members of the Senate are willing to discard more than two centuries of democracy to maintain this would-be Mussolini in power. Corruption, like the coronavirus, is a virus that can spread rapidly and ravage a country. (Look at Russia or Venezuela.) And it is even harder to root out. WASHINGTON The Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma, was one of the most inhumane policies in American history but it wasnt an isolated incident. In 1831, nearly 16,000 members of the Cherokee Nation were forced under armed guard to leave their native lands in the southeastern United States to trek more than 1,000 miles to what eventually would become the state of Oklahoma. Almost 4,000 Cherokees died along the way, never making it to the land designated by the U.S. government as Indian Territory. Removal of the Choctaw Nation began even earlier, in 1830. Like the Cherokees, they were forced to leave their homes in the South and a way of life developed over millennia to start over in an alien environment on the prairie. But the Cherokee and Choctaw nations are only two of the tribes with a removal story. There are 39 tribes in Oklahoma, five native to the state, that have stories to be told each with its own trail of tears. Long before the 1830s, the federal government believed white people could use the Native lands better than the indigenous inhabitants. This Indian problem motivated settlers to strip Native people of their land and resources, relentlessly pushing tribal members farther west. That pressure often resulted in violent attacks on Native Americans by settlers. If the Indians fought back, whites considered it proof that they were savages. Although the Constitution established sovereign Indian nations with treaty rights, the idea of removing tribes from the Southeast was gaining momentum by the time Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828. After proposing the Indian Removal Act as one of his first pieces of legislation, he became one of the ideas most forceful advocates. Jackson believed that forcing Indigenous people west of the Mississippi River was essential to national security, and he had no qualms about violating existing treaties, according to Jackson biographer Jon Meacham. The Southern states were anxious for more land, especially to grow cotton, and the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole tribes held rich acreage great chunks of which would become modern-day Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, Meacham wrote. Appeals from the tribes that the land was rightfully theirs by treaty fell on deaf ears in Washington. Jackson simply did not believe the Indians had title to the land, and he would not tolerate competing sovereignties in the United States, Meacham said. Opponents of the act said removal was immoral and illegal, but the Senate approved the law in 1830 by a wide margin. The act passed by only four votes in the House and set 1838 as the date for final removal. To those who demanded rights for Indians, Jackson argued that removal would guarantee the survival of the tribes. Instead, the Indian Removal Act launched more than a century of genocide. In 1835, the Jackson administration signed the Treaty of New Echota, supposedly with the Cherokee Nation in Georgia, setting terms for the final removal of the tribe west of the Mississippi River. The treaty had been signed by a small group of Cherokees who historians say did not represent the majority of tribal members. But Jackson insisted they did. The people who signed removal treaties were not actually representative of public sentiment in their nations, said Barbara Mann, who holds a doctorate in English language and literature and has written several books about the Indian Removal Act. That is why such a large number of Indians refused the treaties, to the point of hiding out rather than be rounded up by the government for forced removal. The federal government dispatched thousands of troops to enforce the poorly negotiated treaties. In his farewell address to the nation in 1837, Jackson extolled the removal act. The philanthropist will rejoice that the remnant of that ill-fated race has been at length placed beyond the reach of injury or oppression, and that the paternal care of the General Government will hereafter watch over them and protect them, he said. Rather than protecting the tribes, the military was brutal, and one-fourth of the Cherokees died along the Trail of Tears of disease, starvation, exhaustion and exposure. I fought through the Civil War and have seen men shot to pieces and slaughtered by the thousands, but the Cherokee removal was the cruelest work I ever knew, Meacham quoted one Georgia volunteer as saying years later about the removal. The typical American history book treats the Trail of Tears as an isolated incident, said Kevin Gover, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and former assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior. But in fact, that was the policy of the United States for the better part of 100 years, to remove Indians from their homelands and then sell the land that Indians left behind to non-Indian settlers, said Gover, who is Pawnee and grew up in Oklahoma. Removal was not solely the result of Andrew Jackson behaving in bad faith, Gover said it was a national project. It was something the United States decided to do, and they did it, he said. Its essential in the telling of the story, in order to make it palatable to Americans today, to say, Well, there werent that many Indians, and they were, after all, savages. They werent really using the land, and so it was OK. Mann said removal in the first place was one big, immoral, unethical illegality. The wrongdoings of the federal government did not end after the removal period. The government continued for many years to strip Oklahoma tribes of their land and culture. The Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 was intended to assimilate Native Americans into white society by stripping them of their cultural and social traditions. The act allowed the federal government to further divide tribal land and granted citizenship only to those who were willing to accept the division. For tribes in Oklahoma, the removal stories have not been forgotten. None of the tribes I know want to live in the past, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a member of the Chickasaw Nation. But the best way to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated is to remember them and make sure it never occurs again. As a child, Cole said, he never saw his grandmother carry a $20 bill, which bears the face of Andrew Jackson. I didnt even know who Andrew Jackson was, but I knew he was a bad man, Cole said. Cole is one of four Native Americans in the U.S. House, along with by Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.; Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M.; and Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan. The ramifications of the Trail of Tears persist today, observers say. Tribes are constantly fighting to protect their land, their people, the environment and their water rights, Gover said. Additionally, tribes address challenges that many communities in the United States face, such as opioid addiction, family dysfunction and abuse, he said. Because the United States never kept many of the promises made in the treaties, Mann said, Every nation in the East was the victim of the same predator. The Trail of Tears still has open wounds, making it necessary for treaties to continue to be litigated 180 years later. The Cherokee Nation still is working to uphold provisions of the Treaty of New Echota, the removal treaty, which guaranteed the tribe the right to a representative in Congress. I dont think that it serves anyones interest to forget the shared history that we have the black chapter that we have because we know that Native Americans have experienced plenty of those, said Kimberly Teehee, who the tribe has named as its delegate-designee for that long-promised seat in Congress. A case now before the Supreme Court, Carpenter v. Murphy, could undercut the tribes legal jurisdiction in Oklahoma, as well as legally disestablish reservation boundaries. I would be nervous, were I out in Oklahoma, Mann about the case. This year marked the 50th anniversary of President Richard Nixons speech advocating for Indian self-determination. They kept taking and taking and taking. It was only in the 1970s that the tribes really began to reverse all of that, Gover said. Weve been in what we call a self-determination era only for the last 50 years. Despite these challenges, Cole said, tribes are responsible for much of the economic growth in the state, especially in rural communities. Oklahoma tribes had a $12.9 billion impact on the states economy in 2017, making them one of the top economic drivers, according to a study on Oklahoma Native Impact. Oklahoma tribes support 96,177 jobs in the state, representing $4.6 billion in wages and benefits to Oklahoma workers. While direct employment exceeds 50,000 jobs, tribal investment spurs job growth in many different industries, the report said. If Native communities were to leave Oklahoma, Gover said, many non-Indians who depend on the tribes would suffer. To understand the accomplishments and cultures of tribal nations today requires understanding the merciless removal period, he said. The only thing Im confident about is that the Indians will never give up, Gover said, and they will never stop being Indians. Visualize the diaspora These maps visualize the forced diaspora of the 39 recognized tribes of Oklahoma across centuries. It is intended to indicate locations or areas in or around which a tribe has lived, presently lives, and/or has at some point been significant to that tribes history. Click on any one coordinate to see other coordinates that indicate places associated with a given tribe or select any tribe on the sidebar to see the same effect. Navigate to the other pages in the dashboard to see combinations of present-day tribal land belonging to all U.S. tribes, an approximation of the Trail of Tears, and the coordinates that indicate places tribes have been in the past few centuries. More on this project: They called it the Indian problem. The white settlers wanted more land, and the tribes held rich acreages. Removing tribes from the Southeast was more than just an idea by the time Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828. The Indian Removal Act was among his defining pieces of legislation. Jackson argued that moving tribes west of the Mississippi River would guarantee their survival. Instead it launched an era of genocide. Thousands died during the forced marches to land designated as Indian Territory. For members of the 39 tribes in Oklahoma, the removal stories have not been forgotten. Neither has the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887, intended to assimilate Native Americans into white society by stripping them of their cultural and social traditions. The ramifications persist today. For more, visit the project site. Addison Kliewer, Miranda Mahmud and Sarah Beth Guevara are reporters for Gaylord News, a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Cronkite News has partnered with OU to expand coverage of Indigenous communities. For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org. Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA), the government body set up for cow welfare has announced that it will hold a countrywide online examination on gau vigyan (cow science) on February 25. There will be no fee for the examination. Announcing the first-ever exam of this kind--Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination-RKA Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said this exam will be held annually. We are starting Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination at the national level from February 25, 2021. Cow is full of science that needs to be explored. It plays an important role in 5 trillion economies of the country, he said during a press conference. The exam will be held in 12 regional languages apart from Hindi and English. Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Exam will be an online exam with 100 multi-choice questions in Hindi, English and 12 regional languages. The duration will be one hour and there will be 4 categories, he said. According to an official release of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under which RKA functions, the exam will be conducted in four categories --Primary level up to 8th standard, Secondary level from class 9th to class 12th, College level after 12th+ and fourth category will be for the general public. The Ministry has said that there will be no fee for the examination and the syllabus as well as other literature and reference books on cows, which will be recommended on the website of the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, will help the examinees prepare for the exam. Blogs, videos and other selected reading material will be uploaded on official website. Scientists, entrepreneurs, Gau Sevaks, farmers, youth and women as well as senior citizens will actively work to make this mega event a grand success, the Ministry said. According to the Ministry, the examination will be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. Questions will be set in such a way that during the online exam there will be no scope for any maneuvering. Results will be immediately declared on the website of RKA. Certificates will be given to all. Successful meritorious candidates will be given prizes and certificates afterwards. Appreciation letters will be issued to all those who help in organizing this exam, it said. RKA comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It was set up by the Centre in February 2019, and is aimed at conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. With some high profile releases just around the corner for the Pongal festival, the Tamil Nadu government had on Monday allowed 100 per cent occupancy in cinema halls in the state. The government's decision comes in the wake of actor Vijay meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, who made a request to allow 100 per cent occupancy in the theatres. Vijay's movie "Master" is set for release during Pongal. Master The government had said that the decision was taken as the number of Covid-19 infections was coming down in the state. Concerns raised over opening theatres to full capacity But the move to allow full occupancy in theatres has raised concerns among the medical fraternity in the state. Aravinth Srinivas, a Junior Resident doctor at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, has written an open letter addressed to Vijay, Silambarasan and the Tamil Nadu Government. BCCL I am tired. We are all tired. Thousands of doctors like me are tired. Health care workers are tired. Police officials are tired. Sanitary workers are tired. We have worked so hard at the ground level to make sure the damage done is kept to as low as possible amidst an unprecedented pandemic. I am not glorifying our work for I know there is nothing so great about it to the onlookers eyes. We dont have cameras in front of us. We dont do stunt sequences. We arent heroes. But we deserve some time to breath. We dont want to fall prey to someones selfishness and greed. The pandemic isnt over and we have people dying till today to the disease. A hundred percent theatre occupancy is a suicide attempt. Rather homicide , for none of the policy makers or the so called heroes are going to put themselves under the pump, to watch the movie amidst the crowd. This is a blatant barter system, trading lives for money. Can we please slowly try and concentrate on our lives and make sure we tide through this pandemic peacefully and not reignite the slowly burning out flame, that is still not completely put out? I wanted to make this post scientific and explain why we are still in danger. But thats when I asked myself, whats the point? Yours tiredly A poor, tired resident doctor Dear Actor Vijay sir, Silambarasan sir and the respected Govt. of TamilNadu, I am tired. We are all tired. Thousands... Posted by Aravinth Srinivas on Monday, 4 January, 2021 He found support from many from the medical profession and film industry. India: Cinema theaters are poorly ventilated, indoor, crowded, prolonged exposure settings. I cringe at the thought of opening theaters without complete control over the viral spread. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. https://t.co/MhPcziMWgo Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) January 5, 2021 This is so, so very sad pic.twitter.com/KuHj8KpBbV Karthik (@beastoftraal) January 5, 2021 With all due respect, I certainly worry- not about me but my fellow people. I wish everyone's health. Even those who stay home will be affected by those dont. And what about our poor healthcare workers, security etc? Even 5star hoteIs become Hotspots, what of a packed cinema ? https://t.co/MQbAbdVcBk Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) January 4, 2021 Cinemas, theatres and multiplexes in Tamil Nadu had been open since November 10 with 50% seating capacity. The cost of one dose of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine produced by the Sinovac Biotech Chinese company will be UAH 504, this cost is set for most countries of the world, the Health Ministry said on its website with reference to head of the department Maksym Stepanov. "Ukraine signed the first contract with Sinovac Biotech. The price at which Ukraine buys one dose of vaccine from this manufacturer is UAH 504. This cost of vaccines against COVID-19 of this company is set for the vast majority of countries, and is acceptable," he said. The minister also said he does not yet have the right to announce the cost of vaccines from other manufacturers. "I can assure that they are approximately in the price range at which the whole world buys them," Stepanov said. On December 30, 2020, Ukraine signed a contract for the supply of 1.913 million doses of vaccine against COVID-19 produced by Chinese Sinovac Biotech. At least 36,000 Bexar County residents have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Right now, only two groups are eligible for the vaccine in Texas: >> Health care workers, emergency responders, and residents and staff of long-term care homes >> Anyone who is pregnant, age 65 and older, and anyone over the age of 16 with a preexisting condition that could make COVID-19 more dangerous Vaccine distribution, key to ending the pandemic, has caused frustration and confusion thus far in Texas. To help streamline the process, the Texas Hospital Association issued a set of "dos and don'ts" for accessing the vaccine on Tuesday. On ExpressNews.com: FAQ: When and where Texans can get the COVID vaccine First, the association recommends doing your research by checking with your doctor, local hospital, or local health department's website for details about vaccine availability. The Texas Department of State Health Services explains who is eligible to receive a vaccine. About 60 percent of Bexar County's population falls into the second category of people eligible for the vaccine. So far, the state has distributed only about 90,00 doses to the area. The hospitals advise Texans to be patient and understand some regions may have available doses while others may not. "Know that vaccines are only available in limited quantities and that vaccinations for certain populations, especially health care providers and first responders, take precedence," the association said in a statement. As for what not to do, the association says Texans should not "just show up" at their health care provider's office seeking the vaccine. Nor should they assume their local provider has the vaccine available or that they can be vaccinated right away. The THA notes that hospitals are battling record-breaking COVID-19 hospitalizations Bexar County had 1,318 patients with the virus Tuesday as staffers work to distribute the vaccine. "Were in this together, and were asking folks to be mindful of an organized approach," said Ted Shaw, the association's president. "Health care workers are moving as fast as possible to get shots in arms." The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The tiny island nation of Palau could be one of the first countries to vaccinate nearly its entire population against the coronavirus. If it succeeds, it will have Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. vaccine development and distribution plan, to thank. Palau is spread across hundreds of islands in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 500 miles east of the Philippines. The nation's isolation has substantial downsides, but it has served as a shield during the coronavirus pandemic: Palau has not recorded a single case of covid-19, the illness caused by the virus. This week, after receiving 2,800 doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine through the U.S. program on Saturday, the country swiftly began a mass vaccination plan for its population of 18,000. Palauan President-elect Surangel Whipps said in a message Tuesday that the country may be the first country to complete its vaccination program if everything goes according to plan. He attributed this to the country's small size and the aid of the U.S. government. "The arrival of the vaccine gives us hope," he said. "We are doing everything to support our Ministry of Health in the rollout of the vaccine." Under the guidelines published by the Ministry of Health on Saturday, health care workers and other front-line workers are first in line, followed by those 75 and over and people with underlying medical conditions. The Moderna vaccine required two doses delivered 28 days apart. While the United States struggles with its own distribution issues, the hope in Palau is to have the vast majority of the country's adult population covered in the next few months. Palau's small size means that even small supplies of the vaccine can go a long way. As he received his first dose of the vaccine on Monday, Palauan President Tommy Remengesau Jr. thanked the United States. "We are small so there's always that apprehension that maybe we would be the last in line," he told the Island Times. "But now that it's here and now that we see eventually 80 percent of the people can get vaccinated, I am very fortunate and excited." Palau's Ministry of Health said last month that it hoped nearly all of the population could be vaccinated by April, though Palauan Ambassador to the United States Hersey Kyota said Tuesday that the plan was contingent on how fast it could get doses from the United States. That time frame could make Palau one of the first countries to be almost fully vaccinated. Israel, which has rolled out an ambitious plan with a goal of 150,000 vaccinations a day, is on a similar schedule, while the Vatican, the smallest country, is hoping to vaccinate most residents this month. At its current pace of vaccination, some experts believe that the United States will not reach that state until late 2021 or even 2022. And some poor countries could be left waiting until 2024 to reach their entire populations. Palau's place in Operation Warp Speed comes from its long-standing ties with the United States. After World War II, the United States administered the countries and some of its neighbors as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific islands. The country voted to become independent in 1994 but retained significant connections to Washington. Those ties have not weakened. In September, Palau's government suggested that the country could host a U.S. military facility. Palau, along with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, received funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (Cares) Act passed in March. Under Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration's ambitious response to the novel coronavirus, hundreds of millions of doses of vaccines are due to be distributed in the United States. The Trump administration did not join Covax, a World Health Organization-backed plan to share vaccines with low- and middle-income nations. But a small fraction of the doses in Operation Warp Speed will go to U.S. territories such as American Samoa and Guam, and to the freely associated states of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. The small size of Pacific Island nations has proven a blessing and a curse during the pandemic. Although they were able, for the most part, to shut their borders to keep the virus out, they lacked the public health infrastructure to deal with a large-scale outbreak should one occur. Palau did not originally have the resources to store and administer the first U.S.-approved vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, as it required storage at ultracold temperatures as low as minus-80 degrees Celsius. The Moderna vaccine can be stored at refrigerator temperatures. Small populations can confer logistical advantages. And the country is lucky that it already has strong vaccination programs, with almost all children receiving vaccines as a condition for schooling, Whipps told The Washington Post in an interview last month The country did not see the vaccine hesitancy reported in other countries, including the Pacific Island nation Samoa that saw a measles outbreak in which more than 80 people died in 2019. "Even in the U.S., you know, you hear about the (anti-vaccination) protests," Whipps said. "But here I think we're more open to vaccines. We're used to it."" If Palau does achieve mass vaccination, it may ease some pandemic-related economic strain. Border closures and other restrictions have decimated the travel industry and plunged the country into a recession. The Asian Development Bank has estimated that Palau's economy shrank by 9.5 percent in 2020 and that it could decline another 12.8 percent this year - a far greater economic decline than seen in the United States, the country with the largest coronavirus outbreak. Whipps, who will take presidential office this month, told The Post that the pandemic had forced the government to take on huge debt that would take years to pay back. But the possibility of mass vaccination has brought hope for better times ahead. "It will be a good example of how to get it done," Whipps said. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 86F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Female lawmakers with the main opposition People Power Party hold a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday, to call for the resignation of Rep. Nam In-soon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea over allegations that she leaked information on a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon last July. Yonhap By Jung Da-min A women's rights activist-turned-lawmaker with the ruling party has come under fire for allegedly leaking information on the planned sexual harassment lawsuit against former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon to an official at Park's office last July. Park, learning in advance that he might face a lawsuit over the sexual harassment allegations, committed suicide the day after he received the information from the official. According to the prosecution's investigative findings announced late last month, the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center received a help request from the lawyer of the victim, and the center consulted with another organization, the Korean Women's Associations United. Then Kim Young-soon, the standing representative of the association, made a phone call to Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and warned her that a sexual harassment case might be raised against Park. Nam then called the Seoul mayor's special adviser for gender issues, who then asked Park about the allegation. According to the prosecution, it only took two minutes for Nam to make the phone call to Park's adviser after she heard the allegation from Kim. Following the prosecution's announcement, Kim resigned from multiple advisory posts with government agencies. But Nam, after keeping silent for six days despite mounting calls for her to explain her actions, denied allegations that she leaked the information, in a written statement to reporters on Tuesday. "Since the announcement of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office on Dec. 30, there have been media reports that I leaked information of the lawsuit but I did not know about the lawsuit in advance and I did not leak anything," Nam said. But Nam acknowledged that she made a phone call to the mayor's special adviser. "I said there were some disgraceful rumors about Park and asked if the adviser knew what was going on," Nam said. The opposition bloc harshly criticized Nam. Female lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) issued a statement on Wednesday to condemn Nam and called for her resignation. "Rep. Nam was worried about the perpetrator, not the victim of the sexual harassment. Rep. Nam has proclaimed herself to be a 'godmother of women's rights' but stood on the side of the perpetrator of sexual harassment that emerged out of hierarchical power relations," the statement read. "Rep. Nam In-soon is an accomplice of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's sexual harassment and therefore is no longer entitled to represent the people." Minor opposition Justice Party spokeswoman Jo Hye-min said Nam was aware that there was a victim and she told the special adviser of the fact, which itself was the leak. "Does Rep. Nam really not know what this process implies to the victim and late Mayor Park Won-soon? Nam trampled on the request for help and gave the perpetrator an opportunity to flee," Jo said. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Fort Covington, N.Y. -- A 35-year-old Hogansburg man has been accused of leading police on a car chase and of having drugs in the car, according to New York State Police. Abraham T. Gray was found with various pills, cocaine and drug paraphernalia, state police said. He was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal mischief and unlawfully fleeing a police officer. On Saturday at 7:55 p.m., troopers tried to stop a car for driving 46 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone on State Route 37, police said. The car, driven by Gray, did not stop and sped up, according to police. The car being driven by Gray eventually turned north onto Mary Riley Road and then onto Burns Holden Road, where it ran into a state police car, police said. Gray was arrested, arraigned and released, according to police. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Some traders at Makola Market were hopeful that business activities will pick up on Christmas day. It was rather the contrary. According to them, most people were buying the usual stuff that they use to buy, hence there was no difference in the sales that they were making. Naa Mary Brocke, a dealer in Wax Print told the GNA that business was slow; looking at how people patronize wax prints during the festive occasions. She said in previous years, people came to shop for wax print and around this time, there would be a lot of them crowded in the shop, but the number has reduced. She said those, who even pass through the shop complain there was no money, because the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their work. Naa Brocke was quick to add that even though there were a number of marriages that occur this year, where cloths were part of the dowry, preparations were made ahead. Madam Georgina Mensah, who also sells Wooden Products said this years patronage of her goods was bad, adding that even salaried workers were also complaining. She said people had also resorted to buying already made clothes rather than buying and sewing cloths. Madam Veronica Ansah, a trader, who sells already made clothes said, business was okay, because people nowadays prefer to buy her product rather than going to buy cloths to sew. She expressed the hope that more people would patronage her goods to enable her get money to pay school fees, if eventually the schools reopened. Some of the traders said though some of the prices of clothes and shoes had been maintained and in some cases decreased to attract more buyers, there had still not been any improvement in the sales. Ms Patience Kumah, who sells local spices, said business was not bad but was expecting it to pick up by the New Year. She said, in previous years, people used to buy different types of spices to the tune of about GHC50 or more to go and blend them at the local blending shops within the market but now most of the people who were buying the spices were buying in smaller quantities. Mr Moses Amoah, a phone dealer at Kwame Nkrumah Circle told the GNA that patronage for phones and its accessories were low, indicating that it was difficult to even sell the product. He said people were good at just doing window shopping without purchasing anything. During the last days to Christmas, the GNA observed that there were a lot of people in town doing window shopping but not actually buying. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Federal prosecutors are pursuing charges against three men accused in a string of violent robberies and the 2016 killing of a Milwaukie drug dealer who was shot repeatedly while hiding in his homes bathroom from armed intruders, according to court records. Keith Byron Woody Jr., 28, Keandre Dshawn Lamarcus Brown, 23, and John Joseph Nirschl, 41, are now charged with causing the Sept. 5, 2016, death of Philip Anthony Gatto Jr. through the use of guns, a federal offense that could bring the death penalty, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. The three face pending murder charges in Clackamas County in the killing, but the state case is likely to be dropped in place of the unusual federal prosecution. The men have all entered not guilty pleas to the federal indictment. Woody and Brown appeared in court this week, and Nirschl appeared on Thursday. Gatto -- identified by state prosecutors as a 62-year-old cocaine dealer -- was fatally shot at his home at 9545 S.E. 42nd Ave. in Milwaukie in a drug-related robbery, police said. When Gatto wouldnt come to the door, the men are accused of breaking out a glass door and bursting inside. At least two of the men, Woody and Brown, fired 18 gunshots through the door of the bathroom where Gatto hid and was calling 911 for help, Milwaukie police Detective Anthony Cereghino wrote in a court affidavit. The victim used his body weight to keep the thin wood bathroom door shut. He frantically called 911 while the others could be heard yelling in the house, Cereghino wrote in the affidavit filed in the state murder case. The victim was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher when he was struck by approximately a dozen bullets.' Gatto was hit 11 times and was found dead on the bathroom floor, the affidavit said. One man fired a Tech 9 and the other a .40-caliber handgun, according to the detective. From left to right, John Joseph Nirschl, 41, Keith Byron Woody Jr., 28, and Keandre Dshawn Lamarcus Brown, 23, are now charged with causing the Sept. 5, 2016, death of Philip Anthony Gatto Jr., a federal offense that could bring the death penalty, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. The three suspects had arrived in two different cars, a white Mercedes and a green Mercedes, and returned to a Portland home on Southeast Harold Street, where they discussed the killing, the affidavit said. Woody, while snorting cocaine on the victims stolen license, boasted that he had wanted to kill someone before his Sept. 8 birthday and that he had pushed Gattos bathroom door open after the hail of gunfire and shot Gattos slumped body once more just to make sure he was dead, the affidavit said. The men stole cash and liquid codeine from Gatto, according to court records. Other defendants in addition to Woody, Brown and Nirschl are accused in Gattos murder in the state case. Its unclear if theyll also face federal indictment. The indictment contains some redactions. The federal indictment accuses Woody, Brown and Nirschl of conspiring to interfere with commerce by threats or violence in a series of strong-armed robberies in Portland from August through October 2016. It also charges them with multiple counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and interfering with commerce through violence and threats. The indictment lists an Aug. 2, 2016, robbery of employees and customers of Paulsens Pharmacy on Northeast Sandy Boulevard where drugs, cash, wallets, credit cards and phones were taken; similar robberies on Aug. 13 at Fairleys Pharmacy on Northeast Sandy Boulevard and Aug. 31 at Lighthouse Deli on Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard; a Sept. 12 robbery of cash from an employee at the Chestnut Tree Inn on Southeast Stark Street; an Oct. 9 robbery of cash and cigarettes from an employee and juvenile at the Milwaukie Market at 4401 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.; and Oct. 18 robberies of employees and a customer at the Plaid Pantry on Northeast Sandy Boulevard and of an employee at the Red Roof Inn on Northeast 82nd Avenue. At least one other federal defendant shared with authorities information on the mens alleged ties to the Milwaukie homicide in exchange for a cooperation agreement on an unrelated pending firearms prosecution, records show. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Subscribe to Facebook page Auburn, IN (46706) Today Rain this morning. A slight risk of a thunderstorm for the afternoon. High 78F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 49F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. On Monday, January 4, several hours before the unexpected verdict in Britain that Julian Assange should not be extradited to the United States, his supporters gathered in New Zealand to show their solidarity with the WikiLeaks founder. Although Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Assange should not be extradited because of the grave risk to his mental health, the journalist and publisher remains in the maximum security Belmarsh Prison, in appalling conditions that amount to arbitrary detention and torture. The prison has also been hit by a potentially deadly outbreak of coronavirus. Protest in Wellington demanding freedom for Julian Assange, January 4, 2021 The US government will appeal against the verdict, further dragging out the judicial travesty. The Democrats and Republicans have relentlessly persecuted Assange, accusing him of espionage for publishing documents in 2010 supplied by whistleblower Chelsea Manning, that exposed the brutal reality of the criminal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Free Assange NZ organised a rally on the waterfront in Wellington. The groups spokesperson, Alex Hills, pointed to the growing support for Assange, both internationally and in New Zealand. The network #Candles4Assange promoted 30 protests over the weekend in 12 different countries, including Canada, Britain, the US, Australia, Brazil and Germany. Hills told the Wellington gathering: If you want to protect your childrens free press, if you want them to be able to hold their governments to account in the future, you have to support this. She denounced New Zealands Labour Party-Greens coalition government led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for its refusal to say or do anything in defence of Assanges basic human rights. New Zealand is a US ally and successive governments sent troops to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group (NZ), addressing the protest Leading Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) member Tom Peters also addressed the protest, saying: Julian Assange is a political prisoner and he is a class war prisoner The Assange case is a litmus test for any organisation and any person claiming to support freedom of the press, democratic rights and opposition to war. Peters denounced the psychological and physical torture Assange has endured. He quoted statements from Assanges partner and the mother of his children, Stella Moris, highlighting the blatantly political and unlawful character of Assanges extradition trial, including the fact that he and his lawyers were spied on by the CIA. The SEG speaker warned: It is worse than useless to put our faith in Joe Biden, or Donald Trump, or any of the US-allied governments around the world, including New Zealand. They all hate WikiLeaks, they all defend war criminals, they all serve the interests of big business. He continued: The working class, the vast majority of the worlds population, must be mobilised. What is at stake in this case is freedom of speech itself and the right of ordinary people to know the truth about wars, about crimes against humanity, about the domination of politics by big business. World War I and World War II were accompanied by mass censorship of information, including the persecution of those who exposed the predatory aims and crimes of all the governments involved. The same process is happening again as the United States is ramping up its threats against Iran and China. The exposures by WikiLeaks are an essential contribution to the fight for an equal society, and for a world without war and without exploitation. The WSWS spoke with some of those attending the event. Chelsea said that learning about the persecution of Assange was the saddest thing that Ive ever experienced. Im so proud of what hes done but the worlds too silent about whats happening with him. She praised WikiLeaks revelations, saying the most important was the Collateral Murder video, leaked by whistleblower Chelsea Manning, showing the murder of civilians and journalists in Iraq by US forces. The way that people can just shoot down people and laugh about it, saddens me greatly. Journalists are being shut down, theyre disappearing. Its scary, so people arent going to keep doing it because they are afraid of losing their lives. Chelsea Chelsea hoped Assange would not be extradited. That would be the most fearful thing for me and everybody else backing him. Hes got a family, hes got kids and a partner. People need to stand up for him. She said most people she had spoken to about the case thought WikiLeaks had done amazing work, but the media blacks everything out, no one knows enough. Anna, who is from Britain, said Assange was a freedom fighter who had exposed Americas war crimes. Theyre trying to cover it up, theyre trying to crush him, and it cannot be allowed. Im from England, which Im not very proud about, to be honest. I think their legal system is a joke, theyre just as corrupt as America. I hope enough pressure is on the UK that theyll make the right decision. Anna explained that the indictment against Assange under the US Espionage Act had no legal basis, given that Assange was not a US citizen. I dont know why its even being entertained. She mentioned that there were very valid reasons why Emma Arbuthnot shouldnt have been the judge, which have been ignored. It just shows the corruption again. Arbuthnots husband is a Conservative member of the House of Lords with ties to the British armed forces exposed by WikiLeaks. Anna denounced the outrageous conduct of the trial and mistreatment of Assange. Im sure its not just Assange, hes not the only prisoner who suffers. But I think theres a definite operation in place to psychologically destroy him. The whole court case proceedings were ridiculous, the way Amnesty International was kept out of it, the way he was kept in that little glass box, the way the technology kept going faulty. The whole things been a farce. The hit production of Martin Sherman's Rose starring Maureen Lipman will be shown on Sky Arts later this month. Presented on Wednesday 27 January (Holocaust Memorial Day) at 10pm, the piece is directed by Scott Le Crass (Kicked in the Sh*tter). Sherman's play, which first premiered at the National Theatre in 1999 where it was performed by Olympia Dukakis, follows Jewish woman Rose as she begins her life in a 1920s Russian village. Over time she travels across the globe, visiting the likes of Warsaw, Atlantic City, Arizona and Miami. The production will also then be available on BroadwayHD for virtual subscribers. Produced by Thomas Hopkins and Michael Quinn of Ginger Quiff Media, Hope Mill Theatre and Guy Chapman, the piece has music by David Cullen and video by Xylo Films. It was initial recorded across summer 2020 with lockdown restrictions in place. Hopkins said: "We're thrilled to bring Rose back, fittingly on Holocaust Memorial Day, which serves as a timely reminder of the plight of a generation.Maureen Lipman embodies the story, and we can't wait for a wider audience to experience this tour de force' performance on both Sky Arts and BroadwayHD." The clerical and documentation burden on physicians has overtaken the healthcare industry. ScribeLink offers a groundbreaking solution based on four years of research, development, and testing. KiwiTech, LLC, a growing ecosystem that helps startups build viable products, drive traction and raise capital, announced a strategic partnership with ScribeLink, a healthcare initiative for real-time physician documentation and point of care audio-video communication. We are excited to partner with ScribeLink, said Rakesh Gupta, Founder and CEO of KiwiTech. We have always been avidly committed to supporting innovations that aspire to improve quality of life. Were certain that our strong startup investor network and expertise in the advanced use of technology will greatly assist ScribeLink in realizing its goals. The clerical and documentation burden on physicians has overtaken the healthcare industry. ScribeLink offers a groundbreaking solution based on four years of research, development, and testing, said Vik Moharir, MD & CEO of ScribeLink. We are thrilled to join hands with KiwiTech and believe that this alliance will help resolve our tech challenges, as well as provide us with growth and networking opportunities. About ScribeLink ScribeLink is a breakthrough approach for real-time physician documentation and point of care audio-video communication. Developed by a team of engineers and doctors working side by side, ScribeLink provides a revolutionary solution to address a major crisis in healthcare physician clerical burden. ScribeLink shares the goals to improve physician efficiency, reduce burnout of doctors, and make patients happier. For further information, visit https://www.scribelink.com/ About KiwiTech Over the last decade, KiwiTech has led innovation across multiple verticals scaling businesses in the tech space. KiwiTech intimately understands the challenges faced by new founders, aspiring unicorns and established leaders and works closely with them to realize their passion and purpose. Through its extensive relationships and expertise, KiwiTech brings a perspective that helps strategically connect technology creators with technology consumers. KiwiTech is an ecosystem of proactive investors and advisors who are passionate about building technology, supporting entrepreneurship, and helping companies realize their maximum potential. For further information, visit https://www.kiwitech.com/ The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Group's Alipay, the White House said, escalating tensions with Beijing before President-elect Joe Biden takes office this month. The order, first reported by Reuters, tasks the US Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive and targets Tencent Holdings' QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay as well. Alipay is one of the latest applications targeted by the White House. Credit:Bloomberg The move is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, a senior official told Reuters. A US Tencent spokeswoman did not immediately comment. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Here's a glimpse at the aftermath of a recent inner suburban standoff as this embattled suburb copes with rising crime and a seemingly emboldened criminal (suspect) class. Check-it . . . Fox4: Grandview man charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting victim before standoff with police Highlights from the story . . . The victim told police that she saw Clinton Everhart shoot a person inside of a vehicle they were all in, in Kansas City. She said that Everhart and another male suspect were still in the vehicle and she was thrown to the floor and tied up with zip ties. She said that Everhart drove the other man to Independence and dropped him off before driving her a home in Grandview and removing the zip ties. Once inside the home, Everhart allegedly injected the victim with drugs, made her undress, tied her up again and sexually assaulted her. The victim took the shooting weapon with her when she contacted officers, according to court documents. The victim told police that Everhart was still inside and had an AR15 rifle with a silencer, scope and heated sensor. She also told police that the residence was equipped with cameras. According to court documents, the victim had marks on her wrists that were consistent with being bound. Grandview police arrived at the residence and two men and a woman exited. They said that another man was still inside the house with the suspect. When the suspect didnt respond to negotiators, the SWAT team got a search warrant and entered the home, finding him hiding in the crawl space with a rifle. Everhart was arrested and taken to the hospital because he appeared to be under the influence of drugs. When police searched the home, they found drugs, drug paraphernalia, firearms, zip ties and pieces of rope, court records say. Developing . . . Pennsylvania House Democrats didnt get some of the goals they had hoped. They didnt get proportionate representation on committees, a guaranteed floor vote on any bill that reaches a certain level of bipartisan co-sponsorship, or even a promise that House leaders will crack down harder on members who dont wear masks on the floor, in defiance of existing House rules. But they did get a restoration of their right to full remote participation in House committee and floor debates going forward. And that, for the Democratic leaders, was a significant enough step to warrant setting aside about a dozen other Democrat-sponsored good government rules reforms at the start of the 2021-22 legislative session in a world where majority rules have long been the operative terms, especially when it comes to the chambers operating rules. On Tuesday, 202 House members were sworn in at the start of the 2021-22 session. The death last week of Rep. Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland County, leaves one seat vacant. Throughout the last nine months of 2020, as the legislature struggled to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, Pennsylvania state House members were able to cast votes remotely. But there was no provision, as in the state Senate, for full participation in committee meetings or floor debates by members attending remotely. That was a problem for the Democrats, who tended to work from home in higher numbers than the Republicans, in large part, they said, because of the larger number of Republican members who tend to show up for session days in person, without masks. So making sure her members can be heard from afar was really the days top priority, said House Minority Leader JoAnna McClinton, D-Philadelphia. McClinton, in an interview after Tuesdays swearing-in session, noted House Republicans refusal to wear masks - by some counts, there were about a dozen members who spent large amounts of time unmasked on the House floor Tuesday - and the GOP leaderships failure to hold accountable those who dont, puts our staff and certainly our members at risk. Members observed uncovered on the floor Tuesday when this reporter was in the chamber included Reps. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Clinton, Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin County, and Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler. The Democrats response throughout last year has been to try to operate with as few members and staff on the floor as possible. So, McClinton said Tuesday, the guarantee that her members are at least restored to the level of participation in debates that they would have had pre-pandemic is a big deal. It will make a significant change in the way we can be impactful, while also being safe, McClinton said. The 50-member state Senate has had full remote participation for all members since the state of the pandemic. Republican House leaders, for their part, said Tuesday theyve been held back on on doing the same in part by the comparative size of their 203-member chamber and the peculiarities of the Capitol building. After discussion today, and them emphasizing that thats an important issue to their members, we are going to proceed with that, said Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre County. Benninghoff said under current plans, as many as six House-controlled rooms, including the main chambers, may get retrofitted for full virtual participation. As for the masking? The House rules, as imposed by the chambers Bipartisan Management Committee that oversees most operational functions of the chamber, require masks to get into the chamber, and to wear them with exceptions for when members are speaking, eating or drinking. But enforcement has been a problem. At the end of the day our members, Republican and Democrat, have the right to be on the floor by the Constitution, and we cannot prohibit them from being on the floor. Sadly, theres a few that choose not to do that (wear face coverings), Benninghoff said. House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County, asserted that he has seen members from both parties flout the masking rule. It is a bipartisan issue that we continue to address and discuss, Cutler said. McClinton, late Tuesday, offered her suggestion. She said she would like the Speaker to refuse recognition to members who are not in compliance, as the tradition has been for members out of compliance with the dress code. She also said Democrats will continue to look for other opportunities to modify the rules going forward, but she also acknowledged that while holding 90 votes to the Republicans 112, if we cant negotiate it, it cant get done. The slightly-modified House rules passed 142-54 Tuesday, with no floor debate. The Senate also passed its operating rules Tuesday on a 31-18, tracking close to party lines. But first, several Democratic members criticized the majority Republicans for effectively shutting them out of the final drafting process. Sen. Katie Muth, D-Montgomery County, offered a resolution containing a set of Democrat-sponsored rules including longer waiting/study periods before certain votes, guaranteed action on bills that have hit a certain threshold of bipartisan co-sponsorship, and requiring a two-thirds majority to cut off debate. Muths resolution was referred to the Senate Rules Committee where it wold be called up only if the Republican majority wants to, but she and colleague Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny County, said in a release late Tuesday they will reintroduce several of the proposals as standalone legislation. The rules we adopted are nowhere near the operating rules in other states, said Williams. Instead, the rules in this chamber are drafted to benefit those in the majority party. Im routinely asked by constituents why legislation that they support isnt moving. The reality is that the current rules maintain the status quo of concentrating power in the hands of a few. Alabama teachers will likely receive the COVID-19 vaccinations in the coming months, officials said. Teachers, both public and private, education staff and childcare workers are in the 1B group, putting them just behind frontline healthcare workers and residents and staff of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Teachers fall into the category with people 75 and older; people who live in group settings, including homeless shelters, group homes, prison or jails; and first responders, including firefighters and law enforcement. Also in the category with teachers are corrections officers; food and agriculture workers; U.S. Postal workers; and manufacturing, grocery store and public transit workers. You can see the plan here. Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey told AL.com that educator vaccinations could begin as early as January though February is a more realistic target. The state has been slow in its rollout of vaccinations, with about 20% of its allotment administered by the end of last week. The logistics of how teachers would receive the vaccine have not been determined and the Alabama Department of Public Health has not announced timelines on when it will move from one phase to another. In a statement, ADPH said as of Jan. 4 it has administered 42,810 vaccine doses out of its initial allotment of 226,250. Initially there were only 15 entities able to offer vaccinations due to the ultra cold storage required by the Pfizer vaccine. County health departments are now on board as vaccinators and ADPH said it expects numbers to increase in the coming weeks. Some counties are moving ahead with teacher vaccinations now. Etowah County announced this week it was moving forward with Phase 1b, which includes teacher vaccinations. Initially, the vaccinations are being offered educators who are higher risk due to age or pre-existing conditions. For teachers, what were asking right now, because we have such a drastically low amount of vaccine, is school nurses, and teachers, or support staff who have a comorbidity or weakened immune system (get vaccinated Thursday,) and then within three to four weeks, we can complete the rest of the teachers, Etowah County Emergency Management Agency Director Deborah Gaither said. Eir has acquired the Dublin-based Evros Technology Group in a deal worth up to 80m. The 80m price tag is subject to the future business performance of Evros, according to a statement from the two firms. Last year, Evros had revenue of 91m and earnings before tax of 9.1m. The 30-year-old firm has over 450 employees and contractors working from offices in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Auckland. Evros is an IT services and infrastructure firm that installs hardware and software from brands such as Dell, Microsoft, HP and VMWare. It has a number of trading subsidiaries, including Digital Planet, itContracting, Comsys, eSource and mySoftware.ie. Read More Eir acquired the Dublin firm to become more of a one-stop shop for IT and telecom services, it says. Connectivity, security and digital transformation have become crucial considerations for Irish businesses in recent years, even more so during the pandemic, said Martin Wells, managing director of Eir Business. With this deal, Eir Business can provide technological solutions to address these strategic concerns. This transaction creates Irelands largest Tier 1 telecoms and ICT provider and the combined business will be a one-stop shop for Irelands SME, enterprise and government organisations. He said that the newly merged entity will provide telecommunications and IT services including 5G mobility solutions, security, managed services, cloud and IT contracting. Davy Corporate Finance acted as advisor to Eir, while Arthur Cox and EY acted as legal and financial advisors to Eir. Evros Technology Group was advised by Fieldfisher and Grant Thornton. The transaction is subject to Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CPCC) clearance. The new entity will create huge opportunities for our client base and our staff as we develop the natural synergies between the two companies to deliver what will be an unrivalled communications and IT services portfolio into the Irish marketplace, said Brian Larkin, managing director of Evros Technology Group. The current Evros Technology Group is the result of a 2008 merger between Evros The Computer Centre and Hibernia Technology Group. Longstanding executives include chairman Bob Murray, formerly of Hibernia, and Caroline Godsil, former managing director of Evros The Computer Centre. This is another important step in our ambitious investment strategy for Ireland, said Carolan Lennon, CEO of Eir. Dalai Lama urges people to come together in fight against COVID-19 Revoke 100% occupancy in theatres move: Centre tells Tamil Nadu India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 06: The Union home ministry on Wednesday told the Tamil Nadu government that hundred per cent occupancy in movie theatres cannot be allowed yet. "Government of Tamil Nadu order of permitting increase the seating capacity of Cinema/theaters/ multiplexes from existing 50% to 100% is dilution of MHA order. States and UT shall not dilute guidelines issued under DM act in any manner," the letter read. "In view of the above, the GoTN (Government of Tamil Nadu) is requested to immediately issue necessary order to bring their guidelines in line with the MHA guidelines dated 28th December 2020 and inform compliance to this ministry," the letter read. The Tamil Nadu government's move permitting 100 per cent seating capacity in cinema theatres received a mix response. While many in the Kollywood industry have welcomed the move, many others have condemned the decision as "irresponsible". The relaxation comes after owners of cinema halls appealed to the government to allow them to screen films with full seating capacity. Prior to this, cinema halls were allowed to function with 50 percent seating capacity. However, a big chunk of cinema theatres had been shut though the government allowed resumption of screening of films after the coronavirus-induced lockdown while many movie halls that are already open too witnessed less number of footfalls. In its order on Monday, the government said messages on precautionary measures to avoid the virus spread shall also be screened during the show time in cinema theatres to create awareness among the public. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 19:44 [IST] Traditional markets and groceries still hold the largest share of the consumer retail market, but new business models are scrambling for a piece of the pie. As early as five years ago, The Gioi Di Dong (Mobile World), a success story in Vietnam and the region, decided to jump into the consumer goods retail market. Vegetables and fresh meat were the first items it sold after joining the market, following achievements in mobile phone and home appliance distribution. Five years ago, fashion products, cosmetics and restaurants were the promising land for retailers, because there was no retail chain big enough at that time to lead the market. Meanwhile, department stores were places where Big C and Co-op Mart dominated. However, The Gioi Di Dong still jumped on the bandwagon though it had no experience. Even after taking over An Khang drugstore chain amid a busy drug market, Nguyen Duc Tai, the co-founder and president of The Gioi Di Dong, still focused on Bach Hoa Xanh, one of its retail brands, and not on drugstores. After five years of operation, Bach Hoa Xanh now brings 20 percent of total revenue to the group, helping save The Gioi Di Dong from the Covid-19 pandemic. While the mobile phone retail witnessed minus growth rate and home appliance distribution did not grow much, consumer food retail has been growing by over 100 percent, serving as the driving force for the group. Nielsen says there are 1.4 million groceries in Vietnam and 9,000 traditional markets, which have revenue of $10 billion a year, or 75 percent of market share. Kantar Worldpanel Vietnam said traditional retail channels satisfy 85 percent of peoples consumer demand. At present, Bach Hoa Xanh, Vinmart+, Co-op Food and SatraFoods are scrambling for land. As such, traditional markets and groceries now feel pressure from these retailers. Petty merchants and grocery owners have no other choice than improve their service quality and digitize their business, especially during Covid-19 when people want contactless transactions. As early as five years ago, The Gioi Di Dong (Mobile World), a success story in Vietnam and the region, decided to jump into the consumer goods retail market. Vegetables and fresh meat were the first items it sold after joining the market, following achievements in mobile phone and home appliance distribution. Nguyen Thuy Anh from the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency in June 2020 commented that Covid-19 has accelerated the development of e-commerce. Some wholesale markets want to sell products on e-commerce websites, which shows that traditional markets are aware of the risk of being replaced by supermarkets and online retail channels. Many owners of small businesses and petty merchants have begun selling goods on social networks, on their own websites and cooperating with e-commerce sites. Marketplaces like Lazada, Tiki and Shopee all run programs to support merchants to sell goods on their platforms. However, for many petty merchants at traditional markets, who are weak at accessing new technologies, becoming digitized is difficult work. Nguyen Thai Hai Van, CEO of Grab Vietnam, noted that in the digital transformation era, tiny business households lacking resources have been left behind and will be in danger if they do not receive support from professional associations. Meanwhile, Grab is trying to bring traditional markets to its app to offer more choices to customers. The merchants who are ready to apply digital technology and have business licenses and certificates on food hygiene will be eligible to sell their products via the app. About 100 petty merchants at traditional markets in Da Nang, Hanoi and HCM City sell goods on Grabs app. Petty merchants, at first, hesitated to make transactions via bank accounts as 75 percent of payments on GrabMart are not in cash. And many merchants are using modern payment technologies for the first time. We have successfully persuaded taxi motorbike drivers to use technology, and it is not too difficult to persuade petty merchants to do this, Van of Grab said. Of the three countries where Grab runs the program, Vietnamese merchants have shown high readiness, Van said. Ha Anh Vietnams 2020 retail sales see the lowest growth in nine years Vietnams total revenue from retail trade and services reached over VND5 quadrillion (US$219.5 billion) in 2020, representing a modest yearly rise of 2.6 per cent, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. sales in the national capital region (Delhi-NCR) plunged 50 per cent year-on-year during the 2020 calendar year to 21,234 units on low demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic, property consultant Knight Frank India said on Wednesday. The sales of residential properties fell 37 per cent to 1,54,534 units in 2020 across eight major cities as compared with 2,45,861 units in the previous year, the consultant said in its 'India Real Estate - Residential and Office Update H2 2020' report. sales fell in all eight major cities, with demand falling most in Ahmedabad and least in Pune. According to the data, sales fell 18 per cent in Pune to 26,919 units during 2020 from 32,809 units in the previous year. Mumbai saw 20 per cent decline at 48,688 units last year from 60,943 units during 2019. The Maharashtra government's decision to temporarily cut stamp duty on registration of properties led to higher sales in Mumbai and Pune region during the last four months of 2020 calendar year. in decreased 50 per cent to 21,234 units from 42,828 units, while demand slumped 51 per cent in Bengaluru to 23,579 units from 48,076 units during the period under review. In Chennai, sales fell 49 per cent to 8,654 units in 2020 from 16,959 units in the previous year. The sales of residential properties in Hyderabad declined 38 per cent to 10,042 units from 16,267 units. Kolkata saw 21 per cent fall in sales to 8,912 units from 11,266 units. Ahmedabad was worst hit, with sales down by 61 per cent to 6,506 units in 2020 from 16,713 units in the previous year. Knight Frank India CMD Shishir Baijal said, Despite the on-going pandemic, the H2 2020 sales growth in some cities is fairly encouraging. In Q3 2020, the real estate market started witnessing revival signs, further recording a significant improvement in homes sales during Q4 2020." Out of the total sales number in H2 2020, he said Mumbai and Pune contributed around 50 per cent in home sales. "This marvellous performance can be largely attributed to the state government's decision of reducing stamp duty in Maharashtra. The other state governments would need to jump into the bandwagon or offer something similar to bolster demand across their markets," Baijal said. The RBI's decision to maintain low repo rates has narrowed the margin between rent and home loan EMI paid to banks, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SPRINGFIELD A city man arrested in October on drug trafficking charges after a narcotics raid that uncovered 30,000 bags of heroin and some illegal firearms was arrested again on Tuesday and charged with trafficking heroin. Carlos Lopez, 48, was arrested at a convenience store on Longmeadow Street in East Longmeadow as part of an investigation by Springfield police narcotics detectives, and members of the Springfield task force of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the West Chester, New York, chapter of the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. Police seized some 12,000 packets of heroin and $330 in cash, said spokesman Ryan Walsh. Lopezs arrest Tuesday comes a little more than two months after he was arrested on Oct. 24 along with two other men in a separate narcotics investigation that netted a large amount of heroin, cash and three firearms, police said. He was charged with trafficking heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws. He pleaded innocent at his arraignment on those charges in Springfield District Court and was released from custody in advance of his trial after posting $10,000 cash bail. His arrest this week gave Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood another opportunity to criticize the courts for not revoking bail for suspects in violent crimes and significant drug arrests. The issue is sometimes these drug dealers are released back into our city neighborhoods on low bails, no bails or ineffective GPS bracelets, said Clapprood. In this case Mr. Lopez went right back to trafficking heroin, which wreaks havoc in our neighborhoods. Sarno said: These individuals who deal this poison are far too often able to get right back into our city streets and neighborhoods thanks to low bails (or) no bails. Walsh said that within a month after his release, Lopez was under surveillance by narcotics detectives for drug activity. By coordinating with other agencies, Springfield police learned he was traveling to New York state for drugs. He was arrested when he returned to Massachusetts. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio A man wanted in connection with a homicide in Cleveland Heights was caught Tuesday morning after hiding under a porch while trying to flee from officers, police say. DeAndre Price, 26, of University Heights, was found hiding under the back porch of a home on Meadowbrook Boulevard in Cleveland Heights, according to University Heights police. Price was arrested after University Heights officers were called to a home on the 3400 block of Tullamore Road for a 911 hangup. When officers arrived, they saw Price and a female arguing. Price then ran off. The 26-year-old woman told police she had been in a fight with Price and had suffered minor facial injuries. Officers then learned that Price was wanted on a warrant for aggravated murder in Cleveland Heights. Officers from University Heights, Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights searched the area and found Price hiding. He was arrested without incident. Police did not release details on the homicide for which Price is charged. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: East Cleveland police officers shoot and kill man during pursuit that ended in car fire, chief says Browns Rashard Higgins accused of drag racing in Westlake Northeast Ohio youth pastor, wife accused of sexually abusing girl Former MMA fighter-turned-Cleveland police officer gets probation for breaking girlfriends nose Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The number of eligible people for the Covid-19 vaccine in the third category comprising those above 50 years and those with comorbidities in Delhi is going to be more than 4.2 million as was initially estimated by the city administration last month, senior government officials said on Wednesday. While the numbers of healthcare workers (300,000) and front line workers (600,000) remain roughly the same, a major spike in the number of beneficiaries is going to be seen in the under 50 with comorbidities category as the initial estimate of 4.2 million included only those above 50 years of age, a senior health official said. Government data accessed by HT showed that the 4.2 million beneficiaries in the third category are only those above the age of 50 years as per the electoral rolls. The age of the beneficiary as on January 1 will be considered for vaccination. Senior officials in the state chief electoral officers (Delhi CEO) office said the Delhi government estimate of 4.2 million is nearly correct. As per the electoral roll published on January 6, 2020, Delhi had nearly 4 million people who are 50 and above. The electoral roll published on January 18, 2019, had over 3.6 million such voters. From 2019-2020 we had seen an increase of 8.6% in the 50 and above segment of voters. Till November 16, 2020, we added 151,723 new voters to Delhis electoral rolls taking the total voters in Delhi up to at least 14,843,859, said an electoral officer on condition of anonymity. As per the electoral roll published on January 6, 2020, Delhi had nearly 4 million people who are 50 and above. Its been a year since then, so the number of such voters should be nearly 4.2 million as on date, an electoral officer said, on condition of anonymity. However, complete data of those below the age of 50 having comorbidities is still being collected at the district level, a senior revenue official said. Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said the numbers announced by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal last month across the three categories for the first phase of vaccination were broad estimates which are likely to change as the registration process intensifies. The combined number of people who will get the Covid-19 vaccine shot in the first phase is fixed at around 5.1 million. However, the numbers within the categories of healthcare and front line workers are likely to decrease as their eligibility is being verified during the registration process. So, the vaccine shots slotted for other categories will also be given to the third category of 50+ people and those with comorbidities. Nevertheless, there is no need to panic and get stuck on specific numbers. Our vaccination programme will be an inclusive one and every one will get a shot sooner or later, said Jain. On Tuesday, NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul, during a press briefing, had said that the central government will soon release the inclusion criteria for states to identify those with comorbidities and prepare the priority list as per the severity of the comorbid conditions. A committee has been constituted to identify comorbid conditions that increase the risk of mortality if the person contracts Covid-19. The committee will decide criteria for inclusion such as for how they had the condition, or what a report needs to show. The committee will also suggest ways in which the criteria can be implemented. The report of the committee is expected within a couple of days. We will consider it and move ahead, Dr Paul had said. Senior officials in at least six of the 11 districts in Delhi said that a database of Delhi residents below the age of 50 with comorbidities was not available with them as on Wednesday. Each district has readied the list of those above 50 years of age from the electoral rolls. The districts have also gone a step further and segregated those who are 60 or more years. However, there is only a rudimentary database available as of now on the people below the age of 50 with comorbidities, said a district magistrate on condition of anonymity. A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of South district who did not wish to be named said, We have some data from the multiple surveys conducted during the last seven months. But, we dont know whether that will be used or if some other mechanism will be used. We are told the Centre will issue some guidelines on how to identify and prioritise those below 50 with comorbidities. But, some areas such as the southeast district have asked their surveyors to continue with the door-to-door survey which began from hotspots and containment zones on November 20. That time, the focus was mostly on identifying comorbidities among high risk groups which includes senior citizens and pregnant women. Now, we have asked our anganwadi workers to specifically ask the age of a person and the types of comorbidities one has. It is true there is no fresh proforma to carry out the survey for identification of vaccination beneficiaries as of now, said a senior official of the district. An Asha worker employed at a dispensary in southwest Delhi and currently involved in survey work said, We have been asked to collect health data of those 60 years and above for the list of Covid-19 vaccine beneficiaries. In addition, we have been asked to collect information of people who are 50-year-old and above with comorbidities as of now. The country is set to roll out the vaccine first among the healthcare workers within 10 days of the two vaccines by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech receiving emergency use authorisation from the apex drug regulator. Dropping by at the vaccination sites, however, will not help in registering for the vaccine. As per a senior Delhi government official, Those above the age of 50 not on the electoral roll can either register themselves on the Co-WIN app or go to their Block Medical Officer to get registered. Those under the age of 50 with comorbidities will also have to do the same but they would need a doctors certificate on their current condition. As for those who do not have an address proof of Delhi, any government issued ID proof along with a photo certificate issued by their workplace and verified by a gazetted officer will be acceptable. Reports are circulating that 45 Macys department stores around the country will be closed this year as a part of the companys three-year downsizing plan. According to USA Today, the department store chain previously announced it would cut 2,000 jobs and close 125 stores from Feb. 2020 through the next three years. The outlet received a statement from Macys, Inc. that the closures announced to staff Tuesday were a part of that plan. To that end, we announced several store closures today that align to the guidance we provided in February 2020. These closures bring us closer to achieving the right mix of mall-based stores, Macys, Inc. said in the statement to multiple media outlets. The news broke Tuesday after employees at the stores in question were told about the closures, according to CNBC. USA Today reported that a list of stores facing closures will be released Wednesday. In the first phase of the plan, the Macys in Harrisburg Mall closed last year along with 29 others across the country. The only Macys remaining the Harrisburg area is the store in the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township. Read more on PennLive: With control of the Senate hanging in the balance, two runoff contests in Georgia remained too close to call early Wednesday as the advantage seesawed back and forth after election officials had tallied more than 4.2 million votes. The races feature two Republican candidates Senator Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, whose Senate term ended on Sunday trying to fend off their Democratic challengers, Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, in contests that have drawn national attention and unprecedented levels of campaign spending. Democrats saw some significant signs for optimism. Both Senate candidates were winning a larger share of the vote in county after county than President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. won in November, when he narrowly carried the state. Mr. Warnock was running slightly stronger in his race against Ms. Loeffler than Mr. Ossoff was in his contest with Mr. Perdue. After a large tranche of votes in DeKalb County were reported after 11 p.m., many Democrats began to cautiously cheer the possibility of victory. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Three years ago, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish faced no Democratic primary challengers and easily defeated a weak and underfunded Republican challenger. With evidence now overwhelming that Budish cannot lead this county effectively, that cannot happen next year when Budish could seek a third term. Now is the time for serious Democratic and Republican candidates to start building their support and campaign war chests to run for county executive. The latest example of the Budish administrations ineffective, unresponsive stewardship is its approach to vetting sheriffs candidates in seeming denial of a new charter requirement. In November 2019, after a spate of deaths at the Cuyahoga County Jail exposed deep-seated problems in the chain of command, among other deficiencies, voters approved a charter change aimed at bolstering the independence of the appointed sheriff. The amendment also listed minimum educational credentials -- a baccalaureate in any field or an associate degree in law enforcement or criminal justice -- that had to be met by 2021. Interim Sheriff David G. Schilling did not have either credential. But after Schilling said he would use personal time to obtain the required associate degree, Cuyahoga County Council extended his appointment through 2020, to give him time to obtain it. Perhaps because of the pandemic, Schilling did not get the degree, and retired effective Dec. 31, citing family health reasons. The educational credential is not optional. Its not waiverable. Its part of Cuyahoga Countys governing charter -- and, given the issues with Schilling, everyone in county leadership was well aware that the sheriff needed to have this credential. Yet when Human Resources Director Jesse Drucker forwarded to Public Safety Director Bob Coury the names of sheriffs candidates he and his staff had vetted for such qualifications as command experience in law enforcement and county residency, one of these finalists -- former University Heights Police Chief Steven Hammett, now public safety chief for the Cleveland Institute of Art -- did not have the educational credential. Coury yesterday told the editorial board that the HR vetting was for easy determinations about qualifications, not necessarily including educational qualifications. That itself is hard to believe. How hard is it to look at a resume and see -- as cleveland.com reporter Courtney Astolfi did when she got Hammetts resume from the county pursuant to a public-records request -- that Hammetts associate degree was in fine arts, not law enforcement or criminal justice? Coury said that seven of these candidates ended up responding to interview requests and were interviewed by himself and three other county officials -- Drucker, Chief Deputy Sheriff Bryan Smith, and Clerk of Courts Nailah Byrd. All seven had at least a four-year degree, except for Hammett. From the seven, the group picked four finalists to push forward for possible interviews by County Executive Armond Budish and Chief of Staff Bill Mason. The four included Hammett, who was the only Black candidate in the group of seven. But Coury said that was with the proviso that Hammetts transcript needed first to be reviewed to see if his fine arts degree involved mostly law enforcement courses. It didnt. But even if Hammett had taken a boatload of law enforcement courses, a fine arts associate degree still would not have met the charter requirement. In the end, after a third candidate dropped out, two names went to Budish and Mason to choose between as the next sheriff -- former Solon Police Chief Christopher Viland, now inspector general for the Cleveland police; and former Berea Police Chief Joseph Grecol, now chief of the Notre Dame College police. Meanwhile, the county appointed another interim sheriff -- Sheriffs Lt. Joseph Greiner. Yet Greiner also lacks the required educational credential. County officials argue that the section of the county charter allowing interim appointments takes precedence over the section listing sheriffs requirements. Hmmm. This might all seem like small potatoes but for some glaring red flags. First are the semantic games county officials are playing over how it was that Hammetts lack of educational qualifications for the job was not immediately apparent from his resume, or that he was never a finalist, even though he was advanced twice in the process. This is akin to the countys insistence it has not repeatedly engaged in no-bid contracting under Budish, when the county routinely substitutes a back-room choice of the best proposals for the sealed bids that good-government experts prefer. Second, is that the county brought Hammett in for an interview when it knew or should have known he lacked the needed credential. Coury insisted yesterday that didnt waste Courys time. What about Hammetts time -- and the taxpayers dime? Certainly, county taxpayers are entitled to feel jaded after discovering that the countys bungled overhaul of its IT system has now ballooned costs by at least 40%, or $10 million -- and climbing. Third, is the lack of accountability to the voters, who just a year and a half ago approved the sheriffs charter changes that the county flirted with skirting. There is a clear solution: a healthy slate of candidates, both Ds and Rs, for Cuyahoga County executive in 2022. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. MOSCOW: A Russian court sentenced a married couple in the Kaliningrad region to long jail terms on Thursday after finding them guilty of spying for Latvia, the FSB security service said, saying the pair had been found guilty of state treason. The wife, Antonina Zimina, who received 13 years, was recruited by Latvias security services in 2012 while travelling abroad, the FSB said in a statement. She then started to gather classified information and hand it over to Latvia, it said. Her husband, Konstantin Antonets, got 12.5 years in jail. The FSB said Antonets had been recruited as a spy by his wife in 2015 and had stolen information from his then employer the Kaliningrad regions economics ministry and passed it over to Latvia. The couple denied any wrongdoing and will appeal the verdict, their lawyer, Mikhail Bayev, told the MBKH online news site. Their case, which was held behind closed doors, has previously made headlines in Russia with reports that state prosecutors had accused them of sharing a photograph with Latvia of an FSB officer who had attended their wedding. There was no mention of that alleged incident in the FSBs statement on Thursday. Kaliningrad is a heavily militarised Russian region that lies on the Baltic Sea between EU members Lithuania and Poland. Moscow captured the region from Germany towards the end of World War Two. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Indian companies see Romania as a gateway to the European Union, but also as an important market and an attractive business environment, Indian ambassador in Bucharest Rahul Shrivastava said on Wednesday during his first visit to Brasov. It is my first, but definitely not my last visit here, the more so as there are several Indian companies in Brasov and there are also Brasov companies that cooperate with Indian companies. I know that Brasov is an important economic actor of Romania and that in your country, just as in India, there is openness to economic, cultural, tourist and education exchanges. Indian companies - particularly those in IT, the pharmaceutical industry, management, consulting, but also manufacturing - are a significant presence in Romania, with total investments here in excess of one billion euros. Indian companies see Romania as a gateway to the European Union, but also as an important market and an attractive business environment. Therefore Indian companies are interested not just in doing trade, but also in investing in Romania, said the Indian diplomat. The ambassador met with Brasov County sub-prefect Adrian Folea and with County Council vice-president Serban Todorica, who underscored during the talks that Brasov County is Romania's main tourist destination and the most developed county in the Central Region. I expressed my hope that at a future visit of His Excellency, we will be able to have a more applied discussion, including with representatives of Brasov County's education, culture and business, about potential partnerships and other bilateral collaborations, said sub-prefect Adrian Folea at the end of the meeting. She's the entrepreneurial model who balances running a skincare business with raising three young children. And Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) was all smiles as she enjoyed a well-deserved coffee break with actress Phoebe Tonkin in Beverly Hills on Monday. Joined by retired adult actress Jessie Andrews, the trio looked relaxed as they sipped from take-away cups while strolling down a leafy boulevard. Girls' day out! Lara Worthington (centre) enjoyed a coffee break with actress Phoebe Tonkin (left) in Beverly Hills on Monday. They were joined by retired adult star Jessie Andrews (right) Former bikini model Lara, 33, looked effortlessly stylish in a tan duster coat and chunky leather boots. She slicked back her blonde hair into tight chignon and accessorised her look with a simple gold necklace. The multi-tasking mother had her hands full, clutching her coffee cup in one hand while balancing her mobile phone and a book in the other. Trendsetter: Lara looked effortlessly stylish in a tan duster coat and chunky leather boots Meanwhile, Westworld actress Phoebe, 31, wrapped up against the cold in a black trench coat and matching leather brogues. Her cosy ensemble was completed with a cross-body bag and a black face mask, which she occasionally pulled down to drink her beverage. Australian expats Phoebe and Lara have become close friends over the years, and are often spotted spending time together in LA. Tight-knit: Australian expats Phoebe and Lara have become close friends over the years, and are often spotted spending time together in LA However, new reports claim Lara may be heading back Down Under in the coming months with her husband, actor Sam Worthington, and their three children. According to Who, they may be temporarily moving to Australia while Sam performs in a Sydney Theatre Company production, which begins in March. Given that Sam is set to film the upcoming Avatar movie in New Zealand next year, it seems likely he and his wife will also travel across the ditch as well. Coming home? There are rumours Lara and her husband, actor Sam Worthington, could move back to Australia this year. Pictured on January 30, 2014, in Sydney Lara and Sam welcomed their third child just a few months ago, a boy whose name they haven't disclosed. The pair, who are also parents to sons Rocket, four, and Racer, two, are also yet to reveal when exactly their baby was born. Lara had confirmed her pregnancy in November, telling Vogue Australia: 'I'm having a boy, early next year. It's my third boy and we're all very excited and very happy. 'I think any addition brings joy and happiness to the family, but more so when you can share it with the other boys. It's such a boy's club in my house!' Lara and Sam began dating in 2013 and married in secret a year later. To say that 2020 has been annus horribilis for India will be an understatement. But, the cynic would argue that it has been catastrophic for the world too. They have a point there. COVID-19 has been clearly agnostic, railroading communities across the world, wreaking unparalleled devastation in its wake. We experienced vicariously what The Great Depression of 1931 was perhaps like, as ruined economies barely floated amidst a total shutdown. It was a dystopian terror tale, and there were no exceptions made by the infernal pathogen. It impacted politics too. United States President Donald Trump was hoping to ride a Wall Street bull run and fairly impressive employment figures for a second term in the White House until the US experienced the COVID-19 tsunami. India has had the second-highest infection cases (10 million-plus and rising) and human casualties (149,000-plus) after the US; so how has Prime Minister Narendra Modi navigated the traitorous waters, unpredictable, unforeseen as it was? Evidently, better than Trump. Unlike his US counterpart, Modi has further solidified his political foundations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looks insuperable. The year 2021 could be a marker of the saffron partys national footprint, far beyond the Hindi heartland that has been its traditional stronghold. It will have significant political ramifications for Indias democratic polity. Indias GDP slumped by a humongous -23 percent in Q1 of fiscal 2020-21 as result of the draconian lockdown. Unemployment soared, industry stagnated, migrant crisis ballooned, and the communal temperature rose amidst the rampaging mayhem. Despite these daunting headwinds and a 15 year anti-incumbency, the BJP with its ally the Janata Dal (United) retained the crucial state of Bihar. It was a stunning performance beyond the pale of rational expectations. That trend would continue in the by-elections to several states, with Madhya Pradesh returning to the BJP after a brief flirtation with a fragmented Congress. But it was the two local urban body elections in southern India, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and in Kerala that sent out an audacious message of the BJPs escalating growth in hitherto virgin territories where it had been a marginal player earlier. The emerging political metabolism of the BJP towards Kanyakumari will shape the direction 2021. There are four major states going to the polls in 2021; Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala; and also the Union Territory of Puducherry. Modi is perhaps the only global leader among the G20 countries whose popularity has shot up post-March. To call it elephantine will not be an exaggeration. It is a unique phenomenon that has most analysts nonplussed. It is expected that the BJP will market their unconquerable leader with generous dollops of publicity and programmes to overcome local hurdles. Assam promises to be an intriguing battle as this will be the first public referendum after the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act/National Register of Citizens/National Population Register kerfuffle in that troubled state that has seen detention camps for illegal immigrants. The Congress had the largest vote-share in 2016 despite surrendering the state after a 15-year reign under the late Tarun Gogoi. But can it now take on the BJP in a polarised environment in a complex state with a chequered ethnic, religious and linguistic history? West Bengal has already become a tempestuous battleground state where Mamata Didi Banerjee and BJPs former chief and master strategist Amit Shah are leaving no stone unturned to win. Bengal is seeing a dangerously inflammatory election campaign that threatens to replace Bengals classic syncretism with sulphurous hate. The Congress-Left combine can be a dark horse here, but it is more likely that they will end up damaging the two frontline players. It is a fascinating, intriguing contest. Tragically, it is also blatantly sectarian. Expect Hindu-versus-Muslim to reach an ear-splitting crescendo here. Worryingly for the Congress, the swing state of Kerala under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan might buck its conventional flip-flop from the Left Democratic Front to the United Democratic Front every five years. That could be disconcerting for the Congress, as it desperately needs an electoral resurrection. The BJP, intelligently anticipating a slightly diminished presence following its mountainous tally in the northern-central states in 2019, has its compensating strategy of Going South well formulated. Albeit it is predicted that the DMK-Congress will win Tamil Nadu, the BJP seems unconcerned as it is playing for the long-term, maybe 2026, by when it could destabilise the DMK-AIADMK hegemony. Bottom-line: 2021 will probably see a further preponderance of BJP giving it a breakthrough presence in South India which appeared barricaded not too long ago. India could see the return of a single-party dominant political paradigm similar to the run Congress had till the late 1960s. There is only one party that can possibly halt the rhapsodic juggernaut: the Congress. But at the moment the grand old party seems frail. There are elections due for the post of the Congress President and the Congress Working Committee this month. Can the Congress resuscitate itself, galvanised by a new leader, or will it relinquish further space to the BJP? That could probably determine the larger narrative of the year. As the stupendous farmer protests that has paralysed the BJP-led central government have demonstrated, things can changeand can change dramatically. PYONGYANG, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The eighth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) opened here on Tuesday, with top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un delivering an opening address, reported official media on Wednesday. The congress was convened in order to comprehensively and strictly review the work of the party's central committee, clearly reconfirm the exact orientation and duty in its struggle for winning a bigger victory in the socialist cause and take measures for substantial improvement, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim delivered a report on the work of the party's seventh central committee on the first day of the eighth congress, it said. According to the report, the congress will "discuss and decide on a fresh line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies for making a radical leap forward in the development of the Party and socialist construction." Members of the leadership body of the party's seventh central committee and delegates elected by the party's organizations at all levels attended the congress. The congress elected its presidium and secretariat, and elected Kim to the presidium, the report said. According to its agenda, the congress will review the work of the party's central committee and the Central Audit Commission, and elect the party's central leadership body. This Party Congress, which may run for several days, is the second one under Kim. The seventh Party Congress was convened in May 2016. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2021 Over the past year every facet of our lives was impacted by the global pandemic. Keeping distance from loved ones, canceling major life celebrations, homeschooling our children, and numerous sacrifices were made for the greater good and fear of spreading an infectious disease we are still learning about. We must pause to remember those whose lives were both lost or impacted by the coronavirus, appreciate what blessings we have and now attempt to move forward as a community, state and nation. In just a few days the legislature will convene the 2021 regular legislative session and we are long overdue to get back to work. Connecticuts government was designed to have a representative voice. Public input was sidelined for the past year to allow the Governor to instantaneously handle public health concerns and conflicts with more immediacy. During this time, the quarantine unearthed a number of other major challenges and disparities that the state must handle with the same sense of urgency. Issues that include addressing the state budget shortfall, providing the investment in improving our nursing homes and long term care infrastructure so they are safe for residents and staff, closing the education achievement gap only exacerbated by the remote school year, and taking swift and serious action to foster a state that continues to support a safety net for our most vulnerable. And we must continue to raise awareness of economic inequality, social justice and the need to maintain public safety. 2021 has all the potential to serve as an incredible turning point for Connecticut. With the increased administration of the vaccine we can hopefully find the light at the end of this health crisis tunnel. Hopefully, as the public health concerns are more under control, then the state government can shift its focus to ensuring that our state is a safe and supportive place for all our residents to call home. We must provide a collaborative ecosystem for businesses to sustain and grow. I look forward to working with colleagues from every point on the political spectrum to find solutions and I pledge to represent your voice in our state government. Thank you for your continued support. State Sen. Tony Hwang, 28th district Pia Miller has sparked rumours that she's quietly tied the knot with Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell, just two months after announcing their engagement. On Wednesday, the former Home and Away actress, 37, was spotted outside her Bondi home wearing a silver band on her ring finger, instead of her huge engagement ring. Pia recently returned to Australia after getting engaged to Patrick, 55, during a trip to Malibu in November, and has since been keen to showcase her diamond ring on Instagram. Pia's ring riddle: Former Home and Away actress Pia Miller, 37, sparked rumours she's quietly tied the knot with Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell, 55, on Wednesday when she emerged in Bondi wearing a simple band on her ring finger Pia's decision to swap her ring for a simple band suggests she and Patrick may have wed in secret before she flew back Down Under in late December. Traditionally, a woman will often replace her diamond-encrusted engagement ring with a more understated wedding band after getting married. However, there are other possible reasons why Pia may not have been wearing her engagement ring, which is reportedly worth AUD$1.9million. Where did it go? Pia's huge diamond engagement ring from Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell was nowhere to be seen as she cleaned out her car on Wednesday Already married? Pia's decision to swap her ring for a simple band suggests she and Patrick may have wed in secret before she flew back Down Under in December Forgetting something? Pia's understated ring was worlds away from the huge diamond rock gifted to her by mega-agent Patrick Hidden for safekeeping? Given the publicity surrounding her eye-popping ring, Pia could well have stashed the expensive sparkler to protect her from thieves Given the publicity surrounding her eye-popping ring, Pia could well have stashed the expensive sparkler to protect her from thieves. She may also have chosen not to wear it for practical purposes, as the sheer size of the diamond would likely make it difficult to undertake domestic activities. Dressed down in a baggy T-shirt and denim shorts, Pia was seen collecting empty food packets from the back of her car, before throwing them into a nearby bin. Too precious? She may also have chosen not to wear it for practical purposes, and the sheer size of the diamond would likely make it difficult to undertake domestic activities Hard at work: Dressed down in a baggy T-shirt and denim shorts, Pia was seen collecting empty food packets from the back of her car, before throwing them into a nearby bin Low-key: Pia appeared to be makeup free, and completed her look with grey sandals Pia appeared to be makeup free, and completed her look with grey sandals, stud earrings and a delicate bangle. She swept her long, brunette locks into a half-up-half-down style and pushed her fringe back with a pair of sunglasses propped up on her head. Pia's ring riddle is the latest clue suggesting she's already married to Patrick. No fuss: She swept her long, brunette locks into a half-up-half-down style Out of the way: The lip balm entrepreneur pushed her fringe back with a pair of sunglasses propped up on her head Thigh's the limit! Former model Pia showcased her slender pins in the tiny ripped shorts Late last month, the glamazon sent the rumour mill into meltdown when she emerged on Instagram wearing a custom-made denim jacket emblazoned with the words 'Mrs Whitesell' on the back. In the caption, Pia suggested that her wedding could be imminent. 'What a gorgeous gift from my beautiful sister!' she wrote, referring to her sibling Paz Loyola-Blanco. Elegant details: She accessorised her look with simple stud earrings and a delicate bangle Hint: Pia's ring riddle is the latest clue suggesting she's already married talent agent Patrick 'Can't wait to be Mrs PW,' the Chilean-born beauty added. Pia announced her engagement on November 28, sharing a subtle post showing off her incredible diamond ring. The actress, who reunited with Patrick earlier that month, captioned the photo 'PW'. Something to smile about! Pia gave her Instagram followers a closer look at her engagement ring on December 16 In the picture, Pia and Patrick held glasses of sparkling wine and shared a celebratory toast, in front of a vista. The couple last reunited in September, when Patrick visited Pia at her new home in Sydney's Bondi. Pia was first linked to the Hollywood power agent in August 2019, following her split from her longtime fiance, Tyson Mullane. Stunning! Pia announced her engagement on November 28, sharing a subtle post showing off her incredible diamond ring In April that year, The Daily Telegraph reported that Pia and Tyson had 'amicably' ended their 18-month engagement, with Tyson moving out of their Sydney home. Meanwhile, Pia and Patrick made their public debut at a Halloween party in LA in October 2019, amid reports they'd started dating back in May. Former flame: Pia was first linked to the Hollywood power agent in August 2019, following her split from her longtime fiance, Tyson Mullane. In April that year, The Daily Telegraph reported that Pia and Tyson had 'amicably' ended their 18-month engagement She made their relationship 'Instagram official' around Christmas 2019, sharing a loved-up photo with Patrick outside of the Louvre in Paris, and captioning it 'P'. The couple made their red carpet debut at that Academy Awards last February. Pia and Patrick's romance follows the breakdown of Patrick's marriage to Lauren Sanchez, who is now reportedly engaged to Amazon boss Jeff Bezos. The market recouped more than half of losses in the last hour of trade and closed around half a percent lower on January 6, dragged by technology, FMCG and index heavyweights Reliance Industries, ITC and HDFC group stocks. The BSE Sensex fell 263.72 points to 48,174.06, while the Nifty50 slipped 53.20 points to 14,146.30 and formed a bearish candle which resembles the Hanging Man kind of pattern on the daily charts. "A reasonable negative candle was formed with lower shadow on the daily chart, besides the positive candle of Tuesday. Technically, this pattern indicates minor profit booking at the new swing highs. Though Nifty declined on Wednesday, the uptrend status of the market remains intact and there is no formation of any significant reversal pattern at the highs," Nagaraj Shetti, Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities told Moneycontrol. "The Nifty has been sustaining above the immediate support of 10 period EMA for the last 50 sessions, except two days of high volatility (December 21 and 22) as per daily timeframe chart. Presently, this moving average is offering support at 13,970 levels and this area is going to be crucial for the short term trend reversal," he said, adding the next upside resistance is at 14,310. The overall market breadth was slightly down and the broad market indices like Nifty Midcap 100 index has closed higher by 0.55 percent and Smallcap 100 index closed on a flat note. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks given in this story are the aggregates of three- month data and not of the current month only. Key support and resistance levels on the Nifty According to pivot charts, the key support levels for the Nifty are placed at 14,042.67, followed by 13,939.13. If the index moves up, the key resistance levels to watch out for are 14,246.97 and 14,347.73. Nifty Bank The Nifty Bank continued to outperform Nifty50, climbing 75.60 points to end at 31,797.90 on January 6. The important pivot level, which will act as crucial support for the index, is placed at 31,569.96, followed by 31,342.03. On the upside, key resistance levels are placed at 32,004.07 and 32,210.23. Call option data Maximum Call open interest of 19.92 lakh contracts was seen at 14,000 strike, which will act as a crucial level in the January series. This is followed by 14,500 strike, which holds 15.50 lakh contracts, and 15,000 strike, which has accumulated 12.87 lakh contracts. Call writing was seen at 14,200 strike, which added 2.78 lakh contracts, followed by 14,500 strike which added 2.27 lakh contracts and 14,400 strike which added 89,550 contracts. Call unwinding was seen at 14,100 strike, which shed 59,625 contracts, followed by 14,000 strike which shed 23,025 contracts. Put option data Maximum Put open interest of 22.52 lakh contracts was seen at 13,500 strike, which will act as a crucial support level in the January series. This is followed by 14,000 strike, which holds 21.38 lakh contracts, and 13,600 strike, which has accumulated 15.66 lakh contracts. Put writing was seen at 13,800 strike, which added 2.23 lakh contracts, followed by 13,500 strike, which added 1.51 lakh contracts and 13,300 strike which added 1.33 lakh contracts. Put unwinding was seen at 13,600 strike, which shed 80,100 contracts, followed by 13,900 strike, which shed 53,550 contracts. Stocks with a high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in these stocks. 27 stocks saw long build-up Based on the open interest future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which a long build-up was seen. 39 stocks saw long unwinding Based on the open interest future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long unwinding was seen. 31 stocks saw short build-up An increase in open interest, along with a decrease in price, mostly indicates a build-up of short positions. Based on the open interest future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which a short build-up was seen. 44 stocks witnessed short-covering A decrease in open interest, along with an increase in price, mostly indicates a short-covering. Based on the open interest future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short-covering was seen. Bulk deals (For more bulk deals, click here) Analysts/Board Meetings Paisalo Digital: Company's officials will interact with Nippon Life India Asset Management on January 7. Balrampur Chini Mills: Company's representative(s) would be attending a concall organised by Elara Capital on January 7 wherein they would meet the representatives of Unifi Capital. Heidelberg Cement India: Company's representatives will have online meetings on January 7th with the representatives of various institutional investors/fund houses, being organised by Investec Capital Services (India). Tata Power: Company will interact virtually with investors on January 7th in the Investec India ESG Conclave. Mahanagar Gas: Company's officials will interact with Max Life Insurance on January 8. Stocks in the news Wendt: Promoters to sell up to 4.74% stake in the company via offer for sale on January 7-8, floor price set at Rs 2,200 per share. Dish TV India: 1.84% stake pledged by promoter entities Direct Media Distribution Ventures Pvt Ltd & Veena Investments Pvt Ltd has been invoked. Capital Trust: Credit rating of the company and its subsidiary, Capital Trust Microfinance has been reaffirmed by CARE as BBB Negative and the outlook is stable. Maruti Suzuki: The production in December 2020 increased to 1.55 lakh vehicles, from 1.15 lakh vehicles in same month last year. Kanpur Plastipack: Company incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS) - Bright Choice Venture. Take Solutions: CARE revised the credit rating of the company to BB+ (Issuer Rating) with Negative outlook, from BBB (Issuer Rating) with Negative outlook. FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold shares worth Rs 483.64 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) net sold shares worth Rs 380.41 crore in the Indian equity market on January 6, as per provisional data available on the NSE. Stocks under F&O ban on NSE One stock - SAIL - is under the F&O ban for January 7. Securities in the ban period under the F&O segment include companies in which the security has crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit. COLLINSVILLE A structure fire in the 300 block of East Johnson Street Monday gave Collinsville firefighters more to do than just put out flames, they had an opportunity to use their rescue skills. Collinsville Deputy Fire Chief John Bailot said that, upon arrival at 10 p.m. Monday, firefighters found a four-unit apartment building with light smoke visible. A more detailed search revealed a fire in one of the second-floor units. (CNN) The polls for the two Georgia runoff races that will determine party control of the US Senate have closed and the ballot counting has begun, starting with the record-breaking 3 million-plus early votes. The final days of the races were defined by President Donald Trump's refusal to concede his own election loss, sparking a fight within the Republican Party that imperiled Georgia Republicans Sen. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Since Trump lost the Peach State in November, his ongoing onslaught against the Republican officials in charge of the elections pressured the two GOP senators to make a choice: Join the President in seeking to overturn the democratic outcome or risk losing Trump supporters, some of whom have become disenchanted with the electoral process. LIVE UPDATES: Georgia votes in crucial runoff elections Trump recently appeared to pressure Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on a private call, urging him to "find" enough votes to reverse the results. Raffensperger refused. But despite three recounts and no evidence of widespread fraud, Loeffler and Perdue decided this week to join the President in objecting to Congress' certification of the Electoral College's results on Wednesday in a final, deluded display of devotion to Trump supporters. "The American people deserve a platform in Congress, permitted under the Constitution, to have election issues presented so that they can be addressed," said Loeffler in a statement on Monday. While Georgia is a rapidly diversifying state and former state House Democratic leader Stacey Abrams has led substantial voter registration drives for years, the Republican candidates came into the Senate runoff elections with an advantage. In November, Perdue received over 88,000 more votes than Democratic opponent Jon Ossoff, while Loeffler and the other Republican candidates received more votes than the Rev. Raphael Warnock and the other Democratic candidates in the special election (Warnock received most of the vote 33% overall). Republicans hope their message that Georgia should be a check on Washington will prove successful, noting that if Warnock and Ossoff win, President-elect Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will be in charge. "I think having Republican control of the Senate will bring people more comfort because the national Democratic Party is not aligned with Georgia," Eric Tanenblatt, who served as chief of staff to former Republican Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, told CNN. Tanenblatt said that the state serving as a firewall against liberals will be a "big motivator" for suburban voters, although he acknowledged that some might be "turned off" by the audiotape of the Trump-Raffensperger call, first reported by The Washington Post. "We're talking about the future of the country, and we can't just turn it all over to one party," said Tanenblatt. "That could be wishful thinking on my part. But I do think that that's going to be a big motivator." But Republicans are worried that Trump's unwillingness to concede jeopardizes the party's hold on the Senate, even though the state has not elected a Democrat to the chamber since 2000. Heath Garrett, a campaign manager for former Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson, told CNN that Trump's attacks on Gov. Brian Kemp and Raffensperger have been "counterproductive for trying to motivate grassroots, base Republicans to go vote," and said they've thrown Perdue and Loeffler "off message" in the final days of the campaign. "Senator Perdue and Senator Loeffler are being whipsawed by the President on one side and by the Democratic money on the other side," he said. Perdue and Loeffler had attempted to avoid the intraparty feud sparked by Trump by focusing on Ossoff and Warnock. Perdue's closing message in a recent video is littered with attacks, saying that if Republicans lose, undocumented immigrants will vote, Americans' private health insurance will be "taken away," and Democrats will pack the Supreme Court and defund the police. "We win Georgia, we save America," says Perdue to the camera. The Democratic candidates counter that they would "demilitarize" rather than defund the police, create a legal pathway for undocumented immigrants and support a public option to decrease the number of uninsured. Neither Democratic candidate has advocated adding justices to the court. They argue they would do a better job ending the health care crisis over the coronavirus, which has infected more than 20.8 million Americans and killed at least 354,000, in order to reopen the economy. They've pushed policy goals, including debt-free public college and a new Voting Rights Act. And they've attacked the Republican senators for their multi-million dollar stock transactions during the pandemic, alleging that they profited off it. The senators have denied any wrongdoing. The Loeffler-Warnock election will be groundbreaking. If Loeffler wins, she would be the first woman elected senator from the state, while if Warnock wins, he would be the first Black senator from Georgia. (In late 2019, Kemp appointed Loeffler to her position to fill Isakson's seat.) That special election has been particularly brutal, starting last year when GOP Rep. Doug Collins forced Loeffler into a race to the right. After no candidate received 50% of the vote, the runoffs turned even more vicious, as Loeffler portrayed Warnock an anti-police Marxist who would destroy America in the Senate. "We have to have Georgians come out and vote because we know that Chuck Schumer's radical agents of change are Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff," said Loeffler on the campaign trail Monday. "They would defund the police. They would lock down our economy. And we have to make sure that we hold the line right here in Georgia." Warnock has promoted his background from the Savannah projects to the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic church in Atlanta, while firing back at Loeffler. "Kelly Loeffler spends tens of millions of dollars to scare you," said Warnock in an ad. "She's trying to make you afraid of me because she's afraid of you. Afraid that you understand how she's used her position in the Senate to enrich herself and others like her. Afraid that you'll realize that we can do better." Perdue, a 71-year-old former Fortune 500 CEO, has dismissed Ossoff, a 33-year-old media executive, saying the Democrat does not know how to create a job. At their debate in the fall, Ossoff called the senator a "crook" who was "fending off multiple federal investigations for insider trading" while attacking "the health of the people" who he represents. Perdue snapped back that the Democrat had worked for "the mouthpiece of terrorism and Communist China" -- claims Ossoff called "ridiculous." The Georgia US Senate races have attracted enormous attention due to the stakes for the first years of the Biden administration and the state's shift from red to purple. Biden's victory in the state was the first for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1996. Dr. Charles Bullock, a University of Georgia political science professor, told CNN that the Senate elections could be the first in which urban Georgia casts more votes than rural Georgia. "We've seen tremendous enthusiasm in the early voting numbers, both in person and by mail, and we know that while Democrats will have a lead when polls open ... Republicans are expected to have a strong Election Day," said Seth Bringman, a spokesman for Fair Fight Action, a voting rights organization founded by Abrams. Political groups spent about $520 million to advertise in the two runoff races, according to Kantar Media/CMAG, more than $8 million per day. Republicans outspent Democrats by tens of millions of dollars. With the Senate on the line, Trump rallied his supporters in northwest Georgia on Monday, while President-elect Joe Biden held an event in Atlanta. Biden said electing Ossoff and Warnock would end the gridlock in Washington and allow Congress to provide $2,000 stimulus checks to Americans. Trump urged the state to elect Perdue and Loeffler, and claimed that Biden would not take the White House. "We're going to fight like hell," said the President. This story has been updated with additional developments Tuesday. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Vote counting begins for 2 Georgia runoffs that will determine US Senate control." ATLANTA - When asked Tuesday whom she was casting a ballot for in the Georgia runoff, Julie Milum replied, "Trump." "Well, you know what I mean," said Milum, 50, who voted at a polling station in Marietta, a fast-diversifying suburb northwest of Atlanta. Across the city, 18-year-old Ashley Jones cast the first ballot of her life in an election that will determine control of Congress and the direction of the country. But her enthusiasm was dampened by President Donald Trump's continued efforts to subvert the results of the November election, including his false claims that he won Georgia. It gave Jones a sense of foreboding about what may become of her own votes for Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. "It's like, even if you do vote, it's not going to matter because [Republicans] are going to steal the election ... at least, they're trying," she said. Trump's name wasn't on the ballot here Tuesday, but the president and his unprecedented assault on the November election were clearly the driving force behind an unusually high turnout for twin Senate runoff races coming two months after his defeat. In interviews Tuesday, voters told The Washington Post they viewed the runoff as yet another referendum on the outgoing president, who has made this state ground zero for his barrage of false claims. The contests here culminated as many pro-Trump Republicans in Congress prepared for an extraordinary joint session Wednesday in which they vowed to challenge Joe Biden's electoral college victory. One of those Republicans is Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who is involved in one of the two runoffs here. While standing with Trump as a Monday night rally, she announced her intention during the congressional session to object to Biden's win. For Milum, Trump's continued effort to overturn the results of the November election are part of the reason she is supporting the Republican candidates Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Milum said she agrees with the president's criticisms of Georgia's Republican leaders, adding that the November election results were not fair and that Trump's allegations of fraud haven't been given enough consideration. "I do want Trump," Milum said. "He's cringeworthy, yes, but he says what he means. He has an iron fist, and we need that." Josh Banta, who works in construction and lives in Dallas, Ga., said he listened twice to the recent call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which Trump asked the Republican official to find enough votes to declare him the winner of the presidential election in the state. Banta said he doesn't take issue with what Trump said, and that the call has been misportrayed in the media. "I knew that the fake media - you can quote me on that - was going to spin it in a way that makes Trump look bad, because that's all they know how to do," said Banta, 45. "Trump said we believe we have 400,000 illegal votes in Georgia that were either dumped in Fulton County, dead voters, out-of-state voters - illegal ballots." "He's not saying find new votes," Banta added. "Raffensperger is playing politics and legal games when he has no interest in finding the truth." Banta said he voted for Loeffler and Perdue on Tuesday. At a polling place in the coastal city of Brunswick, a steady stream of nearly all-white voters cast ballots Tuesday morning. Few who talked to The Post mentioned Leoffler or Perdue by name, but nearly all mentioned Trump and the fight against socialism when explaining their vote. Frank Messina, who voted with his wife, Carmela, said they didn't make much of Trump's attempt to persuade Raffensperger to alter the outcome. "No, it was just Trump being Trump," Frank Messina said. "What did he [say] that he hasn't already said in public? It's just the media making up another story that is not real." But Jones, the first-time Atlanta voter, said she's tired of the Trump "drama" and hopes this election can serve as a reset. "I feel like if this election goes well, then it can be a relief for everybody. You won't have a . . . continuous cycle of drama," she said. The drama is guaranteed to endure for at least one more day, when Congress meets to count and confirm each state's electoral votes. At the rally Monday, Trump doubled down on his unfounded claims of fraud in the presidential election. He pressured Vice President Mike Pence to push to overturn the election results on Wednesday while presiding over the electoral college vote count in Congress, and the president promised to campaign against Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, whom he previously supported. Perdue, whose Senate term expired Sunday, said he would support Trump if he could and urged his colleagues to do so. Yolanda Clay, who was in 10th place in a line that snaked through the parking lot of the NorthStar Church precinct in Kennesaw, said she will be happy to be free of the campaign text messages, calls and TV ads that have inundated her over the past two months. Still, she said the twists and turns in the presidential race had a positive impact for voters like her, who don't want to see Trump in power any longer. "I'm amazed with the person we have as president," said Clay, 51, expressing exasperation at Trump. "Anything can happen. I'm glad this got national attention, because it made it clear we had to get out and vote." - - - Thebault reported from Kennesaw; Willis reported from Dallas, Ga.; and Roughton reported from Brunswick. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Joe Biden's Democratic Party took a giant step Wednesday towards seizing control of the US Senate as they won the first of two Georgia run-offs, hours before Congress was set to certify the president-elect's victory over Donald Trump. Reverend Raphael Warnock's victory, projected by multiple US networks overnight, capped a grueling nine-week runoff campaign and puts Georgia's other knife-edge race in the spotlight for its potential to impact the balance of power in Washington. "I promise you this tonight: I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia," Warnock said in a livestream to supporters. Should Republicans lose the second race it would be a political debacle just hours before Trump is expected to suffer another bitter blow when Congress affirms Biden's Electoral College victory. Multiple Republicans have signaled they will try to block the certification of the vote. But their numbers appear slim and the House and Senate are all but guaranteed to reject the effort and certify the Electoral College results. Warnock, 51, made history as just the third African American to win a Senate seat from the South. He defeated Kelly Loeffler, a 50-year-old businesswoman appointed to the Senate in December 2019. In the second race, Democrat Jon Ossoff's campaign manager said in a statement that once all votes are counted they "fully expect" Ossoff will have defeated his Republican opponent. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Ossoff edged out to a 0.22 percent lead, and analysts have said he was well placed to win, with outstanding votes coming from Democratic-leaning regions such as Atlanta. Such results would be a major political upset in a GOP bastion, a southern state that has been reliably Republican for two decades but which Biden won in an upset on November 3 as he marched to victory against Trump in the presidential race. It would also send reverberations through Washington and the nation, as it would essentially hand Biden's Democrats the levers of power in the executive branch and both chambers of Congress. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Warnock was ahead by 46,551 votes out of nearly 4.4 million cast, or one percent. Loeffler however refused to concede. "It's worth it for this election to last into tomorrow, we're going to make sure every vote is counted," she told supporters. Democrats need both candidates to prevail in order to snatch the Senate from the Republicans. If Perdue holds on to win, Republicans preserve their Senate majority. "Georgia -- The nation is looking to you to lead us forward," tweeted President-elect Biden earlier on Tuesday. "The power is in your hands," wrote the 78-year-old Democrat, who like Trump visited the Peach State to rally supporters on the eve of the vote. Georgia was voting during a week of high political tensions, with Trump desperately scheming to reverse his election loss. Later Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence is to preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote that confirmed Biden as the winner of the White House. Trump is planning to address a rally near the White House in protest at the certification, with hundreds of supporters in red "Make America Great Again" caps already gathered downtown amid a heavy police presence, as shop owners, fearing unrest, boarded up windows. Trump has urged Pence to "reject fraudulently chosen electors" -- a move the vice president has no legal authority to make -- while dozens of House Republicans and 12 Senate Republicans have separately said they will raise objections to certification. The move lacks sufficient support and is doomed to fail. - 'Continued obstruction' - Democratic victories in Georgia -- where a record three million-plus people voted early amid the coronavirus pandemic -- would break the runoff winning streak that Republicans have held in the statewide races since 1992. Robert Lowe, a 74-year-old retired improv comedian, called it "the most important election in my lifetime," after casting his ballot at an Atlanta church for the Democrats. If Republicans retain control of the Senate there will be "continued obstruction" in Washington, Lowe told AFP. - 'Downside risks' - Voting figures in several Georgia counties showed Republican slippage against Trump's numbers from November, which could spell bad news for Loeffler and Perdue if that trend continues. "It turns out when your coalition depends so much on one person (Donald Trump) driving turnout, there are some big downside risks when that person isn't on the ballot," tweeted Dave Wasserman, an expert on congressional races and editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Trump's get-out-the-vote rally in Georgia Monday came a day after The Washington Post published a recording of a phone call in which the 74-year-old president pressured Georgia officials to reverse the certified vote of November's election and hand him victory in the state. On the tape, Trump is heard telling Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger he wants to "find 11,780 votes" -- one more than Biden's margin of victory. Short link: India on Wednesday called on Sri Lanka to meet the Tamil minoritys expectations for greater devolution of powers as part of the reconciliation process even as it committed itself to greater cooperation aimed at boosting the island nations post-Covid-19 recovery efforts. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who is in Sri Lanka for his first overseas visit of the year, raised the expectations of the countrys Tamils during a joint media interaction with his counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena. He reiterated Indias backing for Sri Lankas reconciliation process and an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony. Acknowledging the immediate challenge of post-Covid-19 recovery, Jaishankar said India will always be a dependable partner and a reliable friend that is open to strengthening ties on the basis of mutual trust, mutual interests, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity. Also Read: Sri Lanka to sign agreement to secure Covid-19 vaccine through COVAX As we promote peace and well-being in the region, India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Our support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long-standing, as indeed for an inclusive political outlook that encourages ethnic harmony, he said. Jaishankar pointed out it was in Colombos own interest to fulfil the Tamil minoritys expectations for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka. He added: That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government on meaningful devolution, including the 13th amendment of the Constitution. The progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka will surely be advanced as a consequence. The aspirations of Sri Lankas Tamil minority, a key political issue in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, had also been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a virtual summit with his counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa last September. At the time, the Indian side had called for the full implementation of the 13th amendment, which is an outcome of the 1987 India-Sri Lanka peace accord aimed at devolving more powers to the Tamils. Rajapaksa and his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, have shied away from committing to full implementation of the amendment. They have also indicated they wont go against the wishes of the Sinhala majority while working on any resolution in Tamil-inhabited areas. In his remarks at the media interaction, Gunawardena noted that President Rajapaksa had firmly stated his commitment to the well-being, progress and opportunities of all Sri Lankan citizens, including Sinhala, Tamils and Muslims. Jaishankar said he and Gunawardena had discussed several proposals for cooperation in energy, infrastructure and connectivity, and the early implementation of such projects would help accelerate Sri Lankas recovery from the impact of the pandemic. He also promised a speedy follow-up to talks on possible Indian investments in special zones for manufacturing pharmaceuticals and tourism. While expressing Indias commitment to help enhance Sri Lankas capability to deal with growing maritime challenges, Jaishankar said New Delhi also looked forward to the early return of Indian fishermen detained by the island nations authorities for crossing the maritime boundary. Gunawardena thanked India for its support to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. The Indian governments neighbourhood first policy made a very positive impact on our health sector and the economy during the critical period [of] unprecedented crisis..., he said. Jaishankar is visiting Sri Lanka during January 5-7 at the invitation of Gunawardena. The external affairs ministry said the visit reflects the priority attached by both countries to strengthening relations in all spheres. A pensioner who became a 'national treasure' after getting the Pfizer vaccine on 'V-Day' today revealed he used his new-found freedom to reunite with his grandchildren over Christmas. Martin Kenyon, who lives in south-west London, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that he left the capital after having his second jab to see his family in Shropshire over the festive period. The plain-speaking 91-year-old, who is a close friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and met Dr Martin Luther King, was asked by co-hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid what he would do following his inoculation. Standing outside in the cold, he paused and responded: 'I expect you want me to say that I'm going to hug my daughters and granddaughters'. After Ms Reid piped up: 'Only if they live with you in a bubble', Mr Kenyon admitted: 'No, they're in Shropshire where we spent Christmas together, and now I'm back here in London'. Christmas was effectively cancelled for millions of people as the Government plunged London and the South East into Tier 4 curbs, including a ban on different households gathering. Different households in Tier 3 Shropshire could form a bubble on December 25, meaning families were granted a one-day amnesty where they could legally celebrate Christmas together. Mr Kenyon was one of the first people in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine last month and became a viral star after a chance interview with CNN as he left Guy's Hospital in London. Martin Kenyon, who lives in south-west London, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that he left the capital after having his second jab to see his family in Shropshire over the festive period The plain-speaking 91-year-old, who lives in south London, spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about his trip out of the capital hours after his second Covid jab Martin Kenyon, 91, pictured during the interview, in which he spoke about being one of the first person to receive Pfizer's jab at Guy's Hospital in London, with CNN's Cyril Vanier last month Describing getting his first vaccine by simply phoning the hospital and booking a slot, he told anchor Cyril Vanier: 'I'm not going to have the bloody bug now.' Mr Kenyon later told Sky News he had received his second jab and described the publicity surrounding his first jab as 'nonsense'. He said: 'It's all rather uninteresting I feel exactly the same. It's a good idea for people to have it. It's sensible. Rather like all the injections I've had all the 91 years I've lived. 'I don't understand the medical or scientific side of it all - but I do what I'm told and trust the experts.' The 91-year-old's CNN interview amassed tens of thousands of shares across social media, with fans praising the 'charming gentleman' and labelling him a 'treasure.' Mr Kenyon said: 'I rang up Guy's hospital which I know very well. I said you're doing the vaccination and they said yes. 'They asked me questions over the phone about this and that and I said 'yes, no, yes, no' and 'they said well come at half past twelve.' 'Of course I couldn't find anywhere to damn well park my car so I was late. They duly put me on the list, I went off and had a rather nasty lunch and then came back and they were ready for me.' Hospitals will not typically allow people to phone to book a vaccine, but Mr Kenyon was given a spare appointment as he regularly attends the hospital. Martin Kenyon, pictured in his London home, has since received his second Covid vaccine jab Mr Kenyon with his family - (Left to right) his daughter Nina; his grandson Leo; Ben Clarke; Mr Kenyon himself; his daughter Eliza; his granddaughter Molly and son-in-law Andrew Asked how he felt about being one of the first people in the country to have the vaccine, Mr Kenyon promptly corrected the interviewer, saying: 'In the World. I don't think very much at all expect that I hope I'm not going to have the bloody bug now. 'I don't intend to have it because I've got granddaughters and I want to live a long time to enjoy their lives.' He added: 'Well there's no point in dying now when I've lived this long is there? I don't intend to anyway.' Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital confirmed that Mr Kenyon had indeed promoted his own appointment. A spokesperson for the hospital trust said: 'He did call and there was a spare appointment so we gave it to him after we confirmed that he was one of our patients. 'But our normal position is in line with the national one. We are proactively contacting all of our patients over 80. So we would ask patients to wait until we get in touch with them.' BBC presenter Gary Lineker said Mr Kenyon's responses were 'brilliant.' Mr Kenyon told MailOnline last month he had been friends with Desmond Tutu for 60 years after he looked after the South African archbishop when he arrived in London in the early 1960s to study. Through his friendship with the Anglican cleric, he became involved in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa as well as racial injustice in the US, once spending an evening with Dr Martin Luther King in Chicago in 1966. Mr Kenyon ran the Overseas Students Trust for 30 years between 1963 and 1993, and was based in South Kensington where he looked after foreign students who came to study in Britain. Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Usewalter, Inc. (TSXV: WLTR) (the "Company" or "Usewalter") is pleased to launch the new year by virtually opening trading on TMX Group's markets today, January 6th, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. ET. Usewalter's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Mazoff, was joined by his team to celebrate the Company's 2020 business pivot and rebrand to Usewalter. "I'm proud to be opening the TMX Group markets in recognition of our recent business pivot and rebrand to Usewalter, which has led to meaningful growth and the continued expansion of our service offering across Canada," said Peter Mazoff, President and CEO. "Building on the momentum achieved over the past few months, we intend to continue building our client portfolio through 2021, further enhancing our capabilities and raising awareness about the opportunity Usewalter presents for investors." Business Pivot and Rebrand With the purchase of Walter Innovations Inc. ("Walter") in July 2020 the Company quickly established a presence in the fast-growing multi-residential real estate sector, complementing a legacy focus of servicing high population density areas. In November 2020, the Company began operating under the name 'Usewalter' and intends to put forth a motion to change its legal name (GOLO Mobile Inc.) at the next annual meeting of shareholders, anticipated in mid-2021. In the latter half of 2020, Usewalter added well-known Montreal-area landmarks and projects including Habitat 67, Sentinel Gestion Immobiliere, La Tour des Canadiens Phase 2, Le Solano Phase 4 and Le Laurent Clark Phase 2, and has significantly expanded the Company's presence across Canada. Since October, Usewalter has secured three meaningful partnerships with the following entities that significantly increase its exposure to new doors: Magex Technologies ("Magex") designs customized software for the North American real estate market and offers exposure to approximately 100,000 doors, primarily in Quebec. Condo Manager is a leader in integrated accounting, management and communication software for multi-residential buildings, providing exposure to approximately 225,000 units in Ontario and Western Canada. Location Locketgo Inc. ("Locketgo") provides turnkey micro storage solutions for multi-residential buildings, and residents in buildings that have Locketgo smart lockers are able to reserve lockers through the usewalter app. In addition to these operational developments, the Company has successfully reduced its monthly burn rate by approximately 80% while adding seven developers plus a sales representative in Western Canada to better access this expanding market and position for the next phase of growth. About Usewalter Usewalter, Inc. (TSXV: WLTR) is a smart building technology SaaS solution for property managers and residents in high-density urban environments, delivered through its usewalter app. Designed as 'the one app no one can live without', usewalter enables efficient and cost-effective management of a building across the key areas of communication, Internet of Things management and commerce and delivery within multi-residential and commercial properties. Usewalter is positioned to leverage its first-mover advantage to access new markets, secure additional partners and further build revenue momentum. Usewalter has no debt and significant insider ownership with affiliates of Blackstone Group L.P. and the funds comprising CVC Capital Partners VI. Learn more at www.usewalter.com. For Further Information: Peter Mazoff, Chief Executive Officer (514) 670-1228 ir@usewalter.com or Cindy Gray, Investor Relations (403) 231-4372 info@5qir.com Forward Looking Information When used in this news release, the words "will", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, without limitation: the Company's ability to execute its aggressive growth strategy to rapidly increase doors, expand geographically and enhance revenue; success being recognized as the app that no one can live without to manage their home and workplace; and growth of the multi-residential real estate sector. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the Company's ability to achieve, sustain or increase profitability, and fund its operations with existing capital and/or raise additional capital to fund operations; expenditures by the Company, merchants and customers in the Company's network; continuing demand for the Company's services and the pricing of such services; the ability of the Company to market its services successfully to existing and new merchants and customers; the economy generally; competition in the mobile delivery, smart building technology and multi-residential real estate industries; stability of the general regulatory environment in which the Company operates; and the absence of significant disruptions to the Company's operations such as may result from harsh weather, natural disaster, accident or other calamitous event. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations and financing may not be available when needed or on terms and conditions acceptable to the Company; there is no certainty that the Company will be able to realize the expected benefits or synergies of the Company's rebrand; and the other risk factors that are set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Information Circular dated July 23, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of assumptions and risks are not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing assumptions and risks and other uncertainties and potential events. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required pursuant to applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) is responsible for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71412 The top U.S. drug regulator is resisting calls to tinker with how covid-19 vaccines are administered, sticking to the scientific evidence and its own procedures after being more flexible in the face of outside pressure earlier in the pandemic. There have been increasing calls worldwide to experiment with dosing regimens to speed up inoculation efforts and arrest a worsening pandemic. However, the Food and Drug Administration's leadership pledged in a statement late Monday "to make decisions based on data and science." Extending the length of time between shots, or cutting doses by half, hasn't been studied in clinical trials and could put "public health at risk," said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and Peter Marks, director of the agency's office that oversees vaccines, in the statement. While the FDA has been criticized for its earlier stand on treatments touted by U.S. President Donald Trump, its statement this week is emblematic of how the agency has handled vaccine reviews. It has demanded safety data that rejected Trump's push for a vaccine by the November election and insisting on a public airing of that data while Trump clamored for authorization. On Wednesday, the FDA's stand drew strong support from Francis Collins, the head of the National Institutes of Health, who said any changes in how the shots are given without more data on the effects could prove harmful. "Let's not make stuff up," he said during a Washington Post event. "The FDA has acquitted itself really well with vaccines," said Jason Schwartz, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Yale School of Public Health. "There's a clear lesson learned." While the Trump Administration officials had forecast that 20 million people would get shots by the end of 2020, just 5.05 million were delivered as of Tuesday, according to Bloomberg's vaccine tracker. That shortfall has spurred speculation by some researchers, politicians and academics on how to get more shots into arms more quickly. On Sunday, Moncef Slaoui, Operation Warp Speed's scientific adviser, said the U.S. government is considering cutting doses of the Moderna shot given to those age 18 to 55 by half. He said there is evidence showing the half-dose provides the same level of protection for that age group, but added that such a decision would be in the FDA's purview. "We know that some of these discussions about changing the dosing schedule or dose are based on a belief that changing the dose or dosing schedule can help get more vaccine to the public faster," Hahn and Marks wrote. "However, making such changes that are not supported by adequate scientific evidence may ultimately be counterproductive to public health." Past criticism of the FDA has revolved around the agency's authorization of treatments that were strongly pushed by Trump. In March, the agency authorized the malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine for emergency use against covid-19 after Trump repeatedly touted the drug, calling it a "game changer" even though clinical evidence of its efficacy was lacking. Research later showed the drug didn't work against the virus and had dangerous side effects, leading the FDA to revoke the authorization in June. Trump then began pushing the use of convalescent plasma from patients who recovered from the virus as a treatment that would "save countless lives." The FDA authorized the therapy in August, but Hahn later had to walk back statements exaggerating its benefits. The commissioner has continued to back its use while clinical trials are underway. This time the FDA finds itself not in opposition with Trump, but a strategy by the U.K. that aims to give one shot of the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE vaccine to as many people as possible as early as possible. The U.K. government has said people can wait as long as 12 weeks to get a second dose rather than the three weeks found to be 95% effective in clinical trials. Both the companies and the FDA have recommended against that change, saying it's unclear how long protection from the first shot will last. U.S. health officials, meanwhile, have kept about half of available vaccine supplies in storage to ensure people get their second shot on time. Advisers to the World Health Organization also warned that official dosing schedules should be maintained, but left wiggle room for countries to follow the U.K.'s example. Countries facing "exceptional circumstances of vaccine supply constraints" can delay administration of the second dose of two-shot vaccines for a few weeks, according to a statement on Tuesday by Alejandro Cravioto, chairman of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization for WHO. In the U.S., supply hasn't yet been an issue. Instead, the drive to vaccinate most Americans has been hampered by ineffective coordination and a lack of federal support for states and health-care systems. But Walid Gellad, an associate professor of medicine and health policy at the University of Pittsburgh who supports stretching out the time between shots, said this will soon change as states ramp up over the next week or two to reach people beyond front-line health-care workers. In Pennsylvania, where Gellad lives, the department of health has said it will begin listing public vaccination sites as early as this week that will service the general public. "The bottom line for me is we're keeping dosages in the freezer while we're running out of oxygen for patients in L.A.," Gellad said. "Let's not lose sight of that." Meanwhile, scientists at the NIH and Moderna, the maker of one of the vaccines authorized for emergency use, are analyzing research data to see whether the company's doses are as effective if cut by half, the New York Times reported. That research could take about two months, the Times was told by John Mascola, the director of the Vaccine Research Center at the NIH. It may be that some states eventually make their own decisions about how to use vaccines. However, Holly Fernandez Lynch, a University of Pennsylvania bioethicist, warned that the existing vaccines have been authorized only on an emergency basis, not with full approvals. That could muddy up doctors' ability to use vaccines in ways that don't conform with the instructions on the label. While doctors can't force drug or vaccine companies to produce evidence or share all their data, the FDA can, Fernandez Lynch said. "FDA plays a critical role in both forcing the production of evidence and evaluating evidence in a way that individual doctors simply cannot," she said. As it was pushed to speed its vaccine authorizations over the last few months, the FDA has emphasized that it looks deep into companies' clinical trial data to confirm findings and understand how a product works. "We find ourselves with two rigorously, carefully studied and evaluated vaccines that have shown high levels of efficacy and high levels of safety," Yale's Schwartz said. "My concern is we would essentially set aside all of that hard work, all of that good persuasive evidence, and improvise." Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. The flight was made in the Southern Cross Junior the Avro-Avian machine in which Air Commodore Kingsford Smith broke Hinklers England Australia record. Arrangements to leave Mascot were not completed until 5.45 pm on Tuesday when the Atlantic Union Oil Co Ltd. was asked to furnish fuel for a flight to Perth for which young Menzies was understood to have been preparing. He reached the Mascot aerodrome at 8.15 pm and decided that he would leave between midnight and 1am yesterday. Meanwhile the plane was supplied with 110 gallons of spirit, and five gallons of oil. Menzies made a most methodical ground preparation. Accompanies by Captain Chateau Mr Norman (Wizzard) Smith and Mr. W. W. Ryan, he went over the run-away in a motor car, with headlights switched off at 40 miles an hour to test the visibility. He decided that everything was well. The party then adjourned for supper bacon, eggs and coffee. Menzies took no stimulants of any kind before embarking on his flight. He showed no signs of nervousness, but chatted gaily with his companions, who were still in complete ignorance of his real design. At 12:30 am the young aviator glanced at his watch. I think we will make a start now, he said. Aviator Guy Menzies back in Sydney, after his successful solo crossing of the Tasman. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald Archives A little less than ten minutes later, in the headlights of four motor cars, the plane moved to the extreme take-off position. After a cheery farewell to Messrs W. W. Ryan Norman Smith, J. James, Ian Menzies (the aviators brother), Captain Chateau, and Mrs Neil Stewart, the only woman present, Menzies stepped into the cockpit and opened up the throttle his secret still his own preparatory to taking off. Leaning outward he beckoned his brother Ian close to the plane and handed him several letters addressed to his parents, relatives and friends. The envelopes were endorsed with instructions that the letters were not to be opened until he had taken off. When the authorities in New Zealand had been informed, thorough preparations were made to assist the young aviator when he should arrive. Excitement quickly spread in New Zealand when it became known that an aeroplane was on its way from Sydney. This excitement was made more intense by the mystery of the pilots identity. Nothing definite could be learned there and a rumour spread that the pilot was Kingsford Smith, making a second flight across. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-07 02:04:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump addressed supporters outside the White House on Wednesday shortly before Congress convenes to certify Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. "We will never give up. We will never concede," Trump told a rally on the Ellipse, a park just south of the White House. The president also turned up the pressure on Vice President Mike Pence, who will preside over the congressional session formally counting the Electoral College votes affirming the Biden's win, urging his deputy to reject electoral votes from certain states. If "Mike Pence doesn't come through... that will be a sad day for our country," he claimed. However, Pence, also the president of the U.S. Senate, only plays a largely ceremonial role in the process and doesn't have the power to change the election result. A group of Republicans from both chambers of Congress are expected to object to electoral votes in some states, which will trigger debates and votes, but the moves are unlikely to overturn the outcome. Electors in 50 states and the District of Columbia met last month to select Biden as the next president of the United States by awarding him 306 electoral votes versus 232 for Trump. To win the White House, a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes. Biden, a former U.S. vice president, also won the popular votes by 7 million and more than 4 percentage points. Enditem The City of Paducah, McCracken County, and the Purchase District Health Department will hold a Zoom video news conference Wednesday at 2 p.m. to educate residents about distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine locally and across the state. PHOTO:City of Paducah Conference Today to Discuss Vaccine Rollout By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The City of Paducah, McCracken County, and the Purchase District Health Department will hold a Zoom video news conference Wednesday at 2 p.m. to educate residents about distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine locally and across the state.The city's Facebook page, Paducah Mayor George P. Bray, McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer, and Purchase District Health Department Director Kent Koster will provide updates about the vaccination progress and the availability and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in McCracken County.The public is invited to view the news conference on the following outlets: Government 11 (for Comcast subscribers) City of Paducah Youtube page (link below) City of Paducah Facebook page (link below)On the Net: DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran said on Tuesday it would deliver a "decisive response" to any Israeli move against it, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons, a news agency close to the Revolutionary Guards said. On Monday, Iran said it resumed 20% uranium enrichment at a nuclear facility, a move that coincides with rising tensions with the United States in the last days of President Donald Trump's term. The decision is the latest of several Iranian breaches of a 2015 nuclear accord with world powers. Netanyahu said ... A year after George Floyd's death, Pennsylvanians are still fighting for change Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video-teleconference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday and briefed her on COVID-19 vaccine development in India, while also assuring her of the country's commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world. A Prime Minister's Office statement said Modi appreciated the long-standing role of Chancellor Merkel in providing stable and strong leadership at the European and global stage, and thanked her for guiding the growth of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The two leaders discussed key issues of mutual importance including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties, regional and global issues, particularly India-EU relations. The prime minister briefed Chancellor Merkel on the developments in India with regard to vaccine development and assured the chancellor of India's commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world, the statement said. "He conveyed his best wishes for early containment of the new wave of infections in Germany and other European countries," it said. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Germany's decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation with Germany under the platform of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of setting up of bilateral relations between India and Germany and 20th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership, the two leaders agreed to hold the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at an early date in 2021 and to set an ambitious agenda for the same, the statement said. Also Read: As China intensifies crackdown, Jack Ma's Alibaba starts scaling down businesses SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtech influential Kristy J. Kennedy has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of TMG360 Media , the new digital platform created to drive brand awareness, patient recruitment, strategic partnerships and funding access in the healthtech industry. Formerly the Chief Business Officer of Medtech Strategist, a leading industry publisher and conference organizer, Kennedy will report to CEO Jamie Hurley and Chairman Joe Mullings. In her new role, Kennedy will supervise the breadth of operations for the agency, from strategic planning and business development, to day-to-day operations. She brings with her 25 years of experience in medical device and life sciences industry sales, marketing, business development, financial and leadership roles. "TMG360 Media reflects the digital future of health. By encapsulating an in-house video production studio, corporate communications team and talent access, it can achieve a full 360-degree view of a company's vision, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it," says Kennedy. "I've spent two decades working closely with start-up medtech entrepreneurs, venture capital firms and other providers, and I'm eager to share this knowledge to drive brand awareness and visibility to secure successful funding, commercialization and exit strategies on behalf of TMG360 Media's clientele." TMG360 Media is a partnership between The Mullings Group, a leading medtech talent-acquisition firm, and Lobeline Communications, a leading digital media and PR firm in Los Angeles. The agency is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Delray Beach, Fl. "Medtech / Healthtech is a tight-knit industry that's extremely relationship oriented and driven by a mission beyond turning a profit to improve patient care. Kristy has successfully navigated this singular world from two vantage points, first, from a bird's eye view of the overarching issues facing the industry through her role as a Senior Executive at a leading publisher. Also, her previous experience as the organizer of one of the leading medtech venture capital conferences, she's developed deep connections and an intimate understanding over the years as to what is important to leading investors, entrepreneurs and C-suite executives. We're very much looking forward to having her as part of the TMG360 Media team," says Mullings. TMG360 Media offers a suite of services designed expressly for companies in the medtech / healthtech space, including a daily updated feed of industry news, original video and articles about emerging companies, markets and trends, journalistic coverage of conferences, and exclusive interviews with industry thought leaders, especially indexing towards the digital transition that is occurring in the medtech / healthtech industry. "Our entire approach at TMG360 Media is driven by communications and information. Kristy's deep experience as a publishing executive with a global perspective on life sciences, medical devices and medical technology companies at various stages of maturity, is the perfect complement to our existing talent resources," said CEO Jamie Hurley. About Us TMG360 Media is a communications, design and marketing digital platform, created to bring healthtech companies to market faster. The platform offers a suite of integrated, brand-building services, and an informational portal with original editorial and video content about the healthtech industry. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Delray Beach, Fl. More information: http://tmg360media.com SOURCE TMG 360 Media Related Links http://tmg360media.com Emily Atack has reportedly parted ways with her boyfriend Charlie Edwards after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic put pressure on the pair's budding romance. The comedian, 31, is said to have split from the model, who is nine years her junior, after her hectic work schedule and strict Covid-19 rules made it difficult for them to see each other. It was first revealed that the pair were an item back in October, but the couple have now ended their romance after just three months, according to The Sun. Split: Emily Atack has reportedly parted ways with her boyfriend Charlie Edwards after the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic put pressure on the pair's budding romance A source told the publication: 'Emily's work schedule has been busy lately and she's had to really focus on making that work. 'She was really into Charlie, who is obviously very handsome, and there was a good spark there, but it's definitely over.' The source, who is said to be 'close' to the actress, also added that Emily and Charlie tried to make it work, but found it 'impossible' due to coronavirus regulations. Emily's representatives declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. Covid: The comedian, 31, is said to have split from the model, who is nine years her junior, after her hectic work schedule and Covid rules made it hard for them to see each other The Celebrity Juice star was said to have been 'totally taken with' the tattooed model after they met through mutual friends. A friend previously told the publication: 'Emily seems totally taken with Charlie and he's really into her. They met through a mutual friend.' Their romance was revealed in October after they were spotted packing on the PDA during a night out in London. Friends told The Sun at the time that the Inbetweeners star was wooed by Charlie, who also works as a tattoo artist, on Instagram before they started dating. Her romance with Charlie came after reports that Emily was linked to Missguided social media executive Joe Caro, after they were seen on a boozy date in early July. Parted ways: It was revealed that Emily and Charlie were an item back in October, but the couple have now ended their romance after just three months This summer, Emily admitted the novelty of Zoom dating quickly wore off as she said she struggled to build a meaningful bond without the opportunity to meet in person. She explained to The Sun: 'I had a couple of Zoom dates and realised I need the tactile vibes. 'I've got to have the physical connection. I spoke to a couple of pleasant people but Zoom dating ain't for me.' Emily has dipped her toe back into the dating pond since she split from film producer Rob Jowers in September 2019 after just six months of romance. The pair became an item after they met at Jack Whitehall's BRITs after-party and he offered to buy her a drink. Dating: Emily dipped her toe into the dating pond since she split from film producer Rob Jowers in September 2019 after just six months of romance (pictured in May 2019) The actress had hopes of a 'happy ending' as their relationship progressed, even flirting with the idea of marriage and kids, but their union ended after six months. After dealing with the heartbreak of their separation, Emily embarked on the longest period of her life as a single woman, opting to focus on her career first and foremost. She added to the publication: 'I've only been single for nine months and that's a really nice time to be by yourself. This is the longest I've ever been single.' Emily has a history of dating hunky celebrities including One Direction's Harry Styles and London-based model Jack Vacher. In a briefing Tuesday evening, a senior official with the Trump administration said that it still expected to prevail in those court cases, and that legal challenges to the TikTok and WeChat orders had centered on First Amendment rights, which would most likely not be a significant concern with the payment platforms and other apps affected by the latest order. The senior official also said the Trump administration had not been in contact with the Biden administration about the order. The Biden administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tencent declined to comment. The other Chinese tech companies affected by the order did not immediately have a comment. The orders reach may be limited, given that the vast majority of users of the affected apps reside in China. Users of Alipay, for example, are generally required to possess a bank account in China and a Chinese cellphone number. Samm Sacks, a cybersecurity policy and China digital economy fellow at the New America think tank, said it was unlikely that many of the apps included in the executive order handled much data belonging to American citizens. Still, the restrictions could fall heavily on Chinese-Americans who travel between the countries or use the services to stay in touch or carry out business with contacts in China. The measure may also box in President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., who has indicated that he wants to recalibrate Americas policies toward China while continuing to pressure the country on some issues. The executive order will take effect on Bidens watch, said Ms. Sacks. Even if his team doesnt buy the national security risk, politically the order will be tough to unwind without looking like a concession to Beijing. I see the order as a last-minute flailing to try to tie Bidens hands. Members of the pro-Trump mob that broke into the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday broke into the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while there. Trump-friendly media shared photos and videos from inside the office, and AFP photographer Saul Loeb took a photo of one such demonstrator sitting at a desk in Pelosi's office. Another photo shows that someone left a folder on her desk with the writing, "WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN" in red ink. And yet another photo shows someone with their face exposed and smiling for the camera walking off with a lectern with the House Speaker logo on it, but it's unclear if the lectern was taken from Pelosi's office or from another location. Win McNamee/Getty Images During the riots, Pelosi put out a statement with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for President Trump to intervene. "We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately," the statement reads. Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters at the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. A pro-Trump mob was also seen inside the Senate chamber. One person got up on the dais and yelled Trump won that election. Several dozen are roaming through the halls, yelling Where are they? according to a pool report. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Editor's note: A previous version of this story identified one Trump supporter as sitting at Nancy Pelosis desk. It has since been amended to state that the person was sitting at a desk inside Pelosis office, after Pelosi's daughter took to Twitter to clarify that was not the House speaker's desk. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Dexterra Group Inc. (TSX: DXT) ("Dexterra Group" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the appointment of Christos Gazeas as Executive Vice President, Legal and General Counsel effective December 31, 2020. Christos has worked in private practice with both Stikeman Elliott LLP and Lang Michener LLP with a focus on mergers and acquisitions ("M&A"), corporate finance and governance best practices across a broad range of industries. Christos joins Dexterra Group from Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax") where he was Senior Legal Counsel, leading M&A negotiations around the globe and working with leaders of Fairfax's portfolio companies to provide guidance on M&A, credit agreements and the management of material disputes. In his role as Executive Vice President, Legal and General Counsel, Christos will be responsible for managing the legal affairs of the Corporation and will play an integral role in Dexterra Group's business strategy and operational needs. He will oversee all contracting standards and procedures and will act as an advisor to our business units on legal issues, dispute management, governance, public disclosure and other corporate matters. Christos will report to John Mac Cuish, Chief Executive Officer, and will be a member of Dexterra Group's Senior Leadership Team. "Christos has extensive experience in the legal aspects of a public company, with over US $20 billion in M&A experience, providing sound advice in matters of governance, disclosure, disputes and other legal affairs," says John Mac Cuish, Chief Executive Officer. "His business acumen and legal expertise will be a valuable addition for Dexterra Group and each of our business units. We look forward to Christos joining our team." About Dexterra Group Inc. ("Dexterra Group") Dexterra Group is a publicly listed corporation (TSX: DXT) delivering a range of support services for the creation, management, and operation of infrastructure across Canada. Powered by people, Dexterra Group brings best-in-class regional expertise to every challenge and delivers innovative solutions, giving clients confidence in their day-to-day operations. Activities include a comprehensive range of facilities management services, industry leading workforce accommodation solutions, innovative modular building capabilities, and other support services for diverse clients in the public and private sectors. Corporate Information Additional information related to Dexterra Group, including the Corporation's annual information form, press releases, financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Drew Knight CFO Head office 5915 Airport Rd., Suite 425 Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1T1 Telephone: (416) 767-1148 dexterra.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71489 54.0 Metres Grading 1.72 gpt Au 19.5 Metres Grading 1.38 gpt Au 11.5 Metres Grading 3.37 gpt Au Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Goldsource Mines Inc. (TSXV: GXS) (OTCQB: GXSFF) (FSE: G5M) ("Goldsource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional 2020 expansion and in-fill drill results for the Eagle Mountain deposit as well as a new gold discovery at the Ann Prospect. Both the Eagle Mountain deposit and Ann Prospect are located within the Eagle Mountain Gold Project ("Eagle Mountain") in Guyana, South America. Newly reported results are for 11 core holes totalling 1,839 metres (see attached Figures and Tables below). Approximately 16,300 metres of core drilling was completed in 2020. An estimated 34,000 metres of drilling has been completed in the last three drill seasons at Eagle Mountain with a cut-off date for drill results of November 7, 2020 to be used in the Mineral Resource Estimation update to be announced in early 2021. Highlights: Eagle Mountain Gold Deposit - Baboon Area : Results for three (3) core holes totalling 648 metres. Drill holes EME20-72 and EME20-73 have confirmed the expansion of three near-surface sub-horizontal gold mineralized zones (Zone 1 to 3) to the southwest of the Eagle Mountain deposit (Figure 2 and 3). Together with the results from No. 1 Hill area, immediately north of Baboon (refer to the Company news releases on July 29, 2020, and October 22, 2020), drilling has extended the mineralized footprint of the Eagle Mountain deposit by approximately 400 metres to the southwest (Figure 2). Highlight drill hole EME20-71 intersected 6.0 metres grading 3.06 grams per tonne ("gpt") gold ("Au") in saprolite at the base of Zone 1 (Figures 2 and 3). : Eagle Mountain Gold Deposit - Kilroy Area : Resource in-fill drill results for three (3) core holes totalling 275 metres. Highlight drill hole EMM20-001 intersected 54.0 metres grading 1.72 gpt Au, including a higher grade sub interval of 12.0 metres grading 6.91 gpt Au (Figure 2). In-fill drill results at the Kilroy area support the historical results and the continuity of mineralization, including the presence of multiple sub-horizontal gold mineralized zones. : Ann Prospect - Minnehaha area: Results for four (4) core holes totalling 766 metres. Ann represents a new near-surface discovery, 1.0 kilometre south of the Powis target, along the north-south trending Salbora-Powis structural corridor (Figures 1 and 2). Highlight drill hole EME20-081 exhibits similar characteristics to mineralized breccias in Salbora and Toucan with a breccia interval of 3.0 metres grading 5.40 gpt Au. Highlight drill hole EME-20-079 intersected 11.5 metres grading 3.37 gpt Au from surface, including a higher grade sub interval of 7.5 metres grading 5.21 gpt Au starting at 4.0 metres and hosted in unconsolidated near-surface material. The Company's exploration program in 2020 was designed to expand and confirm the continuity of mineralization of the Eagle Mountain and Salbora deposits for an updated mineral resource and to make additional discoveries within the broader area of Eagle Mountain. Steve Parsons, P. Eng, and CEO of Goldsource, commented, "The latest results, once again, deliver on the 2020 objectives both in terms of demonstrating scope for further strike extensions at Eagle Mountain and in showcasing the prospectivity of the project with a new discovery, the Ann Prospect. We look forward to the upcoming announcement of the resource update and pushing forward in 2021 to further explore current prospects for potential increase in gold resources and to complete further in-fill drilling to substantially convert inferred mineral resources to indicated for 2021 pre-feasibility work." The following tables show the most significant results (uncut, undiluted): Eagle Mountain Deposit - Baboon Step Out and Expansion In-fill Intercepts: Hole ID (1) From (m) To (m) Drilled Interval (m)(2) Au (gpt)(3) EME20-071 50.5 56.5 6.0 3.06 69.0 70.5 1.5 0.67 130.5 149.7 19.2 0.57 incl. 139.5 144.0 4.5 1.98 EME20-072 29.5 31.0 1.5 2.75 55.0 59.5 4.5 1.56 198.0 217.5 19.5 1.38 incl. 198.0 202.5 4.5 0.67 incl. 216.0 217.5 1.5 15.73 EME20-073 47.5 56.5 9.0 0.66 77.5 79.0 1.5 0.50 97.5 100.5 3.0 1.39 171.5 173.0 1.5 10.98 219.0 220.5 1.5 0.75 243.0 247.5 4.5 0.67 Eagle Mountain Deposit - Kilroy Area In-Fill Intercepts: Hole ID (1) From (m) To (m) Drilled Interval (m)(2) Au (gpt)(3) EMM20-001 10.5 64.5 54.0 1.72 incl. 10.5 22.5 12.0 6.91 and 46.5 64.5 18.0 0.47 incl. 52.5 64.5 12.0 0.61 79.5 81.0 1.5 1.23 EMM20-002 19.5 39.0 19.5 1.01 incl. 19.5 27.0 7.5 2.20 34.5 43.5 9.0 0.41 EMM20-003 4.5 7.5 3.0 1.52 13.5 15.0 1.5 0.46 42.0 43.5 1.5 0.71 54.0 60.0 6.0 1.15 75.0 84.0 9.0 0.47 incl. 75.0 79.5 4.5 0.75 Ann Prospect (Minnehaha Area) Expansion Intercepts: Hole ID (1) From (m) To (m) Drilled Interval (m)(2) Au (gpt)(3) EME20-042 48.0 49.5 1.5 0.41 54.0 55.5 1.5 0.88 69.0 75.0 6.0 0.51 EME20-079 0.0 11.5 11.5 (4) 3.37 incl. 4.0 11.5 7.5 (4) 5.21 EME20-081 2.5 4.0 1.5 (4) 0.55 63.0 66.0 3.0 5.40 EME20-082 4.0 5.5 1.5 (5) 2.17 19.0 20.5 1.5 0.64 Note: All numbers rounded. (1) EMD defines core holes drilled in-house. EME defines core holes drilled by drilling contractor. EMM defines core holes drilled by drilling contractor (man-portable rig). (2) True widths are 70 to 100% of drilled widths. (3) Cutoff grade of 0.3 gpt Au. (4) Unconsolidated materials. (5) Base of historical tailings into mineralized granodiorite (saprolite). All sample preparation and geochemical analyses were completed by Actlabs Guyana Inc. in Georgetown, Guyana. Hole EME20-080 intersected mineralization below the Company's cut off grade of 0.3 gpt Au. Eagle Mountain Deposit In-fill drilling in the Kilroy area of the Eagle Mountain deposit has confirmed the geologic and resource models containing several mineralized sub-horizontal (near-surface dip-slope) zones (Zone 1 to 3) with similar grades and continuity. Expansion drilling in the No. 1 Hill and Baboon areas has extended the mineralized footprint of Eagle Mountain deposit by an estimated 400 metres to the southwest beyond the 2014 PEA Mineral Resource outline. Gold mineralization in expanded areas is present in multiple near-surface sub-horizontal zones (Zone 1 to 3). These prospects are open for further lateral extensions. Ann Prospect The Ann Prospect is a recent low cost option-to-purchase acquisition covering 10 hectares within the Company's Eagle Mountain Prospecting Licence of 4,786 hectares. The Company's exploration program made a near-surface discovery at this newly acquired prospect. This new discovery is located 2.5 kilometres along trend from Salbora and 1.0 kilometre along trend from the previous most southernly known mineralisation at Powis, thereby expanding the prospective strike of the Salbora-Powis trend to 4.0 kilometres from Ann in the south to Montgomery in the north. These more recent results will not be included in the pending mineral resource update. Q1 2021 Drill Program In January, there will be three (3) core drills operating at Eagle Mountain. Initially, these drill rigs are completing expansion holes for the Toucan Prospect, Ann Prospect, and in-fill holes for the Eagle Mountain deposit. A Mineral Resource update is currently being finalized to be announced in early 2021. Subsequently, a NI 43-101 Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, Executive Chairman and VP Finance for Goldsource, who has reviewed and approved its contents. ABOUT GOLDSOURCE MINES INC. Goldsource Mines Inc. (www.goldsourcemines.com) is a Canadian resource company working aggressively to develop its advanced-stage, 100%-owned Eagle Mountain saprolite and hard-rock gold project in Guyana, South America. From 2016 to 2017, through a gravity pilot plant initiative, the Company completed testing on gravity-only gold production and both dry and wet mining open-pit techniques. Goldsource is now focused on expanding gold resources and delivering subsequent studies for decision-making on a large-scale gold production at Eagle Mountain. Goldsource is led by an experienced management team, proven in making exploration discoveries and in project construction. Steve Parsons CEO Goldsource Mines Inc. For Further Information: Goldsource Mines Inc. Contact: Steve Parsons, CEO Yannis Tsitos, President Jacy Zerb, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1760 Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313 Toll Free: 1-866-691-1760 (Canada & USA) Email: info@goldsourcemines.com Website: www.goldsourcemines.com 570 Granville Street, Suite 501 Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1 Figure 1: Drilling Summary To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/71463_goldso2.jpg Figure 2: No. 1 Hill - Baboon and Ann Summary To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/71463_goldso4.jpg Figure 3: No. 1 Hill - Baboon Discovery Area, Cross Section A-A', Looking North-North East To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4977/71463_goldso6.jpg CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern Goldsource's strategic plans, timing and expectations for release of an updated mineral resource, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration and drilling programs at Eagle Mountain; and information regarding high grade areas projected from sampling results and drilling results. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results and availability of mining equipment; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations and future operating costs. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; the ultimate impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations and results, results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; the uncertainties of resource estimations; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; delays in release of an undated mineral resource, availability of funds and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71463 It has been a hectic and stressful year for Michelle Riordan from Cahersiveen as she planned her wedding all the way from Canada, but on New Year's Eve, when she walked into the Daniel O'Connell Church in Cahersiveen, it was all worth it. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on all our lives, but for those getting married it has been very stressful given the continuous changes in restrictions - and almost up until the final hour, Michelle did not know how many guests would be allowed to attend her special day. "It was nerve wrecking. It was constant, there was no feeling of ease, there was anxiety up until the day as you never knew what was going to happen... We were getting calls from guests just the night before, asking was it still going ahead with the new restrictions," said Michelle. Michelle and her fiancee - Paul O'Farrell, from Glanmire in Cork - got engaged in October 2018, following a surprise trip to Paris, and almost immediately started planning the big day. She had intended to have a wedding of 250, but this was whittled down to just 25 on the big day with none of the fanfare of the traditional wedding, such as music or dancing. Even hairdressers and beauticians were out of the question. In fact Michelle was even unsure if she, her fiancee and members of the bridal party could travel to Ireland for the big day. And, sadly, some of the their friends and family were indeed grounded by the COVID-19 restrictions and could not attend. "I kept wondering should I postpone, it was a very hard decision, but New Year's Eve was our 10th anniversary, so the date was special, and we wanted to get married [then]. We also hadn't made it home in so long that we wanted to come home and see our family," said Michelle. So the couple decided to continue with their big day, COVID or no COVID, and despite plenty bumps along the way, they got there. "It was very hard to pick the guests but we tried to keep it basic, just the bridal party, parents, a godparent each, and a few friends. I worried I would regret it without everyone," she said. Unfortunately the bridal party got hit hard by COVID restrictions, with the Best Man, Paul's brother, Kevin, unable to travel from Bedford in the UK; and the Maid of Honour, Sinead O'Sullivan, unable to travel from Scotland. Thanks to technology, however, they were able to attend 'virtually' and give their speeches online. Bridesmaid Angela O'Donnell and Best Man Ronan Whyte also had to bow out of the bridal party. Michelle was joined by Ashley Burke and Sinead O'Shea for the big day, while Paul was joined by Anthony Riordan, Michelle's brother, and friends James Flinter and Luke Stewart, who travelled from Vancouver. "It was one thing after another... It was especially hard for my fiancee as Kevin is his only brother, but we preserved and included everyone virtually," said Michelle. "The uncertainty was the worst thing. Most of all, I wanted my parents there and my Dad walking me up the aisle. Everything else was a bonus." In fact, Michelle's Dad, well-known photographer Christy Riordan, did far more than just walk her up the aisle, taking on the role of 'Franc the wedding planner' as Michelle was unable to come home from Canada to see venues. Her Dad's experience as a videographer and photographer for weddings helped her choose the venue and all the other requirements. "Dad picked the venue of Sneem Hotel and showed me through Skype, and he also picked the band and photographer. Dad was pretty much the point of contact for everything. He was Franc, the best wedding planner I could have had," she said. Michelle, who is a business manager for Dior; and Paul, who is a project manager for Key Media, have lived in Toronto for more than six years. COVID has made everyone's life difficult, but it is even harder being so far away from loved ones at this difficult time. The couple flew home from Canada in early December in time for the HSE legal requirements for a marriage, which stipulate the couple must be in the country for two weeks. Indeed, they had one of the last relevant appointments with the HSE on December 21 before getting married. Although there were a few more obstacles to overcome, the big day arrived, and Michelle walked up the aisle of the Daniel O'Connell Church in Cahersiveen looking radiant in her designer dress, to the singing of soprano Gavan Ring. Michelle's dress was indeed her dream dress but, in fact, it also had its own mini disaster in the run-up to the big day. It had always been her dream to have a designer dress, just like the kinds seen in her favourite show, 'Say Yes to the Dress', and she was lucky enough to choose one from the Kleinfield Bridal Store, which features on the show. The dress of hand-sewn pearls and Swarovski crystals was designed by Maggie Sottero but, like the rest of the world, the lock-down led to 'the COVID stone', and the dress had to be re-stitched - but all's well that ends well, and Michelle looked stunning as she took her vows. And despite a difficult and stressful year, Michelle says it was all worth it. "When you are planning a wedding during these times, you can't envision it. I wondered would I regret it, but I was delighted on the day. I am so happy I made the best of it. I achieved something, and I gave the guests something before going into lock-down... My husband is now my husband, and after getting through an obstacle course, we achieved something so big in this time. When me and my Dad walked into the church and Gavan Ring was singing 'Book of Love', we cried with relief. "Everyone that was there felt special to be there, and everyone put a lot of effort into making it feel normal. It was the best day ever." It was made even more special by the fact that everyone rowed into help her, not least the Sneem Hotel, who transformed the venue into a winter wonderland; as well as Buds and Blooms for providing her flowers; and Gavan Ring and organist Cormac Dineen for the music at the church during the ceremony. Photographer Rena McMonagle ensured the day was captured beautifully as Michelle and Paul chose special locatons around South Kerry for their photos. Videographer Andrew O'Gorman also captured the big day. And last, but not least, her dad, Christy, and mom, Geraldine, deserve a special thanks for getting her through the eventful year. But without doubt, it will be a wedding that will never be forgotten, and Paul and Michelle will now spend two weeks' quarantining in Toronto for their honeymoon. The US and UK have vaccinated around 1.4 percent of their populations the highest after Israel, which has vaccinated 12 percent of its population already. Should COVID-19 boosters be delayed? Could the dose levels be reduced by half, and would mixing and matching shots made by different makers work just as well? These are questions now facing governments around the world as vaccine rollout falters and the coronavirus continues to rage, spurred on by new variants that are believed to be more contagious. British health officials are setting the pace, announcing they will stretch out the second dose of vaccines authorised for use there up to three months, well beyond the three or four weeks recommended. The idea is to scale up the number of people who can be reached quickly, even if the level of individual protection falls short of what is reached with the booster. Authorities in England have also granted permission to give people a second shot from a different vaccine maker if the kind the got the first time has run out. The United States, meanwhile, has tacked a more cautious line. On Monday night, Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn said that while these are "reasonable questions to consider and evaluate", the moves are "premature and not rooted solidly in available evidence." Without this, "we run a significant risk of placing public health at risk, undermining the historic vaccination efforts to protect the population from COVID-19 ." The divide exposes a division among the experts, with respected scientists falling on opposing sides of the argument. Ideally, policy decisions should rest solely on the parameters in which clinical trials were conducted. But with the virus threatening to spiral out of control, some argue we're in far from an ideal situation. "We didn't pick three weeks for Pfizer or four weeks for Moderna because we knew it to be perfect," Howard Forman, a public health expert at Yale University told AFP. "It was the best guess for an optimal time for the booster dose to be given to augment immunity." Forman added that much of medicine is based on imperfect data such as how long a course of drugs should be taken, and physicians routinely prescribe medicine approved for one purpose for other conditions. "So modest changes to what we've already recommended may make all the difference in getting a lot more bang for the vaccines that we have," he added. Forman stressed that he's only suggesting delaying the second dose seen as vital to ensuring longer term protection and only in the case of under-65s and those who are at less medically vulnerable. Sluggish vaccine rollout The debate comes amid unexpected delays in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. The US had set 20 million people as its target for December but as of Jan 4, it had only reached 4.5 million. Both the US and UK have covered about 1.4 per cent of their populations, Europe is far behind, while Israel is out front having covered some 13 per cent. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, based on mRNA technology, reach about 95 per cent efficacy on second dose, which is reserved in storage for a person after their first. The Moderna vaccine in particular has shown high levels of protection after the first shot - in the region of 90 per cent - but the numbers should be treated cautiously as the sample size is small. Saad Omer, a vaccine researcher and director of Yale's Institute for Global Health, told AFP that he saw only a need for changing tactics in countries where supply itself is short. As it stands in the US, the rate at which vaccines are being sent to states is only a little behind schedule, and Omer believes addressing the bottleneck in administering them to people should be given priority. As for mixing vaccines, noted Yale immunologist Akiko Iwasaki has said it should work in theory, but experts are unanimous that it requires more study and should only be a last resort for now. Confusing to the public Both Omer and Natalie Dean, a biostatistician at the University of Florida, argue that a path forward might lie in further data analysis to find biological markers, such as antibody levels, that correlate to protection against COVID-19 . This could be determined by combing through the results of multiple trials to calculate a threshold value, then setting up small studies to determine what dose of vaccine gets you there. The advantage of this approach is it would eliminate the need to repeat months-long trials. This might be a promising avenue to pursue for injecting half-doses of the Moderna vaccine, which data suggests might deliver the same level of protection, said Dean. She added she was worried that the discussion around changes could be confusing to the public, "and I'm concerned about anything that could jeopardise trust". People should therefore be assured that any changes in the US would go through the same transparent regulatory process that granted the vaccines their emergency authorisation, she said. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The Department of Health and the Philippine Genome Center on Wednesday said the new COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom believed to be more contagious has not yet reached the Philippines based on a review of recent samples. Experts said the other variant found in South Africa has also not been detected in the country. The genome center said it conducted whole genome sequencing on 305 samples from coronavirus patients admitted in hospitals in November and December and inbound travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving at the airport. The samples came from patients who are residents of National Capital Region, Baguio City, Calabarzon, and General Santos. "Given the samples that we analyzed, we were not able to detect this particular lineage (B.1.1.7)... We also did not detect the South African variant in the samples," PGC Executive Director Cynthia Salome said in a media briefing. She said the most common mutation they have observed is the D614G mutation, which was found in the country in June. The official assured they have the technology to detect the emerging variants. Hong Kong on Tuesday reported they detected the new UK COVID-19 variant from a passenger who arrived from Manila on December 22. However, Philippine Airlines said the passenger presented a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the flight. The Philippines has imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals from at least 21 jurisdictions to prevent the entry of the new variants, but there are no restrictions on outbound travel. Dr. John Wong, epidemiologist and data analytics adviser for the Inter-Agency Task Force, warned that the country can see nearly 300,000 new coronavirus infections in a month from the average of 20,000 cases every month if the UK variant becomes prevalent in the country. The Supreme Court (SC) of on Wednesday will hear the 13 writ petitions filed against the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR) by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have registered their written responses in the court as per the SC's order issued on December 25, Khabarhub reported. A five-member Constitutional Bench of the SC led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana will hear the writ petitions filed against the government's move to dissolve the HoR. The Bench hearing the petition will give a final verdict on the issue whether the HoR dissolution was in line with the constitution or not, Khabarhub reported. This comes after President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the Lower House on Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's recommendation on December 20. After dissolving the Parliament, Oli also proposed elections on April 30 and May 10, 2021, nearly two years ahead of the schedule. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abbey Clancy has offered fans a hilarious insight into her attempts to homeschool her daughter Liberty, five, after England's schools were forced to close. The model, 34, pleaded with fans for help as she tried to get daughter to finish her studies, and quickly agreed with the suggestion she should 'open a bottle of wine.' Abbey is joining parents across the nation attempting to homeschool their children after Prime Minister Boris Johnson placed England in its third lockdown and ordered all schools and colleges to close. 'It's not going well!' Abbey Clancy has offered fans a hilarious insight into her attempts to homeschool her daughter Liberty after England's schools were forced to close Abbey took to Instagram Stories to ask for help from other parents as Liberty refused to do her schoolwork. She said: 'I don't know how you're all feeling, home school begins I'm currently sitting here waiting for my daughter to have maybe her eighth wee of the morning to get out of schoolwork. 'I just want to know if anyone's got any tips for me because it's not going too well in this house.' Oh dear! The model pleaded with fans for help as she tried to get daughter to finish her studies, and quickly agreed with the suggestion she should 'open a bottle of wine' Struggling: Abbey took to Instagram Stories to ask for help from other parents as Liberty refused to do her schoolwork Abbey then shared a snap of Liberty perched on the chair refusing to do her work, with the caption: 'This is what I'm dealing with.' It appeared Liberty was more concerned with enjoying a snack on the sofa then learning her sums, as another video saw Abbey ask her: 'Why won't you do your work for mummy? You know but you have to.' Later Abbey returned to social media after reading some of the messages she'd received from fans with their range of ideas, with one hinting she may need some Dutch courage. Stubborn: Liberty seemed to prefer eating a snack on the sofa to learning her sums, as another video saw Abbey ask her: 'Why won't you do your work for mummy? You know but you have to.' This is hard! Later Abbey returned to social media after reading some of the messages she'd received from fans with their range of ideas She continued: 'I've just managed to sneak a couple of minutes away to reply to your messages, Liberty is currently doing a PE lessons which she's finding fun. 'Just reading through your messages and a lot of advice including open a bottle of wine!' 'I think the first thing is not to put too much pressure on ourselves it's a really strange time for everyone. 'The kids must be feeling it too not being in the classroom with their friends and having to learn at home when they're not used to doing that must be tough on them. 'We just need to take a minute, we're doing OK we can do this.' Help! She continued: 'Just reading through your messages and a lot of advice including open a bottle of wine!' before laughing in agreement Managing: 'The kids must be feeling it too not being in the classroom with their friends and having to learn at home when they're not used to doing that must be tough on them' she said Helping hand: She then revealed some of the websites her fans had suggested that could help with homeschooling It comes after Abbey deleted snaps from her family's sunny getaway to Dubai after fans claimed they were 'disappointed' to see she'd jetted away while London was in Tier 4 of lockdown. Abbey gushed over how 'lucky' she was to have had a 'wonderful Christmas' as she shared glimpses of the family's trip and revealed they stayed at a five-star hotel, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, during their Dubai getaway. MailOnline understands the family flew to the UAE on December 14, before Tier 4 travel rules came into force, and returned to the UK on December 26. Credit: CC0 Public Domain British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said the coronavirus marathon had turned into a hopeful sprint to vaccinate millions in the weeks ahead but justified another lockdown to relieve crisis-hit hospitals. Hastily recalled lawmakers voted retroactively in favour of the lockdown measures, which came into effect in England overnight, by 524 votes to 16. Also Wednesday, the government announced 1,041 new deaths from the virusthe first time fatalities have exceeded 1,000 in a single day since the peak of the pandemic last April. The new figure means 77,346 people have now died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, one of the world's worst tolls. A record 62,322 new cases were also registered in 24 hours, after Johnson warned a variant strain of the virus which emerged in southeast England last month was spreading with "frightening ease and speed" To curb the spread of the virus, across England schools were shut this week as part of a stay-at-home order, matching the UK's other nations. Official data show that one in 50 people in England were infected last week, rising to one in 30 in London, and many hospitals say they are swamped with COVID-19 patients. Johnson told MPs the lockdown would stay in legal force until March 31 but would be reviewed in mid-February. By then, the government plans to have given a first vaccine dose to about 14 million people including everyone over 80, care home residents and all frontline medics in the National Health Service (NHS). Britain was the first country to start rolling out vaccines last month with the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, and this week began injections of a home-grown jab developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. So far, over 1.3 million people have received a first dose of one or the other vaccine across the UK, and the government is delaying follow-up doses in order to spread as much protection around the population as possible. Race against time "After the marathon of last year we are indeed now in a sprint, a race to vaccinate the vulnerable faster than the virus can reach them," said Johnson, who was hospitalised in intensive care with COVID-19 last year. He stressed that Britain, which has now fully left the European Union, had vaccinated more people than the rest of Europe combined. Any easing of the lockdown would be gradual, Johnson said, adding that local elections due in May were "under review" after they were postponed once already last year. More than 30,000 people were now in hospital with COVID-19more than at any point in the pandemicHealth Secretary Matt Hancock said. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed children would be assessed by their teachers instead of sitting end-of-year exams. While the opposition Labour party backed the lockdown, leader Keir Starmer said the worsening situation was not only "bad luck", accusing Johnson of indecision after a series of policy U-turns, including waiting to close schools until the new term had already begun. Johnson failed to spell out specific measures when Starmer asked why the government had not required pre-flight testing for airline passengers coming to Britain, after other mutant strains also emerged in South Africa and Denmark. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP India on Wednesday said the UNs peacekeeping and special political missions should be backed with a proper mandate and resources even as it called for a permanent slot for Africa in a reformed UN Security Council. New Delhis position on these issues was outlined in foreign secretary Harsh Shringlas intervention in a debate in the UN Security Council on the theme of Challenges of maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts. This was the first key meeting of the council since India became a non-permanent member of the body for two years in January. Shringla underlined the need to ensure the UNs presence on the ground, particularly its peacekeeping operations and special political missions, are sufficiently mandated and resourced to implement a comprehensive understanding of peace and security. Having contributed significantly to UN peacekeeping in Africa for six decades, we have seen how peacekeeping missions are struggling to implement ambitious mandates. Peacekeeping missions should have a clear and well thought out exit strategy, he said. Shringla also said the time has come for the Security Council to introspect about the fact that the African continent doesnt have a single voice amongst the permanent membership to defend its own interests at a time when more than half of the country issues on the councils agenda pertain to Africa. We need to correct this historical anomaly, and collectively support the Ezulwini consensus, he said, referring to the African Unions position on the need to make the Security Council more representative and democratic. The debate was held under Tunisias presidency of the Security Council for January, and focused on the African continent. Shringla said India and African countries have worked together for a fairer global governance system. Under its development partnership with Africa, India has executed 189 developmental projects in 37 African states, while another 77 projects are being completed with a total outlay of $12.86 billion. India supplied medicines to several African countries to help them fight Covid-19 and it responded to the UN secretary generals call to upgrade its peacekeeping hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, he said. At the India-Africa Forum Summit held in 2015, India also announced lines of credit worth $10 billion and grant assistance of $600 million to African countries. India is Africas third-largest export destination, and Indian firms have invested over $54 billion in Africa, he said. Pointing to the serious challenges posed by the growth of terrorism, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, Shringla said initiatives such as African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), G-5 Sahel Joint Force and Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) need more robust support from the Security Council. India is also engaged in capacity-building of security forces in several African countries and counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training forms a significant part of defence training programmes, he added. VALLETTA, Malta, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bequant, the leading global digital assets* services firm, has been granted in-principle approvals by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) to operate both a prime broker and exchange. The MFSA has approved in principle a Class 3 Virtual Financial Assets ("VFA") Licence to Bequant Pro Limited to provide VFA services as a prime brokerage to Experienced Investors including: Custodian and Nominee Services; Reception and Transmission of Orders; Execution of Client Orders; Dealing on Own Account; and Placing of VFAs. "These in-principle approvals are the culmination of years of work, and go to show that authorities are eager to work with firms that embrace regulation, said CEO George Zarya. "We are delighted to continue collaborating with the MFSA as the industry matures and more institutions enter the space needing a one-stop-shop to satisfy their needs. This decision shows Bequant's commitment to bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital assets." Additionally, Bequant Exchange Limited has been granted in principle a Class 4 Virtual Financial Assets Licence ("VFA") to provide the following VFA services to Non-Experienced and Experienced Investors: Operate a VFA Exchange; Custodian and Nominee Services; and Dealing on Own Account. Bequant Exchange Limited and Bequant Pro Limited were first incorporated on 31 Aug 2018 in Malta to take advantage of the digital assets framework that was introduced by the MFSA, one of the first regulators in the world to introduce such a comprehensive regulatory regime back in 2018. Both companies have been operating in Malta under the transitory provisions of the VFA Act and have been working with the MFSA closely during this process. "This is the next step in our quest to become the go-to destination for institutions," said COO Sergiu Frasineanu. "The MFSA is taking the lead on digital assets regulation, and we are proud to have in-principle approvals. We will continue to work with the regulator in order for us to be fully-licensed." These in-principle approvals come as Bequant is ramping up expansion to serve a wider audience of digital assets firms including hedge funds and asset managers, exchanges, OTC desks, family offices and more. About Bequant BEQUANT is a one stop solution for professional digital-assets investors and institutions. Our breadth of products include prime brokerage, custody technology, fund administration enhanced by an institutional trading platform providing low-latency, liquidity and direct market access. The BEQUANT team is composed of experts from institutional, retail and digital financial services with experience in banking, derivatives, electronic trading and prime brokerage. Websites : BEQUANT Digital Assets Trading Platform: www.BEQUANT.io BEQUANT Prime Brokerage Services: www.BEQUANT.pro Social Media : Follow BEQUANT on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn Media contact: Ryan Gorman Founder | RGPR [email protected] / + 1 646-420-4212 *'Digital assets' as referred herein shall not be construed to include any digital assets that can be classified as financial instruments or electronic money. SOURCE Bequant Related Links https://bequant.pro/ (Natural News) The loss of taste and smell is one of the most common and peculiar symptoms of COVID-19. While its not rare for viral upper respiratory infections to cause a temporary or even permanent loss of those senses, the symptom is particularly prevalent in COVID-19. Still, little is known about why many COVID-19 patients have it. Now, an international team of scientists has discovered mouth cells infected with the coronavirus that may explain the loss of taste. Their findings were posted in the preprint server medRxiv. The mouth an important route of infection The researchers examined ribonucleic acid (RNA), a complex molecule carrying instructions for controlling the synthesis of proteins, for different cell types in the mouth to identify which mouth tissues are most vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. They used an atlas that serves as a map of which cells carry what RNA and where. This atlas, which the researchers developed together with an organization called Human Cell Atlas, provided a way to analyze 50 oral cell types for the common front doors the virus uses to enter cells for infection, said co-author Dr. Kevin Byrd of the Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The researchers found that cells of the salivary glands, tongue and tonsils carry the most RNA linked to proteins needed by the virus to infect cells. These proteins include the ACE2 receptor, which the virus hijacks to gain entry into cells; and an enzyme called TMPRSS, which allows the virus to bind its membrane to that of the host cell and slip inside it. The team went on to sample the saliva of COVID-19 patients knowing that mouth cells get shed in the saliva. They observed that the more virus in the sample, the more likely a patient had a loss of taste and smell. They also found more evidence of infection in the vulnerable cell types they identified based on the mouth tissues of deceased COVID-19 patients. Our study shows that the mouth is a route of infection as well as an incubator for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, said Byrd. The researchers also found that the minor salivary glands can produce their own virus after infection. The minor salivary glands are the small, unnamed salivary glandular tissues widely distributed throughout the mouth, throat and aerodigestive tract. The team confirmed their finding by checking the levels of coronavirus RNA in the cells using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection, as well as a technique called in situ hybridization that detects genetic material. We hypothesize this is the primary source of virus in saliva, said Byrd. Changes in saliva quality may lead to loss of taste The researchers suspect that SARS-CoV-2 infection in the mouth can cause changes in saliva production or quality that can contribute to taste loss, as well as dry mouth and blistering in the mucosal tissues. Dr. Alessandro Villa of the Sol Silverman Oral Medicine Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study, agrees with the researchers. If the saliva production is somehow compromised, one could speculate that one could develop taste changes or loss of taste, said Villa. (Related: Scans show changes in brain caused by coronavirus-related loss of smell.) However, Villa noted that this is just a hypothesis and that further research will have to confirm this. He also recommended a large-scale study involving a bigger number of participants and samples as the study only included a few dozen people. The numbers are small, for sure, so it will be interesting to see what happens if you look at more patients and more tissues, Villa said. The researchers added that future studies could look into how mouth infection affects the course of the disease and facilitate the spread of the virus between people. A better understanding of how the coronavirus infects mouth cells can help improve treatments for COVID-19 patients with a loss of taste, according to Byrd. Infections.news has more studies about the coronavirus. Sources include: VUMC.org LiveScience.com Radiopaedia.org Im Still Alive: A Collection of Short Stories Depicting Gods Never-Ending Grace: a heart-warming memoir that walks the readers through a whole new world where they can see and feel the presence of Gods love within their hearts. Im Still Alive: A Collection of Short Stories Depicting Gods Never-Ending Grace is the creation of published author Don Barber, an inventor and entrepreneur who has centered on being a technologist for many years on the bleeding edge of technology. He also has performed services on personal computers, mainframes, and wireless communication networks and has provided innovative, cutting-edge solutions for Fortune 100 companies with previously unreleased technologies. Barber writes, Wow, Im still alivebut how? There is only one explanation. Take a walk with me through the rough patches of my life and it will become very apparent to you. One word. God. It will be evident when you see the jams that I have gotten myself into, that God put an angel on my shoulder when I was very young. Stranded in the Atlantic Ocean? Motorcycle crashes? Six of my cars totaled, fourteen cars in all? Drunk on a Canadian Destroyer in San Francisco? Robbed at gunpoint in Chicago? Roof ripped off as a tornado just missed our home? Illegally racing cars? Nearly having my hand cut off by a miter saw? Working in the bomb dump in chemical gear in 100-degree weather arming 2000lb bombs? Drunk driving? Head-on collision with 130mph impact? Drug addiction? Almost flipping my race car at Atlanta Motor Speedway? I have no doubt how I'm still alive. These are just a few examples. God has a purpose for me. Maybe it's this book. He hasnt revealed it to me yet, as far as I know. I do believe that He wanted me to tell people one thing. God is good and He loves us very, very much. Read my stories and you will be amazed. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Don Barbers new book is an engrossing journal that will leave the readers in awe as it unfolds an enigmatic story on how the author is still alive after the traumatic events that happened in his life. View a synopsis of Im Still Alive: A Collection of Short Stories Depicting Gods Never-Ending Grace on YouTube. Consumers can purchase Im Still Alive: A Collection of Short Stories Depicting Gods Never-Ending Grace at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Im Still Alive: A Collection of Short Stories Depicting Gods Never-Ending Grace, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Control of the Senate majority will be decided on Tuesday night -- or maybe Wednesday morning! -- in Georgia, as Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue try to hold onto their seats. Lose both and Democrats retake the chamber. Win either one and Republicans retain the narrowest of majorities heading into the 117th Congress. The stakes are impossibly high. So, what's going to happen? For answers about that -- and how the two runoffs have played out -- I reached out to star Atlanta Journal-Constitution political reporter Greg Bluestein, who has covered every inch of these races. Our conversation, conducted via email and lightly edited for flow, is below. Cillizza: Describe the scene in Georgia over these past two months. Trump contesting the 2020 election AND two runoffs! Bluestein: Overwhelming. Extraordinary. Insane. I've struggled throughout the races over how to best to describe these dramatic cliffhangers, with four candidates competing in high-stakes runoffs that will shape President-elect Joe Biden's agenda. Maybe the best way to capture it is: Dramatic. There's no shortage of breathtaking developments: Secretly recorded tapes, controversial photos and footage -- and of course President Donald Trump's ongoing war with fellow Republicans in Georgia. And then there are the incredibly high stakes involved. As Vice President-elect Kamala Harris put it in Columbus last month: "Everything that's at stake in November is at stake in January." No pressure, Georgia! Cillizza: There's a tendency to lump both races together. Have they been distinct from each other? And if so, how? Bluestein: Each of the candidates are running their own distinct operations -- but they are also effectively running as dueling tickets. It's a bit confusing, but there's a reason for that. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock need to sweep both Senate seats for Democrats to flip control of the Senate, while Republicans decided to pool resources early to defend their majority. Both Republicans have assailed their opponents as "radical liberals" who would lead the nation down a path toward socialism, but with different lines of attack. Loeffler has focused on sermons and stances Warnock staked from the pulpit of Atlanta's famed Ebenezer Baptist Church, while Perdue has charged that Ossoff is a feckless liberal who is too inexperienced to hold the job. The Democrats have swung right back, accusing their rivals of being stooges of Trump and profiting off the pandemic. They've also been more willing to embrace party leaders, including liberal figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that past candidates would have run screaming from. Cillizza: Trump. How big a factor is he in today's vote? And is it positive or negative? Or both? Bluestein: Like just about everything else in American politics now, Trump has shaped this contest. Both parties recognized immediately this would be a race for their bases -- a pool of 2.5 million or so voters for each side in Georgia -- rather than a contest to win over the undecideds. Loeffler and Perdue have done everything they can to placate Trump. They've chastised Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, refused to acknowledge Biden's victory, skipped a vote to override Trump's veto of the military spending policy and backed his call for $2,000 stimulus checks. On Monday came the biggest step yet: Both said they backed the doomed GOP effort to challenge Biden's win in Congress. Democrats have tried to paint a picture of a post-Trump era in American politics, complete with more funding to fight the coronavirus, expanded health care access and a sweeping new voting-rights law. But they've also hammered the Republicans for tying themselves so closely with a President they say is undermining democracy. And of course, the race was further rocked over the weekend by Trump's extraordinary demand to Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to reverse his election defeat. Democrats framed the recording as a brazen attempt to undermine democracy, while the GOP campaigns sought to minimize it. Cillizza: The Democratic candidates have been somewhat overshadowed in all of this. Is one a better candidate than the other? Or running a better (or worse) campaign? Bluestein: That's a great point. As one Democratic operative called to remind me today, the run-up to Tuesday's vote was dominated by talk about the Republicans: Trump's fuming about his election defeat, the push to contest Biden's victory in Congress, the bombshell tape. Even Biden's visit to Georgia was somewhat overshadowed by Trump's rally. The Democrats, by the way, are OK with that. They aren't struggling to project a sense of unity like the Georgia GOP now is. And they feel that Ossoff and Warnock work in tandem together to help counter the party's traditional struggles in statewide runoffs, when younger and more diverse voters typically show up in lower numbers. Ossoff, 33, has been appealing to millennials, African Americans and others who might usually ignore these overtime contests. And Warnock, who leads the church where Martin Luther King Jr. once preached, has tried to re-engage Black voters. Cillizza: Finish this sentence: "The chances of one party sweeping BOTH seats today is _________." Now, explain. Bluestein: It's hard to predict a race like this, particularly with so little solid polling, but I'll wager the answer is: Very likely. The Democrats have basically run as a package deal, as have the Republicans. Voters here have been bombarded by an onslaught of ads, teams of canvassers, text messages, digital messaging and other breathless appeals [casting] one side as good and the other as the face of evil. It's hard to see this ending in a split decision -- and of course that does Democrats no good, since they need a clean sweep to flip Senate control. But I can't rule it out, either, especially if the margins are as tight as they were in November, when Biden defeated Trump by fewer than 12,000 votes. Many Republican analysts expect Perdue, who has a longer track record in GOP politics than Loeffler, to outdo her in the runoffs. A British motorist has been busted by the French police for driving the wrong way down a motorway on New Year's Eve after being turned away from the Spanish border. The British motorist was refused entry to Spain because he did not have a valid COVID-19 test so he had decided to drive back to the UK. The motorway was empty due to strict curfew and lockdown rules in France so it is possible he did not see any other vehicles and became confused about which side of the road to drive on. A British motorist has been busted by the French police for driving the wrong way down a motorway on New Year's Eve after being turned away from the Spanish border The British motorist was refused entry to Spain because he did not have a valid COVID-19 test so he had decided to drive back to the UK The motorway was empty due to strict curfew and lockdown rules in France so it is possible he did not see any other vehicles and became confused about which side of the road to drive on The incident took place on the A75 motorway in the French department of Aveyron on the night of December 31. According to French newspapers Ouest-France and Actu Toulouse, the police pulled him over after he drove around 6 miles. He told officers that he just wanted to go home after being refused entry in Spain because he did not have a valid coronavirus test. According to French newspapers Ouest-France and Actu Toulouse, the police pulled him over after he drove around 6 miles The French police escorted the unnamed British citizen to the correct side of the motorway and, after giving him a 122 fine for driving the wrong way down the motorway and violating curfew hours, allowed him to continue on his way. While the British citizen was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, French police in the department of Aveyron stopped three road users for drink-driving on New Years Eve and one person for driving under the influence of narcotics. Courtesy /San Antonio Police Department A man accused of shooting another man during an argument in front of his Northwest Side home last month was arrested Tuesday, police said. Jesus Monsivais Jr., 18, is charged with murder in the death of 41-year-old Oscar Castillo Jr., San Antonio police said. Paducah City Facilities to Remain Closed By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Paducah's City Hall and other city facilities will continue to be closed to the public until further notice.Some of the other facilities that will remain closed to the public include the lobby of the Paducah Police Department, fire stations, Public Works Department lobby, and the Parks & Recreation Department offices.City Manager Jim Arndt said they had hoped to reopen City Hall and other facilities to in-person business next Monday, but the active cases in McCracken County and across the state are not declining. He urged residents to contact city offices through phone calls, email, and other methods.Anyone that does not want to mail their property tax payment or other payments to the Finance Department, you can use the drop-box located on the front of the 5th Street side of City Hall.The general information phone number for city government is 270-444-8800.If you need a permit through the Fire Prevention Division, call Fire Prevention at 270-444-8527. Information will be taken over the phone with payments through the drop-box outside the building.Engineering at 270-444-8511; Planning at 270-444-8690; and Fire Prevention at 270-444-8527. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agriculture specialists seized nearly nine pounds of bushmeat at Newark Liberty International Airport from a passenger that arrived from Ghana, the agency said in a release Tuesday. Bushmeat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a term used for meat derived from wild animals ranging from non-human primates and bats to civets and African rodents that can be potential vectors of disease. The traveler, an American citizen, declared the meat to CBP. It was then seized and destroyed at the recommendation of the CDC. CBP Agriculture Specialists made critical interceptions of these prohibited animal products and stopped them from entering the United States before they could potentially cause grave damage to our agricultural and economic vitality, said Troy Miller, the director of CBP field operations at the New York Office. In one notable Staten Island case, a Staten Island woman was sentenced to three-years probation in 2009, marking the end of a four-year legal saga, after she was accused of smuggling 65 pieces of bushmeat into the country. Air quality in Delhi showed minor deterioration on Wednesday morning but remained in the moderate zone with the hourly average air quality index at 7am reaching 171. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recordings show that on Tuesday the overall air quality index (AQI) was 140, in the moderate category. It was 151 on Monday, also in the moderate zone. Wednesdays AQI is in line with the prediction of Union environment ministrys air quality monitoring centre, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar). The AQI is likely to stay in the moderate to satisfactory category on Tuesday and in the moderate to poor category on Wednesday. It is likely to marginally deteriorate on January 7 and January 8, the Safar analysis read. Kuldeep Srivastava, head of India Meteorological Departments (IMDs) regional weather forecasting centre, said that light rain is likely to continue through Tuesday night, till Wednesday morning. Till 12pm on Wednesday, some parts of Delhi are likely to receive light rainfall but by midday, the Western Disturbance will pass from over Delhi, said Srivastava. File image: Jack Ma Alibaba founder Jack Ma is not missing; he is rather laying low for the time being after telling off Chinese government regulators. "He may not have shown up, but he's not missing," CNBC anchor David Faber reported on January 5. He is very likely in Hangzhou, where the headquarters of Alibaba is, Faber said in the report. The Chinese e-commerce billionaire's latest gambit backfired after he had called regulators too conservative in an October 24 speech and urged them to be more innovative. After reports speculating about Alibaba founder Jack Mas whereabouts, @davidfaber reported Tuesday that the billionaire is not missing, according to a person familiar with the matter. Instead, Ma has been lying low for the time being. https://t.co/3HNpppdCcC pic.twitter.com/ma1GDWQIFo CNBC (@CNBC) January 5, 2021 He is being less visible purposefully. And you can expect that that will continue to be the case for some time. He ran afoul of the government of the PRC (Peoples Republic of China). He has pushed on that line a number of times in the past and been okay, reported the CNBC anchor quoting sources. He irked regulators with the speech at a business conference in Shanghai attended by some of the regulators he was criticizing. He complained regulators had an antique pawnshop mentality and were hampering innovation, according to Chinese media. He appealed to them to support unconventional approaches to make it easier for entrepreneurs and young people to borrow. They halted the impending stock market debut of Ant Group, an online finance platform that grew out of Alipay. Alibaba's share price sank, possibly costing Ma his status as China's richest tycoon. The October 24 speech just went too far. And like a lot of people there, he understands when you have to lay down and roll over. He is not going to be putting himself in any position where he will be speaking. He is not going to do that. It could be months. But it doesnt mean that he is missing. He hasnt been captured, he hasnt been taken, Faber added. Ma, 56, stepped down as Alibaba's chairman in 2019 but is part of the Alibaba Partnership, a 36-member group with the right to nominate a majority of its board of directors. He is one of the biggest shareholders. (With inputs from agencies) Fischmann will provide strategic guidance to better serve Operative's customers and contribute to further scaling AOS in the MVPD market. AOS, a technology platform for advertising, is built with a modern cloud-based architecture that simplifies the buying and selling process by uniting traditional linear TV with digital assets. Most recently Fischmann was VP of Product Management at Xandr and brings to Operative extensive experience commercializing advanced advertising, across linear, OTT, and addressable, for media sales organizations such as Xandr, DirecTV, and Spectrum Cable. Reporting directly to Andrew Sullivan, SVP of Product Strategy at Operative, Fischmann will provide product strategy related to optimizing premium video advertising's buy and sell-side operational processes. Lorne Brown, CEO of Operative said of Fischmann's hire, "With over 15 years of experience developing products that provide optimization and efficiency across the MVPD market, Hans will be an integral part in further advancing Operative's ability to continue to build out AOS to support our customers. Having crossed paths with him several times over the course of our careers, I can truly say he will be a tremendous asset for our organization." "Operative has a unique vantage on the industry and brings efficiencies to the premium video eco-system through workflow automation, converged inventory solutions, and deal flexibility," said Fischmann. "AOS helps our customers to unlock business models, improve packaging, and integrate new direct-to-consumer supply with existing inventory. Having stood up book-to-bill DDL, Addressable, and Converged platforms, I know firsthand that Operative is the partner of choice for efficient tools, operational extensibility, and fewer touchpoints to help automate every stage from proposal to execution." About Operative Operative is the preferred broadcast management for linear and digital, and a software partner for over 300 of the world's top media brands, including NBCU, CBS, ABC, AT&T, STARZ, Star India, Seven Australia and Sky. No other software company brings a comparable depth of experience to create truly innovative software that performs across all platforms, revenue models, and business units. Since 2000, Operative has grown to over 1200+ employees in 12 offices around the world and processes more than $40 billion in linear and digital advertising revenue for the best-known companies in the industry. For more information, visit www.operative.com SOURCE Operative Media Related Links https://www.operative.com Steinbeck, Wanda Wanda Marie Steinbeck, 69, of Bardwell, Kentucky died on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield. A lifelong resident of Carlisle County, Wanda was born on March 22, 1951 in Clinton Hospital to the late Stanford and Eloise Bragg Steinbeck. Wanda attended Cunningham Grade School and graduated with high academic honors from Carlisle County High School in 1969. She then matriculated at Murray State University in the pre-med program graduating with a BS in Biology in 1973. Shortly after graduating she entered Paducah Community College to pursue her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. She began her career at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah and a few years later felt called to serve in the Pediatric Unit. Her deep compassion and expertise in treating her young patients earned the respect and recognition of the Pediatricians and Nursing Team. Wanda was one of the first nurses called to assist with difficult procedures or to accompany her patients being transported to larger Childrens Hospitals in Louisville, Memphis, and Nashville. Wanda had a true gift to calm her fearful patients and to reassure their parents or to comfort them in times of grief. She would take the time and often stay after her shift to talk, read, or play games with her young patients. Her many patients and their caregivers were grateful for her deep concern and dedication. After many years at Western Baptist, Wanda retired and decided to become a Home Health Care Nurse with Lourdes Hospital. She enjoyed these years, being able to care for not only the medical needs of her patients but their need for someone to listen and talk with them. Her care brought them happiness and joy. Wanda was well read and enjoyed traveling and learning about different cultures. She visited five Continents both for pleasure or on Nursing trips. The Nursing trips were often in very remote and isolated areas of the World and the ability to share with them knowledge to help their Communities brought her purpose and joy. She also enjoyed visiting many Historic Sites and National Parks across the United States. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Kathryn Louise Steinbeck; her paternal grandparents, Jerry M. and Annye Moyers Steinbeck; her aunt and uncle, Evelyn (Steinbeck) and Martin Johnson of Illinois, her cousins, Walter Steinbeck, Lorri Steinbeck Holder, and William Steinbeck. Wanda is survived by her four cousins; Ceil C. Chris Johnson of Campton Hills, Illinois, Jerome M. Johnson of Campton Hills, Illinois, John Steinbeck of Bardwell, Leah Steinbeck Workman of Paducah. She also leaves dear friends, Rosemary Marbry and Vickie Morgan of Bardwell and her St. Jerome Catholic Church Family in Fancy Farm and Priest Father Darrell Venters who was a great source of comfort and prayer. Services will not be held at this time due to the current pandemic and will be private. We appreciate your help in maintaining state mandated Covid restrictions. This includes wearing a mask and maintaining the minimum six feet of distancing within our facility at all times. During this difficult time of Covid, you may show your support by joining the Hugs from Home program where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support. Please go to www.milnerandorr.com to send a hug. You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com. The only success that Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of Ethiopia, may have achieved since assuming office a couple of years ago is that the very foundations on which modern Ethiopia, at least since 1991, has been resting have been shaken. Before Ahmed took over after a stormy convention within the now-defunct Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the various ethnicities in Ethiopia hardly tried to coexist in peace and harmony. The ethno-federal system introduced by Meles Zenawi, Ethiopias former long-serving prime minister and godfather of the modern nation, seemed doable, at least on the surface. While it is true that federalism in Ethiopia can be observed only in the official name of the republic and some other appearances like the celebration by the countrys various ethnicities of their respective cultural events and traditions, it is also true that the nation was glued together in one piece by the Zenawi system no matter how fragmented it was deep down inside. But with Ahmed in office, Ethiopias ethno-federalism has shown its ugliest face ever, with mounting attacks targeting people based on their ethnicities. Reflecting on the days prior to his appointment as Ethiopias prime minister and early days in office, Ahmed aped his predecessor in a lengthy talk to the countrys parliament. The incumbent premier addressed the Ethiopian House of Representatives and said that when his predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn had resigned, he had not done so because of what he had hoped at the time would be part of the political solution in the country, but rather because he had wanted to avoid what Ahmed called a coup. He said plainly that the Tigrayan-controlled security services had wanted to stage a coup against the feckless government of Desalegn in order to bring in a man more tailored to maintain their interests. This was the first time that Ahmed had spoken in public of the essence of the problems between him and the Tigrayans, claiming that they had wanted to kill him before he became prime minister. He also recalled how he had been under active surveillance wherever he went and how snipers had been placed on every corner in Oromia where Ahmed had been leading the Oromo Democratic Party (OPD) less than two months ahead of his election as prime minister. He said he had released a video in collaboration with his comrades, as he put it, to urge the people of Oromia to stay alert and keep up the momentum in case he and other strugglers were murdered. One needs to pause here to reflect on the video part. Though the Oromo peoples demands were legitimate, since Addis Ababas urban development plans aimed in effect to end their decades-long dream of having their own independent state with Finfinne, as they refer to the capital city of Ethiopia, as their capital, other questions look inevitable. What had turned the protests at the confiscation of the land of impoverished Oromo farmers into a rebellion demanding the removal of the Desalegn-led government? Who was in league with Oromo nationals in exile like Jawar Mohamed, now detained under terrorism charges? Above all, who had solicited and received money from the Oromo expatriates to keep up the momentum against the Desalegn government? In plain words, who in fact had staged a coup? The ensuing events show that Ahmeds coup stories are not only unsubstantiated, but are also misleading, and that they have only one aim: to justify the terrible acts of killing, the demolition of infrastructure, and the shelling of historical religious sites in Tigray. In other words, Ahmeds war on Tigray is more than an attempt to enforce the law, as his entourage and the Ethiopian state-run media are arguing, because it is effectively a military expedition to subdue the Tigrayans into accepting the legitimacy of his rule in the same way that the expansionist emperor Menelik II, who hailed from the Amhara, had done in Ethiopias older history. As a means of paying back favours, Ahmed allowed the return of all Oromo armed groups into Ethiopia and removed the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) from the Ethiopian list of terrorist organisations under the bright banner of giving space to different political groups. In truth, the step was intended to secure the balance of military power that would be needed in the fight against the Tigrayan-led security apparatus. Ahmed said that he was forgiving the devilish fellow Ethiopians in the TPLF who had insisted on inflicting damage to the country at a time when he was working for its prosperity. He said he did not want to go to war in Tigray, but that the TPLF was at war with him, forcing him to trigger it. He elaborated in front of the Ethiopian parliament the ways in which the TPLF-dominated security agencies had prevented him from entering the palace of the prime minister with his security detail; how they had wrongly passed intelligence from him to foreign intelligence services in order to mislead him; and how he had not even been able to talk on the telephone with his deputy Demeke Mekonen to get into the swing of things. But Ahmeds narrative does not correspond to the facts on the ground because when he assumed office he started a cleansing campaign against the Tigrayans and removed almost all of them from senior military and intelligence posts, pushing them to amass in Mekele, their regions capital. Apparently, Ahmed wants to wash his hands of the bloody acts committed not only in Tigray, but also in the Southern Nations, the Nationalities Peoples Region (now divided into two regions), Beni Shengul Gumuz, the Somali Region and even in his own region of Oromia. The common denominator of all the tragic incidents that have happened in all these regions is that Ethiopia lacks a politically seasoned prime minister familiar with the complicated nature of this multi-ethnic nation. Ahmed believes he is the legitimate leader of the country, though his legitimacy is being questioned over government-sponsored acts of killing, peaking in the campaign against Tigray. When he assumed office in 2018, it was hoped that Ethiopia would emerge as a centre of democracy and freedoms in East Africa and as a model that could be an inspiration elsewhere. Unfortunately, Ahmed has proved wrong those who thought of him as a reformist. Instead of getting down to brass tacks in addressing the chronic problems of his country, Ahmed has led Ethiopia further into chaos. *The writer is a former press and information officer in Ethiopia and an expert on African affairs. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Short link: Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Kesselrun Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KES) (OTC Pink: KSSRF) ("Kesselrun" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update. 2021 Drill Program The 2021 drill program is currently in the final stages of planning. Drilling is expected to commence later this month with a total 20,000 metres of drilling planned in this phase. Drilling will concentrate on the zones which made up the historic resource and the historically mined Huronian zone. Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, commented, "We are very excited to begin this phase of exploration on Huronian and demonstrate its potential to the market." 2020 Annual General Meeting Results The 2020 Annual General Meeting took place on December 8th, 2020. The following resolutions were passed at the Annual General Meeting. Elected Michael Thompson, John da Costa, Caitlin Jeffs, and Yanika Silina to the board of Directors until the next Annual General meeting Set the number of directors at four Appointed Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP as auditors of the Company for the financial year ending July 31, 2021 Approved the Company's 10% rolling Stock Option Plan Subsequent to the Annual General Meeting, the board of directors appointed the following officers. Michael Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer John da Costa, Chief Financial Officer Red Cloud Securities The Company is pleased to advise it has engaged Red Cloud Financial Services Inc ("Red Cloud") to provide various investor relations and marketing services to the Company. Red Cloud is a Toronto-based financial services company that provides investor relations services, including assisting with increasing investor awareness and overall marketing. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Red Cloud is a globally oriented resource focused financial services platform, offering clients an extensive array of corporate access services including marketing and media. As part of its engagement Red Cloud will manage the Company's social media and assist Kesselrun in the creation of video content for use on "Red Cloud TV" and other channels. Under the engagement, Red Cloud will be paid a fee of $12,500 per month for the services it will render to the Company for an initial period of twelve months. Recent Financing Details Kesselrun would like to welcome the various institutions that participated in the recent financing (see news releases December 14th and 15th, 2020) as shareholders of the Company. Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, commented, "The high calibre of the institutions who subscribed to the financing attests to the quality of the Huronian Project." Options The Company has granted 1,000,000 incentive stock options to its directors, officers, employees, consultants, and management company employees. The stock options shall be exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of issue. About the Huronian Gold Project The 100% owned Huronian Gold Project hosts the past producing Huronian Mine, Northwestern Ontario's first gold mine with an historic resource estimate of 44,592 oz Au @ 15.3 g/t Au in the indicated category and 501,377 oz Au @ 14.4 g/t Au in the inferred category. The resource estimate presented for the Huronian Project is historic in nature. Kesselrun Resources' qualified person has not completed sufficient work to confirm the results of the historical resource. Kesselrun Resources is not treating this as a current mineral resource but is considering it relevant as a guide to future exploration and is included for reference purposes only. The historic resource was estimated by Minescape Exploration Inc. in 1998. Further drilling will be required by Kesselrun Resources to verify the historic estimate as current mineral resources. As well, the Huronian Gold Project hosts the same lithological package of rocks, as interpreted from both Government of Ontario and Kesselrun Resources mapping, compilation and modelling, on strike from Wesdome Gold's adjacent Moss Lake Gold Deposit with a resource estimate of 1,377,300 oz Au @ 1.1 g/t Au in the indicated category and 1,751,600 oz Au @ 1.1 g/t Au in the inferred category as outlined in their 2013 PEA1. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicitave of mineralization hosted on Kesselrun Resources' property. 1Moss Lake Gold Mines (currently wholly owned subsidiary of Wesdome Gold) news releases February 20, 2013 and September 9, 2013. Qualified Person Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of Kesselrun, is the Qualified Person responsible for the project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this news release. Health and Safety The health and safety of our personnel and contractors is always top priority to Kesselrun. The current situation presents new challenges above and beyond what we normally face while working in the field. Kesselrun has implemented further measures to minimize the risk due to the current situation and ensure the health and safety of all working on the Company's projects. About Kesselrun Resources Ltd. Kesselrun Resources is a Thunder Bay, Ontario-based mineral exploration company focused on growth through property acquisitions and discoveries. Kesselrun's management team possesses strong geological and exploration expertise in Northwest Ontario. For more information about Kesselrun Resources, please visit www.kesselrunresources.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For additional information please contact: Kesselrun Resources Ltd. Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President & CEO 807.285.3323 michaelt@kesselrunresources.com Corporate Communications 1.866.416.7941 information@kesselrunresources.com Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Kesselrun, including, but not limited to the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, dependence upon regulatory approvals, the execution of definitive documentation, the availability of financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71428 With 751 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, the total number of recovered Covid-19 cases in Manipur reached 27,613, officials said. Following the sharp rise in recoveries, Manipurs recovery rate jumped to 97.16%. The recovery rate was 94.81% on Monday, Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang, additional director and spokesperson of health department, said in a release on Tuesday. However, in the last 24 hours, two persons, a man aged 34 years and a woman aged 75 years died of Covid-19-related complications at JNIMS and RIMS hospitals respectively,the press release said. The cumulative death toll in the state is now 363. Also Read: In a first, flower documented only as dried specimen in India photographed in Manipur A total of 86 persons tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. The cumulative number of positive cases is 28,418 while the number of active cases has also drastically declined to 442, the press release added. As of Tuesday, 528,680 people were screened at various entry points into the state, while 482,953 individuals were tested for the disease, said officials. The state health department has also urged the public to self-isolate and contact Covid control rooms or the chief medical officer for testing on coming in contact with a Covid-19 positive person. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Matt Hancock today insisted teachers have a 'very strong case' to be next in line to receive the coronavirus vaccine. The Health Secretary told MPs that ministers are currently 'considering' who will get the jab once the top four priority groups of the most vulnerable people have been vaccinated. Ministers are facing growing pressure to bump teachers up the vaccine priority list so that schools can reopen as soon as possible. Senior MPs and industry figures have stressed that a speedy return to lessons is paramount to prevent the latest national lockdown causing further damage to children's education. Immunisation of teachers and staff is heralded as the key to getting pupils back in classrooms, as children themselves are at very little risk from the disease. Ministers are facing growing pressure to bump teachers up the vaccine priority list to allow schools to reopen. Pictured: Moulsecoomb Primary School as it remains shut The Government is currently steaming ahead with the biggest vaccination rollout in British history and by mid-February aims to have administered 14 million jabs to care home residents, all over-85s, the clinically vulnerable and frontline health workers The Government is currently steaming ahead with the biggest vaccination programme in British history. Boris Johnson's aim is to have vaccinated the 13 million most vulnerable people in the UK by the middle of February. Four groups of people have been identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as being most in need of the vaccine. They are care home residents and staff, all over-80s and frontline health and social care workers, all over-75s, and all over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable. Mr Hancock told the House of the Commons that teachers have a 'very strong case' to be next in line once those four groups have been covered. He said: Of course we are considering, once we have vaccinated those who are clinically vulnerable, of course we are considering who then should be the next priority for vaccination and teachers of course have got a very strong case, as have those who work in nurseries and many colleagues across the House have made that point. We will consider that. Mr Johnson announced the closure of all schools and colleges across England on Monday night as he plunged the nation back into lockdown. He has marked out education as a 'national priority' and has insisted that schools will be the first thing to reopen when lockdown rules can be eased. The Government is also stepping up its efforts to provide laptops for pupils from the poorest families as schools are forced to make the switch to online learning. But the Prime Minister is being urged by his own backbenches to step up efforts to resume physical teaching, with online learning deemed inadequate, with growing calls from across the political divide for teachers to be installed at the top of the vaccine priority list. Robert Halfon, the Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee, said this morning: 'Surely teachers and support staff must be made a priority alongside NHS workers for vaccination.' Warning of the impact of school closures on children, Mr Halfon told Times Radio: 'We are damaging their life chances every day that they are not in school, we're increasing mental health worries, we know there are safeguarding hazards for children being at home, so the priority must be to get our kids back into school.' Making the case for teachers to get the jab, he added: 'The Government want to prioritise the elderly and the vulnerable and I'm absolutely in sympathy with that. 'I think there is an argument about supporting one group of workers over another, but my view is that children - educating our children - is the most important thing we can do.' Education Secretary Gavin Williamson this afternoon did not make reference to vaccines for schools staff, but instead said mass testing would be at the heart of the Government's plan to resume lessons. Senior MPs and industry figures have stressed that a speedy return to lessons is paramount to prevent lockdown wreaking further damage to children's education. Left: Robert Halfon and right: Lord Baker The issue may soon be debated by MPs as a petition on Parliament's website to prioritise teachers for vaccines has already surpassed 307,000 signatures. Margaret Thatcher's education secretary Lord Baker has added his voice to the campaign. He told the Telegraph: 'Teachers should be inoculated and vaccinated as priority cases and people like dinner ladies, anyone who goes into school carries the risk of carrying Covid. If we can do two million vaccinations a week, we can certainly fit teachers in.' Education union leaders have also been pushing for teachers to receive the jab and said it would pave the way for the reopening of schools. Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT union, said: 'It is extremely disappointing that the Government has not yet signalled rolling out the vaccine to prioritise schools and education staff. 'Keeping teachers free from Covid is the best way to ensure that children's education does not continue to be disrupted going forwards.' Although the Government has not yet made any promises, there were signs teachers could be earmarked for vaccination following the initial rollout for the vulnerable. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson this afternoon did not make reference to vaccines for schools staff, but instead said mass testing would be at the heart of the Government's plan to resume lessons England's deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries suggested to MPs that teachers and other frontline workers could be next in line, HuffPost reported. 'When the first four groups are completed, then frontline key workers would be vaccinated and this would include consideration of teachers,' she said, according to one MP on the call. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there should have been a contingency plan in place in case schools needed to close again. He told the Commons this afternoon: 'On schools, we all recognise the huge damage that closing schools will cause for many children and families. 'But the Prime Minister knew that closures might be necessary so there should always have been a contingency plan. 'Up to 1.8 million children don't have access to a home computer and 900,000 children live in households that rely on mobile internet connections. 'So can the Prime Minister tell us when is the Government going to get the laptops to those that need them? 'He spoke about the 50,000 delivered and the 100,000 more, but 1.8 million children don't have access to a home computer so there's real urgency needed now.' Responding, Mr Johnson said: 'He asked about laptops and devices and he quoted a figure of 50,000. In fact, the number is 560,000 that have gone to schools.' Badaun: In the latest development to the Badaun gang-rape case, another accused has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh police, while one is still absconding. The SSP of Badaun Sankalp Sharma said, "In the case of the death of a 50-year-old woman under suspicious circumstances, an accused has been arrested and a has been case registered against him under Sections 302 and 376D of the Indian Penal Code." Also, the Station house officer (SHO) has been suspended, reported ANI. In the case of the death of a 50 year old woman under suspicious circumstances, an accused has been arrested and a has been case registered against him under Sections 302 and 376D of the Indian Penal Code: SSP Badaun pic.twitter.com/GLblQ6HBgY ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 6, 2021 The brutal gang-rape incident, which reminds of Delhi's Nirbhaya gang-rape case took place at a village in the Ughaiti police station area of Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district. According to the post-mortem report, the woman was gang-raped. An iron rod was inserted into the woman's private parts, the woman's lung was punctured and several ribs and leg was broken. The woman's body was left outside her house on Sunday night by the accused at around 12 midnight, police said. The woman succumbed to her injuries that night. The police had registered a case against three people, Mahant Baba Satyanarayana, his disciple Vedram and driver Jaspal, at the behest of the victim's family. The police have registered a case and have formed four teams to catch the remaining two perpetrators who are absconding. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The man accused of smuggling $2.5 million in meth through International Bridge 2 has been identified in a Laredo federal court. READ MORE: Immigrants found concealed in cargo of lumber An arrest affidavit filed on Dec. 30 charged Jonathan Dionicio Quintanilla, 19, with import and conspire to import the meth. On Dec. 28, Quintanilla arrived at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge operating a 2013 Kia Optima. He gave a negative declaration for more than $10,000, fruits or vegetables, merchandise requiring the payment of duties or narcotics. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Quintanilla to the secondary area for further inspection. There, a K-9 unit alerted to the odor of narcotics emitting from the vehicle. An X-ray inspection of the vehicle yielded anomalies within the roof and doors of the vehicle. Further inspection revealed several packages throughout the vehicle. CBP officers extracted 100 packages of methamphetamine weighing approximately 128 pounds. The contraband had an estimated street value of $2,576,736, according to CBP. Homeland Security Investigations special agents responded to take over the investigation. Quintanilla allegedly agreed to provide a statement without an attorney present. Quintanilla stated he was traveling from Mexico to Laredo. He had plans to travel to Houston the following day, according to court documents. Quintanilla alleged that a man he identified as Jose gave him the car in Mexico. Quintanilla claimed he did not know there was narcotics concealed in the vehicle but admitted the reason for his trip to Houston, Texas, was to pick up a large amount of currency. Quintanilla stated that in exchange he would be paid $4,000 to smuggle the bulk U.S. currency into Mexico and was given money for trip expenses, states the affidavit. READ MORE: Laredo Judge denies motion to stay proceedings in capital murder trial due to pandemic Quintanilla admitted he agreed with the unidentified subject to do something illegal because he was in need of money and had fallen behind on some payments. Courtesy of NBCUniversal Tyler Perry wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of casting his vote in the Georgia senate runoff elections, so when the filmmaker didn't receive his absentee ballot in the mail, he flew to Georgia to make sure his vote was counted. All right, my absentee ballot never came, so I just left voting in person, so yall get out and vote, get out and vote, get out and vote, he told fans in a video posted to his Twitter account. That was no small task for Perry, 51, who had to hop a flight from Wyoming to Georgia late Monday to vote in person, according to The New York Times. Is anyone else having this problem? I ordered my absentee ballot on December 2nd. Im told it was mailed on the 4th. I still dont have it! he informed his 6.4 million Twitter followers and caught the attention of voting rights activist Stacey Abrams. Requested a ballot but havent received it? Vote in person on Election Day! Just tell the person at the check-in table that you wish to cancel your ballot & vote in person, she responded. Hey @staceyabrams, I flew home because I didnt get it. I will be there early in the morning. Too important to miss. Too important to miss! he tweeted back. Tyler was one of many Georgians casting his vote in the runoff between Democrats Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff and Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. As of early Wednesday, both races are too close to call. By George Costantino Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 22:14:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The epidemic-induced lockdowns loomed over China's economy in the first half of 2020, but with quick emergency response and government-aided stimulus package, the country's economy roared back. Massive tax cuts and increased government spending have helped the economy recover faster. The market is also closely watching over the country's fiscal policy in 2021: Would the country withdraw its financial support straight away? And how strong would its economic recovery be? The country's annual key meeting on economic work has boosted market confidence. China would keep its macroeconomic policies consistent next year by not making any "sudden turns" as the foundation of its economic recovery is "not yet solid." That means the government will stick to its proactive fiscal policy in 2021. OPTIMIZED FISCAL SPENDING The World Bank (WB) pointed out in its latest report on China's economy that the country's gross domestic product is expected to grow 2 percent in 2020 and further rebound to 7.9 percent in 2021. The bank has attributed the "faster than expected" recovery of economic activities to China's effective epidemic-control strategy, strong policy support and resilient exports. According to China's tax authorities, tax and fee cuts in the first 11 months of 2020 totaled 2.37 trillion yuan (about 363.22 billion U.S. dollars), out of which 1.64 trillion yuan was saved under the preferential tax and fee measures unveiled in 2020 to bolster economic development and COVID-19 containment. Besides, buoyant fiscal spending was seen in social welfare, health care and education sectors. In the first 11 months of 2020, the country's fiscal expenditure grew by 0.7 percent from a year earlier to over 20.78 trillion yuan, with positive year-on-year growth seen in social security and employment, education, as well as hygiene and health sectors. Considering the sound economic recovery, analysts expect that the focus of fiscal spending would shift from epidemic prevention to infrastructure construction. China could use its fiscal space to hedge against downside risks to growth, said the WB, "but the focus should shift from traditional infrastructure to more social spending and green investment." In keeping with one of the primary tasks listed in the annual economic meeting, China will adopt a fiscal policy that offers stronger financial guarantees to major national strategies as well as promote science and technology innovations, with more investment expected in the digital economy and new infrastructure sectors. Zhang Yiqun, a scholar in financing and taxation, believes that more financial support will go to fields such as new infrastructure, 5G and chips. At a recently-held national fiscal work conference, Finance Minister Liu Kun stressed giving priority to improving investment structures, encouraging consumer spending, and facilitating a new-type of people-centered urbanization. Efforts will be made to guarantee the people's well-being, improve policy support for agriculture, rural areas and farmers, as well as for rural vitalization, Liu said. The country will also spend more on pollution control to support green development, he added. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AMID RISK PREVENTION In 2020, China raised its deficit-to-GDP ratio from 2.8 percent in 2019 to above 3.6 percent, moving away from its longstanding practice of a ceiling of 3 percent. In the first 11 months of last year, bonds issued by local governments jumped 44.76 percent year on year to 6.26 trillion yuan, according to the finance ministry. The total outstanding debt of the local governments stood within the official limit at 25.56 trillion yuan by the end of November last year, data by the ministry showed. Impacted by COVID-19 and downward pressure of the economy, local governments have seen a decline in revenue and faced greater pressure on defusing hidden debt risks, said Ji Fuxing, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In 2021, the proactive fiscal policy will be "more sustainable" in terms of expenditure scale and policy strength to leave more policy space in addressing future risks and challenges, Liu said in his latest interview with Xinhua. He said that the country should rationally set the target of fiscal deficit ratio and the scale of government special bonds, as well as keep the macro government leverage ratio at a stable level to leave policy space in combating future risks and challenges. Currently, the debt risks of local governments are generally controllable. However, hidden government debts and default risks are increasing in certain regions, Liu said. He said that the government would pay "close attention" and stay on "high alert" for the debt problems. Though China will adopt a proactive fiscal policy, the country may not issue special treasury bonds for epidemic control again in 2021, said Bian Quanshui, chief analyst with Sinolink Securities. The deficit-to-GDP ratio is expected to be less than 3 percent this year, and the scale of special bonds for local governments would shrink to around 3 trillion yuan, Bian said. China should withdraw some of the temporary aid packages safely and cautiously to achieve a balance between sustainable growth and risk-prevention in the long-term, said Han Wenxiu, an official of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. Enditem The Wall Street Journal editorial page is probably the most influential elite conservative outlet in the country. Fox News, talk radio and the rest may hold more sway with the grassroots, but the Journal has always been the gold standard for educated opinion shapers. Millions of busy people who may not follow politics closely rely on the Journal to provide a sober voice of informed conservatism to balance or rebut the editorial page of The New York Times. In the Trump era, the Journal's editorial board has betrayed its readers. It has trimmed and hemmed and to-be-sured its way through the most sustained assault on truth and the American political order of our lifetime. Every now and then -- usually on textbook economic matters like tariffs -- the board has issued stern rebukes of the president's policies. But rarely. For the most part, it has retreated into anti-anti-Trumpism, averting its gaze from the president and focusing disproportionately on his opponents. Some columnists have become outright cheerleaders for the Russia hoax narrative. Their Jan. 3 editorial is a classic of the genre. They began with both sidesism: "As Americans like to tell the world, a hallmark of democracy is the willingness to accept defeat and the peaceful transfer of power. The tragedy of the last two presidential elections has been the refusal of partisans to accept defeat, and public trust in American self-government is eroding as a result." No. The Democrats did not decline to accept defeat in 2016. Hillary Clinton conceded, albeit with insinuations that the Russians had helped Trump. But grumbling about your loss is a far cry from contesting it. A few Democrats lodged complaints about the vote in January 2017 when the Electoral College results were read out. See this video for the way the then-president of the Senate and sitting vice president handled those matters. Today, the Journal concedes, "Too many Republicans refuse to accept Mr. Trump's defeat." They note that the Senators who have agreed to contest the Electoral College count this week cite no evidence of fraud, "Instead they cite 'allegations of fraud and irregularities' that feed 'deep distrust' of the results -- distrust they and the President are feeding." So far, so good. But then, in a typical misfire, the editors caution that "this is a ... lousy political strategy for returning to power." Ah. So that's the main issue then? It gets worse: "The GOP electoral focus now should be on minimizing the damage of the Biden-Nancy Pelosi agenda, and that includes making the case for reforms to restore trust in elections. This is mainly a state duty, but the national party can do better at exploiting the rules as they exist. That includes more consistent rules for securing the integrity of mail-in ballots, and a better litigation strategy before elections to block Democratic attempts to change rules at the last minute." Thus, the WSJ editorial page gives its imprimatur to the lies that are the basis for the current crisis -- a crisis they do not recognize. Those Republicans -- the ones whose electoral fate the Journal is so tender about -- are joining a putsch attempt. They are helping an unhinged president to spread dangerous lies about the election and lending their weight to an effort to overcome the will of the voters. And the Wall Street Journal thinks this is the time to talk about the danger of the Democrats "changing rules at the last minute?" They cannot see -- or refuse to see -- what is in front of their faces. The president of the United States is attempting to subvert the democratic process. He is calling on his followers to swarm Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6. For what conceivable purpose? Last week, dismissing concerns about this scenario, the Journal noted equably that "Mr. Pence is too much of a patriot to go along." That held up well. The editorial concluded this way: "But the scramble to overturn the will of the voters tarnishes Mr. Trump's legacy and undermines any designs he has on running in 2024. Republicans who humor him will be giving Democrats license to do the same in the future, and then it might matter." No, it matters now. Never more than now. It isn't about the precedent that this might set for some imagined Democratic abuse of the future. The abuse is here. The abuse of power is now. This is a constitutional crisis because one party has decided that it cares more for power than for the American system. Giving one iota of support for Trump's unconstitutional coup attempt is discrediting for every politician and commentator who fails to call it out loudly and unequivocally. A decent few, like Sens. Ben Sasse and Mitt Romney have done so. Find your voice, or don't insult us by calling yourself a patriot. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM 1. Yes. The public must have assurances that ethical standards are met by everyone. 2. Yes. As long as an independent board hears the grievances, its a worthwhile idea. 3. No. The concept is too broad. It should be limited to the citys elected officials. 4. No. There are plenty of stipulations in place already. An ordinance is a waste of time. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how it would be structured and applied. Vote View Results Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 20:08:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Wednesday marked its 100th anniversary of Army Day, as the Iraqi forces held a military parade in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad. The parade was held with the presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who is also Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi forces, as well as Iraqi ministers, military commanders, and representatives of diplomatic missions in Iraq. Formations of ground, air, and naval forces, as well as tanks and other military vehicles marched in the parade, while formations of warplanes and helicopters flew overheads in Grand Festivities Square. Meanwhile, a statement by the presidency said that Iraqi President Barham Salih congratulated the Iraqi forces on the centenary of the Iraqi Army Day, stressing that victory over terrorism and preserving Iraq's sovereignty will not be fully achieved without ending weapons out of control of the Iraqi authorities. Late on Tuesday, al-Kadhimi said in a televised speech on the centenary of the Iraqi Army Day that only hundreds of U.S. troops would remain in Iraq after the withdrawal of half of them from the country. He pointed out that the U.S. troops' withdrawal came due to "the ongoing strategic dialogue between Iraq and the United States that yield in the withdrawal of batches of U.S. troops during the past months. The withdrawal of more than half of them will complete in the coming days." "Only hundreds of them will remain for cooperation in the fields of training, rehabilitation, armament, and technical support (for Iraqi forces)," al-Kadhimi said. Iraq established its first battalion of the modern army by the British during their mandate over the country on Jan. 6, 1921, after World War I. Enditem Saudi Arabia pledged additional, voluntary oil output cuts of one million barrels per day (bpd) in February and March as part of a deal under which most OPEC+ producers will hold production steady in the face of new coronavirus lockdowns. Saudi is going beyond its promised cuts as part of the OPEC+ group of producers to support both its own economy and the oil market, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday. "If there is one way to describe what its voluntary cut means for the market, happy hour is a pretty fitting term," Rystad Energy analyst Bjornar Tonhaugen said in a note. Benchmark Brent oil prices rose on the news, trading up almost 5% above $53 per barrel at 2023 GMT. [O/R] The deal - under which most producers will hold output steady - followed two days of talks by OPEC+, which groups OPEC and others including Russia. Two members - Russia and Kazakhstan - will be allowed to bump up their output by a modest combined 75,000 bpd in February and a further 75,000 bpd in March. Their increases could frustrate OPEC+ peers similarly looking to pump more, but it was apparent the two were keen to avoid non-maintenance winter shutdowns, which at aging wells in Russia for example could prove uncommercial to restart, Rystad's Tonhaugen noted. DEBATE Russia and Kazakhstan had pushed for the group to raise production by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) for February, as it had done for January, while others wanted no increase. OPEC+ has warned that bearish risks are on the rise as "the reimplementation of COVID-19 containment measures across continents, including full lockdowns, are dampening the oil demand rebound in 2021". Prince Abdulaziz urged caution, noting still fragile fuel demand and the unpredictable impact of new variants of the coronavirus. He said the voluntary cut would help prevent stockpiles building up. New variants of the coronavirus first reported in Britain and South Africa have since been found in countries across the world. OPEC+ producers have been curbing output to support prices and reduce oversupply since January 2017. As COVID-19 hammered demand for gasoline and aviation fuel and slashed Brent oil prices, OPEC+ was forced to boost its output cuts to a record 9.7 million bpd in mid-2020. January's 500,000 bpd rise in output narrowed OPEC+ cuts to 7.2 million bpd. Tuesday's deal including Saudi's voluntary reduction will widen the cuts to 8.125 million bpd in February before they narrow to 8.05 million in March, based on OPEC figures and the Saudi minister's comments. April volumes are to be decided at an OPEC+ meeting in early March. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. In 2015, when politician Mukul Roy was playing the role of a fence sitter because of his differences with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, miles away from Kolkata, a nondescript house at ward number 6 at Thanapara in Cooch Behars Dinhata suddenly gained a lot of attention. The district reporters who would have walked past the building without a second glance suddenly started making a beeline to inquire whats cooking inside. A brief inquiry revealed that the house belongs to one Manojit Saha Chowdhury and is registered as the office of a new political party -- Nationalist Trinamool Congress (NTC) -- with the Election Commission of India. They got the symbol of Red Apple. Though many in the political fraternity claimed that Mukul Roy was the man behind the party, he never endorsed it officially. Roys relationship with Banerjee turned sour in 2014 after his name came out in the Saradha ponzi scam. Then, despite sticking around in TMC, Roy lost his prominence in the party. In 2015, Nationalist Trinamool Congress Party was formed and Amitava Majumdar was made the president of the party. However, the NTC felt cheated after Roy managed to bridge differences with Banerjee as according to Majumdar, who died recently, the NTC was the brainchild of Roy. He had said, Roy formed this party to confront Mamata politically in Bengal after he was removed from the post of Trinamool Congress general secretary. Since he is now back to TMC, we felt betrayed. Our leadership and our party supporters felt cheated. In the meantime, Roy's relationship with TMC once again turned sour and he formally joined the BJP in 2017. It is believed that more than 100 NTC members too silently shifted to BJP, leaving Majumdar, another vice-president Farid Khan and a few others alone. When contacted, Farid Khan, former vice-president of the party, said: I left the party in 2018. I dont have any relation with the party anymore. I dont want to be in politics. Presently, there is hardly anyone in the party who could steer it forward. Maybe some people are still associated with it, but I dont have any idea. On the other hand, Roy continues to deny his association with the party, which has a website that doesnt have enough details about its members and organizational setup. Since its formation, the Nationalist Trinamool Congress continues to remain a hush-hush affair in Bengals politics. While shops, fitness centres, cinemas, and hairdressing salons will once again be able to open their doors to the public, restaurants and cafes must remain closed. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Minister of Health Paulette Lenert announced the adapted Covid-19 restrictions during a press conference on Tuesday. The reactions from the sectors of politics, culture, Horesca, and commerce vary between satisfaction and outright anger. Politics The opposition parties generally reiterate their criticism that government measures remain incoherent and confusing. MP Sven Clement from the Pirate Party stated that it was difficult to communicate rules to the public, when people could not recognise the reasoning behind the different measures. The Pirate Party also criticised the continuation of the curfew, which it regards as ineffective. Clement also pointed out that if certain measures had been taken earlier, the shutdown of some industries could have been avoided altogether. Meanwhile, MP Claude Wiseler from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) wonders on what data the government is basing its decisions. Both MP Jeff Engelen from the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (adr) and MP Marc Baum from the Leftist Party (Dei Lenk) also agree that the measures are incoherent. Baum added that the new decisions did however not come as a surprise to him and his party colleagues. PDF: ADR press release (LUX) Horesca Horesca president Alain Rix showed himself disappointed over the new measures, stressing that owners of restaurants and cafes "cannot go on any longer". The sector's main fear is that the new measures will lead to an increase in daily new infections, which in turn would require their businesses to stay closed for even longer. Rix stated that his sector felt like they were the "black sheep" of the nation. It is incomprehensible to the Horesca why other sectors were allowed to resume their business activities again, while restaurants and cafes have to remain closed. Rix demands the government release concrete proof that the risk of infection is significantly higher in restaurants or cafes compared to other locations. Owners of restaurants or cafes have run out of patience, which is also why the Horesca demands a 100% compensation of their costs from the government. PDF: Press release by Horesca (FR) Culture Some sectors will benefit from a relaxation of the measures, among them the cultural sector. The reopening of theatres represents a huge relief for a lot of artists. The president of the Federation of Theatres, Claude Mangen, stated that his sector would nevertheless keep their feet on the ground for the time being. Due to the numerous restrictions still in place, working remains difficult overall. The sector is now hoping for the solidarity of its audiences. However, Mangen is happy that the cultural scene has increasingly been at the centre of public discourse and that it managed to stand up for itself. The Federation of Theatres intends to continue their efforts in that regard. Commerce Non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen as of next week but will need to adhere to even stricter measures. The director of the Luxembourg Trade Association (CLC), Nicolas Henckes, welcomes this decision as many businesses had already used up nearly all of their savings. Livelihoods were at stake and despite the aids provided by the state, the CLC still expects numerous bankruptcies. Henckes added that it would also help the commerce sector, if restaurants and cafes were allowed to reopen again. Prior to the holidays, the CLC suggested to the government that instead of closing shops, a measure should be introduced that would only allow one person per 10 square metres. Two weeks later, the measure is now expected to enter into force. While Henckes welcomes the government's decision to reopen shops, he also stresses that most of them already had put additional measures in place. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine the validity of legislations, 'The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Of Religion Ordinance, 2020' and the 'Uttarakhand Freedom Of Religion Act, 2018', and issued notice to the two state governments. The petitioners also sought a stay on these 'love jihad' laws, a bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde replied that it would have been ideal if the petitioners had moved the respective High Courts instead of coming to the apex court. Senior advocate C.U. Singh, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that it is obnoxious to put burden of proof on the married couple to establish that the motivation for the marriage is not conversion. Singh cited that several incidents have come on record where mobs have disrupted inter-faith marriages and also cited the severe punishment under these laws. Another counsel for a petitioner cited that similar legislation is on the way in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. The bench also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said it would hear arguments of the petitioners against the law and then decided to issue notice rather than staying the laws on Wednesday. The top court will hear the matter after four weeks. One of the pleas moved by two advocates - Vishal Thakre and Abhay Singh Yadav - and a law researcher Pranvesh, states that the ordinance disturbs the basic structure of the Constitution. "The most important issue was whether the Parliament has the power to amend the fundamental rights enshrined under Part III of the Constitution", said the plea. The petitioners contended that Parliament has no power to amend the fundamental rights, and if this ordinance is implemented it will harm the public at large and will create a chaotic situation in the society. The plea said: "it is also pertinent to mention herein that the ordinance is passed by the State Government/s of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand is against the provisions Special Marriage Act, 1954 and it will create fear in the society who is/are not part of Love Jihad they can be falsely implicated in the ordinance." The petitioners contended they are aggrieved by the ordinance passed by the state government and prayed before the top court that the law passed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand should be declared ultra-vires and null and void, as it disturbs the basic structure of the Constitution and also its against public policy and society at large. "This ordinance can become a potent tool in the hands of bad elements of the society to use this ordinance to falsely implicate anyone in this ordinance and there are probabilities of falsely implicating persons who are not involved in any such acts and it will be a grave injustice if this ordinance is passed," said the plea. Red River College has learned a thing or two from its successful micro course for health-care workers on COVID-19 tasks. Red River College has learned a thing or two from its successful micro course for health-care workers on COVID-19 tasks. After discovering there was a high demand for micro-credential courses, the college has partnered with food delivery giant SkipTheDishes, which started in Winnipeg, to provide customized courses to train its employees. The series of micro-credentials will provide a standardized training structure for SkipTheDishes employees, who are hired to train customer service workers and other employees in the food-delivery network. "(SkipTheDishes) was expanding globally, and their parent, Just Eat, was looking to Skip to help train other individuals globally," said Bill Rutherford, the colleges business development manager. "So they were looking at their training owners and saying, We need to level off the training and the competency among this group." SkipTheDishes, which employs nearly 3,000 people in Winnipeg, was bought by U.K.-based Just Eat for $110 million in 2016. It merged with Dutch company Takeaway.com in February 2020, which went on to purchase U.S. company Grubhub in a US$7.3-billion deal. The companys profits exploded in 2020. In October, parent company Just Eat Takeaway recorded a 72 per cent increase in orders in Canada in 2020 compared with 2019, and a 37 per cent increase in orders globally. Many restaurant owners have criticized the company for high commission fees that take a bite out of sales, which have been ravaged by the pandemic. "This new micro-credentials course, designed with Red River College, will help offer a made-in-Manitoba solution to train the trainers with the accredited skills they need for the success of their operations teams," SkipTheDishes wrote in an email Tuesday. Rutherford added: "Its a really neat story in the sense that weve taken this group of individuals who learned from the ground up, progressed in an organization thats got a global reach now, and theyve got something tangible that recognizes this very special competency." Each student who finishes the course will be given an online badge that contains unique metadata, which can be included in a resume. "Those who came up in the organization might not necessarily have formal degrees in any specific area, like a business degree or something like that, but they will be training other people, potentially in other countries that do have those degrees. We wanted to give them some kind of tangible recognition for the skills and competencies they have," Rutherford said. The badge certification is an addition to the colleges micro-credential courses. Rutherford said he believes the system has "good potential" to entice other partners from private industry. Those who complete the course will be able to use it as a credit for the colleges adult education program, which was being redeveloped as the micro-credential course program was being created. Rutherford called that a "happy coincidence." "We have a recognition of prior learning policy at the college. So, we could take a look at the work that theyve been engaged in at Skip and other institutions and we could give them credit in other areas, perhaps, toward that certificate as well," he said. The college provides micro-credential courses in fields of study from accounting to podcasting, and more recently provided free courses to health-care workers to quickly train them in laboratory and support worker skills, and to carry out COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. The practice of providing rapid qualification in niche areas of study is relatively new at Red River. Rutherford said the college has been working with the Learning Resources Network, an international panel of post-secondary institutions, to develop a framework for micro-credential courses so they are recognized nationally, for the last two years. "It is very new, and it really comes from industry in the sense that industry is changing must faster than a lot of post-secondary institutions could keep up with," he said. malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: malakabas_ The Social Democratic Party (PSD) is calling for the reopening of schools once the holiday ends, the Social Democrat MP Alexandru Rafila said on Wednesday, arguing that a postponement "has no justification", according to AGERPRES. "I am sorry that (Education, ed. n.) Minister Campeanu is put in a situation where he does not have the decision to decide very clearly, together with the Minister of Health, to open the schools. The closure of the school, as you know, was a measure that has not been taken, at least for primary schools, in any of the Member States of the European Union during November and December, and we have reached a situation where, for almost a year, children have not only had limited access to education, especially those from disadvantaged categories, some in rural areas who do not have access to online education, but are deeply marked in their psychosocial development as future adults because they cannot interact with each other, they cannot interact with their teachers," Rafila said in a press conference. He described as "inexplicable" the decision to maintain this situation until February 8. "The PSD clearly calls for the reopening of schools once the holiday is over," Alexandru Rafila said. According to him, the postponement of the opening of schools "is not healthy for children, their parents, or the national economy". "I understand that Minister Campeanu has a heavy inheritance on the part of (former minister, ed. n.) Mrs Anisie and I do not think it is a surprise to anyone, but, on the other hand, the postponement of the opening of schools has no justification. As you know, the figures published in recent weeks by the Ministry of Health show a decrease in the incidence of infection, show the vast majority, with three exceptions, of Romanian counties in the green zone, and this obviously has no correlation with this measure of delaying the opening of schools," the PSD MP added. Health bosses have been accused of failing more than a third of a million people amid claims an abortion service has been stopped. Amnesty International said a failure by the Health Minister to commission services and provide funding has forced the South Eastern Trust to cease the provision of vital abortion care. The organisation has said women still have a legal entitlement to the early medical abortion service, but they will have to travel to other trust areas to access it. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International Northern Ireland Director, said Robin Swann has created a postcode lottery for healthcare, forcing women to travel in the midst of a pandemic. "Despite abortion regulations taking effect from March 2020, the Department of Health's failure to commission services means that health trusts have been left to absorb the costs and resource abortion care themselves, whilst battling through a pandemic," he said. "Amnesty has repeatedly called on the Department to commission services to ensure they are sustainable and accessible but to date the Department has failed. "The fact that the South Eastern Trust has had to stop this service is a direct consequence of Minister Robin Swann's disastrous failure to commission and fund these health services. "The Minister has created a postcode lottery for healthcare by forcing women to travel in the midst of a pandemic. "At the very time when government is telling people not to travel, this is nothing less than a scandal. "Abortion is legal and women must not be refused this service. "The Health Minister must urgently commission these services and ensure all of health trusts have the necessary resources to care for those who need this healthcare. If Robin Swann continues to refuse to act, then Secretary of State Brandon Lewis must intervene." Abortion regulations took effect in March 2020. Since then, health trusts have provided an interim early medical abortion service to ensure access whilst services are commissioned. This service has been facilitated through Informing Choices NI, which acts as the Central Access Point. The South Eastern Trust and Department of Health was contacted for comment. In October last year, it was reported that women in Northern Ireland had been forced to turn to backstreet abortions and some had attempted suicide over the lack of services available for pregnancy terminations. Making the accusation, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists criticised Mr Swann for failing to commission abortion services despite the Government's legal obligation to do so. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph The helicopter is involved in extinguishing a forest fire in the Racha-Lechkhumi region, the Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia informs. A border police helicopter took part in the fight against the fire; it carried out work in Onchevi-Tsola. They rescuers managed to localize the fire in the village of Chkumi, extinguishing is underway in Lailashi. The lower forest cover is burning, firefighters are working with the help of individual special equipment, Novosti-Gruziya reports. The American takeover of British chip maker Arm is facing yet another hurdle after the competition watchdog launched a probe into the 30billion deal. US giant Nvidia is trying to buy Arm from Japanese owner Softbank, but its move faces growing scrutiny around the world. In the latest setback, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that it was set to investigate the takeover amid concerns it could lead to price hikes and make markets less competitive. Takeover trouble: US giant Nvidia is trying to buy British chip maker Arm from Japanese owner Softbank, but its move faces growing scrutiny around the world Cambridge-based Arm's chip designs are used in a plethora of digital devices, including most smartphones globally, making them a crucial piece of many supply chains. The CMA's intervention comes after Arm's founders and other critics claimed that Nvidia could seek to strangle the supply of its cutting-edge designs to rivals such as Apple and Qualcomm, reversing the company's current 'Switzerland' approach of licensing them widely. It ramps up scrutiny of the deal at a time when Nvidia faces trouble in China, where Arm's local division has effectively gone rogue and is urging Beijing to block the takeover. Concerns have also been raised about the security of jobs and whether some buyers could be locked out of buying the designs in some scenarios, due to US defence laws. A probe by the CMA is only in the early stages and the watchdog has yet to decide if it will do an in-depth examination. But its move yesterday starts a process that could eventually result in the deal being blocked altogether, or force Nvidia to give certain guarantees. And even if the CMA grants approval, British ministers are mulling over whether to intervene in the takeover on public interest grounds. Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said: 'The chip technology industry is worth billions and critical to many of the products that we use most in our everyday lives. 'We will work closely with other competition authorities around the world to carefully consider the impact of the deal and ensure that it doesn't ultimately result in consumers facing more expensive or lower quality products.' Nvidia unveiled its bid for Arm in September and has always insisted it does not threaten jobs or competition. It claims that Arm will still be able to sell its chip designs widely and has vowed to open new facilities in Cambridge. However, the company is still seen as one of the crown jewels in the UK technology sector and ministers, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, are keeping a close eye on the deal. Former prime minister Theresa May was criticised for backing the 24billion sale of Arm to Softbank in 2016, with critics claiming it undermined the Government's ambition to develop an industrial policy and protect strategically important sectors. Softbank later sold Arm's Chinese division for 580million to local investors in a controversial deal that some claimed undervalued the business. The takeover has since spectacularly backfired, after Arm China boss Allen Wu refused to leave after being sacked by Arm's board and instead seized control of the division. He remains in control and could stand in the way of Nvidia's takeover. Officials in Beijing are also said to be wary of the deal, fearing that if Arm falls into American ownership then Chinese firms could be blocked from buying its chip designs for security reasons. A spokesman for Nvidia pointed to an earlier announcement saying that the company fully expected regulatory scrutiny of the deal. He added: 'As we have said, we believe the approval process will take about 18 months. 'The regulatory process is confidential and we won't be providing comment on milestones along the way.' Former Portland Mayor Sam Adams may soon be returning to City Hall to serve in current Mayor Ted Wheelers administration. The two men are in talks about a possible role for Adams in the mayors office as Wheeler begins his second term, according to people with direct knowledge of the conversations. Wheeler has not made a formal offer to his predecessor, nor has the pair determined what the specific position for Adams might be. But Wheeler and some of his staff and advisers see an upside to a seasoned City Hall power broker, albeit one with baggage, joining his administration, the people with direct knowledge said. Wheelers current chief of staff, Kristen Dennis, is leaving the mayors office next month become chief of staff to Metro Council President Lynn Peterson. Dennis pending departure was first reported by Willamette Week on Tuesday. The possible return of a onetime mayor to work under a successor would be an unprecedented development in Portland city government. Wheelers office declined to answer questions about the potential hire. Adams did not respond to a phone call or text message seeking comment. Adams, a fixture in Portland politics for more than two decades, has made no secret about his strong desire to return to City Hall. He attempted to unseat Commissioner Chloe Eudaly in last Mays primary but finished third behind her and political newcomer Mingus Mapps. Mapps, with Adams hearty endorsement, went on to soundly defeat Eudaly in the general election. Adams was mayor from 2009 to 2012 and served one term as city commissioner before that. Prior to his time in elected office, Adams served in the administration of Vera Katz, considered by far the most popular and effective mayor in recent history, as shown by her easy re-election to second and third terms. Adams was her chief of staff for 11 of those 12 years and was viewed by City Hall insiders as a key to her political successes in a milieu in which building coalitions and lining up three votes on the council are essential. His own tenure as mayor, however, was marred by a sex scandal which hampered his effectiveness in office. While on the city council, he started a sexual relationship with teen he met on the job, then lied about it. Prosecutors investigated the young mans claims that the sexual relationship began before he turned 18, which would have been illegal on Adams part. But they found the claims by Beau Breedlove not to be credible and did not bring any charges. Adams didnt seek a second term. After leaving Portland City Hall, Adams was named executive director of the City Club of Portland in 2013. He moved to Washington D.C. the next year to work at the World Resources Institute, a non-profit that focuses on climate change issues. Adams left the organization in 2017, a month after he was accused of sexual harassment by a former mayoral staffer. Adams has denied the allegations and members of his staff and contemporaneous records from the mayors office refuted some key elements of the staffers claims. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close For Ajay Raju, being the CEO and chairman of Dilworth Paxson was not enough. The high-flying attorney -- who has positioned himself as a venture capitalist, media pundit, and publisher -- stepped down from his position as top dog at Dilworth just before Christmas. He has bigger aspirations. Immediate plans call for a new practice. Raju, who had run Dilworth since 2014, has taken three of the firms partners to form Raju LLC, a niche law firm that will focus on commercial, mortgage-backed securities, a topic on which his colleagues say he is a nationally recognized expert. But hes preparing a bigger announcement, a project he expects to fully reveal in March, that will marshal his interests in biotech and law, technology and entrepreneurship. He calls it the Ark Institute. He believes it could help place Philadelphia on the map as a center for innovation. The idea behind it is that theres another flood coming, Raju said, using a metaphor typically linked with Noah but expansive enough to include pandemics. The ark were building will make sure we survive. Of Philadelphia CEOs, few have had as prominent a profile as Raju. Its part of the reason the 51-year-old Temple law school graduate departed Dilworth. While running the venerable law firm, he has also managed venture capital firms: 215 Capital, a subscription-only Series A pledge fund enabling investors to participate deal-by-deal; and Togo Ventures, a med-tech venture capital fund. In addition, Raju has been a weekly panelist on Inside Story, the news analysis show on 6ABC. He has hosted the video program called Overheard at Tredici, where he conducts one-on-one interviews with Philadelphias brightest scientific lights at a chic 13th Street boite. He also heads the Pamela + Ajay Raju Foundation which promotes Philadelphia as a tech center, encourages the building of a new scientific infrastructure, and funds the Philadelphia Citizen, a nonprofit media organization that encourages civic engagement. Larry McMichael, who was named Dilworths new chair on Dec. 23, called Rajus departure a very amicable restructuring of the relationship. McMichael has served as a commercial litigator for 42 years at the firm, named after the legendary attorney and former Philadelphia mayor Richardson Dilworth. The midsize, full-service firm specializes in sophisticated transactions and commercial work, financial law, and acquisitions and mergers. Losing Ajay will not hurt. His business is staying at the firm, said McMichael, a high-profile attorney in his own right though he eschews a litigators typical braggadocio for a quieter humility. McMichael handled the high-profile bankruptcy cases for the Philadelphia Inquirers parent company, the Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the National Museum of American Jewish History. He wanted the time and space to grow 215 Capital and his other companies, McMichael continued. He needed the time and space to do that and I was happy to step in and take the reins of the law firm. We expect to continue to work together. McMichael said little at Dilworth will change. We are not looking at any mergers. We will not be swallowed up, he said. This was an adjustment in our internal governance based on Ajays other business commitments. Ill see what can be improved but I dont expect anything earth shattering. Raju said he will first and foremost remain a lawyer. Law is what defines me and despite my other interests, Ill never be known as a venture capitalist. There are a kazillion VCs. I dont need that title. Raju has written a manifesto for the Ark Initiative project but is holding back on publishing it until he lines up all his partnerships, which he said will draw on talent from Penn Medicine and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Until the reveal in March, he speaks cryptically about the projects mission which he said pivots on the biotech revolution. Another cataclysmic event is bound to happen, you have to prepare for it, said Raju. The reason Taiwan and Singapore and China and South Korea did so well with this pandemic and kept their rates of infection low was because they learned from SARS [virus] and they were prepared. There was a pattern for it and they acted on it. We need that here, too. Participation in Ark, a nonprofit enterprise, will be by invitation only. Raju said he is looking for design thinkers who can help prevent the next disaster. This is not a retail project. It will be a collection of the finest intellectuals. Among those Raju hopes to tap for the Ark Initiative include David Fajgenbaum, a Penn immunologist who famously discovered the cure to Castleman disease, which had been destined to kill him. This is a hinge moment for the region and myself, Raju said. The hinge moment is the biotech revolution. Im seeing the early signs of an explosion into the biotech space. Were poised to seize that. Im convinced a few city-states will control that world. And Philadelphia will be one of them. [1] Statement by All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN) on Hasty Regulatory Approvals in India for Covid-19 Vaccines 6 Jan 2021 Indias regulatory authority for medical products, the Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO), gave restricted emergency approval on 2nd January 2020 for two Covid-19 Vaccines, namely Serum Institute of India (SII)s Covishield being manufactured in India under technology transfer from Oxford University-Astra Zeneca, and the indigenous Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR/National Institute of Virology. AIPSN salutes the efforts of Indian scientists, research institutions and vaccine manufacturers in bringing to the forefront indigenous vaccines like Covaxin in less than a year, with some other candidates just a few months behind. As and when these vaccines meet the threshold requirements for at least 50% efficacy, AIPSN will join other citizens in hailing this triumph and Indias contribution to the global battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. Tragically, the Government and CDSCO have together seriously damaged these hopes, and also undermined confidence in Covaxin and other vaccines against Covid-19, in particular concerning Covaxin, due to lack of evidence and unsatisfactory scientific basis, non-transparency and concerns around possible political pressure. SIIs Covishield was approved on the basis of Phase-III clinical trials data from Brazil and the UK, and the approval granted by the UKs Medical & Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) based on 70.4% efficacy revealed by the related published data despite some remaining grey areas relating to varying dosages. CDSCO approval for SIIs Covishield could have awaited results from on-going Phase-III trials and bridge studies in India to demonstrate efficacy and bio-equivalence. However, given the UK approval the approval by CDSCO, although not ideal, maybe understandable. Questions still remain, however, about the Health Ministrys announcement of an extended gap of up to 12 weeks between the first and second doses, whereas the SEC is understood to have recommended the original protocol of 28-days. The approval for Bharat Biotechs Covaxin raises more serious questions. The SEC had called for additional data from Phase-III trials but appears to have been pressured overnight into reconsidering its decision and giving approval the next day, albeit hedged in by many conditions. CDSCOs Statement shows that the approval is based only on Phase-I and Phase-II data on safety and immune response, but without any efficacy data from Phase-III trials. Top-ranking officials of the Government and ICMR have been strenuously defending this decision by stressing safety and arguing, without any evidence, that the design of Covaxin might make it more effective against the new UK mutation. The opinion of ICMR, a co-developer of Covaxin, reflects possible bias and a conflict of interest, besides adding to perceptions of pressure on the regulator. The serious doubts of the SEC on Covaxin are reflected in the CDSCOs statement saying SIIs Covishield is approved for restricted use in emergency situation subject to certain regulatory conditions whereas, in contrast, approval for Bharat Biotech-ICMRs Covaxin is given with numerous conditions such as restricted use in emergency situation in public interest as an abundant precaution, in clinical trial mode, to have more options for vaccinations, especially in case of infection by mutant strains (emphasis added). True to form, the Government is steamrolling the decision, and attacking all critics, including many leading Indian scientists, as opponents of Indian science who should instead be upholding national pride over the indigenously developed vaccine. This achievement will indeed be hailed as a major Indian scientific achievement once efficacy data are released but, by this hasty approval without evidence, the Government has shot itself in the foot. Whatever prestige India may gain abroad for an indigenously-developed vaccine will be outweighed by the damage caused to the credibility of Covaxin in particular, and of Indian science, research and regulatory institutions. In light of the above, the AIPSN calls for: a) Re-consideration of approval for Covaxin till efficacy data is available or, at least, strict adherence to conditions specified in the CDSCO order implying no roll-out of Covaxin for mass vaccination. b) Phase-III efficacy trials for both vaccines continue without extraneous pressure and the data published at the earliest c) No vaccine or Covid-19 related drug be released for commercial use in the private sector until regular approval as per protocols (as distinct from emergency use authorization) are obtained. [2] All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN) AIPSN Statement on Vaccines Roll-out 15 Jan 2021 All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN) is shocked that, as part of the mass vaccinations in India beginning on 16 January 2021 with inoculation of health workers, the Central Government is distributing 56 lakh doses of Bharat Biotech-ICMRs Covaxin, along with 110 lakh doses of Serum Institute of India-Oxford Astra Zenecas Covishield. This is in open defiance of the conditions imposed by the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) while granting emergency approval for Covaxin. CDSCO and its Subject Expert Committee (SEC) had clearly differentiated between Covishield and Covaxin. Whereas both vaccines were approved for restricted use in emergency situations, Covaxin was given conditional approval, after apparent overnight arm-twisting of the SEC, only in clinical trial mode (emphasis added). 56 lakh doses, i.e. inoculation of 28 lakh persons, cannot be considered a trial by any stretch of the imagination, especially when Phase-3 clinical trials for Covaxin are already underway involving around 26,000 volunteers. Clearly, the Government has placed Covaxin and Covishield on similar footing, other than total numbers as of now. Any trial mode vaccination should involve special monitoring, follow-up and institutional arrangements. The ethical and scientific quality of the trials cannot be disregarded. There is no information yet available in the public domain if the Government has communicated any special protocols for Covaxin inoculation. Most importantly, clinical trials should require informed consent or refusal by Covaxin recipients, after being made fully aware of conditions imposed by the CDSCO and the absence of Phase-III efficacy data. In contrast, Secretary, Union Health Ministry stated in a press conference that recipients would have no right to choose between the two vaccines, making it clear that the Central Government is intent on shoving Covaxin down the throats of State Governments and into the arms of innocent recipients, in this first round the health workers and Covid heroes regardless of the CDSCO conditions. Government has only itself to blame if public suspicion about Covaxin and vaccine skepticism increases further due to its own complete opacity in rolling out Covaxin, with no information on any of the questions raised here. Unfortunately, the CDSCO and the Union Health Ministry, have subverted the scientific criteria regarding the regulation of vaccines including their own guidelines for emergency use. This would compromise both peoples interests and the credibility of Indian pharma internationally. Bharat Biotech CEOs unseemly attack on people who have criticized the governments clearance on emergency use of its vaccine and attacking other vaccines does not add any credibility to its vaccine. AIPSN urges: The Union Government issue special protocols for Covaxin administration in clinical trial mode, including obtaining informed consent or refusal of recipients and ensuring compliance with all CDSCO/SEC approval conditions; CDSCO and ICMR to ensure that all clinical trials conform to necessary ethical, scientific and technical standards; All State Governments take a hard decision on whether to deploy Covaxin widely, or whether to strictly conform to CDSCO/SEC conditions of limited trial mode deployment; All doses of Covaxin distributed to States so far be held in stock by them and not administered till greater clarity is given by the Government or till CDSCO/SEC approval conditions are amended based on efficacy data from Bharat Biotech-ICMR as promised. For clarifications contact: T.Sundararaman 99874388253 D. Raghunandan 9810098621 S. Krishnaswamy 9442158638 The carmaker hopes to gain a springboard into in the Chinese hydrogen car market with the move. Automaker Hyundai will build a hydrogen fuel cell systems plant in Guangzhou in the Chinese province of Guangdong this year. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy here authorized the export of Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell technology even though it is classified as "core technology" that must be protected from copycats and pirates. Once completed, the plant will have an annual production capacity of just a few thousand cells, compared to the Hyundai Mobis' plant in Ulsan that can produce 23,000 units. Hyundai plans to produce core components here and assemble them in Guangzhou. "No company in China has core hydrogen fuel cell technology," an industry insider said. "Hyundai decided quickly to build its plant in Guangzhou to work with the local government there that has the authority to hand out subsidies." It costs more money to make hydrogen vehicles than electric cars and to build hydrogen fueling stations, so the cooperation of the Chinese government is crucial. Vallarta Living: Be Prepared in Case of an Emergency Are you an expat living in Mexico? Pamela Thompson of Healthcare Resources Puerto Vallarta offers tips to ensure that you are ready and well-prepared for any medical emergency that may arise. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - We're passing this along from Pamela Thompson, It's important to keep vital information in a safe place in your home. Friends in the US have a magnet on their refrigerator door with a note telling succinctly where to find all their key information, in case of an emergency. Make sure you let someone know where you keep your documents and copies. Post an emergency number on your fridge of someone you trust who can be called to assist, if need be. Make copies of everything and keep the copies in a separate place. Let your confidante know where all of these items are kept. You should have a folder or big manila envelope with copies of your passport, emergency contact information in your home country with complete names, phone numbers, relation to you, email addresses and physical address. It should also include: a If you're a homeowner, have a copy of your escritura (property title). a Pet information: names, veterinarian, and the name, phone number and email of someone who will take care of them. a You should have a will; but there's no need to tell you that, right? a Copies of your insurance card and any pertinent information regarding insurance, Medicare, your personal doctors, their names and phone numbers, affiliated hospitals. a A list of your medications and dosages. If you are hospitalized, this is vital. a Banking information and name, phone number and email of your beneficiary. If you're in hospital, someone needs to have access to your funds. You should also register online with your consulate: Canadians: If you were to die in Puerto Vallarta and have no family members, you must have a notarized affidavit appointing a person of confidence to handle the disposition of your remains. You can get this form from Pamela if so needed. At least one friend needs to have access to your home in Puerto Vallarta. If you can't come to the door, make sure you have someone you trust who can. Believe it or not, if you live in a gated community, Las Moras for example, an ambulance can't get in without the security guards being alerted by you or an authorized person. Know enough Spanish to be able to give your address with a cross street for Emergency Services when they arrive (these people usually don't speak English but they are compassionate and want to help you.) If you live in a condo, it's important to let them know where's your unit in relation to the building (ie: NW corner, up one flight, next to the angel statue; give any and all helpful details. Have your apartment number clearly marked.) Guards don't know names and locations of tenants. Your life could depend on this information being readily available - so Be Prepared! Que es cAmo es. The number one selling and listing agency in the greater Bay of Banderas region since 2011, Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the city's Romantic Zone. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate and, with 5 sales offices around the bay, we know our communities well. If you are looking to sell or purchase a property in the Banderas Bay area, download their Click HERE to learn more about Timothy Real Estate Group - We're passing this along from Pamela Thompson, Healthcare Resources Puerto Vallarta, who believes such information can't be shared too much. According to Pamela, there are too many people unaware of the following, some of which can be lifesaving.It's important to keep vital information in a safe place in your home. Friends in the US have a magnet on their refrigerator door with a note telling succinctly where to find all their key information, in case of an emergency. Make sure you let someone know where you keep your documents and copies. Post an emergency number on your fridge of someone you trust who can be called to assist, if need be.Make copies of everything and keep the copies in a separate place. Let your confidante know where all of these items are kept.You should have a folder or big manila envelope with copies of your passport, emergency contact information in your home country with complete names, phone numbers, relation to you, email addresses and physical address.It should also include:a If you're a homeowner, have a copy of your(property title).a Pet information: names, veterinarian, and the name, phone number and email of someone who will take care of them.a You should have a will; but there's no need to tell you that, right?a Copies of your insurance card and any pertinent information regarding insurance, Medicare, your personal doctors, their names and phone numbers, affiliated hospitals.a A list of your medications and dosages. If you are hospitalized, this is vital.a Banking information and name, phone number and email of your beneficiary. If you're in hospital, someone needs to have access to your funds.You should also register online with your consulate: Canadians: travel.gc.ca , US Citizens: step.state.gov If you were to die in Puerto Vallarta and have no family members, you must have a notarized affidavit appointing a person of confidence to handle the disposition of your remains. You can get this form from Pamela if so needed.At least one friend needs to have access to your home in Puerto Vallarta. If you can't come to the door, make sure you have someone you trust who can. Believe it or not, if you live in a gated community, Las Moras for example, an ambulance can't get in without the security guards being alerted by you or an authorized person.Know enough Spanish to be able to give your address with a cross street for Emergency Services when they arrive (these people usually don't speak English but they are compassionate and want to help you.) If you live in a condo, it's important to let them know where's your unit in relation to the building (ie: NW corner, up one flight, next to the angel statue; give any and all helpful details. Have your apartment number clearly marked.) Guards don't know names and locations of tenants.Your life could depend on this information being readily available - so Be Prepared!The number one selling and listing agency in the greater Bay of Banderas region since 2011, Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the city's Romantic Zone. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate and, with 5 sales offices around the bay, we know our communities well. If you are looking to sell or purchase a property in the Banderas Bay area, download their Free Real Estate Buyer and Seller's Guides to learn more, then contact one of the Timothy Real Estate Group agents for the best experience in Puerto Vallarta real estate. For more information, visit TimothyRealEstateGroup.com. Bolivia's Tuni glacier is disappearing faster than initially anticipated, according to scientists in the Andean nation, a predicament that will likely make worse water shortages already plaguing the capital La Paz, just 60 km away. Scientists from the Universidad Mayor de San Andres (UMSA), who monitor the Tuni and other regional glaciers, told Reuters the once sprawling glacier had been reduced to just one square kilometer. Where once they had predicted it would last through 2025, now they say its disappearance is imminent. "This entire sector was once covered with ice," said Dr. Edson Ramirez, a university glaciologist. Across much of the glaciers former path, now only discolored rock remains, exposed for the first time in centuries. Though the glacier has been receding since the Little Ice Age, when massive ice fields topped many Andean mountains, the fast-changing climate has accelerated the process, according to the Bolivian scientists. Torrential rains and drought have become more common, and mountain snows less predictable, they said. The changing climate and fast-disappearing glaciers have coincided with a move from the countryside to the cities of Bolivia, researchers say, pressuring already faltering water sources. Yola Choque, who grows quinoa in the town of Viacha, about 25 km from the city of La Paz, says his crop has suffered. "It has not rained for months, I think it must be due to climate change, that is why Pachamama (Mother Earth) got angry and it does not rain," he said in his native Aymara language. Meanwhile, El Alto, the city sister to the capital La Paz, is growing at approximately 5% per year, according to glacier scientist Ramirez. While the populations located at the foot of the Andes do not depend entirely on water from Bolivia's high Andean glaciers, the mountain ice has fed rivers used for irrigation of crops and at least 20% of La Paz' water supply, the scientists say. Dublin, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Biorefinery Products: Global Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This research report quantifies the two categories of energetic and non-energetic bioproducts into seven major product segments: bioderived chemicals, biofuels, pharmaceuticals (bio drugs and herbal/botanicals), biocomposite materials, biopolymers/bioplastics, biogas, and biopower. A negative economic outlook has been assumed in all the segments for 2020 due to COVID-19, but a later positive economic outlook has been assumed to continue in all the regions until 2025. The growing economies are assumed to attract key companies in the market and increase consumer spending. The Report Includes: 102 data tables and 81 additional tables A brief overview of the global market outlook for the industrial biorefinery products Analyses of the global market trends, with data from 2019, estimates for 2020, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2025 Highlights of the current and future market potential for two main types of biorefinery products (energetic/non-energetic), along with a detailed analysis of the competitive environment, industry trends, opportunities, and penetration of bio-products Insights into the value chain of basic products and the structure of the biorefinery industry and its interaction with the fossil-based industry A critical evaluation of the current status of commercial biorefinery markets and how recent environmental legislation and breakthroughs in technology will make the use of biobased products competitive with established fossil-based platforms Quantification of the market and end-use of biorefinery products, along with the assessment of international trade in biorefinery products with five-year forecasts Market share analysis of essential oils companies involved in the manufacture of biobased products Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the global biobased industry vs. the global economy Company profiles of the market-leading participants, including DuPont, Solazyme, Myriant Corp., Coca-Cola Co. (The), and Foster Wheeler AG There are two key distinct categories of bioderived products: energetic bioproducts and non-energetic bioproducts. Many energetic bioproducts are now going commercial, with commercially available production technologies (e.g., direct combustion in stoker boilers, low-percentage co-firing, municipal solid waste incineration with combined heat and power, dry/wet milling, fermentation, and esterification). Energetic bioproducts can therefore help countries meet their policy goals for secure, reliable, and affordable clean energy to expand access and promote rural development. These products continue to penetrate the clothing, pharmaceuticals, plastic films, carpeting, containers, composite panels, sorbents, solvents, adhesives, and insulation markets, which are at well-established stages of development. Pharmaceuticals, coatings, plastic films, containers, adhesives, insulation, wood waste products, and composite panels are expected to represent a substantial share in the non-energetic biobased industry. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Introduction Market Definition Study Goals and Objectives Reasons for Doing This Study Intended Audience Scope of Report Information Sources Methodology Currency Unit Considered Geographic Breakdown Analyst's Credentials Custom Research Related Reports Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights Chapter 3 Market Overview Introduction Global Size of Bioproduct Market Global Size of Identified Energetic Bioproduct Markets Global Demand for Petroleum Global Demand for Natural Gas Global Power/Heat Demand Coal Global Size of Identified Non-energetic Bioproduct Markets Global Demand for Chemicals Global Demand for Plastics/Polymers Global Demand for Composites Global Demand for Pharmaceuticals Global Biomass Market Overview Overview of Demand for Nonfood Biomass Biomass Use for Energy Biomass Use for Materials (Non-Energy) Overview of Global Biomass Demand by Use Global Size of Identified Bioproduct Markets vs. Global GDP Growth of the Global Biobased Industry vs. the Global Economy Overview of Biobased Replacement of Petro-based Products Overview of the Bioproduct-Oriented Value Chain Overview of the Market Segmentation of Bioproducts Where Bioderived Products Fit in the Global Economy Important Indications and Developments for the Bioderived Product Industry Global Investment Biorefining Industry Biobased Product Terminology Biopolymers/Biodegradable Polymers Environmental Issues Biobased Products Degradable and Biodegradable Compostable vs. Biodegradable Biobased Products in the Chemical Industry Biobased Chemical Products Factors Driving Market Growth Growing Industrial Activities in Emerging Economies Growth in Industrial and Building Automation Technology Growth in Automotive Industry in Emerging Economies Growing Demand for Processed Food in Emerging Economies Increasing per Capita Income of Consumers Shift in Consumer Preference from Conventional Packaging to Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials Favorable Government Policies Towards Green, Ecofriendly and Biodegradable Products Technological Emergence and the Development of New Biobased and Renewable Raw Materials Opportunities in the Market Rising Awareness of Using Biobased Lubricants Rising Demand for Renewable Energy Rising Industrial Growth in the BRIC Countries Industry Outlook GDP Trends and Forecast of Major Economies Lockdowns and Economic Activity Crude Oil Natural Gas Chapter 4 COVID-19 Impact Disruption in Major Industries Chemical Industry Metal and Mining Industry HVAC Industry Automotive Industry Construction Industry Oil and Gas Industry Chapter 5 History and Market Penetration of Bioproducts History Bioethanol Biodiesel Herbal/Botanical Biodrugs Wood Pellets Biomaterials and Biocomposites Bioproducts Market Opportunity Bioproduct Market Penetration Energetic Bioproduct Market Penetration Non-energetic Bioproducts Market Penetration Chapter 6 Global Biorefinery Product Market in Energetic Bioproducts Global Demand for Energetic Bioproduct by Physical State/Type Global Demand for Energetic Liquid Bioproducts by Generation Global Demand for Energetic First-Generation Liquid Bioproducts Global Demand for Energetic Advanced Liquid Bioproducts First-Generation and Advanced Energetic Liquid Bioproducts Production per Unit of Land Area Municipal Solid Waste Kitchen and Yard Waste Agricultural and Forestry Residues Waste Cooking Oils and Animal Fats Energy Crops U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Final Rule National Biofuel Blend Wall State and Provincial Biofuel Blend Mandates United States EU-28 Brazil Global Demand for Plant Oil Biofuel Straight Vegetable Oil Plant Oil-Diesel Blends as Fuel Hydrotreated Oils Bio-oil and Other Solid Energetic Bioproducts Pellets, Woody Chips and Briquettes Charcoal, Industrial and Municipal Solid Waste (CIMSW) Gaseous Energetic Bioproducts Global Demand for Gaseous Energetic Bioproducts Global Demand for Gaseous Energetic Bioproducts by Region Chapter 7 Global Biorefinery Products Market by Non-energetic Bioproduct Bioderived Chemicals Biotransform Platform Chemicals Fermentation-Derived Fine Chemicals Products Bioderived Fine (Specialty) Chemicals Pharmaceutical Ingredients Produced by Biotransformation Phytochemicals Global Market for Bioderived Chemicals by Region North America European Union Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan) Japan South America Africa and the Middle East Biodrugs and Herbals/Botanicals Herbals/Botanicals Biodrugs Global Demand for Biodrugs and Herbals/Botanicals by Region North America Europe Asia-Pacific ROW Bioplastics/Biopolymers Physico-Chemical Route Biotransformation Route Biobased Polyethylene (PE) Biobased Polypropylene (PP) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polylactic Acid (PLA) Starch-Based Plastics Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate (PHB) Sugar-Based Polycarbonate (PC) Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) Global Production Capacity for Biobased, Potentially Biobased and Biodegradable Plastics by Region North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Biocomposites Wood Fiber Composites Non-Wood Fiber Composites Demand for Biobased Composites by Region North America European Union Asia-Pacific South America ROW Chapter 8 Global Biorefinery Products Market by Application Introduction Applications for Bioproducts by End Use Industrial Manufacturing Transportation Flame Retardants Safe Food Supply Environment Communications Construction/Housing Recreation Agriculture Health and Hygiene Energy Chapter 9 Technology Demand for Bioproducts by Type of Technology Generation First-Generation Bioproducts Second-Generation Bioproducts Third-Generation Bioproducts Fourth-Generation Bioproducts Fifth-Generation Bioproducts Demand for Bioproducts by Type of Conversion Technology Thermochemical Conversion Technology Physicochemical Technology Biological Conversion Technology Hybrid Technology Platform Product Technology Development Patent Evaluation Chapter 10 Product Development Biofuel Product Development Biobased Chemical Product Development Biobased Plastics/Polymer Product Development Biocomposite Product Development Biobased Medicine/Healthcare Product Development Biogas Product Development Wood Pellet/Chip/Log Product Development Chapter 11 Industry Structure and Competitive Rates Biorefinery Industry Activity Sectors Economics of Biorefineries Pathways for the Provision of Biobased Products Value Addition/Creation/Unlocking Through Feedstock Control Upstream: Controlling Feedstock Costs Midstream: Value Creation, Value Unlocking and Value Addition Downstream Sales, Distribution and Supporting Industries Employment, Working Conditions and Economic Impact Economic Impact of Biorefinery Major Trends Strategic Investments, Partnerships, Alliances and Networks Strategic Companies Investing in Biogreen Technology Major Blue Chip Company Strategic Partnerships Chemical Industry Partnerships Strategic Joint Ventures Strategic Alliances in Biobased Chemicals Network of Partners Chapter 12 International Aspect Global Commodity Prices Crude Oil Biofuels Feedstock Natural Gas Liquefied Natural Gas Metals and Minerals Global Population North America Asia-Pacific Middle East and Africa Europe Global R&D Spending in Countries with Strong Biorefining Industries Leading Countries in Key Technology Areas Where Biorefining Products are Applied United States EU China Japan South Korea ROW International Currency Exchange Rates International Trade in Key Bioproducts Liquid Biofuels Grains Wood Pellets Essential Oils Chapter 13 Market Share Bioethanol Archer Daniels Midland Green Plains Renewable Energy Poet Valero Energy Corp. Cosan Biodiesel Neste Oil Dynoil LLC Brazil Eco Energia Dominion Energy Services LLC SE Energy Menlo Energy LLC Imperium Renewables Louis Dreyfus Canadian Green Fuels Other Glycerol Biotechnology Company Shares Chemicals and Materials BASF Sinopec Dow Chemical SABIC ExxonMobil Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) Neste Oil Others Bio-oil Production KiOR Others Market Shares of Essential Oil Companies Frutarom Symrise Robertet Mane Givaudan Sensient F&F IFF T. Hasegawa Firmenich Huaboa International Takasago Pharmaceutical Company Market Shares Pfizer Inc. (U.S.) Roche (Switzerland) Novartis AG (Switzerland) Advanced Biofuel Market Shares Biopolymer/Bioplastics NatureWorks Purac Dow Chemical Braskem Pellets Enova Wood Pellet Group General Biofuels Georgia Fram Renewable Fuels Drax Group German Pellets Zilkha Biomass New Biomass Energy LLC Thermogen Industries Commercial Cellulosic Biofuel Company Shares Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels LLC Abengoa Bioenergy DuPont Quad County Corn Processors Chapter 14 Regulations, Legislation, Mandates, Policies and Incentives Introduction Regulations and Legislation Mandates and Support Policies U.S. Biofuels Targets Mandated by EISA Mandates Currently in Place in Other Countries Key Policy Instruments in Selected Countries Government Subsidies, Including Mandates for Liquid Biofuels Used in Transportation for Top Biofuel-Producing Countries European Union United States Asia-Pacific South America Africa Instruments and Approaches for the Sound Management of Chemicals and Materials Stakeholder Initiatives Chapter 15 Company Profiles Biorefineries Integrated Biorefinery Biodiesel Cellulosic Biorefineries Biofuels Genetic Engineering Renewable Biodiesel Cellulosic Gasoline and Diesel Cyanobacteria Industrial Enzymes Biofuel Enzymes Genome Engineering Engineered Enzymes Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Pyrolysis/Gasification Renewable Oil and Bioproducts Grain Ethanol Chemicals Biobased Propylene Glycol Ethylene Glycol (EG) D(-) Lactic Acid Glucaric Acid C4-C6 Chemicals Biobased Nylon Fatty Acids Isobutanol Squalane Succinic Acid Biobased Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)/1,4-Butanediol (BDO) and Biobased Acrylic Acid 1,4-Butanediol Pellets/Chips/Logs Biogas OO BIORAFFINERIE FORSCHUNG UND ENTWICKLUNG GMBH Materials Pet Bottle Containing Bioplastics Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX) Furan Dicarboxylic Acid (FDCA) Bioacrylic Biopolymers BRASKEM ITACONIX CORP. Biocomposites GORDON SHANKS CONSULTING LLC RAYONIER ADVANCED MATERIALS Biopower Electricity Sale of Excess Biomass Power Biomass Waste Utilization Wood Pellets Seeds Amylase Corn BioDrugs and Herbals/Botanicals PHARMA WERNIGERODE Biopharming Natural Skincare Products Vanillin Genetically Modified Yeast Valencene (Citrus Flavoring) Medicine and Healthcare Engineered Insect Strains Attenuated Virus Cultures Cephalexin Palifosfamide Genetically Engineered Plant Cells Botanical Preparation Chapter 16 Appendix: Acronyms For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/obhv7z Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Some of the 722,000 New Jersey residents left out of pandemic relief funds due to citizenship status could be eligible for the latest round of $600 stimulus checks under the new coronavirus relief package. Previously excluded from stimulus relief checks, U.S. citizens who filed taxes with their undocumented spouse will receive $600 per person with a Social Security number, including children with citizenship. Roughly 56,000 undocumented residents In New Jersey are married to a U.S. citizen, and another 27,000 are married to a legal permanent resident or green card holders, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Its unknown how many mixed-status couples have children with citizenship. The law will also allow households with at least one family member with a Social Security number to retroactively receive checks for up to $1,200 and an additional $500 per child under the CARES Act. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage New Jerseys 430,000 undocumented residents still remain ineligible for stimulus checks, including those who file taxes using an ITIN number, as well as other tax-paying residents without Social Security numbers. In an effort to stabilize the economic turmoil the country is facing due to the pandemic, President Donald Trump signed the $900 billion coronavirus bill that expanded some eligibility for the stimulus checks. But the president had previously criticized allowing payments to the families of undocumented residents when he threatened to veto the aid, according to CBS News. Immigrant advocacy groups across the country have criticized the federal government for excluding undocumented residents and their American family members from much-needed coronavirus relief in March, stressing the reliance on immigrant workers for jobs deemed essential during the first wave of the pandemic. There are still more than 400,000 undocumented people and hundreds of thousands of children (in New Jersey) who have been left behind from aid. The latest stimulus is a welcome step, but our state Legislature should still take action to provide aid as quickly as possible, said Sara Cullinane, executive director of Make the Road New Jersey, an advocacy group working with Latino communities. The NJ Politics Newsletter: Nobody knows Jersey politics like NJ.com. Add your email now and dont miss a story. The group, as well as other immigrant organizations, have camped out near the Statehouse in Trenton and held rallies across the state to call for the passing of a series of bills that would aid undocumented immigrants and other excluded residents. One bill, S2480, would provide a one-time check to undocumented residents who cant collect unemployment benefits, and were excluded from the CARES Act. Another bill known as the Peoples Bill, A4034, would create a repayment plan for tenants who missed rent due to the pandemic. Cullinane noted the relief is especially important to undocumented residents who cant collect unemployment benefits and have run out of money for rent, food and medicine. Were still urging immediate hearings and action as soon as possible, she said. Every day we hear from families going into debt because theyre ineligible for aid, so its a desperate time. The IRS has already starting sending out stimulus checks -- direct deposit payments started going out on Dec. 29, while the first paper checks were mailed Dec. 30. You can track your stimulus payment on the IRS website here.. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips LA JOLLA--New data suggest that nearly all COVID-19 survivors have the immune cells necessary to fight re-infection. The findings, based on analyses of blood samples from 188 COVID-19 patients, suggest that responses to the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, from all major players in the "adaptive" immune system, which learns to fight specific pathogens, can last for at least eight months after the onset of symptoms from the initial infection. "Our data suggest that the immune response is there--and it stays," LJI Professor Alessandro Sette, Dr. Biol. Sci., who co-led the study with LJI Professor Shane Crotty, Ph.D., and LJI Research Assistant Professor Daniela Weiskopf, Ph.D. "We measured antibodies, memory B cells, helper T cells and killer T cells all at the same time," says Crotty. "As far as we know, this is the largest study ever, for any acute infection, that has measured all four of those components of immune memory." The findings, published in the January 6, 2021, online edition of Science, could mean that COVID-19 survivors have protective immunity against serious disease from the SARS-CoV-2 virus for months, perhaps years after infection. The new study helps clarify some concerning COVID-19 data from other labs, which showed a dramatic drop-off of COVID-fighting antibodies in the months following infection. Some feared that this decline in antibodies meant that the body wouldn't be equipped to defend itself against reinfection. Sette explains that a decline in antibodies is very normal. "Of course, the immune response decreases over time to a certain extent, but that's normal. That's what immune responses do. They have a first phase of ramping up, and after that fantastic expansion, eventually the immune response contracts somewhat and gets to a steady state," Sette says. The researchers found that virus-specific antibodies do persist in the bloodstream months after infection. Importantly the body also has immune cells called memory B cells at the ready. If a person encounters SARS-CoV-2 again, these memory B cells could reactivate and produce SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to fight re-infection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses its "spike" protein to initiate infection of human cells, so the researchers looked for memory B cells specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike. They found that spike-specific memory B cells actually increased in the blood six months after infection. COVID-19 survivors also had an army of T cells ready to fight reinfection. Memory CD4+ "helper" T cells lingered, ready to trigger an immune response if they saw SARS-CoV-2 again. Many memory CB8+ "killer" T cells also remained, ready to destroy infected cells and halt a reinfection. The different parts of the adaptive immune system work together, so seeing COVID-fighting antibodies, memory B cells, memory CD4+ T cells and memory CD8+ T cells in the blood more than eight months following infection is a good sign. "This implies that there's a good chance people would have protective immunity, at least against serious disease, for that period of time, and probably well beyond that," says Crotty. The team cautions that protective immunity does vary dramatically from person to person. In fact, the researchers saw a 100-fold range in the magnitude of immune memory. People with a weak immune memory may be vulnerable to a case of recurrent COVID-19 in the future, or they may be more likely to infect others. "There are some people that are way down at the bottom of how much immune memory they have, and maybe those people are a lot more susceptible to reinfection," says Crotty. "It looks like people who have been infected are going to have some degree of protective immunity against re-infection," adds Weiskopf. "How much protection remains to be established." The fact that immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 is possible is also a good sign for vaccine developers. Weiskopf emphasizes that the study tracked responses to natural SARS-CoV-2 infection, not immune memory after vaccination. "It is possible that immune memory will be similarly long lasting similar following vaccination, but we will have to wait until the data come in to be able to tell for sure," says Weiskopf. "Several months ago, our studies showed that natural infection induced a strong response, and this study now shows that the responses lasts. The vaccine studies are at the initial stages, and so far have been associated with strong protection. We are hopeful that a similar pattern of responses lasting over time will also emerge for the vaccine-induced responses." The researchers will continue to analyze samples from COVID-19 patients in the coming months and hope to track their responses 12 to 18 months after the onset of symptoms. "We are also doing very detailed analyses at a much, much higher granularity on what pieces of the virus are recognized," says Sette. "And we plan to evaluate the immune response not only following natural infection but following vaccination." The team is also working to understand how immune memory differs across people of different ages and how that may influence COVID-19 case severity. ### The study, "Immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 assessed for up to eight months after infection," included first authors Jennifer M. Dan, Jose Mateus and Yu Kato, as well as Kathryn M. Hastie, Caterina E. Faliti, Sydney I. Ramirez, April Frazier, Esther Dawen Yu, Alba Grifoni, Stephen A. Rawlings, Bjoern Peters, Florian Krammer, Viviana Simon, Erica Ollmann Saphire and Davey M. Smith. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (awards AI142742 and AI135078, contracts 75N9301900065 and HHSN272201400008C), the John and Mary Tu Foundation, UCSD T32s AI007036 and AI007384 Infectious Diseases Division, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation INV-006133 from the Therapeutics Accelerator, Mastercard, Wellcome, a FastGrant from Emergent Ventures in aid of COVID-19 research, the Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers (CIVIC) contract 75N93019C00051, the JPB foundation, the Cohen Foundation, the Open Philanthropy Project (#2020-215611), as well as private philanthropic contributions. DOI: 10.1126/science.abf4063 About La Jolla Institute for Immunology The La Jolla Institute for Immunology is dedicated to understanding the intricacies and power of the immune system so that we may apply that knowledge to promote human health and prevent a wide range of diseases. Since its founding in 1988 as an independent, nonprofit research organization, the Institute has made numerous advances leading toward its goal: life without disease. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Romanias telecoms market continues to evolve under the dynamics of competition and technological change. Alternative operators have launched competing services in the fixed-line voice market, with the provision of bundled services being a key driver. The acquisition of Liberty Globals local unit UPC Romania by Vodafone Group in July 2019 has allowed Vodafone Romania to compete more effectively with the service offerings from Orange Romania and Telekom Romania. To become more competitive in the market, Orange Romania in late 2020 signed an agreement in principle to acquire Telekom Romania from Deutsche Telekom, though Telekom Romanias mobile assets could be sold separately in a bid to avoid scrutiny from competition authorities. The mobile market is served by four network operators, three of which are the local subsidiaries of the major regional players Vodafone Group, Orange Group and Deutsche Telekom. Mobile broadband growth has been strong following network investments which have extended the reach of LTE services and led to the launch of services based on 5G. However, 5G services are not optimum since the MNOs have yet to secure sufficient spectrum following several auction delays. Romanias broadband market benefits from effective infrastructure-based competition. The countrys fibre sector has become one of the strongest in Europe in recent years, with a rapidly growing share of the fixed-line broadband market by subscriber lines. As a result, the country has one of the highest FttP penetration rates in the region, with 72.4% of connections offering data above 100Mb/s by early 2020. Operators including Orange Romania have built their own fibre infrastructure to gain independence from Telekom Romanias wholesale access service. This report provides an overview of Romanias fast-developing telecommunications market, covering regulatory developments, major players and fixed-line infrastructure, and offering a variety of operational and financial statistics as well as a range of subscriber forecasts. The report also covers the mobile voice and data markets, including profiles of the major operators, updates on spectrum auctions and regulatory developments. In addition, the report provides insights into the growing broadband market, covering technologies, the major players and market developments. Key developments: Multi-spectrum auction delayed to early 2021;Orange Romania begins building its own fibre network; Orange Romania covers all of Bucharest with 5G, providing data at up to 1.2Gb/s; Regulator reduces fixed termination rates 30%, effective from November 2020; Orange Romania and Vodafone Romania extend 2.3GHz licenses to end-2031; Regulator fines the MNOs for failing to provide sufficient mobile voice coverage as per their licence obligations; Cost of 5G licences reduced; Government scraps SIM card registration scheme over privacy concerns; Vodafone Romania trials NB-IoT; UPC Romania is rebranded under the Vodafone banner; About three-quarters of fixed broadband connections accessing 100Mb/s or above; Deutsche Telekom secures approval for sale of stake in Telekom Romania; Report update includes the regulator's market data to December 2019, State Statistics data for 2019, telcos' operating and financial data to Q3 2020, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, recent market developments. Get a Full Copy of this Report Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeCom, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service. The above article is a summary of the following BuddeCom report: Report title: Romania - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Edition: November 2020 Analyst: Henry Lancaster Number of pages: 193 Companies mentioned in this report: UPC Romania, RCS&RDS, Telekom Romania, Vodafone Romania, Orange Romania, Digi Mobil Single User PDF Licence Price: US$1150 For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Romania-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83 Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., woke up despondent the morning after the 2016 elections, consoling himself and his daughters by singing the Shirelles' 1961 classic: "Chapel bells are callin' for everyone but-a me / But I don't worry 'cause, / Mama said there'll be days like this." Now, after four long years of battling President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Schumer heard the chapel bells calling his name. Democrats broke through with at least one upset win, and another appearing likely, that would give Schumer 50 members of his caucus - the minimum needed to become majority leader. When Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president Jan. 20, she will become the tie-breaking vote in Democrats' favor, giving President-elect Joe Biden's party control of both ends of the Capitol for only the third time in the past 40 years. "It feels like a brand new day," Schumer said at a valedictory news conference Wednesday morning. He made a new stimulus package, including the bid for $2,000 checks to individuals, a top priority in the new year. Assuming both Georgia races go to Democrats, Schumer will instantly become a focal point of the Biden agenda, having to govern an evenly divided Senate without a single vote to spare and overseeing a caucus that runs the ideological gauntlet from a conservative from West Virginia, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III, to a socialist democrat from Vermont, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. Across the Capitol, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will also govern a narrowly divided chamber, with a handful of votes to spare on any bill that Republicans unilaterally oppose. But House rules are easier and more pliable for the majority, a courtesy Schumer will not enjoy in the Senate, where byzantine procedures will force the Democrat to search for GOP support on most legislation and simple-majority rules to confirm Biden's nominees will require a balancing act to achieve near-perfect unity. Schumer will have to balance all this with one eye on his own re-election campaign in 2022, as Empire State liberals are searching for a more progressive candidate to challenge his bid for a fifth Senate term - perhaps Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the rising star from the Bronx. In the weeks leading up to the November election, when Democrats hoped for a convincing majority, Schumer repeatedly said "nothing is off the table" when pressed about ending 60-vote filibuster rules on legislation and expanding the Supreme Court. Democrats fell short on the original election night, but the Georgia races went to runoffs and opened up another avenue to a new, razor-thin majority. With Manchin and several other Democrats leery of abolishing filibuster rules, Schumer will have to work with Pelosi and Biden on a very narrow track to achieve their legislative goals, using every parliamentary maneuver to get around McConnell's expected opposition to almost every agenda item. Despite those long odds, no president has ever entered the Oval Office with so much Washington experience matched with a cordial, decades-long relationship with the House speaker and Senate majority leader. Longtime friends and advisers say no one is better prepared for this balancing act than Schumer, whose old-school flip-phone serves as the political nerve center for the caucus. His predecessor, Harry Reid of Nevada, used to quiz Schumer about phone numbers when he was majority leader, because Schumer is so obsessive about checking in with his colleagues that he just memorizes their phone number. "He's a master of caucus unity," Matt House, a former senior adviser in the Democratic leader's office. "Being master of the modern Senate requires keeping the caucus together, and there is nobody better at that than Schumer. He works at it, his political ideology fits just right." Schumer, 70, has spent 40 years climbing the ranks of Congress, the longest tenure of anyone before rising to Senate majority leader. He won his first House race in 1980 as Ronald Reagan won the presidency in a landslide. He joined ranks with a group of up-and-coming Democrats who chafed under the autocratic rule of veteran committee chairmen, agitating for more decentralized power. Those early allies included Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., who is poised to become majority whip later this month, and eventually Pelosi when she won a special election in 1987. When Democrats lost the House in the 1994 elections, Schumer found himself looking for the next big move - coming in 1998, when he knocked off a three-term incumbent to win a Senate seat. His early days were marked by an aggressive media approach, including holding weekly Sunday news conferences in New York to jump on issues that were gaining attention, from alleged Chinese efforts to secure a U.S. port to efforts to ban a dangerous caffeinated liquor. But Schumer felt neglected by leadership in his first term and almost ran for governor, until Reid took charge and brought him into his inner circle in 2005, handing him full control of the campaign committee for four years. Schumer built the Senate majority that resulted in the filibuster-proof 60-vote margin in 2009, delivering the Affordable Care Act, an overhaul of Wall Street laws and other victories for the Obama administration. He spent the next six years at Reid's side and was ready to succeed him after the 2016 elections. Early that year, Schumer went to the vice president's home at the Naval Observatory to ask Biden to be the top surrogate in Senate races, particularly in places like Indiana and Missouri, where other Democrats were not welcome. The two first worked together more than 25 years ago, when Biden, then chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote the 1994 crime bill, for which Schumer served as a lead sponsor in the House. With Hillary Clinton seemingly poised for a victory that would also deliver a Democratic majority, Schumer bolted from New York soon after the polls closed and his easy re-election was official, flying back to Senate Democratic campaign headquarters to celebrate with Reid and Biden. As returns trickled in, the celebration was canceled, and Biden stayed at the Observatory. As leader, Schumer kept his caucus together on every major vote the past four years. Some Democrats like Manchin supported occasional Trump initiatives or Supreme Court justices, but not once did one of their votes provide the margin of victory. And in a symbolic win, every member of Schumer's caucus voted to convict Trump in the impeachment trial last year. His leadership team runs from Manchin to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., giving him constant insight into all corners of his caucus. Despite that inclusive nature, rank-and-file Democrats often feel left out of perches of power, a grievance that played out in an internal caucus debate after the November elections that stripped some treasures away from more senior Democrats. That initial gloom for Senate Democrats - not securing the majority despite Biden's national victory margin of more than 7 million votes - gave way to an intense focus on the two Georgia runoffs. Democrats felt optimistic going into Tuesday's elections, given their success in turning out more than 3 million early votes. But no one planned a party. Schumer spent Tuesday night at his home in Brooklyn with family. He called the Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, at least three or four times each, assessing where their races stood. Finally, around midnight, he realized that it finally appeared to be his turn to walk down Senate aisle as the bells called his name: Majority Leader Schumer. "Wow, who would've thought? As I said, this is not the path we chose to get here, but we're here," he told reporters Wednesday. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The new move to reinstate COVID-19 restrictions across the Houston-area is igniting the ire of Texas Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-O2) Firing off his concerns in a tweet Wednesday, Crenshaw blasted the measure to limit certain businesses to 50 percent capacity in the Houston-area. "Business should not comply. Lockdowns are not supported by law, they are unconstitutional edicts," Crenshaw tweeted. "Law enforcement should not enforce this. Stop stealing people's right to make a living." Under Governor Greg Abbott's executive order, Houston-area restaurants must reduce capacity by 50 percent, bars must close indoor service and elective surgeries must be delayed after COVID-19 hospitalizations surpassed 15 percent for seven straight days. This order now applies to counties in Trauma Service Area Q including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Colorado, Matagarda, Walker, Wharton and Waller counties. SURGE TRIGGERS ROLLBACKS: Texas bars must shut down as hospitalization surge triggers reopening rollback In June, Crenshaw first slammed the idea of lockdowns, stating that Americans would understand the risks and "safely reopen." "We can't allow fear-mongers to use new cases to push for new lockdowns," Crenshaw tweeted. Only a month ago in December, Crenshaw criticized lockdowns for being "unscientific" and warned that leaders who enacted these lockdowns should resign. "Lockdowns are unscientific and the minimal benefits do not come close to justifying the extreme costs on lives and livelihoods," Crenshaw tweeted. "So-called 'leaders' who continue to implement lockdowns with no regard to the lives they're destroying should resign." Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. [January 05, 2021] LONGi supplies 70 MW modules to the largest floating PV plant cluster in Vietnam XI'AN, China, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant development marking the end of 2020, two large-scale floating solar projects in Vietnam were commissioned in December. They were the 35 MWp Ho Tam Bo floating solar power plant and the 35 MWp Ho Gia Hoet 1 floating PV plant. The two projects have been set up on Gia Hoet 1 and Tam Bo irrigation lakes, in Quang Thanh commune, Chau Duc district. LONGi supplied the high efficiency PV modules for both projects. Despite the challenges arising from COVID-19, the China-based module manufacturer completed module deliveries ahead of schedule, ensuring the timely completion of the projects that together comprise the largest floating PV plant cluster not just in Vietnam but entire Southeast Asia region, with a combined capacity of 70 MWp. The only other operational floating solar power project in the country is Da Mi Plant by EVN. The 35-MWp Ho Tam Bo Floating Solar Power Plant and the 35-MWp Ho Gia Hoet 1 floating PV plant together form the argest floating PV cluster in Southeast Asia Both projects were developed by Vietnam's TOJI Group. Construction of the Ho Tam Bo Floating Solar Power Project started on August 8, 2020. Despite the challenging rainy and stormy conditions made more difficult with COVID-19 related issues, TOJI Group was able to complete the 110 kV substation installation, 10.8 km of transmission line development and grid integration in just 4 months. The plant received final commissioning on December 12, 2020. Similarly, the Ho Gia Hoet 1 plant included the solar power station of 35 MWp, 22/110 kV step-up transformer substation and 1.86 km of transmission line running from Gia Hoet 1 to Tam Bo 22/110 kV step-up transformer substation. This plant also received final commissioning on December 12, 2020. LONGi supplied 74,469 panels of 470 Wp power for these landmark projects. "The market for floating photovoltaic projects has witnessed increasing growth over the past few years, with the installed capacities of individual projects rising year on year. LONGi has been supplying to several floating solar power projects across the world and we are proud to be associated with the TOJI Group in setting up their first floating solar plant in Vietnam," said Dennis She, Senior Vice President, LONGi Solar. After the commissioning of the projects, Chairman of Toji Group, Ho Minh Tien said, "On behalf of our investors, the Toji Group would like to thank the People's Committee of BRVT, Vietnam Electricity EVN, Vietnam Rubber Group, People's Committee of Chau Duc District, People's Committee of Quang Thanh Commune, and affiliates of EVN A0 , A2, SPC, PC BRVT and its subcontractors partner units that supported, facilitated and accompanied Toji Group in this project. We would also like to thank all the suppliers of Ho Tam Bo and Ho Gia Hoet 35+35 MWp floating solar farm that was commissioned on December 12, 2020." About LONGi LONGi leads the solar PV industry to new heights with its product innovations and optimized power-cost ratio with breakthrough monocrystalline technologies. The company supplies more than 30GW of high-efficiency solar wafers and modules worldwide each year, about a quarter of global market demand. LONGi is recognized as the world's most valuable solar technology company with the highest market value. Innovation and sustainable development are two of the company's core values. Learn More: https://en.longi-solar.com/ SOURCE LONGi Solar [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021 9:54 am On Tuesday, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, made a request to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to make congressionally-approved funds immediately available to help Southwest Washington where in-person public education is closed. In a letter to the governor, Herrera Beutler mentioned the $745 million she recently secured for Community Service Block Grants to assist students during school closures due to COVID-19 health restrictions. Recent federal actions make the funds available to pay for private school tuition and other in-person resources. However, the decision to provide those funds to Washington families is up to the state. Low-income students are estimated to lose over a year of learning due to school closures, which is expected to exacerbate current achievement gaps by 15-20 percent, Herrera Beutler said in her letter to the governor. Public schools play a central role in educating our students, yet many remain closed in communities throughout Washington. Where in-person public learning is inaccessible, we should provide vulnerable students with access to every available tool including allowing them to use funds from the Community Service Block Grants for private school tuition and other in-person options to safeguard their learning and personal welfare during this crisis. Border Force and police officers were on Wednesday working to restore order to the Christmas Island detention centre after detainees began rioting and set two compounds on fire. Between 10 and 20 detainees were on Wednesday still staging a sit-in with authorities largely bringing the situation under control. Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed at least two detainees were on top of the roof of the facility on Tuesday night, which currently houses about 230 detainees, while two of the three compounds in the facility were set on fire. Footage posted on social media shows one Christmas Island detainee jumping on the roof of a compound on Tuesday night, with a fire in the background. Credit:Facebook The incident follows increased frustration from detainees about a lack of access to visitors and family after they were moved to the facility last year from mainland centres. Hannah Thomas, 17, and her boyfriend Richard Avila, 16, have been charged with murder for allegedly killing her mother, 36-year-old Otillia Piros (pictured) in New York A 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend have been charged with murder for allegedly killing her mother and stealing her car in New York before being stopped by Missouri police for traveling 111mph. Chief Drew Forsythe of the Greece Police Department on Tuesday announced murder charges against Hannah Thomas and Richard Avila, 16, in the killing of Otillia Piros, 36, at her home in Greece, New York, during a press conference. Forsythe called the killing 'egregious and sickening,' and said that the teenagers had shot Piros twice in the head sometime between December 28 and 29. 'What makes this case even more egregious and sickening is the fact that Otillia was executed in her own home at the hands of her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend,' Forsythe said. The teenagers are residents of Arizona and were visiting Piros over the holidays, police said. They were stopped for speeding on December 29 driving west through Saint Robert, Missouri, and police there decided to call the department in Greece to confirm that Piros had given them permission to use her car. According to WHAM, an officer pulled the vehicle over for traveling 111mph. Authorities said Avila was driving and Thomas was in the passenger seat. Court documents allege that Thomas claimed the vehicle belonged to her grandmother. Thomas later admitted that the vehicle was her mom's and that her mother had given the car to her. Authorities also said that the traffic stop led them to conducting a welfare call at Piros' West Parkway home, which led to officers discovering her body. Authorities said Piros was killed at her home in Greece, New York, between December 28 and 29. Investigators are seen cordoning off the crime scene last month Police said they found a handgun in the car and a ballistics analysis indicates it was the gun used in the killing. Forsythe did not speculate on a motive for the killing. They have both been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The two teenagers remain in custody in Missouri waiting transfer to New York. It was not immediately clear if the pair had attorneys to represent them. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Tarun Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a former junior colleague at a Tehelka event in Goa in 2013. The case of alleged sexual harassment against journalist and author Tarun Tejpal took an unexpected turn after the Goa Police filed a supplementary charge sheetthe third in the long-running legal proceedingsin the Mapusa court on January 6. The fresh charges were filed seven years after the Goa Police filed the first charge sheetthat ran into 3,000 pagesagainst Tejpal, the former editor of the Tehelka magazine, in February 2014 for an alleged sexual crime. Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a former junior colleague at a Tehelka event in Goa in 2013. A second charge sheet was also filed later by the Goa Police against Tejpal. A senior officer of the Goa Police, requesting anonymity, said the third charge sheet was produced in the court on January 6 after fresh evidence emerged following a detailed investigation by the investigating officer. The Goa Police said in its third charge sheet that another round of investigation was conducted by the investigating officer of the lift and those maintaining it at Grand Hyatt. Rajeev Gomes, lawyer for Tejpal, said the latest supplementary charge sheet has been filed six years later even as the trial was coming to a close. "More than 65 witnesses have been examined including the complainant. The only pending prosecution witness as of this morning was the investigation officer. Tejpal has denied the allegations levelled against him. The original list of witnesses by the prosecution had 156 names. Gomes said the new charge sheet has produced evidence from a Blackberry phone of what the police say was an apology Tejpal offered after the alleged incident took place in the lift of the Grand Hyatt hotel, the venue of a three-day event organised by Tehelka in November 2013. The Supreme Court directed the Mapusa court to finish the trial by December 2020. Later on a plea of the prosecution seeking extension of time, the Supreme Court fixed March 31, 2021, as the deadline for concluding the trial. In August 2019, the Supreme Court refused to dismiss the charges framed by a Goa trial court against Tejpal. Claiming innocence in the case, Vikas Singh, senior lawyer and former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) appearing for Tejpal, had submitted that the court should consider on point of charge against him, and sought quashing of the charges against him in the case. Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, by the crime branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court. He has been out on bail since May 2014. Gomes said as per a directive of the Supreme Court, fresh investigation cannot take place in a case in which a charge sheet has been filed. You need prior permission of the court, said Gomes. Calls and messages to Tejpal went unanswered. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 10:47:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PYONGYANG, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The eighth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) opened here on Tuesday, with top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un delivering an opening address, reported official media on Wednesday. The congress was convened in order to comprehensively and strictly review the work of the party's central committee, clearly reconfirm the exact orientation and duty in its struggle for winning a bigger victory in the socialist cause and take measures for substantial improvement, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim delivered a report on the work of the party's seventh central committee on the first day of the eighth congress, it said. According to the report, the congress will "discuss and decide on a fresh line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies for making a radical leap forward in the development of the Party and socialist construction." Members of the leadership body of the party's seventh central committee and delegates elected by the party's organizations at all levels attended the congress. The congress elected its presidium and secretariat, and elected Kim to the presidium, the report said. According to its agenda, the congress will review the work of the party's central committee and the Central Audit Commission, and elect the party's central leadership body. This Party Congress, which may run for several days, is the second one under Kim. The seventh Party Congress was convened in May 2016. Enditem Netanyahu understood months ago that the development of a vaccine was the only way that the world and Israel could resolve the COVID-19 crisis and the only way he could win the elections and survive," a high-level political source who asked to remain anonymous told Al-Monitor. "He was so focused on this that it was scary: he did not let up, did not stop, was really obsessive. He didnt even blink vis-a-vis the ultra-Orthodox camp about inoculating people on the Sabbath and no one turned it into a crisis. The source, who was privy to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus actions and behind-the-scenes lobbying, compared the prime minister to an attack dog. Netanyahu personally supervised the financial negotiations with the pharmaceutical companies, including late-night phone calls to the CEOs of the Pfizer and Moderna companies and to the relevant Israeli health and finance officials, working to cut through red tape and allocate the necessary budgets. In his words, Netanyahu viewed the vaccinations as the be-all and end-all. It was the most important thing to him. Anyone who knows him knows that Netanyahu always has something of high priority on his mind and everything else has to wait. And the vaccination issue is a good example. He studied everything about the disease, on a real scientific level, and stubbornly held on to those vaccinations like a drowning man even when those around him did not believe that it would be possible to develop a vaccine in such a short time period. On Dec. 19, Netanyahu became the first Israeli citizen to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on camera, kicking off Israels admirable vaccination drive. As of this morning, Jan. 5, 1,370,000 Israelis had been inoculated a record-setting number. And of course, Netanyahu gets the the credit. There is a lot of talk today in Israel about national pride, national mobilization and hope. The public health clinics, which are handling most of the logistics, have operated like commando units, pushing themselves to the edge to reach Netanyahu's goals, numbers that had seemed unreal less than three weeks ago. The press not only in Israel, but the entire world has reported breathlessly on Israels vaccination project. Israel is leading the worlds vaccination efforts by a significant margin. Meanwhile, the vaccination projects in Europe and the United States are limping along. On Tuesday morning, the Moderna company announced that its first vaccine package will reach Israel at the end of January, speeding up the schedule with millions of vaccines in addition to the Pfizer doses. It comes as no surprise that the battle over credit has started. Netanyahus opponents tried to play down his role in the vaccination drive and argue that Israels HMOs are the real winners, but Netanyahu has already begun campaigning on the achievement. On Nov. 16, opposition leader Yair Lapid released a video accusing Netanyahu of a great vaccination bluff, arguing that the vaccinations would not get to Israel as soon as the prime minister claimed. Mr. Netanyahu, Id like you to answer just one question. Why are you not telling the truth about the vaccines? We are adults. We can handle it, even if the truth is unpleasant. We understand its difficult to get them. There is no reason to lie. Israelis will be waiting for the vaccines to arrive in January, but the vaccines wont arrive. Lapid was wrong. The vaccines arrived in the middle of December and by the end of 2020, almost a million citizens were inoculated. The video has become a laughingstock that Lapid surely regrets, especially after Netanyahu himself posted it to mock on Facebook. Netanyahu is busy posing for photo ops at the vaccination sites, including in the Arab sector, and regularly reports on the progress over social media. This success holds tremendous political significance. If the vaccination drive continues until election day, March 23, millions of Israelis will have received their second and final inoculation. If all goes according to plan, the economy as well as the educational system should be well on the way to recovery. The light at the end of the tunnel will shine for Netanyahu in particular, as he faces very complex political challenges in these elections. His opponents have grown and more parties have turned against him, diminishing his ability assemble a government even if he heads the largest party. In addition, it is still not clear to what extent the economic fallout from the pandemic will affect Israeli voting patterns. Netanyahu clearly hopes that the vaccinations will cheer up bitter Israelis and that the voters will see his vaccination drive as the cure to the economic crisis. He's conducting a single-issue campaign rather than directly attacking his opponents, portraying himself as global leader. According to Netanyahus campaign program, he intends to embark on shuttle diplomacy toward the middle of February or beginning of March, when millions of Israelis will have been vaccinated. The prime minister will visit the Arab countries with whom Israel has signed agreements, including the United Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. According to a high-placed minister who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Netanyahu kept the vaccine card close to his chest. He kept it a secret from the high-ranking Blue and White people and from [Blue and White leader] Benny Gantz, so no one would spoil the surprise or take credit for the achievement. Will it be enough? According to our source, Netanyahu will find it very difficult to create a right-wing-ultra-Orthodox coalition. But without the vaccine card, it would have been impossible. According to the minister, The vaccines really trump all the other cards in the deck. It is a fact; success can be proved by the numbers and by comparing ourselves to the rest of the world. Its like winning a war, and Netanyahu will take all that to the public in his campaign. The hunt for the SoHo Karen has gone cross-country. Two New York City police detectives are traveling to California in pursuit of Miya Ponsetto, the woman who was recorded on Dec. 26 allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old Black child after she falsely accused him of stealing her iPhone at the Arlo Hotel in lower Manhattan. A quick refresher on the saga: After she was filmed attacking the boy, Keyon Harrold Jr., the son of Grammy-winning trumpeter and Beyonce and Jay-Z collaborator Keyon Harrold, it was revealed that Ponsetto had left her phone behind in an Uber. Harrold alleged in an Instagram post that a hotel manager emboldened the woman and attempted to use his managerial authority to force my son to show his phone to this random lady. (He added that he and his son were staying at the hotel, but Ponsetto was not.) The hotel issued an apology soon after the assault caught traction online: More could have been done to deescalate the dispute. The attack ignited outrage nationwide. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident racism and prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump demanded the Manhattan District Attorney bring charges of assault and battery against this woman. KGO reports that activists have also called for the Los Angeles Police Department to file assault charges against Ponsetto. They allege that the woman lives in the Southern California area; however, that information has not been confirmed by SFGATE. Representatives from NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ponsetto told CNN in an anonymous interview, where she disputed the telling of events: I actually try very hard to make sure that I am always doing the right thing. The cable news outlet received flak on Twitter for not identifying her during the interview. An Israeli military court on Wednesday convicted a Palestinian rights activist of offences in the occupied West Bank, his lawyer said, in a case that Amnesty International described as politically motivated. The military did not immediately provide Reuters with the Ofer military courts verdict against Issa Amro of the Palestinian city of Hebron, and arguments over sentencing will await a further hearing on Feb. 8. Amro denied the charges, which included protesting without a permit, obstructing Israeli soldiers activities in the flashpoint city of Hebron and assaulting a Jewish settler. Amro, 40, founded an activist group that regularly protests against settlement construction in Hebron. Under heavy Israeli military protection, around 1,000 settlers live there among 200,000 Palestinians. It doesnt make sense to punish someone for non-violent resistance, Amro told Reuters. The Israeli military system exists only to oppress Palestinians and restrict freedom of speech. Amro was convicted on six of 18 charges against him, in incidents that occurred between 2010 and 2016, his lawyer, Gaby Lasky, said. Lasky said it was hard to predict whether Amro would face prison time, but that a Palestinian in a similar case received a 10-month term. Amnesty International said the charges against Amro were politically motivated and linked to his peaceful work in exposing Israels human rights violations. The group has also condemned as disgraceful charges brought against Amro by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Amnesty said the PA has accused him of disturbing public order and insulting higher authorities over Facebook posts in 2017 critical of Palestinian leaders. Amro said his next Palestinian court hearing is on Jan. 20. Most countries view settlements Israel built on West Bank land captured in a 1967 war as illegal. Israel disputes this, citing biblical and historical connections to the territory, as well as security needs. A Belfast man who harassed a female colleague and threatened to throw acid in her face after she turned down repeated requests to be his girlfriend was jailed on Wednesday. Edward Stewart, with an address at Centenary House on Victoria Street, was handed a 20-month sentence after he admitted harassing the woman, and pursuing a course of conduct which caused her to fear violence. Judge Stephen Fowler imposed an additional extended period of 24 months on licence after it emerged the 36-year-old has been deemed a dangerous offender. As he sentenced Stewart, the judge said the defendant had a "relevant and extensive" criminal record for "targeting individuals with whom he has taken umbrage." This included attacks and threats against former employers, his landlord, a probation officer and police. Stewart appeared for his sentencing at Belfast Crown Court via a videolink with Maghaberry, where it emerged that he breached a restraining order issued to protect his former work colleague within an hour of it being imposed. He initially denied the two charges and was due to stand trial in Belfast on February 18, 2020. That morning, he changed his plea and admitted the two charges. A ten-year restraining order was issued banning him from contacting the woman. She attended court that day, and within 30 minutes of the order being imposed, she was approached by Stewart in Ann Street where he invaded her personal space and shouted at her. Judge Fowler revealed that in June 2017, the female victim started working in a call centre where Stewart was also employed. He initially sent her hand-written notes asking if she liked him and if she would be his girlfriend. Stewart then sent these types of notes to the woman up to five times a day for a week - despite her asking him on several occasions to stop. Stewart continued with this behaviour, and when it became clear he was being rejected, he became aggressive, rude and threatening. Judge Fowler said Stewart then began called her a slut and a whore, and on one occasion when he was rebuffed by her, Stewart punched a computer screen. He issued a series of threats against her and told her he was going to rape her, slit her throat and throw acid in her face. As a result of his behaviour, she made a complaint - but before this was determined, Stewart was sacked for absenteeism. Stewart sent a text to a former fellow worker on August 29, 2017 saying, the threats were "just a bit of craic lol", and "a wee acid throwing incident may occur". After Stewart was sacked, the woman he threatened didn't hear from him for 11 months. However, in July 2018 she received a private Facebook message from him which said "me and you are going to have a very interesting conversation the next time I see you. I have been waiting a year". Revealing the message came "out of the blue", Judge Fowler said this had a "detrimental effect on her psychological wellbeing" and she reported the matter to the PSNI. An investigation was launched, Stewart was arrested and during interview he falsely claimed he and the woman had gone out one night but they fell out after he kissed another woman. At that stage, he also denied the two charges levelled against him. Turning to the Victim Impact Statement, Judge Fowler said that prior to the matter, the woman lived a normal life which included travelling to work by herself, going out with friends, and socialising. She had also been excited about starting her new job and meeting new people. The judge said that after being threatened and harassed by Stewart at work, it has left her terrified. Her mental health suffered, she was put on medication by her GP and her parents now give her lifts to and from work. The statement also indicated that she began getting on with her life in the 11-month period she didn't hear from Stewart, but when he messaged her on Facebook, her world 'imploded' and she now suffers from nightmares. Judge Fowler noted that Stewart's criminal record consisted of similar offences. In early 2010 Stewart was sacked by Value Cabs, and in April of that year he called the company, claimed he was from the IRA and threatened to cut the throat of a female call handler. In May 2010 he assaulted a man he believed had got him sacked from Value Cabs, and in January 2011 he assaulted his former boss at the company's office and threatened to kill the man's son. In February 2016 he threatened to bite off the nose of a security officer, while in July 2016 he caused a scene at a solicitor's office and assaulted a female receptionist. In March 2017 he attended a meeting with his probation officer, became difficult and told the officer "I hope you die of cancer". In June he followed the same officer around Belfast city centre and assaulted him. He also threatened police officers as well as threatening and assaulting a former landlord who evicted him. As he sentenced Stewart, Judge Fowler said the harassment and fear he instilled in his former female work colleague was "deliberate and callous" and "designed to maximise fear and distress" - especially the threats of sexual violence and facial disfigurement via an acid attack. The judge said he noted Stewart's lack of victim awareness, lack of remorse and his mental health issues. Telling Stewart "you are intelligent but you are calculating", Judge Fowler said "your behaviour caused significant psychological distress to the victim." The judge imposed a sentence of 20 months custody followed by an extended period of two years in licence. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph This time, were highlighting a glitch hitting music players, as users report theyre unable to play their favorite tunes with a voice command because Google Assistant throws an error saying they dont have a default app for playing music. Despite a default music player actually configured, that is.The issue most often seems to hit YouTube Music , Googles big bet in the music streaming battle and the one replacing Google Play Music on Android and Android Auto.Users explain they manually configure YouTube Music as the default music player in Android Auto settings, yet Google Assistant cant figure out what app it should use, and therefore the playback isnt started. This seems to happen on both Android 10 and Android 11 , so its unlikely to be an issue caused by the latest operating system update.Same here on a brand-new Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite with the latest upgrade to Android 11. The music won't play even if YTMusic is explicitly specified in the voice command (as in play XXX from YouTube Music), one user explains on Googles forums The good news is the search giant has already started looking into the whole thing, though as we learned the hard way, its better not to hold our breath waiting for a fix.Thanks for reporting this issue. We've forwarded your issue to the rest of the team. We'll reach out to you if we need more information. Thanks! a member of the Android Auto team said.Is there anything you can do in the meantime? Not really, as users in the linked thread claim the generic workarounds dont make any difference. So if youre thinking of clearing the cache and the data, resetting apps, and everything, these are likely just a waste of time for now. Saudi Arabia and its three Arab allies agreed to restore full ties with Doha at a summit in the kingdom on Tuesday, the Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said. The minister told a news conference after the gathering of Gulf Arab states, also attended by Egypt, that there was political will and good faith to guarantee implementation of the agreement to restore diplomatic and other ties, including resumption of flights. Qatars ruling emir arrived in Saudi Arabia for a Gulf summit and was greeted with an embrace by the kingdom's crown prince on Tuesday, following an announcement that the kingdom would end its yearslong embargo on the tiny Gulf Arab state. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was met in the historic city of Al-Ula by de facto Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, France 24 reported. The meeting came a day after Kuwait, another GCC member, announced a Saudi decision to open its airspace and borders to Qatar following an embargo that began in mid-2017. Qatar's only land border has been mostly closed since June mid-2017, when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched a blockade against the small, but influential Persian Gulf country. The Saudi border, which Qatar relied on for the import of dairy products, construction materials and other goods, opened briefly during the past three years to allow Qataris into Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. Workers at the Gwinnett County, Ga., elections headquarters process absentee ballots for Georgia's Senate runoff election in Lawrenceville, Ga., on Jan. 6, 2021. (Ben Gray/AP Photo) Tens of Thousands of Absentee Votes Left to Count in Georgia Senate Runoffs Tens of thousands of mail ballots are still being counted in Georgias U.S. Senate runoff elections, an elections official said on Jan. 6. Over 57,500 votes are still being processed by counties, including nearly 18,000 in DeKalb County, according to Gabriel Sterling, a manager in Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffenspergers office. The numbers offered by Sterling appear to clash in at least one place with county officials. Richard Barron, Fulton Countys elections director, said shortly before the briefing that nearly 7,500 absentee ballots were left to process. Sterling said Fulton had just 5,294 left. State officials have asked counties to get all of the mail ballots counted by 1 p.m., but some counties wouldnt meet the deadline, Sterling predicted. These folks are all tired. Theyve had a long day, and a long week, and a long month, he said. Thousands of provisional ballots also need to be countedSterling guessed that the number is south of 10,000and about 14,000 military and overseas ballots are outstanding. The latter can be counted as long as they arrive by Friday and were postmarked by Tuesday. The runoffs saw Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) face pastor Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, and Republican David Perdue face filmmaker Jon Ossoff, a Democrat. Republican Senate candidate David Perdue (top L) and Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) (bottom L) and their Georgia runoff election challengers, Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, are seen in a combination of file photographs. (Reuters) Warnock has declared victory late on Jan. 5 and a number of news organizations have said he won. Warnock leads by over 54,000 votes as of the morning of Jan. 6. Loeffler hasnt yet conceded; she told supporters that she still had a path to victory. Ossoff declared victory on Jan. 6, with a lead of more than 17,000 votes as of Jan. 6. Perdues campaign responded that this is an exceptionally close election that will require time and transparency to be certain the results are fair and accurate. The campaign added, We believe, in the end, Senator Perdue will be victorious. Perdue had beaten Ossoff by some 88,000 votes in the 2020 general election, while Loeffler and Warnock were the top two vote-getters in a free-for-all election to finish the term of retired Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). Sterling, a Republican, said officials expect both races to end up outside a margin of 0.5 percent. If a race falls within that margin, a recount would be conducted. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden issued a statement on the races on Jan. 6. I congratulate Reverend Warnock on his groundbreaking win last night and I am hopeful that when the count is complete, Jon Ossoff will also be victorious. I congratulate the people of Georgia, who turned out in record numbers once again, just as they did in November, to elect two new senators, demand action, and call on our elected leaders to end the gridlock and move us forward as a nation, he said. A third runoff race saw Lauren McDonald Jr. and Daniel Blackman vying for a spot on the Georgia Public Service Commission. McDonald, a Republican, was ahead as of the morning on Jan. 6 by just under 69,000 votes. Election workers tabulate ballots at the Beauty P. Baldwin Voter Registrations and Elections Building in Lawrenceville, Ga., on Jan. 5, 2021. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) President Donald Trump alleged a voter dump happened after at least two counties paused counting overnight. Videos of news coverage of the race appeared to show Perdues vote count go downwards in real-time. They just happened to find 50,000 ballots late last night. The USA is embarrassed by fools. Our Election Process is worse than that of third world countries! Trump tweeted on Jan. 6. However, Sterling said officials saw no evidence of irregularities. Weve seen nothing widespread, nothing that seems real in any shape or form, he said. Sterling said that if both Republican senators end up losing, it would be Trumps fault, along with others who alleged election fraud occurred in the general election. A reporter then asked him whether he has concern about blurring the line between public official and pundit with his frequent comments on politics. On occasion, but people ask my personal opinion, he said. Im an American. I have a First Amendment right to answer some of these things. Election Day turnout in the race ended up at 1.3 million, over 300,000 higher than during the presidential election. With over 3 million early votes, the race also set a new runoff record in the state. Sterling suggested that the turnout was likely a result of Trump encouraging Republicans not to use mail or other early voting options. He claimed that Republicans turned out on Election Day because it started dawning on them, Were going to lose this if we dont turn out.' While Republicans were busy attacking the governor and my boss, Democrats were knocking on doors, he said. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Grizzly Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: GZD) (OTCQB: GZDIF) (FSE: G6H) ("Grizzly" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following corporate review of its 2020 activities, highlighted by the Company raising more than $1.2 million from long-time shareholders and new investors to undertake a drilling program at the Ket 28 Greenwood Project and airborne geophysics at its Robocop property. The Ket 28 2020 drill program is now complete with all drill hole assay results received. The program was completed on time and on budget and gold mineralization was present in 14 of 15 holes completed at the project. Initial results have provided narrow high-grade gold intersections within broad intercepts of moderate grade gold located near surface. The recent results have provided similar mineralized intercepts to the first six holes released on December 2, 2020, supporting an expansive near-surface gold system that is open on-strike and at depth and exhibits potential for an open pit bulk tonnage mineral resource. Grizzly believes that with additional drilling a 43-101 Technical Report can be produced regarding a mineable resource. Brian Testo, CEO, Grizzly Discoveries Inc., commented, "Our 2020 drill results confirm the presence of broad mineralization at Ket 28, with near surface bulk tonnage potential as well as select high grade intervals. We are highly encouraged by these first results that show consistent multiple zones of mineralization across 500 m of strike to a depth of 125 m, and look forward to additional drilling." In addition, Grizzly has initiated an airborne VTEM geophysics survey at its Robocop Copper-Cobalt Project to identify new targets and has performed reconnaissance sampling to provide new gold and copper targets across its Greenwood land package. The Company has received interest and is preparing joint venture opportunities across its massive, 631 km2 land package in South-Central British Columbia, Canada. As early as the late-19th century, exploration and mining activities in the Greenwood area have been delivering positive results. Among the previous historic discoveries are the Phoenix camp with copper-gold-silver skarn mineralization, which produced over 1 million ounces of gold, over 6 million ounces of silver, and over 560 million pounds of copper; the Motherlode copper-gold-silver skarn, which produced over 178 000 ounces of gold, over 723 000 ounces of silver, and over 80 million pounds of copper; and the Lexington copper-gold-silver porphyry deposit which is currently the target for future production for Golden Dawn Minerals (Dufresne and Banas, 2013). Although these nearby historic mines are not owned but are surrounded by Grizzly holdings, they clearly demonstrate the potential of the region. In addition, this available infrastructure in the area has the potential to provide milling capacity should a successful mine be developed on the Grizzly properties. When asked about the near-term future for gold prices, RBC Capital Markets, LLC commodity strategist Christopher Louney stated, "We see a 90 percent chance of gold trading in our base/mid to high scenario range. In our base case, gold averages $1,942/oz in Q4 and over $3,000/oz in early 2021". In August 2020 the Company engaged the services of APEX Geoscience Ltd. to provide geophysical assistance in the planning of a 2,000-plus metre, 11-plus hole core drill program set for September. The initial Ket 28 drill program was to cost approximately $500,000. On September 27, the drilling program commenced with Full Force Diamond Drilling Ltd boring core hole 20KT001. In just over a month the Company reported that a total of 15 drill-holes had been completed, exceeding the original estimate of eleven. for a total of 1,975 metres. All but one of the 15 drill-holes intersected variable amounts of sericite-pyrite alteration with quartz veins and silicification hosted in sedimentary schist, mafic volcanic to basalt package of rocks. "In our 2021 outlook, analysts at CIBC see gold prices averaging the year around $2,300 an ounce as the world continues to deal with the devastating economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Anita Soni, author of CIBC's gold outlook. In early December the Company was pleased to announce that initial results from the first six drill-holes provided high-grade gold intersections and broad intercepts of moderate grade gold located near surface. Drilling intersected broad, near-surface gold mineralization. Key intervals include 1.59 grams per tonne of gold over 17.8 metres from 43 metres including 7.37 grams per tonne of gold over 3.08 metres, (20KT02) and 0.77 grams per tonne of gold over 31 metres from 54.5 metres) including 1.42 grams per tonne gold over 11.5 metres from 61 metres (20KT04). Results from the last nine holes released in December show that drilling intersected broad, near-surface gold mineralization. Key intervals include 0.92 grams per tonne gold over 14 metres from 27 metres including 4.53 grams per tonne gold over 2 metres (20KT14) and 0.48 grams per tonne gold over 11.84 metres from 20.16 metres) including 3.6 grams per tonne gold over 1 metre from 20.16 metre (20KT13). A 1994 drilling project campaign at the Ket 28 intersected high-grade gold with 52.19 grams per tonne over 3.35 meters core length. More recently drilling by Grizzly in 2009 and 2010 at the Ket 28 prospect followed up the mid-1990s drilling with results of up to 2.77 grams per tonne of gold over 11 metres core length and 8.75 grams per tonne of gold over 3 metres, with a higher-grade zone of 11.90 grams per tonne gold over 2 metres core length. As well, wider intervals of lower grade mineralization were intersected with 1.02 grams per tonne of gold over 13.5 metres core length and 1.19 grams per tonne of gold over 10.35 metres core length. In an interview with Kitco News, Rick Rule, president of Sprott U.S. holdings said, "My suspicion is that the next five years will be very good for natural resources investors, with precious metals enjoying a two or three-year bull market and somewhere towards the end of that bull market, the rest of the commodities complex catching fire." In addition, the Company has invested money, time, and manpower to examine anomalous results from soil sampling undertaken in 2019 on an additional portion of the Greenwood Gold Project. The area has an impressive drilling history. Robocop Co Cu Ag Prospect The project, located just off Provincial Highway 93 in southeast B.C., comprises 6,850 acres (2,770 ha) in five mineral claims that are all road accessible. In November the Company engaged Geotech Ltd. to fly an approximately 400 line-km helicopter-borne VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic) and magnetic survey over the project. The VTEM survey is being conducted to search for and target conductive portions of the assemblage, both stratigraphic and vertical structural targets, with the purpose of providing additional targets to those currently defined by previous drilling and soil sampling. Work conducted on the Robocop property in the 1990s (Teck Exploration Ltd.) and early 2000s (Ruby Red Resources) indicated significantly anomalous near-surface yielding grades of up to 0.18% cobalt, 0.28% copper, 4.1 parts per million (ppm) Ag over 1 m core length (Pighin, 2009) and 0.134% cobalt, 1.19% copper and 33.8 ppm silver over 1.23 m core length (Thomson, 1990) for individual core samples, indicating the potential for battery-metal resources on the property. As more and more pressure is put on governments to encourage the use of electric vehicles or ban gas-consuming cars entirely by 2030, the demand for cobalt, copper, gold and silver increases. According to Jeff Clark, the Senior Analyst at GoldSilver.com, "While the amount of silver used in a Tesla and other electric vehicles is small, the aggregate total adds up quickly-and will only go higher. These vehicles use more silver than the internal combustion engine. The electric engine, battery pack, and battery management system all require silver". The Company is aware of the potential effect that building and operating a mine can have on the physical environment around a mine site. Therefore, Grizzly Discoveries is committed to being as environmentally sensitive as possible in all of its operations. This involves fastidious planning, conscientious implementation, Indigenous collaboration, and a transparent assessment of performance. ABOUT GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC. Grizzly is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company with its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, with 90 million shares issued, focused on developing its over 156,000 acres of precious and base metals properties in southeastern British Columbia. Grizzly is run by a highly experienced junior resource sector management team, who have a track record of advancing exploration projects from early exploration stage through to feasibility stage. The technical content of this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael B. Dufresne, M. Sc., P. Geol., P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. On behalf of the Board, GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC. Brian Testo, CEO, President Tel: 780 693 2242 For further information, please visit our website at www.grizzlydiscoveries.com or contact: Chris Beltgens Corporate Development Tel: 604 347 9535 Email: cbeltgens@grizzlydiscoveries.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Caution concerning forward-looking information This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Grizzly in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Grizzly's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Grizzly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71426 Disciplinary histories released by Charleston police Tuesday for five officers involved in a fatal shootout with an armed suspect last week show a handful of minor infractions but no serious violations on record. Prior complaints against the officers ranged from serious accusations like excessive force or making an improper stop, detention or arrest, to officers' courtesy and customer service, records show. Most complaints were not upheld following internal reviews. Police identified the officers as: Senior Police Officer Grant Mattingley, nine years of service. Officer Robert Bennett, four years of service. Officer John Wall, three years of service. Officer Nicholas Jones, two years of service. Officer Ian Efstathiou, one year of service. According to police, complaints against officers are handled either as "supervisory intake complaints," which involve minor infractions, or as administrative complaints, which are more serious in nature and involve a more extensive probe. All five of the officers are under ongoing internal investigation related to the Dec. 29 shooting at Bridgeview Village apartments on North Romney Street. North Charleston resident Jason Cooper, 28, was killed in a shootout with the officers. Records provided to The Post and Courier on Tuesday outline limited details related to prior complaints and investigations involving the five lawmen. Mattingley had four supervisory intake complaints logged against him, three of which were determined to be unfounded and one of which was not sustained, records show. The officer was the subject of four prior administrative investigations, records show. Two were for failing to attend court, for which he received a one-day suspension and a written reprimand. Of the other investigations into Mattingley, one was not sustained and one was unfounded, police said. Bennett had one prior supervisory intake complaint made against him but was exonerated, police said. Wall had four supervisory intake complaints against him, all unfounded, police said. There were two prior administrative investigations into his conduct. Wall was exonerated in one case and received a written reprimand for improper or inadequate investigation in another case. Jones has four supervisory intake complaints on his record, three of which were unfounded, police said. The remaining complaint was for excessive or unreasonable force, and courtesy and customer service, police records show. Investigators did not find evidence supporting the use of force complaint but upheld the courtesy and customer service portion, for which Jones received verbal counseling. Though police records show Efstathiou's length of service as being one year, Police Chief Luther Reynolds told The Post and Courier last week those records also include his training and time spent at the state's criminal justice academy. The young officer has about one month of solo patrol duty, Reynolds said. During that time he's had no complaints made against him and the sole investigation into his conduct is related to the Bridgeview shooting, police said. He was struck in that gunfight. The shooting began after a woman living at the North Romney Street apartment complex called 911 with a domestic violence complaint involving a weapon. Children were present, authorities said. When officers arrived, they said they encountered Cooper, who was armed with a gun, police said. He initiated the shootout and was declared dead at the scene. Efstathiou was shot in the chest but was protected by a ballistic vest and released from the hospital. No one else was injured, police said. Andy Savage, an attorney representing the officers, said Efstathiou was the first to arrive on scene and was the officer who was shot in the chest. The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. Following normal procedures after such incidents, all five officers have been placed on administrative duty, police said. [January 06, 2021] Diagnostic Imaging Announces Partnership With radRounds Radiology Network Diagnostic Imaging, an omnichannel resource for radiology administrators, practicing radiologists and radiologic staff, is pleased to announce a partnership with radRounds Radiology Network. The collaboration will enable content exchange between Diagnostic Imaging and radRounds. "As a professional social networking platform dedicated to radiology, radRounds' mission aligns seamlessly with Diagnostic Imaging," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, the parent company of Diagnostic Imaging. "Through this partnership, we look forward to broadening the reach of our editorial content as well as providing our audience with additional clinical perspectives shared by radRounds." radRounds will supply two images each week submitted by radiologists nationwide for Diagnostic Imaging's popular Image IQ, providing the radiologist-centered audience with visual content and facilitating access to real-life cases with the accompanying clinical and diagnostic information. In exchange, Diagnostic Imaging will supply radRounds with content from its most popular articles each month and, as applicable, with video content for wider distribution via radRounds' separate social media network. "Through this partnership, we hope to further advance the reach of rdiology 'rounds' in the virtual setting," said Garry Choy, M.D. and Susan Huang, M.D., co-founders of the Rounds Network. "Diagnostic Imaging remains one of the most trusted and read resources focused on imaging, and we look forward to collectively keeping radiologists and imaging professionals informed on latest happenings within the industry." For more information on Diagnostic Imaging, click here. For more information on radRounds, click here. About Diagnostic Imaging Diagnostic Imaging is an omnichannel resource for radiology administrators, practicing radiologists and radiologic staff. As a multimedia platform, Diagnostic Imaging provides text, video and audio content on the key areas affecting daily practice, including current information on CT, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, mammography and facility management news and developments. Diagnostic Imaging is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. About radRounds radRounds, part of the Rounds Network, serves as a key resource for radiologists and imaging professionals. "Rounds" is a tradition in which medical professionals learn from one another through case sharing. radRounds aims to bring medical professionals together to do this anytime, anywhere. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005136/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! MBABANE Government coffers are expected to get a boost by the end of the week as about E2.1 billion is expected from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts. This was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, in a brief interview yesterday. This is the final tranche of the 2020/2021 SACU receipts that government receives every quarter as part of its share from the SACU pool. The money comes at a time when government has a lot on its plate to cover, including civil servants salaries, government arrears and of late, the expected acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines budgeted for at about E200 million. This is apart from other recurrent expenditure such as the procurement of drugs and preparations for the reopening of schools. During his Mid-Year Budget Review Report, which the minister presented in Parliament, he said the SACU receipts remained an essential, though very unstable source of revenue. Rijkenberg said at half-year of the 2020/21 financial year, the country had received E4.1 billion from SACU compared to the E3.16 billion in 2019/20. He stated that this had reflected a 32 per cent increase in SACU receipts which had been expected this year when compared to last year. This source of revenue continues to prove volatile and there is little control to manage it, Rijkenberg warned. However, the minister said to achieve higher growth rates in the SACU revenue source, some short-term measures were recommended. He said these had included reducing the age restriction of second-hand motor vehicles from outside SACU and minimising as far as possible the importation of petroleum products from outside SACU. The minister, however, stated that the second round effects of the pandemic came with anticipated declines in SACU revenues and the commencement of loan repayment obligations would put a strain on the fiscal position and stifle economic activity. It has been a trend that though sometimes substantial, a bulk of the SACU revenue normally is allocated to the payment of civil servants salaries. Freeze In the Mid-Year Budget report, Rijkenberg had stated that despite the hiring freeze initiated in previous years, the wage bill had continued to grow year-on-year. He said personnel costs for the 2021/21 fiscal year were budgeted at E8.42 billion which had grown by approximately three per cent compared to 2019/20 attributed to the notch increases and cost-of-living adjustment awarded to civil servants. On the future outlook, the minister said in 2022/23, total revenue was expected to equate to E18.2 billion, implying a decrease of four per cent. The significant decrease in expected revenue collection is caused by considerably lower SACU receipts, he said. Rijkenberg stated that the weak economic performance in the 2020/21 fiscal year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had an effect on SACU receipts in 2022/23, since the receipts were determined by the performance of the economies of the SACU member states, predominantly South Africa with a two year lag. In 2023/24, the minister said total revenue was projected to reach E20.1 billion representing an increase of 10.5 per cent. He said the increase would be driven by a rebound in SACU receipts and increased domestic revenue collection, in particular, individual income tax and VAT. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 15:51:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The control of the U.S. Senate in the new Congress remains unclear Wednesday midnight after two neck-and-neck runoff races in the southeastern state of Georgia. With at least 97 percent of estimated votes tallied, Democrat Raphael Warnock is roughly 35,000 votes ahead of Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler in a special election runoff, according to CNN. NBC News reported that Warnock has unseated Loeffler in the race. In the other race, a regular election runoff, Republican David Perdue, who's seeking a second term in the Senate, is in a virtual tie with Democrat Jon Ossoff. "We are a very competitive state," Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told CNN late Tuesday night. "We are just going to have to wait and see how this all turns out." Raffensperger, a Republican, also pointed out that up to 17,000 overseas and military ballots would not be counted until Friday afternoon, while suggesting that election officials may soon pause counting for the night. The Senate runoffs, which came two months after the Nov. 3, 2020 general elections, have drawn national attention because the results will determine which party has a majority in the U.S. Senate. Democrats need to win both seats to split control of the Senate 50-50, with Kamala Harris being the tie-breaking vote after she is sworn in as vice president of the United States later this month. For Republicans, they need to win at least one seat to maintain their control of the Senate. Both President-elect Joe Biden and sitting President Donald Trump campaigned in Georgia to court voters for their party's candidates on Monday. The 117th U.S. Congress was sworn in on Sunday. Democrats hold onto a majority in the House of Representatives, but with a narrower advantage over Republicans. The new Congress will convene in a joint session Wednesday afternoon to formally count the votes cast by the Electoral College in the 2020 presidential race and certify Biden's victory. Enditem A 21-year-old woman is accused of snatching a $10,000 bulldog from a Harris County family-owned pet shop and speeding away while a store employee held tight to the hood of the getaway car for more than a mile, officials said. Royshana King was arrested and charged last Wednesday with aggravated robbery involving a deadly weapon in connection with the November incident, according to Harris County court documents. The employee, Alize James, 21, said she was working on Nov. 4 at Bully Kamp, a specialty pet supply store near Aldine in north Harris County that is owned by her family, when a couple entered the store interested in buying a dog. They were aggressive and determined to pick a dog that day, she said. The customer gave her name and phone number while inquiring about financing options for the dog, a 7-month-old exotic bulldog named Chica who is worth $10,000 and had just undergone eye surgery, James said. But when James ran upstairs to grab mail for the UPS truck that had just pulled up, King scooped the pooch off the counter, tucked it under her arm and walked out the front door. James, who cares for the store's dogs as if they're her own, did what she assumes anyone would do: run after her dog. "That's all I wanted, is my pup," she said. James chased the dog snatchers out of the store, she told police, but the male accomplice hit her with the passenger door and climbed into the driver's seat. "Just leave the dog, just leave the dog," James said she yelled. Then, court records show, the man put the car in gear and tried to run over James with the car. Instinctively, James jumped onto the hood to keep from being run over, she said. The driver sped recklessly down side streets and the Interstate 45 service road for more than a mile, while James clung to the hood. Meanwhile, King lunged out of the passenger window, hitting and scratching James while she tried to call 911, James said. When the car pulled over mid-traffic, James said the couple assaulted James by hitting and scratching her in the face and head. The man tossed her to the ground and King allegedly stole her necklace before they sped off with the dog. King remains in custody with bail set at $15,000. Court records show King was charged in 2018 with assault causing bodily injury and in 2019 with theft for allegedly stealing clothes worth between $100 and $750. The man has not been identified. Jose Garcia, a manager at the pet store, said he had received no news about the stolen dog's whereabouts as of Tuesday morning. The store typically attracts loyal and friendly customers, he said. Employees were feeling anxious for a while after the robbery. "We're just trying to get back to normal," he said. This measure has been taken following the balance of the first day of compliance with Supreme Decree No. 207-2020-PCM , which obliges all travelers arriving in Peru both nationals and foreigners to quarantine in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 contagion nationwide. Advertisement Albert Roux, the chef behind London's legendary Le Gavroche restaurant which became the first in Britain to be awarded three Michelin stars has died at the age of 85, his family announced today. Part of the Roux culinary dynasty, tributes have poured in from across the industry for the restaurateur, who died on Monday after a lengthy illness. The tragic news comes just two years after Roux married his third wife, Maria, 57, and months after the death of his brother, Michel Snr, who passed aged 78. One of his former proteges, Gordon Ramsay, today led the salutes by posting an image of the pair together on Instagram. He wrote: 'So so sad the hear about the passing of this legend, the man who installed Gastronomy in Britain, we've shared the same office for the last decade and walking up those stairs today is going to be really difficult, thank you Albert for everything you gave me, God Bless you Chef.' His son, Michel Roux Jr, said: 'He was a mentor for so many people in the hospitality industry, and a real inspiration to budding chefs, including me.' Chef James Martin also paid tribute to Roux saying: 'Such a sad start to the year... Albert Roux was a true titan of the food scene in this country and inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business. 'RIP and today I will open a bottle of the finest red and raise a glass... in fact the bottle to you and your brother and say thank you for everything. My thoughts to all the Roux family and friends.' A statement from The Michelin Guide on Twitter said: 'Albert Roux OBE, along with his late brother Michel, was a father of the UK restaurant industry and his legacy will live on through the many chefs who passed through his kitchen. 'All of us at the Michelin Guide send our heartfelt condolences to the Roux family.' Albert Roux (left) has died today. He is pictured with his son, Michel Roux Jnr (centre), and Michel's daughter, Emily, at a restaurant opening in Scotland in 2016 The tragic news comes just two years after Roux married his third wife, Maria (they are pictured together in 2019 before a gala at the Savoy Hotel) Albert (left) and Michel Roux after they were awarded honourary OBE's by the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in October 2002 Albert Roux and Peter Capaldi pose with their cutlery at the chef's restaurant in Inverness, Scotland back in April 2009 Roux, pictured giving a cooking exhibition to schoolchildren in Inverness, 'left a massive mark on the food story of his adopted country' 'The man who installed Gastronomy in Britain': Fellow chefs pay tribute Tributes have poured in from across the industry for the restaurateur, who died on Monday after a lengthy illness. Roux revolutionised London's dining scene when his restaurant, Le Gavroche, was the first in the UK to gain three Michelin stars. One of his former proteges, Gordon Ramsay, today led the salutes by posting an image of the pair together on Instagram. He wrote: 'So so sad the hear about the passing of this legend, the man who installed Gastronomy in Britain, we've shared the same office for the last decade and walking up those stairs today is going to be really difficult, thank you Albert for everything you gave me, God Bless you Chef.' Chef James Martin also paid tribute to Roux saying: 'Such a sad start to the year... Albert Roux was a true titan of the food scene in this country and inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business. 'RIP and today I will open a bottle of the finest red and raise a glass... in fact the bottle to you and your brother and say thank you for everything. My thoughts to all the Roux family and friends.' Tom Kitchin also had fond words for the chef, describing him as 'one of the true culinary greats'. He added: 'My thoughts are with the Roux family and the army of chefs you've influenced over the years.. You will be missed but never forgotten.. RIP #AlbertRoux' A statement from The Michelin Guide on Twitter said: 'Albert Roux OBE, along with his late brother Michel, was a father of the UK restaurant industry and his legacy will live on through the many chefs who passed through his kitchen. 'All of us at the Michelin Guide send our heartfelt condolences to the Roux family.' Advertisement Alongside his brother Michel, Roux founded Le Gavroche in London in 1967, followed by The Waterside Inn in Bray in 1972. Le Gavroche was the first restaurant in the UK to gain three Michelin stars. Food critic Jay Rayner tweeted: 'Albert Roux was an extraordinary man, who left a massive mark on the food story of his adopted country. 'The roll call of chefs who went through the kitchens of Le Gavroche alone, is a significant slab of a part of modern UK restaurant culture. RIP.' Piers Morgan wrote: 'RIP Albert Roux, 85, just 9 months after the death of his brother Michel. Two culinary titans who revolutionised the UK restaurant scene & mentored so many more great chefs. 'Both wonderful characters, touched by genius, who brought pleasure to many palates. Thank you.' Mr Roux's brother, Michel Roux Snr, died aged 79 in March after a long battle with ill health. The brothers' Waterside Inn was awarded one star in 1974, then two in 1977 and three in 1985. It is the only restaurant in the world outside France to have retained three stars ever since and Roux's son Alain has been chef patron since 2001. A statement from his family said: 'The Roux family has announced the sad passing of Albert Roux, OBE, KFO, who had been unwell for a while, at the age 85 on 4th January 2021. 'Albert is credited, along with his late brother Michel Roux, with starting London's culinary revolution with the opening of Le Gavroche in 1967. The Roux family have requested that their privacy at this time be respected.' Alongside his younger brother Michel, Roux founded Le Gavroche in London in 1967, followed by The Waterside Inn in Bray in 1972. Le Gavroche, known for its classic take on French cuisine, was the first restaurant in the UK to gain one, then two, and then three Michelin stars. Albert's death comes nine months after that of his brother, aged 78, following a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Born in the region of Saone et Loire in France on October 8 1935, Roux began training as an apprentice patissier aged 14 before taking up a number of kitchen posts. After serving in the military in Algeria, Roux worked as sous chef at the British Embassy in Paris, where he spent two years before leaving for the UK. In April 1967, Albert and Michel opened Le Gavroche in Chelsea with only 3,000, borrowing the rest of the funds. He was also known for the Roux Scholarship, an annual chef competition founded in 1982 with Michel, to enable a new generation of chefs in the UK to train in some of the greatest restaurants in the world. In 1988, Albert's son Michel Roux Jr joined Le Gavroche and over a period of years took over the day-to-day management of the restaurant. He is now the chef/patron. Gordon Ramsay wrote: 'So so sad the hear about the passing of this legend, the man who installed Gastronomy in Britain, we've shared the same office for the last decade and walking up those stairs today is going to be really difficult, thank you Albert for everything you gave me, God Bless you Chef.' Piers Morgan also paid tribute, right A statement from The Michelin Guide on Twitter said: 'Albert Roux OBE, along with his late brother Michel, was a father of the UK restaurant industry and his legacy will live on through the many chefs who passed through his kitchen' Chef James Martin also paid tribute to Roux saying: 'Such a sad start to the year... Albert Roux was a true titan of the food scene in this country and inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business. RIP and today I will open a bottle of the finest red and raise a glass... in fact the bottle to you and your brother and say thank you for everything. My thoughts to all the Roux family and friends.' Fellow chefs Tommy Banks, pictured left, and Tom Kerridge, pictured right, also paid tribute to the 'pioneer' and 'hero' Roux married first wife Monique shortly after he turned 17. He had left school intending to become a priest, but quickly thought the better of it Roux with with his second wife Cheryl Smith (right) at a private view and auction at Christie's in London on September 20, 2004 Food critic Jay Rayner paid tribute to Albert Roux (pictured) tweeting: 'Albert Roux was an extraordinary man, who left a massive mark on the food story of his adopted country' Gordon Ramsay, 54, was one of a number of future stars, including Marcus Wareing and Marco Pierre White, who trained at Roux's Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was later invited by Roux to join him at Hotel Diva, a ski resort in the French Alps, as his number two. The pair remained close friends and have operated out of the same office building for the last decade. Outside of the kitchen, Roux was a keen fisherman and enjoyed trips to the Scottish Highlands. The Rouxs continue to run a small group of Chez Roux restaurants in a number of hotels in the region. He was married three times with his final wedding, to Maria, taking place in 2018. Animal rights organisation Peta said on Twitter: 'RIP Albert Roux. This multi-Michelin-starred French chef helped many people see that foie gras is animal torture. 'He famously said that like cigarettes, it should carry a warning about the hideous suffering of the ducks and geese abused for its production. 'We'll never forget him.' Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, said: 'This is very sad news and particularly after the death last year of his younger brother Michel. 'The two were instrumental in raising the quality of cooking in the UK training a large number of English chefs, many of who have become stars in their own right. 'They brought glamour to an industry which 50 years ago had a poor profile and so encouraged a huge number of young people to join it and make successful careers. 'Both their sons, Michel (Albert's) and Alain (Michel's), continue to work in the tradition established by their fathers and have made a mark in their own right.' 'A true titan of the food scene in UK' Albert Roux, the French-born founder of the Michelin-starred Le Gavroche who is credited with kick-starting London's culinary revolution Born in the region of Saone et Loire in France on October 8 1935, Roux began training as an apprentice patissier aged 14 before taking up a number of kitchen posts. After serving in the military in Algeria, Roux worked as sous chef at the British Embassy in Paris, where he spent two years before leaving for the UK. In April 1967, Albert and his brother Michel opened Le Gavroche in Chelsea with only 3,000, borrowing the rest of the funds. He was also known for the Roux Scholarship, an annual chef competition founded in 1982 with Michel, to enable a new generation of chefs in the UK to train in some of the greatest restaurants in the world. In 1988, Albert's son Michel Roux Jr joined Le Gavroche and over a period of years took over the day-to-day management of the restaurant. He is now the chef/patron. Gordon Ramsay, 54, was one of a number of future stars, including Marcus Wareing and Marco Pierre White, who trained at Roux's Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was later invited by Roux to join him at Hotel Diva, a ski resort in the French Alps, as his number two. The pair remained close friends and have operated out of the same office building for the last decade. Albert Roux (R) and his brother Michel Roux, watch competitors during the finals of the 'Roux Scholarship' competition at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in 2009 Roux outside his Mayfair Restaurant, Le Gavroche in London, which acquired a legendary status Roux, who was behind London's legendary Le Gavroche restaurant, had been ill for some time, his family said. He is pictured with his son, Michel Jr and granddaughter, Emily Chef Albert Roux arrives at Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, for those 'Serving Beyond Sixty' on May 18, 2006 Outside of the kitchen, Roux was a keen fisherman and enjoyed trips to the Scottish Highlands. The Rouxs continue to run a small group of Chez Roux restaurants in a number of hotels in the region. He was married three times with his final wedding, to Maria, taking place in 2018. Tributes to the restaurateur have poured in from across the food industry, with former protege Ramsay sharing a photo of the pair together on Instagram. He wrote: 'So so sad the hear about the passing of this legend, the man who installed Gastronomy in Britain, we've shared the same office for the last decade and walking up those stairs today is going to be really difficult, thank you Albert for everything you gave me, God Bless you Chef.' Chef James Martin said: 'Such a sad start to the year... Albert Roux was a true titan of the food scene in this country and inspired and trained some of the best and biggest names in the business. 'RIP and today I will open a bottle of the finest red and raise a glass... in fact the bottle to you and your brother and say thank you for everything. My thoughts to all the Roux family and friends.' Chef Tom Kitchin wrote on Twitter: 'One of the true culinary greats has left us... Merci chef.. 'My thoughts are with the Roux family and the army of chefs you've influenced over the years.. You will be missed but never forgotten.. RIP #AlbertRoux' A top India-centric American business advocacy group has urged the incoming Biden administration to ease the restrictions on H-1B visas and provide green cards to higher education students with science and mathematics degrees to meet the increasing demand for IT professionals in the country. On December 31, outgoing US President Donald Trump extended a freeze on the most sought-after H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas by three months to March 31, affecting a large number of Indian IT professionals who were issued visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021. President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, has promised to lift the suspension on H-1B visas, saying Trump's immigration policies are cruel. "It is more of a legislative issue. We have basically recommended to the Biden administration, one, is ease up the H-1B (visa), but at the same time, every STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) PhD graduating, should be given a Green Card, so that they stay and contribute from day one as a taxpayer and also to the growth of the economy," Mukesh Aghi, president of US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum told PTI in an interview. "That's the position, we still are very supportive of. And I think the sentiment seems to be the same with the Biden administration, said Aghi, based on the interactions he has had with members of the Biden Transition Team. Biden is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 46th US President on January 20. Responding to a question, Aghi said the number of H-1B visas issued every year should be driven by the market demands. At this point of time, the current figure of 65,000 H-1B visas in addition to another 20,000 to those foreign nationals with graduation from a US university is quite inadequate to meet the huge demand of IT professionals in the US, he noted. Currently there is a shortage of 1 million IT professionals in the US. At the same time, he asserted, there is a need to ensure that the local job environment continues. Supporting the farm laws in India, Aghi said the three new legislations recently enacted are the right thing to do. Today the farmer in India gets 24 cents to a dollar for his produce, he said. In the era of technology, farmers need to have choices to be able to sell their produce to 'mandis' or to be able to sell to other geographies as well. The farm bill provides farmers with such an option, he explained. It is just providing choices and in any economy choices are healthy. At the same time, if somebody is protesting diverse choices, in a peaceful manner, then we support it, he said. But at the end of the day, in an agriculture-based economy, one has to figure out how to double the farmers' income, expand job creation and improve productivity. We strongly believe the farm bill supports that vision. People will object to it, but that's normal in a good democracy, he said. Aghi said the COVID-19 crisis and the current change in administration in the US provides India an opportunity to look at the Biden administration in a positive manner. The crisis with China has brought to India the message that 'we will not treat you as an equal partner'; sends a message to the leadership in India to look at the Biden Administration in a very, very positive manner, he said. It also sends a message to the Biden Administration that with the current scenario, which is a geopolitical one, India can be a reliable partner; India can stand up to the threat of aggressive China, which no other country has stood up to. Both countries have a common factor here, Aghi said. So, I think the current COVID-19 crisis where India can play a strong role in the vaccine production on producing cheaper generic drugs, not only for the US, but worldwide provides an equal partnership. I think India and the Biden administration will reach out to each other and come with some kind of an understanding early on, rather than waiting on and making sure that there is a win-win partnership here, Aghi said. Also read: What Joe Biden as US President means for Indian-Americans Also read: US work visas: Trump extends freeze on H-1B until March 31, IT professionals miffed New Jersey hon Wednesday reported 5,028 new confirmed positive tests for the coronavirus and another 104 confirmed deaths as the total number of cases in the state since March surpassed 500,000. The state has now reported 504,647 positive PCR tests out of the more than 8 million administered since its first case was announced March 4. There have also been 52,624 positive antigen tests, which the state considers probable cases and may include some overlap with PCR tests. We are now at over a half-million cases statewide, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday afternoon at his latest COVID-19 briefing. Put another way, more than one in every 20 New Jerseyans has now tested positive. Since March, the state has reported 19,523 COVID-19 deaths 17,464 confirmed and 2,059 probable fatalities from complications related to the virus. The probable deaths, which are revised weekly, increased by 38 on Wednesday. New Jerseys hospitals reported 3,744 patients as of Tuesday, the fourth day of increases as health officials closely monitor the potential rise in infections following the holidays. Thats still far below the more than 8,000 patients being treated at the peak of the initial wave. The positivity rate for those tested on Saturday, the most recent day available, was 14.96% based on 26,742. Testing on weekends tends to be lower and usually means an elevated positivity rate, Murphy noted. The statewide rate of COVID-19 transmission remains below 1 at 0.96. Thats slightly higher than on Tuesday when it was 0.94. Any transmission rate over 1 means each person who gets COVID-19 is spreading the virus to more than one person, and keeping the rate below 1 is key to suppressing the pandemic, officials have said. Officials say the transmission rate had dropped below 1 because cases arent increasing at the same pace they were during the first wave in the spring, when the state was still learning how to fight the virus. The seven-day average for confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 4,653. Thats up 19% from a week ago, but down 4.8% from a month ago. The latest update comes a day after New Jersey opened its online preregistration portal for residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine when the eligibility is expanded beyond health care workers and longterm care facilities. More than 450,000 people registered, which overwhelmed the system at times and resulted in error messages. VACCINATIONS There have been at least 137,829 doses of the vaccine for the coronavirus administered in New Jersey as of Wednesday since the first shots were given three weeks ago, though that may be an undercount due to reporting delays, Murphy said. Starting on Thursday, police and fire professionals will become eligible for the vaccine. Officials hope to vaccinate 70% of New Jersey adult residents about 4.7 million people in the next six months. The state is rolling out the vaccine in phases, with healthcare workers and people who live in congregant settings like nursing homes and prisons in the first phase. Officials have said doses should be available for the general public by April or May. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage COUNTY-BY-COUNTY NUMBERS (sorted by most new) Bergen County: 49,480 total confirmed cases (508 new confirmed cases), 2,089 confirmed deaths (266 probable) Middlesex County: 47,560 total confirmed cases(484 new confirmed cases), 1,502 confirmed deaths (220 probable) Essex County: 49,329 total confirmed cases (456 new confirmed cases), 2,166 confirmed deaths (255 probable) Hudson County: 46,291 total confirmed cases (433 new confirmed cases), 1,562 confirmed deaths (169 probable) Monmouth County: 34,193 total confirmed cases (397 new confirmed cases), 977 confirmed deaths (102 probable) Ocean County: 34,741 total confirmed cases (370 new confirmed cases), 1,341 confirmed deaths (83 probable) Camden County: 30,242 total confirmed cases (317 new confirmed cases), 785 confirmed deaths (66 probable) Burlington County: 22,788 total confirmed cases (307 new confirmed cases), 588 confirmed deaths (51 probable) Gloucester County: 15,169 total confirmed cases (255 new confirmed cases), 389 confirmed deaths (20 probable) Passaic County: 41,267 total confirmed cases (244 new confirmed cases), 1,322 confirmed deaths (159 probable) Union County: 37,849 total confirmed cases (225 new confirmed cases), 1,394 confirmed deaths (183 probable) Mercer County: 19,707 total confirmed cases (173 new confirmed cases), 703 confirmed deaths (39 probable) Morris County: 21,426 total confirmed cases (171 new confirmed cases), 794 confirmed deaths (187 probable) Atlantic County: 13,081 total confirmed cases (159 new confirmed cases), 366 confirmed deaths (17 probable) Cumberland County: 8,404 total confirmed cases (125 new confirmed cases), 230 confirmed deaths (10 probable) Somerset County: 13,303 total confirmed cases (111 new confirmed cases), 590 confirmed deaths (93 probable) Salem County: 3,024 total confirmed cases (59 new confirmed cases), 107 confirmed deaths (7 probable) Sussex County: 4,883 total confirmed cases (58 new confirmed cases), 178 confirmed deaths (46 probable) Hunterdon County: 4,020 total confirmed cases (39 new confirmed cases), 86 confirmed deaths (54 probable) Warren County: 4,197 total confirmed cases (35 new confirmed cases), 171 confirmed deaths (13 probable) Cape May County: 2,535 total confirmed cases (32 new confirmed cases), 124 confirmed deaths (19 probable) HOSPITALIZATIONS There were 3,744 patients hospitalized in New Jersey with confirmed (3,531) or suspected (231) COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday night 42 more than the previous night. That included 668 in critical or intensive care (11 fewer than the previous night), with 456 on ventilators (25 fewer than the previous evening). There were 449 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals, though there were 459 people admitted in the same 24-hour period. SCHOOL CASES There have been 108 in-school coronavirus outbreaks in New Jersey involving 546 students, teachers and staff since the school year began in late August, according to the states COVID-19 dashboard. Those numbers do not include students or staff believed to have been infected outside school or cases that cant be confirmed as in-school outbreaks. Though the numbers keep rising every week, Murphy has said the school outbreak statistics remain below what state officials were expecting when schools reopened for in-person classes. New Jersey defines school outbreaks as cases where contact tracers determined two or more students or school staff caught or transmitted COVID-19 in the classroom or during academic activities at school. The number of New Jersey school districts with all-remote learning has increased as students return from winter break, Murphy said on Monday. There are 339 districts that started 2021 remotely an increase of 18 all-remote districts from Dec. 21. Only 77 school districts are returning with full in-person instruction (down from 82 on Dec. 21), and 348 are returning with a hybrid of in-person or remote instruction (down from 362). Another 47 districts are using some combination of in-person, hybrid, or all-remote across multiple buildings one more than Dec. 21. AGE BREAKDOWN Broken down by age, those 30 to 49 years old make up the largest percentage of New Jersey residents who have caught the virus (31.4%), followed by those 50-64 (23.9%), 18-29 (19.1%), 65-79 (11.2%), 80 and older (5.7%), 5-17 (7.1%), and 0-4 (1.5%). On average, the virus has been more deadly for older residents, especially those with preexisting conditions. Nearly half the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents 80 and older (47.48%), followed by those 65-79 (32.14%), 50-64 (15.78%), 30-49 (4.19%), 18-29 (0.37%), 5-17 (0%) and 0-4 (0.02%). GLOBAL NUMBERS As of Wednesday morning, there were more than 86.5 million positive COVID-19 tests across the world, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 1.87 million people have died from coronavirus-related complications. The U.S. has reported the most cases, at more than 21 million, and the most deaths, at more than 357,300. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - AmerisourceBergen (ABC) said it now expects fiscal 2021 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $8.25 to $8.50, up from the previous range of $8.20 to $8.45. The company updated fiscal 2021 guidance to reflect its continued strong operating income performance. The company noted that the updated financial guidance does not include any contribution from the proposed Alliance Healthcare acquisition or any incremental growth from the expanded U.S. partnership. AmerisourceBergen said all other previously communicated aspects of the company's fiscal year 2021 financial guidance and assumptions remain the same. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The state government on Wednesday informed the Bombay high court (HC) that it is not willing to extend its statement of not taking any coercive action against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and other employees of ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd in the television rating points (TRP) manipulation case. However, in light of time sought by Goswamis advocate the state agreed to abide by the no coercive action statement till the next hearing on January 15. The division bench of justice SS Shinde and justice MS Karnik while hearing the petitions filed by Goswami and ARG seeking quashing of the FIR and the charge sheet filed against them by the Police was informed by advocate Niranjan Mundargi that senior counsel Ashok Mundargi, who represented the channel had a medical emergency in the family and hence could not be present for the hearing. In light of this Mundargi submitted that the senior advocate sought time for ten days. He also prayed that if the court granted the extension, the state should also continue its statement that it would not take any coercive action till the next hearing. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal for the state government submitted that it has found serious evidence in the investigation and hence were not willing to continue the statement of not taking any coercive action. Sibal, however, added that as it was agreeable to continue the assurance only because the channels lawyer sought adjournment due to his family medical emergency. Sibal then informed the court that the state was not willing to continue the statement in the next hearing. I cannot oppose this. We (state) have found some serious evidence in our investigation with the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). I do not wish to continue my earlier statement but because of this extreme emergency, I have agreed. I will not extend it beyond the next hearing, said Sibal. He added that the assurance would not hinder the state government from continuing its investigation. The court accepted the assurance and also permitted parties to the case to approach the court by giving notice to the other side, in case of any urgency and posted hearing for January 15. The developer behind the massive redevelopment of the former Ingersoll Rand site in Warren County is turning its sights to Pennsylvania. Bridge Development Partners is teaming up with Link Logistics Real Estate to build an industrial campus on 60 acres at 428 E. Moorestown Road in Bushkill Township just west of Wind Gap, according to a news release. This will be Bridges first project in Pennsylvania. Construction on the 427,919-square-foot facility, dubbed Lehigh North, is expected to begin this month and wrap up by the end of the year. The pair will select leasing brokers for the project in early 2021. The acquisition of the future Lehigh North property is a milestone for Bridge, as it marks our first development in the state of Pennsylvania, stated Jeff Milanaik, northeast region partner for Bridge. The Lehigh Valley continues to distinguish itself as one of the countrys most vital distribution and logistics hubs, which was critical to our success at nearby Bridge Point 78. We are extremely excited to continue our budding partnership with Link Logistics to introduce this state-of-the-art facility to meet the incredible demand for industrial space in this area and play a continued role in the return of jobs and economic vitality to the entire region. Bridge is currently developing almost 4 million square feet of industrial space along Route 22 on the former Ingersoll Rand property in Phillipsburg and Lopatcong Township. The developer announced in November that it has sold the first phase of Bridge Point 78, totaling 2.2 million square feet. Tenants include Japanese clothing manufacturer and retailer Uniqlo, beverage distributor Mark Anthony Brands and lawn-care company Scotts Miracle-Gro. The Lehigh Valleys location within an eight-hour drive of one-third of American consumers has led to a boom in the regions warehouse and logistics industry over the last decade. This clearly attracted Bridge as the company touted Lehigh Norths location just off of Route 33 and close to Interstates 78 and 80 as ideal in its news release. We are excited to partner with BRIDGE to develop this state-of-the-art industrial facility, which helps us meet the areas high level of demand for logistics real estate, stated Britton Winterer, executive vice president, head of development at Link Logistics. The Lehigh North project will be an excellent addition to our existing Lehigh Valley portfolio, which totals more than 16 million square feet of high-quality, well-located industrial product. This marks the second deal of this type for Bridge and Link, which partnered to develop a 95,000-square-foot industrial facility in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Link Logistics Real Estate is Blackstones U.S. industrial real estate operating platform. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Mumbai, Jan 6 : Profit booking, along with global cues, pulled the key Indian equity indices lower on Wednesday. Accordingly, the key indices, after hitting fresh all-time high levels, were dragged lower by heavy selling in IT and FMCG stocks amid mixed global cues. However, the S&P BSE Sensex had opened at an all-time high of 48,616.66, and the Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange touched a new record of 14,244.15 points. Afterwards, the Indian benchmark equity indices witnessed profit booking. Globally, Asian shares ended mostly lower on Wednesday as swelling virus counts, Hong Kong crackdown and China-US tensions weighed on sentiments. Besides, European stocks were steady early on Wednesday but US stock futures slipped as investors closely monitored the Georgia elections, in which the Democrats moved closer to a Senate majority. Among sectors, metals, realty and cement gained the most while IT and FMCG fell the most. Broader market indices -- smallcap and midcap indices -- outperformed the Nifty. Consequently, the NSE Nifty50 closed at 14,146.25 points, lower by 53.25 points, or 0.38 per cent, from its previous close. The BSE Sensex also receded during the day's trade. It closed lower by 263.72 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 48,174.06 points from its previous close. "Nifty has corrected after 10 days of rise. However the fact that it did not close at its intra day low is a consolation," said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities. "The outcome of the US elections could have an impact on the US markets and then on Indian markets. As long as the 13985 level on the Nifty is not breached, this remains a buy-on-dips market." Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said: "Volatility needs to cool down below 20 zones to support the bullish market setup and fuel the next rally with the higher market base." "Going ahead, the global cues will be watched closely for the further trend in the market. Rising cases of Covid in the UK and EU can turn a spoil sport with increasing cases of lockdowns going forward." Listen to article Popular Nigerian novelist social commentator Chimamanda Adichie thinks Ndigbo need reevaluate their approach to some of the key issues that engage the minds and thoughts concerning Nigeria union. The renowned writer wondered how Igbos can achieve Biafra when they can't unite towards selecting a Nigerian president who is from the region. She bared her mind during an interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. According to the 43-year-old world-acclaimed writer, her Igbo people need to rethink how they strategise politically before talking about secession. She said, There is no Biafra. There are new movements but, for me, it's a question of being practical. Where would the border be? What is propelling these movements is a sense of marginalisation, which I think is completely valid. But this idea that the answer is independence is what I'm not convinced of. Nobody has made a logical case for me. Quite frankly, I've observed the terrible leadership that we have in the southeast. Igbo people cannot unite if, for example, we say we want an Igbo president. And then we're talking about Biafra. There is a lot of political work we need to do in the southeast. We need to do a lot of rethinking on how we strategise politically before we can talk about Biafra. Adichie says she does not agree with Igbo culture in relation to the South East and its effect on politics. She said, There are things I quarrel with, in Igbo culture. It's misogynistic, as are many cultures. That's the problem. The world is misogynistic. At my father's funeral, they showed where the widow, my mother, would sit. And they showed where the sons in the extended family (umunna) would sit. That's where those coming would go to present whatever they bring. It's the sons'. And that was the end. My father had three daughters. There was no place for them. I raised the question and a man in my umunna said we would have to loiter around. There's a problem with that. There's a woman who apparently is going to run for governor in Anambra state. I'm having a conversation with a group of people and what they're saying is, 'Can a woman rule Anambra?' Do you need a dangling organ to rule a state? It's hard enough for both male and female politicians. But women have this additional problem of perception, a reason for which many people won't vote them. Igbo culture is just not very good when it comes to gender. Culture as we have it are rules men made to benefit men. In my hometown, I seem to have this status of an 'honorary man' and that's because of my achievements. People adapt when they see some benefits to it which means that it's changeable. It's engraved on the stones. WASHINGTON - As President Donald Trump told a sprawling crowd outside the White House that they should never accept defeat, hundreds of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in what amounted to an attempted coup that they hoped would overturn the election he lost. In the chaos, law enforcement officials said, a California woman was shot and killed by Capitol Police and three people died of medical emergencies. The violent scene - much of it incited by the president's incendiary language - was like no other in modern American history, bringing to a sudden halt the congressional certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory. With poles bearing blue Trump flags, a mob that would eventually grow into the thousands bashed through Capitol doors and windows, forcing their way past police officers unprepared for the onslaught. Lawmakers were evacuated shortly before an armed standoff at the House chamber's entrance. The woman who was shot, 35-year-old Ashli Babbitt of San Diego, was rushed to an ambulance, police said, and later died. Canisters of tear gas were fired across the Rotunda's white marble floor, and on the steps outside the building, rioters flew Confederate flags. "USA! USA!" chanted the would-be saboteurs of a 244-year-old democracy. The Senate stopped its proceedings, and the House doors were closed. In a notification, U.S. Capitol Police said no one would be allowed to come or go from the building as they struggled to regain control. "Stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover," police warned. All 1,100 members of the D.C. National Guard were activated, and Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, imposed a citywide curfew. From 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, Bowser said, no one other than essential personnel would be allowed outdoors in the city. The mob had arrived hours earlier, charging past the metal barricades on the property's outer edge. Hundreds, then thousands followed them. Some scaled the Capitol's walls to reach entrances; others climbed over one another. On the building's east side, police initially pushed the pro-Trump demonstrators back but soon gave up and fell back to the foot of the main steps. Within a half-hour, fights broke out again, and police retreated to the top of the stairs as screaming Trump supporters surged closer. After the police perimeters were breached, the elated crowd began to sing the national anthem. For an hour, they banged on the doors, chanting, "Let us in! Let us in!" Police inside fired pepper balls and smoke bombs into the crowd but failed to turn them away. After each volley, the rioters, who were mostly White men, would cluster around the doors again, yelling, arguing, pledging revolution. Sometime after 2:10 p.m., a man used a clear plastic riot shield to break through the windows on a first floor to the south side of the building, then hopped in with a few others. Once inside, police suspect, rioters opened doors to let in more of their compatriots. A Capitol Police officer shouted from a higher stairway at the intruders, yelling at them to stop, but when they didn't, the officer fired at a man coming at him, two law enforcement officials said. Amid shouts and people rushing to get away from the sound of gunfire, protesters saw a woman in their group collapse. Police believe she was unarmed, a law enforcement official said, but the officer who shot her did not know that. Capitol Police had already been warned by D.C. police that many protesters were secretly carrying weapons. "They shot a girl!" someone yelled as a group of Trump supporters ran out of the southeast entrance. A team of paramedics with a gurney soon arrived and a Capitol Police officer stepped aside to let them pass. "White female, shot in the shoulder," the officer said as they hurried past. They emerged minutes later. On the gurney was a woman in jeans, gazing vacantly to one side, her torso and face covered in blood. As the gurney was loaded into the back of the ambulance, pro-Trump protesters swarmed around it, screaming, "Murderers!" Capitol Police officers with long guns pushed the rioters back, and the ambulance drove off. Babbitt was shot while trying to climb through a broken window in an area behind the House chamber. Her ex-husband confirmed her death Wednesday night. Three other people died of medical emergencies, D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said in a Wednesday-night news conference. The people's names, and the circumstances of their deaths, were not released during the news conference with Contee and Bowser. Also at the news conference, Bowser declared a public emergency in the city until Jan. 21, to improve security "through the inauguration." The declaration gives her more authority to draw on resources to maintain city security. Inauguration Day is scheduled for Jan. 20. Bowser called the attack on the Capitol an "affront on our American democracy" and implored city residents to abide by the city's curfew. "I urge anyone who is not in place in your home or your hotel - and if you mean to cause trouble in the streets of D.C. you will be arrested," she said. Bowser blamed the president for the rioting. "We saw an unprecedented attack on our American Democracy incited by the United States president," Bowser said. "He must be held accountable. His constant and divisive rhetoric led to the abhorrent actions we saw today." Contee said 14 D.C. officers were injured. One was pulled into a crowd, assaulted and hospitalized. Another received "significant facial injuries" after being hit by a projectile. Others are not as serious. Contee said police had made at least 52 arrests: four for carrying pistols without licenses, one arrest for possession of a prohibited weapon and 47 arrests for curfew violations and unlawful entry. Twenty-six of the 52 arrests were made on Capitol grounds, Contee said. The chief also confirmed that police recovered two pipe bombs at the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee offices. A cooler that contained molotov cocktails was also found on Capitol grounds, the chief said. Bowser said officials will review video and issue alerts for people who breached the Capitol, adding that they "need to be held accountable for the carnage." Contee also said in the news conference that D.C. police had participated in "several planning meetings with Capitol Police" and other agencies to plan for protests on Wednesday. He said Capitol Police called for help at 1 p.m. because of "significant activity" outside the Capitol and that "we immediately deployed platoons to assist the Capitol Police." During the siege in the Capitol, where lawmakers had donned gas masks kept under their chairs, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., could only think of his family as he and other lawmakers hid from the mob. Reeling from the loss of his 25-year-old son last week, Raskin had taken one of his daughters and his son-in-law to the Capitol to watch the debates unfold over certification of Biden's election, he said, "because we wanted to be together." Raskin was helping lead Democrats' arguments against Republican objectors. "I thought I could show them the peaceful transfer of power in the United States of America," Raskin told C-SPAN earlier. "What was really going through my mind was their safety because they were not with me in the chamber, and I just wanted us all to get back together." Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., said members were told that chemical irritants had been released in Statuary Hall and, for a moment, braced for the possibility that they would be exposed to tear gas. Capitol Police barricaded the doors with tables and bookshelves. Spanberger, a former CIA case officer, said that it was a crisis she would only expect to see unfold in fragile, faraway places. "This is what we see in failing countries," she said. "This is what leads to a death of democracy." The shooting and the breach triggered an instant call for help across Washington to other law enforcement agencies. At the U.S. Secret Service, headquarters sent out an emergency alert to all gun-carrying Secret Service personnel to report to headquarters in preparation to help secure the Capitol. Meanwhile, dozens of other rioters streamed into the building, where they smashed windows and vandalized offices. "MURDER THE MEDIA," read a message written on one door. "WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN," read another left in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who also refused to back down, later directing her colleagues to return and finish validating Biden's victory. Rep. Karen Bass, a Democrat from California, shared a photo on Twitter of a long-haired man in a Trump hat carrying a rostrum adorned with the gold-colored seal of the speaker. "Arrest this man," she demanded. At 3:30 p.m., more law enforcement in riot gear arrived at the Capitol. "Traitors," Trump supporters shouted. "What's your oath?" Biden condemned what he called an "unprecedented assault" on American democracy, "unlike anything we've seen in modern times." "This is not dissent. It's disorder. It's chaos," he said. "It borders on sedition, and it must end now." For hours, Trump made little effort to quell the violence he had helped instigate, finally sharing a video at 4:17 p.m. in which he told people to "go home" - while continuing to promote the falsehood that he had won the election. "We love you," he told them. "You're very special." The Capitol has been the target of violence before. In 1954, Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire from a House gallery, injuring five lawmakers on the floor below. In 1971, a bomb planted by a radical left-wing group exploded, though no one was harmed. In 1998, a gunman opened fire, killing two Capitol Police officers. But not since the British set fire to the Capitol in 1814 has a mob overrun the ultimate symbol of American freedom. At about 8:30 p.m., just more than an hour after hundreds of law enforcement officers had at last finished clearing the mob and removing Trump flags left inside the building, heavily armed FBI agents and police officers in riot gear escorted lawmakers back to work. D.C. police had arrested 13 people by early evening, they said, including three in possession of firearms. About 6 p.m., a man was stabbed at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near Freedom Plaza, though it was unclear whether the attack was related to the demonstrations. At the Capitol, those who had made it inside took on a celebrity status when they came back out. A woman who said she had footage on her phone of Capitol Police pointing guns at rioters was circled by dozens who wanted to see it. People traded what information they had about the woman who was shot inside. Some called her a "martyr." After she was taken away, the mood soured, though many remained joyous. "We're making history," one woman said as she strolled down Independence Avenue with friends. Beneath streaming flags, including some that read "F--- Biden" and that depicted Trump as the movie character Rambo, people loudly exhorted Jesus and chanted "USA!" Many called friends and family and took videos. "We weren't violent before, but we are now," a middle-aged White man said, talking into his cellphone. "There's no going back." - - - The WashingtonPost's Peter Hermann, Rachel Chason, Marissa J. Lang, Carol D. Leonnig, Perry Stein, Emily Davies, Jessica Contrera, Katie Mettler, Michael Brice-Saddler, Harrison Smith, Clarence Williams, Antonio Olivo, Teo Armus, Justin Wm. Moyer and Fredrick Kunkle contributed to this report. A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination campaign for healthcare professionals in Nice, southern France, on Jan. 5, 2021. France will speed up its vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, said Health Minister Olivier Veran on Monday when visiting a newly set up vaccination center at a Paris hospital in response to mounting criticism at the slowness of the rollout in the country. (Photo by Serge Haouzi/Xinhua) PARIS, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- France will speed up its vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, said Health Minister Olivier Veran on Monday when visiting a newly set up vaccination center at a Paris hospital in response to mounting criticism at the slowness of the rollout in the country. "The pace will increase," said the minister, adding that several thousand people have gotten COVID-19 shots on Monday, some 100 vaccination centers would be set up by Wednesday across French cities. He vowed a faster pace of rollout by "widening the target group to health staff without waiting to complete the vaccination campaign in retirement homes." France has already received 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine shots developed by the America's Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech, and other 580,000 jabs will be delivered on Wednesday, according to the minister. It has ordered some 200 million doses from different pharmaceutical companies. As part of a coordinated European plan, France has launched its vaccination campaign on Dec. 27 targeting the most vulnerable people in nursing homes for the first phase of rollout. A week on, only 516 people got the jab, well below the 265,610 doses administered in Germany and nearly one million in Britain, data from Oxford University's Our World in Data website showed. The slow start compared to its European neighbours cast doubt on the government's vaccination programme and ignited critics. "It's going too slowly... Things have to go faster," Arnaud Fontanet, an epidemiologist and government adviser told France Info radio early Monday. "The real deadline is to reach 5-10 million (vaccinations) by the end of March, because that's the point at which you have a real impact on the spread of the virus," he said. Having urged the government to avoid an "unjustifiable slow pace," President Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening called a meeting with top officials to discuss the rollout. France, which counts the fifth-highest COVID-19 cases in the world and the seventh biggest coronavirus -related deaths globally, aims to vaccinate 1 million people by the end of this month. In the second phase to start in February, 14 million people with an age-related risk factors or chronic disease will be inoculated. A broader vaccination aimed at the general public is planned for the spring. The country's National Authority for Health reiterated the strategy of "priorities first to residents and caregivers of nursing homes, then the elderly, then the rest of the population" must be respected. "We must keep calm and keep priorities," said Dominique Le Guludec, head of health authority in a televised interview with BFMTV-RMC on Monday morning, arguing that the elderly at nursing homes are the most vulnerable. "If we want to quickly reduce hospitalizations and deaths, we have no choice," she said. "If we vaccinate a lot but not the right ones, it will take months to reduce (hospitalizations and deaths)." Since the epidemic outbreak, France has registered 65,415 coronavirus-related fatalities, with 378 over the past 24 hours, the biggest daily toll in a week, health authorities data showed on Monday. A further 4,022 people tested positive for the COVID-19 in one day, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 2,659,750. Hospital admissions increased for the third day in a row. Another 182 people were hospitalized, bringing the total to 24,995. Over 230 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 60 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Dec. 29. A water main break on the morning of January 4, under the plaza shared by Saint Peter's Church, the Citigroup Center, and the subway entrance at 53rd Street at Lexington Avenue, has significantly affected off-Broadway's York Theatre Company, causing massive flooding and mud. "Most everything above 2 feet is OK," artistic director James Morgan wrote in a Facebook post, "below that was under water and mud for a while." Morgan stated that the theater will "probably need new carpeting and new computers and maybe new ceilings but happily our new seats seem to be fine." Still, Morgan is undeterred and committed to the theater's future reopening when live performances resume. Now in its fifth decade of operation, the York is one of the few theaters in the world whose mission is to produce both new musicals and rediscovered gems from the past. Previous productions include Enter Laughing, Desperate Measures, Cagney, Yank!, and The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) Those wishing to donate can contact the theater directly or do so here. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Educational technology platform Kyt on Wednesday raised $5 million in a Series A funding round. The investment is led by Alpha Wave Incubation (AWI), a venture fund managed by Falcon Edge Capital. Sequoia Capital Indias Surge, January Capital, Titan Capital and other angel investors also participated in the round. Kyt is the first Indian company to receive investment from Singapore-based January Capital, the company said in a statement. Bengaluru-based Kyt will use these funds to expand its operations to Abu Dhabi and use the Emirates as its regional headquarters for targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East/North Africa and other global markets. Kyt also plans to build a world-class team of data scientists, product managers and engineers located in Abu Dhabi. With learning going online and kids homebound, a bunch of new ed tech startups such as Kyt are offering extra-curricular courses to engage children and make them future-ready. Started by former Uber Eats India head Bhavish Rathod and wife Tripti Ahuja in June 2020, Kyt offers online workshops and courses in dance, music, chess, musical instruments, yoga, public speaking and creative writing courses by combining live classes with video-based revision materials for children from ages 5 to 15 years, in a full stack model. With Kyt, we are going beyond the conventional academic learning by building an academy that nurtures holistic and all-round development of children. It is essential to foster childrens interests and encourage learning that equips them with creative and real-world skills; thereby moulding their individual strengths and making them more confident. This new investment will greatly boost our efforts in providing a well-structured curriculum, designed by pedagogy experts and education consultants to help each child realize his/her potential," said Bhavik Rathod, co-founder and chief executive officer of Kyt. The funds will also be used for deeper investment in technology and product to enhance the overall experience of students, and to accelerate global expansion. Kyt already has students from India, UAE and Singapore, and is looking to scale its footprint to the US, Canada, UK and Australia. The platform allows access to high quality extra-curricular courses with a structured curriculum, designed for online learning. The USP of the platform is that it provides a proper mix of training, assessment, feedback, and encouragement. With animated videos and gamification of lessons, the platform encourages kids to practice more and learn better. Extra-curricular learning is a critical aspect of a well-rounded education. Kyt has made it possible for students from every corner of the world to access quality learning from best-in-class teachers and practitioners in each field," said Utsav Mitra, Investor at Falcon Edge Capital. In November last year, Kyt raised $2.5 million led by Sequoias Surge and claims more than 2,000 students have enrolled in its courses and workshops from countries including India, UAE and Singapore. Kids can learn from noted celebrities such as Indian Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, the Philippines' hip-hop legend Ruel Varindani and yoga instructor Sabrina Merchant. Within the next 12 months, Kyt plans to increase the teacher strength from 20+ to about 500, and to add more courses. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A US federal judge on Tuesday rejected Donald Trumps lawsuit seeking to nullify Joe Bidens victory in the battleground state of Georgia, adding it to the long list of lawsuits by the president thrown out by US courts. Judge Mark H Cohen in Atlanta denied the emergency petition to decertify 2020 elections Georgia results. The complaint was filed on 31 December against Georgia's governor and secretary, citing Mr Trumps claims of election fraud, voting by dead people, and unregistered voters. "The parties presented argument in regards to Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Declaratory Relief. Court denied the motion and advised that an order will be forthcoming today," the statement from the court document read. The last-minute futile attempt by the Trump administration was rejected a day before Electoral College count when Congress is scheduled to officially certify Mr Bidens victory. The Trump campaign and Republicans have lost 62 out of 63 total lawsuits filed since 3 November in challenges spanning eight states and dozens of courts. The judge said the president is asking an extraordinary and unprecedented remedy that would subvert the will of millions of people who casted their ballots lawfully. To interfere with the result of an election that has already concluded and has been audited and certified on multiple occasions would be unprecedented and harm the public in countless ways, Mr Cohen said in his decision. Mr Trump also raised false accusations of voters fraud in his hourlong phone call to Georgias secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger and mounted pressure on officials to undo Mr Bidens victory. Mr Trump was heard asking Mr Raffensperger to find just enough votes for him in Georgia to win the election. Mr Raffensperger and his staff have reiterated that there is no evidence of wrongdoing in elections at the time when the president demanded a recount of Georgia votes. The recount confirmed president-elect Biden won the state by almost 12,000 votes. The ruling in Mr Trumps attempt to decertify result might not put an end to legal challenges to the states result. Another case with similar allegations against Mr Raffensperger is scheduled for Friday before Georgia Superior Court Judge Adele Grubbs in Atlanta. The world economy will be exiting the pandemic weighed down by much bigger debts and increased inequality that could hobble growth in the longer term. That was one of the memes making the rounds at the annual meeting of the American Economic Association this week. While global growth is widely expected to strengthen as more people are vaccinated, top economists at the virtual three-day conference focused on the glaring inequities that the pandemic had exposed and the fallout from the efforts to cope with and combat the coronavirus pandemic. Global debt rose by more than $US15 trillion last year to a record $US277 trillion. Credit:AP "We have met every crisis in the recent past with yet more aggressive central bank accommodation and yet more leverage, both public as well as private," said former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan. The Prince William Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. (Natural News) According to Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, who has been dropping major bombshells over the past several months about election fraud, a shipping receipt associated with fake Chinese ballots has been found stuck to the side of a shredding bin in Georgia. The discovery was made after it was publicly revealed that communist China had shipped in truckloads of fake ballots to Fulton County (Atlanta), helping to swing the state of Georgia for Joe Biden. Those involved quickly shredded the evidence once America found out about this, but they apparently missed this shipping receipt which got caught in the bin. The infamous water main break false flag incident that occurred in Fulton County allowed Ruby Freeman, Ralph Jones, and other complicit criminals to cart out these fake Chinese ballots and run them through the Dominion Voting Systems machines after everyone else was sent home due to the emergency. After the counting was complete, the ballots were eventually shredded to destroy all evidence. However, the discovery of the shipping receipt after the fact is a smoking gun, demonstrating the extent of the fraud that took place in Georgia. Last Wednesday, December 30, the Georgia Senate Judiciary voted to inspect those Fulton County voting operations. Hours later (as I have previously posted) an Enterprise van pulled up and got filled up with voting materials, Byrne reported. A shredding company in neighboring Cobb County, Georgia was on December 31 given roughly 3,000 pounds of ballots to shred. Authorities have come into possession of those materials. Byrne added that a handful of papers was found stuck to the side of the shredding bin. These papers contained several unshredded ballots, which two federally certified forensic examiners verified do not match the legitimate ballots. Also found in the papers was the shipping receipt from the Chinese firm that printed them in China. Joe Biden did not win the 2020 election Another bombshell dropped by Byrne was testimony about a printing shop in Michigan that allegedly printed ballots for Delaware County, Penn., and several other locals in numerous key swing states. These ballots were both printed and filled out for Biden, of course and shipped off to the appropriate locations for counting. All of this is documented, Byrne says, including with texts, affidavits and statements from the parties involved. Combined with the new evidence in Georgia found in the shredding bin, perhaps this is the smoking gun that will take down the whole operation before it is all too late. According to Byrne, both the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been told to stand down concerning all of this, which could lead to just more disappointment. This is why American patriots need to make their voices heard while there is still time. Since just about everything concerning the fraudulent election is being ignored or scorned at by the mainstream media and the political establishment at large, it truly is up to We the People to get the job done somehow. Byrne has had President Trumps ear ever since investing much of his fortune into investigating voter fraud allegations, reports NoqReport.com. He and his team have been doing what the Department of Justice, Congress, and state election officials have refused to do. Now, were seeing some of the fruits of his efforts. The only question is whether or not the evidence theyve collected can be put in front of Congress in time. If not, theres still hope but the evidence will have to reach the Supreme Court before Inauguration Day for the last-minute correction of election results to take effect. More of the latest news about election fraud can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: NoqReport.com NaturalNews.com Sign of the times as this pricey hipster tradition transforms into yet another meal at home in a sad Styrofoam container. Check-it . . . KANSAS CITY, Mo. - KC Restaurant Week kicks off on Friday, but it will look a lot different during the pandemic. There are more than 170 restaurants participating in the 10-day event. Jazz Louisiana Kitchen is one of them. Christian Ahmed, assistant manager at Jazz, said COVID-19 restrictions of 50% capacity and closing at 10 [...] Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The protest by farmers camping at the borders of the national capital continued for the 42nd day on Wednesday. The leaders of the farmers unions demanding the repeal of the three new farm laws and the procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) are now readying for a 'Tractor March' announced by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha on the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways on Thursday. Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Punjab farmer leader and General Secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), told IANS that preparations were on to intensify the agitation and make the programme on Thursday a success. He informed that farmers from Punjab are coming with their tractors for the march. Farmers from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are also joining the rally. Farmers leaders said the 'Tractor March' would be a trailer of the 'Republic Day Parade' scheduled on January 26. After the seventh round of talks with the Central government on Monday remained inconclusive, the farmers decided to take out a 'Tractor March' on January 7. Earlier the Samyukta Kisan Morcha had scheduled the rally for January 6 but due to the bad weather forecast the march was postponed to January 7. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has also announced a public awareness campaign as well as several other programmes from January 6 to January 20. The SKM said the death anniversary of Sir Chhotu Ram will be observed on January 9. Sir Chhotu Ram is remembered as a farmer leader. After this, the farmers will celebrate Lohri on January 13 and Makar Sankranti on January 14 as 'Sankalp Diwas'. Withdrawal of The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 enacted by the Central government and the legal guarantee for procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price is being demanded by the farmers, who have been camping at the borders of Delhi since November 26, 2020. After the seventh round of talks between the farmers-Central government failed to arrive at a consensus on Monday, the next round of talks has been fixed for January 8. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Amazon has said it will commit $2 billion to help create more affordable housing in the area around its second headquarters outside Washington DC, and its other employment hubs. The company said on Wednesday it intends to create or preserve at least 20,000 affordable housing units near Seattle, Northern Virginia's Arlington and Nashville in Tennessee. Amazon and other tech companies have faced criticism for driving up home prices with an influx of workers over the past decade, prompting Google and Facebook to invest in affordable housing. A large proportion of Amazon's investment will be through low-cost loans to preserve or build affordable housing for moderate-to-low income families, the company said. Amazon has said it will commit $2 billion to help create more affordable housing in the area around its Seattle headquarters (above) and its other employment hubs Amazon employs more than 75,000 workers in the Seattle area and is also in the process of building a second headquarters in Arlington, dubbed HQ2, and a distribution hub in Nashville. The company has about 1,000 employees each in Arlington and Nashville, and plans to increase the number in each city to 5,000 over the next five years. Another planned division of HQ2 in New York's Long Island City was scuttled after opposition from officials, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who raised concerns that housing costs in the area would skyrocket. Amazon's new 'housing equity fund' will make grants and below-market loans available for housing partners, public agencies, and minority-led organizations, the company said. The company said the first tranche of $567 million will help create 1,300 affordable apartment homes available near Amazon's new Arlington, Virginia headquarters and up to 1,000 units near its headquarters in the Seattle, Washington, region. Amazon expects to eventually hire some 25,000 employees for its hub in Virginia, across the Potomac river from Washington, chosen after a stormy search process where communities debated the impact on the local economy and other factors. The new headquarters of Amazon, which plans to create 25,000 new jobs, is seen under construction in Arlington, Virginia last year A rendering shows Amazon's planned buildings in Nashville, where it is building a hub In Washington's Puget Sound region, Amazon is promising $185.5 million, mostly in loans, to the King County Housing Authority to help buy affordable apartments. Some of the new funds will also go to Nashville, Tennessee, another area where Amazon expects to add at least 5,000 employees in the coming years. Amazon is targeting households making between 30 to 80 percent of median income. In the Washington DC metro area, this translates to a household of four earning less than $79,600 a year and below $95,250 in Seattle. 'Amazon has a long-standing commitment to helping people in need, including the Marys Place family shelter we built inside our Puget Sound headquarters,' said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and chief executive. 'This new $2 billion Housing Equity Fund will create or preserve 20,000 affordable homes in all three of our headquarters regions -- Arlington, Puget Sound and Nashville. It will also help local families achieve long-term stability while building strong, inclusive communities.' COVID has gotten us real good at pivoting. Assistant City Manager Dr. Colleen Bridger was talking Tuesday about the way state health officials keep giving local communities a case of whiplash when it comes to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Metro Health had a plan in place for the city to initially concentrate on vaccinating front-line workers (Phase 1A) with the scarce initial doses of the vaccine, then gradually expand at a rate where the eligible kept pace with the availability of the vaccine. On Dec. 29, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) threw those plans out the window. The state opened up the vaccination process to the Phase 1B category, which covers people 65 and older, as well as those 16 and older with a chronic medical condition. Overnight, by state mandate, San Antonios vaccination pool went from less than 10 percent of the citys population to more than 60 percent. Unsurprisingly, we saw some hiccups last week in the vaccine administration process, with long waits, mixed messages and some providers turning away people in the 1B category, on the grounds that the providers didnt yet have enough doses of vaccine to cover everyone in Phase 1A. This week, the state is gearing up to throw another curve ball to municipalities, according to Bridger. In apparent frustration with the slowness of the vaccination process, state officials are looking to change their approach. Up to this point, the state has sent small quantities of the vaccine to a large number of providers. Theyre now planning to send large quantities of the vaccine to a small number of providers. Theyre pivoting away from their original model, which was 100 doses (each) to 1,000 providers, Bridger said. And now theyre saying, Alright, we want to focus on mass-vaccination clinics, so were going to send 100,000 doses to a handful of providers. Thankfully, this week weve gotten a positive example of how mass vaccination can work, from University Health Systems site at Wonderland of the Americas mall. On Monday, the first day of its Wonderland rollout, University Health administered about 1,500 first doses of Moderna vaccine. UHS has done a phenomenal job, Bridger said. We would want to build on that. The COVID-19 vaccination program is based on a decentralized approach, with the federal government sending the vaccine to states, which then distribute the doses to local providers. Its rooted in the idea that private health providers are best equipped to handle the inoculation process, because theyre experienced at it. One problem is that this decentralization comes with centralized mandates attached. Rather than enabling providers to determine how best to phase in the administration of the vaccine, the state pushed them into Phase 1B before most of them were ready. Its similar to what school district officials have experienced during this academic year, as theyve tried to navigate safely through the pandemic. In both instances, Metro Health has been sidelined from the decision-making and oversight process. We are assuming a coordinating role, from a position of zero power and authority, Bridger said. We dont even know how much every provider has asked for. We have become the communitys scientific recommender. What people choose to do with that recommendation is up to them. The impetus for the states push to expand into 1B came from a contention, expressed by Gov. Greg Abbott, that some providers were hoarding supplies of the vaccine. When DSHS expanded the eligibility pool last week, Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt made a point of saying, No vaccine should be kept in reserve. The issue of whether some providers are holding on to a large number of vaccine doses is a murky one. Its a complaint that has been privately voiced by some people in the medical community, but its hard to quantify, because the state vaccination dashboard has been providing numbers that widely are seen as unreliable. The bottom line is that at every level local, state and national the vaccination program has to step up its game. Dr. Peter Hotez, the founding dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said in a Tuesday interview with Bloomberg TV that he is profoundly disappointed with the lack of a cohesive national strategy for administering the vaccine. Hotez says this country will need to vaccinate about 240 million people by the end of summer to reach herd immunity. Thats about 1 million per day. Twenty-three days into the vaccination program, weve only vaccinated 5 million people (less than 220,000 per day). Mass vaccination is working for University Health. That needs to be the model going forward. The European Union (EU) has conducted a monthslong shopping spree to secure vaccines to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. The following is a timeline of its strategy. Contracts for all In June the EU set up a team of experts from the blocs 27 member states to negotiate together with vaccine makers the advance purchase of Covid-19 shots, with a budget of about 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion). That followed criticism by member states of Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, which that month had reached a deal with AstraZeneca on the supply of up to 400 million doses of its vaccine candidate. EU countries not involved in the deal said that could have triggered a race among EU governments for vaccines. The solution was to secure them together and to commit not to run parallel talks with pharmaceutical firms. The bloc immediately started negotiations with Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi, and then with BioNTech/Pfizer CureVac and Moderna . EU officials said vaccine makers were selected on the basis of progress in their trials, of their ability to produce shots for Europe quickly and of the technology they used - in a bid to diversify and give Europe as many different technologies as possible given that some vaccine trials may fail. The first deal made was with AstraZeneca in August for 400 million doses, largely converting the agreement initially sealed by Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands. At that time, the vaccine developed by the British-Swedish firm together with Oxford University was conducting large-scale, Phase III trials. Pfizer and BioNTech were also carrying out Phase III trials in August, but the EU reached a deal with them only in November - for 300 million doses - after they said trial results showed their vaccine was highly effective and safe. In July, the EU had refused an offer by BioNTech/Pfizer to order 500 million doses as it found the suggested deal too expensive, according to an internal EU document seen by Reuters. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. The first to be authorised in Western countries, it poses significant - and unique - logistical challenges because it needs to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures. Germany, in what appears to be a breach of the EU agreements, conducted parallel talks for the supply of 30 million additional doses from BioNTech, which is based in Germany and had received German funds. A German health ministry spokesman said this week the deal was sealed in September, two months before the EU contract, although the timing of deliveries is still unclear. Sanofi deal Before sealing the contract with Pfizer and BioNTech, the EU decided to close a quicker deal with Frances pharmaceutical giant Sanofi in September for 300 million doses. At that time, the Sanofi vaccine, being developed with British firm GlaxoSmithKline, was at just Phase I and II of trials. In December, the two companies announced their trials were not successful and needed at least another year of tests . The EU gave Sanofi 324 million euros ($400 million) in a non-refundable down payment to secure 300 million doses. It had paid AstraZeneca 336 million euros ($414 million) in a similar arrangement, EU officials told Reuters. The Sanofi/GSK vaccine is based on lab-made proteins designed to trigger an immune response, an established technology already used in vaccines against other viruses. After Sanofi, the EU signed a third deal with U.S. pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson in October for the supply of up to 400 million doses of its vaccine which is based on a viral vector and was already at Phase III when the deal was closed. The company was given a down payment of nearly 350 million euros ($432 million). Curevac The contract with Pfizer and BioNTech, the EUs fourth, was signed on Nov. 11. Days later, the bloc announced an agreement with German firm CureVac for up to 405 million doses. At that time, CureVac had not yet started Phase III large-scale trials. It is unknown how much money was given in a down payment to the German biotech company, which had already received EU funds to develop vaccines. Germanys state-owned KfW development bank is a major shareholder in CureVac. A sixth deal with US biotech firm Moderna was signed by the EU on Nov. 25, after successful trial results were announced. It envisages the supply of up to 160 million doses. Both Modernas and CureVacs vaccines are based on the mRNA technology, the same used in the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. The EU is now in talks with U.S. firm Novavax for 200 million doses of its vaccine and with Pfizer for an additional contract of 50/100 million doses. We'll make this one quick, here are some of the local news items on the top of our list for early bird readers. Renaissance In Westport Developers moving forward with mixed-use renovation plan for old Westport High KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The old Westport High is getting closer to having a new use. Developers got a key approval from the city in December of the PIEA General Development Plan and hope to get the final go ahead to start turning it into apartments and office space this spring. Northeast Helps Hobos Lykins neighborhood shelters unhoused community members Abby Hoover Managing Editor When residents in the Lykins neighborhood complained of a growing homeless camp on a vacant lot, the neighborhood association began searching for unique solutions. "The thought was, 'They're homeless people, we need to move them out,' and so the fact is... Firing Off Shooter Info More details released on gunman shot outside Missouri State Highway Patrol HQ in Lee's Summit LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified 27-year-old Tayland Rahim as the man who was shot outside of the Troop A Headquarters during an exchange of gunfire Monday night. Investigators said Rahim parked a truck in the employee parking area on the West side of the building, got out with an assault-style weapon and began shooting at the building. KCMO Home Searched Investigators execute search warrant at home connected to man shot outside MSHP headquarters LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KCTV) -- A suspect who investigators say fired an assault rifle outside of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A headquarters in Lee's Summit could soon face charges. Troopers shot the suspect, Tayland Rahim, around 9:40 Monday night. He is expected to survive. Kansas City Group Chat Amid Deadly Homeless Crisis KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas meets with residents experiencing homelessness KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After two people experiencing homelessness in Kansas City, Missouri, died Mayor Quinton Lucas is looking to find a solution. "I think what I realized from everything that we've done recently is that it's not enough," Lucas said. "You can't just put millions of dollars into something. Senator Mitt Suffers Scathing MAGA Outcry Amid Flight Mitt Romney is harassed by Trump supporters on flight to D.C. Social media videos appear to show Utah Senator Mitt Romney being confronted by President Trump's supporters on a flight to D.C. For The W George W. Bush will attend Biden inauguration to witness 'peaceful transfer of power' Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in Washington D.C. later this month, his chief of staff Freddie Ford announced on Tuesday. The Bush family's plans to attend the inauguration were revealed just one day before Congress is set to meet to review the Electoral College's voting results. Iran From Threats Chilling threat sent to air traffic controllers vowing revenge for killing of Iranian general is under investigation Multiple air traffic controllers in New York heard a chilling threat Monday in audio obtained exclusively by CBS News: "We are flying a plane into the Capitol on Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged." The threat refers to Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed last year in a U.S. Kansas Guv Kelly Touts Vaxx Last Place Winning?!?! Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says Sunflower State exceeded goal of 1 million COVID-19 tests in 2020 Gov. Laura Kelly said Tuesday that Kansas exceeded its goal to conduct 1 million COVID-19 tests in 2020."In October, we launched our Unified Testing Strategy with a goal of testing one million Kansans by the end of the year, and I'm excited to announce that we exceeded that number," Kelly said. School's Out Forever MSTA survey: 94% of teachers support suspending state tests this spring Nearly 94 percent of teachers surveyed by the Missouri State Teachers Association support suspending state-mandated tests this year. The survey released this week reflects the responses of more than 6,000 public school teachers in the state. MSTA said 3,500 responded in the first 24 hours. Tribute After Tragedy Family of local prosecutor, who died of COVID-19 days after giving birth, talks of her legacy KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A loss felt across the Kansas City community. An assistant Jackson County prosecutor dies of COVID-19 complications just days after giving birth. JoEllen Engelbart's family said 'love' is the only word that begins to describe the way she lived her life. And The Rains Came Rain is in Wednesday's forecast A storm approaches with increasing clouds overnight There is a 100% chance of rain in KC, but only 20% 50 miles east, northeast, and southeast of KC Clouds will become thick and hang around for many days KANSAS CITY'S MOST ACCURATE FORECAST Tonight: Increasing clouds overnight with rain developing by morning. Ray Charles "Georgia on my Mind" live 1960 this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. [January 05, 2021] The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action on Behalf of SolarWinds Corporation (SWI) Investors The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired SolarWinds (News - Alert) Corporation ("SolarWinds" or the "Company") (NYSE: SWI) securities between February 24, 2020 and December 15, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). SolarWinds investors have until March 5, 2021 to file a lead plaintiff motion. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. On December 13, 2020, Reuters (News - Alert) reported hackers have been monitoring email traffic at the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments. The hackers are believed to have breached the emails by deceptively interfering with updates released by SolarWinds, which services various government vendors in the executive branch, the military, and the intelligence services. On December 14, 2020, the Company disclosed that "a vulnerability [was inserted] within its Orion monitoring products which, if present and activated, could potentially allow an attacker to compromise the server on which the Orion products run." The vulnrability was inserted in Orion products downloaded, as well as updates released, between March and June 2020. On this news, the Company's stock price fell $3.93, or 17%, to close at $19.62 per share on December 14, 2020, thereby injuring investors. Then, on December 15, 2020, Reuters reported that Vinoth Kumar, a security researcher, alerted the Company last year that anyone could access SolarWinds' update server by using the password "solarwinds123." The article also reported that co-founder of cybersecurity company Huntress, Kyle Hanslovan, noticed the malicious updates were still available for download even days after SolarWinds was aware their software was compromised. On this news, the Company's stock price fell $1.56, or 8%, to close at $18.06 per share on December 15, 2020, thereby injuring investors further. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) since mid-2020, SolarWinds Orion monitoring products had a vulnerability that allowed hackers to compromise the server upon which the products ran; (2) SolarWinds' update server had an easily accessible password of 'solarwinds123'; (3) consequently, SolarWinds' customers, including, among others, the Federal Government, Microsoft (News - Alert) , Cisco, and Nvidia, would be vulnerable to hacks; (4) as a result, the Company would suffer significant reputational harm; and (5) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert) : twitter.com/FRC_LAW. If you purchased SolarWinds securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than March 5, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you purchased SolarWinds securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to info@frankcruzlaw.com, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005958/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] State health officials said they were expanding eligibility by age first to those in their 80s, with those in their 70s and 60s to follow later. Exceptions are not being given for those younger with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, for example, due to limited supply, they said. Justin Theroux looked like he was on a major shopping trip Tuesday as he stepped out in New York City. The ex-husband of Jennifer Aniston carried an enormous basket as he strolled through Manhattan's West Village with his beloved Pit Bull rescue Kuma. The actor, 49, bundled up against the January chill in a quilted beige jacket and black knit beanie. Errand: Justin Theroux lookeyid like he was on a major shopping trip Tuesday as he stepped out in NYC carrying an enormous basket as he strolled with his beloved Pit Bull rescue Kuma The Leftovers star donned black-framed sunglasses and a striped face mask for his outing. He also wore black gloves along with skinny black trousers and black shoes. Theroux dotes on his dog whom he rescued in the aftermath of devastating Hurricane Harvey that made landfall in Texas and Louisiana in August 2017. He recently documented his and Kuma's road trip to the ocean on his instagram, which followed a road trip to Mexico weeks earlier. Kept warm: The actor, 49, bundled up against the January chill in a quilted beige jacket and black knit beanie and gloves. He added black-framed sunglasses and a striped face mask Last month, it was reported that his new film, a fertility thriller entitled False Positive, was picked up by Hulu for a 2021 release. The story follows Ilana Glazer's character Lucy, who has tried to get pregnant several times with her partner Adrian (Justin Theroux). The couple's luck seemingly turns around after they find the 'perfect fertility doctor' in Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan and they welcome a baby girl. Theroux is currently filming a TV series adaptation of The Mosquito Coast, based on the novel written by his uncle Paul Theroux. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor Armasuisse Bern, 05.01.2021 - A delegation from the DDPS led by National Armaments Director Martin Sonderegger will visit representatives from the authorities and industrial companies who are in-volved in the Air2030 programme in January 2021 in Paris, Berlin and Washington. The reason for the visits in France, Germany and the USA is to discuss the Air2030 programme, with a view to procuring a new fighter jet (NKF) and a new enhanced range ground-based air defence system (Bodluv GR). The visits are scheduled on January 5, 2021 in Paris, on January 21 in Berlin and from January 25 to 28 in Washington. Apart from National Armaments Director Martin Sonderegger, the armasuisse delegation will also include the head of the aeronautical systems competence sector Peter Winter, the NKF project manager Darko Savic, as well as in France and the USA the Bodluv GR project manager Markus Graf. Work on the evaluation reports Work on the evaluation reports NKF and Bodluv GR (new fighter aircraft and enhanced range ground-based air defence systems) will continue in parallel to these meetings. The evaluation reports should be concluded in the 1st quarter of 2021. The type decision by the Federal Council is planned for both systems in the 2nd quarter of 2021. Address for enquiries Kaj-Gunnar Sievert Head of Communications armasuisse +41 58 464 62 47 Publisher Armasuisse http://www.ar.admin.ch/ General Secretariat DDPS https://www.vbs.admin.ch/ Defence http://www.vtg.admin.ch It was late at night, and the scientists sitting in the white 4WD had been slowly driving through the sweeping grasslands for hours, their eyes trained on a small screen on the dashboard. Suddenly, they saw a white glowing dot on the screen. They got out of the car and crept through the paddock to where the thermal camera had located its target and found a male plains wanderer, sitting on a nest. After taking a few photos, they crept away. The critically-endangered plains wanderer. Its very exciting to find one, says researcher and PhD candidate Fenella Dawlings. They are very cute little birds and not many people have the privilege of seeing them. Its special. Organisers of the New Year's eve music gig held in Mbare, Harare, have been convicted and are expected to be sentenced today amid submissions by the State to give them deterrent one-year jail terms, minimum, each. Harare provincial magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro is presiding over the case. The gig was organised by Damma, born Simbarashe Chanachimwe, Arnold Kamudyariwa (DJ Fantan) and Tafadzwa Kadzimwe (DJ Levelz), who admitted to violating Covid-19 regulations when they hosted the gig. They were remanded in custody to today for sentencing. The trio was being charged with "partaking and convening a public gathering during a national lockdown period". Chanachimwe was represented by lawyer Mr Tafadzwa Hungwe, while Kamudyariwa and Kadzimwe were represented by Mr Dumisani Mtombeni. The three, during mitigation, apologised to the court and the nation at large for their actions and begged for leniency. They told the court that they had resolved to complement Government efforts to fight Covid-19 by engaging the Ministry of Health and Child Care for possible ambassadorial roles. Through their lawyers, Damma, DJ Fantan and DJ Levelz, begged the court to spare them custodial sentences and impose fines against them. They told the court that the music show was planned for live streaming on various online social media sites, but got out of hand as residents thronged the venue where they were filming the event. Chanachimwe, through his lawyer Mr Hungwe, told the court that he was a cellphone dealer earning about $15 000 a month and it was his first time to be arrested. "Accused organised what was supposed to be an online event and his understanding was that he would stream for people less than 50 for the benefit of social media followers. "During the show, unbeknown to him, neighbouring residents came when they were filming and crowded the venue. "There was no cover charge as they did not anticipate such crowd. They did not put security in place as it was an online event. Because of the uninvited crowd, it was now called an illegal event which is now so-called Super Covid Spreader. "The accused had no intentions to stage a show. It was an open air area in a high-density area. The accused had no resources to disperse the crowd. It was not the best of his ideas," said Mr Hungwe. Kamudyariwa and Kadzimwe, through lawyer Mr Mtombeni, said they do not earn a fixed income due to the nature of their work. Mr Mtombeni said the two disc jockeys were typically struggling ghetto youths in Zimbabwe and were the face of youths in Mbare trying to earn a decent living through music. He said the two surrendered themselves to police, contrary to reports that circulated on various media platforms that they were on the run. "DJ Fantan and DJ Levelz are symbols of hope to ghetto youths and they play a positive role by advising youths to refrain from criminal activities and indulging in alcohol. They have lived crime-free in their entire lives. Accused persons are extremely remorseful and they have offered to the police, and the nation at large, their utmost sincere apology and they will continue to do so. "They do admit and accept that they did not act in the best way possible as a result of their youthfulness. They have been of good character and standing," said Mr Mtombeni. He said they were thankful no one has tested positive for Covid-19 so far, or sustained injuries as a result of the event. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mr Mtombeni reiterated that the accused wanted to be ambassadors against Covid-19 and complement Governments efforts in fighting the pandemic. The State, led by Messrs Michael Reza and Taddy Kamuriwo, called for a stiffer penalty against the trio, adding the sentence should send a clear message to would-be offenders that no one would be allowed to dice with peoples' lives. "They were not worried about the curfew and invited people from 6pm to 6am. They invited 22 artistes to perform at event dubbed Super Covid Spreader at Damma's shop. "To ask the court to treat them with kid gloves is not possible when they deliberately invited people to gather where this disease is spread," said Mr Reza. He implored the court to invoke the principle of fire where he said he who touches it will be burnt indiscriminately. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. (Natural News) A new report claims that hundreds of millions of dollars from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg were used to violate election laws. According to a report by the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society, a not-for-profit conservative law firm based in Chicago, the $500 million that Mark Zuckerberg gave to election officials was used to treat voters unequally and to improperly influence the election for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Zuckerberg money was largely spent in Democratic strongholds The report claims that a large portion of the funds went to the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), a nonprofit started by former managers and staff at the progressive New Organizing Institute nonprofit. The nonprofit, the report says, began sending agents into states earlier this year to recruit certain Democrat strongholds to prepare grants requesting monies from it. Examples cited by the report include the center giving to $100,000 to Racine, Wisconsin mayor Cory Mason to recruit four other cities to develop a plan and request a larger grant from it. Such a plan was submitted by the cities in June netting them $6.3 million to implement it. According to the report, the provision of these funds from Zuckerberg and the CTCL allow Democrat strongholds to spend roughly $47 per voter, which is much more than the $4 to $7 per voter in traditionally Republican areas of the state. It also claims that this recruiting of targeted jurisdictions for specific government action and funding contradicts legislative election plans and invites government to play favorites in the election process. This effectively is a shadow government running our elections, stated Phill Kline, director of the Amistad Project, at a press conference in Virginia. Government has the core responsibility of managing elections, he added. We dont put out elections for bid. We dont have elections brought to you by Coca Cola. It is governments job to manage elections, and it must do so without a thumb on the scale. The Amistad Project said that the main foundations that funded the efforts included The Democracy Fund, New Venture Fund, Skoll Foundation, and Knight Foundation. In addition to the CTCL, other nonprofits that the project deemed key to distributing the funds were the Center for Electronic Innovation Research, the Center for Civic Design, the National Vote at Home Institute, the Center for Secure and Modern Elections, and Rock the Vote. Amistad Project had warned of Zuckerbergs involvement before elections The Thomas More Society has been warning of Zuckerbergs money being used to support Democratic strongholds even before the election took place. (Related: PROOF: Facebook interfered, tampered with fraudulent 2020 election.) In October, the society challenged the tech billionaire to disclose where the money he was giving was going and why it was going there. Mark Zuckerberg is providing nearly as much money to this years election administration as the federal government, said Phill Kline, Director of The Amistad Project. The American people have a right to know what has driven him to take this extraordinary action, and where all the money is going. Back then, the Amistad Project had already identified the CTCLs largest publicly identified donations. It had pointed out that all of these had gone to areas that Hillary Clinton won during the 2016 election. The project also produced documents that show that the broader strategy for the CTCL funding scheme was established based on strategy articulated by David Plouffe, a former board member of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Plouffe, who was former President Barack Obamas campaign manager in 2008, had also previously published a book in March called A Citizens Guide to Beating Donald Trump. Follow VoteFraud.news for more on the latest one how Big Tech tried to influence the election. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com PRNewsWire.com G7 diplomats emphasize that reforms are a crucial component of Ukraine's resilience to hybrid threats. The Ambassadors of the Group of Seven (the United States, UK, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan) have reiterated their interest in Ukraine's future prosperity, stability and security. That is according to the Twitter account of the UK Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv. Read alsoMinister Kuleba: Ukraine looks forward to "rock 'n' roll" from Biden's new administration"Why are the G7 Ambassadors seeking to support Ukraine and its reforms? Because reforms are a crucial component of Ukraine's development and its resilience to hybrid threats. They also underlie Ukraine's integration into international organizations," G7AmbReformUA tweeted on January 5. "All G7 countries are interested in the future prosperity, stability, and security of Ukraine, and we all want Ukraine to succeed in its development as a modern, open and democratic European country," the diplomats added. Reporting by UNIAN Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Franklin Graham said that removing gendered terms from the House of Representatives is like trying to deny God's authority. Rev. Franklin Graham expressed his ridicule on the recently proposed gender-inclusive rule on the House of Representatives that orders the elimination of gender-specific pronouns in Congress. The celebrated pastor on Jan. 3 posted a Facebook update saying removing the gendered terms in the house is like trying to the authority of God. Graham explained that eliminating gender-specific pronouns and replacing them with gender-inclusive languages is like shaking a fist in the Creator's face and trying to deny God's authority. The world-renowned evangelist further warned the public that if the people proposing the rule and those who call themselves progressive will be left alone to have their way, America will no longer be recognized anymore over a short period of time. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Congressman James McGovern announced a set of changes to the House rules to... Posted by Franklin Graham on Sunday, January 3, 2021 Graham called out to the public to rise up against the proposed rule. "Let your Representative in Congress know that you want them to vote no to this ridiculousness," the church leader said. He quoted scripture in the book of Genesis reminding everyone about how God originally created mankind. "God created them male and female," Genesis 1:27 wrote. The Facebook update was Graham's response to the rule changes that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi together with Democratic Congressman James McGovern announced their proposed changes for the 117th Congress. The two Democrats proposal contains orders to eliminate the use of gender-specific languages such as father, mother, son, daughter, uncle, auntie, and more in the House. Instead, gender-inclusive languages such as parent, sibling, cousin, child, a parent in law, a sibling in law, and more will be used. The rule also proposed the elimination of the term "chairman" or "chairwoman" in Congress and the usage of "Chair" as replacement. Although Pelosi suggested the removal of gender-specific pronouns in Congress, critics noticed that the House Speaker's Twitter profile continues to refer to herself as a "mother, grandmother (and) dark chocolate connoisseur." When is Pelosi going to REMOVE this from her profile? "Speaker of the House, focused on strengthening America's middle class and creating jobs; mother, grandmother, dark chocolate connoisseur." "Mother" Grandmother"??? Bill (@BTJ7) January 5, 2021 On Jan 4, the Congress officially cast their votes to see if the controversial future-purposed rule will materialize in the House. The Republicans united together in voting against the rule while all the Democrats voted in favor of it. However, since the Democrats overpowered the Republicans' numbers, the GOP failed to prevent the proposal. The rule on implementing the gender-inclusive pronouns in Congress will be implemented in the House and will remain in effect throughout the 117th Congress. Graham also posted a link to a Twitter update from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The social media post was McCarthy's reaction to Pelosi's announcement of the new proposal sharing his thoughts posted together with a screenshot of the part of the 48-page proposal. Graham also expressed his grief on how people in Congress no longer treat prayer as sacred. He weighed on how Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver closed a prayer at the opening of the 117th Congress with a phrase saying "Amen and a-woman." "The word 'Amen' simply means 'So be it,' and that's why it is said at the end of prayers," he explained. "It has nothing to do with gender," Graham concluded. Toyota has finally unveiled the all-new Fortuner and even a new more premium offering Legender. The SUV has received a facelift which not only updates the aesthetics but the Fortuner has also introduced more feature-rich cabin in order to take on the competition. The new Fortuner prices start at 29.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol two-wheel-drive variant and the prices go all the way up to 37.43 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top variant powered by diesel. The sportier version of the SUV, Legneder is priced at 37.58 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). In terms of aesthetics, the standard version Fortuner and the Legender get different-looking grilles. The Standard version gets sleek LED projector headlamps which are paired with LED DRLs. The rear tailights have also been updated. The Legender on the other hand has been given a slightly more aggressive stance compared to the standard version. The bumper is slightly taller and the headlight cluster also gets a more sophisticated design. The cabin of the new Fortuner hasnt witnessed any aesthetic changes. However, the company has introduced some new features such as an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota has also introduced creature comforts such as the ventilated front seats which are electrically adjustable, wireless phone charger among others. The cabin gets LED ambient lighting and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Toyota Forutner comes with either a 2.7-litre petrol engine or a 2.8-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine churns out 164bhp of power and 245Nm of torque whereas the diesel variant will be able to produce 201bhp of power and a massive 500Nm of peak torque. The company will be offering a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic torque converter unit. The petrol variants do not get any 4WD option. In terms of safety, the car has already been awarded five-star rating by ASEAN NCAP. It also comes with 7 SRS airbags, vehicle stability control, collison prevention system as well as lane departure warning system. Additionally, Toyota offers features such as geofencing, vehicle tracking and SOS alert. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Members of the White House coronavirus task force are considering recommending states abandon their carefully-considered rules detailing who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 first to make sure none of the vaccine goes to waste, according to a report. Twenty four million doses of vaccine have been allocated to states, but only 28 per cent of those doses have been administered so far. The delays in administering the vaccine are leading to concerns that the vaccine could expire before it is given to patients. Four people involved with the nationwide vaccination efforts told The Daily Beast that senior officials believe states should begin handing out some of their excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to whoever wants it, ignoring the supposed order of priority. Twenty four million doses of vaccine have been allocated to states, but only 28 per cent of those doses have been administered so far Vaccine doses have been shipped out, but frustration is growing at the pace of inoculation 'We need to make sure that the critically ill and most vulnerable people are getting this vaccine first,' one senior administration official told the site. 'But after that if there are doses that are just sitting in fridges expiring, we got to get them out there.' Another added: 'If we have a big surge in cases and deaths after the December holidays and we don't have the vaccine distribution plan back on course we're in big trouble.' On Tuesday key players in the vaccination program met at Camp David to discuss how to proceed. Some argued that doses that may soon expire should be given to any individuals who want to get inoculated. There has been no formal decision to draft recommendations, officials told The Daily Beast, but they are not against states pursuing this course of action. New York City residents wait outside a COVID testing site in Queens on January 3 People in Los Angeles line up for testing at the Dodger Stadium on Monday The Los Angeles site is one of the most in-demand for COVID tests, amid surging cases Some experts have told local officials that they should embrace the idea. Dr Anthony Fauci predicted on Tuesday that life in the United States could begin to return to 'some degree of normality' by early fall but only if COVID-19 vaccination rollout increases rapidly. The nation's top infectious disease expert said that by fall, he hopes that 280 million people will have been vaccinated - the predicted number needed to reach herd immunity. He added that if vaccinations begin at a stepped-up pace soon, the impact on new infections could even be seen by the spring, but predicts several more difficult weeks with post-holiday surges before this takes effect. It is unclear why there is a delay in vaccination. Some blame logistics, others say there has been a lack of public health messaging and coordination. Others say the fault is with the federal government, for leaving too much to the states. Patients wait outside the Emergency Room as they are brought in by an ambulance and the fire department at the LAC USC Hospital ER in Los Angeles on Tuesday The slow pace is frustrating health officials and a desperate public alike, with only about a third of the first supplies shipped to states used as of Tuesday morning, just over three weeks into the vaccination campaign. 'Any time you start a big program, there's always glitches. I think the glitches have been worked out,' Fauci told The Associated Press. Vaccinations have already begun speeding up, reaching roughly half a million injections a day, he pointed out. Now, with the holidays over, 'once you get rolling and get some momentum, I think we can achieve 1 million a day or even more,' Fauci said. He called President-elect Joe Biden's goal of 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days 'a very realistic, important, achievable goal.' It's an optimistic prediction considering the logistical hurdles facing states and counties as they struggle to administer rationed vaccine supplies amid rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. Fauci pointed to California's swamped hospitals and exhausted workers even before holiday travel and family gatherings added fuel to the outbreak. Amid mounting frustration over the slow vaccine rollout, governors and other politicians are talking tough and in some cases proposing to bend the rules to get people vaccinated more quickly. Health care workers and nursing home patients are still getting priority in most places. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened to fine hospitals that don't use their vaccine allotments fast enough, saying: 'Move it quickly. Were serious.' New York's mayor suggested vaccine eligibility be widened to get things moving. Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina said hospitals and health workers have until January 15 to get a shot or they will have to 'move to the back of the line.' As of Monday, the state had given out less than half its initial allotment of the Pfizer vaccine to about 43,000 people. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper called in the National Guard to help speed things up. In California, where just 1 percent of the population has been vaccinated, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wants to give providers the flexibility to dispense shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste. Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria on Wednesday assured Arunachal Pradesh of all support, including providing defence pilots to meet the shortage for operating fixed-wing civilian aircraft in the state, as he undertook a two-day visit to the Eastern Air Command. Before coming to Arunachal Pradesh, he visited forward areas in Sikkim and interacted with senior officers and personnel deployed there, the IAF said on Twitter. Bhadauria is on a visit to air bases and advance landing grounds in the Eastern Air Command, it noted. The IAF chief, in his maiden visit to Arunachal Pradesh, called on Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed issues pertaining to the national security, recruitment of the states youth into the force and the IAFs humanitarian missions in the state. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have borders with China. India and China are locked in an eight-month-long bitter border standoff in eastern Ladakh that has significantly strained their ties. Both sides have held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve the standoff. However, no breakthrough has been achieved. The IAF chief assured Khandu of providing defence pilots to meet the shortage of pilots for fixed-wing civilian aircraft to be operated in the state, an official statement said. Discussions were held on Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for Dirang and Anini, to which the IAF responded favourably, it said. Khandu assured the IAF of government cooperation for defence preparedness. The chief minister expressed gratitude to the IAF for being at the forefront of extending humanitarian assistance in the state, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor thanked the IAF for airlifting the people of the state during emergencies and suggested Bhadauria to conduct recruitment rallies to encourage youths from the state to join the force. He recalled an incident when he had requested the air officer commanding of the Air Force Station in Assams Tezpur for a helicopter to air-lift a woman with complicated pregnancy from Tawang and it was carried out instantly and effectively. The pod of three common dolphins that got stranded in Cloghane on Sunday Three common dolphins that became trapped by the falling tide in Cloghane on Sunday morning were successfully guided back out to sea by locals who have become expert at rescuing dolphins because of the high number of strandings that occur in the area. The stranded dolphins were spotted shortly after 10am in Cloghane estuary and Dingle Oceanworld Head Aquarist Louise Overy, who lives nearby, was on the scene soon afterwards equipped with a 'dolphin stretcher' that was recently provided by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) to assist with the frequent dolphin rescues that are carried out in the Cloghane area. The stretcher, which is equipped with extra wide tyres so that it doesn't sink in silt or soft sand, can be used to move stranded dolphins to deeper water without causing them injury. However, it wasn't needed in Sunday's rescue because, despite a falling tide, the water was still high enough in the estuary to allow the volunteers 'herd' the dolphins back out to sea through four kilometres of sandbanks. Louise said the volunteers who arrived to help were mostly in family groups and each family took on the task of rescuing an individual dolphin, wading through the water behind it for three cold hours until they reached the open sea. Cloghane estuary is the scene of at least five or six dolphin strandings a year, Louise told The Kerryman. "The dolphins probably come into the estuary hunting trout and mullet but it's a bit of a trap for them because the tide falls very quickly and if one dolphin gets stuck the others stay around and then they finish up getting stranded as well," she said. Louise added her thanks to "all the fantastic families who live along the estuary that came down to help" with the successful rescue. Kerryman Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 86F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Internet-based startups that have caught the eye of Costa Rican investor Dale W. Wood are quickly establishing themselves as stand-out companies in their fields. Dale W. Wood With the capital, experience and value-added consulting provided by Dale Ventures, a personal investment holding group based in Dubai, these businesses are growing rapidly and proving themselves among a host of more established companies. After earning an international business MBA from Cox School of Business, Dale W Wood joined a professional staffing firm where he spent his time cold calling, resume writing and scheduling interviews. Determined to carve out his own path in the rapidly-evolving world of online business, he stepped away in 1999 with sales skills, recruitment know-how and, most importantly, business acumen. Dale failed forward for the next two decades, using contacts he made in the recruiting business to found, lead, invest and oversee multiple internet-based companies. His real-world exposure, successes and failures led him to believe the IT industry was becoming over saturated, but that the areas of finance, real estate, retail, technology and media were on the brink of massive transformations. Using the same know-how that led him to his decades of work with start-ups and industry innovators, Dale embarked on a new path and founded personal investment holding group and a venture capital firm Dale Ventures in early 2017. Dale Ventures not only provides capital to fledgling companies, but focuses on a value-added investment approach. In fewer than four years, Dale Ventures has enabled numerous innovative entrepreneurs to turn ideas into successful businesses by pushing them to their full potential. Dale Ventures-backed companies have sharpened their competitive edge by expanding into new markets, increasing efficiency and securing their financial futures. Dale Ventures portfolio comprises of startups, turnarounds and carve-outs from larger corporations. In his own words, Dale Wood says he wants the companies he backs to become the next big things Dale Ventures companies have not only the financial backing and mentorship needed to thrive, but the belief of an investor who will stop at nothing to help them reach their full potential. Here are five different companies that have benefited from the strategic, analytic and financial resources provided by venture capitalist Dale W Wood. These companies prove that the Dale Ventures model of leveraging experience and value-added investment drive growth and build long-term value. Rayo Credit Twin brothers Pablo Arce and Bernardo Arce reached out to Dale W Wood with their innovative idea of an online loan disbursement and repayment company in Costa RicaRayo Credit. They were seeking technical support, resources, and of course, capital. Dale Ventures became the companys lead investor and provided them with a seed fund of $1 million USD. Seven years after Dale W. Wood became the lead investor of Costa Ricas Rayo Credit, his global investment firm Dale Ventures committed to funding the companys expansion to Columbia. In this additional lead role, Dale Ventures invested an initial $2 million USD for expansion with the potential for up to $5 million USD. Rayo Credits growth has exceeded the founders anticipations, and it is undergoing enormous success in the domain of business and consumer loans. Since its launch, Rayo has made more than 200,000 short term loans to tens of thousands of satisfied clients. Arcadier In the early months of 2013, successful tech entrepreneur Paul Cascun joined hands and efforts with Dinuke Ranasinghe and Kenneth Low both senior executives at PayPal to start a no-coding online marketplace builder called Arcadier.com. In the beginning, the company focused solely on partnering with banks and other payment providers, but its founders soon realized the crux of the business was to build a SaaS (software as a service) online marketplace builder for the masses. The team turned to Dale Wood and his wide-ranging industry experience. He provided seed funding of $1 million USD, as well as the requisite resources and industry knowledge Acadier needed to make a name for itself in the world of online business. Arcadier is now a global leader of multi-vendor marketplace technology. Renowned business software discovery platform Crozdesk has rated the company an 80/100 in the PaaS category and Capterra, a software review provider, estimated Arcadier to be the worlds fastest-growing online marketplace builder. Instanda Instanda started from the same place as any other technological breakthrough a sea of disappointment. In this case, Instandas founders were disappointed by the insurance industrys legacy systems that were holding the industry back from true innovation. CEO Tim Hardcastle, former global CIO of Hiscox, was sure that the industry merited better. Tim sought out Dale Woods broad knowledge and business acumen through a common friend, Michael Bapista. After an initial seed investment of $1 million USD, Dale Ventures further increased its stake in what Dale Wood called a genuinely innovative insure-tech firm by 5.8 million. Instanda provides innovative platforms that enable insurance providers to streamline creation, management and distribution of products. By deploying state-of-the-art artificial intelligence system, Instanda has become the leading European provider of fresh, on-the-fly engagement, distribution and underwriting insurance offerings. TechMet Brian Menell has a lifetime of experience in the world of mining. He served as CEO of the Kemet Group, a leading manufacturer of electronic components, and his familys company, Anglovaal Group, has been a significant player in the African mining and industrial scene for more than 80 years. Mennell took that experience to create TechMet Limited, a private metals company that invests in projects securing primary resources for futuristic projects around the world. Dale Wood had the chance to meet the visionary himself through his investing partner Franz Humer and they struck up a conversation about the need for critical metals that allow for electric vehicle production, renewable energy growth and energy storage. It didnt take more than a day for Dale and Franz, who were wowed by Brians futuristic thinking, to make a co-funding decision. Dale Wood invested $500,000 USD in a seed funding round in TechMet Limited in May of 2019, and it was barely a year later that the company secured a $25 million investment from the U.S. government to help fund a Brazilian nickel and cobalt project that will ultimately boost electric vehicle battery production. The investment, a groundbreaking move by the US International Development Finance Corporation, will bring into commercial production Brazilian Nickel PLC, a core investment of TechMet. Dale Wood has said the investment represents just one way Brian Menell is leading his company boldly into the future. Huma (Formerly Medopad) Huma, which started as Medopad, is a healthcare technology company in London founded by Dan Vahdat and Rich Khatib. The goal was simple: to eliminate the need for certain appointments and in-person medical tests, making medical care less of a burden for those who needed it. Dan reached out to Dale Wood for advice on expanding his remote healthcare delivery model in Latin America. Impressed by Dans noble aim of enhancing healthcare quality through simple, low-cost devices, Dale made a $1 million USD seed investment in the company. Soon after, Medopad became one of the LinkedIns top UK startups of 2018. Since then, Medopad has partnered with Chinese tech giant Tencent to develop AI-based deliverables for diagnosing Parkinsons disease. Huma has also struck deals with renowned companies such as China Resources, Lenovo and Johnson & Johnsons. Most recently, in April of this year, Medopad acquired prominent British healthcare companies BioBeats and Tarilian, and rebranded itself as Huma. Huma is on the cusp of innovations that could change societys approach to healthcare, and is well on its way to becoming a unicorn in the world of health tech. Nick By Michael Farris Smith Little, Brown. 304 pp. $27 Reviewed by Ron Charles In one of the many famous moments of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, Nick warns Gatsby, "You can't repeat the past," and Gatsby replies, incredulously, "Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!" He was right, though early. On Jan. 1, the copyright on The Great Gatsby expired, and anybody can repeat it. The Fitzgerald literary estate and Scribners, which has sold tens of millions of copies of Gatsby, no longer control this essential text of our cultural past. Its like a literary version of Pfizer losing its patent to Lipitor: Generic versions will flood the market. Side effects may include cliches and overfamiliarity. If you experience continued irritation, consult your English teacher. Finally set loose in the public domain, Gatsby is now the common property of creative artists and unscrupulous entrepreneurs who will run faster, stretch out their arms farther. Well see new illustrated editions, scholarly editions, cheap knockoff editions (beware), and editions with introductions by John Grisham and others. Fitzgeralds lines could make their way into more songs, plays, and operas. I suspect Nick will finally come out of the closet, and those East Egg lushes will reappear in the 1420s, the 1720s, and space. We might endure radical movie adaptations that will make us nostalgic even for Baz Luhrmanns authorized desecration in 2013. Among the authors who waited for Fitzgeralds copyright to expire is Michael Farris Smith. Several years ago, he conceived the bold and arduous project of writing a prequel to The Great Gatsby. Now unencumbered by legal restrictions, hes published Nick, a story about the years leading up to Nick Carraways move to Long Island, where he falls under the spell of that charming gangster. There are abiding challenges with any attempt to augment or compete with a revered text. The anxiety of influence can trigger hysterical pastiche or castrate an authors creativity. But the best examples are neither parody nor fan fiction. Consider, for instance, Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys feminist interrogation of Jane Eyre, or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Tom Stoppards existential response to Hamlet. Both offer something ignited but not delimited by their source. Smith, the author of several Southern Gothic novels, is a talented writer who approaches Fitzgeralds work with reverence and close attention to detail. Anyone who knows The Great Gatsby will hear echoes of that books luxurious melancholy, as when Smith writes, Nick sat with his memories in a way that others sat with photographs of wives or children, holding the worn edges and staring at the faces as if staring into an unanswerable question. Smith's novel opens in France during World War I. Against his father's advice, Nick enlisted to get away from the dull, prescribed routines of the Midwest. That plan succeeded too well: He now finds himself enduring the horrors of trench warfare, which Smith describes in a style that gracefully reflects the rhythms of Fitzgerald's prose. "The rifles fired and once they were emptied the bayonets and once they were broken off in the rib cages out came the knives and the hands and knees and fists and whatever else could be used to kill," he writes. "The constant explosions around them and they began to separate, the living and the dead and those somewhere in between. Men and pieces of men." The carnage Nick witnesses and inflicts would be enough to shatter most men, but his trauma is exacerbated by a calamity off the battlefield. While on leave in Paris, he falls in love and dares to imagine a happy future with a woman who is "blunt and beautiful and scratching and clawing and free and bound," which sounds like he's dating a leopard. But when that dream collapses in an intensely tragic way, the valley of ashes across Europe reflects his personal desolation. Creating a worthy homage to Fitzgeralds finest novel is a remarkable accomplishment, and Smiths explanation of Nicks detached personality makes perfect sense. It feels, though, more like confirmation than expansion of the original story. If Smith does no violence to The Great Gatsby, he also breaks open little space for himself. To its own detriment, Nick remains as polite and well-behaved as Nick Carraway himself. We want a disruptive revelation; instead, we get a plausible alibi. In the second half of the novel, Nick returns to the United States "sunkeyed and deranged" and decides on a whim to go to New Orleans instead of home. With Prohibition on the horizon, the Big Easy is a panicked celebration of decadence. Wracked by survivor's guilt and haunted by visions of war, Nick sits in a whorehouse bar without drinking or going upstairs. "His sole accomplishment," he thinks, "had been to survive and even that seemed like an accident." He may have remained in that near catatonic state indefinitely, but one night he happens upon Judah, a fellow vet, hobbling home. Although badly scarred by poison gas on the battlefield, Judah has returned from Europe and attained a degree of power and wealth on the illicit streets of New Orleans. With a mixture of pathos and authority, Judah calls upon Nicks sympathy, and he becomes privy to the wounded mans secret griefs. Before long, Nick begins serving as an intermediary in Judahs destructive relationship with a woman he once loved and lost. What develops offers a macabre counterpoint to The Great Gatsby. The mansions of Long Island have been replaced by the saloons of New Orleans, and the gangster subtext is now blaring like a jazz trombone. Nick, as weve seen before, is caught between careless people who smash up things and creatures. And Smith starts to sound like the winner of an F. Scott Fitzgerald Contest: Something vast and infinite opened inside of him, he writes, and he drifted in that unbounded expanse like a mote of dust carried from thousands of miles and for thousands of years on the ceaseless wind that wraps the earth again and again. Theres plenty of grim drama here arson! kidnapping! murder! but for too much of this second half of the novel, the story about Judah and the woman hes violently obsessed with takes over the joint. Fitzgerald may have sometimes pushed Nick to the sidelines of his glamorous romance, but in the pages of The Great Gatsby, Nick always remains the thoughtful narrator, the watcher simultaneously enchanted and repelled. Indeed, thats what makes the otherwise meretricious story of Gatsby and Daisy so compelling. Withdraw Nicks perspective and the lurid plot sticks out of the water like a shipwreck at low tide. By denying Nick that crucial role and pushing him aside, Smith asks that we become invested in a set of noir caricatures and their lurid spat simply for its own sake. We know that Nick will finally extract himself from this bizarre relationship in New Orleans, but we also know he will soon find himself in another one in New York, but with better clothes and more beautiful prose. In the final pages, when Smith shows Nick outside his little house catching a glimpse of a man next door who seems to hold some magical stature, its as though Nick has learned nothing. So we beat on, as someone once said. From the Washington Post. Seoul, Jan 6 : A South Korean delegation is set to depart for Iran soon to negotiate the early release of a seized tanker and its crew, officials said on Wednesday. The delegation, led by Koh Kyung-sok, director-general of the South Korean Foreign Ministry's Africa and Middle Eastern affairs, will board a plane around Thursday midnight bound for Tehran via Qatar, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said, Yonhap news agency reported. Iranian officials were initially negative toward the visit, saying they saw no need for it, but they accepted it later after consultations with Seoul. The MT Hankuk Chemi was held by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Monday over alleged marine pollution. Tehran said the 20 crew members, including five South Koreans, are safe. Iran has claimed that the seizure concerned "technical issues" that will be dealt with in accordance with its judicial process. The ship's operator has denied the allegations of pollution and raised doubts about the legality of the seizure. The ministry has sent a consular official from its embassy in Iran to Bandar Abbas, the port city where the ship is being held, with hope for a meeting with the sailors. The South Korean delegation is also expected to provide support to the sailors if the legal process begins. Seoul's Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun also plans to travel to Iran early next week to discuss the seizure and other bilateral issues. Firefighters (L) watch as a blaze moves through Deepwater National Park in Queensland on November 28, 2018. (ROB GRIFFITH/Getty Images) Fire Threatens Lives, Homes North of Perth A number of inland communities north of Perth are under threat from a fast-moving bushfire, with homes and lives at risk. The blaze has already burnt through more than 7200 hectares and is proving difficult for firefighters to contain as it burns out of control, fanned by strong easterly winds. Authorities are concerned for people and homes in Ocean Farms Estate, Seaview Park and surrounding areas. On the night of Jan. 5 people in the Ocean Farms and Seaview residential areas were told to activate their bushfire plans and leave immediately. Your life will be in danger if you stay, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said. Other communities in the area have been told to heed the latest advice and take the appropriate action with an emergency warning message still in place. Incident controller Andy Duckworth said the blaze was running at up to 3.5 kilometres an hour in challenging conditions, with high temperatures and strong, shifting winds across the fire ground. The fire perimeter has stretched to 50km with 200 firefighters on the ground supported by up to 13 aircraft, including a large air tanker. Officer Duckworth said particular concerns were held for people living in the mainland community of Wedge Island with authorities unable to send ground crews into the area because of the presence of unexploded ordinance from an old bombing range. Theres a lot of bush around there, and were limited in our ability to fight the fire. We can use our aircraft but not much else, he said. So were not confident we can pull it up before it reaches Wedge Island by any means. Tuesdays emergency followed an easing of the danger on Monday after a string of fires threatened various areas to the north and south of Perth, on the states southwest coast and in the Goldfields. With very hot weather forecast until at least Sunday, Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said the risk of more fires was high. Whenever you come into a period of really hot weather coupled with extremely high easterly winds, were always going to be in for a world of hurt, he said. Perth Advertisement The world's largest winter festival has quietly opened in China amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the country grapples with coronavirus flare-ups in several regions. A sprawling 'Kingdom of Ice and Snow', a theme park built entirely with local ice chunks, was illuminated by neon lights as the 37th Harbin Ice and Snow Festival officially kicked off on Tuesday. As the main tourist attraction of Harbin, which is known as China's 'City of Ice', the wintry carnival usually draws hundreds of millions of visitors a year. But this year, the number of visitors has dropped and the organiser said it had to cancel the festival's opening ceremony to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Scroll down for video Now that's a cool city! The world's largest winter festival quietly opened in China on Tuesday amid the COVID-19 pandemic Dazzling in the dark: A sprawling 'Kingdom of Ice and Snow', a theme park built with ice chunks, was lit up for the festivities Spectacular: The wintry carnival is the main tourist attraction of Harbin usually draws hundreds of millions of visitors a year Welcome to the festival: But this year, the organiser said it had to cancel the festival's opening ceremony to curb COVID-19 Winter wonderland: The number of visitors has also dropped as China faces several small-scale virus outbreaks in the north The theme park also cancelled its New Year countdown, which was to feature a light show, live music and a disco party of some 10,000 revellers. Visitors to this year's festival are required to show a 'health code' on a contact-tracing app and have their temperatures measured before entering venues. China is facing several small-scale COVID-19 outbreaks in the northern provinces. Authorities on Wednesday imposed travel restrictions and banned gatherings in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei Province, in the latest escalation of measures to stave off another coronavirus wave. The park also cancelled its New Year countdown, which was to feature a light show, live music and a party of 10,000 revellers Visitors to this year's festival are required to show a 'health code' on a contact-tracing app and have their temperatures taken China is facing several small COVID-19 outbreaks in the northern provinces as the Harbin winter festival welcomes visitors Chinese authorities on Wednesday imposed travel restrictions and banned gatherings in the capital city of Hebei province With a population of around one million, Harbin is the provincial capital of Heilongjiang near the China-Russia border. It is billed as 'the Moscow of the Far East' for its heavy Russian influence due to the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway at the beginning of the 20th century. The renowned annual festival of all things wintry began in 1985. It usually lasts for a month or so, and its exact closing date depends on when the ice begins to thaw. The spectacular ice kingdom, officially known as the Ice and Snow World, was established in 1998 and has been the festival's crown jewel since. With a population of around one million, Harbin is the provincial capital of Heilongjiang near the China-Russia border It is billed as 'the Moscow of the Far East' for its heavy Russian influence due to the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway The renowned annual festival celebrates its 37th edition in 2021 and is expected to last for a month or so until early February The huge ice kingdom, officially known as the Ice and Snow World, was established in 1998 and is the festival's crown jewel The rainbow-coloured wonderland occupies 148 acres and is a little bigger than London's Hyde Park. Its admission has been lowered by more than half to 100 yuan (11) this year to make up for the cancelled events. Stunning footage released by China's state-run television station CGTN shows the fairy-tale-like theme park dazzling in bright neon lights as tourists admire its splendour in sub-zero temperatures. Thousands of sculpture artists spent half a month building the massive icy utopia with ice chunks hauled from the local Songhua River. The rainbow-coloured wonderland in the 'City of Ice' Harbin occupies 148 acres and is a little bigger than London's Hyde Park The park's admission has been lowered by more than half to 100 yuan (11) this year to make up for the cancelled events Footage shows the fairy-tale-like theme park dazzling in neon lights as tourists admire its splendour in sub-zero temperatures Thousands of sculpture artists spent half a month building the massive icy utopia with ice chunks hauled from Songhua River According to the organiser, this year's park features structures devoted to China, Mongolia, Russia, as well as 17 eastern and central European countries including Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Czech Public. The kingdom's centrepiece is called 'the heart of the ice city'. The impressive frozen high-rise, inspired by the shape of crystal columns, measures 40 metres (131 feet) in height and is as tall as a 12-storey office building. The organiser has also built eight gigantic ice slides, a constant favourite for visitors in the past years. This year's park features structures devoted to China, Mongolia, Russia, as well as 17 eastern and central European countries The kingdom's centrepiece is called 'the heart of the ice city', an impressive tower inspired by the shape of crystal columns Apart from the theme park, this year's festival features a Snow Expo, which sees artists chisel massive sculptures out of snow The Expo's main draw is a dragon-themed sculpture, which measures 116 metres (380 feet) long and 33 metres (108 feet) tall Apart from the theme park, this year's festival features a Snow Expo, which sees artists chisel massive sculptures out of snow. The Expo's main draw is a dragon-themed sculpture, which measures 116 metres (380 feet) long, 33 metres (108 feet) tall and is made with a whopping 35,000 cubic metres (1.2million cubic feet) of snow. An ice lantern fair is going on as planned. Tourists can observe about 270 pieces of artwork in a 15-acre park. [January 06, 2021] DATA443 ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT TO PROVIDE DATA CLASSIFICATION AND PRIVACY SERVICES TO FLAGSHIP MIDDLE EAST BANK Companys Award-Winning Product, ClassiDocs, Selected After Rigorous Vetting Process, Long Term Agreement Signed RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (OTCPK: ATDS), the leading data security and privacy software company for ALL THINGS DATA SECURITY, is pleased to announce it has started the new year with another significant customer win for its industry leading ClassiDocs product which anchors its award-winning Global Privacy Manager technology suite. After a long and rigorous vetting process, Data443 was awarded a highly competitive win by a leading global bank headquartered in the Middle East. This six-figure per year, initial three-year term deal will service the banks more than 10,000 employees. The Bank has made its relationship with Data443 a foundational component of its strategic plan to support its cloud first approach which rapidly migrate its data and user base to the cloud. This Agreement and its strategic relationship enable the Bank to easily subscribe to Data443 additional products on an ad-hoc basis. When the vetting process began in July 2019, competing vendors were required to execute a proof of concept and pilot program that satisfied a designed to break criteria, covering a wide swath of use cases, technologies and capabilities that the bank required immediately and in the future. With a heavy focus on advanced Microsoft Digital Rights Management technologies (Azure Information Protection), and wide-ranging distributed platforms including big data platforms, Data443 was the only vendor that delivered on all fronts and proved to be successful in the proof of concept, resulting in the winning bid. The competitors included many big-name brands, including some that have raised hundreds of millions of dollars recently and profess to be unicorns. Jason Remillard, CEO of Data443, commented, We are thrilled to announce another significant customer win, and look forward to working with this prestigious Bank and the entire Middle East region in the coming years. The proof-of-concept process was incredibly challenging but was also rewarding and a major learning experience for us. From this process, we have increasingly adapted these lessons into adjustments to our product line, making ClassiDocs, Global Privacy Manager and the rest of our privacy and SaaS suites even better because of it, and continue to reap the rewards. Our results in 2020 demonstrated that success even in an incredibly challenging year. 2021 continues to build on that foundation of success and strength. Leveraging the opening of our Dubai office and our new incredible partner in the Middle East, we look forward to continuing to be a leading provider of All Things Data Security! About Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (OTCPK: ATDS), is the de facto industry leader in Data Privacy Solutions for All Things Data Security, providing software and services to enable secure data across local devices, network, cloud, and databases, at rest and in flight. Its suite of products and services is highlighted by: (i) ARALOC, which is a market leading secure, cloud-based platform for the management, protection and distribution of digital content to the desktop and mobile devices, which protects an organizations confidential content and intellectual property assets from leakage malicious or accidental without impacting collaboration between all stakeholders; (ii) DATAEXPRESS, the leading data transport, transformation and delivery product trusted by leading financial organizations worldwid; (iii) ArcMail, which is a leading provider of simple, secure and cost-effective email and enterprise archiving and management solutions; (iv) ClassiDocs the Companys award-winning data classification and governance technology, which supports CCPA, LGPD, and GDPR compliance; (v) ClassiDocs for Blockchain, which provides an active implementation for the Ripple XRP that protects blockchain transactions from inadvertent disclosure and data leaks; (vi) Data443 Global Privacy Manager, the privacy compliance and consumer loss mitigation platform which is integrated with ClassiDocs to do the delivery portions of GDPR and CCPA as well as process Data Privacy Access Requests removal request with inventory by ClassiDocs; (vii) Resilient Access, which enables fine-grained access controls across myriad platforms at scale for internal client systems and commercial public cloud platforms like Salesforce, Box.Net, Google G Suite, Microsoft OneDrive and others; (viii) Data443 Chat History Scanner, which scans chat messages for Compliance, Security, PII, PI, PCI & custom keywords; (ix) the CCPA Framework WordPress plugin, which enables organizations of all sizes to comply with the CCPA privacy framework; (x) FileFacets, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that performs sophisticated data discovery and content search of structured and unstructured data within corporate networks, servers, content management systems, email, desktops and laptops; (xi) the GDPR Framework WordPress plugin, with over 30,000 active users and over 400,000 downloads it enables organizations of all sizes to comply with the GDPR and other privacy frameworks; and (xii) IntellyWP, a leading purveyor of user experience enhancement products for webmasters for the worlds largest content management platform, WordPress. For more information, please visit http://www.data443.com. Forward-Looking Statements The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, project, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, pursuant, target, continue, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding Data443s plans, objectives, future opportunities for Data443s services, future financial performance and operating results and any other statements regarding Data443s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which are beyond Data443s control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and include, without limitation, results of litigation, settlements and investigations; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies; volatility in customer spending; global economic conditions; ability to hire and retain personnel; loss of, or reduction in business with, key customers; difficulty with growth and integration of acquisitions; product liability; cybersecurity risk; anti-takeover measures in our charter documents; and, the uncertainties created by the ongoing outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus that was recently named by the World Health Organization as COVID-19. These and other important risk factors are described more fully in our reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including under (i) Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on January 11, 2019 and amended on April 24, 2019; (ii) Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on 17 April 2020; and, (iii) subsequent filings. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. The Data443 logo, ClassiDocs logo, ARALOC logo, DATAEXPRESS and FILEFACETS are registered trademarks of Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement. All other trademarks cited herein are the property of their respective owners. For Further Information: Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/data443Risk Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/data443/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/data443-risk-mitigation-inc/ Signup for our Investor Newsletter: https://www.data443.com/investor-relations/ Investor Relations Contact: Matthew Abenante ir@data443.com 919.858.6542 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW DELHI : Some short-haul destinations such as the UAE, Maldives, and Singapore are trying to woo Indian tourists with influencer campaigns and attractively-priced packages in partnership with airlines with popular long-haul destinations such as the UK under lockdown because of a surge in covid-19 cases. With international destinations reopening for tourists there has been a significant demand. We have witnessed an impressive growth rate of 25-30%. Destinations such as Dubai and Maldives have seen 100% growth in bookings in December compared to previous months. We have obtained not just queries, but also encouraging bookings for Egypt," said a spokesperson of travel firm SOTC. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online Indian tourists planning to visit the UAE, which started welcoming visitors from July, are required to take two covid-19 PCR tests, one not more than 96 hours before departure and a second test upon arrival in Dubai. The tourism board of Dubai is running phased campaigns since April to woo travellers from India, which remains its top source market. To boost demand, it is also running the Live Your Story campaign across social media platforms to encourage travellers. South Asia makes up for 32% of all visitors in this period (July onwards) and weve seen positive growth month-on-month with Indian travellers. We have worked hard to curate a robust calendar of events and attractions to delight travellers in 2021. Starting with the annual Dubai shopping festival (in January), Dubai has a lot to offer across interests and budgets," said Abdulla Yousuf, acting director, proximity market, Dubai Tourism. Dubai will kick-start its food festival, Gastronomy, in February, while the Art Dubai event will begin in March. The board said visitors travelling with Emirates or FlyDubai airlines, will be offered free global coverage for covid-19 health expenses and quarantine costs till December 2020. Maldives has also started attracting tourists to its white sand beaches and luxury resorts after India established an air bubble agreement in August. Maldives is collaborating with major airlines, tour operators and agents to create awareness and promote the destination, with different marketing activities in India. We have worked with Singapore Airlines and AirAsia and will start new campaigns this month with Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Air Astana. Other key campaigns with stakeholders (hotel properties and resorts) are in process. As we have opened resorts, guesthouses and liveaboards, we see various attractive offers from different properties. We have provided industry stakeholders with a platform to promote those packages and their experiences," said Thoyyib Mohamed, managing director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corp. Singapore is taking a long-term view of the India market as its borders remain closed for tourists. However, it has been investing in digital and social media outreach in partnership with Zomato, BookMyShow, and NH7 Weekender music festival to stay connected with Indians. The Singapore Tourism Board is set to launch an influencer campaign Singapore thru Passionistas Eyes" with five popular social media influencers to create a community of advocates for Destination Singapore. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. He was awarded Indias highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2019. (Image: News18) The final volume of former President Pranab Mukherjees memoirs- 'The Presidential Years, 2012-2017' - was released on January 5. Mukherjee, who passed away in August last year, served as 13th president of India between 2012 and 2017. In a political career spanning five decades, he was a senior Congress leader and occupied several ministerial portfolios, including defence, finance, external affairs, to name a few, at the Centre. In 2019, he was awarded the country's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Mukherjee has summed up his career in the four volumes. Before the final volume, the three -- Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years, 'The Turbulent Years: 1980-1996 and The Coalition Years: 1996-2012 have been published since 2014. READ : Pranab Mukherjee's memoir: Son says stop publishing; daughter says don't As the President of India, Mukherjee worked with two prime ministers -- Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. In 'Presidential Years' published by Rupa, he says while Manmohan Singh was offered the Prime Ministerial post by Sonia Gandhi, Narendra Modi became Prime Minister through popular choice after leading the BJP to a historic victory in 2014. While Singh was preoccupied with saving the coalition government, which took a toll on governance, Modi employed a rather 'autocratic' style of functioning during his first term, Mukherjee points out in his observational account touching upon of issues as viewed by him during his term as the president of India. Sonia, Manmohan responsible for Congress' defeat in 2014 Mukherjee believed that the the failure to recognise the end of its charismatic leadership was a major reason for Congress party's drubbing in 2014. It was difficult to believe that the Congress had managed to win just 44 seats, he says in the book lamenting that extraordinary leaders like "Nehru who ensured that India, unlike Pakistan, survived and developed into a strong and stable nation were not there anymore, reducing the establishment to a government of averages. Mukherjee blames former PM Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for the defeat as the partys leadership lost political focus after he became the president. While Sonia Gandhi was unable to handle the affairs of the party, Dr Singh's prolonged absence from the House put an end to any personal contact with other MPs," he writes. He also wrote that the Congress could not have faced a drubbing in 2014 had he continued in active politics. PM Modi must speak more often in Parliament Mukherjee says he had cordial relations with PM Modi but was critical of some of his decisions. He writes that Modi-led NDA governments first term (201419) failed in its primary responsibility to ensure proper functioning of Parliament. PM Modi, now in his second term, must take inspiration from his predecessors and provide visible leadership, through his enhanced presence in Parliament to avoid situations that had precipitated the parliamentary crisis we witnessed in the first term, Mukherjee writes in the book that mentions PM Modi 67 times. Over-publicising surgical strikes'unnecessary', PMs unscheduled Lahore stop 'uncalled for' The former president believed that there was no need to over-publicise the 2016 surgical strikes -a 'normal' military operations in response to Pakistans continued aggression. We gained nothing by over-talking on these operations, he writes. The PMs unscheduled stop at Lahore in December 2015 to greet Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, on the latters birthday was unnecessary and uncalled for considering relations between the two countries, Mukherjee writes. PM Modi plays up personal equations' with foreign leaders too much, Mukherjee writes in the autobiography that he had cleared before his death. "Personally, I believe that PM Modi plays up personal equations too much. To take such relationships as true is a bit absurd," Mukherjee says. He however applauds PM Modi on some out-of-the-box initiatives on foreign affairs such as inviting SAARC leaders, including Pakistans then PM, Nawaz Sharif, to his oath-taking in 2014. Not surprised by PM Modi not informing him about demonetisation Mukherjee writes that PM Modi didnt discuss the November 8, 2016 decision of demonetisation with him before announcing it. But, he says, he was not surprised because it "fitted in with his (Modi) style of making dramatic announcements." Modi, however, visited the president to explain the rationale behind the decision after the address to the nation, he writes. Arvind Kejriwals 'penchant' for dharna against CM's dignity Mukherjee writes that his advice to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal against his penchant for sitting on dharna over frivolous issues lead to turnaround in his conduct. I told him that, while all this was fine when he was an activist, if he persisted with the same strategy as CM, it would not add to the dignity of the high office he occupied. I can say that my conversation with him on the importance of balancing power with responsibility did lead to some turnaround in his conduct. Rahul Gandhi consulted the president on key legislations The book mentions Rahul Gandhi twice. One about Rahul Gandhi consulting him on crucial legislations such as on land and the other in April 2017 when Rahul Gandhi was part of a delegation to submit a memorandum on the alleged irregularities EVMs. Refused to travel in Obamas specially-armoured vehicle Barack Obama became the first US president and was invited as chief guest at the Republic Day in 2015. The US Secret Service wanted President Mukherjee to travel in the special-armoured car along with Obama. But,Mukherjee says he requested the MEA to inform the US authorities that when the US president travels with the Indian president in India, he would have to trust our security arrangements. Also read: Pranab Mukherjee in his own words quotes from his three-volume memoir Liquor traders from the tavern sector are appealing to the government to allow off-premise alcohol sales to resume on 16 January, to help protect the 250,000 jobs in the sector and safeguard livelihoods. Credit: rawpixel via Pixabay Vinpro raises concerns about consequences of alcohol ban for SA wine industry Representing the South African wine industry, Vinpro has raised concerns about the dire consequences that the reinstated alcohol ban will hold for wine-related businesses... Requests to government Taverners Summit addresses responsible trading and social responsibility The tavern industry should play its role in promoting responsible behaviour and avoid the pressure to immediately recoup the financial losses suffered from alcohol sales ban during the coming festive season... The Liquor Traders Formation said in a statement that liquor traders continue to suffer the brunt of the lockdowns first implemented by the president on 26 March 2020."Out of the 284 days that the country has been on some measure of lockdown, liquor traders have not been able to trade in liquor for +100 days with no government support whatsoever to cushion against this blow. Closure is the immediate reality faced by the majority of 34,500 taverns - and this includes shebeen permit holders," the organisation said.It added that 1 million jobs across the full alcohol value chain are at risk and that taverns support township-based jobs that anchor households and ensure that more than 250,000 families have meals on their tables daily. "The current lockdown means over 250,000 families do not know where their next meal is going to come from or how they will have means to prepare for their back to school needs."The Liquor Traders Formation's call to government is to immediately consider the following: Allow off-premise sales with limited days and hours with effect from 16 January 2021 Moratorium on licence renewals and linked fee increases for a period no less than 1 year Financial package for liquor traders to cover their non-trading loses to the value no less than R20,000According to the organisation, the last two bans resulted in 165,000 job losses in the alcohol industry, and the majority of taverns face permanent closure if alcohol sales don't resume in some way this month.Lucky Ntimane, convener for the Liquor Traders Formation, reiterated the sector's support in stemming the tide against the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. We further welcome the collaborative efforts of our communities, society and law enforcement officials over the festive period which ensured that the was generally high compliance levels with Covid-19 regulations as evidenced by few incidents reported and low trauma admissions in hospital linked to alcohol abuse.Liquor traders will continue to strongly support measures to reduce the spike in coronavirus infections during this second wave including the presidents call to remain vigilant and adopt the governments Covid-19 regulations, namely, the mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, obeying the curfew hours and sanitising regularly and repeatedly.The organisation urges law enforcement agencies to take a tougher stance against the illicit and illegal trading of liquor. "The current lockdown environment we find ourselves in encourages network of alcohol smugglers to fill in the vacuum created of unmet consumer demand for alcoholic products."The Liquor Traders Formation urges the public to make use of the Consumer Goods Council hotline on 0800 014 856 to report any violation of the regulations. Under dimmed cabin lights on a flight from Salt Lake City on Tuesday, a woman bellowed a rallying cry to a group of Trump supporters headed to D.C. to rally behind the president, urging them to tell fellow passenger Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, "what we think." "Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!" they chanted for 20 seconds. "Resign, Mitt!" another shouted. The video, which went viral on Tuesday, is the latest sign of a growing divide in the Republican Party over President Donald Trump's false claims of a rigged election, which Romney has pointedly criticized. The incident foreshadows the rancor expected in the nation's capital this week as thousands of Trump backers arrive to protest Congress certifying the electoral college victory for President-elect Joe Biden. Romney's office declined to comment on the incident. More than a dozen GOP senators said they will object when Congress meets on Wednesday to accept Biden's electoral votes, despite a plea from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to steer clear of a public debate over the legitimacy of the election. Romney, the GOP presidential candidate in 2012, has been an outspoken critic of the Republican plan to object to the election results, calling the move an "egregious ploy" that "dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic." Romney, who didn't vote for Trump in November, has also bashed the president for pressuring Republicans to reverse the election results and encouraging supporters to protest on Wednesday. "This has the predictable potential to lead to disruption, and worse," Romney said in a Sunday statement. On Tuesday, Romney found himself face-to-face with Trump supporters who turned their ire on him. Romney was first filmed and heckled inside Salt Lake City International Airport, where a maskless woman approached the senator, who was wearing a mask and looking at his tablet outside the gate. Before she could begin her tirade, Romney told her to cover her face, adding it was required by law. "Don't tell me what to do," responded the woman. But she then complied and asked, "Why aren't you supporting President Trump?" "I do support President Trump in things I agree with," responded Romney, who remained calm throughout the encounter. The woman disagreed and asked if Romney was going to support Trump's claims about the "fraudulent votes." "No, I'm not," the senator responded. "We have a Constitution and the constitutional process is clear and I will follow the Constitution, and I will explain all that when we meet in Congress." The senator then closed his tablet and stood up. As he walked away, a man, who was also recording, followed, telling him, "Your legacy is nothing." The woman yelled, "You're a joke. An absolute joke." The harassment didn't end at the gate. On the Delta Air Lines flight, he was heckled by a larger group of Trump supporters, who chanted insults and yelled out conspiracies. "You don't listen to your constituents!" a woman shouted. "We want to know your connection to Burisma and Joe Biden, Mitt Romney," a woman shouted, referring to the Ukrainian gas company whose board Hunter Biden was paid to serve on. In September, Romney opposed a GOP-led investigation into Biden's son, calling it a "political exercise." Delta did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video. The outburst on Romney's flight was not the only incident of raucous air travel on Tuesday involving Trump supporters headed to Washington. Another viral video captured a chorus of shouting voices on an American Airlines flight from Texas to D.C. after one passenger projected a "Trump 2020" image onto the plane's ceiling. When one passenger yelled out insults about Biden, another cursed at them and told them to stop. Trump supporters began screaming back, accusing the passenger of threatening them. One man wearing a green camouflage hat and holding an American flag pointed his finger and yelled, "These are the guys we came to f----- wipe out." In an effort to restore order, a flight attendant went on the speaker and ordered the angry passengers to get out of the aisle and sit down. American Airlines did not immediately respond for comment on the video. Three days after head constable Rakesh Kumar, 45, was booked in connection with the rape case of a 24-year-old woman at the Mundian police post, Ludhiana police commissioner Rakesh Agrawal on Wednesday formed a special investigation team (SIT) to further probe the matter. Agrawal said, We have formed an SIT, which will be headed by Zone-4 ADCP Rupinder Kaur, to investigate the Mundian Kalan rape case. The team comprises ACP Simranjeet Singh, Jamalpur SHO Kulwant Singh, and a woman officer, Kulwant Kaur. The Jamalpur Police, meanwhile, nabbed one of the women accused in the case, who has been identified as Mamta. On Tuesday, the police had also arrested head constable Rakesh Kumar. Raids are on to catch the remaining three accused, two women and a man, with whom the victim was reportedly having a dispute. The victim was assaulted and molested, her clothes were torn and the entire act was filmed. She was later picked up by Rakesh Kumar, who allegedly raped her at the Mundian police station on the intervening night of December 6 and 7. Victim undergoes medical examination Jamalpur station house officer (SHO) Kulwant Singh said medical examination of the woman was conducted on Wednesday at the civil hospital. He said the victims statement, however, was not recorded in the court. Ensure police stations have woman cops in night Police chief Rakesh Agrawal has also issued directions to ensure that all police stations in the city have woman cops on night duty. The police have initiated a probe into the bribe allegations levelled by the victim as well. She claimed that the accused head constable had accepted money from Mamta, Pammi and their accomplices for raping her. The police have also begun maintaining an action-taken report that would be submitted to Punjab State Women Commission (PSWC) chairperson Manisha Gulati. She had asked why there was a need to keep the victim at the police post overnight and sought details of the conditions surrounding her detainment. The case On the intervening night of December 6 and 7, the 24-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a head constable at the Mundian police post. The victim claimed that she did not lodge any complaint as the cop had threatened to implicate her husband in a false case. However, she later approached the police commissioner on December 17. Following a preliminary probe, an FIR was registered on January 3, while head constable Rakesh Kumar was arrested on Tuesday. Mundian police post in-charge ASI Sukhwinder Singh has also been suspended. That proposed change would have broad impact across the federal government because the Justice Department is responsible for defining how the law prohibits discrimination and the attorney general must approve other agencies related regulations. The draft rule noted a signature line for Mr. Barr. The regulation and explanation are exceedingly sparse, and it shows the dangers of rule-making without following the legally required process, including opportunities for public comment, said Lauren Sampson, a staff attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights. She added that the departments proposal incorrectly says that the Supreme Court has raised questions about disparate impact as not legally sound, when it has upheld as recently as 2015 disparate impact as a vital tool in the work of protecting civil rights. A widely cited example of disparate impact has been the Jim Crow-era literacy tests that some states created as a condition to vote. The tests did not ask about race and so seemed neutral on their face. But they disproportionately prevented Black people from voting because they had long been forced out of schools and could not read. The tests are generally thought of as discriminatory because of that disparate impact on Black people. More recently, the protections against disparate impact were crucial to Education Department investigations into disproportionate discipline rates among Black and Latino students in schools. It allowed the departments Office for Civil Rights to look at policies and take into account harmful outcomes, said Shiwali Patel, senior counsel for the National Womens Law Center, who worked in the office during the Obama and Trump administrations. In several cases, the office found that schools were disciplining students differently by race. Disparate impact analysis is important to create accountability at schools around the discriminatory effects of discipline policies, particularly since its difficult to prove racially motivated intent behind the policies, Ms. Patel said. The Justice Department also relied on Title VI to conduct investigations into policing, including a high-profile examination of the Baltimore Police Department that found widespread civil rights violations against the citys Black residents, according to Becky Monroe, a lawyer at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights who worked at the Justice Department. The sensational murder case that took place in the parking lot of the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston on August 5, 2005 contains a close similarity to the famous criminal couple of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow who terrorized the Central United States during 1931 1934. The Hyattes pled guilty to the murder of Tennessee Correction Officer Wayne Cotton Morgan and received sentences of life without parole. Bonnie and Clyde were gunned down by a large group of Texas Rangers headed by ex-ranger Frank Hamer on May 23, 1934 on a rural road in Bienville Parrish, Louisiana. The 2005 shooting received nationwide publicity and was referred to as the Kingston courthouse shooting. At approximately 10:00 a.m. George Hyatte pled guilty to a charge of armed robbery and was being placed in a van to be transported back to prison when his wife, Jennifer, who was a spectator, pulled a pistol and started shooting. She fatally killed Officer Morgan and wounded Tennessee Correction Officer Larry Porky Harris but Jennifer was also wounded in the backside by one of the officers. Both Jennifer and George fled the scene and were later captured at an Americas Best Value Inn motel in Columbus, Ohio. After being transported back to Tennessee, Jennifer on September 17, 2007 entered a plea of life without parole which allowed her to escape the death penalty. One of the conditions to her sentence was that she agreed to testify against her husband which could have led to a legal issue as to the validity of such a plea. However, George did not fight the charges against him and also received a life without parole sentence. Prior to being returned to Tennessee Jennifer while incarcerated in the Columbus jail started writing her life story which she titled A Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde and had completed 34 pages before it was confiscated by jailers and was turned over to the prosecution along with some letters to family and friends. Although initial efforts by the news media to obtain the story were unsuccessful after the couple pled guilty the document became a public record and could be disclosed. The Knoxville News Sentinel obtained a copy released by the District Attorneys office pursuant to a freedom of information request. In April 2009 a series of articles by reporter Scott Barker of the Knoxville paper reported the contents of Jennifers aborted manuscript and her letter to describe her unhappy life of alcohol and drug abuse, unplanned pregnancies, sexual activities with older men, broken marriages, sexual molestation and involvement in criminal activity, although she had no record of convictions. The bizarre writing including a description of the effect that the sale of a horse named Weaver by her aunt had on her. She described the horse as her best friend. Other disappointments included finding her intended husband in the arms of another woman the night before the wedding when she was 18 and three months pregnant. Somehow Jennifer got a job as a licensed practical nurse at Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville but was fired because of her relationship with George which included sneaking food into the prison to him. Nevertheless they were married in a prison service in May 2005 while he was serving a lengthy sentence. Three months later Jennifer would shoot Officer Morgan. She described the two days her and George were on the run prior to their capture in Columbus, Ohio as the best of her life. The funeral for Cotton Morgan was attended by over 1000 persons including 200 uniformed officers and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. Wayne Cotton Morgan, a decorated Vietnam veteran was buried with full military honors. The route to the Morgan County Correctional Complex is now designated as 541 Wayne Cotton Morgan Drive in his memory. * * * Jerry Summers (If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com) LONDON A judge in London on Wednesday declined to release Julian Assange on bail while he awaits a final resolution in the case to extradite him to the United States to face charges of violating espionage laws. On Monday, the judge ruled that Mr. Assange could not be extradited to the United States because he would be at risk of suicide, and his lawyers sought to have him released on bail while the appeals process plays out. The decision on Wednesday was a setback for the WikiLeaks founder, who has sought for years to avoid a trial in the United States on charges that his supporters say pose a threat to press freedom. The judge, Vanessa Baraitser of Westminster Magistrates Court, said Wednesday that Mr. Assange who spent seven years holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London to avoid another extradition order still had an incentive to abscond, and that he needed to remain in prison while U.S. prosecutors challenged her decision on his extradition. Mr. Assange, 49, was indicted by the United States authorities in 2019 on 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act and one count of computer misuse over his role in obtaining and publishing secret military and diplomatic documents related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If found guilty on all counts, he could face a sentence of up to 175 years. Militants in Syria still pose a terrorist threat, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the film "No room for error. Christmas visit to Damascus", a fragment of which was shown on the air of the Russia-1 TV channel. "Until now, despite the fact that professional militants (in Syria) have been defeated, nevertheless, on those territories that still remain under terrorists control, there is still a threat the Russian leader said. Congressman says 'awoman' ending of opening prayer was 'light-hearted pun' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Democratic congressman who opened up the 117th Congress with a prayer that ended in amen and awoman has since said that awoman was meant to be a light-hearted pun rather than an ecclesiastical statement. After Sundays awoman prayer provoked condemnation from many conservatives and Christians on social media, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., responded to critics by releasing a statement condemning those who he said misinterpreted and misconstrued his prayer. I am deeply disappointed that my prayer has been misinterpreted and misconstrued by some to fit a narrative that stokes resentment and greater division among portions of our population, the 76-year-old lawmaker said in a statement shared with The Kansas City Star on Monday. I believe prayers to be a personal conversation between El Shaddai and the invocator. With this conversation, in the presence of the 117th House of Representatives, I concluded with a light-hearted pun in recognition of the record number of women who will be representing the American people in Congress during this term as well as in recognition of the first female Chaplain of the House of Representatives whose service commenced this week. Cleaver, the former mayor of Kansas City who for decades served as pastor of Kansas Citys St. James United Methodist Church, continued by saying that he finds these historic occasions to be blessings from God for which I am grateful. Rather than reflecting on my faithful requests for community healing and reversion from our increasingly tribal tendencies, it appears that some have latched on to the final word of this conversation in an attempt to twist my message to God and demean me personally, Cleaver said. In doing so, they have proven one point of my greater message that we are all soiled by selfishness, perverted by prejudice and inveigled by ideology. Among those who were critical of Cleavers awoman comment include Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who joked in a tweet: Dont they know that gender isnt binary??? What about the other 42 genders??" Many commenters online, including incoming Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., noted that the word amen is not a gendered term. "I guess the virtue signaling Democrats didnt check the Hebrew etymology of the word Amen to realize it has NOTHING to do with gender, Boebert tweeted. But dont let facts get in the way of a good virtue signal. Also, didnt those words just get banned?" Boebert's reference was to the introduced code of conduct for the 117th Congress, which includes changing gender-specific terms and pronouns in the House rules to be gender-neutral to "honor all gender identities. On Monday, former Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, a 2020 presidential candidate, blasted the gender-neutral language in the new House rules during an interview with Fox News. "It's the height of hypocrisy for people who claim to be the champions of rights for women to deny the very biological existence of women," Gabbard said. "Their first act as this new Congress could have been to make sure elderly Americans are able to get the COVID vaccine now alongside front-line healthcare workers. Instead of doing something that could actually help save people's lives, they are choosing instead to say, 'You can't say, mother or father.'" Although Cleaver issued his response to the criticisms of his prayer on Monday, he is still being criticized. On Wednesday, an op-ed by Katrina Trinko, editor-in-chief at the conservative Daily Signal, was published in USA Today. Yet with Cleavers wordplay coming amid a House Democrat push to eliminate gendered terms like mother and father from chamber rules in the interest of equality, its hard not to see the vocabulary choice as somewhat pointed, Trinko wrote. Furthermore, the Missouri Democrat could have offered gratitude for the new women in his words without jarringly twisting a prayer ending into a pun. But even taking Cleaver at his word, his actions still come at a time of a troubling attitude among our political elites toward religion, she continued. Too often our modern world sees religion as needing to conform to us, rather than for us to conform to religion. Trinko argues that Cleaver is hardly the only example of this kind of thinking. Just last month, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam told residents they shouldnt want to celebrate the birth of Christ in a church. For me, God is wherever you are, the Democrat said. You dont have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers, Trinko recalled. Can we imagine lawmakers doing this for a non-Western faith or cultural tradition? Would a lawmaker say he believes Mecca is wherever you want it to be, right there in your heart? Would a politician decree she thinks the Chinese New Year could just as well be celebrated in July? While Cleaver contends that his prayer included faithful requests for community healing and reversion from our increasingly tribal tendencies, Trinko argues that healing and reversion from tribalism depend on mutual respect, not flippant approaches to faith. New Delhi : Gunshots and explosions were heard at a casino resort in Philippines capital Manila late on Thursday night. The Resort World area was in a lockdown following the attack. The attack came days after Philippines Army attacked Mindanao Islands Marawi City which is considered a stronghold of Islamic militants. "Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown followingreports of gunfire from unidentified men," the company said on its Twitter account. Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men. Resorts World Manila (@rwmanila) June 1, 2017 Just minute after the attack, Islamic state claimed the responsibility for the attack apparently in response to governments action against the rebels in the southern part of the country. Police, firetrucks and SWAT teams have surrounded the area. The authorities are trying to evacuate people from the spot. Police,firetrucks& SWAT team in area.Resorts World Manila on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men: Philippines media ANI (@ANI_news) June 1, 2017 The eyewitnesses said that they have been asked to stay indoors and the security in nearby areas have been enhanced. Resorts World Manila area on lockdown after reports of gunfire, explosions pic.twitter.com/uAxbx4auFh https://t.co/tsum44IB4M RT (@RT_com) June 1, 2017 For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. In the future, the Antarctic could become a greener place and be colonised by new species. At the same time, some species will likely disappear. 25 researchers recently presented these and many other findings in a major international project, in which they analysed hundreds of articles on the Antarctic published in the past ten years. By doing so, the team have provided an exceptionally comprehensive assessment of the status quo and future of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that surrounds it. Never before have researchers arrived at so many new findings on the biological and biochemical processes at work in the Antarctic than in the past ten years. Now 25 experts, led by the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), have analysed and compiled these findings in the project "AnT-ERA". Having ultimately processed several hundred articles on the Antarctic, the team have now distilled the content into ten core messages addressing a broad range of aspects, e. g. ocean acidification, biodiversity, and the significance of sea ice for various organisms. "If you look at the timeframe from 1970 to the present, roughly 80 percent of all academic publications on biology and biochemistry in the Antarctic were released between 2010 and 2020. That's what moved us to condense this enormous amount of knowledge into a single article," says marine biologist and project coordinator Julian Gutt from the AWI. The project outcomes have just been published in the journal Biological Reviews. Increased biodiversity One major finding is that the waters of the Antarctic are very likely to grow warmer due to climate change, which in turn increases the probability that plant and animal species from warmer regions will migrate to the Antarctic. In this regard, not just the temperature, but also the future sea-ice cover will be crucial. For example, in the decades to come, the experts expect to see a more intense greening of ice-free coastal areas during the southern summer, as new mosses or lichens migrate. Initially, there will likely be a rise in biodiversity. However, a prolonged warming would have grave consequences for those species that are adapted to extremely low temperatures. "We believe these species will retreat to the last remaining extremely cold regions of the Antarctic," says Gutt. "That also means we'll need to protect the regions in order to save these species." Learning to live in acidic waters? When it comes to ocean acidification, the study's forecast is bleak: by the end of the century, the experts expect the waters of the Antarctic to be extensively acidified. "There can be no doubt that especially those organisms that form calcareous shells are going to have serious problems," Gutt explains. "We can't yet say for certain if they will all go extinct, or if some species will manage to adapt their metabolisms to the new conditions." A surprising finding from research conducted in the past ten years: the ostensibly docile organisms that live on the floor of the Antarctic Ocean, e.g. some sponges and ascidians, respond rapidly to improved conditions - by growing quickly or reproducing intensively. The downside: they are equally sensitive to poor environmental conditions. Given the major changes that climate change will entail, these species could also be in danger. Whereas the Antarctic Peninsula, which extends into the South Atlantic, has been warming for some time now, in the past three years the warming, and therefore the loss of sea ice, has spread to East Antarctica. The experts can't yet say whether this is the beginning of a long-term trend, or only a short-term variation. In either case, this change in the physical environmental parameters is troubling, because it could have a substantial impact on the future development of life in the Southern Ocean. How much CO 2 can the Antarctic swallow? It also remains unclear whether or not the loss of sea ice will mean that the waters of the Antarctic, due to intensified algal growth, absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Principally speaking, most experts assume that algal growth increases when sea ice retreats, because the algae e. g. are exposed to more sunlight. Since algae absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via photosynthesis when they grow, this process can improve the ocean's absorption of CO 2 . For some time now, simple forecasts have indicated that the algae in Antarctic waters may absorb ca. 25 percent more CO 2 if they become completely ice-free in future southern summers. Yet the current study shows that these blanket statements are problematic. According to Gutt: "The publications we analysed make it clear that the situation varies considerably, depending on the geography. But at least we now know which waters and which parameters we need to focus on to find the answers." Clear-cut messages The experts chiefly attribute the fact that so many new insights have been gathered in recent years to technological advances - e. g. in molecular biological methods, new ships and stations, and remotely operated underwater vehicles, some of which can even navigate below the ice. In addition, new numerical and conceptual models are helping us to understand interconnections in the ecosystem. In Julian Gutt's view, the study's greatest contribution is the fact that the 25 authors successfully agreed upon ten core messages that succinctly convey the central findings and offer a glimpse of the future. ### The ministry said it has set up a "control room" in New Delhi to keep a watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of the preventive and control measures. PTI NEW DELHI: With thousands of birds dying in several states due to Avian Influenza (or bird flu), the Centre on Wednesday tried to allay fear about transmission of the disease from poultry to humans. Though there is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products, the government advised people to properly cook eggs and meat, especially chicken and ducks, before consuming them. "In some places there have been reports of migratory and wild birds dying from bird flu. Cook the meat and eggs completely before eating. There is nothing to worry. All possible help is being given and states have been alerted," Union minister for animal husbandry Giriraj Singh tweeted in Hindi. The Centre on Wednesday identified 12 epicentres of the bird flu in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and deployed multi-disciplinary teams to handle the disease. It also issued advisories to other states to contain further spread of the infection in poultry ducks, crows and migratory birds and to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality among birds. As per the action plan on Avian Influenza, the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying has suggested that the affected states strengthen the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfect affected areas, properly dispose dead birds/carcasses, ensure timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and intensify surveillance to prevent the disease from spreading. The ministry said it has set up a "control room" in New Delhi to keep a watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of the preventive and control measures being undertaken by states. Currently states send tissue samples of birds suspected to harbour the virus to the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Disease, Bhopal. The animal husbandry ministers deputy Sanjiv Balyan said that five states have reported bird flu but there has been no case of transmission to humans in India. But the government said that secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out. A circular issued by the Union environment ministrys wildlife division said, Large number of migratory birds visit India in this season. Movement of birds to wetlands is also possible. It is requested to keep strict vigil on the wintering habits of migratory birds, including wetlands, for any mortality or disease outbreak signs. The circular said that the workers involved in culling operations should wear rubber gloves and protective clothing that can be disinfected or disposed of, use protective eyewear and ought to be taking an influenza antiviral drug daily for the time that they are in direct contact with infected birds or in a containment zone. The bird flu outbreak has been reported a few months after India, on September 30, 2020, declared the country free from the disease which spreads mainly through migratory birds coming in during the winter months, September-October to February-March. The Avian Influenza has already hit at least 10 European countries Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, and Ukraine in the last few weeks. Cases have also been reported in South Korea and Japan. The United Kingdom has seen disturbing scenes of swans spinning in circles and bleeding from their nostrils, a phenomena being investigated for its possible link to the bird flu. India, which notified the first outbreak of Avian Influenza in 2006, has now reported Avian Influenza cases in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat. Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have also been put on a high alert. Of the 12 epicenters in India, the bird flu has been reported in crows in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar region of Rajasthan as well as Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas of Madhya Pradesh. Whereas in Himachal Pradesh, the infection was found in migratory birds in Kangra region and in poultry ducks in Kottayam, Alappuzha in Kerala. Kerala initiated control and containment operations on Tuesday at its epicenters, including the culling process of chicken and ducks. In Himachal Pradesh, another advisory was issued on Tuesday to avoid further spread of the infection. Madhya Pradesh government has banned chicken trade from the southern states for the next 10 days. In Kerala, about 12,000 ducks have died due to the flu in Alappuzha and Kottayam where bird flu has been declared a state disaster. About 36,000 birds would be culled in the state. The trade of poultry meat and eggs has also been banned in the states affected districts. In Kottayam district, 11,000 birds will be culled as bird flu was detected in the ducklings of farmers in Neendoor panchayat. The process to test humans to detect symptoms in them has also been started. Haryana has reported the death of about 4 lakh birds in the past 10 days in Panchkula district, following which the authorities issued an advisory on poultry products. Barwala-based poultry farms in the Hisar district of Haryana have reported deaths of about 1.5 lakh birds in the past one week. At the epicenter in Rajasthan, about 100 crows died on Wednesday. Other than this, peacocks, pigeons, and koyals have also died. The number of birds which died in Rajasthan in the recent days reached over 700. The fatalities were reported in 16 of the 33 districts of Rajasthan. Nearly 400 crows have died due to viral infection in Madhya Pradesh. After a review meeting, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan claimed that bird flu was not found in any poultry farm in the affected areas. More than 2,300 migratory birds have died in Himachal Pradesh due to bird flu outbreak. Most of the birds that died of H5N1 avian influenza are bar-headed geese in the Pong Dam reservoir area in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The first outbreak of H5N1 in India was recorded 15 years ago in February 2006 at a poultry industry in Maharashtras Nandurbar district. There was a major outbreak in West Bengal in 2008 and another one in Kerala in 2014. The U.S. Capitol Police are evacuating some congressional office buildings due to police activity as thousands gather outside the Capitol to protest the electoral vote. Police told congressional staff members they should evacuate the Cannon House Office Building and the building that houses the Library of Congress. It wasnt immediately clear what specifically sparked the evacuation. A police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Thousands of people have descended on the U.S. Capitol as Congress is expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens 2020 presidential win. Videos posted online showed protesters fighting with U.S. Capitol Police officers as police fired pepper spray to keep them back. Short link: City Manager Arndt to Resign Later This Year By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Paducah City Manager Jim Arndt has announced plans to resign from his position later this year.City of Paducah Communications Manager Pam Spencer says Arndt notified the Board of Commissioners and the Leadership Team this week that he intends to leave Paducah when his contract expires on June 30. Arndt and his wife, Kim, are reportedly planning to move back home to Charleston, Illinois.Arndt, who has served as city manager since July 2018, says he plans to open a business providing local government management consulting.The dream of opening my own consulting business has been in my mind for years. I feel that Im ready to pursue it and share with other government leaders the knowledge that I have gained while working as a professional city manager," Arndt said. "Being a member of Team Paducah and this incredible city over the past few years has provided me with a wealth of information and experiences, best practices, and treasured memories. I will miss this warm, inviting community and the incredible city employees.Arndt added that the COVID-19 pandemic has made him realize that friends and family are more important than ever, and he wants to be closer to his grandchildren.I wish Jim and his family the best. He has clearly made an impact on Paducah, and during my first days as mayor, I have developed the utmost respect for his professionalism, positivity, and drive to excel. said Mayor George Bray.Arndt has offered to stay after his contract ends to assist with the transition if needed. Bray said the city will begin an immediate search for a new city manager. India has approved two COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use. Ahead of the vaccine roll-out, a second dry run is set to take place across all districts in India on January 8, with an aim to ensure efficient planning and management for vaccine delivery across the country. "As a simulation of actual execution, another round of dry run/mock drill in all 700+ districts of all States/UTs (except Uttar Pradesh and Haryana which have already conducted the dry run in all districts on January 5 and 7, respectively) is planned on January 8, 2021 to ensure efficient planning and management for vaccine delivery in each district of all States/UTs," the government said in a statement on January 6. This dry run will help the state, district, block and hospital-level officers get familiar with all aspects of a COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the statement said. "The dry run will help administrators in strengthening the linkages between planning, implementation, and reporting mechanisms, identification of any residual challenges prior to the actual implementation and to provide confidence to the programme managers at all levels to carry out a smooth implementation of the vaccination drive," it said. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan will hold a meeting with the state/UT health ministers January 7, 2021, in this regard. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Two COVID vaccines have been given emergency use authorisation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), and the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to begin by January 13. How will it work? Each district will identify three types of session sites, similar to the previous dry run including a public health facility (District Hospital/Medical College), private health facility, and rural or urban outreach sites. The entire planning of the vaccination drive including beneficiary registration, microplanning, and vaccination at the planned session site, will be tested under the leadership of District Collector or District Magistrate. The health ministry will be in constant touch with the states/UTs throughout the day to seek feedback and provide support and, ensure timely resolution of the identified challenges before the actual vaccination roll-out. To facilitate the entire vaccination process, a software,Co-WIN, has been developed by the health ministry for real time information of vaccine stocks, their storage temperature, and individualized tracking of beneficiaries for COVID-19 vaccine. This software will assist the programme managers across all levels in conducting the vaccination sessions. A dedicated 24x7 call centre has also been established for technical queries of Co-WIN users. The cold chain infrastructure (like walk-in-freezers, walk-in-coolers, ice-lined refrigerators, deep freezers) along with sufficient supplies of syringes and other logistics have been ensured to begin COVID-19 vaccination drive. "Around 1.7 lakh vaccinators and 3 lakh vaccination team members have been trained on the process to be followed at the vaccination sites which include beneficiary verification, vaccination, cold chain and logistics management, bio-medical waste management, AEFI management and reporting on Co-WIN software," the government said. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid Zuoyebang, a Beijing, China-based online after school education startup, raised over US$1.6 Billion in its Series E+ financing. Backers included from Alibaba, Tiger Global, Softbank Vision Fund, Sequoia Capital China, Fountainvest Partners and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers). The company intends to use the funds to continue to develop its core business of live streaming courses, enhance its strength in after school education technology and market penetration capabilities, and invest to strengthen and expand its existing product portfolios. Founded in 2015 and led by Hou Jianbin, CEO, Zuoyebang is an online after school education startup, offering a comprehensive suite of online tutoring products and services for students covering all academic subjects. The company has a user base of more than 50 million daily active users, 170 million monthly active users, and 800 million user-registered devices in total. Driven by its technology and a large online question database with over 300 million questions, the company provides all-round digital solutions via its after school education apps that complement the existing public education curriculum. These include Zuoyebang Super App, Zuoyebang Live Courses App, Zuoyebang Oral Arithmetic Calculation App, and YAYA AI Courses App. Zuoyebang employs over 35,000 staff in China in 11 branches in Xian, Hefei, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Jinan, Changsha, Nanjing, and Shijiazhuang. Earlier in June 2020, the company completed US$750m in Series E funding, joined by Fountainvest Partners, Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital China, SoftBanks Vision Fund, Primavera Capital, GGV Capital, Xiang He Capital, Tiantu Capital, and Taihecap. FinSMEs 06/01/2020 Even for the most proficient writer, no words can adequately capture the year 2020. It has been a rollercoaster with the sharpestand most unexpectedturns and twists, taking us through economic downturns, volatile markets, remote working mandates and personal upheavals. But, while the year has been marked with adversities and setbacks, it has also birthed numerous opportunities creating building blocks of resilience. As the country went into lockdown mode and work from home became mandatory for many, digital content consumption saw a steep rise. But even with the steady rise in audience engagement, it was a difficult year for brands. With an unflinching focus on dispensing reliable, authoritative content, and driving value to our partners even during these tough times, Moneycontrol sought powerful and innovative solutions to partner with brands and help tell their stories. From interactive virtual event experiences and virtual studio panel discussions to complete content hubs and native content, our team pushed the envelope to explore new content formats as they developed and executed complete campaigns virtually. Wed like to share some of these ambitious branded content projects with you, where we brought to life compelling stories that encapsulated our audiences interests and seamlessly reflected our brand partners key messaging by leveraging technology solutions. Virtual Summits Brand: Salesforce; Category: Technology In May 2020, Moneycontrol and Salesforce came together to host Indias first large-scale Virtual Summit titled The Future of Indian Industry to discuss the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on organisations and business. The event began with a keynote address from Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister - Law and Justice, Electronics, Information Technology & Communications, followed by three A-list panels replete with industry leaders such as Ramanan Ramanathan, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission & Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog; Daisy Chittilapilly, MD, Digital Transformation Office, Cisco; Harshvendra Soin, Chief People Officer & Head Marketing, Tech Mahindra; and Deepak Pargaonkar, VP - Solution Engineering, Salesforce to name a few giving Salesforce the opportunity to connect with key industry leaders. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/ms/moneycontrol-virtual-summit/ Brand: Rockwell Automation; Category: Technology To capture the importance of technological advances in the manufacturing sector, Network18s top business verticals Moneycontrol and CNBC-TV18 came together to host a two-day virtual summit, India Inc. On the Move powered by Rockwell Automation. Built as an immersive virtual experience that replicated the on-ground event structure with multiple auditoriums, exhibitor zones, a resource centre and more, this large-scale virtual summit helped Rockwell Automation reach out to an active audience comprising CEOs, CTOs, senior marketers, entrepreneurs, and digital executives across a multitude of sectors. This two-day virtual summit featured sessions with eminent personalities across sectors such as pharma, chemical and heavy industries, auto and FMCG. Its noteworthy speaker list comprised Kamal Bali, President and MD, Volvo Group India; Vijay Shah, Vice Chairman and CEO, Piramal Glass, and Director, Piramal Enterprises Ltd; R Mukundan, MD and CEO, Tata Chemicals; Amit Syngle, MD and CEO, Asian Paints; Scott Wooldridge, President APAC, of Rockwell Automation, and many more corporate entities. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/msite/rockwell-automation-india-inc-on-the-move/ Brand: Amex; Category: BFSI The pandemic has redefined the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFOs) by transforming them into business advisor helping companies navigate the course of business during these challenging time. To better understand how CFOs can reimagine business continuity, drive resilience and chart out a roadmap to long-term growth, American Express India hosted a virtual event, India CFO Summit, in partnership with Moneycontrol. This a one-of-its-kind event featured keynotes from Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance, and Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister of India and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in India, who shared their valuable insights on the finance industry, reforms, and developments to revive economic growth. In two thought-provoking sessions with the CFO community, Indias top CFOs reflected on the key challenges and opportunities the pandemic raised, and the strategies to deploy in the next normal. During the discussions, American Express India also unveiled a report titled Chief Financial Officer to Chief Value Officer in partnership with EY, which explored the impact of the current pandemic on finance function and business operations along with the key financial transformation areas of focus. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/msite/microsite-url-amex-india-cfo-homepage Brand: Cisco; Category: Technology In a bid to bring together our combined expertise on powering the small business growth engine, Moneycontrol and CISCO hosted a Small Business Virtual Summit 2020 to assist MSMEs chart a roadmap towards recovery fuelled by digital transformation. The virtual summit witnessed the presence of MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari who spoke about SMEs strength and skill to power their journey towards self-reliance. The event garnered over 12,600 registrations overall reaching out to B2B and SME audiences. The insightful panels addressed the many challenges affecting small businesses and emphasised on digitisation. They featured industry leaders such as Gopal Pillai, Vice President, Seller Services - Amazon India; Divya Sethi, Head of Emerging Business - Airtel Business; Panish PK, Managing Director - Small Business, Cisco India, among others. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/cisco-smb-virtual-summit/ Webinars With content development going virtual, webinars became the preferred platform to generate stimulating conversations with relevant experts in their respective fields. This year, Moneycontrol brought to life a host of webinars with partners across a range of categories, such as technology, BFSI, FMCG, healthcare, auto, consumer durables and more. Each webinar featured industry stalwarts sharing their expert advice with an eager audience together with prolific anchors from Moneycontrol and CNBC-TV18. Some of our partners included Microsoft, Lenovo, NCDEX, Tata AIA Life Insurance, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, FIS (a global leader in financial services technology), and IndiaFirst Life Insurance. Brand: Intel; Category: Technology As technology became the driving force for all communication, Moneycontrol collaborated with Intel and Reliance Jio for a series of webinars exploring how these powerhouses can together fuel the growth of a robust 5G ecosystem and decode how emerging technologies can be the catalyst for the country scale up. In two power-packed panel, experts from Intel and Reliance Jio revealed how technologies such as AI and ML are enabling 5G transformation, the implications and benefits of 5G Private Networks and blockchain, and what role the companies will play in accelerating that vision. The panels included heavyweights such as Nivruti Rai, Country Head, Intel India, VP-Data Platforms Group, Intel Corp; Anish Shah, President and Head, Information Technology - Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Reliance Industries Limited; Lynn A Comp, VP - Data Platforms Group, GM - Visual Infrastructure Division & NPG Strategy, Intel Corp; Caroline Chan, VP and GM, 5G Infrastructure Division, Network Platform Group, Intel; Aayush Bhatnagar, Senior Vice President, Jio Telecommunications; and Kiran Thomas, President and Director, Reliance Industries Limited. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/msite/intel-jio/ Brand: Mirae Asset Managers; Category: BFSI Exchange Traded Fund (ETFs) rapidly began gaining ground in the Indian market, but investors were still discovering this product and its benefits. As an investor education initiative in collaboration with Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, we launched a special webinar series titled Decoding the World of ETF, bringing together industry experts to understand how ETF investments can boost your portfolio, the dos and donts to follow and explain how it can help investors in diversifying their investment journey. The panels moderated by CNBC-TV18s Surabhi Upadhyay and Sumaira Abidi included mutual fund industry specialists such as Swarup Mohanty, CEO, Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Private Limited; Siddharth Srivastava, ETF - Product Head, Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Private Limited; Ashish Shanker, Deputy Managing Director, Motilal Oswal Private Wealth Management; Mohit Gang, Co-Founder and CEO, Moneyfront; Manoj Nagpal, MD and CEO, Outlook Asia Capital; and Srikanth Subramanian, Head Private Wealth, Investments and Advisory, Kotak Investment Advisors Limited. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/msite/miraeassetmf/ Native content Native content in the form of articles, videos and infographics have become the bedrock of brand partnerships to build brand awareness, meet marketing objectives, and reach a highly engaged audience. With the aim of expanding the realm of native content, we created full-fledged, specialised content hubs and developed a repository of content replete with articles, infographics, videos and more; all designed to match a brand's distinctive persona and thematic look and feel. Each microsites entry point is prominently displayed on the homepages top band. Some of our brand partners included Vivo, Novo Nordisk, HDFC Bank, Lifebuoy, SBI Cards, Google Assistant, Freecharge, KPMG, HSBC, Fino Payment Bank, Tata Motors, and Samco Securities. Brand: HDFC Life; Category: BFSI The HDFC Life microsite is aimed at simplifying life insurance and providing jargon-free information that's easy to comprehend. The content hub is populated with native articles and videos across topics like retirement, investments, health and more to enable the audience to make smart choices to safeguard their finances together with providing a protection cover. The 'Did You Know' section offers bite-sized educative content for novice investors, while the calculators give the audience easy access to make purchase decisions within the platform. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/msite/hdfc-life-insurance-plans Brand: Hitachi; Category: Technology Hitachi's Social Innovation Business in India has been playing a pivotal role in the digital evolution of the nations core sectors, but not many people are aware of their initiatives. Through this content hub, we help Hitachi tell their story about their commitment to building a sustainable India and how they are fuelling its growth by leveraging their expertise in social infrastructure and digital technology to create a safer, smarter society. From building a robust infrastructure for education in rural areas to improving farmers' quality of life, the content hub urges the audience to discover Hitachi's numerous contributions to the nation. Click here for more details: https://www.moneycontrol.com/msite/hitachi-social-innovation Relatives to Christina Mata-Gron who died last May under mysterious circumstances said the mother of two was planning to divorce her husband as the pandemic forced them to stay home. Authorities arrested her husband, Brian Gron, late Tuesday at a Lake Livingston cabin and prosecutors charged him with murder after investigators concluded that he had a role in his wifes death. The 35-year-old woman died of blunt force trauma, according to medical examiner records, though the manner of death remains undetermined. He was released Wednesday from the Harris County Jail within hours of being ordered held on a $75,000 bail. The charging papers also take note of an outcry that the couples 6-year-old son made. He reported seeing his father on top of his mother and screaming, court documents show. The murder charge follows the Harris County Sheriffs Offices eight-month investigation, which also coincided with law enforcement raising the alarm on rising domestic violence because of the pandemic. They were stuck at home with each other, Mata-Grons stepfather, Ricardo Mora, said. The relationship continued to sour as the virus waged on in the Houston area and at one point, Mata-Gron who worked as a paralegal refused to let her husband come home and possibly infect their kids after he spent a night out drinking with friends. She forced him to quarantine for two weeks, Mora continued. They were having problems, Mora said. We all suspect that she had it with him and wanted a divorce. What caused Mata-Grons death is mainly attributed to a head injury but how that May 6 incident unfolded remains unclear. The court document outlining the charge against Gron accuses him of hitting his wifes head with an unspecified blunt object. A deputy with Harris County Precinct 4 Constables Office who was initially dispatched to the death saw scratch marks on Grons neck and requested homicide investigators. The husband then admitted to having a physical altercation with her before going to bed, prosecutors said in probable cause court. The husband purported that the two spent their day drinking and that she overdosed on alcohol and prescription medication, records show. During the fight, he said Mata-Gron attacked him and that he pushed back. He was unable to remember if she tripped or fell, authorities said. He said found her passed out on the bedroom floor and said he slept alongside her, records show. The autopsy completed in July found minor traces of alcohol contradicting the levels of drinking Gron had said happened, prosecutors said in court. Contradictions in Grons statement are what prompted prosecutors to request a $75,000 bond which hearing officer Lionel Castro granted. Mora also described what happened when he first learned of his stepdaughters death. He was beckoned to the couples home in the 6000 block of Capella Park Drive and Gron greeted him with a hug. He smelled of alcohol, he recalled. The first thing I asked him: What happened to my daughter, Mora said. The husband repeated his claim of an alcohol-fueled evening and that Mata-Gron fell on the floor and passed out, Mora continued. Mora and other family members grew suspicious and the months that followed were marred by additional heartbreak as Gron stopped bringing their grandchildren around, he said. Both children were in the house at the time of the death, officials said. They were not with the father at the time of his arrest. A public defender, Rebekah Kratochvil, after exchanging messages with Grons hired attorney, pointed out that the charge appears reliant on the outcry of the eldest child and that statement is likely the result of a pending custody dispute. Kratochvil said that authorities have not yet interviewed the child. Meanwhile, Mora contends that the childs father has not let that interview happen. Mora has since started a GoFundMe account to raise education funds for the two kids. The youngest child looks exactly like her mother and will never know her, he continued. nicole.hensley@chron.com RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy is awarding $500,000 in scholarships in 2021 to assist African American and other underrepresented minority students who reside in the company's service area. The scholarships will be the first made under the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program, a six-year, $10 million initiative to provide assistance with higher education expenses. "As we witness our country's evolving conversation on racial equity and social justice, we want to do our part to help historically underserved students," said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy's president and chief executive officer. "We know that education can serve as a springboard for social and economic mobility." "We have partnered with historically black colleges and universities for nearly 40 years, offering volunteer and financial support," said Thomas F. Farrell, II, Dominion Energy's executive chairman. "This scholarship program is another way for us to support the students who will one day lead our nation." The scholarship application period is open until Jan. 25, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. To be eligible, students must: self-identify as Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander with higher education expenses; and be high school seniors or graduates, or current college undergraduates residing in Connecticut , Ohio , West Virginia , Virginia , Maryland , North Carolina , South Carolina , Idaho , Wyoming or Utah , with plans to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year. In all, 60 scholarships totaling $500,000 will be awarded in 2021. Of those, 20 scholarships of $5,000 each will be made available for students enrolled in two-year schools, while 40 scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded to students enrolled in four-year schools. Scholarship recipients will be able to renew scholarships as they progress in school, provided they meet certain criteria, such as GPA requirements and residence in an eligible state. The program is administered by Scholarship America, a nonprofit that specializes in management of scholarship and tuition assistance programs. Scholarship America will support Dominion Energy in the selection of finalists. Students can learn more and apply at DominionEnergy.com/EquityScholarships. The company also has committed $25 million to 11 historically black colleges and universities in Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. The six-year "HBCU Promise" program will support endowments, capital projects, operating expenses and educational programs in clean energy. About Dominion Energy More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more. SOURCE Dominion Energy Ohio Related Links http://www.dom.com * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntkey, a leading provider of power solutions, has recently been certified as the Export Commodity Brand by the CCPIT(China Council for the Promotion of International Trade). It means that Huntkey product quality is recognized by the CCPIT. Certificate of export commodity brand: https://en.huntkey.com/ Hunktey is a professional manufacturer of PC power supplies, power strips, surge protectors, laptop adapters, phone chargers, monitors and air purifiers. These products are being sold worldwide through over 100 major distribution channels in over 50 countries. Certified by the CCPIT, Huntkey will become a more trustworthy brand. About CCPIT Founded in 1952, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is a national foreign trade and investment promotion agency. It is committed to enhancing services for companies and making positive contributions to development of bilateral and multilateral trade relationships, promotion of world economic prosperity and improvement of the well-being of all mankind. About Huntkey Founded in 1995, Huntkey is a leading provider of PC power supplies, power strips, surge protectors, laptop adapters, phone chargers, monitors and air purifiers. Huntkey is an Asia renowned brand, a member of The International Power Supply Manufacturer's Association (PSMA) and China Power Supply Society (CPSS). Including three total nearly 1,000,000 square meters industrial parks, Huntkey is one of the most famous brands and largest companies in mainland China. It is headquartered in Shenzhen, with branch companies in the US, Japan and Hong Kong, and with cooperating factories in Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina and India. In 2020, Huntkey introduces its latest photocatalyst air purifier - the desktop air purifier globally. The desktop air purifier is designed portable and can efficiently remove chemical vapors, odors, haze particles, and many more air pollutants. Check them out via: https://en.huntkey.com/products/air-purifiers/ SOURCE Huntkey Related Links https://en.huntkey.com/ LONDON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) has awarded its journalism prize for 2020 to Argus editor-in-chief Jim Washer. The award, which is made for excellence in written journalism on topics relating to international energy economics, has been awarded to Jim in recognition of his outstanding work as a reporter and editor over the past three decades covering the oil and gas industry and oil markets. Jim joined Argus at the beginning of 2020 and oversees news coverage and market analysis from the global editorial group. Previous winners of the IAEE journalism award include Ian Bourne, Argus editor-in-chief (2009) and Jan Nasmyth, founder of Argus (1988). Neil Fleming, now Senior Vice President in charge of Argus' editorial organisation, won the award in 1995. Jim's career in energy market journalism began in 1991 at market information provider Platts, where he worked in a number of editorial roles before becoming Managing Editor EMEA. He then joined Bridge, a real-time news, data and analysis provider as Managing Editor, Energy, EMEA, before in 2001 moving to Energy Intelligence, a leading publisher of energy information, where he served as editor of Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, London Bureau Chief and most recently Executive Editor for Operations. Argus chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "We are delighted that the IAEE has chosen to honour Jim with this prestigious award. Argus news-reporting is distinguished by the quality of its insight and its rich analysis, and Jim's arrival at Argus has added a further dimension to a long tradition of excellence." David Williams, executive director of the IAEE said "accurate and insightful journalism is essential to ensure transparency in the complex and important energy markets. The IAEE is glad to honour Jim Washer who over his career has contributed significantly to better understanding of this key sector." Argus contact information London: Seana Lanigan +44 20 7780 4200 Email Seana Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto +65 6496 9960 Email Tomoko Moscow: Alexey Komarov +7 495 933 75 71 Email Alexey Houston: Matt Oatway +1 713 968 0000 Email Matt About Argus Media Argus is an independent media organisation with more than 1,000 staff. It is headquartered in London and has 25 offices in the world's principal commodity trading and production centres. Argus produces price assessments and analysis of international energy and other commodity markets and offers bespoke consulting services and industry-leading conferences. Companies in 140 countries around the world use Argus data to index physical trade and as benchmarks in financial derivative markets as well as for analysis and planning purposes. Argus was founded in 1970 and is a privately held UK-registered company. It is owned by employee shareholders, global growth equity firm General Atlantic and Hg, the specialist software and technology services investor. ARGUS, the ARGUS logo, ARGUS MEDIA, ARGUS DIRECT, ARGUS OPEN MARKETS, AOM, FMB, DEWITT, JIM JORDAN & ASSOCIATES, JJ&A, FUNDALYTICS, METAL-PAGES, METALPRICES.COM, INTEGER, Argus publication titles and Argus index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited. SOURCE Argus Media Related Links http://www.argusmedia.com LANSING, MI - Eleven of Michigans Republican state senators urged Congress to pursue every available option to investigate claims of election fraud in a letter before Wednesdays joint session in Washington to count electoral votes for president. An unapproved draft of the letter was disseminated over social media late Tuesday, in which the lawmakers ask Congress and Vice President Mike Pence to temporarily delay certification of the Electoral College. Pence is unable to unilaterally delay the Electoral College vote, as both chambers of Congress need to approve an objection to the elections results by a majority vote. With the U.S. House under Democratic control, an objection is very unlikely. Read more: What happens if Michigans Electoral College votes for Biden are challenged? The final version of the letter does not include the line about a certification delay, instead calling on Congress to examine the credible allegations of election-related concerns surrounding fraud and irregularities. There has been no evidence of widespread election fraud that would tip the results in Michigan or any other state. Today, I and several of my fellow MI Senators sent the following letter to members of Congress and the Vice President. The letter outlines our concerns regarding the on-going investigation into the November election & the still incomplete audit by the MI Bureau of Elections. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/VDSyQnvym8 Sen. Roger Victory (@SenRogerVictory) January 6, 2021 The 11 state senators who signed the final letter are Sens. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek; Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte; Kim LaSata, R-Bainbridge Twp.; Kevin Daley, R-Lum; Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Twp.; Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes; Jim Runestad, R-White Lake; Lana Theis, R-Brighton; Curtis Vanderwall, R-Ludington; Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville and Dale Zorn, R-Ida. Thats more than half the Republican senators currently serving in Michigan. The initial draft of the letter was sent out accidentally, said Bizon, and was never sent to Congress or Pence. The approved letter calls for further investigation to restore confidence in the election results; We do not seek to overturn the will of the people, the letter states. However, it is vital that the citizenry at-large be confident that the election results were accurate and free from misconduct, criminal or otherwise. The U.S. House and Senate will meet Wednesday to officially certify the Electoral College vote in favor of President-elect Joe Biden, who won Michigan by 154,000 votes in the November general election. President Donald Trump has refused to concede, promoting unproven claims about fraudulent votes and rigged election machines. Republicans lawmakers in Lansing have held multiple oversight hearings the last two months regarding unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud. When posting the letter to Twitter on Wednesday, Victory expressed concern over finalizing election results as long as the Legislature is investigating fraud claims and the Michigan Bureau of Election is conducting its independent audit. Today, I and several of my fellow MI Senators sent the following letter to members of Congress and the Vice President, he wrote. The letter outlines our concerns regarding the on-going investigation into the November election and the still incomplete audit by the MI Bureau of Elections. While hearings will continue, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, has said publicly that lawmakers have not discovered anything yet that would cause me to want to overturn election results in Michigan. The election results have been certified by all 83 Michigan counties, while state and federal courts have rejected every one of the numerous lawsuits seeking a Trump victory. Read more on MLive: Dont trust everything on Facebook, says Michigan native after Trump mistakenly shared phone number Two Michigan Republicans will object to Electoral College vote Misinformation and conspiracies took starring role in Michigans political movements Trump repeats false claims about Michigan election in leaked Georgia phone call Some groups of Fulani herders have alleged that they are being persecuted and killed by some communities in Ebonyi State and the government remains reluctant and adamant despite repeated complaints. Some of the herders, who are now relocating, confided in BBC Hausa service on Wednesday, saying that in 2020, at least 21 of their members were killed and their residences burnt and the police and the government are not willing to bring the perpetrators to justice. Not long ago, they came back and killed two of our cows. Following that, we have been receiving threats that they will come and burn our houses, after they did that to our brothers in another community. As a result of that, we are living in fear. Whenever we go out, our families are jittery of attack. That (is) the reason we are relocating. We are many, I cant give (an) exact number of those relocating. In Ebonyi State in 2020, 21 herders were killed and we cannot account for the number of cows that have been killed and no attack goes unreported to the police and most of the deaths that occurred, its the police that use to retrieve the corpse. For the cows killed, the police will come and confirm the incident and videotape the scene, the relocating herder said. One of the leaders of the herders in the state also said in Ebonyi, herders are not safe. We receive frequently, complaints of attacks from one location to another in Ebonyi. The attack on herders is everywhere in the state except Eko area where the Fulani and residents are living in peace. The herders also denied wrongdoing over alleged encroachment of farmlands, saying no herder is above the law, and such person caught doing so should be prosecuted. Circulating video Earlier, a video circulated on social media, showing Fulani herdsmen being evacuated from Ebonyi. The video is allegedly raising tension and justifying the claims of the herders alleging killings and persecutions. ALSO READ: Ebonyi bans underage herders In the footage, a man speaking in English is quoted as saying that the Fulani have been destroyed and their belongings are being confiscated and that they are required to evacuate because Fulani and Miyatti Allah are not loved in the state. The police in Ebonyi State, has, however, debunked the claims that Fulani herdsmen are leaving the state, saying that only one herder and members of his families relocated to Tabara, where he was given a chieftaincy title. The police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Odah Loveth, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday that the promoter of the video has been arrested and that only one herder, Alhaji Adamu, left to Taraba with seven members of his families, not many herders as been circulated in some places. Anyone promoting anything more than this is an enemy of the state, because in Ebonyi State, there is an intermarriage between the Igbo ladies and the Fulani herdsmen and they are living in peace with one another, the police spokesperson said. Also, nobody can rule out crime in any society, no any ethnic group is being targeted, even the police were not spared, crime had no boundary, the said 21 herders killed misrepresented the fact. There was a report of two persons killed at Isheke forest when some herders encroached farmlands and the farmers took the law into their hands and the police arrested the culprit and charged them to court. The suspects previously caught stealing and destroying herders hut, in (the) process killing a toddler, were same herders from another community. Thus, crime committed has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity. It can happen anywhere in the country and anyone can be a victim. The commissioner of police in Ebonyi has summoned the herders group for a meeting and has assured them the commands continue protection of all residents in Ebonyi, irrespective of where ones comes from, the police spokesperson said. ADVERTISEMENT Reporter Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Northwell Health, New Yorks largest hospital system and the owner of Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), said Tuesday it would rescind medical debt lawsuits filed against patients in 2020 and will institute a pause of new filings, following a news report about thousands of such suits. According to online court records accessed Tuesday, attorneys filed at least 70 of those more-than 2,500 lawsuits -- which were first reported by the New York Times -- on behalf of SIUH. Those court records show the filing of SIUH lawsuits paused from March 16 until Sept. 24, which fell in line with a pause across all of the Northwell system except for one hospital, according to a spokesman for the nonprofit health system. That spokesman said that all the 2020 lawsuits identified in the Times report -- both those filed before March 16, and after Sept. 24 when the pause ended -- were related to debts accrued before the pandemic. He also said that Northwell only takes legal action in less than 1% of cases when it determines a patient, who is unresponsive after multiple attempts at contact, has a strong ability to pay. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, Northwell eased certain patient collection activities, including a six-month pause on legal filings in April-September, the spokesman wrote in an emailed statement. Given the recent resurgence of COVID cases, Northwell has decided to extend the pause on legal filings and will rescind any legal claims that were filed in 2020. The last lawsuit filed on behalf of SIUH before its initial pause in March came the day before Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James announced a pause on collections of certain debts, including medical debt, owed to the state, which has remained in place throughout the pandemic. According to the Times report, the average amount sought in the more-than 2,500 lawsuits filed by Northwell was $1,700 in unpaid bills along with interest charges. While Northwell is the states largest hospital and filed the most lawsuits, it was not the only New York hospital system to file lawsuits related to medical debt since the start of the pandemic. However, many hospitals in New York, including Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton, followed the states lead in pausing those efforts at debt collection. Throughout the pandemic we have, and continue to, work with our patients by offering discounts and extending payment plans given the climate created in our community by the pandemic, RUMC President and CEO Dr. Dan Messina said. Northwell President and CEO Michael Dowling has been one of the most visible members of New Yorks hospital industry, appearing at a number of press conferences with Cuomo. In April, Dowling visited Staten Island for the opening of an emergency COVID-19 field hospital at the South Beach Psychiatric Center that was a joint effort among the state, Northwell, and the National Guard. Michael Dowling (left) appears with former Rep. Max Rose in his role with the National Guard during a tour of an emergency COVID field hospital at South Beach Psychiatric Center in Ocean Breeze on April 8, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri) According to Northwell, Dowling served 12 years in New York government, including time as deputy secretary to former Gov. Mario Cuomo, the current governors father. Republican former US president George W. Bush will attend the inauguration of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Washington on January 20, his chief of staff said Tuesday. 'President and Mrs. Bush look forward to returning to the Capitol for the swearing in of President Biden and Vice President Harris,' Freddy Ford tweeted. 'Witnessing the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that never gets old,' he added, in a seeming jab at President Donald Trump who refuses to concede defeat and has not confirmed if he will attend Biden's inauguration. It will be the eighth swearing-in ceremony the Bushs have attended, Ford said. He attended all three of his father's inaugurations, first as vice president to Ronald Reagan, then as president, then attended his own, both of Barack Obama's and Donald Trump's. After attending Trump's he was reported to have told Hillary Clinton: 'That was some weird s***.' The statement from Bush, the only living former Republican president, came during a week of high political tensions in the United States, with Trump desperately scheming to reverse his election loss. Frosty: George W. Bush will be at Joe Biden's inauguration. He congratulated the president-elect as soon as the race was called and his spokesman issued a rebuke to Trump saying 'watching the peaceful transition of power which is a hallmark of our democracy never gets old' Message from Bush: The 43rd president's spokesman issued a rebuke to Trump as he said the former first couple would attend Joe Biden's inauguration Vice President Mike Pence is to preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College vote that confirmed Biden as the winner of the White House. Trump was planning to address a rally called in protest at the certification, and he urged Pence to 'reject fraudulently chosen electors' - a move the vice president has no legal authority to make. Bush called Biden on November 8, the day after US media called the election for the Democrat, to offer his 'warm congratulations.' At the time he said Biden was 'a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.' 'The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear,' he added in a statement then. Meanwhile Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend Biden's inauguration. It marks the first time the couple, 96 and 93, will have missed the ceremonies since Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977. A spokeswoman at The Carter Center in Atlanta said the Carters have sent Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris their 'best wishes' and 'look forward to a successful administration.' Biden was a young Delaware senator and Carter ally during the Georgian's term in the White House. Last seen: The Carters were photographed visiting a friend in Georgia on December 31. The couple say they will not be at the Biden inauguration His own moment of history: Jimmy Carter was sworn in by then chief justice Warren Burger on January 20 1977 Successor: Jimmy Carter was there as Ronald Reagan was sworn in on January 20, 1981, with vice president Walter Mondale at his side Hail to the chief: The Carters are welcomed along with Walter Mondale (top right) at Bill Clinton's first inauguration in 1993 Veteran: Colin Powell, then secretary of state designate, shakes hands with Jimmy Carter at the first inauguration of George W. Bush on January 20, 2001 First couples together: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter stood beside Bill and Hillary Clinton at George W. Bush's second inauguration on January 20, 2005 Guests of honor: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were welcomed at Barack Obama's first inauguration on January 20, 2009 The Carters have spent the coronavirus pandemic mostly at their home in Plains, Georgia, where both were raised and where they returned after leaving the White House in 1981. Carter, a Democrat, became the longest-lived American president in March 2019, surpassing former President George H.W. Bush, who died the previous November. Carter survived a melanoma diagnosis that spread to his brain in 2015. He has since had several falls and hip replacement surgery. He no longer teaches Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, as he had for decades, but still participates in church activities via video amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter was the first former president to confirm his plans to attend President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017. Public mourning: The Carters were seated on the left aisle side of the front row of National Cathedral for George H.W. Bush's funeral on December 5, 2018 The Carters were seated on the aisle, next to former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush. The elder Bush was the lone former president at the time who did not attend Trump's inauguration. The Carters did travel to Washington for the elder Bush's funeral. [January 06, 2021] Yuanyuan's Adventure Episode IV: Retake Taiwan BEIJING, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn: In the latter half of the 19th century, the Japanese invaders, who long coveted Taiwan, took advantage of the decadent Qing dynasty to launch the Sino-Japanese War in 1894. The following year, the defeated Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan to Japan. Afterward Japan occupied Taiwan for 50 years. Faced the prospect of being ceded, many Qing generals allied with volunteer militia in Taiwan to fight against the Japanese troops who came to occupy Taiwan. Although it ended in failure, they made the Japanese invaders pay a heavy price. After occupying Taiwan, Japanese invaders distorted the facts of their militaristic war of aggression, forced the "emperor-centered historiography", which deified the Yamato people and the Japanese emperor, on the people in Taiwan, and launched the "Japanization Campaign" in a bid to condition people to be blindly obedient, eliminate national consciousness, and spiritually deprive the people of Taiwan. The locals were forced to learn Japanese, adopt Japanese names, and practice Japanese religions. But no trial can destroy the spirit of the Chinese. Japanese colonists' brutal rule caused people of Taiwan to launch national movements safeguarding Chinese culture, fighting for freedom and civil rights, instead of continuing armed resistance. During this period, local intellectuals and industrialists such as Lo Fu-sing, who established a branch of the United League of China, an underground resistance movement founded by Sun Yat-sen, in Taiwan, Zhang Wojun, who advocated the implementation of the "New Culture Movement", and Lin Erjia, who promoted national prosperity by developing industries, inherited the Chinese spirit in Taiwan with their unremitting efforts. In 1945, after the eight-year War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Japanese invaders declared unconditional surrender, and Taiwan returned to the motherland. In the next stage what is in store for Taiwan? Stay tuned for our next episode, and I'll tell you more. Yuanyuan's Adventure Episode IV: Retake Taiwan http://news.china.com.cn/txt/2021-01/06/content_77084440.htm SOURCE China.org.cn [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] US Vice-President Mike Pence on Wednesday rejected pressure from President Donald Trump to refuse to certify President-elect Joe Bidens election win, saying he does not have the authority. It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not, Pence said in a statement prior to a joint session of Congress that convened on Wednesday to certify Bidens win as the final stage of the US election process. Pences refusal to comply with Trumps wishes was expected as he had conveyed his decision to the president in a meeting on Tuesday that he does not have the constitutional authority to reject or overturn the election. But Trump had persisted, openly calling for his deputy to come through. Congress started the process of certification as scheduled on Wednesday afternoon and will continue for hours as the presidents Republican allies will attempt to have the election overthrown, knowing they will fail. The development came on the sidelines of a tense runoff contest in the state of Georgia, where the two parties were battling for two Senate seats up for grabs, which would eventually determine who controls the Senate. A Democratic candidate was projected to win one of the two runoff elections in the state, while and a fellow party nominee expanded his lead in the second race on Wednesday, setting up a likely defeat for the Republicans in their stronghold. New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi slammed the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raising issues of police negligence and women's safety in the aftermath of the brutal Nirbhaya-like Badaun gang-rape case. Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader wrote in Hindi: "In Badaun, the police did not listen to the complainant, he (police officer) did not even visit the incident scene. The UP government has not shown a strong reslove towards women's safety issue." Comparing the issue with Hathras case, Priyanka said, "In Hathras, the government did not listen to the complainant in the beginning, infact the government tried to protect its officers and muzzled the voice of people." While, Randeep Surjewala termed the incident, "Gruesome, heinous, and a shame on humanity." Surjewala wrote: "When will the Adityanath government wake up? How many more Nirbhaya-like cases will take place." Meanwhile, taking cognisance of the alleged gang-rape case in UP, the Chairperson of National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma said, "One NCW member is going to the spot to investigate the matter, to meet the family and the police and take an exact stock of the situation." Badaun gang-rape and murder case A woman's body was found outside her house in bloody condition on Sunday past midnight. As per the victims family, she had gone to a temple and had not returned. The police has registered a case against three people, Mahant Baba Satyanarayana, his disciple Vedram and driver Jaspal, two of the accused have been held. The SSP of Badaun Sankalp Sharma said, "In the case of the death of a 50-year-old woman under suspicious circumstances, an accused has been arrested and a has been case registered against him under Sections 302 and 376D of the Indian Penal Code." Also, the Station house officer (SHO) has been suspended, reported ANI. The incident, which reminds of Delhi's Nirbhaya gang-rape case took place at a village in the Ughaiti police station area of Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district. The woman had been gang-raped, an iron rod was inserted into her private parts, her lung was punctured and several ribs and leg was broken. She succumbed to her injuries that night. A post-mortem report conducted on Tuesday confirmed the brutal crime. The police formed four teams to catch the perpetrators, one is still absconding. The Ukrainian side is in the final stage of contractual arrangements with vaccine manufacturers. Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said Ukraine will in the near future conclude new contracts for the supply of vaccines against COVID-19. He made the comment during a daily online briefing on January 6, as reported by an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoUkraine to create register of vaccinated against COVID-19Stepanov added that Ukraine is in the final stage of contractual arrangements with vaccine manufacturers. "I am not entitled to disclose information about the companies we're in contact with and the stage of arrangements before contracts have been signed. But I can say that in the near future, we'll sign more contracts with companies that will be supplying vaccines [against COVID-19] to Ukraine," the minister said. Vaccines for Ukraine: Background In March, the first batch with 8 million doses of a vaccine is expected to be shipped to Ukraine under the COVAX Facility. These doses are enough to vaccinate 4 million people, because one person needs two shots of the vaccine. Doctors, senior citizens, and seriously ill patients will get vaccinated first. On December 24, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that his ministry was working out a plan to increase the vaccine quota as part of the COVAX global initiative from 8 million to 16 million doses. Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccines bought by government will be free for all UkrainiansOn December 22, Ukraine's Health Ministry approved a plan for vaccination of the population against COVID-19. The goal of this plan is to vaccinate at least 50% of the population of Ukraine (20 million people) in 2021-2022. On December 30, the Ukrainian Health Ministry signed a contract for the supply of China's Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine. The purchase provides for 1,913,316 doses at UAH 504 (US$18) per dose. China plans to obtain permission to use the vaccine inside the country and abroad in January next year, and the vaccine will also be submitted for retraining to the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2021. The contract for supplies to the territory of Ukraine has been signed with Lekhim JSC, which, according to official confirmations from Sinovac Biotech, is the only authorized representative of the vaccine manufacturer in Ukraine. Under the terms of the contract, the first batch of 700,000 doses will be delivered to Ukraine within 30 days after official registration in China, or by one of the competent authorities of the United States, Great Britain, the Swiss Confederation, Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel, India, Mexico, Brazil, or under a centralized procedure by the competent authority of the European Union. Reporting by UNIAN [January 06, 2021] Rhode Island's BankNewport Joins with 360 View to Bring CRM to its 200 Years of Community Banking 360 View, an industry-specific provider of customer relationship management software for financial institutions, announced today their partnership with one of Rhode Island's fast-growing companies, BankNewport, to implement their successful CRM growth platform. BankNewport, a Forbes Best-in-State bank, will be implementing 360 View's base CRM, as well as their Marketing Automation module and customer-specific messaging feature, SmartPops. The bank's commitment to leading-edge technology while maintaining the individual customer relationship motivated their search for a stand-out CRM solution. John Sullivan, EVP Director of Digital and Technology Strategy at BankNewport states, "It's not just the bank's expectation for efficiencies, it's our customers' expectation that we know them and optimize their time, and that's what the right CRM solution can offer." With BankNewport's long history of strength and stability, a reliable and sustainable technology partner was central in their search. "This is a long-term and important partnership, one that will continue to strengthen beyond implementation," explains Wendy Kagan, EVP Director of Employee and Community Engagement. 360 View offers a relationship that provides regular, personal contact with their long-standing team of bankers helping bankers. Joyce Colin, VP National Sales Representative for 360 View, agrees, "We are in the business of relationships as well, so we live and breathe the mantra and think it's really important to understand our partner's needs." BankNewport will also be taking advantage of 360 View's in-house industry expertise through their Professional Services Offerings. The 360 View platform boasts a host of features including intelligent marketing automatio and analytics through an accessible, user-friendly interface. Sullivan describes the importance of this to BankNewport, "There was more of an intuitive approach with 360 View as to other solutions that we researched, and that was central to our decision. It really boils down to how intuitive the application will be for the general user." With 17 branches in Rhode Island and $2 billion in assets, BankNewport's business lines also include a vibrant marine lending business and a full service insurance agency. 360 View is pleased to be working alongside BankNewport in continuing their commitment to community banking in Rhode Island, improving the personal banking experience by enhancing every single customer interaction, and continuing to be a trusted guide in helping customers to their financial goals. Additional Resources https://www.360view.com/ https://www.banknewport.com/ About BankNewport Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. With $2.0 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities. BankNewport has 17 branch locations, with commercial lending offices in Cumberland and Providence. BankNewport business lines include OceanPoint Marine Lending, specializing in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs, and OceanPoint Insurance, a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency, providing a broad range of property casualty insurance products, including employee benefits and marine related insurance products. About 360 View 360 View is the growth platform developed for banks and credit unions, providing all the tools necessary to maximize their team's performance. The solution goes beyond CRM, allowing the user to automate marketing campaigns, use analytics to capitalize on cross-sell opportunities and track goals and incentives, all while providing richer relational experiences that are personalized to every customer's unique needs. 360 View was developed by bankers specifically for financial institutions and has been serving the financial community since 2001. 360 View was recently named in the Top 10 Customer Experience Solution Providers by Banking CIO Outlook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005214/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Mamata meets Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar; BJP, CPI(M) say its usual practice India pti-Deepika S Kolkata, Jan 06: Amid the rancour between the state government and Raj Bhavan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, a development sources in the secretariat called a "courtesy visit". Banerjee went to the Raj Bhavan straightaway from the state secretariat Nabanna. The meeting between the two was seen in the political circles as the usual practice. "It''s only a courtesy visit. There is nothing official in it. The honourable CM wanted to exchange New Year greetings with the Governor," a highly-placed official in the state secretariat told PTI. She was with the governor for around one hour. Banerjee''s visit assume significance in the backdrop of soured relations between the governor and the ruling Trinamool Congress following Dhankhar''s frequent tweets on law and order situation, issues of governance, possibility of free and fair polls and other issues. Later Dhankhar tweeted, "Chief Minister called on me today at Raj Bhavan. First Lady Smt Sudesh Dhankhar and myself exchanged new year greetings with the hon''ble chief minister". BJP churning out fake news items; bringing in 'tourists' from outside in poll-bound Bengal: TMC The governor also posted a few photographs of the meeting on his Twitter handle. State BJP General Secretary Sayantan Basu told PTI that the chief minister can always meet the governor in a democracy and "I should not comment on that". "However, we expect the CM to follow the ''Raj Dharma'' by addressing the issues flagged by the governor from time to time," Basu said. Referring to CM''s visit, left front legislature party leader and CPI(M) MLA Sujan Chakraborty said the chief minister can definitely visit the governor. "But, my point is that while all her programmes and schedules are decided and made known days before the event, why she had to visit the governor all of a sudden and in such a hush-hush manner with everyone coming to know about it at the last minute," he commented. Recalling Banerjee''s visit to the central leader in the past "when the going had gone tough for her", Chakraborty quipped "is this visit also aimed at ''paap skhalan'' (atonement for sin) or some other similar reason." Health experts have warned the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is unlikely to allow Australians to fly overseas by mid-year, as their varying rate of effectiveness makes the idea of a "vaccine passport" unfeasible. A "vaccine passport", which would allow immunised individuals with proof of vaccination to travel abroad, is being considered by the federal government as one way of reopening international travel. However, professor Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Program at the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute, said a vaccine passport program would only work with high-efficacy vaccines, which can control the transmission of the virus. Health experts have thrown cold water on Qantas' hopes travel to the UK and US can resume by midyear. Credit:Steven Saphore Anyone who had taken a less effective vaccine was still liable to catch coronavirus overseas and bring it home, she warned. Since Soviet times, this Institute has been developing various kinds of biological weapons. Russia is making efforts to conceal the involvement of the 48th Central Research Institute, which is part of the defense ministry, in the development of the Sputnik V vaccine candidate for COVID-19, Ukrainian media reported. The facility is a biological weapons developer that has been sanctioned by the U.S. government, therefore any information about its involvement in the work on the vaccine would hinder potential exports, Censor.net reported citing Guildhall. "The Russians are trying in every possible way to hide the involvement of the 48th Central Research Institute at the Russian Defense Ministry in the development of the alleged Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for a number of reasons. Since Soviet times, this institute has been involved in the development of various kinds of offensive biological weapons, and, in general, the fact that it came under U.S. sanctions is quite natural. The fact that this facility participated in the development of the vaccine affects exports to other countries," military-political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko told Guildhall. Read alsoWHO lists Pfizer vaccine for emergency use"The emergence of the coronavirus coincided with the accident that occurred in Russia in the Vektor laboratories in September 2019. While China was the first to record the coronavirus, a big question is where the virus comes from," the expert says. "It was the officials with the 48th Central Research Institute who took part in the aid effort to Italy, which in fact, given the lack of actual aid, looked more like an intelligence mission. And here it is not about the Russians' attempts to find out some secrets in a NATO Ally's territory, but rather about the will to gain access to the 'genetic material' of those infected because the highest peak of infections was recorded in Italy. And then the vaccine appeared soon. There is a direct connection between representatives of this facility with the peak of ascertainment rate and the appearance of the vaccine," the expert said. Earlier, Kovalenko wrote on Facebook that information about the developer of the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus, the 48th Central Research Institute at the Russian Defense Ministry, had completely been removed from Wikipedia. Reporting by UNIAN Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Advertisement While the UK is living under the strictest Covid-19 regulations since last March, those who have escaped to Dubai for a winter break are happily mingling in busy restaurants and entertainment venues - a far cry from lockdown Britain. Instagram has been awash in recent days with everyone from ordinary families to reality TV stars showing off the fun they're having in the sun-drenched Emirate, which has worked hard to reassure tourists that it's very much business as usual - with five-star hotels, restaurants and bars all operating at near normal levels, and attractions such as the Wadi Rum water park and indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai, still very much taking bookings from visiting tourists. Those who travelled after the PM put parts of the country into tier 4 on Sunday 20th December appear to have got away with flouting the rules, and are unlikely to have faced much scrutiny upon their return. While the government is planning to make a negative Covid result mandatory for some travellers entering the UK, the new rule is not yet in place, and there's speculation that it will only apply to foreign nationals and not British citizens - meaning that tourists returning from Dubai could be sailing through and bringing the virus with them. Scroll down for video Exodus to the Middle East: thousands of British tourists are currently basking under Middle Eastern sunshine, after escaping before PM Boris Johnson announced the latest national lockdown on Monday 5th January - and many flouting the rules before that by dashing for the sun while in tier 4 HOW MUCH IS IT BUSINESS AS USUAL IN DUBAI? PARTY'S OVER? TOUGH LAWS ON RETURNING TO THE UK COULD SPARK A STAMPEDE It looks likely that the Government will introduce guidance this week that means passengers trying to get to the UK will need a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of departure or they will be barred from flying. Boris Johnson said ministers will be bringing in measures to ensure people arriving in the country are Covid-free. Government sources told MailOnline the detail of the policy was still being 'firmed up'. An announcement is expected in a 'couple of days', with the rules likely to be in force by the end of the week. It has sparked fears there will be a stampede of Britons - such as Vogue Williams in St Barts and Towie's Amber Turner in Dubai - trying to get home. Advertisement While Covid restrictions are certainly in place, those waking up in Dubai are currently enjoying a very different set of rules. The Emirate's famously luxurious dining scene - which includes the likes of Nobu, The Ivy and Gordon Ramsay's Bread Kitchen - continues to thrive, with partitioning screens and masks enforced in communal areas, but no-one required to wear them while seated. Table numbers are remarkably generous too, the UAE's governors set the limit at eight people in October and it remains in place. Hotels, including the striking six-star Burj Al Arab, have introduced digital check-ins, masks in public areas and temperature checks. Dubai's most famous tourist attractions, the Wadi Rum waterpark has social distancing and safety measures including hand sanitiser in place but remains open, as does Ski Dubai, the Emirate's indoor snow park. Beaches are open, and shopping malls including the biggest, The Dubai Mall, simply require masks and social distancing, ensuring holidaying Brits are free to splash their cash. While other holiday destinations require a negative Covid test before you fly out of the UK - costing around 149 per person - Dubai has offered them on landing at the airport for free for those who arrive without the necessary paperwork, offering a saving of around 600 per family compared to many other countries. DID UK TOURISTS IN DUBAI DODGE RULES TO GET OUT THERE? While tier 4 restrictions would in theory have stopped holidaymakers from travelling to Dubai unless they fitted into the Government's strict rules on international travel - business or family emergencies - tiers one to three were more relaxed, giving thousands the green light to board flights. However, it's clear that tier 4 relied on self-policing, so many could have flouted the rules to make a last-gasp break for the sun. Britons flying out in recent weeks will have had to provide evidence of a negative Covid test for 96 hours before travel, and if they can't produce paper evidence at Dubai International Airport, they would have been given a free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on arrival. Children under 12 were not required to offer evidence that they were Covid free. Instagram influencers who count social media as their full-time job may well have been able to make the 7-hour flight by classing the trip as business; many sharing images over the festive period have been publishing sponsored posts promoting companies they work with. Wadi Rum waterpark, Dubai's leading water attraction, has Covid measures in place but is allowing theme park lovers to largely attend as normal The holiday destination is enjoying business almost as usual with restaurants including Nobu (pictured) offering tables to up to eight people and no masks required when seated Ski Dubai: No chance of the Alps this winter but Dubai's impressive snow resort is open with social distancing measures in place ...AND WILL THEY BE ABLE TO GET BACK? A raft of reality stars shared images of themselves enjoying NYE in Dubai, with Hayley Hughes sharing this photo - many managed to escape tier 4 by travelling to the emirate on business, promoting companies they work for while out there While those stuck in lockdown under freezing January skies might wish for those currently enjoying the Dubai sunshine to not enjoy an easy return to the UK, the likelihood is they'll be just fine. Those who test positive while in the Emirate must isolate for ten days. Current UK guidance suggests there's no need for an immediate return, although the Government has suggested that it could bring in new rules that would require a negative Covid test to land on UK soil. It looks likely that the Government will introduce new guidance this week that means passengers trying to get to the UK will need a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of departure or they will be barred from flying. Boris Johnson said ministers will be bringing in measures to ensure people arriving in the country are Covid-free. Government sources told MailOnline the detail of the policy was still being 'firmed up'. An announcement is expected in a 'couple of days', with the rules likely to be in force by the end of the week. It has sparked fears there will be a stampede of Britons - such as Vogue Williams in St Barts and Towie's Amber Turner in Dubai - trying to get home. CAN YOU STILL FLY OUT TO DUBAI? The Government has been unflinching in suggesting that even leaving your home during the current lockdown is against guidance. The Gov.co.uk site currently reads: 'In England you must not leave home including to travel abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so, such as for essential work purposes.' That said, flights haven't stopped. A family of two adults and three children could board a flight to Dubai International Airport tomorrow, although economy tickets with Middle Eastern airline Emirates currently cost around 2,200 each. Next week the prices tumble significantly, with a return ticket costing as little as 357 per person. Let's shop: The Dubai Mall, famous for couture brands, has enforced masks and social distancing but all non-essential retail outlets remain very much open Britons flying out in recent weeks will have had to provide evidence of a negative Covid test for the four days before travel, and if they can't they would have been given a free PCR test on arrival British Airways told MailOnline that it's keen to keep links open but only for people permitted to travel: 'We are reviewing our flight schedule following the announcement of new national lockdown restrictions. Our focus is on keeping crucial air links open - transporting vital goods and ensuring people who are permitted to travel can continue to do so safely. As always, if a customer's flight is cancelled we offer a range of options including a full refund.' It's unclear how much people are being scrutinised over their reasons for travel when they arrive at UK airports for departures. Upon arrival in Dubai, visitors must still provide evidence that they're Covid-free via a test in the UK or a PCR test at the airport. The Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance that will appropriate $800,000 to several organizations. Getting the funding will be the Tivoli Theatre $225,000, the Forgotten Child Fund $75,000, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center $40,000, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga for eviction relief $60,000, COVID contingency fund $100,000 and the Small Business Relief Fund $300,000. It had been proposed by the administration that $160,000 go to United Way, but that money went instead to the eviction relief and the COVID contingency. Earlier that afternoon, the Council decided the money granted by this ordinance was needed as quickly as possible. However, city attorney Phil Noblett said an ordinance cannot be passed on two readings on the same day. Because of this, the Council scheduled another meeting for Wednesday at 5:00. Rather than adjourning, the Council instead recessed with the knowledge they would come back on Wednesday evening. Raphael Warnocks roots showed little promise of a future that led to the U.S. Senate. He grew up in Savannah in the Kayton Homes public housing project, the second youngest of 12 children. His mother as a teenager had worked as a sharecropper picking cotton and tobacco. His father was a preacher who also made money hauling old cars to a local scrapyard. My daddy used to wake me up every morning at dawn, Warnock told a hometown crowd at a drive-in rally two days before his election Tuesday. He said, `Boy, you cant sleep late in my house. Get up, get dressed, put your shoes on. Get ready. Pushed by his parents to work hard, Warnock left Savannah and became the first member of his family to graduate from college, helped by Pell grants and low-interest student loans. He earned a Ph.D. in theology that led to a career in the pulpit, eventually as head pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. Now Warnock, 51, will go to Washington as the first Black senator elected from Georgia, a Southern state still grappling with its painful history of slavery, segregation and racial injustice. Only in America is my story even possible, Warnock told the cheering drive-in crowd Sunday. Warnock defeated Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman who spent more than $20 million of her own money to try to keep the Senate seat to which Georgias Republican governor appointed her a year ago. His election followed a year scarred not only by a pandemic that disproportionately killed African Americans and left many jobless and struggling to pay rent, but also marked by the volatile outcry over the killings of Black Americans, including George Floyd in Minneapolis, and Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks in Georgia. Warnock isnt the first Black candidate to win statewide office in Georgia, where voters elected Black men to serve as attorney general and state labor commissioner in the 1990s. But the Senate seat is by far the most high-profile office won by an African American from the state. Michaelle Viosa moved to Atlanta last year from New York and said shes been unable to find a job amid economic fallout from the pandemic. Hearing of Warnocks win when she woke Wednesday morning, Viosa, a Black woman of Haitian descent, cheered his victory but also wondered what hell do when he gets to Washington. I believe God wanted it, Viosa said. Im hoping he uses his powers for good for our community. There has been so much oppression on our people. Warnock framed his campaign for the Senate as an extension of his years of progressive activism as the leader of Atlantas storied Ebenezer Baptist Church. He won election on a platform that called for bail reform and an end to mass incarceration; a living wage and job training for a green economy; expanded access to voting and health care, and student loan forgiveness. It was an unabashedly liberal agenda that illustrates a political shift in Georgia. The states last Democratic senator, Zell Miller, became so conservative that he gave a rousing speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention endorsing the reelection of President George W. Bush. It remains to be seen whether another Georgia Democrat, Jon Ossoff, will join Warnock in the Senate. Both of the states Senate seats were on the runoff ballot Tuesday, with Ossoff seeking to deny a second term to Republican David Perdue. It remained too early to call the race Wednesday. Warnock insists hell work to unite Georgia after a bitterly divisive campaign and the polarizing four years of President Donald Trumps term. He said Wednesday that his first priorities will be pushing to increase coronavirus relief payments to $2,000 and improving distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. What Georgia did last night is its own message, Warnock told CNN on Wednesday, in the midst of a moment in which so many people are trying to divide our country at a time we can least afford to be divided. Loeffler and Republicans tried hard to brand Warnock as too radical, using video snippets from some of his sermons as ammunition for a barrage of negative ads. One of them featured Warnock defending President Barack Obamas former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, after Wright decried the countrys mistreatment of Blacks with the exclamation, God damn America. Other Black ministers called Loefflers criticisms unfair, saying Republicans used short excerpts of Warnocks sermons without context and showed no understanding of how Black preachers have often spoken out against racial injustice in terms that can be discomforting to outsiders. Warnock used his pulpit to criticize the U.S. decision to send more troops to Iraq in 2007. He was arrested at the Georgia state Capitol in 2014 while protesting the refusal of state Republicans to expand Medicaid. In 2017, while he and other pastors were demonstrating against efforts to repeal Obamas signature health care law, he was arrested again at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Warnock recalled the Washington arrest during his speech Sunday in Savannah, as he looked ahead to his next trip to Capitol Hill. Im going to meet those Capitol police officers again, he said. This time they will not be taking me to central booking. They can help me find my new office. Outstanding employer accreditation is based on independent assessment 70% of Madagascar employees participated in the independent review of Teleperformance 8 key employee engagement workplace factors were evaluated and validated 2020 Best Place to Work certification is first for Teleperformance in Madagascar More than 85% of Teleperformance employees worldwide work in certified top employer operations Regulatory News: Teleperformance (Paris:TEP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, announced today its Madagascar operations received the prestigious Best Places to Work (BPTW) award for the first time. Highlights of the BPTW recognition include 70% employee survey participation rates and strong scores for all eight critical evaluation areas. The BPTW certification in Madagascar is particularly significant with the world still engulfed in the Covid-19 pandemic which has caused significant worldwide employment challenges and disruptions. Best Places to Work is a leading third-party expert on top employer-of-choice workplaces. BPTW uses a rigorous assessment methodology and a framework which reflects the very latest in workplace trends. Top employer workplace factors include eight separate critical dimensions: leadership, HR practices, compensation, benefits, teamwork relationships, employee engagement, workplace procedures and corporate social responsibility. David Debydeal, COO, Teleperformance Madagascar, commented: "We are very proud of this independent Best Place to Work certification which is based on comprehesnsive third party audits of our operations and culture including anonymous employee surveys that grade us as an employer. 70% of our workforce particpated in this process the successful result reflects on our constant focus of listening, supporting and staying close to our people. We could not have achieved this without great cooperation and total teamwork." With a top global priority of employee well-being, twenty 27 separate Teleperformance country operations including Madagascar are currently independently recognized as top employers by third party evaluators: Albania, Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kosovo, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. This represents more than 85% of the worldwide Teleperformance workforce. Teleperformance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Julien, said: "Despite lingering challenges from 2020, we are in the beginning of a new year filled with renewed hope and optimism for the entire world. If we learned only one thing from the past year, it is that people matter now more than ever; our total success is based on the consistency of people helping people. At Teleperformance, more than 85% of our global workforce of 331,000 people now work in independently certified top employer operations. We remain totally committed to being a global employer of choice for each and every employee everywhere we operate." ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE GROUP Teleperformance (TEP ISIN: FR0000051807 Reuters: TEPRF.PA Bloomberg: TEP FP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, serves as a strategic partner to the world's largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model combining three wide, high-value solution families: customer experience management, back-office services and business process knowledge services. These end-to-end digital solutions guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high tech, high touch approach. The Group's 331,000 employees, based in 80 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process.This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2019, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 5,355 million (US$ 6 billion, based on 1 $1.12) and net profit of 400 million. Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, CAC Support Services, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350 and MSCI Global Standard. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares have been included in the Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 index since 2015, the FTSE4Good index since 2018 and also the Ethibel Sustainability Excellence Europe index (confirmed in 2019). For more information: www.teleperformance.com Follow us on Twitter: @teleperformance View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005590/en/ Contacts: FINANCIAL ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS Investor relations and financial communication department TELEPERFORMANCE Tel: +33 1 53 83 59 15 investor@teleperformance.com PRESS RELATIONS Europe Laurent Poinsot Karine Allouis IMAGE7 Tel: +33 1 53 70 74 70 teleperformance@image7.fr PRESS RELATIONS Americas and Asia-Pacific Mark Pfeiffer TELEPERFORMANCE Tel: 1 801-257-5811 mark.pfeiffer@teleperformance.com Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Predictive Dialer Software Market Growth & Trends The global predictive dialer software market size is expected to reach USD 12.19 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 37.0% from 2021 to 2028. Predictive dialer software uses statistical algorithms to predict the availability of contact center agents and estimates the normal time for phone calls to be answered. The dialing rate is then adjusted accordingly considering these two factors. Businesses are widely adopting predictive dialer systems to reach out to a large number of customers automatically. Furthermore, predictive dialer dials from a list of phone numbers and can detect disconnected phone numbers, voicemail messages, busy signals, and unanswered numbers. Such a system potentially allows companies to keep their customers updated about a service issue or emergency. Numerous businesses across the globe are adopting predictive dialer software to leverage automated dialer technology to connect with their customers in real-time. The software allows contact center agents to adjust the calling rate efficiently according to the sales benchmarks and quotas. The software also allows agents to access valuable customer information related to the next call in the lineup. Predictive dialer software can allow contact center agents to effectively handle high call volumes. The software can also help businesses in improving agent efficiency and productivity with a lesser workforce. The outbreak of COVID-19 is anticipated to drive the demand for predictive dialer software as companies prefer working with a limited workforce amid the pandemic. Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Predictive Dialer Software Market Report Predictive Dialer Software Market Report Highlights By component, the software segment is expected to continue dominating the market over the forecast period. The capability of the software to help agents in handling blended calls and deal with both outbound and inbound calls prompts businesses to adopt the software to deliver higher customer satisfaction On the basis of deployment, cloud-based predictive dialer software assists businesses with the processes related to voice broadcasting and live call transfer. Its key features include voicemail detection, concurrent calling, campaign analytics, and text-to-speech conversion In terms of enterprise size, small and medium enterprises need efficient communication systems, which can potentially boost their business. Predictive dialer systems are suitable for small and medium enterprises as they can autodial call efficiently as per the business needs Based on end use, government agencies are widely adopting predictive dialer systems as they are affordable, can be easily installed on a desktop, and require no additional hardware. As a result, even smaller government organizations are adopting these systems to effectively communicate with citizens and staff Continued adoption of the latest technologies in emerging economies, such as China and India, is expected to create growth opportunities for the market in Asia Pacific Predictive Dialer Software Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global predictive dialer software market on the basis of component, deployment, enterprise size, end use, and region: Predictive Dialer Software Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Software Services Integration & Deployment Support & Maintenance Training & Consulting Managed Services Predictive Dialer Software Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Cloud On-premise Predictive Dialer Software Enterprise Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Large Enterprises Small & Medium Enterprises Predictive Dialer Software End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) BFSI Government Healthcare IT & Telecom Others Predictive Dialer Software Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) North America US. Canada Europe Germany UK. Asia Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Middle East & Africa List of Key Players of Predictive Dialer Software Market Agile CRM ChaseData Corporation Convoso Five9, Inc. NICE inContact PhoneBurner RingCentral, Inc. Star2Billing S.L. VanillaSoft Ytel Inc. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-05 23:55:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A Long March-5 rocket, carrying the Chang'e-5 spacecraft, blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of southern island province of Hainan, Nov. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) The country plans to launch the core module of its manned space station in the first half of 2021. China's Mars probe Tianwen-1 is designed to complete orbiting, landing and roving this year. BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the leading force of the country's space industry, has released a plan for more than 40 space launches for 2021, a new high following the already busy and fruitful 2020. The construction of China's space station, the key space mission in the year, will enter a crucial stage, according to the CASC. The country plans to launch the core module of its manned space station in the first half of 2021. Subsequent space missions include the launches of the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft and the Shenzhou-12 manned craft. China's Mars probe Tianwen-1 is designed to complete orbiting, landing and roving this year. The spacecraft, launched on July 23, 2020, is expected to enter the Mars orbit around February. Afterward, it will spend two to three months surveying potential landing sites to prepare for its landing in May. China will continue to research manned lunar exploration, and will foster the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) in civil aviation and other fields. 2020 has been a fruitful year for China's aerospace industry. It successfully launched its first Mars mission in July, taking the first step in its planetary exploration of the solar system. The Chang'e-5 mission has successfully brought home 1,731 grams of moon samples and accomplished several firsts for China, including the first moon sampling, the first liftoff from an extraterrestrial body, and the first rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, and it was the first spacecraft carrying samples to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speed. It marks the successful conclusion of China's current three-step lunar exploration program of orbiting, landing and returning samples, which began in 2004. China launched the last BDS satellite in June of 2020 and declared the official commissioning of the BDS in July, marking the formal opening of the newly completed BDS-3 system to global users. "2020 has been a crucial year for building up China's strength in aerospace," said Wu Yansheng, board chairman of the CASC, adding that the annual number of space launches and flight tests hit a new record and the new generation of launch vehicles performed well in major space projects. China's new medium-lift carrier rocket Long March-8 made its maiden flight in December of 2020, filling the gap in China's launch capability to the sun-synchronous orbit from 3 tonnes to 4.5 tonnes, and is of great significance for accelerating the upgrading of launch vehicles. A new carrier rocket developed by private enterprises for commercial use also performed well. The carrier rocket CERES-1, developed by the Beijing-based high-tech company Galactic Energy, made its maiden flight in November 2020. "Ensuring the success of major space projects is still the top priority," Wu said, adding that the CASC will improve the efficiency and design level of space products through advanced methods including digitization. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds a gavel during the first session of the 117th Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 3, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Pelosi Names House Democratic Leaders for Electoral College Debate House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) late Tuesday announced the Democrats who will lead the partys reaction to electoral vote objections. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) will lead the response, Pelosi said in a letter to her caucus. Congress is convening in a joint session to tally presidential votes from states under the Electoral College system. Objections are planned by some 90 Republicans to approximately six contested states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan, where Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was certified the winner but President Donald Trump asserts he actually won. If Republicans bring a challenge to a state, we then break into separate House and Senate sessions to debate, Pelosi wrote. The quartet she named and state delegations have been working on our Democratic presentation of the constitutional, historical, and thematic justification for respecting the will of the people, Pelosi said. On the floor of the House, we will have a civics lesson about protecting the integrity of our democracy. Priority to speak has been given to state delegation members from states that are expected to face a challenge, she added. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, told reporters earlier this week that Democrats would defend against objections in a serious, solemn, and substantive fashion. The House and Senate will debate and vote separately on objections, per federal law. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bidens running mate, will be among the senators hearing arguments on contested votes. President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in file photographs. (Getty Images) Pelosi cautioned Democrats earlier in the week that they were not to use the time to debate the presidency of Donald Trump. While there is no doubt as to the outcome of the Biden-Harris presidency, our further success is to convince more of the American people to trust in our democratic system, she said. Biden declared victory in the election weeks ago. Trump and some of his allies assert the election isnt over. Some 77 representatives and 13 senators plan on objecting to electoral votes during Wednesdays joint session, according to an Epoch Times tally. Other Republicans and virtually all Democrats oppose the effort. Objections require a majority vote in each chamber to be upheld. Who becomes president on Jan. 20 depends on what happens during the joint session, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said this week. Hawley is one of the senators planning to object. This is why we have the debate, this is why we have the votes, he said. Another potential path to victory involves Vice President Mike Pence, who presides over the session as president of the Senate. Trump and others say Pence can reject electoral votes for Biden from contested states, while detractors argue he cannot. Pence hasnt said publicly which side he agrees with. In this file photo dated Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, a bottle of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on a table before being utilised in Topeka, USA. The European Union's medicines agency on Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021, gave the green light to Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use to fight the virus rampaging across the continent.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, FILE) The European Union's medicines agency gave the green light Wednesday to Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use in the desperate battle to tame the virus rampaging across the continent. The approval recommendation by the European Medicines Agency's human medicines committeewhich must be rubber-stamped by the EU's executive commissioncomes amid high rates of infections in many EU countries and strong criticism of the slow pace of vaccinations across the region of some 450 million people. "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency," said Emer Cooke, Executive Director of EMA. "It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the move and added in a tweet: "Now we are working at full speed to approve it & make it available in the EU." The EMA has already approved a coronavirus vaccine made by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech. Both vaccines require giving people two shots. The EU has ordered 80 million doses of the Moderna vaccine with an option for a further 80 million. The bloc also has committed to buying 300 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Exterior view of the European Medicines Agency in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The European Union's medicines agency gave the green light Wednesday to Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use in the desperate battle to tame the virus rampaging across the continent. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) Ahead of the meeting on the Moderna vaccine, the agency said in a tweet that its experts were "working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company." It did not elaborate on what those issues were. Moderna also declined to comment. German Health Minister Jens Spahnwho has in the past been critical of the slow pace of the EMAsaid shortly before the announcement of the EMA approval that he expected the Moderna vaccine to begin rolling out to EU nations next week. Germany would get 2 million doses in the first quarter and 50 million in all of 2021, Spahn told reporters in Berlin. "The problem is the shortage of production capacity with global demand," he said. Spahn said that if further vaccines beyond the BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna shots are approved in the EU, "we'll be able to offer everyone in Germany a vaccine by the summer." He insisted that the strategy of bulk-buying for the entire bloc had been the right one as it had given manufacturers certainty to go ahead with production and ensured fair distribution among all the 27 countries. In this Monday Dec. 1, 2020, file photo the exterior of the European Medicines Agency is seen in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The European Commission defended its coronavirus vaccination strategy Monday amid growing criticism in member states about the slow rollout of COVID-19 shots across the region with 450 million inhabitants. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) Early results of large, still unfinished studies show both the Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines appear safe and strongly protective, although Moderna's is easier to handle since it doesn't need to be stored at ultra-frozen temperatures. The EU agency gave the green light to use the Moderna vaccine on people age 18 year and above. It said side effects "were usually mild or moderate and got better within a few days after vaccination." The most common side effects are "pain and swelling at the injection site, tiredness, chills, fever, swollen or tender lymph nodes under the arm, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting," the EMA said. Cook stressed that EU authorities "will closely monitor data on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine to ensure ongoing protection of the EU public. Our work will always be guided by the scientific evidence and our commitment to safeguard the health of EU citizens." The United States, Canada and Israel have already approved use of the Moderna vaccine. The U.S. gave it the green light for emergency use in people over 18 years on Dec. 18, followed by Canada five days later with an interim authorization also for people over 18. Israel authorized the vaccine on Monday. Exterior view of the European Medicines Agency in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The European Union's medicines agency gave the green light Wednesday to Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use in the desperate battle to tame the virus rampaging across the continent. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) Moderna said Monday that it is increasing its estimate for global vaccine production in 2021 from 500 to 600 million doses. The company said it is "continuing to invest and add staff to build up to potentially 1 billion doses for 2021." Both Moderna's and Pfizer-BioNTech's shots are mRNA vaccines, made with a groundbreaking new technology. They don't contain any coronavirusmeaning they cannot cause infection. Instead, they use a piece of genetic code that trains the immune system to recognize the spike protein on the surface of the virus, ready to attack if the real thing comes along. Exterior view of the European Medicines Agency headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The European Union's medicines agency gave the green light Wednesday to Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use in the desperate battle to tame the virus rampaging across the continent. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) The EU officially began giving out Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination shots on Dec. 27, but the speed of each nation's inoculation program has varied widely. France vaccinated around 500 people in the first week, while Germany vaccinated 200,000. The Dutch were only beginning to give out vaccine shots Wednesday, the last EU nation to start doing so. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz tweeted that approval of the Moderna vaccine "is another important step in the fight against the pandemic. This means we have more vaccine available in the EU and can fight the pandemic faster." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Its a new year. Big whoop. Stock have to be checked, fed and bedded. Milkings continue morning and evening, and fresh produce is delivered before sunrise to shops and distribution centres around the country. I was on the road on Saturday morning with the first of 2021s tulips and daffodils, but my mind was elsewhere. Day-to-day life was rumbling on, but Covid lockdowns and Brexit showdowns have changed everything. I have 10 million daffodil stems starting to break ground cover in the fields of east Meath over the coming 10 weeks. A chunk of them are destined for the famous flower auctions in Holland, but with that country in severe lockdown until the second half of January, the prospects are dire. With half of all the worlds flowers traded through Dutch hands, if youve any involvement with export markets, you are likely to be reliant on the Dutch machine to keep churning. Dumped When it stops, as it did during the first lockdown last March, close to 20 million of unwanted flowers from the gigantic auction warehouses in Aalmeer are dumped daily. Ive got to just hope and pray that trade is rolling again when I hit peak output at the start of February. But even if it does, Brexit poses further hurdles to be cleared. Even though I was practically cheering on the countdown to Britains exit on December 31, Ive now realised the real fight has only started. Fishing Take our fisheries for example. With Britain out, Ireland now accounts for nearly 40pc of the area governed by EU rules. Yet, Ireland still only has a fraction of the quota. Just look at part of the area off the Wexford coast, where Ireland has a quota to catch just 50 tonnes of black sole. In contrast, the Belgians have a quota to catch close to 1,000 tonnes of the same species in this patch of the Irish Sea. Irish boats have zero quota to catch the same in Belgian waters in the North sea. The EU fish quota system was based on the certified catch of each countrys fleet back in the 1970s, a time when an under-developed Irish fleet didnt even have log books. Its the same issues that got Brexiteers going in the early days of their campaign. If Ireland gets a raw deal over the coming weeks, it will store up a political time-bomb that will explode at some point in the future. Will the British food service sector gradually drift to cheaper beef imports from South America? How big an impact will this have on Irish beef prices? Standards And theres nothing surer than a future row between the Brits and the EU over whos bending the rules on state supports and minimum standards. With Ireland more exposed than any other EU country to the retaliatory tariffs that would inevitably follow, how much protection is there at an EU level for the Irish businesses and farmers that would then be facing financial ruin? For now, I have to focus on the immediate costs created by Britains exit. The transport company that trucks the pallets of my flowers via the UK landbridge to Holland every year is hopeful that the route to Rotterdam via Hull will not suffer the same congestion that has already caused chaos at Dover. But the new paperwork, such as the T2 form that will need to be created by a customs agent for every consignment that I send, will cost me 50. Thats no big deal if you are sending a full load or even a half load. But if you are small fry like me, sending maybe four or five pallets a time, its a 13pc increase in transport costs. Thats the transit charge. But there could also be additional import/export charges of 75 for each consignment. Between that, and possible phytosanitary check charges being introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Im looking at a 40pc increase in transport costs on small consignments. Thats where the extra costs of 10c/kg or 1.58c/litre mooted by meat and milk processors have their origins. In milk alone, it equates to about 32m a year in red tape costs. That will be a direct transfer from dairy farmers pockets to rubber stampers in Government, at ports and in logistics chains between here and the Continent. Say hello to Brexit: the biggest waste of human resources and money ever invented. Darragh McCullough runs a mixed farm enterprise in Meath elmgrovefarm.ie After six years of closure and restoration work, the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art has reopened its doors to the public in December 2020. We are given the privilege to be guided through the museums rooms by its new director, artist Tarek Maamoun, who has been in charge of the premises since 2017. "Dating back to 1927, the museum contains many important works by Egyptian artists such as the countrys early 20th century contemporary art pioneers: Mahmoud Said, Ragheb Ayad, Gazbeya Sirry, Abdel-Hadi El-Gazzar, and many others," writes Soha Elsirgany in Ahram Online (2015). "The museum was renovated several times in 1991 and 2005, it was closed in 2011 and partially re-opened in November 2014, showcasing segments of the first floor only," she added. Now that it has opened all of its floors and rooms, we have an opportunity to visit many gems that the museum is home to. After leaving your belongings at the entrance and registering your personal details, you turn to the large room which promises a beautiful dive into the history of Egyptian plastic arts, focusing on years between 1887 and 1975. The ground floor brings together the work of artists born between 1887 and 1910, the true pioneers of modern Egypts cultural scene. We thus discover the work of the Egyptian-Armenian artist Ashoud Azorian, tackling motherhood. Azorian is one of the museums finds. Armenians are an integral part of the history of Egypt and during his time, Cairo was truly a cosmopolitan city, Tarek Maamoun comments to Al-Ahram Hebdo. The current new and permanent exhibition aims to showcase works unrecognized by critics, since they have rarely been shown in exhibitions. The museum's selection committee, chaired by artist Hamdi Abdallah, began by asking a question that was both relevant and provocative: what is the role of this museum? Is it simply a place of exhibition and documentation? Or is he supposed to give clear answers regarding the history of art in Egypt? Maamoun comments. This task was not easy. Maamoun reviewed a collection of 13,000 pieces of works, piled up in the museum's storerooms. He eventually chose 890 of them, created by 709 artists. Continuing the tour in the great hall, we stop in front of Georges Al-Sabbagh's oil painting titled The Wave (1928). With shades of green and grayish-white, the painter represents the wave movement in a perfect way. It is the only painting by the artist in the museum's collection. Uncovering the secrets Two other artists capture our attention: Mohamed Sayed Al-Gharablys painting of a man and a woman in the mystical universe of paradise, and Al-Hussein Badawys Villager, carving the face of a somewhat sullen peasant woman with a dark palette. The two artists are not well known to the general public, since their work had never been exhibited in the museum until now. Among this generation of 1910, we also discover Emma Kaly Ayad, who often painted women. Besides some classic portraits of her, there is this painting of a naked dancer, which immediately stands out and testifies to the great freedom of the time. Then, we see the portrait of the young girl with braids, which indicates how sculptor Abdallah Al-Dinawi has fallen into oblivion. Armenian artist Simone Samsoniane's painting The Revolution expresses her strong attachment to Egypt and her involvement in local political life. Further on, we come across a surrealist piece by Ramsis Younan, one of the founders of the LArt et la Liberte (Art and Freedom) group. The canvas on display conveys a nightmarish dream, realised with the help of a revolutionary colour palette and marked by the influence of Jackson Pollock, especially in terms of technique. In the middle of the room, sculptures by Abdel-Badie Abdel-Hay, Mahmoud Moussa and other undisputed masters of the genre give great testimony to the figurative style with a slight touch of abstraction. Surprises of the museum halls The tour in this room ends with the works of two great names in Egyptian painting: Hamed Abdallah and Taheya Halim. Their pieces sort of respond to each other, especially since they were married at some point in their lives. It's as if the characters of the two artists communicate with one other. As we move to the second floor, we discover work created between 1910 and 1932. Here we find the scrap sculpture of Salah Abdel-Karim and the simple portrait of Adam Henein - abstract and innocent - representing the face of a child. Then we dwell on Slave Trader, a painting by Fatheya Zohni. The work is reminiscent of those of the Orientalists. Unfortunately, the artist's name is unknown to the general public. Time and time again, Abdel-Hadi Al-Gazzar surprises us with his restored masterpiece The Man and the Cat. On the reverse side, the museum staff discovered another older painting from 1950, titled An Old Woman. This painting reveals the artist's old technique: an elderly woman wears black against a greenish-gray background. The portrait of the writer Taha Hussein by the painter and cartoonist Georges Bahgoury also testifies to a different style. It is a unique masterpiece, in terms of form and iconic representation. In addition, we discover the sculptor's talent of the press cartoonist, Nagui Kamel. He knows very well how to handle mass and volume, in a work in black polyester: a young woman with big eyes who hides under her veil and her long traditional dress. The big names of the 1990s The third floor houses the work of artists born between 1932 and 1975. These are the renowned names in the art scene today. Some paintings undoubtedly underline the value of certain artists, such as Said El-Adawi. The paintings of the latter summarize its evolution. The works of Farouk Hosni, Ahmad Nawar, Farghali Abdel-Hafiz, Abdel-Rahman Al-Nashar, Helmi El-Touni and other renowned artists highlight different styles and techniques. Small sculptures, created in the 1990s and 2000s, by Mohamad Radwan, Nagui Farid, Ahmad Karaaly, Shaaban Abbas, Said Badr, Hassan Kamel, and others are a reflection of the current and burgeoning generation of the established artists. We also see recent work by photographers Ayman Lotfy and Bassam Al-Zoghby, painter Emad Abdel-Wahab and illustrator Noha Nagui "In my opinion, a two-dimensional painting, with a protagonist who occupies the middle of the canvas, can be classified as modern. For other curators, this kind of work is rather contemporary. The limits and the definitions are fragile and vague, the museum director commented. He then shares his future plans: "I hope to renew the permanent exhibition every two years. This will allow us to show the museum's collection and to better document it. Multiple activities In addition to the permanent exhibition, a program of activities is planned for the coming months. The Abaad gallery (Dimensions), on the first floor of the museum, will be dedicated to holding meetings and seminars, in the presence of experts and critics, in order to disseminate knowledge about modern Egyptian art. From time to time, the gallery will also host exhibitions that focus on the journey of a particular artist or on a recurring theme. It will also exhibit more recent work, still from the museum's private collection. The reproductions of some of the museum's paintings will be on sale in the gift corner, also offering a bunch of small items: t-shirts, pens, alongside other trinkets in remembrance of the museum. The museum is open every day from 10am to 4pm (except Mondays and Fridays), at the Cairo Opera House grounds. The visitors are required to comply with all precautionary measures as to avoid the spread of COVID-19. *This article was originally published in Al Ahram Hebdo, in French, 16 December edition. Additional edit: Ahram Online. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: During her decades-long career as a poet, novelist, journalist, and artist, Nikki Grimes has garnered numerous accolades, including the Coretta Scott King Award. Her work for young people is wide-ranging, from the picture book biographies Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, and Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, to such young adult novels as Bronx Masquerade and the verse memoir Ordinary Hazards. As with Talkin About Bessie, her illustrated biography about African American pilot Bessie Coleman, Grimess work often counteracts the erasure of African American lives. Grimes spoke with PW about her latest work, Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance, her artistic mission and process, and breaking boundaries in representation. What does it mean for you, with Legacy, to introduce the Harlem Renaissance to young readers at the specific age group of 1014? Its everything to me. This is sort of me talking to myself at this age. I gave my first poetry reading at age 13, at Countee Cullen Library [in Harlem]. They had organized a young peoples poetry reading, and I was the youngest reader. Everyone else was around 17 or 18, and there I was! I feel as if Ive stepped into this continuum of poets, and so I am speaking with them, as well as for them. How did that formative performance happen? My dad set it uphe was always getting me into trouble! He was both a violinist and a composer, very rare for a Black man at that time, and he took over my art education. He got me my first signed book, took me to concerts, brought me to a celebration of Lorraine Hansberry, and also got me involved in theater in Harlem. I had a lot of artistic interests, not only writing, and adults kept saying: You have to pick something to pursue. But my dad said, No, no, explore everything youre interested in, and then when you decide, youll be able to use everything in what you do. Its the single best piece of advice anyone has ever given me. So now, when people talk about, Your voice is so strongwell, yes, I was in theater, thank you, Dad! Or Your sense of musicagain, thank you, Dad. It all begins right there. How familiar were you with the women poets of the Harlem Renaissance beforehand? Were there many discoveries for you in selecting these poets? I was born in Harlem, I grew up with that history, that legacy in my head, and Ive been reading Harlem Renaissance poets for a long time. It occurred to me I was not coming across any women. So I started to look, and there were a number of poets new to me who I was excited to discover. It was moving to learn that Clarissa Scott Delany, who died young, only lived long enough to publish four poemsbut what poems! I loved Joy, especially that line, Joy shakes me like the wind that lifts a sail. I also newly discovered Mae V. Cowdery, and fell in love with her work. In fact, the first Golden Shovel poem in this collection was inspired by her lines: Our dark fathers gave us/ The gift of shedding sorrow/ In a song. I mean, wowit just sings. As I was in the process of researching, I mentioned on social media what I was working on, and someone posted an anthology I wasnt familiar with, which turned out to be hugely important for the work I was doing: Shadowed Dreams: Womens Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance, edited by Maureen Honey. Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry, edited by Camille T. Dungy, was also a really good source. During the process I was reading individual collections, mostly out of print, and a number of things on microfilm. I have a friend whos a librarian, so I had some insider help! The other thing that happens when you research the work of one person is that they mention another person; once I started digging, there was more and more and more. I actually started doing this research during the previous project One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance [Bloomsbury, 2017], my first collection of Golden Shovel poems. Initially, the idea was to do a book of women poetsI always want to do something new. So Id be saying to the publisher, Im going to introduce a form youve never heard of, and Im also going to introduce poets youve never heard of? Thats a bit uncertain! So instead I started with the Golden Shovel form with more familiar poets, hoping it would do well enough. It did, at which point I came back, and they said, you are welcome do whatever you want! I was definitely playing the long game. What drew you to the interplay of such poetic voices as Jessie Redmon Fauset and Angelina Weld Grimke with your own work in the Golden Shovel form, which is quite a difficult form to use? I love the challenge. After contributing to The Golden Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks, using the form created by Terrance Hayes, I thought, This is so cool, what else can I do with it? The Golden Shovel form feels sculptural to me: you are handed these words, and these words are your clay. As with sculpture, you dont know what you have until you arrive at the end. It completely takes me outside of any preconceived notions I might have about what Im going to say. I can ask, Where are these words taking me? How did you envision the narrative elements of Legacy, especially in poems like Leahs Reunion or Tara Takes on Montclair? Its interesting to see such specific voices in a more general project on the Harlem Renaissance. Yes, I was climbing into the skin of each character I wrote about, and trying to see the world through their eyes. This comes from taking whatever information I have about the periodabout the people of that era and their relationshipsand imagining them at various ages, and running with that. Because the things that are true are universal, and the emotions are always true. I always want readers to be able to enter into the story in a personal kind of way, and Ive found the best way to do that is through the first-person voice. What do you hope readers will take away from your organization of this project into three sections: Heritage, Earth Mother, and Taking Notice? Im always looking to create a bridge between past and present. With Earth Mother, I specifically wanted to talk about current issuesclimate change, in particularand I actually went hunting for a striking poetic line that would enable me to go there. When I read At the Spring Dawn by Angelina Weld Grimke, especially the line And the red sun shouldered his way up, I immediately started thinking about the ozone layer. I knew that I wanted to see nature themes, which we need more of in books for young readers, especially by or for African Americans. Theres a sense of stereotype in whats available, as if Blacks arent interested in the environment. Many other ideas caught me or moved me, so the section Taking Notice shows a wide range of concerns. We [as Black people] are always being put in a box. Its always the single story. I say: No, were breaking that box wide open. We have all kinds of stories, environments, and interests. Its so important to get that across to readers. The illustrations in Legacy provide a rich counterpoint to the text. Can you describe the process of commissioning the visual work for this project, and the pairings of poems with each individual artist? I had a dream list of artists I wanted to have involved. I also knew who I wanted to do the cover, so she got first dibs: Ekua Holmes. Her work speaks to me on so many levels. Her palette is so vibrant, so inviting; her colors represent to me the whole spectrum of Black women, the range of colors and the richness there. I do watercolor and collage myself, so that style always gets my attention. She did not disappoint! And her interior work for the book is in some ways even more powerful. Each artist involved read the poems and had some choice of which poem to illustrate, because I want people Ive chosen to choose work from inspiration. Thats when you get the best work. Youve frequently been more involved than many other authors in selecting illustrations for your books. Can you speak to the importance of this for you? Yes, the cover especiallythats a really big choice to me. In choosing a cover artist, you want to go after particular sensibilities. The cover artists have always been people Ive known, so that I know something about their soul, about their essence, and what they bring to the project in terms of knowing Black history, respecting that history, and loving that history. Youve also said Harlem is in me. As we see from many of the biographies of the poets in Legacy, the Harlem Renaissance extended outside of Harlem, and almost became a sort of idea as much as a place. Do you feel you carry that idea with you? Its trueHarlem, in this context, is sort of a construct, though for me, growing up in Harlem really was foundational. I have traveled, but no matter where I go, I am always from Harlem. What I first saw of beauty and strength in the world, I saw there. I think of those ladies in church with their hats and their gloves, everything matching, and of the women in the jazz clubs, how the women would just be stylin, and how I would just breathe it all in. Youve spoken about how books were a lifeline for you during turbulent times. Do you feel that providing that same lifeline is a part of your mission? I always imaginein fact, know, rather than imaginethat there are young readers who are alone in their experiences, who feel alone, who arent supported as fully as we would like them to be: who need to find fuel and sustenance for the journey thats ahead of them. Im always looking to provide some of that fuel, some of that direction, that maybe theyre not getting in their own lives. How does this project extend or expand on previous works like Bronx Masquerade, which dealt with young poets, and what doors do you feel it opens for you creatively, moving forward? Its true that this work is also dealing with race, politics, identity, and feminism. Its all in there, to varying degrees, and I suppose there are other connections between this project and one like Bronx Masquerade, but I like to let other people make those connections. In terms of Legacy, and moving forward, I do imagine at some point doing something with all the work written for children by women from the period, which was not being widely done at that timea wonderful discovery that occurred while researching this project. Also, I had to leave an awful lot of good stuff out! I thought that I should be able to find 10 to 15 poetswell, it turned out it was more like 50. I could not fit in all the work. [In Legacy] I was very fortunate that my editor was generous with the space for biographies, as most readers are meeting these women for the first time, and it was important to show how they were educated, how they were travelers, editors, activists, teachers. One of these women [Ida Rowland] had been one of the first Black women to earn a PhD. I mean, these women had studied at the Sorbonnewe dont know that stuff! Young women, and men too, need to come to this book and understand the accomplishment of our people at such an early time in the century. They need to understand what is possibleand that if these achievements were possible then, what more could we do now, if we put our minds to it? Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes. Bloomsbury, $18.99 Jan. 5 ISBN 978-1-68119-944-3 (Bloomberg Opinion) -- For signs of how Chinas ambitions to become a self-made, high-tech industrial powerhouse are faring, look to Japan Inc. The shipment values of Japans machinery sector are set to hit record highs, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts. Orders placed by Chinese companies for Japanese machine tools have been rising since June and have picked up pace; same for the sectors general segment. Sales of factory automation equipment are expected to exceed previous peaks. That's a reversal from the last two years of Chinese rivals grabbing market share as Beijing doubled down on a drive to increase high-end manufacturing, moving away from the mass market, low-margin goods churned out for the last few decades. Chinese makers of all types of machinery and equipment were nudging out typically upper-end Japanese firms, which warned of waning demand from China and uncertainty around it. Meanwhile, the governments fiscal stimulus helped buoy sentiment for construction-related machinery like hydraulic excavators, where Japanese companies had a firm footing. Not all the pressure came from competitiveness; domestic firms barely stand up against the foreign ones. In 2018, the Ministry of Commerce opened a one-year anti-dumping investigation into Japanese and Taiwanese exporters of vertical-machine centers key equipment manufacturing facilities for cars and other more sophisticated processes. At the time, as I noted, it was a case of playing spoilsport: The numbers didn't warrant the probe, nor did the impact on prices. Machinery orders had already been slowing, as had shipments for bearings, a proxy for the industry. Citing the complexity, the government extended the case in 2019. By April 2020, it was determined that everything had been fair after all and no duties would be imposed. The change of tack amid the Covid-19 lockdown and subsequent recovery showed the limits of ambitious industrial policy. China has spent much of the last year focusing on policies to become self-sufficient, scarred by the U.S.-induced rebuke over its practices in global trade and rocky rebound out of the pandemic. A key part of Beijings economic blueprint for the next five years is to bolster high-end manufacturing of machines, 5G equipment and semiconductors for use in the domestic market. State funding is increasingly being targeted toward these industries. The government also wants to upgrade internal supply chains and maintain its role as the worlds factory floor. China is by far the largest end-user of industrial robots, but the number of robots installed per 10,000 employees remains relatively low. Story continues In some sectors like 5G, China has doubtless made significant progress. However, the country will continue to rely on Japanese companies for the high-tech niche of manufacturing for a while to come. Consider this: Chinese suppliers command more than 80% of the market share for simple-task linear and Cartesian robots used in the plastics industry. But when it comes to articulated robots, which have more complex multi-axis movements, foreign makers manufacture droves more in and for China, according to CLSA Ltd. analysts. Such machines accounted for over 60% of sales. Japan is one of the largest exporters of industrial robots. The fact remains that theres a significant technology gap. More than 75% of reducers, a kind of gear, are imported from Japanese companies like Nabtesco Corp. and Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., according to analysts from HSBC Holdings Plc. These components account for over a third of the cost of industrial robots made in China, compared to 12% for one from Japan. That makes it difficult to be cost-competitive. Chinese companies will have to rely on acquisitions to catch up. For Japans machinery giants, that means the trend and demand are here to stay. Chinese volumes will drive business and valuations for manufacturers across the sector. Fanuc Corp., whose yellow robots pepper factory floors making products for companies like Apple Inc., reported that sales in China rose 29% in the first nine months of 2020. Despite a seemingly deep Covid-19 slump in Japans economy, the Tankan business survey shows that conditions for manufacturers are increasingly upbeat. The TOPIX Machinery sub-index is up 30% since June; the broader stock market has risen only 17%. Companies are likely to invest more in China to leverage the focus on that countrys inward turn. Chinas ascent as an industrial technology champion wont happen tomorrow. Barring the risk of shocks from worsening Covid-19-related lockdowns, though, Japan wont be losing its long-established preeminence anytime soon. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Anjani Trivedi is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Asia. She previously worked for the Wall Street Journal. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Enough is enough. How long will we sit like this? Let us break the barricades and move toward Delhi. If some lives have to be sacrificed, then so be it," said one firebrand farmer leader during a recent meeting at Singhu on the Delhi-Haryana border, where thousands of farmers have been camping inside tractor trolleys since 27 November. The frustration was palpable. Several rounds of talks with the government had yielded little and patience was running out. But on that day, the proposal was shot down. Ahimsa (non-violence) is our only strength. If we become violent, we (will) lose this battle," said another farmer leader from Punjab. Surprisingly, the person who vehemently opposed the proposal belonged to a revolutionary communist group and wasnt expected to argue like a staunch Gandhian. The moment captures the extraordinary and unlikely changes in outlook and alliances that had to take place over the course of just a few weeks for the farmer movement to have such staying power. Over 200,000 farmers remain on Delhis doorstepsat four points demarcating the capitals border with Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. View Full Image The protesters Many of the farmer leaders who are out on the streets have not seen eye-to-eye for years, if not decades. Yet, decisions are being taken jointly, brushing aside years of acrimony and differences. While the outcome of the agitation may become clear only with time, the pushback by the farmers is already a case study in the art of protestin a social atmosphere where protest is increasingly viewed with suspicion. In June, when the three new farm bills were imposed by way of an emergency ordinance, very few, including the government, anticipated any strong resistance. In September, the laws were passed amid a ruckus in the Parliament but, even then, the opposition was mostly limited to rural Punjab. So, how did the movement become this big, this long, and also this vociferous? A set of key events and people were instrumental in bringing the disquiet to Delhis doorstep. Most of the behind-the-scenes action is not widely known. Among others, a late-October meeting at Delhis Rakab Ganj gurudwara and the unplanned breaching of the barricades on the Punjab-Haryana border a month later turned out to be critical events. Dilli Chalo The call for the march toward Delhi on 26-27 November was given by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a loose coalition of over 200 farmer unions from across India, which came about in 2017 with a limited set of demands: remunerative crop prices and a complete debt waiver. A feat on the part of AIKSCC was to get several farmer leaders from Punjab and Haryana, who were not a part of the coalition, to lend their support to the Delhi march. The decision to join hands was taken at a 27 October meeting at the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi. Among those present were 78-year-old Balbir Singh Rajewal, a veteran farmer leader from Punjab, and the fiery Gurnam Singh Chaduni, the face of the farmer agitation in Haryana. The Rakab Ganj meeting, in a way, ensured the size and the clout of the current movement. That would not have been possible without the initiative taken by V M Singh, a farmer leader from Uttar Pradesh who was then the convenor of AIKSCC. However, by the time the farmers arrived at Singhu, a series of missteps on Singhs part led to his ouster from AIKSCC and him becoming a persona non grata in the movement. The first was to ask farmers not to come to Delhi, followed by a press meet where he said farmers from Uttar Pradesh will independently negotiate with the government. The Rakab Ganj meeting also led to a new body since disparate groups were not ready to fight under the banner of AIKSCC. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha was born on 7 November. This ensured that all 32 farmer organisations from Punjab were now a part of the Dilli chalo" call. It is this Morcha which is now negotiating with the government and is represented by 41 leaders from different states, including from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and outfits like the All India Kisan Sabha of the CPIM, which has a strong ground presence in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, among other states. Within the AIKSCC, my role was to go beyond the coalition and persuade others to accept outsiders. That wasnt easy," said Yogendra Yadav, who was instrumental in stitching together AIKSCC in 2017. Some of us inside AIKSCC were absolutely convinced that unless there was the broadest possible unity, we would not be able to do such a large agitation." While the Rakabgunj meeting laid the foundation, the thousands sitting at the borders would not have been there if not for one man. In this movement, some mistakes have proved to be very useful," said one farmer leader. The reference is to Gurnam Singh Chaduni from Haryana, who defied the unanimous plan to sit peacefully on the Punjab-Haryana border and instead broke through the barricades in Ambala on 25 November. In the following days, Chaduni, along with youth from Punjab, was instrumental in breaching barricades in Shambhu, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Panipat. This literally opened the floodgates, allowing farmers to reach the Delhi border with their tractor trolleys in tow. An early September rally organised by Gurnam Singh in Pipli, Haryana, was not just a show of strength but also a turning point for the state. He is the guy who worked day and night by organising small meetings and sensitising the farmers in Haryana," said Ramandeep Singh Mann, an independent farm activist who is a part of the ongoing agitation. Chaduni, often described as an old-school and confrontational farmer leader, ensured that the movement was no longer limited to Punjab. Without the participation and active support of farmers from Haryana, the protestors would have faced a logistical nightmare. After the farmers reached the Delhi border on 27 November, the government requested them to move to the Burari grounds in north Delhi and vacate the national highways. Most farmer leaders decided to accept the offer, but it was rejected after twoNirbhay Singh from the Kirti Kisan Union and Harmeet Singh from Bhartiya Kisan Union (Qadian), both from Punjabput up a staunch opposition. Soon after, all the farmer leaders realised the leverage they have got by blocking the highways and likened Burari to an open jail". Touching with a tong Post 27 November, farmer unions have demonstrated a never seen before unity. But tensions have spilled out at times. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, 75, among the most popular farmer leader from Punjab who gathered tens of thousands of farmers and farm labourers at the Tikri border, publicly said, I am working with those who I would not even touch with a chimta (tong)." Ugrahan, a staunch leftist who is widely known as a man with his own mind, has so far refused to be a part of any committeeincluding the seven-member coordination committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morchabut his sheer presence and strength lends a great deal of mettle to the movement. The inclusivity which Ugrahan practices by taking farm labourers along in any movement is showing its results. It is due to him that Dalits from the Malwa region of Punjab (but not from Majha or Doaba) has joined the protests," said Amandeep Sandhu, author of Panjab: Journeys through Fault Lines. The apparent coming together of disparate groups and their working together on a day-to-day basis would not be possible without Darshan Pal, a former anaesthetist and president of the Krantikari Kisan Union in Punjab. He is the glue that holds all of us together," said one farmer leader. A significant leverage point or bargaining chip for the movement is also the strength at the different border zones of Delhi. Other than Tikri and Singhu on the Delhi-Haryana border, large troupes of farmers are stationed at the Shahjahanpur border with Rajasthan (where Yogendra Yadav is camping) and the Ghazipur border with UP. Rakesh Tikait has done a tremendous job in holding the fort at Ghazipur and providing unconditional support to the movement (even though he joined the movement late, only after farmers had reached Delhis borders)," said Kavitha Kuruganti from the policy advocacy group ASHA-Kisan Swaraj. The primary stakeholderthe farmercares little about the internal dynamics of disparate unions. It is also clear that after making the highways their home for over 40 days, the movement is not in the hands of any leader. Yet, the fact that the Ghazipur site is growing in numbers is critical. Unless you get the cow-belt to protest, the goals of the movement could prove to be elusive," said Sandhu, the author. The last big fight According to several farmer leaders, Balbir Singh Rajewal, 78, has played a crucial role in coalescing the movement within Punjab alongside the likes of Ugrahan and Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Dakaunda). Once Rajewal saab made his opposition clear, the Akalis could no longer ignore the ground sentiment," said a farmer leader who didnt wish to be identified. It eventually led to the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party losing its oldest ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal from Punjab. Rajewal has also been articulating the farmers position on the unconstitutionality of the bills" and how it contradicts the concept of cooperative federalism. Like many farmer leaders who are past their prime, he has been quite frankly saying to others that this is going to be the last big fight for me and I do not wish to die with a blot." Among the myriad events and people, a lone person has worked to keep the broader goals at the forefront, Yogendra Yadav said, referring to the only women who is a part of the negotiating team, Kavitha Kuruganti. She speaks many languages. She connected leaders from outside to Punjab unions... from preparing notes and letters to the government and manning the war room to smoothening ego clashes, she has pushed herself selflessly at great personal cost," Yadav said. Kuruganti missed meeting her father one final time by a few hours when he passed away on 17 December. She had to attend a meeting at the Singhu border before boarding a flight to Bengaluru. After a series of such personal sacrifices and losses (more than 65 protestors have died due to the winter chill, road accidents or by suicide), the appetite for compromise is very low. In the words of Balbir Rajewal: The situation is such that no one dare leave each others side now." Rajinder Singh, a farmer leader with the Kirti Kisan Union, explained the mood by quoting a popular proverb from Punjab: Khaada peeta lahe da, Ahmed Shahe da (all you have is what you consume, Ahmed Shah loots the rest). We have battled invaders for two thousand years. And we prepared for this fight for months. Who do we fear?" Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Closures of construction sites will result in delays for those who are waiting on their new homes to be built, it has been warned. The Cabinet is due to discuss proposals to close schools until the end of the month, as well as non-essential construction sites. However, essential construction developments such as social housing or schools projects will be permitted. 200,000 construction workers returned to work this week and it is believed that 50,000 workers will now be out of work. Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland, Developer Michael OFlynn said that this will result in knock-on delays for those who are awaiting their houses to be finished and impact delivery. A lot of people have made commitments to buy houses and have made commitments to make, he said. Of course it will affect delivery, it will affect delivery for all of us, we have commitments made to buyers, we have a situation where people are expecting their houses in February, March, April of this year. How can we possibly deliver these houses if we are stopped? Whats the knock on for those people? He insisted that construction can operate while being compliant with Covid-19 safety guidelines. Construction is regarded as being something that can operate and I would be saying very strongly there has to be logic, consistency in approach here. Builder Brendan Hennessy mirrored his views, saying that construction workers have been taking every precaution since the beginning of the pandemic, including stopping carpooling to get to sites. Youre looking at people that are travelling from south Galway, from Longford, from Wicklow, towards the Dublin area. All these people are travelling every day on their own, he said. Davy Research, provider of stockbroking, wealth management and financial advisory services, said that Irelands housing crisis will be exacerbated by these new measures. The new restrictions are likely to materially impact Irelands residential activity in 2021, and any rebound in housing completions relative to an already impaired 2020 out-turn is now likely to be muted, reads research from the provider. Online Editors Sorry! This content is not available in your region Two cold fronts will bring cooler temperatures to San Antonio this week, beginning Wednesday. Wednesday (High 69 and Low 43): A cold front will move in late morning with the possibility of showers and thunderstorms developing as it moves through the area. As of late Tuesday afternoon, there is only a slight risk the storms become severe in San Antonio. High temperatures could possibly be cooler if the cold front moves in earlier. The rain should end by the evening. Thursday (High 66 and Low 41): Despite the front, temperatures will warm up by the afternoon with plenty of sunshine. Friday (High 57 and Low 31): A high pressure system will move into San Antonio, dropping temperatures about 10 degrees from the previous day. Saturday (High 54 and Low 38): A cold front will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to the area overnight and into Sunday morning. This system is expected to keep the highs in the 50s in San Antonio for a couple of days. Sunday (High 50 and Low 36): Expect showers to start the day but receding by the evening. Expect breezy conditions with wind gusts near 20 mph. Temperatures will drop once the rain ends, and San Antonians will wake up to temps near freezing on Monday morning. Teresa Velasco is a digital producer for mySA and the San Antonio Express-News. She has a bachelors degree in broadcast meteorology. She uses data provided by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and others for her forecasts. (Natural News) A fraud detection team has found over 400 Republican voters in Pennsylvania who voted by mail but were not recorded in the states absentee voting data. This team further found that more than 500 voters in the state received mail-in ballots despite not having requested them. This analysis was conducted by a fraud detection team assembled by Matt Braynard, a data and strategy director who worked for President Donald Trumps presidential campaign in 2016. Braynards team analyzed election data from several states, including all of the states where the Trump campaign is contesting the results. Braynard even set up a call center where his team can collect tips and other information regarding election inconsistencies and verify them. This call center was very successful, as it was able to process many thousands of calls. (Related: Trump lawyer tweets article suggesting Philadelphia mob boss ready to expose election fraud in exchange for criminal record expungement.) Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he tells American conservatives to keep the faith, because if the rule of law is upheld in the countrys courts, then President Donald Trump will eventually be declared the winner of the election. Results of Braynards investigation could overturn Pennsylvania results Of the thousands of calls that Braynards team handled, 1,706 of them were from registered Republican voters in Pennsylvania. According to state data, all of these voters received their mail-in ballots. However, 556 of them, nearly a third, never filed a request for an absentee ballot. Of the 1,137 who did request a ballot to vote by mail, nearly 40 percent, or 453 people, said that they successfully mailed back their votes, but state data shows that their votes were either never received or never counted. According to Braynard, around 165,000 Pennsylvania Republicans requested mail-in ballots but were marked by the state as never having returned them. If their analysis is representative of the whole state, this means that as many as 65,000 Republican votes were not counted. Current counts show that Democratic nominee Joe Biden is leading in Pennsylvania by nearly 81,000 votes. An additional 65,000 Republican votes would put Trump within one percentage point of taking back all of the states 20 electoral college votes. When asked how many of the Pennsylvania Republicans were willing to sign affidavits swearing to their testimony, Braynard said that his team was able to obtain around 30 written declarations. Around half of these declarations come from people who swear that they mailed in their ballots despite state data saying the contrary, and the other half is from people who received absentee ballots even without requesting for them. We have a small in-house team following up on the call center for this purpose, said Braynard, We are chasing declarations signed under penalty of perjury instead of affidavits. Unsurprisingly, when you start asking civilians to get involved in a political battle by signing a legal document, the number who want to go forward drops pretty quickly. Braynard said that his team is on track to wrap up their analysis and to publish their conclusions by next week. He will also be providing the data his team has gathered to several legal teams fighting for Trump. He has already announced that his team found nearly 18,000 early or absentee voters in Georgia who were not eligible to vote in that state because they had filed out-of-state move notices. If their findings are respected and held up in court, it could also overturn the states election results. They have also found around 7,000 voters in Pennsylvania who also filed out-of-state move notices. Braynards efforts are part of his Voter Integrity Fund, which is cross-referencing public data with their own calls to voters to confirm whether or not there was massive fraud in the election. They claim to have already called at least 75,000 people in Pennsylvania alone, and they hope to reach at least 375,000 voters. Braynard said he has raised over $500,000 to fund this election integrity program, and he plans to crowdfund more money to keep the program going and to expand its reach. Learn more about individual instances of election fraud in battleground states like Pennsylvania, and how Trump and his legal team are fighting to get these examples of fraud overturned, at VoteFraud.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Twitter.com WUSA9.com WSKG.org E verybody loves cartoons. Theyre hard to resist: fiercely joyful, magically colourful, often filled to the brim with laughter and vigour and life. But any film is more meaningful when you can see a story that looks like yours on-screen. And for many, this simply isnt the case with animation. Pixars new offering, Soul, which was released on Christmas Day exclusively on Disney+, is the studios first feature film led by a Black character. But just as importantly, its also their first with a Black-led animation team behind the scenes. Its a huge step forward, says MontaQue Ruffin, who worked as an animator on the film. It was a powerful experience to have been part of Souls development, and its very encouraging to see studios like Disney and Pixar empower and promote diversity on a feature film level. PIXAR The movie follows Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a middle school music teacher with unfulfilled dreams of becoming a jazz musician. On the day of his big break, an accident detaches his soul from his body. His only means of getting back to earth is to convince another, somewhat reluctant soul (Tina Fey), that life is worth living. Pixar wanted to ensure that any Black stories told in the film felt authentic, so leading Black creatives such as the playwright Kemp Powers were brought in to shape the script, and cinematographer Bradford Young was on hand to properly capture Black skin on-screen. The company also formed a Culture Trust of Black Pixar employees, to make sure that representation sat comfortably with them. Ruffin was part of these conversations, and explains that he found the process to be both a refreshing and fruitful one. Being part of Pixars Internal Culture Trust allowed myself and a group of several other African American Pixar artists to meet and discuss the development and design of Joes character. PIXAR Every session was led with honesty, and it laid out a healthy foundation for open discussions. Hes positive about what the release of Soul will mean for Black animation going forward. The release of Soul means theres a platform for Black animation and that more stories that can be told," he says. Theres so much we can learn from each other and through the stories we tell through animation. Regardless of our backgrounds and skin colour, we all share a common desire of wanting to be accepted and loved, and the struggles that come with that. The more we can share our stories, and the more we promote and encourage each other, Im hopeful that on a generational level well continue to grow towards a path thats more inclusive and understanding. PIXAR But the path so far hasnt always been easy. Ruffin says that he had to allow himself to dream big and aim high to get where he is now. My dream was to become a Pixar animator, and as simple as that may sound, it felt like wishful thinking at times. African Americans are generally underrepresented in the animation industry, which was discouraging. But Ruffin pushed through this discouragement, deciding to look at everything he encountered as an opportunity, not as an opposition. Others in the industry are working hard to do the same, opening doors in a world where they often feel firmly shut. Im hopeful that well continue to grow towards a path thats more inclusive and understanding Sonya Carey, who worked as an animator on Disneys The Princess and the Frog just over decade ago, has now turned her hand to mentoring. The film was the first by Disney to feature a Black Disney princess, and Carey describes it as a fantastic experience. Disney executives really made me feel like my presence was important, she adds. Despite some controversy surrounding the film, she feels that its standing the test of time, and continues to make changes in the animation and theme park worlds. Carey now uses this expertise to mentor students at The Animation Lounge, explaining that studios are like a small town. It helps to know someone on the inside to show you around - all the hidden jobs and software secrets. Its important that diversity in animation feels organic rather than forced, she says. But shes excited by the wave of potential that has accompanied the Black Lives Matter movement, pointing to significant shifts in voice casting that have already emerged in recent months. PIXAR Pilar Newton-Katz, a Nickelodeon animator who was inspired by watching The Smurfs as a child, is also excited by positive steps in the industry. Its so encouraging to see animated shorts like Hair Love, directed by the amazing Bruce Smith (of Proud Family fame) and Mathew A. Cherry. Seeing Hair Love win the Oscar for best animated short was so uplifting during this dark time in our history. We needed this boost of morale. The world wants to hear more black voices, she adds. Studios are are answering the call. Monique Henry-Hudson, founder of DiverseToons, also points to the importance of encouraging professional role models. DiverseToons provides panels, interviews, and demonstrations led by Black people in animation. I believe it is imperative for everyone to be able to see people that look like them working in the industry, Henry-Hudson explains. PIXAR Sometimes we dont even know what career opportunities are available to us, because weve never seen people do them. For Mia Lee, a young Black animator, being constantly overlooked has been tough. But Lee, like so many others, has been encouraged by the support of her contemporaries. Were speaking up and rooting each other on louder than ever. Thats caused the world to pay attention to Black creators everywhere. We asked each of our contributors to recommend a Black animation that can be watched online: MontaQue Ruffin: My student short film, Puggums. Puggums is about compassion, faith, and persistence. Having been on the receiving side, these small gestures of kindness unleash so much, and go such a long, magical way. Now thats what I call a super power! Find more of MontaQues work here Sonya Carey: Although we dont talk about it anymore due to obvious reasons, Fat Albert is still something that I look to. It was a big part of my childhood, and made our day-to-day struggles as young black people seem funny and bearable. Find Fat Albert on Amazon Prime Find The Animation Lounge here Pilar Newton-Katz: I keep finding myself revisiting the Juneteenth episode of Blackish. Not only does it explain an important part of history that we urgently need to know about, but its in School House Rock style and its just awesome. Find the animated segment here Newton-Katz has just released a graphic novel, Snozzlewinks, which she first started dreaming up as a child. Find out more at @snozzlewinksworld and www.snozzlewinks.com Monique Henry-Hudson: Well for starters, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (Netflix) and The Proud Family (Disney+) immediately come to mind. I also love Static Shock (Amazon). For me, these entities are about the characters that happen to be Black, and while their Blackness is part of their story, it is not constantly in our face. Find Henry-Hudson at simplyrobotix.com, or on social media at @simplyrobotix Mia Lee: My friend, Chazs work: @chazdraws. He is incredibly talented. I havent had the opportunity to work with him yet, but I know I will one day soon. Watch Lees latest series, the Slick Scaries" Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has revealed she has tested positive for Covid-19. In a tweet, Ms McEntee wrote: I was recently tested and have received a positive result for #Covid19. In line with our HSE guidance I am isolating. I am continuing to carry out my duties by working remotely including attending Cabinet, she said. I was recently tested and have received a positive result for #Covid19. In line with our HSE guidance I am isolating. I am continuing to carry out my duties by working remotely including attending Cabinet. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 6, 2021 Ms McEntee said HSE information shows pregnant women or their babies are not at a higher risk if we get Covid19. At the same time I urge everyone to follow public health advice and stay at home. If you think youre developing symptoms no matter how small, act as though you have Covid. We all know the seriousness of the situation. We must protect our health system and our most vulnerable, she added. Ms McEntees positive test result is not linked to Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue who tested positive for the virus before Christmas. She has also not been in contact with her government colleagues since before Christmas meaning other Cabinet members are not considered close contacts. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors The City of Winnipeg has changed parking rules around the RBC Convention Centre, to accommodate health-care workers attending the new COVID-19 immunization "super site" at the downtown facility. The City of Winnipeg has changed parking rules around the RBC Convention Centre, to accommodate health-care workers attending the new COVID-19 immunization "super site" at the downtown facility. The site opened Monday, with more than 4,100 Manitoba health-care workers scheduled to receive their first (of two required) doses this week. "In an effort to accommodate visitors to the RBC Convention Centre immunization clinic, the city has temporarily removed rush-hour restrictions on the north side of York Avenue, between Edmonton Street and Carlton Street," a city spokesman said in a written statement Tuesday. The city also noted it had added 24-7 accessible parking spots and visitors to the immunization clinic have access to free indoor parking at the convention centre. On Monday, one vehicle was towed and ticketed for parking on the south side of York Avenue, where the rush-hour parking restriction remains in place. "No other tickets were issued yesterday in the area immediately surrounding the convention centre," the city spokesman said. The individual whose vehicle was ticketed and towed is a registered nurse employed by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority who spoke to the Free Press and asked not to be named. "Were very short-staffed, so I got in early (Sunday) night. I did a 12-hour night shift. Right after my night shift is when my vaccine appointment was," the nurse said. The nurse said they parked on York Avenue and entered the convention centre at 8:45 a.m. Monday. They returned at 9:40 a.m. and the vehicle was missing. Calling 311, the operator told the nurse it was towed at 8:53 a.m. seven minutes before rush-hour parking restrictions expired. "There was a seven-minute window for when they could tow my vehicle, which is pretty disgusting to think thats who theyre towing, because the only people down there parking were health-care workers going to get vaccinated," the nurse said. Tobago recorded its 7th covid19 death since the start of the pandemic, with a record forty-two covid19 cases reported in the last 24 hours. The latest victim, Carmen Yorke of Bon Accord Tobago. TORRINGTON Residents have been using Rings Neighbors app to post reports of alleged crimes in their neighborhoods, but police say the proper avenue to report a crime is still to notify the department directly. Most recently, residents used the app to report what they said were drive-by shootings at their windows. Detective Kevin Tieman said Monday that he wasnt aware of the app, and that people shouldnt rely on it to report a crime. After checking with officers, Tieman learned that the alleged drive-by shootings actually were shots fired from a pellet gun. One incident happened in October, a second in November and a third on Jan. 1. The incidents occurred over a period of time, Tieman said. Theyre BB gun incidents, and were looking into them. Ring is a security company that provides video doorbells, security alarm systems, audio and video surveillance equipment and other technology for homeowners. Putting a photo and information about an incident on an app like Ring, he said, would not come to our attention. The department doesnt use social media as a reporting platform for criminal activity in Torrington, he said. A spokesperson for Ring said Tuesday that the California-based company does work with public safety agencies around the U.S. Police in Seymour, for example, joined Ring in October 2020 to be able to see posts from residents. Tieman said Torrington residents should always call police to report any sort of incident, at 860-489-2000. That app is not something that replaces calling and making a report to us directly, similar to Facebook, Tieman said. We do not take official complaints through social media. We take tips, but if you want to report an incident, you have to call the police department. On the companys website, the Neighbors by Ring app is described as Safe communities, together. When communities work together, safer neighborhoods become a reality, according to the website. Connect with your neighbors and stay up-to-date with whats going on in your neighborhood. The company says users can get real-time crime and safety alerts from neighbors and public safety agencies, and can use the app to report missing persons and pets. Always know when and where things are happening in your area, and share updates to keep you and your community informed, according to the website. As an example, the site details a neighborhood having trouble with a package thief, who was targeting homes in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to reports on the Neighbors App, the thief was arrested and hundreds of packages were found at her home, according to the website. Ring representative Morgan Culbertson said the company does work with police and fire departments. The company announced Tuesday that it was working with the Southington Police Department to send emergency alerts; it also recently partnered with the Plymouth Police Department, according to a statement. Ring sends out (posts) on the Neighbors app to inform residents when a local public safety agency joins Neighbors in their area, Culbertson said in an email. These posts also note that emergency incidents should always be reported directly to 911 and that public safety agencies do not monitor Neighbors 24/7. When using Neighbors, police and other public safety agencies can only see what residents have posted publicly to the Neighbors App or what they have shared in response to a video request. Police do not have access to users Ring devices, livestreams or personal information when using Neighbors, the company said. Editors note: A previous version of this story incorrectly characterized how police in Seymour utilized the Neighbors app. The department joined Neighbors to be able to see residents posts and share information, but there was not a specific portal created that allowed residents to report crimes directly to police. Nuclear annihilation and extinction by climate catastrophe are twin threats to the planet. Meanwhile, for victims of the neoliberal assault that has plagued the past generation, the short-term problems of sustaining their mere existence displace fundamental questions about the fate of our children and grandchildren. by Noam Chomsky and Vijay Prashad Large parts of the worldoutside of China and a few other countriesface a runaway virus, which has not been stopped because of criminal incompetence by governments. That these governments in wealthy countries cynically set aside the basic scientific protocols released by the World Health Organization and by scientific organizations reveals their malicious practice. Anything less than focused attention to managing the virus by testing, contact tracing, and isolationand if this does not suffice, then imposing a temporary lockdownis foolhardy. It is equally distressing that these richer countries have pursued a policy of vaccine nationalism by stockpiling vaccine candidates rather than a policy for the creation of a peoples vaccine. For the sake of humanity, it would be prudent to suspend intellectual property rules and develop a procedure to create universal vaccines for all people. Although the pandemic is the principal issue on all of our minds, other major issues threaten the longevity of our species and of our planet. These include: Nuclear Annihilation In January 2020, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock to 100 seconds to midnight, too close for comfort. The clock, created two years after the first atomic weapons were developed in 1945, is evaluated annually by the Bulletins Science and Security Board, who decide whether to move the minute hand or keep it in place. By the time they set the clock again, it may well be closer to annihilation. Already limited arms control treaties are being shredded as the major powers sit on close to 13,500 nuclear weapons (more than 90 percent of which are held by Russia and the United States alone). The yield of these weapons could easily make this planet even more uninhabitable. The United States Navy has already deployed low-yield tactical W76-2 nuclear warheads. Immediate moves toward nuclear disarmament must be forced onto the worlds agenda. Hiroshima Day, commemorated each year on August 6, must become a more robust day of contemplation and protest. Climate Catastrophe A scientific paper published in 2018 came with a startling headline: Most atolls will be uninhabitable by the mid-21st century because of sea-level rise exacerbating wave-driven flooding. The authors found that atolls from the Seychelles to the Marshall Islands are liable to vanish. A 2019 United Nations (UN) report estimated that 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. Add to this the catastrophic wildfires and the severe bleaching of the coral reefs and it is clear that we no longer need to linger over cliches about one thing or another being a canary in the coal mine of climate catastrophe; the danger is not in the future, but in the present. It is essential for major powerswho utterly fail to shift from fossil fuelsto commit to the common but differentiated responsibilities approach established at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. It is telling that countries such as Jamaica and Mongolia updated their climate plans to the UN before the end of 2020as mandated by the Paris Agreementeven though these countries produce a tiny fraction of global carbon emissions. The funds that were committed to developing countries for their participation in the process have virtually dried up while external debt has ballooned. This shows a lack of basic seriousness from the international community. Neoliberal Destruction of the Social Contract Countries in North America and Europe have eviscerated their public function as the state has been turned over to the profiteers and civil society has been commodified by private foundations. This means that the avenues for social transformation in these parts of the world have been grotesquely hampered. Terrible social inequality is the result of the relative political weakness of the working class. It is this weakness that enables the billionaires to set policies that cause hunger rates to rise. Countries should not be judged by the words written in their constitutions but by their annual budgets; the U.S., for example, spends almost $1 trillion (if you add the estimated intelligence budget) on its war machine, while it spends a fraction of this on the public good (such as on health care, something evident during the pandemic). The foreign policies of Western countries seem to be well lubricated by arms deals: the United Arab Emirates and Morocco agreed to recognize Israel on the condition that they could purchase $23 billion and $1 billion worth of U.S.-made weapons, respectively. The rights of the Palestinians, the Sahrawi, and the Yemeni people did not factor into these deals. The use of illegal sanctions by the United States against 30 countries including Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela has become a normal part of life, even during the COVID-19 public health crisis. It is a failure of the political system when the populations in the capitalist bloc are unable to force their governmentswhich are in many ways democratic in name onlyto take a global perspective regarding this emergency. Rising rates of hunger reveal that the struggle for survival is the horizon for billions of people on the planet (all this while China is able to eradicate absolute poverty and largely eliminate hunger). Nuclear annihilation and extinction by climate catastrophe are twin threats to the planet. Meanwhile, for victims of the neoliberal assault that has plagued the past generation, the short-term problems of sustaining their mere existence displace fundamental questions about the fate of our children and grandchildren. Global problems of this scale require global cooperation. Pressured by the Third World states in the 1960s, the major powers agreed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 1968, although they rejected the deeply important Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order of 1974. The balance of forces available to drive such a class agenda on the international stage is no longer there; political dynamics in the countries of the West, in particular, but also in the larger states of the developing world (such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa) are necessary to change the character of the governments. A robust internationalism is necessary to pay adequate and immediate attention to the perils of extinction: extinction by nuclear war, by climate catastrophe, and by social collapse. The tasks ahead are daunting, and they cannot be deferred. This article was produced by Globetrotter. Noam Chomsky is a legendary linguist, philosopher, and political activist. He is the laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona. His most recent book is Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving the Planet. Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma. [January 06, 2021] PETRONAS' Learning Solution Wins Three Brandon Hall Excellence in Technology Awards KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 'Managerial Excellence' (ME) programme, a leadership development learning solution developed for PETRONAS middle management, has recently won Gold and Silver awards from the Brandon Hall Group in the Excellence in Technology category. ME is curated by PETRONAS' Human Capital Development (HCD) Division, in collaboration with PETRONAS Leadership Centre (PLC) and BTS, an international professional service firm that focuses on developing leaders to build critical capabilities and unleash business success. The ME programme received the following awards: 1. Gold in Best Advance in Instructor-led Training (ILT) Management and Delivery; 2. Silver in Best Advance in Gaming or Simulation Technology; and 3. Silver in Best Advance in Social Learning Technology. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ME programme was redesigned to be fully virtual by leveraging on technology, gamification and learning simulations to provide an engaging leadership learning experience for PETRONAS talents. This is part of PETRONAS' commitment in providing the right leadership development opportunities to its staff regardless of challenging predicaments. PETRONAS' Vice President of Group Human Resource Management, Farehana Hanapiah said: "It is truly a great honour to receive the 2020 Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards in Technology. The key to navigating these trying times is not only about addressing the current concerns but also building the capacity to prepare for better times." PETRONAS, she added, is a strong believer in the concept of "Learn Anytime, Anywhere" in delivering learning solutions to its employees by capitalising on the feasibility of the technology. "As a progressive employer, PETRONAS believes in provding an enabling environment for talents to be able to pursue their own development and performance to create and add value to the organisation's growth and sustainability." Farehana elaborated that despite being faced with multiple challenges that have impacted the way of working and learning, the effective delivery of leadership development programmes has become more critical than ever. She said: "We are delighted that we had already embraced and embedded digital technology as part of our learning methodology, in which over time has become an effective learning solution, offering interactive learning experiences that are meaningful for our talents. This is in line with our aspiration to create an empowered, agile and enabled workforce." BTS' Executive Vice President and Asia Managing Director, Patrick Fei said his company is honoured to be recognised alongside PETRONAS who is dedicated to equipping their talents with the skills and capabilities to lead into the future. "BTS is glad to partner with PETRONAS in designing a truly virtual and digital learning experience to develop their next-generation of leaders. The recognition goes to show how embedding technology in a virtual environment can equally create measurable results and continue to bring about positive impact." This is the second year PETRONAS' ME programme has been recognised by Brandon Hall Group -- a professional development company with over 27 years of experience in human capital management (HCM). Its HCM Excellence Awards was the first to recognise organisations for learning and talent. As the gold standard, it is known as the 'Academy Awards of Human Capital Management'. About PETRONAS Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) is a global energy and solutions company, ranked amongst the largest corporations on Fortune Global 500?. We seek opportunities in energy investments both in hydrocarbon and renewables across the globe and maximise value through our integrated business model. Our portfolio includes conventional and unconventional resources as well as a diverse range of fuel lubricant, and petrochemical products. This is further strengthened with a successful product delivery track record. Our customers are at the heart of everything that we do and our businesses are anchored on meeting their needs. Our technology is our differentiator and the key to ensuring excellence in all that we offer energy, products and solutions, as well as unlocking new business frontiers. Sustainability is at the core of everything that we do, as we believe in harnessing the good in energy to add quality to everyday lives. People are our strength and partners for growth. We believe in progressing with our partners in addressing the evolving needs in today's changing energy landscape. About BTS BTS is a global professional services firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with some 850 professionals in 36 offices located on six continents. We focus on the people side of strategy, working with leaders at all levels to help them make better decisions, convert those decisions to actions and deliver results. At our core, we believe people learn best by doing. For over 30 years, we've been designing fun, powerful experiences that have a profound and lasting impact on people and their careers. We inspire new ways of thinking, build critical capabilities and unleash business success. Its strategy made personal. For more information, please visit www.bts.com. SOURCE PETRONAS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With a demand for a second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that will inevitably exceed supply, Eastern Union -- a national real estate finance company -- is urging pandemic-wracked small businesses nationwide to "get a head start" on the loan approval timetable by immediately pre-applying for the program. Ira Zlotowitz is president of Eastern Union, which is offering businesses the opportunity to pre-apply for the new round of pandemic-related, federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Eastern Union helped more than 10,000 small businesses gain loan approval during the first round of PPP funding earlier this year. Faced with applications from millions of loan seekers, program funds were depleted within weeks of its April launch. "By acting now, small businesses will get a valuable head start in this process," said Ira Zlotowitz, president of Eastern Union. "With millions of businesses applying for a finite pool of loan money on a first-come-first-served basis, only the swiftest have the chance to succeed." Businesses can register through Eastern Union by visiting https://easternunion.com/ppp. Eastern Union had been successful in brokering "Round A" PPP loans largely because the firm is partnering with a sophisticated lender that ranked third nationally in PPP loan volume during the program's first phase. Thanks to the lender's highly efficient loan processing capability, it managed a high volume of applications within a very short period. PPP loans are made available through the Small Business Administration (SBA), which is expected to begin accepting formal loan applications within the next several days. Pursuant to SBA rules, Eastern Union arranges loan registrations at no charge to applicants. "Businesses should start the process immediately, even if all their financial documents aren't ready," said Mr. Zlotowitz. He said loan seekers could then resume the application process at a later time. Applicants will receive timely updates that will help ensure that their application have been properly submitted to the SBA. Eastern Union will share its PPP-related reimbursements with accounting firms, merchant cash advance companies, or other businesses that can tap into a referral network of 25 or more companies. These reimbursements originate from Eastern Union's partnership with lenders who receive reimbursement payments from the SBA for processing PPP loans. Interested firms can visit https://easternunion.com/partner. Funded at $284 billion, the second round of PPP loans targets firms with 300 employees or less, unlike the initial round's 500-employee threshold. Companies who applied during the first round and spent the funds they received may be eligible to take out a second loan if they can demonstrate a decline in quarterly revenue. And while first-round loans were capped at $10 million, this round's limit is $2 million. The program is still largely designed to cover 2.5 months of average payroll expenses, though some qualifying businesses -- such as restaurants, food service companies and hotels -- may receive up to 3.5 months of average payroll expenses. About Eastern Union Founded in 2001, Eastern Union is a leading national commercial mortgage brokerage firm employing more than 125 real estate professionals and closing $5 billion in transactions annually. Eastern Union leverages its relationships with banks and its marketplace knowledge to secure the best available rates. Active nationwide, Eastern Union is headquartered in New York, with branches along the East Coast. The firm arranges financing for multi-state, multi-site portfolios and for smaller, single-property transactions. Its Multi-Family Group has reset market pricing by offering a quarter-point fee -- with no back-end fees -- for refinancing properties backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, transactions known as "agency refinancings." Its capital introductions are handled through Eastern Union's affiliate, Eastern Equity Advisors. Eastern Union's free eCALC app instantly helps investors value and underwrite deals. For more information, visit www.easternunion.com. Media contact: Steve Vitoff Eastern Union 516 652 0785 [email protected] SOURCE Eastern Union * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Vice President Mike Pence attends a mock swearing-in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 3, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Pool via AP) Gohmert, Arizona Electors Appeal to Supreme Court for Decision in Pence Lawsuit Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Vice President Mike Pence on Jan. 6 asked the Supreme Court to intervene after a district court and an appeals court rejected the case. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Arizonas Republican electors, and other plaintiffs filed an emergency application, requesting intervention from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, a President George W. Bush appointee. Plaintiffs asked the court to declare that Vice President Mike Pence has the exclusive authority to reject contested electoral votes in the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. They argue that several sections of the Electoral Count Act are unconstitutional in constraining a vice presidents power to do so during such a session. The 86-page filing asks for an urgent response, given the joint session was taking place on Jan. 6. Without interim relief, the Vice President will invoke the Electoral Count Acts unconstitutional dispute-resolution process to pick the next President, after which the 2020 election will not be able to right itself: if the wrong winner is picked, even the impeachment of that winner would not install the correct winner. That is the type of harm that justifies action under the All Writs Act, they argued. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) at a hearing in Washington on Dec. 13, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Pence presides over the joint session as president of the Senate. At issue is the breadth of his power in that role. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle dismissed the suit earlier this month, arguing Gohmert alleges at most an institutional injury to the House of Representatives. Under well-settled Supreme Court authority, that is insufficient to support standing, he ruled. Gohmert responded, If I dont have standing to do that, nobody does. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit on Jan. 2 rejected an appeal. The new filing to the Supreme Court came as Pence released a lengthy statement outlining why he doesnt believe he has the unilateral authority to reject electoral votes. It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not, Pence said, just before the joint session opened. NEW DELHI: Former President Pranab Mukherjee has claimed in his memoir - The Presidential Years, 2012-2017 that while Narendra Modi achieved the prime ministership, Congress stalwart Manmohan Singh was offered the same by the party and the latter didn't earn it. The late former President wrote this in his memoir while making a comparison of the two PMs with whom he had worked in the past. Mukherjee made these comments in his memoir "The Presidential Years, 2012-2017" which he wrote before his death last year. The book was released on Tuesday. The former president also mentioned that he shared a very cordial relationship with PM Narendra Modi. I have had the good fortune of interacting with and studying closely several PMs of India since Independence. They were different in mannerism, charisma, style and approach to governance. They came from different socio-economic backgrounds and some of them subscribed to widely distinct political ideologies, he said. Pranab was also very critical about his party and said that Congress's failure to recognise the end of its charismatic leadership was among the many reasons for its 2014 Lok Sabha polls defeat. According to former president Pranab Mukherjee, lack of extraordinary leaders reduced the establishment to a "government of averages". He also wrote that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not discussed the issue of demonetisation with him prior to his announcement on November 8, 2016 but it did not surprise him as suddenness is absolutely necessary for such announcements. In the book, Mukherjee mentioned that on the day of the results of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he directed his aide-de-camp to keep him informed of the trends every half an hour. When the results were announced in the evening, he was "greatly relieved over the decisive mandate but also disappointed at my one-time party's performance". "It was difficult to believe that the Congress had managed to win just 44 seats. The Congress is a national institution interlinked with people's lives. Its future is always a concern of every thinking individual," he wrote in the book, published by Rupa Publications. The former Congress leader and Union minister attributed this defeat to many reasons. "I feel the party failed to recognise the end of its charismatic leadership. Tall leaders like Pandit Nehru ensured that India, unlike Pakistan, survived and developed into a strong and stable nation. Sadly, such extraordinary leaders are not there anymore, reducing the establishment to a government of averages," he wrote. According to Mukherjee, when he looked back on his years as president, he derived satisfaction not only from the fact that he followed the rule book in letter and spirit in dealing with governments and issues of the day, but also because he never veered from the constitutional parameters that have been laid down for an Indian head of state. "However, I did not hesitate to give my advice on matters of policy during our meetings. There were several occasions when he echoed concerns that I had voiced. I also believe that he has managed to grasp the nuances of foreign policy quickly," the book said on his relationship with PM Modi. Mukherjee's approach to maintaining cordial relations with PM Modi was rooted in the fact that "I believe in the parliamentary form of government and its principle". "Modi had received a decisive mandate from the people to administer the country. Administrative powers are vested in the Council of Ministers, which the PM heads. Therefore, I did not breach my jurisdiction. Whenever tricky occasions arose, the issues were resolved," he wrote. "At an event in which PM Modi released a book and I was present, I remarked that it was not that I did not have any differences with him, but that both of us knew how to manage those differences, without bringing them out in public," he added. However, Mukherjee lamented that the NDA government, during its first term of 2014-19, failed in its primary responsibility to ensure the smooth and proper functioning of Parliament. "I attribute the acrimonious exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches to the arrogance and inept handling by the government. But the Opposition is not without blame either. It had also behaved irresponsibly," he wrote. According to Mukherjee, the mere physical presence of the prime minister in Parliament makes a tremendous difference to the functioning of this institution. "Whether it was Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Manmohan Singh, each of these former PMs made their presence felt on the floor of the House. "PM Modi, now in his second term, must take inspiration from his predecessors and provide visible leadership, through his enhanced presence in Parliament to avoid situations that had precipitated the parliamentary crisis we witnessed in the first term," the book said. PM Modi, Mukherjee said, must listen to the dissenting voices and speak more often in Parliament, adding he must use it as a forum to disseminate his views to convince the Opposition and inform the nation. On foreign relations, Mukherjee felt that PM Modi's stopover in Lahore was "unnecessary and uncalled for, given the conditions that prevailed" in India-Pakistan relations. "It was evident that one could expect the unexpected from PM Modi, because he had come with no ideological foreign policy baggage. He was to continue with these surprises: he made a sudden and unscheduled stop at Lahore in December 2015 to greet his then Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, on the latter's birthday; and he initiated an annual informal summit with the Chinese president - one was held at Wuhan in China in 2018 and the other, more recently, at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu in 2019." On Modi not discussing about demonetisation with him before announcing it, Mukherjee wrote: "I am of the firm opinion that demonetisation could not have been done with prior consultation because the suddenness and surprise, absolutely necessary for such announcements, would have been lost after such a process." "Therefore, I was not surprised when he did not discuss the issue with me prior to making the public announcement. It also fitted in with his style of making dramatic announcements," he said. However, after delivering his address to the nation, Modi visited Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan and explained to him the rationale behind the decision. "He desired explicit support from me as a former finance minister of the country. I pointed out to him that while it was a bold step, it may lead to a temporary slowdown of the economy. We would have to be extra careful to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the medium to long term," Mukherjee said. "Since the announcement was made in a sudden and dramatic manner, I asked the PM if he had ensured that adequate currency was there for exchange," he added. (With PTI Inputs) Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global hibiscus flower powder market size is projected to reach USD 197.0 million by 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2020 to 2027. Hibiscus flower is an excellent source of antioxidants and promotes weight loss and boosts liver health. Rising consumer shift towards the use of natural supplements to replace the allopathy medications is expected to propel product demand over the projected period. The industry is expanding across the globe through cooperative contributions by farmers, manufacturers, exporters, and other players in the supply chain. The major restraint for the manufacturers is the accessibility of raw material. However, initiatives put in place by the agricultural researchers to improve hibiscus cultivation and crop yield are likely to help the industry grow over the projected period. Hibiscus flower powder is widely available across India, South Korea, and Nigeria. As a result, manufacturers can find opportunities to invest in such countries to set up manufacturing plants to get easy access to raw materials. High export opportunities for the product in the international markets are likely to compel the investors to enter the market. Browse Details of Report @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/hibiscus-flower-powder-market The online sale of hibiscus flower powder by the manufacturers can expand the market opportunities for the product. The e-commerce platform enables manufacturers to reach consumers even across remote areas. Furthermore, increasing the manufacturer's efforts to promote the benefits of products to increase consumer awareness and offer consumer-friendly packaging options is expected to have a positive impact on market growth. Hibiscus Flower Powder Market Report Highlights The personal care and cosmetic application segment is expected to ascend at a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period on account of rising demand for chemical-free haircare and skincare products Growing hibiscus flower powder consumption for manufacturing jellies, jams, cocktails, flavored beverages, and desserts is expected to drive product demand in food and beverage applications The organic segment was estimated at USD 26.1 million in 2019 and is projected to grow over the forecast period as consumers are currently looking for chemical-free products to avoid their hazardous impact on health In North America, the market is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.3% from 2020 to 2027 on account of high consumer demand for natural cosmetics and health supplements Lack of raw material availability and price and quality inconsistency is expected to be a key obstacle for market growth Hibiscus Flower Powder Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global hibiscus flower powder market on the basis of nature, application, and region. Hibiscus Flower Powder Nature Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Organic Conventional Hibiscus Flower Powder Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Food & Beverages Pharmaceutical Personal Care & Cosmetics Others Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A group of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is taking steps to safeguard the legacy of Alhaji Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, the immediate past Member of Parliament (MP) for the Madina Constituency. The group called Bonicore, addressing journalists in Accra on the theme: Safeguarding our legacy in Madina, said the move would help prevent anyone from claiming glory to those projects initiated by the MP in the future. It said Alhaji Boniface, who led the constituency for the past four years, though was not re-elected, and had chalked major developments that ought to be safeguarded. Mr Reginald Bosompem, Convener of Bonicore, told journalists that under the tenure of Boniface, there was a tremendous transformation in the constituency. He said the MP's work spanned from education, road infrastructure, construction of drainage, bridges, water and sanitation and public toilets. Others included health, employment, electricity, peace and security, donations, among others that raised the human development status of the constituency. According to him, 15 Electoral Areas in the Municipality were also provided with streetlights. Let me take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the constituency executives, the council of elders, patrons, campaign team, electoral area coordinators, polling station executives, volunteer groups and all the electorate for their dedication, sacrifices, love and commitment towards the campaign. "I will say that a good battle was well fought but we lost and as the saying goes, the falling down of a hero is not the end of his life," Mr Bosompem said. The NPP supporters indicated that they were proud of Alhaji Boniface, despite the fact that he was not voted again in the 2020 parliamentary election. "As a party, we are confident that Alhaji Boniface would bounce back to ensure that the Madina Parliamentary Seat is won again by the NPP because we know his potential and what he is capable of doing," he Bosompem said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video US President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Merrick Garland, a federal court chief judge, as attorney general, media reports said on Wednesday. Garland leads the DC Circuit Court of Appeals and was nominated by former President Barack Obama to the Supreme Court but Republicans, who controlled the Senate at the time, had blocked him. As attorney general, Garland will be Bidens top law enforcement official. Garland will have to be confirmed by the Senate, which will not be difficult as Democrats are poised to take control of the chamber after the Georgia runoffs. The selection of Garland will resonate with Democrats after Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell prevented him from even getting a confirmation hearing for the high court in 2016. The move fills the last of the big four cabinet posts Biden had remaining, after earlier naming his choices for secretaries of defence, state and treasury. Obama nominated Garland in March 2016 for the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Although Garland received bipartisan praise, Republicans argued that any nomination should wait until after the American public had a chance to vote, even though the presidential election was still eight months away. Later, the Senate confirmed President Donald Trumps choice for the seat, Neil Gorsuch. When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in September last year, Republicans abandoned their argument about election-year nominations, pushing through a confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett days before the November 3 election. Garland, 68, is a veteran of the legal community and US justice department. He first served in the department as a special assistant in President Jimmy Carters administration before going into private practice. He returned to the department for a brief stint in 1989 as an assistant US attorney. In 1993, he became a deputy assistant attorney general in the departments criminal division and then was promoted to be a top aide to the deputy attorney general. Garland oversaw high-profile domestic terrorism prosecutions, including for bombings in Oklahoma City and at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. President Bill Clinton nominated Garland to be a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and he was confirmed in 1997. He became chief judge of the panel, which has influence second only to the Supreme Court, in 2013. Biden chose Garland after figures including former deputy attorney general Sally Yates, Democratic Senator Doug Jones and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick had been talked about as candidates for the position. (With inputs from Agencies) The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. South African government officials have called for stricter measures to curb soaring coronavirus infections at a meeting to discuss the states response to the pandemic, according to two people familiar with the matter. President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council on Wednesday to assess the spread of the disease. With the number of infections now over 1 million and more than 30,000 people having died from the disease, Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Police Minister Bheki Cele have recommended the country move to virus alert level 4 for 30 days, the people said. They asked not to be identified as no decision has been taken. Other officials concerned about the impact harsher restrictions might have on the economy called for the relaxation of measures including the ban on alcohol sales and the closing of the nations beaches, the people said. The government announced on Dec. 28 it was moving the country to virus alert level 3 from level 1, banning alcohol sales and extending a nationwide curfew to slow the spread of the pandemic. Travel Ban Under level 4 restrictions that were in place in May, travel between provinces was banned, with the exception of transporting goods, and borders remained closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African nationals and foreign citizens. The discussions by the NCCC may continue on Thursday, said one of the people. Cabinet spokeswoman Phumla Williams wasnt immediately available for comment, and spokespeople for Dlamini-Zuma and Cele didnt immediately respond to questions sent by text message. South Africa is the worst-hit country on the continent by the virus. Restrictions to try and prevent Covid-19 from spreading are likely to have resulted in the economy contracting the most in nine decades last year, according to official estimates. Foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali will land in New Delhi on 14 January to attend the sixth Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar that will begin the next day, people familiar with the matter said. Officials in Kathmandu and New Delhi are giving final touches to agreements including one on the health sector that can be firmed up during the trip that is high on symbolism because of its timing. Gyawalis visit is taking place against the backdrop of a flux in Nepals politics exacerbated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli when he dissolved parliament last month. Fresh national elections have been scheduled on 30 April and 10 May. PM Oli later told people in a televised address that his rivals within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) had paralysed decision-making, leaving him with no other option. It was a reference to the continuing power tussle with Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, the former prime minister who was also the co-chair of the party and had played a lead role along with another prime minister, Madhav Nepal, to force PM Olis exit. Indias decision to go ahead with Gyawalis visit - it was initially scheduled to take place last month - is seen to demonstrate Indias explicit support for the Nepali people and the ruling Oli government, a Nepal watcher said about the visit that is seen to be high on the political quotient. Also Watch: India donates ICU ventilators to Nepal to battle Covid-19 During his visit, Gyawali is expected to get a clear commitment from New Delhi for supply of over 12 million doses of the coronavirus vaccines produced in India. Nepal has offers from China to supply its version of the Sinovac vaccine. During discussions with Indian officials, Nepalese officials have, however, said that the Oli government preferred to get its vaccine supplies from New Delhi. Nepals ambassador to India Nilamber Acharya has already held several rounds of meetings with Indian vaccine manufacturers and government officials. His last meeting was on Tuesday with Dr V Krishna Mohan, executive director of Bharat Biotech that is producing the indigenously-developed Covid 19 vaccine. China, which has poured millions of dollars into Nepal in recent years in the form of aid and infrastructure investment, appears to have exhausted its influence with PM Oli in recent months after it tried to pressure him to avoid splitting the ruling communist party at all costs. Beijing is lately seen to be leaning in support of the rival communist party faction led by Prachanda and Madhav Nepal. India, in contrast, has already underlined that it has adopted a hands-off approach to the political developments in Nepal, calling PM Olis decision to dissolve the 275-member House of Representatives an internal matter. Pradeep Gyawalis discussions with Jaishankar are expected to take up the boundary dispute that had soured relations between the two neighbours when Kathmandu issued a new political map. This visit will reboot ties, an Indian official said, stressing that the two countries shared a unique relationship of centuries-old civilizational ties based on shared geography, history, culture, language and religion. India is also looking to revive the religious and cultural heritage of Nepal given the civilizational ties between the two countries and could propose help to promote infrastructure development around sites that hold a potential from this perspective. It was a point that was underscored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he last visited Nepal in 2018, starting the visit from Janakpur and launching the Ramayana Circuit by flagging off a bus route between Janakpur and Ayodhya. PM Modi had then announced a Rs 100-crore package to develop the holy city of Janakpur. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.At least for the moment.Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Tesla Incs Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.Bitcoins down 30% off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.Former traders for Credit Suisse Group AG, Davies and Zhu, the two are among the Wall Street pioneers whove embraced crypto, along with Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital and Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital. Now everyone from retail day traders to bankers are jumping in: CNBC reported this month that Aziz McMahon, head of emerging market sales for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London quit the bank after making a fortune trading cryptocurrencies for himself.While many of the early devotees fortunes rose and fell on the currencys price swings, crypto wealth is quickly turning into real dollars for some, whether through initial public offerings or companies that bring in traditional revenue. Brian Armstrong, co-founder of crypto-wallet Coinbase Global Inc., has a net worth of $9.3 billion after his firms IPO, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Binances Changpeng Zhao created the worlds largest crypto exchange.Grayscale StakeDavies and Zhu, also 34, have resisted talking about their fortune and recommended on social media that crypto billionaires do the same.However, a filing in January revealed the extent of the firms influence, when Three Arrows reported it owned a 5.6% stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $22 billion fund invested solely in the cryptocurrency set up by Barry Silbert.Davies declined to say whether their position had changed or specify how much of the firms capital belonged to them. Most of their other direct investments in cryptocurrencies and related companies dont need to be publicly disclosed.The Grayscale stake made Three Arrows the largest shareholder and would have been worth as much as $2.1 billion in April. The trusts shares have since tumbled 43% following Musks announcement this month that Tesla would suspend accepting the digital currency for purchases of its electric cars because of rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and regulatory clampdowns from China.Despite the environmental spotlight Musks tweet placed on Bitcoin, Davies said he doesnt believe that those concerns apply across cryptocurrency trading as a whole.There are many cryptocurrencies that are proof-of-stake, which use very little if any electricity, Davies said. That is the direction that a lot of crypto is headed in.A proof-of-stake setup for a digital currency allows users with significant equity positions to verify transactions. That compares with proof-of-work transactions, such as those used in Bitcoin mining, where users have to complete complex math problems to access a coin, consuming much greater volumes of electricity.Derivatives TradersDavies and Zhu attended high school together, then studied at Columbia University in New York before joining Credit Suisse as derivatives traders in Tokyo. After three years at the Swiss bank, they quit and launched Three Arrows Capital to begin trading traditional currencies in emerging markets.It was a very inefficient market, and thats where we got our start, Davies said.Within three years, they went from working in their San Francisco apartment to hiring about 35 people and trading 5% to 10% of all local emerging market currency volumes, he said.They diversified into options, equities and crypto after bigger and better firms came in and were better than us in FX emerging-markets trading, Davies said. By 2018, the firm concentrated exclusively on crypto.Their Singapore-based company now runs a fund, DeFiance Capital, that invests in decentralized finance, betting that these businesses will eat traditional finance over the next decade, according to the groups website. Investments include InsurAce, which provides insurance services, and CDEX, a cryptocurrency swap platform.Outsized VoicesWe have been long crypto for a while, Davies said. Weve not always been long Ethereum, in fact weve been short for periods of time, too. Whats the best way to beat Bitcoin right now? Well its just to own Ethereum. The ultimate goal of my book is to outperform Bitcoin.Davies said that Ethereum is currently the firms largest cryptocurrency holding. It has gained 245% this year compared with the U.S. dollar, while Bitcoin is up 29%.Despite the turbulence created by Musks tweets, Davies said hes less worried about the billionaires influence on the crypto market with each passing day.The thing about outsized voices is they usually dont last very long if theyre used too much, Davies said. If he were to tweet every single day, by the end of the year he would have no price impact.(Updates Ethereum, Bitcoin returns in 20th paragraph.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Shake Shack has introduced a little Seoul to its menu nationwide, with a new Korean-inspired fried chicken sandwich, chicken bites and fries featuring gochujang sauce and kimchi. The company was inspired by its teams' work and travel in South Korea, according to a website post, and decided to spotlight some traditional Korean flavors in the new items. Saiid Bouteflika, the younger brother and adviser of Algerias former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and four others were acquitted on Saturday of conspiracy charges for which they were serving long prison sentences by a military court in Algeria. Saiid, former intelligence officers Athmane Tartag and Mohamed Lamine Mediene, known as Toufik, and head of the Algerian Workers Party Louisa Hanoun, were convicted in September 2019 of conspiring against the army and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Former Algerian defence minister Khaled Nezzar also received a 20-year sentence in absentia. The dismissal of the earlier sentences is a dramatic shift from the tough sentences handed down against leading symbols of the former Bouteflika regime in the aftermath of Algerias uprising less than two years ago. In September 2019, a military tribunal in Blida southwest of the capital Algiers found the individuals guilty of conspiring to undermine the state and plotting regime change. Saiid, 63, had expanded his leverage inside the shrinking Algerian ruling circle after his older brother suffered a stroke in 2013 that impaired his speech and movement. When Algerias pro-democracy movement began protesting in February 2019 against Bouteflikas bid for a fifth presidential term, Algerian military leader Ahmad Gaid Saleh eventually issued an ultimatum for the president to step down to contain public anger. Bouteflika yielded on 2 April, but as the protests demanding radical regime change persisted, the authorities moved to arrest Saiid and the former spy chiefs and Hanoun a month later. According to press leaks, the four were incarcerated after a secret meeting in which Saiid, unhappy with the militarys actions during the protests, allegedly discussed imposing a state of emergency and dismissing Gaid Saleh. They were accused of meeting on 30 March to deliberate the formation of a new transitional body led by ex-president Liamine Zeroual to lead the post-Bouteflika period. Zeroual declined to be involved. Gaid Saleh reportedly forced Bouteflika to step down after he learned of the meeting, thus becoming Algerias de facto leader during the power vacuum that followed. Nezzar, a former defence minister notorious for his ruthlessness during Algerias Civil War in the 1990s, also attended the meeting but fled to Spain before he could be arrested. Their convictions ahead of controversial presidential elections pushed for by Gaid Saleh were seen as an effort to appease the then-massive protest movement. A second trial months later before an appeals court upheld the prison sentences for the men but reduced Hanouns to a three-year suspended sentence. She was released in February 2020 after nine months in jail. In November 2020, the Algerian Supreme Court accepted an appeal by the defendants defence teams and ordered a retrial leading to their acquittal on Saturday. A statement by the Algerian Ministry of Defence said that Toufik had been released, while Tartag would be kept in a military prison in Blida facing prosecution by military justice. Saiid Bouteflika was transformed to a civilian prison on Monday pending corruption-related charges. There was no mention during the three trials of the widescale abuses committed by the Algerian secret services under Toufik and Tartags watch during Algerias decade-long civil war in the 1990s. Instead, as Toufik, 81, walked home, the state-run media focused on his apparent frailty. The acquittals are unsurprising, but still remarkable, in the light of recent developments, said Algeria expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) Isabelle Werenfels. Over the past few months, we have seen a pattern of actors close to networks of the old system being cleared of allegations and released from prison, or having their sentences reduced, she said, referring to business tycoon, Bouteflika ally, and former head of Algerias main employers organisation Ali Haddad, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison on corruption charges in June. Last month, an Algerian court reduced his sentence to 12 years in prison and acquitted his four brothers. Haddads arrest was part of Gaid Salehs anti-corruption drive, which extended to several former officials and billionaires in Bouteflikas clique. In the same vein, former premiers Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal, who were serving 12 years for graft, also recently had their sentences reduced to eight years in prison. High-profile business tycoons may not be released immediately, Werenfels told Al-Ahram Weekly. But I would not be surprised if many of those arrested in the period of Gaid Salahs strong leadership will receive reduced sentences and get free sooner than many Algerian citizens expected or hoped for. Gaid Saleh died in December, days after Abdelmajid Tebboune, a former premier under Bouteflika, was elected president in an election marred by protests and calls for a boycott. The election was designed to end the unprecedented months-long pro-democracy movement the hirak. The authorities began a campaign of arrests targeting figures associated with the protests in the summer. The acquittal of Saiid Bouteflika and the former spy chiefs came a day after Tebboune signed into law a new constitution for Algeria that was passed by a referendum seeing a record low voter turnout in November. The amended constitution, touted by Tebboune as part of reform efforts to satisfy the hiraks demands, is a tweaked version of the countrys 2016 constitution and has been rejected by the protest movement. The continued crackdown on dissent and the reduced sentences on Bouteflikas allies are sending a contrary message to Algerians, signalling the authorities new confidence in openly retaining figures from the former regime. It also discloses other sides of Gaid Salehs motives during the 2019 anti-corruption drive, which was not limited to appeasing protesters, but was also meant to get rid of competing networks, according to Werenfels. Nezzars reported return to Algiers early in December fuelled speculation of a settlement within the ruling oligarchy. On Monday, 25-year-old hirak supporter Walid Kechida was sentenced to three years in prison for social media posts. Rights groups say that over 90 people including activists, social media users and journalists are currently in custody in Algeria in connection with the hirak movement. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Sorry! This content is not available in your region [January 06, 2021] FlexRule Recognized by Everest Group for Decision Automation MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FlexRule, a leading provider of end-to-end decision automation platform, has been recognized by Everest Group in its report on Enterprise Process Orchestration for decision automation. This report discusses the adoption of Intelligent Automation (IA) technologies and the role of enterprise process orchestration in addressing the challenges by connecting multiple disparate systems and applications across one platform while orchestrating tasks between robotic and human workforce to optimize workflows. Enterprises can deliver real business value from decision automation by bringing all the aspects of decision automation: people, rules, data, and processes using the enterprise process orchestration. Goli Tajadod, VP of Customer Success, FlexRue said, "Any orchestration model, transient or long-running decision model, will need to be built, modified, deployed and executed based on changing requirements of day-to-day business operations as the requirements for operational decisions change." FlexRule Advanced Decision Management Suite is a unified and the most comprehensive digital decisioning platform that helps organizations: Orchestrate Both Long-running and Transient Decisioning Focus on Operational Decisions and Managing Them Explicitly Put Data and Analytics into Action Measure and Monitor Operational Decisions FlexRule Advanced Decision Management Suite provides a unified platform that includes all your needs for your digital decisioning journey. This technology, guided by the decision-centric approach methodology, empowers teams to build, deploy, and monitor complex orchestrations across the enterprise. It enables organizations to improve the speed and quality of their business decisions in a changing environment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About FlexRule FlexRule is a leading provider of both end-to-end decision automation technology and the decision-centric approach, as its methodology to guide organizations through the journey of adapting to changing business requirements with effective and efficient decision automation solutions. FlexRule Advanced Decision Management Suite has delivered game-changing business results across many industries such as finance, healthcare, energy, insurance, banking, telecom, security & risk management, technology & consulting, and supply chain & logistics. Website: www.flexrule.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexrule View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flexrule-recognized-by-everest-group-for-decision-automation-301201585.html SOURCE FlexRule Pty Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An investigation is underway after a man was shot Tuesday night in Hoover. The citys 911 center just before 9:45 p.m. received multiple calls of shots fired near the 100 building at The Park at Wakefield and Wellington apartments, said Lt. Keith Czeskleba. Officers arrived on scene to find an adult male lying on the sidewalk suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to UAB hospital by Hoover Fire medics with life-threatening injuries and is currently in critical condition. Witnesses reported hearing some type of altercation take place prior to the shots being fired and seeing two unknown males running away from the scene. Czeskleba said detectives are working to determine a motive in this case. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Det. Drew Mims at 205-739-7274. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can also call Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777. Lindsay Arnold sure knows how to kick off 2021 with a bang. On Wednesday the Dancing With The Stars professional waltzer from Utah posted two sizzling bikini photos to social media. This comes two months after the 26-year-old blonde beauty welcomed her first child with husband Samuel Lightner Cusick. A 10: Lindsay Arnold sure knows how to kick off 2021 with a bang. On Wednesday the Dancing with The Stars professional waltzer from Utah posted two sizzling bikini photos to social media The salsa queen had her feet in the ocean with a picturesque sunset in the background. The toned star looked slender with a small waistline as she wore a black bikini with her blonde hair down over her shoulders. There were other images of the star in a tropical paradise as she had on a bright yellow bikini that flattered her impressive post-baby body. And she presented new images of her baby, dressed in a onesie. Splish splash: The salsa queen had her feet in the ocean with a picturesque sunset in the background Beach babe: The toned star looked slender with a small waistline as she wore a black bikini with her blonde hair down over her shoulders on the left. On the right she is seen during her pregnancy So in love: In another post, Arnold called her husband her 'best friend' and said she was 'grateful' to him 'Vacation time,' the beauty said in her caption as she added a sun emoji. 'Instagram husband/dad of the year goes to Sam who is mine and Sage's personal photographer for this trip.' She added hashtags for vacation, sunset, beach and ocean. Her followers were stunned by how slender she looks with some saying 'hot mama' and others adding, 'And you just had a baby???? Gah you're so gorgeous.' Another added, 'Who looks this good?' In November she shared a look at her newborn child, daughter Sage Jill Cusick. Another look: The TV star was also seen in a yellow bikini with a one-shoulder strap New mommy: This comes two months after the 26-year-old blonde beauty welcomed her first child with husband Samuel Lightner Cusick So in love: Here she is seen with her high school sweetheart turned husband on the trip The siren revealed in her accompanying Instagram post that the infant had been name for her grandmother who has passed away on November 2, 2019. 'She entered this world on the same day that we lost Sam's beautiful mother just one year ago,' Arnold wrote. 'We couldn't help but see God's hand in this and know that Sage was handed down to us by her beautiful angel grandmother, Jennifer Jill Gillette Cusick,' she added. All dressed up for a day out with mommy: And her child was cute in her striped dress They sure live in luxury: The family enjoyed a sunset meal at the resort The dancer went on: 'We could not be more in love with her and feel blessed beyond words to be her parents.' Arnold had shared photos from the delivery as she announced her baby's arrival. And in Wednesday's update, she described in more detail how the child came eight days early and as she was in a breech position, she had to be delivered via C-section. The newborn weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs 10 oz and measured 19 inches tall. The first photo of the family of three, shared via Instagram, showed Arnold, Cusick and Sage Jill moments after the delivery. Arnold held the bundled up newborn close to her face as medical professionals continued to treat her following the C-section. Proud papa Cusick, dressed in blue hospital scrubs, stroked his daughter's head as he beamed into the camera. Her name: 'She entered this world on the same day that we lost Sam's beautiful mother just one year ago,' Arnold wrote. 'We couldn't help but see God's hand in this and know that Sage was handed down to us by her beautiful angel grandmother, Jennifer Jill Gillette Cusick' Dramatic arrival: With her baby who she had delivered via C-section; also seen with her husband in the hospital room photo The pregnancy news: The couple had announced they were expecting in May and posted a string of ultra sound images on their social media. Arnold married her high school sweetheart Samuel Lightner Cusick in a ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2015 The couple had announced they were expecting in May and posted a string of ultra sound images on their social media. The high school sweethearts got engaged in 2014 and married in a ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2015. Arnold began her career on season 16 of ABC's Dancing With The Stars in 2013. In 2019, the looker danced with Sean Spicer, the former White House press secretary and communications director under Donald Trump in 2017. HARTFORD State lawmakers stood in the winter chill around the State Capitol on Wednesday and took their oaths of office while 500 peaceful protesters took places behind metal barricades 100 yards away, many shouting for their rights to refuse vaccines and dispute the outcome of the presidential election. While House and Senate members were collegial in a first-day-back-at-school atmosphere, pandemic precautions continued the closure of the Capitol complex to the public, and the cold expedited the perfunctory oaths of office, then forced lawmakers back to their individual offices. They voted remotely on rules for the 22-week session, then watched Gov. Ned Lamonts pre-recorded afternoon State of the State Address. In this coming year, we will be expanding our commitment to affordable housing, access to broadband, transit-oriented development, open choice school incentives, as well as an expansion of our workforce development and small business growth fund, Lamont said. Thats how we get Connecticut growing again, and working for all of our families, with liberty and justice for all. During the 15-minute address, Lamont praised the state for refusing to be defined by the public health crisis. Instead, its a state which responded to its generational calling with thousands of volunteers providing food, support, and encouragement to hundreds of cars filled with hungry families at the Rentschler Field Food Distribution Center, nurses coming out of retirement to help at COVID-19 clinics, college students stepping up to serve as apprentice teachers, business leaders leveraging their contacts to provide the state with masks and gowns, and countless other examples of Connecticut meeting its generational challenge, said Lamont. Lamont said that like many state families, his has been brought closer together by the pandemic. Lamont reiterated previous support of adult-use marijuana and sports gambling, neither of which has made much progress in recent years, but Democratic leaders and the governor have those goals again on this years agenda. On the shady north steps of the ornate, 1878 monument to the Civil War, with its gold-flaked 257-foot dome, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, accepted the nomination to head the House chamber for the next two years. He took the oath from his father, Thomas D. Ritter, a Hartford lawyer who was speaker of the House from 1993 until 1998. Most of the House members in attendance at least two were missing in COVID protocols stood in overcoats and other winter wear, with almost all wearing face masks, as mostly mask-less protesters lined the metal barricades in nearby Bushnell Park. Capitol Police said the demonstrators totaled about 500, far short of the anticipated 2,000 organizers had predicted. At about 10:30, around the time senators were finishing their swearing-in ceremony in the winter sunshine, State Capitol Police arrested Yuliya Gilshteyn, 46, of New Fairfield, on a breach-of-peace charge after she allegedly spat on another person during an outdoor confrontation. The state Department of Consumer Protection reported that Gilshteyn began the process of applying for a pharmacist license in 2008, but never completed it. As senators took their oaths, several protesters unsuccessfully tried to shout down the proceedings. Freedom Trumps Fear, Support parental rights, Keep religious freedom, and Trump won were among the handmade signs, along with red, white and blue Trump 2020 flags and the colonial-era segmented snake of the yellow Dont tread on me Gadsden flag. One protester in the same crowd shouted into a bullhorn, Black lives matter! Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, led the Senate in confirming Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney of New Haven for another term as the most-powerful senator, in his 41st year in the legislature. Hes someone who has spent his life dedicated to public service and for the betterment of the people of the state of Connecticut, Duff said. Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, seconded Duffs motion, stressed that the session will be very-challenging, but he looks forward to working with Looney. He is somebody who believes very very dearly that this is a very collegial and collaborate institution and that we are all honored and privileged to serve not only in that institution, but under his leadership. Back inside, in the historic hall of the House, Ritter, along with new Majority Leader Jason Rojas of East Hartford and new Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, set the tone for the next two years, encouraging collaboration across party lines and the need to cooperate in a pandemic that Ritter hopes can be overcome by the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. Although it is close to the June 9 adjournment date and lawmakers traditionally work during that late-session weekend, Ritter promised House members a four-day holiday weekend. We need to bring stability back to the economy, said Candelora, who will lead the 54-member House minority, while Ritter and Rojass caucus holds a commanding 97 seats. Democrats hold a 24-12 margin in the Senate, pending a special election for the vacancy left by the departure of Sen. Carlo Leone for a job in the Lamont administration. Three dozen chairs were set up on the sunny south side of the Capitol for senators. Few demonstrators were on that side of the Capitol until those massed on the north side realized both chambers were not accepting their oaths at the same time, and midway through the Senate event, hundreds walked around the perimeter of metal barriers from the north side to the south. Then, a half hour later, the incoming House members walked to the area in front of the north steps, and the demonstrators returned. Karen Zoccoli of Cromwell and her sister-in-law Maria Buchta of Trumbull, said they were trying to make a statement on the need for school kids to be able to attend public school without mandatory vaccinations, a new law that lawmakers had proposed last year before the March shutdown of the legislative session that would end the so-called religious exemption. The law states that its not just your organized religion, its your creed, whatever your belief is said Buchta, who has two children at Trumbull High School. I believe that God gave me my body and I have the right to keep it healthy in the way I deem. In a statement after Lamonts address, Ritter said the governor has proven his skill in crisis management. Gov. Lamont talked about some very important issues today economic opportunity, racism, helping local businesses, health care and many more, Ritter said. Duff and Looney, in a statement on the governors speech, said they looked forward to another two years working with Lamont. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone in our state, caused untold loss, and fundamentally changed daily life, they said. The 2021 legislative session will be like no other and our focus will be to protect the publics health and help people recover economically, physically, and mentally. Candelora, during a news conference in the Capitols west atrium after Lamonts speech, criticized the governor for promoting cannabis and sports wagering at a time when state families are still suffering in the pandemic. We all share in the governors message of trying to get out of this COVID and see a recovery for the state of Connecticut, he said. I dont see how legalizing marijuana or sports betting helps people that are suffering from COVID, so while I think some of those issues will be taken up this session, I want to hear more about how we are going to get children back into schools. An earlier version of this article quoted the state Department of Consumer Protection as reporting that Yuliya Gilshteyn was a former registered pharmacist, but on Jan. 8 reported that she started the application process in 2008, but failed to file it with the agency. The air demand recovery for Indian aviation industry remains uncertain, especially international traffic in 2021 in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic, aviation consultancy firm CAPA India on Tuesday said. Releasing the 10 key issues to watch in Indian Aviation in 2021, the firm also added that long haul traffic, in particular, is likely to take some time to repair. "FY2022 is expected to be another year of large losses for the entire industry, but especially airlines," said CAPA India in its report about the 'top ten trends to watch in 2021' The report said consolidation is inevitable in the Indian aviation sector and it could result in a "2-3 airline system" in the near to medium term. "The structure of competition may change in the near to medium term, possibly resulting in a two-horse race in both the airline and airport sectors," it mentioned. Terming governments commitment to the privatisation of Air India as laudable, the report further states, "After almost 30 years of deregulation a largely market-driven sector will finally emerge from 2021, with long term strategic implications for consumers, competition and industry structure. The governments commitment to the privatisation of Air India is laudable. The report said lenders and investors will remain wary of the sector (especially airlines) unless the government intervenes in the form of sector-specific policy measures. It stated the government may be tempted to maintain price floors and caps, at least for the first half of 2021. When India resumed scheduled domestic passenger flights from May 25 amid the COVID-19 lockdown, floors and caps were imposed on fares based on the duration of the flights. The report also said IndiGo will emerge from COVID significantly stronger relative to the competition, largely due to its very strong balance sheet. It said international flights are expected to continue operating under bubble arrangements" rather than bilateral air services agreements for the foreseeable future. Scheduled international passenger flights were suspended in India on March 23 last year due to the pandemic-induced lockdown. Since July, airlines are operating special international flights under air bubble arrangements formed with around 24 countries. Under a bilateral air bubble arrangement, airlines of the two countries can operate flights between their territories with certain restrictions. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Syria and Algeria have held talks to discuss the current state of their relationship and possible future developments writes The Syria Times. On Jan. 5, 2020, Algerian Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Hashemi Jaaboub met with the Syrian ambassador to Algeria, Nameer al-Ghanem at the ministrys headquarters. According to a statement by the Algerian Ministry of Labor, they discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two countries and their existing partnership in the fields of work and employment. They also discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation and the historical ties of brotherhood between Algeria and Syria were reviewed, in addition to discussing issues of common interest. Jaaboub affirmed his ministrys readiness to intensify consultations and present appropriate proposals to develop joint work between the two sides. Ghanem expressed Syrias readiness to lay down a framework for developing bilateral cooperation relations and bring consultations closer, especially through the exchange of expertise and experiences. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. DENVER, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jonah Energy LLC ("Jonah Energy" or the "Company") today announced that, effective Dec. 29, 2020, it has closed financial transactions that reduce the Company's overall debt balance by approximately $580 million. The transactions included a tender for all of the $496 million in principal amount of the Company's 7.25% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "Notes"), the redemption of any Notes not tendered in the tender offer, a new-money investment of $85 million through an equity offering available to eligible holders of the Notes and entry into an amended and restated reserve-based revolving credit facility maturing in mid-2024 (the "New Credit Facility") with the existing lenders in Jonah's prior revolving credit facility. The proceeds from the equity offering were used to reduce the outstanding secured indebtedness under the prior credit facility and to pay transaction expenses. Under the New Credit Facility, the Company has an initial borrowing base of $750 million and over $80 million of available liquidity as of Dec. 31, 2020. After giving effect to the transactions, Jonah Energy is majority-owned by certain former holders of the Notes. The Company is currently operating one rig pursuant to its business plan. Based on its plan, the Company expects to generate significant free cash flow into 2021 and beyond. Tom Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jonah Energy, said, "We are very pleased to have completed this comprehensive recapitalization with the overwhelming support of our stakeholders. With a healthy balance sheet and a business that continues to generate substantial free cash flow, we can invest in our business and build on our track record of operating sustainably, efficiently and safely. We will also remain focused on advancing our Responsibly Produced Gas initiative, continuing to lead the industry in providing cost-effective, certified low emission natural gas to a global marketplace that increasingly demands cleaner energy." About Jonah Energy Jonah Energy is an oil and gas exploration and development company operating in the Jonah and Pinedale Fields in Sublette County, Wyoming. The Company is one of the largest privately held natural gas producers in the US, and focuses on producing natural gas in an environmentally responsible manner. For more information, contact: Paul Ulrich Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs 303-330-6346 [email protected] SOURCE Jonah Energy LLC Related Links https://www.jonahenergy.com The Federation interprofessionnelle de la sante du Quebec (FIQ), the union that represents the majority of the provinces nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists and perfusionists, reached a deal on work rules and staffing with the right-wing Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government last month. The agreement in principle would maintain the punishing working conditions caused by decades of social spending cuts and intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, including forced overtime and onerous workloads. It will also allow the government to continue to violate its contractual obligations and arbitrarily reassign personnel, cancel vacations, and override work rules, through ministerial decrees, for the duration of the health emergency. During the now 10-month-long pandemic, the FIQ and Quebecs other major unions have failed to mount any struggle to secure the personal protective equipment (PPE) and other additional resources needed to protect frontline health care workers and enable them to provide effective and compassionate care. Nor have they demanded the other measures urgently needed to combat the coronavirus, including the immediate cessation of all non-essential economic activity with full compensation for all affected workers. Demonstration of health care workers protesting inhumane working conditions, including lack of PPE and endless hours of forced overtime, during the pandemics first wave last spring. Instead, in keeping with their longstanding role in suppressing the class struggle, the unions have supported the ruling elites ruinous back-to-work and back-to-school drive, which prioritizes corporate profits over human lives and has led to a second wave of the pandemic even greater and more deadly than the first. The FIQgovernment agreement has been met with hostility among nurses and other FIQ members, with many turning to social media to express their outrage. Now the FIQ is working for the government, wrote one worker on Facebook. A group of nurses published a survey to find out whether their co-workers were in favor of creating a new union that will represent us better than the FIQ. The vast majority of the 620 respondents answered in the affirmative. These developments raise fundamental questions of political perspective. Nurses and other public sector workers, who are rightly outraged by the FIQs latest sellout, must recognize that this is not an isolated development. For decades, unions in all sectors of activity have imposed the dictates of big business, sabotaging working class resistance to capitalist austerity. The direct role of the unions in the assault of big business and their political representatives on jobs, wages and public services is an international processone that has resulted in an enormous decline in their size and influence. In France, Britain, the US and elsewhere, the percentage and even the number of unionized workers have declined precipitously. The same process has also occurred in Canada, albeit at a slower pace. The transformation of the unions into open agents of the employers is a universal process. It is not the outcome of the bad choices, personal aggrandizement and corruption of individual union leaders (although corruption is rife within the union apparatuses), but of these organizations nationalist and pro-capitalist perspective. The unions accept the exploitative capital wagelabour relationship and the subordination of economic life to private profit. In an earlier period, when production was still largely organized within national borders, it was possible for workers to extract certain economic concessions through militant trade union struggles. But based on the technological advances of the late 1970s, particularly in transportation, telecommunications and computers, the ruling class developed transnational corporations that could move production around the globe in search of the cheapest labour, best infrastructure, and lowest taxes. This process, globalization, has enormously intensified the competition for markets and profits. The ruling class of each country is seeking to attract investment and increase the competitiveness of its own large corporations through massive tax cuts for big business, privatization, deregulation and social cuts. As a result, parties of all political stripes have implemented unrelenting capitalist austerity. This is as true of the parties historically supported and, in many cases, built by the trade unions, such as the British Labour Party, the French Socialist Party and in Canada the New Democratic Party (NDP), as it is of the traditional parties of the right. Over the past four decades, social-democratic parties have played a key role in gutting the limited welfare-state programs that they had hailed in an earlier period as proof that capitalism could be reformed. The corporatist transformation of the unions It is these objective changes in the process of production that have undermined all forms of protest politics and the entire national-reformist agenda of the trade unions. As organizations rooted in the national state and the acceptance of production for profit and private ownership of the means of production, the trade unions are organically incapable of advancing the only viable strategy for working people under these transformed conditions: the forging of the international unity of the working class in struggle against the transnational corporations and the capitalist system as a whole. Instead, the unions have pushed their nationalist orientation to its logical conclusion: integrating themselves ever more deeply into corporate management and the capitalist state. Union bureaucrats sit on a range of tripartite committees, bringing together representatives from the unions, the corporations and the government, where they collude in suppressing social opposition and increasing the global competitiveness of our companies by attacking jobs, wages, pensions and public services. The unions have also sought to compensate for the decline in their dues income resulting from their continued betrayal of workers struggles by developing other sources of income. The FTQ (Federation des travailleurs du Quebec, Quebec Federation of Labour), for example, created and to this day largely controls the Solidarity Fund. This venture capital fund, with net assets of more than C$13 billion, has invested in thousands of companies in Quebec, developing a direct financial incentive in making them profitable by intensifying the exploitation of their workers. It is impossible to turn the wheel of history backwards. Yet pseudo-left organizations of the affluent middle class such as Fightback, Socialist Alternative and their counterparts in other countries claim that through rank-and-file pressure, the sclerotic and corrupt union apparatuses could regain the militancy of a previous era. This ahistorical approach is aimed at preserving the dominance of the pro-capitalist unions and preventing the emergence of an independent political movement of the working class. The militant union struggles of the 1960s and 1970s in Canada and Quebec were part of a massive international working-class offensivean offensive that in the MayJune 1968 general strike in France and elsewhere threatened the capitalist order itself. While large numbers of workers in Canada joined unions during this period, many of the most important struggles involved or were precipitated by wildcat job action, with workers repeatedly coming into conflict with the conservative union apparatuses. In Quebec, the union bureaucracy sought to contain this militant working-class upsurge within the capitalist framework by isolating Quebec workers from their class brothers and sisters in the rest of Canada and the United States, and by politically subordinating them to the big business Parti Quebecois (PQ) and its reactionary program of carving out a separate Quebec capitalist state. The unions shift to the right has now led them to work hand in hand with the CAQ, led by Premier Francois Legault, a representative of the most rapacious sections of the ruling elite who denounces wages in the manufacturing sector as too high, demands the dismantling of remaining social programs, and fans the flames of Quebec chauvinism in order to divide the working class. The history of the FIQ The dead end to which any project to form a new union would lead is demonstrated by the history of the FIQ itself. The Federation des infirmieres et infirmiers du Quebec (FIIQ) was created in 1987 following the merger of three nursing unions, largely comprised of locals that had left the Confederation des syndicats nationaux (CSN, Confederation of National Trade Unions) in the late 1970s. Promoted with the claim that a separate and supposedly more militant union would be better able to defend nurses interests, the creation of the FIIQ served to perpetuate the long-standing division of workers along sectoral and professional lines. Time after time, the FIIQ, which became the FIQ in 2006, has negotiated concession-laden collective agreements. By systematically isolating nurses from other public sector workers and the broader working class, the FIQ has weakened workers resistance and made it easier to impose cuts. In 19961997, the FIQ collaborated with the PQ government of Lucien Bouchard and the other public sector unions in implementing an early retirement scheme that resulted in the elimination of tens of thousands of health care and education jobs, all in the name of achieving a zero deficit policy. Two years later, nurses rebelled, mounting a militant 23-day strike that won widespread popular support. But the FIQ isolated and sabotaged their struggle. Its leader, Jennie Skene, refused to call on public sector workers for support, as part of a struggle against the Bouchard governments austerity measures, on the basis that nurses could achieve a better deal if they presented their problems with staff shortages and long working hours as a special case. The other unions deliberately isolated the nurses in the face of Bouchards repressive measures and invocation of Quebecs draconian anti-strike legislation. This betrayal then paved the way for continued attacks by successive PQ and Liberal governments, and now the CAQ, on public services and the jobs, wages and working conditions of the workers who administer them. For rank-and-file action committees and a new strategy of struggle All unions are pursuing the same policy of sabotaging working-class struggles. During the 2012 student strike in Quebec, the union apparatus intervened to block workers, who were beginning to take to the streets en masse against the repressive measures of Jean Charests Liberal government, from joining the students in a broader challenge to the austerity agenda of the entire ruling elite. Under the slogan After the street, the ballot box, the FTQ led Quebecs unions in isolating and forcing an end to the student strike and in diverting the rising social opposition behind the right-wing PQ. In 2015, the Common Front unions dragged out the collective bargaining process in the face of mounting anger among public sector workers over a further deterioration in their working conditions and a new set of government concessions demands. They separated the public sector workers contract struggle from the mass opposition that was developing against the reactionary austerity measures of Philippe Couillards Liberal government. And as pressure mounted for a general strike, the unions quickly put an end to a series of limited partial strikes and imposed a contract full of concessions, invoking at the last minute the threat of back-to-work legislation. The same basic line of betrayal was followed by the supposedly independent and militant unions such as the FIQ and the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE). These experiences demonstrate the need for workers to reject the nationalist agenda of the unions and adopt a new strategy. This strategy must be based on the unity of the Canadian working class (French and English-speaking, immigrant and First Nation) in the common struggle, alongside their class brothers and sisters in the United States and overseas, against the capitalist system. In order to move forward, such a struggle requires a political and organizational break with the pro-capitalist union bureaucracy and the formation of new organizations of struggle controlled by rank-and-file workers. Nurses and public sector workers must form rank-and-file safety committees, completely independent of the unions. Putting human lives before profits, these committees will ensure the protection of health care workers and the general public, while defending jobs, working conditions and public services. Workers cannot defend their interests through a union collective bargaining struggle. In opposing austerity and demanding human lives be placed before capitalist profit, they are challenging not just the policy of the Legault government, but the class strategy of the entire Quebec and Canadian ruling elite, which stands ready to use anti-strike legislation and the repressive arsenal of the capitalist state to impose new attacks on working people. Workers are thus faced with a political struggle. The building of a network of rank-and-file safety committees must be linked to the struggle for a workers government committed to socialist policies, so socio-economic life can be reorganized to make the satisfaction of social needs, not the pursuit of private profit, its animating principle. HARRISBURG (AP) Leaders of Pennsylvanias state Senate Republican majority are asking Republicans in Congress to delay the certification of the Electoral College, the latest effort by Republicans to undo Democratic President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the battleground state over President Donald Trump. The letter, dated Monday, was signed by state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and 19 other Republican state senators. A copy of the letter was tweeted late Tuesday night by Trump, announcing it as BIG NEWS IN PENNSYLVANIA! Trump has enlisted dozens of Republicans to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in a joint session to confirm Bidens 306-232 win Wednesday. The letter repeats similar claims about how Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and his top elections official handled the election and election-related decisions by the state Supreme Court as those made by other state Republican lawmakers and Republican members of Congress who want to block Pennsylvanias electoral votes from being certified for Biden. The letter complains about numerous unlawful violations and inconsistent and questionable activities and says Pennsylvanias election results should not have been certified by Wolfs secretary of state. We ask that you delay certification of the Electoral College to allow due process as we pursue election integrity in our Commonwealth, the senators wrote. Previously, state officials have said similar complaints are based on outright falsehoods, while constitutional law scholars say Republicans are ignoring how courts have repeatedly ruled. In brief: Facebooks upcoming smart glasses are set to arrive sooner than later this year but they will be missing a key feature often associated with such wearables. Instead, it sounds as if the social networking leader is content to take its time and let AR mature a bit before adopting the tech. Andrew Bosworth, Facebooks vice president of virtual reality and augmented reality, suggested to Bloomberg that the glasses, which are being built in collaboration with Luxottica Group subsidiary Ray-Ban, wont overlay digital objects over the real world. These are certainly connected glasses, they are certainly providing a lot of functionality, [but] were being quite coy about which functionality precisely we are providing, Bosworth said. The executive noted that they are excited about the product but dont want to over-hype it. Were not even calling it augmented reality, were just calling it smart glasses, Bosworth added. Facebook has long been interested in the field of VR and AR, going so far as to purchase budding VR firm Oculus in 2014 for $2 billion. Theyve continued to develop VR hardware for the gaming space, most recently launching the Oculus Quest 2 late last year. The social media giant isnt the only tech titan interested in AR and smart glasses. Google first released its ill-fated Google Glass headset in early 2013 but quickly reconsidered. Microsoft and Snap have since launched their respective efforts but neither has gained substantial marketshare. Apples first AR device is expected sometime this year. Masthead courtesy David Paul Morris, Bloomberg On Tuesday night it looked like homes in two small settlements near Lancelin, about 140 kilometres north of Perth, would be overrun by a massive bushfire burning for four days already. But thanks to the efforts of about 200 firefighters, those houses are still standing. Homes in the Ocean Farm Estate were under imminent treat of the fire. Credit:Nikki Woods About 200 volunteer and career firefighters worked around the clock to stop the fire front as air tankers dropped several thousand litres worth of retardant on the southern flank of the blaze, which had razed 9400 hectares of bushland. The wind caused a spot fire to break out just seven kilometres away from the blaze, further stretching resources, but after gruelling effort crews managed to halt the advance of the flames, which remained stationary for most of Wednesday. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday "strongly condemned" the terrorist attack and killing of at least 11 Hazaras coal miners in Pakistan's Balochistan province on January 3. Guterres expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the miners and urged the Pakistani authorities to do "everything possible" to bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice. Hazaras are the Persian-speaking ethnic group native to central Afghanistan and a minority community in neighbouring Pakistan. The United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir also condemned the terrorist attack on Hazaras people and extended condolences to the families of killed miners and the government of Pakistan. I strongly condemn the terrorist attack which claimed the lives of 11 innocent coal miners in the Balochistan province of #Pakistan. I extend my sincere condolences to the families of the miners & the people & Government of Pakistan . Volkan BOZKIR (@volkan_bozkir) January 4, 2021 Read: Pakistan's Supreme Court Orders Reconstruction Of Vandalised Hindu Temple The attack that killed 11 Hazaras The attack took place on Sunday when a group of unidentified gunmen stormed a coal mine in Mach, Balochistan, and killed at least 11 members of the Hazaras community. The gunmen reportedly took 11 Hazaras people to nearby mountains and killed them by opening fire. Hazaras people belong to the minority Shia sect of Islam, a community that has faced decades of persecution in the country. Members of the community are protesting against the horrific killing of 11 people and are demanding justice from the government of Pakistan. Read: Pakistan Taliban Responsible For Most Terrorist Attacks In Erstwhile FATA In 2020: Report The families of the victims are refusing to bury their keen until the government takes action against the perpetrators. Community leaders have called on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Balochistan and meet their demands. The Sunday attack was reportedly claimed by the Islamic State, which posted pictures of the victims with gunmen and the ISIS flag to support its claim. Read: Pakistan Taliban Responsible For Most Terrorist Attacks In Erstwhile FATA In 2020: Report Hazaras people mostly live in Balochistan's capital Quetta, where two heavily-guarded enclaves house nearly 5,00,000 members of the community. Balochistan is the second-most terror affected region in Pakistan after the Khyber Pakhtunkwa province in the northwest. Recently, a report released by a Pakistani think-tank claimed Balochistan witnessed over 40 terror-related incidents in 2020 alone. Read: US House Introduces Bill To Terminate Designation Of Pakistan As Major Non-NATO Ally (With inputs from ANI) Potential U.S. Sen.elect Jon Ossoff is only 33 years old. For comparison, the youngest sitting senator is Republican Josh Hawley, at 41; the bodys youngest Democrat is Kyrsten Sinema, at 44. That means Ossoff may soon be the first millennial senator. Those of us around his age might have seen his possibly imminent ascent to the upper house of Congress as a condemnation of our own lives and accomplishments. For instance, I am a year older than Ossoff, and in recent days, I have been feeling pretty good about my streak on Duolingo. (As of this writing, Im at 10 days. No es gran cosa.) Advertisement Suffice to say, Ossoff has risen extremely high, extremely fast. But what a precocious little credential-humping dweeb he must be, right? He probably never drank a can of Sparks, and never really posted anything dumb on social media, all in meticulous, ladder-climbing preparation for this moment. Some millennial. Advertisement Advertisement Well. While there remains no evidence yet that he ever drank or refused to drink Sparks or Four Loko, on late Tuesday night, as Ossoff inched closer to victory in Georgia, tweets from his mid-20s began to go viral. And it turns out that not only is Ossoff a red-blooded millennial, hes a world-class dweeb, too. The tweets reveal some objectively dorky generational fandoms (Anime Les Mis and Imagine Dragons) and sources of pride (inbox zero), and they prove that once upon a time, there was nothing this young man wouldnt post on social media. Advertisement I cant prove it, but I think John Jay argued this kind of thing should be disqualifying in the Federalist Papers. Behold: @pitchforkmedia Looking forward to your writeup of the new @imaginedragons album Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) September 4, 2012 Advertisement (Journalist Josie Duffy Rice later explained that Ossoff went to high school with Imagine Dragons drummer.) Advertisement Shouldn't autocorrect know "crunkest" is a word? Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) March 6, 2013 Advertisement @ablaze I was going to link to a Lil Jon song but I don't want someone to ask why I linked to profanity in 15 yrs so instead I wrote this. Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) October 31, 2012 Advertisement Approaching zero inbox for the first time in six years. Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) October 31, 2012 Advertisement LOL RT @jim_newell: a strong candidate for my next twitter avatar pic.twitter.com/eFr6xKEfXJ Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) June 11, 2013 Advertisement Advertisement @jonathonmorgan @chrisalbon @ablaze Theme song immediately reminds me of a radio station in GTA3. Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) December 13, 2014 Advertisement n00b 4 lyfe Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) April 24, 2014 Advertisement Like so many of his fellow youths, Ossoffs professed love of anime, interest in the declension of crunk, and respectable deployment of n00b betray a carefree attitude toward his public online communicationsand a worrying lack of discipline for someone who must now live up to Americas institutions, history, and founding fathers. Perhaps the Republican attack ad that revealed Ossoffs college video in which he played Han Solo in some kind of Star Wars parody was onto something. If we are to be a nation of laws and of honor, his political career will ultimately not survive this disgrace, win or lose in Georgia. This post has been updated since it was first published. Rahul and his friends from Chennai had come to Kashmir to holiday in the ski resort of Gulmarg on New Years Eve. Their return flight was scheduled on Sunday when snowfall disrupted surface and air traffic. They have had to stay back as the snowfall continued till Wednesday morning. On Wednesday afternoon, they were on way to Dal Lake. We are going to explore Srinagar. It is too good to describe. Except for the fact our flights were cancelled, everything else is amazing, Rahul, a corporate employee, said while his friends busied themselves clicking pictures of a gigantic Chinar tree covered with snow near Chinar Park. The people here are so hospitable, he said. As the number of Covid-19 infections in Jammu and Kashmir dipped to a large extent and snowfall began in late December and January, tourists started arriving in the valley in large numbers after 16 months. Also Read: Stranded on Jammu-Srinagar NH, truckers face tough time Tourism in Kashmir took a hit since August 5, 2019, when the special status of the erstwhile state was revoked and restrictions imposed on the movement of people and communication for months. Two days before the revocation of Article 370, around 20,000-25,000 tourists in Kashmir were asked to leave the Valley along with the Amarnath pilgrims. The situation was then further aggravated by the Covid-19 lockdown since March 2020. About 20-30 tourists would arrive per day in July, 2020, and there have been over 1,000 visitors every day since December 25, 2020, according to the tourism department. However the inflow of tourists was disrupted after surface and air traffic was suspended since Sunday following heavy snowfall. Unmindful of the fact that his parents were worried about their flight back home, Yashwant, a teenager from Delhi appeared ecstatic while playing in the snow. I just love it, he said as his mother asked him to go inside the hotel. Meanwhile, Charan, his wife and infant daughter were trying to negotiate the slush-covered road to find a good food outlet for lunch. It is too cold. We are trying to acclimatise to this atmosphere. I have worn a lot of layers. Though I have been to Ladakh, this is for the first time I have experienced snow, said Charan, who had come with a group from Hyderabad on January 2. The heavy snowfall seems to have boosted tourism in Kashmir Valley. Sajid Ahmad, a visitor from Lucknow, said that they mostly spent their days inside owing to the snowfall. We travelled small distances in Srinagar and could not go anywhere farther due to the snowfall. Our return flight is on January 8 and we are trying to see as much as we can, he said. Free accommodation for stranded tourists Many travel, trade and tourism bodies in Kashmir have come together to assist stranded tourists who are short of funds to help them and provide them accommodation without charge. They formed a forum and put up phone numbers in social media for those in need. With this heavy snowfall, many tourists are stuck in Srinagar and the Tourism Forum shares the difficulties they are facing in this difficult time. We are sincerely with them and will try to do whatever best can be done, the forum said in a statement. Whosoever is stranded or needs a room or does not have cost of boarding or lodging or who has to overstay due to the closure of roads and airport, this forum will provide help, said Abdul Hameed, chairman of the Houseboat Owners Association. Many of our friends and associates have opened their houseboats, hotels and even vehicles for stranded tourists, he said. In Gulmarg, the deputy commissioner Baramulla has asked hoteliers and others to extend the stay of tourists and guests till the weather improves. CEO Gulmarg Development Authority and Assistant Director Tourism have been directed to ensure the necessary compliance and establish help desk for the purpose, the DC said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BOSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BrickBio, the leading company in site-specific bioconjugation for improved therapeutics, has signed a deal with a large pharmaceutical partner to co-develop a therapeutic antibody drug conjugate (ADC). Financials and the split of therapeutic intellectual property were not disclosed. BrickBio has a focused effort in the areas of oncology, neurology, and metabolic disease, although the company's established site-specific modification process is robust and expandable beyond the scope of these disease states. In addition to expanding its internal pipeline, the company has entered into a number of partnerships with top pharmaceutical companies and international partners within one year of the company moving into its laboratory space. "The growing number of partnerships that BrickBio has established with pharmaceutical companies speaks measures to the power of the BrickBio platform technology to not only improve key therapeutic characteristics of existing molecules, but also to create new classes of molecules, ultimately increasing the number of available treatment options for patients," stated Audrey Warner, Head of Business Development at BrickBio and Vice President of Investments at Tiger Gene. "BrickBio is excited about the significant potential of its current partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and will continue to expand its deal pipeline in the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) and protein therapeutic market," Warner concluded. "The rate of invention and progress within BrickBio has been extremely impressive and the company has developed into a mature commercial entity with optimized processes," stated John Boyce, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of BrickBio, as well as Co-Founder of Tiger Gene. "BrickBio is well aligned to solidify a leading position in the therapeutic protein and ADC (antibody drug conjugate) market due to the flexibility of its proprietary UAA (unnatural amino acid) bioconjugation platform to insert handles at any site within the protein backbone, as well as to produce homogenous conjugated products," Boyce continued. "The company has added new proprietary chemistries, beyond conjugation, that are able to discern the optimal DAR (drug to antibody ratio). This new technology, in conjunction with the company's bioconjugation platform will aim to produce ADC and protein therapeutics with the optimal efficacy and lowest toxicology. These added capabilities will further strengthen BrickBio's relationships with pharmaceutical partners resulting in a profoundly positive outcome in patients' lives," Boyce concluded. About BrickBio Inc. BrickBio Inc., a Boston-based biotechnology company, empowers next-generation unnatural amino acid coupled protein conjugation with its site-specific and site-selective platform. The platform technology spans prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, enabling the development of unique biologics and protein therapeutics with enhanced characteristics, including improvements to half-life, dosage and efficacy. With the broadest toolkit of bioconjugation handles, BrickBio can optimize any conjugate and is uniquely situated to push the frontier of biologics with the selective modification of multiple distinct sites on a single protein. BrickBio is working with partners to develop best-in-class therapeutics and RUO kits with its proprietary bioconjugation strategies. BrickBio is expanding its therapeutic programs, including ADCs, bispecific conjugates and novel scaffolds. www.brickbio.com About Tiger Gene Tiger Gene L.L.C., a Boston-based venture capital firm, co-founded with and funded by Tiger Management L.L.C., invests in early-stage technologies with high-growth trajectories across the life sciences sector. The fund's current portfolio focuses on technology platforms as well as technology derived products and assets across the genomics, proteomics, diagnostics, drug discovery and therapeutics spaces. Media Contact: Audrey Warner (646) 951-4797 [email protected] SOURCE BrickBio WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced that Michelle Peluso will join the company as Chief Customer Officer effective January 25. In this newly created executive leadership role, Peluso will be responsible for transforming the consumer experience and accelerating CVS Health's digital strategy. Peluso will have direct oversight for CVS Health's marketing and brand strategy, digital transformation and the end-to-end consumer experience. "Michelle is a seasoned executive with a strong track record in building a world-class consumer experience and delivering results," said Karen S. Lynch, who will become President and CEO of CVS Health on February 1. "Michelle's consumer focus will accelerate our work to ensure a connected health experience across all CVS Health touchpoints, as we continue to reshape health care as we know it today." Peluso brings 25 years of experience to CVS Health. In her most recent role, as Senior Vice President, Digital Sales and Chief Marketing Officer for IBM, she oversaw marketing and brand strategy and execution, digital sales, and the commercial business, with responsibility for over $5 billion in revenue globally. She was also responsible for the company's client experience, establishing and leading a significant increase in Net Promotor Score across IBM during her tenure, with an emphasis on accelerating IBM's digital capabilities. Peluso previously served as Chief Consumer Marketing and Internet Officer for Citigroup, leading the bank's award-winning digital transformation, and as Chief Executive Officer for two successful online platforms: Gilt Groupe and travelocity.com. She was also a White House Fellow and Senior Advisor to Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman. She has long been a noted and passionate advocate for women, diversity, and inclusion. "I'm thrilled to join CVS Health and to help lead its purpose of helping people on their path to better health by giving every customer a connected experience that better meets their needs. COVID-19 has accelerated changes to health care delivery, and CVS Health's diversified offerings give it an unparalleled opportunity to lead the way in providing customers with a personalized and seamless experience at every interaction," said Peluso. Peluso will become a member of the company's executive leadership team and report to Lynch. She has a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and a MA from Pembroke College at Oxford University. She is a member of the Board of Directors at Nike, Inc., the Ad Council, and is on the Executive Council of the Board of Directors of the Association of National Advertisers. She's been named as one of the "World's Most Influential CMOs" by Forbes, one of the world's "Most Creative People" by Fast Company, and a 2020 "Woman of Power and Influence" by the National Organization for Women. About CVS Health CVS Health is a different kind of health care company. We are a diversified health services company with nearly 300,000 employees united around a common purpose of helping people on their path to better health. In an increasingly connected and digital world, we are meeting people wherever they are and changing health care to meet their needs. Built on a foundation of unmatched community presence, our diversified model engages one in three Americans each year. From our innovative new services at HealthHUB locations, to transformative programs that help manage chronic conditions, we are making health care more accessible, more affordable and simply better. Learn more about how we're transforming health at www.cvshealth.com. Media Contact: Ethan Slavin 860-273-6095 [email protected] SOURCE CVS Health Related Links http://www.cvshealth.com Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 03:38:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attends the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 5, 2021. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday hailed end of the Gulf crisis with Qatar as a "new chapter" for the Gulf's security and stability. The Al-Ula Declaration signed on Tuesday at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, held in Al-Ula, ended the dispute of the Saudi-led Arab camp with Qatar, the Saudi top diplomat was quoted by Al Arabiya TV as saying. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Xinhua) RIYADH, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday hailed end of the Gulf crisis with Qatar as a "new chapter" for the Gulf's security and stability. The Al-Ula Declaration signed on Tuesday at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, held in the Saudi city Al-Ula, ended the dispute of the Saudi-led Arab camp with Qatar, the Saudi top diplomat was quoted by Al Arabiya TV as saying. He said that the accomplishment was "a new chapter" to promote security and stability in the region. The foreign minister made the remarks while addressing a press conference after the summit, highlighting the commitment of concerned countries to tackle all topics of the declaration through negotiations. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud stressed, while chairing the summit, the importance of the Al-Ula Declaration for the solidarity and stability in the Gulf. He said that the declaration would strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among GCC member countries and peoples to serve their aspirations. Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praised the historic achievement by signing the Al-Ula Declaration, which he called as "the Solidarity Agreement" that reflects keenness on the unity of the Arab nation. A Saudi-led Arab quartet, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 and imposed a full embargo on the Gulf state, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied all the charges. The end of the crisis started on Monday with the decision by Saudi Arabia to reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar. The 41st GCC Supreme Council session was attended by Gulf leaders, and senior officials from the U.S., Arab and Islamic organizations, including Senior Advisor to U.S. President Jared Kushner, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen, and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Egypt also took part in the meeting, represented by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Enditem Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. mode, beauty mode, live focus, and more features. It is priced at roughly Rs. 9,900 for the single 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage model. The phone has been launched in blue, black, and red colours. It has dimensions of 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm and weighs 196 grams. The phone is a part of the Samsung Galaxy M series. The company had launched the Samsung Galaxy M01s smartphone earlier this year, the phone comes with a 6.20-inch touchscreen display, and is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P22 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. It is backed by a 4000 mAh battery and runs Android 9 Pie. The Samsung Galaxy M02 smartphone has a 6.50-inch touchscreen display, a quad-core MediaTek MT6739 processor paired with 2 GB of RAM. It is backed by a 5000mAh battery with 10W charging and runs on Android 10. The smartphone is Samsung's latest affordable phone and is priced starting at Rs 6,999. Design It has a 6.5-inch TFT waterdrop-style notch display with 720 x 1,560 pixels resolution. The phone has a slight chin at the bottom of the display and on the back, there is a rectangular-shaped module at the back with three camera sensors placed in one straight line. It has dimensions of 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm and weighs 196 grams. The phone has an 81.8% screen-to-body ratio and 270 ppi density. Camera The Samsung Galaxy M02s has a triple rear camera setup which includes a 13 MP primary camera, 2 MP depth sensor, and a 2 MP macro lens. The phone has a 5 MP front selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture. It has features like auto flash, ISO control, digital zoom, HDR, and exposure compensation. Performance The Samsung Galaxy M02s runs on Samsung One UI which is based on Android 10 operating system. It is powered by the Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor with Adreno 506 GPU. The phone has 4 GB of RAM. Sensors included in the phone are accelerometer and proximity sensors. Battery and Storage The Samsung Galaxy M02s is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 15 W quick charge support. The device has 64 GB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD card up to 512 GB. Connectivity Connectivity options included on the Samsung Galaxy M02s are 4G, 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and FM radio. The phone comes with an FM Radio. The phone has a loudspeaker and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Configuration The Samsung Galaxy M02s runs on Samsung One UI which is based on Android 10 operating system. It is powered by the Snapdragon 450 octa- core processor with Adreno 506 GPU. The phone has 4 GB of RAM. The device has 64 GB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD card (up to 512GB). Hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump descended on the nations capital Tuesday to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud a day before a congressional vote to affirm Joe Bidens victory. Just blocks from the White House, protesters many without masks gathered in Freedom Plaza to decry the vote in the Electoral College As temperatures dropped to the low 40s and a steady rain swept onto the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. Im just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who traveled from Memphis, Tennessee. Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the presidents legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and didnt know what options Trump had left. I not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say, Wideman said. Trump tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The president was expected to personally address his supporters in Washington on Wednesday during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. The protests coincide with Wednesdays congressional vote expected to certify the Electoral College results, which Trump continues to dispute. The rallies had local officials and law enforcement bracing for potential violent street clashes. Many businesses in downtown Washington boarded up their windows, fearful that the protest could devolve into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalised. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser called in National Guard troops to help bolster the citys police force. She urged residents to stay away from downtown Washington and to avoid confrontations with anyone who is looking for a fight. But, she warned, we will not allow people to incite violence, intimidate our residents or cause destruction in our city. Election officials from both political parties, governors in key battleground states and Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have said there was no widespread fraud in the election. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two challenges rejected by the Supreme Court. A pro-Trump rally Dec 12 ended in violence as hundreds of Trump supporters, wearing the signature black and yellow of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, sought out confrontations with a collective of local activists attempting to bar them from Black Lives Matter Plaza, an area near the White House. At least two local Black churches had Black Lives Matter banners torn down and set ablaze. On Monday, police arrested the leader of the Proud Boys, Henry Enrique Tarrio, 36, after he arrived in Washington ahead of this weeks protests. Tarrio was accused of burning one of the Black Lives Matter banners in December and was found with two high-capacity firearm magazines, police said. A judge signed an order Tuesday banning Tarrio from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions related to his criminal case. The organiser of Clap for Carers is calling for a return to the weekly round of applause during England's third national lockdown - starting from 8pm tomorrow. Annemarie Plas, from South London, helped Britain thank NHS workers and carers during the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, with rounds of applause taking place for 10 weeks. The Dutch yoga teacher silenced applause at the end of May, saying she feared it had become 'politicised'. Today she called for a new event to take its place, Clap for Heroes. Speaking to BBC News, Ms Plas said: 'A lot has happened, we are in the third national lockdown and I felt like a lot of other people. I wanted to help in any way I could to see if I could help lift the spirits just a little bit and connect the communities. 'That's why I thought it's a good idea to bring it back.' Ten months since organising Clap for Carers, Annemarie Plas has called on Brits to descend on their doorsteps once again, this time to Clap for Heroes Ms Plas explained that she was now using the term 'heroes' because 'everyone can be a hero'. She continued: 'That's just a little change because now everyone can be a hero. As I said we are in a crisis, we are well aware of the pressures that the NHS are under, that carers are under. 'They are working around the clock, that's all they can do. People doing different things to show their appreciation. 'I know that the applause is just a simple gesture but I thought it would be nice to bring back. If we can in this way say thank you to everybody, even the volunteers, people that are shielding, people that are following the rules. 'Everybody is playing their part to get us through this again in such a challenging time and I thought using the word 'heroes' it can mean anybody because we are all doing the best that we can to get out of this as soon as we can.' When asked if the wider public were more jaded about the event than they were last year, Ms Plas added: 'We know now what a lockdown looks like. 'We are still hearing the numbers are going up and if people have a different feeling towards for instance the applause I fully understand that. I only want to say those who feel they can help in any way, please join me. 'If you feel like you want to express your gratitude in another way do that but this is for those who want to join.' Earlier today Ms Plas tweeted: 'We are bringing back the 8pm applause, in our 3rd lockdown. 'I hope it can lift the spirit, of all of us. Carers, teacher, homeschooling parents, those who shield and ALL who is (sic) pushing through this difficult time! Please join & share! #clapforheroes.' Britons across the country headed out to their streets each Thursday to pay tribute to the hard work of carers and NHS staff during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cambridge were among the biggest names to support the Clap for Carers initiative. As he recovered from Covid-19, Boris Johnson was among those to take part in Clap for Carers, standing on the doorsteps of Downing Street to applaud the nation's efforts. Prince William and Kate Middleton, joined by their children George, Charlotte, and Louis, all clapped from their home last April. But with each passing week, there was concern that the message of Clap for Carers was being lost. One NHS worker told The Bristol Cable last May he found it 'unsettling' and said showering praise on healthcare staff meant people 'cannot ask difficult questions of those 'leading' us in this crisis'. Speaking at the time, Ms Plas called for Clap for Carers to come to an end. She said: 'To have the most impact I think it is good to stop it at its peak. Prime Minister Boris Johnson clapped for carers outside Downing Street. A new initiative, Clap for Heroes, will begin this Thursday, with organisers saying it will honour the sacrifices and hard work of everyone in the country during the Covid pandemic 'Without getting too political, I share some of the opinions that some people have about it becoming politicised. 'I think the narrative is starting to change and I don't want the clap to be negative.' Ms Plas got the ball rolling on the campaign back in March, when she posted a message online calling for a 'big applause' for NHS workers because 'they need to know we are grateful'. She then spoke of her shock at seeing millions following suit, while landmarks such as the London Eye, the Wembley Arch, the Shard and Tower Bridge have been lit vivid blue during the emotional salute. TRUMBULL Having vaccinated 200 people in a pair of clinics for essential workers included in Phase 1A, Trumbull Health Director Lucienne Bango said manpower is the single biggest factor limiting distribution in town. Bango, in a meeting Tuesday between local health officials and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, expressed concern that the number of qualified vaccine administrators could limit the rate of distribution in town. We have one nurse on staff, Bango told Bysiewicz. I would love to do more clinics, but right now were relying on one staff member, and we still have to do all of the other Health Department functions. Bysiewicz visited the Center at Priscilla Place, where the department was conducting its second weekly clinic. Inside the senior center area, there were three stations set up for Phase 1A workers health care workers, emergency responders and nursing home residents to receive their vaccination shots. But two of the three people administering the shots were volunteers from the community, Bango said. Also, the protocol is to allow 15 minutes between recipients at each station, which further slows the pace. We can do a lot with what we have, but we could do so much more if we had more, she said. Megan Murphy, the towns fire marshal and director of emergency management, said getting training to community members should be a top priority. For example, Im a certified EMT, but I cant administer vaccines, she said. As an EMT, Bango said Murphy met the prerequisite to receive training to administer vaccines, but the training sessions have not yet begun. If someone meets the qualifications, getting trained to deliver the vaccine is an online class and a few hours of field training, Bango said. A potential volunteer could likely complete the required training in a day once the sessions open, she said. Bango and First Selectman Vicki Tesoro also advocated for state assistance in setting up regional vaccination centers, where local health departments could pool resources and staff and vaccinate larger numbers of people. Such a system would be more efficient and easier for recipients. Weve seen with our testing center set up at Unity Park, last week they administered 900 tests, Tesoro said. Its important that people know where to go to get a test, and when available, where they can go to get vaccinated. Bysiewicz said the state had administered 75,180 vaccinations as of Monday and expected to complete the first round of doses to nursing home residents by Saturday. But its a tremendous logistical challenge, she said. With the state making progress in vaccinating the people in Phase 1A, Bysiewicz said she anticipated vaccinations for people in Phase 1B, front-line essential workers and those over age 75, to begin in late January or early February. Phase 1C, people with serious health conditions and those over 65, will likely begin receiving their vaccines in the spring. Vaccinating the entire population would likely stretch into the summer, she said. The good news, according to Bysiewicz, is that polling is starting to show that the public health messaging campaign is paying off. One of our concerns was getting the information about vaccines out to the public, she said. Last month, it looked like only 60 percent of Americans were willing to get vaccinated. In December, that number is now 70 percent. Tesoro said that statistic matched her anecdotal experience. People are clamoring for information about when they can get vaccinated, she said. deng@trumbulltimes.com The Bombay high court (HC) on Thursday continued the interim relief granted to senior advocate Anand Grover and the NGO Lawyers Collective, whereby the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will not be able to summon them till January 15. While the petition filed by the Lawyers Collective, which sought quashing of the enforcement case information report (ECIR) and subsequent summons and probe, was to be heard by the division bench of justices SS Shinde and MS Karnik on Wednesday, due to paucity of time the bench extended the interim relief. The petition had also challenged the summons issued by ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The petition was filed after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) against Lawyers Collective, which is run by senior lawyers Indira Jaising and Grover. The case, which mentioned Grover as an accused, was registered on a complaint from the ministry of home affairs, which had in 2016 cancelled the FCRA license of the NGO for allegedly using foreign contributions for political purposes. In the previous hearing on November 25, the bench had said that due to the pandemic situation and considering the age of the senior lawyer, ED could defer the summons and postpone its investigation. The court had then asked ED to file an affidavit in reply to the petition and directed that ED should not insist on the presence of petitioners till then. The court will hear the pleas next on January 15. Intersign Corporation's fourth annual Charity Voting Contest drove record participation, with a total of 4,536 votes cast online between Nov. 4 and Dec. 17. This year, voters were asked to choose their favorite charity out of three nominees. The Frontline Hero Fund is the winner, obtaining 50.3 percent of the votes. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Frontline Hero Fund was established in April 2020 to provide monetary grants to frontline healthcare workers and their families affected by COVID-19 and experiencing economic need. To date, the organization has raised nearly $200,000 and served more than 15 families. Unique to this years contest, Intersign Corporation held two separate voting competitionsone for four of its flagship brands (INTERSIGN, HealthcareSigns.com, signmojo.com and EvacuationPlans.com), and the other for HOTELSIGNS.com. The two competitions combined garnered a record-setting total of 9,606 votes, breaking last years total of 2,095 votes. The other participating charities were Catch A Lift and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and both will receive a $1,000 donation from Intersign Corporation. "Intersign Corporation offers its sincere congratulations to the Frontline Hero Fund and extends its thanks to all nominees and voters for their participation," officials said. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Chennai was Madras, Mumbai was Bombay, Kolkata was Calcutta. The latest in the list of places whose names have been changed are Mughalsarai which is now called Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar and Allahabad which is now Prayagraj. Now, Maharashtra's Aurangabad is caught in the name change controversy. While Shiv Sena has shown reluctance to the name change debate around Aurangabad, opposition BJP has reminded it that it was actually the Shiv Sena which first floated the idea of changing Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar in 1995. A proposal was passed in the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in June 1995, which was challenged by a Congress corporator in the high court and later in the Supreme Court. Apart from Aurangabad, the other Maharashtra city that is coming under name change debate is Osmanabad, with the proposed name Dharashiv. Here is a brief list of Maharashtra towns and cities whose names have been changed: -Nashik: The wine capital of India, Nashik, is an ancient and the largest city in northern Maharashtra. In 1615, the city was named Gulshanabad after Moguls captured it from Nizamshah Sultan. The name Nashik was restored in 1734. -Pune: Another Maharashtra city that has had its share of name-change is Pune. It was formerly known as Poona -Thane: This Maharashtra town was earlier known by its British name Tannah. Other places in Maharashtra that went through the process of name change to shun the remnants of colonialism include Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus which was earlier known by its British era name Victoria Terminus. The architectural heritage located in Mumbai was designed by FW Stevens and is termed as one of the finest functional Railway Station buildings of the world. CST has gone through name change process several times and got its final name in 1996 in honour of Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji. Similarly, Elphinstone Road was renamed Prabhadevi after the proposal of Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote in 1991. The name Prabhadevi road, based on the idol of goddess Prabhadevi placed in a temple near the railway station, was finally approved by the union home ministry in 2017. The railway station was originally named after Lord Elphinstone, the governor of Bombay from 1853 to 1860. Maharashtra's tryst with changing the names of cities isn't new. However, the Aurangabad name is being seen as a challenge for the Shiv Sena and Congress alliance in the state as the two parties are on the opposite sides of the proposal. While the Shiv Sena was the one to propose the new name, the Congress has been in opposition of it. Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil has said the renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar was "acceptable to all" and his party would pass a resolution on this if it came to power in the civic body there. He also chided the Shiv Sena, which has been a votary of the name change for several years but was now in alliance with the Congress, which has consistently opposed it. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Crown Mining Corporation (TSXV: CWM) ("Crown" or the "Company") announces a proposed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $500,000 comprised of up to 5,000,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit (each such unit being comprised of one common share and one-half of one warrant) (the "Offering"). Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share for $0.15 at any time within 2 years after closing subject to an acceleration clause. All securities issued pursuant to this private placement will be subject to a four (4) month hold period. Completion of the Offering is subject to receipt of all required regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approvals. The Company has designed a drill program to test its high priority targets as outlined in its August 11, 2020 press release and intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement towards completing this drill program in the first half of 2021 and for general working capital purposes. About Crown Mining Corp. Crown controls approximately 15 square miles of patented and unpatented federal mining claims in the Light's Creek Copper District in Plumas County, NE California; essentially, the entire District. The District contains substantial copper (silver) sulfide and copper oxide resources in three deposits - Moonlight, Superior and Engels, as well as several partially tested and untested exploration targets. The Superior and Engels Mines operated from about 1915-1930 producing over 161 million pounds of copper from over 4 million tons of rock containing 2.2% copper with silver and gold credits. The Moonlight Deposit was discovered and drilled by Placer Amex during the 1960's. Details of the resources on Crown's property and the parameters used to calculate them can be found in the "Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Moonlight Deposit, Moonlight-Superior Copper Project, California, USA" dated April 12, 2018 on both the company's website at www.crownminingcorp.com or on www.sedar.com under the Crown Mining Corp profile. Mr. George Cole is the Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101 responsible for the technical information contained in this news release, and he has reviewed and approved this news release. For Further Information Contact: Mr. Stephen Dunn, President, CEO and Director, Crown Mining Corporation (416) 361-2827 or email info@crownminingcorp.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and regulations, including statements regarding the future activities of the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management and are identified by the use of words including "will", "anticipates", "expected to", "plans", "planned" and other similar words. Actual results may differ significantly. The achievement of the results expressed in forward-looking statements is subject to a number of risks, including those described in the Company's management discussion and analysis as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. The common shares will not be and have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from the registration requirements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71469 [January 06, 2021] NextPaw Technology and Emmy Award-Winning Agency Digital Brew Create Video Addressing "Pandemic Puppy" Trend for Local Pet Businesses Seeking Online Growth ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NextPaw Technology and Emmy Award-winning Agency Digital Brew have partnered to create an animated explainer video aimed at independent pet businesses seeking online growth during the unprecedented "pandemic puppy" sales boom the industry has experienced for the past six months. Designed to educate viewers on the benefits of NextPaw software, the video demonstrates how NextPaw helps businesses attract and keep pet parents who are looking for local pet shops, suppliers and services for their new furry companions. The American Pet Products Association, a national trade group, recently estimated that 2020 would result in U.S. pet owners spending $99 billion in supplies and other expenditures, an increase of more than $3 billion from the 2019 actual total of $95.7 billion spent. <>"Ultimately, our goal is to equip local pet businesses with the digital marketing tools they need to compete with big box stores in capturing this expanding market," said Brandon Swenson , CMO & Co-Founder of NextPaw. "The amazing collaboration with Digital Brew on our video has proven to be a valuable tool in educating pet businesses about NextPaw." "At a time when small businesses need competitive advantages, we're thrilled to partner with NextPaw to create awareness around their dynamic solutions," added Michael Cardwell, CEO and Creative Director at Digital Brew. "The NextPaw explainer video was developed to show how their user friendly software could positively impact the growth of any pet business." Since the video release on October 1st, 2020, NextPaw has received over 30,000 impressions and over 12,500 engagements, averaging over 4,000 new engagements per month. NextPaw Technology was created to help independent pet businesses attract more pet parents from the communities they serve and transform them into loyal customers. The software is designed to enable website management and increase customer engagement all from one dashboard. The company has created a virtual dashboard for every independent pet business type including pet retailers, groomers, and trainers. Smart website functionality and other software features enable businesses to rank higher on Google search results and get found locally by consumers. About Digital Brew: Digital Brew is a 17x Emmy Award-winning creative agency in Orlando, Florida, specializing in video production, animation, explainer videos, and visual storytelling. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextpaw-technology-and-emmy-award-winning-agency-digital-brew-create-video-addressing-pandemic-puppy-trend-for-local-pet-businesses-seeking-online-growth-301201453.html SOURCE Digital Brew [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] After impacting different sectors, including the bicycle and auto parts makers among others, the rising prices of raw material amid the Covid-19 pandemic have also taken a toll on the dyeing industry, which has now been forced to increase the rates of dyeing fabrics. Citing 20% to 25% hike in prices of raw material, the Ludhiana dyeing industry has increased the rates of fabrics. The price of dyeing polyester fabric has been increased by 3/kg, while that of dyeing cotton fabric has been hiked by 5/kg. The industrialists have also pointed out that the prices might further increase after the two common effluent treatment plants (CETP) being set up to treat the waste of dyeing industry on Tajpur Road become operational. The decision was made during the meeting of local dyers body on Tuesday evening. The new rates will be applicable from January 15. President of Ludhiana Dyers Association, Ashok Makkar said, The prices of raw material being used by the dyeing industry, including chemicals, has increased up to 25% since the pandemic hit the country. The supply of raw material is also low as it was mostly imported from China. There are around 300 dyeing units in Ludhiana and the industry was forced to increase the rates as it was becoming difficult for us to survive. Despite that, we have made a nominal hike in rates. Hike to impact hosiery sector The hike in dyeing rates has added to the woes of the hosiery industry as well, which is already struggling due to the increase in the price of yarn. President of Knitwear Club, Darshan Dawar, said, The rates of yarn have increased by more than 25% during the pandemic and now, the dyeing industry has also upped the price. The recent increase in rates will have a nominal effect, but the cost of end products will go up, which will push the customers away. The hosiery sector is going through a tough phase. Gas supply sought After the dyeing industry was accused of causing air pollution, it has asked the government to arrange natural gas or CNG for the units. A dyeing unit owner, Rahul Verma, said that gas is being supplied in Doraha and the government had also allotted a project to install a gas pipeline in Ludhiana city, which has not been commenced yet. In December, MLA Sanjay Talwar had accused the industry of polluting the air and also gave a list of 28 dyeing units, blaming them for air pollution. [January 06, 2021] HSBC and Silent Eight Announce Multi-Year Partnership to Fight Financial Crime LONDON, Jan. 6, 2021 /CNW/ -- Silent Eight today announced a multi-year partnership with HSBC that will support the bank in enhancing its industry-leading compliance operations. A recognized leader in technology innovation, HSBC sought a financial crime partner that could successfully improve its manual processes and existing statistical models to decrease risk while simultaneously increasing efficiency. Silent Eight Alert Resolution investigates and resolves cases in the same way an analyst would; with greater speed, precision and consistency. Following a successful trial period, the solution is set to be integrated into HSBC's existing infrastructure to provide case adjudications that are explained and auditable. "Given the growth in alert volumes, and unpredictable spikes driven by global volatility, we saw an oppotunity with Silent Eight that would give us the ability to close alerts quickly and accurately," said HSBC's Group Head of Compliance Services, Matt Brown. Silent Eight CEO and co-founder, Martin Markiewicz, said, "We're delighted to find a partner that shares our focus on eliminating financial crime. HSBC's dedication to this project is just one aspect of their tireless commitment to improvement, and to helping drive AI innovation across the industry. We're proud to partner with them on their mission to make the world safer." "Silent Eight's business case was extremely compelling," said Ben Rayner, HSBC's Global Head of AML and Sanctions Screening. "We have chosen their solution as we believe it will provide significant business benefits across all our success metrics." About Silent Eight: Silent Eight is a technology company leveraging AI to create custom compliance models for the world's leading financial institutions. Our mission is to empower our clients in their fight to eliminate financial crime. Founded in Singapore and with global hubs in New York, London, and Warsaw, we are deployed in over 150 markets. For more information, visit: www.silenteight.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hsbc-and-silent-eight-announce-multi-year-partnership-to-fight-financial-crime-301201373.html SOURCE Silent Eight Pte. Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] FREIBURG, Germany, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleva, a manufacturer of superior biologics, has secured up to EUR 60 million in funding from Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn (ZFHN). The funds will help advance one of its drug candidates, CPV-101, to stages that will facilitate further investment from venture capitalists and/or pharmaceutical companies. Eleva also announced the addition of Dr. Ralf Smit to its Executive Board. Eleva has been utilizing its unique moss-based platform to produce novel drugs. ZFHN, an investor in local start-ups, is now providing up to EUR 60 million to help take CPV-101, a potentially game-changing complement regulator, to more advanced clinical stages. This will enable additional investment from venture capital firms and/or pharmaceutical companies on the path to approval. Complement regulators manage inflammatory processes by protecting the body's own cells and preventing excessive inflammation. Current methods block the inflammation pathway but promote further infections and pathogen proliferation. Andreas Schaaf, CSO of Eleva, says: "ZFHN has been a great supporter and long-term strategic partner. Together we are convinced that the unprecedented potential of our platform will deliver tomorrow's therapeutics." Eleva also announced the addition of Dr. Ralf Smit as CBO (Chief Business Officer) to its Executive Board. Ralf Smit has over 25 years of experience in business development and commercialization with pharmaceutical companies (Roche, BioStrat). Previously an advisor to Eleva, he will now head its Clinical and Business Development. About Eleva Based in Freiburg, Germany, Eleva develops novel biological therapies with its pharmaceutical partners. The privately-held company leverages its unique moss-based production platform to produce supreme biologics like antibodies, replacement enzymes, or fusion toxins. Eleva has successfully developed drug candidates into clinical phases. Press contact eleva GmbH Fabienne Zeitter pr@elevabiologics.com Phone: +49 761 470 990 www.elevabiologics.com BART says the new, $2 million cars that make up its Fleet of the Future are clean, sleek and a pleasure to ride, but theyre also causing nearly three times as many service delays as the 40-year-old cars they are replacing. The 290 new Bombardier cars that have arrived so far cost between $1.7 million and $2 million each and are also suffering flat wheels at a far higher rate than the systems legacy cars. As a result BART has halted delivery of additional cars for at least three to six months until the problems are fixed. BART had been on track to receive 485 cars in the current $2.5 billion order and has an additional order for another 425 cars for $1.1 billion down the line. But for now its all on hold, the latest in a series of glitches in getting the highly touted Fleet of the Future up and rolling. We dont want faulty trains foisted on us, said BART Director Robert Raburn. The bottom line is that we wont accept any new hangar queens, he said, referring to trains that are repeatedly in the shop. BART Assistant General Manager of Operations Tamar Allen laid out two of the key problems with the new cars in a Dec. 29 memo to BART directors. First up, a software problem in the on-board control system. The new cars routinely stop while in service and will not move until after the train operator reboots the system, Allen wrote in the memo. These failures, which typically occur multiple times a day, result in five- to 10-minute service delays. She said that, on average, a new Bombardier car has a control system delay about every 885 hours the car is in service. In contrast, the old cars go about 11,933 hours between problems of this nature. The new cars are also developing flat spots on their steel wheels at a far higher rate than the older cars. Flat spots occur when a portion of a wheel wears down from a skid in wet or rainy conditions. If you hear a clunk, clunk, clunk when a car pulls out of a station, its got a flat spot on a wheel, Raburn said. When a flat spot develops, the car needs to go into the shop to have the wheel resurfaced, taking it out of service. Allen says flat spots occur almost three times more often on the new cars than on the old ones. Overall, BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said, the new cars have nearly three times the reliability problems as the older cars. Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle Neither the software glitches nor the wheel problems pose a danger to riders, but the constant trips to the repair shop are impacting the number of BART cars available for service. Which brings us to the third concern. Theres only so much room in BARTs train yards, so more new cars coming in means more of the older ones have to be decommissioned to make room for them, leaving BART with fewer reliable cars. The reliability of the new cars has been an issue for months. BART and Bombardier have been discussing these issues for months, Allen wrote in her memo. But the problems persist. Solutions that have been implemented to date have been unsuccessful, she wrote. Raburn was more blunt. Apparently, Bombardier has not been listening very well, he said. In an email to The Chronicle, Bombardier spokeswoman Maryanne Roberts said the company is committed to working closely with BART to address any issues with the Fleet of the Future rail cars as quickly as possible and to make sure that these state-of-the-art cars provide the highest levels of performance expected by BART and the traveling public. The software and flat wheel troubles are just the latest in a series of challenges with the new BART cars. In May, The Chronicle reported that the new D cars with driver cabs that run with additional software are supposed to operate for 500 hours before a failure of any type. Theyre averaging only 56 trouble-free hours now. The new E cars, which carry only passengers, are running 149 hours between incidents, well below the 700-hour goal. Raburn said that while no one is happy with the situation, the coronavirus pandemic, which is driving BART ridership down to just 13% of its pre-COVID level, makes this the best time to hold up delivery. We are not in dire need of cars at this very moment, but who knows, in six months we may need every car we can get, Raburn said. And it is hoped they will work by then. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Estonia's industrial production declined in November, data from Statistics Estonia showed on Wednesday. Industrial production rose a working-day adjusted 2.0 percent year-on-year in November. 'Among the activities with the largest shares, there was a decrease in production in the manufacture of fabricated metal products, electrical equipment and food products,' Helle Bunder, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said. Manufacturing output decreased 1.0 percent annually in November. Among the other sub sectors, production in energy declined by 12.0 percent, while those of mining gained 2.0 percent. On a monthly basis, industrial production fell a seasonally and working-day adjusted 1.0 percent in November. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Pharith Pat is a successful Cambodian entrepreneur. He is just 24 but at this young age, he proved himself to be a talented pioneer in Cambodia, Phnom Penh. He is an inspiration to many and those who dare to dream and want to make it into a reality. Hence, today he is associated with the very successful and growing, Aisaki media. Being a digital enterpriser is not everyones cup of tea as it requires in-depth understanding and functioning of the internet. It the basic thrust of improving the internal structure that helps in changing the structure, focus and framework of executive staff tools for general business personnel systems. All this eventually affects the various levels and metrics of the propulsion system. With his venture, Pharith Pat helps creating a vision for a successful business structure in each mechanical department. Every business needs an improvement, a problem to be sokved and an expert advice to resolve the same. Thats what Pharith Pat promises as a digital enterpriser. The youth today is attracted a lot towards commercial enterprises. Well, one can make their dreams come true like Pharith Pat as dreams and goals have no restrictions. No matter where one lives, if they are focused, dedicated and knowledgeable enough of the venture theyre getting into, they too can be successful like Pharith. He is an inspiration to todays youth as well as the elderly ones who wants to start their career and life afresh with something new. What made Pharith Pat successful is his ability to never give up, to dream big and be open to learning more and more. He had faced several challenges but nothing stopped him from reaching at this stage in his life. Pharith wishes to encourage more young souls to dream big and work hard on them so that they too can taste success through their hard work like he did. Disclaimer: This is a company press release. No HT journalist is involved in creation of this content. An American citizen working for a law firm was among those arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday under a new national security law imposed by Beijing, two sources told AFP. John Clancey, a solicitor with the law firm Ho Tse Wai and Partners, was arrested on suspicion of "subversion", a legal source said. A police source confirmed Clancey's arrest and the charge. Ho Tse Wai is known for taking on human rights cases and police were seen searching the firm's office on Wednesday morning. One of its partners is Albert Ho, a former Hong Kong lawmaker and opposition politician, who was also among some 50 opposition figures arrested in Wednesday's operation. Clancey is the first American national detained under the new security law in Hong Kong since its imposition in late June last year. The law firm's website said Clancey joined the company in 1997 and is a specialist in medical negligence and personal injury cases. The firm said he is also chairman of the Asian Human Rights Commission and a founding member of the Executive Committee of the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group. (AFP) To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Hospitals in areas of Japan hit hard by a resurgent coronavirus outbreak are struggling to accommodate patients, despite far lower case numbers and more beds than in Europe or the U.S. A failure to adjust excessively rosy assumptions as facts on the ground changed is partly responsible for the situation. Many experts had warned of the possibility of a winter surge for months. Yet the number of beds set aside for coronavirus cases has actually declined since the first wave last spring. There is no shortage of overall capacity. Japan has a total of around 900,000 hospital beds for regular patients and infectious disease cases, of which only 3% or so have been allotted to the COVID-19 response. In mid-May, when about 3,400 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, more than 30,000 beds were expected to be available across the country. This fell to around 27,000 in mid-August, during the second wave. Because this surge largely affected younger people and brought relatively few serious cases, local authorities may have grown complacent about securing more capacity. As a result, the number of beds available had barely budged in late December, during the current third wave, compared with more than four months earlier. This stands in contrast to hospitals in other nations that have adapted more flexibly to surges in coronavirus patients. In the U.S., where state health authorities hold significant power, New York has directed all hospitals across the state to add 25% more beds and asked retired doctors and nurses to return to work. The U.K.'s National Health Service, which is directly overseen by the health ministry, told hospitals in December to free up all possible beds for coronavirus patients. The current bed numbers for Japan are derived from scenarios provided by experts based on the first wave and have not changed much since then even as the actual situation has worsened. Tokyo, for example, had been projected to see a peak of 477 new cases per day, yet it reported 1,337 on Dec. 31. "Even when a bed opens up, it's filled right away by a new patient," said an employee at a university hospital in Tokyo that has brought in six COVID-19 patients, twice as many as it originally set aside capacity for. At the Tokyo Medical and Dental University hospital, the eight beds for severe coronavirus cases are almost always occupied, and the 25 beds for moderate cases remain about 60% to 70% full. Nationwide, about 40% of the beds that municipalities expect to be able to provide for coronavirus cases were occupied as of late December, according to the health ministry. But more than 50% of beds are full in Tokyo and other hard-hit areas, and many individual facilities are at their limit. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Supreme Court has acquitted a man who was sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in a case wherein four persons, including two minors, were killed in Uttar Pradesh in 2008. A bench headed by Justice U.U. Lalit and comprising Justices Indu Malhotra and Krishna Murari said the court cannot rely on the version of a child witness. "In the circumstances, we do not find it safe to rely on the version given by the child witness in the instant case, who was about five years of age when the incident had occurred," said the bench. The bench observed that corroboration of the testimony of a child witness is not a rule but a measure of caution and prudence. The top court emphasised that it is difficult to rely on the testimony of the child witness, who is the son of one of the victims, and death sentence cannot be awarded to the accused on this basis. The bench also acquitted the other two accused who were sentenced to life in the case by a trial court. The Allahabad High Court had upheld the trial court order. Acquitting the accused for alleged offence under Section 396 of IPC (dacoity and murder), the bench said: "We accept the appeals preferred by accused Hari Om, Sanjay @ Sonu and Saurabh @ Sanju. While setting aside the orders of conviction and sentence recorded against them, we acquit them of all the charges levelled against them." The incident had occurred on the day of Divali in 2008. In 2015, Hari Om was sentenced to death by a trial court. His punishment was afformed by the Allahabad High Court in March 2017. However, the high court acquitted the other three accused who were convicted by the trial court. Discarding the testimony of a key witness in the case, the top court said that in the face of glaring inconsistencies in the version given by the witness and in the face of record as it stood, it would be extremely hazardous to accept his testimony and make it the basis of conviction of accused Hari Om. "There was no evidence suggesting that the fingerprints were correctly lifted from the house of the deceased, and were duly preserved before sending them for fingerprint expert's opinion," the top court observed. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (January 6, 2021) held a video-teleconference with his German counterpart Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and discussed key issues of mutual importance including the COVID-19 response. "The two leaders discussed key issues of mutual importance including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties, regional and global issues, particularly India-EU relations," said the Prime Minister's Office. PM Modi also appreciated the long-standing role of Chancellor Merkel in providing stable and strong leadership at the European and global stage and thanked her for guiding the growth of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister briefed Chancellor Merkel on the developments in India with regard to COVID-19 vaccine and assured Chancellor Merkel of India's commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world. "He conveyed his best wishes for early containment of the new wave of infections in Germany and other European countries," PMO added. The Prime Minister welcomed Germany's decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation with Germany under the platform of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of setting up of bilateral relations between India and Germany and 20th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership, the two leaders agreed to hold the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at an early date in 2021 and to set an ambitious agenda for the same. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Dr. Cristyn Watkins, founder and owner of acclaimed medical spa aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness, launches her own medical-grade skin and hair care line: aNu MD. I wanted to provide superior quality skincare at a reasonable price point that is accessible to everyone. Dr. Cristyn Watkins, owner and founder of acclaimed medical spa aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness in Kansas City, Missouri is thrilled to introduce her very own line of premium skin and hair products: aNu MD. Driven by her passion for excellence and providing the highest level of care and results for her clients, Dr. Watkins designed aNu MD products to be results-driven and all-natural, as well as affordable. Dr. Watkins explains: I wanted to provide superior quality skincare at a reasonable price point that is accessible to everyone. I also feel there are things missing from every medical skincare line currently available, so I wanted one line that has everything a patient needs for all their skin and hair concerns. Packed with proven ingredients including vitamins, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, retinols, growth factors, botanicals and peptides, aNu MD products are formulated for maximum potency and effectiveness. The Ageless Collagen Serum, for example, is a needle-less serum designed to boost collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production in skin. It is very similar to filler in a topical form, resulting in improved volume and reduced laxity. Dr. Watkins has a favorite the Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream! I am obsessed with regenerative medicine and collagen induction, she says. This cream contains human growth factor, which is very unique to this private line, to increase collagen and elastin and dramatically fight the aging process. The aNu MD line currently features 35 all-natural and results-driven products for the skin and hair. Free from parabens, sulfates and toxins, the aNu MD line includes: Calming Cream $68 Antioxidants and calming emollients that soothe redness, irritation and rosacea Smoothing Scrub $40 Refines, polishes and smooths skin for a radiant finish Regenerative Lash Serum $123 Helps boost growth, density and length of natural eyelashes Regenerative Conditioner $33 Restores hair volume, length, fullness and moisture Clarifying Acne Cleanser $40 Salicylic acid 2% cleanses pores and decreases sebum production, oil and acne-causing bacteria Ageless Collagen Serum $148 Increases collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production to improve firmness and reduce laxity Soothing Cleanser $40 Cleanses, conditions and hydrates sensitive skin Anti-aging eye cream $83 Reduces dark circles, inflammation, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area Intensive Moisture Cream $86 Restores the barrier function of skin while soothing irritated, dry and sensitive skin Hydrating Pumpkin Mask $56 Rich, creamy, self-warming application that cleanses, hydrates and rejuvenates the skin Retinol & Repair PM Pads $93 Retinol 0.5% brightens the skin and reduces fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation Exfoliating Acne Pads $48 Promotes exfoliation, regulates sebum production, inhibits bacterial growth and reduces inflammation Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser $40 Provides antioxidant protection and gentle exfoliation for brighter and clearer complexion for all skin types Regenerative Hair Serum $85 Stimulates hair follicle anchoring, providing fuller, thicker and healthier looking hair Retinol & Repair PM Serum $98 Retinol 1% brightens the skin and reduces fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation Intense Defense Vitamin C Serum $116 Antioxidants rejuvenate the skin, fight free radicals, protect against environmental and UV induced skin damage Acne Control Serum $48 Fights acne-causing bacteria on the spot and prevents future breakouts HA Collagen Booster $123 Lightweight formula of superior hyaluronic acid increases hydration, reduces wrinkles and photo-aging for radiant skin Brightening Pads $148 (with HQ) or $88 without HQ Prescription strength ingredients brighten and revitalize dull skin, reduce sun damage and photo-aging for a radiant complexion Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream $148-- A powerhouse anti-aging formula of human growth factors, antioxidants and peptides to increase collagen, reduce sun damage, improve complexion and firmness HA Hydrating Tint SPF 44 $48 Hydrating and lightweight physical sunscreen with universal tint gives the skin a dewy glow Regenerative Shampoo $33 Promotes hair volume, fullness and natural body Physical Defense SPF 47 $48 Non-tinted, natural and physical barrier protection against UVA and UVB damage Sheer Tint SPF 46 $48 Universal light tint with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to reduce redness and blotchiness for a flawless complexion Cooling Mint Mask $36 Gentle cooling effect calms acne and inflammation, minimizes pores and reduces oil production Pore Perfecting Charcoal Mask $56 Absorbs oil and toxins to reduce acne, minimize pores and clarify the skin HA Hydrating Serum $123 Deeply moisturizes and soothes the skin while also plumping the skin and protecting against sun damage Anti-Aging Neck Cream $112 Stimulates elastin and collagen to improve neck lines, wrinkles, laxity and texture Advanced Pigment Fade $128 Innovative Lightening Complex EpHQuinone allows rapid reversal of age spots and hyperpigmentation Rich Peptide Hydrating Cream $132 Deep skin-soothing and plumping ceramides, peptides and vitamin E revive dull, dehydrated skin Botanical Skin Bright $88 Natural lightening agents allow visibly brighter, more even skin tone by eliminating dark spots and preventing sun-related pigmentation Vibrant Vitamin C Cream $116 Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants to firm, tighten, soothe, lighten and brighten the skin In addition to purchasing individual products, aNu MD also offers product sets that focus on specific concerns, including the Anti-Aging System, Acne System or Hair System. These systems are designed to meet people's needs with greater ease and at reduced cost. To learn more about aNu MD skin and hair products, please call (816) 359-3310 today or visit aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness and request a consultation online. aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness has two convenient locations: 10090 NW Prairie View Rd., Kansas City, MO 64153 AND 547 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 359-3310 Email: info@anuaesthetics.com About Dr. Cristyn Watkins Dr. Cristyn Watkins is the owner and visionary of aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness. She is involved in every aspect of the practice and works alongside her expert medical and aesthetics staff. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Watkins attended the University of Kansas for her human biology bachelor degree and completed her medical training in New York City and New Jersey. Dr. Watkins is board-certified in family medicine and was Chief Resident and Most Honored Resident of Family Medicine at her training program. She focuses her entire practice on advanced medical aesthetics, regenerative medicine, healthy aging and personalized wellness medicine. Dr. Watkins is a certified Master Injector by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery in neurotoxin, cosmetic fillers and chemical peels. She enjoys patient consultations, which allow her to discuss all of the aesthetic options with her patients, as well as performing aesthetic injectables for revealing the natural transformation her patients desire. Dr. Watkins is certified in bio-identical hormones, medical weight loss and functional/metabolic/nutrition medicine. She has a passion for patient wellness and healthy aging and has a desire for all patients to achieve this lifestyle. For the last decade, she has treated diabetes, heart disease, thyroid conditions and menstrual and hormone conditions. She has been treating obesity and hormone-related issues to overcome these conditions and has been very successful at helping patients achieve a healthier, happier and slimmer self! Dr. Watkins is also passionate about regenerative medicine and focuses much of her recent research and practice on advanced therapies such as exosomes, ozone, PRP, peptides and IV nutritional therapy. She is a National Regenerative Medicine Trainer for Nurse Practitioners with RegenEd. Dr. Watkins is an active member of The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), The Metabolic Medical Institute, The Institute for Functional Medicine, The American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) and The American Academy of Family Physicians. About aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness aNu Aesthetics & Optimal Wellness has been Kansas Citys premier aesthetics and wellness clinic since 2011, under the direction of owner Dr. Cristyn Watkins, a board-certified physician who practices aesthetics and functional medicine full-time at aNu along with her dedicated staff. Located in Kansas City, aNu Aesthetics has developed an outstanding reputation by offering the ultimate patient experience through an atmosphere of professionalism, personal attention and excellence in care. aNus mission is to touch patients and the community through their dedicated staff, services and personalized care, providing an environment of self-care, well-being and optimal health. https://anuaesthetics.com North Korean leader has opened its first ruling party congress in five years with an admission of policy failures and a vow to lay out new developmental goals, state media reported Wednesday. The Korean Central News Agency reported has kicked off the Workers' Party Congress in Pyongyang on Tuesday, with thousands of delegates in attendance. In his opening speech, KCNA cites Kim as saying the previous state developmental goals set in a 2016 congress were not met in almost all areas to a great extent. He says must not repeat the painful lessons. This year's congress comes as Kim faces the toughest challenge of nine-year rule because of what he calls multiple crises -- an economy hammered by pandemic-caused border closings, a spate of natural disasters last summer and persistent US-led sanctions. has said it will lay out a new five-year development plan at the ongoing congress. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Smart cities integrate information and communication technologies to address challenges faced by urban living. Arguably first pioneered by South Korea with the Songdo International Business District project, a masterplan city that began construction in 2002 with the reclamation of land along Incheons waterfront, the need to be smart has become a must-have in many of the new masterplan cities in Asia. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the tremendous benefits of a smart city with high levels of digitisation in government and business. Some of the countries that have contained the virus most successfully across the globe include Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, all of which have some of the most advanced smart cities in the world. Singapore, for example, was one of the fastest to utilise the capabilities it had invested into its Smart Nation Initiative to tackling the pandemic, rolling out a nationwide QR code check-in system and a contact-tracing app named TraceTogether, the source code of which was later shared with Australia for the countrys COVIDSafe application. The greenfield masterplan smart cities in Asia, however, will mostly be found in developing countries, where the aim is to create new economic and administrative centres to drive growth for the rest of the century and beyond. Nagara Rimba Nusa, Indonesia Budget: US$33 billion Timeline: 2021 2045 The current capital, Jakarta, located on the island of Java, is sinking. Facing the dual threat of rising sea levels and being built on swampy land, almost half of the city now sits below sea level. The new capital is to be located on in East Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, straddling two relatively undeveloped regions of Kutai Kertanegara and Penajam Paser Utara. In Borneo, the new capital city may promote stronger economic ties with Malaysia and Brunei, who share the island. A design contest for the new capital city was launched and the submission by architecture firm URBAN+ beat out 755 other contestants with their entry titled Nagara Rimba Nusa, which translates to forest and island hilltop. The design will not be used as the sole basis for the new capital city, nor is the name of the submission the final name of the new capital city. To be built with eco-friendly and smart city features, construction of the new capital city is slated to commence in 2021, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic. New Clark City, Philippines Budget: US$14 million (Phase I only) 5 Timeline: 2016 2020 (Phase I), 2065 projected completion Located in Central Luzon, north of Manila, New Clark City is envisioned as Philippines first smart, green and disaster-resilient metropolis. Managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) that is mandated to transform former US military bases for civilian use, New Clark City is sited on the former Camp ODonnell. The city is envisioned as the alternative to Manilas pollution and congestion, while boasting driverless cars, drones and eco-friendly buildings. New Clark City has been proposed, with the support of the BCDA, in the Senate as the Philippines new capital by 2030. The city is already formally declared by President Duterte as the back up seat of government in the event of emergencies and disasters. Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), India Budget: US$72 billion The DMIC is one of 5 industrial corridors under National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). Under what is touted as Indias most ambitious infrastructure programme, the NICDP is an extension of the DMIC, which originally began as joint project between Japan and India. The DMIC came about when supplies of iron ore to Japan were disrupted due to Chinese demand in from construction projects in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was then that the idea of building an industrial corridor along the lines of the Tokyo Osaka Freight corridor was proposed by the serving Japanese Ambassador to help meet the demand. Under the plan, eight smart cities will be built along the DMIC, of which two are Dholera SIR and Shendra-Bidkin. The project also buttresses with Indias Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, that initially aimed for 100 smart cities in five years. More smart cities to come The cities listed are certainly not exhaustive. Especially in Southeast Asia, the indomitable drive towards digitisation has led to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to launch the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) to promote best practices and cross border exchanges for the development of smart cities. It is not just land developers that can benefit from participation, but also telecom and IT firms that can stand to profit by inventing innovative use cases for business and government applications. Source: https://www.verdict.co.uk/smart-cities-asia-development/ One of France's most prominent political commentators is facing a criminal investigation after being accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson, in the latest taboo-breaking scandal to rock the French intellectual elite. Olivier Duhamel, 70, who has described the 'incest' allegations as 'personal attacks' and since resigned from all his media and academic posts, is accused in a new book, written by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner, of abusing her twin brother for two years from the age of 14. The book 'La Familia grande', which is due to be published on Thursday but has been serialised in French newspaper Le Monde and L'Obs magazine, has shocked French intellectual circles given Duhamel's prominence and close connections to the elite. One of France's most prominent political commentators Olivier Duhamel, 70, is facing a criminal investigation after being accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson, in the latest taboo-breaking scandal to rock the French intellectual elite. Paris prosecutors said Tuesday they were opening an investigation into Duhamel over suspected 'rapes and sexual abuses by a person exercising authority' over a child following public accusations made against Duhamel. Camille Kouchner, now 45 and a law lecturer, and her twin brother are the children of France's former foreign minister and co-founder of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical charity Bernard Kouchner and academic Evelyne Pisier, who died in 2017. Mr Kouchner and Pisier separated and she went on to marry Duhamel. Camille Kouchner said she chose to write the book because she could 'no longer be silent'. Duhamel is accused in a new book, written by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner (pictured), of abusing her twin brother for two years from the age of 14 'This book was born out of a necessity: to bear witness to incest, to show that it went on for years and that it is very, very difficult to break the silence,' she told L'Obs. 'I did not write it in the name of my brother, but for the sisters, the nieces, all those affected by incest. Omerta, in a family, weights on everyone.' In the book, she names her brother only as 'Victor' in order to protect his privacy. 'I was 14 years old and let it go ahead. I was 14, I knew and said nothing,' Camille Kouchner writes. 'Why does he have the right to live outside this reality when it haunts me.' Camille Kouchner said her brother begged her to keep the alleged abuse secret, saying 'If you speak, I will die. Im too ashamed. Help me tell him no, please. She said the book revealed to what extent Duhamel's and Pisier's group of leftist intellectual friends, some of them household names in France, knew what was going on. In the book, Camille Kouchner alleges a de-facto omerta had protected her stepfather from the truth being widely known. 'Of course, I thought my book might seem obscene because of my family's fame. Then I thought to myself, this is exactly what needs to be done,' she said. In the book, Camille Kouchner alleges a de-facto omerta had protected her stepfather from the truth being widely known. 'Very quickly, the people in power, Saint-Germain-des-Pres (the traditional hub in Paris for leftist thinkers) were aware. Many knew and most acted as if nothing had happened.' The book says that after his mother's death, 'Victor' told his father Bernard Kouchner about what had happened. He pledged to confront Duhamel but was persuaded against doing so by Camille herself, on the grounds 'Victor' wanted the family to move on. In a statement released by his lawyer, Bernard Kouchner said that a 'heavy secret that has been weighing on us for too long has happily been lifted. I applaud the courage of my daughter Camille'. Duhamel said on Twitter that he was resigning from all his posts following the allegations, including as head of the National Foundation of Political Sciences (FNSP), a body that oversees the hugely prestigious Sciences Po university in Paris. 'I am stepping down from my posts after being the target of personal attacks as I want to preserve the institutions in which I work,' said Duhamel. He was also a political analyst on French television channel LCI and he presented a show on Europe 1 radio, making him well-known to the French public. While many commentators have cast France as being slow to break longstanding taboos over the abuse of minors, this is not the first such controversy to make headlines over the last year. Publisher Vanessa Springora, in a book published in January 2020, accused prize-winning writer Gabriel Matzneff of abusing her while she was a minor. Film star Adele Haenel in November 2019 accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her when she was in her early teens. Haenel and other French actresses also in February last year walked out of France's Cesar awards after filmmaker Roman Polanski - wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 - won best director. Queensland police are investigating a suspected homicide in Brisbane's bayside after a man discovered his friend's body on Wednesday. Police were called to a house on Ronald Street, Wynnum just after midday and found the body of the 45-year-old man in the bedroom. Detective Inspector Steve Hollands said one of the dead man's friends raised the alarm. "A man discovered the body and contacted another member of his family, and they both inspected the address and found that the male was deceased," he said. "At this stage we're expecting that the death has occurred sometime between 1am this morning and midday today." Agreement with NextEra for millions to fix county roads seems likely Codington County and NextEra Energy appear to be headed for an agreement on the repair of county roads damaged during wind tower installation. Bahram Dotanai took his mothers ID two weeks ago to buy her a mobile SIM card in their town of Toi Khulla, northwest Pakistan. He got a shock, however, when he learned that five SIM cards had already been issued in his mothers name. Like many other women across the South Waziristan tribal district, Dotanais mother rarely leaves home, which makes her an easy target for identity theft. These SIM cards could be used for illegal activities, including terrorism activities and harassment, Dotanai told Radio Mashaal, adding that he and dozens of other residents staged a protest in December to demand the authorities address the issue. We presented our demands to the local police and military stationed in the area, who promised us theyd find a solution, he said. Officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province told Radio Mashaal that following complaints by the protesters, police and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) are now investigating the misuse of identity cards -- primarily those of women -- in issuing mobile SIM cards, which officials say are being used for terrorist activities. By law, a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) can be used for a maximum of five mobile SIM cards, but biometric data or fingerprint verification is required. Across the region, however, people are complaining of their CNICs being used to issue SIM cards without their knowledge or consent -- a crime that the authorities and mobile operators blame on shopkeepers who allow customers to make purchases without showing ID. In a socially and culturally conservative society like that of the Pashtun ethnic minority in the region, the misuse of someones identity brings dishonor to their family, especially when it happens to women. The fact that many women in the region do not often leave home -- and therefore may not be aware of the multiple SIM cards piling up in their name -- makes them frequent victims. In the town of Darazinda in the neighboring district of Dera Ismail Khan, people have filed similar complaints. Fawad Khan, a local police officer, said he addressed both the military and the PTA after his own mothers ID card was misused. But the regions fledgling police department -- one of many institutions still not fully developed since the tribal areas merger into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mainstream in 2018 -- has little recourse. This is a prevalent problem in our region, and many people have made complaints and requested help, he said. However, until recently this was a tribal area, and the police department is not fully established here yet, he said. With a lack of access to investigative and surveillance equipment, police have had to rely on the PTA and the cybercrimes department of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for assistance, Khan added. But because ID misuse is so often not detected or reported, the authorities face an uphill battle in gauging the extent of identity theft among the country of 220 million people. The misuse of identity cards in obtaining illegal SIM cards is not limited to the tribal districts. In Mardan, another district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Samreen Khan says her ID has been used to issue at least 10 SIM cards without her consent. When I tried to get a SIM card, I was told that multiple SIM cards for various mobile operators had already been illegally issued in my name, she said. I went to the PTA and each mobile operator to block those SIM cards and obtain one for myself. This is a cumbersome process, and for women, especially, it is even more difficult due to social and cultural constraints. Trickster Shopkeepers Jalal Khan owns a phone shop in the provincial capital, Peshawar. He says the problem stems from shopkeepers, some of whom want the extra sales even if it means exploiting the current safeguards that are supposed to prevent this sort of abuse. Those applying for SIM cards are required to give their biometrics and fingerprints, but some shopkeepers take the client's fingerprints and tell them the system is down and to come back the next day, he said. The client leaves without a SIM card. However, the trickster shopkeeper issues a SIM card and keeps it. He added that anyone whose CNIC has been misused should visit an official branch of their mobile operator. The Pakistani government has cited the use of unregistered SIM cards in the coordination of terrorist activities. The 2015 antiterror National Action Plan established a stricter policy regarding sales of SIM cards. Javed Aziz, a journalist based in Peshawar, says the issue is compounded by the difficulty in tracking the perpetrators. Mobile operators sell SIM cards in bulk to larger shops, which then resell them to smaller ones, which makes it almost impossible to determine which shopkeeper sold an illegal SIM card. If police discover that a SIM card used for a crime belongs to an innocent or illiterate person whose ID card was wrongfully used, its extremely hard to [find the real perpetrator], he said. PTA spokesman Khurram Ali Mehran told Radio Mashaal they are making progress in cracking down on sellers in Dera Ismail Khan. We investigate all registered complaints, and if we reach the conclusion that a SIM card was issued illegally, we register a formal criminal case against the franchise or shop that issued the SIM card, he said. The PTA, Mehran adds, is also in the process of launching a public awareness program wherein people can learn how many SIM cards are issued in their name by sending an SMS with their CNIC number to the nationwide telephone number 668. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Prime Minister has issued the National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution by 2030 to fulfil goals set in the Politburos Resolution 52-NQ/TW that outlines policies guiding Vietnams active involvement in the revolution. The strategys objectives are to take full advantage of opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution; fundamentally master and widely apply new advanced technologies in different social and economic aspects; gradually develop new technologies in support of renewing Vietnams growth model and promoting economic restructuring in tandem with the implementation of strategic breakthroughs and national modernisation; and accelerate growth of the digital economy. The strategy also aims for the countrys robust and sustainable development based on science-technology, innovation and high-quality human resources; improvement in life quality, social welfare and peoples well-being; firm safeguarding of national defence and security and protection of environment and eco-system; enhancement of international integration effectiveness and use of high technology in ensuring cyber security. Under the strategy, Vietnam expects to be named among the 40 top performers in the Global Innovation Index (GII), the top 30 in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)s Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) and the top 50 in the United Nations (UN)s e-Government Development Index (EGDI) by 2030. The country also targets the digital economy contributing to 30 percent of the GDP, productivity expanding 7.5 percent annually in average, universal access to fiber-optic Internet and 5G services, the completion of digital government development, and the establishment of smart cities in key economic zones across the north, central and southern regions which will be connected with the regional and global networks of smart cities. To this end, Vietnam plans to further accelerate development of infrastructure, database, and human resources; build e-Government towards a digital government; enhance national innovative capacity; develop a number of priority technologies for the active engagement in the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as robotics, advanced materials, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data and blockchain. The country will also expand international cooperation and integration in science and technology, particularly priority technologies. Additionally, the strategy is to step up the development of high-speed Internet services and secured digital infrastructure to meet demand for big data connection and processing; the application of digital technology in State governance and delivery of public services in all areas; and building of the real-time information system to support the Governments governance and administration./.VNA Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) during the Joint Session in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021 (NTD) Arizonas 11 Electoral Votes Challenged by GOP Senator, Reps During Joint Session More than 60 Republican House representatives led by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and one senator objected to Arizonas 11 electoral votes during the Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday. Their objection complies with the law, said Vice President Mike Pence, the president of the Senate during the Joint Session of Congress. Gosar said that the GOP representatives and a senator objected on the ground that they were not under all of the known circumstances, regularly given. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) stood on the floor as the GOP senator who objected to Arizonas votes. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said he would join in Arizonas electoral objection. Marshall also said hell object to the electoral votes in Georgia and Pennsylvania, according to CNN. Thats absolutely correct, he told the network about objecting to those three states. Gosar and Cruz were met with a standing ovation from what appeared to be GOP House members. Pence then ordered the two chambers of Congress to carry out a debate on the votes in Arizona. A several-hour debate is scheduled on the states electoral votes before a simple majority vote is to be held. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on the Senate floor, rebuked President Trumps claims that the election was stolen from him and the GOP lawmakers objections, claiming that it will damage our republic forever. McConnell stated that over and over, the courts rejected these claims, including judges Trump nominated. Before the session started, Pence released a statement through his office that the Constitution prevents him from rejecting electoral votes, responding to growing pressure from President Donald Trump and other Republicans that he should take action. Some legal experts have said its not within the purview of Pences office to reject electoral slates. It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not, said the vice president. Earlier in the week, Brooks said he signed objections to Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Michigan. Over the past weekend, Cruz and about 10 other senators said they would lodge objections to the electoral votes for key states. I think we in Congress have an obligation to do something about that; we have an obligation to protect the integrity of the democratic system, he told Fox Business on Sunday, referring to numerous allegations of election fraud and irregularities. The Republican senator noted that numerous Americans do not believe the Nov. 3 presidential election results were valid as Trump and his team have called for courts and state legislatures to overturn key states electoral results. We have an obligation to the voters, he said Sunday, adding that senators have an obligation to the Constitution to ensure that this election was lawful. The move is not supported by all Republican lawmakers. The Senates No. 2 Republican, Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), told reporters in December that their effort would most likely fail, while Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said over the past weekend the objection is an egregious ploy. I dont know about that I dont have it in front of me were looking into that (Natural News) These werent the vague, non-committal words of the President of the United States on the phone call leaked by the Washington Post newspaper which has recently taken millions of dollars from the Chinese Communist Party this Sunday. They were the statements of the establishment Republicans on the call: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Ryan Germany, and Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs on the January 2nd call. (Article by Raheem Kassam republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Despite the partisan framing from the Washington Post that the call somehow reflected Trump making demands for votes from his Republican colleagues the President actually does no such thing. Throughout the call, the President makes clear that his calls are for election transparency, full and transparent audits, and public access. At no point does the President imply he wants votes invented or confected, as the establishment media is portraying. He even offers to recuse himself from parts of the conversation and ends by asking for the truth its just that simple. You can read the entire transcript and listen to the entire call below this article. In fact the President begins the call by ripping through specifics that are never addressed by their opponents on the call: the establishment Republicans. Trump states: We have at least 2 or 3 anywhere from 250 to 300,000 ballots were dropped mysteriously into the rolls. Much of that had to do with Fulton County, which hasnt been checked. We think that if you check the signatures a real check of the signatures going back in Fulton County youll find at least a couple of hundred thousand of forged signatures of people who have been forged. He continues: We had, I believe its about 4,502 voters who voted but who werent on the voter registration list, so its 4,502 who voted, but they werent on the voter registration roll, which they had to be. You had 18,325 vacant address voters. The address was vacant, and theyre not allowed to be counted. Thats 18,325. And the President went on: You had out-of-state voters. They voted in Georgia, but they were from out of state, of 4,925. You had absentee ballots sent to vacant, they were absentee ballots sent to vacant addresses. They had nothing on them about addresses, thats 2,326. The level of granularity was actually remarkable, especially for a President that the media continues to allege is not concerned with details. And the pushback from Raffensbergers team wasnt even particularly punchy, which is presumably why they leaked the call instead of pressing ahead with the details discussed and requested. There are several key points in the call that reflect the bad faith of Georgias Republican establishment leaders: 1. Fulton County The President and his team repeatedly raise alleged violations in Fulton County, specifically charging Raffensberger and team with pivoting to Cobb County without addressing the more densely populated Fulton. President Trump says here: You sent us into Cobb County, which we didnt want to go into. And you said it would be open to the public. So we had our experts there, they werent allowed into the room. But we didnt want Cobb County. We wanted Fulton County. And you wouldnt give it to us. Now, why arent we doing signature and why cant it be open to the public? In response, lawyer Ryan Germany simply replies: We chose Cobb County because that was the only county where theres been any evidence submitted that the signature verification was not properly done. Not just an admission of wrongdoing in the state, but also an admission of selectively apply rigorous standards and refusing to allow the Presidents team into the most populated county in the state. 2. The Consent Decree This has to do with the agreement signed by Republicans and Democrats in advance of the election, and why President Trump said far-left Georgia activist Stacey Abrams had outplayed Republicans by getting them to sign an unconstitutional agreement. The agreement itself is a word salad (read it for yourself) about what constitutes signature matching on ballots. If no side intended to defraud the election, one might argue no such agreement would have been required. Instead of addressing this directly, Raffensberger and Germany set out to nitpick over the term consent decree which has been used repeatedly across national, state, and local media to describe the agreement. Even lawyers in opposition to Trump have used the term. Raffensberger simply states, during the whole exchange: Its a settlement agreement. His colleague Ryan Germany skirts the crux of the matter, too: I dont. I dont. I dont believe [its a consent decree], but I dont have it in front of me. 3. GA Lawyers Refusing Further Transparency. Toward the end of the call Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is heard to say: It sounds like weve got two different sides agreeing that we can look at those areas, and I assume that we can do that within the next 24 to 48 hours, to go ahead and get that reconciled so that we can look at the two claims and making sure that we get the access to the secretary of states data to either validate or invalidate the claims that have been made. Is that correct? Germany quips back immediately: No, thats not what I said, and attempts to shut down the idea of further enquiries into the Georgia vote totals. When a lawyer for the President, Kurt Hilbert, suggests, the secretary of state could deputize the lawyers for the president so that we could access that information and private information without you having any kind of violation? the President rightly excuses himself from knowing more, stating: I dont want to know who it is. You guys can do it very confidentially. You can sign a confidentiality agreement. Thats okay. I dont need to know names. 4. Ruby Freeman. Not a fault of the Raffensberger team, perhaps, but the Washington Post audio originally left in references to Georgia voter counter and left-wing activist Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss. While The National Pulse makes no claims of the pair, it is bemusing that the Washington Post would redact the names, especially given how well known they have become on the internet. The names were redacted a total of 18 times by the Washington Post. 5. We Just Want The Truth. At the end of the call President Trump remarks, repeatedly: we just want the truth. Far from being a pressure-filled call as the Washington Post reports it, the President went out of his way over 62 mins to go through details, obstruction, and continuously be sure that he was looking for accuracy, transparency, and public access. Attorney Cleta Mitchell probably states it best during the call where she says: you can keep telling us and making public statement that you investigated this and nothing to see here. But we dont know about that. All we know is what you tell us. What I dont understand is why wouldnt it be in everyones best interest to try to get to the bottom, compare the numbers, you know, if you say, because to try to be able to get to the truth because we dont have any way of confirming what youre telling us. You tell us that you had an investigation at the State Farm Arena. I dont have any report. Ive never seen a report of investigation. I dont know that is. Ive been pretty involved in this, and I dont know. And thats just one of 25 categories. For Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be calling for another impeachment effort over this call is both predictable and disgusting. The likelihood is AOC hadnt even heard the call before responding to media requests for comment. But thats where politics and media is today in a consistent frenzy to diminish constitutional norms while pointing the fingers in the other direction. Anyone who actually listens to the call will hear President Trump being detailed and forthright. Understandably frustrated, Trump of course employs some of his characteristic New York businessman bluster. But more importantly: he speaks in a manner of someone who wants openness and transparency. And the other side simply does not. That tells us all we need to know. Listen in full: Read the Transcript: Meadows: Okay. Alright. Mr. President, everyone is on the line. This is Mark Meadows, the chief of staff. Just so we all are aware. On the line is secretary of state and two other individuals. Jordan and Mr. Germany with him. You also have the attorneys that represent the president, Kurt and Alex and Cleta Mitchell who is not the attorney of record but has been involved myself and then the president. So Mr. President, Ill turn it over to you. Trump: Okay, thank you very much. Hello Brad and Ryan and everybody. We appreciate the time and the call. So weve spent a lot of time on this, and if we could just go over some of the numbers, I think its pretty clear that we won. We won very substantially in Georgia. You even see it by rally size, frankly. Wed be getting 25-30,000 people a rally, and the competition would get less than 100 people. And it never made sense. But we have a number of things. We have at least 2 or 3 anywhere from 250 to 300,000 ballots were dropped mysteriously into the rolls. Much of that had to do with Fulton County, which hasnt been checked. We think that if you check the signatures a real check of the signatures going back in Fulton County youll find at least a couple of hundred thousand of forged signatures of people who have been forged. And we are quite sure thats going to happen. Another tremendous number. Were going to have an accurate number over the next two days with certified accountants. But an accurate number will be given, but its in the 50s of thousands and thats people that went to vote and they were told they cant vote because theyve already been voted for. And its a very sad thing. They walked out complaining. But the numbers large. Well have it for you. But its much more than the number of 11,779 thats the current margin is only 11,779. Brad, I think you agree with that, right? Thats something I think everyone at least thats a number that everyone agrees on. But thats the difference in the votes. But weve had hundreds of thousands of ballots that were able to actually well get you a pretty accurate number. You dont need much of a number because the number that in theory I lost by, the margin would be 11,779. But you also have a substantial numbers of people, thousands and thousands, who went to the voting place on November 3, were told they couldnt vote, were told they couldnt vote because a ballot had been put on their name. And you know thats very, very, very, very sad. We had, I believe its about 4,502 voters who voted but who werent on the voter registration list, so its 4,502 who voted, but they werent on the voter registration roll, which they had to be. You had 18,325 vacant address voters. The address was vacant, and theyre not allowed to be counted. Thats 18,325. Smaller number you had 904 who only voted where they had just a P.O. a post office box number and they had a post office box number, and thats not allowed. We had at least 18,000 thats on tape, we had them counted very painstakingly 18,000 voters having to do with [name]. Shes a vote scammer, a professional vote scammer and hustler [name]. That was the tape thats been shown all over the world that makes everybody look bad, you, me and everybody else. Where they got number one they said very clearly and its been reported that they said there was a major water main break. Everybody fled the area. And then they came back, [name] and her daughter and a few people. There were no Republican poll watchers. Actually, there were no Democrat poll watchers, I guess they were them. But there were no Democrats, either, and there was no law enforcement. Late in the morning, early in the morning, they went to the table with the black robe and the black shield, and they pulled out the votes. Those votes were put there a number of hours before the table was put there I think it was, Brad, you would know, it was probably eight hours or seven hours before, and then it was stuffed with votes. They werent in an official voter box; they were in what looked to be suitcases or trunks, suitcases, but they werent in voter boxes. The minimum number it could be because we watched it, and they watched it certified in slow motion instant replay if you can believe it, but slow motion, and it was magnified many times over, and the minimum it was 18,000 ballots, all for Biden. You had out-of-state voters. They voted in Georgia, but they were from out of state, of 4,925. You had absentee ballots sent to vacant, they were absentee ballots sent to vacant addresses. They had nothing on them about addresses, thats 2,326. And you had dropboxes, which is very bad. You had dropboxes that were picked up. We have photographs, and we have affidavits from many people. I dont know if you saw the hearings, but you have dropboxes where the box was picked up but not delivered for three days. So all sorts of things could have happened to that box, including, you know, putting in the votes that you wanted. So there were many infractions, and the bottom line is, many, many times the 11,779 margin that they said we lost by we had vast, I mean the state is in turmoil over this. And I know you would like to get to the bottom of it, although I saw you on television today, and you said that you found nothing wrong. I mean, you know, and I didnt lose the state, Brad. People have been saying that it was the highest vote ever. There was no way. A lot of the political people said that theres no way they beat me. And they beat me. They beat me in the .?.?. As you know, every single state, we won every state. We won every statehouse in the country. We held the Senate, which is shocking to people, although well see what happens tomorrow or in a few days. And we won the House, but we won every single statehouse, and we won Congress, which was supposed to lose 15 seats, and they gained, I think 16 or 17 or something. I think theres a now difference of five. There was supposed to be a difference substantially more. But politicians in every state, but politicians in Georgia have given affidavits and are going to that, that there was no way that they beat me in the election, that the people came out, in fact, they were expecting to lose, and then they ended up winning by a lot because of the coattails. And they said theres no way, that theyve done many polls prior to the election, that there was no way that they won. Ballots were dropped in massive numbers. And were trying to get to those numbers and we will have them. Theyll take a period of time. Certified. But but theyre massive numbers. And far greater than the 11,779. The other thing, dead people. So dead people voted, and I think the number is close to 5,000 people. And they went to obituaries. They went to all sorts of methods to come up with an accurate number, and a minimum is close to about 5,000 voters. The bottom line is, when you add it all up and then you start adding, you know, 300,000 fake ballots. Then the other thing they said is in Fulton County and other areas. And this may or may not be true .?.?. this just came up this morning, that they are burning their ballots, that they are shredding, shredding ballots and removing equipment. Theyre changing the equipment on the Dominion machines and, you know, thats not legal. And they supposedly shredded I think they said 300 pounds of, 3,000 pounds of ballots. And that just came to us as a report today. And it is a very sad situation. But Brad, if you took the minimum numbers where many, many times above the 11,779, and many of those numbers are certified, or they will be certified, but they are certified. And those are numbers that are there, that exist. And that beat the margin of loss, they beat it, I mean, by a lot, and people should be happy to have an accurate count instead of an election where theres turmoil. I mean theres turmoil in Georgia and other places. Youre not the only one, I mean, we have other states that I believe will be flipping to us very shortly. And this is something that you know, as an example, I think it in Detroit, I think theres a section, a good section of your state actually, which were not sure so were not going to report it yet. But in Detroit, we had, I think it was, 139 percent of the people voted. Thats not too good. In Pennsylvania, they had well over 200,000 more votes than they had people voting. And that doesnt play too well, and the legislature there is, which is Republican, is extremely activist and angry. I mean, there were other things also that were almost as bad as that. But they had as an example, in Michigan, a tremendous number of dead people that voted. I think it was, I think, Mark, it was 18,000. Some unbelievably high number, much higher than yours, you were in the 4-5,000 category. And that was checked out laboriously by going through, by going through the obituary columns in the newspapers. So I guess with all of it being said, Brad, the bottom line, and provisional ballots, again, you know, youll have to tell me about the provisional ballots, but we have a lot of people that were complaining that they werent able to vote because they were already voted for. These are great people. And, you know, they were shellshocked. I dont know if you call that provisional ballots. In some states, we had a lot of provisional ballot situations where people were given a provisional ballot because when they walked in on November 3 and they were already voted for. So thats it. I mean, we have many, many times the number of votes necessary to win the state. And we won the state, and we won it very substantially and easily, and were getting, we have, much of this is a very certified, far more certified than we need. But were getting additional numbers certified, too. And were getting pictures of dropboxes being delivered and delivered late. Delivered three days later, in some cases, plus we have many affidavits to that effect. Meadows: So, Mr. President, if I might be able to jump in, and Ill give Brad a chance. Mr. Secretary, obviously there is, there are allegations where we believe that not every vote or fair vote and legal vote was counted, and thats at odds with the representation from the secretary of states office. What Im hopeful for is there some way that we can, we can find some kind of agreement to look at this a little bit more fully? You know the president mentioned Fulton County. But in some of these areas where there seems to be a difference of where the facts seem to lead, and so Mr. Secretary, I was hopeful that, you know, in the spirit of cooperation and compromise, is there something that we can at least have a discussion to look at some of these allegations to find a path forward thats less litigious? Raffensperger: Well, I listened to what the president has just said. President Trump, weve had several lawsuits, and weve had to respond in court to the lawsuits and the contentions. We dont agree that you have won. And we dont I didnt agree about the 200,000 number that youd mentioned. Ill go through that point by point. What we have done is we gave our state Senate about one and a half hours of our time going through the election issue by issue and then on the state House, the government affairs committee, we gave them about two and a half hours of our time, going back point by point on all the issues of contention. And then just a few days ago, we met with our U.S. congressmen, Republican congressmen, and we gave them about two hours of our time talking about this past election. Going back, primarily what youve talked about here focused in on primarily, I believe, is the absentee ballot process. I dont believe that youre really questioning the Dominion machines. Because we did a hand re-tally, a 100 percent re-tally of all the ballots, and compared them to what the machines said and came up with virtually the same result. Then we did the recount, and we got virtually the same result. So I guess we can probably take that off the table. I dont think theres an issue about that. Trump: Well, Brad. Not that theres not an issue, because we have a big issue with Dominion in other states and perhaps in yours. But we havent felt we needed to go there. And just to, you know, maybe put a little different spin on what Mark is saying, Mark Meadows, yeah wed like to go further, but we dont really need to. We have all the votes we need. You know, we won the state. If you took, these are the most minimal numbers, the numbers that I gave you, those are numbers that are certified, your absentee ballots sent to vacant addresses, your out-of-state voters, 4,925. You know when you add them up, its many more times, its many times the 11,779 number. So we could go through, we have not gone through your Dominion. So we cant give them blessing. I mean, in other states, we think we found tremendous corruption with Dominion machines, but well have to see. But we only lost the state by that number, 11,000 votes, and 779. So with that being said, with just what we have, with just what we have, were giving you minimal, minimal numbers. Were doing the most conservative numbers possible; were many times, many, many times above the margin. And so we dont really have to, Mark, I dont think we have to go through .?.?. Meadows: Right. Trump: Because whats the difference between winning the election by two votes and winning it by half a million votes. I think I probably did win it by half a million. You know, one of the things that happened, Brad, is we have other people coming in now from Alabama and from South Carolina and from other states, and theyre saying its impossible for you to have lost Georgia. We won. You know in Alabama, we set a record, got the highest vote ever. In Georgia, we set a record with a massive amount of votes. And they say its not possible to have lost Georgia. And I could tell you by our rallies. I could tell you by the rally Im having on Monday night, the place, they already have lines of people standing out front waiting. Its just not possible to have lost Georgia. Its not possible. When I heard it was close, I said theres no way. But they dropped a lot of votes in there late at night. You know that, Brad. And thats what we are working on very, very stringently. But regardless of those votes, with all of it being said, we lost by essentially 11,000 votes, and we have many more votes already calculated and certified, too. And so I just dont know, you know, Mark, I dont know whats the purpose. I wont give Dominion a pass because we found too many bad things. But we dont need Dominion or anything else. We have won this election in Georgia based on all of this. And theres nothing wrong with saying that, Brad. You know, I mean, having the correct the people of Georgia are angry. And these numbers are going to be repeated on Monday night. Along with others that were going to have by that time, which are much more substantial even. And the people of Georgia are angry, the people of the country are angry. And theres nothing wrong with saying that, you know, that youve recalculated. Because the 2,236 in absentee ballots. I mean, theyre all exact numbers that were done by accounting firms, law firms, etc. And even if you cut em in half, cut em in half and cut em in half again, its more votes than we need. Raffensperger: Well, Mr. President, the challenge that you have is the data you have is wrong. We talked to the congressmen, and they were surprised. But they I guess there was a person named Mr. Braynard who came to these meetings and presented data, and he said that there was dead people, I believe it was upward of 5,000. The actual number were two. Two. Two people that were dead that voted. So thats wrong. Trump: Well, Cleta, how do you respond to that? Maybe you tell me? Mitchell: Well, I would say, Mr. Secretary, one of the things that we have requested and what we said was, if you look, if you read our petition, it said that we took the names and birth years, and we had certain information available to us. We have asked from your office for records that only you have, and so we said there is a universe of people who have the same name and same birth year and died. But we dont have the records that you have. And one of the things that we have been suggesting formally and informally for weeks now is for you to make available to us the records that would be necessary Trump: But, Cleta, even before you do that, and not even including that, thats why I hardly even included that number, although in one state, we have a tremendous amount of dead people. So I dont know Im sure we do in Georgia, too. Im sure we do in Georgia, too. But were so far ahead. Were so far ahead of these numbers, even the phony ballots of [name] , known scammer. You know the Internet? You know what was trending on the Internet? Wheres [name]? Because they thought shed be in jail. Wheres [name]? Its crazy, its crazy. That was. The minimum number is 18,000 for [name] , but they think its probably about 56,000, but the minimum number is 18,000 on the [name] night where she ran back in there when everybody was gone and stuffed, she stuffed the ballot boxes. Lets face it, Brad, I mean. They did it in slow motion replay magnified, right? She stuffed the ballot boxes. They were stuffed like nobody has ever seen them stuffed before. So theres a term for it when its a machine instead of a ballot box, but she stuffed the machine. She stuffed the ballot. Each ballot went three times, they were showing: Heres ballot No 1. Here it is a second time, third time, next ballot. I mean, look. Brad. We have a new tape that were going to release. Its devastating. And by the way, that one event, that one event is much more than the 11,000 votes that were talking about. Its, you know, that one event was a disaster. And its just, you know, but it was, it was something, it cant be disputed. And again, we have a version that you havent seen, but its magnified. Its magnified, and you can see everything. For some reason, they put it in three times, each ballot, and I dont know why. I dont know why three times. Why not five times, right? Go ahead. Raffensperger: Youre talking about the State Farm video. And I think its extremely unfortunate that Rudy Giuliani or his people, they sliced and diced that video and took it out of context. The next day, we brought in WSB-TV, and we let them show, see the full run of tape, and what youll see, the events that transpired are nowhere near what was projected by, you know Trump: But where were the poll watchers, Brad? There were no poll watchers there. There were no Democrats or Republicans. There was no security there. It was late in the evening, late in the, early in the morning, and there was nobody else in the room. Where were the poll watchers, and why did they say a water main broke, which they did and which was reported in the newspapers? They said they left. They ran out because of a water main break, and there was no water main. There was nothing. There was no break. There was no water main break. But were, if you take out everything, where were the Republican poll watchers, even where were the Democrat pollwatchers, because there were none. And then you say, well, they left their station, you know, if you look at the tape, and this was, this was reviewed by professional police and detectives and other people, when they left in a rush, everybody left in a rush because of the water main, but everybody left in a rush. These people left their station. When they came back, they didnt go to their station. They went to the apron, wrapped around the table, under which were thousands and thousands of ballots in a box that was not an official or a sealed box. And then they took those. They went back to a different station. So if they would have come back, they would have walked to their station, and they would have continued to work. But they couldnt do even that because thats illegal, because they had no Republican pollwatchers. And remember, her reputation is shes known all over the Internet, Brad. Shes known all over. Im telling you, Wheres [name] was one of the hot items .?.?. [name] They knew her. Wheres [name]? So Brad, there can be no justification for that. And I, you know, I give everybody the benefit of the doubt. But that was and Brad, why did they put the votes in three times? You know, they put em in three times. Raffensperger: Mr. President, they did not put that. We did an audit of that, and we proved conclusively that they were not scanned three times. Trump: Where was everybody else at that late time in the morning? Where was everybody? Where were the Republicans? Where were the security guards? Were the people that were there just a little while before when everyone ran out of the room. How come we had no security in the room. Why did they run to the bottom of the table? Why do they run there and just open the skirt and rip out the votes. I mean, Brad. And they were sitting there, I think for five hours or something like that, the votes. Raffensperger: Mr. President, well send you the link from WSB. Trump: I dont care about the link. I dont need it. Brad, I have a much better Mitchell: I will tell you. Ive seen the tape. The full tape. So has Alex. Weve watched it. And what we saw and what weve confirmed in the timing is that they made everybody leave we have sworn affidavits saying that. And then they began to process ballots. And our estimate is that there were roughly 18,000 ballots. We dont know that. If you know that .?.?. Trump: It was 18,000 ballots, but they used each one three times. Mitchell: Well, I dont know about that. Trump: I do think we had ours magnified out. Mitchell: Ive watched the entire tape. Trump: Nobody can make a case for that, Brad. Nobody. I mean, look, youd have to be a child to think anything other than that. Just a child. Mitchell: How many ballots, Mr. Secretary, are you saying were processed then? Raffensperger: We had GBI .?.?. investigate that. Germany: We had our this is Ryan Germany. We had our law enforcement officers talk to everyone who was, who was there after that event came to light. GBI was with them as well as FBI agents. Trump: Well, theres no way they could then theyre incompetent. Theyre either dishonest or incompetent, okay? Mitchell: Well, what did they find? Trump: Theres only two answers, dishonesty or incompetence. Theres just no way. Look. Theres no way. And on the other thing, I said too, there is no way. I mean, theres no way that these things could have been, you know, you have all these different people that voted, but they dont live in Georgia anymore. What was that number, Cleta? That was a pretty good number, too. Mitchell: The number who have registered out of state after they moved from Georgia. And so they had a date when they moved from Georgia, they registered to vote out of state, and then its like 4,500, I dont have that number right in front of me. Trump: And then they came back in, and they voted. Mitchell: And voted. Yeah. Trump: I thought that was a large number, though. It was in the 20s. Germany: Weve been going through each of those as well, and those numbers that we got, that Ms. Mitchell was just saying, theyre not accurate. Every one weve been through are people that lived in Georgia, moved to a different state, but then moved back to Georgia legitimately. And in many cases Trump: How may people do that? They moved out, and then they said, Ah, to hell with it, Ill move back. You know, it doesnt sound like a very normal .?.?. you mean, they moved out, and what, they missed it so much that they wanted to move back in? Its crazy. Germany: They moved back in years ago. This was not like something just before the election. So theres something about that data that, its just not accurate. Trump: Well, I dont know, all I know is that it is certified. And they moved out of Georgia, and they voted. It didnt say they moved back in, Cleta, did it? Mitchell: No, but I mean, were looking at the voter registration. Again, if you have additional records, weve been asking for that, but you havent shared any of that with us. You just keep saying you investigated the allegations. Trump: Cleta, a lot of it you dont need to be shared. I mean, to be honest, they should share it. They should share it because you want to get to an honest election. I won this election by hundreds of thousands of votes. Theres no way I lost Georgia. Theres no way. We won by hundreds of thousands of votes. Im just going by small numbers, when you add them up, theyre many times the 11,000. But I won that state by hundreds of thousands of votes. Do you think its possible that they shredded ballots in Fulton County? Because thats what the rumor is. And also that Dominion took out machines. That Dominion is really moving fast to get rid of their, uh, machinery. Do you know anything about that? Because thats illegal, right? Germany: This is Ryan Germany. No, Dominion has not moved any machinery out of Fulton County. Trump: But have they moved the inner parts of the machines and replaced them with other parts? Germany: No. Trump: Are you sure, Ryan? Germany: Im sure. Im sure, Mr. President. Trump: What about, what about the ballots. The shredding of the ballots. Have they been shredding ballots? Germany: The only investigation that we have into that they have not been shredding any ballots. There was an issue in Cobb County where they were doing normal office shredding, getting rid of old stuff, and we investigated that. But this stuff from, you know, from you know past elections. Trump: It doesnt pass the smell test because we hear theyre shredding thousands and thousands of ballots, and now what theyre saying, Oh, were just cleaning up the office. You know. Raffensperger: Mr. President, the problem you have with social media, they people can say anything. Trump: Oh this isnt social media. This is Trump media. Its not social media. Its really not; its not social media. I dont care about social media. I couldnt care less. Social media is Big Tech. Big Tech is on your side, you know. I dont even know why you have a side because you should want to have an accurate election. And youre a Republican. Raffensperger: We believe that we do have an accurate election. Trump: No, no you dont. No, no you dont. You dont have. Not even close. Youre off by hundreds of thousands of votes. And just on the small numbers, youre off on these numbers, and these numbers cant be just well, why wont? Okay. So you sent us into Cobb County for signature verification, right? You sent us into Cobb County, which we didnt want to go into. And you said it would be open to the public. So we had our experts there, they werent allowed into the room. But we didnt want Cobb County. We wanted Fulton County. And you wouldnt give it to us. Now, why arent we doing signature and why cant it be open to the public? And why cant we have professionals do it instead of rank amateurs who will never find anything and dont want to find anything? They dont want to find, you know they dont want to find anything. Someday youll tell me the reason why, because I dont understand your reasoning, but someday youll tell me the reason why. But why dont you want to find? Germany: Mr. President, we chose Cobb County Trump: Why dont you want to find .?.?. What? Germany: Sorry, go ahead. Trump: So why did you do Cobb County? We didnt even request we requested Fulton County, not Cobb County. Go ahead, please. Go ahead. Germany: We chose Cobb County because that was the only county where theres been any evidence submitted that the signature verification was not properly done. Trump: No, but I told you. Were not, were not saying that. Mitchell: We did say that. Trump: Fulton County. Look. Stacey, in my opinion, Stacey is as dishonest as they come. She has outplayed you .?.?. at everything. She got you to sign a totally unconstitutional agreement, which is a disastrous agreement. You cant check signatures. I cant imagine youre allowed to do harvesting, I guess, in that agreement. That agreement is a disaster for this country. But she got you somehow to sign that thing, and she has outsmarted you at every step. And I hate to imagine whats going to happen on Monday or Tuesday, but its very scary to people. You know, when the ballots flow in out of nowhere. Its very scary to people. That consent decree is a disaster. Its a disaster. A very good lawyer who examined it said theyve never seen anything like it. Raffensperger: Harvesting is still illegal in the state of Georgia. And that settlement agreement did not change that one iota. Trump: Its not a settlement agreement, its a consent decree. It even says consent decree on it, doesnt it? It uses the term consent decree. It doesnt say settlement agreement. Its a consent decree. Its a disaster. Raffensperger: Its a settlement agreement. Trump: Whats written on top of it? Raffensperger: Ryan? Germany: I dont have it in front of me, but it was not entered by the court, its not a court order. Trump: But Ryan, its called a consent decree, is that right? On the paper. Is that right? Germany: I dont. I dont. I dont believe so, but I dont have it in front of me. Trump: Okay, whatever, its a disaster. Its a disaster. Look. Heres the problem. We can go through signature verification, and well find hundreds of thousands of signatures, if you let us do it. And the only way you can do it, as you know, is to go to the past. But you didnt do that in Cobb County. You just looked at one page compared to another. The only way you can do a signature verification is go from the one that signed it on November whatever. Recently. And compare it to two years ago, four years ago, six years ago, you know, or even one. And youll find that you have many different signatures. But in Fulton, where they dumped ballots, you will find that you have many that arent even signed and you have many that are forgeries. Okay, you know that. You know that. You have no doubt about that. And you will find you will be at 11,779 within minutes because Fulton County is totally corrupt, and so is she totally corrupt. And theyre going around playing you and laughing at you behind your back, Brad, whether you know it or not, theyre laughing at you. And youve taken a state thats a Republican state, and youve made it almost impossible for a Republican to win because of cheating, because they cheated like nobodys ever cheated before. And I dont care how long it takes me, you know, were going to have other states coming forward pretty good. But I wont .?.?. this is never .?.?. this is .?.?. We have some incredible talent said theyve never seen anything .?.?. Now the problem is they need more time for the big numbers. But theyre very substantial numbers. But I think youre going to fine that they by the way, a little information I think youre going to find that they are shredding ballots because they have to get rid of the ballots because the ballots are unsigned. The ballots are corrupt, and theyre brand new, and they dont have seals, and theres a whole thing with the ballots. But the ballots are corrupt. And you are going to find that they are which is totally illegal it is more illegal for you than it is for them because, you know, what they did and youre not reporting it. Thats a criminal, thats a criminal offense. And you cant let that happen. Thats a big risk to you and to Ryan, your lawyer. And thats a big risk. But they are shredding ballots, in my opinion, based on what Ive heard. And they are removing machinery, and theyre moving it as fast as they can, both of which are criminal finds. And you cant let it happen, and you are letting it happen. You know, I mean, Im notifying you that youre letting it happen. So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have because we won the state. And flipping the state is a great testament to our country because, you know, this is its a testament that they can admit to a mistake or whatever you want to call it. If it was a mistake, I dont know. A lot of people think it wasnt a mistake. It was much more criminal than that. But its a big problem in Georgia, and its not a problem thats going away. I mean, you know, its not a problem thats going away. Germany: This is Ryan. Were looking into every one of those things that you mentioned. Trump: Good. But if you find it, youve got to say it, Ryan. Germany: .?.?. Let me tell you what we are seeing. What were seeing is not at all what youre describing. These are investigators from our office, these are investigators from GBI, and theyre looking, and theyre good. And thats not what theyre seeing. And well keep looking, at all these things. Trump: Well, you better check on the ballots because they are shredding ballots, Ryan. Im just telling you, Ryan. Theyre shredding ballots. And you should look at that very carefully. Because thats so illegal. You know, you may not even believe it because its so bad. But theyre shredding ballots because they think were going to eventually get there .?.?. because well eventually get into Fulton. In my opinion, its never too late. .?.?. So, thats the story. Look, we need only 11,000 votes. We have are far more than that as it stands now. Well have more and more. And .?.?. do you have provisional ballots at all, Brad? Provisional ballots? Raffensperger: Provisional ballots are allowed by state law. Trump: Sure, but I mean, are they counted, or did you just hold them back because they, you know, in other words, how many provisional ballots do you have in the state? Raffensperger: Well get you that number. Trump: Because most of them are made out to the name Trump. Because these are people that were scammed when they came in. And we have thousands of people that have testified or that want to testify. When they came in, they were proudly going to vote on November 3. And they were told, Im sorry, youve already been voted for, youve already voted. The women, men started screaming, No. I proudly voted till November 3. They said, Im sorry, but youve already been voted for, and you have a ballot. And these people are beside themselves. So they went out, and they filled in a provisional ballot, putting the name Trump on it. And what about that batch of military ballots that came in. And even though I won the military by a lot, it was 100 percent Trump. I mean 100 percent Biden. Do you know about that? A large group of ballots came in, I think it was to Fulton County, and they just happened to be 100 percent for Trump for Biden even though Trump won the military by a lot, you know, a tremendous amount. But these ballots were 100 percent for Biden. And do you know about that? A very substantial number came in, all for Biden. Does anybody know about it? Mitchell: I know about it, but Trump: Okay, Cleta, Im not asking you, Cleta, honestly. Im asking Brad. Do you know about the military ballots that we have confirmed now. Do you know about the military ballots that came in that were 100 percent, I mean 100 percent, for Biden. Do you know about that? Germany: I dont know about that. I do know that we have, when military ballots come in, its not just military, its also military and overseas citizens. The military part of that does generally go Republican. The overseas citizen part of it generally goes very Democrat. This was a mix of em. Trump: No, but this was. Thats okay. But I got like 78 percent of the military. These ballots were all for .?.?. They didnt tell me overseas. Could be overseas, too, but I get votes overseas, too, Ryan, in all fairness. No they came in, a large batch came in, and it was, quote, 100 percent for Biden. And that is criminal. You know, thats criminal. Okay. Thats another criminal, thats another of the many criminal events, many criminal events here. I dont know, look, Brad. I got to get .?.?. I have to find 12,000 votes, and I have them times a lot. And therefore, I won the state. Thats before we go to the next step, which is in the process of right now. You know, and I watched you this morning, and you said, well, there was no criminality. But I mean all of this stuff is very dangerous stuff. When you talk about no criminality, I think its very dangerous for you to say that. I just, I just dont know why you dont want to have the votes counted as they are. Like even you when you went and did that check. And I was surprised because, you know .?.?. And we found a few thousand votes that were against me. I was actually surprised because the way that check was done, all youre doing, you know, recertifying existing votes and, you know, and you were given votes and you just counted them up, and you still found 3,000 that were bad. So that was sort of surprising that it came down to three or five, I dont know. Still a lot of votes. But you have to go back to check from past years with respect to signatures. And if you check with Fulton County, youll have hundreds of thousands because they dumped ballots into Fulton County and the other county next to it. So what are we going to do here, folks? I only need 11,000 votes. Fellas, I need 11,000 votes. Give me a break. You know, we have that in spades already. Or we can keep it going, but thats not fair to the voters of Georgia because theyre going to see what happened, and theyre going to see what happened. I mean, Ill, Ill take on anybody you want with regard to [name] and her lovely daughter, a very lovely young lady, Im sure. But, but [name] .?.?. I will take on anybody you want. And the minimum, there were 18,000 ballots, but they used them three times. So thats, you know, a lot of votes. And they were all to Biden, by the way, thats the other thing we didnt say. You know, [name] , the one thing I forgot to say, which was the most important. You know that every single ballot she did went to Biden. You know that, right? Do you know that, by the way, Brad? Every single ballot that she did through the machines at early, early in the morning went to Biden. Did you know that, Ryan? Germany: Thats not accurate, Mr. President. Trump: Huh. What is accurate? Germany: The numbers that we are showing are accurate. Trump: No, about [name] . About early in the morning, Ryan. Where the woman took, you know, when the whole gang took the stuff from under the table, right? Do you know, do you know who those ballots, do you know who they were made out to, do you know who they were voting for? Germany: No, not specifically. Trump: Did you ever check? Germany: We did what I described to you earlier Trump: No no no did you ever check the ballots that were scanned by [name] , a known political operative, balloteer? Did ever check who those votes were for? Germany: We looked into that situation that you described. Trump: No, they were 100 percent for Biden. 100 percent. There wasnt a Trump vote in the whole group. Why dont you want to find this, Ryan? Whats wrong with you? I heard your lawyer is very difficult, actually, but Im sure youre a good lawyer. You have a nice last name. But, but Im just curious, why wouldnt, why do you keep fighting this thing? It just doesnt make sense. Were way over the 17,779, right? Were way over that number, and just if you took just [name] , were over that number by five, five or six times when you multiply that times three. And every single ballot went to Biden, and you didnt know that, but now you know it. So tell me, Brad, what are we going to do? We won the election, and its not fair to take it away from us like this. And its going to be very costly in many ways. And I think you have to say that youre going to reexamine it, and you can reexamine it, but reexamine it with people that want to find answers, not people that dont want to find answers. For instance, Im hearing Ryan that hes probably, Im sure a great lawyer and everything, but hes making statements about those ballots that he doesnt know. But hes making them with such he did make them with surety. But now I think hes less sure because the answer is, they all went to Biden, and that alone wins us the election by a lot. You know, so. Raffensperger: Mr. President, you have people that submit information, and we have our people that submit information. And then it comes before the court, and the court then has to make a determination. We have to stand by our numbers. We believe our numbers are right. Trump: Why do you say that, though? I dont know. I mean, sure, we can play this game with the courts, but why do you say that? First of all, they dont even assign us a judge. They dont even assign us a judge. But why wouldnt you .?.?. Hey Brad, why wouldnt you want to check out [name] ? And why wouldnt you want to say, hey, if in fact, President Trump is right about that, then he wins the state of Georgia, just that one incident alone without going through hundreds of thousands of dropped ballots. You just say, you stick by, I mean Ive been watching you, you know, you dont care about anything. Your numbers are right. But your numbers arent right. Theyre really wrong, and theyre really wrong, Brad. And I know this phone call is going nowhere other than, other than ultimately, you know Look, ultimately, I win, okay? Because you guys are so wrong. And you treated this. You treated the population of Georgia so badly. You, between you and your governor, who is down at 21, he was down 21 points. And like a schmuck, I endorsed him, and he got elected, but I will tell you, he is a disaster. The people are so angry in Georgia, I cant imagine hes ever getting elected again, Ill tell you that much right now. But why wouldnt you want to find the right answer, Brad, instead of keep saying that the numbers are right? Cause those numbers are so wrong? Mitchell: Mr. Secretary, Mr. President, one of the things that we have been, Alex can talk about this, we talked about it, and I dont know whether the information has been conveyed to your office, but I think what the president is saying, and what weve been trying to do is to say, look, the court is not acting on our petition. They havent even assigned a judge. But the people of Georgia and the people of America have a right to know the answers. And you have data and records that we dont have access to. And you can keep telling us and making public statement that you investigated this and nothing to see here. But we dont know about that. All we know is what you tell us. What I dont understand is why wouldnt it be in everyones best interest to try to get to the bottom, compare the numbers, you know, if you say, because .?.?. to try to be able to get to the truth because we dont have any way of confirming what youre telling us. You tell us that you had an investigation at the State Farm Arena. I dont have any report. Ive never seen a report of investigation. I dont know that is. Ive been pretty involved in this, and I dont know. And thats just one of 25 categories. And it doesnt even. And as I, as the president said, we havent even gotten into the Dominion issue. Thats not part of our case. Its not part of, we just didnt feel as though we had any to be able to develop Trump: No, we do have a way, but I dont want to get into it. We found a way .?.?. excuse me, but we dont need it because were only down 11,000 votes, so we dont even need it. I personally think theyre corrupt as hell. But we dont need that. All we have to do, Cleta, is find 11,000-plus votes. So we dont need that. Im not looking to shake up the whole world. We won Georgia easily. We won it by hundreds of thousands of votes. But if you go by basic, simple numbers, we won it easily, easily. So were not giving Dominion a pass on the record. We dont need Dominion because we have so many other votes that we dont need to prove it any more than we already have. Hilbert: Mr. President and Cleta, this is Kurt Hilbert, if I might interject for a moment. Ryan, I would like to suggest that just four categories that have already been mentioned by the president that have actually hard numbers of 24,149 votes that were counted illegally. That in and of itself is sufficient to change the results or place the outcome in doubt. We would like to sit down with your office, and we can do it through purposes of compromise and just like this phone call, just to deal with that limited category of votes. And if you are able to establish that our numbers are not accurate, then fine. However, we believe that they are accurate. Weve had now three to four separate experts looking at these numbers. Trump: Certified accountants looked at them. Hilbert: Correct. And this is just based on USPS data and your own secretary of state data. So thats what we would entreat and ask you to do, to sit down with us in a compromise and settlements proceeding and actually go through the registered voter IDs and the registrations. And if you can convince us that 24,149 is inaccurate, then fine. But we tend to believe that is, you know, obviously more than 11,779. Thats sufficient to change the results entirely in and of itself. So what would you say to that, Mr. Germany? Germany: Im happy to get with our lawyers, and well set that up. That number is not accurate. And I think we can show you, for all the ones weve looked at, why its not. And so if that would be helpful, Im happy to get with our lawyers and set that up with you guys. Trump: Well, let me ask you, Kurt, you think that is an accurate number. That was based on the information given to you by the secretary of states department, right? Hilbert: That is correct. That information is the minimum, most conservative data based upon the USPS data and the secretary of states office data that has been made publicly available. We do not have the internal numbers from the secretary of state. Yet we have asked for it six times. I sent a letter over to .?.?. several times requesting this information, and its been rebuffed every single time. So it stands to reason that if the information is not forthcoming, theres something to hide. Thats the problem that we have. Germany: Well, thats not the case, sir. There are things that you guys are entitled to get. And theres things that under law, we are not allowed to give out. Trump: Well, you have to. Well, under law, youre not allowed to give faulty election results, okay? Youre not allowed to do that. And thats what you done. This is a faulty election result. And honestly, this should go very fast. You should meet tomorrow because you have a big election coming up, and because of what youve done to the president you know, the people of Georgia know that this was a scam and because of what youve done to the president, a lot of people arent going out to vote. And a lot of Republicans are going to vote negative because they hate what you did to the president. Okay? They hate it. And theyre going to vote. And you would be respected. Really respected, if this thing could be straightened out before the election. You have a big election coming up on Tuesday. And I think that it is really is important that you meet tomorrow and work out on these numbers. Because I know, Brad, that if you think were right, I think youre going to say, and Im not looking to blame anybody, Im just saying, you know, and, you know, under new counts, and under new views, of the election results, we won the election. You know? Its very simple. We won the election. As the governors of major states and the surrounding states said, there is no way you lost Georgia. As the Georgia politicians say, there is no way you lost Georgia. Nobody. Everyone knows I won it by hundreds of thousands of votes. But Ill tell you its going to have a big impact on Tuesday if you guys dont get this thing straightened out fast. Meadows: Mr. President, this is Mark. It sounds like weve got two different sides agreeing that we can look at those areas, and I assume that we can do that within the next 24 to 48 hours, to go ahead and get that reconciled so that we can look at the two claims and making sure that we get the access to the secretary of states data to either validate or invalidate the claims that have been made. Is that correct? Germany: No, thats not what I said. Im happy to have our lawyers sit down with Kurt and the lawyers on that side and explain to him, hey, heres, based on what weve looked at so far, heres how we know this is wrong, this is wrong, this is wrong, this is wrong, this is wrong. Meadows: So what youre saying, Ryan, let me let me make sure .?.?. so what youre saying is you really dont want to give access to the data. You just want to make another case on why the lawsuit is wrong? Germany: I dont think we can give access to data thats protected by law. But we can sit down with them and say Trump: But youre allowed to have a phony election? Youre allowed to have a phony election, right? Germany: No, sir. Trump: When are you going to do signature counts, when are you going to do signature verification on Fulton County, which you said you were going to do, and now all of a sudden, youre not doing it. When are you doing that? Germany: We are going to do that. Weve announced Hilbert: To get to this issue of the personal information and privacy issue, is it possible that the secretary of state could deputize the lawyers for the president so that we could access that information and private information without you having any kind of violation? Trump: Well, I dont want to know who it is. You guys can do it very confidentially. You can sign a confidentiality agreement. Thats okay. I dont need to know names. But on this stuff that were talking about, we got all that information from the secretary of state. Meadows: Yeah. So let me let me recommend, Ryan, if you and Kurt will get together, you know, when we get off of this phone call, if you could get together and work out a plan to address some of what weve got with your attorneys where we can we can actually look at the data. For example, Mr. Secretary, I can you say they were only two dead people who would vote. I can promise you there are more than that. And that may be what your investigation shows, but I can promise you there are more than that. But at the same time, I think its important that we go ahead and move expeditiously to try to do this and resolve it as quickly as we possibly can. And if thats the good next step. Hopefully we can, we can finish this phone call and go ahead and agree that the two of you will get together immediately. Trump: Well, why dont my lawyers show you where you got the information. It will show the secretary of state, and you dont even have to look at any names. We dont want names. We dont care. But we got that information from you. And Stacey Abrams is laughing about you. Shes going around saying these guys are dumber than a rock. What shes done to this party is unbelievable, I tell you. And I only ran against her once. And that was with a guy named Brian Kemp, and I beat her. And if I didnt run, Brian wouldnt have had even a shot, either in the general or in the primary. He was dead, dead as a doornail. He never thought he had a shot at either one of them. What a schmuck I was. But thats the way it is. Thats the way it is. I would like you .?.?. for the attorneys .?.?. Id like you to perhaps meet with Ryan, ideally tomorrow, because I think we should come to a resolution of this before the election. Otherwise youre going to have people just not voting. They dont want to vote. They hate the state, they hate the governor, and they hate the secretary of state. I will tell you that right now. The only people that like you are people that will never vote for you. You know that, Brad, right? They like you, you know, they like you. They cant believe what they found. They want more people like you. So, look, can you get together tomorrow? And, Brad, we just want the truth. Its simple. And everyones going to look very good if the truth comes out. Its okay. It takes a little while, but let the truth come out. And the real truth is, I won by 400,000 votes. At least. Thats the real truth. But we dont need 400,000 votes. We need less than 2,000 votes. And are you guys able to meet tomorrow, Ryan? Germany: Ill get with Chris, the lawyer whos representing us in the case, and see when he can get together with Kurt. Raffensperger: Ryan will be in touch with the other attorney on this call, Mr. Meadows. Thank you, President Trump, for your time. Essential workers like teachers and first responders, along with all Michiganders over the age of 65, will be eligible for vaccinations against the coronavirus starting Jan. 11, state officials announced Wednesday. The more people we can get the safe and effective vaccine, the faster we can return to a sense of normalcy, said Governor Whitmer in a press release. I urge all seniors to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible and that all Michiganders to make a plan to get vaccinated when it becomes available to you. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person. We will eliminate this virus together. Those who will be eligible for vaccination starting Jan. 11 include: - Those 65 and older - police officers - first responders - frontline state and federal workers - jail and prison staff - preK-12 teachers - childcare providers Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said the prioritization was based on the risk for those groups. We want to focus on those who are the most vulnerable to severe illness, said Khaldun. She said 80% of all COVID-19 deaths have occurred in people age 65 and older, and encouraged older Michiganders to get vaccinated. Michiganders can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine to find local health departments and other local vaccine clinics near them that are ready to book appointments. That list will grow in the coming days, Khaldun said, and be updated frequently. People should make an appointment and not show up unannounced, she said. Recently, a federal report ranked Michigan as one of the poorest-performing states on vaccine distribution. The reasons are not entirely clear, though state officials cited the holiday and experts in Michigan communities said there could be difficulties with the reporting system. Related: Michigan is among worst states in the country for administering COVID-19 vaccinations, CDC data says Michigan has made dramatic improvements in the work that is happening on the front line of the vaccinations, and communities need more vaccinations from the federal government, Whitmer said. The focus is on getting shots in arms, she said. Khaldun said that after a meeting with the CDC it was clear Michigan was actually in the top five states in terms of the percentage of the population that had been vaccinated, and she expected the CDC to update its website soon. Whitmer said Michigan was not one of the slowest states to administer vaccinations, and the CDCs website was just not up to date. Michigan has vaccinated more than 140,000 health care workers and nursing home residents. Read more on MLive: Michigan is among worst states in the country for administering COVID-19 vaccinations, CDC data says Wednesday, Jan. 6, coronavirus data by county: Statewide positivity rate creeps up to 9.4% Overcoming vaccine skepticism in shadow of Tuskegee Experiment a tall task in Michigans Black communities 128K Michiganders have received the coronavirus vaccine in first three weeks FitnessDesignGroup, the leader in the dynamic design of residential and commercial training spaces, has partnered with Blueboard, a leading employee recognition and incentives platform, to bring experiential wellness solutions to homes nationally. During this time and forward, companies are seeking a new generation of solutions to more broadly support the mental and physical health of their employees, said Bryan Green, Founder and CEO of FitnessDesignGroup. Investing more deeply in employee wellness is a critical aspect towards driving the ROI of human capital. Were thrilled to Partner with Blueboard in providing Home Gym design consultations for valued employees everywhere. The Revamp Your Home Gym experience is available to reward recipients across all Blueboard Clients nationally and includes a personal design consultation with FitnessDesignGroup. Working one on one with an expert designer allows recipients to envision their newly upgraded gym in their home, and create the optimal space for all training needs. Complete design, equipment selection, delivery and installation will be available to some recipients. We are so excited to be able to offer home gym design and equipment from the FitnessDesignGroup to our Recipients," said Michelle Makowski, Blueboard Head of Experience Curation. "There is currently a high demand and need for home wellness options during the pandemic, and rewarding employees with this experience is timely and important as we continue expanding our rewards menu to offer incentives that foster employee wellbeing. The Blueboard Concierge team and FitnessDesignGroups Functional Design Specialists will work closely with recipients to facilitate the full process. The collaboration between FitnessDesignGroup and Blueboard represents a culmination of the swiftly increasing demand and need for in home health and wellness programs keeping employees fit both physically and mentally during and after COVID-19. About FitnessDesignGroup FitnessDesignGroup is a specialized gym design and wellness consultancy providing exercised based planning guidance for residential and commercial facilities worldwide. Our team of Functional Design Specialists provide unique perspective and deep expertise in project feasibility, execution, procurement, market research and technology integrations. We Design The Exercise Experience. FDG clients include leading public & private health clubs, hotels, corporations, property developers, universities, boutique studios, and private residences. Visit Us at FitnessDesignGroup.com About Blueboard Blueboard is the leading experiential rewards company. Their experience delivery platform makes it easy for companies to give meaningful employee rewards, incentives, and giftsfrom one-of-a-kind to once-in-a-lifetime experiences (think skydiving, behind-the-scenes tours of the zoo for your whole family, or chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland). We partner with hundreds of Best Places to Work around the globe including Abbotts diabetes care business, Pinterest, Shake Shack, and Ubisoft to celebrate their top people in a more meaningful way. Learn more at Blueboard.com. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Sunrise has quietly apologised for its segment discussing whether there was a need for another Stolen Generation. The apology over the 2018 segment was aired at 6.47am on Monday - before most Australians were even awake. A pre-recorded voice over delivered the message and regular hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch were not present during the episode. Scroll down for video Sunrise host Samantha Armytage (centre) and commentators Prue MacSween (left) and Ben Davis (right) came under fire after a controversial debate over Aboriginal adoption 'On 13 March 2018 we aired a segment about alleged child abuse and neglect in Aboriginal communities and statements made by the Assistant Minister for Children and Families about white people adopting Aboriginal children,' the statement read. 'Opinions were expressed during the segment which referred to the stolen generation [sic] and which were offensive to some viewers, including Indigenous Australians. 'Channel Seven, the Sunrise team and our commentators Prue MacSween and Ben Davis apologise for those comments and the harm they have caused.' Social media users labelled the apology as 'appalling' and 'pitiful', with some viewers claiming the network did the 'bare minimum'. 'I am not sure who else saw that apology, but that was not contrition. That was the bare minimum to tick off a condition agreed legally. Coupled with the fact that it went to air at 6:47am and the people who *expressed opinions* did not make the apology directly shows contempt,' one person wrote. 'I would like to inform Sunrise that Aboriginal community members fought hard to get that apology out of you. Perhaps next time, try some sincerity and also actually have a person deliver it. I'm not convinced you've learnt anything here,' wrote another. The segment, hosted by Samantha Armytage (left) and joined by Brisbane radio host Ben Davis (right) was labeled highly offensive and 'nationally shameful' Following the airing of the segment, the program opened the topic for discussion on it's social media sites, capitalising 'white' in its post to Facebook (pictured) However, the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care welcomed the apology. 'The comments made in March 2018 implying that the Stolen Generation was necessary and needed to happen again is deeply hurtful to members of the Stolen Generations, and offensive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people generally,' SNAICC CEO Richard Weston said. Armytage, commentator Prue MacSween and radio host Ben Davis all took part in the three-way discussion about Aboriginal adoption in March 2018. The discussion was sparked after children's minister David Gillespie called on rules prohibiting indigenous children being adopted by non-family members to be relaxed. The comments ignited protests outside Sunrise's Sydney studio after Ms MacSween said Indigenous children needed to be taken away from their parents again for their own welfare. In the 2018 segment MacSween (pictured) had said Indigenous children needed to be taken away from their parents again for their own welfare 'Just like the first stolen generation where a lot of kids were taken for their wellbeing, we need to do it again,' she said in the on-air discussion. Armytage faced harsh backlash for her opening comment, 'post-Stolen Generations there's been a huge move to leave Aboriginal children where they are, even if they're being neglected in their own families'. Ms MacSween said it was 'crazy to just even contemplate' that people were arguing against having Indigenous children removed from their families and placed in white homes. Many were notably disturbed that a representative from the Aboriginal community was not called in to comment on the matter. A group of Aboriginal elders and young leaders filed a complaint the Australian Human Rights Commission in September 2018. But after negotiations broke down in June 2020, the complainants filed a lawsuit against Channel Seven, Armytage and Ms MacSween in the Federal Court for racial vilification. The message was delivered in a pre-recorded voice over. Hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch were not present during the episode Pictured: Indigenous protestors disrupt a broadcast of the Seven Network's Sunrise program at Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast in April 2018 after the segment went to air a month earlier Both parties have since reached a settlement agreement but the terms are confidential. The network was forced to apologise to the Yirrkala community in January last year for using blurred footage of them during the panel discussion. The footage was originally filmed for a health promotion. That apology aired at the end of an ad break. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sunrise for comment. As outrage over the alleged gangrape of a 50-year-old woman in Badaun grows, the district magistrate has said the administration would try to charge the accused under stringent provisions of the National Security Act (NSA). Badaun District Magistrate Prashant Kumar told news agency ANI that two people have been arrested in the case and a team has been constituted to look into the arrest of the other accused person. "We believe this incident is fit to be presented to the NSA for a probe and we will do that, he said According to police, the 50-year-old woman, who was an anganwadi worker, was gangraped and murdered when she had gone to a temple on Sunday evening. The incident was reported from the Ughaiti police station area in Badaun district. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took cognisance of the matter and said it will meet the womans family. The commission also sought immediate intervention of the UP police in the matter. The family of the deceased has alleged police apathy for the delay caused in filing the FIR in the case. The Commission, in a statement, said it is deeply perturbed by the reported incident and the alleged police apathy. NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma wrote to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, seeking immediate intervention in the matter. The Commission has also sought a detailed action taken report in the matter from the police. Badaun's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sankalp Sharma said two of the accused were arrested on Tuesday, while the priest is on the run and the station house officer of Ughaiti police station has been suspended for laxity in the case. "On Sunday, the 50-year-old woman, who had gone to a temple, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Family members of the woman have accused the temple priest, Satyanayaran, and his aides of raping and murdering her. Based on this, a case was registered against the accused. Two of the accused persons were arrested on Tuesday night, while the priest is still absconding," Sharma said. The post-mortem report confirms rape, and there are injuries in the victim's private parts and a fracture in the leg, he said. Four teams have been formed to track Satyanarayan. The state police have drawn criticism over the incident with Ranjana Kumari, the director of Centre for Social Research, asking the authorities to take responsibility of the incident. First thing the UP police does is dismissing any case as a minor one. It will not file the FIR. The state administration must take responsibility for this issue, Kumari was quoted as saying to NDTV. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed authorities to take the strongest legal action against the accused and instructed ADG Zone, Bareilly to submit a report. The chief minister also instructed the UP special task force to assist in the investigation. Opposition parties hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government on the issue. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi raised the question on the intention of the government and tweeted. The government people in Hathras did not listen to the complaint in the beginning, the government saved the officers and suppressed the voice. The police station in Badaun did not listen to the complainant, did not even visit the scene of the incident. The UP government's intent on women's safety is flawed. The gruesome incident is shocking. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party Chief, Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, The gruesome incident reported from Badaun where a post mortem report suggests gruesome cruelty is shocking. BJP government should not try to save the culprits and should ensure justice for the deceased and her family. The BSP Supremo Mayawati also tweeted on the incident and wrote, The incident of gang-rape and murder of a woman in Badaun is very sad and extremely condemnable. The state government should take this incident seriously and also ensure strict punishment to the culprits so that such incident does not recur, this is the demand of BSP. The family of the woman have alleged the police did not reach the spot where the crime was committed, and that the body was only sent for post-mortem 18 hours after the incident on Monday. Michelle Visage spoke candidly about spending lockdown with her husband David Case during her appearance on Tuesday's edition of The One Show. The RuPaul's Drag Race judge, 52, joked that she felt there was 'something wrong' when the only time she had to herself was in the loo, as she insisted married couples 'need their space'. Reflecting on how divorce rates have gone up during the coronavirus crisis, and how parents are struggling to cope, she said: 'We are not equipped to be doing all of this, we are not prepared. 'When my moments of peace are in the loo, there's something wrong!' Michelle Visage joked about spending lockdown with husband David Case on Tuesday's The One Show 'And as married couples, yes of course we love one another, I've been with my husband for 24 years it doesn't mean I have to be with him 24 hours a day, seven days a week, doing everything together. 'We need our space, I think that's what makes marriages work, when we have individuality and then come together as a couple. 'And when you're together all the time, there's a lot of encroaching. When my good moments of peace were in the loo, there's something wrong!' Michelle has been happily married to David since 1997, and they share daughters Lillie, 20, and Lola, 18, together. Candid: Michelle (pictured with David and daughters Lillie and Lola) said: 'I've been with my husband for 24 years it doesn't mean I have to be with him 24 hours a day, seven days a week' Amusing: Michelle reflected, 'When you're together all the time, there's a lot of encroaching. When my good moments of peace were in the loo, there's something wrong!' The former Strictly Come Dancing star is well known for her role as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race and it's UK edition, which is set to return on January 14. Asked if her comments to the queens have gotten 'meaner' over the years, Michelle insisted she tells them 'what is needed.' She explained: 'I'm a mother, of course I got meaner over the years. No, I judge what is needed, what is fit for the situation. 'If they are indignant or not learning or belligerent then I get tougher, if they are understanding and open then I'm kinder, it's really about critiquing in the moment. Honest: Reflecting on how divorce rates have gone up during the coronavirus crisis, she added: 'We need our space, I think that's what makes marriages work' Happy couple: Michelle (pictured with David before they tied the knot) has been happily married to David since 1997 'It's not personal, I don't know them, I haven't met them, I've not spent them, I'm literally critiquing the brief they were given. 'Did they do it well? Are they listening? Are they open? Same way I parent my kids, I don't know if that's good or bad.' Dawn French, Natalie Cassidy, Maya Jama and Jessie Ware are set to appear on the star-studded guest line-up for RuPaul's Drag Race UK's second series. The foursome join Elizabeth Hurley, Sheridan Smith, Lorraine Kelly, MNEK and Jourdan Dunn on the show, which showcases the country's most sensational drag queens in a bid to be crowned the UK's next Drag Race Superstar. Judge: Michelle is well known for her role as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race and it's UK edition, and she said of critiquing the queens: 'I judge what is needed, what is fit for the situation' Line-up: (L-R) Tayce, AWhora, Ellie Diamond, Asttina Mandella, Joe Black, Cherry Valentine, Tia Kofi, Ginny Lemon, Veronica Green, Sister Sister, Bimini Bon Boulash and Lawrence Chaney are competing on RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two EastEnders icon Natalie, 37, will be making a cameo alongside DJ Jodie Harsh, RuPaul's Drag Race star Raven and choreographer Jay Revell. In the running for the coveted title are Tayce, Joe Black, A'Whora, Tia Kofi, Ellie Diamond, Sister Sister, Veronica Green, Bimini Bon Boulash, Ginny Lemon, Asttina Mandella, Cherry Valentine, and Lawrence Cheney. This upcoming edition will see the queens compete in weekly challenges, where their lip syncing, fashion sense, sewing, humour, singing, make-up, acting and dancing will be put to the test for ten weeks. Following the franchise's mantra, the group will be assessed on their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent, before the bottom two queens will be asked to lip sync to save their position in the competition. Editors Note: This story has been updated with a statement from Gilden Woods. KALAMAZOO, MI A former childcare worker arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a child who was in his care at a Portage preschool now faces additional charges involving another child. Aaron Joe Bryant, 19, of Hartford, was arraigned Jan. 5 in Kalamazoo County District Court on two additional counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Bryant was arraigned on an initial charge of second-degree criminal-sexual conduct on Friday, Oct. 30. After multiple adjournments, he waived his preliminary examination on that charge Tuesday and the case was bound over to Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, where Bryant is expected to stand trial. Related: Parents see child assaulted on preschool live-stream, Portage police say The initial charge against Bryant came after the parents of a child who attended Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool, 1518 E. Centre Ave. in Portage, told Child Protective Services they had witnessed Bryant sexually assault their child while they watched a live-stream video from the school. According to Bryants probable cause affidavit in that case, the defendant admitted to some of the alleged touching, but told police it was not of a sexual nature. During the investigation, Bryant also admitted to kissing a 3-year-old boy on the lips, something another teacher at the school told police Bryant had done. Another teacher told police at the time they had seen Bryant inappropriately touch another child while the child was on his lap. Bryant admitted to touching the child, but not inappropriately, police said. When asked Wednesday if any other teachers faced disciplinary action or were terminated as a result of the investigation for failing to immediately report suspected inappropriate behaviors, a representative from Gilden Woods said the school had no comment on any matters relative to the case. A statement from the company sent to MLive Friday, Jan. 8 stated there are employment laws that govern what can be said regarding employment status of specific people, but that it would be incorrect to presume that there were any changes in employment status of any team members due to non-reporting issues. We can confirm that we have worked with the appropriate state authorities and licensing agencies very closely and are in full compliance with all of their rules and recommendations, the statement said. After a warrant was issued on the new charges against Bryant in November, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting confirmed with MLive that the new charges Bryant now faces involved a different child who also attended Gilden Woods. Getting said the allegations were brought to the polices attention by a parent and that Bryant is alleged to have sexually assaulted the second child on at least two occasions over the past two years. According to the probable cause affidavit in that case, the mother of the child had a conversation with her 5-year-old boy about how and why Bryant was no longer working at the school. The child, according to the affidavit, told his mother and later investigators that on two separate occasions during naptime the defendant touched and/or pulled on his privates, allegedly making skin-to-skin contact. The child said both times the actions stopped when he opened his eyes. These are obviously very serious allegations, but it is important to remember that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Getting said. Getting said the alleged incidents serve as a good reminder for parents to stay engaged with their kids as well as those who are relied upon to provide care for them. A decision on whether the two cases will be combined will be made if and when Bryant binds over on newer additional charges, Getting told MLive Wednesday. Bryant, who began work at the school in September 2019, was terminated from his job at Gilden Woods July 17 after the completion of a month-long investigation into the early allegations levied against him. According to a statement from the school, Bryant was placed on administrative leave as soon as the school learned of allegations in June and that he had no contact with any children at the school during that time. The school also stated it immediately reviewed its hiring and internal safety and operational protocols upon learning of the incident involving Bryant and that it augmented its existing practices with a rigorous new safety and reporting training initiative in September that all team members have been trained in. Police said in the affidavit they first interviewed Bryant about the accusations on June 18, 2020. Despite that, court records show the defendant was discovered to have an active advertisement online offering his services as an overnight nanny in the area. The post remained active until late July, police said. Based on the allegations, the defendant is showing an alarming pattern of grooming young children and then progressing to sexual touching, the affidavit reads. Police said the defendant is also being investigated in St. Joseph County for alleged inappropriate sexual conduct with a 9-year-old boy. No charges have been filed in that county against him as of Jan. 6. This kind of behavior is outrageous and totally unacceptable, and that goes without saying, I think, Portage Public Safety Chief Nicholas Armold told MLive. If anybody else, as a result of these cases becoming public, feels that they may have further information or may know of potential victims, they should reach out to us and well follow up and see if theres anything else we need to look into and file further charges on. Bryant is due back in Kalamazoo County District Court Jan. 19 for a probable cause conference on the new charges. He was released from jail after a $1,000 bond payment on Nov. 2, but had his bond raised to $50,000 on Jan. 5, according to court records. We are deeply sorry for the anxiety this issue has caused any of our school families and team members, and we have provided access to resources such as counseling for those who need additional support, the school said in its statement. Also on MLive: Kalamazoo commissioners meet behind closed doors regularly to discuss city issues Portage students back to virtual learning amid rising COVID-19 cases Michigan woman who killed abusive husband freed after serving 20 months in prison CHICO, Calif. - The Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition would typically hand out clean needles to people in city parks, but this could soon change after the city council meets Tuesday. The final motion we made was to have the city attorney find any and all legal measures to keep the needle distribution out of the city of Chico, said council member, Sean Morgan. Based on the city staff report, some of the options would be to declare an emergency ordinance that would only ban needle programs for 180 days or to create a new ordinance. It is an attractive nuisance," explained Morgan. "People are already being told, go to Chico this is a great place to be homeless. The number of needles in our community exploded. They were everywhere. They were in peoples backyards, they were in the creeks, they were in the parks. This is the kind of community we dont want. Bella Santiago has lived in Chico for 23 years. She feels this is not what is best for those who are struggling in her community. "I mean people dont understand that it is going to happen regardless," said Santiago. "People are going to do what they are going to do, and we need to make sure that they are safe, and it helps us in the long run because there will be fewer people needing healthcare. Santiago said during these tough times, she hopes the city would reconsider. There are a lot of people struggling," said Santiago. "Either your friend that is struggling or you are struggling. You are so much further away from the richest person than from the homeless person on the street. We have to take care of the people that are right in front of us. While some think banning the needle distribution is not a good idea, others said they are concerned about the cleanliness of the Chico community. US DOLLAR OUTLOOK: AUD/USD PRICE ACTION EXTENDS HIGHER, USD/CAD DECLINES WITH GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFF ELECITON IN FOCUS US Dollar weakened decisively on Tuesday to trade back at mutli-year lows against key peers AUD/USD price action surged while USD/CAD edged lower alongside improving risk appetite Georgia senate runoff race front and center as a potential catalyst for US Dollar volatility Learn more about analyzing currency volatility and implied volatility trading strategies Advertisement The US Dollar pivoted lower on Tuesday and reversed the intraday rebound staged during the prior trading session. US Dollar weakness was witnessed across the board of major currency pairs. AUD/USD price action advanced sharply as trader risk appetite recovered and USD/CAD tumbled with the help of surging crude oil prices. Generally speaking, the Aussie-Dollar is closely linked to market sentiment while the Canadian Dollar tends to track the direction of crude oil. DXY - US DOLLAR INDEX PRICE CHART: DAILY TIME FRAME (15 SEP 2020 TO 05 JAN 2021) Chart by @RichDvorakFX created using TradingView Perhaps trader speculation on Georgia senate runoff election results contributed to US Dollar more broadly. Potential for a democratic sweep might be weighing negatively on the US Dollar seeing that this would likely correspond with a material increase in the expected size of future fiscal stimulus packages. As such, selling pressure across USD price action could accelerate if democrats take control of the senate by winning two seats in the Georgia election runoff. On the other hand, the broader US Dollar might catch a relief bounce if senate republicans maintain their majority. USD PRICE OUTLOOK: US DOLLAR IMPLIED VOLATILITY TRADING RANGES (OVERNIGHT) In light of this glaring uncertainty, it comes as little surprise overnight US Dollar implied volatility readings are running red-hot. Aside from the senate runoff race, politicians are expected to vote to certify state results from the presidential election and clear a final hurdle for a smooth transition of power from Trump to Biden. Markets and trader risk appetite could also gyrate with covid concerns. If the threat of intensifying lockdowns and restrictions gains traction, it would likely cause sentiment to deteriorate broadly, which might fuel a bid beneath the safe-haven US Dollar in turn. Additionally, the release of FOMC minutes from the December Fed meeting is scheduled to cross the wires during Wednesdays trading session as well. -- Written by Rich Dvorak, Analyst for DailyFX.com Connect with @RichDvorakFX on Twitter for real-time market insight A cleaner who tested positive to COVID-19 after working in a quarantine hotel in Brisbane is infected with a more contagious strain of the virus that originated in the United Kingdom. It comes as the patient at the centre of a series of personal protective equipment breaches at Perth Airport and in hotel quarantine in Western Australia also tested positive to the UK strain of COVID-19 on Thursday. The Queensland woman, who is in her 20s, worked a shift at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane's CBD while unknowingly carrying the virus. She became the first locally acquired case of COVID-19 in Queensland in 113 days after testing positive on Wednesday night. Health authorities have previously detected the UK strain among the four guests to have tested positive while in quarantine at the site. The woman, who lives in Algester on Brisbane's south and was said to have "done everything right" by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, is believed to have been infectious from Saturday, January 2. Loading Chief Health officer Jeannette Young said she had worked only one shift while infectious, on that day, and had travelled to work by train. Public health alerts have been issued by Queensland health for travellers on the services to and from the city from Altandi station. Alerts were also issued for a number of supermarkets and a newsagency in Sunnybank and Calamvale, two suburbs in the city's south. On the Hawaiian island of Molokai, a group of visitors, including myself, meet up on a red dirt road for a morning of volunteering. We load into old four-wheel-drive Jeeps and SUVs and make our way through winding dirt paths, bouncing around in our seats like popcorn as the vehicles crawl through narrow passageways and over divots. After passing old ranchland, cows and plenty of dense tree clusters, we make our way to Mokio Preserve, a rolling landscape of coastal cliffs, dune ecosystems, seasonal wetlands and about 5 miles of rugged, postcard-worthy shoreline. It looks like a paradise, and its on its way to being one again thanks to Molokai Land Trust. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Westerners began clearing Mokio Preserve and replanting the area with invasive, nonnative plants in order to develop the area for cattle ranching. Once a part of Molokai Ranch, this area was planted with destructive plants and animals like kiawe trees deep-rooted trees that spread rapidly and deplete groundwater and overtake native plants and cows and deer that grazed the native and nonnative plants to death. Add in feral cats that killed ground-nesting birds and mongoose that ate the eggs, and this wonderland became somewhat of a wasteland. Because of the invasive species introduced, the landscape was damaged and also endured erosion, loss of groundwater, and even loss of native Hawaiian species. Courtesy of Richard A. Cooke After arriving at the preserve, we notice a fence line that clearly defines the old and new Mokio Preserve. On the right, native coastal plants and flowers thrive, and on the left side of the fence, dense, destructive kiawe trees cluster together in unison, still fighting to take over it all. Butch Haase, executive director of Molokai Land Trust, explains how this all started while showing us the work the team has done. In 2009, Molokai Land Trust began work to restore this ecosystem and bring back native Hawaiian species. Today, about 95% of the 1,718-acre Mokio Preserve is covered by nonnative species, with a goal to convert the preserve back to a native ecosystem. Originally, Molokai Land Trust started working to restore 60 acres of this ecosystem, using a whole ecosystem recovery approach that brings as much of an ecosystem as possible back simultaneously. So far, the small team supported tremendously by volunteer efforts has cleared about 25 acres to date and replanted it with native plants, continuing to clear about 2 to 3 acres a year and planting up to 300 native plants a day. Courtesy of Molokai Land Trust Leading us toward a cliff overlooking the Pacific, Haase cant help but pull weeds as he shows us around. If you dont see me with a handful of these, Im not doing my job, he jokes. All of the invasive species clearing is done the old-fashioned way by pulling weeds, cutting down invasive kiawe, and replanting native grasses, plants and trees by hand. At the edge of the cliff, Haase points out albatross decoys, which are being used with a solar-powered speaker that plays albatross calls in order to lure the near-threatened seabird for nesting. Rising sea levels threaten albatross nesting habitats on the low-lying northwestern Hawaii islands, but the team is hoping the preserve will provide a new nesting spot for the seabird, since they bring nutrients from the sea onto land. Theyre great fertilizers for terrestrial ecosystems, says Haase. Just 10 days after these decoys were placed on the preserve, albatross were spotted investigating the nesting area. The endangered (and federally protected) Hawaiian yellow-faced bee has also benefited from the preserve, and a new colony of them frequently swarm low-growing ohai, nehe and ilima papa plants to forage. They also burrow and create their homes in the ground in small cavities around the preserve and help pollinate native plants. Courtesy of Butch Haase Recently, the preserve also saw the first wedge-tailed shearwater chicks in the projects history, a milestone for ground-nesting seabird recovery efforts. Wedge-tailed shearwaters are one of the most abundant seabirds in Hawaii who mate for life and return to the same nest. The team banded the chicks and hopes they will return in five to six years with their mates to continue nesting and reproduction. After wandering the rugged cliffside, we make our way back inland a bit to plant some native plants with a group of high school students. Haases pile of weeds has grown into a large bundle, his arms cinching it all together as he further explains the importance of the preserve. Its like a landscape that was inspired by Dr. Seuss, he exclaims. And after seeing it, hes right. The towering seaside cliffs, green shrubbery and low-clinging plants, native animals and vibrant flowers all come together to create a major coastal dune restoration program. Water resources are being saved, since native plants dont suck up as much groundwater, which is in turn helping with aquifer recharge. Seabirds are coming back and helping to fertilize the ground, which in turn helps native plants thrive, and bees are returning to pollinate the variety of flowers, creating a diverse ecosystem helping humans and animals alike. Courtesy of Molokai Land Trust As I gently place a nehe plant in the dirt, I see Haase coordinating the volunteer efforts and organizing students for their tasks. Land trust workers drill holes in the sandy soil, and volunteers follow closely behind, placing individual plants in the holes and covering them back with earth. Creating a success story like this doesnt happen without the volunteer efforts of local residents and visitors, who can join in the fun by volunteering their time while on Molokai. For those wanting to volunteer, contact Molokai Land Trust and set up a time to help protect this precious place. We rely on our volunteers to help us carry out our pioneering work on the island, says Haase. Since the pandemic though, Molokai Land Trust has had to suspend volunteer programming for visitors, and continues to work and carry on the critical habitat restoration with its immediate work bubble. All fundraisers, gatherings and on-site volunteering for visitors is temporarily suspended, but Haase encourages people to donate in order to help the organization. Together, we can continue to build on the success that weve achieved over the past decade of restoring the incredible diversity and beauty of Molokai, he says. Amanda Ogle is a freelance writer and editor covering travel, sustainability, food and drink, health and wellness, and general lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Texas Highways, OZY, Virtuoso Traveler, American Way and more. You can find all of her work at amandaogle.com. Describing external affairs minister S Jaishankar as my friend and great diplomat, US secretary of state Michael Pompeo said on Tuesday the United States and India have never been closer . The US relationship with Asias most populous democracy has never been closer, from trade to military cooperation and more, Pompeo wrote in a tweet, which linked to a speech he gave in June 2019 during a visit to New Delhi. In that speech he had said, We each, India and the United States, should see the world as it is, and see each other for what we are: great democracies, global powers, and good friends. We have the ability to forge a new kind of cooperation that wont just be good for us, but for the region, and indeed for the entire world. And then he tweeted a shout out to his Indian counterpart: The US-India relationship was made all the stronger with a great diplomat and leader as my friend, he wrote, adding hashtags to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Atlanta rally with President Trump and a Modi campaign slogan: #HowdyModi, #ModiHaitoMumkinHai. Pompeo has been tweeting foreign policy milestones and high points of the Trump administration such as the North Korea talks, which in the end yielded not much, and defended against criticism of being soft on Russia and harsh on European allies. The tweets have been described by some people as a soft launch of his run for the White House, which has been widely speculated about, but they also seemed like the secretary of state was a doing farewell run, which he cannot officially affirm because President Donald Trump has not conceded defeat and has continued to claim, falsely, that he won the November election. As we begin the New Year we find ourselves again asked to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives. I know how tough this news will have been for so many people, and how much we all miss our friends and family. There is, however, one crucial difference this time around. As the Prime Minister highlighted in his address to the nation on Monday evening, we are rolling out two vaccines across the whole of the UK as part of a huge national effort to protect the most vulnerable. People can be heartened and reassured that for every day that passes under the new restrictions, thousands more people will have received that vital vaccine, and more lives will be saved. This national effort has been boosted with the new Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after it met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. Brian Pinker, 82, who was the first to get the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, pictured receiving the jab from nurse Sam Foster at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford on Monday We have access to 100 million doses of this vaccine, and I am delighted to say that they are already being delivered round this country and into peoples arms. The people that are receiving these life-saving injections are husbands, wives, grandparents, and of course our heroic healthcare workers. Everyone in the NHS is working hard to deploy them as soon as they receive the vials. Weve already vaccinated over 1.3 million people, which is fantastic news, and were only just getting started. The UK has led the way in authorising and rolling out these Covid vaccines, and the NHS is now opening more vaccination sites so we can protect as many people as possible, in the shortest time possible. As the Prime Minister has said we will offer vaccinations to everyone in the top four priority groups identified by the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) by the middle of February. These groups are residents in a care home for older adults and their carers, all those aged 70 and over, and frontline health and social care workers. Every vaccine given to someone in these vulnerable groups brings us closer to the end of these national restrictions. While our brilliant NHS is leading the way delivering the vaccinations, every single one of us has a role to play and I know Mail readers will be keen to do whatever they can to help throughout this pandemic. A close-up of an Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine vial containing 10 doses held up by a nurse at Pontcae Medical Practice on Monday in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales As we begin the New Year we find ourselves again asked to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives, writes Nadhim Zahawi (pictured: Birmingham train station on Tuesday) We can support our loved ones getting their vaccines, helping them plan for getting to their appointment, we can sign up to be a volunteer at a vaccination centre or for further clinical trials to help deliver the next treatments for coronavirus. And finally we can all make sure we keep up to date with the latest medical advice and continue to abide by the rules to curb the spread of the virus so our doctors and nurses can get on with the job of delivering these vital vaccines. I am consistently humbled by the effort being put in by our brilliant NHS staff, our GPs, our pharmacists, and our social care workers to get this vaccine delivered and to save lives. We will keep expanding this vital programme, helping bring an end to this national lockdown and start returning our country back to normality. HAMMOND, La., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With every New Year, we welcome new things, and we are very proud to announce that Dixie RV SuperStores will now be known as Great American RV SuperStores. Owners, management, locations, and staff remain the same. Great American RV SuperStores tagline is refreshed and will read "Making memories one weekend at a time". CEO of Great American RV SuperStores, Greg Lala, announced "We have been dreaming of a brand that reflects all aspects of our company and we believe we have accomplished that. It's a change that will represent who we are and our commitment to our business." Stephen Guidry, COO/President, states that "Our commitment to our people, our commitment to customer service, our undying effort to create a great environment and our dedication of being a family owned business have been our guiding principles. We love serving an industry that is referred to as a Great American pastime. It made perfect sense to rebrand our dealership as Great American RV SuperStores." Great American RV SuperStores continues to carry more than 50 brands from the top manufacturers like Tiffin, Thor, Airstream, Grand Design, Jayco, Heartland and more. Great American RV SuperStores is a proud member of the Priority RV Network, has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and inherits the badge of 2019 RV Business Top 50 Dealer Award. For more information on Great American RV SuperStores, visit www.greatamericanrv.com. CONTACT INFORMATION Great American RV SuperStores 10541 Destination Dr Hammond, LA 70403 [email protected] SOURCE Great American RV SuperStores Related Links http://www.greatamericanrv.com Francesca Paris covers North Adams for The Berkshire Eagle. A California native and Williams College alumna, she has worked at NPR in Washington, D.C. and WBUR in Boston, as a news reporter, producer and editor. Find her on Twitter at @fparises. Connecticut prison inmates and residents of other congregate settings should be included in the next wave of COVID-19 vaccinations, a key subcommittee of the vaccine group advising Gov. Ned Lamont decided Tuesday. The subcommittee plans to recommend moving food service workers into the next phase including those who work in charitable services such as food banks or who deliver meals to older adults, as well as health inspectors. Wastewater and sanitation workers will also be in the next wave of vaccinations. Including inmates in the same wave of vaccinations as prison staff caps a long debate after the American Civil Liberties Union called for medically vulnerable inmates to be vaccinated in the first wave along with doctors, nurses and nursing homes. But it remained unclear Tuesday where those with intellectual or developmental disabilities will fall on the states vaccine distribution timeline. That came as the state recorded 2,332 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and the daily positivity rate bounced back up to 7.66 percent. There were 38 more hospitalizations, bringing the statewide total to 1,149. Another 24 fatalities attributed to the illness were also reported, pushing the Connecticut death toll to 6,192. The discussion over who gets the vaccine next follows broad guidelines released last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The guidelines are not binding states can adjust the vaccination order for their residents. In Connecticut, Lamont has said he will make the final decisions on how the vaccine is doled out to different groups. But the governor has also said he plans to follow the recommendations of his vaccine advisory group, which is working with the CDC guidelines. But on Tuesday, members of the advisory groups allocations subcommittee appeared to be less clear on whether and how to move up people with conditions that put them more at risk from the disease including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The part that we have been talking about that has been the most difficult to tease out is what to do with individuals between 16 and 75 with and without comorbidities, said Zita Lazzarini, the subcommittees co-chairwoman, who summarized the discussion at the end of the two-hour meeting. In other words how to define who is vulnerable within that group, and therefore, how we would address racial and ethnic equity better and address other underlying health disparities often involving people with disabilities, she said. The subcommittee plans to meet again soon to discuss those questions in greater depth before determining where those people would fall on the states vaccination plan. Connecticut has received about 170,000 first doses of vaccine, with 44,000 more doses expected this week, said Benjamin Bechtolsheim, director of the COVID-19 vaccination program for the state Department of Public Health. The guidelines divide those to be vaccinated into four phases. In Phase 1A, front-line health care workers, such as hospital staff, are vaccinated along with staff and residents of long-term care facilities, starting with nursing homes before moving to other settings, including assisted living facilities. First responders at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their response to medical emergencies are also included in the first phase, according to Connecticuts vaccine guidelines. The state expects Phase 1A to include some 320,000 people and up to about 260,000 of them willing to take the vaccine. Phase 1B includes essential workers like firefighters and police, corrections staff, food and agricultural workers, postal workers, those who work in manufacturing, grocery store workers, public transit employees, and those who work in education and child care, according to the CDCs recommendations. The group also includes people aged 75 and older, due to their high morbidity if they contract the disease. State health officials believe people in that group will begin to get the vaccine later this month. Were likely still going to have some folks in 1A who are receiving first doses either because theyve been waiting to see their peers go first or things of that sort, Bechtolsheim said. In Phase 1C, people between the ages of 65 and 74 would be offered the vaccine along with people between the ages of 16 and 64 with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19, according to the CDCs recommendations. The group also includes any other essential workers not included in the first two phases. But with some states reporting long lines and confusion as people get vaccinated, the Surgeon General Tuesday urged state leaders to not adhere too strictly to those guidelines if it means getting the vaccine out to those who want it. Your headline today really should be Surgeon General tells states and governors to move quickly to other priority groups, Dr. Jerome Adams said during an appearance on NBCs Today show. If the demand isnt there in 1A, go to 1B and continue on down. During Tuesdays subcommittee meeting, the acting head of the state Department of Public Health said the phases would be flexible if demand for the vaccine wanes in one group. We dont have a fixed period of time that Phase 1B will last 12 weeks, for example, Acting Commissioner Deidre Gifford said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... WASHINGTON The Latest on Congress tally of the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden (all times local): 3:55 a.m. President Donald Trump now says there will be an orderly transition on January 20th after Congress concluded the electoral vote count certifying President-elect Joe Bidens victory and after a day of violence when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Trump says in a statement tweeted by his social media director Dan Scavino, Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. He adds: I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, its only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again. Trumps account is currently locked by Twitter. Trump has spent the last two months refusing to concede the election and making baseless allegations of mass voter fraud that have been rejected by dozens of courts and Republican officials, including his former attorney general. Vice President Mike Pence presided over the formal session that ended early Thursday morning tallying the electoral college vote. __ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONGRESS TALLY OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. Congress returned later Wednesday to resume their proceedings after the Capitol was cleared by law enforcement. Read more: Pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol in bid to overturn election A moment in America, unimaginable but perhaps inevitable AP PHOTOS: Scenes of violence at U.S. Capitol shock world Capitol has seen violence over 220 years, but not like this Pence defies Trump, says he cant reject electoral votes ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON: 3:41 a.m. Congress has formally validated Joe Bidens presidential election victory on a day that saw a time-honored ceremony become a nightmare of unprecedented political terror. The House and Senate certified the Democrats electoral college win early Thursday after a violent throng of pro-Trump rioters spent hours Wednesday running rampant through the Capitol. A woman was fatally shot, windows were bashed and the mob forced shaken lawmakers and aides to flee the building, shielded by Capitol Police. The rampage began shortly after President Donald Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud to thousands of rallying demonstrators hed invited to Washington. Many then surged to the Capitol after he incited them to go there as lawmakers debated the electoral votes. More than six hours after the violence erupted, lawmakers resumed their session. Thirteen Republican senators and dozens of GOP representatives had planned to force debate and votes on perhaps six different states votes. The assault on the Capitol made some Republicans squeamish about trying to overturn Bidens win, and challenges were lodged only against Arizona and Pennsylvania. Both efforts lost overwhelmingly. Biden defeated Trump by 306-232 electoral votes and will be inaugurated Jan. 20. __ 3:25 a.m. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is defending his objection to the Electoral College results as the right thing to do. The Texas senator condemned the violence that erupted as supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an extraordinary attack over the election outcome. Cruz led the first challenge to Joe Bidens defeat of President Donald Trump by objecting to Arizonas results. He sought to have Congress launch a commission to investigate the election. His effort was roundly defeated in the House and Senate. Cruz said he was confident the country will have a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Biden is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20. __ 3:10 a.m. The House has joined the Senate in turning aside Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral vote for President-elect Joe Biden. Lawmakers in the House voted 282-138 against the objection as the counting of Electoral College votes continued into the early hours of Thursday morning. The Senate shut down the same objection 92-7 just after midnight, and unlike the House, declined to debate before voting. After a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it was the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. __ 2:20 a.m. A small group of House lawmakers came close to physically fighting early Thursday morning as the congressional count of electoral votes stretched into the wee hours and a Pennsylvania Democrat charged that Republicans had been telling lies about his states votes. Rep. Morgan Griffiths, R-Va., objected after Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., said a breach of the Capitol by an angry mob earlier in the day was inspired by lies, the same lies you are hearing in this room tonight. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shot down the objection, but a few minutes later Republicans and Democrats streamed to the middle aisle, with around a dozen lawmakers getting close to each other and arguing. But the group quickly broke up when Pelosi called for order on the floor. President Donald Trump has falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in Pennsylvania and other states and Republicans have echoed those claims as they have challenged electoral votes. __ 12:55 a.m. The Senate has quickly killed Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral vote for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. In a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, its the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he believes no other states votes will be challenged. That means Congress formal certification of Bidens victory could finish quickly once the House votes on the Pennsylvania challenge. The Senate rejected the effort to cancel Pennsylvanias votes without any debate. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. ___ 12:15 a.m. Thursday Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri have objected to the counting of Pennsylvanias electoral votes, triggering up to two hours of debate in the House and Senate. The objections come 11 hours after the congressional count to confirm Democrat Joe Bidens presidential victory began, and after lawmakers had to evacuate both chambers for several hours to escape a mob that had violently breached the Capitol. Hawley said last week that he would object to Pennsylvanias electoral votes, saying Congress should investigate voter fraud. President Donald Trump has falsely said since his defeat that there was widespread fraud in the election. Biden won Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes. Since the Nov. 3 election, Trump and his allies filed at least a half-dozen lawsuits challenging Bidens win on various grounds, including that many or all of the states mail-in ballots were illegal. The lawsuits failed as judge after judge found no violation of state law or constitutional rights, or no grounds to grant an immediate halt to certifying the election. ___ 11:20 p.m. The House has voted overwhelmingly to reject an objection to President-elect Joe Bidens win in Arizona, joining the Senate in upholding the results of the election there. The objection failed 303-121 on Wednesday night, with only Republicans voting in support. Earlier Wednesday, supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a lockdown of the lawmakers and staff inside. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to Biden, though election officials have said there wasnt any. Now that Arizona is out of the way, Congress will reconvene as the joint session and make its way through the rest of the states that have objections. __ 11:10 p.m. Four people died as supporters of President Donald Trump violently occupied the U.S. Capitol. Washington, D.C., Police Chief Robert Contee said the dead on Wednesday included a woman who was shot by the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as three others who died in medical emergencies. Police said both law enforcement and Trump supporters deployed chemical irritants during the hourslong occupation of the Capitol building before it was cleared Wednesday evening by law enforcement. The woman was shot earlier Wednesday as the mob tried to break through a barricaded door in the Capitol where police were armed on the other side. She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later died. D.C. police officials also say two pipe bombs were recovered, one outside the Democratic National Committee and one outside the Republican National Committee. Police found a cooler from a vehicle that had a long gun and Molotov cocktail on Capitol grounds. ___ 10:15 p.m. The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand. The objection to the results in Arizona spearheaded by Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Ted Cruz was rejected 93-6 on Wednesday night. All votes in favor came from Republicans, but after violent protesters mobbed the Capitol earlier Wednesday a number of GOP senators who had planned to support the objection reversed course. The Republicans raised the objection based on false claims pushed by President Donald Trump and others of issues with the vote in Arizona, which were repeatedly dismissed in Arizonas courts and by the states election officials. ___ 10:10 p.m. Sen. Lindsey Graham says a commission to examine the 2020 election is not a proper next step and affirmed that Joe Biden is the legitimate president of the United States. Graham, a South Carolina Republican and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, called it a uniquely bad idea to delay this election, referencing the commission idea proposed by his fellow South Carolina Republican, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott. Graham says, Count me out. Enough is enough. Earlier Wednesday, supporters of Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a lockdown of the lawmakers and staff inside. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, though election officials have said there wasnt any. Graham said that if youre a conservative, the idea that Vice President Mike Pence could reverse the results of the election, as President Donald Trump had urged him to do, was the most offensive concept in the world. ___ 10 p.m. Police have arrested 30 people for violating a curfew imposed in Washington, D.C., after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Officials say the 30 people were arrested Wednesday evening after being found on the streets after the 6 p.m. The curfew had been imposed after scores of supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the Capitol, halting the constitutional process of voting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens win. They were later forcibly removed from the Capitol. The Metropolitan Police Department said 15 other people had been arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday in various protest-related arrests on an array of charges, including weapons possession and assault. Fire officials also took 13 people to area hospitals on Wednesday from protest-related injuries. ___ 9:55 p.m. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he is going forward with his objection to the Electoral College results in Pennsylvania despite the violent breach at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. The Missouri senator said he did not support violence but said the Senate should go forward with a legal process that includes his objections. Hawley says his objections should be debated peacefully, without violence, without attacks, without bullets. He says he hoped lawmakers would not brush his concerns aside because of the violence earlier Wednesday, including the death of a protester inside the Capitol. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, though election officials have said there wasnt any. ___ 9:45 p.m. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is comparing violence at the U.S. Capitol to protests against racial injustice over the summer after the killing of George Floyd by police. The U.S. Capitol was overrun by a mob supportive of President Donald Trump on Wednesday as Congress counted electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens win. Trump has falsely said there was widespread fraud in the election to explain his defeat and encouraged his supporters to come to Washington. McCarthy said, Mobs dont rule America. Laws rule America. It was true when our cities were burning this summer and it is true now. The comment got loud applause from Republicans. Democrats in the chamber sat silently. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, was killed in May after a white police officer pressed his knee against Floyds neck for several minutes even after he said he couldnt breathe. McCarthy, an ally of Trumps, said Wednesday was the saddest day hes ever had in Congress. He said: It is clear this Congress will not be the same after today. ___ 9:15 p.m. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congress certification of President-elect Joe Bidens election win will show the world it wont back down. Pelosi made her comments as the House reconvened after being shut down for hours Wednesday by unruly pro-Trump protesters. She said that every four years the ritual provides an example to the world of American democracy. Pelosi says, Despite the shameful actions of today, we will still do so, we will be part of a history that shows the world what America is made of. Pelosi, a Roman Catholic, noted that Wednesday is the feast of the Epiphany and prayed that the violence would be an epiphany to heal for the country. ___ 9:10 pm. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is sending 1,000 members of the states National Guard to Washington, D.C., to help the peaceful transition of presidential power. Cuomo, a Democrat, said 1,000 troops would be sent for up to two weeks at the request of U.S. National Guard officials. It comes after a mob of President Donald Trumps supporters rampaged through the U.S. Capitol. Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday: For 244 years, the cornerstone of our democracy has been the peaceful transfer of power, and New York stands ready to help ensure the will of the American people is carried out, safely and decisively. They will join law enforcement from Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey who are also coming to D.C.s aid. The presidents supporters incited chaos in a protest over a transfer of power to President-elect Joe Biden. Trump convinced them that he was cheated out of a victory by rampant, widespread voter fraud, a false claim. ___ 8:55 p.m. Multiple Republican senators have reversed course and now say they wont object to congressional certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Their change of heart came after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier Wednesday and interrupted their proceedings. One person was fatally shot. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia all said in light of the violence they would stand down from planned objections to Bidens win. Lawmakers gathered to certify the Electoral College votes from each state were forced to evacuate after an angry mob of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol. Loeffler said that the violence, the lawlessness, and siege of the halls of Congress were a direct attack on the sanctity of the American democratic process. All three had previously signed on to Trumps false claims of widespread voter fraud to explain his defeat. Loeffler has just days left in her term. She lost her Senate race to Democrat Raphael Warnock earlier Wednesday. ___ 8:45 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Congress will not be deterred in confirming the results of the presidential election hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Republican leader reopened the Senate late Wednesday vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College for President-elect Joe Biden. It was interrupted earlier in the way when rioters breached the security perimeter and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress tallying of the Electoral College votes. One person was fatally shot. McConnell says demonstrators tried to disrupt our democracy. They failed. McConnell plans to keep the Senate in session Wednesday to finish confirming the results. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true. He reiterated the claim in a video filmed as his demonstrators were storming the Capitol. ___ 8:35 p.m. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump bears a great deal of the blame after a mob loyal to him stormed the U.S. Capitol. As the Senate reconvened to count electoral votes that will confirm Democrat Joe Bidens win, Schumer said that Jan. 6, 2021, will live forever in infamy and will be a stain on the democracy. Schumer said the events did not happen spontaneously. He said Wednesday: The president, who promoted conspiracy theories that motivated these thugs, the president, who exhorted them to come to our nations capital, egged them on. Trump has falsely claimed that there was widespread fraud in the election to explain away his defeat. Schumer says the protesters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. ___ 8:20 p.m. Former President Barack Obama says history will rightly remember the violence at the Capitol as a moment of great dishonor and shame for the nation. Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power. Obama say the violence was incited by a sitting president who baselessly lied about the outcome of the presidential election. He has convinced his supporters that he lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden only because Democrats cheated, a false claim. Obama says it should not have come as a surprise, and that for two months a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their followers the truth. He says their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments. Now were seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo. ___ 8:10 p.m. The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee. Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the days violent events. President Donald Trump has falsely insisted that the election was marred by fraud and that he actually won. He reiterated those claims in remarks to thousands of protesters outside the White House early Wednesday and goaded them to march to the Capitol, which many of them did. The mayhem had forced the House and Senate to abruptly end the days debates and flee to safety under the protection of police. And it prompted bipartisan outrage as many lawmakers blamed Trump for fostering the violence. ___ 8:05 p.m. Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who resigned in protest over President Donald Trumps Syria policies, blamed the president for the violence at the U.S. Capitol. In a sharp rebuke Wednesday, Mattis said the violence was fomented by Trump, who has used the presidency to destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens. His written statement concluded, Our Constitution and our Republic will overcome this stain and We the People will come together again in our never-ending effort to form a more perfect Union, while Mr. Trump will deservedly be left a man without a country. Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general who stepped down as Pentagon chief in December 2018, had an embattled relationship with Trump, but largely remained publicly quiet and avoided direct criticism. Since he left the job, however, he has been more openly derisive of Trump, including a pubilc condemnation of the presidents heavy-handed use of military force to quell protests near the White House last June. ___ 7:55 p.m. Stephanie Grisham, chief of staff and press secretary for first lady Melania Trump, has resigned following violent protests at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Grisham says in a statement Wednesday that it was an honor to serve the country in the White House and be part of he first ladys mission to help children. Grisham was one of Trumps longest serving aides, having joined the campaign in 2015. She served as the White House press secretary and never held a press briefing. Wednesdays violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by the presidents supporters sparked renewed conversations inside the White House about mass resignations by mid-level aides who are responsible for operations of the office of the president. Two people familiar with the conversations said the aides were torn between fears of what more would happen if they left and a desire to register their disgust with their boss. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. AP writer Zeke Miller ___ 7:45 p.m. The Republican National Committee says it strongly condemns the violence at the Capitol, adding that the violent scenes do not represent acts of patriotism, but an attack on our country and its founding principles. The RNC is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform. Its statement condemning the violence came hours after Republican President Donald Trump baselessly complained that the election was stripped away from great patriots. He went on to tell them to go home with love & in peace. The groups communications director, Michael Ahrens, says, What happened today was domestic terrorism. He says to see the U.S. flag used in the name of unfounded conspiracy theories is a disgrace to the nation, and every decent American should be disgusted by it. Trump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens victory over him, citing false claims of voter fraud. He held a rally earlier Wednesday and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people. ___ 7:40 p.m. Former President Bill Clinton says the attack on the U.S. Capitol was fueled over four years of poison politics and lit by President Donald Trump. Clinton said in a statement Wednesday night that the riot at the Capitol resulted from a combination of deliberate disinformation that created distrust in the system and pit Americans against one another. He wrote, The match was lit by Donald Trump and his most ardent enablers, including many in Congress, to overturn the results of an election he lost. His wife, Hillary Clinton, lost a bitter election to Trump in 2016 and conceded to him immediately. Trump has refused to accept his defeat by Democrat Joe Biden in November and is trying to cast him as an illegitimate president. Trump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress formal approval of Bidens win. He held a rally earlier Wednesday and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people and saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. ___ 7:20 p.m. A West Virginia lawmaker took video of himself and other supporters of President Donald Trump rushing into the U.S. Capitol after they breached the security perimeter. In the video by Republican Del. Derrick Evans, later deleted from his social media page, he is shown wearing a helmet and clamoring at the door to breach the building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Were in! Keep it moving, baby! he said in a packed doorway amid Trump followers holding flags and complaining of being pepper sprayed. Once inside, Evans could be seen on video milling around the Capitol Rotunda, where historical paintings depict the republics founding, and yelled, No vandalizing! State House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw said Evans will need to answer to his constituents and colleagues regarding his involvement in what has occurred today. He said he has not spoken to Evans yet about his involvement. The delegate from Wayne County said in a statement later on Facebook that he was heading back to West Virginia and was simply there as an independent member of the media to film history. ___ 6:55 p.m. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congress will resume the Electoral College proceedings once the Capitol is cleared of pro-Donald Trump protesters and safe for use. Pelosi said she made the decision Wednesday in consultation with the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the vice president, who will preside. She noted the day would always be part of history, but now it would be as such a shameful picture of our country was put out into the world. Trump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. He held a rally earlier Wednesday and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people and saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. Trump supporters breached the Capitol building and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress tallying of the Electoral College votes. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true. ___ 6:45 p.m. Dozens of pro-Trump protesters remain on the streets of the nations capital in defiance of the curfew imposed after rioters stormed the Capitol. The mostly maskless crowd was forcibly removed from the Capitol on Wednesday after breaking into the building and halting the constitutional process of voting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens win. They were pushed out of the immediate area and moved down the hill, where they taunted law enforcement and moved barricades. Police said anyone found on the streets after the 6 p.m. curfew would be arrested. Officers in full riot gear with shields lined the streets near the U.S. Capitol. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said their debate on affirming Bidens victory would continue after the Capitol was secured. ___ 6:40 p.m. The head of the nations largest union of flight attendants says people who took part in the violent protest at the Capitol must be banned from flying. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said in a statement Wednesday that some of the people who traveled in our planes (Tuesday) participated in the insurrection at the Capitol today. She says, Their violent and seditious actions at the Capitol today create further concern about their departure from the DC area. Acts against our democracy, our government and the freedom we claim as Americans must disqualify these individuals from the freedom of flight. Nelson and the union endorsed President-elect Joe Biden over President Donald Trump before the November election. Trump supporters on a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Washington heckled Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the lone Republican senator to vote to oust Trump after he was impeached. On an American Airlines flight from Dallas, a large contingent of Trump supporters got in an angry yelling match with other passengers after one of the presidents supporters projected Trump 2020 on the cabin ceiling and walls. ___ 6:30 p.m. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney is blaming President Donald Trump for inciting a violent insurrection at the Capitol. Romney, the GOPs 2012 presidential nominee and a frequent critic of Trumps, said the violent breach of the Capitol on Wednesday was due to a selfish mans injured pride and the outrage of his supporters whom he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months. The Utah senator said those who continue to support Trumps dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy. Romney ridiculed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and other Republicans who want an audit of the election results: Please! No Congressional led audit will ever convince those voters, particularly when the president will continue to claim the election was stolen. The simple truth, Romney said, is that President-elect (Joe) Biden won this election. President Trump lost. ___ 6:25 p.m. President Donald Trump has appeared to justify the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. In a tweet Wednesday night, Trump said, These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. He added, Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever! Trump supporters breached the Capitol building and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress tallying of the Electoral College votes. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true. Trump has faced mounting criticism from Republican lawmakers to do more to condemn the violence being perpetrated in his name. Bengaluru, Jan 6 : Karnataka Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar on Wednesday said that the state will hold the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Board Examination (Class 10) for the 2020-21 academic year in the first week of June while the board examination of Pre-University Course (PUC II/Class 12) will be held in the second week of May. The minister took to his official Twitter handle to break the news on Wednesday evening and added that all the details regarding the exam, and the syllabus will be sent to schools by the government. Karnataka decided to reopen its schools and PU colleges after a prolonged closedown of over nine months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Schools for students studying in Class 10 and 12 and the Vidyagama for Class 6 to 9 reopened on January 1. Since the schools reopened, attendance continues to grow among Class 10, 12 and Vidyagama students. Of the 4,24,250 students enrolled in 5,492 PU colleges in the state, as many as 2,42,886 (57.25 per cent) were present and out of 9,29,130 enrolled in Class 10 in 16,850 high schools of the state board, as many as 4,77,051, (51.34 per cent) were present on Tuesday. Vidyagama saw an attendance of 6,30,557 students which was more than the four lakh odd students that were present on Monday. But on a flip side, over 50 teachers have tested Covid positive across seven districts so far and in some districts like Chitradurga, the district administration had close down schools, where six teachers tested positive. Arab leaders signed a declaration in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to mark a new page in relations following the kingdoms decision to end a three-and-a-half-year embargo on Qatar, easing a rift that deeply divided regional US security allies and frayed social ties across the interconnected Arabian Peninsula. The Saudi decision to open its airspace and borders to Qatar was the first major step towards ending the diplomatic crisis that began in 2017, just as the Trump administration was raising pressure on Iran. The Saudi move was announced on Monday night. On Tuesday, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim al Thani attended the Gulf Cooperation Councils summit for the first time since 2017. He was received by Saudi Arabias Prince Mohammed with a hug in the desert city of Al-Ula. Tanker seizure: S Korean destroyer near Iran coast South Korea will send a delegation to Iran to negotiate the release of a seized oil tanker and its crew, Seoul said on Tuesday, as an anti-piracy unit arrived in waters near the Strait of Hormuz. Irans Revolutionary Guards had seized the South Korean-flagged Hankuk Chemi - which it said was carrying 7,200 tonnes of oil chemical products - for infringing maritime environmental laws. Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his inability to visit members of the Hazara community who have refused to bury 11 miners killed by Islamic State, even as protests against the killing spread to other parts of Pakistan. Khan on Wednesday urged the protesting members of Balochistans Shia Hazara community to bury the bodies of the miners killed in a brutal attack in Mach coalfield, promising he would visit them very soon. I want to reassure the Hazara families who lost their loved ones in a brutal terrorist attack in Machh that I am cognisant of their suffering & their demands, he tweeted, adding that the government was taking steps to prevent such attacks in the future. He claimed he knew that our neighbour is instigating this sectarian terrorism. He added: I share your pain and have come to you before also to stand with you in your time of suffering. I will come again very soon to offer prayers and condole with all the families personally. I will never betray my peoples trust. Please bury your loved ones so their souls find peace. But this assurance has not helped in any way, said protestors. Several roads in Karachi were blocked on Wednesday as protests continued for a second day. The Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) has insisted that they want Khan to visit Quetta where the dead bodies have been placed as part of the protest and give assurances for the safety of the community. The MWM also held protests in Karachi and Quetta on Tuesday that were attended by hundreds of men, women and children. A number of Shia organisations have taken part in the protests which are demanding measures to ensure the safety of the Shia Hazara community. On Wednesday evening, the MWM said that it would extend the protests to other cities in Pakistan. Sundays attack was the first major assault on members of the Hazara community since April last year, when a suicide bombing in a market killed 18, most of whom were Hazaras. There have been constant attacks on members of the community by militant groups. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Sunday attack. IS, Taliban and other Sunni extremist groups are known to have carried out attacks targeting the community. In 2013, three bombings killed more than 200 people in Hazara neighbourhoods in Quetta. ADVERTISEMENT The European Union (EU) has called on the Vietnamese authorities to immediately release three Vietnamese journalists, who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for criticising the government, spokesman for the EU External Action Service Peter Stano said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, a court in Vietnam found three Vietnamese journalists guilty of charges of spreading propaganda against the state and sentenced them to prison terms between 11 and 15 years. The imprisoned journalists Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy, and Le Huu Minh Tuan are members of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam (IJAVN). At the same time, other journalists say the convicts were writing articles to support human rights in Vietnam and addressing politics and issues of public interest. READ ALSO: The European Union expects the Vietnamese authorities to immediately release Mr Dung, Mr Thuy, and Mr Tuan, as well as all journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders imprisoned for having peacefully expressed their views. The European Union will continue to monitor and work with the Vietnamese authorities and all relevant stakeholders to improve the human rights situation in Vietnam, Stano said. The EU also recalled that the right to freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Vietnamese constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international documents signed by Vietnam. (Sputnik/NAN) Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua held a phone conversation with French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Tuesday with both sides pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, had five telephone conversations last year in which they reached broad consensus on developing China-France relations and deepening cooperation in various fields, said Hu, who leads the Chinese delegation to China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue. China is ready to work with France to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, well plan and implement key tasks of China-France cooperation in the coming period, he said. Hu also expressed China's willingness to further strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation with France, deepen cooperation in finance, agriculture and other fields, and actively expand new areas of cooperation such as green economy and digital economy. For his part, Le Maire said pragmatic cooperation between China and France in various fields has maintained a sound momentum. France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to deepen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, investment, aviation, scientific and technological innovation, so as to promote the continuous development of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. Chennai, Jan 6 : In a major development in the Pollachi sexual harassment case in Tamil Nadu, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three persons, allegedly involved in the crime. They have been sent to judicial custody till January 20 by a competent court. A CBI source told IANS, "The three arrested accused have been identified as P. Babu, Haronimus Paul and K Arulanatham." They were produced before a competent court. The court sent them to judicial custody till January 20, the agency source said. In April last year, the CBI had registered two cases and started investigation in the case in which a college girl alleged that two of her friends along with their two other associates sexually assaulted her and clicked a video, threatening to upload it on the internet. The first FIR in the case is based on the sexual harassment and snatching of gold chain reported in Coimbatore district on February 12. The second FIR is related to the assault on the victim's brother on February 26. The victim on February 24 last year complained to Tamil Nadu Police that Thirunavukarasu, Sabarirajan, Satheesh and Vasanthakumar forcibly removed clothes from her upper body in a car and clicked a video, the CBI FIR said. As per the FIR, the victim alleged that they also snatched her gold chain and forced her to make physical relations with them, and also threatened her with uploading the video on the internet. The second FIR is based on the statement of the victim's brother, who had complained to the Tamil Nadu Police that Senthil, Babu, Mani and Vasanthakumar on February 26 last year, two days after his sister lodged a complaint, assaulted him when he was going on a two-wheeler near his house in Pollachi. The agency registered the FIRs in April last year under various charges, including sexual harassment, assault or use of criminal force on woman, sections related to the IT Act and criminal intimidation. In the two first FIRs, the CBI named eight persons identified as Sabarirajan, Thirunavukarasu, Satheesh, Vasanthakumar, Senthil, Babu, Mani and Vasanthakumar. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Police registered two separate cases -- one on February 24 and other on February 26 last year. The CBI took over the cases on the direction of the Centre following a request from the Tamil Nadu government. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Sommet Education launch Hospitality Challenge Pitch a series of online discussions focusing on revealing some of the winners of the Hospitality Challenge, the solidarity initiative created by the two partners. Over four weekly sessions, UNWTO experts and tourism leaders will share insights on the state of tourism and hospitality, and the prospective solutions to be implemented to accelerate its recovery. The Hospitality Challenge was launched to foster the recovery of the hospitality industry through creative and innovative projects submitted by entrepreneurs, start-uppers, students, career changers and anyone passionate about the industry. Among almost 600 applications received from all over the world, 30 top finalists have been granted a full-board scholarship for Master programs, MBAs, and other specialized programs in Hospitality, Culinary and Pastry Arts. All of them are hosted by Sommet Educations internationally renowned institutions: Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, and Ecole Ducasse. Starting from 21st January 2021, weekly between 4.30pm and 5.30pm CET and over a course of 4 weeks, Hospitality Challenge Pitch online sessions held on LinkedIn will focus on topics essential in building back hospitality industry: Whats Next in Jobs & Education on 21st January 2021 The first session shall be moderated by Herve de Gouvion Saint-Cyr, Founder & President of TalentriCity. The session will take off by a discussion between Stephane Rousseau, Chief People Officer at Sommet Education, Natalia Bayona, Director of Innovation, Education and Investments at UNWTO, and Francois Delahaye, Chief Operating Officer at Dorchester Collection. It will be followed by three of the top 30 winning pitches by Zeynep Demirbilek, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at the start-up Service Club Delivery, Roger Obeid, Glion Alumnus and Founder & General Manager at ORHC presenting Join F&B, and Diego Camacho, General Manager at Movich Hotels, presenting Human Talent Solutions - HUTS. Registration here Whats next in Safety & Hospitality Experience on 28th January 2021 The second session will be led by Michael Collins, Founder of TravelMedia.ie and Abroad Magazine. He will leave floor to Barbara Czyzewska, Head of Luxury Marketing and Brand Management at Glion Institute of Higher Education, Alessandra Priante, Director of Regional Department of Europe at UNWTO, and Quentin Desurmont, Chief Executive Officer at Traveller Made, who will converse over the state of the industry. The pitches shall then be presented for three of 30 winning projects: TrekSecure Contagion Response presented by Matthew Hiller, President & Founder of the company, Lemonade Social pitched by Ipshita Kumar, Les Roches Marbella Alumnus and Head of Partnerships of the business, and Hosbot project introduced by Nikhil Roy, Les Roches Crans-Montana Alumnus and Reservations Sales Manager at Coorg Cliffs Resort & Spa. Registration here Whats next in Revenue & Productivity on 4th February 2021 The third session will be guided by Damon Embling, Journalist at Euronews and Director at Headline Media UK. Joining in the panel discussion will be Jonathan Humphries, Head of International Hotel Development & Asset Management Specializations at Glion Institute of Higher Education and Chairman and Owner at HoCoSo, Sandra Carvao, Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at UNWTO, and Marc Vieilledent, Chief Development Officer at easyHotel Plc. The three winning project pitches will afterwards be presented by Miguel Escobar, Co-founder at Komodore presenting the company, Ronald Homsy, Glion Alumnus, Managing Director at Scopum et Finem and founder of Firsctlasset presenting the business, and Ksenia Kartseva, a professional passionate about hospitality presenting the idea of TipTrip.com. Registration here Whats next in Waste reduction & Sustainability on 11th February 2021 The final session of the online event series will be run by Rajan Datar, Broadcaster, Journalist and Writer at BBC. The experts sharing their analysis of the situation will be Dr. Dimitrios Diamantis, Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies at Les Roches Crans-Montana, Ph. D. Manuel Butler, Executive Director at UNWTO, and Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President Middle East, Africa & Turkey at Hilton. The selected projects pitched in this session will be Recotrak by Rodrigo Gratianne, Les Roches Crans-Montana Alumnus and Founder of the business, Viridescent by Barthelemy Deslarzes, Les Roches Crans-Montana Alumnus, and Little Big Travel by Katia Rivera, Behavioral Scientist at Vauxoo. Registration here All panel discussions and project pitches will be followed by an interactive Q&A session with the experts. About the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery from adversity. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage. About Sommet Education Sommet Education, global leader in hospitality management and culinary arts is committed to develop the Hospitality leaders of tomorrow. The group encompasses 3 world-class academic institutions: Glion, Les Roches, and Ecole Ducasse, with campuses in Switzerland, Spain, China, the UK, and France. These offer bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and diplomas through academic excellence and a dynamic multicultural environment. Sommet Education is the only education network with two institutions ranked among the worlds top three for hospitality education and employer reputation (QS World University). More information here. PRESS CONTACT: Anouck Weiss | Sommet Education VP Communication media@sommet-education.com [January 06, 2021] Organic BPS announces Second Purpose Roundtable to discuss the role of Higher Purpose in Business KOCHI, India, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a 'New World Order' where the new generation displays strong inclinations towards brands with a 'stand', where employees stick to empathetic organisations and investors prefer ESG compliant companies, Businesses will thrive only if a Higher Purpose drives them. Organic BPS, a Purpose Branding Company, on the occasion of its 21st Anniversary, has launched Centre for Higher Purpose in Business to promote the philosophy - Doing Good is Good Business. Mr Dileep Narayanan, Founder and Brand Mentor, Organic BPS, said that the Centre for Higher Purpose in Business (CHPB), a global community of thought leaders from business, consulting, and academia would evolve a body of knowledge through co-creation of insightful ideas. The Purpose Round Table, a series of thought leadership conversations, would be the centre's first initiative. Following the successful first edition, the centre hosts its Second Purpose Roundtable on 15th January, featuring Mr Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & Managing Director Nestle India, and Mr Arun Maira, former Planning Commission member & former Chairman Boston Consulting Group. They would discuss the theme 'Higher Purpose of Business - Transcending CSR', informed Mr VK Madhav Mohan, Mentor and Discussion Leader. To watch the event, free, visit: www.purposeroundtable.com Global Thought Leaders who came together for the first Purpose Round Table echoed that Purpose is imperative for Business and businesses cannot march ahead without adhering to a higher purpose. Participating in the dscussion, Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman & Managing Director of DM Aster Health Care, Dubai said that profit becomes just a by-product for organisations practising a higher purpose. Dr Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism), joining from Barcelona, Spain, said, "If business leaders do not consider the safety of the environment then the youth would soon look the other way, and go against the brands that harm the environment, thereby losing the trust." "Clarity of thought for business is more important, and trust is the core that brands are built on, and purpose is the energising factor that rallies all stakeholders," opined Dr Mukund Rajan, Chairman, E-Cube Investment Advisors, Former Brand Custodian, Tata Sons, Mumbai, India. "Purpose creates an alignment across the organisation, and employees transform to become committed members of the organisation," remarked Mr Ruzbeh Irani, President HR & Communications, Member Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The Centre would develop a Purpose Charter based on the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, added Dileep Narayanan, the founder of Organic BPS. For more details, visit: www.purposeroundtable.com About Organic BPS India's First Purpose Branding Company, Organic BPS, was founded by Dileep Narayanan, a committed conservationist, and brand mentor. In the last two decades of its existence, Organic BPS has consciously cultivated many purposeful brands. The experience of building belief-driven brands has crystallized into a uniquely curated Branding Model - Brand Purpose Solutions (BPS). BPS helps to discover the Higher Purpose of a brand, integrate it into its system, and measure the impact on its sustainable growth. In 2009, Organic BPS launched Greenstorm, an initiative to harness the power of creativity and online media to spread environmental consciousness among youth and children. Today the footprints of the Greenstorm Foundation have reached over 50 countries of the world. In 2020, on its 21st Anniversary, Organic BPS launched the Centre for Higher Purpose in Business (CHPB). The Centre aims to assemble thought Leaders and form a Global Community, to propagate the philosophy - 'Doing Good is Good Business'. Organic lives its core purpose of 'Helping Business and Humanity Mutually Profit' through its change-making initiatives. Organic's clientele includes Startups to Fortune 500 companies. The commitment to creative excellence has won Organic more than 60 international and national recognitions. For more details, visit www.organicbps.com Media Contact: Sarith Nair sarith@organicbps.com +91-9686189591 Director, Marketing Organic BPS Pvt. Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. (TNS) The New Miami speed camera case has been dragging on for seven years, but it is nearing the end at the Ohio Supreme Court.A group of about 33,000 speeders took the tiny village to court in 2013 over what they said was an unconstitutional, unmanned speed camera program. They claimed the Automated Speed Enforcement Program (ASEP) violated their due process rights because an administrative hearing rather than court proceeding was used. The speeders demanded the village refund around $3 million collected on the $95 tickets. Accumulated interest was tallied at more than $400,000.New Miami has maintained it has home rule authority to enforce traffic laws and keep its citizens safe from motorists who speed.In October, 12th District Court of Appeals Judge Robert Ringland and his fellow judges said the common pleas judges who found fault with the process were wrong and that the village doesn't owe the plaintiffs $3.4 million."Plaintiffs' arguments concerning the use of hearsay and lack of discovery and subpoena power are unavailing," Ringland wrote. "ASEP afforded the recipient of a notice of liability with a reasonable opportunity to present a defense based on the most likely grounds."The speeders' attorneys asked the three-judge panel to reconsider the decision as it "constituted obvious error" because it failed to take into account some other caselaw. They also wanted the full five-judge court to hear the case.The judges denied the requests last week, saying they considered everything that was pertinent.Josh Engel, one of the speeders' attorneys told thethey will appeal the 12th District decision to the Ohio Supreme Court."We believe that when the government enters into a public-private partnership with the primary goal of generating revenue, the Supreme Court should review the procedures employed to assure that citizens have a full, fair, and meaningful opportunity to contest any fines," Engel said.The high court accepts an average of 6% of discretionary appeals filed per year, and New Miami's outside counsel, James Englert, said it is doubtful the court will accept this appeal. All the other appellate courts have already said the non-judicial hearings are constitutional."They have to show the court that there is some reason to take this case," Englert said. "You just have all the courts of appeals lining up and holding that this type of due process hearing satisfies due process, considering what the private interest is, you know it's $100. What the government interest is, which is to have some orderly way to maintain traffic safety."The village has spent more than $360,000 fighting this case that has gone to the appeals courts several times. The litigation has taken three visits to the 12th District and two to the Ohio Supreme Court, where jurisdiction was denied. New Miami challenged the lower court's rulings on class action status twice and a sovereign immunity issue. Until Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Oster issued his final judgment, the village could not appeal the entire case.New Miami appealed both the due process issue and the amount Oster said it owed speeders. The speeders filed a cross appeal in the case over the interest amount awarded and the fact Oster didn't make the village pay immediately. He instead set a 10-year payback schedule.Bob Henley, former mayor and current village councilman, said they had no choice but keep fighting."It's a bunch" he said about the legal fees. "It was spend this or spend that. If we wouldn't have spent it, we would have had to pay a long time ago, once you start the process and you've got so much in, you're like okay, damned if you do, damned if you don't might as well keep going."The speed cameras won't begin rolling again any time soon however because the village is also locked in litigation with the state over punitive new laws that have curtailed their program. (L-R) Pro-democracy activists Eddie Chu, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Hoi-ching, Tiffany Yuen, Joshua Wong, Lester Shum, and Agnes Chow campaign during primary elections in Hong Kong on July 12, 2020. (Issac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) International Lawmakers Condemn Arrest of Over 50 Hong Kong Dissidents A coalition of international lawmakers on Wednesday condemned the arrests of over 50 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kongthe largest mass arrest so far since the national security law went into effect on June 30. Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a group of international cross-party legislators said the mass arrests made earlier on Wednesday is another proof that the so-called law is a political tool. Those arrested had taken part in primary polling for pro-democracy groups, with the aim of standing in the later illegitimately postponed Legislative Council elections, IPAC said in a statement. Many are reportedly held under spurious charges of subversion under the Hong Kong National Security Law, providing further proof that this law is being used to crackdown on all forms of political opposition in the city. The statement says the arrests showed that the Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong authorities are determined to destroy the last remnants of Hong Kongs autonomy, freedoms, and rule of law. IPAC urged the international community to take urgent action in response to Beijings repeated breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We call on all members of the international community to honor their promises to the people of Hong Kong and take urgent and unprecedented action to hold China accountable for these violations of international law, the statement reads. Mere words are not enough. We call on democratic countries to take immediate action at the United Nations and to consider what joint, punitive economic action can be taken to ensure the Chinese government reconsiders its actions. The 53 activists, former lawmakers, and politicians were arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of subversion, a crime under Beijings national security law, for their roles in a primary vote held by the pan-democracy camp ahead of the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections in September last year, according to a Facebook post by local pro-democracy group Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF). Among the arrested were former lawmakers of the local Civic Party and Democratic Party, including Wu Chi-wai, James To, Andrew Wan, Lam Cheuk-ting, and Alvin Yeung. Other former lawmakers arrested included Gary Fan, Eddie Chu, Au Nok-hin, and Leung Kwok-hung. Well-known local activist Jimmy Sham, who is currently one of the vice-chairs of local party League of the Social Democrats and the former CHRF convener, was also arrested. Other primary candidates arrested on Wednesday included Lester Chum, Owen Chow, Tiffany Yuen, and Gwyneth Ho. Former Hong Kong University law professor Benny Tai, who was also an organizer of the primary elections, was also arrested. Frank Fang contributed to this report. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 2,447 new cases of the coronavirus in the capital on Thursday, setting a new high for the second day in a row. The daily figure topped the 2,000-mark for the first time. It's a jump of more than 850 from Wednesday's total of 1,591. The daily tally surpassed 1,000 for the third straight day. The total number of people who have tested positive in Tokyo now stands at 68,790. Tokyo officials say the number of those in serious condition rose by eight from Wednesday to a new high of 121. A senior official told NHK that the speed of the increase is surprising. The official said the daily tally rose so quickly from 1,000 to 2,000, adding that Tokyo residents should have a sense of urgency and change their behavior. The figure topped 1,000 for the first time on December 31. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer could become the most powerful person in the Senate now that Democrats appear likely to win two runoff elections in Georgia. For too long, much-needed help has been stalled or diluted by a Republican-led Senate and President Trump, Schumer said in a Wednesday morning statement. That will change with a Democratic Senate, Democratic House and a Democratic president. The ascendance of Schumer to majority leader could mean billions of dollars in new federal aid to address the economic damage wrought by the pandemic. It also provides an additional dose of political energy for state Democrats as they convene Wednesday for the first day of the 2021 state legislative session. Its really feeling like this country is about to get a fresh start, first-term state Sen. Samra Brouk tweeted Wednesday of the effects that progressive organizing in Georgia has had on the Empire State. Buckle up, Schumer added this morning, when he reportedly spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The 2021 legislative session looks likely to be a contentious one for the governor and legislative leaders. The state faces a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Millions of people are hurting from the struggling economy. Vital infrastructure like the New York City subway system seemingly is either on the brink of historic decay or revival. Republican legislators meanwhile are picking a fight with Democrats over the emergency powers the Legislature granted the governor at the beginning of the pandemic while progressive legislators and activists are pushing for new taxes on the wealthy. Cuomo and legislative leaders have until the April 1 state budget deadline to figure out all of that. The governor has argued that negotiating tax increases should wait until after it becomes clear whether additional aid is coming from a Democratically controlled White House and Congress. More federal money would also mean less new revenue would be needed to close the budget deficit while funding political priorities like public schools and health care. Cuomo has said he would start unveiling his budget plans next week. I have to rewrite the State of the State, Cuomo said Wednesday of the effect that the Georgia election results will have on his own budget plans. He now has less than a week left to ponder how his ability to address the budget deficit depends on Schumer. They have to make it right, Cuomo added of outstanding congressional requests, such as a repeal of a cap on state and local tax deductions. Dealing with a fellow Democrat undoubtedly beats having to work with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican who Cuomo has accused of waging economic war on the Empire State. Its been devastating for the state, Cuomo said Wednesday. They have used New York as a political pinata. Yet, Schumer has been a longtime rival of the governors for the political spotlight. Gonna need a live shot of Andrew Cuomo realizing hes going to have to treat Chuck Schumer with reverence, Ben Max of Gotham Gazette tweeted Wednesday on what lays ahead for a governor who will likely not be as powerful in state politics as he was earlier in the pandemic. Even as minority leader, Schumer recently was an important part in saving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from fiscal ruin by negotiating billions in new aid. Schumer is now talking big about what Democrats can do on other issues like climate change and the ongoing response to the pandemic that continues to push hospitals across the country to their limits. He is hardly the only state Democrat feeling optimistic. America is about to find out just how much better things get when you put a Brooklynite in charge! as unusually pumped New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Wednesday morning. Schumer is the one best positioned to validate the idea that slender Democratic majorities in the U.S. Senate and House can save the Empire State from the monthslong specter of a doomsday budget, just as the coronavirus pandemic would seemingly begin drawing to a close. Becoming Senate majority leader might make fellow Democrats forget all the grief Schumer was getting weeks ago for failing to lead his party to a clear majority in November. But new power also means expectations are higher than ever of what Schumer should be able to get done. We get to say goodbye to Mitch because we won Georgia, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in her opening remarks of the 2021 legislative session. Chuck, we need you. Piers Morgan has branded Lauren Goodger a 'half wit' and an 'imbecile' for saying she will not take the COVID-19 vaccine - despite 'shoving filler in her lips.' The reality star, 34, was condemned for her anti-vaxxer views on Tuesday, despite scientists saying vaccination is the best hope for beating COVID-19. She also claimed she 'doesn't believe' in face masks and likened the virus to a cold. Speaking on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, an incensed Piers, 55, questioned how Lauren could refuse the vaccine but inject herself with fillers - before imploring the public 'not to listen to these imbeciles'. He said: 'Lauren Goodger, who I'm informed is a TOWIE babe, has gone public having a go about the Covid vaccine on the day we discovered a million people in this country have the virus and we're obviously in a desperate situation. Taking aim: Piers Morgan branded Lauren Goodger a 'half wit' and an 'imbecile' for saying she will not take the COVID -19 vaccine - despite 'shoving filler in her lips' 'She said she's terrified of the vaccine and has already had Covid and didn't die, so obviously it's not a problem. 'She said I don't like taking medicine or antibiotics. Lauren said: "Im more scared of the vaccine than I am the virus" really?' 'She said: "I dont like taking medicine, I wont take antibiotics but I do do aesthetics"... what?' 'Here's a picture of Lauren Goodger. What do you think she's been shoving in her face? 'Where does that come from, Lauren? What have you been injecting into those lips? Did you check where it came from or check what it is? Criticised: The reality star, 34, was condemned for her anti-vaxxer viewers on Tuesday, despite scientists saying people being vaccinated is the best hope for ending lockdown and beating Covid 'These people are absolute half-wits. They're quarter-wits. They are getting attention on social media. They are already giving their views to millions of impressionable people and they're not getting challenged. 'My point is these reality stars are stuffing their faces with plastic fillings, surgery and injections and so on and then banging on about vaccines. 'It's ridiculous. Do not listen to these imbeciles. It will cost lives. It's got to stop. They are wielding a really unhealthy noise to this debate which will deter young people from taking this serious. 'I look at her face. She has put loads of stuff in those lips. She could probably afford to take a risk with a vaccine, which has been approved.' His co-host Susanna Reid added: 'Let's not give them a platform.' 'Imbecile': Speaking on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, an incensed Piers, 55, questioned how Lauren could refuse the vaccine but inject herself with fillers Piers fumed: 'Here's a picture of Lauren Goodger. What do you think she's been shoving in her face? 'Where does that come from, Lauren? What have you been injecting into those lips?' Vaccinating the population is crucial to ending the coronavirus pandemic because inoculated people will not become ill or die from the virus, reducing the strain on the health service and allowing social distancing restrictions to be lifted. It is also hoped that the vaccines will stop inoculated people from the transmitting the virus, but this as not been proven yet. Both the Pfizer vaccine and the Oxford vaccine have been ruled safe by UK regulators after tens of thousands of people took part in clinical trials, more than a hundred thousand across both injections, without any ill effects. It comes just a day after the Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the country into a third lockdown in a desperate attempt to control the new mutant coronavirus. Following Lauren's comments, social media users slammed the reality star, who has been open about her use of filler and botox, for making the claims. One user wrote: 'Doesn't like taking medicines but yet she's happy to fill her face with botox and fillers?!?' Announcement: The reality star (pictured wearing a mask in July) confirmed that she would not take the groundbreaking vaccine despite medical approval While another commented: 'Lauren Goodger won't get a jab but you're clearly not scared of a cannula' And another added: 'God bless Lauren Goodger for giving up her time to give people the vaccine.' Elsewhere another wrote: 'Lauren Goodger has me screaming! Has had a load of plastic surgery but afraid of a Covid vaccine. Give over love!' Explaining her reason for refusing the medically-endorsed vaccine, Lauren previously said: 'I am more scared of the vaccine than I am of the virus. I will start imagining that I am dying. I am terrified. I don't like taking medicine. I don't like taking antibiotics.' Lauren, who has been open about her use of filler and botox, admitted: 'OK, I do do aesthetics and even now I am still nervous of that I am like that in general', reports the Daily Star. 'Even with a facial I want to know what is in it. That is my anxiety over the years.' He added: 'My point is these reality stars are stuffing their faces with plastic fillings, surgery and injections and so on and then banging on about vaccines. It's ridiculous. Do not listen to these imbeciles. It will cost lives' Lauren added: 'I just feel that it hasn't been around long enough and we don't know enough about it. 'I think I have had Covid and if I was to get ill I would treat it how I would treat it. I didn't die from it. It is like getting it a cold. I wouldn't get the flu jab either. 'I don't want to inject myself with something I don't know the longterm effects. 'I have heard all the different things that are in it and I think I have had Covid already and I have coped with it.' Social media users slammed the reality star for the comments and drew attention to her use of botox and fillers Lauren insisted that she believed everyone should do what they felt was right, and said: 'I am not going to say you should not have it. Each to their own. Good luck. That is my personal opinion though. 'At the end of the day I am not going to talk about it as I know what I know. You can catch a cold, you can catch anything.' The reality personality then went on to discuss her opinion on masks, which were introduced to try and halt the spread of coronavirus. Face masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces including shops as well as on transport, unless exempt on medical grounds. She said: 'I don't believe in masks - I am not going to get into the subject. 'When I have a mask on and I walk I can't wear one as I get into a panic. 'I do have an exempt card but I don't use it as it is a bit muggy.' Lauren flew to Corfu late last year, shortly before London and the South East were plunged into Tier 4 restrictions, to promote her tanning brand. Now back home, Lauren has been holed up at her Essex home with her toyboy boyfriend Charles Drury, 23. Lauren rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex while in a 12-year relationship with ex-boyfriend Mark Wright, and has since dated jailbirds Jake McLean and Joey Morrison. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid Iran has reportedly confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus variant. An Iranian citizen who flew home from the United Kingdom has become infected with the virus variant, the state-run Tasnim News Agency reported on Tuesday. In December, a new strain of COVID-19 began spreading in the United Kingdom. This new variant of the virus is widely described as being more contagious, though some experts have yet to agree. Several Middle Eastern states have instituted new restrictions to mitigate the spread of the mutated virus. Saudi Arabia closed its borders in December before re-opening them this week, though they still bar travelers coming from the United Kingdom. Iraq also closed restaurants and banned travelers from several states at the same time. Iran also suspended flights from the United Kingdom in late December. Tasnim did not note when the infected individual flew to Iran. People who were in contact with the infected individual have not tested positive for COVID-19, according to the outlet. Iran has been among the hardest-hit countries in the world by the pandemic. The Islamic Republic is currently working to obtain vaccines for its citizens. The second container train carrying freight from Turkey, consisting of 42 containers each 40 feet long, has arrived in China's Xi'an. The transportation, which plays a key role in rail freight between China and Europe, was carried out in 16 days, AzerTAc reported. It should be noted that the first freight train from Turkey to China arrived at the border with Kazakhstan in a record time - 10 days. Container trains carrying Turkish products to China will run twice a month. Democrats were poised to take control of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday after high turnout among Black voters boosted their candidates in two runoff elections in Georgia. Challenger Raphael Warnock beat incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler to take one of the two seats. The race between Jon Ossoff and one-term Senator David Perdue was still too close to call, but Ossoff was leading by more than 17,000 votes and claimed victory. Two Democratic wins from a once reliably Republican state would be a rebuke of President Donald Trump's incessant claims of voter fraud in the November election in Georgia, which he lost narrowly to President-elect Joe Biden. Republican turnout didn't keep up with Democratic enthusiasm, driven largely by coordinated efforts to get Black voters to the polls led by former Georgia lawmaker Stacey Abrams. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields rose past 1% for the first time since March as traders evaluated the implications of potential Democratic control of the Senate, such as additional fiscal stimulus and tax increases. U.S. stocks were mixed. In a video statement, Ossoff, 33, spoke as if he were headed to Washington, though no one had called his race against Perdue, 71, a first-term Republican senator and former corporate executive. "I want to thank the people of Georgia for participating in this election," he said. "Whether you were for me or against me, I will be for you in the U.S. Senate." To secure control of the chamber, Democrats need to win both seats, which would split the Senate 50-50 between Republicans and the Democratic caucus, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris casting tie-breaking votes. Warnock, 51, is the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the position once held by Martin Luther King Jr. He will become Georgia's first Black U.S. senator. "This is a wonderful day here in Georgia and I believe in America. I am an iteration and an example of the American dream," Warnock told CNN on Wednesday. The AP VoteCast survey of more than 2,700 verified Georgia voters found that Black voters made up 32% of the electorate - more than the 29% they were in November. And those voters opted overwhelmingly for the Democrats, by margins of 93% or more. Of the 115,000 voters who voted in the runoff but skipped the November election, 40% were African-American, according to the Democratic voter data firm TargetSmart. Perhaps no single person is more associated with Georgia's shift to the Democrats than Abrams, who gained national attention with her unsuccessful run for governor in 2018. Abrams's efforts date back a decade, when she was minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, working to challenge restrictive voter laws and energize minority voters. "Being a battleground means you have to fight for victory," she told CNN Tuesday night. "Republicans, for 20 years, took for granted their successes." Senate control, paired with the Democrats' narrow majority in the House, would give Biden a unified U.S. government, smoothing the path for his nominees and allowing him to implement major pieces of his agenda. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who stands to replace Mitch McConnell as majority leader if Ossoff's race is called in his favor, issued a statement calling it "a brand new day." "For the first time in six years, Democrats will operate a majority in the United States Senate -- and that will be very good for the American people," Schumer said, noting that the country was enduring "one of the greatest crises we've ever faced." It could take days to get a final tally for the outcome of the race between Perdue and Ossoff. State election official Gabriel Sterling told CNN there were around 65,000 ballots still to be counted but said they were mostly from Democratic areas. About 17,000 military and overseas ballots, and some domestic absentee ballots, can still be counted as late as Friday. Ossoff's margin is larger than the 11,779-vote lead that helped Biden ultimately flip the state. But the narrow results will almost certainly spark legal challenges or a recount that also could delay a final determination of Senate control. The current margin would allow Perdue to request a recount if Ossoff is declared the winner, and he has indicated he will do so. Georgia Republicans didn't turn out in high enough numbers to tamp down overwhelming Democratic participation, said Kerwin Swint, director of the school of government at Kennesaw State University. Republicans needed 65% of the election day vote. And some Republicans in the state pointed fingers at Trump for damaging their chances. "When you tell people your vote doesn't count and has been stolen and people start to believe that - and then you go to the two senators and tell them to ask the secretary of state to resign and trigger a civil war inside the Republican Party when you need Republicans to unite, all of that stems from his decision-making since the Nov. 3rd election," said Sterling, a Republican who has aggressively refuted Trump's unfounded claims of fraud. Loeffler showed no sign of conceding. "There are a lot of votes out there, as y'all know," she told supporters. "And we have a path to victory and we're staying on it." The uncertainty over the Senate comes as Congress meets in a joint session on Wednesday to count Electoral College votes that will ratify Biden's win, even as Trump urged Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers to overturn the results based on baseless claims of a "rigged" election. Warnock called the move a "distraction" that could have cost Republicans the Georgia Senate seats. "It's a distraction. These senators know better, and the people that I'm talking to all across Georgia are concerned about their lives," he said. "We need to be passing the $2,000 relief checks. Instead, the politicians are focused on their concerns, who's winning and who's losing." Fighting for party control of the Senate made the races important enough. But against the backdrop of Trump's baseless claims of vote fraud and corruption by Georgia elections officials -- topped by his extraordinary hour-long phone call demanding that officials "find" enough votes to overturn the presidential election -- the races also became a test of Trump's continued hold on the GOP. If Perdue manages to pull out a win, Biden would face a still-GOP-controlled Senate largely unwilling to back many of his plans to develop a federal response to controlling the coronavirus pandemic, deliver more economic stimulus, or raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy. In almost every way, Perdue's and Loeffler's calculations were to stick tightly to the president, or at least not alienate Trump voters and the party's base. The duo both called for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to resign after he dismissed Trump's allegations of voter fraud, and both have backed the effort in the Senate to challenge the election results when Congress certifies the November election on Wednesday. Both Republican senators described their foes as "dangerously radical" and warned Ossoff and Warnock would hand over power in Washington to "socialists" like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ossoff and Warnock depicted their wealthy Republican opponents as out-of-touch multimillionaires. Loeffler's husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, recently became a billionaire and is the chief executive officer of Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. Loeffler co-owns the Atlanta Dreams WNBA team and some players have campaigned against her. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jurny, Inc. , a hospitality tech company pioneering the next generation of tech-first, on-demand accommodations, today announced its expansion into the European serviced apartment and aparthotel market with its first location in London. Through strategic partnerships with industry-leading consultancy firm The MRP Group and London-based Clockwork Group, Jurny will integrate its proprietary technology to streamline operations at Clockwork's property located in the heart of London's historic Square Mile legal and financial district. "London is one of Europe's largest vacation rental markets and has immense potential," said David Phillips, co-founder and president of Jurny. "This partnership will enable Jurny to expand its global footprint into a key market with a proven industry leader. The MRP Group's core focus on the serviced apartment sector and industry expertise make them an ideal partner to begin our expansion into the European market." Following triple-digit growth last year, Jurny is on pace to exceed its growth by double with more than 500 units currently under management. The company's rapid expansion has been fueled by increased demand for tech-enabled and contactless solutions to accommodate modern travel requirements and improve operational efficiencies. All of Jurny's branded units are upgraded with smart technology to offer an on-demand experience with instant access to check-in, room entry, temperature control and cleaning and concierge services through a smartphone. "We are really excited to be partnering with Jurny on their entry into the European market and upgrading our property with cutting-edge hotel technology," said Dhruv Patel OBE, managing partner of Clockwork Group's hotels business. "London continues to be a highly sought-after location for operators and investors, as demonstrated through our recent track record of transactions in the extended-stay sector," said Narup Chana, director at The MRP Group. "Whilst there has been a gradual move toward tech-led products in hospitality over the last five years, the recent pandemic has only accelerated this transition, and Jurny is at the forefront of that change. This is a brilliant opportunity for Jurny, and I am confident this is only the start of their U.K. growth story." Clockwork Group was advised by Alyona Antonenko of Keystone Law, and Max Thorne and Narup Chana of The MRP Group. Jurny was advised by Ashley K. Nakamura of Gunderson Dettmer. About Jurny Jurny is a hospitality tech company offering SaaS-based management solutions designed to accommodate the evolving needs and expectations of the modern traveler. Jurny connects consumers with high-end branded suites and apartments owned by independent property and hotel owners for short-term stays. From design to implementation, Jurny's turnkey management service enables an industry-first truly automated experience from check-in to check-out for both guests and owners, resulting in flawless operations and increased profits. Please visit www.jurny.com , and join the conversation on Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn . About The MRP Group The MRP Group are leading consultants to the serviced apartment and aparthotel sector, with over 30 years of operational and investment experience in the industry. The team has transacted on over 1bn of assets in recent years, comprising of operator searches, investment sales and M&A. In addition, the team specialises in providing solutions and advisory to its customers. As a result, the team has been nominated for numerous awards including Best Extended Stay Consultancy 2019, Best Service Provider 2019 and Industry Breakthrough and Innovation Award 2019. Please visit www.mrpadvisor.com for more information and contact details. Media Contact: Angela Petersen [email protected] (631) 830-3305 SOURCE Jurny, Inc. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, speaking to criticisms that the Republican governor isnt taking coronavirus response seriously after a New Years Eve gala took place at the resort he owns, which had guests packed into a ballroom without masks. The governor did not attend the gala and has been an advocate of mask-wearing and vaccinations. ( AP News Jan. 4, 2021) Rolling back reopening plans might be a stark reality soon for Houston. The Houston-area region reported its seventh consecutive day with COVID-19 hospitalizations over 15 percent from Dec. 29-Jan. 4, according to Texas Department of Health. As a result, Houston may soon face automatic rollbacks and COVID-19 restrictions, according to Governor Greg Abbott's executive order. There are currently 12,961 COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state of Texas, according to TDHS a new high. Houston-area hospitals have continued to see a significant uptick in hospitalizations. According to Memorial Hermann's Chief Physician Executive James McCarthy, the hospital system is now grappling with the serious impact of the recent COVID-19 surge. "There is no question that the strain that the hospitals will face is significant," McCarthy told Chron. "It is a high likelihood there's an impact to inpatient elective surgeries. They will need to be slowed down a little bit, not canceled, so that we can preserve capacity for COVID-19 patients." When you take a closer look at Governor Abbott's executive order, Houston lies within the Trauma Service Area Q. This area includes Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Colorado, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties. Abbott's order states that if any trauma service center has seven consecutive days in which the COVID-19 hospitalizations surpass 15 percent, bars must close, elective surgeries canceled, and restaurant capacity reduced to 50 percent. McCarthy noted that the recent COVID-19 spike was taking Houston back to July numbers of high positivity rates. "We're back at the peaks we were in July and with higher numbers," McCarthy said. What's critical is that Houston as a community must continue to take necessary COVID-19 precautions, according to McCarthy. "I want to not overload our healthcare system, so that we have unnecessary burdens," McCarthy said. "In order to do that, we need everybody to take this seriously for a few more monthsthat's wearing a mask, social distancing. People need to be much more rigorous about the bubbles that they are creating. We don't want to go virtual for schools again, but we will have to if we don't get a hold of this in our community." James Richardson & Sons, Ltd., one of the largest private companies in the country, has added another $1 billion of annual revenue to its portfolio with the acquisition of Bison Transport Inc. James Richardson & Sons, Ltd., one of the largest private companies in the country, has added another $1 billion of annual revenue to its portfolio with the acquisition of Bison Transport Inc. Winnipeg-based Bison is the sixth-largest trucking firm in the country and a major cross-border player, with a fleet of some 2,100 tractors, 6,000 trailers and 3,700 employees (including owner-operators). The transaction financial details were not disclosed between the two family-owned businesses is being celebrated by both parties and the industry as an excellent fit. Bison was started 51 years ago by Duncan Jessiman (cousin of the late senator of the same name) and remained under Jessiman family control via its holding company Wescan Capital Inc. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rob Penner, CEO of Bison at Bison Transport, is staying on to run the company after James Richardson & Sons acquired the firm which is the sixth largest trucking company in the country. "We could have hired an army of people to try to transact this company and we could not have come up with a better scenario," Bison chief executive officer Rob Penner said Tuesday. Industry sources said the company was not believed to be on the market, and in fact only approached JRSL in October. The deal closed New Years Eve. Hartley Richardson, CEO of JRSL, said the plan is to continue operating the company under the same brand and all Bison management have "enthusiastically" agreed to stay on. The 163-year-old Richardson family business has significant holdings in grain handling, food processing, oil, real estate and financial services. It had a hand in the trucking business in the past, but sold its interest in 1956. "We have always kept an eye on the trucking business, but it has been very tightly held," Richardson said. JRSL was approached before Bison was "on the market" to see if it was interested in keeping the business Manitoba-owned. We have always kept an eye on the trucking business, but it has been very tightly held. Hartley Richardson, CEO of James Richardson & Sons, Ltd. Richardson said the deal should be good news to the Winnipeg business community, because it shows there is value in investing in local firms. "It is what the Jessiman family hoped they could accomplish by selling to us," said Richardson. "We check off all the same boxes our culture and traditions, safety and environmental concerns. It was an opportunity to get scale and size and excellence all wrapped up in one." By all accounts, Bison is a jewel in the trucking industry. Along with its size, it has an enviable track record for safety and technical innovation. (Its head office houses a driving simulator that rivals airplane flight simulators.) "This is not the story of a fleet struggling and looking to divest," said John G. Smith, editorial director at Todays Trucking industry publication. "This is fleet on a growth path." The blockbuster announcement also snaps a lengthy string of large Manitoba-owned trucking companies sold to out-of-province concerns. It is what the Jessiman family hoped they could accomplish by selling to us. We check off all the same boxes our culture and traditions, safety and environmental concerns. It was an opportunity to get scale and size and excellence all wrapped up in one. Hartley Richardson Last year, Bisons rival in size, TransX, was sold to CN Railway. Earlier this year, Pauls Hauling Ltd. was sold to an Alberta company whose ownership is American. Big Freight was sold to a Texas firm. Kleysen Group, Payne Transportation and Penner International have all been sold to outside Manitoba interests over the past few years. Terry Shaw, general manager of the Manitoba Trucking Association, said: "Bison is a cornerstone of our industry, not just provincially but nationally. It is proudly Manitoba-made and proudly family-owned and operated for half a century. Knowing that the Jessimans are handing over ownership of that great organization to another legacy Manitoba organization is something that is great news to us." The company had a five-year plan to grow by 50 per cent, Penner said, and the company has had to use earned capital for all of its investments along the way. "We have had to punch above our weight every single day for the last 30 years," Penner said. "We wont have to do that now." Richardson said the plan is definitely to keep growing. We have had to punch above our weight every single day for the last 30 years. We wont have to do that now. Bison chief executive officer Rob Penner "We see lots of runway to expand and grow the company both here in Canada, and specifically in the U.S.," he said. Earlier this year, the Richardson empire completed a complex transaction to become the largest owner of the national wealth management business now called Richardson Wealth. Its grain-handling business, Richardson International, moved 15 million tonnes of grain this year, and is building a new research centre in downtown Winnipeg. Last year, it acquired edible oils company Wesson from Conagra. "This (Bison) deal is meaningful enough to our overall corporate group of companies to move the dial and to make a difference," Richardson said. "We see synergies when we look at the impact transportation and logistics have on our current businesses... and we have been looking to add another leg to the stool." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca The Tennessee Pest Control Advisory Board is a 7-member board that advises the Department of Agriculture for changes to regulations affecting the pest control industry. The board advises on creation or amendment of pesticide license categories and testing examination material. Positions on the board are appointed by the governor and allocated under state law to members of the academic, consumer, and industry sectors. Pursuant to the law, the governor is encouraged to appoint at least one member who is 60 years of age or older and at least one member who is a member of a racial minority. Members serve a 4-year term and are not eligible for per diem expenses arising out of their service. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is currently accepting nominations for (2) member positions on the board: (1) academic sector and (1) industry sector. Academic nominees must be a member on staff of a university in Tennessee, and industry nominees must be licensed by the Department as commercial pest control operators. Nominees are encouraged to have significant knowledge or experience related to research, education, consumption, or performance of pesticide services. To submit a nominee for consideration, please forward the name, contact information, and brief description of his or her qualifications, including professional and public service experience to TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY SERVICES Attn: Pesticides Administrator Post Office Box 40627 Nashville, TN 37204 tn.agriculture@tn.gov The nomination period will remain open through January 29, 2021. All nominations received will be forwarded to the Pest Control Advisory Board for consideration. The Board will select a panel of nominees, which will then be submitted to the governor for consideration and appointment in accordance with state law. For any questions, please contact the Department at (615) 837-5150. The pandemics effect on the 2020 real estate market has come into sharp relief. And in Manhattan, the year in home sales was predictably grim, even though there have been recent signs of improvement, according to new industry statistics. There were 7,048 sales of co-ops and condos in Manhattan in 2020, compared with 10,048 in 2019, representing a nearly 30 percent drop, according to the brokerage Douglas Elliman. Co-op and condo sales were down about equally. But prices dont seem to have collapsed to the same extent, with the median of $1.05 million down only slightly, by a fluctuation of 4 percent, since the start of the coronavirus crisis. (The average sale price, which is often skewed by high-end transactions, was practically unchanged, at $1.94 million.) In a pattern that suggests a widening socioeconomic divide, affluent buyers continued to snap up expensive apartments, reports from several brokerages show, while entry-level buyers, who are more likely to be unemployed because of Covid-19, were practically absent. New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday (January 6) said that protesting farmer unions will understand the idea behind bringing laws for reforms in the agricultural sector and actively arrive at a solution after discussion. Tomar told reporters, "We're committed to the welfare of farmers. We meet those who're supporting the laws and those opposing it. I am sure that farmers unions who are agitating will think about the welfare of farmers and actively arrive at a solution." On Tuesday, farmer unions hinted at intensifying their protest against contentious agriculture laws as the deadlock prevails after several rounds of talks with the Centre. The farmer unions said that they would boycott the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Shiv Sena today flayed the BJP-led Central government for doing politics over farmers` protest, adding that the government at the Centre does not want to resolve farmers` issues and is playing "meeting-meeting" with them. Through its mouthpiece Saamna, the Shiv Sena said so far 50 farmers have lost their lives on the borders of freezing Delhi, and yet they are not ready to back out without the laws being repealed. "Despite eight rounds of discussion between the farmers and the Union ministers, if there is no result. The government has no interest in it. The government is doing politics and the farmers` movement has to continue," the party said, adding "It is freezing in Delhi. It has also been raining for the last three days. Water has entered the tents of the farmers and their clothes and beds are wet. Yet the farmers are not ready to back out. Farmers are determined to get the agriculture law repealed." Shiv Sena further said in the eyes of the government, farmers` sacrifice has no value, and added Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have intervened to resolve the issue."If the government had a soul then the agriculture law would be repealed and this game played with the lives of farmers would have stopped immediately," it added. Swaraj India`s Yogendra Yadav told ANI that `tractor march` will be held on January 7 at all borders of Delhi. Farmers have been protesting at the gates of Delhi since November 26 last year against the newly enacted farm laws -- Farmers` Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance, and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (With Agency Inputs) The fatal crash of a float plane into a northern Manitoba lake in 2019 was caused by a fatigue fracture that resulted in the right wing separating from the fuselage, the Transportation Safety Board has concluded. The fatal crash of a float plane into a northern Manitoba lake in 2019 was caused by a fatigue fracture that resulted in the right wing separating from the fuselage, the Transportation Safety Board has concluded. The Mounties were alerted on Oct. 26, 2019, after witnesses reported a plane crashing into Family Lake, near the Little Grand Rapids airstrip, roughly 260 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. David Schalk was one of three people on a Blue Water Aviation float plane that crashed into Family Lake in 2019. (Facebook) Three people David Schalk, 49, of Winnipeg, a 42-year-old man from Winnipeg, and the pilot, a 39-year-old man from Bissett died. RCMP divers recovered the men's bodies from the lake. The investigation was handed to the safety board. The board released its final report Wednesday, which says a fatigue fracture in the right-hand wing lift strut assembly brought down the float-equipped de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, operated by Blue Water Aviation. "While on approach to land on Family Lake, the aircrafts right-hand wing separated from the fuselage. The aircraft then entered a nose-down attitude and struck the water surface," the board's statement said. "The pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces." Investigator Ross Peden determined a visual inspection of the plane prior to the flight did not identify "cracks that could form in the wing lift strut attachment fittings." After the crash, authorities instructed operators to conduct more detailed testing on "wing lift strut attachment fittings and lug plates" for planes of that make and model. In an interview with the Free Press after the crash, Schalks mother described her son as a "hard worker," who "helped his friends whenever he could." He owned a business, Redneck Construction, and had worked in the industry since high school. He had been travelling to the First Nations community with a friend to do construction work. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.) participates in a mock swearing-in for the 117th Congress with Vice President Mike Pence in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 3, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) McConnell Told GOP Colleagues He Wouldnt Judge Them for Electoral Objections: Senator The top Republican in Congress told colleagues during a recent call that he wouldnt judge them for objecting to Electoral College votes, according to a senator who was on the call. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told senators that this is a very difficult decision for each one of you, you each have to make it yourselves, recounted Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to Politico. Ive voted twice on declarations of war. And he said, This is right up there. But theres a lot of noise out there and I wont judge anybody for their decision, Cramer added. Thats in contrast to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who has voiced support for the objections. I think its right that we have the debate. I mean, you see now that senators are going to object, the House is going to objecthow else do we have a way to change the election problems? McCarthy recently told The Hill. Thirteen senators in McConnells caucus plan on objecting to votes during Wednesdays joint session, but some 27 have said they will not, including most members of the bodys GOP leadership. Cramer, a businessman who won office with President Donald Trumps support in the 2018 midterms, said Monday he wouldnt object, saying he shared concerns about election irregularities but the Founding Fathers did not design a system where the federal legislative branch could reject a states certified choice for president in favor of their own. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) has also spoken about what McConnell said during the recent call. He told reporters that McConnell said the vote on certifying the election was the most consequential vote. Staffers organize ballots during the counting of the electoral votes from the 2016 presidential election during a joint session of Congress, in Washington on Jan. 6, 2017. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) McConnell told a press conference last month that the decision by the Electoral College yesterday was determinative. Electors met in their states on Dec. 14 and cast ballots based on the popular vote results in their states. Seven slates cast a ballot for Trump even though Democratic electors chose Biden because the latter was certified the winner. Other members of the Senate GOP leadership have been more dismissive in public of attempts to object. The thing theyve got to remember is, its just not going anywhere. I mean, in the Senate it would go down like a shot dog, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the Senate Majority Whip, told reporters. The senators who object say theyre doing so because states didnt follow their own election laws in conducting the election and because there are widespread concerns among Republican voters about possible or proven election and voter fraud. A group of 11 senators called for the establishment of an electoral commission that would examine alleged irregularities. If such a commission isnt establishedit hasnt beenthen they said theyd vote to object. We intend to vote on January 6 to reject the electors from disputed states as not regularly given and lawfully certified (the statutory requisite), unless and until that emergency 10-day audit is completed, the senators wrote in a joint statement last week. Weve got tens of millions of Americans that think this election was stolen, Sen. Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. We need to get the bottom of it. A Utah man has pleaded guilty to damaging federal property after being caught digging in a Yellowstone National Park cemetery in search of Forrest Fenn's hidden treasure. Rodrick Dow Craythorn, 52, of Syracuse, Utah, entered the plea Monday in US District Court in Casper to illegally excavating or trafficking in archaeological resources and to damaging federal property. He could face up to 12 years in prison and $270,000 in fines when sentenced March 17. Craythorn was searching for a treasure chest containing coins, gold and other valuables left in the backcountry a decade ago by Santa Fe, New Mexico, art and antiquities dealer Fenn. In 2010, Fenn published a collection of short stories in which he wrote that he had hidden a chest with gold nuggets, rare coins, jewelry and gemstones 'in the mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe'. Fenn died at age 90 in September, three months after announcing the treasure had been found. Scroll down for video Rodrick Dow Craythorn, 52, of Syracuse, Utah, entered the plea Monday in US District Court in Casper to illegally excavating or trafficking in archaeological resources and to damaging federal property. Craythorn was digging for the treasure at a cemetery (pictured) at the park Craythorn could face up to 12 years in prison and $270,000 in fines when sentenced on March 17. Craythorn was searching for a treasure chest containing coins, gold and other valuables left in the backcountry by Santa Fe, New Mexico, art and antiquities dealer Forrest Fenn (pictured) In search of the treasure (pictured), Craythorn caused more than $1,000 in damage by digging in the Fort Yellowstone Cemetery between October 1, 2019, and May 24, 2020, prosecutors said Craythorn caused more than $1,000 in damage by digging in the Fort Yellowstone Cemetery between October 1, 2019, and May 24, 2020, prosecutors said. 'The hunt for the Forrest Fenn treasure was often viewed as a harmless diversion, but in this case it led to substantial damage to important public resources,' Wyoming US Attorney Mark Klaassen said Tuesday. Craythorn's attorney, Christopher Humphrey of Cheyenne, didn't immediately return a phone message Tuesday seeking comment. Fenn said the stories in his book contained clues about the chest's location including nine clues in the poem found in the chapter titled 'Gold and More.' A treasure hunt was sparked through several states with thousands searching in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. At least five people have died looking for the treasure, including Jeff Murphy, of Illinois, who died in June 2017 after falling about 500 feet down a steep slope at Yellowstone. Another man, Eric Ashby, of Colorado, was found dead in Colorado's Arkansas River in July 2017 after rafting on the river upstream. In 2010, Fenn (pictured in 2013) published a collection of short stories in which he wrote that he had hidden a chest with gold nuggets, rare coins, jewelry and gemstones 'in the mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe'. He died on September 7, 2020, at the age of 90 Jonathan Stuef, a 32-year-old medical student from Michigan identified himself as the finder of Fenn's treasure In January 2020, David Christensen of Indiana had to be rescued from Yellowstone's Grand Canyon after he attempted to rappel over 850 feet. In June, Fenn announced that the treasure had been found in Wyoming. A grandson of Fenn confirmed in December the finder was Jonathan 'Jack' Stuef, 32, a medical student from Michigan. Fenn for years hinted the treasure, estimated to be worth at least $1million, was north of Santa Fe in the Rocky Mountains of either New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. But Stuef said the treasure is worth up to $3million - in an article published in Outside magazine last month. Stuef's identity was also independently verified in a statement released by the Fenn family, but if he'd had his way, the Michigan native says he would have preferred to remain anonymous. Stuef's hand was reportedly forced by a recent federal lawsuit that was set to make his name public in court. The suit, filed in New Mexico in July, claims Stuef hacked the plaintiff's email and texts to locate the chest - allegations he vehemently denies. Before his death, Fenn said the treasure was in Wyoming but neither Stuef nor Fenn's relatives have said where specifically. '[Fenn] didn't want to see it turned into a tourist attraction,' he told Outside. 'We thought it was not appropriate for that to happen. He was willing to go to great lengths, very great lengths, to avoid ever having to tell the location.' Stuef is pictured with Fenn shortly after finding the treasure in June. Fenn later died aged 90 in September Stuef says he spent two years searching for Fenn's treasure, which included gold, jewelry and other artifacts (above) WHO IS FORREST FENN AND WHAT IS HIS TREASURE? Fenn was an art dealer from Santa Fe who claimed he hid a treasure chest with gold and jewels in the Rocky Mountains, which was found in June 2020 (above) Forrest Fenn was a pilot in the US Air Force, who rose to the rank of Major and received a Silver Star for his service during the Vietnam War. After retiring, he moved to New Mexico with his wife, Peggy, and ran the Arrowsmith-Fenn Gallery with his partner, Rex Arrowsmith, which eventually became the Fenn Galleries. The gallery is said to have brought in $7million a year, making Fenn a millionaire. In 1988, after learning he had cancer that was likely terminal, Fenn was inspired to hide a treasure chest somewhere outdoors to create a public search for it. He recovered and, in 2010, self-published The Thrill of the Chase: A Memoir, which is a collection of short stories from his life. Fenn claimed in the short stories that he had hidden a chest with gold nuggets, rare coins, jewelry and gemstones 'in the mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe'. He said the stories in the book contained clues about the chest's location including nine clues in the poem found in the chapter titled 'Gold and More.' A treasure hunt was sparked through several states with thousands of people searching up and down New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. At least five people have died while searching for the treasure between January 2016 and March 2020. In June 2020, Fenn revealed that the treasure was located by an East Coast man in Wyoming. He did not reveal the man's identity at his request, but posted photos of the treasure to prove that it had been found. Fenn died on September 7, 2020 at age 90. Advertisement Stuef, who spent two years searching for Fenn's treasure, said he learned of the hunt on Twitter in 2018 while attending medical school, but eventually became disinterested in his studies because he began obsessing over the treasure's location. 'Ive probably thought about it for at least a couple hours a day, every day, since I learned about it,' Stuef said. 'Every day.' 'I think I got a little embarrassed by how obsessed I was with it,' he continued. 'If I didnt find it, I would look kind of like an idiot. And maybe I didnt want to admit to myself what a hold it had on me.' Stuef finally managed to do what thousands of others couldn't by finding Fenn's chest on June 6, 2020, just months before he passed. To decode the mystery, Stuef said he began intimately studying every Fenn interview he could find, trying to find secret meanings in the words the man spoke. Though he declined to disclose to Outside how exactly he solved the riddle, Stuef said he didn't use GPS or any other kind of modern technology in his search. My generation believed in the United States. We believed in its respect for the individual, in its Constitution, in its status as the only benign superpower in history. In other words, we believed in American exceptionalism. "Traditional American values are worthy of a passionate defense," said author and TV commentator Monica Crowley. Referring to these values as "the American project," Charles Murray, author of Coming Apart, defined it as the continuing effort "to demonstrate that human beings can be left free as individuals and families to live their lives as they see fit, coming together voluntarily to solve their joint problems." If you boil it down, what makes our society unique in world history is the respect accorded the rights of the individual citizen. The Constitution was written as a restraint on the power of the government to interfere in our lives. All that seems to be changing. As we move into 2021, to borrow from Shakespeare, something is rotten. It is difficult to pinpoint the origin or the exact nature of America's disintegration. It developed a head of steam when a man who hates this country, Barack Obama, was elected president. For eight years, we watched his concentrated assault on our values. Obama and his fellow Democrats have introduced some new concepts into our vernacular: democratic socialism, identity politics, social justice, diversity, inclusion, political correctness, Critical Race Theory, cancel culture. They were intended for the express purpose of destroying everything that is laudable about America. If you wanted to destroy the USA, how would you do it? "America will never be destroyed from the outside," said Abraham Lincoln. "If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev said the same thing in 1961. "We do not have to destroy America with missiles," he said. "America will destroy itself from within." Were they correct? In February 2019, astute Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson made this observation: "[t]he political debate between the right and the left seems to be moving forward in a manner that indicates the fundamental robustness of the institutions of democracy in the U.S." Peterson's observation is no longer accurate our democratic institutions are anything but robust. The political debate is flirting with civil war as progressives in Congress and on social media gang up to censor conservative viewpoints. Citizens have no confidence in their elected representatives, the legal system, the media, or each other. Public officials encourage disrespect for the laws they are sworn to defend. Our cities are being torn apart with rioting, looting, and arson as mayors and governors encourage the breakdown of civil order. There is no doubt that our government does not run the way it was intended. Congress seems incapable of doing the country's business. What has it accomplished in the last four years aside from the ridiculous impeachment of the president and sending our tax money to countries that call us names? Using the coronavirus as an excuse, government is trying to insinuate itself into every facet of our lives. As we allow the government to tell us when we can leave our homes, when we can go to work, and under what circumstances we can run our businesses, we relinquish more and more of our independence. The worst shortcoming of our government is its failure to maintain election integrity. According to the US News & World Report, U.S. elections from July 2012 through December 2018 rated "lower than any other long-established democracies and affluent societies." The source is a 2019 report published by the Electoral Integrity Project, an independent project based out of Harvard University. This revelation should make all Americans clamor for improvement. The 2020 presidential election has brought us even lower on the ladder. We have more than a thousand sworn affidavits attesting to massive voter fraud: suspension of signature verification, violation of state election rules, non-verification of mail-in ballots, backdating of ballots, double-voting, dead people voting, hiding ballots under the table, refusal to allow poll-watching, and vote-switching by machine systems. "People are going on the record under oath and risking being canceled, doxed, and even accosted, to tell what they have seen about this election process," said Rep. Michael Cloud. "The apparent lack of action from the Justice Department regarding a number of anomalies, statistical improbabilities, and sworn accusations of fraud is troubling." It may be troubling, but it is consistent with partisan activities of the DOJ, the FBI, and the IRS. FBI Director James Comey's refusal to indict Hillary Clinton, Obama's weaponization of the IRS against conservative groups, and inaction from the Durham investigation have destroyed the public's confidence in our justice system. In spite of the media's efforts to hide the truth, the public knows what is going on. Actor James Woods tweeted, "70,000,000 Americans are outraged about this befouled election." "We don't accept this fraudulent result." Whenever the president tries to expose the fraud, the media poison the airwaves with the same mendacious phrase: "Trump's baseless allegations." It makes my skin crawl every time I see this lie repeated by CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. The media are no longer free to express conservative viewpoints and have abdicated their role as the republic's watchdog. What kind of nation are we bequeathing to our children? Unless we wake up soon, it won't be pretty. Perhaps Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, was correct when he predicted "a dictatorship without tears ... a kind of painless concentration camp so that people will have their liberties taken away from them, but will rather enjoy it, because they will be distracted from any desire to rebel by propaganda or brainwashing." Ed Brodow is a political commentator, negotiation expert, and author of eight books including Tyranny of the Minority: How the Left is Destroying America and In Lies We Trust: How Politicians and the Media Are Deceiving the American Public. He is a regular contributor to Newsmax, the Daily Caller, American Thinker, Townhall, BizPac Review, and other online news magazines. Image via Max Pixel. An alleged UDA leader has said threats against politicians shouldnt happen after the First Minister received a warning from loyalists. Jackie McDonald was speaking after the First Minister Arlene Foster was informed by the PSNI of a threat against her from the breakaway South East Antrim UDA. She said the threat by loyalist paramilitaries was issued against her because of her support for the family of Glenn Quinn. The terminally ill 47-year-old was murdered one year ago at his home in Carrickfergus. Mr McDonald said last night: "It's a disgrace when a politician gets threatened. It shouldn't happen. That's all I want to say." The DUP leader said she won't be deterred in her work supporting innocent victims right across Northern Ireland. Mrs Foster said her thoughts and support remained with members of the Quinn family, who have so bravely stood up to continued intimidation. "Really, it's long past the time for these people to have left the stage," she added. "I'm disgusted by it of course. The family of Glenn Quinn have had this threat visited upon them now since last year, since he was brutally murdered. They have suffered a campaign of intimidation and harassment. "Obviously because I said during his anniversary that people should come forward with information to the police about his murder, they have now decided to threaten me as well. "This threat is simply reflection of what an innocent family have faced for so long now." A PSNI spokesman said: "We do not discuss the security of individuals and no inference should be drawn from this. "However, if we receive information that a person's life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk." Mrs Foster's fellow political leaders at Stormont have rallied to her defence. Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken branded the threat abhorrent, adding: "Yet again the so-called 'defenders' of Ulster threaten the democratic process. We must all stand together to see that justice is delivered for the Quinn family." Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill described the threat as "a despicable attack on democracy". The Sinn Fein leader added: "The UDA are a reckless criminal gang that have absolutely no place in our society." SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also expressed his support, saying the threats are reprehensible. "No one should have to live under the threat of violence, regardless of who you are," he said. Justice Minister and Alliance leader Naomi Long tweeted: "Absolutely disgraceful threat against @DUPleader by thugs and bully boys with nothing to offer anyone but misery. "Both Arlene and the Quinn family have my support in standing against these thugs." Mr Quinn was found dead at his home in Ashleigh Park on January 4 last. It is believed that he was attacked by a gang of men as he returned home the previous evening. Individuals with links to the South East Antrim UDA are understood to have carried out the vicious assault. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph I believe this is the most important job in our justice system, she said in the release. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with judges, lawyers, probation officers, caseworkers, and staff dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our children and families in Lake County. (Natural News) The more the discredited establishment media and their Democrat masters claim there was no vote fraud in the 2020 election, the more proof continues to emerge that proves they are all lying their backsides off. The latest evidence comes in the form of a bombshell new report compiled by several reputable data analysts and PhD statisticians who looked individually at the tranches of ballots that flowed in during the wee hours of the morning following the Nov. 3 election, all of which went to one candidate: Democrat Joe Biden. As reported by The National Pulse, the analysts examined vote dumps a 25,000+vote differential between Presidential candidates, received/recorded at one time. That alone is suspicious, regardless of which candidate such dumps went to. The conclusion is that all we were able to find were net Biden Dumps, a summary of the report notes. The National Pulse reports: Analysis extends to states both won and lost by President Trump, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Several states experienced more than one vote dump, but all netted in favor of Biden. Note there are some states included on that list that were leading heavily for President Trump that did not go for him in 2016 that includes Minnesota, which had been steadily trending for him throughout 2019 and into 2020. DefCon News adds that President Donald Trump is also aware of what happened: President Trump has pointed to vote dumps in certain states that allowed Joe Biden to steal the election from him. Naturally the liberal media, which is Bidens firewall, has dismissed this claim, but it is real. 4 late-night dumps that are statistically impossibilities occurred in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia and that cost Trump the 2020 election. In a late-November interview with Fox News Maria Bartiromo, the president even said it was so obvious he was going to win the key states he had political people calling to congratulate him. And what happened, if you watched the election, I was called by the biggest people, saying congratulations. Political people. Congratulations, sir, you just won the election, Trump said. It was 10 oclock and you looked at the numbers, and Im sure you felt that way. This election was over. And then they did dumps. They called them dumps. Big massive dumps in Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and all over, he added. And then his reelection bid took a dump. In the early hours of November 4, 2020, Democratic candidate Joe Biden received several major vote spikes that substantially and decisively improved his electoral position in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia, the group Vote Integrity reported. Our analysis finds that a few key vote updates in competitive states were unusually large in size and had an unusually high Biden-to-Trump ratio. We demonstrate the results differ enough from expected results to be cause for concern, the group added in a report. Here is what Vote Integrity found: An update in Michigan listed as of 6:31AM Eastern Time on November 4th, 2020, which shows 141,258 votes for Joe Biden and 5,968 votes for Donald Trump An update in Wisconsin listed as 3:42AM Central Time on November 4th, 2020, which shows 143,379 votes for Joe Biden and 25,163 votes for Donald Trump A vote update in Georgia listed at 1:34AM Eastern Time on November 4th, 2020, which shows 136,155 votes for Joe Biden and 29,115 votes for Donald Trump An update in Michigan listed as of 3:50AM Eastern Time on November 4th, 2020, which shows 54,497 votes for Joe Biden and 4,718 votes for Donald Trump That is simply statistically impossible for one candidate, especially one that did not really excite anyone on the campaign trail when he even left his basement to campaign. (Related: Congress will betray; patriots will need to RESCUE the President.) Its just not believable. These stats are the evidence, especially knowing that each of these states mysteriously stopped counting ballots nearly simultaneously before these dumps summarily occurred. Make no mistake: The 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. There is plenty of evidence to prove it. See more reporting like this at VoteFraud.news. Sources include: DefConNews.com VotePatternAnalysis.Substack.com TheNationalPulse.com NaturalNews.com Mekong Capital would primarily invest the money in education, restaurants, consumer services, fast-moving consumer goods, and healthcare. Photo by Shutterstock/Icosha Vietnam-based private equity firm Mekong Capital has raised a new fund worth $246 million, which it plans to invest mainly in consumer-driven businesses. Mekong Enterprise Find IV Limited Partnership (MEF IV) is worth twice the value of the previous fund, its fourth, MEF III. It will focus on businesses that are thriving in the consumer industry as demand and modern business solutions are on the rise in Vietnam. Mekong Capital said it would primarily invest the money in education, restaurants, consumer services, fast-moving consumer goods, and healthcare. It plans investments of $10 - 35 million, and both acquiring minority stakes and buying out businesses. The 10-year fund expects to make around 12 investments. Previous funds managed by Mekong Capital achieved impressive returns. In November 2017, Vietnam Azalea Fund, the third fund raised by Mekong Capital, completed its final divestment. Over 10 years, it generated returns of 1.8x. The Mekong Enterprise Fund II sold out its investments in August 2018 for a return of 4.5x. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Protests against a proposed IIT-Goa campus took a violent turn on Wednesday as police lathicharged the villagers who had set up a human chain at the entrance to the site. The police also used tear gas shells to clear the way for government surveyors to demarcate the site in the forested area outside the Shel-Melauli village. Retaliating, the protesters pelted stone at the authorities, which led to injuries on both sides. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online "Police lathicharged protesters to control the crowd that had stopped the State Land Survey officers from continuing the demarcation work for the proposed IIT project," a police officer told reporters. The villagers had stayed put at the site on Tuesday as well and the authorities had returned without demarcating it. However, they decided to clear the area on Wednesday. The police tried to forcefully enter by stomping over the women who were lying down to block the path. They then began firing tear gas shells and a lathicharge before retreating," Shubham Shivolkar, a leader who was present at the site, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. Earlier in the day, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said that while the government was open to discuss and address the villagers concerns, the IIT-Goa campus will be built at the present site. The demarcation is going on. It will continue. The people will (eventually) calm down. We have told them we are willing to discuss," Sawant said. The locals have been protesting against the IIT project for the past four months, claiming that the facility would rob them of their land. The chosen land is thickly forested interspersed with cashew trees that villagers claim have sustained them for generations. IIT Goa has currently been functioning from a temporary campus at the Goa Engineering College. Two sites previously identified by the state government, in Canacona and Sanguem sub districts, for setting up of a permanent campus for IIT were also scrapped on account of protests. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. LONDON Richard Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker and adviser to the British government, is expected to be named the next chairman of the BBC, to lead the public broadcaster through a critical period as its purpose, funding and sustainability are reviewed. Mr. Sharp will take the helm at the broadcaster amid long-running complaints by the governing Conservative Party over its coverage and the mandatory license fees paid by households to finance it. The BBC reported on Mr. Sharps appointment after an initial report by Sky News. An official announcement is expected in coming days. The future of the annual license fee paid by listeners and viewers (157.50 pounds, or about $214) will be one of Mr. Sharps most pressing issues, as he takes on negotiations with the government about the size of the fee from 2022 to 2027. He has not taken public stands on the fee or on how to ensure the broadcasters financial viability as more viewers turn to streaming services. But his connections to the party may help smooth the negotiating process. Mr. Sharp, 64, donated more than 400,000 ($542,000) to the Conservative Party between 2001 and 2010, according to public records. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts for the full episode. The Capitol has a bunch of mahogany boxes that contain certificates of ascertainment from the states and the official Electoral College count that will make Joe Biden the 46th president of the United States. On Wednesday, these boxes are part of a joint session of Congress, where their contents will be tallied in order to make Bidens win official. But this year, there are objections from Republican representatives and senators who, in a last-ditch effort to please the president, have decided to do what they can to delay the inevitable. Members have been raising objections to presidential elections for the past two decades, but the difference this year is the sheer scale of them. As Jim Newell, Slates senior politics writer, told me, there could be so many objections that could just keep the process going, so no one really knows when this is going to end. It could be days before this final, ceremonial step in the process could end, having become a political battleground like everything else. On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Newell about GOP members bizarre, flailing coup attempt and what all this means for Bidens presidency. An excerpt of our conversation, edited and condensed for clarity, has been printed below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: Do you think it could be multiple days? Jim Newell: Yeah, absolutely. And I think that Steny Hoyer, the House majority leader, said this could go into Thursday, hopefully not Friday. The people who are going to be raising these objections, well just see how quickly they get bored with it. Is there any argument that whats about to take place on Capitol Hill is a good thing? Like, everyone has to get on the record and air it out? I dont think its a good thing at all. I think Ive seen some Democrats say, fine, let them make fools of themselves, let them show how Trump has split congressional Republicans, get all these divisions out in the air. But theres still going to be perhaps a majority of House Republicans and then a good number of Senate Republicans who are going along with this idea that there were irregularities that tainted the election, and using their official jobs to protest when thats, you know, completely made-up. Advertisement Back in 2017, when Congress gathered to certify the results of the election of Donald Trump, you were there, and you watched Democrats push back against Trumps electoral victory. At the time, Joe Biden was presiding over everything as vice president. Advertisement What you saw was a lot of House members raising objections when states were mentioned and giving these political speeches, and then Joe Biden would gavel them out. I dont think many people actually paid attention to this back then because it was a kind of boring affair. It wasnt this live issue were seeing this time. How is this year going to look different? In 2017, youd see House members raise objections, but then they couldnt get a senator to join them, and that meant the objections werent in order. It was kind of theatricalit wasnt actually going to slow down the process. Advertisement So you need a kind of buddy system to do this. You need, first of all, a written objection from a House member objecting to a slate of electors from a particular state, and then a matching one from a senator. And if there are matching objections to a particular state, then each house breaks off into debate for a maximum of two hours and has a vote on whether to accept or reject those electors. What it looks like this year is you have a bunch of House members who are ready to raise objections and then you have at least one senator, Josh Hawley from Missouri, who says he would object to at least one state. So that means were going to have at least one roll call vote in both the House and the Senate on whether to accept or reject electors. But it could be up to six states. Advertisement Advertisement And we should say theres no legal basis for any of these politicians to be questioning the Electoral College results. In every level of the federal courts, none of these challenges went anywhere. A lot of these objections are based on the word irregularities or social media videos of things people dont understand, like, oh, I saw a video where a machine counted a ballot three times. And those have all been debunked a million times. But theyve convinced people that the election wasnt fair. So thats sort of the pressure you see on Republicans, to raise these objections about irregularities. Subscribe to What Next Get more news from Mary Harris and her team every day. Subscribe So after the two hours of debate you mentioned, theres a vote. The chamber decides whether to accept or reject the challenge to the results. Is there any chance the chamber would accept the challenge and try to reject these votes? Advertisement No. First of all, for a slate of electors to be actually thrown out, you would need both the House and the Senate to vote to reject them. So theres not a single state that the House, which is controlled by Democrats, is going to reject. And in the Senate, you have about 20 Republicans so far. There are more who are not going along with any of this. So each Senate vote to each challenge should be pretty swiftly rejected on a bipartisan basis. Advertisement So no chance, purely theater, but its happening anyway No chance. Its pure performance for the president. Republican sentiment is very publicly divided when it comes to what will go down. Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz are leading the charge on behalf of Trump, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and erstwhile Trump ally Tom Cotton are doing the opposite. For Cotton, justifying his stance has revealed cracks in Republican ideology and led him to be surprisingly honest about what it takes for Republicans to win office. Advertisement He gave three reasons, which I think youre seeing shared in statements from some of those other Republicans who are opposing this effort. Theyre saying, first, it would pretty much put the power to elect presidents in Congress, and thats a really bad precedent that would imperil the Electoral College. He also said this is another step toward federalizing election law, which is a big no-no for Republican ideology. Its that imperil the Electoral College thing that really stands out to me, because if you do show that all the ceremonial mechanics in this Electoral College process can be wielded and taken up to overturn what the actual will of the voters is, well, thats not very good for the future of the Electoral College as a legitimate mechanism for electing presidents. And the Electoral College is, you know, the only way Republicans can win the presidency right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was one letter from House Republicans that said basically: Republicans have lost the popular vote for a long time. We need the Electoral College to get into office. It was weird, to be extremely honest. Ill read a bit of it here: From a purely partisan perspective, Republican presidential candidates have won the national popular vote only once in the last 32 years. They have therefore depended on the Electoral College for nearly all presidential victories in the last generation. And then it pretty much says thats the only reason Trump won in 2016 and the only way we can win back the presidency in 2024. So they do not want to delegitimize the Electoral College. And using one of these parliamentary procedures for overturning an election is not a path that a lot of them want to go down. Advertisement So if the goal here is not to get Trump to stay in office, can we talk about the real goal? Like you said, is this a way for some Republicans to brush up their bona fides with voters for 2024? If you go against Trump, you run the risk of Trump tweeting about you, campaigning against you, inviting a primary challenge. So thats something that gets a lot of members who are going along with Trumps scheme. But then you also have some people like Hawley and Cruz who are well understood to be looking at presidential runs, who are taking the lead in this objecting because they think that might give them a leg up or at least get them in the news ahead of a potential 2024 primary. Advertisement Advertisement You had this great line where you said that earning the enmity of establishment colleagues is the first step toward establishing yourself as a national political figure. Its not about teamwork. Its about differentiating yourself and making it clear that youre mad at those people in Washington and what theyre doing. I think Ted Cruz is an interesting case to look at here because hes run this playbook. He kicked a lot of fights. He went against party leaders to cause a government shutdown in 2013. He went against some party leaders to kill an immigration bill. And it worked for him. It raised his profile and helped him in a Republican primary to say he made all the right people in Washington mad. And then that election, he came in second, which is not bad. When he came back he tried to mend some of his relationships in Washington, but now I think were starting to see Cruz go back to his preparing-to-run-for-president version. So hes leading this charge saying we will vote to reject these electors unless our ludicrous conditions are met. And I think this is what the next few years are going to look like. Youre going to have people who are looking toward the presidency going against their party, pissing off some of their colleagues as a goal to set themselves apart. What happens after today? Is McConnell going to be picking up the pieces? After this situation, its a question of how long this vote is going to be remembered. I mean, McConnell did not want this vote because he did not want members who are up in 2022 to have to take on something like this, which is difficult for them. And you could see if this is something Trump keeps bringing up even when hes ex-president, because I believe he will continue talking publicly. Maybe hell go after all these people who went against him. Whether youll have a bunch of primary challenges for 2022I dont know how successful all those primary challenges are going to be, but thats the potential ruinous legacy of this for Republicans. But In a couple of weeks, well have the Biden presidency and things will take on a new configuration here. Im sure Republicans will unite a little bit more around blocking Bidens agenda. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. HAMDEN After hours of discussion, the Legislative Council approved the permanent selection of Acting Chief John Sullivan as the towns top cop. More than 70 letters to the council, several with numerous signatures, expressed support for the move, praising Sullivans character and leadership skills and urging his confirmation. But the decision was not without controversy, as some criticized Hamdens hiring process and four council members voted against the appointment. The objections concerned the lack of a contract for the new chief and an unfinished public input process. Mayor Curt Leng told the council Monday that employees such as fire marshals, police chiefs and building inspectors historically have operated without contracts, instead serving as mayoral appointees. When police chiefs do not work under a contract, state statute prevents towns from removing them without just cause, allowing them to hold their positions until age 65. This is a protection that is key to the assurance of public trust that said positions and individuals, ensuring them the autonomy necessary to conduct their roles in the best interest of the community and not of any other special interest, Leng told the council. But not everyone saw the mechanism as a benefit. Signs of controversy took shape last week with the release of a letter signed by several Democratic Town Committee officials as well as leaders from local organizations including Hamden Action Now and the Black Caucus of Hamden. The letter referenced the towns Police Chief Community Input & Transparency Committee, formed in 2019 to ask residents what they wanted in a chief, adjust the job description accordingly and help implement a recruitment process. During that process, residents suggested that diversity be considered in appointing a new police chief, according to the letter, which also asked Sullivan be given a three-year contract with an option for renewal. Hamden must renew its efforts to adequately address racial disparities by searching for a chief of police who is black, said the letter, which received pushback in written public comments from people who said Sullivan was qualified and confirming a new chief would offer the town stability. Lauren Garrett, a former mayoral candidate who signed the letter, noted Sullivan would not age out of the chief position for 15 years. I think Sullivan is a very nice guy, but is the town prepared to make a 15-year commitment, she asked, adding that other towns have contracts for police their chiefs. Council members shared their own concerns during Mondays meeting. While he ultimately voted in favor of Sullivans appointment, council member Adrian Webber said he was despondent about the lack of contract and asked what protections were afforded the town in the event a chief were to engage in negative conduct. He made a motion that would have made Sullivans appointment contingent upon a contract, but was voted down. Webber and others also criticized the town for failing to finish the work of the input committee. Though the committee came up with candidate criteria, Leng told the council, the town ended up appointing former Chief John Cappiello for a six-month term and did not resume the committees work. Sullivan took over as acting chief in July. It was my original intention to reengage the Police Chief Community Input & Transparency Committee and ask them to continue their efforts as they had so effectively started, Leng said. However, the performance of Acting Chief Sullivan made it difficult to imagine a better fit for Hamden at this time, at this place, with our goals before us at this moment in our towns history. That answer did not satisfy wasnt good enough for council member Dominique Baez, who served on the committee. I cannot in good conscience vote yes on this appointment when I believe that we have not made a full-hearted or transparent and competitive search for a chief of police, Baez, who voted against the appointment, told her colleagues. Chief Sullivan here may well be our cream of the crop, but I believe Hamden is worth competing over. We should be able to see and be a part of a search. Council member Valerie Horsley, who also served on the input committee, voted in favor of the appointment, but also took issue with the process. For the record, she said at the meeting, I dont like the process by which our committees work was not completed. Still, she believed Sullivan embodied much of what the community wanted in a chief, she said. The mayor acknowledged the public process was incomplete but urged the council to approve Sullivans appointment, It has become very apparent that we have captured lightning in a bottle and had the individual who could bring our Hamden Police Department truly into the full community policing model, he said. Council member Marjorie Bonadies also favored a swift confirmation and pointed to the overwhelming support for Sullivan expressed by community members in public input. The community did speak up loud and clear, she said. Lets do the job we were sent here to do. Those letters called Sullivan, a Hamden native who has served the department for 25 years, a dedicated and great leader who was perfect for the job. While most correspondence favored the appointment, there were around a dozen letters that echoed council members concerns about the hiring . Sullivans appointment passed 10-4, with Baez, Justin Farmer, Athena Gary and Brad Macdowall dissenting. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Hong Kong: Chief Justice bids farewell Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma I am extremely grateful for the far too generous words spoken just now by the Secretary for Justice, the Chairman of the Bar, the President of the Law Society and Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, NPJ. I thank everyone for your presence, both here and remotely, at this my farewell sitting. I am particularly honoured by the presence of the Chief Executive and representatives of the Liaison Office and of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I am also honoured by the presence of the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary, the Convenor of the non-official members of the Executive Council, the President of the Legislative Council and representatives from the Law Society and the Bar. These are all persons to whom I owe much gratitude for their past and continuing support of the Judiciary and its work. Apart from it being a significant personal occasion for me, your presence today reflects the importance in our community of the rule of law itself and, within it, the role of the Judiciary. You have heard me speak much about this over the years and I am grateful to be given a final opportunity as Chief Justice to express my thoughts to you. The rule of law represents in any community the necessary foundation to enable all who live and work in it to do so with dignity, and to do so acknowledging the interests of others. That is why it is said to be a cornerstone of the Hong Kong community. It is not just about being conducive to business and investment, nor is it only about law and order. It also includes the recognition and enforcement of those rights - we call human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as the freedom of assembly, of procession, of association, and the freedom of the press, always of course recognising as well the importance of the respect for the rights and entitlements of others in the community. The importance we place on rights and freedoms is a fundamental feature of the Basic Law. That constitutional document, which was enacted by the National People's Congress in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (PRC), remains the starting point in any discussion about Hong Kong's system of government. The Basic Law devotes a whole chapter in Chapter III to the fundamental rights and duties of residents. Chapter I sets out the general principles that govern Hong Kong beginning with Article 1 stating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the PRC, followed by Article 2 which prescribes that Hong Kong is to enjoy, among other matters, independent judicial power. The concept of independent judicial power is repeated in Article 19 (in the chapter dealing with the relationship between the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR) and in Article 85 (under Chapter IV Political Structure) requiring the courts in Hong Kong to exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. So whenever there are discussions about the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the role and responsibilities of judges in relation to these fundamental features, the foundation for such discussions must be to refer to the Basic Law. They are not in any way strange concepts that have been transplanted randomly to apply in Hong Kong. They are concepts required by, protected by and to be enforced under the very constitutional document that governs Hong Kong. And let there be no misunderstanding as to what the independence of the judiciary means. It is important to stress at the outset that this concept is not related to politics. That is why I have always spoken out against the politicisation of the judiciary and of the work of the courts. The independence of the judiciary, which is at the heart of the rule of law, is the guiding concept that underlines the way judges discharge their constitutional responsibilities. The role and responsibilities of the judiciary are clearly and unambiguously set out in the Basic Law. The independence of the judiciary means in essence the responsibility and duty imposed on the courts to adjudicate on the law and on legal disputes fairly, evenly and strictly in accordance with legal principle and the spirit of the law. Underlying this is the recognition, again required under the Basic Law, that all are equal before the law and this of course includes the executive authorities. To repeat a phrase that bears reminding at all times: no one is above the law, all are subject to it and everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. Not only that, no one is able to influence the court in the adjudication of a legal dispute, whether civil or criminal. All this guarantees fairness and justice. When I became a judge in 2001, like all judges, I took an oath of office (this oath is required under the Basic Law) to uphold the Basic Law, to discharge my judicial duties conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity and to safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favour, self interest or deceit. The judicial oath is a solemn promise to ensure that justice is done, is seen to be done, and that nothing and no one will be allowed to influence a judge to act or compromise in any way the demands of this oath. The constitutional model mandated under the Basic Law is that of one country, two systems. I have always placed great emphasis on the need to have meaningful exchanges with the Mainland courts to enhance mutual understanding of the two legal systems. I have had many important exchanges over the years with successive Presidents of the Supreme People's Court, and I wish to acknowledge my gratitude to them and to the other judges of the Supreme People's Court and also to the many other Mainland judges whom I have met, for their insight and exchange of views. These mutual exchanges and co-operation must, I firmly believe, continue to strengthen. The Hong Kong Judiciary does not comprise a large number of judges (I include in this term judicial officers such as magistrates). Hong Kong's judges are dedicated day in, day out to the practical implementation of the rule of law as I have described and represent the embodiment of the independence of the judiciary. Throughout my tenure as a judge and particularly in the last 10 years as Chief Justice, I can say that I remain proud of all the judges in the way they have fearlessly and without compromise upheld the law and been true to their oath. For this I am greatly indebted to them. Whether the political, social or economic atmosphere of Hong Kong has been good or not, the judges have always discharged their responsibilities consistently and conscientiously, without regard to the type or level of criticism that may be directed against them. As we know, such criticisms can be trenchant, even to the point of being abusive on occasion, but in spite of this our judges have remained true to their calling. Sometimes, I think that courage is needed. It is comforting to know, as I believe, that the vast majority of our community has confidence in them and find reassurance in the principled way they carry out their daily work. All this ensures stability at all times, whether good or not so good. For my part, I wish to express my deep gratitude to our judges. They have almost invariably given me their wholehearted support and have played their proper role in the administration of justice. Without this foundation, I could not have begun to discharge my own responsibilities. For the future I wish to say it is essential that the highest standards, not only of ability but also of integrity, are observed and maintained. It is also critical that judges remain apolitical in the discharge of their duties. I hope I will be forgiven if I now single out the two levels of court I have called my professional home during my time in the Judiciary: the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) and the High Court. I spent nine years in the High Court, seven of them as Chief Judge. Of the various levels in our court system, the busiest (although not in terms necessarily of the number of cases handled) is the High Court, certainly the most pressurised on a day-to-day basis. Efficiency, teamwork, co-operation and above all dedication are prerequisites, and these remain the characteristics of the High Court. My years in the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal were among the happiest in my legal career. I thank my colleagues for their support and friendship. There was more than a tinge of sadness when I left the High Court. I joined the Court of Final Appeal in September 2010 and sat in my first case a month later. I have just two days ago presided in my last case. These past 10 years have represented for me the pinnacle of my career as a lawyer. My colleagues, the permanent judges, have enabled me to improve as a lawyer, to think as a lawyer should and to try at all times to have the instincts of a judge to be fair and just. I do not have the time now to say too much about each of them, but I must acknowledge and thank them both as my professional colleagues and also as my dear friends - (the current Permanent Judges) Mr Justice Roberto Alexandre Vieira Ribeiro, Mr Justice Joseph Paul Fok, Mr Justice Andrew Cheung, (and the former Permanent Judges) Mr Justice Robert Tang, Mr Justice Syed Kemal Shah Bokhary and Mr Justice Patrick Chan. It has been a great honour for me to have served alongside all of you. The Court of Final Appeal of course comprises not only permanent judges but also non-permanent judges. I am of course also greatly indebted to the Hong Kong non-permanent judges but I wish to say something more about the non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, who is on the bench today (remotely), sat on his first case in this court the same day as I did. It was a particularly proud moment for me that I sat with him in my last appeal. I have through the years learned much from Lord Neuberger and I remain forever grateful to him for his wisdom. It is perhaps invidious to name specific individuals among the non-permanent judges, all of whom I deeply admire and respect, but I would like to single out another legal titan for special mention because, like Lord Neuberger, I have learned much from him. Sir Anthony Mason remains for me one of the wisest, ablest and best lawyers I have ever had the fortune to meet and work with. I have been much blessed in my professional life in knowing judges like Sir Anthony. Like Lord Neuberger, he is also a great supporter of Hong Kong. It has of course been a privilege to have worked alongside the overseas non-permanent judges, but I must in addition recognise their great contribution to and support of Hong Kong generally, and the rule of law specifically. It is important when discussing the role of the overseas non-permanent judges not to allow politics to cloud the analysis. The role of the overseas non-permanent judges includes the significant dimension they add to the work of the Court of Final Appeal: they are each in their own right the very best of lawyers in the common law jurisdictions in the world, and their appointments to the Court of Final Appeal (like all other judges being based on their judicial and professional qualities as required under the Basic Law) reflect this excellence. Their presence on Hong Kong's highest court reflects the fact, as stipulated by the Basic Law, that Hong Kong is a common law jurisdiction and, more important, a jurisdiction that is founded on the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The contribution of the non-permanent judges to Hong Kong has been continuously applauded by all those involved in the law, and supported by the actions and words of the executive and the legislature. Quite simply, their continued presence in Hong Kong is beneficial to the community. I was at my happiest working in the Judiciary when I was judging, dealing with interesting cases and learning the law along the way. Administrative duties, however, had to be performed and of course taken seriously when I became Chief Judge of the High Court and then Chief Justice. The many functions and work of the Chief Justice are not readily known, even among judges: they range from person management and discipline, through at times the making of delicate policy decisions, to dealing with the Government. There is no handbook or guide for chief justices. This means that the support given to the Chief Justice assumes considerable importance and while it is right that I take sole responsibility for all mistakes that may have been made, I must equally acknowledge the considerable support I have received in the discharge of my administrative duties. Time does not permit me to acknowledge every person individually, but I am grateful to all of you. I must, however, expressly thank the court leaders at each level of court - the Chief Judge of the High Court, the Chief District Judge and the Chief Magistrate, both current (they are all present today) and past. I also appreciate the work of all those judges who have chaired and been responsible for the various court committees. I am fully aware of the extra time they have had to spend on these committees, especially given their busy court schedules. I must also specifically mention the Judiciary Administrator. Like the role of the Chief Justice, the function and duties of the Judiciary Administrator are not always understood or appreciated. I wish to express my considerable gratitude to the Judiciary Administrators I have closely worked with - Miss Emma Lau (with whom I worked for nine years after I became Chief Justice) and Ms Esther Leung. I particularly appreciated their advice and their insistence on apprising me of all possible options to enable the best decision to be made. Of course, it goes without saying that I am deeply grateful for the consistently excellent support I have been given by all Judiciary Administration staff. I must also mention and thank my Administrative Assistants who have likewise provided invaluable advice to me as well as considerably easing my burdens: Ms Annie Tang, Mr Esmond Lee and my present Administrative Assistant, Miss Patricia So. Equally indispensable have been my two Senior Personal Assistants, first Mrs Irene Li and now Miss Jaime Siu. Ms Heidi Mak was my Personal Assistant when I was Chief Judge of the High Court. I thank you all sincerely. In relation to the work of the CFA, I am greatly indebted as well to the Registrars of the Court with whom I have worked - Registrar Simon Kwang and Registrar K W Wong. I must also thank all the Judicial Clerks with whom I have worked both in the High Court and during my time in the CFA. In particular, I am grateful to Ms Wendy Chui and Ms Phoebe Tse. Meticulous and fastidious, they have always provided me with sterling and always cheerful support. I mentioned earlier the fact that there is no handbook to guide a Chief Justice. What I had was better in preparing me for the responsibilities of being Chief Justice. I was able to learn much from my predecessor, Andrew Li. He gave me a typically down-to-earth piece of advice before I succeeded him: he told me I had to raise my game. I have tried to. I thank Andrew for his guidance, leadership and advice over the years. Lastly, if you will permit me to speak on a personal level, I want to thank my family. Without the love and support of my wife and daughter, I could not have so willingly and happily been Chief Justice. They have made the happy times happier and even the not so happy times fine. Thank you both from my heart. I am also immensely grateful to my brother who is present today for his great support over the years - indeed he was instrumental in suggesting that I read law in the first place at university. I also thank the clan for all their support and love. I must finally remember my late parents, who have always loved and supported me. I wish they could be present with us today. I have now talked for far too long and thank you for your patience. It is a sobering thought, in some ways both a relief and sad, that this is my last occasion in court. I have every confidence in my successor Mr Justice Andrew Cheung and wish him much success in this important office. I hope that everyone in the community will support the Chief Justice. My only advice to him is always to be guided by your principles, for it is these principles that will see you and the community through all seasons. To all judges in the Judiciary, I also bid you farewell and wish you good fortune in your service to Hong Kong. Be true to your oath and be true to the rule of law. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life in the law to have been your Chief Justice and to have served Hong Kong. For me, it is for others to judge my work. But I wish to say this: I have tried my best at all times to adhere to my oath and to be guided by my principles. Nothing less would have done. I borrow something that was said by Lord Denning on his retirement from the bench (being a reference to St Paul's final testimony to St Timothy): I wish I could say I fought the good fight, I finished the course, I kept the faith. I was born in Hong Kong and it will remain my home. Hong Kong will continue to flourish, underpinned by the rule of law. I wish you all and everyone in Hong Kong good health and happiness this year, every year. Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma gave these remarks at his Farewell Sitting on January 6. This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to ban the supply of poultry from Kerala and certain other southern states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc to Madhya Pradesh as a measure to check the spread of bird flu in the state while control rooms have been set up in every district to monitor the spread of the virus, according to government officials. Till now, 15 districts have been affected by bird flu. Control rooms have been set up in all the districts to monitor the situation. However, as per officials, the presence of H5N8 has been detected only in crows so far. Poultry remains unaffected, as per officials. The decision to ban the supply of poultry from southern states was taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday. Officials of the Animal Husbandry and Health departments attended the meeting. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has instructed that all efforts should be made for prevention of bird flu in chickens also, even though poultry remains unaffected by the disease, said an official release. Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, JN Kansotia said, Poultry supply to Madhya Pradesh is mainly done by states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Kerala has sounded a high alert and there is a report from there about culling of poultry. Hence, the state government has decided to take this measure. The official release said, Necessary precautionary measures are being taken. Districts have been made aware of the guidelines issued by the government of India. Poultry will be banned for a limited period. The release said, The Animal Husbandry department and allied departments and agencies are vigilant. The poultry farms where deaths of birds have been reported are being monitored. Daily status of bird flu in the state is being conveyed to the Government of India. Divisional teams are closely monitoring reservoirs, poultry farms and poultry markets in the districts. Necessary information about prevention of bird flu is being given to poultry farmers and businessmen. On receiving information regarding sickness or unnatural death of crows or chickens, immediate samples are collected and sent to the laboratory, said the official release. According to the release, infected places are being disinfected and sanitised in collaboration with the local bodies of the district. It is important for non-vegetarians to ensure that the chicken is cooked well before consumption so that it does not pose any threat to health, states the release. A teacher and her students do exercise at the Cu Chi Kindergarten in HCMC, June 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran. Kindergarten teachers might be classified as doing "arduous, dangerous labor" and be entitled to early retirement, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor proposed. The Government Office on Monday requested the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to look into a proposal by the labor general confederation last year to classify kindergarten and PE teachers as practitioners of arduous and dangerous labor. If approved, male and female teachers may retire at 57 and 55, respectively, five years earlier than usual. Ho Thi Kim Ngan, deputy head of the relations department under the general confederation, said 96 percent of respondents in a survey among teachers and officials said female kindergarten teachers should be allowed to retire at 55. A total 93 percent said female PE teachers should retire at this age too, she added. Teaching kindergarteners requires specialized skills, including dancing, singing, and storytelling, etc. It also entails teachers ensuring both educational quality and learner health and safety, the proposal said. Work hours typically range from nine to 10 hours a day with no overtime pay, it said. "The intense workload and burden of keeping students safe can cause chronic stress, which undermines the health of kindergarten teachers," said Ngan, adding a lower retirement age would also keep the workforce young. Vietnams education field is facing a long-standing issue of kindergarten teacher shortage, with 45,000 currently missing from its workforce, Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said at a meeting last month. In 2018, the country lacked over 43,700 kindergarten teachers, according to the education ministry. Around three million workers in the country are employed in around 1,800 jobs and fields considered arduous, hazardous and dangerous, including oil and gas operators, athletes and chemists. Those who have worked for 15 years in said jobs may retire no more than five years earlier than usual. Bjoern Wylezich / TNS A 64-year-old man from Queens, N.Y., has pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge after prosecutors said he conspired to sell thousands of Oxycodone pills throughout the region including at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Joseph Anthony Carbone pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, according to the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Connecticut. I am not a licensed investment adviser , and I am not providing you with individual investment advice on this site. Please consult with an investment professional before you invest your money. This site is for entertainment and educational use only - any opinion expressed on the site here and elsewhere on the internet is not a form of investment advice provided to you. I use information in my articles I believe to be correct at the time of writing them on my site, which information may or may not be accurate. We are not liable for any losses suffered by any party because of information published on this blog. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Unless your investments are FDIC insured, they may decline in value. By reading this site, you agree that you are solely responsible for making investment decisions in connection with your funds. Scanning electromicrograph of an HIV-infected T cell. Credit: NIAID Ted Howard started taking Truvada a few years ago because he wanted to protect himself against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. But the daily pill was so pricey he was seriously thinking about giving it up. Under his insurance plan, the former flight attendant and customer service instructor owed $500 in copayments every month for the drug and an additional $250 every three months for lab work and clinic visits. Luckily for Howard, his doctor at Las Vegas' Huntridge Family Clinic, which specializes in LGBTQ care, enrolled him in a clinical trial that covered his medication and other costs in full. "If I hadn't been able to get into the trial, I wouldn't have kept taking PrEP," said Howard, 68, using the shorthand term for "preexposure prophylaxis." Taken daily, these drugslike Truvadaare more than 90% effective at preventing infection with HIV. Starting this month, most people with private insurance will no longer have to decide whether they can afford to protect themselves against HIV. Most health plans must begin to cover the drugs then without charging consumers anything out-of-pocket (some plans already began doing so last year). Drugs in this categoryTruvada, Descovy and, newly available, a generic version of Truvadareceived an "A" recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Under the Affordable Care Act, preventive services that receive an "A" or "B" rating by the task force, a group of medical experts in prevention and primary care, must be covered by most private health plans without making members share the cost, usually through copayments or deductibles. Only plans that are grandfathered under the health law are exempt. The task force recommended PrEP for people at high risk of HIV infection, including men who have sex with men and injection drug users. In the United States, more than 1 million people live with HIV, and nearly 40,000 new HIV cases are diagnosed every year. Yet fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from PrEP are taking it. One key reason is that out-of-pocket costs can exceed $1,000 annually, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health last year. Required periodic blood tests and doctor visits can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of the drug, and it's not clear if insurers are required to pick up all those costs. "Cost sharing has been a problem," said Michael Crews, policy director at One Colorado, an advocacy group for the LGBTQ community. "It's not just getting on PrEP and taking a pill. It's the lab and clinical services. That's a huge barrier for folks." Whether you're shopping for a new plan during open enrollment or want to check out what your current plan covers, here are answers to questions you may have about the new preventive coverage requirement. How can people find out whether their health plan covers PrEP medications without charge? The plan's list of covered drugs, called a formulary, should spell out which drugs are covered, along with details about which drug tier they fall into. Drugs placed in higher tiers generally have higher cost sharing. That list should be online with the plan documents that give coverage details. Sorting out coverage and cost sharing can be tricky. Both Truvada and Descovy can also be used to treat HIV, and if they are taken for that purpose, a plan may require members to pay some of the cost. But if the drugs are taken to prevent HIV infection, patients shouldn't owe anything out-of-pocket, no matter which tier they are on. In a recent analysis of online formularies for plans sold on the ACA marketplaces, Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, found that many plans seemed out of compliance with the requirement to cover PrEP without cost sharing this year. But representatives for Oscar and Kaiser Permanente, two insurers that were called out in the analysis for lack of compliance, said the drugs are covered without cost sharing in plans nationwide if they are taken to prevent HIV. Schmid later revised his analysis to reflect Oscar's coverage. Coverage and cost-sharing information needs to be transparent and easy to find, Schmid said. "I acted like a shopper of insurance, just like any person would do," he said. "Even when the information is correct, [it's so] difficult to find [and there's] no uniformity." It may be necessary to call the insurer directly to confirm coverage details if information on the website is unclear. Are all three drugs covered without cost sharing? Health plans have to cover at least one of the drugs in this categoryDescovy and the brand and generic versions of Truvadawithout cost sharing. People may have to jump through some hoops to get approval for a specific drug, however. For example, Oscar plans sold in 18 states cover the three PrEP options without cost sharing. The generic version of Truvada doesn't require prior authorization by the insurer. But if someone wants to take the name-brand drug, they have to go through an approval process. Descovy, a newer drug, is available without cost sharing only if people are unable to use Truvada or its generic version because of clinical intolerance or other issues. What about the lab work and clinical visits that are necessary while taking PrEP? Are those services also covered without cost sharing? That is the thousand-dollar question. People who are taking drugs to prevent HIV infection need to meet with a clinician and have bloodwork every three months to test for HIV, hepatitis B and sexually transmitted infections, and to check their kidney function. The task force recommendation doesn't specify whether these services must also be covered without cost sharing, and advocates say federal guidance is necessary to ensure they are free. "If you've got a high-deductible plan and you've got to meet it before those services are covered, that's going to add up," said Amy Killelea, senior director of health systems and policy at the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors. "We're trying to emphasize that it's integral to the intervention itself." A handful of states have programs that help people cover their out-of-pocket costs for lab and clinical visits, generally based on income. There is precedent for including free ancillary care as part of a recommended preventive service. After consumers and advocates complained, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified that under the ACA removing a polyp during a screening colonoscopy is considered an integral part of the procedure and patients shouldn't be charged for it. CMS officials declined to clarify whether PrEP services such as lab work and clinical visits are to be covered without cost sharing as part of the preventive service and noted that states generally enforce such insurance requirements. "CMS intends to contact state regulators, as appropriate, to discuss issuer's compliance with the federal requirements and whether issuers need further guidance on which services associated with PrEP must be covered without cost sharing," the agency said in a statement. What if someone runs into roadblocks getting a plan to cover PrEP or related services without cost sharing? If an insurer charges for the medication or a follow-up visit, people may have to go through an appeals process to fight it. "They'd have to appeal to the insurance company and then to the state if they don't succeed," said Nadeen Israel, vice president of policy and advocacy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "Most people don't know to do that." Are uninsured people also protected by this new cost-sharing change for PrEP? Unfortunately, no. The ACA requirement to cover recommended preventive services without charging patients applies only to private insurance plans. People without insurance don't benefit. Gilead, which makes both Truvada and Descovy, has a patient assistance program for the uninsured. Explore further Medicare Part D favors generic prescription drugs over branded counterparts, study finds 2021 Kaiser Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC A strategic advisory body on reform and development is essential in the transitional economy in Vietnam. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung Straight words Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung once summoned all officials of the ministry to make a 4-hour presentation on many development issues in the country. It was an unprecedented meeting and the minister wanted to pass on his concerns to the younger officials. He said that the national economy has increased more than 40 times compared to 1990. The material and spiritual life of the people has markedly improved. Everyone should be proud of such achievements. However, Vietnam still belongs to the group of countries with low middle income, far behind the world average. In 2019, Vietnam ranked 136th out of 188 countries, about 40 years behind Korea, 14 years behind Thailand, six years behind the Philippines... Vietnam only ranked higher than Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. He said that Vietnam is chasing other countries, trying to close the development gap with them. But they are not standing there waiting for us. If we want to catch up with them, we have to run fast, and run steadily and continuously. He raised a lot of questions: "Why? Why are we so slow? Why did Japan, South Korea which were so devastated and exhausted after the war, need only 40 years to reach the top 10 in the world? Why does Vietnam have fundamental factors such as people, natural resources and geographical location but it is still underdeveloped? Why did we fail to industrialize and modernize by 2020? The questions and convincing data of Minister Dung, one of the people in charge of drafting the socio-economic report for the 13th National Party Congress, surprised many young officials that day. Planning and investment is an integrated field, stretching throughout history since the founding of the country, going through the war to the time of national reunification, from the planning and centralizing bureaucracy to subsidy period to innovation and the market economy today. Mr. Dung's predecessors like Mr. Tran Xuan Gia, Mr. Vo Hong Phuc, and Mr. Bui Quang Vinh are all famous for their frankness and great contributions to promoting market factors, cultivating germs of development, which were held back under the planning period. Like Mr. Dung, Minister Bui Quang Vinh used to give very frank warnings about lagging behind and the aspiration to revive the country. At the 12th National Party Congress in January 2016, Mr. Vinh said: Perhaps very few people know that, in the early 19th century (1820), Vietnam had a very respectable position in the region in terms of population and economic scale: bigger than the combined scale of the Philippines and Myanmar and 1.5 times more than Thailand. Vietnam's per capita income was then roughly the world average. Currently, Vietnams per capita income is only one-fifth of the world average, more than one-third of Thailand." Mr. Vinh continued: We have had 40 years living in peace, 30 years of reform. This time is equivalent to the time South Korea and Japan turned from poor agricultural countries to developed economies. At present, the need for national reform and development is more urgent than ever. Market hallmarks It is worth reviewing statements of leaders of the Planning and Investment sector on the 75th anniversary of the Ministry of Planning and Investment. This is one of the country's oldest industries with famous leaders such as Pham Van Dong, Vo Van Kiet and Phan Van Khai who then became Prime Ministers. During the war, the role of planning was very important to calculate every kilo of salt and rice for the battlefield in balance with society. In building the market economy in the Doi Moi (renovation) period, it was the once-conservative Planning sector that was the pioneer to promote reform and remove barriers to pave the way for people and businesses to develop. Former Minister Tran Xuan Gia strongly defended the Enterprise Law 1999, clearing the flow from the private sector that had been suppressed for decades. The Enterprise Law has helped shape the local business class with many billionaires. The private economic sector has made a larger contribution to the GDP and contributed to growth and job retention, and not only during this difficult and divided year of the Covid-19 pandemic. In an interview on the last day as the Minister of Planning and Investment in August 2011, Mr. Vo Hong Phuc affirmed that his biggest concern was the management of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which accounted for the largest resources but was inefficient. Mr. Phuc forced SOEs and FDI enterprises to play on the same ground along with the issuance of the Enterprise Law 2005. Mr. Phuc contributed to promoting market factors not only through laws, but also through statements in official forums. At the 11th National Party Congress in January 2011, Mr. Phuc raised concerns about a point in the political report "the socialism that our people build has a highly developed economy, based on modern production forces and the public regime of the main means of production. The "public regime on the main means of production", he said, differed from the view that was previously agreed upon in the previous Party Congresses and established at the 10th Party Congress as "socialism based on an advanced production relationship in line with the development of production forces. Analyzing reality in Vietnam and lessons learned from the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, Mr. Phuc said: If we have public ownership of the main production materials, who would dare to invest in building a power plant? Who dares to invest in infrastructure when we are lacking infrastructure facilities?" According to Mr. Phuc, promoting democracy, attracting maximum resources of the entire society, bringing into play the strengths and resources of all economic sectors, and arousing the collective strength of the entire nation are lessons that have been proven by reality. That view was received at the Party Congress. The strength of the market is encouraged and the resources of the people are guaranteed to build the country. The power of mechanisms and thinking The Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management Nguyen Dinh Cung was once assigned to speak at a conference of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, which was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economics Vuong Dinh Hue. At that time, some proposed to merge the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, arguing that in a market economy, there is no need for a planning agency. Mr. Cung outlined a series of successful lessons from East Asian countries to see the indispensable importance of the advisory body on reform and development such as Japan's MITI, the Economic Planning Committee of South Korea, Singapore's Economic Development Committee, and Chinas National Development and Reform Commission. He said: I think that the proposal is not suited for the current level of development as well as the requirements for national reform and development in the next 10-15 years." Mr. Cung's recommendations and the efforts of many others were acknowledged by the Party and Government. For his part, Mr. Dung continued to promote market factors through promoting laws such as PPP, the amended Enterprise Law, Law on Public Investment, Law on Support of SMEs .. This promotes participation of the people and businesses in economic development. Tu Giang - Lan Anh Favourable investment climate brings in FDI capital Dong Nai has been among the leading localities in Vietnam in attracting foreign investment over recent years, with local authorities continuing to innovate and create a favourable investment environment. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor In a week, Joe Biden will still be on his inexorable course to become the 46th president of the United States. Why, then, the hysteria that has suddenly gripped this city? The triggering event was the announcement by GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. Despite Leader Mitch McConnells plea, Hawley said he intended to challenge the electoral vote in at least one state during the Jan. 6 pro forma reading of the electoral vote count by Vice President (and Senate President) Mike Pence. If Hawley holds firm, his vote will force the joint session to split up, with each house debating for two hours, and then voting on Hawleys claim. Hawley is certain to be defeated as the House is controlled by Nancy Pelosis Democrats. As for the Senate, GOP members have indicated they will join the 48 Democratic senators in opposing Hawley. Yet, though his defeat is inevitable, Hawley is acting in accord with law and precedent. In January 2005, Sen. Barbara Boxer, to the cheers of Democratic colleagues, challenged George W. Bushs electoral vote victory in Ohio. Why, then, this panic? Well, after Hawley announced his challenge and was attacked, even by admirers, Ted Cruz and 10 other GOP senators declared that they, too, would challenge the legitimacy of the electoral votes cast for Biden in swing states such as Georgia and Pennsylvania. In effect, Cruz & Co. would vote to hold up validating Bidens victory until a newly formed commission could complete a 10-day investigation of complaints that it was fraudulent or rigged. And, at last count, 140 House Republicans had signed on to support challenges to Bidens electoral vote majority. Still, the certain end here is that all of these challenges will be rejected by majorities in both houses of Congress, and the electoral vote count of 306-232 for Joe Biden will stand. As the challenges are certain to fail and as Bidens path to the presidency will remain clear by weeks end, is there something else the Hawley-Cruz challenges are all about? Indeed. They are also about the succession struggle inside the GOP, about who inherits the Trump estate if the president elects not to run again. The Haley and Cruz challenges are signals to the Trump faithful that they stood by Trump when the faint of heart had abandoned him to do the establishments bidding. Now, disbelievers in the validity of Bidens victory are legion. According to a Reuters-Ipsos poll of Nov. 18, some 28% of all respondents and 59% of all Republicans said they were concerned that the result of the election had been rigged. Mike Pence, another potential candidate in 2024, also supports the challenges to the electoral vote. Over the weekend his chief of staff Marc Short issued this statement: The Vice President shares the concerns of millions of Americans about voter fraud and irregularities in the last election (and) welcomes the efforts of members of the House and Senate to use the authority they have under the law to raise objections and bring forward evidence before the Congress and the American people on January 6. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, also a potential candidate in 2024, is taking a public stand in opposition to Hawley and Cruz. In a news release Sunday, Cotton declared: The Founders entrusted our elections chiefly to the states not Congress... They entrusted the election of our president to the people, acting through the Electoral College not Congress. And they entrusted the adjudication of election disputes to the courts not Congress. The Senates No. 2 Republican, John Thune of South Dakota, has said that any attempt by House conservatives to challenge the Electoral Colleges results is going down like a shot dog. An angry Trump tweeted in retort that he hoped to see the great Governor of South Dakota @KristiNoem run against RINO @SenJohnThune. Noem replied that she considered Thune a good friend and will be running for reelection as governor in 2022. Understandably, McConnell wants to avoid having his GOP majority split over a fruitless challenge to the legitimacy of Bidens election and splintered among factions supporting presidential hopefuls. Sunday, Chris Christie sided with McConnell and Cotton, saying that challenges to the electoral vote are going nowhere... because theres been no evidence of widespread fraud. Christie has called on the party to accept the validity of the election of 2020 and work with the new and legitimate president, Joe Biden. Given the coronavirus changes in election laws, the extended periods for voting, the massive use of mail-in ballots, the widespread belief that the election was rigged and that a change in 35,000 votes out of 155 million cast could have altered the outcome this belief is going to have a long shelf life in American politics. The corrupt bargain of 1824 that robbed Andrew Jackson of the presidency is still remembered in Americas history books. This one is going to be fought over for as long. PAT BUCHANAN is the author of Nixons White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com. The U.S. Coast Guard doesn't care whether you consider it a branch of the military or not. It considers itself America's Oldest Maritime Defender and has the artifacts to prove it. On the official Coast Guard Instagram account, Coasties started to show off some of the most interesting items in the service's New London, Connecticut, museum (which has its own Instagram account), and the results were, frankly, awesome. Founded in 1790, the Coast Guard has taken part in every major American conflict since. In that time, it has had a major impact on American military history. Almost every U.S. military branch would be forever adversely affected had there been no Coast Guard. The museum, occupying a small section of the Coast Guard Academy, showcases a few incredible historical artifacts that illustrate why the service deserves your respect. 1. The Japanese Surrender Sword On Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese government signed the official surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri, ending the Pacific War between the Allies and Imperial Japan. Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur, representing the United States, was presented with a 16th-century sword by one of the Japanese admirals in attendance. (U.S. Coast Guard Museum via Instagram) MacArthur gave the sword to the Coast Guard to recognize its contribution to winning World War II in the Pacific. 2. Douglas Munro's Medal of Honor On Sept. 27, 1942, Coast Guard Signalman 1st Class Douglas Munro saved 500 Marines at Guadalcanal by using his Higgins boat as a shield to protect them as they got off the beach. At age 22, he gave his life to protect Marines he didn't know -- including Lt. Col. Lewis "Chesty" Puller. (U.S. Coast Guard Museum via Instagram) Munro was awarded the Medal of Honor for that action, becoming the only Coastie ever to receive the U.S.'s highest award for combat. His mother Edith would later donate it to the Coast Guard Academy, which gave it to the museum. You're welcome, Marines. 3. Joshua James' Lifesaving Medals People like Joshua James exist because even heroes need rescuing from time to time. James was a member of one of the modern Coast Guard's precursor entities, the U.S. Life-Saving Service and, boy, did he do the job. Between the ages of 15 and 75, James rescued more than 500 people, many in the middle of hurricanes. You may not believe it, but if you need help, this is the guy you want coming to save you. For his daring rescues, James earned Gold Lifesaving Medals the way some of us earn extra cash as Uber drivers. The Coast Guard Museum has many, but not all, of them, presumably because somewhere Scrooge McDuck is swimming through a vault filled with them. 4. Capt. David H. Jarvis' Haunted Coffee Cup In a story from another of the Coast Guard's precursor organizations, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, Capt. David H. Jarvis headed a three-man team that saved 265 stranded whalers whose ship was trapped in ice by leading a herd of reindeer 1,500 miles across the frozen wastes of 1898 Alaska to feed the sailors until the ice melted. (U.S. Coast Guard Museum via Instagram) Jarvis died by suicide in 1911, and his cup is believed to be haunted. According to the museum, "Legend states that if this cup is tipped over, dropped, or turned upside down, a Coast Guard cutter will sink." The cup is now stored in a small wooden box with a viewing window. 5. Fossilized Cribbage Boards Speaking of reindeer, the State of Alaska might not ever have come to be if it weren't for the Coast Guard. The U.S. Revenue Cutter Service's own Capt. "Hell Roarin'" Mike Healy -- also the first African-American to command a U.S. government ship -- imported reindeer from Siberia as a steady source of food for the growing number of Americans living in Alaska. (U.S. Coast Guard Museum via Instagram) The Coast Guard Museum boasts a number of old trinkets, scrimshaw and cribbage boards carved and designed out of ivory, tusks and even fossilized animal penises. 6. Salty the Lucky Rabbit A Guardsman aboard the World War II-era Coast Guard Cutter Ingham purchased a toy rabbit for his children while stationed in England. It didn't take long for Coasties to see the toy rabbit as a good luck charm for the whole boat, dubbing him "Salty" -- presumably for obvious reasons. (U.S. Coast Guard Museum via Instagram) The Ingham is the only cutter ever to receive two Presidential Unit Citations. Its September 1942 sinking of U-626 made the cutter the last active warship in the U.S. fleet with a U-Boat kill when it was decommissioned in 1988. 7. The Cutter Kimball's Unicorn Float During a swim call in Pacific Oceania, the crew of the cutter Kimball needed to be rescued when an 8-foot shark joined the Coasties in their recreational fun. Left behind when the crew rejoined the ship was a white and multicolored unicorn floatie. The Coast Guard Museum's newest accession, the unicorn float from the famous shark attack on the USCG Cutter Kimball (U.S. Coast Guard Museum via Instagram) Watch: Coast Guard Watch Opens Fire After 8-Foot Shark Crashes Swim Call Rather than shoot the unicorn or leave it adrift, the Coasties hoisted it back aboard the Kimball, where the crew eventually signed it and handed it over to the Coast Guard Museum, joining Salty the Rabbit and other Coast Guard mascots. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. There is growing concern among public health experts that highly contagious variants of the coronavirus could upend efforts to control the surge of new COVID-19 cases hammering California. Twenty-four new cases of a mutated SARS-CoV-2 strain, known as B117 and first identified in the United Kingdom in December, were discovered in San Diego County on Tuesday, bringing the total to 32 in the state. We anticipate there will be others identified, Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press briefing Monday. The variant of the virus which is less detectable by current testing methods but up to 80% more transmissible from person to person than previous mutations could push the current COVID-19 crisis in California to the breaking point and threaten efforts to reopen the economy and schools. If the new variant manages to acquire a mutation which hides it from PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, we would be headed for the worst possible perfect storm, said Fyodor Urnov, the director of UC Berkeleys Innovative Genomics Institute, whose laboratory tracks changes in the genetic material of viruses. The new variant has acquired mutations much more rapidly than scientists expected. It has gone through 23 separate variations so far, 17 of which are linked to the building blocks of proteins that form the virus. Newsom said California plans to ramp up its contact tracing and disease investigation efforts to track the new strain, which has also been identified in New York, Georgia, Colorado and Florida. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle We have not yet detected the new strain in San Francisco, said Dr. Grant Colfax, the citys top health adviser. It would certainly not be surprising if and when it gets detected. California has a partnership with UCSF to conduct aggressive genomics testing running roughly 5,000 to 10,000 tests a week to identify the different mutations of the virus circulating in the state. Charles Chiu, director of viral diagnostics at UCSF, said it is likely that the U.K. strain is already in circulation across the United States but has so far been identified in the states with robust genomic sequencing test programs. The current data suggest that this is a variant that is not currently prevalent in the U.S., Chiu said. Its in the minority of the strains circulating in the U.S. That being said, it could change very quickly. In the U.K., it went from accounting for 5% to 60% of the cases in three weeks. Thats why its really important for us to remain vigilant. More contagious The U.K. variant, believed to have first surfaced in September, is more contagious but not more severe in terms of its impact on your condition, Newsom said. Public health officials believe that the mutations, including some changes to the crucial spike proteins, allow the virus to bind more strongly and enter human cells more easily. Its a little bit more sticky than the COVID virus weve been seeing, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Californias top health official. More cases could mean fewer people have access to urgent medical care, especially as hospitals in California run critically low on intensive care unit beds. On top of an existing pandemic, this may make things worse, said Chiu. Health officials in Britain have also suggested that the B117 variant carries mutations that make children as susceptible to becoming infected with it as adults. We havent established any sort of causality on that, but we can see it in the data, said Neil Ferguson, a professor and infectious disease epidemiologist at Imperial College London. We will need to gather more data to see how it behaves going forward. Britain has closed its schools for the next six weeks as the country deals with a record number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Harder to detect Because the virus is harder to detect due to a mutation in part of the spike protein gene that requires more stringent testing to become identifiable it could hinder the ability for schools in the Bay Area to depend on rapid antigen tests to reliably screen asymptomatic students and staff. The virus has more or less erased its fingerprints, said Urnov. One change in the viruss genetic code, in particular, called 69-70del, has helped it evade detection by the immune system in some people, according to studies conducted in the U.K. Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer, said hes concerned about the new variants, but not overly so. Variants have emerged over time, its part of the way these organisms work, he said. The data from England that Ive seen suggest that this one spreads a little better. How much better is still an area for exploration. The circumstantial evidence is pretty concerning, the direct evidence is still limited. He said it is also unclear how widespread the variant is in the United States, though it has infected more people than the cases reported so far. And he said its too early to say whether the U.K. variant, or some other mutation, has helped fuel the current West Coast surge in cases. I dont have anything to suggest that its driving a surge in any part of the U.S., he said. Maybe well find that something similar has driven what we see here on the West Coast in recent weeks, whether its the U.K. variant or another variant. Variants versus vaccines Another variant discovered in South Africa known as 501Y.V2, which has rapidly become the dominant strain in the countrys coastal areas, is also raising concerns. Health experts worry that the vaccines currently in development may not be effective against it. This is the most pressing question facing us right now, Dr. Richard Lessells, an infectious disease expert who is working on the countrys genomic studies of the variant, told The Associated Press Monday. We are urgently doing experiments in the laboratory to test the variant. The strain has so far been identified in the U.K., Finland, Switzerland, Japan and Australia. The way you fight something that tends to change is you have more than one weapon, said Urnov. We have more than one test. We have more than one vaccine. For now, given there is a broad range of vaccines being developed, we have good hope it will not be globally resistant. Neither variant has been detected in the Bay Area, but Chiu said his lab is actively analyzing data from the region. In the meantime, he said the best way to curb the spread of the new strains is to continue to follow the old mitigation measures: masking, physical distancing and good hand hygiene. If its here there may still be a window of time to get it under control, he said. Chronicle reporter Erin Allday contributed to this article. Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com The Atlanta police chief who resigned after an officer shot Rayshard Brooks dead has been hired to lead the Louisville department responsible for Breonna Taylor's killing. Erika Shields was named Wednesday as the new chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department after the firing of the city's longtime chief, Steve Conrad, in June. She served in Atlanta for 25 years, including more than three years as chief. Her tenure ended when she resigned in June after Atlanta officers fatally shot a black man named Rayshard Brooks in a restaurant parking lot. Her announcement came on the day it was announced two more officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor had been fired. Detectives Myles Cosgrove, who shot Taylor, and Joshua Jaynes, who sought the warrant for the March 13 drug raid, were informed of their dismissal on Tuesday. Shields will be the fourth person to lead the police force in Kentucky's largest city since Taylor was shot. She said Wednesday: 'I commit to begin my work here with a focus on rebuilding community trust, trust that I believe was already eroding prior to Breonna Taylor's killing.' Shields also pledged to tackle gun violence in the city, which had a record 173 homicides in 2020. Both the shooting of Brooks and Taylor sparked protests across the US. Erika Shields, left, was named Wednesday as the new chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department after the firing of the city's longtime chief, Steve Conrad, right, in June Shields will be the fourth person to lead the police force in Kentucky's largest city since Breonna Taylor, pictured, was shot Resigning in Atlanta Shields said she was 'sickened' by Brooks' shooting and that staying on as chief would have amounted to a distraction. To Louisville residents who might be upset over her hiring, Shields said she 'would just ask that people step back, take the time to see what I accomplished, what I believe in and how I led the department.' Shields starts the job on January 19. Detectives Joshua Jaynes (left) and Myles Cosgrove (right) were fired on Tuesday in connection to Breonna Taylor's fatal shooting on March 13 Former officer Brett Hankison (left) was charged by the grand jury with three counts of wanton endangerment. The other officer John Mattingly (right), was not charged Trust between police and many in the city's black community has frayed since Taylor's death, which sparked the firing of the city's longtime chief, Steve Conrad. Rayshard Brooks was killed 12 June 2020, during a confrontation with two APD officers in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant Two interim chiefs, including Gentry, the first black woman to the lead the department, have served since Conrad was fired in June. Cosgrove and Jaynes' firings on Tuesday follow that of officer Brett Hankison, who was dismissed in September after being indicted by a grand jury on charges of endangering Taylor's neighbors by firing bullets that went through her home and into an adjacent apartment. Taylor, a 26-year-old black emergency medical technician, was killed as officers attempted to serve a no-knock search warrant. None of the three white officers who fired into her home were charged by a grand jury in her death. In Cosgrove's dismissal letter, interim Police Chief Yvette Gentry wrote that the detective violated the department's use-of-force policies for firing 16 shots without identifying a target and for not activating his body camera. Jaynes, the detective who sought the narcotics warrant that led to the raid, was 'untruthful' about how he obtained some information about Taylor in the warrant, Gentry wrote. Jaynes was not at the scene the night Taylor was shot. In September, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who took on the role of special prosecutor in the case, said Cosgrove and Mattingly were not charged with Taylor's killing because they acted to protect themselves. Protesters gather at Centennial Olympic Park after an overnight Atlanta Police Department officer-involved shooting which left a black man dead at a Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 13 June 2020 People gather in the street during a protest against the deaths of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police and George Floyd by Minneapolis police, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. May 29 2020 The decision disappointed and angered protesters who have been calling for justice for Taylor for six months, and they vowed to stay in the streets until all the officers involved were fired or someone was charged with her killing. On Tuesday a Wisconsin prosecutor declined to file charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man in the back in August in Kenosha. The wounding of Jacob Blake, who was left paralyzed, also sparked protests over police brutality and racism. Authorities concluded that they could not disprove the officer's contention that he acted in self-defense because he feared Blake would stab him. WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTHI) - On Wednesday, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will give Hoosiers details into the state's vaccination plan. Holcomb met with members of the Terre Haute media on Tuesday afternoon. During the Zoom conference, Holcomb said more than $125,000 Indiana residents have been vaccinated so far. The governor talked about a website that will be set-up. At the site, Hoosiers who want to receive the vaccine can learn where to get one. Holcomb will hold his weekly COVID-19 update on Wednesday at 2:30. You can watch it live on WTHITV.com or WTHI-TV. One of the biggest tech events of the year, CES 2021 is taking place on January 11, next week. As weve reported earlier, a lot of companies are looking to show off their products to a mass audience but the only caveat this year is that the event will be hosted online instead of the regular Las Vegas showcase. Understandable, since were just now getting the vaccine for Covid-19. Another company that is looking to show off its latest products is Nvidia. The companys livestream will take place on January 12 and will be called GeForce RTX: Game On! GeForce RTX: Game On is coming next week January 12 at 9AM PST! Join us as we unveil the latest innovations in: Games Graphics And more Learn more https://t.co/Xfa6YuPVOk#UltimatePlay pic.twitter.com/Zb2VIhPV3a NVIDIA GeForce (@NVIDIAGeForce) January 5, 2021 The show will be hosted by Senior Vice President of GeForce, Jeff Fisher and will start at 9AM PST/12 PM EST on YouTube and Twitch. There isnt much info on what exactly Nvidia is planning on unveiling at the event but according to a report on Gamespot, since it is Jeff Fisher and not Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang making the presentation, we should see new software instead of new hardware from Nvidia. But there is no concrete info on what Nvidia plans on showing off at CES 2021, so we will just have to wait and see. In other Nvidia news, there have been rumours that there will be an RTX 30-series of GPUs for laptops. You can read more about that story here. And thats not all, rumors of an Nvidia RTX 3080 with 20GB VRAM have been circulating, given the gap between RTX 3080 10GB and RTX 3090 24GB cards. You can read more about that story here. The number of mergers notified to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has fallen close to a decade low and in line with activity levels during the euro crisis in 2011. The CCPC received 41 merger notifications in 2020, down 13pc from 47 in 2019, according to the commission's annual merger and acquisition statistics. In 2011, 40 mergers were notified, while the low point for the last 10 years was 33 in 2012. The number peaked at 98 in 2018. Healthcare and information and communications were the most prominent sectors last year with nine and eight notifications, respectively, both of which were higher than the previous year. The motor and real estate sectors, usually very active, saw a reduction in notifications. The commission said the Covid-19 pandemic most likely had an impact on the number of mergers in the Irish market, but that it would take more time to understand the long-term effect. "Covid-19 has impacted nearly all areas of society and indeed the merger notification and review processes have been no different," said CCPC member Brian McHugh. Read More In response to Covid, the CCPC introduced new processes to maintain business continuity during lockdown restrictions, including the electronic notification of mergers, remote reviews of merger cases, extended deadlines for responses and permission to conduct remote oral hearings for the most in-depth cases. Under competition law, businesses that meet certain financial thresholds must notify the CCPC of a proposed merger or acquisition for a competition assessment. Currently, if the combined turnover in Ireland of the businesses involved exceeds 60m or if each of the businesses has at least 10m in revenue, they must inform the CCPC. Smaller deals are exempt. The CCPC improved its turnaround time for Phase 1 investigations from 24.7 working days to 22.9. Phase 1 investigations are those that can proceed without further investigation after an initial review. More complicated cases can have either an extended Phase 1 review or a deeper Phase 2 investigation. The CCPC completed 15 extended Phase 1 reviews, two of which were escalated to Phase 2 investigations which are still ongoing. These are a proposed renewable energy joint venture between ESB and Coillte and the acquisition of a unit of Pepper by Link Group. Worldwide dealmaking fell by 5pc to $3.6trn (2.9trn) in 2020, according to data company Refinitiv, but the second half of the year came in at a record-breaking $2trn of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. Mega deals of more than $10bn fell 21pc in 2020 while transactions in the $5bn to $10bn range were the sweet spot, increasing by 36pc for the year. Private equity M&A was at its highest since 2007, with 8,800 deals an increase of 26pc on 2019. Private equity buyouts accounted for 16pc of all M&A activity during the year. Read More Online Editors China will 'quietly' back down from its economic coercion of Australia in the face of increased pressure from the US and other allies this year, a leading academic has predicted. Dr Jeffrey Wilson, research director at the Perth USAsia Centre, said 2021 'will not look like' last year where Beijing progressively blocked most of Australia's top exports including coal, seafood, wine, barley, timber and meat after Scott Morrison called for an inquiry into the origins of coronavirus. The change of administration in the US shifts the dynamic of the dispute in Australia's favour because Joe Biden is more likely than Donald Trump to pressure China to back down, Dr Wilson told Daily Mail Australia. Joe Biden (pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2012) is more likely than Donald Trump to pressure China to back down, Dr Jeffrey Wilson told Daily Mail Australia On 3 December Biden's new national security advisor Jake Sullivan, who has argued for a competitive approach to China, tweeted 'America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia' 'The incoming Biden administration actually cares about containing China in a rules-based system. So when we get punched that's a problem for him. It didn't even occur to Trump that this was something the US should care about,' he said. Biden has vowed to end Trump's America First approach to foreign policy by restoring American global leadership, calling out human rights abuses and strengthening traditional alliances. On 3 December, Biden's new national security advisor Jake Sullivan, who has argued for a competitive approach to China, tweeted 'America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia.' The tweet did not mention China but was clearly a reference to the tensions between Canberra and Beijing. 'This shows how seriously the US takes the issue,' Dr Wilson said. 'It's OK for China to bash Australia when Trump doesn't care. But when the US says "if you're going to pick on my little brother then you're picking on me", that completely changes the story for China. 'Once the US gets involved that's a big escalation that they don't want. There's an argument to be made that this will be the thing that actually stops this.' Another factor that may force China to back down is fear of backlash from its 1.4billion citizens (pictured in Wuhan in December) who suffer from trade restrictions In January 2019, President Trump signed a 'phase one' trade deal with China to end an 18-month trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Dr Wilson said China wants to avoid more economic tension with the US and would feel threatened by the possibility of sanctions or tariffs implemented by Biden. 'China can't beat America in a trade war and they don't want to fight with a peer,' he said. 'They've just come out of a trade war with Trump which was terrible for their economy and cost them billions, the last thing they want is one with the Biden administration as well. 'If they are thinking clearly then this will really make them back off and my suspicion is this is what they will do over the next year. Chinese officials are probably going 'oh s***, how can we get out of this one?' Dr Jeffrey Wilson on Beijing's economic coercion of Australia '2021 is not going to look like 2020 where every two to three weeks another trade sanction is whacked on,' he added. 'I would be very surprised if they continue doing that once the Biden administration has got its hand back behind the wheel.' Officials in Canberra are also hopeful that a Biden White House will be better for Australia than a second term of Trump. 'I think that line of argument is correct,' a national security source told Daily Mail Australia. But it's not only pressure from the US that may force China to back down. In December Australia referred China to the World Trade Organisation over its 80 per cent tariff on barley imposed in May. Beijing claims the tariffs are needed because Australia has been selling barley below the cost of production in a practice known as dumping, which Canberra denies. Taking China to the WTO effectively brings 164 member nations into the dispute. Even though a ruling could take years, the move calls Australia's allies into action. 'The significance of the WTO case is not that we will get tariffs removed on barley - which we will when we win - but it's about making this is a global issue and not just about Australia any more,' Dr Wilson said. 'It takes the dispute out of that bilateral situation where China is about 13 times larger than Australia in economic terms and moves it into a multilateral forum. 'It moves from being an Australia-China political issue, in which China doesn't mind how much Australia hates them at the moment, to a multi-lateral one where the US, the EU, Japan, the rest of the world are involved.' Dr Jeffrey Wilson of the Perth USAsia Centre Dr Wilson said dealing with China in a global forum 'greatly raises the political cost' to Beijing of using economic coercion. 'That changes the political calculus for China dramatically. They'd be very happy to get in a trade dispute with Australia but probably not the US or Japan,' he said. A third factor that may force China to back down is fear of backlash from its 1.4billion citizens who suffer from trade restrictions. Apart from being denied Australian wine and lobster, millions have endured power blackouts due to a ban on Australian coal. Cities in the Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces turned off street lights and rationed electricity as power stations which had been specifically adapted to handle efficient Australian coal failed to generate enough energy. 'The trade war is also impacting Chinese people as cities where they haven't rationed power for 25 years are facing blackouts,' Dr Wilson said. 'If the government really stopped and thought about this before they had done it, they might have checked what would happen if they banned Australian coal. 'Someone's gone and done it at a very high level and not really bothered to check the consequences.' Dr Wilson said the blackouts are a 'serious problem' for the Chinese Communist Party which draws its legitimacy and popular support from providing economic development. 'If they can't keep the lights on over winter, it's a pretty damning indictment on their capability as a regime,' he said. 'For all the horrors of the Trump administration during Covid, the US never suffered rolling blackouts. 'China is a world super-power that can't keep its major cities with electricity.' Cities in the Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces were plunged into darkness in December as a result of the Chinese Communist Party's blockage of Australian coal But if Australia-China tensions are destined to improve this year, it remains to be seen how relations will be restored. In the past when China has used trade sanctions to coerce other countries, relations have been normalised by appeasing Beijing. This happened with Norway in 2016 when a six-year dispute was ended with a one-sided joint statement that said Norway 'fully respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity'. In November the Chinese embassy in Canberra issued a list of 14 grievances including Australia's free press and politicians being critical of Beijing - but Scott Morrison has insisted none of the points is negotiable. Furthermore, Dr Wilson said China knows its 14 demands are unrealistic and that it 'doesn't really' want Australia to do anything different. He believes Beijing is just 'making an example out of us' to warn to other countries in the region such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia not to speak out against China, whether over human rights abuses in Xinjiang province or illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea. 'They don't have any demands they just want us to get bashed so somebody else can watch,' he said. 'It's a mafia hit for the sake of scaring off the others.' A more likely scenario than Australia giving ground, therefore, might be that China simply decides to remove the bans it has placed on Australian exports. Beijing's blockade of Australian coal caused a dozen cities to ration their electricity use. Southern China's Hunan Province was awash with reports on social media platform Weibo of workers in Changsha (pictured) climbing dozens of flights of stairs after lifts were shut down 'I think they'll probably find a way to make it quietly go away, they might start bashing another country or there'll be some misdirection with a huge propaganda effort,' Dr Wilson said. 'Chinese officials are probably going "oh s***, how can we get out of this one? The Americans are coming back in, the Australians have stood firm, we're going to lose our trousers at the WTO when it gets there, we've massively over-reached here, how do we get out of this without looking weak?' But Dr Wilson said there may still be some twists and turns to come in the Canberra-Beijing relationship, not least because it's almost impossible to predict what the Chinese government will do next. He noted that Politburo members are communist party members for life who 'have been indoctrinated in nationalism and are working in what is increasingly becoming a totalitarian system'. 'Common sense and rationality aren't necessarily principles on which their decisions are being made,' he warned. Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox announced she will not pursue a second term leading the state GOP. Cox stepping down essentially clears the way for Ron Weiser, a University of Michigan regent who served two terms before stepping down, and his co-chair Meshawn Maddock, a conservative activist who supported President Donald Trumps campaign. In an email to supporters shared with MLive Wednesday, Cox thanked volunteers and activists for their efforts to elect Republicans in 2020. Over the Christmas holiday, I realized that while this has been the best job of my life it is time to move on, Cox wrote in the email. But while I move on from the title, I will never move on from our Party or principles we all fight for. In the coming months and years, I will see you in the ring and on the campaign trail as you and I help elect candidates who will fight for those principles that have made America great. Cox had followed in the footsteps of other women who led the Michigan GOP, including Education Secretary of Betsy DeVos and Republican National Committee Chairman Ronna Romney McDaniel. The Livonia resident pursued a career in criminal justice after graduating from Michigan State University, served 13-years as a Detroit ICE agent. She is married to Mike Cox, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Michigan Attorney General. Cox served a decade on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, the lone Republican for most of her tenure. Cox served in the state House from 2015-2018, becoming the first woman to lead state budget discussions at the helm of the House Appropriations Committee. She lost a race for Michigans 7th state Senate seat in 2018 before running for state party chair. Cox did not say what her future ambitions are, but encouraged Republicans to stay positive in the future. While the news in DC and Georgia and elsewhere may bring you down, take heart: Ours is a Great Nation and ours is a great cause, Cox said. As long we Republican grassroots are steadfast and strong, and as long as we keep fighting for liberty, our Nation will triumph. Thank you and God Bless you. Sangareddy (Telangana): Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, asking him whether the state was formed only for the benefit of his family. Addressing a public meeting here, Gandhi said while it was not possible to fulfil the dreams of Telangana people in three years, the state government had not made the right beginning and it was not going in the right direction. Targeting his familyhis minister-son K T Rama Rao, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew and Minister Harish Rao, without naming them, he asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a single family. Has the state been created just for four people, Gandhi said, and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and backward classes. Only contractors and land mafia are benefiting. The Congress vice-president addressed the public meeting on the eve of the third formation day of Telangana. The UPA government formed separate Telangana, though there was opposition to the move, as it understood the pain of Telangana people and their yearning for a bright future in their own state. However, the dreams of the people for a separate state are not being fulfilled now, alleged Gandhi. The venue of the meeting had immense sentimental value for the Congress as it was at the same location where Indira Gandhi kicked off her election campaign in 1979-80 and went on to win back the prime ministers post. Congress leaders who spoke ahead of Gandhi hoped that the public meeting would herald a change and repeat history to bring the party to power. The NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana should stop making hollow promises and instead deliver on them. Saying that the biggest challenge in the country is massive job creation for the youth of the country, Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Rao have to answer the question about who will create this job. ALSO READ | Kerala: Rahul Gandhi condemns butchering of calf by youth Congress members If Modi and KCR wont reply to the question, Congress will answer it (when it comes to power, he said. Gandhi charged the chief minister with snatching MPs, MLAs from the Congress and other elected representatives. Do you want to waste your strength and future with the four member family? What kind of Telangana is being formed. Is it bangaru (golden) Telangana? he asked. The congress vice-president said 2,855 farmers have committed suicide in the three-year tenure of the TRS government, including 100 in the chief ministers constituency. Farmers have given their blood and sweat for creating Telangana. They did not do so for creating a graveyard, Gandhi said. ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi takes potshot at govt over 3-yr gala, says what it was celebrating He claimed the Modi government promised to give two crore jobs to the youth every year but the Centre, in reply to a query in Parliament recently, admitted that unemployment is highest in the past seven years. Similarly, the Telangana chief minister promised to give one job to every family in the state but did not keep his word. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital plan to picket daily beginning on Tuesday to demonstrate dissatisfaction with what they call deteriorating patient care conditions by picketing daily in an effort to apply pressure to the facilitys administration. The first demonstration will start at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and last an hour. According to the Massachusetts Nurses Association, picketing will occur daily until an agreement is reached to place the safety of patients ahead of...boosting profit margins for shareholders. We have tried for months to convince our administration and the Tenet corporation to provide us with the resources we need to keep the public safe, yet they only make things worse, said Marlena Pellegrino, who is a registered nurse at Saint Vincent and the chair of the nurses local bargaining unit with the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA). Now we are taking to the streets once again, this time on a daily basis, to alert the public and the community of our concerns as they have the most to lose if Tenet doesnt alter its dangerous practices our patients lives are on the line. Nurses who plan to picket will wear masks and maintain social distancing. The decision after similar demonstrations in December when more than 400 nurses participated in an information picket to protest the same conditions. Since the picketing, three negotiation sessions with Tenet, the Dallas-based parent company of Saint Vincent Hospital, have occurred without an agreement. Between Dec. 1 and Jan. 5, nurses have filed more than 45 official complaints linked to staffing conditions and patient safety, according to the MNA. The union says more than 400 reports have been filed in the last nine months. The nurses complaints at Saint Vincent Hospital date back to February when more than 70% of 740 nurses signed a petition calling for safer staffing levels. A month later, more than 200 nurses attended a negotiation session with management to provide information about the staffing levels. In May, after management implemented furloughs, nurses cast a vote of no confidence in hospital CEO Carolyn Jackson and her management team. Our members have born witness to unbearable suffering and been the only ones with patients, serving as the conduit of all communication with families as they watched their loved ones die, said Dominique Muldoon, a nurse who serves as co-chair of the nurses local bargaining unit. For nurses, this is our duty and our obligation, and all that we ask is to be treated with respect and to be given the resources to perform this noble work. Related Content: Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing. AMHERST, Va., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Scores of state lawmakers from the pivotal presidential battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have signed a letter asking Vice President Mike Pence to delay the congressional acceptance of Electoral College votes for at least 10 days after January 6. The legislators assert that they need the extra time to review "an unprecedented and admitted defiance of state law and procedural irregularities raising questions about the validity of hundreds of thousands of ballots," which could necessitate that they decertify their states' current slates of presidential electors. A new summary of election irregularities, titled "Bought and Sold for Big Tech Gold: How an Unprecedented Private-Public Partnership Subverted the 2020 Election," is being sent separately to Members of Congress by Phill Kline, director of Got Freedom?, a 501(c)4 nonprofit focused on election integrity. Further information about the evidence contained in that document can be found at: https://got-freedom.org/evidence/ . "These elected officials are not asking Mike Pence to overturn the election results, and they're certainly not trying to subvert our democracy," said Kline. "Rather, they're simply requesting that they be allowed to perform the role required of them by the Constitution an opportunity that in some cases has been actively denied by their own governors." The letter was signed by 88 lawmakers, with more signing on by the hour, and similar letters have been signed by other legislators in the swing states, bringing the total to well over 100 total signatories. The letter notes that while January 6 is the date established by federal law for Congress to accept and count Electoral College votes, an even higher authority the U.S. Constitution supersedes this deadline because it assigns ultimate authority over elections to the state legislatures, many of which have not had an opportunity to convene since Election Day. "We intend on fulfilling our oaths of office by properly investigating and determining whether the election should be certified, or decertified, by our respective state legislatures," the lawmakers state. "Additional time must be afforded for the legislatures to meet and for state legislators to fulfill their constitutional duties." The extra time they are requesting will not interfere with the constitutionally-imposed deadline of noon on January 20, the letter points out, arguing that adherence to the Constitution should take precedence over procedural deadlines set by federal law. "American elections must be transparent, inclusive, and produce results in which the American people have faith," the legislators remind Vice President Pence. "The 2020 election, thus far, has failed in this respect. Your actions consistent with this request can repair this failing." SOURCE Got Freedom? The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) and the Embassy of Latvia in the UAE affirmed the importance of organising joint events and exchanging visits between trade delegations to enhance the economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. This came during the meeting between Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Atis Sjanits, Ambassador of Latvia to the UAE, in the presence of Fatima Al Mokarrab, Director of the SCCI International Relations Department. Al-Owais asserted the importance of enhancing communication between the companies operating in Sharjah and their counterpart in Latvia and fostering the bilateral relationships, especially in vital sectors that help reinforce Sharjahs development process, such as information technology, small and medium enterprises, food industries, tourism, and innovation sectors. The SCCI Chairman threw light on the numerous benefits Sharjah provides to foreign investors and the significant role played by the SCCI in offering Latvian businessmen appropriate opportunities for launching their businesses and enhancing their presence in the region. Al-Owais called on the Latvian business community to actively participate in the exhibitions and events the Expo Centre will be organising all year long. For his part, Sjanits lauded the solid relationship between the UAE and Latvia in all fields, stressing that the economic cooperation between the two friendly countries is witnessing significant development in the trade exchange volume. Sjanits welcomed the cooperation and coordination with the SCCI to better serve the business communities of both sides. The non-oil trade exchange volume between the UAE and Latvia amounted to AED109.09 million ($29.6 million) in 2019, including AED68.32 million ($18.5 million) Latvian imports to the UAE, and AED40.77 million ($11 million) UAE exports to Latvia. - TradeArabia News Service Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Washington: Google is working to block 'annoying' ads in its Chrome browser. This action is a broader effort by industry players taken in order to filter out certain types of marketing messages that attract complaints. "We believe online ads should be better. That's why we joined the Coalition for Better Ads, an industry group dedicated to improving online ads," said Sridhar Ramaswamy, Google's senior vice president for advertising in a blog post on Thursday. "In dialogue with the Coalition and other industry groups, we plan to have Chrome stop showing ads (including those owned or served by Google) on websites that are not compliant with the Better Ads Standards starting in early 2018." Google's move, in the works for some time, could end up reducing some ads served and impact its own revenue, but it aims to improve the overall web experience and discourage third-party ad-blockers that could have a more dramatic impact. Ramaswamy noted that "annoying" ads prompt some people to use ad-blockers that stop all advertising content, hurting revenue for content creators. "The vast majority of online content creators fund their work with advertising," Ramaswamy said. "That means they want the ads that run on their sites to be compelling, useful and engaging -- ones that people actually want to see and interact with." But he noted that "it's far too common that people encounter annoying, intrusive ads on the web -- like the kind that blare music unexpectedly, or force you to wait 10 seconds before you can see the content on the page." Google is a founding member of the Coalition, which was formed last year and aims to maintain the online advertising ecosystem while eliminating ads that many find irritating. The group released guidelines earlier in 2016 for ads on both mobile and desktop. But some analysts say it will be difficult for Google and others to set standards that please all parties. "It's smart for Google to be part of the push for limited ad blockers even if that may seem counterintuitive, because if it can focus that activity on egregious ads rather than all ads indiscriminately, it has a much better shot at protecting its own massive ad revenue than if others take more of a blanket approach," said Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research. "We can be certain that none of Google's own sites or ad formats will be affected by this filter, but we can also guess that there will be something of an outcry from publishers feeling that Google is favoring itself while disadvantaging others. It's going to be fascinating to watch this play out over the next few months." According to the research firm eMarketer some 27.5 percent of US internet users will use ad blockers in 2017. Amidst the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Careers N Options is all ready to fulfil your long desiring dream of studying abroad. A well-recognized name among the Overseas Education Consultants, CNOSPL encourages you to fulfil your study abroad dreams and all you need to do is - stay at home and connect with them. Designed on the principles of perseverance, integrity, unimpeachable and audacity, CNOSPL offers best-personalised counselling and data concerning teaching in numerous countries like UK, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Mauritius, France, USA, Dubai, Europe, Singapore and many more. Every year, lakhs of students fly to different parts of the world for higher studies in order to make their career better. Careers N Options with proper guidance and high-quality service ensures that all your wishes and aspirations are fulfilled. With a dedicated team of experts, their goal is to help students execute their overseas educational experience with intelligence and integrity that will govern and shape their future. On every step, Careers N Options Team stands ready to offer support, advice, and clarification. Careers N Options Services Pvt. Ltd. delivers high-quality services to both candidates and clients by adequately understanding their needs. If education is all about intellectual and mental evolution, then CNOSPL is about raising the pace and scale of that evolution and achieving new success. Their major USPs include superior quality services, timely deliverables and personalized attention to each candidate. Other major aspects include Identifying the profile and needs of the student and guiding the student to select a right course of study and a college or university abroad based on market trends, needs, prospects, financial budget and other relevant important aspects. This is followed up with assisting students in making applications to colleges/universities, advising them on acceptance of offer, visa submission, flight and accommodation arrangement and arriving at their study destination. To further ease the counselling process during the pandemic, CNOSPL is offering free virtual counselling sessions that you can easily avail from the comfort of your homes. All the processes, right from the e-counselling session to Application and Visa Processing are available through online medium. Disclaimer: This is a company press release. No HT journalist was involved in the creation of this content. A division bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday set aside the verdict of the Palakkad Special Court for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act acquitting all the accused in the case relating to the death of two minor Dalit siblings in Walayar in Palakkad district in 2017. The bench comprising Justices A Hariprasad and MA Anitha ordered a retrial in the case and directed the special court to hear it. The court also observed that the prosecution could move an application seeking further investigation in the case before the special court. It has also directed the accused to surrender before the trial court by January 20. The court passed the judgment while hearing the appeals of the state government and mother questioning the special court verdict. There are four accused in the case and one of them Pradeep Kumar had died by suicide last year. The court has also pulled up the investigating team, prosecutor and judge of the POCSO court. The prosecutions case is that the two minor girls had died by suicide due to repeated sexual harassment by the accused. The girls, aged 13 and nine, were found dead inside their home 52 days apart. The 13-year-old was found dead on January 13, 2017, and the younger child, aged nine, died 52 days later on March 4. The case had seen many twists and turns since then. Last year the government had admitted in the high court that the case was not investigated properly and it was ready for a re-probe. The mother had also approached the high court for a court-monitored central agency probe. In 2019 the POCSO court had set free four accused and passed strictures against the investigating team. But the police officer who headed the investigation was promoted later. There was enough indignation after the verdict and later the high court took up the case suo motu but proceedings were stalled again after the government announced a judicial commission. Many lapses in the trial also came to the fore. A lawyer N Rajesh, who represented one of the accused in the case, was later appointed as the district child welfare committee president, a body aimed at protecting rights of children. During the trial, many witnesses turned hostile. The ruling CPI(M) also faced criticism as some of the accused are reported to be party workers. The state women commission also failed to come to the rescue of parents due to political pressure, said activists who were helping parents, both labourers. The mother of the siblings had staged several rounds of protests seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.At least for the moment.Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Tesla Incs Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.Bitcoins down 30% off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.Former traders for Credit Suisse Group AG, Davies and Zhu, the two are among the Wall Street pioneers whove embraced crypto, along with Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital and Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital. Now everyone from retail day traders to bankers are jumping in: CNBC reported this month that Aziz McMahon, head of emerging market sales for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London quit the bank after making a fortune trading cryptocurrencies for himself.While many of the early devotees fortunes rose and fell on the currencys price swings, crypto wealth is quickly turning into real dollars for some, whether through initial public offerings or companies that bring in traditional revenue. Brian Armstrong, co-founder of crypto-wallet Coinbase Global Inc., has a net worth of $9.3 billion after his firms IPO, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Binances Changpeng Zhao created the worlds largest crypto exchange.Grayscale StakeDavies and Zhu, also 34, have resisted talking about their fortune and recommended on social media that crypto billionaires do the same.However, a filing in January revealed the extent of the firms influence, when Three Arrows reported it owned a 5.6% stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $22 billion fund invested solely in the cryptocurrency set up by Barry Silbert.Davies declined to say whether their position had changed or specify how much of the firms capital belonged to them. Most of their other direct investments in cryptocurrencies and related companies dont need to be publicly disclosed.The Grayscale stake made Three Arrows the largest shareholder and would have been worth as much as $2.1 billion in April. The trusts shares have since tumbled 43% following Musks announcement this month that Tesla would suspend accepting the digital currency for purchases of its electric cars because of rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and regulatory clampdowns from China.Despite the environmental spotlight Musks tweet placed on Bitcoin, Davies said he doesnt believe that those concerns apply across cryptocurrency trading as a whole.There are many cryptocurrencies that are proof-of-stake, which use very little if any electricity, Davies said. That is the direction that a lot of crypto is headed in.A proof-of-stake setup for a digital currency allows users with significant equity positions to verify transactions. That compares with proof-of-work transactions, such as those used in Bitcoin mining, where users have to complete complex math problems to access a coin, consuming much greater volumes of electricity.Derivatives TradersDavies and Zhu attended high school together, then studied at Columbia University in New York before joining Credit Suisse as derivatives traders in Tokyo. After three years at the Swiss bank, they quit and launched Three Arrows Capital to begin trading traditional currencies in emerging markets.It was a very inefficient market, and thats where we got our start, Davies said.Within three years, they went from working in their San Francisco apartment to hiring about 35 people and trading 5% to 10% of all local emerging market currency volumes, he said.They diversified into options, equities and crypto after bigger and better firms came in and were better than us in FX emerging-markets trading, Davies said. By 2018, the firm concentrated exclusively on crypto.Their Singapore-based company now runs a fund, DeFiance Capital, that invests in decentralized finance, betting that these businesses will eat traditional finance over the next decade, according to the groups website. Investments include InsurAce, which provides insurance services, and CDEX, a cryptocurrency swap platform.Outsized VoicesWe have been long crypto for a while, Davies said. Weve not always been long Ethereum, in fact weve been short for periods of time, too. Whats the best way to beat Bitcoin right now? Well its just to own Ethereum. The ultimate goal of my book is to outperform Bitcoin.Davies said that Ethereum is currently the firms largest cryptocurrency holding. It has gained 245% this year compared with the U.S. dollar, while Bitcoin is up 29%.Despite the turbulence created by Musks tweets, Davies said hes less worried about the billionaires influence on the crypto market with each passing day.The thing about outsized voices is they usually dont last very long if theyre used too much, Davies said. If he were to tweet every single day, by the end of the year he would have no price impact.(Updates Ethereum, Bitcoin returns in 20th paragraph.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro nominated "Selena," the 1997 movie about the Tejano star's life, to be included in the National Film Registry for 2021. In a letter sent to Librarian of Congress on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Castro said the movie, directed by Gregory Nava and starring Jennifer Lopez, is recognized as an important work of Latino cinema and deserves to be safeguarded by the national library. RELATED: Chris Perez says he only visited the set of the 'Selena' movie once. Here's what happened. Castro recognized that films included in the canon are an important part of the national heritage and hold cultural, historical and aesthetic importance. He said Latinos need to be represented as part of the country's history. "Given the film industry's continued exclusion of Latinos, we must therefore make a special effort to ensure that Latino Americans' accomplishments in the film industry are appropriately celebrated and included in the National Film Registry," he said. Castro added that underrepresentation of Latinos in the film industry negatively effects everyday life for Latinos due to perceptions and stereotypes. Castro said he and the caucus are encouraging the largest library in the world to find ways to showcase the Latino experience as part of America's story. He said Selena is a title he is hoping to see on the 2021 list of films, but would like the Library of Congress to explore others that accurately depict the "American Latino experience." "The film has become a beloved icon of Latino culture and has found widespread mainstream success, proving once and for all that Latino stories are American stories. Given its importance as a work of Latino cinema, we believe it is deserving of preservation at the Library of Congress," Castro said in the letter. Twenty-five films are added to the registry each year. Nominations for the 2021 Registry can be submitted online until Sept. 15. Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye The Grand Hotel Sunnyvale, and sister property, The Cupertino Hotel, are under the direction of Area Hotel General Manager Claudio Bono. Bono was recently recognized as a top nominee for California Hotel and Lodging Association's Outstanding General Manager of the Year 2020 award. "We are incredibly proud of what the hotel has provided for the local community since opening in 2000. And, maybe even more so, for our essential workers and others displaced by COVID-19 within the last year," said Bono . " Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, The Grand Hotel has provided safe housing for healthcare workers from local medical institutions, such as Kaiser and El Camino, as well as California residents affected by the state's wildfire crisis," he continued. "We're forging forward with the hotel construction in acknowledgment that travel will emerge stronger on the other side of this global pandemic." A former recipient of the community-lauded CREST Award, "Cupertino Recognizes Extra Steps Taken," Bono is President Elect for the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce/Silicon Valley. The new Deluxe Rooms include queen or king-sized beds, floor to ceiling windows, and full-size bathrooms with granite counter tops, dual vanity mirrors, and Jacuzzi tub. Additionally, the rooms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as LCD TV, iHome docking station, mini-fridge, plush robes, and 110 mbps Wi-Fi. The property's 30 private villas are spacious 1-bedroom suites with 800 sq. ft. private terraces, fireplace, and full kitchen, efficient for extended stays. Recognizing the need for touchless amenities, ALEXA is also installed to allow guests to call for room service or set a wake-up call. Contactless check-in is provided. The new 600 sq. ft. and 500 sq. ft. meeting spaces will be available for corporate meetings, business events and special occasions. The tech-savvy rooms can host 40 at round tables, 30 in a "U" set-up and up to 80 in a theatre or reception-like arrangement. Outdoor spaces for meetings, weddings, and other events are offered as well. Contracts will be available from June 2021 onward. The Grand Hotel is currently open for essential stays only, following the California Travel Advisory For Non-Essential Travel. It operates in accordance with CDC and US Department of Health guidelines. Full covid protocols can be found here: https://www.svgrandhotel.com/cleaning-protocols/ . Nightly rates for June 2021 start at $219 USD. For more information and reservations, please visit https://www.svgrandhotel.com . SOURCE The Grand Hotel Related Links https://www.svgrandhotel.com NEW DELHI : India and France will hold their annual strategic dialogue on Thursday and the two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues, a Ministry of External Affairs statement said. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will lead the Indian delegation at the talks, while the French delegation will be led by Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues, the MEA said. Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries. The last edition of the strategic dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris, it said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. It's only January, but there are already way too many new K-dramas everyone needs to look out for! One of the upcoming series that's trending online, "Vincenzo," already had its first script reading. On Jan. 5, tvN's forthcoming series "Vincenzo" unveiled photos of its first-ever script reading together with its cast! The series's story will revolve around a lawyer and Italian Mafia named Vincenzo Cassano, who moved back to Korea after a conflict occurred within his company. After he arrived in Korea, he joins forces with Hong Cha Young, a strong veteran lawyer, whose goal is to take down criminals using his nefarious methods. It will be a story of dark heroes who get rid of villains who cannot be touched by the law using sinful methods. Present at the event was Kim Hee-Won, who will be directing the drama, and writer Park Jae Bum. The cast also attended the script reading, including Song Joong Ki, Jeon Yeo Bin, 2PM's Taecyeon, Yoo Jae Myung, Kwak Dong Yeon, Kim Yeo Jin, and Jo Han Chul. Returning on the small screen is actor Song Joong Ki who will be playing the lead role of Vincenzo. As expected, he already made a good impression during the script reading. His diverse acting showed both his character's personality and passion as he is the dark hero who will eliminate the modern-day villains in Korean society. He will also be involved with the residents of Geumga Plaza. Jeon Yeo Bin is Hong Cha Young, a lawyer who thinks of the advantages and disadvantages rather than the good and evil. She is also a straightforward person. Jang Joon Woo will be played by Taecyeon. He is a clumsy and handsome intern lawyer who is from abroad and with a goal of being Hong Cha Young's version of James Bond. Actor Yoo Jae Myung will play the role of Hong Cha Young's father named Hong Yoo Chan, who happens to be a lawyer also. He has his own law firm that gives power to those who need it, like the Geumga Plaza residents. Yoon Byung He is Nam Joo Sung, a manager working at his (Hong Yoo Chan) law firm and his right-hand man. Another lawyer who is a former prosecutor will be played by Kim Yeo Jin as Choi Myung Hee. "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" star Kwak Dong Yeon will also star as Jang Han Seo, the president of Babel Group. He is a villain who loves to win and uses tyranny and abuses power to get what he wants. He is a man who has no sense of conscience. Jo Han Chul will be portraying Han Seung Hyuk's character, a lawyer at Korea's top law firm and the person in charge of cleaning up Babe Group's problems. This will be an exciting drama that will surely be a massive hit. This also marks the return of Song Joong Ki on the Korean drama scene. Meanwhile, "Vincenzo" is scheduled to premiere in February. Are you also excited to see this forthcoming drama? Please share your thoughts with us! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins Chambers made a stupid move, yes. But shes a special-education teacher and wouldnt have entered the field without caring for special ed students. Yet she should know better because children who suffer from learning disabilities have been among those most hurt by the loss of in-classroom instruction during the pandemic shutdowns of public schools. Testing of the SICA-system outside Norway. In contrast to the traditional method of underwater video cameras, this system was found to detect unusual behavior of salmon more effectively during the feeding process by identifying low feed intake earlier. Credit: Magnus Oshaug Pedersen In recent years, Norwegian aquaculture has put a lot of effort into aiming to reduce production costs and increase production efficiency, while at the same time trying to minimize environmental impacts and ensure fish welfare. One especially interesting factor is the feeding process. Currently, cost of feeding is around 50 percent of the total cost in fish farms. Now a new, innovative automatic feeding system based on passive acoustics systems and Artificial Intelligence may contribute to more sustainable fish farming. Artificial Intelligence and sound "Our system combines different technologies, like passive acoustic sensors, IoT, (Internet of Things) and machine learning to monitor and control fish behavior in the cages," says Rosa Martinez Alvarez-Castellanos, R&D Technician at Centro Tecnologico Naval y del Mar (CTN). SICA is a non-invasive, passive acoustic system comprised of two modules: Data Logger and Control Unit. The Data Logger, which is deployed in sea cages, performs the acquisition stage through the passive acoustic sensor, and a pre-processing stage of the data is transmitted via the Wireless Communication Module. The Control Unit is placed where the feeding process is undertaken. In this project, the system was installed at the barge in SINTEF ACE facilities. Its function is to apply the machine learning algorithms to the data received from the Wireless Communication Module and make decisions about the feeding process. The SICA system operates autonomously, acquiring and processing the acoustic data. The technology is non-invasive and provides real-time monitoring. In contrast to the traditional method of underwater video cameras, this system was found to detect unusual behavior of salmon more effectively during the feeding process by identifying low feed intake earlier. By improving the efficiency of the feeding process, salmon farmers can reduce environmental impacts and increase their production. This underwater microphone is a part of SICA, an automated force system based on acoustic signals. Credit: Hamid Er-Rachdi and Rosa Martinez (CTN) Worldwide testing The CTN has first tested the system in the Mediterranean for sea bass fish farms. These species are different from salmon, and the farming conditions themselves are much challenging. To verify that the concept works under different conditions, and in order to train the algorithms, they performed tests at the SINTEF ACE full-scale aquaculture facilities in Frya, Norway. "We are one of few infrastructures in the world that are specialized in developing and testing new fish-farming technology in full scale," says Kevin Frank, manager of SINTEF ACE. Through AquaExcel2020 Transnational Access, which focuses on the smart feeding of salmon, CTN got access to SINTEF ACE facilities to test their system. Use of the SINTEF ACE test facilities was crucial for Rosa Martinez Alvarez-Castellanos and her colleges. "We needed access to good facilities to get the best results, and especially under such harsh conditions. In particular, we were able to test our equipment under different weather conditions and with the proper feeding equipment. The results showed that our concept is working." SINTEF ACE a full-scale laboratory facility in Rataren, Norway. Credit: Magnus Oshaug Pedersen SICA deployed in one of the cages at SINTEF ACE facilities in Rataren by Hamid Er-Rachdi/CTN. Credit: Rosa Martinez/CTN The facility provided access to a fish farm, boats, sensors, and assistance to set up the units at different cages. They also had fast wireless communication that helped them to test the system thoroughly. "This fast connection allowed us to expand the collaboration between CTN in Spain and the system (SICA) in Norway during the experiment," says Alvarez-Castellanos. For researcher Eleni Kelasidi, this is good evidence that the aquaculture laboratory facilitates full-scale testing and research at the highest level. "Highly qualified employees are an important reason why we are able to make it work," she says. In the future, the SINTEF ACE facilities will also be open for international researchers through AquaExcel 3. Explore further Meet the aquaculture industry's new maintenance bot ADVERTISEMENT The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank Limited, Adam Nuru, has proceeded on leave to enable the bank to investigate the allegations against him. The bank made this known in a statement on Tuesday. FCMB said the move was important to guarantee the sanctity of its investigations. We are aware of several stories circulating across several media platforms about our banks Managing Director, Adam Nuru; a former employee, Mrs Moyo Thomas, and her deceased husband, Mr Tunde Thomas, the statement said. While this is a personal matter, the tragedy of the death of Mr Tunde Thomas and the allegations of unethical conduct require the banks board to conduct a review of what transpired, any violations of our code of ethics and the adequacy of this code of ethics. This is already under way. During the period of the review, the managing director has volunteered to proceed on leave. This will guarantee the sanctity of the review process. Back-story PREMIUM TIMES reported how the bank has been in the eye of the storm lately when allegations of unprofessional romance were leveled against Mr Nuru. This newspaper reported how over 1,900 people signed a petition asking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sack Mr Nuru. The petition alleged that the bank chief was responsible for the demise of Tunde Thomas. Mr Thomas was said to have died of depression on December 16, 2020. According to the petition, the FCMB MD allegedly had an affair with his staff, Moyo Thomas, who was the deceaseds wife, resulting in two children. It alleged that Mrs Thomas had informed her husband that she was leaving Nigeria for the United States with the kids only to call him upon arrival that the children do not belong to him. The petition claimed the news initially caused Mr Thomas to be down with a stroke but later recovered and thereafter met another lady whom he planned to marry. Mr Thomas was, however, said to have suffered a cardiac arrest after returning from work about two days before his introduction ceremony to his already pregnant girlfriend. On Tuesday, FCMB called on the general public to exercise caution as it looks into the allegations. We enjoin all our stakeholders to bear with us as we conduct this review and to please respect the various families involved, the bank said. Protesters Breach Capitol Building, Vote Objection Deliberations On Hold People waving American flags expressing support for President Donald Trump have broken through barriers and overwhelmed Capitol police, crowding inside the Capitol building, where both chambers were deliberating over objections to the electoral votes from the presidential election. The deliberations have been put on hold and lawmakers have been evacuated. Shots have been reported inside the building, Epoch Times reporter Charlotte Cuthbertson wrote on Twitter. The building was put on lockdown. Multiple videos from the site showed protesters getting into scuffles with police officers guarding the barrier outside. A mass of people at the tip of a crowd of perhaps 200,000 Trump supporters marching on the Capitol then pushed their way through the barriers and police. Reinforcements were seen rushing in, reportedly shooting teargas into the crowd. The crowd broke into the building and more people gathered at the steps outside. Videos from inside the building show people traversing the corridors. Tear gas was later seen inside the building. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser announced 6 p.m. curfew through 6 a.m. Thursday. The National Guard has been called to the Capitol, Politico reported. Trump called on his supporters to remain peaceful and to stand by the Capitol Police. Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement, he wrote on Twitter. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! Some reporters are still inside the chambers. This week: Pitkin Countys front line workers are eligible for the COVID19 vaccine, but can your employer require you to get vaccinated? Also a look at the two back-to-back worldwide ski events Aspen is hosting beginning March 10. Host Alycin Bektesh is joined by Madeleine Osberger, Erica OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - SNC Lavalin Group Inc. (SNCAF, SNC.TO) said Wednesday that Candu Energy Inc., a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded one-year extensions from Bruce Power on two existing contracts. The company will continue to provide fuel channel inspection, and tooling maintenance and refurbishment in support of reactor inspection and maintenance. As part of the extensions, SNC-Lavalin will support Bruce Power in executing three fuel channel inspection outages as part of the station's regular outage schedule in 2021. This contract is within SNCL Engineering Services. 'SNC-Lavalin looks forward to the renewed opportunity with Bruce Power and supporting its continued safe operation of CANDU units by performing inspections to meet the regulatory codes and standards,' said Sandy Taylor, President of Nuclear, SNC-Lavalin. SNC-Lavalin said it leads the fuel channel inspection programs for these heavy water reactors around the world performing multiple outages each year. The Bruce Power fuel channel inspections were performed using the Bruce Reactor Inspection and Maintenance System - Advanced Non-Destructive Examination (BRIMS-ANDE System) for over five years. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. New Delhi, Jan 6 : Conventional wisdom would have us believe that it is the size of your network that matters: how many people do you know? We're told to mix, mingle, and connect. But social science research suggests otherwise. The quality and structure of our relationships have far greater impact on our personal and professional lives. Our relationships with friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, and collaborators are by far our greatest asset. Yet, most people leave them to chance. In this ground-breaking study, "Social Chemistry - Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection" (Hachette), Marissa King, Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Yale, argues that there are strategic ways in which we can alter our relationships for a happier and more fulfilling life. With new understanding, this book can help readers see how they can harness the power of their networks in their personal relationships, at work, and to create a better world. King has developed and teaches a popular course entitled Managing Strategic Networks. A sociologist and network scientist by training, her research investigates social influence, social networks, and team dynamics. Her most recent line of research analyses the individual and group-level behaviours that are necessary for large-scale organisational change. Known to use wearable sensors to enhance traditional social science data, King's research has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic, and on National Public Radio. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The Department of Health and the Philippine Genome Center on Wednesday said the new COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom believed to be more contagious has not yet reached the Philippines based on a review of recent samples. Experts said the other variant found in South Africa has also not been detected in the country. The genome center said it conducted whole genome sequencing on 305 samples from coronavirus patients admitted in hospitals in November and December and inbound travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving at the airport. The samples came from patients who are residents of National Capital Region, Baguio City, Calabarzon, and General Santos. "Given the samples that we analyzed, we were not able to detect this particular lineage (B.1.1.7)... We also did not detect the South African variant in the samples," PGC Executive Director Cynthia Salome said in a media briefing. She said the most common mutation they have observed is the D614G mutation, which was found in the country in June. The official assured they have the technology to detect the emerging variants. Hong Kong on Tuesday reported they detected the new UK COVID-19 variant from a passenger who arrived from Manila on December 22. However, Philippine Airlines said the passenger presented a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the flight. The Philippines has imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals from at least 21 jurisdictions to prevent the entry of the new variants, but there are no restrictions on outbound travel. Dr. John Wong, epidemiologist and data analytics adviser for the Inter-Agency Task Force, warned that the country can see nearly 300,000 new coronavirus infections in a month from the average of 20,000 cases every month if the UK variant becomes prevalent in the country. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images Texas lawmakers, Houston-area officials and people across the country on Wednesday responded to the scene at the U.S. Capitol where armed, pro-Trump rioters swarmed the building in a violent protest of election results. The chaos that ensued resulted in a lockdown at the Capitol, a 6 p.m. curfew for Washington, one death and 13 arrests. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rep. Albio Sires was sitting on the House floor when Capitol Police burst in and told him to get out. Protesters supporting President Donald Trump had just broken into the building while the House and Senate were debating challenges to the electoral votes that will make Joe Biden the next president. They made it outside the chambers. They were banging on the doors, Sires, D-8th Dist., told NJ Advance Media from his congressional office, where had gone to after evacuating. I went to hear the discussion. I went there to support our members. And then all hell broke loose. This is unbelievable, said Sires, who fled Cuba with his family after Fidel Castro came to power, . This Trump is a disgrace. This is the United States of America democracy. I feel like Im back in my old country where they dont accept elections. Its just like the president wants. Also in the chambers at the time was Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist., who was watching the proceedings from the galleries. Its chaos, he said, after making it back to a House building. Both lawmakers said they heard reports of gunfire and were told to grab gas masks with them when they left. Sires said gas was fired outside the House chambers. Another lawmaker on the House floor at the time was Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., who said security quickly escorted out the congressional leaders of both parties before Capitol Police brought the rest of the lawmakers out to a secure location. As we were leaving the chamber, you could literally hear windows being broken, he said. This is an unbelievable time here, prompted by Trump. Literally an invasion of our democracy. Norcross said he was with about 200 members and their staffs. Another New Jersey lawmaker, Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., wasnt on the floor, but when he heard the news, he said he was concerned about his colleagues and congressional staff, Ive been spending a lot of time making sure my colleagues were OK and for me to be safe as well, he said. What I feel predominantly is just sadness for our nation. Im really frightful for the level of division and hatred that is in our country right now. The protesters first heard from Trump at a rally in Washington. We will never give up, Trump told the crowd. We will never concede. It doesnt happen. You dont concede when theres theft. He then told them to march on the Capitol. Were going to have to fight much harder, Trump said. Were going to walk down and Ill be there with you. Were going to walk down to the Capitol and were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women. Youll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength. I think its shameful that a radical faction of the Republican Party has incited a violent mob to march on the Capitol to support their efforts to overturn the election, said Malinowski, a former assistant U.S. secretary of state. Its something Im used to seeing in other countries in my former career. I never thought I would see it in the United States. Those who are responsible should feel shame for bringing this day to us, he added. Sires said the scene reminded him of the Castro dictatorship he left behind. It really is a shameful chapter in the history of this country, he said. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., recalled the 1998 murder of two Capitol Police officers when a gunman breached a security checkpoint. But in his 40 years in Congress, he said he he had never before seen such a large-scale invasion. Its outrageous, he said. These people, in my opinion, need to be prosecuted very, very aggressively. Thats not what this country is all about. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Trump administration has spent the past four years stacking the courts with anti-gay judges, according to a new report from LGBTQ civil rights group Lambda Legal. Nearly 40 percent of President Donald Trump's confirmed federal appellate judges have demonstrated anti-LGBTQ bias, the organization claimed, from opposing same-sex marriage and protecting businesses' rights to reject gay customers to helping implement the military's transgender ban. Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said the report is a "call to action" for President-elect Joe Biden. "While Donald Trump's presidency may be coming to end, his devastating impact on our federal courts will take decades to reverse," Jennings said in a statement. "When the basic human rights of LGBTQ+ Americans are so often challenged in court, we cannot accept a judiciary stacked with judges who would disenfranchise these vulnerable groups." The report, Courts, Confirmations & Consequences, also claims that the outgoing administration has seated judges faster than any other in recent history: 54 of Trump's circuit court nominees were confirmed in four years, while President Barack Obama had only 55 confirmed in his eight years in office. Of Trump's 57 nominees for federal appellate judgeships, Lambda Legal opposed 22 because of their anti-LGBTQ records, including three who received lifetime appointments in 2020. Among them is Andrew Brasher, who was confirmed in February to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Previously, Brasher worked with the Alliance Defending Freedom on an amicus brief that argued that same-sex marriage was "harmful to children." In another amicus filing, Brasher claimed that a New Mexico wedding photographer had the right to turn down a gay couple because her involvement would suggest "approval, validation and celebration of the ceremony." Lambda Legal senior attorney Sasha Buchert called Brasher's appointment an "affront to civil rights." "Judge Brasher's record to undermine the rights of LGBTQ people and years of advocacy to suppress voting rights should not have been rewarded with the lifetime promotion that he just received from Republicans in the U.S. Senate," Buchert said in a statement at the time. IMAGE: Cory Wilson (Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Cory Wilson, who was appointed to the 5th Circuit court in June, called same-sex marriage "a pander to liberal interest groups" in a 2012 op-ed for the Press-Register of Mobile, Alabama. In another piece the same year, he defended Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy's donations to anti-LGBTQ causes, complaining that private citizens were being "bashed, banned, and bankrupted, simply for expressing their views." As a state legislator, Wilson backed Mississippi's HB 1523, a controversial religious freedom law that allows businesses, state employees and even health care providers to refuse service to LGBTQ people based on "deeply held religious beliefs or moral objections." A month before Justin Walker was appointed to the D.C. Circuit court in September, he ruled in favor of a Christian photographer who ran afoul of the Fairness Ordinance in Louisville, Kentucky, when she advertised that she shoots only heterosexual weddings. "America is wide enough for those who applaud same-sex marriage and those who refuse to," Walker, then a district judge for western Kentucky, wrote in a 27-page opinion. "The Constitution does not require a choice between gay rights and freedom of speech. It demands both." Other confirmed Trump nominees whom Lambda Legal has opposed are D.C. Circuit appeals Judge Gregory Katsas who, as deputy White House counsel, provided legal advice for the administration's ban on transgender service members and 5th Circuit appeals Judge Kyle Duncan, who represented the Virginia school district that tried to ban transgender student Gavin Grimm from using the bathroom aligning with his gender identity. Lambda Legal did not oppose the nomination of Patrick Bumatay, now the first openly gay judge on the 9th Circuit appeals court. In February, Bumatay issued a dissent saying the Idaho Corrections Department was under no obligation to approve a prisoner's request for gender-affirming surgery. Patrick Bumatay (Dept. of Justice) The country's 13 federal appellate courts (12 circuit courts representing different regions across the U.S. and the Federal Circuit Court in Washington, D.C.) sit just one level below the Supreme Court. They are the final arbiters in tens of thousands of cases annually, because the Supreme Court traditionally takes up only a hundred or so. "Circuit court judges exert tremendous influence in shaping our nation's laws and have a profound impact on the everyday lives of Americans," the report reads. Trump appointees account for nearly a third of the 179 circuit judges. In nine of the 13 circuits, his picks are a quarter of the active-duty (i.e., non-senior status) judges. He also appointed 174 of the 644 judges on federal district courts. White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere praised Trump's "unmatched record" of appointing judges who believe in applying the Constitution "as written, not legislating from the bench." "The President has always been transparent with the American people about the qualifications he considers paramount and who he would consider for a seat on the High Court in order to ensure this exceptional nation built on the rule of law continues for generations to come," Deere said in an email. Before he leaves office on Jan. 20, Trump will also have appointed three Supreme Court justices: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. While Lambda opposed all three, Gorsuch issued the majority opinion last year in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, a landmark decision that determined that the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 barred workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. "Those who adopted the Civil Rights Act might not have anticipated their work would lead to this particular result," Gorsuch wrote in the ruling in June. "But the limits of the drafters' imagination supply no reason to ignore the law's demands." Sharon McGowan, Lambda Legal's chief strategy officer and legal director, warned that there are many other areas in which Gorsuch has "been much more skeptical about the rights of LGBT people." She pointed to his joining Justice Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion in the 2018 Masterpiece Cakeshop case, in which Thomas argued that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated baker Jack Phillips' right "to freely exercise his religion" by requiring him to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple. And in a dissenting opinion in Pavan v. Smith, Gorsuch argued in 2017 that the court's landmark 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which made gay marriage legal nationwide, didn't guarantee the right of same-sex parents to have both their names appear on their children's birth certificates. "While some arguments can reach him ... he's certainly not a reliable vote," McGowan said. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AXA XL today announced the promotions of Jason Mandik to Vice President, Head of the Chicago-based US Risk Management team in the US Central Zone, Sandra Clarke to Vice President, National Practice Leader for Temporary Staffing and Jessica Carpita to Senior Casualty Underwriter, US Risk Management. "Each of these individuals has contributed to the success of our US Risk Management portfolio in the US Central Zone during a very challenging year," notes Chris Kopser, President, Primary Casualty, Americas. "I am confident that the regional and technical expertise within this team will further enable us to provide exceptional service for our brokers and clients in the evolving casualty industry." Jason Mandik joined AXA XL in May 2019 as a Senior Commercial Casualty Underwriter for US Risk Management, specializing in workers' compensation, commercial auto and general liability. As Head of the Chicago-based US Risk Management team in the US Central Zone, Jason now oversees a team of regional underwriters. He is responsible for ensuring the highest degree of underwriting standards, developing new products and customizing services to better serve our broker and clients. Jason will manage the greater Chicago-area and upper Midwest and is based in Chicago, reporting to Chris Kopser. Prior to AXA XL, Jason worked as broker in the insurance industry for nearly 15 years. Sandra Clarke was promoted to Vice President, National Practice Leader for Temporary Staffing. In this expanded role, Sandra will continue to apply her expertise working with temporary staffing clients across the AXA XL primary casualty portfolio to provide exemplary, customized service to address the unique needs and offerings of this segment for new and existing clients. Sandra spent the last two years as a Senior Casualty Underwriter for US Risk Management at AXA XL. She held several diverse roles in her decade of insurance experience, including underwriting, claims and as a casualty broker. Jessica Carpita joined AXA XL in 2013 as a Property Underwriting Assistant. She developed her career within AXA XL to her new role as Senior Casualty Underwriter, US Risk Management. In 2017, Jessica pursued her CPCU certification and is consistently recognized by brokers and clients for her outstanding customer service and ability to manage large, complex accounts. She also serves as the Chicago Chair of the AXA XL Corporate Social Responsibility team. Both Sandra and Jessica are based in Chicago and report to Jason Mandik. AXA XL's US Risk Management team works collaboratively to build risk management programs, including General Liability, U.S. Workers Compensation, and Commercial Auto, for large U.S. and Canadian-based domestic and multinational companies. Through its regional and global network, AXA XL helps these companies address their primary casualty risks through insurance, analytics and loss prevention needs in more than 200 countries. Follow AXA XL on Twitter and on LinkedIn. ABOUT AXA XL[1] AXA XL1, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com ABOUT AXA XL1 INSURANCE AXA XL1 Insurance offers property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty insurance solutions to mid-sized companies through to large multinationals globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com 1AXA XL is a division of AXA Group providing products and services through three business groups: AXA XL Insurance, AXA XL Reinsurance, and AXA XL Risk Consulting. SOURCE AXA XL Related Links https://axaxl.com Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hiltons contemporary luxury hotel brand, has announced plans to bring the global brand to Manama, Bahrain following the signing of an agreement to open Conrad Residences Bahrain Financial Harbour in 2022 at the upcoming mixed-use development, First Energy Bank Tower. The highly anticipated property will be the first fully residential luxury development for the Conrad brand in the Middle East. Part of Bahrain Financial Harbour, a commercial waterfront development located on the northern shore of Manama, Conrad Residences Bahrain Financial Harbour will provide an exceptional location for people to enjoy spectacular coastal views of the Arabian Gulf while being conveniently located in the heart of the capital citys up-and-coming business and residential district. Were extremely delighted with this partnership with Hilton which will mark the debut of Conrad Hotels & Resorts first fully residential property in the Middle East. We believe that this will be a high value addition, not only for the upcoming FEB Tower at Bahrain Financial Harbour, but for the Kingdom of Bahrain, said Mohamed Ghanem, CEO of First Energy Bank. The introduction of the Conrad brand to Bahrain will provide further visibility of the hospitality sector in the kingdom, enabling the property to offer a unique and premium product appealing to regional and international travellers, and will attract a new class of travellers to the Kingdom of Bahrain." We are delighted to debut Conrad Hotels & Resorts in Bahrain with this outstanding new property, said Carlos Khneisser, vice president of development, Middle East and Africa, Hilton. We see significant opportunity in branded luxury residences for our world class hospitality brands. Whether planning a long or short-term stay, guests can look forward to enjoying unparalleled service standards and state-of-the-art amenities at this exclusive Conrad property. Featuring 98 purposefully designed and elegantly serviced apartments, Conrad Residences Bahrain Financial Harbour will be located just minutes away from some of the most sought-after waterfront leisure and business venues, including the Harbour Towers, Financial Centre, The Avenues Mall, Bahrain Bay, and Reef Island. The property will offer unobstructed views of the Arabian Gulf from its elevated waterfront location, as well as a number of exquisite culinary options, including mouthwatering delicacies at the propertys all-day restaurant, succulent dishes at the pool lounge grill, and refreshing beverages at the lobby cafe. The hotel will also offer a fully equipped gym, an outdoor pool, and a conveniently located boardroom. I am thrilled that we will be establishing a presence in Manama with Conrads first all-residential property in the Middle East. Providing a host of both leisure and business opportunities amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Arabian Gulf, Bahrain Financial Harbour is the ideal setting in which to debut Conrads modern yet stylish residential offering, says Nils-Arne Schroeder, global brand head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts. Conrad properties around the world are known for their seamless connection between contemporary design, inspiring destinations and leading innovation and this property will be no exception. - TradeArabia News Service Law Offices of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The San Diego employment law attorneys at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, alleging the company violated California Labor Code. The lawsuit against National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, is currently pending in the San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 37-2020-00045498-CU-OE-CTL. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. According to the lawsuit filed, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, and (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in Labor Code Sections 226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Cal. Lab. Code 226 provides "that every employer shall furnish each of his or her employees with an accurate itemized wage statement in writing showing...the corresponding amount of time worked at each hourly rate." From time to time, DEFENDANT allegedly failed to provide wage statements to employees that identified the correct gross and net wages earned, which resulted in DEFENDANT allegedly violating Cal. Lab. Code 226. For more information about the class action lawsuit against National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** A Tory run council has been told to review their decision to underwrite a 100,000 'party' to unveil a controversial statue of Margaret Thatcher in her hometown. For over a decade the normally sedate Lincolnshire town of Grantham has witnessed a bitter row over how to remember their most famous daughter. Two years ago South Kesteven District Council granted planning permission to erect the 300,000 statue which was previously rejected by Westminster Council. But the tribute's plinth in Grantham town centre has stood empty for nine months while the argument continues over Baroness Thatcher's legacy. Two years ago South Kesteven District Council granted planning permission to erect the 300,000 statue of Baroness Thatcher which was previously rejected by Westminster Council The latest set back came after the Tory-controlled council decided to underwrite a 100,000 unveiling ceremony for the statue. Opposition councillors labelled the event 'nothing more than a party,' and one independent member called for a local referendum to finally decide if Grantham residents wanted the statue. The council's culture and visitor economy overview and scrutiny committee was asked to examine the plans and yesterday voted in favour of a proposal to ask the cabinet to provide further information on the event's costs before they would approve the spend. The statue already has planning permission, given in February 2019, but the decision to put aside the money for the ceremonial event was made last month. Council leaders claim it will be paid for by donations from the private sector. However, those members who called-in the decision accused the cabinet of 'bulldozing through' the decision for what they said was 'essentially a party'. The tribute's plinth in Grantham town centre has stood empty for nine months while the argument continues over Baroness Thatcher's legacy. They said the leadership was 'out of touch' with residents over the issue and said there had been a lack of information, consultation, transparency and detail. Some even called for a public referendum on the decision though this was not put to a vote. Labour councillor Louise Clack said there was 'a real issue with a handful of people making a decision about such a large sum of money for what is effectively a party.' 'Ostensibly, this was done on the basis that it was underwriting 100,000, but we've not had any proof or evidence that we have support from the community for this,' she said. Lib Dem Councillor Helen Wheeler said 'it will help to put Grantham on the map' but added that the public purse must be protected. She added: 'I do not believe that we should be committing 100,000 of taxpayers' money for an unveiling event which will be entirely party political in nature. Times are tough, budgets are down and people are struggling. The statue already has planning permission, given in February 2019, but the decision to put aside the money for the ceremonial event was made last month. Council leaders claim it will be paid for by donations from the private sector. Pictured: Thatcher with John Major 'It is beyond comprehension and quite frankly embarrassing that our district would sign off on a budget like this, particularly without proper scrutiny and questioning.' And former Grantham mayor Ian Selby repeated a call he made previously to hold a referendum on installing the statue, claiming that it could run alongside the Lincolnshire County Council elections in May. He added: 'This is about adequate consultation. There's been no consultation for the residents. 'It is such a divisive issue and the timing of it couldn't be worse. We have seen other statues pulled down? Why? Because they're a reminder or pain and suffering. 'How many people really are going to be able to view this statue with pride? I personally for one am sorry to say that I won't be able to. It's hurtful. I'm going to have to walk past this statue and it's going to bring back horrible memories for people who have suffered under her policies.' Independent Councillor Phil Dilks pointed to the fact Westminster Council had already rejected the statue due to the lack of support and threats of vandalism. He said he did not object to the statue previously as long as it was protected behind a high security fence and if the public purse was not used to finance it. 'So how have we become so out of touch with reality that we're seriously thinking of staging a party [] when our priority ought to be assisting those who need financial help facing spiralling COVID costs, rocketing unemployment, homelessness and extreme demand on local food banks?' Council leader Kelham Cooke defended the decision saying it would have a 'significant impact' on the local economy. 'This event is a once in a lifetime opportunity to boost tourism and footfall and to raise the profile of Grantham across national and international waters,' he said. 'Already I have had several expression of interest to donate towards the cost of the event which is a huge vote of confidence for us.' He was backed by Councillor Ray Wootten who compared the statue to that of former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson in Huddersfield, to which he said he bore 'no ill feelings towards'. He said there was a silent majority who supported the statue. 'I'm certain that the unveiling of this statue in Grantham will attract international press and visitors from around the world and will be an asset to our town' he said. Margaret Thatcher (nee Roberts) was born and raised in Grantham and attended Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, before gaining a scholarship to study at Oxford University. Her father Alfred, a grocer, was mayor from 1945 to 1946. The 10ft Douglas Jennings statue was offered to Grantham after plans to erect it in London were rejected. It is currently being stored at 'a secret location'. Lincolnshire Police advised the statue should be put it on a 10ft-high plinth to prevent vandalism, making the entire structure more than 20ft overall. People took to social media to voice their opinions, with over 14,000 on Facebook registering their interest in attending an egg-throwing contest once the statue was unveiled. Residents have been bitterly divided by the row which has raged for well over a decade. The argument is so fierce that at present only a small plaque above her father's former grocers store commemorates Baroness Thatcher's links to the town. It is hoped the statue will be erected later this year, but a date has yet to be fixed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Telangana e-pass rule mandatory to enter state: How to apply for lockdown pass online? Karnataka HC rejects Yediyurappa's plea to quash FIR in land denotification case India oi-Deepika S Bengaluru, Jan 06: In yet another setback to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the Karnataka High Court has refused to quash an FIR filed against him in the illegal land denotification case. The court also imposed Rs 25,000 cost on the Chief Minister. When the plea by Yediyurappa came up on Tuesday, Justice John Michael Cunha dismissed it and directed the Lokayukta police to continue the investigation in the matter. This is the second time within a span of a fortnight that the court has dismissed his second plea. 75 people who returned from the UK yet to be traced: Karnataka Health Min Earlier on December 23, the court had rejected his plea to quash criminal proceedings in another land denotification case. The case relates to the denotification of 1.11 acre land at Gangenahalli, which is part of the Matadahalli layout in RT Nagar in the city in which former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and others are also accused. Based on a complaint by social activist Jayakumar Hiremath, the Lokayukta police had registered a case under section 420 of the IPC against the accused in 2015. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 16:51 [IST] Speaking to reporters in Brussels, EU spokesman Peter Stano said that Iran's actions "will have serious implications when it comes to nuclear nonproliferation." Stano said that, despite Iran's "regrettable action," the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, contains strict verification measures which are still in place." The European Union Tuesday expressed grave concern about reports from the U.N. nuclear watchdog that Iran had resumed enriching uranium and said it would continue working to salvage the multi-national nuclear deal that restricted such activities. Iran recently informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of its plans to increase enrichment to 20 percent, levels not seen since the nuclear deal was struck. In 2018, President Donald Trump announced the United States was unilaterally withdrawing from the accord and has since reimposed sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the deal. Analysts say this latest move by Tehran on uranium enrichment maybe an attempt to give it leverage in any future negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the action was "fully reversible" if other partners in the deal fully complied too, without elaborating. U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has said he would like to return to the accord. Stano said it was in everyone's interest to rescue the 2015 deal and said the bloc would strengthen its attempts to make sure all parties kept to their commitments. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel regional and international developments, said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi. In their meeting on Wednesday, Kamel reviewed the results of the recent foreign visits and efforts the state has made in terms of the latest regional and international developments. The meeting also addressed developments related to national security, especially concerning efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. El-Sisi urged continuous efforts and coordination between relevant state institutions to preserve the national security and safety and establish stability as a main factor to support the development process, the statement read. Kamel embarked on a number of visits recently,. In January, he travelled to Sudan to meet with head of the Sovereign Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in addition to Sudans Director of the General Intelligence Service Gamal Abdel-Majid. In December, Kamel conveyed during his visit to the Libyan city of Benghazi a message of support from El-Sisi to the Libyan people, as he met with commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar and head of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh. Short link: The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. A collection of the automated sentiment or emotional analysis of words commonly used to talk about death and dying of a loved one. Credit: Flinders University Our reluctance to think, talk or communicate about death is even more pronounced when we deal with others' loss compared to our own, new research finds, but either way we tend to frame attitudes and emotions in a sad and negative way. Teaching new more positive ways to address these difficult conversations is the focus of a new paper in PLOS ONE journal by palliative care specialists across Australia. Led by Flinders University's Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying (RePaDD) and Palliative and Supportive Services, researchers from Flinders, CQUniversity Australia, NT Palliative Care Central Australia and University of Technology Sydney, surveyed 1,491 people about the use of language to express their feelings and insights into death and dying. Those surveyed were enrolled in Dying2Learn, a six-week MOOC (massive open online course) course developed at Flinders University to encourage open conversation about death and dying. Analysis of the emotional content of the words used by the group showed that by the end of the course participants were able to use "more pleasant, calmer and dominating (in-control) words to express their feelings about death", researchers conclude in PLOS ONE. "In an ageing population, when our elders and terminally ill are often cared for by health professionals in residential care rather than in the home, we can go through life without really discussing or witnessing the end of life," says lead author Dr. Lauren Miller-Lewis, Flinders University research associate and CQUniversity positive psychology lecturer. "Tackling and changing these perspectives will help the community to plan for and manage future needs and expectations of care at end-of-life, improve patient and family careincluding greater preparedness for deathand also help develop future health services. "Words aren't neutral, so understanding the emotional connotations tied to words we use could help guide palliative care conversations," Dr. Miller-Lewis says. Dying2Learn was an innovative online course developed as part of the CareSearch project, with funding from the Australian Government. The course ran four times in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. A new interactive online resource will be released on the CareSearch website in mid-2021 using insights, feedback and suggestions from the Dying2Learn program to "help all of us be able to start and respond to conversations about death and dying with our family, our neighbours, and work colleagues" (see the webpage here). Flinders Professor Jennifer Tieman, RePaDD Centre Director and Dying2Learn lead investigator, says the new web content will further assist community to help them feel more comfortable thinking aboutand talking aboutdeath and dying as a part of life. Professor Tieman says further studies using sentiment analysis could provide valuable insights into the way people feel about this issue, and other topics including palliative care, advance care planning, voluntary assisted dying and COVID-19. Co-author Flinders University Computer Scientist Dr. Trent Lewis says automated sentiment or emotional analysis of the words used showed a greater benefit for younger participants of the course who showed a bigger increase in pleasantness (valence) and dominance (power or control) by the end of the course, showing the benefit of gaining insights into becoming more emotionally accepting of death. "It shows how the general public can gain an acceptance of death as a natural part of life by learning how to openly discuss and address these feelings and attitudes," he says. The study also found differences between how course participants described the feelings towards death and dying of other people in the community compared to their ownwith 'sad', 'fear', 'scary' and 'loss' more common than their own preference for less emotionally negative words such as 'inevitable', 'peace' and 'natural'. "The assumption was that others feel more negatively about death then they do themselves," Dr. Lewis says. "This could impact on our willingness to start conversations about death with others," adds Dr. Miller-Lewis. "Do we avoid it because we think others will get upset if we bring it up, and does this then leave important things unsaid?" she asks. Explore further We need to talk about COVID-19 deaths More information: Words describing feelings about death: A comparison of sentiment for self and others and changes over time, PLOS ONE (2021). Journal information: PLoS ONE Words describing feelings about death: A comparison of sentiment for self and others and changes over time,(2021). Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Best Indie Book Award 2020 Alternative Medicine The words of a caregiver can harm or heal. HEALING is an award-winning book, by a master clinician, that teaches caregivers how to say it right. Dr. Steve Bierman explains in his award-winning book, HEALING Beyond Pills & Potions, that compassion is not enough. Compassionate caregivers (doctors, nurses, osteopaths, naturopaths, etc.) often misspeak, casting inadvertent curses on patients, when they could just as easily be offering curative suggestions. The words of a caregiver, as Dr. Bierman reminds us, can harm or heal. In fact, says Dr. Bierman, ideas may be the most potent epigenetic factors we currently have at our commandthey can both turn genes on and turn genes off. This is true mind/body medicine. HEALING teaches caregivers, first and foremost, how to avoid causing inadvertent harm with their words and deeds. This first lesson emerges as Dr. Bierman delivers a clearer understanding the true nature of medical information and the limitations of prognosticating any individuals outcome. Then, HEALING goes deeper: explaining the role of unhealthy wishes, dangerous identifications and untoward conditioning events in the causation of illness, unraveling the mysteries of hypnosis, placebo and ritual, teaching caregivers how to use the power of communication to effect remarkable and unexpected cures. The book is rich with stunning case examples from Dr. Biermans 40-year practice of blending traditional allopathic medicine with medical hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming and other integrative modalities. All caregivers, regardless of specialty or training, can benefit from reading HEALING; for, when it comes to talking with patients, very few caregivers were ever taught the curative communication skills offered in HEALING. As one critic wrote, This book turns artisans into artists, helpers into healers. The annual Best Indie Book Award (BIBA) is an international literary award contest recognizing outstanding achievement by independent authors. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors. HEALING Beyond Pills & Potions is the 2020 winner of the BIBA in non-fiction/alternative medicine. Learn more about the book at: https://www.amazon.com/HEALING-Beyond-Pills-Potions-Principles-Helpers-ebook/dp/B089SC2Q18 and http://www.healingbeyondpills.com See Dr. Biermans skills used in the Emergency Department: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNM0SjfDdV0 PRESS RELEASE Contact: Steve Bierman M.D. stevebierman00@gmail.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. To the editor: May I remind every one that freedom is not free. We owe it to ourselves to support our armed forces. Today all we hear is money for COVID-19, money for heath care, money for SNAP, money to bail out our profligate politicians. What happened to the American "can do" attitude? Now we want the government to take care of us from cradle to grave and with a little extra thrown in! Our first duty is to defend the U. S. of A. against our adversaries. It is not to give our hard earned money we pay as taxes to every special interest group with the most heart rendering account. Yes, blood and guts on the sidewalk can be found every day. What is not reported are the millions of us who make the best of what we are offered. What prompted this missile was the report that a carrier task group was returned to the Middle East off of Iran before rest and recreation, i.e. reconnecting with our children. We do not have enough ships and men to continually do this. It is especially hard on the families of the sailors. I spent nine years at sea as a sailor. My wife, in a sense, was a single mom to four children. Initially, we deployed for three to four months per year. By the time I was discharged in 1967, it was six to seven months and my last deployment to Vietnam was nine months. Yes, this is not World War II where everyone was on duty year after year. But, today, with volunteer members in the military, it is extremely hard to be deployed month after month with no expectation of relief. JAMES D. WHITESIDE Midland A team of scientists from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, has recently demonstrated that chemical agents capable of reducing disulfide (S-S) bonds can be potentially used as antiviral drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Their study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server. Study: Spike protein disulfide disruption as a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 . Image Credit: NIAID / Flickr As of January 5, 2021, over 84 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1.8 million deaths reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). To reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and curb the COVID-19 pandemic trajectory, the global scientific community has been looking for therapeutic as well as preventive interventions. More than 180 vaccines candidates are being developed, and some of them have already shown affirmative responses in human clinical trials. Moreover, clinical studies conducted in search for effective therapeutic medicines have identified some repurposed antiviral medicines, such as remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon, as potential agents to treat moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients. Mechanistically, the interaction between the spike protein (or S protein) of SARS-CoV-2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) of the host cell is responsible for the viral entry. The structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 has shown that the viral spike protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) contain multiple disulfide bonds (S-S), which are known to play vital roles in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the spike protein. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that disruption of viral S-S bonds can lead to loss of its binding ability. Given the abundance of S-S bonds in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and their potential involvement in modulating the spike structure and function, the current study has been designed to evaluate the efficacy of disulfide-reducing agents in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Current study design The scientists conducted molecular dynamics analysis and predicted that the reduction of S-S bond in the spike RBD makes the domain more flexible. Specifically, the analysis reveals that the S-S bond present in the surface loop of RBD (C480-C488) is responsible for maintaining the loop conformation, and thus, plays an important role in mediating the RBD ACE2 interaction. As predicted by the molecular dynamics, the reduction of the S-S bond in the surface loop may affect the structural stabilization and impair the RBD ACE2 interaction. Snapshots of the conformation of the RBD surface loop, residues 456-490, along the molecular dynamics trajectories. A) The crystal structure of the Spike RBD ACE2 complex. Spike RBD domain is shown as cartoon and colored wheat, while ACE2 is shown as a lilac semitransparent cartoon. The SS bonds are shown as wire with white carbon and yellow sulfur atoms. The conformation of the RBD surface loop, residues 456-490, after 250 ns of molecular modeling is shown in green, red and lavender for RBD, RBD (-4 SS) and RBD (-1 SS), respectively. B) Snapshots of conformations of the RBD loop 456-490. The RBD domain is shown as a wheat cartoon. The structure of the loop is shown in lavender, green, orange and red color for 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ns of the modeling trajectory. C) Snapshots of the loop 456-490 conformations of the RBD (- 1 SS). D) Snapshots of the loop 456-490 conformations of the RBD (-4 SS). The coloring scheme is identical for B, C and D. The structural deviations of the loop 456-490 are much higher if the Cys480-Cys488 bond is reduced, as shown in C and D. Based on the molecular dynamics predictions, the scientists have conducted a series of in vitro and cell-based assays to determine the ability of several disulfide-reducing agents, such as dithiothreitol (DTT), tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP), N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and reduced glutathione (GSH), in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Important observations The data obtained from in vitro assays reveal that disulfide-reducing agents DTT and TCEP are capable of altering the secondary structure composition of the spike RBD and reducing its melting temperature almost to the physiological range. Moreover, these two chemical agents significantly impair the interaction between RBD and ACE2 by reducing the RBD S-S bond. A very low melting temperature of RBD observed in the presence of DTT and TCEP indicates that administration of reducing agents into the human body can lead to an unfolding of RBD even at normal body temperature. Other reducing agents tested in this study, such as NAC and GSH, demonstrate similar effects, but the impact is lesser than DTT and TCEP. In contrast to RBD effects, incubation of DTT and TCEP with ACE2 does not cause any S-S reduction, indicating that ACE2 is resistant to external reducing agents. Regarding the interaction between RBD and ACE2, both DTT and TCEP significantly reduce the binding affinity, whereas NAC and GSH show a less significant impact. In line with in vitro experiments, the data obtained from cell-based analyses demonstrate that both DTT and TCEP can prevent SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication inside human cells. The concentrations of DTT and TCEP used to achieve the antiviral effects have not caused any reduction in cell viability, indicating that these agents can be used therapeutically to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Of four tested reducing agents, DTT and TCEP demonstrate the highest effects as they have higher redox potential than NAC and GSH, which are mono-thiols and require the presence of other thiol-containing molecules to catalyze S-S reduction. Overall, the study findings provide useful information about the potential antiviral effects of disulfide-reducing agents. Given their ability to inhibit the viral entry into host cells, these reducing agents may be used as the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection. *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. The aged care industry wants any COVID-19 vaccine to be made mandatory for their staff to protect older Australians in their care in a move endorsed by two federal Coalition MPs with medical backgrounds. Nursing homes in Sydney and Melbourne were ravaged by the pandemic in earlier waves, prompting concerns in the sector that any further outbreaks could have a devastating effect. The aged care industry wants the government to force its staff to get a COVID-10 vaccine. Credit:Louise Kennerley But business groups in other sectors and former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth lined up behind the government, backing its March timetable and plans not to make the vaccine mandatory across the community. Sean Rooney, chief executive of industry association Leading Aged Services Australia, said aged care homes were still at risk from the coronavirus despite protective measures. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. [January 06, 2021] Seyfarth's 17th Annual Workplace Class Action Report: Pandemic Produces Record Number Of Rulings In 2020 Seyfarth has released its 17th annual edition of the Workplace Class Action Litigation Report, which is recognized as the nation's most complete guide to workplace-related complex litigation. In its largest edition ever, Seyfarth analyzed a record number of 1,548 class action rulings on a circuit-by-circuit and state-by-state basis to identify key themes from 2020 and emerging litigation trends facing U.S. companies in 2021. Over the span of its 17 years, Seyfarth's Report has developed the legal industry's most comprehensive class action database featuring analyses of over 20,000 cases. Described as the "definitive source of information on employment class action litigation" and a resource that "no practitioner who deals with employment claims. . . should be without" by Employment Compliance Magazine, Seyfarth's Report is the sole compendium in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to workplace class action litigation. This year's 850-page Report is the "go-to" research and resource guide for businesses and their corporate counsel facing complex litigation in the coming year. "The pandemic's impact was felt in every aspect of life and in every sector of the economy, creating a record number of workplace class action rulings in 2020," said Seyfarth partner and author of the 17th annual Report, Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we also saw settlement values increase this year for both the plaintiffs' bar and government enforcement litigation. While the level of Federal enforcement litigation slowed in 2020, employers should expect the new Biden Administration to reverse course and gear up for aggressive litigation in 2021." The Seyfarth <>Report details five key employment litigation trends for corporations in 2021: COVID-19 Impact - The pandemic spiked more class actions for all types of workplace issues, with a record number of 1,548 rulings in 2020. As businesses return to the new normal, class actions emanating from the pandemic will be with employers in 2021 and beyond. Change Is The New Normal - With a change from red to blue in the White House, a likely expansion of workers' rights, increased regulation of businesses, and aggressive enforcement of workplace laws is apt to take place in the next four years. With that platform, advocates for workers and labor are expected to ramp up their activities on the workplace class action litigation front. Increased Values Of Settlements In Class Actions - Counter-intuitively, settlement numbers went up in the age of COVID and plaintiffs' lawyers and government enforcement actions garnered more money in 2020 than in 2019 - with settlements in the aggregate totaling over $1.5 billion in 2020. Many thought the pandemic would depress the pace and size of settlements in the new "cash is king" approach to the business cycle. Instead, workplace class action litigation defied those odds and demonstrated that the plaintiffs' bar converted case filings into significant settlement numbers. Government Enforcement Litigation Slowed - The DOL, OFCCP, and the EEOC deemphasized their litigation enforcement programs and brought less actions than ever before (94 lawsuits in 2020 as compared to 144 in 2019). Yet, their settlement numbers were up (a record amount of $535.4 million in 2020). Of the total amount collected, litigation recoveries increased from $39.1 million in 2019 to $106 million in 2020, the highest in 16 years. This approach is apt to change in a significant manner under the Biden Administration and reach higher levels. Wage & Hour Litigation Remains The Sweet Spot For The Plaintiffs' Class Action Bar - Based on sheer volume and statistical numbers, workers scored the most success in securing certification of wage & hour class and collective actions in 2020 as compared to other areas of workplace law - and at the highest level ever seen in the last two decades. Certification percentages of wage & hour actions were 84% granted and 16% denied. This state of affairs is expected to explode in 2021 with a more friendly DOL that makes wage theft its enforcement priority and with minimum wage increases in 25 states in 2021. To view additional videos, charts, and data from the Workplace Class Action Litigation Report please visit www.workplaceclassactionreport.com, where you may also request a copy. Available as a downloadable eBook, the Seyfarth Report is fully searchable, compatible with all major devices, allows readers to bookmark useful sections for easy future reference, and includes a number of other features, such as note-taking, highlighting and more. About Seyfarth With more than 900 lawyers across 17 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005722/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Cleta Mitchell is the top political and non-profit lawyer on the right. For quite a few years, she has been a partner in Foley & Lardner, a major national law firm that originated in Milwaukee. In recent years, she has been attacked and lied about repeatedly by the Left. This reached a crescendo over the last few days, following the leaked telephone conversation between President Trump and Georgias Secretary of State, in which she was participated on behalf of the president. The Left mounted a vicious campaign against Cleta, her law firm and her firms clients, not accusing her of any wrongdoing other than having the temerity to give advice to the President of the United States. Yesterday, in an email to clients and friends, Cleta announced her departure from Foley & Lardner. I am reproducing the email with her permission: Clients and Friends: Given all that has transpired over the last few days, I wanted to share this personal message with you, which comes solely from me and not from my law firm, Foley & Lardner, LLP. As you are probably aware, there has been a massive pressure campaign in the last several days mounted by leftist groups via social media and other means against me, my law firm, and clients of the law firm, because of my personal involvement with President Trump, his campaign and the White House, related to the November 3 general election in Georgia. After discussions with my firms management, I have decided that it is in both of our interests that I leave the Firm. I have been a partner at Foley for almost 20 years. It has been a good legal, professional, and personal home for me, my clients and my practice and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to be a partner at Foley all these years. I have come to the conclusion, however, that I do not wish to distract the Firm, my colleagues or our clients with the ongoing campaign of hateful, vile, and offensive attacks that have inundated our Firm and clients, and which I know will persist from these left wing pressure groups. That is not good for anyone and especially not good for our clients. I thank the Firm for its support of my political law practice all these years despite ongoing assaults through the years against me, my clients and my work. With the ever more brazen attacks on conservatives and, most especially, anyone who supports and wants to help President Trump, I realize that a large national law firm is no longer the right platform for me or my law practice. Election integrity is something I have been quite passionate about for many, many years. That was and remains my goal in trying to get to the truth about the Georgia election results. Those who deny the existence of voter and election fraud are not in touch with facts and reality. I fully intend to redouble my efforts in this arena after I leave the Firm. For those of you who are my clients, we will talk in the next several days about a transition of your matters. Those will be confidential discussions between us. I look forward to having those conversations with you and doing what I can to assist each of you. Blessings to you and Happy New Year. Cleta Cleta will be fine. She is a great lawyer and will not lose any clients. She can hire an associate or two and set up her own practice, or join one of a handful of boutique law firms with practices that lean to the right. Nevertheless, the extent to which the far Left has been successful in banning conservatives from mainstream businesses and institutions is chilling. One can contrast Cleta Mitchells situation with that of Marc Elias, a partner in the Perkins Coie law firm, originally from Seattle. Perkins Coie is comparable to Foley & Lardner in size and stature. Elias is the Democrats top election lawyer, and he has played a controversial role in his representations of the Democratic National Committee and Democratic campaigns. In particular, it was Elias and Perkins Coie who laundered money from the DNC and the Hillary Clinton campaign, falsely recording it as legal expenses in FEC filings when in fact the money was used by Elias to hire the disreputable opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which in turn paid Christopher Steele to fabricate the Russia collusion hoax. Here, Elias played the role of a bagman for the Democrats in a way that was at least arguably illegal. But he has not been attacked for it, let alone driven from his law firm by a boycott campaign. What is the difference? The difference is that liberals are mean-spirited bullies, and conservatives are not. This asymmetry is one that will continue to plague our public life for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. ABC/Rick RowellDespite celebrating the most successful year of her career, Regina King says she's not interested in "compromising my integrity" -- but she's always "continuing to dream." The Emmy-winning actress graces the February cover of Instyle Magazine, where she discusses showcasing Black men's insecurities and vulnerabilities in her directorial debut, One Night in Miami. Based on a play by Kemp Powers, the film adaptation is a fictional account of a real meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali as Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown on the night of February 25, 1964. King said she was mostly drawn to the film's expansion of each character's impactful role in music, sports, and activism. "It really humanized them," she continues. "I feel like we don't get the opportunity to see Black men like this, and most of us have Black men who are this layered in our lives, who have this much love and strength and vulnerability, all of those things, in one." King admitted there were some actors who chose not to audition for the film, but she was content with her choices of Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Leslie Odom Jr. and Aldis Hodge to play such legendary figures. "I want every Black man I know and love to see themselves in this film because I saw them when I read the script," says King. "Some could look at [those themes] as subtleties, but they are the big-ticket items I want people to leave with. That nobody is perfect, and we are just trying to do our best. While these men are legendary, they were trying to do their best. It's as simple as that." One Night in Miami comes to select U.S. theaters January 8 and will stream on Amazon Prime Video January 15. By Rachel George Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. This is the hilarious moment a two-year-old golden retriever got confused by her owner's puppy-shaped slippers. Eva Chow, 30, said her dog Molly appeared bemused while interrogating the new arrivals. Ms Chow tried to confuse her pet further by having the 'puppies' walk towards the golden retriever. Eva Chow, 30, said her two-year-old dog Molly was confused by her dog-shaped slippers Ms Chow said: 'Molly was very confused trying to figure out whether or not the slippers were a friend' Ms Chow, from Seattle, Washington said: 'Molly was very confused trying to figure out whether or not the slippers were a friend. 'I think eventually she realised they weren't real and began debating whether or not she could get away with chewing them.' The video was a huge hit after it was shared on Molly's own Instagram page which boasts almost 43,000 followers. The video has racked up over 220,00 likes from fans who have fallen in the love with the curious pooch. One user commented: 'OMG amazing. I think you should gnaw on those imposters!' while another wrote: 'Do a full investigation, Molly.' Another added: 'That's the cutest thing I've seen today.' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks on the first day of the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea on Jan. 6, 2021. (KCNA/via Reuters) North Koreas Kim Says Five-Year Economic Plan Failed Tremendously North Korean leader Kim Jong Un acknowledged that the communist regime failed to produce on nearly every front of his five-year economic plan. In a gathering of the ruling Workers Party on Jan. 6, Kim told other cadres that the five-year strategy was due last year but it tremendously fell short of goals on almost every sector, according to state-run media. Photos of the event showed top aides, including sister Kim Yo Jong, had accompanied him. The Workers Party meeting hasnt been held in about five years, which was when Kim first introduced the economic blueprint. The Soviet Union and China under Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong, respectively, as well as other communist states, have used five-year plans in an attempt to develop their economies, although historians and other experts have said these plans have led to unprecedented faminessuch as the one that occurred during Chinas second five-year planand other hardships. Kim again called for self-reliance to boost the countrys economy. The key to breaking through the existing manifold difficulties with utmost certainty and speed lies in consolidating our own strength, our internal force, in all respects, he said, according to Yonhap. Using Marxist terminology referring to class struggle, Kim said hell suggest the key line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies for the cause of national reunification, promoting external relations and strengthening the work of the Party. Reunification refers to relations between North and South Korea. Kim didnt mention South Korea or the U.S. presidential election. The dictator held several meetings with President Donald Trump, although there has been little progress on denuclearization talks since 2019. Also during the address, Kim also thanked workers to create stable situations against the coronavirus from beginning to end. They had resolutely overcome difficulties in the face of an unprecedentedly prolonged, unparalleled global health crisis, he added. Since the start of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, North Koreawhich shares a border with China, where the virus is believed to have originatedhasnt confirmed a single case of the virus but has reported suspected cases to the World Health Organization. Yonhap, citing state media photos, reported that Kim wore a black Mao-style jacket and arrived at the event in a black Mercedez-Benz sedan. Lists of participants released by KCNA showed that since the 2016 congress, nearly 75 percent, or 29 of 39 leaders who took the podium, have been replaced, as Kim sacked many of his fathers longtime confidants, weakened the powerful military, and promoted relatively younger loyalists, including his sister. Experts expect further leadership changes to be announced over the remaining days of the meeting. Kim usually gives a New Year address that maps out blueprints for his diplomatic, military, and economic policy but skipped it this year. Analysts said he will likely give a message once the congress is over. Reuters contributed to this report. Due to the very hot and dry weather conditions over the next three days the warning areas have changed. In its latest alert issued just before 6.30pm, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said conditions will test containment lines and potentially put coastal communities at risk. Residents of Ocean Farms Estate and Seaview Park need to remain on high alert and enact their bushfire survival plan now. If you plan to leave, leave now if safe to do so via Indian Ocean Drive in a southerly direction. The fire is stationary, but hot and windy weather conditions over the next three days have the potential to rapidly escalate fire behaviour. It is currently uncontrolled and uncontained. Warning areas: A bushfire emergency warning is in place for people in an area east of Indian Ocean Drive, south of Meadows Road, Mimegarra Road and Nammegarra Road, west of Regans Ford, north of Orange Springs Road, Sappers Road and K.W. Road, including Nilgen (Ocean Farms Estate) and Karakin (Seaview Park). A watch and act alert is current for people in or near the Wedge Island community or in the areas south of Wedge Island Road, west of Indian Ocean Drive, south of K.W. Road and Sappers Road, west of Cowalla and north of Nabaroo and Bennies Road. A bushfire advice is in place for people in an area south of Mimegarra Road, west of the Brand Highway to Red Gully Road, including Regans Ford, west to the coastline including the Moore River National Park Road closures: Indian Ocean Drive at Wedge Island Road Indian Ocean Drive at Lancelin Road K.W. Road at Indian Ocean Drive Cowalla Bridge at Orange Springs Road Orange Springs Road at Brand Highway Mimegarra Road at Brand Highway (south of Cataby Roadhouse) Indian Ocean Drive at Cervantes Road Indian Ocean Drive south of Cervantes Road is open to local traffic ONLY needing to go as far south as Wedge Island Indian Ocean Drive is closed to ALL traffic south of Wedge Island and north of the Lancelin turn-off. Vehicles are still able to leave if safe to do so. Road signage is also up at other locations and must be adhered to. Vehicles can travel into Lancelin via Lancelin Road. There is no access north of Lancelin on Indian Ocean Drive for those wishing to travel but those that are leaving Lancelin can leave in a southerly direction via Indian Ocean Drive. Keep up to date with the latest alerts by visiting emergency.wa.gov.au, calling 13 DFES (13 3337), following DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa or listeing to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins. River Discovery Center Hosts Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition PADUCAH - River Discovery Center Hosts Smithsonian Traveling ExhibitionThe Smithsonians Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with the Kentucky Humanities Council, presents Crossroads: Change in Rural America. The exhibition examining the evolving landscape of rural American opens at the River Discovery Center in downtown Paducah. Crossroads is on exhibit through February 13 from 9:30 am - 5 pm Monday through Saturday. The Center is following safety guidelines recommended by the state of Kentucky.The River Discovery Center and the surrounding community have been expressly chosen by the Kentucky Humanities Council to host Crossroads as part of the Museum on Main Street programa national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour seven communities in Kentucky from October 10, 2020 through August 7, 2021Crossroads explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. From sea to shining sea, the vast majority of the United States landscape remains rural with only 3.5% of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60% to 17%. The exhibition looks at that remarkable societal change and how rural Americans responded.Americans have relied on rural crossroads for generations. These places where people gather to exchange goods, services and culture and to engage in political and community discussions are an important part of our cultural fabric. Despite the massive economic and demographic impacts brought on by these changes, Americas small towns continue to creatively focus on new opportunities for growth and development.Crossroads allows us to reflect on Paducah history, present and future and we are excited to explore what the future may hold for our community, said Julie Harris, executive director of the River Discovery Center. We want to convene conversations about what makes our community unique and have developed local exhibitions and public programs to complement the Smithsonian exhibition. Due to the COVID pandemic, the status of public programming is uncertain. The River Discovery Center will alert the public when the status of the free programs and the schedule and locations is determined.Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, Crossroads will serve as a community meeting place for conversations about how rural America has changed. With the support and guidance of state humanities councils, these towns will develop complementary exhibits, host public programs and facilitate educational initiatives to raise peoples understanding about their own history, the joys and challenges of living rural, how change has impacted their community, and prompt discussion of goals for the future.The exhibition is part of the Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more about Crossroads and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the U.S. Congress.SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For exhibition description and tour schedules, visit www.sites.si.edu.For more information about the River Discovery Center, 117 S. Water St. in downtown Paducah, call 270-575-9958 or visit them online: www.riverdiscoverycenter.orgOn the Net: Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here The industrial valves and actuators market is poised to grow by USD 22.35 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 7% during the forecast period. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005707/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Industrial Valves and Actuators Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Worried about the impact of COVID-19 on your Business? Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios, Estimates, the impact of lockdown, and Customer Behaviour. Get FREE Sample Report in Minutes! The report on the industrial valves and actuators market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by growth in the water and wastewater treatment industry. The industrial valves and actuators market analysis include product segment and geography landscape. This study identifies the increasing investments in modernizing industrial facilities as one of the prime reasons driving the industrial valves and actuators market growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The industrial valves and actuators market covers the following areas: Industrial Valves And Actuators Market Sizing Industrial Valves And Actuators Market Forecast Industrial Valves And Actuators Market Analysis Companies Mentioned ABB Ltd. Danfoss AS Emerson Electric Co. Flowserve Corp. General Electric Co. Georg Fischer Ltd. Honeywell International Inc. Rotork Plc Schlumberger Ltd. The Weir Group Plc Related Reports on Industrials Include: Home Energy Management Systems Market by Product and Geography Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025- The home energy management systems market size has the potential to grow by USD 1.23 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.93%. To get extensive research insights: Click and get FREE sample report in minutes The home energy management systems market size has the potential to grow by USD 1.23 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.93%. To get extensive research insights: Industrial WLAN Market by Technology, End-user, and Geography Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The industrial WLAN market size has the potential to grow by USD 34.69 million during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.70%. To get extensive research insights: Click and get FREE sample report in minutes Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Market Overview Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2019 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024 Five Forces Analysis Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Product Market segments Comparison by Product Industrial quarter-turn valves Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Multi-turn valves Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Industrial control valves Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Industrial actuators Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Product Market Segmentation by End-user Market segments Comparison by End-user C and OG Market size and forecast 2019-2024 W and W Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Power Market size and forecast 2019-2024 M and M Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by End-user Customer landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Drivers, Challenges, and Trends Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Overview Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors ABB Ltd. Danfoss AS Emerson Electric Co. Flowserve Corp. General Electric Co. Georg Fischer Ltd. Honeywell International Inc. Rotork Plc Schlumberger Ltd. The Weir Group Plc Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005707/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Washington, Jan 6 : The US has confirmed infections of the Covid-19 variant in four states, as the vaccine rollout nationwide lags behind schedule. New York State reported on Monday its first case of the new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus that was initially discovered in the UK, the Xinhua news agency reported. The case was identified in a 60-year-old man from Saratoga County who had no travel history, according to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. New York is the fourth state in the country that has confirmed infection of the new strain, which has also been found in California, Florida and Colorado. The variant is thought to be more transmissible but does not appear to make people more ill or increase the risk of death from Covid-19, experts have said. While the variant does not appear to cause more severe disease in people who are infected and current vaccines should still work against it, it could lead to more hospitalisations as a result of an increase in cases, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week. California has confirmed six cases of the variant, all in the southern part of the state. One person in San Diego County has been hospitalised, said Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday. He said state health officials are carrying out contact tracing efforts. The CDC implemented a new order in late December which requires air passengers arriving in the United States from the United Kingdom to test negative, no more than 72 hours before departure. More new strains of the coronavirus are likely to make their way to the US, said Michael Osterholm, member of US President-elect Joe Biden's Covid-19 advisory board, on Tuesday. "And it's the first of what will likely be a number of these strains that are emerging as we're at this point in the pandemic," he added. In the meantime, health experts and officials have blamed states for slow vaccine rollout. The country planned to inject 20 million Americans by the end of 2020. However, only about 4.56 million had received shots as of January 4, according to the CDC. Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, said that one way to speed up immunisations against Covid-19 was to give two half-volume doses of the Moderna vaccine to some individuals. However, the US Food and Drug Administration warned on Monday that people need both doses of vaccine and changes in vaccine administration would "run a significant risk of placing public health at risk." The US has recorded over 20.9 million cases with over 3,55,300 related deaths as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the real-time count kept by Johns Hopkins University. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Investing in biotech companies may not entail higher risk than investing in other sectors, according to a new report from Bentley University's Center for Integration of Science and Industry. A large scale study of biotechnology companies that completed Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) from 1997-2016 demonstrates that these companies produced more than $100 billion in shareholder value and almost $100 billion in new value creation despite a failure rate greater than 50%. The study compared the financial performance and economic value created by these biotech companies to non-biotechnology controls that had similarly timed IPOs. The findings are published in PLOS ONE in the article "Comparing long-term value creation after biotech and non-biotech IPOs, 1997-2016." Researchers studied the financial performance of 319 biotechnology companies focused on developing therapeutic products that completed IPOs from 1997-2016. These emerging, public biotech companies characteristically had little revenue, high R&D expense, and negative profit (losses) in contrast to non-biotechnology companies, which generated substantial revenue, little or no R&D, and consistent profit after 2001. Despite these differences, the study demonstrates that paired biotech and non-biotech companies had similar rates of success and failure. The analysis shows that 42% of biotechs and 40% of non-biotechs reached $1 billion valuations, while 53% of biotechs and 51% of non-biotechs failed to maintain their IPO market value. Companies also generated similar amounts of shareholder value, though non-biotechnology companies achieved greater net capital creation. "Despite the extraordinary performance of the biotech sector in recent years, biotech is still often portrayed as a high risk investment. Our study suggests that, in fact, the high-risk, high-return pattern associated with biotech companies after their IPO is a common characteristic of companies completing IPOs from other sectors as well." said Dr. Fred Ledley, Director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry. "This study also suggests that, for these emerging, public companies, the science-based, biotech business model generates equivalent economic value to more traditional, revenue-based business models." This study is one part of a large survey of the finances and late stage product portfolios of companies that completed their IPOs over recent decades. These studies show that, while more than 50% of emerging, public biotechnology companies had products that achieved FDA approval, most companies developing products were acquired within several years of their first product approvals, and only four companies achieved revenues of $1 billion by the end of 2016. Thus, despite considerable success in product development and substantial value generation, biotech IPOs from 1997-2016 generated few new large, biopharmaceutical companies. ### This study was authored by Dr. Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, Dr. Laura M. McNamee, Skyler de Boer, Jeremy Holden, and Liam Fitzgerald along with Dr. Ledley. Ms. De Boer, Mr. Holden, and Mr. Fitzgerald were undergraduate researchers at Bentley University. This work was supported by a grant from the National Biomedical Research Foundation. THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATION OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY at Bentley University focuses on understanding and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries to create public value. The Center is an environment for thought leadership and interdisciplinary scholarship spanning basic science, data analytics, business and public policy. For more information, visit wwwbentley.edu/sciindustry and follow us on Twitter @sciindustry. BENTLEY UNIVERSITY is more than just one of the nation's top business schools. It is a lifelong-learning community that creates successful leaders who make business a force for positive change. With a combination of business and the arts and sciences and a flexible, personalized approach to education, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills that prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. Founded in 1917, the university enrolls 4,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu. Follow us on Twitter @BentleyU #BentleyUResearch. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Urges Supporters to Stay Peaceful After Capitol Breached by Protesters President Donald Trump has urged supporters to stay peaceful after Congress was forced to go into lockdown amid clashes between protesters and police at the Capitol Building. I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you! Trump wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 In an earlier Tweet, he said: Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! Protesters from a pro-Trump rally breached the Capitol Building and clashed with police, prompting the police to put the building under lockdown. Both chambers, whose lawmakers had been debating the certification of Electoral College votes for the presidential election, were put into recess. Others echoed the presidents call for peace. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also urged an end to violence. Violence and anarchy are unacceptable. We are a nation of laws, he wrote in a tweet. This needs to end now. Rudy Guiliani, Trumps lawyer, called on the presidents supporters to act peacefully. To all those patriots challenging the fraudulent election, POTUS wants you to EXPRESS YOUR OPINION PEACEFULLY, Guiliani said on Twitter. We are the law and order party, You are on the right side of the law and history. Act with respect for all. Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican Party, also took to Twitter to denounce the violence: There is no place for violence in our politics, regardless of which side you are on. Police fired tear gas and ordered several office buildings to be evacuated as protesters breached the Capitol and were seen marching through the halls of Congress. Reports of shots fired on Capitol Hill. Police on their way. pic.twitter.com/ixHbQBQxth Charlotte Cuthbertson (@charlottecuthbo) January 6, 2021 Police escorted out House of Representatives members from the chamber where they had been debating, as lawmakers aligned with Trump challenged the election results. The Senate abruptly adjourned and Vice President Mike Pence, who had presided over a joint session of Congress, was escorted from the chamber. Capitol Police told lawmakers in the House chamber to take gas masks from beneath their seats and prepare to put them on. Officers at the front door of the House chamber had their guns drawn as someone attempted to enter the chamber. Officers ordered people in the chamber to drop to the floor for their safety. Earlier in the day, thousands of Trump supporters attended a rally near the White House to protest alleged election fraud and call for greater transparency in the election process. Trump addressed the crowd, saying he would never concede. You dont concede when theres theft involved, Trump said. We will not take it anymore we will stop the steal. He also asked protesters to peaceful and patriotically make your voices heard at the Capitol. Reuters contributed to this report. When North Korea held its last party congress in 2016, it was the first such gathering in 36 years and was Mr. Kims major coming-out event as leader. There, he adopted his ambitious five-year goals, promising to build a great socialist country by 2020 that would have both a nuclear arsenal and an economy growing. But things have not transpired as Mr. Kim had hoped. Since taking over his country following the 2011 death of his father and predecessor, Kim Jong-il, Mr. Kim has accelerated his countrys nuclear weapons and missile programs. North Korea has conducted the last four of its six underground nuclear tests under Mr. Kim. It flight-tested three intercontinental ballistics in 2017. But the United Nations Security Council responded by imposing devastating economic sanctions, which banned coal, iron ore, textiles and other major exports of North Korea. As the stranglehold tightened, the Norths economy shrank by 3.5 percent in 2017, according to estimates by South Koreas central bank. It contracted by 4.1 percent the following year, with its exports to China, North Koreas only major trading partner, plummeting by as much as 86 percent. Mr. Kim started diplomacy with President Trump in 2018, desperate to get the sanctions lifted in return for a partial dismantling of his nuclear facilities. But his three meetings with Mr. Trump failed to produce a breakthrough. In his New Years message 12 months ago, Mr. Kim sounded defiant, saying that his country would slog through the sanctions and build a self-reliant economy, even if that meant that his long-suffering people would have to tighten our belts again. He vowed to boost the nuclear weapons program further, threatening to end his moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests. He said North Korea would unveil a new strategic weapon soon and shift to a shocking actual action. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Oil closed above $50 a barrel for the first time since February, marking a significant milestone toward Houstons recovery from the worst oil bust in a generation. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. crude benchmark, settled at $50.63 a barrel in New York on Wednesday, the highest close in more than 10 months and a dramatic turnaround from late April, when prices went negative for the first time in history. Analysts say $50 oil is enough for many U.S. shale companies to break even, but not quite high enough to make a profit. Were watching for milestones as we recover from COVID and the havoc it brought on the industry, and $50 is a pretty good one, said Karr Ingham, petroleum economist with the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. At $50, were going to put more rigs to work and ultimately produce greater amounts of oil by some measure in Texas and the U.S. Oil crossed the key psychological threshold after the Energy Department on Wednesday reported a strong drawdown of 8 million barrels from the nations commercial crude inventories last week. Saudi Arabias announcement on Tuesday to unilaterally cut 1 million barrels per day of its oil production in February further bolstered oil prices. OIL RALLY: OPEC deal moves oil close to key price threshold Yet for all the optimism surrounding $50 oil, Houstons critical oil and gas industry still faces a long road to full recovery. With coronavirus cases still climbing in much of the world, governments have imposed new business and travel restrictions, depressing demand for petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Questions remain over how permanently the worst public health crisis in a century has changed the way people live, work and travel, all of which will have wide-reaching implications for global energy demand. As oil prices have rebounded, U.S. companies have ramped up production, particularly in the prolific Permian Basin of West Texas. The U.S. rig count has risen by more than 100, much of it driven by drilling activity resuming in Texas. If the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is successful, crude demand and prices could soar, hitting $60 a barrel by the end of the year, analysts said. GasBuddy this week predicted that gasoline prices nationally could hit $3 a gallon by the end of the year if the economy makes a strong recovery from the pandemic. Still, even if oil prices and rig counts recover this year, its unlikely employment in Houstons predominant oil and gas industry will fully recover from the pandemic, analysts said. Texas oil and gas industry lost nearly 30 percent -- or about 60,000 -- of its jobs since March, according to the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. At least a dozen Republican senators have signed onto a last-ditch effort to overturn the results of the presidential election, vowing to object to the electoral vote totals from several swing states when they are certified in a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. Among those who refuse to accept President-elect Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump: Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, John Kennedy of Louisiana and James Lankford of Oklahoma. That has critics accusing the lawmakers of sedition - inciting rebellion against the authority of the government - and calling for their expulsion. No senator has been expelled since the Civil War, when 14 mostly Southern senators were kicked out by their colleagues. The fuse had been lit Nov. 6, 1860. Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election despite not being on the ballot in 10 Southern states and earning less than 40% of the popular vote. Four days after the election, the first senator bailed; James Chesnut of South Carolina submitted his resignation in a one-sentence note, which was "accepted enthusiastically" by other lawmakers, according to New York Times coverage. As states seceded that December and January, more senators followed their states out the door. Some simply didn't show up for the next session; others made formal resignations. Crowds lined up in the frigid dawn to hear Sen. Jefferson Davis's farewell address, during which he made clear he thought secession was justified because he believed Lincoln would end slavery: "[Mississippi] has heard proclaimed the theory that all men are created free and equal, and this made the basis of an attack upon her social institutions; and the sacred Declaration of Independence has been invoked to maintain the position of the equality of the races. That Declaration of Independence is to be construed by the circumstances and purposes for which it was made. "...They have no reference to the slave; else, how happened it that among the items of arraignment made against George III was that he endeavored to do just what the North has been endeavoring of late to do--to stir up insurrection among our slaves? Had the Declaration announced that the negroes were free and equal, how was the Prince to be arraigned for stirring up insurrection among them?" The audience wept openly and gave him rapturous applause. A few weeks later, he was president of the Confederacy. In March, the remaining senators debated what to do about the empty seats. Did they not exist anymore since those states said they were no longer a part of the Union? Or if states were not permitted to secede, then were they merely vacant? They decided on the latter. Some senators, such as Texas's Louis T. Wigfall, tried to have it both ways, remaining in the Senate even after their states seceded. Wigfall used his perch in Washington to spy on the Union and smuggle weapons South. For a time, he was both a U.S. senator and a member of the Confederate Congress, according to the Texas State Historical Association. Then in April 1861, he rowed into the middle of the action - literally in a boat - at Fort Sumter and into the Civil War. When the Senate reconvened in July, the remaining members had had enough. Sen. Daniel Clark of New Hampshire proposed a resolution to expel 10 senators on the grounds they were "engaged in [a] conspiracy for the destruction of the Union and government, or, with full knowledge of such conspiracy, have failed to advise the government of its progress or aid in its suppression." The Constitution requires a two-thirds majority to expel a member of the Senate. Before this moment, only one senator had been expelled, and more than six decades had passed since that time. The motion passed 32 to 10; those expelled were the two senators each from Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia, plus Chesnut of South Carolina and Alfred O.P. Nicholson of Tennessee. Within seven months, four more were expelled for offering aid to the enemy, including John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, whom Lincoln had beaten in the 1860 election. Almost all of the expelled men joined the Confederacy in leadership positions. Four died during or shortly after the war; when the Confederacy surrendered, four escaped to other countries and two were briefly imprisoned. Within a few years, all had resumed distinguished careers, though none ever returned to the Senate. In one strange instance, an expulsion was revoked. Among the first 10 expelled was Arkansas Sen. William K. Sebastian. He returned to his hometown and practiced law before dying a few weeks after the end of the Civil War. He was never found to have participated in the Confederacy. In 1877, his name was cleared and his family was compensated. Since 1862, the Senate has considered expulsion in 16 other instances, but it never removed a member connected to those cases. As the 2021-22 legislative session gets underway in Pennsylvania, it will be shy two members right from the start. There are two vacancies due to Saturdays passing of Westmoreland County Republican Rep. Mike Reese and the Senate GOP leaders decision to not seat anyone to represent the 45th state senatorial district due to an election challenge. But thats not the only unusual or interesting detail about this new session and the group of Pennsylvanians who will be making laws affecting citizens everyday life for the next two years. There are several firsts, including two women serving as floor leaders. Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, is the first woman to serve as majority caucus leader in Pennsylvania General Assembly. Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, is the first Black woman to serve as this states floor leader as well as the first woman to be elected as House Democratic leader. Here are some other factoids that may be of interest about the Pennsylvania Legislature: Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Philadelphia, is the first Indian-American to serve in the Pennsylvania Senate and likely in the General Assembly. Freshman Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-Northampton County, joins the state House to serve alongside her son, five-term incumbent Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh County, becoming what is believed to be the first mother-son combo serving in the House of Representatives at the same time. Keeping it in the family also applies to the Tomlinsons of Bucks County. Republican Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson, is starting her first full two-year term in the House while her dad, Sen. Robert Tommy Tomlinson, R-Bucks County, who once held the seat she now holds, is now in his seventh four-year term in the Senate. Getting to know the names and faces of the people who occupy the 203 seats in the House and 50 seats in the Senate has been a challenge in recent years due to turnover. Since 2018, 89 new people have taken office in those chambers or more than a third of the entire General Assembly. That breaks down to 35 new faces in the House Democratic Caucus, 38 in the House GOP Caucus, nine in the Senate Democratic Caucus, and seven in the Senate Republican Caucus, which could grow to eight depending on what happens with the 45th state senatorial district. The oldest member in the state House of Representatives is Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny County, who is 83 years old. In the Senate, that honor goes to Sen. Gene Yaw, who is 77 years old. The youngest member in the House of Representatives is Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny County, who is 27, and in the Senate, it is freshman Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware County, who is 34. By the way, she is not related to Penn States Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti, according to Democratic sources. The most veteran member in the House is DeLuca, who has served since 1982. In the Senate, the long-timer is Tomlinson, who did a two-term stint in the House before moving over to the Senate in 1995. There are 25 representatives in the Houses freshmen class and five in the Senates. The number of women in the two chambers currently sets a record of 73, topping the number at the start of the last session by 11. That breaks down with 14 in the Senate and 59 in the House. However, with a vacancy in each chamber the possibility remains that a new record could be set later this session. The party breakdown of the chambers at the start of this session is 112 Republicans and 90 Democrats in the House and in the Senate, 28 Republicans, one independent who caucuses with the Republicans, and 20 Democrats. This post has been updated to provide a corrected number of new lawmakers who have joined the House and Senate since 2018. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Mumbai, Jan 6 : Actress Sunny Leone says filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has the eye of the tiger and that she is having a lot of fun shooting with him. Sunny, who is currently shooting for a web-series titled "Anamika" with Bhatt, posted a video on Instagram. The clip seems to be taken during the shoot. In the video, Bhatt does an action of hitting Sunny with a pan and the actress falls down on the ground. Alongside the video, he wrote: "Action shot with@vikrampbhatt Sir has the eye of the tiger and as you can see I'm having too much fun!! Lol but we got the shot!" "Anamika" is a Gun-Fu action series with 10 episodes. Sunny will be seen in an action avatar as never before. The series will be shot in Mumbai. The first schedule is slated to be wrapped up by end of the year. Written and directed by Vikram Bhatt, the series is produced by Bhatt and his daughter Krishna Bhatt, and set to release on MX Player. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Making her way back to her native village, Rathy S found herself grappling with a vexing question: How does one perform as a storyteller in this physically-distanced world? Editor's note: In 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak upended lives and livelihoods of people in Tamil Nadu in myriad ways. The novel coronavirus threw up new and unprecedented challenges, especially for people from marginalised sections of society. In a multi-part series, Firstpost explores how individuals from different walks of life lived through the year of the pandemic . This is part seven of the series. Read part 1 of the series here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, part 5 here and part six here. *** Student: Maam, are you from Africa? Rathy: No, I am not, but why are you asking me this question? Student: Because you are dark, maam. This was a question Rathy was asked when she was visiting a school in Erode for a storytelling session. This exchange resulted in gasps from her colleagues and other teachers but Rathy wasnt upset. She was intrigued. Wanting to know what made the student say that, she told him to stretch out his hand. Then, she put her hand next to his and asked him to compare their skin colours. Rathy: Now tell me, who is darker? Student: I am maam. Rathy: Oh. So are you also from Africa? This exchange set off a 40-minute storytelling session just on colourism. Rathy had planned something else for the storytelling session, but switched to colourism impromptu, where she also shared her experiences. When she visited the school again in a few weeks, three girls ran up to her and exclaimed, Maam, because of you, the boys have stopped calling us karuppi! (a derogatory term used for people who are dark-skinned). One 40-minute session on colourism had such an impact. That is when I realised how powerful storytelling is, especially for children. That is when I decided to take the plunge into storytelling, says Rathy. In the quaint village of Thenkalam, nestled between two hills and its embankment, lies hidden a box. The minute you open the box, out come tumbling a plethora of characters, each carrying a story of their own. Or the story that their keeper weaves for them, giving most of them a new name almost every single time. These puppets of different forms, sizes and shapes, belong to Rathy S. From 2009 onwards, Rathy practised as a theatre artist before deciding to embrace storytelling as her full-time profession in 2014. She started learning different art forms and familiarising herself with all kinds of stories from all across the world. Rathy's variety of puppets, a form that she uses more often than the others, gives some idea of how she has tried to integrate cultures from across the world. The transition to storytelling was difficult, as theatre itself, to begin with is hardly a lucrative profession. To make a living out of storytelling posed as a challenge initially, recollects Rathy: To explain that this is my profession isnt exactly simple. And usually when I do, people have all sorts of reactions, the most popular being 'what? How is that a profession? I also know stories, I can also tell stories!' But eight years later, she's still at it. Even after COVID-19 disrupted a career she'd built painstakingly over the years. When 2020 began, Rathy was working in Chennai as the vice-president of an organisation which worked with schools to create an interest for stories and reading through storytelling. As a storyteller, the role was a perfect fit for Rathy. But the onset of the pandemic resulted in her having to step down from her position in March. She managed to live in Chennai for a few more months on her savings, but come June, with her money having run dry, she decided to move back to her village in Tirunelveli. For the first time in 17 years. How does a storyteller work her audience without a stage? While making her way back to her native village, she grappled with, for her, the most important question: How does one continue as a storyteller in this physically-distanced world? You need to understand that my personality is very important to my storytelling. I am an extremely animated person, and that assists my storytelling. There are various facets to telling a story, and all of them involve having a stage to perform and tell your story. How was I going to do that now, with no stage and an anxious COVID-19 world? Rathy wondered. We can perhaps understand her apprehensions better if we understand that Rathy as a storyteller breaks into a story anywhere she could and that her energy is infectious. She draws her audience through this energy. Apart from performing at festivals and at schools, Rathys also puts on impromptu sessions. Which is why she always carries two puppets Savitri and Ravi Varma in case a storytelling opportunity presents itself. During one train trip from Chengalpattu to Chennai, she spotted a bunch of children who looked tired. Out came her puppets and a story followed. The realisation that this world was changing into an isolated one wasnt easy for Rathy to process. But weve to keep swimming, she says. As everybody was taking to Zoom, Rathy decided to try it for a storytelling session. The platform was new. Doing a session on Zoom meant that the screen was the extent of her stage. She had to define a marked area for herself, in front of the camera, and she couldnt use any space beyond that. It meant that she had to restrict her body, her actions, her props and pretty much everything. Anybody who meets Rathy would instantly understand why this might have been a major challenge. But I hey, I figured it out, she quips. Since, all her shows have been sold out. People also pitched in, to make it easy for me, Rathy explains. She'd run out of her money and there was only so much she could invest into online storytelling. But as her audience realised that she needed help, either with a Zoom subscription or with better equipment, they started doing what they could, even without any such requests from Rathy. My audience really looked out for me, they in fact made it easier, says a thankful Rathy. Another person who made it easier was her mother Vadivammal, who set up an entire screen for her online session. In a typical zoom session, Rathy picks names of people from the audience and uses them as characters in the stories that she narrates. From time to time, she tries to keep her audience engaged and watches for their reactions through the small windows on her laptop. Of course, it is not the same as a live session, but she manages. At the end of the narration, she interacts with her audience if theyve queries about the story. But isnt telling a story, offline or online, tiresome? Storytellers are witches. I might be completely out of energy but the minute I enter a classroom and I hear a student say storytelling miss is here, it is like I instantly draw that energy. For the 40 minutes after that, you get your energy from the children, from your audience. You are sapped after that, but not during a session. All the claps and the reactions is what translates into energy, for me as a storyteller, explains Rathy. And for Rathy to be the master storyteller that she is, there is a lot of prep that goes into it, something which most don't realise. Rathy spends 70 percent of her timereading stories. Her usual process to turn a story into one which she can narrate is this: she clubs stories according to themes, such as grandma stories, horror stories. She has an entire database to which she refers, from time to time. Her favourite stories from this database are Scheherazades One Thousand and One Nights, popularly referred to as Arabian Nights. Once she selects a story for a session, she tinkers with the characters according to the age group of the audience. If the story is a regional story with regional names, she retains the important names from that story. The names of the rest of the characters are taken from the audience. All of this, plus improv. One also needs to factor in the amount of research and resources that Rathy has invested to in her puppets, masks and props. Even after all this prep, Rathy encounters fresh problems from time to time. On one occasion, to her shock, she discovered high school kids hiding their physics books inside story books. But the trick to storytelling, Rathy says, is to never force it on anyone. I told the students to read physics if they wanted to and to close their story books. This has been my formula, to adapt to any given situation if it demands it. But online, how does a storyteller adapt when a viewer is munching on food loudly during a session, while you are on mute and are narrating a story with full gusto? Twenty minutes in, somebody from the audience messaged me and that's when I got off mute, and told this person to go easy on the munching, laughs Rathy. This would have been handled differently if it were offline, yes, but we gotta do what we got to do. She quickly adds that such issues only crop up with the adults. All the children she has done online sessions with were real darlings who do not interrupt. At times, if they get restless, parents help out, says Rathy. Rathy has lost more than half the income that she wouldve made in 2020 and she feels that it is going to be difficult in 2021 as well. But she has no intentions of looking out for any other gigs. Once a storyteller, always a storyteller. Maternity services are facing disruption across the South East because ambulance staff are too busy dealing with spiralling coronavirus hospitalisations. The East Sussex NHS Trust and Brighton and Sussex NHS Trust have both suspended services for home-births and their stand-alone midwife-led units because they cannot guarantee an ambulance can turn up if there is an issue. Four other trusts all in Kent, one of the places worst-hit by England's second wave have also paused their home-births service for the same reason. It comes as hospital chiefs warn hundreds of intensive care patients may have to be moved between regions to take the pressure off the most over-stretched wards. Some doctors are even considering transferring the most unwell patients from London to as far afield as Yorkshire to take the pressure off overflowing units. And guidance updated today tells medics they may have to decide which severely ill patients to treat based on a 'lottery' if the NHS is overwhelmed this winter. Maternity services are facing disruption as ambulance staff at South East Coast Ambulance Service say they are under 'significant pressure' from spiralling Covid-19 hospitalisations Which maternity services are being disrupted in the South East? What has been cancelled? East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - suspension of planned home-births and births at stand-alone midwife-led units, including the midwife-led unit at Eastbourne DGH; - suspension of planned home-births and births at stand-alone midwife-led units, including the midwife-led unit at Eastbourne DGH; Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust - suspension of planned home-births and births at stand-alone midwife led units; - suspension of planned home-births and births at stand-alone midwife led units; Medway NHS Foundation Trust - suspension of home-birth service until at least January 21; - suspension of home-birth service until at least January 21; Dartford and Gravesham NHS Tru st - suspension of home-birth service; - suspension of home-birth service; East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust - suspension of home-birth service; - suspension of home-birth service; Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust - suspension of home-birth service and the Crowborough Birth Centre. Advertisement The decision to axe some maternity services came after the South East Coast Ambulance Service warned it was severely overstretched. 'Due to the current pressures we are experiencing across our urgent and emergency care services, we are no longer in a position to guarantee an ambulance response to those women choosing to plan their birth at home or within one of the three stand-alone birth centres in the region,' a spokesman said. 'As an ambulance trust, we always prioritise our the most seriously ill and injured patients. 'In light of the current operational pressures we are facing, we need to reduce the amount of planned activity that may require emergency ambulance transfer. 'Within maternity services this relates to home-births and stand-alone birth centres.' Abbie Aplin, the regional head for the south of England at the Royal College of Midwives, said: 'As we enter another national lockdown we know that every trust is making huge efforts so that women can access the right services safely and with as little disruption as possible. 'The safety of pregnant women and their babies, and maternity staff, must be the number one priority. 'It is also important that maternity services are ring-fenced and that no maternity staff are redeployed to other areas of service. This is crucial to ensure the continuation of services and safe, high-quality care.' Kent was at the epicentre of the UK's second wave for weeks, after a new variant of coronavirus - that is 56 per cent more infectious - was first identified in the county. Its hospitals have also been under serious pressure for longer, as admissions started to surge before they also ticked up in surrounding areas. Department of Health data shows the number of Covid-19 patients in the region's hospitals surged by 35 per cent over the seven days to January 1, hitting as many as 4,180 on the latest day for which data is available. The President of the Intensive Care Society, Dr Stephen Webb, said around 10 intensive care patients are already being moved between hospitals every day. Most of these are moved from and to hospitals within the same regions, he said, but a small number may be moved between regions. Eastbourne hospital, pictured, has had to suspend its midwife led stand-alone maternity clinic Some doctors are even considering sending patients from the South East and London as far as Yorkshire and the South West - with the South West being the most likely recipient because it's healthcare services are under less strain. Normally, it is rare for intensive care patients to be moved between hospitals. Dr Webb, who also works in the East of England, said: 'The problem with sending patients to the North is that those units were really badly affected earlier in this wave, and they could be hit with the new variant. Its a very tricky situation. 'If the virus continues as it is, Im much more fearful we may get to saturation point for ICUs, but we have still got a bit of time. We do have capacity in other parts of the country, but not a lot. 'Currently, in the East of England, South East and London, many intensive care units are already saturated. This is where were seeing daily export of patients. but at the moment this is mainly locally. 'So it may be a few miles down the road between London hospitals. We try to avoid moving patients and we always try to move the least sick of our ICU patients. They are transferred using all the equipment needed to keep them alive, accompanied by an ICU doctor and a nurse.' Covid rationing plan advises doctors at major NHS hospital to pick which severely-ill patients to save by 'lottery' or based on 'how much they contribute to society' Doctors may have to decide which severely ill patients to treat based on a 'lottery' if the NHS is overwhelmed this winter under draft Covid rationing plans. The guidance also advises medics look at patients' potential to contribute to society or their likelihood of surviving the treatment as a way to prioritise whose lives should be saved. The protocol says that for patients who are in similar health and cannot be separated in other ways, a 'random allocation, such as a lottery, may be used'. The document, published in the Journal for Medical Ethics in November, was drawn up by experts at a major NHS Trust in Bath in an attempt to come up with a system for rationing care in the event there are not enough resources to treat everyone. It being widely circulated among NHS specialists, according to the Telegraph, as some trusts struggle to deal with a tsunami of coronavirus patients with the new, highly infectious strain of the disease. Medical, legal and palliative care specialists at the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust (RUHBT), who drafted the protocol, stressed the health service has not yet reached the tipping point at which care needs to be rationed. But two-thirds of trusts in England are now treating more Covid patients than they were in April, and on Monday the Chief Medical Officers from the four home nations raised the national alert level to number five, meaning there is 'a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days'. It forced Boris Johnson into putting the country in its third national lockdown on Monday. Dr Kevin Fong, consultant anaesthetist and national clinical adviser to NHS England's emergency response team for Covid, who was not involved in the protocol, said today he had 'never seen anything like' the levels of patients currently in hospitals. Professor Tim Cook, a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at RUHBT who helped come up with the protocol, told the Telegraph it was intended to be used as a 'practical guide' for doctors working at speed in overcrowded Covid wards and ICUS in the event they run out of resources. He stressed it was a draft protocol and was not to be taken as policy. The authors say they were forced to come up with the protocol due to a lack of national guidance from the Department of Health or NHS England. There were disputed claims the NHS was rationing beds and denying older coronavirus patients intensive care treatment during the height of the first wave of the pandemic, even though hospitals were not pushed to the brink in the spring. Doctors may have to decide which severely ill patients to treat based on a 'lottery' if the NHS is overwhelmed this winter under draft Covid rationing plans drawn up by experts at a major NHS Trust in Bath The guidance also advises medics look at patients' potential to contribute to society or their likelihood of surviving the treatment as a way to prioritise whose lives should be saved (file) Dr Kevin Fong, consultant anaesthetist and national clinical adviser to NHS England's emergency response team for Covid, who was not involved in the protocol, said today he had 'never seen anything like' the levels of patients currently in hospitals 'This document is explicitly and only for use in times of inadequate resource, during which we need to change approach, and need a strong ethical framework in order to make fair decisions', says the protocol. 'When resources are sufficient, decisions are based solely on what is best for each individual patient. 'When resources are insufficient, decisions need to include a broader view on what is ethically fair for the wider community (society). 'This means factors such as fairness to others are included in decision-making'. It adds: 'The protocol aims to enable structured, explicit, transparent decision-making in a situation we all hope will never arise. 'This document has been produced locally as there is no explicit national guidance', says the document.' A spokesperson for Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust described the draft protocol as a 'research document for the purposes of discussion'. It was not 'trust policy and as such there is no related protocol at the RUH', they told the Telegraph. WHICH HOSPITALS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PATIENTS THAN IN THE SPRING? Almost two thirds of hospitals in England had more Covid-19 patients at the end of December than they did on April 12, which was the worst day for England as a whole during the first wave. The worst-affected hospitals now are mostly in the South of England, but NHS trusts in the North experienced similar spikes in patients at the start of the second wave in the autumn. Hospital trusts listed below had the biggest difference between total patient numbers in April and December, measured in raw numbers not adjusted for hospital size. Hospital trust name Covid patients on April 12, 2020 Covid patients on Dec 29, 2020 Mid/South Essex East Kent Maidstone Portsmouth East Sussex Barking, Havering Frimley Health North Midlands Dartford Hull University 374 143 85 130 68 171 276 134 79 44 785 415 299 342 257 356 453 304 241 191 Advertisement The protocol says a 'four-stage process' should be followed to decide who should get treatment in the event the NHS is overwhelmed. Doctors are advised to carry out a health assessment which takes into consideration the patient's survival chances and whether they have underlying health conditions, including if they are an alcoholic. They are then told the speak with the patient and their family to get consent about their treatment path. The document says medics must then consider 'ethical factors' with the aim being to 'save more lives and more years of life'. It adds that for patients who are in similar health, a 'random allocation, such as a lottery, may be used.' 'Other ethical considerations are more complex and opinions differ considerably. Some judge that an individual's potential to contribute to maintenance of the critical infrastructure throughout the epidemic may be considered in determining priority for allocation of ICU care. 'Others have proposed that people who participate in research to improve treatments or vaccines during an epidemic should be given some priority for treatment'. A final check is then to be carried out by a senior clinician not directly involved in the patient's treatment. There were disputed claims the NHS was rationing beds and denying older coronavirus patients intensive care treatment during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, even though hospitals were not pushed to the brink in the spring. Those aged over 80, and some over 60s, were not given potentially life-saving treatment because health officials were concerned the NHS would be overwhelmed, according to reports. It is claimed documents called a 'triage tool', drawn up at the request of England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, were used in preventing elderly Covid-19 patients from receiving ventilation in intensive care. As part of an investigation, the Sunday Times says the tool was used to create a 'score' for patients based on their age, frailty, and illness. Under the original system, over-80s were automatically excluded from ICU treatment due to their age. Even over-60s considered frail and with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart disease, could have been over the intensive care threshold. The tool was never formally published, nor was it official NHS policy. But the newspaper, which carries claims by doctors who say the tool was used in their hospitals, said the documents were widely circulated among health care professionals. Earlier this year NHS chiefs hit back at the accusations and said they were false, while 'deeply offensive to NHS doctors, nurses and paramedics'. Officials say that while early work on an intensive care national 'triage tool' did take place, it was 'not completed' and never issued. Graph shows the NHS hospital trusts that have the highest number of Covid-19 patients now compared to in April, with many hospitals seeing three or even four times as many people with the disease than they did at the height of the first wave Meanwhile, Dr Fong told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the third national lockdown gave the NHS a fighting chance of not being overwhelmed this winter. Cancer crisis hits hospitals: Fears for patients and heart victims as doctors are forced to axe urgent surgery amid Covid-19 surge Urgent cancer surgery is being cancelled as hospitals do not have space for non-Covid patients. Soaring admissions mean bosses in London and Kent say they had no choice but to take the drastic step so they can deal with emergency virus cases. In London, where hospitals are close to being overwhelmed, surgical theatres and recovery wards usually be used for operations have been turned into Covid wards. Doctors fear heart attack and stroke patients could also become collateral victims of the new lockdown, with a huge fall in the number of non-virus patients attending A&E. The first lockdown was blamed for tens of thousands of excess non-Covid deaths. The NHS had pledged to keep cancer treatment going throughout the winter but patients have had operations cancelled at the last minute. Surgery would require an intensive care bed for the patient to recover in but in many hospitals all ICU beds are taken up treating Covid. Operations classed as Priority Two deemed so urgent they must be done within 28 days have been called off at hospitals including Kings College London. It said: A small number of cancer patients due to be operated on this week have had their surgery postponed, with patients being kept under close review by senior doctors. Due to the large increase in patients being admitted with Covid-19, including those requiring intensive care, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone all elective procedures, with the exception of cases where a delay would cause immediate harm. Any delay to cancer surgery risks the tumour growing and the disease spreading, reducing survival chances. The Health Service Journal reported that cancellations were rife across London, with almost all non-emergency surgery scrapped. Thousands of elective operations, such as knee and hip replacements, had already been called off. Professor Neil Mortensen, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, told Times Radio: Over the weekend we talked about a slow-motion car crash, but I think its getting much worse than that now. My colleagues in London report that there are problems with staff numbers on the wards, staff numbers in theatres. Sara Bainbridge, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: We still must make sure that cancer doesnt become the forgotten C. It is imperative that people expecting tests and treatment face minimal disruption. Kruti Shrotri, Cancer Research UKs head of policy, said: Its extremely concerning to hear that cancer surgery is being delayed in some parts of the country, and this shows just how much the NHS is struggling to cope. We know NHS staff are doing everything they can. Were doing all we can to support the NHS to protect cancer services. Anyone who thinks they might have signs or symptoms of cancer, please go and see your GP the NHS is still open to see you. Meanwhile, Royal College of Emergency Medicine vice president Dr Adrian Boyle said attendances at A&E by non-virus patients has fallen by up to 30 per cent. We worry about the missing patients, he said. People with heart attacks and strokes can be too scared to come to hospital. People are coming more severely ill because they have waited too long to get help. We want to get the message out that if you do go to hospital we will do everything we can to look after you. He warned that the surge in Covid patients is having a knock-on impact, with trolley waits in A&E at their worst level for a decade. Professor Ravi Mahajan, the president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: If we do not take decisive action to tackle this virus now, we will see increasing waiting lists which may take years to get under control. A spokesman for NHS England said: Trusts continue to treat as many elective patients as possible, and are prioritising those who have been waiting the longest, whilst maintaining cancer and urgent treatments. Howev Advertisement He said: 'I think what we've got coming up now are the most dangerous four to six weeks of the whole pandemic and we need this last push to get us through, and we need everybody's help to help choke off the supply of these cases coming through. 'We need the public to help us, we're out there to help you. We need you to help us.' He said 'the whole country is busy at the moment don't let anyone tell you otherwise, we're running super hot.' 'I think my colleagues in intensive care are out at full stretch, they have been for some time now, and this is as hard as I've ever seen the teams work. 'We are grateful that the lockdown has come. It gives us a fighting chance, but I have never seen anything like it. 'We have been working flat out across Christmas doing everything we can to address the surge in cases of Covid-19.' He said 'staffing is a problem because of isolation people having to go into isolation because of contacts people being sick themselves, and just the staff being exhausted really'. He added: 'So yes, all of these pressures are building up in the system. It comes as MailOnline's analysis of NHS figures showed two thirds of hospitals in England currently have more Covid patients than they did on the country's worst day in April last year when the pandemic first exploded. There were a record 26,000 infected patients in hospital beds across England on January 2, the most recent day data is available for, and doctors warn admissions are still accelerating as the second wave rages on. On Monday London reported 828 new coronavirus patients were admitted to hospital on January 2, in the highest daily toll for nine months and close to the record of 883 back in March. And analysis of official statistics shows some hospitals in hard-hit areas such as Kent and East Sussex are seeing up to three times as many coronavirus patients as they did on April 12, the point of the first wave at which patient numbers were highest. NHS staff from across the country say caring for surging numbers of people is becoming more and more difficult, with one London hospital last week declaring it was in 'disaster' mode. One doctor said medics in some badly hit areas are already having to decide how to ration ventilators for intensive care patients and face 'horrifying' choices at work. Chief of healthcare union NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said the spike in Covid inpatients since Christmas alone was enough to fill 18 hospitals. And the Royal College of Surgeons's president, Professor Neil Mortensen, warned that patient numbers are now so high that cancer operations may have to be sidelined again. There was chaos in spring when non-urgent ops were cancelled and the NHS is now fighting its way through a backlog of thousands. NHS England statistics show that, in the most recent data from December 29, 81 out of 127 major hospital trusts had more Covid patients than on April 12. Many of the worst affected are in the South East and London, where the new fast-spreading variant of the virus has taken hold, with those regions now making up a majority of the daily positive tests being reported. Hospitals in the North West, which endured the full force of the second wave earlier in the autumn, have now seen patient numbers drop to more manageable levels. The new strain of the virus is not yet spreading as widely in the North of the country. NHS figures show that on the worst day in the first wave, April 12, there were 18,974 people with Covid-19 in England's hospitals. On December 29 this was 21,787. It has since spiralled to 26,626 but hospital-by-hospital data is not yet available for the extra 5,000 patients. December's data shows that London has the greatest number of Covid patients in hospital in part because it has the biggest population but there have been far sharper rises in the South East and the East of England. In the East of the country, inpatient numbers are 74 per cent higher than they were in the spring, with 2,922 patients on December 29 compared to 1,679 on April 12. There were 62 per cent more in the South East 3,796 compared to 2,342. In London, the Midlands and the South West, there were between eight and nine per cent more patients at the end of December than at the country's peak in April. But the North East, North West and Yorkshire all now have fewer inpatients than they did nine months ago. Many hospitals in the North, however, experienced the same spiralling pressures now being seen in the South at the start of the first wave in September, October and November, when cases were still low in other parts of the country. Mid and South Essex NHS trust, which runs hospitals in Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford, is one of the ones to have seen the biggest spike in patients during the second wave. On December 29 it had 785 people on wards with Covid-19, which was 411 more than double the 374 on April 12, England's peak. East Kent Hospitals has seen admissions almost three times as high, with 415 patients compared to 143, while the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells trust had 3.5 times as many patients in December: 299 compared to 85. Biden demanded Trump go on national television to call for an end to the "insurrection". "At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we've seen in modern times," Biden said in a national address. "An assault on the citadel of liberty - the Capitol itself. An assault on the people's representatives and the Capitol Hill Police who protect them. "Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America and do not reflect who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists. This is not dissent. It is disorder. It borders on sedition and it must end now." Trump had posted a video on Twitter telling the protesters to go home, but also repeated the false assertions that the election had been stolen which had inspired his supporters to storm the Capitol. Hours later, Twitter for the first time time locked Trumps account, demanded that he remove tweets excusing violence and threatened permanent suspension. Loading Kevin McCarthy, the most senior Republican in the House of Representatives, said that shots had been fired inside the building. No further details are so far available about the woman who was shot dead. "I could not be sadder and more disappointed by the way our country looks at this very moment," McCarthy said. Dozens of Trump supporters were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside, with one making it as far of the dais of the chamber, where he shouted, "Trump won this election." As police battled with protesters, the Department of Homeland Security said they were sending additional federal agents to the Capitol to help quell the violence while Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that his state's National Guard and 200 State Troopers were being sent to respond to the situation. One Republican called the invasion of the building a coup attempt while other members of the party pleaded with President Donald Trump to accept the election result and finally end his baseless claims of widespread fraud. Earlier, tens of thousands of protesters had gathered near the White House to hear Trump speak at a "Save America Rally" before making their way towards the Capitol Building, where Congress was meeting to certify the election results. At the rally, Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud, telling the crowd: "We will never give up, we will never concede. "You dont concede when theres theft involved." Loading Only minutes before protesters entered the Capitol, Trump lambasted Pence on Twitter for failing to reject the Electoral College votes from several key states. "Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify," he said. After protesters stormed the Capitol, Trump tweeted: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue." Former president Barack Obama released a statement calling the occupation "a moment of great dishonour and shame for our nation. But we'd be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise." Loading Disgraceful scenes in US Congress," tweeted Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, a staunch ally of the United States over generations. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Other allies were similarly appalled at what they described as an attack on American democracy, though some said they believed US democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil. Some leaders singled out Trump for harsh criticism. Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wrote on Twitter. "From inflammatory words come violent deeds. He added that contempt for democratic institutions has disastrous effects. Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger said simply: "This is a coup attempt." Loading Republican congressman Michael Waltz told Fox News: "This is despicable. This is not who we are as a country." Republican congressman Mike Gallagher, a military veteran, said he had not seen anything like it since he was deployed to Iraq. "The President needs to call it off," he said. "Call it off, Mr President." Washington, DC, mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a curfew starting at 6pm local time and lasting until 6am the following day. The New York Times has reported that a pipe bomb was discovered at the Republican headquarters in DC and a suspicious package at the Democrats' headquarters. Democratic congressman Dan Kildee said on Twitter that the Congress members were instructed to lie on the floor and put on gas masks. "This is not a protest," he said. "This is an attack on America." with AP Hundreds of people have held a sit-in protest for the fourth consecutive day on the outskirts of the southwestern city of Quetta to protest the killing of 11 Shiite ethnic Hazara coal miners. Residents and relatives of the slain miners on January 6 again spent the night in a makeshift camp set up on a highway amid freezing temperatures. They refuse to bury the victims bodies until authorities arrest the killers and Prime Minister Imran Khan personally visits them to assure the area's security. "No one slaughters animals as fearlessly as they cut off the necks of our people. This is the murder of all humanity, a female protester told RFE/RL. Thousands of people have rallied in several Pakistani cities since the 11 miners were killed early on January 3 some 50 kilometers from Quetta, the capital of restive Balochistan Province, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group. Khan tweeted on January 6 that the government was taking steps to prevent such brutal terrorist attacks in the future, but he gave no details. "Please bury your loved ones so their souls find peace," he wrote in a separate tweet. Under Islamic tradition, burials take place as quickly as possible after death. Pakistan's federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad and Balochistan provincial ministers have visited Quetta in recent days and tried to convince the demonstrators to end their sit-in, assuring them the protection of the authorities. But Shiite leader Daud Agha called for a decisive action and the arrest of all those who killed our people," while traders in Balochistan declared a strike in Quetta and all other major cities across the province on January 7. Shiite Hazara have in the past been targeted by Sunni militant groups, both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Resource-rich Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has been plagued by sectarian violence, attacks by Islamist militants, and a separatist insurgency that has produced thousands of casualties since 2004. Ukraine, together with other interested parties, within 60 days will submit their comments to the draft technical report of Iran on the shooting down of an aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) near Tehran, said Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Yevhen Enin. "In accordance with the convention, the Ukrainian side has 60 days, as well as the other states participating in this technical investigation. It includes the state of the operator, the state of the aircraft manufacturer, in this case the United States, and other interested parties, i.e. it will be the result of consolidated work. Today it is difficult to establish a specific date, but I am more than convinced that we will meet the 60-day deadline set by the convention," Enin said on the air of Hromadske Radio on Wednesday. He stressed that the Iranian side should either take into account or not take into account the Ukrainian remarks and proposals, about which the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will be informed in the future. "We are extremely pleased with these results, which cost a very large concentration of efforts - not only to Ukraine, but also to all international coalition partners of the affected states. Let me remind you that these are Canada, Great Britain, Sweden and Afghanistan. We have repeatedly heard from the Iranian side about the readiness to transfer this draft technical report, at the same time, we've received it only now," Enin explained. The deputy foreign minister pointed out that the technical report is important because, firstly, it establishes all the causes of the disaster. "Secondly, it is on the basis of the technical report that the Iranian side will be forced to take a full range of measures to eliminate gaps and shortcomings in the security system in the skies over Iran. Thirdly, it is the materials of the technical investigation that will form the basis of criminal proceedings to bring to criminal responsibility all officials involved in this disaster. Fourthly, it is on the basis of the results of the technical investigation that the amount of compensation that the Iranian side must pay to the relatives of the victims will be largely determined," he stressed. The UIA Boeing 737-800 passenger plane, which was supposed to operate flight PS752 on the Tehran-Kyiv route, was shot down near the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran immediately after takeoff early in the morning on January 8, 2020. There were 167 passengers and nine crew members onboard. They all died. Among the dead there were 11 citizens of Ukraine (including nine crew members), 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and three citizens of Great Britain. On January 11, Iranian authorities said that Boeing was shot down by mistake by the Iranian military. Later, Commander of the Aerospace Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Amir Ali Hajizadeh took full responsibility for the Ukrainian plane crash. At the end of July, negotiations were held in Kyiv with the Iranian side to pay compensation for the downed UIA plane. On October 20, Ukraine and Iran completed the second round of negotiations on the downed UIA plane near Tehran. San Francisco resident Sarah Vorhaus says she was walking her two dogs in Russian Hill on Tuesday evening when she was assaulted at gunpoint. Four people reportedly stole Vorhaus' 5-month-old French bulldog, Chloe, and she's sharing her story in hopes of getting her dog back. "I would have given him so many other things, but not Chloe," Vorhaus said as she shared her story through tears. "Thank God, they didnt take our other dog. We think the most important thing is to build as much awareness as possible. And then maybe someone will buy Chloe and see that its her." Vorhaus was on a stroll with her 8-year-old shiba inu and 5-month-old Chloe along Hyde Street near Broadway when the incident occurred, she said. Only a few blocks from her house, she leaned down to clean up after Chloe, who had just gone to the bathroom, when a man wearing a hoodie and a black face mask came up from behind and said, "Give me your dog," Vorhaus said. Vorhaus turned around, and the man said, "Give me your dog," again, showed his gun and punched her in the face two times, she said. "Then he grabbed Chloe's leash, put her in the car and took off," said Vorhaus, noting this all happened in less than a minute's time. "I started screaming as loud as I've ever screamed in my entire life. My nose was gushing blood. Apparently, someone on Nextdoor posted that a woman is screaming bloody murder outside." Hyde Street is a main thoroughfare through Russian Hill known for its picturesque homes and cable car line, and Vorhaus said at the time of the incident "people were everywhere" and called 911. "So many people rushed to the street," she said. "There was a woman on the street who was so lovely. She was a trained EMT." Shelley Peery and Amanda Hardy heard Vorhaus screaming when they were standing on the Broadway pedestrian bridge that overlooks Hyde Street. The eyewitnesses said they saw the tail end of the assault and the assailants take off in a car. Hardy called 911 and the cousins ran over to help Vorhaus. "It was horrifying," Peery said. "Neighbors came out with frozen peas right away. It was definitely upsetting, but in the moment, we were just trying to help Sarah. I was totally shook up, but in the moment, you are trying to make sure Sarah was OK." "I was looking right at their license plate," said Hardy. "I wish I could remember the damn number." The women recounted what they saw to police along with other eyewitnesses. Medics came to the scene to treat Vorhaus' injuries. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and is recovering, police said. Police responded at 5:52 p.m. Police believe two other men were outside of the car when the dog was stolen and a fourth person was driving the car, which is described as a sedan, according to the report from the San Francisco Police Department. They did not provide detailed descriptions of the suspects or vehicle. Vorhaus said she didn't see the other men but eyewitnesses relayed this information to police. "They said there were two dark hoodies, one white hoodie, everyone was wearing black COVID masks," she said. Vorhaus is launching a campaign to get Chloe back and sharing images of the gray dog with blue-gray eyes whom she adopted in October. "She is so unique looking," she said. "She has such a unique look. She responds to Chloe. I think theres a way to mobilize the community." Vorhaus has lived in San Francisco for six years, and after this incident she will be leaving, she said. "I dont know how I can stay," she said. "I wasnt drunk. I wasnt out late. I wasnt doing anything wrong. I dont know how I can stay safe here." SFPD said this is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call SFPD's 24-hour tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous. The Google and YouTube logos are seen at the entrance to the Google offices in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 21, 2019. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) YouTube Reinstates UKs TalkRadio Channel After Outcry YouTube has reinstated TalkRadios channel, which was suspended over a potential violation of the tech giants ban on content that explicitly contradicts expert consensus from local health authorities about the CCP virus. Early on Tuesday, links to the channel, which has around 250,000 subscribers, brought up messages saying the account had been terminated. YouTube, which is owned by Google, did not provide any explanation at the time. Later in the evening, a YouTube spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email: TalkRadios YouTube channel was briefly suspended, but upon further review, has now been reinstated. We quickly remove flagged content that violate our Community Guidelines, including COVID-19 content that explicitly contradict expert consensus from local health authorities or the World Health Organization. We make exceptions for material posted with an educational, documentary, scientific or artistic purpose, as was deemed in this case. The reversal followed criticism from free speech advocates and outcry from the station and its presenters, who accused the tech giant of censorship. Some TalkRadio presenters have been openly skeptical of the value of lockdown measures, and have questioned government virus-related policies and the rationale and interpretation of the data underpinning them. The station, which is licensed by UK broadcast regulator Ofcom, has featured more questioning of the handling of the pandemic than many other broadcasters. TalkRadio has included interviews with various well-known critics of lockdown measures, including with Oxford epidemiologist Dr. Sunetra Gupta, one of the authors of the Great Barrington Declaration. According to Youtube, they have removed over 750,000 videos between February and November that violated their guidelines on COVID-19-related content. They say that videos removed include content that disputes the existence or transmission of the CCP virus, as laid out by local health authorities and the WHO, and content that discourages people from seeking treatment or that promotes unproven treatment methods. They also removed content that explicitly disputes the efficacy of WHO and local guidance on social distancing and self-isolation. Just before Youtube reversed the termination of their account, a spokesperson for TalkRadio said, YouTube is making decisions about which opinions the public are allowed to hear, even when they are sourced to responsible and regulated news providers. This sets a dangerous precedent and is censorship of free speech and legitimate national debate. Free speech organisation Big Brother Watch described the removal of the entire channel as a bold censorship move. Were meeting Google to ask why they buried the Great Barrington Declaration, they wrote on Twitter. Well be asking about this appalling censorship too. The World Health Organization expressed dissappointment over China not finalising the permissions for the arrival of the team that was to investigate the origin of the coronavirus, said world health body chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday (local time). Over the past 24 hours, members of the international scientific team on COVID-19 virus origins began traveling from their home countries to China. Today we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the teams arrival in China, he said. The WHO Chief said that the official visit was as per arrangements jointly developed between WHO, the Chinese government, and countries for which the team was meant to travel through on their way to Wuhan. He added, I am very disappointed with this news given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute. But I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials and I have once again made clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team. Tedros said that the global health body is eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible. Beijing had previously said it would give the WHOs expert team full access to investigate the virus origin. While China has dismissed criticism of its handling of early cases that emerged in late 2019, some leaders including US President Donald Trump have questioned Beijings actions during the outbreak. Trump has often called it the ChinaVirus and has repeatedly called for the Chinese government to be held accountable for this plague. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also slammed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for continuing to spread disinformation regarding Covid-19, and obstructing the investigation of the World Health Organization (WHO) in finding out the origin and spread of the virus. Sino-Australian relations have been in a downward spiral since April, when Canberra infuriated Beijing by proposing an independent international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was detained in May for her live stream reporting from Wuhan over COVID-19, has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment in late December, Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) reported. She has been convicted of picking quarrels and provoking trouble for her reporting in the chaotic initial stages of the outbreak. As per the latest update by Johns Hopkins University, the coronavirus cases across the globe currently stands at over 85 million cases and 1.8 million deaths. [January 06, 2021] ISG Technology Ramps Up Mid-Market Managed Service Offering With Two IT Veterans OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ISG Technology has announced the addition of two seasoned IT professionals to its staff to strengthen its Managed Services practice. Brent McCollum joins ISG as Director of Managed Services and Jeffrey Myers as Support Center Manager. Both hires are part of ISG Technology's plan to better serve mid-market companies that view IT as a strategic differentiator for their business. "The majority of our clients have a couple IT staff members, but they support, on average, between 100-500 end users," stated Chief Operating Officer Jon Bierman. "Most of these teams are pretty heroic in what they are able to accomplish. But they struggle to find time to focus on the strategic IT initiatives that help drive revenue. Our Managed Service practice is built to solve that. The addition of Brent and Jeffrey strengthens our ability to do so." Brent McCollum brings over 20 years of Managed IT Services experience to ISG Technology. In his most recent position as Chief of Staff, Infrastructure & Data Management (Managed Services) for a global IT provider, he supported $1 billion of business for its North American Operations. As Director of Managed Services for ISG, he will oversee the practice and focus on increasing the strategic value ISG delivers to help mid-market customers. Jeffrey Myers joins ISG as its new Support Center Manager. Jeffrey's career began as an engineer with the Kansas Department of Corrections where he quickly developd a knack for leading technical teams and has been doing so for almost 20 years. Jeffrey also holds an Ethical Hacker Certification from the EC-Council. As Support Center Manager, Jeffrey will help continue to build and develop ISG's Wichita, Kansas-based Support Center. Both McCollum and Myers will be based out of ISG's Wichita office but will support all eight of ISG's locations across the Midwest. "The amount of experience Brent and Jeffrey bring to our team allows us to expedite the services we are bringing to market," stated Bierman. "They'll hit the ground running by taking an active role in our vCIO offering while also helping strengthen our Managed Security practice." About ISG Technology ISG Technology helps organizations unlock possibilities so they can realize their full business potential. We do it by providing a unique combination of managed IT services, technology consulting, professional services and cloud/data center solutions. Part of the Twin Valley Family of Companies and a fourth-generation family business, ISG Technology has grown and evolved into the recognized leader in the Midwest by aligning its success with the long-term success of its clients. We are consistently recognized in CRN's Top IT Providers in the nation, most recently as part of the Tech Elite 150 for excellence in managed IT services. To learn more, visit isgtech.com. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Scott Strickler Director of Marketing sstrickler@isgtech.com 913-826-6058 Related Files MSP500_Solutions500.jpg Related Images brent-mccollum-jeffrey-myers-isg.jpg Brent McCollum - Jeffrey Myers - ISG Technology IT Veterans Brent McCollum and Jeffrey Myers join ISG Technology to ramp up Managed IT Services. Related Links ISG Technology Website About ISG Technology View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isg-technology-ramps-up-mid-market-managed-service-offering-with-two-it-veterans-301201714.html SOURCE ISG Technology [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] After leading the San Francisco Ballet for more than 35 years, Helgi Tomasson announced on Wednesday that will he step down as artistic director and principal choreographer in 2022. The company is in a very strong position right now, the dancers are dancing beautifully, and I thought maybe this is the right time do it, Mr. Tomasson said in an interview. The other thing was that my wife and I would like to spend more time with our family, he added. Mr. Tomasson, 78, chose to share his departure plans in advance to give the companys board sufficient time to find a suitable replacement, a task made more difficult by the pandemic. Things take longer than they did during quote-unquote normal times when people could fly out and you could interview them or whatever, he said. Helgi is a visionary whose creativity, brilliance and stewardship of the Ballet is reflected both in the caliber of the companys work, as well as in the thoughtful transition plan that he helped conceive to support the organizations ongoing vitality, Sunnie Evers, the co-chair of the San Francisco Ballet board, said in a statement. Mr. Tomasson plans to guide the company through its digital 2021 season and help it get back onstage in 2022, conditions permitting. The coming season, which begins with a virtual gala performance on Jan. 14, will include world premieres from the choreographers Cathy Marston, Danielle Rowe and Myles Thatcher, all of which were created to be filmed and streamed. In 2022, the programing will focus on work created and staged during Mr. Tomassons tenure. It will also feature a new work by Mr. Tomasson set to a keyboard suite by Jean-Philippe Rameau. A farmer fought and strangled a huge wolf 'with his bare hands' after it killed two dogs and attacked his horse. CCTV footage caught the moment the man, carrying a torch, was attacked and bitten by the wild beast in the east of Russia. The farmer and the wolf fought in the snow before he grabbed and held the animal by the neck. A farmer fought and strangled a huge wolf 'with his bare hands' after it killed two dogs and attacked his horse CCTV footage caught the moment the man, carrying a torch, was attacked and bitten by the wild beast in the east of Russia The full grainy video is around three minutes long and ends with the unnamed farmer repeatedly striking the predator, but reports say he used no weapons. 'The farmer had no time to pick up his rifle, and went into a bare handed fight with the animal,' said one report. He feared the wolf would attack his cattle, after killing two dogs and attacking a horse, he said. The wounded man - who posed with the dead wolf - is being tested for rabies after the attack. The full grainy video is around three minutes long and ends with the unnamed farmer repeatedly striking the predator, but reports say he used no weapons Mass animal vaccinations have been carried out in the village of Novotroitskoye, southwest of Birobidzhan, capital of Russia's Jewish Autonomous Region. Villagers say that wolf attacks on guard dogs and farm animals are becoming more common after the destruction of forests in the region. One villager said: 'The woods are being destroyed and burned down, so wolves are losing their usual prey. 'This is entirely man's fault. 'The farmer had no time to pick up his rifle, and went into a bare handed fight with the animal,' said one report 'It's like the wolves have been left homeless, this is why they are getting out of the woods.' Regional chief vet Galina Dzyuba said tests were underway to establish if the slain wolf was rabid. 'Soon we should know the exact reason for the attack,' she said. 'Did it happen because the wolf was running short of food or was sick?' Attorney on Trump Call With Raffensperger Resigns From Law Firm An attorney who was on a phone call between President Donald Trump and Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has resigned from her law firm, following widespread public scrutiny of the conversation. Attorney Cleta Mitchell, who has been assisting with Trumps election legal efforts in Georgia, informed management from her firm Foley & Lardner on Jan. 5 that she will resign from her position as a partner at the firm, effective immediately. Cleta Mitchell has informed firm management of her decision to resign from Foley & Lardner effective immediately. Ms. Mitchell concluded that her departure was in the firms best interests, as well as in her own personal best interests. We thank her for her contributions to the firm and wish her well, the law firm said in a statement. Mitchell, who has been a partner at the firm for nearly 20 years, explained her reasons for resigning in an email obtained by The Epoch Times that was sent to clients and friends. The email stated that she, her firm, and her clients have been receiving massive pressure from leftist groups via social media and other means following the release of the Trump-Raffensperger call. As you are probably aware, there has been a massive pressure campaign in the last several days mounted by leftist groups via social media and other means against me, my law firm, and clients of the law firm, because of my personal involvement with President Trump, his campaign and the White House, related to the November 3 general election in Georgia, she wrote in her email. After discussions with my firms management, I have decided that it is in both of our interests that I leave the Firm. I have come to the conclusion, however, that I do not wish to distract the Firm, my colleagues or our clients with the ongoing campaign of hateful, vile, and offensive attacks that have inundated our Firm and clients, and which I know will persist from these left-wing pressure groups. That is not good for anyone and especially not good for our clients. Mitchells participation in the call and involvement in Trumps post-election efforts were heavily scrutinized following the release of the leaked audio recording of the call between the president and Raffensperger. Media outlets and lawmakers were quick to accuse the president of malfeasance, alleging that Trump was pressuring Raffensperger for more votes. But a transcript of the leaked conversation, which was said to be a confidential legal settlement discussion over several Georgia lawsuits, shows Trump was mainly reiterating most of his claims about election irregularities and concerns about illegal votes cast and counted in the state. Throughout the call, Trump repeatedly told Raffensperger and his legal team that he needed about 11,780 votes in order to flip the state, which is less than the number of votes the Trump team is alleging were cast under fraudulent circumstances. The margin in Georgia between Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Trump is 11,779. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House on Dec. 12, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo) Raffensperger and his lawyer, Ryan Germany, repeatedly countered Trumps claims during the call, generally asserting that the issues raised by the president were either inaccurate or have been probed and shown to be untrue. The state officials also refused to provide more transparency over the election results, by refusing a request for access to the secretary of states election data. You can keep telling us and making public statements that you investigated this and [theres] nothing to see here. But we dont know about that, Mitchell said during the call, according to the transcript. All we know is what you tell us. What I dont understand is why wouldnt it be in everyones best interest to try to get to the bottom, compare the numbers, you know, if you say, because to try to be able to get to the truth, because we dont have any way of confirming what youre telling us. You tell us that you had an investigation at the State Farm Arena. I dont have any report. Ive never seen a report of investigation. I dont know that is. Ive been pretty involved in this, and I dont know. And thats just one of 25 categories, she told the officials. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger holds a press conference on the status of ballot counting in Atlanta, on Nov. 6, 2020. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) On Jan. 4, Foley & Lardner released a statement about Mitchells involvement in the call. They said they had issued a policy over not representing any parties in connection to matters related to the 2020 election, but didnt bar their attorneys from observing election recounts and similar actions on a voluntary basis in their individual capacity as private citizens so long as they did not act as legal advisers. They added that they were concerned by Mitchells level of participation in Trumps Georgia efforts in relation to their policy. This comes as lawyers representing the president and his campaign have revealed that they have been harassed or intimidated following their decision to take up election cases. A former judge from Wisconsin, James Troupis, who is now representing the Trump campaign in the state, told a Senate committee in December that he believes intimidation by the left has prevented lawyers from taking up election-related cases. One of the reasons I was called was because virtually every major law firm in this country and in this city refused to represent the president. Not because of the lack of merit in his claimsweve certainly demonstrated that theres meritbut because of the cancel culture, Troupis said. Because of the environment that has been created by the left that has intimidated lawyers so that they cant be here. Theyre not here from the giant law firms precisely because they were ordered by their management committees and others that, You cannot take those cases. The reasons you cannot take those cases is because our clients, or the Democrat Party, or the incoming administration will remember that and they will hold it against you. As a former judge, I was so incensed by that. Meanwhile, Trump campaign legal adviser Jenna Ellis said shes received hundreds of threats, including anonymous phone calls, since taking up election cases. Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. While fans still wait to see Lashanna Lynch and Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film No Time To Die, Lynch has found her next role. The 33-year-old actress is in final talks to star in Netflix's musical film adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The production has not yet found the young actress to play the title character at this time, and there is no indication as to when filming may begin. New role: While fans still wait to see Lashanna Lynch and Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film No Time To Die, Lynch has found her next role. The musical follows a precocious 5-year-old girl who discovers she has telekinetic powers, which she uses to protect her friends and turn the tables on bullies. Lynch is portraying Miss Honey, described as a 'kindly teacher that encourages Matilda and her gifts.' While Matilda has yet to be cast, Ralph Fiennes was attached to play Mrs. Trunchbull, continuing a tradition of male characters portraying the headmistress. Miss Honey: Lynch is portraying Miss Honey, described as a 'kindly teacher that encourages Matilda and her gifts' The character was portrayed by a female in the 1996 movie adaptation, with Pam Ferris taking on the role, but the musical always featured a male actor as Trunchbull, including Bertie Cavell, Bryce Ryness, Craige Els, with Craig Bierko even stepping in as a replacement on Broadway. The role of Miss Honey represents a significant change as well, with the role played by white women. Embeth Davidtz portrayed the teacher in the 1996 movie adaptation, with the role played by Lauren Ward, Jennifer Bowles and Carly Thoms in the stage musical. Big change: The role of Miss Honey represents a significant change as well, with the role played by white women The Netflix musical will be directed by Matthew Warchus, who was at the helm of the stage musical. He will work from an adapted screenplay by original stage musical playwright Dennis Kelly, with Tim Minchin returning to provide original music and lyrics. The stage musical debuted with a 12-week trial run at the Royal Shakespeare Company in November 2010, before it's debut on the West End in November 2011 and its Broadway debut in April 2013. Musical: The Netflix musical will be directed by Matthew Warchus, who was at the helm of the stage musical Music: He will work from an adapted screenplay by original stage musical playwright Dennis Kelly, with Tim Minchin (center) returning to provide original music and lyrics. Stage: The stage musical debuted with a 12-week trial run at the Royal Shakespeare Company in November 2010, before it's debut on the West End in November 2011 and its Broadway debut in April 2013 Lynch appeared in a handful of movies like Fast Girls, Powder Room and Brotherhood before her breakthrough debut in 2019's Captain Marvel. She portrayed Monica Rambeau in the Marvel Studios blockbuster, which she followed up with The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud in December. She'll next be seen in the highly-anticipated James Bond movie No Time To Die, which is slated for release on April 2. Monica: She portrayed Monica Rambeau in the Marvel Studios blockbuster, which she followed up with The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud in December Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Cloudy. High 77F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low near 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Do the Georgia run-off Senate results dramatically shift the criminal justice reform landscape? | Main | Celebrity (gossip) edition of criminal justice round-up January 6, 2021 Prez-elect Biden's slate of nominees for the Justice Department revealed, with Judge Merrick Garland tapped for Attorney General As reported in this new AP piece, "President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday." Here is more on who is slated to help run a new Justice Department: Biden is expected to announce Garlands appointment on Thursday, along with other senior leaders of the department, including former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and former Justice Department civil rights chief Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general. He will also name an assistant attorney general for civil rights, Kristen Clarke, the president of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an advocacy group. Garland was selected over other finalists including Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. The people familiar with the process spoke on condition of anonymity. One said Biden regards Garland as an attorney general who can restore integrity to the Justice Department and as someone who, having served in the Justice Department under presidents of both political parties, will be respected by nonpartisan career staff. If confirmed, Garland would confront immediate challenges, including an ongoing criminal tax investigation into Bidens son, Hunter, as well as calls from many Democrats to pursue inquiries into Trump after he leaves office. A special counsel investigation into the origins of the Russia probe also remains open, forcing a new attorney general to decide how to handle it and what to make public. Garland would also inherit a Justice Department that has endured a tumultuous four years and would likely need to focus on not only civil rights issues and an overhaul of national policing policies after months of mass protests over the deaths of Black Americans at the hand of law enforcement. It was unclear how Garlands selection would be received by Black and Latino advocates who had advocated for a Black attorney general or for someone with a background in civil rights causes and criminal justice reform. But the selection of Gupta and Clarke, two women with significant experience in civil rights, appeared designed to blunt those concerns and offered as a signal that progressive causes will be prioritized in the new administration.... Monaco brings to the department significant national security experience, including in cybersecurity an especially urgent issue as the U.S. government confronts a devastating hack of federal agencies that officials have linked to Russia. I have sensed that Garland's record as a relative moderate on criminal justice issues while serving as a judge on the DC Circuit has led many criminal justice reform advocates to not be especially excited by the prospect he could become Attorney General. But, as this AP article suggests, the naming of Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general should exciting CJ reformers. In forthcoming confirmation hearing and in other setting, it will be very interesting to see what tone a future AG Garland and other new DOJ members will set as to criminal justice reform efforts generally and as to what sets of CJ issues may be initially given the most attention. January 6, 2021 at 01:59 PM | Permalink Comments It'll just be great to return some semblance of sanity in US Government and Law-making after the totally insane spectacle today of a President inciting supporters with lies and unconstitutional acts at Capitol Hill and Georgia. Unbelievable and degrading scenes which will damage democracy not only in the US but around the world. Posted by: peter | Jan 6, 2021 4:09:43 PM Two questions come to mind after the announcement. First, who will replace Judge Garland on the D.C. Circuit? The nominee may be on the short list if Justice Breyer would choose to retire in 2022. Second, who will be Solicitor General? Posted by: tmm | Jan 7, 2021 2:24:30 PM The rumor for Garlands replacement is (Resistance heroine) Ketanji Brown Jackson. Although some people are saying if Breyer is stepping down soon and Biden is saving KBJ for that seat, it doesnt make sense to put her through the confirmation ringer for CADC when shell just have to do it again for SCOTUS. Not sure I buy that argument, but its out there for consideration. SG is a good question. No gossip on that as far as I know. Obviously an important appointment but a bit less so than judges and the key cabinet positions. And not as big a deal to the general public although it holds a lot of interest for legal wonks of course. Does anyone have access to the tea leaves on possible SGs? Katyal and Kruger would be two obvious possibilities... Posted by: hardreaders | Jan 7, 2021 9:05:29 PM I thought Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would have been the smart pick by Prez Obama for the Scalia/Garland slot back in 2016, and I think she remains a smart pick for the DC Circuit or SCOTUS. I would not be surprised if the Biden team sought to get some good press from making KBJ the very first judicial nomination (and just a day or two after Garland's confirmation). She has already been twice confirmed by the Senate (for the US Sentencing Commission and the the USDC for DC), and I actually think you ease her path to SCOTUS if she was confirmed (by a hefty margin) for a DC Circuit seat by the same Senate. I would not be surprised to see Neil Katyal as an SG pick, but I sense there are some who worry he is "too corporate." Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 7, 2021 9:55:03 PM I agree with everything you said about KBJ. Even if, say, she never made it to SCOTUS, itd still be an upgrade to Garland on CADC, both in terms of jurisprudence and longevity on the court. Not that Garland is bad; he was totally cromulent, but KBJ is clearly an improvement. Also I didnt know she was on the USSC too. That is cool. Katyal is a nice guy and all and obviously super qualified, but definitely way too corporate for my liking at least. Posted by: hardreaders | Jan 9, 2021 12:59:02 AM Post a comment Pause to include April sailings, Alaska departures through mid-May, Mediterranean through early June and select Canada/New England SEATTLE, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Holland America Line continues to prepare and develop its plans to meet the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the company is extending its pause of cruise operations for all departures through April 30, 2021. This includes Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Canada/New England departures. The line also will cancel all Alaska cruises through mid-May, Alaska departures on three ships through early June, any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska sailings, Mediterranean cruises through early June and Zaandam's Canada/New England itineraries through August. Cruises impacted by this pause in operation are: All cruise departures through April 30, 2021 . . Alaska : Eurodam and Oosterdam through the first week of June (roundtrip from Seattle ); Koningsdam through mid-May (roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada); Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam through mid-May (roundtrip Vancouver and between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska ); and Zuiderdam though early June (roundtrip from Vancouver ). and through the first week of June (roundtrip from ); through mid-May (roundtrip from , Canada); and through mid-May (roundtrip and between and ); and though early June (roundtrip from ). Mediterranean: Volendam cruises through early June (between Venice and Civitavecchia [ Rome ], Italy ); Westerdam though early June (roundtrip from Venice or between Venice and Piraeus [ Athens ], Greece ). cruises through early June (between and Civitavecchia [ ], ); though early June (roundtrip from or between and Piraeus [ ], ). Canada /New England: Zaandam cruises through August (between Boston, Massachusetts , and Montreal, Quebec, Canada ). Guests and their travel agents are being notified of the cancellations and options for Future Cruise Credits (FCC) and rebooking. Holland America Line is closely following the protocol set forth by the CDC, and is preparing ships and implementing procedures to meet all requirements for approval to sail following the pause. Guests Automatically Receive Bonus Future Cruise Credit Cruises impacted automatically will be canceled, and no action is needed when opting for the Future Cruise Credit. All guests will receive an FCC per person as follows: Paid in Full : Those who have paid in full will receive 125% FCC of the base cruise fare paid to Holland America Line. : Those who have paid in full will receive 125% FCC of the base cruise fare paid to Holland America Line. Not Paid in Full: Those with bookings not paid in full will receive an FCC of double the amount of their deposit. The minimum FCC is $100 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid. The FCC is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. Noncruise fare purchases such as shore excursions, gifts, dining and spa will not be transferred to a new booking and will be refunded to the original form of payment. Other funds such as air fares paid to Holland America Line may be transferred to a new booking or will automatically be refunded via the method of payment used to purchase the services. Full Refund Option Also Available Guests who prefer a 100% refund of monies paid to Holland America Line can visit the Cancellation Preferences Form to indicate their preference no later than Feb. 15, 2021. The above options are not applicable to guests booked on a charter sailing. Other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply if the cruise was not booked through Holland America Line. See the terms and conditions in the Cancellation Preferences Form for all details. Holland America Line previously paused global cruise operations and canceled all departures on all ships through March 31, 2021. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com. About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon more than 70 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits more than 470 ports in 98 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, is under construction and will join the fleet in July 2021. The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council, comprising world-famous chefs. In light of COVID-19, Holland America Line is currently enhancing health and safety protocols and how they may impact future cruises. Our actual offerings may vary from what is displayed or described in marketing materials. Review our current Cruise Updates, Health & Safety Protocols and CDC Travel Advisories . SOURCE Holland America Line Related Links http://www.hollandamerica.com The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described as 'disappointing' President Akufo-Addo's 2021 State of the Nation Address (SONA). President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday delivered his last SONA to the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic. The President who will soon end his first term and begin a new one from January 7, in his address touched on the economy, galamsey, election 2020 among others. Reacting to this, Okudzeto Ablakwa wondered why the President did not touch on the 'barbaric killings' during the December 7 polls. "Not a word of sympathy from President Akufo-Addo on the barbaric killings of 8 defenseless Ghanaians during the December 7, 2020 elections. Even more depressing is his refusal to institute investigations and sanction the mindless perpetrators. Absolutely disappointing address" he wrote on his facebook page. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Sen. Mitt Romney recently predicted President Donald Trumps calls for supporters to descend on Washington, D.C. just weeks before Joe Bidens inauguration could lead to disruption. On Wednesday, as Trump-allied Republicans sought to delay the certification of Bidens decisive 306-232 Electoral College victory during a joint session of Congress, pro-Trump vandals stormed the U.S. Capitol and clashed with police. Romney, as the building was placed on lockdown and officers rushed him and other lawmakers into the Capitol basement, summoned a reporter, according to The New York Times. This is what the president has caused today, this insurrection, Romney said. Earlier Wednesday morning, police arrested a handful of protesters on weapons and assault charges, according to the Washington Post. Shortly after Vice President Mike Pence announced that he would defy Trumps calls to unilaterally throw out some of Bidens electoral votes, Trumps supporters marched on the capitol and breached the building. Trump on Twitter called on supporters to remain peaceful. Several outlets have reported that gunshots have been fired inside the building and at least one person was injured, where National Guard and other law enforcement are trying to clear and secure the building. Romney was the lone Republican to vote to convict Trump on an impeachment charge last year. In recent weeks, Romney has consistently called on Trump to focus on his accomplishments during his last weeks in office, including helping push the COVID-19 vaccine, instead of advancing loopy conspiracies swirling around his election loss to Biden. Related Content: Narco terror: Drug proceeds sent to Pakistan and Kashmir says NIA India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet in the Hizbul Mujahideen narco terror case before the Special Court in Mohali, Punjab. The case was filed in Amritsar following the arrest of one Hilal Ahmed Shergojri from whom Rs 29 lakh in cash was recovered. The NIA took over the case in May 2020. During the course of the probe, it was found that Hilal had gone to Amritsar to collect the money. He was a member of the Hizbul Mujahideen and a close associate of Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo, the commander of the outfit in the Kashmir Valley. Narco-terror to targeted killings: What ISIs Khalistan-Kashmir desk was doing in Delhi UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News This led to busting of a major Narco-terror module involved in smuggling and selling of Heroin in India and channelizing of drug-proceeds to Pakistan through hawala and to the HM terrorists based in J&K at the behest of HM terrorists based in Pakistan. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 8:14 [IST] Meet John Dillermand AKA 'John Penisman' who is appearing in a new animated kids series about a man with the worlds longest penis. The Danish equivalent of the BBC, DR, is hosting the show - aimed at four- to eight-year-olds about Dillermand, who overcomes hardships and challenges with his record-breaking genitals. Since premiering on Saturday, the series has, perhaps surprisingly, provoked debate about what childrens television should and should not contain. Opponents have condemned the idea of a man who cannot control his penis. Is this really the message we want to send to children while we are in the middle of a huge #MeToo wave? wrote the Danish author Anne Lise Marstrand-Jrgensen. But Erla Heinesen Hjsted, a clinical psychologist who works with families and children, said she believed the shows opponents may be overthinking things. John Dillermand talks to children and shares their way of thinking and kids do find genitals funny, she said. The show depicts a man who is impulsive and not always in control, who makes mistakes like kids do, but crucially, Dillermand always makes it right. He takes responsibility for his actions. When a woman in the show tells him that he should keep his penis in his pants, for instance, he listens. Which is nice. He is accountable. DR, the Danish public service broadcaster, has a reputation for pushing boundaries especially for children. Another popular kids show is Onkel Reje, a popular figure who curses, smokes a pipe and doesnt bathe. A character in Gepetto News made conservatives bristle in 2012 when he revealed a love of cross-dressing. And Ultra Smider Tjet (Ultra Strips Down) caused outrage in 2020 for presenting children aged 11-13 with a panel of nude adults. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Online Editors Nigeria: Terrorist attacks surged in December and may increase in 2021, Christian group warns Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Radical Islamic militants and terrorist groups killed at least 200 people in the last two weeks of December, bringing the number of Nigerian Christians killed in 2020 to 2,400, according to a new report. Nigerian human rights group The International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law released the report on Sunday that catalogs the killings. Intersocietys founder and chairman of the board, Emeka Umeagbalasi, told The Christian Post that this December was one of the deadliest months on record for Nigerian Christians. Weve noticed an upsurge in the killings. At least one of the reasons that I havent relocated to my village [for Christmas is] just to monitor what is going on, he said. The local media is operating under censorship. This recent wave of killings follows a pattern of radical Islamist violence in Nigeria, he said. Since 2009, over 34,000 Nigerian Christians have been killed and many more have been displaced by the violence. Militants murdered seven Christians every day in 2020 on average, said Umeagbalasi. Nigerias Southern Kaduna province experienced the most deaths, with at least 495 people killed by radical Islamists. In one incident, Islamic militants stopped cars on a highway, he said. At gunpoint, they interrogated travelers to discover if they were Christian. Then, they forced the Christians from their cars. They killed five who attempted escape and kidnapped the remaining 35. Kidnappings of Christians happen for various reasons, Umeagbalasi said. Some are motivated by money, some are political attacks by the government, some are motivated by Islamic radicalism. Most people kidnapped by Islamic radicals face death or slavery. Some of the death count from December includes abducted people presumed dead, Umeagbalasi said. When terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP and Fulani militants kidnap people, they either kill them or make ransom demands. In many of last months cases, the kidnappers sent no ransom demands. Terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province made a vow to step up attacks on Christians over Christmas, Umeagbalasi said. The groups called Christmas celebrations ungodly. In December, Boko Haram killed at least 130 Christians, the report said. Fulani tribe Islamist militias killed at least 70. Some of Intersocietys sources say terrorist groups have attacked more fiercely because they believe Joe Bidens presidential administration will not advocate for religious freedom in Nigeria, Umeagbalasi said. The Obama administration focused less on fighting Nigerian terrorism than the Trump administration did. Once Biden comes [into office], he will give them license to kill, said Umeagblalasi. That is also the thinking of the present government of Nigeria. Umeagbalasi said that Nigerias government supports or ignores radical Islamist killings. On Dec. 17, Islamists killed a family of eight in the Gora Gan community. The familys home was in front of a military barracks. If the Fulani jihadis can attack and wipe out a family of eight located opposite a military base where soldiers are stationed, it tells you theres very strong evidence of the conspiratorial nature of the military and the jihadis, he said. In 2021, Islamist attacks on Nigerian Christians will probably increase, Umeagbalasi said. We are seeing the continuation and consolidation of the attacks on Christians. There is no hope on the ground that suggests otherwise, he said. The security forces are disproportionately composed of Muslims. The Christians are not likely to get protection. Dont expect the government to do anything. PUNE At least 15 leopard rescues were conducted in 2020, while a total of 14 leopard deaths were recorded in the Pune circle, which consists of Pune, Solapur, Junnar and Bhor. Junnar, which has a high density of leopards, recorded the highest number of deaths as well, as well as the most rescues, seven. The Junnar division also has the Manekdoh Leopard rescue centre in its jurisdiction. Our staff, and volunteers from the village are trained as these operations happen routinely. We do not maintain data of the rescued animals; our staff members just show up whenever there is a call or a sighting. Barring the lockdown period, we take monthly workshops for those involved in rescue missions, Jayaramegowda R, deputy conservator of Forests (territorial), Junnar division, Pune circle. On Tuesday, forest department officials rescued a leopard which had injured itself by getting caught in a fence built around a sugarcane field, that was meant to prevent wild boars from entering. We transquilised it and took it to the rescue centre. There it will be treated and kept along with 34 others. There are animals of various ages, some are man-eaters, some are younger ones who have been recently rescued, said Jayaramegowda. One of the two deaths reported from Manikdoh leopard rescue centre in 2020 was that of a 22-year-old female who passed away on December 13. Of the 14 deaths reported in Pune circle, 13 are from Junnar division, of which five died of natural causes, three in road accidents, three fell to their death in wells, and two were killed due to unknown reasons. It is a leopard rescue centre, but anytime any animal is in trouble, we offer rescue. It was established here in 2002 as the man-animal conflict is high in this area. Within five years, the number of sightings shot up so Wildlife SOS was involved in 2007. We have a limit of 35 animals so we cannot take in more. We keep the animal only if it is orphaned, old, or injured, said Dr Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, working with the Forest department. The forest department, along with Wildlife SOS, provides help even elsewhere in the circle when it comes to wildlife rescue. The staff members from Junnar division, due to their skillset, were involved in the killing of a man-eater leopard in Karmala, Solapur in December, while they also helped rescue a deer in the Chakan area of Pune in the same month. The Louisville Metro Police Department fired two detectives connected to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, according to copies of the officers' termination letters. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician, was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in her apartment during a flawed forced-entry raid in the early hours of March 13, 2020. Detective Myles Cosgrove was fired Tuesday for use of deadly force for firing 16 rounds into Taylor's home and failing to activate his body camera, according to a copy of his termination letter. Detective Joshua Jaynes, who had written the search warrant for the raid on Taylor's home, was fired Tuesday for 'failing to complete a Search Warrant Operations Plan form' and being untruthful about verifying that Taylor's previous boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, had been receiving packages at Taylor's home, according to a copy of his termination letter obtained by CNN. The detectives had received pre-termination letters last week, according to the attorneys for the men. Cosgrove and Jaynes can appeal the dismissals, which would prompt a review by the LMPD Merit Board and could ultimately lead to a public hearing. The decision was made by interim Police Chief Yvette Gentry. The full-time police chief position will be filled by former Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields in two weeks, Mayor Greg Fischer said Wednesday. The Louisville police union called the firings 'unjustified.' 'There is certainly no evidence in this case that policies and procedures of the LMPD were violated to the extent that warranted termination,' the River City Fraternal Order of Police said in a statement. 'Interim Chief Gentry not only made the wrong decision, but also sent an ominous message to every sworn officer of the Louisville Metro Police Department.' Jaynes' attorney, Thomas Clay, says his client's termination from the LMPD was 'not unexpected.' 'We fully expected this termination to happen and we will pursue an appeal to the Louisville Metro police board,' Clay told CNN. 'It's our position that he did nothing wrong in any of the activities relating to this search.' Clay also said his client is 'devastated at the way he's been treated by the department.' CNN has reached out Cosgrove's attorney. No charges directly connected to her death Taylor's death, along with that of other Black people at the hands of law enforcement, sparked a summer of protests calling for police reform. No officer who took part in the raid was charged for Taylor's actual killing. Only one of the three officers -- Brett Hankison -- was charged in connection with the shooting. In September, a grand jury charged Hankison with three counts of felony wanton endangerment for blindly firing 10 shots into Taylor's home. He pleaded not guilty. LMPD fired Hankison in June 2020. As a result of the grand jury's decision, Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, asked the Kentucky Prosecutors Advisory Council to appoint an independent prosecutor to present the case of her daughter's death before a new grand jury. She said Attorney General Daniel Cameron's handling of the case 'undermines the trust and integrity of the entire process.' Cameron has said Cosgrove fired the fatal shot -- which he said was justified because Taylor's boyfriend fired at officers first. 'At minimum, my daughter deserves, as do all aggrieved victims, a competent and capable prosecution team which is committed to properly investigating the case, evaluating the law from an unbiased lens, presenting the evidence and allowing the grand jurors to perform the functions guaranteed to them under the law,' Palmer wrote in her request for relief. The advisory council declined to appoint a special prosecutor in December, saying they did not have the legal authority to do so, according to a report by CNN affiliate WDRB. National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C., will wear special black identification vests to avoid being confused with law enforcement wearing U.S. military-style uniforms as the city tenses for demonstrations as Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Pentagon officials voiced concern this summer that the public misidentified law enforcement personnel and federal agents wearing the Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, and matching tactical gear as soldiers during violent demonstrations to protest the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis police custody. Late Tuesday night, the District of Columbia National Guard released photos of the uniform its members are wearing as they support law enforcement in the city. Guard personnel will be dressed in Army OCP, with the addition of black vests displaying the service member's name and rank, the words "U.S. Army" and the D.C. flag on the front; and the words "D.C. National Guard" on the back. Read Next: Facing Sexual Assault Charges, Air Force Colonel Heads to Court-Martial "The black identification vest is not body armor nor a tactical vest," according to a D.C. Guard news release. "It is the traditional uniform worn by the D.C. National Guard members in multiple domestic operations including Presidential Inaugurations, the COVID-19 pandemic response, the 4th of July celebration and the 'anniversary March on Washington' in the last year." A member of the D.C. National Guard wearing black identification vest. (District of Columbia National Guard) Last summer, thousands of Guard personnel from across the country deployed to D.C., with some units wearing full tactical gear and carrying M4 carbines. In some cases, Guard members and police units standing together behind shield walls looked very similar. "We just wanted to make sure there is no confusion on what we would be wearing," Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Craig Clapper, spokesman for the D.C. Guard, told Military.com. The D.C. Guard announced Monday that more than 300 members would be on the city's streets Jan. 5-7 to support police after several pro-Trump groups, such as the Proud Boys, pledged to protest Wednesday -- the day Congress is set to conduct a formal count of Electoral College votes and officially name Biden as the next president of the United States. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy approved D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's request to have the D.C. Guard in the city to help control traffic and perform other duties during the expected protests. The attempt to clearly distinguish D.C. Guard from law enforcement comes about six months after former Defense Secretary Mark Esper voiced concerns that police performing law enforcement duties "were misconstrued with military personnel." The confusion became a point of contention among Pentagon leaders after U.S. Attorney General William Barr ordered law enforcement personnel to clear peaceful protesters out of a park near the White House using flash-bang grenades and pepper balls, prompting defense officials to announce that Guard members did not play a direct role in the incident. Members of Congress raised questions about the military's practice of selling surplus equipment to law enforcement agencies, as well as the fact that federal law agents dressed in camouflage often did not display any identifiers to distinguish them from military personnel. On Friday, Congress overrode President Donald Trump's veto of the Fiscal 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which contains a provision addressing the identification issue, The Hill reported. When responding to a "civil disturbance," federal officers "shall visibly display" their name and the federal agency they represent, according to the site. In August, the Department of Homeland Security told Congress that agents protecting federal buildings in Portland, Oregon, would stop wearing military camouflage uniforms to avoid confusion. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: National Guard to Deploy on DC Streets as Congress Meets to Affirm Biden's Victory Influential high-level quantum computing pioneer, Coecke has made foundational contributions to Quantum Natural Language Processing CAMBRIDGE, England, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC), a global leader in quantum computing software and algorithms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Bob Coecke as its Chief Scientist. Coecke who has previously served as Senior Scientific Advisor to CQC with a focus on developing and building a leading Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP) capability, joins from the University of Oxford after a tenure of over 20 years where he was Professor of Quantum Foundations, Logic and Structures since 2010. Coecke is based in CQC's newly opened Oxford campus heading a scientific team focused on applying their expertise towards artificial intelligence including QNLP. His academic career affiliations have included positions at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Imperial College London, McGill University, and University of Cambridge. At the University of Oxford, Coecke built and headed the now 50+ member multi-disciplinary Quantum Group at the Department of Computer Science, creating one of the earliest and also the largest quantum computing groups in the world. During his tenure at the University of Oxford, he supervised over 50 Ph.D. students and mentored well over 100 researchers, with many now working in high-level positions within the quantum computing sector in industry and in other academic institutions. Ilyas Khan, CEO of CQC, said, "Bob is one of a very small handful of people who can truly be described as a world-leading authority in quantum computing. In this respect he is 'quantum native.' In the last 12 months, Bob and his team have delivered impressive advances and milestones, including the implementation of an NLP task on IBM's premium quantum computers and demonstrated potential quantum advantage for NLP. We are very excited to have Bob's scientific vision for the company and I cannot wait for our customers and partners to benefit fully from his and his team's expertise." Professor Coecke added, "After more than two decades of shaping the foundational tools for quantum computing, I am excited to be joining CQC and seeing those tools become part of the 'real world', now that quantum computers start to scale and become more relevant. Many of the aspirations and hopes that we have nurtured, for example when we developed ZX-calculus, are indeed starting to come to fruition within the quantum computing industry. Writing about Quantum Natural Language Processing 12 years ago, and then during 2020 finally being able to implement it on a real quantum computer was gratifying on many counts. More broadly, I foresee a major role for quantum AI, and am looking very much forward to the challenge of building an organisation that will harness the power of quantum technology in a responsible manner." Coecke's pioneering research includes categorical quantum mechanics (now in the American Mathematical Society's MSC2020 classification), ZX-calculus, grammar-aware compositional distributional natural language meaning (DisCoCat), mathematical foundations for resource theories, and QNLP. He co-authored Picturing Quantum Processes, a book containing 5,000 pictures providing an alternative fully diagrammatic quantum formalism that meanwhile is impacting quantum industry. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 published research papers. Additionally, Coecke is a founding father of the Quantum Physics and Logic (QPL) and Applied Category Theory (ACT) communities, and of the diamond-open-access journal Compositionality. He also played a pivotal role in the revival of the Quantum Foundations community. Coecke was a Governing Body Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, 2007-2020. About Cambridge Quantum Computing Founded in 2014 and backed by some of the world's leading quantum computing companies, CQC is a global leader in quantum software and quantum algorithms, enabling clients to achieve the most out of rapidly evolving quantum computing hardware. CQC has offices in the UK, USA and Japan with a team of over 130 professionals. For more information, visit CQC at http://www.cambridgequantum.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. File / Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media GREENWICH Officers responding to a report of a disturbance determined that a Stamford man had sent a threatening message to a local resident and thrown a rock at their home, police said. The 31-year-old Stamford man was charged with threatening, reckless endangerment, trespass, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct in the incident, police said. After giving officers misleading information, he was also cited with interfering with a police investigation, police said. Bail was set at $2,600. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed several fault-lines and socio-economic fissures that we tended to gloss over. It deepened inequalities, worsened prevailing disparities, intensified rifts and made the goal of equity and inclusivity more elusive. Healthcare systems of most developing nations have been overwhelmed since the outbreak, with entire wards dedicated to Covid-19 patients and a shortage of both staff and resources to look after other fatal diseases. Women have been the hardest hit by the pandemic on all accounts: loss of agency, spiraling cases of domestic violence, emotional stress, mental trauma and utter neglect of sexual and reproductive healthcare. PCOS quandary One such ailment that increases the risk of comorbidities and makes a woman more susceptible to Covid-19 is PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome). As per recent estimates, over 20% women in India suffer from it. The numbers speak volumes in themselves, pointing out at the impending crisis and the dire need to tackle it. While its a hormonal disorder that can be treated, if not timely diagnosed, it can aggravate other serious health issues. PCOS makes women more vulnerable to diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, uterine cancer and other complications. The lockdown and its aftermath has led to reduced physical activity and increased mental stress and more women developing PCOS. There is a need for a massive campaign to build awareness about PCOS and develop alternative and user-friendly solutions that will enable early diagnosis and enable women to lead safer, healthier better lives. Ovulation Monitoring Another common concern faced by women is tracking ovulation cycles. Smartphone apps are the easiest solutions to keep a tab on their ovulation cycles and plan accordingly. These apps also have additional features that can help track mood and other health related symptoms. Since they collect data related to body temperature, weight, cramps, mood swings, body ache and bloating. While these apps are fast gaining popularity world over, they are yet to be mainstreamed in India. Easy-to-use and cost-effective access to them will enable women to be more conscious about their health and get routine check-ups done if needed. They also detect any abnormal spikes in any of the parameters. Such apps, if used widely, have a revolutionary potential in empowering women. Designing reliable apps There is a plethora of apps, online forums, social media handles that provide information on PCOS and ovulation monitoring and help make elementary diagnosis easier, what needs to be kept in mind is that there should be a robust mechanism to ensure quality, standardization, user privacy and a way to ensure that the information is reliable. As per Privacy International, there have been cases of menstrual and pregnancy tracking apps leaking data to Facebook and other websites, which have been accused of monetizing data by selling it to third-party aggregators. This is an area of concern that needs to be looked into while designing an app for PCOS. Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Australia developed AskPCOS, the world's first app dedicated to PCOS based on evidence. It was developed with the help of health specialists around the world with inputs from women with PCOS. A similar crowdsourced approach can be followed here to build an indigenous app. Way Forward There needs to be broad collaboration between startups, social groups, womens organizations, philanthropic endeavors, medical professionals, and everyone who wants to contribute to the change. Organizations working on the ground in family planning and sexual health have to double down in terms of both spreading awareness and dispelling myths, stereotypes and eradicating social stigma. It is said that there are three main pillars of innovation in womens healthcare: connectivity, accessibility and de-stigmatization. In India, the need of the hour is a mix of a top-down approach that incentivizes tech incubation and promotes start-ups, and a bottoms-up approach that combats pervasive stigma. Years of hard-won progress in gender equality has been stalled due to the pandemic, and it calls for fresh, innovative ideas and solutions in the domain of womens healthcare solutions to tackle PCOS. Technology has changed the face of multiple sectors and helped them to reinvent themselves and become more efficient, but the use of tech as a tool for furthering the goal of womens healthcare is yet to become mainstream in India and FemTech is still to gain ground. (Author is Central Executive Committee, Family Planning Association of India (FPAI)) Telecoms support for remote education, connectivity and digital skills The UK telecommunications sector has announced a raft of supportive measures for disadvantaged children and young people, as the majority of the British population enters a new lockdown. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the latest restrictions for England on Monday 4 January, instructing people to stay at home. A key tenet of the new measures is the closure of English schools, with similar school closures and remote education arrangements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Connectivity Support To ensure disadvantaged students can access virtual lessons and remote educational resources, a number of UK telecoms providers have pledged their support to children and schools across the country. Three, Smarty, Virgin Mobile, EE, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile have signed up to the Department for Educations Help with Technology programme, enabling schools and local authorities to request mobile data for children without a fixed connection at home, or unable to afford the additional data for devices. The programme also offers 4G wireless routers as an alternative to the data offer. Connectivity needs are also being met by 350,000 free data SIMS from Vodafone through its schools.connected campaign and Virgin Medias tailored broadband packages to help those facing financial difficulty. Vodafone is supporting small businesses as well, with a free broadband offer to all small businesses, including its existing customers. Families in over 30 local authority areas that are struggling with remote learning due to poor or no internet will be offered the chance to have a high speed connection installed with no usage charges by Hyperoptic until the end of the summer term. The support pledged by the UKs telecoms networks and providers at the start of 2021 echo many of the existing measures offered at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, industry agreed a set of commitments with government and Ofcom to support and protect vulnerable consumers, such as help with bills and increased data allowances. Support was given to frontline NHS staff who were offered the mobile data access, voice calls and text they need, at no extra cost, on their personal mobiles used for work purposes. Providers also gave their customers free access to health information websites such as nhs.uk. Devices and content For those without devices, DfE has pledged to deliver one million laptops and tablets to schoolchildren by Easter, and children will be able to access the BBCs biggest education offer in its history across multiple platforms like Bitesize Daily from Monday 11 January. This builds on the continued support provided to vulnerable and disadvantaged young people by supplying digital devices and internet access. 560,000 devices have been provided so farthe outcome of efforts by Government and the tech industry in partnership to deliver rapid infrastructure transformation. Schools, educators, and parents must be given the right tools to ensure young people are safe online and able to continue their education while at home. To tackle the digital divide, 2020 also saw initiatives like Vodafone and Barnados The Great British Tech Appeal, BTs Skills for Tomorrow training resource and Top Tips for Tech with ITV. While these measures are as welcome in the new year as they were in 2020, it is clear more needs to be done to tackle the digital divide and ensure that every child in the UK can successfully learn and thrive in their homes. And while these efforts go a long way, we know that there is more urgently needed and we will be working with Government, the tech sector and education providers to explore how to target this support. Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman warned Lt. Gov. John Fetterman prior to Tuesdays contentious Swearing-in Ceremony that his job as the chambers presiding officer was to follow the Senate rules. If he didnt, he would be removed for the day. He chose not to follow the rules, said Corman, R-Centre County. Its a sad day for Pennsylvania. This is not how were supposed to conduct our business. But when you dont follow the rules, anarchy and chaos follow. Fetterman and Senate Democrats argued the Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, acted improperly in refusing to swear in a western Pennsylvania Democrat. Democrats loudly protested and Fetterman said incumbent state Sen. Jim Brewster should be seated. It didnt have to go that way. I didnt want it to go that way. And I wished it didnt go that way, Fetterman said. It just reached an unfortunate impasse where the majority thought it was appropriate to deny [seating] Senator Brewster and my caucus believed it wasnt appropriate. Pennsylvanians and beyond got to see that anarchy and chaos on full display in the first hour of the first day of the 2021-22 legislative session in the Senate chambers. And the firestorm in the Senate made national headlines, gaining coverage from CBS, The Washington Post and other outlets. Planning for chaos Corman anticipated there would be a scene after he announced his decision that Senate Republicans would not recognize Brewster as the winner in the 45th state senatorial district race to take the oath of office during the ceremony, due to a dispute over election results. He defended that decision in a video interview in which he made it clear that in the Senate GOPs view, the Senate gets to decide who the winner in that race is based on a provision in the state constitution granting the chamber the authority to judge of the election and qualifications of its members. Senate Democrats, however, accuse Corman of going beyond the bounds of what they interpret that constitutional provision to mean, which they maintain is restricted to such things as age and residency requirements. Nicole Ziccarelli, the Republican who sought the 45th senatorial district seat, filed a petition with the Senate asking it to invalidate the certified election results that declare Brewster as the winner and name her the winner instead. Ziccarelli maintains that she would be the rightful winner if undated mailed ballots that Allegheny County election officials counted were excluded. Westmoreland County election officials didnt include any undated ballots in their count. By including those undated ballots from Allegheny County in the total count for the senatorial district, Brewsters vote totals show he won by 69 votes. Excluding them would make Ziccarelli the winner by 24 votes. In addition to her contest petition filed with the Senate on Friday to name her the winner, Ziccarelli has a pending federal lawsuit challenging the election results. Democrats maintain the state Supreme Court along with a federal court have already ruled the undated ballots can be counted. They accuse Ziccarelli of trying to re-litigate her case rather than appealing it to the U.S. Supreme Court. To allow the Senate time to review the 500-page-plus petition Ziccarelli filed on Friday, along with the 120-page response from Brewster calling for the Senate to dismiss her claim to the seat submitted on Monday, Corman made the decision for the Senate to hold off on seating either candidate. Fetterman, along with Senate Democrats, dispute the idea that the Senate should have any role in picking a winner. There is no basis constitutional or otherwise to say Jim Brewster cant be seated but [Franklin County Republican Sen.] Doug Mastriano could because they were certified by the same body, Fetterman said, referring to the secretary of state. Its disingenuous and un-American quite frankly to say this election was good because I won but that was fraud because I didnt win that one. Corman said in the video that the problem of the counties counting votes differently is the issue that the Senate is now tasked with resolving. He said the chamber would move expeditiously to resolve this matter and swear in a senator after reviewing the issues that have been raised.. I always think of the precedent that were setting and hopefully, people look to us as we did it the correct way, Corman said. Regardless of whether Brewster is seated or not, the Senate Democrats would still remain the minority party in the chamber where Republicans and an independent who caucuses with the GOP hold 29 of the 50 seats. As predicted: chaos Given Senate Democrats angry reaction to it, Corman decided a pre-session conversation with the Democratic lieutenant governor was in order before Tuesdays Swearing-in Ceremony commenced. I told him that he had to follow the rules that he is not to be able to apply his own set of standards or values to the process, that his job as president of the Senate is to preside over the Senate and follow the rules and enforce the rules, Corman said. Fetterman described that conversation he had with Corman to be civil and cordial. During it, the lieutenant governor said he conveyed his wish for the Senate Republicans to recognize the certified election results showing Democratic incumbent Jim Brewster as the winner in that contest and allow him to take the oath of office. He was very clear with their position and I was clear with mine, Fetterman said. I wanted and hoped for a different outcome. But it was not to be. Corman hasnt forgotten the chaos that broke out in the chamber in June 2019 when a partisan dispute erupted over the elimination of a cash assistance program for low-income Pennsylvanians. During that debate, the lieutenant governor refused to recognize Corman to speak, allowing Democratic Sen. Katie Muth of Montgomery County to continue reading a letter from beneficiary of a program that the GOP majority wanted to end. Corman shouted over her demanding to be recognized, which led to Senate Republicans exercising authority granted them through Article 2 of the state constitution and Sect. 576 of Masons Rules for Legislative Proceedings to temporarily remove Fetterman as the presiding office. Those rules state: Whenever the presiding officer attempts to thwart the purpose of the office, the power resides in the assembly to pass the presiding officer by and proceed to action otherwise. This right is but a branch of the power that assemblies exert in choosing temporary officers when the permanent officers are absent. It is not their absence that justifies the exercise of the power but the fact they are not performing duties necessary to the proper fulfillment of the functions or the assembly. Turn the clock forward to Tuesday during the debate over not seating Brewster, Fetterman refused to recognize repeated requests by Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County, to be recognized. Instead, he broke from the Senate rules to call on Democratic Sen. Steve Santarsiero of Bucks County to speak. Aument warned Fetterman Sect. 576 was going to be used again to replace him with Corman for failure to perform his duties as presiding officer. That drew a heated response from Sen. Tony Williams, D-Philadelphia, who accused Aument of breaking the rules by moving to set aside the 45th senatorial district results and not allowing Brewster to be seated. Do not threaten anyone in this building because trust me my friend, you dont want to walk up there [to the rostrum] with me up there, Williams said. But the roll call began on the question of removing Fetterman, which 14, all Republican, of the 25 sitting senators supported. That resulted in a few tense moments where Fetterman announced he was refusing to cede the rostrum. He recognized senators to speak at the same time as Corman was doing the same. Eventually, Fetterman fell silent but remained standing at the rostrum as Corman alone handled the presiding duties from a podium below where the tall lieutenant governor stood. While Republicans considered Williams statement to be a threat, Williams said what they heard was his raw feelings about what he perceived as a threat by Aument against democracy by trying to seize control of the rostrum from the lieutenant governor. What he suggested that we should remove the lieutenant governor through the process of something that was not credible, inappropriate and just outright wrong, Williams said. What he got from me was the defense of that rostrum, not just the person there but the rostrum and what it represents and what the institution is supposed to represent. Aument tweeted after Tuesdays session, The rules governing procedure in the PA Senate are central to our ability to debate the many important and contentious issues before us in a civil, orderly & respectful manner. When those rules are intentionally ignored, chaos follows. The rules governing procedure in the PA Senate are central to our ability to debate the many important and contentious issues before us in a civil, orderly & respectful manner. When those rules are intentionally ignored, chaos follows. https://t.co/QszR8ogNZY Sen. Ryan P. Aument (@SenatorAument) January 6, 2021 Sen. John DiSanto, R-Dauphin County, applauded Aument and other GOP leaders for their handling of the situation in a tweet, saying they handled it professionally with decorum and according to the rules of the Senate. But Sen. Vince Hughes, D-Philadelphia, had a very different view of what he witnessed throughout the course of what typically is a solemn but celebratory occasion when new member or re-elected members get sworn in. Refusing to seat Senator Brewster and removing of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman from presiding over the Senate are an attack on democracy itself and the Senate as an institution, Hughes said. A bad precedent was set by the Senate Republicans [Tuesday] who failed to carry out their duties, and instead chose to take a partisan stance reminiscent of the current occupant of the White House. Fetterman called it unfortunate how the whole scene played out not only for himself but for Brewster as well. When Corman stepped up to the rostrum to take over as presiding officer, Fetterman said, we werent at each others throats. Jake was civil. I was civil. We may not have been happy with each other at the moment but there wasnt certainly on my end any hard feelings. Corman, meanwhile, in the video interview, called it a sad day for Pennsylvania. This is not how were supposed to conduct our business. He said Fettermans handling of the presiding officer duties on Tuesday demeans us all. Corman went on to say that Fetterman was allowed to stay in the chamber but asked me to have the sergeant at arms escort him off the floor and I fulfilled his request. Thinking back on it, Fetterman said It didnt have to go that way. I didnt want it to go that way. And I wished it didnt go that way. It just reached an unfortunate impasse where the majority thought it was appropriate to deny [seating] Senator Brewster and my caucus believed it wasnt appropriate. He went on to say that once the vote was taken to not seat Brewster and Brewster left the chamber, he left. There wasnt a reason for me to remain to create chaos for chaos sake. Fetterman said. So now what Gov. Tom Wolf inserted himself in the dispute that held up Brewster from being seated as the 45th District senator and accused the Senate Republicans of subverting the democratic process. This is a shameful power grab that disgraces the institution, Wolf said. Voters, not Harrisburg politicians, decided this election, and Sen. Brewster is the rightful winner. He went on to say, I will do everything in my power to ensure that voters have the final say in elections. Corman said the Senates goal in determining the winner of the Senate seat is to get it right and not get it fast. He said the Senate acted fast in 1994 when it swore in Democrat William Stinson only to have the courts overturn the election results, causing Stinson to be set aside and Republican Bruce Marks be named the 2nd District senator. We again would like to get it right, not fast and so we do have some time here, Corman said. I thought the fairest way to proceed was dont seat anyone, allow the members of the Senate to engross and to read the documents presented to them and then make a decision at a later date on how to proceed. In the meantime, Corman said Senate staff will be available to handle residents of the 45th senatorial districts state issues. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Brazil entered the year 2021 surpassing the terrible milestone of 195,000 COVID-19 deaths. This death toll, exceeded only by the United States, is growing at a ferocious pace, with the highest number of deaths since mid-August being recorded on December 29, 1,224 in total. Amid this spiral of deaths, workplaces and economic activities in general remain entirely open. A recent coronavirus outbreak in a meat-processing plant in Brazils southern region sounds the alarm over the serious dangers confronting the working class. On December 19, a plant owned by Seara in Seberi, in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, received a court order to test all its employees after 127 of them tested positive for COVID-19. The facility employs 1,241 workers in total, all of whom have potentially been exposed to the virus. A number of criminal conditions in the operation of the plant led to the mass infection of workers. Rio Grande do Suls Public Ministry of Labor (MPT-RS), which filed a lawsuit against the company, found: [S]ymptomatic employees who continued working; absence of dismissals from work in 157 cases of outpatient care related to symptoms compatible with COVID-19, of which 19 were related to members of risk groups; dismissal orders for periods of less than 14 days in 43 cases, of which 32 remained less than 10 days away from work; increase in the rhythm and working hours, reaching shifts of more than 12 hours a day... . Workers at JBS meat processing plant in Rio Grande do Sul. (Credit: MPT) Since November, the company summoned women up to 27 months pregnant to work. The MPTs lawsuit states that two pregnant workers were seen in the companys outpatient clinic, presenting symptoms of COVID-19, and were advised to continue working. The same occurred with workers with comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension and heart disease. Workers treated by the municipal health care system, who were on medical leave waiting for the results of their COVID-19 exams, were harassed by the company, given rapid tests in their own homes, and forced to return to work if the result was negative. There were cases of workers who tested negative, returned to the factory, and then had infections confirmed in the RT-PCR test, a serious conduct that propitiates the explosion of contamination in the facility, the MPT noted. These facts reveal in a sinister way how the companys management consciously adopted a policy that leads to the systematic contamination of workers. This policy is not restricted, however, to the Seberi plant. Referring to the functioning of the meat-packing industry as a whole, the MPTs lawsuit observes: Despite being an activity where hygiene is essential, the focus of these sanitary measures is on the product, and the way the work is developed in these companies exposes the workers to a risk of contagion considerably higher than in other activities: It has a large number of employees, who work remarkably closely, in closed, humid and air-conditioned environments, are transported by the defendants vehicles, in confinement over long distances and can crowd both at the beginning and end of the workday (and at rest stops). The meat-processing plants were responsible for spreading COVID-19 not only among their own workers, but throughout municipalities and entire regions of Brazil. In Rio Grande do Sul, which concentrates an important part of this industry, these impacts are striking. The World Socialist Web Site spoke to the MPT-RS prosecutor who filed the lawsuit against Seara, Priscila Dibi Schvarz, also a member of the MPTs national project on meat industry working conditions. Schvarz said: The first case in several cities of Rio Grande do Sul was of meat industry workers, even before health professionals. We crossed the employment links in the sector with COVID-19 cases, and the relationship between workers in the sector and confirmed cases was very clear. Today we have 54 meat processing plants in the state with confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic. There are 10,448 cases [of infected workers] in total. There were 10 direct deaths and 11 secondary deaths. Even as several meat plants have adopted routine tests, recommended by the MPT, their results greatly underestimate the reality. As in any activity, not all people are tested, it is a percentage, said Schvarz. We cannot know how many workers have already been exposed; but it is very likely that we do have this gap. Especially considering that when we did long-term serological surveys, the results were up to 10 times higher. The outbreak at the Searas plant in Seberi coincided with a new surge of COVID-19 cases in Rio Grande do Sul, which began in late November. On December 23, the state registered the highest number of cases and deaths in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic6,362 new cases and 144 deaths. The interrelationship between this new rise in infections and the activity of the meat industry is openly recognized by the Secretariat of Health of Rio Grande do Sul. In its December 16 epidemiological bulletin, it pointed out that the three regions with higher rates of confirmed cases... also concentrate 71 percent of outbreaks occurring in meat-processing plants and dairy product factories. According to Schvarz, the JBS group, the largest meat-processing company in the world, and owner of Seara, is the most resistant to adopting the recommendations issued by MPT in late March. We have already filed 29 public civil lawsuits [against meat-processing plants], 20 of which against the JBS-Seara group. Only then did companies like JBS conduct tests, she said. A hundred other meat processing plants, on the other hand, have signed the so-called Adjustment of Conduct Terms (TAC). The MPTs declared objective with these TACs is not to interfere with capitalist production, but to ensure that it obeys certain operating standards. At first, the sector understood that they were unfeasible measures, said Schvarz, but with the growth of cases, they began to be implemented in a more receptive manner... All these measures, which they said that would halt the production, had zero impact on productivity. On the contrary, the sector has hired many people. In order to not interfere with production, the measures tolerate practices that are eminently unsafe. At first, the TACs determined that workers should wear fabric masks, because appropriate face masks (of the PFF2 type) were lacking in Brazil. The measures do not even require the closure of a facility in the case of confirmed infections among workers. It depends, if there are a certain number of cases and the people were in activity, there may be a stoppage, the prosecutor declared. But when the system is well controlled in a company, it is not necessary to close it. Schvarz also noted that companies have complained to the MPT that many workers end up getting tired [of the measures], and it is perceived that it generates an increase [of infections]. One can only imagine what it is like to maintain these strict measures while carrying one of the most arduous jobs, in conditions of intensification of production and under strenuous shifts of up to 12 hours. Why, despite their recognized homicidal potential, are these plants being kept functioning under such conditions? The fundamental interests of two different social classes are here in irreconcilable conflict. From the standpoint of the capitalists, the mass deaths of the working class represent no more than collateral damage in the massive generation of profits. According to the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), [Brazils] agribusiness trade balance had a record trade surplus and exports from January to November 2020. Celebrating a positive balance of US$ 81.9 billion, they highlight beef as the main export product after soybeans. The JBS group, in particular, closed the third quarter of 2020 with a net profit 778.2 percent higher than that recorded in the same period in 2019. Its Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was up 35 percent, driven by the operations of JBS USA Pork, up 64.7 percent, and Seara, up 55.4 percent. The socially destructive interests of this capitalist oligarchy find their most direct spokesperson in Brazils fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro. On December 28, during a charity event, Bolsonaro attacked journalists for wearing face masks, saying: Now its no use hiding from the virus, ...this virus will stay with us for all of our lives. We cant stand lockdowns anymore, more restrictive measures that break up the economy. There is a sinister parallel between this profoundly sociopathic declaration and the murderous policy adopted in meat processing plants like the one in Seberi. The interests of the working class, on the other hand, find no expression in any official political force. The cowardly bourgeois opposition to Bolsonaro, led by the Workers Party (PT), is incapable of challenging the governments central policy towards the pandemic, since it also insists that the social interest in preserving lives should not interfere with the capitalist economy. In their first public statement in months, on December 17, the trade unions that claim to represent the meat industry workers, the CNTA and CONTAC, demanded that government prioritizes the vaccination of workers in the sector. Their main and only argument is that production in the meat plants cannot stop. Covering up the social murder policy of the ruling class, the CNTA and CONTAC argue that the food industries, during this period of pandemic, not only maintained their production, but also raised their productivity level, criminally confusing the capitalist drive for increased profits with the responsibility of guaranteeing food, for the maintenance of Brazilian food security. While a vaccination schedule is awaited, thousands of lives are being lost daily in Brazil. The situation demands emergency action by the working class: Nonessential workplaces must be shut down; What production should be maintained must be decided by the workers themselves, based on the interests of society and not of individual accumulation; The conditions under which this production is carried out must maintain the full security of workers and their families; Safety protocols should be developed with the assistance of scientists and medical professionals and should be implemented under worker control. To be implemented, these measures require that workers break from the control of the trade unions, establishing rank-and-file safety committees in meat-processing plants and every other workplace. The most fundamental task is the development of an independent political movement of the working class to put an end to capitalism and take the reins of society into its own hands. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky instructed law enforcement officers to urgently check information about the alleged importation of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine into the country. "I instructed the Security Service and other law enforcement agencies to immediately check information about the alleged smuggling of the coronavirus vaccine into Ukraine. If someone really thought of secretly and in violation of the law to import a vaccine for sale, the reaction should be as harsh as possible," the president wrote in his Telegram channel. Zelensky also said the government has a clear vaccination plan: people from risk groups and those who are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 will be the first to receive vaccinations. "There should be punishment for smuggling and counterfeiting," the head of state said. RELATED: Christie says Trump must tell his supporters to leave the Capitol grounds Gov. Phil Murphy is urging President Donald Trump to immediately condemn the attempted coup unfolding at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The governor issued the message on social media a couple hours after violent pro-Trump protesters broke through police barricades at the Capitol as Murphy was giving his regular COVID-19 briefing in Trenton. Within a short time after that, the mob broke inside the Capitol, forcing an evacuation and lockdown. We are witnessing one of the darkest days in American history, Murphy said. The president must immediately condemn the attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol and deploy the National Guard to keep members of Congress safe and allow a peaceful transition of power. We are witnessing one of the darkest days in American history. The President must immediately condemn the attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol and deploy the National Guard to keep Members of Congress safe and allow a peaceful transition of power. Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 6, 2021 Rioters stormed the Capitol after Trump spoke to people who gathered in Washington D.C. to protest the election results and challenge Wednesdays formal announcement at the U.S. Capitol of the electoral vote count. Murphy, a Democrat, has already called Republican federal lawmakers including New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew that planned to attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden Wednesday they were engaged in shameful, dangerous, undemocratic, and unpatriotic acts. Trump has urged his supporters to remain peaceful, but has not told them to leave. The Associated Press has reported at least one person has been shot. I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The Hemsworths rang in 2021 with an epic New Year's Eve party last week. And Samantha Hemsworth, the wife of eldest brother Luke, has now shared a series of previously unseen photos from the star-studded event. In a gallery of snaps shared to Instagram, Samantha looked upbeat as she posed in her pirate costume alongside her Westworld star husband. Party time: Samantha Hemsworth, the wife of eldest Hemsworth brother Luke, has shared a gallery of previously unseen photos from the family's star-studded New Year's Eve party Sam threw an arm around Luke, 40, as they stood in front of silver balloons spelling out '2021'. Click here to resize this module Luke showed off his tanned, muscular arms in a sleeveless black vest with a white skull emblazoned across the front. ADVERTISEMENT He completed his look with black pants and tan boots, and accessorised with a cowboy hat, sunglasses and plastic toy gun. Here come the girls! Samantha looked stunning in her funky pirate gear, wearing a frilly white frock which she teamed with a flamboyant hat. Pictured with a female friend (left) and model Gabriella Brooks (right), who is the girlfriend of her brother-in-law Liam Hemsworth Samantha looked stunning in her funky pirate gear, wearing a frilly white frock which she teamed with a flamboyant hat. She finished off the outfit with silver boots and a chunky belt around her waist. In other photos from the event, she nestled up to model Gabriella Brooks, who is the girlfriend of her brother-in-law Liam Hemsworth. Festive: Samantha smiled as she posed with a pal at the space pirate-themed party, which was held at Liam's new $6.5million mansion in Byron Bay Gabriella, who started dating Liam following his split from ex-wife Miley Cyrus, looked like a million dollars in a glitzy gold ensemble. 'In case anyone was wondering Luke got best dressed, once again...' Samantha captioned the gallery of photos. The Hemsworth family certainly welcomed the New Year in style last week. Dazzling! Samantha (far right) finished off her outfit with a chunky belt around her waist They celebrated the end of 2020 with a space pirate-themed bash at Liam's new $6.5million mansion in Byron Bay. The star-studded guest list included Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky; The Voice Australia host Renee Bargh; DJ Paul Fisher and his wife, Chloe Chapman; and a throng of models. ADVERTISEMENT Thor star Chris, 37, looked fabulous in a shiny multi-coloured shirt, which he unbuttoned down to his pecs to reveal a glimpse of his ripped torso. Happy New Year! The party's guest list included Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky; The Voice Australia host Renee Bargh; and DJ Paul Fisher and his wife, Chloe Chapman The mass arrests of Hong Kong opposition politicians and activists under China's draconian national security law on Wednesday have sparked calls on the European Parliament to reject a controversial investment pact recently agreed between the EU and Beijing. "In response to Hong Kong's political crackdown, I urge the European Parliament to halt the EU-China investment deal and EU to sanction China&HK officials who are responsible to the arrests," former Hong Kong lawmaker Nathan Law, who has fled the city to live in the U.K., tweeted in response to the arrests of 53 pro-democracy figures linked to an opposition primary election held in July, which was criticized by Chinese officials at the time as an attempt at a 'color revolution.' "#Retweet if you agree MEP should VETO the bill and EU should act," wrote Law, whose name was also on the list of those wanted for "subversion" for running a primary in a bid to ensure enough opposition seats in Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) to block government legislation. China and the European Union wrapped up negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investments (CAI) at the end of 2020, amid criticism that the the deal would give the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) a free pass on human rights and labor standards. British foreign secretary Dominic Raab condemned the arrests as a "grievous attack on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms." "These arrests demonstrate that the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities deliberately misled the world about the true purpose of the National Security Law, which is being used to crush dissent and opposing political views," Raab said in a statement. Former colonial governor Chris Patten, now Lord Patten of Barnes, said Beijing had "further turned the screw in Hong Kong." "It is now clearly to be regarded as illegal to support democracy," Patten said in a statement on the website of the U.K.-based rights group Hong Kong Watch, of which he is a patron. "Apparently Hong Kong citizens are to be forced to love Beijings Communists, or else," Patten said. "Liberal democracies around the world must continue to speak out against this brutal destruction of a free society as well as about the ethnic genocide in Xinjiang," he said. Massive strategic blunder Patten also turned his attention to the EU investment deal with China, saying that signing it would be "a massive strategic blunder." "If this deal goes ahead it will make a mockery of Europe's ambitions to be taken seriously as a global political and economic player," Patten said. "It spits in the face of human rights and shows a delusional view of the Chinese Communist Party's trustworthiness on the international stage." The Comprehensive Agreement on Investments (CAI) sets out a number of commitments on paper that might lead to positive change if interpreted by a non-authoritarian regime with no track record of mass incarceration or forced labor. But there are concerns that the CCP is highly unlikely to implement them in the way that they would be understood in a liberal democracy, especially given its track record of using propaganda and careful orchestration of workers and detainees during inspection tours of contested facilities. "Our thoughts, word, and international actions should take account of the destruction of a free city in Asia with economic and human consequences," Patten said. "When terrible things are happening, we cannot simply look the other way." Emboldened by deal Australia-based political cartoonist Badiucao said the EU-China deal had likely emboldened the CCP to go ahead with the mass arrests. "Without European Union assurance to Beijing recently, there wont be todays HK massive arrest on 50+ pro democracy figures," he tweeted on Wednesday. Hong Kong Watch's chief executive Benedict Rogers said Wednesday's arrests had removed any remaining doubts over the "brutal and draconian nature" of the national security law. Rogers also called for Magnitsky sanctions, international lifeboat schemes, the suspension of all extradition treaties with China, and the creation of a United Nations Special Envoy for Hong Kong. On the democratic island of Taiwan, which has repeatedly refused China's insistence -- coupled with the threat of military invasion -- that it accept CCP rule under a plan similar to that used in Hong Kong, premier Su Tseng-chang called on the CCP to refrain from suppressing Hong Kong people's pursuit of freedom and democracy. "China promised Hong Kong under 'one country, two systems' that everything would continue as before for 50 years," Su said. "Now, things have gotten to the point where people are being arrested and jailed for exercising the most basic democratic freedoms." The island's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said the national security law is being used as a "convenient pretext" to crack down on pro-democracy figures with "subversion" charges. "[The law] highlights the fact that the article on human rights protection enshrined in the Basic Law of Hong Kong exists in name only," it said. Assault on universal rights MAC spokesman Chiu Chui-cheng said the national security crackdown had "turned Hong Kong from the Pearl of the East into the Purgatory of the East." Secretary of State nominee for the Biden administration Anthony Blinken tweeted: "The sweeping arrests of pro-democracy demonstrators are an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights." "The Biden-Harris administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijings crackdown on democracy," he wrote. Former Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kei, who fled to Taiwan after being detained by China's state security police over banned political books sold to mainland Chinese customers, said the aim of the arrests seemed to be to eliminate any political opposition in Hong Kong. "They seem to be saying: do you dare to vote against us?" Lam told RFA. "Taiwan should pay close attention, because Beijing's move on Taiwan has come a step closer." Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) called on the CCP to "immediately cease its totalitarian acts of suppression against civil society and allow civil society to return to its previous state of freedom and the rule of law." Reported by Hwang Chun-mei, Lu Xi, Man Hoi Yan, Raymond Chung for RFA's Cantonese and Mandarin Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Federal court sides with Ohio Christian schools suing to stop COVID-19 closures Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A federal appellate court has sided with a group of faith-based schools in Ohio seeking to overturn a decision by their countys health department mandating the closure of schools to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. In a ruling published last Thursday, a three-judge panel on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request filed by nine Christian schools for an injunction against a Toledo-Lucas County Health Department order. The injunction request was granted pending an appeal. The health department's order requires that all schools that serve kids in grades seven through 12 cease in-person instruction for five weeks. Lucas County Regional Health District Resolution No. 2020.11.189 ordered all public, private, charter and parochial schools for students in grades seven through 12 to close between Dec. 7 and Jan. 8. The schools believe that the order violates their First Amendment rights because similar restrictions were not placed on comparable secular businesses. The panel of judges assigned to the case agreed with their assessment. In Lucas County, the plaintiffs schools are closed, while gyms, tanning salons, office buildings, and the Hollywood Casino remain open, the unsigned opinion stated. The Resolutions restrictions therefore impose greater burdens on the plaintiffs conduct than on secular conduct. The appellate courts ruling reversed a lower court ruling that found that the order did not violate the schools First Amendment rights. As a result of the ruling, The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is enjoined, during the pendency of this appeal, from enforcing Resolution No. 2020.11.189 or otherwise prohibiting in-person attendance at the plaintiffs schools. The plaintiffs in the case are Monclova Christian Academy, St. Johns Jesuit High School and Academy, Emmanuel Christian School and six schools affiliated with the Ohio Christian Education Network. The network is managed by the conservative Christian advocacy group Citizens for Community Values. In addition to maintaining that the health departments order violated their First Amendment rights, the plaintiffs expressed concern about the impact that a prolonged pause of in-person learning would have on the mental and spiritual health of their students. The judges frequently cited the Supreme Courts decision in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, which overturned restrictions placed on houses of worship in New York, in their opinion. Specifically, the judges noted that the Cuomo decision determined that secular facilities and schools and churches pose a comparable risk of coronavirus spread yet stronger restrictions were imposed on religious organizations than on their secular counterparts. Todays order is a victory for families, for religious freedom, and for all those willing to courageously stand up against unnecessary and overreaching government orders, Aaron Baer, the president of Citizens for Community Values, said in a statement praising the ruling. Lucas County families have suffered plenty through this pandemic, and to unreasonably deny their children in-person education is unconscionable. The First Amendment does not take a holiday break. It was clear from the outset that the Lucas County Health Boards order closing schools violated the Constitution. It is indefensible and irrational to block children from accessing in-person instruction, while allowing casinos, gyms, liquor stores, and other public places to remain open, he added. Just a few days before the 6th Circuit published its decision, the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, filed a brief on behalf of the plaintiffs. Citing the fact that arbitrary restrictions limiting in-person instruction for months on end have inflicted immeasurable harm on children, Solicitor General Ben Flowers concluded that An injunction allowing the plaintiffs to provide in-person instruction will thus advance the states compelling interest in ensuring that Ohios children remain free to pursue a high-quality education. A survey conducted by Gallup found that Americans who attend church regularly were the only group of people who did not see the state of their mental health decline in 2020, a year defined by the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout. In their initial complaint, the plaintiff schools described faith-based instruction as an act of worship. In November, the 6th Circuit issued a ruling in favor of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's executive order prohibiting in-person learning at public and private elementary, middle and high schools. On Dec. 18, the Kentucky Department of Education issued guidance on reopening schools for in-person learning in January. WILTON - The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the Times Union that at least one parent was home during a Dec. 18 underage drinking party that caused an outbreak of COVID-19 in neighboring Warren County and led to the shut down of Glens Falls city schools. At this point, Warren County officials said that 18 people were infected after a party was held at the home of Joseph and April McClements, teachers at Ballston Spa Central School District and Glens Falls City School District, respectively. Superintendent of Ballston Spa schools, Ken Slentz, has said the parents denied knowing of the party. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. More than 300,000 has been made available to farmers in East Anglia looking to help with turtle dove conservation. The conservation work is aimed at saving the critically endangered turtle dove, one of the UKs most iconic farmland birds. A new funding mechanism is being trialled to allocate a total of 320,000 to landowners providing feeding plots and other habitat improvements in Norfolk and Suffolk. The RSPBs project will pilot a new way of funding habitat creation for farmland species through reverse auctions as part of the UK's new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). These auctions have already funded a variety of land management practices and Defra is keen to see if they can deliver other more complex environmental outcomes. The first auctions will take place from 15 February to 2 March 2021. The RSPB warns that populations of turtle doves have plummeted by 98% since the 1970s, and turtle doves are now at risk of global extinction. The last population estimate in 2016 suggested there were just 3,600 breeding pairs in the UK, with East Anglia being one of the species few remaining strongholds. Jake Zarins, the RSPBs senior project manager, said the project was a 'great opportunity' for farmers looking to save 'an important part of the UK's agricultural heritage'. We are keen to engage as many people as possible in raising awareness of the plight of the turtle dove and working in partnership with those who know best how to deliver the practical assistance these amazing birds need," he said RSPB advisers will support farmers interested in the scheme, working with them to identify suitable nesting habitat and the best locations for feeding plots on their land. This information is then submitted online, along with the price required to deliver this work. Bids will be scored on price but also on the quality and proximity of nesting habitat and water to the proposed food plots. When the 2020 election campaign began, almost no one could have imagined what has transpired in the past two months in Georgia. First came Democrat Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump and now an even-more-stunning victory in a Senate runoff and the clear possibility of a second. It is an overstatement to say that the entire future of Biden's presidency was on the ballot in Georgia. But in many ways, the difference between a Senate that could have 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, with Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote, and a Senate narrowly in the hands of Republicans is enormous, affecting the confirmation of Biden's Cabinet choices, the enactment of key parts of his agenda and more. Regardless of the final outcome in Georgia, Biden will not have a free hand by any means, given the country's and Congress's divisions. One more sign of the turbulence surrounding his future presidency will play out as a joint session of Congress begins the process of counting the electoral college votes, with Republicans poised to raise multiple objections. But on a day that will ultimately seal Biden's electoral college victory, Georgia voters have given the president-elect one big present and the possibility of a second - something few Democrats thought possible a few months ago. Biden and the Democrats can thank Trump in part for what is happening in Georgia. The president, in denial over his election defeat, did everything imaginable to cloud and disrupt the Senate runoffs with his repeated claims that the state, along with several others, had been stolen from him in November. The final days of the runoff campaign were all about Trump. On Saturday, he badgered Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's Republican secretary of state, in a phone call, pressing him to "find" enough votes to declare Trump the winner of the November election. His Monday night rally in Dalton was a textbook case of a president wallowing in conspiracy theories, baseless charges and long-refuted arguments. How much all of that affected the outcome in the runoffs is anyone's guess, but few Republicans thought he was anything but harmful. Trump's insistence that the results of presidential election be reversed, his call for Republicans to raise objections to the electoral college votes during Wednesday's joint session of Congress and his pressure campaign against Vice President Mike Pence to do what is not possible have split his party at the worst possible moment. That might have influenced enough Republican voters in Georgia to stay home, helping Democrats' cause. Biden, meanwhile, took a different course as he approached the Georgia races. In his final appearance on Monday, he focused on the differences that Democratic control of the Senate would make for the voters - beginning with $2,000 covid relief payments, which were blocked in the Republican-controlled Senate. He never mentioned Trump's phone call to Raffensperger. The Georgia runoff campaigns were the most closely watched and consequential Senate contests anyone could remember. The two races drew brigades of organizers, who flooded the state trying to turn out every possible voter. Much credit goes to the multiple efforts to mobilize Black voters, led by Stacey Abrams, LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matter, and others. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent in a matter of weeks, much of the money used for television ads that rained almost nonstop on the voters. Around the world, people were focused on Georgia - and on Trump. The two Senate contests presented Georgia voters with an elemental choice: whether to continue with a divided government, as Americans have often preferred, or to seal the rejection of Trump after a single term and give the Democrats the narrowest of advantages in the coming legislative maneuvering. But there was another choice - Biden and the Democrats or Trump and the Republicans - for this was a tribal election in a nation of political tribes. The four candidates - Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and Republicans David Perdue, whose term expired Sunday, and Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to the Senate a year ago - fought their individual races but were merely players in a much larger battle over the direction of the country in the post-Trump era. Warnock has been declared the winner over Loeffler, while Ossoff holds a narrow lead over Perdue. Even if Democrats end up with control of both houses of Congress, little will come easily for Biden. The country remains deeply divided, and the party divisions in Congress reflect the nation as a whole. Trump will be out of office, but he will not necessarily be out of sight - still able to make noise and create disruptions. Republicans could snap back from fighting among themselves to unite in ideological opposition to Biden's agenda, as they did when he was vice president during Barack Obama's presidency. The Democrats' margin in the House is the smallest the party has had in more than a century, and it will require every bit of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's political savvy - and muscle - to keep her caucus united behind Biden's agenda. A Senate that relies on a vice president to break ties offers no margin for error and probably calls for considerable compromise. Ahead of the vote-counting in Georgia, Biden advisers had said that the results, whichever way they went, would not fundamentally change his approach as president. They said that he would seek the broadest possible consensus for his agenda and that he remains committed to his pledge to try to work constructively with Republicans in Congress, wherever possible. Still, no Democrat underestimates the difference for Biden between Democrats having the gavel and not having the gavel in the Senate. In a variety of practical ways, control gives Democrats levers of power that will ease his ability to govern. Of immediate importance, Democratic control would affect the process of confirming Biden's Cabinet nominees. With Democrats in charge, hearings and votes could move ahead more swiftly, with the prospect of having nominees for the State and Defense departments and perhaps a few other key positions ready by Inauguration Day. If Republicans remained in control, confirmation delays would be inevitable and potentially costly, and some of Biden's nominees would struggle to be confirmed. In the longer term, Democratic control of the Senate would have a major effect on judicial nominations, as Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), have demonstrated during both the Obama and Trump presidencies. Another difference is what a Senate in Republican hands rather than Democratic hands would mean for investigations and oversight hearings. A Republican Senate could put Biden and the Democrats on the defensive, pursuing Trump-inspired investigations. The most significant procedural advantage for Biden with Democrats in control would be the ability to use the process known as reconciliation to move some parts of his agenda. Because Biden does not favor ending the filibuster, he would still need 60 votes to enact major policy changes. Through reconciliation, a simple Democratic majority could do considerable business on spending and tax issues. These concrete implications of Democratic control of the Senate, although important, still do not fully encompass the significance of what is taking place in Georgia. Despite Trump's defeat in November, many Republicans took solace in the fact that their down-ballot candidates in key House and Senate races did better than the president. In Georgia, Perdue came within three-tenths of a percentage point of winning outright. Loeffler was in a multicandidate field and so was always destined to be in a runoff. The Republicans entered the runoff elections narrowly favored to win for several reasons: Both were incumbents; Georgia, while a changing state, still seemed more center-right in its posture; and Republicans have generally been more effective at turning out their voters in runoff contests. Democrats were dubious-to-pessimistic at the start of the runoff campaigns. Then Trump intervened. For two months, he insisted that the presidential election in Georgia - among other states - was rigged, stolen, subject to irregularities, fraudulent and on and on. Exit polls Tuesday showed that three-quarters of Republican voters said the November election was not fair, while 9 in 10 Democrats said it was fair. What those exit polls could not measure was how many Trump loyalists, influenced by his baseless claims, didn't bother to vote, or how many suburbanites were repelled enough to vote for the Democrats. Whatever the combination of factors, Biden and the Democrats found themselves on the cusp of an outcome that, if Ossoff's margin holds, can only be described as one of the most unlikely conclusions to an astonishing election year. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced that Salesforce executives will participate in the following investor events: Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 : David Schmaier , CEO, Salesforce Industries, will participate in the Evercore ISI Virtual Bus Tour at 12:00 p.m. (PT) / 3:00 p.m. (ET) . : , CEO, Salesforce Industries, will participate in the Evercore ISI Virtual Bus Tour at / . Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 : Bill Patterson , EVP & GM, CRM Applications, will participate in the Jefferies Virtual Software Bus Tour at 9:00 a.m. (PT) / 12:00 p.m. (ET) . Webcasts will be available on Salesforce's website at www.salesforce.com/investor. About Salesforce Salesforce, the global CRM leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to digitally transform and create a 360 view of their customers. For more information about Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), visit: www.salesforce.com. SOURCE Salesforce Related Links http://www.salesforce.com India has become embroiled in Australia's trade dispute with China as the country's politicians, media and human rights commission push for the Chinese government to allow dozens of Indian sailors trapped off China's coast to go home. About 70 ships full of Australian coal but crewed by foreign seafarers including Indian citizens have been waiting at Chinese ports for months as the country's government refuses to let them unload but importers and ship charterers are demanding the ships wait regardless. The crew of the carrier Anastasia are desperate to go home. Like Australia, India has a tense relationship with China that deteriorated over the last year because of clashes at the countries' shared border; Indian bans on Chinese apps; and concerns over China's increasingly muscular approach to foreign policy. The Times Group, India's largest media conglomerate, has been campaigning on behalf of 39 Indian sailors stuck on two vessels, the Jag Anand and Anastasia, who have spoken of their despair at being trapped in Chinese waters for about 6 months as part of voyages that for some are nearing two years. American lawyer arrested by HK police for allegedly violating the national security law Police in Hong Kong arrested an American lawyer for allegedly violating the citys national security law on Wednesday, sources told local media, hours after authorities arrested dozens of democracy activists under the controversial legislation. John Clancey. Photo: Ho Tse Wai & Partners website. John Clancey, a member of a group linked to pro-democracy protesters in the city, was arrested as police raided the law firm Ho, Tse, Wai & Partners, said the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Hong Kong police did not respond to a request for comment. Clancey is the treasurer of Power for Democracy, which was involved in an unofficial, independently organised vote in July 2020 to select opposition candidates for a since-postponed legislative election. Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested dozens of pro-democracy activists linked to that vote, intensifying a crackdown on the movement since the security legislation was imposed on the city in June. The source at the law firm based in the heart of the global financial centre confirmed Clancey is an American passport holder. Footage posted online showed police officers arriving at the law firm which has represented several opposition figures in the Chinese-ruled city. Source: Agencies Leaders from the ruling party in Myanmars Rakhine state, where a controversial China-backed pipeline project has prompted demonstrations by villagers, on Monday kicked off a visit to China where they plan to raise concerns over Beijing-backed development in their home region. The delegation, which includes three leaders from the Rakhine National Party (RNP), was set to fly to Kunming, the capital of southwestern Chinas Yunnan province, on Monday at the invitation of Chinese leaders for the nine-day visit. Aye Thar Aung, a leader of the RNP, said that he would urge Beijings ruling Chinese Communist Party to rein in Chinese developers operating in Rakhine state during the trip. We want to tell [party] leaders about the problems that we are facing in Myanmar and Rakhine state because of Chinese projects, he told RFAs Myanmar Service Monday, speaking at the Yangon International Airport. We want to urge them to control the Chinese businesses in Myanmar we have to tell them about the disadvantages of the projects to the interests of the people and the country. [The party] is powerful in China and I think it can influence the Chinese companies. Aye Thar Aung said that China has invested heavily in Myanmar, with several major developments in place, including the U.S. $2.5 billion Kyaukpyu Shwe Gas Pipeline project, which has seen significant opposition from the community where it is based. We have heard that there will be more Chinese projects in Myanmar, such as a highway and railway project, he said, referring to a proposed major transport project linked to the pipeline. We want our country to develop as a result of these projects, but neither the people nor the political parties knew anything about them before they were announced. We havent received any benefits from these projects, and meanwhile peoples land has even been grabbed to make way for them. During the nine-day trip, the delegation, which additionally includes several leaders from another political party, the National Democratic Force (NDF), is also expected to discuss ethnic minority issues in Myanmar with Chinese leaders, and will travel to Beijing to study Communist Party policy before returning home on June 25. Both parties visited China last year on separate trips, but leaders from Rakhine state said that they have seen little in the way of solutions despite raising similar concerns over Chinese projects at the time. Pipeline concerns In April last year, hundreds of residents of Rakhine states Kyaukpyu township demonstrated against the Shwe Project, which was approved by Myanmars former military junta and which includes a deep sea port, natural gas from the countrys offshore reserves, and overland oil and gas pipelines from the state to China. The protesters were angered over what they said was inadequate compensation from the projects Chinese developer and demands that it provide better transportation infrastructure and higher salaries for local workers. Other critics say the project will allow China to drain Myanmar of its resources and result in damage to the environment without providing basic benefits for the local communities that will be directly affected by it. Earlier this week, Myanmars Ministry of Rail Transport said that ground surveys are under way to prepare for the construction of a Chinese-built railway linking Kyaukpyu with Chinas Yunnan province along a 950-kilometer (590-mile) route that would run parallel the Shwe pipeline, according to the Eleven Myanmar newspaper. The U.S. $20 billion railway project would connect Kunming with a special economic zone project in Kyaukpyu, though few other details were provided by the Myanmar government. A parallel highway is also in the works. Eleven reported that civic groups in Rakhine state have called for a halt to resource-exploitation projects as well as the Kyaukpyu-Kunming railway project, which some allege will see more resources shipped from the state to China. We have not been informed of what they intend to do or how they will do it, Eleven quoted Tun Kyi of the Shwe Gas Pipelines Watch Group as saying of the rail line. If [the government] continues resource-exploitation projects without informing the public, they will definitely face protests, he added. Photography exhibit Meanwhile, civil society groups have been arming residents of Rakhine state with cameras and teaching them to document the effects of the Shwe Project on their livelihoods, according to a report by the Myanmar Times. The results of the project, funded by local environment and human rights group Badeidha Moe, were organized as part of a recent exhibition in Yangon featuring 108 images depicting scenes of spoiled landscapes and the hard lives of local villagers. Wai Wai Lwin, executive director of Badeidha Moe, told the Times that the goal of the show was to share with the public how nature has been devastated by the building and operation of the Shwe Pipeline. We are not decision-makers, but we want to show the villagers need and how nature has been damaged by the real decision-makers: the government. Wai Wai Lwin said that villagers who make their lives in and around the path of the Shwe Pipeline dont know their rights. Even if they received compensation, they had no plan how to use it, she told the Times. After a few years of being paid by foreign companies, they bought motorbikes. Often they used the money for karaoke and gambling and then they had nothing again. The Shwe Project is a joint venture between Beijings state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Myanmars national petroleum company Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE). CNPC completed the 800-kilometer (500-mile) gas pipeline and began delivering natural gas to Yunnan province in July last year, despite long-held objections from critics. The state-run petroleum giant is nearing completion of a pipeline along the same route to transport oil purchased in the Middle East to China via Myanmar, in what officials connected to the project say shortens a distance that originally would have included passage through the Malacca Strait. Reported by Myo Zaw Ko for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. (Newser) Georgia officials began counting the final votes of the nation's turbulent 2020 election season on Tuesday night as polls closed in two critical Senate runoff races that will determine control of the US Senate and, in turn, the fate of President-elect Joe Bidens legislative agenda. While voting was strong in some spots, state election officials reported light turnout early in the day, including across the deeply conservative region where President Trump held a rally Monday night to encourage GOP voters to turn out in force, the AP reports. In one contest, Republican Kelly Loeffler, a 50-year-old former businesswoman who was appointed to the Senate less than a year ago by the states governor, faced Democrat Raphael Warnock, 51, who serves as the senior pastor of the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and preached. story continues below The other election pitted 71-year-old former business executive David Perdue, a Republican who held his Senate seat until his term expired on Sunday, against Democrat Jon Ossoff, a former congressional aide. At just 33 years old, Ossoff would be the Senates youngest member. Pollsters consider both races toss-ups. More: Republicans pull ahead . With around 87% of votes counted, Loeffler was ahead of Warnock 51.1% to 48.9%, and Perdue was leading Ossoff 51.5% to 48.5%, per the New York Times. The Times notes that if the races remain tight, the winner may not be known for days, as in the presidential election. . With around 87% of votes counted, Loeffler was ahead of Warnock 51.1% to 48.9%, and Perdue was leading Ossoff 51.5% to 48.5%, per the New York Times. The Times notes that if the races remain tight, the winner may not be known for days, as in the presidential election. Senate control was biggest factor . The unusual importance for the runoffs has transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds during the final days of Trump's presidency. AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 Georgia voters say Senate party control was the most important factor in their vote. . The unusual importance for the runoffs has transformed Georgia, once a solidly Republican state, into one of the nations premier battlegrounds during the final days of Trump's presidency. AP VoteCast found that 6 in 10 Georgia voters say Senate party control was the most important factor in their vote. GOP voters believe fraud claims . The survey of 3,600 voters in the runoff elections also found that 7 in 10 GOP voters agree with Trump's false assertion that Biden was not the legitimately elected president. . The survey of 3,600 voters in the runoff elections also found that 7 in 10 GOP voters agree with Trump's false assertion that Biden was not the legitimately elected president. Voters from both sides cite Trump. Trump wasn't on the ballot Tuesday, but the president and his attempts to overturn his election loss drove turnout among both Democrats and Republicans, reports the Washington Post. (Pollsters consider both races toss-ups.) New Delhi: Unlike democracies that try to advance the cause of freedom and equality, China's ruling Communist Party does not permit its citizens the same freedoms as other nations. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is extremely self-conscious about its status and preserving its monopoly of power, it believes that giving the Chinese citizens any sort of freedom will threaten that monopoly on power. Over the last year, China has been on the receiving end of a lot of backlashes, both domestically and internationally. The world is finally waking up to China's ambitious plans and crooked method used to gain prominence in the world order. The only thing China can do about the international backlash is to try to change the narrative or deflect blame, China has much more wicked options when it comes to stifling domestic criticisms. Sarah Cook, the research director on China at Freedom House recently released a report on their predictions on how China could stifle internet freedoms in 2021. In its Freedom of the Net 2020 report, published by Freedom House on December 15, 2020, states that during the COVID-19 pandemic the Chinese government has taken an extremely aggressive approach to control unfavourable information. China was deemed the worlds worst abuser of internet freedom for the sixth consecutive year by Freedom House. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the persistent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, China pushed censorship and surveillance to unprecedented levels. The CCP has made the use of low-and high tech tools to not only manage the outbreak but also use it as an excuse to deter internet users from sharing information from unofficial sources. Some of the key findings from Freedom House's report were that- China scored an abysmal 10 out of 100 in terms of internet freedom and was termed Not Free. The Chinese government increased digital repression during the pandemic. Any online expression that went against the official narrative was met with harsh reprisals from the Chinese Government. The increasing government controls diminished the online presence of independent civil society and human rights activists, however, nationalist voices gained prominence. Another key finding was the revelation that private Chinese companies helped facilitate government surveillance. With these restrictions already in place, Freedom House made its predictions for 2021; these are trends that one must watch out for in the future. The continued censorship and surveillance surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. China in the past months has received a fair amount of criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. One of the main reasons that the pandemic spread across the globe was China's attempts to silence medical professionals like Li Wenliang when they tried to warn their colleagues and the world about a new SARS-like disease. China is now attempting something called vaccine diplomacy and has promised free COVID-19 vaccines to many developing countries. China's apparent generosity stems from its need to deflect the blame for its initial handling of the outbreak, Thus, China desperately needs its gambit to succeed. This desperation will ultimately lead to China targeting vaccine information to be heavily censored and will attempt to suppress any discussion of problems with the vaccine. One must also look out for punishments meted out to outspoken political and economic elites. While China in the past has suppressed a wide array of internet users, 2020 stood out, especially because it suppressed Hong Kong's democracy movement, as well as the arbitrary detention faced by religious minorities like the Uighurs. Even Chinas economic and political elites were not spared in 2020. Ren Zhiqiang, a real estate tycoon and a member of the CCP, was stripped of his party membership just hours after publishing an online critique of Xi Jinpings handling of the pandemic. Ren in September 2020 was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Former deputy party secretary of Xiangshan County, Ye Fuxing, was purged for sharing content online that slandered Xi as well as other prominent party leaders. December 23, 2020, also saw media tycoon Jimmy Lais bail revoked. Lai has been charged with fraud and endangering national security by the Chinese government. These are just some of the few cases in which Chinese elites have had their titles and positions stripped for critiquing the CCP. In 2020, China suppressed expression and support for human rights, justice and fundamental freedoms online. This absence of activists online also resulted in the CCP promoting and encouraging nationalistic voices. This further skewed online debates about the CCPs actions as people began to self-sensor themselves to avoid being hounded by nationalistic mobs online. In 2021, Chinas continued aggressive foreign policy could marshal these nationalistic mobs and reinforce official narratives. Major tech giants in 2020 faced increasing pressure from the Chinese government, and especially the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) to aid in state surveillance as well as to moderate and censor user content. In 2020, the CAC launched multiple rectification campaigns that involved tighter security over content as well as deletions of dozens of user accounts. The CAC forced Weibo to stop updating its trending topics list for one week in June and also fined NetEase because commenters had posted inappropriate content. The CAC also ordered China's most used mobile browser to self-sensor its content to ensure that its content adhered to socialist values. The Chinese government has also recently begun to pressure Alibaba and its founder Jack Ma who has been missing for several weeks. Such regulatory actions by the Chinese Government do not allow private Chinese tech companies to have any semblance of autonomy. As per the Freedom House report, monitoring of internet and mobile communications in China has only expanded in 2020. As of 2020, China was home to 18 of the 20 most monitored cities in the world. During the pandemic, the Chinese government introduced several that could track the movements of its citizens. 2020 provided additional evidence that Chinese equipment designed to prevent terrorism and crime was being used to track citizens. China used these systems to track, and arbitrarily detain human rights activists and minorities like Uighurs, Falun Gong practitioners and Christians. These activities further reinforce concerns that big-data advancements will be used to track human rights activists and silence CCP, critics. While the people are getting more and more connected digitally and the world has entered into an era of freedom of knowledge and expression, the Chinese Government still tries to restrict its citizens freedoms. However, there is a deep desire brewing within the Chinese people for credible and independent information. Such desire was expressed when citizen journalists and activists made an appearance in 2020. In the early weeks of the coronavirus, citizen journalists and video bloggers tried hard to document the truth of the virus and disprove the CCP narrative. Zhang Zhen was one such citizen journalist who tried to show the truth but she was prevented from doing so by the Chinese government. The CCP sentenced Zhan to four years in prison for documenting the pandemic in Wuhan. In February 2020, following the death of whistleblowing doctor Li Wenliang, the hashtag I want free speech began trending on Weibo. These activities serve as a reminder that while the Chinese Government has expanded its efforts to censor online expression, the Chinese people will always find ways to resist. About Us BibleStudyTools.com is the largest free online Bible website for verse search and in-depth studies. Search verses using the translation and version you like with over 29 to choose from including King James (KJV), New International (NIV), New American Standard (NASB), The Message, New Living (NLT), Holman Christian Standard (HCSB),English Standard (ESV), and many more versions of the Holy Bible. Our rich online library includes well known and trusted commentaries including the popular Matthew Henry Commentary, concordances like Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Naves Topical Concordance, Bible dictionaries, Biblical encyclopedias and historical Christian and church books including Fox's Book of Martyrs. Our library of resources also includes Bible reading plans, Parallel Bible, and many other additional Christian resources including dictionaries and encyclopedias. For a more in-depth study of Scripture, our website offers Greek and Hebrew Interlinear for the New and Old Testament, lexicons for original Greek and Hebrew reading of Scripture, as well as popular Church history books. Our most popular content, Bible verses by topic, provides Biblical encouragement and wisdom for all of lives situations and events. Search over 200 topical verses to meet your need, or sign up for our daily bible to receive a verse by email to start your day. Read more About Us, Use BST on your site, and view our Online Bible Sitemap. [January 06, 2021] Next Tier Connect Welcomes Alexandria Insights to Its Quantico Facility Next Tier Connect is pleased to welcome Alexandria Insights, Inc. to Next Tier Connect @ Quantico in Stafford, Virginia. Alexandria Insights provides expertise in system specification, development, acquisition, deployment, support, and operational employment across a broad spectrum of Department of Defense platforms and programs. Alexandria Insights targeted Next Tier Connect as it is well located to serve the Marine Corp Systems Command at Marine Corp Base Quantico. "We are delighted to have an innovative tenant like Alexandria Insights at Next Tier Connect and look forward to being a long-term partner in support of their growth," Stephanie Vaughn, Managing Director of Next Tier and Senior property Manager for the facility said. "We're proud to have them join our already long and diverse roster of tenants that are involved in some of the most critical aspects o national security." "Alexandria Insights is excited to be joining the community at Next Tier Connect. The Next Tier team worked tenaciously to ensure that we had a facility that met our specifications and our timeline," said Mike Berigan, President of Alexandria Insights. "We're looking forward to a continued partnership with Next Tier for the coming years." Next Tier Connect @ Quantico is a 270,000 square foot Mission Critical facility that supports Marine Corp. Base Quantico and the surrounding community. Alexandria Insights joins a distinguished roster of tenants including MLT Systems, IPKeys Technologies LLC, ECS Federal, Inc., Northrup Grumman, and GCubed Technology, Inc. in serving the Stafford Community. About Next Tier HD Based in New York, NY with offices in the Washington DC area as well as West Palm Beach, FL, Next Tier HD is among a small group of premier investment, management and services firms that focus on Mission Critical Real Estate, Data Centers, and mixed-use office campuses. The Company was formed in 2012 and is led by James Coakley, Kevin Reardon, and David Spiewak. Next Tier brings a unique mix of experience and expertise to focus on creating outsized value in all aspects of its opportunistic business strategy. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005470/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Students must take examinations as a process of evaluating themselves and not as a burden, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Wednesday while interacting with students through video conferencing from Shimla on his 56th birthday. He thanked the students for their good wishes on his birthday. As many as 2,000 students from different schools of the state participated in the online interactive session. CM said examinations were a process of excelling in academics and a way that helps in the evaluation and assessment of students progress. He said that this pressure brings along stress, anxiety, and fear in students and that the major reason for exam stress was the notion that attaining good marks was the only way to judge them. In order to beat the exam stress, students need to be prepared for it beforehand, he said. Maintaining that students were the future of the nation, the CM urged them to work hard with dedication to achieve their goals He also urged them to continue to be vigilant as the pandemic is not over yet. The state government took several initiatives to ensure that students learning cycle does not suffer through the pandemic, he said, adding Har Ghar Pathshala, one of the initiatives undertaken by his government, was started to benefit the students. He said that optimum use of Doordarshan was also ensured to teach students. A student from Bilaspur, Bhawana Dhiman urged the CM to start offline classes for at least two months before final examinations. Another student Karun Kumar suggested providing adequate staff in the government schools, particularly in remote areas of the state. The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine two contentious laws passed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand regulating religious conversion through interfaith marriages and sought responses from the respective state governments and the Centre on whether the legislation violated constitutional rights. But the three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde, refused to order a stay. Soon after the SC order, a Muslim organisation, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, applied to intervene in the case and alleged that the two laws were targeting Muslim youth. This application will come up for hearing along with the two petitions after four weeks. The bench was hearing petitions filed by advocates and a non-governmental organisation, Citizens for Justice and Peace, challenging the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020 and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018. Initially, the top court hesitated to issue notice because separate petitions are pending before the Allahabad high court and Uttarakhand high court, respectively. Only the society in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be affected by this law. Why should the petitioners not approach the respective high courts, observed CJI Bobde. CJP told the court that the issue was arising in other states as well. The state of Himachal Pradesh has re-enacted a similar law (HP Freedom of Religion Act) in 2019 after its earlier law prohibiting conversion from one faith to another was struck down by the Himachal Pradesh high court in 2012. Now the new law has roped in marriage by conversion as a ground to prosecute persons. We have multiple states, said senior advocate CU Singh, representing the NGO. The other petition, filed by lawyers Vishal Thakre and Abhay Singh Yadav and researcher Pranvesh, asserted that the problem needed to be addressed by the top court and alleged the two laws violated the basic structure of the Constitution. The bench agreed to issue notice seeking responses on whether the laws violated fundamental right to practice ones religion, guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution among other rights protected under Article 14 (right to equality), 15 (right against discrimination) and 21 (right to dignity). The petitioners also asked for a stay on the laws. But the bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, was not convinced because the respective governments had not been heard. Can a law be stayed if prosecution is oppressive or false, the bench asked. The UP law was enacted on November 24 and prescribes a jail term up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 25,000 for conversion under force, fraud, allurement or marriage. The Uttarakhand law prescribes imprisonment of up to two years and a fine for anyone found guilty of conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or marriage. Stratovolcano 2968 m / 9,737 ftCentral Java, Indonesia, -7.54S / 110.44E(4 out of 5)1548, 1554, 1560, 1584, 1586(?), 1587, 1658, 1663, 1672, 1678, 1745, 1752, 1755, 1768, 1791, 1797, 1807, 1810, 1812-22, 1822-23, 1828, 1832-36, 1837-38, 1840, 1846, 1848(?), 1849, 1854(?), 1861, 1862-64, 1865-71, 1872 (large vulcanian-subplinian eruption VEI:4) , 1872-73, 1878-79, 1883-84, 1885-87, 1888, 1889, 1891-92, 1893, 1894, 1897, 1902, 1902-04, 1905, 1906-07, 1908, 1909-13, 1915, 1918, 1920-21, 1922, 1923(?), 1924, 1930-31, 1932, 1933-35, 1939-40, 1942-45, 1948, 1953-58, 1961, 1967-1970, 1971(?), 1972-85, 1986-90, 1992-2002, April-July 2006, Oct 2010-2011 Feb, 2018 (May), late 2018 - ongoingHighly explosive. Large Plinian eruption every few 1000 of years (the last ones at about 1000 BP and 2000 BP), sometimes with associated flank collapse. Growth of lava domes, pyroclastic flows.(16-days study and photo tour to Java, Indonesia)(17-day walking and trekking tour on Java) If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: PVMBG recorded an explosion on 10 April at 09:10 local time that generated a dense grey ash plume, which rose approx.above the summit. Eruptions have occurred 13 times since September 2019 which marked the intrusion of new magmas. ... After a phase of relative calm since mid April, another explosion occurred at the volcano earlier today, at around noon local time After a phase of relative calm since beginning May,occurred at the volcano today, atThe both eruptions took place 328 seconds and 100 seconds respectively. ... Over the past several days, seismic activity from the Merapi volcano Indonesia's most active has been increasing significantly, suggesting that a more intense phase of volcanic activity is on its way. ... Lists and maps of earthquakes in the world in near real time. Country lists, earthquake archive, and I-felt-it reports. For each month since July 2012, we publish a summary of quake activity world-wide: find the list of largest quake, a map showing all significant quakes as well as detailed statistics on seismic activity during this time. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Weather reports Tsunami alerts Design upgrades Faster responsiveness Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards Additional seismic data sources Improved content in English Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Ghanaians are calling on the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo to consider allowing Dr Bernard Okoe Boye and Dr Aboagye Dacosta to play a crucial role in the countrys healthcare sector. According to some Ghanaians, these two experts have shown over the past few years that they have what it takes to contribute immensely to Ghanas healthcare based on their expertise, excellent work ethics, and the pivotal roles they played in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Bernard Okoe Boye who is a Medical doctor and practitioner at the Lekma Government Hospital before his appointment as the Deputy Minister for Health showed commitment in contributing to improving the health of the people in and beyond his constituency by organizing regular health screening for them and helping to improve the infrastructure of health facilities in his area. He also provided the needed support to the Health Ministry in terms of effective media engagement and technical know-how to help fight the pandemic. Dr Da Coasta Aboagye who is the Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service (GHS) since his assumption of office has also worked relentlessly to ensure that Ghanaians adopt healthy lifestyles, drumming home the message of the much neglected preventive health practices. Also, he actively engaged the media and general public, providing constant health education both on and off-camera, allaying the fears of Ghanaians at a time when little was known about the coronavirus. He has been instrumental in the daily activities of government, serving on several technical committees in the COVID-19 fight. With a wealth of experience and skill in the National Health Insurance scheme, healthcare finance, public health and health promotion, Dr Dacosta Aboagye will with no doubt be one of the best fit for the presidents health agenda in Ghana. On various platforms, these two knowledgeable young gentlemen gave Ghanaians insights into the dynamics of the pandemic and were observed to have the needed requirements and experience that will help the next government of President Akufo-Addo to address the health sector challenges. According to some Ghanaians, Since the NPPs 2020 election Manifesto on health provides a shift from the usual curative health services towards preventive and promotive health, the president-elect can harness the expertise of Dr Okoye Boye and Dr Aboaye Dacostas at the Ministry of Health and National Health Insurance to support this vision. In the last few weeks, Kingdom Fm has been monitoring the various media house discussions on president Akuffo Addos next ministerial appointments and sighted various comments from Ghanaians on various platforms pleading with the President-elect to consider bringing on board the expertise of Dr Okoe Boye and Dr DaCosta Aboagye when it comes to health sector appointments. A couple of these comments are attached to this story. There is no doubt that these two gentlemen have won the hearts and minds of Ghanaians in their respective roles in helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nothing quite compares to a good comeback story especially when the comeback culminates in serious consideration for one of Canadian harness racing's most prestigious honours. After a serious bout with colic sidelined him for half of his four-year-old season, Gerry Haggerty's Perfetto roared back with a vengeance at five. And, after winning seven times against Toronto's best and banking more than $150,000 in his comeback season, Perfetto's recent nomination as a 2020 O'Brien Award finalist was icing on the cake for his connections. "It felt special, for sure," trainer Dagfin Henriksen told Trot Insider. "I got the phone call from my owner, actually, because he got the phone call." Perfetto was the first O'Brien nominee for either Henriksen or Haggerty and the circumstances he overcame to become one of Canada's top older trotters make his story all the more remarkable. "He showed me in 2019 that he was going to be a nice horse," said Henriksen, who welcomed Perfetto to his stable in the fall of 2018 after his uncle, the legendary Per Henriksen, spotted him at the Harrisburg Sale. "He was in the Harrisburg sale, and I actually told Per to see if he could find something for me," Henriksen said. "He actually bought him before he called me he had him and a couple other ones. He called me and he said, 'I've got three horses here,' and he was the one I felt was the most interesting. My owner bought him right off the bat." Perfetto reeled off three wins in his first five starts for Henriksen, but his sharp ascent up the class ladder at Woodbine Mohawk Park was soon derailed. "In June 2019, he had two colic surgeries within 24 hours," Henriksen explained. "We drove him to the University of Guelph, and he was there for nine days. He didn't look good." But, thanks to exemplary care from the University's equine veterinary department and at home, Perfetto's road to recovery was made all the easier. "My fiancee, Laura Trask, gave him all the best care he could get," Henriksen continued, adding that she visited Perfetto and took him for daily walks during his stay at the University. "I think that's one of the reasons he made it back." Perfetto made it back to the races in November 2019, and while it understandably took him a few weeks to get back to peak form, he soared to new heights in 2020. "He was pretty consistent in the Preferred, racing in the top class all fall," said Henriksen, citing that Perfetto's sustained strength all season against extremely tough competition on the whole was what stood out to him the most about his star trotter. "It's been a fun ride the whole fall with him, really. When he won in October and came back two weeks after and finished second to Hey Livvy and he trotted 1:51(.3), he trotted a big mile that week. I wasn't even ashamed of finishing second in that mile." In addition to knocking heads with Preferred company at Woodbine Mohawk Park all summer and fall up until a fourth-place finish behind Zig Zag in his final start of the year on Dec. 22 the son of Majestic Son and Perfect Prelude more than held his own in the Earl Rowe Invitational in August at Georgian Downs. "I had the eight, and P L Jill was the favourite and she had the nine," Henriksen recounts. "I was sitting pretty good, but we had seven good horses inside of us, so it wasn't easy competition. He trotted a big mile up at Georgian." In what was arguably his toughest race of the year, Perfetto the longest shot in the field at 77-1 finished third, missing P L Jill by only 1-1/2 lengths. Since then, he has attracted far more respect at the windows and in the headlines alike. And while the respect and prestige that come with an O'Brien nomination are surely not lost on Henriksen, the Norwegian expat did express that he'll miss the 'full experience' of the typical gala event. "We did talk about it: it's kind of a bad year to be nominated!" Henriksen admitted, with a chuckle. "But it's always prestigious to get nominated. We'll sit home and watch it, for sure." Looking ahead to 2021, Henriksen has high hopes for Perfetto to continue largely in the same vein: "We talked about shutting him down a little bit sometime this spring, but we're getting the shutdown now, so we actually gave him a couple weeks off right now. He's been off since his last start; we'll train him back up and have him ready for the late winter meet. Hopefully we can race him like he's been racing all year this year. A horse like that at six, too he's just going to keep showing good form out there." The 2020 Virtual OBrien Awards Gala takes place on Sunday, January 31, 2021 and will be available for viewing on standardbredcanada.ca from 7:00 8:30 p.m. (EST). (Note: Photo of Dagfin Henriksen and owner Gerry Haggerty taken prior to 2020) Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. [January 06, 2021] Aptar Promotes New Policies around Human Rights; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Community Engagement and Global Giving AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR), a global leader in drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and active packaging solutions, has recently published new policies around Human Rights; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Community Engagement and Global Giving on its corporate website. These important policies outline Aptar's commitment to upholding human rights, the environment, and the communities in which we operate, and were developed according to international standards. "At Aptar, we hold ourselves to the highest possible ethical standards in all that we do. Our actions are underpinned by our core values and we have a strong culture of ethics and integrity, supported by rigorous corporate governance," said Shiela Vinczeller, Aptar's Chief HumanResources Officer. "We give back to the communities where we live and work and are proud to be a global company full of diverse, highly skilled, passionate people. As part of the foundation of our Diversity & Inclusion roadmap, our goal is to celebrate and support all types of diversity and to ensure that all of our colleagues feel fully themselves at Aptar." We invite you to read the social policies by visiting https://www.aptar.com/about-aptar/. About Aptar Aptar is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of a broad range of drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and active packaging solutions. Aptar uses insights, design, engineering and science to create dosing, dispensing and protective packaging technologies for the world's leading brands, in turn making a meaningful difference in the lives, looks, health and homes of millions of people around the world. Aptar's innovative solutions and services serve a variety of end markets including pharmaceutical, beauty, personal care, home, food and beverage. Aptar is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois and has 14,000 dedicated employees in 19 countries. For more information, visit www.aptar.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will" are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment including, but not limited to: the successful integration of acquisitions; the regulatory environment; and competition, including technological advances. For additional information on these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005818/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Photo: GoFundMe A pair of fundraisers have been started for the family of a Nunavut mother who died from COVID-19 complications after giving birth in a Winnipeg hospital. Silatik Qavvik, from the Hudson Bay community of Sanikiluaq, travelled to Winnipeg to deliver her fifth child back in November. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after giving birth and was separated from her newborn daughter, Lisi, who was not affected by the virus. Qavvik spent just over a month on a ventilator before she died on Saturday at the age of 35. Devon Hiscock started a GoFundMe for his friend Peter Qavvik, Silatik's husband hoping to raise $20,000 for the single father. While, Roselle Kleinstiver a friend of Silatik for over 20 years also started a GoFundMe for the family which is aimed at raising $5,000. As of Tuesday night, they've collectively raised over $11,000 for the Qavvik family. Washington: NASA has discovered signs of frost on the lunar surface using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The scientists have said that bright areas in the craters near the south pole of the Moon have been identified that are cold enough to have frost present on the lunar surface. We found that the coldest places near the Moons south pole are also the brightest places - brighter than we would expect from soil alone - and that might indicate the presence of surface frost, said Elizabeth Fisher, the lead author of the study published in the journal Icarus. Appearing to be patchy and thin, the icy deposits are possibly mixed in with the surface layer of soil, dust and small rocks known as regolith. However, the scientists said that expanses of ice similar to frozen pond or skating rink are not seen but they have seen what appear to be signs of surface frost. The cold traps are the permanently dark areas that are located either on the floor of a deep creater or along a section of crater wall which does not receive direct sunlight, where temperatures remain below minus 163 degrees Celsius. Water ice can persist for millions or billions of years under such conditions. One of the driving goals of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, which has been orbiting the Moon since 2009, has been to understand the nature of these deposits. Fisher from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and her colleagues found evidence of lunar frost by comparing temperature readings from LROs Diviner instrument with brightness measurements from the spacecrafts Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter, or LOLA. It was observed in these comparisons that the coldest areas near the south pole were also very bright. This indicated that there was a presence of ice or other highly reflective materials. The researchers looked at the peak surface temperatures, because water ice wont last if the temperature creeps above the crucial threshold. The study strengthens the case that there is frost in cold traps near the Moons south pole. So far, however, researchers have not seen the same signs near the Moons north pole. What has always been intriguing about the Moon is that we expect to find ice wherever the temperatures are cold enough for ice, but thats not quite what we see, said Matt Siegler, a researcher with the Planetary Science Institute in Dallas, and a co-author on the study. ALSO READ | Let's live in 'Moon Village': China, European Space Agency brainstorm human outpost on lunar surface (With inputs from PTI) For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are among several states that sounded an alert to contain bird flu outbreak on Tuesday. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government declared bird flu as a state-specific disaster and issued high alerts in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. A total of 1,700 ducks died in the farm situated in the Kottayam district, suggest reports. The state officials are planning to cull nearly 40,000 birds to prevent the spread of the virus. Alappuzha district collector banned the use and trade of meat, eggs of ducks, and chicken in the nearby region. Tamil Nadu's animal husbandry department has issued a high alert in the border districts following the bird flu outbreak in Kerala. A team of a livestock inspector, a veterinarian, an attendant, two assistants to spray disinfectant will be stationed at check posts. The team will check the entry of vehicles with chickens and ducks. Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh governments have also issued a high alert in their states in view of avian flu spreading in neighbouring states. In Madhya Pradesh, officials said that 155 dead crows have been found with the H5N8 strain in Indore since the pathogen was first detected in the city a week back. Madhya Pradesh veterinary department deputy director Pramod Sharma said 155 crows were detected with the H5N8 virus in the Residency area in the last eight days. A survey is also being carried out in the Residency area to check people with symptoms like cold, cough and fever, a state health department official said, adding that no case of the H5N8 infection has been found in humans. In Rajasthan, after Jhalwar, infected birds were found in Kota and Baran. Till Tuesday, 625 birds died in 16 districts of the state. In Himachal Pradesh, 27,000 migratory birds, mostly bar-headed geese, have been found dead in Pong Dam lake in Kangra district. In Haryana, over four lakh poultry birds died at farms in the Panchkula district in the past 10 days. Also read: Can ready children's Covid vaccine in 3-4 months: Bharat Biotech's Krishna Ella Also read: Dirty coal: Bengal biggest culprit, hill states and North East the cleanest Overnight reports from Jacksonville police: Linda G. Irlam, 59, of 1002 King St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:54 a.m. Tuesday on charges of domestic battery and abuse or neglect of an elderly person Tara J. Armer, 35, of 1042 E. Morton Ave. was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Tuesday after being accused of punching someone she is dating, according to a police report. A Jacksonville resident reported being struck in the lip with a hammer about 6 p.m. Tuesday. About $1,512 worth of items were stolen from a business in the 1200 block of West Morton Avenue about 4 p.m. Monday, according to a report filed at 2:11 p.m. Tuesday. A counterfeit $20 bill was recovered from a business in the 300 block of West Morton Avenue, according to a report filed at 3:37 p.m. Tuesday. The Bihar police rescued seven minor children and arrested an alleged trafficker at Motihari bus stand in East Champaran on Wednesday evening. The children were being taken to be engaged as child labourers, police said. Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided the bus stand at Motihari, said Mukesh Chand Kuwar, station house officer (SHO) of Chhatauni police station. The children are being sent to Bal Grih (childrens home) in Motihari, said the SHO. All the children are between 13 to 16 years of age. They were being taken to Telangana to work in a factory. The alleged trafficker Mohan Rai is a resident of Lakhaura in East Champaran. We were being taken to Telangana, with the promise of payment of 8000, apart from food and lodging, said a minor. Those rescued belong to East and West Champaran. Police are yet to register a case in this connection. On December 30, police raided Mohadipur village in West Champaran district and rescued 13 people, including eight females, four of them minors, who were reportedly engaged in orchestra troupes. Two persons were arrested in the raid. Those rescued belonged to West Bengal. Rising numbers of COVID-positive travellers from Britain have raced home to NSW, as anxieties grow over the threat posed by the countrys more virulent virus strain. There were 31 cases arriving in Sydney from Britain between November 8 and Boxing Day. The travellers who had hoped to spend Christmas in Australia and escape Britains worsening COVID-19 crisis will instead spend weeks in makeshift health hotels. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant speaks to the media on Wednesday. Credit:James Brickwood That compared with 69 British COVID cases arriving in the six months between March 29 and September 30. Britain is second only to the US in terms of the number of COVID imports to NSW, overtaking India, NSW Healths surveillance reports show. Australia's state and territory leaders will meet on Friday to discuss strengthening international travel protocols in light of this new, fast-spreading strain of coronavirus. Police arrest drug peddler in central Kashmir 26 May 2021 | 1:56 PM Srinagar, May 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a notorious drug peddler and recovered contraband in the central Kashmir district of Badgam on Wednesday, a police spokesman said. see more.. Man orders mobile phone online; gets onions instead 26 May 2021 | 1:48 PM Hamirpur (HP), May 26(UNI) A resident of Anu village here was in for a rude shock when he received onions instead of a mobile phone which he had ordered online. Shashi Thakur alias Ashu, the victim of online fraud, said today that he had bought a mobile online worth Rs 15,000 from a private company, for which he had made all the payments including delivery charges through his credit card. see more.. Security forces recover cache of ammunition in Naranag forest in Ganderbal 26 May 2021 | 1:30 PM Srinagar, May 26 (UNI) Security forces on Wednesday recovered a cache of ammunition during a search operation in the Naranag forest areas in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal. see more.. We are vanquishing the virus: MP CM 26 May 2021 | 1:22 PM Bhopal, May 26 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed optimism on Wednesday over the fact that the state is rapidly advancing towards victory in the epic war against the millennium scourge. The unlocking process is scheduled to commence on June 1 and suggestions are most welcome, the veteran leader conveyed via social media. see more.. SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avvo has awarded Douglas Borthwick its prestigious Clients' Choice Award for Top Client Satisfaction in Family Law. This award is given to attorneys whose outstanding legal services have resulted in highly satisfied clients. There's nothing that an attorney can do to ask for a Clients' Choice Award. Instead, Avvo makes the award based only on an attorney receiving quality reviews from satisfied clients throughout the year. Award Douglas Borthwick Avvo's comprehensive rating system carefully reviews a lawyer's background and overall profile, which includes years in practice, professional achievements and industry recognition. Avvo performs rankings in 19 different legal categories and periodically collects background data from multiple sources. As Avvo uses a mathematical model, it can ensure that the ratings are unbiased and not determined based on favoritism. Douglas Borthwick is also AV PREEMINENT RATED by Martindale-Hubbell. This is the highest possible attorney peer review rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. Martindale-Hubbell is the Gold Standard among attorney peer review ratings. Attorney Douglas Borthwick has further achieved a "SUPERB" Rating from Avvo, the highest evaluation given by the nationally acclaimed attorney rating agency. Douglas Borthwick has earned the trust and respect of his clients and colleagues for his integrity, preparation, determination, and attention to detail. Douglas Borthwick's experience includes, but is not exclusive of, the following areas: personal injury law, family law, criminal law, and general civil litigation practice. Mr. Borthwick's profile was featured in the California Business Journal in 2018: https://calbizjournal.com/attorney-douglas-borthwick/ Also visit: Also visit: https://www.acq-intl.com/issues/2018-Leading-Adviser-Supplement/32/ Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick can be found at: www.borthwicklawyer.com "Life is the most precious thing we have and it's probably the thing most people take for granted. We're busy. We don't even take time to consciously think of our lives because we are too busy living them. Appreciate your life. We all only get one. Invest in what makes you happy. There is so much to be thankful for. We all have rotten things happen to us and we all have unfortunate things. But there is good in everything that happens if you look for it. Give thanks every day. Live consciously with awareness and gratitude, appreciate the moments as they occur before they forever pass so quickly."- Attorney Douglas Borthwick, Esq. Media Contact: John Walter [email protected] 714-564-9400 SOURCE Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick A large scale study from Bentley University of the biotechnology companies that completed Initial Public Offerings from 1997-2016 estimates that 78% of these companies are associated with products that reach phase 3 trials and 52% are associated with new product approvals. The article, titled "Late-stage product development and approvals by biotechnology companies after IPO, 1997-2016," shows that these emerging, public biotechnology companies continue to have a role in initiating new product development, but are no longer distinctively focused on novel, biological products. The new report from the Center for Integration of Science and Industry at Bentley University, published in Clinical Therapeutics, studied the 319 biotechnology companies focused on new drug development that completed Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) from 1997-2016. These companies contributed to development of 367 products that progressed to phase 3 and 144 new drug approvals through 2016, including 78 New Molecular Entities (NMEs). Key point of the study include: For 70% of the approved products, development was initiated by the biotech company; 77% were developed with corporate partners and 87% were ultimately launched by a pharmaceutical partner or after an acquisition; Seven products achieved annual sales of more than $1 billion during the study period; Small molecule drugs, rather than traditional biological products (proteins, cells) comprised 75% of products reaching phase 3 and 78% of approvals. Reformulations of existing products represented 36% of phase 3 products and 46% of approvals. These biotech companies contributed to 16% of all New Molecular Entities approved 1997-2016 and 28% of biological approvals. "We see that over two decades, the majority of newly public biotechnology companies are able to successfully initiate development of products that progress to late stage development or approval, most of which are ultimately brought to market by established pharmaceutical firms." " said Dr. Fred Ledley, Director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry. "Our study also shows that the product portfolio of biotech companies is no longer distinctively focused on novel biological products or methods, but encompasses a wide range of small molecules and reformulations." This study is one part of a large survey of the finances and late-stage product portfolios of companies with IPOs from 1997-2016, which show that, by the end of 2016, these companies had both created ~$100 billion in shareholder value and spawned 144 new products. While very few of these companies matured into fully integrated pharmaceutical companies, the long term economic performance of these biotech companies, in terms of market capitalization, shareholder value, fraction of companies acquired, and fraction of companies trading or sold above their IPO value, is similar to that of non-biotech companies with concurrent IPOs. Together these studies suggest that the risk of investing in public biotechnology companies is, in part, mitigated by this diversification into technologies with shorter times from IPO to approval and higher probabilities of success. ### This study was authored by Dr. Laura M. McNamee, Dr. Ekaterina G. Cleary, Sunyi Zhang, and Usama Salim along with Dr. Ledley. Ms. Zhang was a graduate researcher, and Mr. Salim an undergraduate researcher, at Bentley University. This work was supported by a grant from the National Biomedical Research Foundation. THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATION OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY at Bentley University focuses on understanding and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries to create public value. The Center is an environment for thought leadership and interdisciplinary scholarship spanning basic science, data analytics, business and public policy. For more information, visit wwwbentley.edu/sciindustry and follow us on Twitter @sciindustry. Bentley University is more than just one of the nation's top business schools. It is a lifelong-learning community that creates successful leaders who make business a force for positive change. With a combination of business and the arts and sciences and a flexible, personalized approach to education, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills that prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. Founded in 1917, the university enrolls 4,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu. Follow us on Twitter @BentleyU #BentleyUResearch. For news media only: Corresponding author: Dr. Fred D. Ledley, Director, Center for Integration of Science and Industry, Bentley University, Waltham, MA. Tel: 781.891.2046; email: fledley@bentley.edu Donald Trumps months-long effort to toss out the election results and extend his presidency will meet its formal end this week, but not without exposing political rifts in the Republican Party that have pitted future contenders for the White House against one another. Congress is expected to vote overwhelmingly against objections to certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory, after several Senate Republicans said this week they wouldnt join a small group of their colleagues set to challenge Electoral College votes from closely fought states Trump falsely claims he lost due to widespread fraud. The senators who say theyll affirm Bidens victory -- and who say to do otherwise would defy the Constitution -- include Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Tim Scott of South Carolina, both of whom are seen as potential future presidential candidates. The leaders of the 13 Senate Republicans planning to object to one or more states are Josh Hawley of Missouri, also regarded as a potential 2024 candidate, and Ted Cruz of Texas, who finished second in the 2016 GOP primary to Trump. Presiding over the event will be the Republican Partys most obvious standard-bearer in the years ahead, besides Trump himself: Vice President Mike Pence. He is under pressure from Trumps supporters and the president to attempt to single-handedly change the outcome of the election by rejecting Electoral College votes from states where Trump has baselessly alleged that fraud robbed him of victory. Pence has not said how he will address the matter. Congressional certification of Bidens win is the final, official act in the drawn-out 2020 election before hes inaugurated and takes office on Jan. 20. But the complicated political currents roiling the Republican Party are turning what used to be a mere formality to end presidential contests into an unprecedented drama. You are looking at ambitious Republican officials placing a bet on President Trumps influence in the future, said Michael Steel, a partner at Hamilton Place Strategies and former adviser to Jeb Bushs presidential campaign. The fate of the effort depends on Trumps popularity going forward, he said. There is a possibility he becomes highly unpopular -- having tried to warp the Constitution to protect him will be politically damaging. On the other hand, you have to assume, he will have a substantial impact in the Republican primary, and standing with him will help you avoid a primary challenge. On Tuesday night, Trump, in a statement from his campaign, denied a New York Times report that Pence had told him he did not believe he had the authority to stop the certification. Our vice president has several options under the US Constitution, Trump said, an assertion rejected by constitutional scholars. The Constitution says only that the president of the Senate -- Pence, in this case -- shall open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted. Late-Night Debate Depending on how many states Electoral College submissions are challenged, Congress may find itself debating whether to affirm Bidens victory well into the night on Wednesday or into Thursday morning. The ramifications will echo for years. Republicans objecting to congressional certification of Bidens victory are aiming to ingratiate themselves with an outgoing president who has made clear he has no intention of retiring from politics. Some, though, have stopped short of embracing his false allegations of widespread fraud -- in effect, looking to harness the outrage hes stoked without actually disputing the election results. There will be a lot of competition for Trumps affection, and Trump will still be very influential in the GOP primary, said Mike DuHaime, a GOP strategist who worked for the Republican National Committee and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. His tweets could make or break people in 2022 or 2024. But the Republicans who say theyll vote to accept the Electoral College results include staunch Trump allies such as Cotton and Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota. They say the Constitution gives Congress no real power to decide presidential elections, and describe the effort as violating conservative principles of limited federal government. It is disappointing this vote has become the exclusive litmus test for whether or not a member of Congress stands with President Trump, Cramer said in a statement late Monday. Cotton warned of destabilizing the Electoral College. A group of House Republicans who oppose calls to object said the same this week, pointing out that the College could provide the only path to victory in 2024 for the Republican nominee and shouldnt be weakened on Wednesday. Scott said the GOP lawmakers efforts arent practical, since Democrats control the House. For their theory to work, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats would have to elect Donald Trump president rather than Joe Biden, Scott said Tuesday, referring to votes triggered by an objection to a states certified results. That is not going to happen. That the fight is happening at all is a sign of Trumps enduring influence. The aftermath may ripple through the 2022 midterm elections -- calls for objections are more widespread among House Republicans, who are more vulnerable to primary challenges -- and the presidential nomination race that will follow. Trump again tried to pressure Senate Republicans on Tuesday. I think its not only ridiculous, I think its dangerous, said former GOP Representative Denver Riggleman of Virginia, who left Congress after losing his partys nomination for re-election last year and has been critical of Trump. I find it amazing that people are kowtowing to someone who lost an election because theyre worried about primaries or fundraising. Riggleman said he doubts any Republican lawmakers believe there was electoral fraud outside what he dubbed the QAnon caucus, referring to the farcical far-right conspiracy theory. This is simply political and the fact is they dont care what it does to the republic, he said. Cool Reception In the Senate, the push had met a cooler reception until Hawley said last week that hed object, defying pressure from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Cruz followed, leading a group of 11 Republicans including four newly elected senators, further eroding McConnells grip. Their specific plans are still unclear. Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler, who faced a runoff election on Tuesday, said she backed the effort. Clearly, Cruz and Hawley are willing to get in and fight -- and I wish some of their colleagues in the Senate had the same fortitude right now, said Jason Miller, an adviser to Trumps campaigns in 2016 and 2020. But he downplayed questions about whether political futures are driving decisions. This isnt about trying to thread a needle by anyone not named Trump for the future, he said. This is much more a reaction to an angry and ticked-off Trump base. Hawley believes he has an obligation to give voice to constituents sympathetic to Trumps claims of vote fraud. If youve been speaking to folks at home, Im sure you know how deeply angry and disillusioned many, many people are -- and how frustrated that Congress has taken little or no action, Hawley wrote to fellow Republican senators last week. He cited past objections during presidential certifications. I strongly believe it is entirely appropriate for those of us concerned about the integrity of this last election to do the same, he wrote. Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor, said Cotton is seeking to broaden his support among mainstream voters, while Cruz and Hawley want to outdo each other for the conservative vote heading into the 2024 primary. They are setting themselves up to be the heir-apparent of Trump. But four years is a long time, he said. Identifying yourself now as the torch-bearer of Trumpism may or may not pay dividends in 2024. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The novelty of dishes ordered Christmas style and quick trips to Sandia Peak can wear off for Albuquerque residents but a new tourism department campaign aims to change that. Tourism agency Visit Albuquerque launched the #TrueABQ Challenge Tuesday in an attempt to encourage locals to explore their city while also supporting small businesses, according to a news release. Participants in the challenge are asked to complete a checklist of locally oriented activities and upload a photo from each challenge to the Visit Albuquerque website, agency spokeswoman Ceela McElveny said in a news release. This challenge is a great way for locals to rediscover their love of Albuquerque while also supporting the one-of-a-kind businesses that make our city so unique, said Tanya Armenta, president and CEO of Visit Albuquerque. We cant wait to see the photos of our residents getting out and enjoying Albuquerque and showing love to our small businesses. Challenges run from going rock climbing or hiking to more leisurely activities like making an online order from a local business. The challenge runs through Feb. 28 and participants who complete the checklist will be entered into a raffle to win a free hot air balloon ride from Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co., McElveny said. The winner will be announced March 8. For more information, visit visitalbuquerque.org. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Launched in 2012, The Loops network extends across the key commercial areas of the cities of Manchester and Salford and the neighbouring borough of Trafford. The Loops customers include major data centre operators and enterprises, and passes right through the hearty of Manchester and Salfords burgeoning media and production centres including dock10 . With over 180km of high capacity fibre cables, the network connects into 20 data centres, two exchanges and provides high capacity internet into more than 70 key multi-tenant commercial buildings. Approximately 48km of the duct network is entirely unique routing from alternative operators in the city.euNetworks focuses on delivering high bandwidth fibre connectivity between and within cities in Europe. The company owns and operates deep fibre networks in 17 cities, including Manchester, and also operates a highly differentiated long-haul network that spans 15 countries. The company boasts direct, diverse connectivity to over 440 data centres across Western Europe.Prior to the acquisition, the euNetworks Manchester metro consisted of 42km of duct network, 276 chambers and direct connection into 17 data centres. The company regards investments such as that in The Loop as fuel for its growth, with meeting the capacity requirements of customers a key driver.The combined footprint will deliver immediate value to both existing customers and our new customers that we welcome from The Loop, said euNetworks chief executive officer Brady Rafuse commenting on the acquisition. The acquisition of The Loop network strengthens our customer proposition in the bandwidth infrastructure market. [The Loops] local knowledge, expertise, impressive development and strong relationships in the market are invaluable as we look to grow euNetworks presence in the region. In addition, our focus on the media sector is immediately strengthened with their knowledge and strong reputation among the media and broadcast community in Manchester and the UK. Theres a great opportunity from the teams and the networks coming together to develop and future-proof some of the larger content requirements of these companies.We have developed The Loop into a successful and growing business which is now ready for its next phase and were really pleased that euNetworks has chosen to be its ensuing owner, added Gamma Telecom Holdings chief executive officer Andrew Taylor. euNetworkss extensive fibre footprint across Europe and the UK coupled with its customer centred approach to network development and investment is both impressive and innovative.Following the acquisition, euNetworks says that it will continue to invest in its network, building unique routes, adding multiple diverse paths and extending reach into key hyperscale A boy has cheated death after his crucifix necklace stopped a stray bullet from penetrating his chest in Argentina. Tiziano, nine, was shot on the doorstep of his home in Las Talitas on New Year's Eve but was saved by what his mother described as a 'miracle'. The youngster was celebrating the end of year festivities with his family and was playing with his sister and cousin. A boy has cheated death after his crucifix necklace stopped a stray bullet from penetrating his chest in Argentina Tiziano, nine, was shot on the doorstep of his home in Las Talitas on New Year's Eve but was saved by what his mother described as a 'miracle' He felt a sudden pain in his chest and saw a bullet on the ground next to him. Tiziano was taken to hospital where doctors found only a superficial wound which was treated within an hour. After he returned home, the boy's aunt found his crucifix necklace on the ground. The silver cross which Tiziano had received as a gift from his father David, 36, had a hole in the middle where the bullet had entered. Tiziano was taken to hospital where doctors found only a superficial wound which was treated within an hour The silver cross which Tiziano had received as a gift from his father David, 36, had a hole in the middle where the bullet had entered The boy said he hadn't realised the crucifix had saved him until he saw the necklace which fell off in the shooting. His mother Alejandra said Tiziano was blessed and is a blessing to her and his father. She said: 'He is here thank God. For us it is a miracle. 'We took him to church, he talked to the Father, He told him that he has been blessed. Anything could have happened to him. For us it is a miracle.' Local media have also described the story as a 'New Year's Miracle'. The boy said he hadn't realised the crucifix had saved him until he saw the necklace which fell off in the shooting His mother Alejandra said Tiziano was blessed and is a blessing to her and his father Police have been informed and an investigation is underway to find out who fired the bullet. They said: 'The event took place around 10pm on December 31 2020. 'A 9-year-old boy named Tiziano, from the neighborhood of Las Talitas, checked in with his father into the ER of the Baby Jesus Hospital in the southern part of the capital city with a superficial wound in the thorax, produced by a firearm. 'After being checked thoroughly by several doctors on staff for 48 minutes, the boy was released.' MBABANE A South Africa-based traditional healer has taken some members of his family to court to stop them from attending his late mothers funeral. The traditional healer, Joseph Sibiya of Mpompane, Mndobandoba, in the Lubombo Region, alleged that his late mother, Esellinah Sibiya, gave him strict instructions that her elder son, Thomas Sibiya and other relatives, should not attend her funeral. These are Thomass wife, Minah Matsenjwa, his cousin Josephine Ndzimandze and his children Sibonisile, Sibusiso, Nkosingiphile and Nkosinathi. They are respondents in the matter. Others are Chief Mshikashika Ngcamphalala II, Indvuna Johane Dlamini, Ephafeni Royal Kraal, Nhlangano Funeral Parlour, the police and attorney general. Joseph approached the High Court after Thomas, his children and cousin, accused him and Esellinah of practising witchcraft and causing them bad luck. As a result of the accusations, according to Joseph, he and his mother moved out of the main homestead. Homestead He said his mother established a homestead in 2006 and he built her a house where she stayed until she died. In papers Joseph filed in court, he is seeking orders interdicting the respondents from making funeral arrangements at any place other than at the homestead of the deceased at Mpompane. He wants the court to interdict them from making public announcements on national radio regarding the funeral and making a decision about where Esellinah is to be buried. Joseph further applied that the court should declare the indefinite postponement of the funeral by the royal kraal unlawful and that the decision should be set aside. The funeral, according to Joseph, was postponed on December 22, 2020 because Thomas and his family could not be allowed to attend. Joseph submitted that Esellinah, who was 98 years old, died on December 18, 2020 having not executed a Will. He said his father died in the 1990s. Esellinah had seven children, however, three died and four are remaining. Joseph informed the court that Thomas was his eldest brother. He stated that the family enjoyed good relations for a long time until Thomas, his wife and children, allegedly started accusing him and Esellinah of practising witchcraft. I must state that these accusations have plagued our extended family for a long time and we have lived with these hostilities and bad blood ever since the death of our father, he submitted. Vacate Joseph stated that sometime in 2001, he decided to vacate the main homestead and established his own a stones throw away. He said he took the decision because of the alleged relentless accusations from Thomas and the others that he practised witchcraft and made them zombies. He alleged that Thomass wife was at the forefront, making the accusations such that her children began to hate Esellinah, their grandmother. He said a number of meetings were, held but a solution could not be reached. Joseph alleged that Thomas failed to restrain his wife and children from propagating the view that he and Esellinah bewitched them. According to Joseph, there were confrontations and the respondents told Esellinah to her face that she had bewitched them. The applicant alleged that they threatened to burn down Esellinahs house and she moved out of the main homestead, which was her marital homestead. Joseph said he spent most of his time at Empangeni in the Republic of South Africa, where he worked as a traditional healer. He alleged that Esellinah instructed him not to allow Thomas and his family to attend her funeral. Our mother called me before her death and issued an instruction to the effect that she does not want Thomas and his family at her funeral and that her remains should be buried next to her husbands grave behind the homestead, he added. Burial Joseph pointed out that at Mpompane, there was a communal burial site and Chief Mshikashika II had instructed the residents that everyone should be buried there and if one intended to bury their loved one at their homestead, they should pay two cows at the royal kraal. The applicant submitted that he was prepared to give his mother a decent burial as per her wishes. He said he did not require any contribution from the respondents. Joseph informed the court that Thomas, when he heard that Esellinah had died, allegedly said he would not attend the funeral because the deceased had not apologised to him. He alleged that Thomas openly hated their mother and allowed his wife to spread the allegation of witchcraft. The applicant told the court that Thomass son, Nkosingiphile, allegedly informed his uncles son, Alpheus Sibiya,that the funeral was deliberately postponed to frustrate Joseph because he had a lot of money. They, in fact, want the food to rot and the charges to escalate. The respondents are heartless and they do not have compassion. Joseph also submitted that in 2019, he was assaulted at his home after Thomas allegedly set his children on him and they attacked him with a bush knife and he lost his sight and his left arm had to be amputated. The applicants were represented by Khumbulani Msibi of Dlamini Kunene Associated. The matter was withdrawn last week. Kenosha, Wisconsin District Attorney Michael Graveley announced Tuesday that no charges would be filed against Officer Rustin Shesky, who was caught on camera shooting 29-year-old father of six Jacob Blake seven times in the back, in front of three of his children, paralyzing him from the waist down. The decision sends a clear message that police are free to maim and summarily execute people with impunity. Graveley stated in a press conference on Tuesday that it is my decision now, that I announce today before you, that no Kenosha law enforcement officer in this case will be charged with any criminal offense based on the facts and the laws, as I will describe them to you now. So it is our decision that no charge will be filed. The DA also cynically stated that no charges would be filed against Blake. Shesky had previously been the subject of five internal police investigations, including pulling a gun on and handcuffing a misidentified suspect, as well as thousands of dollars in damage to police property. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, announced Monday the mobilization of 500 National Guard soldiers ahead of the decision to aid the police in the suppression of expected protests. Humvees and military transport trucks could be seen driving into the city and soldiers could be seen outside the Dinosaur Discovery Museum and the Kenosha County Administrative Building on Tuesday in photos posted by the Kenosha News. Three screenshots from video of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 23, 2020. Following the decision, Evers made a statement complaining vaguely about the ruling, stating and yet, when presented the opportunity to rise to this moment and this movement and take action to provide meaningful, commonsense reform to enhance accountability and promote transparency in policing in our state, elected officials took no action. The elected officials include himself, and the Mayor of Kenosha, John Antaramian, also a Democrat. Killings by police actually increased from 2018 to 2019 in Wisconsin following Evers election, with the Associated Press reporting that killings increased by at least three. Antaramian has been in office since 2016 and presides over a city where nearly one in five residents live in poverty. The only difference between the Kenosha District Attorneys approach and Evers is how open it is about its intentions to continue state violence. Evers immediately called on the National Guard in response to protests over the shooting of Blake in August and before protests even developed Tuesday. signaling that any opposition to state violence will be met with greater and greater state violence, whether a Democrat or Republican is in charge. During his speech Tuesday, Evers called on those who would exercise their right to assemble tonight and in the days ahead to please do so peacefully and safely. Before any protests even developed Tuesday night, buildings could be seen with their windows boarded up, with journalist Martenzie Johnson reporting on Twitter that There are more police and national guardsmen than citizens near the Kenosha Co. courthouse. At 8:20 pm a small crowd of protesters numbering about 30 could be seen filing down a road in a picture chanting Wake up Kenosha. At 8:44 p.m. protesters could be seen near a line of National Guard soldiers in front of a Humvee and a military truck near the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. At the end, Johnson commented that the protest was maybe 50 protesters marching across the city, a dozen or so cars trailing behind them as opposed to hundreds of police and national guard. On the same day that the decision was announced not to charge Shesky, Kyle Rittenhouse, the fascistic Kenosha shooter who killed two protesters and injured a third during protests against the shooting of Blake in August 2020, entered a not guilty plea. Rittenhouse has been charged with the first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Anthony Huber, 26, first-degree reckless homicide for the death of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and attempted first-degree homicide for the shooting of Gauge Grosskreutz, 26. Rittenhouses defense attorney, Lin Wood, an open supporter of the fascistic QAnon conspiracy theory and lawyer leading President Donald Trumps unconstitutional attempts to overturn the election, argued that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense. The killings Rittenhouse carried out have been endorsed by Trump, who claimed the armed militia member was acting in self-defense. Rittenhouse has expressed that he viewed protesters as rioters and monsters. Rittenhouse, who was in Kenosha as part of a group of a right-wing militia group called the Kenosha Militia, was released on $2 million bail in November after receiving donations from Republican and far-right groups. Unlike anti-police violence activist Michael Reinohl, who was hunted down and summarily executed by gunfire in his car, Rittenhouse was allowed to pass through police lines un-harassed, given water and thanks, and allowed to leave the scene after killing two people and injuring another while illegally carrying an AR-15 rifle. Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One released in 2016. The story of the film is about Jyns father who was forcibly taken by the Galactic Empire. They wanted his aid to help them in completing the Death Star. The Death Star is the ultimate weapon that can be used for destruction. However, after Jyn grows up, she joins hands with a group of resistance fighters. Her sole mission is to steal the blueprints of the Empire. The star cast of the movie includes Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, and others. Also read: Delhi Metro: Driverless Operations In Pink Line To Commence By Mid-2021 According to the director, the title of the film has three meanings as per the article published on Cinema Blend. The first refers to a military sign. The second meaning is a description of the personality of Jyn and the third is this is the first film that was not a part of the main saga. For those wondering where was Rogue One filmed, read on to know the details. Also read: AH W Vs CM W Dream11 Prediction, Team, Top Picks, Women's Super Smash 2020 Match Preview Where was 'Rogue One' filmed? According to CNTraveler, Rogue One filming locations are scattered from the Maldives to Iceland and from London to Jordan. If you remember the planet Eadu in the film, the audience will be pleased to know that this was shot at Reynisfjara, Iceland. The black sand beach can be reached after driving for twenty minutes from Vik in South Iceland. Kraflas volcanic crater and rock formations in Lake Myvatn have been shown in the film. Krafla is also located in Iceland. Also read: Accidental Death Insurance Cover For Delhi Police Personnel Raised To Rs 78 Lakh The Maldives is another important Rogue One shooting locations. Many of the battle sequences in the film have been shot at Laamu Atoll, Maldives. The Atoll consists of 82 of the total 1192 islands in the Maldives. Gan is the largest island in the Maldives and has been used as the planet Scarif in the film. The explosion scenes in the film were shot at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. The team also shot at the Berasdhoo Island which was uninhabited. London is another Rogue One shooting location that you must know about. The Imperial base in the film was the Canary Wharf Tube Station in London. The glass safety doors and the escalators designed by Norman Foster feature prominently in the film. Also read: Chief Of Defence Staff Gen Rawat Visits Key Forward Military Bases In Arunachal Pradesh Wadi Rum, Jordan, has been used to show the fictional home for planet Jedha. This is a planet for pilgrimage for those who believe in the Force. 'Rogue One' Review Rogue One review shows that the film has a high rating of 7.8/10 on IMDB. The audiences loved and appreciated the film because of the amazing characters, wonderful action sequences, and solid storyline. The pace and the scripting of the film were also much appreciated by the audience. Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. To launch new platform on 20 January 2021 Tanla Platforms proposes to launch a cloud native, digital CPaaS platform with global scale on 20 January 2021. This new platform has been conceptualized and patented by Tanla. The United States Patent & Trademark Office has approved three patents for the same. Microsoft Corporation was the development partner who architected & built this platform for Tanla. Tanla and Microsoft will jointly go to market in India and other parts of the world. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Newser) A UK judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, who has been jailed in Britain since 2019 as he fights extradition to the US. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ordered Assange to remain in prison while the courts consider an appeal by US authorities against a decision not to extradite him, the AP reports. On Monday, the judge rejected an American request to send Assange to the US to face espionage charges over WikiLeaks' publication of secret military documents a decade ago. She denied extradition on health grounds, saying the 49-year-old Australian was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions. On Wednesday, Baraitser said that Assange "has an incentive to abscond" and that there's a good chance he would fail to return to court if freed. Assange has been detained at London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since April 2019, when he was arrested for skipping bail in 2012 during a separate legal battle. story continues below Clair Dobbin, a British lawyer acting for the US, had argued Assange has shown he would go "to almost any length" to avoid extradition. She noted Assange had spent seven years inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London after seeking refuge there from a Swedish extradition request in 2012. Dobbin said he has the "resources, abilities, and sheer wherewithal" to evade justice once again, noting Mexico has said it will offer him asylum. But Assange's lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said the judge's decision to refuse extradition "massively reduces" any motivation to flee. Fitzgerald also said Assange would be safer at home with his partner, Stella Moris, and two young sonsfathered while he was in the embassythan in prison, where there is "a very grave crisis of COVID." Assange could see up to 175 years in prison if convicted in the US of espionage and computer misuse charges. (Read more Julian Assange stories.) Health District The Galveston County Health District announced Tuesday that it had received another 400 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The district will open a phone line today to schedule shots beginning Thursday. The shots will be offered only to people who are 65 years old or older, the district said. To schedule an appointment through the health district, call 409-547-4015. Appointments are limited. The district isn't creating a waiting list for future doses once all appointments are filled. The best time to vaccinate is now, says Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong in Parliament In a statement in Parliament on the third update on the Whole-of-government Response To Covid-19, Minister For Health Gan Kim Yong strongly encouraged everyone who is medically eligible to get vaccinated when the vaccine is offered to them. PM and Cabinet colleagues too will get vaccinated when their turn comes he said while responding to several questions. This will not only protect yourself but also indirectly protect others who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. This collective protection will be more effective the more people are vaccinated, he said. To ensure access to the vaccine, COVID-19 vaccination will be free for all Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and long-term residents in Singapore. This excludes Short-Term Visit Pass holders, such as tourists, but will include Employment Pass, S-Pass, Work Permit holders, Foreign Domestic Workers, and Dependants Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass and Student Pass holders, totalling about 5.7m people. To ensure access to the vaccine, COVID-19 vaccination will be free for all Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and long-term residents in Singapore. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash.com We must not be complacent or wait till an outbreak and then rush to be vaccinated. He added that as the PM has said, we have every confidence in our experts and the process that has been put in place. He was referring to the review process by the Health Science Authority of Singapore (HSA) Medicines Advisory Committee and a Panel of Infectious Diseases Experts. They have concurred that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is suitable for use in Singapore, for persons aged 16 years and above, for the prevention of COVID-19. The Moderna and Sinovac vaccines are also currently undergoing the review process. Based on data available today, people who receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may experience side effects such as pain in the injection site, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, or headaches. These are similar to the side effects for other established vaccines and they usually resolve on their own in a few days. As recommended by the Expert Committee and consistent with the World Health Organizations guidance, Singapore will prioritise vaccinations of groups that are most at-risk. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash.com Both HSA and the Expert Committee have studied the data, from clinical trials as well as actual experience from vaccinations carried out in other countries. They have factored this into their evaluation before granting authorisation or making a recommendation on the use of COVID-19 vaccines. As recommended by the Expert Committee and consistent with the World Health Organizations guidance, Singapore will prioritise vaccinations of groups that are most at-risk. Beginning with healthcare workers and staff working in the healthcare sector, it will prioritise COVID-19 frontline and other essential personnel. Vaccination of elderly and those at greater risk of severe disease from COVID-19 infection will start from February 2021, beginning with seniors aged 70 and above. The Government will also prioritise others who are in jobs or settings where risk of a super-spreading event is high, such as the construction, marine and process (CMP) sector, including migrant workers, before progressively broadening vaccinations to include other Singaporeans and long-term residents who are medically eligible. On Scene TV A man was shot and killed Tuesday night in the Trinity area of northeast Houston, officials said. Police responded around 9:13 p.m. to a shooting at 4625 Laura Koppe Road where they found a man dead in a parked vehicle, said Sgt. Earl Attebury of the Houston Police Department homicide division. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. In the days immediately after the election on Nov. 3, Trump was in shock but understood that he had lost, advisers said. But the more time that has passed, and the more that he has been enabled by a small group of people who have fed his belief that there is a mechanism to wipe away Bidens win, the more invested in trying to reverse the outcome Trump has become. In a first, the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA), the government body set up for cow welfare has announced that it will hold a countrywide online examination on gau vigyan (cow science) on February 25. The exam will be free. The Ministry has said that there will be no fee for the examination and the syllabus as well as other literature and reference books on cows, which will be recommended on the website of the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, will help the examinees prepare for the exam. BCCL Blogs, videos and other selected reading material will be uploaded on official website. Scientists, entrepreneurs, Gau Sevaks, farmers, youth and women as well as senior citizens will actively work to make this mega event a grand success, the Ministry said. Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination Announcing the first-ever exam of this kind--Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination-RKA Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria said this exam will be held annually. We are starting Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Examination at the national level from February 25, 2021. Cow is full of science that needs to be explored. It plays an important role in 5 trillion economies of the country, he said during a press conference. BCCL The exam will be held in 12 regional languages apart from Hindi and English. Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Exam will be an online exam with 100 multi-choice questions in Hindi, English and 12 regional languages. The duration will be one hour and there will be 4 categories, he said. Certificates for all According to an official release of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under which RKA functions, the exam will be conducted in four categories --Primary level up to 8th standard, Secondary level from class 9th to class 12th, College level after 12th+ and fourth category will be for the general public. According to the Ministry, the examination will be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. BCCL Questions will be set in such a way that during the online exam there will be no scope for any maneuvering. Results will be immediately declared on the website of RKA. Certificates will be given to all. Successful meritorious candidates will be given prizes and certificates afterwards. Appreciation letters will be issued to all those who help in organizing this exam, it said. RKA comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It was set up by the Centre in February 2019, and is aimed at conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny. SGX Nifty: Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 3 points at the opening bell. The Union Budget for 2021-2022 will be presented on February 1 and President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on January 29. Global markets: Overseas, Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday as investors anxiously awaited results of U.S. runoff elections that would determine the legislative balance of power in the world's largest economy. A private survey showed services sector activity in China expanding at a slower pace in December, with the Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managers' Index coming in at 56.3. That compared against November's reading of 57.8. US stocks ended higher on Tuesday in choppy trading, ahead of the outcome of the Senate runoff elections in the battleground state of Georgia, which will determine the balance of power in Washington. Investors also looked ahead to two key elections in Georgia, which will determine whether Republicans can hold on to control in the Senate. Many fear that increased tax rates and more progressive policies could weigh on the market if Democrats gain control of the Senate. However, such an outcome could create an opportunity for a bigger and faster spending package. In U.S. economic data, the Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 60.7 in December its highest level since August 2018 from 57.5 in November. Domestic markets: Back home, domestic indices ended with modest gains on Tuesday, led by strength in IT, banks and financial shares. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 260.98 points or 0.54% to 48,437.78. The Nifty 50 index added 66.60 points or 0.47% to 14,199.50. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 986.30 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net buyers to the tune of Rs 490.03 crore in the Indian equity market on 5 January, provisional data showed. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran Sky boss Jeremy Darroch is stepping down after more than 13 years at the helm of the media titan. One of the longest-serving bosses of a major British firm, he will be replaced by Comcast executive Dana Strong who is formerly president and chief operating officer of Virgin Media UK and chief transformation officer of telecoms firm Liberty Global. She will be the first woman to lead Sky in its 40-year history. Stepping down: Sky boss Jeremy Darroch with Sky presenters Sarah-Jane Mee and Natalie Pinkham Darroch, 58, will become executive chairman for 2021 before taking on an advisory role. He made a fortune when Sky was sold to US broadcaster Comcast in 2018 for almost 30billion. The father of three bagged more than 38million selling the shares he owned and held in incentive plans to Comcast. Darroch will be replaced by Comcast executive Dana Strong That took his total pay since he became chief executive in 2007 to more than 115million. For Sky, Darroch may well have been worth it he tripled the size of the business and ramped up the customers to almost 24m. Sky has not disclosed his pay since the takeover, but it is understood to be over 1million per year. In 2020 he donated six months' pay to organisations tackling problems caused by the pandemic. Darroch said: 'With the business firmly settled into the wider Comcast Corporation and a strong plan in place, now is the right time.' Brian Roberts, Comcast chairman, said of Strong: 'She is an accomplished executive with an extraordinary ability to transform, inspire and drive positive change.' The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. LIVEKINDLY Collective, a collection of heritage and start-up brands on track to become one of the world's largest plant-based food companies, today announced the acquisition of No Meat, Iceland Foods' vegan meat alternative company. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005996/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) With this transaction, LIVEKINDLY Collective underlines its ambition to spearhead the worldwide food revolution proclaiming environmentally friendly meat alternatives. "This acquisition is very complementary to our current portfolio further strengthening our position in the frozen sector of the fast-growing plant-based meat category", says Domenico Speciale, General Manager for LIVEKINDLY Collective in the UK. "No Meat has been such an incredible success with its award winning, great value and great tasting products. This acquisition is a big step in delivering our mission of making plant-based food the new norm." Speciale continues: "Iceland Foods has done an amazing job in building the No Meat brand over the last few years. The team has been brilliant in their approach by continually developing new products and rotating the range to bring excitement to the category. We are proud to welcome No Meat into the LIVEKINDLY Collective and to support its future growth." Under the leadership of global food industry executives, LIVEKINDLY Collective is working to make plant-based food the new norm by building a robust ecosystem of founder-led plant-based brands that include the Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat, Oumph!, lifestyle digital media platform, LIVEKINDLY and now No Meat. "Bringing No Meat into the LIVEKINDLY Collective family as a mission aligned partner was a natural next step for us. Its strategy to meet the demand of consumers for healthier and more environmentally friendly vegan products mirrors our own commitment to protect the planet. It is aligned with our strategy to scale rapidly and transform the current global food system." says Kees Kruythoff, CEO and Chairman of LIVEKINDLY Collective. Andrew Staniland, Trading Director Frozen at Iceland Foods says: "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with LIVEKINDLY Collective both to bring the No Meat brand to new consumers globally and to significantly expand Iceland Foods' plant-based product offering in the UK." Staniland continues: "We have been market leader in meeting rapidly increasing consumer demand for vegan products by developing No Meat, the world's largest frozen vegan range, combining great taste with outstanding value. Our offer within the UK's fastest-growing food market will be further strengthened when we begin to sell LIVEKINDLY Collective's existing brands Oumph!, LikeMeat and Fry's Family Food Co. in Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores across the UK and Ireland from April 2021." "This new partnership will launch in January 2021 with our Veganuary Sale, where we will have a whole host of new and exclusive No Meat products and savings for our customers to enjoy." Kees Kruythoff adds: "Under the umbrella of LIVEKINDLY Collective two of our brands, Fry's and Oumph!, are official sponsors of Veganuary 2021. This global movement is a real force for change, and I am very excited to partner with Iceland Foods." About No Meat No Meat believes that food can bring people together, taste great and be good for the planet. No Meat products taste amazing, whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, flexitarian or meat-eater, and are all made from 100% plant-based ingredients. No Meat's products include the award-winning No Bull burger, No Bull mince and 'meat' balls, No Porkies sausages and burgers, No Chick fillets and strips, No Duck spring rolls, No Lamb koftas, No Fish fingers, No Cheese pizzas, pasties and macaroni cheese, and No Moo dairy-free chocolate puddings and strawberry cones.No Meat products are currently available in Iceland, Asda and Ocado in the UK. About LIVEKINDLY Collective LIVEKINDLY Collective was founded by the Blue Horizon Group on the belief that plant-based alternatives have the power to make the global food system sustainable. Through strategic partnerships with seed growers, producers, and distributors, we are the only company in the plant-based food sector to own and operate the entire value chain. As a collective of entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the globe, we are uniquely positioned to create impact with speed, at scale because of our unique capabilities and purpose-driven mission to effect change through sustainable, cruelty-free plant-based alternatives. Through our brands Oumph!, The Fry Family Food Co. and LikeMeat, we are making plant-based eating the new normal and providing our customers with healthy, sustainable, delicious food options. Furthermore, we are communicating informative, entertaining and inspiring content about veganism and the environment through our lifestyle platform LIVEKINDLY. For humanity, our home and those who share it with us. LIVEKINDLY. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005996/en/ Contacts: Katie Fagan media@livekindly.com HONG KONG, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BC Technology Group (stock code: 863 HK), Asia's leading public technology and digital asset company, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to raise HKD697 million (approximately USD90 million) in a top-up share placement, with Morgan Stanley appointed as the sole placing agent, and participation from a strong roster of institutional investors. With completion of the placement, the Group will continue to expand the reach and capability of its leading institutional digital asset platform OSL, which provides prime brokerage, custody, exchange and software-as-a-service (SaaS) to institutions and professional investors. The transaction further affirms the Group's institutional-focused strategy, positioning it to lead the digital asset trading market globally. "The digital asset market experienced a significant shift in 2020, with regulatory clarity and institutional investment driving market capitalization to new all-time highs," said OSL CEO Wayne Trench. "With the participation of established institutional investors in this placement, we are seeing more evidence that digital assets are attracting significant attention from major traditional finance brands and we believe this will continue to accelerate going forward. The market will continue to grow in the coming months and years and we are excited to be on the front line of the development of this industry." BC Group's OSL Digital Securities was the first to apply for and be granted a license for Type 1 (dealing in securities) and 7 (providing automated trading services) regulated activities specific to digital assets under the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission's (SFC) regulatory regime, and boasts a large roster of institutional clients. In December 2020, the Group also announced that it is providing technology services to DBS Bank. "The placement is a major milestone and the next step in the rapid growth of the Group's OSL digital asset platform," continued Trench. "It allows us to invest in the tools to reach more institutional customers around the globe while also continuing to scale our SaaS solution." About BC Technology Group and the OSL Platform BC Technology Group (stock code: HK 863) is Asia's leading public fintech and digital asset company. It is the parent company of OSL, the region's most comprehensive licensed digital asset platform. OSL is the world's first and only insured and SFC-licensed digital asset platform, providing prime brokerage, custody, exchange and SaaS services for institutional clients and professional investors. The company offers OTC, iRFQ and electronic trading services giving traders access to the world's deepest liquidity pools, as well as secure, insured wallets to ensure the safekeeping of digital assets with timely transaction settlement. BC Group and the OSL platform are enabling institutional adoption of the digital asset class, setting standards for performance, security and compliance. For more information: bc.group and osl.com . SOURCE BC Technology Group Related Links https://bc.group [January 06, 2021] Keyavi Data Cybersecurity Experts Issue Top 2021 Predictions Keyavi Data Corp., a cybersecurity trailblazer transforming the very nature of data protection, today released its top predictions for cybersecurity trends and threats shaping 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005450/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) Authored by Keyavi's cyber threat and intelligence experts T.J. Minichillo and Celine Gravelines, this forecast outlines the highest-priority cybersecurity vulnerabilities facing businesses and governments this year as well as a new threat-detection capability to help them better understand and neutralize malicious attempts and intrusions: The network perimeter is now anywhere and everywhere data flows. As many organizations extend remote work for their employees while COVID-19 lingers, securing email gateways, web gateways and endpoints - and the endless river of data flowing through those channels - will be a major business priority and challenge to protect. Nation-state threat actors in China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are getting bolder and using more destructive attacks aimed at targets with the highest payoff potential or the most geopolitical gain. Data, the lifeblood of every organization, has become the high-value target of choice for these criminals. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are becoming the weapons of choice among cybercriminals for scamming, planting malware and committing fraud using deepfakes. Data epidemiology - a new arrow in the hack-detection quiver - is bridging gaps in an organization's understanding of its attack surface with tools that automatically collect and analyze large amounts of threat data and prioritize incident responses based on perceived threat levels. "With remote workers stretching the limits of their organizations' boundary-less network perimeters and bolder nation-state attacks to steal high-value data, the risks of a serious data breach have never been greaer," said T.J. Minichillo, Keyavi's chief information security officer (CISO) and VP of cyber threat & intelligence. "The best defense? Shrinking a company's attack surface, empowering data to protect itself wherever it travels and arming cybersecurity teams with deep data visibility and control to never lose sight of their organization's crown jewels," he added. "Strong security always comes back to defense-in-depth - a multilayered approach to protecting data," said Celine Gravelines, Keyavi's director of professional services and cybersecurity analyst. "Given the severity and scope of the latest cyber attacks, we predict more companies and government agencies will re-architect their security and breach-prevention strategies toward a more data-centric approach in 2021." T.J is an internationally renowned expert in detecting and thwarting some of the world's most significant cyber attacks around the world. He has held strategic intelligence roles in financial services, the military and energy, including global head of threat intelligence at both National Grid and Morgan Stanley, deputy director at Citigroup's Cyber Intelligence Center, chief cyber intelligence officer at Merrill Lynch, and senior intelligence special agent at the U.S. Department of Defense. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Celine is a senior cybersecurity analyst specializing in security research. Her expertise includes policy development, incident response, data classification, security metrics and threat intelligence. Follow her on LinkedIn. Learn more from T.J. and Celine about how to reduce your attack surface on Keyavi's blog at www.keyavidata.com/blog/. Note to Editors: T.J. Minichillo and Celine Gravelines are "go-to" resources for journalists on a range of cybersecurity topics such as cyber crime; breach intrusion detection, surveillance and prevention; phishing and ransomware defense; endpoint security; and self-protecting data. To arrange an interview, contact Audra Capas, VP of Corporate Communications: pr@keyavidata.com (702) 551-2301 About Keyavi Data Corp. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Keyavi Data's transformative cybersecurity technology makes any type of data self-protecting by infusing multi-layered protections into the actual data itself. This innovative technology - now available as an API, client software product, mobile apps and web client - makes data intelligent and self-aware of where it is, who has it and what device it is on to determine whether it is authorized by its owner to allow access. Under development for over a decade before launching in 2020, this game-changing cybersecurity technology has been awarded 16 U.S. patents thus far and is compliant with FIPS-140-2 for NIST. For companies and government entities that need to control confidential and intellectual property from accidental loss or a cyber attack, Keyavi's easy-to-use yet robust security delivers the ultimate peace of mind. In today's growing locations of disparate workforces and partner ecosystems, Keyavi plays a critical role in making data leaks and breaches irrelevant. Follow Keyavi on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005450/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The Government has this afternoon announced a series of new Covid-19 restrictions to tackle Ireland's surge in cases. The measures were agreed by Cabinet today and will be in place until the end of January. Schools will close until February 1 at the earliest, except for special schools and for Leaving Cert students who can attend three days a week starting from January 11. Non-essential construction work will have to finish at 6pm on Friday, while certain essential construction projects will be exempt including health projects specific to Covid-19, housing adaptation grants, repairs critical maintenance for rail and utility projects and roads. Childcare services, including regulated childminders, will remain closed with the exception of services for vulnerable children and children of essential workers. Other existing childcare arrangements can continue to operate for vulnerable children and children of essential workers only. In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare. The resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is delayed until 1st February. Click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted with immediate effect. Existing orders may be collected, while click and deliver services will continue to be permitted. The government also agreed that the current travel moratorium in place for travel from Great Britain and South Africa is extended until midnight Friday, January 8. From January 9, all passengers arriving at Irish airports and ports whose journey originates in Great Britain or South Africa will be requested to have evidence of a negative result from a PCR Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. This new mandatory requirement will be in place until January 31, and will be kept under review in light of the evolving epidemiological situation. More information on the latest Level 5 restrictions can be found here. COLUMBIA Gov. Henry McMaster issued a deadline Tuesday to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination process: South Carolina workers eligible to get a shot need to sign up by Jan. 15 or give up their spot in line. The Republican governor, who has the final say over how the vaccines are distributed, said he too is frustrated by how slowly the doses that began arriving in South Carolina in mid-December are being doled out. The state remains in Phase 1A, which focuses on vaccinating front-line medical workers, paramedics and nursing home residents. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is available only in hospitals for eligible workers in health care, law enforcement and emergency services. An estimated 353,000 South Carolinians are eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1A, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. But as of Tuesday, just one-third of the 146,250 doses sent to hospitals has been given. "I am as frustrated as everybody in the state is including the legislators, including the people out there at the pace of the vaccination," McMaster said. "We are determined to eliminate the bottleneck slowing this down." For anyone eligible for a Pfizer shot in Phase 1A who hasn't either received it or made an appointment in the next 10 days to get one, "you'll have to go to the back of the line," McMaster told reporters Tuesday. "That's a hard deadline," he added. "It's like boarding an airplane." The deadline does not apply to residents or staff of nursing home and assisted-living centers, who began receiving the Moderna vaccine last week. CVS and Walgreens pharmacists are giving those shots through a federal contract. How many of those 84,500 available have been given is not yet known. DHEC expects to report that number later this week. When Phase 1B begins is still unclear. Those eligible in the next round include people 75 and older, teachers, day care employees and people in other critical jobs. The timing will depend on how many appointments are made by Jan. 15 and how many days past the deadline they extend, McMaster said. "My plan is, as soon as we have some clarity on how fast this is moving, is to allow people in the next group to go ahead and make their appointments to get their shots," he said, indicating he'll set additional deadlines as the rollout continues. "Were going to take similar steps as we go forward." People who don't meet a deadline can get it with the next group. The transition to Phase 1B will also widen access. Instead of being limited to hospitals, shots will be available at hundreds of pharmacies, urgent care centers and doctors' offices statewide already approved by the federal government as vaccine providers. McMaster's announcement came a day after the state's public health director told reporters that Phase 1A would continue into February, and it would be late spring before people not in high-risk categories could get a shot. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Legislators have become increasingly vocal in criticizing the slow rollout and have called on McMaster to take charge and change the rules laid out by the state's public health agency. Some have asked him to expand eligibility immediately. Reasons for the bottleneck include confusion over which workers in the health care sector are eligible, McMaster said. "These categories are going to be clarified and broadened," he said. Hospitals have also been reluctant to make back-to-back appointments, as people can't just get a shot and walk away, McMaster said. The process requires a technician to log who got a shot and which brand, and the recipient resting for 15 minutes afterward. Both Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccine call for a second shot, three to four weeks later. Both must be from the same company. "Hospitals dont want to have too many people in one room at one time," McMaster said. "But let them go sit in their car. Keep the line moving." If the deadline doesn't speed things up tremendously, he promised to make additional changes. While the federal government has issued guidelines, how the COVID-19 vaccines are distributed is ultimately up to each state's governor. "If theres something else that needs to be done, Ill do it," he said. "I can change a rule and do whatever's necessary to be sure this vaccine gets to the people. ... It is not moving fast enough for the people of our state." The criticism of the rollout has been bipartisan. Republicans and Democrats also applauded the governor for stepping it up. Sen. Marlon Kimpson said he agrees with "setting a hard-and-fast deadline" for the eligibility categories. "This is gross negligence at this point," said the Charleston Democrat, who has complained publicly for the last week. "Im not so sure that deadline shouldnt be moved up." Sen. Tom Davis, who sent McMaster a letter Monday urging an expansion, called the deadline "the right thing to do." "The goal ought to be maximizing the number of people who receive the vaccines," said Davis, R-Beaufort, noting that getting back to some normalcy will require enough people vaccinated to reach so-called herd immunity. Scientists think that will be reached at roughly 70 percent of the population. It's all right to set priorities for who's eligible, Davis said, "but if theyre not taking advantage of that opportunity, then it needs to be opened up to the next round." A 24-year-old New Jersey man has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in federal prison after he admitted he cyberstalked four teenage girls and coerced them into sending him nude photographs. Pritkumar Patel posed as a 17-year-old boy named Taylor in 2019 when he contacted three girls from Rhode Island and one from Indiana on social media, later threatening to send the photos to their classmates and family, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Rhode Island. Patel, of Closter, also suggested at least one of the victims met him for sex and was very pushing and demanding in demanding photos, according to court papers. Two of the victims were 14, one was 13 and one was 16 when Patel began reaching out to them on Instagram in 2019. He pleaded guilty in May to one count each of receipt of child pornography and cyberstalking. U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy issued the sentence Tuesday in Providence. Patel will be deported to India after completing his federal prison term, according to ProvidenceJounal.com, which first reported news of his sentencing. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Venture Funding in Digital Health Sector Up 66% with a Record $14.8 Billion Raised in 2020 Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global communications and research firm, released its annual report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the Digital Health sector for 2020. Get the report here. Global venture capital (VC) funding in Digital Health, including private equity and corporate VC, came to $14.8 billion in 637 deals, a 66% increase compared to $8.9 billion in 615 deals in 2019. Total corporate funding for Digital Health - including VC, debt, and public market financing - reached $21.6 billion in 2020. In 2020, debt and public market financing for Digital Health companies increased 278%, with $6.8 billion raised in 26 deals compared to $1.8 billion in 20 deals in 2019. Chart: Digital Health VC Funding 2010-2020 77% of Digital Health funding went to U.S. companies in 2020, with $11.5 billion in 429 deals. Chinese companies recorded $1.1 billion in eight deals. Thirty-eight countries recorded Digital Health VC funding activity in 2020. Since 2010, Digital Health companies have received $59 billion in VC funding in over 5,000 deals and almost $21 billion in debt and public market financing (including IPOs), bringing cumulative investments into the sector to approximately $80 billion. "COVID-19 supercharged funding activity in digital health in 2020. Ten digital health categories had their best year with record funding amounts. It was also the biggest year for IPOs with six digital health companies raising over $6 billion. We could see a lot more companies going public in 2021 if the current IPO and SPAC boom continues," commented Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. "The pandemic has mainsteamed the consumer side of digital health technologies in less than a year. Digital health products that were a novelty a year or two ago are now a necessity." Consumer-centric companies brought in $9.6 billion in 2020, up 81% YoY. Practice-centric companies raised $5.3 billion, a 47% increase compared to 2019. In 2020, Telemedicine was the top VC funded category with $4.3 billion, a 139% YoY increase compared to $1.8 billion in 2019. Chart: Top VC Funded Digital Health Categories Other top-funded categories in 2020 included: Data Analytics with $1.8 billion, mHealth Apps with $1.4 billion, Clinical Decision Support with $1.2 billion, Practice Management Solutions with $837 million, Wearable Sensors with $815 million, Wellness with $792 million, Healthcare Booking with $765 million, and Social Health Networks with $500 million. Chart: Digital Health Top 5 VC Funding Rounds in 2020 A total of 1,694 investors participated in Digital Health deals in 2020. Chart: Digital Health Top Investors 2020 was the biggest year for IPOs in Digital Health. Six companies went public, raising a total of $6.2 billion: JD Health ($3.5 billion), GoodRx ($1.3 billion), Amwell ($922 million), Accolade ($220 million), NanoX ($165 million), and MindBeacon ($58 million). There were 184 M&A transactions in 2020 compared to 169 in 2019. Practice Management Solutions companies led M&A activity with 25 transactions, followed by Telemedicine companies with 23 transactions, mHealth App companies with 19 transactions, and Data Analytic companies with 18 transactions. Chart: Top Five Digital Health M&A Transactions 736 companies and investors are covered in this 144-page report, with 110 charts, graphs, and tables. Get the report here. About Mercom Capital Group Mercom Capital Group, LLC is a global communications and research firm focused on digital health, cleantech, and financial communications. Visit http://www.mercomcapital.com to signup up for our market intelligence reports. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005787/en/ Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In a major setback to fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, his younger sister and brother-in-law have decided to testify against him after a special court approved their application for grant of pardon. Last month, Purvi Mehta and her husband, Maiank Mehta, had filed pleas before special court in Mumbai for turning approver against Nirav Modi in the PNB scam case, saying that they could provide "substantial and important evidence" related to his dealings. Purvi, a Belgian national, is an accused in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate, while Nirav Modi is the prime accused in a $2 billion bank fraud at state-owned PNB. He has also been charged with intimidating witnesses and tampering with evidence. Special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) V C Barde had accepted their application on Monday. The order became available on Tuesday. ALSO READ: Nirav Modi extradition: UK court to hear final arguments on Jan 7-8, judgement few weeks later The "position of the accused (Purvi Modi) in this case after tender of pardon is that she shall be marked as approver", the court said in its order. "The accused staying abroad presently shall be directed to present herself before the court, for which purpose the prosecution shall take necessary steps," the order said. In her plea for pardon, Purvi Modi said that she was not a prime accused and has been attributed only a limited role by the investigating agency. Purvi claimed that she has fully co-operated with the ED by providing all requisite information and documents. ALSO READ: Nirav Modi's brother charged with committing $2.6 million fraud in New York On account of being Nirav Modi's sister, she was in a unique position to provide "substantial and important evidence, information, proof, and documents and access to bank accounts, assets, companies and entities that are relevant to Nirav Modi and his actions/dealings", the plea said. Meanwhile, a UK court is set to hear the closing arguments in the extradition case of Nirav Modi on January 7 and 8. Reports suggest that District Judge Samuel Goozee will hear the final arguments from both sides before he delivers the final judgement in the case a few weeks later. At the last full hearing in the case in November, Judge Goozee heard the arguments for and against the admissibility of certain witness statements provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and ruled that the evidence to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against the fugitive diamantaire is broadly admissible. ALSO READ: PNB puts 3 stressed accounts up for sale; bids to open on January 6 Nirav Modi has been behind bars at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest last year following India's extradition request for him. By Chitranjan Kumar with PTI inputs PLANTATION, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Office Evolution, the largest provider of locally owned and operated flexible workspaces across the nation, is continuing its rapid expansion in Florida as demand for flexible workspaces rises amid the pandemic. Demand for flexible workspace in south Florida has led to the planned opening of five Office Evolution business centers, the first two located in Plantation and Coral Springs. The open Plantation location is in a class A building within the 27-acre Plantation Walk development. The new community located in Plantation includes businesses, retail, a hotel, and luxury rental homes allowing people to work and live in the same area. Office Evolution's increasing presence in Florida's suburban area positions the company to be one of the leading coworking providers supporting one of America's top regions for economic growth. South Florida has continued to see its population increase year after year, and the business community is poised to rebound as the pandemic eases adding jobs and businesses to the area. Situated ten miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 30 miles from downtown Miami, the Office Evolution Plantation location is located in the heart of where people are working now, from home. Demand for Office Evolution's offerings has been fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for workspace close-to-home, especially as people continue to work remotely. The Plantation location is large enough to offer everything business owners would need to grow a business, but small enough for members to get to know each other personally. The business center located at 261 N. University Drive includes 43 private offices, collaborative coworking spaces, and an array of additional office amenities including private conference rooms, private day offices, a cafe area, and 24-hour accessibility. Flexible membership options include hourly, daily, month-to-month, with no long-term leases or contracts. Office Evolution also includes virtual solutions-like business address services. The Plantation location is owned by Navy Veteran Eddie Uribazo and his wife Mitzy Uribazo. Eddie spent 24 years with Johnson Controls Inc., an HVAC corporation, where he worked as a system application engineer, a project engineer and a senior project manager. For 13 years, he worked as a senior project manager, where he was responsible for managing multi-million-dollar operations and executing major systems projects. Eddie also has experience as an entrepreneur, having founded his own controls company. He believes his management experience coupled with his entrepreneurial knowledge will continue to be valuable in helping small businesses and independent employers take their operations to the next level. The Uribazos are eyeing Davie, Pembroke Pines, Weston, among others as potential destinations for their second location. "Owning and operating the first location in south Florida is special to me," said Uribazo. "We chose Office Evolution because we are passionate about small businesses and the families in the area, and Office Evolution's core values are focused on both. Being a locally owned and operated business means we understand the needs of our members. We want to inspire and bring a high level of service to all small business owners, members and entrepreneurs in our business center so they can thrive. That is our main goal!" Helping further expand Office Evolution's south Florida footprint, local Office Evolution owner and operator Mark Mendel is set to open his first location in May. It will be located in Coral Springs at 3301 N University Drive at the intersection of Sample Road. The Coral Springs location will occupy about 7,500 square feet of the first floor of the building, and will be within walking distance to many of the finest restaurants and shopping areas in Coral Springs. Mendel plans to open two additional locations in Broward and Palm Beach County over the next two years. "I have a deep entrepreneurial spirit and immensely proud of being a co-founder of Kidstop Early Learning Centers, a successful business we established back in 1990, which was acquired by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a publicly traded company, after 9 years," said Mendel. "For the past twenty years with Bright Horizons, I was a corporate executive and traveled extensively building the business. Now, I am delighted to be home in our community, helping others realize their dreams." Mendel is a longtime South Floridian and excited to open Office Evolution Coral Springs to help other local professionals, entrepreneurs and companies grow, succeed, and reach their goals. "Small business owners are the dreamers, risk takers and doers of South Florida and when they succeed, we all share in that success," said Mendel. Throughout the pandemic, Office Evolution's national network of locally owned and operated locations has provided remote workers and small- to medium-sized business owners with access to safe and flexible workspace where they can innovate, collaborate and network to enhance business performance. The brand's nationwide presence has grown significantly during the pandemic, as businesses of all sizes shift their focus towards flexible workspace to avoid getting tied up in expensive leases for traditional office space. This transition from traditional workspace to more flexible options in suburban markets where people live and work has positioned Office Evolution perfectly for growth. To learn more about Office Evolution, visit: https://www.officeevolution.com/ About Office Evolution Founded in 2003 and franchising since 2012, the Colorado-based company is the largest provider of locally owned and operated flexible workspaces in the United States. Office Evolution has more than 70 locations open, 140 units sold in markets across the country and is poised for further growth as the demand for affordable and safe, workspace close-to-home continues to rise. On any given day Office Evolution provides inspiration to a network of Dreamers, Risk-Takers and Doers across the nation. Office Evolution continues to lead the workplace transformation that is projected to see nearly 30 percent of all office space become shared office space by 2030, according to a JLL report. Office Evolution is currently operating in 25 states across the nation. For more information about Office Evolution, please visit https://www.officeevolution.com/. SOURCE Office Evolution Related Links https://www.officeevolution.com The Reporter's Notebook I first met Khien Theravit when our family sponsored him through the FIUTS program at the University of Washington. It became an exciting time as we met a lot of foreign students, mostly from Asia. Through the FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students) individuals or families could sponsor students, giving as much time as you wanted to the student. There were no financial obligations. Khien was a professor of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. He already had two masters degrees, and a law degree. He was working on his doctorate. Khien had already authored six books, all in technical relationships between nations. He located in a very small one-room apartment in the university district. I was shocked the first time I picked him up at his apartment. It held a cot, a very small refrigerator, a hot plate and a rice cooker. He had simple tastes and was loved by all who knew him. He would come out to our home in Bothell and bring along a car full of Thai and other students and the makings of a heavenly meal. One time we had over 20 students and they would just take charge. During Khiens time as our student, we met many other students involved with other families. Through this I had the opportunity to visit their families in Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam during my several visits to these countries. We took Khien with us on a couple of vacations where we saw my mother in Palouse and my wifes family in Buhl, Idaho. He was delighted, as they were of the visits. He was taken with the Compton family farm in Buhl, and particularly with the farm animals, mainly the cows and the milking operations. He learned the names of our family members and asked about them by name over the years. On my first trip to Thailand, he arranged for his nephew to drive up country so I could meet his mother and other members of his family. His nephew was minding Khiens house in Bangkok during his absence. They showed me my room for the night, with netting over the bed, and a pistol on the dresser. It was explained that it was to protect against robbers. The family acted as brokers of farm products grown by farmers in the area and tried to get the best prices. Khien had also arranged for me to give a talk to his Asian Studies classes. I made arrangements to visit with the family of one of the students we had met in Seattle. Her family, I learned, owned the largest silk factory in Thailand. During a special dinner prepared for me, I received several yards of butterfly silk. Khiens nephew took me to the sapphire mining area where I shared with miners there some of the Chausee sapphires from Montana that I had with me. We took a canoe-like boat up the river to Khiens family mango farm right in the middle of the jungle, and discovered the River Kwai was not as scenic as shown in the film Bridge On the River Kwai. We visited the cemetery that held the fallen victims who died from their struggle with the Japanese during the war. I visited the King of Thailand to deliver a gift from the Chausee Sapphire Mine in Montana. I arrived at the palace but missed the king who had left the day before. I did get to meet the kings first secretary and give him the gift with an explanation of where the gift came from and who was giving it. It had taken Chausee and I about a month to make arrangements through the Thai embassy in D.C. to get into the palace. I met another UW students family in a little village a couple of dozen miles out of Saigon. The mother and dad were thankful to receive news about their daughter. On the way back, I made another student family visit in Hong Kong. The family had a little market, which was interesting to visit. I made another student family visit in Tokyo. They had a host of things for me to see and do. On a subsequent trip, I had the opportunity to visit a family in Calcutta, India. I was invited to their home for dinner, and the uncle took charge of me for a day so I was able to do a number of things I would never have done by myself. He gave me enough silk fabric that I could have a sari made for Dorothy. I took a number of uncirculated Kennedy half dollars, and some new Kennedy stamps. I got letters later from some of the families saying they were so happy for the gifts. One of the benefits of travel is that you get a view of your own country that is unfiltered. After nearly thirty years since he designed the McLaren F1 , Murray, now aged 74, decided to create a 21-century successor under his own brand, stating that it would be the last analog supercar he will create.Although many were skeptical at first, when detailed images and specifications were released a few months ago, it became clear that the South African was serious.At first glance, T.50 is a marvel of automotive engineering, combining a good old fashioned naturally aspirated 654 hp V12 powertrain with the latest technological advancements in the industry.Its faster, lighter, a lot more efficient, and although it doesnt feature McLaren badges, the similarities to the 90s supercar are obvious. However, one feature that sets it apart from its spiritual predecessor is the massive rear fan that resembles a fighter planes jet engine.As Murray himself explains to Dario Franchitti in the latest episode of the T.50 vlog , this device has an important role in the cars aerodynamics Whether they're road-legal or purely track-focused, extremely fast cars use rear wings, massive diffusers, and a series of vents to improve downforce and maintain high speeds through corners without losing grip.The problem is that even with the most aerodynamically efficient diffusers and rear wings, tiny airflow vortexes are created at the rear of the car, limiting the amount of downforce that the vehicle can generate.Murrays answer to this is a very steep diffuser placed underneath the car that should dramatically improve downforce. However, this design generates substantial turbulent or semi-stalled air passing over the diffuser, which in turn creates drag.The solution to this problem is the 16-inch (40 cm) fan which draws all that turbulent air from the diffuser through a duct and out the rear of the car, exponentially improving airflow and eliminating any vortexes.Powered by a 48-volt electric motor and operating at a speed of up to 7,000 rpm, the lightweight carbon-fiber fan also eliminates the need for huge wings or rear diffusers. Thus, it enables a sleek body design while still making the T.50 one of the most aerodynamically efficient supercars ever created.While such a complex fan is a first for a road-legal supercar, the design is not new. A similar device was used on the Brabham BT46B Formula One car in the 1978 season.Also designed by Gordon Murray, it was so efficient that Bernie Ecclestone, the team's owner at the time, was forced to withdraw the car from the competition after winning the Swedish Grand Prix due to intense pressure from rival teams. The regulations were also modified that year, banning the use of such devices.More than forty years later, the revolutionary GMA T.50 is set to revive this innovative aerodynamical feature and make it available in 100 units, each costing around $3.2 million. Production will start in the first part of 2022 and all the cars have already been sold.Twenty-five units of a track-oriented version dubbed the T.50s will also be built and sold for around $4.3 million. They will be faster, lighter, and even more aerodynamically efficient than the road-legal version. Arrangements being made to give COVID-19 vaccine to Haj pilgrims: Naqvi India oi-Briti Roy Barman New Delhi, Jan 06: Arrangements are being made to provide coronavirus vaccine to all the people who will go to perform Haj from India, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday. The minister was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Haj Committee of India officials and Haj Group organisers at Haj House in Mumbai. New study suggests Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine protects against virus variant that erupted in Britain, SA "Today discussed various issues concerned to Haj 2021 with Haj Committee of India officials and Haj Group Organisers at Haj House in Mumbai. Arrangements are being made to give Corona vaccine to all the people who will go to perform Haj from India," the Union Minister informed via Twitter. Last month, during a meeting with the Haj Committee here to discuss the preparations and registrations for Haj 2021, Naqvi lauded the committee for making the registration process "100 per cent" digital, in turn making India the "first country" to do so. The last date for submission of forms for Haj 2021 has been extended till January 10, 2021. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News Meanwhile, the Centre has initiated the process of procuring the vaccine against COVID-19 after regulatory approvals were granted. This would mean that the vaccination drive could start by the end of next week in a phased manner. Reports suggest that the first vaccine shots would be available by January 13. The government will tap every human resource for the smooth implementation of the world's largest vaccine drive against COVID-19. Drug-resistant bacteria could lead to more deaths than cancer by 2050, according to a report commissioned by the United Kingdom in 2014 and jointly supported by the U.K. government and the Wellcome Trust. In an effort to reduce the potential infection-caused 10 million deaths worldwide, Penn State researcher Scott Medina has developed a peptide, or small protein, that can target a specific pathogen without damaging the good bacteria that bolsters the immune system. Medina, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, led the team who published its results Jan. 4 in Nature Biomedical Engineering. "One of the best protective mechanisms we have to prevent infection are beneficial bacteria that inhabit our bodies, known as commensals," Medina said. "For example, we often avoid food poisoning because our guts are already populated by helpful bacteria. There's no room for the pathogen to take hold and colonize. If you wipe out the good bacteria, opportunistic pathogens can take advantage and cause infections." Antibiotics can knock out an infection, but they can also kill off good bacteria, creating an opportunity for a potentially fatal secondary infection. Repeated exposure to antibiotics can also breed bacteria resistant to drugs. The potential for secondary infection and drug-resistant bacteria holds true for infections elsewhere in the body, too, according to Medina. Led by biomedical engineering doctoral student Andrew W. Simonson, first author on the paper, the team set out to develop a peptide that could eradicate the pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, without harming surrounding good bacteria. "There are great control strategies and treatments in place for tuberculosis, making it largely preventable and treatable, but drug-resistant TB is an emerging threat that is on track to becoming a serious global health problem," Medina said. "It's a scary prospect." To develop a pathogen-specific antibacterial against TB, the researchers looked to the pathogen itself. The TB pathogen is wrapped in a thick envelope that is difficult to penetrate, especially compared to other bacteria. "The envelope has pores, though -- channels through which the pathogen takes in nutrients and metabolites," Medina said. "We asked if we could mimic these channels to design antibacterials that would create holes in the bacterial envelope, and ultimately kill the pathogen." The researchers made a peptide that seems to disrupt the protective outer coating of the pathogen, making the TB bacteria susceptible to antibiotics and die, but it does not interact with the good bacteria. Medina said they are currently studying the exact mechanism by which the peptide attacks the TB pathogen, but they suspect it has something to do with a fatty acid that lives on the pathogen's surface. "There aren't many biochemical differences between the targeted pathogen and good bacteria, except for this surface lipid," Medina said. "We think the interaction of our peptide with this fatty acid is one of the things driving this preferential interaction." He also pointed to the bacteria's thin carbohydrate region. In other types of bacteria, the carbohydrates form a thick defensive barrier that appears to insulate the bacteria against the peptide. "It's not entirely clear why this works, but it's working on TB," Medina said. "There's a 10-fold improvement on the effectiveness of antibiotics on this pathogen relative to the other good bacteria." Next, the researchers plan to investigate how to administer the peptide to treat TB in a full model system. Peptides tend to break down when injected, Medina said, so his team is working to develop an aerosol that would allow a person to inhale the peptides directly to the infected lung tissue. "Once we understand why this peptide targets TB, and how to administer the peptide as a viable therapeutic, we can use this platform to design antibacterials toward other lung pathogens," Medina said. ### Other contributors from Penn State include Agustey S. Mongia, Matthew R. Aronson, Atip Lawanprasert, Aida Ebrahimi, Dennis C. Chan, Elizabeth Proctor, Adam Bolotsky, Tapas K. Mal, Christy George, John Alumasa and Kenneth C. Keiler. Michael D. Howe and Anthony D. Baughn, from the University of Minnesota, also contributed. The National Institutes of Health supported this work. Please help us to help you asks NHS Wales Chief Exec who warns health service could be overwhelmed in coming weeks This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 6th, 2021 The number of coronavirus patients being treated in hospitals across Wales is at its highest on record, the chief executive of NHS Wales has said. Almost 2800 covid-19 related patients are currently in hospital a 4% increase on the previous week. 140 patients with the virus are receiving treatment in critical care units. Speaking at a Welsh Government press briefing today Chief Executive of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, said if the current trend continues very soon the number of Coronavirus related patients in hospital will be twice the peak we saw during the first wave in April. Dr Goodall continued: More than a third of hospital beds are occupied by covid related patients. This varies across Wales and is close to 50% in two health boards. This has a significant ability impact on their ability to deliver local services. Intensive care units are under enormous pressure at the moment, our critical care capacity is operating at almost 140% of its normal occupancy. Yesterdays StatsWales figures stated there were just 5 vacant invasive ventilated beds available for the whole North Wales area, this has increased to 9 today. Dr Goodall added, We can expand beds further but this means that other clinical services are disrupted as we move into other clinical areas. We are not able to deliver a complete range of NHS services with such high rates of coronavirus in our communities or hospitals. Our priority is to save lives and minimise harm and to ensure that staff are supported to provide safe care. We can only respond to pandemic emergency and urgent care needs by stopping other activities. These difficult choices are being made as services and staff are stretched beyond the levels that we would normally see even at this very challenging time of year. +189 reported cases for Wrexham on the day on day dashboard update, 35.1% positive proportion of tests. Thats the highest positive percentage in Wales, and third highest case figs today. Seven day rolling to 1st Jan now 838.5 per 100k. People still spreading it to people https://t.co/fDcR57fMWf Wrexham.com (@wrexham) January 6, 2021 In north Wales, which is currently seeing a sharp rise in new cases, the number of people being treated in critical care with the virus has jumped from six to 20 in recent weeks. The number of coronavirus related patients being treated in hospitals across the region is up to 258, explained Dr Goodall. While parts of Wales have seen a flattening or a decrease in new cases since the introduction of the lockdown, one in four test results are currently coming back positive. Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire are continuing to see a daily increase in cases. Today Wrexham saw a further 189 positive cases bringing the boroughs seven day rolling average now at 838.5 per 100,000. Wales Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton said the new variant could be behind the recent increase in north Wales cases, with 70 per cent of the cases proving positive, probably related to the new variant. However although the new variant is more transmissible, Dr Atherton noted that there are no signs that it causes a more serious disease or will evade any of the vaccines being rolled out. He said: It will come as no surprise to everybody to know that the situation in Wales is very serious at the moment. Weve seen cases of coronavirus in all parts of Wales in very high rates. The seven day average at the moment is around about 480 per 100,000, which is way too high. There are signs that its rising, rising in many parts of the country, particularly in North Wales, where were seeing quite rapid increases in Wrexham in Flintshire There are two real reasons for this, one is for too much population mixing but the other one is, of course, there is a new variant strain. About one in four of all the coronavirus tests that we do in Wales at the moment are coming back as positive. This shows that theres a lot of its very widespread in terms of transmission in our communities. Also, and this particularly concerns me, but we are seeing rises in the rates in the over 60s, part of our population. We know that matters, because that leads to more severe infection, to hospitalisation. Asked by the Daily Post why places such as Wrexham and Flintshire are seeing a sharp rise in case numbers, Dr Atherton noted that population density and a similar pattern to earlier waves of infection could also be playing a part. He said: In the north at the moment which is quite a hotspot for the new variant, we think about 70 per cent of the cases that are proving positive are probably related to the new variant. In other parts of Wales is probably a bit less, but it does vary. There is a significant amount of it and, as weve seen in London and the southeast, once its in the population it rapidly spreads to become the dominant strain. Dr Atherton added: We saw earlier in the pandemic a significant uptick in infections before we had the variant in Wrexham if youll recall, that that did lead to quite a lot of concern around there. There are kind of issues around borders, the border with England. What we saw in the first wave was infection moving from east to west, so it does tend to move east to west from south to north. Thats the pattern were seeing, probably in this second wave are the same as we saw in the first wave. But thats somewhat speculative. Dr Goodall also highlighted the immense pressure that hospital staff are under and urged people to play their part by following the rules that are in place. He said: The NHS Wales is under immense pressure, but we have made significant changes so people can continue to receive life-saving treatment. Its essential that people get emergency care if they need it and please dont delay getting help. If you need non-urgent medical attention please consider some of the alternative services and contact as necessary your GP or call NHS 111 or other services like pharmacies. The last few weeks in particular have been extremely difficult for the NHS and for staff at all levels. I wanted to acknowledge the commitment of the health and care workforce throughout the last year. You are maintaining a response on behalf of the worlds population despite the enormous impact of coronavirus on our system. I hope we dont take advantage of their professional approach. We need to act together to control and reduce levels of coronavirus in our communities. You can help us, to help you by following the rules keeping your distance from each other, practicing good hand hygiene, working from home wherever you can and wearing a face mask in indoor public places. If we dont do this, we may see numbers of people being admitted which will overwhelm the NHSs ability to respond over the coming weeks. You can also help us with your choices about accessing services. Please help us to help you. Top pic: Slide shown at the briefing today. Below, watch the full brief : A man was accidentally struck and killed by a vehicle in Panama City Beach on Monday evening. According to a Florida Highway Patrol press release, a 22-year-old man from Park Rapids, Minnesota, was killed when he was hit on Thomas Drive by a sedan driven by a 24-year-old man from Eufaula, Alabama. The press release states that the vehicle was traveling south on Thomas Drive near Crescent Drive in the inside lane about 11:50 p.m. when the pedestrian attempted to cross the road from the west shoulder. As the pedestrian was crossing, he stepped into the path of the vehicle, the press release stated. The front of the vehicle hit the pedestrian, who was thrown to the center turning lane. After the impact, the driver of the vehicle pulled over to the shoulder of Thomas Drive. ___ (c)2021 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) Visit The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) at www.newsherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The year 2020 witnessed many ups and downs of the car market. In H1, demand dropped dramatically because of Covid-19, but in H2, cars sold well thanks to the preferential vehicle registration tax. Domestically assembled cars dominate market The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) reported that 141,625 products were sold in July-November 2020, which was higher than that of the same period of the year before (134,710). It included 90,790 domestically assembled cars, exceeding the 74,000 products in the same period of 2019. The figures showed the strong rise of the domestic automobile industry. Most of the bestsellers in the top 10 in the first 11 months of 2020 were domestically assembled products, including Toyota Vios with 26,198 cars sold, Hyundai Accent with 17,522, Hyundai Grand i10 14,653, Kia Cerato 10,223, Mazda CX5 9,948 and Hyundai Santa Fe 9,462. High attention was paid to VinFast Fadil, which had impressive sales growth in 2020. The model has been at the No 1 position in the A-class segment since September 2020, with the number of sold cars rising from 1,515 in September to 2,816 in November. From July to November, 8,616 VinFast Fadils were sold, higher than the 8,239 Hyundai Grand i10s sold during the same time. Analysts pointed out a noteworthy feature of the automobile market: Vietnamese brands have step by step asserted their positions against foreign invested enterprises. Truong Hai Automobile leads the market in sales, while TCMotor has surpassed Toyota Vietnam to gain the No 2 position. Explaining the high growth rates of domestically assembled models, Nguyen Minh Dong, a respected automobile expert, attributed it to the 50 percent vehicle registration tax reduction applied to domestically assembled products and the governments imposing a zero percent tariff on imported car parts that still cannot be made domestically. Meanwhile, manufacturers themselves slashed selling prices of many models, thus making cars more affordable. The 50 percent vehicle registration tax cut allowed customers to save VND15-270 million when buying domestically assembled cars. And the zero percent tax rate on car part imports cut production costs by 2-3 percent. Downtrend in 2021? However, challenges are ahead for domestic manufacturers who have to compete fiercely with imports from ASEAN, now bearing a zero percent tariff. The high production cost in Vietnam, 15-20 percent higher than in Thailand and Indonesia, makes domestically assembled products less competitive than imports. From early 2021, when the preferential registration tax rate will no longer be valid, domestically assembled products will be at a disadvantage in comparison with imports. The automobile market is predicted to grow by 10 percent this year. Tran Thuy Car dealers sprint in last months of year, car prices plummet A number of large manufacturers slashed car prices in early October, signaling a fierce race in the Vietnamese auto market. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The year 2021 will usher in some exciting programmes for space exploration after 2020 saw the accomplishment of some major feats. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, China, and the United States will have their focus on Mars. UAEs Hope Probe, Chinas Tianwen-1 and NASA's Perseverance rover will be landing on the Red Planet this year. Chinas Tianwen-1 which translates to "Quest for Heavenly Truth" is the countrys first mission to Mars. The spacecraft will be landing at the Utopia Planitia region of the planet. It will be the second country after the US to attempt a soft landing on Mars. This ambitious move will take the spacecraft some time as it will spend a few months preparing to descend to the surface, assessing the planned landing site. Chinas Mars mission will gather crucial data about the Martian soil, geological structure, environment, atmosphere, and search for signs of water. A paper published in Nature Journal by the Chinese team last year mentioned that if the mission goes successfully, it would signify a major technical breakthrough. The Hope Probe by UAE will make a challenging maneuver to slow down and enter Mars' orbit with an altitude above the planet as low as 1,000km on February 9, 2021. Given that the spacecraft makes a successful landing, the Hope Probe will spend a Martian year and will study the planet's atmosphere and understand its weather. One year on Mars is equivalent to 687 Earth days. We have lift-off. H2A, the rocket carrying the Hope Probe to space, has launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.#HopeMarsMission pic.twitter.com/pRKZLOL7NT Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) July 19, 2020 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is one of the foremost organisations when it comes to anything involving space. NASAs mission to Mars is named Perseverance and it will be landing on the planet in February. The spacecraft carrying the rover was successfully launched in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. After traveling through space for about seven months, the Perseverance rover will land at Jezero Crater on Mars on February 18, 2021. According to the US space agency, Perseverance rover will carry the first samples in history from another planet back to Earth. The samples collected will help future scientists to study Martian rock, broken rock and dust to look for evidence of potential microbial life present in Mars' ancient past. Im on a one-way mission to Mars, but the samples I collect there will be the first things ever to make a round trip. In the search for signs of ancient life on Mars, see how super-clean sample tubes make for super-clean science. https://t.co/icIt9rVe00 #CountdownToMars pic.twitter.com/9DzY9biZEL NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) December 22, 2020 This year might also witness the launch of another powerful telescope by NASA. The James Webb Telescope (JWST) is scheduled to launch this year. The JWST or Webb will be a large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter primary mirror and will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana in 2021. The telescope will be a one of its kind observatory after the Hubble Telescope and will assist thousands of astronomers worldwide in their studies of space. New Delhi: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) likely to announce class 10th results 2017 this week. However, CBSE would have informed a day before the results were announced. They are likely to give a date on Friday and results will probably be declared either on Saturday or Sunday. The students may check there results on official portal of CBSE. The CBSE class 10th results will be announced for all regions at one go on three websites-www.results.nic.in, www.cbseresults.nic.in and www.cbse.nic.in. The schools will automatically receive their cbse class 10th results on board official email ids already registered with the Board. There has been confusion regarding the declaration of results as official sources have not given a confirmed date. However, the results are expected to be out between 31 May and 2 June. While the class 10th examination has taken place from 9th March to 10th April, the 12th examination was scheduled from 9th March to 29th April. Around 8.8 lakh students are eagerly awaiting for their CBSE class 10th results 2017. Also Read: Uttar Prdesh Board 10th and 12th results 2017 to be announced on June 9 at 12 PM; click here to know more Steps to check CBSE Class 10th Result 2017: -Go to the official website -Click on the link, 'Secondary School Examination (Class X) Results 2017' -Enter your roll number -After submitting the same, the results will be displayed on the screen -Take a printout for future use Also, students can get their results on the telephone numbers of NIC and MTNL through which results can be accessed through IVRS. National Informatics Centre: 011 - 24300699 MTNL: 011 -28127030 Last year, the results were announced on May 28 and girls outperformed boys with a pass percentage of 96.36 percent, while boys had 96.11 per cent. Thiruvanathapuram region recorded the highest pass percentage in the country at 99.87 per cent. About Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was established on Nov. 3, 1962. The headquarter is situated in Preet Vihar, New Delhi. The academic body is responsible to regulates and supervises the development of education in the country. It conducts academic programmes and organises examinations, especially for Class 10 and Class 12 students. A Decatur woman found guilty of murder in the June 2016 shooting of her husband received a 40-year prison sentence on Tuesday. Morgan County Circuit Judge Stephen Brown, who presided over the case, handed down the sentence for Michelle Owens, 48, at a sentencing hearing. The maximum sentence for a murder conviction is life in prison. She will be eligible for parole after 15 years in prison. Owens didnt make a statement at the hearing. A jury in October rejected Owens plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and convicted her of killing her 44-year-old husband, Lawrence Edward Eddie Owens, at the familys home in Decaturs Dunbarton subdivision. The weapon was a .38-caliber revolver. We felt it was a fair sentence, Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said after the hearing. He said the sentence reflects the punishment she should receive. Jurors heard more than two days of testimony in the trial, with the two sons of the defendant testifying. At Tuesdays hearing, Vickery said Owens shot and killed her husband with a child present, and asked the judge for straight prison time instead of a split sentence. Owens 11-year-old son, who was 7 and at home at the time of the shooting, testified: I saw my mom shoot my dad. In a sentencing memorandum filed Monday, Owens attorneys, Brian White and Britt Cauthen, asked that Owens receive the minimum sentence permitted by law. At the hearing, White asked for a 20-year sentence, with five years in prison and the remainder on probation. There is no real dispute that Michelle Owens suffers from a serious mental illness, the memorandum states. The verdict in this case only indicates that the mental illness was unavailing as a complete defense to the charge. Given Owens age, in all likelihood, she can have a life outside of prison, White told the court. Were disappointed there wasnt more consideration of the documentation of a mental illness that was presented, White said after the hearing. According to the memorandum, about three weeks before the shooting, Owens was diagnosed with a schizoaffective disorder at a state hospital in Tennessee, a diagnosis confirmed by defense expert Dr. Roger Rinn in his trial testimony and consistently documented by various clinicians providing psychiatric care at the Morgan County Jail. Vickery said in his opening statement at Owens trial that she had the presence of mind to buy the revolver and ammunition at two different stores and to keep her older teenage son out of the house after the shooting. But White said at the sentencing hearing that there was no element of premeditation in the shooting. marian.accardi@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. Twitter @DD_MAccardi. ___ (c)2021 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The $2,000 stimulus checks blocked by the Republican-controlled Senate in December are gaining steam after Democrats won Georgias two Senate seats and will control the chamber. One of the first things that I want to do when our new senators are seated is deliver the $2,000 checks to the American families, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who will soon become the majority leader, said at a press conference on Wednesday. The $2,000 direct payments would be an increase from the $600 direct payments currently being distributed, meaning that eligible Americans would potentially receive an additional $1,400 (as well as an additional for $1,400 each dependent), based on the legislation passed by the House in late December. Read more: Everything you need to know about the second stimulus payment Both of the Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, have supported the $2,000 checks and campaigned on it. President-elect Joe Biden who supported the candidates in Georgia on Monday said their election will put an end to the block in Washington. That $2000 stimulus check, that money would go out the door immediately, to help people who are in real trouble, Biden said. Think about what it will mean to your lives, putting food on the table, paying rent. U.S. President-elect Joe Biden elbow bumps Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Georgia Jon Ossoff as he campaigns on behalf of Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, ahead of their January 5 run-off elections, during a drive-in campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) who introduced the $2,000 direct payment provision and requested a Senate vote on it twice with both attempts blocked for a vote by the GOP also welcomed the unfolding Georgia results. Promises made must be kept, Sanders tweeted on Wednesday. That means not only the $2,000 direct payment, but an aggressive agenda that recognizes the economic desperation facing so many Americans. Read more: Here's what the new coronavirus stimulus deal means for your wallet The slim majority the Democrats would have in the Senate would allow them to put stimulus legislation for a vote, but they would still need 60 votes as a filibuster is likely to pass such legislation, meaning 10 Republicans must sign on. It definitely makes it much easier to at least get a stimulus bill on the Senate floor, Mark Harkins, a former congressional staffer and senior fellow at Georgetowns Government Affairs Institute, told Yahoo Money. Majority Leader McConnell seemed to be the main impediment to that. A precarious balancing act President Trump demanded the amount of the stimulus checks to be increased from $600 to $2,000 in December, holding up the $900 billion stimulus deal for three days before signing it into law. That same month, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation to increase the direct payments to $2,000 in the original bill. While Democratic leaders vocally support more stimulus checks, they have not yet said whether theyll seek to include the provision in a bigger stimulus deal or try to pass it as a standalone legislation. The difficulty is, it won't be just the $2,000 [checks] but some amount of money, additional to the stimulus. There were a whole lot of other things that Democrats left out, Harkins said. There is still a precarious balancing act that a presumptive leader Schumer would have to work through to get a bill through. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A standalone stimulus check legislation may be easier to pass the Senate and gather the needed 60 votes as numerous Republican senators have supported the provision. But Democrats may want to add aid for state and local governments in the next potential relief bill after compromising and excluding the provision from the most recent stimulus deal. But a bill with a higher price tag and such provisions could mean less support from Republican lawmakers. The GOP previously characterized state and local aid as a blue state bailout, but that could change when a bill is vote is in front of them, Harkins said. That was a great talking point for keeping it off the floor, he said. But once it actually comes for a vote and senators have to explain why Republican Party senators are denying aid to their states, that'll be more of a difficult thing. Denitsa is a writer for Yahoo Finance and Cashay, a new personal finance website. Follow her on Twitter @denitsa_tsekova. Read more: Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Reddit. BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Central Military Commission has issued a set of regulations regarding the work of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committees in the armed forces. Upholding the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces and focusing on combat capabilities, the regulations stipulated the guiding principles, leadership, responsibilities and structures of the committees in detail. At the same time, it sets requirements for its members. The regulations will enhance the role of Party organizations in the armed forces and help with the Party's goal of strengthening the military in the new era and building world-class armed forces. President-elect Joe Biden told President Donald Trump to order his 'extremist mob' out of the U.S. Capitol, calling the attack an 'insurrection' and blaming the president for 'stoking the flames of hate and chaos.' 'I call on President Trump to go on national television to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege,' Biden said Wednesday from Wilmington, Delaware. The president-elect labeled the group 'extremists' and said they were 'dedicated to lawlessness.' 'Let me be very clear: The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America. This is not who we are,' Biden said. Trump released a video message after Biden had concluded, telling the rioters to 'go home now' as he fawned on them, 'We love you, you're very special.' 'We had an election that was stolen from us,' Trump also falsely continued to claim. President-elect Joe Biden called on President Donald Trump to go on television to call off his 'extremist mob' that stormed Capitol Hill as lawmakers were trying to certify the Electoral College results After President-elect Joe Biden spoke, President Donald Trump released a video message where he asked his supporters to 'go home now' and told them he loved them - while also repeating his false claims that the election was 'stolen' from him Biden called Trump supporters storming the Capitol an 'unprecedented assault' on democracy. 'Like anything we've seen in modern times,' Biden uttered. 'This is not dissent, this is disorder,' Biden said. 'It is chaos. It borders on sedition. And it must end. Now.' 'I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward,' Biden added. Biden remarked that he's often said that the 'words of a president matter.' 'You've heard me say this before, in a different context.' 'At their worst they can incite,' Biden said. He then called on Trump to make a televised statement. The president had been watching the violent outbursts from the Oval Office after lying to his supporters and telling them Vice President Mike Pence and Republican lawmakers had the power to overturn the results of the election. Those statements aren't true. Biden, who started his political career as a U.S. senator, remarked that he couldn't believe what he was seeing as rioters smashed windows, occupied Congressional offices and got to both the House and Senate floor. 'It's not a protest, it's an insurrection,' the soon-to-be president said. 'I am generally shocked and saddened,' Biden added, calling it an especially 'dark moment.' 'The certification of the Electoral College votes is supposed to be a sacred ritual in which we affirm the majesty of American democracy,' Biden said. 'Today is a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile.' Biden reminded Trump that the world is watching. 'Think of what our children who are watching are thinking,' he said. 'Think of what the rest of the world is looking at.' He said once he took office in two weeks, he would work on a 'restoration of democracy,' to help the U.S build back from this moment. 'So President Trump, step up, Biden said, before leaving the stage and answering no questions. H appy new year from the still-trapped expats of Brooklyn, who spent an uncharacteristically sedate Christmas at home in our apartment with presents round the Christmas cactus. Yes, some of the gifts got impounded at customs and only just arrived; yes, the plastic cactus lacked that classic piney smell of a real Douglas fir. But did we throw on Now Thats What I Call Christmas, a pair of themed pyjamas and a pan of mulled wine? You bet we did. In those weird days between Christmas and New Years Day which are, by British law, supposed to blur into each other in an alcoholic haze, we packed up an offensively large SUV and headed up the highway to Vermont. We were craving an apartment with more than one room, open spaces that werent filled with people, a slight change of scene. Bordering the very tip of New York, Vermont is an adult Disneyland in Covid times: isolated cabins in the style of ski chalets look out across forests of evergreens, snow falls gently on the deserted hiking trails, and the biggest store in the town sells cheese, wine, fudge and a selection of kitschy Vermont-themed memorabilia and nothing else. And driving through New England is a weird and wonderful history lesson in itself, charting the order in which settlers arrived on the east coast of the US through its small town names: Sunderland bordering Manchester, which in turn borders Londonderry, which, confusingly, borders Berlin, Bromley and Peru. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Katherine Murtagh needs hip surgery and has been cocooning since the start of the pandemic A woman who has been cocooning since the start of the pandemic has spoken of her disappointment after urgent hip replacement surgery was delayed for a fourth time. Katherine Murtagh (24) has an autoimmune condition called systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and has had surgery appointments cancelled due to the Covid-19 situation. The artist, who lives in Tullamore, Co Offaly, spent Christmas alone to protect herself from the virus but she said it was upsetting to see friends posting pictures of house parties on New Years Eve. Ms Murtagh started studying art and design at Galway Technical Institute in 2019 but had to leave due to the toll it was taking on her body. Her hip was badly damaged when she was four-years-old due to her arthritis condition and she was only placed on the urgent surgery waiting list last year. She was due to get a replacement last March but then the pandemic hit. Because Im immunocompromised the only time Ive left the house is to go to prep work for surgery and to get Covid-19 tests in advance of the surgery dates which ended up being cancelled, she told the Irish Independent. Im hoping it happens this year as I know my body wont be able to get back to college without the hip replacement. Im also in a lot of pain and have had quite a few falls since. " I was really upset at the beginning when they first started cancelling dates but now I think its probably best because Im so high risk. "My doctor doesnt want me to risk catching Covid as I would probably be a fatality. Before Covid, any time I got a cold I would end up in hospital as my body couldnt fight it, and thats just a normal virus. Read More For the last 10 months, her mother has been delivering groceries and essentials as she didnt want to risk going to the shop. With Covid, I think a lot of people think cocooners are over-65s, but its also people who have any sort of autoimmune condition and thats every age group. "It is frustrating to see people talking as if we should all be locked up while they go out and socialise. I have friends who saw me in hospital and were having parties on New Years Eve, which was disappointing. My mental health completely deteriorated in lockdown but you have to cope. Theres no other choice. "I would love to go back to normal and go out to town and go to a shop. There were initiatives rolled out to have an hour for cocooners to go to the shop but people werent really abiding by that here. Most elective and non-urgent surgeries have been delayed at hospitals due to the surge in Covid cases. Some hospital groups have had to defer surgeries as a high number of healthcare workers are isolating due to a positive Covid result or being identified as a close contact. The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, where Ms Murtaghs surgery was scheduled for, is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. A spokesperson said all its hospitals were reviewing activity based on current pressures and patients would be told of any changes. Online Editors Tanya Roberts cause of death has been revealed by her publicist, shortly after it was confirmed that she had died following a premature announcement. The star of A View to a Kill and That 70s Show died aged 65 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, on Monday evening (6 January). Her representative Mike Pingel told Metro that the cause of her death was a urinary tract infection which spread to her kidney, gallbladder, liver and then blood stream. Pingel said an online memorial for Roberts would be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers, her family requested donations be given in her name to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Roberts longterm partner Lance OBrien issued an explanation on Tuesday 5 January as to how her death came to be announced prematurely. Speaking to Page Six, OBrien explained that the miscommunication had occurred after blubbering to Robertss representative over the phone about an end of life visit with her in the hospital. He goes, What happened? And I say, I just said goodbye to Tanya, and I got to see her beautiful eyes one last time. And after that, Im just blubbering, OBrien said. Insisting that he didnt want to blame her publicist in any way, shape or form, OBrien said that he truly believed Roberts had died. By that point, doctors had taken her off life support and informed him that there was no chance she would make it. Tanya Roberts on the set of A View to a Kill (Rex Features) Born Victoria Leigh Blum, Roberts had an early career in modelling and television adverts before appearing in the 1975 horror film Forced Entry. Her most famous role was as Stacey Sutton, an American geologist who becomes targeted by villain Max Zorin (Christopher Walken), in Roger Moores final Bond film A View to a Kill. She later said she believed there was a curse attached to the Bond girl role, telling the Daily Mail in 2015 that she suggested to her agent: No one ever works after they get a Bond movie. However, she had success in a number of television performances, including a year as Julie Rogers in the fifth season of ABCs Charlies Angels, and in the recurring role of Donnas mother, Midge Pinciotti, on That 70s Show. The U.S. didnt import any Saudi crude last week for the first time in 35 years, a reversal from just months ago when the Kingdom threatened to upend the American energy industry by unleashing a tsunami of exports into a market decimated by the pandemic. The absence of deliveries follows a slump in crude shipments to the U.S. that left the desert kingdom in October. Since tankers from Saudi Arabia take about six weeks to reach import terminals on either the west or Gulf coasts, the drop is only starting to show up now. This is the first week America had no deliveries based on available weekly data through June 2010 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A longer history of monthly figures shows this is the first time there were no Saudi imports since September 1985. Earlier this year, the oil producing countries of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and ten non-OPEC allies agreed to cut production by a record 9.7 million barrels a day after a brief production free-for-all that saw prices plunge. The supply cuts have helped shore up crude, even as fuel consumption struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels. In the past month, oil prices have risen on hopes that demand could improve as a number of vaccines have been announced to combat the health crisis. But America is still in the throes of the pandemic, with record infections in many states forcing new restrictions, while other parts of the world are recovering. U.S. gasoline consumption plunged to the lowest in years during the usual high-demand Thanksgiving holiday period. The demand loss is so acute some U.S. refineries have been idled. Throughput is still below where it was before the crisis because of reduced domestic demand. So why send more here when Asia is where recovery has been clear, said Sandy Fielden, director of oil and products research at Morningstar Inc. For Saudi Arabia, cutting shipments to the U.S. is the quickest way to telegraph to the wider market that its tightening supply. The government is alone in publishing weekly data on crude stockpiles and imports, which carry enormous influence among oil traders. Other big petroleum consuming nations, like China, publish less timely information about oil supplies. In May and June, Saudi deliveries to the U.S. more than doubled from a year ago. The onslaught prompted Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, to tweet in April: My message to the Saudis: TURN THE TANKERS THE HELL AROUND. American refiners received the final installment of that bumper load in early July. Since then, Saudi oil shipments to the U.S. have steadily declined. Just two weeks ago, they delivered only 73,000 barrels a day to customers, preliminary U.S. Energy Information Administration data show. Still, Saudi Arabia wont be giving up on supplying the U.S. anytime soon even during this pandemic. Tanker tracking data monitored by Bloomberg show shipments from the kingdom rising in November. Even so, after the first of those ships arrives off the west coast this week, there is a long gap until the next one is due on Dec. 23. The Saudis will be mindful about not losing any more U.S. market share to other sellers not if they can help it, said Morningstars Fielden. Thats why despite the low seasonal U.S. demand, the Saudis cut prices for January shipments to its American buyers, he added. In the short term, the election of Joe Biden could benefit Saudi Arabia. While transitioning away from hydrocarbons would have a long-term impact on oil demand, hopes to revive the 2015-Iranian nuclear deal would pave the way for more Iranian oil to flow globally. Those sales will displace Saudi oil and that would mean Arabia would have to turn to the U.S. to maintain sales, said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates LLC in Houston. The owners of a boat repair business are facing charges after a confrontation about negative online reviews they say were left by a former employee. William Ripley, 59, and his son Neil Ripley, 25, of Stratham, New Hampshire, appeared in court on Monday in Ipswich to hear assault and trespassing charges, the Salem News reported. They told police on Dec. 26 that they went to the home of former employee David Fowler because he posted negative reviews of their business. A fight started, though Fowler and the Ripleys disagree about who instigated it. The Ripleys told police that Fowlers father, Russell Fowler, 62, wielded a pitchfork and used it to cause damage to the Ripleys car, the newspaper reported. Russell Fowler told police that the Ripleys had arrived irate, and then punched and kicked him and almost ran him over with their vehicle. Police found Russell Fowler with a bleeding lip. He was also treated for a punctured lung, the newspaper reported. There are two sides to every story, an attorney for the Ripleys, Paul Anthony, told the newspaper. A judge at the Ipswich District Court set bail for each William and Neil Ripley at $1,000, which they paid, the newspaper reported. Their next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25. PARIS In the latest of several scandals to test French attitudes toward sexual abuse of minors, a prominent political scientist, radio show host and television commentator has quit his media and university posts after being accused in a new book of committing incest with his teenage stepson more than 30 years ago. Olivier Duhamel, a French public intellectual, said in a Twitter post Monday that he had decided to step down as a result of personal attacks against him, and out of a determination to preserve the institutions in which I work. These included the Sciences Po university, where Mr. Duhamel, 70, headed the body overseeing the renowned Paris institution. Camille Kouchner, in a book called La familia grande to be published Thursday, said Mr. Duhamel persistently abused her twin brother, starting when he was 14, which would be considered incest under French law. In a statement to the daily Le Monde, the brother, who is identified in the book as Victor, said, I confirm that what my sister has written about the actions of Olivier Duhamel toward me is correct. Addressing Mr. Duhamel directly in the book, excerpts from which appeared in Le Monde, Ms. Kouchner writes: I am going to explain to you who sound off on the radio, you who offer the gift of your analysis to students, and strut about on TV stages. I am going to explain that you could, at least, have said sorry. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. EDMONTON - Two Alberta cabinet ministers say they've been getting an earful from constituents about their colleagues jetting off to tropical locales contrary to public-health guidelines and that they're right to be angry. Alberta Minister of Health Tyler Shandro speaks about measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in Calgary on Friday, May 29, 2020. Two Alberta cabinet ministers say they've been getting an earful from constituents about their colleagues jetting off to tropical locales contrary to public health guidelines -- and that they're right to be angry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh EDMONTON - Two Alberta cabinet ministers say they've been getting an earful from constituents about their colleagues jetting off to tropical locales contrary to public-health guidelines and that they're right to be angry. Premier Jason Kenney announced on social media Monday that municipal affairs minister Tracy Allard had resigned over her trip to Hawaii and that five backbenchers had been stripped of responsibilities over their jaunts to sunny destinations. Kenney had earlier said the six legislature members would not be punished because what they did was technically within the rules. Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Tuesday that Alberta's United Conservative government was elected on a promise of "hard work and humility." "Some folks on our team forgot about that last part." Shandro said he last left the province over the Labour Day weekend for a trip to British Columbia. "It is going to take us time to be able to earn back that trust, to earn back the credibility and show people that humility is still important for our team, our caucus, our party and this government." Transportation Minister Ric McIver, who is handling Allard's municipal affairs portfolio on an interim basis, said Albertans have every right to expect a high standard of conduct from MLAs. "I am hearing from Albertans who are angry. Sometimes they're yelling. Sometimes they're using hard language," said McIver, who last travelled outside the province in November to visit his ailing mother in Ontario. "I'm not asking people to stop yelling. I'm just saying we're getting the message. We're committed to doing better." The town council for Slave Lake posted a letter Tuesday calling for the resignation of area legislature member Pat Rehn, who travelled to Mexico over the holidays. The letter listed various grievances against Rehn, including that he missed meetings while focusing his time on running a business in Texas. "What continues to be even more frustrating than trying to get you, our MLA, to spend time in this region is we can't even get you to stay in the country." Rehn responded on Twitter and said he plans to continue representing the Lesser Slave Lake constituency. "Recently, I made some poor choices around travel, for which I have taken full responsibility. Its disappointing to see some municipal officials seizing on this to try and sow political division at this difficult time." Meanwhile, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he was aware that his chief of staff and an administrative assistant in his office individually travelled to Hawaii during the Christmas break. "I also believe that they made a decision that they thought was right, and fair and within the rules," Nenshi said. "I had a lot going on, and I really wish I pushed back hard on this. I deeply regret that I didnt do that." He said since the staffers are not politicians, he will not be taking any further action against them. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer, said she understands the anger, but also urged compassion. "Albertans are really sick and tired of COVID and sometimes that leads to lapses in judgment," she said. "So I would just ask Albertans to take a deep breath and continue to look toward that common goal of getting through COVID together." On Tuesday, Alberta reported 843 new cases of COVID-19 over the past day. About 8.2 per cent of tests in that time came back positive. There were 26 more deaths reported in the province, one of which was a continuing-care home worker in the Edmonton area, the second Alberta health-care worker to die from the novel coronavirus, the province said.There were also 919 people in hospital with the virus, with 140 of them in intensive care. By Lauren Krugel in Calgary with files from Fakiha Baig in Edmonton This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2021. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Sam and Phoebe Burgess reportedly finalised their divorce just before Christmas. And it seems the former NRL star, 32, is keen to put his failed marriage behind him as he welcomes the New Year. On Tuesday, Sam enjoyed some quality time with his mother, Julie, sharing a selfie of the pair to Instagram. Putting it all behind him: On Tuesday, former NRL star Sam Burgess spent quality time with his mother, Julie, after reportedly finalising his divorce from ex-wife Phoebe over Christmas 'A bucket of prawns and a beer with this legend @itsmejuliebe. Love you. Happy holidays all, be safe. #Mum,' Sam captioned the post. In the accompanying image, the duo smiled as they toasted over a restaurant lunch. Sam and Phoebe are now officially divorced after five years of marriage, The Sunday Telegraph reported over the weekend. It's over! Sam and Phoebe Burgess (right) are now officially divorced after five years of marriage, The Sunday Telegraph reported over the weekend A divorce order for the pair was issued 'just before Christmas', about 14 months after they separated. Phoebe, 31, and Sam share custody of their two children, Billy, two, and Poppy, three. After news of their divorce made headlines, Phoebe shared a photo to Instagram of her left hand, which was free of her wedding and engagement rings. Sam and Phoebe separated in September 2019, and finalised their financial settlement months before legally divorcing. Co-parenting: Phoebe and Sam share custody of their two children, Billy, two, and Poppy, three Single: After news of their divorce made headlines, Phoebe shared a photo to Instagram of her left hand, which was free of her wedding and engagement rings Phoebe is said to have walked away with 70 per cent of the couple's marital wealth, including Sam's F45 gym franchise, which she has since sold. The former journalist, who now promotes herself as a brand ambassador, also kept a $100,000 Range Rover, which she is regularly seen driving around Bowral. The exes sold their property in Maroubra in January last year for $5million. Settlement: Sam and Phoebe separated in September 2019, and finalised their financial settlement months before legally divorcing The former couple remain involved in an ugly legal dispute following their split. Sam is accused of intimidating Phoebe's father, Mitchell Hooke, at his Southern Highlands home on October 19, 2019. The ex-Rabbitohs player is also charged with common assault in relation to the same alleged incident. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Police have taken out an interim AVO to allegedly protect Mr Hooke from Sam, who has had no contact with his former father-in-law for more than a year. The hearing will continue at Moss Vale Local Court on January 22. A close-up view of an Alipay logo in the Shanghai office building of Ant Group in Shanghai in a file photo. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Orders Ban on Transactions With 8 Chinese Apps, Including Alipay President Donald Trump late Tuesday signed an executive order that bans transactions with eight Chinese connected software applications, including Ant Groups Alipay. The order released by the White House bans transactions with people that develop or control Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay, and WPS Office, as well as with their subsidiaries. Trump said in the order that additional steps must be taken to protect U.S. national security in the face of the pace and pervasiveness of the spread of certain software applications in the United States, developed or controlled by people in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, which continue to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. By accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information, the presidents executive order states. This data collection threatens to provide the Government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with access to Americans personal and proprietary informationwhich would permit China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, and build dossiers of personal information. President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews in Md., on Dec. 23, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Trump said in a message to Congress, The continuing activity of the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party to steal or otherwise obtain United States persons data makes clear that there is an intent to use bulk data collection to advance Chinas economic and national security agenda. The order says the Commerce Department must within 45 days identify the prohibited transactions involving the eight Chinese applications, including payment services, and identify and take action against other software applications, as well as develop regulations and policies to prevent the export or access of user data to foreign adversaries. I stand with President Trumps commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party, and the Department of Commerce will leverage the authorities of the E.O. to continue our mission to secure the nation, the economy, and the people of the United States, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement. He added that he has directed his department to start implementing the directives of the order. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross at a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 5, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) In response to Trumps executive order, national security adviser Robert OBrien said in a statement, The Chinese government requires that all commercial companies, big and small, support the Chinese Communist Partys political objectives as Chinese regulators have recently demonstrated. Chinas Military-Civil Fusion strategy explicitly aims to co-opt or coerce civilian enterprises into assisting the Peoples Liberation Army. President Trump continues to prioritize the safety and security of the United States homeland and the American people, OBrien added. Last month, the Commerce Department added dozens of Chinese companies, including the countrys top chipmaker SMIC and Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. Also last month, the administration published a list of Chinese and Russian companies with alleged military ties that restrict them from buying a range of U.S. goods and technology. In November, the administration put on hold an effort to blacklist Ant Group, the Chinese financial technology company affiliated with e-commerce giant Alibaba. Reuters contributed to this report. The invasion of the Capitol by Trump supporters has reignited Democratic impeachment efforts, with the clock ticking on Trump's last two weeks in office. Three 'squad' members called for Trump's impeachment on Wednesday and a key Democratic leader didn't rule out the idea. 'Impeach,' wrote Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). 'When I say all options are on the table, I mean all options should be on the table,' Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus told ABC News. 'Donald J. Trump should immediately be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate as soon as Congress reconvenes,' tweeted Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Minnesota. 'This is dangerous & unacceptable,' she added. 'When I say all options are on the table, I mean all options should be on the table,' Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus told ABC News Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a 'squad' member and favorite target of Trump's, Tweeted that she was drawing up impeachment articles. She did so as U.S. Capitol Police, awaiting more reinforcement from U.S. National Guard, were seeking to regain control over the U.S. Capitol building. Trump had egged on his supporters to march to the Capitol, after promoting and addressing a rally where he called the election 'rigged,' once again touted baseless election fraud allegations, called Republicans 'weak,' and demanded Mike Pence not count votes certified for Democrat Joe Biden. 'I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment. Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate,' tweeted Omar. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said she is drawing up impeachment articles Vice President Mike Pence, who presided over the count on Wednesday, would take office if Trump were removed Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification U.S. Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC Jeffries served as an impeachment manager during Trump's Senate trial in January President Donald Trump urged supporters to march to the Capitol, attacked Republicans who opposed his effort to overturn the election, and issued bizarre statements after his supporters stormed the Capitol 'We can't allow him to remain in office, it's a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath. The idea of impeachment Trump for a second time he was acquitted when he was tried early this year in the Senate following his infamous call to the President of Ukraine was not being written off by Democratic leaders, some of whom were rushed to a secure location during the incursion. Making it through an impeachment in a matter of days would be an extremely heavy lift. The prior impeachment featured weeks of House hearings, followed by a House debate and a trial in the Senate, under rules governed by past precedents. In the event that Trump were impeached, power would fall to Vice President Mike Pence who announced Wednesday he would not bend to Trump's pressure not to accept votes in states where he is claiming fraud. Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesnt that will be a sad day for our country because youre sworn to uphold our Constitution, Trump said shortly before his backers took the Capitol. In the event he were impeached, Trump would be barred from serving if he tried to run again in 2024. 'Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law. In an extraordinary statement, Jay Timmons, head of the National Association of Manufacturers, called what happened mob rule and termed it dangerous. Vic President Pence, who was evacuated from the Capitol, should seriously consider working with the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to preserve democracy. Timmons is a former top aide to a member of the Senate leadership. He was referring to a complex procedure where the cabinet could vote that the president is incapable of fulfilling his duties subject to supermajority votes in Congress. That scenario has the vice president, and a majority of the 'principle officers' transmit to Congress a declaration that 'the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.' Trump was acquitted on two impeachment articles in December, but only Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) voted to convict on an article. Despite growing pressure from President Donald Trump to help overturn his election loss, Vice President Mike Pence plans to stick to his ceremonial duties and not interfere with the election certification when presiding in Congress on Wednesday, advisers said. Trump ramped up pressure on Pence on Tuesday to block Congress certification of the November election results in an ongoing attempt to stay in power, after dozens of lawsuits by his campaign challenging election results failed in US courts. But the vice president, a loyal lieutenant during the four years of Trumps often chaotic presidency, has no plans to attempt to do so, even as he seeks to show support for the Republican presidents quest. Pence is set to preside over a joint session of Congress on Wednesday as it receives the results of the state-by-state Electoral College that determines the winner of presidential elections. President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, beat Trump 306-232 in the Electoral College and, in the popular vote, by more than 7 million ballots. Trump has declined to concede the election. US states have already certified the results, and Pences role on Wednesday as president of the Senate is to open all the certificates, in the presence of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the US Constitution says. Trump has suggested Pence could do more than that. The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors, Trump wrote in a tweet on Tuesday, his latest unfounded suggestion that the election was marred by widespread fraud. Pence told Trump on Tuesday he did not believe he had the power to block the certification, according to a source familiar with the subject. Trumps tweet came after pointed remarks at a campaign rally for Republican US Senate incumbents in Georgia on Monday night, in which he expressed hope that Pence would intervene. If he doesnt come through, I wont like him quite as much, Trump said. About a dozen Republican senators, as well as dozens of Republicans in the House, plan to object to the certification of the Electoral College results in Congress on Wednesday. The move has virtually no chance of overturning Bidens victory. WILL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION Current and former White House aides said the vice president planned to perform his ceremonial duties. He will be very supportive of the president, but again hell stick to the Constitution, one former White House official who has regular contact with Pences team told Reuters. The vice president would make clear in his statements that he backs Trump, while sticking to the constraints of the role, the former official said. It is a ceremonial role. It is opening up envelopes and reading the contents of it, he said. Thats it. Pences chief of staff, Marc Short, told Reuters on Monday that the vice president will uphold the Constitution and follow the statutory law. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge rejected a lawsuit brought by Republican members of Congress asking Pence to reject Electoral College results, saying they had no standing for such a suit. One Trump adviser said the president had told others he would like Pence to fight harder for him. The vice president has sought, so far, to express his support without repeating the presidents false claims about the election. On Monday, during his own trip to Georgia, Pence said that Republican objections to the election would be heard, but he did not commit to taking action on them. I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, well have our day in Congress. Well hear the objections. Well hear the evidence, he said. Following a pattern throughout their partnership, Pence has kept Trump informed about his thinking. The former adviser said Pence likely walked the president through the restrictions of his role, informed by a weekend meeting with a congressional parliamentarian. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, updated President Muhammadu Buhari on the progress so far made in the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP). Mr Osinbajos spokesperson, Laolu Akande, in a statement said it was the duos first official meeting for the year. Mr Buhari had in 2020 mandated Mr Osinbajo, as chair of the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC), to coordinate the implementation of the ESP aimed at cushioning the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vice president said that three months into the implementation of different components of the ESP: MSMEs Survival Fund; Social Housing Scheme, and Solar Home System, among others, Nigerians across different sectors had been impacted. He said that under MSMEs Survival Fund, more Nigerians had received Payroll Support payments, Artisans and Transport Grants. For the Payroll Support track of the Survival Fund, a total of 277,628 beneficiaries drawn from 56,575 businesses have now been paid. This total number includes the batch of 20,614 beneficiaries recently paid for October, and 257,014 beneficiaries that were paid for November and December. A breakdown of the 257,014 beneficiaries shows that N30, 000 each was paid to 222,466 beneficiaries as November and December payments while N50, 000 each was paid to 34,548 beneficiaries as November and December salaries. Out of the total number, three per cent are beneficiaries with special needs, while 43 per cent are female employees/beneficiaries. Mr Osinbajo said that the enumeration of prospective beneficiaries for the Transport Support Track, which was launched in December 2020, was still ongoing. According to him, payment of N30,000 each one-time grants to 333,000 artisans across the country is in progress with payments already made to verified beneficiaries in states under streams 1, 2, and 3. He listed the states as FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Abia, Plateau and Delta under stream 1. Others are Taraba, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, and Ebonyi under stream 2. Also, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Niger, Imo, Oyo, Osun, Jigawa, Gombe and Benue under stream 3. The vice president said that the Solar Home System aimed at connecting five million households in off-grid and underserved communities to electricity was ongoing. The process of installing N140 billion Solar Home System that will cover up to five million households has begun and serve about 25 million individuals in rural areas and urban communities has begun with the enlistment of solar assembling companies and components manufacturers as well as solar servicing firms. Under the scheme, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will make available funds to private companies involved in the manufacture, installation, servicing of the solar systems, at rates ranging between five and 10 per cent. An important aspect of the scheme is the option of outright ownership by beneficiaries at a cost ranging from N1,500 per week to N4,000 monthly depending on the capacities, for a period of years. ADVERTISEMENT He said that construction, under the Social Housing Prototype Units launched in FCT, was set to start in 12 states. According to him, the plan by the Federal Government to support 1.5 million Nigerians to acquire low-cost houses Under the Social Housing programme of the ESP was on course. He said that the portal for application by prospective beneficiaries was launched in December 2020 alongside the prototype 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units. More so, the vice president, held a virtual meeting with management of the North East Humanitarian and Innovation Hub (NEHIH). Mr Osinbajo pledged the support of the Federal Government and the National Economic Council (NEC) in the establishment of a Social Innovation and Research Institute (SIRI), an initiative of NEHIH aimed at developing skills and building capacity for social innovation. The vice president said that the idea of establishing a centre for social innovation as conceived by the NEHIH was commendable. I dont think there is enough attention being paid to the local needs of social innovation. I really think that this proposed institute can do enough in terms of capacity building and leveraging on ideas, and also making a lot of the innovations relevant to our demands and needs here in Nigeria, he said. Other participants at the meeting included the coordinator of the Hub, Ahmad Moddibo, the SIRI project coordinator at the hub, Nguveren Mary, among others. (NAN) Hyderabad: The Telangana Police on Wednesday arrested Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Bhumika Akhila Priya from Kurnool district in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for her alleged involvement in the abduction of three brothers in connection with a land dispute, officials said. We have taken Akhila Priya (a former tourism minister of Andhra Pradesh between April 2017 and May 2019) into custody from her residence in the morningafter preliminary interrogation, she was arrested her formally in the afternoon, Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar told reporters. She was sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Another senior TDP leader from Kurnool, AV Subba Reddy, was arrested in connection with the case late Wednesday night. Akhila Priyas husband, Bhargav Ram, among others, too was believed to be involved in planning and executing the abduction, Anjani Kumar said. We have formed special teams of the police for tracking down the other accused. The three kidnapped K Praveen Rao, K Sunil Rao and K Naveen Rao -- are related to Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, according to police officials who did not want to be named. Praveen Rao is a former national-level badminton player. The brothers were said to be involved in a land dispute with the accused at Hafeezpet on the citys (Hyderabads) outskirts. The details of the land issue are being probed into, Anjani Kumar said. According to the police commissioner, about 10 people barged into the residence of Praveen Rao, who stays with his brothers at Krishna Residency apartment complex in Bowenpallys Manovikas Nagar, around 7.20pm on Tuesday. They introduced themselves as income tax officers. They separated the brothers from the rest of the family and asked them to sit in the hall. They forced others to go into the bedroom. Later, they whisked the three brothers away in a vehicle. They also took away laptops and mobile phones from them, the police commissioner said. Family members alerted the police and a first information report (FIR) was registered on the basis of their complaint. Around 3.30am on Wednesday, the suspects released the three brothers at Kokapet-Narasingi area on Hyderabads outskirts.Based on the complaint by the family members, we have arrested Akhila Priya. We are on the lookout for others, the police commissioner said. Praveen Raos another brother, Pratap Rao, told reporters earlier in the day that there was a dispute between the accused and his family over 50 acres of land at Hafeezpet. TDP Kurnool president Somisetty Venkateshwarlu said it was Akhila Priya and her familys personal issue, and that it had nothing to do with the party. In any case, her arrest has not come up for discussion in the party yet, he said. Four people were arrested in Northeast Portland during a demonstration organized Tuesday after no charges were filed against a white Wisconsin police officer who shot a Black man in the back last summer. Demonstrators gathered near the Portland Police Bureaus North Precinct on Tuesday night, blocking traffic on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, according to police. Some people in the crowd lit fires in two dumpsters and sprayed graffiti on public and private buildings, police said. Some in the group destroyed precinct security cameras, tore electrical wires from exterior walls and threw objects including glass bottles and paint at officers, police said. At least one person used spikes that damaged police vehicle tires. Police said they eventually approached the crowd and followed fleeing demonstrators for several blocks. Three of the four arrested are accused of trespassing and interfering with a peace officer. One is accused of disorderly conduct and five counts of attempted criminal mischief. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has said his prosecutors wont pursue demonstrators accused of interfering with police, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, escape or harassment if the allegations dont involve deliberate' property damage, theft or force against another person or threats of force. The decision to not file charges against the police officer who shot Jacob Blake was met with swift criticism from civil rights advocates and some public officials. The Aug. 23 shooting left Blake paralyzed. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said investigators concluded Blake was carrying a knife when police responded to a report he was trying to steal a car. Officer Rusten Sheskey said he feared Jacob Blake was going to stab him with the knife as he tried to stop Blake from fleeing. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 The Associated Press contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - The Justice Department and the federal court system disclosed on Wednesday that they were among the dozens of U.S. government agencies and private businesses compromised by a massive, months-long cyberespionage campaign that U.S. officials have linked to elite Russia hackers. FILE - In this June 14, 2018, file photo, the FBI seal is seen before a news conference at FBI headquarters in Washington. The U.S. government on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, said a devastating hack of federal agencies is likely Russian in origin and said the operation appeared to be an intelligence gathering effort. The assessment was disclosed in a rare public statement from the FBI and other investigative agencies. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) WASHINGTON - The Justice Department and the federal court system disclosed on Wednesday that they were among the dozens of U.S. government agencies and private businesses compromised by a massive, months-long cyberespionage campaign that U.S. officials have linked to elite Russia hackers. The extent of the damage was unclear. The department said that 3% of its Microsoft Office 365 email accounts were potentially affected, but did not say to whom those accounts belonged. There are no indications that classified systems were affected, the agency said. Office 365 isn't just email but a collaborative computing environment, which means that shared documents were also surely accessed, said Dmitri Alperovitch, former chief technical officer of the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. Separately, the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts informed federal judicial bodies across the nation that the courts nationwide case management system was breached. That potentially gave the hackers access to sealed court documents, whose contents are highly sensitive. The Justice Department said that on Dec. 24 it detected "previously unknown malicious activity" linked to the broader intrusions of federal agencies revealed earlier that month, according to a statement from spokesman Marc Raimondi. Separately, the court office said on its website that an apparent compromise of the U.S. judiciary's case management and electronic case file system was under investigation. The Department of Homeland Security was scouring the system, it said, and cited a particular risk to sealed court filings, whose disclosure could jeopardize a lot more than active criminal investigations. The potential reach is vast. The actual reach is probably significant, said a federal court official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information. The official confirmed that the scope of the compromise was national but it was not clear how widespread. The sealed court files, if indeed breached, could hold information about national security, trade secrets and wiretap transcripts, along with financial data from bankruptcy cases and the names of confidential informants in criminal cases, the official added. On Tuesday, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies formally implicated Russia in the intrusions, calling them part of a suspected intelligence gathering operation. President Donald Trump had previously questioned that consensus, suggesting without foundation that China could be to blame. The hacking campaign was extraordinary in scale, with the intruders stalking through government agencies including the Treasury and Commerce departments, defence contractors and telecommunications companies for months by the time the breach was discovered. Experts say that gave the foreign agents ample time to collect data that could be highly damaging to U.S. national security, although the scope of the breaches and exactly what information was sought is unknown. An estimated 18,000 organizations were seeded with malicious code that piggybacked on popular network-management software from an Austin, Texas, company called SolarWinds. But only a subset are believed to have been compromised. Tuesday's statement said that fewer than 10 federal government agencies have so far been identified as having been hacked. Johns Hopkins cyberespionage expert Thomas Rid said the 3% figure of email accounts accessed at Justice may not sound like a lot, but that it doesnt mean that the hackers "didnt get to the interesting stuff. Cybersecurity experts responding to the hack say highly skilled cyber spies of the calibre behind the SolarWinds hack are apt to keep their footprint as small as possible to avoid detection targeting only high-value email and documents. Rid wondered how sure the Justice Department could be about the extent of its compromise. How good is their own visibility given that U.S. government agencies totally missed the breach in the first place? he said. Are they really on top of the problem? Are we only really seeing the tip of the iceberg? The breach was discovered by FireEye, a prominent cybersecurity company, on its network. It then identified and notified other victims. Experts expect the severity of the hack and the number of victims identified to increase over time. History tells us that if you have a large breach, not just in one organization but across an entire government an entire sector it will take a long time to identify who are the victims and how badly they are compromised, said Rid. Microsoft declined to comment on long the intruders were reading emails in the Justice Department's Office 365 environment, which is typically a cloud-based service hosted by the software provider. - Bajak reported from Boston. Associated Press writers Mark Sherman in Washington and Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia contributed to this report. New Delhi, Jan 6 : UK's Whisky brand 'The Famous Grouse' has made its entry into the Indian market and will be available in select stores across Delhi, UP, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Goa, and Assam. Brought in India by Kyndal Group, the spirit brings together the finest ingredients creating a natural drink from handcrafted casks. The brand joins the growing bottled in origin standard Scotch category in India which clocked category sales of 5,82,000 cases in 2019 as per International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR 2019). The whisky brand has been UK's top-selling whisky for many years and a Scan Track report by Nielsen estimated sales of The Famous Grouse exceeding 71 million pounds in the UK off-trade in the 12 weeks to January 2020. Commenting on the launch, Pushpanjali Banerji, Brand Director at Kyndal Group said: "We are proud and delighted to bring UK's favourite blend of the finest malts and exceptional grain whisky, The Famous Grouse, in India. We are hopeful that with our large distribution network, we'll be able to ensure the finest whisky experience available within a person's reach." Founded in 1800, the Famous Grouse is known across the globe for its essence of Famous blend: Foundation, Finest, Flavour and Fusion which make it UK's favourite Whisky. (Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text MIAMI, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- P&O Cruises Australia is extending its rolling pause in operations in New Zealand to departures on and before 25 April, 2021 as the cruise line and the wider industry continue to work with government and public health authorities on the appropriate time to restart sailing. The cruise line, which has based ships in Auckland for many years, will return to New Zealand for a dedicated 150-day season in July 2022. P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said the start of a new year brought renewed optimism and confidence but, at the same time, it was important to remain realistic about the more immediate future. "We know that much better days lie ahead and we remain positive about the resumption of cruising. While we've paused operations, P&O Cruises together with the wider industry has been using the time wisely to plan for cruising's return," Mr Myrmell said. "As we work towards this goal, we wanted to provide our Kiwi guests with as much certainty as possible and flexibility around their 2021 bookings and an opportunity to reschedule their cruise holiday for 2022 or beyond. "I want to thank our New Zealand guests for their loyalty to P&O Cruises Australia during this time and we look forward to welcoming them back onboard." Initially scheduled to start sailing from Auckland from 6 February, 2021, Pacific Explorer's operations were previously paused to 4 March, 2021 and are now paused to 25 April. In Australia, Pacific Adventure is currently scheduled to begin sailing from Sydney on 30 April, 2021 while Pacific Encounter is due to call Brisbane home from 7 May - although additional voyages may be added earlier, depending on the timing of the return of cruising in Australia. The extended pause in operations from New Zealand affects the following cruises: Pacific Explorer: X112N, X113N, X114N, X115N, X116N, X117N, X118N, X119N, X120N. Booking and refund options for cancelled cruises from 7 January, 2021: P&O will make contact with guests whose cruises have been affected, either directly or via their appointed travel agent, to let them know of this development and the options available to them. Guests who have not yet received an offer in response to a cruise that was cancelled during P&O's pause in operations are entitled to a full refund or bonus onboard credit if they choose a future cruise credit. P&O will pay refunds back to travel agents for guests who booked through that channel. The cruise line will also protect travel agent commissions on all bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full as at 5 January, 2021. Guests with bookings affected by the pause in operations, can track the progress of their future cruise credit or refund request via a new tracking tool found on P&O's website. SOURCE P&O Cruises AU The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Francesca Paris covers North Adams for The Berkshire Eagle. A California native and Williams College alumna, she has worked at NPR in Washington, D.C. and WBUR in Boston, as a news reporter, producer and editor. Find her on Twitter at @fparises. Mitt Romney is a jealous, Trump-hating, self-important sort, so it was just a little amusing to learn he had been hounded at the Salt Lake City airport, and then booed on the flight to Washington. According to Fox News: Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, was confronted by supporters of President Trump on Tuesday while waiting for a flight at an airport and during the flight, according to videos circulating on social media. "Why arent you supporting President Trump?" asked one woman, who approached Romney while he sat in the airport waiting area using his iPad, noting that she would agree to put on a mask because she wanted to have a "chat" with him. "I do agree with many of the things he is for, and I support those things," the Utah senator replied, in reference to the president. She asked if he would support Trump and some Republican lawmakers efforts to overturn President-elect Bidens win by blocking the Senate's certification of the Electoral College votes. "No," he replied. "Its a long story, but we have a Constitution; the Constitution process is clear. I will follow the Constitution, and I will explain all that when we meet in Congress this week." Here's the Twitter video: Utah Patriots catch Rino Romney at Salt Lake City international airport! He thinks hes above his constituents!!! Openly bashing @realDonaldTrump!!! These people wont be able to walk down the street. VOLUME UP! pic.twitter.com/Lntgozkajx Qtah (@Utah_17) January 6, 2021 After he walked away from the hecklesome woman, it got worse for him as he got onto the plane only to be the target of mass passenger chants of "Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!" Pierre Delecto @MittRomney Boards Flight to DC FILLED With Patriots Who Chanted Traitor pic.twitter.com/JjxBKSPWmv Robert.N (@Rob_Noorollah) January 6, 2021 Which is amusing, given Romney's inflated self-esteem. Romney is the man of the failed Republican establishment, the one President Trump upended. He's also an amazing hypocrite, claiming as always to be the man of the establishment ("that's not how the Constitution works"), yet doing this on an amazingly sandy ground in that he voted, with crazed, partisan Democrats, to impeach President Trump. He doesn't have a leg to stand on with that one. He sided with the nuts against Trump. That would be the same President Trump who endorsed and campaigned for him, Mitt not being famous for his gratitude. Now Romney's voting to endorse Biden, again against his Trump-supporting Senate colleagues, in a nakedly fraudulent election, puffing himself up as the establishment again, but in reality, burning with bitterness that it was President Trump who got elected in 2016, while voters rejected Romney in 2012. The rabidly left Daily Beast summed up what they thought was happening (language warning, they've gone well beyond 'deplorables' now): President Donald Trump promised that Wednesdays planned MAGA protests in Washington, D.C. would be wildand his prediction has already come true, with his supporters acting like zoo animals as they set off on their pilgrimage to the a[******* edited] jamboree in the capital. Several videos show confrontational Trump supporters misbehaving in airports and planes Tuesday night. The MAGA hordes are descending on Washington for a mass Jan. 6 protest to voice their anger that President Donald Trump lost the election, and then failed in his relentless and egregious attempts to overturn his resounding defeat. Some Twitter Democrats tut-tutted the Trump Republicans for their bad manners, but that was disingenuous. They made hay on harassing and threatening Republicans all through the summer, looting, rioting and burning ... and somehow that's what got them on top now. Kamala Harris even cheered the rioters and said the looting would go on ... and look where she is. Will it work for Republicans? Let's just say that Republicans in ballot-harvesting California learned to play the Democrats game by the Democrats' rules far better than the Democrats did this time around. Yes, harassing people in airports is something hippies used to do and perfectly characteristic of leftists today in their tactics. What's good for the goose is one argument, now that the left is the establishment. But it's also the result of frustration because legal means of redress for a fraudulent election have been dismissed or ignored without any meaningful hearings. When grievances fail to be redressed, wildcat tactics follow. Others noted that something bigger was going on and the lines to the Trump rally were already a mile long. A mass movement seemed to be brewing and maybe new party, without RINOs like Mitt, was in the works. Y'all might think I'm crazy, but from where I'm sitting President @realDonaldTrump is using this moment in history to assemble the new outside party. The next moves will be epic pic.twitter.com/AKn1RcMYf5 TheLastRefuge (@TheLastRefuge2) January 5, 2021 Lara Logan summed up what she thought it was all about: Is the GOP paying attention? Does not seem like it to many voters Ive spoken to who say theres been a total failure of leadership over the election. https://t.co/JrZpHMsSkb Lara Logan (@laralogan) January 6, 2021 That tells us a lot about why Mitt Romney was the Trump activist movement's perhaps first target. They are threatening to primary all Republicans who fail to challenge the clearly fraudulent election, and the failure of the establishment to so much as hear their petitions. Mitt will be nursing his wounded ego for now, but can take comfort that it's likely more RINOs will follow. Image credit: Twitter screen shot World Vision Romania warns of online dangers to which students are exposed during the pandemic and according to a study conducted by the organization, their trust in parents decreased last year, they feel alone and one in five children says he/she is not supported by the family. "The pandemic and the exclusively online school have led to the isolation of students, who have not communicated as much with teachers, colleagues and, unfortunately, although they have lived in the same house, nor with their parents. Against this background of loneliness, children are much more vulnerable to the dangers and negative role models of the online environment. According to the latest statistics from World Vision Romania during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 20 percent of children living in rural areas say they are only sometimes or never happy, and a share of 7 percent say that they have a bad life," World Vision Romania informs in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday. Children in rural areas or belonging to other vulnerable categories, without material possibilities, are thus "perfect victims of media manipulators." For them, the only chance for the future is education, a modern education system that offers all children equal opportunities, regardless of the environment and material condition of the family, the quoted source mentions. In the organization's view, however, parents, especially those in vulnerable categories, also need education. World Vision Romania works with over 20,000 children and parents from rural communities. One of the foundation's traditional programmes is the "Parents' School," an initiative aimed at parents in rural areas that intends to provide them with the tools they need to raise their children without violence, with warmth and understanding, raising their awareness as to the importance of schools for their children's future. The study "Child Welfare in Rural Areas," conducted in 2020 by the World Vision Romania Foundation, shows that almost one-fifth of children in the country never feel supported by the whole family, including extended family members (uncles, aunts, etc.). 6 percent never, or only sometimes, trust the adults they live with. 8 percent believe that the family is never by their side when they need help, and 23 percent of them say that a family member only spends time with them sometimes or never. Children's trust in parents decreased by 14 percent in 2020, reaching 79 percent. Against this background, the public success of some characters who inspire and incite hatred and who have a grip on children is not at all surprising. For these children, the main source of information on highly sensitive topics such as sexual violence, according to a 2019 World Vision study, is the Internet (for a third of them), including pornographic sites. World Vision Romania considers that, in addition to the reform of the public education system, there is a need for non-formal education solutions to combat such phenomena, as well as the development of digital and safe internet skills for children since pre-school education. Perhaps Noemi Cervantes Ceja knows something about 2021 the rest of us dont quite yet. Noemi, the first baby to be born in Napa County in 2021, arrived at Queen of the Valley Medical Center on Jan. 1 at 4:53 a.m., almost seven weeks early, according to her mother, Napa resident Rebeca Ceja. She must have been too excited about the year ahead to wait, Ceja agreed. She just wanted to come out, Ceja said. Noemi, who was born at 33 weeks, came out crying and with mature lungs, according to Dr. Dushyant Oza, director of newborn services at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. She is breathing comfortably with the help of a small CPAP machine, Dr. Oza said, and is expected to be out of the NICU in two to three weeks. Queen of the Valley is able to care for infants as young as 32 weeks, according to Dr. Daniel Hersh, Noemis delivering physician. (Dr. Hersh has also delivered two of Cejas three other children, he noted.) We had a very good outcome, he said of the birth. And (Noemi) didnt have to get transported to San Francisco for care. Marin's clean beauty brand Juice Beauty launches an innovative retinol serum that's approved by Kate Bosworth and her positive-vibes-only lifestyle site Kind.Est. Plus, now's the time to (1) get your own skincare routine and products under control with virtual beauty concierge Lockdown Beauty; (2) order your Inauguration Breakfast Box filled with local goodies celebrating all things Kamala Harris; and (3) check out the new Mejuri bling inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge. Happy New Year, y'all! Lockdown Beauty is here to help you get a handle on your skincare regimen. We can't think of a better way to start the new year than by streamlining the mishmash of moisturizers, serums, and makeup taking up space in the bathroom. Figuring out what products work, what should be trashed and what we need, however, is no easy task. That's where the recently launched Lockdown Beauty, a virtual beauty concierge, comes in. In a nutshell, the service includes a thorough intake (via FaceTime or Zoom) of your beauty cabinet and/or makeup bag by a certified makeup artist and skincare specialist. She'll edit what you have and suggest products based on your particular skincare needs and makeup desires. Brands include the likes of Cocokind, Glowbiotics, Mad Hippie, Gressa, RMS, Jones Road and Ilia, among others. (All recos are free of synthetics and sulfates.) What we're most excited about? Said professional is our old friend Kelly Crispen, founder of Elizabeth Street Cosmetics, a lippie brand with products named for San Francisco streets. (The Street Crayon in Balboa is one of our all-time favorites). Sadly, Crispen quietly shuttered her company a year ago but, this past fall, after pivoting out of a dark Covid-induced headspace, she came up with the idea for Lockdown Beauty. "My friends come to me for everything about what brands and products to use," Crispen says. "So it came to me while on a summer road tripI need to make a livelihood out of this very concept." And so she is. // Virtual Skin Cabinet and Virtual Makeup Bag are $50 each and take 30 minutes; combine both for $90 in an hour session; lockdownbeauty.me. Kate Bosworth gets into the skincare act with a new retinol serum for Juice Beauty. (Courtesy of Juice Beauty) We'll have what she's having: a sando from Katz's Deli glowing, youthful skin. On Monday, January 4th, San Rafael's Juice Beauty partnered with Kate Bosworth and her lifestyle website Kind.Est to launch Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum. The clean, vegan retinol serum helps minimize visible signs of aging and fatigue while you sleep via an innovative technology that avoids conventional chemical ingredients to keep skin looking and acting youthful. Yes, please. ICYMI: Kate Bosworth is a longtime fan of clean beauty and JB, and uses Kind.Est as a platform to promote her beauty picks and get the word out that it's cool to be kind. "We are so proud to align with Juice Beauty because of their ongoing mission of sustainability and the use of organic ingredients, as well as their commitments to their nonprofit endeavors. The new retinol serum is a gentle, restorative serum that leaves you with a fresh glow," Bosworth says. // The product retails for $72 for a 1 oz. bottle; shop online at juicebeauty.com. The Golden Gate Bridge inspired a piece of jewelry. Mejuri for the win! (Collage by Quentin Jones for Mejuri) Sleeves, schmeeves. Wear your heart on your finger with Mejuri's San Francisco Dome ring. Because hometown spirit. Inspired by the cables that line the Golden Gate Bridge, the handcrafted piece comes in 14-karat gold and retails for $475. The chunky beauty is the jewelry brand's most recent release and the fifth edition in its series of Dome rings that celebrate cities that are home to Mejuri stores. Already launched rings include NYC, L.A., Toronto, and Boston. Coming later this year? No. 6Austin. We're thinking a little bicoastal action would be nice with a SF/NYC pairingplus the GGB and Chrysler Building make a fantastic love match. Get stacked IRL at the Hayes Street store or shop online. // Mejuri, 327A Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), mejuri.com Lauren Goodger was pictured stepping out on Wednesday, after being branded a 'half wit' for her comments on the life-saving coronavirus vaccine. Piers Morgan, 55, branded former TOWIE star Lauren, 34, an 'imbecile' for saying she will not take the COVID-19 vaccine - despite 'shoving filler in her lips', earlier in the day on Good Morning Britain. Hours later, Lauren appeared tense as she took a phone call while strolling through a car park back to her Mercedes 4x4 following a shopping trip in Essex. Tense: Lauren Goodger was pictured stepping out on Wednesday, after being branded a 'half wit' for her comments on the life-saving coronavirus vaccine Lauren wrapped up in a padded black jacket, which was layered over a jumper and wide-legged trousers with trainers. The reality personality appeared to go make-up free for her outing, while she wore her brunette locks swept back off her face into a ponytail. Despite also claiming she 'doesn't believe in masks', Lauren appeared to be following guidelines as she carried a blue mask in her hand on the trip. She was joined by her boyfriend Charles Drury, 23, who could be seen getting out of the lavish vehicle with his girlfriend. Comments: Piers Morgan, 55, branded former TOWIE star Lauren, 34, an 'imbecile' for saying she will not take the COVID-19 vaccine - despite 'shoving filler in her lips', earlier in the day on Good Morning Britain Taking a call: Hours later, Lauren appeared tense as she took a phone call while strolling through a car park back to her Mercedes 4x4 following a shopping trip in Essex Lauren was condemned for her anti-vaxxer views on Tuesday, despite scientists saying vaccination is the best hope for beating COVID-19. She also claimed she 'doesn't believe' in face masks and likened the virus to a cold. Speaking on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, an incensed Piers questioned how Lauren could refuse the vaccine but inject herself with fillers - before imploring the public 'not to listen to these imbeciles'. He said: 'Lauren Goodger, who I'm informed is a TOWIE babe, has gone public having a go about the Covid vaccine on the day we discovered a million people in this country have the virus and we're obviously in a desperate situation. Hot water: Lauren was condemned for her anti-vaxxer views on Tuesday, despite scientists saying vaccination is the best hope for beating COVID-19 Outing: She was joined by her boyfriend Charles Drury, 23, who could be seen getting out of the lavish vehicle with his girlfriend Taking aim: Piers branded Lauren Goodger a 'half wit' and an 'imbecile' for saying she will not take the COVID -19 vaccine - despite 'shoving filler in her lips' 'She said she's terrified of the vaccine and has already had Covid and didn't die, so obviously it's not a problem. 'She said I don't like taking medicine or antibiotics. Lauren said: 'I'm more scared of the vaccine than I am the virus' really?' 'She said: 'I don't like taking medicine, I won't take antibiotics but I do do aesthetics'... what?' 'Here's a picture of Lauren Goodger. What do you think she's been shoving in her face? 'Where does that come from, Lauren? What have you been injecting into those lips? Did you check where it came from or check what it is? 'These people are absolute half-wits. They're quarter-wits. They are getting attention on social media. They are already giving their views to millions of impressionable people and they're not getting challenged. 'Imbecile': Speaking on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, an incensed Piers questioned how Lauren could refuse the vaccine but inject herself with fillers 'My point is these reality stars are stuffing their faces with plastic fillings, surgery and injections and so on and then banging on about vaccines. 'It's ridiculous. Do not listen to these imbeciles. It will cost lives. It's got to stop. They are wielding a really unhealthy noise to this debate which will deter young people from taking this serious. 'I look at her face. She has put loads of stuff in those lips. She could probably afford to take a risk with a vaccine, which has been approved.' His co-host Susanna Reid added: 'Let's not give them a platform.' Piers fumed: 'Here's a picture of Lauren Goodger. What do you think she's been shoving in her face? 'Where does that come from, Lauren? What have you been injecting into those lips?' Vaccinating the population is crucial to ending the coronavirus pandemic because inoculated people will not become ill or die from the virus, reducing the strain on the health service and allowing social distancing restrictions to be lifted. It is also hoped that the vaccines will stop inoculated people from the transmitting the virus, but this as not been proven yet. Both the Pfizer vaccine and the Oxford vaccine have been ruled safe by UK regulators after tens of thousands of people took part in clinical trials, more than a hundred thousand across both injections, without any ill effects. It comes just a day after the Prime Minister Boris Johnson plunged the country into a third lockdown in a desperate attempt to control the new mutant coronavirus. Following Lauren's comments, social media users slammed the reality star, who has been open about her use of filler and botox, for making the claims. One user wrote: 'Doesn't like taking medicines but yet she's happy to fill her face with botox and fillers?!?' Announcement: The reality star (pictured wearing a mask in July) confirmed that she would not take the groundbreaking vaccine despite medical approval While another commented: 'Lauren Goodger won't get a jab but you're clearly not scared of a cannula' And another added: 'God bless Lauren Goodger for giving up her time to give people the vaccine.' Elsewhere another wrote: 'Lauren Goodger has me screaming! Has had a load of plastic surgery but afraid of a Covid vaccine. Give over love!' Explaining her reason for refusing the medically-endorsed vaccine, Lauren previously said: 'I am more scared of the vaccine than I am of the virus. I will start imagining that I am dying. I am terrified. I don't like taking medicine. I don't like taking antibiotics.' Lauren, who has been open about her use of filler and botox, admitted: 'OK, I do do aesthetics and even now I am still nervous of that I am like that in general', reports the Daily Star. 'Even with a facial I want to know what is in it. That is my anxiety over the years.' He added: 'My point is these reality stars are stuffing their faces with plastic fillings, surgery and injections and so on and then banging on about vaccines. It's ridiculous. Do not listen to these imbeciles. It will cost lives' Lauren added: 'I just feel that it hasn't been around long enough and we don't know enough about it. 'I think I have had Covid and if I was to get ill I would treat it how I would treat it. I didn't die from it. It is like getting it a cold. I wouldn't get the flu jab either. 'I don't want to inject myself with something I don't know the longterm effects. 'I have heard all the different things that are in it and I think I have had Covid already and I have coped with it.' Social media users slammed the reality star for the comments and drew attention to her use of botox and fillers Lauren insisted that she believed everyone should do what they felt was right, and said: 'I am not going to say you should not have it. Each to their own. Good luck. That is my personal opinion though. 'At the end of the day I am not going to talk about it as I know what I know. You can catch a cold, you can catch anything.' The reality personality then went on to discuss her opinion on masks, which were introduced to try and halt the spread of coronavirus. Face masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces including shops as well as on transport, unless exempt on medical grounds. She said: 'I don't believe in masks - I am not going to get into the subject. 'When I have a mask on and I walk I can't wear one as I get into a panic. 'I do have an exempt card but I don't use it as it is a bit muggy.' Lauren flew to Corfu late last year, shortly before London and the South East were plunged into Tier 4 restrictions, to promote her tanning brand. Now back home, Lauren has been holed up at her Essex home with her toyboy boyfriend Charles Drury, 23. Lauren rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex while in a 12-year relationship with ex-boyfriend Mark Wright, and has since dated jailbirds Jake McLean and Joey Morrison. Five people were arrested in Indore with 70 kg of MDMA or methylenedioxymethamphetamine pills commonly known as ecstasy, worth Rs 50 crore, said police. The accused Dinesh Agrawal and his son Akshay Agrawal, residents of Indore, Ved Prakash Vyas, and Mangi Venkatesh, residents of Hyderabad and Chiman Agrawal, a resident of Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh were arrested by crime branch, Indore in connection with the supply of the drugs, said Yogesh Deshmukh, additional director general (ADG) of police, Indore. Police got a tip-off that two drug dealers from Hyderabad had come to Indore for the supply of drugs. Police nabbed all the five accused on Tuesday, said Deshmukh. He said this was perhaps the biggest seizure of MDMA in the country in recent memory and that the initial interrogation of the accused suggested that the drug consignment was headed for Africa from Hyderabad via Indore. The police officer added that the party drug was supplied in Indore too. The accused confessed to their crime and accepted that Dinesh, Akshay and Chiman used to purchase ecstasy pills from Ved Prakash and Mangi and used to supply the same to parties held in the city. Also Read: Similar pattern in murders help MP police nab killer in Bhopal During the initial investigation, it came to be known that Ved Prakash started his career as a medical representative in Mandsaur three decades ago and is now an owner of a pharma company in Hyderabad. Indore police has passed on the information to Telangana police to check what medicines are being produced by the pharma company in Hyderabad. Dinesh, Akshay and Chiman are owners of a tent house, said Yogesh Deshmukh, the inspector general of police (IGP), Indore. He said investigation was going on and the police were interrogating the accused to elicit more information about the supply of the drugs and their buyers. The European Unions medicines agency gave the green light Wednesday to Moderna Inc.s Covid-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use in the desperate battle to tame the virus rampaging across the continent. The approval recommendation by the European Medicines Agencys human medicines committee -- which must be rubber stamped by the EUs executive commission -- comes amid high rates of infections in many EU countries and strong criticism of the slow pace of vaccinations across the region of some 450 million people. This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency, said Emer Cooke, Executive Director of EMA. It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the approval and added in a tweet: Now we are working at full speed to approve it & make it available in the EU. The EMA has already approved a coronavirus vaccine made by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germanys BioNTech. Both vaccines require giving people two shots. Ahead of the meeting on the Moderna vaccine, the agency said in a tweet that its experts were working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company. It did not elaborate on what those issues were. Moderna also declined to comment. German Health Minister Jens Spahn who has in the past been critical of the slow pace of the EMA said he expected the Moderna vaccine to begin rolling out to EU nations next week. Germany would get 2 million doses in the first quarter and 50 million in all of 2021, Spahn told reporters in Berlin. The problem is the shortage of production capacity with global demand, he said. Early results of large, still unfinished studies show both the Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines appear safe and strongly protective, although Modernas is easier to handle since it doesnt need to be stored at ultra-frozen temperatures. The United States, Canada and Israel have already approved use of the Moderna vaccine. The US gave it the green light for emergency use in people over 18 years on Dec. 18, followed by Canada five days later with an interim authorization also for people over 18. Israel authorized the vaccine on Monday. Moderna said Monday that it is increasing its estimate for global vaccine production in 2021 from 500 to 600 million doses. The company said it is continuing to invest and add staff to build up to potentially 1 billion doses for 2021. Both Modernas and Pfizer-BioNTechs shots are mRNA vaccines, made with a groundbreaking new technology. They dont contain any coronavirus meaning they cannot cause infection. Instead, they use a piece of genetic code that trains the immune system to recognize the spike protein on the surface of the virus, ready to attack if the real thing comes along. The EU officially began giving out Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination shots on Dec. 27, but the speed of each nations inoculation program has varied widely. France vaccinated around 500 people in the first week, while Germany vaccinated 200,000. The Dutch were only beginning to give out vaccine shots Wednesday, the last EU nation to start doing so. (CNN) - A new COVID-19 variant circulating the UK was discovered after a tip from a South African scientist who had just identified a similar variant in his own country. Tulio de Oliveira, a genomics expert in South Africa, asked to speak before a World Health Organization working group on December 4 about the new variant that was rapidly spreading in his country, according to an email obtained by CNN. He spoke to the group that day and suggested they look through their genomic databases for similar variants. One of the members in attendance was Andrew Rambaut, a professor at the University of Edinburgh. He found a similar variant in the UK database. Rambaut tweeted on December 20 that de Oliviera's discovery was like a "hint" for the UK to look for a similar variant. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead for the WHO's coronavirus response, also said de Oliveira's discovery triggered British scientists to look at the different type of variants. "I'm just so grateful that we have this [international] collaboration," she said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "South Africa's COVID-19 variant spurred discovery of the UK's" Manoj Mate (University of California, Irvine School of Law; Harvard Law School) has posted Inverted Judicial Guardianship (Stanford Journal of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: This article analyzes the phenomenon of inverted judicial guardianship, a key dynamic in contemporary U.S. constitutional adjudication. Inverted judicial guardianship refers to the dynamic in which lower federal courts play a more activist and assertive role in challenging the exercise of government power in the area of rights and equality than the U.S. Supreme Court. The article traces this dynamic through an in-depth analysis of the sequence of judicial battles between lower federal courts and the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii (2018) over the scope of executive power in immigration policy and protections for individual rights. In Trump v. Hawaii, lower federal courts served as front-line constitutional guardians by ruling against and checking federal power, only to be ultimately overruled by the Supreme Court based on the application of more deferential approaches. The article challenges prevailing assumptions about the top-down nature of judicial supremacy and the nature of the judicial role in identifying key attributes of inverted judicial guardianship: constitutional narrowing of claims, diminishing rights narratives, and inverted assertiveness. The article then provides an explanatory account of the factors that drive inverted judicial guardianship by drawing on regime politics, legal-institutional, and strategic models, illustrating how inverted judicial supremacy is more prevalent under certain political and structural conditions. It concludes by suggesting that inverted guardianship has important implications for separation of powers, federalism, and the ability of rights and social movements to effect reform and social change, and arguing that inverted judicial guardianship may encompass a broader range of patterns of Supreme Court-Lower Court interaction and forms of lower court assertiveness involving rights and equality cases at both the federal and state court level. A patient, who received the first "made-in-China" artificial heart, has recovered well and was preparing to leave for home on Tuesday at a hospital in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, local media outlet Red Star News reported. The patient, 42, surnamed Song, suffered from heart disease for more than 10 years. He could not work, and had to stay in bed for years while taking medication to relieve symptoms such as palpitation and shortness of breath. Huang Keli, director of cardiac surgery at the Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, said when Song went to the hospital for treatment his life was in great danger. Song was in the end stage of dilated cardiomyopathy, suffering cardiac muscle necrosis and heart function decline according to Song. X-ray images showed Song's heart was about four times normal size. On Nov 10, doctors carried out an operation to input the domestically made artificial heart into Song's chest. This was the first practical use of the artificial heart after it was approved for market. The artificial heart has two parts. One part is 420 grams and includes an artificial blood vessel and blood pump placed in the chest, and the other part is 3 kilograms. This is the external controller, which can be put into a backpack. Huang said the inside and outside parts are connected with a wire, and the patient should pay close attention to the battery power. "Except for swimming, the patient could drive and go shopping with the artificial heart." Wang Wenyan, director of the heart failure center at the hospital, said each pair of batteries could supply the device for 6 hours for outdoor activities and patients could use the plugged model at home. Because there is no nurse at home, Song needs to supervise the device himself, reading data and changing batteries. Therefore, he had to receive training during the past two months in the recovery period, Wang said. "I've gained weight now, and I was less than 45 kilograms in the past," Song said. Huang said he expected the artificial heart could be made smaller to be put into people's body as a whole, like the artificial cardiac pacemaker. At present, the device is about 1 million yuan ($154,900), and operation costs are around 200,000 yuan, similar to other major heart operations. Farmers protesting on the Delhi-Jaipur highway at Sangwari Chowk in Rewari and Masani village near Dharuhera alleged on Wednesday that the police and administration had stopped tractor-trolleys that were ferrying their food supplies and other relief materials at least 10 kilometres before the protest site. Protesters alleged that they had run out of food on Monday and most of them had to sleep on an empty stomach. They alleged that the police were not allowing vehicles to deliver raw materials and ration for them to cook food. On December 31, farmers had broken the barricades at Shahjahanpur and entered Rewari, crossing the Shahjahanpur interstate border in Rajasthan. They have stayed put at Masani and Sangwari Chowk, from where their movement was stopped by the police, who had to use mild force and tear gas on January 3. Many women and children, who had joined the protest on January 3, returned home on Tuesday due to a lack of medical aid at the site as a few of them fell ill. Satnarayan Nehra, the president of Nehra Khap of Haryana, said, There are nearly 3,000 farmers protesting at Masani village. No water tankers are allowed to reach us nor any ration. How will we cook food and consume if the situation remains the same? Ram Krishan Mehlawat, the Rewari president of Rashtriya Kisan Union, said that roadside eateries and residents of nearby villages are supporting them by providing food but that is not sufficient for all. We are offering food to a few people and have divided them so that each one can get at least one meal a day. We did not prepare tea on Tuesday as there was no milk. The gas cylinders are empty and we have no means to get them refilled. If the situation remains the same for the next two days, the protest will turn into a hunger strike, he said. Vijay Yadav, a social worker from Shikohpur village near Manesar, who has been protesting since December 12, said that they tried to use tractors from fields to deliver ration but were stopped by the police. The tractors loaded with vegetables and ration are stationed 10 kilometres away. We tried to get ration and walked down to the border but we could not unload the sacks, he said. Rajesh Kumar, deputy superintendent of Bawal, denied the allegations and said that they had not stopped any essential supplies. However, he said that farmers are not being allowed to cross the stretch. Food and ration is being served to them by locals and is available At stores and shops along the national highway. If they are facing any issues, they should inform us or write to us. The allegations are baseless, he said. The police said that due to the protest, commuters travelling from Gururgam to Jaipur have to take a diversion from Dharuhera to Kotputli in Rajasthan via Khori, Pali and Kund, increasing their commute by at least 50 kilometres. The diversion for commuters from Jaipur to Delhi is through Kotputli via Alwar, which connects Tauru via Bhiwadi and connects to the national highway at Manesar. The Gururgam police said that to ensure smooth traffic flow, they are diverting heavy vehicles from Rajiv Chowk towards Ferozepur Jhirka in Nuh, which connects to Rajasthan. Astha Modi, the deputy commissioner of police (headquarters), said, We are keeping a close watch on protesters movement and will not allow them to enter Gururgam district jurisdiction. The teams are on alert and we are managing traffic situation to ensure no congestion is reported on the national highway. We have deployed enough force on the highway so that daily commuters are not affected by the ongoing protest. Five police control room (PCR) vans and six motorbikes have also been stationed at the Kherki Daula and Bilaspur toll plazas to resolve any snarls. Farmers, who have been protesting at the three sites since December 12, have alleged that there is no running water and no toilets for them at the protest sites in Haryana and Rajasthan and they have written to the local administration several times but to no avail. Those of Us Who Dont Die Are Going to Quit: A Crush of Patients, Dwindling Supplies and the Nurse Who Lost Hope Almost a year into the pandemic, supply shortages remain so severe that nurse Kristen Cline reuses her N95 for several shifts while her hospital buckles, patients suffer and folks nearby socialize maskless as if the pandemic were already over. Nurse Kristen Cline was working a 12-hour shift in October at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, when a code blue rang through the halls. A patient in an isolation room was dying of a coronavirus that had raged for eight months across the country before it made the state the brightest red dot in a nation of hot spots. Cline knew she needed to protect herself before entering the room, where a second COVID-19 patient was trembling under the covers, sobbing. She reached for the crinkled and dirty N95 mask she had reused for days. In her post-death report, Cline described how the patient fell victim to a hospital in chaos. The crash cart and breathing bag that should have been in the room were missing. The patient wasnt tethered to monitors that could have alerted nurses sooner. He had cried out for help, but the duty nurse was busy with other patients, packed two to a room meant for one. He died scared and alone. It didnt have to be that way. We failed him not the staff, we did everything we could, she said. The system failed him. The system also failed her. Since the pandemics early weeks, Cline had complained that the Department of Veterans Affairs, which runs the nations largest hospital system, wasnt doing enough to protect its front-line health care workers. She had filed complaints about inadequate personal protective equipment with the agencys inspector general and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but they had done nothing. Many months into a pandemic, they were still having to ration masks and being asked to reuse them for as many as five shifts. From Clines perspective and that of other health care workers I spoke with from the VA hospital in Sioux Falls, the lack of masks was a symptom of larger failures at the agency overseeing the medical care of 9 million veterans. The hospitals lacked staff and scrounged to find gowns, medical supplies, ventilators everything needed to battle COVID-19. While every American hospital was stretched by the pandemic, the VAs lack of an effective system for tracking and delivering supplies made it particularly vulnerable, according to a recent examination by the federal Government Accountability Office. When the pandemic hit, the agency relied on a few big contractors to supply everything from N95 masks to needles to isolation gowns. Those few big contractors fell victim to a global shortage of masks. And the VA had no reliable tracking system to tell officials what hospitals have, what they need or what was expired. At the Sioux Falls facility, things got so desperate, the supply chain for masks relied on a guy named Steve who gave them out one at time from a nearby warehouse, employees said. As COVID-19 overwhelmed the antiquated system, VA leadership asked employees at more than 170 hospitals to enter inventory by hand into spreadsheets every day and did not have insight into how resources were being deployed, the report said. In other words, the local Best Buy or Walgreens had more efficient ways of managing inventory to get supplies to the right place. Punjab MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu hoists black flag at his residence in support of protesting farmers Punjab to reopen schools for students of classes 5 to 12 from tomorrow India oi-Madhuri Adnal Chandigarh, Jan 06: The Punjab government on Wednesday decided to reopen all schools from tomorrow for students of classes 5 to 12. State Education minister Vijay Inder Singla said following the persistent demand of parents, the state government has decided to reopen all government, semi-government and private schools from January 7 onwards. In a statement here, Singla said the timings of the schools will be from 10 am to 3 pm. Delhi govt asks schools to implement new School Bag Policy 2020 The students only of classes 5 to 12 will be allowed to physically attend their classes, said the minister. Singla said while giving his nod, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the department to ensure the safety of the children, amid COVID-19 pandemic. The minister said following the CM's directions, all school managements have been asked to strictly comply with all anti-Covid precautions in schools. The Cabinet minister also said that the Education Department had taken feedback from school heads. Besides ensuring safety of the children, they also suggested the reopening of schools before the annual exams for final revision of the course, he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 16:08 [IST] The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has warned the All Progressives Congress(APC) not to fight when they have to hand over to the P... The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has warned the All Progressives Congress(APC) not to fight when they have to hand over to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023. Governor Wike also emphasised that Nigerians were earnestly waiting for the PDP to return to power. The governors assistant on media,Kelvin Ebiri, disclosed this in a statement after the inauguration of some state projects. He said: Eleme people, I want to sincerely thank you for the support that youve given to me and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Do not relent. Continue because the hope of this country depends on the PDP. Wike also advised Ndume and the APC to respect the wishes of Nigerians after the next general elections. To our special Guest of Honour (Ndume), he should not be angry because we are taking over from them. When they came, we didnt fight, they took over. Now that Nigerians have decided to change them, let them also handover to us as quickly as possible without any fight, Wike said. HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1921 when Lucy Fuller, Harris County Public Library's first Head Librarian, was provided $6500 with which to stock library stations in post offices, schools, businesses and private homes across the county, she probably did not imagine that her eventual successors would preside over a collection exceeding 1.8 million items. Nor could she have envisioned that HCPL libraries would one day house computers, 3D printers, laser cutters, family learning centers and that they would provide thousands of programs annually ranging from story times and cooking classes to escape rooms and variety shows. But through the succeeding years, HCPL has remained true to Lucy Fuller's core mission to provide information and resources that enrich lives and strengthen Harris County communities. The Year of the Library Harris County Commissioners Court plans to proclaim 2021 The Year of the Library in Harris County in recognition of the library's first one hundred years and its commitment to remain a vital and vibrant asset for the people of Harris County. "We see our Centennial as a celebration of the history of Harris County as a whole and especially of the everyday people who shaped that history," said Edward Melton, HCPL's Executive Director. "The growth, progress and innovation you see in the library's story over its first one hundred years mirrors that of Harris County." As the name suggests, Harris County Public Library plans a yearlong celebration of its first 100 years and the people who shaped and continue to shape it. HCPL Digital Archive In preparation for the Centennial, HCPL librarians, for the first time, began systematically collecting and digitizing materials to document the library's history. Their efforts resulted in the HCPL Digital Archive, an ongoing collection of photos, articles, scrapbooks, and videos of HCPL since 1921. Each month in 2021, the Archive will present digital exhibits to tell a specific story bookmobiles, important people at HCPL, hurricanes and other disasters. It will also feature each of HCPL's 26 branches throughout 2021, with detailed timelines that trace the library's century long commitment to serve Harris County residents. The Library's Story Is Your Story Libraries change lives in big and small ways. HCPL staff knows this because people tell them about how an HCPL literacy tutor or just the right book at the right time has changed their lives for the better. In conjunction with the Digital Archive project, the library, for the first time, will begin to systematically collect those stories. Early in 2021, the library will launch an initiative to collect the experiences and oral stories of patrons. Patrons will record their stories with help from HCPL staff on Microsoft Teams and the library will collect and publish them via social media and on the digital archive. What's a Celebration without Music and Fun? HCPL's Programming Department and staff have been planning for the centennial celebration for months. Each month in 2021, the library will release a new original video highlighting each decade of the library's existence. To go along with the in-house productions, the library plans to host live music performancesonline for nowby local and national acts. The first of these will be January 20 at 6:30 PM on Facebook Live with the premiere screening of HCPL's production of A Library is Born, a Chaplinesque silent film followed by a 1920s style hot jazz concert with the Boomtown Brass Band. In February, for African American History Month, in partnership with Apollo Chamber Players, two nationally known composers, Paul Cornish and Damien Snead, will debut musical pieces in celebration of the library's first 100 years. "Our libraries are shared spaces where people from all walks of life are welcomed and encouraged to explore their own pathways to knowledge," said Melton. "HCPL's Centennial Year of the Library is an opportunity for everyone to share the sense of community we try every day to create." For more information about Harris County Public Library's Centennial Celebration, visit www.hcpl.net and follow @harriscountypl on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. About Harris County Public Library: The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) mission is to provide information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities through innovative services within and beyond our walls. The Library has an annual circulation of over 10 million items and is a network of 26 community-focused branch libraries is committed to providing excellent customer service, strong collections, and cutting-edge information technology for the 21st Century. Visit www.hcpl.net for more information. Contact: Nancy Hu Design & Communications Manager Harris County Public Library 713-274-6621 [email protected] SOURCE Harris County Public Library Related Links https://www.hcpl.net Democrats won unified control of the federal government Wednesday, after two U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia were called in their favor just as a mob of rioters allied with President Trump invaded the Capitol building, destroying property, injuring police officers and disrupting the election certification process for President-elect Joe Biden. With almost all of the votes counted, Democrat Raphael Warnock was leading Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a Republican appointed to the seat, by 1.6 percentage points, or over 70,000 votes. In the second contest, Democrat Jon Ossoff led by just under one percentage point, or nearly 33,000 votes, over David Perdue, a Republican whose Senate term expired on Sunday. Both Warnock's and Ossoff's leads Wednesday were larger than the 0.5 percentage point threshold in Georgia that allows a candidate to request a recount. Their leads were expected to grow, given the location of the outstanding ballots, according to Edison Research, which projected the victories. The victories give Democrats a 50-50 split of the chamber, with the tie vote to be cast by Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris. For Biden and his fellow Democrats, the results were a stunning and unexpected boon - the party's House majority shrank precipitously as a result of November's voting, and the president-elect has faced an onslaught of attempts to overturn the results by Trump and his supporters. Had Republicans maintained control, his priorities could have been quashed by the Senate. "Georgia voters delivered a resounding message yesterday: they want action on the crises we face and they want it right now," Biden said in a tweet congratulating Ossoff and Warnock on their victories. But the party's celebration was cut short by the surreal spectacle of a violent assault on the legislative seats of power. Paired with the latest Republican failure at the ballot box, it highlighted Trump's chaotic approach to governing that Republican strategists blamed for their losses in the Georgia senate contests. The party had never made a secret of its three-part plan to win the two Georgia Senate runoffs. Republicans wanted to scare suburban voters about the "radical socialist" designs of the Democratic candidates, argue the merits of maintaining divided government under Biden, and use Trump to turn out non-college-educated White voters en masse. But Trump's obsession with his own political future, which was on full display Wednesday as he implored his supporters to head to the Capitol to protest Biden's certification, undermined each part of the plan in the final weeks of the campaign, according to Republican strategists involved in the race. Not once did the president write a tweet in his own voice attacking the two Democrats in the race, Warnock and Ossoff. Trump traveled only twice to the state during the runoff campaign, for speeches that largely focused on his own grievances against state Republican leaders. He sought to convince voters in the state that he had won the November election, when he had not, undermining the argument that the Senate needed Republican control to serve as a check on Biden, which internal GOP polling showed was the most potent way to win swing voters. "Trump made us look crazier than Democrats are," said one strategist involved in the races, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid backlash from Trump loyalists. "We did not make any new improvements in the suburbs. At some point you just get tapped out on the Trump base." Those failures, combined with a massive Democratic effort in the state to turn out Black and Hispanic voters, produced two historic upsets that will reshape the country. Warnock, who leads the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s former church in Atlanta, will be the first Black Democrat elected to the Senate from a former Confederate state. Ossoff, a 33-year-old Jewish filmmaker who previously interned for Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the late civil rights icon, will be the youngest incoming senator in decades. The results capped a rapid fall from power of the political movement that Trump founded, taking over the Republican Party and then winning the White House in 2016. Since then, Republicans have lost control of the House and the Senate, and Trump lost his own reelection bid, as deep divisions have formed among lawmakers in his party. Just before the Ossoff race was called, Vice President Mike Pence announced he would defy Trump's demands that he single-handedly move in Congress to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also delivered an impassioned rejection of Trump on the floor of the U.S. Senate, all but calling the president's efforts an assault on the country he had sworn to serve. "If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral," McConnell said, in a historic condemnation of Trump's intent. "We would never see the whole nation accept an election again." McConnell will now serve as minority leader as Biden takes office on Jan. 20, giving Biden greater leeway to confirm Cabinet nominees and judicial picks, and pass legislation on taxes, spending and immigration that Democrats have promised to champion. The results also raised new questions about the fate of the Republican Party after Trump's exit. The party has increasingly leaned more and more on structural advantages in gerrymandered districts and advantages in the U.S. Senate map and electoral college, as they redoubled their appeal to the interests of a core group of evangelical Christians and non-college-educated Whites. The strategy has allowed several narrow wins in recent decades, but it has also exposed the party's growing weaknesses in states like Arizona and Georgia, both won by Biden. "If Republicans continue to manage their party by simply talking to the base and not trying to expand the circle, they are going to have problems in 2022," said J.B. Poersch, the president of the Senate Majority PAC, which spent about $100 million for Democrats in the Senate runoffs. "The thing about the last two weeks is Republicans were knee deep in the process. It was all about navel-gazing and taking the temperature of Trump's emotional state." Ossoff underscored the point in a statement Wednesday when he declared victory. "This campaign has been about health and jobs and justice for the people of the state, for all the people of the state," Ossoff said. "Whether you were for me or against me, I'll be for you in the U.S. Senate. I will serve all the people of the state." For the moment, Trump continues to hold enormous sway over the Republican Party. Multiple Republican strategists who played prominent roles in the recent election declined to speak on the record about their misgivings about Trump's behavior because they did not want to attract criticism from his supporters. "He was focused on conspiracies and not on an opportunity to actually win," said a second frustrated Republican involved in the Georgia contests, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for those reasons. "He could have won the race and headlines would have been that Trump is back and he is coming for Biden in four years." Instead, the election result in Georgia may point to the growing political sway of Biden, who has recently embraced the promise of passing a $1,400 increase in pandemic-related stimulus payments for most Americans. Trump had highlighted the issue by demanding the same increase in payments, opposed by McConnell and Senate Republicans, even as he campaigned for the party's candidates. Democratic internal polling in Georgia found support for McConnell among Republicans and independents fell in late December as Democrats pushed for the higher payments. Both Perdue and Loeffler supported the increase but could not promise a path to delivering it. "You have both Democrats in this race zeroing in on getting money back in people's pockets, getting covid under control, and zeroing in on the idea that we can actually get things done in Washington," said a senior Biden adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. "That was a dominant message for Biden, and this showed that he's got coattails and he's got political muscle. The message of this campaign - the general and the special elections - laid down a road map for Democrats going forward." Since 1992, Georgia has held eight statewide runoff elections between Democrats and Republicans, with Republicans winning seven of them. In each, turnout decreased significantly from the general election, and in all but one, Republicans expanded their vote margin. But Tuesday's races did not follow that pattern. The Democratic margins among voters under the age of 30 grew sharply from November, according to exit polls, as did the Democratic margins for Hispanic and Black voters, especially Black male voters. Democrats broadly credited a program helmed by Stacey Abrams, a former gubernatorial candidate in the state, for driving the increased political involvement. "I can't help but stand in awe of African American turnout in rural areas," Poersch said. Strategists for both parties said Republicans were also likely hurt by Trump not being on the ballot himself, which bodes poorly for Republicans in the 2022 midterm elections. "This guy is a cult leader. And there's a certain percentage who are only going to come out for the cult leader," said John Anzalone, an Alabama-based Democratic pollster who worked for Biden. Like others in the party, he hopes that the outcome both in November and in the Georgia midterms could point to a more lasting realignment for the country. "We're seeing that if Republicans are seen as obstructionists during a pandemic, Republicans could potentially be punished," Anzalone said. "If Democrats are getting small businesses and families things that they need and Republicans are obstructionists, I think that Democrats could buck the historical trend." That concern is widely shared among Republicans, who remain hopeful that they can regain control of the House and Senate in 2022. But there were other signs Wednesday that Republicans may be looking for an alternate path forward to the polarization and recrimination that has marked Trump's approach. "We cannot keep drifting apart into two separate tribes with a separate set of facts and separate realities, with nothing in common except our hostility toward each other and mistrust for the few national institutions that we all still share," McConnell said, shortly before the Senate chamber was invade by a mob of Trump supporters organized around the false notion that Trump won the election. Speaking from Wilmington, Del., Biden delivered a similar message. "Today's a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile and to preserve it requires people of goodwill, leaders with the courage to stand up, who are devoted not to the pursuit of power and personal interest at any cost, but to the common good," he said. - - - The Washington Post's Scott Clement and Matt Viser contributed to this report in Washington. The aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles that have formed the land-based leg of the nation's nuclear deterrent triad for half a century can no longer be upgraded and require costly replacements, Adm. Charles Richard, head of U.S. Strategic Command, said Tuesday. "Let me be very clear: You cannot life-extend the Minuteman III [any longer]," he said of the 400 ICBMs that sit in underground silos across five states in the upper Midwest. "We can't do it at all. ... That thing is so old that, in some cases, the drawings don't exist anymore [to guide upgrades]," Richard said in a Zoom conference sponsored by the Defense Writers Group. Read Next: Facing Sexual Assault Charges, Air Force Colonel Heads to Court-Martial Where the drawings do exist, "they're like six generations behind the industry standard," he said, adding that there are also no technicians who fully understand them. "They're not alive anymore." Richard rejected suggestions by several think tanks that the incoming Biden administration should consider life extensions for the Minuteman IIIs as a cost-saving measure, delaying replacement with new missiles called the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD). "I don't understand, frankly, how someone in a think tank, who actually doesn't have their hands on the missile looking at the parts, the cables, all of the pieces inside" can make judgments on the way forward, he said. With new GBSD missiles built by Northrop Grumman, "we will replace a 60-year-old, basically circuit switch system with a modern, cyber-defendable, up to current standards command and control system," Richard explained. But he had a different take on life extensions for the B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleet, saying that current modernization programs for the B-52H versions of the bomber, which can carry nuclear weapons, are "going quite well." The aircraft was developed in the 1940s and entered the Air Force inventory in the 1950s. He said he wants to add command-and-control improvements into the B-52H modernization program but overall, "I'm satisfied with where we are with that." According to the Defense Department, the nuclear triad's bomber force currently consists of 46 nuclear-capable B-52H bombers and 20 B-2A Spirit aircraft. The undersea leg consists of 14 Ohio-class submarines, each equipped with Trident II missiles; and the land leg consists of the 400 Minuteman IIIs. In assessing the effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent, Richard warned of Russia and China's growing capabilities and the challenges ahead for the U.S. "What's different in the world today than it was, say, back in the Cold War [is the fact that] this nation has never before had to face the prospect of two near-peer, nuclear-capable adversaries who have to be deterred differently," he said. "Actions done to deter one have an impact on the other. This is way more complicated than it used to be." The U.S. also must contend with the divergent worldviews of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said, explaining, "Putin makes decisions differently than Xi." Richard said he has made his concerns known in several meetings with President-elect Joe Biden's transition teams. Without giving specifics, he said the meetings had "gone very well" and added that he is open to a review of the nation's current nuclear strategy, should the incoming administration find it necessary. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, conducted by then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on the order of President Donald Trump, called for a $1.2 trillion modernization of the triad, with an estimated $85 billion going to the new GBSD missile system. The review stated that all three legs of the triad will be vital to the nation's defense for the foreseeable future. "Eliminating any leg of the triad would greatly ease adversary attack planning and allow an adversary to concentrate resources and attention on defeating the remaining two legs," it said. One of the review's controversial recommendations was a call for the development of small-yield nuclear weapons to be placed on ballistic submarines to counter Russia's stockpile of small-yield weapons. Last January, the Federation of American Scientists reported that a small-yield W76-2 Trident submarine warhead had been deployed aboard the Ohio-class submarine Tennessee. The Navy declined to confirm the deployment. Richard said he looks forward to a discussion with the incoming administration on small-yield weapons as part of a new review of the nuclear deterrence mission. "I welcome an examination of the nation's strategy here," he said. "I recommend that, based on the threat. The threat is moving so fast that, even given the [short] time since the last Nuclear Posture Review, [it] warrants another look at it to make sure that we still endorse our strategy, and we have sufficient capability to execute that strategy." He said STRATCOM is "prepared to execute whatever the political leadership of this nation would like to do." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: The Minuteman III, Designed for 10 Years of Use, Celebrates its 50th Anniversary Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi congratulated in a video conference call on Wednesday evening Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, on the occasion of Coptic Christmas. President El-Sisi confirmed to Pope Tawadros II his keenness on personally participating in the Christmas Mass to congratulate the Coptic brothers and take part in their celebrations. Orthodox Copts, who make up around 90 percent of all Christians in the country, celebrate Christmas on 7 January, according to the Gregorian calendar. The occasion is a national holiday in the country. In a statement, the spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency, Bassam Rady, said that the president affirmed to the Coptic Orthodox Pope that "the unity of the Egyptian people and their collective fabric has always been one of the most sacred and cherished features of this country throughout the ages." This is something, El-Sisi says, that must be kept in mind, as "evil people" have always believed that harming Egypt starts with hitting at its heart, which is the unity of its people. "The religious identity of any citizen of this country should not have a role in determining or distinguishing his rights and duties," El-Sisi said. The president stressed during the call the states keennes to act as a role-model to the people by planting the concepts of difference and diversity in form, thought, and belief as a basic method for progress and development. El-Sisi added that this diversity is a divine reality that must be respected and accepted in society, while taking into account what all religions call for in terms of coexistence on the basis of humanity and dissemination of the values of love and equality. He also stressed to the Pope that many Western societies aspire to follow the example of the long history and ancient heritage of Egypt. This history has been characterized by coexistence, and embodied the noblest human values that religions have established for peaceful coexistence and acceptance of others, the president stressed. On his part, Rady said, Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, thanked El-Sisi for his keenness on continuing "his appreciated patriotic tradition of congratulating all Egyptians on this occasion." Pope Tawadros II also stressed the value of the connotations and messages El-Sisi's personal tradition [of taking part in the celebration of the Coptic Christmas] establishes towards preserving the unity of Egyptians, the principle of citizenship, and diversity as a main societal element and one of the strengths of Egypt and its civilisation since the dawn of history, Rady said. President El-Sisi has attended the Coptic Christmas mass at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in central Cairo in previous years. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the church has cancelled or scaled back all religious gatherings and Christmas celebrations this year. Search Keywords: Short link: Pike County Sheriff's Department GRIGGSVILLE A Griggsville man has been sentenced to nine years in prison on methamphetamine-related charges. Sydney P. Little, 32, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine and participation in methamphetamine manufacturing. Lara Bingle looks nothing short of incredible as she covers the latest edition of Marie Claire Australia. The model, 33, who is married to actor Sam Worthington, stuns in a backless top and shows off her cropped blonde locks as she fronts the February issue. Lara did her own hair, makeup and styling for the shoot, and spoke to the publication about life as a mother and how having children changed her views on body image. Gorgeous: Lara Bingle looks nothing short of incredible on the cover of Marie Claire magazine Posing for the cover, Lara wears a Dion Lee outfit featuring a backless design and a layered split skirt. She shows off a soft golden tan, with her short hair out and neatly straightened. The former reality star opts for natural-look makeup, including soft, dewy foundation, a dash of mascara and pink lipstick. Candid: Lara did her own hair, makeup and styling for the shoot, and spoke to the magazine about life as a mother and how having children changed her views on body image She told the magazine she'd struggled with body confidence in her younger years, but welcoming children completely changed her perspective. The Aussie beauty, who hails from Sydney's Cronulla but now lives in Los Angeles, explained that having her three children taught her to 'be happy' in her body. 'Before I had kids, I was always trying to get skinny or be a certain weight,' she said. Changing perspective: 'Before I had kids, I was always trying to get skinny or be a certain weight,' she told the magazine 'My mind was so focused on that and then the moment I just let myself be happy in my body and had kids it really changed for me. I feel like my whole early twenties were just so centred on body issues.' Lara and Sam are parents to three sons: Rocket, four, Racer, three, and a newborn, whose name is yet to be revealed. The doting mum said she thinks her body was 'meant to have kids' and she would 'happily' have more in the future. Candid: 'My mind was so focused on that and then the moment I just let myself be happy in my body and had kids it really changed for me. I feel like my whole early twenties were just so centred on body issues,' she said The Worthingtons welcomed their most recent addition, a baby boy, early last year. Lara had confirmed her pregnancy in November 2019, telling Vogue Australia: 'I'm having a boy, early next year. It's my third boy and we're all very excited and very happy. 'I think any addition brings joy and happiness to the family, but more so when you can share it with the other boys. It's such a boy's club in my house!' Lara and Sam began dating in 2013 and married in secret a year later. Editor's note: This article will continue to be updated as more information is made available on the unfolding situation. Congressman Dan Kildee (D) of Michigans 5th District and Congressman John Moolenaar (R) of Michigan's 4th District both marked themselves safe Wednesday during a lockdown at Capitol Hill. During a joint congressional session on Wednesday, Jan. 6, supporters of outgoing President Donald J. Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, forcing a recess and a building lockdown with the lawmakers still inside. Kildee posted a tweet to his account at 2:30 p.m. stating he was safe and in the House Chamber, followed by another shortly after. The President and every single Republican who incited and encouraged this behavior must denounce it immediately, he stated. Then at about 3 p.m. Kildee tweeted again stating he had been evacuated and escorted to a safe location. "This is a dark moment for the history of our country," he stated. "Praying for an end to the violence and safety for everyone in the Capitol." I have been evacuated from the House Chambers and have been escorted to an alternate, safe location. This is a dark moment for the history of our country. Praying for an end to the violence and safety for everyone in the Capitol. Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 6, 2021 Moolenaar's staff released a media statement via email at about 4 p.m. stating the congressman was also safe. "Todays violent and disgraceful demonstrations at the Capitol have no place in our society," Moolenaar said in his statement. "The protesters who breached the Capitol today violated the rule of law and brought violence to a place where we have gathered for centuries to peacefully debate the issues facing our nation. This was a direct attack on the free society we are blessed to live in and all those who participated in unlawful activities should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. "I am thankful for the members of law enforcement who are doing everything they can to protect the Capitol and I ask all Americans to pray for peace in our country." At around 4 p.m. Kildee tweeted directly to Trump, calling for an immediate end to the violence. Biden also addressed the nation Wednesday afternoon, saying our democracy is under unprecedented assault. He implored the outgoing president to end the mob. Trump released a 1-minute video shortly after 4 p.m. on Twitter encouraging his supporters to go home. He maintained, without evidence, that the election was stolen from him. Twitter flagged the post with the false claim of election fraud and turned off engagements on the post citing risk of violence. The purpose of Wednesday's joint session was to tally and verify the electoral college ballots for the 2020 Presidential Election. However, even before the session began, thousands of Trump supporters were gathering on the Capitol steps to protest the electoral college vote, which gave Biden the presidential victory. Trump has repeatedly claimed widespread election fraud; however, no evidence has been found to support his claims. Protestors added to the pressure against lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results, which is a power not granted to Congress. A few Republican lawmakers planned to formally object the election results; However, Moolenaar published a statement Tuesday evening stating that he would not be one of them. Our Constitution provides clear guidance for our states and legislators, He stated on Twitter. The states have the authority to appoint electors in accordance with state law and Congress is to count the electors submitted by the states. Unrest broke out at an immigration detention centre on Australias Christmas island after detainees set fire to at least two compounds, authorities reported on January 6. Scores of detainees, frustrated by being confined to their room for 22 hours and unable to contact their families due to poor network connection, set both the compounds ablaze overnight December 5, Advocacy group Refugee Action said. In the aftermath, the Australian Border Force has initiated an operation to restore order after a disturbance at the North West Point Immigration Detention Centre on the Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. A small number of detainees caused some damage to the facility overnight and continue to be non-compliant, the government agency said in a statement, adding there were no reports of any injuries. No info yet. Ned Kelly said this: BREAKING NEWS CHRISTMAS ISLAND IMMIGRATION FACILITY ON FIRE due to the harsh policies of Border Force they had enough, people on roof, Serco useless #ERT on grounds, hiding behind their shields. https://t.co/2eH5bR5ouN pic.twitter.com/s2hRIAQ1nT Lynne Murphy (@lynnemurphy1) January 5, 2021 Although the extent of damage caused is still unknown, Refugee Action said that it as quite substantial judging from the smoke that billowed. Commenting on the incident, George Newhouse, National justice Project principal lawyer lambasted the federal government saying that the prisoners were kept in an inhuman condition ti force them to leave Australia. To house unlawful non-citizens The detention centre houses all Asylum seekers who have been caught on boats in Australian waters. According to government data, Christmas island stationed over 220 detainees in October 2020. As per Australian Border Force, the centre was being used to house unlawful non-citizens migrants who had their visas cancelled after being convicted of crimes. Read: Australia Will Start COVID Vaccine Rollout 2 Weeks Earlier Than Expected: Health Minister Read: India Vs Australia 3rd Test Live Stream, Pitch Report, Sydney Weather Forecast, Preview Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the country, with over 28,536 cases and 909 reproted fatalities. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that the coronavirus vaccine rollout will begin weeks earlier than expected. The vaccine rollout is expected to take place in early March. The government has aimed to vaccinate all the Australian citizens by October 2021. Read: IND Vs AUS 2020: Australia Name Indian Hand That Helps Them Plan Oppositions Data Analysis Read: ICC Test Rankings: New Zealand Finally Leapfrog 'big Brothers' Australia To Become No.1 Representative image: Reuters Several states have sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu and sent samples for testing. Meanwhile, Kerala began culling of chickens and ducks. After the confirmation of positive reports of H5N8 virus (a variant of avian influenza) from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the 12 epicentres have been identified in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. In Rajasthan, after the flu was confirmed in samples of carcasses sent from Jhalawar, avian influenza subtype H5N8, which experts said is less infectious than H5N1 virus, has been detected in Rajasthan's Kota and Baran districts. The state reported deaths of 200 more birds on January 5, officials said. They further said that the number of birds which died in Rajasthan in the recent days reached 625 on the day, amid an outbreak of bird flu. The fatalities were reported in 16 of the 33 districts of Rajasthan. In view of the reported cases of avian influenza, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has instructed officials to maintain special vigil in view of death of crows and other birds in the state. In Madhya Pradesh, after Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts. Presence of H5N8 virus was found in the carcasses of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, said an official, citing test results of samples sent for laboratory analysis. Also read | Chicken, egg shops shut in parts of Madhya Pradesh for 15 days At least 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 virus since the pathogen was first detected in the commercial city a week back. Since December 23, 2020, about 400 avian deaths have been reported across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh, said the Public Relations Department official. The bird flu has been confirmed in the dead crows in Indore, Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said. Apart from these three districts, the samples of dead avians were collected from Ujjain, Sehore, Dewas, Guna, Shajapur, Khargone and Neemuch districts and sent to the NIHSAD in Bhopal for testing, the official said. In Himachal Pradesh, many migratory birds, mostly bar-headed geese, found dead in Pong Dam Lake in Kangra district. In Kerala, around 1,700 ducks have died due to the flu in in Alappuzha and Kottayam. Also read | Bird flu declared a state disaster in Kerala, authorities order culling of domestic poultry Bird flu is a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, which can occasionally infect humans as well. (With inputs from PTI) University students in Manchester have threatened a rent strike after being told to pay up to 3,000 for accommodation even though they cannot return to campus during lockdown. Like students elsewhere in the country, thousands of Manchester students face being stuck at home while being forced to continue paying for university accommodation, even though halls of residence are in many cases off-limits to them. Students were set to return to campuses this week after the Christmas holidays but their return has now been delayed by the new national coronavirus lockdown. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that he would 'have a look at the issue' of student rent, but students at both the University of Manchester and Salford University are furious. One first-year Salford student is among many stuck with paying 133 a week for a room on her campus said there was talk among other would-be graduates of a 'rent strike'. In November, University of Manchester students barricaded themselves inside a university building to protest about being forced to carry on paying rent during the November lockdown. A week previously, Manchester students tore down metal barricades which had been installed around their accommodation. It comes as the London School of Economics said it was moving its teaching online for the rest of the current academic year and the University of York cancelled all face-to-face teaching for most courses for the rest of the present term. University students in Manchester have threatened a rent strike after being told to pay up to 3,000 for accommodation even though they cannot return to campus during lockdown. Pictured: A previous rent strike by University of Manchester students in November Fees are due in the coming weeks for the spring term, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing another national lockdown that will last until at least mid-February. The Government's advice is that the majority of students should 'remain where they are' and resume their studies online rather than moving back into university accommodation. Universities cancel in-person teaching The LSE said on Wednesday it would move all 'compulsory' teaching online in a bid to provide 'stability and certainty' for students, Times Higher Education reported. The prestigious institution added that it hoped to provide 'voluntary in-person education, learning and community building activities on campus as enhanced options in addition to online teaching' from late February, if the coronavirus situation allows. It came as the University of York said it would move all classroom-based teaching online for the whole of the spring term. University College London (UCL) earlier opted to delay in-person teaching until February 22 at the earliest and possibly until the end of the current term. Government guidance published for the latest lockdown, which was announced on Monday, says the return of most students to campuses should be pushed back to 'at least mid-February'. Advertisement Only students on practical courses such as medicine, education, and social work are advised to return for face-to-face teaching. Frances Woodford, who has a room in Salford's Peel Park accommodation, said that she and her fellow students are 'not standing for this anymore'. She is among a group of first-year students living at Peel Park who have been told by private accommodation provider Campus Living Villages (CLV) that the company has a 'legal obligation' to collect its rents. She claimed that even before the latest lockdown residents didn't have access to communal areas such as a gym, pool tables and hang-out rooms. 'We feel like they are just turning a blind eye,' she said. 'We have launched a petition to raise awareness - we are not standing for this anymore. 'I know a lot of people who don't get enough maintenance grants to pay their rent and can't get jobs so are having to rely on their parents to pay for accommodation they can't even use. 'There has been talk of a rent strike if nothing is done. It has been a difficult year. I like it there but some of the stuff we've been through just isn't okay. 'We have had issues with the bins, with mould in our flats. This is the last straw for us. 'We have had enough. We have been promised all these things and have received nothing in return.' Alex Greaves, 20, added: 'What angers me the most is that it shouldn't come to us setting up a petition. 'They should understand the situation and take some accountability. 'It's not their fault what's happening but equally it isn't ours either.' The halls of residence are run as an 'exclusive partnership' with the university, according to CLV's website, and the next instalment of rent, around 2,000 for most students, is due on January 12. After querying the rent demands, students received an email from CLV's Accommodation Team that read: 'In regards to rental payments, you agreed to pay rents via a contractual agreement signed at the before (sic) the beginning of your tenancy here. First-year University of Salford student Frances Woodford is among many stuck with paying 133 a week for a room on her campus said there was talk among other would-be graduates of a 'rent strike'. Another Salford student, Alex Greaves (right), 20, said university bosses need to 'understand the situation and take some responsibility' Ms Woodford is paying for a room at Salford University's Peel Park accommodation, pictured above 'Unfortunately, prior to your arrival in September, we could not determine when students are advised to return to university in January amidst the pandemic. 'Therefore as the licence agreement is legally binding and rental payments must be made on the dates provided (sic), also if you are receiving Student Finance there is no legal argument for you not to pay rents. 'However, if there is any discussion at all on this between us and the university, we will notify you all. 'We understand it's not the best situation for yourself to be in, however we have to follow our policy and legal obligations to collect rents on these dates. 'If you have any queries or would like to appeal this please direct them to the university or your students union.' When asked for further comment, a spokesperson from Campus Living Villages said: 'Campus Living Villages continue to follow Government guidance, with staff on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure our Villages remain open and so we can provide our residents with a safe and secure home. 'The guidance is constantly evolving, and we continue to review and adapt our approach in line with updates as and when they happen. 'We have not instructed residents to leave their accommodation and our Villages remain open as we continue to provide accommodation services. 'All rooms are available for our residents to occupy until the end of their accommodation agreement.' A University of Salford spokesperson said: 'The disruption to university students caused by the latest lockdown has left many unable to return to campus and to their term time accommodation. 'They are in an extremely difficult position with having to pay rent on accommodation that they are being told by the Government that they are not allowed to use. 'We are working through how best to support all students at this time and will be making an announcement about this on Monday 11 January. 'This is not a simple issue and does not just affect those in halls of residence, many pay private landlords for flats and shared houses.' They added: 'We are as frustrated as the students with short notice changes and lack of detail from government but we will work as quickly as possible to respond to the concerns that our students have rightly expressed.' In November, University of Manchester students (one pictured above during the sit-in) barricaded themselves inside university building Owens Park tower in Fallowfield to protest at being charged full rent fees Last month, the University of Manchester gave all students in its halls a 30 per cent rent discount for the autumn term. It came after some barricaded themselves inside a campus building in November after being asked to pay full rent during lockdown. University bosses also agreed to allow students to cancel their accommodation contracts without penalty if they wished. The university has yet to outline their policy for rents for the new term which are due to be paid on January 21. Students are said to be demanding no fees for weeks where they've been told not to return to campus. A university spokesman said: 'We understand these continue to be challenging and uncertain times for our students. 'The 30 per cent reduction in rent is for semester one which runs up to 31 January. 'All students in our halls of residence have the option to break their licence agreement with us at any time without penalty. Students Fallowfield also tore down metal barriers which were put up around their accommodation block in November 'As a University we will carry on supporting our students in every way we can, whether they're on campus, in our accommodation or now studying from home.' Some students at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)) are calling for rent reductions at both university and private accommodation. Another petition, which has been signed by more than 12,000 people, targets MMU accommodation provider Unite Students. The petition says: 'We are students, teenagers stuck in our rooms/flats being told not to go into uni and not to socialise with anyone. 'Yes we have a contract with them but this is NOT right. 'There is security at every entrance of every building checking if we live here or not. Communal areas being shut. It adds: 'WE ARE BEING TREATED LIKE PRISONERS.' Unite has been approached for comment. A Manchester Metropolitan University spokesman said: 'The wellbeing and education of our students is our top priority, and we fully appreciate what a challenging academic year this has been. 'The University will be implementing a rent reduction for students in University-owned accommodation which was based on previous Government guidance around the staggered return to face-to-face activity this term. 'In terms of Monday's announcement of a national lockdown, we're reviewing the impact of this and also awaiting further government guidance. 'For any private accommodation landlords, we've asked if they would consider rent reductions for students living in their properties.' Mr Johnson addressed the issue of student rents at Tuesday's Downing Street press conference. He said: 'What we hope is that they (students) will get online learning that will allow them to continue with their degree courses, but clearly there are going to be issues to do with the cost of their accommodation that we will have to look at as a Government and see what arrangements the universities are making to deal with the reasonable concerns of many, many students.' Earlier in November, Fallowfield students described how they awoke in 'a box surrounded by strangers' after their university put up fencing around their halls without telling them. Undergraduates ripped down the metal posts after they were set up on the first day of England's November lockdown In November, University of Manchester students barricaded themselves inside a university building to protest at being charged full rent fees. The 15 students, most of whom were first-year students, said at the time that they had enough supplies to 'occupy' the top floor of Owens Park tower in Fallowfield for several weeks. They lit smoke flares and draped banners from the windows of the accommodation bloc. The protesters demanded a meeting with the university's vice chancellor, Dame Nancy Rothwell, as well as a rent and tuition fee reduction. Earlier in November, Fallowfield students described how they awoke in 'a box surrounded by strangers' after their university put up fencing around their halls without telling them. Undergraduates ripped down the metal posts after they were set up on the first day of England's November lockdown. Crowds trampled on the barrier and set off flares in fury at not being informed of the new measures. Manchester University announced an inquiry after the fences were erected around the student halls that were set up as a 'security measure' to 'help avoid mixing with households'. InMoment, a Salt Lake City, UT-based provider of Experience Improvement (XI) solutions, acquired Wootric, a San Francisco, CA-based digital feedback industry company. The amount of the deal waas not disclosed. This acquisition accelerates InMoments lead in the digital experience (DX) and product experience (PX) markets and growth in new markets and geographies. Wootric employees will continue in their roles, and the companys two female co-founders, Deepa Subramanian and Jessica Pfeifer, will help accelerate InMoments digital solutions and digital commercial offerings. Wootric provides a technology platform that offers users a way to start collecting high quality customer and employee feedback at all key touchpoints all the time. The companys approach utilizes behavior-science-based micro surveys and do-it-yourself (DIY) functionality that is supplemented with intelligence from the Wootric Eligibility Engine that enable novice users to launch collection programs that comply with governed best practices. The company has over 1,200 clients including top-name brands like Zoom, DocuSign, Comcast, HubSpot, and GlassDoor. Led by Andrew Joiner, CEO, InMoment provides an Experience Improvement (XI) platform to help clients improve experiences at the intersection of value, where customer, employee, and business needs come together. FinSMEs 06/01/2020 Columbia, MO (65201) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The wife of the President of Armenia, Nune Sarksyan, like her husband Armen Sarksyan, contracted the coronavirus, the press service of the presidents administration reported on Facebook. According to the report, the president and his wife, "who contracted a new type of coronavirus," thank for the support and good wishes, Sputnik Armenia writes. Yesterday it became known that Armen Sarksyan, who was celebrating the New Year in London, was diagnosed with COVID-19, the politician on self-isolatation continues to work remotely. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to Punjab and the Centre on a petition filed by Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, which sought action against those involved in damaging its telecom towers. Over 1,500 Jio telecom towers have been damaged in Punjab, which has led to disruption in services in several parts of the state. Power supply to several towers that relay telecom signals was snapped and cables cut in many parts of Punjab. According to Aashish Mittal, the counsel for Reliance Jio, Justice Sudhir Mittal has issued a notice of motion for February 8; Reliance, in its petition, has made Union Home Ministry, Department of Telecommunications, and Director General of Police and Chief Secretary of Punjab as respondents. The petition says miscreants closed many of its centres and stores forcibly by using "illegal force and intimidation". It also said many of Jio customers were being forced to port their number to other networks. Jio employees are also facing grave threats to their life and they are being stopped from serving customers in the state, it said. Also read: No plans to buy agricultural land for corporate, contract farming: RIL The company said those who are attacking its properties have been instigated and aided by vested interests and its business rivals. "Taking advantage of the ongoing farmers' agitation, these vested interests have launched an incessant, malicious and motivated vilification campaign against Reliance," the petition said. The petition filed on January 4 said Reliance has nothing to do with the three farm laws and in no way benefits from them. "Neither Reliance nor any of our subsidiaries has purchased any agricultural land, directly or indirectly, in Punjab or Haryana or anywhere else in India, for the purpose of "corporate" or "contract" farming. We have absolutely no plans to do so," the company clarified. Notably, Jio is facing ire from the protesting farmers as they allege that some portions of the law are believed to be favouring large business groups, particularly Reliance Industries (RIL) and Adani Group. The farmers have been making calls to boycott RIL and Adani Group as a result of this perception. Also read: Attacks on Jio towers continue; association to write another letter to Punjab Police Also read: COAI condemns attack on Reliance Jio's towers amid farmers' protest in Punjab New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with leading economists and sectoral experts on Friday to deliberate on measures that may be included in the upcoming budget for promoting growth, amid uncertainty on multiple fronts caused by COVID-19. The meeting, being organised by the government think tank Niti Aayog will be held virtually and will also be attended by Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. "The Prime Minister will meet economists on Friday to seek their inputs for the next budget," said a government official on condition of anonymity. The meeting assumes significance as according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India's economy is projected to contract 7.5 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 31, 2021, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank estimates the contraction at 10.3 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively. India's economy recovered faster than expected in the September quarter as a pick-up in manufacturing helped GDP clock a lower contraction of 7.5 per cent and held out hopes for further improvement on better consumer demand. India's economic growth stood at an estimated 4.2 per cent in 2019-20. The upcoming Union Budget is likely to be presented on February 1, 2021. (BPT) - In 2018, Jenn Carroll, a human resources director from Connecticut, visited her doctor for what she thought was a routine exam. Although Jenn, a former smoker, was asymptomatic at the time of her allergist appointment, her doctor ordered a chest X-ray after Jenn asked about her allergy test results, specifically a result that suggested her lung capacity was that of an 80-year-old. She was 56 years old at that time. Upon referral, Jenn took the X-ray to a pulmonologist who confirmed through a biopsy that she had non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This finding led Jenn on a medical journey that was unexpected, yet not totally unsurprising. Lung cancer runs in her family. I cant say that I was taken totally off guard by the news. Knowing my history, there was always in the back of my mind the chance that it could happen to me. Still, nothing really quite prepares you for hearing the news of a lung cancer diagnosis, Jenn recalls. Even though the diagnosis and all it was to entail was scary, I was at least fortunate that there were treatment options for my type of non-small cell lung cancer, said Jenn. Jenn first had a surgery to completely remove her tumor, and her surgeon discovered the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes which changed her diagnosis to Stage IIB NSCLC. Jenn was lucky that she was diagnosed early. The following month, her doctor recommended that she receive chemotherapy. Unfortunately, people with Jenns type of cancer face a risk of the cancer returning even when it is found early and treated with the standard of care (surgery, sometimes followed by chemotherapy). Three months after receiving four rounds of chemotherapy, Jenns doctor mentioned that she was a potential candidate for a clinical trial the ADAURA Phase III trial to test a new treatment regimen in patients with Stage IB-IIIA epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm) NSCLC who had surgery to completely remove the tumor. Jenn's Stage IIB NSCLC was found to have an EGFR mutation (exon 21 deletion), and therefore she was eligible to participate in the ADAURA trial. As part of the ADAURA trial, Jenn was given either osimertinib or placebo, and currently does not know which treatment she is receiving. I do sometimes worry about my cancer coming back but by continuing to participate in the trial, I have hope knowing that I am doing everything I can to give my disease a one-two punch, Jenn said. New Treatment Option May Decrease the Risk of Disease Recurrence Based on the interim results of the ADAURA trial, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TAGRISSO (osimertinib) for the treatment of adult patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to help prevent lung cancer from coming back after removal by surgery. Results from the ADAURA Phase III trial showed adjuvant treatment (i.e., after surgery) with TAGRISSO in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC reduced the risk of their cancer coming back or death: Primary Endpoint: In the ADAURA clinical trial, patients with Stage II and IIIA EGFRm NSCLC patients treated with TAGRISSO following surgery to completely remove their tumor were 83% less likely to experience their cancer coming back or death than with placebo Key Secondary Endpoint: Patients in the overall trial population (Stage IB, II and IIIA) treated with TAGRISSO following surgery were 80% less likely to experience their cancer coming back or death than with placebo The safety and tolerability of TAGRISSO in the ADAURA trial were consistent with the established safety profile. In the ADAURA trial, the most common adverse reactions (20%) were diarrhea, rash, changes in your nails, mouth sores, and dry skin. Please see the Important Safety Information for TAGRISSO below and a link to the complete Prescribing Information including Patient Information This targeted adjuvant treatment regimen is offering new hope for resectable EGFRm NSCLC patients potentially increasing the odds of disease-free survival (DFS) by lowering the risk of the cancer coming back or death. Before the FDA approval of TAGRISSO, there were no approved targeted treatments, given after surgery, that demonstrated improvement in DFS outcomes in EGFRm NSCLC following surgery. TAGRISSO given after surgery has the potential to change the way we treat NSCLC patients after surgery, giving them another option to treat their cancer if appropriate, said Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Chief of Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital. Given in this post-surgical setting to patients diagnosed with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, TAGRISSO may help prevent the disease from coming back after surgery. Spotlighting the Importance of Diagnosing and Treating NSCLC Earlier Just as each patient has a unique profile, so does each tumor. Tumors are driven by unique sets of genes that have their own mutations and alterations, called biomarkers. When doctors identify the specific thumbprint of a tumor, through biomarker testing, they can often prescribe medicines that are designed to target the tumors specific traits. Testing for biomarkers can be done by surgically removing a portion of the tumor during a biopsy. TAGRISSO is designed to target a specific genetic mutation, called an EGFR mutation, which can be identified through this type of testing. Though biomarker testing is more commonly used as a standard of care when patients are diagnosed with metastatic (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) NSCLC, the availability of TAGRISSO for EGFRm NSCLC patients after surgery emphasizes the importance of testing for EGFR mutations. I believe it is really important for others facing resectable non-small cell lung cancer (lung cancer that can be removed by surgery) to have their biomarker testing done for EGFR mutations as soon as they can, Jenn said. TAGRISSO IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION TAGRISSO may cause serious side effects, including: lung problems. TAGRISSO may cause lung problems that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening lung symptoms, including trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or fever TAGRISSO may cause lung problems that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening lung symptoms, including trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or fever heart problems, including heart failure. TAGRISSO may cause heart problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider should check your heart function before you start taking TAGRISSO and during treatment as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of a heart problem: feeling like your heart is pounding or racing, shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles and feet, feeling lightheaded TAGRISSO may cause heart problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider should check your heart function before you start taking TAGRISSO and during treatment as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of a heart problem: feeling like your heart is pounding or racing, shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles and feet, feeling lightheaded eye problems. TAGRISSO may cause eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of eye problems which may include watery eyes, sensitivity to light, eye pain, eye redness, or vision changes. Your healthcare provider may send you to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) if you get eye problems with TAGRISSO TAGRISSO may cause eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of eye problems which may include watery eyes, sensitivity to light, eye pain, eye redness, or vision changes. Your healthcare provider may send you to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) if you get eye problems with TAGRISSO skin problems. TAGRISSO may cause skin problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop target lesions (skin reactions that look like rings), severe blistering or peeling of the skin TAGRISSO may cause skin problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop target lesions (skin reactions that look like rings), severe blistering or peeling of the skin inflammation of the blood vessels in your skin. TAGRISSO may cause blood vessel problems in your skin. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop purple spots or redness of the skin that does not fade in color when pressed (non-blanching) on your lower arms, lower legs, or buttocks or large hives on the main part of your body (trunk) that do not go away within 24 hours and look bruised Before taking TAGRISSO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have lung or breathing problems have heart problems, including a condition called long QTc syndrome have problems with your electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium have a history of eye problems are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TAGRISSO can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with TAGRISSO or think you may be pregnant Females who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment with TAGRISSO. You should use effective birth control during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 6 weeks after the final dose of TAGRISSO Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 4 months after the final dose of TAGRISSO are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TAGRISSO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 2 weeks after your final dose of TAGRISSO. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take a heart or blood pressure medicine The most common side effects of TAGRISSO are: low white blood cell counts low platelet counts diarrhea low red blood cell counts (anemia) rash muscle, bone, or joint pain changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from nailbed, and shedding of nail dry skin mouth sores tiredness cough Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of TAGRISSO. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What is TAGRISSO? TAGRISSO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has certain abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene(s): to help prevent your lung cancer from coming back after your tumor(s) has been removed by surgery, or as your first treatment when your lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), or when your lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and you have had previous treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) medicine that did not work or is no longer working Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that TAGRISSO is right for you. It is not known if TAGRISSO is safe and effective in children. Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information. 2020 AstraZeneca. All rights reserved. US-43140 Last Updated 12/20 This sponsored article is presented by Brandpoint. Donald Trump is putting the pressure and the blame on his long time loyal vice president, Mike Pence, for his election loss, an act one White House aide called 'shameful.' The president has repeatedly hammered Pence to act illegally and overturn the election in his favor, while Pence aides said the vice president will follow the constitution when he oversees a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon to certify the election results. 'If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election,' Trump told a crowd of supporters on the National Mall shortly before the session began. But he also demonstrated he doesn't understand Pence's role in presiding over the session, which is largely ceremonial. 'All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to recertify and we become president,' Trump claimed, which is false. Pence doesn't have that power and such a move would not give Trump a victory. He said he spoke to Pence about the matter. Trump addressed his rally as Pence prepared to gavel in the the Congressional session that will certify Joe Biden's victory. 'I just spoke to Mike, I said Mike, that doesn't take courage - what takes courage is to do nothing. And then were stuck with a president who lost the election by a lot and we have to live with that,' he said. But Trump keeps beating the drum on the issue. Earlier, he demanded Pence ignore the constitution and instead 'return' swing states' slates of electors for Joe Biden to Republican-controlled legislatures who would then submit their own Trump electors. Pence has no such power to do so - and told Trump that over lunch on Tuesday, the New York Times reported - but Trump doubled down on his demands as thousands of his supporters, some in camouflage, gathered close to the White House. 'States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Trump tweeted. At the White House there was shock that Trump would turn so publicly on his ultra-loyal VP. CNN reported that one aide called attacking the VP 'shameful,' amid fears from Pence's camp that worse was to come. The tweet was hours before Pence was due to preside over the joint session of Congress which will formally declare Biden the election victor - and as the Republican party adsorbed the shock of being on the brink of losing the Senate. Trump appeared to concede that the Senate was lost in an all-capitals tweet claiming that Republicans need to keep 'the power of the veto.' 'THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!' Trump tweeted. A move to turn on Pence had been growing in inevitability for days. Axios reported that Trump had no idea that Pence oversaw the certification of the election results - until he learned about it from a television ad by the Lincoln Project, the never-Trump Republican group led by Kellyanne Conway's husband George. Donald Trump is putting the blame on his long time loyal vice president, Mike Pence, for his election loss Tweetstorm turning on Pence: Donald Trump went after his own VP in a tweetstorm On Tuesday night ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. That was after Trump slammed as 'fake news' the revelation that Pence had told him he was powerless to stop Biden's win in a statement which was signed only by Trump - and not by his deputy. 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power to reject slates of electors 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the Electoral College votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to how Pennsylvania's voting was run - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. Truth to power: Donald Trump demanded publicly Monday night at his rally in Georgia and then on Twitter that the vice president aid his campaign to overturn the election. Pence told him Tuesday he could not Desperation move: Trump's extraordinary plan to overturn the election through Mike Pence is a final attempt to stop Joe Biden's victory being confirmed If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden - at least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Ted Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Josh Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' And for Pence, who has walked the tight rope of Trump's presidency for four years without faltering, what he does Wednesday will be the ultimate loyalty test, at least in the eyes of the president, who is publicly putting on the pressure. Trump has made it clear he expects his second-in-command to keep him in the White House even if Pence does not legally or constitutionally have the power to do so. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Advertisement Ultimately, Biden is expected to be certified as the winner of the election on Wednesday, which Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, is expected to announce after the certification is complete. The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. When all is said and done, Biden will be inaugurated the 46th president on January 20th. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' The low down on how Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times Advertisement 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleagues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 12:39:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Tuesday said it has relocated the first batch of Ethiopian refugees fleeing the violence in Ethiopia's Tigray region to a new site in Sudan. "The UN Refugee Agency continues to register new refugee arrivals at the Sudanese-Ethiopian border. Some 800 people crossed from Ethiopia's Tigray region into eastern Sudan in just the first few days of the New Year," said a statement by the agency. Weeks of fights in Tigray between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the Ethiopian Defense Forces have reportedly left hundreds of people dead, thousands displaced, and millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. "Refugees are arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs, fatigued and in weak conditions after days of travel. More than 30 percent of them are estimated to be under 18 and 5 percent over 60 years old," it said. The UN agency and Sudan's Commission for Refugees continue to relocate the refugees from the arrival locations at the border to the designated refugee camps, further inland in Sudan's Gedaref State, according to the statement. With the Um Rakuba refugee camp almost at full capacity, the UN agency and its partners "are striving to swiftly relocate refugees from reception sites at the border to a second, newly opened refugee camp, Tunaydbah, in order to keep refugees safe and offer them better living conditions." The new site is located some 136 km from Gedaref town. Since Sunday, 580 refugees have been relocated to Tunaydbah from Village 8 reception site, with relocations from Hamdayet reception site set to start also this week, said the UN body. Both reception sites are overcrowded, and their close location to the border put the safety and security of refugees increasingly at risk, it said. A total of 1,000 tents, capable of sheltering up to 5,000 people, have so far been set up in the new site. More than 56,000 Ethiopian refugees have fled Tigray into eastern Sudan since early November, according to the latest figures from the UN refugee agency. The UN agency said by the end of 2020, some 40 million U.S. dollars has been pledged to the agency for the regional response to the emergency in Tigray, which covers only 37 percent of the financial requirements in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. Enditem An offer was accepted by our landlord, and the sale has been finalized, so our lease will not be renewed, Marino said. We tried everything we could do to try and fight this. Unfortunately, this all happened very quickly, and we have not had the chance to try and find a new location. I thought I had a few more months. Prince Harry didn't learn the same lesson from Prince William when the marriage of their parents collapsed. According to royal commentator Robert Lacey, he thinks that the future King of England was relieved to know that he will have a major role in the British royal family. It made the Duke of Cambridge focus on what his duties are and determined to do an excellent job at it. But the same can't be said for his younger brother, the Duke of Sussex. Instead of thinking of the monarchy, Prince Harry has decided that he will apply the learnings of not making the same mistakes of his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Lacey told Elle Magazine, "There, on the one hand, you have the duty, and on the other hand, you have Harry emerging from the same emotional chaos." He added, "He takes a different lesson: his parents were locked into an arranged, loveless marriage, and he's not going to make that mistake." Lacey said that the 36-year-old, who announced his royal exit with wife Megan Markle about a year ago, would "go for love, unapologetically." The commentator noted how one of Prince Harry's first statements about the former "Suits" star was "falling in love with her the moment" he "saw her." He even spoke about how quickly he fell head over heels for the Los Angeles-born actress during their engagement interview. The dad-of-one told the interviewer at the time that Meghan "just tripped and fell into my life." He also revealed that she was "the one" and confirmed that the speed of falling in love with one another proves that the stars aligned them for each other. Robert Lacey believes that two different lessons learned by the former Princes of Wales from their early lives are the true embodiment of the battle between love and duty. He explained, "In 1936, it was embodied in the person of one man, Edward VIII, and is now embodied by these two boys. Just as in 1936, it was duty that won, and love had to go abroad." Robert also said that Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, will be taking over the British royal family's situation. At the same time, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would just freely enjoy their freedom in the US. With rumors of feuding between the two couples, Robert hopes that there would be "some reconciliation." READ MORE: Prince Harry 2021: Royal Astrologer Predicts Tumultuous Year For Meghan Markle Husband See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Boris Johnson referred to Covid as 'Kung-Flu' and - before he was infected with the virus - offered to be injected with it live on TV to 'show it's nothing to be scared of', Dominic Cummings will claim. They are among the explosive allegations that Mr Cummings, Mr Johnson's former chief adviser, will make to MPs investigating the Government's handling of the epidemic. In an extraordinary claim, he will accuse the Prime Minister of being responsible for 'thousands of deaths' by delaying a second lockdown when a second wave of the virus hit the UK in the winter. And he will allege Mr Johnson was slow to react to the pandemic because he was on a 'prolonged holiday' with partner Carrie Symonds in February last year. Mr Cummings is expected to be accused by Tory MPs of using today's appearance before a select committee to 'avenge' his sacking in November after he lost a power struggle with Miss Symonds. But Labour will seize on the claims as evidence that Mr Johnson could have done more to save lives. Mr Cummings is due to give evidence to the joint health and science committees for four hours. His claim that Mr Johnson referred to Covid as 'Kung-Flu' will be seized on by those who criticise the Prime Minister's politically incorrect language. The term was coined by Donald Trump in June last year, at which stage the full force of the pandemic had not hit America. By contrast, it had claimed 40,000 lives in the UK. Mr Cummings' allegation that Mr Johnson said he was willing to be injected with Covid to reassure the public is likely to cause a major controversy. Mr Cummings will claim the PM said: 'I'm going to get Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Officer) to inject me with it live on national TV so everyone can see it's nothing to be scared of.' He will tell MPs the PM made the remark on repeated occasions. These are the heartwarming scenes as fire fighters in Pennsylvania were able to rescue a dog from a barn that was engulfed in flames. The footage shows a neighbor speaking to Ryan Balmer of the Lititz Fire Company who told him that his dog was trapped in the burning shed. Within seconds, Firefighter Balmer broke a window which he climbed through into the flaming building to find the terrified animal. Ryan Balmer of the Lititz Fire Company breaks his way into the burning barn in Pennsylvania after receiving reports that there is a dog trapped inside He climbed his way into the barn as the dog would not jump through the window to safety After a few seconds inside, Firefighter Balmer led the dog towards the window The volunteer fire fighter emerged from the barn with the dog who scampered over to its owner. According to a spokesperson for the volunteer fire service, in the city of Lititz which is 60 miles west of Philadelphia, and has a population of around 10,000 people: 'Typically when we arrive at a Barn Fire, especially when its fully involved when we arrive, we treat the situation as a surround and drown which means we surround the structure, protect any nearby exposures, and put massive amounts of water on the fire until it goes out. 'First in crews are responsible for stretching handlines, establishing water. It is not often a Barn fire is a rescue situation, but in this instance, it clearly was. 'Were thankful for the quick actions of Firefighter Ryan Balmer on that day to save the life of the pup!' Firefighter units from several other surrounding towns attended the emergency call out. Fr Michael Commane: 'Dermot Farrell needs to give us hope, not just to Catholics but to all people of good will.' Last Tuesday (29th) Dermot Farrell was named as the new Catholic archbishop of Dublin. The archbishop-elect is from Westmeath and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Meath on June 7, 1980. He spent 11 years as president of St Patrick's College, Maynooth. Since 2018 he has been bishop in the Diocese of Ossory. Before his episcopal appointment he was parish priest in Dunboyne. In the run-up to the appointment of a new bishop the papal nuncio sends three names, called a terna, to Rome and a group of men in the Vatican usually pick one of the three and that person is appointed bishop. Is it possible that senior clerics had suggested names to the papal nuncio? Because it is all done behind closed doors it's fair to say that anything and everything is possible. And it's a pity that the appointment of bishops is done in such a closed and secret manner. Far too often apparatchik-type people can easily be appointed bishops. What Dublin needs right now is a charismatic man, who will inspire, someone who will be genuinely interested in people. And already, Dermot Farrell has spoken of the importance for him to listen to the people. The Catholic Church in Ireland is tired and its leadership leaves much to be desired. Is it a good idea to move one of the current Irish bishops to Dublin? Was there not a priest in the archdiocese suitable for the position? The archdiocese needs someone with imagination and courage, who will not be afraid to try new ways, so as to capture the imagination of the people. After all, the Gospel is a story of Good News and wouldn't you imagine that it should be easy enough to sell a good news story. The new archbishop needs to be a person of prayer and humility, who feels at ease with people. Dermot Farrell has a doctorate in theology. I hope he can easily communicate the faith and is pastorally sensitive. It's important that he appoint a top class press officer, who has the skills, intelligence and sense of humour to make the story of the Good News attractive to the media. The church has a bad track record in appointing staid and boring people to speak on their behalf to the media. Indeed, often they have a sense of haughtiness about them. Any good press officer needs to feel at ease with his or her counterparts across the media. On top of all that, the new bishop will have the almost impossible task of getting to know the priests of the diocese and building up a relationship with them. A bishop needs to be in touch with his priests and deacons. Just imagine if the new man, say within 100 days in the job, decided to organise a gathering, some sort of synod, to plan for the future of the archdiocese. Dermot Farrell needs to give us hope, not just to Catholics but to all people of good will. Hopefully he will be kind and good natured to the people in the archdiocese. Fingal Independent Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. (Newser) The only woman on federal death row is set to be executed Tuesdaybut her lawyers are hoping the president will intervene. Lisa Montgomery's defense team filed a petition for clemency Tuesday, USA Today reports. "We're asking now that President Trump to please hear our plea," one of the 52-year-old's federal public defenders said at a press conference Tuesday. "He can be a hero in this case, he can be a hero for women who've been victims of sex trafficking, and he can make a very public statement about the importance of ending stigmatization of mental illness." Montgomery strangled an 8-months-pregnant Bobbie Jo Stinnett in 2004, then cut the baby girl from her womb and tried to pass the infant off as her own. story continues below But her lawyers say Montgomery was victimized by incest, child sex trafficking, gang rape, physical abuse, and neglect, mostly from her own family members. Doctors also say she has congenital brain damage and multiple traumatic brain injuries, which, her lawyers say, "have resulted in incurable and significant psychiatric disabilities." They want her sentence commuted to life without the possibility of parole. CNN reports the defense team also plans to take the case to the Supreme Court. "We have legal avenues that remain open to us. We will be fighting as hard as possible to prevent this execution from taking place," one of them said. The Guardian delves into Montgomery's history here. (Read more Lisa Montgomery stories.) [January 06, 2021] DMS Announces New General Counsel, Tony Saldana Digital Media Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: DMS), a leading provider of technology-enabled digital performance advertising solutions connecting consumers and advertisers, today announced the appointment of Tony Saldana as general counsel and executive vice president of compliance. In this role, Saldana will lead the company's global legal and compliance teams. Saldana will report to DMS CEO, Joe Marinucci. Saldana joins DMS from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, one of the world's leading international law firms with wide-ranging capabilities. Saldana's experience encompasses the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance and general counsel and securities matters. Saldana has represented clients in a variety of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He has also negotiated and contested acquisitions and proxy fights. "The depth of experience Tony is bringing to DMS," said Marinucci, "is leveling up our ability to support shareholder demands and meet investor expectations. Likewise, Tony's M&A expertise will give us a leg up in creating and negotiating deals that support our growth. For our existing clients, Tony delivers continued comfort that our operationalized compliance will always lead the industry. In short, Tony is a perfect fit for DMS. He's a roll-up-the-sleeves guy who represents the best of the best, and he has high expectations of himself and everyone around him." Prior to joining DMS, Saldana counseled clients on a full range of corporate matters, and he regularly advised public companies regarding compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC (News - Alert) ) and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Saldana also advised cliets regarding interactions with stockholders, including stockholder meetings and other stockholder communications, and counseled companies and their boards of directors on governance matters, such as shareholder rights plans, advance notice bylaws, proxy access and board independence. Saldana has represented a long list of companies as part of high-profile, high-value transactions, including The AES Corporation, BET Holdings, Devon Energy, Duke Energy (News - Alert) , Hawaiian Electric Industries, Leidos Holdings and SJW Group. Saldana has also handled numerous public and private financings for both issuers and underwriters and has counseled clients in structuring securities offerings and in conducting tender offers. DMS became a public company in July 2020 via a SPAC IPO. Having successfully completed and integrated 12 acquisitions within a period of 6 years, DMS has a proven M&A track record. Saldana's expertise will support continued DMS public company and M&A initiatives. In addition, Saldana will lead the operationalized compliance policies and procedures across DMS. Saldana earned his J.D. from Yale Law School after completing his undergraduate education at Harvard College. He has been admitted to the District of Columbia and New York bars and was a member of the Executive Committee of Yale Law School Association. About Digital Media Solutions Digital Media Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: DMS) is a leading provider of technology-enabled digital performance advertising solutions connecting consumers and advertisers. The DMS first-party data asset, proprietary advertising technology, significant proprietary media distribution and data-driven processes help digital advertising clients de-risk their advertising spend while scaling their customer bases. Learn more at https://digitalmediasolutions.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release includes "forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. DMS's actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, DMS's expectations with respect to its future performance and its ability to implement its strategy. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside DMS's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in DMS's amended registration statement, filed on August 6, 2020, including those under "Risk Factors", and in DMS's other filings with the SEC. Some of these risks and uncertainties may in the future be amplified by the COVID-19 outbreak and there may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. DMS cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. DMS does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005187/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. New Delhi: The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat on Friday met Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhavan. General Rawat met the Governor to discuss security related issues in the valley and informed him about the Army Operational Review, which concluded earlier this evening. In the review meeting, Army top brass was briefed about the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and counter-insurgency operations in the hinterland. They were also briefed about the counter-insurgency grid and preparedness of the armed forces to deal with any misadventure from across the LoC. A spokesperson of Indian Army said the Governor and Army Chief discussed several important security management issues and the steps required to be taken for more effectively dealing with militant activities and stone pelters. A massive search operation was conducted by security forces on Friday in the jungles of Kupwara district following the reports of infiltration by terrorists. Governor Vohra also discussed some issues related to providing better opportunities to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to assure their satisfying future. The Governor also met Army Commanders and few other senior Lt. Generals who has participated in the review meeting taken by General Rawat. Trending Now: 'Bedroom Jehadis' Indian Army's new-age enemy as they use smartphones to manipulate social media, wage war from homes For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A major bank will re-introduce 10% deposit mortgage deals as part of its mortgage range, in a boost for first-time buyers and other low-deposit borrowers. HSBC UK said that the two and five-year fixed-rate deals, with mortgage terms of up to 35 years, will be available from Tuesday January 12. The new mortgages will be available direct from HSBC UK and through its broker partners. Customers may be able to borrow up to 400,000. Further details about the mortgage rates being offered will be disclosed on January 12, the bank said. Many lenders withdrew their low-deposit mortgage deals last year, amid uncertainty over house prices and difficulties in accessing properties to make physical valuations. The new lockdown will undoubtedly present challenges, but the experience of overcoming numerous difficulties during the original lockdown, for example making more use of automated valuations, will be invaluable Michelle Andrews, HSBC UK But towards the end of 2020 there were some signs of lenders starting to reach out to first-time buyers and other low-deposit mortgage borrowers once more, with Yorkshire Building Society, Nationwide and TSB among those making announcements. Michelle Andrews, HSBC UKs head of buying a home, said: I am pleased and proud to announce that we will be re-introducing mortgages at up to 90% LTV (loan-to-value). These mortgages build on our significant support for brokers and mortgage customers throughout 2020 and will be available across the board for home purchases, first-time buyers and to those re-mortgaging all up to a maximum of 35 years. Ms Andrews added: The new lockdown will undoubtedly present challenges, but the experience of overcoming numerous difficulties during the original lockdown, for example making more use of automated valuations, will be invaluable. We are all seeking a return to normal, although for many it will feel like we may not see that for a while. With us returning to the higher LTV space, hopefully that is a little bit of welcome normality. PA Media Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 : The Kerala government has sanctioned compensation for duck farmers whose ducks were culled following the bird flu threat in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. The Cabinet has decided to provide Rs 100 for a duck which is less than two months old and Rs 200 for those which are above 2 months. Compensation of Rs 5 will be paid for each egg destroyed. However, the farmers organisations are not satisfied with the decision and said that they will petition Animal Husbandry Minister K. Raju. Raju is meeting the duck farmers at Alappuzha to discuss on further progress and to prevent the spreading of the disease. 50,000 ducks have been culled in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts after bird flu was detected in these places. With bird flu spreading, the state government is not taking any chances and the minister has conducted a series of meetings with animal husbandry officials and veterinary surgeons. Radhakrishnan, Alappuzha district president of duck farmers association, said "The compensation announced by the state government is meagre and will not help us. We want at least double the amount sanctioned by the government for basic survival of our business." Several states in India, including Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, have sounded an alert to contain the H5N8 strain of bird flu. Thousands of crows, chickens, and ducks have died in past one week in several parts of the country due to bird flu. States like Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have informed officials to keep a tab on unusual deaths of migratory birds. Whereas, Kerala began culling chicken and ducks on Tuesday. Haryana has reported over four lakh poultry deaths in the past 10 days, while in Himachal Pradesh, 2,700 birds were found dead at Pong Dam lake. So, what exactly is bird flu, what are the symptoms of it, and can one get bird flu from eggs or chicken; here's all you need to know What is bird flu? Bird flu is also known as 'Avian influenza' or 'Avian flu'. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens and ducks, very sick and kill them. How does avian flu spread in birds? Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions. Can bird flu happen to humans? It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission so far. What are the symptoms and signs of avian flu in humans? Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, pneumonia and other complications. What is the test for avian flu? A throat swab is taken from the patient to test for avian flu. Can you get bird flu from eating poultry eggs? Since bird flu can spread in poultry so it would be relevant to minimise the risks when it comes to consumption or handling of eggs or meat. As per the World Health Organisation and UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, chicken and poultry are safe to consume if cooked properly. However, one should remember that no birds from flocks with the disease should enter the food chain. AIIMS institute has suggested to follow good hygienic cooking practices of poultry-related items. Therefore, cooking an egg when its yolk becomes firm is safe to eat. One should avoid consuming runny eggs amid the bird flu outbreak. Cooking chicken eggs be it of hen or duck should be done at or above 70 degrees Celsius to kill the H5N1 flu. One should wash hands with lukewarm water for at least 20 seconds after handling eggs or poultry while cooking. Is there a vaccine for humans against avian flu? There is no vaccine for humans against bird flu. The vaccine against human influenza virus does not protect against avian flu. Also read: Bird flu in India: H5N1 first contracted to humans in Hong Kong in 1997 Also read: Bird Flu outbreak: States on 'high alert' as thousands of ducks, poultry birds die across India CropIn, an a rtificial intelligence and data-based agritech startup, has raised $20 million in a funding round led by Temasek Holdings Pte -backed ABC World Asia, as the coronavirus pandemic accelerates the adoption of digital technologies in farming. The Bangalore-headquartered agricultural AI startup provides software-as-a-service, or SAAS, products to farms and development organizations globally to improve predictability, efficiency and sustainability of crops. Additional new investors in the Series C funding include Infosys Ltd. billionaire co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnans family office and a fund of the UK government, CDC Group. CropIn has raised $33.1 million so far. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The company was set up in 2010 by Krishna Kumar, who hails from a family of farmers in central India and quit a career at General Electric Co. to found the startup after being deeply affected by widespread rural suicides in his country. It analyzes data such as aerial imagery, ground scouting, hyper-local weather and market price fluctuations from 13 million acres across 4 million farms worldwide to predict productivity and monitor risks for thousands of variants of crops. That allows the company to provide warnings to small farms on what disease will hit a particular crop or when to expect an adverse climate event such as morning frost. Covid has brought home for countries the risks of disrupted food supply chains, food safety and food security," Kumar, also the startups chief executive officer, said in a phone interview. Every country and every agri-business wants to remotely monitor and safeguard the supply chain." Backed by early investors including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Singapore-based VC BeeNext, CropIn has customers and partners in 52 countries including Basel-headquartered Syngenta Corp., the World Bank, Canada-based McCain Foods Ltd. and Germanys BASF SE. The new funding will fuel further global expansion and help strengthen its technology. Indias agritech space is abloom, with dozens of startups sprouting up in the last few years to disrupt dated farming practices and bring more efficiency into a massive industry dominated by small land holdings. One in nine agritech startups globally are from the South Asian nation, which had 450 such businesses in 2019, according to a report by the Indian trade body Nasscom. Thats piqued the interest of investors such as Tiger Global and Accel, which have plowed tens of millions into early-stage companies. Though much of the focus has been on supply chain improvements through practical approaches like aggregating farm produce and renting farm equipment, deep tech startups like CropIn working in areas like crop diagnostics and farm automation are also earning recognition. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Premier Brian Pallister counted out potential discipline for members of his party and civil servants who travelled out of province during the holidays on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertise With Us Premier Brian Pallister counted out potential discipline for members of his party and civil servants who travelled out of province during the holidays on Tuesday. Grilled about his new cabinet choices, Pallister was also asked during a media conference what punishment might be coming down for Radisson MLA James Teitsma, the provinces director of strategic communications and marketing, Logan-Theanna Ross and top civic servant David McLaughlin, all of whom left Manitoba during the holidays. Teitsma took a road trip to British Columbia in late December, Ross travelled to Eastern Canada and McLaughlin spent two weeks working from his Ottawa home, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. "Im clearly not pleased with James decision, but I respect James," Pallister said. "Hes a loving father. He has, I think, more kids than there are weeks in the year and he has to spend some time with his family, periodically. His decision to leave the province isnt something I support, but hes not a cabinet member and Im not going to be taking any disciplinary actions against him. I cant remove him from a cabinet hes not a member of." Asked about the message that McLaughlin being allowed to travel sends, Pallister said that not a single cabinet minister of his travelled while there have been instances of that occurring in most other provinces. Government MLAs and staff members travelling out of country and out of province during COVID-19 restrictions have led to resignations and firings in multiple provinces and at the federal level. Manitoba senator and leader of the opposition in the Senate Don Plett vacationed in Mexico, while Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki Ashton travelled to Greece to visit her ailing grandmother. In Ashtons case, she was stripped of her critic roles and committee appointments by her party. Pallister accused three Manitoba NDP MLAs of having travelled during the holiday season on top of Teitsma. "I can only say I would have preferred none of those four did that, but the fact of the matter is they chose to do that and they chose to do it in a manner they defined themselves," he said. "As far as a civil servant working from home, we have close to 90,000 civil servants in Manitoba and weve encouraged them to work from home. So on the civil servant side, I would find it difficult to find fault with someone who chose to work from home." However, NDP Leader Wab Kinew told the Sun on Tuesday that none of his MLAs left the province during the holidays. "No NDP MLA has travelled since code red," he said. "In Winnipeg or Manitoba, no NDP MLA travelled during the holidays. The only people who travelled during the day were PC insiders, MLAs and Pallisters senior staff. He should address those things since people across the province made sacrifices by not seeing relatives, by not visiting family, by not travelling." He said he believed it was a mistake not to discipline those who travelled and said Teitsma should be removed from the committees he sits on. Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont also criticized those who travelled, saying that none of his partys three MLAs (including himself) have left the province. He found it hypocritical that those who travelled were not disciplined as the province continues to levy fines against people who break public health orders. "You have to lead by example, and the premier should be leading by example as well," he said. "The premier made it clear day after day that no one should be travelling and one of his MLAs ignored it." cslark@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ColinSlark New acquisition of Dutch market leader in brand design Millford AMSTERDAM, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dutch marketing and communication platform Candid has acquired Millford Brand ID effective January 1. The agency is the market leader in brand logos, visual identity and packaging design and works for leading clients such as Ahold, Heineken, Schiphol, PPG, JDE and Unilever. With this latest acquisition, Candid is taking the next step in bringing together all marketing and advertising disciplines into a fully integrated platform for advertisers. The first in the world. New Candid CEO Rudiger (Ruud) Wanck, former Global CEO of GroupM Connect, states that both parties will benefit from the acquisition. "In an increasingly competitive digital and e-commerce driven world Millford's expertise is becoming even more important for brands to distinguish themselves. In addition to developing a strong storyline, personality and core message, building a brand in both a physical and digital environment also requires a strategy for powerful visual components," says Wanck. "Identity and design are the most effective tools for attracting the public's attention and building brand recognition, both on a shop floor and in a web store." Millford was founded in 1985 and is based in Leiden. The agency has won many awards and has been leading in the design of packaging lines and brand design for years, e.g. for brands as Albert Heijn, Etos, the ANWB and the Dutch Lottery. Millford, like the other agencies within the Candid platform, will continue to operate as an autonomous agency under its own name. "By joining the Candid platform, we retain our individuality, but we can immediately deepen and broaden our range and offer our customers more integrated and other disciplines," say owners Moritz Hoekstra and Erik de Graaf. "In addition, within the platform we can increasingly and more widely translate our expertise in visual identity into Candid's digital expertise, because offline and online are increasingly merging completely." The acquisition fits seamlessly into Candid's growth ambitions. Through acquisitions of the media agencies Stroom and M2Media, the Digital Agency Group with agencies such as Online Company and Havana Harbor, social media expert Daily Dialogues, advertising agency XXS and recently Cogonez, in addition to its own specialist like cultural media agency BBK and market research company Vostradamus, Candid has become the largest independent marketing and advertising platform in The Netherlands. Despite the Covid-19 crisis and the dramatic impact on the marketing industry, the platform continues to grow and more acquisitions will follow this year, both at home and abroad. At the end of 2020, former GroupM executives Rudiger Wanck and Marcel van der Avort were appointed as CEO and CFO to further develop the national and international expansion. "With the acquisition of Millford, we are once again demonstrating the growth ambitions of our platform," says Candid Chairman of the Board Gerard Ghazarian. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395143/Candid_neemt_Millford_over.jpg Strengthening the India-Israel scientific collaboration, Indian multinational corporation Wipro has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israels Tel Aviv University for research and analysis in quantum science and technology. According to the MoU, Tel Aviv Universitys Center for Quantum Science & Technology (QuanTAU) faculty members will work with Wipro and its customers to analyse use cases and potential applications of quantum computing for the Indian IT majors large organisational clients. Tel Aviv University researchers and Wipro scientists will develop and study various approaches, define potential research solutions and implement these solutions, a press release stated. The MoU is being seen as a direct continuation of Tel Aviv Universitys collaboration with Wipro on machine learning through support of funded research. TAU sees great importance in strengthening its international collaborations, and the connection with Wipro, a great technological power from India, is certainly an important achievement for research in Israel, Professor Yaron Oz, Head of QuanTAU, said. Wipro makes our science more relevant, offering our researchers real-world challenges and applications, which we can solve by using quantum algorithms, Oz added. In the statement, Wipro said: TAU excels in multifaceted research of quantum science and technology, and we feel certain that it can help us a great deal in advancing the companys projects and goals. The variety of research areas include foundations of quantum theory, quantum information, computational methods, nano-quantum systems, quantum optics, physical quantum devices and superconductors, the Bengaluru-based company said. Quantum mechanics, or quantum theory, was developed at the beginning of the 20th century, revolutionising the understanding of physical systems, and today we are in the midst of the so-called second quantum revolution, in which basic quantum concepts are applied to computers, simulation, sensors, communication and material science, Wipro said in a message to Tel Aviv University. Great efforts are being made around the world to develop new applications as part of the second quantum revolution. These efforts include the establishment of large new foundations to support Quantum Space Theory (QST) activities. In view of the potential, Tel Aviv University established QuanTAU and recruited over 20 researchers who study various aspects of quantum information science to help build these capabilities. The departments goal is to support innovative research in quantum mechanics, establish international collaborations, train students at all levels, open new research directions by recruiting new faculty members, and help them establish their laboratories. The Centre also intends to develop collaborations with industrial partners for potential QST applications, and establish an active, vibrant community at TAU. The Centre sponsors startup foundations and conducts joint seminars to generate international exposure for its activities. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Al-Ula declaration, which was signed on Tuesday at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Saudi Arabia to put an end to the three-year rift between three Gulf Arab states and Egypt with Qatar. The declaration recognises the importance of unity among the GCC states and aims to strengthen regional security, peace, stability and prosperity, Guterres said in a UN statement released by Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Guterres also hailed the involved parties announcement of resumption of air, land, and sea travel with Qatar, according to the UN statement. The secretary-general expresses his gratitude to those from the region and beyond, including the late Emir of Kuwait and late Sultan of Oman, who worked tirelessly towards resolving the Gulf rift, the statement read. He trusts that all countries concerned will continue to act in a positive spirit to strengthen their relations, the statement added. In a press conference concluding the GCC summit, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan announced the restoration of full ties between the Kingdom and Qatar. Search Keywords: Short link: Hai Yan (L) and Ma Danli work at a Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Xihaigu, one of China's most impoverished areas located in Ningxia, saw its last impoverished county removed from the national poverty list on Nov. 16, 2020. Over 60,000 farmers in Xihaigu have been relocated to Minning Township, which has converted from a town in Gobi desert to a modernized ecological relocation demonstration town over the past two decades via a series of cooperation between Ningxia and southeast China's Fujian Province. The victory is regarded as another landmark in China's campaign to eradicate absolute poverty, during which "she power" played an indispensable role. In 2019, an e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop, which sold specialties of Ningxia, was established in Yuanlong Village of Minning. It employed 42 women from impoverished households. In 2020, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the workshop decided to sell the products via livestreaming to promote sales. It set up a livestreaming team consisting of six female employees including Hai Yan, Ma Yan, Bai Xiyan, Ma Yunsu, Ma Danli, and Yang Junying. Most of the team members had dropped out of school before entering middle school, but they accepted the challenges and learned new skills from scratch with great enthusiasm. From negotiating with merchants to introducing products in front of cameras to audiences, they are able to handle different works with more confidence. Members of a livestreaming team of Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop celebrate after work in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Hai Yan (L) and Ma Yan introduce products via livestreaming at Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Aerial photo taken on Nov. 5, 2020 shows a view of Yuanlong Village of Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Hai Yan (L) and Bai Xiyan work at Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 5, 2020. Xu Meijia (1st L), head of Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop, holds a meeting with members of a livestreaming team at the workshop at Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Bai Xiyan (R) watches her daughter dancing at home in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 10, 2020. Hai Yan (L) and Ma Yan talk about livestreaming at Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Ma Yan (R) introduces Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop to visitors in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2021 12:51 pm House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, and Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, on Tuesday criticized Gov. Jay Inslees new Healthy Washington plan for reopening the state, saying that the states chief executive needs to take more responsibility for the shortfall of his state agencies. Inslees latest plan to reopen the state, announced Tuesday afternoon, divides the state up into eight distinct regions that will be required to meet certain parameters to advance to subsequent phases of reopening. The state will enter into Phase 1 of his plan on Jan. 11, which is expected to be similar to current lockdown restrictions. Despite his new plans, Republican leaders in the state Legislature are pivoting the focus of discussion toward the shaky rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the massive fraud reported earlier this year by the Employment Security Department and other shortcomings from state leaders. We need the governor to hold his state agencies accountable, help those who have been devastated by his actions, and safely reopen businesses and schools, the two leading Republicans said in a joint statement. The legislative session begins Monday. Republicans have already introduced solutions and will be putting more ideas on the table soon. We will also bring the voices of forgotten Washingtonians to the legislative arena. The governor, Rep. Wilcox and Sen. Braun say, has demanded no accountability from important state agencies involved in the pandemic response. The Department of Health on Tuesday reported that the state had received roughly 356,550 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with providers reporting that 102,099 of those have been administered. The state first started receiving vaccines in mid-December. So far, about 1.3 percent of Washingtons population have received the vaccine. After nearly a year of sacrifices, involving jobs, businesses, stress, homelessness, suicide vaccination rollout in our state is slow, experienced providers wait for approval, Wilcox, a 2nd Legislative District lawmaker, wrote Wednesday on Twitter. Think of the vulnerable infected this week, who should have been vaccinated already and the outcome. Governor, our constituents are in agony, Braun, a 20th Legislative District lawmaker, continued in a Tuesday letter explaining his caucuss opposition to a number of proclamation extensions. Our constituents have not been able to buy food, medicine or pay their rent or mortgage. Many have used every last drop of savings. Years of life efforts have been destroyed. Dreams have been shattered. According to Inslees office, the new plan aims to safely ease some restrictions while also maintaining crucial hospital capacity, ensuring care for Washingtonians that need it and paving the way for economic recovery. We arent out of this yet, but we are close to turning the corner on COVID-19 and this third wave of infections, Inslee said. The spread of COVID-19 still remains high in the state. According to the Department of Health, the state added 2,337 new cases, 59 deaths and 167 hospitalizations on Tuesday. Following a big year for Express Entry, 2021 is expected to be an even bigger year with increased immigration targets. Express Entry: First draw of 2021 PNP only Following a big year for Express Entry, 2021 is expected to be an even bigger year with increased immigration targets. Express Entry: First draw of 2021 PNP only Following a big year for Express Entry, 2021 is expected to be an even bigger year with increased immigration targets. Canada kicked off the new year issuing invitations to Express Entry candidates who have provincial nominations on January 6. Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited candidates who had a minimum score of 813. Candidates who have received nominations from an Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs) automatically get 600 points added to their overall score, which is why the score requirement is relatively high compared to other rounds of invitation. The 250 invited candidates can now officially apply to become Canadian permanent residents. Express Entry is Canadas application management system for three federal immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Candidates in these programs, as well as some PNPs, are given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). These points are awarded based on the candidates human capital factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability in English or French. The points may be awarded to an individual, or a couple. Although Express Entry candidates do not need to have any experience in Canada, or even a job offer, though it may give them some extra points. The highest-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through regular Express Entry rounds of invitation. After they apply, IRCC will then make a final decision on their immigration application and send them a Confirmation of Permanent Residence if their application is successful. The last step for approved permanent residents is to make their landing in Canada, and apply for their PR card. At this point, they have officially immigrated to Canada, and can eventually apply for citizenship. CRS cutoff scores dropped slightly toward the end of 2020. This could be because IRCC started holding bigger draws, meaning more of the top-scoring candidates were invited from the Express Entry pool. In case of a tie between candidates, IRCC applies the tie-breaking rule. In the latest draw, candidates who had a CRS score of 469 or more, needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before November 2, 2020 at 11:11:52 UTC in order to receive an invitation. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 was a record-breaking year for Express Entry. By the end, Canada had issued 108,350 ITAs to Express Entry candidates. 2021 is expected to be an even bigger year, as IRCC has raised immigration targets to make up for the reduced number of new permanent residents admitted to Canada last year. Canada is expected to welcome 401,000 new immigrants next year, of these, 108,500 are allocated to come through an Express Entry-managed program. These targets are expected to go up over the next three years, rising to 110,500 in 2022 and 113,750 in 2023. Who is invited? Abdullah is 25 and single. He is a carpenter by training and holds a two-year trades certificate from Pakistan. He worked for three years in Pakistan, and then moved to Manitoba, where he has spent the last two years working. He has a CLB 6 for English in all four levels. Abdullah obtained a provincial certification in his occupation and received a provincial nomination from Manitoba under its Express Entry stream. His initial CRS score is a 422 but jumps to a 1022 thanks to his provincial nomination, allowing him to get an ITA in todays draw. Priya is single, 31, and has a 1-year certificate in automobile repair from her home country. She has 5 years experience as an automobile repairwoman, all from her home country. She received ILETS scores equaling CLB 5 in speaking and writing CLB 4 reading and listening. She submitted an Express Entry profile on September 20, 2020 and recently received an offer of a job working in automotive repair in Nova Scotia. The province granted her a provincial nomination through NS Labour Market Priorities Stream. Her initial CRS score of 213 then rose to 813, enabling her to receive an invitation in todays Express Entry draw. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. (Natural News) During a recent hearing of the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Elections, Coffee County GOP Chair Cathy Latham revealed that Secretary of State Brad Raffenspergers office sent armed thugs to intimidate and harass election officials as they attempted to perform a ballot recount. Coffee County had experienced numerous problems with its Dominion Voting Systems machines, which were repeatedly rejecting ballots. Officials tried to clean the machines, study the instruction manuals, and perform other diagnostics troubleshooting to no avail, at which point the county sent a city police officer to go retrieve another one in the middle of the night from a nearby jurisdiction. Since this backup machine was borrowed, Latham was told that she would soon be receiving a brand new one specifically for her county from nearby DeKalb County, with reassurances from Raffensperger that Georgia Voting Systems Manager Gabriel Sterling would later address all of the issues that came up in Coffee County. This never happened, though, and it was discovered in the meantime that Coffee Countys Dominion machines were easily manipulated with a simple click. Latham presented this before the subcommittee, also explaining that none of the problems her county experienced during the initial vote could be duplicated during the recount. Of the 15,000 votes that were attempted to be recounted in Coffee County, a different number came up each time election officials attempted to pull up a new tally. They initiated the process five separate times, and each time they pulled up a variant count, demonstrating serious problems with the machines. Six Georgia counties forced to certify votes that could not be validated All in all, six counties out of eight experienced similar anomalies that invalidated their votes, and yet Raffenspergers office forced them to certify the results regardless. His office even went so far as to send in three people from the Secretary of State who showed up with guns, and badges and handcuffs, and two Dominion tech reps. They came with the intent of intimidation, Latham stated during her testimony. Luckily, the county attorney stayed with the supervisor so that she wasnt by herself, and basically he said, You want a recount, well do a recount.' No Republicans or Democrats were present to watch this recount, and in fact the attorney who was with the group actually brought in high school students to count the ballots. Because the Dominion machines just would not scan the ballots no matter what the election officials who were present attempted to do, the Dominion reps who showed up with Raffenspergers armed thugs sat on the floor for two hours with a Dominion manual trying to figure out why they couldnt get the machines to do what they needed to do. Again, Sterling was nowhere to be found in helping the process as promised by Raffenspergers office. Latham says Sterling reassured the crew via text that he would resolve this issue, but this never actually happened. From the get-go, we had nothing but problems, Latham stated. The scanners were messed up completely, as we were scanning constantly having to be cleaned, they wouldnt scan finally, halfway through, even just trying to scan one at a time, we had all kinds of problems. What this all illustrates, of course, is that there are snakes both in the Democrat and Republican parties that played a role in facilitating election fraud in Georgia, and obviously elsewhere. Will their time ever come to face the music for their crimes? America doesnt need foreign enemies, wrote one 100percentfedup.com commenter. We have enough right here in the Democrat and Republican parties. More related news about the fraudulent 2020 election can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: 100percentfedup.com NaturalNews.com Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Tony DeDolph admitted choking a Special Forces soldier to death in 2017. DeDolph agreed to plead guilty, according to his attorney, The Daily Beast reported. DeDolph will plead guilty to dismiss felony murder and burglary In November 2018, Chief Petty Officer Tony DeDolph was formally charged with another SEAL and two other special operations Marines with felony murder, obstruction of justice, conspiracy. Hazing, burglary, and involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Special Forces soldier assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. DeDolph will plead guilty on January 14 to involuntary manslaughter, hazing, and obstruction of justice, familiar with the plea deal. In returns for the guilty plea, the persecution will dismiss burglary and felony murder. The insider added that the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer also agreed to a provision that bars him from profit from the case, including earning based on his experience at SEAL Team 6 and writing books. Read also: PA Rep. Mike Reese Dies from a Suspected Brain Aneurysm, Weeks After Revealing He Tested Positive for COVID-19 Atty. Stackhouse says Dedolph is allowed to accept responsibility for offenses In a statement, Phil Stackhouse, DeDolph's civilian attorney, said, "This agreement will end the contested charges, allowing the Special Operations Chief DeDolph to accept responsibility for those offenses he can and mitigate most of the concerns over classified material present in the case." Stackhouse explained that the guilty plea is trying to help Melgar's family in "finding peace and closure," as his death was not intentional and does not diminish his friends' and family's grief. Melgar's wife Michelle declined to comment to The Daily Beast's request for comment, while the press left a voicemail to DeDolph's number, but the call was not returned. On January 14, a hearing is scheduled, wherein DeDolph is required to convince the military judge of his plea. According to sources, the jury will sentence DeDolph after the hearing. Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as SEAL Team 6, includes Tony DeDolph. In 2017, Melgar and Dedolph were part of a special intelligence operation in Mali supporting counterterrorism against al Qaeda's local affiliate, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar's death Chief Petty Officer Adam C. Matthews testified in August 2019 that he felt it was a duty to haze Melgar. Matthews was in Mali for an assessment of the mission. DeDolph recommended Mathews to teach him a lesson after Melgar "ditched" the team in Bamako, Mali's capital city. Matthews, DeDolph, and two Marine Raiders spent the rest of the night to plot an embarrassing situation for Melgar. They planned to choke Melgar until he became unconscious, pull his pants down, and record the incident to show it to him later. The four men broke down Melgar's door and attacked him after getting permission from Melgar's supervisor Sergeant First Class James Morris. Melgar became unresponsive during the attack. DeDolph and Matthews tried to resuscitate Melgar. With Morris, the SEALS rushed Melgar to a French medical facility, but he was pronounced dead. According to NBC News, Dedolph admitted at the clinic to an embassy official that he choked Melgar. Read also: US Navy Submarines to Be Equipped with Anti-Ship Missiles to Take on More Surface Threats @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.At least for the moment.Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Tesla Incs Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.Bitcoins down 30% off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.Former traders for Credit Suisse Group AG, Davies and Zhu, the two are among the Wall Street pioneers whove embraced crypto, along with Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital and Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital. Now everyone from retail day traders to bankers are jumping in: CNBC reported this month that Aziz McMahon, head of emerging market sales for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London quit the bank after making a fortune trading cryptocurrencies for himself.While many of the early devotees fortunes rose and fell on the currencys price swings, crypto wealth is quickly turning into real dollars for some, whether through initial public offerings or companies that bring in traditional revenue. Brian Armstrong, co-founder of crypto-wallet Coinbase Global Inc., has a net worth of $9.3 billion after his firms IPO, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Binances Changpeng Zhao created the worlds largest crypto exchange.Grayscale StakeDavies and Zhu, also 34, have resisted talking about their fortune and recommended on social media that crypto billionaires do the same.However, a filing in January revealed the extent of the firms influence, when Three Arrows reported it owned a 5.6% stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $22 billion fund invested solely in the cryptocurrency set up by Barry Silbert.Davies declined to say whether their position had changed or specify how much of the firms capital belonged to them. Most of their other direct investments in cryptocurrencies and related companies dont need to be publicly disclosed.The Grayscale stake made Three Arrows the largest shareholder and would have been worth as much as $2.1 billion in April. The trusts shares have since tumbled 43% following Musks announcement this month that Tesla would suspend accepting the digital currency for purchases of its electric cars because of rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and regulatory clampdowns from China.Despite the environmental spotlight Musks tweet placed on Bitcoin, Davies said he doesnt believe that those concerns apply across cryptocurrency trading as a whole.There are many cryptocurrencies that are proof-of-stake, which use very little if any electricity, Davies said. That is the direction that a lot of crypto is headed in.A proof-of-stake setup for a digital currency allows users with significant equity positions to verify transactions. That compares with proof-of-work transactions, such as those used in Bitcoin mining, where users have to complete complex math problems to access a coin, consuming much greater volumes of electricity.Derivatives TradersDavies and Zhu attended high school together, then studied at Columbia University in New York before joining Credit Suisse as derivatives traders in Tokyo. After three years at the Swiss bank, they quit and launched Three Arrows Capital to begin trading traditional currencies in emerging markets.It was a very inefficient market, and thats where we got our start, Davies said.Within three years, they went from working in their San Francisco apartment to hiring about 35 people and trading 5% to 10% of all local emerging market currency volumes, he said.They diversified into options, equities and crypto after bigger and better firms came in and were better than us in FX emerging-markets trading, Davies said. By 2018, the firm concentrated exclusively on crypto.Their Singapore-based company now runs a fund, DeFiance Capital, that invests in decentralized finance, betting that these businesses will eat traditional finance over the next decade, according to the groups website. Investments include InsurAce, which provides insurance services, and CDEX, a cryptocurrency swap platform.Outsized VoicesWe have been long crypto for a while, Davies said. Weve not always been long Ethereum, in fact weve been short for periods of time, too. Whats the best way to beat Bitcoin right now? Well its just to own Ethereum. The ultimate goal of my book is to outperform Bitcoin.Davies said that Ethereum is currently the firms largest cryptocurrency holding. It has gained 245% this year compared with the U.S. dollar, while Bitcoin is up 29%.Despite the turbulence created by Musks tweets, Davies said hes less worried about the billionaires influence on the crypto market with each passing day.The thing about outsized voices is they usually dont last very long if theyre used too much, Davies said. If he were to tweet every single day, by the end of the year he would have no price impact.(Updates Ethereum, Bitcoin returns in 20th paragraph.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. A British court on Wednesday refused a bail application moved by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, two days after an extradition request by the US government was blocked on grounds of his mental health and risk of suicide. Assange, 49, has been held in the Belmarsh prison in south-east London for the past 18 months after he was evicted from the Ecuadorian embassy, where he sought asylum for seven years. His earlier bail applications were also refused. His legal team moved another application after the extradition was blocked on Monday. US authorities have indicated that they would appeal against the extradition ruling. He is wanted in the US to face charges of espionage, hacking and leaking classified documents. Judge Vanessa Baraitser of the Westminster Magistrates Court ruled that there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr Assange is released today, he would fail to surrender to court and face the appeal proceedings, as his supporters gathered in rain outside the court. Assanges lawyers emphasised that he has new family ties in the UK with two children he had fathered with his partner, Stella Moris, and that he would be bailed to the couples home address. But the judge did not accept the arguments. Assange has been detained at Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison since April 2019, when he was arrested for skipping bail during a separate legal battle seven years earlier. Clair Dobbin, a British lawyer acting for the US, said Assange had shown he would go to almost any length to avoid extradition, and it was likely he would flee if granted bail. URBANA, Iowa A pair of eastern Iowa deaths on New Years Day have been ruled a murder-suicide. The Urbana Police Department says it got a 911 call on January 1 from Garry Jensen, 59, stating he had shot and killed his wife. Law enforcement went to the Jensens home in the 300 block of East Main Street in Urbana and found Margaret Jensen, 54, shot to death and Garry Jensen dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner conducted autopsies and has declared Margaret Jensens death a homicide and Garry Jensens a suicide. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Benton County Sheriffs Office and the Benton County Attorneys Office assisted with this matter. The World Bank revised upward its forecast for Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2021 to 3%, while early October it estimated the prospects for recovery to be twice as modest at 1.5%. According to the January 2021 World Bank's Global Economic Prospects, estimates of the fall of the Ukrainian economy this year at 5.5% and its growth by 3.1% in 2021 remained at the same level. As reported, the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine maintains an estimate of the fall in Ukraine's GDP in 2020 by 4.8% at the end of the year and expects its growth by 4.6% in 2021. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) had previously expected the economy to decline by 6% last year, but towards the end of the year it improved its estimates, to about 5%, predicting a recovery in 2021 by 4.2%. The updated macroeconomic forecast of the NBU will be announced on January 21. Republican Lawmakers Prepare To Challenge Electors Jan. 6, Amidst Rising Vitriol and Threats Jan. 5 , 2021 (EIRNS)In preparation for the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress convened to count electoral votes for President and Vice President, there are now close to 140 Republican Congressmen and 13 Republican Senators lined up to challenge specific state electors and to call for the creation of a special commission that will take ten days to carry out an audit of the vote. Aside from the 13 Senators lined up to oppose some of Bidens electoral votes, there are another 13 whose commitment is unclear or not yet stated. Twenty-five are firmly in favor of counting all of Bidens electoral votes. It is the case that Senators must challenge the electors of individual states, and while Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) had announced that he will challenge Pennsylvanias electoral slate, and possibly those of other battleground states as well, there has been skepticism among some Republican layers about whether Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) would commit to challenging an individual state. This afternoon, several mediathe Washington Post, The Hill, and othersreported that Cruz intended to object to Arizonas electoral college results, along with Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs. Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who is running in todays special election in Georgia, also announced that she would likely challenge Georgias electoral slate, The Hill reported. Cruz is also strongly pushing the option of creating the special commission. Forming the backdrop to this are the ever-increasing vitriolic attacks by liberal Democratic and radical Antifa groupsincluding the liberal medianot only characterizing Republican legislators as traitors, and leaders of the sedition caucus, but also inciting violence against them. Last night, an Antifa group attacked the Washington home of Senator Hawley (who was away), vandalized and pounded on the front door, and threatened his wife and baby daughter inside. The thugs left signs ordering Hawley not to challenge Bidens election tomorrow, with one sign reading: Sen. Hawleythis is not presidential: Cease and Desist! and another, Defend Democracy from the GOP. Aside from CNNs Jake Tapper accusing any Republican daring to challenge electoral slates as traitors running a bloodless coup, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson told MSNBCs Morning Joe program that Republican legislators were like serial killers ... they should live in eternal shame. Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin went further. In a column today, she demanded that Republicans who have lined up to reject Bidens ill-gotten electors be booted out of the party and out of their committee posts, because they are irredeemable domestic enemies of democracy. If Republicans want to redeem themselves, she shrieked, they should expel those radicals who would do harm to our democracyjust as the Republicans once did with the KKK and the John Birchers. The lawyer for a Pakistani man convicted and later acquitted in the 2002 killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl said Wednesday that he will petition the Supreme Court to free his client. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the key suspect in Pearl's slaying, remains in custody in a jail in the southern port city of Karachi, despite the acquittal. Pearl's family and the Pakistani government have appealed the acquittal to the Supreme Court, which resumed its hearing this week. A decision is expected before the end of the month. Sheikh's lawyer, Mehmood A. Sheikh, has been trying to get his client, who has been on death row for 18 years, freed since the acquittal. The lawyer told The Associated Press he was demanding freedom for Sheikh in line with an order issued last month by the Sindh High Court. The lawyer, who is not related to Sheikh, said he also wants three other co-accused suspects freed. Their lesser charges of aiding and abetting were also overturned. Last month, the U.S. warned it won't allow Sheikh to escape justice Acting US. Attorney General Jeffery Rosen praised Pakistan for appealing the Sindh court's order but said that if those efforts do not succeed, the United States stands ready to take custody of Omar Sheikh to stand trial" in America. The Pearl family lawyer, Faisal Siddiqi, said he will oppose the petition, adding he was confident Sheikh would not be freed. He will not be released, said Siddiqi. Omar Sheikh's lawyer's request has twice been denied. Sheikh was convicted of helping lure Pearl to a meeting in Karachi, during which he was kidnapped. Pearl was investigating the link between Pakistani militants and Richard C. Reid, dubbed the Shoe Bomber after trying to blow up a flight from Paris to Miami with explosives hidden in his shoes. A gruesome video of Pearls beheading was sent to the U.S. Consulate. The 38-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter from Encino, California was abducted Jan. 23, 2002. His body was later found in a shallow grave in a southern Karachi neighborhood. Sheikh was sentenced to death and the others to life in prison for their role in the plot. The acquittal had stunned the U.S. government, Pearl's family and journalism advocacy groups. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. They will appear in a remake of the hit BBC series "Criminal Justice," their management agencies said on Tuesday. The legal drama revolves around two men who get involved in a murder case. Kim plays an ordinary college student whose life is turned upside down after he mistakenly becomes the key suspect in the murder case after a night out. Cha plays a lawyer who helps Kim's character, and is the only person who believes in his innocence. Far from being a member of the elite, the lawyer fights for justice for the weak. Kim proved his enduring popularity when "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," his first project after his discharge from mandatory military service, enjoyed success last year. The new series is scheduled to start shooting in the first half of this year. It has yet to be decided when it will be aired, and on which channel. People shop at the Toronto Premium Outlets mall on Black Friday in Milton, Ont., on Nov. 27, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette) Provincial Debt Crises Looming, Say Economists News Analysis Economic forecasters say that Canadas provinces and other levels of government below the federal level are spending unsustainably and will face a debt crisis unless they change course. The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) provided this finding in a recent fiscal sustainability report updating the assessment it made in February 2020. The report projected the debt levels of the federal, provincial, territorial, local, and indigenous governments over a 75-year period from 2020 to 2094. Fiscal sustainability means that government debt doesnt grow continuously relative to the size of the economy, or the gross domestic product (GDP). This assessment involves projecting government net debt relative to the GDP over the long term while assuming that the government maintains its current fiscal policy. The report found that, collectively, the subnational governments must permanently raise taxes or cut spendingor do some combination of bothby an amount equal to 0.5 percent of GDP in order to stabilize their net debt to the pre-pandemic level of 24.1 percent of GDP. This fiscal gap of 0.5 percent of GDP amounts to $12 billion in current dollars. The report estimates that the current fiscal policy is sustainable over the long term only in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, and says the current fiscal policy is unsustainable in the remaining provinces and the territories. The territories, with a fiscal gap of 11.3 percent of territorial GDP, require the most drastic policy actions in order to achieve fiscal sustainability. B.C., with a much smaller fiscal gap of 0.2 percent of provincial GDP, requires the least drastic policy actions. However, a 70-year forecast by Trevor Tombe, associate professor of economics at the University of Calgary, found that none of the provinces finances are sustainable aside from Quebecs. Quebecs fiscal situation is sustainable, owing largely to their higher than average taxes, said Tombe in his analysis. Alberta and Saskatchewan are not sustainable, with relatively large fiscal gaps of 4.8 and 3.4 percent of GDP, respectively. Both are accounted for by far lower than average taxes, as projected health expenditures are lower in these provinces than any other. Tombe told The Epoch Times that Newfoundland and Labrador is in a uniquely difficult situation because its population is both shrinking and aging as young people leave. The tax base is leaving with those young people, but the expenditure pressures remain because of the health-care needs of the elderly individuals that remain [and] the offshore levels of oil production are going to be declining, he said. Provincial health-care costs will rise as the boomer generation ages. The Canada Health Transferthe largest transfer payment to the provinces and territoriesrises based on a three-year moving average of nominal GDP but is guaranteed to increase by at least 3 percent per year. We have this funny situation where COVID is going to lead health transfers in the future to be higher than they otherwise would have been because we will be recovering from this big negative dip, Tombe said. He said the provinces must rein in health spending because the [deficit] problem is twofoldhealth expenditure growth being above average and provincial revenue lagging behind economic growth. A 2012 study by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) on provincial solvency and federal obligations had estimated that Quebec and Saskatchewan had the lowest probabilities of defaulting at the end of a 30-year projection horizon. Philip Cross, a senior fellow at the MLI and a former chief economic analyst at Statistics Canada, says the provinces have worse problems than Ottawa. Most of the discussion about debt tends to focus on the federal level, and thats the one thats the best off, he said in an interview. People should really be paying attention to whats going on at the provincial level. Thats where the trouble really lies. The PBO report also projected that the current fiscal policy at the federal level is sustainable over the long term, despite the pandemic spending. Tombes report, based on Statistics Canada data, placed federal gross debt at 35 percent of GDP in 2018, compared with a total provincial gross debt of 42 percent. The debt ratio was highest in Manitoba, at 74 percent of GDP, and lowest in B.C., at 22 percent. Reining In Spending A future return to balanced budgets is important, though politically tricky, said Cross. In Quebec, there were two Liberal governments, first under Jean Charest [20032012] and then [Philippe] Couillard [20142018]. They probably lost elections because of the actions they took to reign in deficits, so its not popular, he said. Youve really got to build a consensus that it really is necessary. The math is more straightforward than the politics involved, Cross notes. The only way you can deal with deficits [is] youve got to restrain spending and maximize revenues. I think most studies say that its best for growth if you restrain spending and not increase taxes, but thats the only way the math in this situation works. Its pretty simple, he said. Cross also believes pension reform is crucial. He supports an increase in the age of eligibility for Old Age Security from 65 to 67, a move proposed by the Harper Conservative government but reversed by the Trudeau Liberals. He said the defined benefit pension plans enjoyed by much of the public service must change. Either taxpayers are going to be stuck with the bill or pensioned public sector employees are simply going to have to accept lower benefits, Cross said. Most taxpayers dont have a pension plan, so the idea that their taxes [will] go up to support lavish pension plans of the public sectorthats not going to fly. Jake Fuss, an economist at the Fraser Institute, agrees the provinces must limit their spending. Smaller government is where you start, he said in an interview. And one of our recommendations is to bring public sector compensation more in line with the private sector. Depending on what province you are in, theres a pretty big gap. Fuss said governments should look for efficiencies, not tax hikes. A lot of provinces right now dont have competitive tax rates with a lot of countries around the world and a lot of American jurisdictions. And we certainly know that decreasing personal income tax rates and corporate tax rates are beneficial on the whole for the economy. It is hard to believe that almost five decades have passed since The Waltons first premiered, but it has, in fact, been that long. The popular show was an American drama television series that revolved around a family who resided in a rural Virginia town near the Blue Ridge Mountains, as they navigated their way through the difficult times of financial depression and World War II. Created by Earl Hamner, Jr., The Waltons was based upon a book and movie both titled Spencers Mountain, and it garnered a huge fan base throughout its nine-season run. The show starred actors including Eric Scott, Mary Beth McDonough, Philip Leacock, and more, and having spent so much time together over the years, it is likely that they all had a great relationship. In fact, we do know that there were pranks that went on behind the scenes, and looking back, it would seem that everyone always had a good laugh. Lets talk about The Waltons, and how two lead actors were always mooning their co-stars. Top Row From Left: Eric Scott as Ben Walton, Mary McDonough as Erin Walton, executive producer Earl Hamner, Jon Walmsley as Jason Walton, David Harper as Jim-Bob Walton. Bottom line from left: Kami Cotler as Elizabeth Walton, Michael Learned as Olivia Walton, Ralph Waite as John Walton, Judy Norton as Mary Ellen Walton | CBS Photo Archive What was The Waltons all about? Just about everyone has at least heard of The Waltons, but in case there is anyone who is not familiar with the premise of the show, we will do a quick recap. The show was narrated by its creator, and according to Hallmark Drama, it was a family-friendly show that families looked forward to and enjoyed. Each episode told the stories of the Walton family, led by parents John and Olivia, and their children: John-Boy, Jason, Mary Ellen, Elizabeth, Jim-Bob, Erin, Ben, and Joseph (who sadly died when he was born). During its run, The Waltons won two Golden Globe Awards, plus an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and the actors won several awards as well. Although the show was fictional, it was loosely based on the life of Hamner, Jr., and his small-town adventures during uncertain times. Who were some main characters? RELATED: The Waltons An Actor Said Production Took Advantage of the Cast: We Did Not Get Rich From That Show Fans of the Waltons will certainly remember some of the shows main characters, including those played by Michael Learned, Ralph Waite, and Will Geer. The three of them played Olivia, John, and Grandpa Zebulon (Zeb), respectively, and they never failed to disappoint with their performances. According to Hollywood Reporter, Learned was credited in the show as Miss Michael Learned to avoid gender confusion, and her role as Olivia led to other notable roles, both onstage and in productions. It was from his role in The Waltons that Waite rose to fame, and he loved acting so much that he continued on for decades. The actor made appearances in some modern shows such as Greys Anatomy and NCIS before passing away in 2014. Geer was a beloved actor, having taken over the role of the Walton family patriarch from Edgar Bergen, and played the character until his death after the completion of season 6. 2 lead actors were always mooning their co-stars The Waltons may have been a classic family drama, but that doesnt mean that the cast didnt enjoy some fun when the cameras werent rolling. So, what did they do? MeTV reports that Waite and Geer used to moon their co-star, Learned, each and every time the chance presented itself, and they had a great time while doing it. Learned looks back on what happened, and says that her two co-stars insisted on mooning [the cast] any chance they got. She continued on by saying, I saw more of their rear-ends than I ever wanted to see. Looks like the actors insisted on entertaining each other behind the scenes and that the other co-stars look upon the memory fondly. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Centre on Wednesday said that a high-level team has been deployed to Kerala to review the public health interventions in management of Covid-19 by the state government and support the health authorities in these measures. The team will be headed by National Centre for Disease Control Director, Dr S.K. Singh. Kerala has been reporting very high daily new coronavirus cases since the past few days. A total of 35,038 new cases were logged during the last seven days. Kerala has reported 5,615 cases in the last 24 hours, followed by 3,160 by Maharashtra and 1,021 by Chhattisgarh. "As an ongoing effort to strengthen efforts of various State and UT governments for Covid management, the Central government has been deputing Central teams from time to time to visit various states and UTs," the Health Ministry said. These teams interact with the state and UT authorities and get a first hand understanding of the challenges and issues being faced by them so as to strengthen their ongoing activities and remove bottlenecks, if any. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. After years of protests and testimony from Native American residents, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill in the final minutes of the legislative session that takes a step toward changing the state seal and motto. The House and Senate enacted the bill, S.2848, that creates a commission to review and recommend changes to the state seal and motto after repeatedly extending the two-year legislative session early Wednesday. Historically, lawmakers are bound by rules that prevent them from passing legislation after 11:59 p.m. on the last night of session, but the emergency rules implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic offered the House and Senate flexibility as the session drew to a close. While the bill was pushed through in the final minutes, the votes were years in the making. Former State Rep. Byron Rushing spent decades filing and refiling the legislation as indigenous activists and allies pushed for changes on Beacon Hill. Nearly two years ago, I sat in a constituents living room as she told me why this bill, long filed by Rep. Rushing, meant so much to her and others gathered there, said Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, a Northampton Democrat who filed the bill with Rep. Nika Elugardo in early 2019. It has been an honor and a privilege to take up this bill that reflects years of work by native people, organizers and advocates, working shoulder-to-shoulder with legislators to affirm that the symbols that represent us matter. Elugardo, a Boston Democrat, said in a tweet that the flag and seal commission lets us reimagine the symbols representing our commonwealth ... in a way that honors our shared heritage and our debt to indigenous communities. The flag and seal commission lets us reimagine the symbols representing our Commonwealth values of justice and perseverance in a way that honors our shared heritage and our debt to indigenous communities. Nika Elugardo (@NikaElugardo) January 6, 2021 Sen. Jo Comerford, also a Northampton Democrat, noted that after years of activism from indigenous people and advocates, the state seal bill advanced 400 years after the landing on Plymouth rock. I think this is a tremendous victory. Its an indigenous rights victory. Its a racial justice victory, she said in an interview Wednesday morning. Its a victory for everyone who believes that its time to reconsider the kind of seal and motto we want on our flag. In its current form, the state seal shows a hand holding the sword over the head of a Native American with the Latin motto the translates to, by the sword we seek peace. The sword symbolizes Myles Standish, an English militia leader in the 1600s who attacked Native American settlements. The bill sets up a special commission to review the seal, recommend a new design and propose an educational program on the history and meaning of the state seal and motto. The special commission would include the executive director of the Commission on Indian Affairs or a designee, five members appointed by the commission who descend from local tribes and several state and legislative officials. Advocates also pushed for bills that would have banned Native American mascots at public schools and that would make museums, libraries and other entities receiving state funding send indigenous relics and funerary objects back to their communities, preventing them from auctioning the items. Those bills stalled in the Legislature. For months, the state seal bill seemed destined for the same fate. The Senate unanimously approved the latest version of the bill in late July, sending it to the House Ways and Means Committee. But the House and Senate advanced the proposal Tuesday night while rushing to enact major bills on economic development and transportation financing. After sending those proposals to Bakers desk, the House and Senate voted to send the state seal bill to the governor as well. Baker has 10 days to sign the bill, or he can choose not to sign it and let it die. As the Legislature pivots to the new session, lawmakers say the work to address centuries of harm against indigenous communities remains unfinished. The work to rethink the commonwealths seal is important, but its not the only thing we have to do, Comerford said. Native leaders have laid out numbers of steps for us in the indigenous agenda. She added: I hope the passage of this bill opens the door to more equity, more racial justice and more necessary transformation in the commonwealth. Related Content: AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world's largest AIDS organization, condemned the recent jailing of Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan for her reporting on COVID-19 in Wuhan as another example of Chinese authorities' efforts to impede and obscure global investigations into the origins of the coronavirus and its spread in the early days of the pandemic. Zhang's prison sentence of four years has been met with sharp criticism from advocates globally, including the European Union, which has demanded that Zhang be released. "Zhang Zhan is a hero for courageously trying to expose a deadly cover-up that crippled the world. It's not acceptable that China is being allowed to continue the false narrative, and now it is boldly blocking the World Health Organization (WHO) investigators from going to Wuhan to study the outbreak," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "It's shameful that [WHO Director-General] Tedros was praising China's response from the beginning, and now his own scientists cannot enter the country. With the COVID-19 death toll approaching two million people, the entire system of global public health is at stake. We are one world which China is a part of, and it has a responsibility to protect it not to perpetuate a cover-up which is costing millions of lives." After finally consenting to allow a team of WHO experts to travel to Wuhan following lengthy negotiations, China has recently reneged on the agreement while two scientists were already in route, allegedly due to visa clearance issues. A string of actions such as these, intended to thwart the pursuit of facts inadvertently raises questions about why and what China does not want the world to know. The latest assault on transparency follows a string of other attempts at suppression of public health facts. In January 2020, Chinese ophthalmologist from Wuhan, Dr. Li Wenliang was threatened by law enforcement officials for publicly speaking out about the emergence of a new respiratory illness and was forced to sign a letter retracting his comments. Tragically, Dr. Li passed away in February from what would come to be known as COVID-19. As a tribute to Dr. Li, AHF named its Asia Bureau office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in his honor. "Whether it's the United States, the WHO or China we've advocated for complete transparency throughout this health emergency," added Weinstein. "The WHO should be calling out nations that seek to silence such invaluable voices as Ms. Zhang's, because lives are lost when information is withheld. Governments should be compelled to provide all relevant COVID-19 data, including accurate statistics on cases and mortality, and there should be zero secrecy on vaccine development and vaccination policies. International cooperation and transparency are paramount during a pandemic." AHF has repeatedly called on public health organizations, associations and universities to join together in urging governments and global institutions to work toward creating a new Global Public Health Convention one that would protect citizens everywhere from this and future health crises by ensuring transparency, sustainability and accountability. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.5 million clients in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005819/en/ Contacts: Denys Nazarov, Director of Global Policy Communications, AHF +1 202.503.4743 denys.nazarov@aidshealth.org Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy Policy, AHF +1 323.308.1820 terri.ford@aidshealth.org PARIS and BOSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shift Technology , a provider of AI-native fraud detection and claims automation solutions for the global insurance industry, today announced that Generation, a brokerage firm specializing in managing health and company pension plans, has selected Shift Technology to help health insurers control their expenditures and fight against fraud. Healthcare risk carriers are experiencing a significant increase in payouts which in turn is driving up costs for corporate group insurance clients. In response, Generation established a centralized fraud detection unit, developed tools, and trained specialist administrators to more effectively identify and manage Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA). Understanding that insurance fraud and fraudulent operating methods are constantly evolving, Generation sought to expand its data analysis capabilities to more efficiently spot suspicious behavior and turned to Shift Technology and the company's Shift Claims Fraud Detection. Key to the decision was the Shift team's knowledge, expertise, and engagement, and the overall effectiveness of the solution. The technology deployment is being supported by and reinforced its fraud detection unit, which is charged with validating suspicions of fraud and broadening of fraud scenarios. "The rules of health insurance change very rapidly and give rise to new patterns of fraud or abuse. As an intermediary with a strong added value on the insurance market, Generation needed to extend its existing tools with a more agile solution, capable of handling this evolution," explained Gilles Le Vavasseur, Operations Director at Generation. "We are working on simplifying the use of our services and interactions with all of our customers, with a specific focus on digital transformation. Shift Technology delivers an innovative solution based on artificial intelligence, fully in line with our approach." Generation works with all types of risk carriers in the market including insurers, mutual insurance companies, and pension schemes. The initial project will support three of the company's risk carrier clients representing more than 530,000 insured parties. "Organizations like Generation know that Fraud, Waste, and Abuse impacts not only the business but also consumers," stated Jeremy Jawish, CEO and co-founder, Shift Technology. "They also understand that effective management of insurance fraud is a powerful way to help control expenditure without affecting policyholders' contributions." About Shift Technology Shift Technology delivers the only AI-native fraud detection and claims automation solutions built specifically for the global insurance industry. Our SaaS solutions identify individual and network fraud with double the accuracy of competing offerings, and provide contextual guidance to help insurers achieve faster, more accurate claim resolutions. Shift has analyzed billions of claims to date and was presented Frost & Sullivan's 2020 Global Claims Solutions for Insurance Market Leadership Award. For more information please visit www.shift-technology.com. About Generation Created in December 1996 with the aim of becoming a leader on the personal insurance market, Generation a subsidiary of the Adelaide group - is a brokerage firm specializing in the management of Health and Corporate Pension Plan contracts. It works for all of the personal insurance market: insurance companies, pension schemes, mutual insurance companies, brokers, consulting actuaries. https://generation.fr/. Contact: Rob Morton Corporate Communications Shift Technology +1.617.416.9216 [email protected] SOURCE Shift Technology Related Links https://www.shift-technology.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The acquisition complements NIM's market coverage, adding three new locations in the Northwest, and further expanding NIM's product lines and processing capabilities. The NIM family of companies now has sixteen locations stretching from New Jersey to Washington with daily deliveries to customers in thirty states. "We are pleased to welcome the Cd'A Metals team to the NIM family," Arnie Robinson, President and COO of NIM, said. "We are very excited to follow the 2018 addition of Metalwest with this acquisition. Cd'A Metals is a great fit to continue our growth and investment in the Western United States." Heritage Capital Group served as financial advisor, and Witherspoon Kelley provided legal services, to Cd'A Metals. Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP is acting as legal counsel to NIM. About Cd'A Metals Cd'A Metals is a full-line metal service center and supplier, headquartered in Spokane, Washington. With three locations across the Inland Northwest, the company provides bar and structural steel, plate and sheet products, as well as ornamental iron. Founded in 1884, Cd'A Metals has offered over a century of processing expertise to the metals industry and is a member of the Metal Service Center Institute (MSCI) and the North American Steel Alliance. For more information, visit www.cdametals.com. About Norfolk Iron & Metal Norfolk Iron & Metal, Co. (NIM) is a full-line steel service center headquartered in Norfolk, Nebraska. It is one of the nation's largest and most technologically advanced steel providers. In 2018, NIM acquired Metalwest, a leading processor and distributor of non-ferrous and carbon flat rolled metal products. With 13 locations across the U.S., NIM's warehouses are stocked with more than 3,000 items including carbon steel beams, angles, channels, flat-roll sheet and coil, plate, and tubing. NIM has been a family-run business since 1908 and is a member of MSCI. For more information, visit www.norfolkiron.com. SOURCE Norfolk Iron & Metal Related Links https://www.norfolkiron.com Dr Ashish K Jha (pictured), dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, has issued a warning about the new 'super-covid' variants A top public health expert says the new 'super-covid' variants could make the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. up to five times deadlier. The new strain, known as B.1.1.7 - which was first detected in the UK - has now infected at least 37 people in seven states and at least 30 countries. Meanwhile, a close cousin has been found in South Africa, UK and at least seven other nations - but not yet in the U.S. It is feared to be up to 70 percent more transmissible and to spread more easily among children. Dr Ashish K Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, says because the new variant is 'significantly more infectious,' there could be up to 10 million new infections in the U.S. and as many as 150,000 deaths from now to the end of February. Because of this, he argues that U.S. must also delay administering second doses of the coronavirus vaccine and instead give as many Americans possible initial shots. In a news release, Jha wrote that a significant increase in COVID-19 infection rates will create a much more lethal pandemic despite the fact that the new variants do not make patients sicker. He references an epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, who hypothetically compared a strain that was 50 percent more contagious with one that was 50 percent deadlier in a Twitter thread. The B.1.1.7 strain first detected in the UK has now infected at least 37 people in seven states (above) while the strain found in South Africa has not yet reached the U.S. Jha warns that the pandemic could become up to 'five times deadlier' because the new variants will infect more people faster and overwhelm hospitals. Pictured: Walter Smith, a respiratory therapist, gives oxygen to a COVID-19 patient before intubating him in the ICU at Uniontown Hospital, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, December 16 He recommends officials delay administering second coronavirus vaccine doses so as many people as possible receive at least one dose. Pictured: A bottle of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on a table before being utilized in Topeka, Kansas, December 30 The epidemiologist found that, in a town of 10,000 infections, the 50 percent deadlier strain would lead to about 193 new deaths after a month of spread. However, the 50 percent more transmissible variant would lead to 978 new fatalities after a month, which equates to a five-fold increase. 'Because a lower death rate of a very large number of cases produces many more deaths than a higher death rate but a lower number of cases,' Jha explained in the news release. 'The new strain is estimated to represent about [one percent] of all infections at this moment but because of its increased contagiousness, the best estimates are that it will be come a majority of all new infections by March.' Jha says urgent aggressive action is needed to limit the spread of the new strain as several healthcare systems experience a severe shortage of beds and resources. 'This new, more infectious variant will change the underlying dynamics of the pandemic, with exponential growth in infections making the virus vastly harder to contain and overburdening our stressed healthcare system. 'The U.S. healthcare system is already staggering under the burden of the pandemic caused by the current (old) strain,' he wrote. Some suggestions include tightening restrictions on indoor gatherings and deploying large numbers of rapid tests to schools, offices and homes. 'We should expect, without further action, that as the new strain takes hold, we will see an additional 10 million infections in the U.S. between now and end of February and during that time, we could easily see an additional 100,000 to 150,000 deaths,' he wrote. But, perhaps most importantly, Jha says the Trump administration needs to ramp up nationwide vaccination efforts. The government's current policy is to withhold about half of the available supply to ensure people receive a second dose. However, Jha says officials need to prioritize making sure as many Americans as possible receive at least one dose - especially senior citizens - and then second doses can be given out when more vaccines come off the production line. There is currently no evidence to suggest the vaccines don't work against the new variants, and a single shot has been found at least 50 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. The UK has already opted for this, delaying second doses of both the Pfizer and Oxford University/AstraZeneca jabs so a wider group of people can receive their first shots. Between fewer vaccines approved by the New Year then hoped, surging infection rates and the threat of the new variants, Jha urges immediate action. 'It is essential we get ahead of this variant as it takes hold across the U.S.' he wrote. 'If we act aggressively now, we can avoid the worst-case scenario of more suffering, more deaths, and more economic damage that awaits us in the upcoming months.' PUNE Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha-Metro) managing director, Brijesh Dixit, is strongly backing the introduction and use of the neo Metro transit option on the BRTS (bus rapid transit routes) in the city. Recently, Pumta (Pune unified metropolitan transport authority) discussed the introduction of the automobile system, known colloquially in India as Neo Metros on the existing BRTS corridors in Pune. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) chairman and managing director, Rajendra Jagtap, put this proposal before Pumta. Dixit said, Bus transit is better as long as the per-hour passenger flow is up to 4,000 citizens. Metro is for 12,000 commuters per hour. Considering that, Neo Metro is the solution for passenger flow between 4,000 and 12,000. It can be converted into a metro if the passengers flow increases. Dixit said, Most of Punes corridors have passenger flow of more than 4,000 passengers per hour and if the bus service continues on these routes, it creates traffic jams. Neo Metro is the new solution to cater this issue. The Neo Metro proposal was for the Swargate to Katraj corridor. We also prepared an underground metro proposal for this route, but elected members need to take decision on it. There are other BRTS corridors in the city which can get converted in to Neo Metro routes. Dixit added, The Neo Metro model had been approved at the national level. We introduced it in Nashik city and then adopted it in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Now many cities at the national level are obtaining this new solution. It is hybrid model in between the metro and a bus service, with lower infrastructure cost. In short, it is a metro on wheels. PEOPLE Octo's board adds former NGA director Octo said Tuesday its board of directors has elected a new member in Letitia Tish Long, the former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Long holds the distinction of being the first woman to lead a U.S. intelligence agency. She is currently chairman of the Intelligence and National Security Alliances board of directors. She is joining Octo to help further shape the companys focus on the intelligence community, a strategy that included the acquisition of Connexta in 2019 to add new data discovery software used by IC agencies and international partners. Credit: CC0 Public Domain When Ebony Bascomb's husband was diagnosed with colon cancer in September, she had to take a three-month leave of absence and cut back on her hours at the fast food restaurant where she is an assistant manager, to care for her husband and their five children. "It felt like I was about to lose my husband," said Bascomb, who is 36 and lives in Dearborn Heights. He's doing better now, she said, but Bascomb still worries about maintaining a virus-free environment for him and her family. Throughout, Bascomb said, family members have stepped up to help. So has their local health care clinic. Western Wayne Family Health Centers, where the family of seven has been going for about a decade, helped them navigate the traumatic situation. The Inkster clinic helped Bascomb and her family connect with agencies to see whether they could help with rent and utility bills, made sure her husband had his medical supplies and that her kids' prescriptions were filled, and helped her navigate insurance. "We felt safe," Bascomb said of the clinic, which serves people with insurance and charges fees based on income to people without insurance. Free and affordable health clinics are, in normal times, crucial for people who can't afford care or are uninsured. Now, during a health crisis, some clinics face financial challenges even as their role has expanded, with clinics offering wraparound services like food assistance and mental health care, to help patients across metro Detroit who have lost their jobs and are reeling from the economic blow of the pandemic. Health clinics adjust Community health centers are "the nation's health care safety net," said Tom Kochheiser, director of member services for the Michigan Primary Care Association, which includes 45 clinics across the state. They aim to provide care to people who live in medically underserved areas. The CHASS Center in southwest Detroit is one of those places, where 95% of the clinic's patients live at or under the federal poverty line, said Dr. Felix Valbuena, CEO of the center, which has been around for about five decades. The majority of the clinic's patients prefer speaking Spanish and the staff is mostly bilingual. The community that the clinic serves has been hit with pandemic job losses, Valbuena said. People are having trouble putting food on the table. "There's at least a 5% increase in our Medicaid volume since the pandemic started. And we can attribute some of that to the fact that individuals lost their job," he said. Although the clinic has seen a decrease in in-person visits and had to reduce capacity to curb the spread of the virus, it has remained open throughout the pandemic and increased telemedicine services. The CHASS Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), meaning it provides services on a sliding scale based on patients' ability to pay. There are more than 1,400 such organizations across the country, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. Among the approximately 28 million patients federally qualified health centers serve across the country, 91% have incomes that are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and 63% are racial or ethnic minorities, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Earlier in the pandemic, health centers had to adjust to stay-at-home COVID-19 orders, saw drops in patient visits for nonessential health care and faced workforce challenges, like temporary site closures and staff reductions, KFF found. Health centers were some of the quickest to adapt to changing circumstances during the early days of the pandemic, said Phillip Bergquist, health center operations officer at the Michigan Primary Care Association. Still, "with all of the operational struggles, the workforce challenges on top of it, many of them are in a difficult financial spot because of all the revenue that they lost when services were postponed," he said. Federal support helped keep CHASS open. It received more than $1 million in federal COVID-19 aid, which allowed the center to give employees hazard pay and open a makeshift day care for staff when schools went virtual, Valbuena said. "We work hard in high-need areas, whether it's urban or rural, to make sure that we're providing not just medical care, but comprehensive health and wellness services," he said about community health centers like CHASS. "I think we're a model of primary care for the nation." On the west side of Detroit, HUDA Clinicwhich offers free servicessaw a 22% drop in donations, a key source of funding. The clinic reduced hours and the number of volunteers who would normally help out, said Ghufraan Akram, who is on the board of directors for HUDA Clinic. Still, HUDA didn't have to shut down altogether because of a push for online donations, including a virtual fundraiser. A new partnership with Michigan State University and a residency program at Ascension Providence is bringing more volunteer physicians and medical students and could help reduce patient waitlists, allowing HUDA to serve about 20 to 25 more patients on what HUDA calls clinic days, when it hosts the expanded medical team. There are four clinic days planned for next year, but HUDA wants to increase that to once a month through this partnership, Akram said. "If we were closed for one or two months, where do our patients go?" he said. "... At a time like this, when folks have no jobseven folks who had insurance might have trouble finding caregetting HUDA Clinic to stay open is even more paramount now, because this is a population that's very vulnerable." Food insecurity, mental health needs heightened Several health clinics see fewer patients in person during the pandemic, but bolstered their telemedicine services. Lisa Rutledge, special projects manager for Western Wayne Family Health Centers said "telehealth is here to stay" because it can remove the barrier of transportation. Western Wayne has also been distributing about 100 boxes of food a month as part of a partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank and has started a "take what you need" table in the lobby as well. They requested double the number of food boxes from Gleaners in December during the holidays, she said. "We have community health workers who can help people navigate things like food assistance or utility assistance so they can help people with other challenges they might be having or refer them to a place that can help. We try to be holistic in taking care of people," she said. Overall, social determinants of health, like food insecurity and unemployment, were heightened by the pandemic, said Joslyn Pettway, CEO of Covenant Community Care. The pandemic also spurred an increase in behavioral health needs for managing anxiety and stress. "Our social environment has a huge impact on our health outcomes and I think that was just exacerbated by COVID-19," she said. The faith-based nonprofit, which has five locations across metro Detroit, has also seen an increase in people coming in who have lost employer-sponsored health care and expects those numbers to go up next year, Pettway said. The clinic has been helping people navigate the health insurance system to become insured again, and has expanded its own food program to give out 250 boxes each month to families in need. "We catch the people who have fallen through whatever cracks, and we catch them and do our best to care for them, regardless of whatever their economic situation is," she said. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Janhvi Kapoor and Kartik Aaryan fuelled romance rumours after they were spotted leaving Mumbai for Goa last week. The two were seen out and about in Goa, eating at restaurants and hanging out. The actors have now been spotted returning to Mumbai together, with Janhvi's sister Khushi Kapoor in tow. The trio had their masks on as they left the airport, with Janhvi wearing a face shield too. The actress wore a pair of baggy beige trousers with a white shirt. Kartik was seen in a pair of jeans, T-shirt and denim jacket. Khushi wore a pair of distressed denims, a sleeveless T-shirt and a jacket. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bombay Times (@bombaytimes) Pictures of their Goa trip together have left fans wondering if something is brewing between the two. The Pati Patni Aur Woh actor was spotted by fans on the beaches of Goa as he enjoyed a meal at a popular restaurant. The actor smiled happily for some selfies wit fans, which were then shared on social media. Another photo of Kartik and Janhvi has surfaced on the Internet, shared by an eatery called Favela Goa. The photo shows Kartik and Janhvi twinning in white for an outing. The actors could be seen posing for the camera inside the restaurant. Kartik recently wrapped up the shoot of Ram Madhvani's Dhamaka in just 10 days. He is teaming up with Janhvi for the sequel of Dostana. Haiti - News : Zapping... Moise invites to prepare for the elections President Jovenel Moise invites political actors to prepare to participate in the next elections, "the only way to gain power in any democratic system". He undertakes to support the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to help it carry out honest, free and transparent electoral contests in the country. Project to increase the Guarantee Fund for SMEs Tuesday morning, the Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) Jean Baden Dubois and Edgard Jeudy member of the Board of Directors met with the Ambassador of Haiti to Qatar Francois Guillaume II to discuss the proposed increase in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (PME) Guarantee Fund supported by Qatar. Ecuador : Haitian Embassy moves The Embassy of Haiti in Ecuador informs the community that from January 18, 2021, the Embassy will change its address : Calle El Batan N 34-67 and Eloy Alfaro. The Embassy will still work every day from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Chancellor Claude Joseph speaks with the OAS On Tuesday January 5, Chancellor Claude Joseph had an excellent conversation with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro. "We discussed the major projects that await Haiti in 2021. Almagro reiterated the support of the OAS to the electoral process in order to renew the political staff so that President Jovenel Moise is replaced by an elected official on February 7, 2022. The PNH hospital well-equipped On Monday, the Government inaugurated in Bon Repos, the hospital of the Haitian National Police, dedicated to police officers and their dependents. This hospital center has 80 beds, trauma, surgery, internal medicine, a laboratory, a treated water station and an emergency room. It has been equipped to the tune of $1 million by the US Embassy. Cuba, credentials of Haiti Regine Lamur the Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Cuba presented her credentials to President Miguel Diaz Canel of the Republic of Cuba. During the discussions, there was talk of strengthening Haitian-Cuban relations, which are important and essential for both countries. HL/ HaitiLibre [January 06, 2021] Remote working visionary to speak to industry leaders January 14th SaaS pioneer to share insights into the future of a software defined workplace. TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2021 /CNW/ - Mark Templeton saw it coming. Considered the first technology industry leader to see the seismic changes coming to the workplace, Templeton will look ahead at what's in store for remote work enabled by the rapidly expanding technology during a special interactive session on January 14, 2021. "Virtual Workplaces Past, Present and Future" premiered by Templeton and produced by Ferroque Systems is a series for IT professionals rushing to understand the technical and business challenges of the most profound new business trend in a decade it will feature an interview with Templeton, and an interactive exchange with the audience. Registration for the series is available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ferroque-exclusive-interview-with-mark-templeton-registration-133050875751. As the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Citrix Systems, Templeton led the company through 2015 from a $15 million organization with one product, one customer segment, and one go-to-market path, into a global organization with annual revenues of over $3 billion and 100 million users worldwide transforming it into one of the world's largest enterprise computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. He is now a coveted board member and investor in SaaS darling Workspot and will be interviewed by Ferroque Systems President, Todd Hsu. The to leaders will explore the technologies, and how the pandemic will enable a proliferation of new AI and ML technology solutions that are yet to be created and revolutionize future workspaces. "The pandemic has opened eyes to what is truly possible and software defined," explains Templeton. "It has accelerated the way of working and will enable a proliferation of new artificial intelligence and machine learning technology solutions that are yet to be created." Templeton contends that demand is now very natural and pulling the market to meet it. New technologies will emerge as a result of the pandemic that will be custom designed for each industry vertical moving far beyond the currently popular off-the-shelf streaming products and introducing video virtualization tools for each unique audience. Like Templeton, Hsu is a Citrix alumnus and is foresighted in the revolutionary remote working movement. The two continue to work together to help Ferroque in delivering specialized virtualization and digital workplaces for companies of all sizes. "Mark has a unique and privileged perspective on remote working something only a pioneer in the field could possibly enjoy," says Hsu. "Understanding where the technology propelling the movement came from, where it is at the moment, and where it's going is essential to every enterprise that hopes to fully embrace the business and organizational opportunities it represents. Mark sees the really big picture." About Ferroque Systems Ferroque Systems was incorporated by IT visionary Michael Shuster in Toronto, Canada in 2007. Today, Ferroque has earned its place as a leader in end-user computing and digital workspaces, workforce mobility, data centre virtualization, and application delivery technologies in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Ferroque possesses a broad client list ranging from major financial institutions to healthcare, utilities, construction, law and beyond. The Ferroque team specializes in working with multi-vendor cloud, application delivery, virtualization, and application delivery controller platforms. Together, these technologies and partnerships allow Ferroque to provide business enabling and productivity boosting solutions that improve security and business agility in the process. LinkedIn: Ferroque Systems Inc. Twitter: @FerroqueSystems Facebook: Ferroque Systems Inc. Instagram: @Ferroque Systems For more information, visit our website: ferroquesystems.com. SOURCE Ferroque Systems Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. President-elect Joe Biden has the power on day one as president to help close the racial wealth gap and stimulate the economy for a country on the brink of economic disaster by completely erasing student loan debt for all 45 million borrowers. Student borrowers hold an eye-popping $1.6 trillion in debt $1.37 trillion of which the federal government owns. Prior to the federal government suspending student loan payments as part of the spring coronavirus stimulus package, one person defaulted on their student loans every 26 seconds. By 2021, borrowers are expected to hold $2 trillion in student debt. Millions of people struggle to pay for life necessities and meet their loan obligations. The coronavirus health and economic crisis has made the situation worse. As of last week, unemployment among African-Americans is almost double unemployment for Whites, and more than 8 million people fell into poverty since May. Black and Latinx people are forced to borrow at higher rates and in larger amounts due to racial inequities in incomes and wealth. According to one study, 20 years after attending college, the median White borrower paid off 94 percent of their debt while the median Black borrower still owed 95 percent of theirs. The reasons are simple: These borrowers must borrow more because they own less family wealth and are paid less after graduation, which makes it harder to pay back their loans. On his first day in office, by canceling student debt, Biden could close the Black-White wealth gap among families with student loans by 25 percent and the Latinx-White gap among borrowing families. Opponents of student debt cancellation claim it would be a windfall for the most privileged, like doctors and lawyers, who hold a lot of student debt. But the data show the exact opposite. Those with the least debt are more likely to default on their loans. For example, a person who left school before getting a degree because they couldnt afford to continue their schooling or had too many family obligations, is still on the hook to repay their loans. Without a degree, those students often take low-wage jobs that make it impossible to afford repaying loans for a degree they never received. Canceling student debt means that families will have more money to meet their basic needs, afford a car or save for retirement. Plus, it would allow those who have deferred getting married and having children an opportunity to do so. A recent study showed that Millennials are spending less than previous generations because they are poorer. One of many reasons for that lack of personal wealth: the weight of student loans. Other opponents argue that it would cost too much to cancel student debt. According to recent analysis, the federal government stands to lose $435 billion of the $1.37 trillion of its student loan portfolio meaning millions of people will default on those loans, endangering their personal credit histories. Instead of further harming these struggling borrowers, we should stimulate our economy and tackle injustice by canceling the full $1.6 trillion student debt owed including buying and forgiving privately held loans and give these people a chance to build economic security for themselves and their families. Finally, President Trumps education secretary, Betsy DeVos, has argued that it would be unfair to those who already paid off their debt or never went to college to cancel student loans. But this completely misses the point that society works for the collective good. I have chosen not to have children, but I pay taxes to fund childrens nutrition programs, pre-K education and K-12 schools. Should I ask the government to refund my money? Of course not, because I am proudly contributing to making society better for everyone. Canceling student debt not only would be a lifeline to 45 million people, some of whom are struggling under the weight of their debt, it would help build a more robust economy. Its supported by a majority of Americans. And it makes good on the commitment so many leaders have made over the last year to focus on racial equity by working to close the racial wealth gap and giving Black and Brown borrowers a real chance to succeed. However, in the end, Biden should do it because its the right thing to do. Remington A. Gregg is counsel for civil justice and consumer rights at Public Citizen. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Started locally, an outdoor curriculum that reaches thousands in several states is awarded a big grant A curriculum focused on students learning outdoors within the Columbia River watershed began locally and has grown to include thousands of students and teachers in the Pacific Northwest. The River Mile was awarded a $100,000 Environmental Education grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in late 2020. Janice Elvidge has worked as the education specialist for the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area since 2005. Her office is at Spring Canyon. Tasked with coming up with an education plan for the park, Elvidge spoke with teachers to find out what they would like to see. Something involving the river is what many of them wanted. Elvidge coordinated with experts and brought in people to train teachers in teaching about the river. She told The Star in a conference call Monday that she "specialized in coordinating and pulling stuff together." Around 2007 and 2008, a pilot program for The River Mile began with 10 local school districts, including the Grand Coulee Dam and Nespelem districts. From about 300-400 students at that time, the program now has a network "of over 200 educators, 4,200 students, and hundreds of other partners, including scientists," according to the website of The Lake Roosevelt Forum, a non-profit that supports research in the Upper Columbia River watershed, and a formal partner with the LRNRA, which does the administration portion of The River Mile. That expansion has happened over the years through word of mouth and participation in science and teaching conferences, Elvidge said. The project also works with universities and other organizations involved in watershed science, including the University of Idaho, the University of Washington, the University of Illinois, the REACH Museum in Richland, Spokane Riverkeeper, and Oregon State Parks. Elvidge explained that multiple sciences and disciplines, including biology, botany, geography, and more, are connected to the Columbia River watershed. "The River Mile is more than just water. It's all about being in the watershed and part of the Columbia River watershed's health and anything and everything that happens within our watershed." "People think NASA is just mars and the moon, but they have tons of resources available to teachers," Elvidge continued, mentioning Landsat (land satellite photos) as tools available for helping study the watershed. "With my connections, I've been able to bring those resources to The River Mile network." A key project of The River Mile is studying crayfish, including invasive species and possible new species, with data collected by students being used by universities. "There's not a ton of information known about crayfish in the Pacific Northwest," Elvidge said. The River Mile is "getting boots on the ground," she said, and finding out "what [people who study] crayfish are seeing and where?" "Then we go from there," she said. "The professors think there is an undescribed species they are thinking might be an unknown, undocumented species in the Sun Lakes area. It was assumed it was a signal crayfish, but the professors think it very well could be another species. No one's collected and done anything with it. Also in the high Okanogans up towards Canada, there's the same thing going on. What was assumed was a signal may be a new species." When specimens of those crayfish are collected, they can be shipped off to the University of Illinois for DNA testing to find out if they are indeed new or undocumented species of crayfish. Rick Reynolds, who designed the crayfish curriculum for The River Mile and has worked with them since 2017, was also on the conference call with The Star. Reynolds is also the founder of Engaging Every Student, based in the Portland, Oregon area, has authored or co-authored 18 books and curriculum guides, and is the project coordinator for the EPA grant. He said the grant money will help pay for things like teacher training, crayfish kits that include traps and tools, water quality kits, transportation funds so students can travel to outdoor locations, and more. During COVID, The River Mile is currently focused on trainings, but there is some activity being done outside. He hopes more students will be able to go outside and participate later this year. Having taught all ages up to the high school level for 25 years, Reynolds said teaching students outdoors is important for a number of reasons. "What I learned through the years is the best projects are connected to the students' place where they can go outdoors and do investigations," he said. Projects done outside offer students an experience that "you can't replace or recreate in the classroom," he said. "The magic was getting out there where students could see the direct impact of their work." He said that research shows that learning outdoors increases student engagement, is better for physical and mental health, that there is a correlation between a decrease of anxiety and depression and going outdoors and being active, and that students remember what they learn more "because it was the way our brains were designed to learn." "We don't know that much about the brain, but what we do know 100 percent for sure is that the human brain evolved to be in an outdoor environment with constantly changing meteorological conditions and a state of almost constant motion," Reynolds said, citing the work of Dr. John Medina, a neuroscientist from the University of Washington. "So if you wanted to design a classroom environment that is exactly the opposite to the way the brain is designed to learn, put them in a classroom." "Most districts out there are limited in getting students out, so that's my number-one passion and what I try to support," said Reynolds. Elvidge agreed, saying it was important for students to do "field investigations, doing the actual science not just in a classroom, but actually being outdoors doing the work outdoors the way scientists do the work." Elvidge said the field work seems to be correlated with raised test scores, and that she knows of students who have turned their academic lives around for the better through the project. "We want to continue to spread this word that there are great ways of getting students engaged," she said. Trainings for teaching the curriculum are available, including upcoming live trainings on March 23 and 30. More info on The River Mile can be found at http://www.therivermile.org . After declining for three consecutive years, homicides in San Antonio increased 22 percent last year, making it one of the deadliest years in over two decades. There were 128 homicides in the city limits last year, compared with 105 a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the San Antonio Police Department, which cautioned that the figures could change slightly. That makes 2020 the second-deadliest year in San Antonio since 1995, when there were 142 homicides in the city limits. Still, the year-end total was significantly lower than in 2016, when there were 149 homicides in San Antonio and 20 in unincorporated areas of Bexar County. The per capita homicide rate in 2020 was lower than it once was, with about 8 homicides per 100,000 people. In 2016, that figure was about 10. In 1995, it was 14. Police Chief William McManus said its difficult to pinpoint why homicides increased, though he suspects many deaths could be credited to family violence or so-called risky behavior, such as drug use and gang involvement. Theres a lot of speculation, but theres no real evidence as to why homicides fluctuate, McManus said. The randomness of these acts makes them very difficult to predict and almost impossible to prevent. In 2020, about 30 homicides or roughly a quarter of all killings resulted from family violence, preliminary data shows. That total includes four children, all under the age of 5, who were killed by their parents, an Army sergeant and his wife, in a puzzling case that police believe was influenced by stress and mental health issues. It also includes two young children who were killed by their 37-year-old mother possibly with help from their 68-year-old grandmother, police recently revealed after the mother lost custody of the kids. On ExpressNews.com: Houston reaches highest murder total in more than a decade Officials noted that the high homicide numbers were not unique to San Antonio but mirrored a trend seen in many major cities, including Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and New York. San Antonio did not escape the 2020 wave of violence that engulfed major metropolitan areas, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement. The city is confronting this challenge with a focus on prevention by enhancing our approach to family violence and addressing mental health issues. In unincorporated areas of Bexar County, homicides increased slightly, from 15 in 2019 to 17 last year, according to the Sheriffs Office. It appears that several of those deaths also stemmed from family violence. Officials cautioned that the year-end totals in San Antonio and Bexar County could change slightly as detectives review open cases and determine whether the deaths meet the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting definition, which doesnt include justified homicides or officer-involved killings. The increase in homicides comes amid a national debate over policing sparked by the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes. In the wake of Floyds death, many activists called on elected officials, both locally and nationally, to defund the police that is, reduce law enforcement budgets and redirect the money to other services to benefit underserved communities. President Donald Trump said at the time that those radical efforts led to a shocking explosion in crime. In July, he unveiled a federal task force called Operation Legend that has sent hundreds of federal agents to American cities hard hit by crime, including Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit. On ExpressNews.com: Homicides spike in 2020, putting San Antonio on track to have one of its deadliest years in decades However, criminology experts have cautioned that there was little evidence that protesters themselves were responsible for the uptick in homicides. Its more likely, they said, that the spike in homicides nationwide was influenced by higher levels of unemployment and additional stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest. Experts have warned that the pandemic has kept many families in close quarters, making already volatile and abusive relationships worse. Criminology experts also say its normal for crime to fluctuate from year to year because of various factors, including shifts in poverty rates, police staffing, gang-related activity, police-community relations and general trust in the government. Doshie Piper, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of the Incarnate Word, said one of the principal reasons homicides increased in 2020 was because the public and in particular, communities of color lacked trust in the police. Communities that have historically needed the police arent calling 911, Piper said. The public lacks trust in police to keep us safe. McManus said many of those factors could be at play though its hard to say for sure. He stressed that San Antonio is a very safe city. I read crime reports every day when I wake up, McManus said. They involve gang connections, heated arguments, road rage, family violence. Of course, there are exceptions to that. But if you are not engaged in risky behavior, your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime arent that high. McManus also expressed sympathy for the families who have been hurt by the violence. These are people, the chief said. They have mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers who will forever be impacted by their deaths. Local initiatives Homicides in San Antonio have generally declined since the early 1990s, when the city was unofficially dubbed the Drive-By Shooting Capital. In 1993, there were 220 killings in San Antonio and a per capita rate of 22 homicides per 100,000 people. In 2016, the numbers shot up again. In response, McManus unveiled a Violent Crime Task Force to go after violent suspects with lengthy criminal histories rather than simply focus on geographic hot spots, as the department had in the past. Crime doesnt just happen in one section of the city, and we dont want to target one section of the city, McManus said then. We dont want to overpolice. We have our Intelligence Unit detectives talking about who we need to target people, not areas. About that time, then-Mayor Ivy Taylor established a police-community relations council. Piper, of UIW, said the 2016 increase and the current spike can be attributed, in part, to the so-called Ferguson Effect: increased scrutiny of law enforcement after the police killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was Black, in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014, which led police to reduce patrols and curb community policing. Police officers are overworked and underpaid, in some regards, Piper said. They are thinking about the calls they are responding to, and questioning if they want to risk their personal and professional image by going to a particular call. Piper said the focus on police-community relations in addition to public health programs such as Stand Up SA, which aims to curb gun violence among young people undoubtedly helped curb crime. Violence is not a criminal justice issue or a policing issue, Piper said. Its a social issue, because we dont know how to solve our problems. We arent teaching people how to resolve conflict. And yet, we often rely on law enforcement to respond to this social issue. By the end of 2017, homicides had decreased 16 percent though the year-end total was still, at the time, the citys second highest since 1995. (That tally included 10 immigrants who were smuggled across the border and held in an overheated semitrailer, where they died of heat exposure and asphyxiation.) San Antonio homicides dropped again in 2018 and 2019. On ExpressNews.com: Homicides in San Antonio fall for third straight year, increase slightly in Bexar County McManus said the task force continues its work today, though many of the officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety who originally were assigned to the group have been redirected to other duties. He said the Police Department also has a number of initiatives focused on family violence. Last year, the city received a grant to create a team of police, prosecutors and advocates to work together to help victims deemed at high risk of being killed by spouses or partners. In September, as part of the citys fiscal year budget, the city announced that it would put all its violence prevention programs under one roof at the Metropolitan Health District and move 20 civilian employees who work with domestic violence victims from SAPD to Metro Health. An additional 25 detectives will join that team in the next six weeks, police say. Lt. Jesse Salame, a spokesman for the department, said it was frustrating to see how high family violence homicides were last year, despite increased efforts to address it. Its frustrating, with all the initiatives weve taken, said Salame, who has helped coordinate the departments response to family violence. But the reality is that this is a long-term problem that will take a generation to clear up, Salame said. We need to look at addressing this in the long term. Staff writer Taylor Pettaway contributed to this report. eeaton@express-news.net SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Princess Cruises continues to prepare and develop its plans to meet the "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order" issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to the uncertainty around travel restrictions, the company is extending its pause of guest cruise vacations on ships sailing through May 14, 2021. This includes sailings in the Caribbean, the California Coast, along with early season Alaska and Europe cruises. "We appreciate the patience from our loyal guests and travel advisors as we work to meet the health and safety requirements for our return to service," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "We continue to prepare our ships for our return to service and we are eager to see our guests back on board to create summertime memories." Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25% of the cruise fare paid. To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor. The FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by May 1, 2022 and sailing by December 31, 2022. Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by February 15, 2021 or guests will be registered for the Future Cruise Credit option. Princess will protect travel advisor commission on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line's business and success. Princess Cruises previously paused global guest cruise vacations and cancelled all departures on all ships through March 31, 2021. The most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises. About Princess Cruises: One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE:CUK). SOURCE Princess Cruises Related Links www.princess.com The Immigration Management Agency of the Republic of Korea (RoK) has announced plans to offer a 50-day automatic stay extension period for foreign migrant workers in accordance with the Employment Permit System (EPS) programme. The Immigration Management Agency of the Republic of Korea (RoK) has announced plans to offer a 50-day automatic stay extension period for foreign migrant workers in accordance with the Employment Permit System (EPS) programme, reported the Department of Overseas Labour. In line with the scheme, foreign workers whose labour contracts expire between December 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, and who meet all working conditions and regulations regarding residence, will have their visa automatically extended for a period of 50 days. This will allow foreign labourers to extend their visas without needing to conduct procedures at the RoKs Immigration Management Agency. Due to the implementation of the plan, Vietnamese workers have been urged to visit hikorea.go.kr in order to check information on their automatic extension of residence, or alternatively go to their nearest Immigration Management Agency so they can fill in the declaration form regarding visa extension. Due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus, the RoK government recommended that guest workers raise their awareness about epidemic prevention measures and follow relevant regulations. VOV [January 06, 2021] Oracle Helps ENGIE Manage Its 170,000 Strong Workforce AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle announces that ENGIE, a global group that provides low-carbon energy and services, is extending its HR transformation with Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) to support its 170,000 employees. ENGIE has built its human resources policy around the core elements of open dialogue, continuous improvement and sharing best practices. ENGIE has expanded its use of Oracle Cloud HCM to leveragenew artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning features in Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications. By using HR data to provide support on recruitment, skills development, and internal mobility, Oracle is helping ENGIE empower its employees throughout their work and careers via one cloud-based system, bringing together previously disconnected data from multiple lines of business. "We are working with ENGIE and innovating to help its HR teams and employees meet the demands of today's evolving workplace," says Karine Picard, Country Leader France and VP Business Development Applications. "Oracle is uniquely positioned to deliver a complete, global HR solution and help ENGIE standardise processes such as managing HR information, recruitment, learning, performance management, as well as succession plans, career development, and workforce management." About Oracle Oracle offers suites of integrated applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oracle-helps-engie-manage-its-170-000-strong-workforce-301202203.html SOURCE Oracle Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Mindset Pharma Inc. (CSE: MSET) ("Mindset" or the "Company"), a drug discovery and development company focused on developing next generation psychedelic medicines and related technologies for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological indications with unmet needs, is pleased to announce that certain compounds belonging to its third family of patent-pending next generation psychedelic compounds are exhibiting positive in vitro characteristics. James Lanthier, CEO of Mindset, commented, "Of the data being generated through Mindset's in vitro screening program on its third novel compound family, perhaps most intriguing, is that certain compounds demonstrate half-lives extending well beyond those exhibited by comparable classical psychedelic drugs with no significant reduction in potency at the serotonin 5HT2A receptor. The Mindset team believes that such compounds may be optimal for indications in which a long term, micro-dosing, paradigm is advantageous, such as ADHD or pain. "Like our previous two patent families, we continue to discover compounds with agonistic effects on 5HT2A comparable to, and in some cases substantially greater than, psilocin and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Additionally, certain compounds demonstrate a greater degree of selectivity at the serotonin 5HT2A receptor, which allows our scientific team to better understand the structure-activity relationship of our compounds. "Mindset will continue to advance its portfolio of novel psychedelic compounds, with a goal of finalizing a selection of lead drug candidates for progression towards IND-enabling studies and subsequently to human clinical trials. We anticipate sharing additional updates in the near future with respect to both our drug development and psilocybin manufacturing programs." Management of Mindset wishes to caution readers that any statements regarding its novel psychedelic compounds are based on preliminary testing data and the clinical success of such compounds is speculative in nature. For more complete and specific information regarding the Company, its prospects and the risks associated with those prospects, readers should consult the Company's website and other reliable sources. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: James Lanthier CEO jlanthier@mindsetpharma.com Jason Atkinson VP, Corporate Development jatkinson@mindsetpharma.com About Mindset Pharma Mindset Pharma Inc. is a drug discovery and development company focused on creating optimized and patentable next-generation psychedelic medicines to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders with unmet needs. Mindset was established to develop next generation pharmaceutical assets that leverage the breakthrough therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs. Mindset is developing several novel families of next generation psychedelic compounds, as well as an innovative process to chemically synthesize psilocybin along with its own proprietary compounds. www.mindsetpharma.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71462 Addressable market in the bridge-to-transplant indication of more than 2,000 patients a year in Europe Company prepares for commercial launch in Q2 2021, with initial focus on Germany and France Robust clinical plan to support adoption and sales development Virtual conference with Stephane Piat today at 5 pm CET Regulatory News: CARMAT (Paris:ALCAR) (FR0010907956, ALCAR), the designer and developer of the world's most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to fulfill an unmet medical need by providing a therapeutic alternative to people suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure, today outlines the commercial and development plan for its total artificial heart. The Company holds a virtual conference in English today at 5 pm CET, for which you can register on this link. 2020, a defining year for CARMAT In 2020, despite the COVID-19 situation, CARMAT has delivered on key objectives including: obtaining from the US Food Drug Administration (FDA) the full approval to start an Early Feasibility Study (EFS) in the US, and successful training of three US centers in Q4 2020 in order to start implants in Q1 2021; securing a funding of 13m from the French state to start a new clinical trial ("EFICAS" study) in France in Q2 2021; receiving the CE Marking 1 which allows CARMAT to market its total artificial heart as a bridge-to-transplant in a large number of countries, including all European Union countries; which allows CARMAT to market its total artificial heart as a bridge-to-transplant in a large number of countries, including all European Union countries; resuming the PIVOTAL study in France, with 2 patients treated in December. Commercial readiness, positioning and branding Ahead of getting the CE marking, CARMAT had taken the necessary steps to be prepared to start selling its artificial heart from Q2 2021. This involves: accelerating the ramp-up of manufacturing activities; proactive customer targeting and early support to hospitals for reimbursement; product positioning and branding. The Carmat artificial heart will be marketed under the Aeson brand name. In view of the 3 unique features of the product pulsatility2, autoregulation2 and hemocompatibility3 CARMAT creates a new product category: the Physiologic Heart Replacement Therapy4 (PHRT). Commercial opportunity and plan Significant market opportunity The CE marking for the CARMAT heart as a bridge-to-transplant (BTT) represents a very significant market opportunity with a minimum of 2,000 patients currently on waiting lists for a heart transplant in five major European countries5 Initial focus on Germany and France In 2021, the Company's plan is to focus on Germany and France, which together account for 55% of the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) market in the European Union6 Aeson will be commercially launched in Germany in Q2 2021, the French market will initially be addressed through the EFICAS study. In addition, the company might seize further sales opportunities in other countries recognizing the CE marking. Strong market development approach In parallel, CARMAT will continue to implement a very robust clinical plan which includes the EFICAS Study in France (52 patients), the completion of the ongoing PIVOTAL study (target of 20 patients)7, along with a large post-market clinical follow-up which will include the first 95 patients treated in commercial setting, in order to generate further safety, performance and health-economics data. These data are expected to drive product adoption and support Aeson's value proposition (notably to obtain reimbursement of the product in France), and ultimately the obtention of the destination therapy (DT) indication for the product. While the BTT indication allows for temporary support by the device, this additional DT indication would allow CARMAT to target the patients who are not eligible to heart transplant who would remain under CARMAT's device support in the longer term. CARMAT confirms that its available resources8 enable the company to fund its activities through to Q3 2021. The company is considering different options to finance its future development. Stephane Piat, Chief Executive Officer of CARMAT, says: "2020 was a defining year for the company, culminating with the obtention of the CE Marking just before Christmas. Despite a very challenging environment, marked by the COVID-19, CARMAT has delivered on the vast majority of its objectives, and I would like to thank again the entire CARMAT team and all stakeholders who have made this possible. The bridge-to-transplant indication that we got as part of the CE Marking represents hope for patients and a very sizable market opportunity for the Company, as at least 2,000 patients are currently on waiting lists for a heart transplant in Europe, but only a fraction of them is fortunate enough to benefit from a donor graft. In 2021, our intention is to focus our efforts on Germany and France, which account for more than half of these patients. We might also address other countries recognizing the CE marking in a more opportunistic way. I am happy to confirm that we will be ready to start selling our product as early as Q2 2021. We will also continue to execute our strong clinical plan, in particular the EFICAS study that should start in Q2 2021, but also a post-market clinical follow-up of 95 implanted patients, which will have a significant impact on the adoption momentum of our prosthesis. Given its unique features demonstrated in clinical trials to date, Aeson introduces a new way of treating end-stage heart failure, the Physiologic Heart Replacement Therapy, which aims to provide patients with significantly improved quality of life." About CARMAT: the world's most advanced total artificial heart project A credible response to end-stage heart failure: CARMAT aims to eventually provide a response to a major public health issue associated with heart disease, the world's leading cause of death: chronic and acute heart failure. By pursuing the development of its total artificial heart, composed of the implantable bioprosthesis and its portable external power supply system to which it is continuously connected, CARMAT intends to overcome the well-known shortfall in heart transplants for the tens of thousands of people suffering from irreversible end-stage heart failure, the most seriously affected of the 20 million patients with this progressive disease in Europe and the United States. The result of combining two types of unique expertise: the medical expertise of Professor Carpentier, known throughout the world for inventing Carpentier-Edwards heart valves, which are the most used in the world, and the technological expertise of Airbus Group, world aerospace leader. The first physiologic heart replacement therapy: given its size, the use of highly biocompatible materials, its unique self-regulation system and its pulsatile nature, the CARMAT total artificial heart could, assuming a successful clinical development, potentially save the lives of thousands of patients each year with no risk of rejection and with an enhanced quality of life. A project leader acknowledged at a European level: with the backing of the European Commission, CARMAT has been granted the largest subsidy ever given to an SME by Bpifrance; a total of 33 million. Strongly committed, prestigious founders and shareholders: Matra Defense SAS (subsidiary of the Airbus Group), Professor Alain Carpentier, the Centre Chirurgical Marie Lannelongue, Truffle Capital, a leading European venture capital firm, ALIAD (Air Liquide's venture capital investor), CorNovum (an investment holding company held 50-50 by Bpifrance and the French State), the family offices of Pierre Bastid (Lohas), of Dr. Antonino Ligresti (Sante Holdings S.R.L.), of the Gaspard family (Corely Belgium SPRL and Bratya SPRL) and of M. Pierre-Edouard Sterin (BAD 21 SPRL), Groupe Therabel as well as the thousands of institutional and individual shareholders who have placed their trust in CARMAT. For more information: www.carmatsa.com Name: CARMAT ISIN code: FR0010907956 Ticker: ALCAR DISCLAIMER This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to, shares in CARMAT ("the Company") in any country. This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to the Company's objectives. Such forward-looking statements are based solely on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and involve risk and uncertainties. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, whether the Company will be successful in implementing its strategies, whether there will be continued growth in the relevant market and demand for the Company's products, new products or technological developments introduced by competitors, and risks associated with managing growth. The Company's objectives as mentioned in this press release may not be achieved for any of these reasons or due to other risks and uncertainties. No guarantee can be given as to any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements, which are subject to inherent risks, including those described in the Universal registration document filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers on March 13, 2020 under number D.20-0126 as well as changes in economic conditions, the financial markets or the markets in which CARMAT operates. In particular, no guarantee can be given concerning the Company's ability to finalize the development, validation and industrialization of the prosthesis and the equipment required for its use, to manufacture the prostheses, satisfy the requirements of competent authorities, enroll patients, obtain satisfactory clinical results, perform the clinical trials and achieve commercial objectives. Aeson is an active implantable medical device commercially available in Europe ONLY, CARMAT SA., CE0344. The Aeson TAH is intended to replace ventricles of native heart and is indicated as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (INTERMACS classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or LVAD and are likely to undergo heart transplant in the 180 days following device implantation. The decision to implant and the surgical procedure must be executed by Health Care professionals trained by the manufacturer. Carefully read the documentation (clinician manual, patient manual alarm booklet) for characteristics and information necessary for patient selection and good use (contraindications, precautions, side effects). In the USA, Aeson is currently exclusively available within the framework of clinical trials. ________________ 1 The CE marking was granted on December 22, 2020, to CARMAT's total artificial heart system as a bridge-to-transplant (BTT) in patients suffering from end-stage biventricular heart failure (Intermacs Classes 1-4) who are not amenable to maximal medical therapy or the LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) and who are likely to undergo heart transplant in the 180 days following implantation. 2 Bizouarn P et al.; Effects of pre-load variations on hemodynamic parameters with a pulsatile autoregulated artificial heart during the early post-operative period. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2018;37(1):161-3 3 JACC 2017 Smadja, Bioprosthetic total artificial heart induces a profile of acquired hemocompatibility with membranes recellularization, July 2017:403-9 4 The "PHRT" category has been created by CARMAT and differentiates form the "TAH" (total artificial heart) category by its unique combination of 3 features: pulsatility, autoregulation and hemocompatibility. The physiological heart replacement therapy can be either temporary (BTT bridge to transplant) or for the long run (DT destination therapy). The physiological nature of Aeson is documented in the following publication: Richez U et al.; Hemocompatibility and safety of the CARMAT Total Artificial Heart hybrid membrane. Heliyon. 2019 Dec; 5(12): e02914. Published online 2019 Dec 8. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02914 5 statistics.eurotransplant.org: 9023P_2019; https://rams.agence-biomedecine.fr; Five major European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. 6 GlobalData: EU5 Cardiac Assist Devices Market Outlook To 2025 Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps, Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices And Short-Term Circulatory Support Devices (Report GDMECR1561DB) 7 The initial inclusion target for this study was 20 patients, a figure that can be adjusted up or down during the course of the study. To date, 15 patients have been enrolled in the study. 8 Including cash on-hand, 10m of 'PGE' Loan (loan guaranteed by the French State) drawn in November 2020, the last tranche (10m) of the European Investment Bank Loan which can be drawn at any time until December 2021 (as drawdown criteria has already been met), and the non-dilutive financing of 13m granted by the French state to fund the EFICAS study (this amount will be perceived over the duration of the study); excluding the balance of the Kepler-Cheuvreux equity line, which can be used until September 27, 2021. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005980/en/ Contacts: CARMAT Stephane Piat Chief Executive Officer Pascale d'Arbonneau Chief Financial Officer +33 1 39 45 64 50 contact@carmatsas.com Alize RP Press Relations Caroline Carmagnol +33 6 64 18 99 59 carmat@alizerp.com NewCap Investor Relations Strategic Communication Dusan Oresansky Emmanuel Huynh +33 1 44 71 94 94 carmat@newcap.eu Chandigarh: Durga Shakti, the software application of Haryana Police that offers panic button facility for women in distress, has also started spreading its wings in Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Having gained more than 51,000 new users in Haryana between January and November 2020, the total count of followers of this app has now crossed 2 lakh. Durga Shakti app is available on both Google and Apple play store. According to Haryana Police, 133 people in Rajasthan, 118 in Delhi, 104 in Punjab, 60 in Himachal Pradesh and 14 in UP downloaded the application last year. In 2020, Haryana Police received a large number of complaints through this app and registered 21 first information reports (FIRs), additional director general of police (ADGP), crime against women, Kala Ramachandran said. While preventive action was taken in 33 matters, over 1,100 issues were resolved amicably after the police received complaints via the app. The ADGP said that users of neighbouring Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh have installed the app to ensure safety in case of an emergency. 33 EXCLUSIVE WOMEN POLICE STATIONS Haryana has 33 exclusive women police stations at present. We are establishing a womens help desk in 200 police stations to make the process approachable and women-friendly, Ramachandran said. She said to provide women a sense of security, Haryana Police has improved the working of its women helpline number 1091. While all complaints received on the helpline were looked into and disposed of, 2,802 of the 88,000 complaints received on 1091 (accessible from anywhere in the country) were converted into FIRs between January and November 2020. Women police personnel have been deputed exclusively in each district to attend to such complaints on priority. In 2021, the outreach of Durga Shakti App and other womens safety measures would be increased further, she said. SIXTH IN TRACKING SEXUAL OFFENCES Haryana Police have secured the sixth slot across the country under the investigation tracking system for sexual offences (ITSSO) ranking introduced by the Union home ministry. We are performing well on the ITSSO dashboard, which is an online module available to law enforcement agencies at all levels that allow the state police to undertake real-time monitoring and management for completing investigation in rape cases within two months. Haryana Police is at the sixth position in India with a compliance rate of 54.2 %, she said. More than 100,000 total vaccinations have been administered in health agency's region local The free trade deal agreed by the UK and the European Union (EU) on Christmas Eve would significantly lessen the negative economic impact of Brexit, according to a study published by Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) on Tuesday. "The agreement on a comprehensive agreement between the EU and the UK without tariffs and without quotas is a good signal for the economy in Germany, the EU and the UK," said Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier in a statement. However, Germany's trade with the UK had already declined before the withdrawal of Britain from the EU, according to the study by the ifo Institute in cooperation with the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel) on behalf of the BMWi. Although the best theoretical economic scenario was for the UK to remain in the EU's single market, Altmaier stressed that "German companies have already prepared for the UK's withdrawal from the EU single market." Goods traded between Germany and the UK continuously declined since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the study found. German car manufacturers and the country's chemical industry were particularly affected by dropping exports to the UK. Part of the reduced trade with the UK would be compensated by increased trade between Germany and other EU countries as well as third countries. China and the United States would become "even more important sales markets for Germany, as a result of the Brexit," the study noted. After months of negotiations, the EU and UK agreed on a comprehensive agreement shortly before the end of the Brexit transition period. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provisionally entered into force on Jan. 1. Even with a comprehensive agreement in place, the study estimated that Germany's real GDP would fall by around 0.14 percent, equivalent to around 4.9 billion euros (6.01 billion U.S. dollars), and by up to 0.96 percent in the UK as a result of Brexit. "The immediate effects of Brexit on future trade link with the UK are likely to be smaller than many feared," said Altmaier. (Newser) Wild scenes in Washington, DC: Protesters have now breached the US Capitol building, with members of Congress inside the House chamber being told by police to don gas masks from under their seats due to tear gas that had been used in the Capitol Rotunda, reports the AP. The building has been placed on lockdown, Mike Pence has been removed from the Senate chamber, and the electoral college debates have been halted, reports the Hill. More: HuffPo political reporter Igor Bobic is tweeting about the chaotic scene, writing that some protesters got on scaffolding outside the Senate and used it to reach second floor windows, which they started banging on; the area looks like the area where McConnells office is located, he noted. He separately shared a photo of a huge Confederate flag being carried outside the Senate chamber then tweeted they actually made it into the chamber. "One [protester] is up on the dais yelling 'Trump won that election!' This is insane," he wrote. CNN separately reported that an "armed standoff" was occurring at the House front door as of 3pm ET; the AP has a photo of police officers with their guns drawn as someone seems to attempt to breach it. The New York Times reports the door seemed to be barricaded using a desk. The Times reports GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy told Fox News that he called Trump and asked him to issue a call for order. "I think we need to make a statement, make sure that we can calm individuals down. This is un-American whats going on, and it has to stop." Mitt Romney placed the blame squarely on Trump as he was moved to the Capitol basement. "This is what the president has caused today, this insurrection." story continues below This after hundreds of people stormed metal barricades Wednesday, the Washington Post reports. The pro-President Trump protesters, some yelling "Forward!" toppled the barricades after marching from the Ellipse following a speech from Trump. KHOU reports that Capitol Police officers in riot gear tried to hold protesters back and used pepper spray after the crowd began charging officers. Around 2:30pm ET DC Mayor Muriel Bowser instituted a citywide curfew that will go info effect at 6pm and run for 12 hours. Police initially evacuated at least two buildings in the Capitol complex "due to police activity" as protests raged, including the building that houses the Library of Congress, the AP reports. CNN's Jake Tapper tweeted that a House GOP staffer had told him private residences on Capitol Hill were also being evacuated. "I just had to evacuate my office because of a pipe bomb reported outside," tweeted Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria. "Supporters of the President are trying to force their way into the Capitol and I can hear what sounds like multiple gunshots." Trump urged protesters to stay peaceful. "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country," he tweeted. in another tweet, he said: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" (Read more Washington, DC stories.) The release of President Donald Trump's phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has increased Trump's potential criminal liability once he leaves office - as well as the chances that we will enter uncharted legal territory soon. The call provides at least a basis to investigate possible violations of federal law against election fraud. And unless the president plans to step down at the 11th hour of his term, allowing Vice President Pence to assume office and pardon him, he has only one option to shield himself from potential prosecution: a self-pardon. But if Trump tries that, he will set in motion an endgame that may prove to be his own undoing. He already faces criminal jeopardy on multiple fronts: The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York is in possession of evidence of a potential campaign finance violation that Trump may have committed before he became president. Special counsel Robert Mueller III compiled evidence of multiple instances of obstruction of justice, outlined in his 2019 report. And within the past few days, Trump's actions have undoubtedly set in motion the preliminary stages of an investigation of federal election crimes. Until now, Trump has been protected from prosecution largely because of a 1973 Justice Department memorandum that prohibits indicting a sitting president. But as Mueller's report noted, that policy presupposes that a future administration can proceed with prosecution. The memo rests on a determination that a criminal charge would unfairly burden a president and hinder him from executing his duties. These concerns, of course, are no longer salient after the president leaves office. This doesn't mean that future prosecution is guaranteed. In fact, even if Trump were to leave office without taking any steps to immunize himself from prosecution, the next attorney general may take into account several factors that weigh against pursuing charges. The next Justice Department will have to review the evidence and determine whether prosecutors are likely to secure a conviction - an outcome that is by no means assured, especially given Trump's profile and some of the constitutional defenses he might assert. Another consideration may be whether there are other jurisdictions - like the states - that are better suited to bring charges on the same evidence. The attorney general may also think about the impact on the nation of prosecuting a former president, and whether it would strengthen or weaken the public's faith in the impartiality of the Justice Department. (History suggests that at least some of these considerations played into President Gerald Ford's decision to pardon former president Richard Nixon.) The final decision is in the hands of the next attorney general, whom President-elect Joe Biden hasn't yet named, but he or she would be remiss not to at least consider these factors, many of which lean in Trump's favor. All of this, however, would go out the window in the event of a self-pardon, because a self-pardon would effectively be a declaration by Trump that he is above the law, and that would be a direct challenge to the authority and legitimacy of the Justice Department. A self-pardon negates the very idea of prosecutorial discretion - the latitude to weigh all the factors above - and makes the president, as a possible future defendant, his own prosecutor, judge and jury. It would also carry disastrous implications beyond Trump. Allowing a self-pardon would set a precedent whereby any future president could commit crimes - like soliciting or benefiting from foreign campaign assistance - to win office. Once there, he or she could abuse presidential powers for personal gain, engaging in obstruction of justice and perjury to thwart any investigations. Then the president could commit crimes up to the last day in office, like extortion and fraud, to remain in the White House illegally. If it works, and Congress doesn't impeach and remove them, great! If not, they can pardon themselves and obtain a get-out-of-jail-free card on their way out. The presidency would effectively become a risk-free, crime-laundering opportunity, which is fundamentally at odds with a nation built on the rule of law. But to challenge a self-pardon, the Justice Department has to charge the former president with a crime. This is because courts in the United States do not offer "advisory opinions" - they don't answer legal questions in the abstract, only where there is an active "case or controversy" that affects a person directly. So there's no way to know if the idea of a self-pardon is valid without testing it in court. The only person directly affected by the validity of a self-pardon would be Trump, and he would assert it as a defense only if the Justice Department charged him with a federal crime. And here is where the next attorney general is in luck. Imagine a previous president, like George W. Bush or Barack Obama, randomly pardoning himself at the end of his term, despite not having committed any obvious crimes. It would be unseemly, and inappropriate, for an attorney general to go on a fishing expedition to "find" a crime to charge, just to test a legal proposition. In Trump's case, by contrast, such charges are already waiting, with evidence gathered and ready. Trump is basically the perfect test case for a self-pardon, and by granting one to himself, he would place the feather on the scale in favor of his prosecution. Prosecution is the only way forward if Trump chooses this route. Although most legal scholars agree that a self-pardon would not be valid, it is not a settled question, and no court has ruled on the issue. It's possible that the Supreme Court might declare it legal. If that happens, at least Congress, and America, is on notice and can fix the problem in the form of a constitutional amendment. After all, if self-pardons are in fact a "thing," they are available to presidents of both parties - which makes it of bipartisan interest to close this constitutional loophole. And if it turns out not to be legal, then the last move is the attorney general's: checkmate. - - - Rangappa is a senior lecturer at the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University and a former FBI agent. She is a legal and national security analyst for CNN. Based on the findings in the discovery recount our campaign provided Congress we believe that there is sufficient evidence to show that I won the election for Congress in the 14th District in November, Oberweis told The Associated Press. Remember, this is the same guy who declared himself the victor over Underwood while leading by less than 900 votes before all the votes were counted. The AP finally called the election in Underwoods favor on Nov. 12. Le Moyne College has decided to delay the start of its spring semester by two weeks in response to the increases in Covid-19 cases, college officials announced today. The first day of instruction for in-person undergraduate classes is now Feb. 8. Students living on campus will be able to arrive between Feb. 5 and Feb. 7. Graduate programs in Physician Assistant studies, Occupational Therapy, Education Leadership, Nursing, Executive Leadership, and the new MBA programs in Analytics and Leadership will begin classes as currently scheduled. Instruction for all other graduate programs will begin Feb. 8 as well. The last day of classes for the semester also has changed to May 17, with final exams ending May 25, officials said. There wont be a spring break as we try to minimize risks that accompany traveling away from campus,' officials said. No decision on a date for graduation and a venue has been made yet. Other colleges such as Syracuse University also are delaying the start of their spring semesters. Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime at 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com . An American human rights lawyer was among 50 people arrested in Hong Kong today in a dramatic escalation of China's crackdown on opposition in the city. John Clancey was led away and detained on suspicion of 'subversion' after national security police searched his law firm which is known for taking on human rights cases in the former British colony. Clancey, the first US national arrested under the draconian new security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong last year, is a veteran legal activist and a fluent Cantonese speaker who lives in the city that was roiled by protests last year. 'Continue to work for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong,' he told reporters as he was led away by officers. The sweep is the latest salvo in Beijing's battle to stamp out opposition after millions hit the streets in 2019 with huge and sometimes violent democracy protests. Police confirmed 53 people were arrested for 'subversion' in an early morning operation that involved some 1,000 officers. The charges were sparked by an attempt by opposition groups last year to win a majority in the city's partially-elected legislature. US human rights lawyer John Clancey was among those arrested in the Central district, becoming the first American detained under the national security law Pro-democracy activist Lester Shum is led away by police in a Wednesday morning crackdown which saw more than 50 activists arrested in Hong Kong Hong Kong's security chief John Lee described the arrests as 'necessary' and aimed at a group of people who tried to 'sink Hong Kong into an abyss'. But the operation sparked a rebuke from Antony Blinken, Joe Biden's pick for Secretary of State, who said authorities were launching 'an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights'. 'The Biden-Harris administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijing's crackdown on democracy,' he added. Western politicians accuse Beijing of dismantling the 'one country, two systems' arrangement which means the former British colony enjoys freedoms unknown in mainland China. Those detained represented a broad cross-section of Hong Kong's opposition, from veteran former pro-democracy lawmakers such as James To, Andrew Wan, Lam Cheuk-ting and Claudia Mo to a host of younger activists. Among the youth campaigners were Gwyneth Ho, a former journalist turned social activist, district councillor Tiffany Yuen and Jeffrey Andrews, a campaigner known for working with ethnic minorities. Colleagues of Joshua Wong, one of the city's most famous democracy activists who is currently in jail, said via his official Facebook account that his home was searched. Ben Chung, a member of a pro-democracy political group, is led away by police during the round-up of more than 50 Hong Kong opposition figures The police operation also involved the media. Three local news outlets - Stand News, Apple Daily and Inmediahk - said national security police visited to request documents. 'This is a real night of the long knives, the largest single attack upon democracy in Hong Kong yet,' said Antony Dapiran, a lawyer who has written books on the city's protest movement. Nathan Law, a prominent democracy leader who fled overseas last year, accused authorities of trying to 'extinguish the flames of resistance' with the latest arrests. The foundations of Wednesday's mass arrests were laid last summer when pro-democracy parties organised an unofficial primary for local legislative elections which were ultimately scrapped altogether. Only half the legislature's 70-seats are popularly elected. The campaign's aim was to win all 35 elected seats and take a majority in the legislature for the first time and try to block government policies. Police outside Lester Shum's office during the crackdown in the former British colony, where China is accused of dismantling the 'one country, two systems' arrangement More than 600,000 Hong Kongers turned out to vote in the unofficial poll which infuriated Beijing. Chinese officials at the time warned any attempt to win a majority and block government policies constituted 'subversion' under the new security law. The national security law was imposed on Hong Kong in late June in response to the 2019 protests, targeting acts Beijing deems to be secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Officials said the security law would only target an 'extreme minority'. But it swiftly silenced dissent and outlawed a host of peaceful political views with dozens of prominent figures targeted even before Wednesday's operation. Over the course of the last year, prominent democracy supporters have been arrested, jailed, barred from politics or have fled overseas. National security crimes carry a maximum of life in prison and bail is not usually granted for those who are charged. The law also toppled the legal firewall between Hong Kong's independent judiciary and the mainland's Communist Party-controlled courts. China has claimed jurisdiction over especially serious security crimes and has allowed its security agents to operate openly in the city for the first time. [January 06, 2021] MassNAELA Honors State Representatives Natalie Higgins and Christine Barber at Annual Meeting At its annual meeting held virtually on December 2, 2020, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) honored several individuals for their advocacy of elder services and their commitment to raising awareness of legal issues affecting seniors. Massachusetts State Representative Natalie Higgins was named the Legislator of the Year for her support and efforts for passage of legislation that protects seniors. Massachusetts State Representative Christine Barber received the Arthur Stavisky Award, an honor MassNAELA bestows each year to a person who has dedicated themselves to promoting elder causes in the community. MassNAELA members, Karen Johnson, Westford, MA, and Kathleen Moncata, Natick, MA, were each presented the Deborah H. Thomson (News - Alert) Advocacy Award, which recognizes a MassNAELA member's efforts in advocating for elder issues in state government. Ms. Johnson was honored for her work on the Remote Notarization bill, which allowed remote notarization and witnessing of critical documents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Moncata was honored for her work on protecting the rights of assisted living and nursing home residents. The John J. Ford (News - Alert) Litigation Advocacy Award, which honors a member's efforts to educate the chapter membership reltive to litigation strategies, was bestowed to John Welch, Salem, MA. Each year, MassNAELA recognizes chapter members for their commitment of time and energy to the chapter. Awards for Outstanding Chapter Members were presented to Paula Nedder, Milford, MA; Mary Powers, West Springfield, MA; and Denise Yurkofsky, Wayland, MA for their commitment of time and energy to the chapter. Ms. Nedder was honored for co-chairing the chapter's Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, which was created in 2020 to support the chapter's commitment to align its advocacy with efforts to end all healthcare, educational and societal inequities and disparities. Ms. Powers was honored for her work on the chapter's first-ever strategic plan and Ms. Yurkofsky was honored for her efforts in creating the MassNAELA Mentorship Program. The President's Award was bestowed to Alexis Levitt, Norwell, MA, and Steven Mann, Waltham, MA for their service to and support of the chapter and its president. Annette Hines, Framingham, MA, was honored as a retiring member of the chapter board of directors. Paula Almgren, Lenox, MA, received an award for her service and dedication as the 2020 chapter president. The MassNAELA annual meeting also included the election of chapter officers and directors for the New Year. The 2021 officers include president, Pamela Greenfield, Needham, MA; president-elect, Cathleen Summers, Acton, MA; vice president, Abigail Poole, Dedham, MA; treasurer, Steven Mann; clerk, Alexis Levitt; and immediate past president, Paula Almgren. Faith Delaney, Haverhill, MA, is a newly elected director. The meeting also included a keynote address by NAELA president-elect, Letha McDowell, from North Carolina, who provided an overview of the landscape and agenda of the national organization, including its upcoming efforts. About MassNAELA The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the premier organization of elder and special needs law attorneys in the country, is dedicated to developing awareness of issues concerning the elderly and those with special needs. Over 450 attorneys are members of the Massachusetts Chapter. Members work directly with the elderly and those with special needs in areas as diverse as planning for catastrophic care costs, disability planning, age discrimination in employment and housing, benefits planning, estate planning, veterans' benefits and more. For more information about MassNAELA, visit www.massnaela.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005221/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] LONDON:Britain began its third lockdown on Tuesday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a coronavirus variant first identified in Britain was spreading so fast it risked overwhelming the National Health Service within 21 days. UK scientists also expressed concern that vaccines being rolled out in Britain may not be able to protect against another variant that emerged in South Africa. The following countries, in alphabetical order, are among those that have reported variants among their populations. * AUSTRALIA said two travellers from the United Kingdom were carrying the variant found in Britain. * AUSTRIA has found four cases of the coronavirus mutation first detected in Britain and one case of the South African mutation, Franz Allerberger of public health agency AGES told a news conference on Monday. * BRAZIL confirmed its first two cases of British variant, Sao Paulo states health secretariat said. * Officials in CANADA said that two confirmed cases of the variant detected in the United Kingdom had appeared in the Canadian province of Ontario. * CHILE said it had recorded its first case of the British variant. * CYPRUS has discovered 12 cases of the variant in people who recently travelled from Britain. * DENMARK estimates around 800 peoples have been infected with the variant spreading in Britain. * Health officials in FINLAND said the variant circulating in Britain has been detected in two people, while the variant spreading in South Africa has been detected in one person. * FRANCE said there were around a dozen cases of the UK variant in the country. Martin Hirsch, director general of the Paris hospitals system, said the variant was present in Paris. * GERMANY said the variant from Britain had been found in a passenger flying to Frankfurt from London on Dec. 20. It seems to have been present in Germany since November, the Die Welt daily reported. * GREECE has detected four cases of the variant in people who recently travelled from Britain, a Health Ministry official said. * The British variant appears to have infected two students who returned to HONG KONG from the UK, the Department of Health said. * INDIA has found 38 cases of the variant found in Britain. * IRAN on Tuesday registered its first case of a coronavirus variant in a traveller arriving from the United Kingdom. * Health officials in IRELAND said increased socialising around Christmas - and not a new variant - had driven a surge in infections. Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday the variant discovered in Britain was spreading in Ireland at a rate that has surpassed the most pessimistic models available to the government. * ISRAEL detected four cases of the coronavirus emerging in Britain. * ITALY detected a patient infected with the variant found in Britain, the health ministry said. * JAPAN detected the variant found in South Africa, the government said, the first such discovery in a nation that has already identified more than a dozen cases of the variant spreading in Britain. * JORDAN has detected its first two cases of the variant spreading in Britain. * LEBANON detected its first case of a variant of the coronavirus on a flight arriving from London. * NORWAY said the variant circulating in Britain had been detected in 23 people, while the variant circulating in South Africa had been detected in one person. * OMAN registered its first case of the variant that emerged in Britain, in a resident who arrived from the UK, the health ministry said on Tuesday * PAKISTAN health officials said the variant found in Britain had been detected in the southern province of Sindh. * The variant linked to Britain has been detected on the island of Madeira in PORTUGAL, the regional civil protection authority said. * SINGAPORE confirmed its first case of the variant found in Britain, the patient arriving from Britain on Dec. 6, while 11 others who were already in quarantine had returned preliminarily positive results. * SOUTH KOREA said the variant found in Britain was found in three people who had entered South Korea from London on Dec. 22. Officials vowed to speed up vaccinations. * SWEDEN said the variant circulating in Britain had been detected after a traveller from Britain fell ill on arrival and tested positive. * SWITZERLAND has documented five cases of the variant from Britain and two cases of the South African mutation, a health ministry official said. * Self-ruled TAIWAN, claimed by neighbouring China, confirmed its first case of the variant discovered in Britain, a traveller from the UK. * TURKEY has banned Britons from entering the country after detecting 15 cases of the new variant in travellers from Britain, the government said. * UNITED ARAB EMIRATES discovered a limited number" of cases of people infected with a new variant, a government official said. Those affected had travelled from abroad, without specifying from where or the number of cases. * The UNITED STATES has reported four cases of the UK variant - in New York, California, Florida and Colorado. * VIETNAM has detected its first case of the variant that is spreading around Britain, the health ministry said. (Writing by Nick Macfie; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Rich list: Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin and CEO of Amazon, gave the largest single donation on the planet last year. Photo: REUTERS The worlds richest person made the single-largest charitable contribution in 2020, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropys annual list of top donations, a $10bn (8bn) gift that is intended to help fight climate change. Amazons founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, whose real-time worth is estimated at roughly $188bn (152bn), used the contribution to launch his Bezos Earth Fund. The fund, which supports non-profits involved in the climate crisis, has paid out $790m to 16 groups so far. Setting aside Mr Bezos whopping gift, though, the sum total of the top 10 donations last year $2.6bn was the lowest since 2011, even as many billionaires vastly increased their wealth in the stock market rally that catapulted technology shares in particular last year. According to the left-leaning Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies, from March 18 through December 7, 2020, Mr Bezos wealth surged by 63pc, from $113bn to $184bn. Read More Phil Knight, who with his wife Penny made the second- and third-largest donations last year according to the Chronicle, increased his wealth by about 77pc over the same March-to-December period. Mr Knight and his wife gave more than $900m to the Knight Foundation and $300m to the University of Oregon. Fred Kummer, founder of construction company HBE Corporation, and his wife June, gave $300m to establish a foundation to support programs at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Facebooks founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, delivered the fourth-largest donation on the Chronicles list: A $250m gift to the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which worked on voting security issues in the 2020 election. Zuckerberg, whose wealth nearly doubled to $105bn in the March-to-December period according to Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies, has been widely criticised and been called to testify before Congress for his companys handling of disinformation in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. Online Editors An elderly woman sat on a couch alone wiping away tears during the live-streamed funeral of Ashokkumar Patel, a clerk gunned down in a Hazleton convenience store Dec. 12. Dozens attended the traditional Hindu funeral service in person at a funeral home in New Jersey, while nearly 100 mourned virtually from their homes or businesses Tuesday. Patel, 50, was shot and killed at Craigs Food Mart on West Broad Street by a robber who fired upon him for no other apparent reason than to avoid leaving any witness to the crime. The gunman, who wore dark clothes and a mask, fled in a dark green Jeep Cherokee, leaving Patel to die inside the store. Hazleton police continue to hunt for his killer and investigators met with the district attorney this week, acting Chief Brian Schoonmaker said. A cash reward is being offered for information leading to the killers arrest, and state and federal resources have been brought in to assist. Patels only son, Bhavik, who lives in India, wanted to come to the United States to see his father and attend the service in person. His request for a visa, however, was denied, he said. +2 Slain Hazleton store clerk wanted brighter future for son Ashokkumar Patel died in an armed robbery of a Hazleton convenience store Saturday night, bu A social worker in India made the arrangements for the service, he said. The elder Patel, originally a grain farmer, came to the United States nine years ago to provide a better life and a brighter future for his family. His son studied mechanical engineering and recently took a job in the field. Ashokkumar Patel had worked at other convenience stores and suffered another gunshot wound in a robbery months earlier in Maryland. He came to Hazleton, his son said, because he believed it was a safer place. His son now hopes police can give him justice for his father. Anyone with information about the robbery should call Hazleton police at 570-454-4940 Ex. 6, or leave tips at Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 800-4PA-TIPS (8477). California Governor Gavin Newsom seal View Photo Sacramento, CA Californians making under $30,000 a year could receive a stimulus check if lawmakers approve Governor Gavin Newsoms proposal. He is calling it the Golden State Stimulus. The payment would go to anyone who qualifies for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), which has an income cap of $30,000. Through the Golden State Stimulus, Californians who have been impacted by this pandemic will get help to provide for their families and keep a roof over their heads, said Newsom. This plan will provide relief for Californians in need by distributing $600 rapid cash support. It would be in addition to the $600 stimulus check sent out by the federal government. In addition, Newsom is proposing that the eviction moratorium for unpaid rent be extended so long as people experiencing financial hardship are paying 25-percent of what is due. He also states he is pushing for quick distribution of Californias $2.6-billion share of federal rental assistance to assist low income tenants. It is unclear if Newsoms proposals will have the support of the California legislature. They have to be nimble and flexible, OShea said. They have to be savvy with social media. Weve worked with a lot of businesses, and some of them dont know what Twitter is. They dont know Instagram or Facebook. But they had to embrace that. Some of them didnt have a website in place. They had to adapt. They need to keep that up in 2021 and hope we can get through this. A new UK agri-tech company has won government funding to develop ground-breaking sensor technology for vertical farming. The project will develop a growing sensor and innovative transmission node for vertical farms over the next six months. Derbyshire-based firm Light Science Technologies (LST), founded in 2019, secured part of a 90 million Innovate UK fund. Its all in one indoor farm sensor will enable farms to monitor and control their environment by measuring light, water, air, temperature, humidity, oxygen and soil to ensure optimal plant productivity and yield. The Controlled Environment Agricultural (CEA) market is growing fast at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21%, with increasing demand from farmers looking to install or replace existing indoor farms to achieve maximum yield on crops for optimum profitability. High start-up costs are attracting investment from stakeholders eyeing the potentially significant return on investment opportunity. Through its custom-made solution for the CEA market, LST works with growers to provide a solution that can be used across different crops to achieve maximum yield, creating the full growing 'recipe' of lighting, nutrient and environment. The sensor will form a vital part of its offering, reducing energy and saving costs using technology and real-time data. Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies said news of the funding was an 'especially important boost to the business'. "To be selected by Innovate UK is confirmation of the urgent need for more sustainable, productive and cost-effective solutions in farming," he added. "Investment in UK technology and innovation in this sector is crucial in achieving a better approach to agricultural production and reducing emissions. The Derby-based company is one of 23 feasibility projects awarded funding from Innovate UK as part of its Transforming Food Production (TFP) challenge. The Government is being urged to reform the UK's tax system before pushing ahead with a controversial levy on wealth. Chancellor Rishi Sunak should focus on sorting out 'badly designed' charges such as pensions tax, council tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax before introducing yet another levy, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned. It comes after the Wealth Tax Commission, made up of economists, lawyers and academics, suggested a tax on people with assets of more than 500,000, or 1million for a couple, including their family home and pension. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said Rsishi Sunak should focus on whipping into shape 'badly designed' charges such as pensions tax, council tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax Sunak has the task of trying to raise more money for the Treasury coffers, to help pay off the 2trillion debt accumulated during the pandemic. Paul Johnson, director of the IFS, said: 'We have a series of taxes on wealth or things close to wealth tax on pensions, council tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax. The first priority should be to sort these out. 'They are all badly designed and could be made more efficient and more equitable and raise more money, though not vast amounts more.' A wealth tax has proved unpopular with many homeowners who would not class themselves as rich, but who may have bought a house several years ago which has appreciated in value. Johnson said: 'People often mean very different things by wealth taxes. Most of us have most of our wealth in houses and pensions. Do we want to catch millions in a tax on their house and pension? 'If not, it's hardly fair to tax people who have money saved in other ways. Or do we just want to get at the wealth of the really wealthy? If so, how wealthy? And how do we stop them avoiding it?' Rachael Griffin, of investment firm Quilter, pointed out that valuing people's homes, pension policies and stakes in family businesses would be incredibly difficult. She said: 'The tax would surely generate significant opposition, and risks sending out the wrong message. Government will be keen to project confidence and promote investment as the country seeks recovery from this crisis. A 'soak-the-rich' approach is unlikely to do much to achieve this.' But a report by the IFS this week laid bare just how badly poorer communities have been affected by the pandemic, which could increase pressure to charge the wealthy. The IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities, chaired by Nobel Laureate Sir Angus Deaton, found the proportion of people dying from Covid-19 has been around twice as high in the UK's most deprived communities as in the least deprived. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during the eighth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, Tuesday, according the Korean Central News Agency, Wednesday. Yonhap By Do Je-hae North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's opening address at the eighth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea was marked by a rare public acknowledgement of mistakes in the leadership's five-year economic strategy from 2016 through 2020 amid three major disasters that hit the North the COVID-19 pandemic, international sanctions, and storm-related flooding and infrastructure damage. The five-year strategy was established to increase production in agriculture and light industry and normalize core industries such as coal, steel, railways, fisheries and machinery; improve the electricity supply problem through the construction of power plants and the repairing of power distribution networks; expand its trade and cooperation; and build more economic development zones and tourism projects. "The five-year strategic implementation period for national economic development ended last year, but we fell far short of the goals that were put forward in almost all sectors," Kim was quoted as saying by state media. A scene from the 6th WPK congress Yonhap The North Korean leader vowed not to repeat "painful lessons" of the past and stressed the need to further develop the overall economy under a new five-year plan. Kim is expected to seek a turnaround for visible economic achievements ahead of the 10th anniversary of him taking control of the regime later this year. It is considered unusual for the North Korean leadership particularly for the "supreme leader" himself to publicly admit failure in fulfilling state objectives. This shows the gravity of the economic problems North Korea is facing as fallout from the three disasters is expected to continue in 2021, and the incoming Joe Biden administration in the U.S. is expected to take a hard line approach to the North, according to some experts. "Kim has to admit to the setbacks and promise adjustments as North Korea's economic policy has dramatically failed. Nonetheless, while sanctions, natural disasters and the pandemic challenge the regime, they don't really hold it at risk," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, told The Korea Times. Experts say that Kim's rare acknowledgment of the mistakes mirrors the gravity of the economic woes, particularly for the ordinary people compared to the Kim Jong-il era, due to restrictions on private businesses and trading under the rule of Kim Jong-un. People walk past a billboard announcing the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party along a main street of the Central District in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Wednesday, Jan., 6, 2021.AP-Yonhap "This is not the first time for a top North Korean leader to publicly admit economic failure. So the significance of the party congress this year is not the public admission itself, but the magnitude of the economic problems it indicates," a North Korea studies professor told The Korea Times on the condition of anonymity. "Based on a series of interviews I have conducted with North Korean defectors, what has been particularly traumatic for ordinary people is the shutdown of private trade along the Sino-North Korean border due to COVID-19, as well as the increased restrictions placed on them compared to those of the Kim Jong-il era. To address this situation as COVID-19 continues, the North Korean leadership will likely further devolve responsibility to the local level to reinvigorate the economic situation and extract all internal resources possible to boost domestic production. This strategy will require partial deregulation for local economies, but will be implemented under strict sociocultural controls." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping sit down for a conversation during a stroll at a guesthouse in Pyongyang, June 22, 2019, during Xi's visit to North Korea. North Korea is looking to restart economic cooperation with China this year. Korea Times file Covid: Hungary will allow flights from UK Announcement from the Secretary of State Kovacs (ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 5 - "Beginning at midnight tonight, zero hour on January 6, Hungarian airports will be reopened for flights arriving from Great Britain and Northern Ireland," said on Twitter Zoltan Kovacs, the Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations. Hungary stopped flights from the UK on December 22, 2020, after the discovery of a new variant of the virus. The local authorities previously announced that the ban would last until February 8. (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved Stacker compiled a list of signature dishes from 50 of the worlds nations, drawing upon travelogues, news reports, food writers and experts, historical accounts, and global data. New Delhi, Jan 6 : Rahul Gandhi is only a Congress MP and does not hold any party post as he had already stepped down as its President after the 2019 Lok Sabha debacle - the second in a row for his party. But whenever he goes out of the country on a personal trip, he ends up being trolled by the opposition while questions are raised by his critics in the party -- though they do not express these publicly. Ahead of the party's Foundation Day in December, Gandhi went abroad on a personal visit and it was party General Secretary and spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala who announced that he was not in the country. "Rahul Gandhi is on a short personal visit to see his ailing grandmother. He is not on a holiday," he said, adding that as a party worker, Gandhi performs all the duties assigned to him. Slamming the BJP over its criticism, Surjewala said the BJP should not comment on someone's personal visits. Senior party leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said that for 136 years "we have been celebrating the foundation day of the Congress, regardless of someone being present or absent". But Rahul Gandhi is scarcely an ordinary party MP. Sacked Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha notes that he "must recognise that in politics there is no margin for error. You have to be very aware that questions will be asked of you". The Congress is, however, always vocal in Gandhis' defence. General Secretary, Organisation, K. C. Venugopal slammed the BJP for questioning his personal visits, saying that "everyone has the right to undertake personal visits". He said that the BJP is indulging in petty politics and they are targeting Rahul Gandhi because they want to target only one leader. But the probable reason why the former Congres President is in the firing line whenever he goes abroad is the party's electoral defeats and that while Gandhi, though serious in taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lacks consistency. This was the opinion of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar after the Bihar Assembly polls where the Congress' poor performance prevented from the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan from getting the numbers to form the government. However, his remark had left the Congress upset and the NCP had to clarify that it was "friendly advice". However, the RJD had also cited Gandhi's holiday during the election campaigning as a factor for the loss. The Congress, ever since losing power in 2014, is on the path of decline except in 2018 when it won the Assembly polls in three states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh -- though its government in Madhya Pradesh proved to be short-lived. Gandhi even could not stop his close friend Jyotiraditya Scindia from leaving the party and thus, dooming the government. Apart from Scindia, Sachin Pilot, another young leader and Deputy Chief Minister in Rajasthan too rebelled, but was timely intervened by veteran leader Ahmed Patel helped nip the rebellion and save the government. The party also lost Karnataka, where it was in alliance with the JD-S, after both parties saw a number of their legislators rebel and join the BJP, which returned to power. While the party is in power in Punjab and Puducherry, part of the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, and the main opposition party in Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Kerala, the political space left by Congress in other states is either being taken over by regional parties or the BJP is gaining a foothold in West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana and Jammu and Kashmir. Congress insiders say that the BJP is a round-the clock election machine and Congress can't sit and watch as elections in West Bengal and Assam are a few months away but Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and Modi have already set their campaign rolling ahead. The string of electoral defeats compelled 23 senior Congress leaders to write a letter to party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi demanding reforms amid efforts to bring back Rahul Gandhi to the party helm, but as Sanjay Jha notes, Brand Rahul Gandhi has been destroyed by BJP systematically with a strategy. Another party leader agreed. "Now Rahul Gandhi has to walk the extra mile to reclaim his brand and also lead the party to victory in elections to boost the morale of the party but also have to be more communicative and accessible to achieve this target," said the leader who did not want to be named. The Congress looks at the Gandhis in every crisis - in 1998, it brought Sonia Gandhi to the head the party and though she failed to dislodge then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 but succeeded on her second attempt in 2004. Rahul Gandhi has failed in two successive elections -- though he was not the party chief in 2014. As health care workers receive the second round of Pfizer vaccines and Moderna doses slowly roll out to seniors this week, some of the most at-risk populations for exposure and severe illness are breathing a sigh of relief. While vaccines offer some peace of mind, experts say inoculation should not translate to a return to life as normal, not by a long shot. Vaccinated people can feel safer going to the grocery store, carrying out the duties of a high-exposure job or visiting with relatives. But they should still wear a mask and avoid large crowds and gatherings. Dr. Leonardo Seoane, a critical care pulmonologist at Ochsner Health, said he plans to continue taking all the same precautions he did before he was vaccinated. After receiving his second shot Monday, Seoane's chances of getting severely sick from COVID-19 are pretty low. But for now and the foreseeable future, he will still wear a mask, avoid large gatherings and keep his distance from others. We cannot change our behavior right now, said Seoane. The change in behavior comes when we get to herd immunity. Herd immunity refers to the concept of population protection achieved through mass vaccination. Scientists are predicting that magic number, at which the virus no longer has enough hosts to spread widely, is somewhere between 70% and 85%. Can vaccinated people return to normal? In short, no. The available vaccines offer protection on an individual level, but scientists dont know if they stop people from carrying and spreading the virus to others. The vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are really good at preventing symptoms. In the clinical trial, around 95% of the people who did get sick were in the placebo arm of the study. But scientists dont know whether they prevent transmission or acquisition of the virus or for how long they work. The trials were designed narrowly to measure whether the vaccines could stop people from getting sick. Endpoints with trials matter a lot, said Susan Hassig, an epidemiologist at Tulane University. Its wonderful people aren't getting severely ill once theyve been vaccinated. That will bring down hospitalizations and mortality. But we do not have data about the degree to which they prevent infection and whether they prevent transmission. Ideally, a vaccine protects those inoculated from both illness and spreading the disease. But that hasnt been measured yet in these vaccines that would have required regularly testing each participant in the trial for active coronavirus infection, which would have been costly and time-consuming. +2 Jeff Asher: Coronavirus is spiking. We need to take lessons from the 'marshmallow test.' New Orleans has done OK in controlling the coronavirus since the first wave subsided at the end of March, but the evidence is becoming increas Its possible that the vaccine reduces symptoms but still allows a person to carry the virus and pass it along to others. When can people feel a little safer on an individual level? The inoculations offer maximum protection a week or two after the second dose when the vaccine has had a chance to work its magic on the immune system. Thats a full 28 to 35 days after the first Pfizer dose and 35 to 42 days after the first Moderna vaccine. About 10 days after the first dose, clinical trials show the vaccines effectiveness is about 52%. Even after the vaccine has fully revved up the immune system to attack the coronavirus if it enters the body, some people will still get sick. In clinical trials, about 5% of those who became ill were in the vaccine arm of the study. Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +20 Lines, waiting lists and hope: New Orleans seniors seize chance for coronavirus vaccine For nearly 10 months, senior citizens have missed church services, family gatherings and long-planned vacations in an effort to dodge a deadly Can older people see family? Older adults, who are at higher risk for severe illness and death from coronavirus, have been some of the most isolated during the pandemic. They can feel safer on an individual level, said Hassig. But they may still be in danger of passing along infection asymptomatically to family, making it important to keep masking. I would tell grandparents after they get the second dose, they can put on their mask and go see the grandkids, said Hassig. As nursing home residents are inoculated with the Moderna vaccine, that may be one of the first places to loosen restrictions. Nursing home visitation is determined by the state. Right now, nursing homes are encouraged to use outdoor visitation whenever possible, according to guidelines from the state issued in September. Indoor visitation is limited and can only occur if there have been no new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks. That may change in February after residents receive a second dose. I think well see visitation opening up, said Hassig. Thats one of the logical places it will be so beneficial. Hassig hasnt received a vaccine yet, but wont change her social distancing practices much when she does. Are you 70 or older and looking for a coronavirus vaccine in Louisiana? Here are the steps Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health said Monday 107 pharmacies across the state would began receiving coronavirus vac I might feel more comfortable dining outside, not worrying quite so much about how close the tables are, she said. And beyond the concern about transmitting to others, the coronavirus is still a new disease and the long-term effects of contracting the virus are unknown, even with a vaccine that prevents symptoms in most people. Some who have mild illness after infection struggle for months with debilitating symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, loss of smell and taste and nerve pain for reasons that are not yet understood. Given (what) we call long haulers, my objective is to avoid infection, said Hassig. Can vaccinated people hang out with each other safely? If everyone in a group is vaccinated, it is safer to gather together, at least for the people in that group. But until scientists know more about whether vaccinated people can easily transmit the virus through the air when they breathe or speak, gatherings are a way that the virus might continue to transmit from vaccinated people to others without protection. I wouldnt want to send the message that its time to have your 12th Night party and invite your 50 closest health care worker friends, said Dr. Julio Figueroa, the chief of infectious diseases at LSU Health New Orleans. If enough people get vaccinated, gatherings will probably be safer for everyone by the end of June, he said. Figueroa got his second shot on Tuesday. Its offered him some peace of mind knowing that he likely wont end up in the ICU if he does encounter the coronavirus. Does that mean Im going to stop wearing my mask around my kids? No, said Figueroa. The current guidelines for masking and distancing and hand hygiene are not going to change until the population has been vaccinated completely. If were here to care for each other, until everybody has been protected, we should act as if we are contagious. Despite a Vietnamese regulation requiring house owners to sign employment contracts with their domestic workers that has been effective for about ten years, few people have complied with the rule. According to Vietnams Labor Code, an employer shall sign a written labor contract with a domestic worker who regularly does housework for one or more families. The duration of a labor contract for a domestic helper may be negotiated by both parties. Either side may unilaterally terminate the contract with an advance notice of 15 days. The two parties shall agree and clearly write in the labor contract the method and time of wage payment, daily working hours, and accommodations. In addition, employers also have to cover compulsory social and medical insurance for domestic workers. However, few employers and domestic helpers have followed the set of rules. N.T.U., 45, hailing from the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, has worked as a domestic helper for a family in southern Binh Duong Province for two years without a labor contract. U. said she did not care about the necessity of the employment contract as the employers family has been treating her well and warmly, with timely payment of VND5 million (US$216) every month and even some bonuses. According to V., an employer who hires a household worker in southern Dong Nai Province, it is not uncommon that employers and domestic employees in her locality establish their legal relationship merely with a verbal agreement rather than a written one. V. said many people are in the age of retirement and they can no longer work for companies. Therefore, they choose to work as domestic workers without signing an employment contract for additional earnings. A number of domestic workers also prefer not to sign a labor contract to avoid binding and deducting part of their wages for insurance payment. According to lawyer Le Trung Phat, although Vietnams law clearly regulates that an employer who fails to sign the labor contract with their employees as prescribed will be subject to an administrative fine of between VND1 million ($43) and VND20 million ($864), it is difficult to detect those kinds of violations. Phat said that employers often introduce domestic workers as their relatives to dodge authorities inspections. Therefore, tracking those kinds of violations needs the employees initiatives. It will be more of the domestic workers role to request the employers to sign the employment contract in order to ensure their rights and social welfare, Phat emphasized. In cases where the employees find jobs through human resource outsourcing services or companies, these third parties are responsible for ensuring that the employers and employees comply with the regulations, and the household workers can be contracted according to the Labor Code. In addition, the homeowners also need to respect their domestic workers like other skilled workers and sign a legal labor contract." Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nearly two dozen Americans have experienced life-threatening allergic reactions after receiving Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine, a new report finds. Between December 14 and 23, a total of 21 people suffered anaphylaxis upon getting their first dose, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed on Wednesday. Of those patients, 17 people had a history of allergies or allergic reactions and 71 percent of cases occurred within 15 minutes of vaccination. With approximately only 1.9 million shots administered over that time period, that is a rate of 11.1 cases of anaphylaxis per million doses. However, the CDC says this reaction is 'still exceedingly rare' and urge the general public to get the vaccines when they become available to them to help curb the pandemic that is claiming an average of more than 2,000 lives per day in the U.S. A new report from the CDC on Wednesday revealed 21 people out of 1.9 million suffered anaphylaxis after getting the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine (above) Of the patients, 17 had a history of allergies or allergic reactions and 71% occurred within 15 minutes of vaccination, but all are said to have recovered. Pictured: Dr Nick Gilpin receives his second Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Susan Grant at Beaumont Health in Southfield, Michigan, January 5 The 21 people who suffered anaphylaxis were between ages 27 and 60 years old and the majority were women, with just two male patients - although the CDC says this could because more women than men received a first dose of the vaccine. A total of 17 had a history of allergies to a wide variety of things including tropical fruit, bee and wasp stings, eggs, shellfish, cats, penicillin and steroids. Two of the patients had previous reactions to vaccines, one to a rabies vaccine and the other to the H1N1 flu shot. Seven had a history of anaphylactic shock. PFIZER VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS British regulators are advising that anyone who has a history of 'significant' allergic reactions to medicines, food or vaccines should not get the Pfizer coronavirus jab. Allergic reactions to the vaccine are 'very rare', according to the trials involving more than 40,000 people. Pfizer found a 'very small number' during its phase three clinical studies, or 137 out of 19,000 people who got the vaccine. But 111 people who were given a placebo also had allergic reactions. They also identified 12 possible side-effects from the vaccine, with seven identified as 'very common' meaning they are likely to affect more than one in ten people. Below are the known side effects. The patient safety leaflet for the vaccine cautions that anyone with an allergy to any of the active substances in the vaccine should not receive the jab. Allergic reactions to the vaccine are: Very common (Likely to affect more than one in ten people) Pain at injection site Tiredness Muscle pain Chills Joint pain Fever Headache Common (Likely to affect up to one in ten people) Injection site swelling Redness at injection site Nausea Uncommon (May affect one in 100 people) Enlarged lymph nodes Feeling unwell Advertisement According to the report, reactions occurred between two minutes and 150 minutes after being given the Pfizer dose. Ninety percent of the patients were treated with epinephrine, a hormone that relaxes the airway muscles, and 19 percent - or four people - were hospitalized including three in the ICU. The remaining 17 percent were treated in an emergency department. Of the 20 people with follow-up information available, all were discharged home or had recovered. No deaths were reported. With 21 reactions out of 1,893,360 first doses, that equates to a rate of 11.1 cases of anaphylaxis per million doses. By comparison, the flu has a rate of one case per million doses. 'This may seem high compared to the flu but I want to reassure you this is still a rare outcome,' Dr Nancy Messonier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters in a call on Wednesday. 'I continue to believe that the risk of Covid makes it imperative that people go ahead and get vaccinated as soon as it is available to them.' Anaphylactic shock is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to an allergy from food, medicine or even a type of material. The immune system releases chemicals that flood the body, blood pressure suddenly drops, and airways narrow, which prevents someone from breathing normally. Symptoms usually occur within minutes and include hives, a weak pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and a swollen tongue or throat. If not treated immediately, it can lead to death. Allergic reactions to the Pfizer shot were first seen in the U.K. when two National Health Service (NHS) staff members with a history of severe allergies suffered reactions after being immunized last month. One of the workers, a 49-year-old woman, had a history of egg allergies and the other, a 40-year-old woman, had a history of drug allergies. Both of them carried devices that contain epinephrine in case they suffered any reactions. A third patient also had a 'possible allergic reaction,' but British authorities neither described it nor gave an update on the patient. Pfizer says its jab is not made with any egg ingredients. After the reactions, the U.K.'s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a warning that anyone with severe allergic reactions to food or medicine not be given the vaccine. About 32 million Americans have food allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It's unknown how many have drug allergies. In the U.S., those without anaphylaxis or immediate allergic reactions are recommended to be observed for 15 minutes and those with such a history for 30 minutes. 'If you have allergies to compounds in the vaccine or closely related compounds, we recommend you don't get vaccinated at this time, ' Dr Thomas Clark, epidemiology lead for the CDC's Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, said on the call with reporters. Clinical trial data also revealed that four people given the vaccine were diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, a type of facial paralysis. However, trial scientists said there was no evidence the jab that caused the condition and that the figure was on par with the rate of Bell's Palsy in the general population. 'Among non-serious unsolicited adverse events, there was a numerical imbalance of four cases of Bell's palsy in the vaccine group compared with no cases in the placebo group, though the four cases in the vaccine group do not represent a frequency above that expected in the general population,' the analysis read. In its report on Pfizer, the CDC said it plans to study adverse events reported after getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and release an analysis in the coming weeks. St. Tammany Parishs highest-profile trial in years might soon have a start date, coronavirus pandemic or not. A judge on Tuesday set a Jan. 19 meeting with attorneys in the Jack Strain case to hammer out a springtime trial date for the former longtime St. Tammany sheriff, who stands accused of four counts of aggravated rape and several other sex crimes dating back decades. Ad hoc Judge Bruce Simpson also asked a representative from the St. Tammany Clerk of Courts Office to sit in on the teleconference because social-distancing measures will require the two-week trial to be held in the Covington courthouses largest courtroom. That, in turn, may involve some schedule shuffles in other courts. Jack Strain sex crime case to be tried in St. Tammany after judge denies change of venue Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain will face a St. Tammany jury when he goes to trial in April on sex crime charges, a judge decide Assistant 22nd Judicial District Attorney Collin Sims, one of the prosecutors in the Strain case, noted that the district has held other trials during the pandemic and pressed Simpson to schedule a date no later than April. But Simpson told him that May might be a more realistic month because by then, hopefully, vaccines for the coronavirus will have been more widely disseminated. I think it asks a lot of people to serve as jurors during a pandemic, Simpson said. Meanwhile, Strain attorney Billy Gibbens told Simpson that the former sheriff faces a separate federal trial in New Orleans on corruption charges that is slated to start April 19. An early- or mid-May start for the state trial would leave little time for preparation, Gibbens said. Earlier this year, another ad hoc judge, Edward Jimmy Gaidry, ruled that Strains state trial would remain in St. Tammany Parish. District Attorney Warren Montgomerys office had sought a change of venue, citing intense publicity surrounding the case. Simpson ruled on a few other motions during a three-plus-hour hearing Tuesday, refusing a defense request to throw out two counts against Strain and allowing the limited testimony of a witness Strains attorney had sought to bar. Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain sued by man he's accused of molesting as a child One of the key witnesses in the sex crimes case against former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is suing him, alleging that years of sex Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Prosecutors said testimony from that witness, a former sheriffs employee not identified by name in court, would help illuminate Strains lustful disposition by revealing some of the consensual adult sexual activity Strain was involved in, and by recounting a comment the sheriff once made about a minor boys buttocks. But Gibbens argued the state was simply seeking to tarnish Strain with those allegations. The sexual activity the witness would testify to, he noted, was between adults and not a crime. He told Simpson the defense has enough on its plate defending the former sheriff against allegations of decades-old sex crimes against juveniles. Its getting overboard, Gibbens said. Its between adult males, which is not whats charged here. Simpson ruled that statements Strain made to the witness are fair game. Strain, one of St. Tammanys most powerful political figures for two decades before losing a re-election bid in 2015, was indicted in June 2019 on eight counts of sex crimes involving four underaged boys. The oldest of the allegations date to the late 1970s, when Strain was 16; the most recent was from 2004. Strain has pleaded not guilty and remains free on bond while awaiting trial. +5 Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain pleads not guilty to 16 federal corruption counts For the second time in less than a month, former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain found himself in a courtroom Tuesday pleading not guil Strain also faces a federal trial on 16 counts of corruption stemming from an alleged kickback scheme at a work-release program he privatized during this tenure as sheriff. Strain has also pleaded not guilty to those charges. Two former high-ranking deputies in Strain's administration, David Hanson Sr. and Clifford "Skip" Keen, have pleaded guilty in connection with the alleged bribery scheme. Keen is also one of the alleged victims in the state case and is expected to testify. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th January, 2021) More than 100 people were sentenced in Belarus last year on criminal charges related to the August presidential election and subsequent protests, the Viasna human rights center said Wednesday. Since the beginning of the last year's electoral campaign, the center has been monitoring criminal cases believed to be opened for political reasons against presidential candidates, their staff, as well as those who protested the election's results later on. Viasna claims that over 650 people have such cases opened against them, 166 considered to be political prisoners by the center. "According to the information collected by Viasna, at least 103 criminal sentences related to the events that took place during and after the presidential election were passed until the end of 2020," the watchdog, which is not registered in Belarus, said in a statement. Most of the cases are about assault or assault threats against law enforcement officers, resisting the police and public order violations, the center added. Belarus has entered a prolonged political crisis after the August 9 presidential election, won by incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko. The opposition did not recognize the results, claiming that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was the real winner. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors has rebranded the upcoming seven-seater Harrier as Tata Safari after having scrapped the old name Gravitas. The SUV is set to go on sale in the final week of January. With this change Tata Motors has brought the Safari brand back into its portfolio after a gap of 14 months. The Mumbai-based company stopped the production of the Safari Storme in late 2019. Unveiled first at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019 as the Tata Buzzard, the SUV made its way to the India Auto Expo in February 2020 as the Tata Gravitas. Compared to the Harrier, the Gravitas will be 63 mm longer and 80 mm taller. The wheelbase will remain the same 2,741 mm. In its new avatar, the Safari will appeal to the socially active, fun loving customers who seek out unique experiences and adventure, Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motors, said. The Tata Safari was Indias first 4X4 SUV, first launched in 1998. The vehicle was only the second SUV in the market at that time having preceded by the Tata Sierra in 1991. Since its launch the Safari was in continuous production, winning orders from Indias defence forces also. The Safari successfully replaced the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy which was the mainstay of the Indian Army for several years. However, as Tata Motors was moving its entire portfolio to new platforms that included scrapping several of the older generation products like Indica, Indigo, Nano, Sumo among others, the company decided to axe the Safari as well. Interestingly, Tata Motors also showcased a concept electric car called Sierra at the Auto Expo. The company has not officially commented on brining the Sierra to the showrooms. Bookings for the Tata Safari will begin shortly with deliveries to customers slated to begin after that, said Tata Motors in a statement. Police officers arrest a protester during an anti-CCP virus lockdown demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images) UK Police Enforcement of CCP Virus Rules Will Be Ramped Up in Third National Lockdown Police enforcement of the rules put in place to slow the spread of the CCP virus will be ramped up in the UK during the countrys third national lockdown. Officers will impose fines more readily, and not knowing the rules will not be accepted as an excuse for breaking them, Londons Metropolitan Police (Met) said in a statement on Wednesday. In practice this will mean that all those attending parties, unlicensed music events, or large illegal gatherings, can expect to be finednot just the organisers of such events, the Met said. Similarly, those not wearing masks where they should be and without good reason can expect to be finednot reasoned with. Police officers detain a protester during an anti-CCP virus lockdown demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images) Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, who heads the Mets response to the pandemic, said there are few people now who are unaware of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions. After ten months of this pandemic the number of people who are genuinely not aware of the restrictions, and the reasons they are in place, is vanishingly small, he said. Twists remarks were echoed by other UK police chiefs, who reportedly predict more breaches of the curbs as the public become less tolerant of the governments Stay at Home restrictions limiting household and social mixing, and which say people cannot leave their homes without a legally defined reasonable excuse. John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation, said more enforcement should be expected as police apply one consistent rule for people to follow across the whole country, which means it is easier for people to understand the rules and comply with them, according to The Daily Mail. There really are no excuses for not knowing the rules this time, he said. An anti-lockdown protester is held by police officers in Parliament Square outside the House of Commons in London on Jan. 6, 2021. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) Chief Constable of South Wales Jeremy Vaughan told The Telegraph that the increasing number of fines his force had issued in recent weeks were to people who clearly ought to have known that they are breaking the regulations because weve been doing this for a long time now. Penalties for breaching rules are a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of 200 ($272) for the first offence, doubling on further offences up to a maximum of 6,400 ($8,693), while those holding an event of over 30 people risk a 10,000 ($13,583) fine. South Wales Police issued 430 FPNs in December, 43 of which were on New Years Eve. The UKs police have faced increasing challenges during the pandemic as both party-goers and protesters against the curbs have pushed back against the rules. Despite the lean toward more stringent enforcement, the forces ability to continue to properly police the crisis is being pressured, according to Apter, with some regions reporting up to 15 percent of officers off sick or self-isolating. This is getting worse and is simply not sustainable, he said in an opinion article in The Telegraph. We dont have an endless box of police officers to deal with the regular daily demands, let alone the additional demands that policing the pandemic creates. On Tuesday, Apter called on the government to make the police a priority group for receiving a vaccine to prevent more officers being off sick, which would threaten the resilience of the police service across the UK. The Foreign Policy Research Institute is very pleased to announce the election in 2020 of six new members to its Board of Trustees. Each new Trustee brings decades of expertise and leadership in the foreign policy, business, and philanthropic communities. We look forward to their contributions. Richard L. Berkman is a retired partner at Dechert, LLP. He is particularly known for handling AIDS and Hepatitis C cases, representing clients such as Baxter Healthcare Corporation. He handles large commercial cases in federal court trials, arbitrations, and when possible, in settlements. Since 2013, Mr. Berkman has authored numerous articles and treatises regarding mass torts, particularly regarding AIDS cases. Mr. Berkman has been involved with the American Jewish Committee for 45 years. He is a past President of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. Currently, Berkman is Vice Chair of the Monell Chemical Senses Center and is also on the board of the Childrens Literacy Initiative in Philadelphia. Larry Ceisler is the Founder and Principal of Ceisler Media and Issue Advocacy. With offices in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, CMIA represents clients from Fortune 50 Corporations to community-based non-profits. It is a nationally recognized issue management firm. Mr. Ceisler is a respected analyst of electoral politics and government and is frequently quoted in publications across Pennsylvania and nationally, including: The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The New York Times, The Washington Post and NPR. In 1986, he served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Mayor W. Wilson Goodes successful re-election effort. He then served as the Goode Administrations Special Assistant for Governmental Relations and later joined the City Commerce Department as Special Counsel. Laura LaRosa is Glenmedes Executive Director of Client Development for all of Glenmedes offices. As one of two executive members of the Companys Management Committee, she is responsible for setting the strategy and practices that guide the Companys business development professionals. Ms. LaRosa and her team spearhead initiatives to broaden relationships with individuals, families, endowments and foundations. Ms. LaRosa is also a Board member of the Committee of Seventy, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Friends of Rittenhouse Square, St. Christophers Hospital for Children, the Acorn Club and Friends of The Avenue of The Arts. In addition, Ms. LaRosa is on the Corporate Leadership Board for The Barnes Foundation. Alan Luxenberg retired after 44 years of service at FPRI, serving as president from 2012 to 2019 (and Acting President from 2011 to 2012). During his presidency, he diversified the Institutes sources of revenue, strengthened its commitment to nonpartisanship and fostered the presentation of different points of view, expanded its public programming and its educational programming, developed new partnerships with numerous institutions in and out of Philadelphia, and elevated its public profile. He served on the boards or advisory boards of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, the World Affairs Council of Greater Valley Forge, the Satell Institute for Corporate Responsibility, and the Global Philadelphia Association. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H. R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business. He serves as the Japan Chair at the Hudson Institute and Chairman of the Center for Political and Military Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy. He was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years after graduation from West Point. He holds a PhD in military history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is author of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World and Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Lies that Led to Vietnam. Amb. Charles A. Ray served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Zimbabwe. In addition, he was the first U.S. Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, opening the Consulate General there in 1998. From 2006 to 2009, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs, responsible for DoD efforts to account for those missing in combat from World War II to the then current conflicts and for policy related to the rescue of personnel who become isolated, missing, or taken in service abroad. Ray is currently a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Diplomacy, communications director for the Association of Black American Ambassadors, chair of the Una Chapman Cox Foundation Advisory Council, and a member of the board of the Cold War Museum. Our new trustees represent the very best in their diverse fields and they will bring deep expertise and commitment to FPRIs mission to inform and educate policy makers and the public in national security and international affairs. Were deeply honored to have them join FPRIs Board of Trustees, commented Rollie Flynn, President of FPRI. That we have attracted to our board six people so highly qualified in the public, private and philanthropic sectors of our society is a tribute to the appeal of our non-partisan, thoughtful, quality research into the issues confronting American foreign policy." Robert L. Freedman, Chairman of the FPRI Board of Trustees About the Foreign Policy Research Institute FPRI is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank located in Center City Philadelphia. Its mission is to bring the insights of scholarship to bear on the foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States. It seeks to educate the public, teach teachers, train students, and offer ideas to advance U.S. national interest based on a nonpartisan, geopolitical perspective that illuminates contemporary international affairs through the lens of history, geography and culture. For more information about FPRI, please visit http://www.fpri.org or contact Eli Gilman at 215-732-3774 ext. 103. [January 06, 2021] Alachua's Life Sciences Ecosystem Raises Over $1.0 Billion in 2020 UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech announces the City of Alachua's life sciences industry has raised more than $1 billion in 2020. The life sciences community has accelerated growth with government grants and contracts, mergers and acquisitions, successful financing rounds, and sales revenue. In 2020 alone UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech's resident companies, members and alumni raised over $462,660,054 in outside investment, $282,400,002 in government contracts, and $4,470,107 in grants. In addition, as of the third quarter for calendar year 2020 annual sales for incubator residents, members and alumni is approximately $236,114,506. In 2019 these companies raised over $2.3 billion, which includes Thermo Fisher's acquisition of Sid Martin alum and Alachua's Brammer Bio for $1.7 million. One of 2020's largest acquisitions was the sale of Sid Martin alum RTI Surgical Holdings, Inc.'s OEM business to Montagu Private Equity LLP for $440 million. Sid Martin alum Ology Bioservices received nearly $200 million in contract awards in support of the Department of Defense's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and announced the construction of a new 43,000 square foot facility for producing virus vaccines in Alachua's Copeland Park. Sid Martin resident company TearClear raised $22 million in a Series B funding round and successful completion of pre-IND meeting with the FDA for a preservative free multi-dose delivery of latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma. Top Global (News - Alert) Incubator UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech was named top global incubator by the International Business Incubation Association (InBIA) for a record third time. Mark Long (News - Alert) , the Director of Incubation Services at UF Innovate, stated, "Since Sid Martin's opening in 1995, the incubator's companies have raised over $9.3 billion in funding and merger and acquisition activity and created 8,160 jobs. Sid Martin Biotech is a major economic development driver in Florida." Long also noted 80 percent of the incubator's companies are still viable five years post-graduation. 72 percent of these companies have remained in State bringing in high-paying jobs averaging $78,000 annual salary, having a positive impact on the local and State economy. Merrie Shaw, Assistant Director, Sid Martin Biotech, said, "We have great faith that this will continue to be the place for bioscience entrepreneurs feeding, fueling, or healing the world to grow their company." Alachua's Life Sciences Financing & Revenue History 2017: $520,779,243 2018: $569,920,986 2019: $2,370,769,671, includes Thermo Fisher's acquisition of Brammer Bio for $1.7 billion 2020: $1,000,000,000 About UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech is the leading biotechnology incubator headquartered at the University of Florida in Alachua, Florida, at Progress Park. Sid Martin has been honored with national and international awards for incubator excellence and achievements in technology commercialization, funding access, job creation and technology-based economic development. It is dedicated to mentoring and accelerating the growth of innovative early-stage bioscience and biotechnology companies and supporting the economic growth of the North Central Florida region. For more information, visit Sid Martin Biotech. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005317/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The European Medicines Authority (EMA) was meeting on Wednesday to decide on whether to approve Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine after failing to reach a decision earlier this week. "The meeting of EMAs human medicines committee (CHMP) to discuss Covid-19 vaccine Moderna has started," the regulator said in a tweet. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online The CHMP called an unscheduled meeting on Monday to discuss Moderna's vaccine but failed to reach a conclusion. The medicines authority did not specify at the time why it could not approve the vaccine, but on Tuesday said its experts were "working hard to clarify outstanding issues with the company". The Dutch national medicines authority told Reuters it was preparing for both a positive decision on Wednesday and for a scenario in which a conclusion still could not be reached. The EMA has set a Jan. 12 deadline for whether to recommend Moderna's vaccine. It recommended a Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Dec. 21. A positive decision would mark the second regulatory authorisation for Moderna's vaccine after the United States and further validation of its messenger RNA technology, just over a year since the first outbreak of the virus was identified in Wuhan, China. It was about 95% effective at preventing illness in clinical trials that found no serious safety issues. Since its rollout in the European Union began a week ago, hundreds of thousands of Europeans have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. More than a million shots have been distributed in Britain in just under a month, and the uneven start of the campaign has led to criticism of health authorities in Germany and France, among others. The Netherlands on Wednesday start vaccinations, giving its first injection to a 39-year old care home nurse. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Ms. Becky Jeme Iyabo, Communication Delegate, Momo Division Facebook The death has been announced of Becky Jeme Iyabo, the Divisional Delegate for Communication in Momo Division. The journalist is said to be among six persons who fell when armed separatist fighters attacked the convoy of the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Momo Division on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Open sources say the SDO was returning from Njikwa when his convoy was attacked by separatists, leading to the death of Ms. Jeme Iyabo and five soldiers. Local journalists in Bamenda say the convoy fell on improvised explosive devices, IEDs, planted along the road by armed separatists in the area. Fouda Etaba Benoit Nicaise, Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division is said to have been in Ngie and Njikwa on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, for the installation of new subdivisional officers appointed to the aforementioned subdivisions. On December 18, 2020, President Paul Biya signed a decree appointing and transferring some subdivisional officers across the country. In Momo Division, North West Region of Cameroon, two new subdivisional officers were appointed. Mr. Arrah Ama Tagana Maxime was appointed Subdivisional Officer of Ngie Subdivision. The Administrative Officer was previously the First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer of Momo Division. He replaced Mr. Nyaso Mohamadou Nfor, who has been transferred to other duties. The December 18, 2020 decree also appointed Mr. Belinga Benjamin as Subdivisional Offcer Of Njikwa Subdivision. The Senior Executive Officer, previously Second Assistant Senior Divisional Officer of Momo Division replaced Mr. Shu Carnicious Numfor, who has been transferred to other duties. Officials are yet to comment on the attack. Hon. Marinette NGO YETNA, Member of Parliament for Sanaga Maritime has however taken to Facebook to extend her condolences to the bereaved families. She also wonders when the crisis will end. The 2004 batch of graduates of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, JMC, mourns one of theirs Jeme Iyabo. The people of her native Buea, the entire media family, and the people of Cameroon are in mourning. Cameroons state forces have been battling to dislodge armed separatists who pitched their tents in the North West and South West Regions since Anglophone protests transformed into an armed conflict in 2017. Corporate demands by Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers led to protests in November 2016. The street demonstrations later morphed into ongoing running gun battles between state forces and armed separatist fighters in the predominantly English-speaking regions, leading to untold destruction of human lives, their habitats, and livelihoods. Tit-for-tat killings, kidnappings, arsons, maiming, and outright terror have become part of daily lives in some parts of the English-speaking regions. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Lot inventory reached new lows in the third quarter and unequivocally represents a land sellers market, said Ali Wolf, chief economist at Zonda. Record low lot supply tells us it wont be easy to backfill the pipeline in the coming months after the exceptional year for new home sales in 2020. Today, the experts at Zonda, the housing industrys foremost advisors, released the New Home Lot Supply Index (LSI) for 3Q2020. The New Home LSI, backed by data from Zonda, shows lot supply tightened year-over-year across the United States. The index is a residential real estate indicator based on the number of single-family vacant developed lots and the rate those lots are absorbed. The New Home LSI came in at 63.5 for 3Q20, representing a 9% decrease from 3Q19. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, supply declined by 3.7%. The national third quarter data represents a significantly undersupplied market and continues to highlight the lack of near-term lot supply in the residential market. Lot inventory reached new lows in the third quarter and unequivocally represents a land sellers market, said Ali Wolf, chief economist at Zonda. Record low lot supply tells us it wont be easy to backfill the pipeline in the coming months after the exceptional year for new home sales in 2020. Lot supply trended below 3Q19 levels in nearly every top market across the country. Atlanta remains the market with the most relative supply in the country due to local market dynamics and where the lots are available, but lots are still down double-digits year-over-year. The markets that tightened the most on a year-over-year basis in 3Q20 were Nashville, San Diego, and Portland. San Diego and Nashville make up two of the three tightest markets in our index, while Portland falls more in the middle. San Francisco and Los Angeles, two traditionally undersupplied markets, posted substantial increases in their lot supply year-over-year. This is due to both a slowdown in starts due to the pandemic, as well as increase in vacant developed lots in more affordable areas. The hot housing market comes with a unique set of challenges. We should expect land prices to rise with multiple offers and for some builders to temporarily gap out on lots. Comments from land brokers National In some of the most high-demand areas of the country, the supply of lots through Q3 2020 was at a historic low and every data point indicates that this will continue through Q4 and into 2021 as demand for single-family and multi-family housing continues to soar. Greg Vogel, Founder and CEO of Land Advisors Organization Southern California The appetite and aggressiveness of builders for land is the strongest Ive seen this cycle Justin Esayian, Senior Vice President and land broker at The Hoffman Company I believe low rates will continue to support strong new home sales through 2021. Builders will be scrambling to replace lot supply for future years given the lack of new projects in the entitlement process. Tom Doyle, Partner at WD Land Covid has made a major shift in the homebuyers mindset, on where and what to buy for housing which is here to stay for a while. Les Whittlesey, Founding Principal for WD Land Activity in the Inland Empire now rivals the activity the coastal markets have enjoyed for several years. The exodus from one higher density market like Los Angeles to a lower density market like Inland Empire is only exacerbated by COVID-19 and the work from home trend. Sal Provenza, Partner at WD Land. Comments are regarding the Inland Empire After selling numerous high density infill sites to apartment developers over the last few years, most merchant apartment builders have taken a pause on new acquisitions. Slower lease-up, lower rents, tenant-oriented policy mandates, and lack of financing has sidelined some apartment developers, especially those who depend on third-party debt and equity. However, that pause created opportunities for homebuilders to entitle sites for townhomes that were previously destined for apartments. Curt Crandall, Partner at WD Land. Comments are regarding LA/OC coastal infill markets Metro Phoenix In the 40 years of owning Nathan & Associates Inc. I have never seen the demand for lots so high, the inventory of finished lots so low, and the resale market so tight. Our population and job growth are some of the best in the nation. The world is focusing on Arizona as a strategic place to move their company and/or your family. It will remain strong for years to come. Nate Nathan, President at Nathan & Associates Metropolitan Phoenix is experiencing a chronic shortage of new homes and lots coming out of Q3, largely due to in-migration to the region. The end of Q3 indicated that there was a 13-day supply of new homes selling for under $350k, where a typical market would have had a four-month supply of homes. The cautious approach by developers and builders over the past decade has resulted in this short-fall of new homes and lot supply as none of us expected this level of activity in 2020. I've not seen the area's lot supply this low, or in such high demand. Greg Vogel, Founder and CEO of Land Advisors Organization Tampa Bay Work from home is here to stay and its driving people to move to where they really want to live. Florida, and in particular Tampa Bay, is in high demand and finished lot supply is rapidly declining. As a result, we are now seeing major movement into more affordable secondary and tertiary land markets. Nancy Surak, Senior Land Advisors/Managing Broker at Land Advisors Organization in Tampa Bay, FL Charlotte Supply has never been tighter with builders setting market sales records on a monthly basis. Forde Britt, Charlotte MSA Advisor/Designated Broker for Land Advisors Organization's Charlotte office Methodology The Zonda New Home Lot Supply Index (LSI) is built on proprietary, industry-leading data that covers the production new home market across the United States. The index values represent single-family vacant developed lot supply, lots that are ready to be built on, relative to equilibrium. Released quarterly, the New Home LSI provides an unrivaled look into the lot markets across the country, offering a current quarter snapshot as well as insight into the directional trend. The New Home LSI is calculated based on each markets specific equilibrium as determined by our team of local experts and historical activity. The comparative current value is adjusted to capture the true months of supply figure by applying a greater weight to vacant developed lots in subdivisions with more starts activity. Each index value is associated with a phrase highlighting the current lot supply dynamics. A value of 100, represents perfect equilibrium, while a value of 125 and above equals Significantly Oversupplied, 115-125 - Slightly Oversupplied, 85-115 - Appropriately Supply, 75-85 Slightly Undersupplied, and 75 and below Significantly Undersupplied. The foundation of the index is a quarterly release conducted by Zonda. It is necessary to monitor residential lot supply to understand how new home markets may be impacted by the incoming pipeline. About Zonda Zonda represents the housing industrys leading provider of rich data and the industrys top advisors for residential real estate development and new home construction. With products and services geared for homebuilders, multifamily developers, lenders, and financial institutions, we provide innovative solutions to maximize opportunities in today's real estate development landscape. To learn more, visit zondahome.com. SUWANEE, Ga., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia's potential healthcare workforce was boosted by 211 members recently when PCOM Georgia students received their white coats in an online ceremony on December 29. The students include 139 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine students, 40 Doctor of Physical Therapy students, and 32 Physician Assistant Studies students who are earning their Master of Science in Health Sciences. Georgia's potential healthcare workforce was boosted by 211 members when PCOM students received their white coats. Tweet this PCOM Georgia's Doctor of Physical Therapy students celebrate after receiving their white coats. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Provost Kenneth Veit, DO '76, MBA, called the event "particularly meaningful at a time when the members of our professions face unique challenges as frontline workers during a pandemic." Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, PCOM president, welcomed the students to "an observance that marks a pivotal educational and professional milestone" and represents the world of clinical medicine. He said, "By donning the white coat, your world shifts to putting the patient first, a priority that must never waver throughout your professional career. When you put the patient first, everything else takes care of itself." Joseph Kaczmarczyk, DO '82, MPH, MBA, interim dean and chief academic officer of PCOM Georgia, acknowledged that COVID-19 has affected everything including white coat ceremonies, although the significance has not been diminished. He noted, however, that the meaning of the white coat, which traditionally focuses on professionalism and humanism, has been expanded due to the pandemic. He said, "The practice of medicine always had and will continue to have inherent riskswhich are more real now than ever before. Today, the white coat represents the willingness to accept those risks in service to others and to subordinate your needs to the needs of patients. The white coat now is evidence of service above self." In addressing the students, Gregory McDonald, DO '89, dean of the School of Health Sciences, spoke of the power and responsibility of the white coat, a responsibility that "cannot be taken lightly. You are not only representing yourself, but every other healthcare provider that treats patients." Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institute of higher education dedicated to the healthcare professions. The Suwanee, Georgia, campus is affiliated with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy and graduate degrees in biomedical sciences and physician assistant studies. Emphasizing "a whole person approach to care," PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the wider community. www.pcom.edu. SOURCE Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Related Links http://www.pcom.edu Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) Philippine National Police Chief General Debold Sinas has threatened to hunt down suspects involved in the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera. This is a fair warning. Surrender within 72 hours or we will hunt you down using force if necessary, Sinas said in a statement released on Tuesday. The national police chief also warned that those who are aiding the suspects may face arrest. We know who you are," Sinas added. "Your family must turn you over to the police. Those found to be abetting your escape will also be arrested." Sinas also assured Dacera's family that justice will be served. In an interview with CNN Philippines' New Day on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said Sinas' call is "enough" for the suspects to turn themselves in. "That actually is a call for them to really surrender themselves as much as they have been identified," he noted. "It is enough for us to wait for the issuance of the warrant of arrest coming from the court itself because the inquest case has already been filed." He added that the 72-hour call is similar to when Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca surrendered to authorities shortly after murdering his neighbors in Tarlac an incident that previously went viral at the beginning of Christmas week. READ: Cop who shot mother and son in Tarlac to face murder charges "This is, I guess, similar to what happened to Nuezca, when the commitment order was issued by the court following the filing of the case by the prosecutor," Usana explained. "That 72 hours is enough for us to eventually hunt them down once the warrant of arrest was issued." The Commission on Human Rights, however, disapproves. In a statement, the CHR cautioned the PNP to be "circumspect" in launching manhunts against alleged suspects "without any legal basis such as warrant of arrest." "The Commission reminds authorities to abide by their own rules and procedures to not cast any doubt in the regularity of police operations," the CHR said. "As actions taken at the onset of the investigation play a pivotal role in the full and transparent resolution of the case." The commission also opposed calls to reimpose the death penalty following public clamor against the alleged rape incident. It reiterated its position that conviction and arrest are more effective in deterring crime. "The lack of access to justice of victims of sexual violence and their families and the long persistence of misogyny and impunity in our society are the root causes of these violations," said the agency. Case solved, but not closed With indications of foul play in the case and persons involved have already been identified, Usana stressed that the case has already been solved, but it cannot be considered closed yet. "It is solved because the persons or suspects have already been identified," he said. "Some were arrested...and the cases have been filed with the prosecutor, the evidence was presented so this is considered solved. But this is not considered closed yet." Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub of her hotel room in Makati City on New Years Day following a party with friends the night before, according to initial investigation. Authorities said hotel personnel tried to revive the 23-year-old flight attendant before she was rushed to a hospital, where she was declared dead. Police have arrested three suspects and filed complaints of rape and homicide against them before the city prosecutor. Eight other persons are being hunted down, with the police deploying tracker teams to locate and contact them. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Dalai Lama urges people to come together in fight against COVID-19 Coronavirus cases: India-UK flights to resume from today amid new COVID strain fears India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 06: In a recent development, flights between the United Kingdom and India will restart from today with a limit of 30 carriers operational between the countries every week. The suspension of flights was announced after the UK reported the spread of a new strain of COVID-19 in that country. Some of the passengers who had returned from the UK to India were also found infected with the new strain. World cannot afford to dilute fight against terror taking advantage of Syria war: India at UNSC Earlier, the Centre had announced that the international flights with the UK will resume operations from January 8. The development comes after the flight services between the two countries were suspended on December 22 in the wake of a more infectious coronavirus strain found in UK's population. The new coronavirus strain has so far claimed over 58 travellers in India. Centre has not banned export of any COVID-19 vaccine Earlier, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had announced that only 30 flights per week will operate between India and the UK when services resume from January 8 and that this arrangement will continue till January 23. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News India had suspended all passenger flights connecting the two countries from December 23 to January 7 as a new variant of coronavirus emerged in the UK. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 8:35 [IST] Israel will tighten lockdown restrictions in a bid to reverse the sharp rise in coronavirus infections thats taking place as vaccine supplies dwindle. The cabinet voted to close all schools and non-essential businesses for two weeks, beginning midnight Thursday. Airline travel will be permitted only for those who purchased tickets before. A partial lockdown, which began Dec. 27 and restricted movement and banned most client-facing business activity, hasnt managed to tame the virus. While Israel says it has inoculated about 15% of the population with a first dose of vaccine, it is running low on supply. Second doses have been set aside for those already immunized, but the government has warned that there will be a lull in new inoculations until more supplies arrive. A first shipment of 100,000 Moderna Inc. doses are to arrive this week, according to reports in the local press. The virus variant identified in Britain is spreading in Israel as well, exacerbating the outbreak, according to the government. More than 8,000 new cases in the country of 9.3 million were confirmed in each of the past two days, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to more than 458,000, including 3,495 fatalities. Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2021 11:16 am A 38,000-square-foot Old Apostolic Lutheran Church is under construction in Winlock, and members say the new church will bring upwards of 50 families to the Winlock area. On North Military Road, near the Benaroya Industrial Park, the base structure of the church has been built, and Art Halberg, a member and one of the project leads for the construction, said that the church will have just under 1,000 seats when completed. Winlock Mayor Brandon Svenson said that members of the church have been in contact with the city to discuss the land purchase and construction, which broke ground this past summer. Theyve done it quite fast. It looks like its going to be quite the building, Svenson said. I think a lot of the church members have been involved in the community already. I welcome them. I think its fantastic that they want to move into Winlock and the Toledo area and saw it as a place that they want to call home. Im proud that they want to be here and be a part of this community. Svenson said that a handful of church members have already moved to the Winlock area. There are Old Apostolic Lutheran Churches located in nearby counties, including four in Clark County and one in Cowlitz County. Halberg said those churches have been outgrown, and because of the availability of land in Lewis County, it was decided that Winlock would be the home of their sixth church. The church is being built by members through volunteer labor and is being funded through donations, Halberg said. The church in Cowlitz County in Woodland is where a lot of the people are coming from, Halberg said. People are building new houses and buying existing ones in the Winlock area. Halberg, who lives in Toledo, currently attends the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Woodland and said he is looking forward to being able to worship at the new church in Winlock. Most of the labor is coming from all of the congregants from our other churches. I suppose we will have about 1,300 volunteers in total. We have about 50 people working a day now, he said. Since this is the sixth church being built, the members have a system in place where the project is broken up into phases. The church fundraises for the next phase of construction after the previous phase is completed. Halberg estimated that the project will cost around $5 million. Halberg has been a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of America for 47 years and said that they follow the teachings of Jesus and his 12 apostles according to the original King James Version of the Bible. There are seven affiliated church locations in Washington state located in Brush Prairie, Davenport, Heisson, Lewisville, Tri-Cities Woodland and Yacolt. The new church in Winlock will be located at 126 N Military Road. Chandigarh: For betraying the farmers by enforcing the centres anti-farmers black laws in the state and lying to them about it, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. During a press conference convened at the party headquarters here on Wednesday, senior leader and AAP Punjab co-incharge Raghav Chadha and Kisan Wing president MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that Punjab Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu should again admit to the media that in Punjab, all three agricultural black laws of the centre were applicable and during this season; the procurement of paddy was done under these laws. AAP They said that the Captain government could not stop the sale of paddy from other states in Punjab due to the central laws that prevent them from doing so, which further proves that he was so far lying to the farmers and the people of Punjab. The AAP leaders said that minister Ashu also agreed that the procurement of wheat crop in the coming season would also be done under these central laws. Capt Amarinder Singh is acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to save his son Raninder Singh from ED cases. For this, he went to meet Amit Shah in Delhi and did not raise any issue related to farmers, thus ignoring the people of Punjab and giving priority to his family, said the leaders. Farmers' protestThey said that on one hand, the farmers were agitating in severe cold to save their livelihood and on the other hand, the Chief Minister of the state was betraying the farmers for his personal gain. Raghav Chadha said that the Captain-led Punjab government had pretended to convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to repeal the black laws and claimed that new agriculture laws would not be implemented in the state, but since then neither the proceedings of the Vidhan Sabha was sent to the President nor his advocate general took action in the court on this basis. The government has misled the people of Punjab by putting up hoarding boards with the photo of Captain Amarinder Singh across the state. Captain government has brought-in farm laws to Punjab through the back door. AAP will unveil the records of betrayal of the people of Punjab by Captain Amarinder Singh, in every village, colony and street, he added. The AAP leaders said that the Congress, SAD and BJP had made these black laws while working for corporate houses under one policy. Following this policy, Captain Amarinder was spreading lies against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was working as a sevadar to the farmers, instead of speaking against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kultar Singh Sandhwan In fact, Arvind Kejriwal is doing everything possible to help the farmers by going against the orders of Captain Amarinder Singhs boss Narendra Modi. Due to this, Captain is making statements against him, they added. MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that in order to loot the CCL of Punjab, the paddy smugglers had bought paddy from other states at cheaper rates and brought it to Punjab, thus selling it at higher prices. This time when the farmers caught imported crops, the Punjab government is now trying to save its cronies under the guise of black laws, he added. The AAP leader challenged minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu to make public the action taken against the smugglers of paddy from Punjab and outside the state and how many cases he had registered so far. All this has been happening under the supervision of the minister. The Aam Aadmi Party demands an inquiry against the ministers who are harboring paddy smugglers to bring out the truth of this nefarious business, said Sandhwan. Regarding the statements being made by the BJP, he said that the BJP was making all sorts of false, baseless allegations to tarnish the image of the farmers movement and that the benefactors of the country had now come to know their wickedness. The Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy has today issued a reminder to Irish consumers about the new arrangements now in place for online retail under the recently concluded Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. The Minister said that Irish consumers should be aware that: Only goods of proven UK origin are tariff free Goods bought from the UK but not of UK origin that cost more than 150 may be subject to customs duty Irish VAT will apply on goods bought in the UK that cost more than 22 Where UK VAT has been charged on the purchase of goods, Irish VAT will still apply when the good(s) is imported into Ireland. If an Irish consumer is charged UK VAT, a refund of such VAT should be sought by the consumer from the supplier. Speaking this week, Minister Troy said, "The main concerns for consumers are the possibility of additional costs, by way of VAT and Customs charges that may apply depending on the value and origin of the goods in question. Some online retailers are alerting consumers to these charges and some are including these additional charges in their final price. Consumers though need to check out each retailers policies and also whether there may be additional charges from the delivery company in respect of fee collection, for example." Source: www.businessworld.ie Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The worlds #2 superhero comics publisher is undergoing a stress test. DC Comics, the venerable publisher of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Watchmen, and dozens of other celebrated superhero characters, looks to be caught in the corporate restructuring taking place at its parent company, AT&T, along with other divisions of WarnerMedia, which the telecom giant acquired in 2019. After several rounds of layoffs and controversial business decisions, comics fans, comics professionals, and retailers are speculating whether DC, or its parent company, will choose to abandon comics publishing or the comics shop market entirely. Early in 2020 DC parted ways with longtime DC universe copublisher Dan DiDio. That turned out to be the first act of a major housecleaning. September saw the departures of a host of longtime executives, among them, editor-in-chief Bob Harras, senior v-p Hank Kanalz, and well-known editors Brian Cunningham and Mark Doyle. This was followed by a second wave of layoffs in November which took out the last of DCs veteran comics marketing and distribution staff. Even Michelle Wells, elevated to coeditor-in-chief in August after overseeing DCs successful children/young adult graphic novel line, was let go in the last round of layoffs. And there is word of more to come. Back In April, in the teeth of the retail Armageddon brought on by the pandemic and subsequent shutdowns, DC abruptly terminated its relationship with the comics shop markets largest (and, for all practical purposes, only) distributor, Diamond Comics Distributors, to go into business with two new firms, Lunar and UCS, retail operations that were transformed into national comics distributors. By October, the UCS-DC relationship was overthough its not entirely clear who fired whoand now Lunar is the sole distributor for DC periodicals. Thats a lot of disruption at a company that, by the numbers, seems to be doing pretty well. DCs top titles are selling well in comics shops. In the trade book market, collected editions of recent series like the Three Jokers, White Knight, and Dark Metal are doing well, such backlist perennials as Alan Moores Watchmen and Batman: The Killing Joke and Neil Gaimans Sandman series have lived on the bestseller lists for decades, and the companys burgeoning line of young reader graphic novel series like Superhero Girls, Swamp Kid, and Gene Yangs recent Superman vs. the Klan are garnering critical praise as well as new fans in the hot tween-and-teen book market. More importantly, DC remains an IP gold mine for AT&Ts media divisions. Adapted into a TV series, Watchmen was not only a gigantic hit for HBO but a legitimate cultural milestone that took home a raft of awards. Several TV-adapted titles that incubated on DCs former streaming service, DC Universe (now downsized into a digital comics subscription service)including the moody Titans and Doom Patrol, both adapted from the comicshave made the jump to HBO Max. Other adaptations, such as the extended Arrow-verse (the interconnected shows Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Black Lightning), have brought the goofy, convoluted charm of old-time DC storytelling to the CW network. On film, DCs latest blockbusters Wonder Woman, Shazam, and Aquaman have received praise, and the much-anticipated Wonder Woman 1984 was released in theaters and on HBO Max over the holidays. Nevertheless, the value of all that content has not squelched persistent rumors that DC (or its parent company) is fielding offers to license out its comics publishing or get out of the comics business altogether. Following the first purge, Jim Lee, DCs surviving publisher, took the extraordinary step of telling the Hollywood Reporter: I dont think they want to stop us publishing comics. Comics serve a lot of different purposes and one of them is, its a great way to incubate ideas and create the next great franchises. We want to continue that. Why would you want to stop that? Why would you want to stop creating great content that could be used across the greater enterprise?a hesitant response that didnt sound like a ringing vote of confidence. So are the wheels at DC Comics about to fall off? It depends on how you look at it. The many senior people who left DC since Warner Bros. was acquired by AT&T in the spring of 2019 represent more than a century of combined experience in the creation, marketing, and distribution of comics for a company whose legacy is a key part of its brand. DC invented the superhero genre with the debut of Superman in 1938, pioneered the licensing of its properties to media and merchandisers, owned a piece of the newsstand distribution business through the 1960s, and was part of one of the very first megamergers when the publisher was brought into the Warner Communications group by Steve Case in the early 1970s. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, DC helped build the direct marketthe network of about 2,000 comics shops that buys its inventory at wholesale terms, but mostly nonreturnablethen helped Diamond Comics Distributors consolidate its position as the last comics shop distributor standing in the late 1990s. Throughout this period, DC cultivated an intense fan base of increasingly middle-aged and older, mostly male readers with stories that constantly revised and reinvented the superhero genre and its mythology. But the publisher also broke ground in the early 1990s with the mature-themed, creator-owned Vertigo imprint, a pioneering precursor to the graphic novel imprints of today, which brought Sandman, Preacher, Fables, and other highly regarded multigenre nonsuperhero comics properties to book shelves with an ambitious trade paperback program. All that is in the past. Vertigo went into a death-spiral after founding editor Karen Berger departed in 2013, and was shuttered for good in 2019. The companys publishing strategy of endless crossover events (bringing its heroes together in special series) eventually exhausted the patience of readers and retailers, and DCs close partnership with distributors and retailers has now withered as key personnel are gone. Indeed, the last round of layoffs at DC has fans as well as comics professionals wondering out loud about the ongoing viability of the direct market sales channel without DC Comics titles. AT&T cant afford to be concerned with DCs legacy, no matter what it represents to the U.S. comics market. The company took on an even heavier debt load following the WarnerMedia acquisition, and has much bigger problems, including the controversial move to shift all of WarnerMedia subsidiary Warner Bros.s 2021 theatrical film releases to streaming in an effort to keep the newly launched HBO Max service alive in a streaming-media war it appears to be losing badly to Disney+. At the moment, DCs value seems to be as a licensor of some very famous comics characters and logos that serve as the flagship of a popular consumer brand. That DC also publishes print comics that sell reasonably well in comics stores and the mass market (Walmart, Target), in addition to a strong and growing trade book program, is a bonus. The past, as far as AT&T may be concerned, is history. And thats too bad, because to a lot of longtime fans, the past is what makes DC, DC. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online Indian workers would be granted a new status of residenceSpecified Skilled Workerby Japan, the government said after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the memorandum, a joint working group will be set up to follow up on the implementation. The memorandum will enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of workers and skilled professionals from India to Japan," the cabinet statement added. India has been talking about supplying skilled workers to the global market by mapping domestic skill training programmes with the requirements of different countries. According a 2019 post by the World Economic Forum (WEF), more than 27% of the population in Japan is over 65 years of age, with a birth rate of 1.43 in 2017 well below the replacement level. It said the country will face a shortage of 6.44 million people in the labour force by 2030. Tokyo alone will be short 1.33 million workers. The legal movement of skilled workers will not only take care of such shortages, but also boost Indias remittance economy. India followed by China, Mexico, the Philippines and Egypt continued to be among the top five countries in 2020 for foreign remittances, the World Bank said. It, however, estimated Indias remittance receipt at $76 billion, a drop of 9% due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government listed the 14 sectors as: nursing care; building cleaning; material processing; industrial machinery manufacturing; electric and electronic information related industry; construction; shipbuilding and ship-related industry; automobile maintenance; aviation; lodging; agriculture; fisheries; food and beverages manufacturing; and food service industry. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Melissa Phillip, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Houston Methodist is offering $500 bonuses in March for healthcare workers who get vaccinated for COVID-19, according to a letter from President and CEO Dr. Marc Boom. Boom noted that the country is in the midst of another surge of infections and will likely face one more before vaccinations begin to suppress the virus. The next wave "will likely be even more taxing for our organization as we have sustained this stress and this high level of focus for many, many months," he said. In what appears to be a losing battle, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has moved to court to challenge a decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to lock him out of vying for the Nairobi gubernatorial by-election. The embattled politician maintained his innocence over alleged corruption saying he has not been convicted of any offence. Baba Yao argues that he has fully complied with all electoral guidelines provided when running for Nairobi governorship and as such he has the right to vie for the position. The ex-county boss also mentioned that the Attorney General indicated that the reason for barring him from vying for the post was over his impeachment in Kiambu. Waititu further accused the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and IEBC of leading a smear campaign against him and acting as the judge, jury and executioner given that a case against him is still pending. He also noted that the registrar of political parties whose integrity check falls in line with the directives of IEBC ruled that he is fit to vie. From the foregoing, the 1st respondent (IEBC) cannot then bar applicant (Waititu) from seeking an elective position, court documents read. At the same time, Waititu told the court that he has already filed a case challenging his impeachment which is set to be heard before a three-judge bench. Applicant will continue to suffer without the intervention of this honorable court which ought to look at the process that was both illegal and procedural leading to the decision that has been stated by the 1st respondent (IEBC), he said. The former Embakasi MP wants the court to compel IEBC to accept his candidature. Judge Anthony Mrima directed that the case be heard on January 7 after papers have been served to all parties. MASON CITY, Iowa An accused drug dealer gets a deferred judgment in Cerro Gordo County. Dakotah Lee Flint, 23 of Clear Lake, has been sentenced to two years of supervised probation and ordered to pay a $750 civil penalty. If he successfully completes his probation, this conviction will be removed from his record. Authorities say they searched Flints home on July 29, 2019, and found 67 grams of marijuana. Flint was then arrested on August 25, 2020, and eventually entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to deliver marijuana. The problem with the first term of Donald J. Trump, arguably, is that he did not have the wholehearted support of congressional Republicans. The proof, notwithstanding GOP majorities in House and Senate, the first two years of the Trump presidency, when the anti-Trump conspirators of the retired Obama regime, with the active support of media, foisted the 22-month-long Mueller probe that was based on the falsehood propagated by the Oust Trump Conspiracy. Where was the congressman or senator to explain the conspiracy to remove President Trump in terms of the insight of Machiavelli, in Chapter 6 of The Prince: [T]he innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them. Thus it happens that whenever those who are hostile have the opportunity to attack they do it like partisans, whilst the others defend lukewarmly, in such wise that the prince is endangered along with them. Rephrased in current parlance: "The enemies of President Trump consisted of the denizens of the Swamp. He could not count on wholehearted support from Republicans who were unsure that he could drain the Swamp and, in fact, feared the power of the Swamp. The Trump-haters believed they could attack with impunity a president they viewed as a political neophyte, confident that he would be left alone to defend himself and, in time, would inevitably be toppled from power. Throughout the course of the fraudulent Mueller investigation, it can be accurately stated that support from the presidents logical defenders did not even rise to "lukewarm" levels. And, as his four-year term approached its conclusion, where were the president's defenders to shield him from the successful Democratic assault on our election process? For four years, the American people were fed one Big Lie after another smearing President Trump, and it is remarkable that he accomplished as much as he did, in domestic as well as foreign policy. One may now seek reappraisal of Lincoln's observation that the people cannot be fooled all the time. Until COVID-19, the Trump economic program, based on tax and regulatory reform, gave the American people the lowest unemployment rates in decades. In the Middle East, President Trump broke the mindset of "the experts" that enabled the Arabs to call the tune indefinitely (in Amb. James G. McDonald's 1948 phrase, complaining to Truman aide Clark Clifford). Where the "experts" asserted that Israel would remain isolated unless it caved to Palestinian demands, Israel has the best relations with the Arab world since it defeated the initial Arab attack in 1948 -- and it is the Palestinians who have become isolated. Isolated, that is, until Biden assumes the presidency, with faux expert John Kerry at this side to counsel the resumption of a "tough love" policy against Israel. The "experts" also asserted that President Trump was alienating out NATO allies by demanding that they pay their proportionate share of the expenses of this alliance (which surely exists under conditions quite removed from the days of the former Soviet Union). For a judicious, insightful, objective view of the Trump foreign policy see, for example, this article by George Washington University professor Henry Nau. The media and the political left would like to confuse the public into thinking that their unfounded, shrill attacks on President Trump reflected political reality, when all that those assaults reflected was desperate anti-Trump hostility born of fear that Trump's new order would indeed drain the Swamp, putting an end to the entitlements of its denizens. And now, it must be conceded that those denizens of the Swamp, conspiring to undermine our democratic institutions by manipulating Biden's "victory" over the president, have, for the present, preserved their undemocratic sinecures. But woe betide them should it become apparent, by next January, that the American people regret the undemocratic unseating of President Trump -- amounting to a de facto coup -- and long for his restoration come January 20, 2025. It will be consequent to such a turn in the public's appreciation of Donald J. Trump that his defenders will become rather more than "lukewarm" -- with a return to the days of Mueller mendacity and Schiff sniping unthinkable. Behold the Trump Restoration: The Swamp Drained at long last. The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. "These three local authorized Invisible Fence dealerships have dedicated over 61 combined years of service to their communities, changing the lives of pets and their parents since 1994," said Ed Hoyt, Senior Director of Invisible Fence. Acquiring Mid-Western Michigan dealers is the company's first acquisition of the new year, followed by five acquisitions in 2020; the most recent being the merger of Invisible Fence of Cleveland West. With over 240 authorized dealers, Invisible Fence has the largest support network for pet containment in the US and Canada. "We're excited for the opportunity to directly serve pet owners in Mid-Western Michigan and continue to provide the innovative solutions and same high-level of attention customers have come to expect," said Hoyt. Invisible Fence offers the most premier dog fence on the market including professional installation, Perfect Start Plus Training and exclusive Boundary Plus Technology. Highly recommended by veterinarians, dog trainers, animal behaviorists and other pet experts, Invisible Fence offers pet fences that can be customized for clients' unique needs. In addition to serving over 47,000 pet owners in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St Clair and Wayne counties, the local Invisible Fence dealers were also actively involved in their communities. Local animal shelter donations, adoption events and the Project Breathe Program are among some of the ways the Mid-Western Michigan dealers will continue to contribute to local pet wellness under new management. For additional information or questions, customers can call 1-800-578-3647, visit InvisibleFence.com. About Invisible Fence Brand Invisible Fence pioneered the pet containment industry in 1973, making it their mission to provide safe boundaries inside and outside of the home. The Radio Systems Corporation owned company predominantly sells pet containment, avoidance and access solutions across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to offering award-winning products like Boundary Plus Technology, Authorized Dealers provide professional installation, Perfect Start Plus Training and integrated solutions that have protected more than three million pets to date. Invisible Fence also founded the Project Breathe Program in 2006, donating more than 32,000 pet oxygen masks to fire departments and first responders. For more information on Invisible Fence or to find a local dealer, visit InvisibleFence.com or follow the company on Facebook . Contact: Tricia Everett (865) 235-8791 SOURCE Invisible Fence Brand Related Links http://InvisibleFence.com Dr. Dre hospitalized with brain aneurysm Hip-hop legend Dr. Dre has been hospitalized after suffering a brain aneurysm. Billboard reports the 55-year-old rapper, producer, music mogul and former N.W.A. member was rushed by ambulance Monday to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A., where he is currently recovering. Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes, Dr. Dre said in a statement Tuesday night. Im doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals at Cedars. One Love!! Send your love and prayers to the homie Dr. Dre. pic.twitter.com/dWSgzunpjj Ice Cube (@icecube) January 6, 2021 Locked Down trailer A new HBO Max movie turns the coronavirus pandemic into a heist adventure. Locked Down stars Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor as a couple headed for separation when Covid-19 forces a lockdown, pushing them together and turning to crime amid financial struggles. Locked Down, directed by Doug Liman (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) and also starring Stephen Merchant, Mindy Kaling, Dule Hill, Ben Stiller and Ben Kingsley, begins streaming on HBO Max on Jan. 14. MORE BUZZ: JoJo Siwa says she didnt know about inappropriate content in game ( ET Oops: Arnold Schwarzenegger mixes up Chris Pratt and Chris Evans ( E! Walmart apologizes for leaking Morgan Wallens new album ( RS Ryan Reynolds gives Jeopardy clue on one of Alex Trebeks final episodes ( ET Former Miss Virginia comes back to life after being pronounced dead ( E! L.A. puts filming on pause amid Covid-19 spread ( SF Missy Elliott says Tweets Oops (Oh My) isnt about what you think ( BB The Weeknd drops darkly funny Save Your Tears video ( RS Vanessa Hudgens dating MLB player Cole Tucker ( E! Netflix greenlights We Can Be Heroes sequel ( SF Lil Nas X releases childrens book C is for Country ( BB Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities. In a fiery speech on the House floor Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert argued that Arizona's electoral votes should not be counted because a judge extended the state's voter registration deadline, contrary to what she described as a constitutional requirement that the deadline is up to the legislature. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form EDITORS NOTE: On Jan. 12, NJ Cannabis Insider hosts a virtual networking event, featuring professionals in the legal cannabis industries. Tickets are limited. State lawmakers have introduced a bill that lays out fines and other penalties for underage marijuana use in reaction to Gov. Phil Murphy, who refused to sign a legal weed bill without such penalties. The measure (A5211) levies a fine of at least $250 on people ages 18 to 20 who possess up to six ounces of marijuana, the legal limit for those 21 and over. Juveniles would not have to pay the fine, but could face juvenile delinquency dispositions like community service if caught possessing marijuana. If someone between the ages of 18 and 20 had more than the legal amount to possess, they could face fines of $500 or more under the bill. New Jersey voters in November said yes to legalizing marijuana for those 21 and older, and legislation only allows people that age to purchase it from dispensaries. The change would clear up confusion in the current marijuana legalization bill, which included language that criminalized underage use. That was in conflict with a partner bill to decriminalize marijuana for all ages. It also makes possessing marijuana a lesser penalty than underage drinking. Murphys office said last week he would not sign marijuana legislation until lawmakers added clear, non-criminal penalties to deter underage use. The office recommended fining those under 21 for marijuana possession. But legislative sources said lawmakers had intended to end arrests and fines for people under 21 caught with marijuana. The bill introduced by the Assembly marks a compromise eliminating fines or criminal charges for kids, but not eliminating some consequences. The bill is largely a consensus between the Legislature and the governors office, a source within the administration who was not authorized to speak publicly said. Theres some final technical edits that still need to be made. By and large, the governors office is working in good faith with the Legislature to get this finalized for next week. Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, who sponsored the marijuana bill, said that chamber will not introduce its own version of the cleanup legislation until Thursday. Its being re-cleaned up as we speak, Scutari said Tuesday. That bill that the Assembly has, although its very close, its not going to be exactly what well introduce. Both the Senate and Assembly have scheduled voting sessions for Monday, and could pass the legislation then, sending it back to Murphy to sign into law. The Senate Judiciary Committee and Assembly Appropriations Committee have both scheduled hearings on the cleanup bills for Thursday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. US-based Bascom Group and UKs Capital Trust have acquired a two-building headquarters property in the suburban Milwaukee community of Menomonee Falls in the US state of Wisconsin at a cost of $100.2 million. JLL Capital Markets, a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors, advised on the joint venture equity partnership and arranged $63.7 million in financing for a total for the acquisition of a Class A, 372,856-sq-ft, net-leased research and development, manufacturing and testing facility along with an adjacent 118,620-sq-ft corporate office. JLL worked on behalf of Capital Trust Group to arrange the joint venture partnership with Bascom Group. Additionally, working on behalf of the new partnership, JLL placed a 10-year, fixed-rate, CMBS loan with Citigroup. This transaction marks Capital Trust Groups first acquisition in the US for over two decades. The cutting edge, mission-critical facility was delivered in July 2020 as a build-to-suit for Leonardo DRS naval division, which already occupied the adjacent three-story office building beginning in 2019. The facility is used to design test and produce naval and marine products for the US Navy. The asset provides exceptional income stability. The tenant has been based in Milwaukee since 1899 and has entered a 20-year absolute net lease with annual rent escalations. Parent entity Leonardo SpA is the 12th largest company in Italy and a worldwide leader in aerospace, defence and security. It has more than 80 percent of its revenues coming from military or government contracts and over 49,000 employees across five divisions with products and solutions used in more than 150 countries. We are delighted to be re-entering the US real estate market after a prolonged period of focusing on Europe and the UK, said Raney Aburdene, head of Investor Relations and Business Development with Capital Trust Group. The asset we have secured provides attractive risk adjusted returns for our investors in a challenging market. This was enhanced by JLL being able to source very competitive debt terms, and we are very satisfied with the work of Christopher Knight and Claudio Sgobba throughout this process, he added. We are also very excited about the opportunity to work with an established name in the US market such as Bascom, who have an exceptional track record, and are looking forward to growing our portfolio through our partnership. We are excited about our new partnership with Capital Trust to acquire credit-tenant, triple-net-leased properties in the United States, said Jerry Fink, managing partner of Bascom. Our local knowledge, acquisition, due diligence and operational experience coupled with Capital Trusts capital sourcing makes for an attractive partnership, added David Kim, managing partner of Bascom. In addition, given all three of the Bascom principals met in the real estate program at the University of Wisconsin, this first acquisition is very meaningful for us given the proximity to the campus, said Paul Diamond, Bascom senior principal Operations. The JLL Capital Markets team that advised the joint venture equity partnership and arranged financing was led by Managing Director Claudio V. Sgobba in JLLs London office and Senior Director Christopher Knight in JLLs Chicago office. This long-term, single-tenant net lease is exactly what Middle East based investors are seeking: A United States-based, safe, yield-generating income stream held for diversification and capital appreciation purposes, Sgobba said. It is our pleasure to serve our long-standing London-based client, Capital Trust. We are extremely excited about Capital Trusts U.S. commercial real estate ambitions and their strategic programmatic joint venture with the Bascom Group. The long-term stability of credit-worthy, net-lease facilities is incredibly attractive to financing institutions, particularly in a market with perceived uncertainty in other asset types, Knight added. Given that there was significant interest from both US and Middle Eastern-based lenders that provided a range of highly accretive options to the venture. TradeArabia News Service Joe Biden faces a dramatically different start to his presidency if Democrats are able to secure Jon Ossoff's lead in his Georgia Senate runoff with a big stimulus bill, prompt assembly of a government, and a string of judicial confirmations in the offing. An Ossoff victory, on top of Rev. Raphael Warnock's projected win over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, would establish a 50-50 Senate handing Democrats effective control after Sen. Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president. It isn't enough of a majority to ram through big changes of the kind President Trump has warned about a 'Green New Deal' or Medicare for All but would constitute a game-changer for Biden's first years in office. President-elect Joe Biden would be able to push through cabinet nominees in a 50-50 Senate controlled by Democrats and can use budget procedures to jam through sweeping legislation CONFIRMING PICKS GOP WOULD HAVE TANKED The first immediate effect will come for confirmation of Biden's cabinet. With a closely-divided Senate in mind, Biden has tried to shy away from picks who might prove to be lightning rods mindful that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could have the authority to tank nominees he can rally his caucus to defeat. Some, like Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress Biden's pick to run the Office of Management and Budget were already facing blowback for tweets critical of Republicans. Getting her through in a GOP Senate might have required approval from someone like GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who Tanden has gone after. In a Democratic Senate, cabinet nominees can go through on a simple majority vote, with Harris breaking any ties. This should be enough to get through all but nominees who have a scandal or something that blows up support within the Democratic caucus. Biden can install the officials he wants to oversee his plan to speed up vaccine distribution and oversee enacted plans to aid small businesses. And as attorney general he has picked Merrick Garland - a choice for the Supreme Court who Republicans tanked in 2016 and whose nomination represents an act of vengeance which would have never got past a Republican majority. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., successfully bottled up judicial nominations during the Obama administration Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff leads Sen. David Perdue (D-Ga.). If he wins, it would swing Senate control to the Democrats Democratic Senate candidate Reverend Raphael Warnock is the projected winner over appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler Without a majority, Biden would have kicked off his tenure negotiating with Republicans to win approval for his nominees, and might have had to settle for recess appointments or months relying on 'acting' officials as Trump did by design at the helm of numerous agencies. It will be a similar story on many judicial nominations, after Trump and Republicans spent years packing Circuit Courts and lower federal courts with conservatives. THE HUNTER PROBE IS DEAD A majority also allows Democrats to squelch probes Republicans are demanding of Hunter Biden's business dealings and Trump's claims of massive election fraud. Republicans, who control the chamber now, used the post-election period to hold a hearing on the president's claims of massive fraud in Biden's 306 to 232 Electoral Vote victory airing many of the claims Trump and his legal team put forward without persuading courts of their claims. Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally, used his perch to organize pre-election hearings on the Russia probe, while Homeland Security Chair Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) produced a lengthy on the president-elect's son, accusing him of 'corruption.' Graham also oversaw the confirmation of Trump's Supreme Court nominee, now Justice Amy Coney Barrett, scheduling quick confirmation at McConnell's urging weeks before the election. Neera Tanden is Biden's choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Senate Republicans were already objecting to her selection Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates has been floated as a potential attorney general pick. Many Republicans would oppose her, but she could clear a Democratic-run Senate With the Senate filibuster alive and well, it will still require 60 votes to get major legislation through the chamber giving considerable sway to McConnell, 78, who was just reelected to another six-year term, and his conference. Biden has a procedural option of using budget reconciliation procedures to slam through significant legislation with the requisite budgetary impact on a simple majority. $2,000 CHECKS WILL HAPPEN QUICKLY 'One of the first things that I want to do when our new senators are seated is deliver the $2,000 checks to the American families,' said now-Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. The president-elect himself spoke to the importance of securing Senate control while campaigning for Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff before Election Day. That is how Barack Obama finally got Obamacare through the Senate despite a Republican filibuster. 'By electing Jon and the reverend, you can break the gridlock that has gripped Washington and this nation,' he told rally supporters Monday. 'With their votes in the Senate, we'll be able to make the progress we need to make on jobs and health care and justice and the environment and so many other things.' A key early choice for Biden and his team will be how big a reconciliation package to push for, and what to include in it. Only items with a budgetary impact could make it in, but this could account for substantial action changes to Obamacare, some climate initiatives, $2,000 stimulus checks that couldn't make it through the Senate, and tax legislation. Republicans had already begun raising the national debt to resist Democratic proposals and even Trump's push for larger coronavirus relief checks a sign that they would dig in against major Biden economic initiatives despite Congress pushing trillions out the door under Trump. Democratic control isn't locked up yet Ossoff may have to make it through a recount even if he hangs onto his lead, and McConnell would remain in charge until Harris is sworn in Jan. 20th. When the Senate went 50-50 during the Bush administration, it took days for party leaders to negotiate a power-sharing agreement over committee membership and staff. MODERATES ARE THE BIGGEST WINNERS The split grants extraordinary power to those in the middle, who can make or break legislation. That means Democratic centrists like West Virginia's Joe Manchin gain tremendous leverage. A handful of Republicans who resisted Trump on occasion, like Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, Collins, and Utah's Mitt Romney also can negotiate either with leadership or seek to act as a bloc to secure legislative changes they all favor. It is terrain Biden knows well, having served in a 50-50 Senate as a senior Democrat, and negotiating with Senate Republicans over economic stimulus legislation in the Obama years. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who holds just a three-vote majority at the moment, seized on the news early Wednesday. 'Together, in under two weeks when we inaugurate the new Biden-Harris Administration, a unified Democratic Party will advance extraordinary progress For The People. We will pursue a science and values-based plan to crush the virus and deliver relief to struggling families, safeguard the right to quality affordable health care and launch a plan to Build Back Better powered by fair economic growth.' Dolal Idd, 23, was shot dead by Minneapolis police on Wednesday as they attempted to arrest him. Cops claim he fired first Minneapolis police officers were trying to buy a handgun in an undercover operation before shooting dead a 23-year-old suspect last week, according to search warrant documents released Monday. The shootout ensued Wednesday night when police moved in to arrest black man Dolal Idd at a south Minneapolis gas station, the documents said. Idd, who was suspected of illegally selling firearms, died at the scene. Officers were being helped by a confidential informant to attempt to buy a MAC-10 high capacity pistol from Idd before the shootout began. After the shooting, cops carried out a raid on his father's home where the informant had also told them that they would find further firearms that Idd planned to sell illegally. No firearms were found at the house and Idd's father Bayle Gelle has complained that children were present as family members were roughly treated by officers. Authorities had previously said that Idd was being sought in a weapons investigation, but the search warrant documents provided the first detailed account of why police were focused on Idd. He was prohibited from possessing guns because of a 2018 weapons offense for possessing a stolen shotgun. Scroll down for video Bodycam video showed Idd attempting to drive away from police before his vehicle was hemmed in during the arrest attempt Wednesday. It was difficult to make out more detail. The driver's window shatters, an officer is heard swearing, and at least a dozen shots are fired After the shooting, cops carried out a raid on his father's home where the informant had also told them that they would find further firearms that Idd planned to sell illegally. Pictured is bodycam footage of the raid but no extra firearms were found After Idd was killed, cops also raided the home of his father Bayle Adod Gelle where an informant had claimed they would find more guns. Gelle is pictured during a protest on Sunday In the search warrant application, BCA Special Agent Brandon Johnson said the informant told police that Idd had firearms at his home. The agent said that due to Idd's history of weapons and narcotics arrests he sought authorization for a nighttime raid of Idd's home, which was owned by Idd's father. Idd had an October 2018 count of felony dangerous weapons-reckless discharge of a firearm for firing a gun inside the home and it was the address listed for his stolen shotgun charge. He also noted that Idd's brother, who had also lived there, was recently arrested by Bloomington police in a gun homicide. The agent asserted that investigators believed they would find weapons at the residence, and they were concerned that evidence could be moved or destroyed when Idd's family learned of his death. Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill, who is presiding over the cases of four ex-Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's death, approved the search warrant. Johnson later reported back that no firearms, ammunition or other potential evidence related to firearms was found in the early Thursday search. Bayle Gelle has complained that frightened family members were treated roughly and handcuffed with plastic ties during the search, while children were present. He has said that officers would not initially tell them the reason for the search and that Idd was dead. According to the MPD, the medical examiner typically notifies the family of a death. The city released a brief clip from one officer's body-camera in two versions, one of them slowed down to make it easier to follow the attempt to arrest Odd before he was shot 'My guess is this is someone [Dolal Idd] would have known,' Kyle Loven, a former FBI special agent, told KSTP of the informant in the case. 'My guess is if he hadn't known this person, he would've been suspicious and probably would not have shown up to allegedly make the firearms transfer.' 'It's a little unusual that they that additional weapons or evidence of weapons sales were not found,' Loven added of the raid. 'It's probably more the exception than the rule but it's not unheard of.' Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of Minnesota chapter of the Council on American- Islamic relations, claimed to KSTP that the lack of firearms at the premises cast doubt on the whole investigation. 'This entire operation now has even more questions today than yesterday,' he said. Online court records showed a string of minor traffic charges against Idd (pictured), but also a felony theft conviction in 2018 and a felony drug conviction in 2017 'Right now every fact that we have received has either been inconclusive or it has led to us to us to believe there was misconduct by the police based on a lie from an informant.' 'They kept the door open while people were almost half naked, they entered the home believing that everyone was going to be violent and they did not provide a clear answer as to what was exactly taking place,' Hussein added. 'I think many families may not recognize this but for people of color, when law enforcement come into your home in this manner it sets off a great deal of post-traumatic stress. 'This is a trauma this family is going to live with beyond what took place,' he continued. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo released a 27-second clip from one officer's body-camera video on Thursday and said it showed that Idd shot first before officers opened fire during an attempted felony traffic stop. A preliminary report from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) on Monday also said Idd fired first. Crime scene personnel from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension spotted a black and silver handgun between Idd's body and the center console of the car he was driving, the documents said. The documents did not say whether the gun was the same type that investigators were trying to buy. The scene at 36th St and Cedar Ave S after Idd was shot and killed by Minneapolis police officers on Wednesday. The BCA also identified the officers involved as Paul Huynh, a six-year veteran; Jason Schmitt; a 23-year veteran; and Sgt. Darcy Klund, a 33-year veteran Investigators work at the scene of a Holiday gas station where Minneapolis police officers shot and killed Idd on Wednesday as they attempted to buy a gun in an undercover operation A resident ties to calm tensions between community members and police after the police-involved shooting on Wednesday just a mile from where George Floyd was killed A female passenger who owned the vehicle but was not named in the documents told investigators that she was Idd's girlfriend but knew him only as 'Bird,' a nickname that police knew he used. The BCA said Monday that its preliminary investigation has found that Idd struck several police vehicles with his car, 'then fired his weapon at officers. The three officers returned fire, fatally striking Mr. Idd'. The agency said they recovered both a handgun and a MAC-10 assault-style handgun from Idd's car. The BCA also identified the officers involved as Paul Huynh, a six-year veteran; Jason Schmitt; a 23-year veteran; and Sgt. Darcy Klund, a 33-year veteran. The investigation is continuing. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office also released body camera video of the search on Saturday. Sheriff David Hutchinson said the video showed that his deputies and other officers involved in the search acted professionally and appropriately. Bayle Gelle (pictured), of Eden Prairie, said Thursday that the dead man was his son, Idd. Gelle said that authorities haven't given him any more information about what happened and never said his son was dead even as they raided his home with children present Protesters rally against police brutality on Sunday in Minneapolis, at the gas station where Dolal Idd was shot by Minneapolis police several days earlier after cops attempted to arrest him While Idd was killed in Hennepin County, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said his office will review the case to determine whether the officers involved 'were legally justified to use deadly force under Minnesota law, and if not, to handle any prosecution which may result'. He noted that prosecutors in the five largest counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area have agreed to do so with police shootings, or to call in the state attorney general's office, to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. Hundreds of people marched near the gas station Sunday to protest the city's first police-involved death since Floyd died after being restrained by officers in May. Idd, a Somali American, was killed less than a mile from the street corner where a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes, even as Floyd pleaded that he could't breathe. The May 25 death of Floyd, who was black, sparked days of sometimes violent protests that spread around the country and resonated worldwide. In Minneapolis, Floyd's death also led to a push for radical change in the police department, long criticized by activists for what they called a brutal culture that resisted change. Protesters rally against police brutality in Minneapolis on Sunday after the death of Dolal Idd A push by some City Council members to replace the department with a new public safety unit failed this summer. Mayor Jacob Frey and Arradondo, who opposed doing away with the department, have offered several policy changes since Floyd's death, including revising use-of-force policies and requiring officers to report on their attempts to de-escalate situations. Just this week, the chief and mayor unveiled a new plan to involve the city attorney's office more quickly in investigations of officers accused of misconduct. Frey called the shooting 'a tragic and difficult day capping what has been a tragic and difficult year'. He expressed condolences to Idd's family, and said the quick release of the body-camera video was part of the city's attempt to be more transparent. WASHINGTON Moments before a mob of President Donald Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was on the Senate floor warning that democracy is in crisis as he objected to counting Arizonas Electoral College votes. Both the House and Senate were evacuated as protesters forced their way into both chambers, breaking windows along the way. Tear gas was deployed and at least one person was shot and killed by law enforcement inside the Capitol. In his speech to the Senate, Cruz had urged his colleagues on both sides to calm down as he argued for delaying the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens win, calling for an emergency audit of the results based on debunked allegations of widespread voter fraud. CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL: Lawmakers evacuated as Trump supporters storm building Now Playing: Video: Associated Press Now many are blaming Cruz and the other Republicans including 10 other senators and a dozen congressman from Texas who supported Cruzs effort for escalating the post-election strife that preceded Wednesdays eruption. This is what youve gotten, guys, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, yelled as the mayhem unfolded in the Senate chamber, the New York Times reported. In a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday night, Romney said those objecting "will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack on our democracy." U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, tweeted that Cruz should resign from the United States Senate immediately. Castros call was echoed by other Democrats, including the chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa. Texans should hold Sen. Ted Cruz accountable for this fiasco, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. This is the inevitable result of the rhetoric of Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan, Hawley, Blackburn, Rubio and the rest of these anti-American Republicans, tweeted Walter Shaub, a former director of the United States Office of Government Ethics. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Cruzs campaign, meanwhile, sent text messages to supporters in an effort to raise money off of his fight to reject electors from key states unless there is an emergency audit as the riots raged in the Capitol. A staffer for Cruz said the messages were pre-planned and in no way shape or form would he ever have approved this to go out right now. It is your self serving attempt at sedition that has helped to inspire these terrorists and their attempted coup, Beto ORourke, who ran against Cruz in 2018, tweeted at the senator. Cruz responded: Stop stoking division. Stop spreading hatred. Stop using malicious rhetoric (such as false & reckless charges of sedition). Stop showing contempt for the half of the country that disagrees with you. Violence is wrong. We can do better. We are one Nation. #EPluribusUnum Cruz and other Republicans, sheltering as the riots raged in the Capitol, urged the mobs to leave on Twitter. Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW, Cruz tweeted. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence from Left or Right is ALWAYS wrong. And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support. Trump eventually urged his supporters to give up, as well, via a recorded video message in which he again falsely claimed the election was stolen and said we love you, youre very special. PAXTON AT D.C. RALLY: We will not quit fighting. The riots came after Trump and some of his high-profile supporters urged those at a rally outside the White House earlier Wednesday to move to the Capitol as Congress began to count the Electoral College votes. Ill be with you, Trump told his supporters outside the White House. U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Houston Democrat, said the blame for what happened later lies with Trump. This is the presidents doing, Green said. I think that the president has to be our focus. In his speech to the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, Cruz addressed Republicans, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who had pushed back against his call for an emergency audit of the election. He made the case he was working to build confidence in the results, which he said he was not seeking to toss out. What does it say to the nearly half of the country that believes this election was rigged if we vote not to even to consider the claims of illegality and fraud in this election? Cruz said. In recent weeks, Trumps attorneys have failed to prove voter fraud allegations as they lost dozens of lawsuits aimed at overturning the Nov. 3 election. On Wednesday, Cruz had called for a deeper review of some of the same claims from those cases. IN-DEPTH: Texas Republicans take center stage in Trumps election-defying fight Sen. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, noted as much as he pushed back on Cruzs effort, saying American democracy would enter a death spiral if Congress were to toss out the election results. Nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale, the massive scale, that wouldve tipped the entire election, McConnell said. Nor can public doubt alone justify a radical break when the doubt itself was incited without any evidence. While several Republican senators said they would drop their objections, Cruz let his stand, and more than eight hours later, the Senate voted it down 93-6. Congress was on track to certify Bidens win overnight. ben.wermund@chron.com SEATTLE, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Allen Institute's founding CEO, Allan Jones, Ph.D., announced he will step down after nearly 18 years with the organization. In 2003, Jones joined the Institute in its planning stages, was promoted the next year to lead the science mission, then became the first Chief Executive Officer in 2010. Jones will continue to serve as President and CEO until his replacement arrives, at which time he will join the Allen Institute's Board of Directors and will be honored by the title President-Emeritus. Since the early days of the Allen Institute, Jones partnered with co-founders Paul G. Allen and Jody Allen, as well as the Board of Directors and external science advisors to build one of the most highly respected research institutes, with influence across the globe in brain science, cell science, and immunology. With a focus on impact, and years of pharmaceutical industry experience prior to joining the Allen Institute, Jones developed an organizational culture that brought dedicated scientists from multiple disciplines together to conquer scientific challenges at scale, followed by sharing products and resources (data, tools, knowledge) openly with the world. This unique approach to basic research became known as Big Science, Team Science, Open Science. Jones had this to say about his time leading the Allen Institute, "It has been an honor of a lifetime to help build and lead such an incredible organization. I want to thank Paul Allen and Jody Allen for giving me the opportunity to serve this wonderful organization, and I want to thank the dedicated Allen Institute staff who gave life to a vision and who are serving the world through their work." Since its launch in 2003, the Allen Institute grew into a thriving organization with a staff of more than 500, including 180 Ph.D.'s, all providing resources to the global scientific community. Inspired by Paul G. Allen's commitment to tackling hard problems, Jones provided steadfast leadership to build a team that would take on those problems to ultimately advance the understanding of human biological science. Reflecting on Jones' contributions, Jody Allen said, "When we created the Allen Institute, we knew it would take a bold and courageous leader to guide and grow the organization, bringing together some of the world's best scientists in pursuit of impact at scale. Allan shared that vision from the beginning and brought many years of consistent and strong leadership, for which we are all extremely grateful. His passion for the work and commitment to the Institute's mission will surely inspire new discoveries in our next chapter." Similar sentiments were shared by members of the Board of Directors who credit Allan Jones with tremendous leadership that accelerated the growth and impact of the Allen Institute. About the Allen Institute The Allen Institute is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit medical research organization founded by philanthropist and visionary, the late Paul G. Allen. The Allen Institute is dedicated to answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience and accelerating research worldwide. The Institute is a recognized leader in large-scale research with a commitment to an open science model. Its research institutes include the Allen Institute for Brain Science, launched in 2003, the Allen Institute for Cell Science, launched in 2014, and the Allen Institute for Immunology, launched in 2018. In 2016, the Allen Institute expanded its reach with the launch of The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, which identifies pioneers with new ideas to expand the boundaries of knowledge and make the world better. For more information, visit alleninstitute.org. Media Contact: Rob Piercy, Director, Media Relations Mobile: 206.601.8441 [email protected] SOURCE Allen Institute Related Links http://www.alleninstitute.org NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digihost Technology Inc. (Digihost or the Company) (TSXV: DGHI; OTCPK: HSSHF) is pleased to announce a fully subscribed private placement of common shares (the Shares) sold at $0.79 per share for gross proceeds of $283,400 (the Offering). Completion of the Offering is expected within five business days and is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and closing. The Offering has been placed with investors based in the United States and Europe. The Shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws. Proceeds of the Offering will be used for the acquisition of miners and for general working capital purposes. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. Debt Settlement The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a debt settlement agreement with two of its third-party creditors (the Creditors) and pursuant to the debt settlement agreement will, subject to receipt of approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, issue an aggregate of 96,815 common shares in the capital of the Company, at a deemed price of $1.05 per common share, in consideration for the settlement of a total of US$80,000 in accrued liabilities owing to the Creditors in respect of consulting fees (the Debt Settlement). The Company expects that the proposed Debt Settlement will assist the Company in preserving its cash for working capital. All securities to be issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period from the closing date. The Debt Settlement is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including from the TSX Venture Exchange. Stock Option Grant The Company also announces that it has granted to the directors of the Company an aggregate of 1,325,000 incentive stock options (the Stock Options) to purchase common shares under the Companys incentive stock option plan (the Plan). Each Stock Option is exercisable into a common share of the Company at a price of $1.25 for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Stock Options will vest fully on the six-month anniversary of the date of grant and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Digihost Technology Inc. Digihost Technology Inc. is a growth-oriented blockchain company primarily focused on Bitcoin mining. The Company's mining facility is located in Buffalo, N.Y., and is equipped with an 18.7MVA 115,000-kilovolt-ampere outdoor substation with an option to increase the power output to 42MVA. For further information, please contact: Digihost Technology Inc. Michel Amar, Chief Executive Officer Email: michelamar@me.com Cautionary Statement Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. [January 06, 2021] Radian Appoints Mary Dickerson as Chief People Officer Radian (News - Alert) Group Inc. (NYSE: RDN) today announced the appointment of Mary Dickerson as Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer. As Chief People Officer, Dickerson will be responsible for all aspects of human resources at Radian, including Workforce Strategy, Employee Benefits, Compensation, Employee Relations, Executive Development, Human Resource Operations, Inclusion and Diversity, Talent Acquisition and Talent Organizational Development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005213/en/ Mary Dickerson, EVP, Chief People Officer, Radian (Photo: Business Wire) Dickerson will report directly to Radian Chief Executive Officer Rick Thornberry and is replacing Anita Scott, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, who retired in December 2020 after more than 20 years with the company. "A top priority at Radian is ensuring that our people programs and company culture keep pace with our innovative product development and market expansion, ad we are excited to welcome Mary to Radian to help further that effort," said Thornberry. "I am confident that with Mary's leadership, our highly talented HR team will continue to lay the foundation for our next phase of growth and success. We also want to give our heartfelt thanks to Anita Scott, whose tremendous leadership and contributions to Radian helped make us the great company we are today." Dickerson has more than two decades of experience leading human resources at organizations including DLL Group, XL Catlin, Accolade and the Hartford Financial Services Group. Before joining Radian, she served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources at DLL Group, a subsidiary of Rabobank Group, where she led a team of 150 human resource professionals globally for its 6,000 employees in 32 countries. In that role, she was responsible for overseeing the company's global human resources function and worked to build the organization's diverse culture, globally connected workforce and best-in-class learning and development program. Dickerson was recognized as the 2020 CHRO of the Year by the Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year Award. Earlier in her career, Dickerson also held human resources roles for AIG, VisionQuest, Allied Irish Banks and Fitzpatrick Hotel Group. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Sociology from National University of Ireland, and holds an MBA in Management from Saint Joseph's University and a JD from Widener University School of Law. A licensed attorney admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, she is a member of The American Bar Association, Association of Corporate Counsel, and The Society of Human Resource Managers. Dickerson is also a volunteer child advocate attorney for the Pennsylvania-based Montgomery Child Advocacy Project. About Radian Radian is ensuring the American dream of homeownership responsibly and sustainably through products and services that include industry-leading mortgage insurance and a comprehensive suite of mortgage, risk, title, valuation, asset management and other real estate services. We are powered by technology, informed by data and driven to deliver new and better ways to transact and manage risk. Visit www.radian.com to see how Radian is shaping the future of mortgage and real estate services. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005213/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Don't expect a warm welcome. Defying the pandemic and the conventional definition of "hotel" Swedens world-renowned Icehotel has revealed its new interiors for 2021, and theyre just as magnificent as you might expect. An annual holiday hotspot that only opens for four months a year, large parts of the hotel are rebuilt from scratch every autumn, only to melt away into nothingness come spring. Ceremony Hall. Picture: Anna Ohlund & John Pettersson/Asaf Kliger/PA Assembled from 2,500 tonnes of ice harvested from the frozen Torne River, this years structure marks the hotels 31st iteration, and contains ice equivalent to 700 million snowballs. The Dreaming In A Dream suite. Picture: Kestutis Musteikis & Vytautas Musteikis/Asaf Kliger/PA Somewhere between an igloo and an art exhibition, the building is filled with sculptures and snowscapes carved by a 35-strong team of local artists, and the chandeliers alone incorporate 1,000 individually crafted crystals. The Toybox suite, icehotel.com. Picture: Wouter Biegelaar & Viktor Tsarski/Asaf Kliger/PA This years hotel features 12 brand-new suites (with six more coming later this month), each with its own individual theme. The Toybox Suite comes with icy alphabet blocks, rockets and other toys, while the more cerebral You Are Here room is themed around thought and the human brain. The Dreaming In A Dream deluxe suite features a large centrepiece statue of a lizard, while the Oh Rapunzel! suite is enveloped in the thick fur coat of a snow-cut Maltese dog. New for this year, each suite comes with QR codes which, when scanned, provide audio information about the room and its sculptors. Theres also a sauna, a bar where the beers are always cold, and the forest-themed Ceremony Hall a popular place for winter weddings. The Paradice Lost suite. Picture: Kalle Ekeroth & Lars Christian Stromqvist/Asaf Kliger/PA First opened in 1989, the hotel was the first and is still the largest of its kind in the world. However, since foreign visitors may be few and far between this year, the management have designed an augmented reality tour of the facility, accessible via Instagram. The Oh Rapunzel! suite. Picture: Emilie Steele & Sara Steele/Asaf Kliger/PA Pandemic permitting, the hotel also offers a host of wintry activities, such as dogsledding, snowmobile riding, ice sculpting and viewing the Northern Lights, all of which have been revamped to comply with Covid regulations. The A Break suite. Picture: Lena Kristrom-Kulin & Nina Hedman/Asaf Kliger/PA The pandemic forced us to think differently, but the result is a stunning homage to Sweden," says Luca Roncoroni, creative director of Icehotel. The 35 artists created concepts that will mesmerise our guests, giving them a much-needed escape from the reality of this year. The hotel will remain open until April 11. ALBANY The Maj. Gen. Phillip John Schuyler statue in front of City Hall isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The city believes it will cost roughly $40,000 to move the bronze statute of the Revolutionary War hero whose ownership of slaves ignited efforts to move the monument. Given the citys tight finances and the uncertainty of where the statutes new home will be, city officials say they want to make sure they have a plan in place before removing it from its current home atop a traffic circle near City Hall. Its a substantial amount of money, Mayor Kathy Sheehan said in a recent interview with WAMC 90.3 FM. She added that she was in the process of forming an advisory group of city residents for public conversations on where it should go. I dont want to pay to move it twice, she said. Sheehan abruptly announced plans for an engineering report to examine how and where to move the statute on June 11 amidst the citys Black Lives Matter protests. Citing Schuylers history of slave ownership and requests to remove the statute from Black city employees and residents, Sheehan said the city would be better served if the statute was in a place that could put it into historical context. "Scores of community members have reached out to my office requesting the removal of the statue of former slave owner Gen. Philip Schuyler and I thank those residents for making their voices heard," she said at the time. The city has indicated it would like work with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which owns the Schuyler Mansion, to keep the statute in the city as part of the moving process but has not said specifically where it believes the statute should go. The Colonie Historical Society asked Sheehan to consider relocating the statue to his gravesite at the Albany Rural Cemetery while Saratoga County officials have requested it be moved to Schuylerville. The proposed move drew criticism on several fronts, including from Schuyler descendants. Schuyler, who was the largest owner of enslaved people in the city in the 1700s, is known as a prominent figure of the American Revolution who served in the state Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He was also Founding Father Alexander Hamiltons father-in-law. Schuyler owned 13 enslaved people at his South End mansion in 1790 and another four worked on his farm in Saratoga County, according to Times Union archives. While Americans typically associate slavery with Southern plantations, research shows enslaved people were a key part of New York's agrarian economy, especially for Dutch landowners in the Capital Region. There were 3,722 enslaved people of African descent listed in the 1790 census in Albany County, for instance, the most of any county in the state at the time. In 2005 the remains of 14 enslaved people the Schuyler family owned were discovered as part of a sewer line project several miles north of the mansion. They were reinterred at the Historic African Burial Ground at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands in 2016. Their names were never recorded and almost nothing about them was found in the family's documents. The city raised the statue to honor him in 1925. Two days before Thanksgiving, on the eve of a turkey giveaway for dozens of jobless residents in an impoverished Miami neighborhood, Sherina Jones got word that one of the free community refrigerators shed been stocking was stolen. It could have been a holiday disaster. But it turned into a Christmas miracle. Jones had been helping to feed the poor in Miami for months. Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, she was forced to shut down her beauty salon. By scrimping she managed to get by, but she knew that many in her mostly Black, low-income neighborhood were still hurting. Sherina Jones, left, works with volunteers organizing food for distribution, in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami. Jones offers free food for the community from a stocked community refrigerator called the Village Freedge. When one of the refrigerators was stolen just before Thanksgiving, the community and friends came together to help to purchase a new one. Jones also provides hot food and distributes numerous food pantry items. She has applied for non-profit status and is transitioning to become a food bank. (AP) Worried that children were missing meals after COVID-19 closed schools, the 36-year-old cancer survivor used her meager savings to buy her first community refrigerator in August. Take what you need, donate what you dont, the sign on the fridge read. Jones gets up at 5:30 every morning to serve hot breakfasts to residents in need. One homeless man who was a frequent visitor later told her proudly that hed gained 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms). With an online fundraising effort she named Village Freedge, Jones expanded to three refrigerators, which she placed in different neighborhoods of Miami. About half of her clients are homeless; others are day laborers who take to-go lunches or single moms who cant feed their kids. Sherina Jones poses with one of her community refrigerators, in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami. Jones offers free food for the community from a stocked community refrigerator called the Village Freedge. When one of the refrigerators was stolen just before Thanksgiving, the community and friends came together to help to purchase a new one. Jones also provides hot food and distributes numerous food pantry items. She has applied for non-profit status and is transitioning to become a food bank. (AP) When one of the refrigerators was stolen just before the Thanksgiving Day turkey giveaway, it was more than a theft. It felt like an act against a community in need. I cried for three days, Jones said. I was devastated that someone would do something to hurt the community. You hurt the 80-something people I feed a day. Just when it seemed the Grinch-like act would ruin the holiday, something magical happened: Residents of a community where many can barely afford rent pulled together, each giving a little until they ended up collecting quite a lot. Jones former high-school classmate Tamesha Glegg hadnt been in touch with Jones for years, but saw a post on social media and felt a tug on her heart. She and her husband decided to replace the fridge and then some. I said, Lets just buy her two of them, said Glegg, an ICU nurse. I just really love what shes doing. I really feel like its our spiritual duty to do those things. The Rev. Michael Daily heard about the stolen refrigerator on the news. He works at a community agency that helps local churches and knew that many parishioners were counting on those meals. He used agency funds to buy Jones a fancy double-door refrigerator and enlisted a construction worker to help build protective housing so it cant be stolen. A group of artists designed T-shirts and donated the proceeds. The Community Agency advertising firm scaled back on a fancy holiday party, donating huge boxes of food and about $3,500 for the refrigerator project. All together, more than 330 people raised over $23,000 on a fundraising website. Even after the pandemic upended her job, Joanne OBrien still helped stock the refrigerator occasionally. But she wanted to do more. Jones introduced her to a single mom who feeds her kids breakfast from one of the community refrigerators. OBrien bought the family a Christmas tree, as well as desks for online schooling and curtains and bedding for the home. The kids were jumping up and down when I was finished with the tree, OBrien said. The 4-year-old told her with grave concern that this was going to be a bad Christmas with no presents, but OBrien secretly purchased and collected toys, clothes and stockings with the childrens names. The communitys response to a toy drive in December allowed Jones to give away dozens of bicycles, dolls and other presents to 400 families. Jones still operates three free community refrigerators. She uses the extra ones to store food and donations. She has volunteers, but mostly runs the charity with her mom and aunt. She has one leftover holiday wish: a van to transport food and warehouse space to store it in. She has applied for nonprofit status and is transitioning to become a food bank. People come by and stock the fridge during the evenings or buy a bulk of things and drop it off. Im so appreciative, she said. Weve all come together to take care of each other. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday blacklisted a Chinese company that makes elements for steel production, 12 Iranian steel and metals makers and three foreign-based sales agents of an Iranian metals and mining holding company, seeking to deprive Iran of revenues as U.S. President Donald Trump's term winds down. The U.S. Treasury Department, in a statement, named the China-based company as Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Materials Technology Co Ltd. (KFCC), saying it specialized in the manufacture of carbon materials and provided thousands of metric tonnes of materials ... The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the signing of a contract with SAFE Boats International for the production of Mark VI patrol boats, two of which will be handed over to Ukraine, according to Defense Express. "The cost of the contract, according to a statement posted on the institution's website, is $19.96 million and provides for the manufacture of two boats specifically for Ukraine," the report reads. According to the report, the boats will be transferred to Ukraine under the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program, which involves the production of 16 Mark VI patrol boats. Some of them will be handed over to Ukraine as part of assistance from the United States. op Santa Cruz, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - KindPeoples Recreational Cannabis Dispensary, the largest dispensary of premium cannabis products in Santa Cruz County is proud to announce that together with eleven brand partners, more than $10,000 was raised for Fire Relief in California, which experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2020 with more than 4 million acres burned and required the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents during the height of its ferocity. In total, $10,464 was raised during KindPeoples Fire Relief program in October and November, in addition to a 25 percent discount offered to all local evacuees, resulting in nearly $30,000 in customer savings. A portion of proceeds from the sale of select items from the following brands: Heavy Hitters, Dollar Dose, Kanha Treats, Chemistry, Big Pete's Treats, Buddies, Sensi, Yummi Karma, Papa & Barkley and SC Roots went to organizations that support first responders and communities impacted by the wildfires. "The wildfires this year touched close to home. The CZU Lightning Complex Fire raged within our county borders, destroying homes, displacing families and filling our sky with ash and smoke for weeks," said Khalil Moutawakkil, KindPeoples Co-CEO. "We are thankful to our brand partners and our customers for rallying together to support the courageous first responders on the front lines and community members left scarred by this devastation." On Wednesday, Dec. 23, California's predominant fire-fighting force, Cal Fire announced that the CZU Lightning Complex fires that burned in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties are now officially 100 percent contained, more than four months after a series of lightning strikes ignited a blaze that would leave one person killed and more than 900 homes destroyed. "We are a Santa Cruz based brand and our community comes first and foremost," said Pete Feurtado Jr., CEO of Big Pete's Treats. "Multiple members of our team were displaced but luckily none of us lost our homes. KindPeoples Fire Relief program moved us to help those that were not so lucky." In a year defined by crisis, the cannabis industry cemented its place in society as a valued essential business sector and a source of relief for many isolated from family and friends. "We are so grateful that we are able to continue to provide products that our consumers rely on during this time that it is needed the most," said Kirstie Price, Regional Territory Manager for Heavy Hitters. "Among all of the counties we've been able to work closely with, Santa Cruz has definitely been one of the strongest. We are so proud to be a part of this community and feel it is our duty to give back and get involved wherever we can." Normalizing the cannabis experience and supporting initiatives that positively impact the community and environment are an integral part of KindPeoples company ethos. In 2020, KindPeoples launched KindPeoples Cares, a program that supports local nonprofits and during the holiday season customers and employees generously donated to Adopt-a-Family. KindPeoples is locally owned and operated, independently-funded, with two locations in Santa Cruz, California: 533 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, 95060 and 3600 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, 95062. Founded in 2014, KindPeoples was the first state-licensed cultivator, manufacturer, distributor, retailer and micro-business in Santa Cruz. Media contact Roseann Cattani PR Specialist 831-319-6393 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71400 Linesight is seeking others to join Merck, AstraZeneca, BMS, Pfizer, GSK, Ipsen, Viatris and Wuxi Multinational consultancy firm, Linesight, announced today that it is leading a collaboration with the major pharmaceutical companies on benchmarking data. Merck, AstraZeneca, BMS, Pfizer, GSK, Ipsen, Viatris, Wuxi and others are already participating in this global effort to collate capital project benchmarking costs, schedule intelligence and analysis in a central, independent, confidential fashion. Linesight is now seeking others to join this important initiative. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005538/en/ "Connecting the world's leading life sciences organizations means that we are enabling peer and market alignment by providing valuable cost and schedule intelligence on all major projects. The information is collated in a confidential manner ensuring that the participants receive critical benchmarking data to gauge their investment levels. The more project data we collate the more valuable it will be to the industry at large which is why we are seeking further companies to get involved. This is a hugely significant initiative, and one which will have global impact for many years to come." said Nigel Barnes, Director of Life Sciences EMEA, Linesight. Commenting on the initiative, Steve White, Leader of Global Estimating and Control at Merck said "Benchmarking data is essential to gauge the capital effectiveness of our projects both internally and externally with other pharmaceutical companies." Steve Townsend, Director Project Controls, Global Capital Projects, GSK also added "As we seek to continuously improve our project scoping and delivery, we must understand how we compare to our peers within the industry. Participating in this program offers us the necessary access to key, comparative data and should provide us with improved confidence." To participate in this program please contact lifesciences@linesight.com ENDS About Linesight Linesight is a multinational consultancy firm with over 45 years' experience, providing cost, schedule, program and project management services to a multitude of sectors including Life Sciences, Commercial, Data Centers, High-Tech Industrial, Residential, Hospitality, Healthcare and Retail. Linesight's specialist project teams, each with specific skills and experience, provide faster project delivery, greater cost efficiency and maximum value for money for their clients. For further information, please visit http://www.linesight.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005538/en/ Contacts: Cameron Thomas for Linesight T: (416) 660-9801 E: cameron@verbfactory.com Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Four police personnel posted with the Special Cell received out-of-turn promotion for their work in Northeast Delhi riots case. The four police personnel were a part of an investigating team that arrested 21, including former JNU student Umar Khalid, Jamia Coordination Committees media coordinator Safoora Zargar, and Pinjra Tods Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal. Delhi Police had registered a total of 755 cases in the riots that went on in February last year, of which 50 murder cases were transferred to the crime branch. One case was transferred to the Special Cell, a report in The Indian Express said. The special cell was initially probing conspiracy angle and riots and later it invoked Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and formed the SIT, comprising six teams of the New Delhi range. Recently, the in-charges of the six teams were asked by DCP (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwah to nominate one officer who has done extraordinary work during the investigation. Of the six names received, two were getting out-of-turn promotions in other cases, so their names were dropped. Four personnel have been promoted by the Delhi Police Commissioner, a senior police officer reportedly said. Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava, during a meeting with police personnel and their family on January 1, said that 135 police personnel have been given out-of-turn promotions while 1700 have been arrested by the Crime branch and Northeast district police in the riots case. The 2021 Grammy Awards has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns, say the organisers. The ceremony, one of the music industry's biggest awards, was due to take place on 31 January. The event will now take place on 14 March, due to rising infection numbers in Los Angeles and the state of California. Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa led the nominations for this year's awards, which were announced in November. "Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show," said a statement from the Recording Academy, which runs the Grammys. It is unclear whether comedian Trevor Noah, who was set to host the show, will still take part in this year's ceremony. The Grammys' new date clashes with the previously-announced Screen Actors' Guild awards. The actors union said it was "extremely disappointed" by the scheduling conflict. "We announced the same date for the SAG Awards last July with the intent to give the greatest possible scheduling consideration for other awards shows," it said in a statement. "We expect the same consideration from sister organizations throughout the industry." It said it was in conversation with the Recording Academy in an attempt to resolve the situation. This year's Grammys were already due to be a virtual event, in line with other recent award shows, such as the MTV VMAs and the Billboard Awards. Other major ceremonies, including the Oscars, the Golden Globes and the Brit Awards have already been postponed. The US state of California has been particularly hard hit by the spread of coronavirus, with ambulance workers in Los Angeles County being told not to transport patients with extremely low chances of survival to hospital. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Bengaluru, Jan 6 : Four districts in southern Karnataka bordering Kerala have been put on alert following the outbreak of bird flu (H5N8) in the neigbouring coastal state, an official said on Wednesday. "We have put four districts bordering Kerala on alert and taken steps to prevent the bird flu spread from the adjacent state though no case of the disease has been reported in Karnataka so far," a state animal husbandry department official told IANS here. The districts on alert are Chamarajanagar, Dakshin Kannada, Kodagu and Mysuru in the state's southern region. "Our animal husbandry minister (Prabhu Chauhan) has directed the officials of the border districts to inspect vehicles carrying poultry products like chicks and eggs from Kerala and allow them into the state only after disinfecting and sanitising them," the official said in a statement. The department has also set up kiosks at border check-posts to monitor vehicles from Kerala to ensure chicken and eggs are not allowed to enter the districts without certification. Avian flu broke out in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala, which led to culling of thousands of birds, including ducks, cocks, hens and chicks, and declaring a disaster in the neigbouring state. "All poultry farms in the four districts have been directed to send five serum samples of their birds to our institute at Hebbal in the city to check if they have been infected with the H5N8 flu," added the official. Advising people to be alert about bird flu, Chauhan told reporters here that bio-security measures should be followed by all the stakeholders as the state is also reeling under the Covid-19 pandemic. "All animal farms, bird sanctuaries and water bodies are being checked as a precautionary measure to ensure they are safe and free from any disease," said Chauhan. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has also advised the state government to set up check-posts in the areas bordering Kerala for screening and sanitising poultry birds and their products before allowing them to enter the state. State Health Minister K. Sudhakar also directed the health officials in the border districts to be vigilant in the wake of avian flu outbreak in other states, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Bird flu has also been reported among wild geese in Himachal Pradesh, crows in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and ducks in Kerala. Avian influenza or bird flu is a contagious viral disease caused by influenza type A viruses, which affect poultry birds like chickens and turkeys. U.S. ArmyBy LUIS MARTINEZ, ABC News (WASHINGTON) -- A member of the Navy's elite SEAL Team 6 intends to plead guilty next week for his role in the strangulation death of Army Green Beret Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. That would make Chief Special Warfare Operator Tony DeDolph the third of four defendants, including another SEAL Team 6 member, to admit guilt for an alleged role in Melgar's death in a June 2017 hazing incident in Mali. DeDolph "has entered into an agreement with Rear Admiral Charles Rock, USN, to resolve his pending charges," Phil Stackhouse, DeDolph's attorney, said in a statement. "This agreement will end the contested charges, allowing SOC DeDolph to accept responsibility for those offenses he can, and mitigate most of the concerns over classified material present in the case." DeDolph was facing life in prison without parole if convicted on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, hazing and obstruction of justice. The statement from Stackhouse didn't specify to which charges DeDolph intends to plead, but the Daily Beast, which was first to report DeDolph's decision, cited sources who said he'd plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice and hazing. "What is intended by a person's actions is eminently important, and the agreement recognizes that SOC DeDolph never intended to injure SSG Logan Melgar," Stackhouse's statement continued. "The fact that SSG Melgar's death was not intentional may not lessen the righteous feelings of grief by family and friends, but perhaps the resolution of this case will further help them find closure and peace." The Navy announced on Tuesday a court martial has been scheduled for Jan. 14 for DeDolph and Gunnery Sgt. Mario A. Madera-Rodriguez, a Special Operations Marine also charged in the case. In 2019, Chief Petty Officer Adam Matthews, also of SEAL Team 6, and Staff Sgt. Kevin Maxwell, a special operations Marine, pleaded guilty for their roles in Melgar's death. Matthews was sentenced to a year in prison, and Maxwell received four years. Melgar and the four service members were in Mali as part of a counter-terrorism mission in western Africa that included monitoring al Qaeda-linked groups. The four service members were accused of breaking into Melgar's room to haze him over perceived slights to colleagues. Melgar couldn't be revived after DeDolph allegedly placed him in a chokehold. Melgar's death was one in a series of high-profile incidents involving the military's most elite special forces that led U.S. Special Operations Command to make changes to emphasize leadership and ethics in their training. Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Counties were required to begin scanning and processing ballots at least a week before the election, though they cannot begin counting or tabulating them until polls close on Tuesday. Those new rules may lead to quicker results, although in a close race most Georgians (and everyone else) may go to sleep before news outlets have enough results to declare a winner. In November, it took a week and a half of counting after Election Day before it was clear that Mr. Biden had won the state. Republicans are expected to command an early lead on election night, both because the more conservative areas of the state typically report results faster and because votes cast in person, which have favored Republicans during the pandemic, are typically released earlier. Heavily Democratic counties, including the suburban Atlanta areas that helped Mr. Biden win, historically take longer to count votes. And yes, there could be yet another round of counting. Under Georgia law, if the margin separating the candidates is within half of a percentage point, the losing candidate can request a recount in which election officials would again run the ballots through scanners. After multiple vote counts last year, state officials are preparing for all contingencies. The deputy secretary of state, Jordan Fuchs, has said the requirement for a full hand recount like the one conducted in November doesnt apply to runoff elections. How did the parties strategize? Runoff races have traditionally been relatively sleepy contests, with lower turnout that has favored Republicans because of a drop-off among Democrats, particularly Black voters, after the general election. (The runoffs themselves were devised by white Georgians in the 1960s to dilute the power of Black voters.) Not this year. A staggering influx of political spending flooded the state, as campaign operatives, party officials and outside groups descended on the races. Nearly $500 million was spent on advertising, according to Ad Impact, an advertising tracking firm, saturating the airwaves at previously unheard-of levels. May my story be an inspiration to some young person who is trying to grasp and grab hold to the American dream, Mr. Warnock, who grew up in poverty, said in an online video just before 1 a.m. Wednesday. Invoking his mother, he said: Because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody elses cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States Senator. With about 97 percent of the vote counted in the early hours of Wednesday, Mr. Warnock held a lead of roughly 47,000 votes over Ms. Loeffler, after surging ahead late Tuesday night when heavily Democratic DeKalb County reported a trove of ballots. While Mr. Warnocks win was a major gain for his party he is the first Democrat to be elected to the Senate from Georgia since 2000 both political parties remained on edge over the unresolved Ossoff-Perdue race and its implications for the next two years in American politics. Whichever party wins that race will control the Senate, with Republicans counting on Mr. Perdue to prevail and give them the ability to constrain Mr. Bidens policy ambitions. After Mr. Bidens triumph in November, Mr. Warnocks victory provides yet another comeuppance for the Trumpist politics that have come to define the Republican Party over the past four years. Ms. Loeffler had rebranded herself as a hard-line Trump loyalist to fend off a challenge from the right in the first round of voting. In recent weeks, she has continued to embrace the president, even using an election-eve rally with Mr. Trump in Northwest Georgia to proudly declare that she will oppose certifying his loss to Mr. Biden when Congress meets on Wednesday. Mr. Warnock and Mr. Ossoff ran as a virtual package deal, as did the two Republicans, often appearing at events together and crafting similar messages about the stark consequences for the nation if the other side won. The lifeline Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for the fourth day on Wednesday as fresh landslides were reported along the only road that connects the Valley with the rest of the country. Officials said the stranded vehicles along the highway have been taken to safer places amid continuous rain and snowfall. Jammu Srinagar NHW [national highway] blocked due to snow accumulation at Jawahar Tunnel and Landslides/mudslides/shooting stones at Samroli, Magarkot, Panthyal, Marog, Cafeteria mor, Dhalwas, Nashri @JmuKmrPolice, tweeted Jammu & Kashmir traffic police. A group of tourists from Rajasthan had a narrow escape along the highway near Panthal when a landslide hit the vehicle they were travelling in. Police said the tourists were rescued and were safe. Heavy snowfall since the weekend has disrupted life across Kashmir, especially in South Kashmir and the upper reaches of North and Central Kashmir. Places like Kulgam district in South Kashmir have received up to six feet of snow. The heavy snowfall has prompted authorities to order rationing of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders as well as establish helplines at district headquarters. Residents have complained that snow has not been cleared at many places and hampered the public movement. The Jammu & Kashmir Disaster Management Authority separately issued an avalanche alert. Medium level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Jawahar Tunnel, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Tanghdar. Similarly, low-level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Gulmarg, Gurez, Kanzalwan, and Sonmarg, said an official of the authority. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the weather was expected to improve from Thursday. Present weather conditions are likely to continue till late tonight [Wednesday] or early tomorrow [Thursday]. We expect a significant improvement in weather from tomorrow...[Thursday] in Jammu and Kashmir. With that cold wave will return from January 7th [Thursday] onwards with warmer days and colder nights, IMD said in a bulletin. It added Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Three members of the Mounted Police Unit of the National Police of Peru put aside their uniforms and dressed up as the Three Wise Men, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar, who were said to have reached Bethlehem with gifts for baby Jesus. During their ride through Lima, the "Three Kings" visited a nursing home and an orphanage and met people on city streets who came out to see them and receive sweets or gifts. The kings wore masks and brought gifts to the elderly at a shelter where more than 300 vulnerable elderly people live. "All we ask God is to stop this disease because it is doing so much harm to everyone worldwide," said Jorge Brenis, a policeman representing Baltazar. Due to the security measures of the nursing home, they did not enter the shelter. At the orphanage, the Kings were met by local staff who handed them gel to disinfect themselves before entering to see the children, and bring them toys as gifts. Local health authorities have admitted a resurgence of coronavirus in Peru. More than 37,000 people are reported to have died of COVID-19, and more than one million have been confirmed infected. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice on a petition challenging the introduction of Entry 33 in Concurrent List through which the Centre introduced three contentious farm laws in September. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde told Attorney General KK Venugopa,l appearing for the Centre, that the petition filed by advocate ML Sharma has challenged the introduction of Entry 33 under Seventh Schedule by way of Constitution (Third Amendment) Act, 1954. The court fixed the matter for hearing next on Monday. The court directed all other petitions challenging the validity of the three farm laws introduced by Centre to be also listed on Monday. Also Read: Supreme Court refuses to stay love jihad laws in UP, Uttarakhand; issues notice The AG informed the court that talks with farmers are on and there are chances of reaching an agreement. There are chances of the parties coming to an agreement .That chance will be closed if we file an affidavit, AG Venugopal said. The bench said, We want to encourage talks. We will keep the matters on Monday and if AG tells us that talks are on, we will adjourn the matter. The bench observed that as of now there was no improvement in the situation at all. SG Tushar Mehta informed the court, Our response is ready but since we are in a healthy discussion (with farmer unions) we have not filed it yet. Sharma, who appeared in person to argue for the PIL, said that during the passing of the 1954 Constitutional amendment introducing Entry 33, only 8-9 states out of 19 existing states had ratified. The farmer unions have been holding protests over the three farm laws introduced by Centre last year. The laws in question, The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, have also been opposed by some states, which have passed laws to blunt the implementation of the above enacted laws. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to maintain full-time combat readiness. The military has been asked to remain on high alert as the new revised defense law expanding the powers of the armed forces came into force from this year. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to maintain full-time combat readiness. On Tuesday, the Chinese military was seen conducting aerial drills over Tibets capital Lhasa, days after the US passed a bill to back the Tibetan cause and the Tibetan government-in-exile. The military has been asked to remain on high alert as the new revised defense law expanding the powers of the armed forces came into force from this year. Xi ordered the PLA to maintain full-time combat readiness and to be ready to act at any second. The commanders and the soldiers of the whole army must carry forward the spirit of combat without the fear of hardships and the fear of death. Jinping signed the commissions first order for 2021, which listed priorities in the training of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the Peoples Armed Police Force (PLAF). The order instructed the armed forces to stick to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as their guiding principle and uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military as well as military strategies in the new era. Also read: Mission Vaccine: Controversy over Covishield name; notice issued to SII The order signed by Xi has urged the army to use technology in training and undertake joint operations in combat and training. He also ordered the use of computer simulations in drills and exploring ways to add more high-tech and online methods into their operations. The military drill gains significance as it comes days after the US introduced the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020. The region might witness a new wave of dissent as the US law now reaffirms the right of Tibetans to choose a successor to the 14th Dalai Lama. The new law also calls for setting up a US consulate in Lhasa. In 2020, the world had witnessed Chinas aggressive posture along its de facto border with India as well as in the South China Sea. Also read: Laxmi Ratan Shukla quits TMC ahead of WB polls; is Mamatas rule under threat ? .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Santa Fe police say the officer who failed to attend a court hearing for a man involved in a demonstration that saw a 152-year-old obelisk torn down in October never got notice of a hearing in the case last month. As a result of the officer not showing up for the Dec. 28 hearing, a Santa Fe magistrate judge dismissed the case against 24-year-old Sean Sunderland, who had been charged with criminal trespass and resisting an officer. In a late Tuesday afternoon news release, the Santa Fe Police Department said that the Magistrate Court manager failed to notify officer Jesse Campbell of the hearing, resulting in him not showing up. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The release states that Judge Donita Sena was informed of the problem and will make the determination if this case moves forward, and if the dismissal will be reconsidered. Deputy Chief Paul Joye said he remains hopeful the case will be reinstated. He said the police department requested help from Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Padgett-Macias, who said the office would provide technical assistance in the case but not until a Jan. 11 status hearing, according to emails shared by the police department. However, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who took office at the beginning of the year, said no one from the police department ever responded to Padgett-Macias Nov. 25 email that laid out the District Attorneys Office policy regarding misdemeanor cases. The District Attorneys office has had a long-standing policy of not getting involved in the prosecution of MR (misdemeanor) cases, Carmack-Altwies said in a statement to the Journal, adding that she would commit to changing that practice. She said the police department didnt follow the prerequisites listed in Padgett-Macias email, and the DAs Office played no part in the proceedings. Meanwhile, Sunderlands case now seems to be in limbo, even after Sena dismissed it with prejudice, meaning charges couldnt be refiled. His attorney, Kitren Fischer, said it shouldnt matter because prosecutors failed to meet deadlines. Even if the prosecutor did not receive notice of the motions hearing, the failure to meet deadlines and failure to respond to motions amounts to a lack of prosecution, he said in an emailed statement to the Journal. The Courts dismissal was entirely proper. This is an opinion column. Some of my best friends are Republican. Just had to get that out of the way. I attended middle- and high-school with mostly white kids, in Oklahoma. So, yes, some of them grew up to be Republicans. But cool Republicans. Reasonable Republicans who actually believe in the greater good. We didnt always agree on what that looked like or how to bring it to fruition, but what did it matter? We were friends, and that trumped any political disagreements. Heck, some of them even voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. Just had to get that out of the way. Some of my best friends in Alabama are Republican. Sure, weve butted heads and rolled our eyes at each others views at times. Even took an occasional hiatus from speaking when, well, the tone of our exchanges edged towards the tension and divisiveness we all endured over the last few years. The last four, specifically. Yet we always reconnected. We re-connected because our friendshipour respect for each others experiences and how they shaped our viewstrumped the depth of any disagreements, which, in truth, werent deep at all. The ideas and ideals over which we differed were minor relative to the things we had in common: A love of good food, our families, and an unbending faith in Who was actually in control anyway (Answer: neither of us.) Now, none of my Republican friendsin Oklahoma or Alabamaare ride or die with this extreme, radical faction of the party that is fueling the uncivil war that threatens to tear the GOP apart, to transform it from the Grand Old Party into the Gross Obsolete Party or Grumpy Ogres Pity Party. Theyre embarrassed by the whining, degrading shenanigans of sycophants being puppeted by the Sore-Loser-in Chief, even if they fundamentally support him. Theyre angered by the pitiable pebbles and baseless spit wad allegation of election thievery being thrown at the U.S. Constitution, especially by those that have so long bragged of being ride-or-die Constitutionalists. They cringed while listening to the most glaring effort to potentially commit election fraudDonald Trumps stunning call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, whom he tried to bully into suppressing the states voters and find the 11,780 votes that would give him one more than the man the majority of the states voters tabbed for president: Joe Biden. My friends will be mostly silent, and very much embarrassed, on Wednesday as a handful of Republican senators will fume and stomp and futilely vote against the U.S. Senates certification of the states Electoral College total which has been checked, re-checked and triple checked more times than just about anything Trump says or tweets. Their effort will fail. I spoke with an Oklahoma Republican friend Tuesday. He was proud of the states Sen. Jim Imhoff, whom he knows well, for not baaing with the sheep and vowing to support the states certification. Earlier in the day, Imhoff, a Trump supporter, revealed he was not falling in lockstep with the president: To challenge a states certification, he said, given how specific the Constitution is, would be a violation of my oath of office that is not something I am willing to do and is not something Oklahomans would want me to do. Oh, some certainly do, to be sure, but not my friend. [Jims] doing the right thing, he said. Trump is going soon but, for Republicans, hell be far from gone. Thats the truththe feardriving this feckless bunch and other elected Republicans (say hi, Alabama Sens. Mo Brooks and Tommy Tuberville) who know well of Trumps wrath and vengeance and how it will continue to stir his virulent and volatile base. How it may even rip the GOP asunder. Trump fully controls the Republican Party, especially GOP primary voters, Brent Buchanan, a Montgomery-based GOP strategist, and pollster, told my AL.com colleague John Sharp. Alabamas federal elected officials realize those tentacles will extend through at least the 2022 election cycle. Backing Trump is a surefire way to charm primary voters. And make some of my best friends cringe. Unafraid to start uncomfortable conversations, Roy is a voice for whats right and wrong in Birmingham, Alabama (and beyond). His column and profiles of intriguing Alabamians, appear in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as in the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register. Reach him at rjohnson@al.com and follow him at twitter.com/roysj University of Chicago researcher Sarah Cobey has spent nearly a year studying the spread of COVID-19, but she was still surprised when her employer offered to vaccinate her against the virus. An associate professor of ecology and evolution, Cobey does not work in a clinical setting and has no exposure to patients. But University of Chicago Medicine has included her and several thousand other remote or off-site employees in its distribution of vaccines intended for health care workers. The posh furniture firm co-founded by David Cameron's mother-in-law has had to take out a 9million loan after racking up losses of 23.5million. Oka, which Samantha Cameron's mother Lady Astor, who is still a director, founded with designers Lucinda Waterhouse and Sue Jones in 1999, saw losses spiral in 2019 despite a sales rise. Turnover rose to 53million from 32million in 2018, accounts show, but it has struggled since it ran up costs buying US furniture/interiors brand Wisteria two years ago. Oka, which Samantha Cameron's mother Lady Astor (pictured) founded with designers Lucinda Waterhouse and Sue Jones in 1999, saw losses spiral in 2019 despite a sales rise Oka said Dallas-based Wisteria had performed 'below expectations' but it still plans more US stores. Oka's majority shareholder, former Aston Martin-backer Investindustrial, lent it 9million in June 2020 to 'increase cash reserves'. The seller of armchairs worth more than 6,000 and chests of drawers for 2,500 must pay the loan back by 2027. Pre-Covid losses are likely to have been compounded by the pandemic after stores shut for months. Sales fell 4.5 per cent in the 10 months to October. Oka has 14 UK shops in areas such as Chelsea, Bath and Tunbridge Wells. The conclusion of the University of Georgia football season is usually the most lucrative time period for Athens businesses. However, the economic hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an inevitable decrease in sales and continued worries for the future. South Africa: African leaders commended for COVID-19 response President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as African Union (AU) chairperson, has commended the continents Heads of State and Government for their extraordinary leadership in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The President said this while addressing Africa government leaders during a teleconference meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the AU and the Chairpersons of the AU Regional Economic Communities on 24 December 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the proposal of the Chairperson of the AU Commission to convene the 34th Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive and the 41st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC). In a statement on Monday, the Presidency said the meeting was convened to explore the best way to convene these Ordinary Sessions in light of the unfolding and much intense COVID-19 second wave. AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in the meeting presented the Commissions concept note on the modalities of convening the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 41st Ordinary Session of the PRC. In the main, he recommended that the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly be convened physically in Addis Ababa, headquarters of the AU Commission on 6th February 2021 with a highly streamlined agenda and limited participation per delegation. The agenda could among others include a short opening ceremony; election of the Bureau of the Assembly of the AU; handing over between the outgoing and incoming Chairpersons of the Union; election of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission; information on the implementation of the Joint Strategy to fight against COVID-19, said the Presidency. The Presidency said should it not be possible to hold a physical 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chairperson of the Commission recommended a virtual session. Among the agenda items, will be the conducting of an electronic/online elections for the senior leadership of the Commission. Mahamat also recommended that both the 41st Ordinary Session of the PRC and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council be held virtually. Upsurge in COVID-19 cases Director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr John Nkengasong, noted that the Second Phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has been declared in some African countries - with South Africa in particular. The presentation made by the CDC also highlighted an upsurge in the continent, with varying degrees of increasing infections and fatalities which at this stage, were notable on the upward trend. Dr Nkengasong also mentioned that although the infections were showing an upward trend, however, in Addis Ababa specifically, there was a noticeable downward trend. The director confirmed that the pandemic was accelerating and had picked up since July 2020, and mentioned that the impact of holiday festivities would not be known until the middle of January 2021. Assessment of the situation during mid-January will indicate trends and patterns and this will inform recommendations. Africa CDC will develop protocols/guidelines based on modelled risks, read the statement. The meeting of the Bureau and Chairs of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) thereafter discussed the recommendations by the Commission, with the majority supporting that the 34th Ordinary Assembly be held physically, whilst others called for caution in the light of the covid-19 situation which needed to be monitored on an ongoing basis. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Assiniboine Community College is currently accepting applications for its new Early Childhood Education Workplace program, which is set to begin on Feb. 22. Advertisement Advertise With Us Assiniboine Community College is currently accepting applications for its new Early Childhood Education Workplace program, which is set to begin on Feb. 22. According to a Monday news release from the college, this program is designed for those who are currently employed by a child care centre and have two years of experience in the field. It will allow these individuals to remain working at the centre theyre currently employed with, while also attending classes two days a week. "The workplace iteration of the ECE program takes into account the students prior experience in the field, which allows the program to be delivered in a condensed format," said Karen Hargreaves, dean of the colleges School of Health and Human Services. "While the program runs for a duration of two years, similar to the standard ECE program, having two days in classes per week as opposed to five means students continue working as they complete the program." This program will feature cohorts in both Brandon and Boissevain, with 25 and 15 seats being available, respectively. Once students complete this two-year program, they will receive a diploma in Early Childhood Education that will allow them to apply for their ECE Level 2 classification. "Trained and certified workers in this field are in high demand," said Teresa Russell, chairperson of the colleges Early Childhood Education program. "This new program helps fill these needs with individuals who have already dedicated time to getting to know this profession." Prospective applicants should visit the "Workplace Education" tab on the Early Childhood Education section of the colleges website, assiniboine.net/programs/early-childhood-education, to find out more information about this program. The Brandon Sun Phuket would suffer harshly under another lockdown, says expert PHUKET: Another full lockdown would result in a huge impact on Phukets economy, a leading economic researcher at the Prince of Songkla University Phuket campus has warned. By The Phuket News Wednesday 6 January 2021, 06:29PM Dr Chayanon speaking at an event explaining the impact of COVID-19 on the Andaman province economies in June last year. Photo: Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, PSU (Phuket) Dr Chayanon Pucharoen, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at PSU Phuket, has also warned that some people on the island this year will suffer a loss as high as 91% of their regular income. The warning came in an online video titled Labour and Economy in Phuket during COVID posted online under the LaetaLaetai (Lets see the South) program by Thai PBS. Dr Chayanon explained that the dire prediction followed research by his colleagues at the university. This year, Phuket people on average will lose about 73% of the money in their wallet, compared with last year, Dr Chayanon said. From our research, employees who have social security coverage now have working hours about 53% less than they did in August last year. We dont need to talk about the lockdown period, as we all already know what it was like, he added. In our research, we also found that those who are not registered with the Social Security Office, such as those who worked part-time jobs that were irrelevant to tourism, were also affected, losing about 39% of their regular income, Dr Chayanon said. This significant point shows that the economic crisis affects every person in Phuket. Some people will lose up to 91% of their income, he said blankly. If there is another lockdown, there will be a big impact on the Phuket economy, he noted. Its clear that the less hours people work, the less salary they receive from their jobs, he added. Dr Chayanon also highlighted how the research plainly identified two different types of people who worked in Phuket. The first group was those who had already returned to their hometown to work in agriculture, which is like a safety net, or in a field [i.e. industry] that has welcomed unemployed people in this country for a long time, he said. The other group was those who are Phuket natives or those who had already moved to Phuket permanently. They cant avoid being affected, as they are still working in the hotel industry and other businesses, he explained. The less hours they work, the less salary they gain, the less money they can spend, leading to the Phuket economy slowing down, Dr Chayanon explained. Dr Chayanon pointed out that his research had also identified how Phuket residents were coping with the financial stress. For example, hotel staff who have work for only 15 days a month become vendors during the remaining 15 days of the month, he said. Some people like chefs may go to re-skill or up-skill, like trying to cook local foods and sell in tourist spots and markets, he added. Dr Chayanon also posed the question, Is it possible to transfer workers in the tourism industry to others? If Phuket wants to have a third life [sic]. The first one was mining, and the second one is tourism. The third one is supposed to be service providing, not producing, he said. Dr Chayanon openly support the current government push to develop Phuket to increasingly become a medical tourism destination. Many people talk about medical tourism. Developing Phuket to be a medical hub is possible because we have rooms to welcome and staff with a service mind, he said. We are talking about a new growth engine, he concluded. Dr Chayanon through research pointed out in April last year that the global outbreak of COVID-19 had cost Phuket more than B31 billion in lost tourism revenues in that month alone. He also delivered his initial worst case scenario prediction that the pandemic would cost the Phuket economy B127bn in lost tourism revenues. Dr Chayanon has not deviated from that prediction. Philadelphia police say they still arent sure if a group of people arrested and accused of defacing buildings in Center City on New Years Eve some carrying flammable or explosive materials were part of an organized anarchist network, or were more of an informal group of homegrown vandals. A police statement issued the day after seven people were arrested identified them as part of a large group of unruly antifa protesters breaking windows and spray-painting buildings near Ninth and Market Streets around 9 p.m. Thursday. But charging documents obtained by The Inquirer on Tuesday make no mention of any specific group in outlining the alleged crimes by those taken into custody, saying only that each defendant was acting in concert with others at the time. Chief Inspector Michael Cram said Monday that he believed the groups behavior appeared inspired by actions often associated with antifa, a far-left group often accused of an array of antigovernment misdeeds. Cram acknowledged, however, that none of those arrested had been on law enforcements radar previously, and said that although the city has experienced similar acts of vandalism recently including at a camp for people experiencing homelessness it can be difficult to determine how or if any of those incidents might be linked to any broader group, or even a loosely connected movement. Heres the problem with it, Cram said. We dont know who is actually doing it. Are they just wannabes, or are they officially affiliated? We really dont know. Lawyers for those whose attorneys were named in court filings did not return requests for comment. Each was released on bail after being arraigned, according to court records. Police said last week that officers made two sets of arrests for vandalism and arson around 9 p.m. Thursday. Four people were arrested at Ninth and Market Streets and accused of throwing bricks through the windows of the Robert Nix Federal Building, police said: Adam McVicker, 25, of Coatesville; Dustin Callahan 24, of Farmingdale, N.J.; Allison Donohue, 23, of Wallingford; and Josey Augustine, 31, of Royersford. Three others were arrested at Sixth and Sansom Streets, police said: Jacob Robotin, 25, of Willow Grove; Sydney Miller, 22, of Philadelphia; and Meredith Tooker, 26, of Philadelphia. They were found with spray paint on their clothes and backpacks containing what charging documents called explosive materials and an improvised incendiary device including bottles or jars filled with flammable liquids, one of which had a fuse, and a white powder that was labeled as a fire starter. Each was charged with criminal mischief and related counts. Police said the damage to the building was estimated at $3,000. A review of the defendants social media activity showed little that would seem to connect them to each other outside of a shared left-leaning worldview. Still, since the arrests, fund-raising pleas circulated in activist circles to help them make bail. Several of those arrested have participated in social justice protests last year, like Augustine, who was present at last summers homeless encampment along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and at protest events led by the activist group Refuse Fascism Philly. Augustine follows Berks County Antifas Facebook page, according to their profile on the platform. Some, such as Miller, a Temple University student, have turned their Facebook and Instagram profiles into platforms for what she has described as leftist, not liberal, posts railing against racism, police violence, and gentrification. Notably, though, none of them appears to have obvious social links to each other or antifa. Nonetheless, activist groups online have increasingly urged supporters to avoid posting on social media for fear of law enforcement using it to monitor their activities. Staff writer Oona Goodin-Smith contributed to this article. Social Media Premium Photo Content Session with Headshots by The Light Committee With literally hundreds of photos provided, customers will have premium photos to standout and use on social media potentially for months, depending on the frequency of posting. Headshots by The Light Committee, an award-winning Los Angeles area headshot studio, has announced a new session ideal for social media influencers seeking to have premium photos to post as content over a month or longer period. The studio also announced it is planning to not change its other headshot rates during Q1 2021. The new Social Media Session is ideal for anyone that wants premium photos to use for a long time on social media. It works as follows. A customer will meet with the photographer at a pre-determined location that must be within Los Angeles county. This can include a park, the beach, the Headshots by The Light Committee studio, as examples. Once a location, date and time are also confirmed, a customer will meet with the photographer to do the session. The shoot time is limited to two hours and travel to and form for the photographer is limited to one hour each way. During the shoot, the customer and photographer can move about to change scenery or background visuals. Ultimately around 200-300 premium photos will be captured. Examples of such premium photos can be viewed here. An online gallery will be setup so the customer can then select 10 of the photos for additional light retouching. All the other usable hundreds of photos will also be provided but without retouching. Therefore, it is recommended retouching be chosen for shots that are closer-up, such as headshots instead of full-body shots. Photos are provided as high-quality JPEG files ready for social media posting. Delivery of the photos is provided via a download link, usually withing a few days after the customer makes their retouch selections. With literally hundreds of photos provided, customers will have premium photos to standout and use on social media potentially for months, depending on the frequency of posting. Expenses, if any, are additional and include items like parking fees, property fees, etc. Permits for locations and other permissions may be required and thus might limit where photography shoots can occur. The session is currently priced at $550. Interested customers can book online. About Headshot Services The studio provides headshots, lifestyle shots, modeling digitals, and social media shoots for any persons desiring such services. Commonly, these include actor headshots, corporate headshots or LinkedIn headshots, modeling headshots, ERAS medical residency headshots, dating and social media profile content photos. Complete details about how a session works can be found online. Contact information is on the website. About Headshots by The Light Committee To learn about the studio, visit the Google listing. Headshots by The Light Committee, 699 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA, 91205, serves greater Los Angeles. Customers can also call or message 1-818-300-9434. The studio offers headshots for actors, business professionals, models, authors, musicians, and for various other business portrait / head shot services. From more than 1,200 photographers researched in 2019, Expertise.com rated this studio as being in the top one percent best portrait photographers in Los Angeles. More information can be found at the company website. Note: The Light Committee is a service mark of a California S Corporation. Whether noted or not, references to other certain words or names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All images produced are protected by U.S. Copyright Law. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Government has this afternoon announced a series of new Covid-19 restrictions to tackle Ireland's surge in cases. The measures were agreed by Cabinet today and will be in place until the end of January. Schools will close until February 1 at the earliest, except for special schools and for Leaving Cert students who can attend three days a week starting from January 11. Non-essential construction work will have to finish at 6pm on Friday, while certain essential construction projects will be exempt including health projects specific to Covid-19, housing adaptation grants, repairs critical maintenance for rail and utility projects and roads. Childcare services, including regulated childminders, will remain closed with the exception of services for vulnerable children and children of essential workers. Other existing childcare arrangements can continue to operate for vulnerable children and children of essential workers only. In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare. The resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is delayed until 1st February. Click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted with immediate effect. Existing orders may be collected, while click and deliver services will continue to be permitted. The government also agreed that the current travel moratorium in place for travel from Great Britain and South Africa is extended until midnight Friday, January 8. From January 9, all passengers arriving at Irish airports and ports whose journey originates in Great Britain or South Africa will be requested to have evidence of a negative result from a PCR Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. This new mandatory requirement will be in place until January 31, and will be kept under review in light of the evolving epidemiological situation. Leitrim's latest Covid figures can be found here. The 1964 model, for example, despite initially being offered as an optional package for the Pontiac LeMans , is still selling like hotcakes these days, and the one we have here is living proof in this regard.Parked in what appears to be a barn and covered in dust, this Pontiac GTO has clearly seen better days, but this doesnt necessarily mean its less appealing. In fact, in the short time online, the car has already received over ten bids as part of an eBay auction, and theres a good chance more people would join the digital fight as it gets more exposure.Unfortunately, the seller hasnt provided too many specifics about the car, though were still offered the essentials.Its a North Carolina car that comes without any rust, and without a doubt, this is excellent news for a model so old. This seems to suggest the GTO has been stored in the right conditions, which is obviously the right way to go for any car out there thats being parked for a longer period of time.The body is said to be in good condition, and judging from the few photos included in the listing, this is indeed accurate; the upholstery, too, looks like it could be brought back to tip-top shape with the proper fixes. The bucket seats, the dash, and the wood steering wheel are all original, the owner guarantees, and so are the hub caps on the wheels.The bad news is the GTO comes without an engine and an exhaust system, and as you can easily tell from the photos, the hood is missing as well. This leaves the door open for multiple possibilities, including a restomod, should you want to install a different engine on the GTO.As said, several people are currently fighting to get this Pontiac home, so at this point, the highest bid is $3,664. The car is parked in Maryland if you want to inspect it yourselves. Teachers, Not Algorithms to Settle Grades As Exams Axed in England The education secretary has confirmed that there will be no GCSE, AS, or A-Level exams this summer in England and that grades will be awarded by teacher assessment. This year were going to put our trust in teachers, rather than algorithms, UK education secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons on Jan. 6 in a reference to last years widely-criticized process of awarding grades. Williamsons address to lawmakers was made two days after the government had announced a new national lockdown in England, and declared all schools would be closed until at least mid-February. He said that the details of how assessments would be carried out needed to be fine-tuned in consultation with teaching organizations and Ofqual, the exam regulator. I wish to use a form of teacher assessed grades, with training and support provided to ensure these are awarded fairly and consistently across the country, he said. With the shutdown of schools to all but children of key workers, learning has been moved online. Im very conscious of the real challenges that parents are facing with their children at home. We are far better placed to cope with it than we were last March, he said. Next week we will have delivered three-quarters of a million devices. In this file image, pupils at Williamwood High School sit exams in Glasgow, Scotland, on February 5, 2010. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Were now better prepared to deliver online learning, he said. This is an important step forward in supporting children to make for progress with their education they so desperately need. He said that the government would be providing extra funding for food parcels for children eligible for school mealsto cover the gaps where schools themselves cannot offer them. We will ensure a national voucher scheme is in place, so that every eligible child can access free school meals, while their school remains closed, he said. The government has promised to re-open schools as a priority as lockdown measures are lifted as the virus recedes. When schools do open, they will do so alongside a mass-testing program that is already being rolled out in schools, said Williamson. Shutting schools was a decision no government wants to take, he said. Id like to reassure everyone that our schools have not suddenly become unsafe. But limiting the number of people who attend them is essential when the COVID rates are climbing, he said. Some teacher organizations have been calling for teachers to receive the vaccine as a priority group. Williamson, however, indicated that the governments position on this has not changed with the current criteria being to prioritize those groups most at risk of being hospitalized or killed by the virus. Asked whether children who lack computer or internet access at home can attend school, Williamson said that when schools were closed during the spring, children who didnt have access to digital devices were able to access education at their school. That is the same standard and the same guidance as we are issuing today as well, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 07:51:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Hai Yan (L) and Ma Danli work at a Minning Hemei e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop in Yuanlong Village in Minning Township in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2020. Xihaigu, one of China's most impoverished areas located in Ningxia, saw its last impoverished county removed from the national poverty list on Nov. 16, 2020. Over 60,000 farmers in Xihaigu have been relocated to Minning Township, which has converted from a town in Gobi desert to a modernized ecological relocation demonstration town over the past two decades via a series of cooperation between Ningxia and southeast China's Fujian Province. The victory is regarded as another landmark in China's campaign to eradicate absolute poverty, during which "she power" played an indispensable role. In 2019, an e-commerce poverty alleviation workshop, which sold specialties of Ningxia, was established in Yuanlong Village of Minning. It employed 42 women from impoverished households. In 2020, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the workshop decided to sell the products via livestreaming to promote sales. It set up a livestreaming team consisting of six female employees including Hai Yan, Ma Yan, Bai Xiyan, Ma Yunsu, Ma Danli, and Yang Junying. Most of the team members had dropped out of school before entering middle school, but they accepted the challenges and learned new skills from scratch with great enthusiasm. From negotiating with merchants to introducing products in front of cameras to audiences, they are able to handle different works with more confidence. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Geek+, a global leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and warehouse automation, and Universal Logic, a world-leading pioneer of an AI/sensor/machine-control software "brain" for robots, announce the beginning of a new partnership. Together, the two technology leaders declare a joint commitment to support the manufacturing and logistics industry with a paradigm-shifting goods-to-robot solution, for automating supply chain operations and elevating industry 4.0. With large parts of the supply chain dependent on fixed automation and manual materials handling, the rise in demand for customization and made-to-stock capabilities have resulted in strained processes. In turn, it has generated a need for technologies that can automate the flexibility and precision of skilled labor and combine it with the throughput capacity of dynamic inventory control. Randy Randolph, Senior Sales Manager of Geek+ US, says: "We are very glad to partner with Universal Logic and look forward to leveraging their extensive experience in automating dynamic robot behavior to realize the full potential of our intelligent mobile robotics solutions. By combining our advanced robotics hardware with Universal Logic's unparalleled experience, we believe that this collaboration has the potential to transform the global supply chain and shape the future." The partnership will give Universal Logic access to Geek+'s wide range of robotics hardware for intelligent sorting and picking. Built on autonomous mobile robot technology and AI-driven software, Geek+ will provide Universal Logic with the flexibility to automate the entire chain from dynamic inventory control to pick & pack, expanding from goods-to-man to goods-to-robot solutions. Correspondingly, Geek+ will have access to Neocortex, Universal Logic's AI platform featuring real-time and modular robot control for extended perception, direct grasping, and advanced robot guidance, enabling human-like flexible picking capabilities, to unleash the true potential of intelligent robotics for logistics. Universal Logic CEO, David Peters, states: "The Geek+ mobile robot platform, dovetails perfectly with Universal's dynamic robot control for picking and packing, providing our customers seamless automation capabilities, creating an end-to-end solution to meet current and future supply chain needs." Today, Geek+ and Universal Logic respectively serves a broad customer range including Fortune 500 Companies and regional businesses. The collaboration will enable them to strengthen their industry leadership and provide clients with flexible, adaptable, and efficient operations that can meet challenges associated with high mix/high volume applications in manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. By combining the efficiency and speed of robots with human-like precision and flexibility, it will allow businesses to realize stable and reliable supply chain operations and meet the challenges of tomorrow. About Geek+ Geek+ is a global technology company leading the intelligent logistics revolution. We apply advanced robotics and AI technologies to realize flexible, reliable, and highly efficient solutions for warehouses and supply chain management. Geek+ counts 300 global customers and has deployed more than 10,000 robots worldwide. Founded in 2015, Geek+ has over 800 employees and is headquartered in Beijing, with offices in Germany, the UK, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. For more information, please visit: https://www.geekplus.com/ About Universal Logic Universal Logic invented a proprietary AI/sensor/machine-control software "brain" for robots, called Neocortex. It gives machines human-like flexibility at high speed, and is hardware agnostic, working with all major brands of equipment. The company is also a system integrator, with over twelve years of experience installing turnkey solutions for its clients. SOURCE Geek+ Related Links www.geekplus.com Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Taken on their own, most excuses for not investigating or prosecuting Trump make at least some sense. Launching an impeachment less than three weeks before Bidens inauguration might appear futile. It could even feed right-wing delusions by creating the impression that Democrats think Trump might be able to stay in office otherwise. Both the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress will be fully occupied dealing with the devastation to public health and the economy that Trump is leaving behind. Beyond its legal challenges, a federal prosecution of Trump would maintain his toxic grip on the countrys attention. CLEVELAND -- Try to think about when American democracy was born. What year comes to mind? For many of you, you may say 1776. On July 4 of that year, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Others may cite 1787, when the first Constitutional Convention occurred. Others still may cite 1788, when the Constitution was ratified by the states. I would propose another year: 1796. That was the year George Washington chose not to run for a third presidential term after being elected unanimously in both 1789 and 1792. His decision triggered something American democracy had not yet seen. Something that no one at the time could say for sure that American democracy could survive. Washingtons decision triggered the first contested presidential election in the nations history. Washington was aware of the significance of the moment. Days before the election, he published a farewell address. I encourage everyone to read it. In his address, Washington went to great lengths to note the importance of maintaining national unity. [I]t is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest . Washingtons farewell address also marked the first time that America experienced what has now become the hallmark of democracy: a peaceful transfer of power. We have had 44 presidents and 57 presidential elections since Washington, and our nation has undergone relatively peaceful transfers for all of them. Peaceful transfers are now finalized with a personal touch. President George H.W. Bush left a letter of support for incoming President Bill Clinton in 1993. Every outgoing president has done the same since. Would anyone be surprised if that modern tradition ended with President Donald Trump? Does anyone expect President Trump, after spending months attacking the legitimacy of the election, to write a note of encouragement to President-elect Joe Biden? I dont think so. I know many would write off Trumps failure or refusal to honor the tradition as no big deal. And I think thats a fair characterization. Its not a big deal. But how many no big deals does it take to become a big deal? When Trump falsely proclaimed the day after the presidential election that he was up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the election, many said it was no big deal. When he falsely declared on Nov. 7 that he won the election, many said it was no big deal. When Trumps campaign filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania on Nov. 9 asking a court to bar the state from certifying its election results, many said it was no big deal. When U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Trump supporter, on Dec. 3 sought an order from the U.S. Supreme Court to cancel Pennsylvanias mail-in ballots, many said it was no big deal. When Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, another Trump supporter, on Dec. 8 sued the states of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, alleging that they illegally changed their election laws, many said it was no big deal. Now here we are. On Jan. 2, President Trump called the Georgia Secretary of State asking him to find 11,780 votes. Today, at least a dozen Republican senators and over 100 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives plan to object to the certification of President Trumps loss. Is this still no big deal? Arguably, yes. To date, nothing Trump or his allies have tried has changed the results. Tweets did not change the results. Lawsuits, as of yet, have not changed the results. Trumps pressuring of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger did not change the results. The plan to object will not, in all likelihood, change the results, either. Alls well that ends well, right? The system is working. No big deal. The problem with that perspective is that it suggests the system or democracy is something that exists outside of people, capable of existing on its own. But thats not the case. Democracy is an ideal. It is the people who make it a reality. They do so through societal agreement upon such principles as citizens having the right to vote and elections being fair and free. Eric Foster is a columnist for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. What we are experiencing now is the breakdown of that societal agreement. The tweets, lawsuits, and phone calls have not changed the results, but they have influenced minds. A Dec. 10 Quinnipiac poll found that 77% of Republicans believe there was widespread voter fraud during the November election. Think about that for a second. Trump got 74 million votes. If 77% of them believe the election was fraudulent, that amounts to over 56 million Americans. Im not trying to be Chicken Little here. Im not saying this is the end of democracy as we know it. What I am saying is that, if American democracy were to end, this is how it would start. Dont listen to me, listen to George Washington. In his farewell address, he noted the dangers of party politics: The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by revenge is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. At a rally in Georgia on Monday, President Trump called upon Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results during the todays congressional tally of the Electoral College votes. George Washington called this. In 1796. Now what are we going to do about it? I think you start by calling all of this what it is: a really big deal. Eric Foster, a community member of the editorial board, is a columnist for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. Foster is a lawyer in private practice. The views expressed are his own. To reach Eric Foster: ericfosterpd@gmail.com Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. ADVERTISEMENT The federal government on Tuesday emphasised the ban on rice importation into Nigeria. The Comptroller, Nigerian Customs Service in charge of Sokoto and Zamfara, Abdulhamid Maaji, made the emphasis at the reopening of Illela Border in Sokoto State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government made the emphasis as importers and exporters in Sokoto get excited at the reopening of the Illela border. The Illela border was reopened by dignitaries from Nigeria and Niger Republic. Mr Maaji said that the border reopening was being monitored to ensure sanity. He said border closure was in the interest of Nigerians. The comptroller noted that many instruments used by criminals were brought into the country through land borders. He said that efforts were being made to curb it. He called on Nigerians to show understanding and support for government policies, and appealed to traders to adhere to business regulations and safety guidelines. Government organs can achieve maximum success with much support from members of the public and stakeholders that play important roles, he said. The comptroller urged importers and exporters to ensure strict compliance with the regulations. Ibrahim Milgoma, an exporter, said that during the border closure, exporters complied with government directives in spite of hardship. He said that they would abide by the regulations governing border reopening. Aminu Daniya, Chairman of the Association of Registered Licenced Clearing Agents, said that no fewer than 35 firms registered at Illela point and would comply with all government regulations. (NAN) ISTANBUL Ukraine deported two individuals to Ankara over alleged ties to a terror group, Turkeys Interior Ministry announced in a statement Wednesday. Human rights advocates said the move amounted to illegal rendition without due process, condemning Ankaras ongoing efforts to round up suspected Turkish dissidents living abroad. Salih Fidan and Samet Gure were arrested while trying to illegally cross the Ukraine-Poland border, according to the ministry, which alleged the pair were senior members of an organization led by Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric who is accused by Ankara of fomenting a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Both Turkish citizens, Fidan and Gure are suspected to have served as chief operators for the Gulen organization in Iraq, according to the ministry. A Turkish court issued arrest warrants for the suspects on charges of membership in an armed terrorist organization and their cases are being processed at the Public Prosecutor's Office in Ankara. Shortly after the failed 2016 coup, Fidan reportedly fled with his wife to Baghdad, where he worked at a Gulen-linked university. According to pro-government news reports, Gure actively served the Gulen organization while working as a physics teacher in Erbil and allegedly had a Bank Asya account in Turkey, all of which Ankara considers evidence of membership in the terror group. Human rights advocates condemned the deportations of Fidan and Gure as illegal, stating their renditions violate international non-refoulement principles, which forbid governments from transferring individuals to countries where they are at risk of persecution or mistreatment. Expelling two individuals without due process of law is a flagrant breach of Ukraines obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ali Yildiz, a human rights lawyer based in Brussels, told Al-Monitor. Nate Schenkkan, director for special research at Freedom House, said the deportations also raise concerns over whether the suspects had access to legal counsel and a transparent extradition process. Someone vanishes off a street and within 24 hours theyre in Turkey and theres a press release from Anadolu Agency. Thats a really clear sign that something illegal happened, Schenkkan told Al-Monitor. According to the most recent public figures from Turkeys Justice Ministry on extradition requests involving alleged Gulen supporters, 116 of 807 wanted suspects had been transferred to Turkey from 27 countries as of July 2020. Among those sought for extradition is Gulen himself, who has lived in exile in the United States since 1999. Countries that have refused Turkish extradition requests include Bosnia, Brazil, Greece, Germany, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom, according to a 2020 report by the Arrested Lawyers Initiative. Schenkkan said Ukraine has deported five suspects to Turkey in recent years, including a former member of the now-dissolved pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party in September 2020. He noted extradition requests are playing an increasingly prominent role in Ankaras foreign relations. Its in the highest levels of engagement with these countries in terms of what the asks are, and this is the result. A lot of countries are willing to hand people over, Schenkkan told Al-Mointor. He added, In every case where we have enough information to [assess the rendition] theres cooperation from that country. These people are getting no deportation proceedings in many cases. Or the ones theyre getting are completely fake. In October 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky signed a military cooperation agreement, deepening ties between the neighboring states. Huseyin Konus, director of the Institute for Diplomacy and Economy and a former Turkish diplomat, criticized the Ukrainian governments fulfillment of the deportation requests as a clear violation of international law, referencing a November 2020 decision by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which found the rendition of Turkish citizens from Kosovo and Malaysia to Turkey were infringements on their rights. Konus said the transfer of two Turkish citizens from Ukraine not only contradicts established international accords, but it is highly likely the suspects will face serious consequences in the Turkish justice system. I worked for more than 12 years for the Turkish Foreign Ministry. I do not remember any incidents where Turkey has violated international law this abruptly, Konus told Al-Monitor. He added, The Turkish Foreign Service is nowadays mostly busy with spying on critics abroad, labeling them and revoking their passports without applying proper procedures. The 2016 coup attempt in Turkey resulted in the death of more than 250 people and has since shaped much of the nations domestic and foreign policies. In the aftermath of the failed putsch, tens of thousands of Turkish citizens suspected of Gulen links were dismissed or prosecuted and new arrest warrants continue to be served weekly over alleged affiliation with the terror group. Plans to identify the source of Covid-19 infection breakouts have been abandoned amid a sharp escalation in cases. Contact tracers have now placed more than 7,500 calls in a single day to inform people they have the virus. The process of pinpointing the source of infections, by asking those infected to retrace their contacts over a one-week period rather than 48 hours, was due to be incorporated into the national tracing strategy last month. However, due to the recent surge in cases, the HSE said it has not been feasible. Lauded as a method of enhancing the current protocols for tracing, the plan was initially endorsed by National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) in September. It was delayed due to the spike in cases in October and delays within Irelands Testing & Tracing programme. From early December, as part of a service improvement plan for the contact tracing programme, tracers were due to carry out what the HSE described as source identification or backwards tracing on all routine cases of Covid-19. The process would see people who pick up the virus asked about their movements over the past two weeks. Read More The previous strategy asked people about their close contacts and movements up to 48 hours before they developed symptoms. The aim of source identification is to gather additional information on community transmission cases where the source of the infection is unknown and involves asking a series of questions in order to build a more accurate picture of where people are contracting the virus. It can help with early treatment, and to stop the spread to other areas and more people. This week, the HSE confirmed the contact management programme cannot prioritise case identification and source investigation (CSI) at this time. The programme has been at peak escalation since before Christmas, said a spokesperson, adding undertaking CSI is not feasible with the level of surge being experienced in Ireland. The contact management programme was designed to significantly increase its capacity to deal with 1,500 detected cases every day by the end of December, said a HSE spokesperson. On foot of a range of operational escalations and reconfiguration of service, we are now calling over 6,000 people every day. [On Monday] we called over 7,500 people to inform them of their detected result and take details of their close contacts. With the level of community transmission at an all-time high and beyond all modelled levels, the service cannot prioritise CSI at this time. We are fully focused on responding to all detected cases and informing close contacts so that public health advice will be followed and close contacts will restrict their movements for 14 days. The HSE said that the CSI implementation will be considered when the current surge peak has been reached and the service is stabilised. karthikkr Newbie Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Chennai Posts: 15 Thanked: 47 Times A year-end road-trip to Yercaud in my new Hyundai Creta IVT! We chose Yercaud! We have never visited Yercaud as a family and it's certainly an underdog when it comes to hill stations in TN. You have Coonoor, Ooty, Kodai, Meghamalai, Munnar, so Yercaud was definitely not a default destination for a hill station. We still went ahead with our plans, because we just wanted to get out and have a break from the monotony. We booked a nice resort (supposed to be the most clean and hygienic in Yercaud) and planned for a 2-days/3-nights visit. That should give us plenty time to go around this quaint hill station. Moreover, I had recently purchased the new Creta IVT SX and this could be a perfect chance to stretch its legs and have a change from the mundane city traffic. On the eve of the departure, when I was about to take the car to top the tank, check the tyre pressure et al I saw a scratch on my 2-month old Creta. Guess it was the kids riding their cycles like BMX bikes along the car park and their brake levers kissed the surface of the car! I tried everything - colgate, nail polish, rubbing polish. Nothing worked! So, I decided to do the typical fix you do anywhere - bandaid it. Am a "Drive Tribe" fan anyway, so it all fits in! So, we were all set and took this route: CHENNAI-MELMARUVATHUR-TINDIVANAM-VILUPURAM-ULUNDURPET-KALLAKURUCHI-ATTUR-YERCAUD The roads were sublime. Since, we started early at 5:30am, we beat the Chennai outskirts traffic and reached Melmaruvathur in no time. Had breakfast at 99km restaurant where you get organic pongal, dosais and pretty good coffee! The Ulundurpet-Salem route roads were very good too. We then stopped near Attur A2B for lunch before the climb to Yercaud. Enjoyed the drive in my Creta IVT SX. Used cruise control and Eco mode on open highway and the ride was a pleasure. Was wondering how it will perform on the ghat roads, since this was my first automatic (at least in India) and to my surprise it performed with great aplomb. The ghat roads were like a carpet and I had to use the paddle shifters only couple of times. When the gradients were steep, I switched from Comfort to Sport and it pulled effortlessly. I was not aggressive too, so not much body roll and the kids were just fine in the back seat (no puking). We reached Yercaud and took it easy that afternoon/evening and had a light stroll, nice buffet dinner at the resort before we hit the bed! The resort was in an excellent location, closer to the town but also slightly away on a hill top and was at this time of the year filled with mist! and some monkeys for company too! Next day, first stop Karadiyur View Point. It's a brilliant location with very scenic views. There were hardly any tourists at around 10am, the views were tremendous. From there we made it to Kiliyur Falls. By that time, the mist had lifted too and it was awesome - full of water and an amazing location. We had to climb down almost 200 steps (some very steep), but it was worth it! We spent a good 2 hours there and had nice lemon soda and corn. The route cuts across pretty dense green forests with very less traffic and it was like we had the hill station for ourselves! We then came back to the the town and had a nice late lunch at the resort. Had a brief break and headed to the Yercaud lake. The lake is very small and not very well maintained with lots of weeds. This was a sore point in the trip, but hey you can't get it all! We could only take the boat upto the half way point, the rest were blocked because of weeds. We did some window shopping around the lake and found Saravana Bhavan. We got some parcels and had a sumptuous meal at the Hotel lazing around the bonfire. It was very relaxing! Next day, I wanted to do the famed 32-km loop road. This road loops through dense forests and scenic spots. Riding the Creta (on Sport Model) was a dream! Not once the car struggled to climb or take a bend. It was well planted even in some muddy stretches and I was only too happy I made this purchase Beautiful roads snaking through the route littered with very tall oaks. There was hardly any traffic and in some places we stopped to take snaps for ever - admiring the new Creta!!! My favourite shot! Kids enjoyed the experience with the sun roof open and riding along with gentle healthy breeze from the mountain filling the cabin. We stopped at the Cauvery Peak for a hot chai. We never wanted the loop road to end - want to be in that endless loop like the Inception movie!!! But anyways, we rolled back to the town had some hot dosas and coffee at Saravana Bhavan. Next, treat for the kids. They were very accommodating - us adults enjoying the scenic beauty, while all they want to do is to play! So, we decided to go for an adventure park (Poppy Hills Adventure Park)- rope climbing, zip lining et al. Did a ATV ride too! Finally, it was time for us to head back to the Hotel and have a nice dinner. We had a good rest and headed back next morning to "Home Sweet Home" - Chennai. We took the exciting 20 hairpin bend road while heading down the hills and I was driving all along in Comfort Model - again not aggressive at all. The mileage (30km/l) clocked while heading down the hill and right up to Attur was stupendous! Although I understand it was down the hill. We stopped at Ulundurpet Vasantha Bhavan for Lunch and then did a non-stop ride back home to Chennai. The overall mileage for the return journey (almost 20km/l) was pretty good too for Petrol IVT. If I remember right, the onward journey mileage was around 13km/l, considering the up hill climb (forgot to capture the photo!). The next day I took my Creta for a nice car wash for a refreshing start to the New Year!!! I must say we were pleasantly surprised with the beauty of Yercaud Hills. I think the timing is key and the best time to visit is Dec and Jan when the weather is chill & misty and of course a wonderful ride like Creta makes the difference too. I have been to many hill stations and I certainly would consider this as one of the most relaxing trips. And most importantly my better half thinks the same! Until next time. The year 2020 was no different to us! We didn't travel anywhere the entire year and was not planning to do so during the year-end break as well. But, I saw few of my colleagues starting to making plans and it triggered me to think as well. After lots of discussions, we decided to take a break but also wanted to play it relatively safe by visiting a place that's less "popular".We chose Yercaud!We have never visited Yercaud as a family and it's certainly an underdog when it comes to hill stations in TN. You have Coonoor, Ooty, Kodai, Meghamalai, Munnar, so Yercaud was definitely not a default destination for a hill station. We still went ahead with our plans, because we just wanted to get out and have a break from the monotony. We booked a nice resort (supposed to be the most clean and hygienic in Yercaud) and planned for a 2-days/3-nights visit. That should give us plenty time to go around this quaint hill station.Moreover, I had recently purchased the new Creta IVT SX and this could be a perfect chance to stretch its legs and have a change from the mundane city traffic.On the eve of the departure, when I was about to take the car to top the tank, check the tyre pressure et al I saw a scratch on my 2-month old Creta. Guess it was the kids riding their cycles like BMX bikes along the car park and their brake levers kissed the surface of the car!I tried everything - colgate, nail polish, rubbing polish. Nothing worked! So, I decided to do the typical fix you do anywhere - bandaid it. Am a "Drive Tribe" fan anyway, so it all fits in!So, we were all set and took this route:CHENNAI-MELMARUVATHUR-TINDIVANAM-VILUPURAM-ULUNDURPET-KALLAKURUCHI-ATTUR-YERCAUDThe roads were sublime. Since, we started early at 5:30am, we beat the Chennai outskirts traffic and reached Melmaruvathur in no time. Had breakfast at 99km restaurant where you get organic pongal, dosais and pretty good coffee! The Ulundurpet-Salem route roads were very good too. We then stopped near Attur A2B for lunch before the climb to Yercaud.Enjoyed the drive in my Creta IVT SX. Used cruise control and Eco mode on open highway and the ride was a pleasure. Was wondering how it will perform on the ghat roads, since this was my first automatic (at least in India) and to my surprise it performed with great aplomb. The ghat roads were like a carpet and I had to use the paddle shifters only couple of times. When the gradients were steep, I switched from Comfort to Sport and it pulled effortlessly. I was not aggressive too, so not much body roll and the kids were just fine in the back seat (no puking). We reached Yercaud and took it easy that afternoon/evening and had a light stroll, nice buffet dinner at the resort before we hit the bed!The resort was in an excellent location, closer to the town but also slightly away on a hill top and was at this time of the year filled with mist!and some monkeys for company too!Next day, first stop. It's a brilliant location with very scenic views. There were hardly any tourists at around 10am, the views were tremendous.From there we made it to. By that time, the mist had lifted too and it was awesome - full of water and an amazing location. We had to climb down almost 200 steps (some very steep), but it was worth it! We spent a good 2 hours there and had nice lemon soda and corn.The route cuts across pretty dense green forests with very less traffic and it was like we had the hill station for ourselves!We then came back to the the town and had a nice late lunch at the resort. Had a brief break and headed to the. The lake is very small and not very well maintained with lots of weeds. This was a sore point in the trip, but hey you can't get it all! We could only take the boat upto the half way point, the rest were blocked because of weeds.We did some window shopping around the lake and found Saravana Bhavan. We got some parcels and had a sumptuous meal at the Hotel lazing around the bonfire. It was very relaxing!Next day, I wanted to do the famed. This road loops through dense forests and scenic spots. Riding the Creta (on Sport Model) was a dream! Not once the car struggled to climb or take a bend. It was well planted even in some muddy stretches and I was only too happy I made this purchaseBeautiful roads snaking through the route littered with very tall oaks. There was hardly any traffic and in some places we stopped to take snaps for ever - admiring the new Creta!!!My favourite shot!Kids enjoyed the experience with the sun roof open and riding along with gentle healthy breeze from the mountain filling the cabin.We stopped at thefor a hot chai.We never wanted the loop road to end - want to be in that endless loop like the Inception movie!!! But anyways, we rolled back to the town had some hot dosas and coffee at Saravana Bhavan. Next, treat for the kids. They were very accommodating - us adults enjoying the scenic beauty, while all they want to do is to play! So, we decided to go for an adventure park ()- rope climbing, zip lining et al.Did a ATV ride too!Finally, it was time for us to head back to the Hotel and have a nice dinner. We had a good rest and headed back next morning to "Home Sweet Home" - Chennai. We took the exciting 20 hairpin bend road while heading down the hills and I was driving all along in Comfort Model - again not aggressive at all. The mileage (30km/l) clocked while heading down the hill and right up to Attur was stupendous! Although I understand it was down the hill.We stopped at Ulundurpet Vasantha Bhavan for Lunch and then did a non-stop ride back home to Chennai. The overall mileage for the return journey (almost 20km/l) was pretty good too for Petrol IVT. If I remember right, the onward journey mileage was around 13km/l, considering the up hill climb (forgot to capture the photo!).The next day I took my Creta for a nice car wash for a refreshing start to the New Year!!!I must say we were pleasantly surprised with the beauty of Yercaud Hills. I think the timing is key and the best time to visit is Dec and Jan when the weather is chill & misty and of course a wonderful ride like Creta makes the difference too. I have been to many hill stations and I certainly would consider this as one of the most relaxing trips. And most importantly my better half thinks the same!Until next time. CorWave reported today it has raised $40M from returning investors and three new investors. The company is developing an implantable heart pump (Left Ventricular Assist Device, LVAD) based on a breakthrough technology: the wave membrane pump. These new funds will enable CorWave to finalize development of its initial product, expand a manufacturing infrastructure, complete regulatory testing required to conduct human implants, and start its human clinical trials Bpifrance, Novo Holdings, Seventure, Sofinnova Partners and Ysios Capital, existing shareholders of CorWave who are leading investors in life sciences, significantly increased their stake in the company. CorWave is the first investment of the $4.4 billion EIC Fund, financed by the European Commission and one of the largest VC funds in Europe. Two new shareholders join the returning investors and EIC Fund: Financiere Arbevel and the Singaporean family office M&L Healthcare. "CorWave has built an international team of excellence that has achieved critical R&D milestones. The company is now in a very good position to seize a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity. On behalf of the existing investors, I am very excited to continue to support CorWave in this new phase of growth," said Gerard Hascoet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CorWave and Venture Partner at Sofinnova Partners. "This $40 million round gives us the means to achieve our ambitions. We are already at work to build our manufacturing and clinical teams. This is the result of the perseverance of the 'CorWavers' who are working tirelessly to change the lives of heart failure patients. They have developed the most advanced circulatory support system in the world. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Zina Hamoumi, our CFO, who has been instrumental in this transaction. We are very pleased with the renewed support of leading healthcare funds and the arrival of new shareholders, including EIC Fund, which is making its first equity investment," added Louis de Lillers, CEO of CorWave. Dr. Nader Moazami, MD, Chief of the Division of Heart Lung Transplantation Mechanical Circulatory Support at New York University (NYU) Langone Health, commented: "CorWave's unique technology offers the potential to significantly improve the outcomes achievable with mechanical circulatory support for the treatment of end-stage heart failure About CorWave CorWave is a French company developing innovative cardiac assist devices. Its technology stands out from other LVADs (left ventricular assist devices) currently on the market due to its physiologic design, which is enabled by its disruptive wave membrane. The membrane is able to generate a natural pulse, replicating the blood flow and pressure characteristics of the patient's native heart. CorWave's novel membrane pump technology is being developed to reduce complications associated with current devices and improve the care of patients with heart failure. CorWave was incorporated in 2012 by the startup studio MD Start and is funded by well-known investors, including Bpifrance, Novo Holdings, Seventure, Sofinnova Partners, and Ysios. The company had secured over 55 million dollars of equity and non-dilutive funding prior to its Series C round and employs more than 50 people. For further information: www.corwave.com Announcement video https://youtu.be/Lu8oFgciWz0 https://www.linkedin.com/company/corwave/ https://twitter.com/corwave This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 954151. CorWave's R&D program is supported by the French State through the "Programme d'Investissements d'Avenir" (PIA). CorWave's industrialization program is supported by the Paris Region through the call for projects "Relance Industrie". View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005077/en/ Contacts: TADDEO Kevin Noblet + 33 6 62 37 14 88 kevin.noblet@taddeo.fr Reaction from Connecticuts top elected officials was swift and solemn Wednesday as they watched images of insurrection from Washington that were fueled by President Donald J. Trump on the day that electoral votes were to be counted. By 4 p.m., after a large mob engaged in an unprecedented invasion of the Capitol building, Gov. Ned Lamont, in a Twitter video, blamed Trump for inciting people during speech a few hours earlier. Mr. President, words have consequences and your angry words have dangerous consequences, Lamont said in a video posted on Twitter. Were looking at the TV right now. Demand that your agitators stand down and respect the peaceful transfer of power. State public safety officials Wednesday night continued to monitor events in the District of Columbia and were communicating with local police throughout the state, although there were no specific threats. This is no protest, this is a violent insurrection, Attorney General William Tong said Wednesday night. We're under attack from within figuratively and in fact. The terrorists, traitors and enablers who instigated, aided, and abetted this coup including those in Congress must be held accountable and never walk these halls of democracy again. The President must resign now. Anyone still standing with Donald Trump in his attempt to reject the will of American voters and overthrow our democratically elected government shares his unmistakable guilt. The insurrection, violence and treason at the U.S. Capitol lies directly at the feet of one man- Donald Trump, said Speaker of the House Matt Ritter. His lies and conspiracy theories are putting the lives of hundreds of law enforcement, public servants and congressional staff at risk. Ritter praised the 500 peaceful protesters who demonstrated outside the state Capitol on Wednesday during the opening day of the legislature. Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney said Wednesday night that it was Trumps reckless comments and his rejection of the clear and decisive election results to to blame. Republicans everywhere should reject this violence, sedition, and subversion of American democracy, Duff and Looney said in a statement. To the American people who are going about their lives as treason and sedition are happening at the U.S. Capitol, stop what you are doing and pay attention. Be disgusted, appalled, and angry. We can never let this happen again. Our Democracy is fragile and freedom is not guaranteed. Demand that all our elected officials reject today's events and the hate and lies over the past 4 years that caused this to happen." We condemn Wednesdays violence in the strongest of terms, said state Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly of Stratford. While we support peaceful protests, there is no place for violence. The bipartisan executive committee of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities issued a similar statement. We are outraged and dismayed by the direct assault on American democracy and on our representative institutions of government in our nations capital today, said the group, led by Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson. For the sake of our nation, our democracy, and each of our communities, we call on all Americans to accept the results of a free and fair election and allow the United States of America to move forward with a peaceful transfer of power, as we have done for more than two hundred years. Nancy Dinardo, Democratic state chairwoman, said Trump clearly incited the violence that left at least one person wounded from a gunshot. The woman later died. The President of the United States call for his supporters to march on the United States Capitol is a coup, period, DiNardo said. This is the moment when every American, every elected official, Democrat and Republican must join in the call for calm. There is no more time for debate. Every Republican particularly those who have been silent as Donald Trump has pursued this fact-free election challenge must stand up now and say clearly that that there was no election fraud and call for calm. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said that until Wednesday, there were peaceful transfers of power when new presidents were elected. What we are witnessing right now is an attempted coup, in broad daylight and on live television. It will fail. The people of America spoke clearly in November and elected a new administration in a free and fair election that was hailed as the most secure in our nations history. The will of the American people, and our American democracy will prevail. Christopher Shays, former longtime Republican U.S. representative for the 4th District who was succeeded by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, said in a phone interview Wednesday that he was shocked that such an incident of mob violence could occur in the Capitol building. This is an insurrection lead by the President of the United States who cant accept the fact he lost the election, plain and simple, Shays said. I never believed that I would see this, but I never believed that someone like Donald Trump could get elected president. If I did 1,000th of what hes done I would have been forced out of office. I weep for my country. Shays lamented the deep divisions in the United States not just between parties or urban and rural, but added, Were divided within our own families. Shays said he used to marvel, when as an elected official, he regularly attended quadrennial swearing-in ceremonies outside the Capitol building. I would go to the inauguration of president, depending on my rank Id be 40 or 20 feet away. And I would go as soon as it was over on the other side of the Capitol and wait for the new president to usher the former president, who is now a citizen just like you and me, onto the helicopter, Shays recalled. Its one of the most-moving experiences to see the peaceful transfer of power. It is such a basic requirement of anyone who is president of the United States to accept victory and accept defeat and honor the person thats taking their place. Staff writer Brian Lockhart contributed to this report. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Julian Assange, who successfully fought extradition on Monday, was in court again today for a bail hearing Refused bail from jail due to the risk he could try to flee while US officials put together fresh legal challenge Stella Moris - with whom he shares two sons - watched the proceedings at Westminster Magistrates Court Decision not to bail him made by Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who earlier refused the US extradition request Police arrested seven pro-Julian Assange protesters for breaking Covid rules during chaotic scenes outside court today after the WikiLeaks founder was denied bail. A large crowd of mainly maskless demonstrators had to be driven back by officers after massing outside the entrance of Westminster Magistrates Court. ADVERTISEMENT The Met has now confirmed that seven of them, including 92-year-old Eric Levy, were arrested for breaching coronavirus restrictions and could be fined. Earlier today, the force announced clamp down on Covid rule breakers, with penalties starting at 200 for the first offence and 400 for the second, before doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of 6,400. It came as Assange lost his bid to become a free man after almost 10 years of prison and self-imposed confinement, meaning he will have to spend at least two weeks more in custody at HMP Belmarsh. He dramatically won his legal fight against a US attempt to extradite him on Monday, and at a hearing this morning his lawyers argued he should be immediately released from jail and held under house arrest. Assange's lawyers had argued he had 'every reason' to remain in the UK now the threat of extradition to the US had been removed, and claimed Belmarsh was unsafe due to a Covid outbreak. But Judge Vanessa Baraitser refused the request due to the risk he could try to flee while US officials put together a fresh legal challenge, meaning he will continue to be held there for at least two weeks. She told the court: 'I'm satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if MA is released today, he would fail to surrender to this court. It is on these grounds that the application for bail is denied.' Assange, who was sitting in the dock, stared at the ground as the judge delivered her ruling. His partner, Stella Morris, who was also in court, looked towards him with a shocked expression. She said afterwards: 'This is a huge disappointment. Julian should not be in Belmarsh prison in the first place. I urge the Department of Justice to drop the charges and the president of the United States to pardon Julian." ADVERTISEMENT WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson said Assange's lawyers would go to the High Court to appeal the decision not to grant him bail 'within hours or a few days'. A man carrying an Asda 'eco jute bag' is led away by Met Police officers after gathering outside Westminster Magistrates Court today Several maskless pro-Assange protesters were moved away by police after gathering outside a large group outside court Police apprehend an Assange supporter holding a placard reading 'Don't extradite Assange' outside Westminster Magistrates Court Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected the arguments put forward by Assange's (pictured) lawyers, telling the court: 'I'm satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if MA is released today, he would fail to surrender to this court' Julian Assange's partner, Stella Moris, spoke to the press after he was refused bail. She said: 'This is a huge disappointment. Julian should not be in Belmarsh prison in the first place' Assange is to be returned to top security Belmarsh prison to await the outcome of an appeal by the United States against Monday's ruling that he should not be extradited on espionage charges. His lawyers had argued that he should be freed and be allowed to live with his partner and two children because it was better for his fragile mental health. They also claimed that it was safer to be at home because of concerns about Covid in the prison. But Judge Baraitser told the court: 'Stringent previous conditions did not stop him from absconding and people who stood surety lost a considerable amount of money. 'He still has a huge support network available to him should he choose to go to ground.' Click here to resize this module Referring to her own decision on Monday, in which she rejected the US's request for Assange's extradition, the judge said: 'As a matter of fairness, the US must be allowed to challenge my decision and if Mr Assange absconds during this process they will lose the opportunity to do so. 'Mr Assange still has a huge support network available to him should he again choose to go to ground.' On fears of Covid-19 spreading in Belmarsh prison, the judge added that the latest information demonstrated it was managing the health of inmates. On Monday, Judge Baraitser said there was an 'unmanageable high risk' of Assange taking his own life if he was housed amid the grim conditions as she revealed he has autism, Asperger's and a severe depressive disorder. She accepted the evidence of medical experts who revealed that Assange had spoken openly about suicide while in Belmarsh and had prepared for it by writing a will. A razor blade was also found in his cell. A woman is put into handcuffs by police after a large crowd of protesters held pro-Assange placards outside the court Another protester wearing handcuffs is led away by Met Police officers. Unlike many of the demonstrators he chose to wear a mask Mexico offered political asylum to Mr Assange earlier this week. The country's president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said: 'I'm going to ask the foreign minister to carry out the relevant procedures to request that the UK government releases Mr Assange and that Mexico offers him political asylum.' 'This is a victory for Julian': How Assange's partner Stella Moris greeted Monday's verdict Ms Moris, who fell in love with Assange while she was his lawyer, said outside the Old Bailey: 'I had hoped today would be the day Julian would come home. Today is not that day but that day will come soon. 'As long as Julian has to endure suffering in isolation as an unconvicted prisoner at Belmarsh prison, as long as our children continue to be robbed of their father's love and affection, we cannot celebrate. 'We will celebrate the day he comes home. 'Today is a victory for Julian. Today's victory is a first step towards justice in this case. 'On behalf of Julian and myself, I want to thank the millions of people around the world and the institutions that are already calling for this persecution to end. 'I ask you all to shout louder, you lobby harder, until he is free. I call on everyone else to come together to defend Julian's rights; not just Julian's rights, they are your rights too. Julian's freedom is coupled to all our freedoms and our freedoms are lost in the blink of an eye. 'I call on insiders to come forward to expose the full extent of the misconduct that has led to Julian's imprisonment. And I call on the president of the United States to end this now. 'Mr President, tear down these prison walls. Let our little boys have their father. Free Julian, free the press, free us all.' He said Mexico would ensure 'that whoever receives asylum does not intervene or interfere in the political affairs of any country.' ADVERTISEMENT The country has previously offered political asylum to high-profile international figures such as former Bolivian president Evo Morales. Meanwhile, the Australian Prime Minister said Assange can remain a free man if he chooses to return to his native country when his legal battle is over. Scott Morrison avoided passing judgement on the decision but said Assange would be able to travel home if he his freed. 'I note the decision overnight and like any other Australian I understand that's subject to appeal... assuming that all turns out, he's like any other Australian, he's free to return home to Australia if he wishes,' Mr Morrison told 3AW radio. 'Consular support has been offered to Assange... it's a matter for him [if he returns] when proceedings and processes end,' the prime minister added. On Monday, Assange's supporters were overjoyed at the decision not to extradite him to the US but expressed dismay that the ruling was made on health grounds rather than in defence of freedom of expression. The activist has been backed by a raft of celebrities including Pamela Anderson, artist Al Weiwei and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Assange's mother, Christine urged the US not to appeal, saying her son had suffered enough. She tweeted after Monday's ruling: 'UK Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled against extraditing my son Julian to the US on medical grounds. 'US prosecutors state they will appeal. I implore Pres Trump & Pres elect Biden to order them to stand down. The decade long process was the punishment. He has suffered enough.' Conservative MP David Davis said: 'Good news Julian Assange's extradition has been blocked. Extradition treaties should not be used for political prosecutions.' Jeremy Corbyn, whose brother, Piers, was outside the Old Bailey on Monday, said: 'Good news that the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused - my congratulations to him and his legal team. Extradition would be an attack on press freedom. 'And it is alarming that the judge has accepted US government arguments threatening freedom of speech and freedom to publish. There remains much at stake in his case, which is being observed by so many around the world. Assange should be released.' Assange, 49, faced an 18-count indictment, alleging a plot to hack computers and a conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information A prison van arrives at the Westminster Magistrates Court this morning ahead of Assange's bail application hearing, as photographers try to picture Assange inside A large crowd gathered outside the court today, with several police officers urging people to adhere to social distancing rules Moris, with whom Assange shares two young sons, speaks to the media outside the Old Bailey in London on Monday How Assange is being defended by celebrity lawyer Jennifer Robinson - while judge overseeing case extradited Sarkozy fraud suspect Jennifer Robinson, a key member of Assange's defence team, is the go-to barrister for the rich and famous, most recently walking hand in hand with actress Amber Heard in her showdown against her ex-husband Johnny Depp in his acrimonious libel trial. She counts the Hollywood elite among her inner circle, travelling to George and Amal Clooney's wedding on a speedboat with actor Bill Murray. A self-confessed Kyle Minogue fan, who has 'nothing in her fridge but Champagne' , the human rights lawyer once set headlines alight after she was spotted canoodling with Jeremy Corbyn's former spin doctor, Seumas Milne. Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson (left) with Assange's partner Stella Moris (right) at an earlier Old Bailey hearing Ms Robinson and Mr Milne - a then-married father-of-two - were photographed in a passionate embrace on the terrace of the Courthouse hotel in East London in 2017. The 39-year-old, who came from humble beginnings in Australia, has been known to use her social media as an outlet to criticise the Tories on their human rights record and tweet support for Corbyn. Less is known about Vanessa Baraitser, the district judge overseeing Assange's case. She appears to be a specialist in extradition cases and last year gave the go ahead for an associate of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to be returned to France for trial. Alexandre Djouhri, who was arrested at Heathrow last year after arriving on a flight from his Swiss home, and is accused by French prosecutors of nine offences relating to money laundering and corruption. These are alleged to have been committed in circumstances connected to Mr Sarkozy's 2007 presidential campaign. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser delivering her verdict on Monday The journalist Glenn Greenwald added a note of caution, saying the judge had endorsed most of the arguments put forward by the US in favour of extradition - including dismissing the idea that it was an attack on freedom of speech. He said: 'This wasn't a victory for press freedom. Quite the contrary: the judge made clear she believed there are grounds to prosecute Assange in connection with the 2010 publication. It was, instead, an indictment of the insanely oppressive US prison system for security 'threats.' Meanwhile, Edward Snowden - the whistleblower who worked with Wikileaks and is currently living in Russia after leaking U.S. surveillance secrets - called for an end to the proceedings, tweeting: 'Let this be the end of it.' Amnesty International tweeted: 'We welcome the fact that Julian Assange will not be sent to the USA, but this does not absolve the UK from having engaged in this politically-motivated process at the behest of the USA and putting media freedom and freedom of expression on trial.' Judge Baraitser ruled that Assange risked being held under Special Administrative Measures (Sams), which would have seen him in solitary confinement with limited access to family and only two phone calls per month. She said: 'Faced with the conditions of near total isolation without the protective factors which limited his risk at HMP Belmarsh, I am satisfied the procedures described by the US will not prevent Mr Assange from finding a way to commit suicide and for this reason I have decided extradition would be oppressive by reason of mental harm and I order his discharge. 'Despite his lighter spirit at times, he's a depressed and sometimes despairing man who is genuinely fearful of his future. He represents an unmanageable high risk of suicide, both in Belmarsh and the US.' She revealed that in 1991 Mr Assange had tried to take his own life and that there was a history of depression in the family. His maternal grandmother and uncle both died by suicide, and Assange phoned the Samaritans most nights while in jail. Australian-born Assange had been charged under the US's 1917 Espionage Act for conspiring with Chelsea Manning, a former Army intelligence analyst, to hack into a Pentagon computer network and publish secret documents related to 'national defence.' The WikiLeaks founder faced a total of 18 charges and was also accused of putting the lives of US informants at risk by publishing the material. Assange has been locked in a bitter dispute with US authorities since July 2010 when WikiLeaks started publishing hundreds of thousands of classified US military and political documents from the Afghan and Iraq wars. As US officials pursued him through the British courts, in June 2012, Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy, requesting political asylum, which was granted two months later. Assange remained holed up at the embassy until April 2019 when Ecuador revoked his asylum status, leading to his arrest and kickstarting a legal battle that culminated in Monday's judgment. During his time in the embassy, the WikiLeaks founder fathered two children with his partner Stella Morris. For the past 19 months, Assange has been held at Belmarsh top security jail. He first appeared at the Old Bailey last February, but the case was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic. If Assange had stood trial in the US, he faced a possible 175 years in prison if convicted of all charges. The controversial WikiLeaks founder has attracted a number of high-profile supporters including Pamela Anderson and Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel, who visited him at the Ecuadorian embassy. Others to have lent their support include the artist Al Weiwei and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Assange was represented at his Old Bailey trial last year by eminent lawyer Jennifer Robinson. The court head extraordinary details of the lengths US authorities were prepared to go to ensure that Assange stood trial in the country. Stella Moris, the mother of Julian Assange's children, Max and Gabriel (pictured left and right) this weekend said Britain 'would no longer be a haven for free speech' if he was extradited This included hiring a US security contractor to bug Assange's meetings in the Ecuadorian embassy and even a possible kidnap or poison plot to end the stalemate. Judge Baraitser heard that if convicted, Assange faced the prospect of being held in a Supermax ADX facility in Colorado, where convicted terrorist Abu Hamza has been housed under Sams in solitary confinement. Psychiatrists for the defence said Assange had suffered from severe depression and was a high suicide risk. But lawyers for the US Government claimed that the prospect of Assange being held under Sams was 'speculative' and the sentence was likely to be much lower. Chelsea Manning had been sentenced to 35 years over her role in leaking classified material but was given clemency after seven years. ADVERTISEMENT However, she was jailed again for contempt in 2019 and fined for refusing to testify in court about Assange. A field hospital approved earlier this year to go up at the Kern County Fairgrounds is now being eyed as an option to alleviate the increasing Hundreds of President Donald Trump supporters rallied in downtown D.C. in the first of at least two days of protests this week. They held the rally a day before Congress is expected to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory with unproven widespread election fraud claims. Pro-Trump protesters gathered at Freedom Plaza on Tuesday, where speakers expressed their opinions of the 2020 Presidential Elections results. D.C. Police spokesperson shared that two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the protests downtown. Both of the arrested persons are from Asheville in the state of North Carolina. One of them is currently facing several weapon charges, including carrying a pistol without a license. The events on Tuesday featured the 'Rally to Revival,' which is headed by the Eighty Percent Coalition, and a smaller static rally along with 'The Silent Majority, which also has a permit for conducting such activity on Wednesday, WTOP News reported. According to Voice of America, thousands of supporters are expected to attend the said events, including the far-right extremist Proud Boys, whose leader was arrested on Monday shortly after arriving in D.C. Henry Tarrio, also known as 'Enrique,' was released from jail. However, a judge on Tuesday ordered him to leave the District and stay away until his next court appearance. President Donald Trump is expected on Wednesday to address an all-day rally on the Ellipse, which is headed by the group 'Woman for America First.' Also, a much larger crowd is expected as the other speakers include Rudy Giuliani and Roger Stone. Read Also: Houston Methodist Offers Workers $500 to get Coronavirus Vaccine; Thanks them for their Hardwork No more repeat Anthony Lorenzo Green, the Black Lives Matter DC core organizer, shared that he did not want to restrict anyone planning on counter-protesting. He shared that as advice to others, we should be aware, vigilant, and stay safe. Green also mentioned in an interview that they do not want to repeat what they saw on the streets of DC, where violence erupted last month and in November. He also added that he would like to see a stronger response from D.C.'s officials and emphasized that they want to denunciate the white supremacists who plan to come to D.C., have come to the state, in this mission to overturn a legitimate election. Green also mentioned that he would like to see D.C.'s business community refusing to do business with hate groups who intend to come to the District to incite violence, KTLA5 reported. The Black Lives Matter DC core organizer also emphasized that he did not want to see any longer banners of Black Lives Matter being ripped from historic Black churches and burned with impunity. The native of the District also cited that pro-trump supporters are not following the imposed coronavirus pandemic protocols. Related Article: Autopsy Results of Flight Attendant Found in Hotel Tub on New Year's Day Leak, Family Challenges Findings @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. IT was known as the graveyard for police vehicles. But it has been about two years since the Vehicle Management Corporation of T&T (VMCOTT) has actually serviced a police vehicle. Natasha Prince, the State companys chief executive since 2018, told Express Business last week that the TTPS just stopped sending their vehicles to service and no reason was given. An Australian Today show reporter has been caught up in the chaos unfolding in the US, copping tear gas in her eyes outside the Capitol Building. Chanel Nine journalist Amelia Adams was preparing to do a live cross when she was asked by the morning show's hosts if the situation was beginning to calm down. A long pause ensued before the 38-year-old foreign correspondent said: 'I've just copped a little bit of tear gas in the eyes. It's not calming down at all.' Channel Nine journalist Amelia Adams (pictured) was preparing to do a live cross when she copped tear gas in her eyes Amelia Adams moved to the US to take up a role as a US correspondent at the beginning of the 2020 But the presenter carried on through the broadcast as she continued to squint after being hit by the gas. 'You can see the tear gas billowing out of the door of the Capitol Building as thousands and thousands of supporters continue to chant "Stop the steal US'", she said. 'They want to reclaim the house of Congress.' Studio host David Campbell gave her 'kudos' for the way she handled the terrifying situation as swarms of angry demonstrators surrounded her. But his praise quickly turned to concern. 'Amelia, you need to go flush your eyes out with some water,' the Today show host said. 'You are weathering the storm with people interrupting you, yelling at you, people masked and coming at you, and you are still reporting this incredibly well. It is vital what you are doing.' Amelia Adams is pictured enjoying a cocktail with her partner Luke Adams The presenter carried on through the broadcast as she continued to squint due to the effects of the gas (Amelia Adams is pictured with her partner Luke Adams) Chaotic scenes erupted in Washington on Wednesday afternoon after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol building. The protesters violently clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's election victory being certified. Some demonstrators even made it to the floor of the House where they took photos of themselves in the chamber. Others were seen on video clips uploaded to social media having running battles with law enforcement in the halls of the iconic building as well as outside. During the unrest a woman was shot in the chest and remains in a critical condition. It is not clear who shot the woman. Dozens of police have also reportedly been injured during the conflict. Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol surrounded by tear gas in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021 The protesters violently clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's election victory being certified Dozens of police have also reportedly been injured and a woman has been shot Law enforcement officials say at least one pipe bomb was found on the grounds as the violence unfolded. Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and other congressional leaders were all immediately whisked to safety by the Secret Service as the violence broke out. Lawmakers cowering inside the House Chamber were urged to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the rotunda. Officers at the front door of the chamber had their guns drawn as a protester tried to break down the door. The National Guard has now been deployed to the US Capitol to quash the unrest. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber A protester walks through Congress carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern after storming the Capitol A woman was shot inside the US Capitol on Wednesday afternoon shortly after President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building and violently clashed with police Amelia Adams is not the only Australian reporter to become the victim of US civil unrest during the Trump era. Just months after two US police officers were placed on administrative leave after an Australian TV reporter and cameraman were beaten at a rally outside the White House. Seven News reporter Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were broadcasting live back to Australia in the midst of Junes George Floyd protests when US Park Police in riot gear began aggressively clearing Washington DC's Lafayette Square. Ms Brace was clubbed with a truncheon and Mr Myers punched and hit with a riot shield. Brace said they were both hit by rubber bullets prior to the altercation, as police used batons and tear gas to push hundreds of protesters back away from the White House. Brace shouted, 'We're media!' as officers targeted her and Myers. 'Cameraman Tim Meyers and I are both okay. Pretty bruised, but okay,' Brace later told Channel 7. 'We were at some distance, expecting a crackdown at curfew time... but their surge took everyone by surprise.' Just months after two US police officers were placed on administrative leave after an Australian TV reporter and cameraman were beaten at a rally outside the White House (pictured) Ms Brace (pictured) was clubbed with a truncheon and Mr Myers punched and hit with a riot shield Amelia Brace was reporting on the riots from Washington before she was targeted. Ms Brace is originally from Queensland but moved to the US as a correspondent for Channel Seven State Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) on Wednesday filed SB0029 which would allow first responders to live where they choose. The bill would ban residency requirements statewide for police officers and firefighters. Senator Kelsey says the bill is a matter of public safety and will allow police and fire departments to recruit top tier first responder candidates, regardless of where they live. The lawmaker says, in particular, it will help Tennessee address a deficit of police officers occurring throughout the country. This is a public safety bill. It will enable us to hire more police officers, which will help us fight our rising crime rates," said Senator Kelsey. "This bill will support our police and fire officers who keep us safe by allowing them to live where they choose." This bill addresses the needs of our local law enforcement and emergency services agencies, ensuring they have one of the most valuable resources sufficient personnel to protect our citizens and keep our communities safe, said House Sponsor Rep. Jerome Moon (R-Maryville). Removing residency requirements will greatly expand the pool of highly-qualified applicants. In Memphis, major violent crime rates are up nine percent, and the city suffered from a record of over 300 homicides in 2020. In addition, a recent analysis by Drs. Richard Janikowski and Phyllis Betts of Strategic City Solutions revealed that the Memphis Police Department is understaffed by several hundred officers and that as the number of officers in the police force increases, the levels of violent crime in Memphis decrease. In December, the city council adopted a resolution acknowledging that the city is over 400 officers short of its hiring goal. The new bill would seek to remedy the lack of law enforcement officers by applying the practices adopted by many local police departments statewide. The Municipal Technical Advisory Service, which provides assistance and training to municipal officials and employees as part of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, says that most cities in Tennessee have moved away from residency requirements due to difficulties in recruiting. The measure has received broad support from legislators and community leaders throughout Shelby County. I strongly lend my support to this common-sense legislation, said Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington). Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel across our state are on the front lines protecting us every day. They need the support of all citizens and legislators, and I believe when this legislation is passed, the leadership of these departments will be enabled to hire the staff they desperately need. Reducing violent crime, public safety and safe streets are the number one priority of the residents of Memphis, said Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis). This legislation enables Memphis to have a fully staffed law enforcement agency to give us those safer streets. Now more than ever, Memphis is in need of police officers to protect our community, said Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R-Arlington). This piece of legislation will give more qualified men and women the opportunity to serve their neighbors and keep Memphis safe. I think it is a mistake to limit ourselves when it comes to recruiting good men and women to serve and protect our communities, said Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis). We should be thinking regionally; this legislation will help to expand our pool of highly-qualified applicants, resulting in more boots on the ground serving constituents. "Like many police departments, we continue to struggle with staffing, said Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings. Although we work hard to hire within Shelby County, it is unrealistic to believe that we will be able to increase our number of officers if we do not broaden our scope of candidates. Dropping the residency requirement would allow us to hire more individuals who want to serve our great city." Eliminating residency requirements provides public safety agencies with an opportunity to consider a broader selection of candidates who have a desire to serve the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County, said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner. This public safety-focused measure supports the interest of law enforcement and fire services leaders from across the state in providing safe communities for all Tennesseans. This law will help us keep our citizens safe by allowing us to hire an untapped group of the best and brightest candidates from across the entire region, said Thomas Malone, president of the Memphis Fire Fighters Association. Potential fire fighters wont need to weigh their desire to protect the public against forcing their family to uproot and move due to an antiquated residency requirement. When it comes to protecting the safety and well-being of the public, no stone can be left unturned. Citizens want and deserve the best services possible, said Essica Cage, president of the Memphis Police Association. This law is an essential step in leveling the playing field and allowing us to be more competitive in recruiting, hiring and retaining police officers from a larger geographic area. Simply put, the lifting of residency requirements will translate into more boots on the ground to help curb rising violent crime rates and keep citizens safer. In addition to increasing public safety, this measure will also save taxpayer dollars. Last fiscal year, the city of Memphis spent over $25 million on overtime pay for officers. Music Generation is one of the positive stories of 2020 - a group of people who refused to allow a pandemic hamper their success. In November young people from Music Generation Kilkenny release their debut single titled Feel The Victory. Following an intensive virtual song-writing camp, the young people of Music Generation Kilkenny wrote, performed and recorded Feel The Victory at the DRUM Youth Centre, in partnership with Foroige. Written during lockdown by the talented young people of Music Generation Kilkenny, the video was produced and shot in Kilkenny city. Music Generation Development Officer Sinead Blanchfield made a presentation to members of Kilkenny County Council at their recent monthly meeting. Ms Blanchfield outlined the groups successes to date and their plans to expand in 2021. Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness thanked Ms Blanchfield for her presentation and for bringing something positive and light-hearted to the meeting. I think giving the gift of music to a young person is one of the best gifts of all. Music crosses every divide and brings people together, he said. Cllr Peter Chap Cleere (Fianna Fail) commended the work that Ms Blanchfield and her team of tutors do and added that you could not but be inspired by the richness of music making of these young people. Cllr Deirdre Cullen (Fianna Fail) told the meeting that it was important to realise that Music Generation is bringing music to some children who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to learn an instrument or sing. Cllr Martin Brett (Fine Gael) also praised all those involved in the initiative. To see what has been done with young people during what has been the worst year just shows how music transcends everything. Feel the Victory which has received great acclaim locally and nationally was played for members. It is great to see scenes of Kilkenny showcased on an international stage, remarked Cllr Cullen. Cllr John Coonan (Fianna Fail) said that the enthusiasm is clear to be seen and added that it was positive to see young people encouraging each other. Meanwhile Cllr Tomas Breatnach (Labour) said that teaching someone to learn to play music is a fabulous thing and also remarked that Music Generation is a real feel good project. Cllr Eugene McGuinness (Ind) said that the song and group sent out an incredibly positive message in what has been a dreadful year. Music Generation Kilkenny is part of Irelands national music education programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The programme seeks to transform the lives of children and young people ages 0-18 by creating access to high quality, affordable music tuition in their localities. Locally, the programme is led by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board in partnership with Kilkenny County Council. The coronavirus field hospital at the DCU Center in Worcester has expanded to 75 beds and has treated 275 patients since reopening at the beginning of December, officials said. Run by UMass Memorial Health Care, the field hospital first treated patients last spring during the initial surge of the virus. In November, as COVID-19 cases rose in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the Central Massachusetts arena would open again as a field hospital. Between the spring and since admitting patients again last month, nearly 500 coronavirus patients were treated at the field hospital in 2020, UMMHC President Dr. Eric Dickson said during a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday. In the spring, the center also served as a shelter for homeless individuals. The DCU field hospital really saved us the first time but its been even more important the second time, Dickson said. The average age of patients is 66 years old and the average length of stay is four days. About 57% of admissions since the field hospital reopened have been of UMass Memorial patients, while the other 43% of admissions have been patients from 23 different hospitals, Dickson said, including Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. While the center is primarily a Central Massachusetts resource, close to 40 patients have come from Boston Medical Center, Dickson said. The field hospital is still ramping up amid the current surge of new virus cases. On Tuesday, Massachusetts health officials announced another 4,178 cases of the virus, bringing the active case count to 79,406 statewide. When the dust all settles, youre going to find that this is probably going to be the most efficient, in terms of cost-efficient, field hospital in the country and one of the most utilized field hospitals in the country, Dickson said. Dickson hopes the field hospital will expand to 100 beds soon. When fully staffed, there is room for about 220 patients at the center. It is expected to cost roughly $28,000 per week to run the field hospital, according to records obtained by MassLive. Related Content: An appeals court has refused to throw out a defamation lawsuit that Louisiana's former Veterans Affairs secretary filed against the state's legislative auditor and inspector general in 2017. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera and Inspector General Stephen Street conducted a joint investigation and concluded in 2016 that David LaCerte had allowed fraudulent behavior in his department. LaCerte, a former U.S. Marine, alleged in his lawsuit that the scathing investigative report and accompanying press release wrongfully accused him of criminal conduct, including falsifying public records by providing an inaccurate military biography on the state Department of Veterans Affairs website and engaging in "questionable" hiring, spending, travel and organizational practices during his tenure with the department. The state asked that the lawsuit be thrown out, claiming Purpera and Street have constitutionally protected rights to freedom of speech. +2 Baton Rouge court allows defamation lawsuit against Legislative Auditor to continue A former cabinet secretary will be able to continue his defamation lawsuit against the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, a civil district court j "We find these defendants cannot, as a matter of law, demonstrate that their speech was constitutionally protected," the state 1st Circuit Court of Appeal ruled Monday. "We are compelled to find that the State and official capacity defendants, as juridical persons rather than natural persons, do not have a constitutional right to freedom of speech," the appellate court added. A juridical person is a legal entity created by the law which is not a natural person, such as a corporation or government agency created under state statutes. It is a legal entity having a distinct identity and legal rights and obligations under the law. LaCerte's attorney, Jill Craft, said Wednesday that the 1st Circuit's decision "represents a solid step toward righting this wrong and restoring Mr. LaCerte's name, reputation, and honor." Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Former VA Secretary, accused of exaggerating military career, sues state for defamation Former Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte, who was accused last year by state investigators of mismanaging an agency tasked with caring "We are obviously thrilled with the decision and hope this will bring some measure of justice for Mr. LaCerte," she said in a written statement. "Mr. LaCerte served this Country honorably and with distinction. Unfortunately, the defendants published false information about him essentially accusing him of lying about his military service. The saddest part of this saga is that the defendants knew better when they published the false statements." The state Attorney General's Office, which represents the defendants, declined comment on the ongoing litigation. The case will continue toward a trial. Attorneys for Purpera and Street have said the report's content was not false, defamatory, slanderous or libelous. The appellate court ruling is expected to be appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court. LaCerte served the agency under Gov. Bobby Jindals administration between 2010 and 2015. He resigned his post in fall 2015 amid the probe into his office. Head of Louisiana Veterans Affairs steps down after probes look at conditions, oversight at nursing homes Dual investigations into conditions at nursing homes for veterans apparently led the Cabinet-level head of the state Department of Veterans Af The report and accompanying press release were released in February 2016. LaCerte's lawsuit was filed in January 2017. New Zealand could be in deep water if we dont dampen our enthusiasm for coastal real estate, warns property organisation Quotable Value. In a statement released this week, QV says scientists predict that sea levels will rise by at least 10cm and likely even more over the next 20 years or so, which will increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding in this country and could possibly even lead to more than 10,000 homes becoming uninsurable by 2050. Despite that ominous warning which was most recently reiterated by Belinda Storey for the Deep South National Science Challenge last month coastal property remains amongst the hottest of hot commodities, according to Quotable Value (QV) general manager David Nagel, who expects it to remain that way for the foreseeable future. We Kiwis love the ocean. We want to be in it, on it, and near it especially this time of year. But it seems that we have failed to heed the warnings for far too long now and I still dont think that the message is getting through to most people yet. The sea level will rise and the odds of more extreme weather events is set to rise alongside it. In Wellington, for instance, a 12cm rise in sea level could make a 1-in-100 year flood up to five times more likely to occur. As a local property owner, that particular statistic does concern me quite a bit, says David, and yet we Kiwis continue to snap up coastal property at a rapid rate. Hes not the only one who is alarmed by the slow-moving threat of sea-level rise, and yet of the more than 20 QV property consultants and valuers surveyed for this story nationwide, nearly all of them named coastal areas in their region as the places most likely to go up in value this year. On the Coromandel, QV property consultant Jarrod Hedley says the threat of sea-level rise had not dampened demand for coastal property. Residential house values have continued to grow very strongly over the last six months particularly on the eastern side of the Coromandel. Though weve seen the most growth at the lower end of the market in coastal areas, there remains strong demand for higher value beach-front property. Similarly, property consultant Derek Turnwald says demand for coastal property remained strong in the Bay of Plenty. Auctions and open homes continue to be well attended with homes generally selling well above seller expectations. I do expect things may cool slightly when the LVRs take effect once more, but demand will likely remain high on the coast this year. People want to live near the water. David warns Kiwis to be more aware of the risks before they purchase coastal properties. Do your due diligence. Dont just adopt that classic Kiwi shell be right mentality actually look very carefully at the risks, one of the biggest being the ability for coastal homeowners to get access to full insurance cover in the future." Insurance companies have already warned that coastal properties may become uninsurable as climate change kicks in. The difficulty then becomes not just the risk of damage or loss to property, but without insurance, its unlikely a mainstream bank will lend funds to purchase coastal properties. That could significantly reduce the pool of buyers capable of purchasing coastal property, and therefore cause prices to drop drastically. If we take heed of the warnings from the insurance council and the major insurers, its just a matter of time before the landscape changes, literally! Smoking doubles the risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus and needing hospitalisation, a new study claims. The research provides the first conclusive evidence, based on real-world data, that being a smoker puts individuals at higher risk of severe disease than non-smokers. It found smokers are 14 per cent more likely to have the three main symptoms of coronavirus: fever, persistent cough and shortness of breath. But smokers are also at 50 per cent greater risk of developing more than ten symptoms at once including cough, fever, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, fatigue, confusion or muscle pain than people who do not smoke. Development of myriad symptoms is often an indicator of more severe infection, experts believe. The data was gathered from millions of Britons via the King's College London app ZOE. The findings, published in the BMJ journal Thorax, fly in the face of previous studies, many of which have found smokers are less likely to catch the coronavirus or get severely ill. Academics have been left baffled by the data, given that decades of research has found smoking tobacco increases the risk of deadly diseases such as lung cancer, strokes and diabetes. But as the pandemic has progressed fresh research has emerged which shows smokers who catch Covid-19 are more likely to see their disease rapidly progress and lead to death. There have been conflicting reports on the impact of smoking on a Covid patient's prognosis, with some studies finding it reduces risk, and others finding the opposite. Now, data from KCL shows smokers are twice as likely to be hospitalised than non-smokers Dr Mario Falchi, lead researcher and Senior Lecturer at King's College London said: 'Some reports have suggested a protective effect of smoking on COVID-19 risk. 'However, studies in this area can easily be affected by biases in sampling, participation and response. Our results clearly show that smokers are at increased risk of suffering from a wider range of COVID-19 symptoms than non-smokers.' The latest study from KCL provides real information on patients living with Covid, and looked at both self-reported cases and lab-confirmed cases. Data from the app shows that, of the 2.4million participants who downloaded ZOE between March 24 and April 23 last year, 220,135 were smokers around 11 per cent. Smoking e-cigarettes increases risk of Covid-19 diagnosis by 500% A study by Stanford University academics assessed the relationship between Covid-19 and smoking. This piece of research aimed to assess whether youth cigarette and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. An online national survey of 4,351 adolescents and young adults aged 1324 years was conducted in May 2020. COVID-19 diagnosis was five times more likely e-cigarette smokers. It was seven times more likely in people who smoked both. 'There are a number of potential reasons why both dual use and e-cigarette use were associated with getting infected with COVID-19,' the researchers write. 'Heightened exposure to nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes adversely affects lung function, with studies showing that lung damage caused by e-cigarettes is comparable to combustible cigarettes.' Advertisement This is slightly lower than the UK-wide average of 14 per cent of the population being smokers but was representative, the researchers say. Participants submitted various pieces of data about themselves, any symptoms that emerged as well, and any positive lab results. Self-reported data is less reliable, but at this early stage of the pandemic the testing capacity was a fraction of what it is now and was only available in hospitals. Claire Steves, lead researcher, consultant physician and Reader at King's College London, said: 'As rates of COVID-19 continue to rise and the NHS edges towards capacity, it's important to do all we can to reduce its effects and find ways to reduce hospital admissions. 'Our analysis shows that smoking increases a person's likelihood to attend hospitals, so stopping smoking is one of the things we can do to reduce the health consequences of the disease.' At the start of the pandemic, when little was known about SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, researchers instinctively warned smokers would be at higher risk, due to the fact the coronavirus targets the respiratory system and the known link between smoking and lung cancer, strokes, diabetes and other chronic conditions that target this same system. Artist David Hockney first suggested the idea that smokers may be less at risk because the nicotine-fuelled habit hardens the immune systems and bodies of smokers, leading to tougher respiratory systems. The 82-year-old noted in April 2020 that Greece had one of the pandemic's lowest death tolls in Europe, despite having an above-average number of smokers. Greece has to-date experienced fewer than 5,000 deaths and around 133,000 cases. The UK, in contrast, has recorded more than 76,000 deaths and the Office for National Statistics revealed yesterday that there are currently 1.1million Britons infected with Covid-19 around one in 50. Studies later emerged which agreed with Mr Hockney, finding smokers may indeed be at reduced risk, and experts floundered to explain how this could be, calling it 'weird' and 'bizarre'. Despite the confounding evidence, the World Health Organization declared in June that smoking may make people more susceptible to COVID-19. But a study published earlier that month from Mexico analysed data from almost 90,000 patients and found smokers were 23 per cent less likely than non-smokers to get diagnosed with Covid-19. Smoking doubles the risk of developing a severe case of coronavirus and needing hospitalisation, a study claims. The research is the first conclusive proof that being a smoker puts individuals at higher risk of severe disease than non-smokers Smoking causes THREE times as many cells to be infected with coronavirus Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of severe coronavirus infection by dampening the immune response of the body, a new study suggests. Lab studies on airway models made from human stem cells reveals smoking stops key immune system molecules, called interferons, from working properly. Interferons are messengers that tell infected cells to make proteins to attack the invading pathogen, and are essential for fighting off initial infection. They also summon support from the wider immune system and warn uninfected cells to prepare for the virus. The study found smoking stops this pathway from working properly, and this causes up to a threefold increase in the number of human cells infected by the virus. Advertisement And the team also found smokers who did get infected were no more likely to need intensive care, be hooked up to a ventilator, or die. University College London academics looked at 28 papers and found the proportion of smokers among hospital patients was 'lower than expected'. But other studies have been published suggesting smokers may be at increased risk, however scientists have, until now, struggled to provide real-world data to support this. A recent study by academics at UCLA used lab-grown stem cells and found smoking causes three times as many cells to be infected with coronavirus. The study showed smoking stops key immune system molecules, called interferons, from working properly. Interferons are messengers that tell infected cells to make proteins to attack the invading pathogen, and are essential for fighting off initial infection. They also summon support from the wider immune system and warn uninfected cells to prepare for the virus. The study found smoking stops this pathway from working properly, and this causes up to a threefold increase in the number of human cells infected by the virus. 'If you think of the airways like the high walls that protect a castle, smoking cigarettes is like creating holes in these walls,' Dr Brigitte Gomperts, from UCLA, said in November. 'Smoking reduces the natural defenses and that allows the virus to set in.' 7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account. New York, Jan 7 : One person has been shot at the US Capitol as President Donald Trump's die hard supporters clashed violently with local police and law enforcement officers on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol campus into utter chaos and forcing evacuation of lawmakers from the building. The Virginia Governor is sending in the National Guard to Washington D.C. Crowds waving "Trump" flags , "Stop the Steal!" signs with some of the members wearing capes who were gathering in the city over the last 24 hours broke through the security layers at the Capitol by early afternoon. Lawmakers inside the Chamber were told to wear gas masks and take the underground tunnels to safety. Pictures posted by Congressional beat reporters show Trump supporters in wild costumes taking pictures of each other inside the Senate chamber. Cellphone videos from those inside the Congress show glass being shattered and police trying to beat back protesters storming up and down the stairways of Congress. Both chambers are now in recess. The Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 p.m. "We will not let them silence your voices," Trump told protesters at a rally today. Pressure is mounting on President Donald Trump to condemn supporters. Trump tweeted "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order a" respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" This is a developing story and will be updated. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hyde Irish Whiskey comes to UK for first time Irish whiskey brand Hyde is preparing to launch its products in the UK for the first time. The collection of small-batch whiskies contains carefully selected liquids from some of Ireland's top distilleries that are matured in vintage oak casks at its warehouse in Little Island, County Cork. Hyde is co-owned by brothers Conor and Alan Hyde, whose family has been involved in whiskey production in Ireland since the 1640s - not in distilling, but the traditional craft of 'bonding'. They source oloroso sherry hogsheads from Spain, rum barrels from Barbados, Bourbon barrels from Kentucky and Piot Noir casks from France, and have also experimented with port, madeira, cognac and beer casks. Once selected, each cask is charred to precise specifications before being filled. Each whiskey in the award-winning Hyde collection is bottled at at least 46% ABV and is non-chill filtered. The 10-strong range is now available to purhase online through Master of Malt, with RRPs from 39.95. 6 January 2021 - Bethany Whymark Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global biodegradable mulch films market size is expected to reach USD 64.3 million by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing population coupled with depleting arable land is anticipated to drive the market growth over the next eight years. Biodegradable mulch films are used to enhance crop quality by suppressing weed growth and maintaining soil temperature. Biodegradable mulch films have a lower environmental impact as they do not produce any harmful waste, and their disposal is easy. Government regulations promoting bio-based product usage, especially in Europe and North America is expected to drive market growth over the foreseeable future. Key players in the industry have been investing in R&D to develop fully bio-based mulch films. Fruits & vegetables emerged as the leading crop using biodegradable mulch films and accounted for 51.1% of total market revenue in 2015 and is also anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the next eight years. The high growth may be attributed to biofilm ability to prevent fruits from rotting by preventing contact between fruit and soil. Further key findings from the report suggest: Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was the leading raw material in 2015 and is expected to reach a market worth USD 47.3 million by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2016 to 2024. The high demand may be attributed to the easy availability of starch at low prices coupled with an inability to produce any harmful products when placed in soil. Starch blended with polylactic acid (PLA) is also expected to witness a brisk growth over the forecast period. The high growth may be attributed to their advantage of being produced from 99% biobased material coupled with growing PLA films demand particularly in Europe. Asia Pacific was the major consumer and accounted for 64.1% of global revenue in 2015 and is expected to witness the fastest growth in the biodegradable mulch films market over the next eight years owing to growing industrialization resulting in rising food demand. Major companies operating in the global biodegradable mulch film industry include Kingfa Sci & Tech Co Ltd, Al-Pack Enterprises Ltd, BioBag International AS, RKW SE, AEP Industries Inc, BASF, Novamont, British Polythene Industries PLC, Armando Alvarez and Ab Rani PlastOy. Major companies have been adopting various strategies such as M&A, joint ventures, new product development and capacity expansions to increase their market share. Browse Details of Report @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/biodegradable-mulch-films-market Grand View Research has segmented the biodegradable mulch films market on the basis of raw material, crop type and region: Global Biodegradable Mulch FilmsRaw Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2014 - 2024) Thermoplastic starch (TPS) Starch blended with polylactic acid (PLA) Starch blended with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters (AAC) Others Global Biodegradable Mulch Films Crop Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2014 - 2024) Fruits & vegetables Grains & oilseeds Flowers & plants Updates from Tuesday are shared below, presented in the following order: Mark Levin addresses the constitutional crisis were facing. State legislators are waking up (no rush or anything). The latest news on objections to the vote. Mo Brooks speaks about Mike Pences role. The latest crop of cowards who announce they wont object. Violence on the streets. Prayers. Mark Levin explains the constitutional crisis were facing Mark Levin spoke with Sean Hannity yesterday about the constitutional crisis that no one wants to talk about. He outlined how, at the state level and prior to the general election, voting laws were changed by the executive branch and the judicial branch, circumventing the legislatures in multiple battleground states. This was unconstitutional. When it came time to certify the election results, the people who illegally changed the election laws were the same people who certified the vote, thereby certifying their own unconstitutional actions. Levin dismissed lost legal challenges by Trumps legal team and others, saying that what matters is the Constitution and James Madisons notes from the constitutional convention in Philadelphia. He stated that the Framers rejected involvement of the states executive and/or the judicial branch in setting election laws. Yet, as Levin points out, it was in the current states in question where those were the very branches of government that wielded enormous and unconstitutional influence in choosing the President of the United States. Levin stated that the Framers didnt anticipate such a scenario and that they assumed the states would follow the Constitution. He called out gutless Republicans who point to the 12th Amendment claiming they shall count the votes irrespective of the fact that the results reflect unconstitutional actions in multiple states. Levin gives an extreme example to highlight the stupidity of these arguments by imagining if a state decided that no electors could be black. In that case, does anyone think these same feckless Republicans would say that they must count the votes anyway because thats what the 12th Amendment says? Of course, they wouldnt. He reiterates that we have a constitutional crisis as Republicans are running for the hills while promising that theyll change things for the next election. But as Levin points out, the laws will have been changed for the next election as happened this time. Meanwhile, I hear Republican senators and representatives making the case that the Constitution doesnt grant them the authority to change the election results and that they took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Yet they ignore the fact that by refusing to take action, they legitimize votes garnered in an unconstitutional manner. To which they might say, Well thats the states problem. They need to fix it at the state level. OK. But what if the state refuses to do so? Must the entire nation be subjected to having the wrong person sworn in as president because our senators and congressmen throw up their hands as if to say, Oh well? In their attempt to convince us that anything less than rubber stamping the votes would be unconstitutional, one must ask how it could possibly be constitutional to allow criminal behavior to stand (other than, I suppose, that we now seem to be in a completely lawless nation)? The United States of America is about to perish because these fools refuse to understand what is right before us that is about to transform the country into something completely other. By thinking theyre following the Constitution, they will render it moot! We are in unchartered waters. Somehow, somewhere, wise men, brave men, must find a way through this Hell. The states Yesterday, the Pennsylvania state legislature sent a letter to Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy noting that the governor and courts circumvented the legislative branch in changing election laws. They also outlined some specific illegal activity on Election Day and stated that their requests for independent investigations have been ignored. At the end of the letter they state: Due to these inconsistent and questionable activities, we believe the PA election results should not have been certified by our Secretary of State. Members, we ask for more time given the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court is to hear Trump vs Boockvar in the coming days. We ask that you delay certification of the Electoral College to allow due process as we pursue election integrity in our Commonwealth. Well, theres nothing like deciding to speak up a few hours before the day the joint session of Congress is scheduled to certify the votes, but hey, at this point well take it. The question is, is it too late and/or will leadership act? Also in the 11th hour, four battleground states (Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona) sent letters to Vice President Pence asking him to delay counting the votes for 10-12 days so they can be back in session (dont ask why they couldnt happen sooner) to discuss election integrity, irregularities, and improprieties (aka fraud!) to make sure they certify correctly. As of this writing, Ive seen no reports as to any determinations from Pence, McConnell, or McCarthy on these letters. Latest updates on objections This is a bit of a moving target. Per an interview with Mo Brooks on Monday, there are at least fifty Congressmen and women who will object. As for the Senate, he stated that the only senator who plans to object and support the congressional representatives, and that is Josh Hawley. However, Brooks noted that Hawley has only agreed to support the representatives on Pennsylvania, while acknowledging thats the public statement and he cant attest to anything being discussed behind the scenes. After reading myriad articles and blogs on this topic, this is the first Ive heard it explained this way and its discouraging. However, it might explain why just yesterday it was announced that Ted Cruz will object to Arizona. When I read that, it didnt make complete sense because I had the impression that he and the other ten-or-so senators joining him were going to object to all of the states in question if they were not granted the electoral vote commission and 10 day investigation into voter fraud. Its sickening to see so much confusion and political posturing around something this dire. Mo Brooks speaks about Mike Pences role At the 5:50 mark in the interview noted in the section above, Brooks was asked what role he wants and expects Mike Pence will play. His stated that he wants and expects him to preside over the joint session of Congress in accordance with the United States Constitution and United States code. Brooks described Pence as an honorable man who will do the right thing for our country. Brooks said he didnt expect Pence to go beyond that or tilt the scales one way or another, while claiming that this situation doesnt require that, because we need members of the House and the Senate to stand for honest and accurate elections and urged listeners to contact their elected officials to put pressure on them to object. Hmm. In light of the fact that this interview was conducted this week, that the vote is today, that most members are clearly not standing for honest elections, and if Brooks is right in his expectations about Pence, then anyone thinking Pence is going to surprise us and save the day will be mightily disappointed. Im praying something significant pans out with the state legislatures that have awakened from their slumber, but Im open to any and all miracles. The latest overpaid elected officials to announce they wont object Jim Inhofe, Tim Scott, Bob Corker, and Jerry Moran (here). Sundance, at The Conservative Treehouse, wrote an illuminating analysis of the corrupt connections many of those who wont object have, and ends by saying that [o]nce you see the strings on the marionettes, you can never go back to that time before when you did not see them. Violence in D.C. Multiple pallets of bricks were seen at a location near Freedom Plaza yesterday. The city said they were delivered for construction work going on in the area, but at least one report said that this is inconsistent with contractor protocols. On Tuesday there were also confrontations with the police. From what I can discern, in at least one situation members of Antifa were hiding behind the police for protection. There was also at least one claim that the police escorted Antifa in on buses. After the speakers were finished and the rally ended and it was dark, several dozen Trump supporters remained on the streets. Some were aggressive as police appeared to be blocking access to BLM plaza (here, here, and here). One ranted at a police officer, expressing his frustration with how the police treat them as patriots grow weary of backing the blue then find themselves on their own without police protection. Meanwhile, the Washington Posts coverage of the attack against Josh Hawleys family framed it as a pretty tame and peaceful visit to his house. The mob is everywhere, from boys in skinny jeans and black hoodies smashing store windows to the press rooms at the Washington Post. Patriots en route to D.C. Patriots continued to travel into D.C., in some cases, filling most, if not every seat on several flights (here, here, here, and here). And apparently Mitt was on a flight full of patriots and they let their voices be heard. Prayers Please keep praying. America seems like so long ago. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 20:36:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on an official visit to Africa. Experts say the visit highlights the great importance China attaches to its relations with Africa and demonstrates their enduring friendship in weal and woe. #GLOBALink South African funeral home directors have spoken of 'running out of coffins' after they were overwhelmed by a 120 per cent surge in Covid-19 deaths. The country is facing a highly-infectious mutant strain of coronavirus, which has caused the spike in deaths and cases - 422 people died yesterday whilst more than 15,000 tested positive for the virus. Funeral undertakers are now hoping the government will find a vaccine and have it rolled out across the country amid high demand for coffins, increasing numbers of their staff dying from the virus and policy cancellations. South African funeral home directors have spoken of 'running out of coffins' after they were overwhelmed by a 120 per cent surge in Covid-19 deaths. Pictured: Funeral workers in PPE carry a casket during the burial of a Covid-19 patient in Joburn, South Africa today Pictured: Funeral workers disinfect their equipment used after a burial of a Covid-19 patient UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday he is 'incredibly worried' about the highly-infectious South African coronavirus mutation which top experts fear could scupper Britain's vaccine roll-out. South African funeral director Thabiso Maumakoe, who runs the Tshipi-Noto funeral home in Delmas, Mpumalanga, said he and his staff - many of whom are parents or elderly - are 'scared'. 'We are aware that this is a different variant and just like everyone else, we are scared as a business and human beings,' he told SABC News. 'We have parents and the elderly, so there is definitely fear within the team.' The new South African coronavirus mutant, called 501.V2, was announced in Cape Town in December and is believed to be a more extreme variant than Britain's new Covid strain which plunged millions into miserable Christmas lockdowns. Cases in South Africa have soared from fewer than 3,000 a day at the start of December to more than 15,000 per day, with the mutant accounting for up to 90 percent of those new infections. Muzi Hlengwa, the president of the National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa said he had never witnessed anything like this during his career. 'It is something you have never seen before. We have run out of coffins, we have run out of space at the mortuary,' he said. 'Some funerals have had to be postponed because there is no burial space. We even have cremations done at night.' Meanwhile Mr Maumakoe has been offering financial help and funeral cover to his clients as many are now unable to afford the cost of the burial. The beginning of the New Year is usually a quiet time of the year for funeral homes, but staff are bracing themselves for more burials as the number of deaths continue to rise daily in South Africa. uneral undertakers are now hoping the government will find a vaccine and have it rolled out across the country amid high demand for coffins, increasing numbers of their staff dying from the virus and policy cancellations Mr Maumakoe said the demand has left them with a shortage of coffins. 'Coffin manufacturers are overwhelmed and they are battling with the demand. On top of this, they are is no variety and indeed we are dealing with the effect of not getting supplies on time.' He added: 'Last week, our numbers shot up by 120 per cent and this week our numbers are climbing up again. These are not our normal numbers.' Despite the increased demand for funerals, the businesses are struggling financially. 'This is definitely not a business boom for us, said Mr Maumakoe. 'We are not making money from this because operational costs have gone up. 'The lockdown has also led to cancellation of policies. Some don't have money to bury and we have to find a way to help them.' Mr Maumakoe said the demand has left them with a shortage of coffins in South Africa Another funeral director, David Mlilo, who runs Sisonke funerals in South Africa and Zimbabwe, said it was a struggle to bury people between the countries. 'I spent my new year's eve on the way to Zimbabwe. I will be going out again tomorrow or Tuesday When you get to the place you to bury someone, there are different scenarios. There was one where they told me I had to get the body out of the house. We had to carry the body ourselves to the grave. If we get those vaccines, it will be easier for us. It will make our lives easier.' South Africa has been in turmoil since the new strain emerged in their country. Since Christmas Eve, the number of cases has increased from 10,821 to 15,186 yesterday. The number of deaths are increasing daily at a scary rate with 422 recorded deaths yesterday compared to 281 deaths on Christmas Eve. Several countries have banned travellers from South Africa to try and contain the spread of the new strain, including the UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. But the variant has already been detected in two locations in Britain in contacts of people who had recently visited the African nation. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DENVER Gov. Jared Polis sought Wednesday to assure residents that the state is vaccinating against COVID-19 as quickly as it can, urging patience and continued personal precautions against the coronavirus as officials target highly vulnerable populations in the campaigns initial stages. The Democratic governor had come under criticism over the holidays for slightly easing statewide restrictions on businesses without notice and adjusting a vaccination plan that put residents 70 and older in a high-priority vaccination category ahead of teachers. Polis defended those decisions on Wednesday, arguing in the first instance that a recent downward trend in COVID-19 hospitalizations allowed the easing of restrictions on businesses, which have had to cope with multiple and often confusing changes in those restrictions throughout the pandemic. The governor insisted that vaccinating residents 70 years of age and older will significantly reduce virus deaths, saying that that age group accounts for nearly 80% of the nearly 4,000 COVID-19 deaths to date in Colorado. Frontline health workers are getting the first of two vaccine shots in the first stage, as are long-term care staff and residents under a federal arrangement with Walgreens and CVS pharmacies. That accounts for 187,000 people in a phase that should conclude this week. The next priority is to vaccinate as many residents 70 and older as possible by Feb. 28, said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the state health department. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Over the next two months, frontline workers such as bus drivers, grocery, farm and manufacturing workers will be eligible for vaccines, Ryan said. That group potentially encompasses 1.3 million people, she said. The general population can expect vaccine availability this summer. Teachers can expect their vaccines beginning in March, Ryan said. To boost confidence in school environments, Polis announced that Colorado will offer 1 million rapid-testing home kits per month to public and private schools for regular screening by school teachers and staff. Flexibility and patience are key, Polis and Ryan said. Colorado gets roughly 70,000 vaccine doses per week from the U.S. government, but the numbers vary. Some rural areas may see older residents vaccinated before even top-tier candidates in other areas. The state has told hospitals and healthcare providers to avoid waste by administering available vaccines as soon as possible. Were ahead of the curve compared to the rest of the country, Polis said of the more than 120,000 residents whove received a vaccine shot since the first shipment arrived Dec. 14. Two Colorado residents confirmed to have a new variant of the coronavirus that may be more contagious are in good condition, Ryan said. Experts say the vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against it. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during the eighth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, Tuesday, according the Korean Central News Agency, Wednesday. Yonhap By Do Je-hae North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's opening address at the eighth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea was marked by a rare public acknowledgement of mistakes in the leadership's five-year economic strategy from 2016 through 2020 amid three major disasters that hit the North the COVID-19 pandemic, international sanctions, and storm-related flooding and infrastructure damage. The five-year strategy was established to increase production in agriculture and light industry and normalize core industries such as coal, steel, railways, fisheries and machinery; improve the electricity supply problem through the construction of power plants and the repairing of power distribution networks; expand its trade and cooperation; and build more economic development zones and tourism projects. "The five-year strategic implementation period for national economic development ended last year, but we fell far short of the goals that were put forward in almost all sectors," Kim was quoted as saying by state media. A scene from the 6th WPK congress Yonhap The North Korean leader vowed not to repeat "painful lessons" of the past and stressed the need to further develop the overall economy under a new five-year plan. Kim is expected to seek a turnaround for visible economic achievements ahead of the 10th anniversary of him taking control of the regime later this year. It is considered unusual for the North Korean leadership particularly for the "supreme leader" himself to publicly admit failure in fulfilling state objectives. This shows the gravity of the economic problems North Korea is facing as fallout from the three disasters is expected to continue in 2021, and the incoming Joe Biden administration in the U.S. is expected to take a hard line approach to the North, according to some experts. "Kim has to admit to the setbacks and promise adjustments as North Korea's economic policy has dramatically failed. Nonetheless, while sanctions, natural disasters and the pandemic challenge the regime, they don't really hold it at risk," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, told The Korea Times. Experts say that Kim's rare acknowledgment of the mistakes mirrors the gravity of the economic woes, particularly for the ordinary people compared to the Kim Jong-il era, due to restrictions on private businesses and trading under the rule of Kim Jong-un. People walk past a billboard announcing the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party along a main street of the Central District in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Wednesday, Jan., 6, 2021.AP-Yonhap "This is not the first time for a top North Korean leader to publicly admit economic failure. So the significance of the party congress this year is not the public admission itself, but the magnitude of the economic problems it indicates," a North Korea studies professor told The Korea Times on the condition of anonymity. "Based on a series of interviews I have conducted with North Korean defectors, what has been particularly traumatic for ordinary people is the shutdown of private trade along the Sino-North Korean border due to COVID-19, as well as the increased restrictions placed on them compared to those of the Kim Jong-il era. To address this situation as COVID-19 continues, the North Korean leadership will likely further devolve responsibility to the local level to reinvigorate the economic situation and extract all internal resources possible to boost domestic production. This strategy will require partial deregulation for local economies, but will be implemented under strict sociocultural controls." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping sit down for a conversation during a stroll at a guesthouse in Pyongyang, June 22, 2019, during Xi's visit to North Korea. North Korea is looking to restart economic cooperation with China this year. Korea Times file Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The SolarWinds logo is seen outside its headquarters in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2020. (Sergio Flores/Reuters) US Security Agencies Say SolarWinds Hack Likely Russian in Origin Top U.S. government agencies said Tuesday that Russia was likely behind the hack of SolarWinds technology, which caused a breach of U.S. government systems, calling it a serious compromise that will require a sustained and dedicated effort to remediate. The federal security agencies in a rare joint statement said they believe, based on evidence so far, that the hacking effort was intended for intelligence gathering, as opposed to an attempt to damage or disrupt government operations in the United States. This work indicates that an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor, likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks, said the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG), which is composed of the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), with support from the NSA. The UCG was formed to respond to the hack. At this time, we believe this was, and continues to be, an intelligence gathering effort. We are taking all necessary steps to understand the full scope of this campaign and respond accordingly, the statement said. SolarWinds technology is used by all five branches of the U.S. military and numerous government agencies. The breach was achieved by inserting malware, or malicious code, into software updates for the SolarWinds Orion platform, a widely used network management tool. Up to 18,000 customers of Texas-based SolarWinds were using the compromised Orion network, the company said in a recent filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company boasted of serving some 300,000 customers around the world in a partial customer listing it has since taken down. The Commerce Department confirmed to The Epoch Times on Dec. 13 that it had been hacked. The Treasury Department was also reportedly breached. Microsoft confirmed on Dec. 31 that hackers behind the cyberattack also breached its systems, and were able to access internal Microsoft systems and view source code used to create software products. A screenshot of Dominion Voting Systems website shows use of SolarWinds software. Its unclear what type of SolarWinds product that Dominion is using. (Screenshot/Dominion Voting Systems) The national agencies emphasized that the alleged Russian operation was ongoing, calling the hack a serious compromise that will require a sustained and dedicated effort to remediate. A partial SolarWinds customer listing that was taken offline showed that its customers also include more than 425 of the U.S. Fortune 500, as well as the Office of the President of the United States. The same list includes Dominion Voting Systems, a company that provides its voting equipment and software to 28 states and has become a focus of election fraud allegations across the United States. Dominions CEO John Poulos told state lawmakers in Michigan on Dec. 15 that the company has never used the SolarWinds Orion products. But a screenshot of a Dominion web page that The Epoch Times captured shows that Dominion does use SolarWinds technology. Dominion later altered the page to remove any reference to SolarWinds, but the SolarWinds website is still in the pages source code. Former senior cybersecurity official Christopher Krebs, who prior to his recent dismissal by President Donald Trump served as CISA director, told CNNs Jake Tapper last month that he believed the wide-scale cyberattack was conducted by Russia and was possible because of a seam in defenses. This was a never-before-seen capability that computer systems werent designed to detect, said Krebs, adding that Russia is exceptionally good at this sort of work. Krebs admitted his failure to stop the cyberattack, saying: It happened on my watch but there is work to do now going forward to make sure, A: we get past this, that we get the Russians out of the networks, but B: that it never happens again. Several other U.S. officials have said they believe Russia is behind the cyberattack against SolarWinds, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Mark Levins radio show last month, adding that while Trumps administration sees Russia as a threat, it considers China a bigger problem. The Kremlin has denied any involvement. Mimi Nguyen Ly and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Air traffic controllers in New York and at least one passenger aircraft on Monday picked up a threat broadcast via radio Monday that warned of a 9/11-style attack on the United States Capitol in an incident that remains under investigation. We are flying a plane into the Capitol on Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged, a digitized voice said, according to audio obtained by CBS News. A passenger flight en route to New York picked up a nearly identical message, Newsweek reported. National security officials have told reporters that the threat does not appear serious at this time, but that it remains under investigation. Investigators at the Department of Homeland Security found the warning was broadcast from within 20 nautical miles of a small town in eastern Long Island. The town, North Sea, lies some 70 miles east of New York City. "My personal take is a non-credible threat, but Capitol police, DHS and FBI are acting on it," Newsweek cited an anonymous US intelligence official as saying. Another former official reportedly said the threat did not fit with the modus operandi of Iran or its proxy forces in the Middle East. The threat came just a day after the one-year anniversary of the US assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, who commanded the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was an architect of Irans burgeoning military and intelligence support for proxy militias across the Middle East. President Donald Trump ordered the drone strike that killed Soleimani and nine other people outside Baghdad International Airport in retaliation for a previous militia rocket strike that killed an American military contractor. US government agencies and the Department of Defense were briefed about the recorded threat Tuesday. The threat, which appeared to reference the US Congress, would coincide with the day lawmakers were set to certify the results of the Electoral College in the 2020 presidential election. Throngs of protesters descended on Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday to support outgoing President Donald Trumps baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. DETROIT -- Three officers with the Detroit Police Department were injured in a crash Wednesday morning after they were hit T-bone style while assisting another unit. A person who was in the vehicle that hit the police vehicle was also injured in the crash. According to Fox 2 Detroit, the crash took place around 8 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Schoolcraft and Meyers. The police car had pulled over to assist another unit with a stop when the driver of the other car hit the police vehicle. All three officers in the car were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One officer is believed to have suffered a broken leg in the crash. Police say they are investigating the crash as it is unknown right now who had the right-of-way or if the police cars lights were on prior to the accident. People line up to be tested for the COVID-19 outside a hospital in Beijing, China on Jan. 5, 2021. (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Residents Under Virus Lockdown Running out of Food, Supplies The outbreaks in major cities of northern China such as Beijing, Dalian, and Shenyang remained severe, as residents were running out of food and other resources amid stringent lockdown measures. Meanwhile, northern Hebei Province witnessed another surge in COVID-19 cases and struggled to contain the outbreak. We are like lambs to be slaughtered. Theres no way to save ourselves. We dont know how long we will be locked inside, Dalian resident Mr. Sheng said in a phone interview. Sheng said local authorities didnt assist residents who ran out of food. Now the hottest product in Dalian is a large-sized freezer. Everyone is trying to stock up on a lot of food to deal with the lockdown, he added. Outbreaks On Jan. 5, Chinas National Health Commission announced newly diagnosed cases from Hebei, Liaoning Province, and Beijing. However, the number the commission announced was less than what the provincial governments issued. For example, Liaoning reported three diagnosed patients, while the commission announced two, calling into question the datas veracity. The Hebei government announced on Tuesday that the whole province entered wartime status because at least 59 people were infected with the CCP virus since authorities announced the first case in the latest surge on Jan. 3. State broadcaster CCTV quoted vice director of Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention Feng Zijian on Tuesday, who said central health authorities sent two groups of specialists to Shijiazhuang and Xingtai cities of Hebei. During this pandemic, the central government has sent specialists to areas where the outbreak is out of control, suggesting that the Hebei outbreak was more severe than authorities reported. A staff member wearing protective gear spraying disinfectant in a classroom in Handan city, Hebei Province, China, on Aug. 30, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei, then announced that the whole city would be fully locked down. Each neighborhood and village must make sure to self-isolate all residents. In a video that circulated widely on social media, about one hundred people dressed in white-color protective suits were seen spraying disinfectant on the streets of Shijiazhuang. The Shijiazhuang government didnt mention how long this lockdown will last, nor details about how to supply residents with enough food. According to the citys statistics bureau, Shijiazhuang has 11.03 million residents as of the end of 2019. Lockdowns The atmosphere remained tense in Shenyang city. On Jan. 4, a Shenyang resident shared a video with The Epoch Times, in which several military vehicles appeared on the streets. Some have Peoples Liberation Army CDC painted on them, meaning they are military trucks for epidemic control. Back in February 2020, military vehicles entered the city of Wuhan when the virus outbreak was at its peak and hospitals were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. A restaurant owner in Huanggu district of Shenyang told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that his restaurant, along with all nearby stores, shops, and eateries, were forced to close down since late December last year. Authorities have not informed him of updates beyond the official announcements, he said. Local officials erected fences around residential compounds to prevent people from breaking lockdown rules. One Shenyang resident shared a video showing his buildings fence, which was made of steel and had sharp blades protruding from the top. Another local shared a video of a two-meter-high (about 6.56 feet) wire fence surrounding one residential complex. Shenyang residents are still allowed to move about their residential compounds. But in Dalian, people can only stay within their apartment. Some Dalian residents recorded videos of people shouting outside their apartment windows, pleading for food and basic necessities. Mr. Xu lives in Benxi, a city between Shenyang and Dalian, and has friends living in both cities. He told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that Benxi authorities also issued restrictions, but people still can travel within the city. His friends also informed him that they knew of people diagnosed with COVID-19 that authorities did not announce. Xu added that on WeChat, a popular social media platform, he and his friends were unable to post any content related to the outbreak. Xu saw WeChat posts about people in Dalian and Shenyang not having enough food supplies to last through the lockdown. The worst scenario is if one family member contracts the virus, then the whole family will die of COVID-19 because all families are locked inside their homes, Xu added. In Beijing, some became stranded after authorities issued lockdowns. A waitress who works at the Xinxi restaurant in Shunyi district told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that they were trapped inside their workplace for several days and not allowed to go home. Officials didnt allow us to leave because the area is designated as a medium risk region to contract the virus, the waitress said in a phone interview on Tuesday. A resident of Xidulan village, also in Shunyi district, said some villagers became stranded at a construction site after the area was locked down. All construction was banned, but these villagers arent allowed to come back. They are stranded out in the field, said Zhou Hui (pseudonym) in a phone interview. Three-time Grammy winner Gwen Stefani is still wondering why her fiance Blake Shelton didn't propose to her sooner after five years of dating. 'I gotta tell you, I was sort of like, "What's happening with us?"' the 51-year-old pop star said on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. 'It was kind of in my mind. "We've been together a long time now. What's going on?" Like, I was in that place in my head.' 'I was sort of like, "What's happening with us?"' Three-time Grammy winner Gwen Stefani is still wondering why her fiance Blake Shelton didn't propose to her sooner after five years of dating (pictured October 27) The 51-year-old pop star said on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: 'It was kind of in my mind. "We've been together a long time now. What's going on?" Like, I was in that place in my head' Now Gwen and the 44-year-old country crooner will have to wait until the spiking coronavirus pandemic dies down before they can actually plan their wedding. 'We have no plans because of the pandemic,' Stefani lamented. 'It's like, "Blake, why couldn't you have [proposed] before?" Now we can't have a wedding with the pandemic. It's, like, sitting around going, "Okay, drag it out more!"' COVID-19 is spiking nationwide, and there have been over 841K confirmed cases in LA leading to 11,089 deaths as of Wednesday - according to Johns Hopkins University. 'We have no plans': Now Gwen and the 44-year-old country crooner will have to wait until the spiking coronavirus pandemic dies down before they can actually plan their wedding (pictured last Thursday) Stefani lamented: 'It's like, "Blake, why couldn't you have [proposed] before?" Now we can't have a wedding with the pandemic. It's, like, sitting around going, "Okay, drag it out more!"' '[I] wasn't expecting it at the moment that it happened - at all': As for the October 27th engagement, the Orange County Girl said the moment 'was actually pretty magical' at the 1,382-acre 10 Point Ranch in Tishomingo in his native Oklahoma In Oklahoma, there are reportedly 208K confirmed COVID cases leading to 2,571 deaths as of Wednesday. As for the October 27th engagement, the Orange County Girl said the moment 'was actually pretty magical' at the 1,382-acre 10 Point Ranch in Tishomingo in his native Oklahoma. '[I] wasn't expecting it at the moment that it happened - at all,' Gwen admitted. 'Didn't have any idea. Nobody knew. I think he had told my dad on my birthday about two weeks earlier.' Twice-divorced: Blake famously began dating his co-star on The Voice three months after legally separating from ex-wife #2 Miranda Lambert (R, pictured in 2015) in July 2015 after four years of marriage Her ex: Gwen has three sons - Zuma, 12; Kingston, 14; and Apollo, 6 - from her 13-year marriage to Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, which ended in August 2015 amid nanny cheating allegations (pictured June 21) Stefani continued: 'We were this close to, like, canceling the trip, and we ended up making it all happen. And we were all here at the ranch and basically it happened, but everybody was trying to make it not happen because nobody knew it was gonna happen. And Blake, meanwhile, had this ring, like I guess, in the side of his truck.' Shelton famously began dating his co-star on The Voice three months after legally separating from ex-wife #2 Miranda Lambert in July 2015 after four years of marriage. Gwen has three sons - Zuma, 12; Kingston, 14; and Apollo, 6 - from her 13-year marriage to Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, which ended in August 2015 amid nanny cheating allegations. Stefani was on the NBC late night talk show to perform her new single Let Me Reintroduce Myself - which dropped December 7 - off her upcoming fifth studio album. In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, a guard with a face-shield stands near a shrimp market in Samut Sakhon, south of Bangkok. Thailand, which has kept the coronavirus largely in check for most of the year, is facing a challenge from a large outbreak of the virus among migrant workers in the province close to Bangkok Thousands of Cambodian migrant laborers are returning home from Thailand following a second outbreak of the deadly virus there over the past week, and aid groups are warning of food shortages among long jobless workers, the migrants and supporters told RFA. From April to mid-December, Thailand was reporting daily confirmed cases in the single and low double digits. But in late December, daily totals spiked into the mid to high hundreds, reaching a high of 844 on Monday according to WHO statistics. Thailand, the largest economy of continental Southeast Asia, has been a major employer of migrant workers from neighboring countries such as Cambodia, and Myanmar, hosting some 650,000 Cambodians, and several million Myanmar citizens. The lockdown to fight the coronavirus suddenly left many workers unemployed, and stranded with not enough money to return to their home countries. In Cambodia, civil society groups are urging the government to step in and support migrants so that the migrants are not forced to return home and can remain in Thailand. Sor Piseth, a grocery store worker from Cambodias western Pursat province, told RFAs Khmer Service Tuesday that his family stopped working about 10 days ago and have remained indoors at their home in Pattaya, about a two-hour drive from Bangkok. Thailand has restricted us from going to work, but even if I could go, I could get infected. I am worried that we will starve, but if I get infected it would be even more serious, said Sor Piseth. Many Cambodian workers are infected with the disease, but our concern is that there is no income, no money to repay the bank in Cambodia, and no money to eat every day, he said. Rak Dalin, a worker in Chachoengsao province, to the east of Bangkok, told RFA her employer has for the past four days suspended operations. The four members of her family want to return to Cambodia because they have run out of money to buy food and pay rent, and they are concerned about their health situation if they stay put. We are afraid of getting infected, so we raised 500 baht [U.S. $16.72] with our friends to buy rice, and we go fishing in the rice fields and eat what we catch because we have no other choice. she said. If COVID-19 cases continue to rise, then we cannot resist and must go back to Cambodia, but right now we have no money to go home. There is no money, said Rak Dalin. Another worker, who asked for anonymity told RFA that many of his fellow casino workers returned to Cambodia after Thai authorities in late December confirmed 19 cases of the virus inside casinos in Rayong and Chonburi provinces, in the eastern part of the country. The worker said his boss fired all the Cambodian staff and most returned to Cambodia, and some were in quarantine in Cambodias Battambang province. RFA attempted to contact the Cambodian Ministry of Labor spokesman Heng Sour and officials at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok for comment but were unsuccessful. With so many Cambodian workers in a dire situation in a neighboring country, Phnom Penh should offer monetary support to tide them over, according to Yin Mengly, the Battambang coordinating officer for the local ADHOC NGO. I am so worried, so we have appealed to the workers, if they cannot remain in Thailand and have already fled to Cambodia, they should report to the authorities and participate in quarantine, he said. He also called on the government to pay more attention to the returning workers, as well as the quarantine centers, and support their livelihood while they are in quarantine. A 2019 report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated there were about 650,000 Cambodian migrants in Thailand at that time, and said they remit an average of 39,312 baht ($1,228) per year, some as the sole means of support for their family members in Cambodia. From the end of December to Jan. 5, about 6,000 Cambodian migrants returned from Thailand. Cambodias Ministry of Health identified among them 17 coronavirus infectees. Myanmar migrants protest In coastal Samuk Sakhon province near the capital, the epicenter of Thailands second wave, migrant workers from Myanmar protested when Thai authorities returned to the market more than 20 who had tested positive but had not been admitted to hospitals for treatment At the beginning of the outbreak, Thailands Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and health officials said that foreign workers who entered the country illegally were the likely source of a record outbreak of COVID-19 detected at Thailands largest fresh seafood market complex, where hundreds of migrants from Myanmar have been infected. Several migrants at that time told RFA that they had become infected from their employers and coworkers. The market has been on lockdown since Dec. 21, after a Thai shrimp vendor tested positive that day. The migrant workers are protesting because the authorities have seemingly disregarded public health, returning the workers to the market without treating them, according to the Aid Alliance Committee (AAC), a humanitarian group that assists migrants in Thailand from Myanmar. The Thai authorities returned over 20 patients with red bracelets, which is a label for infected people, to the market by night in Thai military vehicles, Ye Min from AAC told RFAs Myanmar Service. They were taken by the authorities that evening that evening, but when they returned, they said the COVID-treatment center in the hospital cannot accept them. They are returning these patients to the compound, still under lockdown. Naturally, the workers in the compound are upset and are staging protests, Ye Min said. The migrant workers also said that Thai authorities tested more than 2,000 of them since the lockdown began but did not release test results of those who tested positive. Ye Min said at least 700 from this group tested positive. There are mothers and pregnant women among the people they returned. Many people from the compound are upset that these patients were rejected, Thar Gi, a migrant worker in the market told RFA. They had been labeled as positive and taken away, and now they have already been sent back. The people were arguing about this failure and the crowd just grew. It was not a mob, but there was a lot of outcry from the people, Thar Gi said. RFA attempted to contact the labor attaches office at Myanmars embassy in Bangkok but did not receive a reply. The embassy Monday announced that Labor Attache Thurein Linn traveled to the shrimp market to meet with migrant workers and negotiate on their behalf with Thai authorities. As of Tuesday, Thailand has confirmed 8,966 total cases and 65 deaths. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service and Thant Zin Oo for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Samean Yun and Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Congress will meet Wednesday to certify the Electoral College votes, the last step in the presidential election process. More than a dozen Republican senators, led by Ted Cruz of Texas, along with as many as 100 House Republicans, plan to object to the certification of Joe Biden's victory. Nearly half of the Texas Republicans in Congress have come out in support of the effort. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that there was widespread fraud during the election. His claims have been rejected by state election officials and judges, including at the Supreme Court, and bipartisan majorities are expected to accept the November results Wednesday. READ ALSO: 3 UTSA grads appointed to serve in Biden Administration The group led by Cruz has vowed to object unless Congress agrees to an "emergency 10-day audit" of the election returns in the "disputed states." U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will not join Cruz in objecting to the certification unless "substantial, new evidence is presented" to Congress. Cornyn noted that Trumps attorneys have failed to prove fraud allegations in dozens of losing court battles since the election. On Tuesday, Trump labeled Cornyn and two top Senate colleagues "Republicans In Name Only." In the House, 10 Republican representatives from Texas have signaled they will object: Jodey Arrington of Lubbock, Brian Babin of Woodville, John Carter of Round Rock, Louie Gohmert of Tyler, Lance Gooden of Terrell, Ronny Jackson of Amarillo, August Pfluger of San Angelo, Pete Sessions of Waco, Randy Weber of Friendswood, and Ron Wright of Arlington. Chip Roy, whose Hill Country district includes portions of north San Antonio, does not support the effort to object. He signed a letter noting that no states had submitted competing slated of electors, including states in question that have GOP-controlled legislatures. "Unless that happens between now and January 6, 2021, Congress will have no authority to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election," the letter states. Fans of Berkeley jam master June Taylor have a few more weeks to track down some of her sublime preserves. While Taylor announced she would close up shop at the end of 2020, she actually plans to keep selling small batches of marmalade, candied citrus peels and even one last round of English Christmas cakes as she breaks down her kitchen. She expects to run out of jars in February or March. Over the past 30 years, Taylor has earned a national reputation for her small-batch specialty jams, conserves, fruit butters, syrups and marmalades that highlight the best in local, seasonal and organic produce a pioneer in the artisanal, low-sugar jam movement further popularized by companies like Inna in Emeryville and Sqirl in Los Angeles. With her business successful and her passion for preserving undeterred, Taylor said the decision to close was extremely difficult. But she recently turned 69 and is ready to move on. Running a small artisanal business takes a lot of ones self, she said. Ive dedicated myself to it but I just want some time now to maybe reinvent myself in a creative way, get some more rest, not have my life dictated by incoming fruit. Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle Shes looking forward to spending more time on photography, another one of her loves and maybe even write that cookbook so many customers have been wanting. Taylor is known for using traditional techniques, making jams by hand and only with naturally occurring pectins like citrus membranes. And her flavors often pair fruit with herbs, like a lavender with nectarine jam or rose with grapefruit marmalade. She goes intentionally slow, preparing a mere seven jars per pot so the preserves start to gel before they lose their vibrant, fresh flavor. This is really a kick back to a previous time, to a previous sensibility, to a level of craft that most people would not consider advisable, she said. I know what we did was not typical. Its more readily embraced now but not when I started. Saying no to lots of sugar, commercial pectin and subpar fruit were how Taylor expressed her values. Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle These past few months, shes felt overwhelmed by all the notes of gratitude from loyal customers as well as the unprecedented demand, as people raced to order their final jars as gifts. On one day about a week before Christmas, Taylor said she received a record of 70 orders in one hour. On another day, she sold 28 Christmas fruitcakes in 10 minutes and since she only makes 22 in one batch, she scrambled to get the cakes off her online store before she oversold even more. Her dark, dense fruitcakes are filled with grapes and other fruit Taylor dries herself as well as candied citrus peels, aged port and brandy. The 1-pound loaves cost $80 each. People will still say, Oh my god, $80 for a cake? And I say, I dont hear anyone screaming at the Apple store about a $1,000 iPhone, she said. Why is food always seen to be outrageously expensive when its not in the scheme of things? Brittany Hosea-Small / Special to The Chronicle Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Shell make 40 more cakes in January alongside more clementine marmalade. She also expects to make Meyer lemons and blood orange marmalades before officially closing her Berkeley kitchens doors. Thinking about the next generation of preservers, Taylor said she hopes it gets easier to run a small artisanal food business in the urban Bay Area. Between rent, taxes, insurance and licenses, she said its remarkable anyone can make it work. Theres a lot of people excited by this craft, and thats heartening for me, she said. Lets have more people going against the grain, going against a wickedly debased food system. June Taylor Co. Permanently closing likely in February or March. 2207 Fourth St., Berkeley. junetaylorjams.com Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker Brazil may see the deployment of 4 GW of new distributed generation solar capacity this year and another 5 GW next year, according to Aldo Pereira Teixeira, the CEO of Brazil's largest PV product distributor and system integrator. In an interview with pv magazine, he explains why and how this huge growth could materialize."With the financial problems of our competitors, Aldo became the largest PV product distributor in Brazil this year", said the president of Brazil's largest PV product distributor and system integrator, Aldo Pereira Teixeira, in an interview with pv magazine. "Currently, our ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc., a company harnessing and reprogramming myeloid cells for treating cancers, launched today with over $50 million in financing to initiate multiple clinical trials in 2021. The Company combines advanced gene and cell engineering capabilities with substantial biologics knowledge to elucidate and redirect the power of myeloid cells to treat cancers, particularly solid tumors and those that are poorly served by existing therapies. Myeloid has advanced its lead development candidates through preclinical studies, implemented its manufacturing platform and plans to dose patients in the first half of this year. The Company's scientific founders include Ronald Vale, Ph.D., a world-renowned biochemist and cell biologist, and executive director of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Janelia Research campus; and hematologist, oncologist and Pulitzer-Prize winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee, M.D., D.Phil. Newpath Partners led the financing round with participation from 8VC, Hatteras Venture Partners and Alexandria Venture Investments. With this funding, Myeloid will initiate clinical trials for the Company's programs, which target T cell lymphoma, glioblastoma and other solid tumors. The team will also continue to design and advance a broad pipeline of targeted myeloid cell therapies, including primed myeloid cells, myeloid multi-specific engagers and other development candidates created with Myeloid's novel mRNA delivery technologies. The Company expects to enter the clinic with its two lead programs in glioblastoma and T cell lymphoma in 2021. "I believe Myeloid is best positioned to leverage the unique power of myeloid cells to help patients fighting cancers that until now, have been very difficult to treat," said Dr. Mukherjee. "Despite the promise of current cell therapies, many challenges remain when it comes to targeting specific types of cancers, including solid tumors, and in efficiently manufacturing treatments. I'm thrilled to help develop Myeloid's transformative treatment modality, which has the potential to overcome many of these challenges." "Myeloid cells play a critical role in orchestrating the body's immune responses, including by directly killing cells, bacteria and viruses through a number of disease-fighting mechanisms," said Michael Dee Gunn, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Immunology at Duke University, and a pioneer in the research of molecular mechanisms of innate immunity and inflammation and a member of Myeloid's Scientific Advisory Board. "This novel class of cell therapies has strong potential to benefit patients with the highest unmet medical needs." ATAKTM Cell Platform The Company's ATAK platform was inspired by Drs. Vale and Mukherjee, who envisioned the disease-fighting power of myeloid cells versatile cells with effector functions capable of targeting and eliminating cancerous cells, along with other harmful cells in the body. Within the oncolytic setting, the ATAK platform is being applied to harness the innate abilities of myeloid cells, to specifically recognize and engulf cancer cells, to produce anti-tumor agents, promote anti-tumor adaptive immunity, alter the tumor microenvironment and ultimately to kill cancer. In addition to reprogramming monocytes to target difficult-to-treat cancers, the platform offers Myeloid and its partners many additional advantages, including novel mRNA-based protein and gene delivery, a library of intermixed cell receptors, and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that may be applied to enhance treatment effects or to engineer novel tri- and bi-specific cell engagers. Myeloid is currently focused on advancing two categories of novel ATAK therapies: ATAK CAR monocytes and ATAK primed monocytes. ATAK CAR monocytes are myeloid cells with innate immune receptor-inspired CARs to recognize and kill cancer. ATAK primed monocytes function like cell vaccines, programmed to trigger T cells to kill cancer cells. Manufacturing candidates from the ATAK platform benefit from speed and scalability in manufacturing process development. The Myeloid team can scale manufacturing rapidly, from product concept to clinical use. In addition, current products derived from the ATAK platform have a single-day cell manufacturing process. Given the observed strengths of the manufacturing process, Myeloid reasonably envisions same-day ATAK platform treatment, especially relevant upon clinical presentation of aggressive tumors. The Company is also in the process of developing "off the shelf" approaches in order to advance the full range of clinical delivery options. Myeloid Leadership and Scientific Advisory Board As co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Myeloid, Daniel Getts, Ph.D., MBA, oversees the Company's portfolio and growth strategies. Dr. Getts is a repeat biotech entrepreneur, having led research at TCR2 through its IPO and the development of the first cell therapy to show clinical responses in ovarian cancer. Before that, he co-founded Cour Pharmaceuticals Development Company. The Company's Scientific Advisory Board includes world-renowned scientists whose expertise span oncology, immunology, cell therapy, synthetic biology and genetic engineering: Alberto Mantovani , M.D., Humanitas University; , M.D., Humanitas University; Discovered and pioneered research into tumor-associated macrophages Miriam Merad , M.D., Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; , M.D., Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Myeloid, macrophage and tumor microenvironment immunologist Siamon Gordon , M.D., Ph.D., University of Oxford ; , M.D., Ph.D., ; Discovered the scavenger receptor Owen A. O'Connor , M.D., PhD., Columbia University ; , M.D., PhD., ; Expert in lymphoma and drug development Cameron Turtle , M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; , M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Cell therapy expert Michael Dee Gunn , M.D., Duke University ; , M.D., ; Antigen presentation and T cell expert Steven M. Horwitz , M.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; , M.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Expert in T cell lymphoma drug development Michael Lin , M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University School of Medicine; , M.D., Ph.D., School of Medicine; Bioengineering expert Nick King , M.D., Ph.D., The University of Sydney ; , M.D., Ph.D., The ; Myeloid cell trafficking expert Dianne Cox , Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine; , Ph.D., of Medicine; Phagocytosis expert "Our mission is to apply our energy and significant research capabilities to design and develop truly transformative treatments," said Dr. Getts. "We built Myeloid's ATAKTM platform to overcome many limitations of existing cell therapies, in part by embracing the natural tendencies of monocytes to penetrate solid tumors and catalyze immune reactions. By harnessing the power of monocytes, which are the cells that comprise the largest population of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, we are working to bring new therapies to patients. We have also designed and successfully implemented an efficient, flexible manufacturing process that sets a new threshold for cell therapies. We are very pleased to have the support of this strong group of investors, who enable us to further develop the ATAK platform, to advance multiple solid tumor programs into the clinic, and to bring forward new transformative programs as we broaden Myeloid's pipeline." "Myeloid cells are the body's front-line-disease-fighting tools, and they are critical in the orchestration of adaptive immune responses. These myeloid cells are overrepresented in solid cancers and I have been fascinated with their therapeutic potential since researching them during my medical training," said Thomas Cahill, M.D., Ph.D., Myeloid co-founder and Managing Partner of Newpath Partners. "Most other cell therapies focus on reprogramming the adaptive immune system and they have truly improved patient outcomes, especially with respect to liquid tumors. To expand on this promise, the next logical step was to empower the cells at the front lines of solid tumors. By engineering myeloid cells, the Company is developing an extremely versatile and potent class of new therapeutic agents. I look forward to continuing to support this team through their first wave of clinical trials and beyond." About Myeloid Therapeutics Myeloid Therapeutics is an immunology company focused on combining biology insights with cutting-edge technologies to harness myeloid cells and eradicate cancer and other diseases. With broad clinical applications possible, the Company is presently advancing its cell therapy product candidates, derived from its ATAKTM platform technology, with initial applications in T cell lymphoma and a primed monocyte approach to treating glioblastoma. The ATAK platform is scalable to multiple treatment modalities and to other disease areas in collaboration. Myeloid expects to enter the clinic with its two lead programs in the first half of 2021. For more information, visit https://www.myeloidtx.com/. Media Contact: Sarah Sutton Glover Park Group [email protected] 202-337-0808 SOURCE Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. Related Links https://www.myeloidtx.com New Delhi: In a tragic incident, a 13-year-old was killed after he was hit by a VIP car, as alleged by his distraught parents in Jammu. Five days ago, Purshotam Kumar, was hit by a bolero car when he was gone to buy curd from a nearby shop, said father of the deceased. "My son was crushed to death by the car of a VIP person and it had no number plate. They didn't even help my son. I took him on my scooter to the hospital. If those people would have helped me then today my son would have been alive," Kumar told a news agency. He added that even the unfortunate incident happened five days ago but still the police have not helped him in the matter. "The car carried a beacon which indicated it was a VIP car and therefore the police is not helping me," Kumar asserted. However, the Station House Officer (SHO) Sajjad Mir has asserted that the police is probing into the case and that the CCTV footage is clear proof of the crime. "They are studying the footage and are in touch with the family. The Bolero has a beacon on the top and the police is in search of the car," Mir said. He added that they registered the case the moment they got to know about it. "The post mortem has been done and the investigation has started. We have collected every video footage around the area," Mir said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 22:42:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 5, 2021 shows the construction site of Tema Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminal Project in Tema, Ghana. Ghana's Tema Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminal Project that is under construction by China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) will significantly boost Ghana's natural gas supply, CHEC said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) ACCRA, Jan.6 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Tema Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)Import Terminal Project that is under construction by China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) will significantly boost Ghana's natural gas supply, CHEC said on Wednesday. Speaking with Xinhua in an interview, the company said the project, which is expected to be completed next year, will equip the country with an annual capacity of around two million tons of natural gas. Wu Duogui, Deputy Chief Engineer of the project, said the Chinese contractor has been working in full strength on the project despite multiple challenges, the pandemic included, and he has every confidence to believe the project will be completed with quality guaranteed. "This is Ghana's first LNG import terminal project, so it is foreseeable that an abundant supply of natural gas will boom the country's economic progress and improvement of people's lives," Wu added. Ebenezer Martey Doku, a 35-year-old Ghanaian worker with CHEC, hailed the project as a milestone, saying it will cater to Ghanaian people's increasing needs for natural gas, which is urgently needed in many sectors. "The project has also created many job opportunities for locals, and working with the Chinese company has in effect helped polish my skills and become more competitive in the job market," he added. Enditem By Tuesday night, the Metropolitan Police Department recorded arrests of five people on charges of assault and weapons possession, including one person who was charged with assaulting a police officer. Organizers were preparing for an expected crowd of 5,000 on Tuesday and more than 30,000 throughout the week, according to permits issued by the National Park Service. Local government officials warned that the events could turn tumultuous. Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington requested assistance from the Army National Guard on Monday, and the local police warned that anyone who intended to arrive in Washington with a firearm, as some on social media sites promised to do, would be arrested. Many of the hundreds of demonstrators who showed up on Tuesday for the March to Save America and Stop the Steal rallies chose not to wear masks to prevent transmission of the coronavirus. Some of the speakers during the rally at the Freedom Plaza delivered aggressive speeches claiming the groups were at war, targeting Republicans in Congress who have refused to protest the results of the election. Dan Couture, 51, who drove to Tuesdays rally from Colorado with two of his brothers, Pat and Dave, said they arrived to make sure that all the votes that were legal are the votes that were counted. Just feet away, Richard Morris, 63, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., began to accept the outcome of the election that has already been affirmed by each of the states and the nations top election officials. If he doesnt win it tomorrow, then this is over, said Mr. Morris, an architect, although he said he believed Mr. Trump would still find a path to victory. The president also confirmed Tuesday on Twitter that he would speak at the event at 11 a.m. Wednesday, while continuing to point the finger at Democrats, Republicans who refused to support his baseless claims and Antifa, a loose-knit antifascist movement with some followers who have been prone to commit acts of violence. Stacker compiled a list of signature dishes from 50 of the worlds nations, drawing upon travelogues, news reports, food writers and experts, historical accounts, and global data. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. On Wednesday, Oscar nominee Kate Hudson donned a nude silk-and-lace Prada dress to virtually promote Sia Furler's directorial debut Music to the HFPA, which runs the Golden Globe Awards. 'Started the year off with a little press (at home) for upcoming musical I did with @siamusic,' the 41-year-old daughter of Goldie Hawn - who boasts 13.9M Instagram/Facebook followers - wrote. 'This film is so special to us, an original piece of art by a visual master. Love you @siamusic! Can't wait for everyone to see it.' 'This film is so special to us': On Wednesday, Oscar nominee Kate Hudson donned a nude silk-and-lace Prada dress to virtually promote Sia Furler's directorial debut Music Kate famously shaved her head in 2017 to replace disgraced actor Shia LaBeouf in the role of newly-sober drug dealer Zu for the musical drama, which hits US theaters on February 12 and UK theaters on February 15. But it was the casting of the Australian 45-year-old's longtime muse Maddie Ziegler as Zu's autistic teenage half-sister Music, which caused the most controversy. On November 20, Sia went on an insensitive Twitter tirade defending her decision to not cast an authentically autistic actor. The 41-year-old daughter of Goldie Hawn famously shaved her head in 2017 to replace disgraced actor Shia LaBeouf in the role of newly-sober drug dealer Zu for the musical drama, which hits US theaters on February 12 and UK theaters on February 15 'Ableist'? But it was the casting of the Australian 45-year-old's longtime muse Maddie Ziegler (M, pictured on set in 2017) as Zu's autistic teenage half-sister Music, which caused the most controversy 'Maybe you're just a bad actor': On November 20, Sia went on an insensitive Twitter tirade defending her decision to not cast an authentically autistic actor 'I actually tried working with a a beautiful young girl non-verbal on the spectrum and she found it unpleasant and stressful. So that's why I cast Maddie,' the nine-time Grammy winner wrote. 'As I said, there are thirteen people on the spectrum in the movie...Grrrrrrrrrr. F***ity f*** why don't you watch my film before you judge it? FURY.' Sia added: 'The character is based completely on my neuro atypical friend. He found it too stressful being non verbal, and I made this movie with nothing but love for him and his mother.' 'Love my baby!' This Thursday, Kate will celebrate the 17th birthday of her eldest child - son Ryder - from her six-year marriage to Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson, which ended in 2017 (pictured last Thursday) 'Love all around': Hudson is also mother to son Bingham, 9; and daughter Rani Rose, 2; from her relationships with Muse frontman Matt Bellamy and Lightwave Records founder Danny Fujikawa (pictured December 23) Music - based on a one-page story that Furler penned in 2007 - also features Leslie Odom Jr., Juliette Lewis, Hector Elizondo, Tig Notaro, and Mary Kay Place. This Thursday, Hudson will celebrate the 17th birthday of her eldest child - son Ryder - from her six-year marriage to Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson, which ended in 2017. The Sibling Revelry podcaster is also mother to son Bingham, 9; and daughter Rani Rose, 2; from her relationships with Muse frontman Matt Bellamy and Lightwave Records founder Danny Fujikawa. Biden demanded Trump go on national television to call for an end to the "insurrection". "At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we've seen in modern times," Biden said in a national address. "An assault on the citadel of liberty - the Capitol itself. An assault on the people's representatives and the Capitol Hill Police who protect them. "Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America and do not reflect who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists. This is not dissent. It is disorder. It borders on sedition and it must end now." Trump had posted a video on Twitter telling the protesters to go home, but also repeated the false assertions that the election had been stolen which had inspired his supporters to storm the Capitol. Hours later, Twitter for the first time time locked Trumps account, demanded that he remove tweets excusing violence and threatened permanent suspension. Loading Kevin McCarthy, the most senior Republican in the House of Representatives, said that shots had been fired inside the building. No further details are so far available about the woman who was shot dead. "I could not be sadder and more disappointed by the way our country looks at this very moment," McCarthy said. Dozens of Trump supporters were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside, with one making it as far of the dais of the chamber, where he shouted, "Trump won this election." As police battled with protesters, the Department of Homeland Security said they were sending additional federal agents to the Capitol to help quell the violence while Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that his state's National Guard and 200 State Troopers were being sent to respond to the situation. One Republican called the invasion of the building a coup attempt while other members of the party pleaded with President Donald Trump to accept the election result and finally end his baseless claims of widespread fraud. Earlier, tens of thousands of protesters had gathered near the White House to hear Trump speak at a "Save America Rally" before making their way towards the Capitol Building, where Congress was meeting to certify the election results. At the rally, Trump repeated his unfounded claims of election fraud, telling the crowd: "We will never give up, we will never concede. "You dont concede when theres theft involved." Loading Only minutes before protesters entered the Capitol, Trump lambasted Pence on Twitter for failing to reject the Electoral College votes from several key states. "Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify," he said. After protesters stormed the Capitol, Trump tweeted: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue." Former president Barack Obama released a statement calling the occupation "a moment of great dishonour and shame for our nation. But we'd be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise." Loading Disgraceful scenes in US Congress," tweeted Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, a staunch ally of the United States over generations. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Other allies were similarly appalled at what they described as an attack on American democracy, though some said they believed US democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil. Some leaders singled out Trump for harsh criticism. Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling on democracy, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas wrote on Twitter. "From inflammatory words come violent deeds. He added that contempt for democratic institutions has disastrous effects. Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger said simply: "This is a coup attempt." Loading Republican congressman Michael Waltz told Fox News: "This is despicable. This is not who we are as a country." Republican congressman Mike Gallagher, a military veteran, said he had not seen anything like it since he was deployed to Iraq. "The President needs to call it off," he said. "Call it off, Mr President." Washington, DC, mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a curfew starting at 6pm local time and lasting until 6am the following day. The New York Times has reported that a pipe bomb was discovered at the Republican headquarters in DC and a suspicious package at the Democrats' headquarters. Democratic congressman Dan Kildee said on Twitter that the Congress members were instructed to lie on the floor and put on gas masks. "This is not a protest," he said. "This is an attack on America." with AP (Newser) A disturbing video of a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer shooting a Black man in the back doesn't tell the full story, a prosecutor said Tuesday, announcing that the officer will not face criminal charges. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said Tuesday that Officer Rusten Sheskey and two other officers who were at the scene would be able to successfully argue self-defense before a jury, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. Jacob Blake, 29, was paralyzed after being shot seven times in the back and side on Aug. 23 as he walked away from officers and tried to enter a car with his children inside. Graveley said it was "incontrovertible" that Blake was armed with a knife. The DA displayed a blown-up photo from the scene at a Tuesday press conference. story continues below "It's really evidence about the perspective of Officer Sheskey at each moment and what would a reasonable officer do at each moment," Graveley said. "Almost none of those things are answered in that deeply disturbing video that weve all seen," he said. "Officer Sheskey felt he was about to be stabbed." With Kenosha braced for protests, Ben Crump, an attorney for Blakes family, said the decision "further destroys trust in our justice system" and called for people to "demand change in peaceful and positive ways," the AP reports. Earlier Tuesday, Kyle Rittenhouse, a teenager who killed two men and wounded a third during protests against the shooting, pleaded not guilty to charges including homicide. (Read more Jacob Blake stories.) Texas Sen. Rafael Edward Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada, on Dec. 22, 1970, the son of Eleanor Darragh, from Wilmington, Del., and Rafael Cruz, a native of Cuba. If hes elected president this fall, he would become the nations first chief executive born outside the United States. But his foreign birth is raising questions most notably from Republican rival Donald Trump about whether Cruz is eligible for the presidency under the Constitution. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> Advertisement Article II says: No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President. Trump says it could be a big problem and very precarious for the Republican Party if Cruz wins its nomination this summer. For his part, Cruz has dismissed it as a nonissue and said it is settled as a legal matter that a child born abroad to a U.S. parent is a citizen at birth. Legal experts including prominent liberals overwhelmingly agree with Cruz. But the dispute has raised many questions about this constitutional requirement. Why did the founders add this qualification in 1787? Framers of the Constitution feared a foreign monarch might try to take power in the new nation, said Yale University law professor Akhil Amar, a constitutional historian. Meeting in Philadelphia, they agreed no title of nobility may be granted, and they barred taking gifts or titles of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state. But there were rumors that summer that the second son of Englands King George III was about to sail to America. They were worried about a foreign duke arriving with a boatload of gold and bribing his way to take power, Amar said. So to make sure the highest office could not be held by a foreign monarch, they decided the president must be a natural born citizen. Whats the definition of natural born citizen? Advertisement It is not entirely clear because the Supreme Court has never ruled on the issue. But legal experts say a childs citizenship can be determined based on where he or she is born and who the parents are. Birthplace is the simplest test. The Constitution was amended after the Civil War to make clear, as the 14th Amendment says, All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States. TRAIL GUIDE: All the latest news on the 2016 presidential campaign >> But prior to that time and continuing ever since, federal law has also said a childs citizenship is derived from his or her parents. Lawyers point to the Naturalization Act of 1790 adopted by the first Congress. It said that the children of citizens of the United States, that may born beyond the sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens. Advertisement More recent immigration laws say a child born abroad to an American parent is a citizen by birth, but the phrase natural born has been dropped. Two prominent lawyers who served as U.S. solicitor general, one under President Obama and the other under President George W. Bush, said the history of the Constitution and the first naturalization law resolved any doubts. Despite the happenstance of a birth across the border, there is no question that Sen. Cruz has been a citizen from birth and is thus a natural born citizen within the meaning of the Constitution, Neal Katyal and Paul Clement wrote in the Harvard Law Review in March. If Cruz is nominated, could someone go to court and challenge his qualifications? Advertisement Yes, but most lawyers predict they will not get far. In 2008, several birthers filed suits contesting Obamas qualifications, even though he was born in Hawaii in 1961. Those suits were dismissed. One obstacle is finding a plaintiff with standing to sue. The courts wont touch this, said Temple University law professor Peter J. Spiro. Has this issue arisen before? Yes, but only as a matter of discussion. Sen. John McCain of Arizona was the GOP nominee in 2008, and it was noted then he was born in 1936 in the Panama Canal zone, where his father was stationed with the Navy. The Republican Partys 1964 presidential nominee, Sen. Barry Goldwater, was born in the territory of Arizona before it became a state. When Michigan Gov. George Romney sought the GOP nomination in 1968, news stories noted he had been born in Mexico, his Mormon parents having fled there. The 21st president, Chester A. Arthur, was said to be born in northern Vermont, but when he succeeded to office in 1881 after the death of President James A. Garfield, there were rumors he had been born on the Canadian side of the border. Advertisement So who is excluded by this qualification? Naturalized Americans who were born abroad to parents who were not U.S. citizens. For example, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was born in Austria, and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who was born in Vancouver, Canada, and grew up in California, were seen as ineligible to run for president because they did not qualify as natural born citizens. Is Cruzs Canadian birth likely to affect his candidacy? Not in a legal sense, but it could pose a political problem if Trump and others continue to raise the issue. UC Davis law professor Gabriel Chin says questions about a persons eligibility are designed to insinuate that the candidate might really be a foreigner or, in any event, that their background is odd, unusual and possibly suspicious. Advertisement david.savage@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidGSavage ALSO: Presidential race plays out in Congress: Which candidates do Californias members support? Advertisement Why Marco Rubios presidential campaign strategy is considered a gamble Twin paths of Rubio and Cruz end at their political perspectives London: A British judge has denied WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange bail, saying there was a risk he might flee justice while the US tries again to secure his extradition. It comes just two days after Judge Vanessa Baraister ordered his discharge from extradition to the US to face spying charges. The US government is appealing the ruling and on Wednesday evening (AEDT) successfully argued that the Australian be kept in Belmarsh Prison while the High Court challenge take place. Julian Assange's fiancee Stella Moris has urged the US President to pardon him. Credit:Getty images "Mr Assange still has an incentive to abscond from these, as yet, unresolved proceedings," she said. Global interest in traditional baby names has seemingly grown last year, with a 75% increase in Google trends search average over the past 12 months. With this in mind, and a baby boom expected in 2021, OnBuy.com wanted to find out what the next generation is going to be called across Europe. Having trawled through thousands of traditional European baby names for boys and girls and surveying 4,978 parents and parents-to-be, they have revealed the top choices for parents. The most popular European girls name in the world is Maria - and with 61,147,219 babies sharing this moniker, it ranks as the 2nd most common worldwide, while Jose is the most popular traditional European boys name. It comes after news that Oliver and Olivia are still the most popular baby names for boys and girls in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). OnBuy.com wanted to find out what the next generation is going to be called across Europe. Pictured, stock image Maria is a traditional Italian baby name and is most prevalent in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries such as Brazil. Ana stands as the second most popular European girls name in the world, with approximately 12,093,858 baby girls having this name. Ana, ranking as the 17th most common name worldwide, is a traditional Spanish name most prevalent in Portugal. In third place is Rosa, which holds the meaning to live where wild roses grow. This traditional French name is shared by 6,335,017 baby girls worldwide. Top 10 Traditional European Girls Names: Rank European Girls Name How Common Worldwide Approx. Babies That Have This Name Country Most Prevalent In Country of Origin 1 Maria 2nd 61,147,219 Brazil Italy 2 Ana 17th 12,093,858 Portugal Spain 3 Rosa 48th 6,335,017 Mexico France 4 Elizabeth 55th 6,028,430 United States Greece 5 Patricia 59th 5,610,931 United States Scotland 6 Anita 63rd 5,479,091 India Spain 7 Andrea 86th 4,098,568 Italy Greece 8 Marina 87th 4,096,941 Russia Italy 9 Carmen 91st 4,018,566 Venezuela Spain 10 Angela 95th 3,977,011 United States France Rosa stands as the 48th most common name worldwide and is most prevalent in Mexico. The most popular traditional European boys name is Jose, which means who pardons. Jose is the 6th most common moniker worldwide, with approximately 29,940,365 boys sharing this name. This traditional baby name originates in Spain and is most prevalent in Brazil. Top 10 Traditional European Boys Names: Rank European Boys Name How Common Worldwide Approx. Babies That Have This Name Country Most Prevalent In Country of Origin 1 Jose 6th 29,940,365 Brazil Spain 2 John 15th 14,323,843 United States England 3. Juan 20th 11,371,254 Mexico Spain 4. Jean 22nd 11,030,253 DR Congo France 5. Robert 25th 10,171,137 United States Germany 6. Luis 27th 9,754,350 Columbia Spain 7. Carlos 28th 9,615,591 Brazil Spain 8. James 29th 8,807,662 United States France 9. Antonio 30th 8,807,662 Brazil Italy 10. Richard 41st 7,056,090 United States Germany John comes in second place with approximately 14,323,843 baby boys having this name, making it the 15th most common in the world. This traditional English name derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan meaning gracious and is most prevalent in the United States. In third place is Juan, a traditional Spanish boys name most prevalent in Mexico. With approximately 11,371,254 baby boys called Juan, this name stands as the 20th most common worldwide. Members of Congress who convened to certify the Electoral College vote Wednesday were forced to seek shelter as protesters seeking to overturn President Donald Trumps loss sieged the U.S. Capitol and attacked police. The proceedings had barely begun when protesters breached security perimeters at the Capitol, putting the building on lockdown. Lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to wear gas masks and lay on the floor as Capitol police released tear gas, then evacuated from the building. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Bloomfield Township, told MLive that she felt safe inside her office shortly before 2 p.m. Less than an hour later, protesters breached the Capitol building and sparred with police. Michigan lawmakers provided live updates through social media as the situation escalated. Several Michigan House Democrats were evacuated from the Cannon office building, including U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township. I have been evacuated from the House Chambers and have been escorted to an alternate, safe location. This is a dark moment for the history of our country. Praying for an end to the violence and safety for everyone in the Capitol. Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 6, 2021 Chamber security and Capitol Police have their guns drawn as protesters bang on the front door of the chamber, said U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, in a tweet. This is not a protest. This is an attack on America. Levin described an assault on democracy itself in a Facebook video published shortly after 3 p.m., but said Congress will not be stopped from certifying the vote of electors. My understanding is that the Capitol Police had to use tear gas to try and clear Statuary Hall, they had to evacuate the floor of the House of Representatives, Levin said. Its a disaster for our democracy, what is going on now, but were not going to let them succeed. According to pool reports, Vice President Mike Pence was removed from the Senate chamber, where he had been presiding over the certification. Ive said it dozens of times in the past few years - I support every Americans right to peacefully protest, but violence and attacks on our police have no place on our streets, or in our Capitol. Rep. Jack Bergman (@RepJackBergman) January 6, 2021 U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, said he is horrified and shell-shocked by the violence of rioters in a tweet. U.S. Reps. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, and Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, denounced violent protests and attacks on police in separate statements on Twitter. Both had planned to vote in support of objecting electoral votes in some states. Photos taken at the scene show Trump supporters waving flags inside the Capitol. Hours before the vote, Michigans Democratic representatives in Congress warned that Republicans ready to challenge electoral votes in several swing states could cause lasting damage to American democracy. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said political division is the single biggest threat to national security, outweighing any threat from a foreign nation. The prospect of Americans not believing in democracy is extremely dangerous, Slotkin said.We are a diverse complicated country and if we dont all believe in this system, and we start separating ourselves from it, you can see how it becomes chaotic. Violence has absolutely no place in our politics. I implore protesters to remain peaceful in exercising their first amendment rights, and I urge my colleagues to recognize where their actions have led us. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) January 6, 2021 Amaravati, Jan 6 : Senior Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Ambati Rambabu on Wednesday lashed out at Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay for attempting to polarise Andhra Pradesh on religious lines and stated that "YSRCP is a party of the Bhagavad Gita, Quran and the Bible". "Yes, ours is a Bible party, Bhagavad Gita party and Quran party. YSRCP is an amalgamation of these three. It is a party of all religions," said Rambabu. He castigated Sanjay for dividing people on the communal lines and told him that the ruling party will never become like Sanjay's party. Rambabu also reminded the saffron leader that it was allegedly Nara Chandrababu Naidu who called the seven hills abode of Lord Venkateswara as 'two hills', which was corrected by former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy through a government order as seven hills. He admonished the Karimnagar MP and told him to get his facts right. "Who is this Bandi Sanjay? I am not understanding what he is talking. There is no place in AP for a political party which tries to benefit by provoking castes and religions," asserted the YSRCP leader, even as religious politics is raging in the southern state which was seldom saw this kind of a toxic atmosphere. Rambabu highlighted that BJP would have won elections in other states using religion but that tactic would not succeed in Andhra Pradesh. "It doesn't work here. This state is being ruled by Jagan Mohan Reddy. This state is being ruled by YSRCP which looks after all castes and religions with equal justice," he stressed. Referring to the Ramateertham incident, he said the investigation will reveal everything, including who defaced Lord Ram's idol. He also criticised Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) national general secretary and Naidu's son Nara Lokesh for accusing Reddy over a person's murder, believed to be a TDP supporter. Ramababu ridiculed Lokesh that he was not even qualified to speak about Reddy, considering he didn't even win an election. "Talk when you win somewhere about the person who single-handedly won 151 seats," Rambabu said, asking Lokesh how long he will use his father's name and fame. Hong Kong democracy activists called on the government on Wednesday to release political prisoners, hours after authorities arrested 53 members of the opposition camp, in a move that sent a chill through the global financial centre. At a press briefing to address the mass arrests of pro-democracy activists in a dawn sweep, members of the democratic camp said the arrests were shameful and represented oppression on the right to vote. Hong Kong authorities said on Wednesday the arrests were related to an unofficial vote to choose opposition candidates in city elections was part of a plan to overthrow the government. A person walks a dog with the US Capitol in the background in Washington (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) President Donald Trumps extraordinary effort to overturn the US presidential election result is going before Congress as legislators convene for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden. The typically routine proceeding will be anything but, a political confrontation unseen since the aftermath of the Civil War as Mr Trump mounts a desperate effort stay in office. The presidents Republican allies in the House and Senate plan to object to the election results, heeding supporters plea to fight for Trump as he stages a rally outside the White House. The longshot effort is all but certain to fail, defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress prepared to accept the results. Expand Close President-elect Joe Biden, pictured campaigning in Georgia, is due to be sworn in on January 20 (Carolyn Kaster/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President-elect Joe Biden, pictured campaigning in Georgia, is due to be sworn in on January 20 (Carolyn Kaster/AP) Mr Biden, who won the Electoral College 306-232, is set to be inaugurated on January 20. The joint session of Congress, required by law, will convene months after the November 3 election, two weeks before the inaugurations traditional peaceful transfer of power and against the backdrop of a surging Covid-19 pandemic. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who warned his party off this challenge, is expected to deliver early remarks. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, set to gavel proceedings on her side of the Capitol, called it a day of enormous historic significance. It is about guaranteeing trust in our democratic system, she said in a letter to colleagues. But it is vice president Mike Pence who will be closely watched as he presides over the session. Despite Mr Trumps repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. Expand Close A Trump supporter attends a rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Trump supporter attends a rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Mr Pence has a largely ceremonial role, opening the sealed envelopes from the states after they are carried in mahogany boxes used for the occasion, and reading the results aloud. But he is under growing pressure from Mr Trump to tip it to the presidents favour, despite having no power to affect the outcome. While other vice presidents, including Al Gore and Richard Nixon, also presided over their own defeats, Mr Pence supports those Republican legislators mounting challenges to the 2020 outcome. I hope that our great vice president comes through for us, Mr Trump said at a rally in Georgia this week. Hes a great guy. Of course, if he doesnt come through, I wont like him quite as much. It is not the first time legislators have challenged results Democrats did in 2017 and 2005. But the intensity of Mr Trumps challenge is like nothing in modern times, and an outpouring of current and elected Republican officials warn the showdown is sowing distrust in government and eroding Americans faith in democracy. There is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election, said Senator Tim Scott, announcing his refusal to join the effort on the eve of the session. Expand Close Senator Ted Cruz (Brynn Anderson/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Senator Ted Cruz (Brynn Anderson/AP) Still, more than a dozen Republican senators led by Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, along with as many as 100 House Republicans, are pressing ahead to raise objections to the state results of Mr Bidens win. Under the rules of the joint session, any objection to a states electoral tally needs to be submitted in writing by at least one member of the House and one of the Senate to be considered. Each objection will force two hours of deliberations in the House and Senate, ensuring a long day. House Republican legislators are signing on to objections to the electoral votes in six states Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Democrats have the majority in the House and the Republican-led Senate is divided over the issue. Bipartisan majorities in both chambers are expected to soundly reject the objections. Expand Close Lloyd Watkins, of Nashville, Tennessee, a supporter of President Donald Trump, carries a flag outside the Capitol in Washington (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lloyd Watkins, of Nashville, Tennessee, a supporter of President Donald Trump, carries a flag outside the Capitol in Washington (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) Mr Trump has vowed to fight like hell to stay in office. He said at a rally in Georgia the electors voting for Mr Biden are not gonna take this White House! Many of the Republicans challenging the results said they are trying to give voice to voters back home who do not trust the outcome of the election and want to see the legislators fighting for Mr Trump. Mr Hawley defended his role, saying his constituents have been loud and clear about their distrust of the election. It is my responsibility as a senator to raise their concerns, he wrote to colleagues. As criticism mounted, Mr Cruz insisted his aim was not to set aside the election but to investigate the claims of voting problems. He has produced no new evidence. Both Mr Hawley and Mr Cruz are potential 2024 presidential contenders, vying for Mr Trumps base of supporters. PA Media The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinity Consultants, Inc. ("Trinity"), a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP"), announced that it has acquired AWN Consulting International Limited ("AWN Consulting"). AWN Consulting, based in Dublin, Ireland, provides environmental, acoustics, and risk management consulting services to industrial and public sector clients throughout Ireland and Europe. Trinity is a leading provider of regulatory-driven environmental, health & safety and engineering consulting services. Trinity specializes in highly technical, compliance-driven services with a core presence in air quality and an expanding presence in adjacencies such as commissioning, qualification and validation, process safety management, toxicology, acoustics and water quality. Trinity operates from over 70 offices worldwide, with a national U.S. footprint and a presence in key international markets. Trinity was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Jay Hofmann, President and CEO of Trinity, commented, "We are pleased to bring AWN Consulting onto the Trinity platform. The acquisition further bolsters Trinity's core capabilities and strategically expands our geographic presence into Ireland." Andrew Schwartz, a Partner at LLCP, stated, "We are excited to demonstrate our continued support of Trinity through this acquisition. AWN Consulting strengthens Trinity's ability to provide regulatory and compliance support to its clients across the globe." Trinity is a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Fund V, L.P. About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC is a middle-market private equity firm with a 37-year track record of investing across various targeted sectors, including franchising, professional services, education and engineered products. LLCP utilizes a differentiated Structured Private Equity investment strategy, combining debt and equity capital investments in portfolio companies. This unique structure provides a less dilutive solution for management teams and entrepreneurs, while delivering growth and income with a significantly lower risk profile. LLCP's global team of dedicated investment professionals is led by seven partners who have worked at LLCP for an average of 21 years. Since inception, LLCP has managed approximately $11.2 billion of institutional capital across 14 investment funds and has invested in over 90 portfolio companies. LLCP currently manages approximately $7.3 billion of assets including its most recent flagship fund, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners VI, L.P., which closed in 2018 with $2.5 billion of committed capital and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami, London, Stockholm and The Hague. Contact: Mark Semer or Ross Lovern Kekst CNC (917) 439-3507 or (917) 842-7205 SOURCE Levine Leichtman Capital Partners I Now Better Understand the Good German Commentary As my listeners and readers can hopefully attest, I have been on a lifelong quest to understand human nature and human behavior. I am sad to report that I have learned more in the past few years, particularly in 2020, than in any equivalent period of time. One of the biggest revelations concerns a question that has always plagued me: How does one explain the good German, the term used to describe the average, presumably decent German, who did nothing to hurt Jews but also did nothing to help them and did nothing to undermine the Nazi regime? The same question could be asked about the average Frenchman during the Vichy era, the average Russian under Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, and their successors, and the millions of others who did nothing to help their fellow citizens under oppressive dictatorships. These past few years have taught me not to so quickly judge the quiet German, Russian, etc. Of course, I still judge Germans who helped the Nazis and Germans who in any way hurt Jews. But the Germans who did nothing? Not so fast. What has changed my thinking has been watching what is happening in America (and Canada and Australia and elsewhere, for that matter). The ease with which tens of millions of Americans have accepted irrational, unconstitutional, and unprecedented police state-type restrictions on their freedoms, including even the freedom to make a living, has been, to understate the case, sobering. The same holds true for the acceptance by most Americans of the rampant censorship on Twitter and all other major social media platforms. Even physicians and other scientists are deprived of freedom of speech if, for example, they offer scientific support for hydroxychloroquine along with zinc to treat COVID-19 in the early stages. Board-certified physician Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, who has saved hundreds of COVID-19 patients from suffering and/or death, has been banned from Twitter for publicizing his lifesaving hydroxychloroquine and zinc protocol. Half of America, the nonleft half, is afraid to speak their minds at virtually every university, movie studio, and large corporationindeed, at virtually every place of work. Professors who say anything that offends the left fear being ostracized if they have tenure and being fired if they do not. People are socially ostracized, publicly shamed and/or fired for differing with Black Lives Matter, as America-hating and white-hating a group as has ever existed. And few Americans speak up. On the contrary, when BLM protestors demand that diners outside of restaurants raise their fists to show their support of BLM, nearly every diner does. So, then, who are we to condemn the average German who faced the Gestapo if he didnt salute Hitler or the average Russian who faced the NKVD (the secret police and intelligence agency that preceded the KGB) if he didnt demonstrate sufficient enthusiasm for Stalin? Americans face the lefts cancel culture, but not left-wing secret police or reeducation camps. (At least not yetI have little doubt the left would send outspoken conservatives to reeducation camps if they could.) I have come to understand the average German living under Nazism and the average Russian living under communism for another reason: the power of the media to brainwash. As a student of totalitarianism since my graduate studies at the Russian Institute of Columbia Universitys School of International Affairs (as it was then known), I have always believed that only in a dictatorship could a society be brainwashed. I was wrong. I now understand that mass brainwashing can take place in a nominally free society. The incessant left-wing drumbeat of The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and almost every other major newspaper, plus The Atlantic, The New Yorker, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, NPR, all of Hollywood, and almost every school from kindergarten through graduate school, has brainwashed at least half of America every bit as effectively as the German, Soviet, and Chinese communist press did (and in the latter case, still does). That thousands of schools will teach the lie that is the New York Times 1619 Project is one of countless examples. Prior to the lockdowns, I flew almost every week of the year, so I was approached by people who recognized me on a regular basis. Increasingly, I noticed that people would look around to see if anyone was within earshot and then tell me in almost a whisper: I support Trump or, Im a conservative. The last time people looked around and whispered things to me was when I used to visit the Soviet Union. In Quebec this past weekend, as one can see on a viral video, a family was fined and members arrested because sixyes, sixpeople gathered to celebrate the new year. A neighbor snitched on them, and the celebrants were duly arrested. The Quebec government lauded the snitches and asked for more public collaboration. Snitches are likewise lauded and encouraged in some Democrat-run states and cities in America (Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in March: Snitches get rewards) and by left-wing governments in Australia. Plenty of Americans, Canadians, and Australians are only too happy to snitch on people who refuse to lock down their lives. All this is taking place without concentration camps, without a Gestapo, without a KGB, and without Maoist reeducation camps. Thats why I no longer judge the average German as easily as I used to. Apathy in the face of tyranny turns out not to be a German or Russian characteristic. I just never thought it could happen in America. Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Patrick Byrne on CCP Election Interference: This Was an Act of War WASHINGTONPatrick Byrne, tech billionaire turned investigative journalist, says 2020 was a psychological operation carried out by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere with the US presidential election. Byrne studied Chinese history and attended a university in Beijing that covered everything from Confucius and Lao Zi to Marx and Mao Zedong, so I recognize what it is were seeing here, he said. The pandemic demoralized people, and then the riots with Black Lives Matter and Antifa disoriented them, and the election has peaked in a crisis that some are trying to normalize, he explained. I see the hand of China behind this, Byrne said at a rally at the nations capital on Jan. 5, calling for election integrity. Tens of thousands rallied in Washington on Jan. 5 and 6 ahead of the joint session of Congress to count the Electoral College votes. Byrne added that the CCP should not represent China. Ive always loved China, he said; he studied the country and history extensively and Ive always felt like China was an old friend. But recognizing the growth of the CCP, I felt kind of betrayed, I was part of a generation of Americans who went to China hoping to help it, he said. We all grew up with this sense that, as an American, there was something special between us and China and we wanted to build a new world together. Investigation in Georgia Byrne has been investigating the presidential election from the beginning as many in the intelligence community expected foreign interference. Recently, he has been following up with fraud allegations made public during state legislature hearings, and he has been reporting via social media his findings. We located an operation in Georgia, in Fulton County we sent someone into the voting operation warehouse, took samples from three different piles [of ballots], big, big piles. We had those tested forensically by two different federally certified forensic examiners. They have confirmed one of those ballots is not legitimate, he said. But right officials ordered an inspection of those ballots, his team caught on video of big vans loading the ballots away. The next day, in neighboring Cobb County, many ballots were brought to be shredded, which is illegal. Law enforcement got involved and it all ended up dumped out in a police station and they found 30,000 pounds of shredded ballots, he said. But something stuck to the side of the van, a receipt from a Chinese company that shipped the ballots to the United States. At no point does a Senator have a duty to sell the country out to China, Byrne said, hoping to see elected officials make clear these issues in the Jan. 6 joint session. This was an act of war, he said of CCPs interference in the election. I do not want to go to war with China, I want to be a peacemaker, he added. American Exceptionalism Byrne said that regardless of what elected officials ultimately do on Jan. 6, the American people will stand for the truth. He has called the fraudulent activity and foreign interference in the election a slow coup, and says this kind of thing worked in other countries like Greece and Venezuela, but its not going to work here. Because Americans are not going to bend the knee to a rigged election, said Byrne, who added this is one meaning of the American exceptionalism that is so debated. I see why other nations have fallen for it, theyve created this kooky insane world where you cant even find your way out of it. And I understand why other nations at the end of the day gave up. But Americans will never accept a rigged election. Its the most fundamental concept of our tradition, is consent of the governed, as determined by elections that are free, fair, and transparent, he said. If we give ground on that, its all gone. Im not advocating violence, were the good guys, he said. But were not going to bend a knee to it. Byrne said some Americans might be thinking that if they let this election slide it will be okay, and they can try again in two years, or four years, but that thinking is mistaken. They dont understand in two years America wont look like anything they grew up with, he said. People who once left those countries that experienced slow coups recognize the same thing in America. This is an authoritarian takeover and it needs to stop now. With reporting by Jenny Chang Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. President of the Romanian Academy, Ioan-Aurel Pop, advocates keeping history and geography as independent disciplines in the school curriculum, arguing that these subjects help build general culture and orientation in contemporary life, as well as elementary orientation in space. "What education managers do not understand is something very simple: history means general culture and orientation in contemporary life, not superfluous data and facts about a world long bygone. And geography means elementary orientation in space, and not names that must be memorized. Today, children and youth have the great opportunity to travel, to see the world, to enjoy the great creations of mankind from all times and in all spaces, from prehistory to the era of cosmic flights and from Lapland to Patagonia. If we no longer learn history and geography, if we despise these forms of adaptation to life, if we are afraid of their contents, we will end up traveling to Latin America and believing that the people there speak Latin, we will see the Egyptian obelisks in Paris and think this is where ancient Egypt was, we'll enter the British Museum and believe that some of the exhibits there were brought by aliens," Pop wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. According to him, history pertains to society, to large communities and civilizations and must be studied as such, so that the students can see the whole picture. "What do we gain if we teach the student that the 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen' adopted during the Great French Revolution (1789) has revolutionized the European and American society, if the student learns nothing about the history of France, of Europe and of the world? Or what's the benefit for the teenager's general culture if we tell him what a current savings account means, yet without him knowing anything about the general framework of the emergence of banks, about the history of currency, or the role of bank bills in history? Dividing the history of the country and of the world into ever smaller slices (such as the role of democracy, the history of communism, dictatorships, world wars, revolutions, crimes against humanity, etc.) is to no avail if we don't make sure that the students also see the whole," Aurel Pop argues. The president of the Academy emphasizes that only the knowledge of the history of the Romanian people helps one understand the history of the other nations, terming the fact that curricula and textbooks skirt around national history facts as "regrettable" and "condemnable". "In curricula and textbooks we avoid the name of Romania, we blame national sentiment and patriotism, confounding them with excessive nationalism, with xenophobia, with chauvinism," he adds. Starting from the release of the framework methodology regarding the mobility of pre-university teaching staff in the 2021-2022 school year, Professor Pop declares himself bewildered by the fact that "the history of national minorities" could be studied to the detriment of "Romanian history". "After having read this laborious document, you are left - especially if you are an education professional - at least with great perplexity: 'The history and traditions of the Hungarian minority', as well as 'The history and traditions of national minorities' are at the center of focus, whereas there is no mention of 'The history of the Romanians', 'The universal history', 'The history of Romania', not even between parentheses. What is even more intriguing is the permission for history and geography classes to be taught within the same teaching norm, by a single teacher who can take the exam in the first of the two disciplines, the one that weighs most within the teaching workload in terms of class hours," shows Ioan-Aurel Pop. The academician also wonders if the wording 'The high-school disciplines of social studies, universal literature, sciences and artistic education are covered by the workload of teaching graduates ...' could suggest that the "unnamed 'history' and 'geography' are included here." "Suppose that in Romania - a country that beyond its 'obsolete' constitutional definition as a 'national state and its EU membership has about 90 percent Romanian ethnics and is part of the old continent - only minorities matter and that 'history' and 'geography' (of the Romanians/Romania and of the world/Europe) are negligible quantities? We carefully and generously cater for minorities - which is very good and very necessary - but do we exclude or ignore, through compensation, the majority?," the president of the Academy goes on to write. He says that the measures that are being taken regarding the Romanian education are not based on the real needs, verified by experts and professionals, but on opinions expressed "over coffee, on the opinions of some decision makers who haven't stepped in a school or a classroom ever since they were little, on the pretensions of some parents who see their own children as brilliant or even on the ideas backed by certain students of simplifying instruction." Ioan-Aurel Pop references philosopher Immanuel Kant's statement that "a people without culture is an easy people to manipulate." "We may know how to always wash our hands, eat only organic products, not pollute nature, open a business, access the sites with the most spectacular games or movies with fantastic beings etc., but we will definitely end up as intellectually crippled. Others will do the thinking for us and we will obediently execute their orders. (...) General culture stocked only in the computer memory is only half useful, because for most it will remain dead letter. Accessing digital data requires us to train our minds, a certain sensitivity for knowledge, a passion for research, all of which doesn't come through an immutable fact of fate, but through hard work, diligent learning, through effort of memory in absence of which intelligence dies," concludes academician Ioan-Aurel Pop. Hyderabad, Jan 6 : The Hyderabad police on Wednesday arrested Andhra Pradesh ex-minister Bhooma Akhila Priya for the kidnapping of former badminton player Praveen Rao and his two brothers in a land dispute. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader was arrested from her residence in Kukatpally hours after the victims were released by the kidnappers on the city outskirts after they were left with no escape route. Police were on the lookout for Akhila Priya's husband Bhargav Ram and main accused A. V. Subba Reddy, a TDP leader and former chairman of AP Seeds Corporation. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar told reporters that Subba Reddy is the number one accused in the case while Akhila Priya is A2 and her husband is A3. The names of a few others also cropped up during investigations but they are all absconding. Police have sent teams to the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh to trace them. The accused conspired, planned and executed the kidnappings. Praveen Rao, Sunil Rao and Naveen Rao, who are relatives of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao's personal assistant, were kidnapped on Tuesday night from their residence here by a group of people posing as income tax officers. The three brothers were kidnapped in filmi style from their residence in Bowenpally in Secunderabad. The kidnappers came to their house and introduced themselves as income tax officials. They even produced fake search warrants. According to police, the accused whisked away Praveen Rao and his two brothers after locking the other family members in a room. The Commissioner said the police received the information at 8.10 p.m. and immediately police in all three commissionerates were alerted. More than 15 teams were constituted to trace and the kidnapped persons. During the investigation, police learnt that the vehicles used by the accused had fake registration number plates. "The criminals realized that they were left with no avenue to escape and they released the three persons at Narsingi Kokapet around 3.30 a.m.," he said. As the kidnapped persons switched on their phones after their release, police could trace the location and helped them return home. Stating that the sensational case was solved in three hours, the police commissioner said the police will not tolerate such organised crimes in Telangana. "This is a warning to all criminals. The law of the land is firm in Telangana and we will not tolerate what was happening earlier," he said. The police commissioner said there was a dispute between the two sides over a piece of land in Hafeezpet and last year Praveen Rao had lodged a police complaint against Subba Reddy for tresspassing and intimidation. Praveen Rao had reportedly purchased 25 acres of land in 2016 with the help of Subba Reddy who took the assistance of Bhuma Nagi Reddy, a former MP and father of Akhila Priya, who died in 2017. Akhila Priya later approached Praveen for a share after differences with Subba Reddy. Praveen's brother Pratap Rao, a lawyer living in Mahabubnagar, told reporters that they contacted him over the phone after 'IT officials' reached their home. Pratap Rao, who was monitoring CCTV footage from his mobile phone, said since they produced the search warrants and identity cards, he asked his brothers to cooperate in the search. Pratap Rao said after 15-20 minutes the CCTV cameras were switched off and when he tried to contact his brothers they were not reachable. He grew suspicious and contacted the income tax authorities, who clarified that the department was not conducting any search. He informed family friends MP Maloth Kavitha and state minister Sriniva Goud, who alerted the top police officials. An alert was sounded in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates. Police in all districts of Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh were also alerted. According to Pratap Rao, his brothers were blindfolded by the kidnappers. Praveen Rao and his brothers returned home early morning. Pratap Rao said they provided information to police about those whom they suspected to be involved in the kidnapping. CHRISTIANSBURG, Va., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 2nd, 2021, an exciting new scientific theory was unveiled that explains literally "everything". This radical new theory is based on solid science, from Newton to Einstein. "Mass'querade: The Movie" released on kickstarter.com for crowd funding by Clifford G. Arnell, will revolutionize our human understanding of Mass and Matter, Gravity and Time and help us see the world in a whole new way. Imagine! "Mass'querade: The Movie" Proof: 'Reality is an Illusion!' What if Mass'querade can teach Science a brand new way of using old information to allow us to engineer and produce weightlessness, anti-gravity, and gravitational propulsion. Mass'querade, a new theory, offers answers for this idea. What if we could finally know everything about the world around us and out in the world of Hubble: the Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, Dark Matter, Time Warps, Wormholes, and Higgs Bosons? What if space exploration no longer depended on chemicals. What if we could build Mass and Matter directly from pure energy? Mass'querade provides a new way of seeing how science can use High-Energy Photons to do this! What if knowing an exact theory of the composition of Mass, Matter and Gravity would allow a way to generate Anti-Gravity and bring weightlessness to the world of everyday living! What if a new kind of antenna like the ones that produce everything from cellphone conversations to radar and microwave ovens, could allow us to fly? What if this new way of looking at Science could produce a local Point of Gravity that could pull things into free-fall toward it so things could be propelled or even lifted right off the ground! We could use anti-gravity to make pyramid building simple, allow us to travel to work effortlessly on a skateboard without wheels, and use our streets for commerce while using the family car to fly us for shopping and vacations. In the Twenty First Century, Engineers will create a world of new products to benefit mankind far more than Radar, Television, or the Transistor using the tenets of Mass'querade. Albert Einstein searched half his life for a unified field theory that could explain how Electricity, Magnetism, Gravity and Time are related. Einstein was looking for Mass'querade: The Theory of Everything"! Mass'querade will complete the Standard Model of High-Energy Physics and eliminate Cyclotrons. Imagination will replace computerized modeling using Mass'querade. Presented now on Kickstarter for Crowd Funding. Go see it now: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cga2020/massquerade-the-movie Contact: Clifford Arnell 7203640922 [email protected] SOURCE Clifford G. Arnell You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Baptist Health Shares Vaccine Distribution Plan By West Kentucky Star Staff & Baptist Health PADUCAH - When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available to me?The first COVID-19 vaccines approved for public use are now available. Initial shipments arrived at healthcare facilities, including four Baptist Health hospitals, in December. Quantities are currently limited until vaccine production ramps up. In response, government agencies, public health officials, and healthcare organizations have developed a phased approach to vaccine distribution. Persons and groups who are at greater risk for COVID-19 infection will be prioritized first. When supplies expand, vaccination will be encouraged for the population as a whole.How will the phased approach to vaccination work?Kentucky provides a good example of how the phased approach will work. Governor Beshear of Kentucky announced on December 3 that the Commonwealth would receive a mid-month shipment of 38,000 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. These vaccines were distributed among 11 selected hospitals, including four Baptist Health facilities. A shipment of Moderna vaccines were then distributed to the remaining Baptist Health hospitals. These hospitals have been identified as safe storage locations for the vaccine.In general, the vaccine will be made available in three phases:Phase 1: Healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data make clear that these are among the most vulnerable of all populations to COVID-19 infection. Additional distinctions are being made between healthcare workers with direct patient contact and persons in administrative positions, who will be a lower priority.Phase 2: Frontline essential workers and individuals who are 75 years or older. Essential workers have been defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as those with jobs or responsibilities that are critical to maintaining infrastructure operations. The frontline group includes emergency responders, grocery store employees, and teachers. Others, including construction workers and restaurant employees, will be included in phase 3. The elderly are among the hardest hit by COVID-19, so seniors living outside of long-term care residences will be eligible for immunization during phase 2.Phase 3: Remaining population. Once supplies reach sufficient numbers, all remaining populations will be encouraged to receive the vaccine. This will include persons under age 75 with underlying medical conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, who are known to be more susceptible to COVID-19 than individuals without comorbidities. There may be some exceptions, including persons who have experienced severe reactions to similar vaccines in the past. Pregnant women should consult their physician prior to being inoculated.These criteria are being further adapted to local circumstances. State governments, public health officials, and healthcare organizations are adjusting these criteria based on disease incidence, vaccine supplies and availability, and other pertinent factors.If you have questions about whether to be immunized for COVID-19, talk with your provider. He or she will have an informed perspective on your situation and can provide guidance on if, when, and how to be vaccinated.How was the phased approach developed?The phased approach was developed based on the goals that organizations such as the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have used in managing the American response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDCs vaccination goals include:Decrease death and serious disease as much as possiblePreserve functioning of societyReduce the extra burden the disease is having on people already facing disparitiesIncrease the chance for everyone to enjoy health and well-beingACIPs ethical principles include:Maximize benefits and minimize harmMitigate health inequitiesPromote justicePromote transparencyOther public health organizations, including the World Health Organizations Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), have contributed to the formulation of the U.S. COVID-19 rollout strategy.Baptist Health is committed to helping end the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19 is one of the most serious medical challenges confronted in recent times. Baptist Health is proud to do its part to end this crisis through the administration of a safe and effective vaccination program. Families of imprisoned Syrians are forced to pay huge amounts to contact their imprisoned relatives, according to the Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Families of Syrian detainees are routinely forced to bribe regime officials huge amounts of money in order to contact them or secure their release, a new report highlighting the corruption in the Syrian prison system says. A report by the Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP) highlighted a massive system of corruption involving guards, judges, members of the military and middlemen. The bribes they receive is then fed back into the regimes security apparatus, which has unleashed a wave of terror on the Syrian population. About a quarter of the families of detainees surveyed said they had been asked for extortion money. Some paid a few thousand dollars or less, while others particularly families living in exile paid up to $30,000. Diab Serrih, the reports author and ADMSP co-founder, said the money ended up in the pockets of corrupt officials, warlords and what he called the deep government ruling Syria behind the scenes. Serrih was detained in 2006 after establishing a youth opposition group and spent the next five years as a political prisoner. He was released in 2011 just as the brutal Assad regime cleared jails of opponents who are perceived to be less of a threat to make room for activists and protesters at the start of the Arab Spring. Its an industry of detention, he said. The Syrian regime is built on security and intelligence branches. They pay poor salaries to encourage corruption and the bribes finance this infrastructure of detainment. The report says that forced disappearance is a major strategy of the Syrian regime, designed to control and intimidate the population, particularly after the 2011 uprising. It also turned out to be profitable for prison and regime officials due to the huge amounts raised from bribery. Arrest and monetary extortion of the population constitute a great source of funding of the state, and its repressive apparatus specifically, it explained. ADMSP interviewed Ahmad, a former prisoner who thought he would never see his family again after spending time in nine different prisons over three years. His family paid a total sum of $30,000 in bribes to secure his release. Like many families, mine kept paying $1,000 here and $1,000 there, hoping they were giving it to a person who could get them information, he said. Eventually they paid a large sum to a lawyer who told them that some of it will go to a judge and some to the security forces. Many families were also made to spend thousands of dollars and enter debt, only to be cheated and receive nothing in return. The report called on the international community to pressure the regime and its allies, particularly Russia, into investigating the fate of tens thousands of disappeared and allow families to contact their detained relatives. The report also demanded that officials reveal where dead detainees were buried and allow DNA testing of remains to return bodies back to their families. The Syrian conflict began in 2011 after the regime led by dictator Bashar Al-Assad brutally repressed peaceful pro-democracy protests. His father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria with an iron fist from 1971 until he died in 2000. Around 1.2 million Syrians, or one in 18 of the population, are thought to have been arrested or detained at some point in the war. The Assad regime is notorious for its systemetic torture and murder of prisoners. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. What famous actress shares your birth year? Stacker used IMDb's STAR meter and stats from Wikipedia to determine the most famous actresses that were born the same year as you. For more galleries visit Stacker New Delhi: 2020 has thrown a lot of soul-searching questions for the Indian film industry. With the pandemic changing the way people have consumed content at their homes all year round, there is a growing buzz that OTT platforms are the future and that, theatres will find it difficult to pull people in hoards like they used to. There is also a conversation that only big budget spectacles will see people to come to theatres, leaving a big question mark on whether concept films will go the digital route. We caught up with film-maker and YRFs homegrown producer Maneesh Sharma to weigh in on this debate. Maneesh says, Im of the opinion that people will come back to the cinemas once the pandemic subsides. There seems to be a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. Things were looking a little endless a month back but now we can still put an approximate time frame that things will become ok, things should be fairly in control. So, people will come back to the theatres and want to have that immersive experience. Maneeshs stance is completely in-keeping the position that Yash Raj Films has taken during the pandemic. The biggest production house of India, helmed by Aditya Chopra, decided to not release his films on digital and has managed to stick to this decision despite having big films like 'Bunty Aur Babli 2', 'Shamshera' and 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar' ready to release. Maneesh says, I think, any good film, will find its audience in theatres. I dont think we can define if by saying that if its a big budget film, people will come, and if its a small film, people wont. If its a comedy, people will come and if its a drama, they wont. I dont think people will decide to come to theatres on the basis of the genre. They will decide to come on the basis of what experience the film is offering. So, the films will have to be good and people will come. Maneesh is celebrating his birthday with his family in Delhi today. He will return to Mumbai soon to resume working on his hush-hush next. The film-maker, who has directed films like 'Band Baaja Baarat', 'Shudh Desi Romance', 'Fan', feels that, for Indians, going to cinema with friends, families and loved ones is intrinsic to our culture. People go to cinemas during festivals, during big holidays. Cinema and celebrations are somehow linked together in our country and I do think that any good film will rekindle that feeling for us all. We have an extremely social culture and going to a cinema plays a very important role. I think if a film is attractive to them, people will turn up at the theatres. I have no doubt about that, says Maneesh. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score has been used clinically for years to help predict clinical outcomes for critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit setting. Using inpatient records comprising textual documentation from a hospital's EMR, (including consultations, progress notes, radiology, and lab results), the EMscribe framework provides an automatic, unbiased determination of any patient's SOFA score prospectively, obviating the need for clinicians to have to selectively review the medical records and manually calculate the result. "There is now an automated tool that can at least aid the clinician in making these impossibly difficult decisions." With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic stretching medical facility critical care capacities beyond the breaking point, some have advocated the use case for the SOFA score to help identify those critically ill patients most likely to benefit from limited clinical resources. By automatically tabulating the results for all patients, using our EMscribe technology removes some of the ethical burden on the front-line clinician having to decide who should be analyzed and when. With EMscribe audit and abstraction capabilities functioning in the background, the determination of the SOFA score becomes as routine as measuring someone's temperature or blood pressure. No other Health Information Management tools have this automated capability. Along with any number of other user-determined abstraction capabilities, AMI's automated SOFA scoring joins their Robotic Computer Automated Coding in being 100% accurate and complete. For audit purposes, the SOFA score can be reviewed and verified at any time by the clinician pulling up a specific account through the AMI or any Graphical User Interface. "This much needed automated SOFA score technology can improve clinical performance by limiting the ethical burden on an already beleaguered practitioner team while eliminating clinician variability in these trying times," commented Andrew B. Covit, MD, CEO, Artificial Medical Intelligence Inc. "There is now an automated tool that can at least aid the clinician in making these impossibly difficult decisions." EMscribe software utilizes AMI's innovative Artificial Intelligence, specifically Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology to read inpatient and outpatient records for the abstraction of a wide range of user-determined clinical parameters. In addition, EMscribe has enjoyed a long-established ability to determine diagnostic, procedure and CPT codes from a clinical chart and presenting them for coder validation, verification and review. For over 18 years, EMscribe has been deployed successfully in many hospitals throughout the United States and the platform can be decoupled and bolted onto all major EMRs or other systems that require advanced CAC/NLP technology in furtherance of clinical excellence.. About AMI Founded in 2002, Artificial Medical Intelligence (www.artificialmed.com) is a healthcare informatics software developer focusing on increasing efficiency within Health Information Management. Its patent pending core solution, EMscribe, provides suggested coding and abstractions using Natural Language Processing for both the inpatient and outpatient encounter. The innovative solution is very adaptable and can automate certain patient record types with no coder input needed. The technology can also automatically abstract numerous key elements including Present on Admission diagnoses, Hospital Acquired Condition, as well as a variety of other patient values, thus making it the most comprehensive hospital tested HIM-Coding solution available. AMI's solutions are targeted at hospital healthcare facilities, larger clinics and physician practices that are looking to automate process management and improve the processing of medical documents. The Powered by EMscribe technology is available to partners and is sold directly to hospitals nationwide. The company is headquartered in Marlboro, New Jersey. For further information or to arrange for interviews, please contact: Kerry Fagan 908-902-1825 [email protected] SOURCE Artificial Medical Intelligence Related Links http://www.artificialmed.com About 20% of territorial communities, two regions have no budgets for 2021 Finance Ministry Some 266 merged territorial communities (18%) have no local budgets for 2021, two regions are left without regional budgets, and 27 districts are without district ones, in total 81% of local budgets have been approved, the Ministry of Finance said. "As of January 6, 2021, the Ministry of Finance has information on the approval of 1,298 budgets, which is 81% of the total [1,597]," the Finance Ministry's website said on Wednesday. Regional budgets were not approved in Volyn and Chernihiv regions. At the same time, 92 district budgets and 1,172 budgets of territorial communities were approved, the Finance Ministry said. According to the Budget Code, local budgets shall be approved by December 25 of the year preceding the planned one. Hyderabad police on Wednesday arrested former Andhra Pradesh tourism minister and Telugu Desam Party leader Bhuma Akhila Priya from Kurnool district for her alleged involvement in the kidnap of three distant relatives of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao late on Tuesday night in connection with a land dispute. We have taken Akhila Priya into custody from her residence in the morning and after preliminary interrogation and arrested her formally in the afternoon. She would be produced before a local court in Secunderabad for judicial remand later in the evening, after medical examination, Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar told reporters. Apart from Akhila Priya, her husband Bhargav Ram and another senior TDP leader from Kurnool A V Subba Reddy were among several people who were allegedly involved in hatching and executing the kidnap plan. We have formed special teams of the police for tracking and apprehending the other accused, the commissioner said. The three kidnapped K Praveen Rao, K Sunil Rao and K Naveen Rao, are said to be distantly related to the chief minister and cousins of KCRs aide P Venugopal Rao. Praveen Rao is a former national badminton player. The brothers were said to be involved in a land dispute with the accused at Hafeezpet on the citys outskirts. The details of the land issue are being probed, Anjani Kumar said. According to the commissioner, about 10 people barged into the residence of Praveen Rao, who has been living with his two brothers Sunil Rao and Naveen Rao at Krishna Residency apartment at Manovikas Nagar in Bowenpally at around 7.20 pm. They introduced themselves as Income Tax officers and one of them even flaunted his identity card. They separated the brothers from the rest of the family and asked them to sit in the hall, while forcing the others to go into a bedroom. Later, they whisked the three brothers away in a vehicle. The kidnappers also took away laptops and mobile phones from them, the commissioner said. After waiting for more than an hour in the bedroom, the other family members came out and realised that three men were kidnapped. They immediately alerted the police, who swung into action to track the kidnappers. We alerted our counterparts in the Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates and kept a tab on the movement of all vehicles on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, besides mobile phone towers, he said. At around 3.30 am, the kidnappers released the three brothers at Kokapet-Narasingi area on the outskirts of Hyderabad, not before forcing them to sign some documents at a farmhouse where they were confined for a few hours. Based on the complaint given by the family members, we have arrested Akhila Priya. We are on the lookout for others, the commissioner said. Pratap Rao, another brother of Praveen Rao told reporters earlier in the day that there was a dispute between the accused and his family over 50 acres of land at Hafeezpet in which they were partners. Instead of settling the issue through legal means, they tried to intimidate our brothers. The issue has nothing to do with the chief ministers family. So, please dont drag the family into this, Pratap Rao said. Ke-uH at Acqualina features a diverse and eclectic menu of tapas and shareable plates. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Ke-uH where our guests can enjoy outstanding Japanese fusion cuisine, said Deborah Yager Fleming, CEO & Partner of Acqualina Resort. Japanese cuisine is so popular among our hotel guests and will become a new dining hot spot in our area. The award-winning Acqualina Resort & Residences locared in Miami announces the opening of Ke-uH, a Japanese fusion restaurant in the AQ space. Ke-uH features a diverse and eclectic menu of tapas and shareable plates in an elegant and modern setting that includes indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The new restaurant will complement Acqualinas Costa Grill and Il Mulino New York restaurants. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Ke-uH where our guests can enjoy outstanding Japanese fusion cuisine in a stunning environment, said Deborah Yager Fleming, CEO & Partner of Acqualina Resort. Japanese cuisine is so popular among our hotel guests and will become a new dining hot spot and loved by residents in our area. Ke-uHs modern take on fine ingredients with a tapas-style menu featuring small plates is inspired to create a shared convivial experience and strongly complements Acqualinas commitment to providing extraordinary dining experiences. The opening of Ke-uH at Acqualina marks the third restaurant in Florida, following Ke-uH in Weston and sister restaurant Kazumi in Key Biscayne. Carlos Delfino, Chef/Founder and part owner of Ke-uH and Kazumi, worked with Master Sushi Chef Oscar Noborikawa to create the inventive Ke-uH menu. Chef Noborikawa spent 14 years in Nobu Miami, perfecting his art under the disciplined tutelage of some of the countrys most revered Japanese masters before being elevated to prestigious Executive Sushi Chef. Chef Noborikawas command of Japanese cuisine can be distilled down to ingredients and balance. He works with trusted purveyors to import Japanese Hamachi yellowtail, Uni sea urchin, octopus and sweet shrimp, Scottish salmon, Yellowfin and Bigeye tuna from Central and South America and Bluefin tuna from the Mediterranean Sea. Chefs at Ke-uH make everything from pizza crust to ponzu sauce, yuzu soy, truffle flavors and aioli from personal recipes to accompany sushi and non-Japanese menu items include baby back ribs, sliders and Kurobuta pork belly, plus vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Its the balance in every single bite, says Chef Noborikawa. For me, its the combination of the quality of product, the preparation, the respect of and care for every single ingredient and inherent discipline to create the perfect balance of citrus, spiciness, sauce for expressive sushi. We are honored to be working with Acqualina to bring Ke-uH to Miamis Sunny Isles Beach, said owner Daniel Fernandez. We are offering an elevated dining experience where family and friends will find something they will love and enjoy together. Ke-uH is located at Acqualina Resort & Residences, 17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL. Dinner is served from 5:30pm to10pm seven days a week and The Bar at Ke-uH is opened from 5:30pm to 10pm. Valet parking, all major credit cards accepted. For reservations or more information, call 305.918.6888 or visit http://www.acqualinaresort.com. Reservations can also be made via http://www.OpenTable.com. New Delhi: Military ties between Indian and American defence forces are growing further in the middle of a conflict with China as the US Navy would be providing three 127 medium caliber guns from its own inventory to urgently equip warships of the Indian Navy as part of a 3,800 crore deal. India has issued a Letter of Request to the US government for acquiring 11, 127 mm medium caliber guns which are to be equipped on the large-size warships of the Indian Navy including the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers. As per the new plan, the LoR issued to the American administration and the first three guns to be provided to the Indian Navy would be from the American Navy inventory so that the Indian warships are fully equipped at the earliest, government sources told ANI. Once the production of the new guns starts in America and they are ready to be delivered, the American Navy guns on Indian warships would be replaced by fresh ones. The medium caliber guns would be a new entry into the Indian Navy and would be an upgrade on the existing weapons of a similar class in the maritime force. The Indian Navy has developed a very close working relationship with its American counterpart as a majority of the new acquisitions of the force are coming from the US. The Russian equipment in the force including the surveillance planes have been replaced by the P-8I aircraft. The multirole helicopters are also coming from the US as the SeaKing choppers would be replaced by the MH-60 Romeos. The American Predator drones have also been leased by the Navy from the American firm General Atomics and more such unmanned systems are expected to come as part of a triaervice deal between the two sides. India and America are also discussing the possibility of a sale of F/A 18 fighter planes and they were offered by the American government during the recent two plus two meetings between the two countries. (ANI) This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Researchers use novel probe to witness how a 'matchmaker' molecule puts the brake on cell division until components are ready to be split Starting as a single cell, organisms undergo millions of generations of divisions to ultimately generate the bones, heart, brain and other components that make up a living being. The mainspring within this intricate process is the transfer of DNA through each subsequent cell split within discrete packets called chromosomes. It's critical that all chromosomes are duplicated and precisely distributed through every generation of cell division. If the inherited chromosome components are altered, even slightly, birth defects and certain cancers can result. A new study published in the journal Science by postdoctoral scholar Pablo Lara-Gonzalez, Division of Biological Sciences Professor Arshad Desai and their colleagues addresses the mystery of how chromosomes are inherited correctly every time a cell divides. Using a novel probe that monitors a key aspect of this process, Lara-Gonzalez and Desai have detailed the mechanics behind a "wait" signal that ensures that cell division isn't prematurely set in motion. The researchers concentrated their investigations on a pathway in the cell called the "spindle checkpoint," which is a type of quality control mechanism that ensures accurate chromosome inheritance during cell division. The spindle checkpoint pathway is activated at a site on the chromosome called the kinetochore, a mechanical interface where protein fibers are coupled to pull chromosomes apart. "When kinetochores are not attached to these protein fibers, they send out a 'wait' signal that halts the cell in mitosis (cell division), thereby giving time for attachments to be formed," said Desai, a professor in the Section of Cell and Developmental Biology (Biological Sciences) and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (School of Medicine). "In this way, the cell makes sure all chromosomes are attached properly and ready to be pulled apart before the cell divides, thereby leaving no chromosome behind." In the Science paper, the researchers describe how the wait checkpoint signal is specifically generated at kinetochores of unattached chromosomes. Serendipitously, they developed a fluorescent probe that enabled them to watch for the first time the key molecular event in wait signal generation at kinetochores in living cells. "This work identified a key 'matchmaker' molecule that brings together two constituents of the wait signal that do not like to associate with each other on their own," said Lara-Gonzalez. "These findings help explain why the 'wait' checkpoint signal is selectively generated at kinetochores and not elsewhere in the cell." The findings offer a framework for ways in which the accuracy of chromosome inheritance can be lowered in certain states of disease, such as cancer, the researchers said. ### Coauthors of the paper are: Pablo Lara-Gonzalez, Taekyung Kim, Karen Oegema, Kevin Corbett and Arshad Desai. Funding for the research was provided by the National Institutes of Health (R01GM074215, R01GM104141); Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research; S10 OD021724 (UC San Diego mass spectrometry); and the National Research Foundation of Korea (2020R1C1C1008696). ASHEVILLE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / What happens when an investor is interested in a Self-Directed IRA plan but does not know how to go about the process of opening one? That is when a step-by-step guide can help, argues a recent post at American IRA, a Self-Directed IRA administration firm based in Asheville, North Carolina. According to the post, there may be three essential steps for retirement investors to consider as they weigh the different types of accounts available for self-direction. Among these steps, American IRA argues, is the investor figuring out a retirement strategy. The strategy for retirement will have a major impact on which account type may suit the investor best. For example, a Roth IRA is an ideal account for investors who want to continue to grow an account after official retirement age, as a Roth IRA uses after-tax money. This means that the IRS allows investors to take no required minimum distributions after retirement age-the money in the account can continue to grow. This example, argues the post, is one reason why investors should consider individual plans before picking the best Self-Directed IRA. The post also pointed out that there are multiple options available. In some cases, a Self-Directed SEP-IRA may make sense for an individual investor. In other cases, a Self-Directed Solo 401(k) may be ideal. There are different circumstances-such as the investor's work situation-which can also have bearing on the decision as to which Self-Directed IRA plan to use. "It's important for investors to know that this process doesn't have to be intimidating," said Jim Hitt, CEO of American IRA. "The process might seem alien to investors who are new to Self-Directing. But the truth is, once you break it down into a few simple steps, you will realize that it's just like anything else. It's important to take it one step at a time, consider the best strategies for an investor's individual situation, and then move forward." The post includes three basic steps for investors considering a Self-Directed IRA plan. For more information, visit the post at www.AmericanIRA.com. Interested parties may also contact the Self-Directed IRA administration firm by dialing 866-7500-IRA. "About: American IRA, LLC was established in 2004 by Jim Hitt, CEO in Asheville, NC. The mission of American IRA is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry. Jim Hitt and his team have grown the company to over $400 million in assets under administration by educating the public that their Self-Directed IRA account can invest in a variety of assets such as real estate, private lending, limited liability companies, precious metals, and much more. As a Self-Directed IRA administrator, they are a neutral third party. They do not make any recommendations to any person or entity associated with investments of any type (including financial representatives, investment promoters or companies, or employees, agents, or representatives associated with these firms). They are not responsible for and are not bound by any statements, representations, warranties, or agreements made by any such person or entity and do not provide any recommendation on the quality, profitability, or reputability of any investment, individual, or company. The term "they" refers to American IRA, located in Asheville and Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA." SOURCE: American IRA, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/621154/American-IRA-Discusses-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-on-Choosing-a-Self-Directed-IRA-Plan The Global Centre of Fatwas at Egypts Al-Azhar said on Monday that hoarding medical supplies, including oxygen cylinders, to make profits at a time of crisis is religiously prohibited. Truth, justice and honesty are among the pillars of Islam, which also prohibits cheating, deception and lying, the centre said. Citing verses from the Holy Quran that prohibit monopolies during crises, the centre said that any monopoly on medical or food supplies is a religious, economic and social crime because it causes harm to people. Al-Azhar is considered the highest Islamic Sunni religious institution in Egypt and in the Muslim world, and this fatwa comes at a time when the country is facing a new crisis amid its fight against the coronavirus: a shortage in medical oxygen tanks. Over the past two days, this crisis revealed itself when two incidents took place at public hospitals in Sharqiya and Gharbiya governorates, where six coronavirus patients reportedly died due to a lack of oxygen, according to videos and reports that went viral on social media. In a statement on Sunday, the health ministry affirmed the availability of oxygen in sufficient quantities at all hospitals receiving coronavirus patients, including Al-Husayniah Central Hospital in Sharqiya governorate and Zefta General Hospital in Gharbiya governorate, where the six patients died. The public prosecutor is currently investigating both incidents, which have caused a stir on TV channels and social media. There have been reports that oxygen cylinders are either sold at exorbitant prices or are not available at all on the market. According to Mohamed El-Garhy, the head of Sharkia-based charity January 25 Hospitals board of trustees, the oxygen crisis started three weeks ago. When the numbers of coronavirus patients began to increase three weeks back, some families could not find places in ICUs in some areas and so resorted to home isolation, and so the demand increased for oxygen cylinders, he told Ahram Online, adding that the crisis also includes shortages in cylinder regulators and other paraphernalia. Egypt has so far recorded a total of 142,187 coronavirus cases, including 113,898 recoveries and 7,805 fatalities, with a dramatic rise in infections over the past few weeks. According to officials including the minister of health, the real number of coronavirus cases in Egypt is higher than the official numbers, because many are opting for home treatment rather than going to hospital. Experts believe that the peak of the second wave will hit the country in the upcoming two weeks. El-Garhy says that the demand has increased for oxygen cylinders and consequently so has the price. The suppliers of oxygen cylinders did not merely double or triple the price of the cylinder, but made it reach EGP 4,000 even for re-filled cylinders, he said, adding that also the price of re-filling cylinders has also increased, creating a black market. It now seems that demanding oxygen cylinders from suppliers is like demanding prohibited drugs, El-Garhy said, recounting how a young man he knew from Sharkia governorate conducted deal to buy a cylinder from a supplier who had him meet him in downtown Alexandria. Charity NGOs like January 25 Hospital have been working hard to collect donations to provide oxygen cylinders for patients. According to an investigation by Ahram Online, the shortage in oxygen tanks in Egypt dates back months. Online market OLX has dozens of ads offering medical oxygen cylinders dating back to October. There are also ads posted by people looking to purchase cylinders, and a new item frequently appearing with a high price tag is also the medical oxygen generator. The 10-litre oxygen cylinder is the one available because there is huge shortage on the market; you can no longer find any other sizes, one of the sellers on OLX said after being contacted by Ahram Online. The seller, who was offering a 10-litre oxygen cylinder for EGP 1,600, said he did not know when other sizes would be available. Aside from the problem of stockpiling, the few factories in the countrys governorates cannot keep up with the rising demand. According to the Chemicals Industries Chambers at Egypts Federation of industries in 2016, there are only 30 authorised medical gas factories. At the same time, illegal workshops having been manufacturing cylinders that do not meet the necessary standards. Only authorised medical gas factories are the official suppliers for hospitals. Two weeks ago, Minister of Health Hala Zayed revealed that the average daily consumption of oxygen in hospitals reached half-a-million litres daily, and factories in Egypt are producing nearly 70,000 litres daily as reserves for the coming period. The Ministry of Health has also announced that it is monitoring the quantity of oxygen in hospitals nationwide. The same thing was announced on Tuesday by Prime Minister Mostafa Mabdouly, who stated that there are enough oxygen tanks in the countrys governorates. Mohamed El-Garhy believes that the state can help solve the current crisis. The state can temporarily manage the oxygen depots and factories administratively through a committee that includes representatives from the ministries of health, supply and the interior, he told Ahram Online. He also suggested imposing official pricing on oxygen cylinders similar to how it is imposed on cigarettes. We need oxygen cylinders now more than cigarettes, he said. Those breaking the orders of the government concerning oxygen cylinders must stand trial and be fined; this would end this black market that has suddenly appeared, El-Garhy stated. Short link: George Whitmore passes at 89 View Photo Sonora, CA Legendary climber George Whitmore one of the original three that scaled El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and a conservationist who devoted his life to protecting the Sierra Nevada, has died. Whitmore died on New Years Day from complications caused by COVID-19. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 13th, after developing an occasional cough and subsequent fever. Whitmore was hospitalized for the virus and then moved to a Fresno rehabilitation facility. He sadly died a week later from damage to his lungs. Whitmore was the last surviving member of the trio that was first to reach the top of El Capitan on Nov. 12, 1958. In 2008, Whitmore gathered with climbers from around the world at Yosemite to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 3,000-foot ascent of the sheer granite rock with Wayne Merry and Warren Harding, who died in 2019 and 2002, respectively. A pharmacist by trade, Whitmore retired in the 1970s. He was active in the Sierra Club. His conservation efforts included helping to establish the Kaiser Wilderness in 1976 and the California Wilderness Act of 1984, which added 1.8 million acres into the National Wilderness Preservation System. He was active in the blocking of a proposed ski resort at Mineral King in the 1960s and 70s by the Walt Disney Company. The valley subsequently became part of Sequoia National Park. Whitmore actively attended Sierra Club meetings until the pandemic started and the meetings went online. Whitmore was 89. Till Sugathakumari died, the poet-activist remained a guardian angel of Keralas forests, rivers, mountains, coastal regions, wildlife, and precious natural resources. By KA Shaji When Malayalams celebrated poet Sugathakumari, a pioneer of environmental activism in Kerala, reached the states tribal heartland Attappadi during the early months of 1980, the region looked like a barren land with very few trees and no vegetation. The tribal community told her, and fellow poet-activist NV Krishna Warrier, that indiscriminate tree felling, involving timber mafias from outside the region, was responsible for the loss of the green cover. Other than appealing to the Kerala Forest Department to initiate rectifying measures in the region where tribal livelihood and sustenance were badly affected by deforestation, she decided to initiate afforestation in at least a small portion of land there in her way as an experiment. She approached the department with the request to temporarily handover a 100-acre hillock at Bommiapadi village to reconvert it as a natural forest. Using financial assistance worth Rs 7.5 lakh from the Council for the Advancement of Peoples Action of Rural Technology (CAPART), she and her team soon started developing the forest which has now turned into a successful model to be emulated elsewhere. The outcome of the will and determination of her team, the Bommiapadi forest is now known as Krishnavanam and is home to animals such as elephants, gaurs, deers, peacocks, wild boars, tigers, and the lion-tailed macaques. Developed and maintained with the active involvement of local tribals, Krishnavanam has a variety of trees including bamboo, kanjiram (Strychnine), neem, and venga (Indian kino tree). There are also a large variety of medicinal plants which support the traditional medicine initiatives of the local tribals. According to KA Ramu, a tribal activist in Attappady, Krishnavanam which is now back in the custody of the forest department is a fitting memorial for Sugathakumari, who died on 23 December due to post-COVID complications. She was 86. A guardian of Keralas forests and trees Sugathakumari was known for her engagement with poetry, environmental activism, charity works, and socio-cultural initiatives. She began environmental activism during the early 1970s when conservation emerged as a global agenda point for the first time. Till she died, the poet-activist remained a guardian angel of Keralas forests, rivers, mountains, coastal regions, wildlife, and precious natural resources. Sugathakumari played a key role in the Save Silent Valley Movement, among the earliest modern-day environmental movements in India, which began in 1978 and ended in 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared abandoning the controversial hydroelectric power project which might have ruined precious forests in 89.52 square kilometres of land. Sugathakumaris poem Marathinu sthuthi (An Ode to the Tree) has become a powerful symbol of the protest and it turned the opening song at many Save the Silent Valley campaign meetings held across the state. A Padma Shri winner who won several literary awards at the state level and national level, Sugathakumari had also won Bhatia Award for Social Science, Sacred Soul International Award, Lakshmi Award for social service, and the first Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award from the Government of India for her contributions in environmental protection and afforestation. By strongly advocating the cause of the environment and forests in Kerala, a state known for its high density of population, she remained a target of attack by the development lobbies, who often labeled her as an environmental terrorist. Despite all the criticism, the poet had emerged as the face of environmental activism in the state. Nobody will be able to neglect or negate her stands on key conservation issues. Her poetry and environmental activism were inseparable. She had showered enormous love and care even to birds and winds. She is an Indian version of Australian poet Judith Wright, an environmentalist, and campaigner for land rights of aboriginal tribes. She refused to remain in the ivory towers of poetry and never hesitated from taking part in protests and struggles, said K Satchidanandan, leading Malayalam poet, activist, and former secretary of Kendriya Sahitya Academy. A voice for recent environmental movements In the recent years, she led a successful agitation in Aranmula village of Pathanamthitta district against a proposed greenfield airport reclaiming large tracts of paddy fields and blocking the flow of numerous streams originating from the Western Ghats and feeding river Pampa and the backwater regions of the district and nearby Alappuzha. She was also in the forefront of agitations against controversial hydel power projects at Pathrakadavu and Athirappilly, and waged a protracted war against the atomic power project proposed at Peringome in northern Kannur district. A few weeks before her death, she told her followers to plant a banyan tree when they asked about her last wish. She said she would be happy with a banyan tree as her memorial. Dont write anything on or near the tree. There is no need to keep my ashes there. I would be happy when birds arrive to eat the fruits, she said. The second daughter of late freedom fighter and Gandhian activist Bodheswaran and Sanskrit scholar VK Karthiyayayani, she had laid a strong foundation for environmental activism in Kerala through different modes which include direct interventions, poetry, speeches, and protests. In recent years, she had used her poetry as a means to convey the message of conservation and protection. Even her philanthropy and charity were reflective of her strong commitment to nature and the environment. A strong champion of Western Ghats and a prime voice against encroachments on it, she strongly defended the Gadgil committee recommendations for the protection of Western Ghats. In that process, she had faced large scale attacks from interest groups. In his condolence message, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Sugathakumari had ably fought a long battle for environment and womens rights. She proved that social activism can successfully go in tandem along with poetic life, he said. This article was originally published on Mongabay.com. Mongabay-India is an environmental science and conservation news service. This article has been republished under the Creative Commons license. Press Release Nokia and Zain KSA smarten up Saudi homes and offices with 5G-powered FWA and Wi-Fi 6 Nokia and Zain KSA are expanding their strategic 5G partnership with a rollout of 60,000 FastMile 5G Gateways across Saudi Arabia over the next 12 months The 5G fixed wireless access gateways are the first to incorporate eSIMS (embedded SIM), aligning with Zain KSA's digital transformation strategy to enhance the customer experience FastMile 5G gateways connect homes and businesses with ultra-fast 5G technology, and support Wi-Fi 6 06 January 2021 Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced an expansion of its strategic 5G partnership with Zain KSA to rollout 60,000 FastMile 5G Gateway 3.1 with eSIM across Saudi Arabia over the next 12 months. The gateways will deliver stronger signal, better connectivity and ultra-high data speeds to every corner of homes and offices in the Kingdom. The move allows Zain KSA to support smart home and office adoption in the country with enhanced connectivity for smart devices through 5G and Wi-Fi 6, which altogether guarantees an improved customer experience. Nokia FastMile 5G gateways take advantage of the company's self-optimizing mesh Wi-Fi 6 solution for real time Wi-Fi performance optimization. The gateways ensure a much quicker and easier account setup by using the latest eSIM technology that allows users to avoid the process of acquiring and installing a physical SIM card. This deployment is the first time eSIM has been used in a 5G fixed wireless access solution. Eng. AbdulRahman bin Hamad AlMufadda, Chief Technology Officer at Zain KSA, said: "Rolling out our new 5G fixed wireless access routers comes in line with our digital transformation and 5G expansion strategy reiterating our role in serving the Kingdom's society. Our mission from the start was to strengthen the 5G experience in the Kingdom into two levels: horizontally, concerned with spreading the 5G network across the largest possible geographical scale. Vertically, through 5G fixed wireless access solutions to enable homes and offices with the best and most reliable broadband experience available. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 we will continue to invest further to enable the digital sector and the national digital transformation namely through: cloud computing, IoT, and AI; while simultaneously aiming to become the digital service provider of choice in the Kingdom." He added, "We are delighted to launch the 5G fixed wireless access devices, to ensure that homes and businesses can enjoy the fastest and most reliable broadband experience. As such, Zain KSA becomes the pioneering operator in the latest generation of telco services to deploy Nokia FastMile 5G Gateways which is another milestone added in our reliable and secure 5G network to revolutionize the way people live and work." Sandra Motley, President of Fixed Networks Division at Nokia, said: "We are happy to support Zain KSA connect more people, and revolutionize the way people live and work in the Kingdom. Zain KSA is joining the leading operators around the world, in providing the 5G fixed wireless access to deliver a gigabit experience to consumers and businesses alike. The combination of FastMile 5G Gateways and self-optimizing mesh Wi-Fi 6 technology means that Zain KSA is delivering a new and unmatched 5G experience to everyone, at every corner in homes and offices." Both companies are committed to extending their cooperation on 5G to achieve the best possible coverage, stability and bandwidth for Saudi Arabia. Zain KSA, one of the world's pioneering 5G network operators, ranked as the largest 5G rollout out in Saudi, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and fourth globally. It has an established relationship with Nokia where in June 2019 the two companies announced a three-year deal to rollout 5G to thousands of sites using Nokia's comprehensive portfolio, introducing 5G using 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz along with massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) to deliver enhanced network capacity and coverage with enhanced data speeds. The deal also introduced E-Band microwave in certain areas to allow for ultra-high-capacity backhaul networks. Resources Webpage: Nokia FastMile Nokia FastMile Gateways 3.1 support Wi-Fi 6 that delivers 40% higher throughput and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 5. The Gateways also support EasyMesh, which gives end users more choice to mix and match different access points on their home Wi-Fi network. Nokia has complemented EasyMesh with additional software for automatic Wi-Fi interference detection and mitigation to increase the Wi-Fi performance. About Nokia We create the critical networks and technologies to bring together the world's intelligence, across businesses, cities, supply chains and societies. With our commitment to innovation and technology leadership, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we deliver networks at the limits of science across mobile, infrastructure, cloud, and enabling technologies. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities we need for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world. For our latest updates, please visit us online www.nokia.com and follow us on Twitter @nokia. About Zain KSA A leading telecom provider established in Saudi Arabia on August 2008 as a listed company. It adopts a 3 pillared strategy which includes growth, agility, and innovation as its main pillars for success. In due respect to its highly developed infrastructure, the company was successful in establishing itself as a reliable telecom operator and a digital service provider whose services include telecom services, 5G network, digital payment services, cloud computing, IoT solutions, fiber services, drones, and many others. For more on Zain KSA please visit: www.sa.zain.com To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Net Federal Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today it has earned URAC accreditations in Health Utilization Management, Case Management and Disease Management. URAC is the independent leader in promoting health care quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. By achieving this status, Health Net Federal Services has demonstrated a comprehensive commitment to quality care, improved processes and better patient outcomes. Health Net Federal Services has continuously held URAC's Health Utilization Management and Case Management accreditations since 2005, and URAC's Disease Management accreditation since 2011. Its most recent accreditations are effective through Dec. 1, 2023 for Health Utilization Management and Case Management, and through Oct. 1, 2023 for Disease Management. Health Net Federal Services values all of its accreditations earned for care delivered to TRICARE West beneficiaries including programs that target anxiety, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, depression, and diabetes. "Health Net Federal Services is honored to once again receive URAC's Health Utilization Management, Case Management and Disease Management Accreditations," said Kathleen E. Redd, president and CEO, Health Net Federal Services. "Our compliance with URAC's rigorous utilization and case management standards, and our work done through our Disease Management Education Program, demonstrates our commitment to clinically sound review processes to help ensure appropriate and efficient health care services are delivered and promote the quality care our beneficiaries deserve." "Appropriateness and efficiency are words to live by in meeting new value-based goals for population health. Health Net Federal Services' URAC accreditation shows an ability to abide by the gold standard when it comes to performing health management functions," said URAC President and CEO Shawn Griffin, M.D. "Health Net Federal Services steadfast commitment to URAC's broad standards and measures proves its commitment to quality care." About Health Net Federal Services Health Net Federal Services has a long history of providing cost-effective, quality managed health care programs for government agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. For more than 30 years, Health Net Federal Services has been honored to partner with the Department of Defense to provide health care services to the men and women who serve our great country, and their family members. Through the TRICARE program, Health Net Federal Services currently assists approximately 2.9 million beneficiaries in the TRICARE West Region, including active duty, retired, National Guard and Reserve, and family members. Health Net Federal Services was one of the first companies in the U.S. to develop comprehensive managed care programs for military families. Visit www.hnfs.com for more information. About URAC Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. URAC is a nonprofit organization using evidence-based measures and developing standards through inclusive engagement with a range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of healthcare. Our portfolio of accreditation and certification programs span the healthcare industry, addressing healthcare management, healthcare operations, health plans, pharmacies, telehealth providers, physician practices, and more. URAC accreditation is a symbol of excellence for organizations to showcase their validated commitment to quality and accountability. SOURCE Health Net Federal Services, LLC Related Links https://www.hnfs.com Israel has appointed an envoy to the United Arab Emirates, UAE, to run the country mission in the Gulf State, The New Arab reports. Eitan Naeh, Israels former envoy to Turkey according to the Israeli Foreign ministry, will take office in the capacity of charge daffaires in the next few days, in Abu Dhabi. Naeh will hold the position temporarily until the appointment of an ambassador after Israel sets up a full-fledged embassy in the Emirati capital. Naeh left Turkey in 2018 after two year into his job. Ankara expelled the Israeli envoy in protest to the killing of more than 60 Palestinians by the Israeli army. UAE became in September the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan to thaw ties with Israel. Since the signing of the diplomatic agreement in the U.S, both countries have fast-tracked cooperation in several areas. Aside from the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco also have thawed ties with Tel Aviv. Jerusalem, Jan 6 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz reached an agreement to impose a full nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Spokespersons of both leaders said on Tuesday in separate statements that the entire education system will be closed. In addition, most gatherings will be banned, the Xinhua news agency reported. The health ministry has called to close all shops and commerce every evening from 7 p.m. local time until the next morning. The cabinet convened on Tuesday afternoon to approve the measure. The duration of the lockdown has yet to be decided. Gantz supports a relatively short lockdown of about 10 to 14 days while Netanyahu has pushed for a lockdown that will be lifted only after the morbidity drops to a certain level. At the start of the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that mutation of Covid-19 "has gone out of control." Israel has entered its third nationwide lockdown on Dec. 27, 2020. With a population of around 9 million people, Israel's health ministry reported on Tuesday morning a total of 451,044 diagnosed cases and 3,448 deaths from the pandemic. WASHINGTON - Democrats vowed Wednesday to rush $2,000 checks to Americans as quickly as possible as they cinched unified control of Washington with Senate wins in Georgia. The move would make good on promises President-elect Joe Biden made to Georgia voters in the final days of the runoff race, which ended Tuesday with Democrat Raphael Warnock beating Republican Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Jon Ossoff unseating Republican David Perdue, whose term lapsed Sunday. Those Democratic victories flipped control of the Senate to the Democrats, giving them a monopoly on power in the nation's capital for the first time since Barack Obama's first term. "One of the first things that I want to do when our new senators are seated is deliver the $2,000 checks to the American families," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who will become majority leader, told reporters Wednesday. The $2,000 checks have become a flash point since President Donald Trump embraced them in December, rejecting a lower figure negotiated by his own administration. The House approved the higher number but the Senate rejected it. Biden wavered on the issue, but ended up explicitly promising Georgia voters that should Warnock and Ossoff win, people would get the checks. "Their election will put an end to the block in Washington - that $2,000 stimulus check - that money would go out the door immediately, to help people who are in real trouble," Biden said in Georgia in the closing days of the Senate campaigns. "Think about what it will mean to your lives - putting food on the table, paying rent." Biden's promise to enact $2,000 checks came despite a fierce debate among Democratic economists and lawmakers about the merits of the payments, which some critics argue sends too much money to Americans who do not need it. Ossoff and Warnock both pledged while on the campaign trail to enact $2,000 stimulus payments if elected. "People need covid relief. We ought to pass a $2,000 stimulus," Warnock said Wednesday on MSNBC. It's unclear how quickly Congress could actually vote on the checks. That depends on when the elections in Georgia are certified, which could be delayed by GOP challenges, making the timing uncertain. Additionally, it's not clear whether the House and Senate would vote on the checks as stand-alone legislation, or as part of a larger package that could also include items like state and local aid and an extension of unemployment benefits. Congressional aides cautioned that discussions with the Biden team over how to proceed were in very early stages. Either way, the $2,000 checks could be an early marker in a wide and aggressive economic agenda Biden and congressional Democrats hope to deliver at a moment when the coronavirus pandemic is raging and the economy is teetering on the brink. The first two years of Obama's presidency brought the nation the Affordable Care Act. Biden, then vice president, will now have the opportunity to enact an ambitious agenda of his own. Infrastructure spending, climate change legislation, expanding health care benefits, student debt forgiveness and more may all be on the table. With control of both chambers, Democrats can use special budget rules to push through massive legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, instead of the 60 votes usually required for major bills. That's how Republicans enacted their $1.5 trillion tax cut bill in the first year of Trump's presidency with no Democratic votes. "Together, in under two weeks when we inaugurate the new Biden-Harris Administration, a unified Democratic Party will advance extraordinary progress For The People," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement. "We will pursue a science and values-based plan to crush the virus and deliver relief to struggling families." Democrats' slim majorities will limit their ambitions and likely exacerbate infighting between liberals and centrists about how far to go. Their 222-211 House majority is the smallest margin of control either party has had for years. The Georgia wins produce a Senate divided 50-50 between the parties, with Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris as the tie-breaking vote for Democrats. Nevertheless, liberals wasted no time Wednesday demanding quick action on their priorities. "Joe Biden and the entire Democratic Party were incredibly clear of the stakes here, starting with the $2,000 checks and massive economic relief policies that put money and resources in the hands of the people," said Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, a liberal advocacy group. "They're now going to have to deliver that, starting with the checks on day one." Renewed signs of economic deterioration will amplify pressure on Democrats to act. Private payrolls shed about 123,000 jobs in December, a startling drop that marked the worst report by the ADP Research Institute in months. The same report showed the number of jobs increasing by more than 300,000 in November. Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at MUFG, warned in a note to investors that the "dark days of the labor market" from the spring have returned. "America's great jobs machine ran into a wall of rising coronavirus cases and state lockdowns which puts the entire economic recovery from recession at risk," Rupkey said. "The worst economic downturn since the Great Depression isn't over yet. Bet on it." Biden will also have to focus on reining in the rampaging coronavirus pandemic, including more money for vaccines and ensuring they go out more quickly. For their part, Senate Republicans were just beginning to grapple with the implications of their likely relegation into minority status. The development came as Congress convened Wednesday to certify Biden's presidential win, a process multiple Republicans were trying to challenge, though their efforts were doomed to fail even before mob violence derailed the proceedings. The apparent Democratic victories in Georgia mean the Senate's agenda will be "totally changed," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. "They're going to have the ability to run things from the House and, you know, shift the emphasis." Congress in March approved more than $2 trillion in emergency economic aid in response to the pandemic and another $900 billion in December. Those aid package have funneled hundreds of billions to small businesses, jobless Americans, and others hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. The first round of stimulus payments included $1,200 per adult, as well as $500 per child, and were within months disbursed to more than 100 million American households. In late December Trump almost overnight helped generate sizable Republican support for the $2,000 checks even though they stand in stark contrast to long-standing conservative skepticism of government spending and direct cash transfer programs. The president nearly upended negotiations on economic relief when he ridiculed Congress, as well as his own treasury secretary, for proposing stimulus payments worth $600 per person. Schumer and Pelosi raced to demonstrate Democratic support for $2,000 payments as well, aiming to show the bipartisan support for the idea. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., refused to put legislation for the $2,000 checks on the Senate floor, preventing the measure from advancing. But McConnell was undermined by a coalition of about a half-dozen Republican Senators who said they supported the large payments, including both Georgia Republicans up for reelection and possible 2024 GOP presidential candidates including Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The bill passed by the House for $2,000 payments was supported by more than two dozen Republicans as well. Its not often someone changes our daily culture in such a seamless and beautiful way, but Ken Burns has done just that. Internationally renowned filmmaker Ken Burns will accept Professional Photographers of Americas prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at Imaging USA, the largest convention in the photographic industry. Imaging USA will be held virtually January 17-19. Burns, whose career spans more than 40 years, is credited with sparking renewed public interest in American history thanks in large part to the extensive use of archival photography in his films. From Brooklyn Bridge to the Country Music series, he has produced some of the most critically acclaimed and most watched documentaries on public television. Born in Brooklyn in 1953, Burns graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, before co-founding Florentine Films in 1976. His technique of panning and zooming over still photographs has become so reproduced in movies and television that its referred to as the Ken Burns Effect. The PPA Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the many accolades that the filmmaker has received during his career. Burns has won 16 Emmy Awards and 2 Oscar nominations, as well as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award. Ken Burnss unique and brilliant vision of how photographic images are communicated in an effective story is embedded so deeply in our profession, PPA President Gregory Daniel said. The Ken Burns Effect is used in virtually every slideshow with music or voiceover to help communicate our stories through photographic imagery. Its not often someone changes our daily culture in such a seamless and beautiful way, but Ken Burns has done just that. Since 2000, PPA has recognized individuals whose life's work has enriched the photographic industry and the profession as a whole with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Burns will be presented with the award virtually on Sunday, January 17, at Imaging USA. To register, visit ImagingUSA.org. About PPA: Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association. Founded in 1868, PPA helps 30,000 professionals elevate their craft and grow their business with resources and education, all under PPAs core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and their consumers. To learn more, visit PPA.com. South Africa's National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) on Monday said the vaccine roll-out plan the state unveiled last night lacked details and was unclear on delivery timelines. "The plan did not have a clear logistical roll-out plan for vaccination, for example in terms of training of the clinicians to vaccinate, geographic layout of the vaccination especially for the vulnerable cohorts," Nehawu General Secretary, Zola Saphetha said. This comes after the Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize unveiled South Africa's vaccine rollout strategy on Sunday night. Mkhize said the government hoped to roll out the vaccine next month. "Hopefully as early as February 2021. This will very much depend on the success of current bilateral negotiations we are in the midst of with various companies," he said. The minister said the plan was to vaccinate about 60 percent of the population by the end of this year. "Unfortunately they did not meet our expectations because we had thought that by now we might have concluded negotiations and engagements with manufacturers and those that are responsible for the vaccine," said Saphetha. "Furthermore, we demand that government engages both Russia and China on emergency procurement of their vaccines for healthcare workers whilst waiting for the Covax delivery," said the union. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Since 23 December, around 400 avian deaths were reported across 10 districts of MP, with 155 dead crows found to have the H5N8 virus in Indore alone Bhopal: After Indore, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of mass death of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday. Presence of H5N8 virus (a variant of avian influenza or bird flu) was found in the carcasses of crows in Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said, citing test results of samples sent for laboratory analysis. A total of 155 dead crows in Indore have been found with the H5N8 virus since the pathogen was first detected in the commercial city a week back. Since 23 December, 2020, about 400 avian deaths were reported across 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh, said the Public Relations Department official. The bird flu has been confirmed in the dead crows in Indore, Mandsaur and Agar Malwa districts, he said. Apart from these three districts, the samples of dead avians were collected from Ujjain, Sehore, Dewas, Guna, Shajapur, Khargone and Neemuch districts and sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing, the official said. However, the state government says eating well cooked chicken and egg is not a threat to human health. The bird flu virus has not been found in roosters yet. Earlier in the day, Veterinary Department Deputy Director Pramod Sharma said that 155 crows were detected with H5N8 virus in the Residency area of Indore in the last eight days. He said the presence of bird flu was first detected in Indore on 29 December when about 50 crows were found dead in Daly College campus in the Residency area. On Monday, the government sounded a bird flu alert across Madhya Pradesh. An official had said that besides Indore, 100 crows were found dead in Mandsaur, 112 in Agar Malwa, 13 in Khargone and nine in Sehore district. GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Sinks as Boris Johnson Warns of Lots of Caveats for Easing Lockdown Restrictions The Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate fell by -0.5% today, with the pairing currently trading around AU$1.746. Sterling fell today as the UK enters another nationwide Covid-19 lockdown to help limit the rising spread of the virus. Meanwhile, UK Vaccine Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, has reassured UK markets by vowing to commit absolute focus to getting 13.9 million people vaccinated by mid-February. However, UK markets are remaining cautious after Boris Johnson said there were lots of caveats for easing lockdown restrictions in the months ahead. In UK economic news, today saw the release of the final UK Services PMI for December, which fell below forecasts to 49.4. Tim Moore, the Economics Director at IHS Markit, commented on the report: December data confirm that the UK service sector has swung back into decline after the partial rebound seen during the third quarter of 2020, largely reflecting tighter restrictions on consumer services amid the worsening trajectory of the pandemic. With a third national lockdown underway, service providers will be braced for a sustained period of subdued UK economic conditions and deferred client spending in the first quarter of this year. As a result, GBP investors are becoming more concerned that the UK economy could stage a slower recovery than previously expected in 2021. Australian Dollar (AUD) Heads Higher on Covid-19 Vaccine Optimism The Australian Dollar (AUD) has continued to firm this week as Covid-19 vaccine optimism has boosted appeal of the risk-sensitive Aussie. Added to this, risk sentiment has continued to rise amid growing hopes that the incoming US Joe Biden administration will be able to produce a substantial stimulus response to the Covid-19 crisis. A Democratic-led government is expected to add more stimulus to help mitigate the virus crisis and... that means that theres going to be a weaker [US] dollar. As a result, AUD has benefited from an increased appetite for riskier assets. However, Australian markets are remaining largely cautious as the nations Covid-19 cases continue to rise. Today also saw the release of Chinas latest Caixin Services PMI for December, which fell in December to 56.3. However, following a stronger-than-expected Chinese Manufacturing PMI, AUD investors are becoming more confident that China the worlds second-largest economy could be on the mend. GBP/AUD Outlook: Australian Trade Data in Focus Australian Dollar (AUD) investors will be awaiting tomorrows release of the Australian Trade Balance data for November. Any indications that Australias exports had increased late last year would be AUD-positive. AUD traders will also be eyeing US political developments. If the Democrats come closer to securing the upper chamber, we would see the Aussie benefit from improved risk sentiment. Pound (GBP) traders will be awaiting tomorrows release of the latest UK Construction PMI data for December. Any improvement in the outlook for the UKs construction sector would be GBP-positive. However, the GBP/AUD exchange rate will continue to be driven by the UKs coronavirus developments. If it looks increasingly likely that the UKs national lockdown might be extended beyond February, then Sterling would suffer. Connachts Tom Daly is one of several players from outside the province to lift Andy Friends side. Photo: Sportsfile Connacht are proud of their 'Grassroots to Green Shirts' programme, and rightly so. There are reminders of the importance of the club's vision dotted around the Sportsground, where the mock-up design for the planned stadium redevelopment has the motto written large on the proposed new main stand. Like the other provinces, Connacht place a huge emphasis on nurturing home-grown talent, which is why they have taken great pleasure in seeing the number of exciting players now breaking through to the senior ranks. Connacht have released a couple of 'Grassroots' films documenting the rise of their stars from Jack Carty to Beibhinn Parsons, and each have offered an insight into the hard work that is going on throughout the province to not only get Westerners to play for their home club, but also to go one step further with Ireland. For all of the efforts that continue to be put into the programme, the playing numbers in Connacht means that they are always going to need outside reinforcements. Accommodate Such is the rate that Irish rugby is producing young players with potential, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to accommodate them all in their respective home provinces. That's part of the reason why the IRFU's performance director David Nucifora has been so keen to push more of a free-flowing movement of players between the four provinces. Although Connacht have benefited significantly from such transfers in recent years, they have also been left hugely frustrated, most notably when their most-prized local asset Robbie Henshaw left for Leinster in 2016. That, however, was a rare occurrence because most of the traffic has moved towards Galway. Connacht deserve credit in that regard too, as it hasn't simply been a case of operating an open-door policy allowing every provincial cast-off to rock up at The Sportsground. Instead, the club, under the guidance of Andy Friend, have created a culture whereby they are always willing to offer someone a second chance, as long as they meet their stringent requirements. Friend has adopted a similar approach when it comes to scouting the Sevens market, and while some Irish players may be frustrated that the Australian hasn't looked closer to these shores, Ben O'Donnell is the latest recruit hoping to follow the path laid by John Porch, who has been a revelation since joining Connacht in 2019. "It's a bit like shopping in Aldi, as opposed to Brown Thomas," Friend says. "We shop in Aldi because in the Sevens market you pick them up pretty cheap, but then all of a sudden they get on the big stage and other people work out how good they are." That a Roscommon man in Jack Carty grabbed the headlines after Connacht's historic win in the RDS last weekend was good for the brand, but it is also important to acknowledge the contribution made by the likes of Tom Daly, Sammy Arnold, Alex Wootton, Gavin Thornbury and Conor Oliver. None of the aforementioned players were born or grew up in Connacht, yet they have all bought into the western province, just as much as the natives, as they all aim to back up their excellent performance against Munster on Saturday. "They've come in and pretty seamlessly just blended into the culture," Friend maintains. "Culture to me, that's the making or breaking of the programme, so we work really hard on that. We have a good group of men here and a good group of staff here who aren't afraid to call it how it is. "We talk about having the real conversations and they do that but it's pretty transparent what we're about. "I'm not going to say we're perfect, we're not and we've had moments where we've seen standards slipping but what's good now is that the process rolls quickly and we seem to fix it." Protecting that culture is crucial for Friend, who has built on Pat Lam's foundations. By our count, Connacht's senior squad includes 20 players, who, at one stage or another, came through a different provincial system. For all the Dalys and Woottons, there are others such as Paul Boyle and Matt Healy, who now call Connacht home after not making the cut with their home province (Leinster). "We do a fair bit of homework on the players before we go and talk to them," Friend explains. "So, does their game style suit what we're about and do their key attributes suit the way Connacht want to play? If the answer's yes then we'll have a look deeper into that. "I will say we've had a lot of rejection over the last two-and-a-half years as well. We picked up Tom (Daly) on a medical joker. He was discarded, he wasn't being used. He comes down here, he gets game-time and now he's killing it. "We want to be the province that brings through home-grown players, but we're very aware because of the development of rugby in Connacht that we're going to need others. But the ones that we bring in have to be the right fit for us and I feel like we're starting to get that formula right. "It's all about opportunity for young blokes and this is a credit to Ireland and to Leinster. That's where the majority of the playing base is. "There's good talent coming out of there, but you've only got x amount of players you can fit in." Irish Independent I felt like a dirtbag she was right. No other mother I know, surely, refuses to be with their children at dinner almost every night. Once she walked out the door, I kept on snacking. I know Ive got my flaws. (They rhyme with the words smatience and shmexpectations.) But this dinner time absence doesnt track with who I think I am as a parent: an Im OK-Youre-OK, tell me your feelings, yes-Ill-help-you-with-your-homework-at-10pm kind of parent. French epicure Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, author of one of the most famous food books ever written On The Pleasures of The Table from 1825 once said, Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are. Extrapolating from this, the way my children and I eat dinner seems to speak volumes about me, too. Not the ones Id like (Little Women, Love You Forever), but the other kind (Matilda, King Lear). Also, studies have consistently shown that the more times a week teens sit down for a family meal with their parents, the better mental and physical health they have. (Family dinners are tied to lower rates of substance abuse among teens.) But, then I spoke to some friends and made a discovery: abandoning your kids at the dinner table is something of a suburban secret. "Its called survival," says one friend of two children, aged seven and nine, about the reason she only aims to eat one dinnertime a week with her children. This is because of what happens when they do. "They fight," she says of her kids, "and its not enjoyable for anyone. Then my husband and I get in a bad mood, and its just always a shit show. Always." So, six days a week, the kids eat dinner at the bar counter in the kitchen, and the adults eat in the lounge room. "Every time I make something [other than plain food], my kids act like I microwaved cat food," says another friend, who, before having kids, loved to cook. "My daughter is a vegetarian, but not into vegetables," she adds, about her youngest. "[So] I refuse to eat at the same table as [my kids] because it reminds me of what my life has been reduced to: pasta and cheese." "I refuse to eat at the same table as [my kids], because it reminds me of what my life has been reduced to, pasta and cheese. Geelong-based psychologist Tanya Herman-Doig says were not alone. Loading "We have a natural tendency to want to avoid situations that are overwhelming and flooding emotionally for us," she says. "Its a protective, biological mechanism, ingrained, hard-wired into us to protect us from harm and danger when we feel were under threat." So, sprinting from your kids at the family table is the modern equivalent of the caveman fleeing the woolly mammoth? "Yeah, yeah," she says. "We can feel ourselves going to that very primitive, protective-type mechanism; we need to run away because we cant cope with or feel overwhelmed with the demands of the situation." I felt about as high as a beauty queen must feel when the crown is placed on her head. Whats more? Our kids are getting something out of the experience, even the most difficult meals, she says, by learning how to "manage comfort levels and conflict". And, as our kids get older and mature developmentally, mealtimes will probably be more pleasant, too, as children around 14 and up are more able to have meaningful conversations and share experiences from their day. Loading Still, my kids are mostly not there yet they're 14, 12 and seven so she has tips for me, and anyone else who wants to manage the emotional temperature and keep it as calm as possible. Nicely ask whichever child is unable to calm down to leave the table and return a few minutes later, when theyre more relaxed. Do the same thing for yourself: just say that you need a breather (and then actually return). And try to engage children in mealtime, by asking them what they would like out of the experience what sort of environment, and food and offer a meal they can self-serve, or make smiley faces out of. Also, I'd add: One of the studies about family meals revealed that it only takes five to seven meals a week to provide the greatest benefits for teen and family health. (And this can be any meal, including a hot chocolate and bikkie snack, shared after late-night sport.) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - Leveljump Healthcare Corp. (TSXV: JUMP) ("Leveljump" or the "Company"), a Canadian leader in B2B telehealth solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new sales and marketing director as well as the formation of an Advisory Board that will provide guidance to the Company on matters related to planning and executing the Company's M&A strategy. As part of the Company's plans to expand its teleradiology services and to build a national brand as a leading supplier of remote emergency room radiology solutions, Leveljump's operating subsidiary Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc. ("CTS") has appointed a Director of Sales and Marketing. The role of the new sales and marketing director will be to focus on growing the client base of CTS and securing new multi-year contracts for CTS. The Director of Sales and Marketing will also oversee all efforts to grow emergency room support and to provide services to private diagnostic imaging centers. The Advisory Board will assist the Company in identifying new potential M&A targets as well as assist with the due diligence process, deal negotiations and structuring, and concurrent financing. Members of the newly established Advisory Board include: Mr. Lowell Kamin, a veteran financial services executive with over 25 years of capital markets experience who has held leadership roles in prominent North American investment banks. Having worked in the institutional equity sales division at Scotia Capital Inc. and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch, now known as BofA Securities, Inc., Lowell has completed various equity and debt financings for a broad range of public and private Canadian & U.S. companies. Prior to that, Lowell was an Investment Advisor at Scotia McLeod.; and Mr. Gary Prihar, CPA, CA, an accomplished consultant who will bring comprehensive and key industry knowledge to spearhead advanced training in outreach, telemedicine, and expansive growth strategies for Leveljump. Being a holder of the CPA and CA designation, Mr. Prihar's experience will empower the management team with an intimate understanding of the dynamics that create a platform for highly successful interactions between provider and recipient. "The formation of the Advisory Board is pivotal to the growth strategy of the Company and we are pleased to add a team of talented individuals to our advisory board," said Mitchell Geisler, Chief Executive Officer of Leveljump Healthcare. "In addition, we are also pleased to welcome a new sales and marketing director who will play an integral part in our marketing campaign to rapidly expand the sales growth of CTS." About Leveljump Healthcare Leveljump Healthcare Corp., (TSXV: JUMP) is building a national medical diagnostic imaging company and brand, primarily by providing teleradiology (remote radiology) services to its client hospitals and imaging centers. Additionally, JUMP plans to expand through the acquisition of independent healthcare facilities focused on diagnostic imaging as well as acquiring new disruptive imaging technologies. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF LEVELJUMP HEALTHCARE CORP. Mitchell Geisler Chief Executive Officer info@leveljumphealthcare.com (877) 722-6965 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business plans and the outlook of the Company's industry. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc., their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71476 Britain, France, and Germany have called on Iran to reverse its decision to restart uranium enrichment at the 20 percent level, describing the move as "a serious negative development" in violation of a 2015 nuclear accord. "This action, which has no credible civil justification and carries very significant proliferation-related risks, is in clear violation of Iran's commitmentsand further hollows out the agreement," the three European signatories to the nuclear deal said in a joint statement on January 6. Iran announced on January 4 that it had resumed uranium enrichment to 20 percent at its underground Fordow facility. The move complicates European efforts to salvage what remains of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers amid hopes that the United States might return to the deal after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20. The ramped up enrichment effort is Iran's latest calculated breach of the accord. The United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed crippling U.S. sanctions on Iran that had been lifted as part of the agreement, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA). "This is a serious negative development which undermines the joint commitment of JCPOA participantsto preserve the JCPOA," the joint statement from the European states said about Iran's enrichment activities. "It also risks compromising the important opportunity for a return to diplomacy with the incoming U.S. administration," the statement said. Before Tehran's announcement, Iran was enriching its uranium stockpile up to about 4.5 percent -- a level above the 3.67 percent cap imposed under the nuclear deal but below the 90 percent purity that is considered weapons-grade. An increase to 20 percent would shorten Iran's breakout time to a potential nuclear weapon, if it were to make a political decision to pursue a bomb. The Iran nuclear deal also prohibits Tehran from enrichment at the Fordow facility, which is buried deep in a mountain to protect against air strikes. The three European states, alongside China and Russia, also signed the nuclear deal. They've urged Iran to stop enriching uranium to up to 20 percent without delay, to reverse its enrichment program to the limits agreed in the JCPOA, and to avoid any escalation which would hamper diplomacy. Biden has suggested that the United States may reenter the nuclear deal if Iran complies with the agreement. It could leave other issues of joint concern with European allies -- such as Irans ballistic missiles and its support for regional proxies -- to "follow on" agreements. Tehran says its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes. Iranian officials have said they could quickly return to compliance once the United States and Europeans fulfill their end of the agreement by providing Tehran with the economic relief promised under the accord. Tehran also says its missile program and regional policies are off the table. Raising The Stakes? Some analysts have suggested that Irans escalation is meant to send a message and increase its leverage in future talks with the United States and its European allies. For Tehran, "it is a question of raising the stakes against the will of the future Biden administration but also of Paris and Berlin to negotiate beyond nuclear issues," Clement Therme, an Iran researcher at the Center for International Studies (CERI) at Sciences Po University in Paris, told the AFP news agency. The decision to enrich uranium to 20 percent was opposed by Irans more moderate President Hassan Rohani. He announced his opposition to the move after Iran's conservative-dominated parliament passed a bill ordering an immediate ramping up of the country's uranium-enrichment program in the aftermath of the assassination of the country's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, on November 27. Iran has blamed Israel, and indirectly the United States, for the assassination. The bill was a way to show "that targeted assassinations...do not slow down the Iranian nuclear program but, on the contrary, lead to [its] acceleration," Therme said. With reporting by AFP Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 BRTA Awarded New Vehicles Through State Program BOSTON The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority will receive eight new vehicles through the state Community Transit Grant Program as well as funds to support a training program. The Baker-Polito Administration announced Wednesday a total of $8.6 million for cities, towns, and nonprofit organizations to use under the Community Transit Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The annual competitive grant program awards money to be used for transit operating costs, mobility management, or new capital investments. "Community Transit Grants provide critical funding to local organizations to purchase equipment to help people get where they need to go efficiently and safely," Governor Charlie Baker said. "Our Administration will continue to make efforts to work with local leaders, community stakeholders, and the private sector to make transit accessible to everyone." The BRTA will be awarded eight vehicles and $6,112 to fund salaries and materials to support BRTA's travel training program. The funding is for applications made to the program during 2020. Awards include funding to 30 organizations for 113 vans and minibuses and money to 21 entities for 28 operating and mobility management projects. Award recipients include some of the state's 15 Regional Transit Authorities, municipalities, Councils on Aging, and eligible nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts. "The Community Transit Grant Program plays an integral part in supporting transportation networks in local communities," MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said. "These grants help transportation providers state-wide continue to care for and improve the service they have, in particular, for people who rely on getting help to where they need to go, such as individuals who have disabilities." The Community Transit Grant Program is the Commonwealth's annual competitive grant program to distribute both Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities funds and State Mobility Assistance Program funds. The FTA Section 5310 grant program provides funding to assist with the purchase of capital equipment, mobility management, and operational costs in order to meet the mobility needs of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities of any age. State Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) funds are used to assist in the provision of transportation services to seniors and persons with disabilities exclusively through the purchase of eligible vehicles. In total, MassDOT plans to distribute $8,616,708 of federal and state funds for vehicles, operating projects, and mobility management projects in this round of the program. This story corrects a previous version that said three guardsmen from Connecticut were going to Washington D.C. on Wednesday for expected protests as Congress certifies the Electoral College vote. Three members of Connecticuts National Guard, experts on weapons of mass destruction, will head to Washington D.C. as part of a multistate force preparing for possible civil unrest during Joe Bidens inauguration. The U.S. Senate and House are set Wednesday to certify the Electoral College votes that gave the former vice president a clear win over President Donald Trump. Trump is expected to attend protests, and has encouraged his supporters to attend. Authorities are also preparing for possible clashes at the inauguration in part because Trump has not conceded the election. Several groups are expected to protest in the nations capital on Wednesday, including the far-right Proud Boys, as well as Permits Women For America First, the Eighty Percent Coalition and The Silent Majority. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th, the president said on Twitter. Be there, will be wild! The three Connecticut residents are part of a much larger force intended to be there for the inauguration, National Guard Capt. David Pytlik said. A lot of different states are sending people down, he said. This just happens to be what were providing. The mayor of Washington D.C. requested the forces to augment local National Guard troops. That request was approved by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. Pitnick declined to identify the three service members being sent down before their deployment due to operational security concerns, but said they would be aiding the local civil support team. Their unit is there for weapons of mass destruction surveillance and advising, he said. Sen. Chris Murphy Tuesday issued a reminder to McCarthy, Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller that a law passed last week requires any federal officers and members of the armed forces to identify themselves while doing any crowd control. Last June, Americans watched as President Trump and former Attorney General Bill Barr deployed unidentifiable federal officers in riot gear to crack down on peaceful demonstrators exercising their constitutional rights in cities across the country, he said. This lack of identification made it impossible for citizens to distinguish between legitimate law enforcement and dangerous private vigilantes, or hold accountable enforcement personnel who engaged in abusive conduct. Pytlik, though, said the three National Guard members heading to Washington from Connecticut would not be acting as civilian police. Theyre not there in any sort of law enforcement capacity, he said. There are currently 3,600 guardsmen in Connecticuts Army National Guard and 1,400 airmen who are members of the Air National Guard. ATMORE, Ala., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United Bancorporation of Alabama Inc. (OTCQX: UBAB) (the "Company"), parent company of United Bank and UB Community Development, today announced its Board of Directors declared a $0.10 cash dividend with a special $0.05 per share dividend for a total cash dividend of $0.15 per share. The dividend will be paid on or about January 15, 2021 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2020. The semiannual dividend of $0.13 per share paid in January 2020 compared to the $0.15 per share paid in January 2021 is a 15.38 % increase. "We are very pleased to announce this dividend, rewarding our investors for their continued commitment to the Company. This dividend represents a legacy of consistent dividend payout since 1983," said United Bancorporation of Alabama Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Robert R. Jones, III. "Despite the challenging year, the Company's organic growth in existing and expanding markets continues to yield strong financial performance." Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, among other things, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, (i) statements regarding certain of the Company's goals and expectations with respect to private placement and (ii) statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "projects," "outlook," or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current belief and expectations of the Company's management team and are subject to significant risks and are subject to change based on the various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the Company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law. Media Contact: Tonya Lambert SVP, Chief Marketing & Public Relations Officer 251-446-6004 [email protected] www.unitedbank.com SOURCE United Bancorporation Related Links https://www.unitedbank.com There has been a huge increase in new Covid-19 cases in Offaly today. After recording just 11 new cases yesterday, today there were a staggering 135 new cases in the county, by far the single day increase since the pandemic began. The previous biggest number for the county was 86 which came on Sunday. The national figure also continues to spiral. As of midnight, Tuesday, January 5, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of 7,836 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There has now been a total of 121,154 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today 2,263 were in Dublin, 1,373 in Cork, 496 in Louth, 345 in Limerick, 340 in Meath and the remaining 3,019 cases are spread across all other counties. As of 2pm today, 954 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 88 are in ICU. 105 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 17 additional deaths related to COVID-19. There has been a total of 2,299 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; The country is in a serious phase of this surge of COVID-19. There is evidence of an increasing presence of the UK variant in Ireland. All counties have an upward trajectory of the disease. There is concerning escalation of admissions to hospital and ICU. We are very likely to see escalating mortality and ICU admissions in the coming days and weeks. It has never been more important, throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes, always adhering to public health advice; physical distance, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, wearing a face covering. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. France said Tuesday it had killed dozens of jihadists in a weekend air strike in central Mali, while several villagers and a local group said up to 20 wedding guests were killed by fire from a helicopter. Social media has been buzzing with rumours since Sunday about events in Bounti, and villagers there told AFP that a wedding party was attacked by an unidentified helicopter. Separately, French military headquarters told AFP fighter jets had neutralised dozens of jihadists in central Mali after the group had been tracked for several days. The reports relating to a wedding do not match the observations that were made, an army spokesman told AFP. With no early statements from French or Malian officials, rumours filled the gap. Confirmation of reports is difficult in a remote area where many jihadists are thought to operate. Offensive aerial operations in Mali are mainly conducted by the Malian military or by the French anti-jihadist force Barkhane. Villagers in Bounti said a lone helicopter opened fire in broad daylight, sowing panic among a crowd gathered for a wedding. It was run for your lives, said Ahmadou Ghana, who said 19 people died, including two of his brothers, and several others were seriously wounded. We were surprised by the intensity of the strike, said another villager, Mady Dicko, adding: The helicopter was flying very low. On Sunday, Tabital Pulakuu, an association that promotes the culture of Malis Fulani ethnic group, reported an air strike that claimed the lives of at least 20 civilians during a wedding. A French military source who was familiar with Sundays operation told AFP: There cant be any doubts or ambiguity, there was no wedding. This was a strike that was carried out after a particularly strict, multi-party process on a fully identified armed terrorist group, after collating information, intentions, posture, in a studied area, the source said. It remains unclear, however, whether the French military and the Bounti villagers were referring to the same event. A spokesperson for the 13,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali, known as MINUSMA, said the force was not involved in the events in Bounti. Escalating violence The village lies in the jihadist-infested Mopti region, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the Malian capital Bamako. The region is the epicentre of a deadly Islamist offensive that began in northern Mali in 2012 and then advanced into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, inflaming ethnic tensions along the way. Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict to date and hundreds of thousands of people have had to flee their homes. But the Bounti deaths come during an apparent uptick in bloodshed across the Sahel. On Saturday in western Niger, jihadists killed 100 civilians in one of the single largest massacres of non-combattants in the history of the insurgency. France, which has 5,100 troops deployed across the Sahel, also lost five soldiers to roadside bombs in recent weeks. Away from the fighting, the village tragedy will raise pressure on the Malis interim government, which is dominated by figures with army links. Army officers toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18 after weeks of protests sparked in part by his failure to defeat the jihadists before handing over to a caretaker government. SOURCE: AFP But one tiny snowbank and a Toyota Yaris have succeeded where surveillance couldnt. The latest viral video from Canada plays out like an SNL skit but actually happened in real life. And it should serve as warning that a Yaris is not a good getaway car especially not if you have such poor driving skills as this porch pirate The video seems to have first emerged on Instagram, but its since been shared on Twitter and reddit . It was shot either in Mississauga or Brampton, which commenters describe as middle-class suburbs of Toronto.The video starts just as the homeowner opens the front door to catch a porch pirate in the act of stealing his package. Yer done. Yer over, the man tells the thief, who scrambles to the car he seems to have left running in the driveway. So sorry, the thief whispers sheepishly.He then jumps into the car and backs into the street. However, because hes already panicking, he goes straight into a small snowbank on the side of the driveway and his Yaris gets stuck, with the front wheel suspended. The homeowner being a true Canadian, even offers a word of advice to the no-longer-fleeing thief, now in full panic mode: Its front-wheel drive, you need to get the wheel on the ground, he tells him at one point and, want me to get a shovel?He doesnt get the shovel. Instead, two cop cars arrive quickly and surround the still-stuck Yaris, and the officers pull the thief out when he seems to be taking far too long because hed gotten thirsty. Considering how he must have been sweating as the realization dawned on him that he wouldnt get out of the snow, hydration was a must. Kelly has recently been on a health kick. And the 36-year-old, who recently shed a massive 90lbs, was looking hotter than ever during a hike through Beverly Hills on Tuesday, slipping her newly slimmed-down frame in black yoga pants for the stroll. The host of Fox's star-studded 2020 New Year's Eve special with performances by John Legend, Gloria Estefan and Ava Max was joined by showman BFF Jeff Beacher for the weekday outing. Perfection: Kelly Osbourne, who recently shed a massive 90lbs, was hotter than ever during a hike through Beverly Hills on Tuesday Jeff has embarked with Kelly on her health kick, with the showman shedding a whopping 250lbs alone. The duo pulled up in Beacher's black Ferrari 458 Spider, who's known for his eccentric cars and lifestyle. Staying a COVID-safe distance apart, the pair took off on their weekday hike, with the Papa Don't Preach hitmaker slipping a pair of Fendi ear muffs over her striking purple tresses. Kelly and Jeff were also both wisely masked up per CDC recommendations for the walk. The best friends, who created the famed Beacher's Madhouse, are rumored to be working on a new project together, to be unveiled sometime in 2021. BFFs: The host of Fox's star-studded 2020 New Year's Eve special with performances by John Legend, Gloria Estefan and Ava Max was joined by showman BFF Jeff Beacher for the weekday outing Riding in style: The duo pulled up in Beacher's black Ferrari 458 Spider, who's known for his eccentric cars and lifestyle Popular: Kelly counted none other than Dionne Warwick among the fans of her NYE hosting performance Iconic! Beacher's Madhouse was the hit live theater show which began in New York City before expanding to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. [L-R] David Arquette, Osbourne and Beacher Beacher's Madhouse was the hit live theater show which began in New York City before expanding to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. The celebrity packed theater hosted variety shows was known for attracting A-list crowds everywhere they performed. Just a few of the notable celebrities included Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Chris Evans, Mila Kunis, Demi Moore, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Zac Efron Eddie Murphy, Kevin Hart and many more. On New Years Eve, Kelly co-hosted a Fox special for the festivities. And she counted none other than Dionne Warwick among the fans of her hosting performance. The music legend tweeted, 'Kelly also looks gorgeous on #NYEonFOX! Maybe I should try purple hair [THINKING EMOJI]'. Health goals: Jeff has embarked with Kelly on her health kick, with the showman shedding a whopping 250lbs alone Hostess with the mostess: On New Years Eve, Kelly co-hosted a Fox special for the festivities Meanwhile, things have been heating up for the daughter of TV personality Sharon Osbourne, who has recently started dating a new man. Kelly gave fans a glimpse off her new boyfriend Erik Bragg via Instagram on Sunday. And the TV personality's beau sported long brown locks like the Black Sabbath hitmaker. Winner: She counted none other than Dionne Warwick among the fans of her hosting performance A new start: Kelly gave fans a glimpse off her new boyfriend Erik Bragg via Instagram on Sunday During their chilled afternoon together, Kelly was seen helping her skateboarder beau wash and wax his car. As she took her time to clean his ride, Kelly joked that Erik didn't have the 'feminine touch' as he preferred to speed through the process. She chided that 'he doesn't have a feminine touch', as Erik claimed: 'I've enlisted the minimum approach.' But she quipped: 'No, you do not have a feminine touch when you clean this vehicle, you do not want water marks. You do not want watermarks.' Agreement with NextEra for millions to fix county roads seems likely Codington County and NextEra Energy appear to be headed for an agreement on the repair of county roads damaged during wind tower installation. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Congress will convene a joint session Wednesday to count the Electoral College votes from the presidential election with Pennsylvania in the crosshairs. More than 100 Republican House members and a dozen senators have pledged to contest the states results and those from other battlegrounds, turning whats normally a pro forma affair into what President Donald Trump and his allies cast as their last chance to reverse his loss. Their efforts have essentially no chance of stopping Congress from signing off on President-elect Joe Bidens victory the last procedural step before his inauguration on Jan. 20. READ MORE: The day American democracy was brought to the brink At the end of the day, Congress is going to count 306 electoral votes for the Biden-Harris ticket, said Derek T. Muller, an election-law professor at the University of Iowa and an expert on the process. The only question is, how do they get there and how long does it take? Heres what you need to know. What is Congress role? Federal law delegates the responsibility for counting and signing off on the Electoral College votes to Congress, but that function is largely a formality. With Vice President Mike Pence as president of the Senate presiding, both chambers will meet at 1 p.m. to open the sealed certificates from each state containing the record of their electoral votes. Those votes are based on election results states have already certified over the last two months, and the law requires Congress to treat those certifications as conclusive. Whats the process for counting the votes? Pence will open and present certificates of election for each state, one at a time in alphabetical order. One of four tellers members appointed by both parties from the House and Senate will read out the votes, and at the end Pence will announce the results. Congress role is essentially to watch as the votes are counted, not provide oversight, Muller said. Its not like Congress is approving what happened in each state, he said. Can Congress challenge the results? After a teller reads the results from a state, any lawmaker can object in writing. It takes one representative and one senator to sign on to the same objection in a specific state to trigger a debate and vote. The chambers separately discuss the objection for up to two hours before voting on whether to throw out the challenged electoral votes. A majority of both the House and the Senate have to agree to disqualify a states results. If the chambers disagree, the electoral votes stand. READ MORE: Pa. Senate GOP leaders claim inconsistencies in asking for Electoral College certification delay There is essentially no chance of that objection succeeding in the Democratic-controlled House. While the Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate, several GOP members including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey have declared they wont support the effort to disqualify states votes. That means the objectors are exceedingly unlikely to affect the outcome. But their efforts could still turn the proceedings into a drawn-out and acrimonious debate. Who might object? More than half of House Republican Caucus and a quarter of the partys senators plan to file objections, citing concerns about whether elections in some states were run legally and appropriately. Among them are eight of Pennsylvanias nine Republican congressmen: Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Lloyd Smucker, Fred Keller, John Joyce, Guy Reschenthaler, Glenn Thompson, and Mike Kelly. The only Pennsylvania Republican in the House to buck his party colleagues is Bucks Countys Brian Fitzpatrick. READ MORE: Eight Pennsylvania Republicans in Congress will join a push today to reverse Trumps election loss Jeff Van Drew, the onetime Democrat from New Jersey who switched parties in 2019, also plans to object. But many Republican senators, including Toomey, have made clear they will oppose any move to challenge Pennsylvanias vote. Toomey lambasted his colleagues efforts, calling them an effort to disenfranchise millions of voters. Which states are going to be challenged? Pennsylvania will almost certainly be one of them. Sen. Josh Hawley, the Missouri Republican who last week became the first senator to announce plans to object, specifically cited the state, claiming it failed to follow its own election laws. Other likely targets include swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Wisconsin that have been the target of disinformation campaigns that falsely allege grand conspiracy theories about election rigging. On what grounds are they objecting? Its not totally clear yet, but most have justified their action by citing widespread doubt among Republican voters about the legitimacy of the outcome doubt that Trump and his allies have whipped up themselves with fabricated claims of election rigging and false allegations of mass voter fraud. None of the Republicans who have signaled their intent to challenge votes have cited any specific evidence of fraud. All of their concerns ranging from claims of voting irregularities to the disputes over the rules governing the casting and counting of votes have been litigated in court and rejected by judges, many of them Trump appointees. READ MORE: Everybody wants to change Pennsylvania election law, but mistrust is high In Pennsylvania, Republicans have criticized Democratic Gov. Tom Wolfs administration and the state Supreme Court for making changes to state election rules to accommodate voters during the pandemic without the legislatures approval. But courts have dismissed those arguments, too, failing to find any malfeasance and noting that the GOP has not produced any evidence the changes tainted the outcome with fraud. What about the courts? Republicans like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have complained that no court has agreed to hear the merits of their complaints, saying that rejecting their legal challenges on procedural grounds means their substantive arguments have never been heard. He has maintained that Wednesdays joint session is an opportunity for those arguments to be heard. But that is misleading. While the vast majority of the GOP lawsuits in Pennsylvania and other battleground states were rejected over gatekeeping issues such as the plaintiffs lack of standing to challenge the states votes, many of the courts took the time to address and reject specific claims of malfeasance raised by the GOP. READ MORE: I weep for my country: Electoral College vote challenge is a menace that could maul us | Maria Panaritis Questions around whether election law was followed are a matter for the courts, not Congress and the courts have done their job, said Adav Noti, an election-law expert who heads trial litigation for the nonpartisan, Washington-based nonprofit Campaign Legal Center. It both gets the separation of powers wrong, because its trying to give Congress the judiciarys role, Noti said, but it also gets federalism wrong, because it tries to give the federal government the states role. What about the competing Republican electors? When the Electoral College met Dec. 14, Republicans in some states, including Pennsylvania, said they were sending a dueling set of electoral votes. Its not clear that Pence would even treat them as legitimate challenges, but even if Pence were to present multiple slates of electors from a state, both chambers would split up to debate and then take votes. If the House and Senate disagree on which to accept, the one thats been signed by the governor counts. In Pennsylvania, that means the Biden votes. What is Pences role? Despite claims from Trump who on Tuesday suggested Pence could unilaterally reject state electors the vice presidents role in the process is entirely administrative. He has no authority to refuse to accept the results from any state. The people who designed the Constitution and the law around this were smart people, they realized that very frequently the sitting vice president is going to have a stake in the outcome, Noti said. READ MORE: Fact-checking false claims about Pennsylvanias presidential election Pence hasnt said much publicly about how he intends to respond Wednesday to the pressure from Trump and others to take a more active role in the process. The New York Times reported Tuesday night that Pence has told the president he does not have the power to reject electors. Havent lawmakers objected before? Though they rarely receive significant attention, objections at the joint session have occurred. Several Democratic representatives attempted to challenge electoral votes for Trump after his 2016 victory, but no senators signed on to support the effort. In 2005, then-Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) joined an objection to Ohios electors that was quickly shut down by her colleagues. Unlike this time, in both cases the losing Democratic candidate had long since conceded the race. What also makes this year stand out is the sheer number of lawmakers who have announced plans to object and the significance that the president and his supporters have misleadingly placed on the proceedings by claiming it will change the outcome of the race. To do that in support of a sitting president who is trying to overthrow an election is a whole different level of inappropriate, Noti said. Its intentionally playing to the polarization and the misinformation that the president has introduced into the process. That makes it both more serious and more dangerous. Business Insider, January 6, 2021 By John Haltiwanger Civilian deaths skyrocketed in Afghanistan under President Donald Trump, whose administration relaxed the rules of engagement for airstrikes in 2017, according to a new study from the Costs of War Project at Brown University. "The number of civilians killed by international airstrikes increased about 330 percent from 2016, the last full year of the Obama Administration, to 2019, the most recent year for which there is complete data from the United Nations," Neta C. Crawford, who led the study, wrote in a report on the findings. "The restraints on airstrikes are intended to save civilian lives, and the restraints generally do: the evidence shows that civilian casualties due to airstrikes decrease." Airstrikes killed 700 civilians in Afghanistan in 2019 alone, more than any other year since the early days of the war in 2002, according to the study. "There were more weapons dropped from the air in 2018 and 2019 than at the height of US presence in Afghanistan in 2011," the report stated. The US, its allies, and the Afghan government killed an average of 582 civilians per year from 2007 to 2016. The annual average of civilians killed rose by nearly 95% from 2017 through 2019 to 1,134 each year. "Starting in 2017, the US and its allies dramatically increased the number of weapons released from the air," Crawford wrote. "The Pentagon signaled an escalation in the war in 2017 when it dropped its largest yield bomb, the Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) nicknamed the 'Mother of All Bombs' in April 2017 against ISIS forces located in eastern Afghanistan. This was the first combat deployment of that weapon in any war zone." After the US dropped the MOAB, Trump said, "We have the greatest military in the world, and they've done a job as usual. So we have given them total authorization, and that's what they're doing. And frankly, that's why they've been so successful lately." Crawford said the aim of relaxing the rules of engagement was to "gain leverage at the bargaining table." Following a peace deal between the US and the Taliban in February, airstrikes by the US and its international allies declined, which also led to a reduction in the harm to civilians caused by those strikes. "The Afghan government is now negotiating with the Taliban and as part of a broader offensive, perhaps aimed at increasing Afghan government leverage in the talks, air strikes by the Afghan Air Force (AAF) have increased," Crawford went on to say. "As a consequence, the AAF is harming more Afghan civilians than at any time in its history." Trump pledged to stop "endless wars" during his 2016 campaign and he's moved to drastically reduce the number of US troops in Afghanistan before he leaves office in January. But the new Costs of War study suggests the war in Afghanistan in many ways only escalated for the Afghan people under Trump's watch. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 76F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. At the Angelus, Pope Francis extended his wishes to the Orthodox who celebrate Christmas tomorrow. Christs light shine[s] in every place and at every moment [. . .] through the proclamation of the Gospel, Francis said. The star is Christ, but we too can and must also be the star for our brothers and sisters, he added. The pontiff also expressed hope for peace in Central Africa. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis prayed the Angelus from the library of the Apostolic Palace, speaking first of all about the light promised by the prophets (see Isaiah 60:1-6). In introducing the prayer, the pontiff said that Epiphany, which continues the event of Christmas, celebrates the salvation wrought by Christ, which knows no boundaries. The Nativity of Jesus is, in fact, the light to be welcomed in faith and the light to bring to others in charity, through witness, in the proclamation of the Gospel. This light, Francis explained, has the power to attract everyone, near and far; everyone sets out on the path to reach it (see v. 3). It is a vision that opens the heart, that makes the breath come easier, that invites hope. Certainly, the darkness is present and threatening in everyones life and in the story of humanity; but Gods light is more powerful. [T]his light, he added, is the Baby of Bethlehem, it is Jesus, even if His kingship was not accepted by everyone. He is the star who appeared on the horizon, the awaited Messiah, the One through whom God would inaugurate His kingdom of love, of justice and of peace. He was born not only for some, but for all men and women, for all peoples. How does Christs light shine in every place and at every moment? Not through the powerful means of this worlds empires who always seek to seize power. No, but through the proclamation of the Gospel. And with this same method, God chose to come among us: the Incarnation, that is, by drawing near to the other, encountering the other, assuming the reality of the other. The star is Christ, but we too can and must also be the star for our brothers and sisters, as witnesses of the treasures of goodness and infinite mercy that the Redeemer offers freely to everyone. After the Marian prayer, the Pope extended his best wishes to Orthodox communities who celebrate Christmas tomorrow in accordance with the Julian calendar. He also expressed hope for the people of Central Africa that they may walk in peace following that countrys presidential elections on 27 December. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Kyle Davies and Su Zhu started Three Arrows Capital at the kitchen table of their apartment in 2012. Now theyre among the worlds biggest crypto holders with a portfolio worth billions of dollars.At least for the moment.Their portfolio was rocked in recent days as environmental concerns over mining, regulatory scrutiny, warnings by Chinese authorities about digital currency payments and a flurry of erratic tweets by Tesla Incs Elon Musk whipsawed prices. For Davies, an early investor in the space and an evangelist for the underlying technology, the recent volatility is just a blip, enough perhaps to scare off newbie investors, but not for someone who has experienced far more volatile periods.Bitcoins down 30% off the highs, its really not down very much, the 34-year-old said in an interview from Singapore. I dont see anyone really being that spooked.Former traders for Credit Suisse Group AG, Davies and Zhu, the two are among the Wall Street pioneers whove embraced crypto, along with Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital and Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital. Now everyone from retail day traders to bankers are jumping in: CNBC reported this month that Aziz McMahon, head of emerging market sales for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London quit the bank after making a fortune trading cryptocurrencies for himself.While many of the early devotees fortunes rose and fell on the currencys price swings, crypto wealth is quickly turning into real dollars for some, whether through initial public offerings or companies that bring in traditional revenue. Brian Armstrong, co-founder of crypto-wallet Coinbase Global Inc., has a net worth of $9.3 billion after his firms IPO, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Binances Changpeng Zhao created the worlds largest crypto exchange.Grayscale StakeDavies and Zhu, also 34, have resisted talking about their fortune and recommended on social media that crypto billionaires do the same.However, a filing in January revealed the extent of the firms influence, when Three Arrows reported it owned a 5.6% stake in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $22 billion fund invested solely in the cryptocurrency set up by Barry Silbert.Davies declined to say whether their position had changed or specify how much of the firms capital belonged to them. Most of their other direct investments in cryptocurrencies and related companies dont need to be publicly disclosed.The Grayscale stake made Three Arrows the largest shareholder and would have been worth as much as $2.1 billion in April. The trusts shares have since tumbled 43% following Musks announcement this month that Tesla would suspend accepting the digital currency for purchases of its electric cars because of rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and regulatory clampdowns from China.Despite the environmental spotlight Musks tweet placed on Bitcoin, Davies said he doesnt believe that those concerns apply across cryptocurrency trading as a whole.There are many cryptocurrencies that are proof-of-stake, which use very little if any electricity, Davies said. That is the direction that a lot of crypto is headed in.A proof-of-stake setup for a digital currency allows users with significant equity positions to verify transactions. That compares with proof-of-work transactions, such as those used in Bitcoin mining, where users have to complete complex math problems to access a coin, consuming much greater volumes of electricity.Derivatives TradersDavies and Zhu attended high school together, then studied at Columbia University in New York before joining Credit Suisse as derivatives traders in Tokyo. After three years at the Swiss bank, they quit and launched Three Arrows Capital to begin trading traditional currencies in emerging markets.It was a very inefficient market, and thats where we got our start, Davies said.Within three years, they went from working in their San Francisco apartment to hiring about 35 people and trading 5% to 10% of all local emerging market currency volumes, he said.They diversified into options, equities and crypto after bigger and better firms came in and were better than us in FX emerging-markets trading, Davies said. By 2018, the firm concentrated exclusively on crypto.Their Singapore-based company now runs a fund, DeFiance Capital, that invests in decentralized finance, betting that these businesses will eat traditional finance over the next decade, according to the groups website. Investments include InsurAce, which provides insurance services, and CDEX, a cryptocurrency swap platform.Outsized VoicesWe have been long crypto for a while, Davies said. Weve not always been long Ethereum, in fact weve been short for periods of time, too. Whats the best way to beat Bitcoin right now? Well its just to own Ethereum. The ultimate goal of my book is to outperform Bitcoin.Davies said that Ethereum is currently the firms largest cryptocurrency holding. It has gained 245% this year compared with the U.S. dollar, while Bitcoin is up 29%.Despite the turbulence created by Musks tweets, Davies said hes less worried about the billionaires influence on the crypto market with each passing day.The thing about outsized voices is they usually dont last very long if theyre used too much, Davies said. If he were to tweet every single day, by the end of the year he would have no price impact.(Updates Ethereum, Bitcoin returns in 20th paragraph.)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. As per UNICEF, an estimated 140 million children will be born in 2021 and their average life expectancy is expected to be 84 years United Nations: More than 3,71,500 babies were born worldwide on New Year's Day and India is estimated to have recorded the highest number of births at around 60,000, according to the UN's children's agency. UNICEF said that an estimated 371,504 babies were born around the world on New Year's Day. Fiji in the Pacific was projected to have welcomed 2021's first baby while the United States would welcome its last. Globally, over half of these births are estimated to have taken place in 10 countries: India (59,995), China (35,615), Nigeria (21,439), Pakistan (14,161), Indonesia (12,336), Ethiopia (12,006), the United States (10,312), Egypt (9,455), Bangladesh (9,236) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (8,640), it said. In total, an estimated 140 million children will be born in 2021 and their average life expectancy is expected to be 84 years, the UN agency said. "The children born today enter a world far different than even a year ago, and a New Year brings a new opportunity to reimagine it," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, calling on nations to make 2021 the year they start to build a fairer, safer, healthier world for children. The year 2021 will also mark the 75th anniversary of UNICEF. Over the course of the year, UNICEF and its partners will be commemorating the anniversary with events and announcements celebrating three-quarters of a century of protecting children from conflict, disease, and exclusion and championing their right to survival, health, and education. "Today, as the world faces a global pandemic, economic slowdown, rising poverty, and deepening inequality, the need for UNICEF's work is as great as ever," said Fore. In response to the global pandemic, UNICEF launched the Reimagine campaign, a global effort to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children. Through the campaign, UNICEF is issuing an urgent appeal to governments, the public, donors, and the private sector to join UNICEF as it seeks to respond, recover and reimagine a better, post-pandemic world. For the estimates, UNICEF used vital registration and nationally representative household survey data to estimate the monthly and daily fractions of births in countries. UNICEF used the annual live births numbers and period life expectancy from the latest revision of the UN's World Population Prospects (2019) to estimate the babies born on 1 January, 2021 and their cohort life expectancy. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Head of WHO said he was 'disappointing' the experts did not yet have permission A 10-person team of WHO experts is expected to arrive in China this week They have been given the task of investigating the origins of the coronavirus Mission comes a year after Covid-19 outbreak started, believed to be from China Origins remain bitterly contested, lost in a fog of recriminations and conjecture China has denied entry to a team of World Health Organisation (WHO) experts who were due to arrive in the country to investigate the origins of the coronavirus. The news comes amid growing suspicions of a cover-up in the country where Covid-19 is believed to have originated at the end of 2019, although its origins remain bitterly contested as China remains determined to control the narrative. ADVERTISEMENT The head of the World Health Organisation says he was 'disappointed' that Chinese officials have not finalised permissions for the arrival of the team of experts. A year after the outbreak started, WHO experts were due in China for a highly politicised visit to explore the origins of the coronavirus, in a trip trailed by accusations of cover-ups, conspiracy and fears of a whitewash. The WHO said China granted permission for a visit by its experts, with a 10-person team expected to arrive this week - but before most could even begin their journeys they faced roadblocks, with Beijing yet to grant them entry. Pictured: Workers in protective suits walk past the Hankou railway station in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, April 2020. Wuhan is believed to have been where the Covid-19 outbreak, that sparked the global pandemic, began. The first case was reported on December 31, 2019 The WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan said Tuesday that the problem was a lack of visa clearances, adding that he hoped it was a 'logistic and bureaucratic issue that can be resolved very quickly.' World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a rare critique of Beijing, says members of the international scientific team have begun over the last 24 hours to leave from their home countries to China as part of an arrangement between WHO and the Chinese government. 'Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in China,' he said at a news conference Tuesday in Geneva. 'I am very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute,' Tedros told reporters in Geneva, in a rare rebuke of Beijing from the UN body. Click here to resize this module He added that he has 'been in contact with senior Chinese officials' and that he had 'once again made it clear that the mission is a priority for the WHO. ADVERTISEMENT 'I have been assured that China is speeding up the internal procedure of the earliest possible deployment. We're eager to get the mission under way as soon as possible,' he said. Earlier this week Chinese authorities had refused to confirm the exact dates and details of the visit, a sign of the enduring sensitivity of their mission. Covid-19 was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019, before seeping beyond China's borders to wreak global havoc, costing over 1.8 million lives and eviscerating economies. But its origins remain bitterly contested, lost in a fog of recriminations and conjecture from the international community - as well as obfuscation from Chinese authorities determined to keep control of its virus narrative. An international expert team has set off for China to investigate the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, but Beijing has yet to provide the necessary access. Pictured: A TV grab taken on January 5, 2021 showing WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press briefing on Covid-19, during which he criticised China for not allowing the team entry The WHO team has promised to focus on the science, specifically how the coronavirus jumped from animals - believed to be bats - to humans. 'This is not about finding a guilty country or a guilty authority,' Fabian Leendertz from the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's central disease control body who will be among the team to visit, told AFP new agency in late December. 'This is about understanding what happened to avoid that in the future, to reduce the risk.' But doubt has been cast over what the WHO mission can reasonably expect to achieve and the state pressure they will face, raising fears that the mission will serve to rubber stamp China's official story, not challenge it. The upcoming visit will not be the first time Covid-19 has brought WHO teams to China. A mission last year looked at the response by authorities rather than the virus origins, with another in the summer laying the groundwork for the upcoming probe. Visitors attend an exhibition on the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Wuhan Parlor Convention Center that previously served as a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan But this time the WHO will wade into a swamp of competing interests, stuck between accusatory Western nations and a Chinese leadership determined to show that its secretive and hierarchical political system served to stem, not spread, the outbreak. ADVERTISEMENT It is unclear who the experts will be able to meet when they arrive in Wuhan to retrace the initial days and weeks of the pandemic. Inside China, whistleblowers have been silenced and citizen journalists jailed, including a 37-year-old woman imprisoned last week for four years over video reports from the city during its prolonged lockdown. Outside, responsibility for the virus has been weaponized. From the outset, US President Donald Trump used the virus as political bludgeon against big power rival China. He accused Beijing of trying to hide the outbreak of what he dubbed the 'China virus' and repeated unsubstantiated rumours it leaked from a Wuhan lab. Trump then pulled the US out of the WHO, accusing it of going soft on China, a nation with which he was also engaged in a bitter trade war. Critics say that blizzard of accusations sought to divert attention from Washington's bungled response to a crisis which has so far killed more than 355,000 Americans. Without them, said one, 'a lot of these situations that we had in January 2020 would not have played out the way it did.' 'It is the geopolitics that... put the world in this situation,' Ilona Kickbusch, of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, told AFP. China has since deftly reframed its version of events, hailing its 'extraordinary success' in curbing the pandemic within its borders and rebooting its economy. Beijing now says it will ride to the rescue of poorer nations, promising cheap vaccines and seeding doubt that the virus even originated in China. People use phones to film and photograph fireworks in the sky during a celebration on New Year's Day at a park in Wuhan, Hubei province, January 1 2021 Chinese doctors were recording at least DOUBLE the number of coronavirus cases that Beijing was reporting to the world in February, leaked documents revealed in December China under-reported its coronavirus cases and deaths by up to half during the early stages of the pandemic, leaked documents revealed in December. Beijing has long been accused of under-reporting its coronavirus numbers, but the data gives an idea of the scale of the problem for the first time. For example, on February 10 China reported 2,478 new cases of the virus across the entire country - but leaked data shows that, on the same date, Hubei province alone logged 5,918 cases. Meanwhile on March 7, Hubei was officially reporting a cumulative death toll of 2,986, but documents show it actually stood at 3,456. The official figures, which were reported across the world, downplayed the severity of the outbreak at a time when world leaders were trying to devise their own response strategies - leaving many unprepared for what was to come. China was able to use the figures and its authoritarian powers to lock down hard and early, all-but wiping the virus out and meaning its economy has grown this year, while under-prepared western democracies have seen their economies devastated. On February 10, China reported a total of 2,478 cases in its daily report, which was published around the world. Leaked documents show the total was 5,918 in Hubei province alone On February 17, the province of Hubei reported 93 new deaths to the public. In fact, documents show that it was 196 Other discrepancies revealed in the data include February 17, when Hubei officially reported 93 deaths from the virus while the documents show a toll of 196. On March 7, Hubei officially reported 83 cases, but 115 are recorded in the leaked papers. Another report also records the deaths of six health care workers from coronavirus by February 10, which were never publicly disclosed. Data also suggests that the number of cases recorded in 2019, when the virus first emerged, was 200. Until now, China has only publicly acknowledged 44 cases in 2019 - which it reported to the WHO as 'a pneumonia of unknown etiology' on January 3. The documents, comprising 117 pages, were handed to CNN by a whistleblower inside the Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which was at the epicentre of the outbreak. The whistleblower described themselves as 'a patriot' who was 'motivated to expose a truth that had been censored, and honor colleagues who had also spoken out.' Alongside the true case and death tolls, the documents reveal for the first time that Hubei was in the midst of a major flu epidemic at the time coronavirus struck. By March 7, Hubei had officially logged 2,986 deaths from the virus, but leaked documents show that toll was actually 3,456 On March 7, Hubei province - where epicentre Wuhan was located - reported 83 new infections to the public. Leaked documents give a figure of 115 The province was reporting up to 20 times the normal number of seasonal flu cases in December 2019, centered in the cities of Yichang and Xianning. Wuhan, where coronavirus would first emerge, was third worst-affected. Data also shows that a large number of flu cases, including in Wuhan, were diagnosed as 'unknown cause' - dating a far back as December 2. Researchers told CNN that it is possible some of these were mis-diagnosed coronavirus cases, but there is no way to know for sure because the data is simply not available. Dr. Amesh Adalja, at Johns Hopkins University which has been at the forefront of tracking the virus, said: 'They were only testing for what they knew.' China claims it has done studies looking for cases of coronavirus in Wuhan before December 2019, but has been unable to find any. While there is no suggestion that the outbreaks are linked, the flu epidemic likely left health officials stretched and unprepared for the emergence of a new illness. The documents also reveal a shambles among China's early testing regime, which contributed to the cases being under-reported. According to the data, nucleic acid tests which were initially used to diagnose the virus only worked between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the time. Documents also reveal Hubei province was in the midst of a flu epidemic when coronavirus emerged, with hospitals under-funded and staff demoralised (file image) That meant scientists were often forced to use other methods - such as scans of the lungs - to diagnose patients they were sure had the virus, but whose tests kept coming back negative. But because of the way China's reporting system worked, only those cases which had been confirmed by the test were publicly reported. All other cases were marked down as 'suspected' or 'clinically diagnosed'. While bureaucrats would have been aware of both figures, and may have been aware of the problems with testing, they chose only to report cases with a positive test - at least initially. China did start adding 'clinically diagnosed' cases to its totals in mid-February, but by then the virus had already spread far beyond its own borders. Yanzhong Huang, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who specilaises in Chinese public health, told CNN: 'It was clear they did make mistakes. 'Not just mistakes that happen when you're dealing with a novel virus, also bureaucratic and politically-motivated errors in how they handled it. 'These had global consequences.' The early testing regime also suffered huge delays, with the average time taken from the onset of disease to diagnosis being 23 days. That meant China's official daily totals were lagging three weeks behind reality, while at the same time hampering its own ability to respond to the crisis. Internal documents also show that Hubei health authorities were under-funded and suffering staff motivation issues when the pandemic struck. And while Beijing boasted that it had massively invested in early-stage detection of infectious diseases in 2003 during the SARS epidemic, in reality the system was slow, under-funded, and weighed down with bureaucracy. The world must investigate all the mounting evidence Covid leaked from a Wuhan lab, writes IAN BIRRELL By Ian Birrell for the Mail on Sunday It is a year since the world learned of a deadly new respiratory disease stalking the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Yet we still know little about how and why the virus spread with such devastating consequences. It can almost certainly be traced to bats. But we do not know how this pathogen having evolved an extraordinary ability to infect, causing such damage to different bodily organs made the jump into human beings. At last, a World Health Organisation investigation is under way into the origins of the coronavirus, but it is accused of meekly pandering to China's agenda by recruiting patsy scientists and relying on Beijing's dubious data. Now there is growing clamour from experts around the world that no stone should be left unturned during this inquiry and that it must include one key element of a hunt which has all the hallmarks of a thriller novel. It is a year since the world learned of a deadly new respiratory disease stalking the central Chinese city of Wuhan, writes Ian Birrell. Pictured: Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, who was dubbed 'Batwoman', at the Wuhan Institute of Virology Why did China build a virus lab in Wuhan? Chinese officials decided to build the Wuhan Institute of Virology after the country was ravaged by an outbreak of SARS in 2002 and 2003. SARS, another kind of coronavirus, killed 775 people and infected more than 8,000 globally in an epidemic that lasted about eight months. It took the Chinese 15 years to fully complete the project, which cost a total of 300million yuan (34million). The French helped design the building. Its crown jewel is a four-storey lab with the highest biosafety level of P4. It's the most advanced laboratory of its type in China. Construction of the lab was finished in 2015 and it officially opened on January 5, 2018, after passing various safety inspections. Describing the significance of the P4 lab, China Youth Online billed it as the 'aircraft carrier of China's virology'. The state-run newspaper said it 'is capable of researching the deadliest pathogens'. One researcher, Zhou Peng, told state news agency Xinhua in 2018: 'We are proud to say that we are already at the forefront in the field of studying the immunity mechanism of bats, which carry viruses for a long time. 'Bats carry viruses but are not infected [by them]. [They] provide hope for mankind to study how to fight viruses.' This centres on a cave filled with bats, a clutch of mysterious deaths, some brilliant scientists carrying out futuristic experiments in a secretive laboratory and a cover-up of epic proportions that, if proven, would have huge consequences for the Chinese Communist Party and the global practice of science. So what, precisely, is this theory on the origins of this pandemic? It must be stated clearly that it is just a theory, albeit one based on crumbs of evidence teased out by a few courageous scientists and some online detectives. New diseases have emerged throughout human history. Most experts believe Covid to be a 'zoonotic' disease that spilled over naturally from animals to humans. They think it was most likely 'amplified' by an intermediate species similar to how Chinese people's consumption of civet cats sparked the 2002 Sars epidemic. Yet at the same time, Beijing's actions from the outset covering up the outbreak, blaming a wild animal market that it has since admitted wasn't at fault, barring outside investigators, burying data and silencing its own experts have served to fuel suspicions. Last week, leaked documents exposed how the Chinese government, under orders from President Xi Jinping, is strictly controlling all research into the origins of Covid while promoting fringe theories suggesting it came from outside China. And it is an uncomfortable coincidence that Wuhan a city buzzing once again, with busy shops, packed restaurants and many people without masks on the streets celebrating New Year is home to the world's top coronavirus research unit as well as ground zero to a pandemic from a strange new strain. The clues start with an abandoned copper mine in Mojiang, a hilly region in Yunnan, southern China, where bats roost in a network of underground caves, cracks and crannies. Days after three Chinese miners who had been clearing bat droppings inside caves died, Zhengli went to investigate Two weeks ago, a BBC reporter was prevented from reaching this remote site after being trailed by police for miles along bumpy tracks, then blocked by a lorry and confronted by men at roadblocks saying their job was to stop him. The previous month, a team of US journalists had also been tailed by plainclothes police who barred their access. One research team recently managed to take some samples at the mine, but reportedly had them confiscated. The reason for such secrecy goes back to the end of April 2012 when a 42-year-old man clearing bat droppings in these underground caverns turned up at a nearby hospital with a bad cough, high fever and struggling to breathe. Within a week, five colleagues had similar symptoms. Three later died, one after doctors spent more than 100 days fighting to save his life yet the two youngest spent less than a week in the hospital and survived. Sound familiar? We have since learned from a detailed masters thesis, which included medical reports and radiological scans, that these miners suffered a viral pneumonia, attributed to Sars-like coronaviruses originating from horseshoe bats. One leading US health body pointed out last year that they had 'an illness remarkably similar to Covid-19'. Little wonder a prominent vaccine scientist told me: 'This is about as close to a smoking gun as exists.' Intriguingly, a second thesis three years later also highlighted these cases. It was written by a student of Oxford-trained virologist Professor George Gao Fu, who is now head of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which is leading their response to the pandemic. So the Chinese authorities must have known about the dead miners. Yet they quickly tried to blame the wildlife market in Wuhan as Covid's source, until challenged by respected studies revealed in this newspaper. Following the miners' deaths, Shi Zhengli, a Wuhan-based virologist known as Batwoman for her expeditions to gather samples in such caves and a member of the team that traced the origin of Sars to bats, went to investigate. 'The mine shaft stank like hell,' she told Scientific American magazine, explaining how her colleagues spent a year discovering new coronaviruses in samples taken from the blood and faeces of bats. The miners, she claimed, died from a fungal infection. 'The mine shaft stank like hell,' she told Scientific American magazine, explaining how her colleagues spent a year discovering new coronaviruses in samples taken from the blood and faeces of bats. The miners, she claimed, died from a fungal infection. Another expert noted how the miners who died were treated with anti-fungal medications, while those surviving were given other drugs. 'So in addition to the fact that the cases were more Sars-like than fungal-like, this treatment story argues against a fungal [cause],' he said. 'It is very odd that Shi Zhengli would assert these cases were fungal.' Prof Shi examined samples in her Wuhan lab, a few miles from the infamous market. Studies later found the virus in sewage, but it was not detected in animals. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is the first laboratory with the highest global bio-safety level in China. It specialises in the study of bat-borne viruses and is spearheading China's drive to assert itself in bio-technology. Leaked diplomatic cables reveal that US officials who visited the lab two years ago warned about safety weaknesses and the risks of a new Sars-like epidemic emerging from the site. The lab's own safety chief also publicly admitted concerns over flawed security systems. The institute has carried out experiments on bat coronaviruses since 2015 including research that can increase their virulence by combining snippets from different strains. Some viruses were injected into special 'humanised' mice that had been created for use in labs with human genes, cells or tissues in their bodies. These controversial experiments artificially force the evolution of viruses so as to boost our understanding of diseases and their transmissibility. They help researchers develop new drugs and vaccines. The Wuhan scientists were working with prominent Western experts and supported financially by the National Institutes of Health, the most important US funding body although this relationship was ended on safety grounds after being revealed by The Mail on Sunday. Some scientists argue this type of pathogen research is too risky since it could trigger a pandemic from a new disease. As a result, there was a moratorium on such work by the US for four years under the Obama administration. Other critics have warned that the Wuhan Institute was constructing 'chimeric' coronaviruses new hybrid micro-organisms that show no sign of human manipulation. Now the big question is whether they took samples from the coronavirus that killed the Yunnan miners and, back in their laboratory more than 1,000 miles away, created a new virus that somehow leaked out into their own city. Leaked diplomatic cables reveal that US officials who visited the lab two years ago warned about safety weaknesses and the risks of a new Sars-like epidemic emerging from the site As leading experts have suggested, it would have been a logical step to create chimeric viruses by combining properties from different samples. Many scientific breakthroughs have emerged from such speculative endeavours. One medical professor suggested to me that the miners may have died after being exposed to very high doses of coronaviruses while working in deep shafts filled with bats and their droppings. But the Wuhan scientists then struggled to prove causality in their lab as their samples were too weak to infect human cells. 'This would have stopped them publishing a major finding of a new Sars-like virus infecting humans. The possibility is they might then have tried modifying the virus to make it better able to infect human cells in a bid to establish the missing link.' This is, it must be stressed, unproven speculation. And it is understandable why China wants to comprehend as much as possible about bat viruses that emerge in their country. Yet as experts say, there are many unanswered questions centring on Beijing's reluctance to come clean about the miners' cases, viruses and samples held in their labs. The Wuhan Institute has even taken key databases offline. Key to all this is the enigmatic Batwoman, Prof Shi. First, she published a genetic sequence for Sars-Cov-2 the strain of coronavirus that causes Covid-19 which, despite close analysis of other novel features, ignored its most surprising characteristic. This is 'the furin cleavage site', a mutation not found on similar types of coronavirus that allows its spike protein to bind so effectively to many human cells. The lab's own safety chief also publicly admitted concerns over flawed security systems Then, last January, Prof Shi and two colleagues published a paper in Nature that revealed the existence of a virus called RaTG13 that was taken from a horseshoe bat and stored on their premises, the biggest repository of bat coronaviruses in Asia. This paper, submitted on the same day China admitted to human transmission, caused a stir in the scientific world since it revealed the existence of the closest known relative to Sars-Cov-2 with more than 96 per cent genetic similarity. It underlined that such diseases occur in nature yet although closely related, it would have taken RaTG13 several decades to evolve in the wild into Sars-Cov-2 and was too distant to be manipulated in a laboratory. Other experts wondered why there was so little information about this new strain. One reason soon became clear: the name had been changed from that of another virus called Ra4991 identified in a previous paper but, unusually, not cited in the Nature piece. This obscured a direct link to the dead miners, which was only confirmed when Nature sought publication of an 'addendum' following complaints. The Wuhan team also admitted it had eight more Sars viruses from the Yunnan mine that have not been disclosed. Some scientists say these new details raise many fresh issues including a 20-point critique put on her blog by an Indian microbiologist called Monali Rahalkar. Many high-profile experts, however, still dismiss the idea of a lab leak as a conspiracy theory. Yet David Relman, one of the world's leading experts in this field, points out that scientists could easily have combined a 'furin cleavage site' from one viral ancestor with the backbone of Sars-Cov-2 taken from another. 'Alternatively, the complete Sars-Cov-2 sequence could have been recovered from a bat sample and viable virus recreated from a synthetic genome to study it before that virus accidentally escaped,' wrote Relman, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University's medical school, in a recent paper. The former US government adviser on bio-security told me he raised the issues out of frustration with scientists who seemed discomforted by the idea. 'This perplexing story does not add up the possibility of a lab accident cannot be discounted,' he said. There have also been questions over the apparent disappearance of a young woman researcher who worked in the laboratory. It has been suggested she might have been patient zero of this pandemic, although this has been denied by the Chinese authorities. Even if the miners' link was eliminated, it would not rule out the possibility of an accident causing this pandemic. Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, said Wuhan scientists have shown in publications that they have sampled hundreds of bats and people living near bat caves in their search for Sars-related viruses. 'Even if the precursor to Sars-Cov-2 was not from these miners or the Mojiang mine, did they find other viruses that are very closely related that we do not yet know about?' she asked. It sounds like the plot from a science-fiction film: an engineered virus leaking from a high-tech lab to cause global chaos. Yet there are plenty of precedents, including two researchers infected with Sars in a Beijing virology lab in 2004. Studies also show accidents with deadly pathogens are common in labs where people are working with microscopic viruses. Prof Shi admitted she never expected an outbreak in a city so far from the home of the bats she studied. She said her first thought on hearing coronaviruses might be the culprit was to wonder: 'Could they have come from our lab?' She then frantically rushed back to Wuhan to check her records for any possible mishandling of materials which proves she believed such a leak was a possibility. There is also another lab in Wuhan with a lower level of bio-security, 500 yards from the animal market. A study posted by two Chinese scientists in February on a site for sharing research then pulled two days later enigmatically claimed 605 bats were kept here, describing how some attacked, bled and urinated on a researcher. 'It is plausible that the virus leaked,' the paper concluded. Perhaps this theory will unravel as we find out fresh facts. Or scientists will uncover an alternative explanation for the path of Covid-19 from bats to humans. Equally, it is possible we may never discover the truth about the origins of this virus. But at this stage the only certainty is that we all do science and indeed, investigative reporting a disservice if this idea is discarded without being properly disproved and devoid of evidence. ADVERTISEMENT We owe this to a world dislocated so terribly by this pandemic. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Paradyme lands former FBI executive Paradyme Management has landed a former FBI leader for IT and operational services in its national security branch to lead the companys justice market growth efforts. Roger Miller was assistant section chief at the FBI and previously held other leadership positions in the FBIs Criminal Justice Information Services Division, North Carolina Justice Department, National Institute of Justice and Virginia Beach Police Department. Roger has a vast amount of experience in the justice community and has been right in the middle of dealing with the complex technical issues it faces, said Paradyme Chief Operating Officer Jack Ginsburg. The justice market is undergoing an entire IT modernization effort, looking to machine learning, AI, cloud and data analytics to improve the effectiveness of intercepting criminals before they can harm our communities, Miller said. I am eager to introduce justice leaders to the Paradyme experts and technology solutions that can help their missions to save lives. Miller holds a bachelor's degree with a crminal justice specialization in homeland security from Saint Leo University, where he volunteers as a mentor to students. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy. CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- International law firm McDermott Will & Emery expanded its Transactions practice today with the addition of Christian Fabian who joined as partner in the Chicago office. Christian's practice focuses on M&A and private equity with particular expertise in cross-border transactions involving Latin America. The addition of Christian expands the Firm's capabilities in its growing Latin America group, and adds bench strength to the Firm's robust M&A and private equity practices. "Christian's experience leading international businesses and equity sponsors through significant cross-border transactions builds on our transactions strengths, particularly in the Latin America markets," said Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott's Transactions Group. "Christian is not only a technically excellent lawyer, but a client service all-star and we're excited to have him on board." Christian joins on the heels of more than 20 high-profile partner hires McDermott's Transactions group made in 2020 across key focus areas including M&A, Private Equity, Restructuring, Energy and Corporate Finance. "I'm thrilled to join McDermott's thriving Transactions group and a Firm with a strong reputation for client collaboration and achieving business objectives," added Christian. "As we continue to face uncertain times, I'm confident that McDermott's platform is well-suited to help clients successfully navigate the global transactional landscape." Christian represents clients across several industries, including gaming, automotive, food and beverage, consulting, healthcare, life sciences, infrastructure and technology in complex public and private mergers, tender offers, stock and asset acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances. He advises clients regarding private equity investments, recapitalizations, private placements of securities and other corporate finance matters, as well as corporate governance and securities law matters. Christian holds a JD from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a BSE from Oakland University. About McDermott McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effectiveand often unexpectedsolutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve. SOURCE McDermott Will & Emery Related Links http://www.mwe.com .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The state Attorney Generals Office is accusing a New Mexico-based company of taking advantage of Philippine teachers its bringing to the U.S. On Tuesday the AGs Office filed a lawsuit in 2nd Judicial District Court in Albuquerque against Total Teaching Solutions International and CEO Janice Bickert alleging violations of the state Unfair Practices Act by charging nearly four times what similar companies charge and for misleading teachers about its ability to obtain proper work visas. According to the lawsuit, clients who dont pay monthly fees are threatened with legal action and being reported to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. NM has a critical teacher shortage, and it is vital that recruitment of incoming teachers not be used to exploit teachers that are lawfully supported by school districts, Attorney General Hector Balderas said in a statement. I will continue to fight to make sure those coming to New Mexico to teach our children are protected from predatory businesses. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The lawsuit seeks to impose a civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation of the Unfair Practices Act and to force TTSI to pay restitution to those who gave the company money as a result of the unlawful practices. Bickert did not respond to an email from the Journal on Tuesday. The lawsuit notes that Bickert is married to Superintendent of Ruidoso Schools, George Bickert. The lawsuit says the company charged Philippine teachers $15,000 for its services, whereas similar companies charge around $4,000. The services actually provided by TTSI results in a gross disparity between the value received by the Filipino teachers and the price paid as evidenced by companies providing nearly identical services for similarly situated Filipino teachers at nearly one third of the cost, the lawsuit says. Once in the U.S., the lawsuit contends, clients are forced to pay previously undisclosed fees, and those who arent able to pay the required $400 monthly payments face late fees. Teachers who have not been able to pay have been threatened with being reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or with a change in their immigration status, the lawsuit says. TTSI has filed at least eight breach-of-contract complaints against teachers in Carrizozo Magistrate Court, according to the lawsuit. The suit also says TTSI told applicants that it could help them get their J-1 visas, which allow people from other countries to teach in the U.S. for five years, even though the company didnt have the ability to do that. Defendants committed an act of fraud when (they) represented to Filipino teachers that it (they) would assist them in obtaining J-1 Visas while knowing that they it had no authority to obtain these Visas on behalf of the Filipino teachers, the lawsuit alleges. UP, Madhya Pradesh to be parties to plea against anti-conversion laws over marriage Will bring in law to prevent 'love jihad' in Kerala if voted to power: BJP Love Jihad laws: SC to examine constitutional validity India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: The Supreme Court has agreed to examine petitions challenging the legislations in Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh against unlawful conversion. The laws were enacted to prevent inter-faith marriages and consequent conversions by making them a punishable offence. The petitioners told the court that a similar legislation is on the way in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. It is obnoxious to put the burden of proof on married couples to show that there it is conversion by marriage leading to mobs disrupting inter-faith marriages. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News As 'love jihad' law completes one month in Uttar Pradesh, officials arrested about 35 people When the petitioners sought a stay on the laws, the Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, S A Bobde said that it would have been ideal if the parties had moved the respective High Courts. The court said that it would hear arguments and decide the issue rather than imposing a stay on the legislations. Advertisement Ivanka Trump has been slammed after she described the violent MAGA protesters who smashed their way into the Capitol as 'American Patriots', in a now-deleted tweet. Protesters stormed the Capitol just moments after President Trump urged them to 'march on Congress' at the 'Save America' rally in Washington DC. Capitol Police were seen with their guns drawn and aimed at the barricaded door of the US House chamber as the MAGA mob smashed the glass in the entrance doors in an attempt get inside. Other Trump supporters could be seen sitting in the Senate chamber and inside the offices of congress members. But despite one woman being shot during the violent confrontation between cops and protesters, the President's daughter resisted telling her father's supporters to leave the building. She tweeted: 'American Patriots - any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable. 'The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful.' She later deleted the tweet when outraged followers asked if she believed the attackers were 'patriots', adding 'Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.' Ivanka Trump resisted telling her father's supporters to leave the Capitol, and called the violent protesters 'American patriots' before deleting her tweet and writing 'Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms' Her brother Donald Trump Jr also begged his father's supporters to 'remain calm', but avoided telling them to leave the Capitol. 'This is wrong and not who we are,' President Donald Trump's eldest son tweeted. 'Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but dont start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesnt help anyone.' Trump Jr had addressed the Save America rally just hours earlier, telling them to confront Republicans who would not support attempts to overthrow Joe Biden's election victory. 'If you're gonna be the zero and not the hero, we're coming for you and we're going to have a good time doing it,' Don Jr said. Trump's plea for calm came after he stood on Save America stage and told lawmakers 'If you're gonna be the zero and not the hero, we're coming for you and we're going to have a good time doing it' Police inside the House Chamber draw their guns as Trump-supporting protesters are seen trying to break through the door inside the US Capitol on Wednesday Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday A protester lies wounded after she was shot inside the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Hours later, Donald Trump told his mob of supporters that he 'loves' them, but asked them to 'go home'. But despite calling for his supporters to stand down, he continued to peddle the baseless claims that the 'election was stolen' in a video posted to Twitter Wednesday afternoon. After two hours of violence, the President posted a video on Twitter saying: 'There's never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us - from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people. 'We have to have peace. So, go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace,' Trump said. Twitter put a disclaimer on the tweet warning of the president's false claims regarding the election. It also disabled the comments and re-tweet option. In the midst of the chaos the president also tweeted: 'I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!' This came hours after Trump stirred them into a frenzy at his 'Stop the Steal' rally, telling them to march on the U.S. Capitol. Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol as tear gas fills the corridor on Wednesday Trump supporters are seen above entering the US Capitol as tear gas fills the corridor on Wednesday Members of Congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday A protester is seen above hanging from the balcony in the US Senate chamber on Wednesday Capitol Police detain a group of protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday Trump fanned the flames of his supporters, bashing 'weak' Republicans and demanding fealty from Vice President Mike Pence to a rally crowd near the White House Wednesday where he demanded Pence and Congress overturn the election results that lead to his defeat. 'We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women,' Trump said. Other Trump favorites had also earlier addressed the crowd of thousands with inflammatory rhetoric, including his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who called for a 'trial by combat' in contesting the election results. In an extraordinary speech, Trump once again called his election 'rigged' just minutes before a joint meeting of Congress was to begin counting the certified electoral votes that have him losing to Democrat Joe Biden. He referred to votes that came in after 10pm election night which consisted of in-person and mail-in ballots and denied him the lead he said he and his pollsters anticipated as 'these explosions of bullsh*t.' Members of the crowd immediately chanted 'Bullshi*t!' in response. 'Our election was over at 10:00 in the evening,' Trump said. Trump mocked his party's 2012 Republican presidential nominee, now-Sen. Mitt Romney, for conceded his own race back then. 'We will never concede. It doesn't happen,' he said although losing candidates have conceded for generations. 'There's never been anything like this. It's a pure theft.' Trump spoke to a crowd of several thousand but referred to them as consisting of 'hundreds of thousands' of supporters fathered on a lawn south of the White House that doesn't hold that many. Trump supporters are seen inside the Capitol Rotunda after overrunning the Capitol Police in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Trump supporters wave flags after overrunning the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday A Trump-supporting protester sits in the US Senate Chamber inside the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday He said his election was 'stolen by the fake news media. That's what they've done and that's what they're doing.' He urged his supporters to march down to the Congress, which was to commence the count at 1 pm. 'We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women,' he said, speaking from behind a pane of bullet-proof material. He turned up the heat on Pence, a potential 2024 contender who will preside over the count. His role is set in the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act, and is largely ceremonial. 'Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country because you're sworn to uphold our Constitution,' he said. Trump acknowledged that he has tried to pressure Pence into rejecting votes from states he lost, quoting from a conversation he has denied happened. 'All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to re-certify and we become president and you are the happiest people,' he told his fans, who cheered 'Stop the Steal!' at times. 'I said Mike, that doesn't take courage. What takes courage is to do nothing. That takes courage. And then we're stuck with a president who lost the election by a lot and we have to live with that,' he said of Biden. A Trump supporter leaves a note on the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi which reads 'We will not back down' on Wednesday The Trump supporter who managed to get inside Pelosi's office is pictured above sitting at the speaker's desk A pro-Trump protester is seen above holding an American flag and bullhorn after managing to breach the US Senate chamber on Capitol Hill on Wednesday Supporters of Trump enter the US Capitol on Wednesday after breaching security during a special joint session of Congress A female Trump supporter has now died after being shot inside the US Capitol during the violence. The woman was shot on Wednesday afternoon after chaotic scenes broke out when dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters at the Capitol. She died several hours later, law enforcement sources said. It was not immediately clear who shot the woman. Dozens of police were also reportedly injured in the violence. Supporters of the president fought their way through barricades and police lines and were seen marching through Statuary Hall, and posing in the Senate chamber. One protester occupied the Senate dais and yelled: 'Trump won that election'. Some protesters even occupied Nancy Pelosi's office, sitting mockingly at a desk. At least one explosive device was found near the Capitol amid the violence, according to law enforcement sources. There are more than 2,000 Capitol Police officers with special jurisdiction on Capitol Grounds. But they were overrun as protesters smashed through a window and penetrated the building. Trump supporters are seen wandering around Statuary Hall in the US Capitol building after storming the barricades and overrunning Capitol Police on Wednesday Dramatic incidents come just after President Trump spoke at a 'Save America' rally near the White House The president's son begged for calm and the mayor of Washington, DC, ordered a 6pm curfew after protesters smashed their way into the Capitol Trump supporters who breached security in the US Capitol are seen above inside one of the hallways on Wednesday Supporters of the president are seen above entering the US Capitol on Wednesday after overrunning Capitol Police on Wednesday Capitol Police were seen absorbing violent lunges by Trump supporters on the first floor of the Capitol building. As the protesters broke down police barricades and stormed into the Rotunda, Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leaders were whisked to safety. Lawmakers cowering inside the House Chamber were urged to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. Officers at the front door of the chamber had their guns drawn as a protester tried to break down the door. For those fleeing, it was a race against time: Protesters were getting in as quickly as members of Congress could get out. Congressional staffers working in Cannon House Office Building also used underground tunnels to evacuate. The National Guard was deployed to help stem the violence and police are enforcing a 6pm curfew in DC. Police from neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland were also rushed to the Capitol vicinity, CNN reported. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had already mobilized National Guard troops in advance of the pro-Trump rally billed as a 'stop the steal event' although it coincided with the effort proscribed in law for Congress to count the votes of the Electoral College. The entire D.C. National Guard was to be activated within hours, the Washington Post reported, after Bowser asked on duty guard to be sent to the Capitol. US Capitol Police use pepper spray against Trump supporters who stormed the barricades and approached the steps of the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Trump supporters waving American flags and carrying pro-Trump banners are met with pepper spray used by Capitol Police near the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Hundreds of supporters of President Trump stormed the barricades surrounding the US Capitol building and were met with police who sprayed pepper spray during Wednesdays historic joint session of Congress which was convened to ratify President-elect Joe Bidens victory Video uploaded to social media shows Trump supporters waving pro-Trump banners and American flags as they walked toward the steps of the Capitol building Capitol Police used pepper spray to keep the Trump supporters at bay as they approached the steps of the Capitol building Hundreds of Trump supporters have stormed the barricades at the back of the Capitol and are marching toward the building. pic.twitter.com/68nB7QyiP9 Rebecca Tan (@rebtanhs) January 6, 2021 Hundreds of supporters of President Trump stormed the barricades surrounding the US Capitol building and were met with police who sprayed pepper spray during Wednesdays historic joint session of Congress which was convened to ratify President-elect Joe Bidens victory Video uploaded to social media shows Trump supporters waving pro-Trump banners and American flags as they walked toward the steps of the Capitol building Supporters of President Donald Trump take over stands set up for the presidential inauguration as they protest at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Wednesday A person is removed on a stretcher as President Trump delivers remarks to supporters gathered to protest Congress' upcoming certification of Joe Biden as the next president on the Ellipse in Washington Federal police detain a man near the United States Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building fighting federal police who are overrun This is the craziest thing Ive ever seen in my life. Thousands, police cant stop them pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021 Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier near the US Capitol on Wednesday Trump supporters clash with Capitol Police while trying to break through the barricade and through to the US Capitol Trump supporters are seen outside the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Police deploy tear gas outside the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Trump supporters are seen above just outside the US Capitol building after storming the barricades on Wednesday Police outside the US Capitol try to guard the perimeter as Trump supporters seek to storm the barricades on Wednesday Biden on Wednesday evening called for the restoration of 'simple decency' after the mob delayed Congress from certifying the results of November's election. 'At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault unlike anything we've seen in modern times,' Biden said. He called it 'an assault on the rule of law like few times we have ever seen it.' 'I call on this mob to pull back and allow democracy to go forward. In an address that took less than 10 minutes and was televised against a split screen of the still-occupied Capitol building, Biden attempted to project calm and to say that a deeply divided country can still come together - while also expressing outrage. He stopped short of accusing Trump of treason but said the events 'bordered on sedition'. 'At their best, the words of a president can inspire,' Biden added. 'At their worst they can incite.' Hundreds of Trump supporters have stormed the barricades at the back of the Capitol and are marching toward the building. pic.twitter.com/68nB7QyiP9 Rebecca Tan (@rebtanhs) January 6, 2021 Capitol Police push back supporters of President Trump after they stormed the barricades outside the US Capitol building Capitol Police clad in helmets and riot gear push back Trump supporters in front of the US Capitol building on Wednesday Capitol Police were outnumbered by thousands of Trump supporters who marched to the US Capitol building on Wednesday Trump supporters marched to the area after attending a rally where the president spoke and urged them to 'support members of Congress' Protesters are quite literally storming the Capitol right now, coming from the direction of the National Mall. In this, you can hear a booming sound as they set off some kind of smoking device (sounds like a firework) closer to the Capitol steps. pic.twitter.com/tRLvinwiZk Austin Landis (@_AustinLandis) January 6, 2021 Thousands of supporters of President Trump are seen above near the Washington Monument for the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday At least 10 people have been arrested by local and federal police in Washington, DC, since Tuesday. One man is seen above being detained near the Washington Monument on Wednesday Eric Trump (right), the president's son, and his wife, Lara Trump, raise their fists in front of thousands of supporters near the White House on Wednesday People bang and hit windows at the Washington Monument after police made an arrest on Wednesday Trump supporters pray outside the US Capitol on Wednesday before Congress holds a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's victory President Trump on Wednesday vowed never to concede and repeated his claims that Biden's election victory was fraudulent A Trump supporter at the rally holds up a newspaper headline that reads 'Trump Wins' near the White House on Wednesday Leigh Ann Luck dressed up as Lady Liberty during a rally near the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday The president's image is seen on large television screens at the rally not far from the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Trump supporters take photos with their cell phones near the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, on Wednesday A Trump supporter wraps herself in the American flag during a demonstration in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Supporters of the president hold up a sign that reads 'Trump won' during a rally in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Members of the far-right group Proud Boys gesture near the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Supporters of the president hold signs that read 'Stop the steal' and 'keep the republic' in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Supporters of President Trump urge Congress not to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Trump supporters watch as the president gives a speech during a 'Save America' rally near the White House on Wednesday Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, had earlier given a rousing speech to his father's supporters in which he called on Republican members of Congress to 'be the hero and not the zero' - or else he would work to unseat them by supporting an opponent in the primary. 'If you're gonna be the zero and not the hero, we're coming for you and we're going to have a good time doing it,' Don Jr said on Wednesday. 'I suggest you choose wisely.' Don Jr added: 'The people who did nothing to stop the steal - this gathering should send a message to them. 'This isn't their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump's Republican Party. This is the Republican Party that will put America first.' Don Jr's younger brother, Eric, also appeared on stage and spoke alongside his wife, Lara. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather at the Washington Monument by the White House before the violence broke out Tens of thousands marched on Washington DC to protest Biden being declared the winner of the election US Park Police granted permits anticipating 30,000 demonstrators on Wednesday though the final tally isn't expected until later on Wednesday Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House A massive crowd of supporters of President Trump wait on the National Mall outside a security perimeter for a rally to protest the expected certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory on Wednesday A crowd of tens of thousands of Trump supporters waved banners and American flags before the start of the planned demonstration on Wednesday A Trump supporter dresses as Superman and holds an American flag and pro-Trump banner near the Washington Monument on Wednesday A Trump supporter wearing face paint and a hat attends the rally in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Trump supporters drape themselves in pro-Trump banners during the 'Save America' rally in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Crowds arrive for the pro-Trump rally near the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Supporters of President Trump wave pro-Trump banners and flags during the rally in Washington, DC, on Wednesday About an hour before Trump was set to speak, there were massive, dense lines at security checkpoints near the White House. At the Lincoln Memorial, dozens of Trump supporters stood on the steps with large Trump flags A man wearing an American flag-themed bandanna and waving an American flag is seen above in Washington, DC, on Wednesday A Trump supporter is seen above near the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Eric told the crowd of the president's supporters that he couldn't believe Biden won more votes than his father. 'This guy [Biden] couldn't fill up a classroom, and look at these crowds here,' he said. 'He hides in his basement. No one buys it.' Hours after a humiliating defeat in one Georgia Senate race and the prospect of losing another, Team Trump showed no sign of conceding. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani once again raised allegations of widespread election fraud which he said also occurred in the Georgia Senate runoff elections. 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat. 'I'm willing to stake my reputation, the president is willing to stake his reputation on the fact that we're going to find criminality there,' said the former New York mayor. Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of losses in state and federal courts with suits charging election fraud. Two men clash after police arrested one person near the Washington Monument on Wednesday US Park Police are seen above detaining a man near the Washington Monument on Wednesday morning Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani once again raised allegations of widespread election fraud which he said also occurred in the Georgia Senate runoff elections 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat Much of the fury of Trump's supporters came after Mike Pence said Wednesday that he would defy Trump's demand that he overturn the election, vowing he will heed to the constitution, adding 'So Help Me God' in a letter sent at exactly the same time as the president threatened him at the wild rally in Washington D.C. Trump told thousands of supporters just outside the White House that he wanted Pence to 'come through' for us and demanded that he reject electoral votes out of hand over that the president claims is 'fraud.' He threatened Pence saying 'I'm not hearing good stories' and telling him to have 'courage' to strike down swing states' votes a move which would defy the constitution. But minutes before arriving on Capitol Hill to preside over the joint session of Congress to certify the election's outcome, Pence bluntly told lawmakers that he would refuse to obey Trump's orders. Pence sent a letter to the 535 senators and representatives on Capitol Hill ahead of his presiding over the Joint Session that will certify Joe Biden's victory. In it, he outlined his belief in his role in the proceedings, which he notes is 'ceremonial' and adds that it doesn't include the authority to 'determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.' Trump has tried to put the blame on Pence for his expected loss on Wednesday but the president also lacks support among the majority of senators in his own party, which dooms his efforts for a congressional overthrow of the results. Newly elected US House Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a Republican from North Carolina, speaks to Trump supporters near the White House on Wednesday Trump supporters braved cold temperatures in Washington, DC, on Wednesday hours before the start of planned demonstrations Supporters of President Trump protest the results of the November 3 election in Washington, DC, on Wednesday House Rep. Mo Brooks, a Republican from Alabama, speaks on Wednesday at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the 'Save America Rally.' Brooks is one of the lawmakers leading the charge in Congress to dispute the Electoral College vote count Pence acknowledged Trump's allegations the election was rigged, of which there has been no proof and no court has upheld, in a likely peace offering to the president. 'I share the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of this election,' he wrote. But he noted as vice president he does not have the power from the constitution to decide which electoral votes are counted and which are not. 'As a student of history who loves the constitution and reveres its Framers, I do not believe that the Founds of our country intended to invest the vice president with unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted during the Joint Session of Congress and no Vice President in American history has ever asserted such authority,' Pence noted. He added vice presidents in the past have conducted 'the proceedings in an orderly manner even where the count resulted in the defeat of their party or their own candidacy.' 'It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,' he said. He concluded his letter with a prayer to God: 'When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws and history. So Help Me God.' Lawmakers got through Alabama and Alaska, two states that went for Trump, without an objection. Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, objected to his state's Electoral College votes going to Biden and Harris. He confirmed that his objection had been signed on to by a U.S. senator. Democrats in the chamber audibly groaned. Droves of Republicans in the chamber stood up and clapped. The move forced Pence to order the houses out of joint session. The senators in the House chamber started moving back toward their side of the U.S. Capitol. But the individual debates never concluded because of the violence that broke out in the Capitol. Jeremy LaPointe of Lumberton, Texas, holds a cross as he joins supporters of Trump gathered outside the US Capitol where Congress will meet to certify the electoral college vote for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, DC, on Wednesday A large crowd of Trump supporters started gathering outside of the White House for a rally on Wednesday A stand is being erected at the base of the US Capitol as a pro-Trump supporter holds a flag, hours before Congress meets to certify the electoral college vote for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Trump supporters lined up in the early morning hours of Wednesday on the Ellipse just outside of the White House The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement officials are seen near a barricade separating them from the crowd of demonstrators Trump supporters gather near the White House and watch the rally on a big screen set up nearby A supporter of the president holds a sign that reads 'Voting ends on Election Day, not the day after!' in Washington, DC, on Wednesday Rallygoers in military style camo dress appear in Washington, DC, as law enforcement officials look on Joseph Baker waits for a rally of Trump supporters on the Ellipse just outside of the White House on Wednesday A Trump supporter dressed as the Statue of Liberty while chained in shackles is seen above near the Washington Monument on Wednesday Trump supporters are seen above waiting for a rally near the White House. They are demanding that Congress refuse to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's victory Trump supporters are seen above before the start of the 'Save America' rally in Washington, DC, on Wednesday About an hour before Trump was set to speak, there were massive, dense lines at security checkpoints near the White House. At the Lincoln Memorial, dozens of Trump supporters stood on the steps with large Trump flags. Most of the demonstrators were not wearing masks despite health warnings to stop the spread of COVID-19. More than 350,000 people have died from the virus in the US. In the study, which researchers said was to their knowledge the first to assess physician experiences with online harassment, 1 in 6 women reported theyd been sexually harassed. This echoes data that shows women and people of color are attacked more online. According to Pew Research Center data, Black and Hispanic people reported being targeted more than white people, and women were twice as likely as men to be targeted as a result of their gender. Ahram Weekly and Ahram Online (Excerpt, read on Quartet ends boycott of Qatar) Egypt, Saudi Arabic, the UAE, and Bahrain agreed to restore full diplomatic ties with Doha at the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday Advertisement Democrat Reverend Raphael Warnock won his Georgia Senate run-off race against Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler last night, becoming the first black Senator in the state's history. Meanwhile Democrat Jon Ossof was leading Republican incumbent David Perdue by 12,806 votes in the early hours of Wednesday, with all signs pointing to a Democratic-led Senate being handed to President-elect Joe Biden. President Donald Trump tweeted bitterly throughout the night as dawn broke on the likelihood of a split Senate 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote. 'Looks like they are setting up a big "voter dump" against the Republican candidates. Waiting to see how many votes they need?' The president tweeted amid a slew of unsubstantiated voter fraud claims. Georgia has become a political focal point since the November general election as the Republicans sought desperately to retain their crucial Senate majority in a traditionally red state after losing the White House. But the state has elected its first Democrat Senator for 20 years in a stinging rebuke of the GOP. Warnock told supporters: 'Because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else's cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator.' When Loeffler gave her remarks earlier, she refused to concede, while Purdue's campaign said: 'This is an exceptionally close election that will require time and transparency to be certain the results are fair and accurate and the voices of Georgians are heard.' Warnock told supporters proudly of his deep roots in Georgia and about his family members, including his mother. He also quoted scripture and Martin Luther King Jr, who once preached at his Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. 'We have a choice to make,' he said. 'Will we continue to play political games as people suffer?' He said he hoped his story would be an inspiration to some young person looking for the American dream. 'So Georgia I am honored in the faith that you have shown to me,' Warnock said. 'I am going to the Senate to work for all of Georgia.' Warnock will become the state's first black senator while the 33-year-old Ossoff would be Georgia's first Jewish senator if he wins. The critical races drew an estimated 4.5 million voters - a record for a runoff - along with nearly half a billion dollars in advertising spending since November 3 and visits on Monday by Trump and Biden. Perdue is a former Fortune 500 executive who has served one Senate term. Loeffler, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, was appointed a year ago to fill the seat of a retiring senator. Biden's narrow statewide win over Trump in the general election - the first victory for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992 - gave the party reason for optimism in a state dominated by Republicans for decades. The head-to-head runoff elections in Georgia, a quirk of state law, became necessary when no candidate in either race drew more than 50 percent of the vote in November's general election. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said election officials would take a break overnight but resume counting on Wednesday morning. 'Hopefully by noon we'll have a better idea where we are,' he said. Late reporting from DeKalb County put the Democrats in a more formidable position. Trump predicted that - tweeting around 10.30pm that their wins would be products of more voter fraud. 'Looks like they are setting up a big 'voter dump' against the Republican candidates,' Trump wrote. 'Waiting to see how many votes they need?' the president tweeted. Later on he continued: 'Just happened to have found another 4000 ballots from Fulton County. Here we go!' The president has since been retweeting baseless theories from right-wing commentator Tomi Lahren who claimed, 'The steal is in the making in Georgia. Wait for it,' and 'Democrats scrounging up votes from mystical places again.' Democrat Raphael Warnock claimed victory in Tuesday's Senate run-off race early Wednesday morning over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler Loeffler spoke to supporters in Atlanta and refused to concede. She attacked Warnock for 'moving the country toward socialism' Stacey Abrams tweeted her congratulations to Rev. Raphael Warnock before the race was called for him by the networks Before Trump's tweets, the Drudge Report and other secondary outlets called the race for Warnock. The New York Times said it was 'very likely' Warnock and 'pretty likely' for Ossoff. By midnight, the Cook Political Report's Dave Wasserman predicted both Democrats would win. Former Georgia House of Representatives minority leader and failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams tweeted her congratulations to Warnock before his win was called by the networks. Abrams' get out the vote efforts are largely credited for the state going to Biden in the November 3 election. 'Congratulations to our next U.S. Senator, @ReverendWarnock. Last January, I endorsed my dear friend in his quest to serve. Soon, he will walk those august halls & cast votes as a leader with courage, justice and integrity. God bless you and keep you in your service to us all,' Abrams wrote. At an election night party in Atlanta, Loeffler attacked Warnock saying he was moving the country toward socialism, even as he cut ads to reach out to suburban voters and called for unity. 'It was very obvious my opponent campaigned on a platform of high taxes, socialism, government control of our health care,' she said. 'Stopping our school choice for our children. My campaign's about saving our country. Fighting for the American dream. You know? That's right,' she said to a smattering of cheers. She vowed to fight on, and suggested she would stick to her declaration Monday that she would back election challenges on behalf of Trump. 'So you know it's worth it for this election to last into tomorrow,' she continued. 'We're going to make sure every vote is counted. That's right. Every legal vote will be counted. And I'm not going to stop working.' U.S. equity market index futures were broadly weaker as the results turned in favor of the Democrats, signaling stocks could open on the soft side on Wednesday morning. The benchmark S&P 500 e-mini futures contract was down 0.6%, while futures tracking the tech-heavy Nasdaq were off by 1.3 percent. The campaign's final days were overshadowed by Trump's efforts to subvert the presidential election results. On Saturday, Trump pressured Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on a phone call to 'find' enough votes to reverse Biden's victory, falsely claiming massive fraud. Trump's bid to undo his loss - with some Republicans planning to object to the certification of Biden's win when Congress meets on Wednesday to formally count the presidential vote - have split his party and drawn condemnation from critics who accuse him of undermining democracy. At a rally in Georgia on Monday night, Trump again declared the November vote 'rigged,' an assertion some Republicans worried would dissuade his supporters from voting on Tuesday. His attacks appear to have undermined public confidence in the electoral system. Edison's exit poll found more than seven in 10 were very or somewhat confident their votes would be counted accurately, down from 85% who said the same in a Nov. 3 exit poll. As the Democratic Senate hopefuls looked poised to jump ahead, President Donald Trump again alleged fraud, suggesting that there would be a 'voter dump' against the GOP candidates, which is why Dekalb County was taking so long to report President Donald Trump's campaign sent out a fundraising tweet on behalf of the president around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night as returns were coming in, repeating his unfounded claims of voter fraud Fulton County, Georgia election workers process absentee ballots Tuesday in the nail-biter race Georgia Republicans await election results on Tuesday night at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia Georiga Gov. Brian Kemp addresses an audience of Republican supporters of Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue Tuesday night in Georgia. President Donald Trump turned on Kemp after losing Georgia in the November general election Warnock is a reverend and the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where MLK once preached. Ossoff was watching the results with his election team while his wife, an OBGYN was working the overnight shift, receiving updates from her patients, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. His campaign put out a statement once he overtook Perdue in votes, predicting he'd be successful. 'When the votes are counted we fully expect that Jon Ossoff will have won this election to represent Georgia in the United States Senate. We look forward to seeing the process through in the coming hours and moving ahead so Jon can start fighting for all Georgians in the U.S. Senate,' the statement read. Earlier Tuesday, Trump was already claiming voter fraud, floating a theory that Dominion voting machines were malfunctioning. And as midnight neared, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted out a conspiracy theory that Democrats were up to something in Chatham County, where the stronghold of Savannah is. 'Why are they stopping the vote count in Democrat Chatham county, Georgia?' McEnany wrote. 'This sounds familiar!' Earlier Tuesday Trump posted to his Twitter, 'Reports are coming out of the 12th Congressional District of Georgia that Dominion Machines are not working in certain Republican Strongholds for over an hour.' 'Ballots are being left in lock boxes, hopefully they count them. Thank you Congressman @RickAllen!' he continued, directing his gratitude to Georgia's 12th district Rep. Rick Allen. As returns were coming in Tuesday night, Trump sent out a fundraising text to supporters trying to raise money off the allegations. 'Pres Trump: Is it true that voting machines 'stopped working' earlier in Georgia today? Are Dems trying to STEAL this Election? FIGHT BACK! Act,' the text said, linking to page asking for donations. The claim from Trump of voter fraud appears to have come from Perdue, who is running for reelection in the runoff, and John Fredericks, who appeared on former Trump White House strategist Steven Bannon's podcast Tuesday. 'We've got another problem with Dominion machines,' Fredericks told Bannon on his podcast War Room. 'I know this is going to shock your viewers today. But Dominion machines in several get this, not one or two I heard, three of the largest Republican precincts at 10:00 a.m. are down.' 'People have been told that they cannot scan their ballots... because the machines don't work,' he continued. 'In the meantime, they have to make their ballot out and put it in an envelope and the pole workers are saying 'When it's fixed we'll scan it for you.' 'So there's all kinds of red flags right there,' Fredericks said. 'Of course, these are happening in Republican areas. You can extrapolate that, it could be happenstance.' Also on Tuesday, Perdue told the Todd Starnes Show there were voting 'anomalies' involving Dominion machines in three different counties in Georgia. The president's tweet about the claims of irregularities and malfunctions comes as reports emerge of small lines at polling places and low in-person Election Day turnout a bad sign for Republican incumbents Loeffler and Perdue. Karl Rove, who served as George W. Bush's deputy chief of staff and now is financial chair of the Georgia Battleground Fund, said in a private conference call Monday that the two campaigns' models show at least 1 million Georgians need to show up on Election Day for Republicans to win. Lines in Georgia have been much shorter than expected all day Tuesday as voters turn out on Election Day to cast their ballots in the two Senate runoff elections Incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler (left) waves at supporters going to vote in Sandy Springs, Georgia as her Democratic opponent Reverend Raphael Warnock (right) speaks at a canvassing kick off event in Marietta, Georgia on Election Day Immediately after news of smaller-than-expected Election Day turnout emerged, Trump sent an inevitable claim via tweet that Dominion voting machines were malfunctioning the same claim he uses to assert he actually won Georgia in the presidential contest in November Republican Georgia Senator David Perdue who is running for reelection is still quarantining after being diagnosed with coroanvirus. His Democratic opponent Jon Ossoff (pictured) visited Dunbar Neighborhood Center on Election Day in Acworth, Georgia Voters started lining up at the crack of dawn to cast their ballots in the two consequential runoff races. The lines, however, are quite short, with some claiming it took them a total of 5 minutes between showing up and leaving their polling places Vice President-elect Kamala Harris urged Democrats to start turning out more on Tuesday, as well despite a larger Election Day turnout usually favoring Republicans. 'I know @ReverendWarnock and @Ossoff,' the California senator said of the two Democratic candidates. 'We've talked about the promise of our country. How we must help Americans with $2,000 stimulus checks, ensure our children have clean air to breathe, and our small businesses can thrive. That's who they areand who they'll be as U.S. Senators.' On the other hand, Donald Trump Jr. was pushing for more Republicans to turn out. 'Get out and vote Georgia you have 2 1/2 hours to get in line to save America as you know it from the communists,' the president's eldest son and one of his closest campaign advisers said. 'She's worth fighting for!' All eyes turned to the Peach State on Tuesday as thousands across Georgia headed to the polls to cast their ballots in the two consequential runoff races that will decide Senate control. Voters began lining up in the Peach State at the crack of dawn Tuesday and polls closed at 7 p.m. setting up Washington for a day of speculation and nail biting as the two races will not only determine which party controls the Senate, but also the trajectory of Joe Biden's presidency. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris urged Democrats in Georgia to start turning out more on Tuesday despite a larger Election Day turnout usually favoring Republicans Donald Trump Jr., the president eldest son and closest campaign adviser, was also pushing for Republicans to turn out with just a few hours left to cast their votes Lines were as bad as expected leading to speculation that Warnock and Ossoff could both emerge victorious. 'I am hearing of virtually no lines across the state,' Georgia's Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs said Tuesday. Abrams tweeted Tuesday that voters are getting in and out of polling places in minutes thanks to early voting. 'MSNBC is reporting that voters at many Atlanta Metro polling places are in and out in 5 minutes today because so many Georgians voted early!' Abrams posted. 'So if you haven't voted, get out and vote by 7PM today. I'm counting on you.' This is nothing compared to the very long lines seen for in-person early voting in Georgia this year or those lines experienced in the pre-pandemic era in the 2018 runoff. Similar issues that delayed results of the presidential election in Georgia could unfold after Tuesday's runoff contests if the race turnouts are as close as they are expected to be. Voters in Georgia started casting their ballots Tuesday morning in the two runoff elections in the state, which will determine which party controls the Senate Georgians began arriving to vote before polling places even opened. Here a line forms at Cobb County Community Center in Atlanta, Georgia Hundreds of thousands of Georgians are expected to vote on Tuesday before the polls close at 7:00 p.m. after a record-shattering 3 million already voted in the runoff elections early by mail or in-person Republicans expect to win both Senate races. But there are concerns the GOP senators will only win if at least 1 million more voters show up on Election Day to the 3 million who voted early Masked-up and Socially Distanced: Georgia voters stood feet away from each other and donned face masks as they waited outside to be let into their respective polling places to vote Trump pleaded with Georgians to vote for Loeffler and Perdue in a tweet Tuesday morning: 'So important to do so!' he urged Volunteers at a voting center in Austell, Georgia hand out food and drinks to voters lined up waiting to cast their ballots The southern state swung blue for Joe Biden by less than 12,000 votes on November 3, neither Senate race was decided because no candidate earned the 50 per cent needed to avoid a runoff Georgia voters alone will decided the fate of the Senate in the two runoffs A sign outside a voting center reminds candidates and their surrogates, as well as anyone else, that campaigning within 150 feet of a polling place is prohibited by law With around 5.5 million registered voters in Georgia, more than half of those who can vote have already done so before runoff election day on Tuesday. Data from Georgia Secretary of State's office indicates much more people showed up to vote early in person rather than absentee by mail even in the midst of the pandemic. Walter Jones, a spokesman for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the highest ranking Georgia election official, said: 'We may be looking at several days' before results are known. He claimed the delay would most likely come from mail ballots received on Tuesday. Election officials are not able to start counting ballots until 7 p.m. on Tuesday after the polling places close. Hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots will continue flooding in throughout the day Tuesday, and that, combined with tabulating in-person voting could delay the counting process. Slow counting held up the results of the presidential election results in Georgia, with Trump holding a solid lead before mail-in ballots received on November 3 were fully processed and counted in the days after. Biden won by less than 12,000 votes in the days after Election Day and the minuscule margin of victory led to two separate recounts in the Peach State, further delaying the final results. Historically, Democrats do better in mail-in and early voting and Republicans perform better on Election Day. Trump, while pushing for Loeffler and Perdue's reelections, also used his Monday night rally in Dalton County, Georgia to complain of his claimed widespread voter fraud and push his repeated and largely unproven allegations that the presidency was 'stolen' by Democrats. President Donald Trump held a rally Monday night in Dalton County, Georgia for Republican incumbent Senators Kelly Loeffler (pictured) and David Perdue Perdue joined the rally remotely to address the crowd at one point. He is still quarantining at his home after contracting coroanvirus Earlier in the day, President-elect Joe Biden held an event campaigning for Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff (left) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (center) Loeffler told Fox News on Monday night that she would join a dozen other Republican senators in a plot to challenge at least one state's Electoral College results when Congress moves to certify the election for Joe Biden on Wednesday. Trump announced on his Twitter Tuesday morning that Perdue was also joining the effort to challenge the results. 'Pleased to announce that @KLoeffler & @sendavidperdue have just joined our great #StopTheSteal group of Senators,' the president posted. 'They will fight the ridiculous Electoral College Certification of Biden. How do you certify numbers that have now proven to be wrong and, in many cases, fraudulent!' A group of House Republicans, led by Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, started pushing the plan last month and have gained a lot of traction since then after the group of senators joined the effort. Loeffler attended the rally Monday night, but Perdue is still quarantining after being in contact with a staffer who tested positive for COVID-19. He joined the rally by video for a short time to address the crowd gathered on the tarmac for one of Trump's last rallies of his presidency. Trump lauded Loeffler and Perdue on Tuesday for joining a GOP effort in the Senate to challenge the Electoral College results in the joint session certifying the election for Joe Biden on January 6 During the rally, Trump demanded that Vice President Mike Pence 'come through' as he presides over Congress certifying the election on January 6 and Republicans carry out their plan to challenge the results. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told an audience Monday night. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' While the president's biggest Capitol Hill allies challenge some of the states' Electoral College counts, which could elongate the Congressional session for hours or even days, Pence will just announce the results. Even though there is little to nothing Pence can do to change the outcome, Trump is suggesting he has the power to do so. Thousands of the president's most staunch supporters are descending on Washington D.C. on Wednesday to protest the election results, demanding Democrats 'stop the steal' and Trump be declared the true winner. The GOP has been tearing itself apart from the inside out in the midst of the Georgia runoff as Republicans pick sides on standing with the president on his claims of widespread voter fraud or not. Specifically, Georgia Republicans are publicly split on the matter. In a call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Saturday, Trump pressured him to find 11,780 votes for him in the Peach State to overturn Biden's win there. Audio of the call was leaked by Raffensperger himself on Sunday, and revealed a desperate Trump who, at times, begged, flattered and threatened the Georgia official, who is a Republican. Trump has also attacked Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp for not doing enough to try and overturn the results after the state went blue in the presidential elections. Kemp appeared at an election night party with Republican supporters of the two Senate candidates Tuesday in Atlanta. Loeffler and Perdue, however, have stayed on the president's side not wanting to upset him and his supporters before their runoff elections. Raphael Warnock becomes Georgia's first black senator: Democrat pastor, 51, who leads church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached pays tribute to mother who 'used to pick somebody else's cotton' as he claims Senate seat Warnock said last night: 'Because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else's cotton picked her youngest son to be a senator' He was elected the first black Senator in the traditionally red state and became the first Democrat to be sent to the upper chamber by Georgians for 20 years Warnock grew up in the projects of Savannah with his 11 brothers and sisters His father Jonathan was a WWII veteran, business owner and preacher, while his mother Verlene worked picking cotton and tobacco in the summers Warnock, a divorced father-of-two, studied theology at the historically black Morehouse College and worked at churches in New York and Maryland In 2006, Warnock was called to Martin Luther King Jr.'s pulpit at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached from 1960 until his assassination By Ross Ibbetson for MailOnline A Democrat pastor who leads the congregation at Martin Luther King Jr.'s church and whose mother used to pick cotton has been elected Georgia's first black Senator. Raphael Warnock, 51, claimed victory in the first of the state's two Senate runoffs Wednesday, defeating Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler and becoming the first Democrat winner in 20 years. 'The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else's cotton picked her youngest son to be a United States senator,' he told his supporters last night. 'We proved with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible.' Georgia is still awaiting the result in the second runoff but it looks likely Democrat Jon Ossoff will oust Republican David Perdue in that race too in a brutal night for the GOP. Warnock's victory is a symbol of a striking shift in Georgia's politics as the swelling number of diverse, college-educated voters flex their power in the heart of the Deep South. Raphael Warnock with his parents Verlene and Jonathan Warnock after his graduation from Morehouse College Raphael Warnock and his now ex-wife Ouleye Ndoye pictured together in September 2018 at Dr. Christine King Farris 90th Birthday Celebration in Atlanta. The pair divorced in May and shortly before the election police bodycam footage emerged showing a dispute between the pair during which Ndoye alleged Warnock ran over her foot with his car. He was never charged His father, a veteran of the Second World War, worked as a preacher, mechanic in Savnnah It follows Biden's win in November, when he became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Warnock's mother Verlene who used to pick tobacco and cotton during the summers The Associated Press declared Warnock the winner after an analysis of outstanding votes showed there was no way for Loeffler to catch up to his lead. Warnock's edge is likely to grow as more ballots are counted, many of which were in Democratic-leaning areas. The divorced father-of-two acknowledged his improbable victory in a message to supporters, citing his family's experience with poverty. He grew up in the projects of Savannah with 11 brothers and sisters. His father Jonathan, a veteran of the Second World War, worked as a preacher, mechanic and his mother Verlene used to pick tobacco and cotton during the summers. 'My family was short on money, but long on love and faith,' Warnock wrote earlier this year. 'They (his parents) worked hard for what they had and saw the value in what others had discarded.' Energised by his parents belief that he could do anything, Warnock gained a scholarship to the historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta. He later earned a doctorate in philosophy from Union Theological Seminary, a school affiliated with Columbia University in Manhattan. In the 1990s, Warnock worked as a youth pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and protested against Mayor Rudy Giuliani's workfare program to cut benefits and get people into employment. 'We are worried that workfare is being used to displace other workers who receive respectable compensation,' Warnock told the New York Times in 1997. 'We are concerned that poor people are being put into competition with other poor people, and in that respect, we think workfare is a hoax.' In the early 2000s, he moved to become the senior pastor of senior pastor at Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland. And in 2006, he was appointed the leader of MLK's former congregation at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta - the youngest senior pastor since its founding. Rev. Raphael Warnock delivers the eulogy for Rayshard Brooks' funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta in June In 2013, Warnock delivered the benediction at the public prayer service at President Barack Obama's second inauguration. Obama is pictured giving the eulogy at the funeral service for the late Rep. John Lewis at Ebenezer Baptist Church on July 30, 2020 'Fourteen years ago, the kid who grew up in the projects was called to Martin Luther King Jr.'s pulpit,' Warnock wrote in June. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gesturing toward heaven while delivering sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He worked at the church as co-pastor alongside his father from 1960 until his assassination in 1968 Martin Luther Sr. helped lead the church with his father-in-law in the 1920s before taking over in 1931. Thirty years later his own son Martin Luther King Jr. would join him at the church, working as co-pastor until his assassination in 1968. King's funeral was held at Ebenezer on April 9, 1968. Warnock took up the mantle of the great history of the Ebenezer pastors in setting out the stall for social justice and invited Barack Obama to speak at the church in the early days of the 2008 presidential campaign. In 2013, Warnock delivered the benediction at the public prayer service for Obama's second inauguration. 'Somebody asked why a pastor thinks he should serve in the Senate,' Warnock said in a recent campaign video. 'Well, I committed my whole life to service and helping people realize their highest potential. I've always thought my impact doesn't stop at the church door. That's actually where it starts.' According to the Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Warnock is the first member of Congress from the South since Reconstruction to 'explicitly profess the spiritual tradition of the social gospel as envisioned and designed by people of African descent.' Democrats were last night banking on the 'activist pastor' to come good, with thousands in the state furious about the division they believe Trump has sown and the healthcare response to Covid-19. It's also a state where around three-quarters of the population regularly attend church. Warnock is firmly of the view that the word of Jesus Christ should guide politics and that politics is essential to the work of the church. 'What we're really talking about is a renaissance of the Kingian tradition, which is really bigger than the left or the right, and red and blue,' he told The Atlantic. 'It's a deep human-rights tradition that is informed by Christian tradition, but is not limited to it.' His opponent Loeffler tried to paint Warnock as a radical, something which MLK experienced. But it's something which Warnock has learned to take in his stride. 'I'm an activist preacher,' he said earlier this year. 'I'm a Matthew 25 Christian, where Jesus says, "I was hungry, and you fed me."' His policies are progressive: he opposes all abortion restrictions, supports gay marriage, opposes concealed carry of firearms, talks often about living wages for workers and refers to the death penalty as 'the last fail-safe for white supremacy.' From 2016 to 2020, Warnock was married to Ouleye Ndoye, with whom he shares two children. The couples' divorce was finalized in May, two months earlier Ndoye accused Warnock of running over her foot with a car while trying to get out an argument. They were disputing whether their two children should be allowed to travel to Senegal to Ndoye's relatives. Police were called to their home, and Warnock was caught on camera telling the officer his wife called the police on him, alleging that he had run over her foot. Footage of the incident was released shortly before the runoff election. Warnock and Ndoye, pictured in their 2014 wedding, have two children together Ouleye Ndoye, 35, told police that she 'tried to keep the way that he acts under wraps' Medical officials did not find visible signs of injury on his wife's foot. A police report, referring to Grady Memorial Hospital first-responders, noted that an inspection of Ndoye's foot showed no broken bones, swelling or contusions. Warnock was never charged with a crime. When her accusations were first made public, in March, Warnock addressed the incident in a sermon. 'God looks on the heart. We live on the outside. God knows what's happening on the inside,' he said. 'And while divorce is not ideal, divorce is not the worst thing that can happen to you. So pray for us. 'The second thing I want to say to you - and I hope you will hear me because I'm going to say it once. I've been here 15 years, almost 15 years now. I want you to know that I am the man that you have known me to be. The work that we've done together in public reflects my values and who I am in private. Same man in public and in private.' Senator Kelly Loeffler Republican Kelly Loeffler was appointed to her seat over the objections of President Trump, and spent her tenure trying to put as little daylight as possible between her and the president. The richest senator, Loeffler, 50, was never Trump's favorite. The president preferred conservative loyalist Rep. Doug Collins for the vacancy that came up with the retirement of Sen. Johnny Isaakson in 2019. She opposed Trump's impeachment, and bragged about her '100 percent Trump voting record' on the campaign trail. But the former exec who co-owns the Atlanta Dream WNBA team made political stumbles throughout her tenure, which made her an endangered incumbent heading into November and then again in January even in a Republican-leaning state. On Monday night, at a rally where Trump campaigned for her, she announced that she would back the challenge to the election that Trump is demanding when Congress meets Wednesday to count the Electoral College votes. When she appeared with Trump Monday at the nighttime rally, she pointed awkwardly in the air and spoke for just seconds. Two weeks ago, at another rally with Ivanka Trump, crowd members chanted over her while she was trying to tout the case for her own reeelction. 'Fight for Trump! ... Stop the steal!' audience members chanted. After the killing of George Floyd, she clashed with the WNBA after teams promoted a Black Lives Matter message. Players responded on her own team responded by wearing matching 'Vote Warnock' t-shirts. She was appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in December 2019 after then-Senator Johnny Isakson announced he was resigning for health reasons. Kemp was a Trump ally, although the president has of late blasted him as a RINO for failing to support his effort to overturn the election results in his state. Loeffler considers herself the most conservative Republican in the Senate and has aligned herself fully with Trump touting her '100 per cent Trump voting record' while campaigning. Before ascending to Congress, Loeffler served as CEO of Bakkt, a digital asset conversion company, a subsidiary of her husband Jeffrey Sprecher's financial service provider Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange. She also co-owns WNBA team the Atlanta Dream. She faced a bitter primary against Collins, a Trump loyalist and defender in the House. She also had to stand for her first election on the ballot at a time when Georgia became a presidential battleground. Democrat Joe Biden would end up defeating Trump by 11,779 votes. She also had to contend with accusations of insider trading even as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the nation. She and her husband traded millions worth of stocks between January and mid-February. This included stocks where the pandemic had an effect. The Daily Beast reported on the trade, which took place after Loeffler attended a closed Jan. 24 Senate briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, in March. Under growing pressure, she announced that she and her husband were liquidating stocks they held in individual companies. The Justice Department closed an investigation into her stock trades, and the Senate Ethics Committee determined she did not break rules or laws. Senate rules allow members to trade stocks, but require their disclosure. After she was forced into a runoff against Warnock, Loeffler's path was complicated by Trump's efforts to overturn the results certified in her state -including after a hand recount. She would call for the resignation of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who pushed back on Trump's unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. But she dodged questions on whether she would back Trump's election challenges when Congress meets to count the Electoral College votes. It was only on Monday that she announced she would back Trump's effort. Loeffler and Sprecher, 65, were married in 2004 and have no children. Their net worth is $800 million, making Loeffler the richest member of Congress, by far. The two reside in Tuxedo Park a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia in a $10.5 million estate. Advertisement Reverend Raphael Warnock Baptist pastor Raphael Warnock, 51, is looking to take Senator Kelly Loeffler's Senate seat in his first run for public office. The reverend rose to prominence in Georgia politics in 2014 when he emerged a leader in the effort to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Warnock chaired the New Georgia Project, a nonpartisan organization focused on voter registration, from June 2017 to January 2020. He has also served as senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia since 2005 the same church where Marin Luther King Jr. preached alongside his father from 1959 until his death in 1968. In 2013, Warnock delivered the benediction at the public prayer service for Barack Obama's second inauguration. As Warnock geared up for his 2020 Senate run, he hosted in March 2019 an interfaith meeting on climate change at his church, featuring Al Gore. The reverend grew up in public housing in Savannah, Georgia as the eleventh of twelve children of two Pentecostal pastors. From 2016 to 2020, Warnock was married to Ouleye Ndoye, with whom he shares two children. His now-ex-wife accused Warnock of running over her foot with a car while trying to get out of an argument. Body camera footage of Warnock's interview with police during the incident was made public before the runoff election. Advertisement Senator David Perdue David Perdue, 71, first became a U.S. senator for Georgia in 2015, replacing retiring Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. This year is his first reelection campaign, and he didn't earn the 50 per cent needed to avoid a runoff. Perdue is a cousin of President Donald Trump's Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Before seeking public office, Perdue served as senior vice president for Reebok and later joined PillowTex, a North Carolina textile company. Following that, he was CEO of Dollar General. In the list of most rich members of Congress, Perdue falls at No. 21 with a net worth of 15.8 million. Perdue, like his Georgia colleague Kelly Loeffler, was linked to a congressional insider trading scandal in 2020 for selling stocks before the market crashed in a fallout from the coroanvirus pandemic. They both allegedly used knowledge from a closed Senate meeting to make stock decision. Perdue resides in Sea Island, Georgia with his wife Bonnie Dunn, who he married in 1972. The couple has two sons and three grandchildren. They had a daughter who died in infancy. Advertisement .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... LONDON A British judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, ordering him to remain in a high-security prison while U.K. courts decide whether he will be sent to the United States to face espionage charges. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said Assange must remain in prison while the courts consider an appeal by U.S. authorities against her decision not to extradite him. The judge said Assange has an incentive to abscond and there is a good chance he would fail to return to court if freed. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ On Monday, Baraitser rejected an American request to send Assange to the U.S. to face spying charges over WikiLeaks publication of secret military documents a decade ago. She denied extradition on health grounds, saying the 49-year-old Australian was likely to kill himself if held under harsh U.S. prison conditions. Wednesdays bail ruling means Assange must remain in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison where he has been held since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail during a separate legal battle seven years earlier. Assanges partner, Stella Moris, said the decision was a huge disappointment. WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said it is inhumane. It is illogical. Several dozen Assange supporters gathered outside Londons Westminster Magistrates Court, shouting Free Assange. Police said seven people were arrested for breaching coronavirus lockdown rules. Lawyers for the U.S. government have appealed the decision not to extradite Assange, and the case will be heard by Britains Hugh Court at an unspecified date. Clair Dobbin, a British lawyer acting for the U.S., said Assange had shown he would go to almost any length to avoid extradition, and it was likely he would flee if granted bail. She noted that Assange had spent seven years inside Ecuadorian Embassy in London after seeking refuge there from a Swedish extradition request in 2012. Dobbin said Assange had the resources, abilities and sheer wherewithal to evade justice once again, and noted that Mexico has said it will offer him asylum. But Assanges lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said the judges decision to refuse extradition massively reduces any motivation to abscond. Mr. Assange has every reason to stay in this jurisdiction where he has the protection of the rule of law and this courts decision, he said. Fitzgerald said its also unclear whether the incoming Joe Biden administration will pursue the prosecution, initiated under President Donald Trump. Fitzgerald said Assange would be safer awaiting the outcome of the judicial process at home with Moris and their two young sons fathered while he was in the embassy than in prison, where there is a very grave crisis of COVID. But the judge ruled that Assange still had a strong motive to flee. As far as Mr. Assange is concerned this case has not yet been won, she said. Mr. Assange still has an incentive to abscond from these as yet unresolved proceedings. U.S. prosecutors have indicted Assange on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison. American prosecutors say Assange unlawfully helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that were later published by WikiLeaks. Lawyers for Assange argue that he was acting as a journalist and is entitled to First Amendment protections of freedom of speech for publishing documents that exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The judge rejected that argument in her extradition ruling, saying Assanges actions, if proven, would amount to offenses that would not be protected by his right to freedom of speech. She also said the U.S. judicial system would give him a fair trial. But the judge agreed that U.S. prison conditions would be oppressive, saying there was a real risk he would be sent to the Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado. It is the highest security prison in the U.S., also holding Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski and Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. I am satisfied that, in these harsh conditions, Mr. Assanges mental health would deteriorate, causing him to commit suicide, she said in her ruling. Assanges legal troubles began in 2010, when he was arrested in London at the request of Sweden, which wanted to question him about allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two women. In 2012, Assange jumped bail and sought refuge inside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where he was beyond the reach of U.K. and Swedish authorities but also effectively was a prisoner in the tiny diplomatic mission. The relationship between Assange and his hosts eventually soured, and he was evicted from the embassy in April 2019. British police immediately arrested him for breaching bail in 2012. Sweden dropped the sex crimes investigations in November 2019 because so much time had elapsed, but Assange has remained in prison throughout his extradition hearing. Debi Domenick defended her recent vote for herself to serve as the first ever chairwoman of the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners. Leading her first meeting in that role Wednesday, Domenick also criticized The Times-Tribune for its reporting on her vote at Mondays reorganization meeting. The newspaper reported the historic vote may prompt ethics concerns as Domenick cast one of the two votes necessary to make herself chairwoman a leadership position that pays $3,049 more than commissioners standard salary. Commissioners voted 2-0 Monday to approve separate motions making Domenick chairwoman and Commissioner Jerry Notarianni vice chairman of the three-member board. Minority Commissioner Chris Chermak remained silent during the vote. In general, public officials are advised to first abstain from any vote that will result in a financial benefit to themselves, an immediate family member or a business with which they are associated, Pennsylvania Ethics Commission Executive Director Robert Caruso said. He told the newspaper in 2017 that public officials voting on items that increase their compensation is generally considered by the law to be a conflict of interest. The reason I voted for myself is theres only three of us, Domenick said Wednesday. And one of the commissioners, specifically Commissioner Chermak, remained silent, so in order to have a majority, I voted. She also publicly announced Wednesday the 2021 salaries for the board chairperson, $85,269, and for the other two commissioners, $82,220, for the purposes of clarity and transparency. Domenick did not think it necessary to discuss the salaries Monday because theyre a matter of public record, she said. Domenicks vote for herself did not constitute an ethics violation because commissioners salaries are public record, county Solicitor Frank Ruggiero said earlier this week. Our attorneys who I rely on heavily have assured us that we have done nothing wrong, either ethically, legally or otherwise, Domenick said Wednesday. Referring to herself becoming the boards first chairwoman as a historic achievement, Domenick also suggested she received unfair criticism for her vote because shes a woman. I cant help but wonder, if I were a man experiencing the same type of historic achievement, whether or not he would be met with such ridicule and criticism, she said. When former Commissioner Patrick OMalley cast one of the two votes necessary to make himself chairman in 2017, breaking a 1-1 tie, the newspaper reported he may have violated the state ethics law because that vote did not include a statement disclosing the leadership post carried a higher salary, along with his reasons for casting a vote. Officials at the time denied OMalleys vote violated the ethics law and cited a long tradition of chairmen voting for themselves. Commissioners ultimately held a revote of making OMalley chairman in February 2017. OMalley said he wanted to redo the vote to err on the side of transparency, but did not believe he had done anything wrong. In other business Wednesday, commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a cooperation agreement with Old Forge for an Americans with Disabilities Act elevator project at the borough building and awarded a $291,700 Community Development Block Grant construction contract for the project to Dalton-based D&M Construction Unlimited. Commissioners also: Reappointed John Wiercinski of Dickson City, Carlene Spitzer of Scranton, Brian Williams of Scranton and William Burke of Moscow to the Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Advisory Board for three-year terms running through 2023. They also appointed Chermak to the advisory board for a one-year term running through this year. Appointed Joyce Walsh of Jessup to the Lackawanna County Housing Authority to fill an unexpired term running through 2024. Reaffirmed Domenick sits on the Lackawanna County Land Bank Board of Directors and designated her chairwoman of that board. January 05, 2021 Online shopping already began to emerge as a trend in 2019, but with the impact of CoronaVirus more people are shopping online than ever before. To remain in their own home, 76 percent of consumers have turned to online shopping for items they may have bought in person before. With that said, it is ideal for online businesses to stay competitive and have the edge over the other various sites out there. To attract the online shopper, companies will have to get smart about the way they market and sell their products. Attracting your ideal audience isnt always easy but following these trends may help you succeed. Mobile shopping is on the rise In 2019, Statista predicted that by the end of 2021, 73% of online sales will take place on a mobile device. With that said, it is ideal that your website is mobile-friendly and users can still have a great buying experience on their mobile device. With more consumers using their phone or tablet, it is a great option to turn to social media advertising to attract the ideal customer. With apps like instagram and Facebook (News - Alert) , people can be easily targeted as they are scrolling. Newer generations like millennials and Gen-Z definitely spend a lot of time on their mobile device meaning businesses will have to take that into consideration. There are great tools to help you grow your customer base like DataQ! AR enhances the online shopping experience Augmented reality has become a big game changer in 2020, because it helps shoppers visualize what they are going to buy. Shoppers can now see what an item will look like on their body or in their home before actually buying it. Early adopters like IKEA and HomeDepot pave the way for other businesses. Consumers are already beginning to use AR to make their buying decisions. If companies dont start thinking about implementing AR into their website, they may be left behind. Chatbots improve customer service The long waits of customer service phone calls can be over with chatbots. Chatbots allow businesses to communicate with thousands of customers while giving them the personalized experience they crave. Surprisingly, a growing number of consumers prefer to interact with chatbots over any other digital self-service application. 60% of customers prefer chatbots to answer their basic inquiries. With AI technologies and other visually appealing features, chatbots are predicted to continue to become adopted by online businesses. Video attracts users With apps like Tik-Tok taking off in 2020, it is no wonder that video is trending. Other popular search engines like Youtube use video to attract millions of users each year. Videos can help showcase your products better than a simple picture. Video is engaging and also gives the customer a real-life picture of what is going on. Not only that, but it is easy to share across many other platforms, thus expanding your audience reach. If youre not already taking advantage of video, this is a great time to start. Storytelling is the future of marketing Using your brand to tell a story is crucial in todays market. Instead of over-saturating the user with ads, facts, and testimonials consumers now prefer to buy from a brand that tells a memorable story. Anything that provokes an emotional response is a great starting point. Whether your brand has an interesting history or challenge, it is a great idea to share this story with your audience! There is going to be growth in voice-activated search People are already relying on voice assistants like Alexa or Google (News - Alert) to answer their questions or to buy products online. Per Loup Venture, 75% of US households will have smart speakers by 2025. This statistic proves that a large number of the population will turn to voice commands to make their purchases for them. With more people turning to a voice assistant, comes potential for businesses to use this to their advantage. Sustainability is becoming more important to buyers Notice how everyone is going vegan these days? It is no surprise that climate change has affected our earth in more ways than one. Fortunately, people are becoming more aware of the impact of their buying decisions on the earth. More consumers are expected brands to be involved in sustainability. One survey revealed that 50% of consumers who desire sustainable fashion would be more likely to buy clothes from companies that are committed to sustainability. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form (@ChaudhryMAli88) Brussels, Jan 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jan, 2021 ) :The European Union's foreign policy chief on Tuesday called on Bosnia to assume responsibility for hundreds of Bosnian migrants left sleeping out in the cold after their camp burned down. In a damning summary of the crisis there, the EU's High Representative Josep Borrell argued that, as a country seeking to join the European Union, Bosnia needed to assume its responsibilities. More than a thousand migrants have been homeless since fire destroyed the Lipa camp in northwest Bosnia on December 23. Officials in Bosnia have so far failed to find them anywhere else to stay. In recent days, EU officials have stepped up their condemnation of Bosnia's failure to help the homeless migrants. Police there believe the blaze was started by some of the migrants to protest the withdrawal of the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), which had been running the camp. But even before the fire, wrote Borrell, conditions there were "totally inappropriate and dangerous". The IOM had pulled out after Bosnian officials "ignored repeated appeals to provide basic and secure living conditions and humane treatment", Borrell noted, writing in a blog at the EU website. "The closure of the Lipa centre left around 3,000 refugees and migrants without access to basic shelter and services in winter conditions," he added. And yet a centre in the nearby city of Bihac, which had been refurbished with the help of 3. 5 million Euros ($4.3 million) of EU funding, "stands empty, due to the opposition of local authorities and population to open it," wrote Borrell. - 'Cold and wet' - "Some 900 persons have had to continue to sleep in Lipa in the open for a week now and some 800 people have gone off to sleep in abandoned buildings and the woods. "The weather is cold and wet, and there is a strong probability of conditions worsening significantly in coming weeks," he wrote. And yet, he added: "Despite repeated and high-level EU advocacy and important financial help to address the needs of migrants and refugees and to strengthen border and asylum management", Bosnian officials had failed to do so. Since 2018, Brussels had already provided more than 88 million euros to help refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in Bosnia, with another 3.5 million announced on Sunday, said Borrell. "We have to ensure that migrants seeking asylum in the EU get decent treatment and humane living conditions during the entire application process. "While we stand ready to assist our partner countries to achieve this goal, they must assume their responsibilities in that domain."The situation in Bosnia only underlined the need for the EU to strengthen its common migration and asylum policy, he argued. Bosnia lies on the so-called Balkans route used by migrants heading towards Western Europe as they flee war and poverty in the middle East, Asia and in Africa. New York, Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Businesses work on several notions but one of them remains vital branding. Without branding, you simply cant work on strategies and apparently will lose credibility. Branding is also about the way you want to exhibit your products or services. To become authentic and known as a legit brand, you have to grow the brand in the community, build connections, and also look into avenues of potential growth. The main problem however is there what is the right kind of branding? According to Rhonda Swan, the founder, and CEO of the famous Unstoppable Branding Agency, branding must be based on three elements: Public Relations worthy, profitable, and credible. Since Rhonda helps businesses and brands to boost visibility, engagement, and ROI, she loves to share details on how women can empower in the male dominating society. Who is Rhonda Swan? She is an author as well as a person with an impressive notion of facilitating women in growing themselves in businesses. Its pretty enthralling that the entire concept of starting to help women started when she gave birth to a baby girl. Rhonda knew that she would raise her child while working and shall never use daycare services. Baby and Mama Business Empowerment Unleashed Rhonda endorses the idea and notions of powerful mommies. Here, in this article, she has discussed the insights that turned her into a 7-figure empire. Towards the end of this article, you will be able to learn how to run an online business and what to do to create a dream life. Rhondas Background and Initial Life She was born in Michigan when her mother was only 19 years of age. On the other hand, her father was into drugs and used them (Rhonda and her mother) in decoys. Therefore, she doesnt have anything to cherish when childhood comes into play. It is because she had to shift houses, visit jail several times, and also met many car accidents. Although Rhonda is an influential social media and PR strategist, she had gone through the worst of times. fear used to take over her and all she was worried about was the way her childhood might affect adulthood. From the outside, she had a very tough look but under the skin, she feared and doubted herself. Because of this fear she had to bear an eating disorder for almost a decade. with the given circumstances and childhood memories, she decided in her adulthood to help women in empowering towards goodness. Journey From Corporate to 7-Figure Business Owner Rhonda dreamt big! She never gave up on her dreams and always wanted to get hired by famous corporations. Since she was passionate enough to think ahead of time and whatnot, after completion of masters in business administration, one of the most famous and largest companies in the pharma world hired her services. In that pharma corporation, she was in charge of half a million. With that money in hand and being responsible for using it effectively and efficiently, she managed to do the task of designing sales and advertising campaigns. However, it was not for too long! On a Monday morning, while meeting her boss, something happened! Jane, her boss told at the top of the lungs that she had been late. The explanation of being late did not listen. Instead, Jane told Rhonda that shell lose the job if she came late ever again. Rhonda, being a mother of a six-week-old baby girl was startled and didnt fathom the idea of how one late could make her life zero again. For that, she decided she will never leave her baby in the daycare and will find out a way to handle the situation. With that thought, after 3 months she resigned having a six-figure salary. She withdrew the amount and added $24,700 in order to sell personal development programs. From there, she made a legacy of the brand. Having the vision to raise a baby while sitting at home and not following 9-5 rigorous jobs, she managed to send 3000 leads in the initial phase of 90 days. After experiencing success, she left the job. Later, struggles of different nature stuck upon her. One day when she was all devasted and upset with no hopes of prospering, a mentor mentioned to look at people as people and not as a money-making product. From there, she worked on people and stopped taking them as products. What happened next is phenomenal! She retired the husband and made more than a million in sales. Rhonda Talks About Challenges Towards Getting into a 7-Figure Empire After that, all the good things happened to Rhonda. However, she started investing for the first tire of building an empire of 7-figure. In that phase, she only worked on investment plans. It goes back to the time when she was in the most struggling phase of life in California, the place of all high-class community. In that community lived Deepak Chopra and other celebrities like Frank Kern. They had a lot in possession, whereas I was not even able to afford a $5 worth burrito. Naturally, Rhonda was heartbroken and she needed more to work on to make ends meet, pay bills, and raise a kid. At that point, she realized and understood that no matter what happens bank account and net worth doesnt call for the best parents. When she had nothing much to offer her kid, she at least had values and teaching to give it to the little one. There was a time when she started to give up but then Rhonda put her dreams ahead of struggles and that kept her moving towards progression. Rhonda finally decided to make this world better by traveling to other countries and leaving the United States of America. With precise $12682.62 in the vision, names, and vow to make others understand that money is not all that you need to make you the best parent. Neither do you need a lot to make a different life for yourself and it is easy (with many obstacles) to rebuild a dream life. 12 years ago, Rhonda left San Diego and now she has visited and lived in more than 50 countries and to be exact 6 different continents. All this while she was busy making 7-figure realms. The Unstoppable Branding Agency is a gateway to living her once wished dream life. The entire purpose however is to show other females who are living in male dominating cultures and societies to stand up for themselves, know how it feels to get empowered and let them unleash voices. Rhonda knows that every woman has the power to claim empowerment. Thus, she started helping small scale business owners, CEOs, companies, brands, enterprises, to come out sexy and strong. Attachment Susan Dunn is a professor of humanities at Williams College and the author of Jeffersons Second Revolution: The Election of 1800 and the Triumph of Republicanism. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York City Department of Education (DOE) shortened the quarantine period for public school staff and students who may have been exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) from 14 days to 10 days, according to a report from the New York Daily News. City Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza told principals of the shortened quarantine period on Tuesday following a DOE rule change, the Daily News reported. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health, and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the quarantine period for individuals exposed to confirmed COVID-19 cases has changed from 14 days to 10 days, Carranza wrote in the message, according to the Daily News. It also applies to buildings and classrooms that have been temporarily closed for one or more confirmed coronavirus cases, the media outlet reported. The shortened quarantine was made effective on Sunday. Any quarantines that began before then will still last for 14 days, education officials said, according to the Daily News. A coronavirus test isnt required at the end of the 10 days, as long as no symptoms are reported. DOE spokesman Nathaniel Styer said in a statement to the Daily News that weekly in-school testing and quarantines work alongside face-covering usage, hand-washing and social distancing to keep schools safe. The CDC as well as our State and City Health Departments recommended moving to a 10-day quarantine period and we are following suit, he said in the statement to the media outlet. The change comes after the state Department of Health reduced the length of quarantine from 14 days to 10 days on Dec. 26, according to the New York Daily News. The CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine, but shortening the timeframe to 10 days is acceptable if there are no symptoms reported during that time period. Some 13 voters from the Oti Region have sued Kofi Adams, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament-elect for the Buem Constituency and the Electoral Commission (EC) in a Hohoe High Court for excluding them from the December 7 Parliamentary election. The voters include Stephen Brempong, Wing Commander (rtd) Emmanuel Kusi Apietu, Johnson Addo, Titus Ayivor, Fuseini Abdul-Rahman and others. The 13, who are residents of Satrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL), filed a suit at the Hohoe High Court challenging the election of Mr Adams. The petitioners in their suit argued that they were disenfranchised as the EC failed to hold the parliamentary election in the 13 electoral areas where they were expected to exercise their franchise. They are therefore seeking an "order of perpetual injunction restraining Mr Kofi Adams presenting himself to be sworn-in as MP-elect for Buem or holding himself as such. The petitioners are also seeking a cancellation of the December 7, parliamentary election organised by the EC in the Constituency, and the conduct of a new one to include the 13 electoral areas which will allow them to cast their ballots. Kofi Adams was declared MP-elect for Buem Constituency by the EC after securing a total of 18, 560 of the valid votes cast to beat Mr Lawrence Kwame Aziale of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who polled 6, 854 votes. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video New Delhi, Jan 6 : Rajpal Yadav is popular for his rib-tickling brand of comedy. Oneliners in numerous hits and memorable funny characters such as the eccentric Chhota Pandit in Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the not-so-scary Chhota Don in Partner and the overly inquisitive Laxman in Waqt: The Race Against Time are among many that come to mind when you think of the talented actor. Yet, Yadav tells you he often feels pigeonholed in his super successful image of a comedian, even though the image actually let him headline films such as Main Meri Patni Aur Woh and Kushti. In a candid chat with IANS, Rajpal, who has also done leading roles in serious films such as Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Ladies Tailor, Hello! Hum Lallan Bol Rahe Hain, and Mirch, says he hopes to surprise fans in future. "If I am known as a comedian or I get to be known as one, it is because of one of two reasons -- either you have not tried or you have accepted it. If I get to be known -- I can't say right now because I am in the middle of the road -- it will be decided after 20 years on how I should be known, because I myself don't know how much work there would be or how many speed breakers will come, how many stones I get and how many flowers I will get," he said. The 49-year-old actor, who got noticed through his portrayal of a quirky, violent criminal in Ram Gopal Varma's 2000 release Jungle, said that he can only hope to be known through hard work. "If Rajpal Yadav will be known by a name the reason behind it will only be Rajpal Yadav and no one else. If I do comedy, I will be known as a comedian. When I did 'Main Meri Patni Aur Woh' and 'Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon', I got Best Actor nominations too," he said. Rajpal says everything just boils down to calibre of a person. "If you have capabilities then the audience will accept you with an open gate. The way you would show them your identity, they will accept you. But you should have the honesty to show your true identity. So, I will try that over the next 10 years. I will do films that will satisfy me and surprise the audience into saying, 'look where Rajpal started from and where has he reached today'," he signed off. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A pharmacist in the American state of Wisconsin told police that he tried to ruin hundreds of doses of coronavirus vaccine. In court documents released Monday, the man said he believed the vaccine would change peoples DNA. Police in the city of Grafton arrested pharmacist Steven Brandenburg on December 31. The arrest followed an investigation into the 57 damaged vials of the Moderna vaccine at Advocate Aurora Health. Officials said the vials contained enough doses to vaccinate more than 500 people. Government lawyer Adam Gerol told The Associated Press, Hed formed this belief they were unsafe. Gerol added that Brandenburg was upset because he and his wife are separating. Another employee within the Advocate Aurora Health hospital system said Brandenburg had brought a gun to work two times in the past. Brandenburg has not yet been criminally charged. False information about COVID-19 vaccines A police investigator wrote in court documents that Brandenburg admitted to being a conspiracy theorist someone who believes in secret plans that usually powerful people or groups make. He told investigators he knowingly tried to ruin the doses because he thought the vaccine could harm people by changing their DNA. False information about COVID-19 vaccines has been shared on social media, including claims that mRNA vaccines will change your DNA. Some theories claim the shots will turn people into genetically modified human beings. Both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines use messenger RNA, or mRNA. The use of mRNA in vaccine development is fairly new. But scientists have worked on the technology for almost 30 years. The mRNA vaccines give cells instructions for how to make what is called the spike protein. This is a substance found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. The human body can then recognize that the protein does not belong there and start producing antibodies to fight against the virus. Experts have said there is no truth to claims that the vaccines can genetically modify humans. Health officials in Britain, the United States and Europe have approved the vaccines for emergency use. What happened? Jeff Bahr is head of Advocate Aurora Health Care in Grafton. He said Brandenburg admitted that he removed vials containing the vaccine from refrigeration and left them out two times. Another worker discovered the vaccines outside the refrigerator on December 26. Brandenburg told that worker he had forgotten to put them back. The Moderna vaccine can remain effective for 12 hours outside refrigeration. Workers used the doses to vaccinate 57 people before throwing away the rest. Police said the unused doses were worth between $8,000 and $11,000. Bahr believes the shots people received on December 26 were not effective. But government lawyer Adam Gerol said Moderna would need to test the shots to make sure they were ineffective before he can bring charges against Brandenburg. Brandenburgs wife of eight years filed for divorce in June. Court documents said the day before Brandenburg was arrested for ruining the vaccine, he told his wife that the world was crashing down. He told her the government was planning cyberattacks and was going to shut down the power network. Im Jonathan Evans. The Associated Press reported this story. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story pharmacist - n. a person whose job is to prepare and administer drugs and medicines dose - n. the amount of medicine or drug vial - n. very small glass or plastic container used to hold medicines conspiracy - n. a secret plan to do something that is harmful and illegal modified - adj. changed parts of something refrigeration - n. the state of keeping something cold divorce - n. the ending of a marriage by a legal process Christians swept downriver during baptism in Peru, rescued by police Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Most baptisms dont end with police intervention, but when two Peruvian Christians got swept away by a river, they needed to be rescued to survive. According to local reports, Rosa Jimenez Bartolo was getting baptized by her brother, a pastor, in Perus Rimac river on Dec. 28. With her sister-in-law watching, he lowered her into the fast-flowing river. I baptize you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, her brother said in Spanish as he lowered her into the river. In a video recording of the baptism, Bartolo is seen lowering herself slowly into the hip-high water. As she started to rise, she lost her balance, and the river swept her forward, knocking over her brother. The brown waters carried the pair swiftly downriver, while another church member unsuccessfully tried to help. The person filming the baptism dropped the camera, and said Oh my God! The change from ceremony to calamity took only seconds to happen. Police responded when a church member asked them for help. We were patrolling Ramiro Priale Highway when we got a request for help from one of her relatives. Immediately, we mounted a search and found them 100 meters from the place, submerged in the water. We rescued them and took them to a medical post, local police officials told the Peru-based daily newspaper La Republica. Police saved Bartolo and her brother, who both survived. Her brothers name remains unreleased. The pair both attend an evangelical church, according to a local report. National Police of Peru major Erick Acosta said that people should avoid getting baptized in the Rimac now because Perus rainy season creates dangerous river conditions. As there were no swimming pools and they are closed in Huachipa, they chose to go to the Rimac River, he said on America TV. In the video, the river runs deep and fast. On rare occasions, river baptisms can go wrong with dangerous effects. In 1992, a pastor and two congregation members drowned in South Africa after being swept away by a river. Police found their bodies hours later. A similar incident happened in Tanzania, where two worshippers drowned during a baptism in a river with strong currents. Even indoor baptisms arent exempt from accidents. In 2005, a Texas pastor was electrocuted in front of 800 people after grabbing a high-powered microphone while standing in the water. He was later pronounced dead. Baptism demonstrates a Christians entry into a new life through Jesus. In the New Testament, God commands believers to get baptized. In Christian tradition, different denominations have disagreed on the proper time or way to get baptized. The first baptisms recorded in Scripture happened in the Jordan River. Suppose that two similar small businesses in the same state seek funds from that state to relieve the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Suppose that one of the businesses is owned by a Black and the other by a non-Black. Which business should get state funds? To any fair-minded individual, the answers are either (1) both should get relief, (2) neither should get relief, or (3) if relief goes to only one of the two businesses, the decision should be based on factors other than the owners skin color. I believe these are the only answers permitted by the Constitution. However, the state of Oregon is making these decisions on the basis of race. It has earmarked $62 million of its federal coronavirus relief money to provide grants to Black residents, business owners, and community organizations. Two lawsuits challenge Oregons decision to dole out money to businesses based on race. In one suit, Edward Blums organization, Project on Fair Representation, represents a small logging company and an electrical services company, both of which are owned Whites. In the other, the Center for Individual Rights (on whose board I serve) represents a Mexican-American owner of a coffee house. The New York Times, in an article by its national correspondent covering race, reports on Oregons race-based program and the litigation surrounding it here. The Times race reporter struggles to find a justification for favoring Black owned businesses harmed by the pandemic over similarly situated businesses owned by non-Blacks. Some of his rationales are laughable. For example, the Times race man states that the coronavirus is disproportionately killing Black people. If so, giving money to businesses owned by Blacks, but not by non-Blacks, isnt going to change this. The Times says that many Black business owners dont have valuable houses they can tap for capital to keep their businesses afloat during the pandemic. But Oregon isnt awarding money to Black-owned businesses based on their financial circumstances as compared to other businesses. Its awarding money based on race. According to the Times, Oregons long history of anti-Black racism has fueled much of the advocacy for the states fund. The race reporter notes that as a territory in 1844, [Oregon] passed a law banning African-Americans from settling there. And as the states Black population ballooned in the 1940s . . .the new Black settlers in Oregon were restricted to certain areas. I doubt that Mexican-Americans were treated appreciably better in Oregon than Blacks were. Thus, this justification probably doesnt apply to the coffee shop owner who is suing the state. In any case, the Supreme Court has never accepted claims of historical/societal discrimination against Blacks as a justification for present discrimination against Whites. In the Bakke case, Justice Powell called this rationale for preferences an amorphous concept of injury that may be ageless in its reach into the past. Ageless, indeed, if were going back to 1844. The fact is that, whatever happened in 1844 or in the 1940s, today beleaguered Black Oregon small business owners find themselves in basically the same position as their beleaguered Mexican-American and White counterparts. They are doing well enough to own a business, but in many cases, not well enough to sustain their business in a pandemic. Past discrimination against other Blacks cannot justify treating Black business owners more favorably than non-Blacks. However, the Times says that, even recently, Black Oregonians have had a tougher time getting small business loans than their non-Black counterparts: Without traditional banking relationships, Black business owners often have had to reach into their own pockets or seek other avenues to finance start-up costs, civic leaders said. That left many unable to get pandemic relief loans offered by the federal government because the loans required going through lending institutions. There may be a case for preferential treatment for small business owners who, for reasons beyond their control, have been unable to obtain pandemic relief loans. If so, all small businesses in that category should be eligible for the preference. Race should not be a factor. But as I understand it, Oregons preferential treatment encompasses Black businesses regardless of whether they have lacked access to loans. (The three criteria for receiving funds are living or being based in Oregon; self-identifying as Black, and demonstrating hardship due to the pandemic see paragraph 17 of this Complaint). And it certainly excludes non-Black businesses that did not have such access. Its as if Oregon granted preferential admission to college for Black residents on the theory that Black families lack the resources to pay for services that help enhance the qualifications of their children e.g., fancy SAT prep courses but in practice preferred Black applicants who have these resources, while excluding non-Blacks who lack them. A system of race-based preferences so justified could not stand. Neither should Oregons preferences for businesses that happen to be owned by Blacks. Oregons members of Congress expressed shock and disbelief Wednesday as a mob of violent protestors poured into the U.S. Capitol, forcing Congress and the vice president to flee. Its like a third-world country, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Someone has been shot in the Capitol. The Capitol windows have been shot out. Its unbelievable. On the floor of the Senate, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said he realized that something was badly amiss in the Capitol when a congressional staffer sprinted into the stately chamber where he and other senators were listening to floor speeches. No one runs in the Senate chamber, Merkley said on a press call Wednesday. He said they then heard strange noises in the hallway. It was just about then that people broke into the building, Merkley said. We were there, trapped in that chamber. The Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol police told the Senators they had to vacate the room and then reversed themselves. They should stay. Merkley and his fellow Senators squirmed as House officials tried to find the keys and lock down the room. Its a strange feeling to be locked in a room that is not designed to be secure when there are angry people outside, he said. Finally, Senators were ushered out of the chambers to hide in safety. Electoral college ballots rescued from the Senate floor. If our capable floor staff hadnt grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob. pic.twitter.com/2JCauUIlvg Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 6, 2021 Eventually all seven members of Congress from Oregon, like all other senators and representatives, were declared safe. The Capitol was ultimately cleared and secured around 6 p.m. Washington, D.C. time. The invasion of the Capitol building came as Congress began tabulating electoral college votes to formalize former Vice President Joe Bidens election as president, a ceremony presided over by Vice President Mike Pence. Trump has falsely claimed that the election was stolen from him, a canard that courts and state election officials across the country have unambiguously refuted. Capitol officials knew to expect protests outside, but law enforcement officers found themselves overwhelmed and unable to prevent a violent incursion by Trump extremists bent on insurrection. The Capitol cops were woefully unprepared, Rep. Peter DeFazio told The Oregonian/OregonLive from his office in a building near the Capitol. He said he holds Trump responsible for the attack on the Capitol by his supporters. This is their attempt to invalidate the election, he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Were looking at an attempted coup being egged on by a minority of the Republican Party and Donald Trump. Early in the incursion, Bonamici called on President Donald Trump to act swiftly to end the assault by right-wing extremists. He needs to call this off right now, she said. He needs to speak up and tell his people to back off. Newly elected Rep. Cliff Bentz, the sole Republican member of Oregons congressional delegation, called on the pro-Trump extremists to respect law enforcement and allow Congress to deliberate. But he disputed the language his congressional colleagues used to describe Wednesdays insurrection and declined to hold the president accountable. I would not describe today as coup. I would call it a protest gone really wrong, really bad, Bentz told The Oregonian/OregonLive. As far as judging the president, I dont see how thats very productive right now More than 100 congressional Republicans have said they will seek to overturn Bidens election by rejecting the electoral votes approved by states Trump lost. Bentz had said previously that he wanted an investigation into Trumps claims which are false of election fraud. But the new congressman had hedged on whether he would support other Republicans efforts to reject electoral votes from some states. On Wednesday, he said it is highly likely that he will vote to accept the electoral college tally and recognize Biden as the duly elected president. But asked Wednesday if he believes the election was stolen, as Trump has alleged, Bentz equivocated. The word stolen is a bit odd, Bentz said. Im still working on trying to figure out whether its constitutional. Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda. Rep. Kurt Schrader told The Oregonian/OregonLive Wednesday, We thought the coronavirus was the big threat, not fellow Americans. The six-term Congressman was not on the House floor when Trump extremists broke into the Capitol, since coronavirus restrictions mean House members are present on the floor only in small groups at a time. He stayed put in his Capitol Hill office. Schrader said he believes the U.S. Capitol police messed up. Im just shocked they did not deploy tear gas as soon as this crowd got within a certain distance of the U.S. Capitol. I would have deployed that tear gas instantly, given what weve seen in Portland. Police should have dispersed the crowd and we would not have had this invasion of the U.S. Capitol. Its pretty horrific to think these so-called self-described patriots would invade their own Capitol and show themselves for the terrorists they really are, Schrader said Despite the terror and high drama created by the illegal incursion, Merkley predicted the challenges to the electoral college vote count will go nowhere. He said Democrats need to push ahead with bold initiatives on climate change, education and the economy. Any time focused on Trump would be time wasted, he said. The plan was to try to install President Trump into a second term through the Congressional action rather than through the vote of the people, Merkley said. That is a coup. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Portland Democrat who also was not yet on the House floor when the insurrectionists broke into the Capitol, called the people storming the Capitol domestic terrorists emboldened by the president. Its not acceptable for people to run riot through our Capitol, Blumenauer said. I was here when we had 9/11. Ive been here when some of our security people were killed but this is every bit as unsettling. These people forcing their way into the Capitol, breaking property. It can only be described as domestic acts of terrorism. The hateful pictures of people breaking into the Capitol - this temple of democracy - is just sickening, he said. Late in the day, Blumenauer suggested impeaching the president again or using the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to remove him from office. U.S. Sen Ron Wyden issued a statement condemning Wednesdays mob violence and said elected officials share responsibility. He called Wednesdays attack a direct assault on democracy, a riot by insurrectionists that caps off four years of Donald Trump fanning the flames of fanaticism. Every Republican lawmaker who supported his efforts to overturn a legitimate election shares responsibility for the violence at the heart of our democracy. Schrader, who represents coastal Oregon and parts of the Willamette Valley, had harsh words for President Trump. Im so disappointed in the soon-to-be ex-president - how lame and self-serving his message to his so-called supporters was. I did my share of protests back in the day, but you dont invade the Capitol of the United States, he said. By Thursday morning, Schrader said he hopes the chaos will have passed, and well put this horrible history in our American chapter behind us. Correction: Rep. Cliff Bentz had not committed to joining Republicans colleagues in objecting to certification of the electoral college vote. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said he had. -- Jeff Manning -- Maxine Bernstein -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh A year after George Floyd's death, Pennsylvanians are still fighting for change Despite several notifications from the Deputy Director of Education (DYDE), four private schools in the city have not filled class 10 forms of students who have not paid full fees this academic year. In an attempt to provide relief to parents and resolve the matter, Zilla Parishad (ZP) chief executive officer Ayush Prasad will be conducting a hearing on January 6. Prasad said that the schools have been asked to allow the students to fill the form and appear for class 10. Parents approached us regarding the matter. So we have asked the parents and schools to meet us on January 6. We will be asking schools to let the students fill the form and appear for the class 10 from their respective schools as they have been students for a long time there. Because of pandemic, some parents are not able to pay the entire fees. They should be given a few more months to pay the fee. However, meanwhile the child should not suffer. And so we have called the meeting to resolve the matter, said Prasad. Jayshree Deshpande, president of the parents association of Pune said that due to the pandemic, the parents were able to pay only half the fee. But the schools have refused to fill the class 10 form of students. The children as well as parents are suffering due to this attitude. Despite several complaints launched at the DYDE and several meetings with the school management, the issue has not been resolved, said Deshpande. She added that at last there is a hearing on this matter. Parents are hopeful that some concrete decision will be taken to give relief to parents. Theres a poster Ive seen for years which shows someone with a noose tied lightly around his neck, standing before and watering a still-small tree labeled communism. I mention that because image because its not only our political class thats sold out to China. We have too. Cheap Chinese products are every bit as much a drug as fentanyl is and we need to kick the habit before we hang ourselves with the monster tree we kept watering. I will almost invariably go for the cheapest product available. Over the years, though, I learned that many of the Chinese-made goods I bought were costing me a lot of money because they were so cheaply made that they were instantly useless. I am not alone in this discovery. In 2010, when the American media was still allowed to criticize China, CBS published an article summing up the problems with Chinese-made goods: My house is full of crap that was made in China. (Hint: I'm not using the term "crap" as a synonym for "stuff".) My house is pretty typical in that way. The entire United States is flooded with low-quality, poorly-manufactured crap made in China. And it often has a U.S. brand name slapped on it. Not everything that's made in China is crap. Their top-of-the-line semiconductor fabrication plants are the best in the world, for instance. But that's because every computer chip must be tested thoroughly or it won't work at all. For most stuff -- toys, medicine, consumer electronics, kitchen gear, tools, etc., etc., etc. -- what comes out of China is cheap, in both senses of the word. Over the past two years, I've gone through 3 cameras, all made in China. Each one broke after about three or four months of light use. I've also had three computers with Chinese-made fans in them, all of which have turned into loud whining electronic whistles. I have an entire collection of Chinese-built vacuum-insulated containers where the vacuum broke within a week of purchase. I could go on, but you get the point. Someone I met who worked on the newly built eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Bridge confided to me that, early in the process, they bought steel plates from Japan that were perfect. The metal was of excellent quality, and the predrilled holes were exactly where they should have been. Then, they switched to steel plates from China. These cracked easily and none of the pre-drilled holes lined up. He assured me the bridge was safe, but Ive always wondered. And please note that, thanks to mega-companies and our politicians selling us out, no company in America was able to supply the needed plates. Chinas also in the death business. Its pet food killed our dogs. Its anti-viral masks were useless. Its fentanyl kills the Midwesterners whose quality jobs vanished into Chinas deadly sweatshop and slave labor camps. And its major factories often building the technology we love -- kill the Chinese people and ooze toxins throughout the world. Rich leftists hated Walmart because its so-not-classy stores allowed ordinary Americans to have the same type of luxuries that filled the leftists homes. The leftists would have done better to tell Americans the truth: Walmart, by partnering with China to sell cheap and cheaply-made goods to working people, killed ordinary American jobs. Think of that poster I mentioned: By buying Chinese-made bargains at Walmart, we destroyed ourselves. I totally understand that people with limited money need to buy whatever is cheapest and theres no shame in going to Walmart if thats what your budget allows. All patriots, though, should try to buy fewer things. Wealthy or not, youll save money if you decide you dont need that Chinese made gadget or decoration. And if you do have the wherewithal to buy America, for Gods sake, do so. Thats my New Years resolution: Im going to buy American. And if America doesnt make it, Ill try to buy it from anywhere else. For example, when I bought my new laptop after my computer died, I made very sure to buy it from a Taiwanese company. In the original (good) Ghostbusters, the heroes were told that they would be choosing the form of the destructor. In their case, Ray managed to dream up the Stay Puft marshmallow man. (And no, I wont link to the YouTube clip. Thats also feeding the beast.) We Americans inadvertently dreamed up China, which too many of us remembered as a backward Third World country. Its not anymore. Its a dangerous geopolitical rival and we must stop funding it. Clearly, Im feeling militant today. Im a middle-aged woman who hopes never to find herself in a physical battle. However, we fight in our own ways. In this case, each of us can do battle against China by starving it of the money weve so willingly sent its way. If you can, buy American. If you cant, try to buy from anywhere else but China. And if Chinas the only option, ask yourself if you really need whatever it is youre about to buy. IMAGE: Made in China label by Bill Bradford, adapted by Andrea Widburg. CC BY 2.0. [January 06, 2021] Care Package Direct Closes Seed Funding Round, Launches 'PPE-as-a-Service' Care Package Direct, a new marketplace launched to supply small businesses and organizations (SMBs) with personal protective equipment, today announced the closing of $200,000 in seed funding led by Secure Personal Care Products LLC, a leading PPE manufacturer. Care Package Direct is introducing a new subscription-based model that gets small organizations high-quality, certified PPE direct from the manufacturer, allowing business owners to confidently reopen as fast as possible. According to the Opportunity Insights economic tracker, the number of small businesses open in the US has decreased by 29% compared to January 2020. And geography matters a lot: the World Economic Forum points out that New Orleans and the Bay Area are experiencing rates of small business closures that are almost double the national median. Schools, churches, small retailers and other SMBs simply can't afford to be shut down, and the typical small organization doesn't have dedicated supply teams who can work with larger resellers to obtain large volume PPE shipments. An Innovator in PPE-as-a-Service for SMBs Care Package Direct's unique 'PPE-as-a-service' model lets businesses acquire safety products with low upfront costs and eliminate supply delays and quality problems. Companies also can quickly scale up to meet increased demand due to changing regulations and needs. "The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare two clear facts Small organizations with fewer than 100 employees or so, like businesses, schools and religious organizations, have difficulty integrating PPE supply into their daily workflow, so they are beholden to whatever is 'left over' from larger supply chain issues. And COVID-19 will be with us for a while, and these pandemic issues, while relatively short, can destroy a small organization very quickly if they aren't prepared," said Joel Vincent, founder and CEO of Care Package Direct. "By creating a service that can increase or decrease on-demand, curates top-quality products and builds safety-centric services, we allow SMBs to reliably address their needs without overwhelming staff or over-investing for events and situations that can be lengthy but ultimately temporary." The coming months will bring an increased focus on PPE for everyone: President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to sign a national face mask mandate on his first day in office as part of his 100-day plan to combat the pandemic. Having a "set it and forget it" way to keep supplies on hand for employees, customers and visitors is going to be part of 2021's new normal. Care Package Direct was founded in July, as the COVID-19 crisis spiked in the United States. Secure Personal Care Products LLC, a major manufacturer of PPE, signed on as the initial investor. "SPCP is a California-based company that has been supplying high-quality, FDA-certified personal care products to medical facilities and elder care facilities in the USA for over 40 years," said Hassan Zaidi, Secure Personal Care Products' CEO. "We wanted a way to supply small businesses in this time of need, and Care Package Direct is the right partner to address the needs of small and medium businesses." By doing a national launch now, Care Package Direct can build the capacity to help businesses deal with the current surge in COVID cases. The company intends to use the funding to build out logistics to supply PPE-as-a-service in the United States. (Currently, PPE is limited by regulatory rules put in place by the federal government.) They also are building sales and marketing capacity as well as developing an online marketplace to carry more curated products that SMBs need for reopening. In an effort to help the country get through the current winter surge, Care Package Direct has put together a special offer to new customers to make sure they are prepared for the next 100 days and beyond. You can find out more here. About Care Package Direct Care Package Direct was founded during the pandemic with the intent to make health and safety surveillance and supplies as simple as possible for companies not typically engaged in purchasing PPE and other health and safety requirements, but that may be required to do so due to new regulations. Its "PPE-as-a-Service" model gets small businesses high-quality, certified PPE direct from the manufacturer, allowing business owners to reopen quickly and safely. Learn more at carepackagedirect.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005179/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 06, 2021] Vyopta Achieves FedRAMP "In Process" Designation AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vyopta, the Collaboration Intelligence company, today announced it has been awarded the "In Process" designation from the U.S. Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), and is now listed on the FedRAMP marketplace website. The FedRAMP program provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services and enables government agencies to move from legacy IT to mission-enabling, secure, and cost-effective cloud-based IT. Vyopta's U.S. federal government customers include the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Federal Reserve System, U.S. Senate and U.S. Courts. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), is also a customer and is sponsoring Vyopt in the FedRAMP certification process. Organizations with multiple UC solutions rely on Vyopta as the single pane of glass that significantly improves supporting hybrid work (remote and in office), distance learning and telehealth use cases. Vyopta integrates and collects data from Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom (includes Zoom webinars), Google Meet, Cisco UCM, Cisco Meeting Server, Pexip, gateways for voice and video, and IoT collaboration devices. "Vyopta's purpose-built Collaboration Intelligence platform quickly and easily integrates with UC solutions and IoT devices and with IT Service Management systems like ServiceNow," said Jonathan Sass, Vyopta's Vice President of Product Management. "We're empowering U.S. agencies to future-proof their ongoing investments and rollouts of UC and collaboration technology to improve team collaboration." "More than ever, agency IT or MSP teams need video and UC troubleshooting tools that are easy to use by UC experts as well as front line IT support groups," said Cody Bell, Director of Federal Accounts at Vyopta. "With a FedRAMP certified Vyopta solution, agencies could begin collecting and analyzing their data within an hour of signing up." Learn more at https://www.vyopta.com/solutions/federal/ . Related: Vyopta Reaches First Milestone to FedRAMP Certification About Vyopta Incorporated Vyopta , the Collaboration Intelligence company, is a global leader in comprehensive monitoring and analytics for Collaboration Performance Management and Workspace Insights. By integrating insights from multi-vendor Unified Communications & Collaboration vendors and IOT devices, Vyopta helps organizations deliver the best UC user experience and optimize their UC and real estate investments. Vyopta helps hundreds of organizations worldwide spanning 20+ industries monitor 6 million endpoints and over 20 billion meeting minutes a year. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vyopta-achieves-fedramp-in-process-designation-301202108.html SOURCE Vyopta Inc [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran has signed a decree on the transfer of Ukrainian military ranks to NATO military rank codes according to the NATO STANAG 2116 standard, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday. "This List establishes the correspondence of the codification of military ranks of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the military ranks of NATO. This is another step ensuring compatibility with the armed forces of the member states," the press service quoted the head of the ministry as saying. According to him, the signed order begins the Euro-Atlantic transformation of the existing personnel management system to manage the career of military personnel on military ranks. In turn, this will become an integral part of the draft Concept of the military personnel policy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine until 2025. "These decisions are aimed at changing the Soviet-style career management system to the modern one adopted in the armies of the leading states. In fact, this is a guide to the actions of personnel agencies to switch to a new philosophy of work, which provides for the creation of a career map for each soldier, sergeant, officer on his training, career growth and provision," said Taran. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Musical masterworks as the Queen of the Night's Aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute, are examples of the sounds trained human voices can produce. The precondition for vocal virtuosity as well as for any spoken word is vocal learning, the ability to imitate auditory input. Some songbirds and bats can do this, but humans excel. We can acquire new languages into old age. To shed light on the evolution of vocal learning, a team led by Julia Fischer from the German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research has analyzed the sound structures of Guinea baboons and was able to show that the grunts of baboons belonging to the same social group were more similar to each other than between the social groups. The changes were modest, however, and can best be conceived as an accent rather than a different language (Proceedings of the Royal Society B). Vocal learning is the basis of all language learning and much research effort has been devoted to uncover the evolutionary roots of this ability. Whether or not our closest living relatives show evidence for vocal learning has been the subject of much debate. Guinea baboons are an interesting model to address the question whether social and auditory experience shapes their call characteristics, because the species lives in a nested multi-level society. Several affiliated males with associated females and young form "parties", and two to three "parties" form a "gang". During affiliative interactions with other group members, males utter low-frequency grunts, indicating their benign intent. The team led by Julia Fischer studied the acoustic structure of these grunts in relation to group membership, while controlling for relatedness. The scientists found that the grunts of males belonging to the same social level, namely the same gang or party, were on average more similar to each other than grunts of males from different social level. Genetic relatedness could not explain the similarity of the grunts. The researchers therefore attribute the baboons' "accent" to a simple form of vocal learning, in which the auditory experience facilitates the production of calls that sound more like those of the other males' in the group. "People do this also: they often involuntarily adjust the tempo or their pitch to be more similar to that of the person you are talking to, says Julia Fischer. In humans, this is known as vocal accommodation. "Such effects seem to be shared between nonhuman primates and humans. But it is a far cry from learning to say the first word - or master an entire language. It is important to distinguish between different forms of vocal learning to really develop a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of speech," Julia Fischer concludes. ### She is one of a slew of reality stars currently enjoying the sunshine of Dubai via a 'work' loophole amid Britain's ongoing coronavirus restrictions. And Laura Anderson undoubtedly made her followers envious as she shared a snap of herself soaking up the sun in a bikini on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday. The former Love Island star, 31, worked on her tan as she relaxed at the beach in a pink and blue two-piece as the UK comes to grips with its third national lockdown. Travel: Laura Anderson undoubtedly made her followers envious as she shared a snap of herself soaking up the sun in a bikini on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday Laura showcased her bronzed hue in the snap while she let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders. Posing on a beach chair, the Scottish beauty added to her look with a large pair of sunglasses. Holding a drink in her hand, Laura looked like she didn't have a care in the world away from the restrictions at home. It comes after Laura complained to her Instagram followers on Tuesday, as she recorded a rambling message ahead of another day sunning herself and lying around in a bikini. What lockdown? Laura complained to Instagram followers on Tuesday, as she recorded a rambling message ahead of another day sunning herself and lying around in a bikini Taking to her stories, the star declared that the new lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday night was 'a s****y situation', despite being unaffected by it abroad. She was later seen by the pool, clearly over the shock of the announcememt already, posing in a skimpy baby blue two-piece. Grinning for the camera, the Scot showed off her taut waist, a bandanna tied around her head, dark square shades covering her eyes. Despite complaining in her video earlier in the day that she didn't have a tan, she looked bronzed in the snap, her chocolate locks tumbling down her shoulders. Bored? Taking to her stories, she declared that the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday night was 'a s****y situation', despite being unaffected by it abroad She was sure to post several more videos from her day at a beach club, allowed free entry with fellow ex-Love Islander Kaz Crossley. The pair were seen singing, dancing and drinking in the sunshine, clearly unfazed by the pandemic. In her earlier video, Laura acknowledged the UK's lockdown, before changing the subject and talking about opening a salon in Dubai and flying her dog over to stay with her. 'I just wanted to send you some love from the lovely news. What a s****y, s****y, s****y situation,' she said, before adding: 'I'm coming home on Sunday morning.' Having fun? She was sure to post several more videos from her day at a beach club, allowed free entry with fellow ex-Love Islander Kaz Crossley Despite her plans to return home after weeks abroad, Laura appeared to be already planning her return to the UEA and proceeded to verbosely talk of her 'pure anxiety' about transporting her pet dog abroad should she return to Dubai and open a beauty salon. This comes after fellow Love Island star Jack Fincham fueled romance rumours with Laura. It seems that Jack, 29, may have joined Laura on her sun-soaked Dubai holiday as he tagged the city alongside a snap of the duo, which he shared to Instagram on Sunday. Dating? This comes after fellow Love Island star Jack Fincham fueled romance rumours with Laura Alongside his post, the father-of-one simply posted a party popper emoji, as he hinted at his plans to to join Laura in the United Arab Emirates. The socially distanced snap was taken when the pair filmed the Love Island reunion show earlier this year, alongside Dr Alex George. Laura was quick to jokingly comment on the post: 'Omg who's that?' While Love Island alum Alex, 30, seemed unamused that he had been cropped out of the picture, penning: 'Wait. Did you crop me out.' Alex has tirelessly spent the last few months battling COVID-19 on the front line back home. Holiday: It seems that the Love Islander may have joined Laura on her sun-soaked Dubai trip as he tagged the city as the location alongside the snap of the duo And many of his two million followers couldn't help but excitedly ask whether this meant that him and Laura were dating. One fan wrote: 'Are you and laura a couple?' And another speculated: 'Coincidence they are both in dubai at same time' (sic) While a third commented: 'Get together already man' The close pals first began sparking romance rumours after it was claimed that they had grown closer since appearing on Love Island. Rumours: The friends made a pact to get married on Love Island: What Happened Next? and it was later reported that they have become 'romantic' The friends made a pact to get married on Love Island: What Happened Next? and it was later reported that they have become 'romantic'. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: 'They have always been close, but lately they've grown more romantic with each other. 'Laura is based up in Scotland but sees Jack when she's in London. They really like each other and have even locked lips.' Appearing on ITV2, Jack even promised to marry his former co-star if they're both single by the time they reach 40. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor A man was left with life-threatening injuries early Wednesday after being shot in Boston, according to authorities. Police from District B-3 in Mattapan responded shortly before 12:30 a.m. to a ShotSpotter activation for a report of shots fire near 5 Lester St., said Officer Shandra Pinto, a spokesperson for the Boston Police Department. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound in the area of the Mattapan address. He was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to Pinto. Its an active and ongoing investigation, the department spokesperson told MassLive. Chandra Grahan in India: Date, Time & City to watch first lunar eclipse of 2021 Will lunar eclipse on May 26 trigger tidal waves? Is it linked to cyclone? Lunar Eclipse 2021: Negative effects on pregnant women; Do's and Don'ts one should follow Delhi govt asks schools to implement new School Bag Policy 2020 India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 06: The government of Delhi on Wednesday issueed guidelines to reduce the weight of school bags for students of primary, secondary and senior secondary schools. Under its School Bag Policy 2020, the state government has prescribed weight limits for school bags for students of different classes. No homework upto Class 2, school bag should weigh 10% of body weight: Here are some of the key measures School bags should not be more than 10% of the bodyweight of students across classes I to X and there should be no bags in pre-primary students. It recommends no homework up to class II and a maximum of two hours per week for classes III to V, one hour a day for classes VI to VIII and two hours a day for classes IX and above. The Policy will also require schools to introduce infrastructural changes as students will not be able to carry many books daily. Gujarat schools to reopen for classes 10, 12 and colleges from Jan 11 UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News The schools need to provide lockers right from preschool to senior secondary to enable children to leave books in school and carry home only what is required. It adds that the teachers should take the responsibility of checking the weight of school bags of the students every three months on a day selected for the whole class and any information about heavy bags should be communicated to the parents. It adds that files and thin/light exercise books should be preferred to thick/heavy ones. NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Health Matters will host The Close the Gap Community Health Challenge, a free, virtual health fair aimed at raising awareness of heart health within the Black community. This virtual event will take place this Saturday, January 9, 2021, from 10:00 an to 5:00pm EST and features healthcare professionals from some of Detroit's top medical centers, focused on educating and empowering the community to take ownership of their health journeys. Before COVID-19 disproportionality affected the Black community, it has long been recognized that Blacks have been experiencing poor health outcomes, in all areas of health, for many years. Combatting the epidemic of poor health outcomes requires engagement at the community level from all parties; health care providers and the residents themselves. This is why Black Health Matters, with sponsorship from Boston Scientific, has developed The Close the Gap Community Health Challenge to bring health, wellness and fitness professionals, along with community advocates, local chapters of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities. "Black Health Matters is pleased to work with Boston Scientific to create the ultimate educational program on heart disease and healthy living, available at no cost, for the residents of Detroit," said Roslyn Y. Daniels, publisher of Black Health Matters. This program is free and open to the public so that thousands can benefit in accessing critical health information, empowering them to effectively 'close the gap' on health inequities the black community often faces." The Close the Gap Community Health Challenge: The Summit will feature 22 physicians from these leading Detroit health systems: Detroit Medical Center Beaumont Medical Center Henry Ford Health System Wayne Health Ascension St. John Hospital McClaren Medical Group Topics covered include: Know the Signs of a Having a Heart Attack, COVID-19, Heart Disease, Healthy Heart Workout, Mental Health and more. To make the virtual event more engaging, attendees will be able to download materials and network with like-minded peers, advocacy groups and vendors. Prizes will be awarded for engaging with exhibitors and presenters. For more information and to register for the Community Health Challenge Health Fair, go to www.bhmclosethegap.vfairs.com and wwwblackhealthmatters.com . SOURCE Black Health Matters Related Links blackhealthmatters.com Met Eireann are warning of "treacherous conditions" as they issued two nationwide weather warnings this afternoon. Forecasters are predicting temperatures will plummet to a freezing -4 degrees overnight after falling to lows of -6 last night. The first warning is for low temperatures and ice while the second predicts further falls of snow and ice across the country. The low temperature alert will be in place for the entire country from 8pm on Wednesday until 10am on Thursday. A forecaster revealed: "Very cold with minima widely falling to -3 or -4 degrees." Read More Meanwhile, the snow/ice warning will be in place nationwide for 12 hours from 11pm on Wednesday until 11am on Thursday. Met Eireann said: "Snow and ice will lead to treacherous conditions. Some accumulations possible." Wary meteorologists across the northern hemisphere are also looking at changes happening in the weather system known as the Polar Vortex. These are said to be similar to those that caused the Beast From The East which blanketed Ireland and much of northern Europe in heavy snow in late February 2018. Metrologists in the UK, North America and across northern Europe are currently tracking a 'split' in the Polar Vortex. Changes in temperatures and air currents over the Arctic, ironically caused by unusually warm air, is believed to be "ripping" the Polar Vortex. The results of a sudden move south for the normally stable system can be devastating. In 2018, a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event nudged frigid polar air from Siberia into Europe, delivering a snow-laden cell of high pressure dubbed The Beast from the East. Centred over Scandinavia, the shock of icy weather cast a frozen pall as far west as the Ireland, contributing to transport chaos and even a number of deaths. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Read More Online Editors The Madhya Pradesh Police has registered a case against a woman in Sagar district for pouring boiling oil on her husband's face. The accused has been identified as 35-year-old Shivkumari Ahirwar, while the victim is 38-year-old Arvind Ahirwar. The incident occurred when a daily spat between the couple over returning home late from work took a turn for the worse. The situation escalated into the wife pouring boiling oil over the husband's face while he was asleep. Shivkumari and Arvind have been married for four years, The Times of India reported. Arvind is currently undergoing treatment for the burns on his face at Bundelkhand Medical College in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. According to Arvind's brother, the couple had a verbal spat over some issue at night. "They didn't fight long as parents intervened and controlled the situation. But around 5 am, in a fit of rage, she poured boiling oil on his face when he was asleep," Arvind's brother told the media. He said upon hearing the commotion, the parents rushed to the couple's room and took Arvind to the hospital with help provided by the neighbours. Arvind's brother noted that Shivkumari stayed at home while the family went to the hospital. She expressed regret over pouring boiling oil over her husband's face. Yashpal Singh Sisodia, the officer in charge of the Karrapur police outpost, has told media that a case has been registered based on a statement given by Arvind Ahirwar. Also Read: Budget 2021 is getting closer! Here's all you need to know An elderly man has opened a free library for children in a slum by the Red River in Hanoi. The ramshackle floating village named Phao is home to around 30 households with more than 100 people from different localities nationwide. Nguyen Dang Duoc is among pioneers of the area opened a class for local children thanks to support of voluntary students. Before 2000, children in the slum were not provided with a birth certificate so they could not go to school. In 2002, Nguyen Dang Duoc, from the central province of Quang Binh who is among pioneers of the area opened a class for local children thanks to support of voluntary students. In reality, it was a makeshift tent made from a canvas and some plastic chairs collected from a nearby dumping site. The class was operated every weekend, helping the children to be able to write their names and read fluently. The library's book number has increased. Duoc then tried to encourage households to complete birth certificate procedures for their children. To date, all children in the village are qualified to go to school. The man set up a 20-square metre tent to be used as a library for the children. He used his money saved for many years to hire land for this. Initially, Duoc gathered books from shops that sold old books. At present, the library has hundreds of books which are classified and arranged tidily. The book number has continued rising with the contribution of voluntary groups. Every afternoon, after coming back from school, the children often come to the library to borrow books to read. A bare land plot in front of the library is also used as the playground for the children with colourful swings and slides made from tyres. Dtinews/VietNamNet Non-profit library offers quality English books for children Four years ago, Ngo Mai Huong, a teacher for Wellspring School, visited bookstores in Hanoi to look for quality English books for her three-year-old daughter. Protesters converged on the Oregon Capitol and statehouses across the nation Wednesday as a mob supporting President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and forced Congress to take shelter. Several hundred demonstrators turned out at the Salem event, where speakers addressed topics including Trumps false claim that the election had been stolen from him. Some people also decried Gov. Kate Browns COVID-19 regulations and burned an effigy of Brown. Counter-demonstrators arrived a few hours after the rally began, and clashes soon ensued before police appeared and declared an unlawful assembly. The tenor in Salem didnt reflect the bedlam in Washington, D.C., however. There, rioters supporting Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, clashing with police and forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm President-elect Joe Bidens win. One person was shot and later died. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. Dozens of people breached security perimeters at the U.S. Capitol, and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as they fled. Tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. Later, police donned gas masks as they moved in with force to clear protesters from the Capitol grounds shortly before a curfew took hold in Washington, D.C. In the moments before, there were violent clashes between the police and protesters, who tore railing for the inauguration scaffolding and threw it at the officers. Officials eventually declared the U.S. Capitol complex secure after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation. Back in Salem, demonstrators held a brief moment of silence Wednesday afternoon for people who had been hurt, arrested or had experienced other problems in Washington, D.C. Then demonstrators listened to Christian rock music and a video message Trump posted to Twitter in response to the unrest in the nations capital. Trumps message urged demonstrators in Washington, D.C., to go home even while he continued to insist the election had been stolen from them. But a speaker at the Oregon Capitol said protesters were just getting started. The crowd had already thinned, however, as heavy rain fell. Tensions again escalated by 2 p.m., about two hours after the event began. Counter-demonstrators arrived outside the Capitol and the array of protesters blocked traffic near the building. The Oregon State Police at that point declared the event an unlawful assembly, calling on those gathered to immediately disperse. Law enforcement officers also emerged from the state Capitol, marking their first visible presence at the event. The Salem Reporter captured a video of a clash between the two groups before police arrived. Rapid rounds from what appears to be a paintball gun are fired amid punches being thrown and sprays being deployed. A smoke bomb is launched overhead into the scrum amid the hand-to-hand fighting. One demonstrator was also captured on video wielding a baton. Law enforcement officers left the scene and crowds began to disperse by about 2:20 p.m. Only about 50 people remained by 2:40 p.m. The Oregon State Police said one person was arrested on suspicion of harassment and disorderly conduct. Troopers later identified the man as David Willis, 43, of Lincoln City, a frequent figure at right-wing protests. Police arrested a second person, Cody Melby, on Wednesday evening. Melby, 39, faces a charge of trespassing while in possession of a firearm. Police say he tried to access several doors at the state capitol. Salem city officials and Oregon leaders had prepared for possible bedlams. Police told people to avoid all streets near the Capitol and closed several surrounding streets. Some nearby state offices closed. The Capitol itself has been closed to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been the site of frequent right-wing protests, particularly in recent weeks. RECENT OREGON CAPITOL PROTESTS Last week, about 200 people gathered at the state Capitol to protest government-ordered coronavirus lockdown measures they say violate their liberty. Speakers at the event urged attendees to take steps including purposefully spreading the novel coronavirus to achieve herd immunity and using guns to defend restaurants that defy state orders that limit them to offering takeout meals only. Authorities also declared an unlawful assembly and used crowd-control munitions after demonstrators encountered a group of counter-protesters and tried repeatedly to attack them. Police arrested at least one of the right-wing protesters. A previous right-wing rally outside lawmakers Dec. 21 special session devolved into violence with demonstrators kicking in the window of a door, trying to push their way into the Capitol after they gained access to a vestibule, and reportedly assaulting journalists covering the event. The event was also declared an unlawful assembly. Samantha Swindler, Dave Killen and Beth Nakamura of The Oregonian/OregonLive; The Associated Press Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis' daughter Lily-Rose bundled up in a black puffer coat for a solo stroll through downtown Manhattan on Wednesday. The French-American 21-year-old - sporting blue jeans and white sneakers - hauled three different bags while watching something on her iPhone. Lily-Rose - who flew into NYC from LA on Monday - later grabbed iced coffee while protecting herself and others from the coronavirus by wearing a state-mandated black face mask. Big apple: Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis' daughter Lily-Rose bundled up in a black puffer coat for a solo stroll through downtown Manhattan on Wednesday COVID-19 is spiking nationwide and there have reportedly been 456K confirmed cases in New York City leading to 25,309 deaths as of Wednesday. Last November, Depp - a muse of the late designer Karl Lagerfeld - modeled for Chanel's Cruise 20/21 collection. The campaign came a month after the two-time Cesar Award nominee attended the French luxury house's packed, tone deaf Paris Fashion Week presentation at the Grand Palais on October 6. As of Wednesday, there have reportedly been 2.68M confirmed COVID-19 cases in France leading to 66,282 deaths. Glued to her screen: The French-American 21-year-old - sporting blue jeans and white sneakers - hauled three different bags while watching something on her iPhone Flew into NYC from LA on Monday: Lily-Rose later grabbed iced coffee while protecting herself and others from the coronavirus by wearing a state-mandated black face mask Grim: COVID-19 is spiking nationwide and there have reportedly been 456K confirmed cases in New York City leading to 25,309 deaths as of Wednesday Lily-Rose will next play Emmie Kahane opposite Armie Hammer in Nicholas Jarecki's opioid thriller Crisis, which hits US theaters February 26 and UK theaters March 26. The flick formerly known as 'Dreamland' also stars Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly, Greg Kinnear, Michelle Rodriguez, and Kid Cudi. Depp will also portray astronaut Sela in Neil Burger's sci-fi thriller Voyagers, which was supposed to be released on November 25 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Taut tummy: Last November, Depp - a muse of the late designer Karl Lagerfeld - modeled for Chanel's Cruise 20/21 collection Tone deaf: The campaign came after the two-time Cesar Award nominee attended the French luxury house's packed Paris Fashion Week presentation at the Grand Palais on October 6 'Since only half those theaters are open, Lionsgate has taken it off the schedule,' Burger lamented on Instagram. 'I'm disappointed but it was definitely the right choice. No new date yet but will let you know. I was looking forward to celebrating with my brilliant cast and crew but will have to wait.' Colin Farrell, Tye Sheridan, Isaac Hempstead Wright, and Fionn Whitehead also star in Voyagers. 'Thank you for creating such a raw and powerful character!' Lily-Rose will next play Emmie Kahane opposite Armie Hammer (R) in Nicholas Jarecki's opioid thriller Crisis, which hits US theaters February 26 and UK theaters March 26 (pictured in 2019) A 28-year-old man was shot and killed by police on Tuesday after he entered a business in Newton Highlands with a knife, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. Newton police received a call at 1:43 p.m. from a business on Lincoln Street in Newton about a possible robbery. Two officers, one in plain clothes and another in uniform, arrived and found a 28-year-old male with a knife. The man, who police say lived in another floor in the building, ran upstairs and was pursued by the officers. NBC Boston reports that the encounter took place in a candy store in Newton Highlands. During the subsequent interaction, Newton Police deployed less than lethal force using a beanbag shotgun, authorities said. Police called for backup, including additional police officers and a clinician with mental health expertise, according to Ryans office. At roughly 2 p.m., a Massachusetts State Police Trooper used a taser on the man, which failed to subdue the suspect, authorities said. Newton police then shot the man, who was taken to Newton Wellesley hospital, where he later died. Sky's chief executive has announced he will step down from his position after leading the company for 13 years. Jeremy Darroch, 58, who has been CEO of Sky since 2007, will step down as chief executive but will take the role of executive chairman until the end of 2021 to ensure a smooth transition. He will be succeeded by the former Virgin Media boss Dana Strong who is currently the president of consumer services at Comcast Cable - the US's largest broadband and pay TV operator. Mr Darroch's time in charge makes him one of the longest-serving chief executives of a major company in the UK. Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch, 58, who oversaw the company's privatisation in 2018, said it 'had been a privilege to lead Sky for 13 years' after he announced he would be stepping down from his role He oversaw the company's privatisation in 2018, when Comcast paid 30 billion to see off a rival bid from Rupert Murdoch's Fox to buy the listed company. During his tenure, Mr Darroch also saw the launch of Sky Arts, Sky+ and Now TV and helped expand the company into Europe's largest multi-platform TV provider with nearly 24 million customers. Announcing his decision to step down Mr Darroch said: 'It has been a privilege to lead Sky for 13 years, and an experience that I have looked forward to every day, so the decision to leave has not been easy. 'But with the business firmly settled into the wider Comcast Corporation and a strong plan in place, now is the right time. 'I feel incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by colleagues who care as deeply as I do about this business and our customers and work tirelessly every day to make their lives better. I would like to thank all of my colleagues at Sky and also Brian and the team at Comcast who I have thoroughly enjoyed working with.' He added: 'I have always believed that successful, sustainable businesses have a vital role to support thriving communities and can contribute much more to wider society. 'This thought has guided me through the last 13 years at Sky and will continue to so in whatever I do next. I have no doubt that Dana will take Sky into a new and exciting future. 'Her proven record for leading telecommunications and media businesses coupled with her experience in the US, UK and Europe will be great assets to Sky and I look forward to working with her as she takes the reins.' Ms Strong was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, but was based in London between 2013 and 2018, with stints at Virgin Media and Liberty Global. Most recently she has been president of consumer services at Comcast Cable, the US's largest broadband and pay TV operator. The division has more than 30 million customers and 58 billion dollars (43 billion) in revenue. She had more than 25 years of international experience in global telecommunications and media. Dana Strong, who is currently the president of consumer services at Comcast Cable, will take over from Mr Darroch Sky announced Ms Strong would take over Mr Darroch's position to be Group CEO of the company Ms Strong said: 'There are few businesses that have the track record of Sky, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the company. 'I've always admired Sky's innovation, brand, and exceptional focus on the customer. I look forward to working with this incredible team to continue to grow the business and shape the next chapter for Sky.' Comcast chief executive Brian Roberts said: 'Jeremy has been a terrific colleague to me and everyone at Sky, but I respect his decision that now is the time for him to make a change. 'I am pleased that he's agreed to stay on to help with the transition to new leadership, and will continue to advise me and the company.' He called Ms Strong an 'accomplished executive with an extraordinary ability to transform, inspire and drive positive change'. Arrangements are being made to provide coronavirus vaccine to Indian Haj pilgrims, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday. He was speaking at a meeting of the Haj Committee of India officials and Haj Group organisers at Haj House here. Today discussed various issues concerned to Haj 2021 with Haj Committee of India officials and Haj Group Organisers at Haj House in Mumbai. Arrangements are being made to give Corona vaccine to all the people who will go to perform Haj from India, the Union Minister informed via Twitter. The last date for submission of forms for Haj 2021 has been extended till January 10, 2021. Last month, during a meeting with the Haj Committee here to discuss the preparations and registrations for Haj 2021, Naqvi lauded the committee for making the registration process 100 per cent digital, in turn making India the first country to do so. In another tweet, the Union Minister on Tuesday slammed the Opposition for raising questions on the measure taken by the Centre to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Those people who earlier raised questions on welfare measures taken by Narendra Modi government during the corona crisis, are now trying to create confusion on the Corona vaccines which have been developed by hard-working scientists of our country, he said in a subsequent tweet. ...Some failed and frustrated political players, who are unable to convince the people, are trying to confuse by using Corona vaccine as confusion rexine. Last week, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) announced restricted emergency use for two Covid-19 vaccine candidates -- Bharat Biotechs COVAXIN and Serum Institute of Indias Covishield. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times Hazara refuse to bury slain miners, protest spreads in Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his inability to visit members of the Hazara community who have refused to bury 11 miners killed by Islamic State. Read More Health ministry sends experts to bird flu-hit states, no human case found yet The Union ministry of health and family welfare has deployed multi-disciplinary teams to bird flu affected Alappuzha and Kottayam districts in Kerala, and Panchkula district, Haryana, as a precautionary measure even though no human case of the disease has been reported from anywhere in the country. Read More Ahead of launch, Centre issues warning against fake Co-WIN apps As the government is working to launch the Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) app, the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Wednesday warned people against sharing any personal details. Read More Trump bars US transactions with 8 Chinese apps. Here are other such bans US President Donald Trump on Tuesday passed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese applications, including Ant Groups Alipay payment app, heightening the conflict between the United States and China. Read More CoWIN app on the Play Store is fake, heres how you can spot it The government last month announced a new platform called Co-WIN (short for COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) that would help in delivering Covid-19 vaccine to the masses. Read More Khushi Kapoor or Janhvi Kapoor: Which Kapoor sister wore the scarf top better? Late actor and Bollywood icon Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoors daughter may be far from her Bollywood debut, but like most starkids, Khushi Kapoor has also managed to garner quite a following for herself on her Instagram. Read More Adipurush director Om Raut on Saif Ali Khans foot-in-mouth problem: Saif sir has his own way of thinking Director Om Raut, who has had to deal with controversies fuelled by Saif Ali Khan on two films now, has said that the actors words are often misunderstood. Read More Can bird flu spread to humans? Minister answers as 5 states battle outbreak With multiple states in India battling a bird flu outbreak amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Union minister Sanjeev Balyan answered questions on whether humans are at risk. Watch Shmyhal instructs to verify info about secret vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine, says he will make vaccination at his own expense with vaccine officially registered in the country Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has instructed law enforcement officers and the Ministry of Health to check the information that appeared in the media about the secret vaccination of Ukrainian politicians from COVID-19 and announced his intention to be vaccinated at his own expense after the officially registered vaccine arrives at Ukrainian clinics. "I instructed the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to check the information published in the media about possible clandestine vaccination with drugs of unknown origin. And I will immediately inform you of my position ... I myself will be vaccinated at my own expense in the second or third stage, when the officially registered vaccine arrives at Ukrainian clinics," wrote Shmyhal in his Telegram channel on Wednesday. According to him, now Ukraine expects the first batch of Sinovac Biotech vaccines in the amount of 1.9 million doses and said that the country's leadership is negotiating with other world vaccine manufacturers that have passed clinical trials. "So far, none of the vaccines is certified in Ukraine. And I am sure that not a single conscientious person will be vaccinated with medicines of unknown origin," the prime minister said. Shmyhal also said that according to the plan approved by the Ministry of Health, the first batch of vaccines in Ukraine will be received by doctors "working at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19." As reported, the Obozrevatel website released an article by businessman Mykhailo Brodsky, in which he says that a number of Ukrainian government officials, in particular, some MPs and top officials, were secretly vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine illegally imported to Ukraine from Israel by paying EUR 2,500 for two injections. It is such an honor to have so many of our doctors at Advanced Dermatology acknowledged by their peers as excellent clinicians who take great care of their patients. Advanced Dermatology PC, with over 40 offices in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, today announces that nine dermatologists in the practice, including Dr. Joshua Fox, MD, FAAD and founder and Medical Director, have been named 2020 Top Doctors from Castle Connolly, one of the most respected award given to physicians today. Specializing in personalized medical and aesthetic treatments for a wide variety of skin conditions in both adult and pediatric patients, Advanced Dermatology doctors are board certified in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. It is such an honor to have so many of our doctors at Advanced Dermatology acknowledged by their peers as excellent clinicians who take great care of their patients. We are all proud to be able to offer the best in medical and cosmetic dermatology. said Dr. Joshua Fox. Benjamin Chevere, Chief Operating Officer at Advanced Dermatology adds, "It is rare to have so many Top Doctors in a single practice. Our patients are lucky to benefit from this high level of clinicians and the quality care they provide every day." Advanced Dermatology doctors named 2020 Top Doctors: Dr. Lance Barazani is board-certified in dermatology and specializes in all areas of medical dermatology for adults and children, the prevention and treatment of skin cancer, cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Dr. Barazani works out of offices in Commack, NY, 631-499-1200 and West Islip, 631-587-1132. Dr. Whitney Bowe is a board-certified dermatologist with a passion for both clinical and aesthetic dermatology. She completed her dermatology residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where she currently holds the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology, teaching laser and cosmetic procedures to future dermatologists. Dr. Bowe works out of offices in Briarcliff Manor, 914-488-8188 and Manhattans Upper East Side, 212-996-9600. Dr. Joshua Fox is a board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of Advanced Dermatology. He and his associates have expanded the practice into one of largest in the region for dermatology, laser & cosmetic surgery. Dr. Fox is a leading authority in the field of dermatology, with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery and laser procedures. He works out of offices in Fresh Meadows, Queens, 718-357-8200 and Ridgewood, NJ, 201-439-1717. Dr. Valerie Goldburt is a board-certified dermatologist and experienced in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. She particularly enjoys intricate surgical and cosmetic procedures, having highly-trained dexterity from her years as a conservatory-trained pianist. Dr. Goldburt works out of offices in Manhattans Upper East Side, 212-996-9600 and East Setauket, Long Island, 631-689-3188. Dr. Judy Hu is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology with extensive experience in skin rejuvenation utilizing injections and laser therapy. Dr. Hu works out of offices in NJ in Summit, 908-516-2135 and Ridgewood, 201-493-1717. Dr. Meryl Joerg is an internationally trained cosmetic dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Board-certified in dermatology, Dr. Joerg works out of offices in Manhattans Upper East Side, 212-996-9600 and Manhattans Upper West Side, 212-601-9400. Dr. Hirshel Kahn is a native of Johannesburg, South Africa and is certified by the American Board of Pathology, the American Board of Dermatology and by the American Board of Dermatology and Pathology with a special qualification in Dermatopathology. Dr. Kahn works out of offices in Manhattans Tribeca, 212-619-0666 and State Island, 718-351-8101. Dr. Aza Lefkowitz is board-certified in both Dermatology and Mohs Microsurgery. His practice is primarily surgical, and he is especially well regarded for the exceptional and cosmetically elegant way in which he repairs his patients Mohs defects. Dr. Lefkowitz works out of offices in Fresh Meadows, Queens, 718-357-8200, West Islip, 631-578-1132 and Ridgewood, NJ, 201-439-1717. Dr. John Troccoli is board certified in dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He has extensive experience in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Troccoli works out of offices in Fresh Meadows, Queens, 718-357-8200, Manhattans Upper West Side, 212-601-9400 and Roslyn Heights, 516-625-6222. Castle Connolly is a research company founded in 1992.They survey doctors to nominate top doctors as a way to find out who doctors themselves would go see if they were sick. https://www.castleconnolly.com/about-us/how-castle-connolly-selects-top-doctors About Advanced Dermatology, P.C.: Since 1986, Advanced Dermatology, P.C. and the Center for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery has been offering a wide array of medical, cosmetic, laser and plastic surgery services. In addition to specializing in all areas of adult and pediatric dermatology, many of our dermatologists have subspecialty training in their area of expertise. With over 40 offices in NY, NJ and PA, Advanced Dermatology offers personalized, conservative, effective and less painful treatments for a variety of skin conditions. http://www.advanceddermatologypc.com The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed Thursday for adoption of final addresses in the certificate forgery suit instituted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. The trial judge, Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned for final arguments after Mr Obaseki closed his case with his third and final witness on Wednesday. The APC and one of its members, Williams Edobor, who jointly filed the suit against the governor, had earlier closed their case after calling six witnesses. Mr Obaseki subsequently opened his defence with two witnesses on Tuesday and called the last one on Wednesday. When it was the turn of the two other defendants sued along with Mr Obaseki the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open their defence on Wednesday, their lawyers said they would not be calling any witnesses. The plaintiffs had in their suit accused Mr Obaseki of forging his Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies certificate which he submitted to INEC in support of his nomination as a candidate in the Edo State governorship election in September. The plaintiffs prayed for the disqualification of Mr Obaseki as the PDPs candidate in the election on the grounds of certificate forgery. The court will at the end of Thursdays proceedings fix a date for judgment in the case. The judge noted on Wednesday that the 180 days lifespan of the suit would lapse on January 9. This implies the judge must deliver judgment in the case latest by Saturday or else the case will become spent and the court will lose jurisdiction to continue taking any action about it. Court session Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Obasekis last witness, Eghosa Osaghae, a professor of Comparative Politics from the University of Ibadan, testified. The witness was led in evidence by Mr Obasekis lawyer, Ken Mozia, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He tendered a Certified True Copy (CTC) his Bachelor of Science degree certificate in Political Science which he said was awarded to him by the University of Ibadan on July 6, 1979, the year Mr Obaseki also graduated from the same university. The judge admitted it in evidence as Exhibit D18. Under cross-examinatiin by defence lawyers led by Akin Olujinmi, the witness said he was aware that the original size of a certificate of the University of Ibadan was bigger than an A4 size paper. He said, I know for a fact that when A4 paper is used to photocopy a certificate, all the information on the certificate will not be captured. I know this because I had a personal experience trying to photocopy an original certificate with an A4 paper. The University of Ibadans Deputy Chief Registrar, Legal, Mr Abayomi Ajayi, had testified on subpoena as Mr Obasekis second witness on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT He confirmed the authenticity of the copy of the first degree certificate tendered by Mr Obaseki to back his qualification for the September 2020 governorship election in Edo State. Mr Ajayi maintained that from the university records, Mr Obaseki was admitted as a student in 1976 through direct entry. He said the governor graduated in 1979 during the tenure of Tekena Tamuno as Vice-Chancellor and S.J Okudu as the institutions registrar. He explained that the absence of the university registrars signature and date of issue of the certificate on the copy submitted to INEC by Obaseki was because it was not properly photocopied. He maintained that it was possible to have the signature at the bottom of the original certificate containing the registrars signature, date of issue and part of the Vice Chancellors signature cut off if a photocopy was not properly done. Mr Obaskeis first witness, Charity Aiguobarueghian, also on Tuesday, tendered the original copies of the governors academic certificates, including the one being disputed by the APC. Alan Yatvin has long been recognized as one of the leaders in the civil rights and criminal defense bar. We are thrilled to be working with a lawyer of his stature in the legal community. The partners at GPFF are delighted to announce that Alan L. Yatvin, a preeminent police misconduct and civil rights litigator, has joined Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC (GPFF) as a partner. He will chair the firms Civil Rights department long known for excellence in plaintiffs civil rights matters. Alan will continue to concentrate his practice on civil rights litigation, criminal defense in state, federal, and international tribunals, as well as the representation of students with special needs. With a successful career spanning 37 years, Alan has tried cases ranging from death penalty homicides to complex municipal liability police misconduct cases. He has also briefed and/or argued appellate matters before the United States Supreme Court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. Alan has successfully litigated over 15 police shooting cases, recovering substantial compensation for victims and their families. On three separate occasions, he has also obtained federal jury verdicts against the City of Philadelphia on so-called Monell claims by showing a pattern and practice of police misconduct and the Citys failure to properly train or discipline its officers, placing him among the most successful attorneys in Philadelphia on these challenging claims. When my long-standing partner, Howard Popper, decided to retire, I wanted to find a new professional home for my practice. I wanted to join a firm with an impeccable reputation, immense resources, and a substantial practice. Ron and his firm hit all my criteria. Plus, the opportunity to work with Pat Pierce, who I have admired and collaborated with for years, was a great incentive to join the firm. I am thrilled, said Mr. Yatvin. Said GPFF Managing Partner Ron Greenblatt, Alan Yatvin has long been recognized as one of the leaders in the civil rights and criminal defense bar. We are thrilled to be working with a lawyer of his stature in the legal community. His extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania, federal and international courts, coupled with his amazing success in his areas of practice, will greatly benefit our firm and clients. Personally, Alan and I have been friends for over 30 years. I look forward to working with him on a daily basis and getting his input as we work to serve our clients and community. In addition to his US clients, Alan also practices at the international criminal courts, where he has represented accused persons before the ICTY and the International Criminal Court (ICC), both in The Hague, and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) in Phnom Penh, also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. After graduating from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City in 1983, Alan served as an Assistant Philadelphia and Federal Defender before entering private practice. He was managing partner of Popper & Yatvin from its founding in 1988 through 2020. A frequent lecturer on police misconduct litigation and trial advocacy skills, he is the recipient of the 2012 Thurgood Marshall Criminal Justice Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association, where he has been a member since 1987. The Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) presented Alan with the 2010 Pro Bono Publico Award. Alan has been selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List every year since 2004. Alan is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Referring to Alan in a special education appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit wrote: "[W]e note that the litigation here was conducted by highly qualified and experienced counsel..." M.R. v. Ridley Sch. Dist., 868 F.3d 218, 230 n.9 (3d Cir. 2017). Alan was a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association from 2015-2017 and continues to represent special needs students and their parents, with a concentration on the rights of students with diabetes. He is a resident of Philadelphia. Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has four offices within Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit http://www.gpfflaw.com for more information. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 16:21:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo on Wednesday confirmed a record 1,591 new daily COVID-19 infections, with the record number of cases coming just days ahead of a state of emergency likely being declared for Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures due to a surging "third wave" of infections. The previous daily high in Tokyo was set on Thursday last week and saw 1,337 infections as rising cases in the Greater Tokyo area, comprising Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa, are showing no signs of abating. On Tuesday nationwide cases hit a record 4,912 new daily infections, bringing the country's cumulative total to 253,437, not including those related to a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo last year. The greater Tokyo area now accounts for half of the country's daily infections. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday said that a decision to declare another state of emergency would be made on Thursday, stating, "What the people want from the government and the ruling party is a sense of security and hope." "We will put the coronavirus response first and work hard at it," Suga said at an executive meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Government officials have said that the emergency declaration is expected to be kept in place for roughly one month for the greater Tokyo area. A state of emergency was declared in Tokyo and six other prefectures on April 7 last year. It was later expanded to cover the whole country before being lifted in late May. Amid rising concerns about the strain on the health care system, Suga said he would take into account the opinions of health experts on Thursday before making a final decision on the declaration. He also said he would be looking to the health experts to "set a direction" regarding the emergency declaration. Hiroshi Nishiura, a professor at Kyoto University specializing in mathematical modeling for infectious diseases, on Wednesday told a meeting of health experts advising the government that it will take two months or so for the daily number of new infections in Tokyo to fall below 100, according to Kyodo News. Shigeru Omi, head of a government subcommittee on the pandemic, meanwhile, was quoted as saying it would be an "extremely difficult feat to improve the situation to a state where the state of emergency could be lifted in less than one month." The Metropolitan government decided Monday to ask restaurants that serve alcohol to close by 8:00 p.m. local time from Friday, thereafter, all dining facilities including those which do not serve alcohol will be asked to close at 8:00 p.m. from Jan. 12 through Jan. 31. Saitama Prefecture will take a similar step, sources close to the matter have said. "Since the Tokyo metropolitan area and surrounding prefectures are connected, we are coordinating with each other to implement (more) effective measures," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said. As things stand, there are currently no penalties for people or establishments who fail to comply with new measures set out, although Suga said the government will, by proposing a legal revision this month, try to change this. The current legislation provides a legal basis for governors to ask residents in their prefectures to stay at home and also enables stronger steps to deal with outbreaks, including the requisition of medical supplies and food, as well as the expropriation of private land for emergency health facilities. But it does not provide a legal basis for imposing a lockdown with restrictions on the movement of people, or fines for those who leave their homes, as has been seen in numerous countries' lockdowns overseas. During his New Year's address on Monday, however, Suga said a legal revision aimed at providing benefits for those who comply with anti-virus measures, such as earlier closing times, and penalties for those who do not conform, will be sought in a parliamentary session to be convened later in January. Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the government's response to the coronavirus, is set to report the situation to parliament on Thursday. The prime minister met with Nishimura, Health Minister Norihisa Tamura and Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato at his office Wednesday. During this meeting he reportedly told them to expedite preparations for the state of emergency. Enditem (Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) White House Bans Use of Ant Group Owned Alipay and Tencent Owned WeChat Pay Along with 6 Others All Coming from China As of Tuesday, the White House has officially decided to stop transactions that go through eight different Chinese software apps which include Alipay, a certain payment platform that is owned by Ant Group, and WeChat, another app platform that is owned by Chinese company Tencent. The executive order was officially signed on Tuseday prohibiting the transactions with these applications. Apps banned through the executive order According to the story by The New York Times, the executive order was officially issued some time late Tuesday and will bar any of the transactions along with the "persons that develop or control" all the apps of Alipay, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, CamScanner, Tencent QQ, WeChat Pay, VMate, and even WPS Office as well as their subsidiaries after a certain period of just 45 days. In the official order, it was stated that China had actually been using certain "bulk data collection" in order to advance its own economic as well as national security agenda. He stated that the targeted apps actually put all of the Americans at risk. The supposed reason behind the executive order The order stated that the United States has actually assessed that the total number of the Chinese conducted software apps had automatically captured a huge amount of information coming from millions of different users all from the United States. This also includes sensitive personally identifiable information as well as private information. During this time, action has to be taken in order to address the given threat that is posed by these particular Chinese connected software apps. This particular executive order is known as the latest escalation between the United States and China. Recently, there was also disputes against certain Chinese-owned social media services. This said that they had provided conduit for actual Chinese espionage and that they pose a huge threat to the safety of the American public. Read Also: Massachusetts Bans the Sale of Gas-Powered Vehicles Starting 2035 with One Exception New order follows two earlier ones As of last year, there has been a lot of heat going on against two popular Chinese-owned apps, both TikTok and WeChat. These two apps have already been widely used in the United States by celebrities, students, professionals, and almost everyone else. According to The Verge, this new order actually follows two earlier ones that were made in August that had tried to ultimately ban transactions made with ByteDance through blocking out the popular TikTok, and WeChat. However, the judge decided to block the WeChat ban back in September and once again back in October. This was while the judge had granted a preliminary injunction that was stopping the TikTok ban some time back in December. Should the US be successful in banning these particular apps, the article then notes that this could result in a pretty big struggle especially for those Chinese American families who use those particular apps in order for them to communicate online. The ban could also directly affect those working with an international team as sometimes, these are more convenient ways for them to communicate. Related Article: Over 200 Google Employees Unionize; Tech Giant Responds This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian Buenconsejo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 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(PC-AFP) With Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union government trying to regain economic growth, the Indian administration is mulling a proposal to create a bank that would give financial support to port, road, and power projects. Real estate, infrastructure sectors in 2021: The road ahead As part of the plan, the new bank is likely to have an equity capital of Rs 1 trillion ($13.7 billion) that may be announced in the upcoming Budget 2021, reports Bloomberg. Also, the Indian administration is considering merging the existing India Infrastructure Finance Co., which has a Rs 20 billion corpus, with the new entity. The central government, though will fund the institution, will later invite investors on the lines of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Ltd. The latter has, meanwhile, counted Asian Development Bank, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board as its investors. Regarding this proposal, the Union Finance Ministry has even prepared a note for PM Modis cabinet to discuss the proposal. The Indian economy contracted by 7.5 percent in the July-September quarter (Q2) of 2020-21, which though was an improvement from 23.9 percent contraction in the April-June quarter. Apart from this, India's eight core infrastructure sectors saw a 2.5 per cent contraction. The central government is currently facing the challenge of boosting the economy by spending on productive assets. In 2020, the government was forced to direct a stimulus to help the poor and the farmers amid the pandemic-induced slowdown. With public finances deteriorating, PM Modi-led administration is looking forward to attracting foreign investment to meet $1.5 trillion spendings on new roads, rail links, and other infrastructure over the next five years. Despite the government pumping around Rs 1.7 trillion rupees into public sector banks in the two years to March 2020, weak revenue growth and a widening budget deficit have put a break in the Centre's recapitalisation plans. adamkaz/iStock (Atlanta, GA) -- Rev. Raphael Warnock, a prominent Black preacher who leads the storied Ebenezer Baptist Church, secured a barrier-breaking victory in Georgia on Tuesday night. The native-born son, who delivers sermons from the pulpit that once belonged to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will become the first Black senator from Georgia - a feat that closes out an election cycle dominated by the role of race in politics. He is only the second Black senator elected from the south since Reconstruction, and among a rare class of 10 African Americans who have served in the upper chamber. ABC News projected just before 2 a.m. that Warnock will topple incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler, a prominent Republican donor and staunch ally of President Donald Trump who earned political office after being appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to the seat. Warnock's victory is the culmination of a year filled with police brutality and violence against African Americans, which sparked months of demonstrations and put the debate over the "Black Lives Matter" movement at the center of the 2020 campaign. It also brings Democrats one step closer to securing a majority in the Senate, which will hand the Biden administration more room to maneuver on policy, such as voting rights, over the next two years. Throughout the runoff campaign, Warnock has stumped in tandem with Jon Ossoff, the other Democrat competing on Tuesday against Republican Senator David Perdue. That race is still too close to call. Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Our son, Ryan, a 7th grader at Depaolo Middle School, decided he wanted to give back to the children at CCMC in Hartford as the Holiday season approached. CCMC has been a very familiar place for Ryan, since the young age of 2/12. Ryan has a chronic blood disorder, Thalassemia, requiring him to receive blood transfusions, every three weeks. As a young child, he always loved going into the "Prize Closet" to pick something after every appointment. Around, Thanksgiving time, Ryan asked if he could start up a Toy Drive and donate all the toys to the children at Connecticut Children's Hospital. Ryan designed a flyer and decided to send it out to friends and family. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to receive the amount of toys, games, gift cards and books from people. As a family, we are more than overwhelmed by the generosity of people. Having family in Texas, Florida, South Carolina and Massachusetts didn't stop Ryan from reaching out to them. He knew we wouldn't be able to include those family members on our "pickup route," so he merely suggested, they use Amazon or Walmart as they ship quickly. The packages have been streaming onto our doorstep by mail for the past couple of weeks. Ryan plans on taking everything up to the hospital this week to accompany his treatment. We would like to share a glimpse of the donations he has collected. Our family was in awe of the human spirit and how giving so many people were. Ryan's hope is that when someone visits the prize closet, it brings a smile to their face just as it did for him . Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Warmest Regards, Greg and Lynn Potamis, parents Southington The new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus that was first detected in the United Kingdom is already circulating in Spain between people who have no epidemiological connection with that country. Thats according to a preliminary genetic analysis carried out by the Fisabio Foundation research institute in Valencia, which has found the same mutations of SARS-CoV-2 that were detected in the UK in samples taken two weeks ago from two patients who had not traveled to the country, nor come into contact with someone who had. The official confirmation of this discovery is pending the completion of the genome sequencing of the virus by researchers, something that is likely to be done by next week. At the same time, hospitals in regions such as Madrid and Andalusia are waiting for the results of genetic sequencing so that they can also confirm cases of this new strain that have no link to UK travel. The results in these cases will also not be ready until late next week. There has been community transmission of the new variant for around two weeks now, but at levels that should be very low, explains Fernando Gonzalez Candelas, a genetics professor at the University of Valencia and a researcher at the Fisabio Foundation. We have done a partial sequencing and have seen that the sample presents the same mutations as those detected in the United Kingdom, he continues. I have no doubt of it because it is not just one mutation, but rather many, although for now we need to complete the genome sequencing. There has been community transmission of the new variant for around two weeks now, but at levels that should be very low Fernando Gonzalez Candelas, researcher at Fisabio Foundation The new variant of the coronavirus has more than 15 mutations, according to information from the UK. Of these, the most important ones affect the spike protein used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells. Sources in the UK say that this strain is as much as 70% more transmissible than the one that has been circulating since March, although this information will have to be confirmed by new research. The government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has attributed the highly infectious nature of this new strain to the exponential rise in cases in the country, which led this week to a new national lockdown. Pere Godoy, the president of the Spanish Epidemiological Society, believes that it is not possible to predict the behavior of the new variant in other countries. This is a process that depends on a lot of factors, such as possible new changes in the virus itself, the rollout of vaccines, the number of people who have already had the infection, local dynamics We have to monitor everything that happens from now on, he adds. The Health Ministry and the regions which are in charge of their own health systems in Spain discussed the issue at a meeting on Tuesday about the progress of the pandemic. According to a spokesperson, the sequence of the virus is being studied with the National Microbiology Center and other centers to see if this strain is present in Spain. The ministry adds that it cannot be confirmed that there is community transmission of the variant until the genetic sequencing of the samples is completed. It is not possible to predict the behavior of the new variant in other countries. This is a process that depends on a lot of factors Pere Godoy, president of the Spanish Epidemiological Society The research by Fisabio is the most advanced, but a chance discovery by British researchers is allowing hospitals to progress in detecting the strain thanks to the PCR tests from the company Thermo Fisher. These kits use three regions of the virus to detect its presence in samples. But one of these regions is where the new strain has mutated the most, meaning it is not detected by the PCR test. This means that if the test comes back positive in this part, you can definitely rule out that the virus is the new strain, explains Juan Carlos Galan, head virologist at Madrids Ramon y Cajal Hospital. If the test, which is called Multiplex, is positive in the other two regions and negative in this one, its a significant indication that youre dealing with the new strain, he adds. Using this strategy at Ramon y Cajal, from 700 positive cases, seven 1% have given us the profile of the new strain. But we have gone further and we have applied another technique from the same company called Singleplex, and the results have gone the same way. With the two tests, and ahead of the genetic sampling confirming the results, this opens the path to identify the new strain nearly in real time without having to wait for the genetic sequencing, Galan continues. Andalusia is another Spanish region where the new strain has already been detected, in part due to the presence of Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory located off the southern coast of Spain. Two heads of service at major public hospitals have also confirmed that there have been several cases with no epidemiological link to The Rock, as Gibraltar is commonly known, or to the United Kingdom. With the Thermo Fisher PCR tests, this points to community transmission of the new strain. One of these hospital officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that their impression was that it has been circulating now for some weeks. What we cannot know is the extent to which it is contributing to the rise in incidence, because it has also coincided with the cold, more time spent inside homes, the holiday season All experts consulted believe that the arrival of the strain in Spain was inevitable given the steady stream of people moving between Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as the weeks that passed since the new variant began to circulate in the latter country to the time that restrictions were put on passengers arriving in Spain from that territory currently limited to Spanish citizens and non-nationals with residency status. The variant could have circulated in Spain and other countries without being detected, but at very low levels, explains Gonzalez Candelas. This researcher believes, however, that it is still early to know whether it will spread throughout Spain. We have to take into account that most importations, with this or other viruses, are unsuccessful and do not open relevant new chains of infections. And it is also not clear, although there are relevant signs that need to be studied, how much more infectious it is, because the data does not yet have the analytical rigor necessary nor the repeatability needed, he concludes. English version by Simon Hunter. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Dec. 12, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo) Federal Judge Rejects Trumps Request to De-certify Georgia Results Amid Leaked Call Scrutiny A federal judge on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trumps request to de-certify 2020 election results in Georgia over allegations that thousands of ballots were illegally cast and counted. Trump filed the lawsuit on New Years eve just before media outlets received a leaked audio recording of a call between the president and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The leaked conversation, which was said to be a confidential legal settlement discussion over several Georgia lawsuits, garnered widespread scrutiny after parts of the call were initially released by the media. The lawsuit asks the court to grant an injunction ordering Gov. Brian Kemp and Raffensperger to de-certify the Nov. 3 election results that it claims had been certified in violation of the U.S. Constitution and declare that Georgia election laws were not followed during the 2020 election, resulting in illegal votes to be cast. [Trump] does not seek a remedy disenfranchising any lawful votes, Trumps legal team wrote in a motion (pdf) asking the court to expeditiously consider the claims. Rather, he asks the court to uphold the rule of law and the important segregation of powers principles in the Georgia Constitution (executive vs. legislature), which are fundamentally intended to protect all voters in the country. U.S. District Court Judge Mark Cohen for the Northern District of Georgia rejected the request during a hearing on Tuesday. He ruled that Trump lacked the legal standingor legal rightto bring the suit over claims under the Electors Clause and Due Process Clause in the U.S. Constitution. Cohen also said that his court lacked the jurisdiction to grant Trumps request to de-certify the election results as the presidents election contest is still pending in a state court. Plaintiff offers no authority to support a federal court hijacking a pending state election contest case under any circumstances, and certainly not when the failure to expedite was the result of Plaintiffs own actions, Cohen wrote in his order (pdf). He also said that the only mode now for challenging the Electoral College votes is for lawmakers to object to votes on Jan. 6. The judge also found that Trumps team failed to establish a likelihood of success in his claims and show that Trump would suffer irreparable harm if an injunction was not granted. The State of Georgia has sixteen (16) votes in the electoral college. If this Court did grant the relief requested, it would not change the result of the November 3, 2020, Presidential Election that Joseph R. Biden, Jr. obtained the 270 or more electoral votes needed for election as President, Cohen wrote. In the lawsuit, Trumps legal team claimed that through Georgia election officials actions unqualified individuals were able to register and vote during the 2020 general election, including convicted felons still serving their sentence, underage individuals, unregistered or late-registered individuals, people who had registered to vote in other states, people who had moved across county lines, dead people, people who had registered using a P.O. Box, church, or courthouse instead of their residence. The violations above (and others) have resulted in more than 11,779 illegal votes to be counted in the State of Georgia which is sufficient to change the outcome of the election or place the outcome in doubt, the lawyers wrote in the complaint (pdf). Simply put, illegal votes cannot be counted and cannot be a part of a lawful certification by Defendants as a matter of law, they added. Kemp and Raffenspergers team responded by rejecting the claims. The election, certification, and casting of ballots are final and over. The matter is now before Congress as set forth in 3 U.S.C. 15 to count the certified votes, the lawyers wrote (pdf). Georgia has completely complied with all requirements under the United States Constitution, federal and state election law. Trumps case against Raffensperger in the state court is still ongoing. Raffensperger on Tuesday suggested that his office leaked the conversation with Trump to the media. He told WXIA that if President Trump hadnt have tweeted out anything and wouldve stayed silent, we wouldve stayed silent as well. And that wouldve just been a conversation between him and I, man to man, and that wouldve been just fine with us. But hes the one that had to put it out on Twitter. He broke privacy when he put out a tweet, but then his tweet was false, he said. Trumps Twitter post stated: I spoke to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger yesterday about Fulton County and voter fraud in Georgia. He was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the ballots under table scam, ballot destruction, out of state voters, dead voters, and more. He has no clue! This case is cited Trump v. Kemp (1:20-cv-05310). Rioters supporting President Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the election unleashed violent mayhem in and around the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon as members of Congress were debating objections to the Electoral College count. The extremists broke into the Capitol building and assaulted police and security officers. Members of the House and Senate have been evacuated. Some lawmakers were told to don gas masks as security unleashed tear gas into the Capitol rotunda. Rioters broke windows, tried to break down doors, and scaled walls. The rioters stormed the Capitol after Trump directed ire at lawmakers, particularly Republicans, and Vice President Mike Pence for not supporting his coup attempt. He offered a weak plea on Twitter to support our Capitol Police in the midst of the chaos. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser imposed a 6 p.m. curfew in the city. Reporters on the scene captured video of the pandemonium consuming the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BREAKING: Clashes reported inside the U.S. Capitol building pic.twitter.com/2twyZAD6wJ BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Trump protesters just discharged a fire extinguisher outside Senate chamber. Many protesters are inside building, and most people are hiding from them pic.twitter.com/0y2sk8LHWd Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021 BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building fighting federal police who are overrun This is the craziest thing Ive ever seen in my life. Thousands, police cant stop them pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Trump supporters break into the U.S. Capitol Building after storming the police line here in Washington #DC #Trump #DCRally #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/Q8jdQjqNla Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) January 6, 2021 This post is about a breaking news event and will be updated. GBP/ZAR Exchange Rate Jumps to 20.52 The Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate rallied, fuelled by the growing anxiety over the South African variant of Covid-19. With the number of cases in South Africa rising, having reach more than 1.1 million, investors saw little reason to favour the South African Rand against its rivals. Even though the general sense of market risk appetite remained elevated this was not enough to outweigh the impact of this fresh wave of infections spreading across the country. As scientists are yet to determine whether existing vaccines could prove effective against the new strain the prospect of a South African economic recovery appears increasingly distant. However, the extent of the GBP/ZAR exchange rates gains were ultimately limited thanks to a downgraded UK services PMI. Confirmation that the service sector experienced another contraction in December kept the Pound under pressure against its other rivals. Resilient UK Construction PMI May Support GBP/ZAR Exchange Rate Gains The mood towards the Pound could see some improvement on Thursday, though, if the corresponding UK construction PMI strengthens as forecast. Evidence that the construction sector continued to shrug off the impact of the ongoing pandemic in December could encourage hopes of a more resilient economic performance. However, as the service sector remains the primary growth engine of the UK economy anything short of a significant uptick in the construction sector could struggle to offset the weaker services PMI. Growing worries over the implications of the latest UK lockdown may also keep GBP exchange rates under a degree of pressure in the days ahead. With the service sector looking set to experience further months of weakness, diminishing the chances of a first quarter recovery, the potential for Pound gains appears limited. Potential for South African Rand (ZAR) Rally Appears Limited amidst Covid-19 Crisis Anxiety over the Covid-19 situation looks set to keep the South African Rand biased to the downside for some time to come. As long as the South African economy appears on track for further disruption in the face of this fresh strain of the virus ZAR exchange rates are unlikely to pick up. With growth already under pressure the threat of further economic damage may continue to support the GBP/ZAR exchange rate. Even if Decembers SACCI business confidence index strengthens as expected this is unlikely to give the South African Rand any particular boost. Unless business confidence significantly outperforms expectations the anxiety surrounding Covid-19 looks set to overshadow any domestic data. Tanya Roberts died on Tuesday, several hours after she was mistakenly declared dead by her publicist and her partner. She was 65. She had been reported dead on Sunday, but publicist Mike Pingel said that was based on a mistake by her partner Lance OBrien, who believed Roberts had slipped away during what was expected to be a final visit. Numerous outlets, including The Associated Press, reported Roberts death Monday, based on information Pingel received from OBrien. He later told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reached out to him on Monday at 9:30 p.m. PST to inform him that Roberts had passed away. Roberts death was related to a urinary tract infection, Pingel said. Reportage on Roberts' demise is probably a lesson in how not to cover celebrity deaths which are often mired in misinformation. So much so that "celebrity death hoax" is an actual term. In the digital age, it can be quite difficult to segregate the fake news from the real. Very often, reputed media houses too fall prey to false reports in the race to get the news out first. For instance, in 2018, the Associated Press made an error while reporting the death of Oscar-winning Director Costas Gavras. Their only source was a tweet by a Twitter account seemingly belonging to the Greek Minister of Culture. Turns out, the account was fake and so was the tweet. Gavras was actually very much alive at the time. In an interview to Mirror, celebrity agent Rob Cooper spoke about how publicists handle breaking news related to their clients' deaths, weddings and so on. He said that he sympathised with Roberts' agent, Pingel because this incident will hamper the latter's relationships with media houses who will be on the receiving end of backlash owing to the misreported news - backlash they do not deserve because they received confirmation from Pingel about Roberts' passing away. British journalist Hadley Freedman has one piece of advice for those covering celebrity deaths - do not treat others in a manner you wouldn't wanted to be treated yourself. This is actually not the first time famous celebrities have been victims to death hoaxes. The most recent one would be that of rock legend Bob Dylan. Fans were in for a shock when reputed news channels like MSNBC reported that Dylan had died last year. Clearly, he had not. They were forced to issue an apology later. With a double-dose regime given about a month apart, the delivery from the UK-based university and pharmaceutical firm will be used to inoculate some 15 million people in the country. Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong said at a Government press briefing in Hanoi that the delivery of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is reportedly more affordable and doesn't require super-cold storage conditions, will be done in phases through all four quarters of 2021. The health ministry is in negotiations for the procurement of the four most notable COVID-19 vaccines, the Oxford-AstraZeneca, the US Pfizer-BioNTech, Russias Sputnik V, and an unspecified Chinese vaccine, Cuong said, adding that various details regarding the deals with the four vaccine makers cannot be made public due to non-disclosure agreements that they required. The US-based Pfizer has also tentatively agreed to a fourth-quarter delivery, Cuong stated. Meanwhile, the Russian maker of the Sputnik V vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, is asking to manufacture the vaccine in Vietnam under a technology transfer agreement with a company under the management of the Vietnamese health ministry. The price of the vaccines does not differ significantly, Cuong stated, noting that the requirements of the vaccines storage and delivery and rollout, as well as payment issues, matter a great deal and need co-ordination from different ministries and agencies and even instructions from the Politburo given the unprecedented nature of this undertaking. The other thing to consider is that these vaccines have varying levels of effectiveness in clinical trials, some reaching 65 per cent at the lowest while another could be as 94.5 per cent, Cuong said. We are doing our best so that Vietnamese people could get access to COVID-19 vaccines, he added. In addition to the commercial route, Vietnam is also eligible for support from the WHO-led COVID-19 vaccine Global Access Facility which aims to provide equitable access to vaccines. Cuong said the initiative promised inoculation for 16 per cent of Vietnamese population at the cheapest cost possible, but at the moment, the countries that are making COVID-19 vaccines are still struggling to fulfil the huge demand globally. A clearer picture would emerge within the first three months of this year and by then, a detailed plan for procurement and rollout among the population could be developed, he said. Mai Tien Dung, Chairman of the Government Office, emphasized that even with COVID-19 vaccine, efforts to prevent and control the disease would still need to be strictly observed Vietnam is also pursuing homegrown vaccines, with one called Nano Covax already in first-phase human trial since December, and another set for human trials in late January. The full data for assessment will be available at the end 2021 as per their projected timeline. As of Monday morning, Vietnam had logged a total of 1,494 COVID-19 patients, 1,339 of which have already recovered. The country has gone 33 days without community transmission. The Jet Ski Romeo who was arrested after crossing the Irish Sea to see his girlfriend has said he broke Covid rules for the woman I love. Dale McLaughlan (28) has become something of an internet hero after he spent more than four hours on the perilous 27-mile journey in rough conditions to reunite with Jessica Radcliffe (30) who he had met for the first time only weeks earlier. The father-of-two made it from Scotland to the Isle of Man even though it was the first time McLaughlan had ever ridden a jet ski - and despite the fact that he cannot swim. Expand Close Dale McLaughlan and Jessica Radcliffe, / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dale McLaughlan and Jessica Radcliffe, Read More But after being reunited with Jessica he was arrested two days later after, unbeknown to him, a local had photographed him arriving. On December 14 he was jailed for four weeks for arriving on the island unlawfully - but was released in time to get home for Christmas. He has now revealed why he embarked on such a dangerous mission for love. Mclaughlan told Good Morning Britain: I applied to go legally, they said no. I pleaded with them, told them I would do anything required of me, whether that was an extended isolation or a Covid test. I didn't even get a reply in an email, and in that point I decided I had to take matters into my own hands. Everyone else was breaking the rules for terrible reasons - drinking and partying. I wanted to do it for the person I love. He also explained how and why he fell for Jessica after meeting her on the island as he worked there previously. He continued: Then when I got to talk to her I realised her personality is just phenomenal, she's always got something funny to say and keeps me on my toes. A couple of days later we met again and decided to spend the rest of the week together to get to know each other. Then on that Friday when I had to get the ferry was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Ms Radcliffe said she was overwhelmed by the gesture - but did not find out her lover had travelled by jet ski until being informed by the police. I thought what was so special about me that you'd cross the Irish Sea and put your life in danger, she said. I thought he was coming over on the boat. I didn't know any of the jet ski stuff until the Monday when the police told me everything that had happened. I felt in disbelief, I couldn't believe it. I thought there must have been a mistake." Asked if their relationship would continue despite Mr McLaughlan now being banned from the Isle of Man - forcing them to spend lockdown apart, she said: Absolutely, how can I deny someone coming across the jet ski on the Irish Sea. In an earlier interview, McLaughlan described the terror-filled crossing from the southern tip of Scotland. After losing his GPS early on and veering off course, he said he felt like a crappy James Bond as he held on for dear life while being battered by huge waves for four-and-a-half hours. Download the Sunday World app Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Read More Online Editors A British judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been jailed in Britain since 2019 as he fights extradition to the United States. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ordered Assange to remain in prison while the courts consider an appeal by U.S. authorities against a decision not to extradite him. On Monday, the judge rejected an American request to send Assange to the U.S. to face charges over WikiLeaks publication of secret military documents a decade ago. She denied extradition on health grounds, saying the 49-year-old Australian was likely to kill himself if held under harsh U.S. prison conditions. The judge said Wednesday that Assange has an incentive to abscond and there is a good chance he would fail to return to court if freed. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A 3D image illustrating the interactions between natural killer (NK) cells (purple) and neuroblasts (blue) in the aged human brain. Credit: Jin et al. As human beings age, the functioning of organs gradually deteriorates. While countless past studies have investigated the effects of aging on the human body, brain and on cognition, the neural mechanisms and environmental factors that can accelerate or slow down these effects are not yet fully understood. The immune system and the nervous system are both known to play a key role in the control of organs in the body. Moreover, past findings suggest that both of these systems change significantly during aging. Neuroscientific studies have found that as the nervous system ages, the way in which the human body controls immune responses also changes. Nonetheless, how the nervous system's aging process affects immune responses and the consequent impact on the brain's functioning are still poorly understood. Researchers at Capital Medical University in Beijing and Tianjin Medical University General Hospital have recently carried out a study investigating the possible effects of immune responses on the aging brain. Their paper, published in Nature Neuroscience, shows that the deterioration of neuroblasts (i.e., the embryonic cells from which nerve fibers originate) in the aging brain can increase the toxicity of natural killer cells (NK), which leads to impairments in neurogenesis and cognition. NK cells are a class of blood cells that are part of the human immune system. "Systemic inflammation escalates during the aging process, but the potential impact of immune and inflammatory responses on brain aging remains unknown," Qiang Liu, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore. "The goal of our recent study was to understand why immune cells accumulate in the brain during the aging process, and to what extent immune cells influence tissue regeneration and cognition in the aged brain." Liu and his colleagues carried out their experiments and examinations on brain tissues extracted from aged humans and mice. To investigate the impact of immune responses on neurogenesis and cognition, they used a number of techniques commonly employed by neuroscientists. "We used single-cell sequencing, lineage tracing and flow cytometry techniques to measure immune cell properties," Liu explained. "Subsequently, we assessed neurogenesis by immunostaining tissue sections. Finally, we carried out a behavioral assessment to test the impact of immune responses on cognitive function." Liu and his colleagues observed that NK cells accumulate in a specific area (i.e., the dentate gyrus neurogenic niche) found in both the brains of aged humans and mice. A localized expansion of these cells lets them become increasingly abundant, to the point that they significantly outnumber other types of immune cells. Neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus region exhibited a set of secretion-related characteristics derived from the interaction of a specific genetic constitution with the environment (i.e., a so-called secretory phenotype), which reinforced the activity of NK cells and their surveillance functions. Ultimately, this led to the NK cells eliminating neuroblasts in the aged brain. "Essentially, we found that immune cells such as NK cells impair neurogenesis and cognitive function during normal brain aging," Liu said. "Immune modulation targeting immune cells (which accumulate in the aged brain) may thus be useful to improve cognition in the aged population." The recent study carried out by this team of researchers suggests that the accumulation of NK cells in the aging brain can impair the process through which neurons are formed in the brain, known as neurogenesis. In the future, this important finding could inform the development of more effective treatment strategies for improving cognition in older adults. "We will now continue to refine our approaches to modulate immune responses in the brain, with an aim to improve cognitive function during brain aging," Liu said. Explore further Activating immune cells could revitalize the aging brain, study suggests More information: Neuroblast senescence in the aged brain augments natural killer cell cytotoxicity leading to impaired neurogenesis and cognition. Nature Neuroscience(2020). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Neuroblast senescence in the aged brain augments natural killer cell cytotoxicity leading to impaired neurogenesis and cognition.(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00745-w 2021 Science X Network Some Bollywood dialogues have given Indian cinema an edge over others. Some dialogues have made the characters of Indian actors unforgettable. Mogambo khush Hua is one of the most iconic dialogues from the movie Mr. India. Interestingly, this dialogue is everyones favorite including Spanish actor Pedro Alonso aka Berlin from Money Heist. In his video interview, Alonso looked a little tensed to mimic popular dialogues but pulled off Mogambo Khush Hua easily. Check out the full video here- Pedro Alonso also shares an interesting bond with the Indian culture and he has also authored the book 'Libro de Filipo'. In the video interview he was asked if the unnamed country could be India and Pedro says, I have used references that come from the East, but I didnt want to be specific about the country when I wrote the book. Netflix He also said that he keeps a copy of Bhagavad Gita and has a photo of Lord Ganesha in his house and wants to visit India soon. He said, I have to visit India because I love the energy of Indian culture. Want to enter deeper and see it with my eyes. Isnt this amazing how Pedro aka Berlin pulled off the iconic Indian dialogue without any qualm? Let us know in the comments section below. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A Santa Fe man is facing a murder charge after police found a body in a hotel bathtub Monday night. Alvin Crespin, 45, formerly of Santo Domingo Pueblo, is charged with first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with evidence. According to a criminal complaint, Santa Fe police conducting a welfare check found a mans body wrapped in sheets and left in a bathtub in one of the rooms at the GreenTree Inn on Cerrillos Road. The city of Santa Fe has been using the hotel as a homeless shelter in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ According to the criminal complaint, the room had been rented to Crespin, but was paid for by the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. The criminal complaint states that police found the decaying body partially submerged in the bathtub. The man, believed to be of Native American or Hispanic descent, had several lacerations and puncture wounds to his hip, abdomen, chest and neck. Police suspect he may have been dead for four days, based on interviews with witnesses. Blood was found throughout the room, including on a mattress, box spring and under the bed. Drug paraphernalia, such as glass pipes and tubes, was also found. The police investigation has so far determined that Crespin checked into the hotel Dec. 30 and was due to check out Tuesday. A witness who visited Crespin in his hotel room told police he noticed an odd smell coming from the bathroom. He went into the bathroom and saw the body in the bathtub. The witness later contacted law enforcement, according to the complaint. A woman staying next door told detectives that she heard a rumbling in the room during the early morning hours of Jan. 1, but assumed it was a New Years party that had gotten loud. She said she saw two men and a woman enter the room. Capt. Anthony Tapia of the Santa Fe Police Department said the case remains an active investigation and detectives are working to identify the murder victim. He said Crespin had a history with the police department. A court records search showed Crespin has a criminal history spanning from 1993 to 2016, with charges varying from unlawful taking of a motor vehicle to possession of a controlled substance. Hank Hughes, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, said the coalition tries to house the most vulnerable people. He said it doesnt check criminal histories and tries to help people avoid a return to criminal behavior by giving them a place to stay. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Last year, Ascend acquired the Italian firms Poliblend and Esseti Plast, as well as a compounding facility in China. "We are following through on our strategy of becoming a more global, diversified and reliable supplier to our customers," said Phil McDivitt, Ascend's president and CEO. "While the past 10 months have been challenging, we have remained focused on providing our customers with the solutions and support they need to continue growing." Ascend, the world's largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, gains a full portfolio of UL yellow card certified flame-retardant, as well as water contact and thermally conductive, engineered plastics with the purchase. The company has said these materials will play an integral role in e-mobility, as well as in smart appliances, industrial automation and consumer electronics. "Combining our portfolio and application development expertise with Eurostar's portfolio immediately provides our customers with a bigger toolchest to produce safer, more reliable parts at higher and more constant voltage loads," said Steve Manning, Ascend's senior director for engineered plastics. "Across sectors we are seeing increased demand for higher performance materials and Eurostar's portfolio already meets not only today's technical specifications, but also many of tomorrow's." Neither company disclosed the cost of the purchase. About Ascend Performance Materials Ascend Performance Materials makes high-performance materials for everyday essentials and new technologies. Our focus is on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. Based in Houston, Texas, and with regional offices in Shanghai, Brussels and Detroit, we are a fully integrated material solutions provider with nine global manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe and China. Our 2,600-person global workforce makes the plastics, fabrics, fibers and chemicals used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability and the success of our customers and our communities. Find out more about Ascend at www.ascendmaterials.com. Contact: Alison Jahn, +1 713-210-9809, [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1394381/Ascend_Eurostar_acquisition.jpg Related Links http://www.ascendmaterials.com SOURCE Ascend Performance Materials Hundreds of thousands of Victorian office workers face further delays in returning to their desks, nine months after the state's COVID-19 work-from-home regime was imposed. The state government confirmed on Wednesday that the long-awaited return to the office for many workers, which had been due to begin on Monday, would be delayed by at least a week by worries about the Black Rock COVID-19 cluster and Victoria's first "mystery case" of the virus since October. The staggered return of office workers to the city has been delayed Credit:Matt Davidson (After John Brack) The state's main business lobby group, City of Melbourne and the public sector union all accepted the delay as a reasonable precaution but the state opposition said it "made no sense". Up to 50 per cent of private sector staff and 25 per cent of public sector employees were to have been allowed to return to their workplaces on Monday, but that has now been delayed until January 18, acting Premier Jacinta Allan said on Wednesday. South Africas hope of securing an order of 1.4 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine designed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford from an Indian company may have been thwarted by a ban on exports imposed by the Asian countrys government, Business Day reported, citing unidentified people. Until Monday South Africa was confident it had secured the order from the Serum Institute of India, which is making the vaccine under license, the Johannesburg-based newspaper said. Talks are now being held directly with Indias government, two people familiar with the situation said, according to the newspaper. South Africas government is coming under increasing pressure from health leaders, opposition parties and labor unions over its failure to sign any direct vaccine supply deals with pharmaceutical companies. While it has signed up to Covax, an initiative aiming to ensure equitable access to vaccines, it will only start getting shots for 10% of its population of 60 million people in the second quarter. South Africa, the country hardest hit by the coronavirus in Africa, has between 700,000 and 1 million health workers, depending on how they are classified, according to Stavros Nicolaou, head of the health work group for B4SA, a business alliance. A South African officer in a 'toxic' specialist police unit became so caught up in the racist culture that he failed to say anything when his best friend was racially abused, a disciplinary hearing was told today. PC Craig Bannerman was said to be extremely close to the only black officer in the squad, Detective Constable Solomon Koranteng, who was the target of numerous offensive comments. But when a colleague began singing the Bob Marley song Buffalo Soldier at DC Koranteng and telling him he had been flown from Africa in a crate, PC Bannerman said nothing. Six officers at Hampshire Constabulary's Serious Organised Crime Unit (Socu) were all found guilty of gross misconduct after they were recorded using 'racist, sexist and homophobic' language. The officers were accused of either making 'abhorrent' comments, or not challenging others when those remarks were made. Bugging devices placed in the unit's offices between March and April 2018 recorded them calling women 'w****s' and 's***s', comparing black officers to dogs and saying Albanians should be killed with 'nerve agent', a disciplinary hearing was previously told. The officers accused of gross misconduct were Detective Inspector Timothy Ireson, Detective Sergeant Oliver Lage, Detective Sergeant Gregory Willcox, trainee Detective Constable Andrew Ferguson, PC James Oldfield, and PC Bannerman. Yesterday, the men were told that they should be dismissed immediately and there was no place for them in the police force. Det Insp Timothy Ireson (pictured) said he should have been aware of an 'escalation in behaviour' among his officers as they made repeated 'stomach turning' remarks Six officers at Hampshire Constabulary's Serious Organised Crime Unit were all found guilty of gross misconduct after they were recorded using 'racist, sexist and homophobic' language The detectives in charge of the unit claimed they allowed a 'relaxed' culture to develop because they were trying to build a 'cohesive' team. Today, Colin Banham, defending Bannerman, who has since left Hampshire Constabulary, said: '[DC Koranteng] and [Mr Bannerman] were, and still are best friends. '[Together] they were known as the team that got results. They were the two who were sent in because they were the ones who served the public breaking down organised crime groups.' Mr Banham said the two men had been nicknamed 'The Africans' due to their shared African heritage and because other officers in the team joked they were 'inseparable'. PC Bannerman previously told investigators he and Ghanaian DC Koranteng were known to be good friends and claimed one barrister even jokingly referred to them as 'ebony and ivory'. However, he was present when one of the most 'abhorrent' incidents heard on the covert recording took place in which another officer sang Buffalo Soldier to DC Koranteng before telling him he had been flown 'from Africa in a crate' and taken to London Zoo. Mr Banham continued: '[PC Bannerman's] failure to challenge where clearly there is a significant and serious insult and racism against someone who is your best friend and colleague [means] that the culture must have been so pervasive and impacting that Mr Bannerman did not react. 'I would submit that when looking at whether Dc Koranteng was targeted or whether Mr Bannerman acquiesced to the targeting that it's quite clear the culture in the office must have had an effect on his behaviour. Six officers from Hampshire Constabulary's Serious Organised Crime Unit office, who were previously all found guilty of gross misconduct, were told at a disciplinary hearing that 'there was no place for them' in the police force. Pictured: Hampshire Police HQ 'This is because it runs contrary to everything we know about their relationship.' He added: '[PC Bannerman] was in fact sensitive to issues of diversity but was in a culture that was allowed to develop by admitted failures in line management. 'During the stark investigation where [his words] have been played back he has been appalled by some of his behaviour.' He said that PC Bannerman had 'been fighting his whole life against apartheid and unfairness ' in his native country and the investigation had 'significantly' affected his mental health. Previously the hearing was told that on the recording women were referred to as 's***s', 'sugar t***' and 'sweet t***', while an officer's partner was described as 'an absolute whore'. Officers also sent 'explicit' fake pornographic images of Prince Harry and Kate Middleton to the work's WhatsApp group. DI Ireson has retired and PC Bannerman has resigned since the covert recordings were made at the force's serious organised crime unit. The panel was made up of lawyer John Bassett, a male police superintendent and a female lawyer. A final decision on the sanctions is expected to be made on Friday. Cellid and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have exchanged a collaborative research agreement to analyze the immunogenicity of the COVID-19 vaccine "AdCLD-CoV19". Cellid and IVI announced on January 4 that they have signed a research service contract to cooperate in the clinical development of the "AdCLD-CoV19", a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Cellid. Under this contract, IVI will analyze samples from Phase 1/2a clinical trials of Cellid's COVID-19 vaccine "AdCLD-CoV19" to determine whether the AdCLD-CoV19 induced the right protective, or immune, responses. As a bio-venture, Cellid is developing the COVID-19 vaccine "AdCLD-CoV19" based on an adenovirus vector. The company received an approval for a Phase 1/2a clinical trial plan (IND) from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on December 4 last year. Following the approval, Cellid signed a contract with Korea University Guro Hospital, and is currently conducting clinical trials with the hospital. In a challenge trial in a monkey infection model with Cellid's adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccine, coronavirus was not detected at all in the upper respiratory and lung tissue two and three days after a single dose, which demonstrates the vaccine's excellent protective efficacy against the virus. Through cooperation in clinical development with IVI, which has extensive experience in collaboration with both domestic and international institutions in clinical trials and related activities, we redouble our efforts to confirm the safety and immunogenicity of AdCLD-CoV19 and to help ensure vaccine sovereignty based on reliable results. In collaboration with IVI and other partners, we will expedite clinical trials with the aim of commercializing a COVID-19 vaccine as early as this summer." Kang Chang-yul, CEO of Cellid IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim said, "IVI is pleased to partner with Cellid, a biotech specializing in development of cell-based immunotherapeutic vaccines. We will make the most of our experience and expertise in laboratory analysis and clinical evaluation of vaccines to support and accelerate the development of their COVID-19 vaccine." Debates continue in India whether the two COVID-19 vaccines that got emergency use authorisation from the country's drug regulator recently are safe and efficacious. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom, where COVID-19 vaccine rollout for its citizens is underway, have told the vaccines' recipients that those inoculations are not yet ready for a full fledged marketing approval. The fact sheets for vaccine recipients in US and UK for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines say the vaccines are yet to be fully approved. Moderna's fact sheet for recipients say its vaccine is unapproved and 'may prevent COVID-19'. The UK government says it has only given an approval for 'temporary supply' and not a marketing authorisation for Pfizer vaccine. US on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine The Moderna fact sheet tells the recipient about the risks and benefits of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and says it is being administered only due to the pandemic situation. It states upfront that it may not protect everyone. ALSO READ: Bharat Biotech chief Dr Ella on vaccine efficacy controversy "Read this Fact Sheet for information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to the vaccination provider if you have questions. It is your choice to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine" it says. The fact sheet goes on to disclose that Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is an unapproved vaccine. "In clinical trials, approximately 15,400 individuals 18 years of age and older have received at least 1 dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. In an ongoing clinical trial, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID-19 following 2 doses given 1 month apart. The duration of protection against COVID-19 is currently unknown," it explains. The fact sheet lists out a host of possible side effects. It also cautions that these may not be all the possible side effects. "Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials," it says. The fact sheet also states that United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has made the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available under an emergency access and it has not undergone the same type of review as an FDA approved or cleared product. ALSO READ: US pharmacist destroys over 500 doses of Moderna's COVID vaccine "FDA may issue an EUA when certain criteria are met, which includes that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. In addition, the FDA decision is based on the totality of the scientific evidence available showing that the product may be effective to prevent COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product," it states. UK on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine The information for UK recipients on Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine states that the vaccine "has been given authorisation for temporary supply by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency". It clarifies that the vaccine "does not have a marketing authorisation, but this temporary authorisation grants permission for the medicine to be used for active immunisation to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus in individuals aged 16 years of age and over". It asks the recipient to talk to the healthcare worker if the person ever had a severe allergic reaction or breathing problems after any other vaccine injection, any severe illness with high fever, or a weakened immune system due to medication or illness. It also cautions that the vaccine may not fully protect all those who receive it and no data are currently available (about the effect of vaccine) in individuals with a weakened immune system or who are taking chronic treatment that suppresses or prevents immune responses. The information also lists out over a dozen common side effects. ALSO READ: COVID-19 vaccine: WHO recommends two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's jab in 21-28 days The information leaflet shared with the recipient contains the following: What the vaccine is and what it is used for What you need to know before you receive vaccine How vaccine is given Possible side effects How to store vaccine Contents of the pack and other information As India proceeds with its vaccination plans for high priority group of population, the debate should be on how to dessiminate more information to the recipients. Perhaps US and UK examples will show the way. PREIT will retain its spot on the New York Stock Exchange after seeing its share price stabilize as it emerged from bankruptcy with new leeway from its creditors. Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, as the company is formally known, said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that it received a notice from the NYSE this week indicating that it had regained compliance with an exchange requirement that its stock close at an average price of $1 a share over 30 consecutive days. It had been warned about two months earlier that it was in danger of breaching that standard. We are pleased to have regained compliance with all NYSE listing requirements, PREIT chief executive Joseph F. Coradino said in a statement. We remain focused on execution of our strategic plan to strengthen the company and create value by re-establishing our portfolio as multi-use destinations. Shares of PREIT only once closed lower than $1 since surging 48% to close at $1.26 on Nov. 24, as its restructuring plan involving new borrowing and a relaxation of some existing debt deadlines neared approval in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Before that, shares had closed under $1 for 76 consecutive days. Shares closed at $1.03 on Wednesday, up a cent from the previous days close. PREIT is the biggest mall owner in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties, with properties that include the Cherry Hill Mall, Willow Grove Park, and Plymouth Meeting Mall, as well as a partnership interest in Center Citys Fashion District Philadelphia mall. As PREIT and other big retail landlords struggled to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in late September, the NYSE warned the company that it risked delisting because its trading price had fallen below $1 for too long of a stretch. Just more than a month later, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to seek court approval for its restructuring deal, saying the plan would let it complete a business overhaul aimed at reversing its sagging financial fortunes. The deal, through which PREIT also relinquished control of the Fashion District to partner Macerich Co., was approved Nov. 30. The new year is finally here, and amid flurries of resolutions and fresh habits, the industry pushes on. Stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches and events, recommended reading, and more. BUSINESS NEWS Fresh off its recent acquisition by New Yorkbased private equity firm Centre Lane Partners, Lenox Corporation has announced an acquisition of its own: flatware and cutlery company Hampton Forge, along with its Hampton Forge Signature, Tomodachi, Skandia, and Argent Orfevres brands. The news follows the shuttering of Lenoxs factory in Kinston, North Carolina, and the closure of its outlet shops. According to CEO Mads Ryder, Lenox has spent the last 24 months shaping its operational platform for optimal growth, beginning with this acquisition. HomeGoods has announced that it will unveil a shoppable online store in 2021. The site will offer exclusive discounts, but there will still be inventory exclusive to the physical retail locations. The move comes at a time when the acute need for curbside pickup and socially distanced shopping has forced many businesses to reevaluate solely brick-and-mortar business models. In May 2020, Tuesday Morning filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after prolonged store closures assailed its financial performance. The company has now emerged from bankruptcy, having completed its financial and operational restructuring supported by a $110 million asset-backed lending facility from J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, reports Furniture Today. The company will move forward with a reduced brick-and-mortar footprint that includes 490 of its best-performing stores, down from the nearly 700 retail locations that existed before the filing. Dallas-based flooring company Artisan Design Group, a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, has announced its acquisition of Pacific Carpets, a flooring supplier in Huntington Beach, California. Since its founding in 2016, ADG has completed 15 acquisitions, seven of which came in the last two years under The Sterling Groups ownership. New York magazine has named Lindsay Peoples Wagner the new editor in chief of The Cut, the editorial site that covers culture, style and design. Peoples Wagner returns to the site from Teen Vogue, where she has been the editor in chief since 2018. From 2015 to 2018 she worked as The Cuts fashion market editor under founding editor in chief Stella Bugbee, who announced in October that she would transition into the role of editor at large at New York. With the latest round of COVID-19 relief signed into law, the Paycheck Protection Program has been reopened. The refundable loan program seeks to provide financial aid to small businesses, available to both first-time PPP recipients as well as those whove already received a loan but experienced significant revenue losses in 2020. According to Inc., those looking to take advantage of the program should begin by determining eligibility and organizing accounts before revisiting the PPP application and calling a lender. LAUNCHES, COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS RoomMates Decor, the peel-and-stick division of York Wallcoverings, has revealed its 2021 color of the year: Green Aloe. The bright yet soothing hue draws from Pantones spring/summer 2021 haute couture fashion palette while also speaking to biophilic design. RECOMMENDED READING The Wall Street Journal has released its top interior design trends for 2021: Having surveyed 200 design professionals, contributor Kathryn OShea-Evans writes of the years incoming trends, and the ones being shown the door. From hardware-free kitchen cabinetry to the decline of white-on-white bathrooms, designers including Mally Skok and Marika Meyer comment on shifting tastes. What does the future hold for New Yorks real estate market? While rent and sale prices skyrocketed in many parts of the U.S., it was not so in the Big Applethose who could fled the city, and demand plummeted. Unemployment reached 12 percent in November, compared to the national rate of 6.7 percent. According to The Real Deal, though, experts forecast that New Yorks real estate market will make a slow and steady recovery as vaccines make their way into the world. CUE THE APPLAUSE The High Point Market Authority has announced the eight designers who will comprise the 2021 Style Spotters team: Sara Malek Barney of Bandd Design; Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs; Heather French of French & French Interiors; Breegan Jane; Molly Kay Johns of MK Interiors; Steve McKenzie; Keia McSwain of Kimberly + Cameron Interiors; and Justin Shaulis. The Style Spotters program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year as a platform for home fashion trendsetters to showcase their favorite products from High Point Market exhibitors. Pottery Barn has set a goal to plant 3 million trees by the end of 2023 in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. The company will also plant one tree for every piece of indoor wood furniture sold in regions that demonstrate great need. British interior designer Ilse Crawford has been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to the design industry. Crawford is the head of multidisciplinary design studio Studioilse, and in 1998 founded the Man and Well-Being program at Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands. IN MEMORIAM On January 1, design visionary and legendary Architectural Digest editor Paige Rense passed away in her West Palm Beach home at age 91. During her 40 years with the publication, Rense single-handedly shepherded the transformation of the Los Angeles quarterly into a glossy international style arbiter, wrote Business of Home editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen in her profile for the Fall 2018 issue of BOH magazine. Rense filled ADs pages with celebrity homes (including Elton John, Julia Child and Giorgio Armani, to name a few), and introduced the AD100 to the industry in 1990. She will be remembered for her formidable role in shaping interior design media and her tireless spirit. Artemide Group founder and president Ernesto Gismondi passed away on December 31 at age 89. Gismondi launched the company in 1960 with fellow designer Sergio Mazza to champion Italian design through lighting fixtures. His innovative approach to business and design and commitment to beauty have left a guiding legacy at the company. Homepage image: Courtesy of Pottery Barn Actress Toni Pearen, 48, could be set to walkout of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Wednesday night. In the latest preview for the hit Channel Ten series, the campmates are left gobsmacked when it is revealed that one of the celebrities will abruptly leave. Jack Vidgen, Abbie Chatfield and and Jess Eva all looked shocked in the promo. Will Toni Pearen walkout? I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! has teased a shock exit from the camp on Wednesday night's episode of the hit Channel Ten series 'It was a big shock to know someone was struggling,' Grant Denyer says, as his fellow campmates look solemn. The show's Instagram account also teased the shock walkout on Wednesday, and the clip included Toni in the image. Not so funny: The show's Instagram account also teased the shock walkout on Wednesday, and the clip included Toni in the image, but a number of fans have also suggested comedian Mel Buttle may leave the show But a number of fans have suggested that it is comedian Mel Buttle set to leave. On Tuesday, Toni took part in a jungle trivia challenge and was forced to enter a box with snakes after getting the answers wrong. Eeek! On Tuesday, actress Toni, 48, took part in a jungle trivia challenge and was forced to enter a box with snakes after getting the answers wrong The former Australia's Funniest Home Videos host placed her head inside the box while several jungle carpet pythons slithered around her. She was bitten on the face five times, afterwards sobbing that she wanted to go home and see her children. Soon afterwards social media erupted in outrage calling the challenge a disgraceful. Upset: She was bitten on the face five times, afterwards sobbing that she wanted to go home and see her children Another wrote: 'Disgraceful. Where is the care for the contestant that she is bitten and they leave her in?' Meanwhile, an angry viewer chimed in: 'Should not have allowed that to continue' while one more agreed: 'That's totally wrong. Get her out of there!' I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Channel Ten, Wednesday, 7.30pm. Industry body Automotive Tyre Manufactures Association (ATMA) will invest Rs 1,100 crore to undertake rubber plantation in additional 2,00,000 hectares of land in in the next five years, officials said on Wednesday. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, while participating in a virtual seminar, thanked ATMA for agreeing to invest Rs 1,100 crore for developing a plantation in 2,00,000 hectares of land within a span of five years in the northeastern states. Acknowledging the good quality of natural rubber produced in the mountainous northeast region, Goyal said that the region is an ideal natural rubber producing zone. "Natural rubber sells at better prices in the market," Goyal said and urged the eight northeastern states to work out schemes and coordinate with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for loan assistance to the farmers. Tripura is the second largest natural rubber producing state in the country after Kerala with over 85,038 hectares of land under plantation, producing 74,139 tonnes of rubber annually. Over 1.50 lakh families are directly and indirectly associated with natural rubber cultivation in Tripura. According to the officials of Tripura Industries and Commerce Department, 90 per cent of the total produced rubber is sent outside the state, earning around Rs 600 crore annually as the state has no rubber based industries.. Natural rubber is cultivated in 16 states in India. With over 600,000 hectares, Kerala tops rubber cultivation, followed by Tripura with over 85,038 hectares under plantation. Other major natural rubber producers are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam and other northeastern states. Participating in the discussion, Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that currently 60,000 hectares of land in the state are under natural rubber cultivation with 26,658.58 hectares under tapping, producing 31,590 metric tonnes of rubber annually and generating revenues of Rs 427 crore. "The rubber sector in Assam is providing employment to two lakh people. The Assam government plans to increase rubber cultivation from the potential 1.3 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares," Patowary said. The minister said that 'Advantage Assam' has brought in investments worth Rs 65,000 crore in the past few years and with the simplified MSME Act, 2020 and creation of land bank and industrial corridor, Assam will be the next destination for rubber industries. Requesting JK Tyre, Apollo Tyre, CEAT and MRF to come and invest in Assam, he said that the state enjoys the geographical advantage of accessibility to ASEAN and South East Asian countries. "The ongoing project of Multi-Modal Logistic Park at Jogighopa (on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Bongaigaon district) would boost trade and commerce. It will take only three hours to reach Assam From Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries," Patowary added. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) --IANS sc/arm Tens of thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping out on roads around New Delhi, for more than a month, braving the bitter cold and continuous rain over the last few days The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would hear a clutch of petitions challenging the three new farm laws and those related to the ongoing farmers protest at Delhi borders on 11 January as the agitation enters its 42nd day. A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde was informed by the Centre that "healthy discussions" are going on between the government and farmers over these issues. However, the court remarked that there is "no improvement" on the ground regarding farmers' protests. Meanwhile, Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a large number of farmers from across the country are coming out in support of three farm laws and urged protesting unions to understand the sentiments behind reforms brought through these legislations. He also expressed confidence that the protesting unions will focus on farmers' interests and help the government reach a solution through constructive dialogue. Tens of thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping out on roads around New Delhi, for more than a month, braving the bitter cold and continuous rain over the last few days. They insist that the government withdraw the laws and guarantee a minimum support price for their produce. Seven rounds of talks between the government and representatives of protesting farmers have failed to resolve a long-running agitation against the three laws enacted in September. While the government has presented these new laws as major reforms aimed at increasing farmers' income and improving their lives, the protesting groups see these legislations as pro-businesses and against the current MSP and mandi systems. The next round of talks with protesting unions is scheduled for 8 January, while the government has been also separately meeting various farm groups that have extended support to the laws. 'We encourage consultation', says Supreme Court The apex court on Wednesday said it would hear a clutch of petitions challenging the three new farm laws and those related to the ongoing farmers protest at Delhi borders on 11 January. While adjourning the matter, the bench headed by CJI SA Bobde noted that there has been no improvement on the ground in connection with the stalemate between the Centre and the farmers. Attorney General KK Venugopal said there is a good chance that parties may come to a conclusion in the near future and filing of response by the Centre on the pleas challenging the new farm laws might foreclose the negotiations between the farmers and government. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while informing the bench that talks are going on between the government and farmers in a healthy atmosphere, said that these matters should not be listed for hearing on 8 January. "We understand the situation and encourage consultation. We can adjourn the matters on Monday (11 January) if you submit the same due to the ongoing consultation process," the bench said. In an earlier hearing on 17 December, the top court had said that the agitation should be allowed to continue without impediment and this court will not interfere with it as the right to protest is a fundamental right. Unions will actively arrive at solution after discussion: Narendra Tomar In another related development, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a large number of farmers from across the country are coming out in support of three farm laws and urged protesting unions to understand the sentiments behind reforms brought through these legislations. He also expressed confidence that the protesting unions will focus on farmers' interests and help the government reach a solution through constructive dialogue. Speaking to reporters after meeting a group supporting the laws, Tomar said the government is committed towards all farmers of the country and their interests. "Therefore, we are meeting those farmers who are coming out in support of the three laws, in addition to a continuing dialogue with those opposing the Acts," the minister said. He further said, "A large number of farmers from across the country are coming out in support of the laws. We are meeting them and also getting their letters and phone calls. We welcome and thank all of them." "I am confident that protesting unions will also understand the sentiments behind the farm reform laws and will focus on farmers' interests and will surely help us reach a solution through a constructive dialogue," Tomar said. Earlier in the day, the minister met the All India Farmers Association (AIFA), which submitted a representation in support of the new farm laws. Ex-PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's grandson extends support to farm laws The AIFA headed by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's grandson Sanjay Nath Singh on Wednesday extended support to the three new agriculture laws against which 40 farmers' unions have been protesting at various borders of the national capital for over a month now. Singh, in a representation made to Tomar, made some suggestions to the Centre that would be of help in negotiating with the protesting farm unions in the next round of meeting to be held on 8 January. The AIFA recommended setting up of an independent regulatory body to monitor farm contracts, a price regulatory authority to monitor purchase and sale price of farm produce, enforcement of a template of contract agreement among others, he said. "With these suggestions, we request you Sir (Tomar) to negotiate with farmer leaders to reach an early resolution. We are hopeful of you achieving success and request that the new farm laws are not rolled back," he said. Stating that the new legislations are a "watershed moment" for Indian agriculture, Singh said though the minimum support price (MSP) and APMC mandi system are working well in Punjab, Haryana and parts of western Uttar Pradesh, farmers of these states had "apprehension" about the new laws and the Centre has done its best to "allay" their fears. He further said, "it appears that the vested interest and political opportunists are continuing to mislead them". Congress leaders take out tractor rally against farm laws in MP Senior Congress leaders on Wednesday took out a tractor rally in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore, which is state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's home district, to protest against the Centre's new farm laws. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, former Union minister Arun Yadav, former minister Sajjan Singh Verma and several party MLAs took part in the tractor rally organised at Nasrullaganj, which is part of Chouhan's Assembly seat Budhni in Sehore district. The leaders reached Nasrullaganj along with Congress workers in tractors and demanded that the Centre withdraw the new farm laws immediately. Yadav said the new central agriculture laws were not in the interest of the farmers. "These laws would prove detrimental to farmers. They should be immediately withdrawn or else the Congress will continue the agitation," he said. Yadav also alleged that the district administration of Sehore stopped the Congress workers and farmers from participating in the protest and blocked the roads. With inputs from PTI Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusegun Osoba, has declared his support for the zoning of the presidential seat to Southern Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buharis second tenure. Mr Osoba also defended the right of his ally and former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, to contest the 2023 presidential election while claiming that nobody from the South-eastern part of Nigeria within the APC has approached him to seek his support. Mr Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, said he was at the APC merger talks that yielded the presidential ticket to Northern Nigeria in 2013 and eventually produced Mr Buhari. Part of the understanding in the case of rotation is a conventional understanding that the presidency will move between the North and the South. That was the reason why we now allowed the chairman (of the party to come from the South). I dont want to use the word zoning because we definitely did not put zoning. We know it may go in conflict with the Nigerian constitution, which says anyone who is a Nigerian, who has read up to school certificate, can contest and at the age of 35, I think can contest for the presidency of the country. But there was a clear gentlemanly understanding that the northern part of the country will produce the president when we did the merger in 2013 and the chairman of the party will then come from the South, he said on Arise Television breakfast show on Tuesday. While his stance on the subject re-echoed that of Nigerias transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, many other leaders within the party think otherwise. The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the last two years has taken seemingly contradictory positions on the zoning of the presidency between the two regions. In November 2020, Mr El-Rufai expressed a seemingly different view to his earlier call for a Southern presidential candidate in 2023, hinging his argument on the need to solve Nigerias economic woes and electing competent leaders. Zoning in political parties cannot solve the economic problems we are facing. Selecting the best person to get the job done will benefit everyone, PREMIUM TIMES reported him as saying. A two-term governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima, also, while declaring his ambition to run for the countrys top seat, denied the existence of an agreement to zone the ticket to the South in 2023. Mr Yerimas position is similar to that of a Kano State senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, who maintained that APC had no agreement to rotate the seat. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/434695-there-is-no-zoning-in-apc-shekarau.html Zoning Considered in APC Mr Osoba said as a member of the APC constitution drafting committee, he believes zoning was factored into their discussions even though not clearly spelt in the constitution. He also expressed support for Mr Tinubu, who though has not formally declared his ambition, already has several groups campaigning on his behalf. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as an individual has the right to put himself forward. We have not zeroed in on an individual. Zeroing in on any individual will destroy our efforts now but Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has a right to pursue his own agenda, he said. Speaking on the clamour that the presidency be zoned to the South-east, a region that has not produced an elected president since Nigerias recent democratic history in 1999, Mr Osoba said: There is so much noise from the East. He said no politician from the South-east has contacted him or other chieftains of the party to show interest in running for president in 2023. As an elder in the party, nobody from the South-east has contacted or consulted me to lobby, to even say they are interested, the former governor said. ADVERTISEMENT President Jair Bolsonaro accused syringe makers on Wednesday of pushing up their prices after the government failed to buy hundreds of millions of syringes via auction for its Covid-19 vaccination drive, leading it to requisition surplus supplies. Prices soared after the Health Ministry expressed an interest in buying syringes, Bolsonaro wrote on social media, adding that the government had suspended buying until prices return to normal. Brazils three main syringe manufacturers met with Bolsonaro on Tuesday and agreed that each would supply 10 million, along with needles to cover the initial stages of the countrys planned vaccinations. It was a requisition order and the companies have to obey it. This was almost a confiscation, but the government will pay, said Paulo Henrique Fraccaro, head of Brazils medical supplies and equipment industry lobby group ABIMO. Fraccaro said the government decided to requisition syringe supplies after it failed to draw bids last week at an electronic auction session. It had sought to buy 331 million syringes but purchased just 8 million, or 2.5% of its target, after it set reference prices that were below companies bids. The Health Ministry offered 13 centavos (.13 reais) per syringe in its Nov. 29 tender, but most companies were asking for 22-48 centavos (.22-.48 reais), depending on the characteristics, Fraccaro said. While prices for the requisitioned syringes had not been agreed, Fraccaro said the government planned to open a second tender in one or two weeks with prices adjusted to todays manufacturing reality. Brazil has the worst Covid-19 death toll outside the United States, but has lagged neighbors Chile and Argentina in starting inoculations against the new coronavirus. Bolsonaro wrote that Brazils states and municipalities have enough supplies to begin vaccinations, which are expected to start by the end of the month. LEWISTON, ID - Idaho State Police along with the Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office are investigating a crash on northbound on US95 on Tuesday, at milepost 308, in front of the Clearwater River Casino. Police say Steven Swain was traveling northbound on US95, just before noon, in his green Subaru Legacy. Dale Williamson was stopped at the stop sign, at the north entrance to the Clearwater River Casino, in his blue Toyota Highlander. Williamson entered the roadway, and Swain was unable to stop and struck Williamson on the driver's side. Both drivers and Williamson's passenger suffered minor injuries. Swain's Subaru caught fire. Both northbound lanes and entrances to the casino were blocked until crews were able to extinguish the fire. All occupants were wearing their seatbelts. The crash is still under investigation by the Idaho State Police. In 2020, the Nez Perce Tribe was awarded a $19,134,710 grant by the US Department of Transportation to support the rebuild of the AhtWy Interchange at the Casino. The project will include construction of a diamond-shaped interchange and replacement of the current at-grade intersection with an overpass to access the plaza, on the east entrance. There will also be additions of deceleration and acceleration ramps for eastbound traffic. The project is still in the planning stages. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 01:31:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ACCRA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Ghana freighted its first consignments of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), officials disclosed Tuesday. Two local firms, Kasapreko Company Limited, a local manufacturer of alcoholic products, and Ghanadour Cosmetics Limited, exported their products via air and sea freights, respectively, to countries on the continent Monday. "Here at Kasapreko, we are very happy for the introduction of the AfCFTA, and we are also happy to be one of the first companies to be exporting products from Ghana under this agreement," said Francis Holly Adza, international business development director of the company. "Kasapreko already exports products to 14 African countries, and we would like to take advantage of AfCFTA to roll out our market expansion to the rest of the continent," he said. Ghandour also exports its cosmetic products to some African countries, and officials said the commencement of the AfCFTA would boost the company's market expansion on the continent. Alan Kyeremateng, Ghana's Minister for Trade and Industry, said the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to play critical roles in the implementation would be necessary for the success of AfCFTA. "In Ghana, we will ensure the inclusion of the MSMEs in the implementation process so that they can all benefit from the new trade order," Kyeremateng said. Enditem U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro called on Republicans in Congress and across the country to renounce their membership in the party after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Castro spoke to his twin brother, Julian, on Instagram Live from the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, Trump urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. They did, clashing with police and breaching the Senate chamber as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. READ ALSO: Trump supporters storm US Capitol, clash with police Joaquin first said he didn't think Trump "understands the firecracker that he lit with some people," then retracted that. "He egged it on. He instigated it. And I say that I don't think he knows what he's encouraging people to do, and actually I take that back," Castro said. "Whether he doesn't know or he does I said it the other day this is the most dangerous president that this country has ever seen." The San Antonio congressman noted that he had not seen the National Guard anywhere on Wednesday morning ahead of planned protests challenging the election results. "Capitol police were clearly not prepared," Castro said. "If these had been Black Lives Matter protestrrs or immigration protestrrs, it never would have gone this far." Both brothers told viewers that Wednesday's events represented the culmination of four years of norm-breaking by Trump. "This guy whipped people up over the years into a frenzy, violating norm after norm after norm," Julian said. "The classic frog in slowly boiling water. Because of that, that's where we're at right now." Joaquin called on Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures across the nation to disavow the party and renounce their memberships. Julian pointed to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who led a group opposing the certification of the election results, as a contributor to the chaos. "He has been spectacularly irresponsible, an embarrassment to the state of Texas," Castro said of Cruz. Julian ended the livestream by telling his twin brother to stay safe. Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado. MONTREAL, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://www.pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF) (FRA: 8PY), a high-tech company, (the "Company", the Corporation or "PyroGenesis") that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce today that Mr. P. Peter Pascali, CEO of PyroGenesis, is scheduled to present at the SNN Network Canada Virtual Event on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10:30 AM Eastern Time. To access the live presentation, please use the following information: SNN Network Canada Virtual Event 2021 Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 Time: 10:30 AM Eastern Time (7:30 AM Pacific Time) Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2059/39297 If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Mr. Pascali, and/or to watch the Company's presentation, please make sure you are registered for the virtual event here: https://canada.snn.network/signup. 1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted via a private, secure, video conference through the conference event platform provided. For investors unable to attend the live presentation, all company presentations/webcasts will be available on the conference event platform at this link: https://canada.snn.network/agenda The SNN Network Canada Virtual Event website is available here: https://canada.snn.network/ About SNN.Network SNN.Network is your multimedia financial news platform for discovery, transparency and due diligence. This is your one-stop hub to find new investment ideas, check in on watchlist, gather the most up-to-date information on the Small-, Micro-, Nano-Cap market with the goal to help you towards achieving your wealth generation goals. Follow the companies YOU want to know more about; read and watch content from YOUR favorite finance and investing influencers; create YOUR own watchlist and screen for ideas YOU'RE interested in; find out about investor conferences YOU want to attend - all here on SNN.Network. If you would like to attend the SNN Network Virtual Investor Conference, please register here: https://conference.snn.network/signup About PyroGenesis Canada Inc. PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. The Company provides its engineering and manufacturing expertise and its turnkey process equipment packages to customers in the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office and its 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The Companys core competencies allow PyroGenesis to provide innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. PyroGenesis operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward- looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation's current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation's ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com , or at www.otcmarkets.com . Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc. For further information please contact: Rodayna Kafal, Vice President, IR/Comms. and Strategic BD Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: ir@pyrogenesis.com RELATED LINK: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/ A total of 460 Left Wing Extremists, also called Naxals, have been killed by security forces in the country since 2018, an RTI response has revealed. During the same period, 161 security force personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty, the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Division, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated in the reply. Noida-based lawyer and RTI activist Ranjan Tomar had sought the data on deaths of security personnel and killing of LWEs from the MHA between 2018 and 2020. The official response, however, had figures updated till November 2020. In its reply, the division stated that 460 Left Wing Extremists have been killed and 161 security force personnel died in LWE violence from 2018 to November 2020. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in September 2020 said the LWE or Naxal violence had reduced considerably in the country with the menace being prevalent in just 46 districts. Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy had said that 90 districts in 11 states in the country were considered left-wing extremism (LWE) affected and covered under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme of the MHA. In separate information provided by the MHA on September 16, 2020, the ministry had stated that the number of deaths of civilians and security force personnel in LWE-related violence reduced consistently from 1,005 in 2010 to 202 in 2019. In 2020 (till August 15), deaths further reduced from 137 to 102 in comparison with the corresponding period of 2019, it stated. The combined fatalities of civilians and security force personnel stood at 263 in 2017, 240 in 2017, 202 in 2019 and 102 in 2020 (till August), the ministry had stated. On its website, the MHA states that between 2004 and 2019, as many as 8,197 people have been killed by the LWE in different parts of India and the majority of the civilians killed are tribals, often branded as 'police informers' before being brutally tortured and killed. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a recently published article, John Kissick explained how to accept criticism and use it as an opportunity to grow as an artist GUELPH, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 6, 2021 / John Kissick, a nationally recognized artist, spoke out on how to accept criticism and build on your work based on feedback in a recent article published by Odd Culture. A native of Ontario in Canada, John Kissick is an abstract painter, widely published author, and art professor at Guelph's School of Fine Art and Music. He has nearly 30 years of experience in academia. In the article, John Kissick acknowledged that criticism is one of the hardest parts of any job, especially so for artists. But, criticism is also an innate part of being an artist and therefore learning to accept it is vital. Mr. Kissick explained that the first step to accepting criticism is to be open to any feedback. By actively listening to feedback and keeping it in mind, artists can use feedback as a tool to improve on their work. Artists should also give themselves time to digest and respond to feedback appropriately. At the onset, feelings of anger and resentment may arise, but taking some time to reflect and respond will allow artists to gain some perspective. Other steps to accepting criticism include thanking your critic, not taking every bit of negative feedback personally, and ignoring internet "trolls." John Kissick noted that while it may seem like everyone is a critic in this day and age, artists should ignore the noise from strangers on the internet and listen to and consider only those critiques that come from peers and individuals who have some relationship to their artistic development. For more information, visit https://john-kissick.ca/. About John Kissick As a contemporary artist, John Kissick is internationally renowned for his abstract works, which often draw from both historical references and today's pop culture. His paintings have been featured in many solo and group exhibitions across Canada and have appeared in galleries such as Berlin's Peter Wide Gallery, Ontario's Michael Gibson Gallery, and Toronto's Katzman Contemporary and Leo Kamen Gallery. Kissick also has nearly three decades of experience in academia and has held roles at institutions such as Penn State University's School of Visual Arts, the Ontario College of Art & Design, and the University of Guelph's School of Fine Art and Music. He has also acted as visiting lecturer for the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Ulster at Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is currently an art professor at Guelph's School of Fine Art and Music. Contact John Kissick Artist/Art Professor University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, Canada news@john-kissick.ca https://john-kissick.ca/ SOURCE: John Kissick View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623345/John-Kissick-Featured-in-Odd-Culture More now on one of the main stories this morning - members of a World Health Organization (WHO) team being denied entry to China. The team had been due to investigate the origins of the coronavirus in Wuhan - something agreed upon by Beijing in December following many months of negotiations with the WHO. Two people had already set out on their journey one has now turned back and the other is in transit in a third country. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the issue was down to a lack of visa clearances, and he was "very disappointed" that China had not yet finalised the permissions for the team's arrivals "given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute". He added that he had been in contact with senior Chinese officials to stress "that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team". Covid-19 was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019, with the initial outbreak linked to a market. However, observers say China has now been seeking to distance itself from its early connections to the coronavirus, instead emphasising its successes in combatting the pandemic. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Target has is recalling a collection of baby rompers because snaps could break off and pose a choking hazard. This recall includes the Cloud Island Waterfront Baby Boutique Romper, Cloud Island Little Peanut and True Navy Rompers, Cloud Island Little Wildflower and Joyful Mint Rompers, Cloud Island Oh Honeybee and Pink Rompers, and Cloud Island Floral Fields and Mint Rompers. Target says they have received 16 reports of snaps breaking or detaching from the clothing, including one report of scratches and one report of a child being pinched. The rompers, which were manufactured in China and Vietnam, were sold in stores nationwide and online from July 2019 through October 2020. Consumers who purchased them can return the rompers to any Target store for a full refund. Online buyers can contact the company to get a prepaid return label to ship the rompers back. The product item numbers included in this recall are: What is so adored at first, and then corroded in the eyes of the others by Amos, is Isaiah and Samuels choice to love, their consent, their choosing and choosing and choosing of each other, a choice outside of force or order, in a nature we (we!) have long forgotten. One of the blessings of The Prophets is its long memory. Jones uses the voices from the prologue to speak across time, to character and reader alike. These short, lyric-driven chapters struck me as instructive and redemptive attempts at healing historical wounds, tracing a map back to the possibility of our native, queer, warrior Black selves. These voices are Black collective knowledge given shape, the oral tradition speaking in your face and setting you right. Another way this blessing takes shape is through a subplot centering on Kosii and Elewa, two gay (Im using our word, my looking to name this old thing for us) lovers who precede Isaiah and Samuel. We meet Kosii and Elewa through flashback scenes, on their wedding day, on the eve of their villages invasion by Dutch enslavers. From their wedding to captivity on the stinking haul of a ship en route to America, Kosii and Elewas love, torture and eventual rebellion act as a direct echo of Isaiah and Samuel, lovers beloved by their people, interrupted by the wickedness of whiteness. Through these characters and their stories, The Prophets calls, across time, on queer warriors, woman kings, root women and boys in love to paint a long queer Black history, a history of rising against, of ever making ones way back to freedom. Is Jones pointing to the current moment we find ourselves living in? Black people, once again, same as always, dying and fighting the murderous avatars of white greed for another piece of freedom. After another summer in the streets fighting for our collective life at marches often led by Black women and Black queers whom whiteness and its God have taught us to hate so well I arrived at this book both gracefully and loudly saying, Remember who you have long been. Jones seems to be reaching across centuries of blood and memory in an attempt to shake awake a warrior armed with weapon and wit that lies sleeping in his imagined, beloved, Black reader. All of it the seven voices, the midnight blue lovers, the warrior women, the shadows fat with ancestors pressed upon my Black heart asking me to remember before the boats, to not turn from the horror of the fields and see what has always been most beautiful and unkillable in us our ways, our fight, our magic, our love. The Prophets attempts to give its Black characters and Black audience the same gifts our right names, our Black knowing, a freedom outside of time and circumstance. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. How the Gwadar Port has become a safe haven for drug traffickers India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 06: A major operation carried out by the Sri Lankan Navy in which drugs worth over Rs 600 million was seized once again points to the hand of the ISI, which has been operating in the region to raise funds for terror. In an operation carried out in the sea area of Negombo, the Navy seized Crystal Methamphetamine (100 kgs) and Hashish (80 kgs). Four persons were also apprehended and a multiway fishing trawler used in the operation was also seized. All the drug boats have in the past couple of years originated from the Gwadar Port and it is a well known fact that the Chinese and Pakistanis control the same. Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that every action emerging out of the port is under the supervision of the ISI. Arrested Khalistani sympathiser was tasked by ISI to oversee killing of RSS leaders In November, the Indian Coast Guard seized 100 kilograms of heroin from a Sri Lankan boat. The seizure was made south of Thoothukudi during an operation, which began on November 17. The drugs were meant to be sent to western countries from Sri Lanka. The drugs were transferred onto the Sri Lankan vessel by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi. The Indian Coast Guard found 99 packets of heroin of 100 kilograms, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs, a Thuraya set and five 9 mm pistols. During the questioning, the crew members had told the Coast Guard officials that the drugs were transferred onto the Sri Lankan vessel on the high seas by a Pakistan dhow from Karachi. The drugs were meant to be sent to the western nations and Australia. Gwadar Port which was operationalised a few years back has become a safe haven for drug traffickers of the Golden Crescent, which is the landlocked poppy fields of Afghanistan. In 2017, a probe by the Coast Guard into the massive drug haul of Rs 1,500 kg of heroin off the Gujarat coast pointed to the involvement of Pakistani nationals in sending the shipment from the Chinese controlled Gwadar ports. The probe suggested that the narcotics were embarked off the Gwadar Port in Pakistan and the same was proceeding towards the UAE. The port was built by the Chinese and is controlled as well as operated by Beijing for both merchant and military seafaring. In July 2020, a high alert was sounded following inputs from the international agencies about a rise in smuggling activities originating from the Gwadar Port. India received inputs from the Tanzanian authorities who said that heroin consignments were being smuggled and dropped off at Tanzanian ports. Officials say that Pakistan is known to provide a safe haven for smuggling narcotics through land routes in Balochistan and trans-shipment from its Gwadar Port. Big Chinese spy racket linked to Pakistans ISI busted in Afghanistan UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News In this context one must look at the Hazi-Sandhu-Arshad network which has its footprints in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan. During investigations it was found that Hazi Jaan operates from the Gwadar Port in Pakistan. It was also found that the drugs were transported from Afghanistan to the Gwadar Port in Pakistan via the deserted Pashini area. From here the boats venture out with the protection of Pakistan. It then reaches the Unjha port in northern Gujarat, from where it is transported in trucks to Punjab. The director-general of the Construction Industry Federation, Tom Parlon, has defended the record of the construction sector with regard to Covid safety. Mr Parlon told Newstalk Breakfast that he had been shocked to learn that the Government was considering closing down the sector during the current lockdown. The sector has an exemplary record on sites, he said, with only four cases and two outbreaks out of 200,000 construction workers on sites around the country up to the week of December 14. Sites were closed for the two weeks over Christmas and therefore could not have contributed to the current surge, he pointed out. Sites are being excellently managed. Mr Parlon said that during the last lockdown 5,000 homes had not been built and output had dropped by 10% at a cost of 3bn to the industry and the economy. During discussions in recent days, Mr Parlon said he had been assured by the minister that the construction of housing and educational projects would continue. Ireland was the only country under restrictions that was considering closing its construction sector, he said. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland the sector was still operating. Every effort was being made by the construction industry and its workers, he said. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. BJP president JP Nadda is set to launch ek mutho chaal campaign in West Bengal to counter the Trinamool Congress anti-farmer allegation against Narendra Modi government in view of the ongoing protests by the farming community. As part of the campaign, which translates to a handful of rice, BJP workers will visit every farmer household across 48,000 villages in the state to collect rice. Nadda is scheduled to launch the campaign on January 9 in a remote village in East Burdwan and it is likely to stretch till January 24. From January 25-30, the rice collected will be used to prepare community meals not just for farmers and their families but also for the poor. Nadda ji will lead this campaign. We will go door to door seeking bhiksha from our farmers, Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhary, the state vice president for Kisan Morcha, told CNN-News18. Nadda's Krishak Surkasha Gram Sabha will be held in Jaganandapur village in Katwa organisational district. Farmers have been invited to the public meeting where the BJP chief will highlight the Modi governments initiatives for farmers. Apart from the recent farm reforms, Nadda is likely to speak on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Soil Health Cards and Kisan Bima Surkasha Yojana. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had on Monday hinted that the central governments Kisan Yojana for farmers may soon be implemented in the state. She has asked the Centre for a list of those who had applied online to receive direct benefit transfer, an instalment of Rs 18000 crore for 9 crore farmers that Modi had released on December 25. "I regret that more than 70 lakh farmers of West Bengal have not been able to get benefits of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. More than 23 lakh farmers of West Bengal have applied online to take advantage of this scheme. But the state government has stopped the verification process for so long, Modi said during his address to farmers on Atal Bihari Vajpayees birth anniversary on December 25. In around 3,000-plus gram sabhas, we will be holding Krishak Surkasha Gram Sabhas. This will be launched by our national president, Sreerupa added. This will be Naddas second visit to the state after his convoy was attacked on December 10. During his two-day visit, Nadda is likely to hold a Kisan Sabha and eat lunch at a farmers residence, visit a local temple and hold a roadshow in another district besides holding meeting with party leaders. Adam Gomezs family waived a Puerto Rican flag as the Springfield Democrat took his oath of office as an incoming state senator. His group was small he brought his wife, children and father but it was a rare sight outside the Massachusetts State House where lawmakers showed up without the busloads of supporters and friends who normally showed up to their swearing in ceremonies. Instead, Gomez and nearly two dozen other senators stood 6 feet apart and wore masks as they recited the oath. Them being able to be here and see this momentous occasion, it really warms my heart, Gomez said. I really appreciate them letting me bring my family, understanding that with COVID restrictions its very serious and want to make sure were still socially distant. Gomez is among a handful of incoming lawmakers starting their terms during a raging pandemic. The global public health crisis has killed more than 12,000 people in Massachusetts alone and nearly 30 times as many people across the United States. Sen. Adam Gomez, center, is surrounded by family members at his swearing in ceremony. They were one of the few guests allowed for the COVID-era ceremony. For Beacon Hill, that means the Legislature is swearing in lawmakers 6 feet apart or virtually a first in the General Courts four-century history. Just as last week, todays swearing-in looks very different from the Houses traditional ceremony, a small consequence of the current public health crisis, House Speaker Ron Mariano said addressing both state representatives in the room and those whose heads popped up on the flat screen monitors at the back of the House chamber. But weve made every effort to ensure that the incoming class can be physically present for this milestone moment. Swearing in ceremonies at the State House are typically packed as legislators bring families, friends and sometimes bus loads of their most devoted supporters. That wasnt an option for Wednesdays ceremony, which moved ahead as the state faces a second surge of COVID-19 cases. In the Senate, lawmakers took their oath outside the State House, also masked and 6 feet apart, in a ceremony led by Sen. Marc Pacheco, or remotely in a separate ceremony afterward. The House spaced out lawmakers throughout the chamber, but state representatives who took their oath remotely appeared on flat screen monitors in the back. Returning lawmakers got little sleep before the swearing in ceremonies. The House and Senate stayed in session well past midnight to get major bills on transportation and economic development passed before the end of the legislative session. Id thank you for being here, but I think you only left 20 minutes ago, Gov. Charlie Baker told House lawmakers before swearing them in Wednesday afternoon. Senators are sworn in Wednesday morning in a socially distanced ceremony outside the Massachusetts State House. Senators are masks and the event was closed to the public to prevent spread of COVID-19. New lawmakers, such as Gomez, have to navigate the lay of the land during remote sessions. A Springfield city councilor, Gomez says he brings a fresh perspective on what communities are facing as a result the racial and geographic disparities that only became more apparent during the pandemic and recession. Hes spent recent weeks meeting with his colleagues, including Sen. Eric Lesser of Longmeadow, Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz of Boston and Sen. Jamie Eldridge of Acton. Eldridge said he didnt want to focus on his own issues during the pandemic, as a lawmaker, but he said it was the first swearing in ceremony that his mother couldnt attend. Thats sort of disappointing, the Acton Democrat said. " I think, more importantly, its just a recognition that everyones saying 2021 will be better. Well, I certainly hope so, but I think theres a lot of work we have to do. Chang-Diaz, a key negotiator on the policing bill that was signed into law, said she hopes to take a breath after the overnight session before laying out her priorities for the new session. The Senate ended its final session around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, passing a bill that would take steps toward changing the state seal and motto in the final minutes of session. But Chang-Diaz noted lawmakers still have work to do on COVID-19, racial justice and other issues affecting Massachusetts residents. Were going to be jumping into a new sprint, she said. Related Content: Being a financial rock when the big one occurs is critical when it comes to providing reliable earthquake coverage, said Shawn Adams, senior vice president of ICW Group. Investopedia has recognized ICW Group Insurance Companies, a leading group of property and casualty carriers, as one of the seven best earthquake insurance providers of 2021. The company received the Best Commercial Coverage designation. ICW Group was selected for its commercial earthquake reputation and financial strength, according to Investopedia, an online financial news source that covers investing and finance. Investopedia also noted ICW Groups policy that offers coverage for buildings and business personal property, loss of income, and earthquake sprinkler leakage. Being a financial rock when the big one occurs is critical when it comes to providing reliable earthquake coverage, said Shawn Adams, senior vice president of ICW Group. This ranking further demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver high-quality commercial earthquake coverage in partnership with our excellent brokers across the country. Were extremely proud of the ICW Group team, and very much appreciate this recognition. To determine the ranking of top earthquake insurance providers of 2021, Investopedia compared companies with solid financials and a good reputation. They also compared companies based on the type of coverage they offer, whether coverage can be added to an existing policy, and other related consumer benefits. About ICW Group Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held insurance company domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Workers Compensation, Assumed Reinsurance and Catastrophe insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims while elevating the trusted agents who advise them. More information is available at http://www.icwgroup.com, http://www.twitter.com/ICWGroup, http://www.linkedin.com/companies/icw-group and http://www.facebook.com/ICWGroup. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Darren Elias Wins First GGPoker Super MILLION$ of 2021 January 06, 2021 Matthew Pitt Darren Elias has started 2021 like a house on fire by taking down the first GGPoker Super MILLON$ event of the year. First place in this $10,300 buy-in high stakes spectacular weighed in at an incredible $448,842. Winning almost half a million dollars during the first week of 2021 is obviously fantastic for Elias, but the manner in which he secured this prize is equally as impressive. The final table was ridiculously stacked and any one of the nine finalists would have made a worthy champion. Heres how Elias got the job done under the watchful eye of the GGPoker YouTube stream. Watch This Star-Studded Final Table Unfold Watch nine amazing poker players lock horns in the Super MILLION$ Head to GGPoker's YouTube channel Super MILLON$ Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Darren Elias Canada $448,842 2 Niklas Astedt Canada $346,104 3 Ami Barer Canada $266,833 4 Enrico Camosci Tunisia $205,795 5 Rui Ferreira Brazil $158,689 6 Adrian Mateos United Kingdom $122,366 7 Aleks Ponakovs Latvia $94,357 8 Bert Stevens Mexico $72,759 9 Seth Davies Canada $56,105 *countries as shown in the GGPoker client Seth Davies Seth Davies started the final table sixth in chips but he was the first superstar out of the door. Davies lost a huge pot with pocket sixes versus Aleks Ponakovs superior tens to be left with less than seven big blinds and he never recovered. Davies final hand took place during the 30,000/60,000/7,500a level. WSOP bracelet winner Enrico Camosci opened to 120,000 on the button with pocket tens and Davies called in the big blind with nine-seven. A queen-jack-eight flop saw both players check, but a ten on the turn gifted Davies a straight. He moved all-in for 247,827 into the 337,500 pot and was called. Camosci filled up on the river courtesy of another jack landing, and Davies was gone. Bert Stevens busted a couple of hands later. Stevens open-shoved for a shade over 13 big blinds from the button with king-queen. Rui Ferreira woke up in the small blind with a pair of jacks in the hole and he three-bet all-in for 2,605,295. Ferreira flopped a set, which held despite Stevens having a straight draw, and the final table was suddenly down to seven players. Marcin Dziubdziela Crowned GGMasters Player of the Year Ponakovs Sent Packing By Camosci Aleksejs Ponakovs Those seven became six with the elimination of Ponakovs. The Estonian was flying high at one stage but his world came crumbling down. Ponakovs final hand was a battle of the blinds with Camosci. Camosci limped in from the small blind with trey-deuce of hearts and Ponakovs checked with king-seven of diamonds. Camosci bet small on the ten-four-six flop, a flop with two hearts, and Ponakovs called. The king of hearts turn gave Camosci a small flush and Ponakovs top pair. Camosci led for 254,625 into 339,500 and was called. The river bricked and Camosci over-bet shoved, putting Ponakovs to the test for his 1,332,299 stack. Randy Nanonoko Lew commented the move looked like a bluff and thats how Ponakovs saw it because he called off his stack only to be shown the bad news. Mateos Busts Just Before The Break Adrian Mateos Adrian Mateos crashed out just before the first break of the final table. Camosci min-raised to 140,000 from the cutoff with pocket threes, Ferreira called on the button with ace-king, Niklas Astedt put in calling chip in the small blind with deuces, and Mateos ripped it in for 1,497,707 with pocket tens. Only Ferreira called and soared into the chip lead courtesy of the door card being an ace. Nothing went well for Ferreira after this point as he lost pot after pot. He was down to a mere 3.8 big blinds at the start of his final hand. That micro stack went into the middle from the cutoff with jack-five and Astedt called on the button with ace-jack. Astedts hand held and Ferreira went from hero to zero and busted in fifth-place. Camoscis run ended in a fourth-place finish during the 80,000/160,000/20,000a level. Astedt raised to 400,000 with pocket fives and Camosci called in the big blind with queen-nine. Camosci opted to move all-in for 1,444,667 into the 960,000 pot on the eight-high flop. Unfortunately for Camosci, Astedt had flopped a set and snap-called. Camosci was drawing dead after the turn. GGPoker Launch Daily $30,000 GGCare Flipouts; Bad Luck Has Its Rewards! Superstars Lock Horns Three-Handed Elias, Ami Barer and Astedt were the last three players in the tournament, can you think of a time when such a talented trio locked horns in such a big event? Something had to give eventually and it did when Barer busted in third. Elias sent Barer to the showers. Elias raised slightly more than twice the big blind with 420,000 with ace-queen. Barer, in the big blind, jammed for 19 big blinds with pocket sevens, and Elias beat him into the pot with a call. A queen on the turn sealed the deal for Elias and resigned Barer to a third-place finish. Astedt held a 14,160,341 to 8,039,659 lead over Elias and looked a dead cert to win his first Super MILLION$ event. It wasnt meant to be, however, as Elias gained the upper hand before sending Astedt home in the runner-up spot. The final hand started with a min-raise to 700,000 from Astedt and a jam for 12,078,400 from Elias. Astedt called and turned over pocket queens, Elias the ace-seven. Again, Elias hit top pair on the turn to win the pot and the tournament. @pokershares @GGPoker @DarrenElias ### thank you https://t.co/A7hg7YkBRP Max Pescatori (@maxpescatori) Italian poker pro Max Pescatori was delighted with Elias victory but not because he bought a piece of him. Pescatori placed a $511 bet on Elias winning using the new built-in betting app and walked away with $3,781.40! Send Your Bankroll Into Orbit With Satellite Tournaments Super MILLION$ Satellites If you want to rub shoulders with some of the most famous names on GGPoker, then you can satellite in for as little as $100. $100 Qualifiers to $1,000 Mega Satellites are running hourly. Each Qualifier has up to five $1,000 seats guaranteed, with the Mega Satellites guaranteeing up to eight $10,300 Super MILLION$ tickets. Head to the GGPoker client to check them out for yourselves! Sign Up for a GGPoker Account Through PokerNews Youll need a GGPoker account if you want to jump into the Super MILLION$ or any other GGPoker tournament. Download GGPoker via PokerNews to grab a generous 200% welcome bonus worth up to $600 on your first deposit. The bonus releases into your account in $10 increments each time you earn 6,000 Fish Buffet Points, which is the equivalent of $60 in rake or tournament fees. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-05 23:18:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Yangtze River basin has seen improved water quality over the past five years, official sources said on Tuesday. No water of the Yangtze River basin was below Grade V by 2020, Luo Guosan, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference. Surface water quality is divided into five grades in China, with Grade I being the best, while water below Grade V is too polluted even for farm irrigation. Back in 2016, the proportion of water below Grade V in the Yangtze River basin stood at 3.5 percent and the figure dropped to 0.6 percent in 2019, according to Luo. Meanwhile, the proportion of water with relatively good quality (at or above Grade III) rose to 96.3 percent as of November 2020, compared with 82.3 percent in 2016. China will make comprehensive plans to protect the ecological environment of the river. These plans include launching anti-pollution campaigns and striving to achieve breakthroughs in key-industry green development as well as the conservation and restoration of the basin. Enditem ADVERTISEMENT Suspected members of Boko Haram Tuesday evening attacked Geidam, a town in Yobe State. The attack was still on at press time, at about 6:30 p.m. The gunshots by the insurgents caused many residents to panic and flee into the bush while others hid in their houses. A resident, who managed to speak with PREMIUM TIMES in a terrified voice, said the gunshots were massive. The gunshot outside is so much. I cant talk now please, the Geidam resident said. The State police Public Relation Officer, Abdulkarim Dungus, told PREMIUM TIMES that he heard the Divisional Police Officer of Geidam firing from his gun when he tried to contact him. I called my DPO in Geidam and he is also under fire. I could hear the gunshot from him. He has promised to call back, Mr Dungus, an assistant superintendent of police, said. Geidam is about 200km from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital and one of the border towns between Nigeria and Niger Republic. It also shares a boundary with Borno State from the north. The town has been attacked by Boko Haram several times leading to loss of lives and property. More updates on the attack will be provided in subsequent reports. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Morocco has approved the emergency use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, jointly developed with the U.K.'s Oxford University. The country's Health Ministry said Wednesday that the Serum Institute of India in under contract from AstraZeneca to make the shots. Last month, the Moroccan government announced it had ordered 65 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from China's Sinopharm and Britain's AstraZeneca. The country of 35 million people has not yet received the vaccines. Approval of Sinopharm's vaccine is under review by Morocco's regulators and is expected to be granted in the coming days. According to the authorization documents, the AstraZeneca vaccine would be administered in two doses with an interval of between four and 12 weeks. The approval comes as preparations for Morocco's vaccine rollout have reached "advanced stages," the Health Ministry said. A launch date has not been announced. The immunization plan aims to vaccinate 80% of the population, including frontline workers and people suffering from chronic diseases. In response to rising coronavirus infections, Morocco imposed a nationwide curfew and ordered restaurants in major cities to close. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Wilkes-Barre, PA (18701) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High around 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro called on Republicans in Congress and across the country to renounce their membership in the party after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Castro spoke to his twin brother, Julian, on Instagram Live from the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Now Playing: Video: Associated Press On Wednesday, Trump urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. They did, clashing with police and breaching the Senate chamber as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda. READ ALSO: Trump supporters storm US Capitol, clash with police Joaquin first said he didn't think Trump "understands the firecracker that he lit with some people," then retracted that. "He egged it on. He instigated it. And I say that I don't think he knows what he's encouraging people to do, and actually I take that back," Castro said. "Whether he doesn't know or he does I said it the other day this is the most dangerous president that this country has ever seen." The San Antonio congressman noted that he had not seen the National Guard anywhere on Wednesday morning ahead of planned protests challenging the election results. Mario Tama, Staff / Getty Images "Capitol police were clearly not prepared," Castro said. "If these had been Black Lives Matter protestrrs or immigration protestrrs, it never would have gone this far." Both brothers told viewers that Wednesday's events represented the culmination of four years of norm-breaking by Trump. "This guy whipped people up over the years into a frenzy, violating norm after norm after norm," Julian said. "The classic frog in slowly boiling water. Because of that, that's where we're at right now." Joaquin called on Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures across the nation to disavow the party and renounce their memberships. Julian pointed to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who led a group opposing the certification of the election results, as a contributor to the chaos. "He has been spectacularly irresponsible, an embarrassment to the state of Texas," Castro said of Cruz. Julian ended the livestream by telling his twin brother to stay safe. Liverpool boss Klopp highlighted the large number of penalties given to United since Solskjaer took charge in a rant that following the champions not getting a spot-kick in Monday's defeat at Southampton. London: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Tuesday hit back at Jurgen Klopp's jibes about Manchester United's penalty record as the Old Trafford boss claimed Premier League managers are trying to influence referees. Liverpool boss Klopp highlighted the large number of penalties given to United since Solskjaer took charge in a rant that following the champions not getting a spot-kick in Monday's defeat at Southampton. Klopp claimed United have had more spot-kicks in two years under Solskjaer than Liverpool have in his entire five-and-a-half year reign. United have been awarded six league penalties this season compared to the five won by Klopp's men. They have been given 42 in all competitions since Solskjaer took over in December 2018 compared to Liverpool's 19 in the same period. Liverpool have had 46 penalties since Klopp arrived on Merseyside in 2015. Klopp's comments touched a nerve with Solskjaer, whose second-placed team are due to play leaders Liverpool in a crucial clash in the Premier League title race on 17 January. When Klopp's remarks were put to Solskjaer ahead of United's League Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday, he said: "And that's a fact, probably... "That's probably going to be my answer, that's a fact that we've got more than them. "I don't know how many penalties they've had. I don't count how many penalties they have. "So, if they want to spend time on worrying about when we get fouled in the box then I don't spend time on that." Solskjaer's use of the word 'facts' recalled former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's infamous rant at then United manager Alex Ferguson in 2009. But Solskjaer was just as frustrated with the comments of other Premier League bosses, after both Tottenham's Jose Mourinho and Chelsea's Frank Lampard referenced United's good fortune with penalties. Solskjaer believes United pointed to last season's FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea, suggesting Lampard had an impact on decisions in that game when Kurt Zouma's challenge on Anthony Martial was not deemed worthy of a spot-kick. "I can't talk on behalf of other managers, why they say things like this," Solskjaer said. "Obviously I felt it worked last year in the semi in the FA Cup because Frank spoke about it and we had a nailed-on penalty that we should have had that we didn't get, so maybe it's a way of influencing referees. I don't know. "But I don't worry about that. You know when they foul our players I think it is a penalty, it's just when it's inside the box." Three more men including a student wing secretary of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have been arrested in connection with the sensational 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The accused were identified as K Arulanantham, 34, the AIADMKs Pollachi town students wing secretary, Haron Paul, 29 and Bike Balu, 27, a second-hand bike dealer, police said. They are friends of those previously arrested in the case, a senior official said. The trio were produced at the Mahila Court in Coimbatore district on Wednesday and were remanded to 14-day judicial custody, police added. AIADMK, in a joint statement by chief minister and party coordinator Edapaddi Palaniswami and coordinator O Paneerselvam, were quick to expel Arulanandam. The party removed him from membership and asked the cadre not to be in contact with him. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M K Stalin said in a statement that bail should not be granted to the accused. While there are still many ruling party figures to be trapped.I urge the CBI to expedite the investigation, arrest all those involved in the heinous sexual offense up to the top level of the AIADMK, and ensure safety of Tamil Nadu women, Stalin added. Also Read: DMK cadre manhandle AIADMK woman functionary at Stalins gram sabha The case came to light in February 2019, when a 19-year-old woman filed a complaint alleging a group of men sexually assaulted her inside a car, filmed the act and threatened to leak the video. The local police began investigations which revealed that a network of men had similarly harassed scores of women in Pollachi and blackmailed them. Several videos had leaked during this time. Police arrested five men-- K Thirunavukarasu, Riswanth, M Satish, T Vasanthakumar and R Mani in 2019. After allegations linking the names of the accused with ruling party functionaries emerged, Tamil Nadu government first transferred the case to the CB-CID and then to the CBI which filed a charge sheet in May 2019. There was a huge public outrage across the state over the case and wide-ranging debates on the safety of women as reports suggested that the accused befriended the women on social media to meet them in person. Mumbai, Jan 6 : With shows like Marzi, Betaal and Sandwiched Forever, actress Aahana Kumra had quite a busy 2020. She is happy that the year gone by let her stay busy with work despite the pandemic-induced lockdown. "The best thing I realised is it is a blessing to remain a working actor. In 2020, I had multiple releases on digital platforms and the fact is, being an outsider since I am not part of any camp or driven by PR activity, the only way for me to remain visible is my work. Since there were not many promotional activities before release, it has proven again that for an actor what matters the most is acting skill," Aahana told IANS. Aahana feels becoming an actor is different from brand-building and earning a celebrity status. "I never thought or dreamed to become a 'star' but I am a greedy actress. So I am working theatre, web series, and I did my work on TV initially and am also doing cinema. I look at acting as a job I love. I come back home and spend time with my parents. Of course in my theatre days, people used to think theatre actors are hobbyists, because you cannot earn enough money to run your kitchen doing theatre. But a working actor like me, who is constantly exploring every medium and opportunity, can say that acting is a profession like any other," she said. The actress will be seen next in the upcoming web film titled "Bawri Chhori" that also features Rumana Molla, Vikram Koccher and Niki Walia, and is scheduled to premire on the OTT platform Eros Now on January 11. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text ROME: Italys prime minister on Wednesday urged members of his coalition government to stay united as the country grapples with a public health emergency and an economic crisis. These are massive, very demanding challenges," Giuseppe Conte said on Facebook, adding that it was essential to reinforce the cohesion of the majority and the solidity of the government team". He said the governments actions should remain focused on improving conditions for citizens, protecting their right to healthcare and granting a future to the younger ones, adding: Everything else does not concern me." Contes relations with coalition partner and former premier Matteo Renzi have deteriorated markedly in recent weeks and a showdown could bring down his government. Renzi has called for radical changes in the governments plans aimed at relaunching the economy. In his Facebook post, Conte added that after meeting with ministers on Wednesday the government had updated its Recovery plan - a document detailing how the country will access some 209 billion euros ($256.57 billion) from the European Recovery Fund - incorporating contributions from other parties. I have never reneged on discussions or listening to the parties that support the government," the prime minister said. Conte also said that greater resources would be aimed at the health sector, youth, nurseries and people with disabilities. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor China and Pakistan signed a memorandum on translation and publication of classics Tuesday, in an effort to give fresh impetus to cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The two sides agreed to publish 50 classics considered to be the most classic, important and top-rated in the two countries in the next five years, with the joint efforts of experts in culture and publication from both sides. It's also part of the activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. This is the second memorandum of such kind China signed with an Asian country, following the one signed with Singapore on Dec. 8, 2020. A total of 160 schools reopened on Tuesday but many private schools, especially schools with a higher number of students in class 9 and class 10 are yet to receive permission from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). All the PMC-run schools reopened on Tuesday; however, some private schools are pending inspection and will be given the orders to reopen soon, according to PMC officials. Archana Panch, vice-principal of New English Medium school Ramanbagh said that the Covid test of all teachers is negative. We are submitting the test results and the consent from parents to the PMC. After this, we are waiting for the written approval of the officials to grant us permission to start classes 9 and 10, said Panch. Madhuri Gokhale, principal at MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School (VGS) said that the school is ready to reopen with all the necessary precautions in place. Over 50 per cent parents have given consent to sending their children to school. And all our teachers have tested negative for Covid-19. Initially, we were a little apprehensive as we thought the schools may not reopen. But as we are ready now, we shall reopen soon, said Gokhale. Medha Sinnarkar, principal at Apte Prashala said that the PMC team visited on Tuesday for inspection. We are ready with all the required precautions. We have made different seating arrangements so that social distancing is followed. The consent by parents is very low with us but we are hopeful as schools open up, parents would be willing to let children attend school, said Sinnarkar. Suresh Jagtap, additional commissioner, PMC said that on Tuesday a total of 160 schools reopened. There are a total of 529 schools, government and private, in the PMC limits. The department is conducting inspection and checking all the necessary standard operating procedures. Once the checking is done, the school is handed a written permission to reopen, said Jagtap. Box *Total schools in PMC limits: 529 *Total schools Tuesday: 160 *Private schools reopened on Tuesday: 126 *PMC run schools reopened Tuesday 34 *Total inspection conducted by PMC teams on Tuesday: 265 visits *Parents consent: around 20 percent. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Ozanam Inn, New Orleans' main shelter for homeless men, has finalized the $3 million purchase of new premises near University Medical Center, providing the nonprofit a new home after its longtime Warehouse District location was sold to a hotel developer. Clarence Adams, chief executive of Ozanam Inn, said the former medical building at 2239 Poydras St. will undergo a $1.8 million renovation over the next several months to prepare it for use as soon as September. But Ozanam still needs to raise $1 million to reach its funding goal before it can get going on the conversion, Adams said. Until the conversion is completed, Ozanam Inn has an agreement with the buyer of its current location, developer Kenny Lobell, that it can remain rent free at 843 Camp St. The purchase makes for a key milestone in a relocation process that set off in late 2019 when the owners of Ozanam's current location, the local chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a national Roman Catholic lay organization, sold the Camp Street building amid broader financial woes. +2 Ozanam Inn, main homeless shelter for men, finds a new home on Poydras Street Ozanam Inn, the main shelter in the city for homeless men, has bought new premises to replace its longtime home on Camp Street, which was sold Ozanam had been operating rent free in the building for decades. But in recent years the neighborhood has developed into an extension of downtown, complete with pricey food halls and luxury condominiums, making the real estate a valuable asset for its struggling owners. The relocation will move a key provider of homeless services to a less trafficked area with light industrial firms and some condominium developments. But it will also allow an expansion. When finished, the new premises will have capacity for 150, compared to the 96 beds at the Camp Street building. It will add dormitories for women for the first time in the organization's 65-year history. In addition, the renovation will include four dedicated medical and dental rooms for clinics serving the shelter's clients. At the Camp Street location, those services were performed in the hallways by Tulane and LSU medical and dental school volunteers. +19 Ozanam Inn building sold, forcing leaders to seek new home for homeless shelter The homeless men who for decades have taken shelter at Ozanam Inn in the Warehouse District will soon be without a refuge after the religious Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up At a ceremony Tuesday to mark the purchase, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said it comes at a time when homelessness is on the rise in the city because of the economic strain of the coronavirus pandemic. But she added that "crises and disasters always bring opportunities," saying the purchase was financed with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development money via the city's community development block grant. Money from that grant program, allocated under the CARES Act of 2020, also went to tripling the number of beds at the city's low-barrier shelter to 300. "There are more resources that we're going to go after, especially with this new stimulus," Cantrell said, referring to the $900 billion additional aid measures signed into law last month. Ozanam Inn has been operating at well below capacity. Adams said it currently offers only 57 beds a night to homeless men because of social distancing requirements. He and half of his staff caught the virus earlier this year. Ozanam Inn has long been a key part of the city's response to homelessness. It provides meals and accommodations for hundreds of homeless men, as well as feeding and providing Salvation Army vouchers to homeless women, children and families. The sale of the Camp Street building in October 2019, caused consternation among activists who worried about a decline in services resulting from any relocation. Adams said he hopes that after the summer the new premises will help Ozanam Inn get back to making progress on transitioning homeless people into new lives. "Our goal has gone from managing homelessness to working toward ending homelessness," he said. This story was updated to correct the amount of the most recent federal stimulus. Donald Trumps attempts to undermine election integrity and overturn the will of American voters resonated in Pennsylvanias state legislature on Tuesday, as Republicans refused to seat a Democratic lawmaker elected to office in November. GOP lawmakers also voted to remove the states Democratic lieutenant governor John Fetterman, who serves as the state Senates president, from presiding over the session and to replace him with a Republican. Democratic state Senator Jim Brewster has effectively been barred from taking the oath of office, as Republicans argued that pending litigation over the outcome of his race must first play out in the courts. This is a shameful power grab that disgraces the institution," Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement. It is simply unethical and undemocratic to leave the district without a voice simply because the Republicans dont like the outcome of the election I'll do everything in my power to ensure voters have the final say in our elections. At issue are mail-in ballots that did not have a handwritten date on an outer enveloped, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that those ballots should be counted. Republicans sought to block Brewster, whose election had been certified, and commanded an apparent parallel proceeding on Tuesday to the one led by Lt Gov Fetterman, who repeated, The chair will not cede the rostrum, the chair will not cede the rostrum, the chair will not cede the rostrum. When he called on Brewster to take the oath, Republican President Pro Tempore Jake Corman refused. Democratic state Senator Anthony Williams objected, shouting to lawmakers that Democrats will not participate in this farce." This is inappropriate, he said. You are breaking the Constitution and the laws of the commonwealth and violating the oath of office you have actually taken. There is nothing about this day that is appropriate. Nothing. We will not lay down and roll over because you got former folks on that side of the aisle. This is about Pennsylvania, not Democrats or Republicans. What unfolded on the Senate floor today was un-American, Lt Gov Fetterman said. The chaos at the state legislature in Harrisburg echoed outside, as roughly 200 Trump supporters gathered on the Capitol steps to call for state lawmakers to decertify the results of the 2020 presidential election, after Joe Biden carried the critical battleground state by roughly 2 percentage points. State legislatures have carried shades of the political turmoil in Washington, with lawmakers using the presidents false fraud claims as justification for legislation to suppress votes. A Pennsylvania Republican intends to introduce legislation that limits whether voters can request absentee ballots. And in Georgia, Republicans have proposed a measure to crack down on ballot absentee drop boxes that were implemented amid postal service delays and Covid-19 restrictions but the states Senate Republican Caucus invoked the same baseless claims and false assertions about ballot security used by the president to justify the legislation. Fairbanks Morse buys motor control pioneer Ward Leonard The US engine-maker Fairbanks Morse has acquired one of the oldest names in the electric motor industry, Ward Leonard, for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition will expand the power and propulsion equipment and services that Fairbanks Morse offers to its customers, which include the US Navy, US Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard. Ward Leonard can trace its history back to 1891, when its founder, an American electrical engineer named Harry Ward Leonard, invented and patented a motor speed control technology that still bears his name. The Ward Leonard system provided smooth speed control, instantaneous reversing, and saved energy when starting, reversing and stopping motors. It was estimated that cost of producing steel could be cut by 15% by replacing steam engines by Ward Leonard motor systems. After graduating from MIT in 1883, Harry Ward Leonard worked for Thomas Edison (along with Nicola Tesla), before setting up his own electric contracting business in 1891. He manufactured motor controls, heating devices and rheostats, and was awarded more than 100 patents for technologies as varied as elevator controls, train lighting, circuit-breakers and motor cars. He died in 1915. The Ward Leonard company went on to operate in areas including lighting controls, electrical resistors and voltage regulators, as well as motor and industrial controls. In recent years, the company has focussed on motors, generators and controls for naval, commercial marine, energy and industrial applications. Its portfolio includes medium- and high-voltage induction and synchronous motors in ratings up to 100,000hp (74.6MW). In 2005, Ward Leonard acquired the UK motor manufacturer, Mawdsleys, which specialised in motors up to 1,500hp (1.1MW) for military and heavy-duty applications. Ward Leonard currently employs around 150 people at its Connecticut headquarters. It also has locations in Texas and Louisiana that Fairbanks Morse is not acquiring. Fairbanks Morse plans to keep the Ward Leonard name. The acquisition of Ward Leonard expands the Fairbanks Morse product portfolio into complementary technologies, positioning us to serve as a power systems integrator to the US Navy and US Coast Guard, says Fairbanks Morses CEO, George Whittier. Like Fairbanks Morse, Ward Leonard has an installed base across virtually every ship class, and we expect to augment its aftermarket parts and services offerings using Fairbanks Morses extensive shop and field service capabilities. Ward Leonards portfolio includes AC motor drives in ratings up to 6,000hp (4,476kW) Ward Leonards owner and CEO, Jon Carter, says that the acquisition will provide additional support for our customers by increasing their access to OEM products and support through Fairbanks Morses waterfront field service presence. Fairbanks Morse, owned by Arcline Investment Management, manufactures and services heavy-duty, medium-speed reciprocating engines under the Fairbanks Morse and Alco brand names, mainly for marine and power generation applications. It has been manufacturing engines for more than 125 years and is the main supplier of diesel engines to the US Navy and Coast Guard, and the Canadian Coast Guard. Ward Leonard: Twitter LinkedIn Fairbanks Morse: Twitter LinkedIn Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Vaccination campaign 'will take months, not weeks,' Health Dept. warns Responding to numerous questions from the community, the Henderson County Department of Public Health provided an update on the county's vaccination plan on Tuesday and urged people to be patient while waiting for the shots. "This whole campaign will take months, not weeks," the health officials said in a news release. "Everyone will eventually have access to a tested, safe and effective vaccine, but that will take months to achieve. We ask for patience as we navigate this process." At the end of December, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) updated its priority groups for vaccine providers to follow. Henderson County is currently in Phase 1a. The revised order moved people 75 and older as well as frontline essential workers into Phase 1b. Most recently, NCDHHS issued guidance on vaccine administration that will allow communities to move into Phase 1b and Phase 2. Here is the entire statement from the Health Department While we are encouraged by the expansion in priority groups, for now, Henderson County remains focused on completing Phase 1a. As soon as we near completion of Phase 1a, we will begin to move into Phase 1b. Entities such as the Health Department and Pardee UNC Health Care that are deemed open sites by the CDC will be first to move into Phase 1b. Please note that until we as a community are ready to move into Phase 1b, there is no specific action the public needs to take. As we begin to enter Phase 1b, the Health Department will publicly announce the transition and specific steps and instructions to make a vaccination appointment. Whether a vaccine is administered through a hospital, or by the Health Department, a scheduled appointment will be required to avoid long lines and unnecessary delays with vaccine supply. Current Phase 1a: Healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff/residents Henderson County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care facility residents and staff. While the state plans to allow Phase 1b vaccinations to proceed, many communities, including Henderson County, will not start vaccinating individuals in Phase 1b until Phase 1a is complete. Its difficult to predict when Phase 1a will end. It is likely most of January will be focused on completing Phase 1a vaccinations. Individuals in Phase 1a are being solicited and rostered by us within the North Carolina COVID-19 Vaccine Management System (CVMS). That process is required by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to maintain inventory control for vaccine. Phase 1b Adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers, specified by groups Because there will not be enough vaccine for everyone in Phase 1b to be vaccinated at the same time, this phase is divided into three groups: Group 1: Anyone 75 years or older, regardless of health status or living situation. Group 2: Healthcare workers and frontline essential workers 50 years and older. Group 3: Healthcare workers and frontline essential workers of any age. Essential workers are defined by the CDC as first responders, food and agricultural workers, grocery store workers, the education sector and childcare staff among others. It is estimated there are at least 6,000 people in Henderson County in the 75+ age group who dont reside in a long-term care facility. Until more information is gathered on Groups 2 and 3, it will difficult to estimate a timeline for completing Phase 1b. Phase 2: Adults at high risk for exposure and at increased risk of illness Phase 2 will likely unfold in the spring and early summer and, by that time, it is likely vaccine supply will be more plentiful and commercial options for vaccinations in grocery stores and pharmacies will be available. Vaccine enrollment Again, the general public does not need to take any specific action at this point. It is not clear at this time if individuals in Phase 1b and Phase 2 will be enrolled within the CVMS system as those in Phase 1a have. The state has not yet defined an alternate process. Our community has planned several practical workarounds in order to be prepared for this stage. When we get to Phase 1b, we will publicly announce that transition and will provide further instructions at that time to make a vaccination appointment. An appointment-based system will be necessary in order to avoid long lines and unnecessary delays with limited vaccine supply. Key points to remember: Public Health will depend on the publics ability to access and review written information about the vaccine plan. All public health partners are busy both caring for COVID-19 patients and vaccinating those in approved priority groups, leaving them with very little time to respond to each individual question or concern. Many concerned individuals such as seniors dont frequently use or have access to the internet or social media for information. We ask community and faith-based organizations to assist with education of their staff and membership. Variables that will impact our vaccination plan include vaccine supply, ongoing demands with COVID-19 case surges and the availability of personnel and resources to administer vaccines. Despite the current surge with cases, practicing the 3 Ws has proven to be incredibly effective at protecting people. Almost all of Henderson Countys cases are associated with settings where people dropped their guard with family members not in their household, co-workers, neighbors and friends. It is a difficult and stressful time for everyone, but this is the top public health priority for our community. The entire public health system including our hospitals, community health center, emergency services and medical community are dedicated to making this happen as quickly as possible. We ask for your patience and understanding as this effort continues to unfold. For questions, please visit the Health Departments vaccine website at www.hendersoncountync.gov/health/page/covid-19- vaccines and the NCDHHS vaccine site at www.YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov. www.hendersoncountync.gov/health Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. OSWEGO COUNTY, N.Y. --- A new lawyer for Anthony Brindisi's legal team, claims of voter fraud from Claudia Tenney's legal team, and countless hours of meticulous judicial review are the highlights of Tuesday's court proceedings. On Tuesday, the court continued to conduct judicial review of challenged ballots in the 22nd congressional race. The court reviewed just under 400 challenged Broome County ballots. During the review, the common issue of registered Broome County voters casting their ballots at the wrong polling location came up. Brindisi's legal team also withdrew their objections on dozens of ballots they originally challenged. That resulted in those ballots being removed from the count. Brindisi's legal team did not provide an explanation for why they were doing that. Brindisi's legal team also brought a significant development to Tuesday's proceedings. Brindisi's lawyers asked Judge Delconte before the court broke for lunch, to bring in a 6th lawyer to the proceedings. The lawyer they chose has quite the reputation. His name is Marc Elias, he was Hillary Clinton's lawyer during the 2016 election and also served John Kerry during the 2004 election. Elias specializes in election law. Specifically post-election legal battles. Judge Delconte granted Brindisi's legal team their wish, adding Elias to their team. Elias will now be allowed to oversee and weigh in on the proceedings. Signatures on ballots continued to be an issue on Tuesday. Tenney's campaign flagging a number of ballots where the signatures did not match the voter's registration. This resulted in the Tenney campaign's first claim of voter fraud since the proceedings began. Tenney's campaign flagged one Broome County ballot that Tenney's campaign said had a different signature from their original voter documents. Brindisi's campaign stating there was evidence that the woman was married and changed her last name. Oswego county Supreme Court Justice Scot Delconte has insisted since the beginning of the proceedings, there has been no evidence of voter fraud in this election. In terms of technological abilities, Judge Delconte added the court is operating at its maximum in terms of what it can handle. Judge Delconte said to Brindisi's legal team when they asked to bring in Election Lawyer, Marc Elias, said any further additions to this virtual courtroom would only further complicate an already complicated process. Judge Delconte has yet to make a ruling that would change the vote lead. As things stand, Claudia Tenney leads Anthony Brindisi by 29 votes. A lead that will likely fluctuate until all of the challenged ballots have been ruled on. The court will begin its review of Oneida County's 444 challenged ballots on Wednesday morning. (Natural News) MLLUSA can now confirm that the DC Police arrested Enrique Tarrio, Chairman of mens fraternal organization The Proud Boys. Tarrio, who is Afro-Cuban and the son of Cuban exiles who fled Fidel Castros brutal communist regime after several family members were killed, has been charged for burning a Black Lives Matter banner during free speech demonstrations that occurred in the nations capitol in December of 2019. Recent news reports had indicated that the DC police were investigating Tarrio for the perfectly legal free speech demonstration and were even considering elevating the charge by designating it as a hate crime. (Article republished from MajorLeagueLibertyUSA.com) However, they have failed to properly prosecute violent domestic terrorist activity that has been allowed to run rampant in the past six months from Antifa and Black Lives Matter. Just last month during the same demonstration, Antifa and BLM stabbed four members of the Proud Boys and engaged in widespread destruction and violence across DC. Personally, this journalist has seen their depravity upfront, which has regularly included burning the American flag, but DC police and the woke media have stood by in those cases and facilitated an atmosphere where the insurrectionist actions are not only tolerated they are actively encouraged by elected Democrats. Former Mueller prosecutor Jeannie Rhee seems to be the originator of the charges against Tarrio, according to court documents obtained by MLLUSA. Rhee, who led the witch-hunt against Trump advisor Roger Stone, was listed on court documents as the attorney representing the African American church who claims it was their BLM banner that was stolen by someone and burned by The Proud Boys last month in DC, according to documents filed with the court in early January. This is an ongoing story and will be covered further by MLLUSA. Tyler Ziolkowski, the Florida Founder of the Proud Boys, first alerted MLLUSA to the Jeannie Rhee court documents. Read more at: MajorLeagueLibertyUSA.com and RobertMueller.news The NIA on Tuesday filed a supplementary chargesheet against two alleged narco-terrorists in a case registered last year following the arrest of a Hizbul Mujahideen operative along with Rs 29 lakh from Punjab, a spokesperson of the investigating agency said. Earlier, a chargesheet was filed in the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) narco-terror case on October 10 against 10 people, including the slain chief of the Kashmir-based terror group Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo. The supplementary chargesheet was filed against narco terrorists Jaswant Singh alias 'Jassa' of Gurdaspur and Gursant Singh alias 'Gora' of Tarn Taran in the NIA special court in Mohali, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) spokesperson said. The accused persons were involved in collection, distribution and selling of heroin smuggled from Pakistan as also in collection and channelisation of proceeds to further activities of the HM, he said. "Gora was one of the important members of the terrorist gang and as a close associate of prime accused Iqbal Singh alias 'Shera', was responsible for safe movement of heroin and proceeds to various places/unknown persons," the spokesperson said. The investigation has also brought to the fore that he has purchased many immoveable properties to be used as hideouts and luxury cars for transportation of drugs and proceeds, he said. The earlier chargesheet was filed against Hilal Ahmed Shergojri of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, Bikram Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Ranjit Singh and Maninder Singh (Amritsar), and Ranjit Singh and Jaswant Singh (Gurdaspur). The spokesperson said all have been arrested except Iqbal Singh of Amritsar and Zafar Hussain Bhat, of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag. While Iqbal Singh is absconding, Bhat is hiding in Pakistan, he said. The spokesperson said a case was registered at the Sadar Police Station in Amritsar on April 25 last year following the arrest of Shergojri and recovery of Rs 29 lakhs from his possession by the Punjab Police. The NIA took up the investigation of the case on May 8 last year. During the course of investigation, it emerged that the accused, who had come to Amritsar to collect the money, was a member of proscribed terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen and a close associate of Naikoo. "This led to busting of a major narco-terror module involved in smuggling and selling of heroin in India and channelising of drug-proceeds to Pakistan through Hawala and to the HM terrorists based in J&K at the behest of HM terrorists based in Pakistan," the spokesperson said, adding further investigation against the absconding is underway. Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Bahrain's Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) discussed BD1.3 million ($3.4 million) worth of strategic projects and procurement requests by government entities - including an initiative to modernize the television archives at the Ministry of Information Affairs and upgrade its media archiving system through modern management and classification technologies - at the 40th Information and Communication Technology Governance Committee (ICTGC) meeting. The e-meeting, which was chaired by iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, began with the members unanimously electing Dr Zakaria Ahmed Al Khaja, the Deputy Chief Executive at iGA, as the deputy chairperson of the committee. Addressing the members, Al Qaed expressed his aspirations for the new year to carry with it more achievements that benefit the country and the citizens, and wished the committee further successes during the exceptional circumstance that the kingdom and the whole world is experiencing. The meeting reviewed the latest version of the governments website development standards, which will include the latest best practices in line with United Nations (UN) eGovernment Survey requirements, in addition to an updating of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to be in line with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It put spotlight on artificial Intelligence that will be used to improve search, retrieval, and backup copying of media material in line with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards. The members also discussed the Births & Deaths certificate archival system at the iGA, calling for replacing paper archives with a categorized archiving system that enables easy and quick search.-TradeArabia News Service PLANTATION, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Office Evolution, the largest provider of locally owned and operated flexible workspaces across the nation, is continuing its rapid expansion in Florida as demand for flexible workspaces rises amid the pandemic. Demand for flexible workspace in south Florida has led to the planned opening of five Office Evolution business centers, the first two located in Plantation and Coral Springs. The open Plantation location is in a class A building within the 27-acre Plantation Walk development. The new community located in Plantation includes businesses, retail, a hotel, and luxury rental homes allowing people to work and live in the same area. Office Evolution's increasing presence in Florida's suburban area positions the company to be one of the leading coworking providers supporting one of America's top regions for economic growth. South Florida has continued to see its population increase year after year, and the business community is poised to rebound as the pandemic eases adding jobs and businesses to the area. Situated ten miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 30 miles from downtown Miami, the Office Evolution Plantation location is located in the heart of where people are working now, from home. Demand for Office Evolution's offerings has been fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for workspace close-to-home, especially as people continue to work remotely. The Plantation location is large enough to offer everything business owners would need to grow a business, but small enough for members to get to know each other personally. The business center located at 261 N. University Drive includes 43 private offices, collaborative coworking spaces, and an array of additional office amenities including private conference rooms, private day offices, a cafe area, and 24-hour accessibility. Flexible membership options include hourly, daily, month-to-month, with no long-term leases or contracts. Office Evolution also includes virtual solutions-like business address services. The Plantation location is owned by Navy Veteran Eddie Uribazo and his wife Mitzy Uribazo. Eddie spent 24 years with Johnson Controls Inc., an HVAC corporation, where he worked as a system application engineer, a project engineer and a senior project manager. For 13 years, he worked as a senior project manager, where he was responsible for managing multi-million-dollar operations and executing major systems projects. Eddie also has experience as an entrepreneur, having founded his own controls company. He believes his management experience coupled with his entrepreneurial knowledge will continue to be valuable in helping small businesses and independent employers take their operations to the next level. The Uribazos are eyeing Davie, Pembroke Pines, Weston, among others as potential destinations for their second location. "Owning and operating the first location in south Florida is special to me," said Uribazo. "We chose Office Evolution because we are passionate about small businesses and the families in the area, and Office Evolution's core values are focused on both. Being a locally owned and operated business means we understand the needs of our members. We want to inspire and bring a high level of service to all small business owners, members and entrepreneurs in our business center so they can thrive. That is our main goal!" Helping further expand Office Evolution's south Florida footprint, local Office Evolution owner and operator Mark Mendel is set to open his first location in May. It will be located in Coral Springs at 3301 N University Drive at the intersection of Sample Road. The Coral Springs location will occupy about 7,500 square feet of the first floor of the building, and will be within walking distance to many of the finest restaurants and shopping areas in Coral Springs. Mendel plans to open two additional locations in Broward and Palm Beach County over the next two years. "I have a deep entrepreneurial spirit and immensely proud of being a co-founder of Kidstop Early Learning Centers, a successful business we established back in 1990, which was acquired by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a publicly traded company, after 9 years," said Mendel. "For the past twenty years with Bright Horizons, I was a corporate executive and traveled extensively building the business. Now, I am delighted to be home in our community, helping others realize their dreams." Mendel is a longtime South Floridian and excited to open Office Evolution Coral Springs to help other local professionals, entrepreneurs and companies grow, succeed, and reach their goals. "Small business owners are the dreamers, risk takers and doers of South Florida and when they succeed, we all share in that success," said Mendel. Throughout the pandemic, Office Evolution's national network of locally owned and operated locations has provided remote workers and small- to medium-sized business owners with access to safe and flexible workspace where they can innovate, collaborate and network to enhance business performance. The brand's nationwide presence has grown significantly during the pandemic, as businesses of all sizes shift their focus towards flexible workspace to avoid getting tied up in expensive leases for traditional office space. This transition from traditional workspace to more flexible options in suburban markets where people live and work has positioned Office Evolution perfectly for growth. To learn more about Office Evolution, visit: https://www.officeevolution.com/ About Office Evolution Founded in 2003 and franchising since 2012, the Colorado-based company is the largest provider of locally owned and operated flexible workspaces in the United States. Office Evolution has more than 70 locations open, 140 units sold in markets across the country and is poised for further growth as the demand for affordable and safe, workspace close-to-home continues to rise. On any given day Office Evolution provides inspiration to a network of Dreamers, Risk-Takers and Doers across the nation. Office Evolution continues to lead the workplace transformation that is projected to see nearly 30 percent of all office space become shared office space by 2030, according to a JLL report. Office Evolution is currently operating in 25 states across the nation. For more information about Office Evolution, please visit https://www.officeevolution.com/. SOURCE Office Evolution Related Links https://www.officeevolution.com Photosynthetic organisms tap light for fuel, but sometimes there's too much of a good thing. New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals the core structure of the light-harvesting antenna of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae -- including key features that both collect energy and block excess light absorption. The study, published Jan. 6 in Science Advances, yields insights relevant to future energy applications. Scientists built a model of the large protein complex called phycobilisome that collects and transmits light energy. Phycobilisomes allow cyanobacteria to take advantage of different wavelengths of light than other photosynthetic organisms, such as green plants on dry land. This capability significantly increases global productivity from photosynthesis from across the solar energy spectrum -- but it is fraught with risk. "For cyanobacteria, excess light absorption is inevitable -- and sometimes lethal," said Haijun Liu, research scientist in chemistry in Arts & Sciences at Washington University. Liu is the principal investigator and corresponding author of the new study, funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), Basic Energy Sciences. "We've found interesting structural features in the interface where energy is transferred and regulated," he said. "One of the regulatory processes called non-photochemical quenching is executed by a protein called orange carotenoid protein. A high-resolution structure of phycobilisome will allow us to understand such processes in detail." While researchers already knew that orange carotenoid protein helps protect cyanobacteria during high light conditions, they did not have a clear picture of all of the structural features at work. They also did not know where and how orange carotenoid protein is sequestered in a living cyanobacteria cell. "We were stunned when we first reached the current model," Liu said. "We instantly noticed that an inactive orange carotenoid protein can actually get access to -- or simply fit snugly in -- the free space region between phycobilisome and PSII (the protein complex that receives energy from phycobilisome for photochemical reactions). Then it is ready to be recruited or activated by environmental cues." This structure was assembled by an all-Washington University team of analytical biochemists and structural biologists, including Himadri Pakrasi, the George William and Irene Koechig Freiberg Professor in Arts & Sciences. The team used structural proteomics in combination with structural modeling to resolve the structure. The method was first developed by Liu in Pakrasi's lab a few years ago, in collaboration with members of a group led by Michael Gross, professor of chemistry in Arts & Sciences and of immunology and internal medicine at the School of Medicine. The unique platform they created gave them significant advantages over other labs that had attempted to approach similar biological questions with electron microscope, cryo-electron microscope and other techniques. The basic science groundwork in this new research helps explain how living organisms maximize photosynthetic efficiency during early events of photosynthesis. This theme was also supported by the Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC) at Washington University -- one of 46 DOE Energy Frontier Research Centers, formerly directed by Robert E. Blankenship, the Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences Emeritus. The new work will help future efforts to design biohybrid or synthetic systems that harness energy from light. ### Shaheed El-Hafed, 28 December 2020 (SPS) - Sahrawi government has warned against the dangers that would result from the policies of the Moroccan colonizer and its reprisals against unarmed Sahrawi civilians in the occupied territories, inviting the international community to exert pressure on the colonizer to stop vindictively targeting Sahrawi citizens. The ministry of the Occupied Territories and Sahrawi Communities expressed its concern about Western Sahara people in the occupied territories targeted by the Moroccan regime, which uses repressive means, such as blockade and harassment. The ministry says it "closely monitors the legal situation in the occupied territories following the resurgence of violations by Moroccan repressive forces." It invites all international bodies to "put pressure on Morocco to ensure the integrity of the disarmed Saharawis". The government denounces "the fierce repression against the Saharawi people in the occupied territories, and which is obviously a vindictive reaction following Saharawi people's return to armed struggle," under the leadership of its legal representative, on 13 November. The statement cited the suffering of the activist and fighter Sultana Khiya since the encirclement by Moroccan forces of the home of her family, who were singled out for abuse and harassment, causing serious injuries to her mother Aminatou Rachid and her sister El Ouaara Khiya. (SPS) 062/090/700 Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. A man who was fired at by police during a confrontation at a Clifton hotel that left an officer with a slashed face was identified Tuesday as the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office also announced charges filed against him. Antwan Whitlock, 35, of Union Township, was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree resisting arrest, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to a statement from the office. The attorney generals office said the incident happened at 5:15 a.m. on Dec. 27 at the Howard Johnson Inn on Route 3 west when three Clifton police officers responded to a report of a man in a mental health crisis on the fourth floor, the office said. The officers attempted to talk to Whitlock through the closed door, forced their way in when he did respond and found that he was armed with two knives, the statement said. The two sides then had a brief encounter in the rooms doorway. As the man left the room, he slashed an officer in the face, and the other two officers fired their handguns toward Whitlock but did not hit him, the office said. Whitlock ran down a hallway holding the knives and burst through a fire exit door. He remained on the fourth floor, where the Passaic County SWAT Team found him a short time later, the statement said. Nearly two hours after the incident began, a SWAT team member fired a Taser at the man, who at the same time stabbed himself in the chest, officials said. The officers and EMS treated the man at the hotel before he was taken to the hospital. The man was taken to St. Josephs University Medical Center in Paterson where he underwent surgery and remained hospitalized Tuesday, the office said. The unidentified officer was treated for the facial wound at the same hospital and released the same day, authorities said. The incident remained under investigation Tuesday night by the attorney generals office. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Events scheduled The Lackawanna Historical Society will feature programs highlighting President-elect Joe Bidens ties to Scranton as part of the societys Project 46 celebration of his upcoming inauguration. A special Lackawanna Past Times lecture will be given by Tim Hinton on the Biden family roots. Hinton, a member of a branch of Bidens family tree, will discuss more about the Bidens and Blewitts, and who else in town is related to the family via Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. The society is also creating a small exhibit of Biden family objects and family history. The organization is seeking help from the community to help broaden the collection. It is looking for items including school or team photos that include Biden as a child, a program from a school play or other function that includes his name and donations of any objects that relate to the president-elect and his time in Scranton. The items will remain part of the societys permanent collection to help tell the story of one of Scrantons favorite sons. For more details or to schedule an appointment to drop off any donations between Jan. 12 and 15, contact the society at 570-344-3841 or lackawannahistory@gmail.com. To register for the Lackawanna Past Times lecture, also email lackawannahistory@gmail.com. High notes The Pennsylvania Department of Transportations District 4 continued its annual Christmas Wish Program despite COVID-19 restrictions. Members of the programs committee included Loni Shalkowski and Jennifer Borino, coordinators; Lori Bieber, Marsha Boland, Kaitlyn Drumheller, Dawn Foley, Anna Fuhr, Jessica Kalinoski, Sean Kane, Julianne Lawson, Amy Lolli, Stephanie Marek and Joseph Marichak. The committees goal this holiday season was to provide 42 people from the Domestic Violence Center in Luzerne County, 50 children from Head Start in Lackawanna County and two angels from the Lackawanna County Adopt an Angel Program with a gift from Santa. District 4 has sponsored an annual Christmas Wish Program for the past several years. New Delhi: Actor Arjun Rampal's sister has been summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday (January 6). She is set to appear before the central agency at 11 am today. Meanwhile, in a lengthy New Year note Arjun shared on Twitter, he had hinted about the ongoing NCB investigation against him in the Bollywood drugs case. 2020 also exposed how dreadfully misleading, disruptive and dangerous it has been. To all my fans, I just want to thank you for being so dignified and solid through the times and through the news that surrounded me, his note read. Arjun was summoned by the NCB office in Mumbai on December 21, 2020. He was also questioned by the NCB for about seven hours on November 13 last year. Rampal was probed after his Australian friend Paul Bartel was arrested in a drugs-related case. NCB had also raided his house in November. Former George W Bush will attend the inauguration of President-elect and Vice President-elect on January 20, his spokesperson has said. Bush, 74, would be accompanied by with former First Lady Laura Bush. President and Mrs Bush look forward to returning to the Capitol for the swearing in of President Biden and Vice President Harris, his spokesman Freddy Ford said in a statement. I believe this will be the eighth inauguration they've had the privilege of attending President Trump's being the most recent and witnessing the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that never gets old, Ford said. Bush's decision to attend Biden's inauguration assumes significance given that he is from the Republican Party and President Donald Trump has refused to accept the results of the elections. Several Congressmen of the Republican Party are planning to object to the election results at the US Capitol on Wednesday. As Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden had supported Bush in his key foreign policy initiative of Civilian Nuclear Deal with India. This was significant given that there was bitter political divided among the Democrats and the Republicans on several key foreign policy and national security issues. Biden's low-key inauguration on January 20 will include a Pass in Review on the East Front, a presidential escort to the White House, and a virtual parade across America following his official swearing in at the US Capitol. After the official swearing-in ceremony on the West front of the US Capitol, the President-elect, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will participate in a Pass in Review on the East front with members of the military. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advertisement Mike Pence said Wednesday he will defy Donald Trump's demand that he overturn the election, vowing he will heed to the constitution, adding 'So Help Me God' in a letter sent at exactly the same time as the president threatened him at a wild rally in Washington D.C. Trump told thousands of supporters just outside the White House that he wanted Pence to 'come through' for us and demanded that he reject electoral votes out of hand over that the president claims is 'fraud.' He threatened Pence saying 'I'm not hearing good stories' and telling him to have 'courage' to strike down swing states' votes a move which would defy the constitution. But minutes before arriving on Capitol Hill to preside over the joint session of Congress to certify the election's outcome, Pence bluntly told lawmakers that he would refuse to obey Trump's orders. Pence sent a letter to the 535 senators and representatives on Capitol Hill ahead of his presiding over the Joint Session that will certify Joe Biden's victory. In it, he outlined his belief in his role in the proceedings, which he notes is 'ceremonial' and adds that it doesn't include the authority to 'determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.' Trump has tried to put the blame on Pence for his expected loss on Wednesday but the president also lacks support among the majority of senators in his own party, which dooms his efforts for a congressional overthrow of the results. Vice President Mike Pence has refused to follow Donald Trump's demand to overturn the electoral college results and certify Joe Biden's election victory President Donald Trump threatened Vice President Mike Pence telling him to overturn the general election results shortly before Congress s was to begin counting the electoral votes that will make Joe Biden the next president Pence acknowledged Trump's allegations the election was rigged, which there has been no proof and no court has upheld, in a likely peace offering to the president In a letter Wednesday, Pence said, 'It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution contains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not' Pence acknowledged Trump's allegations the election was rigged, of which there has been no proof and no court has upheld, in a likely peace offering to the president. 'I share the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of this election,' he wrote. But he noted as vice president he does not have the power from the constitution to decide which electoral votes are counted and which are not. 'As a student of history who loves the constitution and reveres its Framers, I do not believe that the Founds of our country intended to invest the vice president with unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted during the Joint Session of Congress and no Vice President in American history has ever asserted such authority,' Pence noted. He added vice presidents in the past have conducted 'the proceedings in an orderly manner even where the count resulted in the defeat of their party or their own candidacy.' 'It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,' he said. He concluded his letter with a prayer to God: 'When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws and history. So Help Me God.' Lawmakers got through Alabama and Alaska, two states that went for Trump, without an objection. Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, objected to his state's Electoral College votes going to Biden and Harris. He confirmed that his objection had been signed on to by a U.S. senator. Democrats in the chamber audibly groaned. Droves of Republicans in the chamber stood up and clapped. The move forced Pence to order the houses out of joint session. The senators in the House chamber started moving back toward their side of the U.S. Capitol. McConnell ridiculed President Donald Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud in a five-minute speech which will be one of his last as majority leader and which he said was about the most important vote of his career Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shamed Donald Trump and his own Republican colleagues for mounting challenges to the Electoral College vote count, saying their doing so could lead to a 'death spiral' of American democracy and pointing out theres no real evidence of widespread voter fraud. 'We're debating a step that has never been taken in American history, whether Congress should overrule the voters and overtrun a presidential election,' he said on the Senate floor, after Rep. Paul Gosar and a batch of GOP senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, objected to Arizona's Electoral College vote count. McConnell ridiculed President Donald Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud in a five-minute speech which will be one of his last as majority leader and which he said was about the most important vote of his career. 'The assertions range from specific, local allegations to Constitutional arguments to sweeping conspiracy theories,' McConnell said. He reminded senators that he was supportive of Trump using the country's legal system, which handed the president and his team loss after loss. And pointed out that these cases were heard by some of the 'all-star judges whom the president himself nominated' - including on the U.S. Supreme Court. McConnell said that every election is plagued by some instances of vote irregularity. 'And of course that's unacceptable,' he said. The top Senate Republican also said he supported 'strong state-led votign reforms,' adding that he didn't wan tto see 'last year's bizarre pandemic procedures' - like mail-in ballots that gave Democrats an edge - 'become the new norm.' 'But my colleagues nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale, the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election,' McConnell argued. 'Nor can public doubt alone justify a radical break, when the doubt itself was incited without any evidence.' He pointed out that the Constitution gives Congress a 'limited role.' 'We simply can't declare ourselves a national board of elections on steroids,' McConnell said. Twisting the knife into Trump, McConnell also pointed out that the race between Biden and Trump 'was not unusually close.' 'The Electoral College margin was almost idential to what it was in 2016,' McConnell pointed out. 'If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side our democracy would enter a death spiral,' McConnel warned. 'We'd never see a whole nation accept an election again.' 'Every four years there would be a scramble for power at any cost,' he added. On the House side, during their debate on the Arizona objection, Republican lawmakers used their time to complain about the treatment of the president, particularly the impeachment process and special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. They did not offer any proof of voter fraud but complained that voter laws were changed ahead of the November contest, which is not illegal. The law says voter registration ends on October 5. Democrats said we don't care what the law says they went to a court got an Obama appointed judge to extend in 18 days, Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, a top Trump ally on Capitol Hill, complained of Arizona. Many states had their voter registration deadlines extended because of the coronavirus pandemic the extension applied to voters of both parties. Other states extended the time period allowing mail-in voting, again because of the pandemic and it applied to all voters. Democrats argued the election was legally conducted. Under some of the most trying circumstances in our history, our fellow citizens conducted a free and fair election vindicating our founders belief once again that we were capable of self government, and a peaceful transition of power, Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said. Speaker Nancy Pelosi presided over the debate. She sanitized the gavel before she used it. Pence had used it when he presided over the Joint Session. Pelosi also reminded lawmakers that only 11 members from each party were allowed on the House floor at a time due to social distancing. She called out Republicans for having too many lawmakers on the floor. Trump addressed his thousands of his supporters near the White House Wednesday at his 'Save America' rally and declared war on his own party, calling Republicans who opposed him 'weak' Hours after a humiliating defeat in one Georgia Senate race and the prospect of losing another, Team Trump showed no sign of conceding A stand was being erected at the base of the US Capitol as a pro-Trump supporter holds a flag, hours before Congress meets to certify the electoral college vote for Biden A crowd of Trump supporters started gathering outside of the White House for a rally on Wednesday This came after President Donald Trump excoriated 'weak' Republicans and demanded fealty from Pence to a rally crowd near the White House Wednesday where he demanded Pence and Congress overturn the election results that lead to his defeat. In an extraordinary speech, Trump once again called his election 'rigged' just minutes before a joint meeting of Congress was to begin counting the certified electoral votes that have him losing to Joe Biden. Trump referred to votes that came in after 10pm election night which consisted of in-person and mail-in ballots and denied him the lead he said he and his pollsters anticipated as 'these explosions of bullsh*t.' Members of the crowd immediately chanted 'Bullshi*t!' in response. 'Our election was over at 10:00 in the evening,' Trump said. Trump mocked his party's 2012 Republican presidential nominee, now-Sen. Mitt Romney, for conceded his own race back then. 'We will never concede. It doesn't happen,' he said although losing candidates have conceded for generations. 'There's never been anything like this. It's a pure theft.' Trump's comments amounted to a declaration of war on elements of his party, after his lawyer Rudy Giuliani demanded 'trial by combat' against opponents of his claims of election fraud. Trump spoke to a crowd of several thousand but referred to them as consisting of 'hundreds of thousands' of supporters fathered on a lawn south of the White House that doesn't hold that many. He said his election was 'stolen by the fake news media. That's what they've done and that's what they're doing.' He urged his supporters to march down to the Congress, which was to commence the count at 1 pm. 'We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women,' he said, speaking from behind a pane of bullet-proof material. He turned up the heat on Pence, a potential 2024 contender who will preside over the count. His role is set in the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act, and is largely ceremonial. 'Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country because you're sworn to uphold our Constitution,' he said. Trump acknowledged that he has tried to pressure Pence into rejecting votes from states he lost, quoting from a conversation he has denied happened. 'All Vice President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to re-certify and we become president and you are the happiest people,' he told his fans, who cheered 'Stop the Steal!' at times. 'I said Mike, that doesn't take courage. What takes courage is to do nothing. That takes courage. And then we're stuck with a president who lost the election by a lot and we have to live with that,' he said of Biden. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani once again raised allegations of widespread election fraud which he said also occurred in the Georgia Senate runoff elections 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, demanded that Republican Party lawmakers in Congress 'be the hero, not the zero' and refuse to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory Thousands of supporters of President Trump are seen above near the Washington Monument for the 'Save America' rally on Wednesday Trump touted his own vote total, but denied Biden's was real. 'And by the way, does anybody believe that Joe had 80 million votes?' Trump asked rhetorically. 'Does anybody believe that? He had 80 million computer votes. It's a disgrace,' Trump said. His mention of the pandemic came in terms of his own race, where millions voted by mail as thousands battled infections in a year more than 300,000 Americans died of COVID-19. 'They've used the pandemic as a way of defrauding the people in a proper election,' Trump said. 'Eight weeks. I want to go back eight weeks. Let's go back eight weeks,' he mused at one point, as he described a conversation with an unnamed official who told him that he would be lock to win in 2024. Trump repeatedly couched his demands not as an effort to overturn the votes of the people, but as a legal effort. 'Somebody says: Well we have to obey the Constitution,' Trump said. 'And you are, because you're protecting our country and you're protecting the Constitution so you are,' he said. He said it would protect the country from having what he called 'an illegitimate president.' 'The states were defrauded. They were given false information,' Trump claimed. During various tangents, he complained about how he is treated on social media, such as when 'I get a flag' on his tweets. 'I don't care about Twitter, Twitter's bad news, he said afterward. He went after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell several times, including for not going along with his proposal to change communications laws. 'I helped Mitch get elected,' he said of the longtime incumbent. 'And then all of a sudden you have something like this,' he said, going after 'weak Republicans' and 'pathetic Republicans' despite a top official in Georgia blaming him for the likely defeats of two Senate Republican incumbents. He also called out Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) after her comment that failing to accept the electors certified by states would violate the Constitution. 'The Liz Cheneys of the world, we've got to get rid of them,' Trump said. 'Brian Kemp vote him the hell out of office please,' Trump said of the Georgia governor. He said Georgia's secretary of state Brad Raffensperger had 'no clue' what was going on, but then said 'maybe' he was with the other side the Democrats. 'I can't believe this guy was a Republican,' said Trump. 'He loves recording telephone conversations,' Trump said mentioning a leaked call where Trump can be heard asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes to make him the winner. 'People love that conversation, because it says what's going on,' Trump said. Donald Trump Jr (left), the president's eldest son, kisses his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle (right), before addressing the rally on Wednesday Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer and he bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of frau Trump also complained about the Supreme Court, which failed to take up a Texas lawsuit he sought to join, and even his former attorney general Bill Barr, who said before leaving his post there wasn't sufficient fraud to change the outcome. 'I'm not happy with the Supreme Court. They look to rule against me. I picked three people. I fought like hell for one in particular,' Trump inveighed. 'You know I read a story in one of the newspapers recently, how I control the three Supreme Court Justices. I control them. They're puppets. I read it about Bill Barr - that he's my personal attorney, that he'll do anything for me. 'But he denied pulling Barr's strings'And I said, you know, it really is genius, because what they do is that, and it makes it really impossible for them to ever give you a victory, because all of a sudden Bill Barr changed if you hadn't noticed. I like Bill Barr but he changed because he didn't want to be considered my personal attorney, and the Supreme Court. They ruled against me so much you know why? Because the story is, I haven't spoken to any of them. Any since virtually they got in, but the story is that they're my puppet, right, that they're puppets. And now that the only way they can get out of that - because they hate that it's not good on the social circuit. And the only way they get out is to rule against Trump. So let's rule against Trump and they do.' 'You know I read a story in one of the newspapers recently, how I control the three Supreme Court Justices. I control them. They're puppets. I read it about Bill Barr - that he's my personal attorney, that he'll do anything for me.' But he denied pulling Barr's strings'And I said, you know, it really is genius, because what they do is that, and it makes it really impossible for them to ever give you a victory, because all of a sudden Bill Barr changed if you hadn't noticed. I like Bill Barr but he changed because he didn't want to be considered my personal attorney, and the Supreme Court. They ruled against me so much you know why? Because the story is, I haven't spoken to any of them. Any since virtually they got in, but the story is that they're my puppet, right, that they're puppets. And now that the only way they can get out of that - because they hate that it's not good on the social circuit. And the only way they get out is to rule against Trump. So let's rule against Trump and they do.' Giuliani said, 'If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat,' he said, without explaining exactly what he meant by combat. 'I'm willing to stake my reputation, the president is willing to stake his reputation on the fact that we're going to find criminality there,' said the former New York mayor. Trump and his allies have suffered dozens of losses in state and federal courts with suits charging election fraud. He spoke to thousands of cheering supporters on the Ellipse south of the White House. A permit was for 30,000 people. The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed there were 100,000 people there but images showed far fewer. He bashed elected Republicans who have refused to go along with his father's claims of fraud. 'The people who did nothing to stop the steal -- this gathering should send a message to them. This isn't their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump's Republican Party. This is the Republican Party that will put America first,' he said. His girlfriend, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, also spoke. Eric Trump (right), the president's son, and his wife, Lara Trump, raise their fists in front of thousands of supporters near the White House on Wednesday A militia-like group is seen making their way to Trump's rally on Wednesday morning Trump supporters gather near the White House and watch the rally on a big screen set up nearby A woman is seen holding a sign that reads 'Trump is the party' as the president's supporters gather on the Washington Monument grounds Trump supporters braved cold temperatures in Washington, DC, on Wednesday hours before the start of planned demonstrations A Trump supporter is seen with a protective vest decorated with Trump badges at Wednesday's rally Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House United States Park Police are seen above arresting a man near the Washington Monument on Wednesday After claiming fraud in Trump's election, John Eastman claimed fraud in the count Tuesday night, which allowed Rev. Raphael Warnock to be called as the winner in one runoff and has Democrat Jon Ossoff leading in another. Explaining how the fraud he claims occurred happened, Eastman said: 'You know the old way was to have a bunch of ballots sitting in a box under the floor They put those ballots in a secret folder in the machines, sitting there waiting until they know how many they need I can now in that machine match those unvoted ballots with an unvoted voter and put them together in the machine. How do we know that happened last night in real time? You saw when it went to 99 per cent of the vote total, and it stopped.' He pointed to a point late in the vote count while counties were still tabulating votes a version of Trump's complaint that he led in early returns on election night in November. Last night, Republicans led until addition in-person votes came in in populous Democratic-leaning counties 'That means they were unloading the ballots from that secret folder,' he claimed. At least 10 people were arrested for gun possession crimes and other violations and others were seen clashing with counter-demonstrators. One man from North Carolina was detained after he was caught carrying a gun without a license. The man rode into the capital on a bus which was stopped by police near Ninth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Police boarded the bus and confiscated a rifle and a handgun as well as a drum magazine that holds additional ammunition. Many in the crowd were photographed not wearing masks and gathered in tight quarters, shoulder to shoulder, despite the raging pandemic and the nationwide surge in the number of coronavirus cases. 'Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Donald Trump turns on Pence telling him to ignore the constitution and refuse to certify Joe Biden's victory in Congress - which even a White House aide calls 'shameful' Donald Trump tweeted furiously at his own vice president Mike Pence Wednesday to demand he refuse to certify Joe Biden's election victory. Trump demanded Pence ignore the constitution and instead 'return' swing states' slates of electors for Joe Biden to Republican-controlled legislatures who would then submit their own Trump electors. Pence has no such power to do so - and told Trump that over lunch on Tuesday, the New York Times reported - but Trump doubled down on his demands as thousands of his supporters, some in camouflage, gathered close to the White House. 'States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!' Trump tweeted. At the White House there was shock that Trump would turn so publicly on his ultra-loyal VP. CNN reported that one aide called attacking the VP 'shameful,' amid fears from Pence's camp that worse was to come. The tweet was hours before Pence was due to preside over the joint session of Congress which will formally declare Biden the election victor - and as the Republican party adsorbed the shock of being on the brink of losing the Senate. Trump appeared to concede that the Senate was lost in an all-capitals tweet claiming that Republicans need to keep 'the power of the veto.' 'THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, OUR COUNTRY, NEEDS THE PRESIDENCY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - THE POWER OF THE VETO. STAY STRONG!' Trump tweeted. A move to turn on Pence had been growing in inevitability for days. Axios reported that Trump had no idea that Pence oversaw the certification of the election results - until he learned about it from a television ad by the Lincoln Project, the never-Trump Republican group led by Kellyanne Conway's husband George. Tweetstorm turning on Pence: Donald Trump went after his own VP in a tweetstorm On Tuesday night ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. That was after Trump slammed as 'fake news' the revelation that Pence had told him he was powerless to stop Biden's win in a statement which was signed only by Trump - and not by his deputy. 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power to reject slates of electors 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the Electoral College votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to how Pennsylvania's voting was run - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. Truth to power: Donald Trump demanded publicly Monday night at his rally in Georgia and then on Twitter that the vice president aid his campaign to overturn the election. Pence told him Tuesday he could not Desperation move: Trump's extraordinary plan to overturn the election through Mike Pence is a final attempt to stop Joe Biden's victory being confirmed If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden - at least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Ted Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Josh Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' And for Pence, who has walked the tight rope of Trump's presidency for four years without faltering, what he does Wednesday will be the ultimate loyalty test, at least in the eyes of the president, who is publicly putting on the pressure. Trump has made it clear he expects his second-in-command to keep him in the White House even if Pence does not legally or constitutionally have the power to do so. 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Advertisement Ultimately, Biden is expected to be certified as the winner of the election on Wednesday, which Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, is expected to announce after the certification is complete. The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. When all is said and done, Biden will be inaugurated the 46th president on January 20th. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' The low down on how Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times Advertisement 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleagues House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. Pawel Bienkowski / Alamy Stock Photo William Menech believes he has discovered a cure for COVID-19. Its a fairly simple mixture of three herbs he learned about while studying Amazonian plant medicine and shamanism over the last two decades. Some of them are available right off the shelf at health food stores across the world, he told The Daily Beast. Everybody treated with these three plants, within one day, their symptoms are gone. Their smell and taste come back. And theyre cured within four days. Hes so sure about this cure that hes tried to get the recipe to White House officials for proper study and, he believes, an inevitable rollout. (There is no scientifically proven cure for COVID-19. Menech promised to send more information about his concoction and its supposed efficacy to The Daily Beast, but never did.) Yet even though hes 100 percent on the plants, as he put it, Menech still shut down his businessa retreat in Iquitos, Peru, called Kawsay where people come from across the globe to legally drink ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogenic brew with purported therapeutic powersthis spring when the pandemic really started taking off. And hes going to keep it shut down indefinitely, until he can be sure the pandemic is totally under control. Im familiar with the effects of the virus, he told The Daily Beast. His son and daughter have both suffered cases of COVID-19, he explained. It can be pretty serious. So, theres always a risk that someone comes down with the disease hard and fast and struggles to get treatment before suffering serious and potentially long-lasting damage, or even dying. And Menech believes that gathering travelers to drink ayahuasca together poses a serious transmission risk. As a self-proclaimed healer, he thinks he has a responsibility, spiritually to mitigate that substantial potential risk. Menech made a good call, as the drinking ceremonies that anchor retreats like his do have all the hallmarks of potential COVID-19 superspreader events. They usually involve multiple people drinking out of a shared cup then vomiting profusely, as ayahuasca is a powerful emetic, often while a plant medicine healer sings ritualistic songs in the background. Some ceremonies take place in closed quarters, with people sitting relatively close together for hours on end, and coming into physical contact with center workers or each other. Some of the bigger and more expensive ayahuasca retreats also seem to attract an older, more potentially pandemic-vulnerable clientele. Story continues I cannot think of another healing practice that is more biologically explosive, Alex K. Gearin of Kahpi, an ayahuasca education hub, told The Daily Beast. Given these risks, he believes that holding any ceremonies during the pandemic is risky, and potentially socially irresponsible. These are not just theoretical concerns, as Menech learned in February when he says his center hosted a man whod just visited Wuhan, China. As the pandemic had not exploded yet, he didnt think much about the fact that the man had a slight cough. But after a few drinking sessions, Menech recalled, three people at the center got very ill They didnt know what had hit them. Yet Menech is more the exception than the rule among ayahuasca providers. This fall, with the pandemic still ragingin some places, worse than ever beforenews spread in the ayahuasca enthusiast community that several major centers, which had shut down in the spring due to government mandates or travel restrictions choking off their business, were gearing up to reopen. Back in March, Lorna Liana, an ayahuasca aficionado whos attended over 150 ceremonies and worked with over 30 plant medicine experts since 2004, consulted medical experts to create a list of potential COVID-19 transmission risks in ayahuasca ceremonies, and ideas on how to mitigate them. Use individual, single-use cups instead of communal vessels, for instance. Hold ceremonies in well-ventilated, or ideally open-air, spaces. Clean everything thoroughly and frequently. However, Lianas risk assessment concluded that the best response to the pandemic would be an indefinite pause on ceremonies until this public health crisis is under control. There is no definitive list of ayahuasca retreats, or other providers. Some are small or ephemeral operations. Some work quietly in areas where they are only quasi-legal, or illegal. But The Daily Beast recently reached out to over 60 of the best known ayahuasca centers around the world to see if they had reopened during the pandemic, or planned to soonand, if so, what measures they were putting in place to mitigate the pandemic risks of their biologically explosive practices. Only a dozen responded to our queries. So, we also reviewed centers publicly visible materials, like their websites and newsletters, and consulted a half-dozen experts on ayahuasca centers. Beyond Kawsay, only two centers, Gaia Sagrada in Ecuador and Pisatahua in Bolivia, explicitly told The Daily Beast that, like Menech, they planned to stay shut down indefinitely, even though they could open if we wanted to right now, as Christine Breese, the founder of Gaia Sagrada, noted. Two more centers, La Familia Ayahuasca and Nimea Kaya, prominently note that they will remain closed until further notice on their websites, although the latter explicitly frames this as a response to travel restrictions rather than to the pandemic proper. Gaia Sagrada, Kawsay, and Pisatahua all still have retreat dates listed for 2021. But Breese, Menech, and a representative from Pisatahua all noted that they just hope to be able to reopen soon, and are preparing for the possibility. They and a few other centers that have listed some provisional retreat dates for 2021 are keeping an eye on the pandemics course, and will push back their provisional reopening dates as needed. The vast majority of centers The Daily Beast looked at appear to have reopened already, or have plans to reopen within the coming weeks, with only minimal or half-assed pandemic precautions in place. A couple of centers actually openly told us that they never shut down or changed the way they operated, even at the height of pandemic uncertainty, chaos, and lockdowns worldwide. Six centers The Daily Beast looked at that have already reopenedAyahuasca in Ecuador, Hummingbird Healing Center, Rythmia, Soltara, Soul Quest, and Spirit Vinedid outline clear, detailed protocols for mitigating risks during their ceremonies, often at least partially informed by and roughly in line with, or in a few cases exceeding, Lianas recommendations. Melissa Stangl, an advocate for the spread of plant medicine practices in the West and a founding partner at Soltara, a well-known luxury ayahuasca retreat located in Costa Rica, argued that her centers protocols were more robust than many local businesses. Stangl told The Daily Beast she can understand the need for continuing extreme caution at centers in the Amazon, which are often in remote areas with limited access to health care at the best of times. But Costa Rica has managed the pandemic really well, she explained, and their health care system is one of the best in Latin America, which makes them feel comfortable about any lingering risks. However, as Breese pointed out, the only surefire way to make sure that people do not pick up and then transmit the coronavirus during travel is to require them to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival at their final destinationsin this case, an ayahuasca center. To our knowledge, no one in this world has imposed this restriction. Breese noted that most are just not set up, either economically or logistically, for that kind of burden. More worryingly, even centers with robust protocols in place tend not to require mask usage during ayahuasca drinking ceremonies proper. People would have to take them off to vomit, Breese pointed out, and you cant necessarily count on people who are tripping hard to remember that. So, this is a functionally unavoidable concessionthe best way to reduce the risk of someone creating a massive mess, and perhaps even choking on their own sick. However, even outside, with good airflow and some distance between participants, the spray of moist particulate during a spirited purging session still poses risks. Emotions run high at these retreats as well, Breese added. Hearts open. The participants would not be able to stay within the boundaries of social distancing for any length of time. We have thought a lot about how we could enforce safety protocols, Breese stressed. We really wanted to find a way to open [this fall.] But there simply isnt a way to do it safely Some of centers The Daily Beast looked at, such as Kentuckys Peaceful Mountain Way Holistic Healing, only give gentle suggestions about things like continu[ing] to take evidence-based and common sense precautions when in public, prior to attending ceremony [sic] on their sites. Others just claim that they will follow best practices, or are developing protocols, but kept mum when The Daily Beast requested details. A few only mention the pandemic in their materials to apologize for their mandatory spring shutdowns and offer information on how to get a refund or new date for a canceled booking. A handful only mention it to offer advice on how to navigate around travel restrictions to reach them. The Ayahuasca Shamanic Retreat Center in the Netherlands goes so far as to advertise a few exclusive, intimate (8 people only! COVID proof) retreats [sic] on its homepagewithout explaining on its site or responding how it could possibly guarantee that, or responding to a request for comment. The Pachamama Temple in Pucallpa, Peru, meanwhile, seemingly attempted to reassure prospective clients this spring that the pandemic had not affected their team. And we can confidently attribute this fact to the healing properties of Ajo Sacha, their site reads. Right below, they insist that they do not mean to imply by that statement that Ajo Sacha is a corona virus [sic] remedy. They do not appear to address the pandemic in any other way on their site. The remainderthe majorityof the centers The Daily Beast looked at didnt mention the pandemic at all in their materials or answer requests for comments, yet still appeared to be taking bookings for upcoming sessions. Some ayahuasca enthusiasts have justified these rushed reopenings by arguing that the brew is a vital medicine for many people, and moderate risks are always justifiable for vital services. Jesse Gould, the founder of the Heroic Hearts Project, a non-profit that helps American veterans get the psychedelic treatments many believe can help them to heal from trauma related to their service by connecting them to centers, told The Daily Beast that nothing else seems to help many people he works with. For them, he acknowledged, access to the brew can be life or death. But as a representative of the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), a plant medicine advocacy organization, told The Daily Beast, there are many different ways to take, and reap the purported benefits of, ayahuascaand not all of them require in-person group ceremonies, travel, or other pandemic risks. Theyre not as easy to learn about or locate as highly visible centers, but just a little bit of Googling will surface details on them. And for people who are solely devoted to the ways that centers frame and deliver ayahuasca, ICEERS noted that a few providers have started developing protocols for all-digital ceremonies. Granted, this may involve the illicit procurement of ayahuasca for at-home consumption for some users. But in the face of desperation, legal limitations like those sometimes end up taking a back seat. Most people can wait a little while to seek out ayahuascas potential benefits, Menech added, or they can make do with a host of other perhaps less effective but still viable mental health tools. If its not an emergency, where your life is in danger now, then why put your life at risk? Gould is eager to get the pipeline between the veterans he works with and centers back online because he thinks its vital to their wellbeing, and hes willing to accept some risk. But as of a few weeks back, when he spoke to The Daily Beast, he was also still willing to wait a while longer. He said that didnt feel like hed gotten enough information from the reopened centers hed reached out to for him to make an informed, balanced decision. He also had his doubts that the protocols they had outlined would do enough to mitigate persistent pandemic risks. So, he told The Daily Beast that he would just see how reopenings play outand explore alternative ayahuasca access avenues. Menech believes the rush to reopen ayahuasca centers with insufficient or nonexistent safety protocols is all about money. Center owners, often foreigners living and working in Central and South America, operate on slim margins. More importantly and sympathetically, their centers usually employ dozens of people in economically precarious rural, and often indigenous, communities; ICEERS notes that they are sometimes the centerpiece of local economies. So, the economic shock of a prolonged closure, or even the added costs of robust safety measures, can do real damageand local governments in many nations with numerous ayahuasca centers do not have the capacity to make up those losses. However, Menech argued that in most communities people can still find other jobs, even if they are not as well compensated and may require temporary relocation to another city or town. Centers can still bring in some money by developing digital services, an ICEERS representative told The Daily Beast, like remote retreats or one-on-one psychedelic counseling with healers. Many centers and ayahuasca advocacy groups have also started fairly successful fundraising ventures to create their own support funds to offset local staffs losses. Financially, Im shot, Menech told The Daily Beast. Ive had to move because I cant afford my rent anymore. But am I going to put other peoples lives at risk because I am having financial issues now? No Thatd be putting my financial security above others safety. But in a few cases its clear centers have rushed to reopen notor not exclusivelybecause they need cash, but because they doubt mainstream pandemic narratives, and in several cases buy into conspiracy theories or magical thinking instead. Paula Danti of the Naturalia Retreat in Iquitos opened her doors again as soon as Peru lifted its international travel restrictions in October. We really never closed, she told The Daily Beast. The borders of Peru just closed, cutting off the flow of foreigners who frequent her retreat. However, it seemed as if she had not put much thought into safety protocols before reopening. When The Daily Beast talked to her in early October, she noted that her team was actually discussing what to do now. She asked The Daily Beast if she should get a thermometer to check peoples temperatures not because she thought it would be useful, but to make people feel safe. She told The Daily Beast she has traveled between Peru, Spain, and the United Kingdom in 2020, and everywhere I have been, [the pandemic] is not as bad as the media says. More blatantly, Sharon van Bramer, an ayahuasca advocate who runs about three ceremonies every month at Bluestone Ayahuasca Retreats in Cancun, Mexico, told The Daily Beast that she never shut down her center, or changed the way she did protocols, because she didnt think the pandemic merited that move. She actually didnt know the pandemic had started until she got a few cancellations from people living abroad in mid-March, because she doesnt read or watch any news. But she just brushed those cancellations off and found folks to replace them. (Van Bramer isnt the only person who kept her center open during the pandemic. However, most centers that never closed either served set pods of people or hyper-local communities, not travelers like Bluestone.) Van Bramer believes viruses can only turn into diseases and hurt us when our lives and minds are out of whack. Ayahuasca, she believes, can help people achieve the balance that will keep them safe. Belief that a virus can do something to you that you and your spirit dont want or need to happen, she told The Daily Beast, means youre living in fear, which opens you to sickness. And people who are out of balance, she says, or who the universe has decided need to get sick to grow, wont be safe no matter what precautions they take. She is so dubious of established medical factsof observable realitythat she actually scoffs at ayahuasca centers that maintain relationships with allopathic doctors to handle rare health emergencies among their clientele. I could put myself in a biotech uniform and lock myself in a bathroom, and if Im supposed to get COVIDif my spirit thinks I need itthen I would get it no matter what I did, she said. If I get it, I get it. If I die, then thats what my soul wanted. That was the moment for me to go. The attitude Ive expressed is pretty popular and widely held in the plant medicine community, van Bramer told The Daily Beast. Experts on the movement say that shes probably right. People often find ayahuasca ceremonies and other forms of plant medicine and spirituality after they have bad experiences with and start to mistrust Western medicine, explained Derek Beres, a reporter whos followed the world of psychedelics since 1994. There are good reasons for doubt and skepticism, he acknowledged. (See: the opioid crisis.) But all too often, ayahuasca acolytes move beyond reasonable doubt to a generalized mistrust of everything related to Western medicine, and start buying into a whole host of wild conspiracy theories. They also often start placing their faith entirely in their own intuitions or idiosyncratic spiritual beliefsmany of which are, coincidentally, based on very Western misunderstandings of plant medicine rituals. Dark conspiracy theories, and more generally distrust of the government, have been rampant in psychedelic communities as long as theyve existed, said Kevin Whitesides, an expert on new age belief networks at the University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara. COVID-19 has just brought a lot of that out in a very public way for the first time. All of a sudden, people need to make really public decisions about how to behave, what kinds of behaviors and thoughts to support. This clarification and hardening of anti-science strains of thought has created tensions within the ayahuasca community, an ICEERS spokesperson said. Advocates and center operators who believe plant medicine should coexist with Western medicine, and who are taking the pandemic seriouslypeople like Breese and Menech whove shut down indefinitely, or like Stangl whore at least making concerted efforts to mitigate risks while reopeningworry that their more reckless, conspiratorial cousins will at best make it harder for ayahuasca to gain mainstream acceptance in the West, and at worst endanger their clients lives. Center operators who arent taking the pandemic as seriously try to brush these tensions away using the language of personal choice, arguing that individuals can make their own informed decisions about when its safe to reopen their centers, or when its safe to visit a reopened center. This is all just about different points of view. Its not that youre wrong and Im right. Its just different perceptions, argued van Bramer. I dont want to impose my beliefs on anybody. Of course, the problem is that individual decisions in a pandemic have ramifications that expand far past one person. The way one center chooses to operate can potentially create the conditions to spread the virus out into wider communitiesfunctionally forcing its operators idiosyncratic beliefs onto others in a very tangible and dangerous manner. Im sure the centers that are opening now are not considering the ramifications of doing so in the ways that they are, noted Breese. There is no central body regulating ayahuasca centers, or even setting best practices for them. So, there is no way to complain about or push back on centers that dont seem to be taking the pandemic seriously if they are not technically breaking local laws or live in areas where pandemic laws are not enforced, save to leave critical reviews of them on social media, travel sites, and plant medicine forums online. Even that pushback may not have much effect, as van Bramers case proves centers can just brush off concerns by finding communities who share their views and dont care about complaints like these. The potential of pushback is also limited to publicly active centers, and irrelevant to the many circles and groups that operate quasi-legally or illegally, under the radar, across the globe. Thus, decisions on reopenings during the pandemic are often entirely subject to a small set of individuals whims, and their sometimes distorted perceptions of the ongoing public health crisis. Rushed ayahuasca center reopenings are all the more frustrating because they are not a necessary result of pandemic skepticism and esoteric beliefs. Nor does getting onboard with a long and difficult period of lockdowns also necessitate getting fully onboard with mainstream medical thought and pandemic narratives. Breese and Menech are proof of that. Like Menech, Breese believes we already have plant-based cures for COVID-19. But she takes that notion a step farther, arguing officials seem to be blocking public knowledge of these cures. She and her team also feel that some of the lockdown stuff is a bit severe, especially for younger people. The truth is that no one really knows if theyre right about the virus not being so bad, or about the value of accepting risks for ayahuasca, Breese argued. And even one life lost is too many. If Im a healer, as many ayahuasca providers claim to be, Menech noted, then why would I evereverput somebodys life and health at possible risk? To me, that is not ethical. Thats completely contrary to the whole spirit of healing work. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Syria and close ally Russia clashed with the U.S. and other nations Tuesday over a Western initiative to suspend Syrias voting rights in the global chemical weapons watchdog for failing to provide details of three chemical attacks in 2017 that investigators blamed on President Bashar Assads government. The confrontation in the U.N. Security Council foreshadowed a showdown when the 193 member states of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons meet in The Hague, Netherlands, in April to consider a French-drafted measure, on behalf of 46 countries, to suspend Syrias "rights and privileges" in the body. The French proposal was a response to Syrias failure to meet a 90-day deadline set in July by the OPCWs executive council for Damascus to declare the nerve agent sarin and chlorine, which OPCW investigators said last April were dropped by the Syrian air force on the central town of Latamneh in late March 2017. The Western effort reflects a much broader effort to obtain accountability for Syrian chemical attacks and highlight claims that Assad's government is secretly continuing its chemical weapons program. Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in September 2013, pressed by Russia after a deadly chemical weapons attack that the West blamed on Damascus. By August 2014, the Assad government declared that the destruction of its chemical weapons was completed. But Syrias initial declaration of its chemical stockpiles and chemical weapons production sites has remained in dispute. Irelands U.N. ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason, a new council member, said it was "deeply disturbing" that the OPCW still cannot determine whether the initial declaration was accurate or complete because of gaps and inconsistencies. She said the problems are not "minor" as some would portray, alluding to Russia. "Over those seven years, the number of issues that need to be addressed has expanded from five to 19," Byrne Nason said. "There have been 17 amendments to Syrias declaration including the addition of a production facility, four research and development centers, and doubling of the amount of declared agents and chemicals." In addition, she said, there are issues related to "hundreds of tons of missing agents and munitions reported destroyed" before Syria joined the chemical convention as well as recent reports of a production facility that Damascus declared as never having been used, "where there is clear evidence to the contrary." Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul, another new council member, also expressed concern at Syrias failure to explain an unnamed chemical that can be used in chemical weapons but also has non-weapons uses. It was detected at the Barzah facilities of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, again accused OPCW investigators of being "unscrupulous" and alleged they used "forgeries" and "manipulations" to blame Syria. He called the chemical watchdog "seriously ill with politicization." And he accused a number of unnamed countries of "playing this `chemical card to step up pressure on the Syrian government that they failed to overthrow in the wake of the so-called Arab Spring." As for the initial Syrian declaration, Polyansky said Damascus was not "an extraordinary case," pointing to amended declarations by Western countries including France and Germany as well as Libya. He accused Western delegations of trying to "inflate agitation" around Syria. French Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere expressed regret at "the false accusations of those who seek to discredit OPCW" and its findings about Syria's attacks. "There is simply the reality of the facts," he said. "We all know them: the regime used weapons of war prohibited by international law against its own population, and since then we have seem chemical weapons re-emerge and become commonplace in Syria and elsewhere." British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said OPCW investigators, alone and initially with a U.N. team, determined Syria used chemical weapons on at least six occasions. "These are not hypothetical issues for the thousands of Syrian civilians who have suffered the horrifying effects on the body of nerve agents and chlorine," she said. Syrias deputy foreign minister and former U.N. ambassador, Bashar Jaafari, accused some unnamed Western nations of using the OPCW "as a platform to fabricate allegations and then justify an assault and aggression on Syria." The aim, he said, is "to frame the Syrian government for the use of chemical weapons and exonerate the terrorists and the sponsors ... and give them the necessary means to escape through the occupied Golan area through Israel to the capitals of Western states where they can live." Russias Polyansky said Syria could not meet the OPCWs anti-Syria demands on Latamneh because it "simply doesnt have" the chemical weapons and facilities the organization is seeking. "Hopefully, the majority of delegations at the member states conference in April will reject this provocation, and the West-initiated decision, which is `punitive by nature, will not pass," he said. U.S. deputy ambassador Richard Mills said neither the Security Council nor the world "is fooled" by Russias accelerated campaign to discredit the OPCW. He urged council members to call on all countries to support the French draft against Syria in April "aimed at promoting accountability for the Assad regimes actions." "It is time that the Syrian people, and indeed all the globes people, be allowed to live in a world free of the threat of chemical weapons," he said. "With each innovation, we're pushing the boundaries of what drinkers expect from hard seltzer," said Casey O'Neill, Senior Product Development Manager at The Boston Beer Company. "We spent eight months testing more than 250 iterations to land on the Truly Iced Tea launching today and can't wait to finally share it with our drinkers." As the first hard seltzer brewed with real tea, Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer is yet another example of how the brand is setting the gold standard for innovation. Last year, Truly shook things up with the release of Truly Lemonade, which quickly captured the hearts of hard seltzer fans across the country. In a category which saw the release of several hundred new items, Truly Lemonade was the most successful incremental innovation of the year, soaring to nearly 10% share of the entire category.[1] "As the hard seltzer category continues to explode, we're excited to bring another first-to-market product to our drinkers and fuel their discovery through new flavors," says Lesya Lysyj, CMO of The Boston Beer Company. "Truly believes in inclusivity and that no one is just one flavor, which is why we're once again expanding our portfolio to offer a flavor for everyone. Truly Iced Tea is another testament to the mega-brand we're building and our relentless innovation, and trust us, it will be your cup of tea." To celebrate the new flavor and a New Year, Truly Iced Tea is launching Try January, a campaign to encourage drinkers to explore new things and new flavors like Truly Iced Tea. Any drinker that wants to opt in to Try January can visit a landing page on the Truly website for Truly Iced Tea swag in the form of beanies, sweatshirts, koozies and fanny packs, starting today, January 6. Folks opting for a more Dry January can check back in February to score their swag, or save their items to enjoy on February 1 with a cold Truly Iced Tea. Truly Iced Tea is available nationwide now in variety 12-packs as well as 6-packs and 24oz single-serve of Lemon Iced Tea, prices varying by market. For shop locators and purchasing details, visit: www.trulyhardseltzer.com . [1] IRI Total US Multi Outlet + Conv, L13 Weeks Ending 12/27/20 About Truly Hard Seltzer Since its inception in 2016, Truly has been the most innovative brand in the category, breaking the boundaries of what consumers expect from hard seltzer. Truly believes no one is just one flavor, which is why it is available in 12 delicious original flavors, plus four flavors of Truly Lemonade and now four flavors of Truly Iced Tea. At just 100 calories and 5% ABV, Truly is perfect for any occasion from beach days to backyard barbeques and beyond. To learn more about Truly, visit www.trulyhardseltzer.com. SOURCE Truly Hard Seltzer Related Links https://www.trulyhardseltzer.com Yesterday, Georgia voters returned to the polls to decide which candidates would represent the state in the US Senateand, by extension, which party would control Congress for the next two years. Early this morning, national outlets declared Reverend Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, the winner of his race against Kelly Loeffler, a Republican; as of now, the race between Democratic challenger Jon Ossof and Republican incumbent David Perdue remains too close to call. Today, Congress and the Vice President will meet in order to formalize Joe Bidens election to the presidencyending, one hopes, a two-day span that includes some of the nations most significant democratic operations as well some of the most brazen efforts to undermine them. The events of the past week are only our most recent reminder that democracy is not inevitable, and the press plays an enormous role in the continuing fight toward its full realization. Journalisms role in the Georgia runoff began long before yesterday; faced in November with the inevitability of a January runoff, the press responded with a barrage of service journalism explainers on the mechanisms and origins of Georgias runoff, information on Georgia voter registrationas well as drawing attention to the stakes. Yesterday, local front pages throughout Georgia emphasized the national importance of the election; reminded readers of voting hours; noted, in select cases, lower numbers of early ballots than reported in November; or offered voting guides to help voters navigate the process. The availability and volume of good information is critical to any election. However, as recent years have made distressingly clear, the availability and volume of disinformation is also extremely powerful. Efforts to undermine democracys function have been rampant, particularly (though not exclusively) during the past several months. On top of the disinformation targeting individual voters in Georgia, the president and other Republican officials leveraged the power of a fragmenting information system to amass support for baseless claims of fraudulent election results, tethering the election in Georgia to the foundations of a parallel universe in which the president had been maligned. Last weekend, reporters revealedto Georgia and to the nationthat President Trump had pressured Georgias Secretary of State to overturn Bidens November win in the state, and linked his claims to conspiracy-riddled websites. Yesterday, outlets reported the presidents efforts to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the November election results in Congressa power the Vice President does not actually possess. That news likely reached some Georgia voters even as they headed to the polls; its impact is felt as Congress gathers today. The press cannot take for granted that American democracy is unbreakable, nor can it assume that unencumbered participation in democratic institutions has ever been the countrys status quo. Runoffs in Georgia have roots in voter suppression aimed at Black voting blocs, as numerous outlets have detailed; the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a particularly deep dive into the runoff elections history, including an unsuccessful 1988 lawsuit, brought by former state Representative Tyrone Brooks, which alleged the system violated the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voting strength. Though the conclusion of the Georgia runoff and the certification of Joe Bidens presidency are both near at hand, the events surrounding both events are sobering reminders that democracythe idea itself, as well as the mechanisms that enact itis an ongoing effort. Journalists work to ensure that effortto reveal the flaws and failings and threats, both overt and less apparent, that jeopardize itis never done. Below, more on the Georgia elections and the end of the Trump era: A few weeks before yesterdays runoff election, Facebook turned off a ban on political ads in Georgia. Drawing on data from 58 Facebook users in Georgia, The Markup reported a marked shift toward more partisan news feeds . For the first half of the month, the most commonly appearing election-related content came primarily from news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal , CNN, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , wrote Corin Faife. Once Facebook enabled political ads, however, just over one third of the most commonly appearing domains were partisan campaign sites buying ads, including WrongForGeorgia.com, an attack site targeting the Democratic candidates; and DeserveBetter.org, an attack site targeting the incumbent Republican senators. Hamilton Nolan, CJRs public editor for the Washington Post, considers that outlets performance over the past four years and its path forward at a time when significant numbers of American voters have no confidence in its reporting. News outlets can deliver accurate information to the public, Nolan writes. They cannot grab the public by the throat and shake it out of a misguided belief in politically motivated lies. Though the answer might be corny, pat, and unexciting, Nolan writes, the best response to animosity and polarizing fragmentation may be for the press to simply keep doing its job. For New York magazine, Olivia Nuzzi wrote about the unusual bond shared by reporters in the White House Press Corps who weathered the strange and challenging circumstances of the Trump administration. The process was essentially more democratic than ever before, since leaks came from everywhere and came to anyone skilled or lucky enough to find them, their status in the news hierarchy often secondary to their ability to actually understand how the place operated, Nuzzi wrote. Other notable stories: Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites. SAN DIEGO (dpa-AFX) - Illumina Inc. (ILMN) and Helix said that they have collaborated to assess prevalence of new SARS-CoV-2 UK variant (B.1.1.7) in the US and develop national surveillance infrastructure. The companies said they have already identified more than 50 cases of the new variant in the US, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Helix and Illumina are expanding the scope of their collaboration to examine a higher volume of samples on an ongoing basis for both the presence of B.1.1.7 and new strains. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Full ties have been restored between Qatar and the four nations that severed relations with Doha in a rift that began in 2017, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister said Tuesday. "What happened today is... the closure of the folder of all points of difference and a full return of diplomatic relations," Prince Faisal bin Farhan told a press conference at the conclusion of a landmark regional summit. Leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council signed two documents, the Al-Ula declaration, named after the Saudi city where the summit was held, and a final communique. Their contents were not immediately released but hopes for a deal to end the bitter impasse were raised overnight when Saudi announced it would open its borders to Doha despite lingering enmity between the neighbours. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Tuesday that the Gulf states had signed an agreement on regional "solidarity and stability" at a summit aimed at resolving a three-year embargo against Qatar. "These efforts helped us reach the agreement of the Al-Ula statement that will be signed at this summit, where we affirm our Gulf, Arab and Islamic solidarity and stability," he told the meeting, thanking the United States and Kuwait for their mediation. "There is a desperate need today to unite our efforts to promote our region and to confront challenges that surround us, especially the threats posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear and ballistic missile programme and its plans for sabotage and destruction." The summit was also attended by Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut ties and transport links with Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of backing radical Islamist groups and cooperating with Iran. Qatar has always denied these allegations. Short link: A security officer gestures after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump breached security defenses at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Theiler Police in the US Capitol on Wednesday responded with drawn guns and teargas as hundreds of protesters stormed the building and sought to force Congress to undo President Donald Trump's election loss shortly after some of Trump's fellow Republicans launched a last-ditch effort to throw out the results. Here's a selection of images of the protest from photographers at the scene: Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next In Pictures: Guns and teargas in US Capitol as Trump supporters attempt to overturn his loss Close Protesters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A supporter of President Donald Trump carries a Conferderate battle on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate after breaching security defenses, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Theiler A protester holds a sign saying "Trump won" at a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester Protesters hold a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis Police officers stand guard as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Leah Millis A security officer gestures after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump breached security defenses at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Theiler Congresman David Trone @RepDavidTrone on Twitter: 'I am safe. We have been evacuated. Let me be clear: we will not be stopped by this lawless intimidation.' Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith A protester wears a mask bearing a slogan in opposition to Oregon Governor Kate Brown at a rally in support of U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, U.S. January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Online Editors [January 06, 2021] Neal Gerber Eisenberg Welcomes Two Attorneys to Partnership Neal Gerber Eisenberg (NGE) is pleased to announce that Alexis M. Dominguez, previously an associate of the firm's Labor & Employment group, and Elizabeth (Beth) E. Radichel, previously an associate of the firm's Real Estate group, have been promoted to partner, effective January 1, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005690/en/ Alexis M. Dominguez (Photo: Business Wire) "Alex and Beth are dedicated professionals who strive to exceed our clients' expectations. In addition to delivering exceptional legal work, they actively give back through their work in the community and contribute in meaningful ways to our inclusive, collaborative and industrious culture," said Managing Partner Scott J. Fisher. "I am proud to welcome Alex and Beth to the partnership." Dominguez focuses his practice on counseling public and private companies on federal and state labor and employment law. He handles traditional labor matters, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, responding to unfair labor practice charges, and representing clients in arbitration with unions and before state and federal courts throughout the United States. He helps companies comply with wage and hour requirements, Title VII, the Americans with Disablities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), state and local civil rights laws and related fair employment laws. The recipient of the firm's 2019 Pro Bono Excellence in Service Award, Alex is actively involved with the nonprofit Equip for Equality in addition to several other charitable institutions. Most recently, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers listed Alex as "One to Watch" for 2021. Dominguez received his law degree cum laude from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. "Since joining the firm, Alex has continued to develop his skills and achieved significant victories on a variety of labor and employment matters," said William J. Tarnow, chair of the Labor & Employment practice group. "His talent and dedication make him a true asset to the firm's clients. I look forward to continuing to work alongside him as a fellow partner." Radichel focuses her practice on assisting clients with their real estate needs. She has extensive experience counseling public and private real estate companies, real estate investment trusts, developers, lenders, property management companies and high net worth individuals. She handles matters throughout the United States, including acquisitions and dispositions, financings, construction financings, joint venture formation, corporate structuring, development agreements and leasing. She is an active member of both the firm's Sustainability Committee and it's Women's Network Leadership Team. Beth is committed to pro bono service through her representation of a variety of nonprofit organizations in connection with their transactional legal needs, such as The AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Radichel received her law degree cum laude from New York University School of Law. She received her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Beth's legal acumen, in combination with her client service, positions her in a distinctive way to understand our clients' business objectives and thoughtfully deliver counsel," said Douglas J. Lubelchek, chair of the Real Estate practice group. "I have enjoyed working with Beth in the past on complex transactions and look forward to seeing her develop her practice as a partner in the firm." Neal Gerber Eisenberg is a leading law firm dedicated to handling sophisticated matters for entrepreneurs, public companies, and private businesses and their owners. Our attorneys provide legal business solutions to public and private entities of all types-including Fortune 100 companies, financial institutions, nonprofits and high net worth individuals-in connection with domestic and global business transactions and litigation. The firm has built over thirty years of trusted partnerships with clients that span the globe, and we meet each unique client need with the same personalized service and collaboration that provide the most practical solutions for every matter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005690/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Leader Kim Jong Un issued a dire warning at North Koreas first ruling party congress in five years, saying development plans fell far short of their goals and the party would explore a new path for making a big leap forward. The days-long Workers Party Congress -- convened to draft a new economic plan -- began shortly after Kim skipped his usual New Years Day address. In opening remarks Tuesday, Kim said the partys previous five-year development plan, which ended last year, missed its targets due to both internal and external challenges, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. The goals we set were immensely underachieved in almost all sectors, Kim said, according to KCNA, making a rare admission of fault by planners. Remarks reported by state media didnt mention any plans by Kim to revive stalled negotiations with the US to curtail his nuclear arms program in exchange for easing sanctions choking the states paltry economy. The gathering of 5,000 delegates and party officials is being closely watched for clues to how Kim will approach the incoming administration of US President-elect Joe Biden. Koh Yu-hwan, president of a government-funded Korea Institute for National Unification think tank in Seoul, said North Korea would probably hint at its US and South Korea strategy in later congress meetings. North Korea may have calculated that the sanctions regime will last for a while, Koh said. It is finding problems internally to speed up the economic recovery, things North Korea can do during the sanctions regime. Kim is one of the few world leaders yet to congratulate -- or even acknowledge -- Bidens defeat of President Donald Trump, who dispensed with decades of US foreign policy to hold three meetings with the North Korean leader. There was no mention of the president-elect in the initial accounts of the event. Bidens camp has signaled more room for negotiations, and the president-elects choice for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has backed a negotiated settlement with North Korea that first freezes and then rolls back its nuclear program in return for rewards. State media also didnt explain what Kims big leap forward would entail, other than that the congress would lay the groundwork for improving living standards. The term evoked the Mao Zedongs Great Leap Forward in neighboring China, a disastrous attempt to catch up with the industrial powerhouses of the West that contributed to mass famines. The meeting, where leadership changes are expected, comes as Kims battered economy was dealt further blows by natural disasters and his decision to shut borders due to the coronavirus. Gross domestic product likely shrank by 8.5% in 2020, according to a projection by Fitch Solutions, leaving it smaller than when Kim took power in 2011 with a pledge to improve peoples living standards. Kim has few options to turn around finances but a United Nations Security Council report said he has used illegal ship-to-ship transfers of contraband and cyber-crimes to earn money. Hes groping in the darkness for a solution, said Jo Dong-ho, a professor of North Korean economic studies at Seouls Ewha Womans University. Jo added its highly unlikely Kim can open up like China and Vietnam because that would first involve nuclear concessions to the US-- a gatekeeper of sanctions. Images in state media showed Kims sister, Kim Yo Jong seated a row behind the leader, easing recent speculation among observers that her power had been clipped after she led a contentious pressure campaign against South Korea. Kim Jong Un also indicated that purges of cadres could be underway. Last year, he dressed down officials for falling short of goals, most prominently in July when he lashed out at the careless budgeting for a showcase hospital construction project in Pyongyang that had fallen behind schedule. The project appears to have been hit by a shortage of building materials, underscoring the difficulty he faces to improve living conditions while toiling under sanctions. Kims most recent public speech -- at a military parade in October -- featured a rare show of emotion, with the leader appearing to cry as he talked about the countrys economic struggles under international sanctions. He also rolled out several new weapons designed to strike US and allied forces, including what is believed to be the worlds largest road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile. I am skeptical he will discuss the new Biden administration in detail, if he even mentions it explicitly, that is, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, an independent political analyst who used to work for the US government in areas related to North Korea. Kim will probably want to maintain flexibility as the new US administration formulates its North Korea policy, she said. (L-R) Pro-democracy activists Eddie Chu, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Hoi-ching, Tiffany Yuen, Joshua Wong, Lester Shum, and Agnes Chow campaign during primary elections in Hong Kong on July 12, 2020. (Issac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) Mass Arrests of 53 Opposition Figures in Hong Kong Draw International Criticism This article has been updated. Hong Kong police arrested 53 pro-democracy activists, former lawmakers, and politicians on Jan. 6, in local authorities largest clampdown on the citys opposition camp since a draconian security law went into effect. They were apprehended for their roles in a primary election held by the pan-democracy camp ahead of the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections in September last year. The arrestees are mostly male and aged 23 to 64, police said. Six were placed in custody under suspicion of organizing and planning criminal activities to subvert state power, while the other 47 were arrested for involvement in such activities. Both are punishable offenses under the new national security law imposed by Beijing, which penalizes vaguely-defined crimes such as subversion and secession with a maximum of life imprisonment. Police have also frozen HKD1.6 million ($206,364) worth of assets related to the case. The primary elections, organized by local political association Power for Democracy, were held on July 11 and July 12, with the aim of selecting the most promising pro-democracy candidates to run for legislative office. The pan-democracy camp was hoping to win a majority or more than 35 seats in LegCo. A woman (center L) uses her phone while waiting to vote during primary elections in Hong Kong on July 12, 2020. (Issac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) Over 600,000 Hongkongers cast their ballots in the primary vote. The LegCo elections, initially scheduled for Sept. 6, 2020, were eventually postponed by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, at that time citing the local surge in infection cases caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19. The Arrested Among the arrested were former lawmakers of the local Civic Party and Democratic Party, including Wu Chi-wai, James To, Andrew Wan, Lam Cheuk-ting, and Alvin Yeung. Other former lawmakers arrested included Gary Fan, Eddie Chu, Au Nok-hin, and Leung Kwok-hung. Well-known local activist Jimmy Sham, who is currently one of the vice-chairs of local party League of the Social Democrats and the former CHRF convener, was also arrested. Sham ran in the primary vote in the geographical constituency Kowloon West. Other primary candidates arrested on Wednesday included Lester Chum, Owen Chow, Tiffany Yuen, and Gwyneth Ho. Former Hong Kong University law professor Benny Tai, who was also an organizer of the primary elections, was also arrested. Human rights lawyer John Clancey, an American citizen, was also apprehended. The police also raided his law firm, Ho, Tse, Wai & Partners. Clancey chairs the Asian Human Rights Commission and is also a board member of the local China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group. American lawyer John Clancey walks out of a building as he is taken away by police officers in Hong Kong, on Jan. 6, 2021. REUTERS/Lam Yik The lawyer, with a cane in hand, said Hongkongers need to continue to work for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong as he walked toward the police car. Steve Li Kwai-Wah, senior superintendent of the Hong Kong polices national security unit, told reporters at a press conference Wednesday night that the police had deployed around 1,000 officers, including national security agents, and raided 72 venues total in relation to the primary election. Li accused the arrestees of plotting to paralyze the government and disrupt its normal operations. He clarified that the police wont open investigations into people who voted in the primary, but later added that they may make more arrests related to the case in the future. The police also visited offices of four local media: Next Digital and Apple Dailyboth were founded by Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai; Stand News; and Hong Kong In-media, and served search warrants demanding documents related to primary candidates. The four outlets have published reports critical of Hong Kong authorities suppression of the pro-democracy protests last year. Li claimed that the police action does not affect press freedom and that they only want to obtain materials from witnesses to facilitate the police investigation. Lai, a 73-year-old outspoken activist, has recently been detained, on allegations of violating the national security law by colluding with foreign forces. Civil Human Rights Front, a pro-democracy organization where Sham served as a convenor, issued a statement condemning the reckless accusations and arrests. The Primary Election is merely a legal expression of the will of the public by the definition of the Basic Law, it said. The freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to elect, and to be elected that we once were proud of are being taken away from us. International Reactions In the United States, several lawmakers took to Twitter to voice their concerns. I stand with the freedom fighters in Hong Kong as Communist China continues to attack democracy, wrote Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.). This is Communist Chinas draconian national security law in action, and its just the beginning, said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). British NGO Hong Kong Watch condemned Beijing via Twitter, writing, Beijing is once again undermining Hong Kongs democracy & breaching its obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The international community must respond with Magnitsky sanctions and other punitive measures demonstrating that an attack on democracy has consequences, the NGO added. Washington-based advocacy group HKDC also took to its Twitter account to condemn the mass arrests. Make no mistakethis is what authoritarian regimes and dictators do, HKDC wrote. Nathan Law, a Hong Kong activist currently in exile in London, called on European officials to take action. In response to Hong Kongs political crackdown, I urge the European Parliament to halt the EU-China investment deal and EU to sanction China&HK officials who are responsible to the arrests, he wrote on Twitter. The business investment deal was inked on Dec. 30, 2020, amid concerns about human rights abuses in China. India and France will hold their annual strategic dialogue on Thursday in Delhi, the ministry of external affairs said on Wednesday. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval will lead the Indian delegation while the French side would be led by Emmanuel Bonne, who is the diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron. The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Emmanuel Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries. The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris, the ministry stated in its release. Also Read| India calls on Sri Lanka to fulfil expectations of Tamil minority The announcement of the meet comes after France had welcomed Indias fresh stint at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a period of two years. French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said on January 1 that France was eager to work side by side to uphold international law, fight terror and defend multilateralism. France welcomes India as it joins UNSC for next 2 yrs. We are eager to work side by side to uphold international law, fight terrorism & defend multilateralism, Lenain had tweeted. The two sides will hold discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and global issues. Emmanuel Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries. The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris: MEA https://t.co/14xwB7Doh5 ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Bilateral relations between India and France remarkably deepened strategically in recent years with both countries sharing the same vision for a new balanced multipolar world, which must be based on the rule of law, according to news agency ANI. Also Read| Not Chinese, prefer Indian vaccine first, Nepal to India ahead of ministers visit On December 7, French President Macron had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both leaders discussed several issues including digital and strategic autonomy, deepening of defence cooperation, Indo-Pacific, and the security environment in Asia and West Asia. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said PM Modi had conveyed condolences for the recent terror attacks in France and reiterated Indias support to the latter in the fight against terror, radicalism and extremism. Spoke with my friend @EmmanuelMacron on the challenges and opportunities presented by the post-Covid world. India stands by France in its fight against terrorism & extremism. The India-France partnership is a force for good in the world, including in the Indo-Pacific, PM Modi had tweeted. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. As the Chinese title implies, martial arts play a central role in the film. Based on a Persian legend, the story is set in a realm of anthropomorphic animals where predators and prey have struck a fragile truce; the weaker animals train in a dojo for self-protection. When a wolf tries to bypass the ceasefire, three young goats set off on an adventure to uphold the peace. The legend previously inspired the 2000 short Shangoul and Mangoul, a work of cut-out animation directed by Farkhondeh Torabi and Morteza Ahadi (watch it on Youtube here). Were also reminded of Amir Houshang Moeins short Am I a Wolf?, which recently qualified for this years Oscars. And theres more than a hint of Disneys Zootopia in the premise. The Gools is directed by Farzad Dalvand and animated by Tehran-based Aria Animation, whose credits include the Iranian video game Quest of Persia: Naders Blade. Major Iranian production company Tasvir Gostar Pasargad is producing. The English-language cast includes Kaitlyn McCormick, Brian Patrick Butler, Caroline Amiguet, and Mark Atkinson. Last year, The Last Fiction became the first Iranian animated feature to qualify for an Oscar. The international distribution of The Gools is another sign of the industrys rising profile. As far as we know, this is the first time an animated feature from the country has been localized for China, whose appetite for animation is also booming. The Iranian screenplay attracted me quickly and I wanted to cooperate in this project. I hope the Chinese audience will like the film, Wang told the Tehran Times. Chinese producer Jin Yang estimates that the film will earn about $21 million in China. Scranton City Council members on Tuesday defended their changes to Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognettis 2021 budget. After council unanimously amended and adopted a $114.5 million budget last month, Cognetti did not veto or sign the council-version budget. It now stands as the final version. In a letter in The Times-Tribune published Friday, the mayor said councils cuts, reduction of pay raises and elimination of some new positions will hamper her administration. Council members issued a rebuttal letter in The Times-Tribune on Tuesday and amplified their remarks during their weekly meeting. Council President Bill Gaughan said many amendments were made to ensure the budget was balanced. Councils doing its job here. We did our due diligence with this budget, Gaughan said. We didnt gut the mayors budget. We didnt take a hatchet out and start x-ing things out we took a measured approach to what we could afford and what was redundant or inefficient. Councils cuts included eliminating new positions of a mayors chief of staff ($70,000 annual salary), a deputy police superintendent ($101,000), a parks/rec manager ($50,000) and $120,000 for paying interns. This isnt The West Wing. I dont know where were coming from with a chief of staff, Councilman Mark McAndrew said. Budgets are made through compromise and disagreements. This is nothing personal. Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild said councils amendments were fair and a compromise. I dont think this was a backward step in any way. Councilman Tom Schuster said, I think this budget was treated (by the administration) as business as usual and I dont think theres any excuse for that. Councilman Kyle Donahue said the city has a structural deficit accrued over many years but shows a surplus because of cuts and shelving of necessary projects. Noting citywide overtime in 2020 was $735,000 over budget, council cited some reasons given by some departments and will seek clarification in others. In other matters, council noted the death of firefighter Stephen Sunday last week from complications of COVID-19, saying he will be sorely missed. Council also bid a fond farewell to DPW employee Sam Vitris, whose retirement this week caps a tenure of over 40 years. Vitris, who began with the city in June 1980, worked under nine mayoral administrations and also was president of the DPW union, Gaughan said. He described Vitris as someone with integrity, a dedicated employee who cared deeply for the city, and the go-to guy for questions about the DPW. Council unanimously introduced each of the following pieces of legislation: An ordinance to transfer a $15,000 allocation of federal block grant funding from a Boys and Girls Clubs park to help low-income mothers retain suitable housing through St. Josephs Center. An ordinance to enter a three-year lease, retroactive to Jan. 1, with Keyser Valley Citizens Association Inc. to continue using the Keyser Valley Community Center at 101 N. Keyser Ave. A resolution authorizing the appointment of Brad Kovaleski of Bogart Court to the Ethics Board, for a term from Jan. 1, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2023. He replaces Carol Migliorino, whose term expired Aug. 31. A resolution authorizing the city to give a $90,000 loan-to-grant to Lavish Body & Home LLC for an eligible economic development project. A resolution authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with the Scranton Area Foundation Inc., to establish a pass-through CARES Act fund to distribute grants to various small businesses for COVID-19 pandemic relief. The following are comments from West Texas representatives and senators from Texas about challenging the presidential election. "I will be supporting an election challenge in the U.S. House of Representatives. For our democracy to function everyone must trust in it, and millions of Americans right now do not. "We must give the American people a full debate on all matters related to the election and the constitutional issues at hand. "For four years Democrats colluded to tear the country apart and question the legitimacy of our democracy - they surrendered any ground to complain about a legitimate process to assess election disputes." -- Rep. August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) The law is clear about my authority and responsibility in todays proceeding, and the Constitution and prior court rulings are unambiguous: only state legislatures can make election laws. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and faithfully discharge the duties of the office. While I have grievances about the outcome of this election, my chief responsibility is protecting the integrity of all future elections. This is not about being loyal to a President or political party, it is about fidelity to Rule of Law, the Constitution, and my conscience. Therefore, I will object. -- Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock) We went into this election with the country deeply divided [and] deeply polarized. And weve seen in the last two months unprecedented allegations of voter fraud. And thats produced a deep, deep distrust of our democratic process across the country. I think we in Congress have an obligation to do something about that. We have an obligation to protect the integrity of the democratic system. And so, this past week I spent writing out [a] position and assembling a group ultimately of 11 senators that we put out yesterday that we will together object to certification in order to force the appointment of an emergency Electoral Commission to perform an emergency audit of the election results [and] to assess these claims of fraud. I think we can do that. We can do it promptly. We can do it in 10 days before the inauguration, but I think we have an obligation to the voters and we have an obligation to the Constitution to ensure that this election was lawful. -- Sen. Ted Cruz "As a former judge, I view this process with the same impartial, evidence-based decision-making as I did my job on the bench. So, unless substantial, new evidence is presented during the challenges to each states ballots, I will not object to the certification of that states election results based on unproven allegations. -- Sen. John Cornyn as reported by the Texas Tribune [January 06, 2021] Molina Healthcare Appoints Brian Maddy Plan President of Oklahoma Operations Molina Healthcare ("Molina" or "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Maddy as plan president of Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma as the Company continues to build its commitment to the state's Medicaid program. A long-time Oklahoman, Maddy brings decades of leadership experience in the health care industry and a strong commitment to supporting underserved populations. Most recently he served as chief strategy officer for OU Health, Oklahoma's leading academic health system, and was formerly CEO for OU Physicians, the faculty practice for OU Health. His combined leadership roles drove significant business growth while improving access and quality for patients. Maddy also led the development of collaborative partnerships between physicians and hospitals creating clinically integrated networks that increased patient access and delivered improved quality outcomes. As CEO for OU Physicians, Maddy led an 1100 provider group practice, 72 clinical sites, and a staff of 1300. Concurrently, he served as president of Academic Physicians Insurance Company, a Vermont captive insurance company. While CEO, Maddy assistedin developing innovative initiatives to improve patient and provider experience resulting in OU Health becoming a recognized national leader. "Brian shares Molina's unwavering dedication to not only serving Oklahomans' health care needs, but also to helping address health care gaps that may exist due to socioeconomic factors throughout the state," said Marc Russo, executive vice president of health plans of Molina Healthcare. "Brian is an accomplished and experienced executive with a long and proven history of driving transformational change and leading business growth in Oklahoma." Maddy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, and is a May 2021 candidate for a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is a former board member of several organizations benefitting public health including executive chair of Heartland Health, Oklahoma's largest Medicaid MCO. Maddy was also chief of staff for the Oklahoma Senate where he served as the lead policy advisor in the creation of the state's current Medicaid program. About Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare served approximately 4.0 million members as of September 30, 2020. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit molinahealthcare.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005227/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Berkshire Athenaeum is open and offering services even though the building is largely closed to the public. Berkshire Athenaeum Offers Expanded Services for Bookworms The circulation and reference desk have been pushed into the lobby of the Wendell Avenue entrance. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Though municipal buildings are currently closed because of the spike in COVID-19 cases, residents can still find solace in materials from their local library. The Berkshire Athenaeum is offering a slate of newly adjusted library services including a personalized reading service called "Picked4You," children's book bundles, and an increased collection of wifi hotspots available for loan. "Things are rolling and we're seeing a lot of interest, a lot of folks who are grateful that we're there for them," Reference Services Supervisor Madeline Kelly said. After Mayor Linda Tyer made the decision to close municipal buildings following the second surge of infections, the Berkshire Athenaeum wanted to continue to offer services that the public values the most. At the library's Wendell Avenue entrance, folks are able to access a pulled back lobby with a circulation and reference desk. This service point offers everything from library renewal to a quick reference interview so that associates can pick out a selection of specifically tailored books for a reader. Kelly said this is the nearest thing the library has to its usual service and it is safe and keeps people reading. The Berkshire Athenaeum is also assisting those who have technology needs such as printing. Patrons who need printouts can email their documents directly to the library's print service at pittsfield8@printspots.com. Library staff will then release the prints that cost 10 cents a page, payable at pickup. A self-serve photocopier is available in the Wendell Ave lobby during operating hours for black ink copies also at 10 cents per page. "We are very much aware here and have been for a number of years that folks don't necessarily own printers anymore, or the printer dies, or they can't afford to put toner cartridges in and so forth," Kelly said. "So we've had for a long time the service that people can email something to us and release it here, but what we have found during this period of closure is that people are particularly grateful if we will release it and have it for them to pick up. So that is just a continuation of something we had even when the building was open." Kelly said the library has tried to respond to the fact that people like to come in and browse the selections without necessarily knowing what they want. Picked4You was created because of that. Patrons describe their interest or favorite authors and library staff select materials from the adult, young adult, or juvenile collections. This service can be accessed through the Picked4You form on the library's website or by emailing the Reference Department. Book bundles are offered through the Children's Library and are an easy, fast, and safe way for parents to get weekly reading materials for their children. Each bundle contains seven books centered on a theme such as friendships, sharks, dinosaurs, mermaids, and more. Additionally, there are recorded storytimes twice a month and make-at-home craft kits are available for pickup. [January 06, 2021] Health Insurance Market Procurement Report| Roadmap to Recovery for Businesses From the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic | SpendEdge The New Health Insurance market research report from SpendEdge indicates an incremental growth during the forecast period as the business impact of COVID-19 spreads. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105006028/en/ SpendEdge has announced the release of its Global Health Insurance Market Procurement Intelligence Report (Graphic: Business Wire) As the markets recover SpendEdge expects the Health Insurance market size to grow by USD 748 billion during the period 2020-2024. Get detailed insights on the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and recovery analysis of the Health Insurance market. Download free report sample Health Insurance Market Analysis Analysis of the cost and volume drivers and supply market forecasts in various regions are offered in this Health Insurance research report. This market intelligence report also analyzes the top supply markets and the critical cost drivers that can aid buyers and suppliers devise a cost-effective category management strategy. Insights Delivered into the Health Insurance Market This market intelligence report on Health Insurance answers to all the critical problems faced by investors who seek cost-saving opportunities in a competitive market. It also offers actionable anecdotes on the industry structure and supply market forecasts including highlights of the top vendors in this market. Our procurement experts have determined effective category pricing strategies that are attuned to the dynamics of this market which can be leveraged to maximize revenue generation against minimum investments on the products. Information on Latest Trends and Supply Chain Market Information Knowledge center on COVID-19 impact assessment The reports help buyers understand: Global and regional spend potential for Health Insurance for the period of 2020-2024 Risk management and sustainability strategies Incumbent supplier evaluation metrics Pricing outlook and factors influencing the procurement process This Health Insurance Market procurement research report offers coverage of: Regional spend dynamism and factors impacting costs The total cost of ownership and cost-saving opportunities Supply chain margins and pricing models For more information on the exact spend growth rate and yearly category spend, download a free sample. This market intelligence report identifies the major costs incurred by suppliers and provides additional information on: Competitiveness index for suppliers Market favorability index for suppliers Supplier and buyer KPIs Click here to learn about report detailed analysis and insights on how you can leverage them to grow your business. Notes: The Health Insurance market will register an incremental spend of about USD 748 billion during the forecast period. The Health Insurance market is segmented by Geographic Landscape (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). The market is concentrated due to the presence of a few established vendors holding significant market share. The research report offers information on several market vendors, including UnitedHealth Group Inc., Allianz Group, and AXA Group. Get access to regular sourcing and procurement insights to our digital procurement platform- Contact Us. Table of Content Executive Summary Market Insights Category Pricing Insights Cost-saving Opportunities Best Practices Category Ecosystem Category Management Strategy Category Management Enablers Suppliers Selection Suppliers under Coverage US Market Insights Category scope Appendix About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105006028/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Homegrown automaker Tata Motors is bringing back the iconic Safari brand, one of its first SUVs in the country, for the soon to be launched 7 seater version of the Harrier SUV. The vehicle was showcased at the Auto Expo last year where the company had used the codename Gravitas. Based on the Land Rover derived Omega Arc platform, the new Safari is 63mm longer than the Harrier and 80mm taller to accommodate the third-row seat. It will borrow the 170hp, 2.0-litre Kryotec turbo-diesel engine from the Harrier, as well as its six-speed manual and six-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox options. Also Read: Toyota launches next-gen Fortuner at Rs 30-37.43 lakh in India "We are proud and elated to re-introduce our flagship SUV-Safari. The Safari, an iconic brand with a strong following, has been the most sought after SUV on Indian roads for well over two decades. In its new avatar, the Safari will appeal to the socially active, fun-loving customers who seek out unique experiences and adventure," said Shailesh Chandra - President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU), Tata Motors. "Its design, performance, versatility, features, and long-lasting build quality, reinforce the SUV lifestyle to provide unending pleasure. We are confident that the launch of the Safari will once again re-energise the market, amplifying its cult status." Also Read: Jeep Grand Cherokee to hit Indian market in 2022! Fiat Chrysler announces $250 million investment The company said the new Safari will arrive at showrooms this month and bookings will commence shortly. The Harrier was launched in January 2019 and after a slow start, it has gained momentum in recent times to emerge as one of the top 3 models in its category. In the seven seater format, the new Safari will compete with the likes of Mahindra XUV5OO and Chinese carmaker SAIC own upcoming Hector 7 seater model. The Safari was first launched in 1998 and remained in continuous production with various upgrades and iterations including the Dicor and Storme, till late 2019. It was one of the most popular ladders on frame SUVs of its time alongside Mahindra's Scorpio and had an equally catchy tag line of "reclaim your life." Yerevan asked the commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov, to provide a plane for organizing the visit of the head of the National Security Service of Armenia, Armen Abazyan, to Baku, the Armenian Mediaport news agency reported, citing sources in the Russian Defense Ministry. The possible dates for the visit are January 9, 10, or 11. According to the newspaper, Moscow did not refuse to provide a plane but demanded to explain why there was no specific date. The Armenian government said that the Azerbaijani authorities had not yet clarified the date of the possible meeting. The impressive growth of Vsmart, a Vietnamese brand, was the highlight of the Vietnamese smartphone market in 2020. Mid-end and affordable products While flagship phone prices escalated and more manufacturers launched expensive products priced at over $1,000, Vietnam was still a market for mid-end and affordable products in 2020. Affordable products, with prices below VND3 million, accounted for nearly 30 percent of the Vietnamese market. And in the market segment, Vsmart was the best known brand with a wide range of choices for customers, from Bee to Star to Joy. Vsmart seems to understand Vietnamese customers, who want smartphones with high quality and reasonable prices. The manufacturer equips its products with the strongest configuration in the market segment. Smartphones with invisible cameras In September 2020, the first two smartphone models with camera under display (CUD) were launched nearly at the same time Vsmart Aris Pro and ZTE Axon 20 5G. Prior to that, some large companies released an invisible camera phone concept. However, Vsmart was the first commercialized product to do so in Vietnam. Vsmart Aris Pro was praised for its Vcam Kristal technology using AI developed by Vingroups Artificial Technology Institute. The successful application of CUD in Vsmart Aris Pro has made the Vsmart brand famous in the world market. Vietnamese brands compete well with foreign brands While Covid-19 has had a strong impact on the global smartphone industry, it also tested manufacturers research and development capability, and their adaptability. After a difficult period, Samsung regained its No 1 position and maintained the position in 2020. In Vietnam, the two leading positions belong to Samsung and OPPO. Meanwhile, a Vietnamese brand competed well with big foreign manufacturers. Vsmart convincingly gained the third position with market share of up to 16.7 percent (this was the first time a manufacturer in this position had a two-digit market share). Smartphone security Smartphones have been increasingly optimized to conduct financial transactions and contain users important information and data. Manufacturers have improved the features to secure smartphones against hackers. Security technology consists of different layers. The outer layer is physical security with fingerprint authentication under the screen and face recognition. The inner layer is much more important, because the data targeted by hackers is mostly inside. Vsmart Aris and Aris Pro use technology with the quantum security chip Quantum QRNG and strong key authentication key FIDO2. Vsmarts representative said the technology minimizes the risk of being hacked. Trong Dat Network operators offer customers a subsidy for smartphones Around 22 million subscribers out of total 130 million mobile phone subscribers in Vietnam use 2G, according to the Authority of Telecommunications (AOT). Killeen, TX (76540) Today Thunderstorms during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low near 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Many candidates and supporters have been hurt after losing a presidential election. Every four years in the United States, one candidate wins and the other loses. One party is disappointed, the other elated. I was disappointed four years ago when Hillary Clinton lost, and my husband was so grieved that he would not talk to me about politics for many months after. When Al Gore lost to George W. Bush in 2000 by a razor-thin margin in Florida, we were equally crushed. I remember thinking, This election was unfair. Gore, however, quickly conceded after the Supreme Court ruled in Bushs favor, saving the country further pain. The loss for the losing candidate must be excruciating but while defeat is always devastating, only one candidate in American history has embarrassed the nation before the world and intentionally divided the country by his refusal to concede. Only one has called America a Third World country because the election did not go his way and inspired his followers to intimidate those who do not blindly follow his lead. Every opportunity has been given to President Donald Trump to prove his case in court. He has lost more than 50 court cases, with some judges even his own appointees admonishing his lawyers for their lack of evidence and spurious reasoning. When legal cases, including appeals to the Supreme Court, proved of no avail, Trump and his surrogate, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, contacted Republican officials in other states in November to see if they would declare their states election rigged and put in their own slate of electors. Fortunately, the state representatives and officials had more courage than do some in Washington. Now, the electors have voted and all that is left is for Congress to read out the votes and authorize the count. Trump has encouraged House and Senate leaders to object to the electoral votes. Those who do Trumps bidding will go down in history as ambitious and craven sycophants who were willing to risk our democracy for their political power. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday On New Years Eve, Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska wrote of his colleagues fears: When we talk in private, I havent heard a single Congressional Republican allege that the election results were fraudulent not one. Instead, I hear them talk about their worries about how they will look to President Trumps most ardent supporters. Republicans know that Trump and his base will reward or punish them according to their willingness to validate his lie. Some will be willing to cry election fraud, even though Trumps own officials have declared the election sound and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and announced that the Electoral College has spoken. Chris Krebs, former head of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, was fired by Trump soon after calling the 2020 election the most secure in American history, and former Attorney General William Barr, one of Trumps greatest enablers, mysteriously left his position after announcing his investigation had found no widespread election fraud. Perhaps destroying democracy for a falsehood was one bridge too far for Barr. After so many failed attempts to overturn the election, it is clear to all who value facts, reason and evidence that Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden. It is long past time to stop the charade. There was no grand conspiracy or fraud, just voting and counting. Though energetic and charismatic, Trump is sadly an egocentric bully and counterfeit. He was a fraud when he promoted Trump University cheating earnest students with bogus claims of teaching real estate success and he is today as he raises donations by means of unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. Trump is not a loser because he lost an election; he is a loser because he claims what is not his. He diminishes himself and endangers the United States by encouraging conspiracies, obstructionand violence. Many of us, unfortunately, have allowed ourselves to be drawn into his narcissistic fantasies. It is time for us as a country to accept Biden as president-elect and give him the courtesy and respect that he deserves. Leaders in Washington must put America before their careers before it is too late. Speaking truth to power is not very much to ask of our leaders in a democracy. Catherine Cox is a retired English professor in Texas. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 11:42:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's economy is expected to expand by 3.3 percent in 2021, said the World Bank in a report released on Tuesday. In the latest Global Economic Prospects, the World Bank said South Africa's growth is expected to rebound to 3.3 percent in 2021 -- 0.7 percentage point below previous forecasts -- before softening to a near potential pace of 1.7 percent in 2022. "With economic activity in South Africa already on a weak footing before the pandemic hit, output is expected to have fallen 7.8 percent last year," said the report. "The country suffered the most severe COVID-19 outbreak in Sub-Saharan Africa, which prompted strict lockdown measures and brought the economy to a standstill." The pandemic caused an estimated 6.1 percent fall in per capita income last year and is expected to lead to a further 0.2 percent decline in 2021, it said. The decline in per capita income is expected to set average living standards back by a decade or more in a quarter of Sub-Saharan African economies, "with even more severe setbacks in South Africa," said the report. Enditem NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named four Florida teachersEmily Cortes of Oak Park Elementary in Tampa, Julie Dossantos of Glendale Elementary in Indian River, Suzanne Pleskin of Palmetto Elementary in Naples, and Maria Vollrath of Vineyards Elementary in Naplesto its 2021 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar teachers from around the country. Cortes, Dossantos, Pleskin, and Vollrath are among 44 teachers from 26 states and Washington, DC chosen for this honor that recognizes educators who exhibit best-in-class use of i-Ready and/or Ready, illustrate growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrate innovation and engagement practices for students, are evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and have been teaching for at least two years. "It goes without saying that this has been an unprecedented school year that has challenged educators, students, and families alike," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "However, this group of Extraordinary Educatorslike so many other educators across the countryhas more than risen to the occasion. We are proud to recognize Emily, Julie, Suzanne, and Maria for their hard work, dedication, and innovative best practices that continue to positively impact the students they serve." This year's Extraordinary Educators, which were chosen from among hundreds of nominations, will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as receive unique professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit, as well as other professional learning events throughout the year. "I am thrilled to be named an Extraordinary Educator by Curriculum Associates for the 2021 year," said Cortes. "Fostering a love for learning can be difficult when students have major learning gaps. I'm forever grateful for the impact i-Ready has on my students' attitude toward learning. I truly feel that this company's values align with mine as an educator. With our shared love of professional development, reflection, and celebrating success, I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together this year!" "I am so thankful and honored to be part of this community of educators," said Dossantos. "Together, we can learn so much, and I look forward to collaborating, sharing, and creating together." "Being part of the Extraordinary Educators will help me to grow as an educator through learning and collaborating with other educators about implementing new ideas," said Pleskin. "There is nothing better than seeing my students engaged, excited, and energized about learning. I cannot wait to apply what I learn to help my students increase their learning more." "I am excited to grow as an educator through this program and hope to bring more innovative instructional strategies into my classroom and school community," said Vollrath. "Through this opportunity I aspire to broaden my educational network and diversify my leadership experience." Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in the majority of the state's districts. To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2021 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/2021-Class. About Curriculum Associates Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students. Contact: Kati Elliott KEH Communications (410) 975-9638 [email protected] Charlotte Fixler Curriculum Associates (978) 901-6066 [email protected] SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC Related Links www.curriculumassociates.com Donald Trump's extraordinary crusade to overturn the presidential election will come to a head on Wednesday as Congress meets to certify Joe Biden's Electoral College victory at a joint session led by Vice President Mike Pence. The typically routine proceeding will be anything but, as a group of 13 rogue Republican senators led by Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley plan to file objections when the alphabetical vote roll-call reaches the battleground state of Arizona. The longshot effort is all but certain to fail, defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress prepared to accept Biden's 306 to 232 electoral victory over Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to make a last-ditch effort to dissuade members of his party from following through with their doomed plot when he delivers a speech early in the day. Sources familiar with McConnell's plans told Axios his speech will center around his fear that the objections will tear his party apart by forcing Republicans to choose between upholding democracy and alienating a hugely influential GOP figure in Trump. Meanwhile Trump has placed his hopes on Pence, furiously claiming that the vice president could single-handedly overturn the election results during Wednesday's proceedings - and denying a report that Pence had told him that wasn't possible. Trump issued a defiant statement on Tuesday night after the New York Times reported that Pence had told him over lunch that he had no constitutional power to 'decertify' states' slates of electors when he presides over Congress to certify the election result. But Trump called that 'fake news' and then outlined an extraordinary plan to either get Republican state legislatures to send Trump electors - or turn the election to Congress under the 12th Amendment, which could then vote for Trump. Donald Trump's extraordinary crusade to overturn the presidential election will come to a head on Wednesday as Congress meets to certify Joe Biden's Electoral College victory at a joint session led by Vice President Mike Pence Trump has placed his hopes on Pence, furiously claiming that the vice president could single-handedly overturn the election results during Wednesday's proceedings Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to make a last-ditch effort to dissuade members of his party from following through with their doomed plot when he delivers a speech early in the day ABC News' White House Correspondent Jon Karl reported that Trump was 'prepared to go after Pence and go after him hard' if he does not get in line and overturn the election at the special session of Congress which begins at 1pm Wednesday. Trump gave a suggestion of his public fury in his statement Tuesday night. Pence reportedly told Trump over lunch that he had no constitutional power to 'decertify' states' slates of electors when he presides over Congress to certify the election result 'Decertifying' the results would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis but Trump claimed that Pence was in 'total agreement' that he 'has the power to act.' Trump's statement publicly turned the heat up on Pence after a pressure campaign which has been going on in private for weeks and exploded into the public on Monday night at Trump's Georgia rally, then on Twitter Tuesday. 'The New York Times report regarding comments Vice President Pence supposedly made to me today is fake news,' Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. It was dated 2020. 'He never said that. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. 'The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Delivering bad news: Mike Pence was spotted at the White House Tuesday after Trump had tweeted that the vice president could disqualify Electoral College votes. Pence was on his way to tell Trump that he could not Trying to lighten the blow: Mike Pence told Trump he might attempt to 'acknowledge' his claims of fraud - partly driven by his own fear that confirming Joe Biden's victory will be used against him Trump's tweet is false and Pence does not have the power the president claims he has How Congress certifies the Electoral College vote At 1pm Wednesday, senators and representatives will gather in the House chamber for a Joint Session of Congress to count and certify the electoral college ballots. Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump by 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. But the constitution calls for Congress to certify the results, in a process that has become largely procedural. It is very difficult to over turn an election and it has never happened in American history. Republicans, however, have vowed to object to the electoral college results, dragging out the certification process and putting on a grand display of theater that will likely please the president. Here's how the day will play out: The process is presided over by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Mike Pence. Pence will open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. At least one member of the House and one member of the Senate must object for the objection to stand. The law also states the objection must be in writing. If the objection is recognized, the lawmakers go to their respective chambers to debate the matter for up to two hours. Then the House and Senate each votes on whether to sustain the objection - which would dismiss the state's votes - or reject the objection. For a state's results to be dismissed, majorities of both chambers have to vote to sustain the objection. If one chamber votes to sustain the objection and the other doesn't, the objection is dismissed and the state's electoral college results stand. The Democratically-controlled House is unlikely to support sustaining an objection, meaning the states' results will stand and Biden will ultimately be declared the winner. Additionally, the Republican-controlled Senate isn't likely to vote in favor of an objection, either. The GOP has a slim margin in the upper chamber and a number of Republican senators have voiced their objections to the objection process. After the objection is voted on by each chamber, the joint session reconvenes and continues with the count. If there's another objection to a different state's vote, the process is repeated. President Trump's allies are looking at challenging three states: Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which could go into the early morning hours of Thursday. 'At the end of the day, which could be the middle of the night, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be officially declared the next President and Vice President of the United States,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to Democratic House members on Monday. After the votes are recorded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the vice president declares who has received the requisite majority of electoral college votes. That announcement finalizes the election. WHAT IF THE OBJECTIONS ARE SUSTAINED? If, by some remote chance, an objection is sustained, Trump and his allies hope that will result in the electors being thrown out, ultimately bringing Biden's electoral count below the 270 needed to win. If all three state challenges are successful, Biden would have 259 electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives to select the next president. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Sources: NBC News, Washington Post, New York Times Advertisement 'Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. 'He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation.' Significantly, however, the statement was not signed by Pence - and the legal claims Trump made appeared to be in line with plans outlined by Rudy Giuliani, not the Senate Parliamentarian who has advised Pence that his powers are limited to confirming the electoral college votes read out on the floor of Congress. Trump also tweeted 'big news from Pennsylvania' with a copy of a letter sent by Republican state lawmakers to Mitch McConnell and the Republican minority leader in the House asking for certification to be 'delayed.' The lawmakers claimed that the election outcome should be put off until after the Supreme Court has considered a Republican challenge to the running of Pennsylvania's voting - which the justices have scheduled no date to hear, and asked for responses on January 22, after Trump leaves office. The letter repeats claims about the election which have been dismissed by state and federal courts repeatedly. That Trump tweeted it shows his level of desperate clutching at straws with Congress all but certain to torpedo his bid to overturn the election as early as Wednesday. Trump had first wanted Republicans to vote to reject electors from swing states, but a majority of GOP senators have made clear they will not go along with that, making it dead on arrival. His next attempt is to claim Pence has powers to simply reject votes himself, a claim advanced by Rudy Giuliani and other fringe lawyers but dismissed by constitutional experts as absurd. Pence was himself reported to have told Trump Tuesday that he was wrong. He delivered the bad news over lunch, the New York Times reported, sugaring the pill by suggesting he could in some way acknowledge Trump's discredited claims when he presides over the Senate. Ahead of the traditionally ceremonial event, President Donald Trump had escalated his pressure campaign on Pence to help him overturn the election results and spend another four years in the White House. 'The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,' the president tweeted on Tuesday morning, wrongly stating what Pence can do when he is in the presiding chair. But shortly after when the two met for their regular lunch, Pence delivered the bad news that he could not. The New York Times reported that Pence also told Trump to lighten the blow that he would keep 'studying the issue' until the joint session begins at 1pm Wednesday. In fact Pence spent hours this week with the Senate Parliamentarian, who advises senators and the vice president on the rules when they are on the floor of the Senate - or in Pence's unique case, presiding over the joint session certifying the election. If a member of the House and Senate both object to one of the state's slates of electors, the two chambers split to debate the objection for two hours - with Pence presiding over the Senate. That is when he could offer some 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims about fraud to ameliorate both the blow to his boss, and the potential for the president to turn on his ultra-loyal deputy in the dying days of the administration, and beyond. Pence is said to be particularly concerned that his certification of Biden's victory could be weaponized against him on social media. His delivery of bad news to Trump came after a lawsuit brought by Louis Gohmert, an ultra-loyalist congressman, which demanded that federal courts say Pence could disqualify electoral college votes was dismissed rapidly by a judge and an appeals court. That legal move would have offered Pence some cover that he could point to judges as having ruled out the possibility that he could disqualify voters - which no vice president had ever done and which constitutional experts had said was simply legally impossible. But an 'acknowledgment' of Trump's claims represents a Pyrrhic victory for the president - with Republican senators dealing his campaign to have them vote against approving swing states' votes a series of blows Tuesday, as more and more said they would not get behind it. Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden - at least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win Senators Tim Scott and Jim Inhofe became the latest GOP lawmakers to risk the wrath of Trump with their decision to back Biden. 'As I read the Constitution, there is no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors. Some of my colleagues believe they have found a path, and while our opinions differ, I do not doubt their good intentions to take steps towards stamping out voter fraud,' Scott said in a statement. Inhofe also cited the Constitution as his reason. 'My job on Wednesday is clear, and there are only two things I am permitted to do under the Constitution: ensure the electors are properly certified and count the electoral votes, even when I disagree with the outcome,' he said in a statement. More and more Republican senators joined in as the clock ticked toward Wednesday, including Senators Jerry Moran and John Boozman. Moran said the plan to object would 'risk undermining our democracywhich is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers.' And Boozman made a similar argument. 'Under the Constitution, Congress does not have the legal authority to change the outcome,' he said. 'These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to ensure the American people, not the party in control of Congress, have the power to choose their president.' At least 24 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden's election win, according to a count by Politico while 13 are supporting Trump. And 14 are undecided. The Senate is short one senator as David Perdue's term ended January 3rd. The winner of Tuesday's special election in Georgia will take the seat. It takes a simple majority of 51 senators to sustain the objection to a state's electoral college result, upending it. But with all 48 Democrats unlikely to do so and the 24 Republicans joining them, that's 72 votes for Biden, leaving Trump's hopes in the dust. Senator Cruz, who is leading the objection effort, will challenge the results of Arizona on Wednesday while Senator Kelly Loeffler will likely lead the objection when it comes to the results in her home state of Georgia. Senator Hawley, another GOP leader in the movement, will challenge Pennsylvania's. The focus of the objections would be on those three states - down from the original six lawmakers originally discussed. Even without the outcome highly unlikely to go Trump's way there is bound to be plenty of fiery floor debate and political theater. But Trump may not get a mass gathering of Republican lawmakers protesting on the floor. The House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol physician sent a memo to lawmakers Tuesday evening about the joint session, requesting that 'access to the Floor of the House will be limited to those Members who are scheduled to speak during the joint session.' 'I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. He's a great guy,' Trump told a campaign rally Monday night in Dalton, Georgia. 'Of course if he doesn't come through I won't like him quite as much.' READ THE FULL 12th AMENDMENT The 12th Amendment is the fundamental law behind Congress certifying the election on Wednesday. But it is also one of the most complicated parts of the Constitution, starting with a 202-word multi-clause sentence. Here is its full text. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Advertisement The 12th amendment of the Constitution - along with the Electoral Count Act of 1887 - makes it clear Pence's role is to make parliamentary rulings. It does not include any power in how Congress counts the electoral votes. When it comes to a conflict between the House and Senate over whether or not to certify a state's electoral college count, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 gives the deciding power to the state's governor and not the vice president, meaning the state's result will stand and Pence has no legal path to overturning it. Pence would not be the first vice president to have to preside over his party's loss of the White House: Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Joe Biden all presided over counts that handed them, or their party, a defeat. Biden even gaveled down an effort to object to Trump's victory when he presided over the electoral count in January 2017. But Pence is likely the first vice president who will be blamed by his boss for it. Biden won the electoral college by 306 votes to Trump's 232. Trump, however, has refused to concede the contest. He continues to claim massive voter fraud but has shown no proof of any such thing. His former Attorney General Bill Barr said he saw no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Pence, 61, who is known to have presidential ambitions of his own, will be on the hot seat Wednesday as he sits at the Speaker's rostrum in the House, gavel in hand. A report in Roll Call raised questions about what exactly Pence will do Wednesday. The Capitol Hill newspaper quoted Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the pro temp of the Senate, saying he would be presiding instead of Pence because 'we don't expect him to be there.' But Pence's office was quick to say the vice president would be present and Grassley's office quickly clarified the senator was referring to having to take over if Pence needed a break. It raised questions, however, if Pence would be taking those breaks when things got hot politically speaking. Pence's role is to open the states' sealed certificates in alphabetical order and hand them them to one of four 'tellers' a Republican and a Democrat from each chamber of Congress - who will announce how each state voted. As each state's result is read, Pence will ask whether any member of Congress wishes to raise an objection. If an objection is raised from both a House and Senate member, the matter goes to each chamber for two hours of debate and a vote on whether or not to sustain the objection. As part of his parliamentary duties, it's Pence who will decide if the objection is valid to warrant the two-hour debate and vote in each chamber. After the breakout session, lawmakers return to the joint session to continue the roll call of state results. If there is another objection, the process begins all over again. Given the Democratic control of the House and the fact that many Republican senators don't support the objections, none are expected to be sustained. Trump and his allies were hoping enough objections would occur to bring Biden under the 270 mark in the electoral college count - the amount needed to win the presidency. That would throw the election to the House. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, each state congressional delegation gets one vote. While Democrats control the House, Republicans control the majority of state delegations, which is how Trump hopes to be 'elected.' Vice President Mike Pence (left) and his Chief of Staff Marc Short stand in the Oval Office before President Donald Trump departs the White House on Monday for a campaign rally in Georgia While campaigning for Georgia's Senate candidates in that state on Monday, Pence responded to shouts of the 'stop the steal' with this: 'We all got our doubts about the last election. And I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities. And I promise you, come this Wednesday, we'll have our day in Congress.' He made no promises of an outcome. Other points of pressure are coming Pence's way. Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, claimed inaccurately on Fox News over the weekend that Pence could call for an 'emergency 10-day audit' of the election returns in the states Trump allies are disputing. Pence does not have that power. Additionally, a group of Republican House members filed legal action to try and expand Pence's powers in the certification process, but Trump's own Justice Department came out against it and a judge appointed by Trump threw it out of court. Pence and his chief of staff Marc Short were in the Oval Office with President Trump and other advisers on Monday night before the president left for Georgia to campaign for the two Republican senators on the ballot in Tuesday's special election. But most of Trump's remarks at that rally were about himself. 'You know I've had two elections, I've won both of them, it's amazing,' Trump said. 'And I actually did much better in the second one.' 'Don't argue with fools!' Top Democrat Cedric Richmond warns party's reps not to get dragged into debate in Congress over Republicans' bid to overturn the election results on Wednesday President Trump's demand that Congress overturn the election results in states he lost has provoked a split in his party and Democratic leaders are now cautioning their own members to steer clear of arguments when the vote gets certified. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat who is joining the incoming Biden administration as director of White House engagement, has told colleagues there isn't an upside to jumping into a point-by-point clash over Trump's election fraud claims. 'You don't argue with fools, because at a distance you can't tell who the fool is,' he said on a party conference call Monday, Politico reported. 'You don't argue with fools,' Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana is urging colleauges House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mindful of the spectacle that the election challenges could provoke and wants her members to be 'dignified' through the process although unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud by Texas GOP Rep. Louis Goehmert and others is certain to provoke an angry backlash. The House meets Wednesday in a special joint session to count the Electoral College votes. The number of Republican senators planning to go along with election challenges grew to 13 at Trump's Georgia rally when Sen. Kelly Loeffler announced she was behind the effort. But the leaked recording of Trump's call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have undermined the Senate GOP efforts by linking claims the lawmakers hitched to the Constitution to the president's request that Raffensperger 'find' 11,780 votes for him. It was unclear if the explosive call had prompted Senate Republicans to dial back some of their plans and focus on a smaller number of states to launch challenges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to remain dignified as Republicans challenge the election Joe Biden won by 306 to 232 electoral votes Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he will raise election challenges President Donald Trump asked Georgia's secretary of state to 'find' 11,780 votes for him Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) was the first senator to say publicly he would back election challenges Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling debunked many of the president's 'fantastical' claims in a press conference Monday. GOP strategist Doug Heye told The Hill regarding Trump's leaked call: 'The tape now makes it harder for other people to join on. They had a legal process argument that they could make even if it wasn't the most credible one,' he continued. 'The tape blows that out of the water.' Whatever Democratic leaders caution, rank-and-file Democrats who get opportunities to speak when Republicans raise protests to states' electoral votes are likely to get heated. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif. Party leaders are preparing for tense debates on Wednesday Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) is among those who have erupted at Republicans going along with Trump's effort. 'It's treasonous. The fact of the matter is the election results have been certified,' he said. If a House and Senate member object to a state's certification, each chamber will meet separately for two hours to consider the challenge, where members will give speeches, followed by a vote. More than 100 House Republicans are expected to back election challenges. ALBANY U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik issued an 840-word statement Wednesday morning explaining why she will object to the Electoral College certification vote that is being taken up in Congress. The congresswoman highlighted "unconstitutional irregularities" in Michigan and a number of other claims that have been debunked or rejected by courts among the reasons she is joining multiple Republican colleagues in supporting President Donald J. Trump. Here is the full statement: "Today we are witnessing democracy at work. This isnt as some of our colleagues have referred to, sadly, as frivolous, this debate is fundamental to our democracy. The Representatives of the American people in this House are standing up for three fundamental American beliefs: the right to vote is sacred, that a representative has a duty to represent his or her constituents, and that the rule of law is a hallmark of our nation." "The words above are not mine. They are those of Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the Democrats' objection to the 2005 electoral college certification of President George W. Bush. "In her speech, Speaker Pelosi went on to say: "Our very democracy depends on the confidence of the American people in the integrity of our electoral system. So, my colleagues, please don't talk about this as a conspiracy theory, it's not about that, it's not about conspiracy. It's about the Constitution of the United States." "Sixteen years later this discussion is still about the Constitution. It is still about the American people. And it is my belief that the House of Representatives should have this debate once again. It is my belief that the American people deserve it. "I am honored every day to represent New York's 21st Congressional District, and I believe it is my solemn and sacred duty to serve as their voice and their vote in the House of Representatives. "Today, I will respectfully object to contested electors from the states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. I do not take this action lightly. I am acting to protect our democratic process and the Constitution. Article II and the Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution make clear that I have an obligation to act on this matter if I believe there are serious questions with respect to the Presidential election. "I believe those questions exist. Tens of millions of Americans are rightly concerned that the 2020 election featured unprecedented voting irregularities, unconstitutional overreach by unelected state officials and judges ignoring state election laws, and a fundamental lack of ballot integrity and security. "In Pennsylvania, the Democratic State Supreme Court and Secretary of State unilaterally and unconstitutionally rewrote election law eliminating signature matching requirements. They arbitrarily allowed late arriving ballots to be counted even though doing so explicitly ignored and broke state election law. And duly credentialed election observers were not allowed to observe voting and the counting of the vote - another unconstitutional act. "In Georgia, there was unconstitutional overreach when the Secretary of State unilaterally gutted signature matching for absentee ballots and in essence eliminated voter verification required by state election law. In addition, more than 140,000 votes came from underage, deceased, and otherwise unauthorized voters -- in Fulton County alone. And many individuals testified to not being able to meaningfully observe the counting of ballots. "In Wisconsin, partisan state officials issued rules to circumvent a state law issued by the legislature as the Constitution requires that required absentee voters to provide photo identification before obtaining a ballot. Wisconsins very own Supreme Court reprimanded the officials for issuing 'legally incorrect' guidance. It is also a fact that Wisconsin state law specifies absentee ballots may only be returned by mail or delivered in person to the clerks office but the City of Madison illegally held events at multiple locations to collect more than 17,000 ballots anyway. "In Michigan, many individuals signed affidavits documenting the unconstitutional irregularities they witnessed officials physically blocking the legal right of poll watchers to observe vote counts, the counting of late ballots, hand stamping ballots with the previous days date, and more. The merits of these illegal, alarming, and reprehensible actions were never considered by a court. "These unconstitutional acts are why I object today. "I know my constituents in the North Country cherish the Constitution, and they know the Constitution grants the power of the pen to write election law to those closest to the people the state legislatures. It is not the legal right of unelected bureaucrats, judges, Governors, or Secretaries of State. "To the tens of thousands of constituents who have reached out to me in the past few weeks - please know that I'm listening, and I hear you. I believe the most precious foundation and covenant of our Republic is the right to vote, and consequently, the faith in the sanctity of our nation's free and fair elections. "Today, my vote is about restoring the faith of the American people in our elections - that they are free, fair, secure, and according to the United States Constitution. Our Constitutional Republic will endure this important debate today because the Founding Fathers knew Congress would face unprecedented challenges. We will endure because we did so after my Democrat House colleagues objected to nearly every single Republican President in my lifetime - in 1989, 2001, 2005, and 2017. The United States of America has endured through every election since its founding and the ratification of the Constitution in 1788 and that is why America will forever be the shining city on a hill." Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-07 06:34:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for multilateralism and development opportunities to meet the challenges of maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts. The year 2020 has just ended as an extraordinary year during which the spread of COVID-19 triggered a global crisis, exposing fragilities at national and global levels, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. "Through the turbulent year, we have felt more deeply than ever that all countries are interdependent and share weal and woe, and believe more firmly than ever in the importance of multilateralism and cooperation to meet the challenges. There are more reasons than ever to support the United Nations in playing an important role in maintaining international peace and security and achieving common development." He called for efforts to work together to fight the pandemic, to increase input to enhance development resilience to address the root causes of fragilities, and to uphold multilateralism and leverage the important role of the United Nations. The global pandemic is surging in a new wave. Combating the pandemic together is the top priority for the international community, he told the Security Council in an open debate on "challenges of maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts." All countries should put people and their lives first, respect science, join hands to advance international anti-epidemic cooperation, and strengthen joint prevention and control in order to eliminate the impact of the pandemic as soon as possible, he said. He called for more input to enhance development resilience. Underdevelopment is the root cause of many problems, especially in the countries and regions in conflict. Increasing investment in the field of development to strengthen economic and social weak links is a fundamental way to eliminate various risk factors, lay a solid foundation for peace, and achieve long-term stability. The United Nations, he said, embodies the yearning and determination of the people of the world to help each other in solidarity and jointly build a better future. In the face of increasingly complex and severe global challenges, no country can work alone. Achieving better unity and progress under the banner of the United Nations is the only choice to deal with various uncertainties and vulnerabilities in search of solutions. "We must reaffirm our commitment to the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at the center, maintain the international order underpinned by international law, fulfill our obligations as member states, strengthen capacity building of the United Nations and other international institutions, and support the United Nations in playing its central coordinating role in international affairs," Zhang said. Enditem Two police officers are being held at the Bamburi station in Mombasa for allegedly extorting Sh106,000 from a foreigner. Patrick Muneria and Tabitha Nduta from the Tourist Police Unit in Bamburi are said to have obtained the money from one Mr Werner Bance by threatening to arrest him. A police report indicates that a woman called the officers after Mr Bance turned down her sexual advances on January 2. It is claimed that the woman asked Bance to buy her lunch but he declined and gave her Sh100 instead. The unnamed woman refused to take the money and started to seduce Bance, who rejected her saying he was married to another Kenyan woman. Unable to handle rejection, the woman called the cops on Bance. The woman made a call and two people came a man and woman. They threatened him, saying he would be jailed if he did not part with 1,500 euros (Sh201,700), the report reads. The officers allegedly threatened Bance that he would be jailed for seven years if he did not part with the money. The foreigner pleaded with the officers saying he could only raise 800 euros (Sh107, 600). He requested to collect the money from his hotel room and the officers accompanied him to Indiana beach apartments. The two people took a taxi to Indiana (hotel), snatched his phone upon arriving, and instructed him to go and collect the money, the report states. Mr Bance returned with the cash and gave it to the officers, who gave the phone back. He then reported the matter at Bamburi police station in Kisauni sub-county later that day. According to the police report, the police officers later returned the money which has been kept as exhibit. They were arrested after Mr Bance identified them in a parade. Investigations are ongoing pending arraignment in court. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The family of Christine Angelica Dacera, who was found dead in a hotel room on New Year's Day, hopes to receive more detailed autopsy results by next week. "I think it will be released probably by next week," family spokesperson Atty. Brick Reyes said in an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday. "We are not rushing this because we want a detailed medico-legal report so we could compare." Dacera's family earlier revealed they sought another autopsy in a bid to dispute initial findings that the flight attendant died of natural causes. A copy of the medico-legal report obtained by CNN Philippines listed "ruptured aortic aneurysm" as the cause of death. It also indicated multiple contusions and abrasions on the body of the 23-year-old. But Dacera's camp said they were "surprised" that the detailed descriptions of injuries were "overlooked." "When you see these kinds of injuries, you should first investigate properly before you make statements like there's no foul play," Reyes said. "That's why we insisted on a second autopsy report to be able to clarify exactly what injuries were sustained by Christine." Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub of her hotel room in Makati City following a party with friends the night before, according to initial investigation. Three suspects have been arrested and were also slapped with complaints of rape with homicide, while eight others remain at-large. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he was informed that the National Bureau of Investigation will also conduct another autopsy on Dacera. "The NBI forensic medicine team is presently providing assistance to and coordinating with the PNP Makati SOCO to determine the true cause of death," he said in a message. ATLANTA (AP) The Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, defeated Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Tuesday's special election for an unexpired term for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. Warnock will become the first Black senator in Georgia history. It remains too early to call the second race between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican David Perdue, whos seeking a second term after his first term expired Sunday. Control of the Senate is in the balance. Here are some key takeaways: BLACK VOTERS TIP THE SCALE Warnock, senior pastor of the church where Martin Luther King preached through the height of the Civil Rights movement until his assassination, made history with a surge in Black turnout. To be sure, a narrow win out of 4.4 million votes involves plenty of variables. But Black voters were a force in the early vote and on Election Day. Notably, it wasnt just in metro Atlanta, but also in rural and small-town counties across South Georgia, where Black turnout has historically lagged. That means it was an alliance spanning from the most affluent Black residents of Atlanta, including recent transplants to Georgia, to those Black Georgia natives who hail from the most economically depressed pockets of the state. This election cycle a confluence of factors for Black voters: 2020 offered the first general election after the disappointment of Stacey Abrams narrowly missing out in 2018 on becoming the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, and it was the first election after the death of Rep. John Lewis, Atlantas civil rights icon who once marched alongside King and would publicly joust with Trump. Loeffler and her Republican allies used the two-month runoff campaign to hammer Warnock with ads calling him dangerous and radical. They used snippets of his sermons from Ebenezer Baptist Church to accuse him of hate speech and racial divisiveness. But Black voters can point to Tuesdays vote count and take credit for that strategy ending in defeat. Story continues GEORGIA SHOWING BATTLEGROUND BONA FIDES When President-elect Joe Biden won Georgia by 12,000 votes out of 5 million, plenty of observers assumed it was about a Trump backlash. Certainly, that something to do with it. But following it up with one Senate runoff victory and potentially a second, Democrats proved its status as a two-party battleground going forward. TRUMPS FALSE CLAIMS FIND FAVOR WITH GOP VOTERS Trump may have lost the presidency but his campaign to undermine the legitimacy of the election clearly succeeded with Republican voters in Georgia. About three-quarters of voters who backed Perdue and Loeffler told the AP VoteCast survey that Biden was not legitimately elected in November. AP VoteCast interviewed more than 3,600 voters to measure the electorates views on a range of topics. Roughly 9 in 10 of the Republicans backers said they lacked confidence that votes in Novembers presidential contest were accurately counted. Half said they have no confidence at all in the vote count. Thats roughly five times as many Republicans who said in November they had no confidence that votes would be counted accurately. That sentiment clearly tracks Trumps false rhetoric about election fraud, a claim that has been rejected by Attorney General William Barr, dozens of federal courts and several prominent Republican senators. And the findings demonstrate Trump's continued hold on the Republican base, something his fellow GOP politicians will contend with even after he leaves office. TRUMP STILL A TURNOUT DRIVER -- FOR BOTH SIDES Even though it carried risk, Perdue, who is trying to win a second term after his first one expired Sunday, and Loeffler, an appointed senator trying to win her first election, tethered themselves to Trump every step of the campaign. Early returns and turnout projections show why. Democrats were running stronger in the early voting than they did in November, and that had Republicans nervous. Those worries followed weeks of Trump railing that Biden stole the election, spurring GOP fears that hed drive some of his loyalists to skip the runoff out of protest while also repelling moderate and GOP-leaning independents in urban and suburban areas. GOP strategists felt somewhat better Tuesday as they watched turnout in conservative counties and across the outer ring of metro Atlanta where Republicans still have troves of votes. But, as it goes in the era of Trump, Democratic turnout stayed strong, as well, with Fulton and DeKalb in the core of metro Atlanta on pace to nearly match or exceed their general election turnout. That makes a steep hill for Republicans in the newfound swing state. RELATIVELY SMOOTH Even with Trump's steady drumbeat of falsehoods about the voting process, state elections authorities and officials from both parties said Tuesdays voting and the count appeared smooth. There were no reports of hours-long lines. Elections officials also took advantage of rules changes since November that allowed advance processing of absentee ballots so they can be counted more quickly. As the count moved into Wednesday, Georgia officials seemed to be managing the process without major issues. KEMP FACES TROUBLE Trump endorsed Georgias Republican Gov. Brian Kemp during a contentious GOP primary in 2018, only to call him incompetent and promise to campaign against him in 2022 because he didnt heed the president's demands to reverse Georgia's presidential results. According to AP VoteCast, Republican voters are siding with Trump: About 6 in 10 approve of Kemps handling of the election aftermath. In November, AP VoteCast found about 9 in 10 Trump backers approved of Kemps overall job performance. Kemp already was facing the prospect of a strong general election challenge from Abrams, the Democrat who is expected to seek a rematch from her 2018 loss. She would come into the race with a boost from all her voter registration work that paid off with Biden's and Warnock's wins. And now Kemp has to shore up his standing in his own party before thinking about Abrams or any Democrat. DEMOCRATS HIGH-TOUCH GROUND GAME Democrats seem to have had a broader reach than Republicans in contacting voters. About 6 in 10 voters say they were contacted on behalf of Democratic candidates, compared with about half for Republican candidates. Democrats ground game may have helped them turn out voters. Overall, about 4 in 10 said they were contacted and responded with a pledge or commitment to vote. These voters were more likely to favor Ossoff and Warnock than Perdue and Loeffler. NEW RESIDENTS CHANGING POLITICS AP VoteCast showed signs that newcomers to Georgia were more Democratic than longtime residents of the state. Those who have lived in the state for longer than 20 years leaned Republican, while those who have moved more recently favored Democrats. __ Associated Press reporters Josh Boak and Hannah Fingerhut in Washington and Kate Brumback in Atlanta a contributed. In this file photo taken on October 24, 2020 Democratic Senate candidate Reverend Raphael Warnock speaks at a rally in Duluth, Georgia. - Democrat Raphael Warnock ousted an incumbent Republican onJanuary 6, 2021 in the first of two critical runoff elections in Georgia that will decide control of the US Senate at the outset of Joe Biden's presidency, networks projected. AFP Democrats won one U.S. Senate race in Georgia and led in another on Wednesday, moving closer to a sweep in a deep South state that would give them control of Congress and the power to advance President-elect Joe Biden's policy goals. Raphael Warnock, a Baptist preacher from the historic church of Martin Luther King Jr., beat Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler to become the first Black senator in Georgia's history. Jon Ossoff, a documentary filmmaker who at 33 would become the Senate's youngest member, also declared victory with a narrow lead over incumbent David Perdue, although media including Edison Research had yet to call that race. If upheld, the results would amount to a final defeat for outgoing President Donald Trump, who stands to be the first U.S. president since 1932 to lose the White House and both chambers of Congress in a single term. Trump held rallies for both Republican candidates, but overshadowed the campaign with false accusations his own loss in the November presidential election in Georgia was tainted by fraud, repeatedly attacking Republican officials in the state. With 98% of votes in and counting mostly stopped for the night, Warnock was ahead of Loeffler by 1.2 percentage points, roughly 54,000 votes, according to Edison Research. Ossoff led Perdue by more than 16,000 votes, or 0.4 percentage points, just shy of a 0.5 percent threshold to avoid a recount. Most outstanding votes were from Democratic-leaning areas. Winning both contests would give Democrats control of the Senate, creating a 50-50 split and giving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the tie-breaking vote once she and Biden take office on Jan. 20. The party already has a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Holding on to either seat would have effectively given Republicans a veto over Biden's political and judicial appointees, as well as his legislative initiatives in areas from coronavirus relief to climate change, healthcare and justice. The campaign's final days were overshadowed by Trump's attacks on his own election defeat in the state, including a recording of a phone call in which he hectored Republican Georgia officials to "find" enough votes make him the winner. ON TRUMP'S SHOULDERS If Democrats won, the losses would "fall squarely on the shoulders of President Trump and his actions since Nov. 3," Gabriel Sterling, a Republican and a top election official in the state, told CNN. The election signaled a shift in the politics of Georgia and the wider deep South. Black voters, the most reliable Democratic supporters in the region, turned out in numbers unprecedented for a run-off vote. In a video message, Warnock, whose Ebenezer Baptist Church is legendary in Georgia because of its role in the civil rights movement under King, recalled his humble upbringing as one of 12 children of a woman who worked in cotton fields. "Because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else's cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator," he said. Declaring victory, Ossoff said he looked forward "to serving you in the United States Senate with integrity, with humility, with honor". Both Republican senators, following the lead of Trump who has never conceded his own loss, predicted they would ultimately win and insisted they would fight on: "We have a path to victory and we're staying on it," Loeffler told supporters in Atlanta. During the campaign, Republicans had painted Ossoff and Warnock as radicals who would pursue a hard-left agenda. But that message failed to resonate with many white suburbanites who have increasingly abandoned the Republican party under Trump. Trump's flailing efforts to overturn his own defeat move to Congress later on Wednesday, when Vice President Mike Pence is due to preside over the counting of electoral votes to certify Biden's victory. Trump has called on Pence to throw out the results in states he narrowly lost, although Pence has no authority to do so. Some Republican lawmakers have said they will try to reject some state tallies, a move that stands no chance of success but which could force debate and drag out the certification process. Trump's supporters plan to rally in the streets of Washington, with the city bracing for potential violence. Police banned the leader of a far-right group from the city and made several arrests as protests ramped up on Tuesday. Trump is due to address the crowd at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) (Reuters) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., woke up excited. Wednesday was supposed to be what American democracy is all about, she said. She started the day by singing Las Mananitas, a traditional Mexican birthday song, to New Mexico in front of the state flag perched outside her D.C. home because statehood was achieved exactly 109 years ago. Then the freshman lawmaker headed to the U.S. Capitol, expecting a long day ending in the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory over outgoing President Donald Trump. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Hours later, she was inside a locked office with no windows, where she had been ushered by Capitol police after pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol building. She said she had been watching C-SPAN in an office inside the Capitol and heard sounds of violence outside escalating for about 45 minutes before the building was breached and police escorted lawmakers to safety. Sitting here now, I know I am surrounded by mobs. I am surrounded by terrorists, Leger Fernandez said during a phone interview with the Journal Wednesday afternoon. I use the word terrorist because the definition of a terrorist is someone who wants to use violence to achieve a political goal. The last time the Capitol was stormed like that, it was the British, who burned it down because they did not like our democracy. Lawmakers had convened in a joint session Wednesday to confirm the Electoral College results. But the session devolved into chaos when mobs stormed the Capitol building. Tension surrounding the election tally had been simmering for over a week as dozens of Republican lawmakers announced plans to object to Bidens 306-232 Electoral College victory. They did so based on claims fueled by Trump of widespread voter fraud, despite the fact that the election results have been widely accepted by state and federal officials. Among the first lawmakers to announce their intention to object to the results was U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-N.M. Herrell, who started her first term Sunday, had previously said she would be objecting to the results because millions of American didnt feel the election was conducted with integrity and fairness. After the Capitol was stormed, Herrell tweeted that she was safe. Her office didnt respond to a question asking whether Herrell still planned to object to the results. I am safe, but the violence at the Capitol is entirely unacceptable, she tweeted. I urge all those in Washington today to allow Congress to continue its business as the Constitution requires. Steve Pearce, the chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, is among the GOP officials who have publicly questioned the integrity of the election. The Republican Party of New Mexico condemns the acts of violence happening at the U.S. Capitol. While we support the right for free speech and to demonstrate peacefully, such violence and threatening actions cannot be tolerated, Pearce said in a statement. Asked whether Pearce was ready to accept the election results, a party spokesman referred the Journal to the statement. Leger Fernandez said that the mob that stormed the Capitol building was incited by Trump but that others making false claims about the election added fuel. (Trump) was assisted by those who are also questioning the Constitution and questioning the election, including some of my colleagues who took an oath of office with me on Sunday to uphold the Constitution, she said. Its that attack on our electoral system and our democracy which, I think, is very, very sad. The other members of New Mexicos congressional delegation publicly said that they were safe but couldnt be reached for comment Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., said in a video posted online that she was safe and determined to fulfill her constitutional duty by affirming Bidens victory. Representatives for New Mexico Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan said they were safe and sheltering in undisclosed locations. This is not how we do things in America. Please know that we are not going to rest until we restore our Democracy, Heinrich tweeted. None of this insanity does anything to change the outcome of the election. When order is restored, we are going to go back and do our jobs and certify the election. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. President Rodrigo Duterte talks during a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, in Davao, Philippines, Jan. 5, 2021. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has quashed attempts to investigate how members of his bodyguard received shots of a Chinese-developed coronavirus vaccine in September and October, when no vaccine had been approved or officially procured in the country to date. An angry Duterte this week ordered Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), and members of the elite bodyguard to stay put in the barracks and ignore a summons to appear before a planned Senate inquiry into the matter. To Congress, do not tinker with the PSG. Dont force my hand. I am not keen to have Durante testify, Duterte said in a nationally televised cabinet meeting that went late into the evening on Monday. They did this to protect me and themselves. As a president, how could they guard me if they have to maintain a four-meter [13.1-feet] distance from me? the Philippine leader said of the inoculations among members of his security corps, who are drawn from military ranks. Durante and his men had the right against self-incrimination, the president said, as he warned the legislature against forcing the soldiers to testify. I do not think it will be good for you and for me. It would not be healthy for everybody, he said. We will have, not really a crisis, but there will be a nasty thing that will transpire. After Dutertes late-night comments, the military said Tuesday that it had cancelled its own inquiry into the matter. The controversy erupted last week after the president said he knew of several soldiers who, a few months ago, were given doses of a vaccine developed by Sinopharm, the Chinese state-owned drug maker. Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesman for the armed forces, said in a statement that a scheduled fact-finding investigation had been called off. This comes in the light of the recent pronouncement of the Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte, Arevalo said. Durante, the head of presidential security, confirmed Dutertes earlier statement about soldiers receiving the vaccine, but refused to give details about the drug makers name and how they obtained the doses. Durante had said he was willing to be investigated for allegedly violating the countrys laws. Last week, the Army chief, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said the approval to use Sinopharms vaccine came from Duterte himself. In late December, the president also stated that nearly all soldiers have been injected an assertion which he appeared to deny on Monday night. I dont know really if they were really injected with the vaccine, Duterte said on Jan. 4. What brand? I dont know. Do not presume to say there was a cover up. At present, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet green-lighted any drug for inoculating people here against the coronavirus disease. The FDA, the defense and health departments had all expressed surprise in learning about the immunizations of the presidential guards. For his part, FDA chief Erick Domingo said that the distribution of black-market vaccines could pose health risks and potentially undermine a national vaccination program. Next to Indonesia, the Philippines is the second country in East Asia hardest hit by the global pandemic. As of Tuesday, nearly 479,700 coronavirus cases had been detected nationwide with a death toll of 9,321, according to data from disease experts at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Senator presses for inquiry The Philippine legislature enjoys a separation of powers with the executive and judiciary. As an independent body of government, Congress can also launch investigations or summon officials. Sen. Franklin Drilon, a senior lawmaker with the opposition, said Tuesday that Duterte did have executive privilege to stop the Presidential Security Group from testifying before the senate. However, this should not stop the Senate from investigating the unauthorized China-made COVID-19 vaccines in the country, he said. There is no preventing Congress from eliciting information in aid of legislation from other resource persons. Congress can exact information on matters that can help it craft better legislation, Drilon told reporters. This was not the first time that executive privilege was invoked, Drilon said, noting that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had blocked all her officials from senate inquiries when she was in office in 2005. The senator said there also were unconfirmed reports that nearly 100,000 Chinese workers employed by online casinos in the Philippines had been injected with vaccines illegally imported into the country. The Senate must exercise its mandate to look deeply into the issue in order to plug the loopholes in the law granting authority to the Food and Drugs Administration, Drilon said. The Senate should continue with the hearing, especially in the light of the revelation that 100,000 POGO workers were inoculated in the country. That is illegal, the lawmaker said, referring to employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. That claim was made on Monday by Teresita Ang See, a prominent anti-crime advocate here, who told an online forum about the rampant inoculation, which, she said, began in November. She said the source of these vaccines was likely the same one from which members of the presidential bodyguard received their shots. The vaccines were legitimate, she said, adding that the issue was being blown out of proportion. When asked about the purported Chinese vaccines, presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Monday said he did not have information on the claims. But if it were true, there will be 100,000 less possible carriers of the coronavirus, Roque said. Marielle Lucenio contributed to this report from Manila. This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong! Over the past day, Russia-occupation forces in Donbas violated the ceasefire regime four times, the Ukrainian servicemen were not injured, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters said. "Over the past day, on January 5, four ceasefire violations were recorded in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. In the area of responsibility of the operational-tactical group Skhid (Vostok), in the Pryazovia area, near the settlements of Hnutove and Vodiane, the armed formations of the Russian Federation opened fire towards the Ukrainian positions from grenade launchers of various systems and small arms. Near Avdiyivka, the enemy fired several non-aiming shots from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, and near Pyshchevyk - from small arms. Ceasefire regime was observed in the area of responsibility of the operational-tactical group Pivnich (North)," the JFO staff said in its morning update on Facebook on Wednesday morning. Since Wednesday midnight, two violations of the ceasefire regime have been recorded in the JFO headquarters. Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. We are excited to welcome these two experienced attorneys to our robust Government Law and Policy Practice, adding to our strength in key state capitals across the United States, noted Greenberg Traurig Government Law & Policy Practice Co-Chairs Thomas J. Bond and Harold N. Iselin. Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has expanded its Sacramento Government Law & Policy (GLP) Practice in California with the strategic additions of Alice L. Kessler and Patrick K. Shannon as shareholders and co-leaders of the Sacramento GLP Practice. Kessler was most recently a partner at Lighthouse Public Affairs, where she conducted legislative and regulatory advocacy before the California State Legislature. Shannon returns to Greenberg Traurig after founding Government Relations Counsel, which provided legal and policy consulting services. We are excited to welcome these two experienced attorneys to our robust Government Law and Policy Practice, adding to our strength in key state capitals across the United States, noted Greenberg Traurig Government Law & Policy Practice Co-Chairs Thomas J. Bond and Harold N. Iselin. In this time of unprecedented uncertainty, skillful attorneys like Alice and Patrick are well positioned to help companies around the United States navigate Californias complex and constantly evolving legislative and regulatory landscape. Alices and Patricks depth of experience in government affairs and advocacy work, as well as their longstanding relationships with California policymakers, will serve as a key resource to firm clients throughout the state and across the globe. We are proud to welcome them to Greenberg Traurig and to continue to expand our capabilities in California, noted Greenberg Traurigs Northern California Chair Chuck Birenbaum and Sacramento Managing Shareholder Kurt A. Kappes in a joint statement. Shannon and Kessler join shareholders Jeffrey Leacox, Jeremy A. Meier, Tim Swickard, Bill Gausewitz, and others in the Sacramento GLP practice. Kessler is an accomplished legislative strategist and leader with a track record of rapid advancement through her strategic analysis and communication talents, collaborative skills, and trusted integrity. She has deep relationships with California policymakers, thought leaders, and community-based organizations. Kessler leverages her skills to build consensus, gain buy-in, and motivate team members and partners. She works to advance the interests of technology firms, automakers, trade associations, and local government entities. Shannon focuses his practice on government relations and administrative law before the California legislature and state regulatory and enforcement agencies. He has deep experience on matters relating to financial services, health care, transportation, insurance, environmental regulation, tax, and government contracts. Shannon represents many of the worlds largest financial institutions, asset managers, mutual fund companies, insurers, and other financial services companies. We are very familiar with Greenberg Traurigs talented team of government law and policy professionals and are excited to play a role in the continued growth of the practice, Kessler and Shannon said in a joint statement. The deep bench of the practicecombined with the firms international platform and cross-practice collaborationwill serve our clients well. Greenberg Traurigs Sacramento office has expanded recently with the addition of Shareholder Timothy Long; Of Counsel David A. Cheit, Deepi K. Miller, Todd A. Pickles; and associates Samuel S. Hyde, Lupe R. Laguna and Yoon-Woo Nam. About Greenberg Traurigs Government Law & Policy Practice: Greenberg Traurigs Government Law & Policy Practice combines the capabilities of its Federal Practice in Washington D.C. with its state and local practices across the country. The firms national team of governmental affairs professionals and attorneys spans major political and commercial capitals throughout the United States, including: Albany, Austin, Denver, Las Vegas, New York City, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C. Most recently, Greenberg Traurigs Government Law & Policy team was Top Listed for Government Relations in Best Lawyers in Americas 2018 edition. The team was also named Law Firm of the Year for Government Relations by the U.S. News-Best Lawyers 2014 edition of "Best Law Firms." The practice also received the most first-tier Government Relations rankings in the U.S. About Greenberg Traurigs Sacramento Office: Greenberg Traurig's Sacramento office represents businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to mid-cap companies and trade associations. Its government law and policy attorneys and professionals develop strategies to quickly address administrative, legislative, or regulatory issues; advocate on behalf of clients with government officials and agencies; and draft legislation. Its nationally recognized litigation team handles business disputes, class action, environmental, labor and employment, government and government procurement, ERISA, Proposition 65, trade secrets and employee mobility, attorney general matters, government writs, appellate, and products liability litigation. 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We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday met an 11-member delegation from Ladakh and assured them to form a panel to be headed by a minister to look into their demands of inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution. He chaired a high-level meeting with the leaders in Delhi. The delegation was led by former MPs Thiksay Rinpoche and Thupstan Chhewang. Besides Rinpoche and Chhewang, other members of the delegation include former BJP minister Chering Dorjay, chief executive councilor of Leh Council, Tashi Gyalson, sitting BJP MP and Ladakh unit president Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. We met home minister Amit Shah who addressed our demands. Now, a panel will be constituted to look into the issue. It will be headed by a minister of state and bureaucrats from the Ladakh region, one of the delegates, said, adding the panel will decide on the matter within three to four months. On December 21, 2020, the Apex Body of Peoples Movement (ABPM) decided to reach out to the opinion-makers in Leh and Kargil districts to press for the sixth schedule to the strategic Ladakh region. The Apex Body of Peoples Movement, an apolitical body, which has former BJP MP Thupstan Chhewang, Dorjay, Thiksay monastery head Rinpoche Nawang Chamba Stanzin and former minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, has been demanding constitutional safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh on lines of north-eastern states. The umbrella group includes political parties and religious organisations as well as the all-powerful Leh-based Ladakh Buddhist Association. The safeguards also guarantee more teeth to the two hill development councils of Leh and Kargil with legislative powers. It may be recalled here that Thupstan Chhewang, the former BJP MP, had resigned from his post and primary membership of the party in November 2018 for not conferring UT status to the Ladakh region and other promises made by the BJP in the 2014 general elections. The sixth schedule also guaranteed no settlement of outsiders in the strategic region. According to the 2011 Census, Ladakh has a population of 1,34,000, the majority of them being Buddhists. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. (Photo : Screenshot From SimplyPops YouTube) Microsoft, themselves, have finally stated that they will be working to correct the given issue which causes a number of Xbox Series X controllers to automatically disconnect and reconnect which can be really annoying in-game. A fix for the particular controllers is said to be on its way. According to an article by CNET, a fix for the particular faulty Xbox Series X controller issue is coming its way according to the official company statement on Tuesday. The company even added its own recommendation for the consumers and users to update their Xbox Series X along with the latest given controller firmware. In an email that a Microsoft person sent to CNET, it was stated that the company is aware of the problem in which a number of players are currency experiencing automatic disconnection with their brand new Xbox Wireless Controllers. It was then stated that the teams are now actively working towards a solution in order to be included in an upcoming future update. Xbox Series X controller problem: not connecting The issue was actually reported some time earlier in an article by The Verge and it expands saying it can actually occur across both the black and blue versions of the new Xbox Series X controller. This problem was reportedly shared by hundreds of different users that had complained on Microsoft's own Xbox forum. The complaints were estimated to have started back in mid-November when the particular console was just newly released and is still continuing today. As of the moment, there are quite over 400 responses to this particular thread on the official forum. About 1,700 people have also reportedly clicked the button that says that they have the exact same question. This would mean that the faulty Xbox Series X controllers could be more than just an isolated event but actually due to the controllers themselves. Read Also: Original Xbox Emulator Xemu v0.5 Release Comes with Improved Graphics, Audio, and More Xbox Series X controller fix An article by GameRevolution offers what could be called an Xbox Series X controller issue temporary fix. This can be done by following seven different steps. However, this is an unofficial fix and is still not the way to permanently fix the Xbox Series X controller problems. Start by resetting the Xbox console through holding down the console's power button Unplug the Xbox Series X from its main power source Power off the Xbox Series X controller and remove its own batteries Plug in as well as turn on the Xbox Series X Turn on the controller Press the pairing button located on the Xbox Series X and hold it for a period of time Press the pairing button located on the Xbox Series X controller but not actually holding it Once again, this is an unofficial fixing method so it is still not a guarantee that the Xbox Series X controller problems would be automatically and permanently fixed. Related Article: Xbox Series X Stock 2021: Microsoft Seeks Help From AMD For GPU and CPU Production to Address Shortage This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian Buenconsejo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. (Photo : Youtube/ SuperSaf) Samsung Galaxy S21 launch date, price and ringtone Samsung is preparing for the launch of its new phone, the Samsung Galaxy S21. With an official launch date of January 14, it will be the first major phone launch of 2021. Samsung Galaxy S21 release So what do we know about the phone so far? The new series will have the same naming and model format as the previous phones, they will be the Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra, and the sizes are also expected to be almost the same as the S21 will be 6.2-inches, the S21 Plus will be 6.7-inches and the S21 Ultra will be 6.8-inches. Samsung's new release seems to be more of an upgrade from 2020. It is holding onto the 120Hz refresh rates, the same RAM setups and there will be a bit of a boost with the batteries, according to TechRadar. Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S21 Release Date Revealed, Why Flagship Name Jumped from S10 to S20 The processing power and the camera setups here hinted to get an upgrade this time around, this will give the latest devices a boost on Samsung Galaxy S20 deals. Although the specs of the new phones are not released yet, people are already suspecting that it will be a lot better than its predecessors. The rumored price of the Samsung Galaxy S21 is around $999. Will there be pre-orders in the US? Samsung has officially announced the date of its Unpacked 2021 event. This is an annual event where Samsung announces its new phones and is set be released sooner than expected. The conference will air on January 14 at 10 AM Eastern Standard Time. However, there is no official date released yet for the official pre-orders of the handsets. Rumor has it that the handsets would follow in the week following the phone reveal, as what Samsung have done years before. Leaked ringtone For each of its Galaxy series, Samsung re-imagines the well-known "Over The Horizon" ringtone that comes in their music libraries. This is intended for people to use as their ringtones or alarms. The new interpretation of the theme that is expected to be on the Samsung Galaxy S21 has been leaked online. The ringtone was first leaked on the Korean site Naver. It was then shared from there by Twitter user @FrontTron to YouTube and the audio clip runs for three minutes and a half. Although it is best to take it with a grain of salt, given the similarities, it seems likely this is the Galaxy S21 version of "Over The Horizon." The new version of the ringtone is a solo piano rendition of the theme, eschewing the more complex arrangements of the past, though it has a strong resemblance to the nature-inspired 2020 version. It is less upbeat than the previous one as it does not have the crescendos and builds of the previous version. The core ringtone motif is still in there, with variations on it appearing later in the audio. This is the longest version of "Over The Horizon." People who have heard the new version things that fewer users will choose the audio as their alarm or ringtone as it is not loud enough to wake you up, but it will still depend on your preference. Related Article: Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus Hardware Specs and Price Leaks Reveal Everything Fans Can Expect This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sieeka Khan 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. COLONIE Town Supervisor Paula Mahan announced Wednesday that she will not be seeking re-election this year - ending a more than decade-long run in the Capital Region's most populated town. Mahan, a retired educator, first became supervisor in 2008, ending a seven-decade streak of Republican rule in Colonie. However, she very narrowly won re-election in 2019, with Republican George Scaringe only losing by about 100 votes out of more than 20,000 cast. In past elections, Mahan had wider margins over her opponents. She said at the time she thought the 2019 election was close because of low voter turnout; that race brought in about 3,000 less votes. In a letter to the town Wednesday, said she plans to retire at the end of 2021. "Im looking forward to spending more time with my family, traveling, and enjoying the simple things in life," she wrote. Mahan, whose husband is a retired police officer, has two grown children and often vacations in Florida. A former special education teacher at North Colonie schools, Mahan was first elected town supervisor in 2007, ousting six-term incumbent and Republican Mary Brizzell. Mahans election, which was decided by over 200 votes, made her the first Democrat in the seat since 1931. Mahans first experience with government was no easy feat, however, as she inherited a general fund deficit of more than $7 million. Within less than two years, that deficit had been reduced by 45 percent through a one-time tax and cuts in services. By 2011, the town had ended the year with money left over for the first time in six years aided by the privatization of Colonies landfill. It took a tremendous amount of hard work and determination to stabilize the Towns finances and begin to turn the Town around in a positive direction, Mahan wrote in her letter. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Joe Biden will become the fourth president to navigate the chaos in Afghanistan since 9/11. The Taliban remain a potent, vicious fighting force. ISIS has established a presence. The economy is now as it has been for the duration of the 19-year conflict in tatters. Corruption remains the rule, not the exception. And yet, Biden inherits peace talks that show glints of progress. U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Taliban leaders in Doha, Qatar, in December, a meeting steeped in symbolism: America's top general meeting with leaders of the militant group that safeguarded al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden before 9/11, and fought America in what has become the country's longest-running war. Setting the stage for Milley's appearance in Doha was President Donald Trump's deal with the Taliban for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, if the militant group agreed to sever its ties with al-Qaida, never let the country become a springboard for attacks against the West again and participate in peace talks with Afghanistan's current government. Milley stressed one more condition. The Taliban must dial down ongoing violence that kills Afghan civilians and security forces and threatens America's remaining 4,000 troops. "Everything else hinges on that," Milley said afterward. As Biden tackles the problem of Afghanistan, he begins with a commitment to, as he pledged during the campaign, "end the forever wars." He's right, but it's also time to change the narrative in Afghanistan. The conflict is far different now than it was a decade ago when the 2010 count of American service members killed in combat stood at 439. In 2020, four American soldiers were killed in combat in Afghanistan, according to iCasualties.org, which tracks U.S. service member deaths in conflicts around the world. Many more soldiers died in training accidents last year. Still, Afghanistan remains a bloody battlefield with periodic surges in violence. Biden inherits a conflict that needs reframing. Gone are the days when America endeavored to rebuild Afghanistan from top to bottom. Any remaining contingent of U.S. troops in Afghanistan won't be deployed to wage combat. They'll serve as a bulwark against any resurgence of al-Qaida or ISIS. American troops are also part of a larger NATO force tasked with the crucial mission of training Afghan security forces. Trump's postelection decision to, by Jan. 15, dramatically scale back the number of U.S. troops in the country to a contingent of just 2,500 complicates the task for Biden. Trump still wants to portray himself as the leader who, unlike his two predecessors, finally got American soldiers out of the Afghan quagmire. Initially, he thought about pulling every last American service member out of the country. That kind of thinking flies in the face of advice from his own top military brass, which recommended the bottom-line troop level should be 4,500. Perhaps Biden's most challenging task will be ensuring that the Taliban's pledges during peace talks, slated to resume this week between the militant group's leaders and Afghan officials, aren't just words. How will the new administration make sure that the Taliban indeed decouples from al-Qaida, and keeps the country from ever again becoming a haven for anti-West terrorism? Will a peace pact include, as it should and must, a commitment to protecting women's rights? The Taliban's notorious record with respect to the treatment of women includes banning women from going to school, working or leaving home without a male chaperon. Women who broke the rules were flogged. Biden is right to set "ending forever wars" as a key foreign policy goal. Achieving that goal, however, must not forsake American ideals and interests and it must not forsake the future of everyday Afghans who deserve a stable, enduring peace. This editorial appeared at the Chicago Tribune and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell absolutely shamed his Republican colleagues for mounting challenges to the Electoral College calling it a 'poisonous path,' which would put democracy in a 'death spiral.' McConnell also made clear that he did not believe there was any evidence of widespread voter fraud, as President Donald Trump has claimed. 'We're debating a step that has neve been taken in American history, whether Congress should overrule the voters and overtrun a presidential election,' he said on the Senate floor, after Rep. Paul Gosar and a batch of GOP senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, objected to Arizona's Electoral College vote count. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ripped his GOP colleagues who are trying to mount challenges to the presidential election during a Congressional session Wednesday McConnell ridiculed President Donald Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud in a five-minute speech which will be one of his last as majority leader and which he said was about the most important vote of his career. 'The assertions range from specific, local allegations to Constitutional arguments to sweeping conspiracy theories,' McConnell said. He reminded senators that he was supportive of Trump using the country's legal system, which handed the president and his team loss after loss. And pointed out that these cases were heard by some of the 'all-star judges whom the president himself nominated' - including on the U.S. Supreme Court. McConnell said that every election is plagued by some instances of vote irregularity. 'And of course that's unacceptable,' he said. The top Senate Republican also said he supported 'strong state-led voting reforms,' adding that he didn't want to see 'last year's bizarre pandemic procedures' - like mail-in ballots that gave Democrats an edge - 'become the new norm.' 'But my colleagues nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale, the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election,' McConnell argued. 'Nor can public doubt alone justify a radical break, when the doubt itself was incited without any evidence.' He pointed out that the Constitution gives Congress a 'limited role.' 'We simply can't declare ourselves a national board of elections on steroids,' McConnell said. Twisting the knife into Trump, McConnell also pointed out that the race between President-elect Joe Biden and Trump 'was not unusually close.' 'The Electoral College margin was almost idential to what it was in 2016,' McConnell pointed out. 'If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side our democracy would enter a death spiral,' McConnel warned. 'We'd never see a whole nation accept an election again.' 'Every four years there would be a scramble for power at any cost,' he added. 'This will lead us down a poisonous path where only the winner accepts the result.' McConnell also pointed out that the Republican Party has pushed to keep the Electoral College system, suggesting Wednesday's shenanigans could further push Americans to wanting to get rid of it. 'Leaving many of our states without any real say at all in choosing a president,' he said. Addressing his GOP peers, McConnell said, 'Self goverment, my colleagues, requires a shared commitment to the truth and a shared respect for the ground rules of our system.' 'We cannot keep drifting apart into two separate tribes with a separate set of facts and separate realities,' he said. He also encouraged Republicans to be better than the Democrats, who previously challenged Electoral College votes in 2001, 2005 and 2017. 'Republican condemned those baseless effots,' McConnell said. 'But we must not imitate and escalate what we repudiate,' he argued. He said the Senate's 'duty is to govern for the public good.' 'The United States has a higher calling than an endless spiral of partisan vengeance,' he said. McConnell declared he would not be joining any of the objections Wednesday to challenge the count. At least 14 senators signed onto the effort, pressed by Trump. Democrats are standing firm against the objections. House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer - who is due for a promotion once the results in the two Georgia Senate run-off races become final - applauded McConnell's efforts in his floor speech directly afterward. 'This insurrection was fortunately discouraged by the leadership of the majority party, but it was not quelled,' Schumer said. Responding to neglected crises in the Sahel We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Pakistan: Arabian Sea islands risk environmental disaster January 06,2021 | Source: DW Pakistan's federal government is planning to build modern cities on the Bundal and Dingi islands, which could ease pressure on Karachi, the country's financial hub. Experts say it would be an ecological catastrophe. The government's decision to establish the Pakistan Islands Development Authority and bring the Bundal and Dingi islands off the Karachi coast under federal authority shocked Majeed Motani, a 70-year-old fisherman. "Our forefathers came to these islands centuries ago. Now, the government is trying to occupy them. It is a threat not only to our livelihoods but also to the island mangroves," Motani told DW. Experts say the mangroves along the uninhabited islands are crucial to the environmental protection of Karachi, Pakistan's most-populous city and financial hub. Bundal Island in the Arabian Sea is part of the Indus Delta region, which is protected under the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is already facing multiple threats increasing air and water pollution, rising sea level, exploitation of resources, hunting, and habitat loss. Moreover, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in September he wanted to turn these islands into mammoth real-estate projects, with a proposed investment of $50 billion (41 billion) that would also help create 150,000 jobs. The proposed project aims to ease the urbanization pressure on Karachi, a city of more than 20 million people. DW has seen a Maritime Affairs Ministry tender notice, which seeks proposals from national and international firms for the urban development project. Environmentalists and leaders of the provincial Sindh government are opposed to the Bundal Island "New Dubai" housing project. "The federal government issued an unconstitutional ordinance. The Sindh government will resist it for the sake of our environment and our people," Murtaza Wahab, a spokesperson for the provincial government, told DW. Ali Haider Zaidi, the federal minister for maritime affairs, and Malik Amin Aslam, the federal minister for climate change, did not respond to DW's request for a comment. Diminishing mangroves Environmentalists say that coastal mangroves help minimize the risk of natural disasters, including urban flooding, and work as natural barriers to avoid tsunamis. For decades, Pakistani authorities have neglected these small islands off the coast of Karachi. "I have been filming the biodiversity on these islands for many years. A short boat ride from the mainland will take you to once-pristine mangrove forests, which are now in a terrible shape. Tree stumps dot the shores, with mud crabs clinging to the remnants of the once mighty mangrove," Mahera Omar, a Karachi-based filmmaker who covers environmental stories, told DW. "At this rate of habitat loss, several of Karachi's marine species are at risk of extinction," she added. Arif Belgaumi, an architect and town planner, slammed the government's island housing plan, saying a construction of the scale that is being proposed for the Bundal Island Project will destroy the mangroves there. "It will also cause a tremendous environmental damage to the seabed. Also, the housing project will involve construction of roads, shorelines, bridges and other concrete infrastructure. It will pollute the area and damage the island's natural environment," he told DW. Livelihood at stake The fishing community is worried that the development of these islands could threaten their livelihood. "The development of these islands will displace at least 2.5 million fishermen and their families," Mohammad Ali Shah, the founder of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), told DW. "We have been protesting against the proposal since the government came up with it. We will not allow anyone to exploit our resources. We will go to court if the government starts illegal construction on these islands," Shah added. Osama Malik, an Islamabad-based legal expert, urges the Pakistani government to fulfill its duties under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the ILO Convention 107 on Indigenous and Tribal Populations. "The conventions require Pakistan to respect the economic and cultural rights of the indigenous fisherfolk, who for centuries have earned their living around these two islands," Malik told DW. Filmmaker Omar says the government needs to reconsider its island development plans as "new cities should not be an ecological nightmare for locals." Trump declares he will fight like hell" to hold on to the presidency Trump Speech - Jan 4, Georgia 2020 January 05, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - Donald Trump declared he would fight like hell" to hold on to the presidency and appealed to Republican lawmakers to reverse his election loss to Joe Biden when they convene this week to confirm the Electoral College vote. Electoral voters won by President-elect Biden are not gonna take this White House!" he shouted as supporters cheered at an outdoor rally on Monday night in Georgia. Trumps announced purpose for the trip was to boost Republican Senate candidates in Tuesdays run-off election, but he spent much of his speech complaining bitterly about his election loss which he insists he won by a lot." Earlier, in Washington, he pressed Republican lawmakers to formally object on Wednesday at a joint session of Congress that is to confirm Bidens victory in the Electoral College, itself a confirmation of Bidens victory attained on 3 November. Though he got nothing but cheers on Monday, Trumps attempt to overturn the presidential election i s splitting the Republican Party. Some GOP lawmakers backing him are rushing ahead, despite an outpouring of condemnation from current and former party officials warning it is undermining Americans faith in democracy. All 10 living former defence secretaries wrote in an op-ed that the time for questioning the results has passed." No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Its unclear the extent to which GOP leaders in Congress will be able to control Wednesdays joint session, which could drag into the night, though the challenges to the election are all but certain to fail. Trump himself is whipping up crowds for a Wednesday rally near the White House. Vice President Mike Pence, who is under pressure to tip the results for Trump, will be closely watched as he presides in a ceremonial role over Wednesdays joint session. I promise you this: On Wednesday, well have our day in Congress," Pence said while campaigning in Georgia ahead of Tuesdays run-off elections that will determine control of Senate. Trump said in Georgia: I hope that our great vice president comes through for us. Hes a great guy. Of course, if he doesnt come through, I wont like him quite as much." He added, No, Mike is a great guy." One of the Georgia Republicans in Tuesdays run-off Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who faces Democrat Raphael Warnock told the crowd she will join senators formally objecting to Bidens win. The other Republican seeking re-election, David Perdue, who is running against Democrat Jon Ossoff, will not be eligible to vote. Nigeria is expecting 42 million extra doses of vaccines in the second phase through the COVAX facility. Nigeria will receive at least 100,000 doses of the Phizer and BioNTech approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of January. The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, made this known at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday. He said a letter announcing this allocation in the first phase of the delivery of the vaccines is expected from the COVAX facility during the week. "In the first phase through the COVAX facility, we expect to receive approximately 100,000 doses of the Phizer and bioNtech vaccine by the end of January," he said. Mr Shuaib noted the country is expecting free 42 million doses of vaccines in the second phase through the COVAX facility, an initiative run by the vaccine alliance, GAVI, to ensure equitable access to a COVID vaccine. He said the second phase will be "a combination of all the available approved vaccines currently in the market." These vaccines will, however, cover only about 20 per cent of Nigeria's population, Mr Faisal said. Nigeria has over 200 million persons as per population. Amidst the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries are already on the queue to access effective vaccines for its citizens. The Nigerian government had earlier inaugurated an 18-member national COVID-19 task team to ensure 'vaccine security' when it finally gets to the country. Despite these efforts on ground, global health experts and bodies recently told PREMIUM TIMES it is "almost impossible" for Nigeria to start a vaccine campaign in January. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Evidence on the ground at the country's National Strategic Cold Store also suggest that Africa's most populous country may not be fully ready to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. There are no ultra-cold freezers needed to store some of the frontrunners such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, according to Iyabo Daradara, Director, Logistics and Health Commodities at the NPHCDA. Coverage Mr Shuaib explained that about 70 per cent of the total population needs to receive the COVID-19 vaccines to completely eradicate the virus. He said only about 40 per cent will be vaccinated in 2021, while the remaining 30 per cent will be covered in 2022. In line of the vaccination, the NPHCDA DG said priority will be given to frontliine health workers, first responders, strategic country leadership and those that are elderly and with co-morbidities. Additional cost Mr Shuaib also noted that there are some components on financing cost of additional vaccines and delivery to the country. "The first is the cost of procuring the vaccines, the second is cost of delivering to every ward and the third is ensuring the PHCs and the health workers are available to deliver the vaccines safely and effectively," he said. He, however, said the PTF is "finalising the cumulative financial requirement for deploying vaccines". He said the "finalised figures will be made available soon". FCW Insider: Jan. 6 The Cyber Unified Coordination Group said in a statement on Tuesday that fewer than 10 government agencies have been "compromised by follow-on activity" on federal systems as a result of the hack. As COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in state and local government IT systems, the newly formed U.S. Digital Response stepped in to help. The House today passed a bill aimed at standardizing the processes federal agencies use to onboard cloud computing technologies. Steven Kelman suggests we should spend more time planning for the known risks on the horizon. Quick Hits *** Feds are set to be able to carry over more vacation time than usual into this new year, per changes made by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. On Tuesday, Michael Rigas, the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, released a memo on the execution of the policy, which allows Title 5 employees to accumulate 25% more than the maximum annual leave, which amounts to 300 hours instead of the usual 240 hours granted to most feds. The additional leave won't be included in the calculation of lump-sum annual leave payment given upon separation. *** The White House published a National Maritime Cybersecurity Plan. The plan, which is framed as an addition to the National Strategy for Maritime Security, lays out several broad goals for federal agencies regarding risks and standards, information and intelligence sharing and maritime workforce development. The 40-page document lands as the government continues to cope with fallout from the SolarWinds Orion hack, a breach being characterized as one of the worst intrusion in the countrys history. Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have been at the center of divorce rumors several times in the past but it seems those speculations are now becoming a reality. After six years of marriage, its been reported that KimYes marriage is nearing its end with insiders noting that the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is officially done with her rapper husband. But despite allegedly reaching her breaking point with West, Kardashian West hasnt lost all hope for her relationship as she is currently in marital therapy with the rapper making one last-ditch effort to save their marriage. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West experienced marital troubles in 2020 Kardashian West and West seemed to have a stable relationship from the moment they tied the knot in 2014. However, tensions between the pair started growing this past summer, and now, it appears their marriage is broken beyond repair. In July 2020, the couple began experiencing marital issues after West shared some personal information about their family namely their daughter North, who he publicly claimed the couple considered aborting during his first presidential rally in South Carolina. In the weeks after the controversial event, the Selah rapper went on multiple Twitter rants, once claiming that he had been trying to divorce the KKW Beauty founder for years and that she tried to have him locked up. He later apologized for his remarks. Following Wests tweetstorm, he and the KUWTK star took a family vacation with their kids in an attempt to salvage their marriage. While the details of their trip remain under wraps, KimYe appeared to be in good spirits as they enjoyed a low-key getaway with their four children: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. But despite their much-needed vacation away from the spotlight, the Wests relationship continued to struggle after returning home. Though they were making strides to get their marriage on track, KimYe seemingly couldnt get back to how they once were. Happy 10 year anniversary to Kanyes My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. For those that dont know the story behind Lost In The World pic.twitter.com/myRCzt2U4j Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) November 22, 2020 RELATED: Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West Fans Arent Convinced Kimye Is in Trouble Now, after living separate lives for the last few months, Kardashian West and Wests marriage has reached a point of no return, and its only a matter of time before their relationship is over for good. Kim Kardashian West is preparing to file for divorce from Kanye West After months of speculations, insiders claim that Kardashian West and Wests marriage is about to end. According to Page Six, a divorce is imminent for the couple as the reality star has officially reached her breaking point with her Grammy-winning husband. They are keeping it low-key but they are done, a source says. Kim has hired Laura Wasser, and they are in settlement talks. Though the pair have been experiencing issues within the marriage for the last few months, separate insiders claim that KimYes relationship hit a major tipping point back in December when they allegedly got into a heating fight right before the holidays. They had a big fight in early December, an insider tells Us Weekly. Kanye blew up at Kim and she was really upset. Things between them dont seem to have healed. Since then, Kardashian West hasnt been seen wearing her wedding ring. The reality star even spent the holidays without West, who remained at his ranch in Wyoming while she celebrated the festive season with the Kardashian family in Lake Tahoe. Despite their differences, KimYe is still doing what they can to save their marriage Although divorce is on the table for the Hollywood couple, it seems that all hope isnt lost for KimYe just yet. Though Kardashian West is still preparing to file for divorce from West, a source tells People that the pair is in marital therapy in an attempt to salvage their relationship. RELATED: Report: Kim Kardashian West Is Prepping To Divorce Kanye West Shes Done; Kanye Allegedly Checked Out Because of Kims Family Kim and Kanye are in counseling and exploring their options, an insider shared with the outlet. They have been working on their marriage for a long time, but no decision has been made. A second source adds, Its not over yet. They are still trying to see if the marriage can be saved. Lets hope Kardashian West and West can work through their struggles because we would hate to see this marriage come to an end. Lawyers for Julian Assange will, on January 6, argue that he should be released from a British prison on bail. The new date of hearing follows Washingtons call to appeal against UK district judge Vanessa Baraitsers verdict that the Wikileaks founder should not be extradited to the United States. The case of Assange, who was arrested for publishing classified documents of US military amongst other things, has become of the biggest cases related to freedom of the press. In her ruling, Baraitser blocked Assanges extradition assessing he was at a high suicide risk if transferred. But, the verdict was opposed by Washington which argued that it was extremely disappointing". In addendum, the Trump administration said that it would appeal for his bail and has two weeks to lodge its grounds. Assange was arrested in 2019 and has remained in the high-security Belmarsh prison in London pending the latest hearing, at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London. Previously, in March, he had appealed for bail on the pretext of catching coronavirus behind bars. However, his argument was ruled out on grounds that he was likely to abscond. Read: Edward Snowden Pleads Donald Trump To 'free Julian Assange' Before Leaving White House Read: WikiLeaks' Julian Assange Should Not Be Extradited To The United States, UK Court Rules Julian Assange's case The 48-year-old currently imprisoned in Belmarsh is slapped with 18 charges in the United States including under the Espionage Act, for "conspiring" to gain access to US military secrets between January and May 2010. If convicted, he will face up to 175 years in US prison. Wikileaks, an anti-secrecy organisation, was founded in 2006 as a platform for whistleblowers to release classified information anonymously. By 2015, Wikileaks became a portal to publish over 10 million documents, including top-secret documents. Ever since its launch in 2006, Wikileaks has published thousands of classified documents, disclosing the details from national security, war, politics to the film industry. Assange is accused of conspiring with hackers affiliated to Anonymous and LulzSec to obtain classified information, as per US Justice Department's updated indictment. Assange's defence team states that he is a journalist and entitled to First Amendment protections for publishing leaked documents that exposed U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also say that the conditions he would face in a U.S. prison would breach his human rights. Assange jumped bail in 2012 and sought asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, which ended up becoming his home for seven years before he was evicted and subsequently arrested. He has been in a London prison since April 2019. Read: Julian Assange's Partner Hails UK Blocking His Extradition; Mexico Offers Political Asylum Read: WikiLeaks' Julian Assange Should Not Be Extradited To The United States, UK Court Rules HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Netshares Financial Services, LLC, a digital investment bank and Reg CF crowdfunding portal, announced today that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") has approved its New Member Application to commence operations as a registered broker-dealer. The Firm, which will be named "Netshares," will offer a digital investor marketplace for private capital serving both accredited and unaccredited investors. David Lee, CEO and Founder of Netshares, stated, "We are delighted to achieve this milestone and excited to officially launch our digital investment bank. Private markets represent a massive part of the modern global economy. Raising private capital and opening investment opportunities in private businesses can provide much-needed stimulus for our economy and create thousands of jobs. We look forward to working with both the business and investor communities to provide streamlined access to capital and quality alternative investments." Netshares' primary focus will be serving the capital needs of the franchising industry by identifying development, acquisition, and special opportunities within the franchise hospitality space. Mr. Lee has been active in the franchising industry since 2007 and operates All-Star Franchise, LLC, a franchise development and consulting company. In addition, Mr. Lee is a franchisee and developer of franchise businesses. "Covid-19 has destroyed many restaurant and hotel businesses. As these businesses closed, millions of jobs have been lost. We will be working with restaurant, hotel owners and landowners, to bring these businesses back and restore jobs. For investors, the current situation in the hospitality industry represents a unique opportunity," said Lee. Additionally, we would also like to acknowledge the pivotal role played in this application process by Ken Norensberg, Managing Director of Luxor Financial Group whose expertise and guidance enabled Netshares to receive regulatory approval and we look forward to his continued efforts as Netshares moves forward. ABOUT NETSHARES Netshares is a FINRA registered broker-dealer and Reg CF crowdfunding portal that is modernizing private capital markets by enabling a digital investment marketplace, making it easier for entrepreneurs to access private capital while allowing investors the ability to research, purchase, and own private securities. Netshares offerings will include Reg CF offerings, along with Reg D, and Reg A+. *Netshares Financial Services, LLC is a member FINRA/SIPC For more information, please contact: Netshares, Inc. Tel: 800-216-0360 www.netshares.com SOURCE Netshares, Inc. Queensland police are investigating a suspected homicide in Brisbane's bayside after a man discovered his friend's body on Wednesday. Police were called to a house on Ronald Street, Wynnum just after midday and found the body of the 45-year-old man in the bedroom. Detective Inspector Steve Hollands said one of the dead man's friends raised the alarm. "A man discovered the body and contacted another member of his family, and they both inspected the address and found that the male was deceased," he said. "At this stage we're expecting that the death has occurred sometime between 1am this morning and midday today." OMAHA, Neb. (AP) An Omaha man who has served five stints in prison is now charged with attempted murder, child abuse and other counts after police say he repeatedly hanged and choked his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter until the child lost consciousness. The document was signed by the said countries' foreign ministers. Brussels-based RFE/RL journalist Rikard Jozwiak says 13 countries of the European Union have called on the European Commission to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines for the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, including Ukraine. The journalist published the relevant letter on Twitter on January 6. Read alsoUkraine to strike new deals soon for supply of COVID-19 vaccine minister Stepanov In particular, the signatories support the European Commission's efforts to provide vaccines to the Western Balkan countries. They are convinced that the facilitated vaccine-sharing mechanism for other EU neighbors will be "a strong and coordinated message on the strategic value of the EaP." The document was signed by the foreign ministers from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden. "We believe that our borders will not be safe if we do not extend our support to our immediate neighbors," the officials said in the letter. Vaccines for Ukraine: Background In March, the first batch with 8 million doses of a vaccine is expected to be shipped to Ukraine under the COVAX Facility. These doses are enough to vaccinate 4 million people, because one person needs two shots of the vaccine. Doctors, senior citizens, and seriously ill patients will get vaccinated first. On December 24, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that his ministry was working out a plan to increase the vaccine quota as part of the COVAX global initiative from 8 million to 16 million doses. On December 22, Ukraine's Health Ministry approved a plan for vaccination of the population against COVID-19. The goal of this plan is to vaccinate at least 50% of the population of Ukraine (20 million people) in 2021-2022. On December 30, the Ukrainian Health Ministry signed a contract for the supply of China's Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine. The purchase provides for 1,913,316 doses at UAH 504 (US$18) per dose. China plans to obtain permission to use the vaccine inside the country and abroad in January next year, and the vaccine will also be submitted for retraining to the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2021. The contract for supplies to the territory of Ukraine has been signed with Lekhim JSC, which, according to official confirmations from Sinovac Biotech, is the only authorized representative of the vaccine manufacturer in Ukraine. Under the terms of the contract, the first batch of 700,000 doses will be delivered to Ukraine within 30 days after official registration in China, or by one of the competent authorities of the United States, Great Britain, the Swiss Confederation, Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel, India, Mexico, Brazil, or under a centralized procedure by the competent authority of the European Union. Reporting by UNIAN If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here There is still time for comfort and joy after the holidays have wrapped up. And few things compare with finding a new author or a new title by a favorite author. National Cuddle Up Day and National Bubble Bath Day are celebrated on Jan. 7. Both bring to mind reading time! Nothing goes better with a cozy blanket or a warm bath than a good story. Here are some recommendations from the Manistee County Library. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for 10 weeks. Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil to live forever but not be remembered. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini is a science fiction novel in which the main character discovers a relic that was hidden away from Earth. The consequences that follow that affect the entire universe. This is Paolinis first novel written for adults. Jolene by Mercedes Lackey is the fifteenth title in the fantasy Elemental Masters series. A young girl is sent to live with her aunt who is an Elemental Master. She uses her newly acquired skills to follow a young stonemason on a quest. This story is based upon the Russian fairy tale The Mistress of the Copper Mountain. The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk is another fantasy novel. In this story Beatrice must choose between following her dream to practice magic as men do or marry and devastate her family. Either way, shell lose something dear. Catherine Bybees third and final book in the Canyon Creek series is Everything Changes." The story revolves around an old fashioned romance with a woman making her way as a civil engineer and working with a very determined, good looking man. "The End of the Day by Bill Clegg revolves around secrets that have affected three people and the consequences of their actions. Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett is a Regency romance. After spending a year doing societys bidding, Lady Charlotte Wentworth looks to an old friend to help her create a deception that will allow her to live life on her own terms. Always the Last to Know is Kristan Hannahs newest title. When the patriarch has a stroke, how will a family on the brink of collapse come together? The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is another family saga that takes place during a 24-hour period. A secret may be the undoing for a married couple during a 40th birthday party. Mystery lovers havent been forgotten either! Elly Griffiths newest title in the Ruth Galloway series is The Lantern Men. Ruth has a new job but is pulled back into the Norfolk Police by a serial killer who will only work with her. The Moonflower Murders is the sequel to The Magpie Murders, both by Anthony Horowitz. An amateur hotelier in Crete pursues leads from a book to solve a murder in another country. Number 15 in the Seaside Knitters Mysteries by Sally Goldenbaum features Cass, with a late in life pregnancy, and an artists colony full of secrets that lead to murder. A Private Cathedral by James Lee Burke is the 23rd offering in the Dave Robicheaux series. Detective Dave Robicheaux faces his demons in New Iberia, Louisiana while searching for two runaways and avoiding their mafia family. Janet Evanovich has written the 27th title in her Stephanie Plum series, Fortune and Glory. Join bounty hunter Stephanie Plum as she blunders her way through a mystery, kidnapping and explosions with her family and friends. A World Beneath the Sands: the Golden Age of Egyptology by Tory Wilkinson will take the reader back in time with American, British, French and German archaeologists, treasure hunters and travelers all searching for the great treasures hidden in the Nile Valley. Here's a long title: The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, Americas Forgotten Capital of Vice by David Hill. Las Vegas wasnt the only place to gamble. Travel down to Hot Springs, Arkansas where two gangsters created an atmosphere of glamour and gambling that rivaled any casino at that time. Winter is the perfect time to start reading a series while cuddled up with a blanket and a hot cup of tea. Many of these titles are also available as CD books and as downloadable audio on our digital media platforms, Hoopla Digital and Up North Digital, so theyre perfect for listening to while soaking in the tub or packing away the decorations. Manistee County Library staff is here to help readers find their next cozy read. The U.S. Capitol is on lockdown and lawmakers are evacuating as protesters clash with police both outside and inside the Capitol. The pro-Donald Trump protesters forced their way inside as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden's victory. This is a developing situation. Can't see the module below? Click here. CAIRO The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ethiopian charge d'affaires to Cairo Dec. 30 to clarify statements by Dina Mufti, the spokesperson of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who criticized the human rights situation in Egypt. This is the first time in more than four years that Egypt has summoned the Ethiopian charge daffaires, a move observers believe may increase tensions amid the stalled negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the escalating border tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia. Mufti said in a Dec. 29 press conference, Egypt has turned Ethiopia into a [danger zone] to escape its own internal problems, as there are tens of thousands of Islamists inside prisons in Egypt. It is using such matters to avoid internal Egyptian issues and focus its attention on the GERD. In a strongly worded press statement Dec. 31, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez condemned Muftis statements as a blatant transgression and outright unacceptable, in addition to a flagrant infringement of the commitments enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union. He stressed, Such an offense on the Egyptian state and allegations about its internal affairs is nothing but a continuation of the approach of using a hostile tone and fueling emotions as a cover for Ethiopias multiple failures, both domestically and externally. Meanwhile, Egypt has always favored refraining from mentioning in any way the internal situation and developments in Ethiopia. Hafez added, The Ethiopian spokesperson should have rather paid attention to the deteriorating conditions in his country such as the many conflicts and humanitarian tragedies that have led to the killing of hundreds and the displacement of tens of thousands of innocent citizens, the latest of which are events taking place in the Tigray and Benishangul regions in full view of everyone, as well as the constant tensions and instability in the Oromia region. This is in addition to Ethiopia's continuous hostile practices against its regional milieu, including the recent military actions and escalating tension along the border with Sudan. The Ethiopian Embassy in Cairo did not respond to Al-Monitor's request for comment on the recent developments. Back in 2012 and 2013, the two African countries first summoned their ambassadors over the GERD crisis. In 2016, Ethiopia summoned the Egyptian ambassador in Addis Ababa over comments on the Oromo minority group. Rakha Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, told Al-Monitor, Mufti made a serious professional mistake by discussing the internal affairs of another country in violation of diplomatic norms and the African Union Charter, but it seems that the Ethiopian government has given him the green light to address this matter. Hassan added, What is also strange is that Ethiopia is going through a civil war and refused to accept mediation by the AU to resolve the ongoing conflict in Tigray, although it is not a totally internal matter because it affects neighboring countries and caused thousands of people to flee to Sudan. Still, Egypt did not interfere. On Nov. 3, the Ethiopian federal government 's military operation against local forces in the Tigray region resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of thousands to neighboring Sudan. Egypt has not commented on the ongoing conflict there. Hassan wondered about the motives behind the Ethiopian statements, saying that they may aim to provoke tension and disturb the atmosphere in which the GERD negotiations are taking place, days before the start of a new round on Jan. 3. He pointed out that Sudan's position has recently changed in the negotiations, becoming more inclined toward the Egyptian position after water receded in Sudan and water stations in Egypt went out of service following Ethiopias unilateral first-stage filling of the dam in July. Meanwhile, on Dec. 31, Sudan warned Ethiopia against proceeding with the second stage of the dams filling without reaching an agreement with Khartoum and Cairo. In a surprising move Nov. 22, Sudan boycotted the last round of the GERD negotiations, saying it would only return if AU experts are granted a greater role in facilitating negotiations between the three parties. It coincided with escalating tension between Sudan and Ethiopia after Khartoum accused militias backed by the Ethiopian military of carrying out an ambush against the Sudanese army. Egypt condemned the action and stressed its full solidarity with brotherly Sudan and its right to protect its security and exercise its sovereignty over its territories. Egypt's expression of solidarity raised questions about Cairos position on the border dispute between Addis Ababa and Khartoum. However, Hassan noted that Egypt has nothing to do with the situation between Ethiopia and Sudan, and it has the right to condemn attacks by one African country on another. Amani al-Tawil, a researcher at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor that the Egyptian Foreign Ministrys position reflects an unprecedented escalation after years of tension between the two countries since 2015 due to the stalled GERD negotiations. She added that the Ethiopian government has consistently made provocative statements about Egypt before the start of each round of negotiations, at some times to influence the talks and at others to distract from its internal crises, but Egypt has never responded. This time, Cairo broke its silence and took strong action, Tawil noted. Meanwhile, Riccardo Fabiani, a researcher on African affairs with the International Crisis Group, told Al-Monitor that a verbal escalation is likely to harm Egyptian-Ethiopian relations, at least in the short term, explaining, The Egyptian and Ethiopian governments commenting on each others internal affairs is unprecedented. He added, Perhaps Ethiopia is trying to divert attention from its internal problems by verbally attacking Egypt. But I also think that Ethiopia fears potential Egyptian interference in its internal issues and wants to make sure Cairo stays away from Tigray's and other problems. Fabiani pointed out, This escalation will spill more tensions throughout the region, given the internal problems of Ethiopia and the tension on the borders with Sudan, in addition to harming the GERD negotiations. However, Hassan said the Egyptian statement will not affect the negotiations, saying that Egypt settled the situation with a strong official protest by summoning the charge daffaires and issuing a strongly-worded statement which Ethiopia heard loud and clear. This ends there, he noted, unless Ethiopia raises the issue politically again. After being stalled for over a month, a new round of negotiations on the GERD began Jan. 3 in the presence of the foreign and irrigation ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, and during which AU experts presented a preliminary agreement document. The parties agreed to hold meetings for one week between the three countries and the group of experts and observers, according to a statement by the Sudanese Ministry of Irrigation. The ministry also mentioned that Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Naledi Pandor requested that these meetings focus on identifying points of agreement and disagreement between the three countries, with the hope of concluding the negotiations by the end of January. Still, the new round of talks collapsed after Sudan skipped a Jan. 4 meeting claiming its previous requests were denied. Egypt and Ethiopia, referred the matter to Pandor in her capacity as head of the AU, to look into the future steps to be taken during the scheduled Jan. 10 tripartite meeting. Hassan, for his part, does not see any breakthrough in the GERD negotiations in light of the conflict in Ethiopia as South Africas AU presidency nears its end. British MPs will return to Westminster to vote on regulations enforcing Englands national lockdown as the stringent restrictions entered into force overnight amid spiralling coronavirus cases. The UK Commons has been recalled from its Christmas recess for the second time, to debate and retrospectively vote on the measures announced by the Prime Minister on Monday. Boris Johnson will update MPs on the new controls which include the closure of schools to most pupils and a return to the stay at home order before a vote due in the evening. The measures are expected to pass with ease, with Labour set to support the motion. It comes as the World Health Organisation said it would not recommend witholding the second dose of the vaccine for up to 12 weeks as the UK is, instead suggesting the interval should be between three and four weeks. Meanwhile, UK education secretary Gavin Williamson will outline a package of support for young people, after students in England were told this years GCSE and A-level exams would be scrapped. The regulations enforcing a national lockdown in England came into effect at 00.01am on Wednesday, as new figures suggested one in 50 people had coronavirus last week. Data from the Office for National Statistics suggested 1.1 million people in private households in England had Covid-19 between December 27 and January 2. Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said people must take the stay at home rules seriously as he warned that the country faced a really serious emergency. (PA Graphics) His comments came as the number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK topped 60,000 for the first time, while a further 830 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday. But in a sign of progress, Mr Johnson said that more than 1.3 million people have been vaccinated against the virus across the UK so far, including 23% of all the over 80s in England. Prof Whitty, speaking alongside Mr Johnson at a Downing Street press conference on Tuesday evening, said the vaccine timetable was realistic but not easy, and that the NHS would have to use multiple channels to get it out. But questions have been raised over the roll-out, with a pharmacy chief questioning why the NHS is scrabbling around for vaccinators when his industry was offering to help. (PA Graphics) Simon Dukes, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Negotiating Services Committee, told The Telegraph: Rather than scrabbling around trying to find retired GPs and nurses and anyone who has possibly dated skills, youve got an army of thousands of pharmacists up and down the country who administer the flu jab every winter. Weve been telling the NHS that were ready, willing and desperate to help. But weve been met by a de facto silence. Meanwhile The Times reported that two million doses of the Pfizer vaccines held back for boosters would be distributed in the next fortnight. Labour leader Keir Starmer urged the Government to use the lockdown to create a round-the-clock vaccination scheme in order to end this nightmare. In a televised response to Mr Johnsons statement, Mr Starmer also confirmed he would back the new restrictions in the Commons vote on Wednesday. In other developments, Mr Johnson announced that the Government would be bringing in measures to ensure that we test people coming into this country and prevent the virus from being readmitted. And he declined to guarantee that all children would be back in school before the summer holidays but said he is full of optimism and fundamental hope that things will be different in the spring. He told the briefing that he had no choice but to plunge England into a third national lockdown in light of the figures, with the number of people in hospital with the virus in England higher than ever. The latest data from NHS England showed there were 26,467 Covid-19 patients in hospital as of 8am on January 5 a week-on-week increase of 21%. In London, the number stood at a record 6,816 patients, up 27% in a week. Professor Whitty said that because of the spike in people being admitted to hospital there will inevitably be an increase in the number of coronavirus deaths later this month. And he told the press conference: If we did not do all the things all of us must now do, if people dont take the stay at home seriously, the risk at this point in time, in the middle of winter with this new variant, is extraordinarily high. He said the risk level will gradually decrease over time with measures being lifted by degrees possibly at different rates in different parts of the country, well have to see, but said some restrictions may have to be introduced again next winter. All of the UK is now under stringent coronavirus restrictions. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon imposed a lockdown on Scotland for the rest of January, with a legal requirement to stay at home and schools closed to most pupils until February. Schools and colleges in Wales will also remain closed until at least January 18 and move to online learning. And in Northern Ireland which is already under a six-week lockdown stay at home restrictions will be brought back into law and a period of remote learning for schoolchildren will be extended. God, not Christians, establishes His Kingdom: Kevin DeYoung Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Life in obedience to Gods Kingdom doesnt mean attempting to set it up on Earth, Pastor Kevin DeYoung recently told young adult Christians. DeYoung, who pastors Christ Covenant Church in North Carolina and writes about theology and faith, spoke at the Cross conference last week about the meaning of the phrases your kingdom come, your will be done in the Lords Prayer. We cannot bring about the Kingdom by elections, or education, or humanitarian good works, or environmental stewardship or by the cultivation of the arts, he said. Listen very carefully, we must not be confused on this point. Kingdom values should infiltrate our politics. Kingdom living should make a difference in our communities, but the Kingdom does not advance when trees are planted or when unemployment is lowered or even when injustices are addressed. Gods Kingdom comes from Gods work, not the efforts of believers, he said. When God acts to change the world, the Kingdom appears and Christians can participate in it. The Kingdom comes when and where the King is known, said DeYoung. Gods Kingdom differs from earthly kingdoms because it simultaneously impacts the world now and has not yet arrived, he noted. The Kingdom will arrive completely one day, but it exists now in only some places. Just as a cloudy sky changes to sunlight one opening at a time, Gods Kingdom breaks into the world a little at a time. [The Kingdom is] coming and it has come, he said. Jesus cast out demons and it was one indication that the Kingdom had already come. Its present and future. It is like the sun in the sky, breaking through the clouds, but the rain has not fully passed, the brightness of the sun is not yet experienced as it will be. Christians should commit their lives to the advancement of Gods Kingdom, he said. They can draw a valuable example from the ways that leaders like Winston Churchill selflessly worked to uphold the ideals of earthly empires. If Winston Churchill and so many other men and women like him of that age could make that sort of commitment to the British Empire with all of its imperfections, how much more should we as Christians be committed to a vastly more gracious, more significant, more eternal kingdom? he said. The Lords Prayer focuses on what Christians should pray even as it focuses on how they should pray, DeYoung said. The extension of Jesus rule as the Messiah and obedience to Gods commandments should be the desire of Christians. In the Lords Prayer, Gods will means what God desires to happen, he explained. Although everything happens because God decrees it, God wants people to do right and for His Kingdom to advance. Christians should want these things too. The will of God can be shorthand for obedience to Gods commands. This is the will that we are praying about in the Lords Prayer, he said. The Cross conference is aimed at 18- to 25-year-olds who want to help make Jesus' name known around the world, particularly in unreached places. Other speakers this year included John Piper, David Platt and Trip Lee. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A young couple are devastated after their two beloved dogs were killed in a house fire on Christmas day. Jordan Street, 25, and Ruby Debrincat, 23, were looking forward to spending their first Christmas together with their pups 10-week-old Winnie and 10-month-old Gunnar. The newly engaged couple only added Winnie to their family weeks before the fire tore through their home in Newborough, in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. Tragedy struck when Mr Street and Ms Debrincat were visiting family in Melbourne, and they returned home to find their house reduced to ashes. Jordan Street, 25, and Ruby Debrincat, 23, were looking forward to spending their first Christmas together with their pups, 10-week-old Winnie and 10-month-old Gunnar Winnie and Gunnar (pictured) died during the house fire in Newborough, near Melbourne on Christmas Day The dogs died when the fire trapped them inside the home. 'At roughly 3pm we got the most horrific call I could ever receive to say that our home had caught fire,' Mr Street said. 'We raced home roughly doing 100km an hour through the streets of Newborough to go save our babies.' When they arrived the couple couldn't find the two dogs anywhere. They had the back door open so the dogs could come and go but the pups could not get out. Mr Street desperately tried to break down a wall with a shovel, but it was too late. Both Winnie and Gunnar's bodies were later found huddled in the bedroom closet. The couple has been mourning the loss of their 'fur babies'. Mr Street penned a heart-wrenching post for the pair which read: 'Daddy is so sorry mate. Daddy loves you so much. Mr Street's mum Rachael Mayes, has started a Gofundme page in the hopes of helping the young couple after losing both dogs and all their possessions 'Mummy and I miss you both incredibly and our hearts are filled sorrow and hurt. 'May you beautiful angels forever live on in our hearts and you were truly special.' Mr Street's mum Rachael Mayes started a GoFundMe page in the hopes of helping the young couple after losing both dogs and all their possessions. 'They treated them like they were their children and were just starting to build their lives together,' she told Yahoo. The house blaze is under investigation but it is believed to have been started by an electrical fault. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor On the eve of Congress vote to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory, a Republican representing one of the most conservative districts in Michigan refuted claims from constituents convinced that President Donald Trump was robbed of a second term. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, held an online town hall Tuesday evening filled with constituents eager to hear whether Huizenga would join Republican lawmakers seeking to discredit the electoral votes of several swing states that voted for Biden. Throughout the event, Huizenga sought to clarify his concerns about how the election was conducted while pushing back against misinformation regarding Michigans electoral process. Huizenga, who campaigned on behalf of Trump and spoke at the presidents final rally in Grand Rapids, said he is open to hearing evidence provided by his colleagues about fraud in other states but will not challenge the 16 electoral votes Biden won in Michigan. At the end of this, I have not seen the system-wide systematic fraud that has been claimed in Michigan, Huizenga said. The Tuesday phone call provided a glimpse at the pressure facing Republican lawmakers to contest Trumps election loss. Huizenga said hes received threats against his family from people on the right since the election. Some constituents were noticeably frustrated that Huizenga would not commit to challenging Michigans electoral votes, citing a mountain of evidence promoted by Trump, Republican allies and conservative media networks. Roughly an hour into the event, one constituent from North Muskegon voiced her disappointment with Huizengas decision to ignore what she called obvious fraud. My husband and I are having a real hard time sitting here listening to all of us because we all know there was blatant fraud, especially in Detroit where there was dumping of ballots early in the morning, the woman said. Chris Thomas, a longtime Michigan elections director and adviser for Detroits election in November, said 15,000 to 16,000 absentee ballots were brought to the citys processing center the day after the election. Thomas testified under oath in court and before the state legislature that those were legal ballots cast before polls closed on Nov. 3. The North Muskegon woman went on to complain of Republican poll watchers being denied access to observe absentee ballots being processed in Detroit, a claim which was refuted in testimony offered by Detroit election workers in legislative hearings and court proceedings. The woman also said 400% to 700% of registered voters cast ballots in North Muskegon, though official results show 781% of registered voters in the city cast ballots on Nov. 3. Huizenga explained that a discredited forensic report falsely claimed North Muskegon and Zeeland Township, Huizengas hometown, recorded more votes than registered voters. Huizenga attributed the errors to a misplaced decimal point -- North Muskegons turnout was 78.1% instead of 781% as the report claimed. If we saw that kind of skewing of the numbers, it would have affected my race, it would have affected John James (Senate) race, Joe Biden would have won the district, and he didnt, Huizenga said. Im sorry, I know its not what you want to hear I know its not what you believe, because of what youve been told or the investigation that youve done, but I have not been able to reach the same conclusion that you have reached. The forensic report also purported that Dominion Voting Systems software used in Antrim County was intentionally and purposefully designed with inherent errors to create systemic fraud and influence election results. A hand count of paper ballots verified the results and granted 12 additional votes for Trump. Another caller asked Huizenga what he makes of claims that ballots were dumped in Michigan and other states. Huizenga said the legislature investigated this claim and found a roughly 400 vote discrepancy between the vote total and the poll books in Detroit, which election officials attributed to human error. Huizenga also explained that Trump performed better in Michigan than when he ran in 2016. Basically where Donald Trumps percentages in the state went down was in Oakland County and Kent County, Huizenga said. His percentage in the city of Detroit -- this is Rashida Tlaibs district- -- which voted 14.3% for Mitt Romney in 2012, voted 18.1% for Donald Trump in 2016 ... Donald Trump went up to 20% in Rashida Tlaibs district. The next caller, a Wyoming man, said he spent dozens of hours reading documents, listening to testimony and reviewing affidavits. The man said he believes a collection of anecdotal incidents amounts to mass fraud and said Huizenga is laying down and accepting it. Huizenga said he stands by his decision to back a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General seeking the Supreme Court to rule Michigans Secretary of State broke the law by distributing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters. Huizenga said he had blunt conversations with state legislators expressing frustration about changes made to the election processes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Huizenga also noted that the Trump campaign and Michigan Republican Party also sent out absentee ballot applications once the process was accepted. The West Michigan congressman said he has no appetite to object to Michigans electors when the Legislature didnt send an alternate slate for Trump. Discrediting Bidens electors in Michigan wouldnt put Trump closer to victory, he said. Ive been accused of wanting to have Joe Biden be the president and secretly I voted for him and all this other garbage which doesnt make any sense, Huizenga said. We needed to have a stronger reaction from the state Legislature. They didnt do it. They have affirmed that they are not going to put forward an alternative slate of electors. Huizenga expressed interest in ending Michigans status as a winner-take-all state, instead having electoral votes be distributed based on how candidates perform in each congressional district. For now, Huizenga said Congress role is to certify the copies of electoral votes sent to them by the states. Now other people are asserting that Congress needs to be the investigator, we need to be the adjudicator, and we need to be the ones that decide what set of electors the states should have sent us; Im very uncomfortable with that, Huizenga said. Im afraid, as Im having to look at this and defending the Constitution, I have to look beyond just this election and an outcome that I do not like. READ MORE ON MLIVE: Michigan Democrats warn challenging electoral votes could permanently harm democracy How Michigans representatives plan to vote on Electoral College What happens if Michigans Electoral College votes for Biden are challenged? A man has been arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered multiple people hiding in a cargo of lumber, states the arrest affidavit filed on Dec. 31. A blue sport utility vehicle pulling a trailer with lumber arrived at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35 on Dec. 29. The driver was identified as Jorge Gonzalez. He was referred to secondary examination after a K-9 unit alerted to possible contraband within the vehicle. Agents searched the trailer and discovered 17 people hiding in a compartment built inside the lumber. All were determined to be immigrants who were in the country illegally. Gonzalez and the immigrants were detained for further investigation. Homeland Security Investigations special agents responded to take over the investigation. Gonzalez allegedly agreed to provide a statement without an attorney present. Gonzalez stated he did not have his drivers license. He knew he was transporting something illegal and he was to be paid approximately ($2,000) to drive the trailer toward San Antonio, Texas, states the affidavit. Gonzalez was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport, conspire to transport immigrants who were in the country illegally. A Mexican national detained as a material witness stated he made arrangements with a smuggler for a sum of money to be transported into the United States. He stated it was hard to breathe inside the wooden compartment. He was not able to identify the driver of the trailer, states the affidavit. Remembering the 1957 Earthquake Compiled by Jo Anne Quinn A little quake at 10:26 a.m., another one 21 minutes later, a third a minute after that, a little shock at 10:52, one at 11:04, another at 11:19, then quiet. Then just 26 minutes later, the Big One: 'A distant, awesome rumble that tightened throats with fear,' The Chronicle said. The sound was followed in an instant by 'a twisting, jarring, side-rolling motion.' The clock on San Francisco's Ferry Building stopped for the first time since the disaster of April 18, 1906. It was 11:45 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 1957. In an instant, merchandise littered the floor at the Emporium department store at the Stonestown shopping center and displays at grocery and liquor stores crashed to the floor. Nearly all the windows shattered at the brand-new library at San Francisco State College, out by Lake Merced." Carl Nolte, San Francisco Gate, March 19, 2007 Carl Nolte did not report that the student body of St. Cecilia's Grammar School had gathered in the Lower Church for Lenten Stations of the Cross on that memorable and scary day. Years later, in 2006, the Class of 1960 shared memories with each other: Tom O'T: The first shake happened just after morning recess as we were going back to our classroom. The second and major shake happened just after Stations of the Cross as Father Riordan was going through the Benediction portion. After that tremendous jolt it was evident many of us were scared and unsure what to do. Father Riordan paused, turned around, addressed us all saying something to the effect, "We just had an earthquake; it's all over; there is nothing to be afraid of. We'll continue with Benediction." Father turned back and finished in record time. He went from a '45 to a '78 recording and was off that altar in a flash. Must thank the nuns who took control and kept us relatively calm and in order. Bob O'D: Those wildly wobbling candlesticks on the altar during the earthquakenone fell, but Tom was right, Father Riordan finished Benediction at Warp Speed. Jim H: I remember being in church and watching the light fixture above me swinging. I was next to the center aisle. Instead of diving under the pews as some did, I was going to run if the light fixture started to fall. Cracks in the halls of the school, and a pretty good aftershock while walking up the stairs to the second floor, making me use the hand rail. I don't remember any big statues falling. Rather, one had rotated 90 degreesit was not facing forward anymore. Rosalie S: Father Riordan had beads of perspiration on his forehead that day! Kathy K: I remember getting under the pews when the giant pillars started swaying back and forth. Also recall the tremors that followed the big one for the rest of the day. What a mess our garage was when I got home! John L: My recollection of that day is as vivid as the day it shook. We were in the Lower Church after Stations of the Cross and it started shaking. Father Riordan turned to us, lifted his hands and told us to be calm, and right at that moment it stopped. We all filed out and lined up in the schoolyard. After a while, they let us go back to our classrooms where we found all the desks in disarray, and papers all over the floor. What I thought was outrageous was that the big statues of Mary, on pedestals in every room above the teacher's desk, fell and shattered. John M: I remember being in the lower church and all of us ducking under the pews. Then Father Riordan tried to calm us. I think I went back under the pew. I believe we had some projects in the classroom that were thrown to the floor due to the earthquake. Rita M: My memory is very much the same, with Father Riordan finishing the Stations of the Cross at record speed and beads of sweat running down his face. However, I remember wondering why a man of the cloth was so worried and scared. Yes, we were all pretty scared but he wasn't supposed to be! He was gone immediately and we were left to the nuns. I remember a crack in the wall of the school, the statues broken, and going home scared, to find things in disarray. Jo Anne Q: Ah! The earthquake! We were all herded into the yard. Parents were called to come take us home. One kid got hystericalknelt down, put an ear to the ground, and started screaming that he could hear "the earth cracking and popping." That started a lot of other kids screaming, and the nuns had to quell the impending riot. When I got home there were more tremors and a tall, heavy bookcase nearly came down on my mother! I must have been ahead of my time, because I indulged in "play therapy." Got out my dollhouse, set it up with furniture, and its little people, and then shook the hell out of it! Jerry F: I think it was Steve D. who put his ear to the ground to listen for another earthquake. I remember thinking it was really a goofy thing to do, and it somehow scared the hell out of me; but in retrospect it was probably about the most scientific thing a fifth-grader could do to predict another quake. (Not much removed from what's happening now, no? Probes in the ground.) Edna L: I was still at Parkside School awaiting a spot in St. Cecilia's. I remember sitting on a chair at my desk in the middle section of the classroom. And after it stopped shaking, I was still on the chair, but now over against the wall. They sent everyone home, didn't bother to call parents. There were kids whose parents worked, and they had to go home alone. I lived across the street from Parkside, so I brought some kids home with me until they could get a hold of their parents. I remember all of the stonework on every house on the block was broken away, and laying on the ground. Maureen M: Walking home after that earthquake and seeing the 16th Avenue Market with windows all broken. Diane F: They let us go home early and I was so nervous that I ate meat on Friday! My mom said it was okayGod wouldn't punish us again! And the best recollection of all: Pam B: I remember my mother picking me up at school after the quake, taking me to the Emporium in Stonestown and buying me Elvis' record, "All Shook Up." Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places! Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have long drawn as much ridicule as sincere interest, but if reports the pair are "over" prove true it marks the end of a generation's ultimate celebrity couple. The pairs ever-pending divorce has provided tabloid fodder for years, but months of prolonged rumours lent the New York Posts report - that Kim had hired divorce attorney to the stars, Laura Wasser and that the couple were in settlement talks - some veracity. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2019. Credit:AP According to the Posts sources, Kardashian - eager to become a lawyer and serious about her work campaigning for prison reform - had tired of Wests presidential fantasies, while West had become increasingly uncomfortable and irritated by the Kardashians over-the-top reality star lives. In a paragraph that perhaps summarises public perception of the couples tacky eccentricities, the writing on the wall had been there since Kanyes no-show at Kims $1 million-plus 40th birthday in Tahiti last October. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Congress tally of the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden (all times local): 11:10 p.m. Four people died as supporters of President Donald Trump violently occupied the U.S. Capitol. Washington, D.C., Police Chief Robert Contee said the dead on Wednesday included a woman who was shot by the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as three others who died in medical emergencies. Police said both law enforcement and Trump supporters deployed chemical irritants during the hourslong occupation of the Capitol building before it was cleared Wednesday evening by law enforcement. The woman was shot earlier Wednesday as the mob tried to break through a barricaded door in the Capitol where police were armed on the other side. She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later died. D.C. police officials also say two pipe bombs were recovered, one outside the Democratic National Committee and one outside the Republican National Committee. Police found a cooler from a vehicle that had a long gun and Molotov cocktail on Capitol grounds. ___ 10:15 p.m. The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand. The objection to the results in Arizona -- spearheaded by Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Ted Cruz -- was rejected 93-6 on Wednesday night. All votes in favor came from Republicans, but after violent protesters mobbed the Capitol earlier Wednesday a number of GOP senators who had planned to support the objection reversed course. The Republicans raised the objection based on false claims pushed by President Donald Trump and others of issues with the vote in Arizona, which were repeatedly dismissed in Arizonas courts and by the states election officials. ___ 8:55 p.m. Multiple Republican senators have reversed course and now say they wont object to congressional certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Their change of heart came after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier Wednesday and interrupted their proceedings. One person was fatally shot. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia all said in light of the violence they would stand down from planned objections to Bidens win. Lawmakers gathered to certify the Electoral College votes from each state were forced to evacuate after an angry mob of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol. Loeffler said that the violence, the lawlessness, and siege of the halls of Congress were a direct attack on the sanctity of the American democratic process. ___ 8:10 p.m. The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee. Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the days violent events. President Donald Trump has falsely insisted that the election was marred by fraud and that he actually won. He reiterated those claims in remarks to thousands of protesters outside the White House early Wednesday and goaded them to march to the Capitol, which many of them did. The mayhem had forced the House and Senate to abruptly end the days debates and flee to safety under the protection of police. And it prompted bipartisan outrage as many lawmakers blamed Trump for fostering the violence. ___ 6:20 p.m. Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen says the violent pro-Trump protest at the U.S. Capitol was an intolerable attack on a fundamental institution" of democracy. Rosen said Wednesday that the Justice Department has been working with U.S. Capitol Police and other federal law enforcement agencies to secure the Capitol. He says hundreds of federal agents from Justice Department agencies were sent to assist. He called it an unacceptable situation and said federal prosecutors intend to enforce the laws of our land. Dozens of President Donald Trump's supporters breached the security perimeter and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Police declared the Capitol to be secure about four hours later. ___ 6:10 p.m. A woman who was shot inside the U.S. Capitol during the violent pro-Trump protest has died. Thats according to two officials familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly. The Metropolitan Police Department said it was taking the lead on the shooting investigation. Police did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the shooting. Dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump breached the security perimeter and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Hours later, police had declared the Capitol was secured. ___ 5:50 p.m. Officials have declared the U.S. Capitol complex secure after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation by supporters of President Donald Trump. An announcement saying the Capitol is secure rang out Wednesday evening inside a secure location for officials of the House. Lawmakers applauded. The occupation interrupted Congress Electoral College count that will formalize President-elect Joe Bidens upcoming inauguration on Jan. 20. Lawmakers were evacuated to secure locations around the Capitol complex and Washington, D.C. after thousands of Trump supporters breached the building and skirmished with police officers. Lawmakers have signaled that they would resume the constitutionally mandated count as soon as it was safe to do so. ___ 5:45 p.m. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam have issued a curfew for two inner suburbs of northern Virginia as authorities sought to gain control after rioting at the U.S. Capitol. The curfew applies from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday in Arlington County and the city of Alexandria, which are across the Potomac River from the nations capital. The curfew coincides with a similar order in the District of Columbia. Northam said he issued the order at the request of local officials. Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson confirmed that the city requested the curfew. He tweeted, Lets keep our community safe in the face of the terror we have seen across the River today." Virginia sent local and state police to the District to provide aid. Violating the curfew is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The curfew was imposed barely an hour before it was to take effect. ___ 5:40 p.m. Police are using tear gas and percussion grenades to begin clearing pro-Trump protesters from the grounds of the U.S. Capitol ahead of a curfew in Washington. Police donned gas masks as they moved in Wednesday evening with force to clear protesters from the Capitol grounds shortly before a curfew took hold. In the moments before, there were violent clashes between the police and protesters, who tore railing for the inauguration scaffolding and threw it at the officers. Police used tear gas and percussion grenades to break up the crowd, which began dispersing. Dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump breached the security perimeter and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote to affirm Democrat Joe Bidens presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Police said at least one person was shot inside the Capitol; their condition was not immediately known. The districts police chief said at least 13 people were arrested, and five firearms had been recovered during the pro-Trump protests on Wednesday. ___ 5:30 p.m. Republican Sen. Ben Sasse is directly blaming President Donald Trump for the storming of the Capitol by huge, angry crowds of pro-Trump protesters. The Nebraska lawmaker and frequent critic of Trump said Wednesday evening that the Capitol was ransacked while the leader of the free world cowered behind his keyboard - tweeting against his Vice President for fulfilling the duties of his oath to the Constitution. Sasse says in a written statement, Lies have consequences. This violence was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the Presidents addiction to constantly stoking division. The protesters broke into the building as Congress was beginning the formal process of certifying the electoral votes that gave Democratic President-elect Joe Biden a victory over Trump in November. Vice President Mike Pence has the ceremonial role of overseeing that certification and resisted Trump efforts to pressure him to overturn the election results. Trump has continued to fallaciously claim that the voting was marred by fraud and that he actually won. Earlier Wednesday Trump addressed a huge crowd of protesters outside the White House and urged them to gather at the Capitol. ___ 5:25 p.m. The Washington, D.C., police chief says at least five weapons have been recovered and at least 13 people have been arrested so far in pro-Trump protests. The mostly maskless crowd stormed the Capitol earlier Wednesday as lawmakers were meeting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens win. One person was shot; their condition is unknown. Police Chief Robert Contee called the attack a riot. As darkness began to set in, law enforcement officials were working their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to try to clear the area around the Capitol. Big clouds of tear gas were visible. Police were in full riot gear. They moved down the West steps, clashing with demonstrators. Mayor Muriel Bowser earlier declared a 6 p.m. curfew. ___ 5:05 p.m. Pro-Trump demonstrators have massed outside statehouses across the country, forcing evacuations in at least two states. In St. Paul, Minnesota, cheers rang out from demonstrators in reaction to the news that supporters of President Donald Trump had stormed the U.S. Capitol. Hundreds of mostly unmasked people people gathered outside capitols on Wednesday with Trump flags and Stop the Steal signs. In Georgia and Oklahoma, some demonstrators carried guns. New Mexico state police evacuated staff from a statehouse building that includes the governors and secretary of states offices as a precaution shortly after hundreds of flag-waving supporters arrived in a vehicle caravan and on horseback. A spokesperson for the governors office says there was no indication of threats at the statehouse. The staff of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was sent home as several hundred pro-Trump demonstrators rallied outside the Capitol, though the demonstration remained relatively calm. A brief scuffle between pro-Trump demonstrators, who included members of the Proud Boys, and counterprotesters broke out in Columbus, Ohio, but there was no immediate threat to the Capitol. ___ 5 p.m. The police chief of Washington, D.C., says pro-Trump protesters deployed chemical irritants on police in order to break into the U.S. Capitol. Police Chief Robert Contee says officials have declared the scene a riot. One civilian was shot inside the Capitol on Wednesday. Thirteen arrests were made of people from out of the area. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the behavior of the Trump supporters was shameful, unpatriotic and above all is unlawful. She says, There will be law and order and this behavior will not be tolerated. Metropolitan police have been sent to the Capitol, and authorities were coming in from Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey to help out. The National Guard was also deployed, as were Homeland Security investigators and Secret Service. Trump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. He held a rally earlier Wednesday and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people and saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. ___ 4:40 p.m. President Donald Trump, in a video message, is urging supporters to go home but is also keeping up false attacks about the presidential election. The video was issued more than two hours after protesters began storming the Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers convened for an extraordinary joint session to confirm the Electoral College results and President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Trump opened his video, saying, I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now. He also went on to call the supporters very special. He also said, we cant play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. Youre very special. Republican lawmakers and previous administration officials had begged Trump to give a statement to his supporters to quell the violence. The statement came as authorities struggled to take control of a chaotic situation at the Capitol that led to the evacuation of lawmakers. ___ 4:37 p.m. Two influential business groups are calling for the attack on the nations Capitol to end and for a peaceful transition of power. Business Roundtable, which represents some of the most powerful companies in America including Walmart, Apple, Starbucks and General Electric, called on President Donald Trump and other officials to bring the protests to an end. The chaos unfolding in the nations capital is the result of unlawful efforts to overturn the legitimate results of a democratic election, the Roundtable said in a statement Wednesday. The country deserves better. Separately, the CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, which represents large and small companies, urged officials to clear the Capitol and for Congress to approve the results of the presidential election won by Joe Biden. Trump had encouraged his supporters to come to Washington to fight Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. He held a rally earlier Wednesday in which he urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people and saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. The Capitol went into lockdown after its security perimeters were breached and protesters entered the building. ___ 4:35 p.m. At least one explosive device has been found near the U.S. Capitol amid a violent occupation of the building by supporters of President Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials said the device was no longer a threat Wednesday afternoon. That's according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Thousands of supporters of the president occupied the Capitol complex as lawmakers were beginning to tally the electoral votes that will formalize President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Vice President Mike Pence has called on protesters to leave the Capitol immediately, going further than Trump, who merely called for his supporters to remain peaceful. ___ 4:10 p.m. President-elect Joe Biden has called the violent protests on the U.S. Capitol an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the peoples business. Biden also demanded President Donald Trump to immediately make a televised address calling on his supporters to cease the violence that he described as an unprecedented assault as pro-Trump protestors violently occupy U.S. Capitol. Bidens condemnation came after violent protesters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm the president-elects victory in the November election. Biden addressed the violent protests as authorities struggled to take control of a chaotic situation at the Capitol that led to the evacuation of lawmakers. ___ 4:05 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence is calling on protesters to leave the Capitol immediately, going further than President Donald Trump who merely called for his supporters to remain peaceful. In a tweet Wednesday afternoon, Pence said, This attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Pence, long a loyal aide to the president, defied Trump earlier Wednesday, tell him he didnt have the power to discard electoral votes that will make Democrat Joe Biden the next president on Jan. 20. Trump had publicly called on Pence to overturn the will of the voters, but Pences constitutional role in the process was only ceremonial. Angry Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting the peaceful transfer of power. Trump later issued a restrained call for peace but did not ask his supporters to disperse. ___ 4 p.m. The Pentagon says about 1,100 D.C. National Guard members are being mobilized to help support law enforcement as violent supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol. Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said Wednesday afternoon that defense leaders have been in contact with the city and congressional leadership. A defense official said all 1,100 of the D.C. Guard were being activated and sent to the citys armory. The Guard forces will be used at checkpoints and for other similar duties and could also help in the enforcement of the 6 p.m. curfew being implemented tonight in the city. The officials said the D.C. request for National Guard was not rejected earlier in the day. Instead, according to officials, the Guard members have a very specific mission that does not include putting military in a law enforcement role at the Capitol. As a result, the Guard must be used to backfill law enforcement outside the Capitol complex, freeing up more law enforcement to respond to the Capitol. Hoffman said the law enforcement response to the violence will be led by the Justice Department. ___ 3:55 p.m. The top Democrats in Congress are demanding that President Donald Trump order his supporters to leave the Capitol following a chaotic protest aimed at blocking a peaceful transfer of power. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement on Wednesday after violent protesters stormed the Capitol. They said, We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately. Trump earlier encouraged his supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful, but he did not call for them to disperse. He held a rally earlier Wednesday in which he repeated his false claims that President-elect Joe Biden had won the election through voter fraud. He urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to get rid of the weak Congress people and saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. ___ 3:50 p.m. The White House says National Guard troops along with other federal protective services are en route to the Capitol to help end an violent occupation by President Donald Trumps supporters who are seeking to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that At President realDonaldTrumps direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services. She added, We reiterate President Trumps call against violence and to remain peaceful. Republican lawmakers have publicly called for Trump to more vocally condemn the violence and to call to an end to the occupation, which halted a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were beginning to count electoral votes. Trump lost the November election to Democrat Joe Biden. He has refused to concede and has worked over the last two months to convince his supporters that widespread voter fraud prevented his own victory. ___ 3:40 p.m. Republican lawmakers are increasingly calling on President Donald Trump to act to deescalate the violent protests at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters angry about his election loss. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he spoke with the president earlier Wednesday and told him to make a statement to make sure that we can calm individuals down. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that it is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down. Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey told The Associated Press that while he sympathizes with the protesters position, they shouldnt get violent, and it would be nice if Trump called on them to protest in a peaceful way in an appropriate spot, where you belong, where you should be. Many Republicans had backed Trumps false claims of widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, of Wisconsin, posted a video message urging Trump to call it off. This is Banana Republic crap that were watching right now, said Gallagher, who had spoken out against objections from fellow Republicans to certifying President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College vote. ___ 3:37 p.m. Supporters of President Donald Trump got into a angry shouting match with other passengers on a Washington-bound American Airlines plane after they projected a Trump 2020 logo on the cabin ceiling and walls. The Trump supporters said a passenger threatened to kill them, and there was yelling back and forth. A flight attendant intervened, telling one passenger in the aisle to sit down. The incident occurred on Tuesday night after Americans flight 1291 from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport landed at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., and was taxiing to the gate. The scene was posted on Twitter by Maranie Staab, a Portland, Oregon-based independent journalist who says on her website that she focuses on human rights and social-justice issues. Our team is reviewing this incident, said American Airlines spokesman Curtis Blessing. We applaud our outstanding crewmembers for their professionalism in de-escalating a tense onboard situation and getting our customers to their destination safely. American said law enforcement was not called, and that passengers deplaned and dispersed without further incident. ___ 3:35 p.m. The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the U.S. Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. A spokesperson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers from the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene. He says they were requested to assist by U.S. Capitol Police. Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. ___ 3:30 p.m. One person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol as dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police. Thats according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity amid a chaotic situation. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. The person said the victim had been taken to a hospital. Their condition was not known. The shooting came as dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the U.S. Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Bidens presidential win. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss. ___ 3:25 p.m. President Donald Trump is encouraging supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful, but he is not calling for them to disperse. As he faced growing pressure from allies to condemn the violence Wednesday afternoon, Trump tweeted, No violence! adding: Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. But Trump did not ask supporters to vacate the area as the unrest continued. Trump had appeared earlier at a rally and had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol - at one point even suggesting he would join them. He is upset that he lost the presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden and has falsely claimed voter fraud to explain it away. He also urged his supporters to get rid of the weak Congress people - presumably through primary challenges - saying, get the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength. ___ 3:15 p.m. A Defense Department official says Washington, D.C., has requested an additional 200 National Guard members as supporters of President Donald Trump violently clash with law enforcement at the Capitol. That request is currently under review at the Pentagon to determine how the Guard can respond to support law enforcement. According to officials, the Guard members have a very specific mission that does not include putting military at the Capitol. Instead, the Guard must be used to backfill law enforcement outside the Capitol complex, freeing up more law enforcement to respond to the Capitol. Officials said the request for more National Guard has not been rejected. Trump had urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress formal approval of President-elect Joe Bidens win. Several Republican lawmakers backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. ___ 3:10 p.m. Pressure is mounting on President Donald Trump to condemn supporters who are violently clashing with law enforcement on Capitol Hill. Among those urging Trump to act: his former communications director, Alyssa Farah, who tweeted that Trump should Condemn this now. She says, you are the only one they will listen to. For our country! Dozens of people have breached security perimeters at the Capitol, forcing the lockdown of the building and halting the vote to certify Joe Bidens presidential victory. Trump has so far offered a single tweet asking his supporters to Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! His former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney tweeted: The Presidents tweet is not enough. He can stop this now and needs to do exactly that. Tell these folks to go home. His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, also addressed Trump supporters in a tweet, calling them the patriots challenging the fraudulent election and telling them that POTUS wants you to EXPRESS YOUR OPINION PEACEFULLY. ___ 3 p.m. Protesters backing President Donald Trump have breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm Joe Bidens victory in the November election. Trump urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress formal approval of Bidens win. Several Republican lawmakers have backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election. Protesters are now inside the Senate chamber. One got up on the dais and yelled Trump won that election. Several dozen are roaming through the halls, yelling, Where are they? Some were also in the visitors galleries. __ 2:50 p.m. Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid skirmishes by supporters of President Donald Trump Pro-Trump protestors breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, violently clashing with law enforcement as lawmakers were gathered inside to formalize President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Novembers presidential election. Law enforcement instructed lawmakers to retrieve masks from under their seats amid the clashes. The Capitol building was placed on lockdown, as Trump supporters marched through evacuated public spaces in the building. After egging on protests, Trump tweeted to his supporters to stay peaceful as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building. ___ 2:47 p.m. After egging on protests, President Donald Trump tweeted to his supporters to stay peaceful as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building. Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement, Trump tweeted, as tear gas was deployed in the locked-down Capitol. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! Trump at a rally earlier Wednesday encouraged his supporters to head to the Capitol. Were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and were probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them, Trump said. ___ 2:45 p.m. Lawmakers are being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators were led out, escorted by staff and police on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the Electoral College. The skirmishes came shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. Protesters could be seen marching through the Capitols stately Statuary Hall shouting and waving Trump banners and American flags. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. ___ 2:40 p.m. The mayor of Washington, D.C., has ordered a curfew in the nations capital beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday after protestors seeking to overturn the election results stormed the U.S. Capitol building. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the order as protestors supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to formally count the electors that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20. The order extends through 6 a.m. Thursday. The skirmishes came shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. -- 2:30 p.m. Protesting supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the U.S. Capitol. There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and the debate over the electoral count was suspended. A representative from the Capitol police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon. House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern of Massachusetts told the crowd that the House expected to go back into session soon. Meanwhile, members milled around the floor and looked at their phones. Reporters and others outside the chamber were told to go their seats inside and not leave. The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:20 p.m. The Senate has recessed its debate over an objection to the results of the Electoral College after protesters forced police to lock down the building. Reporters were told to stay in the Senates press gallery as the doors were locked. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. The skirmishes came just shortly after President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud. ___ 2:20 p.m. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says American democracy is in crisis with polls showing that large numbers of voters believe the election that just occurred was rigged." Cruz, a Republican, objected to the certification of election results in Arizona, saying the Senate has a responsibility to acknowledge the profound threat posed by widespread disbelief in the legitimacy of the election. He called for the creation of a commission to conduct a 10-day emergency audit to investigate any irregularities, citing a similar commission created after the 1876 presidential election. Cruz urged lawmakers not to take the easy path, but instead act together and create a credible and fair tribunal. Consider the claims, consider the facts, consider the evidence and make a conclusive determination whether and to what extent this election complied with the Constitution. ___ 1:55 p.m. The U.S. Capitol Police are evacuating some congressional office buildings due to police activity as thousands gather outside the Capitol to protest the electoral vote. Police told congressional staff members they should evacuate the Cannon House Office Building and the building that houses the Library of Congress. It wasnt immediately clear what specifically sparked the evacuation. A police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Thousands of people have descended on the U.S. Capitol as Congress is expected to vote to affirm Joe Bidens 2020 presidential win. Videos posted online showed protesters fighting with U.S. Capitol Police officers as police fired pepper spray to keep them back. ___ 1:55 p.m. The Senates top Republican has told his colleagues that Congress should not override the voters verdict in electing Democrat Joe Biden president, saying, If we overrule them we will damage our republic forever. The Kentucky Republican made his remarks as the Senate weighed a challenge by a handful of GOP lawmakers to the 11 electoral votes Arizona cast for Biden. It was the first of several states electoral votes that some Republicans are challenging, encouraged by President Donald Trumps groundless charges that the election was riddled with fraud. Congress seems certain to reject all those challenges on Wednesday and formally certify Bidens victory. McConnell says while all elections have irregularities, they werent anywhere near the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election. He says Congress should not declare itself a national board of elections on steroids, and says reversing the election results would push the countrys democratic institutions toward a death spiral. ___ 1:15 p.m. Republicans from the House and Senate have objected to the counting of Arizonas electoral vote, forcing votes in both chambers on Joe Bidens victory in the state. The objection was made by Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar and was signed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Both are Republicans. The two chambers now have two hours to debate the challenge. Biden won the state by more than 10,000 votes. In all, eight lawsuits challenging Bidens Arizona win have failed, in part over a lack of evidence. The states Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of an election challenge, because the plaintiff lacked the right to bring the suit in the first place. The woman wasnt a registered voter when she sued. Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has said there were no irregularities with the vote in her state. ___ 1:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is taking aim at Republican members of Congress who have refused to join him in his effort to contest the results of the November election he lost to President-elect Joe Biden. Trump on Wednesday told a large crowd of supporters gathered on the Ellipse that they needed to vote these Republicans out of office by putting up challengers in primary elections to push them out. If they dont fight, we have to primary the hell out of the ones that dont fight, Trump said, calling the Republicans who arent siding with him weak. Earlier, he named and praised Republicans who have pledged to contest the electoral votes of some states when they come up for approval on Capitol Hill. His supporters, who braved chilly, windy conditions, chanted Fight for Trump! ___ 1:10 p.m. Congress has begun a joint session to count and confirm the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden. With supporters of President Donald Trump gathering around the Capitol, more than a dozen Republican senators and more than 100 Republican House members have said they will object to the count from as many as six battleground states. They are echoing Trumps false claims of widespread fraud. Their efforts are almost certain to fail as many Republicans have said they will oppose the objections. But the session is expected to last into the night on Wednesday as the House and Senate must consider each objection separately and vote on whether to sustain it. Vice President Mike Pence will preside over the session. He has no power to overturn the results, despite pressure from Trump to do so. Biden won the Electoral College 306-232. He is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20. ___ 1 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence is defying President Donald Trump, saying he does not have the unilateral ability to discard electoral votes that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20. Pence, in a statement issued minutes before he was to begin presiding over a joint session of Congress to count electoral votes, said, It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not. Trump has pressured his vice president to toss electors from battleground states that voted for Biden during the session. ___ 12:30 p.m. President Donald Trump is continuing his pressure-campaign against Vice President Mike Pence, telling thousands of supporters falsely that all Pence has to do to stay in office is send Electoral College votes back to the states to be recertified. Pence has no such unilateral power under the Constitution and congressional rules that govern the count. It is up to the House and Senate to voice objections, and in any case the states electors were chosen in accordance with state law, not fraudulently. The demonstrators on the Ellipse, south of the White House, cheered Trump on and planned to march to Capitol Hill where Congress will vote to affirm or contest the Electoral College results. The president said hed be walking with the crowd. All Mike Pence has to do is send it back to the states, Trump said, urging his loyal vice president to join lawmakers who are protesting President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, Trump said, and if he doesnt its a sad day for our country. Trump said it would take courage for Pence not to contest the results. ___ 12:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is vowing that we will never concede as he speaks to supporters shortly before Congress is to convene for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College vote won by President-elect Joe Biden. Trump took the stage at the Save America rally, which drew thousands of supporters who swamped the nations capital as the presidents Republican allies in the House and Senate plan to object to his November election loss to Biden. Trump urged Vice President Mike Pence, who will play a largely ceremonial role in the process, to block certification of Bidens win. Pence does not have this power. Our country has had enough, Trump said. We wont take it anymore. ___ 11 a.m. Sen. Mitt Romney says President Donald Trumps election challenge has disgraced the office of the presidency." Romney told reporters on Capitol Hill ahead of Wednesdays joint session to confirm Joe Bidens Electoral College win that he was certain of the outcome. Im confident that well proceed as the Constitution demands and tell our supporters the truth - whether or not they want to hear it, Romney said. Republican lawmakers are picking up Trumps demands to challenge the results from several states. But they are not expected to have enough votes in Congress to change the results. Biden is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20. Romney said, President Trump has disrespected the American voters, has dishonored the election system and has disgraced the office of the presidency. He called the gambit of the challenges in Congress very disappointing. Amended investment law eases pathway to carrying out big business in Vietnam. Photo: freepik.com The new Law on Investment 2020 officially came into effect at the beginning of this month, as Vietnam is currently part of 14 bi- and multilateral free trade agreements, each with their own commitments to open markets. However, the new law, in addition to the important task of simplifying administrative procedures on investment and business to minimise costs for investors, must also meet requirements of state management, especially when it comes to foreign investment. Considering these requirements, lawyer Le Dinh Vinh, director of Vietthink Co., Ltd. said, The new investment rules must solve the legal unification issues, as the previous overlaps of laws have been a rather painful story, with many projects at the same time being subject to the laws on investment, enterprises, land, environment, housing, planning, and so forth. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) previously commented on the issue and proposed to amend more than 10 overlapping articles in between these laws. For instance, Article 9 of the new Law on Investment now stipulates five market access conditions for foreign investors. These conditions include the ratio of foreign investors ownership in charter capital in enterprises and economic organisations, the allowed form of investment, the scope and geographical area, the investors required capacity in several industries, and participating partners. The new law also revises the nature of foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) to be considered as domestic ones when investing in other businesses. The permissible threshold for foreign investors (in FIEs that qualify as domestic ones) has slightly decreased to less than 50 per cent compared to the previous law, in which this threshold was placed at 51 per cent. Innovative changes The Law on Investment 2020 has made an important step forward as 12 conditional business lines have been reviewed and abolished, 19 occupations amended, and six more sectors added, including essential industries like the clean water business. However, according to lawyer Vinh, this also poses challenges for the Vietnamese state management agencies as the country has joined many new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), each with a series of commitments to open markets on different levels. For the first time in Vietnam, the Law on Investment 2020 is establishing the principle of equality in market access between domestic and foreign investors, except for those industries where legal restrictions are in place. This stems from Vietnams aspiration of international integration which requires us to implement the commitments in FTAs, Vinh said. Nguyen Van Phi, marketer at Taiwanese MiTac Vietnam Co., Ltd., told VIR that the new law pays more attention to equality between enterprises, besides simplifying procedures for FIEs. The positive changes in the new law will help FIEs access better markets, said Phi, as he expressed his hopes that the new Law on Investment will offer more incentives for foreign investors and enable a smoother business environment, particularly during the pandemic. Execution matters Vietnam has made great efforts to improve the legal framework for doing business. The government has also issued a draft decree guiding the implementation of the law as well as more details on how foreign investors can be treated as domestic ones. Nguyen Thanh Hai, lawyer at Baker McKenzie Vietnam, commented that though the new law is more transparent, its implementation could still be challenging. In November, US investors and businesses wrote a nearly 60-page document on the draft decree. It addresses major issues attracting the attention of foreign investors, such as investment protection and the conditions for overseas enterprises to apply simplified procedures both of which present huge problems, Hai noted. He referred to the conditions for investment registration procedures, in which the conditions will be far easier if the enterprise has a maximum ownership rate of 50 instead of 51 per cent previously. Though the 1-per-cent change is small, it is very important for foreign firms. However, it remains to be seen whether businesses that currently own 50.9 per cent have to reduce their ownership rate to less than 50 per cent to enjoy the same conditions as a domestic enterprise or must follow procedures like a foreign one. In another example, the investment registration procedures for rooftop solar systems attract the interest of many foreign investors, including US ones, particularly since the prime minister signed Decision No.13/2020/QD-TTg to encourage solar power development in Vietnam, which allows private investors in projects under 1MW. This policy applies to both domestic and foreign businesses. However, the process of issuing investment certificates for foreign enterprises takes three months, much longer than for domestic ones. In many cases, when foreign companies register a business that is related to generating and selling electricity, they must still wait for departments and agencies to consult with relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Although the law is very transparent, collecting comments from other agencies and ministries take too long and is thus lessening opportunities for foreign investors, Hai argued. Following the changes of the Vietnamese legal system, especially with regards to economic laws, attorney Tran Huu Huynh, chairman of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre, has seen comments saying that the current laws are not very transparent, uniform, or reasonable. Huynh, who has criticised many laws and is also one of the members of the drafting committee of the Law on Enterprises 1999, as well as the Law on Investment 2005, found that the business segment especially suffers from inconsistencies and a lack of transparency. Vietnam uses a law implementation index as a criterion for international integration. But according to the VCCI, the implementation of laws is always weaker than the legislative part. However, Huynh thought that this situation is increasingly being improved in the direction towards faster improvement, larger scale, and more pronounced efficiency. I think there are three basic factors that make me believe that law enforcement is getting better, he said. First is Vietnams innovation policy that aims at increasing competitiveness. Second, our nations approach to integration, with the investment and business environment being reformed following the demands of the people and enterprises. And lastly, the legislative part which will be accelerated and improved with the ever-increasing maturation of experts, business community, and associations. Stocks to watch today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus in Wednesday's trading session based on latest developments. Share Market Live News: Sensex hits record high, Nifty above 14,200 for first time; ONGC, SBI top gainers HDFC: The lender is planning to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore by issuing secured redeemable non-convertible debentures on private placement basis. HDFC Bank: The private sector lender witnessed a loan growth of 19% to Rs 10,82,000 crore during the third quarter ended 31 December 2020. Bank's CASA ratio stood at around 43% as of 31 December 2020, as compared to 39.5% as of 31 December 2019 and 41.6% as of 30 September 2020. Bajaj Finance: The Reserve Bank of India imposed Rs 2.5 crore penalty on the company for breach of risk management and outsourcing norms. Reliance Industries: Credit Suisse believes that global oil producer and refining giant Saudi Arabian Co, better known as Saudi Aramco, may revive its interest in buying the 20 per cent stake in Reliance Industries' energy business if global crude oil prices continue their upward trend. Hero MotoCorp: Life Insurance Corporation of India increased its stake in the company to 9.166 percent from 7.145 percent earlier. Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL): Company expects to deliver "close to low double-digit sales growth" in the domestic market during the October-December 2020 quarter, led by soaps and household insecticides segments. Dish TV India Limited (DTIL): Care Ratings has placed the bank facilities of the company worth Rs 600 crore of on credit watch with negative implications. JSW Energy: CARE reaffirmed its ratings on subsidiaries of the company - JSW Power Trading Company at 'A2+', and Jaigad PowerTransco at 'A+/Stable & 'A1+' BEML: The company has bagged orders worth around Rs 758 crore to supply high mobility vehicles from Ministry of Defence. Tata Power: The company announced its partnership with SIDBI to provide a finance scheme to the MSME players in the rooftop solar segment. Bandhan Bank: Bank has signed an agreement with the Indian Army to provide banking services to the personnel of the force. Container Corporation of India: The company is exploring the possibility of merger of its subsidiary companies - CONCOR AIR, SIDCUL CONCOR Infra Company, and Punjab Logistics Infrastructure with itself. ACC: The company announced the commissioning of new cement production facility at the company's existing Sindri Grinding Unit in Jharkhand. CSB Bank: Bank's board meeting scheduled on January 19, 2021 to consider and approve the unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months period ended December 31, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 10:52:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close OTTAWA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that he was disappointed by some Canadian politicians who travelled abroad amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite government calls to avoid all non-essential travel. Federal and provincial politicians from a range of political parties, including Trudeau's Liberal Party, came under fire for taking international trips over the holidays. It is key that Canadians feel as if they are all in the COVID-19 fight together and seeing these political leaders and public officials acting against public health guidance is detrimental to the overall effort to get the virus' spread under control nationwide, Trudeau said at his first 2021 press conference in Ottawa Tuesday. "As leaders, we've been encouraging and exhorting Canadians to continue to do the right thing, so it is unfortunate to see a number of politicians not take their own advice," said Trudeau. Two Canadian Conservative Party MPs reportedly have taken international trips since the pandemic was declared, as has Senate opposition leader Don Plett, who travelled briefly to Mexico on personal travel. Conservative MP from Ontario, David Sweet, has resigned as chair of the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee, and has announced he will not be running again in the next federal election. New Democratic Party MP Niki Ashton lost her critic roles after revealing that she travelled abroad to visit an ailing family member in Greece. As of Tuesday evening, Canada reported a total of 618,218 COVID-19 cases and 16,225 deaths since the first case was reported in the country last January, according to CTV. Enditem An elderly pet cat named Stitch has been found dumped in a zip-tied garbage bag after he was suspected stolen three months ago. SA Police officers stumbled across the 15-year-old male cat in a garbage bag left on Gorge Road in Millbrook in the Adelaide Hills at 6pm on Monday. They opened the bag to find cardboard box, which contained a traumatised Stitch, who was severely underweight and had an infected wound on his stomach. SA Police officers stumbled across the 15-year-old male cat Stitch (pictured) in a garbage bag left on Gorge Road in Millbrook in the Adelaide Hills at 6pm on Monday Stitch is desexed and microchipped, which allowed RSPCA SA to track down his owners. The owners reported Stich missing from their home in Paradise, in northeastern Adelaide, three months ago. They said they heard a car door slam outside their property when the cat disappeared. Stitch is now in RSPCA South Australia's care as his owners have surrendered him due to personal circumstances. The owners are not suspects in this case. RSPCA South Australia Chief Inspector Andrea Lewis said the dumping of a live animal in a remote location where it was unlikely to be found demonstrates a level of cruelty that should concern everyone. Stitch's owners reported him missing from their home in Paradise, in northeastern Adelaide, three months ago. They said they heard a car door slam outside their property when the cat disappeared An RSPCA staff member holds Stitch. RSPCA South Australia Chief Inspector Andrea Lewis said the dumping of a live animal in a remote location where it was unlikely to be found demonstrates a level of cruelty that should concern everyone 'There is nothing in this situation to indicate this person or persons wanted this animal to survive,' Ms Lewis said. 'They must have been aware that their actions had a high likelihood of causing this old cat a slow, terrifying and agonising death. 'When there are so many humane options available to people with unwanted animals, you have to ask what kind of person would do this. 'Animals are sentient creatures - they are not garbage. The cruelty is deeply shocking. 'If you have an animal you can no longer care for, please find them a new loving home or surrender them to a reputable animal welfare organisation such as RSPCA.' RSPCA SA is now seeking public help with the investigation and encourages anyone with information to contact them. Abandoning an animal is an offence under SA's Animal Welfare Act, and anyone found guilty of such offence can face up to 2 years imprisonment or a $20,000 fine. Another RSPCA staff member holds stitch. He is is now in RSPCA South Australia's care as his owners have surrendered him due to personal circumstances It comes after two puppies were eaten alive by fleas and maggots after they and six of their siblings were shoved in dog food bags and dumped in a bin late last year. Nicole Olsen and her six-year-old daughter Harper discovered the five-week-old Kelpie-cross puppies by chance in a bin at a remote rest stop between Wigley Flat and Kingston on Murray in South Australia on November 1, 2020. Two puppies at the bottom of the lower bag were limp, covered in maggots and fleas, and completely unresponsive. One of the seriously ill puppies died in transit while the other puppy at the bottom of the bag was euthanised because it was too far gone. The remaining six puppies, three female and three male, were all flea-infested and dehydrated but fully recovered despite their shocking ordeal. Copperas Cove, TX (76522) Today Thunderstorms this morning, then partly cloudy during the afternoon hours. High 86F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. In the 1970s, people started using crack, which is cheaper than cocaine and highly addictive. In the 1980s its use exploded across the United States 'Freeway' Ricky Ross built a drug-dealing empire that extended from LA to over 40 cities nationwide during the 1980s, according to a 2013 Esquire profile Federal prosecutors said Ross raked in about $300 million - over $900 million in today's money - in profits from his dealing from 1982 to 1989, per the article Corey Pegues and Samson Styles also were making money selling crack in New York City. Ross, Pegues and Styles are featured in a new documentary A 1996 San Jose Mercury News investigation alleged that the CIA was tied to LA gangs that were selling crack cocaine. Outrage over it spurred investigations In the 1980s, the CIA supported the Contras to overthrow the socialist Sandinistas in Nicaragua. Drug money was allegedly channeled to the Contras A new Netflix documentary, Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy, examines how the drug devastated black and Latino communities in the 1980s In the 1980s, 'Freeway' Ricky Ross built a crack cocaine empire that extended from his Los Angeles base to over 40 cities around the country. 'I was one of the richest guys in LA,' Ross said in a new documentary. ADVERTISEMENT Reportedly a millionaire by 23, Ross was raking in so much cash about $900 million in today's money that he hired people to count it, according to a 2013 Esquire profile. Federal prosecutors said that Ross 'bought and resold three tons of cocaine,' between 1982 and 1989, according to the article. Ross was not the only one profiting off the highly addictive drug. In New York City, Corey Pegues made money 'hand over fist' when he dealt crack. 'We went from making a hundred dollars a day to thousands of dollars a day. I was in it for money, clothes, jewelry and girls,' he recalled in the film. Samson Styles started dealing in high school and said they were street capitalists that didn't care about anything but making money. 'This is like a gold rush. It was a gold rush that hit the hood.' Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy, which premieres January 11 on Netflix, examines the 1980s when crack cocaine use exploded across the United States. Director Stanley Nelson lived through the crack era in New York City. 'I vividly remember the long lines of cars waiting for dealers; people standing in doorways smoking crack; streets littered with crack vials. Crack transformed the city and the entire country, leaving devastation in its wake especially in Black and Latinx communities,' he said in a statement. In the 1980s, 'Freeway' Ricky Ross built a crack cocaine empire that extended from his Los Angeles base to over 40 cities around the country, according to federal prosecutors. 'I was one of the richest guys in LA,' Ross, above, said in a new documentary, Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy, which premieres on Netflix on January 11. Reportedly a millionaire by 23, Ross was raking in so much cash about $900 million in today's money that he hired people to count it, according to a 2013 Esquire profile. Federal prosecutors said that Ross 'bought and resold three tons of cocaine,' between 1982 and 1989, according to the article 'We went from making a hundred dollars a day to thousands of dollars a day. I was in it for money, clothes, jewelry and girls,' Corey Pegues recalled in the documentary. Pegue is seen above in St. Albans, a neighborhood in Queens, in the mid-1980s. He told Gothamist: 'I started selling drugs at the age of 13 because I was just trying to eat and just stay fly. There was nothing else to do but sell drugs.' He later on became a NYPD police officer Samson Styles, above, said he was in high school when he started dealing crack. A friend introduced him to the drug and gave him a pack of 100 vials to get started. He recalled he sold it in 20 to 30 minutes and that he might have made a few hundred dollars. 'I can make money quick,' he said. 'When crack came along, it was like, yo, this is it right here. This is what we were waiting for. This is like a gold rush. It was a gold rush that hit the hood' In the 1970s and into the next decade, cocaine in its white powder form was the 'social drug of the elite': the stimulant that kept the party going at fashionable hotspots like Studio 54. In the early 1980s, the amount of cocaine coming into the United States increased by 50 percent and the price of the drug fell, according to the documentary. ADVERTISEMENT Crack is cocaine mixed with water and another agent, usually baking soda, which once cooled after being 'cooked' is broken into 'rocks,' which then are smoked. Crack was cheaper and sold for $5 or $10 a hit. Ricky Donnell Ross was born in 1960 and moved to South Central when he was three. He lived near the 110 Freeway - a highway in Los Angeles - and that is how he got his nickname, according to the Esquire profile. 'Ross wasn't the first to deal crack - a mass-produced form of what others were calling freebase. Crack was documented by UCLA researchers as early as 1974 in the San Francisco area,' Mike Sager wrote in his profile of Ross. 'I wasn't a Crip or a Blood. I was the man with the dope and the opportunity,' Ross, who was referring to two LA gangs, told Sager. Click here to resize this module His connection for the cocaine was Oscar Danilo Blandon, who fled Nicaragua in 1979 when a left-wing political party called the Sandinista National Liberation Front took over his native country's government, according to news reports. In the 1980s, several sources told the Associated Press that the US-backed Contras were involved in cocaine smuggling, Brian Barger, a journalist who worked on the story, said in the documentary. A 1996 San Jose Mercury News investigation linked Blandon to a man reportedly hired by the CIA and the bombshell report fueled the conspiracy that the agency had allegedly allowed the drug to spread in African American communities. Money from crack cocaine was supposedly then channeled to the Contras, who were looking to wrest control of Nicaragua from the Sandinistas. In the 1980s, defeating communism during the Cold War was a top priority for the Reagan administration. ADVERTISEMENT The three-part series, Dark Alliance, remains controversial to this day. Outrage over the idea that the CIA had turned a blind eye to the destructive drug surging in the country spurred four investigations. Gary Webb, the investigative journalist who wrote the series, later died by suicide. In the documentary, Ross said a million dollars passed through his hand every day and he would make anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000 off a million dollar deal. He bought a motel, theater, junkyard, shoe store, body shop and beauty salon. 'I made selling drugs fashionable,' he said, adding that 15 to 20 men around him were also millionaires after he taught them. Director Stanley Nelson lived through the crack era in New York City. 'I vividly remember the long lines of cars waiting for dealers; people standing in doorways smoking crack; streets littered with crack vials. Crack transformed the city and the entire country, leaving devastation in its wake especially in Black and Latinx communities,' he said in a statement. The documentary pointed out there was widespread use of the drug among all demographics and that addiction crossed socioeconomic lines. Above, people buying drugs during the 1980s 'I wanted to make this film because I feel strongly that the impact of the crack era hasnt been fully scrutinized. Crack fueled racial and economic inequality, hyper-aggressive policing, mass incarceration, and government corruption at the highest level,' said Nelson, the director. Above, graffiti that reads 'crack kills' in New York City 'Freeway' Ricky Ross connection for the Columbian cocaine was Oscar Danilo Blandon, who fled Nicaragua in 1979 when a left-wing political party called the Sandinista National Liberation Front took over his native country's government, according to news reports. A 1996 San Jose Mercury News investigation linked Blandon to man reportedly hired by the CIA and the bombshell report fueled the conspiracy that the agency had allegedly allowed the drug to spread in African American communities. Above, confiscated crack and money from a dealer in South Florida Money from selling crack was supposedly then channeled to the US-backed Contras, who were looking to wrest control of Nicaragua from the socialist Sandinistas. In the 1980s, defeating communism during the Cold War was a top priority for the Reagan administration. The three-part series, Dark Alliance, remains controversial to this day. Outrage over the idea that the CIA had turned a blind eye to the destructive drug surging in the country spurred four investigations. Above, a man lights a crack pipe in New York City in 1988 Ross wasn't flashy. 'For a long time, the Freeway Rick Task Force - a squad of hardened drug cops from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department dedicated to his capture - actually had no idea what he looked like,' according to the Esquire profile. He was eventually arrested in 1988, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and started serving his mandatory ten-year sentence in 1990. After cooperating with the government, his sentence was reduced and he was out after serving almost five years. But Blandon, his connection, pulled him back in with a deal, which was actually a sting set up by the Drug Enforcement Administration, known as the DEA. Ross was found guilty of conspiracy to sell cocaine and sentenced to life in prison because it was his third strike, according to the article. On the other side of the country, Corey Pegues was selling crack in New York City. 'I started selling drugs at the age of 13 because I was just trying to eat and just stay fly,' he told Gothamist. 'There was nothing else to do but sell drugs. 'With the weed, we was making hundreds of dollars a day and crack - it just exploded. We started making hand over fist, thousands of dollars in a week. I had a shoebox full of money.' Pegues said in the Gothamist video that while he was buying jewelry and 'moving up,' his Queens community was 'coming down' due to the increased crime and murders. He was part of the Supreme Team, which he said was a notorious and heavy-handed gang that ran drugs in the 1980s. The police were being paid off to ignore the dealing, said Pegues, who later became a NYPD cop. 'Local police departments enabled the explosion of crack usage, and then took draconian measures to stop it,' Stanley Nelson, the documentary's director, said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Samson Styles, who is now a journalist and filmmaker, said: 'There was so much money flowing that it corrupted almost everyone.' The Australian government on Wednesday said it is bringing forward the expected rollout of its first coronavirus vaccine by two weeks to early March to ensure the health and safety of the people and frontline workers. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the national vaccination campaign will start earlier than expected. Weve been able to bring our vaccination commencement schedule forward from the middle of the year, to the second quarter, to late March and now to early March, and Im not ruling out further steps, the ABC News reported, quoting Hunt. Safety trumps everything and it is the governments priority to ensure that there was public confidence in any and all vaccines rolled out in Australia, he said. Hunt said the first doses of the vaccine would be delivered to frontline workers and those with exposure to international travellers, and that the medical advice on what order the vaccine would be delivered to other priority groups and the rest of the population was still being finalised. Its not a surprising approach, its a very common-sense of approach you simply follow the vulnerability and the risk of either transmission or the consequence of infection, he said. Australia has secured 10 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, apart from just under 54 million doses of the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, with 50 million doses being produced onshore by CSL in the state of Victoria, which has already started manufacturing doses. Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines still need to be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and expected to start inoculations in late March. Australia has so far recorded 28,791 Covid-19 cases and 909 deaths due to the disease. As he awaited a recent flight, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah faced heckling and chants of traitor from constituents frustrated with the Republicans commitment to the Constitution over President Donald Trump in the wake of ongoing GOP efforts to overturn the election, according to cellphone videos that went viral early Wednesday morning. GOP U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) confronted by Trump supporter in Utah airport. Note: Hemingway called courage grace under pressure. pic.twitter.com/D9jlSHCnwJ Mark Cavitt (@MarkCavitt) January 6, 2021 As he sat reading in an airport waiting area, Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 GOP presidential nominee, was approached by a woman recording video with a cellphone. The masked-up Romney, whose wife is at higher risk of COVID-19 transmission because she has multiple sclerosis, told the woman to put on her mask. Dont tell me what to do, she responded, noting she stood 6 feet away. Please put your mask on, its required by law in this airport, Romney said. The woman obliged, because, she said, she wanted to have a chat with the senator. Why arent you supporting President Trump? she asked. Romney responded that he does support the president. When the woman disagreed, Romney noted that he agrees with many of the things (Trumps) for and I support him in those things. The woman pressed the senator on whether he supported Trumps Republican allies objection to the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory, which Romney characterized as an attempt to overturn the election. No, Im not, he said. Pressed for a reason, Romney said, We have a Constitution. The Constitutions process is clear. Ive followed the Constitution. The video went viral early Wednesday morning, as Trump supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. and as more than 100 GOP members of Congress planned to forego whats historically a formality by forcing a debate and vote over Bidens decisive 306-232 Electoral College victory. Romney previously argued that while Trump has the right to challenge tight election results, there was no evidence of fraud or irregularities that would have changed the outcome of the race. Over the weekend, Romney called the move planned by Trump Republicans Wednesday an egregious ploy that may enhance the political ambition of some, but dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic. You didnt even support him in the election, the woman said. Romney, while reading a tablet device, said, No, I did not ... for reasons I explained at the time. You were voted in as a conservative to represent the conservative constituents, she claimed. After a sigh, Romney looked up and said, Actually, thats not how the Constitution works. As the woman persisted, Romney started to gather his things to leave the area. He reminded her that he worked for the people of Utah, and that she wasnt his only constituent. A man accompanying the woman told Romney that Trump is a juggernaut. Your legacy is nothing. Youre a joke, absolute joke, a disgusting shame, the woman added as Romney walked away. Later, in another moment filmed and shared widely over social media, the senator faced chants of traitor from a handful of pro-Trump passengers on a plane. Romney has urged the president to focus on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines instead of loopy conspiracy theories swirling around the election. Trump, whom Romney has called a phony in the past, has repeatedly alleged without evidence that widespread fraud stole the election from him. The congressional power to reject electors is reserved for the most extreme and unusual circumstances. These are far from it, Romney said in a recent statement. More Americans participated in this election than ever before, and they made their choice. President Trumps lawyers made their case before scores of courts; in every instance, they failed. The Justice Department found no evidence of irregularity sufficient to overturn the election. The Presidential Voter Fraud Commission disbanded without finding such evidence. Romney also critiqued Trump for calling on supporters to flock to the nations capital on Wednesday as Congress debated the Electoral College vote. As of Wednesday morning, a handful of protesters have been arrested on weapons and assault charges, according to the Washington Post. This has the predictable potential to lead to disruption, and worse, Romney argued. I could never have imagined seeing these things in the greatest democracy in the world. Has ambition so eclipsed principle? Related Content: New York, Jan 6 : The US Congress has launched the final stage of the confirmation of Joe Biden as the next President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President while President Donald Trump vowed he would "never concede" and his supporters in Congress prepared to challenge the electoral college votes. Before the Congress met on Wednesday, Trump addressed a rally of his supporters in Washington. "This year, they rigged an election. They rigged it like they've never rigged an election before," he told his supporters heightening tensions and setting the stage for the challenges inside Congress. Washington has activated the National Guard to help maintain law and order while many businesses have put wooden boards on their windows in case there is violence from the supporters and opponents of Trump who have massed. Vice President Mike Pence is presiding over the joint session of Congress called to count the votes of the electoral college which elected Biden and Harris last month and approve the tally to ensure the transfer of power on January 20. Pence has turned down Trump's requests to block the certifying of the electoral college's votes, saying in a statement before the session that he did not have the constitutional authority for it. Trump and his supporters have failed in over 50 cases they brought in courts at various levels alleging electoral fraud and they view this as the last chance to question the legitimacy of the election. The challenges from Trump's supporters are only meant to be symbolic and disruptive because the Democrats have a majority in the House of Representatives and although for now the Republicans have a majority in the Senate, the party's leaders in the body have refused to back Trump's supporters. After the votes by the different states are tallied at the joint session and objections are made, the House and Senate will meet separately discuss the objections. While the time allotted for the discussions is two hours in the House, the process could drag on if that time is allowed for each of the states for which objections have been made. The Senate can set its own time limits and formats for dealing with the objections. The joint session will reconvene after the two legislative bodies finish dealing with the objections to complete the process of certifying the electoral college votes. The US presidential elections are conducted indirectly with the voters electing members of the electoral college who would vote for president. Biden won 306 electoral college votes, in addition to getting 81.2 million popular votes to Trump's 232 electoral college votes and 74.2 million popular votes. Trump won the 2016 election by getting a majority in the electoral college, where the votes allocated to proportionately to states, despite Hillary Clinton getting more popular votes. The challenge to election is from a small group of Republican members of Congress led by Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Workforce Atlas can be used by any adult seeking to improve their quality of life with a new career path. "As millions of unemployed Americans are forced to seek new employment, they may need to gain additional skills or credentials in order to qualify for available, good paying jobs. Workforce Atlas can help them do exactly that.-Michele Diecuch, ProLiteracy Senior Program Director ProLiteracy, the largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the U.S., is pleased to announce that Workforce Atlas, its career pathways platform for lower-skilled adults, will be featured on the Behind the Scenes television show hosted by actor, Laurence Fishburne. Workforce Atlas is a free online career pathways platform that assesses a persons work interests and skills along with their literacy and numeracy levels. Once an adult completes the assessments, they are directed to recommended occupations, online resources, and local education providers that can help them achieve their education and career goals. ProLiteracy designed Workforce Atlas for adults with low reading, numeracy, or English-language skills, although it can be used by any adult seeking to improve their quality of life with a new career path. Behind the Scenes is an award-winning television program hosted by Laurence Fishburne that highlights the evolution of education, medicine, science, technology and industry through inspiring stories. The Behind the Scenes episode featuring Workforce Atlas will be distributed to public television channels across the U.S. in the month of January. Additionally, a national advertisement featuring ProLiteracy will be aired on Fox Business Network on January 7th and 10th. According to findings from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Survey of Adult Skills, there are 43 million adults in the United States with low literacy or English language skills. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the barriers faced by lower-skilled adults. Michele Diecuch, senior program director at ProLiteracy, says, Unfortunately, individuals with lower literacy levels were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Many of the industries hit especially hard employed a higher number of adults with lower literacy or English skills. Platforms such as Workforce Atlas are even more crucial now. As millions of unemployed Americans are forced to seek new employment, they may need to gain additional skills or credentials in order to qualify for available, good paying jobs. Workforce Atlas can help them do exactly that. ProLiteracy is a nonprofit organization that believes that every adult has a right to literacy. For more than 60 years it has been working with passionate people and organizations across the globe to create a world where every person can read and write. ProLiteracy president and CEO Kevin Morgan says, When adults learn how to read and write, or when non-native English speakers acquire English-language skills, they are more likely to lift themselves out of poverty, lower health care costs, and find and keep sustainable employment. The Behind the Scenes program featuring Workforce Atlas comes at a critical time to help low-skilled, out-of-work adults gain the skills needed to find employment and earn livable wages to support their families. About ProLiteracy ProLiteracy is the largest adult literacy and basic education nonprofit membership organization in the nation. ProLiteracy is the leader in adult literacy content development, programs, and advocacy for more than 60 years. ProLiteracy works with its member organizations to help adults gain the reading, writing, math, English, and digital skills they need to be successful. ProLiteracy advocates on behalf of adult learners and the programs that serve them, provides training and professional development, and publishes materials used in adult literacy and basic education instruction. ProLiteracy has 1,000 member programs in all 50 states, and works with 21 nongovernmental organizations in 35 developing countries. For more information, visit ProLiteracy.org. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes is an award-winning television program hosted by Laurence Fishburne that highlights the evolution of education, medicine, science, technology and industry through inspiring stories. The show specializes in short-form public television stories that highlight specific industries and topics around the world. The show features industry professionals and groundbreaking organizations. Behind the Scenes host Laurence Fishburne is an Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor. Sonora, CA Tuolumne County Public Health reports 18 new community COVID-19 cases and no additional inmate cases at the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) today. Two SCC inmates are hospitalized. One of the new community cases is hospitalized, the remaining individuals appear to be isolating at home, one person who had previously been released from isolation is now hospitalized for a total of four hospitalized. Nine individuals have been released from isolation according to public health officials. Tuolumne County has been approved for a traveling COVID-19 testing team to be shared with Mariposa and Calaveras Counties, and Yosemite National Park. At this time, a testing site is planned to be open at the Groveland Community Hall on Mondays and Tuolumne Memorial Hall on Thursdays from 7 AM to 7 PM. The sites are expected to begin operations late next week with the first day in Tuolumne on January 14th. Public health officials say they are awaiting confirmation of the start date in Groveland as the 18th is a holiday. Tuolumne site will also not be open on January 21st due to a location scheduling conflict. Appointments will be able to be scheduled at the same LHI website as the site at the fairgrounds and individuals can select the site location when making an appointment www.lhi.care/covidtesting and walk-ins will also be available. Blueprint data was updated today and Tuolumne County continues to meet the Purple Tier criteria, though the case rate (25.4) and test positivity rate (7.7%) but they note it has decreased a bit. Tuolumne is part of the San Joaquin Valley Region that as of today, Tuesday has 0% of normal ICU bed capacity is available and remains under the Stay at Home Order. View the regional and county-specific ICU statistics by visiting our updating COVID-19 Information page here. Todays community cases in Tuolumne County residents include 1 male and 3 females in their 20s, 1 male and 2 females in their 30s, 3 females in their 40s, 4 males and 1 female in their 50s, and 1 male and 2 females in their 60s. Tuolumne County has a total of 3,063 cases including 1,118 inmate cases. Total recovered community cases are listed as 1,791 and there are 132 active community cases. There are 261 active cases among the over 2,000 SCC inmates and no deaths. SCC also oversees over 800 inmates at 16 Conservation Camps throughout Central and Southern California. A total of 22 deaths of Tuolumne County residents have been attributed to COVID-19. Total tested 22,055. Vaccine distribution continues to individuals in Phase 1A including the second doses of vaccine for individuals who received their first dose several weeks ago in Tuolumne County. Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko provided the Board of Supervisors an update detailed here. Public health says they are reviewing those who have registered to volunteer through the California Disaster Healthcare Volunteers (DHV) and are asking any licensed clinical staff who are licensed out of state, and are interested in volunteering to assist with vaccinations to please email Health@tuolumnecounty.ca.us to discuss enrollment in DHV and licensing approvals. Mariposa County Public Health reports they are preparing to finish the Phase 1A tiers this week and they say phase 1B will include individuals 75+ years old, the workforce in education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture, those 65-74 years old with underlying health conditions and/or a disability, and workers in transportation and logistics; industrial, residential, and commercial sectors; critical manufacturing; incarcerated individuals; and homeless/unhoused. If you are having COVID-like symptoms, self-isolate and contact your healthcare provider or the Adventist Health Triage Line at 209-536-5166 Mon-Fri, or 209-536-5000 after hours. If you need immediate medical attention, please call ahead and go to Rapid Care or the Emergency Department. You can also visit www.valleycovidhelp.com for more information. The COVID-19 call center is open during normal office hours and people who have questions or concerns can call 209-533-7440 for information. County/Date Active New Cases (Total) % Countys Pop Hospital/ ICU (may include non-residents) Released (presumed Non-Infectious total) Deaths Est. County Pop. (Ave. Deaths All causes/mo.) Alpine 1/4 4 4 (71) 6.3% of pop. 1 1 (64) 0 1,117 (10*) Amador 1/5 168 15 (1,213) 3.2% of pop. 23 59 (1,023) 22 37,325 (30.5) Calaveras 1/5 128 45 (898) 2% of pop. 5 37 (748) 22 44,286 (30) Madera 1/5 2,819 206 (11,334) 7% of pop. 38 302 (8,387) 126 160,089 (73) Mariposa 1/5 54 10 (277) 1.5% of pop. 2 5 (219) 4 17,778 (11*) Merced 1/5 3,663 372 (20,774) 7.1% of pop. 52 349 (16,845) 266 287,420 (111.7) Mono 1/5 123 4 (669) 4.7% of pop. NA 68 (542) 4 13,961 (10*) San Joaquin 1/5 6,063 2,744 (49,306) 6.3% of pop. 224/87 913 (42,571) 672 782,545 (440) Stanislaus 1/5 3,528 184 (36,439) 6.4% of pop. 355/61 424 (32,273) 638 562,303 (419.6) Tuolumne 1/5 123 86 (3,045) 5.8% of pop. 2 77 (1,782) 22 52,353 (53.1) Public health officials relay it is very important for the public to remain vigilant about following recommended safety measures and business/activity guidelines in order to keep themselves and those around them safe and healthy. Those measures include: Practice physical distancing at all times. Keep 6 feet of space between yourself and others who arent part of your household bubble. Wearing a Face Covering in public. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently Avoid gatherings of any size with people who are not part of your household. Stay home if you are sick. Avoid unnecessary travel, and limit your outings to essential tasks. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer called out Nancy Pelosi for describing herself as a mother and grandmother in her Twitter bio - after helping pass a House ban on gender-related language. Spicer, who served a seven-month stint as President Donald Trump's first press secretary in 2017, waded back into the political fray on Instagram on Monday with his jab at House Speaker Pelosi. It came hours after the House passed new rules prohibiting gendered words - including mother and grandmother, which Pelosi uses to describe herself on Twitter. Spicer took a screengrab of the bio and circled the offending words, writing: 'Ut oh. Nancy Pelosi's twitter bio is in violation of her new House rules that prohibit gender specific terms.' Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer (left) called out Nancy Pelosi (right) for describing herself as a mother and grandmother in her Twitter bio after she helped pass a House ban on gender-related language Spicer took a screengrab of Pelosi's bio and circled the offending words, writing: 'Ut oh. Nancy Pelosi's twitter bio is in violation of her new House rules that prohibit gender specific terms' Contrary to Spicer's assertion, Pelosi's bio does not violate the new rules, which do not prohibit representatives from using gendered terms, but ordered for them to be removed from 'official' House language. But several commenters on Spicer's post said Pelosi's public use of the terms is hypocritical, given that the Democrat leader was part of the majority which approved the new rules on Monday in a 217-206 party-line vote. 'They made the rules, they brake the rules! [sic]' one person commented. 'Pelosi is just a bad punch line in a worse joke!' another added. 'What a joke and of course the rules do not apply to ol' Nancy,' a third person wrote with an eyeroll emoji. Democrats said the changes, which came just as a record number of LGBTQ lawmakers were sworn into Congress, are meant to 'honor all gender identities'. But they've faced significant push-back from critics who've called the changes frivolous at best and damaging at worst. Several commenters said Pelosi's public use of the terms is hypocritical, given that the Democrat leader was part of the majority which approved the new rules on Monday Pelosi introduced the new set of rules banning gendered terms in official House language on the floor on Monday (pictured). The measure was approved in a 217-206 party-line vote WHICH WORDS ARE CHANGING? The term seamen will be replaced with seafarers. Chairman will become chair. Terms for familial relationships such as mother, father, daughter, son, sister and brother will be swapped with terms such as parent, child and sibling. The phrase 'submit his or her resignation' will be replaced with 'resign.' The phrases 'he or she serves' and 'he or she holds' will be replaced with 'such Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner' serves or holds, respectively. The words himself and herself will be replaced with themself. Advertisement Former Democratic Rep Tulsi Gabbard led the outrage over the changes on Monday night, saying that the rules essentially ignore the very existence of women. 'It's the height of hypocrisy for people who claim to be the champions of rights for women to deny the biological existence of women,' the former Hawaii congresswoman told Tucker Carlson. 'This recent rule change at the House voted and passed on today removes references to mothers and fathers, bothers and sisters and sons and daughters from congressional rules and administration, it's mind blowing'. The new rules change 'seamen' to 'seafarers,' 'chairman' to 'chair' and 'submit his or her resignation' to 'resigns.' References to fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and in-laws are to be be changed to 'parent, child, sibling, spouse, or parent-in-law,' according to the resolution. Extended family members would be referred to as 'child's parent' instead of aunt or uncle, stepparents, and siblings-in-law. 'It shows how out of touch with reality and the struggles of every day Americans people in Congress are,' Gabbard said. 'Also as their first act, this new Congress could have been to make sure that elderly Americans are able to get the COVID vaccine now along side front line healthcare workers. 'Instead of doing something that could help save people's lives, they are choosing instead to say you can't say mother and father in this congressional language. It's astounding.' Former Democratic Rep Tulsi Gabbard voiced her outrage over the changes in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Monday night (pictured), saying that the rules essentially ignore the very existence of women Evidence of the new rules could already be heard during the opening prayer which saw the words 'Amen and A-woman' uttered by Rep Emanuel Cleaver. In the past, Congress operated under a binary rule that 'words importing one gender include the other as well'. 'Through months of consultation across our caucus and Congress, we have developed a rules package that makes the People's House more accountable and responsive to all Americans,' Pelosi wrote in a statement about the changes. The latest rules see a spectrum of gender identities being acknowledged as well as same-sex relationships. 'I don't know how to explain what they think. It defies common sense. There is a biological distinction between men and women and boys and girls. It defies basic science,' Gabbard said. Several GOP lawmakers previously denounced the proposed change, including Rep Kevin McCarthy from California, who called it 'stupid.' McCarthy previously supported the Defense of Marriage Act in 2011, which outlawed same-sex marriage. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Andersen Global strengthens its presence in Europe as Porto-based Curado, Nogueira & Associados (CNA), a collaborating firm since April 2018, becomes a member firm and adopts the Andersen name. For the past couple of years, our relationship with Andersen Global has been beneficial to our firms growth and development, CNA Partners and new Office Managing Partners of Andersen in Portugal, Teresa Nogueira and Luisa Curado said. We are excited to adopt the Andersen brand as it strengthens our capabilities globally and further demonstrates our commitment to providing clients with best-in-class solutions. Founded in 2005 by Luisa Curado, Teresa Nogueira and Carla Malhao, CNA provides legal services, domestic and foreign, with capabilities including business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, labor law, tax law, tax litigation, intellectual property law and public law. CNA joins Lisbon-based Andersen in Portugal, where Andersen Global has had a member firm since 2017. Jose Mota Soares, Office Managing Partner of Andersen in Portugal, added, It has been a pleasure working with like-minded individuals who are dedicated to serving clients at the highest level. Weve had positive synergy, and together, we will continue to build strong relationships with our clients locally and internationally. Teresa, Luisa and their team consistently demonstrate their commitment to their clients by providing best-in-class solutions, Andersen Global Chairman and Andersen CEO Mark Vorsatz said. The team in Porto already has established a strong working relationship with the Lisbon office. This integration reinforces their collaborative nature, and our organizations commitment to ensuring our clients are afforded a full suite of services in a seamless fashion across the globe. Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax and legal professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 6,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 227 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005280/en/ Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. MBABANE As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to infiltrate all corners, police officers have been ordered to start working in shifts. This is purportedly one of the precautionary measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus and encourage social distancing. The arrangement has already started in all Manzini Region stations. These are namely; Manzini, Matsapha, Malkerns, Mankayane, Sidvokodvo, Mafutseni, Mliba and Bhunya. It is expected that this arrangement will be introduced in all other police stations as proposals for such have been made, particularly in the Hhohho Region. According to officers of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), there has been a newly-effected seven-day shift system, which will see officers staying home for seven days, and then returning to work for seven days. In a communique from the regional police in Manzini, station commanders were advised to reorganise and align their station operational plans with regard to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. By so doing, station commanders are required to reduce the number of officers going to work at a time e.g. develop a shift system (other officers should remain at the camp on standby while others are at work), reads in part the memo. Precautions It was further articulated that the exercise must be implemented without undue delay and COVID-19 safety precautions must be adhered to. A police officer from Malkerns Police Station confirmed that they received the message yesterday in the morning before they reported for duty. We were told that we will work in a shift system with immediate effect and this will be on a seven-day basis. This means we will stay seven days at home and then resume duties after the said days, for seven days, the police officer explained. He disclosed that previously, they would stay in their camps for three days and then report for duty. When asked how practical the newly-introduced system would be, the officer said it was only good on paper. Officers of the law are required to be on the ground 24/7, and if we take more days away from work, then it means those reporting for duty will have more workload, the officer shared. He added that unlike employees in organisations, who worked with computers and laptops, their work was different in that it required them to be on the field and be visible. Nonetheless, the officer shared that only time would tell and they would see how it all went. On the other hand, an officer from Mankayane Police Station disclosed that they were informed yesterday about the new arrangement. The officer expressed his excitement on the new system, and mentioned that it would work well for them. We have been working so hard since the coronavirus pandemic started in March. This is much needed to give us some time to rest, the officer said. She highlighted that they had previously worked in shifts but they had not been granted many days. The member of the police service appreciated their superiors for the move. She said by the time they reported for duty, they would have been well-rested. A law enforcer from the Manzini Police Station also confirmed that they received communication to the effect that they would work in a shift system. She declared that this was a much needed system because it would mean they would get enough rest. We have been toiling since the pandemic started and some of us have contracted the virus in our line of work. It is only fair and good that the shift system is introduced because it will lessen chances of us contracting or spreading the virus, the police officer said. Another officer from Matsapha embraced the new system. He said it was in fact long overdue because more officers were found to have contracted the virus and this was a cause for concern. The officer mentioned that it was a move in the right direction and would surely help in containing the spread of the virus. However, another shared that their fears would be that criminals may take advantage of their invisibility, leading to increased cases of crime. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati did not divulge details on the matter. She said the communication was internal and was not for public discourse. Meanwhile, members of the public expressed concerns on the newly-effected system. Some questioned why the police were allowed to work in shifts yet ideally, they should be considered as frontline workers. National Best and Brightest 2020 Winners Logo Being recognized, not once, but twice in one year, as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to work for is no surprise. It is a testament to the amazing Pivot Point Consulting team, especially during a challenging 2020. Pivot Point Consulting, 2020 Best in KLAS Overall IT Services Firm and a healthcare IT consulting leader, announced today that is again among the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation (Winter 2020) for the seventh consecutive year, as well as in Nashville where the company is based. The 2020 Winter National and regional winning companies were assessed by an independent research firm which reviewed a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. Being recognized, not once, but twice in one year, as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to work for is no surprise. It is a testament to the amazing Pivot Point Consulting team, especially during a challenging 2020," said Rachel Marano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner. Every day in 2020 our team is focused not only on consistently delivering excellent quality to our clients, but also on being a great employer with a company culture dedicated to supporting consultants long-term success and whole well-being. We doubled down on initiatives that ensured our employees felt supported and connected during the time they needed it most. For us our formula is simple, happy consultants equal happy clients, and we are focused on both." Pivot Point Consulting supports healthcare IT leaders with managed services, mergers and acquisitions, data analytics, revenue cycle management, Electronic Health Record (EHR) and telehealth capabilities. "Through the second half of 2020, the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For have demonstrated leadership and forward-thinking as they pivoted their business and workforce through Covid-19. As the conversation and focus has shifted, our Best and Brightest winning companies have also been a voice for important actions regarding Race. It is in these unique times, the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For excel and share their knowledge with others," said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO, Best and Brightest Programs. With over 20 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has identified numerous best Human Resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards. The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For winners are not ranked. This year, the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation releases the results of the spring, summer, fall, and winter applications. The winter Best and Brightest National winners honored 88 winning organizations from across the country out of 830 nominations. The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation Winners will be honored during the virtual Illuminate Business Summit week in the spring of 2021 and featured in the online edition of Corp! Magazine. To view current job applications and to become part of an exciting work environment at Pivot Point Consulting, visit pivotpointconsulting.com/careers/ About Pivot Point Consulting Pivot Point Consulting, 2020 Best in KLAS: Overall IT Services Firm, enables healthcare organizations to realize the most value from their technology and data through our Advisory, Implementation, Optimization, Managed Services and Talent Solutions. We work with provider and payer organizations and have 450+ employees serving over 100 clients across the U.S. Pivot Point Consulting has earned multiple industry and workplace quality awards, including Best in KLAS: Overall IT Services Firm (2020), Top Three Best in KLAS for HIT Implementation and Support (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Highest Rated Vendor in KLAS Implementation Services in the Select Category (2017), #1 in KLAS for Epic Consulting in the Select Category (2016), #9 in Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work (2016). Practices: Epic, Community Connect, Cerner, Siemens, Allscripts, MEDITECH, McKesson, Centricity, eClinicalWorks, NextGen CPSI, MEDHOST, athenahealth, Greenway, Workday, Lawson/Infor, Peoplesoft, SAP, Kronos and Facets. For more information, visit us at pivotpointconsulting.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. About the Best and Brightest Programs The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole. There are numerous regional celebrations throughout the country, such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Charlotte, Denver, Seattle, Nashville, and Portland. Nominations are now being accepted for all programs. Visit thebestandbrightest.com to nominate your organization. Contact: Kim Warth, Amendola Communications, kwarth@acmarketingpr.com A radio frequency energy of radiation that includes microwaves likely caused American diplomats in China and Cuba to fall ill with neurological symptoms over the past four years, a report published Saturday finds. Why it matters: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's report does not attribute blame for the suspected attacks, but it notes there "was significant research in Russia/USSR into the effects of pulsed, rather than continuous wave [radio frequency] exposures." It also states that military personnel in "Eurasian communist countries" were exposed to non-thermal radiation. Driving the news: The State Department commissioned the report after government personnel and their families began falling ill at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, in late 2016 and the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China, in early 2017. There were reports of 40 State Department staff experiencing symptoms including ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties. "Many still continue to experience these or other health problems," the study authors note in a statement. Canada's government has confirmed 14 of its citizens also fell ill in Cuba's capital, in what became known as "Havana syndrome," the Ottawa Citizen notes. Of note: The report, first obtained by NBC News, recommends that the State Department act promptly to establish plans and protocols to enable future investigations if required. "The larger issue is preparedness for new and unknown threats that might compromise the health and safety of U.S. diplomats serving abroad," the report states. "The next event may be even more dispersed in time and place, and even more difficult to recognize quickly." For the record: Russia has denied it's behind the suspected attack, and CIA director Gina Haspel "has not concluded the Kremlin was responsible," but some Russia experts at the agency noted to the New York Times it fits with Moscow's "long history of experimenting with the technology." Mark Lenzi, a diplomatic security officer who fell ill with the symptoms when he was working in Guangzhou, China, in 2018, has filed a lawsuit against the State Department for disability discrimination. "My government looked the other way when they knew I and my family were injured, he told the NYT. "This report is just the beginning and when the American people know the full extent of this administrations cover-up of the radiofrequency attacks in China in particular they will be outraged." The Office of Special Counsel has launched two investigations into the State Department over the matter. What they're saying: The State Department said in an emailed statement, "We are pleased this report is now out and can add to the data and analyses that may help us come to an eventual conclusion as to what transpired." Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, who led bipartisan calls for the report to be released, said in a statement: "The health effects from these mysterious injuries have tormented those afflicted. Their illnesses and suffering are real and demand a response from Congress." "American public servants and their families who have been targeted have requested that Congress receive and review this report, so Im glad the State Department heeded our bipartisan call so we can get to work." Read the report, via DocumentCloud: RENEW Institute Director Amit Goyal elected Fellow of IEEE Goyals research has had a profound impact on the field of high-temperature superconductivity, both in fundamental materials science and in the transition of scientific discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace. BUFFALO, N.Y. Amit Goyal, an internationally recognized materials scientist and director of the University at Buffalos RENEW Institute, was elected Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a professional organization dedicated to advancing technology and fostering technological innovation for the benefit of humanity. The honor, effective Jan. 1, recognizes Goyal for contributions to high-temperature superconducting materials. The designation is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors upon scientists with an outstanding record of accomplishments in IEEE fields of interest. The total number selected in any one year cannot exceed one-tenth of 1 percent of the total voting membership. IEEE fellowship is the highest grade of membership and is recognized by the technical community as a prestigious honor and an important career achievement. In addition to leading UB RENEW (Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water), an interdisciplinary institute dedicated to research and education on globally pressing problems in energy, environment and water, Goyal is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and he has an adjunct appointment in the Department of Physics. Goyals research has had a profound impact on the field of high-temperature superconductivity, both in fundamental materials science and in the transition of scientific discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace. He was previously elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to the field of high-temperature superconductivity. His research innovations addressed the first holy grail of applied superconductivity fabricating long lengths of high-performance, single-crystal-like, flexible superconducting wires at a price/performance metric equivalent to that of copper wires. His work also addressed the second holy grail of applied superconductivity incorporating an array of non-superconducting, columnar defects within the wires for enhanced performance in high-applied magnetic fields. His numerous innovations are being used worldwide to fabricate long-lengths of superconducting wires for a wide range of transformative applications. In addition to IEEE, Goyal is an elected fellow of nine, diverse, professional societies for his research contributions and innovations in the field of materials science: the National Academy of Inventers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Materials Research Society, the American Physical Society, the American Society of Metals, the American Ceramic Society, the Institute of Physics, the World Innovation Foundation, and the World Technology Network. Goyal has authored or co-authored more than 350 technical publications, including 45 invited book chapters and papers, and has co-edited six books. He has given more than 25 plenary and keynote talks and more than 180 invited presentations at national and international conferences. He has 87 issued patents comprising 70 U.S. and 17 international patents, and more than 20 patents pending. He was the most cited author worldwide in the field of high-temperature superconductivity from 1999-2009. He has received numerous national and international accolades, including the U.S. Department of Energys Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award in the inaugural category of Energy Science and Innovation. The energy secretary bestows the award on behalf of the president of the United States. He was named the R&D Magazines Innovator of the Year in 2010 and received the 2012 World Technology Award in the category of Materials. Goyals other key honors include: Ten R&D 100 Awards (in 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2011, two in 2010, 2009, 2007, 1999), which are widely regarded as the Oscars of innovation; three national Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) awards for technology transfer; 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Indian Institute of Technology; the 2008 Nano50TM Innovator Award; the 2007 Pride of India Gold Award; University of Rochesters Distinguished Scholar Medal in 2007; the U.S. Department of Energy Exceptional Accomplishment Award in 2005; the UT-Battelle Inventor-of-the-Year Awards in 2005 and 1999; the 2005 Global Indus Technovator Award; in 2001, the Energy-100 Award for the finest 100 scientific accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Energy since it was formed in 1977; the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys (MIT) Technical Review TR100 Award; and the Lockheed-Martin NOVA Award for technical achievement in 1999. UB RENEW harnesses the expertise of more than 100 faculty in seven UB schools and colleges in a multidisciplinary effort towards convergence research, involving the faculties of the School of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Law, School of Management, School of Public Health and Health Professions, and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB. Goyal came to UB from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was a corporate fellow and distinguished scientist cited for pioneering research in the field of high-temperature superconductors, including fundamental materials science advances and technical innovations that enable commercialization. He was a Battelle Distinguished Inventor at UT-Battelle, the organization that administers the laboratory, and he was chair of the laboratorys corporate fellows council, which advises laboratory management on scientific and technological issues and opportunities. He is presently an emeritus corporate fellow and Battelle Distinguished Inventor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory/UT-Battelle. Additionally, Goyal is the founder and president of TapeSolar Inc., a private-equity funded solar photovoltaics company, and TexMat, an intellectual property holding and consulting company. He received a PhD in materials science and engineering from the University of Rochester in 1991, a masters of science in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Rochester in 1988 and a bachelor of technology in metallurgical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, in 1986. He also received an executive MBA from Purdue University and an international executive MBA from Tilburg University in The Netherlands, as well as executive business training from MITs Sloan School of Management. About IEEE The IEEE is the worlds leading professional association for advancing technology for humanity. Through its 400,000 plus members in 160 countries, the association is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement of technology, the IEEE publishes 30 percent of the worlds literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed more than 1300 active industry standards. The association also sponsors or co-sponsors nearly 1700 international technical conferences each year. For more information, visit www.ieee.org. World Food Program head warns of potential famines of 'biblical proportions' in 2021 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The head of the World Food Program believes that 2021 could see famines of biblical proportions as the economic struggles of COVID-19 may hamper global responses to food shortages caused by military conflicts, the rise of Islamic extremism and locust infestations. In an interview late last year with The Christian Post during a visit to Washington, D.C., WFP Executive Director David Beasley, a former Republican governor of South Carolina, expressed concern for the funding problems that could be in store for 2021. Despite receiving historic levels of funding and leading the food-assistance branch of the United Nations to a Nobel Peace Prize since he took the helm in April 2017, the 63-year-old Beasley warned the fiscal realities of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a decrease in funding at a time when as many as 270 million could be pushed to the brink of starvation. When I joined the WFP, the number of people on the brink of starvation versus general hunger was 80 million people, he explained. There is a technical term for that. But it was 80 million marchings toward starvation. That number spiked, went up to 135 million at the end of [2019] primarily because of manmade conflict, compounded on top of that with climate extremes and destabilized or fragile governments. On top of that, COVID comes and the number we anticipated based upon economic deterioration and because of COVID decisions is now 270 million people that are marching to the brink of starvation. Last April as governments worldwide were enacting policies to respond to the pandemic, Beasley told the U.N. Security Council that funding shortfalls caused by the pandemic could cause multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months. I think it could be much bigger. It depends on how you define biblical proportions, Beasley told CP. In the generic sense, 2021 is going to be catastrophic unless we receive extraordinary financial support. I made a comment back in late 2019 that 2020 was going to be the worst humanitarian year since World War II. I would lay out the reasons why. Then before 2020 hit, desert locusts came on top of that, and then COVID came into the scene. If we did not get the support we need and certain international actions were not taken, there would be famines of biblical proportions and destabilization and migration, he added. The international community responded very significantly in 2020. That has been very good and we have been able to avert famine this year. The director stressed that the problem for 2021 lies in the fact that government budgets for 2020 were largely set in 2019 based on strong economic indicators before the pandemic hit. WFP receives its funding in contributions from world governments as well as individual donations. In 2019, it assisted over 97 million people in 88 countries. With strong economic outlooks, great performance indicators, we had good budgeting, he said. That was good news. Then, COVID hits. The wealthy nations passed economic stimulus packages between $11 and $17 trillion worth economic stimulus packages to help jumpstart the economy and keep things going without having a major economic depression because of the lockdowns and shutdowns. Beasley said he was concerned by some of the decisions some governments were making in response to COVID. [L]eaders at that time were making decisions about COVID in a vacuum, not understanding the economic ripple effect when you just lock things down, without understanding the supply logistics and all these different dynamics, he said. You cannot make decisions about COVID in a vacuum. We have to work it together and we can minimize death and destabilization and migration. In November, Beasley met with U.S. lawmakers, White House and State Department officials about the global situation, saying that there is a lot of bad stuff out there right now. In spite of what you might read in the press about the U.S. backing down of its multilateral commitment, as to the World Food Program, the United States is stepping up in a big way, Beasley assured. When you turn on the television and read any news, it appears that the Republicans and Democrats are fighting over anything and everything. But when I come to town and ask to meet, they lay down their differences and their guns and they make peace on this issue. I call it the miracle because the Republicans and the Democrats come together. The former lawmaker said that Jesus used food as a weapon of peace in a lot of different contexts. We say we use food as a weapon of peace around the world and we have even used food in Washington, he said. If it works here, it will work everywhere. When Beasley took the job in 2017, the annual budget for the agency was about $5.9 billion, with just less than $2 billion coming from the U.S. According to Beasley, the WFP raised upwards of $8.4 billion in 2019, with about $3.5 billion coming from the U.S. I was also able to get funding up from Germany, the U.K. and others, he said. After assisting nearly 100 million people suffering from acute food insecurity and hunger in 2019, the WFP was the recipient of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and generate better conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas. According to The Norwegian Nobel Committee, the WFP acts as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict. Beasley recalled the day he was informed the WFP won the Nobel Prize. Very rarely am I speechless. That was one of the few moments, he said. I was in Niger that day. We had just been in the field out in a pretty rough area with extremist groups on all sides. We were working on access issues. When we dont have access, they use food as a weapon of recruitment. Somebody comes busting in the door and says We won! I was like, You got to be kidding me. As hunger is often used as a weapon of war, Beasley believes that we can end hunger" if we can end the wars." Another major driver of hunger in 2020 has been a record infestation of crop-destroying desert locusts across several countries in East Africa and the Middle East. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization warned last month that new locust swarms are already forming and threatening to re-invade northern Kenya while breeding is also underway on both sides of the Red Sea, posing a new threat to Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, and Yemen. We have done a lot of work and a lot of work to be done. There is a lot of distraction because of obvious things. We are making headway but we are not out of the woodwork yet, Beasley said of the WFPs locust response. COVID has really [delayed] that progress. All the money we were going to put into desert locusts, you can imagine, everyone is fighting for every dollar now. But the locusts are not resolved and the locusts are moving. With millions on the brink of starvation, Beasley cited the least of these passage from Matthew 25 to state that Jesus is making a clear point here. Every human being is made in the image of God. Every human being is created in the image of the Almighty, he said. But when we deny that human support and love, then we are denying the Almighty. I look at everybody being equal and everybody is the same. Everybody on Earth has a right to [eat]. The confirmation of bird flu in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala has alerted the Central government with Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying setting up a control room in New Delhi to take stock of the situation on a daily basis and assess the preventive and control measures undertaken by state authorities. "In view of a threat of a global outbreak of AI, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India had prepared an action plan in 2005 which was revised in 2006, 2012 , 2015 and 2021 for the guidance of State Government for prevention, control and containment of Avian Influenza in the country," the government said in a statement. "Following post-operation surveillance plan (POSP) after completion of Avian Influenza outbreak control in 2020 and containment operation at different epicentres, the country freedom from AI was declared w.e.f. September 30, 2020. In view of the past experience regarding the reports of the disease in the winter season, periodic advisories have been issued to all states/UTs before the commencement of winter for keeping necessary vigil, enhancing surveillance, keeping strategic reserves of supplies (PPE kits, etc.), preparedness to handle eventualities and IEC for public awareness," added the statement. The government noted that there is no direct evidence that bird flu can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. "Implementing management practices that incorporate biosecurity principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses," said the statement. Bird flu has been declared as a state-specific disaster in Kerala and a high alert has been issued after an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in certain parts of Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. In Himachal Pradesh, around 1,800 migratory birds, most of them bar-headed geese, have been found dead in the Pong Dam Lake sanctuary. In Rajasthan, deaths of more than 170 new birds were reported from some districts on Monday, taking the total fatalities in recent days to over 425. In Indore, 152 crows were found dead and bird flu was confirmed in 12 crows. An alert has been issued near Daily College in the city. A survey was conducted in the nearby areas. The Indore Zoo has also been put on high alert and medicines are being sprayed. James Comey, the former FBI director who was fired by Donald Trump, has said the president should not be charged after leaving the White House, no matter the evidence against him. President-elect Joe Bidens new attorney general should not pursue a criminal investigation of Donald Trump, Mr Comey wrote in his new book, portions of which were obtained by The Guardian. The Justice Department should not look into the former president no matter how compelling the roadmap left" by special counsel Robert Mueller, or how powerful the evidence strewn across his history of porn stars and financial fraud, Mr Comey continued. He added that the case to pursue an investigation against Mr Trump might be righteous in a vacuum but the mission of the next attorney general must be fostering the trust of the American people. Mr Comeys stance is a surprising one, given his vocal opposition of the president after he was abruptly fired in May 2017. Mr Comeys firing was investigated by Mr Mueller as part of his sweeping probe into Russian election interference and potential links between the 2016 Trump campaign and Moscow. The special counsel did not reach a conclusion on whether Mr Trump obstructed justice. While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him," Mr Mueller wrote. According to reports, Mr Trump has been considering pardoning himself before leaving office on 20 January. It is unclear if courts would determine the pardon as unconstitutional. Richard Nixon debated a self-pardon during the Watergate scandal. At the time, the Justice Department found that the pardon would be unconstitutional and go against the powers of a sitting president. President Gerald Ford ultimately pardoned Mr Nixon, even though the disgraced president was never charged with any crimes. By pardoning a resigned president, Ford had held [Nixon] accountable in a way that Trump would not be, even were he to be pardoned after losing re-election. That might not be enough accountability in Trumps case. Or it may be, especially if local prosecutors in New York charge Trump for a legacy of financial fraud, Mr Comey wrote. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Sitting presidents are unable to issue pardons for state crimes. Mr Trump is currently facing an investigation into his business dealings by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Mr Comey called for transparency from the federal government, no matter what was decided. Whether or not our next president pardons Donald Trump, and whether or not the Department of Justice pursues him, the American people should be told why, the former FBI director wrote. His latest book, Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency and Trust, will be released on 12 January. Officers walk outside the site where counter-terrorist police killed two suspected militants during a raid in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Jan. 6, 2021. Police in Indonesias South Sulawesi province shot dead two suspected Islamic militants Wednesday with alleged links to Indonesian suicide bombers who attacked a church in the southern Philippines in 2019, officials said. The suspects a man and his son-in-law were slain as they violently resisted arrest while officers moved in to take them and more than a dozen others into custody from a house in the provincial capital Makassar, the National Police said, initially identifying the two by their initials only. Two people identified as MRS, 46, and SA, 23, died because at the time of their arrest, both of them fought back using a machete and an air rifle, police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said in a statement. A police report seen by Benar News named the dead suspects as Mohammad Rizaldy S and Sanjai Azis. In his statement, Ramadan said they were members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an Indonesian militant group affiliated with Islamic State (IS). Police arrested 18 other JAD suspects during the raid, Ramadhan said, but declined to give details about them, saying police were investigating their roles in the group. The two slain suspects and their relatives had tried to travel to Syria to join Islamic State in 2016, but were stopped at the airport in Jakarta, according to Inspector General Merdisyam, the police chief of South Sulawesi. He said the pair was also tied to two Indonesians who carried out twin suicide bombings that killed 23 people at a church on Jolo, an island in the southern Philippines, in January 2019. The two Indonesian were counted among the dead. Married couple Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayani Saleh blew themselves up then at the church during a Sunday Mass service. More than 100 other people were injured in the blasts, according to Philippines authorities. They were the ones who sent money to the two suicide bombers at the church in Jolo, the Philippines, Merdisyam, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told a press conference. Police did not provide details on the alleged money transfers. Ramadhan said the two suspects who were killed Wednesday had also helped a fellow militant from South Sulawesi, Andi Baso, flee to the Philippines. Andi was a fugitive allegedly involved in a Molotov cocktail attack that targeted a church in the East Kalimantan city of Samarinda and killed a toddler. Three other children were injured in the explosion. Philippines authorities believe Andi died in a shootout with government troops in late August 2020. On Wednesday, officials with the Philippine militarys command for the Western Mindanao region in the south told BenarNews that they had not yet received official confirmation from authorities in Indonesia about the killings of the two JAD suspects. Policemen and soldiers stand outside a bomb-hit church in Jolo, southern Philippines, Jan. 27, 2019. [AFP] Makassar cell: Most active In Makassar, police had been monitoring the activities of the suspected members of the local JAD cell for some time, Merdisyam said. The two suspects and their group headquartered in the Villa Mutiara housing complex and who call themselves Anshar Daulah, along with hundreds of others declared allegiance to the caliphate or ISIS, Merdisyam said, using another acronym for IS. Since October last year, the group had held regular shooting and mountain-climbing exercises, he added. The Makassar branch of JAD is the most active among other JAD branches and has the strongest commitment to action both at home and abroad, Muhammad Taufiqurrohman, a senior researcher at the Center for Radicalism and Deradicalization Studies (PAKAR), an Indonesian think-tank, told BenarNews. Some of its members went to Poso to help MIT, but many were arrested by police, he said. He was referring to members of the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen group (MIT), a small pro-IS militant group, which has operated for years in Central Sulawesi province despite an ongoing joint manhunt for them by police and military personnel. According to PAKAR, the JAD group has branches in at least 13 Indonesian provinces. PAKAR estimates that JAD has fewer than 1,000 members. Taufiqurrahman said at present the group had no overall leader after Aman Abdurrahman, who founded JAD, was sentenced to death by a Jakarta court in 2018 for his role in a January 2016 terrorist attack in Jakarta and other strikes. Amans alleged successor, Zainal Anshori, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018. Abu Bakar Bashir In other news related to terrorism, Indonesian authorities are set to release radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir from prison on Friday, after his 15-year sentence on terror-linked charges was cut for good behavior. Bashir is the 82-year-old former spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian affiliate of the al-Qaeda global terror network that was blamed for Indonesias deadliest terrorist attack the Bali bombings that killed 202 people in 2002 and other bombings across Indonesia. Authorities never proved a link between Bashir and the Bali attacks of October 2002, but he was arrested in 2010 and a court found him guilty of helping fund a training camp for Islamic militants in Aceh province and inciting extremists to carry out attacks. Mohammad Mahfud MD, Indonesias coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, said the government had a mechanism for monitoring former convicts like Bashir. It is Abu Bakar Bashirs legal right to be freed because he has served his sentence in full, Mahfud told reporters Wednesday. Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Marissa Payne said that freeing Bashir would distress the families and friends of Australians who were killed in the Bali bombings. Eighty-eight Australians died in the attack more than 18 years ago. Australia has always called for those involved to face tough, proportionate and just sentences, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Payne as saying on Wednesday. Decisions on sentencing are matters for the Indonesian justice system and we respect Indonesias sovereignty and the independence of its judiciary, Payne said, adding, Our embassy in Jakarta has made clear our concerns that such individuals be prevented from further inciting others to carry out future attacks against innocent civilians. Alexandria Allen, 25, was arrested by Georgetown police on Monday and was charged with three counts of third-degree rape A former middle school substitute teacher in Kentucky has been charged with raping a former eighth-grade student that she tutored, according to an arrest report. Alexandria Allen, 25, was arrested by Georgetown police on Monday and was charged with three counts of third-degree rape. The victim was a former eighth-grade student at Spring Middle School, where Allen was formerly employed. An arrest warrant obtained by LEX 18 states that the teen's mother reported Allen to police last October when she found nude pictures and videos of the educator with her son on his cell phone. Allen was the boy's tutor at the time of their encounters. During a forensic interview with police, the teen told police that he had sex with the teacher. 'I was disgusted because you're supposed to be helping him, and she wasn't helping him at all,' the mother said at the time. The victim was a former eighth-grade student at Spring Middle School, where Allen was formerly employed The alleged rapes happened from March to October at three different locations, the arrest warrant states. One of those occurrences was said to have taken place at the Hilton Inn in Georgetown. Allen pleaded not guilty to the charges, via her lawyer. Her bond was set at $2500 and she was ordered to have no contact with the victim. The former educator is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on February 2nd. Additional charges could be filed. Asda Urges Britains Lockdown Shoppers Not to Stockpile British supermarket group Asda on Wednesday urged its customers to shop considerately and not buy more than usual after new lockdown curbs were introduced across Britain to stem the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Under Englands latest lockdown rules, people must stay at home with certain limited exceptions, only shops offering essentials such as food can open, and all hospitality venues including restaurants, apart from those offering take-away and delivery services, must close. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the UKs three devolved administrations, have enacted similar rules and, with the hospitality sector shut, theres pressure on supermarkets to meet demand. Asda, however, said in a statement that it currently has strong product availability across its stores and depots, adding that colleagues are working around the clock to keep the shelves stocked. Shop Considerately Asda asked customers not to stockpile but rather to play their part by continuing to shop considerately and not buy more than they normally would. The supermarkets request comes just a day after Ocados online shopping website had a virtual queue of more than 10,000 people, Sainsburys, to manage demand, temporarily limited access to online groceries services, and Morrisons online booking for grocery deliveries was showing no more slots available. Asda also said it saw a spike in visits to its website after the lockdown was announced. But its stepping up its digital capacity to help more customers shop online during the crisis. We have increased our weekly delivery slots to over 800,000, so were already far better prepared for sudden increases in demand than we were with the first and second spikes, a spokesperson for the group told The Epoch Times on Tuesday. The group said its online capacity had soared by 90 percent since March 2020 and that it expected weekly slots to reach 900,000 by April this year. It also said that, from February, it will double its partnering with Uber Eats to offer a fast 30-minute delivery service on 350 Asda-branded products provided by 200 of its stores. Asda is Britains third-largest supermarket group after market leaders Tesco and Sainsburys, and is currently owned by U.S. giant Walmart. However, in October the Issa brothers and private equity group TDR Capital agreed to buy a majority holding in Asda in a deal giving it an enterprise value of 6.5 billion ($8.8 billion). The deal, under which Walmart will keep a minority stake, requires regulatory approval and is expected to complete in the first half of 2021. Xiaofei Chen and Reuters contributed to this report. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Chinese technology tycoon Jack Ma's disappearing act has added a layer of intrigue to a calculated strike by the Chinese government to teach its homegrown technology star some humility. Having amassed a personal fortune of over $US50 billion ($65.5 billion) since the inception of Alibaba in 1999, Ma's vision has moved well beyond letting consumers, predominantly Chinese, buy things online and make payments. Ant Group, which saw its $US35 billion ($45 billion) IPO scuttled by Beijing, aspires to be a far more pervasive platform that offers myriad functions but also captures vast amounts of data. Jack Ma has fallen out with China's authorities. Credit:AP The form and function of Ant's technology platform is no different to that of Google, Facebook and Amazon.com. And just like its US "Big Tech" peers, Ant and its parent Alibaba, have become so dominant that regulatory action was inevitable. As it turns out, the necessary trigger came courtesy of Ma and his speech in late October last year at a high-profile financial forum in Shanghai, where the tech tycoon berated the Chinese banks for acting like pawn shops. In New York, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Northwell Health hospital led by the governors' close ally continued to get sued over medical liability despite New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo orders to government-controlled hospitals to halt litigating patients, and even after other major private hospitals in the state voluntarily followed and deferred lawsuits and suspending their claims. The Northwell Health chain of hospitals, the state's most extensive health system, has plowed thousands of lawsuits ahead even if it is run by one of Mr. Cuomo's closest partners. Records show that last year, the nonprofit Northwell sued more than 2,500 patients each sought an average of $1,700 in unpaid bills, plus large interest payments. It is a litigation flood even as the plague has led to extensive work losses and economic ambiguity. The Northwell lawsuits hit construction workers, grocery store employees, teachers, and others, including some who got sick themselves and had lost work in the COVID-19 pandemic. A 37 years old hotel worker in the state Carlos Castillo, said, "My salary was cut in half. I'm now working only two days a week. And now I have to deal with this." He was charged $4,043 after being hospitalized at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, a part of the Northwell system, with a seizure. Mr. Castillo said he was anxious that the hospital would take hold of his wages, leaving him inept to pay rent. On Tuesday morning, Northwell immediately announced it would stop taking legal action against patients during the Covid-19 pandemic and withdraw all legal claims filed in 2020. In recent years, medical debt claims across the nation have increasingly grown as health care costs have augmented and insurance firms have implemented larger deductibles and copayments, transferring more of the weight onto the insured. In court cases, Rarely are contested and typically lead to default judgments, permitting infirmaries to extract money by garnishing salaries and freezing accounts, even without the patient's knowledge. According to filings in courts research around the state, since March, about 50 other small New York hospitals located upstate have been pursuing claims through the courts with a total of 5,000 patients. Thus, Northwell had not been alone. Because of its connections to Mr. Cuomo and a sheer number of its lawsuits, Northwell stood out. NewYork-Presby'n and NYU Langone Health and other prominent New York City hospital systems mostly postponed complaints during the pandemic. It is uncertain when they might start prosecuting once more. The Northwell system received the stimulus emergency $1.2 billion funding package under the federal CARES Act last year. It operates 23 hospitals, including Lenox Hill Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and North Shore University Hospital. It brings about $12.5 billion in annual revenue, and records show, still sued over unpaid $700 small bills last year. Michael Dowling, Northwell's chief executive officer, was former Gov. Mario Cuomo's state health director and deputy secretary, the current governor's late father. For more than three decades, Dowling has been the younger Cuomo's close friend. Mr. Dowling has served as the governor's closest supporter in the hospital industry and all state's state hospitals' liaison during the pandemic. He delivered messages, led a council to increase hospitals' bed capacity, overseen patient transfers, set up meetings, and worked on antibody test results studies to identify hot spots for the virus with the state for Mr. Cuomo. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ever since the coronavirus pandemic started early last year, tons of conspiracy theories have been going around, and despite all of them getting debunked as soon as they gain popularity, conspiracy theorists still believe them. 'Confidential' Document of 'COVID-19 5G' Among the most common theories are that the 5G network causes COVID-19 and that the vaccine will include some kind of chip where well-known names such as Bill Gates could track us and even control our every move--and if you are to ask conspiracy theorists in Italy, they might have found a "confidential" document that could potentially "prove" the theories. The document looked sinister, allegedly showing the diagram of a 5G chip that has been inserted into the coronavirus vaccines. But as with every theory, this one was easily debunked, since it turns out that the "confidential" document was never a mind control chip, but instead, it's for a popular guitar pedal from the brand Boss. According to news.com.au, an Italian programmer by the name of Mario Fusco first spotted the schematic making its round online in Italy. Read More: Some COVID-19 Patients Mysteriously Developing Severe Psychiatric Symptoms What it Really Was Fusco was quick to share the "document" online on his Twitter account, saying that the figure has been going around Italy and people are claiming that it is a diagram of the 5G mind-control and/or tracking chip that is included in the vaccines. Here in Italy people started to share this figure claiming that this is the diagram of the 5G chip that has been inserted in the covid vaccine. In reality it is the electric circuit of a guitar pedal and I believe that putting it in the covid vaccine has been an excellent idea pic.twitter.com/qXKnv7VVly Mario Fusco (@mariofusco) December 28, 2020 Nevertheless, Fusco was also quick to catch on to the truth, debunking the theory and saying that it's in fact an electric circuit of a guitar pedal. "I believe that putting it in the covid vaccine has been an excellent idea," the programmer jokingly added. MusicTech, an online audio publication, has also caught onto the conspiracy, confirming that the figure was an altered schematic for a reworked Boss Metal Zone guitar pedal, which for those who are not familiar, is the tool musicians use to add distortion and effects to electric audio signals. The diagram making its way online has been edited to allude to "COVID-19 5G" and "5G frequency," but it appears like the people behind the conspiracy did not bother changing the musical terminology such as treble, bass, and volume. Pun-ny Response from Twitter As soon as Fusco's post went viral on Twitter, many shared the diagram, mocking the conspiracy complete with some guitar and music puns. "These people with their conspiracy theories are so tiresome, it's always 'wah-wah-wah,'" one Twitter user wrote, along with an image of a Boss AW-3 Dynamic Wah, and another saying, "Excellent. Reassured to know that 5G relies on op-amps and some 1n4148 diodes. Proper old school. None of that digital and microprocessor nonsense. I'll take one in each arm." The Boss Metal Zone was originally launched in 1991 and is one of the company's best-selling pedals, albeit often subject of inside jokes among the community since it's typically what beginners use. Although these conspiracy theories are rather funny, they can be quite dangerous, especially when people start believing them. For example, back in the early days of the pandemic when people believed 5G causes COVID-19, people began setting 5G towers on fire and even harassing employees of 5G telecom networks. Related Article: COVID-19 Vaccine Update: UK Rolls Out Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine, PM Issues New National Lockdown This article is owned by Tech Times Written by: Nhx Tingson 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In the 1980s, 'Freeway' Ricky Ross built a crack cocaine empire that extended from his Los Angeles base to over 40 cities around the country. 'I was one of the richest guys in LA,' Ross said in a new documentary. Reportedly a millionaire by 23, Ross was raking in so much cash about $900 million in today's money that he hired people to count it, according to a 2013 Esquire profile. Federal prosecutors said that Ross 'bought and resold three tons of cocaine,' between 1982 and 1989, according to the article. Ross was not the only one profiting off the highly addictive drug. In New York City, Corey Pegues made money 'hand over fist' when he dealt crack. 'We went from making a hundred dollars a day to thousands of dollars a day. I was in it for money, clothes, jewelry and girls,' he recalled in the film. Samson Styles started dealing in high school and said they were street capitalists that didn't care about anything but making money. 'This is like a gold rush. It was a gold rush that hit the hood.' Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy, which premieres January 11 on Netflix, examines the 1980s when crack cocaine use exploded across the United States. Director Stanley Nelson lived through the crack era in New York City. 'I vividly remember the long lines of cars waiting for dealers; people standing in doorways smoking crack; streets littered with crack vials. Crack transformed the city and the entire country, leaving devastation in its wake especially in Black and Latinx communities,' he said in a statement. In the 1980s, 'Freeway' Ricky Ross built a crack cocaine empire that extended from his Los Angeles base to over 40 cities around the country, according to federal prosecutors. 'I was one of the richest guys in LA,' Ross, above, said in a new documentary, Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy, which premieres on Netflix on January 11. Reportedly a millionaire by 23, Ross was raking in so much cash about $900 million in today's money that he hired people to count it, according to a 2013 Esquire profile. Federal prosecutors said that Ross 'bought and resold three tons of cocaine,' between 1982 and 1989, according to the article 'We went from making a hundred dollars a day to thousands of dollars a day. I was in it for money, clothes, jewelry and girls,' Corey Pegues recalled in the documentary. Pegue is seen above in St. Albans, a neighborhood in Queens, in the mid-1980s. He told Gothamist: 'I started selling drugs at the age of 13 because I was just trying to eat and just stay fly. There was nothing else to do but sell drugs.' He later on became a NYPD police officer Samson Styles, above, said he was in high school when he started dealing crack. A friend introduced him to the drug and gave him a pack of 100 vials to get started. He recalled he sold it in 20 to 30 minutes and that he might have made a few hundred dollars. 'I can make money quick,' he said. 'When crack came along, it was like, yo, this is it right here. This is what we were waiting for. This is like a gold rush. It was a gold rush that hit the hood' In the 1970s and into the next decade, cocaine in its white powder form was the 'social drug of the elite': the stimulant that kept the party going at fashionable hotspots like Studio 54. In the early 1980s, the amount of cocaine coming into the United States increased by 50 percent and the price of the drug fell, according to the documentary. Crack is cocaine mixed with water and another agent, usually baking soda, which once cooled after being 'cooked' is broken into 'rocks,' which then are smoked. Crack was cheaper and sold for $5 or $10 a hit. Ricky Donnell Ross was born in 1960 and moved to South Central when he was three. He lived near the 110 Freeway - a highway in Los Angeles - and that is how he got his nickname, according to the Esquire profile. 'Ross wasn't the first to deal crack - a mass-produced form of what others were calling freebase. Crack was documented by UCLA researchers as early as 1974 in the San Francisco area,' Mike Sager wrote in his profile of Ross. 'I wasn't a Crip or a Blood. I was the man with the dope and the opportunity,' Ross, who was referring to two LA gangs, told Sager. His connection for the cocaine was Oscar Danilo Blandon, who fled Nicaragua in 1979 when a left-wing political party called the Sandinista National Liberation Front took over his native country's government, according to news reports. In the 1980s, several sources told the Associated Press that the US-backed Contras were involved in cocaine smuggling, Brian Barger, a journalist who worked on the story, said in the documentary. A 1996 San Jose Mercury News investigation linked Blandon to a man reportedly hired by the CIA and the bombshell report fueled the conspiracy that the agency had allegedly allowed the drug to spread in African American communities. Money from crack cocaine was supposedly then channeled to the Contras, who were looking to wrest control of Nicaragua from the Sandinistas. In the 1980s, defeating communism during the Cold War was a top priority for the Reagan administration. The three-part series, Dark Alliance, remains controversial to this day. Outrage over the idea that the CIA had turned a blind eye to the destructive drug surging in the country spurred four investigations. Gary Webb, the investigative journalist who wrote the series, later died by suicide. In the documentary, Ross said a million dollars passed through his hand every day and he would make anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000 off a million dollar deal. He bought a motel, theater, junkyard, shoe store, body shop and beauty salon. 'I made selling drugs fashionable,' he said, adding that 15 to 20 men around him were also millionaires after he taught them. Director Stanley Nelson lived through the crack era in New York City. 'I vividly remember the long lines of cars waiting for dealers; people standing in doorways smoking crack; streets littered with crack vials. Crack transformed the city and the entire country, leaving devastation in its wake especially in Black and Latinx communities,' he said in a statement. The documentary pointed out there was widespread use of the drug among all demographics and that addiction crossed socioeconomic lines. Above, people buying drugs during the 1980s 'I wanted to make this film because I feel strongly that the impact of the crack era hasn't been fully scrutinized. Crack fueled racial and economic inequality, hyper-aggressive policing, mass incarceration, and government corruption at the highest level,' said Nelson, the director. Above, graffiti that reads 'crack kills' in New York City 'Freeway' Ricky Ross connection for the Columbian cocaine was Oscar Danilo Blandon, who fled Nicaragua in 1979 when a left-wing political party called the Sandinista National Liberation Front took over his native country's government, according to news reports. A 1996 San Jose Mercury News investigation linked Blandon to man reportedly hired by the CIA and the bombshell report fueled the conspiracy that the agency had allegedly allowed the drug to spread in African American communities. Above, confiscated crack and money from a dealer in South Florida Money from selling crack was supposedly then channeled to the US-backed Contras, who were looking to wrest control of Nicaragua from the socialist Sandinistas. In the 1980s, defeating communism during the Cold War was a top priority for the Reagan administration. The three-part series, Dark Alliance, remains controversial to this day. Outrage over the idea that the CIA had turned a blind eye to the destructive drug surging in the country spurred four investigations. Above, a man lights a crack pipe in New York City in 1988 Ross wasn't flashy. 'For a long time, the Freeway Rick Task Force - a squad of hardened drug cops from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department dedicated to his capture - actually had no idea what he looked like,' according to the Esquire profile. He was eventually arrested in 1988, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and started serving his mandatory ten-year sentence in 1990. After cooperating with the government, his sentence was reduced and he was out after serving almost five years. But Blandon, his connection, pulled him back in with a deal, which was actually a sting set up by the Drug Enforcement Administration, known as the DEA. Ross was found guilty of conspiracy to sell cocaine and sentenced to life in prison because it was his third strike, according to the article. On the other side of the country, Corey Pegues was selling crack in New York City. 'I started selling drugs at the age of 13 because I was just trying to eat and just stay fly,' he told Gothamist. 'There was nothing else to do but sell drugs. 'With the weed, we was making hundreds of dollars a day and crack - it just exploded. We started making hand over fist, thousands of dollars in a week. I had a shoebox full of money.' Pegues said in the Gothamist video that while he was buying jewelry and 'moving up,' his Queens community was 'coming down' due to the increased crime and murders. He was part of the Supreme Team, which he said was a notorious and heavy-handed gang that ran drugs in the 1980s. The police were being paid off to ignore the dealing, said Pegues, who later became a NYPD cop. 'Local police departments enabled the explosion of crack usage, and then took draconian measures to stop it,' Stanley Nelson, the documentary's director, said in a statement. Samson Styles, who is now a journalist and filmmaker, said: 'There was so much money flowing that it corrupted almost everyone.' Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 WASHINGTON - Pentagon leaders are bracing for any renewed presidential attempts to employ the military for political ends, as President Donald Trump takes increasingly aggressive steps to overturn his electoral defeat, and unarmed National Guardsmen prepare for pro-Trump protests in Washington on the day Congress is set to certify the election results. Top Pentagon officials, in answering a request by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, to deploy National Guardsmen in the nation's capital in advance of Wednesday's protests, emphasized that the Guard wouldn't carry firearms, use armored vehicles or helicopters, or receive backup from units in other states - a far more muted presence than in June after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. The careful posture reflects the Pentagon's wariness in the final days of a presidency during which Trump has tested the norms of a politically impartial military. It also comes after all 10 living former U.S. defense secretaries published a joint open letter warning that the military shouldn't play a role in determining the election outcome or interrupt a peaceful transition. Concerns that Trump may reach for the military to retain power as he enters the final chapter of resistance to the election's result have grown sharper in recent days, partly after his former national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, floated a declaration of martial law and a "rerun" of the election overseen by the military in a mid-December Oval Office meeting - a suggestion Flynn also has made publicly in the media. Trump, meanwhile, pressured Georgia's secretary of state to "find" 11,780 votes he needs to win the state. "It's the fear that you are not dealing with someone who recognizes any responsibility to the Constitution. His only responsibility, from this president's point of view, is to himself," former defense secretary Leon Panetta said in an interview, when asked about the rationale for the letter. "When you operate on that basis, there's no holds barred as to what a president may do. It is that scenario that scares the hell out of people in terms of the future of our democracy." Current and former top officials said they believe the Pentagon brass has considered the possibility that Trump will issue a legally questionable order as part of his gambit to overturn the election results and prevent President-elect Joe Biden from entering the White House. A senior U.S. official said Tuesday that the Pentagon senior leadership - civilian and military - will not obey an unlawful order from the president to use the military to his own political ends. These leaders likely would resign before following an unlawful order, the senior official said, adding, however, "I think it's unfair to assume that the president would issue an unlawful order." But Trump's effort to overturn the election results has been so norm-shattering that senior Pentagon officials are being forced to consider the possibility of receiving orders that previously would have been unthinkable from a sitting U.S. president. "In a real way, generals are paid to worry about everything. So while I really don't expect the military to be asked to do anything truly questionable, it's always best to expect the unexpected and prepare accordingly. My bet is that they have their lawyers at the ready," said Charlie Dunlap, a retired Air Force major general and executive director of the Center on Law, Ethics and National Security at Duke University. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly flouted norms governing presidential interactions with the military, signing his ban on travel from majority-Muslim nations at the Pentagon, diverting Pentagon funds to pay for his border wall, treating troop events like campaign rallies and intervening in military justice matters. Some of his orders to the Pentagon, such as the holdup of congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine and the diversion of military funds to construct the border wall, have later been deemed illegal. Peter Feaver, a scholar of civil-military relations and a colleague of Dunlap's at Duke, said current Pentagon leaders were better prepared to handle any attempts to pull them into the transition because of the events of June 2020, when Trump sought to use expansive military force to put down widespread protests over police violence against Black citizens. Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, argued behind the scenes against invoking the Insurrection Act to allow Trump to employ active-duty troops in the nation's capital. But they came under intense criticism over public statements and appearances that seemed to support Trump's heavy-handed response to civilians in the streets, which included the use of tear gas and rubber pellets to disperse protesters near the White House before Trump posed for photos with a Bible in front of St. John's Church. In the subsequent months, officials have tightened procedures for employing the National Guard in an effort to reduce the likelihood of the White House calling in active-duty forces, and senior officials have repeatedly affirmed the military's duty to remain loyal to the Constitution rather to any individual and decline any illegal orders. They have also studied relevant laws and assembled the capability to track civil unrest across the country to better prepare them for possible White House requests. The senior U.S. official said the military leadership had learned from what happened last June. "Everyone has got a lot of scar tissue and a lot of PTSD from the domestic unrest of the summer" and does not want a repeat, the official said. On Wednesday, the official said, the Pentagon hopes to make clear that the Guard is only serving as "traffic control" without guns, military vehicles or helicopters to aid the local police in Washington and steer clear of flashpoint areas. "We've learned our lessons and will be absolutely nowhere near the Capitol Building," the senior U.S. official said, adding: "We don't want to send the wrong message. This is allowing the police to be able to do their jobs." Still, U.S. law grants broad powers to the commander in chief, particularly if the president finds reason to declare a state of emergency, as Trump did on the southern border to divert Pentagon funding to his border wall project. And Trump retains the power to relieve senior officials at will. "Things like the Insurrection Act and the general authorities of the president as commander in chief - there is room here for a president to abuse his responsibility in this area," Panetta said. "I think all of us can argue that the military has absolutely no role in determining elections, or for that matter in doing what law enforcement is responsible for doing in this country." Pentagon leaders have also sought to keep a mostly low profile on political issues. When Esper, who was fired by Trump in November, traveled overseas in the months before the election, he remained tightly focused in public comments on security matters, even as his diplomatic counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, appeared at the Republican National Convention and freely made political remarks. After Flynn suggested declaring martial law and using the military to "rerun" the election, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Gen. James McConville, the Army chief of staff, issued a stark response: "There is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election." Feaver said he believed that senior officials, including Milley and acting defense secretary Christopher Miller, were right to remain mostly silent on political-related matters, if only because speaking out might provoke an unwanted action from Trump. "Right now the president is focusing his attention on other things, and so if they were too prominent in the public, they would attract the Eye of Sauron in a way that would not be helpful," Feaver said. How Miller might respond to a request from Trump is unclear. A retired Army colonel, Miller comes from the secretive worlds of counterterrorism and Special Operations, and his policy views are largely unknown. Trump tapped him as acting Pentagon chief after falling out with Esper, who had objected to using active-duty military on U.S. streets in June. Retired Adm. James Stavridis, who served as supreme allied commander of NATO, said that while the former defense secretaries' appeal was remarkable, current defense leaders needed to speak out, too. "What is needed is more clear guidance from the most senior levels in the Pentagon," he said in an email to The Washington Post, singling out Miller. "The Acting SECDEF in particular should issue a direct statement echoing what [Milley], Secretary of the Army, and Chief of Staff of the Army have all said: there is no role for the military in resolving any election controversies." The events in June served as a wake-up call to many top officials at the Pentagon and in Congress about Trump's willingness to reach for the military to advance his personal and political interests. In the most recent defense policy bill, Congress passed a law requiring all federal troops or law enforcement officers to wear uniforms showing their names and agencies, after federal agents under the Justice Department deployed this summer without insignia. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who worked on the law, sent a letter Tuesday to the heads of the Defense Department, the Army and the Justice Department reminding them of the requirement. "I have faith that our military chain of command will not stand in the way of a peaceful transition of power," Murphy said Tuesday in an interview. "But there certainly is a risk that the president is going to put the military chain of command in the uncomfortable position of refusing to blockade Joe Biden from entering the White House." Murphy added, "It's not good for democracy if they are in a position where they have to refuse the commander in chief." Former defense secretary William Perry, one of the ex-Pentagon bosses who signed the letter this week, said the joint statement was meant to stiffen the resolve of Pentagon leaders should Trump order them in any way to help him retain power. "I know that our military is very disciplined, but they also have been trained to obey orders, and the two civilians who can order them are the secretary of defense or the president," Perry said. "I believe there could be real ambiguity in the minds of the military in what was legal and what was not legal, especially if the order is coming from the president," Perry added in an interview. Military law to a large degree incentivizes personnel to obey orders, which poses a dilemma when the lawfulness of an order is difficult to determine. Dunlap said the law allows military subordinates to presume an order to be lawful unless it is patently illegal - and "simply because an order is unwise or ill-considered doesn't make it illegal." Murphy said there is "a lot less ambiguity around military intervention in the transfer of power from one president to another than there is in other kinds of orders from the president with questionable legal backing." "Trump is not terribly good at subtlety," Murphy added, suggesting any order in this regard might not fall into a gray area. "I think he is more likely to ask them to do something blatantly unconstitutional." An image of Cyanobacteria, Tolypothrix. Credit: Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 Step into your new, microscopic time machine. Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered that a type of single-celled organism living in modern-day oceans may have a lot in common with life forms that existed billions of years agoand that fundamentally transformed the planet. The new research, which will appear Jan. 6 in the journal Science Advances, is the latest to probe the lives of what may be nature's hardest working microbes: cyanobacteria. These single-celled, photosynthetic organisms, also known as "blue-green algae," can be found in almost any large body of water today. But more than 2 billion years ago, they took on an extra important role in the history of life on Earth: During a period known as the "Great Oxygenation Event," ancient cyanobacteria produced a sudden, and dramatic, surge in oxygen gas. "We see this total shift in the chemistry of the oceans and the atmosphere, which changed the evolution of life, as well," said study lead author Sarah Hurley, a postdoctoral research associate in the departments of Geological Sciences and Biochemistry. "Today, all higher animals need oxygen to survive." To date, scientists still don't know what these foundational microbes might have looked like, where they lived or what triggered their transformation of the globe. But Hurley and her colleagues think they might have gotten closer to an answer by drawing on studies of naturally-occurring and genetically-engineered cyanobacteria. The team reports that these ancient microbes may have floated freely in an open ocean and resembled a modern form of life called beta-cyanobacteria. Studying them, the researchers said, offers a window into a time when single-celled organisms ruled the Earth. "This research gave us the unique opportunity to form and test hypotheses of what the ancient Earth might have looked like, and what these ancient organisms could have been," said co-author Jeffrey Cameron, an assistant professor of biochemistry. Take a breath You can still make the case that cyanobacteria rule the planet. Hurley noted that these organisms currently produce about a quarter of the oxygen that comes from the world's oceans. One secret to their success may lie in carboxysomesor tiny, protein-lined compartments that float inside all living cyanobacteria. These pockets are critical to the lives of these organisms, allowing them to concentrate molecules of carbon dioxide within their cells. "Being able to concentrate carbon allows cyanobacteria to live at what are, in the context of Earth's history, really low carbon dioxide concentrations," Hurley said. Before the Great Oxidation Event, it was a different story. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere may have been as much as 100 times what they are today, and oxygen was almost nonexistent. For that reason, many scientists long assumed that ancient microorganisms didn't need carboxysomes for concentrating carbon dioxide. "Cyanobacteria have persisted in some form over two billion years of Earth's history," she said. "They could have been really different than today's cyanobacteria." To find out how similar they were, the researchers cultured jars filled with bright-green cyanobacteria under conditions resembling those on Earth 2 billion years ago. Hurley explained that different types of cyanobacteria prefer to digest different forms, or "isotopes," of carbon atoms. As a result, when they grow, die and decompose, the organisms leave behind varying chemical signatures in ancient sedimentary rocks. "We think that cyanobacteria were around billions of years ago," she said. "Now, we can get at what they were doing and where they were living at that time because we have a record of their metabolism." Resurrecting zombie microbes In particular, the team studied two different types of cyanobacteria. They included beta-cyanobacteria, which are common in the oceans today. But the researchers also added a new twist to the study. They attempted to bring an ancient cyanobacterium back from the dead. Hurley and her colleagues used genetic engineering to design a special type of microorganism that didn't have any carboxysomes. Think of it like a zombie cyanobacterium. "We had the ability to do what was essentially a physiological resurrection in the lab," said Boswell Wing, a study coauthor and associate professor of geological sciences. But when the researchers studied the metabolism of their cultures, they found something surprising: Their zombie cyanobacterium didn't seem to produce a chemical signature that aligned with the carbon isotope signatures that scientists had previously seen in the rock record. In fact, the best fit for those ancient signals were likely beta-cyanobacteriastill very much alive today. The team, in other words, appears to have stumbled on a living fossil that was hiding in plain sight. And, they said, it's clear that cyanobacteria living around the time of the Great Oxygenation Event did have a structure akin to a carboxysome. This structure may have helped cells to protect themselves from growing concentrations of oxygen in the air. "That modern organisms could resemble these ancient cyanobacteriathat was really counterintuitive," Wing said. Scientists, they note, now have a much better idea of what ancient cyanobacteria looked like and where they lived. And that means that they can begin running experiments to dig deeper into what life was like in the 2 billion-year-old ocean. "Here is hard evidence from the geological record and a model organism that can shed new light on life on ancient Earth," Cameron said. Explore further Marine cyanobacteria do not survive solely on photosynthesis More information: "Carbon isotope evidence for the global physiology of Proterozoic cyanobacteria" Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances "Carbon isotope evidence for the global physiology of Proterozoic cyanobacteria"(2021). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup .1126/sciadv.abc8998 The Cabinet has signed off on new lockdown measures which will see schools closed and construction halted until at least the end of the month. The new Covid-19 restrictions aimed at reducing the movement of people around the country include closing primary and secondary schools until January 31. However, Leaving Cert students will be asked to return to school next Monday for three days of classes a week. Read More In a statement this afternoon, the Taoiseach said that "already exhausted healthcare workers" are now facing a "tsunami of infections" worse than the first wave, and it is this reason why further restrictions must be rolled out. "As of now 3,679 people across our island have lost their lives to the disease. Hospitals across this island and continent are under siege from the disease," Mr Martin said. The Taoiseach says we now have an even more infectious variant of coronavirus in our midst, pointing out UK research indicates the new strain of Covid-19 increases the R number between 0.4 and 0.7. "This can lead to growth way beyond worst case scenarios." Mr Martin said Ireland is "in a battle with a deadly and ever-changing virus" and if the people of Ireland don't face the next few months with determination and a steely resolve, "unfortunately many more people will die". "The lockdown we are introducing today is due to this stark reality. Unless you are engaging in essential work, you have no reason to be away from your home and you simply must stay at home. Mr Martin said the Irish people have risen to all the challenges that have presented themselves and said "we may now be entering the most challenging phase of all." Personal responsibility and behaviour are the key to getting through this, the Taoiseach said. "We now have a vaccine and are distributing it as quick as we get it, and we welcome the news of the Moderna vaccine also being authorised today." The Taoiseach issues a stark warning to the public: "Please believe me when I tell you, enormous damage can be done if we let our guard down in any way in the time ahead." Schools The Taoiseach confirmed all schools must remain closed with teaching to move online, with two exemptions: special education schools should remain open and Leaving Cert students should attend school three days a week from January 11. "This is a very difficult decision," Mr Martin said. The Taoiseach noted the "heroic work" the school and childcare community have done in the last year, and said while all scientific evidence points to schools still being safe, "the spread of the virus has got to the point where we must simply stop as much mobility in the country as we possibly can for at least three weeks." Mr Martin said that Leaving Cert students deserve the chance to sit a traditional Leaving Cert this year and said, "government are committed to doing all in its power to ensuring this can happen." Last year, exams were cancelled and teachers were forced to grade students on their past performances. There is also concern in government that Leaving Cert students missed out on a significant amount fifth year classes last year. Education Minister Norma Foley said that the education sector is making this "generous gesture" of closing down, as it recognises the need for society to be less mobile, noting there are over one million people involved in the education community in Ireland. Read More Minister Foley said she is very conscious of the importance of delivering the traditional Leaving Cert exam in June and says the department have been planning for this "for a while". Ms Foley said she is "confident" that the "generosity of heart and spirit" in the education sector will make it possible for sixth year students to attend schools three days per week as planned, with remote learning in place for the other two days. She added it was "with students' best interests in mind" that it was agreed upon to keep Leaving Cert students in school, in response to to an INTO statement calling the decision to keep special education schools open as "rushed and reckless". Construction Non-essential construction will be stopped from Friday at 6pm. However, essential work on health projects, schools and social housing will continue. However, essential work on health projects, schools and social housing will continue. "All construction, with a number of exemptions, must cease until at least January 31 and a full list of exemptions will be published on Gov.ie," the Taoiseach said. Non-essential retailers will be asked to suspend click and collect services. Childcare services Meanwhile, childcare services, including regulated childminders can continue for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children only. Other existing childcare arrangements for these groups can also continue. Essential workers can also form bubbles with another household for the purpose of minding children. Youth outreach services are also to remain open during the lockdown. The Taoiseach said the government will work to make childcare available to children of essential workers but also "to children who have very difficult home lives." Tanaiste: 'It is getting worse' Tanaiste Leo Varadkar confirmed that 6,800 swabs have tested positive in Irish labs in the last 24 hours, with a positivity rate of 25pc. "This is bad, it is getting worse and we are only beginning to see the impact on our hospitals," Mr Varadkar said. The Tanaiste predicts Ireland are facing into "what is going to be a really dark January". A third wave that is in danger of being worse than the first. Hospitals that weren't overwhelmed in the first wave, are in "serious danger of being overwhelmed" in this new wave, Mr Varadkar said. Ireland is better prepared for this wave, Mr Varadkar insisted, with more equipment, better treatments and greater knowledge of the virus, "but none of this stops people from getting the virus in the first place". He said the hope is that 60,000 people will be vaccinated each week in February when the Moderna vaccine comes onstream and said it could grow to much more than this when the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine is approved. Mr Varadkar said that by the end of March, government hope to have all nursing home residents and staff, all healthcare workers, the elderly and chronically ill vaccinated. "Until then, we have to slow the virus down, so we can get the vaccine to them before the virus does," Mr Varadkar said. "January is the month we all stay in," Mr Varadkar concludes. Businesses and PUP The Tanaiste acknowledged the effect the new restrictions will have on people, saying: "More people will be laid off, more furloughed, many businesses will shut and some for the last time". He confirmed that the PUP will remain as it is at current rates until at least March 31 of this year. The Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme will also continue, as will the payment to businesses that are currently closed. Mr Varadkar anticipates up to 500,000 people will be in receipt of the PUP due to the new sets of restrictions rendering construction and other sectors closed. Government are meeting with banks in an attempt to secure further mortgage breaks for people who need them and also for a delay on loan repayments for those unable to meet them, the Tanaiste said. Travel Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that visitors from the UK will require a negative test result from a PCR Covid-19 test dated within 72 hours of arrival to gain entry to the country. He said failure to produce this negative test could result in a 2,500 fine or six months' imprisonment. Mr Ryan confirmed this will remain in place until January 31 and will be reviewed. He said cabinet will work in the coming weeks to institute such a system for all countries designated as red zone countries, which is almost all of Europe. He says there has been a 90pc reduction in international travel over the last nine months, a higher number than most European counterparts. Minister Ryan said that all arrivals into Irish airports will have to produce a negative test result with their passport, and all arrivals into Irish ports must do the same to a member of An Garda Siochana. Read More Online Editors [January 06, 2021] Teleperformance Earns First Best Place to Work Certification in Madagascar Regulatory News: Teleperformance (News - Alert) (Paris:TEP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, announced today its Madagascar operations received the prestigious Best Places to Work (BPTW) award for the first time. Highlights of the BPTW recognition include 70% employee survey participation rates and strong scores for all eight critical evaluation areas. The BPTW certification in Madagascar is particularly significant with the world still engulfed in the Covid-19 pandemic which has caused significant worldwide employment challenges and disruptions. Best Places to Work is a leading third-party expert on top employer-of-choice workplaces. BPTW uses a rigorous assessment methodology and a framework which reflects the very latest in workplace trends. Top employer workplace factors include eight separate critical dimensions: leadership, HR practices, compensation, benefits, teamwork & relationships, employee engagement, workplace & procedures and corporate social responsibility. David Debydeal, COO, Teleperformance Madagascar, commented: "We are very proud of this independent Best Place to Work certification which is based on comprehesnsive third party audits of our operations and culture including anonymous employee surveys that grade us as an employer. 70% of our workforce particpated in this process - the successful result reflects on our constant focus of listening, supporting and staying close to our people. We could not have achieved this without great cooperation and total teamwork." With a top global priority of employee well-being, twenty 27 separate Teleperformance country operations including Madagascar are currently independently recognized as top employers by third party evaluators: Albania, Argentina, Brazi, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kosovo, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. This represents more than 85% of the worldwide Teleperformance workforce. Teleperformance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Julien, said: "Despite lingering challenges from 2020, we are in the beginning of a new year filled with renewed hope and optimism for the entire world. If we learned only one thing from the past year, it is that people matter now more than ever; our total success is based on the consistency of people helping people. At Teleperformance, more than 85% of our global workforce of 331,000 people now work in independently certified top employer operations. We remain totally committed to being a global employer of choice for each and every employee everywhere we operate." ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE GROUP Teleperformance (TEP - ISIN: FR0000051807 - Reuters (News - Alert) : TEPRF.PA - Bloomberg: TEP FP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, serves as a strategic partner to the world's largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model combining three wide, high-value solution families: customer experience management, back-office services and business process knowledge services. These end-to-end digital solutions guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high tech, high touch approach. The Group's 331,000 employees, based in 80 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process. This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2019, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 5,355 million (US$ 6 billion, based on 1 = $1.12) and net profit of 400 million. Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, CAC Support Services, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350 and MSCI Global Standard. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares have been included in the Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 index since 2015, the FTSE4Good index since 2018 and also the Ethibel Sustainability Excellence Europe index (confirmed in 2019). For more information: www.teleperformance.com Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @teleperformance View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005590/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Get ready for a new way to cast audio to Samsung soundbars, with the manufacturer announcing that Apples AirPlay 2 protocol is slated to arrive in its 2021 soundbar lineup. Also coming soon from Samsung: built-in room calibration and a high-end, 11.1.4-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos support. Interested in Samsung's TV news? Click here. During an online, pre-CES presentation on Wednesday, Samsung announced that AirPlay 2 support is coming to select Samsung 2021 soundbar models, perfect for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users looking to cast audio from their devices. Built-in Alexa, which Samsung first introduced in its 2020 soundbar lineup, will carry over into Samsungs higher-end 2021 soundbars. Also new for Samsungs 2021 Q-series soundbars will be room calibration, although its a feature that will only be supported if you pair your soundbar with one of Samsungs Q-series TVs. The Q-Calibration feature detects the acoustics of the room using a small microphone in the center of the TV, which then sends the data down to the soundbar so it can adjust its audio clarity and surround effects. Separately, some Samsung 2021 soundbars will be getting a Space EQ feature that fine-tunes the soundbars bass response with help from a microphone built into the subwoofer. Samsung Samsung is adding AirPlay 2 support and room calibration to select models of its 2021 soundbars. Besides support for AirPlay 2 and room calibration, Samsung also said it would release a top-of-the-line Q-series soundbar with a whopping 11.1.4 channels, or two channels more than Samsungs current high-end soundbar, the 9.1.4-channel HT-Q950T. The HW-Q950A will arrive with a 7.1.2-channel main soundbar unit (including two height channels for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content) and a 4.0.2-channel wireless speaker package, with the surround speakers equipped with side-firing drivers in addition to the standard front- and up-firing drivers. Samsung didnt reveal a release date or pricing for the upcoming 11.1.4-channel soundbar, although given the initial $1,800 price tag for the 9.1.4-channel HT-Q950T (later reduced to $1,600), itll be pricey. Samsung also announced a 2.0.2 add-on wireless surround kit for select Q-series soundbars, good for adding true surround sound to Samsung soundbars that lack wireless surround speakers. Among the Samsung 2021 soundbars that will be compatible with the wireless surround kit is the upcoming HW-Q800A, a 3.1.2-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Other new Samsung soundbar features include an Active Voice Amplifier, which detects changes in the ambient noise and boosts the dialog channel to compensate, while a Bass Boost feature kicks up the soundbars low-frequency effects by 2dB. Also, Samsung is pledging to increase the wattage of its new entry-level soundbars by 90 watts or more. Finally, Samsungs Q-Symphony feature, which allows Q-series soundbars to work in unison with the speakers of a Q-series Samsung TV, will work with additional Samsung TVs this year, including the A80A, Q70A, A60A, and AU8000 lines. Don't miss Samsung's TV news: Click here. Source: Reuters Tokyo's had a record 1,591 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, local media reported, as Japan braces for a new state of emergency for the greater metropolitan area. Rising infections have driven the Tokyo and surrounding areas to the highest level of a four-stage alert, prompting regional governors to urge for a declaration of emergency that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to announce on Thursday. The health ministry held a meeting of infectious disease experts on Wednesday, the second in as many days. They have called for stricter and longer countermeasures, while Suga has sought a more limited response to avoid damaging the economy. Follow our LIVE blog for latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic "Even if we take strong measures immediately, it will be difficult to bring the Tokyo metropolitan area down to stage 3 by the end of January," Takaji Wakita, chief of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, told reporters after the meeting. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Without new measures, daily infections in Tokyo could nearly triple to 3,500 per day by February and hit 7,000 by March, according to simulations by Kyoto University scientist Hiroshi Nishiura. An emergency declaration would need to last at least two months to bring infections to manageable levels, he said. Nationwide, COVID-19 infections reached a daily record of 4,915 yesterday, while deaths were also an all-time high of 76. The government's top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, said a decision would likely come on Thursday on whether to impose the second state of emergency since the start of the pandemic. Japanese media said it would take effect by Friday and last about a month. The government is anxious about the economic impact of another state of emergency as it prepares to host the Olympics this summer. Tokyo and the three surrounding prefectures have asked residents to refrain from non-essential, non-urgent outings after 8 pm from Friday until at least the end of the month, and said restaurants must close by that time. But measures are likely to be far less sweeping than they were during last year's roughly month-long state of emergency, during which schools and non-essential businesses shut down, as the government seeks to keep economic damage to a minimum. A second lockdown in and around Japan's capital could cause the economy to contract in the first quarter of this year, analysts said. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here Advertisement Commuters continued to head into work today after regulations enforcing England's third national lockdown came into force overnight amid spiralling coronavirus cases. Transport for London and Network Rail are now urging people to only travel by train for 'legally permitted reasons' such as work or education, in a toughening of language that previously called for 'essential travel'. Traffic congestion levels in London were just over 20 per cent during rush hour this morning, roughly in line with the first two days of the week, although still well down on the average 2019 levels of up to 67 per cent. Yesterday, on the first day of the third national lockdown for England, TfL revealed London Underground journeys were at just 18 per cent of normal levels and bus journeys were at 30 per cent of usual. This was compared to the start of the second lockdown last November which saw the Tube fall to 31 per cent and the bus drop to 50 per cent. The first lockdown last March saw usage drop below 10 per cent on Tubes and buses. Commuters wait for a train while others walk along the platform at Canning Town station in East London this morning Commuters wait for the doors to close on a Jubilee line train at Canning Town London Underground station this morning Passengers stand while others sit on board a Jubilee line train on London Underground this morning Analysis shows the third lockdown has had a much bigger impact on travel in London than the second lockdown, but nowhere near the plunge caused by the first lockdown Empty streets in Leeds city centre this morning on the second day of the third national lockdown for England A very quiet London Waterloo train station during rush hour this morning as only a limited number of commuters travel in Hardly anyone is seen on the concourse at London Waterloo station this morning on the first day of lockdown becoming law Commuters walk down steps while others stand on an escalator at Canning Town station on the London Underground today Hardly anyone is seen on the concourse at London Paddington station this morning as people stay at home An escalator leading to the Bakerloo line platform at London Paddington station is empty of passengers this morning Only a few people can be seen on a Bakerloo line train on the London Underground at Paddington station this morning The data compiled by BBC News therefore shows that the third lockdown has had a much bigger impact on travel in London than the second lockdown, but nowhere near the plunge caused by the first lockdown. Data from TomTom for traffic congestion in London showed levels at 7am today were at 22 per cent today, which was the same as yesterday and up from 18 per cent on Monday, but down from the 53 per cent average in 2019. Public face police checks if spotted away from home during lockdown, Scotland Yard warns People could be stopped by police to explain why they are away from home during the latest coronavirus lockdown, senior officers have warned. The Metropolitan Police said the public should expect officers to be more 'inquisitive' about why they are 'out and about' during England's third national lockdown. Londoners breaching Covid legislation 'are increasingly likely to face fines', the force said in a statement, adding: 'Londoners can expect officers to be more inquisitive as to why they see them out and about. 'Where officers identify people without a lawful reason to be away from home they can expect officers to move more quickly to enforcement.' The news comes after the force's police federation chairman Ken Marsh said the latest lockdown would put 'a lot of pressure' on officers in the capital as their numbers were already reduced while 1,300 were off sick or self-isolating. Although officers will still apply the '4 Es' approach - engaging, explaining, encouraging and then enforcing - Scotland Yard said it had issued 'refreshed instructions' to hand out fines 'more quickly to anyone committing obvious, wilful and serious breaches' like those attending or organising parties or other large illegal gatherings. People not wearing masks when they should be 'and without good reason' can also expected to be 'fined - not reasoned with', the force warned. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, who leads the Met's response to the Covid pandemic, said: 'After 10 months of this pandemic the number of people who are genuinely not aware of the restrictions and the reasons they are in place is vanishingly small. 'We know the overwhelming majority of Londoners will do the right thing by staying at home, wearing masks and not gathering, but a small minority continue to ignore rules put in place to protect the NHS and save lives.' He warned that officers were 'ready to act robustly' if people 'continue to break the rules, putting themselves, their families and their communities at greater risk', adding: 'Action now by everyone will help reduce the time our capital must live with these restrictions and, crucially, will prevent more people from dying needlessly because of this virus. It's up to us all to do the right thing.' Advertisement At 8am today the figure was 23 per cent, which was again the same as yesterday and up from 19 per cent on Monday, but down from a 67 per cent average in 2019. The 9am figure was 21 per cent today. Today, MPs will return to Westminster to vote on regulations enforcing England's third lockdown as the Commons was recalled from its Christmas recess for the second time to debate and retrospectively vote on the measures. After announcing the measures on Monday night, Boris Johnson will update MPs on the new controls - which include the closure of schools to most pupils and a return to the stay at home order - before a vote due in the evening. The measures are expected to pass with ease, with Labour set to support the motion. It comes as the World Health Organisation said it would not recommend witholding the second vaccine dose for up to 12 weeks as the UK is. It is instead suggesting the interval should be between three and four weeks. Meanwhile, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will outline a package of support for young people after GCSE and A-level exams were scrapped. The regulations enforcing a lockdown in England came into effect at 00.01 on Wednesday, as new figures suggested one in 50 people had coronavirus last week. Data from the Office for National Statistics suggested 1.1 million people in private households in England had Covid-19 between December 27 and January 2. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said people must take the 'stay at home' rules seriously as he warned that the country faced a 'really serious emergency'. His comments came as the number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK topped 60,000 for the first time, while a further 830 people died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday. But in a sign of progress, the Prime Minister said that more than 1.3 million people have been vaccinated against the virus across the UK so far, including 23 per cent of all the over-80s in England. Prof Whitty, speaking alongside Mr Johnson at a Downing Street press conference yesterday evening, said the vaccine timetable was 'realistic but not easy', and that the NHS would have to use 'multiple channels' to get it out. But questions have been raised over the roll-out, with a pharmacy chief questioning why the NHS is 'scrabbling around' for vaccinators when his industry was offering to help. Simon Dukes, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Negotiating Services Committee, told The Telegraph: 'Rather than scrabbling around trying to find retired GPs and nurses and anyone who has possibly dated skills, you've got an army of thousands of pharmacists up and down the country who administer the flu jab every winter. 'We've been telling the NHS that we're ready, willing and desperate to help. But we've been met by a de facto silence.' Meanwhile The Times reported that two million doses of the Pfizer vaccines held back for boosters would be distributed in the next fortnight. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the Government to use the lockdown to create a 'round-the-clock' vaccination scheme in order to end 'this nightmare'. Traffic congestion levels in London were just over 20 per cent during rush hour this morning (shown far right above), roughly in line with the first two days of the week, although still well down on the average 2019 levels of up to 67 per cent Traffic on the M3 motorway near Longcross in Surrey this morning after Boris Johnson ordered the new national lockdown Traffic on the M3 motorway near Longcross in Surrey today with people now only able to leave home for limited reasons Empty pavements outside Selfridges department store on Oxford Street in London's West End this morning Hardly anyone is to be seen on the streets of central Leeds this morning on the second day of the national lockdown Empty streets in Leeds this morning as the West Yorkshire city remains very quiet on the second day of the national lockdown Crawley town centre in West Sussex is empty this morning as people stay at home due to the third national lockdown Shops are shut and streets are empty in Crawley town centre this morning as the coronavirus pandemic continues Traffic is very quiet on the A38 Devon Expressway outside Plymouth in Devon today A man walks along a nearly-deserted Bromsgrove Street in Birmingham city centre during the new lockdown today Deserted Digbeth Coach Station in Birmingham city centre is pictured today during the new national lockdown measures A man walks across Sherlock Street in Birmingham city centre during new national lockdown measures today An almost deserted Bradford Street in Birmingham city centre today during new national lockdown measures In a televised response to Mr Johnson's statement, Sir Keir also confirmed he would back the new restrictions in the Commons vote today. In other developments, Mr Johnson announced that the Government would be 'bringing in measures to ensure that we test people coming into this country and prevent the virus from being readmitted'. And he declined to guarantee that all children would be back in school before the summer holidays but said he is full of 'optimism and fundamental hope' that things will be different in the spring. He told the briefing that he had 'no choice' but to plunge England into a third national lockdown in light of the figures, with the number of people in hospital with the virus in England higher than ever. The latest data from NHS England showed there were 26,467 Covid-19 patients in hospital as of 8am yesterday - a week-on-week increase of 21 per cent. In London, the number stood at a record 6,816 patients, up 27 per cent in a week. The streets of Cheltenham are quiet this morning as people continue to stay at home in the Gloucestershire town Hardly anyone is to be seen in central Cheltenham this morning after the third national lockdown was brought in A pedestrian in York looks inside a shops as stores are temporarily closed due to current coronavirus restrictions Pedestrians, some wearing face masks, walk along The Shambles in York this morning as the third lockdown continues Two women wearing a face mask sit and talk on a bench in York this morning on the second day of the new national lockdown Pedestrians walk past shops in York today which have been temporarily closed due to current coronavirus restrictions A pedestrian walks past York Minister in the North Yorkshire city this morning on the second day of the new national lockdown A pedestrian walks past shops and restaurants in York today which have been closed due to coronavirus restrictions Traders set up their fruit and vegetable stall on an almost deserted market square in York this morning Streets across Bristol appear empty today, on the day that England's third national lockdown came into force under law Empty streets in Bristol city centre today as England's third national lockdown gets underway Hardly anyone is to be seen in Bristol today which appears empty on the first day of England's third national lockdown Streets across Bristol appear empty today on the first day of England's third national lockdown Walkers on the final stretch to the summit of Mam Tor near Castleton in Derbyshire today Professor Whitty said that because of the spike in people being admitted to hospital there will 'inevitably' be an increase in the number of coronavirus deaths later this month. And he told the press conference: 'If we did not do all the things all of us must now do, if people don't take the stay at home seriously, the risk at this point in time, in the middle of winter with this new variant, is extraordinarily high.' He said the risk level will gradually decrease over time with measures being 'lifted by degrees possibly at different rates in different parts of the country, we'll have to see', but said some restrictions may have to be introduced again next winter. All of the UK is now under stringent coronavirus restrictions. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon imposed a lockdown on Scotland for the rest of January, with a legal requirement to stay at home and schools closed to most pupils until February. Schools and colleges in Wales will also remain closed until at least January 18 and move to online learning. And in Northern Ireland - which is already under a six-week lockdown - 'stay at home' restrictions will be brought back into law and a period of remote learning for schoolchildren will be extended. The United States has blacklisted 16 companies and an individual linked to Iran's metals industry as part of continued efforts by the outgoing administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to deprive the country of revenue. The U.S. Treasury said late on January 5 that it was targeting the Iranian metals sector because it is an "important revenue source" for the Iranian leadership, "generating wealth for its corrupt leaders and financing a range of nefarious activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for foreign terrorist groups, and a variety of human rights abuses, at home and abroad." Under the sanctions, the targeted entities and individuals assets that fall under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. persons are generally barred from dealing with them. "The Trump administration remains committed to denying revenue flowing to the Iranian regime as it continues to sponsor terrorist groups, support oppressive regimes, and seek weapons of mass destruction," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement announcing the new sanctions two weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials. The U.S. Treasury Department named Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Materials Technology, a China-based company that it said makes elements for steel production and provided thousands of metric tons of materials to Iranian steel companies between December 2019 and June 2020. Among the 12 targeted Iranian companies are the Pasargad Steel Complex and the Gilan Steel Complex Three foreign-based sales agents of an Iranian metals and mining holding company were also targeted, along with an executive officer of a sanctioned shipping company. In May 2019, the United States first announced sanctions targeting Iran's steel, aluminum, copper, and iron sectors -- all key sources of revenue for the country. The Trump administration has vowed to continue its maximum-pressure campaign on Iran before Bidens inauguration on January 20. The sanctions are the latest in the wake of Trump's 2018 decision to withdraw unilaterally from an international nuclear deal under which Tehran committed to limit its nuclear activities in return for relief from economic sanctions. The president has argued the 2015 agreement did not go far enough and said economic pressure will force Tehran to end its nuclear program and to stop supporting terrorists. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. In response to the U.S. pullout, Iran has gradually breached parts of the accord. All Star Minerals Plc ("All Star" or the "Company") Corporate Update All Star, an investing Company listed on the AQUIS Stock Exchange is pleased to provide shareholders with the following corporate update. The past six months has seen a period of significant change at the Company, with the appointment of Ian Harebottle as interim CEO, Richard Lloyd as Non-executive Director and Graham Mascall as Non-executive Chairman. The Company announced on 10 September 2020, that it was reviewing a number of potential investment opportunities, including various gemstone assets in Africa, where the recently appointed directors have significant experience and expertise. Africa continues to abound in its untapped mineral resources which, when combined with the upside potential offered via the effective production, distribution, sales, and marketing of coloured gemstones, supports thorough investigation of all such opportunities. Especially so when considering the sector's overall lack of leadership, and the All Star management team's track record. The directors confirm that the Company is continuing to review investment opportunities in this sector and following the completion of a high-level investment appraisal will provide shareholders with a further update in due course. In the event that an investment agreement is entered into, the directors anticipate that any consideration would be satisfied principally through the issue of new ordinary shares in the Company. The Company will also seek to further strengthen its balance sheet by raising additional funds. Following the fundraise of 280,000 completed in June 2020, the Company continues to prudently manage its working capital position. As announced on 24 September 2020 the Company has thus far applied the proceeds of the fundraise to improve its balance sheet and to provide a stable operating platform in order to allow the Company to fulfil its investment objectives. There is no certainty that any of the investments under review will complete. The Directors of All Star are responsible for the content of this announcement. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014, and has been arranged for release by Ian Harebottle, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Enquiries: All Star Minerals Plc Ian Harebottle Interim CEO Via Cairn Financial AQSE Corporate Adviser: Cairn Financial Advisers LLP Liam Murray 020 7213 0880 Even at the height of Victoria's hard lockdown, when daily infection numbers soared past 700 and the state's contact tracing system was overwhelmed, most people were still allowed to leave if they lived interstate. Queensland and NSW were bundling Victorians back into planes and giving chase to their runaway cars as borders were sealed against the southern outbreak, but if your home was up north, you could return to it you just had to quarantine. But now Victorians cannot return to their own homes from NSW where 196 cases of local transmission have been diagnosed since December 16 and Western Australians cannot go home from NSW or Victoria, where there are currently 41 active cases. While both states have offered the fig leaf of exemptions on compassionate grounds or exceptional circumstances, the decision by these two states over Christmas and New Year to shut out their own residents has stranded thousands of Australians in internal exile with no end date. Gujarat: More than 1,000 mucormycosis patients admitted in hospitals in four cities Gujarat schools to reopen for classes 10, 12 and colleges from Jan 11 India oi-Madhuri Adnal Ahmedabad, Jan 06: Gujarat too announced reopening of schools for Class 10 and 12 students and colleges for those in final year from January 11. The decision was taken in the state's cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. "Classes for students of 10 and 12 standard will resume from 11 January, following all COVID-19 guidelines," said Gujarat education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama. Punjab to reopen schools for students of classes 5 to 12 from tomorrow However, attendance will be voluntary while online classes will continue till the year end. Schools and other educational institutions have remained shut in the state since March, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the coronavirus caseload in Gujarat rose to 2,48,581 with 655 new cases coming to light on Tuesday, the state health department said. Four patients succumbed to the viral infection which took the death toll to 4,325, the department said in its release. The daily spike in cases in Gujarat has witnessed a steady decline over the last few weeksand the state''s recoveryrate has now improved to 94.71 per cent, saidthe department. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 16:21 [IST] New Delhi, Jan 6 : Home Minister Amit Shah has taken a big step forward to protect the development and language and culture of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The minister has decided to constitute a committee panel headed by Minister of State for home G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday. The committee will also address the problems of the UT, with the participation of local residents in the development of Ladakh. In fact, a delegation from Ladakh met Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and discussed issues related to the Union territory. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Modi government has resolved to protect the development of Ladakh and its land and culture and the government has shown its commitment to meet the demands of the Union territory of Ladakh that had been kept pending for decades. In a meeting chaired by Home Minister Shah, it was decided to constitute a panel headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy. The committee will work for preservation and propagation of the language, culture and land of Ladakh through participation of the people of Ladakh. The committee will comprise nominees from the delegation that met the Home Minister, elected representatives from Ladakh, members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and ex-officio members of government of India and the Ladakh administration. Three relatively new players on the Charleston-area supermarket scene are expected to expand or open their first venues in the new year. Low-cost competitors Aldi and Lidl and newcomer Opie plan to open new grocery stores over the coming months. Drive-thru concept Opie is the furthest along and is under construction on U.S. Highway 17 just south of Mount Pleasant Towne Centre and across from Olive Branch AME Church. The store could open by the spring, according to an email from a company representative. Hiring is expected to begin soon. In North Charleston, low-cost grocer Lidl plans to add a second Lowcountry store off Dorchester Road. The nearly 30,000-square-foot supermarket will be built on a 3.3-acre wooded parcel on the edge of Cedar Grove Apartments, directly across from Trump Street off Dorchester Road. On either side of the proposed Lidl site, new commercial development is planned on an undeveloped, nearly mile-long parcel abutting Dorchester Road between Riverbluff Parkway and extending west of Cannondale Drive. The city approved a plan in December 2019 to rezone the 65-acre tract as a planned development that would include retail, restaurants and a grocery store. The Lidl site is within that parcel. The new store will be slightly smaller than the 36,170-square-foot supermarket Lidl opened in Goose Creek in 2017. An opening date has not been announced and construction has not begun. Also in the works is the recently announced addition of a fifth Aldi supermarket in the Charleston area. The no-frills store, a direct competitor of Lidl, has leased space in a retail strip center at 205 St. James Ave. in Goose Creek currently occupied by a couple of other tenants. A hair supply store and a flooring shop currently occupy space in the retail center. It's unclear where they will move to once Aldi begins renovating the building. An Aldi representative said the store should open in early 2022 about a mile or so east of the rival Lidl store. Aldi's four other stores in the area include two in Summerville and one each in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! What's cooking? A new dining establishment is opening soon on the Charleston peninsula. Joe Thomas, co-owner of Topsail Restaurant & Bar on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, plans to launch a new venue called Laurel at 161 Rutledge Ave. by late January. The menu will include Spanish and Portuguese dishes, including pintxos (or shareable bite-size snacks), tapas and entrees. Hours of operation will at first be for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with a lunch menu phased in over time, according to Thomas. Bed time Bedding retailer Tempur-Pedic will soon welcome customers at a flagship shop in East Cooper. The Lexington, Ky.-based company will open a 2,261-square-foot store Friday at 1730 Towne Centre Way in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. The new shop, to be located between Lululemon and White House Black Market, will offer a full selection of signature mattresses, pillows, adjustable bases and accessories. Relocating Delta Pharmacy is switching locations on Daniel Island. The Moncks Corner-based business, with seven locations across the Lowcountry, plans to move from 162 Seven Farms Drive in the Publix-anchored shopping center to a new building next to Ristorante LIDI on Island Park Drive. Owner Willis High said he is moving because he wanted a long-term lease that his current landlord was unwilling to provide and he needs a larger space for the growing Daniel Island community. The new location should be open by mid-summer. The pharmacy also is relocating in downtown Charleston. Construction is expected to begin next week on a three-story structure on a vacant lot at the southeast corner of Calhoun and East Bay streets, where the drugstore will occupy 4,000 square feet, High said. The pharmacy currently operates just to the south at 320 East Bay, but High said that site eventually will be redeveloped by property owner Jupiter Holdings. Trump supporters gather on the Washington Monument grounds in advance of a rally( John Minchillo/AP) Thousands of people have gathered in Washington DC to show their support for President Donald Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. Mr Trump is expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House, following speeches by his sons Eric and Donald Jr. Lou Murray, a life insurance salesman from Boston, said he and many others still hoped Congress and Vice President Mike Pence would not certify the vote. I hope Vice President Pence has courage today, and I hope any politician who thinks he has a future shows courage to stand up and do whats right, Mr Murray said. Expand Close Donald Trump Jr speaksat the rally (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump Jr speaksat the rally (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) About an hour before Mr Trump was set to speak, there were huge queues at security checkpoints near the White House. At the Lincoln Memorial, dozens of Trump supporters stood on the steps with large Trump flags. Nirav Peterson, who flew in from Seattle to attend the rally, said there would be a groundswell of anger and activism if Mr Trump does not serve another term and said Republicans who do not back him should face primary challenges. People are angry. This isnt going to go away, Ms Peterson said as she took video of the large crowd gathered beyond the steel barriers at the foot of the Washington Monument. You have a huge, huge portion of the people who arent going to take it any more. Like many others, Peterson was not wearing a mask. She said she opposes the shutdowns prompted by the pandemic and does not believe anyone has died from Covid-19. More than 350,000 people have died from the virus in the US. Expand Close With the White House in the background, Eric Trump addresses supporters (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp With the White House in the background, Eric Trump addresses supporters (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Organisers planned an afternoon march to the Capitol, where Congress will be voting to affirm the Electoral College results, which Mr Trump continues to dispute. A number of prominent Trump supporters were expected to attend the protest events, which began on Tuesday with a rally at Freedom Plaza near the White House. As temperatures dropped and a steady rain swept on to the streets, hundreds remained in the plaza into nightfall. Im just here to support the president, said David Wideman, a 45-year-old firefighter who travelled from Memphis, Tennessee. Mr Wideman acknowledged he was confused by a string of losses from the presidents legal team in their attempt to overturn the results of the election and did not know what options Mr Trump had left. Im not sure what he can do at this point, but I want to hear what he has to say, Mr Wideman said. The president tweeted his support for the protesters: Washington is being inundated with people who dont want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats. Our Country has had enough, they wont take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The speakers included Mr Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn, whom the president pardoned after he was twice convicted of lying to the FBI in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. We stand at a crucible moment in United States history, Mr Flynn told the mostly maskless crowd. This country is awake now. PA Media PARLAMENTUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA 2010 The Moldovan Parliaments website design was supported by the Democracy Support Programme in Moldova" an initiative financed by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe By Choe Chong-dae Although it has been seven decades since the 1950-53 Korean War broke out, the spirit of thousands of fallen U.N. warriors evokes in me a sense of pride and respect. I recently took a trip to Haman, a rural town in South Gyeongang Province. While at the town's Patriots Park, I came across a sculpture, a monument to a man bearing the inscription, "Captain Robert Lee Timmons (1919 1950)." Captain Timmons was a Korean War hero who played a significant role in protecting the last line of defense at the Nakdong River Battle. As a company commander in a U.S. Army battalion fighting against North Korean forces on Seobuk Mountain in Haman County, Captain Timmons was killed in action on Aug.23, 1950, at what was called "Battle Mountain," part of the Busan perimeter defense on the Nakdong River. The river stretches through Daegu and Busan, and the fighting there was some of the fiercest of the Korean War. It was the last line of defense for the U.N. forces that had retreated. Therefore, the Nakdong River Battle (Aug. 1- Sept. 24, 1950) played a crucial role in creating a natural border and securing a perimeter which prevented the North Korean army from advancing towards the city of Daegu and Busan. Acutely aware of the critical situation at the Busan perimeter, General Walton Walker, the first Commanding General of the U.S. Eighth Army, emphasized that his men, "either protect the Nakdong line or die trying." The U.S.-led forces did their utmost to defend the circumference of the river to prevent the North Korea enemy forces from advancing further to cities such as Waegwan (Chilgok-gun), North Gyeongsang Province and Masan and Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. The Republic of Korea would have been communized by the North in a few months after the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950 if it were not for the strategic Nakdong River Defense Line. It is worthy of note that Captain Timmons left a unique legacy of service and devotion to Korea that inspired both his son and a grandson to follow in his footsteps as U.S. Army officers. Three generations of Timmons have courageously served in Korea and have helped secure South Korea's freedom. When Captain Timmons was killed in Korea, his son, F. Richard Timmons, was only 7 years old. However, his son later joined the Army, had a successful career, and became Commanding General of the U.S. 8th Army in Korea from 1995 to 1997. During his time in Korea, Lieutenant General Timmons paid a visit to Seobuk Mountain, the site of his father's death during the Korean War. Remarkably, in 1996, Captain Timmons's grandson, who was also an officer in the U.S. Army, was sent to Korea. He served along the DMZ and led front-line soldiers near Panmunjom. To honor the noble spirit of Captain Timmons, a monument stands on Seobuk Mountain and his bust stands at Patriots Park, Hamam County. Furthermore, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs honored him by recognizing him as a Korean War Hero in November, 2020 in honor of his dedication to the Republic of Korea. I am grateful for the three generations of Timmons who gave so much to Korea and will never forget their sacrifices. Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at choecd@naver.com Mumbai: A Mumbai court, while rejecting the bail plea of Broadcast Audience Research Councils (BARC) former CEO Partho Dasgupta, has observed that he played a vital role" in the alleged Television Rating Points (TRP) manipulation scam. The court passed the order on January 4 and a copy of it was made available on Wednesday. Dasgupta was arrested by Mumbai Police last month. Chief metropolitan magistrate Sudhir Bhajipale on Monday rejected his bail plea. In his order, the magistrate said the material available on record shows involvement of theaccused in the alleged crime. The present applicant (Dasgupta) played the vital role inthecommissionofoffence," he observed in his order. As per the court order details, Dasgupta was the CEO of BARC from June 2013 to November 2019. The materialcollectedby the investigating officer shows that Dasgupta manipulatedTRPfor particular channels by usinghisofficeasthe CEOofBARC, the court observed. The court order also said that the accused is the most influential person who worked as CEO and the other persons or accused are yet to be interrogated". In such circumstances, it is the requirement of furtherinvestigation( which is still underway) to keep the presentaccusedaway from the wanted accused and other material witnesses," it added. The court was of the view that Dasguptas release will hamperfurtherinvestigation, which is still in progress. One of the grounds cited by Dasgupta for seeking release on bail was parity with the other accused, including BARCs former chief operating officer Romil Ramgarhia. The court, however, noted that nodoubt the other accused are releasedonbail, but they have played different rolethanDasgupta in commission of the offence. Consideringthesaidfact,the principle of parity is not applicable incaseof the presentapplicant," it said. Dasgupta filed the bail plea on December 30, 2020, after the court remanded him in judicial custody. In his application, Dasgupta had claimed he was only an employee of the BARC and not a whole and sole (authority)", and that there are board of directors and a disciplinary committee above him in the council. However, Mumbai Polices crime branch had argued that Dasgupta, in connivance with another senior official from the BARC and ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltds owner Arnab Goswami, manipulated the TRPs of Republic TV and Republic Bharat (Hindi). The police had claimed that Goswami paid in lakhs to Dasgupta in return of the manipulation. Republic TV and other accused have denied any wrongdoing and manipulation of the TRP system. The alleged scam came to light last year when rating agency BARC filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group, saying certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers. At a press conference held on October 8, 2020, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh claimed that Republic TV and two Marathi channels Box Cinema and Fakt Marathi - were involved in manipulating TRP for better advertisement revenue.. Germany, France and Britain pressed Iran on Wednesday to reverse a decision to start enriching uranium to levels beyond the limits of a 2015 nuclear agreement, a move which they said ``risks compromising'' chances of diplomacy with the incoming US administration. The foreign ministers of the three European nations said in a joint statement that the Iranian activity ``has no credible civil justification.'' They said the enrichment was a clear violation of the 2015 deal between Iran and six world powers and ``further hollows out the agreement.'' The United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018, and the remaining countries that signed it with Iran Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia have been trying to keep the accord from collapsing. On Monday, Iran began enriching uranium to levels unseen since the 2015 deal. The decision appeared aimed at increasing Tehran's leverage during US President Donald Trump's waning days in office. Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of its plans to increase enrichment to 20% last week. Increasing enrichment at its underground Fordo facility puts Tehran a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The purpose of the deal was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb something Tehran insists it doesn't want to do. The three European powers have expressed hope that with the change of administrations in Washington, the US might rejoin the agreement. President-elect Joe Biden has said he hopes to return the US to the deal. Complicating that goal is that Iran which is seeking relief from crippling US sanctions is now in violation of most major restrictions set out in the agreement. The uranium enrichment move ``undermines the joint commitment'' made on Dec. 21 by participants in the deal to preserve the agreement, the European ministers said in their statement Wednesday. ``It also risks compromising the important opportunity for a return to diplomacy with the incoming US administration,'' the statement said. ``We strongly urge Iran to stop enriching uranium to up to 20% without delay, reverse its enrichment program to the limits agreed in the (agreement) and to refrain from any further escalatory steps which would further reduce the space for effective diplomacy,'' the ministers added. A decision to begin enriching to 20% purity a decade ago nearly triggered an Israeli strike targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. The tensions only abated with the 2015 deal, which saw Iran limit its enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Short link: ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard chaplain Father Richard Lobert has been placed on ministerial leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Loberts leave was confirmed by school President John DeJak in a message sent to families on Dec. 18. DeJak did not offer details regarding who was conducting the investigation and could not be reached for further comment Wednesday, Jan. 6. The investigation carries no presumption of guilt, DeJak said in the email. The Diocese will attend to this matter swiftly and fairly. In the interest of protecting the privacy of all parties, no more information will be shared until the investigation is completed. The school is part of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. Director of Communications David Kerr said the Diocese provided a statement regarding Lobert on Wednesday. It is diocesan policy when announcing administrative or ministerial leave during a pending investigation to simply announce the leave, without providing additional details, in order to avoid prejudicing the investigation and also to protect the good name of the accused, the statement said. Lobert has a long history with Father Gabriel Richard, celebrating the 45th anniversary of his priestly ordination last spring. READ MORE: COVID-19 cases cause Father Gabriel Richard High School to switch to online learning Father Gabriel Richard suspends athletic activities after positive COVID-19 cases Michigan responds to lawsuit filed by Catholic high schools over in-person learning ban Trump Calls NYT Report Over Pences Comments on Power to Reject Election Results Fake News President Donald Trump has challenged the accuracy of a recent New York Times report that said Vice President Mike Pence told the president he lacked the power to block the certification of electoral college votes. The report, which cited anonymous sources, said Pence delivered his assessment about his role on Jan. 6 to the president during their weekly lunch. Trump disputed the veracity of the report, characterizing it as fake news in a statement sent by his campaign on Jan. 5. He never said that, Trump said. The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act. The November 3rd election was corrupt in contested states, and in particular it was not in accordance with the Constitution in that they made large scale changes to election rules and regulations as dictated by local judges and politicians, not by state legislators. This means that it was illegal. Our Vice President has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation, he added. The New York Times report came after Trump declared on Twitter on Tuesday that Pence has the power to reject electors that were fraudulently chosen during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, where electoral votes will be formally counted. Pence, who will be presiding over the Jan. 6 session, will be reading the electoral votes for all 50 states. His role during the session has been heavily debated in recent days, as Trump and his allies hope that the vice president will reject the slate of electors for contested states. Meanwhile, critics have said that Pences role is simply ministerial in that he only has the ability to count the votes even if he has concerns over their validity. Republican lawmaker Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) attempted to seek clarification from the federal courts last week by filing a lawsuit against Pence. His lawsuit, which was dismissed by a district and appeals court, argued that Pence had the exclusive authority and sole discretion under the 12th Amendment to determine which slates of electors for a state, or neither, may be counted. In a campaign event in Georgia on Monday, Pence told a crowd that he promises Trump and Republicans will have our day in Congress. Well hear the objections. Well hear the evidence, Pence said without elaborating on the role he plans to play. Hours after Pence spoke, Trump told Georgia supporters in a separate event that he hopes Mike Pence comes through for us. Disputes over election results in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada remain unresolved after courts refused to address the allegations of election fraud and irregularities, and state legislatures were out of session. Many of the cases challenging election results were dismissed due to procedural reasons, while some judges were not convinced by the allegations put forward. A growing group of Republican House members and senators have announced their intention to challenge Electoral College votes in states where election results are disputed over allegations of irregularities and election fraud. Lawmakers, in the lead up to Jan. 6, have been picking sides in this last-ditch effort to ensure that allegations of voter fraud are transparently and independently addressed. Thirteen Republican senators have expressed their intent to participate in the efforts, and at least 75 Republican House members have committed to objecting to the contested votes on Jan. 6, according to a tally by The Epoch Times. Meanwhile, more than thirty Republican lawmakers have also said they will not participate in the efforts. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), who spearheaded the efforts, said several Republican senators are objecting to the electoral votes for Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. For objections to succeed during the joint session, they must be made in writing by at least one House member and one senator. If the objection for any state meets this requirement, the joint session pauses and each house withdraws to its own chamber to debate the question for a maximum of two hours. The House and the Senate then vote separately to accept or reject the objection, which requires a majority vote from both chambers to pass. If both candidates receive less than 270 electoral votes on Jan. 6, then a contingent election is triggered in which each states delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives casts one en bloc vote to determine the president, while the vice president is decided by a vote in the U.S. Senate. The Democratic Partys 2020 victory just got a lot bigger. And Joe Bidens chances of signing ambitious legislation to fight climate change, reduce economic inequality and slow the coronavirus pandemic got a lot bigger, too. The Democrats appear to have won both Senate runoffs in Georgia last night, giving them control of the Senate. The Rev. Raphael Warnock has beaten Senator Kelly Loeffler by about 2 percentage points, according to Times estimates. Most news organizations have not yet called the race between Jon Ossoff and Senator David Perdue, but Ossoff leads by about 16,000 votes and the outstanding votes come from Democratic-leaning areas. The Timess Nate Cohn, who analyzes election returns, said he believed Ossoff would likely end up with a lead of more than 0.5 percentage points large enough to avoid a recount. David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report wrote that he considered both races to be over. The apparent victories will give Democrats control of both the White House and both houses of Congress for the first time in 10 years. Carnival Cruise Line on Wednesday said it is again extending its pause in cruise operations by another month, through March, 2021, including all U.S. homeport embarkations. The news is the latest in rolling cruise cancellations over the past year because of restrictions by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as several outbreaks of coronavirus onboard U.S.-bound cruises as well as others around the world. The Doral, Florida cruise operator, which is the largest in the U.S., said those booked on affected cruises would be offered either a full refund or credit options for future cruises. Carnival has two ships based in New Orleans the Valor and the Glory. Carnival previously announced that trips on the Valor are canceled until at least April 29, 2021 for an upgrade to the ship. The extended absence of cruise ships is costly for New Orleans. Before the pandemic, cruise ship operators were sending around a million passengers through New Orleans on their way to and from cruises since 2014. Last year, that hit a record 1.18 million. Cruisers who contributed about $110 million in direct spending as they stay extra nights in hotels, eat in the city's restaurants and spend in shops. As well as the cancellations through March, Carnival also said it would extend the pause further for other scheduled sailings. These include the following: Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up -- Carnival Freedom from Galveston through April 10, 2021 (which includes a repositioning of the ship from Galveston to Seattle and a 17-day Carnival Journeys cruise which is not allowed under the current guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)). --Carnival Miracle from San Diego and San Francisco through September 16, 2021 (which includes many 10-day and longer itineraries not allowed under the current CDC guidelines). --Carnival Liberty from Port Canaveral from September 17-October 18, 2021 (to accommodate rescheduled dry dock work). --Carnival Sunshine from Charleston from October 11-November 13, 2021 (to accommodate rescheduled dry dock work). --Carnival Spirits 15-day cruise from Singapore to Brisbane on June 12, 2021 (consistent with the current limitations on international travel in place in Australia). The 2021 general election in Virginia Election Day for the 2021 general election in Virginia is Nov. 2. Thanks to a cycle that holds state elections on odd-numbered years, there is a general election in Virginia every year. The state general election in the year following a presidential election is especially important, with voters choosing a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, each of whom serve four-year terms. Each of the 100 seats in the House of Delegates are also up for grabs. State senate elections, however, will not take place until 2023. A primary election to choose the Democratic nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general is scheduled for June 8; any registered voter in Virginia may participate. Members of the state Republican Party committee voted last month to use a convention to choose nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general; a date for the convention has not yet been announced. Unlike a primary, only delegates approved by local Republican Party committees may participate. By law, districts for the House of Delegates must be redrawn this year using data from the 2020 U.S. Census. Depending on the decision of each districts party committee, voters may cast a ballot to nominate a Democratic or Republican candidate for a House of Delegates seat at some point this year, depending on how quickly new district boundaries are approved by a bipartisan commission. A Republican candidate has not won a statewide election in Virginia since 2009, when Republican Bob McDonnell defeated Democrat Craig Deeds by 59% to 41%. Since then, Democratic Party candidates have won each of the 12 statewide races in Virginia and now constitute a majority of both chambers of the General Assembly. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Geneva: The World Health Organization expressed dissappointment over China not finalising the permissions for the arrival of the team that was to investigate the origin of the coronavirus, said world health body chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday (local time). "Over the past 24 hours, members of the international scientific team on COVID-19 virus origins began traveling from their home countries to China. Today we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in China," he said. The WHO Chief said that the official visit was as per arrangements jointly developed between WHO, the Chinese government, and countries for which the team was meant to travel through on their way to Wuhan. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online He added, "I am very disappointed with this news given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute. But I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials and I have once again made clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team." Tedros said that the global health body is eager to get the mission underway "as soon as possible". Beijing had previously said it would give the WHO's expert team full access to investigate the virus origin. While China has dismissed criticism of its handling of early cases that emerged in late 2019, some leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump have questioned Beijing's actions during the outbreak. Trump has often called it the 'ChinaVirus' and has repeatedly called for the Chinese government to be held accountable for "this plague". US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also slammed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for continuing to spread disinformation regarding Covid-19, and obstructing the investigation of the World Health Organization (WHO) in finding out the origin and spread of the virus. Sino-Australian relations have been in a downward spiral since April, when Canberra infuriated Beijing by proposing an independent international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was detained in May for her live stream reporting from Wuhan over COVID-19, has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment in late December, Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) reported. She has been convicted of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for her reporting in the chaotic initial stages of the outbreak. As per the latest update by Johns Hopkins University, the coronavirus cases across the globe currently stands at over 85 million cases and 1.8 million deaths. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. has told the UN that concerns and allegations over the use of in should be addressed through consultation among all concerned parties, cautioning that "politicisation" of the issue is neither helpful nor productive. also told the UN Security Council that terrorist groups have taken advantage of the decade-long conflict in to entrench themselves and pose a threat to the entire region. "Regarding allegations of use of in and investigations conducted, has consistently underlined the need for an impartial and objective investigation into any alleged use of chemical weapons, scrupulously following the provisions and procedures laid down in the Convention," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said on Tuesday at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria "Any concerns should be addressed on the basis of consultation among all concerned parties. In our view, politicisation of the issue is neither helpful nor productive," Tirumurti said. The UNSC virtual meeting on Syria Chemical Weapons was India's first open meeting in the Council as the country began its tenure as non-permanent member for the 2021-22 term. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu also addressed the meeting. The Council congratulated and welcomed the new incoming members - India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway. "India remains concerned about the possibility of such weapons falling into the hands of terrorist organisations and individuals. The world cannot afford to give these terrorists any sanctuary or dilute its fight against these terrorist groups," Tirumurti said. He also underlined that India attaches high importance to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is a unique, non-discriminatory disarmament instrument and serves as a model for the elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. "India has been firmly opposed to any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, and under any circumstances. We strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons; and there can be no justification for their use," he said. The 15-nation Security Council considered the latest report on the activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in implementing Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) and the relevant provisions of the OPCW Executive Council decisions in relation to the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme. Through the resolution, the Security Council had called for the full implementation of the decision of the OPCW Executive Council, which contains special procedures for the expeditious and verifiable destruction of Syria's chemical weapons. Tirumurti said India has consistently called for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict through a Syrian-led dialogue, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria. He noted that India has also contributed to the return of normalcy and rebuilding of Syria through humanitarian assistance and human resource development. Tirumurti voiced India's appreciation for the commitment of the OPCW Technical Secretariat in performing its responsibilities during the challenging times of the pandemic. India has taken note of the findings mentioned in the two recent reports of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria. He said India also takes note that OPCW is in the process of analysing the information collected from its most recent deployments for cases related to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. We note with satisfaction that three issues relating to Syria's initial declaration have been resolved during the last six months, he said. India encouraged continued engagement and cooperation between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat towards an early resolution of all outstanding issues. India has provided a financial contribution of one million dollars to the OPCW Trust Fund for activities relating to destruction of chemical stockpiles and related facilities in Syria, he said. Tirumurti also voiced support for both the Geneva and the Astana processes for an expeditious resolution of conflict in Syria. Nakamitsu said that there is no justification for the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances. The use of such weapons with impunity and without accountability is a threat to peace and security and a danger to us all. It is, therefore, imperative to hold accountable all those who have used chemical weapons, she said. She added that identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies that remain unresolved have brought into question the true extent of the elimination of chemical weapons during Syria's conflict. The declaration that Syria had submitted on its chemical weapons status cannot be considered accurate and complete in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Until these outstanding issues are closed, the community cannot have full confidence that the Syrian Arab Republic's chemical weapons programme has been eliminated, she added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HONOLULU, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX) announced today that Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Wine, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be attending the Sidoti Winter Investor Conference to be held virtually on January 13, 2021. Matson will provide access to the presentation slides on its website on January 13, 2021. Access to the slides will be available on www.matson.com, under Investors. About the Company Founded in 1882, Matson (NYSE: MATX) is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates two premium, expedited services from China to Long Beach, California, provides service to Okinawa, Japan and various islands in the South Pacific, and operates an international export service from Dutch Harbor to Asia. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout the continental U.S. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska. Additional information about the Company is available at www.matson.com. Investor Relations inquiries: Lee Fishman Matson, Inc. 510.628.4227 [email protected] News Media inquiries: Keoni Wagner Matson, Inc. 510.628.4534 [email protected] SOURCE Matson, Inc. Related Links http://matson.com Filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar surprised all when he got married to Alicia earlier this week. He shared the news via social media posts. In a new interview, he has now revealed how he pursued Alicia, who is from France, for two years before she agreed. He added how his marriage was always intended to be a low-key affair, a far cry from his larger-than-life films. Speaking to Mid Day, he said: She is from France, so the visas were initially posing a problem. As soon as she got the visa, we went to Dehradun and got married at home. It was always planned this way. He mentioned how he met her during a work trip to France and pursued her. She is a first-generation Iranian from France. I had gone there for work, and immediately fell in love with her. I pursued her for almost two years, convincing her that I am the man who will keep her happy. It has been a difficult task, but I am glad she finally agreed. On Monday, he shared the first of his pictures, which incidentally, just showed their hands and wrote Bismillah. On Tuesday, he followed it up with a loved-up image and wrote: 1400 years ago Imam Ali said to Fatimah Al- Zahras, all my worries and sadness disappears when I look at your face , I feel the same Alicia Zafar. Mine for life. Later in the day, she shared another picture of the couple with his parents and wrote: Welcome to the Family. The picture showed Alicia, flanked by his parents on either side and with Ali looking at them adoringly. Also read: Shashi Tharoor responds to Kangana Ranauts rebuttal: Id like all Indian women to be as empowered as you Ali is known for his blockbusters such as Tiger Zinda Hai, Bharat and Sultan, all three starring Salman Khan. He has created the Amazon Prime drama series, Tandav, which will debut on January 15. Also in the pipeline is a superhero film with Katrina Kaif and the third film in the Tiger franchise. He has also written and directed Gunday, starring Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Kapoor. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10 [January 06, 2021] NUBURU Strengthens Blue Laser IP Portfolio with Seven New Patents Across 3D Printing and Material Processing NUBURU, the leader in high power blue laser technology, today announced that it has been awarded seven new patents, further demonstrating its dominant intellectual property portfolio in visible laser technology and its applications across 3D printing and material processing. NUBURU was awarded US Patent No. 10,562,132 , No. 10,656,328 , No. 10,634,842 and No. 10,804,680. It was also awarded Russian patent No. 2710819, Japanese patent No. 6648170 and Korean patent No. 10-2143220. These new patents join NUBURU's foundational patent, "3D printing Devices and Methods" PCT/US14/35928, which was awarded in 16 countries with several other applications and continuations pending around the world, including with the U.S. patent office (2016/0067780). These latest patents range from, "Material Processing with Visible Raman Laser", to the technology required to build these unique single mode visible lasers. NUBURU has also received several notices of allowances inclusive of the technology and the application of blue lasers to material processing and 3D printing. "NUBURU's IP portfolio is broad and deep," said Dr. Guy Gilliland, CEO of NUBURU. "Industry analysts and organizations have recognized the strength of our technology and its IP portfolio, including StartUp Insight, who identified NUBURU as one of the Top 5 Additive Manufacturing Start Ups Impacting the Automotive Industry." NUBURU's blue lasers provide unprecedented speed and quality control for metal processing operations, such as welding and additive manufacturing in a variety of growing industries like e-mobility and automotive, where materials such as copper, stainless steel and aluminum are increasingly critical. Previous technologies are inflexible, slow and produce poor-quality metal joints, but NUBURU's industrial blue lasers leverage a fundamental physical advantage to produce defect-free welds up to four times faster than the traditional approaches - all with the flexibility inherent to laser processing. "These patents firmly establish that NUBURU invented the blue laser technology for 3D Printing and material processing," said Dr. Mark Zediker, Founder and Chairman of NUBURU. "The company portfolio widely covers blue laser technology, multimode and single mode as well as broad applications within 3D printing and material processing. 22 patents have been awarded to date, with 90 applications currently in process for a number of claims in excess of 4,000." To learn more about NUBURU, please visit https://nuburu.net/. About NUBURU Founded in 2015, NUBURU high-power, high-performance industrial blue lasers have transformed metal machining, ushering in an era of high-speed, high-quality processing across a wide range of rapidly growing industrial sectors. Leveraging the fundamental physics of blue light and proprietary design features, NUBURU lasers bring new efficiencies to existing applications and open up entirely new applications. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005178/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Forward-looking: What will be the best-selling console of 2021? Could the PlayStation 5 take the crown, or will the Xbox Series X gain momentum and beat its rival? According to industry analysts, neither Sony nor Microsoft will come out on top; it will be the Nintendo Switch, and we could finally see the long-rumored Pro version. In GamesIndustry.biz's annual feature, analysts predict industry trends for the year ahead. Mat Piscatella from the NPD Group believes the Nintendo Switch will sell more units than its next-gen rivals in 2021, though he says this be the result of content and promotional efforts, rather than a new model of the hybrid machine. Dr. Serkan Toto from Kantan Games agrees that the Switch will be the best-selling console of the year, the result of first-party games and "the device having developed into a lifestyle product for the mass market over the course of 2020." One area where Toto and Piscatella disagree is the launch of a Switch Pro. Last year, Toto said an updated, 4K-capable Switch Pro would launch in 2020. "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Nintendo will launch a "Switch Pro" in 2020, my guess is at $399," he said at the time. Of course, that never happened, but Toto believes the device will arrive sometime during Nintendo's next financial year. Elsewhere, both Toto and Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis believe the PS5 will significantly outsell the Xbox Series X. The latter analyst claims Sony's machine will outsell the combined total of Xbox Series X and S units globally, with around 8.5 million PS5 shipments by the end of March 2021. He also expects a new PSVR to arrive in 2022, which lines up with what Sony CEO Jim Ryan said in October. Interested to know how Nintendo reached its current lofty position despite past missteps? Check out our Against All Odds: How Nintendo Made It feature. "As soon as I saw the video and shared the same emotional reactions the public did ... I knew at that time that we needed to do the most independent charging decision and investigative process we could possibly do," Graveley said. Sheskey, who is white, shot Blake, a Black man, on Aug. 23 after being called for a domestic disturbance. Sheskey, along with two other officers, attempted to take Blake into custody on a felony warrant involving a domestic incident with the mother of his children, the same woman who called police on Aug. 23. In a video shot by a bystander, Sheskey is seen holding Blake by his shirt and firing his weapon seven times at close range at Blakes back as Blake attempted to get into an SUV. Blake, 29, was left paralyzed by the shooting. According to his family, he is still undergoing rehabilitation for his injuries at a care center in Illinois. On the day of the shooting, Blake had reportedly struggled with police attempting to arrest him. Police had used a taser during the struggle, but Blake continued to attempt to leave, according to information released earlier. An earlier statement from the Department of Justice reported that a knife was found in Blakes vehicle. This picture taken and released by the Vietnam News Agency on Jan. 5, 2021, shows Vietnamese bloggers Pham Chi Dung (R), Nguyen Tuong Thuy (L) and Le Huu Minh Tuan (3rd L) during their trial at the courthouse in Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam has jailed three independent bloggers on anti-state charges, one of their lawyers said, weeks ahead of the coummunist government's party congress. AFP Vietnam faced criticism Wednesday from the United States and rights groups after jailing three pro-democracy bloggers weeks ahead of the communist government's party congress. The run-up to a leadership transition later this month is a particularly tense period for the state as candidates jostle for power behind closed doors. In recent months, the authoritarian regime has stepped up its crackdown on dissent and has arrested numerous critics. At a quick trial Tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City, three critics of the state who belong to the outlawed Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam (IJAV) were sentenced to jail for "making and disseminating information against" Vietnam. High-profile writer Pham Chi Dung, 54, founding member and president of IJAV, was jailed for 15 years, while military veteran Nguyen Tuong Thuy, 69, was sentenced to 11 years. A younger member of the group, Le Huu Minh Tuan, was also handed an 11-year term. The United States which, despite war memories, has a warming relationship with Vietnam led by shared concerns on China said it was "disappointed" by the sentences. "These harsh sentences are the latest in a worrisome trend of arrests and convictions aimed at Vietnamese citizens exercising rights enshrined in Vietnam's constitution," a State Department spokesperson said in Washington. "We urge the Vietnamese government to ensure its actions are consistent with the human rights provisions of its constitution and its international obligations and commitments." - Well-known advocates - The imprisoned trio are well-known for calling for greater democracy in Vietnam. Lawyer Nguyen Van Mieng told AFP they admitted writing articles "to support freedom of speech and other democratic rights", but denied spreading information against the communist regime. According to the court's verdict cited by state-run media, the three "had regularly been in contact with regime opponents" prior to their arrests in late 2019 and mid-2020. IJAV leader Dung had written articles for foreign media agencies with "the purpose of changing Vietnam's political system," it said. The defendants' behaviour posed "a danger to society... causing separation in social unity and people," it added. Amnesty International's deputy regional director, Emerlynn Gil, said the sentences showed the depths of Vietnam's censorship "even by its own deeply repressive standards." "These journalists' only crime was daring to discuss politics and other matters of public interest," she said. Radio Free Asia, the US government-funded broadcaster where Thuy contributed commentary, called for his immediate release. "The harsh sentencing of Thuy and two other independent journalists is a blatant assault on basic freedoms and flies in the face of the freedom of expression enshrined in Vietnam's constitution," Radio Free Asia president Stephen Yates said. There are more than 170 prisoners of conscience currently imprisoned in Vietnam, according to Amnesty. In December, writer and poet Tran Duc Thach was sentenced to 12 years for his articles critical of the government posted on Facebook, nearly a decade after being released from prison for a similar offence. The Communist Party Congress will take place from January 25 to February 2 in Hanoi. (AFP) THE 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 in Limerick has increased further after more than 300 additional confirmed cases of the disease were reported for the second day in a row. The Department of Health says it has been notified of an additional 345 cases of the disease meaning the incidence rate now stands at 1252.4 (per 100,000 population). This is the third highest rate in the country and is more than 40% above the overall rate for Ireland. Nationally, a further 17 Covid-19 related deaths and a record 7,836 new cases have been notified to the Health Protections Surveillance Centre. A total of 2,263 are in Dublin, 1,373 are in Cork, 496 are in Louth, 345 are in Limerick, 340 are in Meath and the remaining 3,019 cases are spread across all other counties. As of 2pm this Wednesday, 954 patients with Covid-19 were in hospital, of which 88 are in ICU. More than 60 Covid-19 patients are being treated at University Hospital Limerick. Commenting on the latest figures, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: The country is in a serious phase of this surge of Covid-19. There is evidence of an increasing presence of the UK variant in Ireland. All counties have an upward trajectory of the disease. There is concerning escalation of admissions to hospital and ICU. We are very likely to see escalating mortality and ICU admissions in the coming days and weeks." He has appealed to people to abide by the public health guidelines, which were strengthened further this afternoon with confirmation that schools will not re-open until February 1 at the earliest. It has never been more important, throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes, always adhering to public health advice; physical distance, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, wearing a face covering," said Dr Holohan. What's are the chances of getting real lucky while out on a grocery round on a Friday night? A law student from Washington ended up getting way more than he anticipated while out to buy groceries with his friend in Washington when they were stopped by a pharmacist and given Moderna vaccine jabs. David MacMillan, a law student residing in Washington DC happened to be walking through a Giant grocery store in DC last week on Friday night when a health worker caught up with him and his friend. Apparently, some frontline workers and first responders who were listed to get the doses of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine near the store had missed their appointments, leaving them with a few unused doses, NBC reported. McMillan reportedly told NBC that the nurse caught them midway and told that she had two doses of vaccine which will expire and she will have to throw them away if not given to someone. She asked McMillan and his friend whether they would like to be vaccinated. So, just like that, MacMillan and his friend received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. And now, the pair will soon also receive the second dose as per the guidelines. An advisory panel last month had recommended US frontline essential workers and people 75 and older should be next in line to get inoculated as the distribution of Moderna Incs vaccine, the second approved coronavirus vaccine, began across the country. States, which are the ones distributing shots to their residents, will use the advisory panels guidelines to decide on how to allocate the vaccines while supplies are scarce. So why didn't the health worker keep the vaccine back in her bag? According to experts, the vaccine, once its unfrozen after getting out of the lab only lasts for a few hours before it expires, rendering it useless. And the districts health department, not wanting to waste any vaccines, has allowed for the jabs to be given to anyone who they can find nearby if there are no listed frontline workers available to get the doses. The vaccine must be kept at very cold temperature and quickly spoils in a few hours if not used in time. A video of McMillan being inoculated with the dose was uploaded on TikTok this week and has been viewed over 700,000 times. McMillan, however is not in the priority group to be vaccinated. Washington DC is currently going through the Phase 1A of vaccinations, with shots for health care workers in settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and pharmacies. Phase 1B will include residents aged 65 and above, teachers and several categories of essential workers. McMillan reportedly called the health worker a 'heroine' and said that he wished to spread positivity and awareness on the good effects of the vaccine by sharing the video of him getting inoculated. It is important, when there is so much misinformation, that people can see that it is a good thing, that it is a positive thing. We must be excited to be able to fight the pandemic, he was quoted by NBC as saying. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Germany is extending its nationwide lockdown until the end of the month and introducing tougher new restrictions in an effort to curb surging coronavirus infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday. "We need to restrict contact more strictly... We ask all citizens to restrict contact to the absolute minimum," Merkel told reporters after a meeting with the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states. Also Read | Indias hunt for the new Vision 2020 The new rules restrict for the first time non-essential travel for residents of hard-hit areas all over Germany. They limit movement to a 15-kilometre (nine-mile) radius in towns and districts where the number of new coronavirus cases is above 200 per 100,000 residents over seven days. Members of any one household will be allowed to meet only one other person in public. That compares with a current rule under which public gatherings are limited to five people from two households. Like many other European countries, Germany is struggling to contain a second wave of the virus. Britain began its third Covid-19 lockdown on Tuesday with citizens under orders to stay at home. Concern is growing that hospitals in Germany will struggle to cope, and Merkel said a new mutation of the coronavirus first detected in Britain increased the need to be more cautious. SHOPS, SCHOOLS TO STAY SHUT Shops and restaurants will remain shut until the end of January. Schools are also to remain closed, with classes to be held online, until at least the end of the month. "We believe these measures are justified, even if they are hard," Merkel said. The chancellor said she and the state leaders would review the new measures on Jan. 25. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose by 11,897 to 1.787 million in the last day, the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said on Tuesday. The death toll rose by 944 to 35,518. Germany had imposed a partial lockdown in November but was forced to close schools, shops and restaurants in mid-December after the initial steps failed to have the desired impact. Germany is rolling out a vaccine against Covid-19 but the media and some officials have criticised the government for a slow start and for ordering too few doses. By Tuesday, around 317,000 people had received a shot. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. By John McCrank, Alexandra Alper and Pei Li NEW YORK/WASHINGTON/HONG KONG/ (Reuters) - The New York Stock Exchange is reconsidering its plan to allow three Chinese telecom giants to remain listed, the latest twist amid confusion over rules set by the Trump administration and tension within Washington on China policy. If it does so, it would mark a second sudden U-turn. The bourse said late Monday it reversed an decision announced just last week to delist China Mobile Ltd, China Telecom Corp Ltd and China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd after consulting with regulatory authorities in ... COVID-19 vaccinations began last week in Philadelphias Fire Department, with the citys 500 emergency medical technicians first in line. Among the citys first responders, EMTs have been in closest contact with COVID patients since the beginning of the pandemic, and the department as a whole has been hard hit by the virus. But of the approximately 200 medics first offered the vaccine, only about 40% to 50% got the shot, said Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel at a news conference Wednesday. Medics had cited everything under the sun when declining the vaccine, he said, and he didnt want to minimize anyones concerns. But, Thiel said, part of the initial reluctance to accept the vaccine has to do with how new it is. Its effective and safe. Once everyone sees it working, I hope these concerns will be assuaged, he said. Even though the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been produced at record speed, they have been tested on thousands of people in clinical trials, and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for most people over age 16. The departments ultimate goal is to have all of its 3,000 members vaccinated, though its unclear how quickly that might happen doses of the vaccine are scarce and the department is unsure how many it will receive week to week. Everyone who has received a first dose of the vaccine will receive a second, though, Thiel said. Thiel has not been vaccinated yet because hes not at the same risk as medics and other frontline responders. But he said he was very excited to get his dose when he can. EMTs and firefighters who did get the vaccine spoke about how important they felt it was to set an example to colleagues and to the public at large. About 100 have received the vaccine so far, Thiel said. Demetrio Olivieri, a firefighter at Ladder 24 in the Carroll Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia and the president of the Spanish American Professional Firefighters Association, said that its especially important for people of color to see their peers getting the vaccine. Black Americans, in particular, can be wary of getting the shot after years of systemic racism in health care. READ MORE: Pa. lags nation in people tested per day, is nowhere near level needed to suppress the virus Minorities are leery, and we have a right to be leery, Olivieri said. But were in a state of crisis. Unlike in the past, where we were experimented on, this isnt the time anymore. The circumstances are different. Its important to get everyone vaccinated and get back to normal. He said he had barely seen his daughter or his mother during the pandemic, for fear of infecting them. Eric Crawford, a medic whos worked at the department for five years and got his first shot Wednesday, said he was also looking forward to interacting with his family without fear of giving them the virus. He has four children under age 10. I take every precaution possible, he said. We dont want to bring it home to our families. Transporting patients to the hospital in a pandemic and all the PPE and sanitation procedures that come with it has been stressful, but necessary, he said. I love helping people. Thats my main goal. Crawford, who works out of a firehouse at Frankford and Linden Avenues in Torresdale, said he believed everyone in his company was planning to get the vaccine. I was nervous at first, but now I feel like I did the right thing, he said. Its one step closer to normal. Lisa Forrest, a battalion chief, said she was getting vaccinated because she had family members and friends whod fallen ill from COVID. I want to be part of the ones that stop the spread of it, she said. She was also motivated by the death of a colleague earlier this year firefighter Eric Gore, who died at 48 after a long battle with the virus. If nothing else, its for his memory, Forrest said. Pennsylvania will once again be at the center of a fraught national political battle Wednesday, when a typically routine ceremony to confirm the results of the presidential election is expected to become a brawl over the countrys very democratic principles. Dozens of Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate including 8 from Pennsylvania will try to block Pennsylvanias presidential electors and those from some other states, attempting to overturn the will of the voters to keep President Donald Trump in power. More than a dozen GOP senators and scores of House members have pledged to join the push to subvert the election results, based on false claims by Trump and arguments that have been resoundingly rejected in court and by a bipartisan cast of elections officials. The plan is doomed to fail in the face of opposition from congressional Democrats and a significant share of Republicans, including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey. But the attempt to block Congress from accepting the results of an election will amount to one of the most direct challenges to American democracy in memory and a test of the GOPs direction as Trump nears the end of his term. It promises to turn what is normally a staid step in the transfer of power into a clash that has split the GOP, enraged Democrats, and fueled unfounded attacks on Joe Bidens presidency before he even takes office. A fundamental, defining feature of a democratic republic is the right of the people to elect their own leaders, Toomey said in a statement Saturday. The efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in swing states like Pennsylvania directly undermines this right. Toomey, who supported Trumps reelection and the vast majority of the presidents policies, has been one of the most outspoken GOP critics of the attempt to invalidate the election. I intend to vigorously defend our form of government by opposing this effort to disenfranchise millions of voters in my state and others, Toomey said. READ MORE: Fact-checking false claims about Pennsylvanias presidential election On the other side of the debate are eight fellow Pennsylvania Republicans out of nine GOP members in the states House delegation who almost all represent deeply conservative districts and have joined the fight against Bidens victory. They say they are standing up for the principle that elections must be fair. Of Pennsylvania Republicans in the House, only Bucks Countys Brian Fitzpatrick isnt joining with the objectors. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, of New Jersey, plans to join the Republican objections as well. The fight Wednesday comes against a backdrop of a stinging Republican defeat in Georgia, where Democrats appear to have won two Senate run-offs and, with them, control of the Senate, to go along with hold of the House and White House. Some Republicans are already blaming Trump and his baseless accusations of rigged elections for driving down GOP turnout and costing the party its last hold on power in Washington. Yet at the same time, Trump is promising retribution against any Republicans who fail to support his false claims. I will personally work to defeat every single Republican Senator / Congressman who doesnt stand up against this fraud - they will be primaried in their next election and they will lose, the presidents son Eric Trump tweeted Tuesday. Hours before the Congressional vote tally began, Trump supporters waved flags outside the Capitol and gathered for a rally, a sign of their continued devotion to the president and his message. Like other Republicans, the Pennsylvania congressmen are not basing their objections on proven allegations of fraud claims of widespread malfeasance have been widely debunked and rejected by courts and their statements stop short of saying there was anything improper that could overturn Bidens 81,000-vote victory in Pennsylvania. Instead, they object to the procedures implemented by the state and argue that Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, both Democrats, and the state Supreme Court exceeded their legal authority in setting election guidance and rules. Until these unlawful practices are acknowledged and corrected, we cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count. The voters of Pennsylvania deserve integrity in the election process and equal protection under the law, said a statement from the eight Republican Congressmen, John Joyce, Fred Keller, Mike Kelly, Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Guy Reschenthaler, Lloyd Smucker and Glenn Thompson. Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania state Senate wrote to GOP congressional leaders Monday urging them to delay the certification of Pennsylvanias Electoral College votes until a case over the procedures is heard by the U.S. Supreme Court a letter Trump shared on Twitter. Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) has said he is seeking a commission to hear claims of voter fraud, not to change the outcome. READ MORE: Republicans in Congress are about to object to Pennsylvanias election results. Heres what you need to know. The procedures in question, however, are left up to individual states and have already been challenged in court. Judges, including some Trump appointees, have shot down GOP claims that they led to an illegitimate outcome in Pennsylvania. The election counts themselves have been certified as accurate by Democratic and Republican election officials across the country, including in Pennsylvania. Former Attorney General William Barr, appointed by Trump, has said he saw no fraud on the scale that could have altered the outcome. An array of state and federal judges and the Supreme Court have rejected dozens of lawsuits brought by the president and his allies, at times excoriating them for a lack of substance and evidence. Its total B.S., Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) said of the objectors plans. This effort is nothing more than a shameful and sorry attempt to overturn the will of Pennsylvanias voters the very constituents these elected officials have a responsibility to serve. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias election administration, meanwhile, have said virtually nothing about a phone call Saturday in which Trump pressured Georgias Republican secretary of state to find 11,780 votes to change that states outcome. In the final days of Trumps presidency, the attempt to support his fraud claims have amounted to perhaps the most consequential test of the GOPs sometimes uneasy alliance with the president, who has inspired intense devotion from his supporters and fueled misinformation about the election. In turn, many of the lawmakers point to the direct result of that misinformation as justification for objecting to the results, saying their constituents have raised concerns about the election. A throng of Trump supporters was planning to protest Bidens victory in Washington as lawmakers take up the results Wednesday. READ MORE: Top Pa. Senate Republican on Capitol mob: What is going on in DC should never happen Several Pennsylvania Republicans said the congressmen may be worried about primary challenges if they failed to back Trumps effort to reverse his loss. These are districts that are very red, and if youre ever going to have a political opponent, its going to be a challenge within your party, said Samuel Chen, a Republican consultant from the Lehigh Valley. Alison Dagnes, a political science professor at Shippensburg University, said many of the voters in these lawmakers districts believe the fraud claims, despite the lack of evidence behind them. But she added that the consequences could be long-lasting. Its really sad that so many lawmakers are assuming that the institutions and structures of the American government are strong enough to withstand a test like this, because I think what weve seen in the last eight weeks is that they are a lot more fragile than we thought, she said. Some of those supporting Trumps effort have eyes on bigger futures. Some of the Pennsylvania congressmen are seen as possible contenders for Senate or governor in 2022. Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) and Cruz, the leaders of the Senate opposition, are each seen as potential 2024 presidential candidates. READ MORE: A Pa. Republican gets a political boost from pushing Trumps false election claims with 2022 in sight Trumps devoted supporters could be a powerful force in those races. These Trump people are not going away anytime soon because of these conspiracy theories, said Rob Gleason, the former Pennsylvania Republican chairman and a Trump supporter. People out in [Western Pennsylvania] still have their Trump flags up, their Trump bumper stickers. They have not given up and I dont think theyll ever give up. He said the doubts in many voters minds will be a millstone around Bidens presidency. Republicans opposing the push often come from the old guard. Among the GOP critics have been Sen. Mitt Romney (R., Utah), the 2012 nominee for president, and Toomey, who is retiring after 2022. The fight will test how far Republican officials are willing to follow Trump even as he leaves office. There have been other objections in the past, including by Democrats who opposed Trump in 2017. But in that case and others, the losing Democratic presidential candidate had already conceded the race. There was no concerted effort to change the outcome. READ MORE: I weep for my country: Electoral College vote challenge is a menace that could maul us | Maria Panaritis Each of the Pennsylvania Republicans objecting to Bidens win was also reelected in the very same election they are now questioning. The GOP also scored significant statewide victories in other 2020 races, flipping the auditor general and state treasurer offices from Democratic control. It would confound basic human reason if the presidential results were to face objection while the congressional results of the same process escaped without public scrutiny, said Rep. Chip Roy, a conservative Texas Republican who opposes the effort to block the electors. This is a developing story and will be updated. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 23:59:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Five members of a family were found murdered in their home in Kagongo Karura village, Kiambu county, central Kenya, the police confirmed on Wednesday. Michael Muchiri, Kiambu divisional police commander, said the detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) homicide unit were called to investigate the macabre discovery. Muchiri said experts are investigating the incident which he termed murder. He said the police were forced to break into the house to retrieve the bodies that were in bad shape. "This looks pure murder. Experts are on the ground to know what happened and the motive behind it," Muchiri said. Witnesses said the victims include a father, mother, their two children and a niece. They said the body of the father was found lying outside the house within the compound while the rest were found murdered inside the house. The police said the mystery of the murder started Monday when the body of the family's casual laborer was found on a nearby building site with injuries prompting police to launch investigations into the matter. It later evolved with the mobile phones of the other family members not being reached. This led the police investigation to discover the other bodies inside the house on Wednesday morning. The victims had been brutally murdered with blunt objects, the police said. The police commander said the experts were working on several leads to the murder. Enditem Former Haryana minister Karan Singh Dalal on Wednesday urged the governor to get the Haryana Panchayati Raj (second amendment) Act, providing 50% reservation to the women in panchayati raj institutions (PRIs), annulled as it is unconstitutional and discriminatory. In a memorandum submitted to Raj Bhavan, Dalal, who is a former Congress MLA from Palwal, said that it is unfortunate that the right of women to contest has been restricted to 50% by the present government by amending the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act. The amendment means that their right to contest on all the seats which were not reserved has been snatched away, he said. Many states have increased the reservation for women to 50%. As a result of this, the representation of women has gone up to 55% in Uttarakhand as many women were elected from unreserved seats too, the Congress leader said. Dalal said the rationale behind Article 243-D of the Constitution was to empower women and make the local governance institutions more inclusive and participatory. The basic idea of providing reservation was to facilitate more women at grassroots democracy to participate in public life. But the present government has diminished the rationale behind the amendment in the Constitution. The rationale behind 50% reservation for women should mean that not less than half of the total seats should be filled by women. It does not mean they can contest only the reserved 50% seats, he said. The former minister said the state government has completely changed the meaning of this provision by amending the Act and capping the participation of women to 50% in the local bodies. In such case, their political representation in the panchayati raj institutions cannot exceed more than 50% at any point of time, which is a clear case of gender bias. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. DANBURY City police continue to investigate a murder-suicide that happened in October, but few details have been released on the incident. Chief Patrick Ridenhour said Tuesday the man and woman both were ailing and described the incident as a mercy thing. It wasnt a violent domestic or anything like that. It was just people in a lot of pain and seeing no way out, he said. Police did not issue a news release nor post about the incident on social media out of respect for the family under the circumstances. Ridenhour spoke about the incident with The News-Times after a review of a recently released annual crime report showed a homicide had occurred in October. No police report is available yet, as the investigation is deemed ongoing. Police have not released the names of the individuals who died, only stating it was an elderly couple found in one of Danburys condominium complexes on Oct. 22. A couple matching the description with a last known address of the Sterling Woods condominium complex off Nabby Road had their names read during a virtual vigil held by CT Against Gun Violence last month. According to the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the couple died from gunshot wounds to the head. The mans death was ruled a suicide, while the womans was ruled a homicide. Danbury had three other homicides last year. The first occurred March 18, when 21-year-old Willy Placencia was stabbed multiple times during a brawl at the Danbury City Center Skate Park.. Three months later, 60-year-old Ricardo Uruchima was beaten to death near the intersection of Maple Avenue and Garamella Boulevard. The fatal assault occurred the evening of June 23, and Uruchimas body was discovered the following day. The third homicide of the year occurred July 12, when 39-year-old Raymond Irvin Simmons, of Waterbury, was fatally shot during an outdoor vigil on Beaver Street. (CNN) Europe's largest airline Ryanair is being investigated by the UK's Advertising Standards Agency after a "jab and go" advertising campaign promoting air travel as coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out attracted more than a thousand complaints. The UK's advertising watchdog told CNN it had launched a formal investigation after receiving more than 1,600 complaints about Ryanair's advert. The advert on the airline's website features an image of a syringe and a bottle branded "vaccine," alongside the slogans, "book summer," "vaccines are coming" and "jab & go," accompanied by promotions for budget flights. A spokesman for the ASA told CNN in a statement that complainants objected that the advertisement "misleadingly suggests that the vaccine will have been successfully rolled out across the population by spring/summer and that travel restrictions won't apply by then." Complainants also found the advert "offensive and irresponsible," he said, adding: "In their view, it trivializes the effect of the pandemic on individuals and society." The ASA has launched a formal investigation into the airline, and will publish the findings "in due course," the spokesman added. CNN has contacted Ryanair for comment. The first vaccinations against Covid-19 are already being rolled out in some countries -- including the UK and the United States -- but it's likely most of the population will have to wait months before getting their jabs. For citizens of other countries, the wait could be even longer. The aviation industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with airlines struggling to entice customers to travel amid legal restrictions on travel and people's reluctance to fly. Numerous airlines have closed, while profit-and-loss reports for the third quarter of the year lay bare the extent to which remaining airlines have been crippled by the pandemic. North American passenger jet arrivals dropped by 48% year-on-year, according to December figures released by aviation analytics company Cirium, while Latin America was barely better, at 46% down. Europe numbers, meanwhile, have been devastated -- more than 70% down, year on year. Even in Asia Pacific -- which has controlled the pandemic better than other regions -- arrivals are still more than 30% lower now than they were this time last year. This story was first published on CNN.com "Ryanair 'jab and go' ad investigated after sparking 1,600 complaints" The central government confirmed on Wednesday that avian influenza, or bird flu, cases were reported across 12 epicentres in at least four Indian states even as authorities issued advisories to contain further spread of the outbreak and asked all states to keep a close vigil to detect any unusual bird death. Thousands of birds have died in Kerala (mostly poultry), Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds), and Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (crows) since the beginning of the outbreak in December-end. Officials said migratory birds are behind the outbreak. The government said it has set up a control room in New Delhi to keep a watch on the situation. No case among humans has been reported. In addition to the four states with confirmed cases, around 400,000 chickens have died in Haryanas Panchkula district over the past 20 days. Similarly, three crows are suspected to have died due to the disease in Uttarakhands capital Dehradun. Their test reports were awaited. Jharkhand and Gujarat, too, have sounded an alarm. The Union health ministry said it has deployed special teams in Panchkula, apart from Keralas two epicentres. Experts said the current outbreak is caused by the H5N8 strain, though there are other strains circulating globally. A series of outbreaks have been reported in Europe in the past weeks, with wild birds suspected to be spreading the disease. Experts added that both H5N1 (another strain of avian influenza) and H5N8 have high pathogenicity (the ability of a pathogen to cause disease), but they dont infect humans very effectively. However, past outbreaks among farm birds have needed extensive slaughtering programmes. people who are handling birds (culling them or handling meat) should be careful and take full precautions. If it does transmit to humans, the influenza can be very severe...Human-to-human transmission is also not common, but can happen. Eating properly cooked poultry is unlikely to transmit the infection. We have had several bird flu episodes in the past but managed to control them, said Dr Shobha Broor, former head of the department of microbiology at Delhis All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The current outbreak began barely a few months after India declared the country free from the disease on September 30, 2020. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006. Bird flu cases can be found all over the world. India was declared free of bird flu in September. Then in October, we issued an advisory that the cold is coming and that there is a need to take precautions. Today, most of the cases are being reported from the places where migratory birds arrive, and they are the reason for bringing the virus to the country, Giriraj Singh, the Union minister of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, told news agency ANI. The government is on alert. Samples from all states are being sent to Bhopal (for testing at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases). There is nothing to worry about. The government will also provide compensation to the farmers for the poultry that died, Singh said. In a statement, his ministry identified 12 disease epicentres: Baran, Kota, Jhalawar regions in Rajasthan; Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas in Madhya Pradesh; Kangra in Himachal Pradesh; and Keralas Kottayam and Alappuzha (four epicentres). In India, the ministry said, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds during winter months from September-October to February-March. The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out. Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no direct evidence that AI (avian influenza) viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products, it added. Over 69,000 birds, including ducks and chickens, were culled in Alappuzha and Kottayam, Kerala animal husbandry minister K Raju said on Wednesday. His government has declared bird flu as a state disaster. Rapid response teams are on the ground for culling and surveillance efforts. The state cabinet, which met today (Wednesday), has decided to compensate the farmers for culling their birds. For culled birds over two months old, farmers will be given 200 for each for those under the age of two months, farmers will be compensated at 100 for each, the minister said. Madhya Pradesh has banned transportation of poultry from other states as a measure to check the spread, government officials said. Testing of poultry samples from districts affected by bird flu suggests poultry is not affected, but as a precautionary measure, the Mandsaur district administration has ordered a ban on the sale and purchase of chicken and eggs... 250 crows have been found dead so far in the district, said JN Kansotia, the states animal husbandry principal secretary. In Himachal, there was a complete ban on the sale and export of poultry products and fish in the four subdivisions of Dehra, Fatehpur, Jawali and Indora, according to Kangra deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati. We cant stop it (movement of migratory birds); it will continue till February-end, said Prajapati. Panchkula civil surgeon Dr Jasjeet Kaur said six screening teams were sent to the worst-hit Barwala belt, considered Asias second largest poultry belt with over 7.7 million birds in 110 farms. Across states, poultry farm owners feared losses due to the culling of birds --- a likely outcome of the outbreak. I have more than 40,000 chickens at my farm. If the virus spreads, culling would be carried out and that would mean losses worth lakhs or rupees, said Pushp Barotia, a poultry farm owner in Kangra. The scare has led to a drop in chicken prices in many parts of the country. Annu Gulati, an office-bearer of the Uttar Pradesh Poultry Farm Association, said prices have come down to 20-25 per kg. (With inputs from HTC in Thiruvananthapuram, Dharamshala, Jaipur, Bhopal and Lucknow, and agencies OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak in Latvia, where an unspecified number of troops have tested positive for the illness while guarding against Russian aggression in the region. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the troops at Adazi Military Base in Kadaga, Latvia, on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak in Latvia, where an unspecified number of troops have tested positive for the illness while guarding against Russian aggression in the region. The Department of National Defence confirmed on Tuesday that military personnel at Camp Adazi near the Latvian capital of Riga have contracted COVID-19, though it would not provide specific numbers. The Canadian Armed Forces have some members deployed on Operation Reassurance in Latvia (who) have tested positive for COVID-19, Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said in a statement. For operational security reasons, specific numbers of affected members will not be released. Canada has 540 soldiers in Latvia, where the Canadian military has been leading a NATO battlegroup that includes troops from nine other countries as a check against Russian incursions into eastern Europe and the Baltics. Media reports have indicated that troops from some of those other countries have also tested positive for COVID-19, and that NATO and Latvian officials were scrambling to contain the outbreak. Britain, Germany and the United States are leading similar battlegroups in neighbouring Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, all of which were established after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. The Canadian Armed Forces reported Tuesday that 732 military members have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in March, an increase of 56 since last week. Thirty-two still had the illness, more than double the 15 that were reported last week. The current contingent of soldiers in Latvia arrived in July only after their plane turned back in midair because of concerns the troops might have been exposed to COVID-19 before leaving Canada. While such deployments are often six months long, Le Bouthillier said Ottawa and Riga are in discussions about when the group can return home and be replaced by a new contingent. He suggested any decision would remain secret due to security concerns, even though such rotations have been publicly revealed in the past. The infections in Latvia follow an outbreak among Canadian military personnel in Kuwait at the beginning of December. Canada has hundreds of troops in the Middle East participating in the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. All infected troops in Latvia are in isolation, Le Bouthillier said, while contact-tracing efforts are underway to limit the spread of the disease. Latvias ambassador to Canada would not reveal the extent of the outbreak but said the situation is and was under control after his government set up a rapid-testing facility at Camp Adazi and imposed other measures to prevent further infections. He also downplayed any threat to the integrity and combat capability of the battlegroup. The health-protection measures aim to preserve the combat power and readiness of NATOs (battlegroup) in Latvia, which has not been affected since the pandemic, Karlis Eihenbaums said in an email to The Canadian Press. Soldiers are following Latvian government regulations and the Canadian Armed Forces preventative measures, and also the Camp Adazi restrictions to reduce any potential risks to contract COVID-19. Latvia, like many countries, has seen a surge in the number of new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, with more than 1,800 reported on Dec. 31, the highest daily total so far. More than 500 new infections were reported on Sunday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2021. Washington: If Democrat Jon Ossoff wins the Senate run-off in Georgia, he will be the youngest person elected to the US Senate in 40 years. The 33-year old will also have what is believed to be one of the closest personal connections to Australia of any member of Congress in American history. Ossoff's mother, Heather Fenton, was born and raised in Sydney before moving to the US at the age of 23 and settling in the Atlanta area in Georgia. Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff. Credit:AP The business graduate married Richard Ossoff, a Harvard graduate who runs a specialist legal and accounting publishing company in Atlanta. Fenton has held several senior management roles and co-founded a non-profit group aimed at helping elect more women to political office. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-07 02:08:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's first-ever exhibition on technologies for converting vehicles to use natural gas has witnessed a huge turnout as the government has kicked off a plan to operate vehicles on bi-fuel system. Dubbed Go Green, the three-day exhibition, which will conclude Wednesday night, is meant to inform car companies and the public about Egypt's strategy to convert vehicles to run on natural gas as well as the financing the government will provide to achieve this program. The exhibition also aims at showing the public how the new plan will help preserve the environment and make use of the country's abundant natural gas production. Under the new initiative, the government will convert hundreds of thousands of vehicles to bi-fuel models. The most populous Arab country will also replace some 1.3 million private cars and 50,000 taxis that have been used for more than 20 years. Ezzat Hassan, a 45-year-old construction worker was one of thousands of the expo's visitors who wanted to get an idea about the government's new plan. "I have two old cars and I want to replace them with new gas-powered ones. I came today to see the cars available. I also wanted to know the prices and the facilities provided by the government," Hassan told Xinhua. "When I replace my cars with new bi-fuel ones, I would be able to save money as natural gas is way cheaper than conventional fuel. I will also save time as I used to go to car fixers at least once a week," he added. Meanwhile, companies operating in Egypt in the field of car conversion have well prepared themselves to meet the needs of the market as hundreds of thousands of cars will be converted into bi-fuel system. Ahmed Saeed, marketing general manager of state-owned Natural Gas Vehicles Company, said his company participated at the exhibition to give the public a background about the technology of car conversion his company uses. "We have been in the market for 25 years now and we have converted more than 300,000 cars to operate from liquid fuel into natural gas," Saeed said. "We are here to tell the customers that we are ready to convert all kinds of cars using the latest technologies in the world." He said that his company is even able to covert cars using diesel engine to operate on natural gas, stressing that it is a unique experience in Egypt. Experts believe that using natural gas as fuel will help Egypt reduce traditional fuel imports, have cleaner environment as well as making use of its natural resources. "Car owners will be able to save more than 50 percent by using cheaper natural gas," Osama Aboul-Magd, head of the Egyptian Automotive Dealers Association, told Xinhua. Under the initiative, he said, 15,000 microbuses and 55,000 taxis, in addition to 250,000 private cars will be converted into natural gas-powered models, or replaced with new ones during 2021. The government will also establish some 325 new natural gas-filling stations, bringing the number of stations nationwide to 550, he revealed. Aboul-Magd confirmed that the government will provide soft loans for those who will replace their old cars with newer ones, stressing that the plan will help Egypt save billions of U.S. dollars. "Egypt will import less petroleum when vehicles use natural gas as fuel. This will help the country save hard currency," he said. Egypt's imports of petroleum products decreased in 2019 to 9.4 billion dollars, while its petroleum exports increased to 4.9 billion dollars, according to the country's official statistics agency. Cairo aspires to become a regional hub for the trade of oil and liquefied natural gas after major discoveries were made in recent years, including the Zohr gas field in the Mediterranean that holds an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet of gas. Egypt witnessed a seven-percent increase in oil and gas production in 2019 by producing some 650,000 barrels of crude oil and 7.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, according to the data of the Petroleum Ministry. Since July 2014, Egypt has signed more than 82 gas and oil exploration deals with investors, with a minimum investment of about 16 billion dollars. Enditem The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. Paris, TX (75460) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Election bloc format must be workable in some logical sense Attorney: Political persecution against Robert Kocharyan is becoming more noticeable during election campaign Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: We must do everything so that our domestic politics is not dictated by Azerbaijan Armenian acting defense minister meets Russian peacekeeping mission chief Congress predicts US nuclear spending to reach $ 634 billion by 2030 Russian MP: The effectiveness of military cooperation with Armenia depends on Yerevan as well Delimitation now may create some problems in Karabakh negotiation process, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on relations with 3rd President Sargsyan: We go our own way they go their own Judge adjourns hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM for 3 weeks Court hearing over case of Armenia 2nd President and ex-Deputy PM 2nd President Kocharyan: Armenia must show that it will not be subjected to such pressures Kocharyan: You may find yourself in stupid situations if you come to negotiations without any baggage Armenia Investigative Committee: Criminal case opened into soldiers death 157 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia EU helps UN World Food Programme provide humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected people in Armenia Yerevan municipal council convenes regular session EUGENE, Ore. Zyler is a happy dog who loves to chase after a ball and play with toys. He is 5-years-old and could possibly live with another dog. He would do best in a calm but active family that will give him time to settle in and take him on many adventures. Zyler arrived at Greenhill Humane Society as a stray on Dec. 28, and since then he has won over many hearts at the shelter. He was thin he came into the shelter, but since then he has been putting on weight and now weighs about 50 pounds. His adoption fee is $200, which helps pay for shelter expenses such as vaccinations, microchip identification, spaying or neutering, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, post-adoption support and more. Zyler was Tuesdays Pet of the Week on KEZI 9 News. Every Tuesday, KEZI showcases a homeless pet on the Midday newscast at 11 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. If you are interested in Zyler or the other animals at Greenhill Humane Society, click here. Greenhill Humane Society is located at 88530 Green Hill Road and is open daily by appointment only from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its phone number is 541-689-1503. Adoptions are also currently by appointment only. To ensure a good match is made, potential adopters must go to the animal shelter in person to meet with the animal and kennel staff. All family members should be present to ensure the animal is compatible with everyone in the household. To watch a video of Zyler click here. [January 06, 2021] Forexsuggest survey confirms Africa continues to break trading records Luxembourg, Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 2020 has been a challenging year in all respects in Africa especially on the economic front but a 100% plus growth for some regulated brokers will definitely grab the attention of the global forex trading community. Forexsuggest recently released statistics on the sustained growth of forex trading in Africa and the reasons driving the surge in forex trading volumes. The company attributed increased and strengthened trading on the continent to the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, improved telecommunications and the appeal of a highly liquid, lower transactional cost instrument. Its suggested that due to lockdowns on the continent as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent attempts to curb the spread, a lot more people were confined to their homes to work remotely whereas others were left without employment, seeking alternative ways to secure an income. Increased access to improved telecommunications, specifically the Internet, across Africa has for a while now brought in massive numbers of new forex traders whove signed up to trade on the established electronic trading platforms. Lastly, Forexsuggest noted the notorious high liquidity of the forex market, low barriers to entry and comparatively low transactional costs make it possible for just about anyone with a computer and access to the Internet to trade forex via a retail broker. Newly-released statistics for Africa published by Forexsuggest Attachment Louis Schoeman from Forexsuggest.com the South African-based forex analysis firm that conducted the survey said that, despite the many challenges the continent faces, Africa remains a lucrative destination for foreign investment in general and offers enormous potential for international retail brokers keen to expand their global footprint. Results from a survey conducted in late 2020 among notable global brokers that accept African traders indicate these firms have already witnessed substantial growth in its African client base and a surge in forex trading in the sub-Saharan region. Schoeman confirmed numerous licnsed and regulated global forex brokers have entered the sub-Saharan market in recent years. In fact, he says the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA) received a record number of applications in 2020 by European and Asian forex brokers. Paul Margarites, sub-Saharan Director of Exness, is noted as saying the firm has seen substantial growth of around 100 percent in trade volume and significantly more than this in the number of active clients in the African region. Christodoulos Avraamides, Head of Affiliates for the African division of XM, noted in his responses to the survey that, on average, XM experienced 35 percent growth in the African market in 2020. Elena Lautinka, Head of Africa Affiliates for AvaTrade a leading global retail broker noted that across all South Africa and all channels that the percentage growth of NACS from 2019 to 2020 was 18.3 percent. Lautinka added that the total growth in forex trading for Africa as a whole for AvaTrade was 20.2 percent. Ayrin Nifanov, Head of African Growth at CM Trading, confirmed the trend; noting the South African-based forex broker saw around 22 percent growth in its client base. Christoforos Panagiotou, Africa Regional Manager of Tickmill, said the brokerage had seen a 27.4 percent increase in Africa alone in the same time period. Overall, the median growth of all brokers surveyed by Forexsuggest was 21.5 percent. Schoeman noted South Africa accounts for the greatest forex trading volume in Africa and that this is where most new entrants are focusing their attention. Schoeman added that a key driver of growth in South Africa and Nigeria appears to be that other jurisdictions, such as Europe, have tightened regulations. This adds to the allure of Africa as an attractive proposition for regulated retail brokers, particularly those originating from Europe and Asia. While Schoeman acknowledged that retail forex trading in Africa only represents a small slice of the global currency markets approximately 5.5 percent the findings of Forexsuggests survey confirm that Africa represents the most exciting growth opportunity for international forex brokers, particularly those experiencing stagnant growth in their own markets. As a sidebar, Forexsuggest highlighted in its findings the recent uptick in exotic currencies that came about in 2020 as a result of market volatility. In February, March, and April 2020, the South African Rand as well as other African currencies experienced weakened price levels against emerging and developed market currencies. However, during July at the height of the pandemic, African currencies showed increased strength followed by weakened conditions again during August according to a survey by Forextrading.africa Despite volatile trading conditions, October and November proved to be fruitful months for African currencies and the positions held in the global forex market. Media Contact Company Name: Forex Suggest Contact Person: Louis Schoeman Email: louis@forexsuggest.com City/State: Luxemburg Country: Luxemburg Website: https://forexsuggest.com/ This news has been published for the above source. Forex Suggest [ID=16281] Disclaimer: The PR is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, express or implied: The content publisher provides the information without warranty of any kind. We also do not accept any responsibility or liability for the legal facts, content accuracy, photos, videos. if you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above. Attachment Forexsuggest survey confirms Africa continues to break trading records [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Local residents watched in shock on Wednesday as a mob descended on the U.S. Capitol, first breaching the building and reaching the Senate floor and ultimately forcing lawmakers out of the building for their own safety. As the event escalated in Washington, D.C., Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, a Republican, issued a a scathing statement on the actions of the protesters. What is transpiring today in our nations Capitol is disgraceful and against everything good that this nation has stood for more than 244 years, Camillo said in a statement released on Town of Greenwich letterhead. Every American of all political stripes, backgrounds and viewpoints must stand together in condemnation of this lawlessness and disrespect for our nation. There is NO excuse for what we are witnessing in Washington, D.C., and there should be zero tolerance nor should there be excuse-making for those who are involved in actions that are creating a stain upon the image of the greatest nation on Earth, the first selectman said. Our forefathers who wrote the foundation of our democracy would most assuredly be appalled by this lack of respect. This degradation of democracy needs to end now, continued Camillo, who has also served in the state House of Representatives. The world is watching, and history is recording the actions of those in charge, and especially of those who remain silent. No nation can claim to be the worlds leading democracy when it cant secure its own Capitol. We are better than this. We are a nation of laws. We are a country that has led by example. We are Americans. We must return to the moral compass of respect and bipartisanship that have made this country the global leader it is. Another Greenwich resident, Joanna Swomley, a co-founder of Indivisible Greenwich and a longtime Trump critic, said the afternoons events are in furthering of an attempted coup and are seditious. A sitting president has orchestrated a siege of the capital, Swomley said. Law enforcement must reclaim control and arrest those who have violently broken the law. We must ensure that Congress is able to do its job and that Joe Biden is installed as the next president. That said, at this time everyone should remain home as taking to the streets will only worsen the situation. Indivisibles national group issued a call for the U.S. House of Representatives to draw up articles of impeachment immediately and move quickly to vote on them and send them to the Senate for a speedy trial, where (Trump) must be convicted and disqualified from ever holding federal office again. Several Democratic House members have also called for a second impeachment, and Swomley said the Greenwich chapter agreed with Indivisibles call. Swomley also noted what she called the incredible irony that if the protest had been a Black Lives Matter demonstration or from people supporting policy from the left, people could all imagine how differently this would have been handled. She was not alone in criticizing the reaction from law enforcement at Capitol Hill, when compared to the police response at many Black Lives Matters protests across the nation last summer. Video footage appeared to show some officers helping protesters down the Capitol steps and letting them pose for selfies. Hale McSharry, a member of Greenwichs Representative Town Meeting, took part in several local BLM protests, which were incident free. But he said there were several incidents nationwide of aggressive law enforcement response, including in Washington, where a move to clear the streets for a Trump photo opportunity at a church was heavily criticized. Last summer, Black Lives Matter protesters were beaten, bloodied, shot at by police, gassed by police and run over by police cars, McSharry said. Today, Capital Police have given the MAGA mob the welcome wagon. It goes to show in this country that law and order only applies to minorities and the left. The events were also blasted by Joe Angland, chair of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. The insurrection that interfered with Congresss certifying Joe Biden as president is repugnant and horrifying, Angland said. This orchestrated riot subverts the most fundamental values of our democracy. We applaud patriots of both parties who have condemned this attempted coup. And we condemn the inflammatory and seditious language of President Trump who has incited his acolytes to interfere with the free and fair choice of the people to elect our president and vice president, he said. More than seven miles away from the U.S. Capitol, Stamford native Laura Gerson suddenly heard sirens everywhere Wednesday afternoon. Its really crazy, and Ive had so many people checking in on me, even up here. Its been non-stop sirens, Gerson, 23, said as the situation continued to escalate downtown. Gerson lives in Van Ness, a neighborhood closer to the Maryland suburbs than the heart of D.C. Her mom and her brother, who still lives in Stamford, were the first to reach out as a pro-Trump protest turned violent and a mob of angry Trump supporters descended on the Capitol, eventually breaching the building and reaching the Senate floor. Im pretty sure every (Metropolitan Police Department) officer in D.C. has been mobilized at this point, she said. Gersons street was empty, but she said her stomach was still in knots for the city she has lived in since 2015. I feel extremely anxious. Im feeling really shocked and horrified, because I really love D.C. Gerson said. This city really feels like my home now after living in Stanford my whole life, essentially. So, to see this happen to a city that I really love is really distressing. Gerson left lower Fairfield County to attend American University. Between attending one of the most politically active schools in the country and continuing to live in the nations capital, shes no stranger to marches and rallies. I was part of the protests this summer that ended up facing some real hostility at the hands of Metro Police, she said. One of my friends was arrested and I was actually forced into a house overnight that I had to shelter in until morning until the curfew was lifted because of threats from Metro Police. Gerson contrasted her experience crammed inside of a basement apartment with more than a dozen other protesters with what happened on the Hill on Wednesday. These guys were able to walk onto the Senate floor past four layers of fences and security, she continued. I think that really says something about the priorities of the Metro Police. When Gerson moved to D.C. five years ago, she said she felt connected to the nation and infatuated by the late Obama administration. Those feelings have dwindled over the past four years, she said, but the breach of the Capitol building marked a new low. Trying to explain something like this, or anything thats happened with the election or the protests to the 18-year-old I was when I moved here in 2015 Its just kind of unimaginable, said Gerson. I honestly dont know if I had heard about all this, if I still would have wanted to live here as much as I wanted to. In Stamford, Mayor David Martin also decried the events on Capitol Hill. The events in our nations capitol are the result of our president and others turning honest debate into extreme populism based upon alternative facts and lies, Martin said in a statement. Vocal extremists are trying to drown out the truth. This is a tragedy for America to see our Democracy undermined today. As the chaos continued in the late afternoon, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Greenwich resident, also issued a statement. My staff and I are safe at a secure location, said Blumenthal, D-Conn. I am absolutely sickened by scenes of anarchist mobs violently swarming the Capitol. Its not a protest its armed insurrection. This is an assault on the heart of our democracy incited and fueled by the president of the United States and his enablers. Make no mistake: Congress will do its job. This election will still be certified, and President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will be sworn in on January 20. The invasion of the Capitol by the supporters of Trump came hours into a joint session of Congress as the members were working to ratify President-Elect Joe Bidens victory in the Electoral College over Trump, 306-232. Hundreds of miles away, in Stamfords Mill River Park, people walked their dogs while Trump supporters carried Confederate flags into the halls of Congress. I only heard a little while driving home from work, said one woman while playing fetch with her dog. A number of other people were also unaware of the scene unfolding in the capital after Trump encouraged protesters at a rally he held to walk down to the Capitol where members of Congress were ratifying the vote. Stamford resident Isabel Reina upon hearing about the breach of the U.S. Capitol connected the happenings in Washington to Trumps claims that Biden did not win the November 2020 election fairly. He cannot keep lying, Reina said in Spanish. He needs to hand over the presidency to immediately. Just across the park, Alicia Yoder only had two words to describe the riots: absolute insanity. I never thought I would see something happening like this in the United States, said Yoder, a Harrisburg, Pa., resident visiting her sister in Stamford. Its horrifying and heartbreaking that it devolved to this. The incoming administration would have to summon great courage to move forward from the violence seen, she said. Its going to take a lot of people that are willing to see the issue and address the root of it, Yoder said. This is a tough job. Back in the capital, Caroline Treschitta, a 23-year-old Ridgefield native who moved to the Park View neighborhood northwest D.C. five years ago, said she and her roommate began watching the news just before noon Wednesday, as officials began certifying presidential election results. A few hours later, they stopped working and focused the violent events as they unfolded. My reaction generally is just a lot of anger at the violent double standard with the policing just thinking about how violent the police were toward Black Lives Matter protesters over the summer, particularly to Black and brown protesters and now to see nothing be done when its white rioters storming the Capitol, said Treschitta, who lives lives about two miles from the Capitol building. During the summer, Treschitta attended Black Lives Matter protests. She said she felt police would have been more aggressive Wednesday in D.C. if protesters were mostly Black and brown and were protesting racial inequality. There was so much call for law and order, and now Im wondering where that same call is, she said. The way that these Trump supporters were treated by the police is a direct result of their white privilege, and its angering. .... Its definitely kind of a scary mood here in D.C. and a little stressful. Seamus Murphy is no stranger to the unexpected, having worked in war zones from Gaza to Syria and covered assignments such as the drug wars in Mexico and the Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The Irish photographer, however, wasnt entirely sure what to expect when he knocked on the door of John Ryans home in Co Tipperary. It was 1998, and Murphy was there to photograph Ryan, then 105-years-old, as part of a project documenting IRA veterans from the War of Independence. When I knocked on the door, I didnt know what to expect, was he going to be in bed, or in a wheelchair, was he even going to be able to answer the door? This guy answered the door and looked at me. I said Im here to see John Ryan and he said, yes, thats me. He was very spry. He was holding a music box, there was a dog running around at his feet, and he turned around, walked back into the kitchen, and sat down by the fire. His wife was there, swatting flies, and he started playing the music box. John Ryan, Holyford, Co Tipperary, with his wife Mary. Seamus Murphy said: Ryan joined [the Tipperary Brigade] along with Sean Treacy, who, with Dan Breen, led a party of volunteers in an ambush at Soloheadbeg in Co Tipperary, which kicked off the War of Independence." Ryan on Sean Treacy: "Sean was the quietest lad you could imagine, well-refined, good looking and bookish. You'd never have thought hed have gone anywhere near a gun, but that all changed later. The resulting photos of Ryan feature in the exhibition Citizens, at the Source Arts Centre in Thurles and available to view online. Marking the 100th anniversary of the war that began with the Soloheadbeg ambush in Tipperary, the exhibition showcases Murphys work as he travelled throughout Ireland taking photographs of the veterans of the Irish War of Independence at the end of their lives. Also featuring are additional portraits of Syrian refugees who have settled in Thurles since 2015. Their situation as new citizens of Ireland is juxtaposed with that of the IRA veterans who helped birth the modern Irish state. Working with the Syrian refugees was the perfect fit for Murphy, who knows the country well. Brendan Maher [artistic director of the Source Arts Centre] and I were talking about doing something about the War of Independence that would also bring it up to the modern day in some way, and Brendan mentioned there was a Syrian community living in Thurles. I thought that was fantastic, because I had photographed in Syria and had been there many times. These people arriving here, finding sanctuary in a country which is only 100 years old, I found that very moving, says the London-based Murphy. The IRA volunteers I was fortunate to catch at the end of their lives, and the Syrians represented a new beginning. There was a symmetry to it and a reminder of the cyclical and ongoing nature of history, and how things can become connected in unexpected ways. Prayers at The Mosque, Thurles, September 2020. Seamus Murphy: This was taken at a little mosque on Parnell Street in Thurles. The child has been brought along to prayers and is, like every child, getting bored, and jumping on his dads back. I love this picture but I was concerned they might think we were making fun of them. I got in contact with the Imam, a lovely Egyptian man, and he was delighted with it. I think they saw the humour and humanity in it. Murphy was able to fit in a shoot with his Syrian subjects in between Covid restrictions and lockdown, and although it meant spending less time with his subjects than usual, he still had a glimpse of their lives in Ireland. I was there two days photographing the Syrians. It was interesting the difference in the generations the ones who were either born in Ireland or had come here as children and were in school, they were adapting really well. They were socialising with local people, speaking English, learning Irish, playing Gaelic games. "The parents and grandparents, some of them spoke little English, and it must have been very difficult for them. I spent one afternoon with one family and we were watching footage on television they kept going over it, it was drone footage of the destruction of Homs, and they were saying thats where we live. It was just rubble. They have nothing to go back to. They are happy and grateful to be in Ireland but for that generation, it must be very difficult. Dan Bally Keating, Kerry No. 1 Brigade. Flying Columns/ Active Service Unit. Photgrapher Seamus Murphy said: He was something else. I asked him what it was like on ambushes and he said: It never bothered me. I mean you went out to do a job. I think you were hoping to kill someone. On one occasion there were 12 Tans that went to collect their monthly pay in Tralee on bicycles fully armed. We ambushed them, eight killed, three wounded and one escaped. All the equipment, rifles and ammunition was captured, thats what we needed more than anything else.. When it came to photographing the IRA veterans, one of the biggest challenges was tracking them down in the first place, as many did not talk about their past, says Murphy. This was in 1998, the Good Friday Agreement had just happened, Michael Collins the film had come out previously. It was a time when it was becoming okay to talk about this stuff. But before that, there was a fear of talking about it people were almost gaslighted, to use a modern expression. And of course, there was the stoicism, that generation didnt talk about it, and the ones that did probably didnt really do much. Murphy says there was also a sense that they wanted their roles in the War of Independence to be recognised in some way. Kitty Bennett, 98, Co Tipperary. A member of Cumann na mBan, she acted as a courier, scout and intelligence officer. Seamus Ryan: Kitty was in a retirement home, she was pretty alert. When you look at what she got up to, there was a lot of unsung work done by women, things like carrying messages, hiding guns, fundraising, and other things that could lead to imprisonment and torture. It was hard enough finding one man, so it was great to find a woman as well. There are so many untold stories from women especially. There was very much a feeling that they were finally being recognised. There was a sense that before they went, they should really be remembered. They were amazing human beings, they would put us all to shame with their energy and their faith in what they did. The experience also ultimately highlighted the inevitably imperfect nature of the freedom and democracy these men and women had fought so hard to win. The other interesting thing of course is that they basically laid the foundations for the modern Irish State and I dont think they were that happy with how things turned out a lot of them were complaining about the politicians in the Dail. Citizens at the Source Arts Centre, Thurles, is available to view online until Jan 16 via https://www.thesourceartscentre.ie "Dr. Shurney has demonstrated a rare talent for bringing key stakeholders together to drive population health innovation in multiple settings and environments." Scott Reiner, CEO, Adventist Health. Adventist Health has appointed Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, to its executive leadership team as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Community Well-Being and the Blue Zones Institute. We are pleased to welcome Dexter to the Adventist Health family. His wealth of knowledge and extensive operating and corporate health and benefits experience will be invaluable as we expand our community and well-being initiatives and Blue Zones Project footprint," said Ben Leedle, President of the Adventist Health Well-Being Division and CEO of Blue Zones. In his former role as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Affairs at Foodsmart by Zipongo, Dr. Shurney executed a national food as medicine strategy employing tele-nutrition solutions to address poor nutrition and food insecurity. In joining Adventist Health, Dr. Shurney assumes a broad set of leadership responsibilities for strategy and solutions within the Well-Being Division to empower individuals, organizations and communities. Additionally, he will lead the work of the Blue Zones Institute as a Living Lab to create and codify best practice that can be replicated across regions as well as capitalizing on and enhancing the strength of the Blue Zones portfolio to serve communities of greatest need. From his many years as a leader in lifestyle medicine, health benefits management, and in the wellness industry, Dr. Shurney has demonstrated a rare talent for bringing key stakeholders together to drive population health innovation in multiple settings and environments. With his leadership skills and unique experiences, Dr. Shurney will expand the range of expertise among our team. We are confident he will assist in positioning our organization for the future and for long-term growth," said Scott Reiner, CEO of Adventist Health. Dr. Shurney is the immediate Past-President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and continues in the capacity as one of its representatives to the AMA House of Delegates and on the executive board committee. He also serves on numerous other boards including the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), the National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP), and the Population Health Alliance (PHA). Dr. Shurney attended Howard University College of Medicine where he received his medical degree and holds a masters degree in Business and in Public Health from the University of Detroit/Mercy and the Medical College of Wisconsin, respectively. He is board certified in both Preventive Medicine and in Lifestyle Medicine. About Adventist Health and Blue Zones Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities. For the past 12 years, Blue Zones has helped more than 3.8 million people live longer, better in 56 communities across North America through their Life Radius approach that transforms communities through People, Places and Policy interventions. The process doesnt only rely on behavioral change, but rather improves well-being by making permanent and semi-permanent changes on multiple levels, including optimizing public policies, city streets, public spaces, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, employers, and faith-based organizations for well-being. Together, Adventist Health and Blue Zones, through the Blue Zones Well-Being Institute, brings science, research, innovation, inspiration and discipline together to design, leverage and demonstrate evidence-based solutions that measurably and sustainably improve individual, organizational and community well-being. NORTHFIELD, Ill., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Medline and Tricol Biomedical, Inc. today announced an exclusive agreement to distribute Hemostatic Control (HemCon) products in North America to acute care, emergency services, and cath lab providers. Severe bleeding accounts for over 35% of pre-hospital deaths and close to 40% of deaths within the first 24 hours of sustaining an injury, according to a 2015 National Trauma Institute estimate. Rapid control of bleeding can be applied across specialties within the continuum of care, from Trauma to Cardiology to Home Health. "Managing blood loss within a healthcare facility can prevent unnecessary deaths in severe cases or improve a patient's care experience during vascular access procedures or routine dialysis treatments," says Mitchel Kenoe, director of product management at Namic, a division of Medline. From traumatic injuries to elective procedures, hemostasis products from Tricol Biomedical are designed to advance the standard of care, with product technologies that rapidly control bleeding even for patients taking oral anticoagulants while providing a barrier to bacterial penetration into the wound. Medline and Tricol's exclusive offering includes: HemCon ChitoPulse The HemCon ChitoPulse is a clinically differentiated radial hemostatic device that combines air pressure and chitosan technology to quickly and safely control bleeding following transradial catheterizations. The HemCon ChitoPulse is a clinically differentiated radial hemostatic device that combines air pressure and chitosan technology to quickly and safely control bleeding following transradial catheterizations. HemCon OneStop Vascular The HemCon OneStop Vascular is a hemostatic dressing designed to rapidly control bleeding following catheterizations for all vascular access sites. The HemCon OneStop Vascular is a hemostatic dressing designed to rapidly control bleeding following catheterizations for all vascular access sites. ChitoGauze XR2 Pro The ChitoGauze XR2 Pro is a flexible hemostatic chitosan-coated gauze dressing designed to stop severe bleeding within minutes. The ChitoGauze XR2 Pro is a flexible hemostatic chitosan-coated gauze dressing designed to stop severe bleeding within minutes. ChitoGauze OTC The ChitoGauze OTC is a hemostatic gauze dressing for temporary use on minor wounds. The ChitoGauze OTC is a hemostatic gauze dressing for temporary use on minor wounds. HemCon ChitoDot The HemCon ChitoDot is a double-sided hemostatic dressing used for local management of bleeding in patients following hemodialysis. "This distribution agreement combines a best-in-class bleeding control product line from Tricol Biomedical with the depth of service to healthcare providers from Medline. This enables us to achieve our ultimate goal of improving patient care and outcomes by eliminating preventable deaths due to blood loss," says Brian Clare, Ph.D., vice president of business operations at Tricol Biomedical. "Since our inception, we have relied on the very best research and development to build our world-class offering. Medline will expand our reach to healthcare providers across the continuum of care." To learn more about this bleeding control offering from Medline, please visit: https://www.medline.com/pages/who-we-serve/acute-care/ To purchase bleeding control products from Medline, please visit us here. About Medline: Medline is a healthcare company; a manufacturer, distributor and solutions provider focused on improving the overall operating performance of healthcare. Medline works with both the country's largest healthcare systems and independent facilities across the continuum of care to provide the clinical and supply chain resources required for long-term financial viability in delivering high quality care. With the size of one of the country's largest companies and the agility of a family-owned business, Medline is able to invest in its customers for the long-term and rapidly respond with customized solutions. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., Medline has 27,000+ employees worldwide, a fleet of nearly 1,000 trucks and does business in more than 90 countries. Learn more about Medline at www.medline.com. About Tricol Biomedical, Inc.: Tricol Biomedical Inc. (formerly HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc.), originally founded in 2001 and re-invented in April 2016, develops and markets innovative medical technologies that address wound care from closure to treatment. The company is the proud owner of the HemCon brand product line, designed for medical professionals in hospital, dental and clinical settings, as well as military and civilian first responders, where rapid control of bleeding is of critical importance. Tricol Biomedical is headquartered in Portland, Ore., with additional commercial operations in Ireland and the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit www.tricolbiomedical.com. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube SOURCE Medline Related Links medline.com This is the moment ex-Happy Mondays tour boss Anthony Murray was nailed in Turkey over his alleged role in a 80m cocaine haul. Footage shows Murray, 52 - a leading light in the hedonistic Madchester music scene - flee a hotel just seconds before being arrested over the massive drugs bust. Murray was among 15 suspects detained in October when dogs sniffed out 228 kg of coke on board a cargo ship at Istanbul's Ambarli port. The drugs were discovered hidden in 3,500 bags of fertilizer on board the vessel from Colombia - the world's cocaine capital. Newly-obtained footage shows him looking nervous in the hotel lobby, before cops then strike and arrest him Cops struck when a member of the gang sent an encrypted message which said: 'Take 4 guests no problem' Ex-Happy Mondays tour boss Anthony Murray was arrested in Turkey over his alleged role in a 80m cocaine haul It has been reported in Turkey that Murray - described there as a 'British drugs baron' - tried to escape from the hotel after allegedly learning that the deal had been rumbled. Following Murray step by step, the police caught him trying to escape from the hotel he was staying in Sirkeci. Newly-obtained footage shows him looking nervous in the hotel lobby, before cops then strike and arrest him. Turkish police claim the former tour boss was nicknamed 'doctor' and was in charge of the shipment along with two Turkish men. Cops struck when a member of the gang sent an encrypted message which said: 'Take 4 guests no problem'. Murray reportedly left the lobby as soon as he learned the drugs had been seized at a nearby port. According to security sources reported in Turkey, Murray was allegedly at the 'management level' of the organisation behind the haul. Murray is a long-term pal of Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder. The Salford band, whose albums include Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches, were legendary for their off-stage antics. The drugs were discovered hidden in 3,500 bags of fertilizer on board the vessel from Colombia - the world's cocaine capital Photographs released by police in Turkey show a squad of cops and sniffer dogs stood proudly next to the huge haul of cocaine. The Happy Mondays were renowned for drug use and caused mayhem in Barbados in 1990 when they went to finish an album. The island was chosen due to it being totally clean of heroin when Ryder was heavily addicted at the time. The group soon ran out of cash - promoting them to start flogging the studio's equipment. # Murray was previously jailed in 2014 for three years over a 29 kg cannabis deal. Britain's FBI - the National Crime Agency - busted him after they placed him under surveillance. His son Joel, 23, has previously been jailed for supplying cocaine and ecstasy to the Manchester party scene. And daughter Poppy, 28, was given a suspended sentence for acting as a go-between. Murray - nicknamed Muzzer by pals - remains in prison in Turkey where he is reportedly recovering after catching Covid. He has yet to be charged, it is understood. Losing the senses smell and taste are common symptoms of Covid-19 and new data shows it affects 86 per cent of individuals with mild cases. However only 4.5 per cent of people with moderate cases and 6.9 per cent in severe-to-critical cases say they have these symptoms. The study from Paris Saclay University also reveals that for a quarter of people (24.1 per cent) their smell and taste fail to return within 60 days of infection. But the vast majority (95 per cent) of all patients do regain their sense of smell six months post-infection. Scroll down for video The study from Paris Saclay University reveals that for for almost a quarter of people (24.1 per cent) their smell and taste did not return within 60 days of infection The figures vary depending on if the symptom is reported by the patient themself or the doctor. Objective clinical evaluations found a loss of smell in 54.7 per cent of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6 per cent of moderate-to-critical cases of COVID-19. And two months later almost a quarter of patients still suffered from a lack of smell, also known as anosmia. Researchers scrutinised anonymous data from more than 2,000 people in 18 different European hospitals. Objective clinical evaluations found a loss of smell in 54.7 per cent of mild cases of COVID-19 and 36.6 per cent of moderate-to-critical cases of COVID-19. Researchers discovered olfactory dysfunction in more than half of mild virus infections (stock) What is anosmia? Anosmia is the medical name for a condition in which someone suffers a complete or partial loss of their sense of smell and/or taste. The most common single cause of the condition temporary or permanent is illnesses which affect the nose or sinuses, such as polyps which grow in the airways, fractured bones or cartilage, hay fever or tumours. It is different to hyposmia, which is a decreased sensitivity to some or all smells. Around 3.5million people in the UK are affected by the condition, along with nearly 10million in the US. It is surprisingly common and affects between three and five per cent of people. Head injuries and nervous system diseases like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's may also contribute to the condition by damaging nerves in the nose which are responsible for detecting smells. Advertisement Professor Jerome Lechien, a lead author of the study at Paris Saclay University, said: 'Olfactory dysfunction is more prevalent in mild COVID-19 forms than in moderate-to-critical forms, and 95 per cent of patients recover their sense of smell at six-months post-infection.' The average time of this 'olfactory dysfunction' reported by patients was 21.6 days, researchers found. Young patients could have a higher rate of anosmia compared with elderly people, scientists said. Professor Lechien added: 'At the two months of follow-up, 75 per cent to 85 per cent of patients recovered olfaction according to subjective and objective olfactory evaluations. 'The main hypothesis underlying the higher prevalence of anosmia in mild COVID-19 would consist of differences in the immune response to the infection in mild and moderate-to-critical patients. 'Future studies are needed to determine the long-term recovery rate of COVID-19 patients.' The subjects of the study were tested using 16 smell pens and analysed 30 and 60 days, then after six months after the initial infection. Mild patients were defined as those without evidence of viral pneumonia or hypoxia - a lack of oxygen - and usually recovered at home, while severe cases involved being taken to hospital. The study was published today in the Journal of Internal Medicine. [January 06, 2021] Empower Retirement Acquires Truist Retirement Plan Recordkeeping Business Empower Retirement ("Empower"), the nation's second-largest retirement services provider,1 and Truist Bank today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement that expands and enhances retirement plan services for the heritage SunTrust retirement plan participants and the employers who sponsor them. Under the agreement, Empower will acquire the heritage SunTrust 401(k) recordkeeping business, which includes approximately 300 retirement plans consisting of more than 73,000 plan participants and $5 billion in plan assets. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2021. Empower currently provides recordkeeping services for Truist through its private-label retirement plan unit, Empower Institutional. Because of this long-standing relationship, which spanned more than 20 years, the transition is expected to be seamless and will not require conversions. "We are excited about the opportunity to provide a smooth transition for these retirement savers and an enhanced customer experience that benefits both retirement plan participants and their employers," said Edmund F. Murphy III, Empower Retirement President and CEO. "With this transaction, we will continue to expand our capabilities, enhance our financial wellness and advice offerings, and accelerate our value creation for all our stakeholders." In addition to the Empower acquisition of the heritage SunTrust 401(k) plan recordkeeping business, Resources Investment Advisors LLC (dba OneDigital Investment Advisors - "OneDigital") will serve as the advisor to a majority of the plans that Empower will administer. Empower provides retirement services, managed accounts, financial wellness and investment solutions to plans of all types and sizes. Empower offers an integrated financial technology toolset, a commitment to customer service and an advisor-centric offering that have been the hallmarks of the company's highly successful retirement plan solutions. The transfer of the heritage SunTrust retirement business is the latest chapter in Empower's expansion through acquisitions. On Jan. 4, 2021, Empower announced that it had completed the acquisition of the MassMutual retirement plan business. The acquisition increases Empower's participant base to more than 12 million and retirement services recordkeeping assets to approximately $884 billion administered in approximately 67,000 workplace savings plans.2 In August 2020, Empower announced it had completed the acquisition of Personal Capital, a registered investment adviser and wealth manager. The combined firm will serve retirement plans sponsored by a broad spectrum of employers. On Sept. 29, 2020, Empower announced that it was acquiring Fifth Third Bank, National Association's retirement plans, providing recordkeeping and administrative services. About Empower Retirement Headquartered in metro Denver, Empower Retirement administers approximately $710 billion in assets for more than 9.4 million retirement plan participants as of Sept. 30, 2020.3 It is the nation's second-largest retirement plan recordkeeper by total participants.1 Empower serves all segments of the employer-sponsored retirement plan market: government 457 plans; small, midsize and large corporate 401(k) clients; non-profit 403 (b) entities; private-label recordkeeping clients; and IRA customers. Personal Capital, a subsidiary of Empower Retirement, is an industry-leading hybrid wealth manager. For more information please visit empower-retirement.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 1 Pensions & Investments 2020 Defined Contribution Survey Ranking as of April 2020. 2 Estimated joint assets under administration of Empower Retirement and MassMutual. 3 As of Sept. 30, 2020. Information refers to the business of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, including Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York and GWFS Equities, Inc. GWLA's consolidated total assets under administration (AUA) were $709.9B. AUA is a non-GAAP measure and does not reflect the financial stability or strength of a company. GWLA's statutory assets total $54.8B and liabilities total $51.8B. GWLANY statutory assets total $1.69B and liabilities total $1.57B. Online advice and the managed account service are part of the Empower Retirement Advisory Services suite of services offered by Advised Assets Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Securities offered and/or distributed by GWFS Equities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. GWFS is an affiliate of Empower Retirement, LLC; Great-West Funds, Inc.; and registered investment advisers, Advised Assets Group, LLC and Personal Capital. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide investment, legal or tax recommendations or advice. Empower Institutional refers to retirement recordkeeping services offered by Empower Retirement, LLC (d/b/a Empower Administrators, LLC in California) and its affiliates. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements representing management's current view of future events based on reasonable assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance as actual results may differ depending on the development and completion of this business combination. Consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and do not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other than as specifically required by applicable law, forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise will not be updated. RO1465738-1220 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005089/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi: At least one civilian was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir starting from late on Friday night. The firing started around 11 PM on Friday and has been going on since. Indian troops have given b a fitting answer to the firing by Pakistani forces. According to an official statement, Pakistani troops are firing small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars since late night. Earlier on Thursday, ceasefire violation by Pak troops had claimed the life of a civilian, while Indian Army shot dead at least 5 Pakistani soldiers in retaliation fire. One civilian injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, firing underway. pic.twitter.com/KELTAYcoTk ANI (@ANI_news) June 3, 2017 Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir's Poonch since 11 pm yesterday; one civilian injured, firing underway. pic.twitter.com/CLd0oJyUok ANI (@ANI_news) June 3, 2017 Read | J-K: Five Pak soldiers killed, six injured as Indian Army retaliates in Bhimbar and Bhattal sector For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concern over the on-going farmers protest against the recently enacted three farm laws at various Delhi borders. A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde told Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta and Attorney General (AG) K.K. Venugopal, representing the Centre, "There is absolutely no improvement in the situation." Mehta submitted that the Centre is in discussion with the farmers to resolve their issues with the laws and since healthy talks are going on between the farmers and Centre, it would not be advisable to take up the matters immediately. The AG said filing of response by the Centre may close avenues of negotiations underway between the farmers and Centre. Venugopal added that there is a possibility that parties involved in discussion may come to a conclusion in the near future. The bench also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian agreed with AG and SG submissions, and said if it is told on Monday (January 11) that discussions are still underway, then it would adjourn the hearing. "We understand the situation. We want to encourage the talks. We will keep matter on Monday and will adjourn if you say so", said the Chief Justice. The farmers' protest against the three farm laws has been going on for more than a month. The observations from the top court came during the hearing on a petition filed by advocate M.L. Sharma who challenged a 1954 amendment to the Constitution for putting agriculture in the concurrent list, which permitted the Centre to enact the farm laws. The top court issued notice on Sharma's plea. --IANS ss/dpb (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (@FahadShabbir) ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Jan, 2021) The National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) has announced the signing of an agreement with Miral to provide district cooling services to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a first-of-its-kind marine life theme park being developed by Miral on Yas Island. Tabreed will connect the new SeaWorld Abu Dhabi development to its existing Yas Island district cooling scheme and will deliver a cooling capacity of up to 15,000 refrigeration tons (RT). Tabreed also plans to build a new dedicated plant by 2022 at the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi site and once the plant is built, the development will benefit from a reliable, technologically advanced and sustainable source of cooling interconnected to the Yas Island centralised cooling scheme operated by Tabreed. Commenting on the announcement, Bader Saeed Al Lamki, Tabreeds Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted to have signed an agreement with Miral to provide essential district cooling services to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Our commitment has always been to deliver state-of-the-art district cooling solutions that are energy efficient, reliable and cost-effective. We look forward to further strengthening our long-standing partnership with Miral through the development of this key plant on Yas Island." Gurjit Singh, Chief Portfolio Officer at Miral, commented, "We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with Tabreed, a state-of-the-art cooling infrastructure on Yas Island, delivering crucial cooling services to many of our award-winning theme parks. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to be Yas Islands next mega attraction, and with this agreement, we ensure the continuous delivery of trusted, reliable and energy-efficient services to our growing portfolio of developments." The University of Mumbai (MU) is unlikely to start offline classes before local trains resume, even as colleges under the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) gear up for reopening from January 11. Students will be able to reach their college campuses only when local trains resume regular operations. We will wait till then before instructing colleges to reopen, said Ravindra Kulkarni, pro-vice-chancellor, MU. Colleges have switched to online mode of instruction since March last year following the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. In view of this, classes for subjects that are practical-oriented had been deferred to subsequent semesters in the interest of students safety. However, with the lockdown continuing, colleges are yet to chart a plan for these subjects. While some colleges await directions from the university, others are planning to call students in staggered batches for practical classes. For our Bachelor of Commerce Information Technology course, we are planning to start calling the students in batches for practical classes starting February, said Kishore Peshori, principal, MMK College, Bandra. SPPU, on the other hand, has asked its 800-odd affiliated colleges to begin physical classes for both theory and practical from January 11. As President Donald Trumps attempted coup detat unfolds in Washington, the threat that the White House will provoke a catastrophic new war in the Middle East grows by the hour. The Pentagon has concentrated immense firepower in the Persian Gulf in preparation for a military confrontation with Iran that could engulf the whole region, and indeed the world. Sunday saw the extraordinary reversal of an order for the USS Nimitz carrier strike group to return to its home base in the United States. Instead, it was sent back to the Persian Gulf on the personal order of Trump following a White House meeting with his newly installed defense secretary, Christopher Miller. USS Nimitz which is currently deployed in the Persian Gulf. (Image Credit US Navy/Flickr) An ex-special forces colonel, Miller replaced Mark Esper after the November 3 election as part of a wholesale purge of the civilian leadership at the Pentagon. Esper had provoked Trumps ire by publicly opposing the invocation of the Insurrection Act and deployment of regular army troops to suppress anti-police violence protests last summer. Miller and his new deputy, Ezra Cohen, are part of a fascistic pro-Trump and fanatically anti-Iranian cabal that has been slotted into top positions at the Defense Department. The Nimitz, carrying 90 fighter jets and accompanied by a flotilla that includes guided-missile destroyers, has been joined in deployment to the Gulf by the nuclear submarine USS Georgia, which is armed with cruise missiles and escorted by its own squad of warships. These naval deployments have been supplemented over the past month with three overflights of the Persian Gulf by pairs of nuclear-capable B-52 Stratofortress heavy bombers, in what amount to dry runs for a devastating aerial bombardment of Iran. The increasingly crowded and perilous waters of the Persian Gulf are also the apparent destination of an Israeli Dolphin class submarine that sailed through the Suez Canal late last month and a South Korean destroyer that has been dispatched following Irans seizure of a South Korean tanker. Iranian authorities charged that the tanker was leaking toxic chemicals. The incident has taken place amid a dispute between Tehran and Seoul over $7 billion in Iranian assets held by South Korea, formerly a major importer of Iranian oil. South Korea is now submitting to Washingtons maximum pressure sanctions campaign barring both oil and financial transactions with Iran. Any clash between Iranian naval forces and the South Korean warship could trigger a war with the US, a military ally pledged to defend South Korea against any external armed attack. For its part, Israel has seized upon Irans decision to resume enriching uranium to 20 percent levels at its underground Fordo facility to threaten war. While the increased enrichment is part of a series of measures taken by Iran in response to Washingtons unilateral abrogation of the 2015 nuclear accord between Tehran and the major powers, and Europes failure to challenge Washingtons sanctions regime, Tel Aviv has insisted that it is a preparation for producing nuclear weapons. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, referring to the rising tensions surrounding the political crisis in the US, told reporters: I dont know if the situation will erupt. An eruption of the situation is a function of what will happen in these events. I must add that the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and the rest of the Israeli security forces are on alert and are well aware of what is happening in this front. Iran has charged that Israel is deliberately seeking to instigate a military confrontation before Trump leaves office. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, New intelligence from Iraq indicate[s] that Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting attacks against Americans to provide Trump with a fake casus belli. Pentagon chief Christopher Millers rationale for ordering the carrier Nimitz to reverse course and head back into the Gulf was alleged threats against President Trump and other US government officials. The claim of Iranian threats was put in the context of January 3rds one-year anniversary of the US assassination of top Iranian leader Qassem Suleimani, who was targeted with a US drone strike shortly after arriving at Baghdads international airport for an official state visit. The anniversary saw major demonstrations in Iraq, where marchers demanded the withdrawal of all US troops from the country, as well as protests elsewhere in the region. Despite Washingtons warnings of Iranian retaliatory attacks on the anniversaryproviding a pretext for a US war of aggressionnone materialized. Tehran reportedly asked pro-Iranian Shia militias in Iraq, whose own leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in the same strike that claimed the life of Suleimani, to refrain from attacks on US forces and facilities on Iraqi soil. In a Tehran press conference on Tuesday, Gholamhossein Esmaili, spokesman for the Iranian judiciary, told reporters that Iran has asked Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of President Trump and 47 other US officials responsible for the assassination of Suleimani. Previously, Interpol stated that it is not authorized to intervene in issues of a political or military character. The threat of a US war in the Persian Gulf as part of a coup plot in the US is being taken very seriously by former senior British military commanders interviewed by the Independent. Maj. Gen. Jonathan Shaw, a former assistant chief of defense staff and British commander in Iraq, told the British daily that amid the mounting concerns over the coup attempt in Washington, the possibility that Trump might launch an attack on Iran receives less attention, yet there are worrying indicators we should also take this threat seriously. He continued, The first concerning sign is that the incoming Biden defense team have had their briefings by the Pentagon curtailed. Denying access to the incoming team breaks all the rules of party politics and good governance and threatens a dangerous discontinuity in defense over the handover period. But if you are planning on action that you know your successor would not approve of, then isnt this exactly what you do? General Shaw added: If a concerted attack on Iranian facilities were ordered, the tools are there to do the job. B-52 bombers, with supporting tankers and fighter escorts; the USS Nimitz carrier strike force. The USS Georgia transited the Straits of Hormuz into the Gulf, thus increasing both its potency and its vulnerability in the shallows, and the Israelis sending a Dolphin class attack submarine through the Suez Canal to join the US forces, albeit not in the Gulf itself. All Trump has to do is say the word. Gen. Sir Richard Barrons, the former chief of Joint Forces Command, told the newspaper that in addition to Trump, there are elements within the US military command that want a war with Iran. The US military is divided to an extent on this. There is a section which is quite hawkish about Iran and see it as a threat. They are almost quasi-messianic in their attitude in this, he said. Clearly representative of this layer is Gen. Michael Flynn (ret.), Trumps criminally convicted first national security adviser, who last month discussed with him the prospect of imposing martial law to overturn the election. The joint statement by all 10 living secretaries of defense, Republicans and Democrats alike, published Sunday by the Washington Post, declaring that the Pentagon has no role in determining the outcome of the US presidential election, was an unmistakable indication that plotting to employ the military for just such a purpose is well advanced. A war on Iran, with the potential for mass casualties among the tens of thousands of US troops deployed in the region, could provide Trump with the pretext for imposing martial law and refusing to surrender the White House. While even the British generals recognize this threat, President-elect Joe Biden and the Democrats have raised no alarm, instead merely insisting that their being locked out of the Pentagon undermines a seamless handover of the US war machine. What they want to avoid, above all, is working people in the United States becoming conscious of the danger and taking the road of an independent struggle against it. The House and Senate abruptly recessed and the Capitol was locked down, halting debate by members of Congress about whether it should overrule the will of voters and overturn the outcome of a presidential election because the losing side did not agree with the results. Congress MLA from NIT Faridabad, Neeraj Sharma, on Wednesday said the assets of Gurugram police personnel allegedly involved in an extortion racket, which was busted by the State Vigilance Bureau (SVB) last week, should be scrutinised. The SVB had registered a case of extortion, wrongful confinement and restraint under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act against Gurugram police officials, including the station house officer of Kherki Daula and a head constable. The head constable was also arrested in the case. The owner of a call centre had complained that the SHO and head constable were allegedly extorting money from them. Addressing a press conference, Sharma said that it was surprising that the case was registered by Faridabad SVB unit despite the fact the crime allegedly took place in Gurugram. This only indicated that there was an apprehension that police officials posted in Gurugram could influence the investigations and interfere with the administration of justice. It is a very serious matter that a citizen was kept in illegal detention, assaulted and asked to cough up huge sum by the police. There was no FIR registered against the detained person, the MLA said. There have been 7,836 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed and 17 further deaths of people who contracted the virus, the Department of Health has confirmed this evening. This takes the total number of cases in the State to 121,154 while the number of people who have lost their lives to the virus stands at 2,299. There have been 2,263 new cases confirmed in Dublin, 1,373 in Cork, 496 in Louth, 345 in Limerick, 340 in Meath and the remaining 3,019 cases are spread across all other counties. As of 2pm today, there were 954 Covid-19 patients in hospital, of which 88 are in ICU. 105 people were hospitalised in the past 24 hours with Covid-19. Read More Of the cases notified today; 3,740 are men and 4,078 are women; 63pc are under 45 years of age and the median age is 36 years old. Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; The country is in a serious phase of this surge of COVID-19. There is evidence of an increasing presence of the UK variant in Ireland. All counties have an upward trajectory of the disease. There is concerning escalation of admissions to hospital and ICU. We are very likely to see escalating mortality and ICU admissions in the coming days and weeks. It has never been more important, throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes, always adhering to public health advice; physical distance, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, wearing a face covering. The national 14-day incidence rate has continued to climb and now stands at 819 cases per 100,000 population, equating to almost one in 120 people having the disease in the last two weeks. Earlier this evening, cabinet signed off on further restrictions including the closure of schools, except for Leaving Cert students and special education schools until January 31. Childcare services will also remain closed except for the children of essential workers and to children who have "difficult home lives" the Taoiseach said. The majority of constructions projects will also be halted as of Friday at 6pm until January 31, with exceptions for projects such as essential home repairs, health service and social housing builds. Earlier today, the European Medicines Agency granted authorisation for the use of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to EU member states, with the first doses of the vaccine expected to arrive in the coming weeks. At the government Covid-19 media briefing earlier, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar hoped that up to 60,000 people per week would be vaccinated by early February due to the authorisation of the Moderna vaccine. He said it was the plan to have all nursing home residents and staff, healthcare workers, elderly people and those chronically ill vaccinated by the end of March. "In order to do this, though, we have to stay at home so we can get the vaccines to them before the virus dies," Mr Varadkar said. Read More Online Editors Balram Bhargava, chief of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said on Tuesday that Bharat Biotechs Covid-19 vaccine has been cleared in the clinical trial mode, which means consent of participants has to be taken. He was responding to the questions being raised on the clearance given to Covaxin. Permission for restricted use in clinical trial mode has been allowed which means consent of participants has to be taken and there has to be a regular follow up of participants, Bhargava said at a press conference on Tuesday. Explaining the process followed in granting nod to AstraZeneca-Oxford Universitys Covid-19 vaccine and indigenously developed Covaxin, Bhargava said, The existing pandemic situation, high mortality, available science and lack of definitive treatments were considered by the subject expert committee (SEC) on Covid-19 of CDSCO for granting accelerated approval to these vaccines, and that is in our legal provision. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had on Sunday approved AstraZencas vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and Covaxin for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. Industry experts and some opposition leaders have expressed concern over the absence of Phase 3 trial data on Covaxin. The critics have cautioned that sidestepping processes and giving premature clearance could risk lives and fuel vaccine hesitancy in India. In a pandemic situation, restricted use is considered based on safety and immunogenicity data while phase three clinical trail is still ongoing. The immunogenicity data generated through phase two clinical trial serves as a surrogate for efficacy. The Clinical Trial Rule, 2019, provides for considering phase two results to guide approval. Now the SEC guides the DCGI in the process of decision making for restricted use under emergency situation. Now we have two vaccines, Bhargava said. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that it is prepared to roll out Covid-19 vaccine within 10 days, but a final decision on the launch date is yet to be taken. Based on the feedback from the dry-run of vaccination drive, the health ministry is ready to introduce Covid-19 vaccine within 10 days from the date of emergency use authorisation, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said. He also said that healthcare and frontline workers need not register themselves for the vaccination drive as their database has been uploaded on the CoWIN vaccine delivery management system in a bulk. (With inputs from agencies) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-07 06:58:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MADRID, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday night he was concerned about the violence at the U.S. Capitol where a congressional session was held to certify President-elect and Democrat Joe Biden's victory. "I follow with concern the news that comes from the Capitol in Washington. I am confident in the strength of America's democracy," tweeted Sanchez, who added that he had faith the incoming President would help to restore the calm. "The new presidency of @JoeBiden will overcome the stage of tension, uniting the American people," Sanchez wrote on Twitter in both Spanish and English. Protesters supporting outgoing President Donald Trump, a Republican, broke into the U.S. Capitol and forced proceedings to count Electoral College votes cast in the 2020 presidential election to halt. Lawmakers are reportedly being evacuated from the House and the Senate, as protesters forced their way into the building, which has been placed under a lockdown, and entered the chambers. A woman is reportedly in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds. Enditem Eight Republican members of Congress from Pennsylvania, falling in line with President Donald Trump, said that they will oppose the states electoral votes being cast Wednesday afternoon for President-elect Joe Biden. Those eight will join dozens of other Republicans around the country whom Trump has enlisted to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in a joint session to confirm Bidens 306-232 win. As one of six states that flipped from Trump in 2016 to Biden in 2020, Pennsylvania could have a spotlight on it during debate over the Electoral College vote. The eight representatives have already gone to court multiple times unsuccessfully as has Trumps campaign seeking to block Bidens victory in Pennsylvania. In statements released last week, they complained about election-related policies of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolfs administration and decisions by the state Supreme Court, generally concerning the collection and counting of mail-in ballots. Until these unlawful practices are acknowledged and corrected, we cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count, they wrote. Their complaints, however, are based on outright falsehoods, say state officials, and ignore what courts have repeatedly said, say constitutional law scholars. I have taught constitutional law for almost four decades, and I do not believe I have ever before seen American officials reject the outcome of an election with such brazenness, said Seth Kreimer, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. The opposition wont change the fact that Biden will be sworn in Jan. 20, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues that there is no doubt of Bidens victory. The other two Republicans members of Pennsylvanias congressional delegation, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of suburban Philadelphia, said they will vote to certify the states electoral votes for Biden. A fundamental, defining feature of a democratic republic is the right of the people to elect their own leaders. The effort by Sens. Hawley, Cruz, and others to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in swing states like Pennsylvania directly undermines this right. Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) January 2, 2021 Congress is set to convene at 1 p.m. Wednesday to count the Electoral College votes. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who warned his party off challenging the count, is expected to deliver early remarks. Pelosi, set to gavel proceedings on her side of the Capitol, called it a day of enormous historic significance. It is about guaranteeing trust in our democratic system, she said in a letter to colleagues. But it is Vice President Mike Pence who will be closely watched as he presides over the session. Despite Trumps repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. Pence has a largely ceremonial role, opening the sealed envelopes from the states after they are carried in mahogany boxes used for the occasion, and reading the results aloud. But he is under growing pressure from Trump to tip it to the presidents favor, despite having no power to affect the outcome. WEDNESDAY: Joint Session of Congress for Counting of Electoral College Ballots - LIVE at 1pm ET on C-SPAN https://t.co/TDV2ZNRJ17 pic.twitter.com/TzVCAa7TH0 CSPAN (@cspan) January 5, 2021 Here is a look at the claims of the eight objecting Republicans from Pennsylvania: Unfortunately, the many unlawful actions undertaken by the Pennsylvania Governors office, the Secretary of State, and what has been described as a rogue Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded and circumvented the state legislatures clear constitutional authority. They are ignoring case law that makes it plain that the executive branch has the authority to make decisions on how to implement election law, and courts have the authority to interpret election law, say constitutional law scholars. Theres always going to be some discretion to implement what the Legislature has done, said Derek Muller, a University of Iowa law professor who specializes in election law. So the question is, is there a circumstance in which it goes too far? If they disagree with the courts, the solution is for lawmakers to clarify what they meant by passing legislation, Muller said. Kreimer said the claim that Congress can overrule the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on issues of Pennsylvania law suggests a remarkable level of arrogance or ignorance or both combined. The rule of law means that no public official is entitled to ignore determinations by courts because they disagree with them, Kreimer said. The Peace Monument, also known as the Naval Monument or Civil War Sailors Monument, is framed by the Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Wednesdays congressional joint session to count electoral votes could drag late into the night as some Republicans plan to challenge Democrat Joe Bidens victory in at least six states.AP Photo/Susan Walsh Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day. The state Supreme Court, ruling in two lawsuits seeking an extension, cited the pandemic and U.S. Postal Service delays in granting three extra days for counties to accept and count ballots mailed before polls closed. However, a Republican appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court resulted in those late-arriving ballots about 9,400 being set aside and not counted in the presidential election, even though the U.S. Supreme Court never agreed to hear the case. It may yet do so in the future. Not properly requiring signatures to match those on mail-in ballots or requiring dates. In one ruling, the state Supreme Court said the law on mail-in ballots makes it clear only that the ballot envelope requires the voters signature, but not a matching signature. Separately, the state Supreme Court rejected Republican challenges to the decisions of election boards in Philadelphia and Allegheny counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked the voters handwritten date on the outer envelope. State law says the voter shall fill out, date and sign a declaration on the outside envelope, although it does not say that leaving off a date automatically disqualifies the ballot. Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hours notice; Only some counties were informed and adhered to this order leaving voters treated unequally from county to county. State officials say this is false. They released guidance Oct. 21 in which they advised counties that voters whose mail-in ballot could be disqualified by a technicality like a missing signature on the outer envelope could cure meaning, to correct that problem by casting a provisional ballot in its place. The guidance was posted publicly on the states website. Meanwhile, the state released an email from Oct. 25 addressed to all county election directors that describes that guidance and refers to it being posted publicly online. In any case, federal and state courts have rejected the complaint that voters were treated unequally when some counties let voters correct a potentially disqualifying technicality with a mail-in ballot. Bruce Ledewitz, a professor of law at Duquesne University, said there is no case law saying that every county has to treat every voter the same. Authorizing the use of unsecure drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute. State officials say this is false. State law is silent on the use of drop boxes. After some counties began using them in the run-up to the primary election, the Trump administration sued to outlaw them. Ultimately, the state Supreme Court decided that they are legal. Meanwhile, the states publicly posted guidance to counties was to ensure that drop boxes are secure, to prevent tampering with ballots. A U.S. Capitol Police officer stands watch on Independence Avenue before dawn as the House and Senate prepare to convene a joint session to count the electoral votes cast in November's election, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. ()AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Prohibiting certified poll watchers overseeing the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia. The Trump campaigns own court complaint, witnesses and lawyers acknowledged that its watchers were able to see the processing of mail-in ballots in Philadelphia, which was also livestreamed on video. The Trump campaigns complaint, however, was that their watchers were not allowed close enough to election workers to see writing on the ballot envelopes. The state Supreme Court ruled that state law does not require counties to let observers get close enough to see the writing, only that they be able to observe. By MARC LEVY Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. The APs Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report. 'I'm tired': Doctor's hard-hitting letter to TN govt, actor Vijay goes viral India oi-Briti Roy Barman Chennai, Jan 06: An open letter to the Tamil Nadu govt and actors Vijay, Simbu from a resident doctor at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry saying "I'm tired" after the state govt gave a go-ahead for movie theatres to run with 100 per cent capacity in the state has gone viral. With some high profile releases just around the corner for the Pongal festival, the Tamil Nadu government had taken the decision. US doctor suffers serious allergic reaction to moderna's vaccine: Report The state government's decision came a day after actors Vijay and Simbu - who have big releases, Master and Eeswaran respectively, lined up for January - met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with theatre owners. Many in the Tamil film industry have welcomed the decision. Vijay's movie "Master" is set for release during Pongal. The government had said that the decision was taken as the number of Covid-19 infections was coming down in the state. There are many others including health experts and a few celebrities, who have raised concerns and have criticised the move. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, too, expressed concern and said, "I saw the order issued by the Revenue Department and we will take up the matter with them. We will look into the Indian government guidelines, standard operating procedure (SOPs) and challenges and bring it to their notice." Here is the full version of the letter" Dear Actor Vijay sir, Silambarasan sir and the respected government of TamilNadu, I am tired. We are all tired. Thousands of doctors like me are tired. Health care workers are tired. Police officials are tired. Sanitary workers are tired. We have worked so hard at the ground level to make sure the damage done is kept to as low as possible amidst an unprecedented pandemic. I am not glorifying our work for I know there is nothing so great about it to the onlooker's eyes. We don't have cameras in front of us. We don't do stunt sequences. We aren't heroes. But we deserve some time to breath. We don't want to fall prey to someone's selfishness and greed. The pandemic isn't over and we have people dying till today to the disease. A hundred percent theatre occupancy is a suicide attempt. Rather than homicide, for none of the policy makers or the so called heroes are going to put themselves under the pump, to watch the movie amidst the crowd. This is a blatant barter system, trading lives for money. UP: 50-year-old brutally gangraped and killed by priest and two others in Badaun | Oneindia News Can we please slowly try and concentrate on our lives and make sure we tide through this pandemic peacefully and not reignite the slowly burning out flame, that is still not completely put out? I wanted to make this post scientific and explain why we are still in danger. But that's when I asked myself, "what's the point?" Yours tiredly A poor, tired resident doctor Denton, TX (76205) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 10:07:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Eritrea rose to 1,445 after the Red Sea nation recorded 82 new cases over past 24 hours, the Eritrean Health Ministry reported on Tuesday. The ministry said 46 more recoveries were reported, pushing the national count 740, according to news reaching here. The Red sea nation has so far recorded three COVID-19 related deaths since confirming its first case on March 21. The Eritrean government has implemented a series of measures since the outbreak of COVID-19, including a nationwide lockdown, ban on all non-essential local and international flights as well as banning various trading activities and transactions during the lockdown period. Enditem Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Australia is home to many tourist attractions. Some are well known to locals, but blow travellers minds (read: the snow). Then there are some that even people who have grown up Down Under are completely oblivious to. Enter: the following photo. Featuring @alanamcdonald_, one half of travel duo @laplivin, the image depicts a little known gem off the NSW coast (14 kilometres northeast of Port Stephens). View this post on Instagram A post shared by New South Wales (@visitnsw) The image was reposted by @visitnsw on Sunday. As @visitnsw points out, at first glance you might think this is somewhere in Europe. Youd be forgiven if you thought this was a postcard from Greece! But the truth is: These turquoise waters are brought to you by Broughton Island on the @barringtoncoast. Broughton Island is part of Myall Lakes National Park off the southern boundary of the Barrington Coast, and is only accessible by boat. Even after reading this caption, various Instagram users struggled to believe what they were seeing. First time in 60 years Ive heard of the Barrington Coast, is this something new or something thats been hidden forever? one wrote. Im so glad to see this is in my own state, I just wish I knew about it last week when I was down the coastbummer! another commented. There is an island off the Barrington coast?! Great spot for camping but worst drop toilets Ive ever seen, indulged another. Speaking to DMARGE, @alanamcdonald_ said Broughton Island is a beautiful spot that not many people know about. A lot of people dont realise how much Australia has to offer. Every state has something different. Everyone thinks you need to go overseas to see beautiful places but you dont. Its not just NSW hiding far flung looking gems. National Geographic published & award-winning ocean photographer @jordan_robins also recently had one of his photos featured on @visitnsw. His photo depicts a cave in the Jervis Bay Marine Park. View this post on Instagram A post shared by New South Wales (@visitnsw) We hope you packed your scuba tank, because @visitshoalhaven will leave you breathless, the image is captioned. Whether youre an experienced diver or a keen learner, Jervis Bay Marine Park is a divers wonderland for all levels. Go on a tour with @divejervisbay to find the best sea caves in the area! RELATED: Lost Australian Mountain Experience Makes Stunning Comeback The takeaway? You dont need to head to Lagos or Thailand to explore Instagram worthy caves. They exist in abundance at home if you know where to look. This was subtly reinforced with hashtags like openforbusiness and exploringaustralia, encouraging travellers to get out and support regional business (notably, the image was posted before Sydneys latest Covid clusters came about). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jordan Robins (@jordan_robins) Jervis Bay is located a three and a half hours drive south from Sydney and makes for the perfect weekender or longer for anyone who likes swimming, hiking, eating seafood, lazing on the beach or surfing. RELATED: Epic Day Trips From Sydney Everyone Should Take In the comments beneath the above @visitnsw photo various followers expressed their appreciation. WOW! This looks absolutely AMAZING, one wrote. Road trip, another commented, tagging a friend. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ant Williams (@freediveguy) Freediver Ant Williams also recently posted a photo, which looks rather far-flung. Taken near Mount Gambier in South Australia, Williams can be seen diving in a spooky pond. This pond would have to be one of my favourites. Underneath me the cave sinks down further 25m filled with crystal clear spring water. After this was taken we explored a mystery sinkhole on a farmers land nearby. Trying to find the bottom was a spooky experience! Covid restrictions pending, maybe its time to go explore? Read Next WASHINGTON:Protesters supporting Donald Trump swarmed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, putting it on lockdown, as Vice President Mike Pence rebuffed the presidents demand to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden and the Senates Republican leader denounced a bid in Congress to undo the election outcome. Trump supporters overturned barricades and clashed with police on the U.S. Capitol grounds and streamed inside the building. The demonstrations flared as lawmakers met inside to formally certify Bidens victory over Trump in the Nov. 3 election. Law enforcement authorities struggled to maintain order. The Senate and the House of Representatives, which were weighing objections to Bidens victory brought by a band of pro-Trump Republican lawmakers, abruptly and unexpectedly recessed. Pence, a loyal lieutenant during the four years of Trumps tumultuous presidency, presided over the opening of the joint session of Congress to formally certify Bidens Nov. 3 victory over Trump. A band of Republican lawmakers quickly challenged the results, first from the election battleground state of Arizona won by Biden. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to the effort, saying, If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral." McConnell helped give Trump some of the biggest accomplishments of his presidency, including deep tax cuts and confirmation of conservative judicial nominees. Biden won the election by 306-232 in the state-by-state Electoral College and by more than 7 million ballots in the national popular vote, but Trump continues to falsely claim there was widespread fraud and that he was the victor. The voters, courts and states have all spoken," McConnell said on the Senate floor. If we overrule them, it would damage our republic forever," he added. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the challenges an attempted coup" and said, The Congress does not determine the outcome of an election. The people do." Pence turned away Trumps demand that the vice president unilaterally reject state electoral votes on the same day Trumps fellow Republicans were poised to lose their majority in the Senate. The joint session of Congress could last past midnight. We will never give up," Trump earlier told thousands of cheering supporters on a grassy expanse near the White House called the Ellipse. We will never concede. It doesnt happen. You dont concede when theres theft involved." Trump in his speech applied fresh pressure on Pence to try to reverse the election results. In a statement, Pence said he shares the concerns about the integrity" of the election but that is not correct that he should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally. The U.S. Constitution does not give Pence the power to unilaterally overturn the results of the election, but he is under pressure to do so from Trump. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor A husband who reported his preschool teacher wife missing on New Year's Eve has been arrested after cops found her shot dead in a field in Michigan. Amanda Marie Hilton, 31, was discovered on Tuesday morning on a patch of land behind her apartment complex in Southgate, Detroit. Husband Ryan Hilton was arrested having reported that the mother-of-two was last seen late on New Year's Eve. Hilton is co-operating with police and remains in custody, but he has not been charged with any crime. Amanda Marie Hilton, 31, with her husband Ryan Hilton. She was reported missing on New Year's Eve by Hilton and was discovered on Tuesday shot dead in a field behind the apartment complex where she lived. Hilton was arrested and remains in custody but has not been charged Amanda, a mother-of-two, has a young son with Hilton who she married in September 2019. She worked as a preschool teacher's assistant at Children's Place Montessori of Brownstown. Amanda was last seen at around 11.30pm New Year's Eve and was witnessed getting into a dark-colored Ford Fusion hatchback. She was reported missing by Hilton in the early hours of the following morning. Amanda and Hilton married in September 2019 and she gave birth to her youngest son the year before. She worked as a preschool teacher's assistant at Children's Place Montessori of Brownstown. Charges are expected later this week, according to Michigan Headlines, with police saying it is an isolated incident which poses no threat to the wider public. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama in Abuja, Nigeria, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Jiang Xuan/Xinhua) ABUJA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Tuesday that China and Nigeria have reached seven important consensuses on deepening bilateral cooperation. During a press conference jointly attended by Wang and Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, Wang said that after his talks and in-depth exchange of views with Onyeama, the two countries agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and firmly support each other until the pandemic is completely overcome. Wang said the two sides will establish an intergovernmental committee to be led by the two countries' foreign ministers that will coordinate and advance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Meanwhile, the two countries will also advance cooperation in jointly promoting the construction of the Belt and Road by closely aligning China's new development pattern with Nigeria's new national development plan, Wang said. China will vigorously promote the construction of key projects in Nigeria so as to help Nigeria accelerate industrialization and improve its independent development capabilities, he said. Wang said the two countries will continue to expand cooperation into areas including digital economy and green economy so as to achieve diversified development; the two sides will deepen military and security cooperation in efforts to enhance Nigeria's capacity in safeguarding national security. Further, China and Nigeria will also closely coordinate international and regional affairs, practice multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. Nigeria is the largest economy and the most populous country in Africa. It has important international and regional influences, and it has always been a major strategic partner that China attaches great importance to in Africa, Wang said, adding that the two countries this year will usher in the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Over the past 50 years, no matter how the international situation changes, China and Nigeria have persisted in mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual support, and have embarked on a path of unity and rejuvenation, Wang said. The Chinese official said that in 2019, bilateral trade volume reached 1,900 times that of when the two countries established diplomatic relations. The two sides have also achieved fruitful cooperation in railway construction, free trade parks, local currency swaps, satellite launches and other fields, and they are at the forefront of regional and international cooperation. Wang said that facts have proven that China-Nigeria cooperation serves the common interests of the two countries and their peoples, and has become an important part of China-Africa cooperation and South-South cooperation. In a new historical period, the two sides should inherit and carry forward the tradition of China-Nigeria friendship and welcome more glorious cooperation between the two countries in the next 50 years, Wang said. The Seven Hills Foundation has announced that it plans to open an integrated behavioral health center at a newly-leased building in Worcester, offering traditional and expanded telehealth services, which now must be covered by insurers. The Seven Hills Child & Family Behavioral Health center at 135 Gold Star Blvd. in Worcester is expected to open by March and become the main hub for the behavioral health clinical operations of YOU, Inc., Childrens Friend and Family Services of Central Massachusetts. Those Seven Hills affiliates have supported children and families in the region for decades. Telehealth has become common amid the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement from Seven Hills comes after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed into law a bill that requires insurance companies to cover telehealth visits the same way in-person care is covered. At the new center, Seven Hills will offer diversified and integrated services to meet the increased need among children, adults and families in Greater Worcester, and also contribute to the ongoing revitalization of the city, according to a statement. This new center provides a central location for three affiliates currently in scattered sites and will facilitate the further growth of telehealth for behavioral health, which has proven to be extraordinarily beneficial, said Kathleen M. Jordan, the executive vice president and CEO of Seven Hills Foundation. With the launch of Seven Hills Child & Family Behavioral Health, nearly 100 clinicians will have a hub to offer virtual and in-person care at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the rate of anxiety, depression and economic disruption affecting youth and their families. The center is specifically designed to facilitate telehealth visits, which have been relied on during the pandemic. With the law signed by Baker, providers must permanently reimburse at the same rate for in-office and telehealth behavioral health care services. There will be flex capability at the center, which provides the option to conduct either an in-person or telehealth session based on the clients needs on that particular day. For family therapy, the center will be able to accommodate one parent virtually and another in-person during the same session. Central intake, a combined electronic medical records system, psychiatry, and evidence-based clinical practices are among features of the new center that will facilitate comprehensive and specialized behavioral health care. Programs like home-based therapy, foster care and other community-based programs, will also be housed in the building, the statement said. We are excited to create a location where truly integrated care can be provided, said Annie Fine, the senior assistant vice president/director of clinical operations of Seven Hills Foundation. We have such talented clinicians who can now come together as an integrated team to provide expanded comprehensive care to children and families in Central Massachusetts. The Seven Hills Foundation is headquartered in Worcester and offers program sites at 160 locations throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It employs more than 4,500 professionals and offers support and services to 45,000 children, adults and seniors with disabilities and other life challenges. Related Content: WhatsApp: Merely going to court not a ground not to comply with law of the land WhatsApp updates terms of service and privacy policy: Accept it or your account will be deleted India oi-Briti Roy Barman New Delhi, Jan 06: WhatsApp has officially updated its terms of service and privacy policy and given users till February 8, 2021, to accept the same to continue using the messaging platform. For those who do not accept the new terms, there is the option to delete their accounts, which is a standard practice in the industry. WhatsApp on late Tuesday evening started sending in-app notifications to its users informing them about a change in its Terms of Service and its privacy policy. Will fee be charged to send money through WhatsApp? Here is what Zuckerberg has to say "WhatsApp is updating its terms and privacy policy," the company said in the notification that is being sent both to the Android and iOS users. The notification also mentions key updates, such as how the company processes user data, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats and how the company partners with Facebook, it's a parent company, to offer integrations across the Facebook Company Product. These are the same details that WABetaInfo mentioned in a report earlier this week. Users in India would have noticed the new policy popup when they logged into the messaging app for the first time today. The WhatsApp message for users notes at the end, "By tapping AGREE, you accept the new terms and privacy policy, which take effect on February 8, 2021. After this date, you'll need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp. You can also visit the Help Center if you would prefer to delete your account and would like more information." It also expands on using third-party services integrated inside WhatsApp, and once again other Facebook products find a mention. The earlier policy just mentioned iCloud or Google Drive, which are commonly used by many to backup and save their messages. In addition to this, WhatsApp has also detailed how it processes 'device and connection information' and 'location information'. "We collect device and connection-specific information when you install, access, or use our Services. This includes information such as hardware model, operating system information, battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information, mobile network, connection information (including phone number, mobile operator or ISP), language and time zone, IP address, device operations information, and identifiers," WhatsApp wrote. "We collect and use precise location information from your device with your permission when you choose to use location-related features, like when you decide to share your location with your contacts or view locations nearby or locations others have shared with you," the company added. Sudan on Wednesday said it signed the "Abraham Accords'' with the US, paving the way for the African country to normalize ties with Israel. A statement from the office of Sudan's prime minister said Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari signed the accord Wednesday with visiting US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The recent US-negotiated deals between Arab countries and Israel have been a major foreign policy achievement by President Donald Trump's administration. The deals were named the "Abraham Accords'' after the biblical patriarch revered by Muslims and Jews. The signing came just over two months after Trump announced that Sudan would start to normalize ties with Israel. Before Sudan, the Trump administration engineered diplomatic pacts late last year between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain _ the first since Jordan recognized Israel in the 1990s and Egypt in the 1970s. Morocco also established diplomatic ties with Israel. The US and Sudan on Wednesday agreed to settle the African's country's debt to the World Bank, widely seen as a key step toward the nation's economic recovery after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The move came during Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's visit to Khartoum, making him the first senior American official to land there since President Donald Trump's administration removed the African country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Mnuchin arrived at Khartoum's international airport, where he received by acting Finance Minister Heba Mohammed Ali, and US Charge d'Affaires in Sudan Brian Shukan, the prime minister's office said in a statement. It is the first visit by a sitting US treasury chief to Sudan, the statement said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in August became the first top American diplomat to visit Sudan since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited. Pompeo was also the most senior US official to visit the African country since last year's ouster of al-Bashir. Mnuchin's visit came after a one-day-visit to Cairo, where he met with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. The stops are part of a flurry of activity during the final days of the Trump administration. Democrat Joe Biden becomes president on Jan. 20. The US treasury secretary met with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and is scheduled to meet with other Sudanese leaders including Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council. The visit came "at a time when our bilateral relations are taking historical leaps towards a better future. We're planning to make tangible strides today as our relations enter a (hash)NewEra,'' Hamdok tweeted. Mnuchin's one-day visit focused on the country's struggling economy and possible US economic assistance, including debt relief, the statement said. Sudan today has more than $60 billion in foreign debt. Relief from its arrears and access to foreign loans are widely seen as its gateway to economic recovery. Sudan's Finance Ministry said it inked a ``memorandum of understanding'' with the US treasury department to to facilitate the payment of Sudan's arrears to the World Bank. The ministry said the settlement would enable Sudan's government to have more than $1 billion annually from the World Bank, for the fist time since nearly three decades when Sudan was designated as pariah state. It did not provide further details. The Justice Ministry, however, announced last month that the US would play a $1 billion bridge loan to the World Bank to help clear Sudan's arrears with the institution, in addition to $1.1 billion direct and indirect aid from the US. Al-Bashir was ousted in April 2019 after a popular uprising, and Sudan is now ruled by a joint military and civilian government that seeks better ties with Washington and the West. The government has been struggling with a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods, including fuel, bread and medicine. Annual inflation soared past 200% in the past months as prices of bread and other staples surged, according to official figures. Last month, Trump's administration finalized the removal of Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The move was a key incentive for the government in Khartoum to normalize relations with Israel. Sudan's economy has suffered from decades of US sanctions and mismanagement under al-Bashir, who had ruled the country since a 1989 Islamist-backed military coup. The designation dates back to the 1990s, when Sudan briefly hosted Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Renovation 6 January 2021 The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is proud to unveil a $3 million renovation of the modern, waterfront property, including its new Residence One & Two Bedroom Suites with spacious open-air balconies, located in the intimate and private residence, Harbor House, a secluded tropical escape of suites located on the ground floor and second floor, tucked away inside the Old Town resort along the sparkling Key West Harbor. The property has enforced a multi-pronged approach to health and wellbeing, providing guests with peace of mind while traveling to Key West, with intensive AHLA Safe Stay program cleaning standards. The newly-updated spaces revive The Marker's profound legacy of combining Key West's rich history and tradition with charming character, modern amenities, and sophisticated eclecticism. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort pays homage to the unique spirit of Key West, life at the end of the road, an escape from ordinary life on the mainland. Located in the historic seaport at the foot of William Street, The Marker is just steps from the waterfront boardwalk, al fresco dining, buzzing outdoor bars fishing charters, and only a couple blocks from legendary Duval Street and Mallory Square's nightly Sunset Celebration - the most active and celebrated part of Old Town Key West. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort immerses guests in a tranquil hideaway hidden among the Florida Keys' world-famous attractions. The resort is a hidden sanctuary of lush tropical grounds with plenty of space for social distancing, including three saltwater pools, an open-air outdoor restaurant, and bar for al fresco dining with ocean breezes. The low-rise nature of the property makes it easy to navigate without using elevators, along with expansive outdoor areas throughout the hotel. "To grow and evolve with our loyal and discerning clientele, we embarked on a gorgeous interior renovation with the help of the incredible design team at waldrop+nichols studio," said General Manager Sean Van Den Broeck. "We look forward to welcoming new travelers to The Marker and introducing them to our new luxury Residences with spacious balconies and free Wifi, ideal for remote learning and working outside in the South Florida sun." Guests can choose from one and two-bedroom layouts for The Residences. For maximum safety and comfort, guests can relax on their large private wrap-around balconies, with a stunning view of Caroline Street. The perfect addition of spacious private outdoor space for morning yoga, coffee, or a bottle of wine pre-dinner. The renovated suites create more options for travelers seeking luxuriously appointed living spaces and bedrooms, in addition to the 4-star experience that The Marker is known for. Immediately upon entering the expansive 1,000 - 1,400 square-foot suites, guests are met with eye-catching, contemporary artwork offset by warm oak floors, sumptuous linens, and rattan furniture that evokes the feeling of a tropical beach resort. All guestrooms at The Marker are adorned large with scenic balconies for guests to watch the sunset, soak in the social scene at the pool, or gaze at the boats in the Key West Harbor from the comfort of their guestroom. Each suite features a mid-century modern wet bar, with a selection of Key West beers and spirits for purchase, including Papa's Pilar Rum, which is distilled within walking distance of the property. The spa-like bathrooms feature a soaking tub and walk-in rain shower, handmade cement tiles, brass hardware, and white countertops for a fresh, chic finish. Guestrooms additionally feature large soaking tubs and showers. The hotel's fitness center was also updated, creating more options for guests looking to stay in shape between bites of the city's ubiquitous Key Lime Pie. The property added new state-of-the-art equipment, including Hydrow rower machines and Peloton bikes. Additionally, the hotel's newly updated meeting room accommodates up to 70 guests. Brimming with natural light, the indoor event space spans 655 square feet with 11-foot ceilings showcasing expansive views of Old Town Key West. The space accommodates small to large functions, offering various seating arrangements ranging from classroom-style, theatre-style, and banquet-style, depending on the groups' needs. Designed to accommodate events ranging from weddings and birthday parties to corporate meetings, The Marker has a dedicated culinary team that can cater to any event. In response to COVID-19, the property is maintaining industry-leading and scientifically driven elevated cleanliness standards to safeguard the wellbeing of all guests and staff. The hotel has embraced the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AHLA) Safe Stay initiative focused on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is managed by Highgate, a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company whose portfolio includes more than 160 properties in gateway cities worldwide. For travelers seeking a vibrant, exotic and energetic destination to work, play, dine and celebrate, The Marker Key West Harbor Resort provides a safe, spacious and and newly-renovated option for travelers. For more information or to book reservations, visit www.themarkerkeywest.com or call 1-855-485-9291. Rates starting at $309 per night. City cyber police have busted an online fraud racket and arrested its six members from Bihar and West Bengal, including a software engineer for duping people on the internet using fake websites. The gang would advertisements on social media sites to direct people to these fake websites and steal their money under the guise of processing fees. HT had first reported about the gang in its January 2 edition. Police said that the mastermind of the gang is a commerce graduate from Bihar who had been committing frauds for the last two years. He is a millionaire and was in the process of buying a piece of land in West Bengal for 5 crore with the ill-gotten money. However, before he could buy the property, the police nabbed him, said a cyber police officer, requesting anonymity. Milind Bharambhe, joint commissioner of police (crime), on Wednesday, said that the mastermind of the racket was operating the gang in a very systematic and professional manner. He would regularly do a recce on the internet to know the latest trends and services that are being commonly used by people. The racket would create duplicate websites of service providers such as petrol pumps, LPG dealership agencies, private loans, shopping sites, etc. Among the fake websites that the gang had created include many government websites.The gang would then advertise the fake sites through messaging apps, popular social media sites and via phone calls. Customers were offered services at lucrative rates and asked to use the link to take them to the fake websites, said Bharambhe. The fake websites are so accurately made that a layperson cannot differentiate between them and the original website. The gang members would take money from their victims under the guise of processing fees, and cheat them, the senior officer said. The six accused were arrested on various dates in the past week. Using technical investigative methods, police nabbed five of them from Bihar and West Bengal. One of the accused from Bihar managed to escape the police and fled to Maharashtra. He was arrested from Ratnagiri. The police have seized five mobile phones, a laptop and 1 lakh from the arrested accused. Interrogation of the accused revealed that the gang has been operational since July 2018, and it had so far created 123 websites. Of these websites, scanning the details of two websites revealed that 10,531 people have been cheated to the tune of over 10 crore. Scanning of the remaining 121 websites is underway, and the number of fraud victims and fraud amount is expected to increase by many folds in the coming days, crime branch chief said. The gang would outsource the con jobs such as making phone calls to potential victims through call centres, websites designers, etc. We urge victims to come forward and lodge complaints. We cannot reveal the names of the arrested accused as more accused are wanted in the case, said Rashmi Karandikar, deputy commissioner of police (cyber). Romain Grosjean is still recovering from his bizarre crash in Bahrain. On the track of Sakhir, the Haas F1 driver shot through the crash barrier at high speed. What about safety at Circuit Zandvoort? After all, there are no huge ruoffss there either. The NOS spoke with Jarno Zaffelli, the architect responsible for the renovation of the circuit in the Netherlands. Although Bahrain is a place where many crashes happen, he does not expect the same accident to happen in the Netherlands. "In Zandvoort the drivers do feel the speed, but they do not drive at the top speed as in Bahrain." Less on the limit in Zandvoort The average speed is much less and the exit lanes are a lot softer than in Bahrain. "In Zandvoort, you don't end up on asphalt, but in sand, grass or gravel. In Bahrain there is asphalt so that as a driver you know you can try something, you can look for the limit." By the latter, Zafelli means that in Bahrain you can permit yourself as a driver to deviate from the racing line, while in the Netherlands this immediately results in a loss of many seconds due to the soft 'verge'. "He (Grosjean, ed.) would never have done that manoeuvre on a circuit like Zandvoort. Drivers behave differently there. Zandvoort is therefore safer than Bahrain, because the circuit does not give the drivers the feeling that they can cross the border without losing anything." LATEST 2:21 p.m. President Donald Trump did not authorize the mobilization of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., reporters from the Washington Post and the New York Times both confirmed. Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller, in a statement, said that he and Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other federal officials to activate the National Guard. Jan. 6 1:32 p.m. Politico reporter Lara Seligman clarified what led to the delay of the National Guard: Seligman reported the initial request filed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser required that National Guard forces would not collide with civilians to avoid politicizing the military." Since the situation has grown more dire, she said in a Wednesday tweet, the Pentagon has since decided to activate all members of the D.C. National Guard. Jan. 6 1:10 p.m. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan requested Wednesday afternoon that Maryland National Guard and state police troops be sent over to aid federal and local forces in Washington D.C. All Americans should be outraged by this attack on our nations Capitol, he said in a tweet. This is a heinous and violent assault on the heart of our democracy. --- Amid an escalating pro-Trump demonstration that has so far resulted in one person being shot and injured and a mob breaking into congressional chambers, one question lingered: What's taking the National Guard so long? A report by Washington Post journalist Aaron Davis early Wednesday afternoon said the Department of Defense, currently helmed by acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, denied a request by Washington officials to deploy the National Guard to the U.S. Capitol. That was shortly overturned: White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that at President [Donald Trumps] direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services." The federal troops will work with troops from neighboring Virginia sent at the approval of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. But why did D.C.s leading official have to defer to the president? Unlike in most states and territories, the District of Columbia's top official in this case, Mayor Muriel Bowser does not have control over the districts National Guard. That distinction goes to the president. This came to a head, most notably, last June, when National Guard troops tear-gassed anti-police brutality protesters in order to let Trump take a photo-op in front of St. Johns Church. Many anti-Trump critics pointed out that tear gas wasnt deployed for Wednesdays pro-Trump protest until later in the day. CNN reported Monday that Bowser solicited the assistance of D.C. National Guard troops to support local authorities. In the letter requesting support, however, she stated that no personnel shall be armed during this mission. Politico reporter Lara Seligman clarified what led to the delay of the National Guard via Twitter on Wednesday: The initial request filed by Bowser on Monday required that National Guard forces would not be in contact with civilians to avoid politicizing the military." Since the situation has grown more dire, Seligman said, the Pentagon has since decided to activate all members of the D.C. National Guard. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. MIAMI, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Origis Energy, a top ranked U.S. solar and energy storage developer, today announced the management buyout of its original nonoperational shareholders. Global Atlantic Financial Group ("Global Atlantic"), a leading annuity and life insurance company, provided financing for the transaction. As a result of the transaction, Global Atlantic, who has held an equity position in Origis Energy since 2018, increases its economic interest in the company. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction results in the buyout of Pentacon BV, headed by Paul Thiers who co-founded Origis Energy in 2008, and Baltisse NV, headed by Filip Balcaen. Balcaen as well as Thiers, who has served on the Origis Board of Directors (BOD) since its inception, will retire from the BOD. Origis founder, Guy Vanderhaegen, remains Chief Executive Officer and President. Samir Verstyn, Chief Investment and Operations Officer, and Johan Vanhee, Chief Commercial and Procurement Officer will join the BOD. "Paul and Filip have supported Origis since the beginning and have been instrumental to our success," said Guy Vanderhaegen. "As we have grown into a leading U.S. renewable energy firm, they felt it was in the best interest of the company to strengthen our ties with Global Atlantic. We thank them for their valued contribution." Vanderhaegen continued, "This is a wonderful opportunity also to thank the Global Atlantic team. This transaction not only further strengthens our partnership with Global Atlantic, it demonstrates the trust they continue to have in Origis and their strong commitment to help us grow our business." "Our partnership with Origis is an important component of our U.S. renewable energy investing platform," said Anup Agarwal, Chief Investment Officer at Global Atlantic. "We believe this transaction will further drive our mutual success across the sector." Since its inception in 2008, Origis Energy has grown to a leading U.S. renewable energy developer with over one gigawatt (GW) of operational and nearly three GW in contracted solar and energy storage projects to be completed by 2023. "There is more to come as we develop a 15-GW clean energy pipeline, with projects now from coast to coast," continued Vanderhaegen. "Our alliance with the Global Atlantic team is key to realizing our vision of being the leading sustainable energy solution provider in the U.S." No leadership changes in the company have been made as a result of this transaction. Headquartered in Miami, FL, Origis has grown to nearly 100 employees, with additional offices in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX. About Origis Energy Origis Energy is bringing clean and cost effective solar and energy storage solutions within reach for utility, commercial and industrial as well as public sector clients. The Origis team has worked to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are upheld in over 150 projects worldwide totaling nearly 3 gigawatts to date of developed solar and energy storage capacity. Headquartered in Miami, FL, Origis Energy delivers excellence in solar and energy storage development, financing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operations, maintenance and asset management for investors and clean energy consumers in the U.S. SOURCE Origis Energy Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Entire church self-isolates after single positive test for COVID; cases highest level in UK Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An entire Catholic congregation in Stafford, England, has had to self-isolate after a single parishioner tested positive for the coronavirus. The move comes as new cases of a newer strain of the virus are emerging in the United Kingdom. The congregation, St. Austin's Catholic Church, was told of the positive test following mass on Sunday. "Following the advice given by the NHS over the phone, and the guidelines given on the website, we believe we have contacted everyone who attended this mass, informing them of the situation and the need to isolate for ten days," the church wrote on its Facebook page. The parish priest said that church leaders have been in touch with the National Health Service agencies to reach everyone who was there, instructing them to self-isolate. St. Austin's has canceled services for the rest of the week as a result of the infection. The latest official figures show that Staffordshire, which is the county of approximately 875,000 people in the Midlands of England that is home to Stafford, has had approximately 3,500 new cases of COVID-19 in the past seven days. The United Kingdom has been under stringent lockdowns in recent months and this week those restrictions were increased as a newer more infectious strain of the virus has begun plaguing the nation. The latest version of the guidelines allow for houses of worship to remain open for individual prayer and communal worship. But the rules also say people must not meet outside their household or support bubble and not mingle with people outside those groups. The new variant of the virus has led to a new lockdown that is scheduled to remain in effect until at least mid-February, according to the BBC. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a televised address Monday that the nation's hospitals are strained from COVID more than anytime since the pandemic started. The Associated Press reported Monday that 26,626 COVID patients were currently in hospitals, a 30% increase from one week ago. The figure is 40% more than the highest level when the first wave of the virus hit in the spring. The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet but I really do believe that were entering the last phase of the struggle, Johnson said. The start of even tighter measures come as health authorities have started distributing Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines across the country, in hopes that life may begin returning to normal in a few months. Approximately 700 vaccination sites are already presently operating with more sites expected to open later this week. Law Offices of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against USA Multifamily Management, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The Sacramento employment law attorneys at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against USA Multifamily Management, Inc., alleging the company violated Labor Code 2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 226(a), 226.7, 351, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against USA Multifamily Management, Inc., is currently pending in the Placer County Superior Court, Case No. S-CV-0045899. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. The lawsuit filed against USA Multifamily Management, Inc. alleges PLAINTIFF and other AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEES were from time to time unable to take thirty (30) minute off-duty meal breaks and were not fully relieved of duty for their meal periods. California labor laws require an employer to provide an employee required to perform work for more than five (5) hours during a shift with, a thirty (30) minute uninterrupted meal break prior to the end of the employee's fifth (5th) hour of work. PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code. For more information about the class action lawsuit against USA Multifamily Management, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban transactions with eight Chinese software applications. These include Alipay mobile payment app, owned by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma's Ant Group, and Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd.'s QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay, among others. The order calls for the United States to take aggressive action against developers of Chinese software apps. As per the order, these applications, which have higher number of downloads and access to sensitive data, are targeted to protect national security. According to an administration official, these apps could route user information to Chinese government and pose threat to Americans. The order states, 'By accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information.' Image scanning app CamScanner, SHAREit, office suite app WPS Office and VMate, which is published by Alibaba Group subsidiary UCWeb, are also affected by the possible ban. As per the order, the Commerce Department will review and assess which transactions to be banned within 45-day time line. Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reportedly told that China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of these companies. Trump in August had signed executive orders directing Commerce department to block some U.S. transactions with WeChat and the Chinese-owned video app TikTok. However, those restrictions were blocked by courts mainly citing freedom of speech. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. MASON CITY, Iowa Mason city is poised for the greatest and strongest comeback weve ever seen. Thats what Mayor Bill Schickel told the City Council and the public at Monday nights meeting as part of his State of the City Report. Schickel said 2020 had been a difficult year and took a terrible toll on the community but that residents were stepping forward and stepping up to help their neighbors while Mason Citys economic development team helped 119 small businesses battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Schickel said hes anticipating big things in 2021, highlighting positive developments like: - Econolodge opening up just south of the downtown area - New businesses opening in the plaza - A ribbon-cutting scheduled for The River apartment complex near Southbridge mall - Less than a year away from the grand opening of the new arts pavilion in downtown Mason City - $150,000 in state aid awarded the Willow Creek Riverwalk project - Pending construction of the downtown hotel and conference center as part of the River City Renaissance Mayor Schickel pointed to the pending Broadway return of a revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman as a symbol of Mason Citys resounding resilience and heralding the great comeback of 2021. (HealthDay)A return to normal life in America might happen sooner than many expect, one of the nation's leading vaccine experts told HD Live! this week. As the new coronavirus rages across the country, President-elect Joe Biden has set a goal of one million doses of vaccine delivered every day once he takes office. If that ambitious target is realized, everyday conditions in the United States might return to normal as soon as the summer, said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "I think if we can do that, if we can get a million people vaccinated a day, I think then that by summer or late summer we should be able to have enough people vaccinated that we are able to have a normal life again," Offit said during an HD Live! interview. So far, the rollouts of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been rather rocky. Only about 4.2 million people have had the first of two doses, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention trackerfar fewer than the 20 million doses that Trump administration officials promised to put in people's arms by the end of 2020. But Americans are further ahead than many might think in one crucial aspect, Offit saida good chunk of the U.S. population has already contracted the coronavirus and are unlikely to get sick again. About 20 million people in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19 infection, but that number doesn't include millions who only had mild or asymptomatic infections and were not tested at all, Offit said. "If you look at antibody studies, which is a much better marker for how many people have really been infected with this virus, that 20 million figure is probably off by a factor of three," Offit said. "It's probably more like 60 million people in the United States who have been infected. That's about 20% of the U.S. population who, when they are exposed to this virus, are very unlikely to get sick, or not very sick." That's not far off from the results of a new study published online in JAMA Network Open this week, which attempted to provide a more accurate estimate of COVID-19 infections by taking into account the underreporting of cases. More than 14% of the U.S. population probably had been infected by mid-November 2020, the researchers estimated after applying region-specific multipliers from five different CDC antibody studies to confirmed case reports. "When we talk about immunizing 70% or 80% or 90% of the U.S. population, there's 20% of the population that's already immune. We probably don't need to vaccinate the larger percentage we're thinking," Offit said. "I think if we get to 70% vaccination rates we can dramatically slow the spread of this virus. Hopefully, we can get there by late summer." Progress will be marked in the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths that occur every week, Offit said. "You should see a gradual diminution in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. That's when you'll know the vaccine is working," Offit said. It won't be known until time passes how long the vaccine's protection will last, but Offit suspects it will prove long-lasting. "You don't know how long efficacy is going to last, but you know with 95% efficacy after two or three months you can feel pretty comfortable this is going to be highly effective for a while," Offit said. That was recently confirmed by a study in the journal Science Immunology, which found people infected with COVID-19 carry immune memory to protect against reinfection for at least eight months. Although antibodies rapidly dwindle in COVID-19 patients, these folks continued to carry stable levels of virus-specific memory B-cells for up to eight months following infection, Australian researchers reported. By the late summer, COVID-19 will remain a threat but one against which people can reasonably weigh their personal risk, Offit said. To provide a comparison, he noted that the United States suffered 700,000 influenza hospitalizations and 60,000 flu deaths in the flu season prior to the pandemic. "If we wore masks and social distanced every winter, we would dramatically reduce those [flu] numbers, but we don't," Offit said. "We live with that. I think it may come down to that with thiswhen do we get to the point where we say, you know, we can live with this level of disease." People should feel good about the safety of the two vaccines, said Offit, who serves on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel that reviewed them prior to approval. Folks with chronic health conditions like diabetes, lung disease and heart disease were included in the trials to make sure the vaccine was safe and effective for them, and it was, Offit noted. "The only people who really can't get this vaccine are those who have ever had a serious allergic reaction to any component of this kind of vaccine. That's it," Offit said. "Even people who have had severe allergic reactions otherwise, like to food items like peanuts, they can get this vaccine. They just have to wait for 30 minutes in the office where they're getting it to make sure they don't have a severe allergic reaction." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. ADVERTISEMENT The management of Access Bank Plc has said its Zambian subsidiary has completed the acquisition of Cavmont Bank Limited. The bank said the acquisition followed the fulfillment of key conditions, including regulatory approvals. Access bank made this known in a disclosure notice sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The notice was signed by Sunday Ekwochi, the banks secretary. Last July, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the bank announced plans by its Zambian subsidiary to acquire Cavmont Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Capmont Capital. The bank said at the time that it had entered into exclusive discussions with Cavmont Capital Holdings Zambia Plc regarding the potential transaction between Access Bank Zambia and Cavmont Bank Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cavmont Capital. On Wednesday, Access Bank said the merger of Cavmont into Access Bank Zambia will hold before the end of January 2021. The merger of Cavmont into Access Bank Zambia is expected to take place before the end of January 2021, following which Access Bank Zambia will emerge as a stronger and well-capitalised banking franchise with improved scale and capacity to deliver sustainable and best-in-class financial services in the Zambian market, the notice read. Growing our presence in Zambia remains a strategic priority for Access Bank and with the conclusion of the proposed merger with Cavmont, the bank looks forward to realising the synergies from the transaction and achieving further growth of the combined platform to the benefit of all stakeholders. In 2019, Access Bank acquired Diamond Bank Plc in a move that made it the largest bank by customer base in Nigeria. Earlier in 2020, the bank also claimed that it received approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria to acquire majority equity shares in Transnational Bank Plc, based in Kenya. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is seen during the joint session of Congress in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Mitch McConnell: Congress Cannot Overturn Election Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), in rare agreement with his Democratic counterpart, on Wednesday said Congress cannot change the results of the election, after legislators objected to Arizonas electoral votes. Every election we know features some illegality and irregularity, and of course thats unacceptable. I support strong state-led voting reforms. Last years bizarre pandemic procedures must not become the new norm. But my colleagues, nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election. Nor can public doubt alone justify a radical break when the doubt itself was incited without any evidence, McConnell said on the Senate floor. McConnell said he supported President Donald Trumps legal efforts to challenge election results and noted that some of the judges who ruled against the president were nominated by the Republican himself. The Constitution gives us here in congress a limited role. We cannot simply declare ourselves a national board of elections on steroids. The voters, the courts, and the states have all spoken. Theyve all spoken. If we overrule them, it would damage our republic forever, he added. The Electoral College margin is almost identical to what it was in 2016. If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral. We would never see the whole nation accept an election again. Every four years would be a scramble for power at any cost. During the congressional session to count electoral votes, GOP lawmakers objected to votes from Arizona, alleging they were not under all of the known circumstances, regularly given. That triggered a two-hour debate in each session, in which backers and critics could make their cases. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) joined McConnell in deriding the effort, saying Congress does not determine the outcome of elections, the people do. By the end of the proceedings today, it will be confirmed once again something that is well known and well settledthe American people elected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be the next president and vice president of the united states, he added. President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in file photographs. (AP Photos) According to electoral votes cast in states last month, Biden received 306 votes to Trumps 232. But Trump and some of his allies say election irregularities in key swing states such as Georgia and Pennsylvania tipped the scales. Over 100 GOP lawmakers supported objecting to electoral votes from certain states. Trump called for lawmakers to object while a Biden spokesman called objections a stunt based on baseless claims. During the debate in the other chamber, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) told colleagues that he was objecting to votes from a number of states, which he alleged did not follow the constitutional requirement for selecting electors. In those states, including Arizona, secretaries of state changed election processes without approval from the legislatures, he said. Weve seen more and more states where the Democrat Party has gone in and selectively gone around this process, he said. That has to end. We have to follow the constitutional process. There is a way to answer the question posed in Shani Mahiri Kings forthcoming picture book, Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter?, with a simple yes or no. That is just what King and illustrator Bobby C. Martin Jr. are out to defy with a book whose pages celebrate the stories of Black Americans who have shapedand are shapingthe history, texture, art, and science of all American life. Slated for publication by Tilbury House on January 19, the book is as much a personal endeavor as a professional one for King. He has two children, ages eight and six, and wanted a story for them, especially after a conversation with a colleague who urged him to find stories that would tell them about their history. Kids recognize race from a very, very young age, the colleague had said, so start reading to them with books that reflect who they are very early. An accomplished lawyer, educator, and nonprofit leader, King looked at the Black Lives Matter movement and said to himself, Nows the time to write a book that is reflective of who [kids] are in their history. Soon, he was creating a list that honors widely known figures involved in civil rights while widening his lens to introduce many people who are often overlooked. As the list grew, he polled friends and colleagues about who to include, coming up with themes and quotes with which to divide the list into page spreads. Among them are Kendrick Lamar and Louis Armstrong, Angela Davis and August Wilson. Along with leaders like Shirley Chisholm there are dancers Gregory Hines and Alvin Ailey. Along with athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos are artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jerry Pinkney. The goal was to make the point that there are accomplished African Americans from just about every field, King said. They come from rich households, they come from poor households. They come from two-parent households, they come from single-parent households. They come from households in which their parents were both documented and undocumented, and gay and straight. So I wanted to be as broad and deep as possible. Turning Typography into Art To transform the words into art, King and Tilbury House co-publisher Jonathan Eaton turned to Bobby Martin. Martin had never illustrated a picture book before, but his graphic design work has in many ways been the visual texture of Black Lives Matter, appearing on the cover of the New York Times Magazine in the weeks following the killing of George Floyd. Martin said he was immediately attracted to Kings manuscript. There was an accessibility in the way that it was written, because it took these really important people and it kind of shouted them out in a way that felt very familiar, Martin said. Instead of illustrating with images, Martin turned to what he calls typographic illustration, using letters and vivid color contrast to create a visual score for the words that sometimes revolves around an image, but just as often does not. The reference points were things that we were surrounded by in the news, Martin said. You would see people marching through the streets, and they were raising these placards. And they were raising cardboard that theyd scrawled Black Lives Matter on, or their names and messages. Theres an urgency to that. What I wanted to do is figure out how we could capture that urgency, that clarity, that lack of ambiguity, and bring that into this childrens book in a really expressive way. One image that was included was John Lewis, the civil rights icon and congressman, who died last summer, while Martin was beginning to work on the illustrations. I definitely wanted to place particular focus and emphasis on him, Martin said. Being able to zoom in on his profile, you immediately know who he is, while theres not a lot of detail there, and that was fun to be able to focus on. Along with words that fill the pages, there are more spare and emphatic statements, including a spread that includes Congresswoman Ayanna Pressleys maxim, My mother did not raise me to ask for permission to lead, alongside a facing page with only her name, surrounded by a sea of bright red color. It becomes this punctuation mark, Martin said. And it places focus in a really powerful way. I felt like we needed that as were going through these pages. What was really nice about that spread in particular is being able to focus on someone whos already done such incredible work, but is really at the beginning of what can be and will be a long and powerful career. The challenge for King was in limiting his list. Ultimately he decided to create a section at the back of the book for children interested in further reading, which contains 100 short biographical sketches. King said he has pondered what it might look like to turn the words of the people figured in the back section of the book into standalone books in their own words. He would have a ready partner in Martin, who found working on his first book project deeply satisfying. This book was a labor of love, and I really enjoyed doing it, Martin said. I was surprised I was able to pull it off because I think I was scared a little bit. I would totally do it again. For now, both author and illustrator are simply satisfied at having something they can share with their own children. Martin will be able to read the book with his one-year old son shortly, and King can return to his son and daughterwho first read the manuscript before it was illustratedand share a finished story that offers a deep answer to the question Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter? Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter? by Shani Mahiri King, illus. by Bobby C. Martin Jr. Tilbury House, $17.95 Jan. 19 ISBN 978-0-88448-889-7 Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 : Former Kerala Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Oomen Chandy on Wednesday conducted a 'padayatra'(protest march) in his constituency, Puthupally in Kerala's Kottayam district against the farm laws. This is the first time a political leader in the state held a protest march against the farm laws since the farmers' protest began. Chandy met several social leaders, including Church heads and Sukumaran Nair, the general secretary of the powerful forward caste Nair Service Society. The Nair community has been a traditional support base for the Congress and Oomen Chandy even though being a Christian enjoys an excellent personal rapport with him. Chandy, however, told the media persons that his protest march against the farm laws was specifically for the cause of the farmers of North India, who are fighting against the laws, he said adding that there should not be given any other meaning to this. The protest march is being termed as significant as there have been calls from several corners of the Congress party to bring in Oomen Chandy to revive the party fortunes after the drubbing it has received in the recent local body elections. With the Assembly elections fast approaching, the Congress party is on a firefighting mode in the state. A team of party leaders led by Congress General Secretary in-charge of Kerala, Tariq Anwar is in the state holding discussions with the party leaders, including grassroots workers on their feedback regarding the drubbing it received in the local body elections. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The Special Reconciliation and Peace Building Committee in the Ashanti Region has honoured the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto for his role to ensure peace in the region before, during, and after the December 7, 2020 election. He was described as a peacemaker by the committee in a citation to mark his birthday. Your contributions have been of an immeasurable value, from your insightfulness to the numerous monetary aspects and there are no means we can express our gratitude than to say, Oheneba, ayekoo. portion of the citation read Read full citation below Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Due to all the downtime caused by COVID-19 quarantine, many have decided to foster or adopt animals in need of homes. And Diplo happily followed suit as he announced Tuesday that he is now the proud owner of an adorable puppy named Jefe. 'Got this puppy in Mexico I named him Jefe,' captioned the DJ, 42, who uploaded several snapshots and clips of the pup to Instagram. Dog dad: Diplo announced Tuesday that he is now the proud owner of an adorable puppy named Jefe Diplo, born Thomas Wesley Pentz, posed with Jefe pressed closely to his face for two sweet snaps. He kept his golden hair concealed beneath a backwards green hat and he had a pale pink blanket on his chest for Jefe to lay against. One of the selfies showed Diplo puckering his lips for the camera as Jefe eagerly peered at the lens. Handing the spotlight off to Jefe, the Welcome To The Party hitmaker captured his new furry friend playfully tugging at his pal's shirt sleeve. Meet Jefe! 'Got this puppy in Mexico I named him Jefe,' captioned the DJ, 42, who uploaded several snapshots and clips of the pup to Instagram Jefe hilariously bared his bright white baby teeth, before latching onto the tempting sleeve and giving it a good shake. At one point in the video, Jefe shook his head so hard that he sent his body tumbling onto the pavement. But the brief mishap did not deter him as he continued to make the sleeve his chew toy. Totally in love: Diplo, born Thomas Wesley Pentz, posed with Jefe pressed closely to his face for two sweet snaps Tough guy: Handing the spotlight off to Jefe, the Welcome To The Party hitmaker captured his new furry friend playfully tugging at his pal's shirt sleeve Diplo, who has been vacationing in Mexico in recent days, is currently staying with Jefe at a Hacienda Sayulita rental villa. The Major Lazer member has been documenting his trip on his Instagram Story, including several shots of the gorgeous view from his villa. While sitting at the dining room table, Diplo slowed zoomed his camera in on the picturesque ocean just outside his window. Attack! Jefe hilariously bared his bright white baby teeth, before latching onto the tempting sleeve and giving it a good shake On Tuesday, he shared various images without context, including an up close photo of a half eaten candy bar and a candid shot of a surf shop. As the sunset in the distance, Diplo headed out onto the sand to taken in the final moments of daylight. Joined by a male pal, Diplo captured waves crashing against rocks and a nearby palm tree. Luxe: Diplo, who has been vacationing in Mexico in recent days, is currently staying with Jefe at a Hacienda Sayulita rental villa Making memories: The Major Lazer member has been documenting his trip on his Instagram Story, including several shots of the gorgeous view from his villa He also took a moment to capture a brief video of himself rocking a crewneck sweatshirt and a hat, before shifting the camera onto his unsuspecting friend. Diplo was clearly in his element as the night fell in Mexico on Monday, while performing his DJ duties at a local night club. As he remained behind the booth, the ex boyfriend of Katy Perry captured his good friend busting a move on the barren dance floor. Precious moments: On Tuesday, he shared various images without context, including an up close photo of a half eaten candy bar and a candid shot of a surf shop Resharing a friend's black-and-white video, Diplo could be seen mixing music for the crowd with three of his pals as a blonde woman shimmied for the camera. 'Last night was vibes,' read the post, which was seen by his 5.7million followers. Diplo's current Mexico getaway comes just a week and a half after the star spent the Christmas holiday in Los Angeles with his seven-year-old son Lazer The Genius DJ shares Lockett, as well as 11-year-old son Lockett Pentz, with ex Kathryn Lockhart. Sunset: As the sunset in the distance, Diplo headed out onto the sand to taken in the final moments of daylight The Covid-19 death toll has crossed 400 with the deaths of 18 more people yesterday. The death toll now stands at 408, with 96 of those occurring in the last seven days alone. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. Syracuse, N.Y. Moved by the urgency and desperation' expressed by Syracuse restaurant owners, Mayor Ben Walsh this week sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo pleading with him to lift restrictions on in-person dining in the orange zone' covering most of the city. Shutting down dining in Syracuse but allowing it in suburbs has done nothing to slow the spread of Covid-19. In the six weeks since orange zone restrictions were imposed, the positive coronavirus test rate in Onondaga County has increased from 3.4% to 8.4%. Yet city restaurants remain barred from in-person dining while most of their suburban competitors are still serving, albeit with some restrictions. That distinction makes no sense, Walsh said. I drive by city businesses that are shuttered and suburban businesses that are thriving,' Walsh said in an interview today. Not only is that unfair; it may be unhelpful. Fewer dining options may mean that more people are congregating at the suburban businesses that remain open, adding to the potential for virus transmission, Walsh said. A map of the yellow and orange coronavirus cluster zones in Onondaga County. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon agrees. He has suggested that state officials put the entire county under yellow zone restrictions to create a uniform set of rules for all. Walsh endorses the proposal. That would be fairer for businesses and easier for county officials to monitor for compliance, McMahon said. State officials have said the request is under consideration, but there has been no formal response yet, Walsh and McMahon said. Make no mistake: Neither local official is downplaying the ongoing risk from Covid-19. Walsh said that if his plea succeeds and Syracuse restaurants reopen, he wont be dining at any of them, at least not right away. Clearly there are certain people within the community who are comfortable going out to dinner now,' Walsh said. Im not one of them.' Walsh said he has strongly supported Cuomos efforts to rein in the virus, and if state officials decide that even harsher restrictions are required because of the mounting death toll, he will back them. But carving up Onondaga County into three zones -- an orange zone, a less-restrictive yellow zone and an unrestricted area ignores the reality of how quickly county residents can travel between zones, he said. I believe the current approach is not in keeping with the states commitment to following the data and is inherently unfair,' Walsh said. If Albany adopts McMahons idea to create a countywide yellow zone, businesses in some outer suburbs that are not now in any zone, like Skaneateles and Brewerton, would face new restrictions. Restaurants in yellow zones can only seat four people to a table, for example, versus 12 to a table in unregulated areas. There might be some discomfort' while those rural areas adapt to yellow zone restrictions, McMahon said. But that would be outweighed by the positive effect of creating a uniform standard in more populated areas of the county, he said. As it stands, some yellow-zone restaurants just outside the orange zone are struggling to avoid over-crowding because nearby city restaurants are closed except for takeout, McMahon said. State officials have shown a willingness to amend their rules in response to feedback from Central New York and other regions. Most recently, Cuomo last month allowed salons, gyms and barbershops in orange zones to reopen after data indicated they were responsible for very few cases of coronavirus. The data also show that only a small percentage of cases have been linked to restaurants. But state officials have expressed caution about reopening them, noting that there is extra risk any time people take off their masks indoors, such as to eat and drink. Indoor dining has been prohibited in New York City since mid-December. Walsh said he hopes the governors office will be willing to bend the restrictions in Syracuse, and quickly. The fate of many city restaurants may depend on it. Nearly three dozen have already closed at least temporarily. The sense of urgency and desperation has increased,' Walsh said. At least every week, we see a business shut down and were not sure if theyre going to open back up. This really is a matter of whether or not these businesses are going to survive. Do you have a news tip or a story idea? Contact reporter Tim Knauss of syracuse.com/The Post-Standard: email | Twitter | | 315-470-3023 China has blocked the arrival of a team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) sent to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allegedly started in Wuhan in 2019. China claims that the team's visas have not yet been approved. WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was not pleased with China's blockage. He expressed his dismay in a statement and urged China to allow the WHO team to enter the country. "I'm very disappointed with this news, given that two members have already begun their journeys, and others were not able to travel at the last minute," Ghebreyesus said. "But I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials. And I have once again made it clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team," the Director-General added. For the past few months, WHO has been attempting to send a team of health experts from across the world to China. The organisation has been engaged in talks with Chinese government since July regarding this. Scientists have repeatedly stated that finding out how the virus jumped species into humans in extremely essential, according to The Guardian. The WHO team was expected to visit Wuhan where the first cases of the virus had emerged in 2019. The team also intends to investigate the claim that the coronavirus originated from a Chinese lab. Dr Mike Ryan, who works for WHO, has stated that the team had been working very closely with their Chinese colleagues for planning the trip to China. "We were all operating on the understanding the team will begin deployment today [Tuesday]," he said. Two members of the team had even begun their journey to China, Ryan added. It has been made clear to them that the Chinese authorities have not approved their visas yet. "We did not want to put people in the air unnecessarily if there wasn't a guarantee of their arrival in China being successful," said Ryan. "Dr Tedros has taken immediate action and has spoken with senior Chinese officials and has fully impressed upon them the absolute critical nature of this." The WHO expert further added, "This is frustrating and, as the director general said, disappointing. That disappointment has been expressed very clearly by Dr Tedros directly to our counterparts in China. We trust that in good faith, we can solve these issues in the coming hours and recommence the deployment of the team as urgently as possible". Also Read: As China intensifies crackdown, Jack Ma's Alibaba starts scaling down businesses Washington: Democrats are within reach of seizing control of the US Senate and dramatically boosting Joe Biden's hopes of implementing his policy agenda after taking the first of two crucial Senate contests in Georgia, while the second remains on a knife-edge. A pair of Democratic victories would defy historical voting trends in Georgia and spark a round of blood-letting among Republicans over whether President Donald Trump's baseless claims of election fraud backfired and cost the party their cherished Senate majority. The contenders, from left: Kelly Loeffler, Raphael Warnock, David Perdue, Jon Ossoff. Credit: If both Warnock and Ossoff win, the Senate will be tied 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans with Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris able to cast a tie-breaking vote. Democrats would then control the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate for the first time since 2011. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Observes Visible Gold in Drill Core at King Tut and Completed Site Access to Dunlop Bay Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - BMEX Gold Inc. (TSXV: BMEX) (FSE: 8M0) ("BMEX" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a progress update on its Phase 1 King Tut Exploration Program, as well as highlight a number of notable corporate milestones. These highlights, include but are not limited to the following: Acquired two flagship properties through the entering into of option agreements on King Tut and Dunlop Bay properties and shifted focus to Quebec, Canada; Completed 1,834 metres of drilling on King Tut property distributed in six (6) holes over a strike length of approximately 200 metres, which includes 2 holes containing visible gold intercepts; Initiated and completed site access at Dunlop Bay property; Completed name change, strengthened management, diversified Board of Directors and created strong Advisory Team; Raised $7.3M in cash and ended year in strong financial position. During the year, BMEX entered into two pivotal land transactions in Quebec bringing its focus squarely onto gold exploration in two highly prospective regions of Quebec, the Chicobi Gold Belt and the Matagami Gold Camp, both in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The King Tut property consists of 120 mineral claims covering 5,206 hectares and the Dunlop Bay property covers 76 mineral claims over 4,226 hectares. Both option agreements contemplate 100% ownership by BMEX. King Tut Drilling at King Tut commenced on November 26 and by December 30, 2020, a total of 1,834 metres of drilling was completed with 1,072 samples sent to two separate labs. Assay results are expected to begin during the first half of January 2020. Core descriptions have been completed for four of six holes with visible gold exhibited in holes TUT-20-003 and TUT-20-004. The visible gold appears to be associated with pyrite and chalcopyrite bordering quartz veins and correspond to easily recognizable quartz-carbonate vein networks developed over a few meters to over fifteen meters intervals in strongly carbonatized and variably sericitized volcanic rocks. See Picture 1, below. Picture 1 - Hole TUT-20-004 To view an enhanced version of Picture 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5785/71415_8befcb5fa49c2be8_002full.jpg The following table covers main intervals from holes TUT-20-001 to TUT-20-004 where significant quartz veins systems associated with disseminated pyrite and occasional visible gold was observed. DDH Section From: To: Description TUT-20-001 679625E 127.4 133.5 60% quartz-carbonate-chlorite veins, deformed and brecciated. 3% coarse pyrite. TUT-20-002 679675E 6 14 10% quartz veins network with disseminated pyrite in host rock. 35 42.8 10% quartz veins network with disseminated pyrite in host rock. TUT-20-003 679700E 98.4 101 Quartz vein (65% quartz), disseminated pyrite-chalcopyrite. 246.9 256.1 Between 10 and 15% quartz veins, disseminated pyrite in host rock. 291 309 In massive andesite: 10% quartz-carbonate veins (1-10cm), variably oriented. Traces of pyrite, chalcopyrite. Visible gold grains (<1mm) at 303m in quartz. 330 339 Between 10 and 15% quartz-tourmaline-carbonate veins, disseminated pyrite in host rock, chalcopyrite in quartz. TUT-20-004 679725E 47.4 52 10% quartz-carbonate-tourmaline-chlorite veins with pyrite associated. 179.4 182.9 40% quartz in stockwork with carbonate, sericite and pyrite. 209.2 223.5 Quartz-tourmaline-carbonate in stockwork and breccia. Disseminated pyrite in host rocks, visible gold speck at 210.8m 231.8 239.4 10% quartz-tourmaline veins in stockwork, scattered in veins and host rocks. The current drill program will continue at King Tut through the first quarter of 2021, with about 2,000 still to be completed over 10 to 15 holes. The drill plan focuses on the Authier East target and its extensions covering a strike length of about 500 meters with the objective to cross-cut the entire width of this high potential structure. Interpretation to date of the first holes drilled have demonstrated that the potential width of Authier East exceeds 250 metres. King Tut Drill Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5785/71415_8befcb5fa49c2be8_003full.jpg Martin Demers, Vice-President of Exploration commented, "Overall, I am very pleased with the initial drilling completed on the King Tut target which has exceeded our expectations. Intersecting visible gold in two holes was unexpected as historical drilling on this property did not yield visible gold in association with high grade assay results. I look forward to reporting assay results in the near future." Dunlop Bay Since entering into the option agreement to acquire Dunlop Bay in August 2020, the Company has also focused on data compilation and review of historical work on the property, which includes about 30,000 metres of historical drilling. The objective was to clearly establish the exploration model and identify high potential targets. This analysis reinforces a model where the geometry of known gold bearing veins is concentric to the late tectonic Dunlop Bay pluton. In addition to technical reviews, site preparation and winter road access has been completed. BMEX is planning a first drilling program to be initiated during the second quarter of 2021 with approximately 4,000 metres of drilling mainly to validate the continuity of the historical vein system, and to test the intrusive contact which was barely touched during historical phases of drilling. Corporate Update In addition to major property acquisitions, in 2020 BMEX completed a rebranding exercise and made significant additions to its senior leadership team, Board of Directors and Advisory Team. During the year Amrik Virk joined as the President and CEO and Micky Goldstein came on as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. At the Board level, Verlee Webb joined as a Director and Victor Cantore and Kelly Malcolm joined as strategic and technical advisors to the Board. These collective appointments significantly strengthened and diversified the BMEX leadership at all levels, improving corporate governance, gender and cultural diversity and fostered a culture of inclusion and performance. Financially, BMEX ended the year in a strong financial position with $4.2 M in the bank having completed two successful financings. The current exploration programs on both King Tut and Dunlop Bay are fully funded putting BMEX in an enviable position among its peers. Amrik Virk, President and CEO of BMEX commented, "2020 has been a transformational year for BMEX. We have a highly experienced technical team and strategic advisors that have demonstrated, in the past and present, success in the basin, and we are continuing to leverage their expertise in Quebec and in particular this region. I look forward to 2021 and to reporting our initial results from both King Tut and Dunlop Bay." Qualified Person Martin Demers, P.Geo (ogq #770), Vice-President of Exploration to the Company is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for the technical disclosure contained in this news release. About BMEX Gold Inc. BMEX Gold Inc. is a junior Canadian mining exploration company with the primary objective to acquire, explore, and develop viable gold and base metal projects in the mining-friendly jurisdictions of Quebec, Canada. BMEX is currently fully focused on earning 100% interest in its two projects, both located in the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt: King Tut Project consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares Dunlop Bay Project consists of 76 mineral claims that cover 4,226 hectares BMEX common shares trade under the symbol "BMEX" on the TSX-V and under the symbol 8M0 on the Frankfurt Exchange. For further information please contact: BMEX Gold Inc. Amrik Virk, Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: (604) 423-4499 Email: info@bmexgold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to the plans for future exploration and development of the King Tut and Dunlop Bay properties and the acquisition of additional exploration projects. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts" , "anticipates" "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the King Tut and Dunlop Bay projects; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in resource estimates, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in areas in which the Company operates. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71415 Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2021) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed BioLargo, Inc. (OTCQB: BLGO), developer of cutting-edge environmental technologies and a full-service engineering company for an interview. President and CEO of BioLargo, Dennis P. Calvert, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by asking about the publication of a recent peer-reviewed paper about BioLargo's AOS water treatment system. "This is a really special assetIt represents a technical breakthrough in efficiency for high level disinfection and for extracting what the industry calls micropollutants," said Calvert, noting "that's an area of increasing concern by regulators," some of which are regulated already. "This innovation that we have created has gone through a full development cycle. It is a state-of-the-art technical breakthrough in [water treatment] efficiency," said Calvert, before elaborating on the value of the positive confirmations shown in the peer-reviewed paper. "This is a credentialing stamp," he explained, adding that the paper has proven that the AOS is effective, efficient, and safe, and that scalable AOS models are now being manufactured. "In any given moment, about a third of the market could use this innovation in their system," Calvert says. "We've got our first customer. It's a project [for the AOS] worth about half a million dollars in total," shared Calvert. "The future is really bright for the asset. Now we're in the process of interviewing distributors, [developing] our first customers, and we think the future of our water innovation is really pretty exciting." Jolly commented on BioLargo's record revenues and asked about the potential of the first three quarters of 2021. Calvert started by describing the growth its air quality control division, ONM Environmental, is experiencing. "We're finding ourselves with showcase accounts that are becoming increasingly large. It's a testimony to the science, it's a testimony to the innovation of creating this [odor and VOC control product] delivery model," said Calvert, adding that the Company has built up a backlog of work in their other divisions. "We're having organic real-time growth," shared Calvert. "We've also got our PFAS solution coming to market in 2021 for commercial trials," shared Calvert, noting the huge size and value of PFAS water treatment markets. Calvert shared that BioLargo is on track to hit a new record for annual revenue for 2020. "The rate of growth is a record," added Calvert. "The engineers are entering into the quarter with $1.6 million in backlog," said Calvert, and "the ONM operation has approximately a quarter of a million in backlog," he continued. "How far away are we from positive cash flow, and how are we going to maintain operations until we get to that point?" asked Jolly. Calvert explained, "We want to raise the capital only necessary to get through that gap and then expand with a proven track record for growth capital to really accelerate the growth and start driving profits and revenues for our shareholders," explained Calvert, before elaborating on the Company's robust portfolio. "What we're focused on as a company is just getting it done." "First thing's first, let's get ourselves to break even, chart the course, and really start generating the kind of cash and profits that our shareholders want, need, and deserve, and we think that's much closer in hand than you might think," closed Calvert. To hear the entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7765702-biolargo-discusses-2021-goals-for-growth-with-the-stock-day-podcast Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About BioLargo, Inc. BioLargo, Inc. is an innovator of technology-based products and environmental engineering solutions provider driven by a mission to "make life better". We feature unique disruptive solutions to deliver clean air, clean water and a clean, safe environment (www.biolargo.com). Our engineering division features experienced professional engineers dedicated to integrity, reliability, and environmental stewardship (www.biolargoengineering.com). Our industrial odor control division, ONM Environmental, Inc. (www.onmenvironmental.com) features CupriDyne Clean Industrial Odor Eliminator (www.cupridyne.com), which eliminates the odor-causing compounds and VOCs rather than masking them, and is now winning over leading companies in the solid waste handling and wastewater industries and other industries that contend with malodors and VOCs. Our subsidiary BioLargo Water (www.biolargowater.ca) developed the Advanced Oxidation System "AOS," a disruptive industrial water treatment technology designed to eliminate waterborne pathogens and recalcitrant contaminants with better energy-efficiency and lower operational costs than incumbent technologies. We are a minority stockholder of and technology licensor to our subsidiary Clyra Medical which features its breakthrough product Clyraguard (www.clyramedical.com/clyraguard), an FDA Registered, hospital grade disinfectant for personal protective equipment including facemasks, proven 99.999% effective and safe for skin, as well as its other products offering gentle solutions for chronic infected wounds to promote infection control and regenerative tissue therapy. Contact Information Dennis P. Calvert President and CEO, BioLargo, Inc. 888-400-2863 Safe Harbor Act This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include without limitation those about BioLargo's (the "Company") expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; anticipated revenue; and plans for future operations. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation: the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price; the effect of regional economic conditions on the Company's business, including effects on purchasing decisions by consumers and businesses; the ability of the Company to compete in markets that are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change; the ability of the Company to manage frequent introductions and transitions of products and services, including delivering to the marketplace, and stimulating customer demand for, new products, services, and technological innovations on a timely basis; the dependency of the Company on the performance of distributors of the Company's products. More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates. About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. Stock Day recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71471 Republican lawmakers mounted their first official challenge to Joe Biden's presidential election win Wednesday, objecting to state results from Arizona as they took up Donald Trump's relentless effort to overturn the election results in an extraordinary joint session of Congress. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, flanked by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, rose to object to the typically routine acceptance of electors. The objection now forces two hours of debate in the House and Senate, sending lawmakers away to separate deliberations. Trump's allies are acting out the pleas of supporters at his huge rally up Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House to ``fight for Trump.`` But it's a fight that's tearing the Republican Party apart. The last-gasp effort is all but certain to fail, defeated by bipartisan majorities in Congress prepared to accept the November results. Biden, who won the Electoral College 306-232, is to be inaugurated Jan. 20. Still, Trump vowed to he would ``never concede'' and urged the massive crowd to march to the Capitol where hundreds had already gathered under tight security. ``We will never give up,'' Trump told the noontime rally. Vice President Mike Pence was most closely watched as he stepped onto the dais to preside over the joint session in the House chamber. Pence has a largely ceremonial role, opening the sealed envelopes from the states after they are carried in mahogany boxes used for the occasion, and reading the results aloud. But he was under growing pressure from Trump to overturn the will of the voters and tip the results in the president's favor, despite having no legal power to affect the outcome. ``Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!'' Trump tweeted Wednesday. But Pence, in a statement shortly before presiding, defied Trump, saying he could not claim ``unilateral authority`` to reject the electoral votes that make Biden president. Despite Trump's repeated claims of voter fraud, election officials and his own former attorney general have said there were no problems on a scale that would change the outcome. All the states have certified their results as fair and accurate, by Republican and Democratic officials alike. Arizona was the first of several states facing objections from the Republicans as Congress took an alphabetical reading of the election results. Biden won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes, and eight lawsuits challenging the results have failed. The state's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of an election challenge. The joint session of Congress, required by law, convened before a watchful, restless nation _ months after the election, two weeks before the inauguration's traditional peaceful transfer of power and against the backdrop of a surging COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers were told by Capitol officials to arrive early, due to safety precautions with protesters in Washington. Hundreds of Trump supporters filled the Capitol plaza area and sidewalks, many bearing enormous flags and few wearing masks. Visitors, who typically fill the galleries to watch landmark proceedings, will not be allowed under COVID-19 restrictions. The session also comes as overnight results from Georgia's runoff elections put Democrats within reach of a Senate majority. The current majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who tried to warn his Republican Party off this challenge, was expected to deliver early remarks. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a day of ``enormous historic significance,'' about ``guaranteeing trust in our democratic system.`` With the Senate results from Georgia streaming in and Democrats within reach of controlling the chamber, Trump amplified his pleas to stay in office as a veto check on the rival party. At the rally he said he had just talked to Pence and criticized Republicans who are not willing to fight for him as ``weak.'' While other vice presidents, including Al Gore and Richard Nixon, also presided over their own defeats, Pence supports those Republican lawmakers mounting challenges to the 2020 outcome. It's not the first time lawmakers have challenged results. Democrats did in 2017 and 2005. But the intensity of Trump's challenge is like nothing in modern times, and an outpouring of current and elected GOP officials warn the showdown is sowing distrust in government and eroding Americans' faith in democracy. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters on Capitol Hill that Trump's election challenge has ``disgraced the office of the presidency.`` ``We'll proceed as the Constitution demands and tell our supporters the truth -- whether or not they want to hear it,'' Romney said. Still, more than a dozen Republican senators led by Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, along with as many as 100 House Republicans, are pressing ahead to raise objections to individual states' reports of Biden's wins. Under the rules of the joint session, any objection to a state's electoral tally needs to be submitted in writing by at least one member of the House and one of the Senate to be considered. Each objection will force two hours of deliberations in the House and Senate, ensuring a long day. House Republican lawmakers are signing on to objections to the electoral votes in six states _ Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Arizona will likely be the first to be disputed as the state tallies are announced in alphabetical order. Cruz has said he will join House Republicans in objecting to that state, even as he acknowledged the effort will not have the votes to succeed. ``Extraordinarily uphill,`` he said late Tuesday on Fox News. Hawley has said he will object to the election results from Pennsylvania, almost ensuring a second two-hour debate despite resistance from the state's Republican senator, Pat Toomey, who said the tally of Biden's win is accurate. Sen. Kelly Loeffler may challenge the results in her state of Georgia. She was defeated in Georgia's runoff to Democrat Raphael Warnock, but can remain a senator until he is sworn into office. The other Senate runoff race between Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff remained too early to call Wednesday, though Ossoff declared he won. Perdue, who was seeking reelection, is ineligible to vote in the Senate because his term expired with the start of the new Congress Sunday. The group led by Cruz is vowing to object unless Congress agrees to form a commission to investigate the election, but that seems unlikely. Those with Cruz are Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Steve Daines of Montana, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Braun of Indiana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Many of the Republicans challenging the results said they are trying to give voice to voters back home who don't trust the outcome of the election and want to see the lawmakers fighting for Trump. Hawley defended his role saying his constituents have been ``loud and clear'' about their distrust of the election. ``It is my responsibility as a senator to raise their concerns,`` he wrote to colleagues. As criticism mounted, Cruz insisted his aim was ``not to set aside the election'' but to investigate the claims of voting problems. He has produced no new evidence. Both Hawley and Cruz are potential 2024 presidential contenders, vying for Trump's base of supporters. Search Keywords: Short link: 2020 marked an unexpectedly successful year for big investment funds in Vietnam, with Pyn Elite Fund having the best performance. VinaCapitals VOF was the second best performer last year. (Photo vinacapital.com) Despite global disruptions affecting all economic sectors due to COVID-19, most big investment funds in Vietnams stock markets recorded growth of over 15 percent in 2020, outperforming the growth of the general market. Positive performance of the stock market has contributed to the strong growth of investments funds portfolios. The VN-Index ended the last trading day of 2020 at 1,103.87 points, rising 14.87 percent compared to the beginning of the year. Pyn Elite Fund witnessed the best performance in Vietnams stock market in 2020. The funds net asset value per share (NAV/share) rose up to 31 percent, according to its official website. The growth is the result of holding banking shares, including Vietinbank (CTG), HDBank (HDB), TPBank (TPB) and MBBank (MBB), as well as investing in VFMVN Diamond ETF. At the moment, VFMVN Diamond ETF is one of the ten biggest investments of Pyn Elite Fund, with an approximate value of 35 million USD. VinaCapitals VOF was the second best performer last year, with the NAV/share up nearly 25 percent. Over the last year, big investments of the funds portfolios, such as Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), have borne fruit. The disinvestment in International Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (IDP) also contributed to the growth. VFMVF1, which is managed by VFM, also recorded good performance, rising 23.8 percent. The fund mostly invested in high performance stocks such as HPG, Nam Tan Uyen Joint Stock Company (NTC) and ACB. The growth of the VN30 index in 2020 supported the VFMVN30 ETF, with the NAV/share rising 21.8 percent, followed by SSIAM VNX50 (up 21.4 percent). Two foreign investment funds, including Dragon Capital (VEIL) and Singapore LionGlobal Vietnam Fund, both rose approximately 21 percent last year. Foreign ETFs also had positive performance in 2020, such as FTSE Vietnam ETF rising 16 percent, Premia MSCI Vietnam ETF by 14 percent, and VNM ETF rising 9.2 percent. Vietnam Holdings had the poorest performance in 2020 with the NAV/share growing just 9.1 percent. According to reports from HoSE, a series of local ETFs were founded in 2020. These ETFs attracted a huge amount of capital and have become a source of support for the market during difficult periods. Even though funds struggled during the bear market which occurred last March and April, the capital inflow to Vietnam ETFs increased dramatically at the end of 2020. In December alone, the capital inflow to ETFs reached 140 million USD, mostly going to VFMVN Diamond ETF and FTSE Vietnam ETF. Of which, VFMVN Diamond ETF attracted 77.3 million USD in December 2020. International investment funds like Dragon Capital and Pyn Elite Fund played important roles for the recent inflow of capital. In short, Vietnam ETFs attracted 176 million USD in 2020, with up to 235 million USD in capital poured into the market./.VNA Investment funds to pour US$ 815 million in Vietnamese start-up businesses Thirty-three investment funds that has pledged to pour US$ 815 million in Vietnamese innovation start-up businesses in the next five years. Bengaluru, Jan 6 : The ruling BJP's central leadership would soon decide on the much-awaited cabinet expansion in Karnataka, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Wednesday. "Our party's central leaders will soon decide on the state cabinet expansion. The cabinet will be expanded and reshuffled as per the party leadership's directive," Yediyurappa said in a statement here. Speculation is rife in the southern state that the cabinet would be expanded after January 14 when the "inauspicious" month ends with the advent of Makar Sankranti festival and Uttarayan, which marks the entry of sun into the northern hemisphere from Dakshinayan or southern hemisphere. Contrary to expectations, the third cabinet expansion to fill seven vacancies in the 34-member ministry has been delayed over the months for some reason or the other, including rumours over alleged bid to replace Yediyurappa as he is 78 years old. Arun Singh, BJP's national general secretary and in-charge of the party's affairs in the state, however, claimed that Yediyurappa would continue in the post and ruled out any change in the leadership till the next Assembly elections in 2023. Among the ministerial aspirants, R. Shankar on Tuesday met Yediyurappa and claimed that the cabinet would be expanded after the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the state in the third week of January to participate in some events. "Shah is due to visit Karnataka after Sankranti to meet party's state leaders in the city and unveil the training centres of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Bhadravati and Hospet and visit the world heritage site at Hami in Ballari district. The cabinet was expanded for the second time on February 6, 2020 when 10 legislators, who defected from Congress and JD-S, were inducted after they won in the by-elections held in December 2019. They had resigned in July 2019, which led to the fall of the 14-month JD-S-Congress coalition government. The first cabinet expansion, in which 17 ministers were inducted, took place on August 20, 2019. Yediyurappa was sworn-in as the Chief Minister for the third time on July 26, 2019. President-elect Joe Bidens pick for U.S. secretary of state denounced Hong Kongs arrest of dozens of opposition figures under a controversial national security law, an unprecedented crackdown that included an American lawyer. Police said they had swept up about 50 people in the Wednesday operation. Those arrested included several prominent former lawmakers and allegations centered on an informal primary that drew more than 600,000 voters in July to choose candidates for a September legislative election that was subsequently postponed by the government. The sweeping arrests of pro-democracy demonstrators are an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights, tweeted Antony Blinken, Bidens nominee for secretary of state. The Biden-Harris administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijings crackdown on democracy. Police arrested lawyer John Clancey, who served as treasurer for the primary organizers, according to Jonathan Man, a partner at Hong Kongs Ho Tse Wai & Partners, which has handled hundreds of protest cases and where Clancey is a solicitor. Man said Clancey is a U.S. citizen, potentially providing a new source of tensions between Beijing and Washington. Clancey is also the chairman of the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Asian Legal Resource Center and a founding member of the Executive Committee of the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, according to his Ho Tse Wai biography page. What Are the New Laws China Has Passed for Hong Kong?: QuickTake The mass arrests of largely moderate pro-democracy campaigners accelerate an ongoing political crackdown in the Asian financial hub, which has prompted condemnation from foreign governments, U.S. sanctions and the suspension of numerous extradition treaties with Hong Kong. The move comes as the outgoing Trump administration continues to hit Beijing over its assertive policies in the city and as Biden prepares to take office this month, with China representing one of his administrations main foreign policy challenges. This is a total sweep of all opposition leaders, said Victoria Hui, an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame specializing in Hong Kong politics. If running for office and trying to win elections means subversion, it is clear that the NSL is aimed at the total subjugation of Hong Kong people. There should be no expectation of elections in any sense that we know it if and when elections are held in the future. Former lawmakers Alvin Yeung, James To, Andrew Wan and Lam Cheuk-ting, as well as prominent academic and activist Benny Tai, were arrested by the polices national security branch on allegations of subversion, according to Facebook postings and media reports. Also detained was former lawmaker Claudia Mo, a leading opposition figure and one of the citys most outspoken critics of Chinas policies in Hong Kong. The national security law was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in June, sparking international condemnation led by the U.S. that Beijing was reneging on promises to guarantee the citys unique freedoms following its return to Chinese rule. While Chinese officials have justified the legislation -- which bars subversion, terrorism, secession and collusion with foreign forces -- as a necessary tool to quell local unrest and restore stability to the city after historic protests in 2019, the law has so far mainly been used against non-violent political opponents and dissidents. Pro-government lawmaker Holden Chow tweeted that those arrested Wednesday had violated the security law because they had a clear aim to paralyze the local government and were threatening to remove the Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong. Secretary for Mainland and Constitutional Affairs Erick Tsang said ahead of the primary last July that it may violate the national security legislation. At the time, Tai dismissed such criticism of the primary as absurd. Fraught Primary The opposition primary contest at the heart of the latest police roundup drew 610,000 residents to the polls -- more than 13% of the citys registered voters -- in a procedural exercise common in democracies worldwide. The turnout underscored the momentum generated by Hong Kongs historic protest movement, on which the pro-democracy opposition was hoping to capitalize in a Legislative Council election originally scheduled for September. Opposition figures hoped to access a provision in the citys charter to force Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign by voting down her budget. The primary was condemned by Chinas top agencies for Hong Kong as an unlawful manipulation of the citys election system and a violation of the national security law. Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute deputy CEO Kim-Wah Chung said it had destroyed voters personal information within days of the primary, local outlet RTHK reported Wednesday. Hong Kongs government first disqualified a number of opposition figures and then delayed the election by a full year, citing the coronavirus. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said at the time that there was no valid reason for such a lengthy delay, and that the regrettable action confirms that Beijing has no intention of upholding the commitments it made to the Hong Kong people. Hong Kongs Courts Are the Last Check on Beijings Growing Power The political purge continues in Hong Kong, said U.S.-based activist Samuel Chu, the managing director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council. The Chinese Communist Party is remaking the rule of law and government in Hong Kong in its own image as a one-party authoritarian regime with lightning speed. The Covid-19 death toll has crossed 400 with the deaths of 18 more people yesterday. The death toll now stands at 408, with 96 of those occurring in the last seven days alone. The Ministry of Health reported the deaths in its daily update yesterday evening. Kazakhstan will hold its first parliamentary elections on January 10 without longtime authoritarian Nursultan Nazarbaev as the president. Nazarbaev finally stepped down in 2019 from the office he held since Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991 -- ushering in his successor, Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev. But despite a change of president, many feel Nazarbaev still rules the country. One sign he's the country's gray eminence is the manner in which these elections to the Mazhilis, the lower house, are being conducted. Though some hoped Toqaev would open up society and allow some freedoms absent under Nazarbaev, the upcoming vote appears to be no different than earlier ones for parliament -- none of which were deemed free or fair by Western election monitors. And there still is no popular vote for members of the Senate, the upper house of parliament, to which 34 deputies are chosen by local "maslikhats" (councils) made up of appointed people, with the remaining 15 seats selected by the president. To make matters worse, it seems that the few changes that are taking place in Kazakhstan seem to be for the worse. Where's The Opposition? In December 2019, nine months after he stepped into the president's chair, and six months after a snap presidential election that brought protesters out into the streets in nearly every major city of Kazakhstan, Toqaev promised changes. He had created a National Council of Public Trust that recommended reforms, among them that official permission would no longer be required to hold public rallies and those wishing to form political parties would only need 20,000 members -- not the previous 40,000 -- to register. All the same, none of the five parties competing in the upcoming elections are new* and all are pro-government. Nur-Otan is Nazarbaev's party and therefore the favorite to once again win the majority of the 98 seats in the Mazhilis. The Auyl party, the People's Party of Kazakhstan (formerly the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan), the Adal party (formerly the Birlik party), and Aq Zhol all back the government but are not expected to play much of a role in the new parliament. The Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP), a quasi-opposition party, was also registered on November 5 to compete with the other five but shortly after being registered, the bete noire of Kazakh politics -- fugitive banker and leader of the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement Mukhtar Ablyazov -- called on his supporters to back the Social Democrats. But at the OSDP's congress on November 27, chairman Askhat Rakhimzhanov said, "This election campaign is no different than the previous [election campaigns]: the same rules, the same law, the same procedures, the same political parties," and announced the party was withdrawing from the vote and urged its members to boycott the elections. After the OSDP withdrawal, Ablyazov called on his supporters to back Aq Zhol, which in its early years was an opposition party but has long since become pro-government, differing little from the other parties taking part in the elections. In response, Aq Zhol stopped accepting new members in an effort to keep out the DVK, though several supporters of Aq Zhol have been detained and party leaflets confiscated. The independent news website Orda.kz reported on December 21 that "from October 2019 to October 2020 eight initiative groups filed documents to register as political parties. But not one new party was registered." Forbes wrote in May 2020 about the Justice Ministry denying registration to six of seven new parties that were applying. The report did not mention the names of the parties and the only thing it said about the one party not to be rejected was that the Justice Ministry was checking to be sure none of the members were citizens of another state, employees of law enforcement bodies, soldiers, [or] judges." Several activists gathered outside the Justice Department in the southern city of Shymkent on December 22 to protest the ministry's refusal to register the Halyq Tangdauy (People's Choice) party. In the meantime, Kazakh authorities, with scant evidence, have branded as "extremists" Ablyazov's DVK and the Koshe Party (Street Party). Members of the two groups have also increasingly been detained in the run-up to parliamentary elections. Rights defenders in Kazakhstan say there are some 110 people from the DVK and Koshe who have been convicted under Article 405 of the Criminal Code -- participation in a banned organization. An activist group called Human Rights Movement 405 has been tracking detentions, arrests, and convictions of people for violating Article 405 and their posts on Twitter show a recent uptick in actions against members of the two parties, as well as activists, peaceful protesters, and bloggers. Other groups such as #ActivistsNotExtremists, Qaharman, and Veritas have also been keeping records of activists who have been detained, arrested, or imprisoned in the weeks leading up to elections. Election Observers The Central Election Commission (CEC) has changed some of the rules for monitoring elections, requiring that election observers must obtain permission to take photos or videos of polling stations on election day. Many domestic groups that planned to observe the elections have been denied registration to do so, often on the pretext that they did not submit the required paperwork, though some of these groups have complained that authorities are now asking for an enormous amount of documents. There will be 398 international election observers, but 227 of those are from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Fifteen are from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, seven from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and a combined 16 from the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking Countries and the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries. The election-monitoring body of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) -- the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights -- is sending 42 observers and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly nine more. The remaining 76 accredited observers are from 31 countries. The CEC chairman is Berik Imashev, whose daughter, Aida, is married to Nurali Nazarbaev, Nazarbaev's grandson. Perfunctory Debates Representatives from the five parties competing in the elections did participate in televised debates, but even the pro-government media outlet Kazinform found it difficult to make them interesting since no one truly spoke out against government policies. Kazinform reported on December 30 that the representatives "outlined the plans of Kazakhstan's economic development, asked each other questions, and touched upon economic development, food security, social themes, problems in the agro-industrial sector, and so on." None of the debaters had anything critical to say about the way Kazakhstan is governed or recommendations for real changes. Conspicuously absent from the debate was any mention of Kazakhstan's sovereignty, which was cast into doubt recently by two deputies from Russia's State Duma. Defending Kazakhstan's sovereignty and territorial integrity might seem like an easy way to score points among the electorate, but the subject was never mentioned. It also appears that the first parliamentary elections with Toqaev as president have failed to generate much interest among the general population. The very predictable results of a big win for Nur-Otan will do little to increase public trust in Toqaev's government or to calm growing tensions in Kazakhstan as the people tire of controlled elections. Aigerim Toleukhanova of RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq, contributed to this report. *The Adal party changed its name from Birlik on November 5, 2020. Birlik was created in 2013 when two parties -- Adilet, founded in 2004, and Rukhaniyat, founded in 2003 -- merged. Of the other parties competing, Nur-Otan was founded in 1999, Auyl in 2000, Ak Zhol in 2002, and the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan in 2004. Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Shortly before Trump-supporting protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesdays afternoon, Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey told the Senate to reject a presidential election challenge posed by some of his fellow Republicans. I voted for President Trump. I publicly endorsed President Trump. I campaigned for President Trump, said Toomey, a Lehigh Valley resident. There is something more important to me than to have my preferred candidate sworn in as the next president, and that is to have the choice of the American people sworn in as the next president. A joint session of Congress split into its respective chambers to hear a challenge to Arizonas Electoral College vote. A number of Republicans in both the House and Senate pledged to object to some swing-state results, including Pennsylvanias, that won the election for Democrat Joe Biden. Shortly after Toomey spoke, protesters coming from a rally at which President Donald Trump himself spoke clashed with Capitol police and broke into the building, spurring recesses in both the House and Senate. Shouting was audible in the House in live feeds from C-SPAN, which soon switched to show people in red hats and waving Trump flags marching through the Capitol. That situation continues to develop with reports of tear gas and an armed standoff. Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky, had already spoke against the election challenges from members of his party after one was filed over Arizonas votes, which went for Biden. Toomey, following similar statements last weekend, told the Senate that he would address Pennsylvanias specific situation when that challenge arises, but spoke generally about the effort during the Arizona challenge. I voted for President Trump and endorsed him for re-election. But, on Wednesday, I intend to vigorously defend our form of government by opposing this effort to disenfranchise millions of voters in my state and others. Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) January 2, 2021 He questioned why only swing states where Trump lost were being challenged, and not other states that used similar election procedures. He warned against Congress selecting the president over citizens. And he said that a lengthy congressional review of results that states have already certified would be completely impractical this close to Inauguration Day. The Constitution says the new president be sworn in on Jan. 20. Toomey, of Upper Milford Township in Lehigh County, has said he will not run for re-election when his term expires in 2023. Here is a look at images from social media of the chaos engulfing the Capitol: Protesters have breached the Capitol. Theyre outside the Senate chamber pic.twitter.com/I021tKliUD Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021 Protestors have entered the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/dzaDGn5MoC Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) January 6, 2021 Weve been in lockdown for about 50 minutes. Moments ago a Capitol Police officer called for medical assistance for an injured officer. @Fox5DC https://t.co/ed26kkUsHt pic.twitter.com/FF3bDwpeqP Tom Fitzgerald (@FitzFox5DC) January 6, 2021 Whoa: Trump supporters going at it with the police on the steps of the Capitol as Congress counts the Electoral College ballots inside pic.twitter.com/LiQhaa5KkQ philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 6, 2021 BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building fighting federal police who are overrun This is the craziest thing Ive ever seen in my life. Thousands, police cant stop them pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. BAKU -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has ordered the government to build an international airport in Fuzuli, a district adjacent to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was placed under Baku's control as part of a truce signed following a 44-day war with ethnic Armenian forces late last year. Speaking via a video link with newly appointed Culture Minister Anar Karimov on January 5, Aliyev said that once demining work in the district that borders Iran has been completed, an international airport should be built He added that he wants the airport to be constructed by the end of 2021. During the online meeting, Aliyev also declared the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Susa, known as Shushi in Armenian, as Azerbaijan's cultural capital. "The infrastructure, all historical buildings in Susa must be assessed; the damages must be thoroughly calculated and restoration work in the city must be carried out," Aliyev said, adding that two cultural events will take place in Susa during the year -- Days of Poetry devoted to Azerbaijani poet of the 18th century Molla Panah Vagif and a music festival. Susa, a key city in Nagorno-Karabakh, was among dozens of settlements that Baku took under its control during renewed clashes over the disputed region that started in late September and continued for six weeks. A Moscow-brokered truce signed in November ended the heavy fighting, which saw thousands of casualties on both sides. Armenia lost control of parts of the enclave's territory as well as seven surrounding districts of Azerbaijan it held since the 1990s. Armenian separatists have retained control over most of Nagorno-Karabakh's territory, and some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have been deployed along frontline areas to protect a land link connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. A woman has been injured in a serious incident at a DLR station in east London, police have said. Officers were called to King George V station in North Woolwich just before 8.40pm on Tuesday night following reports of an injured person. Paramedics also attended and the woman was taken to hospital where she is being treated. Detectives are appealing for witnesses. In statement the British Transport Police (BTP) said: Officers are currently appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, to get in touch as they may be able to assist with the investigation. The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. ADVERTISEMENT Two government officials were arraigned before an Iwo-Road Chief Magistrates Court, Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Tuesday for allegedly stealing 40 bags of sugar from the states COVID-19 palliatives. The officials are Adebiyi Azeez, a 50-year-old driver, and Sunday Akinleye, a 43-year-old Assistant Protocol Officer. The duo are said to be in charge of palliatives at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. They also used the vehicle of the ministry to distribute the stolen palliatives to their buyer on December 30, 2020. They were arraigned alongside one Kafayat Babalola, accused of buying the palliatives from the officials. The three individuals are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen goods. They all pleaded not guilty to charges levied against them. The prosecutor, Sunday Ogunremi, said the goods stolen are 40 bags of Dangote Sugar, valued at N60,000. The goods are COVID-19 palliatives and property of the Oyo State government. The duo of Adebiyi and Akinleye used the official vehicle of the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs to convey the goods to the buyer. The third defendant, Mrs Kafayat Babalola, a trader at Agbeni Market, Ibadan, received the 40 bags of sugar, knowing full well that they were not for sale, being property of the state government, the prosecutor said. According to Mr Ogunremi, the offence contravened Sections 516, 390 (9) and 427 of the Criminal Code of Oyo State, 2000. Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate, Taiwo Oladiran, granted all the defendants bail in the sum of N20,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum. The matter has been adjourned till February 3, 2021, for hearing. SHOWS February 22, 2021 10.00 am Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on Jan. 6. Competing coalitions define GA Senate races Action News Now is still tracking two Georgia run-off races for the U.S. Senate. Reverend Raphael Warnock is the projected winner of one of those Senate races. But the second race between incumbent Republican Senator David Purdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff is still too close to call. We could see a projected winner at some point Wednesday. Congress set to confirm Biden's electoral win over Trump The house and senate will meet at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. A joint session of congress will count the electoral college votes and officially declare the results of the 2020 presidential election. Dozens of republicans allied with President Trump are pledging to challenge that count. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged his colleagues not to object. 2 suspects detained following deadly Chico shooting One man is dead after a shooting in Chico. It happened before 7 p.m. on Walnut and Third Streets. Officers found a man inside a car with a gunshot wound. Police arrested two men, and are working to determine if they were involved. Redding Police arrest driver after crash into Church Playground Redding Police officers arrested a man after they say he crashed into a church playground around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Police said Mathew Ramos of Redding smashed into a fence around the play area at little country church. Ramos is in the Shasta County Jail facing charges of driving under a suspended license while on DUI probation. Planning for California's aging population The unveiling of a state roadmap to address Californias aging population will take place today. The Director of the California Department of Aging will formally announce details of the plan. It is aimed at preparing the state for impacts on health care, housing, transportation, medical needs, and caregiving - as our state population ages. Hospitals struggle to keep up in COVID-19 hotspot California The Director of the California Department of Public Health is now requiring any counties with ICU below 10% to delay all non-life-threatening surgeries. The same order also requires hospitals with space to accept patients from hospitals that have no ICU beds. Patients from Southern California could possibly be brought to facilities in northern California. Enrollment reopens for small business relief grants The enrollment period for coronavirus small business relief grants is back open. The deadline to sign up has been extended to Jan. 13. Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and pre-determined Covid-19 impact factors. To find applications, click here. Popular music minister dies in choir room after Sunday service Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Condolences are still pouring in for the family and friends of Gerald Burnett Sr., a popular educator and music minister who died in the choir room of Mountain View Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas, after a worship service on Sunday. He was 41. Charlotte Beal, the churchs office manager, confirmed Burnetts death in an interview with The Christian Post on Tuesday and said nothing was out of the ordinary as they gathered for worship on Sunday. It was a normal church service. The music minister directed us in the worship part of the service. Everything was normal, the manager, who explained that she was still grieving the loss, said. Ive known the family since they were in school. Weve been church family for 30 or more years. He is very well known among the Churches of Christ, schools. In a livestream from Sundays service shared on YouTube, Burnett, who spent 15 years as a music teacher and choral director in Duncanville Independent School District and most recently served as DeSoto High Schools assistant choir director, chided some of the churchs members for rushing to leave church. Sometimes we just so caught up in a time frame and I really mean that. We get caught up in we gotta be out [of church] by [a certain time.] But when I really check myself, I aint got nowhere to be. And this is the Lords day. The whole day is the Lords day. Its the Lords day, he opined. Weve gone down from three services to two services to one service and folks still rush up out of here. I mean, weve got to check our own selves. Real worship, I believe, is outside of trying to fit into that time frame yall, he said before lamenting that a worship song could have been sung once or twice more before the church stopped singing. That song needed to be extended right there and if were cutting off and snipping off, the authenticness of worship is lessened. Its not as authentic anymore. We really have to do a self-examination. Those that gotta go, we dont judge you if you gotta go. If you gotta go you gotta go. But those of us that rush out of here just to be out of here thats between you and the Lord. But real worship sometimes is outside of the box, he said. He then explained to the church that he was striving to be a better version of himself in 2021. Beal said an official cause of Burnetts death has not been established yet. J.K. Hamilton, lead pastor at the church, told WFAA that Burnetts death was surreal. Gerald meant a lot to all of us, Hamilton said. He didnt just do music. He was music. He loved the music. Anthony Walker, a minister at Highway 231 Church of Christ, agreed. If living out your calling was a person! It is not too often you will find someone who will passionately and purposefully live out the full potential of their calling. But that was Gerald Burnett Sr., Walker wrote in a statement on Facebook. He loved music, he lived music. He also had a way of bringing you into his melodious world and helped you to harmonize within it. I first met Gerald years ago when competing in youth conferences. We instantly clicked on music. Through the years we kept in touch and I admired his submission to Gods guidance and watched God use him in a mighty way for the Kingdom. He knew his craft, he knew his crafter, and he personified music and praise. He knew that Word too! he explained. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of the Burnett family, his wife and son, and the Mountainview Church Family, but I hurt with them. We are only afforded a few transcendent people like Gerald in this world, and often for just a few moments, Walker added. Many churches in the denomination like Oakland Church of Christ also paid tribute to the music minister on social media. The Oakland Church of Christ join with so many across this country paying tribute to and celebrating the life of Bro. Gerald Burnett Sr. We extend our condolences to his immediate family, as well as his church family, Mountain View Church of Christ. Thank you for sharing him with us and the brotherhood, the church said in a statement. Arrest records unsealed by an Alamosa County judge last week reveal brutal details in the murder of an Alamosa woman who has been missing sinc A former corporate boss of hot water giant Rheem pocketed more than $2 million by setting up marketing deals with fake companies, before funnelling the money into his own bank accounts. Paul McInnes used the $2.1 million he gained between 2007 and 2013 to buy holiday and investment properties in Queensland, pay off the mortgage on his family home and splash out on a six-figure speedboat. McInnes, 57, began working for Rheem in 2005 as national sales manager, sitting on the second line of the company's hierarchy. But when Rheem made changes to a management structure in 2018, his role became redundant and, after a serving a two-week notice period, he finished at the company. In the weeks following McInnes' departure his bosses uncovered an unusual series of transfers he had repeatedly approved during his tenure. After a lengthy NSW Supreme Court case, Daily Mail Australia can now reveal details of the sophisticated scheme McInnes used to defraud his employer to the tune of up to $221,000-a-year during his time at Rheem. Rheem's former national sales manager Paul McInnes (left) ran a sophisticated fraud scheme between 2007 and 2013 that saw him pocket more than $2 million on top of his take home pay The court heard that in September 2007, two years after starting at Rheem, McInnes set up a company front called Pacific Plumbing Solutions - or PPS. At the end of that month he made his first transfer to PPS, for a total of $11,000. But when the first payment went undetected it paved the way for more, with McInnes stealing more than $140,000 in the first nine months. Court documents show that from 2010 on the payments were put through the Rheem system as: 'Agreed advertising QLD/NSW/VIC/SA & WA as per agreement'. By 2012 - five years into the scheme - McInnes was taking home more than $190,000-a-year on top of his ordinary pay packet. He claimed two addresses were home to his fantasy company, first the post office at Dundas, in northwest Sydney, and then an address on Parkview Avenue, Parramatta. But the court heard McInnes never conducted legitimate business at either location. 'He appears to have used the name solely as a cover for receiving payments from Rheem,' NSW Supreme Court Justice Guy Parker found. Rheem's accounts clerk gave evidence that McInnes would sign the invoices himself and leave them on her desk - or simply order her to pay them. But in 2014, the invoices to PPS stopped and instead McInnes signed a 'new deal' with Warren Kitcherman of South Pacific Plumbing & Maintenance Services Pty Limited. As Rheem would later discover, Mr Kitcherman is unlikely to have ever existed. At one point during the fake deals with SPP, McInnes was questioned by a member of his staff about the agreement. McInnes used the $2.1 million he stole from the company to buy holiday homes and investment properties, splash out on a six-figure speedboat and pay off the mortgage on his family home (Pictured) Over the years he used the money stolen from Rheem without his wife's knowledge to not only pay off the mortgage, but to renovate the home - including expanding the outdoor area There was also a new holiday cabin in the Ko-Veda Holiday Park at Wisemans Ferry, on a quiet river north of Sydney. That investment saw him spend $90,000 worth of the stolen money 'We are paying South Pacific Plumbing a rebate each quarter. Do you think that they are good value? Do you think we can spend the money better?' the salesman asked. 'South Pacific Plumbing are good value. If we don't support them, they will go to Dux (a competitor) and we will lose a lot of money. Don't worry about it,' McInnes replied. When the potential fraud was uncovered by Rheem just weeks after McInnes had left the company, the hot water giant began an investigation. But the court heard the former national sales manager must have realised he was in the gun sights of management and began attempting to hide the money. He transferred $405,000 to his ex-wife Nicole and called her to explain her had been told to do so by his financial adviser for 'tax purposes'. Don't worry about it... Paul McInnes when questioned about a deal by a fellow Rheem employee However, McInnes wasn't just flush with cash from his scheme, also managing to use the money to buy a number of assets and toys with the money. He bought two investment homes in Brisbane's north - for $295,000 and $482,990 - as well as a $90,000 holiday cabin at idyllic Wisemans Ferry, north of Sydney, and a $154,000 speedboat. McInnes also used funds taken from Rheem to pay off his mortgage and renovate the family home. Despite separating in 2007, the court heard McInnes and his wife continued to live together with their four sons in the home. Mrs McInnes was made a party to the proceedings because of the $405,000 she received from her ex-husband - but she told the court she had no idea about his overall scheme. However, she was still required to hand back more than $256,000 of that money. McInnes bought a $482,000 investment home inside the Ferngrove Estate (pictured), in north Brisbane. It was one of two newly built investment properties he purchased with stolen funds In August 2017 there was also a purchase of a $154,000 boat from the Sydney boat show (A similar version to the one McInnes bought is pictured) McInnes was ordered to pay back a total of $3,036,000 by the NSW Supreme Court. In summarising the case, Justice Parker said while McInnes never admitted to any of Rheem's allegations, the invoices were clearly 'bogus' and the evidence against him 'overwhelming'. 'Mr McInnes did not admit Rheem's allegations against him,' Justice Parker said. 'But none of the evidence which I have just summarised was contested. In my view it is overwhelming. I am satisfied that the invoices were bogus and the payments were procured by fraud on Mr McInnes' part.' The court heard that McInnes had admitted he would likely be bankrupted as a result of the proceedings. In a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia, Rheem said they were 'pleased' with the court's findings and that in addition to their civil case, they had made a criminal report to NSW Police. 'Rheem Australia is pleased with the Court's decision. Rheem Australia has found no evidence of the involvement of other employees in the fraud,' a spokesperson said. 'The fraud has been reported to NSW Police.' PAUL MCINNES' ANNUAL FRAUD AT RHEEM YEAR 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 PAYMENTS 6 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 YEARLY FRAUD $68,200 $144,100 $161,508 $168,300 $187,000 $191,400 $191,400 $191,400 $191,400 $191,400 $191,400 $221,100 TOTAL FRAUD $68,200 $212,300 $373,808 $542,108 $729,108 $930,508 $1,111,908 $1,303,308 $1,494,708 $1,686,108 $1,877,508 $2,098,608 Advertisement x Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Human mobility data gathered from de-identified mobile devices could help map coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission and support contact tracing efforts, according to new research. The Australian research, published today in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, analyzed the Cedar Meats outbreak in Melbourne, the Crossroads Hotel outbreak in Western Sydney and community transmission in Victoria between June and July 2020. The transmission patterns were then compared to near-real-time population mobility GPS data gathered from the Facebook Data for Good program. Lead author and infectious disease dynamics researcher Dr. Cameron Zachreson from the University of Melbourne said the study found that the de-identified GPS data could effectively be used to identify geographical areas with heightened COVID-19 transmission risk. "Our goal was to provide useful information to help contact tracing efforts while at the same time ensuring that the privacy of individuals was never compromised," Dr. Zachreson said. Study co-author and disease computational modeling researcher Associate Professor Nic Geard said containing COVID-19 outbreaks requires rapid response and a need to anticipate which populations and locations are at heightened risk of exposure. "Current prediction models often rely on static, sometimes dated, depictions of people's movement. Using realistic mobility information, as shown in the study, is likely to result in more effective containment policies," Associate Professor Geard said. The study was conducted in consultation with researchers from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunitya joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Hanoi on Tuesday indicated a "very high" level of pollution, which poses significant threats to the overall health of local residents. As witnessed at 7:15 am on Tuesday on the air quality tracking app PAM Air, the majority of monitoring stations in Hanoi reported purple and brown signals, which corresponds to very unhealthy and dangerous warnings on the AQI scale. In the meantime, many air quality monitoring stations under the system of the Vietnam Environment Administration and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment registered an AQI of as high as 240, which reached the very unhealthy alert. Many other locations also reported unhealthy air quality, while others, including Minh Khai Street, Trung Hoa area, 57 Tran Hung Dao Street, as well as the Phap Van Tu Hiep urban area, reported very unhealthy AQI levels. An AQI readout between 201 and 300 indicates very unhealthy air quality, while levels from 301 to 500 are considered dangerous in terms of air pollution. According to the Vietnam Environment Administration, pollution at unhealthy and very unhealthy levels poses adverse health effects on vulnerable demographics, including the elderly, children, as well as people with preexisting respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Mondays data from 10 monitoring stations of the citys Department of Natural Resources and Environment also indicated deterioration of air quality in the city. The department advised people with health issues as well as healthy individuals who started noticing health detriment to take necessary precautions. The department also called on all commuters to adhere to traffic law to help inhibit exhaust from traffic congestion, and residents in suburban areas to reduce the burning of domestic waste and agricultural by-products. Orchestration of traffic at hotspot areas, such as Minh Khai Street, Pham Van Dong Street, and Hang Dau Junction should also be strengthened, the department suggested. On Tuesday, the department advised residents to curb outdoor activities as the air pollution situation was exacerbated. Commuters are recommended to wear face masks and protective glasses while entering traffic. Earlier, Vietnams Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment indicated traffic emissions, construction discharge, industrial waste, and unfavorable weather conditions as the root causes of increasing air pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Irans resumption of uranium enrichment to 20% is a departure from the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action for the Iranian nuclear program, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "This question has nothing to do with Irans compliance with its obligations under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement or the Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty. From this standpoint there are no claims to make against the Iranian side. All material enriched to 20% remains under the IAEA control. The Agency has not exposed any attempts to use it for undeclared purposes that might contradict the NPT. At the same time the resumption of uranium enrichment to 20% is a departure from the agreements enshrined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for a settlement over the Iranian nuclear program," TASS cited her as saying. Zakharova stressed that Irans decision to resume uranium enrichment at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant was due to U.S. pressure. "In recent years the international community developed the clear awareness that the root cause of such deviations should be seen in systematic crude violations of international obligations by the United States, which in defiance of article 25 of the UN Charter ignores the UN Security Councils Resolution 2231 and deliberately poses obstructions to its implementation by other countries. We have to recall once again that the JCPOA project for converting the FFEP to the production of stable isotopes has long been the target of Washingtons sanctions, which is absolutely unacceptable," Zakharova said. She stressed that Moscow appreciated the Iranian sides repeated statements it was prepared to resume full compliance with the agreements under the JCPOA, provided the balance of interests was observed. "However, the current realities as they are, extra efforts and costs will now be required to bring the Fordow facility in conformity with the JCPOA again," Zakharova said, noting that Irans actions were of "fundamental importance for further work to reconfigure this facility, which is an integral part of the nuclear deal." "The task of creating conditions for the stable implementation of comprehensive agreements has grown far more difficult," Zakharova said. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that at the December 21 ministerial level meeting Russia stressed more than once that "guidelines for normalization over JCPOA are found in the plan proper" and require systematic compliance with the agreements by all parties that developed and concluded them. "In the unanimously approved Joint Statement the vector for further onward movement was charted very clearly. All JCPOA signatories, including Iran, came out in favor of the need for handling the remaining challenges to the implementation of the JCPOA and urged the United States to instantly give up its subversive policies and to comply with all obligations assumed under the UN Security Councils Resolution 2231 without any preconditions," the spokesperson said. She said that when this happened, Tehran must be prepared to reciprocate. "We proceed from the understanding that this should be precisely the focus of all available resources. There should be persistent collective work for the elimination of the accrued problems and against creating new ones," Zakharova concluded. Then-U.S. vice president Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping toast during a state luncheon for China hosted by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington on Sept. 25, 2015. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Communist Party Says Biden a New Window of Hope Beijing is looking forward to a new U.S. administration after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden represented a new window of hope for the SinoU.S. relationship. Wang made the remarks last week in an interview with Chinese state-run media Xinhua and China Media Group. He also expressed hopes that the incoming U.S. administration will return to a sensible approach, according to a government transcript. He took a swipe at the Trump administration, saying that in recent years, the United States has tried to suppress China and start a new cold war. The Chinese regime has frequently used this rhetoric, especially during the 20182019 trade war, to criticize the administrations China policies. He also accused U.S. policymakers of having serious misconceptions about China and called on the United States to respect Chinas social system. Wang concluded his interview by saying that the two countries could resolve their differences as long as the United States can draw lessons from the past and work with China in the same direction. The Trump administration has confronted the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on a range of issues, including unfair trade practices, espionage, malign influence in the United States, security threats posed by Chinese technology, and its human rights abuses against religious minorities and Hong Kong residents. Bidens critics have expressed concerns that an administration under him would be soft on China, and Chinese state-run media have openly stated their preference for Biden. Most recently, Chinas state-run media Global Times, in an article published on Jan. 5, used the sudden decision by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) not to delist three Chinese telecom companies as a sign that a more flexible administration under Biden would be more friendly toward Beijing. The NYSE has since reversed course again, saying on Jan. 6 that it would go ahead with delisting them. Chinese experts translated the move as a voice of reason from some in Wall Street and US political circle [sic], who wish the incumbent US president wont hamstring the incoming Biden administration in making decisions related to China, the article stated. It also cited a Chinese professor who said U.S. politicians and businessmen would prefer flexibility under Biden over Trumps boundless style of bullying. On Dec. 31, 2020, the NYSE announced that it would begin the process of delisting China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, in compliance with Trumps executive order, as the three companies were found by the Pentagon to have ties to the Chinese military. In a commentary article published in the Chinese-language Epoch Times last month, Zhong Yuan, a researcher focused on Chinas political system, explained that the CCP preferred a Biden presidency because he would implement a policy of engagement with Beijing. The CCPs favorable stance toward Biden was reflected in an opinion article published by Xinhua on Dec. 19, 2020, according to Zhong. The article stated that the Trump administration had left behind a mess and considered what his successor should do. Zhong said there was an urgency for the CCP to start working with Biden because theres internal division within the Party about how to handle deteriorating SinoU.S. ties. Zhong said the division was evident in another Xinhua opinion article published in December 2020, that denounced certain people for spreading favorable comments about the United States. The division threatened the position of Chinese leader Xi Jinping within the Party, Zhong said, and was likely the reason Chinese state-run media took up the position of supporting Biden. Samsung is expected to offer its Galaxy S21 smartphones with 120Hz displays. A new leak suggests the Galaxy S21 Ultra will support the 120Hz refresh rate on its native WQHD+ resolution. Galaxy S21 Ultra realizes WQHD+ resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate can be turned on at the same time pic.twitter.com/FpiB8jAxyC Ice universe (@UniverseIce) January 5, 2021 Samsung offered 120Hz displays first with the Galaxy S20 series but the high refresh rate worked only with FHD resolution and not its native QHD resolution. The restriction was reportedly due to some hardware limitations. A software update to fix this was expected but it never arrived. The leak suggests only the Galaxy S21 Ultra will offer this feature. It may not arrive on the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus. The premium Galaxy S21 Ultra is also expected to feature a 108-megapixel quad camera, S Pen support and up to 16GB of RAM. Galaxy S21 Ultra is also said to be the only model in the series to house a microSD card slot. All three smartphones would be powered by the same Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset. Samsung is hosting its first Unpacked event of the year on January 14 where it will launch the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus and Galaxy S21 Ultra. Actress Hilary Duff says she developed a painful eye infection from taking too many coronavirus tests while filming for her TV series, Younger. The former Disney star took to Instagram on Monday to share details of her holidays and opened up about her trip to the hospital on Christmas. Then my eye started to look weird..and hurt.a lot. So took a little trip to the emergency room. I got an eye infection from all the COVID tests at work... cuz you know, 2020 and all, Duff wrote. "PS... My eye is fine, needed antibiotics, she added. Duff had announced in November that she was in quarantine after COVID-19 exposure. The Lizzie McGuire star is currently pregnant with her third child. She shares son Luca Cruz Comrie, eight, with ex-husband Mike Comrie, and daughter Banks Violet Bair, two, with husband Matthew Koma. Reviewing parliaments fifth session (2019-2020), Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal told the media that despite the difficulties caused by the global coronavirus pandemic MPs were able to pass a mix of political, socio-economic, financial, and security laws, reports Gamal Essam El-Din. Parliaments Secretary-General Mahmoud Fawzi provided more details: the House had passed 891 laws, including a total of 8,287 articles, in the last five years, and of this total passed a record number of 233 laws, including 2,490 articles, in the fifth session (2019-2020). In supervisory terms, Fawzi said the House had discussed 1,278 urgent statements, 6,008 information requests and 4,133 questions in the last five years. Since the fifth session was the last before parliamentary elections were held between October and December 2020, it was only to be expected that political laws should have dominated the agenda. In July, parliament approved changes to legislation covering the exercise of political rights, the formation of the House of Representatives, the formation of the Senate, the redrawing of electoral districts, and the performance of the National Election Authority. Abdel-Hadi Al-Qasabi, leader of the majority Support Egypt coalition which drafted the amendments, said the House law, in line with the constitution, set the number of MPs and stipulated that 25 per cent of the 568 elected seats be reserved for women. The Senate law, on the other hand, reserved just 10 per cent of the Senates 300 seats for female candidates. The law which directly paved the way for the House elections was the one redrawing electoral districts. It divided Egypt into 143 individual districts each returning two MPs, and four party list districts with another 284 seats between them. In April the House made changes to the emergency law. The amendments, said Al-Qasabi, were necessary to grant the president greater powers to help contain the coronavirus pandemic and security threats. They grant the president new emergency powers such as closing down schools, universities, ministries and government offices, and offering financial help to sectors negatively affected by the pandemic. Indeed, parliaments fifth session included several laws prompted by the pandemic. The Health Committee proposed changes to the law on the prevention of epidemic diseases, approved by MPs in May, which allowed the Minister of Health to make face masks and other protective measures obligatory, with fines ranging between LE300 and LE5,000 for non-compliance. The changes also stipulated that the bodies of coronavirus victims be dealt with in a manner that prevents the spread of the disease while respecting the dignity of the deceased and their religious and social traditions. The government moved on multiple fronts to contain the economic fallout of the pandemic. Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait told MPs in May that the outbreak hit just as Egypt was moving towards building a strong economy capable of absorbing shocks and winning the confidence of international institutions and investors. Parliament moved to introduce changes to the 2020-21 budget, increasing healthcare allocations by LE78.9 billion and the education budget by LE166.6 billion. In May MPs approved a controversial legislative amendment seeking to boost government revenues. While most MPs said the amendment came at the wrong time, Maait insisted the law was necessary to contain the economic impact of the pandemic. An amendment to Law 147/1984 was approved increasing levies on a wide range of items including diesel, pet food, tobacco products, and mobiles. The government took MPs by surprise in June and July when it submitted two laws tailored to reducing the pandemics impact on state coffers. The first set an additional LE80 billion allocation to the 2020-21 budget, a sum Maait said was needed to allow the government to settle a portion of its outstanding debts. More significant was parliaments approval of legislation setting up a mutual fund to mitigate the impact of pandemics and viruses. The Mutual Support Contribution Fund to Mitigate the Economic Consequences of the Spread of Pandemics aimed to generate additional revenues necessary to contain the economic impact of the coronavirus. It provided for a one per cent deduction from the monthly net income of each state employee, and a 0.5 per cent reduction from the pensions of retired employees. The deductions, which began to be applied on 1 July, will continue for one year and are expected to raise between LE8 billion and LE10 billion. According to Fawzi, 50 per cent of laws passed in the Houses fifth session addressed financial and economic issues. In July, parliament approved major laws regulating the performance of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Public Enterprises Sector, seeking to raise the CBEs capital to LE20 billion, and allowing the president to name the CBE governor, who must then be ratified by parliament. The governors term was set at four years, renewable once. A new law stipulated that banks operating in Egypt should have capital of at least LE5 billion, and those maintaining representative offices capital of at least LE150 million, and created a new regime for dealing with defaulting banks and protecting deposits. MPs voted in favour of government-drafted amendments to 29 articles of the Law on Public Enterprises 203/1991 despite ferocious objections from workers and their representatives in parliament. Independent MP and General Federation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Mohamed Wahba said the amendments opened the door to the privatisation of public-sector companies in a way that undermined the interests of employees and would push 40 per cent of companies into liquidation and harm thousands of workers. In August, parliament ratified the maritime border demarcation deal with Greece which was signed by the Egyptian and Greek foreign ministers in Cairo on 6 August. The deal permits Egypt and Greece to maximise benefits from the gas and oil reserves in the exclusive economic zones of both countries in the Mediterranean, said Abdel-Aal. The piece of legislation which cause the greatest controversy was probably the law on reconciliation in construction offences, passed first in March 2019, subsequently amended and finally ratified by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in January 2020 (Law 1/2020). Under the law citizens who have violated construction codes are required to submit a reconciliation request and, if it is accepted, pay a fee, fixed according to the square metre, to have the status of their building regularised. *A version of this article appears in print in the 7 January, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Short link: As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Making a Difference Award, we want to celebrate and honor those who truly embrace the purpose of our awards and demonstrate our belief that nothing is more important in life than helping a fellow human being. Nominations for the 25th annual Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award are now being accepted. The award, established in 1997 by the late Russell Berrie founder of Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. and the Russell Berrie Foundation and Ramapo College of New Jersey, honor New Jerseyans who have made significant differences in their communities. 2020 has been a challenging year the devastation brought by COVID-19, the loss of lives, businesses and social connections, and horrific incidents of racial injustice, said Angelica Berrie, President, Russell Berrie Foundation. Weve seen people around our state answer those challenges in inspiring ways. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Making a Difference Award, we want to celebrate and honor those who truly embrace the purpose of our awards and demonstrate our belief that nothing is more important in life than helping a fellow human being. Members of the community are invited to nominate a fellow New Jerseyan and give him or her the chance to be recognized for their service. Making a Difference Honorees come from all walks of life, across all parts of New Jersey. They are people who: Help others in need Give their time and energy to solve community problems Put others above themselves Each year, the Making a Difference Award presents $50,000 to one winner, $25,000 to two runners-up, and up to $7,500 to several others at a ceremony hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey, which manages the awards program on behalf of the Russell Berrie Foundation. To date, the award has given $3.5 million to 366 people, each of whom has an inspiring story to tell about how they made a difference. "I never expected or thought doing what was necessary would earn me the honor of the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, said Linda Gillick, 2015 Honoree, Founder, Ocean of Love, Toms River. This award showed me that when you believe in something and you try to safeguard the life of your community, others are watching and paying attention. Nominees will be reviewed by an Advisory Board co-chaired by Irene Cooper-Basch, Ph.D., executive officer of the Victoria Foundation, and Peter P. Mercer, J.D., Ph.D., president of Ramapo College of New Jersey. The Board, comprised of prominent New Jersey business and nonprofit leaders, will evaluate nominations submitted by individuals, community groups, houses of worship, educators, representatives of the media, and others. Awards will be presented at a virtual ceremony in May 2021. More details to follow. The nomination form is available online at berrieawards.ramapo.edu. Deadline for entries is February 12, 2021. About The Russell Berrie Foundation The Russell Berrie Foundation was established in 1985 by Russell Berrie, an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Russell Berrie had a passion for giving that was grounded in his deep belief in humanity, the importance of touching the lives of ordinary people, the importance of strengthening the local community in New Jersey, and the power of using philanthropy to help achieve transformational change. The Russell Berrie Foundation seeks to continue Russ mission by providing significant support to strengthen New Jerseys arts, cultural, and health care institutions and celebrates everyday people who make a significant difference in the lives of others through the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award. About Ramapo College of New Jersey Ramapo College of New Jersey, established in 1969, is the states premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The College is ranked #1 among New Jersey public institutions by College Choice, and is recognized as a top college by U.S. New s & World Report, Kiplingers, Princeton Review, and Money magazine, among others. The campus center for performing and visual arts is named in honor of Angelica and Russ Berrie. Samsung Thailand tipped off early reservations for the Galaxy S21 series and theres a neat way to secure one of the upcoming S-series flagships. The first 100 entrants can legally purchase an S21 for just THB 21 ($0.70) so long as they register for a limited time raffle on Samsung Thailands website and trade in an old digital camera. Once registered, the first 100 entrants will receive a special code that can be used at the checkout to secure the upcoming Samsung flagship. The raffle is open until 6 PM on January 14. In addition, the first 1,000 registered entrants are eligible for a free year's worth of Samsung Care+ Platinum which normally retails for THB 2,939 ($98). Source (in Thai) Senator Kelly Loefflers stinging loss in Georgia trained increased scrutiny on the prominent role she planned to play on Wednesday in seeking to overturn President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.s victory in her home state when Congress meets to formalize his Electoral College win. Ms. Loeffler had announced on Monday, ahead of a pair of high-stakes Georgia runoffs that will determine Senate control, that she was planning to join the small group of senators lodging objections, and a person familiar with her thinking said Tuesday that she would likely focus on Georgia. But with the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, declared the winner by The Associated Press, Ms. Loeffler found herself in an awkward position: a lame duck senator contemplating a starring role in a politically fraught fight for a president who clearly lost. Her promise to object may have helped gin up turnout among the presidents loyal supporters in Georgia, but it does little for Ms. Loeffler now that the election has passed. In a speech to supporters late Tuesday night, she did not concede and said she still planned to travel to Washington to contest Mr. Trumps loss. In the morning, in fact, Im going to be headed to Washington, D.C., to keep fighting, she said. Were going to fight for this president, so I am asking for every single Georgian, every single American: Stay in the fight with us. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is seen while speaking with fellow first-term Republican members of Congress on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 4, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: I Hope Americans Can Hear Evidence of Fraud During Joint Session WASHINGTONAmericans will hopefully be able to hear evidence of voter and election fraud during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told The Epoch Times. All the cases have been thrown out based on standing and not on evidence. So Im hoping that the American people get to hear just a small amount of evidence, because we only have a few minutes in our objections. And Im hoping that this really opens up the issue, she said during a pro-President Donald Trump rally on Tuesday. Greene is one of at least 77 representatives and 13 senators who plan on objecting to electoral votes during the joint session, according to an Epoch Times tally. The objections, if backed by at least one member of each chamber, trigger separate debates and votes. Greene noted that numerous people, such as poll workers and observers, have signed affidavits that allege election fraud took place. Thats a real sign theres lots of problems, she said. Theres also been testimony from experts during hearings by state legislature committees, such as an expert who alleged that he hacked into voting machines, thats concerning, she added. Theres just a lot of evidence that needs to be looked at. And its not a political party issue; its truly an issue of our election integrity, Greene said. Greene is a political newcomer, winning her first bid for Congress and being sworn in on Jan. 3. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has claimed victory in the 2020 election, pointing to certified vote counts that appear to show him with 306 electoral votes to Trumps 232. Trump has said the election is not over and Republicans hope to turn it to his favor during the joint session. Thousands of Trump supporters flowed into Washington on Tuesday and more plan on showing up on Wednesday. Supporters of President Donald Trump gather at a rally at Freedom Plaza, ahead of the Congress certification of the November 2020 election results, during protests in Washington on Jan. 5, 2021. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters) Supporters of President Donald Trump gather in the rain for a rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington on Jan. 5, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) Organizers say the events are meant to pressure Congress into objecting to votes and voting to uphold the objections. Because Democrats control the House and Senate Republican leadership has come out in opposition to the plan, objections will likely not be upheld. A second possible path to victory involves Vice President Mike Pence, who some Republicans argue can reject electoral votes in the case of dueling electors in his role as president of the Senate. Seven contested states sent two certificates, one for Biden and one for Trump. Pence hasnt indicated whether he will try to reject votes. Pence was in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday. The vice president and I are in total agreement that the vice president has the power to act, Trump said in a statement late Tuesday. Our vice president has several options under the U.S. Constitution. He can decertify the results or send them back to the states for change and certification. He can also decertify the illegal and corrupt results and send them to the House of Representatives for the one vote for one state tabulation, he added. Biden and his campaign have made little mention of what could happen in the joint session. In a call with reporters late last month, his pick for White House press secretary said they view the session as merely a formality. Democrats have said theyre confident Biden will officially be president-elect after the session. Biden, rallying in Georgia on Tuesday, thanked a crowd on behalf of himself and vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). Let me start by saying thank you for electing me and Kamala as president and vice president of the United States, he said. You voted in record numbers in November. Your voices were heard. Your votes were counted. And the rule of the people prevailed. In a repeat of Novembers presidential election there, both Georgia Senate runoff elections that will decide which political party controls the Senate were too close to call as Tuesday became Wednesday but late surges appeared put both Democratic candidates in the drivers seat. Republican incumbents David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler both had leads around three percentage points most of the night after polls closed in the 7 oclock hour. But when heavily Democratic Dekalb County released a large haul of results over four hours later, both races substantially narrowed. Mr Perdue had a slight lead (less than 1 per cent) over Democratic challenger Jon Ossof, while Ms Loeffler was trailing Raphael Warnock by less than a percentage point. With most outstanding ballots in heavily blue areas, some senior Republicans were essentially waving a white flag and taking shots at Donald Trump. Suburbs, my friends, the suburbs. I feel like a one trick pony but here we are again. We went from talking about jobs and the economy to Qanon election conspiracies in 4 short years and - as it turns out- they were listening! tweeted Josh Holmes, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who now heads a Republican political consulting firm. Collectively, the two runoff elections appeared around midnight to rank among the non-presidential elections with the highest vote turnout numbers in US history. That came after President-elect Joe Biden and the outgoing president, Mr Trump, both stumped for their parties candidates on Monday. As 5 January faded into the sixth day of the month, the prospects that Mr Warnock would replace Ms Loeffler in the Senate grew as the Perdue-Ossoff race appeared a dead heat. Mr Warnock would be Georgias first black senator in state history and one of just three black senators in the 117th Congress. (Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrat Cory Booker of New Jersey are the other two.) A longtime minister, Mr Warnock has served since 2005 as senior pastor at Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. was once a co-pastor with his father. Mr Warnock also attended Kings alma mater Morehouse College, before studying for a Masters of Divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary. Mr Warnock and Ms Loefflers race often devolved into personal attacks down the home stretch, with the GOP incumbent accusing her opponent of being a Trojan horse for communism and socialism and of hating police and members of the US military. She has drawn extensively on Mr Warnocks archive of sermons and writings, cherry-picking quotes without context to make him appear radical. At their lone head-to-head debate in December, Ms Loeffler referred to her opponent as radical liberal Raphael Warnock no fewer than 14 times, drawing mockery even from Fox News for her robotic performance. In the other contests final days, Mr Ossoff described a vote for him as Mr Bidens last best chance to enact big parts of his ambitious legislative agenda. Mitch McConnell will try to do to Joe and Kamala [Harris] exactly what he did to President Obama. But we have too much good work to do, the senator-elect said Monday at a campaign rally in Atlanta that was headlined by Mr Biden, also referring to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. He called Mr Perdue and the other GOP incumbent on the ballot, Kelly Leoffler, the Bonnie and Clyde of US politics, referring to corruption scandals. Mr Perdue tapped into Donald Trumps claims of widespread voter fraud during Novembers presidential election and baseless allegations that Democrats were at it again this time. If youre as mad as I am about November, then rise up with us and fight, Mr Perdue, who is quarantining due to close contact with someone who contracted Covid-19, said during a Monday night rally headlined by Mr Trump in Dalton. Fight by doing the only thing you can do right now, and that is to vote tomorrow, Mr Perdue said in a video message. If we dont all get out and vote tomorrow everything President Trump has done to make America great again is gone. Both races were forecast by multiple polls as a dead heat in the final days, with Democrats were banking on a massive turnout in traditionally blue counties, and Republicans trying to drive up the vote count in heavily red rural and suburban areas just like in Novembers presidential race won by Mr Biden. During a rally Monday in Atlanta, Mr Biden accused the two GOP incumbents as being lap dogs for Mr Trump. I took an oath to the US Constitution, and as president I dont believe your US senators will work for me. Theyll work for the people for Georgia, Mr Biden said. Im not asking your senators to be loyal to me, but to be loyal to you and the US Constitution, period. If you vote for John and the reverend (Warnock), thats what youll get, he added. They wont put a president or the party first, theyll put you first." A few hours later, at his own rally for Mr Perdue and Ms Loeffler in Dalton, the outgoing president mostly uttered false statements, statistics and allegations about his November loss. But he did at numerous points urge his loyalists to turn out in big numbers for the two GOP candidates. The crowd early in the event chanted fight for Trump. Ever the showman, he pivoted off their battle cry into an endorsement of his fellow Republicans. Kelly fights for me. David fights for me, he said. That I can tell you. New York, Jan 6 : In the runoff elections from Georgia that will determine the future of the US Senate, a Democratic Party candidate won one of the two seats on Wednesday morning and another had a with a razor-thin lead in the other. A Christian priest, Rafael Warnock, who is the Democratic Party's candidate, defeated the Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler by 1 per cent of the votes in the elections held on Tuesday. Democrat Jon Ossoff had a 0.8 per cent lead over the sitting Republican Senator Davd Perdue as of 1.30 a.m. Georgia time. But it will likely take some days before the results are finally announced officially as challenges and recounts are almost certain. Republicans have 50 seats in the 100-member Senate while the Democrats with their two Independent allies have 48 seats, and if the two Georgia Democrats are declared winners, the party will control the Senate as Kamala Harris, who will be the vice president, will have the casting vote as the chair. The Senate gains would soften the Democratic Party's net loss of 13 seats in the House of Representatives in the November election. Warnock made a victory speech on Wednesday morning declaring that he "was going to the Senate" to serve all of the state's people. Loeffler did not concede the election and told her supporters that it was "a game of inches" that she would win. Both the Republicans had led in the November election, but under the chaotic US system of state-mandated election systems, in Georgia there had to be runoff elections as neither of them got more than 50 per cent of the votes because other candidates were in the races. Unlike in Georgia, most other states declare the candidate who gets the most number of votes the winner without the 50 per cent and runoff requirements. If the two Democrats are finally declared winners, President-Elect Joe Biden will have full control of the legislature, although it will be moderated by policy challenges to his moderate orientation from his party's left and progressive groups. President Donald Trump would be blamed for Republican losses because after losing the November election he continued a quixotic quest to have it overturned creating a distraction and simultaneously fighting with Georgia's officials belonging to his party because they would not back him. In a recording of a phone call obtained by the Washington Post, Trump was heard asking Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find him "11,780 votes" that would nullify Biden's win in the state. Raffensperger, who is in charge of Georgia's elections and is a Republican, told him he could not do it, according to the recording. This episode impacted the party's standing. Warnock, who is a priest of the Christian Baptist sect to which Harris belongs, will be the first African American elected to the Senate from Georgia. Both parties poured money and people into the Georgia elections as the state, which was once staunchly Republican, was seen changing politically. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Georgia contests "are the top two most expensive congressional elections ever - by a large margin." It reported that the candidates and outside groups had spent $470 million in the Perdue versus Ossoff race and $363 million in the Loeffler versus Warnock contest as of Monday and the amounts were expected to increase further. There are only 7.2 million registered voters in the state. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the United States House Ways and Means Committee chairman, stated on Sunday that the results of the Georgia runoff election would affect the $2,000 stimulus checks proposal courtesy of President Donald Trump and other officials. Stimulus Checks and Georgia Runoffs According to Neal regarding the timing of future legislation on direct payments, "I think it's more contingent upon what happens on Jan. 5," reported The Hill. President Trump, a number of Republican lawmakers, and Democrats are pushing to bolster the $600 stimulus payments in a new COVID-19 relief law to $2,000. Last week, the House passed a bill to increase the stimulus payment to $2,000, with 44 Republicans joining the majority of Democrats in support of the measure. Over three million people have cast their votes early in-person or by mail in the Georgia run-off elections, according to the United States Elections Project. The voting in Georgia closes at 7 PM ET on Tuesday, reported Yahoo News. According to President-elect Joe Biden, "If you send Jon and the Reverend to Washington, those $2,000 checks will go out the door, restoring hope and decency and honor for so many people who are struggling right now. And if you send (Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler) back to Washington, those checks will never get there," Biden said. "It's just that simple. The power is literally in your hands," reported Gwinnett Daily Post. Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler joined the incumbent president and Democrats in backing $2,000 direct payments last December. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) barred the effort, describing $2,000 stimulus checks "socialism for the rich." Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have publicly supported $2,000 direct payments. Also Read: Trump's Hospital Price Transparency Rule Being Implemented On the eve of one of the United States' most significant elections in recent history, tens of millions of people across the nation are awaiting the result of Georgia's Senate runoffs. It is considered a tight contest to determine dominance over the upper chamber and with it the fate of a third stimulus check. McConnell obstructed the train set forth by Trump, Democrats, and a handful of Republicans in Congress that would have increased the most recent stimulus check from a maximum of $600 to $2,000. The prospect of the $2,000 payments was barred by Republicans in the Senate. Another payment is reportedly unlikely during the sitting president's term. This has numerous people interested if Biden will push for extra direct stimulus relief when he takes over the office. Both of Georgia's Republican senators have expressed their support of Trump's demand that Congress increase the amount of the stimulus checks -- breaking with the party's traditional fiscal conservative stance merely one week out from the Peach State's dual runoff elections that will determine the party that governs the US Senate. While the senators are standing steadfastly behind the president, which some think is the only way to win, others caution that their support for larger checks to United States citizens flies in the face of their conservative bona fides and could affect their chances on Election Day next week. Related Article: McConnell Blocks Quick Vote on $2,000 Stimulus Checks, Dubs as 'Socialism for Rich People' @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. There are few institutions across the globe as widely recognised and respected as the University of Cambridge. It has spawned some of the greatest minds in history, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking. Its contract with Northern Irelands Barclay Communications has reinforced the fact that the company is one of the best in the business when it comes to being a trusted communications supplier and for founder Britt Megahey, its yet another endorsement of the successes his company has achieved over the last few years. Barclay Communications continues to pave the way for business-to-business telecommunications with its range of top-end products throughout the UK and Ireland. Mobile is the heartbeat of its offering, but its service portfolio extends well beyond that. As Britt emphasises that mobile is what gels all of its other services together, including workforce management through its WorkPal software, both traditional landline and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services along with IT products and management. The University of Cambridge contract is very high profile for us, and we are delighted to have formed such a distinguished partnership, Britt says. Barclay Communications fought off competition from some of the UKs largest telecoms companies and Networks direct to win the contract. I think for us it was about ensuring the University could trust in our capability. Providing evidence of how we would manage the estate, showing detail in the transition of the accounts, movement of services, bespoke reporting and ongoing management. The contract sees it supply the university with sharper, more agile and reliable communication solutions for its 31 constituent colleges and 150 departments. As one of its biggest and most prestigious contracts in its 24-year history the Barclay team will deliver a multitude of bespoke products originating with 5,000 mobile connections, across 37 countries that will be accessed by all colleges and departments ensuring a seamless migration. Expand Close Britt Megahey pictured at Cambridge University / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Britt Megahey pictured at Cambridge University For them, it started as a substantial commercial advantage. We were much more cost effective. This was achieved via detailed planning, intense needs analysis and bespoke pricing. Being adaptable was important, as the pandemic hit the universitys needs drastically changed and we needed to be quick to support. The team we have is unrivalled; they really know every intricacy of a customers account and this helps us become more like an extension to the customer rather than merely support. We complete a weekly call with the university to get ahead of projects and needs whilst reviewing current usage trends. In the case of this latest addition, Britt says there is now a team dedicated to dealing with the University of Cambridge account providing 24/7 support with the ability to resolve any query, from the small to the very large while ensuring all time zones are covered and requirements are met. Its this unique and attentive service that Britt believes is paramount to Barclays success. Contracts like this and the demand for our services means we can plan into 2021 to help grow our teams and portfolio, Britt says. We have been very busy over the last few months as we see businesses react to a more flexible working environment. We have seen a surge in not only mobile but huge demand for our WorkPal software as many companies seek to streamline their workflow and an increase in the uptake for our fixed line VoIP services. Many businesses have moved their operations to remote working and have expressed that this is likely to continue. We have been at the forefront of helping businesses stay connected whether it be ensuring someone can use their landline services from home, have strong connectivity, raise and assign jobs remotely to simply providing more data to allow functionality such as video calls. We have been lucky to operate in such an important space, however we remain firmly focused on supporting customers through any requirement. Britt is not alone in the communications sphere competing for that intense new custom but 2020 has allowed the company to rise through the ranks and garner such prestigious contracts. The industry is one of the most competitive, he says. With so many firms coming and going, we always want to give customers security and confidence in choosing us. Im excited about the future and how technology continues to be integral. He also remains positive about the outlook and growth for the business over the coming months. The 24-year-old firm is headquartered in Belfast with offices in Dublin and Glasgow. Confidence is definitely growing in the business community here, Britt says. Theres no doubt about it. While it hasnt been easy, it has been wonderful to watch many businesses remain upbeat and opportunistic. Continuing to look to 2021, buoyed by the roll-out of vaccinations across Northern Ireland and beyond, Britt is firmly focused on both the continued success of Barclay Communications, but also general business sentiment and overall economic performance as we all try to put Covid-19 firmly in our rear-view mirror. I do think we will see a sharp improvement and that normality will return to a certain degree, he says. The team and I are planning for further growth, which is great. We are also taking a suite of products to Dublin, including our WorkPal and VoIP, which we will continue to sell in the Republic. I believe the demand we have experienced in 2020 will continue. The work from home setup that has become commonplace, something of a legacy of this pandemic which prompts businesses and individuals to ensure they have the best communication solutions in place. And we will be there to service those new needs. I really do believe our team is exceptional. Their attitudes through this pandemic and beyond has been remarkable. As customers demanded more they rose to every challenge. Their passion continues to drive my ambition that we are the right choice for any size of business. Therefore, one thing will always remain, our service will be as reliable and impeccable as its always been, and the client will be at the heart of everything we do. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Ulster Business OSH, Kyrgyzstan -- Police in Kyrgyzstan's southern region of Osh have rejected allegations of voter intimidation in the Kara-Suu district, saying that claims about young men visiting local homes and threatening residents with violence if they did not vote for Sadyr Japarov were "lies." In its January 5 statement, the Osh regional police department said that such allegations were wrong, adding that it started a preliminary investigation to find out who stands behind "the false complaints." According to the statement, the Jalpy Ish (Common Case) NGO on January 2 informed police in Osh about complaints by some residents of the Kirov village, who said young men had gone house to house telling people to vote for Japarov on January 10, threatening them with violence if they didnt. The police department says the situation was checked on January 3 and it was concluded that the Jalpy Ish group's concerns were baseless, adding that no facts of voter intimidation had been revealed. Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission (BShK) said on January 4 it had launched a probe into Jalpy Ish's claim and informed the Central Asian nation's Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor-Generals Office about the incident. There's been no comment from Japarov. Meanwhile, Jalpy Ish's spokesman Arslanbek Omurzakov told reporters in Bishkek on January 5 that between October 24 and December 28, his group registered 53 violations of election-campaign regulations, including attempts to buy votes, voter intimidation, and use of administrative resources. The early presidential election was called following a political crisis triggered by mass protests in early October over the outcome of parliamentary elections that led to the resignation of the government and prompted President Sooronbai Jeenbekov to step down. Japarov, who during the October turmoil was released from prison where he was serving a sentence for kidnapping a political rival, was elected prime minister by lawmakers and took over presidential powers following Jeenbekov's resignation. In mid-November, Japarov suspended his duties of acting president and prime minister to become eligible to seek the presidency as Kyrgyz law does not allow anyone serving as president in an interim capacity to run in an election for the post. Seventeen candidates have been registered to run in the January 10 poll. Governor Ron DeSantis has said people are fleeing to Florida because they are sick of 'draconian lockdowns' as the Sunshine State recorded its second highest daily total for new COVID-19 cases. DeSantis told Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight Tuesday night that Americans are turning to the Sunshine State as a 'landing pad' amid the pandemic because it has fewer restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus. He also brushed off criticism in the media over Florida's vaccine rollout accusing some outlets of 'spinning whatever narrative they think can get ratings' following his spat with a CNN journalist Monday who asked why hundreds of elderly residents were forced to camp out overnight to get their hands on a shot. Right-wing host Carlson joined in and berated liberal news outlet CNN for its 'attack' on DeSantis while not criticizing northeastern states like the Big Apple because 'Chris Cuomo's brother is running New York'. DeSantis' comments come the same day 15,431 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the state - marking its second highest day on record for new infections. Another 98 Floridians also died taking the death toll to 22,515 - the fourth-worst in the country - while the state ranks third worst in terms of cases with almost 1.4 million infections since the virus touched down in the state. Hospitalizations reached 7,343 Monday, including 1,075 in Miami-Dade, and some ICUs are nearing capacity. Governor Ron DeSantis has said people are fleeing to Florida because they are sick of 'draconian lockdowns' in other states as Tucker Carlson blasted CNN for 'attacking' the governor but not New York Governor Andrew Cuomo DeSantis boasted that people have flocked to Florida due to its lax coronavirus restrictions. 'If you look at new home builds, new home starts, if you look at home sales, prices going up. I mean, it's pretty clear that people are viewing Florida as a landing pad,' DeSantis said. The governor said, though official figures are not yet available to show the influx, anecdotally people tell him they moved to the state because its schools and businesses remained open where other states have shuttered. 'You know, it's interesting, as this went on I would encounter people particularly in September that would move from parts of the country and say 'look, they closed our schools. Your schools are open. I'm going to come here because you guys are doing it right',' he said. 'So I think there's been a variety of factors. 'Taxes has been one thing but I really do think these lockdowns have driven some people to Florida who just had enough with these draconian, ineffective restrictions.' DeSantis said that Florida had faired well during the pandemic because people see 'greener pastures' in the states. 'We are doing very well. Economically, obviously our tourism industry has gotten hit. That's recovering,' he said. 'Home sales are up I think 22 percent year-over-year. People have opportunities in Florida, they are seeing that. 'They're coming here for greener pastures.' DeSantis has not issued a mask mandate in the state despite soaring cases, deaths and hospitalizations. Over New Year weekend, Florida beaches were packed with maskless revelers partying in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The first case of the new more highly contagious variant of the virus was also detected in the state Thursday. He also brushed off criticism in the media over Florida's vaccine rollout accusing some outlets of 'spinning whatever narrative they think can get ratings' following his spat with a CNN journalist Monday who asked why hundreds of elderly residents were forced to camp out overnight to get their hands on a shot Meanwhile, some hospitals are warning that ICU beds are almost full as hospitalizations in the state have soared by 1,000 in a single week. Dr. Rajiv Bahl, an emergency medicine physician, told WESH2 patients are being admitted at increasing rates in Central Florida and across the country. 'This is a result of what we believe is the holiday pandemic fatigue when a lot of people got together with families and started to spread this virus a little bit more,' he said. But DeSantis boasted that both fewer restrictions and his strict law-and-order approach is a reason some people have flocked to the state. He said the state 'take[s] law and order very seriously' and said he would 'not tolerate a Minneapolis type situation' which was marked by unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. 'When I was going on the summer I had the National Guard on standby, we were working with our localities in the state of Florida and you didn't see, hear what you saw there,' he said. Carlson asked DeSantis why he thought he was facing criticism for his role in the pandemic compared to other states in the northeast that the host believes have handled things 'worse'. DeSantis told him he would 'wear the criticism as a badge of honor if it means that my state has a state in which every parent has the right to send their kid to in-person instruction, everybody has a right to work and a right to pursue their vocation'. DeSantis told Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight Tuesday night that Americans are turning to the Sunshine State as a 'landing pad' amid the pandemic because it has fewer lockdown restrictions to slow the spread of the virus. Maskless crowds in Fort Lauderdale Sunday In Miami people party over the New Year. DeSantis has not issued a mask mandate He added: 'I'm happy for the criticism because, you know what, I don't seek validation by the media. 'What I seek is supporting the citizens of my state and I can tell you as this pandemic has worn on, a number of times someone has come up to me with tears in their eyes saying if it wasn't for you my kid would not be in school and I would not have my job, thank you that is why I'm in this job.' When asked by Carlson if he thinks he would 'get fair treatment from CNN if your brother had a prime time show on that channel', DeSantis laughed. Carlson was referring to New York Governor Cuomo whose brother Chris has a show on CNN. DeSantis accused the network of having an agenda. 'Well if ifs and buts were candy and nuts then every day would be Christmas,' he laughed. 'But I think it's very clear some of these networks obviously, they have agendas. They are doing narratives. 'They are not trying to report facts anymore. It's all about spinning whatever narrative they think can get ratings and that's just the reality of the situation. 'So it doesn't impact me, we are going to continue keeping our eye on the ball and working as hard as we can to deliver results.' Carlson had hit out at both CNN and states including New York and New Jersey earlier in his show. He claimed the blue states had 'destroy[ed] every small business in the state and that's why those states are emptying out and moving to Florida' but that CNN would not criticize them because of its ties to Chris Cuomo. 'Florida, by the way, is leading New York in vaccine distribution as well. And at the same time, as we just noted, people are leaving those two states and moving to the state of Florida, which by the way it is controlled by a Republican and maybe that's why CNN is enraged by all of this,' he claimed. New York is actually leading Florida in terms of vaccine distribution. The Empire State has so far used up 33 percent of its allocation and vaccinated 1.5 percent of its population. Florida has used up 23 percent of its vaccine doses with 1.2 percent of residents having received the shots. Carlson joined in and berated liberal news outlet CNN for its 'attack' on DeSantis while not criticizing northeastern states like the Big Apple because 'Chris Cuomo's brother is running New York'. Pictured Governor Andrew Cuomo and CNN host Chris Cuomo (l-r) On Monday, DeSantis interrupted and clapped back at CNN journalist Rosa Flores at his press conference (above) when she asked about issues with the state's vaccine rollout 'They don't want you to know that Chris Cuomo's brother is running New York, so instead they attacked the state of Florida,' said Carlson. On Monday, DeSantis interrupted and clapped back at CNN journalist Rosa Flores at his press conference when she asked about issues with the state's vaccine rollout. 'What has gone wrong with the rollout of the vaccine that we've seen phone lines jammed, websites crashing- ' she asked. DeSantis cut her off saying: 'There's a lot of demand. I mean I think at the end of the day- ' The pair started speaking over each other with the journalist saying: 'If I could just finish my question.' DeSantis pointed his finger at her and repeatedly said 'excuse me'. 'You've just said 'what has gone wrong?' So I'm answering the question,' he fired. She replied: 'If I could complete the question through.' 'So what are you going to give a speech or are you going to ask a question?' asked DeSantis. Hundreds of seniors were seen camping out in their cars overnight Monday in Daytona Beach in order to get their shots The seniors camped out in the Daytona Stadium parking lot so they could be first in line for at the drive-thru vaccine facility Just 4.66 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the US in the last three weeks despite federal officials having distributed 15.4 million doses to the states The journalist tried to complete her question asking why senor citizens were forced to wait overnight for the vaccine. After firing back asking if she had 'investigated why' the governor pinned the issue on hospitals that told residents it was 'first come, first served' leading to an influx of people. 'We distributed vaccines to hospitals and the hospitals said first come first serve, if you show up, we will do it,' he said. Hundreds of seniors were seen camping out in their cars overnight Monday in Daytona Beach in order to get their shots. The seniors camped out in the Daytona Stadium parking lot so they could be first in line for at the drive-thru vaccine facility. In other parts of Florida, seniors are registering online to get access to the shots. DeSantis announced a new policy under which the state will allocate more doses to hospitals that dispense them most quickly. Nationwide states are struggling to get shots in arms quickly while cases continue to spread at record rates. Meriden reported an increase of 396 COVID-19 infections and uptick in its positivity rate from 9.9 percent to 10.4, Mayor Kevin Scarpati reported Tuesday. The city also cited two additional deaths and a slight drop in its case rate at 76.2 per 100,000 residents for the week, in spite of the increased positivity rate. We have lost two additional members of our community this past week, Scarpati posted on social media. Our total Covid related deaths stand at 111. The increased positivity rate mirrors statewide results which saw numbers climb from a 5.6 percent positivity rate to 7.6 percent over the past two days. Meriden now has had 4,675 residents test positive for the virus. The town of Wallingford reported 141 new cases on Dec. 13 and 139 new cases on Dec. 26. Cheshire reported 83 cases on Dec. 13 and 68 cases on Dec. 26. Southington also saw a decrease from 151 cases on Dec. 13 to 146 on Dec. 26, according to state public health numbers. City and state officials expected a post-holiday spike reflecting travel and gatherings. Reporting data for the individual towns is one week behind. The state reported an additional 2,332 cases Tuesday reaching a 7.66 percent positivity rate. An additional 38 people were hospitalized bringing the total to 1,149, and 24 new deaths. Before Monday, the state had maintained a 6.6 percent infection rate average over seven days, according to numbers released from Gov. Ned Lamonts office. Lamont also announced that state hospitals and long-term facilities have administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 75,180 workers. Both the Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech vaccines require two doses. State public health officials expect to complete the first dose of the vaccine by Friday. Assisted living facilities began administering vaccines at their facilities on Monday. Connecticut is among the first eight states in the U.S. to have administered the vaccine to more than two percent of its population. Vaccine distribution is done at 85 sites with hospitals set to rollout clinical centers at their testing sites. Any thawed leftover vaccine is rerouted to an area of need to avoid any waste, Lamont said. We want to make sure every drop of vaccine is administered in a timely fashion, Lamont said. The Meriden Health Department began vaccinating first responders and healthcare workers last week. To date they have administered more than 200 vaccinations, Scarpati said. Hartford HealthCare, the parent of MidState Medical Center and the Hospital of Central Connecticut began dispensing the second doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine Monday to workers who received the first dose three weeks ago. The states COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group met Tuesday to determine priorities in the next phase or, phase 1B, of the vaccine rollout. Dr. Deidre Gifford, the acting public health commissioner, said Monday the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions immunization advisory committee recommends that frontline essential workers and people over the age of 75 be included in phase 1B. She added that the committee may chose to make some additions to that group but witheld speculation until after they met. Lamont is expected to have the committees recommendations Thursday. mgodin@record-journal.com203-317-2255Twitter: @Cconnbiz LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Herculean" aim to vaccinate around 14 million of the most vulnerable people against COVID-19 by the middle of next month is achievable, his vaccine minister said on Wednesday. As major powers eye the benefits of being first out of the pandemic, Britain is rushing to vaccinate its population faster than the United States and the rest of Europe, although Russia and China have been inoculating their citizens for months. The vaccine is seen as the main way out of the COVID-19 crisis which has killed 1.87 million people, destroyed whole swathes of the global economy and upended normal life for billions of people across the world. Also Read | The race to take fashion retail online Johnson has set a target of vaccinating the elderly, including care home residents, the clinically vulnerable and frontline workers - around 14 million people - by mid-February. Asked if it was achievable to vaccinate 14 million people by the middle of February and 2 million vaccinations each week by the end of this month, Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi said it was. "It is a Herculean effort," he told Sky, adding that it was stretching but deliverable. He said that 1/4 of people over 80 years old had been vaccinated with their first shot. More than 1.3 million people in the United Kingdom have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Britain, grappling with the world's fifth worst death toll and one of the worst economic hits from the COVID crisis, was the first country to roll out the vaccine developed by Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech just under a month ago. It this week became the first country in the world to start deploying the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Actor Nehha Pendse is all set to replace actor Saumya Tandon on hit television comedy show, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain. Saumya left the show in August 2020 after playing Anita Bhabhi for five years. Nehha said that she got tired of sitting at home, fearing the coronavirus infection. She has now decided to take on the challenge and resume work with all the necessary precautions. Speaking to The Times of India, Nehha said, Yes I am doing Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain, but the fear is less now. Till September, there was a fear of the unknown. We didnt know how to handle it, unlike now. Even Shardul (her husband) had said I should take up something only if the opportunity was worth giving my life for. Today, India is doing well in terms of numbers and the herd immunity is increasing. Iske aage if I fear and sit at home, I would be a coward. The vaccines are also round the corner. Nehha added that she visited the sets to make sure all proper precautions were being taken and called the producers very responsible people. It is now a great opportunity to be a part of a show that people look forward to seeing, she said about the show. When asked about her equation with Saumya, she said, Not personally, but I have worked with her in Comedy Circus. However, I havent interacted with her much. Saumya spoke to Hindustan Times about her decision to quit the show in August. I havent signed anything, and honestly Im going to be picking and choosing carefully. I dont have the incessant need to be seen on television every day. I have the desire to now really do something good and worthwhile, and I hope I get it. Thats going to be the quest now. Theres a lot of work around, but Ill be choosy, she had said. Also read: Inside Deepika Padukone birthday celebrations: Ranveer plays host, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt attend. See pics I shared a great rapport with my producers. Binaifer Kohli has been very supportive. I had confided in her about this decision, and shes been lovely throughout. Even during the Covid times, she helped me take away the fear by taking all precautions on set. I have a great relationship with my network, too. Theres absolutely no controversy, no malice, no trigger that everybody is looking for. Its just a well thought of decision, she had added. Follow @htshowbiz on Twitter ott:10:ht-tv_listing-desktop .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SANTA FE, N.M. As a mob of protesters broke into the U.S. Capitol Building during the a joint session of congress, hundreds of protesters converged on the Roundhouse in Santa Fe in reaction to unfounded claims of voter fraud during the 2020 Presidential Election. A much smaller demonstration took place at the state capitol in Santa Fe. Unlike what was happening in Washington, D.C., the demonstration was peaceful, but not entirely. A small, but violent fight broke out between Trump supporters and counter protesters holding a pride flag. Dozens of police officers were soon on the scene, but both sides declined to file any charges. The state capitol was partially evacuated while the demonstration was going on outside, according to Raul Burciaga, director of the New Mexico Legislative Council. He said he was communicating with New Mexico State Police. Courts around the city were also closed down. The hundreds of protesters in Santa Fe expressed their displeasure with a variety of issues, including false allegations of voter fraud and mask ordinances. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Organizers called for the peace during the protest, but some protesters said they sympathized with those who stormed the nations capitol building. I understand why they did it, said a protester from Cedar Crest who declined to identify himself. The roughly 250 people demonstrating outside the Roundhouse was made up mostly of non-mask wearing white people and included members of the Proud Boys, a notorious hate group, and Cowboys for Trump. One woman was heard celebrating the shutdown of the nations capitol. We shut down the House and the Senate, she said with glee. Screenshot shows the Reuters news report published on Dec. 31, 2020. China approved its first self-developed COVID-19 vaccine for general public use on Dec. 31, 2020 to face greater transmission risks over the winter, according to a news report published by Reuters on the same day. The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced the approval of the inactivated vaccine developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group, or Sinopharm at a press conference, It showed 79.34 percent efficacy against COVID-19 based on the interim data of the phase-3 clinical trials, said by its developer, Beijing Biological Products Institute, Co., Ltd. under the China National Biotech Group (CNBG), which is affiliated with Sinopharm. More detailed data on the vaccine would be released later, and it would be published in scientific journals, said Wu Yonglin, president of the CNBG. The vaccine would be provided free of charge for the public in China, said Zengyixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission (NHC). Early in December, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the official registration of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm. Pakistan has also decided to pre-book COVID-19 vaccine from Sinopharm and has announced a 1.2 million dose purchase deal. For more information, find the original article at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-china/china-gives-its-first-covid-19-vaccine-approval-to-sinopharm-idUSKBN29505P [ Editor: SRQ ] Blog Archive May 2021 (77) April 2021 (77) March 2021 (82) February 2021 (68) January 2021 (64) December 2020 (67) November 2020 (66) October 2020 (66) September 2020 (67) August 2020 (74) July 2020 (83) June 2020 (92) May 2020 (86) April 2020 (104) March 2020 (105) February 2020 (74) January 2020 (75) December 2019 (75) November 2019 (70) October 2019 (89) September 2019 (69) August 2019 (81) July 2019 (77) June 2019 (73) May 2019 (110) April 2019 (110) March 2019 (102) February 2019 (85) January 2019 (123) December 2018 (116) November 2018 (112) October 2018 (121) September 2018 (107) August 2018 (150) July 2018 (163) June 2018 (190) May 2018 (145) April 2018 (112) March 2018 (124) February 2018 (113) January 2018 (164) December 2017 (150) November 2017 (144) October 2017 (169) September 2017 (171) August 2017 (135) July 2017 (131) June 2017 (147) May 2017 (160) April 2017 (138) March 2017 (156) February 2017 (143) January 2017 (203) December 2016 (208) November 2016 (185) October 2016 (173) September 2016 (194) August 2016 (232) July 2016 (225) June 2016 (238) May 2016 (231) April 2016 (215) March 2016 (246) February 2016 (226) January 2016 (252) December 2015 (230) November 2015 (250) October 2015 (234) September 2015 (222) August 2015 (253) July 2015 (275) June 2015 (279) May 2015 (223) April 2015 (226) March 2015 (243) February 2015 (258) January 2015 (281) December 2014 (292) November 2014 (296) October 2014 (413) September 2014 (472) August 2014 (506) July 2014 (483) June 2014 (488) May 2014 (512) April 2014 (497) March 2014 (531) February 2014 (482) January 2014 (535) December 2013 (482) November 2013 (441) October 2013 (416) September 2013 (491) August 2013 (521) July 2013 (491) June 2013 (470) May 2013 (457) April 2013 (426) March 2013 (420) February 2013 (414) January 2013 (489) December 2012 (433) November 2012 (504) October 2012 (469) September 2012 (430) August 2012 (427) July 2012 (360) June 2012 (336) May 2012 (362) April 2012 (322) March 2012 (263) February 2012 (224) January 2012 (291) December 2011 (295) November 2011 (325) October 2011 (330) September 2011 (319) August 2011 (333) July 2011 (318) June 2011 (387) May 2011 (373) April 2011 (389) March 2011 (375) February 2011 (335) January 2011 (400) December 2010 (445) November 2010 (395) October 2010 (312) September 2010 (262) August 2010 (277) July 2010 (323) June 2010 (386) May 2010 (360) April 2010 (333) March 2010 (351) February 2010 (336) January 2010 (384) December 2009 (353) November 2009 (300) October 2009 (308) September 2009 (350) August 2009 (298) July 2009 (255) June 2009 (203) May 2009 (193) April 2009 (186) March 2009 (197) February 2009 (173) January 2009 (148) December 2008 (181) November 2008 (197) October 2008 (236) September 2008 (304) August 2008 (314) July 2008 (273) June 2008 (27) May 2008 (1) April 2008 (6) October 2007 (1) May 2007 (1) April 2007 (6) March 2007 (2) February 2007 (1) October 2006 (1) September 2006 (1) August 2006 (4) July 2006 (4) June 2006 (1) July 2005 (1) May 2005 (2) March 2005 (1) June 2004 (2) May 2004 (1) April 2004 (4) March 2004 (2) February 2004 (2) July 2003 (2) June 2003 (5) An international airport will be built in Fuzuli on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's instructions, he said receiving in a video format Anar Karimov on his appointment as Minister of Culture. The head of state noted that places are being identified now and mine clearance work will be carried out. The Azerbaijani leader recalled that the distance from there to Shusha is short. "Because in Soviet times, you had to go to Shusha either from Khankandi or through the Lachin corridor. We are building a new road now," he said. "Of course, those roads are there too, and our citizens, those engaged in repair work there these days are using these roads the Aghdam-Khankandi-Shusha road and the Lachin corridor. In other words, these roads are open to us. We should be able to go there whenever we want, and it will be the case," Ilham Aliyev noted. "However, the construction of the Fuzuli international airport will create opportunities to invite foreign guests to Shusha. It will be possible to come there and then travel a short distance to Shusha," the head of state added. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE OReilly Automotive Stores Inc. will pay a $79,200 penalty to the state of New Mexico as part of a settlement agreement for breaching state protocols aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, according to the state Environment Department. Its the largest penalty related to violations of the public health order relating to the pandemic issued by the department so far. The OReilly Auto Parts store on Airport Road received two citations after Environment Department inspectors visited the store on July 4 after receiving complaints from citizens. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The store is located within the 87507 zip code that includes Santa Fes Southside. Nearly 4,000 of the states almost 150,000 COVID cases have been among people who live in that area. Inspectors with the departments Occupational Health and Safety Bureau initially cited the store for failing to enforce the use of face coverings by employees, which was initially classified as a willful-serious violation and carried a $72,000 penalty, according to the settlement agreement. That designation was reduced to a serious violation under the settlement, but the penalty amount remained unchanged. The store was also cited for failing to post signs requiring the use of face coverings, classified as a serious violation that rendered a $7,200 penalty. OReilly contested the penalties, which would have brought the case before the Occupational Health and Safety Commission for adjudication. But rather than continue to contest and litigate the Departments allegations, OReilly agreed to pay a total penalty of $79,200 before Feb. 1, the settlement agreement states. The payment is to be deposited in the states general fund. The agreement goes on to say that OReilly does not admit to a violation of the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Act and that the payment was for the sole purpose of settling the matter fairly, economically, and without litigation or further expense. Phone messages left for the OReillys Southwest division vice president were not returned Tuesday. The amount of the penalty surpasses the previous high of $32,000 issued to Albuquerque Operating Company LLC in November. That penalty was assessed for violating requirements for protective equipment and training at the Village of Alameda, an assisted living facility in Albuquerque. Environment Secretary James Kenney said businesses need to take public health and safety requirements seriously. Failure by employers to protect staff from COVID-19 a known workplace hazard is unacceptable, Kenney said in a statement. Employers must take their worker protection responsibility seriously or they will face robust enforcement action by the State of New Mexico. A news release says the department is currently investigating more than 200 workplace safety complaints related to the COVID-19 outbreak and 14 workplace-related deaths. With Democrats on the cusp of winning the narrowest possible control of the Senate, President-elect Joe Biden faces a wider avenue for enacting some of his campaign agenda, though the chamber's legislative procedures will still pose limits. Raphael Warnock beat Republican opponent Kelly Loeffler in Georgia's runoff elections on Tuesday, while the race between Jon Ossoff and Republican David Perdue was still too close to call. Ossoff was leading by more than 17,000 votes and claimed victory, a win that if validated makes the Senate split 50-50 among Republicans and the Democratic caucus. Incoming Vice President Kamala Harris would be able to cast tie-breaking votes, giving Democrats a one-vote majority -- but one that will make an enormous difference for the new administration. With Chuck Schumer of New York as majority leader, displacing Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Democrats will control the Senate's schedule, deciding on what measures can be considered for a vote by the full chamber. That will make Biden's nominations for the Cabinet and other political appointments much more likely to win swift confirmation. Though Republicans could prolong debate, they wouldn't be able to nix a nominee without pulling at least one Democrat across the aisle. "It means that everyone that Joe Biden has picked to join his cabinet is likelier to have an easier time getting confirmed in the Senate," Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a close Biden ally, said on CNN Wednesday. "It means that the confirmation process can't be slow-walked or obstructed, and that he'll be able to have the talented and capable and seasoned group that he's already chosen serving early in the administration." Almost all legislation will need cooperation from Republicans because they require 60 votes in the Senate. There's a narrow exception for fiscal related measures that can pass with a simple majority using the budget process, and Biden has two chances this year to use that so-called reconciliation process for items like his economic stimulus plan. On other areas, the 60-vote requirement to cut off debate and proceed to a vote, necessitates getting GOP support, which will temper the more ambitious elements of Biden's agenda, as well as the biggest hopes among progressives. There is already a major push by progressives to end the 60-vote requirement in the Senate. That effort could be achieved with a simple majority vote, but West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat, has said he would block the effort. The following is a look at some of the advantages and limitations Biden and fellow Democrats face with a slim majority in the Senate: - Covid-19 relief. Democratic control makes a massive difference here. McConnell and the GOP had consistently opposed aid for state and local governments in stimulus negotiations last year, and Democrats will now be able to pass a package that includes that element. The Senate refused to vote on a House measure to boost stimulus checks to $2,000 from $600 last month, and that's now likely to go ahead as well. Further unemployment assistance and health care measures are also in the cards. - Tax overhaul. While Biden and congressional Democrats have set out to roll back some of President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts, including raising taxes on corporations and people who make more than $400,000, that won't be easy. Moderate Democrats could join Republicans in blocking or at least tempering increases. Schumer wants to restore federal deductions for state and local taxes that were limited by Trump, but that also may not be straightforward. - Regulatory changes. This is a key area where Democratic ambitions face significant limits. Many spending and revenue measures can be wrapped into so-called budget reconciliation legislation -- which only needs a simple majority of votes. But overhauling non-budget-related climate and immigration regulations, as well as gun control, family-leave guidance, minimum wages, labor rights and policing reform -- need to win 60 votes to proceed. Democrats will be able to rescind recent Trump regulations with a simple majority using the Congressional Review Act. - Political investigations. Republicans won't be able to force probes of the 2020 election results or the business dealings of the incoming president's son, Hunter Biden. Democratic-run committees may decide to initiate investigations of Trump's actions while in office or of his federal tax returns. - Health care. As with tax reform, some health care measures could be wrapped into budget legislation that only requires a simple majority. But in the same vein, Democrats would need to secure the backing of their moderate members to proceed, and that could limit the scope of what Biden or more progressive lawmakers in the caucus want to do. A Supreme Court ruling against the Affordable Care Act could spur action. - Judicial appointments. McConnell, as Senate majority leader, nixed President Barack Obama's effort to put Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court in 2016. Republicans could similarly have slowed or blocked Biden's federal judiciary appointments, but that path will be clear if the Democrats win control. Again, the need to keep the caucus united could shape the president's choices. Democratic activists are already pushing for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, 82, to retire soon so he can be replaced with a younger liberal jurist. - Social media. A number of lawmakers want to eliminate Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects technology companies such as Facebook Inc. and Google owner Alphabet Inc. from liability for most content published by their users. Members on both sides of the aisle worry it does little to encourage the companies to tackle illegal drugs, threats, child sex abuse, stalking and defamation online. But changes here would need widespread approval to proceed. Source: Reuters The EU's medicines watchdog approved a coronavirus jab by US firm Moderna on Wednesday, giving a shot in the arm for Europe's slow-moving vaccine roll-out. The vaccine is the second to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the 27-nation bloc after Pfizer-BioNTech's got the green light in late December. The Moderna approval comes as criticism mounts of the EU's sluggish start to its vaccination campaign, which is lagging behind the United States, Britain and Israel. "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency, EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said in a statement. "It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO," she added. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Follow our LIVE blog for latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said it was "good news for our efforts to bring more Covid-19 vaccines to Europeans!" National capitals have been piling pressure on the Amsterdam-based EMA to authorise the Moderna vaccine as coronavirus cases soar across Europe. The regulator failed to decide on approval at a meeting on Monday, which had been brought forward from January 12, and experts had to meet again on Wednesday. The EMA said it had in the intervening time been "working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company". The EU began vaccinations on December 27 but the pace has been slow, with the Netherlands on Wednesday becoming the final country in the bloc to start. 'Gigantic challenge' European Council chief Charles Michel said late on Tuesday that he hoped for Moderna approval in "coming hours" and that leaders would hold a virtual summit on the health crisis later this month. Michel said that delivering vaccines to the EU's almost 450 million people was a "gigantic challenge". But he insisted that "alongside member states, the European Commission is working night and day to make sure we can increase the number of vaccines available" -- while "respecting the independence of the medicines agency". The Pfizer-BioNTech product -- developed in Germany -- is the only vaccine currently authorised for use in the European Union since its fast-track authorisation by the EMA on December 21. The United States uses it alongside the Moderna vaccine, while Britain as of Monday also started using one by UK pharmaceuticals giant, AstraZeneca. Moderna's jab was found to be 94.1 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 compared to a placebo in a clinical trial of 30,400 people, performing slightly better in younger adults compared to the elderly. The EMA said last week that the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University is unlikely to get a green light in the EU in the next month. The fact that the watchdog moved from London to Amsterdam after Brexit has itself fuelled commentary about how Britain had been able to move faster after leaving the EU. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here By Ruth Anderah High Court judge Musa Ssekaana is today expected to deliver a ruling on a case filed by Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago seeking orders to reverse a decision by the Electoral Commission to suspend campaign meetings in Kampala city and several other districts. According to the Electoral Commission, the decision was taken due to the surging numbers of Covid -19 infections. In the case filed on December 28th, 2020, before the civil division, Lukwago describes the commissions decision contained in a press statement of December 26th, 2020 as irrational and an infringement on his rights to associate, interface and convince the electorate to vote for him for the 3rd time in the office of the Lord mayor. Lukwago contends that as a candidate and the political head of the city, he was never given a fair hearing before the Electoral body came up with such a decision that he feels deprives candidates the right to disseminate their ideas to citizens, which is a fundamental component of a free and fair election. The Mayor further says the advice given by the EC that candidates should campaign through media outlets (radios and Tvs) in the contentious districts is not tenable since the government has not taken any measures to ensure that radio or televison sets are distributed among citizens despite the fact that a huge budget to purchase them was allocated by parliament during the last quarter. Lukwago wants the High court to intervene, quash the decision by EC, issue an injunctive order stopping the Inspector General of police who was directed to ensure that no campaign meetings occurs in some districts from implementing the same. He also wants the EC to pay him general damages for the inconvenience as his campaign schedules have been disrupted by this decision. Angelini Pharma, a Rome, Italy-based international pharmaceutical company which is a part of the private Italian Angelini Group, acquired Arvelle Therapeutics, a Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing innovative treatments to patients suffering from CNS disorders. Under the definitive merger agreement, Angelini Pharma will acquire Arvelle Therapeutics in an all cash transaction for a total aggregate valuation of up to $960m. Following regulatory approval, $610M will be paid. Subsequently, and subject to cenobamate reaching certain revenue targets, a further $350M will be paid. Following Angelini Pharmas acquisition of Arvelle Therapeutics, Angelini Pharma will have the exclusive license to commercialize cenobamate in the European Union and other countries in the European Economic Area (Switzerland and the United Kingdom). The company plans to launch cenobamate after receiving approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is expected in 2021. SK Biopharmaceuticals, a global innovative pharmaceutical company listed on the Korea Stock Exchange, also announced that it has agreed to sell its 12 percent stake in Arvelle Therapeutics to Angelini Pharma. SK Biopharmaceuticals will remain eligible to receive all payments inherited by the license agreement signed between Arvelle Therapeutics and SK Biopharmaceuticals in February 2019. In addition, revenue share payments due to certain of the Arvelle shareholders will be assumed by Angelini Pharma. Arvelle Therapeutics is responsible for the development and commercialization of cenobamate, an investigational anti-seizure medicine, in the European market. The company is headquartered in Switzerland and received startup financing of $207.8m with investments from a global syndicate including NovaQuest Capital Management, BRV Capital Management, LSP, H.I.G. BioHealth Partners, Andera Partners, F-Prime Capital and KB Investments. Since its founding in 2019, Arvelles management team led by Mark Altmeyer, President & CEO has focused on bringing cenobamate to people with epilepsy in Europe, whilst also creating value for shareholders. They have worked in close collaboration with the European regulators to advance the marketing authorization application (MAA), and they have prepared for launch by building an organization throughout Europe and ensuring launch readiness across key areas of the business. Cenobamate is a Promising Innovative Medicine by the UKs MHRA for the treatment of drug-resistant focal-onset seizures in adults. Cenobamate is a small molecule with a unique dual complementary mechanism of action. It acts positively modulating the -aminobutyric acid (GABAA) ion channel and inhibiting voltage-gated sodium currents. Led by Pierluigi Antonelli, CEO, Angelini Pharma is an international pharmaceutical company, part of the Italian privately-owned Angelini Group, committed to helping patients in the therapeutics areas of Mental Health (including Pain), Rare Diseases and Consumer Healthcare. The company operates directly in 15 countries employing almost 3.000 people and commercializes its products in more than 50 countries through strategic alliances with leading international pharmaceutical groups. FinSMEs 06/01/2020 The US is willing to deepen economic ties with Egypt and increase US investments in the Egyptian market, benefiting from the countrys attractive investment climate and its solid infrastructure, US Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Terner Mnuchin, said. Mnuchin made his statements during a meeting held on Wednesday with Egypts Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, on the sidelines of his two-day official visit to Egypt that ends on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the headquarter of Egypts finance ministry in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Jonathan R. Cohen, the Deputy Secretary, Justin Muzinich, the Counsellor to the Secretary U.S. Department of the Treasury, Adam Lerrick and number of Egypts finance ministry officials. Mnuchin noted that the US is looking forward to enhancing bilateral cooperation with Egypt on combating money laundering operations that have become a serious risk to the world, especially that these illegal operations are linked to supporting terrorist groups. Mnuchin praised Egypts economic reform programme that has contributed to boosting the economys structure, contained the COVID-19 spread and its repercussions, and given it the resilience against likely external and internal shocks. He also said that the US expects the global economy to recover from the pandemic gradually, expecting a robust return of the Egyptian economy after making the vaccines against COVID-19 available globally in the upcoming period. On his side, Minister Maait asserted Egypts aspiration towards growing investments and activities of the US companies in the Egyptian market to have a further role to play in the development projects of the country and to benefit from the promising incentives the Egyptian economy provides. We are getting ready to eliminate all obstacles for the sake of increasing US investments in Egypt, especially that Egypt is qualified to be a regional hub for companies' expansion in the Middle East and Africa," said the minister. He added that the success of Egypts economic reform programme is due to strong political leadership and the support of Egyptian people that helped the country to be opted by Bloomberg among the ten fastest growing countries globally in 2020. According to Maait, Egypt managed to achieve its economic and fiscal objectives prior to the COVID-19 crisis allowing it to pave the way for achieving the other objectives of its reforms. In this regard, Egypt witnessed an increase in its public revenues from July to November 2020 by 13.8 percent, compared to the same period of 2019 and attained a 0.1 percent as initial surplus to GDP ratio during the same period, added Maait. He also added that the total budget deficit declined to 3.2 percent in the same period, down from 3.6 percent in FY2019/2020. During the meeting, Maait reviewed the international financial institutions tributes to the Egyptian economy and its ability to absorb the COVID-19 shock with minimum losses. He also pointed out to Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi directives, by the beginning of the crisis, to allocate EGP 100 billion from the public states budget in order to finance the states plan of fighting the pandemics implications and mitigating its burdens shouldered by the citizens. Maait reviewed the governments efforts to support tourism and healthcare sectors amid the pandemic as well. Short link: Tim Cook, the chief executive officer of Apple Inc saw his overall pay package increase by 28 per cent to $14,769,259 in 2020, according to a regulatory filing. His base salary remained the same as in 2019 at $3 million but his non-equity incentive plan compensation rose to $10.7 million from $7.7 million in 2019. Cook's pay package also included a vacation cash-out of $115,385, personal air travel expenses $432,564, and security expenses $470,246, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cook's annual take-home amount has gone up compared to last year when he made $11.5 million. However, the overall package has gone down from what he earned in 2018, which was $15.68 million. Apple said that Cook earned 256 times as much as its median employee, who earned $57,783 in 2020. The SEC filing also revealed that Cook will receive a long-term equity award in 2021. Apple's proxy statement noted, "For the first time since he was promoted to the CEO role in 2011, Mr Cook's 2021 compensation will include a long-term equity award. This award will better align the structure of his time-based and performance-based equity incentives with the awards of our other named executive officers". Additionally, 2021 will mark Cook's 10th anniversary as CEO of Apple Inc. In 2020, Apple Inc achieved all-time record revenues of $274.5 billion-up six per cent YoY. The iPhone maker said it returned $90 billion to shareholders in dividends and share purchases. Also read: Govt proposes to increase legal age of smoking to 21 years, ban loose cigarettes Also read: Reliance Jio tower damage: HC issues notice to Punjab, Centre * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Springing into action following the death of over 4.3 lakh poultry birds at Panchkulas Barwala-Raipur Rani belt in the past 25 days, the central government has despatched a rapid response team, which will reach Panchkula district on Thursday. Considered Asias second largest poultry belt with over 15,000 workers, Barwala and Raipur Rani have around 110 poultry farms, housing over 77 lakh poultry birds and producing 1 crore eggs daily. ALSO READ: Four more birds dead at Sukhna, Chandigarh admn steps up surveillance Meanwhile, the Panchkula health department also sent teams to the poultry farms for surveillance. We have received directions from the central government to start active surveillance and declare an alert in the areas for symptoms of avian influenza, said civil surgeon Dr Jasjeet Kaur. Four teams visited 69 farms and no influenza-like symptoms were reported in the workforce. A special team from Delhi will be arriving on Thursday, she added. Meanwhile, the poultry industry says they are taking precautions and that there has been no impact on their functioning and sales. The casualties also include routine deaths of birds. There has been no impact on the business. The industry is fine, said Darshan Kumar, president, Haryana Poultry Farmers Association. Team from Jalandhar collects 57 samples Speaking on the delay in results, Dr Mohinder Pal Singh, director, Regional Disease Diagnosis Laboratory, Jalandhar, said, There was a delay in reporting the matter to us. Secondly, the four samples sent to us on January 3 were not of requisite quality, hence the reports were inconclusive. On January 5, Dr Singh sent a four-member team to Panchkula to collect fresh samples. The team returned on Wednesday after collecting 57 samples of dead birds from 15 poultry farms. The report will be out by Friday, he said. What next The director said if avian influenza was detected, bird culling will be conducted in the 1-km area around where it was found, and surveillance will be stepped up in the 10-km area. Centres flip-flop While avian influenza has been confirmed in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, apart from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala, mystery still surrounds the cause behind the mass bird deaths in Barwala belt. Even as the reports are awaited, earlier in the day, the Union ministry of health and family welfare issued a press note confirming presence of bird flu in samples from dead birds in Panchkula, only to retract it later. There was some confusion. We are still awaiting reports from the Regional Disease Diagnosis Laboratory in Jalandhar and avian Influenza has not been confirmed yet, said Dr Sukhdev Rathi, deputy director, Haryana animal husbandry and dairying department. Cooked meat safe to eat Issuing an advisory, Haryana animal husbandry department said, Poultry products can be cooked and consumed as usual with no fear of acquiring avian influenza virus, as it is sensitive to heat. It advised people not to touch birds excreta or dead birds with bare hands, adding that poultry farm workers should wear masks. ALSO READ: Bird flu outbreak: Heres all you need to know There are many strains of the bird flu virus and most of them are mild and may only cause low egg production or other mild symptoms among birds. However, some are severe and cause deaths of large number of birds. Generally, people coming in close contact with infected alive or dead birds contract the flu, and it does not usually spread from person to person, according to the World Health Organization, which also said that there is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly prepared and cooked poultry food. Michigans first residents to be vaccinated against COVID-19 received the second of the shots two doses earlier this week. As the top priority group, health care workers were among the first Michiganders to receive the second dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine across health systems including Spectrum, Michigan Medicine, Trinity, Sparrow and Munson. Pfizers two-dose vaccine proved to be about 52% effective against COVID-19 after the first dose, and 95% effective seven days after a second dose, spaced three weeks apart during Phase 3 trials. As second doses begin going into arms, hospitals are being strategic with who gets shots, and when, in order to maintain ample staffing if caregivers experience side-effects. During Phase 3 trials, volunteers who received the vaccine reported mild to moderate side effects including fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, and fever. Side effects were more common within seven days of the second dose compared to the first. We can anticipate that the percentage of people that have a reaction after the second dose will be higher, said Dr. Christine Nefcy, chief medical officer for Munson Healthcare. Thats what weve seen in the studies. However, the number of severe reactions is not much higher -- its just really those local and systemic reactions like fever and just feeling unwell. Todd Belding, pharmacy director for Sparrow Health System in Lansing, said Sparrow will limit its emergency department staff getting the second dose to 10% on a given day so if people feel ill, they wont have a staffing shortage. Related: Michigan is among worst states in the country for administering COVID-19 vaccinations, CDC data says Elsewhere in the world, countries like those in the U.K. are increasing the duration between doses by as long as 12 weeks in order to get a first dose to a greater portion of the population. There is no scientific evidence for such a delay of the vaccine, and the World Health Organization recommends the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine come within 21-28 days of the first dose. The Moderna vaccine also recommends a 28-day gap between the first and second doses. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration does not recommend altering the vaccine dosage or schedule. We have been following the discussions and news reports about reducing the number of doses, extending the length of time between doses, changing the dose (half-dose), or mixing and matching vaccines in order to immunize more people against COVID-19, reads an FDA statement. These are all reasonable questions to consider and evaluate in clinical trials. However, at this time, suggesting changes to the FDA-authorized dosing or schedules of these vaccines is premature and not rooted solidly in the available evidence. Without appropriate data supporting such changes in vaccine administration, we run a significant risk of placing public health at risk, undermining the historic vaccination efforts to protect the population from COVID-19. For each shipment of vaccine doses allocated for Michigan by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a second shipment of equal size has been set aside and held onto by the federal organization until the week theyre needed to be administered. The first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine -- 84,825 doses -- was allocated for the week of Dec. 14, with a second allocation of 84,825 doses held back for 21 days later. Those doses have since been sent to Michigan and are being administered this week, representatives of the various Michigan health systems confirmed Wednesday, Jan. 6. Since the first batch, the CDC has allocated another four batches of Pfizer vaccines for Michigan, as well as four allocations of the Moderna vaccine, totaling 696,600 first dose vaccines to-date. Another 696,600 second dose vaccines are scheduled to ship to the state in the coming weeks when theyre slated to be administered. As of Monday, Jan. 4, there had been 140,245 vaccine doses administered in Michigan over about three weeks. Thats out of 520,150 total doses distributed across the state, or 27% of the doses on-hand. Lynn Sutfin, a spokeswoman for MDHHS, said she anticipates vaccinations will move more quickly in the coming weeks now that were past the holiday season. The state reported new one-day highs in vaccinations the first three days last week before numbers dropped off leading up to New Years Day. The state reported a one-day high 17,996 vaccines went into arms Monday, including 6,970 at hospitals, 8,006 at long-term care facilities, and 1,628 at local health departments. Read more on MLive: Wednesday, Jan. 6, coronavirus data by county: Statewide positivity rate creeps up to 9.4% Overcoming vaccine skepticism in shadow of Tuskegee Experiment a tall task in Michigans Black communities 128K Michiganders have received the coronavirus vaccine in first three weeks Heres a list of the 201 sites where the state is distributing 3.5M free KN95 masks The European Unions medicines agency gave the green light Wednesday to Moderna Inc.s COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that gives the 27-nation bloc a second vaccine to use in the desperate battle to tame the virus rampaging across the continent. The approval recommendation by the European Medicines Agencys human medicines committee -- which must be rubber stamped by the EUs executive commission -- comes amid high rates of infections in many EU countries and strong criticism of the slow pace of vaccinations across the region of some 450 million people. This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency, said Emer Cooke, Executive Director of EMA. It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the approval and added in a tweet: Now we are working at full speed to approve it & make it available in the EU. The EMA has already approved a vaccine made by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech. Both vaccines require giving people two shots. Ahead of the meeting on the Moderna vaccine, the agency said in a tweet that its experts were working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company. It did not elaborate on what those issues were. Moderna also declined to comment. German Health Minister Jens Spahn who has in the past been critical of the slow pace of the EMA said he expected the Moderna vaccine to begin rolling out to EU nations next week. Germany would get 2 million doses in the first quarter and 50 million in all of 2021, Spahn told reporters in Berlin. The problem is the shortage of production capacity with global demand, he said. Early results of large, still unfinished studies show both the Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines appear safe and strongly protective, although Modernas is easier to handle since it doesnt need to be stored at ultra-frozen temperatures. The United States, Canada and Israel have already approved use of the Moderna vaccine. The U.S. gave it the green light for emergency use in people over 18 years on December 18, followed by Canada five days later with an interim authorisation also for people over 18. Israel authorized the vaccine on Monday. Moderna said Monday that it is increasing its estimate for global vaccine production in 2021 from 500 to 600 million doses. The company said it is continuing to invest and add staff to build up to potentially 1 billion doses for 2021. Both Modernas and Pfizer-BioNTechs shots are mRNA vaccines, made with a groundbreaking new technology. They dont contain any meaning they cannot cause infection. Instead, they use a piece of genetic code that trains the immune system to recognize the spike protein on the surface of the virus, ready to attack if the real thing comes along. The EU officially began giving out Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination shots on December 27, but the speed of each nation's inoculation program has varied widely. France vaccinated around 500 people in the first week, while Germany vaccinated 200,000. The Dutch were only beginning to give out vaccine shots Wednesday, the last EU nation to start doing so. Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said delays in promotion in different categories in various ministries are often due to multiple litigations. He said the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is constantly striving to expedite promotions and empanelment of officers so that government functionaries get their due on time and remain motivated to offer services to the best of their potential and ability. Speaking to a delegation of senior officers of the Punjab Civil Services (PCS), who called on him with a request to expedite their cases of induction into the Indian Administrative Services, Singh said there was a tendency of delay in the past, but over the last six years processes have been streamlined with optimum utilisation of modern technology. In the last few years, the DoPT has followed a proactive approach in coordinating with different ministries and departments of the Government of India as well as different states and Union Territories to overcome bottlenecks or hurdles coming in the way of promotions or empanelment, he said. However, many of the delays in promotion in different categories in various ministries are often due to multiple litigations, for which also the DoPT has been constantly trying to work out via-media to move on, a statement issued by the Personnel Ministry said. In case of induction of state and provincial service officers to all-India service, Singh said many a time the hold up is on account of delay in the cadre review exercise at the end of state governments and UT administrations. For this purpose also the DoPT keeps continuously reviewing and following up the cases with different states and UTs, the minister said. As far as the Punjab Civil Services are concerned, Singh said the DoPT has already processed their cases and there were some clarifications from the Union Public Service Commission which had to be responded to by the state government. Singh said he has been given to understand that this process will also be concluded very soon, according to the statement by the ministry. The minister said he was of the firm view that timely promotion and empanelment of officers and timely grant of increments played an important role in keeping the officials motivated to work to the best of their ability. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has followed a policy of providing a work-friendly environment for the officials so that their initiative and enthusiasm does not get compromised for any reason, he said. Referring to a number of reforms brought in at the intervention and support of Prime Minister Modi, Singh mentioned Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act brought in 2018 which envisages time-bound disposal of cases and also prior permission for prosecution so that performing honest officers do not have to face undue harassment, according to the statement. SPRINGFIELD Armed with a drill, Dushko Vulchev wreaked havoc on vehicles around Pittsfield for two months, according to newly available police records filed in Springfield District Court. Vulchev, 44, of Houlton, Maine, is charged in connection with three alleged arson attempts at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield in December, plus additional counts of vandalism to cars in this city. He was arraigned Tuesday in Springfield after his arrest on Dec. 31 in Pittsfield. Police in that city say they were already on the lookout for Vulchev after receiving reports of tires being slashed at a tow yard, a Big Y parking lot, Panera Bread and a Mazda dealership. A Hampden County prosecutor said Vulchev a Bulgarian national with a federal conviction for threatening European government officials has lately been living out of his car, even though he owns a home in Maine near the Canadian border. Police records show his ex-girlfriends parents earlier this year obtained restraining orders against Vulchev that expire Dec. 31, 2099. Vulchev was convicted of assaulting the woman in 2016, when police found her naked, bruised and emotionally shaken at his home in Maine. She told police he had kidnapped her, according to news accounts. Police reports from Pittsfield say Vulchev was originally suspected of cutting an internet cable and vandalizing a tow truck at an auto body shop after his car had been towed there as part of an investigation on Oct. 29. On Dec. 16, police responded to a report of a truck being vandalized in the Big Y parking lot. Four days later, a manager at Berkshire Mazda reported tires had been slashed on eight cars in that lot, and two employees of a Panera restaurant said their tires were flattened. The following day, employees at the Berkshire Eagle reported five vans in that parking lot also had their tires slashed. Surveillance footage at or around every site showed a man resembling Vulchev and driving his car was responsible for the acts, all of which were perpetrated with a drill, police said. But for the run-in with the towing company, the other alleged victims said they had no connection to Vulchev. Three people in Springfield whose tires were allegedly slashed or stolen by Vulchev also said he was a stranger to them, according to police records. Police ran multiple criminal history checks on Vulchev, a college graduate who once worked in finance, court records show. His federal criminal history is short but troubling, a Pittsfield detective wrote. Vulchevs criminal history reviewed through the (FBI) check does not present as extremely extensive, however the nature of the charged offense pertaining to the Terrorist activity is most noteworthy and speaks to his volatility and potential mental health issues, that report reads. Law enforcement officials have not charged Vulchev with a hate crime in connection with the fires at the Springfield church, which has a predominantly Black congregation, but the FBI is still investigating, a spokeswoman from that agency said. His attorney told a judge the Springfield case is one of mistaken identity. Vulchev is being held on $25,000 cash bail at the Berkshire County jail. Related Content: ADVERTISEMENT The Osun State Government has ordered that all schools in the state should resume for the continuation of the 2020/2021 first term academic session on Monday, January 18, 2021. The announcement was made on Tuesday evening in a statement by the Coordinating Director of the Ministry of Education, Kehinde Olaniyan. He said the state reached the decision following the advice of the federal government that schools in the state should resume the continuation of the 2020/2021 first term academic session. Mr Olaniyan said teachers should resume on Monday, January 11 in preparation for the pupils and students resumption. This is to inform the General Public particularly Parents, Guardians, School Heads and Proprietors of Public and Private schools that in line with the Federal Government advise on school resumption which is embraced by most states of the federation the Hon Commissioner for Education has directed Public and Private Schools Primary and Secondary) in Osun State to resume schooling for the continuation of 1st term 2020 2021 academic session on Monday 18th January 2021. Teachers are to resume on Monday 11th January 2021 in preparation for pupils/students resumption on the 18th January 2021. Consequently the School Calendar has been adjusted by two weeks as a result of the change in resumption date therefore schools will now go on the 1st term vacation on 5th March 2021 as against 19th February 2021. The state government ordered the closure of schools following a rise in cases of COVID-19 in December and in preparation for the second wave of the pandemic. Rank 3 | Japan | 2020 brand value: $ billion | Fall in brand value: 6 percent (Image: Reuters) Activity in Japan's services sector extended its run of declines to the 11th month in December, a private sector survey showed, as a new wave of coronavirus infections led to a contraction in business conditions. The data comes after Japan's government in December cut its view on private consumption, which contributes about 55% of the country's gross domestic product, as sectors such as domestic tourism were showing weakness. The final Jibun Bank Japan Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged down to a seasonally adjusted 47.7 from the prior month's final 47.8 and compared to a preliminary 47.2 reading. The headline index remained firmly in contraction territory, below the 50 neutral level, where it has been since February. "Latest data indicated both activity and incoming business contracted," said Usamah Bhatti, economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey. "Firms often cited that demand had been dampened by rising infection rates." The main reading contracted again as declines in new and outstanding business as well as prices firms charged offset their optimism about the 12 months ahead. Surveyed firms said a third wave of COVID-19 infections had hurt demand as it led to cancellation of orders. "Private sector firms were hopeful that the pandemic would diminish over the course of the next 12 months to induce a broad-based economic recovery," said Bhatti. The composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and services, also remained in contraction for an 11th month, coming in at 48.5 in December from the previous month's final of 48.1. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The transfer test for admission to grammar schools in Northern Ireland has been rescheduled. It was announced earlier today that the tests, which had been due to start this weekend, would be cancelled because of the current coronavirus wave. Many believed that this would result in the tests not going ahead this year. However, it has now emerged that a single test is to go ahead at the end of February. A single Association for Quality Education (AQE) transfer test will be held on Saturday, February 27, according to the BBC. AQE said they had taken the decision following a meeting with grammar schools today. In Derry, Lumen Christi College and Foyle College are continuing with plans for a transfer test to select its new pupils in 2021. However, the city's other two grammar schools, St College's College and Thornhill, announced last year that they would not be taking part in the transfer test procedures this year because of the impact that the pandemic has had on young people's education. Thirty-four grammar schools in Northern Ireland were originally planning to use the AQE test to admit pupils for 2021. In a statement to BBC News NI, the organisation said it was 'acutely aware of the pressure on pupils, parents and teachers as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic and the decisions which the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive have had to take in light of public health requirements'. "Following a meeting with the schools which use the Common Entrance Assessment, produced by AQE Limited, it has been agreed that to enable the assessment to take place in the current circumstances, the assessment will be reduced to a single paper to be held on Saturday 27 February, provided it can take place in public health circumstances then prevailing," it said. "Inevitably, the question will be asked why the assessment has been rescheduled rather than scrapped, and in response the following considerations are relevant." The AQE board said that in the absence of academic criteria, many schools would be likely to be even more oversubscribed than in a normal year and academic performance in a test would be replaced by other more random criteria. They said that would include 'family ties, geographical proximity to a school or some form of lottery for places'. "It is the view of the member schools that academic selection represents the fairest way of allocating grammar school places," the AQE statement said. "The schools who use the assessment are encouraged by communications from parents who have stated that their children are ready and willing to sit the assessment and they want the opportunity to do so." "The education provided by our variety of post-primary schools offers the best choice for parents and meets the needs of pupils of all ability levels much better than the postcode comprehensive system which operates elsewhere." AQE also said that unlike arrangements to provide grades for GCSEs, A levels and BTec qualifications in 2020, they did not have enough information from primary schools which could be used to match pupils to schools in the absence of a test. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The German Foreign Ministry has condemned the arrests in Hong Kong of 53 former lawmakers and democracy proponents, saying they were part of series of "worrying developments". Police on Wednesday arrested 53 people for allegedly violating the new national security law by participating in the unofficial election primaries for the territory's legislature. German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said the arrests were confirmation that the national security law passed by China would lead to the "erosion of the freedoms, rights and rule of law" for those living in Hong Kong. "The Chinese government should do everything to keep to its international obligations," she added. The mass arrests were the largest move against Hong Kong's democracy movement since the law was imposed by Beijing last June to quell dissent in the semi-autonomous territory.Accoring to Hong Kong authorities, those arrested are suspected of trying to paralyze the government, via their plans to gain a majority of the seats in the legislature to create a situation in which the chief executive had to resign and the government would stop functioning. The legislative election that would have followed the unofficial primaries was postponed by a year by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who cited the public health risks during the coronavirus pandemic. Mass resignations and disqualifications of pro-democracy lawmakers have left the legislature largely a pro-Beijing body. (IMAGE CREDITS:AP) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) (HealthDay)Research brings grim findings for these economically tough times: People who must move because they can't make the rent often miss out on needed medical care. The study, of over 146,000 California residents, found a connection between unaffordable housing and health care use: Of people who'd moved in the past five years because they couldn't afford the mortgage or rent, about 27% had skipped or delayed necessary medical care. That was higher than the rates among Californians who'd stayed put and those who'd moved for reasons other than housing costs. The findings do not necessarily mean that the moves, per se, led to difficulties in getting health care. But it makes sense that there's a connection, the researchers said. "The findings are intuitive," said Dr. Katherine Chen, a fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles, who worked on the study. People who struggle to afford housing, she said, are likely to face other financial hardships. Housing is such an essential need that people will put rent or mortgage payments ahead of all else, said Corianne Scally. Scally, who was not involved in the new research, studies housing issues at the Urban Institute, in Washington, D.C. She said that resource-strapped families can be forced to choose which basics they can afford. Medical care may be far down on the list, behind housing, food and bills. And, Scally pointed out, while there are government programs to assist with health care and food, help with the rent or mortgage is harder to come by. So people with low incomes, in particular, may need to put all their funds toward paying that monthly housing bill. The findings are based on surveys conducted between 2011 and 2017. Now, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the ripple effects of unaffordable housing and evictions loom even larger, the study authors noted. "We're really concerned about this," Chen said. With job and income losses, many Americans have fallen behind on rent or mortgage payments. Chen pointed to one statistic from a Census Bureau survey that showed 9 million renters were behind on rent in November. On top of that, Chen said, "COVID is making it logistically harder to access health care." Again, she noted, low-income people can be particularly affectedif, for example, neighborhood health clinics have reduced hours. The study, published online recently in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, included 146,417 adults who responded to the ongoing California Health Interview Survey. Overall, 5% said they'd had to move in the past five years because they could not afford their rent or mortgage. (The survey did not ask whether those moves were voluntary or because of eviction.) Of survey respondents with a cost-related move, 27% had skipped or delayed filling a prescription or seeing a doctor in the past year. That compared with just under 23% of people who'd moved for other reasons, and 18% of people who had not moved. After the researchers weighed other factorslike employment and income levelpeople who'd had a cost-related move were 38% more likely to have unmet medical needs, versus people who'd stayed at their residence. The link was seen even among people who'd moved within their own neighborhood, Chen said. That, she added, suggests moves do not disrupt medical care simply because people cannot get to their provider, or don't know where the local pharmacy is. Insufficient income, Scally said, is likely the main reason, though other factors, like psychological stress, could also play a role. The study does not prove that measures to address unaffordable housing will also improve people's access to health care, Chen said, "but we hope they would." According to Scally, there is good reason to believe so. "I think if people aren't struggling to pay for housing, you'll see better outcomes in other basic needs," she said. "I think there would be ripple effects." The pandemic prompted a federal moratorium on evictions, which ends Jan. 31, though some states have put their own holds on evictions and utility shutoffs. Some Americans also qualify for help paying the rent or mortgage. In the long run, Chen's team said, policies that increase affordable housing are needed, such as changes in zoning laws and tax incentives to spur new housing development, and rent stabilization and other protections for tenants. Explore further Moving due to unaffordable housing may jeopardize healthcare Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Patients seeking treatment for coronavirus could be selected by 'lottery' in the event that hospitals are left overwhelmed by an influx of cases, according to an NHS emergency protocol. The draft emergency triage document, which is now being sent across NHS hospitals in the UK, details how patients should be selected using an 'ethical system' in the event that there are insufficient resources available. The protocol, which was drafted by medical, legal and palliative care specialists at the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust, explains how patients could be selected by their potential to contribute to society and their survival chances. It comes as NHS data revealed the number of patients waiting more than an hour to be handed to hospitals in England increased from 273 on December 13 to 591 on December 27 - an increase of more than 100 per cent. Patients seeking treatment for coronavirus could be selected by 'lottery', according to a draft emergency triage document by specialists at the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust. Pictured: Workers transfer a patient from ambulance to the Royal London Hospital in London In the event that hospitals are left overwhelmed, the document states that doctors should consult a 'four-stage process' to decide who should get treatment. Healthcare workers will need to access the patient's survival chances and any existing conditions they might have, the views of the patient and their family and also aim to 'save more lives and more years of life'. They will also have to consult a senior clinician who is not involved in providing care for the patient. In the document, which was originally published in the Journal for Medical Ethics, the authors of the protocol write: 'This document is explicitly and only for use in times of inadequate resource, during which we need to change approach, and need a strong ethical framework in order to make fair decisions. 'When resources are sufficient, decisions are based solely on what is best for each individual patient. 'When resources are insufficient, decisions need to include a broader view on what is ethically fair for the wider community (society). This means factors such as fairness to others are included in decision-making. 'This document has been produced locally as there is no explicit national guidance.' The document goes on to explain that doctors will need to talk through options with the patient and their family and 'discuss the ethics of the wider situation'. London is now the epicentre of the outbreak and its hospitals are being stretched with the flood of patients. The weekly rate of cases is double the national average at 858 per 100,000 Doctors will have to consult a 'four-stage process' to decide who should get treatment in the event of an emergency. Pictured: A medical team assists a patient into an ambulance outside the Royal London Hospital It continues: 'In summary, assess which treatment options are likely to provide meaningful benefit, discuss those options with patient and family/carers to obtain their views on the benefits and burdens of each option, discuss the ethics of the wider situation and combine this in an overall clinician judgement. 'It is important to note that these decisions are of high consequence, stressful to make and often time-sensitive. 'Assessments need appropriate time and thought and should generally not be made at the bedside. Staff making the decisions may find the process highly stressful and access to Trust support through the Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) process is encouraged. 'While there is no formal ''triage team'', the full assessment requires three senior clinicians, at least one of whom is not directly involved in the patient's care.' The protocol adds: 'For patients with similar prognosis, who cannot be separated in other ways (eg, by all four parts of the assessment), a random allocation, such as a lottery, may be used. The four-stage assessment means this is likely to be rarely required.' NHS doctor Moosa Qureshi, said they were 'appalled' that doctors were having to draw up their own guidelines. Slides presented at the briefing showed that one in 50 people in England are thought to be infected with coronavirus He told The Telegraph: 'We are appalled that NHS doctors are now having to draw up their own guidelines as a direct consequence of the Health Secretary's abdication of responsibility. 'Ad hoc policy-making driven by clinical teams within individual NHS trusts no matter how good is the inevitable response to lack of leader- ship at a national level, but will lead to inconsistency, inefficiency and large numbers of avoidable deaths'. It comes as figures revealed that the number of patients being forced to wait in ambulances is soaring amid rising hospital admissions. NHS data shows that the number of patients waiting more than an hour to be handed to hospitals in England increased from 273 on December 13 to 591 on December 27 - an increase of more than 100 per cent. Health officials have warned that people as young as 30 'will die from Covid' as NHS hospitals in the West Country brace for an overspill of critically-ill patients from London under emergency plans. As the number of cases continue to rise, trusts in London and the south-east at the centre of the UK's epidemic are preparing to transfer patients to hospitals in the south-west while patients in the east of England will be moved to the Midlands. The massive Nightingale hospital at the London Excel Centre, which was created in record-time early in the pandemic only to be swiftly mothballed, is also expected to reopen within a fortnight, the Times reports. Macys is shuttering two of its six San Antonio stores as part of a wave of closures it announced early last year. Clearance sales at the department chains Rolling Oaks Mall and Shops at Rivercenter stores start this month and will run for eight to 12 weeks. Employees were previously told of the closures, said Macys spokeswoman Lauren Phillips. Those who are not transferred to other stores in the area will be eligible for severance, including outplacement resources. The decision to close a store is always a difficult one, but Macys is honored to have served our customers and the community over the past 28 years at Macys Rolling Oaks and 31 years at Macys Rivercenter, Phillips said. The company will continue operating stores at South Park Mall, Ingram Park Mall, North Star Mall and the Shops at La Cantera. In February, Macys announced plans to close roughly 125 stores in lower tier malls by 2023. It also said it would test a smaller format, dubbed Market by Macys, featuring a blend of its products and local items, food and events. The first store of that kind opened in Dallas. Department stores were grappling with the rapid rise of online shopping, less foot traffic at some malls and competition from Amazon and discount chains before the coronavirus pandemic began. Macys had been closing locations, reducing its workforce, exploring smaller formats and investing in its e-commerce operations and off-price stores. The companys brands also include Bloomingdales and Bluemercury. The pandemic worsened the plight of mall-based and apparel retailers. Lock-downs and shoppers concerns about venturing out have dealt a blow to sales, and more people are working from home and spending less on clothing for the office and events. In the third quarter, Macys reported sales of $3.99 billion and a loss of $91 million. Thats down from net sales of $5.17 billion and income of $2 million during the same period in 2019. Digital sales rose 27 percent while comparable in-store sales declined 20.2 percent. Customers shopped our brands across all channels in the third quarter and responded well to our expanded fulfillment offerings, such as curbside, store pickup and same-day delivery, chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette said. Our digital business delivered strong growth and sales in our stores continued to recover. Customers have shifted their spending to casual apparel and categories they can enjoy as they stay at home, Gennette added. Several of these categories, including home furnishings, jewelry and fragrance, have generated double-digit sales growth compared to last year. madison.iszler@express-news.net Washington, D.C., Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group, today filed a reply brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in the case of Dr. Mukund Vengalattore v. Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Education. NCLAs client, Dr. Vengalattore, was a tenure-track physics professor at Cornell University when a Title IX investigation launched by a false accusation ruined his promising career. NCLA seeks to reverse the decision of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, which dismissed the case against Cornell and the Dept. of Education without ruling on the substance of the claims presented by Dr. Vengalattore. NCLAs brief argues that the disciplinary proceedings violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Cornell is trying hard to deny Dr. Vengalattore his day in court by wrongly interpreting Title IX to allow only students and not faculty a right to sue under the statute. But the overwhelming majority of federal appeals courts have rejected this restrictive reading of Title IX, as it is inconsistent with Supreme Court Title IX case law. Title IX states, No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, which is broad enough language to encompass students and employees. Cornells highly improper investigatory procedures and low preponderance of the evidence burden of proof were adopted in response to a threat from the Department of Education (ED) to comply with its Title IX guidance or else lose federal funding. NCLA further argues that the disciplinary proceedings at Cornell that led to the false finding against Dr. Vengalattore were conducted in a racially discriminatory manner in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Faculty members who reviewed Dr. Vengalattores employee file made racist comments about Dr. Vengalattore and about his and his students national origin in official documents that were reviewed by the dean of the college without any rebuke. This evidence should have sufficed to withstand a motion to dismiss. The once-stellar academic career of Dr. Vengalattore, one of the nations leading experts in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, now stands in disarray as a result of a false accusation by a disgruntled grad student. NCLA is asking the Second Circuit to reverse the district courts grant of EDs motion to dismiss and its grant of Cornells motion for judgment on the pleadings. The court should remand the case to the district court for a trial on the merits. Read case background here. NCLA released the following statement: Cornell has never denied that it used a biased, secretive and fundamentally unfair process to ruin Dr. Vengalattores career based on a baseless and vindictive accusation. Cornell has just insisted that it has no legal responsibility to provide fairness to its students or faculty. The Court must enforce Cornells basic obligations to provide due process and the U.S. Department of Educations obligation to implement Title IX in a constitutional manner. Caleb Kruckenberg, Litigation Counsel, NCLA ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### Attachment Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and partners in the United States and India are applying the investigative and predictive capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to help physicians customize treatments for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. Research shows that oral squamous cell carcinomas is already the 8th most common cancer type worldwide and numbers are steadily increasing in the United States, India and other parts of Asia. The National Cancer Institute awarded a five-year, $3.3 million grant to a group led by Anant Madabhushi, the Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve and head of the Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics (CCIPD), and James Lewis Jr., a Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The CCIPD has become a global leader in AI-driven precision medicine research. Madabhushi and his research team at the CCIPD hold more than 60 patents, many tied to their work in various cancers. In this work, researchers will use advanced computer vision and machine learning techniques to identify cancer and immune cells on digitized images of oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue slides and then recognize spatial patterns among those cells. This technology allows computerized vision to recognize patterns and quantify features that simply are beyond the human visual system but are powerful indicators of tumor biology. These algorithms will help oncologists and pathologists to then better determine which cancers are more versus less aggressive. This, in turn, will then enable them to identify which patients with early stage disease could safely receive surgery alone, versus who might need postoperative radiation. In addition, it could help identify which patients with advanced stage disease might need chemotherapy with radiation after initial treatment versus who may be adequately treated with radiation alone. Madabhushi and Lewis will work with a number of partners--Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals in Cleveland, the San Francisco VA Health System, and Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, India--in a national and global endeavor to improve oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patient care with advanced technology and data sharing. The clinical partners will provide glass slides to be digitized or will directly provide digitally scanned whole slide images which will be used to train the AI algorithms for predicting outcomes as well as treatment benefit. The team will also have access unique datasets from completed prospective, randomized, clinical trials of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients at the Tata Memorial Center as well as from the cancer clinical cooperative group NRG Oncology. The datasets that will allow for validation of the AI tools. Seeking precise, personal predictions Currently, physicians place oral carcinoma patients into one of three categories: those who require just surgery; those who should have surgery plus radiation therapy; or those who will need surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. That's the gold standard right now: a system that puts patients in those very broad categories. For clinicians and pathologists, this is limiting because it relies on a limited number of parameters. But our machines are looking at the appearance of cells, their spatial architecture and interplay between different cell types, to parse out those patients who should actually be in another category." Anant Madabhushi, the Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University For example, Madabhushi said, their AI research has already shown that there is a subset of early stage patients now placed in the first category--surgery alone--who are actually at a much higher risk and would do poorly with surgery alone. "Instead, they should be offered radiation therapy as well, but under the current parameters, that is not called for," Madabhushi said. The group will also look at anticipated differences in the appearance of oral cancer among patients of different races, a fast-developing aspect of Madabhushi's AI-based investigations. Previous research by the lab used AI to reveal apparent tissue level cellular distinctions between Black and white men with prostate cancer, enabling the development of population-specific risk prediction models. Oral cancers rising Oral carcinomas include cancers of the mouth, tongue, gums, and lips. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these cancers can develop on the mobile tongue, the tissue lining the gums and hard palate, and on the underside of the tongue and floor of the mouth, Oral carcinoma accounts for roughly 3% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, with nearly 400,000 new cases being diagnosed annually worldwide. Oral carcinoma most often occurs in people over age 40 and affects more than twice as many men as women. Most oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use, or both. Infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is very common in oropharyngeal carcinomas, is a less common cause of oral carcinomas. (Natural News) Overstock.com CEO and constitutional activist Patrick Byrne tweeted on Monday a trove of new information about the fraudulent election that suggests a printing shop in Michigan may have been responsible for producing fraudulent ballots for many of the key swing states this election cycle. In addition to the fraudulent mail-in ballots that were allegedly printed in China and sent to the United States prior to the election, a print shop in Michigan, according to Byrne, churned out fake ballots for Delaware County, Penn., some of which were diverted to Bethpage, N.Y. United States Postal Service (USPS) subcontractor Ethan Pease recently confessed that he was instructed to deliver these fraudulent ballots, and now we know from Byrnes testimony that there was, in fact, ballot fraud taking place in other key swing states as well. There, a boiler room of folks fill in Biden (often without even voting downballot), Byrne says of the printing operation in Michigan. The ballots (which are forensically legitimate, given that they come from the same print shop as the good ballots) then get trucked into Pennsylvania and mailed. Hundreds of thousands. All of this is fully documented, Byrne says, including texts, statements, affidavits, everything. There is plenty of evidence to expose the operation, in other words if only those in the appropriate positions of power would listen and take action on behalf of the American people. More of the latest news about election fraud, by the way, can be found at Trump.news. CAUGHT: Fake Chinese ballots found stuck to side of shredding bin Byrne says that this same printing company produced fake ballots for Michigan as well, along with Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia. All of these states, as you are likely now fully aware, have contested election results due to mounting evidence of fraud. As for the fake Chinese ballots, Byrne says that a number of them were delivered to Fulton County, Ga., where a phony water main break resulted in all but four people being shoved out of the counting operation. This water main break turned out to be a toilet overflowed, and it was quickly remedied long before the counting operation was shut down due to an alleged emergency. In the late evening on Dec. 30, thanks to testimony from Jovan Pulitzer about how easy it is to hack into Dominion Voting Systems machines through their illegal modems, Georgias Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve an inspection of the operations though this, too, was thwarted by the election thieves. Hours later (as I have previously noted) an Enterprise van pulled up and got filled up with voting materials, Byrne notes. While the election thieves further attempted to shred the fraudulent ballots before they could be discovered, some of them were found stuck to the side of the shredding bin. Upon further inspection, these ballots were discovered to have come from communist China. They include some unshredded ballots (which 2 federally certified forensic examiners have affied do not match the legitimate ballots), Byrne explains. ALSO, A SHIPPING RECEIPT FROM THE CHINESE FIRM THAT PRINTED THE BALLOTS! IN CHINESE! Byrne claims that both the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were told to stand down after being made aware of the fraud. President Donald Trump, Byrne further claims, has had to call agents on the ground asking them to continue. In other words, the fix is in and the entire system is working against Trump to prevent the truth from being exposed. This is why Byrne is encouraging American patriots to retweet his messages to @TheJusticeDept letting them know your feelings. Who ordered the DOJ and DHS agents to stand down? asked one Populist.press commenter. We are sick and tired of the lack of accountability in D.C. Sources for this article include: Populist.press NaturalNews.com Qatari Finance Minister Ali Al Emadi Tuesday opened a Qatari-financed luxury hotel in the Cairo first ever visit by a top Qatari official following agreement between Egypt and Qatar to end long standing diplomatic rift. Emadi attended the ceremony alongside his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Maeti and US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin. St Regis Cairo Hotel, located on the bank of the Nile is owned by Qatari real estate investment company, Diar. The $1.3-billion structure provides around 440 new jobs, expected to reach 1,000, some 95 per cent of which will be done by Egyptians, Gulf Business reports. Emadi arrived in the Egyptian capital Tuesday on board a private flight from Doha and is slated to leave early today Wednesday. His brief visit came hours after Egypt agreed to open its airspace to Qatar as part of agreement between the two countries which had fallen out since June 2017. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE had accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and severed ties with the tiny Gulf country. Qatar had however rejected the charges. The Saudi-led group and Qatar however Tuesday in Riyadh during the 41st summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, signed a declaration to the row and turn a new page. Hours ahead of the summit Saudi Arabia also reached an agreement with Qatar to re-open its land, sea borders and airspace. Kuwait and the U.S have helped broker the various deals. The United States has entered the new year with record numbers of Americans hospitalized with coronavirus, straining a health-care system bracing for a post-holidays surge that has the potential to further stretch hospitals. More than 131,000 covid patients were hospitalized nationwide as of Tuesday, eclipsing the record set in the last week of 2020. Facilities across the West and South are especially burdened. Los Angeles County has been so overwhelmed it is running out of oxygen, with ambulance crews instructed to use oxygen only for their worst-case patients. Crews were told not to bring patients to the hospital if they have little hope of survival and to treat and declare such patients dead on the scene to preserve hospital capacity. Several Los Angeles hospitals have turned away ambulance traffic in recent days because they can't provide the air flow needed to treat patients. Arizona now has the nation's highest rate of coronavirus hospitalizations. In the Atlanta area, nearly every major hospital is almost full, prompting state officials to reopen a field hospital for the third time. The optimism that came with new vaccines and a new year is colliding with a grim reality: The United States has reached the worst stage of the pandemic to date, with the deadly results of holiday gatherings yet to arrive. Vaccine distribution is also off to a slow start, with at least 4.6 million inoculated, far short of the 20 million the Trump administration vowed to vaccinate by the end of 2020. "We have so many crises happening simultaneously on multiple fronts," said Saskia Popescu, an epidemiologist with George Mason University. "And all signs point to things getting a whole lot worse before they get better." The back-to-back timing of Christmas and New Year's Eve could have catastrophic results because many people develop symptoms roughly five to seven days after infection and are most contagious during the 48 hours before those symptoms appear. That means someone exposed to the virus on Christmas could be contagious by the time they attended a New Year's party or began traveling home. Just how badly the situation gets in the United States may depend on how widely the new variant that scientists believe is more contagious, but not deadlier or vaccine-resistant, is circulating. The variant has been reported in five states including Georgia, which reported its first case of the variant Tuesday. Officials in California said that 32 cases of the variant have been detected in San Diego County. With estimates that the new variant could be 10 to 70% more transmissible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement last week that it "could lead to more cases and place greater demand on already strained health care resources." New daily deaths and cases have increased by more than 20% over the last week, with more than 355,000 fatalities and 21 million infections. But experts say the toll on hospitals paints a clearer picture of the pandemic because of complications in reporting test results during the holidays. States with the largest share of their populations hospitalized are largely concentrated in the South and West: Arizona, Nevada, Alabama, California, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas and Delaware. The situation in California has grown especially dire in recent days. On Tuesday, the state hit a new single-day record for hospitalizations, with 22,405 covid patients, more than 4,700 of whom were in intensive care units. And as cases continue to soar, the ability of hospitals and EMTs to save the sick will keep degrading. Hospital officials in Southern California said they were running low not just on ICU beds but also on ventilators and morgue space. But perhaps the direst shortage is now of oxygen. Because covid-19 is a respiratory disease that attacks the lungs, most hospitalized patients require oxygen. The sheer number of patients has placed such a strain on oxygen systems that some hospitals are struggling to provide adequate air pressure and flow into patients' lungs. There are also shortages of portable oxygen tanks in ambulances and ones that are sent home with patients, making it difficult to discharge some patients even as hospitals run out of capacity. In a directive Monday, the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency told EMTs to conserve oxygen by only giving it to patients with oxygen saturation levels below 90%. To ease the backup at hospitals, county officials also issued a plan to set up tents just outside hospitals to create temporary "ambulance receiving spaces." Officials hope that makeshift system will free up ambulances now sitting idle outside hospitals because their patients can't be admitted. "We're no longer a wave or surge or surge upon a surge. We're really are in the middle of a viral tsunami," said Robert Kim-Farley, a medical epidemiologist at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, announced a statewide plan and a team of officials focused on bolstering California's oxygen supply. The Army Corps of Engineers has also been called in and is sending crews to update oxygen-delivery infrastructure at several aging hospitals - five in downtown Los Angeles and two in San Bernardino. Separately, state emergency teams have been deployed to refill oxygen tanks at 42 medical support units across the state. The state is also leasing mobile oxygen systems to bolster supplies and looking to order several hundred oxygen concentrator units. The overarching goal, Newsom said, is to reduce the stress placed on hospitals' existing oxygen systems so they can maintain adequate air pressure for patients. Expanding the oxygen supply doesn't end the challenges for hospitals, Kim-Farley said. "When you get to that level of volume being pumped through, some of the pipes start to freeze up. You start running out of oxygen tanks that patients need to be sent home and discharged," Kim-Farley said. "As the cases keep increasing you're going to see those kinds of effects start to pile up. ICU beds get full. The ER gets backed up. Ambulances have nowhere to take patients. You get severe, chronic staffing shortages. Elective surgeries get canceled again. The ability to care simply degrades." - - - Arizona, once heralded for turning the corner after a summer surge, now has 69 of every 100,000 residents hospitalized with the virus - the highest rate in the country. Hospital leaders say they saw this coming a month ago, but they allege Gov. Doug Ducey (R) ignored their pleas to reimpose measures to curb the spread. State officials have said enacting restrictions would do little to curb transmission at private gatherings. The day after Thanksgiving, a team of researchers issued a dire warning in a memo to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Failure to issue a shelter-in-place order to stave off a crisis in hospitals "risks a catastrophe on a scale of the worst natural disaster the state has ever experienced. It would be akin to facing a major forest fire without evacuation orders," the memo said. Ducey instead loosened restrictions on outdoor dining several days later. He prohibited gatherings over 50 people, double the threshold sought by medical groups, but declined to take other measures they urged, such as a statewide mask mandate and ban on indoor dining. Hospital leaders, front-line workers and experts condemned Ducey for refraining from imposing sweeping mitigation measures. After Arizona became the epicenter of an early summer crisis, Ducey, who opposed shutdowns and mask mandates, reversed himself by allowing localities to impose mandatory masking and temporarily closed bars, gyms and theaters. With some mask mandates lifted and businesses reopened, Ducey's recent approach has been to urge voluntary compliance, such as by asking residents to celebrate Christmas safely outdoors and with masks on. "Our state is doing very little to slow transmission of virus. We have a very lax policy environment. Our businesses are open," said Joe Gerald, a University of Arizona researcher who has been tracking the spread of the virus and was among those urging a shelter-in-place order. "The virus is just basically transmitting almost uninhibited through our population." The hospital crisis the researchers had warned of came true. Hospitalizations climbed past their summer peak in mid-December and have been steadily rising since then. Just 7% of the state's ICU beds have been available since the new year started. The seven-day average of new cases has surpassed 8,000, up from 5,700 on New Year's Eve. At Banner Health System - the state's largest hospital network - several facilities are now over 125% of their licensed occupancy, and elective surgeries have been suspended since Jan. 1. To expand the workforce, the health system is recruiting 2,000 contractors such as travel nurses and respiratory therapists. Central office staff with medical licenses have been deployed to the front lines, and those who cannot practice medicine are answering phones, transporting supplies and performing other basic tasks. Banner staff working in Colorado, where cases are declining, have been shifted to Arizona. But unlike during the summer surge, Arizona has much stiffer competition now for health-care workers. "Right now the entire country is essentially in uncontrolled spread, so every single state is looking for those same limited resources," said Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer at Banner Health. "It's a sad situation to not have had more mitigation be undertaken when all the science showed us exactly what's happening is exactly what we predicted." Pressed on the rising cases and hospitalizations, Ducey said last months that the government had little ability to curb the spread of the virus at private gatherings. He rejected calls from the state superintendent of schools to keep schools virtual for two weeks as a holiday quarantine period. A spokesman for Ducey did not return emails seeking comment. Cara Christ, Arizona's top public health official, said aggressive shutdown measures would not have staved off a spike driven by family gatherings and an influx of winter visitors seeking warm weather. "If you look at California, they have some of the strictest restrictions in the country and are still seeing elevated cases," Christ said in an interview. "It's not that we loosened the restrictions from this summer when we successfully brought the rates down significantly. What we are finding is people, when they are with people they love and trust, are letting their guard down." Cleavon Gilman, an emergency room doctor in Yuma, Ariz., said he's seen an uptick in patients arriving short of breath and with low oxygen levels since the new year. They include grandmothers infected after family gatherings, Mexican immigrants who rode packed buses to agricultural jobs and people in their 20s and 30s. Many patients, he says, are coming in after their lungs have been irreparably damaged, and he is bracing for more of them to die. "It's very demoralizing sometimes to work here and to know the science and for it to be ignored," said Gilman, who drew national attention and a call from President-elect Joe Biden for bringing attention to the state's lack of hospital beds. "A lot of people are going to die because of failed leadership." - - - Nearly every major hospital in the metropolitan Atlanta area is now full, prompting state officials to reopen a field hospital at the World Congress Center, one of the nation's largest convention centers. Northeast Georgia Health System says its four hospitals are running out of ways to expand capacity after setting up cots in gyms, creating temporary spaces in hallways and, in some cases, treating patients while they are still inside an ambulance. "We are holding our breath and waiting to see what the next two or three weeks might bring post-holiday, and hopefully we don't see a massive spike," said Sean Couch, a spokesman for the system. Eight of the 10 U.S. counties reporting the largest per capita increases in their caseload are small, rural Georgia counties. In other states, the worst-case scenarios did not materialize. Hospitals in New Mexico did not need to ration care as authorized a month ago by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat. States in the Upper Midwest and the Dakotas, which experienced some of the worst spikes in cases and hospitalizations before Thanksgiving, are starting to see cases level off. Public health experts say the country faces a similar challenge it did last spring: buying time. In the early months of the pandemic, authorities urged the public to "flatten the curve" by following stay-at-home orders to give hospitals time to expand their capacity and protect their staff. They are pleading with Americans to keep following basic precautions - wearing masks, socially distancing, avoiding crowds - with the promise of a vaccine on the horizon. "I'm trying to hold onto the hope that the vaccines represent," said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science and Security. "As flawed as the rollout has been, at the very least it is hope. It feels like we're at the bottom of the well looking up at a very distant light." MANZINI Patients are now flocking to the RFM Hospital and the health facility, including healthcare workers, are not coping. Well-placed sources at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital said following the closure of the Out-patient Department (OPD) at Mbabane Government Hospital on Sunday, an influx of patients was noted at the health facility, which is under the Eswatini Nazarene Health Institutions (ENHI). The insiders said this took place at a time when the healthcare workers were understaffed as some of them either tested positive for COVID-19 and were recovering or were in isolation awaiting their results. Struggling As a result, the sources said the healthcare workers were struggling as the number of patients they attended to per day had increased immensely. The most affected department is the COVID-19 section, where the patients are screened for the symptoms of the virus, they said. ENHI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Benjamin Simelane said he was away and referred this publication to Dr Mbuso Sihlongonyane, who confirmed that they were experiencing an influx of patients at RFM Hospital. Again, Dr Sihlongonyane said they were not really coping with the high number of patients, which they were experiencing these days. However, he mentioned that they were doing their level best to deal with the situation. Yes, we are under a lot of pressure and it came with the outbreak of COVID-19, Dr Sihlongonyane said. He further admitted that amid the COVID-10 pandemic, they hardly operated with 100 per cent staff members as some of them also contracted the virus and were away. On the other hand, the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) President, Bheki Mamba, said under the prevailing situation, people should try by all means to stay at home. He said they should approach a health facility if it was really necessary. Instead, he said those who needed medical attention should go to clinics first before approaching hospitals. In fact, he said procedurally, the health system should be setup in a way that patients went to clinics when they were sick and only went to a hospital after a recommendation from the nurses. The president of the nurses union also said government should open the new OPD at Mbabane Government Hospital so that patients would not travel from one city to another because that could spread the virus. Prioritise He emphasised that government should prioritise the opening of the OPD at Mbabane Government Hospital before it became a white elephant. Moreover, the leader of the nurses union also highlighted that they had noted with concern that the number of healthcare workers who were testing positive for COVID-19 were increasing rapidly these days. In fact, he said they were upset with the increase of COVID-19 transmission among healthcare workers, especially nurses. He said this was because they had engaged government several times about the lack of PPE for healthcare workers in health facilities in the country and even petitioned the administration on same. It is worth noting that on top of that, the nurses union also took government to court over alleged lack of PPE for healthcare workers in health facilities. LONDON - Albert Roux, the French-born chef and restaurateur who along with his late brother Michel had a profound influence on British dining habits, has died at 85. FILE - In this May 16, 1997 file photo, Albert Roux poses for a photo. Roux, the French-born chef and restaurateur who along with his late brother Michel had a profound influence on British dining habits, has died. He was 85, it was reported on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The brothers are widely credited with revolutionizing Britains staid and old-fashioned culinary scene, notably with their opening of Le Gavroche in London in 1967, a restaurant that was frequented by a loyal clientele that included many of the icons of the Swinging Sixties in London. (PA via AP, File) LONDON - Albert Roux, the French-born chef and restaurateur who along with his late brother Michel had a profound influence on British dining habits, has died at 85. Roux died Monday after being unwell for a while, his family said in a statement Wednesday. The family did not reveal the location or cause of death. In 1982, the brothers' restaurant in London, Le Gavroche, became the first British restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars, testament to its pioneering role in turning the capital's culinary scene from one devoid of innovation into one of the world's most intriguing gastronomic melting pots. From Le Gavroche's launch, a loyal clientele that included many of the icons of the swinging '60s frequented the restaurant. The brothers took turns in the kitchen and dining room, seeking to achieve a global reputation for service and the quality of their cuisine. Over the years, well-known chefs such as Monica Galetti, Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Marco Pierre White earned their stripes at the restaurant that continues to serve classic French haute cuisine in the well-heeled Mayfair neighbourhood. Although it lost one star in 1993, Le Gavroche, which is now run by Alberts son, Michel Jr., is still considered one of Londons most coveted places to dine, and its reopening after the coronavirus pandemic is awaited by many. He was a mentor for so many people in the hospitality industry, and a real inspiration to budding chefs, including me, said Michel Roux Jr. Albert Roux was born in 1935 in the village of Semur-en-Brionnais in the central French region of Burgundy. After World War II, the family moved to Paris to run a new charcuterie and it was in the French capital where both brothers really forged their passion for cooking. At 14, Albert became an apprentice pastry chef, and four years later he moved to England where he soon found work at the French Embassy. After his military service in Algeria, Albert Roux became deputy chef at the British Embassy in Paris. When he returned, along with his brother, to Britain in 1967, they brought their classical skills, particularly in pastry-making, to a restaurant scene that was old-fashioned and staid. The legendary La Gavroche was created, appealing to those who wanted to broaden their culinary horizons. In addition to Le Gavroche, the brothers opened a series of other successful restaurants. In 1972, they stumbled upon the Waterside Inn, a shabby old pub in Bray-on-Thames, west of London, which they turned into their flagship restaurant outside the capital. In 1985, the Waterside Inn received its third Michelin star. It is the only restaurant in the world, outside France, to have retained three stars ever since. The brothers separated their business interests in 1986, with Albert choosing Le Gavroche whilst Michel took control of The Waterside Inn. In 2002, the brothers were awarded the Order of the British Empire honour by Queen Elizabeth II for their contributions to the field. The Michelin Guide tweeted that Albert Roux, along with his brother who passed away last year at age 78, was a father of the U.K. restaurant industry and his legacy will live on through the many chefs who passed through his kitchen. The Roux Scholarship, a cooking competition for up-and-coming chefs set up by the brothers and now run by their sons Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr, said Albert Roux's legacy will live on in the thousands of chefs he inspired and trained. The animal rights organization PETA also praised Albert Roux for his public opposition to foie gras. He famously said that, like cigarettes, it should carry a warning about the hideous suffering of the ducks and geese abused for its production," the group said on Twitter. "Well never forget him. The city may explore whether letting Winnipeggers switch to monthly water and sewer bills could help them cope with large spikes in cost. The city may explore whether letting Winnipeggers switch to monthly water and sewer bills could help them cope with large spikes in cost. Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) is calling for the public service to create options that let residents choose monthly utility bills, instead of quarterly payments. A monthly equal payment plan, which would base the rate on a clients usage history, would also be studied if the motion is approved. Klein said he expects that would be especially helpful for those coping with pandemic losses, as well as those with a fixed or low income. "Having that opportunity to either put (the charges) on a balanced payment plan similar to what Manitoba Hydro offers, or to be able to pay monthly seems like a more manageable payment system for residents that are experiencing some financially difficult times," he said. The councillor said he received several requests for the change, which increased after some families noticed a massive spike in their bills during pandemic lockdowns. "In one persons situation, their bill had almost doubled when they were all home for the last three or four months and they werent prepared for that," he said. He noted the city allows property and business taxes to be paid monthly. Mark Wire, who has a fixed income, said he believes monthly bills would go a long way to helping seniors plan their monthly budgets. "I think its the right thing and long overdue. Water bills become quite sizable after three months," said Wire. He noted his own average bill of around $300 soared to more than $800 in the summer. "Thats a lot of money for people to come up with out of the blue," said Wire. Molly McCracken, a member of Make Poverty History Manitoba, said she expects the change could help some Winnipeggers with low incomes. "I expect it would be helpful because most budgeting is done on a monthly basis The equal payment plan also would create predictability for people," said McCracken. However, she believes the payment change is just one small step forward. McCracken urged the city to consider forgiving some fees for low-income Winnipeggers. "It doesnt get at the root causes of the financial hardship due to COVID, fixed incomes and rising water bills," said McCracken. Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of councils water and waste committee, said he doesnt oppose studying the idea. However, he believes implementing it could prove expensive, since most Winnipeggers rely on mailed-out paper utility bills. "It does seem more costly to be able to send out a monthly bill to hundreds of thousands of users, so I have concerns about that. Once we (become) more paperless, it should be more feasible," said Mayes (St. Vital). He said the city must also consider how payment changes would affect the transfer of water and sewer bills between owners each time a home is sold. In an email, city spokesman Adam Campbell said those who cant afford to pay their utility bills can contact the city for help. Some low-income households may qualify for support from a City of Winnipeg/Salvation Army program called H2O Help to Others, he noted. If Kleins motion is approved by the water and waste committee, a report on the matter would be expected in about 90 days. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga LATEST Jan. 6, 9:55 p.m. The Senate has quickly knocked down Republican objections to Pennsylvanias electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Senators voted 92-7 after midnight Thursday morning to derail the GOP attempt to overturn Pennsylvanias support for the Democrat. In a long day dominated by pro-Trump rioters deadly storming of the Capitol, it was the second state for which a group of Republicans tried and failed to reverse the will of voters. Some GOP lawmakers have backed President Donald Trumps bogus claims that the election was fraudulent. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he believed no other states votes would be challenged. That means Congress formal certification of Bidens victory could finish quickly once the House votes on the Pennsylvania challenge. The Senate rejected the effort to cancel Pennsylvanias votes without any debate. Those objecting to Pennsylvanias votes included 80 House Republicans and Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, who is considered a potential 2024 presidential contender. Jan. 6, 9:38 p.m. Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri have objected to the counting of Pennsylvanias electoral votes, triggering up to two hours of debate in the House and Senate. The objections come 11 hours after the congressional count to confirm Democrat Joe Bidens presidential victory began, and after lawmakers had to evacuate both chambers for several hours to escape a mob that had violently breached the Capitol. Hawley said last week that he would object to Pennsylvanias electoral votes, saying Congress should investigate voter fraud. President Donald Trump has falsely said since his defeat that there was widespread fraud in the election. Biden won Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes. Since the Nov. 3 election, Trump and his allies filed at least a half-dozen lawsuits challenging Bidens win on various grounds, including that many or all of the states mail-in ballots were illegal. The lawsuits failed as judge after judge found no violation of state law or constitutional rights, or no grounds to grant an immediate halt to certifying the election. Jan. 6, 8:22 p.m. The House has voted overwhelmingly to reject an objection to President-elect Joe Bidens win in Arizona, joining the Senate in upholding the results of the election there. The objection failed 303-121 on Wednesday night, with only Republicans voting in support. Earlier Wednesday, supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, forcing a lockdown of the lawmakers and staff inside. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to Biden, though election officials have said there wasnt any. Now that Arizona is out of the way, Congress will reconvene as the joint session and make its way through the rest of the states that have objections. Jan. 6, 7:19 p.m. The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Bidens victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand. The objection to the results in Arizona -- spearheaded by Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Ted Cruz -- was rejected 93-6 on Wednesday night. All votes in favor came from Republicans, but after violent protesters mobbed the Capitol earlier Wednesday a number of GOP senators who had planned to support the objection reversed course. The Republicans raised the objection based on false claims pushed by President Donald Trump and others of issues with the vote in Arizona, which were repeatedly dismissed in Arizonas courts and by the states election officials. Jan. 6, 7:15 p.m. Sen. Lindsey Graham says a commission to examine the 2020 election is not a proper next step and affirmed that Joe Biden is the legitimate president of the United States. Graham, a South Carolina Republican and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, called it a uniquely bad idea to delay this election, referencing the commission idea proposed by his fellow South Carolina Republican, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott. Graham says, Count me out. Enough is enough. Jan. 6, 7:06 p.m. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he is going forward with his objection to the Electoral College results in Pennsylvania despite the violent breach at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. The Missouri senator said he did not support violence but said the Senate should go forward with a legal process that includes his objections. Hawley says his objections should be debated peacefully, without violence, without attacks, without bullets." He says he hoped lawmakers would not brush his concerns aside because of the violence earlier Wednesday, including the death of a protester inside the Capitol. Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, though election officials have said there wasn't any. Jan. 6, 7:04 p.m. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is comparing violence at the U.S. Capitol to protests against racial injustice over the summer after the killing of George Floyd by police. The U.S. Capitol was overrun by a mob supportive of President Donald Trump on Wednesday as Congress counted electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens win. Trump has falsely said there was widespread fraud in the election to explain his defeat and encouraged his supporters to come to Washington. McCarthy said, Mobs dont rule America. Laws rule America. It was true when our cities were burning this summer and it is true now. The comment got loud applause from Republicans. Democrats in the chamber sat silently. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, was killed in May after a white police officer pressed his knee against Floyds neck for several minutes even after he said he couldnt breathe. McCarthy, an ally of Trumps, said Wednesday was the saddest day hes ever had in Congress. He said: It is clear this Congress will not be the same after today. Jan. 6, 6:15 p.m. Multiple Republican senators reversed course and now say they wont object to congressional certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Braun of Indiana and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia all said in light of the violence at the U.S. Capitol earlier Wednesday, they would stand down from planned objections to Bidens win. Loeffler said that the violence, the lawlessness, and siege of the halls of Congress were a direct attack on the sanctity of the American democratic process. All three had previously signed on to Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud to explain his defeat. Loeffler has just days left in her term. She lost her Senate race to Democrat Raphael Warnock earlier Wednesday. Jan. 6, 6 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Congress will not be deterred in confirming the results of the presidential election hours after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Republican leader reopened the Senate late Wednesday, vowing to finish confirming the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden. It was interrupted earlier in the day when rioters breached the security perimeter and clashed with law enforcement before disrupting Congress tallying of the Electoral College votes. One person was fatally shot. McConnell said demonstrators tried to disrupt our democracy. They failed. McConnell planned to keep the Senate in session Wednesday to finish confirming the results. Trump has repeatedly told his supporters that the November election was stolen from him, even though that is not true. He reiterated the claim in a video filmed as his demonstrators were storming the Capitol. Jan. 6, 5:43 p.m. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump bears a great deal of the blame after a mob loyal to him stormed the U.S. Capitol. As the Senate reconvened to count electoral votes that will confirm Democrat Joe Bidens win, Schumer said that Jan. 6, 2021, will live forever in infamy and will be a stain on the democracy. Schumer said the events did not happen spontaneously. He said Wednesday: The president, who promoted conspiracy theories that motivated these thugs, the president, who exhorted them to come to our nations capital, egged them on. Trump has falsely claimed that there was widespread fraud in the election to explain away his defeat. Schumer says the protesters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Jan. 6, 5:17 p.m. The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Bidens presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee. Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the days violent events. President Donald Trump has falsely insisted that the election was marred by fraud and that he actually won. He reiterated those claims in remarks to thousands of protesters outside the White House early Wednesday and goaded them to march to the Capitol, which many of them did. The mayhem had forced the House and Senate to abruptly end the days debates and flee to safety under the protection of police. And it prompted bipartisan outrage as many lawmakers blamed Trump for fostering the violence. Jan. 6, 5:05 p.m. Former President Barack Obama issued a statement addressing today's violence on Capitol Hill. Obama said history will rightly remember the violence at the Capitol as a moment of great dishonor and shame for the nation. Jan. 6, 5 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence reconvened the joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win Wednesday following a siege on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. "We defended our Capitol today," Pence said. "We will always be grateful. The men and women who stayed at their post to defend this historic place," Pence said. "Those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. This is still the people's house. As we reconvene in this chamber, the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy." Jan. 6, 3:47 p.m. Nancy Pelosi announced the House will continue to count Electoral College votes tonight, amid a day of chaos and bloodshed at the Capitol. "In consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use," the House Speaker wrote in a letter to fellow members of Congress. Adding, "I look forward to seeing you later this evening, during this time of great sadness." Jan. 6, 3:25 p.m. Washington, D.C., is now under citywide curfew until 6 a.m. Thursday local time, as ordered by Mayor Muriel Bowser. The sergeant-at-arms announced that the U.S. Capitol building is now secure, after being invaded by a pro-Trump mob earlier in the day. Riot police are pushing remaining Trump supporters away from the Capitol, though the crowd has dwindled, per CNN. Jan. 6, 2:48 p.m. The woman shot at the U.S. Capitol today has died, per a law enforcement source, according to NBC News. The woman was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Dustin Sternbeck, a spokesman for the police department, told the New York Times that he did not yet know who shot her or have any other details. Jan. 6, 11:27 a.m. Supporters of President Donald Trump have broken into the U.S. Capitol building as they riot in defiance of the election of Joe Biden. They are currently wandering the building, letting themselves into offices and posing for photos on the Senate floor. They broke through barricades and forced their way inside. Reporters on the ground report people broke through windows, scaled fences and tried to force open doors. Reporters say police were overwhelmed by the mob demanding the legitimate election be overturned. As the mob broke in, Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the Senate chambers by a security team. The Senate went into recess and Capitol Police are hours later still attempting to clear the building. Uncontested, Trump supporters entered the Senate floor and images emerged of police with guns drawn in the House chamber members of the mob attempted to break in. It is unclear how many people have been injured. MSNBC showed footage of someone being wheeled out of the Capitol building on a stretcher, and D.C. Metro Police Chief Robert Contee III confirmed one person was shot inside the Capitol. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said at 3:30 p.m. EST that the Virginia National Guard and 200 state troopers are being sent to D.C. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted shortly after that the "National Guard is on the way." Trump supporters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Senators Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement urging Trump to tell his supporters to "leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol grounds immediately." Shortly after, Trump issued a video statement on Twitter, but it focused more on pushing continued lies about how the election was "stolen" from him. There is no proof of widespread voter fraud, despite Trump's insistence. "I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us, it was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side," he said without evidence. "But we have to go home now. We have to have peace." The tweet is accompanied by a label from Twitter that cautions users they cannot reply to, retweet or like the video "due to a risk of violence." The Associated Press contributed to this report. WASHINGTON: Two high-stakes runoff elections in Georgia are poised to determine which party controls the Senate over the next two years. What the contests wont do is affect the certification of Electoral College results by Congress. Republicans allied with President Donald Trump are pledging Wednesday to try to undo Democrat Joe Bidens victory by mounting a challenge to the election results during a joint session of Congress, a last-ditch effort that is almost certain to fail. Lawmakers who were sworn into office this week will vote on the objections. HOW DID WE GET HERE? Ever since Trump lost to President-elect Biden, he has made repeated and false claims that widespread voter fraud cost him the presidency. Yet almost every single legal challenge filed on his behalf has been rejected by the courts, including the Supreme Court. His own attorney general said there was no evidence of widespread fraud. That hasnt swayed some of Trumps allies in Congress, who are launching their hail-Mary attempt during the Electoral College certification to subvert the will of voters on Trumps behalf. Trump can count on about a dozen conservative senators, as well as scores of House Republicans, to press his case by objecting to the certification of results from some crucial battleground states. Democrats, however, control the House, and are certain to reject any effort to overturn the outcome. Additionally, many Senate Republicans oppose the pro-Trump efforts. That all but guarantees that after hours of debate, Congress will certify President-elect Bidens victory, clearing the path for his inauguration Jan. 20. WHATS GOING ON IN GEORGIA Georgias had two Senate seats on the November ballot. But because none of the candidates garnered more than 50% of the vote, it forced dueling runoff races between the top two vote-getters in each contest. Republican David Perdue, who is seeking a second term in office, faces Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. Separately, appointed GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler is running against Democrat Raphael Warnock to complete the remainder of retired Republican Sen. Johnny Isaksons term. Republicans need to win only one of the races to secure a narrow 51-49 majority. But if Democrats take both seats, the Senate would be divided 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris poised to cast tie-breaking votes once she takes office and assumes her duties as the Senates presiding officer. Both Loeffler and Perdue have run as staunchly pro-Trump candidates. Regardless of the outcome of their races, it wont change the calculus in Congress when it comes to the Electoral College certification process. And thanks to quirks in Georgia election law, Perdue wont be able to cast a vote Wednesday even if he wins. Because Perdues contest went to a Jan. 5 runoff that is being held after his term ended, he is not a senator right now. If he wins, he can retake his seat after the results of his election are certified later this month and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issues a certificate stating he won. Loeffler, on the other hand, is still a senator. Her appointment by Kemp remains in effect until the winner of the election is sworn in. WHAT DOES THE LAW REQUIRE? The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. Bipartisan representatives of both chambers read the results from each state out loud and do an official count. Any member can stand up and object to a states vote on any grounds. But the presiding officer will not hear the objection unless it is in writing and signed by both a member of the House and a member of the Senate. For the objection to be sustained, both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote. If they do not both agree, the original electoral votes are counted with no changes. Bidens electoral win over Trump was decisive, 306-232. Trump won by the same margin in 2016, which he heralded at the time as a landslide. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Five men pleaded not guilty this week to charges stemming from Portland protests last year. Prosecutors said one of the men, Jett Evans, is accused of stealing two items from a Louis Vuitton store and unlawfully entering the Poor Mouchette jewelry store that was looted during a May protest, which police declared a riot. Randal McCorkle is accused of launching a firework toward law enforcement officers during a July demonstration that also was declared a riot, according to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office. And prosecutors said Adam Layee is accused of lighting a mattress on fire during a September protest that was declared a riot, as well. The men have pleaded not guilty to various charges, according to court records. None of them are currently being held in Multnomah County custody. A fourth man, Charles Comfort, also was arraigned Tuesday on accusations of using a shield to ram an officer and kicking an officer multiple times while being taken into custody all during a June event that was declared a riot. Comfort has a Vermont address, according to court records. An Ohio man was arraigned following an August protest, in which police say he smashed the window of a dentists office at NW 10th Avenue and Glisan Street. Damien Hess is facing one charge each of riot and criminal mischief. And a Portland man has pleaded not guilty to charges of riot and attempted assault, following a September protest. Ty Fox is facing charges after a September protest, where police say he threw a firework that exploded near officers. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office continues to work with law enforcement to identify, investigate and prosecute criminal conduct, including property destruction and violence that have occurred during mass demonstrations, the agency said in a statement Tuesday. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Video above: U.S. could soon give a million vaccinations a day A Northern California hospital has shown it's possible to get the COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of people fast. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Medical Center learned Monday morning the refrigerator holding Mendocino County's most recent distribution of 850 Moderna vaccines had failed. Racing to beat the clock before the vaccines spoiled, they successfully administered the entire supply in 2.5 hours in collaboration with the county's health department and skilled nursing facilities. Judson Howe, the financial officer for the medical center, said they aimed to issue the vaccine to high-risk individuals, but "the highest priority was making sure that nothing went to waste." At 11:30 a.m. Monday, Howe and his colleague Bessant Parker, the hospital's medical officer, received the call that the compressor on the refrigerator was broken. The vaccines need to be stored at a temperature of 36-46 degrees, and they had been sitting at room temperature since 2 a.m. "Moderna has a 12-hour shelf life at room temperature," said Howe, who noted that a refrigerator failure is unusual. Hospital officials acted quickly, treating the situation like an emergency, and devised a plan to issue several dozen vaccines directly to a nursing home and 200 to the county, which administered its allotment to everyone from county workers to jail inmates. They offered the remaining 600 inoculations to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis, with an emphasis on getting the word out to high-risk individuals. "We set up four vaccination centers, three on our campus and one in a church close by," said Parker, who added that it took a workforce of about 40 people to administer the shots at the four locations. They alerted the public through social media and by making phone calls to places such as nursing homes. Employees also helped spread the news. "Word of mouth is a pretty powerful tool," said Howe. Howe added they would have de-centralized the allotment to other locations outside of Ukiah but a semi-truck jackknifed across Highway 101 on Monday morning, making it difficult to transport the vaccines before they fully thawed. Ukiah resident Richard Selzer, 68, was among those who jumped on the opportunity Monday. When he arrived at the church set up as a vaccine center with his three adult children at 1:30 p.m., more than 100 mask-wearing people were in line and only 30 doses remained. Officials called on seniors to come to the front of the line, and Selzer received a vaccine 15 minutes later. His children did not get vaccinated. "It was a little bit like winning the lottery," said Selzer, who has multiple pre-existing conditions that could complicate a COVID-19 infection. "I certainly wasnt anticipating getting the vaccine for another month or two. It was bad luck for the hospital that I was able to get it earlier." While he said there was a lot of confusion about what was going on, he was amazed by the congeniality of the crowd and how quickly the vaccines were issued. "When I went through and got the vaccine, everyone was being very cooperative," Selzer said. "Nobody was saying, 'No, I need this, not you.' They certainly can get this vaccine out if they have to. It could have gone really bad. This was good." Shanmugam, Balakrishnan clarify police use of COVID-19 contact tracing data across Singapore Sparking concerns of violations of privacy, the Singapore government confirmed that contact-tracing data which Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative, had said would be used only in contact tracing for COVID-19 mitigation purposes, had been used in criminal investigations. The police will restrict the use of data collected by Singapore's national contact tracing programme TraceTogether to "very serious offences", said Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam yesterday. Using Singapore's contract-tracing app TraceTogether is mandatory to enter certain gathering places such as shopping malls. Photo: Connected to India Such data has been used once in a murder investigation, Balakrishnan revealed to the House, addressing concerns about TraceTogether, a day after it emerged in Parliament that the police are empowered to access this data under the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). "The app or token only keeps a temporary record of who you have come into close contact with for a prolonged basis. Neither the app nor the token tracks a users location," Balakrishnan stated in Parliament, adding that he had forgotten that the CPC applied to contact tracing data. "Frankly, I had not thought of the CPC when I spoke (earlier). The application of the CPC is not unique to TraceTogether data," he said. Using Singapore's contract-tracing app TraceTogether is mandatory to enter certain gathering places such as shopping malls. TraceTogether's privacy statement originally read, "Data will only be used for COVID-19 contact tracing," but it was updated this week to add, "Authorised Police officers may invoke Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) powers to request users to upload their TraceTogether data for criminal investigations. The Singapore Police Force is empowered under the CPC to obtain any data, including TraceTogether data, for criminal investigations." Dr Balakrishnan also said that the Singapore Government will "most happily and cheerfully" stand down the programme once the Covid-19 pandemic is over and when TraceTogether is no longer needed. [January 06, 2021] BAE Systems Awarded U.S. Air Force Sustainment and Obsolescence Management Contract for 10th Consecutive Time The U.S. Air Force has awarded BAE Systems (News - Alert) a five year, $66.6M contract to provide Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) support to the Air Force supply chain. Through the contract with the 429th Supply Chain Management Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, BAE Systems will deliver its Advanced Component Obsolescence Management (AVCOM) suite of tools and services which will enable the U.S. Air Force to proactively reduce impacts on mission capability throughout the lifecycles of weapons systems and other platforms. "In this next iteration of the DMSMS program, BAE Systems will be implementing an innovative cloud-based technology suite to enhance predictive analytics to the U.S. Air Force," said Pete Trainer, Vice President and General Manager of Air Force Solutions at BAE Systems. "Delivering this enhanced AVCOM technology roadmap demostrates our continued commitment to the Air Force's digital transformation." AVCOM's database accesses more than 100 million parts and its customized web-enabled obsolescence management tool helps users forecast when a part will become obsolete or too expensive to procure. The solution also helps users identify suitable replacements and allows for the sharing of case information across the U.S. Department of Defense. BAE Systems is proactively migrating AVCOM to the AWS GovCloud (US), thereby empowering the U.S. Air Force to easily and quickly scale their user base, optimize performance, and protect organizational assets. The Air Force has awarded this contract to BAE Systems 10 consecutive times since 1991 and this contract is the largest valued award to date. The programs AVCOM supports have routinely garnered the industry's DMSMS top honors, and the U.S. Air Force has recognized AVCOM as its 'DMSMS Tool of Choice' annually since 2001. Work on the latest award will be performed at BAE Systems facilities in Florida, Georgia, and Utah. Additional work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; and Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The contract will also support U.S. Air Force operations worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210106005004/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BEML Limited, one of the Defence equipment manufacturer and a Schedule A Company under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) received orders from MoD for supply of High Mobility vehicles, at an approximate value of 758 crore. The company in a regulatory filing said," These High Mobility vehicles would play a key role in the logistics management of the Indian Army leveraging on its exceptional cross country capabilities." These vehicles would enable armoured fighting vehicles,troops, ammunitions and stores to be moved to far-flung, difficult terrains in operational areas. The equipment will be manufactured at BEML's Palakkad Plant in Kerala and would supply the vehicles to Indian Army in a span of one year. BEML is involved in sectors like defence, rail, power, mining and infrastructure. The government on Sunday invited preliminary bids for strategic sale of 26% stake along with transfer of management control in defence PSU BEML. "Govt has issued the PIM/EOI for disinvestment of 26 per cent equity share capital of BEML Ltd along with transfer of management control. Disinvestment will be through a two stage competitive bidding process," DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted. Bidders can submit their Expression of Interest (EoI) for buying the stake in BEML by March 1, as per the Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) issued by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). At the current market price, a 26 per cent sale could fetch about 1,000 crore to the exchequer. Shares of BEML closed at 974.25, on Friday. BEML is involved in sectors like defence, rail, power, mining and infrastructure. The company's total revenue from operations was 3,028.82 crore in fiscal 2019-20. SBI Capital Markets has been appointed as the advisor by the Government of India (GOI) for advising and managing the proposed strategic disinvestment of BEML. BEML has an order book of 9,795 crore as on March 31, 2020. The government has 'in-principle' decided to disinvest 26 per cent stake of BEML through strategic sale with transfer of management control. The government holds 54.03 per cent stake in the company. The stock lost 1.41% to close at 992 at the BSE Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. DGAP-News: Mogo Finance S.A. / Key word(s): Forecast/Bond Mogo Finance year-end update 2020 and outlook for FY 2021 - Continuing stronger performance and on track towards greater financial flexibility 06.01.2021 / 16:40 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Mogo Finance year-end update 2020 and outlook for FY 2021 Continuing stronger performance and on track towards greater financial flexibility Riga, Latvia, 6 January 2021. Mogo Finance and its group companies (the "Group"), specialized in used car financing, is set to continue its strong performance in financial year 2021 under the ongoing COVID conditions. Following a successful 2020 based on a smooth transition to the "new normal" the Company achieved a record EBITDA of EUR 26 million in the nine months of 2020 (9M 2019: EUR 23 million) by establishing a more effective, productive and streamlined organizational structure. Progress was also made concerning the capital structure and financing conditions. Preliminary discussions with leading investment banks on strengthening the capital structure as well as with investors and advisors on refinancing the Latvian subsidiary's bonds due in March 2021 and the Eurobonds maturing in July 2022 underline the recognition of the achievements. Furthermore, Mogo Finance impressed by proving its compliance with the terms and conditions at all times, even following the temporary waiver of the financial covenants to ensure security for investors and growth and profitability for the Group in the changed economic environment of the COVID crisis. As a result, almost 40% of investors signaled their support for, among other things, the inclusion of a gradual reversal of the covenants to the original values in the bond terms and conditions to facilitate greater financial flexibility at a bondholders' meeting announced in fall. As a result of portfolio optimization with a consistent focus on the most profitable and highest ROI markets, Mogo Finance expects revenues of EUR 90 to 95 million (FY 2019: EUR 77 million) and EBITDA of EUR 37 to 40 (FY 2019: EUR 32 million) million for the ended financial year 2020. With the new strategic orientation, the multi-channel fintech approach, while successful and sustainable in the long term, it is expected to develop further and lead to revenues of EUR 160 to 170 million and EBITDA of EUR 60 to 65 million in 2021. Mogo Finance will be reporting its unaudited financial year 2020 results Mid-February 2021. Details on the convening of the bondholders' meeting will be announced shortly. Contact: Mogo Finance Maris Kreics, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Email: maris.kreics@mogofinance.com Aalto Capital Sven Pauly, Investor Relations (IR) Email: sven.pauly@aaltocapital.com About Mogo Finance: Mogo Finance is one of the leading and fastest-growing used car secured financing companies on a global scale. In selective markets, the Company also utilizes consumer lending as a strategic capital allocation vehicle to leverage its performance and customer base. Recognizing the niche underserved by traditional lenders, Mogo Finance provides financial inclusion and disruptively changes the used car and consumer financing industry across 14 countries. Up to date the Company has issued over EUR 585 million secured loans and running a net loan and used car rent portfolio of over EUR 192 million. Mogo offers secured loans up to EUR 15,000 with a maximum tenor of 84 months making used car financing process convenient, both for its customers and partners. Wide geographical presence and diversified revenue streams grant Mogo with unique scale and pace unmatched by its rivals. Mogo Finance operates a multi-channel fintech approach through its own branch network, more than 2,000 partner locations and a strong online presence. Physical footprint enriched with excellent customer journey makes Mogo Finance top of mind brand in its industry. A state-of-the-art car portal supports cross-selling potential from re-possessed cars to leasing and vice versa. Established in 2012, with headquarters in Riga, Latvia, Mogo Finance operates in Baltics and Europe with a strong focus on GDP-dynamic countries in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Operating regions also include the Near East, the Caucasus and Central Asia as well as Eastern Africa. www.mogofinance.com IMPORTANT INFORMATION The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or any other countries or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the bonds in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this announcement may come are required to inform themselves of and observe all such restrictions. This announcement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The bonds have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus for the purposes of Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended (the "Prospectus Directive") and does not constitute a public offer of securities in any member state of the European Economic Area (the "EEA"). This announcement does not constitute an offer of bonds to the public in the United Kingdom. No prospectus has been or will be approved in the United Kingdom in respect of the bonds. Accordingly, this announcement is not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of this announcement as a financial promotion may only be distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons in (i), (ii) and (iii) above together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY - Manufacturer target market (MIFID II product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as the bonds do not constitute packaged products and will be offered to eligible counterparties and professional clients only. George W. Bush, the only living Republican former president, will attend the inauguration of Joe Biden later this month, a spokesman said on Tuesday night. Bush, who left office in 2009, will be accompanied by his wife, Laura, according to his chief of staff, Freddy Ford. The couple has gone to the inaugurations of Bushs successors, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. It remains unclear whether Trump, who continues to insist, without evidence, that widespread fraud denied him re-election, will appear at the event on January 20. I believe this will be the eighth inauguration theyve had the privilege of attending -- President Trumps being the most recent -- and witnessing the peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy that never gets old, Ford said in a statement. Bush, who returned to Texas after his second term ended, has largely stayed out of the political fray that marked the Obama and Trump administrations. His brother Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, was defeated by Trump in the 2016 Republican primary contest. Their late father, George H.W. Bush, was the 41st president. The other remaining former presidents are Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Obama. All are Democrats. They gathered, along with Trump, for the elder Bushs funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in December 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 10:00:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2020 shows the China-Laos Railway's Ban Ladhan Mekong River Super Major Bridge in Laos. (Photo by Pan Longzhu/Xinhua) The China-Laos railway and the Vientiane-Boten expressway are part of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and in line with the Lao government's strategy to convert the country from being landlocked to land-linked within the region, Acting President of the Lao National Economic Research Institute Sathabandith Insyxiengmay said. VIENTIANE, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos railway and the Vientiane-Boten expressway will provide huge momentum in strengthening Laos' connectivity with the rest of the region, local daily Vientiane Times on Tuesday quoted Acting President of the Lao National Economic Research Institute Sathabandith Insyxiengmay as saying. The railway and expressway are part of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and in line with the Lao government's strategy to convert the country from being landlocked to land-linked within the region, Sathabandith said. These two routes will enable faster movement of people and workers, while investors will be able to operate businesses in more areas, said the official, adding that it will lead to the improvement of services and facilities in towns situated along the railway and expressway. Aerial photo taken on March 15, 2020 shows the roadbed of the China-Laos railway (on the left side) and the Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway (on the right side) under construction in Laos. (Photo by Alan Liu/Xinhua) These routes will create purchasing power synergy and will expedite the growth of urban areas as development is closely linked to population size, said Sathabandith. Sathabandith said it will be necessary to build roads that link the railway with production sites so that goods can be transported easily, adding that logistics and cross-border services must be integrated to facilitate the transport of goods by rail. The development of smart cities is critical to attract more trade and investment, said the official. Kathmandu, Jan 6 : Amid political turmoil in Himalayan nation following the dissolution of the House of Representatives, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is visiting New Delhi on January 14 to participate in the sixth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission at the Foreign Minister level. Earlier, Gyawali had planned to visit New Delhi in the middle of December but due to discord and dispute in the ruling Communist Party of Nepal, the visit was postponed. During the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Nepal in November end, the Indian side had proposed to hold the meeting in mid-December, but after Nepali side failed to agree on it, the meeting had become uncertain. As discord and dispute inside the ruling party continued and the K.P. Sharma Oli government plunged into minority, Oli on December 20 dissolved the house and proposed to hold mid-term elections on April 30 and May 10. Though both India and Nepal have yet to announce the date, diplomatic sources in Kathmandu told IANS that Gyawali will travel to New Delhi on January 14, will hold the joint commission meeting with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar, and will return back to Kathmandu after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. Despite Nepal and India trying to hold a meeting early, both sides could not finalise the dates in the face of fluid political situation in Kathmandu. The Nepal-India Joint Commission is the highest-level mechanism between the two countries to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral ties. It discusses the entire gamut of bilateral issues, reaches understanding on disputed issues and gives instruction to the relevant officials on matters concerned. According to some Nepali media reports, during the visit, Nepal and India are likely to sign a deal on providing Covid vaccine to Nepal. Nepal has already sent a diplomatic note to India seeking its support to acquire the Covid vaccine. The Nepal side is all set to raise the issue of boundary dispute and its amicable solution among others. Gyawali has publicly said that Nepal will prominently raise the issue of the boundary dispute with India, and will seek its peaceful settlement in the upcoming meeting. Besides the boundary row, another issue that Nepal wants to raise and get assurance from Indian side is receiving the report of Eminent Persons' Group on Nepal-India relations. Expressing some reservation over some proposals by the eight-member EPG constituted in 2016 that has already prepared a joint report in 2018, India is reluctant to receive the report. Gyawali also said that receiving the EPG report would be one prime issue that will be prominently raised in the meeting during a recent question-answer session with a parliamentary committee. The last meeting was held in Kathmandu in August 2019 and for this, Jaishankar had travelled to Kathmandu. U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani said that any member of the GOP who is against upending the presidential election results should be ousted from the party. Giuliani went on to say that those Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Arizona are liars and a disgrace. The Trump attorney addressed Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, saying that Ducey should join another political party with any Republican state legislators who failed to help Trump's legal team in overturning President-elect Joe Biden's win, according to a Newsweek report. Giuliani further said Trump and Vice President Mike Pence's final legal options to remain in the office would be submitting two sets of state electors for Congress to count this week. Giuliani said one result that allows Trump to remain in the office is "you can't determine a winner, but you can determine the election was illegal." Related story: Trump Joins Party to Object Electoral College Results in Congress Meeting Republicans Against Overturning Election Result Meanwhile, Sen. Mitt Romney described the effort to reject Electoral College votes as a threat to democracy. He called the movement by a group of senators a ploy. "The congressional power to reject electors is reserved for the most extreme and unusual circumstances," Romney was quoted on The Salt Lake Tribune report. Romney said that these are far from it. A bipartisan group of 10 senators, which includes Romney, issued a statement objecting the effort to overturn the Electoral College results. The statement said that further attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 Presidential election are contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people. It added that it only serves to undermine Americans' confidence in the already determined election results. Meanwhile, Trump is pressuring Pence to overturn the result of the presidential election when Congres meets to certify the Electoral College votes on Wednesday. Trump falsely suggested that Pence could use the occasion to invalidate the result, according to Financial Times report. Trump wrote on Twitter and said that the vice-president has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors. Trump reiterated this during the rally, saying that he is hoping that the vice-president comes through for us, adding that if he does not come through, he will not like him as much. Both House and Senate will debate the issue in their chambers for up to two hours, if an objection is raised. This will be followed by a vote whether to reject or accept the electors in every state. Congress would have to reject the electors in several states for Trump supporters to be able to overturn the results. However, Democrats are in control of the House and the Republicans like Romney in the Senate are not on board with this plan. Romney went on to say that more Americans participated in the 2020 election, adding that the Justice Department found no evidence of voter fraud. In addition, Trump's attempts to challenge the election results in several courts did not move forward. As of now, 12 Republican senators have said that they will attempt to challenge and possibly overturn the results of the election. Related story: U.S. Attorney in Georgia Abruptly Resigns Amid Controversy Over Trump's Call for Votes Meerut (UP): Authorities have made Aadhaar card mandatory for students of government and government-aided schools in Uttar Pradesh for availing mid-day meal from June 30. Meerut district basic education officer Iqbal Singh said the state government had asked all district authorities to implement the decision. He said the school authorities were making efforts to get all students enrolled for Aadhaar card. Earlier this year, the Union Human Resource Development Ministry had made Aadhaar cards mandatory for midday meals in schools. ALSO READ | Income Tax dept urges taxpayers to link Aadhaar with PAN using SMS-based facility For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Britain toughened its coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, with England and Scotland going into another full lockdown, as a new variant spreads London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jan, 2021 ) :Britain toughened its coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, with England and Scotland going into another full lockdown, as a new variant spreads. Surging numbers of positive cases, and fears the a new variant of the virus is running out of control, prompted tougher action, which includes shutting schools, and a ban on leaving home except for essential shopping, medical reasons or exercise. A total of 58,784 people tested positive in the UK on Monday, with cases in the last seven days up 50 percent on the previous week. Overall, Britain has been among the worst hit in the world by the outbreak, with some 2.7 million cases and more than 75,000 deaths. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky news on Tuesday he could not say precisely when the lockdown would be lifted, warning of "very, very difficult weeks" ahead. The measures will be reviewed from February 15, he said, but the government cannot "predict with certainty" whether they will be lifted then. "I think it is right to say that as we enter March, we should be able to lift some of these restrictions but not necessarily all," he added. The measures began in England on Tuesday morning and will become law after a vote in parliament on Wednesday morning. Scotland's lockdown will last at least until the end of this month, while Wales and Northern Ireland have also toughened existing restrictions. - 'No way around it' - The lockdown comes as the surge of a new strain of the virus said to be 50 to 70 percent more infectious threatens to overwhelm the state health service, with almost 24,000 currently hospitalised in the UK. But the rollout of two vaccines, including the UK's own Oxford University/AstraZeneca shot from Monday, has brought hopes of beating the virus in the coming months. Opinion polls suggested a majority of the public support the new lockdown and the closure of schools, despite criticism the government had been too slow to respond. In London and Edinburgh, only a few people were walking through central streets past closed shops and cafs, according to AFP reporters. "I'm perfectly fine with it," Jenny Heath, 42, who works in marketing, told AFP in central London. "There's no way around it and it's just a short-term solution to ease what's happening in the NHS (National Health Service)." "They are never going to get a handle on this virus until everybody is in total lockdown," added 69-year-old Patricia Cairns in Edinburgh. - Supermarkets step in - The UK has already vaccinated over one million people, while Johnson has said all those most at risk -- some 13 million people -- could be vaccinated by mid-February. Calls are mounting for the vaccination drive to be speeded up, to allow a return to normality. "It should be possible to reach daily vaccination levels of 300,000 to 500,000 doses per day," said Professor Nilay Shah, head of department of chemical engineering at Imperial College London. Britain's biggest retailer Tesco has offered assistance that could include refrigerated lorries to distribute the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which can be kept at normal fridge temperatures. Another supermarket chain, Morrisons, said three of its carparks would be used for vaccinations. High street pharmacy chain Boots is also to administer jabs. - business bail out- Finance minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday announced 4.6 billion ($6.3 billion, 5.1 billion Euros) in extra funding for hard-hit retail, hospitality and leisure businesses which have been forced to close again. Schoolchildren will not sit crucial end-of-year exams needed to enter higher education as usual, Gove said, promising as-yet unspecified "alternative arrangements". He also said the UK could impose new restrictions on international travel. Currently quarantine is compulsory for those arriving from some countries but not virus testing. New proposals will be announced "very shortly", said Gove. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been widely criticised for hesitating too long about the measures, particularly school closures. "I think the inability of the government to act decisively and to convey clear messages and have a clear strategy has been an enormous disappointment to teachers," Jerry Glazier, spokesman of the National Education Union for teachers. A man was found dehydrated and covered in dirt after he spent several hours trapped in the roof cavity of a hotel he allegedly tried to break into. Police said the 30-year-old was punching holes in the walls when they arrived at the Landsborough Hotel on Queensland's Sunshine Coast about 6am on Wednesday. Officers were called after staff heard 'moaning and groaning' noises coming from inside the rear toilet block of the hotel. The man was on a 'mind-alerting' substance when police arrived, Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton told the Sunshine Coast Daily. A man has been arrested after he allegedly tried to break into the Landsborough Hotel (pictured) in Landsborough on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Wednesday morning 'He was distressed from being stuck, no obvious injuries. But being the middle of summer, he was very dehydrated from the heat,' Sen-Sgt Eaton said. 'He was in a pair of shorts and covered head-to-toe in dirt from allegedly crawling through crawl space in the floor prior to being in the roof.' Sen-Sgt Eaton said the North Booval man was lucky not to electrocute himself after allegedly pulling out wires in the roof. The man will face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after being charged with breaking and entering. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. More than 100,000 total vaccinations have been administered in health agency's region local Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Poll workers count ballots inside the Maricopa County Election Department in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov. 5, 2020. (Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images) Arizona Supreme Court Backs Dismissal of Election Challenge Arizonas Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the dismissal of an election challenge. The court agreed with a judge in Pinal County that former Gilbert Public Schools Board President Staci Burk lacked standing because she wasnt a registered voter when she filed the suit, which alleged Arizonas election systems have severe security flaws, saying that election workers and foreign entities could manipulate the results. There is nothing before the Court to indicate that Appellant timely contacted the appropriate authorities to correct any problems with her voter registration, Chief Justice Robert Brutinel wrote in the 6-page ruling. An election challenge is not the proper vehicle to reinstate voter registration. A panel consisting of Brutinel and three other judges made the decision. It was the eighth lawsuit challenging the win by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to be rejected by courts in Arizona. Members of Congress on Wednesday objected to Arizonas electoral votes, arguing the election there wasnt conducted according to the U.S. Constitution. The objection came during a joint session to count the nations votes. It triggered a two-hour debate, which would culminate in a vote in both chambers. The objection was expected to be voted down. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Actress Tanya Roberts died on Sunday from a urinary tract infection that spread to her kidney, gallbladder, liver and bloodstream Actress Tanya Roberts died from a urinary tract infection that spread to her kidney, gallbladder, liver and bloodstream, her agent has revealed. Roberts - a former Bond girl and Charlie's Angels star - passed away aged 65 on Monday, her partner Lance O'Brien confirmed on Tuesday. O'Brien had earlier been at the center of a mix up over Roberts' death after her agent Mike Pingel informed the media that she had died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Sunday, while she was still clinging to life in the ICU. O'Brien and Pingel sought to explain how they came to issue the premature death announcement when they were stopped by a photographer outside Roberts' Hollywood Hills home on Tuesday. It was at the same home that Roberts collapsed on Christmas Eve after returning from a walk with her dog. She was rushed to the hospital and later placed on a ventilator. O'Brien said he was able to see Roberts for the last time on Sunday in the ICU, where staff told him she wouldn't recover. Distressed and confused, O'Brien left the hospital and was driven home by Pingel, whom he told: 'I just said goodbye to Tanya.' O'Brien suggested that Pingel incorrectly interpreted his statement as proof that Roberts was dead. Pingel remembered the exchange differently, quoting O'Brien as saying: 'She died in my arms.' Lance O'Brien, left, is pictured outside the star's home with her rep Mike Pingel on Tuesday O'Brien and Pingel sought to explain how they came to issue the premature death announcement when they were stopped by a photographer outside Roberts' Hollywood Hills home on Tuesday. O'Brien said he was distraught and confused when he visited Roberts from the last time, and Pingel misinterpreted his words as saying that she was dead Roberts' rep, Mike Pingel (left with her), issued a press release on Sunday saying that the actress had died aged 65 on Saturday. But in a bizarre twist on Monday, Pingel announced that Roberts' husband informed him that she was still alive Roberts is best known for appearing opposite Roger Moore (above together) as Stacey Sutton in the 1985 Bond film A View To Kill Pingel issued his first press release on Sunday, sparking an outpouring of tributes and obituaries. Then on Monday morning he issued a second statement saying that Roberts was in fact still alive but in 'dire' condition. O'Brien was being interviewed by Inside Edition when he received a call from the hospital at about 9am Monday. 'Now, you are telling me she's alive?' O'Brien said, his face torn in anguish. Sobbing, he told the interviewer: 'The hospital is telling me she is alive. They are calling me from the ICU team.' In a third press release on Tuesday, Pingel announced: 'With a heavy heart I can confirm the death of Tanya Roberts last night on January 4, 2021 around 9:30pm PT at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA.' The rep said Roberts' cause of death was a urinary tract infection that spread to other organs and her bloodstream, causing a rare, life-threatening condition called urosepsis. Urosepsis can occur when a UTI is left untreated and chemicals the immune system releases into the bloodstream to fight the infection cause inflammation throughout the entire body instead. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of urosepsis cases are fatal. Video shows a look of shock washing over O'Brien's face as he cries into the phone: 'Now, you are telling me she's alive?' He then breaks down in tears and tells the interviewer: 'The hospital is telling me she is alive. They are calling me from the ICU team' TMZ reports O'Brien, pictured Tuesday, has now confirmed Roberts died Monday night. She had been suffering from an unspecified illness which caused liver and kidney failure. TIMELINE OF ROBERTS' DEATH CONFUSION CHRISTMAS EVE: Roberts goes out to walk the dogs and returns home, complaining that she's feeling unwell and says she wants O'Brien to take her for a covid test the next day. CHRISTMAS DAY: At around 4am Roberts collapses on the way to the bathroom and O'Brien rushes to her aid. She is unable to control her limbs and he phones an ambulance. She tests negative for covid but is rushed into ICU for kidney and liver failure. Doctors say she has a blood infection with an ITU suspected as the cause. O'Brien says he is unable to visit her because of the hospital's covid rules. In the next few days, he receives a call from Roberts who tells him she has been placed on 50 percent oxygen. Down from 90 percent. He is later informed by medics that they should be able to discharge her soon but that she will need a colostomy bag for several weeks. But confusion ensues, he is later informed that she is going to die and is invited to say goodbye to her. SUNDAY, JAN. 3: O'Brien visits her and holds her in his arms as he says goodbye. Roberts is unable to speak but O'Brien claims he sees her eyes open. Doctors tell him it's a muscle spasm. He leaves her distraught and calls her agent Mike Pingel to say: 'I just said goodbye to Tanya.' On the same day, he appeared to claim that he had watched Roberts' 'last moments' and hours later news of her 'death' was being reported around the world. MONDAY, JAN. 4: The next afternoon, while giving an interview, O'Brien receives a phone call from the hospital informing him that Roberts is alive. He breaks down in tears of joy but later informs the media that Roberts' condition is still believed to be fatal. TUESDAY, JAN 5: O'Brien confirms Roberts died Monday night at L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Hospital Advertisement O'Brien, who was pictured Tuesday using the help of a walking stick, said he went to hospital on Sunday after doctors said the actress was fading fast and that she was going to die, TMZ reported. He said she opened her eyes and tried to grab him but that her eyes then closed again and she 'faded'. Having said what he believed was his final words to her, he was left devastated and walked out of the hospital without speaking to medical staff. On the same day, he appeared to claim that he had watched Roberts' 'last moments' and hours later news of her 'death' was being reported around the world. He has since attempted to explain the confusion over how the death announcement came about and says he 'doesn't know' who to blame for the mix-up. The hospital has refused to comment on the case because of patient confidentiality. 'I turn around and she's completely passed out cold,' he told The Sun in a description of his harrowing visit to her bedside. 'I thought that was that, she wasn't going to recover. 'So when I came down the elevator I was distraught, I was lost, I was completely discombobulated. There was nobody there to guide me. I called her publicist Mike Pingel and I said I just said goodbye to Tanya.' Pingel later issued a press release saying that Roberts - best known for appearing opposite Roger Moore in the 1985 Bond film A View To Kill - had died. He explained: 'Lance truly believed Tanya had died.' The rep said he'd learned the news of Roberts' 'death' from O'Brien, who told TMZ that he visited her at the hospital before she passed. 'As I held her in her last moments, she opened her eyes. I was able to see her beautiful eyes one last time. Tanya had the most beautiful eyes,' O'Brien said Sunday. 'When she saw me and I was there, I saw her eyes open up. I felt good. I said: "Hey, her eyes are opening. Her eyes are opening." They told me that's just a reflex.' Then on Monday Pingel announced that the hospital had called O'Brien and informed him that Roberts was alive - as seen in the Inside Edition video. By Tuesday it was confirmed Roberts had died in the hospital. Asked about the mix-up, a spokesperson for Cedars Sinai would only say: 'Due to patient confidentiality we cannot confirm or deny that anyone is a patient at Cedars Sinai.' Speaking prior to her death Pingel said that Roberts' condition was 'dire'. O'Brien told The Sun: 'Her kidneys are so far gone, her liver is so far gone, her gall bladder is so far gone. She also has a terrible blood infection. The doctors say it started out with a urinary tract infection. 'The doctors say theres no way shes going to be the same. She always told me she didn't want to be an invalid. She said if it got to this stage, end it for me.' He said that he was unable to return to the hospital because he would need special permission due to the pandemic. O'Brien said he had told doctors not to keep her on life support just so that he could see her: 'I have seen her already, I got to hold her.' He explained how sudden her illness had been, that Roberts was incredibly fit and would go hiking in the hills for up to four miles each day. Pingel (left with Roberts) did not explain what sparked the confusion over her health status Roberts complained of feeling unwell on Christmas Eve and told O'Brien she wanted him to take her for a covid test the following day. But early in the morning at around 4am she collapsed on her way to the bathroom and as Lance tried to pick her up she was unable to control her legs or her arms. An ambulance was called and she was admitted but O'Brien was not allowed to visit. Her coronavirus test was negative and he was later able to speak to Roberts on the phone. She told him that she was on 50 percent oxygen, which was an improvement to the 90 percent air she was breathing earlier. 'So Im figuring shes going to be home in a day or two,' O'Brien told The Sun. The next day things improved further, with O'Brien informed that Roberts might need a colostomy bag for her kidneys for four to six weeks but that she could return home. But he added: 'Then they tell me shes not going to get out of this, its end of life and if you are going to come see her, come see her.' O'Brien remains confused about how he came to believe she was dead, saying that he was often speaking to different medics and, not being able to visit, it was hard to understand the time frame when her prognosis was being relayed to him. TMZ said it heard from several sources close to the family who claimed O'Brien called them with news of Roberts' death on Sunday. The outlet had originally reported that Roberts collapsed after she returned home from walking her dog on December 24. WHAT ARE UTIS AND HOW CAN THEY BE DEADLY? A urinary tract infection, more commonly known as a UTI, is an infection in any part of the urinary system. UTIs can have different names depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected. Cystitis affects the bladder, pyelonephritis affects the kidneys and urethritis affects the ureter and urethra. Signs and symptoms include: A burning feeling when urinating A frequent urge to urinate, despite little urine coming out upon doing so Dark, cloudy or strange-smelling urine Fatigue Fever and chills Pain in the lower abdomen or back Women are much more likely to get a UTI with their risk being as high as 1 in 2 in their lifetime compared to 1 in 10 among men. The most common cause of UTIs is a transfer of bacteria from the anus to the urethra. Because women have shorter urethras and less distance between the two body parts, it is easier for bacteria to be introduced. Antibiotics are the most common treatment followed by drinking a lot of water to flush bacteria from the body. UTIs do not typically lead to death but, when left untreated, they can cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which chemicals that the immune system releases into the bloodstream to fight an infection cause inflammation throughout the entire body instead. The term for sepsis caused by a UTI is urosepsis. Signs of urosepsis include: fever pain in the lower sides of the back nausea and vomiting difficulty breathing inability to think clearly confusion or delirium A 2019 study found that the risk of a bloodstream infection was more than seven times greater in patients who did not receive antibiotics immediately after seeing a physician for a UTI. The estimated mortality rate from urosepsis is between 30% and 40%. Advertisement Roberts appeared to be looking healthy and in good spirits late last year. She is pictured with Pingel in a recent photo Roberts frequently uploaded photos to Instagram, including a snap that showed her wearing a mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic as she signed fan photographs Before her collapse, insiders said Roberts seemed 'perfectly healthy' and was participating in video chats with her fans. It's unclear if and when O'Brien and Roberts tied the knot but reports indicated that the pair lived together at her home in Hollywood Hills. Public records indicate that it was the same home Robert's shared with her first husband, screenwriter Barry Roberts, who died in 2006. Tanya and Barry had been married for 32 years and had no children. In addition to being a Bond Girl, Roberts starred in the fifth and final season of Charlie's Angels between 1980 and 1981. She is also famous for playing Midge Pinciotti in the hit sitcom, That 70s Show, appearing alongside Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Roberts was born Victoria Leigh Blum in October 1955 in New York City, before starting her career as a fashion model in her late teens. She married Barry Roberts when she was just 19 in 1974, and started studying to become an actress at The Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen. The leggy blonde made her film debut in 1975's Forced Entry. Roberts tied the knot with screenwriter Barry Roberts in 1974. She was just 19 years old at the time. The pair are pictured together in 1981 Roberts played geologist Stacey Sutton alongside Roger Moore (above together) in his seventh and final James Bond movie in 1985 Roberts is pictured in a promotional photo for A View To Kill in 1984 Roberts was chosen above 2,000 other actresses to replace Shelley Hack in the fifth and final season of Charlie's Angels, which aired between 1980 and 1981. She is pictured left In 1998, Roberts returned to the small screen to play Midge in That 70s Show. She is pictured front row second from left. The show also starred Ashton Kutcher (back row second from left) and Mila Kunis (front row third from left) Roberts and her husband relocated permanently to Los Angeles in 1977, which paid off in a big way three years later. The beauty was chosen above 2,000 other actresses to replace Shelley Hack in the fifth and final season of Charlie's Angels, which aired between 1980 and 1981. However, she became a global sensation several years later, when she was elevated to 'Bond girl' status in 1985's A View To A Kill. In that film, she starred as sultry geologist Stacey Sutton alongside Roger Moore in his seventh and final James Bond movie. Afterward, Roberts continued to work regularly with roles in films such as Body Slam, Twisted Justice, Purgatory and Legal Tender, which was written by her husband. Roberts is is best known for appearing opposite Roger Moore in the 1985 Bond film A View To Kill (pictured) Roberts and her husband, Barry, are pictured in 1985. Barry tragically passed away in 2006, leaving Roberts a widow after 32 years of marriage In 1998, she returned to the small screen to play Midge in That 70s Show. The hit Fox sitcom also starred Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama and Topher Grace. She left the show in 2004 to take care of her husband who was terminally ill at the time. He tragically passed away two years later. Roberts did not appear in any more films or television shows following her first husband's death. However, the beauty appeared to be looking healthy and in good spirits late last year. She frequently uploaded photos to Instagram, including a snap that showed her wearing a mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic as she signed fan photographs. Roberts is pictured with her dogs in a photo shared on her Instagram page last year. She had taken one of her canines out for a walk before she returned to her Hollywood Hills home and collapsed An embarrassed on Wednesday acknowledged that there could be some "misunderstanding" between Beijing and the World Health Organisation over granting timely permission to experts to visit the country to probe the origin of the coronavirus, even as it gave no indication about when it will allow them to come. In a rare instance of criticism from the global body, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is often accused of being pro-China, in a media conference in Geneva on Tuesday said, "Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in "I'm very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and were not able to travel at the last minute, but had been in contact with senior Chinese officials." Tedros said he made it clear that the mission was a priority for the UN health agency. We are eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible, he said. The delay by to finalise the WHO team's arrival is fuelling concern that Beijing is obstructing global efforts to trace the origins of COVID-19, which has so far killed over 1,870,800 people worldwide after the disease broke out in central China's Wuhan city one year ago. Answering a spate of questions at a media briefing here on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying sought to downplay Tedros comments, saying that there might be some misunderstand on this. We can understand Dr Tedros and the WHO, she said, adding that the two sides are "in discussions" to finalise the dates. We hope the details can be determined as soon as possible. Hope the WHO can understand this. We always have smooth communication channels. There might be some misunderstanding on this. But there is no need to read too much into this. We have smooth communication and pleasant cooperation. I believe it will continue, Hua said. Asked whether the delay is about granting visas to the 10-member of experts, Hua said, We have good cooperation with Dr Tedros. We can understand him, but if you like to visit other places, you need to talk in advance to the other side to discuss dates. Pointing to the resurfacing of the coronavirus, she said, There are minor outbreaks all around the world, adding that Chinese experts and authorities are busy dealing with the epidemic situation at home. Still we attach importance to WHO's visit to China and we have been in discussions. We hope through our discussions and efforts we can make decisions on their dates and arrangements as soon as possible, Hua said. China has been proactively questioning the widely-held view that the deadly outbreak broke out in a wet market in Wuhan where live animals, birds and reptiles are sold. The market remained closed and sealed since early last year. In May last year, the World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the governing body of the 194-member states of the WHO -- approved a resolution to set up an independent inquiry to conduct an "impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the response as well as that of the WHO. It also asked the WHO to investigate the "source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population. On the COVID-19 origin tracing, Hua said China had candid discussions with the WHO. We want to help origin tracing and studies. We are among the first group of countries that cooperated with the WHO, she claimed. Hua said China has twice invited WHO experts to come to the country for origin tracing and made the Chinese part of global virus cooperation plan. "In October last, we had an agreement with the WHO on the international experts team members and then we had frequent interactions and held four conferences via video link. "We candidly talked about our results in origin tracing. Recently we have been adopting a positive and constructive attitude in discussing the origin tracing cooperation with the WHO. Now the epidemic situation in the world is very severe. In China we are also conducting our work to prevent and contain the virus. Our departments and experts are very busy in this work," she said. Asserting that the origin tracing is "a very complicated matter", Hua said, "To ensure the smooth going of this work, we need to undergo necessary procedures and make specific arrangements and both sides are still in consultations on this." China on Monday vehemently refuted the US charge that the novel was leaked from a bio lab in the country and asserted that the pandemic was likely to have been caused by separate outbreaks in multiple places in the world. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twitter has suspended Donald Trump and locked the president out of his account for the next 12 hours, after warning that his tweets posed a risk of violence. The company had originally slapped new warning labels on Trumps tweets, which stated that his claim of election fraud is disputed, and this Tweet cant be replied to, retweeted, or liked due to a risk of violence. The labels were applied to a one-minute video that told his supporters to go home now and praised the rioters as very special people, as well as a separate message urging his followers to remember this day forever. It was also added to a tweet criticizing Mike Pence. screenshot / twitter The labels came amid mob violence in Washington D.C. as rioters stormed the Capitol as Congress met to certify the results of the election. Twitter said the presidents words could incite further violence, and cited its civic integrity policy. The company said on its @TwitterSafety account that it was significantly restricting engagement with Tweets labeled under our Civic Integrity Policy due to the risk of violence, and that it was exploring other escalated enforcement actions. Hours later, the company clarified just what escalated enforcement actions would look like. First, the three previously-labeled tweets from Trump appeared to have been removed, with notices that this Tweet is no longer available. The company later confirmed that it was requiring the tweets to be removed and that it had temporarily suspended Trump from its platform for 12 hours. screenshot / Twitter The move was a major departure for Twitter, which had previously cited a public interest policy that provided special protections to world leaders, even if their messages may otherwise violate the companys policies. But faced with violence in Washington D.C., and mounting pressure to do more than label, Twitter said the policy had reached its limit. Our public interest policy which has guided our enforcement action in this area for years ends where we believe the risk of harm is higher and/or more severe, Twitter said. Furthermore, the company said that future violations of its civic integrity policy could result in a permanent ban for Trump. (The company had previously confirmed that it would no longer give Trump special consideration once he left office.) Facebook and YouTube also removed Trumps video from their platforms, though the company cited different reasons for doing so. YouTube said the video, which called the 2020 election results fraudulent broke its election policies, while Facebook stated it contributes to rather than diminishes the risk of ongoing violence. This post has been updated. A woman who campaigned for the families of care home residents to be given greater access to their loved ones during pandemic restrictions has paid tribute to her mum after she passed away. Martina Ferguson told her Facebook followers how she held her mother's hand as she slipped away in Craigavon Hospital. Ursula Derry (87) had suffered from dementia and had been a resident in a Portadown care home. Martina wrote on Monday night: "Sadly my Mummy didn't recover from contracting Covid in the Care Home. "As I held her hand in hospital my Mother took her last breath early hours this morning. "We are all so heartbroken and sad. "We will hold on to all the great memories and all the laughs & giggles we had together. "I will miss my best friend." Ms Derry's funeral will be held tomorrow. Former Garvaghy Park resident Ms Derry had five children, and was pre-deceased by her husband, Aloysius. Ms Ferguson had led a campaign for implementation of a 'care partners' scheme to allow for some safe contact with elderly relatives in care homes. Download the Belfast Telegraph App Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sport, business and opinion with the Belfast Telegraph App. Belfast Telegraph Tsu Inc., a NYC-based Social That Pays, raised over $10m in funding at a $100 million valuation cap. The round was led by TerraCap Ventures and Hilco Global. The company intends to use the funds to build its community and focus on product innovation. Led by newly appointed CEO Greg Fell, and president and chief innovation officer CEO John Acunto, Tsu is building a social community that aims to compensate content creators, enable commerce at the point of discovery, and provide content tools that inspire creators. Greg Fell comes to Tsu from Gama Signature Aviation, the largest private jet charter operator in the United States and the exclusive air carrier for WheelsUp, where he served as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Gama Signature, Fell held leadership roles in information technology with Ford Motor Company and Terex Corporation. Mark Norbom joined the team as a seasoned business veteran, previously holding multiple roles in finance, M&A and global operations over a 30 year period with General Electric, including 13 years as a company officer and vice president. Now, as chairman of Tsu, Norboms global leadership experience will provide robust insight into expansion and scale as the company embarks on its post-beta launch in the coming months. In support of Tsus mission and growth, Sean Cross, founder of Silicon Alley Investors, has stepped up as president, global business development and revenue, along with Eric Cohen, formerly senior vice president and general counsel of Fortune 500 Company, Terex Corporation, as executive vice president and corporate secretary. FinSMEs 05/01/2020 Farmers from various protest sites in Delhi-NCR will be taking out a tractor march on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway on Thursday on a call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha the umbrella body of farmers unions protesting at Delhis borders. The march, previously scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed by a day due to poor weather. Farmer leaders said that the rally was a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade that they plan to take out on January 26 to protest against the three agriculture laws. Farmers from across the country have been protesting against the three new farm laws that were passed by the Centre in September last year. They fear that the new laws will leave them at the mercy of corporations and end the minimum support price (MSP) for important crops. Sanjay Madhav, member of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the state convener of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee in Rajasthan, said that farmers from several districts will march with their tractors and reach the Shahjahanpur protest site on Thursday. A batch of farmers from Maharashtra joined our agitation today. Other farmers will be marching with their tractors tomorrow. Tractors from other protest sites at the Delhi border will start marching in the morning and we will have a huge cavalcade of farmers on the KMP stretch, said Madhav. Deepak Lamba, member of Jai Kisan Andalon, which is a part of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, said that the march would start at 11am and continue through the day. One batch of tractors will start from Singhu border and one from Tikri border. They will converge at KMP before returning to their respective protest sites. Other segments of tractors from Palwal, Ghazipur and Mewat will also come together on the KMP stretch, said Lamba. Ramzan Chaudhary, another member of Jai Kisan Andolan from Nuh, said that tractors from various protest sites will follow different routes for the march on Thursday. Farmers protesting at Tikri border will march till Singhu border and vice versa. Tractors from Nuh and Ghazipur will march till Palwal and return from there. Different units of tractors will cover a different stretch, said Chaudhary. Rampal Jat, Kisan Mahapanchayat president, who is protesting at the Haryana-Rajasthan border, said that around 100 tractors from Palwal would be joining the tractor march on Thursday. Tractors from different regions will join the march tomorrow. Due to rain, our tents at the border have been uprooted or flooded, but we will participate in the rally as much as possible. Around 100 tractors of ours will be joining the march from Palwal, he said. Inspector Rajesh Kumar, station house officer, KMP Expressway, said that the police are on alert and would take steps to handle the traffic depending on the situation on Thursday. We are on alert. If the situation demands, we will make the necessary diversions, said Kumar. Big Ramy Before His 2020 Olympia Win the Early Years As Muscular Development celebrates Big Ramys 2020 Mr. Olympia win, we look back at the events that helped shape his path to victory, with highlights from the MD archives. Today, Big Ramy: X-Factor or Ex-Factor?originally published in October 2014. Big Ramy: X-Factor or Ex-Factor? All eyes will be on Big Ramy at the Olympia. Will he redefine the bodybuilding manual or is what we saw at the New York Pro last May as good as it gets? By Peter McGough Twelve months ago in the countdown to the 2013 Mr. Olympia contest, a major maybe the major talking point was could rookie Big Ramy (real name Mamdouh Elssbiay)make improvements to the physique that wowed the audience and crushed the opposition when he won that years New York Pro in his pose-for-pay debut? Now we know that repetition is the mainstay of all things bodybuilding, but as we look forward to preview Big Ramys chances at the 2014 Olympia being staged in Las Vegas on September 19 and 20th, theres a been there, done that mood about such thoughts. In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, Its deja vu all over again. Its like being in the middle of the movie Groundhog Day, like listening to a politicians same-old, same-old speech. Lets review why. In his Olympia debut last year, Big Ramy, stacking 285 pounds on his 510 frame, placed eighth. The main knock was that while he had the astonishing size, fullness and sweeping contours, he still had to etch in Olympia-level detail in the style of the top five from 2013. Namely, Dexter Jackson, Shawn Rhoden, Dennis Wolf, Kai Greene and reigning champ Phil Heath, whose physique has more detail than a Wall Street bankers tax dodge filing. The consensus was if he was able to carve in that top five-like detail, he would be a threat to anyone and may be the next Mr. Olympia even as early as 2014. The word was that detail would surface when Ramy, after an arduous eight months prep following the 2013 Mr. Olympia, rolled into the Big Apple to dispute the 2014 New York Pro last May 17. But like the starting official at the Kentucky Derby, just hold your horses a second or two, sparkie. Because in mid-March came the news that Big Ramy had been hospitalized due to a severe upper chest respiratory infection. Of course, given his rapid four years rise and increase in bodyweight, online boards hummed with the inside information (inside in the sense that info came solely from inside their heads) that his hospitalization was due to stuff pumping through his veins, and not a bug clogging up his respiratory system. Thing is, if a bodybuilder trips on the sidewalk and breaks an ankle, its immediately drug related. FLUSHING HIS WAY TO SUCCESS Thats as may be, but at the time his mentor Dennis James was confident that his charge would recover in time to be on target for peaking at Mays New York Pro. But as the weeks went by, it seemed unclear if that would happen. Then on May 3, two weeks before the New York event, Big Ramy made a guest appearance at the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro weighing a purported 315 pounds. He was huge, but was carrying so much water those in the first three rows were issued umbrellas. It was clear there was no way he would be ready to flex with competitive intentions 14 days hence, and so we resigned ourselves to Big Ramy having to look past the New York Pro for an Olympia-qualifying assignment. But in a sensational manner 48 hours prior to the Gotham muscle soiree, Dennis James announced that Big Ramy would defend his title at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in lower Manhattan. He duly showed up at 290 pounds, having shipped more water than an Evian factory on overtime and at a self confessed 85 percent cruised to a straight first victory; his closest challenger being the ever-improving Juan Morel. So thats a resume of our subjects helter-skelter of a 2014 rise so far, but like pedaling 1,000 miles on a stationary bike, were still in the same place and have not moved from the same How Good is Ramy? spot we were at the same time last year. The year-old question still cries out, Can he reinvent his physique and attain that awesome detail look that can make him an Olympia threat to Phil Heath? Dennis James is adamant he can, saying if an 85 percent Ramy can dominate a pro show, a 100 percent version will frighten the bejesus out of the Olympia lineup. And James promises a 100 percent Ramy will stride out for battle when the prejudging for this years Sandow dispute commences at around 9:00 p.m. on September 19 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. So which Big Ramy will we see? The X-Factor one who will fulfill James promise and threaten to rock Phil Heaths world, or the Ex-Factor version who will not be much different than what weve seen so far and has already maxed-out on his potential in his astonishing four-year growth spurt? Like my surgeon said when I had that nasty interaction with the crossbar of a bicycle, Its crystal ball time. Jump into the time machine and warp forward to consider how the differing Ex-Factor and X-Factor scenarios may play out at this years 50th Mr. Olympia contest. THE EX-FACTOR SCENARIO? Since Mays Night of Champions, Big Ramy had been a full-time guest at Dennis James Phoenix, Arizona home. This had been agreed by both such, was their determination to leave no stone unturned, no rep undone, no calories miscalculated, no pose unpracticed in an all-out assault on toppling Phil Heath from the Olympia throne. And yet At the athletes meeting held at the Orleans Arena on Wednesday, September 17, each time the door to the meeting room opened, heads would swivel to check who had just entered. After 10 minutes, most of the Olympians were already seated, and the press there noted that one competitor was missing. Then the door opened and the absentee walked through. But he didnt exactly walk through; he sort of turned a little sideways so that his massive frame and shoulder width could navigate the doorframe. Big Ramy had arrived and he looked huge, although his face was not sunken in as much as some of his rivals, which in this modern I can make you look like Skeletor in 12 hours age of bodybuilding was no cause for alarm. And yet Fast-forward to 8:45 p.m. Friday evening, with Olympia prejudging about to commence in 15 minutes and the 20 competitors are stationed backstage most lying on the floor with their legs on a chair playing the time-honored Im keeping my duds on as long as possible Ill only show you mine if you show me yours game. In a corner, Dennis James is seated bending over to speak in somewhat hushed tones to a prone Ramy. One hears phrases like, Now remember what I told you and Dont relax for a moment on stage keep flexed all the time. Earlier, Dennis had told me their four-month contest-prep game plan had been executed to perfection. But Ive known Dennis a long time, and something alerted me to the thought he wasnt as confident as he had been last May. The backstage marshals started to issue orders urging the 2014 class of Olympians to get ready to do their individual mandatories. Of the 20, Big Ramy was number 15, with front-runners Dennis Wolf being 17 and Kai Greene 19. Defending champ Phil Heath was number 20 and would be last man out. Once the first competitor, Juan Morel, went out Big Ramy would have to wait 30 minutes or so to flex his stuff. With 10 minutes to go and still wearing his 50th Olympia celebration tracksuit, he started to pump up. A few press-ups, then some light dumbbell curls and lateral raises and stretches. With six minutes to go, he stripped to his trunks to have oil applied. With the vagaries of backstage lighting and a competitor not being fully flexed, it is sometimes difficult to gauge if he has peaked or not. But, humbly I submit, that as a backstage inhabitant at countless pro contests and 30 Olympias, and as someone who is solely there to observe and not to hang out and shoot the breeze to all and sundry, I have developed a good eye as to who is ready or not. I took stock of Big Ramy. At 290 pounds, he dwarfed everyone around him And yet He left the oiling-up area and went toward the stage to await the instruction to go out and do his eight mandatories. As he strode away from us, photographer J.M. Manion asked, So what do you think? I replied, Hes not ready no real improvement since May. And so it proved as he went through his mandatories. Although the humongous mass was there in solid condition, and his thighs had more flair than Ali Babas pants, the promised cross-striations were not there, and his back though as wide as the Grand Canyon lacked real thickness. In all, like a one-paragraph resume of the history of the world, he lacked detail. He drifted into another eighth place, replicating his 2013 showing, and the man who had been vaunted as Phil Heaths worst nightmare was at contests conclusion assigned the moniker of the Ex-Factor one who had promised so much but then stood still. It seemed that like Ed Kawaks antics at the 1988 English Grand Prix (and this is a true story), when he set fire to his hotel room when trying to fry some eggs, Big Ramy really was just a spectacular flash in the pan. THE X-FACTOR SCENARIO? Throughout the athletes meeting on Wednesday, as Big Ramy sat in the front row of the four assigned for Olympian cheeks, Dennis James sat at the back, from time to time glancing across at me smiling and slowly shaking his head. It smacked of elements of a tsunami warning as in, You guys just dont know whats about to hit you. I asked him about his smiling countenance and he replied quietly and simply, Wait and see; wait and see. You didnt have to be Albert Einstein to realize Dennis was as confident as Randy Couture facing a UFC challenge from Richard Simmons. What was to be said is that James Sphinx-like, Im saying nothing persona was picked up by the other competitors and they too wondered if the former Olympian was just indulging in an epic psyche-out strategy, or he really knew that Big Ramy was about to deliver the 290-pound goods. Whatever, they, 48 hours prior to prejudging, were already thinking about the massive Egyptian: first round to the menacing Dennis. Throughout the next two days, James kept up his smiling wait and see demeanor. Thus when we all assembled backstage on Friday night, I went up to him and presented him with a can of gourmet kitten food. Somewhat nonplused he asked, Whats this for? I countered, Youve been grinning like a friggin Cheshire Cat all week, you might as well start eating like one. When Big Ramy stripped for action, Stevie Wonder could have told you he had nailed it. He walked out in front of the 10,000 gathered in the Orleans Arena, and they executed such a collective intake of breath that oxygen masks fell from the ceiling. Then, recovering themselves, they went nuts. He was 290 pounds, but sharper than Stephen Hawkings IQ. He was as wide as a bantamweight posedown, and his tiny waist, accentuated even further by the mighty dimensions of his upper and lower body, made his head-to-toe shape look like a study in 3-D Photoshopping. Those flared thighs were full and as cut as the Popes copy of 50 Shades of Grey, his hams and calves had suddenly sprouted and his back looked newly reinforced with armor plating. He was, as we say in the U.K. when conveying the supreme accolade to someone, The dogs bollocks. With all the 20 competitors completing their mandatories, they all rumbled onstage to await the first comparison. The nasal New York tone of head judge Steve Weinberger barked out only two names, Phil Heath and next to him Big Ramy! And so we witnessed EX OR X: WHATS IT GOING TO BE? OK, there we have the Ex and X-Factor scenarios. Which one will actually play out on September 19 in the gambling capital of the world? In my opinion, neither of them. Instead, I think the reality will be somewhere in the middle. I think Big Ramy will be more detailed and more refined than we have so far seen, but we really are expecting too much to ask that the X-Factor scenario outlined previously comes to fruition in 2014. Like most factors in bodybuilding, the bottom line is genetics: you either have that feathery type detail embedded in the muscles or you dont. It may be that Heath-like detail is not there for Big Ramy to mine out. Another few years of training will enable muscle maturity to kick in and improve separation, but it wont unearth crazy detail if its not inherent in the genes. To defeat a Mr. Olympia, history proves you have to beat him at his own game or wait for his decline. Phil Heaths game is packing his physique with more detail than weve seen before: Hes the Devil with the details everyone else has to get past. However, as far as Big Ramy is concerned, taking into account his size and shape augmented, as I expect, with greater detail I see him unveiling a package that will carry him into the top five, maybe top three at this years Olympia. But I think he will have to carve in even more detail and deeper separation to really take on a 100 percent Phil Heath. But let it not be forgotten as if? that this freak has been training for only four years. So his current journey has been much shorter than that of his peers. The logic is that he is much further away from tapping out on his full potential than those he is competing against, who have either already done so, or are just about there. In short, it would seem he has more unused potential than any other current pro. They have maxed-out on muscular development while he has still some way to go. What stage of his individual journey he has reached will become clear at the 50th Mr. Olympia contest, which kicks off on September 19th at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas. Watch this space a space Big Ramy seems, sometime somewhere, destined to fill. TEAM MD PUTS RAMY UNDER THE MICROSCPE Dan Solomon, MD Senior Features Editor and Creator of PBW Radio. When discussing Big Ramy, its important to consider that hes among the youngest of the true contenders. At just 30 years old, hes already crafted a physique worthy of an Olympia first callout. It would be interesting to compare a 30-year-old Heath to the present-day Big Ramy, who is a safe bet to land in this years Olympia top six. Is he a future Mr. Olympia? Youll have to forgive me, but Ive removed the term future Mr. Olympia from my vocabulary. Phil Heath is the present and the future champion. My prediction monitor simply cannot see beyond the year 2018. Ron Harris, MD Senior Writer.In terms of size, I think Ramy is pretty much maxed-out already. I know it sounds odd, considering his allegedly brief training experience, but weve seen plenty of mass monsters over the years like Ronnie, Ruhl, Fux and Nasser who were all up around this same size. It just seems to be the upper limit for how much muscle mass a human being can carry, regardless of genetics and/or the extent of supplementation. But we aren't talking about Ramy improving in terms of getting bigger. What he needs now is detail, and much more of it than what we have seen thus far. Condition is something I feel any athlete can master eventually, once he finds the right formula. The finer details will only come in time, as Ramy continues to train. If in fact he has only been training with weights for the reputed four years, which would easily explain the glaring lack of muscle maturity. We will see more of it as time goes by, but it cant be rushed. Ramy wont have the muscle quality that we see in men like Heath and Dexter for at least two or three more years. Considering he competed in late May, any improvements he manages to make by Septembers Olympia will be minimal. Those are made in the off-season, and he didnt really have one. All he really needs is a bit more upper chest and bigger calves to be complete. I see Big Ramy sliding into the fourth to sixth slot at the Olympia, but if he shows up with condition superior to what weve seen before, he could be higher.Its been said that the only way Phil Heath will be knocked off his throne is if a really much bigger man with great condition does it. Ramy could be that man. If not this year, maybe next year or the year after. To beat Phil, he would need to wow us with all the clear cuts and fine details that Phil has made his trademark, in addition to his amazing shape and fullness. Shawn Ray, Hall-of-Famer and MD Media Associate.I personally felt it was a brilliant move by Ramy to get off his sick bed and jump into the New York Pro, so as to not let his pre-contest prep go to waste once he started feeling better physically. His preparation for the contest may have been interrupted, but what he accomplished spoke volumes about his commitment to the sport! Ramy at 90 percent took a chance on losing, not knowing how good the other athletes might look on the day of the show and he showed up for battle anyway, which is the mark of a true champion and warrior! With such a short history of competition at the pro level, Ramy has room and time for improvement. He will specifically need to continue hammering away at his sub-par calves and try to streamline his overdeveloped quads. Back thickness and detail are necessary at the Olympia level to be successful. This Mr. Olympia lineup, as in previous years, in not very deep in quality leaving the door wide open for Ramy as an incomplete Olympian to crack the top six on the basis of mass and size. As long as Phil Heath is healthy and committed, I seriously doubt Ramy will become Mr. Olympia. That said, anything is possible. What Ramy has working against him is the very thing that made him: his enormous size. I am leery as to whether or not Ramy can remain healthy and have longevity at this level of competition, at his height-to-weight ratio, as I have been witness to many mass monsters who end up with health issues. I pray that Ramy does not fall victim to his own creation. DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF VISIT OUR STORE ALSO MAKE SURE FOLLOW US ON: FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE The Government has announced a series of new Covid-19 restrictions to tackle Ireland's surge in cases of the disease. The measures were agreed by Cabinet this Wednesday afternoon and will be in place until at least the end of January. As had been flagged, all schools will remained closed until February 1 at the earliest, except for special schools and for Leaving Cert students who can attend three days a week starting from January 11. Non-essential construction work will have to finish at 6pm on Friday, while certain essential construction projects will be exempt including health projects specific to Covid-19, housing adaptation grants, repairs critical maintenance for rail and utility projects and roads. Childcare services, including regulated childminders, will remain closed with the exception of services for vulnerable children and children of essential workers. Other existing childcare arrangements can continue to operate for vulnerable children and children of essential workers only. In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare. The resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is delayed until 1st February. Click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is no longer permitted with immediate effect. Existing orders may be collected, while click and deliver services will continue to be permitted. The government also agreed that the current travel moratorium in place for travel from Great Britain and South Africa is extended until midnight Friday, January 8. From January 9, all passengers arriving at Irish airports and ports whose journey originates in Great Britain or South Africa will be requested to have evidence of a negative result from a PCR Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. This new mandatory requirement will be in place until January 31, and will be kept under review in light of the evolving epidemiological situation. At a media conference at Government Buildings, the Taoiseach appealed to people to "forget about takeaway pints" - a phenomenon which has become increasingly popular in recent months. Nobody should be selling takeaway alcohol, it leads to gatherings," he said. More information on the latest Level 5 restrictions can be found here. RCP Singh, the newly appointed national president of ruling Janata Dal (United), or JD (U), has dismissed speculation about the future of chief minister Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun asserting itself as the biggest party of the grouping. In an interview, Singh insisted the government does not face any threats and issues among NDA alliance partners will be amicably resolved. Edited excerpts: How challenging is your new role given your party now has lesser lawmakers than the BJP? The confidence level is not low. The numbers do not always matter. The [Bihar assembly election] results have been below par due to a number of factors. We are analysing everything. JD (U) remains a party with strong footprints in Bihar as well as a few other states like Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand. It has a charismatic leader [Kumar], who works for inclusive development. We are working on strengthening the party further. Also Read: BJP lawmaker takes part in Covaxin trial in Patna The BJP poached your lawmakers in Arunachal and due to a wafer-thin majority in Bihar, there could be a threat to your government too... the Rashtriya Janata Dal still hopes to form the government... In Arunachal, the BJP had a majority on its own. But six of our lawmakers switched over apparently lured by power and prospects of getting posts. JD (U) had no alliance with the BJP there. Such a thing also happened in Nagaland. But these things will not make any difference to Bihar. Here NDA is old and both the BJP and the JD (U) have been together for years. Do you see any threat to the NDA government in Bihar? The NDA has the numbers. It also has the support of Independents and the Lok Janshakti Party. There is no threat to the government, which has started working on its promises. The opposition is daydreaming. The first priority for the government is free Covid-19 vaccination. Our state executive meeting is also scheduled for January 9-10, where we will reassess the organisational situation. A tall leader like Nitish Kumar, who walks the talk, makes a huge difference. Our leader has a reputation not only in the state but at the national level. That is a big advantage for the party to build on. People trust him not because he talks, but because he delivers. I have been with Kumar for 23 years and I know he is one who cannot compromise with his ideology and principles. Ideology is what makes a party. We have remained with our ideology all through. Why is there a delay in cabinet expansion...? The expansion will happen and there is no confusion. It is natural that the BJP being the larger party will have a larger share. The ministries have been allotted to all four constituents. ...it will happen at the right time. It is for all the alliance partners to decide who they want in the cabinet. ...Union cabinet [expansion] is the Prime Ministers prerogative. All parties want to have a bigger share. In a coalition, all sides need to respect each others sentiments. Why are 12 nominations to the legislative council stuck? The seats have been vacant since May 2020. [The issue] will also be resolved amicably. The opposition is unnecessarily trying to find fissures. Talks will happen in this regard soon. In the NDA, the relationship is built on trust. Who gets how many will be decided once talks get underway? Will JD (U) also contest elections in West Bengal and Assam? We do want to spread our footprints, but a decision in this regard will be taken on the basis of the reassessment by the partys state units. We do not want to fight just for the sake of it. We will like to fight to win. Wherever the organisational base is strong, the party will take feedback and accordingly decide. With so much importance placed on in-person learning, it seems unfathomable that Government missed the only opportunity to get the virus under control while keeping schools open. Now, we are facing at least three weeks of remote learning after repeatedly hearing schools are safe. How did we get here? In terms of public service, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has three core objectives: to prioritise in-person learning for primary and secondary students; childcare; and non-essential healthcare while protecting public health. These are the fundamental essential services we should be proud to protect as a society. It is obscene that some cities, like New York, for example, put inside dining ahead of schools. Operating in-class learning here was based around the necessity of keeping cases of the virus low in the community. International evidence backs this up. The most recent technical report from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) reiterates that the incidence of Covid-19 in schools appears to be impacted by levels of community transmission. In theory, this is partly achieved by everyone keeping their contacts low. It seems like a bit of a missed trick now that we didnt have a media campaign based around this message running over the last six months because there would have no doubt been a lot of buy-in from the public. It goes without saying that the Government staked its credibility on getting children back in their classrooms, with in-person learning operating under its level 5 plan. *Clears throat* ...and schools. Schools currently have the 2nd highest number of clusters/outbreaks in Ireland. Last week approx. 16% of all positive cases were aged under 18. While not all cases were associated with schools ANY scenario where children meet up presents risks. https://t.co/iVe3qexwv7 Olive O'Connor #StaySafe (@oliveblogs) January 2, 2021 At the beginning of October, Nphet warned proactive and robust measures needed to be taken to suppress the R number the number of people each confirmed Covid-19 case passes the virus on to to 1, via strict level 5 restrictions for four weeks. A graduated approach would not have sufficient or timely impact on the trajectory or scale of the disease, or protect the core priorities, ie school, childcare, non-essential healthcare," it said. This advice was later rejected and the country moved to level 3 restrictions with an emphasis on greater enforcement, personal responsibility, and sectoral responsibility. Read More Covid-19: Schools set to stay closed until January 31 On October 21, the country moved to level 5 restrictions. It certainly seems now that the acceleration of the easing of those restrictions was done far too quickly in December. What now? There is a fear among educators that confidence will be badly damaged by a second closure of schools, to the point where reopening again may prove difficult, especially given the unknowns surrounding the new variant of the virus. Students, teachers, and principals followed stringent safety measures, wrapped up in jackets while they kept every window in their school open, and successfully, for the most part, managed to keep the virus out of their classrooms. As we started to see before Christmas, when the virus starts to escalate in a community, it seriously threatens schools, their students, and their families. Large outbreaks in Glanmire and Killorglin saw schools shut, while Claremorris Boys National School in Mayo was directed to keep in-classroom learning going after more than 10% of its students tested positive for the virus within a number of weeks. Under the CDC's school decision-making indicators, Ireland's incidence rate and positivity rate mean we're at the "Highest Risk of Transmission in Schools" Pity there's no range of ways for schools to operate, dependent on level of risk#COVID19ireland https://t.co/fpQAiC6N8J pic.twitter.com/vG1C9uU44d Deirdre Gilhawley (@DeeGilhawley) January 1, 2021 Its also the opinion of those working in the sector that the repeated refrain of "schools are safe" rather than the more accurate "schools are a safer environment than other settings in the wider public but they are not risk-free" has not helped inspire confidence in the system. The hope is that we will see a different approach to school closures, one that sees vulnerable children protected. So, too, should a different approach to reopening be considered when it comes time to do so, one that takes into account blended learning for those who can. One thing that has been shown is that if we really are to prioritise in-person learning as a society, it comes at the cost of other personal freedoms, be it household visits, shopping, or socialising. It makes for unpopular decisions for a Government. [January 06, 2021] Amolyt Pharma Receives Orphan Drug Designation for AZP-3601 for the Potential Treatment of Hypoparathyroidism LYON, France and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amolyt Pharma, a global company specialized in developing therapeutic peptides for rare endocrine and metabolic diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to AZP-3601, the companys clinical candidate for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism. We believe the FDAs granting of Orphan Drug Designation to AZP-3601 reflects the agencys recognition that new and more effective treatment options are needed for this serious endocrine disorder, stated Thierry Abribat, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Amolyt Pharma. We are pleased to have recently dosed the first subject in our Phase 1 clinical trial, and we are committed to executing an efficient development program to diligently bring this promising therapeutic to patients. Orphan drug status is intended to advance drug development for rare diseases. The FDA grants ODD to drugs and biologics that are intended for the safe and effective treatment, diagnosis or prevention of diseases or disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. ODD provides certain incentives, such as tax credits toward the cost of clinical trials and prescription drug user fee waivers. If a product holding ODD receives the first FDA approval for the disease in which it has such designation, the product is entitled to seven years of market exclusivity, which is independent from intellectual property protection. About AZP-3601 AZP-3601 is a therapeutic peptide designed to target a specific configuration of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor in order to safely produce sustained levels of calcium in the blood and thereby manage the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism. The selective action of AZP-3601 through this distinct configuration of the PTH receptor is also intended to limit urine calcium excretion by stimulating calcium reabsorption by the kidney, consequently preventing chronic kidney disease. In addition, the unique receptor profile and short half-life of AZP-3601 are expected to preserve bone integrity, an important benefit since the majority of patients with hypoparathyroidism are middle-aged women often at increased risk of osteoporosis. About Amolyt Pharma Amolyt Pharma is building on its teams established expertise in therapeutic peptides to deliver life-changing treatments to patients suffering from rare endocrine and metabolic diseases. Its portfolio includes AZP-3601 as a potential treatment of hypoparathyroidism, AZP-3404, which is undergoing indication prioritization work, and AZP-38XX, a small peptide series under evaluation to select a development candidate for the treatment of acromegaly. Amolyt Pharma aims to further expand and develop its portfolio by leveraging its global network in the field of endocrinology and with support from a strong syndicate of international investors. To learn more, visit www.amolytpharma.com or follow us on Twitter at @AmolytPharma. At Amolyt: Media: Cherilyn Cecchini, M.D. LifeSci Communications ccecchini@lifescicomms.com +1.646.876.5196 Investors: Ashley Robinson LifeSci Advisors, LLC arr@lifesciadvisors.com +1.617.430.7577 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] PUNE A tanker carrying spirit used for making alcohol has been seized by the State Excise Department of Maharashtra on Wednesday morning. The seizure is worth Rs 36,30,160, according to excise department officials. The seizure was made at a time when the model code of conduct is in place for the gram panchayat elections, upcoming in the parts of the state. The arrested driver of the tanker has been identified as Pramodkumar Shamsundar Kushwaha (38), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, according to Prasad Surve, division deputy commissioner, Excise Department. He was intercepted in Kolewadi village, located along the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway stretch in Pune, after department officials sent a decoy customer to him. The truck was carrying the 25,000 litres in spirit, used to make products like alcohol, legally. However, he was found illegally withdrawing the spirit from the tanker into separate barrels. We arrested him based on a tip and we have been granted his police custody until January 12, said Surve. The excise department officials caught him while he was transferring the spirit from the tanker to a barrel, 200 litres in capacity. The officials found three barrels, 220 litres in capacity each; five barrels each with a capacity of 200 litres; a 25-foot long plastic pipe, and travel and transport documents for the spirit. The vehicle was heading from a factory in Vita, Sangli to Palghar. That transport was legal, said Santosh Zagade, Superintendent of Police, Pune, Excise Department. The excise department officials have seized the phone of the driver. GREENWICH U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal paid a visit Tuesday to the JHouse in Riverside to point to the benefits of federal stimulus packages, but he said small businesses across the nation need even more help during the COVID-19 crisis. We need another, more robust pandemic relief package, said Blumenthal, D-Conn. The JHouse, which includes a hotel, spa and restaurant, received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program in the federal CARES Act that Congress passed in March. And it is again eligible for federal funds under the stimulus package passed last month. I have been hearing it all over the state that the initial PPP assistance program was a lifeline, Blumenthal said after touring the JHouse. Ive heard that again and again and again. Ive heard that loan, which was converted into a grant, was a lifesaver. And that kind of comment reinforces my determination to do even more. The senator said he has made stops across the state to hear about the needs and challenges facing small businesses. Blumenthal said he would press for additional stimulus packages to help people and businesses as the pandemic continues. The package approved in December after much debate was only a down payment that could provide some relief for a few months, he said. Im very hopeful, Blumenthal said. Im very, very hopeful that my colleagues are hearing the same kind of comment I am, that the PPP program has been a lifeline, that the stimulus payments are working and unemployment insurance is essential. Touring the JHouse Blumenthal met with JHouse general manager Janice Perna-Nichols and Tony Capasso, who runs Tonys at the JHouse. The two have worked to sustain the business at a time when many are concerned about the safety of dining out and staying at a hotel. While the hotel never shut down, Tonys closed its indoor dining for eight weeks in spring and pivoted to takeout service. Both are open now, but there are far fewer leisure and business travelers. Perna-Nichols said they have maintained their market share because they are a boutique hotel with a smaller staff. During the pandemics peak in spring, Perna-Nichols provided rooms and food to front-line health care workers from Greenwich Hospital. Capasso even drove takeout orders himself. They saw a surge in business over the summer, with many visitors from the local area and New York City looking to get away for a few days for a staycation and use the outdoor pool. The dining room at Tonys can be used year-round because it has a retractable roof and heated floor. Capasso called the roof the reason were staying alive. We were very lucky with the roof, he said. We had it for a special wedding. We made the investment years back and now it looks like were brain surgeons. Operations are continuing at the hotel and spa, too. People come here still because they know they can get clean, well-maintained and sanitized rooms, Perna-Nichols said. We have a great staff and its a big attraction. People want to feel comfortable. But with virus rates on the rise again, they have concerns about the future. Additional help Blumenthal told Perna-Nichols and Capasso that they were eligible for additional help under the new stimulus package because they have seen a 25 percent drop in revenue over the last year due to the pandemic. This is targeted to small businesses, he said. We want to make it a priority for small businesses to get what they need. Blumenthal said Tonys has very impressively and innovatively dealt with the pandemic with its retractable roof. But he said he was concerned about other businesses in the state that are hurting. Without another stimulus package from the federal government in a few months, Blumenthal said he was afraid more restaurants and other businesses would not make it. Capasso said he was hopeful that as more people get vaccinated and the weather warms up, there would be a surge of residents looking to get out and have fun at places. In May, the world is going to bounce back like crazy, Capasso said. Thats what I pray. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com There were no casualties over the period under review. The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported four violations of the ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Tuesday, January 5. "In the past day, January 5, four ceasefire violations were recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation (JFO)," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 6, 2021. In particular, enemy troops fired grenade launchers of various systems and rifles near the villages of Hnutove and Vodiane. Also, the invaders used an anti-tank grenade launcher near the town of Avdiyivka, as well as rifles near the village of Pyshchevyk. Two ceasefire violations were recorded since Wednesday midnight. In particular, the Russian occupation forces fired proscribed 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems and a heavy machine gun near Vodiane. Read alsoUkraine finalizes prisoner swap listThere were no casualties over the period under review. The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Ceasefire Control and Coordination (JCCC). The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military. Donbas ceasefire: Background Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27. On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period. Reporting by UNIAN A much higher share of the American public believes that the U.S. government is lying about its knowledge of UFOs than telling the truth about the 2020 presidential election. How's that for credibility? The Big GovernmentBig TechBig Media machine that is invested in removing Donald Trump from office is so confident in its position that it keeps shouting, "There's nothing to see here," and every day, there's more and more to see. Data scientists with weighty reputations allege that over forty thousand votes for Trump were likely deleted or switched to Biden in Georgia, and they allege that over four hundred thousand votes were removed from Trump in Pennsylvania in addition to the commonwealth's inexplicable reporting of two hundred thousand more ballots cast than people who voted. In Wisconsin, the state Supreme Court has ruled that two hundred thousand votes were likely illegal but insists that none be purged until each ballot is individually investigated a remedy that makes it easy to cast a fraudulent vote but quite difficult for Wisconsin to remove it. These are just a few of the latest examples of 2020's election catastrophe. The number of fraudulent votes in play here is huge. A political class that devotes itself to the religion of science should be overwhelmed by the mathematical evidence for fraud in the 2020 election. Yet it turns out that even science can be discarded when it proves that Donald Trump won re-election. Americans are supposed to pretend none of this is real, forget everything they've seen, and accept a Biden presidency as legitimate. Meanwhile, former secretaries of defense have begun threatening Trump administration officials for contesting election fraud. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have eagerly joined Democrats to condemn Republican lawmakers for having the temerity to acknowledge increasingly clear proof of widespread vote manipulation in battleground states. And still no courtroom in the country has permitted any election dispute to be heard on the merits (despite the media narrative claiming otherwise). If truth were on the side of the government cabal "installing" Biden in the White House, wouldn't the installers welcome debate over the election irregularities for the whole country to see? Wouldn't rigorous examination of data anomalies dispel doubts about 2020? Why must the same people who insist that Biden won also work so hard to conceal the evidence that he did not? And if sunlight is still the best disinfectant for corruption, then why are judges, governors, and former defense secretaries all demanding darkness? Romney, Ryan, and other pro-Biden Republicans are so upset that anybody would dare challenge suspicious election results that they've deemed legislative debate "dangerous for democracy." If by "democracy" they mean "rule by the people," then it is quite peculiar that we must silence the objections of a hundred million or more American citizens in order to preserve the people's power. If half the country believes that the 2020 election was filled with so many voting irregularities and so much provable ballot fraud that nothing about it should stand, does respect for democracy demand that millions of Americans keep their mouths shut? Silencing the American public in order to preserve democracy sounds a lot like amputating a man's head so that his body stays healthy. Can it really be true that democracy requires elected representatives to ignore the voices of their constituents and to cease representing them? If so, defending democracy sure is a tricky business! Likewise, where were all these former secretaries of defense who now insist that fighting election fraud is a threat to democracy when our country was under attack from within these last four years? They never sounded worried for democracy when it was established that the Intelligence Community and FBI leadership spied on Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. They never expressed a belief that democracy was at risk when the former director of the CIA lied to the world for years about a Russia collusion hoax and accused President Trump of being a compromised asset of a foreign enemy. The FBI, the CIA, and politically biased special prosecutors nearly took down a sitting president, and the illustrious defenders of democracy said nary a word. To this day, those same paragons of virtue see nothing strange about Joe Biden using his office to collect checks from China and Ukraine, when a less esteemed onlooker might say Biden's family is severely compromised by foreign powers. Is democracy threatened if the future president is paid directly by communist China? Apparently not. Biden's financial quid pro quo with our nation's adversaries didn't bother democracy-lovers in D.C. in the slightest; what bothered them was the possibility that President Trump might effectively expose it before the 2020 election. They were so concerned about that possibility that fifty of them signed their names to the lie that the Biden family corruption was nothing but Russian disinformation. For former intelligence and defense officials concerned that the truth about Biden would ruin his presidential bid, the only way to protect democracy was to engage in a campaign of propaganda meant to influence the outcome of America's "free" election. When foreign nations meddle in our elections with disinformation, we call it an "attack," but when former intelligence chiefs and generals deliberately do so themselves, they are celebrated by the media as heroes. Protecting democracy sure does require a lot of anti-democratic fixes! When all these "democracy-defenders" demand that Americans smother their own common sense in the interests of preserving democracy, it sure seems that it is actually democracy they most fear. If millions of Americans reject the 2020 presidential election as the product of massive fraud, then how could the American people's demand for free and fair elections constitute anything but "democracy in action"? On the other hand, if a few hundred officials in D.C. insist on rejecting the concerns of the people, then aren't they abandoning any pretense of "government by the people" in favor of rule by an elite few? Of course they are. Democracy's biggest defenders in D.C. would be called oligarchs in any other country. When our D.C. oligarchs claim that something in the United States is a "threat to democracy," what they mean is that the institutions providing the oligarchy legal immunity and power over the people are in danger. Exposing and eradicating documented electoral vote fraud sustains healthy, democratic institutions, but exposing how corrupt the 2020 election was threatens the oligarchy's hold on those same institutions. Just as Marxist Democrats must enslave the people in order to set them free, the oligarchs ruling from D.C. must ignore the public's grievances in order to strengthen the "democratic system." It's an arrangement that can last only until enough Americans recognize it as the lie it is. It's also why fewer and fewer Americans believe anything our government has to say. Image via Max Pixel. Robots were made to make human life easier and has been doing so in the past, without the creepy AI that takes over the society as seen on science fiction movies, for in reality, these bots are basically machines that do the heavy lifting. CES 2021 is coming soon and there are exceptional machines that would officially launched, starting with the COVID-19 bot that disinfects. Something that disinfects and eradicates the disease but does not risk getting infected by the notorious various that has claimed millions of lives worldwide? Only a robot can do this and perform this function without the risk or fear of contracting COVID-19. Indeed, robots have been around since the early 1950s, with the aim and goal of helping humans with different jobs or types of labor that proved hard to the public without the help of machines. Also, the use of robots would replace the machines which still needs human intervention or control to operate, as these "intelligent" machines would have a mind of its own. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year would be different from its past iterations as it would be the first time the event would be held virtually, for everyone to watch and enjoy. CES 2021 would be held in Monday, Jan. 11, to Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, and would begin by 8 am EST. Read Also: 'Cyberpunk 2077' Johnny Silverhand Relationship: How to Raise Friendship to 70 Percent and Chippin' In Side Job Secret Ending! CES 2021: Robot LineupCOVID-19 Bots to Guinea Pigs The world is indeed evolving to the next-generation and technologically-advanced society which would soon heavily rely on robots for even home functions. According to CNet there would be various bots from COVID-19 Fighting robots to guinea pig emotion robot. COVID-19 Fighting Robots Coro-Bot Hills Engineering | South Korea The robot is designed to be an "antivirus disinfection robot" that would be autonomous and go around, say a hospital's COVID-19 ward, to disinfect the halls and stem the spread of the virus. The tech may be in time for the pandemic virus but would be beneficial for future use. LG UV Robot LG Robotics | South Korea According to LG, their disinfection bot would be unveiled on CES 2021, which would focus on UV disinfection to kill the virus using light. LG's UV robot is also autonomous and would focus more on crowded ares, especially the common places that can be touched. Emotion Expressing Robots Moxie Embodied, Inc. | Pasadena, California Moxie is the popular teal-colored robot with a cute face that is meant for children to interact with and develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Petite Qoobo Yukai Engineering | Japan The small version of the previous Qoobo robot, the Petite is a bot that has a tail and would run around the home. The Petite Qoobo aims to provide emotional assistance, also a kawaii (cute) product. Moflin Vanguard Industries, Inc. | Japan This fluffy pet guinea pig resembles a plush toy, but is a robot that would initially be like a newborn rodent that develops emotional attachment to its owner. After some time, Moflin would "learn" and also offer emotional assistance. Working Robots Smart Hive Controller Daesung | South Korea Replacing honey bees despite its size? That's Daesung's Hive Controller which aims to fill in the endangered status of the worker bees. It would also join CES 2021 for its official launch and showcase. Related Article: British Expert Will Send a Robotic Space Spider to the Moon in Summer 2021; First Rover with Built-In Wi-Fi This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Alonzo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Albany, N.Y. Just days after shame and threats from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the pace of Covid-19 vaccinations in New York hospitals has sped up. Hospitals in the state have been performing 10,809 vaccinations a day over the past three weeks. That increased to 31,157 shots over the last two days, Cuomo said today during a press conference in Albany. On Monday, Cuomo threatened hospitals with fines and the potential loss of vaccine allocations if they didnt use their doses fast enough. He called out the worst-performing hospitals in the state with a chart during his briefing. You have to keep it, Cuomo said of the improvement. We need hospital staff vaccinated and we need them vaccinated quickly. Vaccines so far are going to health care workers and nursing home residents. Oswego Hospital remains one of the best in the state at getting vaccines out quickly, according to new numbers Cuomo shared today. The hospital has used 100% of its vaccine allocations so far. A slide from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's press conference shows the percentage of Covid-19 vaccines the best- and worst-performing hospitals in the state have used.Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office Upstate Medical University in Syracuse was tied for eighth best in the state at 94% used. No Syracuse-area hospitals were among the slowest in the state. About 85% of hospital workers are accepting the vaccine statewide, according to a recent state survey, Cuomo said. That doesnt include doctors, who have an even higher acceptance rate. Vaccine supply from the federal government remains a problem, Cuomo said. The state is getting about 300,000 doses a week and has received a total of about 950,000 doses so far. That doesnt even cover half the 2.1 million health care workers and nursing home residents in the first phase of the distribution. When the next phase begins, eligibility will expand to essential workers like education employees, police officers, firefighters and transit workers and adults over 75 years old. There are over 6 million New Yorkers in those groups and it would take months to vaccinate them at the current pace of doses the state is getting, Cuomo said. The good news is other coronavirus vaccines are expected to be approved and companies are ramping up production. There are other vaccines coming online, Cuomo said. The supply will go up. It will probably be March or April before any vaccines are widely available to the general public, he added. But when they are, New York will have thousands of sites available to get them out. The state is organizing a network of pharmacies, doctors offices, local health departments and others who can give the shots. MORE ON CORONAVIRUS Coronavirus in NY: Cases, maps, charts and resources Syracuse restaurants closed in an orange zone beg Cuomo to let them reopen CNY woman tests positive for Covid, delivers healthy baby girl; now moms on life support 2021 Syracuse St. Patricks Parade canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic Complete coronavirus coverage on syracuse.com Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-05 22:44:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The global fight against COVID-19 faces an uphill battle as countries struggle to advance vaccination campaigns amid mounting cases with new virus strains reported in parts of the world. BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- With surging new cases and strict restrictions back in place, the global fight against COVID-19 has grown tougher after the Christmas and New Year holidays. As of Tuesday, global cases have reached 85,653,549 with over 1.8 million deaths, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. DIFFERENT HOLIDAYS The Christmas and New Year holidays, a time of family reunions, travel and shopping, have been overshadowed by a sustained record-breaking COVID-19 surge. COVID-19 infections in the United States hit a new grim milestone of 20 million on New Year's Day, an increase of 10 million cases in less than two months. A man wearing a face mask walks on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The CBSLA news channel reported that hospitals across the Los Angeles and other counties in Southern California had been stretched to their limits, as the county's seven-day daily positivity rate increased from 18.2 percent on Christmas Day to 21.5 percent on New Year's Day. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday that England will enter a national lockdown from midnight, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in the country. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday that the government is planning to declare another state of emergency for Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures as COVID-19 cases surge in these areas. An ambulance passes by the Christmas tree outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, on Dec. 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Han Yan) In cities from the Middle East to Latin America and Africa, New Year celebrations have been cancelled or suspended, and stricter lockdown measures re-introduced. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Dec. 27, 2020 ordered the cancellation of all New Year celebrations, while tighter lockdown measures were re-introduced last week in South Africa, including a ban on alcohol sales and gatherings as well as the closure of beaches. NEW COVID-19 STRAINS On Dec. 20, 2020, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that a new strain of COVID-19 was "out of control" in Britain. People walk along the Westminster Bridge in London, Britain, on Jan. 1, 2021. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua) By December 2020, the new variant had become the "dominant variant" in London, and by the week ending Dec. 9, 2020, it had accounted for 62 percent of cases in London, 59 percent of those in eastern England, and 43 percent in the southeast, according to Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser of the British government. Days later, two cases of another new variant of the virus were also identified in Britain. "Both are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks," Hancock said Wednesday. This new variant is "yet more transmissible" and the development is "highly concerning," he said. A notice telling COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available is pictured on the door of a pharmacy in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Nov. 25, 2020. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua) Meanwhile, another new variant of the coronavirus appears to have emerged in Nigeria, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier. So far, the new variants have been detected in Australia, Denmark, Italy, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada and Japan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and media reports. VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS Countries across the globe are planning mass vaccination campaigns, as experts suggest that no evidence has yet emerged that the new strains could affect the effectiveness of the potential vaccines. Staff members work at the entrance of a COVID-19 vaccination site in Berlin, capital of Germany, Dec. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) According to information released by the WHO on Dec. 29, 232 COVID-19 candidate vaccines are being developed worldwide, with 60 of them under clinical trials. The U.S. city of Houston is allowing those at high risk to schedule an appointment online to receive a free vaccination. In Germany, a total of 265,986 people have received COVID-19 vaccines as of Monday, the Robert Koch Institute said. Other countries, including Slovenia, Spain and Malta, have received their first batches of COVID-19 vaccines. The first batch of 3 million doses of China's SinoVac COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Turkey on early Wednesday. Workers unload a shipment containing boxes of China's SinoVac COVID-19 vaccine at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 30, 2020. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) On Dec. 10, 2020, Egypt received the first batch of a Chinese anti-coronavirus vaccine. The China-developed anti-coronavirus vaccine Egypt has received is effective, safe and easier to use, said Osama Abdel-Hay, secretary general of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate. (Video reporters: Wei Ying, Zhang Mocheng, Hu Yousong, Tan Yixiao, Liang Xizhi, Hua Yi, Guo Wei, Deng Min, Yang Yiran, Yu Fuqing, Jiang Lei, Lin Jing, Zhang Ruoxuan; Video editor: Zhao Xiaoqing) Etisalat Misr, Telecom Egypt and Vodafone Egypt will receive half of the acquired spectrum in the 2,600MHz band within the next three months, as all three operators push on with plans to upgrade connectivity services. Daily News Egypt cited a government official, who said the operators will receive the second block of spectrum within a year from Egypts National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). Telecom Egypt and Vodafone applied to acquire the 2,600MHz TDD spectrum in November, with the former stating a ten-year licence will aid in modernising infrastructure. The NTRA revealed Vodafone Egypt and Telecom Egypt spent a combined $1.17 billion for the airwaves, with the license to run through to 2030. Etisalat Misr reportedly outbid Orange Egypt at auction to claim a 2,600MHz spectrum licence with 20MHz bandwidth., reported TeleGeographys CommsUpdate. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. January 06, 2021 When planning to start a Texas business, the steps are similar to creating one in the United States. However, for starting construction work in Texas, licenses and permits needed are based on Texas. When starting a construction company in Texas, it is a bit simpler compared to the other states. However, you must understand and grasp the laws and regulations that govern it by doing proper research for you to succeed. Below are vital measures to undertake for you to start a construction company in Texas. Research the Texas construction market Start by doing market research to help you understand the competition in the market. Know how many construction companies are operating, what they do, how they price their services and know their loopholes. Understand who you want your customers to be and know their interests. Use different research methods such as questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand the market. Develop a concrete business plan Write a business plan that encompasses all the details of your business. Generate a quality idea for your business, know your target audience, research marketing trends, and identify available growth opportunities. The business plan needs to be very detailed to help you correctly structure your business. Your business plan should have details on how you plan to structure and manage your business, the services you will offer as a construction company, the number of employees to acquire, your marketing tactics, estimate cost for starting your business, and other important KPIs. You would also need to include what you intend to achieve in your first year of business and what you want to earn. Select the right business structure There is the creation of Interactions (News - Alert) in different forms such as sole proprietorship, general partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. It would be best to make a concrete decision regarding your business structure by consulting an attorney and an accountant. Take into consideration issues on tax, management, liability, ownership transferability, and formality of operations. To take you through the different forms: Sole proprietorship involves an individual engaging in a business activity without the necessity of having a formal organization. General partnerships involve two or more parties coming together and deciding to start the business for for-profit purposes. The company operates according to a partnership agreement. Limited Liability Company has both partnerships and corporation powers. A limited liability company is created in Texas by filing a formation certificate with the state's Texas secretary. The secretary of state will then provide you with a form that meets all the state of law requirements. The owners of the limited liability company are known as members. A member can be an individual, commercial entity, partnerships, or a corporation. Corporation involves shareholders and directors who manage the affairs of the corporation and businesses. In Texas, a corporation is created by filing a certificate formation with the texas secretary of state. Limited partnerships involve two or more people with one or more general partners and limited partners, forming it. It operates according to a partnership agreement, either oral or written. However, the limited partnership needs to register by filing a certificate of formation with the state's texas secretary. Limited liability partnerships involve limiting the liability of its general partners. After understanding the different forms of business structure, decide on one that best suits your company. Register business name After deciding on the business structure, register your business name. But first, decide on the character that suits your construction company. Do thorough research and ensure that another company has not reported the title you have chosen; finally, write the one you have settled with and register. Register your business To obtain a business license number, register your construction business with the texas department of revenue. Be it a legal entity, corporations, partnerships, or individuals all need to apply. It is also essential to obtain a sales tax permit. Obtain a license Get your license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. If your construction business deals with pump installations, plumbing, well drilling, or electrician jobs, you will need to acquire proper training for each license. For your construction company to obtain different permits, it would be best to contact the various departments in charge. Also, obtain city-county permission. Hire employees Hire employees who will help you run your business. Know their qualifications, track record, and their experience in the construction business to help you select the best. Create a website You would need to set up a website for your construction business. This website will help in marketing your business. It is a great platform for customers to acquire more information about your company, what you offer, and they can get your contacts. Ensure the website is keenly customized to attract customers. Acquire a construction software A construction certificate will help with the growth of your business in different forms. It will allow you to acquire great visibility and control over your business from leads, sales, and tasks through a single program. Through the software, you will create estimates, place orders of materials needed, empower your employees to complete tasks on time, and help you automate the system for easier workflow. Get insurance and Liabilities. Consider acquiring insurance for you and your employees. Construction work involves many risks, and acquiring insurance will ensure that you are covered from any potential injury. Any construction business owners need to understand all the liability involved fully. If you are considering starting a construction business in Texas, do thorough research on the available insurance and liability and choose which one will best suit your business. Acquire Necessary Funding It is a necessity to ensure you have money that you will use to fund your business. You can either use your savings or secure funding through private lenders, loans from banks or government, or government funding programs. There is a full list of sites on the USA government site where you can acquire loans; you can check it out. Construction business profit margins are always low. The construction billing circles are always almost irregular. It is vital to have cash flows for your business. Keep in mind to always think ahead and figure out how you will fund your projects. Enhance your Business Growth Understand that you, as a business, need to establish a good customer relationship, loyalty, and company reputation for a business to grow. Your goal needs to be for every project you complete and ensure you and your clients are on good terms. For you to establish this, be honest, and have an effective communication channel. Always ensure your clients know how long the projects would take and update them all through the process. In your contracts, have clear project timelines, payment terms, and estimates on work scope. All this should be in a written form for proof. When you become open and accountable with your clients, the more you establish a mutual relationship and hence the probability of more working projects together. Final Thoughts Starting a construction company in Texas is more like starting any other business, but the difference is the licenses issued. It is not always an easy process, but it can be rewarding. The closure rate for some construction companies in their first five years can be high. It is best to understand the market and your target audience, know your competition, and understand the market's loopholes. Getting the needed information will help you make a valuable decision. Start on a strong foundation and stay successful. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Western Australias mid-sized travel agents look set to go to the wall after a known flaw in the rollout of a $128 million federal government package will end up paying out less than the state governments $3 million contribution. After a bleak year of running at substantial losses of about $65,000 each, Attadale Travel owner Christine Ross and Global Travels Solution owner Jo Francis were absolutely ecstatic about the Commonwealth pledge, which offered them their last vestige of hope for survival going into 2021. WA travel agents Christine Ross, left, and Jo Francis say their businesses won't survive if the federal government doesn't urgently revise the roll out of $128 million in aid. It promised to ensure a mid-sized small business agent with a turnover of $5 million would receive about $50,000 to try and cover the expenses theyve already paid to date and to half make it through to next July. It's supposed to be measured on the size of your agency as the support level because the expectation is that you have greater overheads and number of staff and expenses, Ms Ross said. Odisha Lokayukta has asked its director of inquiry to find whether revenue secretary Bishnupada Sethi misutilised his power to reimburse the medical bills of his father and wife from Odisha State Cooperative Bank, where he was management-in-charge between 2013 and 2015. Lokayukta Ajit Singh ordered that the director of inquiry, Lokayukta, probes in 60 days if Sethi, an IAS officer of 1995 batch, was legally entitled to reimburse the medical bills of his father and wifes treatments from the state cooperative bank, while holding its additional charge. The Lokayukta also ordered that it be inquired if Sethi was entitled for receiving an honorarium out of the Banks net profit as its management-in-charge, in addition to his substantive post as the commissioner-cum-secretary, department of cooperation. The Lokayuktas directives came while responding to a petition by RTI activist Srikant Pakal. We are of the view that there is a serious dispute regarding entitlement of reimbursement of the medical bills and the drawing of the honorarium by the officer, the Lokayukta said in its order. Also Read: Odishas Chilika Lake logs its highest ever count with 11.42 lakh migratory birds Petitioner Pakal had alleged that the IAS officer had drawn lakhs of rupees from Orissa State Co-operative Bank (OSCB), Bhubaneswar during his tenure as the management-in-charge of OSCB in shape of incentives / honorarium / reimbursement of medical bill/orderly allowances and book grant etc. from the period February 2013 and till July 2015. He alleged that Sethi spent Rs 9.46 lakh towards the hospitalisation of his wife and father from the funds of Odisha State Cooperative Bank, in violation of the existing norms during his stint as secretary of the cooperation department. As Sethi did not work as a regular employee of the bank, he was not entitled to receive the honorarium from the profit of the bank as the same is only meant for the employees of the bank, the petitioner had contended. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has denied that it plans a mass disconnection of telephone subscribers. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the commissions spokesperson, Ikechukwu Adinde, on Wednesday. The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to numerous publications in both print and electronic media regarding the unfounded fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with the National Identity Number (NIN). It is therefore necessary for the Commission to issue this clarification in order to allay the fears of subscribers and the general public, it said. According to the statement, the minister of communication and digital economy, Isa Pantami, assured the government will continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences to ensure its smooth implementation. Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber. However, with the advent of social media and App-driven digital environment, network subscription went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, Wi-Fi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices. A recent survey conducted in Nigeria has shown that on average, there are now approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber. This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to 7 SIMs to 1 unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal. Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs. It is very important to emphasize that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIM(s) is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far reaching benefits. Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like National Budgeting, Policy Planning, Social Intervention programs and many more. The federal government recently directed mobile telecoms operators to disconnect all mobile lines which are not be linked to NINs. The directive has led to chaos as subscribers across the nation, who are yet to do so, scramble to resister for NIN before the deadline. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Jeroen Weimar of DHHS at a press conference in Melbourne, Australia on Oct. 14, 2020. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Victorians with Medical Issues To Get Priority as Thousands Wait to Cross NSW Border As thousands of Victorians scramble for exemptions to return home from New South Wales, the states COVID-19 Response Commander Jeroen Weimar has said people with genuine hardship reasons will be given priority. People who have urgent medical reasons, urgent medical appointments will get an exemption absolutely, and thats done very very quickly, he said at a press conference on Tuesday. There are up to 2,800 people awaiting approval to cross the NSW hard border with the Victorian government holding firm to strict measures as three more locally acquired CCP virus cases were reported. This brings the number of virus cases from the Melbourne suburb of Black Rock outbreak to 27. Weimar explained, the focus now is the hundreds of people experiencing huge family distress and major things such as medical reasons. We now need to focus on those with genuine hardship reasons, and well work with them as swiftly as we can, he said. Just 57 exemption requests have been granted to date. Another 153 cases were told they didnt need to apply as they were emergency workers or required urgent medical care. Jeroen said he expects to see a growing number of rejections in the coming weeks. Victoria Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 4, 2020. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) Weimars comments echoed those made by state Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neille in an earlier press conference on Jan. 5. She said the tough exemption process to pick up those who are facing the hardest hardship. She noted that the tough measures are to protect the low COVID-19 infections in the state, we dont want to go backwards. Victorians stranded across the NSW border was among the COVID-19 matters discussed by Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday night. Morrison said the federal government was willing to provide support to get a better pathway home for Victorians as soon as possible, he told 3AW on Tuesday. Neville said additional Department of Health and Human Services staff had been allocated to respond to the deluge of applications. However, she couldnt give a timeline for when the backlog to be cleared. Police officers patrol border checkpoint in Mallacoota, Australia on Dec. 29, 2020. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images) She said, The clear plan is to get back to those zero days as quickly as possible and hold it there. But she added what happens in NSW does have impact decisions made in Victoria . All three local cases are connected to the Buffalo Smile Thai restaurant in bayside Melbourne and linked back to Sydneys northern beaches cluster in NSW. The AAP contributed to this article. LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA SOWELAs Spring 2021 semester will begin on Tuesday, January 19. Due to the potential of increased exposure to COIVD-19 from holiday gatherings, the College will implement a Safe Start period during the first two weeks of the semester. During this two week Safe Start period, only virtual/on-line classes will be offered to help ensure the health and safety of SOWELA students, faculty and staff. Classes originally scheduled in the face-to-face format will resume on campus Monday, February 1. The first few weeks of the semester is an exciting and vital time for students. Virtual learning will help us facilitate critical instruction necessary to lay the foundation for coursework this semester. Those returning to face-to-face instruction on Monday, February 1, should plan to do so with COVID-19 protocol in place. Students unable to attend scheduled on-campus classes on February 1 should contact their instructors or dean. SOWELA will continue to offer laptops and hotspots to any student in need of technology equipment. Students can request equipment at www.sowela.edu/student-life/student-services/health-center/coronavirus/. For students needing to renew their laptops and hotspot devices, they can complete the following renewal form: www.stcc.formstack.com/forms/student_laptop_loan_renew. Prospective students still have time to enroll in the Spring 2021 semester. Those interested in registering can contact the One Stop Enrollment Office at onestop@sowela.edu or call (337) 421-6550 for information. Students should monitor the online learning management system Canvas and their SOWELA email for updates from instructors. Scientists are concerned the coronavirus could cause long-term damage to the brain and central nervous system, potentially leading to Alzheimer's in later life. US and UK-based academics are planning a large-scale global study to investigate the possibility SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, could lead to cognitive decline, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other forms of dementia years after infection. The full repercussions of brain-related problems caused by the coronavirus will not be fully understood for decades as survivors age but autopsies, mouse studies and data from other respiratory viruses are cause for concern, researchers warn. There is currently no evidence the coronavirus does cause Alzheimer's but it has been found the virus is able to invade the brain and scientists hope their global study can shed light on the issue. Scientists are concerned the coronavirus could cause severe long-term damage to the brain and central nervous system, potentially leading to Alzheimer's in later life (stock photo) 'Since the flu pandemic of 1917 and 1918, many of the flu-like diseases have been associated with brain disorders,' said lead author Dr Gabriel de Erausquin at the University of Texas. 'Those respiratory viruses included H1N1 and SARS-CoV. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is also known to impact the brain and nervous system.' The research will be carried out in conjunction with British-based experts at the University of Leicester and the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. The Spanish flu of 1918 was tied by scientists to a spike in brain afflictions such as sleep disruption, anxiety and psychosis, symptoms also seen in Covid patients. However, there is currently not enough data on how viruses impact on long-term cognitive health. Research from Harvard in 2012 and published in the journal Science Translational Medicine found a link between the flu and increased risk of Alzheimer's. However, a study by the University of Basel published in 2016 found flu is associated with neurological disorders but found no evidence of altered Alzheimer's risk. US and UK-based academics are planning a large-scale global study to investigate the possibility SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, could lead to cognitive decline, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other forms of dementia years after infection How coronavirus infects the BRAIN The coronavirus can reach the human brain after being inhaled through a person's nose and getting stuck in their nasal mucus, a study has found. It is the first known proof the coronavirus can infect the brain's neurons via the mucosal pathway. Throughout the course of the pandemic, it has become clear the coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, does not just cause respiratory distress but neurological issues as well. For example, one in three report symptoms such as loss of smell or taste, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. Scientists in Germany performed autopsies on 33 patients who died of Covid-19 and studied the mucus at the back of the nose above the mouth where the throat joins the nasal cavity as well as samples of brain tissue. Genetic material of the coronavirus was present in largest quantities in the mucus of the nasal cavity, but SARS-CoV-2's spike proteins which protrude from the virus and latch onto human receptors to infect the cells were also found in the brain. Dr Frank Heppner, co-author of the study from ChariteUniversitatsmedizin Berlin, says: 'Once inside the olfactory mucosa, the virus appears to use neuroanatomical connections, such as the olfactory nerve, in order to reach the brain.' Advertisement The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the researchers write, offers 'a unique if unwelcome opportunity' to learn more about how viruses damage the brain. Previous research has proved the coronavirus can cause delirium, strokes and even paralysis due to its impact on the central nervous system. However, Dr de Erausquin says the impact will not be limited to these short-term acute symptoms seen in hospitals and will likely manifest into chronic conditions. In the new report the study authors point out that intranasal administration of SARS-CoV-2 in mice results in rapid invasion of the brain. The virus has also been previously seen in the brain tissue of deceased patients. A study of 33 individuals by researchers at ChariteUniversitatsmedizin Berlin provided the first known proof the coronavirus can infect the brain's neurons via the mucosal pathway after travelling up the nose. The virus is also known to affect the sense of smell in many patients and it is thought it does this because the olfactory bulb in the brain which controls smell is rife with ACE2, the receptor which the virus latches onto in order to infect human cells. 'The basic idea of our study is that some of the respiratory viruses have affinity for nervous system cells,' said senior author Dr Sudha Seshadri, at the University of Texas. 'Olfactory cells are very susceptible to viral invasion and are particularly targeted by SARS-CoV-2, and that's why one of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19 is loss of smell.' Dr Erausquin adds that the virus invades the hippocampus via the olfactory bulb and this part of the brain is integral to memory and learning. He says this pathway is thought to be 'one of the sources' of the cognitive decline seen in some Covid patients. 'We suspect it may also be part of the reason why there will be an accelerated cognitive decline over time in susceptible individuals,' he adds. Writing in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, the researchers outline their study plan. Scientists in more than 30 countries will follow the lives of around 40,000 participants. It will compare people who had the virus with those who did not catch Covid-19 and is being initially funded by the US-based Alzheimer's Association. The first batch of results are not expected until 2022. Dr Richard Oakley, from the UK-based Alzheimer's Society told MailOnline: ''People with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus pandemic so it's vital we understand any potential long-term connection between the virus and dementia. 'It's worrying to note that the authors suggest this could potentially affect someone's risk of developing dementia in later life - we are very pleased to see the WHO and global research community including Alzheimer's Society funded researchers, coming together to investigate this. 'At this stage we don't yet know if and how the virus may affect brain function in the long-term, but the studies proposed by this world-leading group of researchers will help shed light on this clearly important issue.' A couple who invited a close friend to stay with them when her arranged marriage broke down has revealed how they formed a polyamorous throuple with her just weeks after she moved in. Entrepreneurial husband and wife Sunny and Speetie Singh, from Indianapolis, are childhood sweethearts who met in India before settling in the US together, eventually tying the knot in 2003 in a traditional Indian ceremony. Six years later, Speetie, 36, attended the wedding of family friend Piddu Kaur, 31, whose marriage had been arranged by her parents and quickly broke down, ending in divorce just months after she tied the knot. Unique: Married couple Sunny and Speetie Sing have revealed how they formed a polyamorous throuple with friend Piddu Kaur after her arranged marriage broke down Family: The Indiana-based throuple, who have been together for ten years, are raising four children together (pictured) Bond: Piddu, 31, went to stay with Sunny and Speetie after her divorce, and she quickly formed romantic feelings for Speetie, 36, with the two beginning a physical relationship Sunny, 40, and Speetie invited Piddu to stay in their home after she relocated from California to their hometown of Indiana in an attempt to move away from her ex-husband, who she says only agreed to marry her because of pressure from his parents - and because her parents promised to gift him a Mercedes. Not longer after she moved in with the couple, Piddu formed a close emotional and physical connection with Speetie - who had been in a relationship with another woman before she moved to America at age 18 to be with Sunny. Evolution: Sunny, 40, embraced the idea of welcoming another woman into his marriage and the trio decided to form a throuple In their first year of marriage, Speetie had hesitantly opened up to Sunny about her same-sex relationship, something that he insisted he was perfectly fine with. And after he began to form his own feelings for Piddu, the couple decided to welcome her into their relationship. What was meant to be a one-week stay for Piddu in their home has since become a decade-long polyamorous relationship for the trio, who are still living together and raising four children together as a throuple. Sunny and Speetie already had two daughters together, Cookie, 16, and Kissie, 15. Since starting their relationship, the throuple have had two more children together, with Speetie giving birth to their third girl Toska, nine, before Piddu had their youngest named Bab, four. 'We've been a triad for more than ten years and we love it,' Speetie said. 'Sunny and I were teenage sweethearts. Having been born in [Punjab], he moved to [New York] with his parents [when he was eight]. 'We ended up writing back and forth for years and eventually ended up happily married. Early days: The throuple (pictured in the early days of their relationship) began their romance ten years ago, and have lived together ever since Work: Although they insist that they are blissfully happy together, the trio admits that they have had to work hard to overcome feelings of jealousy and insecurity Structure: They have rules to minimize their jealousy, which include intimate time having to involve all three partners or none at all, no secrets between them, and no separate date nights Ritual: On New Year's Eve, the trio even burned envelopes containing their biggest insecurities 'When Piddu came into our lives, she was going through a divorce immediately after her marriage. 'The marriage had been arranged by the elders of the family and just like me, she had migrated from her home in India to the US to be with her husband. Piddu and I hit it off right away. 'Our endless conversations, crying on each other's shoulders and laughing and dancing nonstop to high beats brought us closer in no time. 'Our attraction wasn't just emotional, we were clearly into each other and soon had our hands in each other's [panties]. 'Sunny was ecstatic to have found another partner to share ideas with and fulfill his fantasies with too. 'Within the first month of her landing in our home, it was clear none of us wanted Piddu to leave. 'The kids were instantly accepting as Piddu is so naturally empathetic and caring.' However it has not all been smooth sailing for the throuple, with Speetie admitting that it took her years to overcome her feelings of jealousy and insecurity - as well as her fears that Sunny could eventually leave her for Piddu, despite him insisting that it was his dream to be with two women. Brood: When Piddu moved in with Speetie and Sunny, the couple had two daughters, and the throuple have since welcomed two more children, one born to each woman Special: 'Within the first month of her landing in our home, it was clear none of us wanted Piddu to leave,' Speetie recalled Emotional: The mother-of-four added that her eldest daughters happily welcomed Piddu into the family because she is 'so naturally empathetic and caring' Jet set: The throuple delight in traveling around the world as a family - and even returned to their homeland of India on a recent vacation (pictured) In order to make their relationship last, the trio has implemented rules to minimize feelings of jealousy, which include intimate time having to involve all three partners or none at all, no secrets between them, and no separate date nights. With their families coming from a traditional Indian background, the throuple have also been forced to cut ties with some extended family members who were unable to understand their decision to form a throuple. And while men tell Sunny he is the 'luckiest or unluckiest man in the world,' since he has double the number of partners in the bedroom, some offer their pity over the fact that he has to deal with twice the 'trouble'. 'Being in a unique setup has helped us grow immensely and we understand our emotions better every day,' Speetie explained. 'It has taken us years to outgrow jealousy and insecurities yet each fight has brought us closer. 'Despite them both showering me with love, I often used to hear an insecure little voice in my head saying, "What if she steals Sunny from me and runs away?" and I reacted in fear of this by being a b***h to Piddu. 'The purity in her heart still melts my heart. She's a true goddess and a giver. 'A few family members and old friends felt uncomfortable or drew lines in the sand and said that they couldn't deal with us unless we separated. So we did. We separated from those people. Backlash: The trio all come from strict Indian families, and admit that they have been rejected by several relatives who do not approve of their unconventional romance Go your own way: 'A few family members and old friends felt uncomfortable or drew lines in the sand and said that they couldn't deal with us unless we separated,' Speetie revealed Celebration: The throuple marked their ten-year anniversary on New Year's Eve (pictured) 'We get all sorts of confused stares when we are out in the world. Most are curious about exactly how we work. 'Many assume at first that we're just in it for the sex until they realize we've been together for longer than many marriages last. 'Most men either say Sunny is lucky or pity him having to deal with twice the "trouble" and women want to know more about how it all works, especially in the bedroom.' Joy: 'It's truly magical and beautiful to be able to share our immense love with each other and our four children,' Speetie said On New Year's Eve 2020, the throuple decided to celebrate ten years of being together by performing a ceremony in which they wrote down the insecurities that they had felt in the past, sealed these in envelopes and then put them on a fire. The throuple have shown that polyamorous relationships can survive the test of time and hope that the upcoming decade will prove just as fruitful for them as the one just gone. 'As we discover companionship and fall in love with each other more, we don't forget to count our blessings,' Speetie said. 'It is definitely possible to love more than one person. This is the life we love to live. 'Being loved and supported so fully by more than one person makes us feel like the world is our playground. 'We have all come to understand the difference between the weather and storms of temporary emotion and cultivating the larger climate of peace and love in our relationship. 'It's truly magical and beautiful to be able to share our immense love with each other and our four children.' New Delhi: Information Technology major Wipro on Friday said it has strengthened its security measures at all its office locations after receiving a second threat email, but there was no impact on the company's operations. "Wipro confirms that it has received a second threatening e-mail.... There is no impact on the company?s operations," the?company said in a statement here.However, Wipro did not specify the nature of the threat. Additional Commissioner of Police Hemant Nimbalkar confirmed reports that someone for the second time had sent an e-mail demanding Rs 500 crore in bitcoin and threatened a bio-attack on employees. "This is the second time Wipro has received the threatening mail. An anonymous sender is demanding Rs 500 crore in bitcoin and threatening a bio attack on employees," he said. Earlier last month, Wipro had said it had received a threatening mail from an unidentified source and filed a complaint with the local law enforcement authorities After that threat mail, the company had augmented security at all its office locations. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Epidemiologists consider it necessary to carry out strict quarantine from January 8 to January 24, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday. "After the New Year holidays, we will have an increase in the incidence, which will increase the burden on the medical system. Also, starting from the third week of January, the incidence of influenza will increase, we expect a peak incidence in mid-February. Epidemiologists consider it necessary to carry out a strict quarantine from January 8 to January 24 in order to bring down the wave of morbidity and get through until spring without introducing strict quarantine," the minister said. "Every day Ukraine records 5,000-7,000 cases of morbidity, about 200 people die. More than 23,000 patients stay in medical institutions, more than 10% of which are seriously ill. The number of seriously ill patients is increasing," he added. Stepanov also stressed that business is ready for a tough quarantine and understands its importance. Bidar : , Jan 6 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan, which is considered to be the birthplace of 12th century poet and social reformer Basaveshwara. Addressing the gathering here, Yediyurappa said that whenever he commits anything to anyone, he fulfils it and the construction of the modern Anubhava Mantapa at a cost of Rs 500 crore is one such commitment. "I had assured this project will be taken up and today I am fulfilling it. It is done with the blessings of Lord Basaveshwara. I come from the land of our beloved saints Akka Mahadevi and Allamma Prabhu and with their blessings, I became the Chief Minister of the state," he said. Yediyurappa further said that he firmly believed in the philosophy propagated by these saints of equality and equal opportunities. "Our sharanas (saints) have taught us about equality and they were the first to identify the need of the world's first parliament (Anubhava Mantapa)," he explained. The CM added that the burning zeal of Basava to place religion on a democratic basis, his love for God and his untiring energy in serving humanity added to the glory of Anubhava Mantapa. He said that the Anubhava Mantapa in those days placed more emphasis on evolution by change of mind rather than dictating the terms of change. Recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted the role of Anubhava Mantapa while laying the foundation stone for the new Central Vista project last month, Yediyurappa said that he intends to invite Modi to inaugurate this building after two years. "I have taken steps to release Rs 200 crore for this project already. Tender modalities are being worked out and once they are finalised in the next couple of weeks, we will invite the tender," he said. He added that the progress of the project will be monitored by Basavaraj Patil Sedam. Former Rajya Sabha member Sedam is a veteran BJP leader and RSS pracharak since 1954, who has served as the BJP state unit president. The Rs 500 crore six-storey mini-parliament, Anubhava Mantapa, will be built on 25 acres of land and will have a 770 seating capacity conference hall while the underground hall would accommodate 1,000 people. The structure will also have a 100 feet huge 'Linga' constructed on a lotus shaped gopura (tower). The Anubhav Mantaps will be spread across 7.5 acres of land and it will be 182 feet in height and 2,884 sq metre wide structure. The entire structure will be erected on 770 pillars. The project will be built using cements and marbles. The Linga placed on the top of the tower will also be built using cement. Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Kwasi Opoku Amankwa has warned all schools, particularly private schools, not to coerce any pupil or student to undertake a COVID-19 test before coming back to school. Pupils at Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High School (JHS) students, in both private and public, will be back to school on Friday, 15th January 2021 after long months of stay in the house. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced this in his 21st update on COVID-19 on Sunday, January, 3. Also, all SHS 1 students will begin classes on 10th March, starting with students embarking on a single-track academic calendar. SHS 2 and SHS 3 students will also return to school on 18th January. In an interview with sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on 'Kokrokoo' on Peace FM, Prof. Opoku Amankwa stated that there is currently no law banning students who haven't tested for COVID-19 from going to school, hence there should be no pressure for them to undergo a test. He noted that it is only the Ghana Health Service that has the mandate to determine whether or not there should be testing before school reopening. "We plead with them not to make any such order because it is the duty of the Ghana Health Service. If they introduce a law that we must test before school reopening, then we do that. So, no one should prevent any student from coming to school for not undergoing a test. The law doesn't permit it," he cautioned. Watch video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Dre has sent a message of thanks from his bed at the intensive care unit at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where he is being treated for a brain aneurysm. The rapper and record producer, who is 55, suffered the aneurysm on Monday and was rushed to the hospital, according to TMZ. On Tuesday night, Dre took to Instagram to post an artfully composed black and white picture of himself behind a mixing desk in the recording studio, together with a message of appreciation. 'Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes. I'm doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals at Cedars. One Love!!', he wrote. On Tuesday night, Dre took to Instagram posting a picture of himself behind a mixing desk in the recording studio together with a message of appreciation Dre thanked his 'family, friends and fans' for their good wishes. He assured followers that he was receiving excellent care from his medical team and hoped to be out of hospital soon Doctors say they don't know what caused the bleeding but are performing a series of tests to uncover the cause. High blood pressure is the leading cause of a subarachnoid hemorrhage and heavy lifting or strain can cause the aneurysm to rupture. The rapper born Andre Young is considered among hip hop's most influential figures, having risen to commercial fame with the groundbreaking gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A. before crafting the quintessentially West Coast G-Funk sound. Dr Dre is in the ICU after suffering a brain aneurysm which he confirmed on Tuesday night The rapper and record producer, who is 55, suffered the aneurysm on Monday and was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, pictured (file photo) Doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center say they don't know what caused the bleeding but are performing a series of tests to uncover the cause Dr Dre was pictured last week shortly after Christmas alongside comedian Chris Rock Dre is the master behind the careers of greats including Snoop Dogg who wrote on Instagram 'Get will soon Dr Dre we need you cuz,' on Tuesday night Snoog Dogg also shared another video of the rappers being chauffeured around together The master behind the careers of greats including Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur and Eminem became a self-proclaimed billionaire after co-founding Beats Electronics, an audio products company purchased by Apple in 2014. News of Dre's hospitalization triggered an outpouring of well wishes on social media including from fellow rappers, with N.W.A. co-founder Ice Cube, tweeting: 'Send your love and prayers to the homie Dr. Dre.' 'GET WELL DR DRE WE NEED U CUZ,' wrote Snoop Dogg on Instagram. LL Cool J, a rapper who came up in the same era as Dre, tweeted that the music magnate was 'recovering nicely.' The megaproducer also co-founded the Beats by Dre empire with Jimmy Iovine and helped launch and run Death Row Records. After coming up with N.W.A., Dr. Dre's debut album, The Chronic in 1992, made him a music superstar. The Compton, California, native later branched out to become a music mogul worth nearly $1 billion. Missy Elliot took to Twitter to offer good will: 'Prayers up for Dr. Dre and his family for healing & strength over his mind and body' Football quarterback Robert Griffin III tweeted his prayers for Dr. Dre and his family Actor and former professional football player Terry Crews tweeted his prayers Rapper LL Cool J imparted news that Dre was 'recovering nicely' in the hospital American basketball player Isaiah Thomas also tweeted his prayers Fellow N.W.A. member Ice Cube took to Twitter to offer good will: 'Send your love and prayers to the homie Dr. Dre,' he wrote Rap legend Dr. Dre, shown here attending Ice Cube's Walk of Fame ceremony in June 2017, was reportedly hospitalized with a potential aneurysm Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is pictured, late on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Music producer and hip hop legend Dr. Dre is hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai after suffering a brain aneurysm Monday His trip to the hospital comes amid a mushrooming Covid-19 crisis in the Los Angeles area as well as Dre's high-profile divorce proceedings with his longtime partner Nicole Young who recently filed to legally end their marriage on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. She is seeking nearly $2million in monthly spousal support payments and $5 million for attorney fees from Dre's estimated $1 billion business empire. Dre currently pays his ex $293,306 per month through a court order. He had already been paying Young's living expenses and moved out of their Malibu estate. As a result, a judge threw out her request. Dre is currently in the middle of a messy divorce and is attempting to work out a settlement with his estranged wife Nicole Young who is looking to receive $2 million a month from him Dr Dre and his wife Nicole Young are pictured on their 22nd anniversary. They are divorcing The divorce revolves around a prenuptial agreement she had reportedly signed in 1996. Young believes the paperwork should be rendered null and void after Dre allegedly ripped it up one night as a romantic gesture. After being accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Record One Studios, a company she co-founded with Dre, Young hit back with accusations of cheating and abuse. On Tuesday she revealed her husband of 24 years has more than $260 million in cash on hand, plus a large amount of Apple stock, which she claims is more than enough for him to pay her what she wants. A hearing was supposed to happen on Wednesday but Dre will still be in the hospital recovering. 'Nicole moved out of the family residence in or about March or early April 2020,' said Dre in his 189-page court filing. 'We continued to speak, socialize and to see each other thereafter... for our wedding anniversary on May 25 2020, Nicole invited me to dinner at my Malibu residences where she was living. I accepted this invitation.' Pictured: The former couple during their intimate 20-person wedding on May 25, 1996 Dr. Dre is pictured at Snoop Dogg's star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 19, 2018 Last week, revelations about the couple's post-split night of passion - plus a private, emotional email from Nicole accusing him of cheating on her - were revealed in his declaration to Los Angeles Superior Court, in which he vehemently denies Nicole's claim that he abused her during their 24-year marriage during which time they had two children, a 23-year-old son Truice and a 19-year-old daughter Truly. 'Nicole moved out of the family residence in or about March or early April 2020,' said Dre - real name Andre Young - in his 189-page court filing. 'We continued to speak, socialize and to see each other thereafter. 'While Nicole now says she was afraid of me, for our wedding anniversary on May 25 2020, Nicole invited me to dinner at my Malibu residences where she was living. 'I accepted this invitation. We celebrated our anniversary and we had dinner together and I spent the night with her. She was not and is not afraid of me and her allegations to the contrary are pure fabrication created post-divorce filing. 'Her recent assertions of fear or abuse and having been coerced or controlled by me are not supported by any evidence other than her say-so and are not credible to anyone who has ever encountered my wife or seen us together.' He added: 'We celebrated our anniversary and we had dinner together and I spent the night with her. She was not and is not afraid of me and her allegations to the contrary are pure fabrication created post-divorce filing.' Dre is asking the court to forbid 50-year-old Nicole from testifying to 'such alleged, unsubstantiated abuse.' And, he added in his declaration, 'At no time did I ever abuse Nicole or threaten her physical safety. At no time were the police ever called during our marriage. There were never any domestic violence claims made by Nicole during our marriage. 'There is no documentary evidence of any alleged abuse. There are no texts, no emails, no photographs, no place reports, no domestic violence filings, no documents whatsoever and no witnesses to these offensive allegations. Dr. Dre, 55, has filed a prenuptial agreement stating that he and his estranged wife Nicole Young, 50, will keep all their own property 'Nicole's fabrications at this time are appalling and nothing but an effort to attempt to obtain more money than that to which she is entitled.' Nicole in turn has accused Dre of 'rampant and repeated marital misconduct' and she has filed legal documents wanting to know if he had fathered a child outside their marriage. She also named three of his alleged mistresses - singer Jillian Speer, model turned skin care entrepreneur Kili Anderson and Crystal Rogers, aka Crystal Sierra, known as the 'Queen of Latin hip-hop' - and asked a judge to subpoena them as witnesses in the divorce trial. In his new declaration to the court, Dre addresses Nicole's cheating accusations, revealing the contents of an emotional email she sent him the day she filed for divorce, June 29 2020, in which she wrote, 'In my heart and my gut, I know that you are with other people. 'I'm sure I don't have to tell you the incredible amount of hurt and pain I am in knowing you are not faithful.' Pointedly, in the new court documents, Dre does not deny cheating on Nicole. Instead, his lawyer, Laura Wasser, argues that her infidelity claims against him are not proof that he abused her. In his new declaration to the court, Dre addresses Nicole's cheating accusations, revealing the contents of an emotional email she sent him the day she filed for divorce, June 29 2020, in which she wrote, 'In my heart and my gut, I know that you are with other people' Nicole said she filed for divorce because she believes he was unfaithful. 'Nicole makes no mention of or even alludes to domestic abuse in any shape or form.Nicole cannot use allegations of alleged infidelity as a substitute for documented evidence of domestic violence.' During their separation, Dre has been paying Nicole $293,000 a month in support. But she is asking the court to force him to pay her almost $2 million a month, plus another $5 for attorney fees, claims Wasser calls 'exorbitant and outrageous.' 'Andre has paid every expense associated with the Malibu beach home he owns that Nicole has been living in since they separated,' said Wasser. 'Andre has paid every dime she has charged on multiple credit cards (to the tune of $100K to $300K a month). Decades together: The rap producer married Young in 1996, after she was married to NBA player Sedale Threatt. She filed for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences in June; seen in 2001 'Andre has paid every bill she has presented..And yet, Nicole has the temerity to suggest she has been essentially 'homeless', all the while living in Andre's 8,800 square-foot, multi-million dollar beach front home in Malibu, driving a Range Rover with every living expense incurred paid. 'Given the state of the world and the real hardships and real financial havoc wreaked on millions due to Covid-19, Nicole's assertions are tone deaf and offensive at best and are simply false.' Wasser also reasserted Dre's claim that Nicole had 'embezzled' more than $350K from one of the rap star's companies. 'While Nicole falsely claims in her declaration that she has no money to pay her expenses, she fails to tell the court that after she filed for divorce, she embezzled a total of $385,029 from Andre's separate property recording studio business,' the attorney added. 'Nicole has refused to account for said monies.' A declaration filed by Dre from his certified public accountant claims that his ex only spends the still-enormous sum of $293,306 per month; seen in February with daughter Truly Young (L) Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Washington girded for the volatile final act of the Trump presidency on Wednesday, as President Trump unwilling to cede the limelight or his fantasy of victory transforming a moment of Democratic triumph into a day of defiance by summoning supporters to his backyard for an airing of grievances. We will never give up. We will never concede. It doesnt happen, Mr. Trump told a gathering of die-hard fans at the Ellipse behind the White House on Wednesday essentially foreclosing any possibility he might opt for a conventional path from power. In a fitting bookend of his presidency filled with bravado and falsehood, Mr. Trump spoke at length about the size of the crowd gathered to greet him much as he obsessed over the turnout of his inauguration four years ago. And he continued to keep up his pressure on his own vice president, Mike Pence, who has rebuffed his attempts to block the certification in Congress of President-elect Joseph R. Bidens election on Wednesday in his role as the Senates presiding officer. Characterized by COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the year 2020 recorded low-key operations of many governmental, commercial and social activities. Nevertheless, throughout the year, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) had been actively engaged and pre-occupied with a lot of public-oriented national engagements. Far from any ranking, preference or chronological chronicling of antecedents, below are some of what might be considered as major achievements recorded by the Federal Ministry of Justice, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in the year 2020 despite the lockdown. In January, 2020 Nigerias Federal Executive Council approved the memo for the repatriation of looted funds of over $300m from the United States and Island of Jersey. The task was assigned to the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN. The Office of the AGF assiduously worked and ensured the repatriation of three hundred and eleven million, seven hundred and ninety-seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty-six point one-one dollars ($311,797,866.11) of the Abacha loot from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey. Already, the government of Nigeria has committed that the assets will support and assist in expediting the construction of three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria, namely: The Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Abuja Kano Road, and the Second Niger Bridge. The Federal Government has already approved the engagement of Civil Society Organisation for to monitor the implementation of the application of the recovered assets. This is in line with the Open Government Partnership, UNCAC and 2020 Trilateral Agreement with Nigeria, United State of America and Bailiwick of Jersey. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice recorded the following successes, relating to lingering imbroglio between the Federal Government and Process and Industrial Development Limited: a) Securing an order for stay of execution of the arbitral award. b) Challenging and changing the order for cash deposit of $200m to bank guarantee. c) Success was equally recorded for having an order for the extension of time to challenge award and agreement. d) Nigeria was successful as the court award payment of legal cost of 1.5m in favour of the country against P&ID. e) Award of payment of 70,000 to Nigeria as further legal cost relating to the issue. f) Nigeria obtains multiple positive rulings to obtain information from banks abroad which helped in establishing fraud. Through the dogged determination of Nigerian legal team lead by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigeria got relieved of $1.5b liability and gains $660,000 arbitration cost in the dispute with Interocean Oil Company. The US-Based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute headed by Professor William Park ordered InterOcean to pay the Federal Government of Nigeria Six-hundred and sixty thousand one hundred and twenty nine United State Dollars and eighty seven cents (USD 660,129.87) as reimbursement of its share of the arbitration costs incurred in the proceedings. The Tribunal also absolves the Federal Government of Nigeria from any liability maintaining that Nigeria did not breach any of its obligations in the contract agreement with Interocean Development Company and Interocean Oil Exploration Company. The Nigerian Justice Sector is obviously not immune from the effects of the pandemic. The necessity to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus has led to, among other things, a nationwide closure of court rooms (save for certain exceptions). Hence, the office of the AGF saw the urgent need for paradigm-shift to adjust the judicial process to make for recovery of lost grounds occasioned by the lockdown. One major lesson from COVID-19 is that the Nigerian Justice Sector must seriously leverage technology in the improvement of its capacity and for facilitating fair and speedy administration of justice. Acting in compliance with the extant laws including the provisions Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act 2004, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN set up and inaugurated Inter-Ministerial Asset Disposal Committee. The Committee was given six months to discharge its mandates. Malami, inaugurated members of the National Arbitration Policy Committee charging to come out with a comprehensive policy that will, among other things, ensure that domestic transactions originating and terminating in Nigeria are arbitrated in the country. The Office of the AGF also established an electronic National Depository of Treaties that will serve as the depository of all treaties entered into between the Government of the Federation and any other country of any Ministry, Agency or Department. This is in line with Section 4 of the Treaties (Making Procedure, Etc.) Act Cap. T20 Laws of the Federation (LFN) 2004, which domiciled the National Depository of Treaties in the Federal Ministry of Justice. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN saw to the signing of Presidential Executive Orders which he said aimed at complimenting the existing legislations and ensure inter-agency coordination in the process of implementation. Signed into law in 2020 was Executive order No.10 for the implementation of Financial Autonomy of State Legislature and State Judiciary Order, 2020. Also signed into law by the President was the Executive Order number 8 of 2018, amendment 2019 on the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS). Speaking on Executive Order 10 on the Autonomy of State Legislature and Judiciary, Malami pointed out that Executive Orders were for ensuring constitutional compliance, complementing existing legislations, ensuring and enhancing operation, enforcement and application of the provisions as well as providing necessary supervision required for the enforcement. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice recorded tremendous breakthrough in securing conviction, under the new anti-piracy legislation at the Federal High Court siting in Port Harcourt. Within the year, the Office has successfully prosecuted and secured 3 high profiled convictions under the Terrorism Prevention Act before the Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri. It is on the record that through the instrumentality of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice personally led the prosecution of suspected international fraudsters at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The suspects were allegedly involved in frauds running into millions of Euros on the pretext of providing Covid 19 Personal Protection Equipment to Germany and Netherlands. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice saw to the inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Gender Based Violence Management Committee. The Office is supervising the review of all the existing laws, providing a comprehensive and appropriates support services to ensure that victims and survivors of sexual offences are not subjected to further stigmatization and trauma among others. As the Chairman of the 78th Session of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Laws UNIDROIT General Assembly, Rome; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami said during his tenure significant progress was made in respect of substantive projects and institutional improvements despite COVID-19 pandemic situation. He said remarkable progress has been recorded in the implementation of the 2019 adopted Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on matters specific to Mining, Agricultural and Construction (MAC) Equipment. No fewer than twenty-five civil society organizations have expressed appreciation over the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malamis efforts that culminated into the successes recorded in the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhamadu Buharis administration. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN said the Federal Government is working round the clock to ensure that Nigerian legal system reflects nations existence in view of dynamism and contemporary realities. Generally speaking, we are not only changing/amending the obsolete laws, but coming up with new ones that are dynamic, that can stand the taste of time and that factor in dynamics associated with developments in technology and otherwise. We will ensure that all laws that deserve to be reviewed are reviewed. It may be recalled on September 10th, 2020 the Minister inaugurated members of the 9th Commission of the Nigerian Law Reform urging them to be guided by the rules and regulations as provided by the Section 2 & 8 (1) of the Act. The Minister asked them to ensure that all the rules and regulations relating to management of the human, material and financial resources of the Commission are adhered to in accordance to the objectives of the Federal Government, as contained in Section 8(1) (c) of the Act. As part of measures to decongest the Custodial Centres nationwide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dangers posed to the centres, the Committee in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, State Executives and other relevant stakeholders, have been able to release over 7000 inmates. It is however, noteworthy that the releases were carried out in line with specific guidelines approved by Mr. President in view of national security and public interest. ADVERTISEMENT Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN received and treated thirteen thousand seven hundred and seventy two mails received from Thursday 2nd January, to Friday 18th December, 2020. The break down shows that the Minister received and treated a total of four thousand six hundred and seventy nine mails from Government agencies, while five thousand two hundred and eighty one mails were received from law firms as seven hundred and fifty six civil society organization sent in their letters while the remaining three thousand and fifty six were received from individuals. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN said the Consolidated Federal Capital Territory Courts Sentencing Guidelines and Practice which was signed by the Chief Judge of the FCT, as a product of collaboration efforts in Correctional Centres reform programs, will accelerate decongestion of Correctional Centres nationwide. President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has again appointed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN as a member Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Presidential Power Initiate. In compliance with Section 3 of the Assets Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations (2019), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,SAN formally launched the Central Database on Recovered Assets. Also introduced was the Central Criminal Justice Information System under Pillar 1 of the provisions of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2017-2021). There have been several positive reports about Nigerias justice system. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Courte, Hague, Fatou Bensouda says I have repeatedly stressed my aspiration for the ability of the Nigerian judicial system to address these alleged crimes. We have seen some efforts made by the prosecuting authorities in Nigeria to hold members of Boko Haram to account in recent years, primarily against low-level captured fighters for membership in a terrorist organization. The 2020 Report of the Committee to Protect Journalists says Nigeria no longer among countries where crimes against journalists go with impunity. Nigeria is the only that gets out of the list of the country where crimes against journalists go with impunity. The report of a survey conducted by the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP) tagged Nigeria: Anti-Corruption Social Norms Report 2019 Breaking-down the statistic, the report shows that 56.7 per cent of Nigerians surveyed responded positively that they are optimistic the Federal Government of Nigeria is capable of reducing or ending corruption in the country which is a clear indicator of the confidence Nigerians have in the Federal Governments anti-corruption fight. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice actively participated in the Digital Eco-System Steering Committee to bring about a new Data Management Act for Nigeria. The draft bill is at advanced stages of finalization. Proposed Laws under this category included the Electronic Evidence Act, Digital Data Management Act, Electronic Banking Act, among others. Efforts have reached advanced stage for Electronic Transactions Act which is the resuscitation of the Electronic Transactions Bill currently in the National Assembly. With the increasing need to ensure prompt and effective management of legislative agenda of government, the Attorney General of the Federation worked with the leadership of the National Assembly to set up a joint coordinating committee for review of bills. The committee aimed to proactively avoid delay in responses to bills and to ensure prompt assent to bills that improve the economy and address security and infrastructure challenges in the country. The year 2020 has come and gone. The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice recorded tremendous successes and indelible imprint in the development of the country which many individuals, organizations and institutions appreciated. Nobody wants to buy notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's real estate. The convicted criminal's grand, 28,000-square-foot townhouse in Manhattan's tony Upper East Side has undergone a $23 million price cut, sources told the Wall Street Journal. The seven-story, French Neoclassic mansion was originally listed for $88 million in July. The price has since been reduced by about 26%, to a still hefty $65 million. Epstein was found dead in prison in 2019. The money earned from the sale is to go to the disgraced financier's alleged victims, who filed claims against his estate. COVID-19 dealt New York City's luxury market a blow. Many wealthy residents left the city, choosing to ride out the pandemic in second or third homes in the Hamptons or other vacation destinations. The number of contracts signed were down 31% in 2020 for Manhattan properties priced at $4 million or above, according to luxury real estate brokerage Olshan Realty's end-of-year market report. The average price drop was 12%. Real estate broker Donna Olshan believes the Epstein mansion was well-overpricedand chopping off $23 million could help it to sell. She believes it will eventually sell in the low $50 millions. "In New York, it's not uncommon to see sellers ask for fantasy prices," says Olshan. "It's obviously more appropriately priced now." But she doesn't think the stigma associated with Epstein will tarnish the value of this property. That's due to its sheer size and exclusive location. (It's 50 feet wide in a city known for limited square footage.) It could remain a private residence or become an embassy, consulate, or even art gallery, she theorizes. "It all really comes down to price," says Olshan. Epstein's opulent former townhome has a pedigreed past. It was commissioned by Macy's department store heir Herbert N. Straus on one of Manhattan's most prestigious blocks on East 71st Street, between Fifth and Madison avenues. It was completed in the 1930s. In the mid-1940s, the home became an extension of the St. Claire Hospital. Then it was transformed again in the early 1960s, reincarnated as the Birch Wathen School. It last changed hands in 1989 for $13.2 million, according to realtor.com data. Epstein's sprawling Palm Beach, FL, mansion, where he abused many of his underage victims, is expected to meet the wrecking ball. A real estate developer was to purchase the Palm Beach mansion on the water, a mile away from President Donald Trump's club Mar-a-Lago, last year, according to the Journal. The developer told the paper he planned to tear it down and erect a 14,000-square-foot, Art Moderne mansion on the site. The post No One Wants It: Jeffrey Epstein's New York City Townhouse Undergoes $23M Price Cut appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. On Monday morning, a British judge finally rejected the U.S. attempt to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and jail him forever (or at least for 175 years in a high-security supermax prison) on the grounds that he is, as Joe Biden once called him, a high-tech terrorist. The vindictiveness of the American security establishment toward whistle-blowers is awesome to behold. Opinion On Monday morning, a British judge finally rejected the U.S. attempt to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and jail him forever (or at least for 175 years in a high-security "supermax" prison) on the grounds that he is, as Joe Biden once called him, a "high-tech terrorist." The vindictiveness of the American security establishment toward whistle-blowers is awesome to behold. The U.S. government has worked quite hard to get around the natural British reluctance to extradite a non-American non-resident to the United States for a political crime. Washington says Assanges sentence would "probably" be only four to six years (but theres no guarantee that it wouldnt turn out to be 10 times that once he was on American soil). The American prosecutors also tried to make their desire to get their hands on Assange look non-political by charging him with a civil crime (conspiring to hack into a Pentagon computer network), but he also faces 17 charges under the Espionage Act for soliciting and publishing confidential information. Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. army intelligence analyst who gave WikiLeaks that spectacular dump of 725,000 classified cables from American embassies a decade before, was jailed again for eight months in 2019-20 in an attempt to force her to incriminate Assange (she had already served four years of a 35-year sentence and then been pardoned by Obama in 2016.) Manning held out under huge pressure, accumulating US$1,000 fines for each day she refused to talk, and was finally released in March 2020 after attempting suicide. The fines still stand, however, and she is now bankrupt and owes the U.S. government $256,000. Vindictive is definitely the word, and Judge Vanessa Baraitser at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) in London had to work quite hard to thwart the U.S. governments campaign to get its hands on Assange. She found a way, in the end. She ruled that while the American prosecutors had met the legal criteria for Assange to be extradited to the U.S. for trial, their request was denied because the U.S. authorities could not prevent him from attempting to take his own life. He has effectively been in solitary confinement for the past eight years, and his psychological state is too shaky to survive back in solitary (as he certainly would be) in a U.S. prison. Assange now goes back to Belmarsh prison in London, and back to solitary confinement because the COVID-19 pandemic is raging at Belmarsh. But his application for bail will probably be granted later this week. Hes not completely out of the woods yet, since the U.S. government undoubtedly will appeal, but Judge Baraitser probably based her decision on health grounds because a higher court would be less likely to reverse it. In the meantime, Assange can be at home for the first time ever with his partner (whom he met while taking political asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy) and his two young sons. The road of the whistle-blower is long and lonely (Edward Snowden, who alerted the world to the scale of the U.S. global electronic surveillance operation in 2013, is still in exile in Russia), but such people are among the few protections we have against the misdeeds of the overweening security state. Daniel Ellsberg, celebrated for his theft and publication of the "Pentagon Papers" detailing the U.S. governments crimes in Vietnam, put it best: "The American public needed urgently to know what was being done routinely in their name, and there was no other way to learn it than by unauthorized disclosure." Julian Assange is firmly in that tradition. His accusers trot out the usual allegation that the confidential material he published endangered peoples lives, but if that were true, you would certainly have heard those peoples names and details by now. His revelations about the U.S. militarys misdeeds in Iraq were as valuable as Ellsbergs about Vietnam. Few who saw it will ever forget the video in which the crew of a U.S. Apache helicopter over Baghdad machine-guns innocent civilians while saying things like "Oh yeah, look at those dead bastards," and "Its their fault for bringing their kids into battle." There are aspects of Assanges private life that still cast a shadow, such as two charges of sexual assault (now dropped) against women in Sweden. But it is also the case that serious attempts were being made to discredit Assange and WikiLeaks even before the famous 2010 dump of the U.S. embassy cables, and in any case his private life and his professional behaviour are separate issues. So take a moment to honour Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. They have earned it. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One while departing from Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec. 31, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Alleges Voter Dump After Georgia Election Official Announces Pause in Vote Counts As Georgia election officials on Jan. 5 announced a pause in vote counts in Chatham County, President Donald Trump stated that a big voter dump was being set up against GOP candidates Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and David Perdue in the Senate runoffs. Chatham Countys Board of Elections Chairman Tom Mahoney said the night of Jan. 5 that election workers at the countys elections annex who were processing absentee ballots had been sent home for the night and would return the following morning. Election workers in Fulton County would also resume counting votes in the morning, while a reported technical issue was causing a delay in DeKalb Countys vote count, meaning some 19,000 ballots would be manually scanned to be tabulated and added to the total vote count. Looks like they are setting up a big voter dump against the Republican candidates. Waiting to see how many votes they need? Trump responded to the news in a Twitter post. In another tweet, he said: Just happened to have found another 4000 ballots from Fulton County. Here we go! Why are they stopping the vote count in Democrat Chatham county, Georgia? This sounds familiar! added White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Shortly after, Gabriel Sterling, the voting systems implementation manager for the Georgia secretary of states office, pushed back against swirling allegations of potential misconduct, stating that Chatham County didnt just stop. They completed the counting of everything they have in. That includes Election Day, Advanced, & all of the absentees they had in. The last left will be the absentee by mail that came in today, Sterling, a top official working out of Brad Raffenspergers office, said on Twitter. Voters cast their ballots in Georgias Senate runoff elections at a Fulton County polling station in Atlanta on Jan. 5, 2021. (Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters) Georgias two runoff elections will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Loeffler was facing pastor Raphael Warnock, while Perdue was challenged by Jon Ossoff. Both Warnock and Ossoff are Democrats. As of early Jan. 6, the runoff race was too close to call, but Warnock gave what appeared to be a victory speech, saying he had proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible. Loeffler told supporters that there was still a path to victory, adding, Were going to win this election. Trumps remarks alleging a voter dump in the state echo a message on Dec. 23, in which he urged Americans to stop the theft of the presidential election, alleging vote spikes during the Nov. 3 election. In a video statement to the nation last month, he noted how on the night of Nov. 3, he was leading in swing states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. However, vote-counting stopped abruptly in the early hours of the next day, and a series of massive and statistically inconceivable vote dumps in the middle of the night overturned the results, he said. These gigantically ridiculous one-sided spikes were miraculously just enough to push Joe Biden into the lead in all of the key swing states. These glaring anomalies are just the tip of the iceberg, he said. Meanwhile, an analysis conducted by the Voter Integrity Project of The New York Times publicly reported data on the day of the election that showed several vote spikes that had unusually high Biden-to-Trump ratios, according to a report from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro. Such spikes or surges could well indicate that fraudulent ballots had been counted, the report states. Janita Kan and Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report. Time once more for the annual list of shows we farewelled, either at their own hand or the network. In 2020 a number of shows (some of them very good) announced that COVID / travel restrictions inhibited their future to such an extent that they decided to call it quits. And some attributed their demise to COVID impact despite not performing well before it was ever a thang The Aussie list is always short due to a reluctance by networks to clarify their future. Australian: Between Two Worlds, Celebrity Name Game, Dancing with the Stars (10*), First Dates, Plate of Origin, The Daily Edition, The Force, The Loop, Toasted TV International: AJ & the Queen, Altered Carbon, Away, Castle Rock, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Cops # Doctor Foster, Drunk History (US), Emergence, GLOW, God Friended Me, Harlots, Hawaii Five-0, High Fidelity, I Am Not Okay With This, Insatiable, Interrogation, Just Tattoo of Us, Katy Keene, Knightfall, Live PD, Messiah, Mindhunter, neXt, Next in Fashion, October Faction, On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Our Girl, Party of Five, Plebs, Project Blue Book, Ray Donovan, Reprisal, Room 104, Run, Siren, Spinning Out Superstore, Take Me Out (UK), Tell Me a Story, Teenage Bounty Hunters, Terrace House Tokyo, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Magicians The Outsider, The Purge, The Society, The Venture Bros., Timewasters, Turn Up Charlie, Utopia (US), Very Cavallari, Vida, V-Wars Final season confirmed (yet to screen): Jack Irish After Life, Atypical, Better Call Saul, Bosch, Dead to Me, Doc Martin, F is for Family, His Dark Materials, Judge Judy, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Last Man Standing, Lost in Space, Money Heist Ozark, Shameless (US), Supergirl, The Crown, The Expanse, The Kominsky Method, The Walking Dead, Tosh.0 * renewed by Seven. # production has recommenced for international markets. This post updates. Related The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. NORWALK The Board of Education will be examining the districts first expansive social media policy for school staff after a draft was approved by the Policy Committee. On Tuesday night, the BOEs Policy Committee approved a nine-page social media policy created with Stamford-based legal firm Shipman and Goodwin that covers permissible social media use for district employees, clarifies the definition between a personal and professional account and outlines consequences for inappropriate use. The proposal will now move to the full board for discussion and possible approval in what could be the first in-depth social media policy for Norwalk Public Schools employees. Attorney Tom Mooney, who helped craft the policy, said the intention is to remain really hands off when it comes to employees personal social media in order to protect free speech, but sets guidelines when it comes to using social media for work-related activities. Theres an intersection of the concerns of the school district with the constitutional rights of employees, Mooney said. We want to make sure people act appropriately but the First Amendment gives them the right to do different things we may not approve of. ... The social media policy were recommending here only focuses on the impact, not on the content. While extensive, the new policy specifies it does not intend to limit an employees right to use social media or personal online accounts, but intends to address inappropriate use across any platforms that allow for the sharing of content. This includes content that is derogatory, discriminatory and abusive, creates a hostile work environment or breaches confidentiality obligations of school employees. The policy also addresses hot-button topics like friending students and their parents (which is a no unless there is already a personal relationship between the two), the use of crowdfunding sites and the line between personal and professional communications. Mary Yordon, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, said the union had a chance to review the policy and, while there were some concerns about how it would be communicated, they felt it was an overall good idea. Compared to the early iteration, theres been a good deal of improvement, Yordon said. The committee has worked carefully and well. Its important to have a policy on social media presence for teachers and theyve come up with a policy thats reasonable in many respects. Policy Committee Chair Heidi Keyes said, should the full Board of Education approve the policy, they would want to do outreach to principals to make sure its communicated clearly to staff. Its really a safeguard for everyone, she said. The Policy Committee first broached the topic early last month, looking at a template policy from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and their own current guidelines. The district currently has a policy for student social media use which was passed in 2013. The policy has a line addressing employees of Norwalk Public Schools, saying any public communications that interferes with the districts mission, insults a student or staff, violates anyones confidentiality and hurts the districts reputation is prohibited. The new proposed policy policy gives the BOE the right to monitor all employee use of district computers and other electronic devices, including employee blogging and social networking activity, but employees do not have to give supervisors access or authentication to their accounts unless it is one provided by the board. Employees also do not have to accept friend requests from their supervisors. It also states employees must receive permission from their supervisor to use social media for school programs, classroom activities or extracurricular activities and related communications. Employees should use board-issued accounts for this. Staff members should keep any social media pages for school purposes closed to members only, though they should remain accessible to parents. Any employee using a site for school fundraising can only do so after submitting a written application for approval. The policy specifies these accounts should be used for educational purposes, not political or financial ones. erin.kayata@hearstmediact.com LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE: GBX) ("Greenbrier"), a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets, today reported financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2020. First Quarter Highlights Liquidity of $810 million , including $725 million in cash and $85 million of available borrowing capacity. Combined with $150 million of additional initiatives in progress totals $960 million . , including in cash and of available borrowing capacity. Combined with of additional initiatives in progress totals . Diversified new railcar backlog as of November 30, 2020 was 23,900 units with an estimated value of $2.35 billion , including orders for 2,900 railcars valued at approximately $260 million received during the quarter. Deliveries in the quarter were 3,100 units, representing a nearly 1.0x book-to-bill. was 23,900 units with an estimated value of , including orders for 2,900 railcars valued at approximately received during the quarter. Deliveries in the quarter were 3,100 units, representing a nearly 1.0x book-to-bill. Net loss attributable to Greenbrier for the quarter was $10 million , or $0.30 per diluted share, on revenue of $403 million . , or per diluted share, on revenue of . Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $23 million , or 5.8% of revenue. , or 5.8% of revenue. Board declares a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on February 16, 2021 to shareholders as of January 26, 2021 representing Greenbrier's 27 th consecutive dividend. per share, payable on to shareholders as of representing Greenbrier's 27 consecutive dividend. Board extends $100 million share repurchase program through January 2023 . William A. Furman, Chairman & CEO commented, "Greenbrier remains focused on sustaining a high level of liquidity and carefully managing our manufacturing footprint in order to continue to generate operating cash flow. Consistent with these goals, we ended the quarter with a strong cash position while meaningfully lowering our debt during the quarter. Our prior cost reduction initiatives, combined with inventory and syndication activity, produced solid cash flow in the quarter. Although a challenging operating environment persists at least through the first half of fiscal 2021, our $2.35 billion backlog provides a baseload for our manufacturing operations and visibility into forward production requirements. We will continue to adjust our manufacturing footprint based on our outlook, while also ensuring we do not constrain our ability to scale capacity as demand increases. New order inquiries continue as rail traffic increases and velocity declines. This positions us well for the market improvements we expect later in calendar 2021. Finally, our strategic actions over the past two years, particularly the acquisition of ARI in the U.S., have delivered results. We have reduced our costs and secured our positon as a market leader on three continents, especially in our core North American market." Business Update & Outlook Greenbrier continues to operate safely and efficiently as we execute our COVID-19 response plan. Protecting employees within the work environment remains our top priority. Community spread is increasing in many areas requiring continued vigilance. Greenbrier maintains a low incident rate of COVID-19 among our employees by adhering to CDC-recommended preventative and remedial actions across the company. We also take instant action to prevent spread at the first signs of any infection. In light of the consequences of the pandemic and an associated economic downturn, preserving the financial health of Greenbrier is imperative. Maintaining cash flow and liquidity are essential components of Greenbrier's current operating strategy. We have been very successful in this regard. Our diversified $2.35 billion backlog provides a baseload of activity as we gain greater visibility into customer needs as the year unfolds. Greenbrier's scale and capabilities have significantly broadened since the Great Recession, a little more than a decade ago. Our backlog today is more than five times larger than it was as of the end of 2010. Our stronger market position is reflected in our share of North American industry railcar orders in the first nine months of calendar year 2020 and in the diverse types of railcars we are building. In Europe, broad macroeconomic reforms to address climate change are ushering in an era of modal shift for freight as the continent moves from polluting and congested road travel to clean and efficient rail service. This should generate significant market growth in the years to come. Regulatory-driven freight wagon demand in Europe supplements the increase in commodity-driven and replacement freight wagon demand that typically gathers momentum in a recovering economy. On three continents, Greenbrier is well-positioned for both the present and the future with a strong balance sheet and a streamlined manufacturing footprint that we can scale as our markets return to higher demand levels. Financial Summary Q1 FY21 Q4 FY20 Sequential Comparison Main Drivers Revenue $403.0M $636.4M 45% fewer deliveries due to weak demand environment Gross margin 10.1% 10.5% Fewer deliveries partially offset by operating efficiencies in NA Manufacturing Selling and administrative $43.7M $46.3M Continuing cost reduction initiatives result in lower employee-related and discretionary expenses Adjusted EBITDA $23.2M $55.7M Lower operating earnings Effective tax rate (55.5%) 21.3% Tax benefit from favorable discrete items related to foreign currency fluctuations Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest ($3.3M) ($7.8M) Lower profitability because of fewer deliveries at GIMSA joint venture Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier ($10.0M) $5.5M(1) Lower gross margin reflecting fewer deliveries partially offset by income tax benefit and lower selling & administrative expense Adjusted diluted EPS ($0.30) $0.16(1) (1) Excludes expense of $5.6 million ($0.16 per share), net of tax and noncontrolling interest, associated with ARI integration related expenses and severance expenses. Segment Summary Q1 FY21 Q4 FY20 Sequential Comparison Main Drivers Manufacturing Revenue $308.7M $549.7M Fewer deliveries reflecting weak demand environment Gross margin 9.0% 9.4% Operating efficiencies from cost reduction initiatives partially mitigate lower production rates Operating margin (1) 3.1% 5.4% Lower gross margin partially offset by lower selling & administrative expense Deliveries (2) 2,700 4,900 Wheels, Repair & Parts Revenue $65.6M $64.8M Increased scrap pricing partially offset by continued volume pressure Gross margin 3.9% 6.0% Volume pressure and operating inefficiencies from weak demand environment Operating margin (1) (0.3)% 1.3% Leasing & Services Revenue $28.7M $22.0M Higher externally sourced syndication activity and lease income Gross margin 35.8% 53.2% Externally sourced syndication activity reduces gross margin % although generating positive gross margin dollars; Excluding this activity, gross margin % was 47.5% Operating margin (1) (3) 20.5% 29.7% Lower gross margin partially offset by lower selling & administrative expense Fleet utilization 93.3% 90.4% (1) See supplemental segment information on page 10 for additional information. (2) Excludes Brazil deliveries which are not consolidated into manufacturing revenue and margins. (3) Includes Net gain on disposition of equipment, which is excluded from gross margin. Conference Call Greenbrier will host a teleconference to discuss its first quarter 2021 results. In conjunction with this news release, Greenbrier has posted a supplemental earnings presentation to our website. Teleconference details are as follows: January 6, 2021 8:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time Phone: 1-630-395-0143, Password: "Greenbrier" Real-time Audio Access: ("Newsroom" at http://www.gbrx.com) Please access the site 10 minutes prior to the start time. About Greenbrier Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America. Greenbrier Europe is an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business with operations in Poland, Romania and Turkey that serves customers across Europe and in the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Greenbrier builds freight railcars and rail castings in Brazil through two separate strategic partnerships. We are a leading provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, repair, refurbishment and retrofitting services in North America through our wheels, repair & parts business unit. Greenbrier offers railcar management, regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and related transportation industries in North America. Through unconsolidated joint ventures, we produce industrial and rail castings, and other components. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of 8,400 railcars and performs management services for 407,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com. THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, unaudited) November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 May 31, 2020 February 29, 2020 November 30, 2019 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 724,547 $ 833,745 $ 735,258 $ 169,899 $ 253,602 Restricted cash 8,547 8,342 8,704 8,569 8,648 Accounts receivable, net 240,668 239,597 261,629 326,229 313,786 Inventories 490,282 529,529 675,442 709,115 733,806 Leased railcars for syndication 51,087 107,671 136,144 255,073 135,319 Equipment on operating leases, net 445,542 350,442 355,841 385,974 396,187 Property, plant and equipment, net 696,333 711,524 719,155 723,326 730,730 Investment in unconsolidated affiliates 72,254 72,354 75,508 79,082 85,141 Intangibles and other assets, net 186,509 190,322 181,315 160,709 162,089 Goodwill 130,315 130,308 130,035 129,684 129,468 $ 3,046,084 $ 3,173,834 $ 3,279,031 $ 2,974,660 $ 2,948,776 Liabilities and Equity Revolving notes $ 276,248 $ 351,526 $ 416,535 $ 37,196 $ 29,502 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 434,138 463,880 488,969 499,898 527,789 Deferred income taxes 10,120 7,701 4,354 9,173 9,417 Deferred revenue 36,916 42,467 63,536 70,869 59,657 Notes payable, net 797,089 804,088 806,919 811,860 817,830 Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest 30,711 31,117 30,611 30,782 31,723 Total equity Greenbrier 1,280,407 1,293,043 1,291,221 1,286,472 1,281,808 Noncontrolling interest 180,455 180,012 176,886 201,410 191,050 Total equity 1,460,862 1,473,055 1,468,107 1,487,882 1,472,858 $ 3,046,084 $ 3,173,834 $ 3,279,031 $ 2,947,660 $ 2,948,776 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 2019 Revenue Manufacturing $ 308,722 $ 657,367 Wheels, Repair & Parts 65,556 86,608 Leasing & Services 28,711 25,384 402,989 769,359 Cost of revenue Manufacturing 280,890 581,912 Wheels, Repair & Parts 62,984 81,892 Leasing & Services 18,444 13,366 362,318 677,170 Margin 40,671 92,189 Selling and administrative 43,707 54,364 Net gain on disposition of equipment (922) (3,959) Earnings (loss) from operations (2,114) 41,784 Other costs Interest and foreign exchange 11,103 12,852 Earnings (loss) before income taxes and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (13,217) 28,932 Income tax benefit (expense) 7,332 (5,994) Earnings (loss) before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (5,885) 22,938 Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates (744) 1,073 Net earnings (loss) (6,629) 24,011 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (3,343) (16,342) Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ (9,972) $ 7,669 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.30) $ 0.24 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.30) $ 0.23 Weighted average common shares Basic 32,723 32,629 Diluted 32,723 33,284 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.27 $ 0.25 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 2019 Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings (loss) $ (6,629) $ 24,011 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Deferred income taxes 2,338 (6,515) Depreciation and amortization 26,046 29,335 Net gain on disposition of equipment (922) (3,959) Accretion of debt discount 1,419 1,350 Stock based compensation expense 4,435 3,157 Noncontrolling interest adjustments (1,271) 1,736 Other 560 (391) Decrease (increase) in assets: Accounts receivable, net (6,377) 58,488 Inventories 13,404 (69,662) Leased railcars for syndication 6,222 (13,132) Other assets 2,224 (37,304) Increase (decrease) in liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (27,257) (47,421) Deferred revenue (5,521) (10,012) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 8,671 (70,319) Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sales of assets 8,691 27,463 Capital expenditures (38,604) (23,216) Investment in and advances to/repayments from unconsolidated affiliates 4,526 (1,500) Cash distribution from unconsolidated affiliates and other 488 4,452 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (24,899) 7,199 Cash flows from financing activities: Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less (9,738) 2,399 Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days 110,000 - Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days (175,000) - Repayments of notes payable (8,908) (9,749) Debt issuance costs - (4) Dividends (9,180) (343) Cash distribution to joint venture partner (2,810) (4,531) Tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock (2,337) (1,870) Net cash used in financing activities (97,973) (14,098) Effect of exchange rate changes 5,208 981 Decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (108,993) (76,237) Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Beginning of period 842,087 338,487 End of period $ 733,094 $ 262,250 Balance Sheet Reconciliation: Cash and cash equivalents $ 724,547 $ 253,602 Restricted cash 8,547 8,648 Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as presented above $ 733,094 $ 262,250 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, excluding backlog and delivery units, unaudited) Reconciliation of Net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Net earnings (loss) $ (6,629) $ 7,691 Interest and foreign exchange 11,103 10,596 Income tax expense (benefit) (7,332) 2,306 Depreciation and amortization 26,046 27,398 Severance expense - 5,919 ARI integration related costs - 1,750 Adjusted EBITDA $ 23,188 $ 55,660 Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 Backlog Activity (units) (1) Beginning backlog 24,600 Orders received 2,900 Production held as Leased railcars for syndication (700) Production sold directly to third parties (2,900) Ending backlog 23,900 Delivery Information (units) (1) Production sold directly to third parties 2,900 Sales of Leased railcars for syndication 200 Total deliveries 3,100 (1) Includes Greenbrier-Maxion, our Brazilian railcar manufacturer, which is accounted for under the equity method THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) Operating Results by Quarter for 2020 are as follows: First Second Third Fourth Total Revenue Manufacturing $ 657,367 $ 489,943 $ 653,007 $ 549,654 $ 2,349,971 Wheels, Repair & Parts 86,608 91,225 82,024 64,813 324,670 Leasing & Services 25,384 42,680 27,526 21,958 117,548 769,359 623,848 762,557 636,425 2,792,189 Cost of revenue Manufacturing 581,912 422,309 562,793 498,155 2,065,169 Wheels, Repair & Parts 81,892 84,373 75,001 60,923 302,189 Leasing & Services 13,366 30,830 17,232 10,272 71,700 677,170 537,512 655,026 569,350 2,439,058 Margin 92,189 86,336 107,531 67,075 353,131 Selling and administrative expense 54,364 54,597 49,494 46,251 204,706 Net gain on disposition of equipment (3,959) (6,697) (8,775) (573) (20,004) Earnings from operations 41,784 38,436 66,812 21,397 168,429 Other costs Interest and foreign exchange 12,852 12,609 7,562 10,596 43,619 Earnings before income tax and earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates 28,932 25,827 59,250 10,801 124,810 Income tax expense (5,994) (7,463) (24,421) (2,306) (40,184) Earnings before earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates 22,938 18,364 34,829 8,495 84,626 Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates 1,073 1,651 1,040 (804) 2,960 Net earnings 24,011 20,015 35,869 7,691 87,586 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (16,342) (6,386) (8,097) (7,794) (38,619) Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ 7,669 $ 13,629 $ 27,772 $ (103) $ 48,967 Basic earnings per common share (1) $ 0.24 $ 0.42 $ 0.85 $ (0.00) $ 1.50 Diluted earnings per common share (1) $ 0.23 $ 0.41 $ 0.83 $ (0.00) $ 1.46 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.25 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 1.06 (1) Quarterly amounts may not total to the year to date amount as each period is calculated discretely. Diluted EPS is calculated by including the dilutive effect, using the treasury stock method, associated with shares underlying the 2.875% Convertible notes, 2.25% Convertible notes, restricted stock units that are not considered participating securities and performance based restricted stock units subject to performance criteria, for which actual levels of performance above target have been achieved. THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, unaudited) Segment Information Three months ended November 30, 2020: Revenue Earnings (loss) from operations External Intersegment Total External Intersegment Total Manufacturing $ 308,722 $ 20,591 $ 329,313 $ 9,686 $ 2,505 $ 12,191 Wheels, Repair & Parts 65,556 301 65,857 (200) (9) (209) Leasing & Services 28,711 4,665 33,376 5,890 4,285 10,175 Eliminations - (25,557) (25,557) - (6,781) (6,781) Corporate - - - (17,490) - (17,490) $ 402,989 $ - $ 402,989 $ (2,114) $ - $ (2,114) Three months ended August 31, 2020: Revenue Earnings (loss) from operations External Intersegment Total External Intersegment Total Manufacturing $ 549,654 $ 1,683 $ 551,337 $ 29,695 $ (19) $ 29,676 Wheels, Repair & Parts 64,813 95 64,908 813 3 816 Leasing & Services 21,958 10,898 32,856 6,520 10,528 17,048 Eliminations - (12,676) (12,676) - (10,512) (10,512) Corporate - - - (15,631) - (15,631) $ 636,425 $ - $ 636,425 $ 21,397 $ - $ 21,397 Total assets November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Manufacturing $ 1,264,616 $ 1,301,715 Wheels, Repair & Parts 274,534 271,862 Leasing & Services 758,820 739,025 Unallocated 748,114 861,232 $ 3,046,084 $ 3,173,834 THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited) Reconciliation of common shares outstanding The shares used in the computation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share are reconciled as follows: Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding (1) 32,723 32,658 Dilutive effect of convertible notes (2) - - Dilutive effect of restricted stock units (3) - - Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 32,723 32,658 (1) Restricted stock grants and restricted stock units that are considered participating securities, including some grants subject to certain performance criteria, are included in weighted average basic common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. (2) The dilutive effect of the 2.875% Convertible notes issued in February 2017 and the 2.25% Convertible notes issued in July 2019 were excluded from the share calculations due to a net loss in each period. (3) Restricted stock units that are not considered participating securities and restricted stock units subject to performance criteria, for which actual levels of performance above target have been achieved, are included in weighted average diluted common shares outstanding when the Company is in a net earnings position. Reconciliation of Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier to Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ (9,972) $ (103) ARI integration related costs, net of tax (1) - 1,936 Severance expense, net of tax & noncontrolling interest (2) - 3,636 Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier $ (9,972) $ 5,469 (1) Net of tax of $620. (2) Net of tax and noncontrolling interest of $2,283. Reconciliation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share to Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 August 31, 2020 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.00 ARI integration related costs, net of tax - 0.06 Severance expense, net of tax & noncontrolling interest - 0.10 Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.16 Weighted average diluted shares used to calculate Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share 32,723 33,519 "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including any statements that are not purely statements of historical fact. Greenbrier uses words, and variations of words, such as "adjust," "align," "believe," "continue," "ensure," "focus," "maintain," "managing," "target," "will," "working," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about backlog, and future liquidity and cash flow as well as other information regarding future performance and strategies and appear throughout this press release including in the headlines and the section "Business Update & Outlook." These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the following. (1) We are unable to predict when, how, or with what magnitude COVID-19 governmental reaction to the pandemic, and related economic disruptions will negatively impact our business: we may be prevented from operating our facilities; the operations of our customers may be disrupted increasing the likelihood that our customers may attempt to delay, defer or cancel orders, or cease to operate as going concerns; the operations of our suppliers may be disrupted; our indebtedness may increase; we may breach the covenants in our credit agreement; the market price of our common stock may drop or remain volatile; we may incur significant employee health care costs under our self-insurance programs. The longer the pandemic continues, the more likely that negative impacts on our business will occur, some of which we cannot now foresee. (2) Our backlog of railcar units and marine vessels is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations. Certain orders in backlog are subject to customary documentation which may not occur. Customers may attempt to cancel or modify orders or refuse to accept and pay for products. The likelihood of cancellations, modifications, rejection and non-payment for our products generally increases during periods of market weakness. The timing of converting backlog to revenue is also materially impacted by our decision whether to lease railcars, sell railcars, or syndicate railcars with a lease attached to an investor. More information on potential factors that could cause our results to differ from our forward-looking statements is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recently filed periodic report on Form 10-K and subsequent report on 10-Q. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof. Adjusted Financial Metric Definitions Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier and Adjusted diluted EPS are not financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These metrics are performance measurement tools used by rail supply companies and Greenbrier. You should not consider these metrics in isolation or as a substitute for other financial statement data determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because these metrics are not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, the measures presented may differ from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net earnings (loss) before Interest and foreign exchange, Income tax benefit (expense), Depreciation and amortization and excluding the impact associated with items we do not believe are indicative of our core business or which affect comparability. We believe the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information as it excludes the impact of financing, foreign exchange, income taxes and the accounting effects of capital spending. These items may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to the overall operating performance of a company's core business. We believe this assists in comparing our performance across reporting periods. Adjusted net earnings (loss) attributable to Greenbrier and Adjusted diluted EPS excludes the impact associated with items we do not believe are indicative of our core business or which affect comparability. We believe this assists in comparing our performance across reporting periods. SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. Related Links http://www.gbrx.com President-elect Joe Biden has demanded Donald Trump appear on national television to condemn his supporters violent riots at the US Capitol. He urged the president to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege. Its not a protest its insurrection, he said in remarks from Delaware on Wednesday, The worlds watching. I am genuinely shocked and sad that our nation, so long the beacon of light and hope for democracy, has come to such a dark moment. As a joint session of Congress convened to formally count electoral college votes from the 2020 presidential election, the presidents supporters stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results. Moments after the president-elects remarks, Trump posted a pre-taped message to his social media, falsely insisting that the election was stolen from his supporters and that he won in a landslide before telling rioters to go home now. We have to have peace, we have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order, he said. This was a fraudulent election, but we cant play into the hands of these people. The president-elect said he was not concerned about his safety at his inauguration, set for 20 January. I am not concerned about my safety, security or the inauguration, he told reporters. "Im not concerned. The American people are going to stand up, stand up now. Enough is enough is enough. He said the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America. What we're seeing are a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness, he said. This is not dissent. It's disorder. It's chaos. It borders on sedition, and it must end now. He called the riots an assault on the citadel of liberty and an assault on the people's representatives and the Capitol Hill police sworn to protect them, and the public servants who work at the heart of our republic. Members of Congress were preparing to return to the Capitol to complete the count of electoral votes as Capitol police cleared the halls of Congress, after mobs broke windows, carried Confederate flags into the Capitol, breached security, aimed fire extinguishers at people inside and have attempted to storm into congressional chambers, where members have taken shelter under chairs. At least one person was shot and is in critical condition. Capitol police told congressional staff that due to a security threat to immediately move into nearby offices or find a place to hide or seek cover and stay away from external doors and windows. Police and federal law enforcement have secured the Capitol and evacuated remaining staff, reporters and members of Congress. Notwithstanding what weve seen today, I remain optimistic about the incredible opportunities, Mr Biden said in prepared remarks. There has never been anything we cant do when we do it together, he said. This God-awful display today is bringing home to every Republican, Democrat and Independent in the nation that we must step up. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Rapid tests are expected to play an increasingly important role in the fight against Covid-19 as vaccinations are still rolling out slowly RTLs Annick Goerens interviewed Dr Thomas Dentzer, one of Luxembourgs leading public health experts. She raised several pertinent questions, including the current deployment of rapid testing, what kind of tests are available, who is entitled to them and whether large-crowd events are likely to go ahead any time soon. Dentzer iwwer Antigen-Schnelltester / Annick Goerens The virologist, who is also the government task forces official for testing, explained that a large range of rapid tests already exists. They differ from each other greatly however, as a rapid test just refers to the fact that results are yielded in a short amount of time. Some PCR tests, which are being used as part of Luxembourgs large-scale testing and are available on prescription, can also show results within a shorter amount of time, thus functioning as rapid tests. Generally, Dr Dentzer explained, there are three different categories of tests: PCR tests, antigen tests and antibodies tests. The latter two are often referred to as rapid tests as they show results within 15 to 20 minutes. Dr Dentzer emphasised that particularly antigen tests could prove to be useful. They are carried out through a nasal or oral swab, just like a PCR test, and yield results within 15 minutes. He said they were not unlike regular pregnancy tests. Antigen tests are also the most frequently used. Luxembourg has ordered 900,000 such tests, which have performed well in scientific studies. However, these tests can only be carried out by healthcare professionals, which bears advantages and disadvantages according to the virologist. PCR tests require several crucial resources, including a laboratory, chemicals, the appropriate machinery and personnel. Antigen tests, however, yield results within 15 to 20 minutes and are shown on a stick, just like a pregnancy test. The downside is though that they are less accurate and cannot detect minuscule traces of the virus, which PCR tests are able to pick up. According to Dr Dentzer, PCR tests remain the gold standard in testing as they are more precise and more reliable than antigen tests. The government looked into using antigen tests as part of the large-scale testing, but for the time being it has decided against it. Although antigen tests perform well with people who are sick and are showing symptoms, the main concern is that they are less reliable with people who do not show any symptoms, says Dr Dentzer. It frequently occurs that tests come back negative, but the person is, in fact, carrying the virus. This is why the government decided against using them on a large scale. If used in the thousands, there will still be several people whose antigen tests are negative but are infected. Due to their limited reliability, antigen tests are only scarcely used. Still, there have been demands to deploy them in care and retirement homes, so visitors could get tested prior to entering those facilities. The health expert says that antigen tests bear somewhat of a risk. In care homes that risk could be too high as this is a particularly volatile environment, which has seen a terrible amount of cases and fatalities. On the other hand, that risk is smaller if antigen tests are used by younger people. Presently, researchers are also working on saliva tests, which can yield results within minutes. However, these are still in short supply, says Dr Dentzer. Its the most massive vaccine rollout in U.S. history, but many local governments are consigning patient appointments to web-based services better known for handling birthday-party RSVPs and online yoga sessions. Several Florida counties have deployed Eventbrite. Some Oklahoma governments dabbled with SignUpGenius, and one New Jersey county was still using the service. Elsewhere, some seekers of COVID-19 protection reported hourslong holds on appointment hotlines only to be disconnected or logging on to websites that lock them out. Signing up to get a COVID vaccine is like trying to get a Beatles ticket, said Jacob Saur, public safety director in Floridas Manatee County, where demand for the shot crashed the web sign-up sheet he had set up. In its first three weeks, the effort to inoculate 328 million Americans has overwhelmed government websites and left unlucky shutouts fuming in first-come, first-served lines. The difficulty is one reason that distribution of the long-awaited vaccine is taking so long. States have also had to contend with deciding which groups have priority access, confusion over available doses and navigating the daunting logistics of providing shots that must be kept at subzero temperatures. Overall, the U.S. has administered 4.73 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but thats just about a third of the doses distributed. Options are often confusing. A resident of Newark, New Jersey, can sign up for a shot with the city, surrounding Essex County or the state itself. And as elderly people in Florida and Georgia wait overnight in lawn chairs at pop-up sites, other vulnerable Americans or quite often, their tech-savvy children are spending hours refreshing computer screens. READ MORE: Dr. Anthony Fauci says U.S. could soon give 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations a day, despite current delays Florida is piloting a scheduler of its own in certain counties, Saur said. But many of his peers turned to Eventbrite because it was familiar. It also was free. As the state is getting vaccines, theyre pushing them out as fast as they can, he said. When we get a large batch, Im not going to do a first-come, first-served. We needed a quick way to schedule these people. We arent large schedulers, and Eventbrite came to mind and we used it. Saur didnt get much advance notice when the state started making the vaccine available to the general 65-and-over population. He said call volume and web traffic has been more frenzied than in the worst hurricanes. Jason Salemi, an epidemiologist with the University of South Florida, marveled that even he, a health expert, couldnt get an appointment for his parents, and had instead wasted part of a morning in a futile battle with the crashed registration page for Hillsborough County. I know whats going on behind the scenes, and Im immensely frustrated when I get to the site, said Salemi, who runs a widely used dashboard on Floridas Covid numbers. I can only imagine other people who are just beside themselves. In Floridas Brevard County, the government decided to use Eventbrite on Wednesday when the phone lines stopped working at the local division of the Department of Health, according to Jesi Ray, a county spokeswoman. She said it took the county about three hours to set up the event, run tests, obtain approval and put out a press release. We jumped on that idea, Ray said. The state Department of Health didnt respond to a request for comment. READ MORE: Pa. lags nation in people tested per day, is nowhere near level needed to suppress the virus Eventbrite didnt immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did SignUpGenius, which is courting business with a post titled How to Organize COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Online. The company encourages would-be customers to buy one of its feature-packed subscription plans, which it says help people sign up for vaccinations and can also schedule staff shifts and manage sites. In Hamilton County, Tennessee, which encompasses Chattanooga, there is no list at all. People eligible for early shots must show up and wait in line at a temporary site. One 83-year-old heart and lung patient on New Years Eve waited in line for five hours in his car with his wife, breathing with the help of a supplemental oxygen tank. Twelve spots from the front, though, the shots ran out. He said, Im not doing this again Im not sitting in this car, said the mans daughter, Kathryn Copeland, a 59-year-old real-estate agent from Orlando, Florida. He will wait, she said, until his doctor has a supply. Health officials in Hamilton County didnt respond to verbal and written requests for comment. Tom Bodkin, a spokesman, referred to a Friday press release that cited unprecedented interest. We ask for the continued patience of our residents as Health Department staff work through the challenges this massive undertaking brings, the departments administrator, Becky Barnes, said in the press release. New Jersey, among the hardest-hit states early in the pandemic, is immunizing only health professionals and residents of long-term care facilities in all, about 650,000 people through at least the end of the month. New Jerseys statewide scheduling system went live on Tuesday, but the site went down before noon. Even before shots are available to the broad population, the state is struggling to assemble an inoculation-certified workforce, and appealing to medical retirees to help. Meanwhile, some of the states 21 counties, including Essex and Passaic, are operating their own appointment websites. Hunterdon County was offering appointments via SignUpGenius, whose users more typically organize potlucks, carpools and bridal showers. The muddled deployment effort across the U.S. adds to a series of logistical stumbles during the pandemic. Testing was initially slow to expand, and even then, the ill faced miles-long lines in their cars. Unemployment websites crashed when the virus put millions out of work. But states werent blindsided by the vaccine rollout in the same way, with the federal Operation Warp Speed announced officially on May 15 half a year before the vials started arriving. It just seems theres a general lack of preparedness, even though we knew that there was a vaccine coming in the near future that would be a game changer, said Salemi, the Florida epidemiologist. Because of the lack of a national coordinated effort, were finding that we cant get these vaccines into peoples arms. New York, Jan 7 : Minutes after the Congress joint session took up the final stage of the confirmation of Joe Biden as the next President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President, it adjourned after President Donald Trump's supporters objected to the electoral college votes from Arizona State. The Senate and the House of Representatives began to separately consider the objections. Before Congress met for the joint session, President Donald Trump vowed he would "never concede". Heightening tensions, he told a rally of his supporters in Washington, "This year, they rigged an election. They rigged it like they've never rigged an election before." Washington has activated the National Guard to help maintain law and order while many businesses have put wooden boards on their windows in case there is violence from the supporters and opponents of Trump who have massed around the city. Vice President Mike Pence presided over the joint session of Congress called to count the votes of the electoral college which elected Biden and Harris last month and approve the tally to ensure the transfer of power on January 20. Pence has turned down Trump's requests to block the certifying of the electoral college's votes saying in a statement before the session that he did not have the constitutional authority for it. As the electoral vote from the states were counted in alphabetical order and announced, the session hit a roadblock when Arizona came up and Trump's supporters raised objections to it. While the time allotted for the discussions is two hours in the House, the process could drag on if that time is allowed for each of the states for which objections have been made. The Senate can set its own time limits and formats for dealing with the objections. The joint session will reconvene after the two legislative bodies finish dealing with the objections to continue the process of certifying the electoral college votes -- till the next objection. The joint sessions to confirm the electoral college votes usually complete their task in a short time, but this time the process can run for several hours because of the many challenges, even though the final outcome is not in doubt. Trump and his supporters have failed in over 50 cases they brought in courts at various levels alleging electoral fraud and they view this as the last chance to question the legitimacy of the election. The challenges from Trump's supporters are only meant to be symbolic and disruptive because the Democrats have a majority in the House of Representatives and although for now the Republicans have a majority in the Senate, the party's leaders in the body have refused to back Trump's supporters. The US presidential elections are conducted indirectly with the voters electing members of the electoral college who would vote for the President. Biden won 306 electoral college votes, in addition to getting 81.2 million popular votes to Trump's 232 electoral college votes and 74.2 million popular votes. Trump won the 2016 election by getting a majority in the electoral college, where the votes allocated to proportionately to states, despite Hillary Clinton getting more popular votes. The challenge to election is from a small group of Republican members of Congress led by Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Many of the party's leaders starting with Pence and Mitch McConnel, the Republican leader in the Senate, have dissociated themselves from the tactic. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed 24 Hours in Police Custody viewers were left 'infuriated' after a mother who tried to manipulate three other men into murdering her ex-husband managed to delay her interview with a series of different tactics and bizarre requests. In last night's episode of the Channel 4 show, Victoria Breeden, 39, from near Littleport, Cambridgeshire, who is now serving nine-and-a-half years for plotting to have Rob Parkes, 40, killed after he won custody of their daughter, was seen being taken into questioning. However, viewers were left in shock after Victoria, known as the 'Black Widow,' gave detectives the run around with a series of demands and complaints - including that she needed medication, there was too much air in her hot water bottle and that she'd only eat a vegan gluten free sandwich. 'Victorias delay tactics arent too dissimilar to my almost 3 year old at bedtime,' wrote one, while a second penned: 'Victoria deserves an Oscar.' 24 Hours in Police Custody viewers were left 'infuriated' after Victoria Breeden, 39, from near Littleport, Cambridgeshire, who tried to manipulate three other men into murdering her ex-husband, claimed she was not fit to be interviewed. The 'Black Widow' (pictured) asked to see a healthcare practitioner and claimed she was in a lot of pain and would have difficulty going ahead with interview Victoria Breeden is now serving nine-and-a-half years for plotting to have Rob Parkes, 40, killed after he won custody of their daughter (pictured) Taking to Twitter, one person penned: 'Victorias delay tactics arent too dissimilar to my almost 3 year old at bedtime' (pictured) In one scene which angered viewers, Victoria, who told cops she was gluten free, asked for a sandwich. 'No, she's not having a sandwich,' replied another detective. 'If she's gluten free, she can have Pilau rice. If she's gluten free, she will have gluten free food.' And when the gluten free meal was offered to Victoria, she replied: 'It's got beef in it.' She then proceeded to hand it back, claiming she doesn't eat meat because she's a vegetarian - before rejecting the other offers given to her. Then, before the detectives got a chance to put their evidence to her, Victoria asked to see a healthcare practitioner and claimed she was in a lot of pain and would have difficulty going ahead with the interview. 'I'm in no fit state to do anything without pain relief,' Victoria said, before explaining she had recently had an operation for a slipped disk in her back. Among Victoria's bizarre demands and complaints was that there was too much air in her hot water bottle (pictured) One person wrote: 'Catching up on #24hrsinpolicecustody my god this woman is evil & manipulative how she even got away with missing countless interviews is crazy' (pictured) On hearing the news, the detective said: 'I might just lose my s*** big time in a minute - and I'm not joking. The next stage of this saga is she's saying she needs her pain relief for her back pain. The prison have not given her that pain relief when she was produced.' 'I'm going to ring the prison now and find out when she should have her pain relief. She's been offered medical care and we've even gone out to buy her the food she needs. I think we should carry on....In all my career, I've never experienced anything like this.' However, despite guidance from the prison that another dose of medication is not necessary, the health practitioner requested Victoria's interview get delayed to the following day - leading DC Louisa Abbott to fear she was dealing with the cleverest criminal she had ever encountered. 'Someone might want to delay interview following consultation because if they think we've got evidence it allows them time to think about what to say in interview,' she said. 'She bides herself time to think. In my six years I can't think of a case where someone has managed to delay after disclosure. I think Victoria is the most clever criminal I've come across. Not necessarily in the offence she is committing, but how she plays the system.' 'I'm in no fit state to do anything without pain relief,' Victoria (pictured) said, before explaining she had recently had an operation for a slipped disk in her back And those who tuned in appeared to be in agreement with the officers. 'Catching up on #24hrsinpolicecustody my god this woman is evil & manipulative how she even got away with missing countless interviews is crazy,' wrote one, while a second penned: 'Blood is boiling watching 24hrs in Police Custody, what a vile creature this woman is defo using her best phoning in sick voice when being charged. A third added: 'This woman is unbelievable !!! Has she swallowed a medical dictionary , shes apparently got every illness going,' while a fourth commented: 'I was so angry watching this programme. How this woman manipulated everyone around her and the system was something to behold. 'So glad the Police were tenacious and she got a hefty sentence she fully deserved. At least her ex-husband can have a bit of peace!' Breeden met Rob at university in 1999 and they married in 2004, but the couple separated in 2008 and Rob was granted custody of their daughter in 2014 following proceedings in the family courts. Victoria has been jailed for nearly 10 years after trying to persuade the three men to murder Rob Parkes between 2014 and 2019. She was convicted at an earlier trial at Chelmsford Crown Court of three counts of soliciting his murder and was jailed for nine years and six months at the same court. Mr Justice Chamberlain, sentencing Breeden, said: 'The evidence demonstrates that your main motivation in trying to persuade others to kill Rob Parkes was to regain custody of (a child). It must be obvious to you now that that can't happen.' The defendant appeared by video-link from Peterborough Prison and bowed her head as the judge sentenced her. She was convicted at trial of endeavouring to persuade then-neighbour Hamish Lowry-Martin to murder Mr Parkes between January 1 2014 and December 31 2014. She was also found guilty of endeavouring to persuade former boyfriend Graham Wall to murder Mr Parkes between October 19, 2018 and October 3, 2019. Victoria was found guilty of endeavouring to persuade former boyfriend Graham Wall (pictured) to murder Mr Parkes between October 19, 2018 and October 3, 2019 Graham Wall who was asked to get rid of Rob Parkes leaving Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex Breeden was also convicted of trying to persuade friend Earl Gernon to murder Mr Parkes on October 1 2019. A recording of Breeden's conversation with Mr Gernon was made on Mr Wall's mobile phone, as Mr Wall had suspected that Breeden was being unfaithful and left the device hidden on the record setting. Mr Justice Chamberlain said of the recording of Breeden's conversation with Mr Gernon: 'The discussion you (Breeden) had was detailed, it included the way in which the murder could be done and costs of different methods. 'You handed Earl Gernon Rob's address and you had a large sum of money you could have used for the killing.' He told Breeden: 'You were only thwarted because Gernon did not do what you wanted, or at least had not done so by the time police got involved.' Daniel Taylor, prosecuting, said: 'The crown say that this offending was persistent, planned and ultimately motivated by a desire to gain custody (of a child).' He said that Mr Lowry-Martin and Mr Gernon were offered a 'financial incentive to carry out those instructions' and that Breeden had 18,000 in cash. 'The point the crown say is important here is someone offering... money and she had the means to pay it,' said Mr Taylor. Matthew Jewell QC, mitigating, said that Lowry-Martin and Wall 'made it pretty clear they were going to have nothing to do with it'. He said Breeden's conversation with the third man, Mr Gernon, 'doesn't reach a conclusion on the topic one way or the other and there was no evidence of any follow-up'. Mr Jewell said Breeden has mental health issues but no conclusive diagnosis. Mr Parkes, reading his victim impact statement to the court, said that the trial was 'harrowing' for him as he heard 'just how my ex-wife wanted to kill me'. 'I've never felt as unsafe as I have in the last year,' he said. Mr Parkes thanked Mr Wall for going to the police, which he said 'prevented (Breeden) from being successful'. Earl Gernon was charged with conspiracy to murder, but the charges were later dropped. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. Capitol locked down Wednesday after protesters breached barricades amid violent clashes between President Donald Trump's supporters and Capitol police. Both chambers of Congress abruptly recessed as they were debating the Electoral College vote that gave Joe Biden the presidency. There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and debate was suspended. A representative from the Capitol police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon. An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden's victory. Due to an external security threat, no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks. Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitols steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting traitors as officers tried to keep them back. A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said. The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress' vote. We will not let them silence your voices, Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president. Part of the U.S. 12 route in that area will be shifted south to U.S. 20, and the railroad will take over the land where U.S. 12 runs now between Clay and Lake streets. The U.S. 12 relocation is expected to begin in the fall of 2021, INDOT public relations representative Cassy Bajek said. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated the Christian community of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Holy Christmas, according to the letter posted on his official website The head of state recalled that located at the crossroads of East and West, Azerbaijan has for centuries been home to a culture of coexistence, friendship and brotherhood based on mutual respect and trust between different peoples and religions. "The preservation and further development of progressive national and historical traditions, the ethnic and cultural diversity, the multicultural values of our country, which is recognized globally as a place of exemplary tolerance, are among the key directions of state policy," Ilham Aliyev stressed. He noted that year 2020 has gone down in history for a settlement of the long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the restoration of our territorial integrity and the triumph of historical justice. "Every citizen of Azerbaijan regardless of their language, religion or ethnicity, including our compatriots of Christian faith who have a special place in our society distinguished by ethnic and cultural diversity, have shown real heroism in the liberation of our lands from enemy occupation. At the same time, they have been very active in reaching out to the world community," the Azerbaijani leader noted. "I appreciate the unity and equality demonstrated by all the peoples living in our country during the Patriotic War, the unbending national and spiritual solidarity as the key contributor to our historical victory," the president explained. Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the Orthodox Christian community will continue to spare no effort and skills for the progress and further strengthening of Azerbaijan. "Christmas embodies new life, revival, feelings of mercy and compassion. May this bright holiday bring happiness to your families, blessings to your tables and prosperity to your life," the head of state said. The European Union drug regulator approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday after moving up a decision that had been scheduled for later in January. The regulator, the European Medicines Agency, approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in late December after coming under criticism for being too slow, as Britain and the United States began rolling out vaccination campaigns before the European Union had even granted the drugs authorization. The bloc, which is home to about 450 million people in 27 countries, has taken the lead in approving and ordering the vaccines on behalf of its members. The Pfizer vaccination was introduced in the final days of 2020 in most European Union countries, a few weeks behind Britain and the United States, but criticism has been growing that the process is taking too long and that there are not enough doses to go around yet. The European Union has said that the availability of shots will pick up, along with production. The European Medicines Agency, which is based in Amsterdam, has also been criticized for not yet having started a review of the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which has recently been approved for use in Britain and in India. New Delhi, Jan 6 : The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is using nomads in Ladakh to transgress into Indian territory while the Indian Army has restricted its own nomads to pasture lands, severely impacting the lives of locals, the Ladakh Hill Development Council has flagged to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. A three member delegation of Ladakh Hill Development Council met Singh on Tuesday and urged for unrestricted access for the locals for grazing and other border development issues. The lives of locals near the Line of Actual Control have been severely impacted after the standoff between India and China started in May 2020. A representation given by Konchok Stanzin, Councillor of Chushul, along with two other members of the delegation. "The Chinese use their nomads community to transgress on our land in a step-by-step approach. The movements of the nomads belonging to this side of the border are restricted by the Indian Army from grazing their livestock on the traditional pasture land," the delegation told the Defence Minister. They also submitted that nomads on the Indian side are soldiers without uniform. "The Indian Army must trust us by not restricting our movements relating to grazing. In this regard, we kindly request it to grant us permission to move our shepherds with their livestock into traditional pasture lands as there is no substitute pasture land available in and around the villages, resulting in a mortality of livestocks and loss of income to the villagers," they requested. The sparsely populated areas like Lukung, Yourgo and Phobrang lead to the northern bank of Pangong Lake that includes the Finger Area which has been a major friction point between the armies of India and China. The delegates stated that they are hopeful of some quick action after the meeting with Singh. "The Defence Minister told us that he will look into the issues and also write to the Union Home Ministry as many things raised by us fell in its domain," Stanzin said. Norway has launched a probe into the death of two nursing home residents who died after receiving COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. It comes after a paediatric surgery assistant in Portugal died two days after receiving Pfizer's vaccine. Medical Director of Norwegian Medicines Agency Steiner Madsen said in a statement, ''We have to assess whether the vaccine is the cause of death, or if it is a coincidence that it happened soon after vaccination.'' The agency is investigating the cause the deaths jointly with Norway's National Institute of Public Health. Madsen, however, noted that as people of advanced age are receiving COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase it is possible that the deaths could be coincidental. Earlier, Pfizer Inc's CEO Albert Bourla had said that the company is "not certain" if people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to transmit the deadly virus to others. After Pfizer's claim that its vaccine against COVID-19 vaccine is over 90 per cent effective, some volunteers claimed that they suffered side effects similar to to a flu jab. Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Sunday that fresh restrictions will be imposed across the country to curb the resurgence of the spread of coronavirus. He had said that nationwide ban will be imposed on serving alcohol in restaurants and bars and people will not be allowed to invite guests home. Norway government is now also discouraging all travel for private purposes. It is to be noted Norway had already imposed some of the toughest travel restrictions in Europe as non-residents in Norway are required to show proof that they are COVID-19 negative before entering the country. Xevant We are pleased to partner with proven leaders in the Health Tech investment community. Their contributions span well beyond investment and their influence has already made a significant and lasting impact on Xevants long-term success. Xevant completed a new investment round and is preparing to expand its scope in 2021. The growth financing, led by industry leaders Tech Council Ventures (TCV), Martinson Ventures (MV), and Boston Millennia Partners (BMP), positions Xevant to expand its team, enhance products, and provide tailored solutions to a broader market. Xevant CEO Brandon Newman said, We are pleased to partner with proven leaders in the Health Tech investment community. Their contributions span well beyond investment and their influence has already made a significant and lasting impact on Xevants long-term success. As the most comprehensive, independent pharmacy analytics platform available, Xevant gives users the ability to automate decades-old analytic processes and deliver tailored solutions resulting in optimized performance for their clients and tremendous efficiencies for their businesses. TCV Managing Partner Jim Gunton stated, Tech Council Ventures is excited to support a proven entrepreneur and business developing automated software that analyzes data trends, alerts users of immediate savings opportunities, and pinpoints areas of improvement in an effort to support all stakeholders in the pharmacy benefits industry. Dana Callow of BMP said, We look forward to working with the Xevant team as their leadership in the healthcare analytics sector is effectively meeting customers needs and altering how we approach drug spend entirely. John Martinson of MV added, Xevant is poised for rapid expansion. Xevants unique ability to positively impact all stakeholders of pharmacy benefits will now be further enhanced with this round of investment giving them the ability to affect the healthcare market in ways never thought possible. About Xevant: Founded in 2017, Xevant is a groundbreaking data analysis platform that automates daily claims information and insights in real-time, delivering solutions that create value for customers in the payer, TPA, consulting, broker, and PBM markets. By converting data into immediate savings opportunities, this dynamic interface provides crucial insights and automation that helps improve drug costs and outcomes. Contact: Greg Heaps Xevant greg.heaps@xevant.com The late Liam Kelly The death has occurred of Liam Kelly, Station Road, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, January 4, peacefully, at St Luke's Hospital. Liam, sadly missed by his loving wife Ann, brothers Seamus and Thomas, sisters-in-law Dolores, Kay and Helen, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends. In accordance with current Government/H.S.E. guidelines and in the interest of Public Health and the safety of our most vulnerable, a private family funeral will take place for Liam, with Requiem Mass celebrated on Thursday, 7th January, at 11am in St. Bennetts Church, Bennettsbridge (max of 10 in church). Funeral afterwards to St. Kieran's Cemetery, Kilkenny. House private please. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence for Liam's family can do so at RIP.ie. Liam's family would like to thank everybody for their support and understanding in these difficult days. The late Michael Patrick Bowden The death has occurred of Michael Patrick Bowden, formerly of Ballygooney, Gathabawn, Co Kilkenny and lately of Forest Hill, London. He peacefully passed away in Lewisham Hospital, London surrounded by his loving family on December 30. Pre-deceased by his brothers Patrick, Nicholas and John and sister Alice. He will be sadly missed by his children Marian, Michelle, Mickey, Mona and their mother Mary. He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren Ciara, Lauren, Katie, Aidan, Matthew, Ciaran, Kian and Aoife alongside his remaining siblings, extended family and many friends, both in England and Ireland. Due to Government restrictions, a private family funeral will take place on Wednesday, January 13, at 10am. For friends and family who would like to view the funeral at this time, please click on the following link: http://www.olspn.church/ To those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but cannot due to current restrictions, please leave your condolences at RIP.ie or send on condolences in a traditional manner. The late John Kirwan The death has occurred of John Kirwan (Radestown Lane, Kilkenny) January 4, peacefully, at St Luke's Hospital, John, predeceased by his parents Paddy and Martha, infant sister Mary and brother Sammy, sadly missed by his cousins in the Waldron, Tyrrell and Johnston families, his great neighbours in Radestown and his many friends in Kilkenny, throughout Ireland and abroad. In accordance with current Government/HSE guidelines and in the interest of Public Health and the safety of our most vulnerable, a private family funeral will take place for John, with Requiem Mass celebrated on Wednesday, January 6 at 11.30am in St John's Church, Kilkenny (max of 10 in church). Funeral afterwards to St Kieran's Cemetery. Requiem Mass may be viewed online at www.stjohnskilkenny.com. Please use the online condolence book at RIP.ie if you wish to offer your sympathies. John's family would like to thank you for your support and understanding at this difficult time. The late Reverend Eamon Tobin The death has occurred of Reverend Eamon Tobin, Ascension Catholic Church, Melbourne, Florida and late of Killahy, Tullaroan, County Kilkenny. Predeceased by his parents Edmond and Johanna. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his brothers and sisters Mary (Morrissey) Paddy, Teresa ( Byrne) and Martin, brother in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, Bishop Noonan, fellow clergy and religious sisters of the diocese of Orlando and Ossory, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Details of Fr Eamon' s funeral in Florida will follow with a link to view his funeral Mass. Those wishing to leave messages of condolence may do so on the page provided at RIP.ie. The late William (Bill, Franci) Treacy The death has occurred of William (Bill, Franci) Treacy, Clomoney, Goresbridge, Kilkenny. In the loving care of the Nursing Staff at Lourdesville Nursing Home, Kildare. Predeceased by his wife Sheila. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Deeply regretted by his son Billy, daughter Katherine, daughter-in-law Tracey, son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Aaron, Milly and Sheileen, brother Paddy and sister Bridie, relatives and friends. Due to Government Restrictions a private funeral will take place for immediate family (max. 10 people in Church) at The Church of the Holy Trinity, Goresbridge on Wednesday at 1.30 pm, followed by burial in Mary Queen of Peace Cemetery, Goresbridge. Those who would have liked to attend and cannot due to restrictions can leave a message on the condolence link on RIP.ie. The family would like to thank you for your co - operation at this most difficult time. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. She starred with him in the hit TV series the Big Bang Theory. And now Mayim Bialik has reunited with Jim Parsons for the new Fox sitcom Call Me Kat. The show is produced by Parsons through his production company and Bialik told UsWeekly that she was 'totally shocked' when he approached her about starring in the show. Back on TV: Mayim Bialik is starring in the new Fox sitcom Call Me Kat which is being produced by her former Big Bang Theory co-star Jim Parsons who offered her the lead role 'When Jim brought it to me, I thought he was just asking my opinion because we were friends and we have a lot of similar tastes,' she explained on the Watch With Us podcast Tuesday. She went on: 'I was like, 'That sounds great. I totally think that's a great idea!' He was like, 'No, Mayim. I'm telling you about this because I want you to play her.' 'I was totally shocked that Jim Parsons wanted to still work with me. I think I'm very annoying, but he apparently thinks I'm not as annoying as I think I am, because he wanted to work with me!' TV couple: Bialik and Parsons played husband and wife Sheldon and Amy on the CBS hit comedy that ran for 11 seasons from 2010 to 2019 and are good friends in real life Back together: 'I was totally shocked that Jim Parsons wanted to still work with me,' the actress, 45, explained to UsWeekly on Tuesday, the day after the sitcom premiered (the two are pictured in 2014) New role: In Call Me Kat, Bialik plays a 39-year-old single woman who quits her job to open up a cat cafe The comedy premiered on Monday night and Bialik plays a 39-year-old single woman who quits her job to open up a cat cafe. The show is based on the successful British comedy Miranda, that was created by and starred actress Miranda Hart and ran on the BBC from 2009 to 2013. Bialik, who's 45, is a cat lover herself and was immediately attracted to the role of Kat, whom she describes as 'a real woman'. 'This is a show about a woman who I hope other women and men will look at and say, 'Oh, there's women like that, and they can be funny, can be quirky',' the actress said. Bialik and Parsons worked together on The Big Bang Theory from 2010 to 2019, alongside co-stars Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar and Melissa Rauch. Original: Call Me Kat is based on the successful British comedy Miranda, that was created by and starred actress Miranda Hart and ran on the BBC from 2009 to 2013 GRAND RAPIDS, MI Standing near the corner of Burton Street and Division Avenue, Preston Sain surveys the landscape, eyeing several vacant storefronts in an aging neighborhood on Grand Rapids Southeast Side. Where others may simply see delipidated buildings, Sain sees opportunity. He wants to create a vibrant commercial corridor that complements existing businesses and brings new restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, bookstores and more to the strip. Burton and Eastern is a storied district in Grand Rapids, and I feel it has so much potential, said Sain, the founder of Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids, a group that wants to strengthen several Southeast Side business districts and increase the number of Black-owned businesses. I feel its our duty to make sure its revitalized. Sains hoping to make it happen through a new fundraising campaign. The group, which consist of Black residents and entrepreneurs, says it wants to raise $100 million over the next 16 years. Those dollars would be used to purchase and renovate vacant buildings in seven Southeast Side business districts, with the goal of providing them to Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, Sain said. Its a big goal. But the 35-year-old Grand Rapids native, who works in marketing for Junk King Grand Rapids and is active in youth outreach, says he believes its doable. Were not going to underplay ourselves, said Sain, who was a student athlete at Ottawa Hills High School and later launched the nonprofit Grand City Sports. Weve got to step in the big leagues with bravery and with heart and faith. Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids is a nod to the original Black Wall Street, a once-booming Black business district in Tulsa, Oklahoma that was destroyed in 1921 during one of the nations deadliest burst of racial violence. May 31 and June 1 mark the 100th anniversary of the riot. It started when a white mob attacked the citys Black Wall Street district, killing an estimated 300 mostly Black people and wounding 800 more, while robbing and burning businesses, homes and churches, according to the Associated Press. Sain says he would like to make complete his $100 million fundraising goal by this June, in time for the 100th anniversary. He says hes now working to select a nonprofit partner that would make donations to Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids 100 % tax deductible. Were going to raise the capital so we can acquire the real estate so we can control who and what goes on in these areas, said Sane, who says he will be seeking donations from large businesses and corporations. Because gentrification --- if we dont get in the way and reimagine or redefine what that should be, we will be displaced and cut out of the picture forever. Sain says Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids will focus on several areas on Grand Rapids Southeast Side, all of which are home to a significant number of Black residents and have suffered from a lack of investment over the years. The areas include: Eastern Avenue SE and Burton Street; Franklin Street SE and Eastern Avenue SE; Boston Square; Hall Street SE and Oakdale Street; Neland Avenue SE and Franklin Street; Madison Avenue SE, near Brown Street. If Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids fundraising efforts are successful, Sain says he would like to see development work in the business districts start in late summer. A big part of Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids is improving economic prosperity for the African American community. Doing so, Sain says, will help reduce poverty and violence, especially at a time when Grand Rapids had a record 35 homicides in 2020. Its about quality of life, he said. Tahjudeen Gillespie, another member of Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids, agrees. He says if the organization succeeds in boosting the number of black-owned businesses in Grand Rapids, that will have a positive effect on young people. I want to fight the violence in our communities by showing us in a position of ownership and wealth building so you have something to lose, said Gillespie, 41, whose family started Gillespie Funeral Services in Grand Rapids. Another concern of Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids is gentrification. Michael Buxton, a franchise owner of Load a Spud Potato Bar and member of Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids, said development in some Southeast Side neighborhoods could hurt longtime residents. In the Southeast Side corridor of Grand Rapids, theyre pretty much gentrifying everything, said Buxton, 39. People that cant afford anything were pretty much getting pushed out of the neighborhoods. The goal is Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids is to reverse that trend, and to ensure that Black residents benefit from the investment in the area and increase their quality of life. Were trying to make a change from the bottom first, he said. Read more: Michigan is among worst states in the country for administering COVID-19 vaccinations, CDC data says Michigan to vaccinate teachers, first responders, those over 65 starting Jan. 11 Michigan GOP congressman dispels election myths from constituents asking to oppose Bidens win A Woman's Hour guest stormed off the show just two minutes before airtime after claiming she overheard host Emma Barnett discussing if she had made anti-Semitic remarks. Kelechi Okafor was set to talk about the MeToo movement on the Radio 4 show but left the Zoom call moments before it went live after the new host - in her third day in the hotseat - left her mic on during a conversation with producers. The actress was accused of anti-Semitism in 2017 when she defended Reggie Yates after he praised musicians who were not signed to 'some random fat Jewish guy'. Ms Okafor said in the now-deleted podcast: 'Black people in the entertainment industry have been short-changed so much by the kinds of people Reggie Yates describes. Apart from the ''fat part'' I don't see what he said wrong.' Barnett, who took over hosting the popular Radio 4 show on Monday, said she had invited Ms Okafor to debate the matter and 'stands by her queries'. She said it was her 'duty to ask people what qualifies them as a leading voice in a space. And about any previous issues which may influence their views.' She added: 'Just before I went on air this morning to present a special programme about Me Too - pegged to the anniversary of Harvey Weinstein's court case - it came to my attention that Kelechi Okafor had made alleged anti-Semitic remarks. 'I stand by my questions to my team and to Kelechi. I would have happily hosted her on the programme with a question on this issue.' She said Ms Okafor denied the allegations. Campaigners have said Barnett's gaffe meant no BAME voices were included in the MeToo discussion. Revealing she had declined to appear on the show, Nigerian-British actress Okafor tweeted: 'Because what I've just had to witness is absolutely degrading and vile.' The mother-of-one, who has appeared in TV adverts for Maltesers, Samsung and Irn Bru, added: 'You can have a genuine concern about something you've been told about me and address it in a manner that is kind. That wasn't what took place.' Emma Barnett (pictured, left and right on her first show on Monday) has taken over the Radio 4 staple, which has aired since 1946 Kelechi Okafor was set to appear on the BBC Radio 4 show to discuss the #MeToo movement one year after it began. But the British actress took to social media as Woman's Hour was on air, claiming she had come off the programme Ms Okafor tweeted fans to say she left the show after hearing a conversation when a mic was accidentally left on Barnett, who took over hosting the popular Radio 4 show on Monday, said she 'stands by her queries' and had invited Ms Okafor to debate the matter The row this morning lead to fevered debate online, and among other guests on the show How Kelechi Okafor was accused of anti-Semitism when she defended comments made by BBC star Reggie Yates Kelechi Okafor was born in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to the UK at the age of five where she was raised in south London. In 2017, the actress was accused of anti-Semitism after she defended BBC star Reggie Yates when he was dropped from hosting Top of The Pops after making anti-Semitic remarks. After Yates praised music stars for not being signed to 'some random fat Jewish guy,' Ms Okafor said in a now-deleted Apple podcast in 2017: 'He [Reggie] is saying the truth and it just goes to show the power of a specific community that he can make a comment like that and everyone is like 'whoa no, pull him from Top Of The Pops'. 'Why? Are these Jewish managers not from North West London? I want to know where the fallacy is?' She added: 'Black people in the entertainment industry have been short-changed so much by the kinds of people Reggie Yates describes. 'Why are we not saying it as a form of truth. The fact is these men have dominated the industry for decades. 'He didn't say anything wrong. They are taking most of the profits. 'Apart from the 'fat part' I don't see what he said wrong. 'They [Jewish managers] like blackness as long as it is making them money.' Ms Okafor studied at the BRIT School of performing arts in London, specialising in Musical Theatre and English Literature. She has appeared in TV adverts for Maltesers, Samsung and Irn Bru as well as on stage. She is the founder of the Kelechnekoff Fitness Studio in Peckham, south London which runs pole dancing and twerking classes for black women and non-binary people. In 2017, Ms Okafor became the first black female contestant to appear on BBC's reality series Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week. She eventually walked out of the competition because she was 'frustrated' with the way she said she was treated. She told the Guardian: 'They pieced things together that didn't actually make sense in order to tell a story to the viewers,' 'Kelechi's struggling, she's frustrated, she's arguing with this man.' In reality, my frustration came from the fact that I had to walk on eggshells so as to not appear angry.' Advertisement Barnett, who is from a Jewish background, added in her statement: 'Just before I went on air this morning to present a special programme about Me Too - pegged to the anniversary of Harvey Weinstein's court case - it came to my attention that one of our guests, Kelechi Okafor, had made alleged anti-Semitic remarks. 'I was also sent a press report of the transcript of what she had said on her podcast supporting Reggie Yates's comments about Jewish male managers and profits. 'As Weinstein is also Jewish and was referenced as part of this same podcast, I was discussing with my producers the role of this guest in light of her allegedly anti-Semitic comments. Kelechi overheard that chat on our open Zoom link - with two minutes to airtime. 'I then directly talked to Kelechi about the allegations, standing by my queries, and said she could put her response across in the programme. She denied the allegations and hung up, choosing to no longer be part of the programme. 'I stand by my questions to my team and to Kelechi. I would have happily hosted her on the programme with a question on this issue.' She continued: 'I believe people can always answer for themselves - but equally it is my duty to ask people what qualifies them as a leading voice in a space. And about any previous issues which may influence their views. 'Any guest is entitled to make their own decisions about whether to appear on a programme but, in the interests of fairness, I feel it's important to add some detail to the accounts that are currently circulating in the press and social media. 'Woman's Hour is a wonderful platform known for its robust journalism and asking all of the questions that need asking. I am greatly enjoying my first week.' But campaigners said her gaffe meant there were no BAME voices on the show about MeToo. End Violence Against Women Coalition tweeted: 'I was also booked for @BBCWomansHour this AM and heard the appalling treatment @kelechnekoff was subjected to minutes b4 broadcast; it was really unfair and then led to a #MeToo discussion with no black woman's voice. Woman's Hour should apologise to her and really must do better.' On the show this morning, Barnett spoke to Hollywood actresses Caitlin Dulany and Rosanna Arquette about the #MeToo movement. Posting a video to Instagram, Ms Okafor added: 'I won't be going on Woman's Hour now. The host didn't realise her mic was on as she was talking s*** about me to the producers.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'During an off-air conversation ahead of the programme, Emma Barnett and the production team talked about a guest's role in the discussion and how to reflect some of the guest's alleged previous comments and the issue of anti-Semitism as part of the Woman's Hour discussion on the role of minority voices in the MeToo movement. 'This was also raised directly with the guest before going on air.' Ms Okafor claimed that what she had witnessed was, 'absolutely degrading and vile.' She wrote online: 'Myself and the other people who would be talking during the segment could hear me being talked about like a d******d.' The actress appeared on Woman's Hour in September last year, speaking about 'how to be assertive' on the show's How To series. Barnett, pictured leaving the BBC Radio studio today, said: 'I stand by my questions to my team and to Kelechi. I would have happily hosted her on the programme with a question on this issue.' Ms Okafor tweeted fans to say she left the show after hearing a conversation when a mic was accidentally left on Writing about why she had left the show, the actress tweeted: 'Hi guys I'm coming off woman's hour because what I've just had to witness is absolutely degrading and vile. 'The host didn't realise her mic was on as she was talking about me before the interview started is all I'm going to say. 'When [the host] clocks the mic is on suddenly it's 'well kelechi could you just explain to me because I'm trying to give you a chance to explain...' 'It was on your producers to have explained and done their research. It was on you to check your mic. 'The need for me on today's show was to offer balance to these wayward women thinking that the MeToo movement is no longer needed. 'The fact is that if you feel it's no longer needed for your white middle class sensibilities marginalised voices still need it. 'We haven't heard from everybody regarding the violations they've faced. The originators of the MeToo movement were Black women. From enslaved Black women who were raped by slave owners to Tarana Burke yet their voices are yet to be honoured.' Ms Okafor has been contacted for comment. During her first episode in the chair, Emma (pictured), 35, spoke with actress Imelda Staunton, Spice Girl Mel C, Jeremy Hunt, Richard Ratcliffe, and Sonia Khan On Monday Barnett, 35, took over the Radio 4 staple, which has aired since 1946. BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty moved into the slot on Radio 5 live that she had previously occupied. Outgoing host Jane Garvey signed off her final Woman's Hour broadcast after 13 years on January 1 declaring that the 'show needs to move on and now it can'. Miss Garvey told listeners: 'During the course of these cataclysmic years on Woman's Hour, I've learnt that actually, for all sorts of reasons, women have to be that bit better, we have to try harder (than men), it's going to be a bit tougher for us.' Today's programme about the 'Me Too' movement' took place one year on from the start of Harvey Weinstein's court case in America. Barnett was discussing, 'what the #MeToo movement has achieved and the unintended consequences.' But the show also sparked anger among some listeners after one of the actresses claimed some women 'lied' about sexual abuse accusations. She told the show: 'There are the bad apples out there that jump on the band wagon and maybe aren't telling the truth..you hope there aren't too many liars out there.' Others took to social media to share frustration about comments made by guest Lionel Shriver on the show. The American author claimed MeToo, 'has made women more paranoid, more hostile,' and, 'diminished women in the eyes of men.' India has begun culling tens of thousands of poultry after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday. At least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of bird flu - H5N1 and H5N8 - in recent days after the deaths of thousands of ducks, chickens, crows and migratory birds such as wild geese. H5N8, an Avian influenza subtype among poultry and wild birds, has spread across several countries since early last year. India has begun culling tens of thousands of poultry after an outbreak of deadly avian influenza was found to have killed scores of birds across the country, officials said Tuesday. Pictured: Health workers begin cull of ducks in Kuruvatta of Alapuzha district, Kerala state Health workers in protective suits begin culling ducks after the H5N8 bird flu strain was detected, in Karuvatta of Alapuzha district, Kerala state H5N8, an Avian influenza subtype among poultry and wild birds, has spread across several countries since early last year. Pictured: Health workers begin culling ducks in Kerala state Officials in northern Himachal Pradesh state said carcasses were found over the past week at a Himalayan lake that witnesses large flocks of migratory birds during the winter season. 'The death toll in the last week or so at the Pong lake crossed 2,400 migratory birds. Over 600 birds died on Monday,' state wildlife chief Archana Sharma said. Samples sent to the Indian National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases tested positive for H5N1, officials added. Most of the dead were Central Asian high-altitude bar-headed geese - one of the world's highest flying birds - that migrate to South Asia in their thousands during the winter season. Officials in northern Himachal Pradesh state said carcasses were found over the past week at a Himalayan lake that witnesses large flocks of migratory birds during the winter season Samples from the dead birds sent to the Indian National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases tested positive for H5N1, officials added. Wildlife officials collect the dead birds near Pong Dam reservoir The migratory birds that died and tested positive for Avian Influenza were burned Local authorities have banned the sale and export of poultry in the region and have stepped-up testing to control the spread. The mass deaths came amid a cull of nearly 35,000 poultry in Karuvatta of Alapuzha district, southern Kerala state, where an H5N8 virus outbreak killed up to 12,000 ducks. Authorities said the slaughter was ordered within a one kilometre (0.6 mile) radius of the infection epicentre. Government officials for Kerala state said after the ducks were slaughtered, they were burned with firewood, diesel and sugar. After the burning is completed, a special team of experts will sanitise the area. Health workers in protective suits prepare to set fire after culling ducks following the detection of H5N8 strain of bird flu among domestic birds in Alappuzha district, Kerala state, India Culled ducks are put in a hole for burial at Harippad in Alappuzha district in India's state Kerala Following the outbreak in neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu state announced a contingency plan for the management of possible human cases. 'Avian influenza spreads rapidly, there could be a likelihood of humans getting affected,' J Radhakrishnan, health secretary for Tamil Nadu state, told Indian news website Firstpost. 'So, as a precaution, the directorate general of health services has evolved a contingency plan for the management of human cases.' In northern Haryana state authorities said nearly 150,000 chickens died mysteriously across several poultry farms in Barwala district. Neighbouring Punjab also reported similar deaths. More than 20 farms said their flocks were wiped out by an 'unknown disease' and samples have been sent to labs for testing. Western Rajasthan and central Madhya Pradesh states have also reported hundreds of crow deaths caused by H5N1 and H5N8 over past weeks. Rajasthan had already seen nearly 4,500 crows and herons die over several months from avian flu. India has witnessed bouts of devastating bird flu outbreaks in recent decades, most seriously in 2008, when millions of poultry were culled. Gov. Phil Murphy raised more than $3.5 million in only three months since he formally launched a bid for a second term meaning hes already raised the maximum amount allowed for the June Democratic primary under New Jerseys public financing program, his re-election campaign announced. Under the program, the state matches every dollar raised after a gubernatorial candidate clears a minimum threshold of $490,000. If approved by the states Election Law Enforcement Commission, Murphy will receive the programs maximum amount in taxpayer money $4.6 million for the primary, which hes heavily favored to win. He currently has no declared challenger. To receive the money, Murphy must agree to limit spending to $7.3 million in the primary. By reaching the maximum threshold, the campaign has already completed fundraising for the primary about five months before Election Day. Murphy, a multimillionaire former Wall Street executive, spent $22.5 million of his own fortune en route to his primary win in 2017 but took part in the matching funds program in the general election that year. His re-election campaign announced that it will participate in the program for both the upcoming primary and the November general election. One of the four candidates vying for the Republican nomination to challenge Murphy has qualified for matching funds: former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who raised more than $1 million by the end of November after announcing his campaign last January. That means Ciattarelli will receive at least $1.7 in matching funds. Ciattarellis closest competitor in the GOP primary is state party chairman Doug Steinhardt, who announced his campaign only last month. Businessmen Joseph Rudy Rullo and Hirsh Singh are also running in the primary. The last incumbent governor to accept public financing in a primary was Republican Christie Whitman in 1997. Outside groups are not included in the spending cap, meaning groups like the state Democratic Party and the Democratic Governors Association which Murphy chaired last year can raise more for the governor. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. The final straw? Kim Kardashian and Kanye Wests relationship has reached the point of no return, multiple sources confirm to Us Weekly. Read article The couple, who share four children, North, 7, Saint, 5, Chicago, 2, and Psalm, 20 months, made headlines on Tuesday, January 5, when the New York Posts Page Six reported that Kardashian, 40, hired Laura Wasser as her attorney and is preparing for divorce. Us Weekly previously reported back in July that the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star had consulted with the high-profile Hollywood divorce lawyer about a split from West after six years of marriage. They have both been living separate lives for many months now, a second source tells Us. Kim and Kanye havent been on the same page for a while now. MEGA; RB/Bauergriffin.com The Skims founder, who married West in 2014, has grown up a lot this past year the insider says, adding that she is studying law in order to really make a change and provide a better world for her kids and the rest of her family. Kanye isnt as focused and doesnt live in the real world, the source explains. Their world views no longer line up. The reality TV star has also been spotted without her wedding ring in recent weeks, including a photo shared by her mom, Kris Jenner, on Tuesday. Read article Kim is done dealing with Kanyes unpredictable behavior, she has tried to get him into treatment for his mental health and all attempts have been unsuccessful, the source tells Us. No one can tell Kanye what to do other than Kanye. The insider adds that Kardashians friends are surprised she has waited this long to file for divorce. The reality star and the Yeezy designers relationship hit a snag last year after West, 43, made controversial comments about his wife and their family during his first presidential rally in South Carolina in July. The Jesus Walks rapper, who ran for president of the United States in the 2020 election, revealed that he and Kardashian almost aborted their first child during his speech. He later went on a Twitter rant, accusing the KKW Beauty creator of trying to lock him up, and claimed that he had been trying to divorce her for two years. Following her husbands shocking comments a source told Us that the mother of four was meeting with lawyers to explore and talk about divorce. A second source told Us that even though the pair have been living apart for most of the year, with Kardashian in L.A. and West in Montana, she still wanted to make it work with the musician because of their children. Kardashian publicly addressed her husbands mental health struggles the same month, writing a lengthy note about his bipolar diagnosis. West later apologized for his tweets and a source told Us in September that the California native was still holding onto her marriage with the designer but was considering her options when it came to their future. Read article The following month, West was noticeably absent from part of Kardashians 40th birthday celebrations when she flew her inner circle to a private island. A source told Us at the time that he did show up for the last few days of the trip but was late because of work commitments. Despite gifting Kardashian a hologram of her late father, Robert Kardashian, for the milestone event, things seemingly have not improved. The TV personality has not posted a photo with West since November. The Gold Digger rapper was also missing from the stars Christmas Eve photos at sister Kourtney Kardashians house in December. He was also not pictured in any of her snaps from the familys Lake Tahoe getaway ahead of the holiday. NEWSALERT-ITALY-ACCIDENT-ARRESTS Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP)Police in northern Italy make 3 arrests in the cable car disaster that killed 14 people. (AP) IND El Paso, Pueblo and Denver-metro counties were among 33 counties in Colorado to move from level "red" to "orange" on the state's COVID-19 dial Here's how material shortages are hitting home construction "It's not just that prices are going up; it's how quickly they're going up and nothing's coming down," said CEO of the PA Builders Association. Courtesy of St. Francis hospital LITCHFIELD HSHS St. Francis Hospital welcomed Alex Alonzo Perez as the first baby born at the hospital in 2021. He was born at 10:40 p.m. on Jan. 1,weighing 5 pounds 11 ounces and 18 inches long, at the Family Maternity Center. Alexs proud parents are Juana and Juan Alonzo Perez of Litchfield, Illinois. Police in California were more likely to stop, search and use force against Black motorists than other drivers in 2019, the state reported Monday. The report from the states most populous areas also found officers were more likely to search and use force against Latino drivers than whites, even though they were less likely to find contraband when they searched Blacks or Latinos than whites. The report by the states Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board examined nearly 4 million stops by Californias 15 largest law enforcement agencies, including the Highway Patrol and police departments in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Los Angeles. Similar disparities in treatment of white and minority drivers were documented by police departments in 2018, and state law will require data from all law enforcement agencies in 2022. The findings show that there is significant work to be done to prevent further disparities in who is stopped, how they are treated when stopped, and the outcomes of those stops, said the board, which includes law enforcement representatives and appointees of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra. About 16% of all drivers stopped by officers in 2019 were Black, who made up 7% of the states population, the report said. Whites accounted for 33% of the drivers stopped and 34% of the population; Latinos, 39% of the stops and 41% of the population; Asian Americans, 6% of the stops and 12% of the population; and those from the Middle East or South Asia, 5% of the stops and 2% of the population. Officers who pulled drivers over were much more likely to search minorities than whites, the report found: 4.5 times as likely for Black drivers, and 2.5 times as likely for Latinos, even though both groups were slightly less likely than whites to have contraband or incriminating evidence. There were also disparities in police use of force, which was 1.45 times as likely to be used against Black motorists and 1.18 times as likely against Latinos as against whites, the report said. Blacks were more likely than others to be ordered out of their vehicles and to be handcuffed. And among 154 motorists who were shot by officers, fatally or non-fatally, in 2019, 73 were Latino, 37 were Black and 35 were white, with the remainder from other groups. Some of the differences can be attributed to implicit bias that police share with others in society, the report said. It said the disparity in searches of motorists was partly caused by the fact that Blacks are more likely than other groups to be on probation or parole, and thus can be legally searched without evidence of wrongdoing. But the report also said that while the great majority of police stops were for traffic violations, and only about 12% because officers claimed a reasonable suspicion of other crimes, they cited such suspicions in 21% of the stops of Black motorists in 2019. And the report also cited some overt bigotry, such as the racist Facebook postings by a group of active and retired San Jose police officers that led to four suspensions in June 2020. One posting, allegedly by an active officer, said that black lives dont really matter, while another from a retired officer called Black Lives Matter protesters racist useful idiots and domestic enemies. The report suggested that police departments check the backgrounds of job applicants for evidence of explicit bias and monitor officers use of cell phones and computers for racist messages, like those exchanged by San Francisco police in 2011 and 2012. Law enforcement agencies should take other steps to remove structural practices that contribute to misconceptions about race and identity, the report said for example, deciding to stop posting mug-shot photos of people they have arrested, a step San Francisco took last July. Pleasanton Police Chief David Swing, co-chair of the advisory board that issued the report, said the findings will be used by our profession to evaluate our practices as we continue to strive for police services that are fair and impartial. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko By Vladimir Soldatkin, Shadia Nasralla and Alex Lawler MOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia will make additional, voluntary oil output cuts of one million barrels per day (bpd) in February and March as part of a deal under which most OPEC+ producers will hold production steady in the face of new coronavirus lockdowns. Saudi is going beyond its promised cuts as part of the OPEC+ group of oil producers to support both its own economy and the oil market, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday. The move follows two days of talks among OPEC+ producers that will ... Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI) today announces a trio of transactions across its residential portfolio, including the sale of its interests in Riverwatch Commons in New Brunswick, NJ and Crystal House Apartments in Arlington, VA, as well as the construction take-out financing of The Emery at Overlook Ridge in Malden, MA. "As we've said before, moving forward our emphasis will be on our core markets, asset control and thoughtful management of our balance sheet," said MaryAnne Gilmartin, Board Chair and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation. "Securing permanent financing of The Emery, a building that has nearly stabilized since its 1Q 2020 opening, provides the Company with excess financing proceeds." Mack-Cali sold its JV interest in Crystal House Apartments in Arlington, VA, which it owned in partnership with an institutional investor. Crystal House Apartments, located a block from Amazon's proposed HQ2, are comprised of an 825-unit operating property and land held for future development. The assets were sold for $377 million comprised of $40 million for the land and $337 million for the operating property. Additionally, the firm sold Riverwatch Commons for a total of $47 million. The asset is comprised of 200 units in New Brunswick, NJ, at 5 Dennis Street, 10 Dennis Street, and 100 Hiram Square and is ideally located near Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The dispositions of the Company's two oldest properties will elevate the portfolio's average revenue per home to over $3,100 and reduce the average age of its assets to seven (7) years, which will be further reduced upon the scheduled delivery of three communities in 2021. The Company also refinanced its $60 million existing construction loan at The Emery at Overlook Ridge with a $72 million mortgage from New York Community Bank. The property includes 326 luxury rental homes spread across three fivestory, elevator serviced buildings with a combination of precast structured garage and surface parking. Unit types include a mix of studio, one and twobedroom units, with sizes ranging from 529 square feet for studios to 1,342 square feet for larger twobedroom units with dens. The asset commenced leasing in February 2020, and despite COVID-related challenges, successfully leased up and is currently 93% leased. About Mack-Cali Realty Corporation One of the country's leading real estate investment trusts (REITs), Mack-Cali Realty Corporation is an owner, manager and developer of premier office and multifamily properties in select waterfront and transit-oriented markets throughout New Jersey. Mack-Cali is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, and is the visionary behind the city's flourishing waterfront, where the company is leading development, improvement and place-making initiatives for Harborside, a master-planned destination comprised of class A office, luxury apartments, diverse retail and restaurants, and public spaces. A fully integrated and self-managed company, Mack-Cali has provided world-class management, leasing, and development services throughout New Jersey and the surrounding region for over two decades. By regularly investing in its properties and innovative lifestyle amenity packages, Mack-Cali creates environments that empower tenants and residents to reimagine the way they work and live. For more information on Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and its properties, visit www.mack-cali.com . About Roseland Residential Trust Roseland Residential Trust is an owner, manager, and developer of luxury multifamily properties in high-barrier-to-entry waterfront locales throughout the Northeast. A subsidiary of New Jersey-based Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, one of the country's leading Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Roseland develops innovative, lifestyle-oriented communities in waterfront neighborhoods that provide quick access to mass transit. Roseland, which owns and manages a large collection of luxury residential units, has a long history of creating communities that enrich the quality of life for residents, and enhance the beauty, economic vitality, and energy of their surrounding environs. Fully integrated and self-managed, the company is the master developer for several nationally recognized, mixed-use waterfront destinations, including Port Imperial, a $3-billion, 200-acre neighborhood on the Hudson River Waterfront in New Jersey, and Portside at East Pier in East Boston, where the company is redeveloping a half-mile of Boston Harbor into a luxury community. For more information, visit www.roselandres.com . Forward Looking Statements Statements made in this communication may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "plan," "potential," "projected," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "continue," or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading "Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Media Contact: Jeremy Soffin m[email protected] (646) 200-5318 SOURCE Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Related Links www.mack-cali.com Wondering why Donald Trump sounded especially unhinged on last weekends inept shakedown attempt of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger? Look to Trumps pronoun usage. Throughout the full transcript of the call, in which Trump issued vague threats about what might happen if Raffensperger didnt find 11,780 votes, something is conspicuously missing: antecedents. Scores of them. Had Trump employed a few more, he might have set himself up for more success and sounded less like a crackpot conspiracy theorist. Antecedents are the words that pronouns stand in place of; they help pronouns function. For example, in the sentence Trump made his call to Raffensperger, his is the pronoun and Trump is the antecedent. That allows you to avoid writing, Trump made Trumps call to Raffensperger always wise for someone who wants to avoid the guys name as much as possible. But for those pronouns to work as theyre supposed to, the antecedent has to be crystal clear. Plenty of bad writing has ambiguous antecedents as the culprit. In his 62-minute call, Trump uttered the pronoun they 152 times: Roughly every 47th word out of his mouth was they, almost double the frequency of anyone else on the call. And in an unsettling number of those instances, its impossible to tell from context who they are. READ MORE: Trumps tactics in Georgia call are straight from the white supremacy playbook | Solomon Jones Early in the morning, they [all emphasis added] went to the table with the black robe and the black shield, and they pulled out the votes they are burning their ballots, that they are shredding, shredding ballots and removing equipment. Theyre changing the equipment on the Dominion machines they say its not possible to have lost Georgia they dropped a lot of votes in there late at night why did they put the votes in three times? they need more time for the big numbers it is more illegal for you than it is for them because, you know, what they did and youre not reporting it they are removing machinery, and theyre moving it as fast as they can they dumped ballots into Fulton County there were 18,000 ballots, but they used them three times Feel free to search for context. You wont find it. The result is a bunch of nefarious actions performed by a shadowy, undefined, antecedent-less they. READ MORE: Report on Philly police handling of protests is like a crime scene with no fingerprints | Editorial If you want to absolve anyone of responsibility for any action, using passive voice is a common way to do so. And Trump did plenty of that on the call too: Ballots were dropped mysteriously onto the rolls those votes were put there a number of hours before you had drop boxes that were picked up, and so on. But antecedent-less pronouns are just the sneakier cousin of passive voice: Theyre typically written in active voice, so they seem to assign responsibility for the verbs action. But that responsibility is a mirage: A search for accountability leads to an unmanned paper shredder under a desk in Fulton County, Ga. Making sure that your pronouns have proper antecedents isnt just good grammar it makes your claims fact-checkable. If you can point to a specific person who is dropping or shredding or dumping ballots, that person can be prosecuted and held accountable. If you cant, and an ambiguous they is all you have to stand on well, then grammar might be the least of your problems. The Angry Grammarian, otherwise known as Jeffrey Barg, looks at how language, grammar, and punctuation shape our world, and appears biweekly. Send comments, questions, and demonstrative pronouns to jeff@theangrygrammarian.com. Bombay HC upholds transgender person's right to self-perceived gender identity The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has allowed a transgender person to contest village panchayat polls in the womens category, saying that such persons have the right to self-perceived gender identity. A single bench of Justice Ravindra Ghuge on January 2 allowed a petition filed by Anjali Guru Sanjana Jaan challenging the December 31, 2020 order passed by a returning officer that rejected her nomination for contesting a gram panchayat election in Jalgaon district. In the nomination form, the petitioner had chosen female gender and submitted the form to contest from a ward reserved for womens general category. The form was, however, rejected as the petitioner was a transgender and there was no transgender category in the present village panchayat elections. The petitioners advocate AP Bhandari informed the court that the petitioner has always chosen female gender for all purposes and will not be switching over to male gender anytime in the future. The court in its order noted that the Government of India has introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and has permitted a transgender person to have a right to self-perceived gender identity. In the present case, the petitioner has opted for the female gender as her self-perceived gender identity and also makes a statement that henceforth in her lifetime, she would not switch over to male gender driven by opportunism and would continue to opt for female gender, in future, save and except if there is a reservation provided for transgenders in public life, the court said. The court quashed the rejection order passed by the returning officer, accepted the nomination form and permitted the petitioner to contest the election from the ward and category she has opted for in her nomination form. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 With 13 more people testing positive for the new UK variant of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the total number of UK returnees having tested positive for the mutant virus in the country has reached 71, the Centre has announced. The results are based on the genome sequencing of positive samples released by the Indian Sars-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) labs that the Centre has specifically created for the purpose of monitoring any kind of mutations in the virus. As of now, there have been 71 positive cases detected of the new UK variant from different designated labs across the country, said Dr Renu Swarup, secretary, department of biotechnology, in the media briefing on Tuesday. The government has asked states to fast-track contact tracing of these positive cases, and isolate and test the symptomatic contacts so as to curb the spread of infection that is known to be at least 70% more infectious than the original virus. The samples have so far been sequenced in six of the 10 designated labs across the country. Among the INSACOG network of labs that has returned positive samples for new variant after genome sequencing are NIMHANS, Bengaluru, CCMB, Hyderabad, NIV, Pune, IGIB, Delhi, NCDC, New Delhi, and NCBG, Kolkata. NCBS, InSTEM, Bengaluru, CDFD Hyderabad, ILS Bhubaneswar, and NCCS Pune have so far found no UK mutant virus among the samples that have been sequenced in their labs. From November 25 to December 23, 2020, midnight, about 33,000 passengers disembarked at various Indian airports from UK. All these passengers are being tracked and subjected by states to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests to detect Covid-19. All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated health care facilities by respective state governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on, according to the ministry of health. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs, said the health ministry in a statement. The Indian government had suspended air travel from the United Kingdom December 23 onwards after a new variant of Sar-CoV-2 was found to be circulating in London and other parts of the country. The new variant which has 23 mutations, including one on the receptor binding protein on the spike used by the virus to enter the human cells is thought to be 70% more transmissible, raising concerns of super-spreading events. However, doctors monitoring these patients have not found severe illness among these patients because of the new variant. The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore, so far. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Blood Glucose Test Strip Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027 Blood glucose test strips are useful for medical tests. They are small disposable strips used in conjugation with blood glucose meters in order to monitor and control diabetes. Market Research Future (MRFR) has published and released a research report about the global blood glucose test strip market that predicts growth for this market between 2017 and 2027. Analyzing the market structure, this report offers insights about factors affecting the market growth. Estimating the market size and forecasting the revenue, this reports covers and observes the competitive developments of market players that include mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, new product developments, research and developments (R&D), and strategic alliances. The major factors contributing to the growth of the global blood glucose test strip market are increasing geriatric population, the rising prevalence of diabetes, and rapid urbanization. Other important reasons aiding the market growth are changing lifestyle, increasing spending on healthcare, and increasing awareness about the health hazards caused by lack of glucose. The global blood glucose test strip market has been segmented on the basis of technology and region. The technology-based segmentation segments the market into optical technology, thick film electrochemical, and thin film electrochemical. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique used for medical imaging and sometimes for glucose monitoring. The regional segmentation of the global blood glucose test strip market segments the global market into regional markets known as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is largest regional market. In this region, the market is growing due to the presence of major manufacturers, technological advancement, and heavy research and development (R&D) with regards to the medical sector. The topmost country-specific markets in this region are USA and Canada. Many key market players are based in this region, especially in the USA. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two revised draft guidance for blood glucose monitors in home and health care settings. These guidelines have been issued after a request from stakeholders for more clarification on design considerations and recommended standards for meters. Europe is the second largest regional market, and it is expected to grow during the forecast period. The factors supporting the growth of this market include a high density of population, established healthcare sector, high level of technological advancement that is second only to North America, and presence of many key market players. The main country-specific markets in this region are France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, followed by the remaining countries of Europe. The Asia Pacific is another significant market as healthcare sector is developing in countries like China and India. Advanced medical facilities and rapid technological advancement are available in Japan. The rural market in countries like China and India is still untapped which due to the high density of population can be a lucrative market once tapped into. Many key market players are based in this region too. In Latin America, the market is smaller than North America as this region has less advanced medical facilities. The two strongest economies that can become suitable markets are Argentina and Brazil. The MEA region has the least market share due to poor countries, lack of awareness, lack of education, low standard of medical facilities, lack of healthcare facilities, and majority governments not considering healthcare a priority. Key Players The key players in the global blood glucose test strip market include Abbott Laboratories (USA), Acon Laboratories Inc (USA), Allmedicus (South Korea), Apex Biotechnology Corporation (Taiwan), Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings Ag (Switzerland), B.Braun Melsungen Ag (Germany), HMD Biomedical (Taiwan), I-Sens Inc. (South Korea), Lifescan Inc. (USA), Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland), and Taidoc Technology Corporation (Taiwan). Blood Glucose Test Strip Market Information by Technology (Thick Film Electrochemical, Thin Film Electrochemical, Optical) - Forecast to 2027 : https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/blood-glucose-test-strip-market-892 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Researchers work to detect remnants of the virus that causes COVID-19 in samples of wastewater collected from across Missouri. Credit: University of Missouri Over six months ago, two University of Missouri professors, Marc Johnson and Chung-Ho Lin, started detecting remnants of the virus that causes COVID-19 in samples of wastewater collected across Missouri. Now, even with the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines, they predict they'll still be searching for SARS-CoV-2 in Missouri wastewater in the years to come. Johnson is a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the School of Medicine and investigator in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center. Lin is a research associate professor and lead scientist in the bioremediation program at the MU Center for Agroforestry in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Johnson and Lin had never worked together on a project until a leader from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, or Missouri DHSS, called Johnson early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. The state wanted to see if anyone at MU could help them analyze samples of wastewater from across the state of Missouri for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, or the novel coronavirus, in places where people are connected to a centralized wastewater treatment system. After he was approached, Johnson sent an email to about 10 other MU scientists in search of collaborators who had the expertise to analyze wastewater samples. The next day, he organized a video conference call with those who responded. Also on that call was Lin, who eagerly offered to dedicate his lab to the research effort. Lin had been analyzing wastewater for a couple of years, but he had never worked with viruses before. "It was a kind of an interesting adventure, and also challenging," Lin said. Since May 2020, Johnson and Lin have provided valuable data for the Coronavirus Sewershed Surveillance Project, a partnership among MU, the Missouri DHSS, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. To date, they have tested more than 2,000 samples, and Johnson believes their findings indicate this type of testing can be useful as an early indicator of a rise in the numbers of COVID-19 cases in a community. "I never in my wildest dreams thought that we could track, with some precision, the number of people infected with a respiratory virus this way," Johnson said. "It's just crazy." Using wastewater for science About four days a week, the Missouri DHSS sends Johnson between four to 50 boxes of wastewater samples from different wastewater treatment facilities across the state. A team in Johnson's lab extracts the genetic material, or RNA, of the novel coronavirus from the samples. He then stores the samples at minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit before Lin's lab can take over the rest of the analysis. Once he receives the samples, Lin runs the RNA through a machine called qPCR, which amplifies the RNA to allow scientists to study it in greater detail. Johnson begins his days at around 7 a.m., while Lin's team works during the afternoons and evenings until around 8 or 9 p.m. Once a day's analysis is complete, they submit a report to the Missouri DHSS so that local public health departments from across the state can be notified of the results. Lin said perhaps the most convenient perk of their partnership is that Johnson likes to start working early in the morning, while he likes to work late into the night. That way, Lin said they are always working around the clock. "This is a dream for every scientist," Lin said. "By the time I wake up in the morning, somebody is going to benefit from the analysis we ran the night before. This gives me a very rewarding experience, to be able to directly benefit the people and let the general public appreciate science and higher education." Even with the recent introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines, the data Johnson and Lin collect will help local health departments keep an eye on possible spread of the virus, especially since fewer people are likely to get tested once they receive the vaccine. The wastewater also will be helpful in determining when a community is entirely clear of the virus. "Peace of mind is priceless, especially after the pandemic is over," Lin said. "Everyone will still be curious about whether the virus is still out there, circling around, and this testing will help put those fears to rest." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak SUV Given the situation we're all in, the event will be held online and streamed on YouTube. News of the reveal broke out recently after select customers started receiving mysterious emails from Jeep that didn't mention any particular model but did talk about "the most awarded SUV" and "adding something new to the adventure - a third row."Later on, Jeep dealers started posting pictures of their own invitations, and these left no doubt over the identity of the vehicle in question: it is indeed the new Grand Cherokee . Unlike the event for the rest of the public, the dealer presentation will apparently take place two hours earlier.Camouflaged 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee test cars have been showing up for some time now, and yet not that much is known about the new model. Some reports say it will ride on Alfa Romeo Stelvio's Giorgio platform, and even though that would make plenty of sense, nothing is confirmed at the moment.What we do know is that the model will feature a hybrid version. Whether it'll be similar (or even identical) to the powertrain in the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, on the other hand, remains to be seen. That uses a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine and two electric motors for a combined output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft (636 Nm) of torque, which sounds like more than enough to cope with the larger Grand Cherokee as well.Design-wise, everyone expects something in the vein of the Grand Wagoneer , and they're most likely right. That's where the Grand Cherokee's biggest problem might lie as not everybody is on board with the way the top Jeep model looks like. If you're one of those, you have roughly one day left to make peace with this new design direction because the dice have been cast, and the point of no return is way behind us.If Jeep wants to silence the critics, all it needs to do is show the Trackhawk version that we're sure will look brilliant. However, while the three-row version of the new Grand Cherokee is expected to enter production this March, the two-row version will only follow in the second half of the year.Hopefully, given how close we are to the start of production, the event scheduled for tomorrow will reveal all there is to know about the new Jeep, from appearance to features, trim levels, powertrains, and, of course, prices. Stay tuned. ANN ARBOR, MI One unit was damaged when a fire broke out in an eight-story apartment building in Ann Arbor Tuesday night. Fire crews were called at 10:32 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, to Lurie Terrace Senior Apartments, 600 W. Huron Street, for a report of a kitchen fire in one of its apartments, according to the Ann Arbor Fire Department. Crews arrived to find a small kitchen fire in an apartment on the first floor of the building and were able to quickly extinguish fire, preventing it from spreading and damaging other apartments, officials said. The building was ventilated and air quality was checked to ensure the building was clear of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases caused by smoke from the fire, officials said. No injuries were reported, but one person was taken to University of Michigan Hospital for evaluation. The Ann Arbor Police Department assisted at the scene in providing traffic control and occupant evacuation. The Ann Arbor Fire Department urges residents to be careful while cooking and to never store combustibles on the stove top or in the oven, noting kitchen fires are the number one cause of all fires in the city. More from The Ann Arbor News: Jeff Daniels joins Ann Arbor Folk Festival lineup as emcee Dedication, family love is legacy of Ann Arbor firefighter who died of cancer at age 45 Washtenaw Urban County wants public feedback on future community projects Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are showing their love is still very much alive after nearly 13 years of marriage. The 62-year-old talk show host and the 47-year-old Ally McBeal actress put on an affectionate display in Montecito, California on Tuesday as they held hands while crossing a street. This comes a month after the media personality recovered from a bad case of COVID-19. Mrs and Mrs: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are showing the love is still alive after nearly 13 years of marriage. The 62-year-old talk show host and the 47-year-old Ally McBeal actress put on an affectionate display in Montecito, California on Tuesday as they held hands while crossing a street Ellen was dressed down in a black sweater with a crew neck and fitted black slacks that showed off her slender legs. The Finding Dory actresses added white sneakers that looked right out of the box, and she also wore a blue-and-white face mask that made her almost unrecognizable. The Louisiana native wore her hair combed to the side and added a gold bracelet. Two looks: Ellen was dressed down in a black sweater with a crew neck and fitted black slacks that showed off her slender legs. Portia went with a more elegant style with a long coat worn open that had its belt hanging down Portia went with a more elegant style with a long coat worn open that had its belt hanging down. Underneath de Rossi modeled a statement T-shirt as she wore dark slacks and leather boots that went to her knees. The cover girl also carried a Gucci Ophidia Boston suede handbag that retails for $2,400. The Scandal star wore her hair down in soft waves, adding round shaped sunglasses with a green tint on the lens. Happily wed: DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi are seen in a holiday snap from Thanksgiving In December, OK! magazine reported the duo are interested in renewing their vows after a difficult 2020. Last month Ellen shared a health update with her 92.3 million Instagram followers, days after revealing she tested positive for the COVID-19. In a new video on her Instagram, the host thanked fans for their 'well-wishes' amid her battle with the virus and some of its severe symptoms. 'I'm feeling 100 percent. I feel really good,' she assured listeners, before detailing her experience with excruciating back pain, which according to WebMD is a common ailment of coronavirus like abdominal pain, headache, body aches and fatigue. Ill: DeGeneres shared a health update with her 92.3 million Instagram followers, days after revealing she tested positive for the COVID-19 While she previously hadn't heard or seen back pain listed as a COVID symptom, she said 'other people' have confirmed they experienced it as well. 'Who knew? How come?' the comedienne asked, as she sat on the couch in a grey and white flannel next to one of her dogs, before playing a game of Connect Four. Earlier, the star shared a snap of herself curled up with her dog, Wally, in which she looked fatigued as she glanced up at the camera. DeGeneres is seen hosting the show. The daytime talk star will be off until after the holidays after saying she tested positive for COVID-19 'Thank you for all of your sweet messages. They're helping a lot. Wally is helping too.' DeGeneres captioned the image. The star appeared to be at home in her Montecito, California mansion and wore striped sweatpants, a black sweater and beanie in the early morning shot. DeGeneres also used social media to make her announcement she had the contagious virus. 'Hi Everyone, I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately, I'm feeling fine right now,' she wrote in a statement. 'Anyone who has been in close contact with me has been notified, and I am following all proper CDC guidelines,' she added. 'I'll see you all again after the holidays. Please stay safe and healthy.' Lawmakers resumed counting Electoral College votes on Wednesday, hours after a mob of Trump loyalists stormed the Capitol resulting in the death of one woman, with Vice President Mike Pence gaveling in the session and saying that Wednesday was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol. To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win, Mr. Pence said. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the peoples house. Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, promptly vowed that the Senate would finish its work Wednesday night, undeterred by failed insurrection. They tried to disrupt our democracy, he said. They failed. They failed. Earlier in the evening, Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues that they were determined to reconvene saying, We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night. Story Highlights Biden expected to improve environment (64%), education (63%) most Outlook for Biden reducing budget deficit lowest since 1980 Expectations of Biden lower than they were of Obama, higher than Trump WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More than half of Americans expect the Biden administration will be able to accomplish 10 of 15 specific national and foreign policy goals commonly sought by U.S. presidents. The public is most likely to predict the next administration will make improvements to the environment (64%), education (63%) and conditions for minorities and the poor (60%), as well as increase respect for the U.S. abroad (60%). At the same time, U.S. adults are least likely to say President-elect Joe Biden will be able to substantially reduce the federal budget deficit (28%) or avoid raising Americans' taxes (30%). Bar chart. Americans' expectations that the Biden administration will be able to accomplish 15 specific national and foreign policy goals. Americans are most likely to predict the next administration will make improvements to the environment (64%), education (63%) and conditions for minorities or the poor (60%), and increase respect for the U.S. abroad (60%). U.S. adults are least likely to say Biden will be able to substantially reduce the federal budget deficit (28%) or avoid raising Americans' taxes (30%). The other six policy goals that majorities of Americans think the Biden administration will achieve are improving the health care system (58%), keeping the U.S. safe from terrorism (56%), reducing unemployment (54%), improving race relations (54%) and the economy (53%), and keeping the nation out of war (52%). Meanwhile, in addition to Americans' skepticism on tax increases or deficit reduction, less than half of U.S. adults think he will be able to reduce the crime rate (39%), heal political divisions in the country (39%) and control illegal immigration (44%). At least 65% of Democrats believe that Biden will accomplish all the goals except for substantially reducing the deficit (45%) and not raising taxes (49%), and majorities of independents say he will achieve nine of the 15. Yet, no more than 30% of Republicans think the Biden administration will realize any of these goals. Though this pattern is typical, partisans' views have become increasingly politically polarized for the past two presidents-elect. Outlook for Biden Administration Better Than Trump, Not as Good as Obama These findings, from a Dec. 1-17, 2020 poll, are the latest in Gallup's tracking of Americans' expectations for modern-day presidents-elect, although the list of specific goals has varied over the years. Since 1988, majorities of Americans have anticipated that each new presidential administration would improve the economy and education. Likewise, in the years that it was asked, majorities consistently said the incoming president would keep the U.S. safe from terrorism and reduce unemployment. Americans have also been more likely to have positive expectations for incoming Democratic than Republican presidents on the environment, conditions for minorities and the poor, and the health care system. Historical Comparison of Americans' Expectations of New Presidential Administrations, 1988-2020 % Who think the administration will be able to accomplish each G.H.W. Bush 1988 Clinton 1992 G.W. Bush 2001 Obama 2008 Trump 2016 Biden 2020 % % % % % % Improve quality of the environment 50 64 42 70 35 64 Improve education 61 69 66 71 53 63 Increase respect for the U.S. abroad 64 50 58 76 47 60 Improve conditions for minorities, poor 39 68 44 80 44 60 Improve health care system - 64 46 64 52 58 Keep the U.S. safe from terrorism - - - 62 57 56 Reduce unemployment - 58 - 67 62 54 Improve race relations - - 44 - 35 54 Improve the economy 65^ 59 63^ 64^^ 60 53 Keep the nation out of war 70 60 - - 38 52 Control illegal immigration - - - 35 59 44 Heal political divisions in country - - 41 54 39 39 Reduce crime rate 36 - 44 - 43 39 Avoid raising your taxes 24 20 49~ 36 51~ 30 Substantially reduce federal budget deficit 33* 38* 50** 42* 46 28 All readings from Nov. or Dec. except George W. Bush which was from a Jan. poll. Varied wordings: ^"Keep America prosperous"; ^^"Create a strong economic recovery"; ~"Cut your taxes"; *Question did not include "substantially"; **"Keep the federal budget balanced" GALLUP In general, Americans' predictions for the Biden administration are somewhat less optimistic than they were for Barack Obama in 2008 but more optimistic than they were in 2016 when Donald Trump won the election and in 2001 when George W. Bush was sworn in. Expectations of Biden's administration are significantly higher than they were for Trump's on seven of the policy areas, including the environment, education, increasing respect from abroad, improving conditions for minorities, the health care system, race relations and keeping the U.S. out of war. Yet, Americans were more likely to think the Trump administration would accomplish five of the goals than think Biden will -- reducing unemployment, improving the economy, controlling illegal immigration and reducing the deficit. In fact, the 28% who think Biden will substantially reduce the deficit is the lowest on record for a president in his first term since 1980. The public's expectations that Biden will keep the U.S. safe from terrorism, heal political divisions in the country and reduce the crime rate are about the same as they were for Trump. Bottom Line Biden is taking office at a challenging time for the U.S. as the coronavirus pandemic continues to surge across the country, and the nation's economy is in a fragile state. Despite this, majorities of Americans think that the new administration will be able to accomplish a wide range of policy goals that relate to the pandemic in some way. These include improving the economy, education, conditions for minorities and the health care system, as well as reducing unemployment. A majority also trust Biden will improve race relations, another area of deep concern for the U.S. last year. Yet, after a divisive election amid sharp partisan polarization, the public is largely unconvinced that the incoming administration will be able to heal the political divisions that exist in the country. Americans will surely be watching closely to see if Biden is able to work with Republicans to help America move past the pandemic and its ill effects. View complete question responses and trends (PDF download). Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. Nearly 240,000 Pennsylvanians possibly lost their homes on February 31, but some local lawmakers try to ensure that it won't happen. More help is on the way for homeowners and renters who struggle in paying their bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic as new legislation calls to extend the eviction moratorium. According to CBS Philly via MSN, Several Pennsylvania state Senators will join forces to save thousands of residents from losing their homes in the midst of the pandemic. Lawmakers claim to extend the eviction moratorium is needed Senator Vincent Hughes explained that their proposal aims to extend a moratorium for foreclosures and evictions for 60 days. Without an extension, the housing crisis, which started even before the pandemic, will be exacerbated. Lawmakers urge people to have enough time to fall back on their feet as the COVID-19 cases and the unemployment rate continues to rise through the eviction moratorium's extension. They believe that the state would face dreadful economic consequences without providing some relief. Tenants' rights advocates are fighting for the moratorium evictions extension to deal with residents who fear being homeless daily. The Democratic senators proposed the bill, but they say it seemed unclear if it will get bipartisan support as the issue is not just on their party, this is a problem that affects the entire community. Read also: CDC Warns of Possible Surge in COVID-19 Cases as Eviction Ban Nears End PA lawmakers will pass similar law NY passed On Monday, the Senate Democrats and Pennsylvania House offered the bill to solve the housing crisis, which affects hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. The local lawmakers want to pass a foreclosure and eviction ban similar to the law passed in New York last week. The extension would last 60 days after Governor Tom Wolf's third emergency declaration expires in February. According to the York Daily Record, Representative Sara Innamorato said a Census study revealed that over 691,000 residents were not currently on their rent or could not pay on time. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, many families in the state are already struggling and living paycheck to paycheck, Innamorato pointed out. Meanwhile, Senator-elect Nikil Saval said the states could face a $2.8 billion bill to pay without a moratorium due to homelessness. Hundred of thousands of new COVID-19 infections and tens of thousands of deaths are possible from being homeless, Saval said. A basic human right considers the right to housing to keep people in their homes, and it is a fundamental government responsibility, he added. Lawmakers claim that eviction is commonly traumatizing for residents with young children. Most of the lawmakers emphasized that foreclosures and evictions are not just urban problems. In September, when the state evictions moratorium expired, Republican leaders did not respond to Governor Wolf's call for an extension. Landlords and tenants asked for relief, but the state made it hard to access federal relief funds, Spotlight reported. The state used $108 million of Pennsylvania's budget balance instead as a solution. Read also: New York Bans Evictions for Nearly Two Months, Will It be a Better or Worse Situation After? @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 247th Ave & Yuma Road Parcel Were seeing a huge spike in interest in Buckeye and as we already have a property there from one of our last deals, it made sense to invest in more land in that area. Equity Land Group, a Phoenix-based land investment and development company, announced today it has closed on one more property and is set to close on another in Arizona for a combined purchase price of $3 million, making it the firms largest raise to date in one transaction. Including this deal, which raised funds in two months, Equity Land Group has raised more than $9 million in less than two years. Equity Land Group adds two Buckeye properties including a 19-acre parcel off of Miller Road and Interstate 10 as well as a 9-acre property located off Yuma and Palo Verde Roads. Were seeing a huge spike in interest in Buckeye and as we already have a property there from one of our last deals, it made sense to invest in more land in that area, said Anita Verma-Lallian, co-founder of Equity Land Group. We have been seeing a significant increase in demand from our investors and decided to add on a second property because of that demand. The Miller Road parcel is adjacent to the Ford dealership in Buckeye and could be used for a car dealership, office/flex industrial, hotels, storage, and numerous other uses. In the next year there will be significant residential development around this property, with an estimate of more than 5,000 homes in a master planned community. Equity Land Group is also installing a digital billboard on this parcel to be used for advertising opportunities for nearby businesses. The Yuma Road property is adjacent to the Buckeye Airport and Cipriani, a large master planned community with an estimate of 3,000 homes in the works. This property is in one of the few opportunity zones in Buckeye and could be used for light industrial, office, flex, multifamily, commercial, and retail. For both of these properties, Equity Land Group worked with a new partner. Seema Patel with Dot to Dot Consulting, LLC leveraged her strategic thinking and creativity to help Equity Land Group with this current deal in a short period of time. Dot to Dot Consulting was an asset in connecting Equity Land Group with a diverse group of investors, said Smita Patil Mehta, co-founder of Equity Land Group. Seemas ability to leverage her skills and passion made it easier to communicate and network. Patel added, working with female entrepreneurs who are on the cutting edge of Arizona land investing was exciting for me. Equity Land Group has a transparent and easy way for investors to engage. Equity Land Group is currently negotiating on several other parcels in the Valley with increasing interest from investors on the sites. For more information about Equity Land Group, please visit equitylandgroupaz.com or call 480-213-1895. ABOUT EQUITY LAND GROUP Equity Land Group is a land investment and development company in Phoenix, founded by Anita Verma-Lallian and Smita Patil Mehta. The firm focuses on shorter term properties with development opportunities in Arizona. Equity Land Group is to act as a concierge service on investors behalf. For more information please visit equitylandgroupaz.com. ABOUT DOT TO DOT CONSULTING Dot to Dot Consulting is a Phoenix based consulting firm founded by Seema Patel. By leveraging creativity, passion, and strategic thinking, Dot to Dot Consulting helps entrepreneurs and healthcare companies take their projects to the next level. As a connector and a problem solver, the firm evaluates a business and their unique situation to create an actionable end goal. For more information and to connect with Dot to Dot Consulting, please email info@dottodotconsulting.com. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Image(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- (Please scroll down for the latest updates) Supporters of President Donald Trump who rallied outside the U.S. Capitol clashed with police officers and breached the building Wednesday, forcing a lockdown with members of Congress inside. The clashes began as Trump and his allies held a rally pushing the Senate to refuse to certify the election for President-elect Joe Biden. "If you are in a public space, find a place to hide or seek cover," U.S. Capitol Police told people inside the building. The protesters pushed ahead of barricades and a wall of police officers in riot gear to get into the building. Inside, the Trump supporters, many of whom appeared without face coverings, waved "Trump 2020" flags, shouted chants and moved freely. President Trump, who was at the White House, tweeted at 2:39 p.m., "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!" Fifteen minutes earlier, he had tweeted that Vice President Mike Pence "didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution," and "USA demands the truth!" U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., tweeted, "Police have asked us to get gas masks out as there has been tear gas used in the rotunda." Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citywide curfew beginning at 6 p.m. and ending Thursday at 6 a.m. "During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District," the mayor's office said. 3:41 p.m. ET update Sources tell ABC News an unidentified woman has been shot in the neck inside the U.S. Capitol by persons unknown and was reported to be in critical condition, and was being treated at the hospital. Its unclear what led to the shooting or if law enforcement was involved. Law enforcement has also succeeded in clearing protestors from the Senate chamber and at last word was pushing them from upper floors of the Capitol building to the lower floors. 3:57 p.m. ET update ABC News has learned that the entire Washington, D.C. National Guard has been activated to address the U.S. Capitol breach and the protests there. 4:27 p.m. ET update President-elect Joe Biden, in a brief address, declared in part, "This is not dissent, it's disorder. It's chaos. It borders on sedition. And it must end now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward." Biden also urged President Trump to "go on national television now, to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege." A few minutes later, President Trump tweeted a one-minute video in which he declared: "I know your pain, I know youre hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election. And everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We dont want anybody hurt. Its a very tough period of time. Theres never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us. From me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election. But we cant play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. Youve very special. Youve seen what happens, you see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace." 5:04 p.m. ET update Riot police continue to move the pro-Trump protestors from the Capitol, less than one hour after a 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. Washington, D.C. curfew is scheduled to begin. It's unknown what will happen when the curfew begins if the protestors refuse to leave. 5:51 p.m. ET update Facebook has removed Trump's one-minute video. A company spokesperson says in a statement: The violent protests in the Capitol today are a disgrace. We prohibit incitement and calls for violence on our platform. We are actively reviewing and removing any content that breaks these rules. 6:20 p.m. ET update The woman who was shot at the U.S. Capitol has died, a law enforcement official confirmed to ABC News. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, affects many people who are exposed to extreme situations, such as torture. Recent research suggests that chronic pain may make it more difficult to treat trauma. "Trauma-focused therapy is effective for many patients with PTSD, enabling them to talk through the trauma they experienced", according to Iselin Solerd Dibaj, a psychologist at Oslo University Hospital. However, not everyone benefits equally from this form of therapy. "Torture victims who struggle with both chronic pain and PTSD unfortunately often reap less benefit from ordinary treatment," says Dibaj. The Red Cross estimates that between 10 000 and 35 000 people with a refugee background who have come to Norway have experienced torture, reflecting the great need for effective treatment in this country as well. "Torture is one of the most extreme abuses a person can experience. Physical and mental pain is inflicted with the intention of breaking a person down or obtaining information," says Hakon Stenmark, a specialist in clinical psychology at RVTS Midt, a regional resource centre for violence, traumatic stress and suicide prevention in central Norway. "Mental health therapists find it difficult to provide effective help to victims of torture. They are pushing to increase their knowledge and find more effective methods," says Stenmark. Now Dibaj and Stenmark, along with Professor Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair and Joar veraas Halvorsen, a specialist in clinical psychology and PhD at the Regional Unit for Trauma Treatment at St. Olavs Hospital, have published an article in the journal Torture about treating this patient group. Professor Kennair, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, has been a supervisor and the driving force behind the research project that might lead to better treatment of torture victims. "Exposure therapy" involves delving into patients' memories and trying to talk through the trauma. "But trauma-focused treatment for torture victims has been criticized in several clinical and academic settings for being too concerned with the traumas and not taking context into account, such as social, political and historical factors," says Dibaj. Dibaj says they understand this criticism, at the same time as they do not want to write off a trauma treatment for this group that has documented effectiveness in other patient groups. Other trauma-exposed groups in recent years have shown evidence that chronic pain and PTSD mutually contribute to reinforcing the other condition. One disorder can trigger the other, ensuring that neither disappears. "So people with both disorders have worse treatment results with both the trauma condition and the chronic pain than if they only had one disorder," says Kennair. Having both disorders also brings with it a number of additional challenges that therapists do not address specifically and purposefully in either trauma treatment or pain treatment. "So we're questioning whether these factors are partly to blame for the trauma treatment being less effective for victims of torture," Kennair says. Effective trauma treatment is largely about experiencing mastery and learning new ways to deal with painful memories. "But if the patient experiences unmanageable pain, without the tools to deal with it, he or she risks not having this experience. The patient might then drop out or not be willing to delve into the memories," says Dibaj. In the same way, pain treatment with the physiotherapist rarely works directly with trauma memories. Thus, this therapy can fall into the same trap - that the patient doesn't dare to do the rehabilitative exercises for fear of re-experiencing the trauma. "We're criticizing the current 'gold standard trauma therapies' for not working purposefully and specifically enough with important maintenance mechanisms for patients who have both pain and PTSD," says Dibaj. But these patients might actually achieve better outcomes if the therapists worked with the pain and trauma simultaneously. "In other words, psychologists and physiotherapists should collaborate more in treating these patients," Dibaj says. "We also have to remember that torture is such an extreme and unique experience that we can't just conclude that the pain problems in these patients are the same as we see in other patients with the same problem," says Dibaj. Norway has ratified the UN Convention against Torture. It states that people who have been subjected to torture have the right to rehabilitation. In a report from earlier this year, the Red Cross found the services offered to torture victims in Norway to be fragmented and highly person-dependent. "At the same time, those of us working in the health care services are obliged to offer evidence-based treatment and equal health services," says Halvorsen. This means that patients with PTSD need to be offered the form of treatment that currently seems to have the best documented effect. This guideline applies regardless of background. The treatment has to be adapted to each individual patient. "International guidelines for the rehabilitation of torture victims recommend interdisciplinary, specialized follow-up of these patients. However, studies show that even patients who receive such multi-faceted treatment experience only modest effects. We simply need to gain more knowledge about how we can help this group," says Dibaj. "We've been pointing out that Norway lacks specialized rehabilitation services for victims of torture for a long time. But since we still have limited knowledge of what characterizes effective rehabilitation for this group, funding and implementing clinical studies need to become an integral part of a specialized rehabilitation programme," Halvorsen says. But why do some people suffer from PTSD? "From an evolutionary perspective, we can understand the function of both pain and anxiety. These are alarm systems that signal us that something could potentially pose a danger to us. These signals cause us to avoid that situation. This can be adaptive in the short term, so that we steer clear of potential harm," says Dibaj. With PTSD and/or chronic pain, our alarm system is overactive and fires a series of false alarms about danger. Avoidance normally decreases when the acute danger is over, but with PTSD and/or chronic pain, our alarm system is overactive and fires a series of false alarms about danger. "If we respond to these alarms as a real danger and avoid what's triggering the alarm, we risk making the alarm system more sensitive," Dibaj says. "Research indicates that post-traumatic cognitions or thoughts - that is, thoughts that come up after experiencing a trauma - play an important role in developing and prolonging post-traumatic distress. Examples of this kind of post-traumatic cognition might be, 'The world is a dangerous place' or 'I'm a broken person,'" says Halvorsen. Both PTSD and chronic pain are characterized by numerous such false alarms. The affected person might have flashbacks, for example, where something dangerous from the past is perceived as dangerous now. Victims can also experience pain signals without connecting them to something actually being wrong in their body. "Torture is designed to create this form of distress and, especially in recent times, to create pain that doesn't result in visible scars," says Dibaj. Many victims of torture experience that completely normal movements trigger their alarm system. This naturally leads to less physical activity and also makes a lot of people afraid to move. This condition is called kinesiophobia, when normal activities can lead to severe pain and re-experiencing the trauma. "When patients develop a fear of completely normal movements, it's difficult to do physiotherapy or other things that could help them get better - and that's why we think that kinesiophobia contributes to reinforcing the ailments. But this is something we rarely focus on in ordinary trauma treatment. Therapists therefore need to broaden their understanding of these connections," says Stenmark. ### References: Iselin Dibaj, M.Sc., Psych., Joar veraas Halvorsen, M.Sc., PhD, Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, M.Sc., Hakon Inge Stenmark, M.Sc. PhD. Painful memories: Challenges in trauma-focused therapy for torture survivors with PTSD and chronic pain - a narrative review. Torture: Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of Torture, 30 (2), 35-57. Protesters demonstrate on the National Mall in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) DC Mayor Issues Citywide Curfew Amid Protests, US Capitol on Lockdown Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citywide curfew amid protests and a reported breach and lockdown of the U.S. Capitol Building from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. on Thursday. Both the Senate and the House went into recess amid the reported breach. A number of lawmakers said they were essentially told to shelter in place. Emergency alerts were sent to phones across the District of Columbia with an alert about the emergency curfew. During the hours of the curfew, no person other than persons designated by the mayor shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District, her order said. The order wont apply to essential workers, including media employees. Today, Im ordering a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7. pic.twitter.com/lp6Pt3DcYC Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 6, 2021 Lawmakers confirmed they were placed on lockdown. Im currently in lockdown in the House chamber, said Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) on Twitter. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, wrote on Twitter to protesters to please support our Capitol Police and law enforcement amid the demonstrations: They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! And a number of senators and House representatives called on the protesters to pull back. Violence and anarchy are unacceptable. We are a nation of laws. This needs to end now, wrote Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Twitter. Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 Added House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.): Thank you to Capitol Police for protecting the Peoples House. Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful. Reporters on the scene have said that the Electoral College certification was essentially halted as demonstrators entered the Capitol building. Video footage showed the protesters seen walking in the buildings hallways. The events occurred in the midst of the Joint Session of Congress. Vice President Mike Pence opened the proceedings in his constitutional role as president of the Senate. He said in a statement that while he shared the concerns about the integrity of the election, it was not correct that he should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally. Dozens of House representatives and one senator objected to the electoral votes for Arizona, leading to a debate and eventual vote by both chambers. About an hour later, the House and the Senate were locked down. Reuters contributed to this report. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. it was found that more number of patients meant generation of more virus particles. Hyderabad: Sars-Cov-2 virus samples have been found in the hospital air of Covid-19 wards but not in non-Covid 19 wards, according to a CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology study. Three hospitals each from Hyderabad and Chandigarh participated in the study. In the study, researchers found the virus in infectious aerosols measuring the size of less than 5m. The smaller sized aerosols could get formed due to evaporation of water from larger respiratory droplets. Scientists from CCMB state that the smaller sized aerosols could stay suspended in air for longer durations of more than 2hours and were found to travel longer distances of 2meters. Dr Dr Rakesh Mishra, director of CCMB says, Our research from hospitals has raised questions as to whether the distance travelled by the virus of 1 or 2 meters is safe or not. There is emerging evidence indicative of the possibility of air-borne transmission of SARS-Cov2. Although the statistics of air borne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is not clear yet, the virus is detected in the air for prolonged durations in certain circumstances. At Covid-19 wards where the patients were treated, it was found that more number of patients meant generation of more virus particles. The walking, talking and moving patients left the virus particles in the air. When the patients were seated for testing and evaluation purposes, it was noted that the virus was present to a distance of two metres. CCMB scientists, while taking the air samples, carried out live human experiments where volunteers were made to sit in personal protection kits to check if there were viruses around them. They found samples of viruses in the air. The hospitals that have participated in the study were from government and private sector but they do not have the infection control methods of negative air-pressure. The data generated from CCMB is being given to hospitals to understand the manner in which the virus circulated in the hospital air. Teams of healthcare staff working in Covid-19 wards need to be very cautious. In the walking area and in the changing rooms of patients as also during evaluations and counseling, there is the risk of transmission of virus. The transmission can occur while breathing and talking too. In Indian environment, within air-conditioned rooms, the virus particles are found to be alive for more than two hours in some cases. In asymptomatic cases, the virus will not travel much until and unless the person is sitting in an air-conditioned room. In such a room, the breathing, talking and laughing of the person can emit viruses and these can move in the air. In an open area where there are windows and good ventilation system, the virus cannot live in the air for a longer period of time, it was found. The samples were collected from air using an air sampler and the data was compiled and researched by the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTech). Scientists carried out RT-PCR tests on the air samples and they have tested multiple times to confirm presence of the virus. The decision of hospitals to separate Covid-19 and non-Covid- 19 wards has benefited them. Preventive guidelines of hygiene like regular hand-wash and effective use of masks will help in prevention. Detecting and isolating positive cases early is the essential key to stop the spread. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Logan, WV (25601) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. A total of 139,399 people have now received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Spain, with seniors in residences, adults with major dependencies, carers and healthcare workers in the first group to get the inoculation. The data was released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday and shows that 56,505 more shots were administered after the initial total made public on Monday. This means that 18.7% of the 743,925 doses that have been distributed among Spains regions have so far been injected. There is, however, one or two days of delay in notifying this data from region to region, meaning a complete picture is still lacking. Unlike other regions, Asturias did not stop vaccinating people on weekends or public holidays The most advanced region so far is Asturias, which has already administered 100% of the vaccines it received in the first shipment among its population. A new shipment of around 11,700 doses arrived this week, and regional health chief Pablo Fernandez said in statements to the radio station Onda Cero that the plan is to keep using them up as they arrive. Other regions, however, are not faring so well, such as the neighboring Cantabria, with just 5.1% of received doses administered, Madrid (5.4%) and Catalonia (9.3%). The first week of the campaign in Asturias saw 12,000 people receive the vaccine, a high figure that the region attributed to the work and the coordination of its health department. Unlike in other territories of Spain, the vaccinations did not stop last week on the public holidays for New Year nor over the weekend. Asturias has also opted to take the vaccines out of frozen storage with names and surnames, according to one official i.e. with prior allocation to exactly which healthcare area they are destined for, and exactly where and when they will be administered. There are 50 teams distributed across the region to carry out the program, with the possibility of increasing staffing if necessary. In Madrid, meanwhile, the regional premier Isabel Diaz Ayuso of the conservative Popular Party (PP), committed to ramping up the vaccination program after the low number of doses so far administered prompted widespread criticism. Madrid will vaccinate on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays, she wrote via Twitter on Tuesday. Morning and afternoon. With all the possible resources, whether public or private. Even at night. Until this week, Madrid had only planned to inoculate from Monday to Friday using its team of 92 nursing staff, which have been brought together from the public and private sphere. But when the figures for other regions were released earlier this week, and it emerged that some teams were working non-stop, the regional government run by the PP in coalition with center-right Ciudadanos (Citizens) and propped up by far-right Vox opted to change strategy. Last week saw just 3,090 people vaccinated in Madrid, despite the region having received 48,750 doses from the central government. According to the Madrid health authorities, it was not the best week, due to the New Year holidays, among other reasons. No shots were administered in Madrid from December 31 to January 3. Ayuso is planning on increasing the number of health professionals administering the vaccines, up to 54 pairs of nurses (108 in total), a regional spokesperson told EL PAIS. The source did not confirm if they will be sourced from the public or private sphere. The regional government has also just signed a contract with the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) on an urgent basis to provide 24 employees to administer vaccines in small- and medium-sized senior residences. The deal includes a coordinator who will act as a point of contact with the regional health department. The contract is worth 804,000 and will run until June. Ayusos critics among the political opposition have received the news as yet more evidence of the regional governments efforts to turn the public health sector into a business. Irregular vaccinations The Casablanca Valdesur nursing home in Valdemoro, in the south of the Madrid region. GOOGLE The Madrid government is investigating a senior residence in the region that has allegedly administered Covid-19 vaccines to relatives and close friends of employees, thus violating the Health Ministry protocols that state that seniors, adults with dependency, carers and frontline health workers should be the only group to receive the inoculations in this first stage of the campaign. The probe was opened after the allegations were published by Spanish online daily elDiario.es, which found that people with no direct connection to the Casablanca Valdesur residence in the municipality of Valdemoro were entering the building in order to be given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. According to the story published by elDiario.es, the director of the residence offered these shots as a favor, and they were being administered over a period of several days. The chairman of the Casablanca group, Ignacio Fernandez Cid, confirmed to EL PAIS that people outside of the priority groups had entered the center to be vaccinated. We are vaccinating residents and staff and if there are doses left over, volunteers who are in contact with residents have been entering [for vaccination], he explained. Fernandez Cid added that he had been on vacation until Tuesday and is awaiting more information from his groups center in Valdemoro. It is unclear how Casablanca would have diverted these vaccines to unauthorized people, given that senior homes have to feed personal data about vaccine recipients into an online registry created by regional public health authorities. Based on reporting by Juan Navarro, Juan Diego Quesada and Fernando Peinado. English version by Simon Hunter. In the future Apple MacBooks could have the ability to wirelessly charge iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches when they are placed on the computer, a patent reveals. A pair of patents granted to Apple by the US Patent and Trademark Office allow for 2-way charging or 'reverse charging', according to a report by Patently Apple. If the patent is ever implemented a user would be able to charge an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch by placing them on the lid, palm rest or trackpad of a MacBook. Apple has also included drawings within their patents that appear to show iPads and iPhones that can wirelessly charge other devices. A pair of patents granted to Apple by the US Patent and Trademark Office allow for 2-way charging or 'reverse charging', according to a report by Patently Apple The idea behind the patents is to allow someone to add a quick top up charge to their iPhone while working on their laptop if they forgot their charging cable. Reverse wireless charging is already available on a number of Android devices, although the technology is still in its infancy and is a very low-power solution. It is available on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Mate 30 Pro, the Samsung S10 range and the the Samsung Galaxy S20. However, currently MacBooks and iPads are built out of aluminium, which makes them incompatible with current wireless charging technology. So for this to work Apple would need to either completely redesign their larger devices or create an entirely new wireless charging technology to make them work. Patently Apple suggests that the recent MagSafe charging introduced to the iPhone 12 - that uses magnets - hints that this could be coming soon. If the patent is ever implemented a user would be able to charge an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch by placing them on the lid, palm rest or trackpad of a MacBook The new patents from Apple would allow for any Apple Devices, including AirPods or the watch to be placed on a MacBook or even an iPad Pro and gain a little energy. It would involve multiple inductive charging coils placed under the frame of the MacBook - on the back, palm rests and even on the trackpad. This suggests that a future laptop could be able to charge multiple Apple devices at the same time - or one device at multiple points on the MacBook. One image appears to show an iPad on the MacBook with an iPhone on top of the iPad and an Apple Watch on top of the iPhone - suggesting multiple devices can be stacked and charged at the same time. The new patents from Apple would allow for any Apple Devices, including AirPods or the watch to be placed on a MacBook or even an iPad Pro and gain a little energy Apple was granted its first patent for 2-way charging back in March 2016 and these two new patents add 40 different technology innovations to those claims. These revolve around changes to batteries within a device that allow it to be charged by an external device and new 'power receiving modes' for equipment. Earlier patents suggest that the 2-way system will allow any two devices to share power as needed - effectively transmitting charge to another device Apple also has patents for its own wireless charging pad called AirPower that was rumoured but has never been released. Update: The Associated Press reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. that at least one person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol after protesters stormed the building. Read more here. The National Guard was deployed to the U.S. Capitol after supporters of President Donald Trump breached the building Wednesday afternoon. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requested troops after protesters stormed the building, prompting a lockdown. The presidents supports are rallying Wednesday as Congress certified President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Videos and photos taken on the streets of Washington, D.C. show protesters clashing with police, including the use of pepper spray on both sides. A curfew has been enacted for the city starting at 6 p.m., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday. During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District, a statement from the mayors office reads. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam sent members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia state troopers to support local response efforts. 42 US Capitol lockdown: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol Related Content: Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. A father who died of Covid despite shielding has left behind the ultimate legacy - six children who all work on the NHS front line. Tributes have been paid to Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudry - who died aged 81 at the East London hospital where his daughter works - commending his hard work in raising an ITU doctor, two GPs, a junior doctor, a paediatric consultant and a pharmacist. The proud father came to UK in the late 50s as an impoverished 19-year-old after fleeing partition violence in India and later working multiple jobs to support his children through education. All six of the siblings have all been at the sharp end of the NHS's fight against Covid-19 and sacrificed time with their father last year so they could care for others battling the virus. Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudry, who died aged 81 on December 28 from coronavirus, pictured with members of his family Mr Chaudry died from coronavirus on December 28, despite abiding by all government guidelines and staying at home in East London since March last year. He was initially admitted to the accident and emergency department where his son had worked, and later died at Queen's Hospital, in Romford, where his GP daughter worked treating Covid patients as they arrived. His family have paid tribute to their 'humble' dad for giving them the support to fulfil their dreams despite limited financial means. Mr Chaudry, a retired maths and computer science teacher, had lived an active lifestyle until the start of the pandemic. But his age and underlying health conditions meant he had to shield since the first outbreak. Mr Chaudry came to UK in the late 50s as an impoverished 19-year-old after fleeing partition violence in India and working multiple jobs to support his children through education Six of the children of Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudry, from left to right Dr Shoaib Ahsan, Dr Safiyah Ahsan, Dr Syira Ahsan, Dr Saleyha Ahsan and Shazlee Ahsan Dr Shoaib Ahsan and his father Mr Chaudry. His family have paid tribute to their 'humble' dad for giving them the support to fulfil their dreams despite limited financial means He was tragically just weeks away from having the vaccine when he died with his daughter - ITU doctor Dr Saleyha Ahsan - by his bedside. She had dealt with Covid patients throughout the pandemic, but said nothing could have prepared her for watching her own dad deteriorate so rapidly. And she said they are only now taking stock of his extraordinary life and starting to understand the legacy he left behind. She said: 'He had six children, including five doctors and one pharmacist, and we have been tackling Covid all year. It's been brutal. 'We all stayed away from our father for extended periods to keep him safe as we were seeing and caring for Covid patients. Four of the children of Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudry, from Left Dr Saima Ahsan, Dr Saleyha Ahsan, Dr Safiyah Ahsan and Dr Syira Ahsan Mr Chaudry with members of his family. He was widowed when his wife Fauzia Ahsan died in 2019 'He shielded all year but somehow it still got through. 'We never really stopped to consider his legacy until now and it is only now speaking to people about my dad and getting that feedback you realise how special it is. 'We probably almost took him for granted for what he helped us to achieve. I hope not, but it was just our normal, having our parents support us to do what we could. 'It is only now stepping back that you realise - what a legacy. I could not have achieved half as much as my dad. 'What he did as a migrant who came with nothing to building this all up was incredible. He was very humble about it and never made a big deal out of anything.' Saleyha, 50, began her career as a journalist before completing Army officer training at Sandhurst. She decided she wanted to get into medicine while serving in Bosnia in 1997, as she felt powerless being unable to help treat trauma victims there. Dr Saima Ahsan a daughter of Mr Chaudry, a paediatric consultant at St Mary's Hospital Dr Saleyha Ahsan holding her father's hand while he was in hospital Her sister Syira, 48, had already become a GP after starting training straight out of school while brother Shazlee, 47, became a pharmacist. Of the younger siblings Saima, 38, is now a paediatric consultant at St Mary's Hospital while Safiyah, also 38, is a GP. Brother Shoaib, 32, currently works as a junior doctor. All have been involved in treating Covid patients during the pandemic. Dr Safiyah Ashan Saleyha, who splits her time between working as a journalist in London and a doctor on ITU in Bangor, Wales, added: 'I got into medicine at the age of 30, which was late. 'The others went into it straight from school. My sister was first and became a GP and I think that inspired the others. 'They all thought about other things, but they all came back to medicine. 'I guess our brains all work in a pretty similar way and we just wanted to do something that counts and to help people. 'Despite what his kids achieved he would still get frustrated with us and was still in desperate need to sort out our lives. We could be a dysfunctional lot sometimes, but we have kept grounded as there were no airs or graces about him. 'He always encouraged us and was very proud - especially when I passed out at Sandhurst, which not many from my background managed to achieve. 'He was incredibly supportive of all of us.' Mr Chaudry was just eight years old during the bloody India and Pakistan partition in 1947. He left at the age of 19 and never went back. He was widowed when his wife Fauzia Ahsan died in 2019. Saleyha added: 'He left his old life all behind after what he witnessed as a child. Dr Safiyah Ashan and Dr Shoaib Ahsan in scrubs 'There was a bit of a gap between his first three children and the younger three. They were unplanned, but were a real joy and wonderful for my dad in his later years. They are all in their early 30s now, but he got to do it all again with them. 'We were not a well off family and he would often work as a security guard at the weekend to make ends meet. 'When we started to need more support in academic studies to pass exams he would do extra work to pay for our tuition.' Saleyha said he had become a bit unwell over the last few years and suffered with asthma and heart failure but had got it all under control. 'He had a busy social life pre-Covid and was very active and prominent in the community,' she added. 'He had been shielding all year - we don't know how he contracted Covid - maybe after a sibling's shopping trip? Maybe the carer who went out on his day off? We just don't know. Mr Chaudry had been shielding since the first outbreak, seen with his family 'We had been as careful as possible but somehow it got through. 'Covid was really challenging for him as he was confined to the house but he was really strict with himself and kept with it. 'We tried to work out ways to be safe for him and I was able to become one of his recognised carers. 'We were just looking forward greatly to all go out again with the arrival of the vaccine. I would make sure I was ten days clear before visiting him but for four weeks in November and December I had been full on shifts. 'Before I could go to the house he was taken unwell.' Mr Chaudry was initially taken into the accident and emergency department where one of his sons used to work. Saleyha added: 'When he was told it was Covid he just smiled and said 'That is the thing making everything shut down.' He coped by diffusing the situation. Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudry with one of his children on the day of their graduation 'He just took it all as it came and did not complain once. 'It was hard watching him, but as his full time carer at home I was able to stay with him for five days. I just camped in his room and it was really harrowing and was scary watching your father not able to breathe. Despite 14 years of being a doctor I thought I was going to pass out. 'I have looked after so many Covid patients but on ITU you are not with them 24/7. 'They have been intubated and asleep and we hope oblivious to what was going on but my dad was awake the whole time.' Saleyha urged everyone to take the new lockdown seriously after witnessing the trauma of Covid from both a personal and professional perspective. She added: 'All I can say is thank goodness we have had the lockdown as it was clear that a lot of people did not understand the tiers and people were pushing the boundaries. 'We are in dire straits and people have just got to come together and show some compassion. We need to be selfless as a community to tackle this and just got to get our head down and deal with it. We will come out the other side but we can't take shortcuts. 'The last few weeks have been like watching a car crash happen and no-one making any attempts to stop this. During each wave we have had the time and predictions so why is it we have only acted in a reactionary way and not in a preventative one? 'Sadly, the government is taking people down with them. Hear the call: A woman begs a 911 dispatcher to tell police officers not to kill a man carrying a gun in a Hartford, Conn., neighborhood, according to audio recordings released Tuesday. HARTFORD A woman begged a 911 dispatcher to tell police officers not to kill the man who was described by witnesses as acting very deranged while carrying a gun in the neighborhood the night after Christmas, according to audio recordings released Tuesday. The Ansonia-Milford states attorneys office has released audio from a 911 call and police dispatches that shed new light on the police shooting death of Shamar Ogman, a 30-year-old Black man on Dec. 26. Police said they were called to an address on Gilman Street shortly before 9 p.m. that evening after a 911 caller reported there was a man in the street carrying a gun. In the 26 minutes of audio released by Ansonia-Milford States Attorney Margaret E. Kelley, the woman who called 911 can be heard giving a description of Ogman. Hes acting very deranged, the woman told the dispatcher. The dispatcher asked the woman if shes ever seen Ogman with a gun before, but she said she was just visiting a friend. A second woman who spoke to the dispatcher said Ogman was upset and that she had never seen him with a gun before. You dont know what set him off, what was stressing him out? the dispatcher asked. No I dont, the woman replied. Through tears, she later pleaded for the dispatcher to tell the police not to kill Ogman. Please dont kill ... please tell the officers dont kill [him], she said. A man later can be heard telling the callers police were taping off an area where someone had been shot. Police arrived around three minutes after the 911 call was made and found Ogman carrying a handgun and a rifle, according to an initial report from Kelleys office. Yeah, hes got a scoped rifle and a black handgun in his hand, an officer can be heard saying over the radio in the dispatch audio released Tuesday. What follows is a chaotic scene as police pursued Ogman through backyards and over a fence, and warning each other to avoid being caught in crossfire. Partys walking eastbound, hes upset about a girlfriend, an officer can be heard saying. Body camera footage from three officers released days after the incident shows police cornering Ogman behind a dumpster and ordering him to throw down his rifle. Mr. Ogman failed to comply with additional requests to drop the weapons and appears to point the rifle in the direction of the police, the report from Kelleys office said. Officer Ashley Martinez fired a single shot from her rifle striking Ogman, the report said. As police approached him while he was slumped over the dumpster, the video appears to show a tan-colored rifle police said he was carrying. It is unclear whether the rifle Ogman was carrying was loaded. An officer recorded in the body camera footage can be heard saying he is unsure if the weapon had a magazine in it. Hartford Police Department / Contributed photo An officer also reported over the radio before the shooting that Ogman had discarded the handgun, but the report from the states attorneys office does not specify whether he was in possession of that gun when he was shot. Court filings show Ogman was arrested twice in the weeks leading up to his death. On Dec. 15, Meriden police pulled him over for tinted windows and driving erratically. As police removed him from the car, they saw the butt of a gun under the passenger seat, according to a copy of the incident report obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media. A search of the vehicle turned up a Glock 17 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, a facsimile H&K .45 caliber handgun, a 10-round magazine, several spent shell casings and a component of a magazine to another handgun, the report said. Ogman, a Hartford resident, was charged with multiple firearm and motor vehicle violations, including criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of ammunition. A search of police systems showed Ogman was on probation for first-degree robbery, and had a case pending after Hartford police charged him with four counts of weapons in a motor vehicle, the warrant said. Two days before Ogman was killed, Bloomfield police charged him with third-degree assault and breach of peace. A woman told police Ogman struck her on the face after an argument at their work, according to his arrest warrant in the Dec. 9 incident. When police contacted him by phone, Ogman denied striking the woman and claimed he had a history of mental issues but they are under control, according to the warrant. He suggested it causes him to inappropriately manage his anger sometimes. A release from the states attorneys office that accompanied the audio released Tuesday said the police-involved shooting investigation remains ongoing. While we will strive to complete the investigation as quickly as possible, our primary goal is to ensure that the investigation is thorough and complete, Kelley said in a statement. Two Connecticut police officers are facing criminal charges after they were found purportedly drunk together in a hotel room while they were supposed to be on patrol. Norwalk officers Michael Dimeglio and Sara Laudano turned themselves in at police headquarters on Tuesday and were arrested on charges stemming from the October 10 encounter, the department announced on Facebook. The two officers were found at the Even Hotel after Laudano, 31, did not respond to calls over the police radio or her cellphone, police officials said. Norwalk officers Michael Dimeglio, 38 (left), and Sara Laudano, 31 (right), were criminally charged three months after being found together in a hotel room while on duty Police supervisors who caught the pair at the Even Hotel on Main Street in Norwalk, Connecticut (pictured), on the morning of October 10 described them as being 'not in a condition to respond to calls for service' It is unclear what exactly Laudano and Dimeglio, 38, were doing in the room, but police said the pair were 'not in a condition to respond to calls for service.' Warrants obtained by News 12 Connecticut allege that both Laudano and Dimeglio had consumed alcoholic beverages at a restaurant before the start of their respective work shifts, and also while on duty. According to the documents, Laudano and Dimeglio spent nearly an hour drinking with other officers in the parking lot of police headquarters at the start of their shifts. Laudano also has been accused of smoking THC from a vape pen before dropping off her child in her patrol car at another woman's apartment. She then allegedly proceeded to ignore two calls for service and spent nearly four hours drinking alcohol inside her parked patrol car. The officers were arrested after a three-month investigation determined that criminal charges were warranted, the officials said. 'While I am appalled at the behavior and conduct that was exhibited by these officers while in an on-duty capacity, I am proud of the professional manner in which the patrol supervisors of this department initiated this complaint and the subsequent criminal investigation conducted by the Detective Division supervisors,' Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik said in the departments statement. Laudano, a five-year veteran, was charged with second-degree larceny, second-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child. Dimeglio, who has served on the force for eight years, was charged with second-degree larceny and second-degree reckless endangerment. Police officials did not explain the charges. Dimeglio, who is a retired US Marine, has been among Norwalk's highest-paid police officers, earning more than $222,000 a year. The case began unfolding shortly before 1am on October 10, when Norwalk police dispatch could not reach Laudano, who was supposed to be on patrol, neither on the radio nor on her cellphone. The Automatic Vehicle Locating system was checked and Laudano's her vehicle was located on the map in the area of 426 Main Avenue. Laudano is pictured being sworn in as a police officer in 2015. She is facing charges of second-degree larceny, second-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child An officer was sent to the scene and found Laudano's marked patrol car parked in the parking lot of the Even Hotel along with Dimeglio's car. Police supervisors were called to the hotel and learned from a manager that the officers were in a room together. They proceeded to the room and found both officers. 'The officers were not in a condition to respond to calls for service,' the press release stated. Dimeglio, who is a retired US Marine, has been among Norwalk's highest-paid police officers, earning more than $222,000 a year. Laudano and Dimeglio were immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave. An initial investigation into the incident was said to have uncovered information concerning the officers' conduct in the hours leading up to their discovery that prompted the Norwalk police chief to contact the state's attorney. 'After consulting with States Attorney Ferencek, a determination was made that the conduct exhibited was beyond departmental policy violations and a criminal investigation into the incident was warranted,' police stated. 'As a result of this comprehensive investigation by Norwalk Police Detective Division Supervisors, arrest warrants were obtained for both officers.' Chief Kulhawik said an internal investigation will be conducted, followed by a disciplinary process. 'I am extremely disappointed in the apparent dereliction of their duty to both the citizens of Norwalk as well as to their fellow officers,' he added. Laudano and Dimeglio were each being held on $75,000 bond. They are due back in court on February 16. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Groups Alipay, the White House said, escalating tensions with Beijing before President-elect Joe Biden takes office this month. The order, first reported by Reuters, tasks the Commerce Department with defining which transactions will be banned under the directive and targets Tencent Holdings Ltds QQ Wallet and WeChat Pay as well. The move is aimed at curbing the threat to Americans posed by Chinese software applications, which have large user bases and access to sensitive data, a senior official told Reuters. A U.S. Tencent spokeswoman did not immediately comment. The order signed by Trump also names CamScanner, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate and WPS Office and says the United States must take aggressive action against those who develop or control Chinese connected software applications to protect our national security." A U.S. official told Reuters that even though the order gave the Commerce Department 45 days to act the department plans to act before Jan. 20 when Trump leaves office to identify prohibited transactions. Trumps order says by accessing personal electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, Chinese connected software applications can access and capture vast swaths of information from users, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information." It added the data collection would permit China to track the locations of federal employees and contractors, and build dossiers of personal information." The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Another official said the order mirrors earlier Trump executive orders signed in August directing Commerce to block some transactions with WeChat and Chinese-owned Tiktok seeking to bar some transactions that have been blocked by U.S. courts. Any new transactions prohibited by the Trump administration are likely to face similar court challenges as the Commerce Department did when it sought to block transactions with WeChat and TikTok. The Commerce orders would have effectively banned the Chinese apps use in the United States and barred Apple Inc and Alphabet Incs app stores from offering them for download for new users. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in a statement he supports Trumps commitment to protecting the privacy and security of Americans from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party." The latest action has been under debate within the administration for an extended period. Many administration officials are eager to cement the hardline U.S. position with China on a number of fronts before Trump leaves office. Last month, the Commerce Department added dozens of Chinese companies, including the countrys top chipmaker SMIC and Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. Also last month the administration published a list of Chinese and Russian companies with alleged military ties that restrict them from buying a range of U.S. goods and technology. In November, the administration put on hold an effort to blacklist Ant Group, the Chinese financial technology company affiliated with e-commerce giant Alibaba. F ormer Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharp will succeed Sir David Clementi as the next BBC chairman, it has been announced. Mr Sharp, who was once Chancellor Rishi Sunaks boss, will take over as the corporation faces scrutiny over equal pay, diversity, free TV licences for the over-75s and competition from streaming services such as Netflix, as well as the on-going coronavirus crisis. The 64-year-old multimillionaire has spent much of the past year as an unpaid adviser to Mr Sunak, and is steeped in Conservative Party connections. A long-term party donor who has forked out more than 416,000 in donations, Mr Sharp was a member of Boris Johnsons economic advisory council when the Prime Minister was Mayor of London. Mr Sharp was once Rishi Sunaks boss / REUTERS He was also a member of the Bank of Englands Financial Policy Committee before leaving the post in March. Names previously linked with the post include former chancellor George Osborne and ex-editor of the Daily Telegraph Charles Moore, who reportedly ruled himself out. The new chairman will work closely with new director-general Tim Davie, who is the former chief executive of the BBCs commercial arm, BBC Studios. Please disable your ad blocker, and refresh the page to view this content. Frank Orloski, who grew his Orloskis Quik Mart business from a single store in Wilkes-Barre to a chain of 43 locations in Northeast Pennsylvania, is being remembered as a visionary businessman and generous philanthropist. Orloski, a longtime resident of Fairview Twp., died on Friday. He was 88. An Army veteran of the Korean War, Orloski returned home and founded a service station at Blackman and Hazle streets in Wilkes-Barre in 1969. He grew the business into 43 gas stations and convenience stores in several local counties. In February 2000, Orloski sold the chain to the publicly traded company Uni-Mart for $41 million. He was a local boy who made good. He never forgot where he came from. He was a coal miners son. It was an American dream type thing, Orloskis son, Jerry, said. Jerry Orloski said he, his four brothers, two sisters and their mother all worked for the business. It truly was a family business. We worked very well together. We had quite a few key employees who were just like family as well, Jerry Orloski said. At its height, Orloskis Quik Mart employed more than 700 people in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. In retirement, Frank Orloski loved adoring his 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, always looking forward to their sporting events, his son said. Frank Orloski generously gave back to the community, belonging to many charitable groups in Mountain Top. He was a big supporter of Mountain Top Little League, having a field named after him. He was the longtime sponsor of the Mountain Top Fourth of July fireworks display. Oftentimes, he did good deeds without telling anyone, said real estate broker David Hourigan, a longtime Orloski family friend. Frank was a wonderful, kind person, caring about his family and community in so many ways. He was an example to so many people for his ethics in business and life. He was a huge part of the Mountain Top community, Hourigan said. He started from very humbling beginnings. He built a business and was highly respected. Attorney Robert Gillespie, who was Orloskis longtime business and personal lawyer, said Orloski was one of the most generous guys you could ever meet. The men and their wives regularly met for dinner for decades. At Christmas, Frank Orloski and his wife, Adeline, would take a busload of kids shopping for toys and presents, Gillespie recalled. There was no fanfare. They did it because the kids needed toys, Gillespie said. Orloski loved Northeast Pennsylvania, Gillespie said. He was tremendously successful but never forgot where he came from. He was truly an all-around American success story. He started from the bottom and went to the top, Gillespie said. He was Mr. Wilkes-Barre. He took pride in Luzerne County. He took pride in his hometown of Ashley. He loved the small-town atmosphere. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has recalled national cabinet a month early to decide whether to tighten precautions on international arrivals over fears travellers from the United Kingdom will spread a more infectious mutant coronavirus strain. The nation's leaders will meet on Friday rather than in February to consider the health advice from Australia's top medical officers, who will meet on Thursday ahead of Friday's leaders' phone hookup. National cabinet will meet to discuss whether to tighten precautions on international arrivals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Authorities in Victoria and Western Australia want people flying from the UK to be tested before they board an aeroplane and to be banned from travel if they return positive results. Mr Morrison said national cabinet will consider a proposal that he requested Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly review through the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which advises governments on policy decisions. Last year, the global level of extreme poverty increased for the first time in more than 20 years, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the UN Security Council meeting on maintaining peace and stability. He stated that the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated previously existing negative trends. "In 2020, for the first time in 22 years, an increase of the extreme poverty level was registered. It is expected that a decline in economic activity in a fragile situation and in conditions of conflict will plunge an additional 18 to 27 million people into poverty," TASS quotes the head of the international organization as saying. Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More Porch pirates were busier than ever in 2020, according to an annual survey by a market research firm. C+R Research, based in Chicago, found 43 percent of Americans said they had a package stolen in 2020, a seven point increase over 2019, when 36 percent revealed they'd been theft victims. In addition to those among the 2,000 consumers surveyed by C+R who had packages stolen, those who knew someone who had a package pilfered also increased during the period from 56 to 61 percent, and those who knew a neighbor targeted by bandits also climbed, from 31 to 43 percent. The report also revealed that 47 percent of those surveyed filed police reports about their theft. Although 81 percent of those surveyed noted they'd received a refund for their stolen items, nearly a third of them (32 percent) complained that delivery companies weren't doing enough to prevent package theft. Concern over package theft seems to be a boon for makers of security gadgets. The researchers found that 50 percent of the survey sample said they'd purchased a doorbell camera or other type of security device to prevent package theft. A contributing factor to the rise in package theft could be that delivery volumes are increasing. According to the survey, 10 percent of participants said they have packages delivered daily, up from five percent in 2019, and 49 percent get a delivery at least once a week, up from 44 percent in 2019. Growing Concern "Package theft is a problem for online retailers that seems to be getting worse each year," observed C+R spokesperson Matt Zajechowski. "I think there is a direct correlation with package theft numbers increasing as more and more consumers move towards the convenience of online shopping," he told the E-Commerce Times. "Considering the continued growth of e-commerce spending along with many Americans staying home and shopping online due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he added, "it is not a surprise that more consumers are receiving more packages and also dealing with more package theft incidents." How Often Americans Receive Package Deliveries 2019/2020 Source: C+R Research Part of the problem is finding a secure place to leave packages, particularly in densely populated areas, said Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst at the Enderle Group , an advisory services firm in Bend, Ore. "Drone delivery will address part of the problem for some areas," he told the E-Commerce Times. "You can do a better job with a drone of scheduling a delivery when someone is around." "Now you don't know when a delivery driver is around," he explained. "Even if you're home, you might not know that they dropped a package off." "Package theft is happening enough that's it's causing some concerns about buying online and being able to enjoy what you bought," he added. Pirates of the Pandemic Anxiety about enjoying an online purchase can be particularly high once a consumer has been targeted by porch pirates. "The likelihood of a victim of package theft being victimized more than once is high," Zajechowski said. "Our data found that of those who reported having a package stolen this year, 64 percent say they've been a victim of package theft more than once," he noted. "I think porch pirates who get away with the crime are more than likely to return to locations they know frequently receive package deliveries," he explained. "It's not hard for someone to drive through a neighborhood and find the houses that have packages sitting outside on a regular basis." The C+R researchers also found that the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had an impact on package theft. Of the 43 percent of Americans who had a package stolen in 2020, 29 percent reported having it nicked during the pandemic. What's more 22 percent were first time victims during the pandemic, while an additional 45 percent said they knew someone who had a package stolen during the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic has absolutely had an impact on package theft, asserted Katherine R. Hutt, chief communications officer for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. "More people are shopping online so more packages are being delivered," she told the E-Commerce Times. "Also, more people are out of work and property crime increases when unemployment goes up." Enderle reasoned that the pandemic has both decreased and increased package theft. "More people are home to receive the package when it arrives," he said. "But there are a lot of people out of work so there's a crime problem exacerbating the delivery issue. People are stealing stuff and selling it on eBay." Retailers' Risk Management Tactics Retailers can do a number of things to lower the risk of packages being stolen, noted Sucharita Kodali, an analyst with Forrester Research. They can send customers email alerts that inform them a package has arrived, she said. They can require a signature for a package, although that can add to the cost of the delivery. They can also redirect a delivery to an alternate address. "But often the solution is for carriers to leave packages in non-obtrusive places," she told the E-Commerce Times. Amazon experimented with having its drivers delivering packages into the homes of its customers. "A delivery [person] would open your door and put a package inside your house," Enderle explained, "but that made a lot of people nervous. They didn't want a stranger in their house when they're not at home." The company's most recent delivery scheme involves a kit that a homeowner can install on a garage door that allows delivery persons to open it and leave packages in the garage. "There have also been some efforts to have people buy secure boxes they could put in front of their home for packages, but that didn't scale well," Enderle noted. "For now, the best solution will be drone delivery, where the drone delivers to some place you are," he added. Consumer, Protect Thyself The C+R survey identified a number of ways consumers are coping with porch pirates. "First and foremost, stay home or schedule deliveries for when you will be home, if possible," Zajechowski said. "We found that 64 percent of Americans say this is the top precaution they have taken to prevent package thefts this year." "If a retailer has the option for in-store pick up as opposed to delivery, I would recommend doing it if you are concerned about package theft," he continued. Other methods cited by survey participants included shopping at stores (21 percent), requesting signatures for deliveries (19 percent), sending packages to delivery centers for pick up (14 percent), requesting drivers to hide packages (13 percent) and sending deliveries to friends or relatives who will be home (11 percent). John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John. Sudanese Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari signed on to the Abraham Accords today in Khartoum, officially agreeing to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel. The signature took place in the presence of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who is currently visiting the country. Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi tweeted after the news, Sudans signing of the Abraham Accords is an important step in advancing regional normalization agreements in the Middle East. I want to thank the US administration for its constant efforts to promote peace and stability throughout the Middle East. I hope that this agreement will soon bring progress in the dialogue and normalization between Israel and Sudan and promote the development of relations between our two countries. The signing in Khartoum ended weeks of speculations in Israel over the commitment of Sudan to the move, first announced Oct. 23 by President Donald Trump. After the festive announcement in October, it became clear to Jerusalem that Khartoum was conditioning normalization on the United States erasing it off the blacklist of countries supporting terror. This was not an easy task for the administration in Washington, but on Dec. 14, Khartoum got what it wanted. Still, even then, Khartoum took its time. Parts of the Sudanese leadership were apparently uncomfortable with the idea. That being said, Israels Foreign Ministry sees ties with Sudan as extremely important strategically. The African-Muslim country is located in the Horn of Africa, on the shores of the Red Sea. More so, in past years, Sudan enabled Iran and its proxies to transfer arms though its land. And while Iranian-Sudanese ties have known more downs than ups in recent years, Israel considers Sudan a strategic, key country in the region. With Sudan on board and excluding Djibouti and Somalia, Israel now maintains diplomatic relations with most of the Red Sea basin countries on the African side. Going from north to south, Israel has cold yet solid peace with Egypt; it has fresh, new diplomatic ties with Sudan; it has full though somewhat complicated diplomatic relations with Eritrea; it has especially warm ties with Kenya; and it maintains regular diplomatic ties with Tanzania and Mozambique. Ethiopia does not have an opening to the sea, but one could also include it in the Red Sea basin region. Jerusalem has privileged relations with Addis Ababa on many levels and for many years already, including security cooperation. Considering this long list of friends, Israel would now like to establish diplomatic relations also with Muslim Djibouti. Over the past few years, this tiny African country located on the Bab al-Mandeb straits has become a major sea military hub for world powers. France has maintained a military base in Djibouti for decades. In 2002, the United States leased Camp Lemonnier, situated outside of Djibouti city, and established there a naval base, which is the only permanent American military base in Africa. In 2016, China began constructing its own naval base in Djibouti its first and only Chinese military installation overseas. Italy, Japan, Russia, India and Singapore also have a military presence there. Having its own opening to the Red Sea, Israel is particularly interested in joining this club. On Nov. 25, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh addressed this issue in an interview with Africa Report, stating that Djibouti will not establish official ties with Israel without progress toward peace with the Palestinians. We take issue with the Israeli government because theyre denying Palestinians their inalienable rights. All we ask that the government do is make one gesture of peace, and we will make 10 in return, said Guelleh. Still, the interesting part of the interview came later on when Guelleh said that his country does not have an issue with Jews or with Israelis. He also said that Israelis have been coming for years to his country to do business, and citizens of Djibouti have been permitted to travel to Israel for the past 25 years. Indeed, reports over the years claimed that both countries have secret understandings on Israeli boats anchoring in the Djibouti port when necessary and for Israeli aircraft to pass through Djibouti air space if needed. Other reports claimed that following the Abraham Accords for normalization between Israel and the Emirates and Bahrain, Israel also held some contacts with Djibouti. No official sources confirmed these later reports. Last on this list of Red Sea basin countries in which Israel would like a foothold is Muslim Somalia. The government in Mogadishu is clearly not interested in establishing ties with Israel, but leaders in self-proclaimed Somaliland, which is part of Somalia, might have a different opinion. Already in 2010, then-spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Yigal Palmor was quoted by Haaretz Daily saying his government was ready to recognize Somaliland. The recent Abraham Accords might push further in that direction, as the Emirates are Somalilands biggest development and strategic partner. On the other hand, the Emirates chose to invest in Somaliland after rupturing ties with Djibouti. Saudi Arabia also has its share of interests across the African continent. With its new friends in the Gulf, Israel might now have to recalculate its next steps in Africa. One more strain called the South African COVID-19 variant has one side-effect that needs to be confirmed. A scientist states that it might cause antibody drugs as useless medication. Viruses mutate all the time; some mutation is good or bad for it. Recently, the UK variant arose that is more infectious, not necessarily fatal. The South African strain is active in several places globally, and it has one more surprise for everyone. Dr. Scott Gottlieb said that vaccinations had taken a new urgency as the strain from South Africa could negate the effects of antibody drugs. How the strain and the genome occurred is yet to be determined by scientists, reported CNBC. Gottlieb, a former FDA in the Trump administration, says the South African Type COVID-19 is a concern because it can shut down the application of antibody medicines. When this happens, complications might occur and compound the 'upgraded' contagion. This was revealed in an interview last Tuesday night. He added the strain is moving in warmer climes like South America and Brazil, where the contagion is raging. The occurrence of the South African strain is pervasive there, which is very concerning. The variant called 501.V2 has replaced and become the dominant viral genome last year in November 2020. As many as 1.1 million COVID-9 infections and 30,000 deaths in the African continent. In mid-December, it is the most prevalent. Gottlieb mentioned that scientists had investigated the South African COVID-19 variant in the Bloom Lab. The 501.V2 has been observed to override antibodies that fight the CCP virus with profound implications. Also read: Super Spreaders: COVID-19 Variant in Several Cities in Northern China Those who have been sick and used antibody drugs will still be vulnerable. Taking medications that might be blunted by the 501.V2 created a situation of an unpredictable infection. The evolution from the first Sars-Cov-2 to the 501.V2 strain has changed a spike protein component. To bypass the cells' defenses, antibodies meant to fight the infection are made useless. Vaccines might not be as effective since they were made before the South African variant was part of the equation, said Gottlieb. No one knows how fast or if the 501.V2 strain can move fast enough to infect a significant number of people. Vaccinations have no guarantee of their ability to negate antibodies. The virus's evolution is part of the normal trajectory, which can impact how such a mutation easily bypasses cells. For the most part, COVID-19 will adopt the best modification to help it survive and revert if no beneficial. According to Operation Warp Speed's director of supply production and distribution, Ret. Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski, more vaccines would be available by June. Supply has been slow, but 17 million Covid doses have been distributed to states, with only 4.8 million Americans getting inoculated, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gottlieb added that vaccinating the most vulnerable parts of the population should be done fast. Another is more sites accessible for more Americans to get inoculated. It all depends on the supply of vaccines, and if the South African COVID-19 variant will affect antibody medicines. Even with the vaccines, strains like 501.V2 and the UK variants are changing. Related article: New UK COVID-19 Mutation Detected in Colorado, Severity of Contagiousness not Determined @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. WATCH LIVE : Watch live coverage as Congress meets to count the Electoral College votes for the presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Some Republican senators and congressmen plan to oppose the count of several states. Protestors storm Capitol, surround building as Congress meets to count Electoral College votes NBC News- WASHINGTON The U.S. Capitol descended into chaos Wednesday as hundreds of pro-Trump protesters swarmed the building, forcing police to evacuate parts of the complex as some demonstrators appeared to break through barricades on the building's steps. The frenzied scene forced Congress to delay a ceremonial event affirming that President-elect Joe Biden won the November election and evacuate parts pf the building. Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the joint session, could be seen rushing out of the Senate chamber amid the sounds of protesters who surrounded the Capitol. The dramatic situation came after Trump, who has refused to accept the results of the election, spoke to a large crowd in front of the White House. He angriled vowed that he would never concede to Biden and baselessly asserted that the election results were fraudulent. "We will never give up, we will never concede. You don't concede when there's theft involved," Trump said to a crowd of supporters, some of whom chanted "USA!" or waved anti-Biden banners.. He later falsely claimed Biden would be an "illegitimate" president. The U.S. Capitol Police said it was evacuated areas near the building as pro-Trump protesters stormed barricades set up outside the perimeter, and law enforcement officers were seen trying to push them back. The Library of Congress, located directly across the street from the main Capitol building, was evacuated and people were told to remain calm and move in a safe manner to the exits. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., tweeted that she had to evacuate her congressional office because a pipe bomb was reported outside the Capitol. "Supporters of the President are trying to force their way into the Capitol and I can hear what sounds like multiple gunshots," Luria tweeted. Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, just steps from Capitol Hill, was evacuated earlier Wednesday due to a suspicious package, and investigation is underway. Trump's groundless claims of voter fraud have been widely debunked, and his legal team's efforts to challenge the election results in court have been rejected by a succession of judges. Trump has claimed Wednesday's joint session of Congress represents a chance to overturn the election, even though state electors have already certified the results and the event inside the Capitol is ceremonial. Trump has put pressure on Vice President Pence claiming he can intervene in the count. In his lengthy and digressive remarks, Trump called on Pence to "do the right thing," even though Pence's ceremonial role does not provide him with the power to intervene in the counting of votes. Pence sent a letter to Congress ahead of the ceremony stating he would not be doing what Trump has hoped. Jason Bjorklund, who flew to the nation's capital from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said he did not know what to expect when Congress convened. "I just felt compelled to be here because it seems like our republic is slipping away from us," Bjorklund said. He added, baselessly, that there were "mountains of evidence of fraud" and detailed conspiracy theories about Dominion voting machines. When asked to account for the judges who have rejected the Trump legal team's attempts to challenge the election results, Bjorklund said: "I think we've got corruption from the top to the bottom." Before the president's speech, it appeared some senators were being approached by Trump supporters near the Capitol, including an apparently exasperated Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who said he would not vote against affirming Biden's victory because he was bound to follow the law. "I took an oath under God, under God!" Young said. "Do we still take that seriously in this country?" Theresa Reilly and her husband, Bill, came to the nation's capital from Michigan a key Midwest swing state that fell into the Democratic column in November to participate in the Wednesday protests because they believe Biden's triumph over Trump was fraudulent. "We don't believe they're honest, true voters," Theresa Reilly said as Celine Dion's theme song from the movie "Titanic" played on a speaker system in the background. "There's a lot of cheating going on, and I think everybody knows that, including Democrats." Bill Reilly said that even without "doing too much research," it was clear "something's up" with the November election results "The only thing I can say is, however many people are here, this isn't going to go away," he said. "If you thought 2020 was weird, 2021 is going to be 'hold my beer,' if you ask me." Allan Smith and Ginger Gibson reported from Washington and Daniel Arkin reported from New York. Rep. Clay Higgins tweeted: Violence and lawlessness are unacceptable. This must end now. This is not American. This very day, we were standing for American freedom, legally, peacefully, passionately, within the House of We the People, and within the parameters of our Constitution. I say to all violent aggressors... stand down. Since the 1870s, when Britain stopped sending children up chimneys, this country has upheld its commitment to the care of the young. As of Monday, when it was announced that all schools would have to close until mid-February at the earliest, that principle is now in question. It is clear to me, and to other parents like me, that our children are fast becoming third-class citizens. Their education, their rights, future and wellbeing not to mention their mental health during this pandemic have been treated as if secondary to everyone elses. Thats not just my opinion. It is a fact, borne out by the actions of teaching unions whose principal aim is not the welfare of children, but the desire to make political capital out of the pandemic and by a Labour Party with the same selfish, short-sighted agenda, as well as a Government burdened with impossible choices. At every stage, it seems, children have been an afterthought. The priority has been protecting the elderly and the vulnerable from the worst effects of the disease, and it is right that those who suffer most should be the ones to whom we afford the greatest protection. At every stage, it seems, children have been an afterthought. The priority has been protecting the elderly and the vulnerable from the worst effects of the disease, writes Sarah Vine But not at the complete expense of others, and particularly not at the expense of an entire generation so vital to the future prospects and morale of this nation. And yet the message we are sending our young people is loud and clear: Your lives dont matter. As the mother of two teenagers one doing A-levels this year and the other GCSEs this notion fills me with a mixture of rage and heartbreak. I am by no means one of those rainbow-unicorn snowflake parents, but God I feel sorry for the blighters. They cant go to school, use a library, see their friends, participate in sport or any extra-curricular activity. They cant even get a job because, thanks to lockdown, there are none. The one thing that was keeping them going was getting through the exams this year and the excitement of moving to sixth form or university. Now those prospects have been taken away from them. The exams have been cancelled, and there will be some form of teacher assessment instead. The decision to sacrifice them may follow the science, but it is beyond me. Psychologically, its hugely damaging. Strange as it may seem, exams are what have been keeping them motivated the knowledge that they were to be tested and would have the opportunity to prove themselves. Indeed, for those who have struggled with online learning as so many have and whose predicted grades have fallen as a result, the chance of making up lost ground in the exams was a glimmer of hope. Take that away, and whats the point in getting out of bed in the mornings? As the daughter of one friend said to me: Its like no one cares any more. Since the 1870s, when Britain stopped sending children up chimneys, this country has upheld its commitment to the care of the young, says Sarah Vine (pictured: two chimney sweepers) Well, I do. As does my mother, who rang me from her home in Italy in a state of anguish. Again, shes no sentimentalist, but on this occasion, and most uncharacteristically, because she is the most level-headed of women, she is spitting tacks. The idea that children, and her own grandchildren, should not matter appals her. The view that schooling is not a frontline issue just as vital as access to healthcare or food, is incomprehensible. From her point of view, teachers are key workers, and schools are just as important as hospitals. And shes right. My kids are incredibly lucky. They are safe, warm and well fed, with their own rooms, laptops, decent wi-fi and food in the fridge. They find their parents deeply irritating, but we are not violent or otherwise abusive. Sadly, that is not the case for every child in this country. And for them, an education is not just useful, but a lifeline. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, pictured above. The point is that you cannot just put childrens dreams on hold. No one gets a second childhood, says Sarah Vine (file photo) School gives them a refuge from the troubles at home; it offers them an escape from the bad hand that fate has dealt them. The adults they meet at school are often the only ones they can trust. Education gives them a chance to escape the statistical odds stacked against them, to invent their future according to their own hopes and dreams. The point is that you cannot just put childrens dreams on hold. No one gets a second childhood. No one gets to be 15 or 17 again; once its gone, its gone. Thats why its not enough for unions and politicians simply to shrug their shoulders and say they have no choice. Yes, we must contain the spread of the virus. But we cannot do so at the cost of young lives. And we must have a proper plan in place to repair the damage being done to the younger generation who, through no fault of their own, are facing an increasingly grim future. A family in Knutsford, Cheshire, watch Prime Minister Boris Johnson making a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, on Monday If the issue is safeguarding teachers, as so many claim, thats fine. Lets put them at the front of the queue for vaccinations. Many of them are young, so not at serious threat of the virus. But for those over the age of 50, the worry is understandable. Surely it is not beyond the ken of Government to vaccinate all those who need it, as we are doing with NHS frontline workers. There are about half a million teachers in the Uk it would take just a few days to vaccinate the most vulnerable and, if necessary, family members. I am convinced older people such as my mother would be prepared to shield for a few more weeks, even months, if it meant their grandchildren could go back into the classroom. And if a child or young person happens to live with a vulnerable adult, prioritise them for vaccination, too. Its not as though we dont have the wherewithal to identify those at risk. You cant buy a coffee these days without it being registered somewhere. Lets use that data wisely and strategically. Charlotte Rose assists one of her children, who is being home schooled, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on Tuesday A close-up of an Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine vial containing 10 doses held up by a nurse at Pontcae Medical Practice on Monday in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales And if we need to bring in the Army to help staff schools, so be it. If we need to scrap the summer holidays to allow children to catch up, we should do so. The schools would understand. I have spoken to several over the past few months, and not one has expressed anything other than dismay at the situation. Teachers are just as distressed as the rest of us, if not more so, particularly since they are seeing first-hand the effects of school deprivation. Eating disorders, self-harm, alcohol and substance abuse are all on the rise among young people. And the longer they remain trapped at home, the worse it will get. What is missing is a coherent, viable strategy for dealing with the virus long-term. Even if we have a successful vaccination programme, this thing is going to be with us for a good while yet, possibly for ever. We simply cant keep shutting down schools or society in general indefinitely. We must strain every sinew and explore every possibility to get schools open, and keep them that way. Yes, we must protect the NHS. Yes, we must save lives. But for Gods sake lets find a way of doing it that doesnt forget children or send the next generation back up that metaphorical chimney. The next court hearing will take place on January 14. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, who was charged with the murder of businessman Serhiy Starytsky, will remand in custody until March 5. "Kozhara will remain in custody until March 5, with an alternative of UAH 14 million (US$492,958) (the same as before) bail," Starytsky's daughter wrote on Facebook following the court hearing at Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court on January 5. According to Starytska, the judge "took into account and admitted the evidence of his guilt in the murder, which means there is undeniable evidence of his guilt in the case." "The judge also granted the prosecutor's motion and acknowledged that Kozhara should be remanded in custody since he could evade justice or influence the court and other parties," Starytsky's daughter said. Read alsoUkraine's ex-minister of foreign affairs detained on suspicion of murder (Photos)She said the next hearing would take place at Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court at 14:00 on January 14. Background Ex-head of the Inter TV channel, general director of the Atlantic Group holding Serhiy Starytsky was shot dead in the house of Kozhara and his wife, Maryna Kozerod, in the village of Chaiky outside Kyiv on February 21, 2020. The incident was reported to the police by Kozerod. The preliminary theory was that the victim committed suicide while Kozhara and his wife were in other rooms of the house. Police at the scene seized a firearm, cartridges, and a cartridge case. Criminal proceedings were opened under Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code (intentional homicide) while "suicide" remained a major theory. On February 22, the police reported that the criminal proceedings had been re-qualified from suicide to intentional homicide. On March 4, an investigative experiment took place as part of the case, but its conclusions are not to be disclosed being confidential while the pretrial investigation is under way. On March 25, the ex-minister was detained by police. The prosecutor demanded that the suspect be remanded in custody for 60 days. On March 27, Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court chose a preventive measure for Kozhara. He was remanded in custody until May 25 with an alternative of UAH 14.083 million (US$529,635) bail. At the court session, Kozhara's lawyers claimed that his wife had allegedly accidentally shot Starytsky when the latter was trying to commit suicide with a gun belonging to her husband. On May 21, Kozhara was released on bail. On July 13, the court ruled to put Kozhara into custody. On December 23, an indictment against Kozhara was sent to court. On January 5, 2021, the court began to consider the case. Reporting by UNIAN Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong inspects the company's network equipment during his visit to the company's R&D unit in Seoul, Wednesday. Lee is the second-largest shareholder of Samsung SDS, owning a 9.2 percent stake. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung SDS is considering joining the cold chain business for storage and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, which must be kept at a consistently cold temperature, as part of efforts to expand its business beyond group affiliates. The IT services arm of Samsung Group said Wednesday it conducted a simulation recently on delivering vaccines in conjunction with Yongma Logis, a local medicine and medical supplies delivery company, and Korea Superfreeze that operates ultra-cold storage facilities. In the simulation, Samsung SDS took the role of managing the vaccine delivery procedure including checking the temperature of the vaccine using its Internet of Things (IoT)-based temperature tracking system. "With Yongma Logis and Korea Superfreeze, we simulated vaccine delivery at an extremely cold temperature. As the government has yet to place an order for vaccine distribution, it is hard to tell whether Samsung SDS will join this business," a company official said. The government is set to soon announce how it will distribute the vaccines against COVID-19. Samsung SDS is expected to form a consortium to join the bid for the distribution business. The company's move can be seen as the Samsung affiliate trying to expand its external business while cutting down on intra-affiliate work. Industry analysts estimated such business transactions will be increased to around 20 percent of total sales in 2021 from 16.5 percent last year. Investors regard the move as positive possibly in terms of a valuation upgrade, as the share price of Samsung SDS rose 14.5 percent Wednesday from Dec. 29, according to data from the Korea Exchange (KRX), the country's main bourse operator. The investors are also betting on the possibility that the share price will be buoyed from the payment of inheritance taxes on stocks by the heirs of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Currently, the late chairman's only son, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, holds a 9.2 percent stake in Samsung SDS, with his two sisters Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin and Samsung Welfare Foundation Chairwoman Lee Seo-hyun owning 3.9 percent each. Given the family members of the late chairman are subject to pay 11.04 trillion won ($10.1 billion) in inheritance taxes, speculation and expectations are that the three will raise some of the money by unloading their Samsung SDS stock. Even if the Samsung Electronics vice chairman puts his shares of Samsung SDS up for sale, Lee will still hold control of the group as Samsung's governance structure will see minimal changes Samsung Electronics holds 22.58 percent of Samsung SDS' shares. Samsung SDS has two main business drivers IT services and business process outsourcing in the logistics sector. Due to the increased uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Samsung SDS posted a below-expected performance in the first half of 2020, but analysts cast a rather rosy outlook for the company this year as demand for the logistics outsourcing business will increase. "Samsung SDS is expected to post 11.4 trillion won in sales and 952.4 billion won in operating profit this year. The sales generated from business process outsourcing, which saw a sharp increase in 2020, will remain at a stable level in 2021, and sales from IT services will increase 6.7 percent year-on-year," said Kim So-hye, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities. Also, three major data privacy laws were revised to ease regulations on the use of personal information, which will help the company get more financial sector customers as local financial companies are moving forward with cloud computing services. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 WASHINGTON New York Republicans in Congress are divided over whether they will object on Wednesday to the certification of the 2020 election or vote to uphold states' Electoral College votes. The split mirrors a greater rift in the party that has transformed what is usually an arcane procedural vote by Congress into a litmus test of the support for President Donald J. Trump, mail-in voting and other election procedures. Wednesday's vote is not expected to keep Trump in office or delay President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, but will produce hours of debate over how the presidential election was conducted. Thirteen Republican senators have announced they will object to certifying the election results. The Regional Reporters Association has identified at least 52 GOP representatives who have said in the past few days they will object, while two GOP lawmakers told CNN they believe the number is at least 140. Of the seven New York Republican representatives, two have stated they will object, two will uphold the existing election result and three have declined to reveal their position. U.S. Rep. Tom Reed of Corning said Tuesday that he will not object on Wednesday, joining Rep. John Katko of Syracuse in that camp. "The U.S. Constitution calls upon our election of the president to be done at the state level and if there are issues of fraud, if there are issues of whether or not those elections are carried out lawfully, they are to be adjudicated at the state level," Reed said, noting his own personal support for Trump. "When it comes to reviewing and objecting to the electors, essentially our role in Congress is to respect those electors that are sent to us by the respective states. ... There is no state Legislature that has asked us to intervene in Congress in this process." Reps. Elise Stefanik of Schuylerville and Nicole Malliotakis of Staten Island both said Monday they would raise objections. "I dont see a situation where I dont object to at least some of these states but I am going to be thoughtful and mindful and listen to the entire debate on Wednesday," Malliotakis said in a radio interview with Kevin McCullough on Monday. Rep. Lee Zeldin of Shirley, who served on Trump's impeachment defense team with Stefanik, is likely to raise objections and has criticized the integrity of the election and mail-in voting procedures on Twitter. But he has not publicly made his position known yet and did not respond to a request for comment. U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino of Sayville, who was sworn in for his first term on Sunday, also did not respond to a request for comment. Rep. Chris Jacobs of Orchard Park declined to comment Tuesday afternoon. Stefanik discussed her decision to object to the election on the radio program Hotline with former Mayor Jeff Graham on Tuesday. "I spent a lot of time doing my research about irregularities that occurred in states like Pennsylvania, like Georgia, like Michigan and Wisconsin and I believe the American people need to hear this debate not just about this election but to make sure in the future we have free, fair and constitutional elections in this country that people have faith in," she said. She said she believes there were "unconstitutional actions by unelected state officials not following state laws." Despite many lawsuits brought by the Trump campaign and other groups since Nov. 3, so far no judge has ruled that election fraud occurred in the 2020 election or identified illegal actions that could have changed the outcome of the election. New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs called for Stefanik's resignation Monday over her decision to object. On Tuesday, both Stefanik and New York Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy claimed Jacobs was attacking Stefanik because she is a critic of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. "I do think Gov. Cuomo runs the Democratic party like the Democratic party bosses so I take it as a compliment," she pushed back. "I certainly am not the only member of Congress who is standing up for the Constitution and their constituents, but I'm proud of my position." On Wednesday, each states' electoral votes will be considered and lawmakers will have a chance to object state by state, with each objection by a representative and senator prompting debate. With a Democratic majority in the House, no objection to the election results is expected to be sustained by Congress. QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 06, 2021, a global leader in Level 1-5 ADAS and AD sensing technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of Carl-Peter Forster to the Board of Directors, which further enhances the diversity and experience of the Board. Carl-Peter Forster holds a degree in economics from Bonn University and a degree in aviation and space technology from the Technical University in Munich, Germany. Carl-Peter has an extensive senior management background in the automotive industry with brands including BMW AG, in Munich, where he held various positions including Vice-President. He was also Managing Director of BMW South Africa, and a member of the board of BMW AG, responsible for global manufacturing, until 2000. Between 2001 and 2009, Carl-Peter was Managing Director of Adam Opel AG, then from 2006 President and CEO of General Motors Europe and a member of GM's Global Automotive Strategy board. From 2010 to 2011, he was Group CEO of Tata Motors (which included Jaguar Land Rover). Since 2013, Carl-Peter has been a special advisor to the Chairman of the Geely Group, also holding board positions at Volvo Cars Group in Gothenburg (Sweden), Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong), as well as CEVT (the Geely engineering center in Gothenburg), and Chairman of The London Electric Vehicle Company (formerly The London Taxi Company) until 2019. In addition to serving as a board member for LeddarTech, Carl-Peter is currently Chairman of Chemring Plc, Chairman of the Shareholder Committee of Hella KGaA, and a member of the boards of IMI Plc, Babcock Plc, The Mobility House AG, Gordon Murray Design Ltd., Kinexon GmbH, Clear Motion Ltd., and Envisics Ltd. "The LeddarTech Board of Directors is very pleased to welcome Carl-Peter Forster to the LeddarTech team", stated Mr. Michel Brule, chairman of the Board of LeddarTech. "Carl-Peter brings with him a wealth of industry experience as a leader with some of the world's largest automotive companies. Carl-Peter's extensive experience in the automotive industry as well as in ADAS and AD technology companies will be a tremendous asset to LeddarTech," Mr. Brule concluded. About LeddarTech LeddarTech is a leader in environmental sensing platforms for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Founded in 2007, LeddarTech has evolved to become a comprehensive end-to-end environmental sensing company by enabling customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility market segments. With its LeddarVision sensor-fusion and perception platform and its cost-effective, scalable, and versatile LiDAR development solution for automotive-grade solid-state LiDARs based on the LeddarEngine, LeddarTech enables Tier 1-2 automotive system integrators to develop full-stack sensing solutions for autonomy level 1 to 5. These solutions are actively deployed in autonomous shuttle, truck, bus, delivery vehicle, smart city/factory, and robotaxi applications. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting-edge automotive and mobility remote-sensing applications, with over 95 patented technologies (granted or pending) enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities. Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.comand on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Contact: Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Communications, and Product Management, LeddarTech Inc. Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232 daniel.aitken@leddartech.com Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, VAYADrive, VayaVision, and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners. Nine people were severely injured in the accident that occured on Tuesday. Six people have been confirmed dead in a road accident involving a truck and a Toyota bus around Car Park axis on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. PREMIUM TIMES gathered nine people were also severely injured in the accident that occured on Tuesday. According to Ahmed Umar, the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State, the accident happened around 12:00 p.m. He said in a statement that the driver of the truck with the number plate FZE 376 DI "drove recklessly, and hit the bus with number plate ZUR 843 XA." Mr Umar said five male adults and one female adult died in the accident immediately. In addition, seven male, one female and one male child were injured. He confirmed that all injured people are currently receiving treatment at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu and Idera Hospital in Sagamu. Mr Umar said the driver who caused the accident was arrested and currently detained at MTD Redeemed Police Division in Mowe. LOS ANGELES:The Grammy Awards ceremony due to take place on Jan. 31 has been postponed to March 21 because of the coronavirus surge in Los Angeles, organizers said on Tuesday. The Recording Academy told members in a memo that the ceremony to present the highest awards in the music industry was being delayed after talks with health experts and musicians. After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our network partner CBS, our host, and artists scheduled to appear, we have made the decision to postpone the 63rd Grammy Awards to March 21, 2021," the interim president of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., said in the message seen by Reuters. The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, where hospital services have been overwhelmed, ICUs have reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do," he added. Los Angeles is experiencing a spike in coronavirus deaths and hospital admissions. Gyms, hair salons and restaurants have been shut down and residents urged to stay at home as much as possible. Beyonce leads nominations for this years Grammys with nine nods, in a November announcement that was overshadowed by a stunning snub for Canadian musician The Weeknd. Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has sent a legal notice to Union minister Babul Supriyo for his comments linking Banerjee to smuggling activities and has demanded an unconditional apology from the minister within 72 hours. The minister has, however, hit back saying that he wants Abhishek Banerjee to tender an unconditional apology to the people of West Bengal for whatever Bhaipo (nephew) and Pishi (aunt) have done to the people of Bengal. The legal notice, sent through advocate Sanjay Basu, has also accused Supriyo of contempt of court and deliberate disobedience of court orders, including the Calcutta High Court. Supriyo had on December 31, 2020, while addressing the media allegedly said that Banerjee had used his black money earnings from cow smuggling, sand smuggling and iron smuggling to build his palatial house. By making defamatory statements in violation of the orders of the city civil court and Calcutta High Court you have caused to willfully and deliberately violate and disobey the orders dated July 24, 2018 and July 5, 2019 passed by the courts, the legal notice stated. Abhishek Banerjee happens to be the nephew of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The notice was sent on January 4. The notice says that Supriyo should withdraw his statements and issue an unconditional apology within 72 hours retracting the alleged virulent and mala-fide statements and giving appropriate clarification for the same. I want Abhishek Banerjee to tender an unconditional apology to the people of Bengal for whatever the Bhaipo-Pishi (nephew-aunt) syndicate has done to the people of Bengal. As far as the legal notice is concerned, the legal team will send an appropriate response. He (Abhishek Banerjee) sends a plethora of defamation suits to all BJP leaders. It would be a hard job for my lawyers to find out which one he is talking about. He has his own interpretation of what the court says, said Supriyo. This is, however, not the first time that BJP leaders have attacked the TMC supremo and her nephew over alleged corruption and nepotism. In most cases, however, the BJP leaders didnt name the duo and launched veiled attacks. Supriyo, however, allegedly named Abhishek Banerjee in his statements. We all know that our Bhaipo (nephew), who thinks that no one has the courage to take his name, so Ill use his name Abhishek Banerjee, Supriyo had said according to the notice. They are one of Hollywood's hottest couples. And Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are reportedly ditching their California mansion in favour of a luxury pad in their home country. The British Fast and Furious star, 53, and the supermodel, 33, are said to have splashed out on a 7.5million property in Chelsea, London, The Sun reported. New home: Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are said to have splashed out on a luxury 7.5million property in Chelsea, London A source told the publication: 'In the midst of a pandemic, both Jason and Rosie just want to be closer to home, closer to their families and UK friends. 'After months of house-hunting, they finally found their dream pad - and couldn't be happier.' MailOnline has contacted Jason and Rosie's representatives for comment. They sold their 14million Malibu beach house last year, after first putting the property on the market for a whopping 15.5million in October 2019. Lavish: The Fast and Furious star, 53, and the supermodel, 33, sold their 14million Malibu beach house (above) last year, after putting it on the market for 15.5million in October 2019 Jason originally bought the 3,909 square foot home back in 2009, one year before he sparked up a romance with his fiancee Rosie. The former Victoria's Secret Angel has been in a long-term relationship with Jason since 2010 and they welcomed son Jack, three, into the world in June 2017. The Hollywood couple, who have been residing in California, recently flew back to London where they spent the UK's second coronavirus lockdown. It came after Rosie previously admitted that she comes under pressure to have invasive procedures in LA - but doesn't want to do anything 'extreme' to her body. The former face of Burberry previously told the Daily Mail's Eden Confidential column: 'I don't like to try anything extreme. Farewell! Jason bought the 3,909 square foot California home (above) in 2009, before he started a romance with Rosie, but is now ditching it in favour of a luxury London pad 'I'm cautious, especially in LA where people are like, "Do you want breakfast and Botox?" and I'm like, "Uh, no. I'll take the breakfast and you can keep the Botox". 'I never worry about my lips. They stay in good shape.'' Rosie also recently opened up about her relationship with Jason, insisting it is so strong that she doesn't get jealous about his on-screen kisses with other women. While the thespian has locked lips with the likes of Eiza Gonzalez, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez for work purposes, Rosie admitted she doesn't grow envious. In a candid Instagram Q&A, she was asked: 'You're not jealous when you see Jason's kisses scenes in the movies? Love u both' (sic) Smitten: The former Victoria's Secret Angel has been in a long-term relationship with her fiance Jason since 2010 and they welcomed son Jack, three, into the world in June 2017 To which a confident Rosie boldly said: 'Ummm... nope', alongside laughing and shrugging emojis. The businesswoman went on to detail what qualities she values in others, which she shared alongside a rare image of herself and the Fast and Furious star. 'Honesty, humour, positivity, ambition, vision, warmth, humility, integrity, good manners, authenticity', the M&S star said. The media personality, who usually keeps her personal life relatively under wraps, enthused about her only child as she wrote: 'Best thing that you are thankful for? My son Jack Oscar.' Jason's next venture will see him star as an action-oriented MI6 agent alongside Aubrey Plaza in an upcoming thriller directed by Guy Ritchie, according Deadline. SPRINGFIELD Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council are preparing for a Hampden Superior Court hearing in January to determine if Sarno is legally required to appoint a five-member Police Commission to oversee the Police Department as directed by a council-approved ordinance. The two sides and their private lawyers filed motions and memorandums in Superior Court during the past two months, defending their stances and asking for summary judgments in their favor. The hearing is scheduled Jan. 19, rather than a more protracted trial process. The council filed suit in October with the use of pro-bono lawyers, accusing Sarno of unlawfully ignoring a 2018 ordinance to resurrect a Police Commission. He also did not appoint members after a previous ordinance was approved in 2016. Both ordinances were vetoed by Sarno at the time, but overridden by the council. The mayor, rather than appoint members, has unilaterally ignored the ordinance, the council said in a November memorandum. The council is the legislative body in Springfield, giving it the power over ordinances and to reorganize department including the police, the council said. Sarno has defended having a single police commissioner oversee the Police Department, saying the councils ordinance to restore a Police Commission would usurp his executive authority to appoint all department heads, and is not valid under city charter and state law. Undoubtedly, the Mayor could decide to appoint a group or even a Board, as the head of the Police Department, but that is his choice to make, not the Councils, the mayors response said within a December memorandum. The council wanted the commission restored with powers to included hiring, firing, and discipline. It would replace the current single police commissioner system that began in 2005, then replacing a single police chief for day-to-day operations and five-member commission for oversight. The Police Commission system had existed for more than 100 years, before being abolished by the state-appointed Finance Control Board in 2005, the council said. The state board was terminated a few years later. The mayor is being represented by Attorney Michael P. Angelini, of Worcester, while the council is being represented by Attorneys Thomas Lesser and Michael Aleo of Northampton. While the council lawyers volunteered their legal services. the cost for the mayors lawyer was not immediately available. The Law Department was not able to represent the sides due to the conflict being between the branches of government. Sarnos filings noted that current Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood is contractually employed in that position since 2019, and that city ordinance cannot supercede that contract. The council argues that the ordinance was approved 10 months before the mayor appointed Clapprood to the commissioner post. Councilor had amended the ordinance in 2018, in part, by no longer requiring the council to confirm the mayors five appointments to the Police Commission. A hearing on the cross-motions for summary judgment is occurring as the two sides agreed on the material facts of the case, such as acknowledging specific sections of the City Charter and state law that pertain to city government in Springfield and executive and legislative powers, council lawyers said. The facts and additional arguments will take place in the court hearing and subsequent ruling. The council has asked the court to declare the ordinance on the Police Commission to be valid, and to direct the mayor to implement the ordinance in a timely fashion deemed suitable by the Court. Sarno has asked the court to enter judgment in his favor as a matter of law as to all claims. That the Finance Control Board took the lead in abolishing the antiquated Police Commission in 2005 is noteworthy as an expression of good governance, but in the end, it is the Mayors rights under the Springfield Charter that are at issue here, nothing more and nothing less, the December memorandum said. The council and advocates has argued that the citizen oversight board is in the best interest of the city including that it would enhance accountability of police misconduct. The City Council has the express power under the Springfield City Charter to reorganize the Police Department, the councils memorandum stated. ATLANTA Michael Simmons, 63, has not missed voting in a major election since 1976. The most important for him was 2008, when he cast a ballot for President Barack Obama. But his votes in Novembers general election and the Senate runoffs on Tuesday were ranked closely behind. The Rev. Raphael Warnocks success in the Senate runoffs sent a jolt of jubilation through much of Georgias African-American community, as they saw a Black man taking an office that had been held by segregationists when he was born. There was also a level of pride in having an emissary of the Black church serve in the highest levels of government. I never would have thunk put that down, thunk! Id see this happen, said Mr. Simmons, a manager at a nonprofit organization in downtown Atlanta. Personally, I dont expect the world to change because we have a Black man in the Senate, but we can see progress. The office of the nonprofit where Mr. Simmons works is just a few blocks from Ebenezer Baptist Church, the renowned congregation that Mr. Warnock leads. Mr. Simmons often saw Mr. Warnock walking around the neighborhood. Byrd-Bennett tried to redirect the business to her friends at their new company, but the districts general counsel told her she couldnt, according to the report. She and the network chief then tied the renewal of the contract to the initial company agreeing to subcontract her friends company to do the work, according to the report, but the contact ended up not being renewed after failure to reach an agreement. A year after George Floyd's death, Pennsylvanians are still fighting for change KABUL -- Afghanistan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh has announced plans to install security cameras with advanced technology across Kabul to better tackle actions by terrorists and thieves in the capital. The project would cost more than $100 million and would be supported by NATOs Resolute Support Mission, Saleh wrote on Facebook on January 6, noting that technology has improved dramatically since security cameras were installed across Kabul in 2008. There have been no immediate comments from NATO or its mission in Afghanistan. The announcement comes as continued violence and chaos across Afghanistan, including in the capital, have threatened efforts to bring an end to decades of war in the country. Afghan government representatives and the Taliban are due to kick off a second round of peace talks in Qatar this week. The direct intra-Afghan talks began in September, and it took about three months for the sides to agree on key procedural issues for the negotiations, allowing the talks to advance to more substantive issues, including reaching an elusive cease-fire. Just months after Showtime announced the revival of its hit series Dexter with Michael C. Hall returning as the title character, the show now has it's villain. Clancy Brown has signed on to portray the series regular role of Kurt Caldwell in the upcoming series, according to TV Line. Caldwell is described as the, 'unofficial mayor' of a small town known as Iron Lake, who clashes with Hall's Dexter Morgan. Return: Just months after Showtime announced the revival of its hit series Dexter with Michael C. Hall returning as the title character, the show now has it's villain New villain: Clancy Brown has signed on to portray the series regular role of Kurt Caldwell in the upcoming series, according to TV Line The character's description includes more details about Caldwell, including that he 'realized the American dream by going from driving big rigs, just like his father did, to know owning several trucks and the local truck stop.' He is also described as, 'powerful, generous, loved by everyone' and a 'true man of the people.' While the citizens of Iron Lake should consider themselves 'blessed' if he has your back, 'but should you cross Kurt, or hurt anyone that he cares for, God help you.' Big rigs: The character's description includes more details about Caldwell, including that he 'realized the American dream by going from driving big rigs, just like his father did, to know owning several trucks and the local truck stop' There is no indication yet if Iron Lake will serve as the setting for this new series, though it has been confirmed to be set in present day, seven years after the 2013 finale. Hall recently opened up about the controversial finale in an interview with The Daily Beast, where he pulled no punches about his thoughts on the finale. 'Lets be real: people found the way that show left things pretty unsatisfying, and theres always been a hope that a story would emerge that would be worth telling,' he said. Finale: There is no indication yet if Iron Lake will serve as the setting for this new series, though it has been confirmed to be set in present day, seven years after the 2013 finale Unsatisfying: 'Lets be real: people found the way that show left things pretty unsatisfying, and theres always been a hope that a story would emerge that would be worth telling,' he said 'I include myself in the group of people that wondered, "What the hell happened to that guy?" So Im excited to step back into it. Ive never had that experience of playing a character this many years on,' Hall added. Showtime announced the Dexter revival in mid-October, reuniting Hall with new showrunner Clyde Phillips, who had served as a writer and producer on the original series since it started in 2006. The announcement said production would begin on the revival in early 2021, though it's unclear when filming will actually start. What happened: 'I include myself in the group of people that wondered, "What the hell happened to that guy?" So Im excited to step back into it. Ive never had that experience of playing a character this many years on,' Hall added The original eight-season run of Dexter premiered in the fall of 2006 and starred Hall as Dexter Morgan, a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department who moonlights as a serial killer. The show became one of the most acclaimed series on television, earning multiple Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) nominations for best television drama series as well as a prestigious Peabody Award in 2008, and was twice named one of AFI's top 10 television series. Brown is coming off of a guest-starring spot in an episode of The Mandalorian, and he can currently be seen in Promising Young Woman, currently in theaters and debuting on digital platforms January 15. The original Dexter is available to stream on Stan in Australia Killer: The original eight-season run of Dexter premiered in the fall of 2006 and starred Hall as Dexter Morgan, a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department who moonlights as a serial killer Dell decided to integrate a Microsoft Teams button in its new monitors! The display manufacturer is expected to launch three models in February. All of these monitors are claimed to be the world's first Microsoft Teams certified video conferencing monitors. The software giant provider started to certify webcams, displays, and headsets in 2020. The three displays, which are expected to arrive next month, will offer quick access to Microsoft Teams. The additional feature will make it easier for users to access the Microsoft Teams app and receive video calls. New Dell monitor's specs According to The Verge's latest report, the upcoming displays will also have hands-free commands, which will be supported through the built-in microphone and Cortana. Dell's innovation is currently the first technology that features a Microsoft Teams button on a monitor. However, the headset manufacturers have been quick to integrate buttons that support Microsoft's communications app. In 2020, the existing and new headphones got deeper integration with Microsoft Teams. Also Read: Samsung Unpacked 2021: Galaxy S21 Reveal in Jan. 14 Virtual Event Date Confirmed-Here's How to Watch! This took place during the rising of the app's usage at the start of the pandemic. Aside from the surprise button, Dell also added useful specs that are designed for an era where video calling and remote work are new trends. Each of the three upcoming monitors will have a 5-megapixels pop-up infrared camera. This will support facial recognition with Windows Hello. The display manufacturer also bundles a noise-canceling microphone, as well as dual 5-watt integrated speakers. Dell also added a built-in mode, which will reduce blue light emissions. This feature will really be helpful since previous reports confirmed that blue light emissions have negative effects on people's health status. The company will soon launch a 27-inch (QHD) model for $719.99, a curved 34-inch (WQHD) variant for $1,149.99, and a 24-inch (FHD) version for $519.99. They are all expected to be released on Feb. 16. Dell's new Latitude 9000 laptops now have automatic camera shutter Aside from Dell's monitors, the company is also improving its laptops. Neowin reported that the new Latitude 9000 laptops now have an automatic camera shutter. This means that the device will automatically turn off and on the camera based on when an app is requesting to use it. Click here for more details. For more news updates about Dell and other giant display manufacturers, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Nvidia RTX 3080 Mobile GPU Specs, Benchmark Leaked Ahead of CES 2021 Launch This article is owned by TechTimes. Written by: Giuliano de Leon. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. [January 05, 2021] Xinhua Silk Road: GCLSI to expand presence in new energy sector with aid of favorable policies BEIJING, Jan. 5, 2021 /CNW/ -- GCL System Integration (GCLSI) will further expand its presence in the new energy industry as the Chinese authorities have rolled out a series of favorable policies for development of the industry. With the aid of these policies, GCLSI has accelerated its expansion on the domestic market and put a number of new energy projects into production. In early December, GCLSI launched a production base for photovoltaic (PV) modules in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province. With a total investment of 18 billion yuan (about 2.75 billion U.S. dollars), the production base will be built in four stages between 2020 and 2023, with the first 15GW capacity under construction now. "With the commissioning of the large-scale production base, the 182mm and 210mm silicon wafers will shape the industry by replacing outdated product," said Eric Luo, chairman of GCLSI. In the process of expanding its presence in the industry, GCLSI has also gained strong support from the financial institutions which particularly focus on the green projects. On November 23, GCL, the parent company of GCLSI, signed an agreement with China Construction Bank (CCB), and the Administration of National Xinjiang Zhundong Economic-Technological Development Park to develop an integrated wind power and PV power storage project in northwest China. In addition to its expansion on the domestic market, the company has also gained strong momentum in the overseas market, with the overseas business accounting for nearly 70 percent of its performance in the past years. Currently, the company has taken the lead to provide high efficiency PV modules and solutions for more than 55 countries and regions around the world. Listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the GCLSI has formed an integrated industrial chain in the PV industry. With innovation as a priority in its development, it has registered over 3,000 patents and copyrights in the field of clean energy. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-gclsi-to-expand-presence-in-new-energy-sector-with-aid-of-favorable-policies-301200891.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The health ministry on Wednesday said that it will hold a second vaccination mock drill on January 8th to ensure that all states and union territories can undertake a successful vaccination programme in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. The health ministry in its press release said that all states and union territories except for Uttar Pradesh and Haryana will be part of this mock vaccination drill. As a simulation of actual execution, another round of dry run/mock drill in all 700+ districts of all states/UTs (except UP and Haryana who have already conducted/will be conducting the dry run in all districts on January 5 and January 7 respectively) is planned on January 8,2021 to ensure efficient planning and management for vaccine delivery in each district of all States/UTs. Also Read: Health ministry sends experts to bird flu-hit states, no human case found yet The union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan is also scheduled to meet with health ministers of all the states and union territories on January 7, a day before the scheduled mock drill is supposed to be held. The statement said that the mock drill will be held under the supervision of district collectors and district magistrates. They will be responsible for the planning and execution of the vaccination drive. They will be responsible for beneficiary registration, microplanning and vaccination at the planned session site. Also Read: Over 1 million people in Russia vaccinated with Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine The dry run will also familiarize the State, District, Block and Hospital level officers on all aspects of Covid-19 roll out. This activity will help administrators in strengthening the linkages between planning, implementation and reporting mechanisms, identification of any residual challenges prior to the actual implementation and to provide confidence to the programme managers at all levels to carry out a smooth implementation of the vaccination drive, the statement further added. For any adverse events after the vaccination, the health ministry has ensured that Adverse Event Following Immunization teams (AEFI) teams will be present on site during the mock drill. More than 1.7 lakh vaccinators and three lakh vaccination team members will be present during the dry run. They will oversee processes like verification of beneficiaries, vaccination process, management of cold chain and logistics, biomedical waste management and reporting on Co-WIN software. Also Read: US could soon give 1 million Covid-19 vaccinations a day, says Anthony Fauci The government has said that the entire vaccination process will be facilitated by the Co-WIN app. The app developed by the health ministry for smooth rolling out of vaccines. The app was used in the initial dry run on January 2 but it is not yet available to the public. The app has not been made available to the public but it is being used to register more than 7.5 million beneficiaries. The health ministry also said that they will ensure constant communication with the officials of the states and Union territories throughout the day and will take timely feedback and resolution in cases any difficulties experienced by the officials. Also Read: India records 18,088 Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours, death toll over 1.5 lakh The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) last week authorised for emergency use SII-manufactured Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotechs COVAXIN. The government had conducted the first dry run on January 2. It involved 286 session sires across 125 districts. India has recorded 10,374,932 cases of Covid-19. The death toll due to Covid-19 has touched 1,50,114. Rahul Gandhi is only a Congress MP and does not hold any party post as he had already stepped down as its President after the 2019 Lok Sabha debacle - the second in a row for his party. But whenever he goes out of the country on a personal trip, he ends up being trolled by the opposition while questions are raised by his critics in the party -- though they do not express these publicly. Ahead of the party's Foundation Day in December, Gandhi went abroad on a personal visit and it was party General Secretary and spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala who announced that he was not in the country. Rahul Gandhi is on a short personal visit to see his ailing grandmother. He is not on a holiday," he said, adding that as a party worker, Gandhi performs all the duties assigned to him. Slamming the BJP over its criticism, Surjewala said the BJP should not comment on someone's personal visits. Senior party leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said that for 136 years "we have been celebrating the foundation day of the Congress, regardless of someone being present or absent". But Rahul Gandhi is scarcely an ordinary party MP. Sacked Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha notes that he "must recognise that in politics there is no margin for error. You have to be very aware that questions will be asked of you". The Congress is, however, always vocal in Gandhi's defence. General Secretary, Organisation, K. C. Venugopal slammed the BJP for questioning his trips abroad, saying that "everyone has the right to undertake personal visits". He said that the BJP is indulging in petty politics and they are targeting Rahul Gandhi because they want to target only one leader. But the probable reason why the former Congres President is in the firing line whenever he goes abroad is the party's electoral defeats and that while Gandhi, though serious in taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lacks consistency. This was the opinion of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar after the Bihar Assembly polls where the Congress' poor performance prevented from the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan from getting the numbers to form the government. However, his remark had left the Congress upset and the NCP had to clarify that it was "friendly advice". However, the RJD had also cited Gandhi's holiday during the election campaigning as a factor for the loss. The Congress, ever since losing power in 2014, is on the path of decline except in 2018 when it won the Assembly polls in three states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh -- though its government in Madhya Pradesh proved to be short-lived. Rahul Gandhi even could not stop his close friend Jyotiraditya Scindia from leaving the party and thus, dooming the government. Apart from Scindia, Sachin Pilot, another young leader and Deputy Chief Minister in Rajasthan too rebelled, but was timely intervened by veteran leader Ahmed Patel helped nip the rebellion and save the government. The party also lost Karnataka, where it was in alliance with the JD-S, after both parties saw a number of their legislators rebel and join the BJP, which returned to power. While the party is in power in Punjab and Puducherry, part of the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, and the main opposition party in Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Kerala, the political space left by Congress in other states is either being taken over by regional parties or the BJP is gaining a foothold in West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana and Jammu and Kashmir. Congress insiders say that the BJP is a round-the clock election machine and Congress can't sit and watch as elections in West Bengal and Assam are a few months away but Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and Modi have already set their campaign rolling ahead. The string of electoral defeats compelled 23 senior Congress leaders to write a letter to party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi demanding reforms amid efforts to bring back Rahul Gandhi to the party helm, but as Sanjay Jha notes, Brand Rahul Gandhi has been destroyed by BJP systematically with a strategy. Another party leader agreed. "Now Rahul Gandhi has to walk the extra mile to reclaim his brand and also lead the party to victory in elections to boost the morale of the party but also have to be more communicative and accessible to achieve this target," said the leader who did not want to be named. A South Korean delegation will soon depart for Iran to demand the release of a ship seized by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf earlier this week, Yonhap reported on Wednesday. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cited environmental concerns when it seized a South Korean-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf on Monday. The MT Hankuk Chemi was transporting 7,200 tons of ethanol when it departed from the Saudi port of Al Jubail bound for Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. In a statement, the IRGCs navy said the vessel had polluted the waters and repeatedly violated environmental protocols. The ships owner called the allegations absurd. The MT Hankuk Chemi was then escorted to Irans southern port city of Bandar Abbas for further action and Iranian authorities arrested the ships 20-member crew. South Korea responded by dispatching a naval destroyer to the area and summoning the Iranian ambassador to Seoul. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has also sent a consular official based in Iran to Bandar Abbas to try to meet with the arrested crew members, Yonhap reports. Ties between the two countries were already strained over $7 billion in Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks due to US sanctions. Iran, which needs the funds to prop up its sanctions-battered economy, denies seizing the MT Hankuk Chemi as leverage in the dispute. If anyone is a hostage-taker its South Koreas government, which has taken hostage more than $7 billion of our revenues for no reason," government spokesperson Ali Rabiei said during a virtual news conference. The tankers seizure comes weeks before the swearing in of US President-elect Joe Biden, who has promised to rejoin the landmark nuclear deal if Iran returns to strict compliance. The administration of President Donald Trump reimposed tough economic sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from the deal, and Tehran has gradually breached its nuclear obligations as a result. The US State Department called on Iran to immediately release the ship, describing its taking as part of a clear attempt to extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions. On Tuesday the Trump administration unveiled a new round of sanctions on Iran, taking aim at the countrys metals sector. Among those blacklisted were a China-based supplier of graphite electrodes, 12 Iranian steel producers and three foreign-based sales agents of a major Iranian metals and mining holding company. The government has decided not to re-authorise the use of the pesticide Vydate in a development slammed as 'unacceptable' by the NFU. The pesticide, manufactured by Corteva Agriscience, can no longer be sold, distributed or used in the United Kingdom. The storage and disposal of the product has been approved until the 28 February 2021. Vydate is seen as an important tool for growers of sugar beet, potatoes, onions, carrots and other field veg to control pests on their crop. The NFU said it was 'urgently engaging' with Defra to discuss the development and the practicalities of its disposal plan. The union's vice president Tom Bradshaw said: It is extremely disappointing that Vydate will not be re-authorised by the UK government. "It is unacceptable the announcement was made just one week before the authorisation ended, with no time for growers to prepare." Mr Bradshaw said the NFU had 'serious concerns' about the prospects of the industry being able to dispose of the product by the end of February. He pointed to a lack of notice and relatively short window for the manufacturer to arrange collection as reasons. Vydate is an effective and affordable part of many growers integrated pest management plans and we are supporting emergency authorisation applications submitted by industry," he added. We will continue to review this decision in greater depth and further analyse what impact this decision will have on farm businesses. Anar Karimov has been appointed the Azerbaijan Minister of Culture. President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order in this regard. By another presidential order, Anar Karimov has been relieved of his post as First Deputy Minister of Culture. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's order dated July 20, 2020 No. 2163 "On granting the authority to temporarily act as Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was annulled as well. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. (@FahadShabbir) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hinted that he wants to re-designate "evil" Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, a late-term move that would pile pressure on the communist island Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jan, 2021 ) :US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hinted that he wants to re-designate "evil" Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, a late-term move that would pile pressure on the communist island. In an interview released Tuesday, Pompeo confirmed that the State Department was looking at taking the major step before he leaves office on January 20 -- throwing a wrench into any diplomatic outreach to Cuba by President-elect Joe Biden. "We don't get out in front of decisions that will be made on designations, but the world knows Cuba's evil hand in so many places," Pompeo told the Bloomberg television show of investor David Rubenstein. Pompeo pointed to Cuba's staunch support for Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro, whom President Donald Trump's administration has unsuccessfully tried to oust, saying Havana has caused "massive pain" in the economically ravaged South American nation. "It is completely appropriate for us to consider whether Cuba is in fact sponsoring terrorism," Pompeo said. "And if so, just like any other nation that is providing material support to terrorists, they too should be designated such and treated in a way that's consistent with that behavior that they're undertaking. " Then-president Barack Obama in 2015 delisted Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism -- a designation that severely impedes foreign investment -- as he declared a half-century US effort to isolate the island to be a failure. Trump has reversed many of Obama's overtures to Cuba and slapped sanctions on Venezuela, winning him support in the crucial electoral state of Florida. Biden has indicated he wants to return at least to some engagement started under Obama, including allowing Cuban-Americans to visit family and send money. Biden could remove Cuba from the terror list but not immediately, as the State Department would need to undertake a formal review. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Monday denounced Pompeo on Twitter for his "vicious political attacks," saying they are "focused on punishing and causing hardships to the people."Only three nations -- US adversaries Iran, North Korea and Syria -- are listed as state sponsors of terrorism after Trump recently removed Sudan following its political transition. CAIRO As of Dec. 8, Wall Street started trading futures contracts in water, just as it does in gold, oil and basic commodities. This is the first time trading in water as a commodity has taken place in any stock market. This comes at a time when negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) are at a standstill, which raises the question of whether Egypt will agree to sell Nile waters. The three Nile Basin countries have been engaged in laborious negotiations to agree on mechanisms of filling and operating the GERD, which Addis Ababa began building on the Blue Nile in 2011. No binding legal agreement has been reached yet due to Ethiopias insistence on filling the dam without reaching an agreement with the two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan. On Dec. 15, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed to resume the faltering negotiations after Sudan had boycotted a round of talks in mid-November in objection to the negotiation approach between Egypt and Ethiopia. There are no previous agreements on pricing and selling water between countries. Yet Turkey had vainly attempted to sell water to Israel and Gulf states through the Peace Water project, a pipeline that crosses through the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Attempts of the Nile Basin countries for water sale and pricing also failed. Egyptian TV host Ahmed Moussa, who is close to the government, said back in January on Sada el-Balad satellite channel that Ethiopia wants all the Blue Nile water, and it also wants to sell water to Egypt. But Egypt will not take this lying down. Ahmad al-Fata, a Sudanese international law expert and former member of the GERD negotiations team in Khartoum, believes Ethiopia will not sign a binding agreement on the operation and filling of the GERD in order to avoid any commitments that would hinder its plans to control Nile waters. Ethiopia, according to Fata, also seeks to impose a de facto policy and price and sell water to Egypt and Sudan. Egypt's former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mona Omar told Al-Monitor that pricing and selling Nile water is not a new idea and could be proposed again. She said Ethiopia had already suggested to Egypt, before the construction of the GERD, selling water to Israel. Egypt refused this suggestion and managed to convince the African countries that Nile water is a right to life rather than a tradable commodity, and cooperation and understanding are the only means to development, Omar said. She added that Ethiopia still wants to control, sell and price Nile waters regardless of the potential harm to Egypt and Sudan and their citizens lives and national security, which violates international law. Omar continued, Egypt will not accept to sell Nile water, and it has so far succeeded in standing its ground. The current disputes in negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan revolve around the GERD operation and management and storage in times of drought and extended drought. The pricing and selling of water is not currently on the table. She noted that the internal conflict raging in Ethiopias Tigray region for over a month now is behind the faltering and frozen GERD negotiations. She believes stability in Ethiopia is important in order to move forward with a binding, written, legal agreement that states Ethiopia will not harm Egypts and Sudans rights to Nile waters in order to preserve water security. The binding agreement would also include Ethiopias commitment not to begin filling the GERD reservoir during drought periods. Hani Raslan, head of the Nile Basin Studies at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, believes that trading in water futures contracts for the first time in the US stock market is a dangerous indicator of trading in Nile waters. For around two decades, there has been a global inclination to shift attention to water as a human right and a rare commodity, like oil and petroleum, which must be preserved and developed, he said, adding that this idea is discussed at international water conferences. Raslan told Al-Monitor, Ethiopia considers the Blue Nile water the lake of Ethiopia, which was expressed by its former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew on July 22 on his Twitter account. For that reason, it began filling the GERD despite failing to reach an agreement with Egypt and Sudan, in violation of international law. It did not stop there, but it is also considering building three other dams Caradobi, Mandaia and Bica-abo to seize a further 200 billion cubic meters, which puts Egypt at risk of water shortage and drought. He added, If Ethiopia is able to proceed with filling the GERD and building the other three planned dams, then it can transform selling and pricing the Nile water into a fait accompli and start implementing it. But Egypt will not accept such a step in any way because it is beyond its economic potential. It also violates international law that is on the side of Egypt, which is facing serious harm and threat to the lives of more than 100 million people who depend on fresh water. He accused Egypt of failing to take a decisive stance on Ethiopia's repeated refusal to sign a binding agreement on the operation and filling of the GERD, whereby Ethiopia would commit not to harm the water interests of Egypt and Sudan and not to build new dams before an agreement is signed with the two countries. Addis Ababa refuses such an agreement, considering it an interference in its national security and sovereignty. Former Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Nasr Allam believes that water trade on the US stock market is a purely local matter and far from new. Water sale and purchase have been around since the 1970s when water quotas were distributed to be used in agriculture, he said. Trading in water on the stock market is the new aspect, but it cannot be generalized on agreements between countries because it did not happen and international law is the regulating authority, according to Allam. He told Al-Monitor, There were previous repeated demands from the Nile Basin countries to sell and price water, but Egypt has been categorically opposed to the idea because it constitutes a grave threat to its national security. Dia El Din Ahmed Hussein El-Quosy, adviser to the former minister of irrigation and water resources, said that Egypt cannot accept the idea of selling and pricing Nile waters because it is harmful. Egypt depends on the Nile to meet more than 90% of its needs and does not have alternative sources to compensate for that. Egypts economic capacities do not allow it to purchase its water needs. Therefore, this idea is unlikely. He told Al-Monitor, South Africas mediation to sponsor the tripartite negotiations on the Ethiopian dam was not successful due to its siding with Ethiopia at the expense of Egypt and Sudan. As a result, the negotiations froze more than once, and a binding agreement was not reached. PROVO, Utah, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BYU Law, a leading national law school focused on leadership in the legal profession, today announced that this year's Law and Leadership Conference, January 29, will be a virtual event focusing on "Paths to Bar Licensure" to examine features and shortcomings of the bar examination, which have been underscored by pandemic-related challenges this past year. "Each year, BYU Law School hosts a Law and Leadership Conference on an issue of current importance inviting leaders to discuss how we might change the world for the better using our legal education," said D. Gordon Smith, Dean, BYU Law. "Following the historic decision by several states, including Utah, to adopt an emergency diploma privilege in the summer of 2020 and recognizing the known racial, gender, and other biases present in traditional bar examinations, this year's topic is 'Paths to Bar Licensure.' In 2020, a pandemic and global racial upheaval have combined to trigger a reconsideration of bar examinations as the gateway to licensure. We invite everyone interested in learning more about this important topic to join us in this virtual conference, where we will examine the features and shortcomings of the bar examination and other potential paths to bar licensure." Dean Smith will deliver the opening remarks to kick-off the conference at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time on Friday, January 29. Joan Howarth, Interim Associate Dean at UNLV Law and author of The Bar: The Justice Case for Attorney Licensing Reform, will deliver the morning keynote to address "A Short History of Attorney Licensing: Tales of Protection, Prestige, Exclusion and Good Faith." The afternoon keynote, titled, "Designing an Evidence Based Licensing System," will be delivered by Deborah Jones Merritt, a celebrated professor at The Ohio State University Law, who has been studying and publishing widely about bar exams for 20 years. In addition, panels comprising leading scholars and administrators will examine criticisms of the current bar examination and alternatives to the bar examination currently working or proposed in various jurisdictions. The conference will conclude with a discussion of Utah's experience with the emergency diploma privilege by graduates and supervisors who were involved. For more information about the conference, including the schedule and list of speakers, visit: https://law.byu.edu/law-and-leadership-conference-2020-2021/. About BYU Law School Founded in 1971, the J. Reuben Clark Law School (BYU Law) has grown into one of the nation's leading law schools recognized for innovative research and teaching in social change, transactional design, entrepreneurship, corpus linguistics, criminal justice and religious freedom. The Law School has more than 6,000 alumni serving in communities around the world. In its most recent rankings, SoFi ranked BYU Law as the #1 best-value U.S. law school in their Return on Education Law School Ranking. For more information, visit https://law.byu.edu. SOURCE BYU Law Related Links https://law.byu.edu Politicians and experts today blasted China for refusing entry to members of a World Health Organization(WHO) team being sent to the country to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Number 10 described the move as 'disappointing', insisting that it was vital the probe happens. Tory MP and founder of Britain's China Research Group, Tom Tugendhat, accused Beijing of 'shameful behaviour'. He said the failure to investigate 'puts everyone at risk of a repeat, and particularly those who are closest - the Chinese people.' And Sari Haven, of the Mercator Institute for China Studies think-tank, dismissed the regime's claim that a 'visa issue' led to the team being denied entry. She said: 'Of course the decoy narrative becomes more difficult to maintain when the WHO team is snooping around.' Even the WHO's chief, in a rare critique of the Beijing regime, warned he was 'very disappointed', especially given the fact that 'two members had already begun their journeys'. It comes amid growing suspicions of a cover-up in China, where Covid-19 is thought to have originated at the end of 2019, although its source remains bitterly contested as officials battle to control the narrative. The first cases of the virus that has brought the world to its knees were identified in Wuhan in late December last year, and linked to a seafood market. Beijing agreed to allow 10 experts into the country in the summer after many months of negotiations. But today Chinese officials insisted a date for the trip and 'details' of the visit still haven't been arranged. The WHO said it is in contact with Chinese authorities. Pictured: Workers in protective suits in Wuhan, China, blocking entry to the seafood market. It is believed to have been where the Covid-19 outbreak, that sparked the pandemic, began Tory MP and founder of Britain's China Research Group, Tom Tugendhat, accused Beijing of 'shameful behaviour'. And Sari Haven, of the Mercator Institute for China Studies think-tank, dismissed the regime's claim that a 'visa issue' led to the team being denied entry The World Health Organization (WHO) has named the 10 scientists it is sending to coronavirus ground zero Wuhan to probe the origins of the disease. It is thought the virus may have jumped into humans at the Wuhan seafood market (pictured) THE KILLER VIRUS MAY HAVE COME FROM BATS, SCIENTISTS SAY The killer coronavirus sweeping across the world may have come from bats, scientists have said. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the People's Liberation Army and Institut Pasteur of Shanghai came to the conclusion. In a statement, the team said: 'The Wuhan coronavirus' natural host could be bats but between bats and humans there may be an unknown intermediate. Tests of the virus, which has yet to be named, have revealed it targets a protein called ACE2 just like its cousin SARS, the South China Morning Post reported. Tracing the evolution of the virus, the team of experts found it belonged to betacoronavirus, making it structurally similar to SARS. Authorities have pointed the blame on food markets in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak that scientists are scrambling to contain. Rodents and bats among other animals are slaughtered and sold in traditional 'wet markets', which tourists flock to see the 'real' side of the country. Advertisement A spokesman for the Prime Minister warned China against blocking the vital research team today. They said: 'As the WHO said yesterday it is disappointing this vital research trip is being held up. 'It's important that the investigation is able to progress without delay and is open, transparent and scientifically rigorous. 'We have said throughout the pandemic it is important that an investigation happens and that remains our position.' Asked whether China was engaging in a cover-up, the spokesman added: 'There is clearly questions that need to be answered about the origins and spread of the virus. 'Which is why we are supportive of the WHO independent international team of experts who will lead the investigation.' The WHO's director of emergencies Michael Ryan said yesterday the problem was visa clearances at the border, but added he hoped it was a 'logistic and bureaucratic issue that can be resolved very quickly'. Its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference they had arranged for members of the team to start travelling to China this week. 'Today, we learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the team's arrival in China,' he said in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. 'I am very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute.' He said they had been 'in contact' with senior Chinese officials, and had 'once again made it clear that the mission is a priority for the WHO'. 'I have been assured that China is speeding up the internal procedure of the earliest possible deployment. We're eager to get the mission under way as soon as possible,' he added. Earlier this week Chinese authorities had refused to confirm the exact dates and details of the visit, a sign of the enduring sensitivity of their mission. The WHO team has promised to focus on the science, specifically how the coronavirus jumped from animals - believed to be bats - to humans. 'This is not about finding a guilty country or a guilty authority,' Fabian Leendertz from the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's central disease control body who will be among the team to visit, told AFP new agency in late December. 'This is about understanding what happened to avoid that in the future, to reduce the risk.' But doubt has been cast over what the WHO mission can reasonably expect to achieve and the state pressure they will face, raising fears that the mission will serve to rubber stamp China's official story, not challenge it. The upcoming visit will not be the first time Covid-19 has brought WHO teams to China. A mission last year looked at the response by authorities rather than the virus origins, with another in the summer laying the groundwork for the upcoming probe. But this time the WHO will wade into a swamp of competing interests, stuck between accusatory Western nations and a Chinese leadership determined to show that its secretive and hierarchical political system served to stem, not spread, the outbreak. It is unclear who the experts will be able to meet when they arrive in Wuhan to retrace the initial days and weeks of the pandemic. Inside China, whistle-blowers have been silenced and citizen journalists jailed, including a 37-year-old woman imprisoned last week for four years over video reports from the city during its prolonged lockdown. Outside, responsibility for the virus has been weaponized. From the outset, US President Donald Trump used the virus as political bludgeon against big power rival China. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus criticised Beijing He accused Beijing of trying to hide the outbreak of what he dubbed the 'China virus' and repeated unsubstantiated rumours it leaked from a Wuhan lab. Trump then pulled the US out of the WHO, accusing it of going soft on China, a nation with which he was also engaged in a bitter trade war. Critics say that blizzard of accusations sought to divert attention from Washington's bungled response to a crisis which has so far killed more than 355,000 Americans. Without them, said one, 'a lot of these situations that we had in January 2020 would not have played out the way it did.' 'It is the geopolitics that... put the world in this situation,' Ilona Kickbusch, of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, told AFP. China has since deftly re-framed its version of events, hailing its 'extraordinary success' in curbing the pandemic within its borders and rebooting its economy. Beijing now says it will ride to the rescue of poorer nations, promising cheap vaccines and seeding doubt that the virus even originated in China. WHO ARE THE 10 SCIENTISTS THAT ARE BEING SENT TO WUHAN? Included in the line up is England's former deputy chief medical officer John Watson John Watson Epidemiologist and former deputy chief medical officer Peter Daszak Zoologist and president of the New York-based group, the EcoHealth Alliance Marion Koopmans Virologist and head of the Erasmus Medical Centres Department of Viroscience in Rotterdam Farag El Moubasher Infectious disease expert in Qatars Ministry of Public Health Hung Nguyen From the Animal and Human Health Program at the International Livestock Research Institute, based in Vietnam Thea Klsen Fischer Infectious disease expert at Denmark's University of Copenhagen Fabian Leendertz Epidemiologist at Germanys Robert Koch Institut Dominic Dwyer Virologist and based at Westmead Hospital in Sydney Ken Maeda Veterinary microbiologist at Japans National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) Vladimir Dedkov Epidemiologist at the Pasteur Institute in Russia Advertisement Chinese doctors were recording at least DOUBLE the number of coronavirus cases that Beijing was reporting to the world in February, leaked documents revealed in December China under-reported its coronavirus cases and deaths by up to half during the early stages of the pandemic, leaked documents revealed in December. Beijing has long been accused of under-reporting its coronavirus numbers, but the data gives an idea of the scale of the problem for the first time. For example, on February 10 China reported 2,478 new cases of the virus across the entire country - but leaked data shows that, on the same date, Hubei province alone logged 5,918 cases. Meanwhile on March 7, Hubei was officially reporting a cumulative death toll of 2,986, but documents show it actually stood at 3,456. The official figures, which were reported across the world, downplayed the severity of the outbreak at a time when world leaders were trying to devise their own response strategies - leaving many unprepared for what was to come. China was able to use the figures and its authoritarian powers to lock down hard and early, all-but wiping the virus out and meaning its economy has grown this year, while under-prepared western democracies have seen their economies devastated. On February 10, China reported a total of 2,478 cases in its daily report, which was published around the world. Leaked documents show the total was 5,918 in Hubei province alone On February 17, the province of Hubei reported 93 new deaths to the public. In fact, documents show that it was 196 Other discrepancies revealed in the data include February 17, when Hubei officially reported 93 deaths from the virus while the documents show a toll of 196. On March 7, Hubei officially reported 83 cases, but 115 are recorded in the leaked papers. Another report also records the deaths of six health care workers from coronavirus by February 10, which were never publicly disclosed. Data also suggests that the number of cases recorded in 2019, when the virus first emerged, was 200. Until now, China has only publicly acknowledged 44 cases in 2019 - which it reported to the WHO as 'a pneumonia of unknown etiology' on January 3. The documents, comprising 117 pages, were handed to CNN by a whistleblower inside the Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which was at the epicentre of the outbreak. The whistleblower described themselves as 'a patriot' who was 'motivated to expose a truth that had been censored, and honor colleagues who had also spoken out.' Alongside the true case and death tolls, the documents reveal for the first time that Hubei was in the midst of a major flu epidemic at the time coronavirus struck. By March 7, Hubei had officially logged 2,986 deaths from the virus, but leaked documents show that toll was actually 3,456 On March 7, Hubei province - where epicentre Wuhan was located - reported 83 new infections to the public. Leaked documents give a figure of 115 The province was reporting up to 20 times the normal number of seasonal flu cases in December 2019, centered in the cities of Yichang and Xianning. Wuhan, where coronavirus would first emerge, was third worst-affected. Data also shows that a large number of flu cases, including in Wuhan, were diagnosed as 'unknown cause' - dating a far back as December 2. Researchers told CNN that it is possible some of these were mis-diagnosed coronavirus cases, but there is no way to know for sure because the data is simply not available. Dr. Amesh Adalja, at Johns Hopkins University which has been at the forefront of tracking the virus, said: 'They were only testing for what they knew.' China claims it has done studies looking for cases of coronavirus in Wuhan before December 2019, but has been unable to find any. While there is no suggestion that the outbreaks are linked, the flu epidemic likely left health officials stretched and unprepared for the emergence of a new illness. The documents also reveal a shambles among China's early testing regime, which contributed to the cases being under-reported. According to the data, nucleic acid tests which were initially used to diagnose the virus only worked between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the time. Documents also reveal Hubei province was in the midst of a flu epidemic when coronavirus emerged, with hospitals under-funded and staff demoralised (file image) That meant scientists were often forced to use other methods - such as scans of the lungs - to diagnose patients they were sure had the virus, but whose tests kept coming back negative. But because of the way China's reporting system worked, only those cases which had been confirmed by the test were publicly reported. All other cases were marked down as 'suspected' or 'clinically diagnosed'. While bureaucrats would have been aware of both figures, and may have been aware of the problems with testing, they chose only to report cases with a positive test - at least initially. China did start adding 'clinically diagnosed' cases to its totals in mid-February, but by then the virus had already spread far beyond its own borders. Yanzhong Huang, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who specilaises in Chinese public health, told CNN: 'It was clear they did make mistakes. 'Not just mistakes that happen when you're dealing with a novel virus, also bureaucratic and politically-motivated errors in how they handled it. 'These had global consequences.' The early testing regime also suffered huge delays, with the average time taken from the onset of disease to diagnosis being 23 days. That meant China's official daily totals were lagging three weeks behind reality, while at the same time hampering its own ability to respond to the crisis. Internal documents also show that Hubei health authorities were under-funded and suffering staff motivation issues when the pandemic struck. And while Beijing boasted that it had massively invested in early-stage detection of infectious diseases in 2003 during the SARS epidemic, in reality the system was slow, under-funded, and weighed down with bureaucracy. Advertisement The world must investigate all the mounting evidence Covid leaked from a Wuhan lab, writes IAN BIRRELL By Ian Birrell for the Mail on Sunday It is a year since the world learned of a deadly new respiratory disease stalking the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Yet we still know little about how and why the virus spread with such devastating consequences. It can almost certainly be traced to bats. But we do not know how this pathogen having evolved an extraordinary ability to infect, causing such damage to different bodily organs made the jump into human beings. At last, a World Health Organisation investigation is under way into the origins of the coronavirus, but it is accused of meekly pandering to China's agenda by recruiting patsy scientists and relying on Beijing's dubious data. Now there is growing clamour from experts around the world that no stone should be left unturned during this inquiry and that it must include one key element of a hunt which has all the hallmarks of a thriller novel. It is a year since the world learned of a deadly new respiratory disease stalking the central Chinese city of Wuhan, writes Ian Birrell. Pictured: Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, who was dubbed 'Batwoman', at the Wuhan Institute of Virology Why did China build a virus lab in Wuhan? Chinese officials decided to build the Wuhan Institute of Virology after the country was ravaged by an outbreak of SARS in 2002 and 2003. SARS, another kind of coronavirus, killed 775 people and infected more than 8,000 globally in an epidemic that lasted about eight months. It took the Chinese 15 years to fully complete the project, which cost a total of 300million yuan (34million). The French helped design the building. Its crown jewel is a four-storey lab with the highest biosafety level of P4. It's the most advanced laboratory of its type in China. Construction of the lab was finished in 2015 and it officially opened on January 5, 2018, after passing various safety inspections. Describing the significance of the P4 lab, China Youth Online billed it as the 'aircraft carrier of China's virology'. The state-run newspaper said it 'is capable of researching the deadliest pathogens'. One researcher, Zhou Peng, told state news agency Xinhua in 2018: 'We are proud to say that we are already at the forefront in the field of studying the immunity mechanism of bats, which carry viruses for a long time. 'Bats carry viruses but are not infected [by them]. [They] provide hope for mankind to study how to fight viruses.' Advertisement This centres on a cave filled with bats, a clutch of mysterious deaths, some brilliant scientists carrying out futuristic experiments in a secretive laboratory and a cover-up of epic proportions that, if proven, would have huge consequences for the Chinese Communist Party and the global practice of science. So what, precisely, is this theory on the origins of this pandemic? It must be stated clearly that it is just a theory, albeit one based on crumbs of evidence teased out by a few courageous scientists and some online detectives. New diseases have emerged throughout human history. Most experts believe Covid to be a 'zoonotic' disease that spilled over naturally from animals to humans. They think it was most likely 'amplified' by an intermediate species similar to how Chinese people's consumption of civet cats sparked the 2002 Sars epidemic. Yet at the same time, Beijing's actions from the outset covering up the outbreak, blaming a wild animal market that it has since admitted wasn't at fault, barring outside investigators, burying data and silencing its own experts have served to fuel suspicions. Last week, leaked documents exposed how the Chinese government, under orders from President Xi Jinping, is strictly controlling all research into the origins of Covid while promoting fringe theories suggesting it came from outside China. And it is an uncomfortable coincidence that Wuhan a city buzzing once again, with busy shops, packed restaurants and many people without masks on the streets celebrating New Year is home to the world's top coronavirus research unit as well as ground zero to a pandemic from a strange new strain. The clues start with an abandoned copper mine in Mojiang, a hilly region in Yunnan, southern China, where bats roost in a network of underground caves, cracks and crannies. Days after three Chinese miners who had been clearing bat droppings inside caves died, Zhengli went to investigate Two weeks ago, a BBC reporter was prevented from reaching this remote site after being trailed by police for miles along bumpy tracks, then blocked by a lorry and confronted by men at roadblocks saying their job was to stop him. The previous month, a team of US journalists had also been tailed by plainclothes police who barred their access. One research team recently managed to take some samples at the mine, but reportedly had them confiscated. The reason for such secrecy goes back to the end of April 2012 when a 42-year-old man clearing bat droppings in these underground caverns turned up at a nearby hospital with a bad cough, high fever and struggling to breathe. Within a week, five colleagues had similar symptoms. Three later died, one after doctors spent more than 100 days fighting to save his life yet the two youngest spent less than a week in the hospital and survived. Sound familiar? We have since learned from a detailed masters thesis, which included medical reports and radiological scans, that these miners suffered a viral pneumonia, attributed to Sars-like coronaviruses originating from horseshoe bats. One leading US health body pointed out last year that they had 'an illness remarkably similar to Covid-19'. Little wonder a prominent vaccine scientist told me: 'This is about as close to a smoking gun as exists.' Intriguingly, a second thesis three years later also highlighted these cases. It was written by a student of Oxford-trained virologist Professor George Gao Fu, who is now head of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which is leading their response to the pandemic. So the Chinese authorities must have known about the dead miners. Yet they quickly tried to blame the wildlife market in Wuhan as Covid's source, until challenged by respected studies revealed in this newspaper. Following the miners' deaths, Shi Zhengli, a Wuhan-based virologist known as Batwoman for her expeditions to gather samples in such caves and a member of the team that traced the origin of Sars to bats, went to investigate. 'The mine shaft stank like hell,' she told Scientific American magazine, explaining how her colleagues spent a year discovering new coronaviruses in samples taken from the blood and faeces of bats. The miners, she claimed, died from a fungal infection. 'The mine shaft stank like hell,' she told Scientific American magazine, explaining how her colleagues spent a year discovering new coronaviruses in samples taken from the blood and faeces of bats. The miners, she claimed, died from a fungal infection. Another expert noted how the miners who died were treated with anti-fungal medications, while those surviving were given other drugs. 'So in addition to the fact that the cases were more Sars-like than fungal-like, this treatment story argues against a fungal [cause],' he said. 'It is very odd that Shi Zhengli would assert these cases were fungal.' Prof Shi examined samples in her Wuhan lab, a few miles from the infamous market. Studies later found the virus in sewage, but it was not detected in animals. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is the first laboratory with the highest global bio-safety level in China. It specialises in the study of bat-borne viruses and is spearheading China's drive to assert itself in bio-technology. Leaked diplomatic cables reveal that US officials who visited the lab two years ago warned about safety weaknesses and the risks of a new Sars-like epidemic emerging from the site. The lab's own safety chief also publicly admitted concerns over flawed security systems. The institute has carried out experiments on bat coronaviruses since 2015 including research that can increase their virulence by combining snippets from different strains. Some viruses were injected into special 'humanised' mice that had been created for use in labs with human genes, cells or tissues in their bodies. These controversial experiments artificially force the evolution of viruses so as to boost our understanding of diseases and their transmissibility. They help researchers develop new drugs and vaccines. The Wuhan scientists were working with prominent Western experts and supported financially by the National Institutes of Health, the most important US funding body although this relationship was ended on safety grounds after being revealed by The Mail on Sunday. Some scientists argue this type of pathogen research is too risky since it could trigger a pandemic from a new disease. As a result, there was a moratorium on such work by the US for four years under the Obama administration. Other critics have warned that the Wuhan Institute was constructing 'chimeric' coronaviruses new hybrid micro-organisms that show no sign of human manipulation. Now the big question is whether they took samples from the coronavirus that killed the Yunnan miners and, back in their laboratory more than 1,000 miles away, created a new virus that somehow leaked out into their own city. Leaked diplomatic cables reveal that US officials who visited the lab two years ago warned about safety weaknesses and the risks of a new Sars-like epidemic emerging from the site As leading experts have suggested, it would have been a logical step to create chimeric viruses by combining properties from different samples. Many scientific breakthroughs have emerged from such speculative endeavours. One medical professor suggested to me that the miners may have died after being exposed to very high doses of coronaviruses while working in deep shafts filled with bats and their droppings. But the Wuhan scientists then struggled to prove causality in their lab as their samples were too weak to infect human cells. 'This would have stopped them publishing a major finding of a new Sars-like virus infecting humans. The possibility is they might then have tried modifying the virus to make it better able to infect human cells in a bid to establish the missing link.' This is, it must be stressed, unproven speculation. And it is understandable why China wants to comprehend as much as possible about bat viruses that emerge in their country. Yet as experts say, there are many unanswered questions centring on Beijing's reluctance to come clean about the miners' cases, viruses and samples held in their labs. The Wuhan Institute has even taken key databases offline. Key to all this is the enigmatic Batwoman, Prof Shi. First, she published a genetic sequence for Sars-Cov-2 the strain of coronavirus that causes Covid-19 which, despite close analysis of other novel features, ignored its most surprising characteristic. This is 'the furin cleavage site', a mutation not found on similar types of coronavirus that allows its spike protein to bind so effectively to many human cells. The lab's own safety chief also publicly admitted concerns over flawed security systems Then, last January, Prof Shi and two colleagues published a paper in Nature that revealed the existence of a virus called RaTG13 that was taken from a horseshoe bat and stored on their premises, the biggest repository of bat coronaviruses in Asia. This paper, submitted on the same day China admitted to human transmission, caused a stir in the scientific world since it revealed the existence of the closest known relative to Sars-Cov-2 with more than 96 per cent genetic similarity. It underlined that such diseases occur in nature yet although closely related, it would have taken RaTG13 several decades to evolve in the wild into Sars-Cov-2 and was too distant to be manipulated in a laboratory. Other experts wondered why there was so little information about this new strain. One reason soon became clear: the name had been changed from that of another virus called Ra4991 identified in a previous paper but, unusually, not cited in the Nature piece. This obscured a direct link to the dead miners, which was only confirmed when Nature sought publication of an 'addendum' following complaints. The Wuhan team also admitted it had eight more Sars viruses from the Yunnan mine that have not been disclosed. Some scientists say these new details raise many fresh issues including a 20-point critique put on her blog by an Indian microbiologist called Monali Rahalkar. Many high-profile experts, however, still dismiss the idea of a lab leak as a conspiracy theory. Yet David Relman, one of the world's leading experts in this field, points out that scientists could easily have combined a 'furin cleavage site' from one viral ancestor with the backbone of Sars-Cov-2 taken from another. 'Alternatively, the complete Sars-Cov-2 sequence could have been recovered from a bat sample and viable virus recreated from a synthetic genome to study it before that virus accidentally escaped,' wrote Relman, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University's medical school, in a recent paper. The former US government adviser on bio-security told me he raised the issues out of frustration with scientists who seemed discomforted by the idea. 'This perplexing story does not add up the possibility of a lab accident cannot be discounted,' he said. There have also been questions over the apparent disappearance of a young woman researcher who worked in the laboratory. It has been suggested she might have been patient zero of this pandemic, although this has been denied by the Chinese authorities. Even if the miners' link was eliminated, it would not rule out the possibility of an accident causing this pandemic. Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, said Wuhan scientists have shown in publications that they have sampled hundreds of bats and people living near bat caves in their search for Sars-related viruses. 'Even if the precursor to Sars-Cov-2 was not from these miners or the Mojiang mine, did they find other viruses that are very closely related that we do not yet know about?' she asked. It sounds like the plot from a science-fiction film: an engineered virus leaking from a high-tech lab to cause global chaos. Yet there are plenty of precedents, including two researchers infected with Sars in a Beijing virology lab in 2004. Studies also show accidents with deadly pathogens are common in labs where people are working with microscopic viruses. Prof Shi admitted she never expected an outbreak in a city so far from the home of the bats she studied. She said her first thought on hearing coronaviruses might be the culprit was to wonder: 'Could they have come from our lab?' She then frantically rushed back to Wuhan to check her records for any possible mishandling of materials which proves she believed such a leak was a possibility. There is also another lab in Wuhan with a lower level of bio-security, 500 yards from the animal market. A study posted by two Chinese scientists in February on a site for sharing research then pulled two days later enigmatically claimed 605 bats were kept here, describing how some attacked, bled and urinated on a researcher. 'It is plausible that the virus leaked,' the paper concluded. Perhaps this theory will unravel as we find out fresh facts. Or scientists will uncover an alternative explanation for the path of Covid-19 from bats to humans. Equally, it is possible we may never discover the truth about the origins of this virus. But at this stage the only certainty is that we all do science and indeed, investigative reporting a disservice if this idea is discarded without being properly disproved and devoid of evidence. We owe this to a world dislocated so terribly by this pandemic. A Harrisburg man convicted of brutally beating his pregnant estranged wife and kicking her repeatedly in the abdomen wont be getting out of prison anytime soon. A state Superior Court panel guaranteed that by denying Fauslet Alceus appeal of his multiple aggravated assault convictions and 7- to 14-year prison sentence. That decision comes more than a year after a Dauphin County jury found the 31-year-old Alceus guilty not only of assaulting the woman, but also of endangering the life of her unborn child and injuring two other children. Fauslet Alceus Alceus wife, Angelica Rodriguez, told police she was sleeping in her mothers home after separating from her husband when he awoke her by assaulting her on the night of Sept. 8, 2017. The attack went on until daybreak, police said. Rodriguez said her children watched the beatings. She said she was holding her 15-month-old twins as Alceus tried to strangle her. She claimed he knew she was 5 months pregnant when he kicked her in the stomach. Both twins suffered bruises and cuts as well, police said. In the Superior Courts opinion, Judge Daniel D. McCaffery rejected Alceus argument that his charges should have been dismissed because prosecutors took too long to bring him to trial. Alceus was arrested two days after the attack. His trial occurred in October 2019. McCaffery found that numerous court-approved continuances in the case kept its prosecution within the legal deadlines. He also discounted Alceus argument that he deserved a new trial because Rodriguez briefly mentioned past violence in their relationship when she testified before the jury. McCaffery found the woman had merely blurted out a brief statement during a prosecutors questioning. Alceus claim that the evidence didnt support his convictions was discounted by the state court as well. Alceus took the witness stand during his trial and said he was at the Hollywood Casino with a friend when the assault occurred. Although (Alceus) denied any involvement in the assault, the jury was free to disregard his testimony as not credible, McCaffery wrote. Constance Rooke CNF Prize contest now open! The Malahat Review invites creative nonfiction writers to enter the Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize, for which one prize of $CAN 1,000 is awarded. The contest is open to Canadian and international writers anywhere in the world, with a final deadline of 11:59pm (PDT) on 1 August 2021. All entries are judged anonymously, and the winning piece will be published in the magazine's winter issue #217. The Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize is awarded to the best work submitted to the magazines annual contest for a genre that embraces, but is not limited to, the personal essay, memoir, narrative nonfiction, social commentary, travel writing, historical accounts, and biography, all enhanced by such elements as description, dramatic scenes, dialogue, and characterization. *Mailed or emailed contest submissions are no longer accepted. Please read the instructions below to find out how to submit your contest entries through Submittable.* 2021 Deadline The deadline for the Constance Rooke CNF Prize contest is August 1, 2021 at 11:59pm PDT. Read about our 2020 winner: Christina Brobby. Judge Meet the judge for the 2021 contest: Emily Riddle Look for an interview with Emily Riddle in our June Malahat lite e-newsletter! Book Prize In addition to the $1000 prize, we're giving away a book prize to one lucky contest entrant! All you have to do is submit your work to the contest, and you'll be automatically entered to win. After the deadline, we'll pull one name from the list of entrants. (Check back here closer to the contest deadline to see which books will be included in the book prize!) About Constance Rooke Constance Rooke Connie Rooke (19422008) was born Constance Merriam Raymond in New York City. She pursued undergraduate studies at Smith College, where she won the same writing scholarship earlier held by Sylvia Plath (a matter of some pride). After a year roaming around Europe, she settled in New Orleans, concentrating on graduate studies at Tulane. In 1967, she began working on her PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she took over the editorship of the venerable Carolina Quarterly, and met and married Leon Rooke, the writer in residence at the time. In 1969, she joined the University of Victorias Department of English. Read more. Guidelines Writers may submit one piece of creative nonfiction per entry. The entry must be no longer than 3,000 words. Please include a word count on the first page of your entry. There are no restrictions on subject matter or aesthetic approach. For example, the entry may be personal essay, memoir, cultural criticism, nature writing, or literary journalism. (Read our Creative Nonfiction mandate here.) All entries are judged anonymously ( no identifying inormation is to be included on any submission ). ). Multiple entries are allowed (at a reduced fee, if paid for at the same time as the initial entry: see Entry Fees, Additional Entries, and How to Submit below). Entry Fee $CAN 35 for each entry from Canada $CAN 40 for each entry from the USA $CAN 45 for each entry from elsewhere $CAN 15 for each additional entry (any writer, any country) see How to Pay (below) for detailed instructions (below) for detailed instructions Entrants receive, for themselves or a friend, a one-year print subscription to The Malahat Review (for the initial entry only; no subscriptions are available for additional entries made along with the initial entry). Digital subscriptions and digital/print bundle subscriptions are not available through any of the magazine's contests. Additional Entries To receive the reduced entry fee(s) of $CAN 15.00, any additional entries must be paid for at the same time as the first entry; such additional entries should be submitted online within 24 hours of the initial submission. The same guidelines apply to additional entries as to the initial submission. Eligible Entries No work already published (even if only excerpted, or even if revised since original publication), already accepted for publication, or simultaneously submitted elsewhere is eligible for consideration. The Malahat Review considers any appearance in print or online to be a publication, whether the form of publication be a newspaper, newsletter, magazine, anthology, chapbook, book, website, personal website or blog, Twitter, Facebook, or other suchlike forum for public circulation. This restriction on eligibility applies regardless of the size of the print run or the extent of the circulation of previously published work. Failure to comply with these criteria for eligibility will immediately disqualify any entry , regardless of when the ineligibility is discovered in the process of adjudication (submission, processing, screening, shortlisting, final judging). The entry fee for a disqualified entry will not be refunded, and the entrant will still receive a one-year subscription to the magazine. Notification The winner will be notified by email. Other entrants will not be notified of the judges decisions. The shortlisted finalists will be announced in early October 2021 on The Malahat Review 's website and social media accounts. The winner will be announced a week later. The winner will be interviewed, and the interview will be published subsequently on The Malahat Review 's website, and in the December 2021 or January 2022 edition of Malahat lite , the magazine's monthly e-newsletter. The winning entry will be published in the winter 2021 issue #217 of The Malahat Review (in circulation January 2022). How to Pay Payment must be made online through The Malahat Review Store (if you do not have a credit card, you can pay by cheque or money order: see below). Unless you are paying by cheque or money order, you must pay the entry fees before making your submission, since you must include your ORDER # with your submission . If you are unable to pay by credit card, you can mail a cheque or money order (made out to The Malahat Review ) in $CAN or $US to The Malahat Review , McPherson Library, University of Victoria, PO Box 1800, Stn CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 3H5, Canada. If paying by cheque or money order, you must indicate "cheque" or "money order" as required on the submission form. Online malahat@uvic.ca ). Payment by cheque or money order must be mailed with a postmark date of no later than 1 August 2021. payments will not be accepted after the contest deadline (if you have any problems with such payment, please write to). Payment by cheque or money order must be mailed with a postmark date of no later than 1 August 2021. Go to our online store to pay your contest fee(s). 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Click on the Submit icon below and follow the instructions in order to submit to the Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize contest on Submittable: Previous Constance Rooke CNF Prize Winners Several parliament majority lawmakers to not be on ruling party electoral list Kopirkin: Russia-Armenia allied relations are without alternative Ardshinbank becomes a partner of Olympicos, a new musical animated movie Armenias Aivazian to Irans Zarif: Azerbaijan is trying to create new geopolitical realities (PHOTOS) Armenia, Russia MODs discuss situation in Karabakh The Twilight star becomes producer of Warner Bros. 130 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia "Armenia" bloc electoral list top 20 is announced Armenia parliament pays tribute to soldier killed by Azerbaijan invaders World oil prices dropping Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office despite snap parliamentary election results Iran FM arrives in Armenia (PHOTOS) Newspaper: Armenia officials try to persuade university rectors ahead of snap parliamentary election No drugs found: Eurovision Song Contest organizers did not find traces of prohibited substances in the winner's blood Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: You have to constantly invest money in countrys image Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Business world has to deal only with tax authorities US: 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine found in watermelons Tesla owners will be paid $ 16,000 each due to slow charging MFA: Netherlands parliament demands that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its forces from Armenia Security Council chief: Pashinyan-Putin contacts have agreement that Azerbaijan should leave Armenia territory Advisor to Armenia Prosecutor General provides details about incident with Armenian soldier killed in Verin Shorzha Banksy's painting of punk Lenin sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 960,000 CSTO Deputy Secretary-General: Escalation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border requires undertaking of urgent measures How does skin protect body from environment? Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Japan Australia closing its embassy in Kabul for security reasons Biden to discuss issues related to Belarus and Ukraine with Putin Armenian acting FM meets with ambassadors of CSTO member states accredited to Armenia Armenia Ombudsman presents human rights protection in post-war period to CoE Programmes Directorate General Germany is investigating Google's position in market France: Sanctions against Belarus will continue Armenia opposition party MP: Azerbaijan is a terrorist state, negotiations can't be led with such a country US to reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem EU expects to receive over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine by end of September Mbappe receives coronavirus vaccine Armenian MFA strongly condemns Azerbaijan's blatant armed encroachment on Armenia's sovereign territory UN still awaits strong evidence that Dubai ruler's daughter is alive Opposition Bright Armenia Party urges Government to immediately address UN Security Council Armen Sarkissian receives Russia Ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, France Ambassador discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Real Madrid's Zidane to be replaced by Allegri Overchuk: We hope unblocking of links between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a success Armenia police officer commits suicide, criminal case launched Armenia Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has new deputy heads Zarif, Aliyev discuss railway routes connecting Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia Gennaro Gattuso becomes Fiorentina's manager EU leaders agree to donate at least 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to poor countries Armenian serviceman Mher Hovhannisyan fires gunshot at his head, criminal case launched Soldier who died in Armenia's Verin Shorzha was son of ARF-D member, father of 2 Blinken promises to continue close consultations with Israel on Iran Armen Sarkissian: Armenia's relevant state institutions need to take the tightest measures How long does it take for symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children? Armenian soldier commits suicide, opposition speaks on tense situation on border, 25.05.21 digest Yerevan man's body found at Tatul Krpeyan Park Armenia MOD: Reports about Armenian soldiers being injured in Sisian section of border not confirmed EU summit calls for rarly implementation of vaccination certificates Parliament of the Netherlands adopts resolution, EU must demand that Azerbaijan pull out troops from Armenia Kanye West and Irina Shayk are dating? What connects two divorced celebrities Kremlin: Russian and US presidents to meet in Geneva on June 16 Spokesperson of community council of Armenia's Sisian: Men got enlisted and climbed to military posts Bright Armenia Party: We are not satisfied with CSTO response EU leaders urge council to review internal border guidelines by mid-June Armenia MOD: Fixed-term serviceman receives lethal firearm injury in head area Dollar still stable in Armenia Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch passes away Kathimerini: US seeks to increase military presence in Greece due to doubts about Turkey's reliability Euro 2020: England's squad list US Congress members call on Biden to suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan Armenia acting economy minister receives Montenegro's newly appointed Ambassador Armenia MOD: Soldier killed during shootings from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha British model dies after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves for Monte Carlo with Mino Raiola Russian MP: Azerbaijani leadership interested in Armenia acting PM's victory in snap elections Armenia MOD reports shooting from Azerbaijani side in Verin Shorzha border section Armenia opposition MP: Authorities promised to separate business from politics, but they're failing to fulfill promise There will be post-election processes if authorities try to rig voting, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan CNN: Putin and Biden will meet on June 15-16 in Geneva Latin America has the highest poverty rate in 20 years Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia applying to CSTO: No one will help you if you do nothing to solve your problems Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party presents list of first 10 candidates ahead of snap parliamentary elections Armenia acting justice minister discusses broad range of cooperation issues with top CoE official Armenia former President Kocharyan: This guilt, this criminal article is on these authorities Man survives after spending 17 days in desert Azerbaijan continues course towards systematic extermination of Armenian heritage in Shushi Armenia Syunik Province ex-governor: Azerbaijani soldiers advanced along length of border two days ago Newly appointed Ambassador of Montenegro presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Its about bringing Karabakh issue back to right to self-determination, says Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia War in Artsakh seriously affected psychological state of people, psychologist claims Guardiola speaks about Chelsea's strengths The Saw franchise makes billion of dollars Ara Aivazian and Austrian counterpart hold phone talks, focus on Azeri army's infiltration into Armenia's territory Kocharyan: Elect todays political team if you are ready to live squatting Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting sold at auction in Hong Kong for $ 30 million 2nd President Kocharyan on Armenia Security Council chief: Do you take that person seriously? "Key" to settlement of Karabakh conflict cant be in one place, says Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan Texas may permit carrying of pistols without special permission Ex-President Kocharyan on Armenia acting PM Pashinyan's high popularity rating: We will wear it down to the root Kim Kardashian sued by her employees, details known Modric extends deal with Real Madrid Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. DecisionDatabases added the latest report with a global perspective on the Steel Wire Tire Cord Market studied under different segments, including type, application, and regions. The report is treated with size, trends, growth, share, and forecast till 2025. Besides, the research report studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall growth at the global level. This report also offers a lucrative area of the industry at the regional and country level. The final report will cover the impact of COVID-19 on this industry. The global Steel Wire Tire Cord market report presents a complete research-based study of the industry including details such as company shares, forecast data, in-depth analysis and an outlook of the market on a worldwide platform. The report further highlights the market drivers, restraints and the top manufacturers at the global and regional levels. For a thorough understanding, the report also offers market segmentation and regional analysis for the forecast period from 2020 to 2025. Click here to get a Sample PDF Copy of the Steel Wire Tire Cord Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-30178 According to this study, over the next five years, the Steel Wire Tire Cord market will register an xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach $ xx million by 2025, from $ xx million in 2020. In particular, this report presents the global market share (sales and revenue) of key companies in the Steel Wire Tire Cord business, shared in Chapter 3. This Steel Wire Tire Cord market report also splits the market by regions: Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries). This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of the Steel Wire Tire Cord market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. Jiangsu Xingda Steel Cord Hyosung Shandong SNTON Steel Cord ArcelorMittal Tokusen Bridgestone Tokyo Rope MFG Shougang Century BMZ Sumitomo Electric Industries Junma Tyre Cord Sodetal Henan Hengxing Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-30178 This study considers the Steel Wire Tire Cord value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments: Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.7. Normal Tensile (NT) High Tensile (HT) Super Tensile (ST) Ultra Tensile (UT) Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Passenger Car Use Freight Car Use Other In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, challenges, and the risks faced by key manufacturers and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development. Purchase the Complete Global Steel Wire Tire Cord Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-30178 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Steel Wire Tire Cord consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, type and application, history data from 2015 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of the Steel Wire Tire Cord market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Steel Wire Tire Cord manufacturers, to define, describe, and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years. To analyze the Steel Wire Tire Cord with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Steel Wire Tire Cord submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://www.topnewscorner.com/steel-wire-tire-cord-market-2020-analysis-by-latest-trends-growth-opportunities-with-potential-impact-of-covid-19/ MET Eireann has issued a snow/ice warning as temperatures are set to plummet in Limerick again tonight. The mercury dropped below zero in many places last night and the forecaster has now issued two national Status Yellow warnings for tonight and tomorrow morning. It says temperatures are likely to drop to -3 or -4 and that "snow and ice will lead to treacherous conditions". Some accumulations are possible in places. Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland Very cold with minima widely falling to -3 or -4 degrees Celsius. Valid: 20:00 Wednesday 06/01/2021 to 10:00 Thursday 07/01/2021 For more information on warnings and advisories:https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/VJ3K8tzEzy January 6, 2021 From now until Sunday, we can expect very cold weather and very frosty nights. It will be variable from place to place and there will be a lot of dry weather and certainly there will be a lot of ice, said Evelyn Cusack, head of forecasting at Met Eireann. The best chance, or the worst chance of snow will be during Wednesday night and Thursday morning when a cold front will move down across Ireland bringing a band of rain, sleet and snow and this will be followed by very cold, sunny weather, Ms Cusack told RTE Radio. The cold snap is set to continue until the weekend and it is expected Friday night will be the coldest night with temperatures as low as -7. Met Eireann says temperatures will rise after that and that early indications are that it will not be as cold next week. Motorists are being advised to exercise caution when driving particularly on minor roads during the current cold snap. While primary roads will be gritted along with major secondary roads over the coming days, local roads will not. Send your weather photos and videos via social media or by email to news@limerickleader.ie Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-06 09:32:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Fayez Serraj of the UN-backed Libyan government welcomed on Tuesday the results of the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council Summit held in Saudi Arabia which ended the rift with Qatar. "The President of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord welcomes the outcomes of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit held in Saudi Arabia, which succeeded in clearing the atmosphere and strengthening brotherhood" in the Gulf region, in a way that strengthens Arab solidarity, Serraj said in a statement later Tuesday. "The President of the Presidential Council stresses that the Al-Ula Declaration is an important step in the right direction and hopes it would lead to Arab reunification and effectively contribute to establishing security and stability in Libya and ending all negative interference," the statement said. The prime minister also stressed the need to reinforce full commitment to mutual respect, the sovereignty of countries, and their national unity. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 and has since imposed a full embargo on the Gulf state, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has repeatedly denied all the charges. The end of the crisis started on Monday with the decision by Saudi Arabia to reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar. Enditem Nineteen-year-old Jeremy Janell Alvarez pleaded not guilty in the Superior Court of Guam on Wednesday to murder and other charges in the death of 77-year-old Sun Cha Park Allen in Afame, Sinajana last month. Alvarez, through defense attorney Doug Moylan, entered his plea before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan. He waived his right to a speedy trial. Alvarez was indicted on charges of murder as a first-degree felony, aggravated murder as a first-degree felony and aggravated assault as a second-degree felony. Each charge includes a special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Alvarez allegedly told Guam Police Department officers that he hit Allen with a hammer "five to 10 times" after she touched his genital area on Dec. 8. The victim and the defendant share a house occupied by several households. The defendant has told investigators that he asked Allen for Xanax and that's when she touched him, the prosecution stated in court documents. Allen was in critical condition at Guam Regional Medical City and died a few days after the attack. Alvarez remains held on $100,000 bail. A housemate previously told The Guam Daily Post that the victim was affectionately called "Mama" by her friends. Allen, who is of Korean heritage, was an expert in yoga, stretching and massage therapy, according to the housemate. As COVID-19 spreads across the country and vaccines are not yet widely available, it's important to plan for what you would do if you become infected with the virus, says a psychologist who's counseled critically ill and recovering patients. "We can't let our guard down while we wait our turn for the vaccine," said rehabilitation psychologist Abigail Hardin, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. In addition to continuing to take protective measures such as social distancing and wearing masks, Hardin recommends asking yourself a series of questions to help you plan for what you would do if you get sick. Ask yourself where you'll quarantine and, if you're a caregiver, who will care for your children or elderly relatives. Know where your insurance card is located, consider what in-network hospital you would choose and think about who needs to know you're ill, including who you may have exposed to the virus. Then, pack a COVID-19 kit for yourself and your family members to help put your mind at ease. The kit could include copies of your insurance card, driver's license and prescriptions. You could add a set of comfortable clothing, a phone charger, a pen and a notebook. "Our brains don't work as well when we're under stress," Hardin said in a university news release. "It's much easier to handle a tough situation when you have what you need ready." Assess and address your health, Hardin suggests. People with underlying health conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, may have more severe illness or long-term effects from COVID-19. If you can get your blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control now, you may reduce your risk of complications later. Add healthy habits, including getting good sleep and getting more sunshine, if possible. If you smoke, quit. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, which is a drink a day for women and two for men. Hardin also recommends making sure you have a will and an advance directive, in case you need it. There are several types of advance directives, including a living will, medical power of attorney/durable power of attorney for health care, do not resuscitate (DNR) order and practitioner order for life-sustaining treatment (POLST). Your family lawyer can create these documents for you, but there are other ways that cost little or no money. Choose someone you trust to have "power of attorney" and make health care decisions on your behalf in case you cannot communicate for yourself. "Thinking about death can be overwhelming," Hardin said. "But preparing a will and talking through what care you would want if you were very ill now can save your loved one from the pain of trying to decide for you without knowing what you would want." Stay mentally and emotionally strong by scheduling times to connect with family and friends remotely, she advised. Call a friend when you're lonely. Find a therapist if you need to talk. If you or a family member is struggling to cope, feeling helpless or hopeless, reach out for professional help. "I've been with patients as they've fought and survived COVID-19," Hardin said. "Knowing what to expect and being prepared can only help you to survive and thrive." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on COVID-19. Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. On the Netflix series The Queens Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy plays Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy. Beth gains her independence from an orphanage and adoptive family through the chess world. The real Taylor-Joy may have that in common with her character. Anya Taylor-Joy | Phil Bray/Netflix Taylor-Joy was a guest on The HFPA In Conversation podcast on Jan. 1 to discuss her role on The Queens Gambit. Describing her childhood, the actor told the story of how she ran away from home when she was 14. Before The Queens Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy didnt feel at home Taylor-Joy grew up in Argentina, but her family moved to England when she was six. It was a challenging adjustment for her. I can remember arriving in London and being very confused and very displaced and I just wanted to go home. So I refused to learn English for about two years, thinking that my parents would have to take me home, which clearly didnt work out. Its been interesting actually now as an adult, I love London so much. So much of my sense of humor and potentially where I feel the most comfortable is wrapped up in being a London girl. Its been a long rambly road of trying to understand that I come from lots of different places and I am okay with that. I dont need to fit into one box to make other people feel more comfortable but thats taken me a long time to learn. Anya Taylor-Joy, The HFPA In Conversation podcast, 1/1/21 When Anya Taylor-Joy ran away By the time Taylor-Joy was a teenager, she started making her own decisions. One of those decisions ultimately led her to a successful acting career. Anya Taylor-Joy | Ken Woroner/Netflix RELATED: Before The Queens Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy Said New Mutants Re-Opened Teenage Trauma I ran away to New York at 14, Taylor-Joy said. I was having a really bad time at school and I wanted to be an actor. So I enrolled in a directors program and I got in. I came down to go to school one day and I said to my parents, Look, Im not going to school. Ive saved up enough money to buy myself a plane ticket to New York. Im going to do this and you can either be a part of it with me or Im just going to go do it by myself. My parents were amazing and they supported me in it. A chance encounter began Anya Taylor-Joys career Like Beth Harmon in The Queens Gambit, Taylor-Joy started living her own life. During her second year in New York, Taylor-Joy chanced upon a random opportunity. I was walking my dog and I was wearing high heels for the first time because I had a party that I was going to and I wanted to practice, Taylor-Joy said. This big black car started following me. I panicked and then thought theres no way its following me, theres no way its following me. It really was so I started to run. This guy stuck his head out the window and said, If you stop you wont regret it. Anya Taylor-Joy | Netflix RELATED: Heath Ledger Originally Had Plans for The Queens Gambit That man offered her a modeling job, which gave Taylor-Joy an early taste of acting. Without mincing any word, British comedian-actor Rowan Atkinson equated cancel culture to a "medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn." Popularly known for his roles as the eccentric Mr. Bean and as super-spy Johnny English, Atkinson was not amused at how algorithms are arranged, limiting, and dictating what people see online, Breitbart reported. He suspects this to be an act of censorship by the British government. In his interview with Radio Times of the U.K. (via Variety), Atkins explained the necessity of being exposed to" a wide spectrum of opinions." What fills him with dread is that some people are just reactionary against anyone or anything that does not fit their worldviews or agenda. "It becomes a case of either you're with us or against us. And if you are against us, you deserve to be 'canceled,'" he said. But Atkinson is no lone ranger. Ricky Gervais, creator of "The Office," passionately champions free speech as well. He gave several examples of 'cancel culture' through his August interview with The Metro. "You turning off your own TV isn't censorship. You trying to get other people to turn off their TV because you don't like something they're watching, that's different," he said. Another example Gervais used is when people pushed for a comedian's dismissal whose political opinions they disagree with. Gervais said that it's "not cool" because a celebrity's opinion has nothing to do with his job. It's one thing to opt-out of watching shows from actors people dislike, and another when they want them sacked. Last year, Gervais went all the way in his crusade when he called out what he deemed as "political correctness-turned cancel culture," branding it as a "weird sort of fascism of people thinking they know what you can say and what you can't." He is basically pointing out that it is possible to present differing views without the need for censorship. Finally, Gervais sort of predicted the possibilities in the near future when he said, "You could be the most woke, politically correct stand-up in the world at the moment, but you don't know what it's going to be like in 10 years time. You can get canceled for things you said ten years ago." Aside from Atkins and Gervais, author J.K Rowling was also in hot water after expressing her views on the harmful impact of the rising transgenderism on women across the globe. She got "cancelled" on Twitter through the #RIPJKRowling thread, followed by numerous comments on her recent book about a male killer who disguises as a woman to lure his victims. Many netizens were "hurt" by the renowned author's portrayal of the cross-dressing character, which led to her being accused as a "bigot" and "transphobic." On her website, Rowling explained that the character was "loosely based on real-life killers Jerry Brudos and Russell Williams." Rowling is one of more than a hundred writers and academics who signed a letter in summer last year calling for the end of cancel culture, Breitbart reported. WSU Hosts MLK Speaker to Discuss Becoming Antiracist January 5, 2021 Named in Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People of 2020 for his work as a historian and leading antiracist scholar, Ibram Xolani Kendi will present to a Weber State University audience via Zoom, Jan. 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. Advanced registration is required at this link. You can submit questions at this link until Jan. 12. Kendi will share his message that being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism and regular self-examination. Weber State University President Brad Mortensen will conduct a conversation-style interview with Kendi, whose speech is hosted by the Office of the President in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Adrienne Andrews, Weber States Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer, said Kendis remarks will inspire positive action in the community. I have had the fortune of hearing Dr. Kendi speak at national conferences and know the message he has to share is one that will benefit our entire community, she said. As we seek to live our values of equity, diversity and inclusion at WSU, Dr. Kendi will help us to discover ways we can individually and collectively act as antiracists moving from words to actions. Kendi is the author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and The Black Campus Movement, which won the W.E.B. Du Bois Book Prize. He is also the author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller, How to Be an Antiracist. His next co-edited book, Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019, will be released Feb. 2. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. His research questions the reality of a post-racial society and presents the reality of racism in America today. Kendi is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News correspondent. He has also published numerous essays in periodicals, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time and The Huffington Post. In speaking about his Time magazine honor, Kendi told a writer at Boston University, Im focused on using any influence I may have to challenge racism, to eliminate racial inequity and injustice, to build an antiracist world. This is the calling of my life. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. Fans of David Hasselhoff and/or obscene animation memorabilia, rejoice: Big Dave, a notorious 14-foot model of the Hoff, is up for auction, and it can be yours for only a million bucks (or possibly more). Big Dave took his time to go public. He was built for 2004s The Spongebob Squarepants Movie, a hybrid feature in which Hasselhoff has a cameo as himself. Lost on a beach, Spongebob and his friend Patrick Star hitch a ride on the Hoffs back as he swims back to their home. Hence why the model is stretched out as if bodysurfing. After the shoot wrapped, Hasselhoff claimed Big Dave after learning that nobody had any use for the thing. As he told GQ in 2011: Ive got it in my projection room. I dont know what to do with it. Its just sitting there, and it freaks the hell out of people. Eventually Ill probably make a table out of it and put it in a restaurant somewhere. Thousands of farmers protesting near Delhi against the Centres three farm laws have decided to postpone their tractor march by a day as sporadic rain hampered their plans to stage a protest. The tractor march, now scheduled to be held on January 7, is a glimpse of how farmers are planning to intensify their protest after the government on January 4 refused to repeal the laws. We will take out tractor march at four borders of Delhi including Eastern and Western peripheral. This will be a trailer for what lies ahead on January 26. As you know that the government has held seven formal rounds of talks with the farmers on January 4, Swaraj Indias Yogendra Yadav, who has joined the protests, said. Seven months have passed when the ordinance was brought and later made into law. We are demanding the repeal of these laws. The only option left is to intensify our protest, he added. Why are the farmers protesting? Through one of the largest strikes in decades witnessed by India, the farmers are demanding the repeal of the three contentious laws. The laws essentially change the way Indias farmers do business by creating free markets, as opposed to a network of decades-old, government marketplaces, allowing traders to stockpile essential commodities for future sales and laying down a national framework for contract farming. These laws are the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020. The farmers claim these laws will benefit big corporate houses. The government has, however, tried to allay these fears and even said that it is ready to discuss changes to the law. The government has made it clear that it wont scrap these laws. Here are the highlights: Mega waterproof tent installed at Singhu border as stir continues amid rain Amid the rainfall reported in the national capital and neighbouring regions, protesters installed a mega tent at centre stage where their leaders address protesters every day. The 60 feet x 280 feet dimension waterproof tent covers the sitting area in front of the main stage. Discussions with farmers opportunity to explain them benefits of laws: Goyal Union minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that he considers the ongoing discussions with farmers as an opportunity to explain them the benefits of the new farm laws against which they have been protesting. For example, when I go along with Agriculture Minister Tomar for discussions with farmer unions, should I see that as a problem for myself or as an opportunity that I am getting, he said. Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders take out tractor rally in CMs home district The Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders had taken out a tractor rally in chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans home district of Sehore to protest against the farm laws. Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders take out tractor rally in Sehore, the home district of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to protest against #FarmLaws Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2021 Will approach SC regarding farm laws: Punjab CM Punjab chief minister captain Amarinder Singh said that he would approach the Supreme Court regarding the farm laws since he felt that they were anti-farmer bills. We are very clear in our mind, these are anti-farmer Bills. We will approach the Supreme Court: Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh pic.twitter.com/tUwd6B02Bn ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Solution must be found at PM level: Punjab CM Punjab CM captain Amarinder Singh said that the solution to the protests must come from the Prime Ministers level. He said that the PM should sit with his ministers and come up with a solution. The solution has to be found at the level of Prime Minister. He must sit with his ministers and Home Minister and come to a solution. It has to be found by the PM finally: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pic.twitter.com/peOHgV0IvU ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Bring peace to state, bring farmers home, repeal laws: Amarinder Singh Punjab CM captain Amarinder Singh said that the Centre should bring peace to the state and get the farmers back home by repealing the laws. He said that new laws could be formulated later after speaking with farmers committees but the currently laws must be repealed since the farmers were demanding it. If farmers are saying to withdraw the laws, you can withdraw laws & can talk to farmer's committees to bring whatever laws you want later on. But to bring peace to the state & bring farmers home, repeal the laws as they are demanding it: Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 No law has that sanctity which cant be touched: Amarinder Singh Punjab CM captain Amarinder SIngh said that no law had the sanctity which cant be touched, citing the several constitutional amendments since its introduction. No law has that sanctity which can't be touched. For instance, the constitution has been amended over 100 times since it was introduced in 1950. So why is it that this law can't be amended and you just have to withdraw it?: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh https://t.co/UiwZhQ1Mw8 ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Punjab CM expresses his sympathy towards protesting farmers Punjab CM captain Amarinder Singh said that it was the farmers right to protest and that the protesting farmers, old men and women had 101% of his sympathy. He said that the farmers were sacrificing their lives as well. Farmers have every right to protest. My sympathy is 101 percent with the farmers,there are old men and women sitting & protesting at the borders (Delhi border). Till last reports, 55 farmers had died they are sacrificing their lives:Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pic.twitter.com/9dRTeVgevU ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Duty of the government to respond to people of the country: Punjab CM Punjab chief minister captain Amarinder Singh urged the Centre to heed the demands of the protesting farmers and nor remain unresponsive. Singh said that the farmers had made their point clear and the Centre should repeal the laws. It can't be the that the whole farmer community of the country is asking for something and the govt remains unresponsive. It is the duty of the govt to respond to ppl of the country. I feel that farmers have made their stand very clear that the laws should be repealed: Punjab CM pic.twitter.com/AL2jZp9Mtg ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Farmers construct brick floor at Tikri border as rains flood tents The protesting farmers have constructed a brick floor using cement, gravel and bricks at the Tikri border as reported by news agency ANI. Our tents were flooded with water due to rains, we had to sit throughout the night. We have used bricks & cement to build the floor & plan to construct more in coming days, a protester said. Delhi: Farmers construct brick floor using cement, gravel & bricks at Tikri Border. "Our tents were flooded with water due to rains, we had to sit throughout the night. We have used bricks & cement to build the floor & plan to construct more in coming days," says a protester. pic.twitter.com/8pJYKbMfSr ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2021 Committed to the welfare of farmers: Narendra Singh Tomar Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the government was committed to the welfare of the farmers. He said that he met with both supportive and protesting farmers and urged the latter to think about the welfare of farmers and arrive at a solution. Farmers make their protest waterproof at Singhu border Farmers at Singhu border launched a massive exercise on Tuesday to cover all the tents with waterproof plastic sheets following rains in the city. Large bamboo sticks and iron pipes were brought to the border with hundreds of waterproof tarpaulin sheets to cover the tents. Farmers said a mega tent is also being set up at the centre stage from where the leaders address the protesters every day. Delhis borders with Haryana, UP remain partly closed The National Capitals borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh continued to remain closed at several points on Wednesday due to the ongoing farmers agitation. Delhis borders with Uttar Pradesh at Chilla and Ghazipur have remained closed for those coming from Noida and Ghaziabad while the opposite carriageway remains open. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing in the James S. Brady Briefing Room of the White House on Nov. 19, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Pence: Constitution Constrains Me From Rejecting Electoral Votes Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday said that he doesnt believe he has the unilateral authority to decide between competing slates of electors. It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not, Pence said in a statement released just before a joint session of Congress began. As president of the Senate, Pence is presiding over the session. The purpose of the session is to count electoral votes. Under the Electoral College system, voters choose electors. Those electors then vote, almost always for the candidate that received the most ballots in their state. Congress meets in the January after an election to tally the votes. Typically a rote affair, this session has taken on heightened significance after seven states sent two certificates to Washington, one for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and one for President Donald Trump. Biden won the states but Trump has said he was cheated. Trump and some Republicans argue that Pence has the exclusive authority to reject electoral votes for Biden and choose the ones for Trump. A lawsuit asking a court to support that view was rejected by a district judge. An appeal was dismissed, though the plaintiffs earlier Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to intervene. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One while departing from Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec. 31, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Trump has repeatedly called on Pence to act. If Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency, Trump asserted in a tweet early Wednesday. He also said his vice president could send electoral results back to state legislatures. Pence, though, described his role as presiding officer as largely ceremonial. But he noted that members of Congress can act by objecting to electoral votes. Over 100 Republicans plan to do so. They will contest at least three states, with the hope that a senator supports challenges to another three or four. Objections require signatures from a senator and a representative. They trigger a two-hour debate and a vote; a simple majority of each chamber would uphold an objection. Given the voting irregularities that took place in our November elections and the disregard of state election statutes by some officials, I welcome the efforts of Senate and House members who have stepped forward to use their authority under the law to raise objections and present evidence, Pence said. He said hed make sure that objections that meet the requirements are given proper consideration and criticized people who have described objections as improper or undemocratic, accusing them of ignoring more than 130 years of history and pointing out that Democrats raised objections in Congress the last three times a Republican candidate for president prevailed. Dr. Camilo Ricordi, director of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) and Cell Transplant Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and his team of international collaborators are reporting the results of a groundbreaking randomized controlled trial showing umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) infusions safely reduce risk of death and quicken time to recovery for the most severe COVID-19 patients. Dr. Ricordi's peer-reviewed paper has just been published in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) January 2021. The clinical trial, authorized by the FDA last April, was initiated by The Cure Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of research scientists founded ten years ago by Dr. Ricordi for scientists around the world to share knowledge and accelerate cures of all diseases. At the start of the pandemic, all focus pivoted to ending suffering caused by COVID-19. Dr. Ricordi created a "mini-Manhattan project," the result of which has yielded this important new weapon in the arsenal against COVID-19, especially during this critical time when distribution of the new vaccines is slower than anticipated and the infection rate and death toll are still surging. The SCTM paper describes findings from 24 patients hospitalized at University of Miami Tower or Jackson Memorial Hospital with COVID-19 who developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS), a dangerous and often fatal complication marked by severe inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs. Each patient received two infusions of either mesenchymal stem cells or a placebo, given days apart. It was a double-blind study. Neither doctors nor patients knew who received the treatment, who got the placebo." Dr. Camilo Ricordi, Lead Investigator At one month,100% of patients (<85 ) who received the UC-MSC infusions survived versus 42% in the control group. Researchers found the treatment was safe, with no infusion-related serious adverse events. Dr. Ricordi's team also reports recovery time was faster among those in the treatment arm. More than half of patients treated with the UC-MSC infusions recovered and went home from the hospital within two weeks. More than 80% of the treatment group recovered by day 30, versus less than 37% in the control group. "It's like smart bomb technology in the lungs to restore normal immune response and reverse life-threatening complications," Dr. Ricordi said. Just one umbilical cord, donated from a caesarean section, can yield up to 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 treatment. "Our results confirm the powerful anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect of UC-MSCs. These cells have clearly inhibited the 'cytokine storm', a hallmark of severe COVID-19," said Giacomo Lanzoni, Ph.D, lead author of the SCTM paper. "The results are critically important not only for COVID-19 but also for other diseases characterized by aberrant and hyper-inflammatory immune responses, such as autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes. We are very much looking forward to applying these cells in clinical trials to halt the progression of Type 1 Diabetes," he added. Dr. Lanzoni is Research Assistant Professor, Diabetes Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Ricordi's core team included scientists with expertise in stem cells, pulmonary disease and critical care, but it was the diabetes researchers who began to crack the code. At the DRI, Dr. Ricordi and his colleagues had been collaborating with Chinese scientists to study UC-MSCs for the treatment of diabetes Type 1. With the outbreak of the pandemic, he learned those collaborators were now testing the treatment in severely ill COVID-19 patients and reporting success. The researchers in China were soon joined by Israeli researchers, reporting as many as 100% of treated patients surviving and recovering faster than those without stem cell treatment. But none of the studies was a randomized trial, the gold standard in science. The potential for the treatment was certainly promising. Mesenchymal cells are known to help correct immune and inflammatory responses that go awry. They also have antimicrobial activity and have been shown to promote tissue regeneration. What's more, when given intravenously mesenchymal stem cells migrate naturally to the lungs. exactly where therapy is needed in COVID-19 patients with life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome, Dr. Ricordi enlisted Dr. Lanzoni and several key collaborators at the Miller School, the University of Miami Health System, Jackson Health System, plus others internationally and across the U.S., including Arnold I. Caplan, Ph.D., of Case Western Reserve University, the first scientist to identify mesenchymal stem cells. Funding by The Cure Alliance was greatly enhanced by a $3 million grant from North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU). "North America's Building Trades Unions has been a major supporter of the Diabetes Research Institute since 1984, when they started a campaign to fund, and build, our state-of-the-art research and treatment facility. NABTU has continued to support our work through the years, including our mesenchymal stem cell research that helped lead the way to this clinical trial," Dr. Ricordi said. Other non-profit organizations funding the research include the Barilla Group and Family, The Fondazione Silvio Tronchetti Provera, the Simkins Family Foundation, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The Cure Alliance continues to raise funds and awareness through direct donations and unique initiatives like SCRUFFY: Our Loyal Pandemic Pooches and the Good, the Bad, and the Crazy Haircuts We Gave Them by Shelley Ross, a photo/art book which hit #1 on the Amazon Best Seller chart upon its debut and is now sold around the world. The 196-page book with heartwarming color photos documents a dog's life during the pandemic lockdowns as the virus expands across the planet in just four months. 100% of all profits are directed to COVID-19 research and will continue to help fund manufacturing and distribution of the UC-MSC treatment. A larger clinical trial is underway. Until it is approved by the FDA for wide use, the UC-MSC treatment will be made available to medical centers for compassionate use cases. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Border Force and police officers were on Wednesday working to restore order to the Christmas Island detention centre after detainees began rioting and set two compounds on fire. Between 10 and 20 detainees were on Wednesday still staging a sit-in with authorities largely bringing the situation under control. Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed at least two detainees were on top of the roof of the facility on Tuesday night, which currently houses about 230 detainees, while two of the three compounds in the facility were set on fire. Footage posted on social media shows one Christmas Island detainee jumping on the roof of a compound on Tuesday night, with a fire in the background. Credit:Facebook The incident follows increased frustration from detainees about a lack of access to visitors and family after they were moved to the facility last year from mainland centres. Lawmakers anticipated possible objections for up to three more states Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin although it was not clear whether they would draw the required backing from a member of both the House and the Senate. When the results from all of the states have been considered, Pence, who as Vice-President also serves as presiding officer of the Senate, will be called on to read out the Electoral College votes for each candidate, formalising Biden's victory. Pence has spent the past several days in a delicate dance, seeking at once to convey to the President that he does not have the authority to overturn the results of the election, while also placating the President to avoid a rift that could torpedo any hopes Pence has of running in 2024 as Trump's loyal heir. Even as he sought to make clear that he does not have the power Trump seems to think he has, Pence also indicated to the President that he would keep studying the issue up until the final hours before the joint session of Congress begins at 1pm on Wednesday (US time), according to the people briefed on their conversation. One option being considered, according to a person close to Trump, was having Pence acknowledge the President's claims about election fraud in some form during one or more of the Senate debates about the results from particular states before the certification. Pence will preside over those debates. In a statement issued late on Tuesday night (US time) and inaccurately dated January 5, 2020, Trump insisted the reporting about his discussion with Pence was "fake news". Loading "He never said that," the statement went on. "The Vice-President and I are in total agreement that the Vice-President has the power to act." Trump has been cajoling Pence in public and private to find a way to use his role on Wednesday to give credence to his unfounded claims rejected by the states and in scores of court cases and backed by no evidence that the election was stolen from him through widespread fraud. The President has told several people privately that he would rather lose with people thinking it was stolen from him than that he simply lost, according to people familiar with his remarks. Pence has spent hours with parliamentarians and lawyers in recent days. His allies said they expect him to carry out his constitutional duties on Wednesday. If Pence were for some reason unable or unwilling to carry out his role as president of the Senate, that role would fall to Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the chamber's longest-serving member. There was brief confusion on Tuesday morning when Grassley was quoted saying that he would be the one presiding over the certification, and not Pence, because "we don't expect him to be there." Grassley's aides later said he was suggesting a hypothetical, should Pence step out for a break at some point. How much leeway Pence could have to interject his views or to stage manage the proceedings is a subject of debate among experts. "The way Trump is phrasing it, there's no merit," said Edward B. Foley, director of the election law program at Ohio State University. "What Trump is asking for is control of the outcome that will lead to him being declared the president. That is definitely not within Pence's power." Loading But Foley said Pence would be able to add some "drama to the theatre," if he so chooses. As an example, Foley said the Vice-President could present "rival" packages of electoral votes for some states and force Congress to debate both simultaneously. "We know the end result," he said, "we just don't know when we will get there or what procedure we will take to get there." In the days immediately after the election on November 3, Trump was in shock but understood that he had lost, advisers said. But the more time that has passed, and the more that he has been enabled by a small group of people who have fed his belief that there is a mechanism to wipe away Biden's win, the more invested in trying to reverse the outcome Trump has become. Some of the president's closest advisers publicly tried to give Pence cover on Tuesday as Trump stepped up the pressure on him. "Some have speculated that the vice president could simply say, 'I'm not going to accept these electors,' that he has the authority to do that under the constitution. I actually don't think that's what the constitution has in mind," Jay Sekulow, one of the President's personal lawyers, said on his radio program on Tuesday, without mentioning that his client was one of the people making that assertion. "If that's the case, any vice president could refuse any election," he said. "It's more of a ministerial procedural function." Several allies of Pence said the Vice-President was getting mixed advice on what to do, and was desperate to find some middle ground. One ally said that Pence would follow the rule of law, but that he was looking for a way to "thread the needle" so that his words were not played back on social media and used to ding Trump. Another said that his advisers were being "realistic" about his options. But some conceded that he would have benefited from telegraphing more aggressively over the past few days that he was not going to be able to rescue the president from defeat, rather than allowing suspense to build while attracting more attention to what they see as a no-win situation. They said he could have also better explained to the public the ceremonial nature of the role rather than giving hope to Trump supporters like he did on Monday in Georgia when he said that "we will have our day come Wednesday". "He's not going to unilaterally step in and make a decision," said David McIntosh, the president of the anti-tax Club for Growth and a friend of Pence's. "He'll let the Senate consider it, and if they certify it, there's no way he as the president of the Senate is going to change that decision." Trump has sought input from another of his personal lawyers, Rudy Giuliani; his trade adviser, Peter Navarro; and John Eastman, a lawyer who represented the President during a case brought by several Republican attorneys general against a handful of battleground states. The lawsuit was tossed out, but Trump advisers believe that Eastman is among the people counselling Trump that Pence has expansive powers. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The Daily Beast Brendan McDermid/ReutersWith less than a month to go before New Yorks primary election, presidential also-ran turned mayoral candidate Andrew Yang is in a war with one of the citys major newspapers.On Monday, the New York Daily News posted a cartoon portraying him as a tourist after he said Times Square was his favorite subway station. He and his wife called the paper racist. And then the tabloid hit back by mocking him in another story and getting the local head of the NAACP to say Yang shouldnt be throwing around the term racism.A mayoral candidate who failed to vote in several local elections, decamped to upstate New York during the height of the COVID pandemic, and who recently named the Times Square subway station his favorite among all underground New York City stopscalled a press conference Tuesday to complain about a satirical Daily News cartoon depicting him as a tourist, the newspaper sneered in its story.Yang and his wife, Evelyn, both blasted the cartoon at the emotional presser in Queens, decrying the jibe as racist and harmful to Asian Americans.I call upon everyone in this race to say that all of us belong here in New York and that characterizing anyone as being less New York than someone else on the basis of their race or religion or any other background is wrong, said Yang, who has lived in New York for 24 years but has never voted for mayor.When Evelyn got up to speak, she said of the cartoon, Theyre calling Andrew, this Asian man, a tourist, coming from who knows where, but probably from a land of other people who look just like him with his shifty, beady eyes Not only does this dehumanize Asians, it promotes racism against them, she continued, adding that she asked the News to pull the drawing from its print edition. And do you know what they did? They printed it anyway.Maya Wiley, a former adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio who is running against Yang for the Democratic mayoral nomination, said the cartoon was a step too far.@AndrewYang should not have to endure this, she tweeted Tuesday. No New Yorker who is Asian or Pacific Islander should. This is an offensive cartoon and we all have an obligation to call it out. #StopAsianHateSome have argued that even suggesting that Yang isnt a real New Yorker is itself xenophobic. But in a statement to the News, NAACP New York state conference president Hazel Dukes pushed back on the criticism, saying of Yang: He didnt do his homeworkmaybe thats what theyre talking aboutnot as an Asian-American. He has not been able to answer some very pertinent questions about life in the City of New York. Theyre talking about his knowledge of the city. I would not say we should label that as racism.Dukes continued: There is racism. No doubt about it. When people say all black people are lazy, theyre not talking about me. When you make these kind of remarks, youre talking about a whole group of people. Thats racist. When you talk about a cartoon, theyre just talking about him.The News defended cartoonist Bill Bramhalls work, saying the drawing was intended as a comment on the major gaps in Yangs grasp of city politics and policy.This is not a racial stereotype or racist caricature, editorial page director Josh Greenman said in a statement, adding that the original version of the cartoon, which ran first online, was updated for the papers print edition. After Bill tweeted his cartoon yesterday, people reacted badly to how Yangs eyes were drawn, he said. Bill altered the drawing out of sensitivity to those concerns, without changing the concept of the cartoon, which he and we stand by.And the criticism of the cartoon itself as being a racial stereotype seems odd given that he had a cartoon of himself made for his presidential run thats pretty similar? pic.twitter.com/HVA2cp7bG7 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 25, 2021 Yangs seeming confusion over standard New York City details has been a point of contention since he entered the race. In the early days of Yangs run, New Yorkers lambasted him for referring to a large Midtown-style deli as a bodega. His bumbling takes on New York, after nearly two-and-a-half decades as a resident, have since inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter.Our city needs more green spacetoday Im proposing a large, centrally located park, said one tweet posted by @YangPolicyShop.Checking out Little Italy! pic.twitter.com/VsJcOCYeAi Andrew Yang: Real New Yorker (Parody) (@andrewyangsnyc) April 29, 2021 The hazy outlines of a plan Yang floated last week that calls for the city to take full control of its subways and buses from Albany is so bad that it should disqualify him, according to Streetsblog NYC, a local transportation-focused media outlet. In a candidates forum, Yang was at a loss when asked about the MTAs debt load. He then tried to deflect from his non-answer by incorrectly insisting that the MTA doesnt break its numbers out that cleanly.Yang has also failed to inspire confidence by demonstrating a clear lack of familiarity with New York City Police Department procedures, even though he bills himself as uniquely positioned to usher the department into the 21st century. At a recent campaign event in Brooklyn, Yang appeared flummoxed when a New York Post reporter asked him about last years repeal of 50a, a state law that kept police disciplinary records from public disclosure.Still, Susan Kang, a professor of political science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Daily Beast that its entirely possible to make a political point about whether Yang understands New York City without reinforcing harmful stereotypes.Kang, who is herself Asian-American, said discussions about racial justice often dont take Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders into consideration. And while she said she doesnt think the Daily News cartoon was intentionally racist, the interpretation was hurtful, so its a good time to reflect.This is important because its sort of bringing that experience into the public conversation, Kang told The Daily Beast. Its one of those things where in this particular moment people are more sensitive about portrayals of Asian-Americans, and so I can understand where the concern comes from. Right now, with Asian Pacific Islander month, theres a lot of stuff on social media about how people with Asian heritage feel marginalized based on their appearance.Ten years ago, the racial overtonesor notof a cartoon portrayal of an Asian persons face wouldnt necessarily have been discussed, Kang said, noting that this is an important period for all of us to be mindful of our inherent biases and preconceived notions.One of the things I feel people have been learning is that people have to listen to other people of various communities about what feels racist to them, she said, whether or not they agree with it.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The EU's medicines watchdog approved a coronavirus jab by US firm Moderna on Wednesday, giving a shot in the arm for Europe's slow-moving vaccine roll-out. The vaccine is the second to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency for the 27-nation bloc after Pfizer-BioNTech's got the green light in late December. The Moderna approval comes as criticism mounts of the EU's sluggish start to its vaccination campaign, which is lagging behind the United States, Britain and Israel. "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency," EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said in a statement. "It is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO," she added. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said it was "good news for our efforts to bring more Covid-19 vaccines to Europeans!" National capitals have been piling pressure on the Amsterdam-based EMA to authorise the Moderna vaccine as coronavirus cases soar across Europe. The regulator failed to decide on approval at a meeting on Monday, which had been brought forward from January 12, and experts had to meet again on Wednesday. The EMA said it had in the intervening time been "working hard to clarify all outstanding issues with the company". The EU began vaccinations on December 27 but the pace has been slow, with the Netherlands on Wednesday becoming the final country in the bloc to start. - 'Gigantic challenge' - European Council chief Charles Michel said late on Tuesday that he hoped for Moderna approval in "coming hours" and that leaders would hold a virtual summit on the health crisis later this month. Michel said that delivering vaccines to the EU's almost 450 million people was a "gigantic challenge". But he insisted that "alongside member states, the European Commission is working night and day to make sure we can increase the number of vaccines available" -- while "respecting the independence of the medicines agency". The Pfizer-BioNTech product -- developed in Germany -- is the only vaccine currently authorised for use in the European Union since its fast-track authorisation by the EMA on December 21. The United States uses it alongside the Moderna vaccine, while Britain as of Monday also started using one by UK pharmaceuticals giant, AstraZeneca. Moderna's jab was found to be 94.1 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 compared to a placebo in a clinical trial of 30,400 people, performing slightly better in younger adults compared to the elderly. The EMA said last week that the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University is unlikely to get a green light in the EU in the next month. The fact that the watchdog moved from London to Amsterdam after Brexit has itself fuelled commentary about how Britain had been able to move faster after leaving the EU. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! The Congress is set to appoint new state Presidents for Telangana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, sources said. In Telangana, state President Uttam Reddy has resigned while in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the state chiefs have become ministers in the governments and in Uttarakhand the proposal to replace the state President is pending approval. Sources say that for Maharashtra where Balasahab Thorat has become a minister in the MVA government, Congress leader Nana Patole who is the Assembly Speaker, is the front runner followed by Vijay Wattidwar and Amit Deshmukh. Thorat has said, "I have told the party that if someone is there to replace me I am ready to resign the post as I have been holding many posts." In Telangana, the names of Revanth Reddy and Madhu Goud Yasiki are doing the rounds to replace outgoing President Uttam Kumar Reddy who has resigned owing to defeat in the Hyderabad Municipality elections. After bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Congress at its lowest position with the BJP surging ahead and positioning itself as the main opposition party in Telangana. The Congress is contemplating appointing a new state President in Jharkhand after current PCC chief Rameshwar Oraon became a minister in the JMM-Congress government in the state. The Congress is trying to set its house in order in all states and strengthen the organisation. In Uttarakhand, the party is set to replace Pritam Singh who is state President and appoint a new face probably a Dalit and Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Tamta is the front runner for the post as the state has a sizeable Dalit population. Sources say former minister Navprabhat, a Brahmin, has also thrown his hat in the ring to head the Uttarakhand state unit. --IANS miz/kr (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A terrifying message threatening to fly a plane into the Capitol building to avenge the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was broadcast on air traffic control frequencies on Monday afternoon. The FBI and FAA are investigating the message that was heard by multiple air traffic controllers in New York, according to CBS. The threat, delivered via a digitized voice, said: 'We are flying into the Capitol Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged.' Congress plans to confirm Joe Biden's win at the Capitol on Wednesday. The threat was made almost one year to the day after the death of Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump. It is not yet clear who sent the message and the threat is not believed to credible, CBS reports, but the Pentagon and other agencies were briefed on Tuesday. BREAKING: The FBI and FAA are looking into a breach of air traffic control frequencies after a threat was made about flying a plane into the Capitol tomorrow. The threat is not considered credible, but the breach of aviation communications is alarming. Here's @jeffpeguescbs pic.twitter.com/0vHZLxQhj7 CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 5, 2021 A chilling message threatening to fly a plane into the US Capitol was heard by multiple air traffic controllers in New York on Monday afternoon, according to reports The message referenced Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, pictured, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump last year Members of the DC National Guard on Tuesday the day after the message was heard It is being investigated as a breach of aviation frequencies, which is a crime. Any breach is concerning as it could be used to interfere with the messages pilots receive about how and where to fly their planes. CBS states that air traffic controllers were told today to report any unusual activity that may suggest that a plane is deviating from the flight path they were given. The FBI told DailyMail.com that it had no comment on the investigation but that it takes 'all threats of violence to public safety seriously'. The FAA added that it 'works closely with federal law enforcement and national security partners on any reported security threats that may impact aviation safety'. Soleimani was regarded as the architect of Iran's foreign policy in the Middle East who saturated the battlefields of Iraq with high-tech IEDs to mutilate US soldiers. Yet he was revered in Iran and officials have previously vowed revenge for his death. Terrorist general Qassem Soleimani had the blood of THOUSANDS on his hands Qassem Soleimani was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies. The 62-year-old head of the Quds, or Jerusalem, Force of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani shaped Tehran's foreign policy throughout the Middle East. The Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against US troops after the invasion of Iraq. Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake. He deployed to Iran's northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution. In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war. Soleimani became known for his opposition to 'meaningless deaths' on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervor when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually. Soleimani's charisma propelled him to the senior officer ranks. In 1998, he was named commander of the Quds Force. His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries - and even being featured in a music video and animated film. Western leaders saw him as central to Iran's ties with militia groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas. Advertisement Soleimani was killed in a missile fired from a USAF MQ-9 Reaper aircraft along with Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as their motorcade pulled out of Baghdad airport on January 3, 2020. The killing of the second-most powerful man in Iran came at the height of tensions in the region, with numerous assaults on US personnel and on the embassy in the Iraqi capital, as well as the shooting down of a US drone over the Persian Gulf and the impounding of oil tankers. In June 2020, a prosecutor in Tehran issued an arrest warrant for Trump and dozens of other Washington officials, saying that they were responsible for 'murder and terrorism.' Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian officials issued a second arrest warrant for Trump over the drone stroke that killed the top general. Trump along with 47 other US officials were the subject of an Interpol 'red notice' request for their involvement in the drone strike in Baghdad last year. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is very seriously following up on pursuing and punishing those who ordered and executed this crime,' judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters. On Tuesday, Trump also hit Iran with new sanctions as he seeks to deprive the county of revenues as his presidential term winds down. Iran is a decades-long American nemesis that has been a target of blame for much of the Middle East's instability. The tension between the countries has become even more complicated in recent weeks with thanks to provocative moves by Iran and less-than-coherent actions by the outgoing Trump administration. In the past week alone, Trump's team has dispatched B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf in response to alleged Iranian attack planning and reversed an order to bring home the USS Nimitz, the only U.S. aircraft carrier in the region. On Monday, Iran not only announced it had resumed advanced uranium enrichment in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal but also seized a South Korean-flagged oil tanker and its crew. Iran said the ship was seized for 'repeated infringement of maritime environmental laws', but it comes amid Iranian demands for South Korea to release $7billion in assets that were frozen because of US sanctions. The U.S. on Monday night called the seizure 'part of a clear attempt to extort the international community' and joined South Korea's demand for the tanker to be released. It comes just two weeks before Joe Biden's inauguration and threatens to derail or at least delay the president-elect's hopes to return the U.S. to the nuclear accord with Iran that Trump withdrew from in 2018. Iran is hoping that Biden will ease sanctions on Iran after he takes office on January 20, but there are fears that tensions could still boil over before then. Vipin Narang, an expert on nuclear strategy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, warned that Trump is sending signals of 'total chaos'. 'If I were Iran right now, I would actually be thinking that it's possible that Trump is so unhinged and so angry about the election that he may overreact to any slight provocation,' Narang said. Trump had warned that he would hold Iran accountable for the killings of any Americans after the US embassy in Baghdad was hit by rockets a week ago. But Sunday's anniversary of the Soleimani drone strike passed without violence, despite angry demonstrations and Tehran's calls for vengeance. Iran issues second arrest warrant for Donald Trump over drone strike that killed top general Qassem Soleimani and asks Interpol for help detaining dozens of other US officials Iran today issued Donald Trump with a second arrest warrant for the drone strike that killed top general Qassem Soleimani. Trump along with 47 other US officials were the subject of an Interpol 'red notice' request for their involvement in the drone strike in Baghdad last year. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is very seriously following up on pursuing and punishing those who ordered and executed this crime,' judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters. It is the latest provocation by Iran which brazenly announced it had resumed enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels yesterday as it seized a South Korean tanker in the Persian Gulf. The aggression coincides with the first anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani, the architect of Iran's foreign policy in the Middle East who saturated the battlefields of Iraq with high-tech IEDs to mutilate US soldiers. President Donald Trump (pictured in Georgia last night) ordered a drone strike to assassinate Soleimani in January last year and Iran issued a second warrant for his arrest in Tuesday Soleimani was slaughtered by a missile fired from a USAF MQ-9 Reaper aircraft along with Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as their motorcade pulled out of Baghdad airport. The killing of the second-most powerful man in Iran came at the height of tensions in the region, with numerous assaults on US personnel and on the embassy in the Iraqi capital, as well as the shooting down of a US drone over the Persian Gulf and the impounding of oil tankers. In June, a prosecutor in Tehran issued an arrest warrant for Trump and dozens of other Washington officials, saying that they were responsible for 'murder and terrorism.' Interpol, based in Lyon, France, rejected that request on the basis that it does not intervene in 'activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.' It will almost certainly dismiss Tehran's latest effort on the same basis. South Korea today demanded the release of the Hankuk Chemi oil tanker and its 20 crew who were captured on Monday near the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was seized near the sensitive Strait of Hormuz (as shown on the map), as Iran announced that it was resuming uranium enrichment to 20 per cent Iran said the ship was seized for 'repeated infringement of maritime environmental laws', but it comes amid Iranian demands for South Korea to release $7billion in assets that were frozen because of US sanctions. The US last night called the seizure 'part of a clear attempt to extort the international community' and joined South Korea's demand for the tanker to be released. To add to the tensions, Iran said on Monday it had started the process to enrich uranium to 20 percent purity, a short technical step away from making bombs. Iran is hoping that Joe Biden will ease sanctions on Iran after he takes office on January 20, but there are fears that tensions could still boil over before then. Trump had warned that he would hold Iran accountable for the killings of any Americans after the US embassy in Baghdad was hit by rockets a week ago. Under escort: The South Korean-flagged tanker Hankuk Chemi is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats in the Gulf on Monday View from the bridge: A Revolutionary Guards boat, circled right, is seen in CCTV footage taken from the Hankuk Chemi, as watched from South Korea by owner DM Shipping But Sunday's anniversary of the Soleimani drone strike passed without violence, despite angry demonstrations and Tehran's calls for vengeance. The seizure of the South Korean vessel came days before Seoul's deputy foreign minister was due to visit the Islamic republic. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the ship carrying 7,200 tonnes of chemical products was manned by a crew from South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar. The Guards did not specify where the tanker was seized but said it was transferred to Bandar Abbas port in Hormozgan with the 'case handed to judicial authorities'. Pictures released by the Guards appeared to show three speedboats and a patrol boat approaching the tanker. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh claimed that the tanker's seizure was over a 'purely technical issue and due to polluting the sea'. 'Just like other countries, Iran is sensitive towards such infractions, especially polluting the maritime environment,' he said. The latest tensions in the Gulf come after the January 3 anniversary of the US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani (pictured, demonstrators in Baghdad where he died) But the tanker's operator DM Shipping denied that the vessel had polluted waters, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. Shortly before news of the ship's seizure, Khatibzadeh had complained at a press conference about the 'slow' process of unfreezing funds from Iranian oil sales, blocked by Seoul over fears of violating US sanctions. Trump re-imposed tough sanctions on Iran after abandoning the nuclear deal that Barack Obama had struck with Tehran and other world powers in 2015. Last night the foreign ministry in Seoul said it had confirmed the safety of the crew and was now demanding that the vessel be released. The country's defense ministry said it had dispatched its anti-piracy Cheonghae unit to waters near the Strait of Hormuz. In Washington, a State Department spokesperson called the seizure of the ship 'part of a clear attempt to extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions'. 'We join the Republic of Korea's call for Iran to immediately release the tanker,' said the spokesperson. The incident was the first seizure of a major vessel by the Iranian navy in more than a year. In July 2019, the Guards seized the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero in the sensitive Strait of Hormuz for allegedly ramming a fishing boat and released it two months later. It was widely seen as a tit-for-tat move after Gibraltar detained an Iranian tanker which was suspected of violating EU sanctions against Syria. Tehran denied the two cases were related. The Guards seized at least six other ships in 2019 over alleged fuel smuggling, while other tankers were hit by mysterious explosions that were blamed on Iran. The US said it had found fragments of a limpet mine on one vessel attacked in the Gulf of Oman which were 'strikingly' similar to those seen in Iranian military parades. Last week, sailors discovered a limpet mine stuck on a tanker off the coast of Iraq, near the Iranian border, as it prepared to transfer fuel to another vessel. The incidents have raised fears over the safety of oil supplies in the Strait of Hormuz - a chokepoint through which a fifth of world oil output passes. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Editors Note: This story has been changed to reflect the correct date of Starlight Relativity Acquisition Co.s purchase of the South Presa Street refinery as well as the employement status of the facilitys workers. Nearly 100 employees at the only oil refinery inside San Antonio city limits and at related operations in the region may be out of work next month, according to a filing with the Texas Workforce Commission. In a letter to the commission, the top executive at Nixon-based Lazarus Energy Holdings (LEH) said the company will lay off 97 employees at the refinery and related operations its entire local workforce. Lazarus operated the plant, but doesnt own it. This mass layoff is expected to be permanent, Lazarus chief executive Jonathan Carroll wrote in a letter to the TWC in December. However, a spokeswoman for Allegiance Refining which is replacing Lazarus as the refinerys operator said the company has retained nearly all of the employees. In November 2019, a firm called Starlight Relativity Acquisition Company purchased the refinery on South Presa Street and related facilities for $63 million from Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Product Partners. In his TWC letter, Carroll said Starlight has opted to remove Lazarus as the operator. On ExpressNews.com: Oil industry unlikely to recover until 2022 Starlight, the owner of the refinery, told Lazarus that it will not continue as the operator of the Facilities beyond February 3rd, 2021, Carroll said. As a result of this unforeseeable acceleration of the exit of LEH from the facilities, there will be a mass layoff of LEH employees working at the Facilities on February 3rd, 2021. The notice says 33 employees will lose their jobs at the refinery, 50 at a nearby office at Brooks on the Southeast Side and a handful of employees at two facilities in Elmendorf and Falls City in Karnes County. However, Gina Carroll, director of human resources at LEH, said Starlight replaced LEH with a new operator that will re-employ the refinerys workers. The refinery is being operated by a new operator, and the vast majority of the employees will be re-hired by the new operator. So there wont be a mass layoff, Gina Carroll said. The refinery will continue to operate as usual. Gina Carroll said LEH filed the notice with TWC because the employees at the facility had to be terminated so they could be re-hired by the new operator whom Carroll declined to identify. In his letter, Jonathan Carroll said, While there is a possibility that (Starlight) or a successor contractor at the Facilities may hire some or all of the LEH employees impacted by this action, LEH has no relationship with any such contractor and no ability to predict whether and how many employees may be hired. It remains unclear why Starlight removed LEH as the refinerys operator. Starlight Relativity has no website or information about the firm posted online. However, regulatory filings related to the San Antonio refinery transaction connect Starlight Relativity to Pilot Flying J, the truck stop chain. In a transfer of control application filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Starlight Relativity is listed as the transferee of the refinery property from Calumet. James Chiu is listed as the lone contact for Starlight. Chius email ends with the domain name pilottravelcenters.com, and the listed phone number for him has a Knoxville, Tennessee, area code the city where Pilot Flying J is headquartered. Requests for comment to Chiu and Pilot Flying J went unanswered. The San Antonio refinery processes crude oil and condensate primarily from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. The facility can process up to 21,000 barrels of oil per day, and refines products such as liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, commercial and military jet fuel, naphtha and ultra-low sulfur diesel. On ExpressNews.com: Cleanup completed from refinery spill on South Side The refinery, built in the mid-1950s, has faced scrutiny because spills, a fire and other accidents at the site over the years. In March 2014, 6,500 gallons of jet fuel leaked into a creek, located near the plant, that feeds into the San Antonio River. About 420 gallons entered the river. A pedestrian reported a second spill just weeks, later in April 2014, when about 126 gallons of fuel spilled into the creek. In May 2010, under then-owner AGE Refining Inc., a tanker truck exploded at the refinery, badly burning the driver. The explosion destroyed a fueling rack, led to the evacuation of nearby residents and started a blaze that took 100 firefighters hours to bring under control. In 2015, Calumet invested $80 million to renovate the refinery, which has since improved its safety record. The most recent accident at the site came in 2018, when about 50 gallons of flammable liquid spilled into the river. Refinery and the San Antonio River Authority officials cleaned up the spill within hours. diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net The debut Banh Day festival was held between January 13 in the mountainous district of Mu Cang Chai in the northern province of Yen Bai as part of celebrations for the local delicacy, attracting numerous tourists following the New Year holiday. A pounding competition to make Banh Day, a type of round-shaped rice cake, serves as the main activity of the festival, drawing the participation of 26 teams from across Mu Cang Chai mountainous district. The first-ever event has captured the attention of plenty of local people and tourists in attendance. Green beans are one of the key ingredients in making this delicious cake. The beans are grown locally on terraced fields in Yen Bai Province. Each team is made up of six members who participate in the competition to create Banh Day. The first part of the competition involves cooking rice. Competitors then prepare for rice pounding. Pounding rice represents the most important step toward making a delicious cake. Participants then mold their cakes. Each team selects a different colour for their respective cakes. A competitor represents their team as they present their cake to the judging panel. A number of folk games, such as Con ball throwing, also known as Nem Con locally, stick pushing, and stilt walking are held during the festival. Both locals and tourists take part in the folk games. A performance of the Khen panpipe by ethnic students excites crowds. The local administration plans to hold the festival annually in order to celebrate the New Year. VOV Mu Cang Chai among worlds 50 most beautiful places Mu Cang Chai terrace fields in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai have been included into the list of the 50 most beautiful places in the world in 2020 by Big 7 Travel. This Is Us A Long Road Home Season 5 Episode 5 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next Photo: NBC And that, my friend, is what they call closure. Okay, fine, thats Rachel Green when she drunk-dials Ross to tell him shes over him before tossing her dates phone in an ice bucket (an iconic Friends moment, obviously). It is also, I imagine, the vibe Kate Pearson carries with her as she walks back to her car after telling off Marc, whom she tracked down 20 years after their horribly toxic relationship. Although Kates closure feels like real closure, whereas Rachels was, well listen, thats a discussion for another day. But wow! Kate Pearson is really making some moves, isnt she? Were here because all the Pearsons are very damaged people, and in the beginning, it seemed as if Kate might be the one suffering the most. But when you look at her track record, she also might be the one doing the most to rectify her situation. She cried it out during that drumming aerobics class; that was A Moment. She finally scattered her dads ashes before her wedding, and that was huge for her. And now, here she is dealing with the emotional trauma shes been keeping from literally everyone in her life. Does it seem a little high maintenance for Kate and Toby to drive to San Diego after she figures out where Marc works via a mutual Facebook friend and Marcs MySpace page (MySpace does, in fact, still exist; I checked for you) so she can tell him off? Sure, but which Pearson isnt high maintenance? I mean, even Annie is out there trying to incorporate Little Women dialogue into everyday life. High maintenance is their way! But thats what Kate feels compelled to do in order to finally be free from the pain shes been carrying around. The woman is naming her demons and casting them out, and we must let her! It is cathartic to watch as Kate finds that dirtbag, whos still working at a record store and talking about how the band he manages is totally about to break big, and unloads on him. He, of course, admits their six-month relationship got intense at times but doesnt really think about it much. Thats when Kate goes off: She was 18, he was 24; she was vulnerable and grieving, and he took advantage of that. You held my self-esteem in your hands, and you decided to crush it, she tells him. She let him have power over her for way too long, but now she has the love she deserves and is letting Marc go. You almost wish Kate would don a white skirt suit and sing a verse or two of You Dont Own Me, but alas, This Is Us is not that kind of show. The confrontation is extra cathartic because while its going on, we also watch 18-year-old Kate as she visits Marc before she has her abortion. You know, just so he can be a dick to her one last time. At least this time, she realizes hes being a dick. She leaves without telling him shes pregnant. After her abortion, theres one moment when Kate could open up to Rebecca and tell her whats going on, but we watch as she bottles it all up the start of what will be decades of Kate burying her emotions. So yes, it is nice to see how good Kate feels after she sees Marc again in the present day and lets him go. Its also nice to see her so moved by the fact that, instead of trying to solve her problems for her or treat her like a victim, Toby has simply been supportive. They are in a very good place, which means this is the point in my recap when I remind you all that we still have no idea where Kate is in our flash-forward, but we do know she and Toby are no longer together. Divorced? Dead? Whos to say, but something must be brewing, right? Kate Pearson isnt the only member of the Big Three making some strides with emotional well-being. Were you about to guess Kevin? Because thats hilarious. Kevins a disaster. No, were talking about Randall! Randall getting a therapist and then finally opening up about how alone he felt growing up as a Black man in a white family were some major steps forward in his healing process. (Although lets never forget that he still hasnt apologized for emotionally manipulating his mother into going into an Alzheimers trial she didnt want to take part in. Randalls always gonna Randall!) In this episode, however, we see some of that therapy paying off in a positive way. Randalls still in the colleagues making fun of you with padded-pecs costumes stage after his accidental striptease video which, lets be honest, would be a much bigger deal than were seeing here, especially after people found out the stripping councilman was related to the actual Manny. Thered be a shirtless-brothers magazine spread or something, and we would all eat it up because thats the kind of content we deserve during a pandemic and you know it. Anyway, Jae-won removes his fake pecs hes a professional in order to deliver a curious letter that came through their website from a man named Hai who lives in New Orleans and claims to know Randalls birth mother, Laurel. Hai was with Laurel when she died in May 2015. Its the date that really throws Randall. If Hais story is true, that means Williams story about how Randalls mother died from an overdose right after he was born was all a lie. Its a scenario Randall cant handle. His first instinct is to ignore it, go for a run, and live in denial. The old Randall (different from Old Randall) would definitely have lived like this, letting the specter of his mother and the thought that William could have been lying haunt him until he had another sliding-down-the-wall-while-crying breakdown. But this is not the old Randall (also not the Old Randall). This is sort of new, in therapy Randall. He eventually calls his therapist. The good doctor (not The Good Doctor) reminds Randall why he spent so much of his life searching for his birth parents: Randall wanted to know where he came from, but also he wanted to feel connected to something bigger. Getting to know William helped Randall feel that way, so wouldnt knowing his mother do the same? Dr. Vance tells Randall hes already on the journey; he may as well fully commit. And so Randall does. With Beth by his side, he calls Hai. Mercifully, Hai immediately puts Randall out of his misery by assuring him that the story William told Randall about Laurel was what William believed was the truth; he didnt know Laurel was alive. This is an unbelievably huge relief for Randall, and you know that Sterling K. Brown Single Tear comes out. Its effective every time. Now Randall can focus on learning more about his birth mother. Hai says he wishes he could show Randall the places [Laurel] lived and the things she loved. Randall and Beth exchange a look and, well, it seems like were headed to New Orleans. This Is the Rest Kevin and Madison are having some issues. Apparently, they didnt really think about how Kevins work has him gone for long stretches of time. He assumed Madison and their babies would come with him all the time, but thats not the life Madison envisioned for them. She tells him to think over his role in their family while hes in Vancouver for his film shoot. It seems really fast to be headed toward an ultimatum with this situation. Either Kevin has a career or a family? Theres no room for compromise? Hey, remember when Madison was weird and goofy and awkward? What happened to that character? There are no traces of her. The Madison situation reminds Kevin of what eventually ended his and Sophies relationship, and we learn that after a young, newly married Kevin fresh off his acting showcase, if you need a timeline reminder gets the attention of a talent manager who wants him to head to Los Angeles for pilot season, its Randall who warns him not to. Randall cant fathom anything coming between him and Beth, and he doesnt know how Kevin could leave Sophie. Kevin doesnt take his advice, and, well, we all know how that worked out. In the present day, Kevin doesnt want to make the same mistakes again he wants Randalls advice this time around. He tells his brother that he constantly thinks, What would Randall do? And honestly, Randalls response to that sentiment moved me. Thats a nice thing to say. Thats a nice thing to know, Randall says, tearing up. These two ding-dongs start to make amends: Kevin acknowledges the awful things they yelled at each other not too long ago and says hes sorry Randall felt so alone growing up. But they have a long way to go. I cant wait until they can hug this out. Is that just the social distancing talking, or is it real emotion? Time will tell! Are Rebecca Pearsons two favorite comedies Airplane! and Borat? Discuss! Singapore, Dubai, Maldives launch campaigns to woo Indian tourists Despite lockdown restrictions, some short-haul destinations such as Singapore, UAE and Maldives are trying to woo Indian tourists with influencer campaigns and attractively-priced packages in partnership with airlines to restart international tourism. Several new features have also been introduced to enhance Singapore Airlines' travel reward programmes. Photo: Connected to India With international destinations reopening for tourists there has been a significant demand. We have witnessed an impressive growth rate of 25-30%. Destinations such as Dubai and Maldives have seen 100% growth in bookings in December compared to previous months. We have obtained not just queries, but also encouraging bookings for Egypt," said a spokesperson of the travel firm SOTC. Singapore is taking a long-term view of the India market as its borders remain closed for tourists. However, it has been investing in digital and social media outreach in partnership with Zomato, BookMyShow, and NH7 Weekender music festival to stay connected with Indians. The Singapore Tourism Board is set to launch an influencer campaign Singapore thru Passionistas Eyes' with five popular social media influencers to create a community of advocates for Destination Singapore. Several new features have also been introduced to enhance Singapore Airlines' travel reward programmes. Singapore Airlines (SIA) is automatically extending all existing PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite statuses for memberships that will expire between March 2021 and February 2022 by another year. "We have simultaneously expanded and enhanced our programme offerings to create even more value for our members as we look forward to the recovery of air travel," said JoAnn Tan, Acting Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines. Indian tourists planning to visit the UAE, which started welcoming visitors from July, are required to take two COVID-19 PCR tests, one not more than 96 hours before departure and a second test upon arrival in Dubai. The tourism board of Dubai is running phased campaigns to woo travellers from India, which remains its top source market. Dubai will kick-start its food festival, Gastronomy, in February, while the Art Dubai event will begin in March. The board said visitors travelling with Emirates or FlyDubai airlines, will be offered free global coverage for covid-19 health expenses and quarantine costs till December 2020. Maldives has also started attracting tourists to its white sand beaches and luxury resorts after India established an air bubble agreement in August. Maldives is collaborating with major airlines, tour operators and agents to create awareness and promote the destination, with different marketing activities in India. Remote sensing data sheds light on when and how asteroid Ryugu lost its water PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] -- Last month, Japan's Hayabusa2 mission brought home a cache of rocks collected from a near-Earth asteroid called Ryugu. While analysis of those returned samples is just getting underway, researchers are using data from the spacecraft's other instruments to reveal new details about the asteroid's past. In a study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers offer an explanation for why Ryugu isn't quite as rich in water-bearing minerals as some other asteroids. The study suggests that the ancient parent body from which Ryugu was formed had likely dried out in some kind of heating event before Ryugu came into being, which left Ryugu itself drier than expected. "One of the things we're trying to understand is the distribution of water in the early solar system, and how that water may have been delivered to Earth," said Ralph Milliken, a planetary scientist at Brown University and study co-author. "Water-bearing asteroids are thought to have played a role in that, so by studying Ryugu up close and returning samples from it, we can better understand the abundance and history of water-bearing minerals on these kinds of asteroids." One of the reasons Ryugu was chosen as a destination, Milliken says, is that it belongs to a class of asteroids that are dark in color and suspected to have water-bearing minerals and organic compounds. These types of asteroids are believed to be possible parent bodies for dark, water- and carbon-bearing meteorites found on Earth known as carbonaceous chondrites. Those meteorites have been studied in great detail in laboratories around the world for many decades, but it is not possible to determine with certainty which asteroid a given carbonaceous chondrite meteorite may come from. The Hayabusa2 mission represents the first time a sample from one of these intriguing asteroids has been directly collected and returned to Earth. But observations of Ryugu made by Hayabusa2 as it flew alongside the asteroid suggest it may not to be as water-rich as scientists originally expected. There are several competing ideas for how and when Ryugu may have lost some of its water. Ryugu is a rubble pile -- a loose conglomeration of rock held together by gravity. Scientists think these asteroids likely form from debris left over when larger and more solid asteroids are broken apart by a large impact event. So it's possible the water signature seen on Ryugu today is all that remains of a previously more water-rich parent asteroid that dried out due a heating event of some kind. But it could also be that Ryugu dried out after a catastrophic disruption and re-formation as a rubble pile. It's also possible that Ryugu had a few close spins past the sun in its past, which could have heated it up and dried out its surface. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft had equipment aboard that could help scientists to determine which scenario was more likely. During its rendezvous with Ryugu in 2019, Hayabusa2 fired a small projectile into the asteroid's surface. The impact created a small crater and exposed rock buried in the subsurface. Using a near-infrared spectrometer, which is capable of detecting water-bearing minerals, the researchers could then compare the water content of surface rock with that of the subsurface. The data showed the subsurface water signature to be quite similar to that of the outermost surface. That finding is consistent with the idea that Ryugu's parent body had dried out, rather than the scenario in which Ryugu's surface was dried out by the sun. "You'd expect high-temperature heating from the sun to happen mostly at the surface and not penetrate too far into the subsurface," Milliken said. "But what we see is that the surface and subsurface are pretty similar and both are relatively poor in water, which brings us back to the idea that it was Ryugu's parent body that had been altered." More work needs to be done, however, to confirm the finding, the researchers say. For example, the size of the particles excavated from the subsurface could influence the interpretation of the spectrometer measurements. "The excavated material may have had a smaller grain size than what's on the surface," said Takahiro Hiroi, a senior research associate at Brown and study co-author. "That grain size effect could make it appear darker and redder than its coarser counterpart on the surface. It's hard to rule out that grain-size effect with remote sensing." Luckily, the mission isn't limited to studying samples remotely. Since Hayabusa2 successfully returned samples to Earth in December, scientists are about to get a much closer look at Ryugu. Some of those samples may soon be coming to the NASA Reflectance Experiment Laboratory (RELAB) at Brown, which is operated by Hiroi and Milliken. Milliken and Hiroi say they're looking forward to seeing if the laboratory analyses corroborate the team's remote sensing results. "It's the double-edged sword of sample return," Milliken said. "All of those hypotheses we make using remote sensing data will be tested in the lab. It's super-exciting, but perhaps also a little nerve-wracking. One thing is for certain, we're sure to learn a lot more about the links between meteorites and their parent asteroids." ### This story has been published on: 2021-01-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Image: Twitter/@WesternRly For the first time in the history of Western Railways Mumbai division, three women loco pilot, assistant loco pilot and a guard took charge of a goods train and piloted it from Vasai Road to Vadodara on January 5. Prepared for any task, ready to accomplish! A freight train was run with all Women Crew ie lady Loco Pilot, Astt Loco Pilot & Guard from Vasai Road to Vadodara on WR on 5th January, 2021. @drmbct pic.twitter.com/IsVue0sqJ8 January 6, 2021 A freight train was run with all Women Crew i.e. lady Loco Pilot, Astt Loco Pilot & Guard from Vasai Road to Vadodara on WR on 5th January, 2021, tweeted Western Railway (WR) on January 6. Aakanksha Ray, an MBA graduate from Indore, piloted the train as the Goods Guard. She was joined by Kumkum Nagendra, who served as the Loco Pilot and Udita Verma as the Assistant Loco Pilot of the train, reported Mumbai Mirror. According to the report, Ray joined as goods guard in the Mumbai central division of WR on April 4, 2019. The job of a good guard needs a lot of effort as the person-in-charge has to stay in their brake van during the entire run where no basic facilities are given, the report suggested. The situation, however, has slightly improved now with the running of 8 wheeler brake van, said the report citing Napoleon Fernandez, a former Guard who served for the Indian Railways between 1959 to 1993. In the job of Goods Guard, one has to spend long hours in utmost vigilance and it can be very taxing mentally as well as physically, Fernandez told the publication. By taking up the job of Goods Guard, Ray believes that this will further challenge the notion that certain professional tasks can only be done by men. Also, doing this job fills her with pride to serve the people of our nation, she added. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Sudans Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari signed an agreement with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday agreeing to normalize ties with Israel as part of the Trump administrations Abraham Accords initiative. I would like to congratulate Sudans Chairman Al Burhan, [Prime Minister Abdalla] Hamdok, and Minister Abdulbari on todays historic signing of the Abraham Accords, Avi Berkowitz, a White House adviser who worked on the agreement with Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, tweeted Wednesday. Their courageous action will strengthen peace and stability in the region and help bring about a better future for its people. The deal caps months of negotiations between the Trump administration and Sudans interim government, which came into office following the ouster of dictator Omar al-Bashir following mass protests in 2019. Following an agreement last year where the United States would remove Sudan from its state sponsors of terror list in exchange for payments to settle terror victims claims, Trump administration officials added an additional request in October: that Khartoum normalize relations with Israel. Hamdok balked. As part of the talks, Sudanese leaders had also requested a restoration of their countrys sovereign immunity from future terror lawsuits in US courts. Congress enshrined that last month, but carved out an exception for an ongoing lawsuit by family members of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Still, the agreement to recognize Israel, while politically risky for Sudans unelected leaders, comes with major economic incentives for the severely indebted country seeking to rejoin the global economy after decades of misrule. Wednesdays agreement stipulated that the United States would help pay for Sudans more than $1 billion in arrears to the World Bank. This a very, very significant agreement, Mnuchin said in Khartoum. It would have a tremendous impact on the people of Israel and the people of Sudan as they continue to work together on cultural and economic opportunities and trade, he said. US officials feared last month that the intricate deal might fall apart as Democratic Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Chuck Schumer of New York, citing the 9/11 victims lawsuit, mounted resistance to granting blanket immunity for Sudan. Trump administration officials then scrambled to find incentives that could help salvage the deal, eventually proposing some $700 million in assistance to Sudan via aid programs. Officials had also discussed a proposal for Hamdok to visit the White House for the announcement, but that plan did not materialize. Instead, Mnuchin headed to Khartoum amid a wider 11th-hour tour of the Middle East. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday he had signed the order formally removing Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesBy EMILY SHAPIRO, ABC News (LOUISVILLE, Ky.) -- Two Louisville police officers have been fired from the department for their roles in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor. The terminations of officer Myles Cosgrove and Det. Joshua Jaynes were made official on Tuesday in letters from interim Police Chief Yvette Gentry, who held closed-door hearings with the officers and their attorneys on Monday. Cosgrove, who fired the shot that killed Taylor per a ballistics analysis, and Jaynes, who prepared the search warrant, received pre-termination letters last week. Gentry said Cosgrove violated use of deadly force procedure when he fired 16 rounds into Taylor's apartment. Two rounds hit Taylor, one of which was fatal. In Gentry's termination letter to Cosgrove, she said he "did not describe target/threat isolation or target/threat identification but instead you describe flashes that you did not properly evaluate as a threat." Gentry wrote that Standard Operating Procedure says the "person against whom the force is used must pose 'an immediate threat of death or serious injury.'" Cosgrove's shots went in three different directions "indicating you did not verify a threat or have a target acquisition," she wrote. Gentry said Cosgrove also violated Standard Operating Procedure by failing to activate his camera in recording mode. "Despite your years of service, I cannot justify your conduct nor in good conscience recommend anything less than termination," she wrote. Cosgrove's attorney, Jarrod Beck, said Dec. 29, "I can confirm that Mr. Cosgrove has received a pre-termination notice. Otherwise, we have no comment." Jaynes wasn't at the shooting but prepared the search warrant for Taylor's apartment. In Gentry's termination letter to Jaynes, she said he violated the Standard Operating Procedure for truthfulness. She accused him of being untruthful in the search warrant affidavit when he said he verified through a U.S. postal inspector that Taylor's ex-boyfriend had been receiving packages at Taylor's address. "You did not have contact with a US Postal Inspector. You did not 'verify' this statement you swore to in the affidavit," Gentry wrote. "I acknowledge that you believe you prepared the search warrant in good faith. However, you failed to inform the judge that you had no contact with the US Postal Inspector. Your sworn information was not only inaccurate; it was not truthful." Jaynes' lawyer, Thomas Clay, said via email on Dec. 29, "I fully expect Mr. Jaynes will be terminated after the 'hearing' no matter what the evidence is to the contrary. We will appeal any disciplinary action taken against Mr. Jaynes because I believe the evidence shows he did nothing wrong." The officers have the right to appeal, the Fraternal Order of Police said. Cosgrove and Jaynes had been on administrative reassignment following the March 13 shooting that killed the 26-year-old emergency room technician. Taylor was shot after officers arrived at her door in the middle of the night trying to execute a "no-knock" warrant as part of an investigation into a suspected drug operation allegedly linked to her ex-boyfriend. Taylor's boyfriend, who said he thought intruders were trying to break in, fired a shot. The officers returned fire, fatally shooting Taylor. One officer, Brett Hankison, was fired and the others were placed on administrative duty. Initially no charges were brought against the officers, igniting protests across the country. Kentucky State Attorney General Daniel Cameron said the officers were justified in their use of deadly force because Walker fired the first shot. Months later, Cameron convened a grand jury that indicted Hankison on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing into the apartment directly behind Taylor's, where three people were inside. Hankison pleaded not guilty. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, who also fired into Taylor's home, has not been dismissed by the department. Mattingly was shot in the leg during the raid. None of the officers were charged in connection with Taylors death. Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Healthcare worker Sanna Elkadiri, left, was the first Dutch recipient of a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with nursing home staff and front-line workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. Sanna Elkadiri, a nurse at a nursing home for people with dementia, was the first to receive a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, 120 kilometers (75 miles) southeast of the capital, Amsterdam. "This is a very important moment for me as a person who works in the care sector. You want to provide the care knowing that your clients are safe," Elkadiri said. "Without the vaccine that is not possible, but from now on I can do it." The Dutch government has come under fierce criticism for its late start to vaccinations. Prime Minister Mark Rutte told lawmakers in a debate Tuesday that authorities had focused preparations on the easy-to-handle vaccine made by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, which hasn't yet been cleared for use in the EU, and not the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge didn't comment on the criticism as he spoke before Elkadiri rolled up the left sleeve of her purple nurse's uniform to receive the first shot. Instead, he looked forward to a future with the virus under control. Healthcare worker Sanna Elkadiri, left, was the first Dutch recipient of a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) "Finally, after 10 months of crisis, today we are starting to end this crisis," De Jonge said. But he warned that, "it will take a while before we have all the misery behind us. " The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which requires ultra-cold storage before it's used, is the only shot that has been approved so far by the European Medicines Agency. On Wednesday, the agency was considering approving another coronavirus vaccine, one made by Moderna. "I'm very disappointed that we are two weeks behind other countries," Rutte said in the Dutch parliament. The country's public health institute said that about 300,000 carers and hospital staff are first in line for shots. Two more large-scale vaccination centers are due to open Friday and by the end of next week, 25 should be open across the country, the institute said. Healthcare worker Sanna Elkadiri, left, was the first Dutch recipient of a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) Healthcare worker Sanna Elkadiri, left, was the first Dutch recipient of a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) A healthcare worker, left, is administered a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) Netherland's Health Minister Hugo De Jonge speaks before the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is administered at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) Netherland's Health Minister Hugo De Jonge looks on as a healthcare worker receives the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) A woman holds the empty container of the first used Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine used in The Netherlands at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) A healthcare worker, left, is administered a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) A woman holds the empty container of the first Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine used in The Netherlands at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) A healthcare worker, left, is administered a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP) Health authorities plan to be able to vaccinate a maximum of 66,000 care workers per week from Jan. 18. In a tweet thanking staff involved in the rollout, Dutch King Willem-Alexander called the start of vaccinations "a turning point that provides hope of a way out of this crisis." The Netherlands is in the midst of a five-week tough lockdown imposed when infection rates were spiking across the country. In recent days, infection rates have been edging lower, but the country's public health institute said Tuesday that the lockdown hasn't yet produced a clear effect on infection rates. Nearly 12,000 people are confirmed to have died of COVID-19 in the Netherlands since the pandemic started, though the true number is higher because not all people who died with symptoms were tested. Andre Rouvoet, chairman of the umbrella organization of local health authorities, welcomed the first vaccinations, which were aired live on Dutch television. "It is symbolic of the hundreds of thousandsmillionsof vaccinations that will be administered in the Netherlands in coming months," he said. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Correction: Allowed marijuana-infused beverages would not include non-alcoholic beer, which the state defines as any beverage obtained by alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of barley, malt, hops, or other cereal in potable water. The possibility that marijuana-infused drinks will someday be swigged alongside beer at a ballgame or in a bar is one step closer to reality. Michigans Marijuana Regulatory Agency on Monday, Jan. 4 released anticipated guidelines for THC-infused beverages, which may be available for sale at licensed marijuana stores once approved by the state licensing agency. This also opens the door to potential imbibing at consumption lounges or during marijuana events. So far, the state hasnt issued any licenses for lounges or approved any marijuana-infused beverages for sale. That doesnt mean companies dont already have products in the works. Other states with legal medical and recreational marijuana, including Colorado, California and Oregon, have already delved into marijuana drinks. In preparation, popular Michigan beverage manufacturers have been collaborating with marijuana companies. We are thrilled about the addition of cannabis-infused beverages to Michigans legal recreational cannabis market, Skymint Brands Chief Brand and Product Officer Laurie Gregory said. Infused beverage sales are booming in legal recreational markets around the country, and for good reason. Consumers are increasingly conscious of the food and drink they consume, with many looking to cut back on alcohol, in particular. Skymint Brands, a vertically integrated marijuana company with production facilities and retail stores, is working with Shorts Brewing Company, a popular Bellaire-based beer maker, on marijuana-infused products, including beverages. While Shorts Brewing is known for beer, alcohol will be missing from its marijuana-infused drinks since the state Legislature banned mixed alcohol and marijuana concoctions in 2018. The success of our cannabis-infused, beer-inspired gummies, crafted in collaboration with our friends at Shorts Brewing, have proven just how fun and innovative such category-bending products can be, Gregory said. Our collective talented teams are hard at work creating unique cannabis beverage experiences which taste great and provide immediate effects, all while offering convenience and discretion. Skymint and Shorts Brewing expect to launch their line of marijuana-infused beverages later this year. Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency Director Andrew Brisbo hinted that marijuana-infused drinks were on the way during an Oct. 14 MLive-produced Marketing is Everything podcast. At the time, he said the product was an area of interest to a lot of processors in the industry. State law doesnt currently allow any business or other entity that doesnt hold a license from the state Marijuana Regulatory Agency to sell any marijuana products. That means for the time being, marijuana-infused beverages are likely to be confined to marijuana shops and not available in coolers at party stores across the state. The state guidelines issued this week establish an application and tracking process to ensure marijuana-infused beverages are tested before hitting the market. The guidelines are especially focused on product safety, in terms of eliminating potential contamination and ensuring consistent THC potency. The rules mandate use of potable, tested and treated water, only FDA-approved preservatives and limit any THC degradation or increase to 15% through the shelf life of the beverage. The expiration date will be determined based on pre-sale and ongoing research studies conducted by the manufacturer. For example, the guidelines say, if a producer conducts (a) study during a three-month period and determines that the beverage is stable and safe for sale ... the labeled expiration date may not exceed three months. This means beverages are unlikely to hit marijuana store shelves for months, at least, since producers need to create and conduct research prior to release of any products. Brisbo in December said beverage regulation has proven complicated due to issues not only with THC potency changes over time, as well as challenges in maintaining consistency from sip to sip within a single beverage container. More on MLive: Marijuana and Muslim religion clash in Hamtramck Marijuana drinks could be coming to Michigan Michigan stands to gain more than $1B as recreational marijuana shops open Medical marijuana blazed a trail for cannabis in Michigan. Now, recreational takes the lead. Michigan marijuana industry changed, but thriving amid coronavirus pandemic A retroactive law is truly a monstrosity. Law has to do with the governance of human conduct by rules. To speak of governing...today by rules that will be enacted tomorrow is to talk in blank prose. This quote by Lon L Fuller, an American legal philosopher, aptly summarises Indias retroactive tax misadventure. In 2012, India amended the Income Tax Act retroactively to overturn the Supreme Courts decision favouring Vodafone in a tax battle with the government. The 2012 amendment spooked foreign investors. It amended Section 9(1)(i) of the Income Tax Act, retroactively making it applicable to indirect transfers, ie. to the transfer by a non-resident of a share in a company incorporated abroad, if the share derived, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from assets located in India. One such indirect transfer was the 2006 internal corporate restructuring carried out by Cairn Energy. Armed with the 2012 amendment, the Indian government in 2015 imposed on Cairn a draft tax assessment of 10,247 crores for the corporate restructuring that took place in 2006. Consequently, Cairn sued India before an investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) tribunal alleging that imposition of taxes retroactively violates the India-United Kingdom bilateral investment treaty (BIT). The ISDS tribunal, in late December, ruled in favour of Cairn, holding India guilty of violating the fair and equitable treatment (FET) obligation of the India-UK BIT. The tribunal dismissed Indias argument that the 2012 amendment clarified the intent of Parliament regarding indirect transfers and that it was not retroactive. The tribunal held that the 2012 amendment substantively changed the scope or operation of Section 9(1)(i) of the Income Tax Act. The tribunal also ruled that whether the 2012 amendment was constitutional or not has no bearing on India violating its treaty obligations because Indias liability has to be ascertained under international law. This is important because it ruptures the myth perpetuated by the defenders of the retroactive amendment that a law passed by Parliament that has not been declared unconstitutional does not violate Indias BIT obligations. The sovereign right to tax should be exercised in a manner consistent with international law. The tribunal reasoned that Indias decision to retroactively apply the law, without a specific justification, created a new tax burden on a transaction that was not taxable at the time it was carried out, ie. in 2006. India robbed Cairn of its ability to plan its activities keeping in mind the legal consequences of its conduct. It disproportionately undermined the principle of legal certainty, which is one of the core elements of the FET standard specifically and of the rule of law generally. Hence, the tribunal ordered India to return over $1.2 billion to Cairn Energy Plc. This is the second instance of an ISDS tribunal admonishing Indias 2012 retroactive amendment of the Income Tax Act. A few months ago, another ISDS tribunal in Vodafone International Holdings v India found India guilty of breaching the India-Netherlands BIT for imposing taxes on Vodafone retroactively. The 2012 amendment was a momentous error committed by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, on assuming office in 2014, had a great opportunity to correct this blunder by amending the law and making it prospective in application. This was expected because the Bharatiya Janata Partys manifesto, cited by the Cairn tribunal, correctly criticised the UPA government for unleashing tax terrorism and uncertainty that deleteriously impacted the investment climate. However, the NDA government, instead of amending the law, relentlessly pursued the tax claims against Vodafone and Cairn Energy. India has already challenged the Vodafone award. Presumably, it will do the same with the Cairn Energy award. In endeavouring to extract revenue through retroactive taxation that damages investor sentiment in the long run, India is being penny-wise and pound-foolish. The government should remember that promoting rule of law and safeguarding legal certainty are important drivers of foreign investment inflows. Prabhash Ranjan is a senior assistant professor, South Asian University and author of India and Bilateral Investment Treaties: Refusal, Acceptance, Backlash The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON - Kia celebrates its new face and slogan, declaring the brand's future transformation - The new logo features 'symmetry', 'rhythm' and 'rising' elements that embody Kia's confidence and commitment to customers - Kia discloses new brand slogan: 'Movement that inspires' - Kia sets new Guinness World Record for 'Most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launching fireworks simultaneously' during logo unveiling show - The new brand purpose and strategy will be presented to the world on January 15 SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia has revealed its new corporate logo and global brand slogan that signify the automaker's bold transformation and all-new brand purpose. The introduction of the new logo represents Kia's ambitions to establish a leadership position in the future mobility industry by revamping nearly all facets of its business. Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8836151-kia-unveils-new-logo-global-brand-slogan/ The logo is a symbol of Kia's new brand purpose and the values it promises to offer customers through future products and services, and the experiences these enable. Kia seals its brand promise by developing the new logo to resemble a handwritten signature. The rhythmical, unbroken line of the logo conveys Kia's commitment to bringing moments of inspiration, while its symmetry demonstrates confidence. The rising gestures of the logo embody Kia's rising ambitions for the brand, and, more importantly, what it offers customers. "Kia's new logo represents the company's commitment to becoming an icon for change and innovation," said Ho Sung Song, Kia's President and CEO. "The automotive industry is experiencing a period of rapid transformation, and Kia is proactively shaping and adapting to these changes. Our new logo represents our desire to inspire customers as their mobility needs evolve, and for our employees to rise to the challenges we face in a fast-changing industry." The new logo was unveiled during a record-breaking pyrotechnic display in the skies above Incheon, Korea. The event saw 303 'pyrodrones' launching hundreds of fireworks in a synchronized artistic display, igniting and celebrating Kia's new beginning. This set a new Guinness World Record for 'Most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launching fireworks simultaneously'. The dazzling display can be seen on the Kia Global YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/s61_IsjqLzc A new brand purpose and strategy to be revealed on January 15 In addition to an all-new logo, Kia revealed its new global brand slogan, 'Movement that inspires'. Details on Kia's new brand strategy, including brand purpose and philosophy as well as application to Kia's future product line-up, will be shared through the digital 'New Kia Brand Showcase' event to be held at 09:00 Korean Standard Time on Friday January 15, 2021 (01:00 CET, January 15 / 16:00 PST, January 14). The event can be viewed on the Kia Global YouTube channel. The launch of the new logo follows the announcement of Kia's 'Plan S' long-term business strategy in 2020. Under Plan S, Kia, among other objectives, has the ambition to take a leading position in the global car market. This is focused on popularizing electric vehicles and introducing a broad range of mobility services, tailored to meet the needs and tastes of individuals and local markets. For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com Actor Banita Sandhu, who is in Kolkata to shoot for a movie, tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and was admitted to a private hospital after she refused to be treated in a government facility, health department sources said. Sandhu, who was shooting for Kavita & Teresa, reached the city on December 20 and she travelled in the same flight with the youth who tested positive for the mutant coronavirus strain on his return from the United Kingdom. She was detected with the Covid-19 on Monday afternoon and steps were initiated to ascertain whether she has been infected with the new strain, an official said. After Sandhu was taken to the Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital where a separate unit has been set up to keep those returned from the UK, the 23-year-old actress refused to come out of the ambulance alleging that the hospital lacked proper infrastructure. We had to inform the state secretariat and the health department as she was unwilling to come out of the ambulance and at one point of time, she wanted to leave. The British High Commission was informed as we cannot let her go like this which is against the protocol. We had to inform the police also. They (police personnel) came and surrounded the ambulance so that she cannot leave, the official said. Sandhu, who co-starred with Varun Dhawan in October, was counselled several times by senior doctors of the hospital but their efforts went in vain. Eventually, with the permission of the health department, she was admitted to a private hospital, the official said adding that Sandhu has been kept in an isolated cabin there. Before leaving Beliaghata ID hospital, the actress was made to sign a declaration that she was unwilling to get admitted there as she felt the medical establishment lacked infrastructure. Steps have been taken to get the genetic analysis of her samples to ascertain whether she has been infected with the mutant coronavirus strain, Variant of Concern 202012/01 (VOC-202012/01). We will be sending her samples for genetic analysis to Kalyanis National Institute of Biomedical Genomics to ensure whether the actress is infected with the new strain of the coronavirus or not. After that we will follow the necessary protocol once the result is out, the official said. Kavita & Teresa by Swiss-Indian filmmaker Kamal Musale is about love and compassion inspired by the life of Mother Teresa, according to the website of the movie. ott:10 Dr. Anthony Fauci predicted on Tuesday that life in the United States could begin to return to 'some degree of normality' by early fall but only if COVID-19 vaccination rollout increases rapidly. The nation's top infectious disease expert said that by fall, he hopes that 280 million people will have been vaccinated, the predicted number needed to reach herd immunity. He added that if vaccinations begin at a stepped-up pace soon, the impact on new infections could even be seen by the spring, but predicts several more difficult weeks with post-holiday surges before this takes effect. Fauci claimed that the U.S. could soon be giving at least a million COVID-19 vaccinations a day despite the current pace only just having reached roughly half of that number. Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday that life in the United States could begin to return to 'some degree of normality' by early fall but only if vaccination rollout increases rapidly, as he also predicted that the country could soon be giving at least a million COVID-19 shots a day Fauci said that enough Americans could be vaccinated to reach herd immunity by the early fall if the rollout speeds up. Pictured, a contact tracer receives a vaccine in Illinois Currently there are only 500,000 vaccinations being administered a day. Pictured, people wait to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at a vaccination site in the parking lot at the old location of Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers on Tuesday The slow pace is frustrating health officials and a desperate public alike, with only about a third of the first supplies shipped to states used as of Tuesday morning, just over three weeks into the vaccination campaign. 'Any time you start a big program, there's always glitches. I think the glitches have been worked out,' Fauci told The Associated Press. Vaccinations have already begun speeding up, reaching roughly half a million injections a day, he pointed out. Now, with the holidays over, 'once you get rolling and get some momentum, I think we can achieve 1 million a day or even more,' Fauci said. He called President-elect Joe Biden's goal of 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days 'a very realistic, important, achievable goal.' It's an optimistic prediction considering the logistical hurdles facing states and counties as they struggle to administer rationed vaccine supplies amid rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. Fauci pointed to California's swamped hospitals and exhausted workers even before holiday travel and family gatherings added fuel to the outbreak. Fauci estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of the U.S. population will need to be vaccinated to achieve 'herd immunity,' meaning enough people are protected that it's difficult for the virus to continue spreading. That translates to as many as 280 million people, which he is hoping to achieve that by the start of next fall. The coronavirus has killed more than 357,000 Americans, and the next few weeks could bring another jump in infections nationally that 'could make matters even worse,' Fauci said. The Trump administration had promised to provide states enough vaccine for 20 million people in December, and fell short even as states struggled with their role - getting shots into people's arms, starting mostly with health care workers and nursing home residents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 4.8 million doses of more than 17 million delivered had been used by Tuesday morning. Pictured, a healthcare worker gets her second and final dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Norwegian American Hospital in Chicago on Tuesday morning Pictured, people line up at Nassau County's first COVID-19 vaccination distribution site That is probably an undercount because of delays in reporting, but it is far fewer than experts had hoped. Still, Fauci pointed to a celebrated moment in history to back up his projection of ramped-up inoculations: In 1947, New York City vaccinated more than 6 million people against a smallpox outbreak in less than a month - and 'one of them was me as a 6-year-old boy'. If a single city could do such mass vaccinations in weeks, 'this is not something that is far-fetched' for an entire country, he said. 'You can use school auditoriums, you can use stadiums. You can really ramp up the contribution of pharmacies.' At that stepped-up pace, the country could see an impact on infections as early as spring - and hopefully by early fall, 'you could start thinking about returning to some degree of normality,' Fauci said. Amid mounting frustration over the slow vaccine rollout, governors and other politicians are talking tough and in some cases proposing to bend the rules to get people vaccinated more quickly. Health care workers and nursing home patients are still getting priority in most places. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened to fine hospitals that don't use their vaccine allotments fast enough, saying: 'Move it quickly. Were serious.' Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina said hospitals and health workers have until January 15 to get a shot or they will have to 'move to the back of the line.' As of Monday, the state had given out less than half its initial allotment of the Pfizer vaccine to about 43,000 people. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper called in the National Guard to help speed things up. In California, where just 1 percent of the population has been vaccinated, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he wants to give providers the flexibility to dispense shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste. New York's mayor suggested vaccine eligibility be widened to get things moving. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper called in the National Guard to help speed up vaccine distrubition. Pictured, the North Carolina National Guard help load food trucks in December New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (pictured above left) threatened to fine hospitals that don't use their vaccine allotments fast enough telling them 'move it quickly', as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (pictured above right) said he wants to give providers the flexibility to dispense shots to people not on the priority list if doses are in danger of going to waste There's no sign yet that a more contagious variant of the coronavirus first found in Britain - which forced England into another national lockdown on Tuesday - will outwit the vaccines. Fauci's colleagues at the National Institutes of Health are doing their own testing to be sure, just as vaccine manufacturers are. While the variant has been found in several states 'it is certainly not dominant,' Fauci said. 'We don't know where it's going. We're going to follow it very carefully.' The more contagious virus makes it even more important that people follow the public health precautions Fauci has preached for months, including wearing a mask, keeping your distance and avoiding crowds. In addition, scientists are warily watching a different variant found in South Africa but not yet reported in the U.S. There have been reports that the mutation might make treatments called monoclonal antibodies less likely to work. Fauci said he couldn't confirm that, but U.S. scientists will investigate. Nationwide, there have been more than 21 million Americans infected with COVID-19 and 357,156 deaths. Two Myanmar military-linked political parties, rejecting their landslide loss to Aung San Suu Kyis ruling National League for Democracy in November elections, filed a joint complaint with the Supreme Court accusing the government and national election authorities of electoral fraud, they said Tuesday. The NLD, which swept the Nov. 8 elections by securing more than 82 percent of all 1,117 contested seats in the Union, state, and regional legislatures, will form a government and launch Aung San Suu Kyis second five-year term around the end of March. The opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a military proxy political party that ran the 2011-2015 government, refused to accept the results of the vote in which it won only 71 seats, or 6.4 percent, nationwide. Within days of the November elections, as votes were still being tallied, the USDP raised accusations of fraud with the compilation of voter lists, ballot irregularities, and vote counting in several townships. The party demanded a new vote jointly supervised by the military and the Union Election Commission (UEC). The USDP and the Democratic Party of National Politics (DNP), a new party formed by former military generals, say that the NLD government and the UEC an independent, president-appointed body that oversees voting committed election fraud. The DNP fielded candidates in more than 100 constituencies in the November elections, but did not win any seats. The filing names President Win Myint and three other government officials as well as UEC chairman Hla Thein and 14 others as defendants. The Supreme Court accepted the parties Application of Writ and on Tuesday issued a schedule of video-conference hearings on Jan. 29 involving the plaintiffs. The preliminary hearing will determine whether the court accepts the filing and takes up the case. The courts decision will be final. They are done. We will continue pursuing legal action against them. We have filed the case with the Constitutional Tribunal and the Union Supreme Court, said DNP chairman Soe Maung at a joint press conference in Yangon. The military will serve as witness in the case, he said. The military has been involved in exposing much evidence related to the case, Soe Maung said without elaborating. We have submitted an application of writs because we have credible evidence. The plaintiffs will not accept any apologies because the NLD already declared victory through fraud voting, he added. The retired military general, who contested in the 2020 elections as a candidate from Yesagyo township in Magway region but lost, said there had been many instances of fraud such as voting by underage persons and people voting without proper identification cards. NLD will not respond The UEC did not respond to RFAs requests for comment on the accusation and the court filing. In December, the election body said the DNP had violated the Political Parties Registration Law by issuing statements claiming electoral fraud and accusing UEC and election subcommission officials of failing to perform their duties in accordance with the constitution and the Election Commission Law. Aye Aye Than, a USDP candidate who contested in Thingangyun township in Yangon region, said she does not consider newly elected candidates to be legitimate because the voting fraud complaint has yet to be resolved. If the defendants cannot refute the evidence and the proof of voting fraud we presented, then they will have to accept the findings we have, she said. We have submitted credible evidence, and if it cannot be proven wrong, the results of the vote counts will be annulled, and the election results will be nullified. As long as the complaint is not resolved, the status of newly elected members of parliament is not legitimate, she added. Only after the compliant is settled will they become official MPs. NLD spokesman Monywa Aung Shin rejected the accusations as baseless and said that his party would not respond to them because the 2020 election results had already been recognized internationally as being fair. The election results have been confirmed under the Election Commission Law [and] have been internationally recognized, he said. The people also endorsed the results since they were allowed to vote for their desired parties freely. Given that we have such credible facts supporting the election results, we will not respond to the protest or to any other attempt to tarnish the legitimacy of the election results, he said. USDP vice chairman Khin Yi told RFA that he doesnt trust the UEC because it failed to settle previously raised allegations of voting fraud and that he doesnt believe the bodys claim that the election results are in line with the peoples wishes. We will keep pursuing legal action, [but] we are not demanding a reelection. We are demanding a recount of the votes, he said, adding that the USDP wants an independent commission to examine the results. We are not childishly disputing the election results, he added. The trust issue is pretty bad now. We cannot accept the election results. We will not recognize them unless the ruling government takes action to prove us wrong. It came as a surprise Longtime court attorney Aye Paing said during the press conference that neither the president nor the accused lawmakers had complied with related statutes in the 2008 constitution before and during the 2020 elections. He cited Article 64, which prohibits the president from being involved in his partys campaign activities, and Article 65, which requires the president, lawmakers, and government officials to swear that they will comply with the charters statutes. It came as a surprise that we found that the president was involved in campaign activities, he said. It is a violation of Article 64 of the constitution. But Khin Maung Zaw, another longtime court attorney, said the UECs decision regarding the election results is final. The Application of Writ filed with the Supreme Court is for legal action taken against a government department, and not against the entire government, he said. But the UECs decision is final, so these allegations should not be accepted legally. Officials said that the military, the USDP, and the DNP have recorded over a million instances of voting fraud. The USDP has reportedly filed more than 1,000 cases with the UEC and nearly 200 cases with the police. Poll protests must be submitted within 45 days of elections. Intervention by the military is troubling to many in Myanmar, which endured harsh, corrupt military rule from 1962 to 2011. In 1990, the military nullified the results of an election in which the NLD won 81 percent of the seats in parliament, holding Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 years between 1989 and 2010. Reported by Aung Theinkha, Phyu Phyu Khine, and Waiyan Moe Myint. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. As the largest orogenic plateau on earth, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was caused by a complex crustal deformation process during the continuous collision and compression process between the Indian and Eurasian continents starting at least 60-50 Ma ago. The formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau records the collision of the two continents and the deformation process and mechanism within the continents. Therefore, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is considered as a natural ideal laboratory for the study of continent-continent collision and dynamics. At present, the continuous collision between Eurasia and Indian continents is still ongoing, resulting in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is still continuing to expand outward. The western section of Qilian Mountains on the northeast margin of The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, as the northeast boundary of the Plateau, was uplifted and became part of the present Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the Middle Miocene, according to the latest chronology results. Therefore, as one of the youngest parts of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the western Qilian Mountains is one of the key areas to test various proposed models of the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The crustal deformation mechanism in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been proposed by many predecessors. However, with the deepening of the research, more and more evidence has been revealed, and the previously proposed crustal deformation mechanisms have been unable to fully explain many new evidence. The differences in resolution of various means of studying the interior of the earth's crust undoubtedly add to the divergence. Therefore, earth scientists call for more precise methods to reveal the crustal structure in the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The deep seismic reflection profiling is one of the internationally recognized methods for revealing high precision crustal structural image. Therefore, using the crustal structural image revealed by the deep seismic reflection profile to study the crustal deformation pattern in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in this paper will undoubtedly provide very important scientific significance and reference value for the study of this area. The researchers reprocessed the high-resolution deep seismic reflection data, which were originally collected in the 1990s, for a transect across the NE margin of the western Qilian Mountains and the Hexi Corridor. The reprocessed seismic image has a higher signal-to-noise ratio compared with the first published result, which imaged the southward dipping north Qilian Mountains fault (NQSF) and a southerly dipping fault extending downward into the lower crust, which was named the north border thrust (NBT). In addition to these results, the reprocessed image more clearly delineates the geometry of the crust beneath the junction between the western Qilian Mountains and Hexi Corridor, yielding a better understanding of the processes responsible for the outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. The reprocessed seismic profile across the junction of the north margin of the western Qilian Mountains and the Hexi Corridor reveals the decoupled crustal deformation that is partitioned by the intra-crustal decollement layer at a depth of 14?24 km. The crustal deformation above the decollment is mainly characterized by a series of southward-dipping thrust faults downward ended at the decollement layer. Crustal-scale duplexing presents in the crustal beneath the decollement layer. The imbricate Moho structure beneath the study region implies that the Asian lithospheric mantle is being underthrust beneath the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Integrating the results with previous geological and geophysical observations, the researchers propose an evolutionary model regarding the outward growth across the western Qilian Mountains, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (Figure 1). This result enriches the crustal structure research on the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is not only of great significance to the study of crustal deformation mechanism in the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but also of great reference value to the understanding of crustal deformation mechanism in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. ### This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41904083, 41430213, 41590863, and 41774114). See the article: By late fall, much of the Midwest is a pleasing landscape of dry, harvested corn fields. It makes for a bucolic rural scene on highway drives. But the corn litter that's left over doesn't seem useful, at least to untrained eyes. But to those in the know, that corn residue is a valuable resource. Scattered leaves, husks, kernels, and cobs can serve as food to grazing cattle. When managed well, corn residue can increase farm income, provide affordable food for cattle, and efficiently use the land to feed people. Morgan Grabau, a member of the American Society of Agronomy, studies the interactions of cattle grazing and crop productivity. She recently presented her research at the virtual ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. "Corn residue is an under-used resource. Only 15% of the corn residue acres in the central U.S. are grazed," says Grabau. One big concern farmers have about cattle grazing corn residue is soil compaction. If cattle compact the soil too much, future crops might not grow well. Addressing the issue of soil compaction is the main focus of Grabau's work. In the past, Grabau's research team has shown that compaction isn't too bad during fall and winter grazing. When the soil is dry and frozen, it resists stamping cattle hooves. "My research was focused on the effect of grazing in the spring when the soil is thawed and wet," she explains. Grabau studied two different grazing systems. In one system, researchers let a small number of cattle graze corn fields for 45 days starting in mid-February. The other system tripled the number of cattle but cut grazing time to just 15 days in March. This way, the total amount of grazing was equal. But the time spent on wet fields varied, which could affect how the soil responds to all that trampling. The researchers studied corn fields in Nebraska, where around half of the corn fields are grazed after harvest. The team measured various soil properties that contribute to compaction and the yield of the soybeans planted in the fields the following season after cattle were done grazing. The team repeated the experiment over two years. "Much like previous fall grazing studies, minimal effects were seen on soil properties and yield due to spring grazing, regardless of the number of cattle and area grazed," says Grabau. The soybean productivity of the fields following grazing did show some changes. The highly concentrated grazing for just 15 days actually increased yields slightly. "This yield increase could be due to more residue removed, causing warmer soil temperatures for plants to grow," Grabau says. The cattle did cause some soil compaction. But their effects were limited to the surface level of fields. "Compaction isn't permanent," Grabau says. "Soil can loosen up again as it dries and saturates over and over, and microbial activity in the soil also reduces compaction." Fortunately, soybean seedlings had no problem establishing themselves in the soil after grazing even with some surface compaction present. "Even when we created a worst-case scenario, grazing in the spring when the ground was wet, compaction was minimal and subsequent soybean yields were not negatively affected," Grabau says. Although Grabau says that fall and winter grazing is probably still the best solution, farmers shouldn't be afraid of grazing cattle in the spring. "The integration of crops and livestock is a beneficial production system," says Grabau. "Grazing cattle on corn residue can be a great way to make even more food for human consumption from corn fields, as both the corn grain and plant residue can be used as feed for livestock." ### Morgan Grabau is a graduate student in animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This project is supported by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station with funding from the Hatch Multistate Research Program of the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting was hosted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America. Seoul, Jan 6 : South Korea decided on Wednesday to extend the suspension of direct flights from Britain for two more weeks to block a more transmissible coronavirus variant first detected in the European country. Health authorities have confirmed a total of 11 cases of the new strain, most recently two cases Tuesday, and one case of a separate variant spreading in South Africa, Yonhap news agency reported. "The ban on flights from Britain has been extended for two weeks until January 21," the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The flight ban was initially imposed on December 23 until the end of the year and was extended on December 28 until Thursday. South Korea reported 840 more Covid-19 cases Wednesday, including 809 local infections, raising the total caseload to 65,818. The daily cases stayed below 1,000 for the second consecutive day amid signs of a slowdown, while nursing homes and churches continued to be hot spots for virus outbreaks despite extended virus curbs. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The seven-member Expedition 64 crew relaxed on New Year's Day and went into the first weekend of 2021 researching space biology. The International Space Station residents are also packing a pair of U.S. resupply ships for departure this week and next. Three astronauts spent Saturday and Sunday studying how microgravity affects vision and bone tissue in rodents. Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover of NASA spent the weekend observing several dozen mice to help scientists prevent vision and bone conditions that astronauts experience while living in space. JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi assisted the duo during the two life science experiments. A different pair of biology studies is exploring how weightlessness impacts potential treatments for Earth and space-caused conditions. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins spent Sunday peering through a microscope at protein crystals which are much higher quality than those produced on Earth. Results from that experiment could inform ways to commercialize the development of cancer therapies in space. She also looked at engineered heart tissues to gain insights into aging and weakening heart muscles that humans experience on and off the Earth. NASA astronaut Shannon Walker spent the weekend readying the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter and the SpaceX Cargo Dragon for their upcoming departures. Cygnus will be completing a 93-day stay and the Cargo Dragon a 35-day stay at the orbiting lab. Rubins will monitor Cygnus' departure first on Jan. 6 after mission controllers on the ground command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to remove it from the Unity module then release it into Earth orbit. Cygnus will orbit Earth on its own until Jan. 26 for flight tests and remotely controlled science experiments. The Cargo Dragon will be loaded with samples from this weekend's experiments and more, including space station hardware, for return to Earth on Jan. 11. Glover will monitor the first undocking of the Cargo Dragon from the Harmony module's space-facing international docking adapter. This will also be Dragon's first planned splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. On-Orbit Status Report Payloads Cardinal Heart: The crew performed a periodic cell culture media exchange in the various cell culture chambers. Cardinal Heart studies the effects of change in gravitational force on cardiovascular cells at the cellular and tissue level using engineered heart tissues (EHTs). Microgravity significantly affects heart tissues that perform work and exert an opposite force to gravity and is known to cause molecular and structural abnormalities in cells and tissues that can lead to disease. The investigation could provide new understanding of similar heart issues on Earth and help identify new treatments. SUBSA (Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules): The crew performed the remaining SUBSA hardware installation steps and performed the first sample exchange. The objective of the SUBSA investigation is to advance understanding of the processes involved in semiconductor crystal growth. It offers a gradient freeze furnace for materials science investigations that can reach 850C. Samples are contained in transparent quartz or ceramic ampoules with high definition video imaging available in real-time along with remote commanding of thermal control parameters. Veg-03: The crew installed the Veggie-03 root mat and small plant pillows in the VEGGIE facility and initiated the experiment. Organisms grow differently in space, from single-celled bacteria to plants and humans. But future long-duration space missions will require crew members to grow their own food, so understanding how plants respond to microgravity is an important step toward that goal. Veg-03 uses the Veggie plant growth facility to cultivate Extra Dwarf Pak Choi, Amara Mustard and Red Romaine Lettuce using Seed Film which are harvested on-orbit with samples returned to Earth for testing. Antimicrobial Coatings: The crew deployed the Antimicrobial Coatings experiment, and performed the first touch application operations to initiate the experiment. The investigation tests an antimicrobial coating on several different materials that represent high-touch surfaces. Some microbes change characteristics in microgravity, which could create new risks to crew health and spacecraft systems as well as creating the possibility of contaminating other planetary bodies. The samples remain in space approximately six months then return to Earth for analysis. Rodent Research-23 (RR-23): The crew performed fixation swaps on the Rodent samples. The Rodent Access unit was then cleaned. Effects of Microgravity on Ocular Vascular Hydrodynamics, or Rodent Research-23 (RR-23), studies function of arteries, veins, and lymphatic structures in the eye and changes in the retina before and after spaceflight. The aim is to clarify whether these vascular changes impair visual function. At least 40 percent of astronauts experience vision impairment known as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) on long-duration spaceflights, which could adversely affect mission success. Systems Robotics On-Board Trainer (RoBOT) On-Board Training (OBT): FE-6 configured and completed a training session to enhance Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) proficiency. Robotics instructors observed the activity real time. She also completed an on-board review of the ground control Cygnus release procedure and training video in preparation for NG-14 departure planned for January 6. Completed Task List Activities: Rodent Research gather ARED spreadsheet record Battery powered portable fan ops VEG-03 OBT VEGGIE display OBT Today's Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. OBT support SSRMS Elbow Pitch joint test MSS maneuver for SSRMS walkoff to N2 PDGF SSRMS Cygnus grapple Payloads ops support Look Ahead Plan Tuesday, January 5 (GMT 005) FLUIDICS run 1 (ESA) Moderate Temp PCG icebrick install (JAXA) Repository: Urine Collect and saliva setup (NASA) Food physiology Blood setup SAFFIRE Diagnostics prep (NASA) Rodent Hab restock and access unit clean and fixative (NASA) Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion inoculation 3 (NASA) Cardinal Heart Chamber fixation (NASA) Systems: Dragon cargo transfer ops Cygnus egress Wednesday, January 6 (GMT 006) FLUIDICS run 2 and 3 and closeout (ESA) Food Physiology Blood collect, Repository: urine, saliva collect (NASA) NanoRack Module 9 mixture ops 4 (NASA) HRF VEGGIE questionnaire (NASA) Rodent Habitat Stow (NASA) ACE Module Reconfiguration (NASA) SUBSA Sample exchange and photo (NASA) CommuBios (Icebricks into SABL 3) (NASA) Antimicrobial Coatings pad touch ops(NASA) Actiwatch Hardware return (NASA) Cardinal Heart Chamber fixation and microscopy ops and data download (NASA) Thermal Amine Effluent sampling part 1 and 2 (NASA) Systems: NG-14 departure EVA DOUG review, Airlock unstow, CWC-I degas Thursday, January 7 (GMT 007) VEG-03 wick open (NASA) Food Physiology Saliva collect (NASA) BAC Cell fixation (NASA) Food Acceptability (NASA) Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Hardware Setup TOCA Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Review Payload Laptop Terminal 3(PLT3) Relocation VEGGIE Display On-Board Training VEG Series Experiment On-Board Training. Cargo Transfer to Dragon VEG-03 MWA Preparation On Board Training (OBT) Cygnus Ground Control Release Self Study VEG-03 Experiment Install Water Recovery System (WRS) Waste Tank Sample LSG Decon Reconfig PCS Laptop Relocate Rodent Research MELFI Remove PCS Laptop Relocate Rodent Research Fixative Swap VEG-03 Experiment Install Gather Vestibule Outfitting Kit (VOK) SAFFIRE Diagnostic Prep Procedure Review Rodent Research MELFI Insert 3 Cargo Transfer to Dragon SLAMMD Hardware Review Body Mass Measurement SLAMMD Bag Gather Antimicrobial Coatings Deploy Systems Operations Data File (SODF) Update Antimicrobial Coatings Photo [Aborted] Antimicrobial Coatings Placard Touch [Aborted] On Board Training (OBT) ROBoT T&C Self Study Rodent Research Access Unit Clean Cardinal Heart Tissue Chamber Media Change and Fixation Cargo Transfer to Dragon Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Sample Exchange TOCA Sample Data Record Cygnus Cargo Closeout Nikon Camera Time Synch with the ISS Time Packing of Non-Recoverable Cargo in DC1 Progress 444 (76P). IMS Update Cargo Transfer to Dragon Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device (SLAMMD) Hardware Setup Cardinal Heart MELFI Sample Insertion Operations Session 2 Cardinal Heart Tissue Chamber Media Change and Sample Photography of 1 and 2 EVA Hatch Windows in MRM2 and 1 EVA Hatch Window in DC1 SLAMMD Bag Mass Measurement SLAMMD Hardware Stow HRF Generic Urine Collection Setup SLAMMD Bag Stow Cardinal Heart MELFI Sample Insertion Operations Session 1 Reminder HRF Generic Urine Collection Reminder Rodent Research Thermal Consideration UV-ATMOSPHERE. Hardware Monitoring Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Artist Kim Tschang-yeul in his studio during the 1990s / Courtesy of the artist and Gallery Hyundai By Kwon Mee-yoo Korean artist Kim Tschang-yeul, best known for his "water drop" paintings, passed away Tuesday at the age of 91. Kim was one of the most influential artists who shaped modern Korean art. His hyperrealistic portrayal of water drops embodies eastern and western values. "Painting water drops is to heal all memories, all anguishes, anxieties by water," the artist once said. Born in 1929 in Maengsan, South Pyongan Province, now North Korea, Kim moved to the South at the age of 16. He entered the Seoul National University Art School via a qualification exam in 1948, but could not continue his studies after he was ostracized for studying Lee Que-de, who defected to North Korea. The 1950 outbreak of the Korean War further interrupted his academic career. He spent a year-and-a-half on Jeju Island as member of the Police Force during the war, which later led him to donate works to the island and open the Kim Tschang-yeul Art Museum there in 2016. Kim began his artist career as part of the Art Informel movement in Korea and founded the Modern Artists' Association in 1958 with other avant-garde artists Park Seo-bo and Chung Sang-Hwa. After participating in international exhibitions including the Paris Biennale in 1961 and Sao Paulo Biennale in 1965, Kim moved to New York in 1965 to study at the Art Students League of New York. Influenced by new international art styles such as Pop Art and Minimalism, Kim's experiment of painting abstract bulbous forms began while he was in New York. Kim Tschang-Yeul's "Evenement de la nuit" (1972) / Courtesy of the artist and Tina Kim Gallery He relocated to Paris in 1969, where his signature "water drop" painting was born with "Evenement de la Nuit," a single over-sized drop of water against the backdrop of dark night sky, in 1972. Since then, the artist dedicated his life to exploring the transparent drops through light and shadow over about five decades. He experimented with various mediums such as oil paint, acrylic, watercolor and traditional Korean ink, "meok," on linen canvas, burlap sack and wood. In addition to the pure water drop paintings, Kim developed his "Recurrence" series, in which he painted water drops on Eastern philosophy books such as "Thousand-Character Classic" and "Tao Te Ching" by Lao Tzu. "Whereas an actual drop of water will eventually be absorbed into the surface of the material and fade away, Kim's carpet of dew remains in place forever, inviting his audience to contemplate the ethereality of existence and the endurance of art," art critic and journalist Barbara Pollack wrote. In 2017, he was awarded the Officier Medal, the highest honor of the Ordre des Arts et des Letters, bestowed by the Embassy of France in Seoul. Kim Tschang-Yeul's "Recurrence NSI91001-91" (1991) / Courtesy of the artist and Gallery Hyundai Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked the military to strengthen training to hone its combat skills and remain on high alert as the new revised defence law expanding the powers of the armed forces came into force from this year. The 67-year-old leader, who also heads the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) besides the Central Military Commission (CMC) -- the overall high command of the two million strong military -- signed the commission's first order for 2021, which listed priorities in the training of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PLAF), official media here reported on Tuesday. The order instructed the armed forces to stick to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as their guiding principle and uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military as well as military strategies in the new era. It said the CCP will enhance its guidance over the military's training, urging the armed forces to focus on improving their combat readiness and continuing to reform their training system, state-run China Daily reported. The first such order was issued in January 2018, when Xi addressed a massive training and commencement ceremony at a shooting range in northern China. According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, Xi said the PLA must be ready to "act at any second" as the armed forces kicked off the year's military training and exercises on Monday. "(The PLA must) increase the integration of new equipment, new forces and new combat realms into training and combat systems," the report said, quoting the Chinese president. Xi has repeatedly stressed the importance of combat readiness training and joint operations to the armed forces since he became commander-in-chief in late 2012. In his order this year, he said the military must train their officers and soldiers in realistic combat scenarios, place more attention on research about war and military operations, increase the intensity of exercises, conduct more emergency-response drills, and remain on high alert to ensure the troops are always ready for any possible military engagement. Training and exercises for joint operations must be priorities, it said, adding that the military must intensify inter service training to foster integrated joint combat capability. Commanders are required to introduce more scientific and technological factors into training and boost their units' ability to use high-tech hardware and methods. The order also stipulated that military authorities must conduct strict evaluation and supervision of training and also improve their management and planning. All members of the armed forces must strengthen their fighting spirit and hone their skills and capabilities to fulfil the missions given them by the Party and the people and produce new achievements to celebrate the coming 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to the order. The year 2021 is the fourth consecutive year that Xi has issued a training order to the military as the year's first directive from the Central Military Commission. The revised National Defence Law, expanding the power of its armed forces headed by Xi to mobilise military and civilian resources to defend its national interests both at home and abroad, has come into effect from January 1 this year. The revised law specifically stresses the need to build a nationwide coordination mechanism for the mobilisation of state-owned and private enterprises to take part in research into new defence technologies covering conventional weapons, as well as the non-traditional domains of cybersecurity, space and electromagnetics. Also read: China's factory activity growth decelarates in December Also read: Donald Trump bans transactions with 8 Chinese apps, including Jack Ma's Alipay January 06 : Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has been one of the most successful shows on the small screen. It's been four years that the duo actor Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan has played an adorable couple and have received oodles of love from their sea of fans. The couple is addressed as Kaira by their fans. Shivangi Joshi who just cant stop praising her costar Mohsin Khan said that Mohsin is not only a good actor but also a pleasant human being. He is always supportive and guides her whenever she needs his help. For her, Mohsin is the best Kartik in the show. Shivangi Joshi was seen interacting with News Helpline in Mumbai on Tuesday. The Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor praising more her co-star said, Mohsin is a very good human being. He is very humble and kind. I have got to learn many new things from him. He helps me a lot. And apart from this, we support each other every time. He is the best Kartik I must say About the show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai show began with Hina Khan and Karan Patel playing Akshara and Naitik. The duo earned huge popularity with their roles. Later, after Hina Khan's exit, Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan came on board in 2016. As per the reports, the show will see a new cast in the coming weeks and many things will change. However, the latest reports claim that nothing will happen to the most loved Jodi on TV- Kartik and Naira. Shivangi Joshi aka Naira will lose her memory post the accident which will bring a complete change in the setup and storyline of the Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) The Philippines is temporarily prohibiting the entry of travelers from six more countries which have confirmed cases of the new coronavirus variant discovered in the United Kingdom. President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Departments of Health and Foreign Affairs to expand the ban on inbound travel to include Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, and Brazil, Malacanang announced Wednesday. From January 8 to 15, foreign nationals who have been in any of these countries within 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines cannot enter the country. Filipino and foreign travelers entering the country before January 8 will be welcomed, but they need to undergo a strict 14-day quarantine even if they test negative for the virus. Meanwhile, unaccompanied minor Filipino citizens in the government's repatriation program can still come home, but will be turned over to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration house parent, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The government first suspended all flights from the UK beginning December 24, a ban that later included 20 other countries and territories, namely, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. There are no restrictions on outbound travel, but that would depend on the rules of country destinations. The variant found in the UK, and another one that originated in South Africa are believed to be more contagious, prompting travel bans and widespread concern across the world. Both mutations have not been detected in the Philippines as of Wednesday, but the Philippine Genome Center said genomic surveillance will continue to monitor the presence of any new variant. A dry run to assess the readiness for the COVID-19 vaccination drive will be held in 21 districts of over the next two days, a senior state health official said on Wednesday. Last week, a similar mock drill was held in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur and six other districts out of the total 28 districts in the state. Now, it will be held in the remaining 21 districts for the assessment of preparation for the imminent vaccination drive, mission director for National Health Mission in Chhattisgarh, Priyanka Shukla, told PTI. The dry run will be conducted in Balrampur, Bijapur, Dantewada, Jashpur, Kanker, Kondagaon, Korea, Narayanpur, Sukma and Surajpur districts on Thursday, and in Balod, Raigarh, Balodabazar, Bemetara, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Janjgir- Champa, Kawardha, Korba, Mahasamund and Mungeli on Friday, the official said. The chief medical and health officers (CMHOs) of these districts have been directed to make necessary arrangements for the drill that will be held in one urban and one rural centre of each district from 10 am to 2 pm, she said. After 5 pm, the district task force concerned will review the entire process and submit its report by January 9, the official said. All necessary preparations like the selection of place, sending and receiving of mock vaccines, preparation of session in the Co-WIN app, and appointment of invigilator at the centre will be completed before the drill, she added. Prior to the dry run, a state-level monitoring team will inspect the vaccination centres, she added. Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 caseload reached 2,84,536 on Tuesday. Of these, 2,71,988 people have so far recovered, while 3,437 patients have till now died due to the disease, as per official figures. The Drugs Controller General of India on Sunday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Premier Brian Pallister will not discipline a Progressive Conservative MLA who travelled over the holidays, and urged the public to have "compassion" for the province's top civil servant who visited family in Ontario against the recommendations of public health officials. Premier Brian Pallister will not discipline a Progressive Conservative MLA who travelled over the holidays, and urged the public to have "compassion" for the province's top civil servant who visited family in Ontario against the recommendations of public health officials. Answering questions for the first time Tuesday about the out-of-province travel of Radisson MLA James Teitsma and two senior advisers, Pallister said he was "clearly not pleased" his caucus member had chosen to take a road trip Dec. 21-30 to Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia while the government was urging Manitobans to stay home. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Manitoba premier Brian Pallister has chosen not to discipline a Tory MLA and two senior advisers who travelled out of the province over the holidays against the recommendations of public health officials. "His decision to leave the province isn't something I support, but he's not a cabinet member," the premier told a news conference. "And I'm not going to be taking any disciplinary action against him. I can't remove him from a cabinet he's not a member of." When asked about the province's chief bureaucrat, David McLaughlin, Pallister first deflected a reporter's question, noting no cabinet minister from Manitoba, unlike other provinces, had travelled abroad during the holiday season. McLaughlin spent the final two weeks of 2020 working from his family home in Ottawa. He also attempted to portray McLaughlin, and political staffer Logan-Theanna Ross, who travelled to eastern Canada during the Christmas break, as two of thousands of public servants who have chosen to work from "home." "His decision to leave the province isn't something I support, but he's not a cabinet member. And I'm not going to be taking any disciplinary action against him. I can't remove him from a cabinet he's not a member of." Premier Brian Pallister on the out-of-province travel of Radisson MLA James Teitsma When pressed on McLaughlin's decision to travel, Pallister urged Manitobans to have "compassion and generosity" for his former political campaign manager's personal circumstances. "When we talk of someone who lives in Winnipeg whose wife and children live in another part of the country and they can work from home for a few days in isolation, carefully, I don't know that we should be judging them harshly," he said. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES David McLaughlin is exempt from having to self-isolate for two weeks upon his return from eastern Canada. McLaughlin, because of his government position, is exempt from having to self-isolate for two weeks upon his return from eastern Canada. As such, he has met with the premier face-to-face since returning to Winnipeg and participated in Tuesday's cabinet swearing-in ceremony. Ross, the PC government's director of strategic communications and marketing, will be required to self-isolate for two weeks. Manitoba's opposition parties were disappointed with Pallister's reaction to the travels of his MLA and senior staff. NDP Leader Wab Kinew said while Teitsma is not in cabinet, there were ways of disciplining the MLA, such as removing him from certain committees. "I think a lot of Manitobans who stayed in during the holidays, who abided by public health advice, are rightfully upset by what they've seen from the PC insiders who did travel." NDP leader Wab Kinew "I think a lot of Manitobans who stayed in during the holidays, who abided by public health advice, are rightfully upset by what they've seen from the PC insiders who did travel," he said. Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said the "big lesson from this is that nobody's going to be held accountable for anything." "It's clear that there's a completely different standard when it comes to the people who work for (Pallister) and his own caucus," he said. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. WASHINGTON As dusk fell Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Jim Himes and Rosa DeLauro huddled in a conference room crowded with lawmakers in the bowels of the U.S. Capitol. They didnt know whether they were safe from a mob of protesters who had stormed the building, angry that Congress was about to seal the results of the 2020 presidential election. Today was a massive security breach, Himes said in a phone interview from the locked room. Ive always assumed there was a button somewhere that they could press and the Capitol would be kind of sealed off. Well I guess thats not true. On Wednesday afternoon, Congress had begun a formal process to certify the 2020 Electoral College votes, when thousands of people proceeded from a rally held by President Donald Trump near the White House to the U.S. Capitol. The crowd overpowered U.S. Capitol Police, pounded on windows and doors and succeeded in entering the building. They paraded with flags, vandalized property and obtained access to the House and Senate chambers as well as lawmakers offices. Himes, D-4, and DeLauro, D-3, were in the House chamber around 2 p.m. when the commotion began. A limited group of lawmakers were present in the chamber to maintain social distancing, while other representatives remained in their offices. Suddenly, the energy in the chamber shifted. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. was whisked away, along with other top House leaders, Himes recounted. They locked up the doors and a lieutenant came in and said, There are gas masks under your seats. Please get them out. Were using tear gas in the rotunda, Himes said. The group of lawmakers and press were then directed to move around the upper level gallery of the House toward a door on the other side of the chamber. Down below, Capitol Police moved furniture to blockade doors. Rioters broke the glass on the windows of doors leading into the chamber. DeLauro, still in the chamber, heard a gun shot. Thats when the Capitol Police officers told us all to hit the floor, DeLauro said in an interview. So we lay there between the rows of seats, just lying on the floor. They just told us to stay there. Himes remembers this part differently he doesnt recall hearing a shot while they were in the House chamber. But he remembers hiding on the floor between the seats of the gallery. The officers surrounding the lawmakers drew their guns and pointed them down at the main level of the House chamber below where the rioters banged for entry, Himes said. About four minutes later, they moved Himes, DeLauro and the other lawmakers out of the chamber. They passed a group of protesters lying on the floor at Capitol Police gunpoint and hurried down a back stairwell, Himes said. Police then ushered the lawmakers through tunnels in the U.S. Capitol complex to a conference room in a secure location. Soon afterward U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2, was brought to the location from his office by Capitol Police, Himes said. U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1, was one of the lawmakers who was in his office when the rioters invaded the complex. He watched from his office across the park from the Capitol as the mob swelled around the building, broke the lines of Capitol Police and forced their way into the white marble building. For hours, he stayed locked in his office with two staffers, watching. I had a birds eye view, he said in an interview. I could observe everything. I was appalled at what was going on and could see that the Capitol Police were getting overwhelmed. On the opposite end of the Capitol, law enforcement fought to protect members of the U.S. Senate, as they did with House members. As the mob breached the building, police locked about 200 senators, staff and press inside the Senate chamber, among them U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. An officer with an orange police sash across his torso stood on the floor with what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon, positioning himself between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. Capitol Police ordered the senators to stand away from the doors. At one point Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., looked at her phone and yelled to the group Shots fired. D.C. Police later confirmed a woman was shot in the Capitol. After 15 tense minutes, police ordered an evacuation of the Senate chamber and rushed senators, staff and media to a secure location. It was pretty disconcerting and dismaying, Blumenthal said in an interview. The potential for physical violence was very real. We were warned specifically to move quickly without panic. As they hustled away, Senate parliamentary staff grabbed hold of the large mahogany boxes containing the electoral college certificates, preserving the key election documents that were at the center of the violent discord. Blumenthal and other senators moved to a separate, secure location to wait out the unfolding chaos. The mob fought with officers, hung Trump flags on statues and sat at lawmakers desks with their feet up. Police said the person who was shot, a woman, had died. She was not identified. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tweeted at 4:48 p.m. I am ok. My staff is ok. This is an insurrection. And President Donald Trump bears responsibility. It will not stop us from doing the work of democracy. It will not stop the transfer of power. Those responsible will be held accountable. Blumenthal said he was sickened by the anarchist mobs. Its not a protest. Its armed insurrection, he said. This is an assault on the heart of our democracy incited and fueled by the President of the United States and his enablers. U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5, tweeted to affirm her own safety around 6 p.m. Wednesday. For hours, lawmakers waited in lock-down. Himes, DeLauro and Courtneys group, holding in a conference room, were provided a box of Goldfish and some bottled water for sustenance. A Boston Globe reporter held in lock-down with other lawmakers said they were given dinner trays with polenta and Brussels sprouts. Many lawmakers wore masks in the close quarters, but some did not. Social distancing was not really possible, Himes observed, bolstering an additional fear that the mob attack would contribute to the spread of coronavirus at the U.S. Capitol. At about 5:50 p.m., an official made an announcement to Himes, DeLauro and Courtneys group of huddling lawmakers: the U.S. Capitol was finally secure. DeLauro called the days events jarring. This president put everyone here in harms way, very seriously, she said. Trump issued a video statement Wednesday afternoon calling on the rioters and protesters to go home, but telling them he loved them and the election was fraudulent and unfairly stolen from him and them. These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously and viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long, Trump later tweeted at the rioters, a message that was later removed from the platform. Go home with love and in peace. Remember this day forever! Despite the unprecedented attack, Congress decided it would resume the work of certifying the election results when it was safe to do so. Vice President Mike Pence, McConnell and Schumer all condemned the violence of the day with firm language when the Senate reconvened around 8:15 p.m. To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win, Pence said, breaking with Trump. Violence never wins. Connecticut Democrats said they were determined to finish the business of concluding the 2020 election Wednesday night and bringing an end to the Trump presidency. Larson described lawmakers Wednesday night as anxious to wrap up the certification. Himes said House members in his locked-down conference room applauded when they were informed of the decision. When representatives returned to the House chamber around 9 p.m., the wreckage of riot was cleaned up inside it except in one place. The glass panes of one of the chamber doors were smashed, where people tried to force their way into the hall. Im going to ask that this window not be repaired, Himes said on Twitter, to remind posterity of the consequences of misrule and demagoguery. emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson More than 900 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered throughout the region since distribution began in the state late-December. But, only those in healthcare fields have had access to the vaccines in local counties as health departments are giving prioritization based on Illinois Department of Public Health standards, which categorizes occupations and population groups based on risk and need. In the past few weeks, front-line workers like doctors and nurses have been first in line to receive the first vaccines allotted through the state. Because of the massive scope of the vaccination effort, though, vaccines have been in short supply. County health departments have been coordinating with hospitals and other groups to determine the priority for immunizations. Each county receives a portion made available to the state based on population and other factors. The distribution has been slow at first, because the vaccine isnt readily available, Greene County Health Department Administrator Molly Peters said. In Greene County, 187 vaccinations have been distributed so far. Though two types of vaccinations are being distributed, county supplies are not consistent. Weve been working with the hospital and clinics and a good portion of our doctors have gotten the vaccine and are encouraging others, Peters said. Many that weve seen have been very vocal about the need for the vaccine. The Illinois Department of Public Health developed a distribution plan for the vaccines, with prioritization given based on occupation or risk. Sharon Bargmann, director of nursing at Pike County Health Department, said the county has been distributing all of their doses within a week of receiving them. So far, 145 doses have been given out in Pike since Dec. 16. Though limited right now, Bargmann said plans are in place for mass vaccinations once they reach that level. Vaccines arent rolling in as quickly as they originally thought, but we are prepared and ready for mass vaccinations when they become available, Bargmann said. We know its hard, but we are working as hard as we can to get it out to the public. Though she said the health department has nothing to do with distribution, Bargmann said vaccinations for long-term care facilities are also beginning. Long-term care facilities are being vaccinated through a federal contract with Walgreens and CVS, which will coordinate with facilities to schedule immunizations. The doses required for long-term facilities are not coming from the allocations given to the counties. Cass County has only been able to give out 101 doses of the vaccine because the county has only received one round, said Cass County Health Department Administrator Teresa Armstrong. We dont know yet what well receive or when, Armstrong said. Though the first round has been distributed, Armstrong said they have a ways to go for the first priority groups. Its difficult to plan when we dont know what we are getting. Almost 530 doses of the vaccine were distributed in Morgan County from the first round of distribution, according to the Morgan County Health Department. Those that received the vaccination in the first round should be receiving their second dosage later this week. The county has a restricted distribution point for those who are classified by the state as 1A recipients hospital workers, public health clinics, health departments, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, home aides and other health care providers. The clinics, one held Tuesday and one scheduled for next week, should cover a majority of those in the first-priority category, known as 1A, said Dale Bainter, administrator for the Morgan County Health Department. Those that are eligible for the vaccine distribution were pre-registered and vetted prior to the clinics. About 200 doses were available for the clinic Tuesday. Bainter said there is no timetable for when the county will progress to the next category. We have to do all those considered 1A prior to moving on to 1B, Bainter said. Once we get the state approval to move on the next category, we will. Some estimate it could be months before the general population is able to be vaccinated. In general, people are wondering what they should do, but if you are not contacted by the department, just wait, Peters said. As we open it up to different priority groups, well release that information. Its time to be patient because we are getting it out as quick as we get it in. The Ministry of Health considers the activities of the state-owned enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine in 2020 to be ineffective, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday. "The Health Ministry considers ineffective the activities of the state-owned enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine in 2020. In 2020, the Ministry of Health instructed the Medical Procurement of Ukraine to carry out purchases of 483 items of pharmaceuticals. Everything was received in June-September 2020, as of December 31, tenders for 103 items were failed. These are drugs for oncology and cardiac diseases. To be on the safe side, the Ministry of Health will purchase medicines from other sources," he said. Stepanov said that the information about the suspension of the activities of the state-owned enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine due to the withdrawal of funding by the ministry does not correspond to reality. "As for the suspension of the operating activities of the Medical Procurement of Ukraine due to the alleged withdrawal of funding by the Ministry of Health, this is another fake. There is no stoppage; the enterprise is working as usual. The financial plan was approved on December 10. As for the budget program passport: it is approved after adopting the budget. The budget came into effect on December 28, 2020, and immediately after that, documents begin to be prepared, passports of budget programs are approved. This usually happens at the end of January, sometimes later. In Ukraine, not a single budget program passport has yet been approved, and the activities of enterprise have not ceased. The salary of the Medical Procurement of Ukraine is paid in full, it was paid on December 30, 2020," the minister said. Earlier, the state-owned enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine announced the blocking of its work due to the failure of the Ministry of Health to approve the temporary plan for the use of budgetary funds for 2021, which makes it impossible to finance the operating activities of the enterprise. Hopping on a plane to take a break from winter is a Canadian ritual. Suddenly, though, it's become a mistake that's upending the careers of politicians. Three provincial ministers, including Ontario's finance chief, were forced to resign from cabinet in the last week after they were called out for jetting to balmy destinations over the holidays, in defiance of their governments' guidelines to stay home because of covid-19. About a dozen more public officials who traveled abroad have been accused of ethical breaches, with some losing their parliamentary titles, including two members of Justin Trudeau's government. "We've been very clear. No one should be vacationing abroad right now," Trudeau said Tuesday at a news conference in Ottawa. "One of the things that has been really, really important throughout this pandemic for Canadians is the sense that we are all in this together." He said people traveling outside the country would be ineligible for a C$1,000 ($780) government benefit aimed at those who have to self-isolate. Canada's travel rules are strict by the standards of most western countries. Borders are closed to the vast majority of foreigners, and a 14-day quarantine on arrival has slowed airline traffic. Canadian authorities have discouraged non-essential travel out of the country, though it isn't banned. Faced with a surge of infections that threatened to overwhelm hospitals as the holidays neared in December, several provinces sent their economies back into stricter lockdowns and asked people to sacrifice family gatherings for the greater good. "I'm the guy who's stealing Christmas to keep you safe," Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said in an emotional news conference, summing up mood across the country. Most Canadians hunkered down over the holiday. Then came the evidence that some were doing quite the opposite. The Journal de Montreal newspaper dispatched a reporter to an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, who found Quebec tourists hanging out mask-free and sharing drinks and cigarettes. That article and similar reports sent the French-speaking province into a frenzy. They stoked fears that travelers would bring back the virus, in a repeat of the ill-timed March school break that officials blame for Quebec's death toll -- 8,379 deaths, the most in Canada. Next door in Ontario, travel became a political scandal when it was revealed that Finance Minister Rod Phillips was on vacation in plush Saint Barthelemy after his government imposed a widespread shutdown of businesses. Making the matter worse, Phillips had released pre-recorded messages on Twitter that gave the impression he was still in the country. He resigned Dec. 31. In Saskatchewan, a minister who'd traveled to California resigned from cabinet Monday. The anger has been particularly acute in Alberta, where Premier Jason Kenney's had already been criticized for being slow to act against a surge of infections. On Monday, Kenney took disciplinary action against his chief of staff and six lawmakers. That included the municipal affairs minister, Tracy Allard, who stepped down after she traveled to Hawaii and was nicknamed "Aloha Allard" by some constituents. "Millions of Albertans have made real sacrifices over the past 10 months to help keep each other safe," Kenney said in a statement. "They are right to be angry about people in positions of leadership vacationing outside of the country." Tens of thousands of Canadians flee harsh winters for the southern U.S., Mexico and other warm destinations every year, with some so-called snowbirds spending the entire winter there. Such travel has declined by about 70% this winter, according to the Canadian Snowbird Association, an advocacy group for travelers. "We're all tired of covid. Morale is cracking in places and people are breaking the law," said Richard Johnston, political science professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia. It's "infuriating" to voters to hear public officials tell them to avoid social gatherings and travel "and then the people who are making these regulations are breaking the very regulations they made," he said. Joe Exotic's father has died following complications relating to COVID-19, with the Tiger King star's legal team pushing for a pardon to allow him to attend the funeral. According to TMZ, the funeral of Joe's father Francis Schreibvogel, will take place in Oklahoma on Saturday, with the reality star, 57, 'desperate' to attend. Joe's legal team - lead by private investigator Eric Love - will fly to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, January 6 for a 'high level' meeting regarding their pardon petition according to TMZ on Thursday. RIP: Joe Exotic's father has died following complications relating to COVID-19, with the Tiger King star's legal team pushing for a pardon to allow him to attend the funeral The team are said to have an alternative plan in place - should the presidential pardon plea be rejected. They will go to a judge and ask for a day pass which would grant Joe - real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage - temporary release so he could attend his father's funeral. Maldonado-Passage is currently serving a 22-year sentence for plotting to kill kill big-cat rights activist Carole Baskin, 59. Mailonline has contacted representatives for comment. Tiger King star: According to TMZ , the funeral of Joe's father Francis Schreibvogel, will take place in Oklahoma on Saturday, with the reality star, 57, 'desperate' to attend Last week TMZ claimed that Love knows how to stroke the 45th US president's ego as on that day the House of Representatives will vote to ratify Joe Biden as the next president while Trump, 74, is planning a rally. According to their insiders, there is buzz that the commander-in-chief may pardon several people on January 6 to serve as a distraction so the vote does not get the normal attention. This comes just a week after Exotic filed court documents dismissing his pardon lawsuit after learning that his request has been received by the president. The star of the Netflix series Tiger King last week sued the US Justice Department for rejecting his official pardon request claiming it wasn't valid because his petition wasn't presented directly to Trump. Much missed: Should the pardon plea fail, they will go to a judge and ask for a day pass which would grant Joe - real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage - temporary release so he could attend his father's funeral (above Francis with wife Shirley on the show) He withdrew his complaint after learning Trump had received his petition, according to an article by TMZ. Lawyers for Maldonado-Passage in their six-page complaint had accused Acting Pardon Attorney Rosalind Sargent-Burns of not forwarding on the formal request while claiming that she was required to do so. The complaint also named Donald Trump Jr., 42, as a supporter. 'Many people have come out and publicly expressed their disagreement with Joe Exotics conviction and subsequent sentence. Among those, are members of the presidents own family. Donald Trump Junior has been an advocate for Joe Exotic to be pardoned', the complaint said, according to the New York Post. Maldonado-Passage is serving a 22-year prison sentence for plotting to kill big-cat rights activist Carole Baskin, 59. Reality sensation: Maldonado-Passage is currently serving a 22-year sentence for plotting to kill kill big-cat rights activist Carole Baskin, 59 - as he is seen in August 2013 He also was convicted in 2019 of eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records, and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. Maldonado-Passage has reached out to reality star Kim Kardashian, 40, for help in reaching Trump. In September, he wrote the president a letter pleading for an early release from prison while his representatives spent around $10,000 at Trump's Washington, DC, hotel in a bid to help his cause. Earlier this year, Trump said he would consider issuing a pardon for Maldonado-Passage, after his son Donald Trump Jr. brought the case to him. 'I'll take a look,' he told reporters in April. On the way out: TMZ claims the legal team knows how to stroke the 45th US president's ego as on that day the House of Representatives will vote to ratify Joe Biden as the next president while Trump, 74, is planning a rally Trump issued a slew of pardons and commutations last Tuesday benefiting former members of Congress convicted of corruption charges, two people charged in the Russia investigation that shadowed his presidency and four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead. Supporters of the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide had lobbied for the pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences. The Blackwater firm was founded by Erik Prince, an ally of Trump and the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. It has since been renamed. Credit: CC0 Public Domain The pandemic has exacerbated isolation and fears for one very vulnerable group of Americans: the 4.3 million older adults with cognitive impairment who live alone. As the coronavirus continues to claim more lives and upend others, researchers led by UC San Francisco are calling for tailored services and support for older adults living alone with memory issues, who are experiencing extreme isolation, and are exposed to misinformation about the virus and barriers to accessing medical care. In their qualitative study, researchers interviewed 24 San Francisco Bay Area residents whose average age was 82. Of these, 17 were women, and 13 were either monolingual Spanish-speakers or Cantonese speakers; 18 were widowed or divorced; 10 depended only on the in-person care of their family, eight only on in-person home care aides and six on both family and aides. Findings appear in The Gerontologist on Jan. 6, 2021. Among the most extreme emotions expressed was a desire by a few participants for the coronavirus to take their own lives "so that they could finally end their struggles." One participant said they were "fed up with the life that I have been given" and a second, who was struggling with an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, said that they would welcome the virus as "an escape plan." "One-third of those with cognitive impairment live alone. This is a demographic at high risk for loneliness and distress, as well as negative health outcomes, even before the pandemic," said first author Elena Portacolone, Ph.D., MBA, MPH, of the UCSF Institute for Health & Aging. "Public health recommendations that mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including shelter-in-place and physical distancing, reduce access to those amenities that had offered support to isolated older adults." Some of the study participants lived in cramped or inhospitable accommodation and reported that they felt "trapped in their own homes." Most participants were no longer able to seek companionship at church services, senior centers, restaurants or to interact with neighbors. "I was most concerned by participants' extreme isolation," said Portacolone. "Some participants were particularly distressed, two of them had had suicidal ideation before the pandemic, yet they received little or no support for their mental health." For some, long lines trigger memories of war, famine Because the participants lived alone, they faced their fears alone. Some were afraid of dying of the virus, despite limited contact with the outside world, and some shared that long lines outside grocery stores reminded them of past experiences of war or famine. Others worried about racial attacks and rioting that had followed the death of George Floyd. Misinformation about the virus was apparent in many interviews. One participant learned from WhatsApp, the messaging app, that gargling with salt water would treat the virus; another said that a doctor on TV had dissuaded them from getting the vaccine. Other participants claimed that going out without a face covering would result in a $400 fine or jail time. Many participants struggled with gaining access to their medical provider. Some were concerned that entering a clinic would put them at risk for COVID-19, while one participant with diabetes expressed frustration with the phone appointment that was offered, since "I don't even answer my phone ... (and) I have a poor mind." Another participant said that it had taken them three or four months to make an appointment with their eye doctor after they were told that services were not available. While the participants who had family support reported less distress, home care aides were recognized as providing companionship, as well as assistance with meal preparation and chores. But unlike other Western countries, the United States only covers the cost of home care aides for those with medical needs on very low incomes, Portacolone noted. "Well-trained and state-subsidized home care aides are the life blood in the support system for older adults with cognitive impairment living alone. The regular presence of someone reliable to ask questions, receive nudges and instrumental support, as well as company, is invaluable." The home care aides should be integral to a "therapeutic alliance" that offers tailored services and support from social workers, case managers and mental health services if required, she said. "These services are critical for maintaining the health and wellbeing of older adults living alone with cognitive impairment," said senior author Julene K. Johnson, Ph.D., of the UCSF Institute for Health & Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities. "More robust financial support of home care aides is needed." Explore further Program reduces social isolation among middle-aged and older adults More information: Julene K Johnson, PhD et al, The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lived Experience of Diverse Older Adults Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment, The Gerontologist, gnaa201, Julene K Johnson, PhD et al, The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lived Experience of Diverse Older Adults Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment,, gnaa201, doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaa201 The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)s member states are in the utmost need to unite their efforts to advance the region and face the challenges that surround them, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during his speech at the 41st GCC Summit in Al-Ula on Tuesday. We are in utmost need to unite our efforts to advance our region and confront the challenges that surround us, particularly the threats posed by the Iranian regimes nuclear program, its ballistic missile program, its destructive sabotage projects as well as its terrorist and sectarian activities adopted by Iran and its proxies to destabilize the security and stability in the region, the crown prince was quoted by al-Arabiya.net as saying. The GCC leaders call on the international community to work together to stop these programs that threaten the security of the region and the world, he added. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also announced that the member states have all signed the Al-Ula Declaration, which affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations. The Kingdoms Vision 2030 plan prioritizes a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council, in addition to strengthening the Arab and Islamic cooperation in a way that serves the security, stability, and prosperity of our countries and the region, he added. The summit is missing two great leaders who played a significant role in mediating talks between member states, the late Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and the late Sultan Qaboos, the crown prince said. The crown prince who recalled the significant role played by late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and late Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad of Kuwait in supporting the joint Gulf action, also thanked the United States for its efforts in mediating the rift between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. The four countries cut diplomatic and trade links with Doha in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism a charge Doha denies. Relatedly, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Tuesday that the Al-Ula Declaration signed at the conclusion of the GCC Summit marks a definitive end to the Gulf dispute with Qatar and restores full ties with Doha. What happened today is the turning of the page on all points of difference and a full return of diplomatic relations, Prince Faisal told a press conference at the conclusion of the landmark regional summit. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the sidelines of the GCC summit. The two reviewed relations between the two brotherly countries, and ways to enhance joint Gulf action, SPA reported. What a vision to see Donald Trump and Nicolas Maduro leading the news in Miami on the same day for the same reason: Both want to hold on to power at all costs. Caudillos in arms. Oh, the irony, Miami-Dade County voters. You who so aggressively campaigned and voted in record numbers for Trump, portraying him as the only savior who could rescue Venezuela from Maduros unyielding grip are now supporting similar tyrannical behavior from the American president to upend the verified results of elections in this country. You, like the Venezuelans who blindly support dictator Maduro, dont care about disenfranchising the 81.2 million people who voted for Democrat Joe Biden as long as your man is in power. You, protesting in front of Republican Senator Marco Rubios house in West Miami and demanding he cast his vote Wednesday to reject election results that have passed the test of recounts and court challenges across the land, including the Supreme Court. Truth: All attempts to throw out the election have confirmed over and over Bidens victory in both popular and Electoral College votes. Maria Martinez, creator of the pro-Trump, Spanish-language Facebook page Directo y Sin Censura broadcasts live from the protest in front of Sen. Marco Rubios residence in West Miami on Saturday, January 2nd 2020. You, spinning lies about unproven fraud in a fair and democratic election while you call for the end of totalitarian Cuba and Venezuela, where fraudulently elected Maduro has just seated a legislature packed with loyalists right under Trumps nose. The only surprise is that you didnt also drive all the way to Naples to knock on the door of Floridas other senator, Republican Rick Scott. Like Rubio, he adopted the Venezuela cause with fervor but he, Rubio, and Miami Republicans have yet to stand up for American democracy. Their silence empowers the wrong-doers in America. Rubio, Scott, Miami Republicans silent on Electoral College challenge for Trump Their harsh words are only for Maduro, who has, Scott said on Twitter Tuesday, ensured his cronies had a seat at the table in order to solidify his control and hold on to power. Sounds like, well, Trump and his Republican Party. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Under mining U.S. & Venezuela democracy This is an extraordinary moment in American history. To support defeated President Trumps narcissistic tantrum is an attempt to subvert the election process and destabilize the country. As a byproduct of that support, the political myopia of Miamis Trump supporters and GOP leaders diminishes the cause of restoring democracy to Venezuela and Cuba. Standing up to Trumps whims could have been an opportunity to lead by example. After the silence, you can no longer claim moral authority or inspire credibility. Biden will have a lot of work to do restoring the trust of allies and attaining the respect of enemies after this round with Republicans who put party over country, just like the communists. Sadly, the used and abused Trump-Miami-Venezuela story is like a bad, never-ending telenovela, too outlandish to be believed, too poorly plotted and thought through. Election results matter In this latest chapter, theres so much to lose, especially after the Democrats victory in two critical Senate races in red state Georgia. The results end Republican dominance in the Senate, leaving Rubio unless he changes his Trumpian tune where he was during the Obama years, ineffective and sidelined. Likewise for Scott. Marco Rubio praised violence to kiss up to Trump, but watch him jump off the T-train | Opinion Delivering Florida to Trump has ended up being useless for both Trump and the senators, who have presidential ambitions of their own. Biden won 306 electoral votes, Trump 232. Biden is the winner no matter what the sore losers of an election, Trump, or Rubio, or Scott say. Or, even how they vote for that matter. But if Rubio and Scott dont vote to uphold a pillar of American democracy verified election results and a peaceful transfer of power Florida voters must hold the senators accountable. The 2020 elections in Florida proved that voting in a U.S. election is also a foreign affair. But whats happening in Congress Wednesday when a group of Republican senators challenge a certification process that is normally only a formality there will be lessons for all. In Florida, Biden couldnt shake Trumps lie that Democrats are radical socialists | Opinion But, most of all, for those who are most unlikely to heed it fanatical Trump supporters trying to keep him in power at the highest of costs: American democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution. If Floridas Republican senators help President Trump in his destructive bid to overturn a verified election he lost, if they continue to propagate lies or innuendo about our elections, say goodbye to the America we know and love. As we say in Miami when things get rough, if there isnt a peaceful transition, apaga la luz y vamonos. Turn off the lights, and lets go. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission